10 Day You Challenge, Day 8 – 3 Films

On 10/09/2013 By auntyamoIn Random Ramblings2 Comments

Day 8 of the ’10 Day You Challenge’ Today – 3 films!

1. Steel Magnolias
I love the Southern charm, humour and emotion of this film. It has a stellar cast of strong female actresses and Dylan McDermott for eye candy… Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis, Dolly Parton, Sally Field, a young Julia Roberts and an even younger Daryl Hannah.
It’s a thing of beauty and has such funny one liners as (when referring to the mayor’s wife’s profile as she dances…) “It’s like two pigs, fightin’ under a blanket.”

2. The Shawshank Redemption
The best film I have never seen.
If you’ve been reading this series, you know I have a fear of false imprisonment. I know that this is one of the best films ever made, but I would honestly not sleep again if I watched it.

3. E.T
My most memorable cinema experience as a child. We all cried like babies… but then we were babies so that’s ok. There was one kid behind me who was traumatised when E.T. was saying goodbye to Elliot. I’d say she is still in therapy!

Philippians 4:8 Whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

Photo credit: The 10 Day You image above doesn’t seem to come from any central website but can be found on many that have done the challenge. Many use it but there does not seem to be any original source info available

10 Day You Challenge, Day 7 – 4 Books

On 09/09/2013 By auntyamoIn Book Review, Getting to grips with God stuff, Writing, Blogging etc1 Comment

Day 7 of the ’10 Day You Challenge’ Today – 4 books… 😉

1.Cujo by Stephen King
This is one book that has stayed with me since the day I read it. I’ve never seen the film, but the memory of what I read plays in my head like a film reel. I can’t dwell on it too much or I’ll lose sleep. Chilling!

2. MY BOOK, MY BOOK, MY BOOK!
In case you didn’t know, I’m self-publishing a collection of short stories in October. You can find out all about it over on Fictitious Amo. I’m very excited and look forward to getting it out there. It’ll be available on Kindle and other e-platforms, also in paperback.

3. Pride and Prejudice
I can’t count the amount of times I’ve read this book. It is my favourite fiction book in the whole world and I can’t imagine anything topping it. Jane Austen is so clever in how she describes people and their interactions with each other. She also describes her own culture and environment with great humour and insight. She’s the man! 🙂

4. The Bible
Come on you knew that was coming! 🙂 As I’ve mentioned many times before. My handbook for life; one I don’t read nearly often enough!

John 21:25 Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

Photo credits:
The 10 Day You image above doesn’t seem to come from any central website but can be found on many that have done the challenge. Many use it but there does not seem to be any original source info available
The P&P image was taken by me.
The image of the Cujo book was taken from one of its profiles on Amazon.co.uk

10 Day You Challenge, Day 6 – 5 Foods

On 08/09/201308/09/2013 By auntyamoIn Getting to grips with God stuff, Health, weight & wellbeingLeave a comment

Day 6 of the ’10 Day You Challenge’ Today – 5 foods… 😉 YUM!

1. Enchiladas with cornbread
I was introduced to Mexican food by some Californians – some of Mexican extraction. I am not into hot hot hot food – but I do like tasty food and mexican is one of those foods that you can get lots of taste without killing yourself with chilies…

2. Chocolate
In any form, shape, size or texture 🙂
These are my brownies.

3. Poppy Seed Cake
Thanks to Starbucks and the likes, poppy seed muffins are all the rage now – but I was making poppy seed cake before it was cool. (Not sure whether that’s a good or bad thing…) It is one of my no fail recipes and again was taught to me by an American. And yes – I’m a ‘cups & spoons’ girl. I say ‘huh!’ to your weighing scales.

4. Brennan’s Batch Loaf with ham that has just been cooked, a bag of Tayto cheese and onion crisps and a glass of TK red lemonade Christmas Eve supper in my mam’s house – ahh precious memories

5. The Bible
Food for the soul. Sometimes not as sweet as my tastebuds would like – but very nourishing.

Matthew 4:4 Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.

Photo credits: The 10 Day You image above doesn’t seem to come from any central website but can be found on many that have done the challenge. Many use it but there does not seem to be any original source info available. The others were taken by me.

