The BFF How To Video contest is coming to a close...

Do not forget...it's almost time to post your BFF How To videos. Come back early next week to let us know you're playing in our contest.

Here's an out for you, (because if NO ONE play our game, Natalie and I will be sad), worst case, you can bag the video and use drawings or pictures. But listen, that BETTER be funny...FUNNY!

If Only...

Today I was supposed to go running but WOW, my legs are so sore from the last run. Each time I get up from the sitting position I want to fall into a puddle on the floor and whine. So I didn't go and that's how I justified my laziness solution to my medical condition.

The only thing to cure aching muscles is a Sonic Blast with Reeses. Ooh, ooh, ooh, you know it's true.

I went to Sonic and ordered a SMALL blast (come on, I don't want to have to run MORE!). When the car-hop made change for the $10 bill I surrendered, she gave me money as if I had given her a $20. Can I just say yes, "it" crossed my mind...

Correcting her math, and apparently making her VERY happy, I gave back t.e.n. of the dollars I had in my grip. Just another good deed on the checklist of life. (I know works don't get you the golden ticket, save your email, I promise. I know.)

I drove away convinced my honesty and good nature toward the distracted car-hop would translate into the Reese's blast I was savagely devouring I mean, about to enjoy to be completely void of any calories. In fact, I think I was burning calories each time I lifted the spoon and salivated as it approached my mouth. It actually was like a real workout. Um, felt great.

I can justify anything. Anything.

Unfortunately.

Anyone else use that kind of logic? Please say yes.

Apparently it's happening John Mayer, oh it's happening...

Well, it's confirmed. My kids live in a different world than I did as a child.

Apparently, facts are changing in the world of academia. I'm clearly "uninformed" according to my kids.

Kid One passionately informed me Pluto is not a planet, despite the claims of the last, oh, I don't know...HUNDRED years of scientists. Nope. Apparently, Pluto is out. (2006) What gives? What did Pluto do to deserve that? Small little PLANET always left way out in the cold.

Kid Two quizzed me on the number of oceans on the planet. I silently counted before I answered: Indian, Atlantic, Pacific, Arctic. FOUR, I answered. Wrong. He argues there are 5. Apparently the Southern Ocean is now on the map. (2000) Must be all that global warming creating a new body of water since I last colored blue oceans on a purple-line ditto page in 5th grade. ? Do we really need another ocean? I'm not going to be concerned about water conservation this summer if we're going to create new oceans left and right.

Remember the traditional printing we all did in 1st grade? Apparently, it's D'Nealian now, which is a little more like fancy block printing but a better transition for cursive. (This has been around for a while, yes.)

I can't keep up. School is so different than it was when I was there.

So, while John Mayer is singing and 'waiting on the world to change' someone should inform him it's happening...

Wordful Wednesday

My friend Angie is taking a spin off Wordless Wednesday and making it a WordFUL Wednesday, which, in my opinion is a good idea because let's face it, we've all got something oh-so-interesting to say! (no snickering please). So, I'm participating because I just KNOW Angie is going to participate in the BFF Video Contest sponsored by Natalie and myself. (Wow, how many things/people can I plug in one sentence?!)

THE WAGON

This wagon is one Grandpa bought for Kid One when he was a baby. Kid Two used it too. Grandpa made these wooden rails which at one time, supported an adorable canopy. Each kid had his own tiny Oklahoma license plate with his name on it. This wagon has seen many miles and holds a lifetime of memories for me. I had a wagonfrom my Grandpa just like it with my name on it when I was a baby.

My Grandpa is no longer living and never had the delight of meeting Kid Three, but I know if he was still here, this would have been one of his favorite pictures.

Now eleven years since the wagon's inaugural ride, Kid Three gets his turn. And seriously, you know it's a good wagon when it can produce this kind of effect. zzzzzzzzzz........

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You can visit more Wordful Wednesday posts from Seven Clown Circus!

My Favorite Wall in the House

I have a great camera. I wish I were a great photographer. I'm not. That's okay because I have fantastic subjects: my family.

My favorite wall in our house is the dining room. It's full of B&W pictures from the previous year. Each January, I change all the pictures to my favorite memories from the past 12 months. It keeps the wall "fresh" and reminds us of all the good times we had together as a family.

The large frame in the middle holds 35- 4x6 photos. I try not to use only "posed" shots but some fun candid ones. They make for a more lively display. Like these...

Kid One playing basketball

Kid Two gets baptized at church camp

Kid Three makes his debut

What's your favorite wall in your house?

Did they practice?

