Tuesday, August 30, 2005

Rain, Rain... Go Aaaway....

If you're like me, you've been watching the trek of Hurrican Katrina, now downgraded to a Tropical Storm. It's times like this I feel so blessed that I live in California, instead of anywhere on the East coast. Some may disagree, but I'd rather take an earthquake over hurricanes or tornados. As I watch the news coverage of the impact Katrina has made, I pray for those in her path... and those dear friends of mine, who may also encounter her.
I thought it quite incredible that the force of Katrina was so strong, that it ripped a whole in the SuperDome, where the New Orleans Saints (NFL football team) play their games. Since the season in about to begin, that may cause a problem. I guess it's not such a 'Super Dome' after all, huh. :-) So, what happens when the Saint's have to play at home? My guess: Pray for No Rain!!
With total damage rising and many areas in need, it's times like this that the true meaning of being Americans comes alive. When disaster happens, Americans come out in full force and lend a helping hand. In spite of all our differences, we rise to the occassion to lend help and support to those being effected... in this case, those who have lost their homes, food, clothes, possessions, etc. because of Katrina.
I pray that those of us who have been fortunate not to be in Katrina's path will reach out our hands to our fellow Americans on the other side of the country to help them recover from their loss. Check out your local relief organizations helping to aid the Katrina victims. If you like, you can also check out the following sites that I recommend:
www.redcross.org, www.samaritanspurse.org (with is an organization chaired by Franklin Graham, son of Rev. Billy Graham).
God Bless all of you, and may He keep you safe! You are in my prayers!

Ps. If you have suffered any effects from Katrina, please let me know... so that I may pray for your specific needs.

Saturday, August 27, 2005

A Spa Day



Aaaaa! What a feeling, to be able to relax and be pampered after a long and hectic week. It was so nice, and I highly recommend it to anyone (male or female) who needs to get re-energized. As mentioned in my last post, Troy got me a spa package at Zena's Island Day Spa for our anniverary. The package included a deep tissue massage, herbal wrap and a pedicure. I chose to substitute the pedicure for a facial. I've never had a pedicure, but really wanted a facial instead.

The morning started out with the facial in this nice little room, warmly decorated and with ocean waves soothing my ears. Thirty relaxing minutes gettings exfoliated, moisterized and massaged... yes, my face got massaged too! This was a high-class place! Next was the herbal wrap. Wasn't sure what to expect with this but it felt great! You basically get wrapped up in hot terrycloth-type sheets that have been soaked in herbs. It was VERY hot... but after awhile, felt really good. They put a few layers over you, then wrap you up in this taffata-type fabric. The herbs along with the heat is suppose to hydrate and cleanse your body of toxins. For me, it felt like being bundled up in a really warm blanket.

Next, was the massage. Oh... the massage!! The poor therapist had a lot of tension to work on in my shoulders. She works your whole body, literally from head to toe. I've never had a scalp massage, but it felt pretty good. After the massage, came the time to get dressed and leave this enchanted place of relaxation for reality. Next time - I'm going for the whole day!!!

As I mentioned before, if you've never experienced a spa treatment, I highly recommed it! I can't say that I'm re-energized and ready to conquer the world for another week, but it made a usually busy Saturday, very relaxing and worth getting.

Friday, August 26, 2005

Week 1 is DONE!

After a very hectic week on campus, the first week of school is finally done. Wooo hoo!!!
Traffic was crazy, lines at all the food places were long and there were kids EVERYWHERE!!
All in all, it was a good week though. The crowds will start to thin out, there will still be parking problems but everyone will get in the 'groove' of a new school year.

So, It's Friday... and it's really quiet at work today. Not very many of us are left as it gets closer to 5 o'clock. tick... tock...tick...tock.... we're waiting for the time to fly so we can start our weekend. I have a very interesting one planned.

For our anniversary, Troy got me a spa package, and I have my appointment tomorrow. It's the first time I've gotten a real spa treatment, although I have had a facial and a massage. The day will include an Herbal floral wrap (whatever that is), a deep tissue or Sweedish massage, and instead of a pedicure, I'm getting a facial. Then, after my trip to the spa, I'll be off to get my nails done. I guess it'll be a day of pampering for me! You'll get no complaints here! I'll let you know how it all goes.

Sunday, August 21, 2005

School In....

Tomorrow is a big day for a lot of families. School starts for many of the districts in this area, including the colleges. Fresno State is no exception. In the last week, there's been more and more activitiy on campus but tomorrow.. MONDAY... the insanity begins. The new semester begins. After a some-what quiet summer on campus, there will be outright fights for parking, long lines at all the food places on campus, and the line for coffee.... will be out the door!
Is it me, or are college freshman getting younger? Many freshman orientations were held on campus within the last few weeks and I can't get over how young they all are.
Some of you have children going back to school. Moms & dads of school-aged children look forward to the day their children go back to school after summer break. To you, I say congrats! You finally get some piece & quiet again. Hope you all survive!
Have a great back to school, and God Bless!

Tuesday, August 16, 2005

My A-B-C's

The sun is shining and it feels like a normal hot August day again. School's about to start again and there's more activity on campus. The days seem longer and the evenings seem shorter.

Taken from my friend, Malia's blog, who got it from someone else's blog... wanted to do my own.

