Monday Melange

Main Entry: mé·lange
Pronunciation: \mā-ˈläⁿzh, -ˈlänj\
Function: noun
Etymology: French, from Middle French, from mesler, meler to mix — more at meddle
Date: 1653
: a mixture often of incongruous elements

What? It's Monday again?

Stuff to tell you:

Staying up way too late to read: The Restorer's Son, by Sharon Hinck. It's the second in the Sword of Lyric series--the first was The Restorer, which was the first book since The Chronicles of Narnia to make me realize I could really enjoy the fantasy genre. (You can hear soundclips from my interview with Sharon Hinck here.)

I honestly think this book is even better than the first one. It's set in an alternate reality that's something like the-children-of-Israel-meet-13th-century- Scottish-clans, with technology like transport vehicles, venblades, light walls and syncbeams thrown in.

I'm loving Kieran, the main character of this book (I picture him as looking kind of like Eric Bana.) He's an initially unwilling Restorer (a person similar to the Old Testament judges, but with cool powers). Sound a little farfetched? Of course it does, it's fantasy. But somehow reading it makes you love The One (their name for God) even more than you did before.

Haven't finished it yet, but hope to sometime today.

Fit Friday, a few days late--Sorry for not posting a "Fit Friday" update on, of course, Friday. Here's my report: after the abrupt closing of my other gym due to bankruptcy, I have found a new one that I really like. It's called "Cardinal Fitness."

I'm paying less for both me and my daughter, per month, than I was for just myself at the other place. It's clean and nice, and has all the same weight machines I was using at TruEssence. It also has an amazing elliptical that mimics climbing, and burns off calories like there's no tomorrow.

The downside: yes, there are guys there, and I prefer a women-only place. However, no one seems to pay a lot of attention to anyone else. It's not like there are Arnold Schwarnegger types running around hitting on girls who look like Jamie Lee Curtis did in that movie where she was an aerobics chick. In fact, a lot of the people are old and/or out of shape, so I feel right at home. :)

Also, the really heavy, dude-type weights are in the very back, and I don't even have to go there.

So I'm excited. I went there three times last week, but I normally go 4 to 5 times.

--Exercises You Can Do At Your Desk--hat tip to Mel at the Diet Naked Blog.

--Won't you wear a sweater?--March 20th is Sweater Day in honor of Mr. Rogers. I don't know about you, but when my kids were little, I loved that his show was so relaxed and quiet. And how kids were able to use their imaginations and pretend that King Friday the Thirteenth and Queen Sarah Saturday were real, even though they were puppets whose mouths didn't even move.

--An interesting article about Anita Renfroe, the Christian comedienne responsible for the very funny Momsense video.

“It was easier for me to submit myself to him [her husband] when I was younger and thinner. . . . But then I got older and gained weight, and it’s harder for me to submit to him. Because basically I think I can take him.”

13 Bits of "Lost" Trivia

This is a Thursday Thirteen "re-run," but I think it's worth re-visiting!

Trivia courtesy of imdb.com., tv.com,

1. Jorge Garcia (Hurley) was the first person cast for the series.

2. In the original description for Kate (Evangeline Lilly), she was a slightly older woman separated from her husband, who went to the bathroom in the tail-section of the plane. However, that idea ended up being used for the character Rose.

3. Josh Holloway was trying to cover up his Southern accent while he was shooting several of his first scenes in the first season. It wasn't until director J.J. Abrams told him that the reason they cast him was BECAUSE of his accent that Holloway changed it. There are still some scenes left in the pilot where Holloway doesn't use his Southern accent.

4. Jorge Garcia, Matthew Fox, and Dominic Monaghan all auditioned originally for the part of Sawyer as the other characters had not been developed at the time.

5. Michael Keaton was considered for the part of Jack, but turned it down. Had he accepted, he would have been killed off in the pilot episode.

6. Charlie (who sadly died in last season's finale) was in a band called Drive Shaft. Their only hit was called "You All Everybody". That song can be heard in the background of an episode of Alias, another show created by JJ Abrams.

7. During Charlie's heroin scenes, Dominic Monaghan is actually snorting brown sugar.

8. According to several Official Lost websites, the plane crashed on September 22, 2004. The journey was supposed to be 13 hours and 52 minutes long, leaving Sydney at 08:04 and arriving at LAX at 18:16.

