Be Still My Soul

1. Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;

Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly, Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

2. Be still, my soul; thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

3. Be still, my soul, though dearest friends depart
And all is darkened in the vale of tears;
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrows and thy fears.
Be still, my soul; thy Jesus can repay
From His own fulness all He takes away.

4. Be still, my soul; the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

What Drives Edward May Soon Drive You

OK, really?!? I love this. AMAZING! Claire... you can win this one!!!!

What drives Edward Cullen may soon drive you

Provided by Volvo

Know what Edward Cullen drives? Volvo is putting a challenge out to all Twilight fans by launching a new online promotion in conjunction with the release of Summit Entertainment's The Twilight Saga: New Moon. Fans can visit http://www.whatdrivesedward.com/ and enter for a chance to win a pair of tickets to The Twilight Saga: New Moon world premiere in Los Angeles on Nov. 16 and an opportunity to meet select members of the New Moon cast.

Starting November 1, fans have the chance to win a shiny new Volvo XC60 just like the one Edward drives in New Moon. By logging ontohttp://www.whatdrivesedward.com/ and putting their Twilight saga knowledge to the test in an interactive game-like contest, fans will be in the running for Volvo's newest, highly acclaimed crossover featuring City Safety, a unique safety system designed to help the driver avoid or reduce low-speed collisions that are common in city traffic.

"Volvo is central to Edward's character in the Twilight saga," said Doug Speck, president and CEO of Volvo Cars of North America. "One lucky fan will be the first to solve all of the puzzles in Volvo's What Drives Edward contest and win a new XC60. While the XC60 doesn't come equipped with a vampire, the winner will experience the power, beauty and protection that is Volvo-and it will transport them to all of their great moments in life."

How the Volvo What Drives Edward Contest Works

Starting Nov. 1, players can register athttp://www.whatdrivesedward.com/ and will receive clues to help solve a series of puzzles. Since the puzzles increase in difficulty, players are encouraged to exchange hints through Facebook, Twitter and MySpace. The contest runs for three weeks from November 1 through November 23.

In addition to the contest, fans can watch trailers from the film, check out photos in the gallery and download New Moon-themed desktop wallpapers at http://www.whatdrivesedward.com/.

Fans that don't win the online contest and want their own new shiny Volvo XC60, just like the one Edward drives, can visit a local Volvo retailer or go to www.volvocars.com/us to build their own. Edward's XC60 features the Saville Grey metallic exterior, a sandstone beige/espresso interior, a cream leather steering wheel,19-inch Achilles diamond cut wheels and exterior accessories such as side scuff plates, front bumper bar and rear skid plates.

In addition to the United States the online promotion will run in Canada, the United Kingdom and France where fans in those countries collectively will have a chance to win two tickets to the world premiere and a winner in each country will be awarded a shiny new Volvo. Fans in Germany will be able to compete in the online game and win a car as well.

The Twilight Saga:New Moon opens in U.S. theaters November 20. In the film directed by Chris Weitz and starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner, the romance between mortal and vampire soars to a new level as Bella Swan (Stewart) delves deeper into the mysteries of the supernatural world she yearns to become part of-only to find herself in greater peril than ever before. Following Edward Cullen's (Pattinson) departure from Forks, Washington, Bella discovers his image comes to her whenever she puts herself in jeopardy. In time Bella's frozen heart is gradually thawed by her budding relationship with Jacob Black (Lautner) who has a supernatural secret of his own

How Firm A Foundation

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, 
Is laid up for faith in God's excellent word! 
What more can He say, than to you He has said --- 
You who to the Saviour for refuge have fled? 

In every condition, in sickness, in health; 
In poverty's vale, or abounding in wealth; 
At home, or abroad; on the land, on the sea; 
As need may demand shall our strength ever be. 

If through the deep waters He cause us to go, 
The rivers of grief shall not overflow; 
And He will be with us in troubles to bless, 
And sanctify to us our deepest distress. 

If through fiery trials our pathway should lie, 
His grace all-sufficient shall be our supply; 
The flame shall not hurt us; His only design 
Is the dross to consume and the gold to refine. 

Fear not, He is with us; oh, be not dismayed! 
For He is our God, and will still be our aid; 
He'll strengthen us, help us, and cause us to stand, 
Upheld by His gracious omnipotent hand. 

The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose, 
He will not (He's said it) give up to its foes; 
That soul, though all hell should endeavour to shake, 
He'll never --- no, never --- no, never forsake. 

Marisa (or Jessica)'s House of Dreams

Last night I went to Mom and Dad's after work to say hi... it turned out that Dad and Eric had to go to meeting at church so Mom, Jess, Joanna and the kids and I went to Noodles and Co for dinner.  Then in hopes that some cranky children (ie Ava) would go to sleep we took the long way home.  We pulled into a new little neighborhood.  Beautiful custom homes... I was in love.  I saw through the trees a red house and asked Joanna to go towards it.  It was a new house with a for sales sign in front.  As we were getting ready to pull away I saw their were some fliers in the front of the house.  I asked Joanna to back up so I could get one of the fliers.  As Joanna got out to get one for me (since I was wedge in between two car seats in the middle seat of the van) a white truck pulled in front of the van.  A man rolled down the window and asked if we wanted to see the inside of the house.  We said yes (Joanna did explain we were just looking but he seemed happy to let us see it).  Mom, Jess and I got out while Joanna waited in the car with the kids.  After being in the house for about 5 minutes the builder asked if we would be willing to lock up for him.  Ummmm... yes... of course.  So he left us in the house with the key in my hot little hands.  Heaven, I'm in heaven.  Of course when he left, we figured it was safe to let the kids run loose.  We all had a great time and loved this house.  My only regret was no pictures.  The Pink Crackberry was being moody.  

There was a little debate who this dream house really belonged to...Marisa?  Jessica?  Only time will tell which Garofalo sister wins this one. Let's be honest, probably neither of us. Sigh!!!! Maybe you?  Well, if anyone wants to spend $539,247  on a Single Family Home in Midlothian, VA.  I know of a great 3051 sq ft home with living room, dining room, family room, awesome kitchen with marble counters and chrome appliances, 

mud room, full laundry room,  vaulted ceiling, hardwood floors downstairs, wall to wall carpeting upstairs,  4 bedrooms,  3 1 ½Bathrooms and 2 car garage. MLS#: 2909

448.  I deserve a finders fee if any one settled into this great community b/c of my long overdue blogging. 

(I found this picture online... this is unfinished. It has a porch and a yard now.  So cute!)

 http://www.homesandland.com/Real_Estate/VA/City/Midlothian/ListingId/13101063.html 

Awesome

This is just so dumb... but you all know I act like a 15 year old girl... so I love it.  

Deep Thoughts From Brandon Walsh

It should be no surprise that I am a fan of some old school 90210.  Today I was watching some circa 1996 episodes and I got some well needed words of wisdom:

Every lifetime has it's rainy season.  This is your rainy season... your sunny days are right around he corner.  

I liked it.  While I have tried to deceive you in my title... this was not uttered by Brandon Walsh.  He woulda.  He shoulda.  I am going to give him the credit for it since he directed the episode.  

My Latest Addiction

Check out my new Pink Blackberry!

  I had PLANNED to get a regular ol' phone but how do you 

  go back to a plain phone after having a TREO?!  Silly Risa!  

