This is SO cool!!!

My friend, Pottermom, had this on her blog...I thought it was so cool I wanted to share it too!

Frozen in time

BFS #16

This assignment I hope proves to fun and exciting! This week you are given $1000 PRETEND online spending money! The rules are simple for this assignment. Using ANY online store…write out a shopping list of what you would buy! You can even post pictures of the items you're buying, if you want, it's not required. These things should be things for YOURself ONLY! List the name of the website with a link and include product item # and cost…you must use all your $1000 without going over! As a bonus every commentator will have their name put in a basket and I will draw three names of people who have signed the Linky and commented to receive a special prize in the mail from me! Have fun and my assignment is below as well.

Not trying to get techinical or legalistic here...I've done my assignment 2 different ways...one is if the money was given to me...and one if it was money I earned...because I wouldn't tithe on money given to me. It's a gift...the money I earned, I would tithe on...

$1000 GIVEN to me...

I'd buy a dining room table and chairs...because our family likes to entertain and it usually is around food. :) I don't need anything for myself and really, really want a dining room table...so

I found this table and chairs at JCPenney for $799 on sale, regular $2019.00

I would buy paint for my dining room in this color...Sherwin Williams Exclusive Plum 4 gallons...Price wasn't on site...but It's usually about $25 a gallon with dh's discount...

$100

I would probably want some flowers and candles or perhaps this pretty bowl from Southern Living...It's $27.95, perhaps I could win it on Ebay for $14.99...It's listed...

I probably would get some artificial flowers for my wall sconces...(I got the sconces at Costco on clearance for $5.99 a couple years ago, picture of those below)
I found some here for $5.00 each...I would get two so that's $10.00


Year before last, I got the Chandelier I wanted for Christmas...so I don't have to buy that...It looks similar to this, only 5 bulbs...

And I already have the picture and sconces I want on the wall...here's a pic of those...




So my TOTAL would be:

• Table and Chairs on sale $799
• Paint with contractors discount $100
• Southern Living Ruffled Glass Bowl $27.95
• Silk Flowers on sale $10.00

My TOTAL...$936.95

BUT if I earned the money...I would tithe, buy paint and get the table and chairs.

• Tithe 10% $100
• Paint with Contractors discount $100
• Table and Chairs on sale $799

My TOTAL would be...$999.00

Of course neither of these include tax...didn't see that as part of the assignment ;) This was a very fun assignment!!! Thanks Nancy!!!

And my verse is...Psalm 34:15 (King James Version)
The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.

and I threw away your gum...

that's what my dd, Belle, just said to me as she yelled from the other room because she's upset I won't let her watch tv at 11:00am...bah-hahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa.....roflol

(she is done with her school work, but that doesn't mean she can sit around and watch tv all day)

Life...

Today, I got everyone up at 7:45 to go walking. All three of us girls REALLY need to start exercising and losing weight. I've been very negligent in this area the past couple years....It's really starting to show... :( Anyhow I got to listen to whines from 2 of my 3 children this am...guess who didn't complain? The one that usually is...lol...

Someone is building a new house next to me. :P YUCK...at least there's a lot between the two houses...from my understanding the lot between us and the house being built has all kinds of liens so it won't be sold anytime soon. We've been here almost 5 years...I hope to move before the street has houses all over it. When we moved in, we were the only house on our end of the street. Our area use to be mostly a retirement community. We live in a rural community. Most people bought their land (again from my understanding) when it was something like resort proprieties or time shares...anyone have a clue as to what I'm talking about??? There were deer everywhere and of course we were told they won't build near you anytime soon...I guess 5 years isn't so bad...dh and I have our eye on some property up the road a bit. Overlooks the lake...Hopefully soon we can stake our claim. BTW now there are 3 houses-one across the street, one on the corner and one next to us with a lot between us and now the new house going up...so technically that's 4....YUCK...I'll probably be whining about that some more, so bear with me....Hey, Ms. C, this is for you...beep, beep. beep, beep...LOL!!!!

Things to do...in no particular order

• call fridge man to put on new doors
• schoolwork
• wash clothes
• get bank statements for taxes
• get nails refilled
• decide on dinner
• go to Costco, get water and other supplies

Blessings until next time!!!

