God's Words

This morning in church we had a guest speaker.  He fills in quite often when Pastor is away (as he was this am), and I have come to enjoy those times immensely.  Let me clarify that now!  I did NOT say I enjoy it when Pastor is away! lol  On the contrary, our Pastor feeds us very well and is missed greatly when he is gone.  I was just saying that when Pastor happens to be away I enjoy the gifted speaker with whom he often replaces himself! (How's that for a mouthful?!)  Whew.  Glad we cleared that up!    Anyway.  The speaker this morning was Dr David Beck who teaches at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and also happens to be Pastor's wife's father.  Rather handy that!  =) 

Now on the title of the post.  The sermon this morning was about Loving God and was taken from Deuteronomy 6:1-9.  Because this post is primarily about the text of these verses, I'll make it easy and quote them here: 

Deuteronomy 6:1-9 ESV

“Now this is the commandment—the statutes and the rules—that the Lord your God commanded me to teach you, that you may do them in the land to which you are going over, to possess it, that you may fear the Lord your God, you and your son and your son’s son, by keeping all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you, all the days of your life, and that your days may be long. Hear therefore, O Israel, and be careful to do them, that it may go well with you, and that you may multiply greatly, as the Lord , the God of your fathers, has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey. “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates."

 

 

As I first read these words today I was reminded how intensely entwined our lives are to be with the Word of God.  ("It struck me so vividly"---for my friends at my home church!)  =) His Words are supposed to be a part of everything in our lives.  Every.Single.Thing.  1. They are to be a part of our heart---part of the very inner place of us, where no one lives except God.  Notice He said that first.  I think that is on purpose, because if God's Words are not treasured there they won't be anywhere else either.  2. God's Words are meant to be taught to the following generations.  Diligently.  Not twice a year, not once a month, not once a week, but diligently.  Think of the thing in life about which you are most disciplined, that one thing you never, ever neglect.  You are diligent about it.  That is how you are supposed to teach God's Words to your children.  (Dr Beck said "You only have to teach your children God's commands when you're at home and when you're away, and when you're awake and when you're asleep.  The rest of the time you can ignore them.")  =)  I am not a parent, so I can't tell you how to go about this diligent teaching.  I'm sure it's different for every parent and child combination.  I do know, however, that a child's Entire life is impacted by how diligently they are taught God's Words.  3.  God's Words are to be woven into the fabric of our lives---in our walking and talking, our sleeping and rising.  But it can't be just quoting the words.  Words that are quoted day after day, but are not allowed to impact your life---those words are meaningless.  These verses are talking about God's Words so woven into our lives that they become alive in us.  We become the walking versions of God's Words.  Does that make sense?   4. God's Words are to govern our lives, our choices.  Dr Beck explained it well, I think.  He said that we don't need to translate this verse literally (though some Orthodox Jews still do).  We don't need to actually paste sections of the Bible to our foreheads and hands/arms, or post Scripture on our gates.  He says that this verse means that we make choices and decisions based on God's Words in our mind and then we act according to the same measure---God's Words in our hands.  Our lives at home and away from home are governed by God's Words (what we do, what we say, where we go, etc).  Whew.  That's a lot!  Can you imagine what our world would be like if all of us lived like that?  Even if all of us who say we are Christians lived like that?!  Our lives all bound up with and interpreted through the filter of God's Words.  Every minute.  I know it would be amazing.

 

So that's what I got from church---well, part of it.  I don't want to sit at this computer typing all day!  =)  It's a lot to think about, to chew on.  A challenge for me, and, I hope, for you too! Don't you love it when God allows His Words to challenge you?  Have a great week eveyone!

Foodie Friday

I discovered a new and delicious recipe this week!  Ooh it's so good!  The other day one of my co-workers mentioned that she had made a new bean salad and I could try some if I wanted.  Free food?  Of course!  Well, let me tell you, one bite of this stuff and I was in love!  Besides that there is nothing unhealthy about it!  So you can pig out without one shred of guilt.  =)  I love foods like that!  Of course, I still pig out on foods that aren't a bit healthy without a shred of guilt either, but we're not talking about that right now! lol  Am I getting to the recipe?  Why yes, as a matter of fact, I am.  Pushy, pushy. 

