Fabulous Friendship!

The focus of Women’s Bible Study Sunday morning was friendship. Sisters were commonly stated as the women’s best friend. And although my sister and I were not friends until fairly recently, I had to agree. My sister is indeed my best friend. I am not sure when this happened exactly. For most of her life I was a very selfish person and therefore oblivious to her needs or feelings. When she was nearing the end of her high school career, and we had both matured a great deal, we became friends. If this pattern continues, in 7 years, when my other sister is nearing the end of her high school career, she and I may be best friends too. Releasing selfishness and focusing on others every once in a while is fabulously rewarding.

Fabulous Desserts!

The hubby and I were discussing stress the other day on our way home from the grocery store. We came to the conclusion that I have absolutely nothing to worry or stress about. First of all, and most importantly, the Lord’s got it all under control. As long as I am doing my best to live in His will and not my own, I am good! Now if we could all just accept that wholly and completely, there would be no stress anywhere for anyone. But that’s just not the case. We as women (or men, I don’t not know who my readers may be) worry about money, family, jobs, church, friends, shopping, bills, weight, health, image, marriages, social events, etc. Why? Can we all agree here and now to think on things that are worth our time, things that are more, Fabulous?

Fabulous Quality Time

The hubby and I now have a new activity to do together, play video games. Playing video games isn't "new" to either one of us. However, we have had quite a time finding one we could both enjoy. The biggest problem we have faced is the fact that I am really a very poor video game player. Who wants to play a game when they KNOW they are going to lose EVERY time. Throwing a game now and then doesn't help the situation. I am so bad that I KNOW when he lets me win. Well, that has all come to an end. Super Mario Galaxy 2 has a special feature that allows for two player to cooperate. I am told this is a two player co-op... whatever. All I know is that I get to be the little pinkish star that AUTOMATICALLY moves around and follows Mario (the Hubby). I help by using the Wii-mote to click on coins (the pinkish star then AUTOMATICALLY collects them), click on enemies (the pinkish star then AUTOMATICALLY pins them down so Mario can kill them), and best of all I can to nothing to HURT Mario! I can join in the middle of the game. I can quit in the middle of the game. Both of which have no consequence on game play. Fabulous!

Fabulous Coupons

We received a flyer in the mail advertising the Sunday + Wednesday paper both for only $1 a week for the first 13 weeks. As the hubby and I do not have TV, I was very interested in getting the paper to stay up to date in current events. It was only an added bonus that the Sunday paper would also be full of coupons! The hubby and I agreed to subscribe. During one of the best Sundays I have enjoyed in a while, I made my grocery list and went through the coupons. Afternoon well spent? You tell me. I saved over $48. Fabulous!

Fabulous Sunday morning

Woke-up on time for church. There was nothing to eat in the house. The hubby took me to Einstein’s Bro. Bagels. They toast and butter your bagel for you! Fabulous. I also got a caramel-something coffee which I dare say was better than Dunkin’s version. Got to church and put together communion. Service was good, women’s class was great. Came home and got chores done, read through the paper, gathered coupons. Got super excited at the Target ad. Buy two Wii games get a $20 gift card! And the hubby’s shirts were on sale for $10 each. Get to Target and find a picnic basket and blanket (which I had just, the day before, been telling the hubby I wanted) 75% off, making the set $8! Leave Target with no perishables and decide we would really like lunch. What do I spot across the parking lot? CHIPOTLE! (The hubby’s favorite eatery) Eat lunch, go home. Continue chores including grocery shopping and more laundry. Wait till night fall and go to my parents with a friend to roast marshmallows and eat s’mores! Aren’t days that are blessed by God just Fabulous?

Fabulous Laundry

After several trips to my parent's washing machine and one trip to the laundry mat that nearly ended in divorce, the hubby and I agreed that it was time to invest in a washing machine. Fabulous! The hubby expressed that he felt we could continue to line dry clothing and therefore did not need to invest in a dyer just yet.

