Don't Fall Out of your Chair...but I am Posting on a Monday

It is amazing that I am coming out of my typical routine and posting on a day other than Friday! For the two readers (I am being optimistic) that I have left on days other than Fridays, I appreciate you hanging with me. There are two BIG reasons for this post:

1. I am participating in the Siesta Scripture Memory Team and it is time for my second verse. I LOVED my first verse and actually feel a little sad that it is time to move on...however, what a blessing to know that those beautiful words are forever a part of my heart! This time, I chose to memorize some verses on the recommendation of my Bible Study facilitator. They are verses I have always been familiar with but never memorized and put into my heart. She talked about the importance of KNOWING these verses for the purpose of evangelism and so, my new verses for the second half of January are:

Ephesians 2:8-10 "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith--and this not of yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

2. The second reason for this post is to tell you about an AWESOME giveaway. Now, I really hope that, if you are a homeschooler, you totally choose to ignore this entirely...however, if you know me well, you will pay close attention because the fact that I am entering this contest boosts your chances tremendously because I DO NOT WIN. I just keep entering hoping that at some point, I can become lucky enough to win something I actually want rather than, oh, I don't know...a dog I did not sign up for nor did I want that I later have to go out and hunt down a home for because no one else will take care of it...but I digress. So, here it is...if you click here, it will take you to a blog where you can win a family pass to one of four homeschool conventions that are coming to an area near you. I don't know about yours, but I know the one close to us, in Memphis is going to be amazing...even with Tim Hawkins as the entertainment. I SO would like to go...so, hop over there and read all about it...and then choose to sign up and if you win...you can donate the tickets to me! :) Great idea, right! Hurry, the contest ends on the 23rd!

Check it Out

I have been planning all week to get on here and post and it just hasn't happened. Hopefully I'll be back this evening. However, until then, I found this series at You Can Make This and thought it looked fun. I probably won't have time to make a lot this year, but I will definitely store up the ideas for future use. There is also chances to win prizes just by watching the how to videos so go check it out!

And the Winner Is...

No, my family is not actually here yet. And no, I have not yet tasted the winning recipe! But...since there was only a whopping 1 entry, I already know the winner! You can visit her at Sassafras Cafe! Her entry is a Parisian Apple Tartlet which you can find a delicious looking picture of HERE! Congrats, Tammy, and thanks for being my one and only participant! I'll be sending you a little somethin' somethin' real soon!

Coffe Talk and a Little Contest

Good morning, Company Girls, c'mon on in! Thanks to my sweet hubby, who made a late night run to Kroger, we have milk to drink and garbage bags to throw away things! It has been another busy week at the Tiger den with Sports Camp going on and, of course, the College World Series gracing every T.V. in the house until Wed. night. How 'bout them TIGERS! Sorry, we're still a little excited around here!

Other than Sports, baseball and a sickly little one, I don't have much to talk about so I saw this little Q&A over at Septembermom and thought I would join in the fun. Feel free to join in yourselves, if you do let, me know in the comments, I'd love to get to know you better. If you don't want to read through this LONG list, scroll down to the bottom for a little contest I am doing!

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? My mom and dad wanted to give all the girls the same initials as my mom: SJW, they named my sister and ended up knowing several others with the same name and so decided to be a little more unique. It came down to Syleste and Star...Star one out. No, they weren't flower children or "on something" just trying to find a unique name and I am glad they did because every time I hear Syleste I think of a story I used to hear as a child with an elephant named that...I don't really want to think of an elephant every time I hear my name!

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? Probably yesterday...sorry, I'm emotional!

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? I really don't. Very junior highish

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Peanut butter. Not so much a meat person!

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Four 12, 9, 6, 18 months.

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? I like to think I would, however, I am kind of quiet and hard to get to know, so I guess it depends on how friendly to new me was.

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM? Oh, please!

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yes.

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? You have seriously got to be kidding. I have four children, I don't have time to be dead!

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Probably Cheerios in my old age. I know, not too exciting.

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF? Absolutely!

12. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM? Jamoca Almond Fudge which is a little strange because I hate coffee.

13. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? Hmm, not sure on that one...probably whether or not they have children with them.

14. RED OR PINK? Pink.

15. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? I am an introvert who desperately wishes I were an extrovert. I want to be friendly, comfortable in a crowd, the life of the party. Instead, I cherish being alone, am too quiet, and DREAD new experiences.

16. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? My family. I live 2,000 miles from my parents and two sisters and don't get to see them enough. I wish I could live closer.

17. DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO COMPLETE THIS LIST?? Am I a blogger?

18. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?blue workout shorts (there has not actually been any working out...but a girl can hope!) and tennis shoes.

19. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW? Well, B.B. just came down and turned on the t.v. that is about it.

20. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE? If I were a crayon...would I really have a choice?

21. FAVORITE SMELLS? Fresh baking bread! mmmmmm!

22. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE? My father in law. He called Tigerfan last night and I answered. Before that, Tigerfan...to tell him we needed milk and garbage bags!

23. DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO POSTED THIS NOTE? Never met her but I feel certain she is a wonderful person, she has a cute blog!

24. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH? Well, by default I guess it would be LSU football or, this season, baseball. If I were totally honest, however, why would I really devote too much time to watching sports on T.V. when I could be watching HGTV or the Food Network?

