Words.....

Do you ever wonder what affect your words have?? The little things we say each day and how they effect those around us. I personally don't think about my words all that often...I'm sort of a speak before she thinks type of person. My lips move faster than my brain can process....for those of you who know me, I'm sure that this is not a surprise ;o)

On Saturday, I said something to someone..... It was just a passing thought that popped in to my head and went straight to my lips. I never thought another thing about it. Later that day, I got a call from this person thanking me for my comment. I was floored! I honestly had to think back to what they were talking about. I had no idea that this little comment, these words that I had not even given credence to could make such a difference. But to this person, it was a big deal. To them, it touched them in a special way.

That scared me. It scared me to think that words are so powerful. In this instance, my words were used to bring joy to someone. But how often do I bring pain and not even realize it. How often do we say things in anger or frustration and, while we don't give it another thought, those words can harm. They can have a lasting effect that we don't even realize.

It's given me pause to say the least. I want to be more aware of what I say, more aware of how I treat others. I know from personal experience that words can last forever. Once something is said, it can't be undone.

UGH!!!

Do you ever have those days where nothing seems to go right??? I'm having one of those days. I should have known this morning when I went to make the coffee and spilled coffee grounds all over my kitchen. Do you know how hard it is to clean up coffee grounds??? Let's put it this way...I think it would be easier to move.

I then got in the car and realized I had forgotten my lunch, so I had to go back in to grab it. Got all the way back out to the car and realized I'd forgotten my computer.... Had to go back to get that. Got ALL THE WAY back to the car and realized that I had then forgotten my purse. At this point, I had to sit quietly in the car for a minute to PRAY! You see, my attitude had deteriorated quite a bit after 3 forgetful trips so I had to take a moment....a LONG moment ;o)

I get in to work, bang my car door on a pole in the parking garage (of course!!), get in the elevator and proceed to drop my lunch and watch as my apple rolls across the floor (NICE!).

I finally make it to my desk and I just sit for a minute (or 10), and relish the fact that after all that, I'm ready to face the day. I have an 8:00 AM meeting so as I prepare to go to the meeting I take one final sip of my coffee.....YUP!! down the blouse!

As I look back at today, I have one thing to say, "thank goodness it's over!!!"

Firsts and lasts.....

First memory: I think I was about 2 and I remember "helping" my daddy fix the car. I remember getting down and laying under the car. I just remember laying there beside him looking up at the underneath of our car. It's a good memory.

First Real Kiss: Anthony (I was 22)....apparently I was a late bloomer ;o)

First Concert: Anne Murray

First Love: Matt Ray

First Crush: Wayne Steagull

First thought in the morning: What am I going to wear???

First book you remember loving: Sense and Sensibility

First Pet: Otis....he was a beagle poodle mix that we had when I was born. He was my self professed protector.

First thing you think of when you hear vacation: No lap-top, no voicemail, no email....YEA!!!!!!

First Best Friend: Dana Johnson

Last time you dressed up: Last month....had a dinner event to go to. It was just cocktail attire, but it was fun all the same.

Last CD bought: Mercy Me "Almost There"

Last book you read: Jane Austen's "Persuasion"

Last time you cried: Yesterday....not sure why. Sometimes you just need to shed a few tears.

Last movie I saw: The Jane Austen Book Club....It was GREAT!!!

Last time told someone "I Love You": 2 hours ago....I'm a firm believer in not holding back...you never know if you'll get another chance to say it.

Last really funny thing you did: My heel caught in my trouser cuff this morning and I tripped...it was pretty funny ;o)

Last thing you watched on TV: Grey's Anatomy

Last Halloween Costume: Raggedy Anne

Last Concert: Indigo Girls

Be still and know.....

I love that song. I love that song because it always seemed so foreign to me. Be still and know. I'm not really one to ever "be still". We live in a fast paced world where stillness takes a backseat to life. When do we ever just get to sit, and just be still for a while. Sit and reflect. Sit and simply listen.....

It's easy to lose ones essence when all around you is go go go. It's so easy to lose sight of that which is truly important. That which means something. I tend to lose sight of my priorities when I go too fast. My attitude stinks and my faith begins to suffer. All this because I don't take the time to sit, and be still. To sit and know that God is God.

I came across a wonderful verse today. Exodus 14:14 says, "The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still." Praise God! He will fight all our battles, He will renew our hearts and souls....we simply need to sit back and accept His help. There in lies the rub....the accepting part. But honestly, don't you ever tire of trying soo hard to do it all on your own. I do! It's soo tiring trying to keep it all together...trying to MAKE things happen. When all we need to do is be still, and let God do His job. Give ourselves up to Him and let Him take the lead.

When that happens, our lives get back on track...our attitudes are once again what they should be....and our faith once again becomes strong. It's an ongoing process.....but Praise God! He's faithful even when we're not. Relax and let God....

I'm apparently IT.....

Here are the rules:

(1) Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.

(2) People who are tagged need to write a post on their own blog (about their eight things) and post these rules.

(3) At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.

(4) Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

I've been tagged so here goes:

1) I am thoroughly obsessed with the BBC show Torchwood... I LOVE LOVE LOVE this show. Is it cheesy?? YES! But that's what makes it all soooo much fun. And I have to say, that Captain Jack really melts my butter ;o)

2) I really throw the southern drawl on thick when I want something from someone over the phone. My co-workers have informed me of this. Apparently I become Holly Hayseed anytime I'm asking for something via telephone. Sometimes I really hate the whole open cube layout....nothing gets by anyone ;o)

3) I screen calls. Anyone who knows me knows that I do this. I will always return the call, but sometimes you catch me in the midst of a really good show and I cannot bring myself to answer the phone. Yes I have Tivo, but I talk on the phone all day long....sometimes a little mindless entertainment helps re-charge my batteries.

4) I speed....A LOT! I know that there is a speed limit, but it is simply a suggestion in my opinion. I HATE to go slow. When driving, you will most always find me leading the pack in the fast lane...I find it exhilarating to be the one that everyone else follows. I'm sure that there is some psychological opinion as to why I do this. My guess is that it's not really something I want to delve in to deeply. I like to go fast, let's leave it at that ;o)

5) I count....EVERYTHING! I count my steps, I count signs, I count everything. OCD some may say, NAH! I like to say thorough.

6) I HATE to do dishes. I buy disposable cups, silverware, pans, plates, serving utinsils...everything! I REALLY dislike dishes. And it doesn't help that I have no dishwasher in my apartment. I'm IT!!

7) I'm a crackshot. My daddy taught all of us how to handle a gun...and I still enjoy shooting. I've shot skeet a time or two, but I prefer pistols. My favorite was a little 22 automatic that my dad had. It would fire all 9 bullets at once if you continued to hold the trigger down. No need to cock it...it was the perfect "girl" gun.

8) I LOVE to cook..... Planning an entire menu from beginning to end. For me, cooking is a way to relax. Most people get a bit stressed when they entertain. Not me, I love it!! And the more people I have to cook for, the happier it makes me.

I've tagged Rachel, Stephanie, Ben, and Deidre