10 Day You Challenge, Day 5 – 6 Places

On 07/09/201308/09/2013 By auntyamoIn My Cornea Transplant, Random Ramblings2 Comments

Day 5 of the ’10 Day You Challenge’ Today – 6 places… 😉

1. Dargaville, New Zealand
Spent 3 months there after I qualified as a hairdresser in 1993 (I think). I worked with a former boss for a while and had great fun. Spent some time with Irish family in Brisbane while I was that side of the world.
Spent time with surfer dudes and Māori madsers, as well as the local Irish contingent – it was a great trip

Amo in NZ — Dargaville was very like Ireland, when the sun wasn’t splitting the stones…

2. Slovenia
This was part of a mission trip to Austria with a bit of time in Italy too. Slovenia was the hard part though. The poverty was such a shock to me. I had no idea that people could have so little and still be happy. I spent most of the time terrified and wishing I was at home. Serious comfort zone withdrawal that did me no harm whatsoever 😉

3. Bangkok
I spent 4 hours in Bangkok Airport and that was more than enough!
I was flying home from the above trip to NZ and there was a 4 hour stop in BK. The authorities there didn’t want us to get off the plane but we’d been on it for 10 hours. I, along with a number of passengers, kicked up a stink, and after about an hour of negotiations the passengers and crew were allowed off the plane for half an hour. We were escorted off the plane and onto shuttle buses at gun point with a guy screaming “20 minutes and you back on plane!” every 5 seconds.
It felt like some bizarre remake of Tenko!

4. America
I’ve been to California twice, New Jersey 3 times and Boston once and have loved it each and every time. Almost moved there at one stage but then I met some Welsh guy and well… you know the rest 🙂
Next time I want to go to Indiana to meet my cornea donor’s family.

I'm the smaller one (for a change :D ) — I’m the smaller one (for a change 😀 )

5. Sorrento
We went to Sorrento for our honeymoon. It was a beautiful place (until we hired a car – we almost split up because of the stress of driving on Italian roads – but that’s for another blog post some day!) We stayed in a posh hotel, our room had a bell and you had to take a lift with the concierge down to the private beach. Fabulous!
The tour of Pompeii was pretty cool too.

6. Ireland
I love Ireland and being Irish 🙂
I think there’s too much of a downer in our country at the moment. Even though the government and the banks etc have let us down in many ways, it’s still a fabulous place to be from I reckon.
I’ve spent the last few days travelling around the S and SW of Ireland, and it’s the most beautiful place in the world if you ask me.

One of the many fabulous views on our trip around Dingle

Psalm 24:1,2
The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it;
for he founded it on the seas
and established it on the waters.

Photo credits:
The 10 Day You image above doesn’t seem to come from any central website but can be found on many that have done the challenge. Many use it but there does not seem to be any original source info available
The other 3 were taken by me.

10 Day You Challenge, Day 4 – 7 Wants

On 06/09/201306/09/2013 By auntyamoIn Getting to grips with God stuff, Random Ramblings, Writing, Blogging etc4 Comments

Day 4 of the ’10 Day You Challenge’
I want, I want, I want… 😉 Yes I’ll enjoy this one

Today – 7 wants… 😉

This post more than all others will reveal how much like Verruca Salts I am! 😀

1. An iPad with a keyboard
There I’ve said it! I love technology and am quite irked not to have an iPad – but the writer in me needs a keyboard too. So I’ll have both pls! 😉

2. To make you laugh
I know I miss the mark sometimes but I remember being very young when I realised I could be funny. It helped me to put bullying behind me and taught me how to hide sadness. Not always a good thing – but I feel good when I’ve made you feel good

3. To sing on stage with an audience in front of me and an orchestra behind me
I’m not a good enough singer for that and my thoughts of pursuing a singing career are long gone – but just once I’d love to do it

4. To be smaller
I know, I know – this one is doable if only I’d sort myself out – but if you’ve never wrestled with weight and a passionate love for food as if every bar of chocolate is Mr Darcy himself – then you don’t understand!
And if you have well… you do 😦

5. My beloved to be fulfilled in whatever he’s doing
We’ve been in a bit of a ‘waiting room’ for the last few years. There are things that Rich feels called by God to do but those opportunities haven’t opened up yet. But whatever he is or will be doing I want him to be happy and feel a sense of purpose & achievement

6. To be a better writer
I’m a writer. I can say that now without using hushed tones or feeling embarrassed. I might even be a good one, I MAY even be a great one… but wherever I am on the scale, I want to keep getting better and better

7. To be a better Christian
I know I am loved and forgiven and treasured – just as I am; but I would love to be a more fervent prayer and a more faithful follower

Psalm 37:4 Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Photo credit: The image above doesn’t seem to come from any central website but can be found on many that have done the challenge. Many use it but there does not seem to be any original source info available

10 Day You Challenge, Day 3 – 8 Fears

On 05/09/201305/09/2013 By auntyamoIn Getting to grips with God stuff, Random RamblingsLeave a comment