I picked this song because...
1. I like it...
2. We've sang it a lot at church this week, so it has a special place in my heart.
3. It's so true!!!! Thank YOU, JESUS!!!!

Are you sure???

I was asking my youngest dd, Belle, that at 11:30pm last night...Belle went to spend the night at a friend from our home church. At 11:30, just when we finally walked in the door of the rv, I'm in the bathroom taking off makeup, brushing my teeth...the phone rings...It was Belle. She was crying all upset...wanted to come home...are you sure???? (I'm thinking to myself, all I want to do is go to sleep...this will be my first early night to bed....) So dh and I get in the car, I drive the hour back and get Belle...and dh drive the hour back to the rv....so we got to bed at 1:30 am...we planned on going to church this morning, but I think we all need to rest for awhile...


This week has been a tremendous blessing with Perry Stone at our home church. He has a tremendous understanding of the Holy Land, OT & NT prophesy, and explains things like I've never heard before. I know lots of people would disagree with his teaching or not understand...but I feel in my heart this man is sent from GOD to get the word out that JESUS' return is soon. After hearing Perry Stone, I've come to the conclusion, mind you this is MY opinion, that if Obama gets elected, he will play a key role in the second coming of JESUS. So as much as I don't like Obama...blech...I know if he gets elected...it's all part of GOD's plan for HIS SON'S return! Mind you I'm still going to do all I can to get people to vote against him...does that mean I'm going against GOD's plan? :P
BTW...I got one of those bumper stickers that reads..."VOTE THE BIBLE" I think I'll put it on the RIGHT side of my van. ;p

New IRL friend...

Today, after going to one of the Perry Stone meetings, I met Scotschooler. What a sweet and beautiful lady. Gentle, kind, and laughed at me, I mean all my jokes...I could see us quickly becoming very good irl friends...course that's my perspective...her's might be totally different...(like I hope I never have to see that wacky, goofy Bobbi girl ever again.) Although she was most gracious about meeting me of her blog... :P her dh thinks I'm a pyscho and he hasn't even met me yet...LOL!

Significant, Important, Famous...

Have you ever felt like you're not significant, important or famous? I started thinking about this this very morning. I was thinking...wow some of these blogs are pretty noteworthy...How come I'm not as popular as so and so? How come I haven't done anything important? Why can't I be famous? Then the LORD gently reminded me...I am famous, important, and significant...because I have my name written in the Lamb's Book of Life...and that's all that matters in the end. So if you ever think you're not important, if you KNOW the LORD...think again!

Because I just don't spend enough time on the computer....

LOL!

It's fun! but one of those things I will really need to be diligent about watching my time! come check out The Homeschool Lounge!

WOOO-HOOOOOOOOO!!!!

Oh Halleluah!!!!! Man, don't ya LOVE when GOD steps up to the homeplate and hits a grandslam homerun!!! That's how I'm feeling right now!!!!! I can't even begin to express my joy and enthusiam!!! I was feeling blue for several reason, some posted below...then I go to my friend, Christy's blog and her words encouraged me and brought me such joy through the HOLY SPIRIT, then I picked out a upbeat, SPIRIT-led, SPIRIT-filled song for Sunday Sing-Along and then on top of all that....I went to our home church's web site, ALCC , to hear our pastor preach this morning's message...and lo and behold...not only did I find out (even though I knew back in November, but forgot all about it) Perry Stone is going to be there from Wednesday to Sunday, but then Pastor starts talking about a friend of his that designed a bumper sticker that says..."VOTE THE BIBLE", gives the tithing message and then gives an awesome message on Faith!!!! Man it doesn't get much better than that...unless the rapture takes place and I'm outta here. :) woo-see ya!!!!

BTW...Our home church, ALCC, can be viewed on the web Sunday morning, evening and Wednesday nights! I encourage you to go there and hear an incredible, powerful, faith-filled message! (and I'm not sure, but maybe Perry Stone will be broadcasted too!) Mind you, we don't go to church here anymore, because we live in Austin...well our house is in Austin...LOL...we go there as often as possible! Since dh works in Houston, we can be there for most of the meetings! Yea!!!!

