tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-51459297060810174372024-03-19T00:55:48.219-04:00Get the Lead OutMy typing is easier to read than my handwriting.Miss Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03326248429022219199noreply@blogger.comBlogger361125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5145929706081017437.post-55453139175974011972009-09-11T11:20:00.004-04:002009-09-11T11:29:13.364-04:00I can always count on Tim Hawkins for a laugh<object width="480" height="295"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LO2eh6f5Go0&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LO2eh6f5Go0&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="295"></embed></object>Miss Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03326248429022219199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5145929706081017437.post-17480031249760175382009-06-16T23:02:00.003-04:002009-06-16T23:12:01.934-04:00Blogging again. Part 2.The first week we were back, we spent w/ my dad & Nancy in Yoncalla. It was a great time to relax & get acclamated to the new time zone. 3 hours difference sure does...make a difference!<br /><br />The girls hung out in the shop a lot. I rested my body a bit. I had been feeling under the weather for a few months. I actually noticed a lump in my stomach a month earlier & the nerves of not knowing what it was...was wearing on me.<br /><br />Within a few days we were in our rental. Ross & I decided to wait to buy. We don't want to get stuck in something until we know where we want to live.<br /><br />About 5 days after moving in I had a Dr. appt. They discovered that my uterus was enlarged quite a bit. It was the equivalent of someone's who is 16-18 weeks pregnant. Yikes. The Dr. scheduled some bloodwork & an ultrasound right away. There were 2 possible problems. It could be a fibroid tumor or a sarcoma tumor. 1 is an easy fix. 1 is not. I went back in after 2 weeks & it had grown even more. My uterus was now 18-20 weeks prego looking.<br /><br />A week later the ultrasound showed it was a fibroid tumor. They would still test it once it was out, but it looked like an easy fix. There were 2 of them. 1 the size of a roma tomato. The other the size of a palm sized basketball. The only way to get rid of them was a hysterectomy.<br /><br />Of course I'm freaking at this point. I don't want to go through menopause at 32. The Dr. was pretty confident that he could save at least 1 ovary. 1 looked pretty damaged because of the size & position of the tumors, but the other looked great. Whew.<br /><br />3 weeks later I had the hysterectomy. They had to do a vertical incision vs. the horizontal so healing would take a bit longer, but all went well.<br /><br />After the whole mess was out, it was the size of a basketball. I feel so much better w/ it all out! Recovery has been pretty simple. The girls have been super helpful. Ross has been so accomodating & the best news was that it contained no cancer. Hooray.<br /><br />I'll be back in a few days to share more. Love you all for sticking around.<br /><br />Peace & hair grease.Miss Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03326248429022219199noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5145929706081017437.post-52074827746863499122009-06-12T18:35:00.003-04:002009-06-12T18:47:34.394-04:00Blogging again. Part 1.OMW - it's been forever since I've blogged. Not that stuff hasn't been happening. My life has been so chaotic. I probably could've USED the blogging outlet. I just never made the time.<br /><br />Well that's all gonna change...at least for today. So here's what's been happening in my life since Spring.<br /><br />Part 1.<br /><br />At the end of March, Ross came to Indiana & we were able to sign papers for our house closing. The new owners had asked for a 45 day close, so I had plenty of time to box up a ton of stuff. With 4 feet of snow outside, what else was there to do right?<br /><br />We had arranged for our pickup to be hauled out by semi & our furniture & such would be hauled out by semi seperately.<br /><br />With the help of awesome friends we loaded the whole house in less than 4 hours...and it was 3100 square feet! The semi truck driver was ecstatic that he could get a head start about 7 hours earlier than planned! We said our goodbyes to neighbors & headed to a hotel.<br /><br />We spent a few days just enjoying time w/ Ross. He left Dec. 4th & we were able to see him for a week over Christmas & a weekend over Valentine's day. Talk about a hard 4 months! I have a whole new respect for shoveling snow. I was outside shoveling one day for 3 hours. And that was just for the morning routine. I did another 1.5 in the evening!