Daughtry

I saw Daughtry in concert last night.  Wow!!  He can put on a show!  His band is uh-maz-ing!!!  His drummer....well, he just rocks the house!!  I haven't been to a concert in years and years and years.  I had loads of fun. 

The concert was at the Ryman Auditorium.  I liked it being there so much better because it was a smaller setting and the performers weren't little ants that we had to see through binoculars. 

Daughtry played some new music they have been working on and it is great!!  Chris was even on stage by himself for a couple songs...playing his guitar and singing.  That was nice!

The band came back out and jammed for a little while longer and then sadly the show ended with the band taking their bows.

I have to give a shout out to SafetySuit.  They were the band that opened for Daughtry.  They are what I would call alternative.  This was the first time I had heard of them.  I have downloaded both of their albums to my iphone and have not stopped listening to them!  Love, love, love them!!!  I definitely want to see them again.  They originated out of Oklahoma, but they now call Nashville, TN home, which is a stones throw away from where I live.

The guitarist on the left was so much fun to watch! He would jump and spin in circles while he would play.  He was a lot of entertainment! 

This is Doug Brown, singer/guitarist, out in the crowd singing.  =)

JMD

 

YouTube Thursdays

This week's video was first uploaded to YouTube on 01.10.12, so you may have seen this one. 

It is called "Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus."

This is powerful.

This video has over 20 million views!!

Below I have copied and pasted what he wrote to go along with the video for you to read before you watch.  The video made such an impact there is now apparel for sale (link is below). 

"A poem I wrote to highlight the difference between Jesus and false religion. In the scriptures Jesus received the most opposition from the most religious people of his day. At it's core Jesus' gospel and the good news of the Cross is in pure opposition to self-righteousness/self-justification. Religion is man centered, Jesus is God-centered. This poem highlights my journey to discover this truth. Religion either ends in pride or despair. Pride because you make a list and can do it and act better than everyone, or despair because you can't do your own list of rules and feel "not good enough" for God. With Jesus though you have humble confident joy because He represents you, you don't represent yourself and His sacrifice is perfect putting us in perfect standing with God the Father."
(source)

Wanna support a good cause and also wear something that sparks conversation? Peep the Jesus is greater than religion shirts. (a fat chunk of proceeds goes to sustaining and providing resources, food, and help to homeless and downtrodden. Read more about where the proceeds go under '3Sixty house' on site!) - http://www.gratefulapparel.com/product/jesus-religion

JMD

Instagram

                                                                          (source)

When I posted this post, I mentioned Instagram.  It is a free photo sharing application that allows users to take a photo, apply a filter, then share it on a variety of social networking services including Instragram's own.  It is typically used by mobile device cameras.  You can follow people and see their pictures when they post them and vice versa.  Instagram is compatible with any iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch running iOS 3.1.2 or above.  You can download it from the Apple App Store.  An Android version is currently under a private beta test.  No final release date has yet been confirmed.  

Below are some examples of different filters you can put on pictures.  There are 18 different filters.  I am not going to show all 18, just enough to give you an idea.  Note: I am using the same picture for the different filters to show how the filters change the look of the picture.


                                                                          Normal

This is the picture as is.

X-Pro II

This has a black frame around the picture.

Sierra

This has a white frame around the picture.

Lo-Fi

This has a black sketchy frame around it.

Earlybird

This has a white frame like above, but with rounded corners.

Inkwell

Black and White

Nashville

Not sure how to explain this one, but you can see it. =)

Kelvin

This has an etchy frame around it.

  Another difference in these pictures that you probably noticed is the color.  My favorite out of these I shared with you is the last one, Kelvin.  Look how the flower is popping!  It almost looks like the flower and grass around it are 3-D. 

Do you have Instragram?  Do you like it?  What other photo sharing applications do you use?

JMD

Wordless Wednesday

JMD

YouTube Thursday

Last week I introduced you to Anjelah Johnson.  I hope you enjoyed that video.  My sisters and I use quotes from that video to each other like "Saacccurrrity!!!" and "No! You can have a coke!"  This past January, I saw Anjelah perform and she announced that Bon Qui Qui would be coming out with some iTunes.  Well, Bon Qui Qui has not disappointed!  Enjoy!

