Yeah for Company

My sister called me on Tuesday saying she wanted to come visit for a few days (she lives 3 hours away). Sister got here about noon on Wednesday and we haven't stopped since. I'm exhausted but loving the company. We ALWAYS have a great time together...and since its been just mainly her and I here, we've eaten out for EVERY meal! Sister, I'm gonna miss you when you leave tomorrow! Come back soon!

SPT Challenge

In honor of February, the month of L.O.V.E., all of the items begin with the letter "L"

Lips, Light, Little, Laughter, Lavender, Lunch

This light and little guy draws my lips close to him daily...with me today wearing a sweater with lavender in it...

This is what the light and little guy does when I'm eating my lunch (or dinner or anything else for that matter)...

And there is always laughter when I'm talking to my sister!

Why does my face always look so washed out on these SPT's and my eyes so blah? I fear that this is truly how I look in person!

ADDENDUM...Good Mail Post

Thank you for the Good Mail comments...but if you haven't sent me your address, please do. Some Good Mail will surely be finding its way to your mailbox soon!

Rainey Days and Sundays...

I woke up this morning feeling, well BLAH! No particular reason, just BLAH.

I didn't go to church...again...and didn't even get dressed until after 11:00am. Work was overwhelming last week and this morning, I was already thinking about how I don't want to go to work tomorrow. My negative thoughts were really starting to put a damper on the day. Not a good sign.

Around 1:30 or so, I decided to take Jake for a walk. I used to walk the dog just about everyday but it's just been crazy cold here and I'm a whimp. I put a scarf around my neck (already had my sweats on), and off we went. We walked and walked and walked. I started to sweat (or is it glow). The sun was out and it felt so good to be out among the living. I've kept myself cooped up inside for far to long.

Got home...did some laundry, swept and mopped the house, went through some paperwork, got some "good mail" ready to take to the post office on Tuesday. Just basically got my act together. I try not to do work work on Sundays but that walk energized me.

Why don't I just DO things as I should and not procrastinate so much? I've always been a person who accomplishes ALOT and gets things done...so what's happening to me in my old age? Reflecting on the day, I've come to the conclusion that there are some things I need to work on:

1) Exercise regularly because I'm always so pleased with myself afterwards
2) Get out more...which means "DO" more
3) Remember how my self talk can either bring me down or lift my spirits up
4) Act on my intentions. I have the best of intentions but don't always follow through with them
5) Remember how good it feels to get things accomplished and how bad I feel when I feel that I've wasted away my time

There are many more reminders I could and should add to this list, but this gives me a good goal for this upcoming week. I'll keep you posted.

Thank You Lord

Some of you have experienced horendous weather this winter, continually having to shovel door steps, sidewalks, and driveways. Being a California girl, born and raised, I can't even imagine having to drive in weather conditions where you have your car slipping and sliding all over the road...

California generally has mild, wonderful weather, but depending on which part of the state you live in, the weather may vary a bit. This winter has been cold, very very cold...and my area has had its share of fog and rain as well. Today it rained off and on, but going outside in my backyard, this is what I saw...




It's amazing that through all kinds of weather - hot, cold, rain, fog, frost - these two trees continue to produce fruit year after year. It's really been beautiful to watch this for the last 10 years. I hope that year after year, in good and in bad, that I am producing fruit that is as beautiful, plentiful, and as pleasing to God as this tree's fruit has been to me. Thank you Lord for your wonders and for the gentle reminders you give us daily.

Blue, Blue, and more Blue

I always thought that pink was my favorite color, but I sure have alot of this in my home...











What is your favorite color and have you decorated your home with it?

Good Mail!

Even though I'm new in the game, I'd really like to get in on the Good Mail frenzy!

I have ALWAYS been one to send mail and little trinkets to friends and loved ones. I know for a fact that I probably get more enjoyment out of sending it than they do receiving it! Even as a little girl, I loved paper products of all kinds, pens, stickers, holiday goodies, you name it, and loved sharing my treasures (however big or small) with others...and I still do. So...lets say we get my good mail address list started!

Please feel free to e-mail me your address at chasins4@yahoo.com. I'd love to hear from you! Those new Good Mail stickers I bought from Good Mail Queen Jill are burning a hole in my pocket!

