What is May 4th?

On this day in history...
1494 - Christopher Columbus discovers Jamaica (yeah mon)
1626 - What is now Manhattan was founded by Dutch explorer Peter Minuit.
1904 - Work begins on the Panama Canal.
1927 - The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was founded. (Hello Oscar!)
1942 - Battle of the Coral Sea, the first naval clash fought entirely with carrier aircraft, began during World War II.
1979 - Margaret Thatcher becomes the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

May 4th is also...
International Firefighter's Day
National Weather Observers Day (no joke)
People's Republic of China's Youth and Literary Day (known as the May Fourth Movement)
The Netherlands Rememberance of the Dead Day
Cinco De Mayo Eve (what I called it as a young girl growing up in Galveston, TX)

Oh. Its also my birthday. Whatever. :) I am claiming its my 23rd. Just go with it.

Gives a whole new meaning to an evil Easter Bunny

If there's on thing that's going to scare you on Easter, its gotta be this. Are they for real? Just creeptacular. Its like they're a machine. A lame-always-looking-for-photo-op machine. Heid-meister is starting to look plastic. Eeeew.

On that lovely note, I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter... full of family, loved ones, Olive Garden, freezing in spring dresses, napping, basketball, August Rush, and Snicker's Eggs, just like mine. But most important of all, celebrating our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He has risen indeed!

GOOD Friday

Good Friday. Have you ever wondered why it is considered "good"? What does that mean? Isn't this the day we commemorate Jesus having to die a excruciating death on a cross? That's what makes it not good, but GREAT. As humans, we are naturally depraved, selfish, sinful beings who can not comprehend what Jesus Christ did for us that day. You see, there was nothing we could do to have a relationship with God. Here we were... God's creation on earth, although created in His image, now born into sin through our father Adam, and therefore separated from God forever. He is so perfect and holy, He can have nothing to do with us. There is nothing we can do - nothing you can do - to reach Him or have a relationship with Him. By his Holy nature, its impossible.

So what now? Nothing. We're doomed. Ephesians states "...by the wages of sin is death". We all deserve eternity separated from God and we have no way to bridge that gap. That is... without the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. That is why Good Friday is so GOOD! When Jesus Christ left the throne of God to come to earth, humbling himself to become a man... however a sinless and perfect being (100% human and 100% God)... died on the cross that day, he bore the sins of the world.. of all who would believe in Him through faith as their Savior and the only way to have a relationship with God and receive eternal life. Amazing, huh? That's what makes it so great. I am sooooo undeserving. You are so undeserving. Jesus died for my sins for all time - all that I have committed and Lord knows all the ones that I will commit - IF I believe that only through my faith in Him can I have a relationship with God and spend eternity with Him in heaven. If I think I can do it on my own, through being a good person, I have nothing. I will never be good enough... never be holy enough... to deserve sanctuary with the Holy One.

As I lay here in my hotel room, I am so extremely grateful that God has enlightened me to believe truth. The grace that He has shown me is never ending, and that is something that I need to remember throughout the tough circumstances in my life. I have a gift greater than all the earthly gifts I can imagine or desire, and I have done nothing to deserve it, nothing to earn it, and can do nothing to lose it. Amazing. Jesus did this for me. He suffered all this for me. Yes its a Good Friday.

Luke 23 : 13 - 49

Frosted Lucky Charms are magically delicious!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!
May you find your pot of gold.

Haha this is an awesome video. "It could be a crackhead who got hold of the wrong stuff! It told him to get in a tree and play a leprechaun!"

There's also a rap video about the Alabama leprechaun report - it is tooooooo funny. Check it out.

Kiss me, I'm Irish (today)! :)

Summing up my thoughts on this lovely Single Awareness Day

To all my friends, family, and loved ones...

I hope you ALL have a very Merry Christmas and thoroughly enjoy spending this day with your loved ones celebrating the day of Christ's birth! I love and appreciate you all!