Some Background: My hubby wears black clothing and only black clothing. He does have white socks. Shoes, belts, shirts (with Beatles and Ghostbusters designs), ties and pants are all black. His one pair of workout shorts are black. His swim shorts are black (with a Pac-man design). Black clothing fades quickly, leaving him wearing several different shades of black. He is aware of this issue and concerned about the quality of his clothing. He is unwilling to make the change to colorful clothing.

I was very excited about the new washing machine that was installed in my previously vacant laundry room. This washing machine meant no more packing dirty clothing into my car, no more laundry trips to my parents, and most importantly NO MORE trips to the laundry mat! After experiencing, for about a month, the joy of owning our very own washing machine, the hubby began to notice how many clothing items we were having to replace. This was due to dogs taking the laundry off the line, and enjoying a snack, I explained. The hubby also noticed how crisp his clothing was. This was due to lack of fabric softener, I explained. The third thing he noticed was how quickly his black clothing was fading. This was due to the the extended exposure to direct sunlight, I explained.

It was time to invest in a dryer, he explained. Fabulous!

Fabulous Silver Lining

When tight-leash walking a very large muscular furbaby downhill, that furbaby will pull you downhill. This can result in twisted ankles, scrapes and scratches and sore hands. When tight-leash walking a very large muscular furbaby up-hill, that furbaby will pull you up-hill. This can result in a much less strenuous, much more enjoyable hike. Fabulous.

Fabulous Allergies

Most people would not celebrate having an allergy. Most people are not allergic to dish soap, Dawn dish soap specifically. When I do dishes my forearms break-out in a red, itchy rash. I can not switch to another brand because Dawn dish soap truly works better than any other dish soap I have tried. It doesn't smell the nicest, and it is not easy on the hands, but it cleans dishes. In my opinion that is the most important quality in a dish soap! The solution to this problem is simple. There are two choices. 1) Someone else has to do the dishes or 2) we buy a dishwasher. I would prefer the second choice as it would allow me more time to spend with my hubby. But the alone time that I have while he does the dishes is also, Fabulous!

Fabulous Surprise

There was a Breakfast Jack left on my keyboard for me this am. The person who left it had no idea I had woken up late and had a less than fabulous morning. They also didn't know that I don't eat egg or pork product. Thank you anyway, random Breakfast Jack giver for putting a little more "fabulous" in my day!

Fabulous Kitchen Gathering

This weekend I was blessed to have a house full of my closest friends and family. I hosted a Pampered Chef party. I couldn't think of a more fabulous way to show off the newly painted kitchen. First, Pampered Chef has some fabulous products; kitchen shears that my Fabulous Father will be able to use one handed, a garlic press that I don't know how I was living without and a wireless crock pot that cooked fabulous chicken fajitas in 25 mins! Second, I love playing host and providing the opportunity for the wonderful women in my life to gather, chat, catch-up with each other and enjoy delicious food! Thank you all who came for making my weekend so fabulous!

PS - My Fabulous Mother will soon be selling the above mentioned products! Isn't that Fabulous?! :)

Fabulous Frisbee

Sunday afternoon, after a VERY full weekend, I got together with some friends and family to play Ultimate Frisbee in the park near my home. Despite the extreme weather, much more athletically trained opponents and my own lack of skill in the game, I had a fabulous time! I did not once trip or punch myself in the face. I did not get heat exhaustion and I did get a great workout. After the game, some of the players, my hubby and little sister included, went to a friends house for some after dark pool volleyball. Hot, sweaty cardio followed by not even the least bit chilly pool water, Fabulous!

Fabulous Father

My dad has a mom who regards him as her baby boy. He also has 5 sisters who adore their baby brother. He has a wife. He is the love of her life. His mother-in-law has lovingly stated that she would keep him if she had to make the choice between her daughter and him. He has fathered 3 daughters who wouldn’t know what to do without their Daddy who can fix ANYTHING! His son gave him a daughter in law and two granddaughters who admire their Papaw. His dog Shelby loses her mind when he walks through the door. 14 women who all love this one man. This one man chooses to be an obedient son, helpful brother, loving husband, caring father, admirable grandfather, and gracious master. Fabulous!

