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I am incredibly spoiled!
In catching up with the 163 new items in my Google Reader this morning I came across a post from Ocean Dreamer over at Ocean Dreams. She so sweetly included me in the great company of the other bloggers that inspire her and passed this award on to me.
Dreamer is well-spoken, intelligent, and inspiring. I love seeing updates from her in my GR! She's a God-fearing woman who's gorgeous to boot! I would highly recommend you take 10 minutes out of your day to click through to her place and say hello, because who couldn't use another addition to their Google Reader?
Thanks for the blog love, Dreamer! I'm flattered and honored!
In reference to this post, where I wonder aloud what I should call the guys that follow GM
Morning all! I do realize that I'm due for this week's OHF Results, and it's also TUESDAY(!!!) so we've got another Temptation to come up with...but first, a little blog business.
Lil' Woman loves me. Seriously! Lil' over at Little Woman, Little Home gave me "The Adorable Blog Award" over the weekend, and I couldn't be happier!
Here's the skinny:
The Adorable Blog Award:
Happy Monday, Poodles! Thanks for bearing with me while I tweak (and re-tweak) GM. I'm sure I'll find other things to mess with, but for now, I'm pretty happy!
In an effort to broaden my blogging horizons I've decided to start doing some of the fun stuff that's out there for bloggers. This week, I'm joining in the fun over at {ae filkins} and taking part in...
Friend Makin' Mondays!
Each week she posts a new topic to blog about. Once you've posted, you link back to her page and start clicking through the list. Viola! A whole slew of new blogging buddies, just ripe for the commenting.
So...my first official post as part of Friend Makin' Mondays is:
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Welcome to the new GM! Krystyn has done amazing work (and even entertained all of my OCD-ness) and I can't wait to get everything back in place.
Bear with me as I shuffle things around for the next hour or so. I should be back up to posting speed by tomorrow.
Snorgs!
As I was blog stalking catching up on my Google Reader this morning I came across a post that really made me stop. One comment in particular kept coming to mind as I read. It reminded me of the mistakes we make as Christians and trying to walk out or faith in our daily lives.
The quote came from a blog that I hadn't seen before, but found as a result of my incessant Blog Roll stalking. (See, stalking pays off!) It said,"If Christianity has taught me one thing, it’s to be a good liar."
The author talked about things that hit close to home for me. I know people that have attended the school she talks about in her post. I know people that live lives that closely resemble what she describes. I know people that have walked away from Christianity because they viewed it as something prohibitive, judgmental, and hypocritical. I can relate to some of those feelings because I've gone through most of them in the course of graduating high school and "finding myself."
Before I go any farther with my thoughts I would really encourage you all to go read the original post...not with judgment or condescension, but with an open mind and an open heart. Click here for a link to the post.
How did that post affect you? Did it make you think? Did it offend you? Did it hit home because it's how you feel as well?
As Christians we're called to be as close to "Christ-like" as possible. That's no easy task. I think that people take that desire to be like Christ in a direction that hurts others. So often we get caught up in the rules and regulations that we miss the real reason we are Christians. I am a Christian because I love God and I want to live my life in a way that brings Him glory.
There are things I won't wear, say, do, drink, watch, or listen to because of my own personal convictions. I wear pants. I wear skirts above my knee. I listen to all sorts of music. I work outside my home. I'm 27 and single. I shave my legs and tweeze my eyebrows. I dye my hair. (shhh!) I love make-up! I talk to "boys" (after dark even!) I do all of those things yet I don't think God loves me any less than He loves those that live life the way Pithy described it.
If we are driving others away from God by the life we lead, we need to take a step back and reevaluate what we're doing. God never promised being a Christian would be easy or popular, but He did call us to be Christ to the world. Have we forgotten that during His time on Earth Jesus spent his time with tax collectors and prostitutes? Not out of pity or charity, but because He loved them and valued them as children of God. Our faith doesn't make us "better" than others. My walk with God doesn't put me on a higher level than someone that doesn't believe in God. My walk with God and my faith simply gives me hope and strength to face what life brings me. It's something that means the world to me and I want to share that hope with others...it's so different than what you might think!