JMD

Wordless Wednesday

JMD

Peyton

Well, we as Tennesseans, all at some point yesterday heard the news that Peyton Manning decided to join the Denver Broncos.  Some people are happy.  Some people are sad.  Some people are a.n.g.r.y.  I was listening to one of our local talk radio stations yesterday.  People were calling in saying how Peyton owes us because he went to UT Knoxville, etc.  Jad and I own PSLs and we were excited about the idea of Peyton becoming a Titan.  So, I have to admit I was disappointed when I heard, but I will be the first to say that Peyton does not owe us anything.  I cannot imagine how hard these past few weeks have been for this man.  Jad made a very good point about Peyton's decision.  He said that when Peyton left the Colts, he said, "I'll always be a Colt. I always will be. That'll never change."  Jad pointed out the fact that the Titans are in the same division as the Colts.  Therefore, if Peyton were to play for the Titans, he would have to go up against the Colts and that is probably the reason why he decided to play for the Broncos.*  I wish Peyton Manning the best of luck and hope for no injuries to him. 

JMD

*This is only my husband's opinion and he is not in any way affiliated with the NFL.

The Sweetest Thing

My husband and I will celebrate our 6th wedding anniversary in April this year.  Of course, like any couple, we have had our ups and downs.  However, my husband, whom I will refer to as Jad is so sweet.  He spoils me.  He caters to me.  If I want or need something, he does whatever needs to be done to make sure I get it.  I am one lucky gal!  To make a point to telling you all of this, we found out this week that Jad had the early onset of Parkinson's Disease (PD).  He's only 37!!  We are very saddened by this diagnosis, but we know that God will not give us more than we can handle.  I told Jad that we will take one day at a time and that it won't all happen tomorrow.  Well, the other night I was sitting on the couch.  I went to get up to get something.  Jad was already up and told me to sit down and that he would get it.  I told him he didn't have to and that I would get it.  He came over to me, leaned down and whispered in my ear, "Let me take care of you while I can."  I just hugged him so tight!  That was the sweetest thing!!!  He likes doing things for me because he knows one day he might not be able to.

I started this blog not knowing which direction it would take.  It looks like to me, it is going to be about life and that is perfectly fine with me.

JMD

YouTube Thursday

If you do not know who Anjelah Johnson is, you are in for a treat!  She is a comedienne that I have had the pleasure of going to see in person twice.  I am sharing with you one of her skits that she did on MadTV.  The number one thing I like about Anjelah is that all of her comedy is clean.  In watching her standups, youtube videos, etc. I have not heard any curse words.  Enjoy this video!

JMD

Wordless Wednesday

JMD

YouTube Thursday

Yesterday I posted a picture on Instagram (I'll post on that later) and I kept seeing people talking about "Kony" this and "Kony" that, then one person said to look up "Kony 2012" on YouTube.  So, I did.  WOW!  Powerful.  It is about children in Uganda being abducted and made to be soldiers and kill.  The army is called LRA and is lead by Joseph Kony.  Please take 30 minutes out of your day and watch this.  Share the video on your social networks (Facebook, Twitter, Blog, etc.) to help get the word out.  The purpose is to make Joseph Kony famous, not to celebrate him, but to raise support for his arrest.
Thank you.

JMD

Wordless Wednesday

JMD

101 in 1001

As I stated in my 1st post, I had another blog that I deleted.  On that blog, I had what is called "101 in 1001."  This is sort of like a bucket list, but on a much smaller scale.  You list 101 things that you want to accomplish in 1001 days, which comes to about 3 1/2 years.  When I first heard of the idea I was so excited!!!  I started writing things down that I wanted to do and I easily came up with 101.  I posted the list on my other blog and I would read it often and felt so good when I was able to cross something off.  I want to include it on this blog as well.  I am going to put the list below, but I am also going to put a link to this post on a tab above in case you would like to see my progress.  I started my 101 in 1001 on 09/09/2010 and the 1001 days are over on 06/07/2013. 

