HAPPY NEW YEAR!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

It was so awesome watching Time Square Ball because I have been there.  Happy New Year Everyone!

Tags: life, new year

Butterfly Dreams

Butterfly Dreams.... I love butterflies. They are beautiful and have a great meaning, new life in Christ. I have a lot of clothing that has butterflies on them.

Why do I write about this? During my recent medical scare , I had a lot of friends and family praying for me. One precious woman in my church approached me at church Sunday to tell me about her dream on the night of my surgery. She told me her heart was heavy all day. She has known me all my life and was really concerned because the doctor was very clear on what my outcome could be. She said right before she awoke the night of my surgery that the most beautiful butterfly appeared in her dream. The butterfly flew right up to her and stopped for a moment on her arm and flew away. She awoke at that moment and knew God was telling her that I was going to be ok. Later that day she received the phone call that I was ok and that I was recovering at home.

I started to cry when she told me this story because this dear lady did not know that I love butterflies. Isn't it awesome how God works?

This dream is the encouragement and reminder that I need that God is in control and he has something beautiful planned for my life.

Thank you Lord for being by my side through all the turmoil and reminding me that through your son I have been given a new life in Christ. Thank you Lord for friends and the power of prayer.

Tags: life, butterflies, dreams

MERRY CHRISTMAS

MERRY CHRISTMAS !

 

Yes I said Merry Christmas. Jesus is the Reason for every season.

Tags: life, christmas

I LOVE NEW YORK

What more can I say? I love New York. Well I love it for a visit at least. I don't know if I could live there or not. I am ready to go back next year. There are so many things to do and see and I only made it to a few. I saw the Trump Building where they film the Apprentice. I went to Toys R Us and rode the gigantic ferris wheel. I had a Coke at the top of the Marriott while the restaurant rotated. I took a central park carriage ride. I went to Chinatown and Little Italy. I saw the WTC site. I also was able to see the memorial American Express erected on behalf of their 11 employees that perished, Eleven Tears. I went to the Rockettes and Curtains. Curtains was awesome. We stayed one block from the Ed Sullivan Theater ( Dave Letterman Show). I even toured the United Nations building. Wow, looking back that I did alot and so much more to do. We even rode the subway. My greatest find was this awesome 3-d framed portrait of Times Square local vendors were selling. Several vendors wanted $25 and I was just admiring it at another one and he said, I am tired and it is the end of the day $10. I grabbed it. He did try to only give me back $10 when I handed him a $50 but I caught him. I am one smart cookie.

Well, I will post pictures later when I get them ready.

 

 

 

http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2005/09/10/nyregion/20050911_FEAT_SLIDESHOW_5.html

 

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/11/nyregion/thecity/11feat.html?_r=1&pagewanted=3&oref=slogin

Tags: life, new york

EXCITEMENT

I am so excited. My doctor approved for me to go to New York for the trip I have been planning and paying for since March. My surgery went great and only laparoscopic and not an incision was needed. Praise God! I am so stoked right now to finally see New York at Christmas. I am watching Ace of Cakes on the Food network and they are making a special cake for the Radio City Spectacular which I am going to see while I am there. Did I mention I was excited?

Last week during this time so much uncertainty was in the air. Today most of my uncertainty has been answered in a tremendous way. Last week I was told New York was out of the question and that it will be there next year. Today , I am packing to go to New York. Praise God. Did I mention I was excited?

I promise that I will rest when I need to rest. I promise I will get up and walk on the bus every hour. I am so excited about seeing the store windows, the tree, the Rockettes and if I am up to it the Statue of Liberty. I think if I had all my energy and was not still recuperating that I would be bouncing off the walls right now. Did I mention I have to be up at 5 AM and it is 1:40 AM, shhh! I can't sleep on the bus since I have to walk every hour too, oh my. Oh by the way, Did I mention I am so excited?

Let me tell you that I am proud. I love food. I have not even thought about what meals I need to buy or what they might be. My precious friend told me tonight to eat a slice of pizza and it took me a moment to realize she was talking about New York style pizza, duh! For the first time ever food is not a priority, yayyy!I just want to see the lights, the buzz and the excitement. Yep, that excitement word again, sorry.

I want to praise God in so many ways. For his healing touch, gentle hand and compassion. Because of him I am able to experience the big joy and excitement I am experiencing now. Thank you for letting this be a positive week. Thank you for allowing me to experience this trip. Thank you for the birth of Jesus . Thank you God for your Saving Grace.

By the way, Did I mention I am excited?

Tags:life, New York, Christmas

PRAISE GOD!

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Doxology

 

I believe in the power of prayer. I believe in the power of miracles. God is not finished with me yet. Thank you God for the great report today.

Tags: life, miracles, praise

Get behind me devil....

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.
1 The LORD is my shepherd;
  I have all that I need.
2 He lets me rest in green meadows;
  he leads me beside peaceful streams.
3   He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
  bringing honor to his name.
4 Even when I walk
  through the darkest valley,*
I will not be afraid,
  for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff
  protect and comfort me.
5 You prepare a feast for me
  in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil.
  My cup overflows with blessings.
6 Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me
  all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the LORD
  forever.

(NLT)

 

Tags: life, trials

A Quick Giggle

I always comment on customers that are rude or drive me crazy. ( Ex: The southern gospel music fanatic that calls me three to four times a week.) I will do the opposite today.

Yesterday I had the privilege of two old bitty sisters coming in to buy Bibles for their great grandchildren. I would guess that the one that drove was in her early 80's and the other one was in the late 80's.They both have canes.  I will refer to them as Mrs. A and Mrs. B. Well, Mrs A comes in and is doing the talking and she talks like she is mean but really she is sweet. Mrs. B is the quiet one, she just lets Mrs. A do all the talking. Now I could not tell you what transpired between these two sisters as I was waiting on them but quiet old Mrs. B looked at Mrs. A and said very loudly. " Annie, Why don't you just shut up? I get so tired of you." I took a double take and was like wow . I guess after all these years Mrs. B is tired of Mrs. A doing all the talking and at her age hurting feelings doesn't matter anymore.

