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Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Looking through a different lens

Did I happen to mention I got a new camera??

Well I did! To celebrate our 4 year anniversary, Mr.Pate let me buy a DSLR camera!! Woohoo! My family and very close friends know that I take lots and lots of pictures. I love to document life. And my favorite shots are candid ones that capture the moment, but these are hard to catch. They are especially hard to catch when you dont have the right shutter speed and focus. But I attempted nonetheless with my Olympus SP-510, which is a great point and click camera. 

I am currently trying to carve out time to learn how to use this fancy schmancy camera, and I plan on sharing this new education with you dear readers! What I have realized is that several of the features my new camera has, my old camera had too- but I didnt know how to use it! So it is time for all of you to pull out those cameras and get ready, because Spring is the perfect time to capture some great shots of life! 

So here are a few shots I have taken so far, for your enjoyment! WARNING: There are pictures of snakes, so if that freaks you out, dont look!



(Mr.Pate practicing disc golf)
   

(One beautiful dog)

 

(Seriously a pile of snakes just sitting in someone's front yard down the street!) 

 
        

(A few pics from the recent DNOW.)


                                
What do you think?



Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Bookin' It in 2010-- A Late Check In


Well, here is the deal. In January, I joined with FishMama to "Book It" in 2010. I committed to reading 2 books a month this year. I succeed my first month and by February I had completed 2 books. But since then my reading has practically been nonexistent! I have read a little of both of the books I am currently reading, but I just cant get going. 

So what am I going to do? I need a kickstart. So I am going to put Real Sex aside for now, and read something lighter. I need the momentum that finishing a book quickly can give me. And I just need something that doesnt take lots of brain power! I have realized that I should not have began two intense books at once. So my priority is to continue in reading 7 Habits with Mr.Pate (we haven't done so hot lately) and pick up something fluffier for just me. 

What was the last book you read? Was it any good?

did I happen to mention...

I feel like I took a month long sabbatical from blogging... in reality I missed one entire week of blogging and then posted once or twice last week. That's hardly a month, but for me it felt like it. I am not sure if you have noticed or not, but I blog alot (like almost everyday). And I kinda like google reader... So going 8 days without reading or writing any blog posts was a strange thing for me. Anyhow, thats not really my point here, I digress.

I feel like I have failed to mention a million things in my life to you recently. Like did I happen to mention...

I got one of these.

And I cut my hair kinda like this.


Or how I have been doing on my journey with this guy?



That I started this new study?

Well dont worry friends, even if I have failed to share some of this with you, I will be making it all up to you in the next few days because... I have the blogging bug! Ha look for all of these posts and more coming to a "patelife" near you. 

In the meantime, is there anything new in your life you haven't mentioned to me?? Do share! 

Monday, March 29, 2010

Boxes


Have any of you ever done a personality quiz or profile? There are several out there, but two of the most popular are the DISC test and the 4 temperaments (Sanguine, Choleric, Melancholy, Phlegmatic). I love personality profiles. I have led several trainings with student leaders about these in the past, and I love the self discovery that comes from taking these tests. They are not full proof, but by taking the time to do one you are actually taking time to really look at who you are and what your patterns are. We rarely slow down and do this in life.

My favorite is the Temperament test, which is the one with the 4 colored boxes (Wired that Way is my fav). I think its easier to remember the 4, versus all of the combination's of the letters in the DISC. You can see a chart below that explains the types. Anyhow, I was thinking about these tests the other day because I think my personality has changed quite a bit in the last few years. When I used to take these tests I would always be a Sanguine Choleric (yellow/red boxes). This means I was people oriented, outgoing, and take charge (bossy). I would say in High School and the first years of college this would be a dead on accurate description of myself.

But I have a feeling that if I took the test today I would be a Melancholy Choleric (blue/red boxes), meaning I am introverted, task oriented, reflective and still bossy (go figure).