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this..." Isaiah 9:6-7

Advent Conspiracy

Advent Conspiracy. This is a movement I have heard about through a church I attend frequently (Ecclesia Clear Lake) and after hearing Chris Seay (pastor) speak tonight, I realized I want to share this you. A.C. is "an international movement restoring the scandal of Christmas by worshipping Jesus through compassion, not consumption.” Basically its the turning away from being consumed by commercialism this Christmas season and the thousands of dollars each family basically spends on gifts that they really do not need, to give to those who have nothing… to help those in need and focus in on what it means to be a true follower of Christ this holiday season. “Christmas was meant to change the world. It still can. Worship more. Spend less. Give more. Love all.” You can check out the website but watch the video below for the general idea… do it!

[AC] Advent Conspiracy from Jon Collins on Vimeo.

So what are you going to do with the you are not throwing away on another stocking stuffer? Well, Ecclesia Houston is working with Living Water International which is an organization that is working to provide clean water to the 1.1 billion of people in the world who live every day without it. L.W.I. believes that clean water is the first step out of poverty and to empower and enable communities. Chris Seay and a few friends of mine went to Liberia earlier this fall to visit some of the communities that L.W.I. hopes to build water wells for in the future... well you can see for yourself Chris's experience in Liberia- WATCH THIS VIDEO (please. last one!).

Now I know some of you may laugh and say that I am one of the most materialistic people you know and I am preaching to you about this - no worries I am preaching to myself here as well people! I am the first to admit that I am not the most missional minded person by any means. But thats why we all need accountability. And even though you might have all of your Christmas presents bought already (you know I don't), I wanted to give you another perspective to think on... And how badly your family really needs thaaaaat... when you could help a child have their first drink of clean water instead. You can always donate online. :) Merry Christmas.

Da Fourth

Happy Fourth of July!!!

I trust everyone had a lovely, patriotic Fourth of July yesterday (albeit rainy and gloomy here in H-town). I myself… I worked all day. Ugh. It was awful. I think I was like the only one in the city of Houston that did. When I was driving into work yesterday… friggin' ghost town. It was really weird. I absolutely love being an accountant. So yes I worked my patooty off yesterday (so much so that I think i am developing carpal tunnel) then went out to see Shae and Dash last night for a little while out in Cypress (where I finally got to play on a Wii and participate in a little old skool poppers-on-the-driveway fireworks action!). And although I thought I left in enough time to miss fireworks traffic – oh boy was I wrong. I arrived home two hours later after getting stuck in downtown’s fireworks traffic (where supposedly ghetto people just pull over the side of the freeway on I-45 and sit on top of their cars in the side lanes). Yeah wasn’t the best day of my life (besides seeing the Connells of course!). I was happy to see at least one celebrity displaying their pride for their country yesterday. Ahhhhh only reason #723 why I want to be Mrs. Timberlake.

So ho have you seen Transformers yet? Three words: GO. SEE. IT. I absolutely loved it. Loved it loved it. I guess it’s just been a long time (like since Star Wars III in 2005 long) since I walked away from a movie and could not wait to see it again. That’s how I felt about Transformers as I walked out. It’s also probably because even though I did want to see it, I didn’t have that high of expectations. So it definitely exceeded those. Yes it’s a “blockbuster” and has no Oscar-worthy plot involved, but I really enjoyed. Mr Shia LeBeouf is adorable and his face will be very much known now. (Little 20 year old hottie. And now he is filming Indiana Jones 4 with Harrison Ford. Not bad) Oh and the special effects were unreal. Have I convinced you to go see it yet? Do it. Perfect date movie. That is… if your chick is cool like me. Do you want to date me yet? No? Really? Ah well… just thought I’d try.

Birthday Weekend Extravaganzoi

Well I had a great, fun birthday weekend with oodles of my friends. On Friday night Jenn, Rachel, Jill, Jennifer and I (we missed you Erika!) went out and had a blast: serenades and blue margaritas at El Patio then...wait for it... Wild West. Boo. Yah. And wild it was. Still can't believe we made a cameo there - but we're just crazy like that I guess. Tons of fun music and shady, greasy guys. What more could a lady ask for? We had so much fun on our first girls night out in ages - you can see some pics below. I personally didnt take any (I am so not a camera person) but here are a few from Jenn's camera... I am sure there will be more coming out in the future. =) Then I was off to Cinco-de-Mayo-Ruth-Bday-Supper-Club on Saturday with the Eidsons, Connells, Jared, and new couples Craig and Lindsay and the Berrys. We had a great time with tons of food and more cake (totally went off my diet this weekend - big time!) and a few rousing rounds of Catch Phrase! I have realized that that game is not my forte. Whatever. Thanks to ALL my friends for such a fun birthday weekend. I lurve you all.