<br /><br />So we spent a few days together at a hotel until we flew out a few days later. Once we landed in Portland we were able to enjoy lunch w/ the totally awesome Clayville Clan. <a href="http://www.jenniclayville.com/">Jenni</a>, <a href="http://brianclayville.wordpress.com/">Brian</a> & their handsome boys.<br /><br />It was a hectic few days, but also comforting to know we were back home.<br /><br />So there's part 1. I'll try & add more tomorrow. Sorry for the lack of writing, but after each installment you'll understand why I've been absent from the blogosphere. Love you interpeeps.Miss Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03326248429022219199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5145929706081017437.post-68636143126661669242009-03-24T08:42:00.003-04:002009-03-24T08:44:22.330-04:00I love Tony CampoloI'm sure some of you have already seen / heard this story. Tony Campolo tells a story about some ladies he met in Hawaii. It brings me to tears every time I hear it. Thought I'd share.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/kWlMV-UmueM&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/kWlMV-UmueM&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />No more country club churches. Amen.Miss Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03326248429022219199noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5145929706081017437.post-5780129105986249502009-03-18T19:18:00.002-04:002009-03-18T19:25:48.274-04:00Hide n SeekThe other day Campbell wanted to play hide n seek. I despise hide n seek. Mainly because I can't win. There are only a few spots that a grown up can hide in our house. A closet, behind an open door, under the table or behind a curtain.<br /><br />Those are all great places EXCEPT...the dog. She doesn't leave my side. If I'm hiding behind the curtain, she's standing in front of the curtain. She's like a stinking alarm screaming "SHE'S RIGHT HERE. LOOK OVER HERE. RUFF RUFF. HURRY UP. I'M TIRED OF STANDING HERE."<br /><br />But the other day was different. At about 1 o'clock I was feeling pretty sweaty after a day of packing. I wanted a shower. By myself. Alone. I only need 10 minutes. Hmmm...<br /><br />So I asked Campbell if she wanted to play hide n seek. "OF COURSE!" she said.<br /><br />I asked her to count to 20. As soon as she covered her eyes. I ran upstairs, shut the bathroom door & jumped in the shower. After about 5 minutes or so I hear her run upstairs. She opens the bathroom door & walks passed. (Sh...she didn't see me). Never mind the shower's running...she didn't figure it out. She doesn't even think or realize that I'm in there. I? Am a genius.<br /><br />She leaves. A few minutes later returns & says "mom are you in there? I found you!"<br /><br />She thinks she won. But we all know who the REAL winner is? I got 15 whole minutes. Alone. Ahhh...Miss Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03326248429022219199noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5145929706081017437.post-73557122883374096112009-03-12T14:29:00.002-04:002009-03-12T14:32:02.328-04:00I love Daft PunkI'm on a youtube kick. This video is awesome. Wait a little bit for the hands to start jiving!<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/K2cYWfq--Nw&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/K2cYWfq--Nw&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Miss Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03326248429022219199noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5145929706081017437.post-81891307083465561542009-03-11T09:45:00.002-04:002009-03-11T09:46:50.374-04:00St. Patrick's Day VeggieTales editionThis is a great video on the Sumo Of The Opera DVD by Veggietales.<br /><br />It's a great explanation for kids that tells of the history of St. Patrick's Day.<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6TCB5QhHVJA&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6TCB5QhHVJA&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Miss Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03326248429022219199noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5145929706081017437.post-15843137343574340292009-03-04T07:26:00.002-05:002009-03-04T07:32:55.435-05:00Missing my hubsI'm missing <a href="http://twitter.com/Don_Ross">hubs</a> today. Actually, I've been missing him for awhile. I'm trying to <a href="http://mandyconforth.blogspot.com/2009/03/twitter-all-juicy-details.html">keep things alive</a>...but not sure if it's been successful. =/<br /><br />I know this video has been through my circle of friends, but I still love it. Can't wait to laugh with you babe...(yes, laugh is code).