One Year

This has been quite a year.

One year ago yesterday, my dad passed away.
One year ago in December, my older daughter graduated from college.
One year ago in January, same daughter moved to Texas.
One year ago in February, younger daughter moved home.

Within this last year, we've seen blizzards, ice storms, tornadoes, killer hail, heat waves, floods and the most beautiful fall weather.

I've watched my daughter get married. I've welcomed a son-in-law.

I said goodbye to my dog Suki.

You just never know what a day will bring, much less a year. What am I doing with today?

peace.

ThankFULL!

We're doing something different this year. We're spending Thanksgiving with friends. Dear friends. The kind of friends who make you laugh so hard your side aches and you better not have a mouth full of tea. The kind of friends who love you. Year round, every day, every hour kind of friends. Reminds me of this.

For all the Blessings of the Year

For all the blessings of the year,
For all the friends we hold so dear,
For peace on earth, both far and near,
We thank Thee, Lord.

For life and health, those common things,
Which every day and hour brings,
For home, where our affection clings,
We thank Thee, Lord.

For love of Thine, which never tires,
Which all our better thought inspires,
And warms our lives with heavenly fires,
We thank Thee, Lord.

I am also thankful for my family and the precious gift they are to me every day. I hope your Thanksgiving Day is full of joy and thankfulness. One day to celebrate God's year-round and eternal gifts to each of us. Happy Thanksgiving!!

peace.

Keepin' It Real

 

I've kept this guy in my office for many years now. Being in communications, marketing and PR, it's important to keep track of what you say and how you say it. This simple toy is a great reminder to me of that very fact. 

You see, I was walking in Target one day and saw him. Spider Man was out in the theaters and he was cute. But when I saw the "but wait, there's more" box on the lower left corner, I had to have him. Does it really include Peter Parker Parts? What parts would those be exactly? Really Playskool?

To be honest, I've never opened the box. The ideas in my head are so much funnier than the reality, I don't want to burst my own balloon. But it was a good reminder to be careful of what I say and how I represent things. Just because it makes sense to me, doesn't mean it will to someone else. I think the church falls into this trap. We speak Christianeze. To those of us who are churched, it makes perfect sense. Trying to talk to someone who is not, confuses them and makes them feel like they aren't in the club.

So my encouragement from this Spider Spud is to keep it real. Don't make promises you can't keep and don't use language to impress. If communication is the goal, make it universal. Don't include "parts" you can't deliver.

peace.

Almost spilled the beans but...

 

CARMEX MOISTURE PLUS™ TINT (SHEER PEACH)  and  CARMEX MOISTURE PLUS™ TINT (SHEER PINK)


Carmex has added these lovely, tinted lip goodies to their line and I really do love them! I'm not a lipstick wearer, at all. I hate it really. I have pinkish lips so I don't need goo. But they do get chapped and I do need moisture. This is the best of both for me. I get moisture and a little tint of color and shine. TahDah!!

I almost spilled the beans when I was telling you about the lotions, I just get so excited.  Carmex sent me these lovely products I've showed you in my goodie bag. They even let me give a whole goodie bag away. Well, guess what?

I now have the products above as well and I have some for you, too!! Carmex is awesome and gave them to me to pass on.

Just leave a comment on this post before November 24th, and if I pick your name out of the hat, you'll have fabu lips like me!

If you don't want to wait, don't want to comment and you've got money to burn, you can buy these for yourself at Walgreens or Walgreens.com.

Just in time for the winter! Enjoy!

peace.

I'm HOOKED!!

Beyond cool! Thanks to Animusic and here's their YouTube channel.

peace.

Transmedia Storyteller

So a Twitter friend, whom I've met in real life, threw this out the other day and I was intrigued. In my own uniquely astounding way I even responded.

His tweet -

and mine -  

I know. But it was intriguing. I thought I had an idea of what he was talking about, but I started researching. 

Here is the original link sent out in the first tweet. But after some research, I also found this one...and this one and thousands (ok, maybe hundreds) of others.

Basically, it's the ability to create content across multiple media platforms that tell a cohesive, continuing story about one thing. It is the out-of-the box thinking mixed with creativity but firmly rooted in a single purpose. Brilliant!! 

