Hopes, dreams, plans... The End

It's the end of the Feb. post challenge. I was really fun, I think I might do something similar again sometime, just not right now. I'm too busy.  I am going to try and post something like this once or twice a week, just to have something to post about when Lys or I are having "blogger's block".

Today's is hopes, plans and dreams I have for the next year. Hum...

Hopes/Dreams:

To get everything on my hope chest list (uh, yeah right...).
That Tenth Avenue North releases a new album.
That more of Superman's family will come to the engagement dinner.
That I'll get better at sewing.

Plans:

On getting at least a 1/4 of the things on my hope chest list.
On reading 100 books (yes in one year).
On sewing an apron (sigh, I need to get on to that).
On re-learning how to swim.

Yep, that's it. Sad really. I know... I've learned to hard way not to plan out my life according to me. I think God and Superman are in league together, ruining every well laid plan I've had. I give up!

Riah Friah Me oh Miah

Me Being Me.

This is going to be random and pointless... but it is midnight and I have nothing major to say.

1. Starbucks ice cream is the BEST ice cream ever created. It's smooth and creamy AND it has espresso in it. Can't get much better than that!
2. SoBe Lifewater is really good.
3. I hate it when people interrupt me when I'm talking. More specifically when I'm at work (we have to do "plus sales" where we HAVE TO tell each customer about a product on special) and I can't even say two words before people basically shout out "NO!" - some people are nice about it, but some are rude about it. On Saturday 3 people did that to me back-to-back. I was so irritated.
4. The movie "You Again" was awesome. I laughed a lot.
5. The book "Save The Date" by Jenny B. Jones is AWESOME!
6. I saw my sister for the first time since Thursday just a couple of hours ago.
7. I like Aerosmith - the classic rock band. Steven Tyler is the lead singer.
8. I hope and pray that Claritin allergy medicine will work for me this weekend at Ri's...never used it before.
9. My room is a mess.
10. My boss only gave me 16 hours of work this week. :( 
11. Hillsong United: Aftermath is an amazing CD!!!
12. I was only going to have 10 points.
13. I now have 13.
14. The end (13. make that 14.)

Physical feature

Ok, is this a feature of mine I love, or in general? If it's me, I don't have one I love, but my favorite would be my eyes, although I'd like them better if they'd just pick a color and stick with it. They used to be blue, a gray-blue color... now... sigh, they wont pick. They look more green-ish now, but they are not a true green by any means. Plus, they feel the need to mix it up more by adding amber-ish color. Ugh, how annoying. Ok, so it's safe to say that it's the shape of my eyes I like best, not the color. And just to clarify, my eye shape is nothing special, it's just my best feature.

If it's not me we're taking about, then it's smiles! I love them, they are contagious! Everybody looks so much nicer with a smile. Enough said ;)

Ri

Childhood memories

"In childhood, we press our nose to the pane, looking out.  In memories of childhood, we press our nose to the pane, looking in."  ~Robert Brault

Let's clarify one thing first off, the majority of my memories are childhood ones because I'm only 18, which means I have only been a legal adult one year and anything before that legally counts as childhood. So, most of my life I have been a child (and in some people's eyes I still am one **cough** mom **cough**). Ok, now that I don't sound like some teen trying to act older then she really is, I'll move on ;)

A memory huh? Well I have a lot, not many that I can really stick an exact date on though. Most surround Mom being pregnant or having another baby. Trust me, Lys will tell you that when I talk about things that happened when I was younger, most of the start off "Well when Mom was pregnant with Beenie" or "Oh, that happened right after T. Lynn was born" or better yet "I remember us doing ... when Mom was nursing Bree, right before she weened because she was pregnant with Beenie". Yeah, weird huh?
Ok, so my memory is... uh. I'm stuck. Let's see... I remember my 2nd birthday. Mom made stuffed strawberries to serve as a little snack durring the party. I loved (and still love) stuffed strawberries! They were sitting on the table in the dinning room and I kept trying to sneak them. I'd reach up over the table and try to get one. I think I only suceeded once, maybe twice, before Mom caught me. I was terrified that she would tell me that because I was sneaking them I wouldn't be able to have any at the party. Can I tell you how relieved I was when she didn't? Yeah, very! I can't believe I still remember that. I was only two for goodness sake. I guess it stuck because I was afraid I wouldn't get strawberries... I suppose that tells you how much I like them 

Your strawberry lovin',
Ri

A recipe

Ok, I'm going to cheat. I'm going to give an easy one I know off the top of my head. I'm too lazy right now to go get up and find a really good one.