So Pithy (or fan's of her blog) or anyone else that isn't sure about this whole "Christianity" thing, if you're reading this post, I would like to apologize on behalf of all of the Christians that have judged you, talked down to you, said one thing and did another, or drove you away from God and the church. God loves each of you. Christianity isn't about hate and judgment...it's about a real, dynamic, personal relationship with a God that loves you more than you may ever understand.
I would love your comments...good, bad, or in between! I'm not afraid of different opinions! If you don't know God in a way that's real and personal email me...I would love to tell you more about what Christianity really means!
GoodbyeMartha (@) Gmail (.) com
Oh, and Pithy? Thanks for an amazing post today. It was just the wake-up call I needed.
Snorgs,
L-Dubb
OH! This just in...
Krystyn just sent me her second try on GM's new header and it is....
UH-MAZE-ING!
GM is going to be one gorgeous place, Poodles!
Hello dear Poodles! I'm sorry I've been such a terrible blogger the past few days! (Funny that my "terrible" means you only get one post a day instead of the typical 4-5!) I've been nit picking my new blog design to death. If Krystyn lives through this it will truly be a miracle.
Case in point: my email to her this morning. She sent me a rough draft of GM's new header and asked for what I liked and disliked. After a 5 paragraph reply (seriously!) I told her I was a "visual person" so I would just do a rough mockup of what I was trying to say in MDIS. My thought process was that if she likes to redesign webpages then she's probably just a visual as I am. I hope it helped and didn't completely throw her for a loop.
Yikes. I hope I'm not becoming the client from you know where. Thanks for your patience Krystyn! I love your work and I can't wait to see GM's new look!
To give you an idea of what dear Krystyn is dealing with I give you the graphic I sent her this morning...complete with tiny labels and descriptions. God bless that woman!
My brain is bleeding. My brain is bleeding from looking at 1576.3 digital scrapbook kits so Krystyn over at Krizzy Designs can get started on GM's make-over.
Even though I have brain bleed, I've been able to make a decision. I've gone from 47 "possible contenders" to 7 "finalists" to 2 "I can't-decide-they're-both-so-perfect" options.
After much looking, thought, comparisons, and list-makings...I decided to email my most blunt and straightforward friend to get her opinion. So, with that...Twin has essentially chosen the kit for GM's make-over.
All she had to say was:
"I like the ______ one best. The other is naturey, but this one is country fun. I think it suits you best."Be prepared for hay bales, chickens, combines, bandanna material, and horseshoes.
I'm a winner! Really. I'm not just being cute. Well...I'm always cute, what I mean is I'm not just playing around.
Kaitlin over at Life of a Busy Wife had an amazing giveaway that ended last night. She was giving away a blog make-over from Krizzy Designs.
*Note: If you've never been over to Kaitlin's place or Krizzy Designs' page you really need to check them out! Go ahead. I'll wait for you to come back......done? Cute, huh?*
At any rate, I threw my name in the hat for the blog make-over, but I expected my terrible-at-contest-winning luck to hold out and never hear any more about it. Well imagine my surprise when I get this post on my Facebook wall this morning from my IRL blogger sista, DeMo.
DeMo: Dude! You won something! Congrats!I had to sort through my Google Reader - because well, I enter a lot of giveaways - but once I sorted through my 54 new items I found this!
8:27am · Comment · Like/Unlike · Show Feedback (3) Hide Feedback (3) · See Wall-to-Wall
I'm a contest-entering fool!
Here's the latest damage. Julie over at Wearing Mascara is giving away a Smashbox make-up set. If you know me IRL you know that I'm a total make-up junkie, so I had to get in on this one.
Go check out Julie's blog, but DON'T YOU DARE ENTER THAT CONTEST!!! I want that prize.
Thanks Poodles!