9. There is a common misconception that since Claire (Emilie de Ravin) is eight months pregnant and in her third trimester, the airlines wouldn't have allowed her to fly. While airlines may not necessarily recommend flying when eight months pregnant, they cannot and will not prohibit a pregnant woman from taking a flight if she really wants or needs to.

10. Evangeline Lilly (who plays Kate) and Dominic Monaghan (who plays Charlie) were engaged to be married to each other in real life until just recently.

11. Naveen Andrews' character, Sayid, is Iraqi; but in real life Andrews is of British and Indian origin.

12. A goof in last season's Desmond-centric "time-travel" episode: When Desmond (Henry Ian Cusick)passes an army careers office he stops to look at a poster for 'The Royal Scots' which has some inaccuracies proving it is not a poster that would be found in Britain. Firstly the word 'honor' is spelt 'honour' in Britain. Secondly the small print refers to 'boot camp', which is not a phrase used in the British military.

13. Go here for some fun "Lost" quizzes.

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Heads up about the Ultimate Blog Party...and a Musical Meme

So you say you want to promote your blog? Want to introduce some new readers to it? Then you need to make plans to participate in the Ultimate Blog Party, coming up March 7th through the 14th.

Click on the graphic above to find out how you can get involved.

I participated in last year's blog party, and it was great. I found some blogs that have become favorites of mine, and hopefully I gained some new readers as well. It's also a chance to win some great prizes!

And now for something completely different...

Because my mind is somewhat blank right now, I thought it would be a good time for a meme! (meme: "A unit of cultural information, such as a cultural practice or idea, that is transmitted verbally or by repeated action from one mind to another." In blogs, it's usually a fun, lighthearted quiz.)

So here we go...

A Musical Meme



Senior Class Song: "We May Never Pass This Way Again," by Seals and Croft. It's still a great song, by the way:



Song That Makes You Think of College: Bear in mind, I went to a Christian college. But I can never hear any Andrae Crouch song without thinking of college. For example, here's a great one:



Favorite pop song: Way, way too many to list here

Favorite Country Western Song:: "God Blessed the Broken Road," by Rascal Flatts

Favorite All Time Love Song: "Night and Day"

Song That Reminds You Of Your Husband: "What a Man" by Salt 'n Pepa

Favorite Broadway Song: "On My Own," from Les Miserables:



Song That Always Makes You Cry: "Somewhere Out There," by Linda Ronstadt and James Ingram. It always makes me think of my mom and how much I wish I could be with her.

Also, I've been known to get emotional while singing hymns--just when the reality of Christ's love for me really hits me, his sacrifice on the Cross, it's a powerful and overwhelming thing. "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross" is one of those.

Favorite Christmas Song:

--Hark! the Herald Angels Sing (traditional)

--Strange Way to Save the World (modern)

Favorite Hymn: "And Can it Be That I Should Gain," words by Charles Wesley. The picture painted by the following verse is incredibly powerful:

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
fast bound in sin and nature's night;
thine eye diffused a quickening ray;
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
my chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed thee.

"I woke, the dungeon flamed with light..." Wow.

Monday Melange

Main Entry: mé·lange
Pronunciation: \mā-ˈläⁿzh, -ˈlänj\
Function: noun
Etymology: French, from Middle French, from mesler, meler to mix — more at meddle
Date: 1653
: a mixture often of incongruous elements

Some widely varied things to tell you about today:

--Did you watch the Oscars? I didn't...there wasn't any movie or performance I felt strongly enough about to root for.

But here's a note: Amazing Grace was named Best Spiritual Movie of 2008 by Beliefnet. (You can read my interviews with Chip Flaherty of Walden Media about "Amazing Grace" here and here.)


--Audrey Hepburn's black sheath dress in Breakfast at Tiffany's (seen here) was voted the classiest classic cinema gown by voters in a USA Today online poll:

The classiest classic cinema gown is Audrey Hepburn's Givenchy sheath dress from Breakfast at Tiffany's, more than 3,800 USA TODAY readers decided in an online vote. In second place: Marilyn Monroe's white halter dress from The Seven Year Itch. No. 3 was Julia Roberts' red velvet dress from Pretty Woman.

Well, I think when you think "Audrey Hepburn," you pretty much think "class." But I've never seen Breakfast at Tiffany's. Have you? Should I see it?

--Linda of 2nd Cup of Coffee is as hooked on "Lost" as I am...and she's written a very cool newspaper article about it, which you can read here.

