Just Married Sign and Photo Idea

Mother of the Bride, many newlyweds want their photographer to take a special photo using some sort of Just Married sign. If your sweet couple hasn’t mentioned this to you yet, you might check with them to see if that’s something they’d like to add to their list of photos for the photographer.

I found this super-cute idea for a movie clapboard Just Married sign recently and just had to share it with you. Isn’t it clever? The wedding date can be included, and the bride and groom can have fun with listing whatever “take” they want as well as deciding on their pose in the background. They could even ask their photographer to take a shot using the bokeh effect as in the photo above and also one without to insure they end up with a photo they love.

Why not share this post with the bride and groom, MOB, so they can make plans for a super-cute Just Married photo of their own. They may like this movie idea or it may spark an idea for something especially meaningful to them personally. And when it’s all said and done, you can call it a wrap!

*You might also like to read Wedding Day “Just Married” Photo Idea and Honeymoon “Just Married” Photo Idea.

*The new issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter with a giveaway in every regularly scheduled issue, came out last week. It’s not too late to receive it. Sign-up is free and to the right! (If you’re on a mobile device, scroll to the bottom of the screen and click View Full Site to find it.)

*Flickr photo by madebyWstudio, Creative Commons License

An MOB Prescription: Movie Fun!

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Mother of the Bride, today I’m writing a prescription for you—a prescription for fun!

Remember how I encouraged you a few weeks ago to take time for laughter in the midst of all the craziness of your current MOB life? Well, a one-time shot is not enough. Your demanding role requires regular doses. Yay, right?

My MOB-doctor’s-order is guaranteed to melt tension and put a smile on your face. Keep in mind that the fun-factor of this particular remedy is magnified if carried out with someone else who has weddings on the brain. So grab your daughter, your significant other, or a BFF who is thoroughly invested in your MOB journey and get ready to enjoy your dose of fun!

And what exactly is prescribed? Movie fun! Any flick you’ve been dying to see will work, but since you’re currently living the stuff wedding movies are made of, it’s the perfect time to choose a movie that includes a wedding theme. You will definitely be able to identify with it now in a way you never have before.

How about a classic like Father of the Bride with Steve Martin and Diane Keaton?  This movie absolutely nails the whole parents-of-the-bride experience. I’m sure you’ve probably seen it before, but it’s worth another watch during your MOB tenure. You will smile, giggle, belly laugh, and even get misty-eyed while you watch George and Nina Banks play out on the big screen the situations you’re navigating right now.

So go ahead and take your prescription. Relax and have fun—doctor’s orders, MOB style! :)

*What are some other wedding-themed movies that could fill this prescription for movie fun?

*My photo

*Join me over on my inspirational blog and throw your name in the hat for the “Back At It” Giveaway! Deadline to enter is 6 p.m. Aug. 28.

The Grandstands

True to our own little tradition, Don and I went to the movies on Halloween. This year we saw Secretariat and joined thousands, past and present, who have watched victory unfold from the grandstands. Couple this inspiring story of a triple crown winner with the movie’s amazing and moving musical score, and you feel like you’re there, one of many pulling for the big, red horse to win it all.

I couldn’t help but notice one young moviegoer who was so engrossed in the story playing out before us that she nearly came out of her chair with excitement during the last race segment. Sitting in front of us and down a few seats, she rocked on the edge of her chair in time to the beat of Secretariat’s hooves. She was determined to help him win — as were the many who were really in the stands that day.

The energy and cheers of the fans undoubtedly provided Secretariat with the extra measure of inspiration and determination needed to gain the victory. And when the victory was won in such an amazing fashion, the grandstands erupted in unbridled cheers. Not only did the fans earnestly pull for Secretariat, they rejoiced wildly in his victory.

A scripture passage from Hebrews tells us that we, too, are surrounded by such a throng as we run the race of life. People are in the grandstands for us. Yes, folks are pulling for us. Not only those who know and love us, but the scripture refers to those who have gone on before us. What a powerful thought — the hosts of heaven pulling for us, willing us to do our best and then rejoicing in our victories.

Anyone in need today of an extra measure of inspiration and determination as you run life’s race? Close your eyes and envision the grandstands around you. Remember they’re filled with people who want to see you win. Do you hear the cheers? Let them spur you on to victory. Press on. Give it your best!