Day 3 of the ’10 Day You Challenge’ & I’m still doing this on the iPhone as I’m travelling. But you prefer that I keep it snappy doncha? 😉

Today – 8 fears… 😉

This post more than all others will reveal what a weirdo I am! 😀

1. Falling over
It comes from years of not being able to see properly. I can see very well now, but it’s taking my confidence a while to catch up…

2. My home being broken into
I’ve only been able to stay in the house on my own overnight for a couple of years. I still have to check the locks numerous times & it takes me hours to get to sleep 😦

3. The Dark
I know… such a cliché but there you have it. If I’m alone the lights stay on

4. Wasps
I’m not a fan if creepy crawlies but my only actual fear is being stung by a wasp. Has happened to me a few times so I tend to do a bit if jumping and shouting when they’re around… bug spray is my friend

5. Balloons
Hate them! Don’t want to see them, touch them or blow them up! My fear is that they will burst in my face

6. That you won’t love me
Didn’t you know I’m the neediest girl on the planet? 😉

7. False Imprisonment
Mentioned this in 10 secrets – so it’s out now…

8. God
‘The fear of The Lord is the beginning of wisdom.’ Proverbs 9:10a
I’m not ‘afraid’ of God – just aware of how powerful He is 😉

Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

Photo credit: The image above doesn’t seem to come from any central website but can be found on many that have done the challenge. Many use it but there does not seem to be any original source info available

10 Day You Challenge, Day 2 – 9 Loves

On 04/09/201313/09/2013 By auntyamoIn Family, Getting to grips with God stuff, Random RamblingsLeave a comment

Day 2 of the ’10 Day You Challenge’ & I’m doing this on the iPhone because the Wi-Fi where I’m staying is a bit dodgy… 😉 so… it’ll be short & pics will have to wait til tomorrow!

Today – 9 loves… 😉

1. Chocolate
Love is not a strong enough word. Yes it’s bad for me… Yes it’s just sweetened cocoa… I don’t care 😉

2. The West Wing
The box set is a treasured possession!
Don’t agree with everything (obvs) but well made, well written and well acted. Can’t say that about everything on TV these days.

3. Being the ‘baby’ of 8
Having a troop of older siblings is more than a bit brillo.

4. Social Media
Twitter, Facebook & even Pinterest lately. Love it & many folk I’ve met through it

5. Reading
Books books and more books… gimme gimme gimme 🙂

6. Writing
My new found love.
What did I ever do before I was writing?

7. My 27 nieces & nephews
I never had babies of my own, so these kids, and their kids – are my kids 😉
So proud of them all x

8. Richard Miles
A patient man who loves me more than I deserve 🙂 x

9. God
What can I say? God is very faithful and merciful to me and I wish my life did more justice to the salvation the death & resurrection of Jesus achieved for me.
Also love that I am loved… by Him!

Ephesians 3:18,19 And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge

Photo credit: The image above doesn’t seem to come from any central website but can be found on many that have done the challenge. Many use it but there does not seem to be any original source info available

Starting the 10 Day You Challenge with ’10 Secrets’

On 03/09/201313/09/2013 By auntyamoIn Humour, Random Ramblings7 Comments

So I thought I’d do the ’10 Day You Challenge’ as it seemed like a cutsie thing to do and you know me… I’m all about the cute
*coughs and searches frantically for a picture of a kitten… nope – not one!*

But seriously… 10 secrets? I don’t even know if I HAVE 10 secrets. OK I definitely have… more than… but not ones I can put on the world-wide web! Anyway, secrets are meant to be kept aren’t they? I mean if I tell you, then they’re not secret anymore…

My only comfort is that there are no secrets from God – he already knows this stuff 😉

1. Dancing
When I’m alone in the house I often put loud mad music on and dance around. I close the curtains of what ever room I am in – only then can I dance like there’s no one watching;
cos I’ve made sure there’s no one watching!

2. Lip Syncing
Years ago I was in a musical and one of the characters lost her voice on opening night – so I stood in the wings with a radio mic and sang her song – watching her carefully to make it look real. As Michael Caine would say…. not a lotta people know that!

3. Bold Baby sister
My brother was very annoying, so I used to go into his room and hide stuff, move stuff, break stuff & my ‘pièce de résistance’…I used to turn his radio on but have the volume at zero so the batteries would waste and he wouldn’t know

4. Confession Time
Once I went in the wrong door of a confessional, then someone came in the right door and for a minute I pretended to be the priest, then I ran out the door and out of the church before I could get caught

5. Miss Nomer
My sister-in-law and I share the same name (well we did before I was married). I went for an interview once and half way through the guy let slip that he knew my brother and thought I was his wife… so I kept schtum. (I didn’t get it btw)

6. A third blog
For a good while I had a third blog under a pseudonym. I did it to give me the courage to say all the things that I didn’t have the courage to say here. Also to let me write without the pressure of certain people’s opinions rolling around my head – which were paralysing my writing. When my confidence grew, I slowly retreated from that blog and eventually shut it down.

