Sunday, August 10, 2014

Sonspiration Sunday #1

And in the morning when I rise,
He brings a tear of joy to my eyes
And tells me everything is gonna be alright...




Saturday, August 9, 2014

CAUTION: May have fishy smell!

Turns out, our family are not the only people that make up languages. What about acronyms? The English Language is full of them. The popularity of social media created a whole new meaning for the word acronym. Everybody that uses facebook or the twitter uses and understands them, lol. We use them in our everyday speech more than we realize. Here's a few for examples:
  • We eat them - BLT (Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato), PBJ (Peanut Butter & Jelly)
  • We tell time with them - PM (post meridian), BC (Before Christ) EST (Eastern Standard Time)
  • We swing by them and need an acronym to use - ATM (Automated Teller) PIN (Personal Identification Number)
  • We drink them - OJ (Orange Juice), BYOB (Bring you own bottle)
  • We even talk dirty with them - SOB, SOL
Acronyms are a standard in our language usually consisting of three letters. They are easy to use. They are simple to understand.  I expect folks know the meaning of acronyms of their era. I ask my kids the meaning of some social media acronyms. They know the younger ones while I know the older ones. Sometimes, acronyms become more familiar to us than the actual name of something. Heard anyone say something like this lately? "Yeah. I'll be there around 5 post meridian. I've got to run by the Automated Teller. I can't remember my Personal Identification Number." I didn't think so! Humans tend to embrace lazy and our languages are no exception.

I love to learn. You might enjoy reading The Top 10 Things I learned in London or 5 Things the New Grandmom Learned. I heard a word during a sightseeing tour in London. I had always thought it was a word but our guide says it's an acronym. See if you can guess the word/acronym before we embark on a bit of a vocabulary lesson:
  • definition of mystery acronym - a level quayside area to which a ship may be moored to load and unload. noun
  • every waterfront city has one
  • a lot of restaurants are named this acronym
  • these are commonly converted to housing or apartments
  • picture clue 
san francisco wharf
photo credit: Pedro Szekely
The guide told us the word WHARF is an acronym for Warehouse at River Front. According to Merriam-Webster, "wharf" is a middle English word used before the 12th century. I have to admit I was amazed at my lack of knowledge surrounding the word. The acronym was so believable, not only was his story convincing but the acronym made so much sense. Internet sources say the acronym for wharf is untrue. I say "It's an English word. Been around for a long time. If a Londoner wants to spice up his tour by making up acronyms for his country's language, I'll eat it up all day long and repeat his story to entertain others!" Warning: proceed with caution to your nearest warehouse at riverfront....may have fishy smell for a couple of reasons.

Ever heard this big fish story too? Leave me a comment with your thoughts.

Happily gullible,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap

Thursday, August 7, 2014

Money-Saving Thursday #4: Tips for FREE Hilton Hotel Stays

Sydnee and I enjoyed our quick trip to Chicago this past weekend. We attended the Lollapalooza Music Festival where Trey's band Crass Mammoth rocked the BMI stage! The music was so powerful and loud it shook my insides, literally. Don't worry my heart seems to still be attached and upright.
Best part of the trip? Staying on the Executive Floor of the Chicago Hilton at 720 South Michigan Avenue in a King Room for FREE! Hilton Honors is THE BEST hotel reward program ever! I love Hilton Hotels because you know what you're getting when you stay with them: a clean, fresh room that feels like home.

5 Tips for staying free:


  • Join the Hilton Honors Program
  • Book as many stays as possible at the Hilton Family of Hotels. You receive points/bonus points for every stay
  • Use your American Express card to maximize your points with Membership Rewards. Receive 1 point for every dollar you spend on the card. AMEX runs bonus points offers too!
  • Redeem hotel stays when points are on sale
  • Sign up for Hilton Honors emails to receive news of discounted rooms
I've taken some pretty sweet family vacations with FREE hotel rewards. We stayed at the Double Tree Times Square in New York FREE! Everyone wants a reward program that works for them...this one is it!

Racking up the points,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Are there Christian homosexuals?

chicago
Would you be surprised to see me standing on the streets of Chicago holding this sign? I saw a group of people in Chicago this weekend attempting to proclaim Christ holding a sign that said "There are no Christian homosexuals".  I was shocked!

Before I begin, let me confirm my belief. I believe sin is sin and God hates it. In short, Christians should avoid sin at all costs using Jesus as their strength to do it. However, I also believe that we, as Christians, like to pick and choose what we believe to be sin and not sin. I don't agree with this sign! I don't agree with what I saw happen on the streets of Chicago in the name of Jesus either.

A man (don't know his sexual preference) confronted the man holding this sign. He hissed and booed him. Then he spit at his feet. His actions didn't surprise me. The actions of the guy proclaiming Jesus surprised me. He shouted at the man "What are you? A poster child for drug abuse!" and "Can we take up an offering to get this man a bath? You need a bath!". Not exactly the words or condemnation that I would expect to come from a Jesus follower. Matthew 7:22-23 rang in my head "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then I will profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." 

Some may agree wholeheartedly with the words on this sign. But, what if the sign said "There are no Christian adulterers" or "There are no Christian liars"? Could we agree with these words or would they make use think twice. I'm sure every Christian has not followed God's law to the letter concerning marriage. Has there ever been a situation where you told a "white" lie or stretched the truth just a bit? Still a sin according to God. Just as ugly and deadly as homosexuality. Will our repeated sins, after we've accepted Christ, prevent us from going to heaven? I hope not! But, it's definitely something to ponder to help us keep temptation at bay. Jesus told the woman that was taken in adultery in John 8:11 "Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more."  Think we can do it?

I'd love to hear your thoughts. Leave me a comment!

Perplexed,

Tammy
The Happy Handicap

Thursday, July 31, 2014

Money-Saving Thursday #3: How to Lower the High Price of Gas


Grocery Fuel Programs

Because we all love to eat!


fuelperksbp gas
Join any of these programs by simply obtaining a membership card from the specific store brand.

BI-LO. I rank this fuel reward program #1. Bi-Lo is the best I've found to lower the high price of gas for three reasons:

  1. Weekly incentives to maximize your reward. Bi-Lo rewards .05 per gallon for buying certain foods. For example, this week, they offer rewards for buying lunchbox supplies for back to school. Save .03 to .05 off per gallon of gasoline when you purchase specific items. Deliciousness and savings too! Look for the red circular bubble in their weekly flyer to spot even more deals.
  2. Save .05 per gallon for every $50 spent at Bi-Lo. These seem to add up quickly!
  3. Bi-Lo fuelperks can be combined* with BP Driver Rewards to DECREASE your gas bill twice as fast. For every two times you buy 20 gallons of BP gas, receive .05 off per gallon. Think of it as double dipping since BI-LO and BP are partners in their gas reward programs. *Can't be combined at the pump. You must go in the store to use both rewards at the same time.
Don't have a BP rewards card? Sign up for one here or pick up one at your friendly neighborhood BP station.

TIP: Check with your local grocery store or favorite gas station to see if they partner with other gas reward programs. They may combine rewards too! And...you never know until you ask.

These are other fuel reward programs I use regularly and highly recommend to lower the high price of gas:



Share your fuel tips in a comment. I'd love to know of more ways to save money! Check out other ways to save at Money-Saving Thursday.

Fun to save,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap