The Purge Has Begun – Getting a New Phone Soon?

I’ve dropped my phone too many times, and the last one finally chipped part of the glass clear off the phone! I can deal with a few cracks or scratches, but now that the glass is starting to chip, I’ve got to face the facts. It’s time for a new phone.

Should I go ahead and get one now?

Should I wait for possible Thanksgiving black Friday deals?

We’re so close to the holidays, I’ve got to believe there will be a special deal or two I can take advantage of. So I’ll wait. But… if this phone drops even ONE more time, it might be the straw that broke the camel’s back.

Because of that, I’ve finally saved and deleted all the photos and videos from my phone. Next up is making a list of apps I need to download on whatever new phone I get. Oh, should I get the new Galaxy Z Flip4? I’m generally against the idea of a full screen that flips. There’s just no way that type of screen can last. Not to mention it’s well over $1,000. That goes for the iPhone, too. Sure, everybody has one, but I am stubbornly saying no. The phone I have now is a Motorola and it’s been good. I don’t particularly like the Motorola offerings today. I’m mostly leaning towards Samsung or the Google Pixel phone.

Do you love your phone? What are the pros and cons and would you recommend it to your friends? Until I get a new one, I’ll leave you with a few of my favorite photos from all the pictures I saved.

Thanks for dropping in…

-Out of the Wilderness

Ten Hot Takes of the Week – November 7

Welcome to the second edition of “Ten hot takes of the week.” If you missed the first set of hot takes, check them out here. Moving on to this week, which includes an election on Tuesday, some of the hot takes below are political. If you have a few to add, share them in the comments. Enjoy!

Tom Brady is not the GOAT.

Alabama Crimson Tide football has peaked.

Donald Trump will not be the Republican presidential nominee in 2024.

Church songs are mostly written for women.

If there was a “White History Month,” people would riot.

The father should be included on the decision about the fetus.

Corvettes are only cool to men over the age of 60.

Oprah Winfrey is irrelevant.

Stranger Things will turn out like Lost. Cool show, but way more questions than answers.

Eagles are bullies.

Thanks for dropping in…

-Out of the Wilderness

Prayers and wishes

During one of last week’s football games the commentator was telling the story of one of the players who had a hardship. After explaining the story he said something along the lines of, “Our thoughts and prayers are with you,” except he said… “prayers and wishes.” I get it that people are tired of hearing “thoughts and prayers” because it’s a phrase that’s way overused in society today, especially when people need prayers and thoughts, but also “money and work and help and encouragement.” So the announcer guy might have just been trying a new phrase that wouldn’t be dismissed by those hearing it. My immediate thought, though, was that he’s equating a prayer with a wish.

That ticks me right off! Not because someone else thinks of prayers as wishes, but because I wonder how many of my prayers, if you were to read them off a piece of paper, would look a lot like a Christmas wishlist.

God, forgive me for coming to you with a list of “wants.” Help me to remember you’re constantly involved in my life and YOUR wish is that I live as a new creation. When I pray, help me to listen as much as I talk. Remind me of your love, faithfulness, and protection as I acknowledge my lowly status, my ineptitude, and my need for forgiveness and fortress. You are not the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Who you are is one that answers prayers from believing hearts, even if it’s not what I’d wish for.

Thanks for dropping in…

-Out of the Wilderness

The Etsy Christmas Commercial – The Music and More!

I’m just a human. Why is it that these Christmas commercials almost make me shed a tear every time I see them! Usually it’s Publix with the tearjerkers but Etsy has a new commercial that will warm your heart. They call it a “holiday commercial” but we all know it’s Christmas. Take a look…

The song in the ad is “Baby Where You Are” by Ted Lucas, which just the title alone reminds me of Christmas songs like, “I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” and Jon McLaughlin’s “Hallelujah This Christmas.”

Even though it’s barely November, I guess it’s time we all admit the Christmas season is upon us and I’m not upset about it. I love Christmas, and Christmas music! In fact, if you’re looking for the perfect gift for a new loved one in your life, check out my two children’s books, “Big and Small, God Made Them All,” and “The Brave Bamboo.” If you decide to get one, I hope it’s a big hit!

Big and Small, God Made Them All (paperback)

The Brave Bamboo (hard cover)

Thanks for dropping in!

-Out of the Wilderness

The Ocean Spray Wiggle Jiggle Commercial – The Music and More!

This might be the best commercial I’ve ever seen. At the very least, it’s the weirdest ad I’ve seen in a very long time. Prepare yourself to be kind of frightened and kind of amazed! You might also be tempted to get jiggle with it…

By the end, I thought I was watching a trailer for a new Jordan Peele movie. But the jiggly commercial was put together by Orchard Creative and Chief Creative Officer David Kolbusz. The beat that will be playing in clubs everywhere (because how would it NOT be?) can be listened to in its entirety below and, as one fan put it, I like the part where it goes “wiggle jiggle.” 😉

When it comes to holiday ads, Publix has the best ones 99% of the time. Especially after their thanksgiving commercial “I Remember This” and their Valentine’s Day ad featured in my Top 4 TV commercials of all time. But hello, Ocean Spray has entered the chat! While it’s not emotional like the Publix ads, this ad will 100% be topping holiday commercial lists for a long, long time.

If you’re so inclined, you can even duet the song on TikTok. Just click here and open up the song in the app. Here are a couple of fun examples from TikTok.

@dohmygoodness

#duet with @oceanspray #jigglewithus

♬ Wiggle Wiggle Jiggle Jiggle – Ocean Spray Inc.
@bridgetteleephipps

#duet with @oceanspray #jigglewithus I got stuck in the cran sauce again.

♬ Wiggle Wiggle Jiggle Jiggle – Ocean Spray Inc.
@oceanspray

#duet with @oceanspray straight from the bog #jigglewithus

♬ Wiggle Wiggle Jiggle Jiggle – Ocean Spray Inc.

How will you be jiggling this Thanksgiving season? Chime in below and thanks for wiggling by…

-Out of the Wilderness