Cherry Cheese Danish-thingys:

1 box of cream cheese softened
1/3 cup of Confectioners Sugar (aka: powdered sugar)
1 teaspoon of Vanilla
1 can of Cherry pie filling
1 can of Pillsbury Crescent Rolls


First preheat oven as per instructions on the back of the crescent roll can. Mix together cream cheese, vanilla, and powdered sugar until well mixed and creamy (I usually do it with a mixer). Open the can of crescent rolls and leave two of the crescents together, lay flat on greased baking sheet. Spread the cream cheese on the flat dough until well covered, leave the edges plain. Next spoon the cherries on top. Lay the last two pieces of dough on top and press the edges of the top and bottom pastries together. You should have something that looks like a little pillow filled with cream cheese and cherries. Bake until golden brown on top.
Sometimes instead of putting cherries on top we put brown sugar, cinnamon and pecans on. I love this too. I also double the recipe more often than not, since we have a large family and this only makes one. Hope you enjoy!

Love,
Ri 

24 - loving movies

This post is supposed to be about a movie no one would expect me to love, well I'm just going to pick a scene in a movie that no one expected me to love.

I assume most of you have seen or at least heard of Enchanted, right? Well, in case you haven't, it's about a cartoon disney soon-to-be princess who manages to tick off her future step-mother-in-law (does that make sense? basically it's her prince charming's step-mother and she will soon be the the girl's mother-in-law) and this step-mother-in-law is evil - shocker. So, she enchants a wishing well and lures the soon-to-be princess over, then pushes her down it and sends her to a place that has no love - aka: New York. When the "princess" gets there she has serious trouble and is taken in by a well meaning, but skeptical man and his princess-loving daughter. Through lots of trouble and trial they end up falling in love. But there is a problem, the man is in a relationship and Prince Charming just showed up. Now, the princess has to go back, but she doesn't want to, not really, not anymore. She convinces him to go to a ball with her in New York, then she'll go home. But while at the ball the evil step-mother shows up and poisons the princess and Prince Charming's "true love's kiss" isn't working, so the New Yorker kisses her and she is fine again. The evil step-mother attacks and good triumphs over evil in the end. The woman the New Yorker was with ran off with the prince back to "perfect-happily-ever-after-land" and the princess stays with the New Yorker and his daughter.
Yeah, how's that for a synopsis?

So now I bet you are wondering which is my favorite scene... The ball scene. Yes you heard me right and yes, that was my favorite before I started courting Superman and went, supposedly, "soft".

I love this scene! He told her he didn't dance, and then he danced with her. He told her he didn't sing and then he sang quitely in her ear as they danced... **sigh**

Don't they just look like they're in love?! (They are good actors, no?)

I like the song played too.

 "So close to reaching that famous happy end, almost believing this one's not pretend..."

Yeah that's my favorite scene. It's sappy huh? Especially since I am supposedly a professed sappy romance hater... We we're sitting in the theater watching and when he started to sing to her I said "awww", Kay about had a heart attack. "Did you just say 'awww' to a romantic scene?!"  She was sure I had lost it!

Onto others news. My and Superman's engagement dinner is on the 5th of March!

No, it wont look like that... I just thought it was pretty.

It's not going to be fancy, but I'm excited anyway!

His parents are going to be there, and his sister and maybe his Aunt and Uncle and friend (actually, he's my friend too. We all went to church together and I've known him longer than I've known Superman, but Superman is the one who keeps in touch with him).

My parents will be there (duh, since its at our house), my grandparents, my uncles and Lyssa (who demanded to be invited, lol. I don't mind, I love her too much to care. I want her there anyway).

And other news... Lys will be spending the night Friday the 4th through Monday the 7th. She is helping us prepare for the dinner, like the bestest best friend she is, and is just taking the time to hang out! We are going to have loads of fun! Movies, popcorn, picture taking, hanging out... Oh and...

PILLOW FIGHTS

yeah, fun!

I know

Your excited,

Riah

The excitement is building!