 I never know what I will encounter in a Christian bookstore. I went to emboss the Bibles in the back but before I walked away I asked them to please not kill each other while they wait . I could see it now.... Elderly sisters kill each other in Christian Bookstore..... Hmmh, I don't think that would be the publicity we needed to increase business.

At least it made for a good laugh. I did ask them to keep their canes on the ground and not to use them as weapons when they get home. They both smiled at me so it makes me wonder if they have not already had a few cane fights.

Dear Lord,

Thank you for the good laugh. I pray that you will be their protector as they finish their journey through life.

Amen!

Tags: life, work

WOO HOO ALMOST DONE!

Checking My List

Mom  -Done,Dad- Done,Sister-Done, Nephew-Done, Brother-In-Law -Done, Aunt -Done, Cousins #1-6 Done,  Friends -Done,Employees-Done

Brother - Still looking    Brother's Girl Friend- Still looking   Grandparents- Still looking

WOOHOO! Three to go and it is still November. I am so excited. I shop all year so don't be too jealous of me. I have had my sister's presents since last December with the after Christmas sales. I am also going to New York for three days in December so I will lose four shopping days so I have to get ahead. Well, yes I know I can shop in New York and believe me I will, but for me :)

Tonight I went online and with special codes from upromise.com and online sales I was able to buy my mom three complete outfits for under $70 and that included shipping. Granted I spent an hour plugging in different codes and removing and adding various items to get the best deal. Then I went on over to Sports Authority from the upromise website where I knew I had seen some Ohio state items for my brother in law and they were 25% off until midnight and shipping was free. On top of the savings on my purchase I also get between 2-4% credit on my upromise account towards my awful student loans. GO ME! They said Monday was the cyber sales but Wednesday was for me.

Now maybe I can keep my concentration on what Christmas is all about. CHRIST!

 

 

 

 

 

Tags: life, Christmas shopping

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

( My brother brought his new girlfriend to our family gathering. Hope this is who the Lord wants for him, she is so nice.)

 

Tags: life, love, thanksgiving

I knew it was a little too quiet

All you parents know that if it is too quiet there is trouble. OHH! That is so true.

Last night my nephew and I were cooking and washing dishes. He put Dawn dish soap on his hands and rubbed his hands together until they were white and foamy. He then kept trying to put all the soap on me. He left the room and I continued to cook but realized he was too quiet and that he had not rinsed his hands. I quietly tiptoed into the living room as the cat was running from him. You guessed it , he had smeared all the soap on his hands onto the poor innocent kitty. I immediately start fussing and tried to catch the cat. Dawn may be ok to clean ducks but ducks do not bathe themselves like a cat does. I saw a veterinarian bill coming for ingestion of soap. I snatched the cat up and took him into the bathroom. I knew I was in for a battle. If you have a cat then you know that cats and water do not mix. I took a wet washcloth and started to wash him down. The cat did not even cry or meow. He put his head on my arm and seemed to be enjoying his washcloth bath. I rubbed him with more water and he purred as if thinking me for the massage he was getting. How strange! That is about as long as it lasted. When I went into round three , he definitely was very vocal and when I put him down the the cat took off and munchkin did too. He was scared. I think I would run too if I were either one of them. A mischievous kid and kitty wanting revenge, hmmh. Munchkin did say, " I think kitty might want to kill me." My reply, " Well not kill you but he may want to slap you around a few times though."

Lesson learned again, quietness means trouble.

Regret, not taking a picture because cats are so funny looking when they are wet.

Tags: munchkin, life, cat

Healthy Living

Well I am trying again to be healthy. I know , I know it is a roller coaster for me. Well I did really good for two days but tonight I messed up.  I really wanted a soda so I stopped at the 7-11 and got one. The really really bad part was that the doughnuts had just been refilled and I fell for the temptation. A chocolate one and an apple fritter.

What frustrates me the most is I keep thinking, Mind over Matter and the Matter keeps winning. AHHHHH! I will try again tomorrow. The holidays are going to be so hard.

Tags: health, life

Christian Parents Beware

I am not one to go around telling people what they should and should not do as Christians. We all live our own lives and have to accountable to God one day. I am letting this time be an exception. There is a new movie coming out in December called The Golden Compass. Parents beware and do some research. I researched it myself and it is not something I will see.

Here is the snopes website... draw your own conclusions:

http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/compass.asp

 

Tags: movies, christianity

A Brand New Week

Tomorrow starts a brand new week. I think we almost hit rock bottom last week and I am going to be positive and optimistic of the coming week.

Dear Lord,

Thank you for being by my side last week through all the turmoil. Thank you for the ability to spend more time with my father. Thank you for the friends who stood by my side with calls , emails and comments. Thank you for sending your son to die for us to assure those of us who choose to accept Him in our hearts everlasting life in Heaven.

Praise your holy name.

Stay with me as I start a new week. Give me the strength and courage to face everything that comes my way with dignity and a Christ-like mind.

Please help me as I have fallen in the stress of things the last two weeks in my healthy lifestyle habits.  Remind me food is a nourishment and can not medicate emotions. You are all I need.

Surround me with your everlasting peace.

Amen.

...........................................................................................................................

On a different note but on the fresh start theme. I went to the grocery store last night and bought the new Dawn Simple Pleasures. I have to tell you the air freshener on the bottom of this bottle is awesome. I smell it the minute I cross the front door and it only gets better as I head to the kitchen. I bought the Water Lilly and Jasmine. Oh it smells wonderful. That scent reminds me of newness and freshness. Hmmh, isn't that how Christ works? He takes the old and washes it clean and leaves us refreshed and new. WOW!

http://www.dawn-dish.com/en_US/dawn/simplepleasures/home.do

 

 

 

 

Tags: life, new start

When it rains it pours

Well, that is how I am feeling right now. Sunday was the beginning of a bad week and everyday has had it's own challenges.