<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WGOohBytKTU&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WGOohBytKTU&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Miss Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03326248429022219199noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5145929706081017437.post-16388409518566735802009-03-02T07:30:00.005-05:002009-03-02T07:51:52.712-05:00Twitter - all the juicy detailsI've been pretty absent from my blog lately. Between our Indiana house selling & offering on a new house in Oregon, it's been hectic. Wait, those aren't the REAL reasons I haven't been blogging. The blame is really on<a href="http://twitter.com/mandyconforth"> Twitter</a>.<br /><br />I've been doing it for awhile, but I'm really enjoying it more & more everyday. Here's an explanation on <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddO9idmax0o">how it works</a>. The little tidbits that come across from people all over the globe can be insightful & hysterical. It's become second nature to type in things that are happening in my life. If I find a good deal on milk, I'll twitter it. When traffic is backed up, I'll twitter it. When a child pooped their pants at Walmart, I twittered it. When a blister pops in my new workout shoes, I twitter it with a picture. My followers get all the juicy details before anyone else.<br /><br />I'm gonna tell you the only problem I've had with Twitter. When I send someone a picture from my phone it's super easy. I do it several times a day, so I'm good at it.<br /><br />Problem is, when you want to send your husband a picture of your cleavage cause you've been seperated for over 3 months & don't want him to forget what he has waiting for him at home.<br /><br />You type in the twitter email addy instead of your husband's. Within a minute of posting it, your husband calls you & informs you that your "girls" are making their internet debut on Twitter.<br /><br />So I run downstairs (hanging up the phone by accident on the way) only to discover I've closed everything out. Twitter pulls up, I delete the tweet.<br /><br />Ahhh....breathe....relax. Call hubs back.<br /><br /><a href="http://twitter.com/Don_Ross">Ross</a> says "I CAN STILL SEE IT!"<br /><br />Oh shoot! It has to be deleted from <a href="http://twitpic.com/">Twitpic</a> too. *point, click, click, delete* Ahhh...there we go. Hopefully no one will notice.<br /><br />I sit there clicking the replies tab & the refresh button waiting for someone to comment. My fears were recognized when <a href="http://twitter.com/SadeeLady">SadeeLady </a>(Selena) says "@<a href="http://twitter.com/mandyconforth">mandyconforth</a> what the heck is that a pix of? Looks like an unmentionable, or was that the point?"<br /><br />Dang it. Someone saw my bits.<br /><br />I direct messaged her & told her of my horrible mistake. She replied with "CAN'T STOP LAUGHING! must breath.....oh! my head. It huurts 2 laugh that hard!"<br /><br />Which made ME laugh uncontrollably.<br /><br />Anyway, no one else reponded. THANK YOU JESUS!<br /><br />Hubs & I (and Selena) had a good chuckle.<br /><br />And the "girls" are in hiding.<br /><br />When I said my Twitter peeps get first dibs at all the juicy details...I wasn't kidding.Miss Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03326248429022219199noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5145929706081017437.post-19059253219285276362009-02-09T15:52:00.003-05:002009-02-09T16:04:38.030-05:00Camp CounselorIn High School I was an counselor for the Outdoor School program at one of our local grade schools. High School students basically went to camp for a week to mentor 5th graders in various outdoor & group activities.<br /><br />Every night we had campfire. We were blessed to have an indoor area to host it. Whether rain or shine we enjoyed campfire.<br /><br />There were 2 counselors in charge of seating kids in neat & tidy rows. Those neat & tidy rows had to be re-adjusted everytime we did a stand up, action song (<a href="http://bagsbunch.blogspot.com/">Cinnamon</a> & I sang Singing In The Rain).<br /><br />But at the end of the night, each row was excused one by one by the man in charge. His camp name was Tigger. He had a beautiful, masculine singing voice. Two songs he sang make me tear up ... even today. One was called Bamboo, the other was All My Life's A Circle. I found versions online, but none do it justice. His version was slow & calming. The kids were silent & were excused row by row while the rest of us sang this song w/ him, waiting for our turn to head back to our cabins for lights out. Here are the lyrics:<br /><br /><em>All my life's a circle</em><br /><em>Sunrise & sundown.</em><br /><em>The moon rose through the nighttime</em><br /><em>Till the day break comes around.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>All my life's a circle</em><br /><em>But I can't tell you why.</em><br /><em>The seasons spinning 'round again</em><br /><em>The years keep rolling by.