--I love discovering a "new" author! Actually, Mindy Starns Clark has been around quite a while, but a friend just loaned me the first in her "Million Dollar Mystery" series--A Penny For Your Thoughts. I stayed up waaaay too late last night reading it, and now I can't wait to read everything I can get my hands on by Clark!

--Remember the ordeal of missionaries Martin and Gracia Burnham? They were held hostage in the Phillipines, and Martin was killed. Well, now their son Jeff is following in his father's footsteps.

--Pioneering Christian music artist Larry Norman ("Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Music?") passed away yesterday at the age of 60. Rodney Olsen of The Journey blogs about Norman's passing.

13 things to tell you about

Lots of stuff to tell you today...if you're busily cruising Thursday Thirteens, bookmark this page and come back when you have time to check out some of these links!


1. Looking for some great new recipes? My blogging friend Ashley Todd, who has always posted the most mouth-watering recipes and is a Pampered Chef representative, is debuting her new recipe blog, Ashley's Cafe. Looks great!

2. The 10 biggest differences between Christian schools and public schools (according to DiscoverChristianSchools.com

3. If you love horses--or just heart-touching videos-- you'll want to check this one out.--(Hat tip to Angela Hunt.

4. If you're scared of snakes, this article might give you the heebie-jeebies.

5. The last book that kept me up reading way too late? The Innocent Man, by John Grisham. A true story that made me think about how I would handle being falsely imprisoned. Not well, I assure you.

6. Yes, I'm enjoying American Idol! My faves so far? On the guy's side: David Hernandez, David Archuleta and Jason Castro. On the girls' side: Syesha Mercado, Carly Smithson and Brooke White.

7. Here's a chance to win a free book by Christian fiction writer Rebecca Seitz.

8. Mrs. Fussypants--the dynamo who's responsible for Fight the Frump Friday--is launching a new online magazine called Blissfully Domestic, and along with that, a new online network, Blissfully Domestic Living. She's billing it "Everything you need to make family life easier."

9. It was on the Blissfully Domestic site that I found this old video predicting what fashion would be like in the year 2000. Pretty funny--but they were right about at least one thing: a lot of men are wearing phones!

10. My son Justin gave my daughter Elizabeth a CD recently: Colm Wilkinson's Stage Heroes, and I've been loving it. Wilkinson is best known for playing Jean Valjean in Les Miserables, and he has an amazing voice.

11. From Evangelical Outpost: a post and a video about how Barack Obama seems to make women faint a lot. Kinda strange.

12. If this isn't enough to put you off plastic surgery, I don't know what is. Yikes...I'm beginning to think we're better off taking our chances with natural aging...

13. If, like me, you're a "Lost" fan, here's something to help you warm up for tonight's episode.

I'm hanging out at the Internet Cafe!

I'm blogging here today. Join me!

Discerning truth from error

Book by blogger Tim Challies stresses the importance of discernment

Discernment is the skill of understanding and applying God's Word with the purpose of separating truth from error and right from wrong.--Tim Challies, author of The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment

If you're a Christian blogger, you've heard of Tim Challies. Tim's blog is one of the most widely-known and read in the Christian blogosphere.

Frankly, I've always been a little in awe of his blog. I don't know what I was expecting when I called him up to interview him about his book, The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment, but it probably wasn't the soft-spoken, gracious and humble young man I spoke with. Apparently you can be an uber-blogger and still be nice and approachable. I genuinely enjoyed interviewing Tim, and I can recommend the book to anyone who wants to know more about this vital topic.

Sound clips from the interview

--Tim is the first to admit that his blog helped pave the way for this, his first book. He explains in this sound clip from our interview.

--The book is clear, practical and reader-friendly. Well-placed anecdotes and relatable illustrations keep the attention, and Challies generally avoids obscure theological verbiage in favor of more accessible layman's language. That was intentional, as Challies explains in this sound clip.

--Why is it important that Christians discern truth from error? Tim explains with a fitting analogy in this sound clip...and talks about why a belief in the inerrancy of God's Word is central to discernment.

A skill we need to develop

Tim Challies says discernment is a skill that Christians need to develop,not a trait with which we're automatically gifted-- and his book gives you practical advice on how to go about developing that skill.

Happy Birthday, Justin and Elizabeth!

My daughter Elizabeth turned 21 on February 16th, and my son Justin turns 25 today. Happy birthday to my precious children! I love you more than words can say.