Here it is (as copied from the back of a foil pack of Starkist low-sodium tuna---right in the aisle at Walmart, don't you know! lol  Yes, I know, you might be a Redneck and all that!  But I just couldn't make myself buy 2.6 oz of tuna for $1.15 just for the recipe when I can buy a can--5 oz-- for $.68!  And the foil pack was low-sodium at that!  Bleck!  So I got out my paper and pen and copied away.)  I'll list the recipe and then add my takes on it below.

Tuna-Black Bean Salad (My title, because I didn't copy down the Starkist title.  Because it didn't change the recipe flavor at all, that's why!)

2.6 oz tuna
1 red pepper, chopped
1 yellow pepper, chopped
1/2 red onion, chopped
3 green onions
1 can black beans
1/4 c canola oil
juice of 1 lime (approx 3 Tbl)
2 T cumin
1/4 c cilantro

Whisk together oil, lime juice and cumin. Set aside.  Combine everything else except cilantro in a bowl.  Pour dressing over and toss.  Chop cilantro and toss with other ingredients. Chill at least 4 hours.

*I did not chill for 4 hours.  Not even close.  I needed supper and could not wait! lol  It tasted fine eating it shortly after it was made and just kept getting better as it sat.

*I don't care for cumin in large doses, so I just sprinkled some in the dressing

*I just used most of a regular ol' onion since I didn't have any of them fancy kind.  Worked fine.

*My co-worker used jalapeno in hers (the jarred kind, chopped) and it was great, so I added some too (though not as "bravely" as she did!)

*Last but definitely not least, of course I added salt!!! And didn't use low-sodium tuna either!  I used about 1 tsp in the dressing, which was a bit salty the first time I ate it--though not too bad, but after sitting in the fridge overnight was perfect.

This is a really flexible salad.  I think it would be fine with canned chicken or salmon, you could switch up the beans with pintos or kidneys, and you could add cucumber or olives (I tried green last night and it was yummy) or tomatoes or avocados or garlic or.......well, you get my point.  You can make it your own!  Which you need to do.  Make your own, I mean.  ASAP.  =) 

Have a great weekend everyone!

