Elvis explained

Whilst on my "vacation" (see I have gone all American) I have read Rob Bell's - Velvet Elvis repainting the Christian faith.

What an amazing book, it takes you back to the ABC af faith and helps you to start again. I have been so encouraged by this book. I have been really finding my understanding of my basic faith very stilted since September 10th.

Rob's book is so much like the Nooma videos, he writes as he speaks and he doesn't bombard you with data and verse he just explains in a caring and understanding way. Very much like Church Team leader. I feel I am ready to start to grow again as a follower of the Living God. Thanks to some very caring friends and a good book. If anyone would like to borrow this amazing book just ask, but be prepared to have your brain blown open....well it did for me with some basic theology explained very simply to a dafty.

Guess the weight!!!

So at our hotel in Vegas "The Excalibur" was a first floor with various food stuffs and entertainment offerings, the buffet!!!! Had 4 long serving areas which were about as long as it is as far as the Chinese in Boldmere to The Vesey!!!! Plus it had other food station areas as well!!!

Anyhoo aside from all this food were Bars and various activities, one was a guess your age, Mrs EB and I were sure I could win this one!!! We paid our $2 and he looked at me and said 42!!! Where the heck did he get that info!!!!!

Las Vegas is one place I did enjoy and we both has a top time there, I am sure we will bore everyone to death with our stories...

Today after a very hectic day at Knotts Berry Farm, plenty to say about that place!!! and our drive to L.A. We are just taking it easy, what a shame these little guys can't do the same.

Whist eating breakfast on our balcony this morning a hummingbird was out collecting cobwebs for her nest!!! how wonderful......

Viva Las Vegas

Week 1 Las Vegas, well how to describe Las Vegas? Loud, brash, in your face, big..in fact it’s bloody huge!!!! But it is also great fun and very friendly. We have had an amazing time, I am sure Mrs EB will blog her own views on Vegas, so these are just how I found it.

Vegas is very deceptive, a hotel that is just up the road, looks just up the road can be a mile away!!!! I know that sounds stupid, but Hotels in Vegas are very big, so look close by!!! I will blog some pictures when I get back to show what I mean. SO we got very sore feet and legs.

We saw "Love" by Cirque du Soliel, I don’t think I have ever seen anything as good or amazing in my life!!! (sitting on the balcony of our villa in Palm Springs(actually Palm Dessert) a humming Bird just flew up and started getting nectar from a tree by my ear!!!!that is a very close 2nd) afterwards we had a beer in the Revolution Bar a Beatles inspired bar which was also just fantastic.

Another trip we took was a helicopter ride over the Hoover Dam to the Grand Canyon, then down into the Canyon, then onto a Cowboy Ranch for a BBQ lunch. The Helicopter ride was brill, the Hoover Dam and Lake mead just mind blowing a 150 mile man made lake!!!! The Grand Canyon shows you the majesty of God in no uncertain terms, the Cowboy thing naaaa totally naff though the BBQ Chicken was very tasty.

Mrs EB was very lucky one morning; we popped to the Old Town of Vegas, the bit in all the old movies and she played a fruit machine and won $50 which was very nice and paid for dinner!!! Mmmm the food in Vegas is big and very tasty.

Anyway I am not here to Blog but enjoy myself with the amazing views we have and the peace and quiet, which after a week of bells and ching ching ching and screams and whoops is so needed.

So long, farewell, Auf wiedersehen, adieu,

Wooohoooo well time has raced by and we go on our holidays tomorrow!!! I don’t know about Mrs EB but I am very excited about our trip. I don’t think I will be blogging from Vegas or Palm Springs so I will do some big blogs when we get back.

Our Hotel, how cool, I will of course be playing King Arthur...........

This years Cherry Blossom

This is for Mrs FLN and the rest of Freelance Nerds family, this is this years Cherry Tree Blossom, It is a good week early this year, though it isn't in full blossom yet after today’s glorious sunshine it will not be long, which is nice that I get to see it. If it does reach full bloom I will post another picture.

Easter

This has been a nice Easter, we have spent time with Mrs EB's Brother, we have seen lots of friends, we have been to church a few times. Mrs EB lead Worship Sunday evening with a new set up. (muzo's on the platform)

We have been feeding 2 friends Cats, and I have the scars to prove that one is getting her daily tablet good old Esme!!! The other cat, Jessica, just looks at me with a total air of "What are you looking at? errmm if you have done what you came to do, get lost" These two friends feed our Cats when we are away. Our two cats are such tarts, they will be at the door waiting for them with bellies ready to be tickled and loads of purrrs and lots of meows to tell them how grateful of the company and food they are.