Next weekend - as in the 4-7th - I am going to Riah's house again! She and Superman are having their engagement party and of course I can't miss THAT! I am going to take a bunch of allergy meds so I won't have to worry about that cat of theirs.
We are so excited! And here we thought that we'd never ever be allowed to have sleepovers with each other - AND we are about to have our second weekend!!!
The excitement is building.
(Little does Ri know that she has a surprise coming! and no it's not me...)
RAHAHA!

To be remembered

"I want to be remembered as the girl who always smiles even when her heart is broken, and the one that could always brighten up your day even if she couldn't brighten her own." - Author Unknown (to me anyway)

I want to be remembered...

As a obedient daughter.

"Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord." Colossians 3:20

A kind sister.
"Help one another, is part of the religion of sisterhood." ~ Louisa May Alcott

As a bestest best friend.

"The best kind of friend is the one you could sit on a porch with, never saying a word, and walk away feeling like that was the best conversation you've had." ~Author Unknown 
(that is totally me and Lyssa)

As a loving wife.

"Let the wife make the husband glad to come home, and let him make her sorry to see him leave." ~ Martin Luther

"Immature love says, I love you because I need you, mature love says, I need you because I love you." ~Wiston Churchill

As a wonderful mother.

"The hand that rocks the cradle is the one that rules the world."

"Mother love is the fuel that enables a normal human being to do the impossible." ~Marion C. Garretty

No painter's brush, nor poet's pen
In justice to her fame
Has ever reached half high enough
To write a mother's name.
~Author Unknown



This is what I wish to be remembered as. I may not seem important to many, but it is my prayer.

Riah

Day 22

Day 1: A favorite song.

Day 2: A favorite movie.
Day 3: A favorite book.
Day 4: A favorite television program.
Day 5: A favorite quote.
Day 6: A moment you wish you could relive.
Day 7: Five things you couldn't possibly live without.
Day 8: A thank you letter to someone who has changed your life.
Day 9: A photo you took.
Day 10: A photo of you taken over ten years ago.
Day 11: A photo of you taken recently.
Day 12: A song that you want played at your wedding(or was played).
Day 13: A guilty pleasure.
Day 14: A vacation you would like to take.
Day 15: A person you admire.
Day 16: A song that makes you cry.
Day 17: An art piece.
Day 18: A time when you felt passionate and alive.
Day 19: A talent of yours.
Day 20: A hobby of yours.
Day 21: Something you know you do differently than most people.
Day 22: A website.
Day 23: A way in which you want to be remembered.
Day 24: A movie no one would expect you to love.
Day 25: A recipe.
Day 26: A childhood memory.
Day 27: A physical feature you love.
Day 28: Hopes, Dreams and plans you have for the next 365 days

This should be relitively easy, right? I could just pick a blog I like, but I like so many! Plus, I don't like to pick favorites. So I have chosen Picnik. Picnik is an online photo editing software. It's really awesome. It does cost a little, but only a very little. $25 a year, now that is not bad at all. I only started using it last week, but it's already a favorite. I don't know which effect is my favorite, I like cross process and 1960's though.

Love Always,
Riah

You were warned!

Before I say anything else, I'm going to say first; Lyssa warned you fair and square, so if you suffer from a heart attack I am not liable... There, now that I can't be held accountable for any heath problems you might develop after reading the next few lines I can go on.

not my picture

Actually, first off... Isn't this a cool picture?

Ok, yeah moving on... I know y'all are very curious, assuming you actually care.

I'M ENGAGED! Awesome, right?

Superman proposed Friday 18th, please don't shoot me for not telling y'all earlier.

It was so, so, SO sweet. And it was completely unexpected!

What do you think of my ring? I promise to get a picture of it on my hand soon.

Ok, so on to today's question... Something I do differently than everyone else... I am right handed, but I do things as if I were left handed, not sure why. I always have, but I think it was worsened when I seriously hurt my right wrist by getting it slammed between two 2 X 4's and had to learn how to use my left hand. I hurt it again before it fully healed by getting it slammed between two grocery carts, and then a year later fell at the skating rink, jarred it badly and spilt open the bottom of my palm (not horribly, I didn't need stitches or anything). I was pretty rough on my right wrist. So now I use my left hand a lot and my right gets tired.

There you go!

Love your engaged,

Riah Chelle

Hobbies!