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Seems like I've been here before</em><br /><em>But I can't remember when.</em><br /><em>And I got this funny feeling</em><br /><em>That we'll all be together again.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>There's no straight lines make up my life</em><br /><em>And all the roads have bends.</em><br /><em>There's no clear cut beginnings</em><br /><em>And so far no dead ends.</em><br /><em></em><br />BTW - my camp name was Porkchop. I nickname given to me by my dad when I was a baby. I had fat thighs.<br /><em></em><br />Did you ever go to camp? If so, what was your favorite song?Miss Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03326248429022219199noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5145929706081017437.post-47327402763760653292009-01-25T13:08:00.003-05:002009-01-25T13:12:32.492-05:00I hate peeing in the woods<p><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/GApU6x9FWaE&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/GApU6x9FWaE&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />This HAD to be invented by a woman. A woman who went hunting w/ her hubs & splashed herself while hovering over a log. This is ingenius. <a href="http://www.theoffroadcommode.com/">And only $40</a>. You know you want one.<br /><br />My hubs is hard to buy for, but I think the girls & I would use it more than he would.<br /><br />Who's the hardest person to buy a gift for in your family? </p><p>ht: <a href="http://twitter.com/Don_Ross">Ross Conforth</a></p>Miss Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03326248429022219199noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5145929706081017437.post-32058317407440313992009-01-17T19:01:00.004-05:002009-01-17T19:05:50.335-05:00Check their homeworkThanks to <a href="http://www.mishababysmessedupmind.blogspot.com/">Michelle</a> for sending me this!<br /><br />I'm dedicating it to <a href="http://mandythompson.com/">Mandy Thompson</a>. Sorry for poking fun last week. Love ya.<br /><br /><em><strong>Mommy's reply to teacher about homework:</strong></em><br /><br /><strong><em></em></strong><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYvG2h77KivALbSGhylxgqs2YNAu-3EVpYanShq2D-c73xyLSSQJXan3mQCN1HCgCCpWOZhP15LtE-b3GAmcQ-HGpFhZG6fZx-FJWS7eiKig6fTIIV86R0RgalSZ3UhhsJ7LoS8bNtfrF/s1600-h/snow+shovel.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5292417675400623154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 291px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyYvG2h77KivALbSGhylxgqs2YNAu-3EVpYanShq2D-c73xyLSSQJXan3mQCN1HCgCCpWOZhP15LtE-b3GAmcQ-HGpFhZG6fZx-FJWS7eiKig6fTIIV86R0RgalSZ3UhhsJ7LoS8bNtfrF/s400/snow+shovel.jpg" border="0" /></a> <strong><em>Dear Mrs. Jones,</em></strong></p><p><strong><em>I wish to clarify that I am not now, nor have I ever been, an exotic dancer. I work at Home Depot and I told Sarah how hectic it was last week before the blizzard hit. I told her we sold out every single shovel we had. Then I found one more in the back room, and several people were fighting over who would get it. Sarah's picture does NOT show me dancing around a pole. It's supposed to depict me selling the last snow shovel we had at Home Depot. From now on I will remember to check her homework more thoroughly before she turns it in.</em></strong></p><p><strong><em>Sincerely, Mrs. Smith</em></strong><br /></p>Miss Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03326248429022219199noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5145929706081017437.post-7940610947244098492009-01-12T19:04:00.003-05:002009-01-12T19:21:40.187-05:00Like Mother Like Daughter<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdVrLBKA7MI0IaLxkEqlr9Xr-xwjmQlPemiYwOVoMS4WsXlHWO4zpqv7Hg6UplvGAJFDY1ExJYIKTz_zeLEpNbM9To6EqLH8x7CBc2NAm_hBw_lnZ6BiG3bU2JHftfMLJmFRCzdkJaUb-/s1600-h/311400528_conforth44.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5290563349660854450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 268px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKdVrLBKA7MI0IaLxkEqlr9Xr-xwjmQlPemiYwOVoMS4WsXlHWO4zpqv7Hg6UplvGAJFDY1ExJYIKTz_zeLEpNbM9To6EqLH8x7CBc2NAm_hBw_lnZ6BiG3bU2JHftfMLJmFRCzdkJaUb-/s400/311400528_conforth44.jpg" border="0" /></a> So you all know I have these 3 gorgeous girls. I haven't posted any blog pics for awhile. Seems they all get stuck on twitpic. Dang that twitter. It's such a time waster. And NO, I won't give it up! ;) But aren't they gorgeous y'all? Scrumptious.<br /><br />So anyway, the girls & I have had a lot of time to talk about what it means to be a woman of God. Conversations about honesty, friendship, worship, manners, money & yes...even boys (blech) have all happened over the passed few weeks.