25 Reasons Why I Am Not Married

Tonight my roommate Claire and I were talking about a "note" entitled "25 Things About Me" that was circulating through all of our friends on Facebook.  Some of you know what I am talking about.  Anyway, I told Claire I was pretty sure I could come up with my own list "25 Reasons Why I Am Not Married"... Yes, Claire, I came up with 25 reasons and here they are (and these are in no specific order- at least not on purpose)

1. LOST

2. One Tree Hill

3. Bromance

4. American Idol

5. The Office

6.  The Hills

7. Samantha Who

8. Grey's Anatomy

9. Private Practice

10. That 70's Show

11. Run's House

12.Keeping Up With The Kardashians

13. Everybody Loves Raymond

14. Alias

15. Diners, Drive-In's and Dives

16. What Not To Wear

17. The City

18. 30 Minute Meals

19. Scrubs

20. Charmed

21. The Castle

22. Fringe

23. People's Court

24. Every Day Italian

25.My Name Is Earl

So these are 25 TV shows that I watch on either a regular or semi-regular basis... oh and there is one that I am excited to start watching.  REALLY?!?!  SERIOUSLY?!?!  Yup.  It's true.  I have two words for you... NO WONDER.  I am going to be honest, I am sure this is not all.  There are other TV show I watch but these are the ones I thought of pretty easily.  We're not even talking about scandalous number of DVD's I own. Now is the icing... I just don't think I care. I love TV.  I am not sure this revelation with make me shun my couch potato tendencies. 

Dad: Our Favorite Reluctant Patient

I am probably gonna get in trouble for this but it's my blog and I can write whatever I want, right?!!?!

For those who haven't heard, my Dad has been in the hospital since Wednesday afternoon.  While at work he started to feel a bit weak and faint.  He tried to call his cousin Stephen who also works at the Prison, but he couldn't dial the extension.  He told his inmate clerk that he wasn't feeling well and shortly after began vomiting blood and passed out.  He also, possibly suffered a small seizure.  Dad's clerk took his radio and shop keys from him and called for the institutions medic on the radio and then dialed 911 to call the ambulance.  Fortunately, Stephen was close by and was able to get over to the shop quickly and found Dad's students trying to help him and praying for him.   When the ambulance came Dad was rushed to St Francis hospital located about 2 minutes from Mom and Dad's house.  

The doctor's did a test on Wednesday night (we'll see if I can get this all right) where they used a laparscopic scope through his throat into his stomach to see where the bleeding was originating.  The belief was he was suffering from a bleeding ulcer.  They had some trouble determining exactly what was going on b/c there was a clot found at the base of his esophagus but they were unsure what the clot was covering.  Then plan was to go in again Thursday or Friday to get a better look.  

Last night around 5pm they were able to go back and look at the clot and Dad's stomach.  This time they found varicose type veins on the outside of his stomach... a place where they shouldn't normally be.  It can be the symptoms of some pretty serious things but we won't dwell on those now.  The doctors have looked at his heart, his liver and are continuing to do test so they can find out how best to help Dad. 

Dad is not the most cooperative patient.  When he was 1st admitted he was trying to convince them to let him go home that night... right Dad! He tried flirting with one of the nurses... no luck.  After his procedure on Wednesday night he got a little combative with the hospital staff.  We are sure this was a side effect of the medication they gave him.  Mom was able to go in and get him a bit calmer and stayed with him through the night.  He slept a lot yesterday and I am not sure how much of the day he really remembers.  Today he seems a bit more like himself.   He said, maybe I'll go home tomorrow.  Ahhh... baby steps.  

We are all very thankful to the wonderful friends and family who have kept Mark in their prayers and we ask for you to continue to do so.  Hopefully we will get some idea of what the causes of Mark's condition soon.  

A Very Merry Daughter of the Bride?

Over Christmas I watched A LOT of cheesy Christmas movie.  One night I watched one on Lifetime called A Very Merry Daughter of the Bride.  The whole time I was watching it I felt like I knew the "daughter of the bride"  but I couldn't quite put my finger on where I knew her from.  

          Samantha from Bewitched?  No. 

               Jennie Garth (see here with Luke Perry)?  Not it.  

                Then it hit me...

Barbie!