From the Inside Out

Who doesn’t love getting something for free, especially during one of the worst recessions in the history of our country? Thanks to Whataburger, now you can get free food items every other day leading up to December 24th, 2009. It’s called the “12 Days of Whataburger” promotion, and it includes everything from free shakes to french fries and burgers.

All you have to do is visit Whataburger’s “12 Days” website and provide your email address and zip code. After signing up, you’ll receive free food coupons throughout December. It’s Whataburger’s way of spreading Christmas cheer, and nothing says “Merry Christmas” like free food.

Enjoy!

I hope everyone had a fantastic Thanksgiving! Spending time with family and watching the Cowboys game have been our traditions for a long time, and this year was was no different. The unfortunate thing about this year’s celebration was that Gary was sick and running a fever for most of the day. Why is it that sickness always hits you at the worst times? He did a good job of making it through the festivities, but I felt bad for him, being sick ruins your fun (believe me, with as many times as I’ve been sick, I know firsthand how much it stinks).

I have so many things to be thankful for this year. I could never list all of them, but here are some of the things for which I am most grateful:

• The unconditional love and faithfulness of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ
• Being able to wake up every day and share my life with my best friend, Gary
• The best parents, in laws, and family a girl could ask for
• Friends who don’t give up on me even when I’m busy and overwhelmed with life
• Surviving the Collaboration launch at work this year
• Holidays, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas
• The opportunity to live in the USA where freedom and liberty are granted to all
• The amazing beauty found in God’s creation
• The Cowboys win (okay, I know it’s trite, but I’m still happy they won today)

Okay, that’s my short list. What’s yours?

With Halloween only a few days away, you may be feeling the urge to watch a scary movie — ’tis the season! I’m not a big fan of the typical slasher movies or eery evil spiritual flicks, but I do love a good thriller or zombie movie, so here are my top picks for what to watch this weekend:

1. Zombieland. This movie is in theaters now, and it is hilarious. If you’re looking for a fun new zombie comedy, check it out.

2. Sean of the Dead. Another zombie flick, but definitely worth the rental fee. It’s a funny look at how a man tries to turn his life around by winning back his ex-girlfriend, reconciling his relationship with his mother, and dealing with an entire community that has returned from the dead to eat the living.

3. Scream. It’s an “oldie” from the 90s, but I think it stands the test of time. Scream is an intelligent version of the mindless teen horror/slasher films. After an anonymous killer guts two high school lovers, a mysterious rise in fear and rumors rise in a peaceful Californian town. A killer starts killing high school teenagers, with a young teenage girl, an eccentric and dramatic cop, and a selfish and ambitious reporter trying to investigate the murders.

4. I Am Legend. I wasn’t crazy about the ending of this film, but I have to admit it was a great movie. It was intense, well acted, and worth watching. Starring Will Smith it centers on the story of the sole survivor in NYC years after a plague kills most of humanity and transforms the rest into monsters.

Wow, Halloween is only two weeks away! I’m not throwing a party this year, but our church is hosting a “trunk or treat” party so I could still dress for the occasion. According to the articles I’ve read recently, reality tv stars and dead celebrities (like MJ and Farrah Fawcett) are going to be all the rage this year. Palin and Madoff costumes are also surprisingly popular. And don’t forget the crazy musicians, Lady Gaga and Amy Winehouse.

If those ideas don’t suit you, check out my “top 5″ funny options this year:

• Illegal Alien. This costume is being blasted by activists, but they need to lighten up. It’s hilarious.
• Kanye and Taylor Swift (couples idea). Anyone who saw (or read about) the events that occurred during the MTV Music Awards will understand why this is so funny.
• Octomom. Eight babies and lots of plastic surgery equates to a very interesting costume.
• Swine Flu. Since this illness seems to be infecting everyone lately, it’s pretty timely.

  Kate Gosselin. I’m not a fan of the “Kate and John Plus 8″ tv show, but you have to admit that this one would be lots of fun. You can carry around a bunch of baby dolls, scream, yell, and act like a control freak all night. Besides, who doesn’t want to wear the worst haircut in the world for a day?

Gary and I woke up early to participate in the McKinney “Red, White, and Boom” parade. We met up with the rest of the group at the director’s house and carpooled to the staging area near downtown. It was only 10 am, but it was already 95 degrees outside — a sweltering day. I was glad I didn’t have to be in costume.

Our “float” is below. It was filled with actors from the upcoming production of Hartburn Hotel and girls from the Young Actors Guild.

“I’m on a float. I’m on a float. Everybody look at me cause I’m on a float.”

MacKenzie practicing her “miss america” wave

Janye resting before the parade begins…trying to keep cool!

Flying the colors

Dennis (”Pa”) before the parade

The line-up in front of us

Bagpipes!

Me and Gary waiting in the shade for the parade to start.

Other parade participants

Unfortunately, I didn’t think about taking pictures once the parade started. At that point, I was waving to the crowd and trying not to fall as we rode through the streets on the trailer. The parade route was short, but the streets were pretty crowded — and it was downright packed in the historic McKinney square. Even though it was miserably hot, we had a great time. Thanks to Mom and Dad for coming out to cheer us on!

After the parade, Gary and I grabbed lunch. We also did some shopping and then headed home for some “fun time” in the pool.

We gathered together with my family in the evening for a different kind of fun…blowing stuff up (otherwise known as shooting fireworks). It’s so much more fun than watching a prescripted 20 minute show.

Andrew discovers how much fun sparklers can be

Andrew spinning the sparkler

LeEllen, Kevin, Mom and Nick in front of our arsenal of fireworks

Nick enjoying the sparklers as we waited for it to get darker so we could get to the really fun stuff

Let the fun begin!!

Fountain, sparks, and fireworks

Andrew shooting a Roman candle — and Kevin making sure Andrew doesn’t get any “ideas” about aiming it elsewhere

What do we shoot off next? We have so many!

More Roman candle fun.

My little camera isn’t great at capturing fireworks, but I tried anyway. The pics here are my feeble attempt at capturing a few of them. Most of the time, I just got an empty sky. My camera is too slow!

Texas Star fountain

Another attempt at capturing one of the big ones

We bought a lot of fireworks this year. It took us about 90 minutes to shoot all of them, but no one was complaining. It was a blast!

Family, food, fun, and fireworks — a great day indeed!

Happy 4th of July, and God bless the USA!