<br /><br />I've noticed that I have a definite opinion about parenting. I am not the parent who lets their kids run through the grocery store. I am not the parent that gives in to their kids when they ask for a treat. In fact, if you beg in our house...it's a def. NO! I am not the parent who lets their kids say hate, dumb, stupid, shut up, fat, or I'm gonna kill you. I think those are all words that tear people down, not build up.<br /><br />Only today (ouch) I realized that I said hate, dumb, stupid, shut up, fat, crap, s*** & a few other choice words. I wasn't around the kids for all of them...but still. I need to work on practicing what I preach.<br /><br />I want to raise young women who have respect for others & themselves. Guess I should start by exuding that same trait huh?Miss Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03326248429022219199noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5145929706081017437.post-18536272607748151502009-01-08T13:36:00.001-05:002009-01-08T13:44:06.990-05:00I'm gonna start working outI'm not telling you all this so you'll keep me accountable. In fact, if you call me on NOT working out, our friendship is over. No, I'm serious. Finito.<br /><br />Anyway, I made this silly resolution to lose weight this year. It's time. I've been hanging on to it for about 9 years. Eating is fun. Being chubs is not.<br /><br />Since I made this commitment to myself I've been noticing the way people talk to/about each other. I notice a lot of folks belittle people for their weight. I even saw a blogpost that someone put up that called someone a dough boy because the man was "pouring out" of his seat & blocking this couples' movie view. And the guy that wrote it & his wife are both overweight.<br /><br />I never want to be the person who says or does hurtful things. I know I have in the past. Maybe even about someone's weight. I think most of us could stand to be a little healthier. Maybe that includes mental health too, cuz making fun of people is jacked up.Miss Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03326248429022219199noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5145929706081017437.post-50483958367008446642009-01-05T12:29:00.003-05:002009-01-05T12:45:57.425-05:00Menu planning pays off BIGI won't ever do this post again, but I was so excited to see how menu planning pays off in a BIG way. Here's the menu for 2 weeks. I can mix & match depending on my mood.<br /><br />Breakfasts- 14 total<br />Pancakes & fruit<br />French toast & fruit<br />Eggs & sausage (x2)<br />Cereal (x2)<br />Fruit bars & muffins (x2)<br />Banana Bread (x2)<br />Pumpkin Bread (x2)<br />Oatmeal w/ raisins (which I'm sure will end up being Pop Tarts)<br />Cinnamon Rolls<br /><br />Lunches - 14 total<br />Nuggets & fruit<br />Nuggets & veggies<br />Turkey/veggie wraps (x2)<br />Taquitos & veggies<br />Taquitos & fruit<br />Grilled cheese & soup<br />Tuna sandwich & veggies<br />Turkey sandwich & fruit<br />Quesadilla & veggies<br />Bagel pizza & fruit<br />Slice beef, cheese, crackers & veggies (x2)<br />Macaroni & cheese cooked w/ veggies<br /><br />Dinner - 14 total<br />Chicken, rice & veggies soup w/ rolls (x2)<br />Tacos<br />Chicken parmesan, salad & garlic bread<br />Fried Chicken, mash taters & corn on the cob<br />Chicken, bacon salad w/ hb eggs<br />Meatloaf & baked potatoes w/ asparagus<br />Spaghetti<br />Sliced beef, cheese, crackers w/ veggies (x2) - using up our Cmas stash & it's NO COOK!<br />Pork fried rice<br />Pork chops w/ creamy rice & salad<br />Lasagna, salad, garlic bread (x2)<br /><br />I also planned out 28 snacks (2 per day), and dessert that would be served every other day. Things like cookies - I made the batter, baked enough for one day then froze the rest in perfect scoops. That way I'm only baking enough for that night's dessert. Chocolate chip muffins - I baked them all, then froze for a later snack day.<br /><br />I also planned for schedule hiccups. If something happens I have extra cans of soup & a few rice a roni boxes...better to know I have another option instead of saying "Oh well, let's just his McD on the way home."<br /><br />My total at the grocery store was 137.81 including tax & including one bottle of Windex, 4 rolls of paper towels & 1 stick of deododerant.Miss Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03326248429022219199noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5145929706081017437.post-26605535358417949252009-01-01T12:02:00.000-05:002009-01-01T12:03:01.342-05:00Can't wait to go back home<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/K0bUCL3tFgk&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/K0bUCL3tFgk&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Miss Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03326248429022219199noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5145929706081017437.post-18095969212304106492008-12-29T08:24:00.003-05:002008-12-29T09:05:04.887-05:00My review of Seven PoundsSpoiler alert: I'm gonna share my detailed thoughts of Seven Pounds starring Will Smith.