• The Men in My Life. . .


    There are two very important men in my life. First, my hubby, Charlie. The second, my dad, Don.

    This past week I got to spend some AWESOME time with both of them.

    It started with an impromptu visit to Sedona to hang out with my dad. We went running through the red rocks of Sedona.

    I’m so blessed to be able to run shoulder-to-shoulder with my dad. If you don’t remember, he’s the one who did the 3,100 mile bike ride across the country , so you can guess where I inherited the genes for extreme/endurance sports.

    But hey, I’m not complaining. He’s been such a fantastic influence on me. He taught me focus and determination.

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    The week ended with my sweet hubby having a couple days off from work, so I got to spend tons of time with him.

    We started off with a thirty-milebike ride, then spent time downtown where I got to eat some SWEET yogurt from MOJOs.

    We sauntered around Borders and Barnes & Noble (two of my favorite places), hung out with some friends, then rounded off the weekend by watching movies and eating junk food.

    All that time with the two men in my life got me thinking.

    I’m really blessed.

    They’ve supported me and encouraged me to follow my passion of writing. For that, I’m forever grateful.

    ~~~~

    So, who are the special people in your life who give you unconditional love and support?

    ~~~~

  • Friday Funnies


    Have you heard of Tim Hawkins?

    I mentioned him on this blog a long time ago after seeing him LIVE at our church. OH…. but he’s worth another mention today on Friday Funnies

    Last week we hung out with some friends and watched one of his DVDs. Again I was near tears, laughing.

    By far, this is his funniest skit:

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iK2OakMoW_c]

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    What’d you think?

    Happy Friday, everyone!

  • Throwback Thursday–Week of Love


    Love Songs . . . The’ve been around forever. Some good ones, some great ones, some with great lyrics, some from great movies.

    I’m guest blogging today to give you my top 10 love songs. When I hear these, I think of the wonderful woman I married 14 years ago.

    I hope some of these remind you of your special someone too.

    10. Giving You the Best that I Got, by Anita Baker. Her unique voice has always intrigued me. The lyrics of this song are strong. Perfect theme song for a marriage.

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsMHjbfFEjU]

    9. More Than a Woman, by the Bee Gees. I know it’s disco, in fact it’s from the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. Listen to the lyrics on this one. Great words a husband would say to his wife.

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wK67GCIPaF4]

    8. I Melt With You, by Modern English. Another movie song. Can you name it? Yep “Valley Girl”. Premise of the song: I would stop everything to be with you. Pretty cool. Great one hit wonder by the way.

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuN6gs0AJls]

    7. Biggest Part of Me, by Ambrosia. First of all I think David Pack has one of the best pop voices ofall time. This song has got to be on you “Light Hits of the 70’s” CD

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QIWtY7gzvA]

    6. Endless Love, sung by 2 powerhouses–Lionel Richie and Diana Ross. Also a movie song. But WOW, so powerful.

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnfwnOp6uek]

    5. I Love You More Today than Yesterday, by Spiral Staircase. Up beat catchy tune, but great lyrics. Older song, hopefully some of you remember it.

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuqHlv1YPe0]

    4. Tender Love, by Force MCs. Something about it. Just a real simpletune. Some songs you can tell are sung from the heart….this is one of them.

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8x0T5UIBngQ]

    3. I Live For Your Love, by Natalie Cole. If I had to guess I would say this song was personal for her. It came out in the late 80’s. Cole had struggled with addiction, etc and this song most likely was about someone special in her life.

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zroDrTwgRTw]

    2. The Closer I Get to You, by Roberta Flack and Donnie Hathaway. “by giving me all you’ve got….your love has captured me” Powerful lyrics. Flack’s voice is beautiful. I almost put this at number 1.

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0T7NLqMGEck]

    1. True, by Spandau Ballet. Chosen more for the production than the lyrics. Love the bass line, but love the lyric: “head over heels when toe to toe…this is the sound of my soul” the lead singer seems to bare his soul when singing this.

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6e4WLdLNajs&feature=av2n]

    ~~~

    There you have it–My top 10 songs that speak of LOVE.

    Hug the one you love tonight…and heck maybe even play one of these tunes for ’em.

    Lets hear some of your favorites!

  • When was it Love? –Week of Love


    We didn't see each other before the service, so pictures were taken after. . .

    When it came to choosing a person to do the scripture readings at our wedding, I didn’t hesitate–Lynn & RG Boeyink. That’s Charlie’s Mom and Dad.

    First, they’re awesome role models (married 43 years now!) Second, their faith continually astounds me. Third–well, there is no third, I just KNEW they were the people to do it.

    But when Lynn and RG made their way to the podium, I got a little nervous because I saw Lynn carrying a piece of paper.

    It was then that I knew she’d written something down.

    It was then that I knew, I would need Kleenx–lots of them.

    She just has a way with words . . . So, here is what she read.

    Not an eye was dry in the church.

    Enjoy, and be sure to stop by tomorrow, because my sweet hubby is breaking down his TOP TEN most favorite love songs. And he knows how to pick them, let me tell you.

    ~~~

    When was it Love?

    By Lynn Boeyink

    I wore my mom's wedding dress. My diamond is Charlie's mom's engagement diamond.

