Bram and I have worked a little bit with color blends lately. He's had a great time mixing paint to create new beautiful colors (teal!) and not sot beautiful colors (mud puddle brown). But his favorite time to mix colors has been bath time. He really loves Crayola Color Bath Tabs.
We've had quite a bit of snow lately, so during the cold days he would spend a long, looooooong time in a warm bath mixing colors. He now knows red and yellow make orange, yellow and blue make green, red and blue make purple and (according to the reasoning of a three year old) too many colors make it look like you pooped in the water. Mmm Hmm.
I've been watching the American Idol auditions and I have to admit that while I love Aerosmith, I never got the whole Steve Tyler-mania. But now I do, he's likable and I think he's more handsome now than he was 30 years ago.
Anyway, this got me to thinking. Who was my first celebrity crush?
At first I thought it was Patrick Swayze, quickly followed by Keanu Reeves and Axl Rose. But then I remembered, no, my very first celebrity crush was Dale Midkiff.
Why? Well, let me tell you a story, you're not busy right? Good!
My father is a huge Elvis fan and that gene was passed to me...it's a sickness really. I'm a big Presley fan, play me some Don't, Suspicious Minds, Hard Headed Woman or In the Ghetto and I'm a happy girl.
As a child I would dance around the living room to my Daddy's Elvis Records. And when the made for TV movie Elvis and Me came out, it was an EVENT. Nevermind that I was only 8 or so - I watched Elvis and Me with my Daddy.
And it shaped me. I fell in love ( love!) with Dale Midkiff. In my 8 year old mind I was going to grow up and marry him, no question. But (since he was older than me) if I couldn't marry him, I was going to find and marry a man that looked and "acted" just like him. And come to think of it, he does look a bit like my husband Shane don't you think?
Now, in the movie Elvis was portrayed as a cheating, lying husband. But there was another side of him that was what any 8 year old girl would want in a man. He was tough - willing to fight for his woman -
"Back off man! Back off!"
Lots of fun and spontaneous, wanting only to be with her -
"Come here Miss, where me out."
Passionate but dedicated to his dream -
"Someday we'll have everything."
If the above references don't make sense to you, watch the clip below. This 9 minute segment was a big part of why I fell in "love" with Dale Midkiff. It picks up after Priscilla tells Elvis that his bodyguard made unwanted advances.
*SWOON* What a man right?
Well, I'm happy to report I got a man just like that (minus the lying and cheating) loving, dedicated and passionate about me. I'm so thankful Dale (I like to pretend we're on a first name basis) was my first celebrity crush because those childhood memories really do shape you. How different would I have been had a crushed on someone like - I don't know - Charlie Sheen?
I still have a healthy adoration for Dale, he's a great actor, handsome and has been in some morally strong, quality films. I rediscovered him in the Love Comes Softly series. They are fantastic movies with a strong Christian theme. *Lurve* them!
So, be honest, who was your first celebrity crush and why?
Another late Fruitful Thursday...perhaps I should change the title to Fruitful Friday. Oh well, I doubt the Lord cares what day I post as long as I glorify his name. This month I'm concentrating on the fruit of the spirit, goodness. I didn't expect this to be such a tough topic for me, but I am overwhelmed. I have no words.
And that is unusual for me. Usually I have to go over a post several times and cut it in half...too many unnecessary words! But, while reading, thinking and praying on God's goodness, I have no words. I'm reduced to a tearful, grateful mess. I've simply cry my way through a song, learned as a child in church, that simply and beautifully expresses what I feel. So that's what I'll leave you with today. The lyrics to God is so Good. Simple and beautiful when sung slow and soft.
God is so Good Hymn Lyrics
God is so good, God is so good, God is so good, He’s so good to me!
He cares for me, He cares for me, He cares for me, He’s so good to me!
I love Him so, I love Him so, I love Him so, He’s so good to me!
I praise His Name, I praise His Name, I praise His Name, He’s so good to me!
I like people, and people generally like me. But the deep, bare your soul, stop by anytime, let's do lunch friendships? No. I'm guarded. At 32, I'm just starting to delve into that world.
And I can't take credit for it. I've been blessed with two people in my life that are teaching me the meaning of intentional friendship. They are showing me what it means to cultivate a friendship, and I am thankful.