Sunday Sing-Along

Feeling kinda low and then...

Yeah, I've been feeling kinda down from the whole political debate thing, and then most of my irl friends I'm not connected too anymore...I have PMS-I'm irritable and weepy...and then I go over to my friend, Christy's blog and she has the nicest thing to say about me. Not only a real lift, but very humbling when I'm feeling so blah. Thank you, Christy, the feeling is so mutual. Oh and by the way no worries on that ball game... :) I forgot all about it...not the part about meeting you guys, just never remember that part of the story until you tell it. LOL! Thanks again though!

What's happened??? The Wright Stuff

I'm sure many of you have already seen this, but it's one of those things that bears reading and being reminded again!

When Minister Joe Wright was asked to open the new session of the Kansas Senate, everyone was expecting the usual generalities, but this is what they heard;
"Heavenly Father, We come before you today to ask for your forgiveness and to seek your direction and guidance. We know Your Word says, "Woe to those who call evil good"But that is exactly what we have done. We have lost our spiritual equilibrium and reversed our values.We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery.We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare.We have killed our unbornand called it choice.We have shot abortionistsand called it justifiable.We have neglected to discipline our childrenAnd called it building self esteem.We have abused powerAnd called it politics.We have coveted our neighbor's Possessionsand called it ambition.We have polluted the air with profanity and Pornographyand called it Freedom of speech and expression. We have ridiculed the time Honored values of our Forefathersand called it enlightenment.Search us, Oh, God, And know our hearts today;Cleanse us from every sin And set us free. Amen!"

The response was immediate. A number of legislators walked out during the prayer in protest.In 6 short weeks, Central Christian Church, where Rev. Wright is pastor, logged more than 5,000 phone calls with only 47 of those calls responding negatively. The church is now receiving international requests for copies of this prayer from India , Africa and Korea .

Commentator Paul Harvey aired this prayer on his radio program, "The Rest of the Story," and received a larger response to this program than any other he has ever aired.With the Lord's help, may this prayer sweep over our Nation andwholeheartedly become our desire so that we again can be called "One Nation Under God."

If possible, please pass this prayer on to your friends "if you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything."


According to snopes this is a true story. http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/outrage/wright.asp
Regardless, imo it's a great message, and true to what we've allowed in America!

The Importance of Voting

Yes, I know you all are probably leaving my blog before you read my posts, because you are sick of my political POVs...but if you're not...here's some more thoughts....

Matthias Burnett:
Consider well the important trust . . . which God . . . [has] put into your hands. . . . To God and posterity you are accountable for [your rights and your rulers]. . . . Let not your children have reason to curse you for giving up those rights and prostrating those institutions which your fathers delivered to you. . . . [L]ook well to the characters and qualifications of those you elect and raise to office and places of trust. . . . Think not that your interests will be safe in the hands of the weak and ignorant; or faithfully managed by the impious, the dissolute and the immoral. Think not that men who acknowledge not the providence of God nor regard His laws will be uncorrupt in office, firm in defense of the righteous cause against the oppressor, or resolutly oppose the torrent of iniquity. . . . Watch over your liberties and privileges - civil and religious - with a careful eye. [Matthias Burnett, Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Norwalk, An Election Sermon, Preached at Hartford, on the Day of the Anniversary Election, May 12, 1803 (Hartford: Printed by Hudson & Goodwin, 1803), pp. 27-28]
More... http://wallbuilders.com/LIBissuesArticles.asp?id=80

We will answer for every deed... 2 Corinthians 5 NIV Our Heavenly Dwelling 1Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, 3because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. 4For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. 5Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 6Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. 7We live by faith, not by sight. 8We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad

Should morality play a part in politics? http://www.christiananswers.net/q-wall/wal-g002.html

New Look...