It has been an excellent time, especially as I can now have a cup of tea (I am sure lent is getting longer), thanks Teapot for the Al Fayed tea.

As I look out of my Studio window this morning, my Cherry tree is coming into blossom, this is a sharp reminder of my friend Matt. It seems to be coming into blossom a week early this year. Matt once told me he loved Cherry Blossom as it was always in Blossom on his Birthday, so on his Birthday a few years ago I took this photo and sent it to him. He was thrilled with it. So I thought I would share it with you. I will not be here this year for Matt's birthday, but I will raise a large glass of something tasty to Matt and Heidi, Stephen, Viv, Al and the family Ooop North.

Here is a poem off Media Chaplains blog today

Time is . . .

Too slow for those who wait,

Too swift for those who fear,

Too long for those who grieve,

Too short for those who rejoice,

But for those who love,

Time is eternity.

Henry Van Dyke (1852-1933)

A Joke from Spain and a Joke from Walmley

A Family friend from Spain sent this today, she sends a few things a month this is one of the first that I have been able to actually post or pass on.

My husband, being unhappy with my mood swings, bought me a mood ring the other day so he would be able to monitor my moods. We've discovered that when I'm in a good mood, it turns green. When I'm in a bad mood, it leaves a big bleedin' red mark on his forehead. Maybe next time he'll buy me a diamond.

This is from a mate Dave

A woman went to the doctor's office, where she was seen by a young, new doctor. After about 4 minutes in the examination room, the doctor told her she was pregnant. She burst out, screaming as she ran down the hall. An older doctor stopped her and asked what the problem was, and she told him her story. After listening, he had her sit down and relax in another room. The doctor marched down the hallway to the back where the first doctor was and demanded, " What's the matter with you? Mrs. Terry is 59 years old, she has four grown children and seven grandchildren, and you told her she was pregnant?" The new doctor continued to write on his clipboard and without looking up said, "Does she still have the hiccups?"

A couple of little Jokes from Ronnie

Elderly couple, Margaret and Bert, are in California. Bert always wanted a pair of authentic cowboy boots, so, seeing some on sale, he buys them and wears them home, walking proudly.

He walks into the house and says to his wife, "Notice anything different about me?"

Margaret looks him over, "Nope".

Frustrated, Bert storms off into the bathroom, undresses, and walks back into the room completely naked except for the boots. Again he asks, a little louder this time, "Notice anything different NOW?"

Margaret looks up and says, "Bert, what's different? It's hanging down today, it was hanging down yesterday, it'll be hanging down again tomorrow."

"Furious, Bert yells, "AND DO YOU KNOW WHY IT'S HANGING DOWN, MARGARET?"

"No, she replies.

Bert yells, "IT'S HANGING DOWN, BECAUSE IT'S LOOKING AT MY NEW BOOTS!!!!"

Margaret replies... "Shoulda bought a hat, Bert. Shoulda bought a Hat!"

And another joke

This is something to think about when negative people are doing their best to rain on your parade. So remember this story the next time you run into someone who knows nothing, cares less and tries to make your life miserable.

A woman was at her hairdresser's getting her hair styled for a trip to Rome with her husband. She mentioned the trip to the hairdresser, who responded: "Rome? Why would anyone want to go there? It's crowded and dirty! You're crazy to go to Rome. So, how are you getting there?"

"We're taking Continental," was the reply. "We got a great rate!"

"Continental?" exclaimed the hairdresser. "That's a terrible airline. Their planes are old, their flight attendants are ugly, and they're always late. So, where are you staying in Rome?"

"We'll be at this exclusive little place over on Rome's Tiber River called Teste."

"Don't go any further. I know that place. Everybody thinks its gonna be something special and exclusive, but it's really a dump, the worst hotel in the city! The rooms are small, the service is surly, and they're overpriced. So, whatcha' doing when you get there?"

"We're going to go to see the Vatican and we hope to see the Pope."

"That's rich," laughed the hairdresser. "You and a million other people trying to see him. He'll look the size of an ant. Boy, good luck on this lousy trip of yours. You're going to need it."

A month later, the woman again came in for a hairdo The hairdresser asked her about her trip to Rome.