So, y'all already know about my photography and it's more a passion than a hobby... Let me think, a hobby... I like to design blogs, but that's not exactly a hobby. Um, reading! Yeah, reading. Yes, I would totally consider reading a hobby! I love so many books and I love looking for new books. I'm not a big shopping person, but I like "shopping" for books. It's amazing!

"You know you've read a good book when you turn to the last page and feel as if you've lost a friend." ~Author Unknown to me

" A book is like a garden carried in the pocket." ~Chinese Proverb

"A good book on your shelf is a friend that turns its back on you and remains a friend." ~Author Unknown

(Does anyone besides me think this is just the coolest book shelf ever? I want one!)

Your devoted bookworm,

Riah Chelle 

disclaimer: not my photos

A talent, several birthdays and a daybook

Hey there! Riah here, although I'm starting think y'all already know that, seeing as how the post itself states that and I always have my name at the end of the post.. Ok, anyway...

So a talent hum? I'm not sure I was born with a talent, I just pick up on stuff along the way... I know, pretty sad huh? On the upside, I'm a quick learner, so not being born with a talent hasn't seemed to hurt me much. Oh the land of the un-talented... :D

Onto several birthdays.
Beenie's was the tenth and she turned 12! Happy birthday girly! Seems like you are still 10 sometimes, not sure why my head is stuck on that age... Hope you got the polk-a-dot stuff your little heart wanted. (btw: she loves polk-a-dots!)
Dad's was Wednesday. He and mom went out for dinner, came home and brought us some donuts, yummy (or as T. Lynn would say "nummy"), then they went back out to get them some dessert.
Kay's birthday is today! She is 21 now... My, how time does fly! Wasn't she just toturing me yesterday? Wasn't she and my cousin locking me in a closet only a week ago (btw: my cousin and kay are the same age, only 5 days apart)? Both girls were evil I tell you ;) Mom's cousin had to let me out. I think I'm still scarred from that! Happy birthday Kay! Hope it turns out great!

Ok, daybook time!

This daybook is hosted by Jo March@Scraps from my Workbasket

Date... February 19th 2011 

Starting time... 8:30 am

Mood... really, really happy!

Outside my window... Sun is bright and it looks warm (I had to run and check, I don't actually have the blinds open). Everything is calm and quiet and I think Feb. is trying its best to make us like it by pretending to be spring. The weather has been so nice lately.

I'm thinking... That I need a cup of tea. I think it would make this morning just right. Plus, I'm a tad hungry

I'm currently reading... "Waterfall" by Lisa T. Bergren

I'm listening to... The airconditioner run, the cat meow her head off and the static over the moniter we have in Grandma's room.

I'm wearing... A tan skirt with teeny blue flowers, two tanktops layered (the first one is white ribbed with lace, the top one is blue to match the skirt), a knit sweater, and a necklace Superman gave me.

I'm looking forward to... Going to church Sunday. I haven't been in three weeks, I miss going.

I'm hoping... That Lys doesn't torment me about wedding dresses now.. She's been on a kick recently!

Yesterday, I... Went out to eat with my family for an early birthday lunch for Kay since we wouldn't all be able to go out today.

I'm hungry for... Tea and maybe some of Bree's awesome biscuts. Let me tell you, that girl can make kickin' biscuts!

The song stuck inside my head is... "You Make Me Feel Like A Star" by the Beu Sisters (don't ask me why, I think it's because the girls keep playing it over and over again).

I love... the book I'm reading. It's so great!

I loathe... it when people don't know how to merge properly onto a highway! It's really quite annoying.

This week, my goal is... to finish a cross stitch I'm doing for a couple I know who are having their first baby. I'm cross stitching little ducks on a baby bib.

Did I meet last week's goal?... Um, I don't remember setting one.

Ending time... 8:45am

Ok, so thats all!

In Christ,
Riah

Prepare Thyself!

I mean it too... Ri will tell ya why later.
Good night!

Passionate and Alive.

This answer is obvious. When I'm taking pictures! That is my hobbie, my thing. I love to take pictures of everything (I'm just dying for spring to get here). I like to edit pictures too, but taking pictures is the best. I like to experiment with subjects, angles, focus and exposure.

You know you're a photographer when tea inspires pictures.

Or, when you "photoshop" the same picture more than once!

Or when you have 12 pictures of the same flower, all "photoshopped" differently!

