Casting Call...

This might be interesting. We received an email today from a casting producer with Shed Media US, producers of ABC'S "Supernanny", Bravo's "Bethenny Getting Married?", and Animal Planet's "It's Me Or The Dog". They're currently casting a new relationship docu-series for married couples who want to reconnect and rekindle their love lives. The series will involve a 7 day challenge that will include romantic homework assignments and a romantic getaway to recapture the passion that brought them together. They're looking for local Los Angeles couples and there is compensation. By 'local', they mean they'll consider couples within a 30 mile radius of Los Angeles.

If this sounds like something you'd like to find out more about, contact Annette Ivy immediately at aivy@shedmediaus.com or call her at 323-904-4680 x1061

Michael and I spoke with her for about 20 minutes today. There is a sort of selection process and if chosen, there will be filming involved not just of the couple but also of what goes on in their daily lives that contributes to the emotional/physical disconnect they're experiencing with one another; i.e., kids, work, interactions, etc.

Be Mine....

Believe it or not, Michael and I haven't had an extended period of time together, alone, since before our youngest was born. So when we were planning our trip to Washington for the marriage seminar, we decided to stay over a few extra days and hang out in Seattle.

Today couldn't have been a better Valentine's Day! We spent the entire day together just meandering through the city, going to the Pike Market, nibbling tasty treats, shopping, going to the movies, out for coffee, out for dinner....sigh....so much fun!

We wanted to share some of what today has looked like so here's some pics we took while out today. You'll see the foodie side of me surfacing here and Michael indulges me. He loves it! (he better, smile!).

sweet meringues

my valentine

delicious fresh fish

lovely lobster

our lunch...fresh crab cocktail

vibrant veggies

luscious fresh fruit

the greatest cooking store ever

michael's favorite

like a kid in a candy store

flower loveliness

love this! look at these 'last minute' guys

gorgeous cheeses

we just wanted to taste all of these!

evoo...one of our faves

salty yumminess

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Do Or Do Not ~ There Is No Try...

Now that I've gotten the attention of any Star Wars fans who may read our blog, you may know that Jesus says something similar (sans Yoda speak) in Revelation when He's addressing one of the seven churches:

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot.
I wish you were either one or the other! So, because
you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about
to spit you out of my mouth. Rev. 3:15-16

We often tell husbands to make a decision to either do this or not, that is, become a Christlike husband and be with his wife the way God calls him to, because if he's just half in, or just trying, or only lukewarm, he might as well forget it. The worst thing he can do is just enough to get by...just enough to get his wife feeling somewhat safe again...just enough to get back into the house (and into her bed)...and then...

stop.

I really do mean this. It's the absolute worst.

So, husband, if you know you're not going to love your wife unconditionally (for the rest of your life) or lay your life down for her (for the rest of your life) or live with her in understanding (for the rest of your life) or make her your number one priority (for the rest of your life) then have the balls to tell her because lukewarm just doesn't cut it. It's not worth it for you or her. Nor your kids for that matter. Or your family or your church family or your job or the world.

I'm just sayin'.

Coffee should be drunk while it's hot; iced tea while it's cold. Get the picture?

Venus At A Mirror...

If you're one of my Facebook friends you may have read my recent little update where I lamented the thickness of my waistline and my difficulty in finding something to wear:

"so i was out clothes shopping today and ended up completely frustrated and empty-handed. everything i tried on looked awful and every look in the mirror was just a reminder of how much i need to lose weight. i was going to get myself a pair of spanks but the line was too long and i didn't feel like waiting. ugh...."

A girlfriend that I went to high school with left the following comment: "Spring is coming. We are programmed to store extra weight to survive the winter. We survived. We just need to walk around a bit when it gets warmer. when I feel icky, I look at paintings by Rubens or Titian. You are so gorgeous, be healthy, but don't let the skinny trend of this century get you down."

So I went on a search which turned up the following image breathed a sigh of relief...

Venus At A Mirror
Sir Peter Paul Rubens
17th century Flemish painter
proponent of an extravagant Baroque style that
emphasized movement, color and sensuality.

movement...color....sensuality....(and full figured women) emphasized...

On the complete flip side is one of the newest reality shows called Bridalplasty where brides-to-be compete in challenges to earn plastic-surgery procedures in a quest to win their ultimate dream wedding.

What?!?

cutting....tucking....smoothing....nipping....enhancing....shrinking....

I'm sure that I don't need to tell you how lovely all of the participants were having no need for any kind of surgical procedure to enhance their beauty. It made me sad to think that somewhere in their life they came to believe ~ either by themselves or others ~ that how they looked wasn't good enough.

I tell myself the same thing. I don't know why. I have the body of venus at a mirror and want to be at least 40 pounds lighter. I have a husband who tells me every day that I'm gorgeous and sexy and beautiful; he tells me how attracted he is to me and shows me with his body almost every night. I know I'm blessed in this. Still, those thoughts creep in and wait...did you read what I just wrote?

"I have the body of Venus"

I have the body of Venus!

well....what d'ya know?