Here's the good news, I know what I want to be when I grow up. For those of you who know me, yes, I said grow up!! Ok, so maybe I won't grow up completely, but this career path excites me. The principles are applicable for any marketing position, pr position, communications position, and the possibilities are endless. 

Imagine your next obligatory Christmas Family Update letter using this train of thought. How much fun could that be?

Imagine political candidates employing these methods to get their messages across instead of bombarding us with direct mail, robo-calls and TV ads only?

The absolute beauty, many of these medias are free.

I could go on and on, but I won't...for now. Look into it, you may be as excited as I am!! If you need another reason, watch and see...

peace. 

Another Oklahoma Winter

We are on the brink of another winter season. The weather in this last year has been the oddest I've ever seen. Blizzard, flood, heatwave, earthquakes, mammoth hail, tornadoes...Welcome to Oklahoma!

I will say there are a few things that you can't survive winter without. Or at least I can't, so here's my list.

1. Ice scraper. Unless you park in a garage, you will have to have one. Trust me.
2. Humidifier. Unless you like bloody noses and talking like a frog.
3. Faucet covers. For your outside faucets. You don't want to skip this one.
4. Gloves. It might not be cold enough to freeze you, but with the wind, your hands will not survive.
5. Ear covering. See #4, it goes for ears, too.
6. Blankets. Because when the weather does what it does, you will most likely lose power. You'll want to cover up.
7. Food you don't have to cook. See #6. And don't wait until the weather starts to get it. Walmart will be out of everything. I don't know why.
8. Water. Walmart won't have any of that either. Frozen pipes don't give you water.
9. Boots. Because at some point you will be outside and you want to keep your toes.
10. Candles and hot chocolate. Cause when you locked in, they make you feel warm and cozy.

peace.

Last year's Icepocalypse was quite an adventure. Take a look.

Getting in a Cooking Kind of Mood

from Andrea & Bijay's wedding

I don't know what it is about colder weather, but it makes me want to cook. I really enjoy cooking, baking, eating...and I think this year during my holiday cooking, I'll share some of my favorite recipes with you complete with pictures.

For today, I have 100 cupcakes and a wedding cake to bake so I'll be busy!!

peace.

PS...I did not make the cake above, I did not take the picture. But if you need a photographer, Rex is your man!

On This Day

I'm feeling kind of reflective. 

Then...

Now...

27 years ago, I married my best friend. We have lived, laughed, cried, hurt, crashed, burned, celebrated, rejoiced, disagreed, agreed, and much more.

We've shared the joys, responsibilities and struggles of parenting two amazing daughters. We've prayed for them more than I ever knew was possible. We've hoped for them more than the world has to offer. God has been faithful. So have they.

But here's what I'm reflecting on, it's been 27 years.
27 YEARS!!

I cannot believe it has passed so quickly. The memories of our life together swim wildly in my head as if they just happened yesterday and I need to be sure and remember them. And yet, when I start truly looking at all the memories, the people, the events, I feel so very blessed to have lived such a full life. And we're not done yet, not by a long shot.

So Happy Anniversary Baby, I've got you on mind!! Here's to the next 27...or 30...or ?

peace.

My thoughts on the Elections

We live in America. If you are a citizen, you have been provided the right to be heard. Through free speech, the right to vote, whatever venue you choose, as long as it doesn't impede the rights of someone else.

I did not vote a party ticket yesterday. I am a conservative, Christian, Republican. I voted out of the research I had done as a citizen of this great state and country.

I will not quit, whine or run away because my choices didn't win. I will step up, speak up and work harder to be sure that the things I believe in are heard, that the changes for everyone's good I will see happen.

It's time for team work.

Republicans can't fix it. Democrats can't fix it.

Americans can fix it. Oklahomans can fix it.

Let's get to it!

peace.

Be careful what you vote for...

While walking down the street one day a corrupt Senator was tragically hit by a car and died.

His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance. "Welcome to heaven," says St. Peter. "Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so we're not sure what to do with you." "No problem, just let me in," says the Senator. "Well, I'd like to, but I have orders from the higher ups. What we'll do is have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity." "Really?, I've made up my mind. I want to be in heaven," says the Senator. "I'm sorry, but we have our rules." And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell.

The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him. Everyone is very happy and in evening dress. They run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the people. They played a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and the finest champagne. Also present is the devil, who really is a very friendly guy who is having a good time dancing and telling jokes. They are all having such a good time that before the Senator realizes it, it is time to go. Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator rises. The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens in heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him, "Now it's time to visit heaven...???