Since Valentines is almost over and Flower is asleep, I thought I might as well change my layout...so in honor of Lincoln's Bday this week and Pres. Day and Washington's Bday I thought I would use this template...it's as close as I could get to something Presidenty without a flag-which I want to save for holidays like Memorial day or 4th of July or something...and besides I liked the quote...It will only be up for a short time...St. Patty's Day is coming up...and I'm very Irish and then there's Easter...all ready got those Templates picked out...LOL

Happy Valentine's Day!!! and BFS#14

My plan today is to go see Flower at the vacation home, (dh at RV)...the kids and I are making one of our favorites...well everyone except Joe Bug's (ds) and Belle's (lil dd). It Rouladan...it's German-round steak with dill pickle and bacon, wrapped together and baked until bacon is crispy. I also got Joe Bug a heart shaped pizza from Papa Murphy's-it's his favorite food...I've baked a heart shape cake and going to make some chocolate dipped strawberries. We'll do all that before heading to the bank to finish some business there and then off to see dh...where we will finish up dinner when we get there.

Here's a song I thought would be great for my BFS #14...but didn't get around to posting it...When we were up in Seattle, we were going jto Casey Treat's church for a while. We where there on Easter...and one of the musicians/singers sang this song. It was changed I think a little...but in the background they showed pics of the life of Jesus and at the end 3 crosses...the song had a whole other meaning from that point on. I know this isn't a love letter to Jesus...but more like a love letter from Jesus...but I really want everything I do to glorify the LORD...I know I'm not even close...but isn't it a great feeling to know we are loved, forgiven, and free when we have JESUS as our LORD and SAVIOUR?

Wii are the champions!!!

Houston, Wii have a Wii! LOL!
Wii will Wii will rock you! Shall I go on? giggle....
Dh took the day off and he and I went out for breakfast. Then off to Home Depot and Target. When we were at Target, I went to the back of the store looking for dh in the electronic section. (he needs a backup cell phone) While I was walking by the counter the girl asked, "May I help you find something?" I politely anwser, "No, but thankyou." I continue to walk down the center aisle...looking for dh...I look down and there was a Wii...I wasn't even looking for one...(funny how GOD does that-huh?) I look over at the girl and ask, "Are these actually Wiis?" and she replies, "Yes, we got them in this morning." I was so excited when I told her I would take one I almost cried!!!! Dh was walking toward me...I told him and he asked, "Is it Wii sports?" "yes!"

Oh the look on ds's face was priceless! He was still in bed-he's a night owl...anyhow dh called him out to help do something and ds starts to walk out of his room. We had put the Wii in front of the door and we were waiting....he looked down, looked at us, came over and gave us both a huge hug and said thank you! Awww what a sweetie....that's my guy! (he looked as though he was gonna cry...but he's too "old" for that)

Annoyed...most definitely annoyed...

Yes, today I'm most definitely annoyed...Flower aka dh...installed Kaspersky Internet Security on the new laptop...this is very annoying...I feel like I'm in a foreign language class...I keep getting these popup things asking to acess or deny an application-but I don't even know what the heck they are talking about...then ds ripped holes in both knees of a pair of jeans he's maybe had, tops...3 months....ackkk...so I'm trying to figure out how the best way to patch them up is...they are some that have the worn look with sewn with a sewn on patch...before you think these are some high dollar jeans...I know, you're not going to believe it...Walmart brand...and I got them on clearance...but the thought of having to buy yet another pair of jeans is ugh....especially when he'll probably have holes in the knees in a few weeks anyhow. Never-the-less...I still have to fix these and been trying to do it with a sewing maching...but I don't sew and it's not working...if I hand sew them, it will look like poop...ACKKK....so I'm quite annoyed at this moment....why can't they make an undestructable pair of jeans????

Sunday Sing-Along

This is a fun song and I like it!

Product Recommendation...

I highly recommend the PediEgg. My sister bought two and gave me one. I've only had maybe two pedicures...and compared to those, this is FAR more impressive!!! I highly recommend this product!!!

Yea!!! BFS is back!!!! BFS #13

Tamara is having computer problems, but Nancy is taking over! So we have a new assignment. Here's mine:

BFS Assignment #13

"Meet My Bible"

1.How old is your Bible?
Which one? My oldest Bible was a Bible that my dh gave me, he didn't use it...I've had it for about 16 years. My next Bible is the one I carry in my car and usually use at church...it's about 13 years old. I have some other Bibles that are different translations, and my current Bible that I use for my daily reading is about 2 years old-I got it for Christmas from my dh...I told him I wanted it because it has 4 different versions in one.

