Carrie Underwood-

I have to admit I didn't really watch the past season of American Idol.
I haven't been too keen on what I had seen of Carrie Underwood- but when I heard her new single performed live on the Today Show- I was wowed!
I really liked to words of the song- I think we can probably all think of a time that we felt this way.

Here are the lyrics of the chorus for your enjoyment:


Jesus take the wheel
Take it from my hands
Cause I can't do this all my own
I'm letting go
So give me one more chance
To save me from this road I'm on

Thanksgiving Update-

I have so much to be Thankful for this year. Great friends and family, my health, a good job, and so much more I can't even begin.

The biggest news of the weekend is that my sister is expecting her second child. I had guessed that they wanted to have another child, but had no confirmation until the announcement on Thursday. The baby is due in May.

I spent most of the weekend doing the family thing.. this was OK since I hadn't really been home for about a month. I did get my Christmas presents purchased and wrapped (not bad ehh?). I had a fun time playing Risk with Megan Matt and the rest of the Hutchinson family in LaRue, Ohio-- the rocking joint that it is.

Yesterday John and I went to Granville and cut down a Christmas tree- rather cut down his Christmas tree- I bought a wreath for my front door. It was so scenic and picturesque out there. We had a good time just riding out and enjoying getting out in the country.

Now it is back to the regular buzz of the work week- ugh.

A thought for you....

I ran across a quote that I really like this weekend.
After finding out that my friend Laura has called off her engagement I thought perhaps I should share it with all of my BLOG friends... enjoy!

"Dance as though no one is watching you......
Love as though you have never been hurt before.....
Sing as though no one can hear you.....
Live as though heaven is on earth."

--- Souza.

Miracles can happen-

I had an great weekend. My college friend Wendy Stinebaugh ventured down (solo) from the Toledo area. This may not sound like a great feat or acoomplishment- unless of course you already know about Wendy. She had a heart transplant 3 years ago and the road to recovery has been difficult to say the least. Today she can walk around with a cane and her oxygen tank. She drives her own car and enjoys downloading music to her Ipod. Spending time shopping, eating, talking, laughing, crafting, and so forth with Wendy made me thankful for the miracles that God provided for her to be still here with us on Earth. It also made me thankful for the good health that I enjoy and for the most part take for granted.

My weekend was pretty much consumed with Wendy's vistit. I did manage to catch most of the OSU victory over Michigan- that was one prediction I was happy to be wrong about. Go Bucks!
John fixed dinner last night and then we enjoyed Desperate Housewives.

Life is good-

I truly had a great weekend. I woke up this morning with a smile on my face and almost all of my chores done around the house- which was a nice feeling for once!

Friday I watch a great DVD from Netflix - Latter Days - It was such a good movie- I cried.
I had mixed feelings about the way the Mormon church was potrayed as such an evil empire (I don't really know that much about that religious organization- but the movie painted them in a bad light). The movie also played up the typical gay stereotypes of a "party" life style. Overall it had a good storyline and tugged the tears right out of me.

Saturday was spent studying and watching the Buckeyes kick Northwestern's butt off of the field--- Go bucks! Saturday night my friend Ray had a housewarming/ Thanksgiving type of dinner- I had a great time catching up with old friends I had not seen in a while.

Sunday was church and then John & I went to lunch and then shopping. Last night I went to his place to watch Desperate Housewives- gotta love that show. Things are going really good- we had a good talk last night and I think things are heading in a very positive direction. I can't believe this is the last week before the Thanksgiving holiday week- Yikes!

Any predictions for the OSU / Michigan game??? I love my dear Buckeyes- but they had a losing record against the Wolverines- even though I try to be a loyal fan- I predict that they will loose in Ann Arbor by 3 points. Anyone else have thoughts on the score?

Butterflies in your stomach rule-

Thank you all for your comments and insights regarding age differences & dating.
I think liked Helene's advice over the phone. She said if thinking about that special someone gives you butteflies in your stomach and makes your heart go pitter patter a little faster than before-- that is all you need.

It has been a nice week- John had me over to watch The Amazing Race together on Tuesday night (we are both avid fans of this show- at least he has good taste in TV!). When I got there he had a beautiful fire buring in the fireplace- which was really nice. Just for Helene's sake- there were butterflies in the stomach and a pitter patter. So for now I'm just going ahead with things and focus on having the best time that I can.

FYI- for all you curious busy-bodies- John is an Emergency Room nurse manager for OSU Hospitals in Columbus and the father of 2 adorables dogs.

The temperatures have dropped once again in Ohio- so the new furnace is working out nicely. I am impressed with how quiet it is & then also how quickly it warms the house up compared to my old furnace.

I am back to studying for my insurance designation once again. I would like to have my current course, Estate Planning Applications, finished by Christmas- that would be a wonderful holiday gift to me!

Have a wonderful evening all- and I'll keep you posted.

Being a true gentleman-

Hello my loyal Blog readers- I hope that you had a great weekend.
I stayed around Columbus all weekend and got a great deal done! My new energy efficient furnace was installed on Friday. This will be nice to especially with the raising costs of gas!
I have started another CLU (insurance designation) course.... and let me tell you that estate planning can be really fun- Ok maybe not- but it will help you get to sleep at night.

The date Friday went really well on Friday - so well in fact that we watched the OSU game together on Saturday and then went to the Gallery Hop that night. I think we may also get together for a brief while tonite. Here is the survey part of the BLOG- so I am relying on YOU for some insight!!!! How much of an age difference is too much??? In the past 5 years I have noticed myself attracted to the 35-45 age range. I think most of this is due to the fact the I am mature for my age and very stable. Most elgible dates around 25-30 are anything but stable and looking for someone to take care of them. So -- any thoughts?? I am leaning towards who cares about the age- it more matters that you are compatible and love each other. Good idea??

OK- I'm outta here.. talk to you soon.

Trick or Treat-

November!!! What!!!! I'm not ready for Thanksgiving and the holidays and shopping and ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!

It amazes me how time speeds up each and every year. Just when try to slow down and relax a little bit - the world all around me speeds up! I am looking forward to the holidays- I just have to finalize some holiday shopping and I am good to go. I plan to keep things pretty simple this year. I hope to do some charity work in December and give back to the less fortunate.

My sister and Dad brought my little nephew down on Monday night for Trick or Treat at my house. He had a good time and actually enjoyed passing out candy to the kids that came to the door just as much as he did getting it. We had a great night.