Home

I'm home.  I thought I better tell you all that so you would know I'm not still in gorgeous Maine on an extended sabbatical.  I wish I was.  But I'm not.  I know you were waiting for that news with bated breath, restless at night wondering where I was, if I'd gotten washed off the coast somewhere!  =)  But no, I am, in fact, still here.  Sorry for giving just a taste of Maine and then disappearing.  It was the ocean's fault.  That, and the crackling fireplace.  Both of them lulled me into a blogless stupor.  I couldn't help myself.  I had every intention to blog more while I was there, but as you can see....... I'm really a victim here!  Sucked into the beauty and serenity that is the coast of Maine.  It's a timeless trap, and oh so hard to leave.   Anyway, leave I did.  Because I'm a slave to duty and responsibility and all that, that's why! lol  I mean,  I really couldn't let my boss down, now could I??  Oh but I wanted to!  Unfortunately there is also the matter of moolah to be considered........sigh.....  So I'm back.  We had a lovely time.  I did notice, though, that this time we were all quite lazy.  It was like we were all just plain tired and needed a break that included a lot of doing nothing.  So most mornings we lazed around the house until Noon or 1, when we would finally get out the door to go see something.  We did a couple hikes, drove out to Schoodic Peninsula one day (hoping for some crashing waves, which sadly did not materialize as hoped), stopped in at Bass Harbor Headlight (simply a MUST if you are ever in Acadia!).  We would prowl around until dark then head back to the cottage and it's alluring fireplace like moths to a flame.  The nice thing about Acadia is that when the sun goes down, there really is very little to do.  Which means that you can head back to the fireplace without a smidge of guilt that you are wasting precious vacation time doing nothing but sitting in front of blazing logs!  It's wonderful!  So the days went something like this: I got up between 7 & 8 (because I can't stay in bed much later anymore!) and soaked in the quiet of the house enjoying my coffee until 9 or 10 when the others would start to get up.  Then came the comaraderie of the breakfast choices (donuts or creme horn or toast or cereal or.......decisions!) and the conversations between sisters.  Following that there was the packing of food bags (do you notice a trend here?) for the day's outing.  Seriously though, don't go out and about in Acadia without food!  The air there has some special spore in it that will start making you hungry as soon as you get in your car!  If you don't take anything with you, I promise you will be in starvation mode when you finally get back to your cottage because there is not much food available in the Park---unless you consider the few protein bars at the shop near Thunder Hole or the berries you find in the woods!  But I digress.  Once the bags were packed the adventure of the day began and would continue until dark/dusk---somewhere between 6 and 7.  Then it was back to the cottage for supper and fire.  This year I mostly spearheaded the meals, which was quite fun.  I love to cook and don't get to cook for others very often, so having that responsiblity was rather enjoyable. ( Not to say that the others didn't help!)  We'd eat around the fire and spend the evening there, enjoying the warmth. Can you see why it was so hard to leave?  6 days of this bliss---not nearly enough! lol  But I am grateful for what we had and am looking forward to next year.  Are you ready for a trip yet?  I can't say enough about this piece of God's creation.  I know there are lots of places in this world that are full of incredible beauty, but for me, this one does it every time.  Go see it!!  =)

The Blonde and The Beautiful

What a gorgeous day!  Before noon we had rain and fog and mist---the kind of weather I have come to associate with Maine and learned to love.  And because we come here so often, I don't get antsy when it rains during our vacation time---first of all because we have seen many places multiple times, so if we don't get to see it this time, it's ok; and secondly, I have learned that stormy days in Maine often mean the sea will be wild and joyous---truly a sight to behold!!  So rainy days are ok.  But today was not all rain.  Along about Noon the rain disappeared, along with the clouds, and the sun burst out, complete with Fall clouds and blue sky.  The temp was about 60 as well, which made for a perfect day to be outside.  So off we went for an afternoon of shopping in Bar Harbor.  Bar Harbor is a great place for strolling and browsing.  There are, of course, the obligatory souvenir-type shops that one always finds in tourist places (though I must say, the souvenirs in Bar Harbor are mostly tasteful), but there are also a lot of other shops with highly interesting inventory.  WindowPanes is a good example.  I always love going in there.  It's mostly a kitchen and table shop with interesting linens, beautiful dishes and all kinds of kitchen gadgets, but there is also a nice array of gifty-type things.  So fun to browse through.  Then there is the Katahdin gallery where Steve Bart has his photos (find him online at www.katahdinphotogallery.com).  Breathtaking is one word that comes to mind.  I like to go in there because the beautiful photos feed the photographer part of my soul.  =)  There is also the food.  Lobster? Salmon? Swordfish? Steak?  It's all there, as well as places to get yummy ice cream and fudge. (We bought Maple Walnut and Penuchi Nut. Yum!!)  There is one place, though, that has captured our palates and hearts above all others.  That is Galyn's.  Years ago,  my sister Mary and I went in there on a whim, and we've been going back ever since.  The place itself has a very pleasant, slightly upscale ambience, and it's situated so that you can look out at Bar Harbor proper while you eat (interesting boats and, if you're lucky, a cruise ship or two).  In the Fall there is a large maple tree right across the street that is ablaze with color, and if you are there in the late afternoon (as we were), the sun shines on that tree, the fluttering Flag next to it and the boats in the harbor.  A stunning sight for the digestive juices!  Digestive juices that will, I might add, be flowing freely after you see and taste the food!  =)  So good.  I usually order the Lobster Linguini.  Sauteed lobster with fresh tomatoes and basil on a bed of linguini.  Simple but delicious.  And easy, since the lobster is all pulled from it's shell for you.  Are you hungry yet?  =)  Overall, it's just a really nice dining experience, and we look forward to it every year.  Then this evening, after our dining, the moon obliged us by coming up, huge and full right over the harbor---just as a cruise ship came into view below, all lit up for the night.  How cool is that?  It really was gorgeous.  I would post a picture, but I can't.  I know, I know! Those of you who know me cannot believe I have no pictures.  Well, here's where the 'blonde' part of this post comes in.  This morning I had my memory card in the computer to move pictures from card to computer..........You can see where this is going, can't you?  Yep, you guessed it.  I left the memory card in.the.computer.  Can you believe that???!  Don't answer that! lol  So there I was, with the beautiful sunshine on trees and boats and flag, and then that fantastic moon scene, and a camera with NO memory card!!  Panic nearly set in! And what's worse, this is the second time I have done this on this vacation! Yesterday when Mary and I went walking I went to take a picture, no memory card. I couldn't believe I had done that then, so when I did it again today, I was really, really in shock!  I have never, ever done that before!  I have forgotten an extra battery before, but never, ever, my memory card!  I could not believe it!  What is going on?!  I think it must have all started when I booked the wrong dates for my tickets.  The blonde genes started churning then and just never stopped, so by now they are at high tide! lol  So.  Tonight when we got home I put the card directly in the camera and told the rest of the gang to remind me about the memory card before we go out tomorrow--just in case it slipped out in the night for some reason! lol  At present there is a large note on the door going out to remind the blonde one to make sure she has all her proper gear!  Maybe one of these days I'll get it together, though I'm not going to hold my breath!  In the meantime, I'm lovin' Maine! (Just lacking in pictures! lol) Night all!