Tragedy at Northern Illinois University

My 101QFL co-host, Darren Marlar, and I pretty much ditched our regular generally humorous and upbeat show today to respond to the tragedy at NIU. We opened up the phone lines and just let our listeners call with their stories, their condolences, their prayers and support for the victims and their families. It ended up being an enormous outpouring of love and concern.

Danielle is an NIU employee who called us and asked for prayer:



Besides the phone calls that lit up our board, we got an outpouring of e-mails as well. Here's a sampling:

--"I wanted to email you and share with you that my oldest daughter, Angela, who is a senior student at NIU, was just a few buildings away (in Stevenson Towers). She was working at the food service area in that residence hall at the time of the shootings. For quite some time we couldn't reach her or her fiance, but thankfully she called and said that they were all right.
The time we spent not knowing of their safety was the hardest thing to go through.... Hopefully, they will be safe and sound and home with us today for the weekend."

--"It is such a blessing to wake up to a positive radio station that is giving support to the community *I* grew up in. I attended NIU several years ago, and I did have classes in that specific buidling where the shooting occured, and I cannot even fathom how those students felt, nor how they were able to react and get out. It is an old-style auditorium, with uncomfortable seats, the aisles are so close together, and it is not easy to manuver on a normal day... it is a blessing that more people were not injured or killed. I have been praying and crying for those injured, killed and involved since yesterday afternoon. Since graduating from there with my degree in education nine years ago, I have had many former students attend NIU. None of them were involved in this tragedy, but still, I was scared for their lives as well.

After the Columbine incident, Michael W. Smith wrote 'This is Your Time', for one of the students who died in THAT tragedy. I'm not sure if you can play that, but it is certainly fitting for those who have lived and those who are with Jesus at this moment. For the survivors, this is their time to live, those who have come to Jesus and also those who haven't, may they find solace finally in His words.

I have found that Psalm 27 may be a comfort to some. It answers the question, whom then shall I fear? (Included in the song you just played, Never Let Go.)"

--"No doubt my heart and prayers go out to all of the students at NIU affected by this terrible thing at NIU. As you know my son Justin is going to NIU and I am praising God so much this morning for his safety. Justin was in the class next door in that same building as the shooting. He was in a hurry to get out of class early yesterday because he had an important church event that he was preparing for this weekend. He left that class around 2:45 only minutes before the shooting. We felt that God had called him out of there, he is really shook up but doing fine since he has a lot of friends that were there. We can't stop hugging him. PRAISE GOD!"

--"Marlar and Cindy, thank you. Thank you for being there for us. I went to NIU, I graduated, and I still live and work in Dekalb.

A friend of mine works across the street from the student center/cole hall area, and the moment shots were heard, a woman came in panicking into my friend's front office and told him what was going on. Here's the thing... if my friend's boss hadn't gone out to valentine's day lunch, she wouldn't have been feeling so sluggish, she would have gotten her paperwork done faster, and my friend would have been cutting through cole hall to deliver said paperwork just as the shooter was going in.

Incidentally, I was at a prayer vigil last night... I don't know if there was more than one, I certainly hope so... we were outside right in between the two largest dorms, singing and praying, and I hope we were a comfort to all the people on the other side of the open windows. (Open windows in February because the dorms are usually overheated.)

What doesn't make sense to me though, through all of this, is why a Sociology graduate student would have a motivation to shoot in an Oceanography freshman/sophomore 100 level classroom. Was it just because it was a lecture hall? I don't like not having information, but I don't suppose I have a choice in the matter.

One of the blessings in this is the social networking sites. Within an hour or two I was able to go online and see everyone's status messages on facebook and myspace, townies saying 'I am safe' and out of towners saying 'I am praying for NIU.'

I hope I made some sense in this email. As you can imagine, I feel rather confused and shaken about this whole thing... but through it all, God is my rock. Thank you again for shining his light."

--"Dear Cindy and Darren:
Thank you for your show this morning.
I can't imagine being anywhere else.
I was thinking of an old Billy Sprague song, 'Blessing of the Fleet'.
I keep hearing,
'Sometimes the pilot of a ship can make head way in a raging storm!'
I had a hard time sleeping Wednesday night. It was after 2 AM before I got to sleep.
And I had a good day (including bell practice) and it was not clear why I was called to prayer.
Now I know!
I'm also praying now for the parents and family of the shooter. How dreadful to know your son is dead. And then need to process what he did.
Keep up the good work!
God's Peace!"

Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the victims and their families.

If you would like to express your thoughts and condolences, you can do so here.

13 Great Love Songs

There are so many great ones--these are just a few! Click on the title to hear the song. Happy Valentine's Day to all!

