Easter Backgrounds - Yours for the Taking (2)

Easter Backgrounds - Yours for the taking

American Idol-less

Last year I became a loyal watcher of the show American Idol. But most of the contestants this year leave me feeling a little bored. Favorite for me has become Blake, but I don't think he'll win. Do I continue watching in hopes that I'll care at some point? Or do I reclaim those 3+ hours a week and do something worthwhile with my life? Hard to say.

Never Under Estimate

Never under estimate the fun that can be had while playing a game of Jenga.

Contest Week at SYM

Contest Week at SYM.com is bound to be a hit. Check out the site each day to see what we're adding.

Ransom Student Ministry

On the podcast last week Matt McGill suggested that I re-design the logo for one of our listeners, Eric Smith, youth pastor of Ransom Student Ministry. I've had some back and forth with Eric since and here's the progress we've made thus far. Any favorites?

LowePro

I just got the greatest travel bag for all of my equipment - The LowePro Media backpack from Best Buy. This thing holds my 15" powerbook, Canon Digital Video Camera, Canon Rebel, and all accessories in 3 unique compartments - plus the space for all of my carry-ons:) Plus it's a backpack...Hands free and evenly distributed weight! No more switching shoulders.Here's pictures of it fully packed. This thing's amazing.

Shuffle Up and Deal

Matt McGill had mentioned this on our podcast last week and I thought it was a clever idea: Hit Shuffle on your iPod and post what the top 5 songs are...
Reet Petite - Jackie Wilson
This Poem Sucks - Mike Myers
Don't Fear the Reaper - MIT Logarhythms
Nice to Meet you Anyway - Gavin Degraw
Sitting On the Dock of the Bay - Otis Redding

Now that is a random mix! I challenge you to do the same. Forward to a friend, or add a post here.

New Favorite Car

I have a volkswagon bug - due for a 60,000 mile check up and I know it's going to cost me some coin. My turning signal just broke. My trunk cover has been broken for about a year. I need new wiper blades. I need to wash it. I have an appointment for Wednesday while we're in Indy, so maybe I'll like it again after it's shiny and working.

However, I think I've discovered my next car. FYI- I change my mind monthly about "my favorite car" and still haven't purchased anything, so bare with me. It's the Honda CR-V EX-L. I hate the name, but I love Hondas and I like the look and features. New model, white, navigation system, digital audio reader, seat warmers, 24/30 miles per gallon...pretty dope.

Valentines backgrounds

Just Added! 15 Valentines Day backgrounds for $5.99. Here's two more for free...Happy Love Month!

Woohoo! NYMC

8 more days til the National Youth Ministry Conference! We just got our team shirts. Going simple. We had a fashion show today - here's some pics.

Mammoth - Report

So...I was horrible. My first run was my best run of the day. Following that I had one serious face plant - thought I had broken my nose. I pulled muscles in both of my quads since my momentum threw my body forward, thus my board back and around nearly hitting me in the head...BEHIND ME! That freaked me out but I shook it off. The next run (Getting off the chair lift) I randomly turned backward and fell on my tail bone. And since I fell the whole way down the slope, I kept hurting the same spot over and over again. That was the end of my efforts at Snow Boarding.

I spent the rest of the weekend at our house, in my slippers, with snow falling outside, and a cup of hot chocolate in my hand. Eric's aunt taught me how to play Sudoku - love it, Eric's mom taught me how to knit - I started a scarf, we watched Arrested Development DVD's, went in the hot tub, ate dinners together, read a lot. It was an incredibly relaxing, special, bonding weekend.

FYI. My tail bone still hurts. I have trouble putting my shoes on, because it hurts to bend over more than 90 degrees. Woohoo, snow boarding.

Mammoth

I leave for Mammoth today for my first try at Snowboarding. I'm borrowing clothes and a board from Julie Brazelton, so I'm going to look really cool. Andy gave me a lesson this morning, so I at least know that I'm supposed to bend my knees, lead with my shoulders, and lean on my toes and my heals to turn. Apparently I'm expected to whine a lot...we shall see. I'll post pictures when I get back.

Josh owes me lunch

Small wager - lunch at Chili's. Josh told me that the 5 main characters from high school musical are in their 20's...I strongly disagreed and challenged him to lunch if at leaast two of them were under 20. I won.

The Story of Jim & Pam

This is fantastic. Fills my heart with joy.

I'm an Elf!

Now watch me dance!

Laguna Niguel's "Most Unique" Lighting Display

SO last night we went to look at Christmas lights, and found the "Most Unique" winner of Laguna Niguel's Christmas decorating contest. The house has a sign in front asking you to set your radio station to 90.5 FM. There you will meet Mr. Belgen, the man who has produced a lighting show set to Christmas music.

Definitely worth seeing.

5 Tunis
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677

I Heart Christmas #6

Nellie Gail Christmas Lights - My husband and my first date was when I was 14 years old. We went to Nellie Gail (a really nice neighborhood by where we live), parked the car and walked through the streets looking at Christmas lights. Tonight we will be celebrating our 12th year of that cherished tradition.

A Singing Santa's Elf

Katharine McPhee of 'American Idol' hauls gifts to O.C.'s Hopes House.
By LORI BASHEDA
The Orange County Register

Months after the fifth season of "American Idol" ended, McPheever swept through a south Orange County shelter Tuesday.
"Idol" runner-up Katharine McPhee and her boyfriend, Nicholas Cokas, drove two cars packed with gifts from their home in Sherman Oaks to Hopes House, a refuge for abused women and their children.
None of the six kids, all under age 6, knew who McPhee was. But what's more important to a 4-year-old – that you're a newly minted pop star, or that you just showed up with hundreds of presents? read more

I Heart Christmas #5

The Christmas Sweater Spectacular - Some friends of ours have an annual party asking us to wear the tackiest Christmas Sweaters we can find. It is hilarious, people get really creative. This year a guy made his own sweater with twinkle lights strung through...however he couldn't find any battery operate lights, so he had to plug himself in wherever he was standing. Funny. And the 'We Three Kings' perform. Their greatest hit is Little Drummer Boy - it's outstanding in every way.