My Alphabet:
A is for age: 33
B is for booze: only on special occassions
C is for career: Data Clerk at Fresno State
D is for dad's name: Donald (or Don)
E is for essential item to bring to a party: ME
F is for favorite songs at the moment: ‘What If’ by Jadon Lavik, ‘Next Thing You Know’ by Matthew West, ‘In the Middle of Me’ by Todd Agnew and ‘We Live’ by Superchick, anything from Barlow Girl… any many more
G is for goof off thing to do: watch a good movie
H is for hometown: Grew up in Firebaugh, Madera, and currently live in Fresno, CA.
I is for instrument you play: my voice (yes, that’s an instrument too), once upon a time I took piano lessons and played the clarinet, learning the bass guitar.
J is for jam or jelly you like: strawberry & grape
K is for kids: none yet… unless you count my big kid husband.
L is for living arrangements: house
M is for mom's name: Margie
N is for name of good friend: Malia C., Nashville, TN. Whom I miss Very Much!!
O is for overnight stays in hospital: 0, God willing, it will stay that way.
P is for phobias: snakes
Q is for quotes you like: “Those who wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount with wings like eagles, they shall walk and not get weary,"
R is for longest relationship: My Lord and my God
S is for siblings: 2 sisters, 1 brother (deceased)
T is for Texas: Cowboys! Yeee Haaaa! The real cowboys, not the NFL team.
U is for unique traits: do I have any?
V is for vegetables that you love: chocolate! (It has been proven that chocolate is indeed a vegetable)
W is for worst trait: procrastination, occassional lazyness
X is for X-rays you've had: none
Y is for yummy food you make: ice cream, chocolate chip cookies
Z is for zodiac sign: leo


Monday, August 15, 2005

It's Raining? In California? In August??

On days like this, a few things come to mind... the old children's song, "It's raining, it's pouring...." and to quote from the Carpenters, "Rainy Days & Monday's Always Get Me Down."
Especially when it's raining AND it's Monday.
It's a gloomy Monday morning. It doesn't seem like summer anymore. Where has the 100 degree weather gone?? Not that I want it back!! If this dull weather is a forecast of the way the day will go today, I hope that It'll be a lot sunnier soon. Doesn't seem to be coming though.
This summer, the campus of Fresno State was on a special summer schedule of 7 am - 3:30 pm to help the state conserve electricity. For us, it became something to look forward to... not the getting up so early, but the getting off at 3:30 definately made up for it! Today, we started back on our regular 8 to 5 schedule. School starts next week! Hummmmm. I hope this day goes by quickly. The afternoons tend to drag on and on, when all you do is sit at a desk and type all day. (That's what I do) At least, I have my music. That keeps me sane during a day full of repetitive activities.
My mind wanders to more important things... like my church activities, my next concert date, and my new toy - a brand new bass guitar, which I am learning to play. It's a challenge, but according to those I've talked to, it should be farely easy to learn. I hope it's a lot easier than learning piano... been there, tried that! I'm just not coordinated enough to use both hands at once.
Hope the summer has been good to all of you, who read this. (hope someone's out there reading!!) G'day my mates
!

Tuesday, August 09, 2005

Women of Faith are fired up!


Wanted to show some photos I just downloaded of my recent journey to the Women of Faith conference. First picture is of me and my mother-in-law, Judy. This is our 3rd WOF conference together.



This picture is of our two friends, Kindra and Helen. They were both newbies and were so blessed by the whole weekend!





And some of the artists that performed during the weekend. Tammy Trent (pictured with me at left) and the group, Avalon (pictured at right).

We had such a wonderful time! If you have not attendee a Women of Faith conference before, I highly recommend it! Find out if it's coming to your area soon!

Monday, August 08, 2005

Recent adventures

This summer has been quite a wild ride for us this year. I can't believe it's August already!

July was full of many celebrations including my birthday and my anniversary to my husband, Troy of 10 wonderful years! I surprised Troy with an anniversary party and renewing of vows ceremony. Everyone had a wonderful time and we caught up with so many friends we hadn't seen in so long.

At the end of July, Troy and I attended and helped out at Spirit West Coast in Monterey for the 4th year in a row. If you are unfamiliar with SWC, it's a 3-day music festival (sort of like a Christian Woodstock) held at Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey. We help every year with KLOVE and Air 1 radio, who has a booth there. For those that know us, it has become the custom now that Troy and I help out with KLOVE and Air 1 whenever a concert is in this area or on the central coast. We're (especially me) music lovers enjoy serving with such a wonderful ministry. The picture is of me and Barlow Girl (from left to right, Alisa Barlow, Becca Barlow, me and Lauren Barlow). It was a special treat for me because I got to 'hang' with them when they came to Fresno during a recent tour. Those girls rock!! Check them out at barlowgirl.com!

This last weekend, I left Troy at home and journeyed with my mother-in-law (yes, my mother-in-law) to Sacramento to attend the Women of Faith conference. This is my 4th year going and Judy's 2nd. We are always so blessed by the wonderful speakers and artists that sing & share their stories with us. If there's a Women of Faith conference anywhere near your town, I STRONGLY encourage you to go check it out. You'll enjoy it! Trust me!!!!

More to come as August goes on..

Hello Friends!


Hello All!
"There is no such thing as strangers, just friends you haven't met." I hope to meet some of my new friends.


This is our first blog. Let me introduce us. My name is Sheryl My husband is Troy. This last July, we celebrated 10 years of marriage together and by the grace of God, He will grant us many more decades of happiness and service!


I hope this will be more efficient in sharing my ramblings then updating our website. Hope all who view this will enjoy.

Sheryl