2.Why did you chose this Bible?
The Bible I use for everyday reading I picked because it has 4 different versions.

3.Do you highlight/mark passages in your Bible?
Yes

4.If so, what is your system for marking passages?
I don't really have asystem...I mark things that stand out or speak to my heart, passages that our pastor explains...

5.Do you have notebooks to record things?
Yes

6.If so, how many and what do you record?
I don't know how many, and I record our Pastor's teachings, things GOD reveals to me...

7.Where is your favorite spot to read your Bible?
In my chair in the living room next to the fireplace and the back window.

8.Are there any special thoughts about your Bible you want to share?
hmm...I had to think about this for a minute. I feel so blessed to have the freedom to read the WORD of GOD and I remember reading or hearing a story about there was a Bible full of money, but because no one ever opened it they never found it...I know it probably doesn't make any sense...because I don't remember the whole story, but I remember that it touched me because the BIBLE is so full of riches that are far more than we can even realize sometimes...

What's your answer?

My friend, Susan, celebrated her 1 year blogoversary the other day. To celebrate she was having a give away-if you left her a question you would be entered into the drawing. My question was, Do you really think when we get to Heaven that we'll even ask any questions?
Susan gave a wonderful answer. I encourage you to go over to her blog and read it. So how about you, what do you think?

I think that we'lll be so in awe we'll forget anything we ever wanted to know and I also agree with Susan's answer.

2 Thumbs Up!!!

Well since I've dogged Paypal, Directv, and Walmart...I thought I should commend companies that have treated me fairly, kindly, and decently.
This morning my dh called to tell me dd called to tell him she thinks the fridge has gone out. We bought an extended warranty with it when we got it. I called...friendly, fast, polite service!!!! I was worried that the warranty had gone out-couldn't remember how long it was good for...turns out it's good until July or August of this year! PTL!!!! I almost cried to the gal on the phone. She was VERY understanding!!! So Home Depot gets 2 thumbs up!

Reading Profiles

Have you ever scrolled through Blog profiles? Man, some of these people are bizzare...to say the least! LOL! I can only imagine what people think when they come across mine... :P

I mean, of course to me, I sound pretty normal...but to you the reader (not to the people that know me IRL) I'm probably a goof ball...IRL I am a goofball, to say the least...no comments from the peanut gallery...(LOL, just kiddin')

Hope you have an extremely blessed day, and if you don't mind...will you say a prayer for my blog friend, Stacey aka Da-red-head? Thanks...and remember there's nothing too BIG for GOD!!!!

I'm addicted...

Yes, it's true! I addicted, (more like sucked into the world of Webkinz) to Webkinz games...up until Christmas I didn't even know what a Webkinz was...then my whole life change with this newly found interest. My dd, Belle, got a Webkinz horse for Christmas from her cousin. For those of you that are in the dark...a Webkinz is a stuffed animal-pet, that come with a special code that you can enter into the website and play games, trivia, plant gardens, etc. I've become addicited to triple solitare. Last night I played Cash cow and today I was answering trivia questions...much to my dd's dismay...she asked me if I could ask her to get on her Webkinz-geez the nerve!!! LOL!!! I've already called Aunt B and told her I need my own Webkinz. :P (btw, Aunt B has her own Webkinz)

directv

Yet another company has managed to get on my poop list! (Walmart and Directv are the other two, so far) This time it's Paypal! ICK!!!! Last October I thought I purchased Astros tickets through Amex....then when it didn't show up on my bill and instead I get a nice bill from Paypal with all kinds of additonal charges...I'm NOT a happy customer!!!! This is the only time I'll be doing business with them! so long Ebay...cuz I'm not dealing with Paypal anymore!

Duh Moment....