It Had to Be You--Frank Sinatra and others

At Last--Etta James



Suddenly--Olivia Newton John and Cliff Richard

Unchained Melody--Righteous Brothers

In Your Eyes--Peter Gabriel

Night and Day--Frank Sinatra and others

Eileen's Song--Burlap to Cashmere (not that well-known, but lovely)

Beautiful in My Eyes--Joshua Kadison

Endless Love--Lionel Richie and Diana Ross

All I Ask of You--from "Phantom of the Opera"


For All We Know--The Carpenters

Unforgettable--Nat King Cole

And last, but not least--I dedicate this one to my husband today--Steven Curtis Chapman's "I Will Be Here":



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Slugs, Bugs and Lullabies

While I was in Texas, I got to hear several songs off of Andrew Peterson's "Slugs, Bugs and Lullabies." I would sit on the back seat with 1-year-old Payton in his car seat, as he would vocalize along with the charming songs.

The CD has actually been out for quite some time, but this was the first chance I've had to really listen to some of the songs.

As one reviewer writes:

For those that are searching for music that can be enjoyed by parents and children alike, the search is over. Slugs, Bugs, and Lullabies is here to the delight of children and their parents everywhere. This is a collaborative effort between two very talented musicians, Andrew Peterson and Randall Goodgame.

I found this extensive review, by Gabrielle, from which I quote:

The album starts out very silly. They sing about postmen, tractors, bears, playing ball inside, and piggy toes. They sing about bizarre parenting tasks like burping and making a child eat beans. The songs are goofy and clever and very singable. Andrew and Randy are obviously having a good time together. Their fun spills out in their songs and is infectious.

She goes on to write about the lovely lullabies on the CD, including my favorite, "You Can Always Come Home to Me," which includes the lyrics:

I love you today and I love you tomorrow
I love you as deep as the sea
I love you in joy and I love you in sorrow
You can always come home to me

Gabrielle writes:

I think what is charming about this album is that it is explicitly Christian while still being silly. Too often Christians assume that the only reason for media is to instruct and so often you have music or books or movies that are doctrinally sound, but overly serious and boring. Andrew Peterson and Randall Goodgame made an album of songs that are enjoyable, are fun, but never escape being Christian. Because they set out to make, first and foremost, fun music when the songs do get profound I am more likely to sit up and take notice.

I just hope little ones get the humor in the lyrics of the impossible-to-get-out-of-your-head "Bears" *smile*:

Bears, bears, they got no cares
Bears don’t drink from a cup
Sharp teeth and claws and furry paws
To catch you and eat you up
No, grizzly bears don’t wear underwear
Socks, or jammies, or gloves
No baby bears, don’t wear diapers
No Pampers, no Huggies, no Luvs

You can hear "You Can Always Come Home to Me" on this video:

Payton's First Birthday

...and, my little injury

OK, you didn't think I was NOT going to post pictures of my only grandchild's first birthday, did you? :)

It's taken me a while to get my pictures in order even though I actually got home from Texas Thursday night...partly because of an incident that took place Sunday morning. More about that in a moment.

Here's Payton enjoying his first cake and ice cream.

Any trip to Texas is made more wonderful by getting to spend time with my precious mother.

This is actually the first time that the two grandma's have been together with baby Payton! My daughter-in-law Daylyn's mother, Debbie, lives in Boise, Idaho. We were delighted to share this special milestone in Payton's life.

And my injury ordeal...

I am typing this post very carefully, because I have a bandage and splint around the middle finger of my right hand.

It happened Sunday morning, just as my husband was about to begin teaching his adult Sunday school class. The class meets in the school cafeteria, and there area several pop and snack machines that make a lot of noise. I had just gotten a snack and was trying to lower a garage-type door that covers the machines and blocks the noise. Well, I got my finger stuck in one of the divisions of the door!

About three emergency-room hours later, I ended up with five stitches and the knowledge that the tip of the bone in my finger had been broken. I'm not sure how long they want me to use this splint (they do let me remove it at night), but I will say it's interesting how awkward it makes doing a lot of things when you don't have the use of that one finger! My hat's off to people who live with far worse disabilities every day.

By the way, thanks to all who comisserated with me about the closing of my gym! I still haven't decided on a new one, although I want to do that soon...I don't want to lose any ground I've gained with my weight-training. I did manage to ride my stationary bike last night...the hurt finger didn't matter with that. We'll see what happens!