There's my answer!

Your Shutterbug,

Riah

"Bones"

Words & music by Joel Houston & Jill Mccloghry (copyright) Hillsong publishing)

You can take my dry bones. Breathe life into this skin. You called me by name. Raised me to life again. You can calm the oceans. Speak peace into my soul. Take me as I am. Awaken my heart to beat again.

Oh Jesus. Oh Jesus. Oh Jesus. Alive in me.

You move in the unseen. You set the captives free. As I stand and sing. You're breaking the chains off of me. Breathe in me Your life. I can feel You are close now. I can never hide. You are here and You know me. All I need is You. And I love you. I love You. I love You. I love You. Breathe in me Your life. 'Til Your love overtakes me. Open up my eyes. Let me see You more clearly. Falling on my knees. 'Til I love like You love. Like You love me. I love You.

Art

So today is an art piece. Now, I'm not really all that into art. Bree is and I love what she does, so I pick her art piece. But... because I don't have a picture of any of her art pieces and because she wouldn't let me post it, even if I did, I'll show you another of my favorites.
It's called "Dance Me to the End of Love" and the artist is JackVettriano.

Ok, let me tell you a little bit about Jack Vettriano... He was born in 1953 in Scotland, but his parents were Italian. He was a mining engineer and painted in his spare time. Later in 1988 he quit his job as a mining engineer and started painting full time. His earliest paintings were just copies of impressionist paintings until he discovered his own style. He now has studios in both Scotland and London. 

"Dance Me to the End of Love" is an oil painting, I'm not sure if it's an earlier work or a later one. I don't know if I'd call myself a fan of his work... I just happen to like this one. I think it's a sweet scene.

Riah Friah

"Take Heart"

Music & words by Joel Houston (copyright) 2010 Hillsong publishing)

There is a light. It burns brighter than the sun. He steals the night. And casts no shadow. There is hope. Should oceans rise and mountains fall. He never fails.

So take heart. Let His love lead us through the night. Hold on to hope. And take courage again.

In death by love. The fallen world was overcome. He wears the scars of our freedom. In His name. All our fears are swept away. He never fails. All our troubles. And all our tears. God our hope. He has overcome. All our failure. And all our fear. God our love. He has overcome. All our heartache. And all our pain. God our healer. He has overcome. All our burdens. And all our shame. God our freedom. He has overcome. God our refuge. God our strength. God is with us. He has overcome.

I absolutely love this song - the whole CD really, but the lyrics are so wonderful on this one.

I'll be posting more over the next few days!

16!

A song that makes you cry laugh.

Um... Let me think. Got one!

"You're the Reason" by Victoria Justice

(Verse 1)
I don't want to make a scene, I don't want to let you down, Try to do my own thing, and I'm starting to figure it out, that's it's alright, keep it together, wherever we go, and it's alright, oh well whatever, everybody needs to know

(Chorus)
I might be crazy, have I told you lately, that I love you, you're the only reason that I'm not afraid to fly! And it's crazy that someone could change me, now no matter what it is I have to do I'm not afraid to try, And you need to know that your the reason why!

(Verse 2)
I don't really care when they say your a little bit off, look them the eyes and say I can never get enough, 'cause it's alright, keep it together, wherever we go, it's alright oh well whatever, everybody needs to know

(Chorus)
I might be crazy, have I told you lately, that I love you, you'rer the only reason that I'm not afraid to fly! And it's crazy that someone could change me, now no matter what it is I have to do I'm not afraid to try, And you need to know that your the reason why!

(bridge)
If it was raining you would yell at the sun! Pick up the pieces when the damage is done! You say it's just a day in the shade! Look at what mess we made!

(Chorus)
I might be crazy, have I told you lately, that I love you, you're the only reason that I'm not afraid to fly! And it's crazy that someone could change me, now no matter what it is I have to do I'm not afraid to try, It might be crazy, have I told you lately, that I love you, You're the only reason that I'm not afraid to fly! And it's crazy, that someone could change me, now no matter what it is I have to do I'm not afraid to try! And you need to know that your the reason why!

I don't know why I like this song. The main character in the show Victorious (the girls like that show) sings that song to her sister for her birthday. I think it's sweet. All five of us girls will just break into singing it for no reason at all.

Love,
Riah 

Just for fun

Hey, Riah here with the purple flower pictures.