Happy Birthday to Me

Yep so it’s my birthday. Twenty-seven (twenty-seven?!?! Eek!) years ago I was born of my mother’s womb. May 4, 1980. How in the world I ended up HERE only God knows!

I have never been a big birthday person, and as years go by I become less and less fond of them as I become (old) farther and farther away from where I thought I would be in my life at my age. God obviously has a better plan for my life that is going to totally trump mine. I do appreciate my amazing family and friends that love me and I thank God that each and every one of you are in my life. Last year I didn’t get to celebrate my birthday because my dad went into the hospital (not to come out for five weeks thereafter mind you) so I am looking forward to a little more hoorah this year.

Between going out with some of my girls tonight (I am so excited! We never go out anymore!) and my T Bar M Cinco-de-Mayo-Ruth-Bday-Celebration Supper Club tomorrow night… I think its going to be a great weekend!

Happy Easter

I hope everyone is having a wonderful EASTER holiday!

Although filled with quality family times, a day off of work, and amazing arrays of chocolate, I pray that each one of us will focus on the most maginificent event in our history of which this holiday is based - the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Son of God was a completely undeserved gift that was given to us just over 2000 years ago - a perfect man dying on a cross for our sins - MY sins. If He had just died... he would have just been like any other man. But He did not stay dead. Jesus rose from the dead and therefore took on the sins of the world... for those who will come to believe in Him as their personal Savior and only way to have a relationship with God. Since we are naturally sinful, we are seperated from having a relationship with God. There's nothing we, by ourselves, can do about it. It doesn't matter how good or bad we are... how big or little we think our sins are. The only thing or person who can bridge that gap between us and God is Jesus Christ... his perfect life, death and resurrection. Believing in Him is the only way to obtain salvation and therefore an eternal life and relationship with the Lord. Who wants to be seperated from God forever? I just hope we can all take this day and celebrate it for what it is - the day our Savior rose from the dead!!!

Happy New Year

Another year gone by… I, for one, am not sad AT ALL to see 2006 end. Bring on a new year baby! New everything please.

Well, I joined in the New Year celebration with the Second Annual Magnone-Salters (soon to be solely Magnone) New Years Eve Bash on Sunday night. Fun was had by all- lots of good food, drinks, friends, and dancing (yes I did my absolute best to keep the dancing to the bare minimum with my gimp back…. But you know me… and yes I paid for it when I woke up in more pain than usual Monday morning). I am not a big picture taker (I guess the proper word would be photographer but whatever) but below are a few… but check out Jenn’s blog for a more comprehensive batch of pics. Thanks for a great time Marc and Jenn!

Happy New Year to all!



Why is Jenn's face all blurry? I do not know. Maybe she was surrounded by smoke or something. She's crazy like that.

Merry CHRISTmas!!!

I wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas!!! I hope each and every one of you have a wonderul time with your families and get all the gifts you are dying to get (I can not wait to finally get my jacket I know Santa is bringing me. Eeek! haha I cheat what can I say).

However, first and foremost I hope each and every one of you can take time and step back to remember and relish the Reason for this extraordinary celebration we have every year. About two centuries ago, we received the greatest gift ever given to this earth: God gave us a Savior. God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to leave His side in heaven to come be with us on earth. Not just to be here, but He was sent with a purpose. To save us. We are sinners with no way to pay the price for what we have all done, so Jesus came to die to pay our price. What more wonderful of a gift can I or you ever ask for? So please spend some time marinating on this. When you go to Christmas Eve service tonight with your families and hear The Christmas Story, realize that its a TRUE story! It came straight from God's lips. Its not a sentimental past time that has been passed on over the years to recite around this time of year so we dont feel selfish about focusing on presents. God Word says:

"So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told." Luke 2:4-20

Merry Christmas. xo
Ruthie

All I want for Xmas is McSteamy

Seriously. Thats all I want. I feel we have simply not had enough McSteamy in our lives lately... so to bring you some holiday cheer... and simply a smile to my face (its all about me right?)... I bring you McSteamy, not-as-importantly-known-as Eric Dane, who graces the pages of GQ magazine this month. H.O.T.T. I love it. I am back in a Grey's Anatomy mood and ready for more!!! Oh here's a little more Grey's scoopage for you folks... now this is a serious spoiler so if you dont want to know... stop reading NOW... coming soon this spring on Grey's... a pair is getting married. Yep married. Woot! Who? Well we will have to wait and see and in the meantime simply enjoy the wonder that is McSteamy...
Yummy. I just want to put him in my pocket and take him everywhere with me. Yes like a pet.


A little more wont hurt: If you are like me and cant get enough, above is Eric Dane on Jimmy Kimmel Live on December 13. The best part? At the 5:50 mark is Dane’s stint on Saved By The Bell. Its classic.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!! I thought about posting a short diatribe about the true meaning of Thankgiving... jampacked full of pilgrims and Indians galore... but then I thought... no... the lyrics to Adam Sandler's instant classic... The Thanksgiving Song... sums it up perfectly:

Love to eat turkey
'Cause it's good
Love to eat turkey
Like a good boy should
'Cause it's turkey to eat so good

Turkey for me, Turkey for you
Let's eat the turkey in my big brown shoe
Love to eat the turkey at the table
I once saw a movie With Betty Grable
Eat that turkey All night long
Fifty million Elvis fans Can't be wrong
Turkey lurkey dee and Turkey lurkey dap
I eat that turkey Then I take a nap

Thanksgiving is a special night
Jimmy Walker used to say Dynomite
That's right
Turkey with gravy and cranberry
Can't believe the Mets traded Darryl Strawberry
Turkey for you and Turkey for me
Can't believe Tyson Gave that girl V.D.

White meat, dark meat You just can't lose
I fell off my moped And I got a bruise
Turkey in the oven And the buns in the toaster
I'll never take down My Cheryl Tiegs poster
Wrap the turkey up In aluminum foil
My brother likes to masturbate With baby oil
Turkey and sweet potato pie
Sammy Davis Jr. Only had one eye
Turkey for the girls and Turkey for the boys
My favorite kind of pants Are corduroys
Gobble gobble gee and Gobble gobble gickel
I wish turkey Only cost a nickel
Oh I love turkey on Thanksgiving

Yep. That pretty much sums it up. If you have never had the wonderful privilege to hear the The Thanksgiving Song, or haven't heard it in years, it is a holiday classic to me. So click here to take a quick listen and get you in the turkey mood!

In all seriousness though, make sure you take some time to sit and ponder all that you and we have to be grateful for... I am sincerely grateful for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and the relationship I have with Him, my family- especially my father being here who we almost lost this year, my health - I have made it this far since surgery, and my wonderful friends who showed me so much love dealing with my surgery... and I have so much more.... and yes I am grateful for turkey. I love those fat birds!!!

Happy Thanksgiving! :)

Get in the turkey mood!

Boo!

Happy Halloween!!! We had our All-Area Young Life Halloween Dance Party last night... it was a doozy. I tried to pull out the "I've been sick and helpless" card and not really dress up… but my sister came up with the wig… so I had to go with it… if you don’t get it… I’m “confused”. Get it?! Like a demon and an angel? Yeah no one got it last night either. That’s what I get for trying to be funny. It was fun though… especially the dance part- duh! How I love the dancing. Anyone who knows me knows I have spent countless hours of my life embarrassing myself while on the dance floor… or table… or chair. It doesn’t really matter the surface or environment… there’s always a need for more dancing. That is… until I became a loser gimp with my back… and even though last night I was trying to be careful and not overexert myself… I woke up in oodles of pain this morning. Argh! So frustrating… so to answer the question- are my injections working? Uhhhh who knows. I guess they work as long as I don’t move. Or shake my booty. Which I am not okay with. So keep the prayers coming as I am not sure what to do next on my back front… Enjoy the pics of my hot girls…