Maine

Back again---to Maine, that is.  Back to the land of the first sunrise in the nation, crashing waves, solid rocks, and natural serenity at its best.  It's become a habit with us, a craving deep in the soul that starts its calling to us for the next dose nearly as soon as we finish the current one.  Like crack, only with much deeper meaning. =)  We've been coming here so many years I have lost count.  Sometimes we think about seeing other places, but when seeing other places means giving up our annual feast of Maine, most times we just can't do it.  I cannot really describe what Maine does for us, but if you've ever had a place that made you feel at peace every time you went there, then you can understand pretty well. 

This year, the adventure started early.  Well, I started early, I should say!  I discovered the night before I left home that I had booked my trip a day early......Oy!  I always knew I would do something like this one day! lol  Somehow I got the wrong set of dates in my head.  I don't know how that happened as I hardly ever get things mixed up!  (You really needn't be smiling so knowingly!)  Anyway, off I flew to Maine on Tuesday instead of Wednesday.  The trip went without a hitch and I was even able to stay at the old hotel we used to always stay at in our earlier visits.  So many memories there!  If you are ever in Southwest Harbor and need a place to sleep, check out the Harborview Motel.  There are few amenities and the rooms would definitely be considered out of date and rustic, but they are inexpensive and always have the freshest sheets and towels.  It's a place to sleep, not to hang out.  Anyway, back to the adventure.  Wednesday found me with most of a day to kill before the rest of the gang could get there.  What does a gal do to kill time?  Why shopping, of course!  I shopped till I dropped! lol  So handy that there is an LL Bean outlet here, as well as a nice big Goodwill...... Let's just say, I may have to send some stuff home with my sisters for me to pick up when I fly home for Thanksgiving! (I'll have an extra suitcase then.)  =)  It was quite fun, actually.  Other years I have wished to prowl about some of the shops in town, but have not wanted to take vacation and together time to do it.  But this year because of my blonde behavior I had ample time to do so!  Isn't it amazing how sometimes God takes our mistakes and turns them into something good and fun?  I even timed the shopping just right and landed at Walmart just as the rest of our "gang of girls" arrived.  How cool is that?  We had a rather large list, so decided to divide and conquer.  We split into 3 and rounded up the victuals.  For once we were quite organized---a proud moment to be sure!  =)  We piled 3 cart-loads into my rented Silver Sonic---a sight to behold---and headed off to The House.  For years we rented a cottage from Harborview and while they were quite cozy, there were no laundry facilities nor internet service.  Last year we decided to "upgrade" and rented a house.  It's a wonderfully cozy place complete with fireplace and old-fashioned claw foot tub (not to mention washer/dryer, full kitchen and wi-fi!).  We enjoyed it so much last year, we rented it again.  So last year we met a new "friend" and this year we came to our vacation "home".  =)  One of the first orders of business after unloading the cars was to go in search of wood---priorities, dontcha know---and get the fire started.  We spend a bit of money on wood (because it's just easier than bringing a chainsaw! lol)  But it's cheap entertainment and so pleasant besides.  So our evening was spent in front of the crackling fire, eating (of course!), and beginning the relaxing that only happens when one is on "holiday".  What will happen next?  I have no idea, and don't really care.  Just being back in Maine is wonderful enough.  =)

