The Paper Mama Photo Challenge- "Sparkly"

This was a picture of our wedding cake that I think represents "Sparkly" well. Its so elegant and pretty and sparkly! It represents a sparkle in my life too a day I completed my life with my husband!

New Year, New Start

I believe in a God Who offers us to the chance to begin again at any time in whatever circumstances we find ourselves. We can repent and turn around from our current path and go in a new direction. So, while I don't think there is anything magical or necessarily special about changing the calendar from 2010 to 2011, for me it is another point along the journey of my life at which I can pause and think about where I've been, where I am, and where I'm going.
So, I thought I would share with you some of the things I'm hoping that will take place in my heart and life in the new year.

• I want to take better care of myself physically. I need to lose weight and be a better steward of the body with which God has blessed me. One thing that is going to help me in this endeavor is that I have signed up to walk in a half marathon in Cincinnati in May. My sister Stacey walked in the half-marathon, called the Flying Pig, last year and invited me to join her this year. I have never walked 13.1 miles all at once. I have a training schedule that will help me achieve this goal. I'd ask for your prayers as I begin preparing for this event. I'm anxious about it but I know that I will feel a great sense of accomplishment if I finish the walk.
• I want to be a better steward of my money. I have been focusing on paying down debt over the past few years. 2011 is going to be key for my debt reduction plan. I will be able to pay off some of my debts and then hope to be completely debt free in another year. Of course, there's a lot of life to live in the next year. My car will turn 10 years old in 2011. It's held up so far but I worry about having to put a lot of money into it to keep it running. I also know that there will be other unexpected expenses. I pray that I will make wise use of the resources with which God has blessed me.
• I want to continue to develop my passion for writing. I will continue writing on this blog. I also want to take the next two creative writing courses as a follow-up to the class I took this fall. I also have an idea for a longer piece that I've started to work on. I don't know exactly where it's headed but I'm really enjoying it. Writing really feeds my soul.
• I want to reach out to more families living in need through my work with Habitat for Humanity. We are getting ready to launch some new programs. I am also going to attend some training regarding these programs. I also want to work harder at recruiting new families with whom to partner. I know that there are many families living in poverty housing who may not even realize that Habitat can help them achieve their dreams of home ownership.
• I want to become more involved in my church. I want to get to know more people and offer my gifts as a way of advancing the mission and ministry of the church. I am really looking forward to seeing where God leads as I move forward in ministry and faith.

There are a lot of other things in my life on which I should probably focus, but this is where I plan to start. I know there will be times when I fail. I am notorious for procrastinating and not following through on things. I don't know if this year will be any different. However, the one thing that I can always count on is that God will be with me no matter what. Even if I don't end up accomplishing any of these goals, God will continue to love me and call me and fill my life with grace.
I hope that you have a wonderful new year full of blessings. Thanks for being a part of my journey!

"Black Christmas (2006)" Report Card + New Blog title/address!

Here's a look at the new grading set up, replacing those ugly old * from earlier. Also, take note of the new blog title and address! Now back to the Winter Classic.

Bumblebee tuna.

"Black Christmas (2006)" Report Card + New Blog title/address!

Here's a look at the new grading set up, replacing those ugly old * from earlier. Also, take note of the new blog title and address! Now back to the Winter Classic.

Bumblebee tuna.

Revamped ratings system, plus some holiday hangover thoughts

Happy New Year.

                Take special note of the period at the end of that statement. Is there a more depressing holiday than New Year’s Day? With all of the fun and excitement of Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve firmly planted in the rear view, there’s nothing left to do but clean up a metric ton of confetti and nurse a national hangover so immense that it would make Bradley Cooper proud.

                Now that all of these holiday distractions are over, I guess for me it’s time to get back to attempting to make something of my life. Awesome.

                But hold on a minute. Maybe I’m being a little too glass half empty about this whole thing. After all, January is the month where Hollywood pulls a Dave Matthews Band and dumps it's crap all over an unsuspecting public. For a guy writing about bad movies, January could almost be considered a month-long Christmas.

