Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Some of My Roots!

 My father was born in Jarkata, Indonesia.

My grandfather owned a tea plantation some what like this picture above.


                                                     Most of the people are Hindu.

Maybe this is one of my people? HA!

I hope to visit there one day. 
This is Me, Then.

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

More Random Julie-isms!

Random Things That You may Not Know about Me!
  • I enjoy nice long walks on the beach...just kidding, though that does sound nice. 
  • I can't pin-point where my obsession with black and white began but my wedding colors where black, white and silver.
  • I can't stand what divorce does to people. The effects last a lifetime. BUT if you get a divorce or yiou are already divorced keep the kids first.  Remind them you arent divorcing them. Even the grown ones need to hear it!  :o)
  • I have to have noise on at all times, radio, TV something.  Even at night I sleep with fan noise.
  • I love unsweet tea.
  • I don't understand why people think that both the parents have to work and they have to drive brand new cars and build brand new homes.  I don't get it at all.
  • I think single mothers and fathers that don't have the other parent around are the most amazing people in the world!
  • I also believe that parents that both choose to work or have to work are the second most amazing people (for sure the moms).  being a working mom is SO MUCH!
  • I sometimes wish I was a single parent so I could have every other weekend off!  ha!  just kidding, but its a thought.

This is Me, Then.

Monday, December 27, 2010

Random Things About me

This week I thought I would post RANDOM things about me that not many people know! 

*I am a SUCKER for the Bourne Movies!  When I hear that song
(turn your speakers up if they arent)
I get "giddy".

Its the one set of "action manly" movies I can watch with my hubby and not think in the back of my mind "did they really just say that cheesy line, and did that car really just blow up when it ran over a stick"?  HA!

Its cleaver and exciting and has a story!  If you want to "Bond" with your man go and rent all 3 right now! 

LOVE them!

This is Me, Then.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

My 300th Post! Better Give You Something Crafty!


The pictures don't give this sweet little banner justice!
It wasnt really for sale.  I saw it in a booth at a trade days and HAD to have it!  The sweet lady sold it to me for $2.
Of course I could make it myself, but what fun is in that! 

This is Me, Then.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

What Christmas Means to Me.

Today was my last day of school this semester and I am looking forward to making the most of this time with my family.  While our calendar is filling up with parties, baking, movies, shopping and so much more this time of year also brings great stress to our lives.  My husband and I come from divorced parents that all live within 30 minutes of us.  I try to see the good in having our parents and step parents so near but with it our chest begins to tighten because four sets of parents means 4 Christmas's and then our siblings are starting to marry and date and that brings more good and stress at the same time. I guess the reason I am posting this is to say to all of you parents out there that deal with the same holiday stresses I do, know you are not alone.  Those that still have your parents together, know you are truly blessed. 

I just take a deep breath and make the holidays amazing for my family, no matter what the stresses are.

This is Me, Then. 

Friday, December 3, 2010

More Blogs I Promise!

I promise I will blog more over the break!

Until then check out my finished
"chalkboard" fun!

This is Me, Then.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving 2010.

This year I am thankful for so many things but I am extra thankful for my daughter.  As she turns 12 in a few weeks all I see is my little girl with ringlets climbing out of her crib before she turned 1. 

I love you!
(i took the following pics over Thanksgiving break)









This is Me, Then.


Friday, November 19, 2010

Thanksgiving Week To Do's!

Ok, I have some To Do's for this Holiday Week!  If you don't mind I will report back on Monday, the 29th and let you know how it goes!  Have you made your to do list?  Christmas is AROUND the corner! 
You gotta have a list!
  • Put away all fall decor.
  • Put all my Christmas Decor out (minus the tree, we will do that after the break sometime together. Its a big deal)
  • Clean the house from top to bottom first!
  • Make these AWESOME chargers I found at Tater Tots and Jello (I already have all the supplies)


  • UPDATE: I started the chargers!  Gotta let them dry for 24 hrs!
  • Set the table for the holidays.
  • Pick up our Advent Calendars.
  • Talk to all my family and make sure Christmas is set in stone!
  • Oh, and work on my final for my TECA class!
Whoosh!  Its a big list, but i gotta get it done!
This is Me, Then.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Re-post from Dec. 09. Old Shutters are So Much Fun!

Get ready!  The holidays are around the corner.  Find your old shutter now! Re-post from December 2009. 
I got the idea to use a shutter from Buffy over at B Jane Brewing. She had a GORGEOUS red one!
So, I went to a garage sale and found this one and had to have it!

Well, we began to strip it so I could paint it red and my hubby stopped me and said, "I think it looks good like that, kind of rustic".

I have now decided my husband is a genius or clever!
He no longer had to strip and paint it! HA! But he did paint an entire set of clothespins red for me!
Love it and Love him!

The shutter will spend the other 11 months of the year in my daughters room for her fun pics and invitations!
This is Me, Then!

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

My Faith

My family and I are headed into a new spiritual journey, one, that in the past has haunted me.  I pray and feel that this time my search is over.  I feel like I am at a place I want to be and have found a church that is the perfect fit for ME, not anyone else, ME.