I have avoided posts about the Olympics for the most part -- except to mention how very tired I've become trying to stay awake in support.

Today I flipped on the TV to catch the lunchtime news. Do you know what I saw?

It was the US Women's Soccer team accepting their gold medal. That's not the best part. When they played the national anthem, ALL of them were singing and ALL of them knew the words! As the camera panned, I watched each one to see if this was really happening. It was. Did they practice the words before the medal ceremony or is it possible there are 15 people on a team who all know the words to our national anthem? Either way, it was nice to see.

Now I am a fan of the women's soccer team. It's pretty easy to get on my list.

How many times have you watched someone try to fake their way through the national anthem? Too many.

In my opinion, it really was one of the finer Olympic moments. (That..., and trampoline. Whatever that's about...right Dusty?)

I'm two timing my Magic Bullet

A couple of weeks ago the Mr. and I were at Walmart getting school supplies. We found ourselves on the aisle sporting those toaster ovens.

"Let's get one." He suggests. You may remember I have been banned from using the oven until the temperature drops to 60 degrees or something ridiculous.

"NO!" I protested -- mainly because I knew this particular Walmart trip comes out of my part of the budget and I didn't want to spend any more money. He continued to peruse the selection of toaster ovens and I knew within the hour I would be figuring out where to put this monster toaster on my counter.

I upped my protest. "No. We don't need one. I don't want one. Where would I even put one? No. No. No.Please.No."

[Blink]

The toaster oven was in the basket. I lose. Back at the homestead I cleared space on the counter and welcomed the new appliance to the kitchen -- only because I do fiercely love the Mr. and he seemed all too giddy about the "heat-reducing" oven.

I waited until he went to work one day before using it so I could prolong the inevitable "I told you so." I must admit, he was right. AGAIN. The toaster oven is now on my list of favorite things -- Not in front of the magic bullet. Not right now anyway. But I will be cheating on my Magic Bullet with the Toaster Oven from time to time as the small appliance of choice. This thing is awesome!! It's like an Easy Bake Oven for Grown ups! Remember this when you were a kid?

And now, can you see the similarity? It's so tiny and [currently] clean. I love my "petite-low-heat-emitting-on-the-outside-and-won't-get-me-in-trouble-with-the Mr." oven.

He told me so. Yeshedidforsure. He's always right.

Now I'm looking for things to bake in that little beauty.

Does anyone else have a love affair with a kitchen appliance?

Do Wii Trust Him?

Bad title, I know. But I had to work Wii in there somewhere...you'll see why.

This is a secret from my kids, so don't blow it in the next few weeks. or else.

There's a Wii in our closet. The boys have wanted one ever since "everyone else" got one. (Did I mention how much I am coming to dislike those "everyone else" people?) We've put them off for about a year and forced them to play outside and act like boys or play the prehistoric PS2 that adorns our TV cabinet witht their small amount of "screen time" each week. Poor little kids...

My husband's brother bought a Wii and then decided he didn't need it (and we do?) so he sold it to us for a good price. We were planning to hold it until Christmas. We were planning. The boys have been saving and saving and are convinced they now have enough money to purchase a Wii. They even sold their Playstation this week to seal the deal! Oh no.

At Target tonight, Kid One is steaming mad at me because I won't drive them to Game Stop to make the purchase.

"Trust me. You should wait a while longer" is all I would say.

That really wasn't good enough. He began to "inform" me that I made no sense and there wasn't going to be a better deal...it is his money...they've waited long enough...it's the best time to buy one...they'll be sold out later..." and on and on he went.

Because of the gift already hiding in the closet, all I could say was "Kid One, please just trust me on this. Wait a little longer. Don't give away your money yet."

He grumbled all the way to the car and The Invisible Me was smiling behind him because sometimes it's connivingly fun to be the parent. Admit it, you know it's true.

[Tap, tap, tap]

Oh, hi Holy Spirit. What can I do for you?

You know that whole 'trust me' bit you said to Kid One? That was good.

Well, thank you. I thought it was a great speech. He doesn't know it now but I've got something great in store for him. I just wish he'd hold his horses and wait, at least until the Mr. gets back in town.

Yeah, you nailed it. You really showed him. That boy has to learn to trust you. He has to learn to trust you know what's best and that you already have the gift waiting. It just needs to be the right time.

This isn't about Kid One anymore is it?...

And it wasn't. There are some things I want from God, some gifts I nearly believe he must give me, some answers I believe he owes me. I used to get a little frustrated when the Father would turn a perfectly good "parent speech" around and use it on ME! Now I have learned to appreciate it and I even get a smile from it.