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” Hebrews 12:1

Flickr photo by Ryan Bjorkquist, Creative Commons License

*The Life Notes Subscriber Appreciation Giveaway deadline is this Sunday. Details are in my Oct. 10 post and sign-up is to the right. Don’t miss out on the chance to win a $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble!

Empty Calories

After a ridiculous start to our weekend (a car breakdown and a break in our waterline under the house), we finally whisked ourselves away from the homestead and celebrated Halloween by going to a movie, a tradition we started several years ago.

No, we didn’t go to an AMC like the picture above suggests — we went to a Cinemark (our favorite theater, by the way). But we did, however, partake in movie snacks. For us, that’s just part of the fun of going to the movies. Plus it helps keep Don awake :)

We ate lunch on the run because of all the earlier insanity, and by the time we made it to the late afternoon showing of Amelia, we barely made it through the previews before digging into our popcorn. Of course, I had to have some Peanut M&Ms to add some chocolate to the whole affair, but notice how I went the healthy route by eating the peanut variety :)

Since this was our supper, we ate quite a lot — got the popcorn and drink with refills. Not the most nutritious meal but fun to do every now and then. At least at first. After some speed shopping after the movie, I realized I was still hungry as we began our drive back home. The junk food just hadn’t satisfied.

So what did we do? Stop and get something healthy, something that would stick to our ribs? No, we were running late and wanted something quick. We stopped at Braum’s for chocolate shakes. No, I’m not kidding. I hate to admit it, but it’s true.

By the time we got home over an hour later, I felt — how shall I say it? — yucky. I had the jitters from all the sugar and chocolate, plus my stomach felt gross, but at the same time, still kind of hungry. All those empty calories had not met the need. After a short while, I was hungry for more.

Sometimes we do the same thing where our spirits are concerned. Our spirits get hungry and thirsty for something that will fill our need, something that will satisfy, but instead we fill them with things that just bring a temporary lift — shopping, food, relationships, recreation, alcohol or whatever our drug of choice. The list goes on. Call them empty calories that leave us hungry for more.

Many of these temporary lifts are good and meant to be enjoyed in moderation, but only one thing will satisfy that deepest part of us — a relationship with Jesus. He said, “‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.'” (John 6:35)

Let’s turn to Him and His Word when our spirits are hungry and thirsty. Let’s go to the One who satisfies. What He gives will fill our need. No empty calories from Him.

Flickr photo by naydeeyah, Creative Commons License

**Current and new subscribers to Life Notes, my free quarterly inspirational newsletter, will be included in a drawing for a $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble. Sign up by noon (CST) Nov. 22 on the sidebar to the right for a chance to win! (See Nov. 1st post for details.)

Julie & Julia — An Unexpected Treat

3490772254_b7330ef1a9_zHave you seen any good movies lately? Yesterday when my friend Teri and I went to Tulsa to celebrate our August birthdays a little early, we decided to hit the theater. And what better film for a couple of footloose and fancy free gals to see than a cooking movie like Julie & Julia :)

It turned out to be everything I expected and more. What can I say — Meryl Streep delivers. Her portrayal of Julia Child leaves viewers smiling and nodding their heads in agreement at how spot-on her performance is. Without a doubt, she nails the well-loved cooking legend.

Teri and I knew it would be a treat going in. Meryl playing such a colorful figure, the history involved, and just the common-to-us-all experience of cooking — we knew we’d enjoy it. What I didn’t realize is that the movie held an unexpected treat for me. A writer’s treat.

I didn’t know I’d identify with Amy Adams’ character Julie, who just happens to start a blog and then delivers little one-line insights into the inner workings of a blogger’s mind. I’m sure I wasn’t the only blogger in the theater to giggle in acknowledgement of our lives being played out before our eyes.

And then, of course, there was Julia and her efforts to get her first cookbook published. As I remember, she poured seven or eight years of her life into the project just to get it rejected by the interested publisher. Ugh. The agony of defeat. Every writer has been there. By the end of the movie, however, we see Julia exultant over a letter from a publisher who did want to publish her book. Ah, victory! Where every writer wants to be…

So there you have it. The unexpected treat hidden within the expected. Isn’t it neat how God surprises us at times with little blessings that hit the spot for us, little things that encourage us in our situations or endeavors? What can I say — Meryl Streep’s not the only one who delivers!

“The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” Psalm 126:3

*So how has God surprised you lately with little blessings that hit the spot? Anyone else seen Julie & Julia yet?

*Flickr photo by Mo Kaiwen 莫楷文 , Creative Commons License