Fabulous Fail

I arrived at work and unpacked as usual. As I opened the mini fridge to store my lunch I was assaulted by an odor that can only be described as putrid! I quickly learned that the food in the fridge didn’t belong to ANYONE on our floor, or in the entire building for that matter, and therefore NO ONE was going to clean what wasn’t THEIRS to begin with! Frustrating, yes! I for one DO use the mini fridge and am not afraid to admit it. After consulting my manager, I needlessly put a sign on the front of the fridge stating that all contents needed to be claimed by Wednesday at 3pm, or they will be discarded. This was needless because, again, the food didn’t belong to ANYONE in the office. Wednesday 3pm arrives to find me discarding salad dressing that expired in 2007. After scrubbing down the entirety of the inside of the unit, I decided to chip away the huge chunk of ice preventing the usage of the freezer space. To assist in the chipping I used the wooden handle of a knife. Apparently wooden handles have the capability to puncture the Freon line in a mini fridge. Who knew? Not me!

A brief lesson in Freon:
“Freon” is not exact a chemical. “Freon” is actually a trade name that describes a whole class of chemicals used in refrigeration. Most of the chemicals included under the trade name of "Freon" are known as "chlorofluorocarbons." This means that their chemical structure is made up of the main chemical building blocks of carbon and hydrogen, but they also include chlorine and fluorine as well. Without knowing the EXACT version of freon that was used in your refrigerator, one can only comment on the general health effects of freon as a whole.

Basically, it’s not good to breath, and I just exposed the whole office. Also the fridge belongs to one of my coworkers, not the office as a whole. Fabulous!

Fabulous You

~Pretty is something you're born with. But beautiful, that's an equal opportunity adjective.~ Author Unknown

What a fabulous idea; that a woman, regardless of physical features and cultural views, can cultivate beauty. I have known these fabulously beautiful women who hadn't a clue they were so gorgeous! Conversely, I have seen absolutely hideous pretty women who thought they were the definition of beauty. Look at yourself through God' eyes and tell me what you see. Fabulous!

Fabulous Obedience

This weekend I attended a Petsmart Puppy Training with my sister and her puppy. As it was the first class, the instructor covered only the basics. "Look at me, good boy!" It was really fun to see all the Daddies and Mommies trying to calm their furbabies. Most of the puppies got it first try. By the end of the class they could all focus to some extent. Some puppies just have a shorter attention span! When I got home to my own furbabies, I tried some of the same tips and tricks with them that the class had been doing. I don't know why I was surprised that it worked; Petsmart trainers are professionals after all. The point is, my furbabies are better behaved. Fabulous!

Fabulous Breakfast

I am a real – bargain hunter. I think that cutting out coupons is a valuable, money-saving hobby. My Grandmother happens to agree with me. The result is a very large grocery bag full of paper clippings every time I go to visit her. The bag usually contains various other goodies. (Last time it was old fashion tin cookie cutters.) Duplicate coupons are also a result. Recently I found myself the possessor of three coupons valued at $1 off two boxes of Post cereal. When the hubby and I arrived at the grocery store, I saw a fabulous little yellow sticker that read “Two for $2 Post Cereal.” The hubby and I each picked out three boxes of our favorite cereals. The total paid after coupons - $3 for six boxes. Fabulous!

Fabulous Cricut

My life has changed forever. I have now used a Cricut machine! Those things are, Fabulous! I had this life changing experience over this past weekend. Upon returning to work Monday and showing my Cricut handy work to my super crafty boss, I learned that said super crafty boss owns three Cricut machines. Well it turns out that she does not need three Cricut machines. Guess whou is getting a Cricut of her very own! Fabulous!