This has been a strange year for me, alot of changes in my life. I went from a job where I had to be social all the time to a job that is very task oriented. I never realized how much my social life depended on my job until it changed, and now I am seeing that when left to my own effort I will choose to stay at home with my hubby and animals over going out everyday. I thought that it was just the ministry that was taxing, and I would have to come home and recoup after big BCM events. Now I am realizing it is just large group events (anything over 5 or 6 really) that are taxing on me. That is like the definition of introvert! Ha!

Now I am not saying I am a people hater, so dont misinterpret this peps. I am simply stopping to reflect on who I really am wired to be, which will have a huge impact on who I am wired to influence. I am still processing through these changes I have noticed, but it has made me wonder if anyone else has gone through this change too? So questions for you dear reader--

What personality type are you? And have you noticed this changing as you age or your life circumstances transform?? Or have you always been this way?

Menu Plan Monday 3/29-4/4

(Visit Org Junkie for more great ideas)

I have struggled to be motivated in life period lately, and that definitely carries over to cooking. We have had random meals and eaten out alot lately! Ick. But hopefully this week will turn that around! Here is the plan:


  • Monday: Chicken & Cheesy Rice Casserole
  • Tuesday: Ranch Burgers & Green Beans
  • Wednesday: Dinner at Dustin's
  • Thursday: I am having dinner with Mel! Mr.Pate?? Leftovers or out :)
  • Friday: Chicken Teriyaki
  • Saturday: Pampered Chef Party & Wedding Reception!
  • Sunday: Leftovers  

Anybody having something good this week??

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Why I Love This Week!



  • Starting the week with the laundry done (thanks Mr.Pate!), the food stocked (thanks also to Mr.Pate!) and the house cleaned! Woo Hoo! 
  • We are supposed to have 70〫weather this week! Yay! I am soooo ready for Spring weather to be here and stay here. 
  • This week I have lots of social events going on: dinner with the fabulous Melanie, a Pampered Chef party (let me know if you want to come anyone!), and a wedding reception. I am going to be peopled out by Sunday! ha!
  • I got to start the week by seeing my amazing family! 
  • Easter week- although I celebrate the Resurrection everyday, this week is a great time to corporately celebrate and remember how our Lord defeated sin once and for all! Thank you Lord for satisfying the punishment I couldnt satisfy myself. 
Why do you love this week?? Looking forward to anything??


And the winner is...


And the winner of "Name that movie Friday" is....

Emily! Way to go!

The movie was "Did you hear about the Morgan's?" Mr.Pate and I watched it on Friday night, and it was pretty cute. Not as cute as I expected, but I always love Hugh Grant. He plays the same character in every movie he is in, but its a funny character to me. Anyhow, the quote is from the end and I wish you could hear him say it bc that makes it so much funnier. We also watched "The Invention of Lying" which was way different than I expected but not bad. It was just different, I dont know how else to describe it.

Any of you seen these two movies or any other good movies lately??

Friday, March 26, 2010

Name that movie friday!

Late but whatev...

"it was like all the physical fear left me... It's actually coming back now. What was i thinking? I could have been killled!"

Name that movie!

Thursday, March 25, 2010

LiveLove

This past weekend I participated in a DNOW (Disciple Now). What's a DNOW, some of you may ask? It is a weekend youth event churches put on that seek to lead students into a deeper relationship with God. Students from churches are divided into small groups. Those groups are then assigned a host home provided by respected and trusted members of the church. The hosts feed, watch, and provide a place to sleep throughout the D-Now weekend. At the host homes, a guest leader guides the group in Bible studies that encourage students to grow in their faith by challenging them to think about what has been presented that weekend. Throughout the weekend, the groups meet at church for recreation, music, and worship as a large group. I never attended a DNOW as a youth, but I was small group leader for a few when I was a college student. I always loved them.