"It was wonderful," explained the woman, "not only were we on time in one of Continental's brand new planes, but it was overbooked, and they bumped us up to first class. The food and wine were wonderful, and I had a handsome 28-year-old steward who waited on me hand and foot. And the hotel was great! They'd just finished a $5 million remodeling job, and now it's a jewel, the finest hotel in the city . They, too, were overbooked, so they apologized and gave us their owner's suite at no extra charge!"

"Well," muttered the hairdresser, "that's all well and good, but I know you didn't get to see the Pope."

"Actually, we were quite lucky, because as we toured the Vatican, a SwissGuard tapped me on the shoulder, and explained that the Pope likes to meet some of the visitors, and if I'd be so kind as to step into his private room and wait, the Pope would personally greet me. Sure enough, five minutes later, the Pope walked through the door and shook my hand! I knelt down and he spoke a few words to me."

"Oh, really! What'd he say?"

He said, "Where'd you get the flamin awful hairdo?"

Busy Bunny

This past week has been quite a busy, Mrs EB’s brother is with us and I have been taking him out and about. I have also been at parents a lot in the early part of the week sorting out stuff for last Wednesdays evening. Wednesday evening was a Charity night organised my parents for Macmillan Cancer relief Nurses at Regal Court. It was a top night, Mrs EB sung and it was excellent, Timelord and Teapot came along and I believe had a good night out, I enjoyed the evening though by home time I had had a beer too many.
I have also been sorting out two friends cats 1 of which needs a tablet each day, but she is not a very social cat, not the easiest job, but she is worth it. I would like to know where she learned that sort of language though?

The 2nd part of the week was spent doing a lot of driving about and eating and drinking and being at church. I am going to be busy again over the next few days, so I may not get many Blogs in before we are off on our little trip.

Uh huuuh Elvis has left the building

I have been blessed to see a few Rob Bell videos, Mission Team leader ran a series on Wednesday evenings called "Reaching Your Potential" and before each one of these she played a Nooma Video I got so much from these videos. Anyhooo the other week one was used in a Sunday Service and I thought Rob Bell really knows how to get a message across. He is very much like Team Leader in the way he gets it across. So I decided to buy Rob Bell's book, Velvet Elvis - Repainting The Christian Faith. I have just started to read it and it is an excellent read, it is written in the same style as Rob talks.

I did buy it as a holiday read, but I had a sneaky peak and I am drawn in, it takes you back to basics in the Christian Faith, and to be honest I need that. I really do thank God for the Team Leaders at Church and the Rob Bells, they do make learning about God a pleasure and a joy, the Joy of the Lord is a wonderful thing.

The Doctors assistant

Martha Jones....(Freema Agyeman) here is The Doctors new assistant, and very nice she is too. I look forward to seeing her in the coming weeks....Oh yes.... Drat and double drat, we are away for a few of the Doctors episodes I wonder if anyone with a DVDR would record them for MrsEB and myself please?

A Picture

During Sunday evenings service I believe I was spoken to by God, I was challenged by a picture and some words. I have slept on this and I feel I would share them.

I had a picture of an anvil with a heavy chain on it, a small hammer was hitting it but only a few sparks would fly off it. Then I heard the words “you must all do it together”. A larger hammer hit the chains and it was marked, the hammer kept striking the chain and it was weakening. I again heard “you must all work together”, then when the chain was struck by a very heavy hammer it gave way and separated.

I know this may sound a bit lame but I feel God was saying to me, as a people of God we should unify behind things like Fair Trade, if we all did it, then the Tesco and ASDA’s would start paying fair prices to its suppliers.

Snaps

When we arrived home yesterday afternoon a squirrel was in the middle of his/her upside down lunch. I had forgotten to put some nuts out for the squirrels so she had decided that the bluetits was fair game. I just popped in to the Kitchen and one of the robins was eating the sunflower hearts. I was only quick enough to get a snap off before she flew off. It isn't sharp or that good as it is through glass. I am getting them used to feeding very close to the kitchen window, I am hoping I will soon be able to be outside when they feed. Then I will be able to get a picture or two.

April Fools Day

Today is April 1st April fools day. The day or morning of practical jokes, News papers, radio and TV stations usually go for it. I myself don’t really bother, I enjoy a joke anytime of the year. I don't take anything seriously on April 1st which can be a shame...but once bitten twice shy, and growing up in a house of 7 I was bitten more than once on April Fools Day.

2000 years ago Thomas thought it was joke that Christ had risen on the Third Day, he was the fool that day, when Christ said, put your hands in my side Thomas, feel where the nails punctured my hands...

Google April Fool 1

Google April Fool 2