7. Hiding
I once hid in a walk-in fridge to avoid an over-enthusiastic American missionary who wanted to pray with me

8. Biblical fail
In my 19 years of being a Bible-believing Christian, I have never read the Bible start to finish. I’ve read it all in fits and starts over the years, but I have never successfully completed a Bible reading plan

9. Jail bird
I have a real & terrible albeit irrational (I hope) fear of false imprisonment – probably brought on by years of watching Prisoner Cell Block H and visiting an ex in prison. I can’t watch stuff about prisons now, never saw Shawshank and probably never will.

10. The biggest secret of all…
One of these isn’t true – it could even be this one!
I’m not telling you which one… it’s a secret :p

Psalm 44:21b …he knows the secrets of the heart

Photo credit: The image above doesn’t seem to come from any central website but can be found on many that have done the challenge. Many use it but there does not seem to be any original source info available

Five Minute Friday – Worship

On 30/08/201325/07/2014 By auntyamoIn Five MInute Friday, Getting to grips with God stuff5 Comments

Five Minute Friday… five minutes of unedited, non stop writing on this week’s given theme ‘Worship’

Let us enter a time of worship…

Worship the Lord in spirit and in truth…

This is your spiritual act of worship…

Let us continue to worship God with our offering…

Sing songs of worship…

The word worship is a strange one. On the one hand you get this idea of sacred, reverend moments where everything and everyone else is put to aside and God is held above all others. Maybe not actually kneeling down; but certainly assuming a solemn position.

But on the other hand there is a picture of simple daily living. Making decisions and performing tasks in the light of love and mercy that have already been given. A willingness to surrender all power and possessions.

I reckon worship can be elaborate and extravagant. But I don’t think it has to be.
It can be simple and quiet and almost invisible to the passer-by.

Whether you’re swinging from the rafters in praise, or sitting quietly – worship is only worship when it’s happening on the inside. I was once told that your relationship with God is only as authentic as the form it takes when no one but He can see you.

Click the image to find about more about Five Minute Friday

photo credit: CarbonNYC via photopin cc

Do you see what I see?

On 26/08/2013 By auntyamoIn Getting to grips with God stuff, Random Ramblings1 Comment

This fabulous image is of one of my favourite places to be.

The photo was taken by John Ivory and he has kindly given me permission to use it.

It is the road to Sally Gap in the Wicklow mountains. I can’t count the times I’ve driven up that road. I used to take it as part of the scenic route to the Bible College in Greystones, on my own in the early morning. I also used to drive up there with friends having the laughs, listening to loud music. I’ve taken it with American visitors, showing off my beautiful country. Also used to drive up there often with himself to relax, chat and pray in quiet.

I’ve taken loads of photographs of it too. But I’ve never been able to capture the view the way John has. When I saw the photo my first thought was… ‘THAT is what it looks like!’

I have a theory about photographs… which may land me in some hot water, but hear me out.

I think the reason we love our own photos is not because they reflect what we saw, it’s because when we look at them, we see our memory of the actual scene. Not the captured image, which is usually substandard. We remember how spectacular it was and the photo helps us to do that, but the photo itself doesn’t reflect the spectacularness (and yes, I am making up words to prove my point), to someone who wasn’t there. I reckon the reason we don’t love everyone else’s photos (and they don’t love ours…) is because we don’t see what they saw. We see a vague resemblance to what they saw. And that’s all they see in our pics.

Photographers have a way of capturing a true reflection of an image, which I think John has done brilliantly here with some of these other photographs of the same area. (Also used with his permission.)

I was talking to Rich the other day about Heaven. What it might be like and what eternity will feel like etc. I said that no matter how hard I try, or what books I read or even what Bible verse I read, I cannot get my head around what Heaven will be like. It’s like I’m actually incapable of conjuring a good image in my head or a realistic concept of it.
I remembered the verse in 1st Corinthians that says,
“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

So it actually makes sense that I can’t conjour up the image.
Even if I did, it would be a poor reflection. But as the Apostle Paul says later on in 1st Corinthians,
“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.
Now I know in part; then I shall know fully…”

oh and If my photograph theory is right, then even John’s photo of those mountains is only a reflection (albeit a fabulous one) – you’ll have to take yourself up there to experience it first hand 🙂