Well the DNOW I participated in this weekend was a twist on this traditional style. You see for smaller churches (like mine), it is hard to have a weekend like this because you don't have the people, resources or space. So to solve the problem, 18 churches in Bowling Green came together for this event! It was super exciting because churches are not very good at partnering together generally, we are too worried about our turf or pride or whatever (… we are human and we struggle you know?). Anyhow, all of the youth ministers came together and helped plan the event. Mr.Pate was a big part of the planning and did a fabulous job, he is gifted in event planning.

None of my youth guys participated in the weekend- so it was girl time! It was such a great time to connect with them, catch my breath from the craziness of life and see these students truly seeking the Lord. One of my girls accepted Christ as her Savior this weekend- so that's awesome! The BCM had student leaders volunteer to lead the small group times, and my girls loved loved our leader. Its good for them to get to listen to someone besides the pate boys and me sometimes! It was a true blessing to get this opportunity for our youth, even though we are small in number. Here are a few pics of the weekend, enjoy! 


Monday, March 22, 2010

excuse of absence note

Dear Pate Life Readers,

Please excuse Sabrina for her absence this last week. She has been sleeping, like alot. She also has been sick, just blah feeling, and not into doing anything. She has even neglecting her google reader, which is very unlike her. Then this past weekend she had the honor of participating in a DNOW retreat with her Smiths Grove Baptist youth girls, which was fabulous and exhausting. So now she is sicker than before and more tired than before. She will return soon, but will not have a doctor's note. You are sweet for checking in dear readers, and she is so sorry to leave your google reader lacking. She will make up for it soon for sure. Till then...

                                                Sabrina's excuse maker




Sunday, March 14, 2010

Menu Plan Monday 3/15-3/21


  • Monday: Baked Chicken Burgers, Green Beans, Mac n Cheese (never tried these last week)
  • Tuesday: Tacos
  • Wednesday: Dustin's
  • Thursday: Chicken Casserole
  • Friday-Sunday: DNOW with 18 churches involved! Pray for us! 


Pretty low key around here. Anyone got some good recipes?? I need some new ideas! 






And the winner is...


And the winner of Name that Movie Friday is...

Misty (by email response) and Erica (in the comments)! And I need to mention that my mom totally got it right too, but a little late. 

The movie was "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun". Yep an 80's classic starring the fabulous Sarah Jessica Parker and a very young Shannen Doherty (pre 90210 of course). This one's on my list of 'need to trade in my VHS and get the DVD' movies. If you havent seen it, you just must. It is the ultimate slumber party movie! And its all about dancing, which I happen to love. 

What's your fav 80's movie??


Friday, March 12, 2010

Fab 5 Friday

I am joining in with Emily again and identifying 5 tangible things that made my life just a little more fabulous this week.

1. A Heart Rate Monitor: Sounds completely weird I know, but I love heart rate monitors! You where this little strap around your chest, right below your bra, and when you get on cardio machines they pick up your heart rate! Why would I care? Well to burn the most calories there is a certain heart rate range you should be in, and I am so lazy that if I didnt have this thing telling me how hard I was working then I would burn like 20 calories in my hour on the machine. So its like my own little personal trainer telling me to push harder.

2. DVR: I love being able to watch my shows whenever its good for me, and in good quality. I used to tape things with the old school VHS, but the sound was always horrid! I also love no commercials!!  It more time efficient! Haha.

3. Fit & Active French Vanilla Creamer: I went the whole month of Feb without this and it was sad times! This is an Aldi's brand creamer that I love love love! It tastes good and it is low sugar and fat free (read: low points). This stuff makes my life fabulous every morning! (Couldn't find a pic, so the closest thing I could find!)



4.Capri Pants:  Yay for Spring! This week's weather was so lovely, I was able to wear capri's for the first time since October. And the good news? They fit me alot better than in October! I even wore a pair of pants I have had for 4 years and never worn bc I bought them wayy too tight (but they were just so cute I had to get them!). Can we say celebration!