Back from Texas...and a sad note for my Fit Friday report

Well, my visit to Texas was wonderful. Payton's first birthday party was a fantastic experience. I was so happy to even get some one-on-one time with my adorable little grandson, and of course, I took tons of pictures! It was so awesome to spend time with all my loved ones there...and the weather...gorgeous. I'm a little bummed to come back to a foot of snow on the ground!

While in Texas, I was able to take advantage of the beautiful weather by going on walks almost every day I was there, so I kept up with my fitness regime while on vacation.

However...

I was all set to go to the TruEssence today (the gym where my daughter and I are members), and I got a surprising bit of news this morning. The gym is closed...for good! The owners are looking into filing bankrupty.

I am EXTREMELY disappointed. For the past five months, I have been a very faithful member of this gym...going there 4 to 6 times a week. I love this place...the atmosphere, the facility, the staff, the machines and weights have just been awesome. Not only have I lost money (I paid for a three month membership for my daughter, and she's only used about a month of it), but I'm going to have to find another gym...and I'm not at all sure I'll find one I like as much. For one thing, TruEssence is women only...I think there's only one other women-only faciliy here, and I think it's pretty pricey.

I guess I'll be doing the stationary bike and Pilates videos at home until I figure out what to do. What a bummer.

Well, this will test my resolve, but I'm not going to let it steer me off course!

I hope everyone has a wonderful and blessed weekend!

Happy Birthday, Payton!

My adorable grandson, Payton, is one year old today! It's hard to believe that it's been a year since we got the joyful news of his birth. I'm flying down tomorrow to Texas to celebrate this milestone. As a proud grandma, I hope you'll indulge me as I show off this slide show of Payton's first year.

13 Reasons Why I Love "Lost"

"Lost" returns tonight! To celebrate, I'm repeating a previous "Thursday Thirteen" in which I listed 13 reasons why I love the show:

1) It keeps you guessing.--If you saw this season's finale, you know what I mean. What could POSSIBLY be going on? (I guess I'll find out--at least partially!--tonight!)

2) Those jaw-dropping moments. --Remember when you first saw John Locke's circumstances before crashing on the island? Remember the first time we "saw" Jacob? Remember, again, the very end of this season's finale? Those "whoaaa" moments remind you of what a terrific show this really is.

3) Matthew Fox as Jack--I personally believe Fox should have been nominated in the best actor in a drama category (in last year's Emmys). There were so many instances this season of great acting on the part of Fox. Remember the look on his face when he saw Kate and Sawyer through the video monitor? That moment alone was worth an Emmy nomination.

4) Michael Emerson as Ben--Yeah, we can't stand Ben, but don't we love to hate him? Emerson has to be one of the best actors on television. His Emmy nomination was well-deserved.

5) Josh Holloway as Sawyer--How many times have you gotten a good chuckle out of Sawyer's nicknames and pop culture references?

6) Terry O'Quinn as John Locke--Yes, John Locke is often strange and his actions inexplicable--take his behavior in the finale. What's up with that? Still, he's one of my favorite characters...and I also believe his (2007) Emmy award is well-deserved.

7) Naveen Andrews as Sayid--The character of Sayid has probably done more good for Iraqi PR than anything the UN could come up with. Face it, there are many, many wonderful Iraqi people, and the character of Sayid is very appealing.

8) Dominic Monaghan as Charlie--I am so, so sorry that the character of Charlie is dead. Some people would like to believe that's not true, but I have a hard time seeing him survive his fate in the season finale. Even though he started out as a drugged-out loser, Charlie was sweet and appealing.

9) Evangeline Lilly as Kate--She annoys a lot of my friends and family, but I do still like the character of Kate, and I think she's central to the show.

10) Jorge Garcia as Hurley--Hurley is absolutely vital to the show. For a while, I was watching "24" fairly regularly, and it's excellent--but there is almost no comic relief, if any. The intensity blasts you nonstop. But the great thing about "Lost" is that just when everything gets a little too spooky, scary or strange, there's Hurley saying, "Dude..." and bringing everything back down to earth. I totally love Hurley.

11) Henry Ian Cusick as Desmond.--Desmond has been a great addition to the show. I think we've yet to find out just how essential his story is. And as I've mentioned before, I could listen to that Scottish accent all day.

12) The soundtrack.-- Composer Michael Giacchino does a beautiful job scoring the show. Listen to his haunting "Life and Death" in the video below.