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Turn away NOW if you haven't seen it & want to.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I'm warning YOU!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Fine then.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />As soon as I got home the babysitter asked me "how was it?" The popcorn was great. Peanut M&M's divine. The movie? Not sure.<br /><br />I think Will Smith is an AH MAY ZEENG actor. Seriously, he can pull off just about any role. From alien fighter to homeless dad....he's got it going on! And his performance in this is nothing but top notch. And I should know because...well, just because.<br /><br />The problem was the story line. I LOVE the idea of giving...from your heart...your whole heart...just not sure I meant literally.<br /><br />The idea of trying to reconcile the deaths of his fiance & the other car of strangers just doesn't work for me. It's like people who do, do, do good things hoping they'll get into heaven. They're amazing people. They have a kind heart. But did they ask for The Savior? Are they doing these things in His name? Or are do they believe "I'll get to heaven if I'm a good person" ?<br /><br />I have a friend who said that to me once "I'll get to heaven if I'm a good person". It reminds me of Mark Beeson (our pastor) talking about how he explains the acceptance of Christ to people he encounters. He asks them to rate themselves from 1 to 10..based on how good of a person they think they are.<br /><br />Got that? 1-10 based on how good of a person THEY think they are. 10 being Jesus - cause he's perfect. 1 being Satan - cause he's...well...the devil. Of course he throws in that Mother Theresa was probably a 9. I think he said most people will say they're a 4-6. He then explains that accepting Jesus is filling in that gap from 4-10 or 6-10. We need someone to fill that gap, because we can't do it ourselves.<br /><br />You can't fill the gap w/ actions. But you can w/ Grace. You can't fill the gap w/ money. But you can w/ Mercy. You can't fill that gap w/ warm fuzzy feelings. But you can w/ Love.<br /><br />Will Smith was obviously trying to fill a gap. A gap of guilt, shame, responsibility. I've felt that gap. I still feel that gap. Even though I know it's filled w/ concrete, I sometimes fear it's only quicksand. I have to be reminded constantly.<br /><br />I think most in the theater felt, that when the movie was over...he had earned forgiveness. Forgiveness for the deaths. Forgiveness for the stealing. Forgiveness for the lies.<br /><br />I didn't feel that way. Yes, he gave away a lung, a kidney, part of a liver, his heart, his eyes, his home & bone marrow. Those are all unbelievable things. But in order to do it he had to kill himself. He. Had. To. Kill. Himself.<br /><br />You can see it in the scene where Will is stung by the jellyfish (& also when he gives bone marrow) that he's punishing himself. He wants to feel pain like his fiance did. He thinks that will somehow make things right. But we all know that's not the way it works. He's empty...not whole...broken...<br /><br />I'm not a theologian, a biblical scholar or a good person for that matter, but I know that God uses broken people. In fact I would say He uses me MORE when I'm broken. To whisper a word of encouragement or bless someone w/ a hot meal. I'm more receptive to His guidance when I'm submitting...when I'm broken...<br /><br />I just can't help but think about all the people in my circle of influence who are broken...looking for something to fill the gap. Maybe it's w/ good works. Maybe it's w/ sex. Maybe it's w/ drugs. Maybe it's w/ shopping. Maybe it ends w/ suicide. Maybe it's all of the above.<br /><br />Maybe it ends w/ ME or YOU...showing up...pouring into...emptying out...Miss Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03326248429022219199noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5145929706081017437.post-16315084372105615512008-12-24T08:59:00.005-05:002008-12-24T09:01:11.256-05:00Disney's Desperate Housewives<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKcnLxgyY3ECRi3NpJdgb_6rIVEJ5vKewQaPupUjezuckdM-luKpFvOY7pXhjAUoITy19pDcakCPx3wjJy3x277VDl-MPHsAIeNyJgOA6ibyu8askTqq80c8wGmuDjL1oTl52BZ9bDuHjJ/s1600-h/disney+desperate+housewives.