5. Kettle Corn Mini Bags: Yummy! They are considered a "filling food" on WW, and they satisfy that sweet craving in the afternoon just right. Only 1 pt people!

So what actual thing made your life amazing this week???









Name That Movie Friday!

Welcome to Name that Movie Friday! Don't know what that is? Find out here.

Ok, this week's might be a little hard for some of you, so I (being the very nice and helpful person I am) am giving you several quotes to job your memories!

I love to dance...
-------------------------------
We made a deal when I was seven and a half and night life was The Muppet Show!
--------------------------------------
My shrink is right - I'm unloved, unappreciated, I only have one car... 
--------------------------------------
You move, you bleed... 
--------------------------------------
Do you really think I'm punk? Well, that's outrageous! I mean, it's not as cool as new wave, but it's a lot better than pre-teen! 




Name that Movie!!


Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Can I get a little help please?


(If any guys actually read my blog, besides mr.pate, I apologize for excluding you completely in this post... but come to think of it, I prob do that alot. Sorry dudes!)

Alright people, this is a very important issue that I need your help with! 

Mascara


I recently started wearing makeup semi-regularly again. Basically I recently started putting effort into what I look like at all, but that is a different post all together. Anyhow, now that I can finally wear contacts again I am wearing eye shadow and mascara too (When I wear glasses I just figure there is no reason to give the extra effort because your glasses hide your eyes anyhow) so that my pretty blue eyes will stand out! So I had to buy some new mascara because I literally had had the same one for over 4 years and it apparently turns to chalk in that time, who knew? Well I just picked one that said it "defined" your lashes and was semi cheap (I never buy makeup so I was alittle taken back to the $6 and $10 price tags of mascara). See I have long eyelashes and lots of them, so I figured I didnt need the "voluminous" ones (but really what do I know about this sort of thing?). Problem: it flakes off anytime I touch my eyes (I touch my eyes alot during any given day) and it smears when I cry or sweat (I cry and sweat alot on any given day)etc. This is the one I bought:

But it just aint cuttin it! Help!

My Needs:
  • Cheapish
  • Brown, Dark Black looks too drastic on me
  • I just want my eyes to pop a little and I am opposed to wearing eyeliner everyday, so this will have to do the trick!
So I am here to ask for any wisdom, what mascara do you use or what would you suggest for me??






Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Why I love this week!

  • We have friends coming over for dinner on Tuesday, so I am looking forward to some quality time with them.
  • Biggest Loser!
  • Its Spring Break, so work will be slower. This is a good thing because I can get caught up on all the things I haven't gotten behind on! Yay!
  • The Weather is gorgeous! I know rain is moving in but it was so pretty today!
  • This weekend Mr.Pate and I are teaching at the Creative Ministries Festival, so that will hopefully be fun.
  • This weekend is Daylight Savings Time!! YAY!! It won't get dark as late!
Why do you love this week?


Sunday, March 7, 2010

Menu Plan Monday 3/8-3/14

(Check out Org.Junkie for more ideas)

This one will be short and sweet, cause I am tired and so ready to go to sleep! I know, I am old. Two new recipes and some tried and true loved ones, should be a good week for our bellies!

Chicken Quesadillas 
1 lb chicken breasts cubed (2 cups roughly, but just use what you have)
1 can (10 ¾ oz) Campbell’s Condensed Cheddar Cheese Soup
½ cup Thick and Chunky Salsa
4 Flour Tortillas (fajita or burrito sized)

1. Preheat the oven to 425ยบ
2. In medium skillet over medium-high heat, add chicken, soup and salsa; heat to a boil, stirring occasionally.
3. Place 4 tortillas on 2 baking sheets. Top half of each with about ¼ of the soup mixture; moisten edges of tortilla with water. Fold over and press edges together. 
4. Bake 5 minutes or until hot.

Are you having anything good this week? Do share!