It was a good reminder that I am acting too often like Kid One and stomping my feet trying to convince God he needs to give *it* to me now! I need to realize the thing I'm waiting for is probably already hidden in his closet and he's waiting on the perfect time to bring it out.

When the time is right, I'll turn this whole event into a discussion about trusting God with my boys. It'll be fun to see them connect the dots...

(Roger had a similar theme on Tuesday...must be something I should really pay attention to!)

When God was an amateur

At dinner one evening we were having a family discussion about God and sin. (That is a fairly necessary topic in our house with kids!) The boys were asking questions about why sin is in the world, who made sin and why God puts up with it. We talked for several minutes until the conversation went like this...

Kid Two: So in the beginning, why did God make people He knew were going to sin and cause so much trouble?

Parents: Honey, it's hard to understand all of God's ways. God wants us to love him freely and---

Kid Two: (interrupting) Hmmm, maybe. But I think he was probably just an amateur back when he was getting started with people. Now that he knows what he's doing, it's kind of late. But that's okay, I guess.

And he was serious when he said it.

I'll admit, I have those moments when I think "Does God know what he's doing here?" But without fail, he always proves to be a professional in time. It's good to know we've entrusted our lives to the ONLY One who really knows what He is doing!

Ps. 18:30 - "As for God, his way is perfect, the word of the Lord is flawless..."

It's a contest!

If you missed Episode #3 of the BFF How To Video Series, click here. I told you if you joined Natalie and I today we'd give you something fun. So, here it is.

The BFF How-To Video Contest!

It's really not fair for Natalie and I to have ALL the fun, is it? I KNOW some of you are itching to get in the game and make a video! This is your chance. The guidelines are simple:

1. You need a BFF. This can be, but is not limited to, another person. (For thoughts on BFFs, read this.)

2. Your video must be 5 minutes or less. It does not have to have the same mad editing skills as our videos. (It's true, we're thinking of quitting our day jobs. Wait...)

3. It must be a How-To video.

4. It must be rated G. This is a family show!

HOW TO ENTER:

Leave a comment on this blog telling me you're entering - and leave one for Natalie. We want to know who's playing.

Post the contest on your blog with this button. (optional, but recommended since we're the judges...)

You have until September 1 to make your video. Natalie will host Mr. Linky on September 1 and you can then let us know where to find your BFF How To video. (And everyone else can check out the competition). For now, just get your funny on!

<a href="http://www.kimheinecke.com/2008/08/its-contest.html" title="how-to by kheinecke2001, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3134/2770071448_c73fa44c44_o.jpg" width="140" height="140" alt="how-to" /></a>

Copy the code in this box to post the button on your blog. This will either go back to Kim's post or Natalie's post.

m

What's the prize? Of course you'll receive lots of visitors to your blog AND we'll give you 2 movie passes and refreshments! Wa-hooooo!

Lights! Camera! Action!

BFF How-To Video Series Continues!

Episode #3: The BFF Take On Fitness...Oh yeah...

Thanks for coming back. I'm nearly finished with my blogging vacation from Deliberate Hope. I know Natalie and I baited you all week to come back and see our "treat" for you. You're very kind for humoring us and actually returning!

It's the next HOW-TO video! We're changing the world's intellectual knowledge base - one how-to at a time!

I should first say I am most CERTAIN we entertained ourselves far more than our audience. Oh well. I'm okay with that.

I spent an hour or so editing this video and listen, it ain't as easy as it looks. You're going to have to use your imagination for the coolicious transitions from scene to scene that aren't really there. My Windows Movie Maker was on strike last night. You'll still get the idea.

The Fine Print: For English, press 1. What you're about to see does not involve any actors. These are real, live BFFs. The participants received no compensation for their appearance on this program. No animals were harmed in the making of this video. If you experience laughter lasting longer than four hours, consult your doctor immediately. This preview has been rated G, suitable for all audiences. The BFFs do not discriminate against race, religion, or gender. This is an equal opportunity event. The views expressed in this video do not necessarily make sense. If you feel you have reached this video in error, please hang up and try again. I'm Kim Heinecke and I approved this message.

BFF Take On Fitness from KIm Heinecke on Vimeo.

Thursday not-much-of-anything

I hope you enjoyed a few new blogs this week. I love finding new ones.

Tomorrow Natalie and I have a special treat for you. And Monday we have a little more something for you.

Now that my bloggy vacation is almost over, I'll go back to boring you with my ever-exciting life. I needed to spend some time thinking about what God would have me share with my single moms.