Here is the before.

Here is the after. Not as good as I would like... But I was just having fun... I wasn't going for great.

Love,

Riah

Day 15

My Grandpa, because:

He was patient.

He was sweet.

He was loving.

He was hard working.

He put everyone else first.

He was intellegent.

He could speak GERMAN!

He had many hobbies and was very good at them all...

...and...

...He had a good sense of humor.

I loved him very much. I didn't always agree with him, especially in regards to Christianity, but I respected him a lot, as did many people. I miss him very much.

Love,
Riah

Valentines Flowers

Here are the promised pictures of my flowers:

This is the original picture, minus the watermark. I added that later. I think they should make a camera that will add your own personal watermark to the pictures!

This is one I fiddled around with on Gimp. I haven't figured out if I like it or not. I like the detail, the shadows, and the sharpness (clarity) of the picture, but it's a bit washed out. It lacks the luster of the original. What do y'all think?

Isn't this flower cool? I love it! I also like the rich color of the surrounding flowers... Look at the yellow flower to the left and the carnation behind and to the right, beautiful no?

See the purple flower to the left? I love that flower! I got a picture of it, but my Gimp acted up before I could edit it. I like the yellow flower too. I adore yellow flowers. Sunflowers are my favorite! Superman always finds bouquets with yellow flowers in them. Isn't he the best?

This picture was a bit blurry, so I chose a b&w setting that was more white than black - almost Sepia toned and then ran the National Geographic script on it to sharpen it and highlight the shadows.

A vacation?

Wayyyy easy! Australia! I want to go soooo bad. But once I get there I might never leave, so does that really count as a vacation?
Thanks Lys for posting yesterday!
Pictures of the flowers Superman gave me coming later. I was going to post them now, but my computer is acting up and I can't get my Gimp to pull up! (The flowers aren't roses - I'm not a big fan of roses. I prefer yellow flowers.)

Riah

P.S. Happy (late) Birthday Beenie! (BTW: Beenie is one of my little sisters!)

Guilty Pleasure.

Since Riah is not feeling well today - I am going to fill in for her...
SO here goes:
One of my guilty pleasures is...I can't say it without my mouth watering... Coffee!

It's so yummy! I don't drink it that much though. I've had coffee twice in the last month - that's pretty good compared to my almost everyday habit from before...
But it's hard to resist - the smell of freshly brewed coffee steaming from a mug, calling your name saying how good it tastes. It's addictive. It knows it too. And that's why it has many different shops of its own. IT KNOWS!
Anyway - that's one of my guilty pleasures. We wont even go into the licorice problem...
See ya! 

A WEDDING SONG?!

I think the universe is against me, forcing me think about weddings! Well, I wont. Not going to happen.. nuh-uh!
Ok, fine...
"Butterfly Kisses" by Bob Carlisle. Yeah I love that song. I used to give Dad butterfly kisses when I was little. But I'm not sure that I'd play that durring the wedding... I don't think I want any played then, but some during the reception could be fun.

Riah

Hillsong United: Aftermath...

...releases on Tuesday the 15th!

I am so excited! The last United CD that was released was in the Summer of 2009 -

YAY!

Lyrics!

"With Everything" Hillsong - CD: "This Is Our God"

Words & Music by Joel Houston

VERSE I:
Open our eyes
To see the things that make Your heart cry
To be the church that You would desire
Your light to be seen

VERSE II:
Break down our pride
And all the walls we've built up inside
Our earthly crowns and all our desires
We lay at Your feet

PRE-CHORUS:
Let hope rise And darkness tremble
In Your holy light That every eye will see
Jesus our God Great and mighty to be praised

VERSE III:
God of all days
Glorious in all of Your ways
Oh the majesty the wonder and grace
In the light of Your Name

CHORUS I:
With everything With everything
We will shout for Your glory
With everything With everything
We will shout forth Your praise

CHORUS II:
Our hearts they cry
Be glorified
Be lifted high above all names
For You our King
With everything
We will shout forth Your praise

God is so wonderful. He puts in us this life that fills us with indescribable joy. When we stumble or fall, He is there picking us up. His love is so pure.
I can't wait to see what He has planned for this year. It's going to be great!

Pictures, pictures everywhere!

Again, for safety reasons I wont be posting pictures of me. I'll just post some more pictures I've taken.