13) The characters and the writing.-- I've mentioned some of them already, but the characters are what keeping bringing me back, even when the show sometimes strains credulity. And the writing--the storytelling, the dialogue, the plotting--is just terrific.

Bottom line, "Lost" is my favorite TV show, and one of the only TV shows I ever watch.

If you haven't watched it, I suggest you start with the first season DVD set and then go on to the second and third. If you can watch the first two or three episodes without getting hooked, I'll be extremely surprised.

And now, the video:

My true color is...orange???

That's ironic, because orange is probably my least favorite color. But these personality tests are fun to take. I got this one from Laura's blog.

What's Your True Color?

My Result: Orange

You're a bold, confident orange. A warm, powerful color that indicates a strong, welcoming personality, orange is the mark of people who are social and extroverted by nature. Vibrant, with an upbeat attitude, you have a bright, inviting demeanor. Energetic and fun-loving, you're a real friend-magnet. Your easy charm and unassuming manner make you the sort of person people want to meet and get to know better. Well-rounded and fun to be around, you enjoy helping others, so it's no surprise that orange also symbolizes attraction. Orange is an extraordinary color — for an extraordinary person.

What are you?
http://web.tickle.com/rd/50651/color/index.jsp?testname=colorogt&resultid=D

Are you fighting the frump?

"We need to stay viable, we need to look vibrant, and we need to stay visible. Because if you feel good about yourself, veryone around you will feel good too. Confidence is contagious. You have to get to the point where you can look in a mirror and say, 'Wow! I look fabulous!'"--Charla Krupp

I had to chuckle the other day when I was reading Karla's lively and entertaining blog, Looking Towards Heaven. Karla encouraged readers to join Mrs. Fussypants of Mrs. Fussypants' Guide to Life in what she calls "Fight the Frump Friday." (By the way, I LOVE Mrs. Fussypants' slogan: "We Can't Both Look Good, It's Me or the House!")

This was the first I had heard of Mrs. Fussypants or "Fight the Frump Friday," so I was totally intrigued.

One of my goals (I'm not really calling it a resolution) for 2008 is to look as good as it is within my power to look. That can sometimes be a tall order when you get to be "a certain age," as I am. But as I commented on Karla's post, to paraphrase Dylan Thomas, I will not go gently into age-induced frumpiness!



So I was fascinated by a book Karla mentioned: How Not to Look Old, by Charla Krupp. Now, Charla's pretty opinionated about some of the wardrobe items she thinks we need to get rid of in our quest for a more youthful appearance, and I can't say I agree with her on every point...but here's the list:

Holiday sweaters with bells and appliqués (reindeers, teddy bears, bumblebees, pumpkins).
Granny necklaces that tell how many grandchildren you have.
Souvenir T-shirts.
T-shirts with meant-to-be funny sayings.
Acid-washed jeans.
Ripped jeans.
Shoulder pads.
Flannel shirts.
Muumuus. (**Does this really need to be stated?)
Photo handbags (the older you get, the more sophisticated your accessories should be).
Flesh-colored hose.
Penny loafers.
Oversize blazers.
Mommy robes.
Thin gold chain necklaces.
Elastic-waist pants.
Granny undies.
Baggy sweats.
Bearlike, full-length fur coats.
Short shorts.
Cargo pants.
Stockings with reinforced toes.
Three-piece suits with vests.
Backpacks.

Agree or disagree, it's worth thinking about! By the way, Krupp doesn't think we should try to look like a teen-ager. In fact, that's strongly discouraged. But I must admit, I'd really like to read the book.

Also with a big hat tip to Karla, here's a video of Charla Krupp with more pointers and advice on how not to look old. (I totally disagre with her about underpants, by the way--but I must say, she really makes a strong case for the Le Mystere Renaissance bra...)

What do you think? Are you fighting the frump, or is it just not important to you? And if you are waging the battle against frumpiness, got any tips or advice? Let's hear 'em, ladies!

He wants to walk around the world

"One of my biggest fears is to look back on my life and wished I would have lived it differently. Therefore I refuse to live a life of mediocrity. I meet so many people who have lost sight of their dreams and ambitions and settle for something else. I feel like I have been given this gift of life and I want to live it to the fullest."--Daren Wendell

One of my favorite books as a young woman was Peter Jenkins' Walk Across America--the true story of a disillusioned young man who decided to trek across the country in a quest for meaning. Along the way, he found God and even a wife.