This morning it is raining, very softly and the boys and I are enjoying the last few days before they go back to school. Kid Three and I are eating some oatmeal and talking about how cool his brothers are. The Mr. will be back in town tonight and I am looking forward to his return.

It's a simple life. And I love it.

In case you've never met...Introducing Seven Clown Circus

Here's another one I found through SITS...somehow. Angie is quite a treat! I read her post about Friendship Gone Sour and I seriously had to read it (and look at it) twice to know if it was a joke or not. Hey, I didn't know this girl but I was cracking up... makes me want to visit that site and put my own face on something.

What am I talking about? Check out Seven Clown Circus today.

My bloggy vacation ends Friday. Have a happy week!

In case you've never met...Introducing PETERSONS GO PUBLIC!

So, this gal is a single mom (which immediately qualifies her to be tops in my book). She has four boys (and I luv boy kids!) AND...she loves So You Think You Can Dance. Who doesn't?

...and she's a published poet. How cool is THAT?!

The Petersons Go Public!

Many of you have probably stumbled onto this blog before - looks like she has a big readership. If you're up for something new, visit Jennifer.

My Bloggy Vacation continues until Friday.

In Case You've Never Met...Introducing CANDID CARRIE!

You must go read this. It's the funniest April Fool's Day joke I've read. This is Candid Carrie and I found this post through SITS (The Secret is in the Sauce). Each day they have a featured blogger and links to 3 posts. I found this one last week and laughed so hard.

Hysterical. You won't be disappointed!

Check back tomorrow for another good referral. Remember, I'm on a bloggy vacation until Friday.

The Dog Days of Summer

It's hot in Oklahoma.
I mean it's reeeaaallllyyy hot.

Watching the news this week, our movie star weatherman (from the movie Twister), Mr. Gary England -"Les checkidout"- - If you're an OKC Okie, you get it...and he kept saying "the dog days of summer."

Seriously, that makes no sense. (Which is true for a lot of phrases we use daily.) The Mr. gave Gary a verbal beating for his ridiculous linguistics. I used my quick finger Google skilz and looked it up.

The dog days of summer...origin.
Ready? Okay! (I used to be a cheerleader in my youth. And not a very good one. Boo.)

Dog Days is the name for the most sultry period of summer, from about July 3 to Aug. 11. Named in early times by observers in countries bordering the Mediterranean, the period was reckoned as extending from 20 days before to 20 days after the conjunction of Sirius (the dog star) and the sun. In the latitude of the Mediterranean region this period coincided with hot days that were plagued with disease and discomfort. http://www.factmonster.com/

Apparently the dog days of summer will be over on Monday and our potential for disease and discomfort will greatly diminish. I hope you all sleep better now.

Does Gary know this?

No, the picture has nothing to do with a constellation. BUT I don't have the Sirius constellation in clip art and a long dry dog tongue is just better, I don't care who ya are.

On BFFs

Yesterday I mentioned there is something exciting brewing with the BFFs. We'll tell you soon. Let's just say you could be involved...if you so dare!

I want to address this whole idea of BFF. For those of you who survived junior high, you know it officially stands for Best Friends Forever. Since the beginning of time 12-14 old girls have been writing this in puffy letters at the bottom of the notes they passed in English class. It generally follows a disertation about how much they LUV some boy who doesn't know they are alive...ugh, junior high.

,,

Now, everyone knows friendships usually don't last your whole life, or at least they don't always stay the same (unless you're Michael W. Smith in which case friends are friends forever...) Nevertheless teeny-bopper girls don't believe a friendship will ever fade so they write BFF on everything. (And they sometimes use Sharpie.)

Enough about teenagers.

Natalie and I are self-proclaimed, card carrying BFFs. We make videos, we talk about Bible stuff together, crack up at each other's dumb jokes, pray for one another, encourage each other, and sincerely carry each other's burdens when life gets hard. We laugh. We cry. We fork our friends. We speak other languages. We promote each other's blogs. In summary, we share a wonderful gift from the Lord called friendship. It is priceless.

We use "BFF" to make us feel young. Of course we know it's a dumb phrase and overused by the tweenage crowd. We don't care.

But just what IS a BFF?

Well, it doesn't have to be just one person. That would be so limiting! A BFF is someone who simply brings out the best in you and you in her. A BFF "gets you." A BFF is someone with whom you share real life! (You still following guys? BFF is kind of a chick thing...)