Do you want hear about it?  Good .

Dad was supposed to go home Wednesday but had another attack that morning. Dad was supposed to go home today but doctor wants to monitor him another day. We will see about tomorrow.

Washing machine broke. Have about two weeks worth of dark clothes piled up. I have been wearing lounge outfits and the clothes you have that you never give away but don't prefer to wear either.  Went to laundromat with twenty dollars in quarters while babysitting my nephew since he has been at the hospital so much. Laundromat no longer takes quarters only bills. I have no cash except the twenty dollars in quarters. Have to go to my sister's house and do one load at a time. Did I mention that it ended up being seven loads of laundry? So I was there for hours while still having to see my dad and do some errands.

I am in charge of family movie night tomorrow night at church. Do you think I have had time to do anything to prepare this week with all that has been going on with my dad ? NO.

Went to Wonder bread store to get Twinkies for Family Movie Night. Guess What? They didn't have any. I should have known.

Went to two stores looking for big bags of popcorn. Do you think I found it? NO.

My brother is covering my day off at my store since my dad who normally covers my day off is in the hospital. He calls. His van is overheating and needs a car. My mom needs her car in case my dad does come home. I have a lot of errands to run to somewhat prepare for movie night and I need mine. Then it dawns on us , he can take my dad's car because he is not using it. Then we find out he has not updated the inspection since May, yes MAY. That is not all though. He has just decided to tell us his ignition is broke and he can not take the key out . Ok , is that not asking for someone to steal it or what?Then again the thief probably looks at it and knows it is not worth touching.

Now I probably could keep going even on minor details. I am going toprepare myself to not have any gas tomorrow in my car because my brother never refills what he uses. Oh by the way, since my sister works at the hospital and her car wasn't being used she allowed me to use hers for my errands so that my brother had transportation. That leaves me with another dilemma though. I had to refill her gas and since my brother left me with no gas I have to fill mine too. Isn't that double jeopardy?

I will stop now in case you are as tired as I am. But please stop the rain...unless it is in the form of good news. I will proclaim it...

Let it rain with glory Lord let it rain with honor. Let it pour with your love, Lord. Let it rain.

Let  It Rain by Michael W Smith

The Lord reigns, let the earth be glad
Let the distance shores rejoice
Clouds and thick darkness surround him
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne
A fire goes before him and consumes his foes on every side
His lightning lights up the world
The earth sees and trembles
The mountains melt like wax before the Lord
Before the Lord of all the earth
The Heavens proclaim His righteousness
And all peoples will see His Glory

We want to see Your Glory, God!
Do you want to see His Glory?
Lift your voices, lift your hands!

Let it rain, let it rain.
Open the floodgates of Heaven

 

 

 

Tags: stress, life, rain

Another good chuckle

If you know me at all , I am the type that finds the dumbest things amusing when I am under stress. Well I guess I should say first, please uplift my father and my family in prayer. He is in the hospital with potential heart problems. He is currently in ICU. It has been a rough day. We do know the EKG was fine and his electrolytes are fine but his heart keeps racing and his defibrillator keeps jolting him into a normal beat. The defibrillator is normal too. So for now we are in limbo. Well not limbo because God is in control.

Back to the amusing item. I was pumping up my nephew's air mattress. I read the side of the mattress and the warning label said... Only Use Under Competent Supervision. Competent Supervision not Adult Supervision. Right there and then I knew I could not pump it up. Wow is this a new way to avoid lawsuits for the manufacturer. If something goes wrong and you are an adult they can quip back that you were not competent. I know I am smart but a lot of times I am not competent especially under stress. Anyone else find that comical or am I overstressed?

Tags: life, stress, laughs

Cute Email

Received a cute email today and thought I would post it. If you have read it sorry.

SUMMARY OF MY LAST YEAR ON THE COMPUTER
 
     I have to scrub the top of every can I open.

     I don't have any savings because I gave it to a
 sick girl (Penny Brown) who is about to die in the
 hospital for the 1,387,258th time.

     In fact I don't have any money at all, but that
 will change once I receive the $15,000 that Bill
 Gates/Microsoft and AOL are sending me for
 participating in their special e-mail program.

     I don't have to worry about my soul because I
 have 363,214 angels looking out for me, and St.
 Theresa's novena has granted my every wish.
     I no longer eat KFC because their chickens are
actually horrible mutant freaks with no eyes or
feathers.
      I no longer use cancer-causing deodorants even
 though I smell like a water buffalo on a hot day
      Thanks to you, I have learned that my prayers
get answered only if I forward an email to seven of
my friends and make a wish withinfive minutes.

     I no longer can buy gasoline without taking
 someone along to watch the car so a serial killer
 won't crawl in my back seat when I'm pumping gas.
 
     I no longer drink Pepsi or Dr. Pepper since the
 people who make these products ar e atheists who
 refuse to put "Under God" on the cans.
 
    Also, I no longer drink Coca Cola because it can
 remove toilet stains.
 
     I don't use Saran wrap in the microwave because
 it causes cancer.

     And thanks for letting me know I can't boil a
 cup of water in the microwave anymore since it will
 blow up in my face, disfiguring me for life.

     I no longer check the coin return on pay phones
 because I could be pricked with an infected needle. 
 
     I no longer go to shopping malls because someone
 will drug me with a perfume sample and rob me..
 
     I no longer receive packages from UPS or FedEx
 since they are actually Al Qaeda in disguise.
 
     I no longer shop at Target since they are French
 and don't support our American troops or the
 Salvation Army.

     I don't answer the phone anymore because someone
 will ask me to dial a number for which I will get a
 phone bill with calls to <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Jamaica, Uganda, Singapore,
 and Uzbekistan.

 I don't have to buy expensive cookies from
 Neiman Marcus since I now have their recipe.