Snorgs,
L-Dubb
I told you I loved contests. Here's yet another link-back because of my habit.
Scary Mommy has a great little contest going on for Mother's Day! Since I'm not a mother myself, I would happily turn over the loot to MY Momma...it would make a great side dish to the exciting present I've already got planned for her. (I'd tell you more, but Mom reads my blog and I can't be ruining the surprise. Sorry, Mom!)
Don't forget your Moms next month...the aftermath is NOT pretty.
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Listening to: The Goo Goo Dolls - Iris
Dearest Poodles:
It is now time for the results of last week's contest. I now give you the answer to the always mysterious, mind boggling challenge that is....
WHAT THE HECK!?
Granted, I've probably let enough time elapse since issuing the challenge that it's no longer interesting or mysterious, but that's just how I roll.
Some folks got close. Some folks were so far off I questioned their sanity (*coughJARETTcough*.) But nevertheless, I loved all the input.
Happy Saturday morning to you, Poodles! (Are you shocked to see a post from me on a Saturday!? Well, surprise! It's all part of the joys that are "scheduled posts!")
Right now it's 11 o'clock Saturday morning (CST.) I'm off drowning in a sea of taffeta with Twin (aka: shopping for THE Maid of Honor dress!), but the GM Show must go on!
Today's unexpected post is to send you all in search of new blogs to read!! Kaitlin over at Life of a Busy Wife has a great giveaway going on! Head on over, check out her blog, add your name into the drawing (OR add my name into the drawing...whatever floats your boat!) and have a look around. Seriously, anyone that likes Puggles and 409 is my kind of woman!
Stay tuned for the results of "What The Heck" on Monday morning. It's entirely possible I'll still take entries until then....so go on, take a guess and be a guest poster on GM.
Snorgles all around!
L-Dubb
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Listening to: Mariah Carey - Emotions
The ever foxy, always domestic Lil' Woman of Little Woman, Little Home gave me this award, and I'm ever so thankful! Thanks Lil' Woman!! 
Head on over to her blog and be sure to find pictures of Big Man and their new pad. OH! And Martha Mondays...always good!
In keeping with the "I ♥ Your Blog" tradition, I'll be passing this award on to all of my "followers." They are, in no particular order:
My inner-dork is in love with Google Analytic! If you're a blogger and you've somehow managed to exist this long without it, get it. Get it now. You'll never regret it.
My GA account tracks the number of hits GM receives per day. It will show me, down to the city, where GM visitors live. (Don't worry, I can't see your name or where you live or what kind of cereal you eat in the morning!) It shows me how each "hit" found my site, and will even give me the exact phrase a person typed in to a search engine to find me. It's all very James Bond!
It's all because of GA that I know most of the folks reading GM on a regular basis live in Kansas...although there is a very faithful reader in Arizona. (Hi, Arizona! Thanks for reading!)
Other interesting tidbits:
Goodbye, Martha had a makeover!
I wasn't totally satisfied with the layout I had before, and when I came across this one I knew it was love. Partially because it's a 3-column (love that!), partially because it has fun little extras (the pen is where you search!), but mostly because it reminds me of Wednesday night coffee dates and solving the world's problems at Starbucks.
Thanks to Falcon Hive for the amazing new layout. If you're a blogger and you're looking for some inspiration for a new template they're a great place to start.
Please be patient while I get everything back to "normal." 3+ posts a day will be back as soon as I satisfy my need to micromanage! :)
I have just spent the past 2 hours beavering my blog header...and I still don't love it. I can now relate to Amanda when she says "my brain is pixelated!" I have 3 ideas for really great blog posts, but I can't bring my brain to shift from MDIS (Microsoft Digital Imaging Suite) to writing mode. I'll just have to write them down where I write the rest of the things I have bouncing around in my head and call it a day.
Jason: Template shopping will have to wait until tomorrow.
Becky: The post to end all posts is first on my list for tomorrow morning.
And with that...I'm off to depixelate on a treadmill!
