The Hobbit Hole VI - And Whither Then? I Cannot Say...

[HairOfTheDog]

The Joan Red Carpet thing just started. She's not too blasted drunk yet.

The fun is in watchin' the booze set in...

[Wneighbor]

Actually, as somebody who has been tiny at one point, (well in width but not height) you can be assured that a tiny body doesn't make you look good in those gowns. It's glue, boning, standing uncomfortably and good photographers who take lots of pictures to make sure you get some good ones. I don't particularly see that anybody has an advantage on that stuff.

What makes you look good, is a smiling happy self! Some of them tiny chicks look miserable. I'd rather be comfy and happy.

[Wneighbor]

We also agreed that our generation is wicked enough to have crucified our Lord had he chosen our time instead. Maybe not in America and maybe not crucifixion, but it would happen.

Yes it would. What would Saddam have done?

[Wneighbor]

The fun is in watchin' the booze set in...

while my programing remains as previously stated. Oh well. I'll wait till something shows up.

[Wneighbor]

I think I'm finally getting hungry again. I suppose it's time to nuke something.

[HairOfTheDog]

She's at 3..... but I predict that she'll be at 4 by the time we get back from commercials.

Jamie Lee Curtis looks a little like a cross-dressin' guy.

[Lil'freeper]

She needs to adjust her bosom.

[JenB]

She looks Photoshopped. Wrong head for that body.

[Wneighbor]

She needs to get more dress!

[HairOfTheDog]

I agree!

BTW... The Joan drink count is now at 5

She just scared the dickens out of a cute little actress from a whale movie.

[ItsOurTimeNow]

Good evening Oscar watchers!

I just got back from my weekend youth group retreat, and wanted to stop in and say hullo!

How's everybody?

[Wneighbor]

Hi Seamus! Hope you had a great time at the retreat. Did you enjoy the kids? AND, is everybody feeling better at your house now?

[HairOfTheDog]

I am watchin' the show... ecurbh is out pickin' up sticks in the pasture.

[Lil'freeper]

Am back now- *burp* -just fixed a most excellent dinner. Pesto parmesean chicken, cauliflower, and zuchinni with tomatos. Switched off the news and over to WGN superstation to watch the red carpet nonsense. Naomi Watts likes mints... and ladybugs. *yawn*

[Lil'freeper]

Oh my. That Roman look won't go away. Marcia Gay Harden in royal blue- empire waist.

Oh wait- she's preggy w/ twins! WTG. "Children are a miracle- they're a blessing." I like her!

[ItsOurTimeNow]

Yes, thankfully, Autumn and Jess are both 100% better!

The retreat was...awesome. Simply awesome. I feel extraordinarily blessed to have been a part of this, and been able to participate in the lives of the youth group, and counsel them on issues that they're facing.

Initially, I wasn't sure what my role as "chaperone" would include, but it turned into more of a "leader" role...and I couldn't have been more pleased with the outcome. It was a wonderful experience...simply wonderful.

Of the 200+ kids that were there for the weekend, from all over New England, a total of 25 were saved JUST this weekend alone. Countless others re-committed their faith to Christ (7 - including myself - of my group of 14)...I feel re-affirmed and spiritually stronger than I've ever felt before in my life. It's a wonderful feeling, and I don't ever want to lose it. It was that much of an affecting experience.

The guest speaker for the weekend did an amazing job bringing his message to the youth, and corrollating it to issues that they're currently experiencing. The main message of the weekend was God's grace amid God's wrath (Rahab in Jericho), and how contemporary culture is driving the youth of America onto the broad and wide path that leads to destruction. It was a powerful message, and I think it scared the heebies out of a lot of the kids...but it worked.

I made a promise to the youth group that I'd be a bigger part in their group, as a leader, if they wanted me to. When we got back to the church, I was speaking to the Pastor about my new-found desire to help them, and he just laughed and clapped his hands. As it turns out, he'd been praying for months that someone would come to the church and volunteer to become a more active leader for the youth group. Up until this time, it was mainly he and his wife, and although the students took to him easy enough, he was always afaid that there was a disconnect between he and they based on the age gap (40+ years). He was absolutely tickled that I had discovered my desire to be on this path, as there's only a 10 year difference between me and the students.

All the while he had been praying for a solution to this situation, I was right there. I just needed the experience of this weekend to put me on this path. He was praying for a new leader, I was praying for a new direction...so here we are at the same conclusion, by the Grace of God. Simply amazing how it works, isn't it?

Anyway, I realize I'm rambling, but I wanted to share this with you all. I'm a changed person...and I owe it all to accepting a simple proposal to chaperone a youth group retreat.

(Still no word yet on the job front or the unemploymnt benefit decision, but honestly...I'm not worried any longer. It took a lot, but I've finally put it out of my hands)

[Wneighbor]

Well, the red carpet isn't coming in to my humble home. I got pretty much regular boring Sunday night stuff. Still doing housework.

[Wneighbor]

OH I am so excited for you! I love working with youth too! I haven't done it in 7 years. I bowed out when Myranda got to the youth age so she could be on her own there. Still, I find that I have more fun and make more connections with the youth in my church. I think they like me for my motorcycle first and then find out that I am fun for real. :-)

I hope you really love this! I will be praying for you in this calling! :-)

[Lil'freeper]

That's probably a good thing. I'll watch... but it's like a car crash... a special kind of sick curiosity.

[Fedora]

I have also prayed for Pipin's sister. Hope the surgery goes well.