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283356077837865282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 198px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKcnLxgyY3ECRi3NpJdgb_6rIVEJ5vKewQaPupUjezuckdM-luKpFvOY7pXhjAUoITy19pDcakCPx3wjJy3x277VDl-MPHsAIeNyJgOA6ibyu8askTqq80c8wGmuDjL1oTl52BZ9bDuHjJ/s400/disney+desperate+housewives.jpg" border="0" /></a> ht: Lisa Donati - no link, just credit.Miss Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03326248429022219199noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5145929706081017437.post-58660279543471807472008-12-23T13:13:00.004-05:002008-12-23T13:47:30.911-05:00Marriages I look up toIt was 1998. I was attending a Mary Kay retreat on the Oregon Coast w/ my Mom. I was a peon consultant, she was an upcoming director.<br /><br />We were listening to someone speak (please Jennifer, don't ask me who. I can't remember). They asked us to write down the name of a couple whose relationship you respected. I wrote down the parents of a friend. They had been such a loving, funny, giving couple...ever since I could remember. I was friends with their daughter & had been since age 3.<br /><br />My Mom had seen the name I wrote & immediately got offended. I didn't understand that she had expected for me to write her name down as the best marriage I had seen. It took until this morning in the shower, reliving that horrible day of arguing, for me to get it.<br /><br />She yelled at me for quite awhile explaining that the husband had cheated on his wife at work. He'd gotten caught by fellow coworkers. The wife was humiliated in our small town where everyone knew. They had moved out of town to get away from the drama. (please note that all this info is hearsay, I don't know the exact details)<br /><br />Maybe it's just me, but I respect that woman. To work through the trouble spots instead of giving up. Most of us would rather give up than put effort into our relationships. How easy it would have been to walk away. It must have been difficult to stay. To hash things out. To earn trust again.<br /><br />I think of them so often in my own marriage. How would THEY treat each other if this happened? Would THEY be able to laugh this off?<br /><br />I hope my marriage has the ability to help someone through their tough times. I bet this couple doesn't even know the effects they've had on me & my husband. I think of them quite often, even though I haven't seen them in 17 years.<br /><br />Is your marriage an example of tolerance, forgiveness, diligence, love? Mine isn't always, but I put energy into it. If I don't...who will?Miss Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03326248429022219199noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5145929706081017437.post-67927746706860757112008-12-15T21:12:00.003-05:002008-12-15T21:15:02.226-05:00Christmas Angel?Kenady burst into my office to tell me the news.<br /><br />Kenady - "People who are really really really really nice...when they die...they become Christmas angels. Maybe Mema (my mom) is a Christmas angel!"<br /><br />Me - under my breath "She wasn't THAT nice."<br /><br />Kenady - w/ out missing a beat "Well, maybe she's a Halloween angel then."Miss Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03326248429022219199noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5145929706081017437.post-56865389845560654002008-12-15T15:51:00.002-05:002008-12-15T15:54:47.273-05:00For my brotherMy brother & I used play this song over & over at Christmas. We even made up moves once. Which is hard because you had to run to the other room, hit rewind, run back before it started. Remember hitting rewind? Is that what we call "the good ol days?"<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/D4JMPhKy6e4&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/D4JMPhKy6e4&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />Here's another favorite.<br /><br /><object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KtqIM_bPTws&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KtqIM_bPTws&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Miss Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03326248429022219199noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5145929706081017437.post-39460969004423542532008-12-13T14:51:00.001-05:002008-12-13T14:51:33.364-05:00You're about to call in sick<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/J9c9lAfXQHs&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/J9c9lAfXQHs&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Miss Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03326248429022219199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5145929706081017437.post-65723745489839478922008-12-12T21:43:00.002-05:002008-12-12T21:46:04.064-05:00I love blondes. Really I do.<div align="center">BLONDE IN THE SNOW </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">It was snowing heavily and blowing to the point that visibility was almost zero when the little blonde got off work. She made her way to her car and wondered how she was going to make it home. She sat in her car while it warmed up and thought about her situation. She finally remembered her daddy's advice that if she got caught ina blizzard she should wait for a snow plow to come by and follow it. That way she would not get stuck in a snow drift. This made her feel much better and sure enough in a little while a snow plow went by and she started to follow it.