                And don’t look now, but a little someone called Nic Cage has a brand new movie, “Season of the Witch,” due in theater this month! We’ve all seen how bad Cage’s movies can be when studios actually expect something from them, but this one? With zero expectations from the suits AND a title stolen from the worst film in the “Halloween” franchise?

                Maybe January won’t be all bad after all. In fact, it has the potential to be so bad it’s good. There, I’ve cheered myself up! On to some business.

                The checklist is over. I don’t know how, but it has somehow ended being both confusingly specific and eerily vague.  At the same time. That is what I get for trying to dabble in formulas and adding. Things that I have no knowledge of. So now I present to you my new ratings system, with only minimal formulas!

                Candidates will be graded with the following scale:

                *: This isn’t so bad

                **: Umm… could be worse

                ***: Gettin’ ugly

                ****: I’m nauseous, I’m nauseous

                *****: Dear God make it stop!

Those grades will be applied in these categories:                 

• Acting
• Story
• Production (Effects, budget, direction, ect.)
• Intangibles
• Grade Point Average (Average of all previous grades)

Here’s the rub. In the Intangibles category, films will be awarded a lower point score if they fall into the “so bad, they’re good” or “cult classic” range. After all, the Worst Movie of All Time shouldn’t be one that you enjoy on any level.

Let’s make use of our dear friend, “Black Christmas (2006)” to better illustrate the new, no nonsense scale.

• Acting: *** (middle of the road score)
• Story: **** (very bad)
• Production: ** (this aspect was actually ok-ish)
• Intangibles: *** (some hardcore gore hounds could find enjoyment, plus it was good for a few laughs, hardly a cult classic)
• GPA: *** (average of the above)

So there it is. Hopefully this makes some form of sense. My head is still swimming with the prospect of seeing Nic Cage and his crazy hair doing battle with a witch during the Crusades on January 7th. I’ll be back later on as a new contender steps into the ring, looking to be crowned the “Worst Movie of All Time!”

Bumblebee tuna.   

Revamped ratings system, plus some holiday hangover thoughts

Happy New Year.

                Take special note of the period at the end of that statement. Is there a more depressing holiday than New Year’s Day? With all of the fun and excitement of Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve firmly planted in the rear view, there’s nothing left to do but clean up a metric ton of confetti and nurse a national hangover so immense that it would make Bradley Cooper proud.

                Now that all of these holiday distractions are over, I guess for me it’s time to get back to attempting to make something of my life. Awesome.

                But hold on a minute. Maybe I’m being a little too glass half empty about this whole thing. After all, January is the month where Hollywood pulls a Dave Matthews Band and dumps it's crap all over an unsuspecting public. For a guy writing about bad movies, January could almost be considered a month-long Christmas.

                And don’t look now, but a little someone called Nic Cage has a brand new movie, “Season of the Witch,” due in theater this month! We’ve all seen how bad Cage’s movies can be when studios actually expect something from them, but this one? With zero expectations from the suits AND a title stolen from the worst film in the “Halloween” franchise?

                Maybe January won’t be all bad after all. In fact, it has the potential to be so bad it’s good. There, I’ve cheered myself up! On to some business.

                The checklist is over. I don’t know how, but it has somehow ended being both confusingly specific and eerily vague.  At the same time. That is what I get for trying to dabble in formulas and adding. Things that I have no knowledge of. So now I present to you my new ratings system, with only minimal formulas!

                Candidates will be graded with the following scale:

                *: This isn’t so bad

                **: Umm… could be worse

                ***: Gettin’ ugly

                ****: I’m nauseous, I’m nauseous

                *****: Dear God make it stop!

Those grades will be applied in these categories:                 

• Acting
• Story
• Production (Effects, budget, direction, ect.)
• Intangibles
• Grade Point Average (Average of all previous grades)

Here’s the rub. In the Intangibles category, films will be awarded a lower point score if they fall into the “so bad, they’re good” or “cult classic” range. After all, the Worst Movie of All Time shouldn’t be one that you enjoy on any level.