This picture was one I took at the Lowes hardware store. Yes, I take my camera there... Where else am I going to find that many varieties of flowers?

These clovers weren't orignally wet. I selfishly very nicely watered them. Actually, I just thought they'd look more cool wet. What do you think?

Another picture taken at Lowes. I think they should start paying me for taking pictures and posting them. They are getting free advertising.

I got this picture one day when it was about to storm. Yes, I know you're all thinking "you ran outside while it was thundering and lighting - practically about to pour on your head raining - just to take a picture? You have officially lost it"! Well, I have news for you, I lost it a long time ago, I'm just now willing to admit it! 

A very foggy morning picture. Let me tell you, it was cold too! I went out and stood on our back deck - bare foot - and took pictures between dancing around to keep my feet from staying on the cold deck for too long a period of time. Hey, I warned you that I lost it!

This is one of my favorites. I have it in color too, I just don't have it on this computer.

This one I took two days ago. I was inspired by Jocee to take a picture of my tea. Lys was actually so kind as to edit it for me (she has photoshop and I am having issues with my Gimp scripts). She was even so sweet as to make a second copy already watermarked so I didn't have to bother with that. Isn't she soooooo sweet? She's the best! 

Thats it! Please remember when you see these pictures that I am by no means a professional and am only using a 6.0 Megapixal digital camera. So, please... Don't judge too harshly!

With xoxo's

Riah

I just got this forward. Its cool!

Meaning of  Flag Draped Coffin

All  Americans should be given this lesson.  Those who think that America is an arrogant nation should really reconsider that thought.  Our founding fathers used GOD's word and teachings to establish our Great Nation and I think it's high time Americans get re-educated about this Nation's history.
Pass it along and be proud of the country we live in and even more proud of those who serve to protect  our 'GOD GIVEN' rights and freedoms.

I  hope you take the time to read this ... To understand what the flag draped coffin really means ... Here is how to understand the flag that  laid upon it and is surrendered to so many widows and  widowers.

Do you know that at military funerals, the 21-gun  salute stands for the sum of the numbers in the  year 1776?


Have you ever noticed the honor guard pays meticulous attention to correctly folding the United States of America Flag 13 times?  You  probably thought it was to symbolize the original 13 colonies, but we  learn something new every day!

The 1st fold of the flag is a symbol of life.

The 2nd fold is a symbol of the belief in eternal life.

The 3rd fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veterans departing the ranks who gave a portion of their lives for the defense of the country to attain peace throughout the world.


The 4th fold represents the weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in time of war for His divine  guidance.


The 5th fold is a tribute to the country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, 'Our Country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still  our country, right or wrong.'


The 6th fold is for where people's hearts lie.  It is with their heart that they pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States Of America , and the Republic for which it stands, one Nation  under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.

The 7th fold is a tribute to its Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that they protect  their country and their flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of their republic.


The 8th fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day.



The 9th fold is a tribute to womanhood, and Mothers.  For it has been through their faith, their love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great has been  molded.

The 10th fold is a tribute to the father, for he, too, has given his sons  and daughters for the defense of their country since they were first  born.



The 11th fold represents the lower portion of the seal of King  David and King Solomon and glorifies in the Hebrews eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.



The 12th fold represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in the  Christians eyes, God the Father, the Son  and Holy  Spirit.

The 13th fold, or when the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost reminding them of their nations motto, 'In God We Trust.'



After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington, and the Sailors and Marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones, who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for them the rights, privileges and freedoms they enjoy  today.

There are some traditions and ways of doing things that have deep meaning.

In the future, you'll see flags folded and now you will know why.

Share  this with the children you love and all others who love what is referred to, the symbol of ' Liberty and Freedom.'


MAYBE  THE SUPREME COURT SHOULD READ THIS EXPLANATION BEFORE THEY RENDER THEIR  DECISION ON THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.   FORWARD  IT; MAYBE SOMEONE WITH THE NECESSARY POWER, OR POLITICAL AND FINANCIAL INFLUENCE, WILL GET IT TO THEM.

IN  THE MEANTIME, MAY GOD PROTECT US ALWAYS.

ONE  NATION, UNDER GOD, WITH LIBERTY AND  JUSTICE FOR ALL.





Really neat huh?!?!