So, 24 hours passed with the Senator joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and, before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns. "Well, then, you've spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now choose your eternity."

The Senator reflects for a minute, then he answers: "Well, I would never have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in hell." So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell... Now the doors of the elevator open and he's in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage. He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags as more trash falls from above The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulders. "I don't understand," stammers the Senator. "Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course and clubhouse, and we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, and danced and had a great time. Now there's just a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable. What happened?"

The devil smiles at him and says, "Yesterday we were campaigning, Today, you voted.." 

Vote wisely on November 2, 2010


peace.


(I don't know who wrote this, but I couldn't have put it any better.)


I found this Sample Ballot for Oklahoma Voters. Go prepared, it's a long one.

CARMEX news, reviews & contest

Nov. 1, 2010 update***and the winner is.....JACKIE!!!*** congratulations and your goodie bag is on the way!

So as I said in my previous post, Carmex sent me an awesome goodie bag full of great products. Some new, some old and loved. They asked me to use them and tell you about them. As an official member of the Carmex Blog Squad I have followed my orders and here are my reviews. And yes, I used all the products (willingly by the way) and I've never been so soft and moisturized!!

This is my new, favorite lotion!! When the temps turn cool, my skin is dry. My hands especially. This Healing Lotion has a light, pleasant scent. It is truly non-greasy and once I've used up what Carmex sent to me, I will be buying this product. I even use it at work. A little goes a long way, too. You really must try it!

Okay, like the lady in the nail salon said the other day "Honey, you have dry skin berry bad on you feet, need callous remove?" And the answer was yes...however, since then, I have been using the Healing Cream on my heels and feet. Honey, my feet feel awesome! It is heavier than the Healing Lotion, still non-greasy and still pleasantly scented. I put it on before bed, cover with socks and my heels are healed! Love this one, too. 

I think Carmex has done a great job with both of these products. I was expecting heavier feels from them both and was very, pleasantly surprised. Plus the packaging just looks happy and I like happy.

AND NOW....

If you would like to win one of the lovely gift bags I showed here, an over $50 value, then here's all you need to do:

You may enter once for each category, up to two entries per person.

1. Leave a comment on this blog post and you must leave your email address so I can contact you.

2. Follow @glynis_crawford on twitter and Tweet this, but only once. 

"Carmex gift bag and soft skin FTW! #carmexgoodness follow @glynis_crawford and RT"

I'll see it, I promise. RT's count for the RT'er. (is that even a word ?)  :-)

Contest starts October 25 and ends November 1st. 

Winner will be notified by email or DM when chosen by random drawing. 

Good luck!

These products are available at Walgreens, Walgreens.com and drugstore.com. 

peace.

Can Cars go through Menopause?

I was having a conversation with my sister yesterday and I swear her car's in menopause.

It's not a very old car, less than 10 years. In our family that's still "relatively new". She calls it her baby rhino, but I think baby is growing old.

Here's why:

It has hot flashes, it's heart (engine) races, it leaks fluids and sometimes you can't turn the steering wheel cause it 'stove up!

Sounds like menopause to me!!

But my sister loves her car, she communes with it, understands it, takes care of it. I think she feels that the care she gives her car will somehow return to her good things. Maybe she's right.

Goodness knows when I get there, I hope to be cared for as well as the baby rhino.

peace.

Good Stuff

OK, I'm kind of excited about this opportunity. Carmex, you know, the little yellow lidded goodness for lip salvation in the winter, has asked me to review some of their products.

They sent me this awesome gift bag, full of skin friendly things, and I'm going to use it for a couple of weeks and let you know what I think.

I can already tell you, I LOVE the healing lotion. Nice scent, non-greasy feel, not heavy but make my hands feel wonderful. I even use it at work because of the non-greasy.

AND THEN....

They are also going to let me give away one identical bag to some lucky commenter, tweeter, or facebook friend!! Oh yeah!! The drawing will be totally random, you can only enter once, but I wish you all the best of luck! (Don't enter yet, I'll let you know when.)

So, I'll let you know what I think about the products and then you can let me know if you want to share in the goodness!

Soft skin and presents, doesn't get much better than that!

peace.

the wedding

The day was beautiful, as was the bride. Joy surrounded us all. I wish them every happiness and I'm blessed to call him son.

