My Internet Life

Today I wanted to recap a few of the many things that hold my interest online. Since I'm no longer working or raising kids or in a relationship or really able to go to movies or out to eat or to church or pretty much do anything at all without pain, a great deal of my life is screen time. I'm including links so you can check a few of these out for yourself. 

The Lord bless you and keep you;
 The Lord make His face shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
 The Lord lift up His countenance upon you,
And give you peace.

Numbers 6:24-26

www.Lorialexander.blogspot.com posted the verse above today and it really touched me. Right after Darby and I split his 9 year old son's mom suddenly and tragically passed away as a complication of childbirth. After the memorial service I had a few minutes to enjoy her newborn son and this passage is what I prayed over him. I didn't even know the scripture reference (as you normally would when you share a bible verse) I just knew it in my heart and I felt that was God's special blessing on this baby boy. The reason I read this blog is because she frequently hits those special notes with me on spiritual matters. 

Big Brother has loooong been a favorite Summer past time of mine. This season is shaping up to be one of the better ones. There are a few folks in there who are blatantly racist and rude and to their misfortune, they have (unbeknownst to them) lost their jobs "on the outside". But the great thing is that good is triumphing over evil... and having true villains in the game makes for such great tv watching! You can purchase the live feeds and watch what they do 24/7 but I can't justify such a splurge. Instead, I have a few favorite recap sites: www.hamsterwatch.com and www.bbdish.blogspot.com which both keep me informed and save me from sitting in front of the computer all day (ok, that's not true- I'm still in front of the computer all day). Also, during the insomnia hours the live feed is on tv for free on channel TVGN, if you have that. 

I mentioned my aggravation with Castleville. I keep trying everyday but by the second time it freezes up I give up. Instead I've been reading more and more and more blogs every day. The funniest and my current favorite is mommy blogger Grace Patton at www.camppatton.com. Grace is a cradle Catholic who grew up and married the son of her godparents who just happens to be a very, very funny OB/GYN in training. (He's in Residency, I guess that makes him a real doctor not just a doctor in training). They have three kids already - 2, 1 and six months - and you get a  hilarious peek into the not-so-glamorous life of a doctor's wife. Funniest entries are "Simon Says". For realz. You must search the archives for them, they crack me UP!

Another Catholic mommy of three is "Martha" (not her real name) who blogs at www.fabricsandfun.wordpress.com. Likewise, she is a mother of three, the youngest who has a very serious, scary, rare illness that they are unable to get a clear diagnosis on. What I love is that her faith is strong and her attitude is remarkable. Despite the many challenges and heartaches they're facing, in between hospital stays she will have great completely normal life entries. I have a soft spot in my heart for mommies of three boys and I have really tried to support this sweet family with encouragement and prayer. 

I've mentioned this site before but it bears repeating: I love www.zulily.com! They offer really great discounted prices on clothes, shoes and home goods. My sketchers that I got there for a steal are my favorite shoes. If you want to buy from there let me send you and invite because it will earn me $20. I WOULD LOVE to have a little free consumer therapy. 

I also love www.asos.com. I have not yet bought from them but they have really stylish clothes that get deeply discounted at times. They have a plus size - "curve" division and it's one of those rare places that you can get clothes for big girls that don't look like they were made by Omar the Tentmaker. It's my favorite place to "window shop".  There is this gorgeous green dress that is on sale right now for $21.21 and I am very tempted to buy because it would totally fit my style, both lounging and "Sunday/go-to-meeting". I could easily see this dress with my go-to-look of tights and mary janes in the Winter. I could totally lounge around the nest in this. I'm telling you, I'm mighty tempted. Since I'm short, this would hit me below the knee, which I also like. I'm debating...

Speaking of style feels a little hypocritical as I am currently wearing light blue stretchy capris that I got at the thrift store with a long t-shirt layered under a darker blue t-shirt with my still wet from the shower hair in a side ponytail which will evolve to a side braid in a few minutes whenever I get up again. However, I do think that by the time you get to be my age, like it or not, good or bad, you have developed a personal style. Mine leans toward feminine but comfy, soft fabrics, non-tailored things. I'm more likely to be in dresses than pants or shorts. I love layering cardigans or my new soft, lightweight hoodie with dresses, even in the Summer (that indoor a/c is always too cool for me). There is this really cool mega-blogger who posts what she wears everyday. She is a fashion designer and a great seamstress so a lot of her stuff is unique and individual and not available in stores - and of course she's not shopping in the Plus department BUT she gives a lot of styling tips and ideas and has a slant toward vintage, classic clothing, which I love. Check her out at http://whatiwore.tumblr.com. 

And of course, I am still plugging away at cleaning up the family tree I have assembled at www.ancestry.com. If you've ever wondered it if would be worth your time/money, I would encourage you to do the two week free trial just to see how far you can get. IF it ends up being interesting to you, then maybe it would be worth it to purchase a subscription. I'm super frugal and will hardly never pay for any content online but this has been sooo worth it to me. 

I hope you'll check a few of these links out for yourself. Let me know what you think! I've also got a list of blogs on the left side of this page that is only a small fraction of the blogs I read regularly. If you have any places you would like me to check out, let me know. Gotta pass the time somehow and I feel like it keeps my mind engaged. 

Happy Weekend! Love and hugs, y'all!