    Little did you two know that on the campus in Marshall, Minnesota, you would meet, eventually fall in love with, and today marry each other. As the months and years passed at Southwest State and the friendships came and went, you established yourselves there, chose your fields of study, worked and played, and the awareness of one another became more real.

    But when what is love?

    Was it a glimmer of in your smiles that set the world in fire or was it in the eyes that sparkle and light up a room?

    Perhaps there was something unique in that friendly manner and charm that seemed to be so natural. Or was it that confident style that told everyone you met that you could conquer any task or problem that came your way?

    Was it a sense of love on those first few dates when you were convinced that this is one very special person? Or, was it when the realization that your life goals and commitment to hard work were similar or when you realized that your enjoyment of the outdoors and sports were compatible?

    This is one of my favorite pictures of me and my dad on my wedding day

    Perhaps it was love when you learned of one another’s faith in Jesus Christ and that you both had a desire to be a part of the world around you but not to live by worldly standards. Maybe it grew to be real love as your time together became more and more cherished and your time apart more uncomfortable.

    It must have been true love when you looked into one another’s eyes and finally knew deep in your hearts that you wanted to be together forever.

    But you do know, don’t you, that it really was love long before you ever met, before your first date, even before you left home to venture out on your own to make your way in the world. Before you did any of these things—it was love!

    It was love because God says in his word, “Before I formed you in your mother’s womb, I knew you.” and He says, ‘I know the plans I have for you…plants to give you home and a future.”

    So you see, it was love for you when you committed to each other, but God loved you long before that, His love is eternal, and his plans for you stand firm forever.

    It was love for you before you were ever born, because God said so. He planned it that way. May you grow in this love for each other with time knowing always that your union is part of God’s divine plan for your lives.

    You may kiss the bride. Bonded for life now and happy to be.

    ~~~

    So, what’s your love story?

  • Cinema Sound Off–Week of Love


    This is the week of love here on the blog, but today is the scheduled Cinema Sound Off movie review. . . believe it or not, the movie we’re reviewing has a bit of LOVE in it. . .so I’m sneaking it into this week’s lineup.

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    ~~~

    My good friend,KM Wilsher, and I are heading out toHarkins Theatres each month to watch a choice movie.

    We’ll let you know if it’s worth you spending your hard-earned money or not.

    CLICK HERE for our rating system

    Now…onto the movie.

    ~~~

    SALT, starring Angelina Jolie.

    Now, you’re probably wondering–if you’ve seen it or at least the movie trailer–how the heck this action movie could have a little love in it.

    Trust me. It does. I can’t say much about it as to not ruin the movie for ya, but there is. Maybe I picked up on it because I’m a writer of romance, but still. As I write in all my novels, Love can conquer all. But that’s all I’ll say about that.

    Synopsis from IMDB:

    As a CIA officer, Evelyn Salt swore an oath to duty, honor and country. Her loyalty will be tested when a defector accuses her of being a Russian spy. Salt goes on the run, using all her skills and years of experience as a covert operative to elude capture. Salt’s efforts to prove her innocence only serve to cast doubt on her motives, as the hunt to uncover the truth behind her identity continues and the question remains: “Who is Salt?”

    My review:

    This movie is now listed as my favorite. I know favorites change for me, but up to date, this one has now claimed the number one spot.

    I love action movies. You could ask any of my friends. It’s true. I love the RUSH of a good action scene. My writing reflects that as well, hence the phrase, Catch the Rush, so you get my drift.

    This movie is JAM packed with action. It started out with a bit more backstory in the beginning than I would have preferred, but after that, it was non-stop.

    Despite the fact that I guessed the bad guy within the first five minutes, the movie still held my interest because I sometimes doubted my guess. In the end, I was right, and I cursed myself for doubting my initial assessment, but still. To have a movie that had me thinking, squirming with excitement, and hoping it wouldn’t end, I was ecstatic.

    Finally, a chick–Angelina Jolie (one of my favorite actors)–who can kick some serious butt stars in a movie that keeps me engaged for nearly every minute, and it wasn’t riddled with steamy-make-me-blush-love-scenes and F-bombs every other word. It was an intelligent, challenging, and overall fantastically engaging movie.

    I am giving it FIVE tickets. Our highest rating.

    5 tickets: A must see. Buy a ticket for everyone.

    Here’s the trailer if you wanna see:

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QZ40WlshNwU]

    Now, run over to KM’s blog and check out her take on the movie.

    ~~~

    Have you seen SALT? Did you like it? Do tell….

  • Musical Monday–Week of Love


    Happy Monday!

    This week on Catch the Rush, it’s all about the LOVE!

    Yep, tomorrow, August 10th, marks my fourteenth year with my soul mate, Charlie! So, I’ve dedicated this week to the idea of LOVE and MARRIAGE . . . .

    So….today I just have to share our song with you.

    Yep, this is the song we first danced to as a married couple.

    ~~~

    Until the End of Time, by Foreigner

    [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Baf0Dlp-BvA]

    ~~~

    I know I’ve played this song on here before because last year on our anniversary week I shared it. But, I just had to do it again. I don’t think I’ll ever get sick of that song.

    EVER!