Today I met a remarkable young man whose vision is even greater--some might say crazier. But Daren Wendell's life motto, straight out of John 10:10, is "live life to the fullest," and he wants to walk around the world.

Daren estimates that his trip will take about 7 years. His goal? To raise money for the Blood Water Mission, which aims to "empower Africans to build healthier communities through sustainable clean blood and clean water solutions."



Me interviewing Daren in the Radio 91 studio

You can find out more at Daren's website. I hope to blog more about our interview later, and perhaps include some sound clips.

An award! Yay!

What a great way to start off a Monday! Grams of Talk...to...Grams has bestowed another award on me...



The ever-encouraging Grams writes:

"Cindy has a excellent blog for sure!! She is a wonderful Christian lady. She is a radio announcer and she has all kinds of interesting information on her blog!! I really love this lady and you will too if you go visit and find out what she is all about!!"

Grams, thanks so much. You are a blessing!

Scottish and cute...what's not to love?

Today is the birthday of poet Robert Burns...and scroll down for my Fit Friday report...and I'm blogging today at the Internet Cafe

Scottish poet Robert Burns was born on this day in 1759, in Alloway, Ayrshire, Scotland.

Why do I care? Well, I must admit I don't have an excessive fondness for Burns' poetry, which is mostly written in a sometimes unintelligible Scots dialect. Here's a sample, from the poem "To a Mouse":

Wee, sleekit, cow'rin', tim'rous beastie,
O what a panic's in thy breastie !
Thou need na start awa sae hasty,
Wi' bickering brattle !
I wad be laith to rin an' chase thee
Wi' murd'ring pattle !

(By the way, that's the poem that contains the famous lines: "The best laid schemes o' mice an' men /Gang aft a-gley..."

So why am I fascinated with Robert Burns? Well, for a couple of reasons--firstly, I have an affinity for all things Scottish and have longed to visit Scotland for years.

And, here's a confession: I've had a little crush on Robert Burns ever since I first saw his picture when I was a teenager. There are not that many likenesses of Burns, but in every one of them, he looks remarkably handsome. Can't you just imagine a Scottish accent coming out of that face? Gerard Butler, you've got nothing on Robbie! :)

It's pretty amazing that Burns' birthday continues to be celebrated around the world--even right where I live, in Northern Illinois--with "Burns suppers." This from Wikipedia:

The format of Burns suppers has not changed since Robert's death in 1796. The basic format starts with a general welcome and announcements followed with the Selkirk Grace. Just post the grace comes the piping and cutting of the Haggis, where Robert's famous Address To a Haggis is read, and the haggis is cut open. The event usually allows for people to start eating just after the haggis is presented. This is when the reading called the 'immortal memory', an overview of Robert's life and work is given; the event usually concludes with the singing of Auld Lang Syne.

And now...




Fit Friday!

Help!!! I've somehow injured myself.

This has been a good week, exercise-wise. I've been to the gym three times, and I had planned to go back today, but I'm wondering if I should. Ever since I started using the rowing machine, I've had a problem with discomfort in my left leg. It's weird...it almost feels like it's off kilter or something. I can't describe it. I've been working out despite the discomfort, and actually it doesn't really hurt WHEN I'm using it...whether on the elliptical or on the rower.

However, last night it was hurting so much, I had a really hard time getting to sleep. I took some ibuprofen, but it took a long time for it to take effect.

I need advice from those of you who are knowledgeable about exercise-related pains. Should I stay off of it for a couple of days, or continue to work out despite the discomfort? Should I see doctor or chiropractor, or will the discomfort go away on its own? I'm really at a loss...and pretty discouraged because exercise is SO necessary to me as a diabetic.

Any thoughts would be welcome.

To participate in "Fit Friday," go to A Spacious Place

And I'm posting here today:



Won't you join me there?

13 Things That Make Me Happy

It goes without saying...a lot of happiness comes from my precious grandson, Payton!

Things that make me happy:

1) Learning, or realizing anew from firsthand experience, a wonderful truth from God's Word

2) Going to visit my loved ones who live out-of-state--or getting visits from them

3) Diving into a really good book

4) Eating out. I know that sounds really shallow, but I just love to eat out!

5) A day off

6) Sleeping in

7) Losing a pound--or more!

9) A compliment from my husband

10) Getting a voice-over job...and more importantly, actually getting paid for it

11) Anything good that happens to anyone I love

12) Getting something new to wear

13) Spending precious time with my adorable grandson...or when that's not possible, getting adorable pictures of him in the e-mail!


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