     I can't use anyone's toilet but mine because a
 big brown African spider is lurking under the seat
 to cause me instant death when it bites my rear-end.

    And thanks to your great advice, I can't ever
pick up a $5 bill I find in a parking lot because it was
probably placed there by a sex molester waiting
underneath my car to grab my leg.

     I can't drive my car anywhere now because we're
no longer supposed to buy gas from any gas stations.

     If you don't send this e-mail to at least
 144,000 people in the next 70 minutes, a large dove
 with  diarrhea will land on your head at 5:00 PM
today, and the fleas from 12 camels will infest your
back, causing you to grow a hairy hump. I know this
will occur because it actually happened to a friend
of my next door neighbor's ex-mother-in-law's second
husband's cousin's beautician...

Have a wonderful day!

 

Tags: funny emails

Seventy times Seven...hmmh

Then Peter came to him and asked, "Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?"  "No!" Jesus replied, "seventy times seven!" Matthew 18:21-22 (NLT)

 

Seventy times seven equals four hundred and ninety. WOW! That is a lot. Do you think we are to stop at 490 or keep on forgiving?

 At what point do you stop subjecting yourself to the hurt? At what point do you sever the ties and move on even if they are a family member? Or do you? Do you keep making them aware of the problem? Is it the Christian thing to do to keep taking the abuse?

I know I just thought about the fact that if you forgive them of the sin it is erased.So in other words we should not be counting. HMMMH! What if they never ask for forgiveness? Does that change things?

Comments please.

 

 

Tags: life, forgiveness

 

What more can I say? 70 Years of Marriage. What an example! He is 92 and she is 89. They are the greatest grandparents they know how to be.

 

Tags: life, anniversary, love

What Happened To....

What ever happened to .... Don't argue with a customer? Well, I was going to say what ever happened to the customer is always right but since I work in customer service I know customers sometimes bend the truth and some are deceitful. Ok back to the subject.

I went to my favorite Chinese restaurant. I love their spring rolls. One time when I went there I wanted a spring roll and they were out of them and the owner told me he would make one just for me.  I noticed the last time I was there that I thought they were under new ownership. Well my suspicions were right. I went there tonight and encountered a new young man behind the counter with an attitude. This is how our conversation went:

Me: "One spring roll please."

Him: " Everything is one size."

Me: " I ordered a spring roll."

Him (agitated) : " I said everything we have is one size."

At this point I am wondering what language I must be speaking because this is not going well at all.

Me: "Ok but I ordered one spring roll."

Him: " No you didn't you asked for a small bowl of asdlkjsad" I don't know what he said because it was too fast.

Me:" No, I asked for one spring roll please."

Him ( agitated) " You said a small bowl but anyway, One spring roll anything else?"

I was scared then but proceeded to give the rest of my order. You will never guess that when I got home I was missing something. I did not dare go back and tell him that . He might have yelled at me this time.

All of this trouble and the food wasn't even good. Don't you hate it getting disappointed like that?

 I guess I need to find a new favorite Chinese restaurant and I think alot of other people will too.

Tags: life, food, disappointments

Rejoice, Rejoice, again I say Rejoice

Praise the Lord ! Praise the Lord! My cat has been found. I was brought up to give praise for things great and small. Thank you Lord for making him visible tonight under  my neighbors deck.

Apparently he has been living under their house for four entire days. The fact that they have a loud barking indoor dog probably has not helped him either.

Now, how did we find him? The credit goes to my mom. She decided to look under the house again tonight. Once again she did not see anything. She then flashed the flashlight across the backyard and saw nothing. So just to satisfy her for the night she flashed it under my neighbors deck and saw two cat eyes looking at her. He was so scared he would not come to her. She ran and told me to come out and he was still out there looking at us. I went with his treats and he ran under the house. The part we laugh at now is that our bodies were able to get under that deck and get him. I snatched that cat and ran in the house. He went straight to his food but the dish was outside being used to coerce him inside. Then he came in the living room and just rolled around on the floor and stretched. He has been eating and drinking every few minutes. He probably has not eaten in four days. Poor baby.

Well thanks to everyone for your prayers. I know it seems silly to be so excited about a cat but only pet owners know that feeling.

Thank you again, God.

Tags: life, cat, happiness

STILL SAD

Went to the SPCA this morning and no cat. We have posted signs on the telephone poles. Oh I wish he would show up.

Tags: sad, cat

I'm so sad

Well I woke up with a splitting headache and things have been worse since then. I know my indoor cat was on my bed between 4 and 6:30 am. That was the last time I have seen him. I discovered he was missing at 9:45 am when I was informed that he may have gone out the door at 6:30 am when the newspaper was retrieved. We have turned the house upside down thinking he may just be asleep and hiding somewhere. I don't think an inch of this house went unturned. It has now been close to 16 hours and no cat. I am so scared for him. He is declawed and has never been outside for more than a few seconds ever. I am just praying that  someone has taken him in and will check the lost and found ads. I will check the SPCA tomorrow. I hope I find him.

Tags: sad, life, cat

Determination

I was determined this evening to exercise but time kept slipping away. So what did I do? I went out and walked up and down my street three times for a total of thirty minutes. Nothing silly about that except it was 10 PM. You have to do what you have to do.... I wasn't walking alone, just so you know. I do have better sense than that.

By the way, that is four days of exercise out of five. I am on a roll. Go Becky!

 

Tags: life, exercise

Come on , I'm in a hurry!

I made the mistake of going shopping with my mother for what should have been a few minutes, as in under an hour. I told her I did not mind going but I wanted to be home at 8:30 to watch the Biggest Loser. Well 8 rolls around and she is still shopping, 8:10 she is still in the ladies department, 8:15 she is still there. I finally told her I was heading home and reminded her what our time schedule was. At 8:22 she walks over to the cashier and the cashier is in no hurry to ring people out in between her text messages. My mom had two transactions. The cashier would pick up the item, pick up the scanner, put down the scanner, somewhat fold the item , and do the same process for all 14 kitchen cloths that all had the same numbers. Then she thought she scanned once twice  and recount them all and see how many she missed. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! I made a point to say that this process was too slow and I was in a hurry but I said all that as I finished so the cashier would not slow down out of spite. I know I should have went ahead of my mom and went home. As it stands , I was home close to 8:45 but thank goodness Biggest Loser repeats alot from the week before.