For example, the one person that thinks like I do, writes like I do and has similar dreams as me is my BFF Natalie. My "married-again-but-once-a-single-mom" BFF is my high school friend Stacy. My very first BFF friend who knew me before I decided to invite maturity into my world is Kim, I met her in Kindergarten & saw her just last week. I've had work BFFs, family BFFs and blogging BFFs - (My other BFFs don't have blogs or I SO would have linked them!)

So what about you? Do you have some close friends who have been instrumental in shaping your life? There are lots of people I consider great friends but there are a handful of girls who I would absolutely, without a doubt, pick to be on my team in gym class, regardless of their athletic ability or lack thereof. (As if I would EVER be chosen to be captain...)

Even Jesus had 12 BFFs.

Now...go grab your BFF and tune in next week for something fun from Nat and I.

The Drama is Over.

I know you've been awake all night wondering if I ever got my birth certificate ammended. Ladies and Gentlemen...it's over. I'm the real deal.

Some of you are like, what? It's here and then here...

Last week I was singing some Billy Joel for this much-too-long story, this week it's some Bon Jovi...(cue music) "It's all the same.....only the names have changed...." Did you visualize me playing Guitar Hero just then? You shouldda.

If at all possible, DO NOT GO TO THE VITAL RECORDS OFFICE AT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT unless you have some extra patience you're just dying to up on something dumb.

But, all is well. I have a piece of paper stating my mom's name isn't Cmpstmce. She's now officially Constance. I had to do something drastic when she commented and said she was willing to go on a trip in my place! Sheesh. If it's not one thing, it's your mother... (I heart you, Mom.)

I promise I'll not blog about this again. Unless I decide I want to.

And now, for some random stuff...

My boys come home today. I'm nervous because they've been gone for 2 weeks. When I spoke to them yesterday they didn't sound too excited to get back to home/reality/where-the-world-doesn't-revolve-around-them. I was hoping for a little more in their voices... they are too old to really miss me like a 5-year old would and too young to know it would GREATLY benefit them to at least try and fake it.

Yesterday I was the Saucy Chef of the day at The SEcret is in the Sauce Recipes. Most of you have read my random posts on food. I visited lots of new blogs and found a couple I'm going to introduce to you soon. They're great.

I'm also going to copy-cat Cindy and update my blogroll. There are some great ones I read each week that aren't on my list. Maybe you'll pick up one or two to follow. (As if ANY of us needs a new one to follow!) Cindy, imitation is the highest form of flattery. Justsoyaknow.

And may I just share with you that something very very exciting is brewing among the BFFs. Stay tuned.

Have a great day!

Saucy Chef

I'm today's Saucy Chef at Saucy Eats. You know, with all my "borrowed" recipes. You can find some good recipes and some great blogs through this site and The Secret is in the Sauce.

I "Borrowed" This From A Friend

If you come to my house and I cook you a meal, chances are, I stole the recipe from someone else. I'm not very creative when it comes to cooking, however, I am an excellent thief. (I heard when you borrow one idea, it's plagerism. When you borrow several ideas, it's "research." So there. I'm a kitchen researcher...or something like that.

Since I've been banned from using the oven in the summer, I have to make my crockpot work for me when I want something a tad hotter than turkey & cheese.

This one I got from my sister-in-law's brother and sister-in-law. (Don't try to really follow that. It's not important.)

Italian Drip Beef
2-4 pound roast
1 can of beer
1 can of beef broth
1 pkg. Good Seasoning "Garlic & Herb" seasoning
1 pkg. Good Seasoning "Italian" seasoning (Last time I just used 2 of these.)
1 jar pepperocini pepper rings with the juice

Put it all in the crockpot and cook aaaaallllllllllll day. Shred the roast with a fork when it begins to fall apart. Serve on kaiser rolls with Havarti or Muenster cheese. The Mr. likes a little horseraddish on his sandwich. I can't handle the heat. If you're tougher than me (and that's most of you, I'm sure) give it a whirl.

Deee-lish.

BFF How-To Video #2

If there's one thing Natalie and I don't have, it's patience.

A week ago we went "on location" to shoot our second BFF How-To video. We had planned it for a couple of weeks. This time, we even had a video staff. (Does 1 camerawoman equal a "staff?" I thought so.)

We have been waiting.....and waiting...and waiting...for the absolute perfectly perfect moment to reveal the final product but SOMEONE wouldn't throw us the bone we needed.

Cindy, we were counting on you to blog about your experience.
'sokay, we still think this may make a small splash and provide some valuable education.

We're childish, maybe.
But it WAS good fun. AND this video is approved as politically correct. Whew.


The BFF's "How To" Vlog---How to "Visit" a Friend from Natalie Witcher on Vimeo.