25. HAIR COLOR? Light brown with lovely and distinguished grey highlights.

26. EYE COLOR? Blue..just like my daddy!

27. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS? Nope!

28. FAVORITE FOOD? Chocolate, silly question!

29. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS? Happy endings.

30. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED? Valkyrie--don't even know if I spelled that right.

31. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING? white

32. SUMMER OR WINTER? Summer--school break, reading by the pool, ice cold water...I LOVE summer!

33. HUGS OR KISSES? Hugs. although, wet, slobbery baby kisses are pretty great, too!

34. FAVORITE DESSERT? Anything with chocolate

35. MOST LIKELY TO DO THIS? I have no idea

36. LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND? Purple Diva, she is too busy playing some Farm game on Facebook!

37. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW? Just finished a series and haven't started a new one, I have a Ted Dekker awaiting me so that will probably be next.

38. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD? A Tiger, what else would it be?

39. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT? House Hunters...it was popcorn and M&M night!

40. FAVORITE SOUND(S)? Silence!

41. ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES? I really don't care!

42. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME? Either Mexico or Canada...not sure which was farther at the time.

43. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT? besides being the person with the least amount of talent? Would being able to read while walking on the treadmill count?

44. WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Boise, Idaho

45. WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK? Anyone's!

46. HOW DID YOU MEET YOUR SPOUSE/SIGNIFICANT OTHER? We met at a college/singles Sunday School class party. I was getting ready to graduate and move back to Idaho...I think his parents talked him into calling me.

So, that is that everything you ever wanted to know about me! Please join in the fun...I would love to hear your answers!

Now, for a little contest! My family will be coming to see me next week and I am looking for some good recipes to try out...any category. The only catch is that my sister suffers from severe migraines and is on a special diet. The main things are low caffeine, no MSG, and nothing aged. Therefore, the only cheese she can eat is Farmer's cheese and no ham, etc that has been through a curing/aging process.

I will take your recipes and try them out on my family while they are here. Each adult will vote (1 to 5 stars) on each recipe and the winning recipe will get a prize. I am not entirely sure yet what that prize will be...I'll get back to you on that.

I will give you five bonus stars for sharing this contest on your blog and linking them back here...I want lots of new recipes and while I love the 3 of you who actually comment, I would like to expand the pool a bit!

So, submit a recipe by Wednesday and let me know in the comments if you link to this in your blog! Can't wait to tell you the winner!

Have a great week!

Photo Contest--Check It Out!

If you have been around this blog for long, you will know how being "organizationally challenged" has caused me much chaos, stress, and frustration.

I wish I was one of those people who had it all together. I wish I could tell you what was for dinner tonight...actually, I CAN do that today, but not always. I wish I never had to worry what surprise visitors think when they walk into my disaster, I mean home. I wish I could say that I've never missed a hair appointment (last week) or forgotten a wedding shower (also last week). But, frankly, I am a mess. A stressed mess. Partly because I live with a man with OCD tendencies. So my lack of ability to keep things tidy and organized drives him crazy!

I often surf around on other sites to get help. Because, those home organization fairies just NEVER come! It was during one of these surfing sessions back in December that I stumbled onto the Home Sanctuary blog. WHAT A BLESSING! Rachel Anne has started this blog to help women like me make their home more of a sanctuary. We are given points each day for doing one small thing. Simple. Sometimes we even pamper ourselves. I have LOVED being a Company Girl and would highly suggest you check it out.

However, I am on a rabbit trail. My purpose in this post is to tell all you shutterbugs out there about a contest Rachel Anne is hosting. You see, she is writing her first book and is looking for photographs to include. These can be by professional or amateur photographers. Now, not only am I organizationally challenged, I am photographically challenged as well and could not take a decent picture if my life depended on it. But some of you, my friends, came LEAPING to my mind with this assignment. SO, Kelly, Linda, and any of you other moms out there who can take a picture without cutting off a major limb or waiting too late to click so after the digital delay, you find you have taken a picture of air, go to this site and check out the contest. Go right now! I'll give you another chance: go HERE! I am living vicariously through you, my friends, and nothing would bring me greater joy than to see you published! Hurry, go NOW! Last chance!

The Purple Diva and a Musing Giveaway

I have a post in mind about my wonderful weekend of cleaning up bodily fluids...it will be a must read, but before I do, I must tell you about one of my sweetest blogging friends.

If you have never been to visit CJ, the Purple Diva, you simply must go! And this week is the time to do it, because she is having a blogoversary on Jan. 17 and is having give away after giveaway to celebrate. And let me tell you, this girl KNOWS how to do a giveaway!

You will be glad you visited her site! She is so funny and always has a hilarious video or comic posted that is guaranteed to make you smile. She also posts about 27 times a day...so every time you go, there is usually something new to read!

She also could just use a little love this week. She has had a rough beginning to 2009 including being diagnosed with diabetes and being putting on meds that are wreaking havoc on her poor body! So, stop by there...here is the link...again, and give her some love! You will both be glad you did!

Thanks for reading this public service announcement!

Oh! and while I am on the subject of Giveaways, Musing of a Housewife (who, by the way led me to Purple Diva) is also having a giveaway for a WordWorld set...go check it out!