How come people always seem to be in slow motion when you are in a hurry?

Speaking of Biggest Loser , I was sad the black team lost. I really was rooting for the underdog team. I keep saying I am going to apply for that show. hmmmh.

Tags: life

What month is it?

I know the calendar says October 8. I know everyone has their pumpkins and harvest decorations out in the yards. I know this past weekend was the Newport News Fall Festival. I know that Halloween is fast approaching but but but..... it was almost 90 degrees all weekend and expecting record high heat tomorrow. My mind and body think it is June but my eyes say October... really October, oh my. I think I am going to reserve a  cottage at the outer banks for Christmas week. At this rate it will be wonderful beach weather.

While I am on the weather subject. Can someone tell me what rain looks like? Someone said we had some on Friday but I never saw it.

Signing off,

Hot and Dry in Virginia

 

Tags: life, heat, drought

I'm addicted to.....

I am addicted to bread making. I made my grandparents some of my beer bread this weekend out of O'doul's and my grandfather loved it. He loves bread and was excited to hear my grandmother does not need to knead it just stir it. Her hands are all messed up from arthritis.

Well I had read that you can substitute Mountain Dew for beer. I tried that tonight and cut the sugar back a little. Let me say it was tastier than the beer bread. Oh my, I am in trouble now. I cut carbonation sodas out of my diet but now have them in my bread. Ahhh! It bakes out.

By the way, if you are on my Christmas list you might as well know you are getting bread.

Tags: bread, life

Fabulous Day

We drove up to Richmond today and took my nephew to the state fair. It was a fabulous day. I only cheated on my diet with Indian fry bread and homemade doughnuts but I shared both. Not bad considering all the temptations.

Thank you Lord for giving me a beautiful day in the midst of such turmoil. I know you are in charge and I will continue to trust you.

Tags: life, good times

PRAY PRAY PRAY

Please pray for me and my family. There is some unspoken spiritual warfare happening right now. The devil will not win.

 

This is my thought as we go through this right now.

If Satan was an angel and God made the angels then how can Satan be stronger than God..... HE IS NOT!

GOD IS MY STRENGTH AND MY SHIELD !

Tags: life, spiritual warfare

Call me Miss Wannabehomemaker 2

UPDATE: I made this bread again with full flavor beer but preferred it made with the light beer.

I have been busy baking things from scratch again. My sister had her in-laws in town last weekend and they (in-laws)  drink beer. The problem is they left a six pack in the refrigerator hoping my brother-in-law would drink it. He has turned a new leaf , has no desire to drink and has not had a drink in 6-7 years. So now the dilemma of what to do with the beer.

Well I remember going to a dinner at a friend's house and they had baked beer bread. They said it was easy and let me tell you it was delicious.This is coming from someone who does not like beer at all. The beer acts as the yeast and the bread was just oh so good.

Well I'll be , lets try it.

Beer Bread

3 cups self rising flour

1 12 oz room temperature beer

4 tbsp sugar

4 tbsp melted butter

First send the deacon from the church to get the beer, the cashier already knows they drink. Oops did I say that. Just joking. Any way, Preheat oven 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients but butter. Yes you have to use your hands. My nephew did that part and the measuring of the flour . He had a ball. Place in a well greased loaf pan. Bake for 25 minutes. Pour melted butter over loaf. Bake another 20-25 minutes until golden brown.

I used a Light beer but you can use any beer including non-alcohol beer. You can even add herbs and cheese to change the flavors. No we did not get drunk because the alcohol bakes out. Let me tell you was it good. Ummmh.

THOUGHT: You know the old saying, when life throws you lemons make lemonade... Well....... When life throws you beer, make beer bread.

 

 

 

Tags: life, baking, beer bread

What are people thinking?

Do you ever wonder what people are thinking when they ask or say different things?

Today I was back in my so-called office doing some work when a customer came in that I really did not care for before today and believe me after today she did not make it any easier for me to like her. She came in and asked my employee which was my cousin, a young male, where the heavy girl was today. I was in the back listening to everything and all I heard was "heavy girl". Is that all people see?

Do they not see that I am also tall. I have brown hair. I am nice. I am young. I have brown eyes. I try to dress nice. I have pretty skin. No , they only see that I am heavy. Why are people so shallow? Do I have to tell you that this lady is extremely heavy herself?

I told my cousin the next time to please defend me and say that the tall, brunette is in her office. I think she would get the hint but then again she probably wouldn't.

Do people not realize that people with weight issues struggle everyday? Some of us really do try not to be heavy. Statements like that just send us back to the cookie jar to drown in our sorrows. It's a cycle.

Don't judge people on their weight. Find something else about them to describe them that would be an encouragement. Look at their eyes, height, hair color and beyond.

Sincerely,

Me (fresh from the cookie jar)

 

Tags: life, diet, hurt

Miss Homemaker.... NOT!

Well , first off let me start off  that I have started my healthy living lifestyle, again. Yeah I know I am off and on and up and down. Well I weighed in and I have lost five pounds since my last weigh in three weeks ago. YAY!

I have been getting the Mickey D's yogurt parfaits again as a snack. Ummmh, they have the best tasting yogurt ( and I am not a yogurt eater) but the best part is the granola.  I get very upset if they leave out my granola. That is the highlight of my snack.

I was browsing some recipes and ran across some home-made granola recipes. I was fascinated because it never dawned on my that you could make it. Well I know it doesn't grow on trees but I never thought about the making of granola. So I decided to whip up a batch. I have to say it was mighty good too. Now I just need to stash some in my purse so I won't get so upset when Mickey D's forgets my granola.