More than likely you've been there too...where you have a duh moment. You realize something that GOD or someone else has been trying to teach you or show you...I had one this morning while reading my Bible. I try to read a devotional that gives a little teaching on a verse or passage of scripture and then inside the devotional there's a one year Bible reading plan. While I'm reading...I'm thinking, "Why on earth does GOD get so specific about details of certain things...I mean this really gets boring, reading details over and over again...the same thing over and over again....Why GOD?" That's when I had the duh moment...Yet I already knew the answer...Crazy huh? What was I thinking? (what am I usually thinking-lol) It dawned on me, duh...GOD you get specific because when we pray you want us to pray specific!!! UH-DUH! I think I actually heard GOD chuckle. I know to pray specific, but I guess it never dawned on me that GOD is so specific because this is just another example of how we are to be...

Blessings until next time (and hopefully it won't be another duh moment-lol)

Sunday Sing-Along

This may not really be a Sing-Along Song...but I like it! So it's my pick for this week! Blessings and please don't forget to turn my playlist off on the bottom of the page!

Who hasn't had a similar incident as a mommy?

I got this through an email from a friend...It is pretty funny. I apologize if you've already seen it.


3-year-old tells all from his mother's restroom stall.
By Shannon Popkin

My little guy, Cade, is quite a talker. He loves to communicate and does it quite
well. He talks to people constantly, whether we're in the library, the grocery store or at a drive-thru window.

People often comment on how clearly he speaks for a just-turned-3-year-old. And you never have to ask him to turn up the volume. It's always fully cranked. There have been several embarrassing times that I've wished the meaning of his words would have been masked by a not-so-audible voice, but never have I wished this more than last week at Cosco.

Halfway, through our shopping trip, nature called, so I took Cade with me
into the restroom. If you'd been one of the ladies in the restroom that evening, this is what you would have heard coming from the second to the last stall:

"Mommy, are you gonna go potty? Oh! Why are you putting toiwet paper on the potty, Mommy? Oh! You gonna sit down on da toiwet paper now? Mommy, what are you doing? Mommy, are you gonna go stinkies on the potty?"

At this point I started mentally counting how many women had been in the bathroom when I walked in. Several stalls were full ... 4? 5? Maybe we could wait until they all left before I had to make my debut out of this stall and reveal my identity.

Cade continued, "Mommy, you ARE going stinkies aren't you? Oh, dats a good girl, Mommy! Are you gonna get some candy for going stinkies on the potty? Let me see doze stinkies, Mommy! Oh ... Mommy! I'm trying to see in dere. Oh! I see dem. Dat is a very good girl, Mommy. You are gonna get some candy!"

I heard a few faint chuckles coming from the stalls on either side of me. Where is a screaming newborn when you need her? Good grief. This was really getting embarrassing. I was definitely waiting a long time before exiting. Trying to divert him, I said, "Why don't you look in Mommy's purse and see if you can find some candy. We'll both have some!"

"No, I'm trying to see doze more stinkies. Oh! Mommy!" He started to gag at this point. "Uh oh, Mommy. I fink I'm gonna frow up. Mommy, doze stinkies are making me frow up!! Dat is so gross!!" As the gags became louder, so did the chuckles outside my stall.

I quickly flushed the toilet in hopes of changing the subject. I began to reason with myself: OK. There are four other toilets. If I count four flushes, I can be reasonably assured that those who overheard this embarrassing monologue will be long gone.

"Mommy! Would you get off the potty, now? I want you to be done going stinkies! Get up! Get up!" He grunted as he tried to pull me off.
Now I could hear full-blown laughter. I bent down to count the feet outside my door.

"Oh, are you wooking under dere, Mommy? You wooking under da door? What were you wooking at, Mommy? You wooking at the wady's feet?" More laughter. I stood inside the locked door and tried to assess the situation.

"Mommy, it's time to wash our hands, now. We have to go out now, Mommy." He started pounding on the door. "Mommy, don't you want to wash your hands? I want to go out!!"

I saw that my "wait 'em out" plan was unraveling. As I sheepishly opened the door, and found an open sink, I thought, Where's the fine print on the 'motherhood contract' where I signed away every bit of my privacy?

But as my little boy gave me a big, cheeky grin while he rubbed bubbly soap between his chubby little hands, I thought, I'd sign it all away again, just to be known as Mommy to this little fellow.

(Shannon Popkin is a freelance writer and mother of three. She lives with her family in Grand Rapids , Michigan, where she no longer uses public restrooms )