MIA

Well what do you know!  I made it a whole month without posting! lol  No, it wasn't on purpose.  I had lots of blog posts running through my head as usual.  The plain truth of things is that I was just. too. tired.  Have you ever been so tired that you just wanted to sit down and cry?  That you felt overwhelmed by how exhausted you felt?  If you have, then you know where I've been this month.  I don't know what caused it.  I suspect it was stress.  I was stressed over the usual things---work, housework, chores to be done.  But I think the bottom line was The Shop.  My shop in Etsy.  Don't get me wrong.  I love making things and I like having a place to sell (or try to sell!) them.  But what happened was that I was thinking about The Shop 24/7, even when I didn't know I was thinking of it.  It was like a loaded gun to my back constantly pushing me.  I didn't have time for anything else in my life, no time for relaxing, no time for life things that needed done.  This month stopped that.  I had some delightful company mid month which required me to spend time cleaning and hiding tidying things.  =)  Because of my work schedule d/t said visit I could do very little but get my house ready, so there literally was NO time for The Shop.  It was a good thing, really.  It forced me to step back and put The Shop on the shelf for the time being.  It also helped me realize that The Shop pressure is probably what significantly contributed to the above mentioned exhaustion.  So I quit.  Oh not for good, mind you.  The Shop is still there and open (check it out on the sidebar),  but there isn't anything new in it.  I still hope to add to it, and still hope to one day have more time to really build it.  But I am/have been taking a break.  I've also taken a break from blogging (obviously! lol) and have not been quite as verbal on Facebook.  I guess I just needed a break from a lot of things.  The good news is that I feel so much better.  I haven't been feeling that awful, heavy exhaustion that made it difficult to get the dishes and laundry done, let alone anything fun.  The other day I sat down in my studio and made cards all day.  I haven't done that in way too long.  It felt great.  What will I do with The Shop?  As I said before, it's still open and I plan to keep it that way.  I plan to continue to make things to put there, but I have to do it more slowly and not push so hard to try to make it a paying business overnight.  Also, I am completely up for custom orders from my friends.  =)  All in all, it's been a good learning experience.  Learning my limitations (full time work leaves only so much energy for other things!), learning patience (building a business takes time---still in the Patience 101 course there! lol), learning time management (If I don't take time for me---I won't be able to put my heart into creating fine things to sell).  Of course this does not mean that I will not need to re-learn some of these things at some point, I'm sure!  I'm like that. lol  But maybe if I keep trying, one day I'll get it right.  =)  Cheers!

Conversations with God

A friend of mine posted this quote on Facebook the other day and it has been in my mind ever since. (Thank you, Pam!)