                                      MY GRANOLA RECIPE

Well first I need to tell you I do not follow recipes to a T but will give you what should happen.

3 cups rolled oats ( Yes that's plain old fashioned oatmeal, learned that today too. By the way I tried to add extra oats for a less sweet granola and accidentally doubled to 6 cups, but its fine )

1/4 cup of slivered or chopped nuts ( I used almonds)

1/3 cup shredded coconut ( optional for some but I used it)

1/4 cup maple syrup ( well I poured a little more but that's me, remember I had a lot of oats)

1/4 cup honey ( ditto from maple syrup)

1 1/2 tsp pure vanilla

1 tsp cinnamon ( for those of you that really know me, I don't like cinnamon but this is not much for all the oats I used)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Combine oats, nuts and coconut  in large bowl.  In small saucepan, heat maple syrup, honey, cinnamon and vanilla until mixture is warm, 2-3 minutes.  Stir, then pour over oat mixture.  Stir with rubber spatula until evenly coated.  Coat one large cookie sheet (two if you used 6 cups of oats) with vegetable oil spray. Spread granola to cover pan in even layer.  Bake 5 minutes, remove from oven and stir.  Repeat every 5 minutes until oats are lightly browned, about 10-15 minutes.  Cool granola in pan.  It will get crisp.  Store in airtight container 1-2 weeks.

You can add sunflower seeds, dried apples, raisins, cranberries, dates or any dried fruit to the mixture. Be creative and use what you like. And this is a healthy snack too. This is also sinfully easy and the kids can help too. My nephew was my oats mixture mixer.

In the future, refer to me as.....

Miss Wannabehomemaker

 

Tags: life, granola, diet

I think someone is trying to tell me something.

Well, I had Chinese food yesterday and my fortune said, " You are on the right track." Well ok what track is that because I do have some decisions I am contemplating but have not veered in any direction yet. Then I went to pull out a potato today in the potato bag and this is what I found.

Yes, that is a heart shaped potato. Two potatoes that grew together to form a heart.....

I think someone is trying to tell me something.... Stay tuned for more signs, I hope .

 

Tags: life, signs, funny

BUT IT HURT!

OH BOY DID IT HURT! I went today and had a "me" day. I had a pedicure and a manicure. Well I also watched a girl have her brows waxed and decided to go for the gusto and have that done today too. I told her not to go too drastic. As you can tell it looks good and I actually like it. But the moment of pain was excruciating, My eyes teared. The lady said in her broken English, " eyes tear." I said in my broken language, "HURT!"

 

Tags: life, pedicure, manicure

Friends Forever

Milestones... Today would mark the 34th birthday of a good friend of mine who passed away 22 months ago. The milestone is not only her birthday but the finishing of her memory book that I will present to her mother and daughter. Yes it took me two years. I just did not have the peace that it was finished. I have that peace now and hope to present it her mother this week.

The last card she sent me was on Valentine's Day a few years before she went to Heaven. This is the sentiment:

    When the winds of change come, stirring things in our lives, friendship is what steadies us.

    And you've steadied me time and again. You've helped me find a peaceful state of mind just by listening and assuring me that this too shall pass.

    You've hung in there with me when things have come up that took time away from our friendship.

   You haven't judged me when I've gotten slightly off course, and you've celebrated with me when things were set right again.

   Though we don't always know what's going to happen tomorrow, it feels good to know one thing for sure-we'll always be there for each other, we'll always be friends. -Diana Manning

Tears come to my eyes as I type this. I still have and cherish this card. I try to keep all the cards I get from friends but good intentions don't always have the follow through but this card was never lost and I am thankful for that.

The song that brings a smile to my face on every remembrance of her is by Michael W Smith, Friends. Here is the chorus.

And friends are friends forever
If the Lord's the Lord of them
And a friend will not say "never"
Cause the welcome will not end
Though it's hard to let you go
In the Father's hands we know
That a lifetime's not too long to live as friends

If I can leave you with two things I can leave your with is :

1- Do not take your friends for granted, tell them what they mean to you

2- God Friends are Forever Friends because we know we will see them in Eternity. Make sure all your friends are God Friends

 

Tags: life, death, friends

Well Done Good and Faithful Servant...

One out of the three links on this page was for wilhoite. Well Amy went to be with the Lord yesterday. I never had the opportunity to meet Amy but I ran across her blog off of my good friend's blog at Noodlesnest. She has battled cancer since 2006 and the Lord chose to release her from her pain and sickness and bring her home to her eternity in Heaven. I would check her blog daily for updates and never in her sickness did she waver from who God is and how much she loved God. What a testimony! 

Amy,

I never met you on earth but I know I will meet you in Heaven. This is my verse for you.

"His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

 

Tags: life, wilhoite, death

This week has to be better

Since Wednesday , I have nothing but stress and bad news of some sort. I have overcome some of it but can feel the tension in my shoulders. I won't go into details but a few of you know what last week was like. I know the Lord does not give you more than you can handle but I think I was on the brink of explosion. I even had stress at church of all places.

Well I put in my cd devotions this morning and listened to them and they were exactly what I needed and I prayed to have a smooth sailing week. Please keep me uplifted in prayer this week

Maybe I will go to the Y tonight and relieve some tension and pop some praise cds in my walkman.... I am the only one with a walkman, I don't know anything about Ipods.

 

 

Tags: life, stress

Ventures of Christian Retail 3

I am sure you remember my southern gospel obsessed customer I wrote about a few months ago. Well he struck again.

I had to call him about something that he had ordered. A cd of none other than a southern gospel group. He informs me that he is going out of town next Saturday and if he does not pick it up by Saturday he will pick it up after the 16th. This is fine and dandy but he had told me that the day before when he called to check on his order.