In Progress
Completed

1. Bake Christmas Cookies  Dec '12
2. Go on a weekend getaway with my hubby 11/03/11 - 11/05/11
3. Start a Project Life book
4. Read the Bible cover to cover
5. Make Chocolate and Biscuit using my Mom's recipe
6. Start a Blog 09/10/10 (deleted that one) 03/05/12 (started this one)
7. Go to a drive-in movie
8. Organize my scrapbook supplies
9. Craft some all-occasion cards to have on hand
10. Take some college courses
11. Run a 5k 02/11/12
12. Reach my goal weight  34/60lbs lost
13. Start exercising at the Rec Center at work
14. Finish Wedding scrapbook
15. Finish Honeymoon scrapbook
16. Finish Disney scrapbook
17. Paint a picture 09/09/10, 10/05/10
18. Watch all "24" episodes on DVD
19. Watch all CSI (original) episodes on DVD
20. Frame and hang pictures in house
21. Go on a real picnic
22. Go to a wine tasting
23. Find a wine that I like
24. Go to New York
25. Learn to use my camera better
26. Get out of debt Started Dave Ramsey 01/2011
27. Do a month of menu planning
28. Clean out garage
29. Make homemade caramel apples
30. Get a cute haircut
31. Watch all of AFI's Top 100 Movies [even the ones I've seen] 2/100
32. Take a Zumba Class 11/12/11
33. Have a candlelight dinner with my hubby
34.
35. Write a living will
36. Get $1,000 in Savings 03/2012
37. Read all the Harry Potter books
38. Participate in Operational Beautiful
39. Cook 10 New Recipes 4/10
40. Go to a MTSU Football game 11/05/11
41. Go to a UT Football game 11/05/11
42. Pay for someone else's food behind me in the drive thru 12/01/10
43. Go to Las Vegas
44. Tie a note to a balloon and let it go 09/11/10
45. Sell something on Ebay
46. Write down everything that happens on 10/10/10, 11/11/11, 12/12/12
47. Answer the "50 Questions that Will Free Your Mind"
48. Put away $10 for each completed task $0/$1010
49. Take a Sign Language course
50. Sleep in a hammock
51. Go on a bike ride
52. Get a family portrait taken
53. Do 10 things from Pinterest 12/10
54. Send a message in a bottle
55. Start a savings account for my 2 sons
56. Organize my pictures
57. Leave a 100% tip
58. Read 5 books from the Banned Book List 0/5
59. Finish a 1000+ piece jigsaw puzzle
60. Try 5 new restaurants 5/5
61. Take a picture of each letter of the alphabet 1/26
62. Take the "5000 Question Survey" 1000/5000
63. Send flowers to someone anonymously
64. Ride on a train Thomas the Train 08/2011
65. Stay in a Bed & Breakfast
66. Get a couple's massage with my hubby
67. Write a letter to myself to be opened at the end of the 1001 days http://www.futureme.org/
68. Make someone a birthday cake
69. Sign up for http://www.goodreads.com/ and keep track of the books I read
70. Donate 1,000,000 grains of rice on http://www.freerice.com/ 7,700/1,000,000
71. Donate 101 boxes to Goodwill 2/101
72. Put a vinyl clock on my wall in my house
73. Make 1 thing from http://www.instructables.com/ 1/1
74. Do the 200 squats challenge (they actually have an iPod app for this!!)
75. Do the 200 sit ups challenge
76. Stop biting nails
77. Quit smoking 01/02/12
78. Color an entire coloring book start to finish
79. Attend a weekend scrapbook crop
80. Have a cooking day where I fill the freezer with meals
81. Watch 26 movies that I've never seen starting with each letter of the alphabet 1/26
82. Go to a Trans Siberian Orchestra concert
83. Use my chocolate fountain 03/2011
84. Make 5 new recipes in my Slow Cooker 3/5
85. Find a new tea room for my Mom, Sisters and I to go to
86. Get a fondue set 12/25/10
87. Start an address book
88. Send a care package to a soldier that I do not know
89. Go see a play at TPAC
90. Lay on the grass and watch the clouds for at least 1 hour
91. Take my sons to the zoo
92. Buy flowers and give them to a stranger
93. Go on a road trip with Lisa R.  02/08/13
94. Post something of my own on Pinterest  04/22/12
95. Start an Etsy shop  Mayvis Creations
96. Complete the 31 Days to a Better Blog 1/31
97. Cook steak kabobs
98. Make homemade bread
99. Reach my 101st blog post  86/101
100. Inspire someone to do the 101 in 1001 list 09/29/10
101. Start a new 101 in 1001 list on 06/07/13

JMD

Welcome!

Hi and Welcome.  I am happy to say I am contributing to the blogger world.  I started another blog awhile back, but I wasn't consistent with it.  So, I decided to just delete it and start fresh with this one and I really want to be consistent with this one.  I want to invite you in to follow along with me in this journey I call "life" where no telling what is going to happen.  So, may the highs and lows and random things that life throws at me begin.  =)

JMD