SPT Challenge - Pick me up

What do you turn to when you need a quick "pick me up?"



For anyone who knows me, they know there is only ONE answer to this week's SPT challenge...PEPSI! Yes, whenever I need a quick pick me up, pepsi always does the trick. There are some preferences however:

* Even though I'll drink it, I prefer regular pepsi, not the diet stuff

* Fountain drinks...there's nothing better than a fountain drink pepsi

* I really like cubed ice the best but crushed ice will do just fine

I figure since I don't drink alcohol or coffee, don't smoke, don't do drugs...a girl's gotta have at least one vice, mine's pepsi!

Strawberries Galore

Yesterday I was given a hugh box of the most sweet smelling, most beautiful looking, most delicious strawberries I have ever laid eyes on...what a treat!

Before...
After...

Happy Valentine's Day

Have a great one!

SPT Challenge - Love, Me

What will you do for yourself this Valentine's day?

First of all, let me start by saying this was way hard for me because I HATE HATE HATE being in front of the camera. I always appoint myself the designated "picture taker" so that I don't have to be in them! But Lelly's SPT challenges look fun, thought provoking, and well, I just think I need to s-t-r-e-t-c-h myself and step out of the box more often. So...with that being said...here goes, yikes,



I was at the mall Friday night picking up some See's candy to give away for Valentine's Day. See's candy is heaven to me. If you've never had See's candy before, let me know and I'll send you some because it's just that good. I love it all but I especially love the dark chocolates...dark chocolate truffles, cremes, nuts and chews, everything! I was in line with my hands full when it hit me...I deserve some too! Surprisingly enough, without any hesitation at all, I picked out a cute little traditional heart box full of dark chocolate nuts and chews and I was on my way. I'm gonna be one little happy camper on Thursday!

Tea at The Peninsula Hotel

My husband's aunt had a birthday "tea" today at the gorgeous Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills to celebrate her 65th birthday. It was a women-only afternoon affair complete with fruit, finger sandwiches of various sorts, scones, desserts, and of course, tea. This is a picture of the birthday girl and myself.


The flower centerpieces were simple, yet beautiful.


As my niece, my SIL, and myself were leaving the hotel, we noticed a table in the entry of the hotel with these beautiful tall flowers on it and thought it would be a pretty back drop for our picture. I asked 3 men who were standing nearby if they would take our picture...they didn't answer me! They were standing there so prim and proper with their hands folded in front of them that I jokingly said to my SIL that they looked like members of the secret service. Well, guess what...they were! There was a limo out front with "government" license plates on it and no one at the hotel was talking! No one was spilling the beans! Obviously, we're thinking it has something to do with the presidental campaign. Was anyone important supposed to be at The Peninsula Hotel this weekend?

As Promised

Here's a picture of the Jakester...

Civic Duty

It's only February and I've already done my civic duty for the year. I had jury duty yesterday and today. Thankfully, I did not get picked for the jury and was released this afternoon. I was getting a little irritated that I've had to spend 2 of my 3 days off this week at the court house and not at home getting things done. Now I'm going to have to rush around tomorrow to get everything accomplished...drats!

I did get a one-on-one question/answer session with the judge, the defense attorney (and defendant), and the prosecuter before they released me. It seems the prosecuter wanted me but the defense did not...it would have been a case involving sexual misconduct...and I do have definite opinions on the subject. No wonder the defense didn't want me.

On a good note, I met some really nice people through this process. One lady in particular, she was hysterically funny and made our time actually enjoyable. She called me her "jury friend." How special!

It's Official...

I'm now a blogger! After checking out other people's blogs for about 6 months now, I've decided it's time to take the plunge...and although I know nothing about this blogging world that I am about to enter...I'm excited to make new friends and eager to get started.

So why did I call my blog Lindanjake you ask...

Well, Jake is my almost 3 year old baby boy. Sometimes I call him Jake, sometimes Jakey, sometimes Jakey baby, sometimes the Jakester, and sometimes Momma's
b-a-b-y.

Oh, it doesn't matter that Jake is an 8 pound dog...he's still my baby!

When I figure out how to add pictures, I'll share the Jakester with you.