About an hour later, he calls asking me the difference between DVD and HD DVD. You know exactly what I was thinking, I was thinking I was the 411 operator again but this time as a Help Desk. It had nothing to do with anything he had ordered . He just had the question and I guess I was the lucky candidate today. I guess I must sound DVD intelligent when really if the DVD doesn't work at home I rub it on my shirt and hope it works when I stick it back in. I am not technologically educated. He told me he would call an electronic store and ask them. My response was, good idea. Before he hung up though he told me that he was is going out of town next Saturday and if he does not pick the cd up by Saturday he will pick it up after the 16th. OK that was three times in two days.

Twenty minutes later he calls and says that he called the electronic store and they told him the difference in DVD and HD DVD and then proceeds to inform me on it for twenty minutes. I am now knowledgeable on DVD and HD DVD. Have any questions call your local Christian bookstore because they can call me, lol. Guess what I he told me yet again, you got it.  He is going out of town next Saturday and if he does not pick his cd up by Saturday he will pick it up after the 16th.

Around four when I was getting another busy spurt, the phone rings... You guess it. It is him again. He wanted to know about another southern gospel group and was telling me about this months southern gospel magazine. He asked his total for his cd again and informed me..... i know i know you are tired of reading it and I am tired of hearing it. He  is going out of town next Saturday and if he does not pick the cd up by Saturday he will pick it up after the 16th.

I then prayed for some relief for the last two hours of work. One good thing about being closed on Labor Day and having another day off too is that is two less days I have to hear.......

well I will just let you guess what I was going to write....

 

I discussed this with a friend and he said "well it's good you can have that kind of personality to draw that up." Why is there always someone in your life that sees the glass half full when you only see it half empty. I am thankful for his friendship though.

 

 

 

 

Tags: life, customers, lulus

Thank you but I really did not want it

If you come to my house you will fast discover that I collect change. I have been doing this for years. After a year I average $500 or more and that is my vacation money.

Sometimes I get a little obsessed with collecting change. I will give someone a dollar before I will give someone a quarter. Sad, I know. Even if I have the exact change in my pocket, I will give the cashier another dollar in order to get more change for my vacation fund. I have been known to come home from shopping all day with about five dollars in change because of my obsession.

It has been a few days since I have deposited any change in my change buckets because I have been using my check card instead of cash. So just imagine my excitement when my meal tonight came to $7.01. I had the penny in my pocket but no I was not going to use it . Woohoo I was going to get 99 cents back. The cashier said. "Don't you have a penny?" I said, "nope." I know it was a lie but I did not have a penny for that purpose. My change is not for that purpose it is for vacation. So was it really a lie, hmmh. Well the police officer behind me says, " I have one." My response, " Really I am ok, I like change." He looks at me like what bozo likes change and makes a mental note probably to follow me home tonight to see if I have been drinking. The cashier rolls her eyes. First I was thinking, No she didn't but I let it go as she took the penny from the officer. I was polite to the officer and said thank you as a southern girl should always be polite but I was fuming and thinking....

THANK YOU BUT I REALLY DID NOT WANT THE PENNY!

 

At that point I felt guilty about telling the cashier I did not have a penny and now my little lie had spread to a police officer. I could not let them know I had a penny.... so silly, a penny, but oh you see the webs little white lies weave.

 

Tags: life, lies, pennies

It's back!

What's back , you ask? 

Well something I am proud of again.

Still wondering?

I guess I can tell you. Hmmh.

OK!

It's my smooth skin and complexion. I was one of those girls born with nice skin. I know I can't help it. Everyone would ask what I do and my response was, I wash my face. No secrets just washing. I could eat chocolate when most girls avoided it, I never had a problem with my skin. Well for the past few years I have been upset at what I thought age had done to me. My clear , smooth skin was bumpy and just yucky to me.

What have I done different? I stopped drinking sodas. As I thought back to my old habits. I remembered I rarely would drink a soda from my 11th grade year until I was 21. No skin problems all those years. But when I was 21 I started drinking sodas again. Well at 34, I am in week three of trying not to drink carbonated beverages. I have had a few sips but no full soda. YAYYY!

I was doing some research on carbonation and its components and will spare you the details but just think you are drinking basically gas. I was in the drive-thru while a restaurant was getting refueled on the CO2 and it was brought in by what looked like a propane truck. Wow think about it , a propane truck. Then we put that into our bodies. So its another pure example of , Junk in and junk out.

 Now if I can only work on that philosophy in other areas of my life. My skin is the first place I see it but my face and body are still plump and that I am working on.

Tags: life, carbonated drinks, diet

Munchkin is smart.

On Tuesday I was driving down the road with my 4 year old nephew who I refer to as munchkin. We passed the local Pepsi facility. I made the statement to my mom that I hope when I get to heaven that there is a fountain full of Pepsi. Since I am trying to stay away from the carbonation and empty calories, I really would like that luxury fountain in heaven where calories do not matter anymore. Munchkin says,

 " Nanny, When I get to heaven I hope there is alot of Sierra Mist up there."

I could not help but to chuckle at his comprehension of what I was saying and how smart he was to make that statement. Munchkin I hope and pray that your Sierra Mist fountain is right next to my Pepsi fountain. I love you little man.

I guess in heaven all our wants and desires will be gone, but wouldn't it be great to drink and drink from that unlimited Pepsi and Sierra Mist fountain, oh my.

 

By the way in the last two weeks I have only had a few sips of soda .That was only because of the lack of anything non-carbonated at the time.

Tags: pepsi. life, heaven

Got it right this time.

Well today was a day off but it was not too restful but extremely hectic. I did have the pleasure to sleep until 10 AM. I finally got motivated and decided to mow the grass, not only because it needed it but also for exercise. Why go the Y when it is so nice outside, right? I mowed the front and back yard and finished at 1:09 PM. I walked in the house and was told that I needed to go meet my grandparents at a doctor's office to take them home from an appointment and I needed to be there by 1:45 PM. Did you catch that I just finished at 1:09 and you know I was hot, smelly, sweaty and covered with grass? Did I mention that their doctor's office was halfway across this long city I live within? Did I also mention I am known for long, long showers? The race was on. I showered put clothes on and at least put on some foundation and mascara . I jumped in the car and let the open window blow my hair dry and  put a headband in when I got there. Well I was only five minutes late, can you believe it? I was proud but my aunt was fuming. Oh well, she makes us mad about alot of things so one time of making her mad will not hurt.