Let’s make use of our dear friend, “Black Christmas (2006)” to better illustrate the new, no nonsense scale.

• Acting: *** (middle of the road score)
• Story: **** (very bad)
• Production: ** (this aspect was actually ok-ish)
• Intangibles: *** (some hardcore gore hounds could find enjoyment, plus it was good for a few laughs, hardly a cult classic)
• GPA: *** (average of the above)

So there it is. Hopefully this makes some form of sense. My head is still swimming with the prospect of seeing Nic Cage and his crazy hair doing battle with a witch during the Crusades on January 7th. I’ll be back later on as a new contender steps into the ring, looking to be crowned the “Worst Movie of All Time!”

Bumblebee tuna.   

What's new with Purex? Purex Complete Crystals Softener & giveaway ends 1-14

I am so excited to be chosen as a Purex Insider! I feel honored. What does that mean well I get to share the newest and coolest Purex products with you my readers. Yay! I love Purex. I use their products all the time so when they sent me a top secret sample of their newest item I was amazed. I couldn't share it with you until after they hit Walmarts shelf on December 28th but now that day has come and gone I am excited to share with you the newest thing in fabric softener history. It is called Purex Complete Crystals Softener. OK so what's so new about it? Well Ill tell you!

Purex Complete Crystals Softener is not a sheet and not a liquid they are little crystals. They look like bath salt lol. You just sprinkle the crystals into your laundry with your clothes and start washing. It leaves your clothes smelling fresh and awesome. It also leaves them soft and unstaticy. I love it. I can use it with my new HE washer and they can be use in front load or top load washers. Now for the even better part. They are 92% natural and not oil based like other fabric softeners. That mean no oily residue building up on your clothing. Other thing is other fabric softeners can impair the flame retardant on your babies and children's clothes making them not as good but not Purex Complete Crystals Softeners they are 100% safe on your kids sleepwear and clothing. Also for yous that use sportswear or athletic wear that supposed to draw away the sweat and keep your body drier and cooler while you workout most fabric softeners reduce the effectiveness but not the crystals they work wonders and make sure all of your clothing works and looks and feels and smell like they are suppose to.

I got like I said a sample bottle to use so I immediately washed my sheets and blankets with it. I love the scent  and how soft and fluffy my sheets and blanket felt. Best part I have been using my sheets and blankets for over a week and half now and you still feel and smell the freshness. That's awesome. I then tried it on my towels and that was wonderful. My towels needed some refreshing! I then decided I love the smell so much I sprinkled a little into the ashtray of my van since we don't use it to give my van a fresh smell. These really are my new best friend. I cant wait to try the Lavender.

They have 3 scents fresh spring waters, lavender blossom, and tropical splash. Purex Complete Crystals Softeners are available exclusively at Walmart first and then sometime in January and February they will be available in other retail stores. So head out to your nearest Walmart and check these out you will love them!

We are giving 3 lucky readers a coupon to get a free bottle yay!

To Enter:
1. Go to Purex and tell me another product you love or want to try

Extra Entries:

2.Follow me
3.sign up for my rss feeds
4.Blog about this giveaway this will count for 4 entries
5.add my button to your site 2 entries
6.link to this page for 4 entries
7.Subscribe to my email feeds
8.follow me on twitter (collyn23) and tweet this contest
9.Enter my other giveaways 1 entry for each entered
10.Follow me on network blogs on sidebar
11.add my blog to your blogroll counts as 3 entries
12.Fav me on technoratti
13.comment on my non giveaway blogs 1 entry for each comment
14. Post this giveaway on any giveaway site, Online Sweepstakes, Mr Linky, or other networking website-leave the link where I can find it (5 entry for each site)
15. Vote for me on Picket Fences


Disclosure: No compensation was given for this review. I did receive a sample product  from the sponsor for the purpose of this honest review. This did not affect the outcome of this review. All opinions are 100% my own.