Category Archives: Taste This

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My Dog is a Diva

It was 2:00 p.m. when I first heard Lucy, my Shih-Tzu, start whining.

I scooted over to the door to see if she needed to go out. Using my most singsong-y voice, I invited her into the back yard. She stood stock still. No movement. Again I sang. No movement. Only whining from deep in the bottom of her throat.

“What is it, girl?”

Concerned that maybe I forgot to feed her, I went into the laundry room and checked her silver, crown-embossed bowls (I wish I was kidding, but no, the Queen has standards. At least they aren’t sterling?)

Lucy, on her satin pillow. Fitting.

Lucy, on her satin pillow. Fitting.

Her bowls were filled to the brim. But just in case Miss Priss knew something I didn’t, I emptied the water bowl and refilled them again, topping off the food.

She stood by the laundry room door and continued to whimper. Each whine more pitiful than the last. This time, I chose to ignore the whining and trudged back to my office.

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What Gutsy Really Looks Like

Her name is Sharon. I met her in South Bend, Indiana.

Sharon signed up as a volunteer to help at Fresh Grounded Faith a few months ago. Everything was going well until a week before the event. Her husband had a heart attack. Suddenly, without warning, he was gone.

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I didn’t expect to meet Sharon after hearing her story. I would have completely understood why she would have chosen not to volunteer or even attend the event with such a recent, life-altering loss.

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I Want To Be Like My Son When I Grow Up

Clayton is an intelligent, thoughtful, contemplative young man. He’s always been a thinker.

When he was born, friends told me that even his little baby face looked “so serious.” Clayton is a smart guy. Chances are, whatever the topic of discussion, Clayton knows something about it … something useful, interesting.

The day I held my son in my arms for the very first time. There aren't words to describe the moment.

The day I held my son child in my arms for the very first times. There aren’t words to describe the moment.

When we traveled on a family cruise this past summer, we didn’t even miss having the use of our phones for the internet because we had Clayton with us. As we said, “Who needs Google when you’ve got Clayton!”

When an opinionated person chooses to restrain thoughts, it shows a ton of self-control and thoughtfulness toward others.
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I’ve learned from him. One thing he’s taught me is even though I may know more, I don’t have to share it. Clayton’s opinions are usually very thought-out, but he isn’t quick to begin lectures on the subject. As he’s matured, he shows other-centered restraint when it comes to dispensing his opinion. What a great example that is to me.

Clayton 4

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Eli Took a Gutsy Dare

Eli travels with us to our Fresh Grounded Faith conferences, and is such a HOOT! We love him. He is a representative from Compassion International, one of my all-time favorite causes and one we like to talk about at FGF.

I surprised him on stage with an opportunity … okay, a dare.

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I asked him, in front of all the women so he couldn’t say no, if the ladies sponsored 50 kids, would he wear one of our Gutsy Girl tee shirts on stage?

The women roared with approval. He reluctantly agreed.

Well, since that went so well, I decided to step up the wager. I asked him, if the women sponsor 60 women, would he stand on stage in his new shirt and sing for us?

The women roared even louder. I’m afraid the poor guy had no choice but to agree!

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Montgomery Girls Are Sweeter Than Iced Tea at FGF

What is sweeter than southern iced tea?

The beautiful Meredith and Stormie during a little Spill the Beans segment of FGF in Montgomery, AL. Check out my gold heels!

The beautiful Meredith and Stormie during a little Spill the Beans segment of FGF in Montgomery, AL.

How about the 1200 women who gathered at Vaughn Forest Church in Montgomery, Alabama for Fresh Grounded Faith this past weekend! That’s what!

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My Favorite 100 Calorie Snacks

Put down your Oreo. I have some important news.

Biscotti, crackers and chocolate-covered pretzels = heaven.

Biscotti, crackers and chocolate-covered pretzels = heaven.

Dr. Michael Roizen, Chief Wellness Officer at the Cleveland Clinic, says that every 10 years after the age of 35, women lose about five percent of their muscle mass. This matters a lot–not because you and I want to look like buff beauties, but because muscle burns more calories than fat does. If we have less muscle mass, we will consequently have a greater tendency to gain weight.

Bad news, I know.