"When your ordinary work or business is not specially engrossing, let your heart be fixed more on God than on it; and if the work be such as to require your undivided attention, then pause from time to time and look to God, even as navigators who make for the haven they would attain, by looking up at the heavens rather than down upon the deeps on which they sail. So doing, God will work with you, in you, and for you, and your work will be blessed. "

~St. Francis de Sales

I like the thought of being actively connected to God throughout the day.  Isn't it amazing that we can have simple, everyday conversations with the Creator of the universe?  It's incredible really.  I like talking to God all through my day.  Many times when I try to sit down for a traditional-type prayer time, my mind wanders all over the place and my attention gets so distracted.  I end up feeling more frustrated than refreshed.  Having an on-going conversation with God that doesn't really have an "amen" works so much better for me.  Sometimes I do actually stop what I'm doing for a more focused prayer, but mostly I just talk to God everywhere:  when I'm mowing, when I'm driving, when I'm crocheting, when I'm doing dishes, when I'm cutting out fabric.......well, you get the picture.  Now please don't think I'm some paragon of prayer!  Far, far from it!  I wish I were better at having longer prayer times, I wish I did more praying.  I guess there is always something to strive for.  For years I stressed over having a certain section of the day carved out for prayer, and always felt like such a failure when I didn't do well at it.  Having this never-ending conversation with God instead works so much better for me.  Now instead of so much stress there is an enjoyment of God in a different way and a longing for more.  Maybe this is what the Word meant by "Pray without ceasing"---a continuous conversation with God that is not ever very far from our minds.  I hope so, because I rather like it.

 

Back To The Grind

So now the Stay-cation is a week over and I'm working on getting back into the grind again.  It's always so unpleasant to have to go back to work after a nice time off, isn't it?  I suppose there are people who love their jobs so that going back isn't too bad.  And I can't say my job is awful.  I just don't love my work.  But it's a job and it provides me a good living, so I cannot complain.  Anyway.  My last 2 days off that I never did blog about were just putzy days.  I love those kind of days.  I do my best work then!  Those days when I don't really have an agenda, just puttering around the house doing what comes to mind---and I feel like doing.  Some of those days I don't get much done, but some "putzy" days I bumble along and actually accomplish chores that are on "The List".  =)  I had already determined that Tuesday--the last day--would be an absolute do-what-I-want kind of day.  I had made up my mind! lol  In actuality, Monday and Tuesday both turned out that way.  It was a nice, relaxing end to my Stay-cation.  I didn't accomplish much of what was on my hope-to-get-done-on-vacation list, but that's ok.  I had fun and that is what matters.  So now I'm back in the saddle, as it were.  Back to the work/eat/sleep pattern, with a little fun and chores in between.  Today I had planned to get into the the Studio and sew, but as I write this I have yet to get there!  However, I did get some stuff done that has been on my mind, so no worries.  I have decided to try something.  Having this little shop is nice, but it also is proving to be a stressor.  I'm always feeling like there is a thumb in my back pushing me to get things ready to sell.  So every bit of spare time I'm thinking I should be sewing for the shop.  But then I see things like the windows needing washed and some extra work out in the yard that needs doing, not to mention the regular house cleaning, and I get stressed wondering how I'm going to do it all.  So I've come up with a Plan.  I've divided the month into weeks and will try to work on shop stuff the first and third weeks, leaving the other two weeks for things that need done around the house and my own person crafting (like making cards!).  It may not work, but I'm going to try it.  I have to do something or I will have to take time away from the shop completely.  Either that or have a nervous breakdown---something I'm sure no one wishes to see! Not be a pretty sight! lol  Having a Plan makes me feel better already though, so I hope it works.  In the meantime, today is a beautiful day.  The sun is shining and it's been cool enough to have the back door and a window open.  The fresh air smells so good!  Chris Botti is keeping me company and there is Starbucks on tap.  So even if I get nothing done in the Studio, it's ok.  I will enjoy this day that God has made and not stress!  =) 

Stay-cation Days 3-4-5!