</div><div align="center">As she followed the snow plow she was feeling very smug as they continued and she was not having any problem with the blizzard conditions. After an hour had passed, she was somewhat surprised when the snowplow stopped and the driver got out and came back to her car and signaled for her to roll down her window. The snow plow driver wanted to know if she was all right as she had been following him for a long time. She said that she was fine and told him of her daddy's advice to follow a snow plow when caught in a blizzard. The driver replied that it was ok with him and she could continue if she wanted, but he was done with the Wal-Mart parking lot and was going over to Sears next. </div>Miss Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03326248429022219199noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5145929706081017437.post-9090785078939227772008-12-10T21:27:00.003-05:002008-12-10T21:33:09.408-05:00Christmas Letter 2008<div align="center">It's here! It's here!<br />Christmas 2008<br />I'm behind writing my letter.<br />I hope it's not late.</div><div align="center"><br />Life at our house has been nothing but crazy<br />With 3 little girls, there's no time to be lazy.<br />Each day in our house there's so much to be done<br />From sunrise to sundown we are all on the run.</div><div align="center"><br />Cyra is 9 now, and growing so tall.<br />She started 4th grade this year in the fall.<br />Her favorite pasttime is reading & art.<br />Anything Disney grabs hold of her heart.</div><div align="center"><br />Kenady is 5 & is loving school<br />She making new friends & is totally cool.<br />She picked up reading & spelling so fast.<br />I'm sure she'll be at the head of her class.</div><div align="center"><br />Campbell is 3 now & is as popular as can be.<br />She sees friends all over town from GCC.<br />She can sometimes be like Jekyl & Hyde,<br />But we're doing our best to bring out her best side.</div><div align="center"><br />Our dog Coco is still as cute as can be.<br />She letting the girls play with her...finally.<br />Mostly she just follows me around<br />And picks up food dropped on the ground.</div><div align="center"><br />Ross has some changes heading his way<br />A new job in Oregon starts in a few days.<br />Starting over is going to be a fun thing<br />Can't wait to see what this adventure brings.</div><div align="center"><br />Now for an update on little 'ol me<br />Just trying to be the best mom I can be.<br />Sewing, cooking, cleaning & clothes<br />No explanation needed, you all know how it goes.</div><div align="center"><br />Can't wait to see our family back home<br />It's just not the same talking to you all on the phone.<br />Pretty soon we'll be making another cross country move,<br />Pray that the transition is easy & smooth.</div><div align="center"><br />I'll pray for you all that your Christmas is blessed<br />By the One who gave us the greatest gift.</div><div align="center"><br />The Conforth family<br />Ross, Mandy, Cyra, Kenady, Campbell & Coco</div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqA-yfFLrHu5LLMkluXYJY5DhWuhHJZit2bN1ElxpVFttiJ4w-r44WcaTXfskFFb4fHtxNJTSspqClEFrCECF0LFhFwKHOtYcAdgwcgOn-MoSeqMNNdatJIHLXSAmL-ZbGtaYdEPEJSamC/s1600-h/conforth-card.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278354473896299730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 268px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqA-yfFLrHu5LLMkluXYJY5DhWuhHJZit2bN1ElxpVFttiJ4w-r44WcaTXfskFFb4fHtxNJTSspqClEFrCECF0LFhFwKHOtYcAdgwcgOn-MoSeqMNNdatJIHLXSAmL-ZbGtaYdEPEJSamC/s400/conforth-card.jpg" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a> We had so much fun taking this pic with <a href="http://daleyhake.com/blog/">Daley</a>. The girls were laughing inbetween shots. I know we don't look like the Corleone family...but we had fun pretending!<br /><br /></p>Miss Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03326248429022219199noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5145929706081017437.post-53965550017487346492008-12-08T20:14:00.002-05:002008-12-08T20:15:47.881-05:00Hey ya! Charlie Brown style<object height="344" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KGnYw-OuCnI&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KGnYw-OuCnI&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />ht: <a href="http://thediaperdiaries.net/">diaper diaries </a>Miss Mandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03326248429022219199noreply@blogger.com2