God still answers prayer.

peace.

on being girlie...

I'm not very good at it. Being girlie I mean. I tend to be too practical with money and time and it takes both.

I don't wear makeup, just a little mascara or you wouldn't see I have eyes. I don't get my hair done regularly, even though my daughter is a stylist. I don't like to shop for clothes, I have just enough shoes, and I rarely wear jewelry other than my wedding ring. I won't spend the time to mani/pedi every two weeks. Although the occasional one is a treat.

But, I do enjoy being a woman. I feel stronger than I ever have. I'm settled in myself. My faith grows all the time and my relationship with my creator God too.

I have a wonderful husband who takes care of me. Spoils me. Loves me. Walks with me, in front of me, behind me or beside me depending on the occasion and how he can best keep me safe. He's aware of me. He likes me. He makes me laugh. I feel safe with him.

So I'm thinking that girlie isn't all frills and fluff. Maybe it's just that place where you are the best you.

I like that place.

peace.

Keep your eye on the prize

I've been telling myself that a lot lately. The details of everyday life can sure bog me down sometimes.

In the last month, I've had my first car wreck, I had to say goodbye to my dog, and now, the saris my daughter had ordered for her bridesmaids will not be here in time for the wedding. So nine days before the wedding, we're off to David's Bridal to see if we can avoid a nude wedding.

I'm talking her off the ledge (not literally, she's a very strong woman) all the while feeling like the blind leading the blind. I want her day to be so special and I hate when my kids are disappointed.

I know God feels this too. And my prize is not life or death, not eternal in nature. Thank you God for perspective.


Phillipians 4:7-14
 
But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ ⁹and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. ¹⁰I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, ¹¹and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.  ¹²Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. ¹³Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.


But here's the prize for this occasion, she is marrying a wonderful man whom she loves with everything she is. Saris or no saris.

And I am so happy for her. I've been praying for him her whole life.

So David's Bridal, watch out. We've got dresses to buy!


peace.

I live on Easy St.

Yes, literally. It's my address.

My husband claims I bought the house because of the address. He's not too far off. I loved the house, neighborhood, area of town but the address did seal the deal. It cracks me up really.

I really love telling people my address. Think about it. How often do you have to tell someone your address? When I tell them, 9 times out of 10 I get a smile back and a comment. Pretty cool huh?

That's not to say that living on Easy St. doesn't have its trials, it does. But this pollyanna is a sucker for a smile.

Think I'll hang around for a long time.

peace.

quick update on Suki

It is cancer, it is malignant and aggressive. We are enjoying the rest of our week with her and Saturday we will say goodbye.

I think when your heart breaks, it leaks out of your eyes.

peace.

Full Plate

I'm sitting here today with a great case of  "I can't want to" so I thought I'd share. 


There has been a flurry of activity lately, all good. Wedding is less than 3 weeks away, details are falling place, I can't complain. Well, I could but I choose not to...


Anyway, I'm also changing the way I eat. Trying to lose some weight, align my body with my actual needs and pay attention to myself. Something I'm not very good at.


In the midst of all that, I have my first car wreck, Jim is traveling a great deal and I found out yesterday that our dog, Suki, may have cancer.


She's a great dog, we have enjoyed her greatly, but if it is cancer we will not go to extraordinary means to sustain her. We can't afford to do this nor do we want to put her through that. But it's just no fun at all. It weighs heavy on my brain and heart. We should know today or tomorrow what the full diagnosis is and where we go from here.


So my plate is full. I'm done. I don't want or need anything else at this point. Although, a little prayer for dessert would be fine. :-)


So I'm singing this today-

His eye is on the Sparrow (and the akita) 

why should I feel discouraged

and why should the shadows come

why should my heart feel lonely

and long for heaven and home

when Jesus is my portion

a constant friend is He

His eye is on the sparrow

and I know He watches over me

His eye is on the sparrow

and I know He watches over me

I sing because I'm happy

I sing because I'm free

His eye is on the sparrow

and I know He watches me

He watches me

His eye is on the sparrow

and I know He watches 

I know He watches, 

I know He watches me.

I sing because I'm happy

I sing because I'm free

His eye is on the the sparrow

and I know He watches me

His eye is on the sparrow

and I know he watches me

peace.