My grandmother had mentioned something about raisin bread from Costco and in another breath she was bragging on my meatballs and rice from last week. Now I know you remember that fiasco with the bisquick. Uh-huh, I thought so. So I detoured and ran into Costco and bought raisin bread, meatballs and chicken salad. I also bought them two of those great hot dogs Costco sells along with a Churro. Uhh- yeah I bought myself one too. Baby steps now, I have now officially curbed the Pepsi and carbonated drinks addiction. I can't make all my lifestyle changes in one month. Ohh , now back to the subject. I took them to their house and made more meatballs , gravy and rice for them to freeze. But this time I did not mess anything up.... WOW , can you believe it. I got it right this time.

Well let me tell you what I did not get to do today. My sister said it was too cloudy for Water Country. It was warm but not sunny, hmmh isn't that a good day to go and not get burnt. I was supposed to deposit my paycheck, that did not happen either. I hope that no surprises go through my checking account because $4.45 will not cover but so much. My backup plan in case Water Country was to go get a manicure and pedicure but that did not happen either. My toes and nails are screaming at me , believe me.

Let me tell you what did happen. I was able to be there when my grandparents needed me. I was able to spend some time with them even if they can not hear what I say because of their hearing. They knew I was there for them. They have asked for very little help and are 89 and 93. I wont regret helping them especially knowing the uncertainty of the future at their ages and health. I know who holds the future and I know who made all my plans fall through so I could be there for my grandparents. God knew no amount of time at Water Country , the luxury of the manicure and pedicure or the amount of money not in the bank could make up for the time with my grandparents.

I got it right today in more than one way  thanks to God Almighty. Thank you God.

Funny FYI:

My grandmother insisted on paying me back for the groceries I bought today. I know enough not to argue with her. I have learned to make up arbitrary amounts. I told her $10. I thinks she really believes I bought Costco sized meatballs ($11.99), Costco sized chicken salad ($8.83), Raisin bread ($3.99), two hotdogs(1.50 x2), churro ($1),  gravy and fixins for the meatballs ($2). I chuckle because of her really thinking she got all that for $10. Granted it is alot of meals for them but I am thankful I can do things like that and today thankful for my credit card, remember I only had $4.45 in the bank. SHHHH! All of this is our secret.

 

 

 

Tags: life, grandparents, God

Middle name Meme

My sister chick  from Noodles Nest tagged me!

1. You have to post these rules before you give the facts.
2. Players, you must list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of your middle name. If you don’t have a middle name, use the middle name you would have liked to have had.
3. When you are tagged you need to write your own blog-post containing your own middle name game facts.
4. At the end of your blog-post, you need to choose one person to tag. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.



My middle name is Michelle, you know it had to be a long one right. I could try the I don't have a middle name thing and make up one but I like my middle name, so here goes.  

M- Much of me to love

I- Intellectual... sometimes

C- Confused about alot of things right now

H- Happy to be a Christian

E- Excellent aunt

L- Loved by many, I hope

L- Looking for Mr Right so I can be loved by one more

E- Easy to get along with.. most of the time

See I did it .

Since everyone I know has already been tagged I will tag anyone out there in the internet and blog world that happens to read my blog . Just send me your link in a comment so I can read too.... Clay this means you too.

 

 

Tags: meme,

Three minus one equals two

I really do try to help people.

My grandparents are 89 and 93 and have been doing fairly good until recently. My grandfather took a terrible fall and hit the brick on his fireplace. His back is just plain ugly. I took a picture to show my sister, who is an RN and can handle things and even she said, eewhhh. I had the notion to go surprise them and cook a meal.

As I was driving I also decided to get them a few Chic-Fil-A sandwiches since they would never buy them for $2.55 a sandwich with their money but anyone else's money is ok. I also bought them a large chicken salad cup thinking they could have sandwiches for a few days. Wow, I think I am doing great taking these two things and cooking a meal of meatballs and rice, their favorite. I should not have thought anything I was doing would turn out great.

I get there at four in the afternoon and  they are cooking dinnner. Four for me would be a late lunch but I stay up until midnight too and they are asleep by nine unless the Braves are playing. He will stay up all night for that. I forgot that old people eat early.  Anyhow, I tell her what I have and what I am doing. They grab the sandwiches and start eating them right away while I start the meatballs and gravy on the stove. I turned the front burner on , well what I thought was the front burner and I started smelling burning plastic. I look over and her old tupperware from the 1960's is melting and bisquick mixture is everywhere and I mean everywhere. Dummy me had turned the back burner on and out of all the burners that is the burner she put her mixture for her bisquick cheeseburger pie.

They are on the porch sitting in 95 degree temperature (you know old people get cold easily) eating their sandwiches. So I begin to clean my mess up and am looking for more bisquick to whip up another batch. Well I had to eat humble pie and ask her only to find out that was the last of the bisquick. Oh my, I should have known.

My grandmother was trying to be so sweet but I heard her tell my grandfather what a waste of eggs and milk. That was her way of thinking.

My thought was wow, I messed up one meal and brought three meals so I think they are two ahead. If only everyone thought that way.

Moral of the story, I would say, it does not pay to be nice but that's not true. My moral is it does not pay for ME to be nice.

NOTE: We put the hamburger in the fridge and my aunt brought bisquick on her visit the next day but I think they still think I owe them a cup of milk and two eggs. Now I need to go to the thrift store to see if I can find a 1960's tupperware bowl.

 Oh well, I tried.

Here is the recipe :

http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/recipe.aspx?recipeId=35487

 

 

 

 

Tags: life, helpfulness, frustration