As you can see, my stay-cation vacation ran away with me!  Ooh the days fly by when you're having fun--and even when you are not!  Friday (aka Day 3) dawned and suddenly my get-so-much done time at home came to a screeching halt (brakes squealing and even a little smoke!).  Have you ever woken (is that even a word?) and felt like you had been hit by a very large delivery van?  That was Friday.  And I was doing so well, too!  I had it all together, ticking things off the list left and right.  I felt just a bit like my friend Karin in Texas who is always so organized and does things like steaming all her carpets and re-sodding her small patch of lawn on her vacation days.  I'm so jealous!  Anyway, Friday, it seemed my organization and motivation had also gone on vacation.  I did manage a little sewing and another section of lawn, but other than that.......  Friday night the gallbladder was not happy (hadn't been all day, in spite of much water drinking which usually calms it down), so sleep was......partial, shall we say.  But it was better Saturday morning(Day 4), so off I went to Craft Day at church.   We gals get together the 2nd Saturday of every month for crafting---or I should say THEY get together every month.  I only get there about half the year d/t my work schedule.  Grr!  Anyway, this month we did cards for Operation Write Home, which is a group that sends blank handmade cards to soldiers which they can in turn send back to their families.  It's a pretty cool thing.  (Check it out here.)  It was really fun to make cards with other people for a change.  We ended up with 48 cards, which I think was a good days work.  =)  I had intended to get some mowing done after crafting, but on the way home there was rain.  Oh so sad that I could not mow! lol  But it really turned out to be a good thing (divine intervention maybe?), because I also needed to cook for our church lunch the next day.  If I had gone out and mowed the field like I had planned, I would have been so tired to have to cook afterwards.  What did I make?  Bacon potato salad (recipe here ), and a peanut butter/oatmeal cookie with mini m&m's in them.  That one came from my own cookbook.  I'm too lazy to write out the recipe today, but if you want it, just comment or email me.  =)  So that was Saturday.  Saturday night the gallbladder again was not happy.  This time I know it was my fault.  I made homemade spaghetti sauce and just plain ate too much!  I have got to learn to change my eating habits to accomodate this "older" body!  I must learn to graze instead of eating at the trough! lol  Not to mention the habits of adding much more fiber and drinking more water!  Both are absolutely necessary for gallbladder health and contentment! (as well as many other organs! lol)  Anyway, once again, sleep was rather elusive.  But the good news about that was the next day was Sunday--Day 5--the day of rest!  So after church (very good) and lunch with church family (also very good), there was napping (exquisite)!  I miss Sunday afternoon napping.  I grew up doing it, but with my current work hours (including early bedtime), an afternoon nap is usually counterproductive.  But this Sunday I did not have to work the next day, so napping was definitely the thing to do!  Ahhhh......so lovely.  Sunday was finished off by a visit from some very dear friends.  There was singing and music and food (homemade ice cream!) and much, much laughter.  Positively delicious.  I really must take vacation more often!  =)

Stay-cation Day 2

Day two started out with a visit to the dump.  I told you there would be much excitement! lol  I don't know why I don't make it a point to go more often, especially in the Summer.  No, it's not because the dump is a fun place to go!  Although one does see some interesting characters there.  The reason I should go more often is the smell--and the mess.  But it's a pain to travel 8 miles to the dump with one lonely bag of garbage!  So I don't.  Which means that by the time I collect several bags, the first one has been in the can a while---especially since I started recycling.  This isn't too bad in the cooler weather, but in the Summer.........let's just say that by the time I go to the dump the garbage is rather.....'fermented'.......phew!  This round was especially lovely---probably due to that white chicken chili that I blogged about a while ago! lol  So anyway, after the "garbage outing" I cleaned the house and did some laundry.  I know why I usually go away for vacation.  When I am in Acadia National Park, the only things I have to think about are where to go visit today, what waves to photograph and what to eat next!  It's lovely to stay at home (vs going to work), but when I am here it's hard to ignore the mowing and cleaning, etc.  Consequently there is not as much relaxing going on.  But that's ok.  At least I am not punching a clock!  I'm making bags instead.  =)  Which is what I did for most of the rest of the day yesterday (with a several hour break in the afternoon for my date with Fred!)  I'm getting more put together in putting the bags together.  Getting this bag making down to a science.  Of course I'll finally get it exactly right and then I'll decide to move on to another pattern! lol  I have this endless parade of bag ideas running through my head.  I really need to get a sketch book and start drawing some of them out (very rough drawings you understand! lol) So that's my exciting Day 2.  Can you stand it all?  =)