My main concern my entire adult life is that I didn't sit in agreement with any church I attended and I have attended MANY, this is in no way just about one.    I don't want to belong to a church that believes one way as a whole, but a small group of people in the church believe another way and just turn a blind eye.  I didn't want to belong to a church that has these certain rules yet members of the church openly do it anyway.  I am not judging in any way, I am just wondering why they don't attend a church that is accepting and loving of everything they do and believe.  But, you all know me, I am very BLACK and WHITE, there is no GREY in my color wheel. 

I am a very spiritual person in private and now want to really take my faith to the next level.  I want to attend a church in my hometown and I want to sit in agreement with all that is said and preached on Sunday morning!  I want to sit at a restaurant and have a glass of wine with my husband and not worry about someone from church seeing us.  I want to follow all the rules and the prayers God has set forth for me and man has set forth long ago.  I want to get back to the way it all started, not what man has turned it into.  I want this for me and my family. 

I am attending an Anglican (Episcopal) church and I am VERY happy.  I pray that anyone else struggling with a spiritual journey takes the time and researches and even visits many churches like I did before you decide on one.  You will know the perfect fit when you are in it.

We are Anglicans


Basics of Anglicanism

What is an Anglican? First and foremost, Anglicans are Christians – sincere, devoted followers of Jesus Christ. The Scriptures, the Apostolic Church, and the early Church Fathers are the foundation of Anglican faith and worship. The basic tenets of Anglicanism are:



•We confess the Old and New Testaments to be the inspired Word of God containing all things necessary for salvation, and the final authority for Christian faith and life.

•We confess the historic catholic faith as it was defined by the early undivided Church in the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds.

•We celebrate the two sacraments ordained by Christ – Baptism and the Lord’s Supper – with the use of his words of institution and the elements ordained by him.

•We find unity with the early Christian Church through the leadership of godly bishops who stand in an unbroken line reaching back to the Apostles of the Lord.

History

The Anglican Church is one of the oldest branches of the Christian Church stretching back to the earliest days of Christianity. We are the descendants of the ancient Church in England, and because the early name for England was Angle-land, we are called Anglicans. During the Reformation of the sixteenth century, the English Reformers sought to correct errors that had crept into the Church during the Middle Ages. Their goal was to reform the practice of the Church by the teachings of the Bible and return to the ancient and catholic faith. Thus, the Church of England maintained its apostolic ministry of bishops, priests, and deacons. Its form of worship, though translated into English and reformed, nonetheless stood in continuity with the Church’s historical worship. It was during this time that the English Reformers drafted The 39 Articles of Religion which outline many basic Anglican beliefs.



Faith

With all Christians, Anglicans believe in one God who created all things by his Word and Spirit. When humanity and creation became enslaved to sin and death, God formed Israel so that through that people he might bring salvation to all people. In the fullness of time God’s Word became flesh as the faithful Israelite Jesus Christ. Through his life, death, resurrection, ascension and the sending of his Spirit, God has redeemed humanity and established his kingdom. At the last day, God will judge the world through him, finally condemning evil and completing the renewal of His people and all creation.



Sacraments

Just as God’s Word entered creation as Jesus Christ, so God graciously continues to be present and active in his Church through physical signs called sacraments. God makes us and our children members of the Body of Christ through the water of baptism (Romans 6:3f). In the Holy Eucharist—also called the Holy Communion, the Lord’s Supper or the Mass—Christ feeds us with the spiritual food of his Body and Blood (John 6:53f). Other important rites commonly called sacraments, include confirmation, holy orders, reconciliation, marriage, and anointing of the sick.



Worship is at the very heart of Anglicanism. Anglicans follow the traditional Church year which celebrates the major events in the life of Jesus Christ. We worship according to the liturgical forms practiced by the early church and preserved in the traditional Anglican Book of Common Prayer. Central to our worship is the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. In this offering of prayer and praise, the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ are recalled through the proclamation of the word and the celebration of the sacrament.



In our worship, we seek to glorify God the Father through Jesus Christ in the Holy Spirit. At its best, Anglican worship is beautiful, ordered, reverent, and joyful.



Unity

Anglicans are ecumenical. We acknowledge as Christian brothers and sisters all who share our faith in Jesus Christ and have been baptized in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. We welcome all baptized Christians to the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. We seek to cooperate with other Christians. And we pray each week for the unity of Christ’s Church throughout the world.





Thursday, November 11, 2010

Quick Tip for the Shower!

If you don't already use Philosophy,
GO, RUN, NOW! 
Get you this amazing bottle of shower gel, bubble bath/shampoo for around $16.
So many scents to choose from!

I have been using it for a few years now to shave my legs and the outcome is silky smooth. 

You can find Philosophy products at most specialty makeup stores like Sephora or your higher end department stores. 
BUT, I just found a lovely bottle of it at Ross for $12.99.  WOOHOO!

This is Me, Then.