One of those friends is a fellow blogger. She calls me at home - and I like it. But the first time she called me I have to admit I was nervous, I got all itchy and contemplated not picking up. My hands were clammy as I answered "Of course!" when she asked if it was okay to call me at home. The truth was that I wanted it to be okay, I just didn't want her to know how socially awkward I can be.
Another friend of mine is local. We recently met for coffee and I can honestly say I think this was the first time I'd ever met a friend for coffee just because. It was a lovely afternoon. I even felt comfortable enough to admit to my social ineptitude and my friend shared where she had learned the "art of friendship".
It truly is an art.
And cultivating intentional friendships is something I really want to concentrate on this year. When I was at Women of Faith I heard Lisa Welchel speak on friendship. I'd love to get her new book. It may be good springboard for me.
With all this talk about The 2:1 Conference you may be wondering what is the difference between a conference and a convention. Let's start with what they have in common.
Conventions and conferences are:
fun
informative
great for curriculum shopping
And while I wouldn't discourage you from attending a convention, there are some drawbacks to consider:
Conventions can be overwhelming in size (Thousands! Attendees + Vendors = Oh my!)
Little time to connect with friends or make new ones - everyone is shopping
Vendors' top priority is to make a sale - could be pushy and awkward
You have to choose which keynotes to skip
Focused on one topic - homeschool curriculum
A conference offers:
An intimate gathering of attendees
Plenty of time to socialize and chat with homeschoolers about more than just curriculum choices
Sponsors who care about what you want and what you think - long term partnerships, no pushy sales people
General session keynotes - time with friends all hearing the same topics to discuss
Cohesivelyblending several of your favorite interests - blogging, social media, faith, etc.
Opportunity for a family get away / field trip
So if you're looking to make those blogging friends IRL friends, an atmosphere to learn and share your own experiences, and a place where you can be more than just a face in the crowd ... find a conference! It just so happens The 2:1 Conference tickets are on sale Monday only!
I'm guest posting today at The Homeschool Village on homeschooling highschool. Stop by and say hi!
Though I'm a day late, today I'm continuing the Fruitful Thursday series. Last month was kindness so January will be dedicated to Goodness. At first I was really excited to explore goodness...and then all I could think was how short I am from being truly good.
Sinner.
Fallen from grace.
Transgressor.
And I got a little itchy. What can I possibly say about goodness? I am a sinner fallen short of the glory of God. But God is GOOD and with faith, work and dedication, I can be good in Him.
His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. ~ 2 Peter 1:3
Sorry I went MIA after my big "I'm Back!" post. Family life was derailed this week by a nasty head cold. Actually, I think it may have been the flu because it was accompanied by aches, pains, chills and a mild fever. But I'm feeling better and really back now :)
In fact, I'm feeling so good, I think I'm ready to party!
Twitter party that is, I'm not yet ready to put on lipstick...or get off the couch in the evenings.
I hope you'll join me on Twitter tomorrow (Tuesday) evening at 9:30 pm EST. The Homeschool Village will be hosting the party and 2:1 will be available to answer questions about the conference. There are also lots of great prizes to be had!
Thank you the wonderful group of 2:1 friends who donated this exciting list of prizes!! And if all that is not enough, you can even win a prize BEFORE the Twitter party.
Official 2:1 sponsor, Seeds Family Worship is giving away a complete 5 pack (all 5 Seeds Worship CDs) plus a free pre-order of the soon to be released 6th CD, Seeds of Character!!
TWEET TO WIN: @seedsworship official sponsors for @2_to_1 conference. Twitter Chat Tues 9:30pm #2to1
A winner will be chosen randomly and announced at the start of the Twitter chat. Entry tweets are unlimited!
So be sure you are following 2:1 (@2_to_1), The Homeschool Village (@thehsvillage) and Seeds Family Worship (@seedsworship) and we’ll see you there!!
I missed you guys, how are you?? I have to admit I did enjoy the blogging break, but now I'm ready to get back to it! So I'm back and with REALLY EXCITING NEWS too!
The 2:1 Conference site is live! We've released dates, venue and estimated costs. So go check it out, mark your calendars, grab a button and tell your friends. I hope to meet you face to face in April.
We've had quite a bit of snow lately, so during the cold days he would spend a long, looooooong time in a warm bath mixing colors. He now knows red and yellow make orange, yellow and blue make green, red and blue make purple and (according to the reasoning of a three year old) too many colors make it look like you pooped in the water. Mmm Hmm.