"Stay-cation" Day 1

Be prepared for much excitement and adventure!  You'll find it all here in my "Stay-cation" journal!  It's going to be so fun I think you may have to sit down. lol  Anyway, technically today is Day 2, but you can't really blog about what the happenings of a day until the day has happened, can you?  So here it is: Day 1.

First we must start with the evening before Day 1, the evening after the last day of work.  This is always one of the most "funnest" times of vacation, don't you think?  You're done with work, you're free for an entire week (or long weekend, or however many days off) and it's all there stretching in front of you.  The excitement in the air is high and you're just plain giddy with relief.  That's my favorite part anyway.  A close second is the morning of Day 1.  You wake up and realize: A. you don't have to go to work, and B. you can make your own schedule for the rest of the week.  Ahhh!  Anyway, back to the eve of Day 1.  I went to visit some friends and we had an evening of food, fun and fellowship.  We had Thai food-compliments of my hostess (yummy!), and chocolate cake-compliments of me (also yummy--even if I do say so myself!).  While we ate we watched The Ultimate Gift.  If you haven't seen it, you must.  It's a wonderful story.  After that we were just visiting and then my friend started searching for Chris Botti music.  We were expecting maybe some short clips or singles but what we found was a full length concert---in HD no less!  So, even though it was late, we settled in for some great music.  My friends have a very large projector screen and projector so that they can play movies/tv on the big screen.  Seeing the concert this way was amazing!  I felt like I had actually been to a Chris Botti concert (minus my aching wallet and the serpentine line to the women's room!).  That boy sure knows how to play the trumpet!.  The movie was nice, but that concert was the jewel of the evening for me (well, besides being with friends, of course!), and the perfect way to start my vacation!  Oh, I mean stay-cation.  =)

So now we come to Day 1.   It went a little like this:  lazy morning which included Starbucks and a little fabric shopping online (ooh they make it way too easy to do this!), followed by a not-so-lazy afternoon with Fred.  But the exercise felt soooo good.  It's been a few days since I was out mowing and I could tell it!  I've gotten so used to that exercise that when I don't get it, I notice.  Then it was off to the big city to do some more fabric shopping (for my business you know.....I love having that excuse!) and then supper with friends, followed by prayer service with more friends.  I love my church family.  We really are like family.  We don't always agree, but we would fight for each other, just like a family does.  It's wonderful to fellowship with them.  So that's Day 1.  You're blown away, aren't you?  I told you you would be!  It's you're fault for not sitting down when I told you to!

Stay tuned for much more excitement from Day 2!  Have a great day everybody!

The Fridge

This morning there was the "Fridge Episode".  I can explain.  When you live alone food does not pile up in your fridge too quickly, so there is quite a bit of time in between sortings out.  Things can get pushed unnoticed into the back corners where they live and brew and create their own colonies, complete with schools and department stores!  Really, it's true! lol  If you have 6 people living in the house, not as much is left over from dinner, so there is not as much "old food" to put away and get pushed into the recesses as "newer old food"  is added.  And anyway, with more groceries needed for more people there is just not room for very much "old food", so the sorting through has to happen more often.  For me, the sorting usually happens only every several months and in general involves suiting up in a hazmat suit---complete with gas mask.  I'm kidding.  Though at times I wish I at least had the gas mask!  Today's "adventure" was just such a time.  Most times the "old food" doesn't smell too awful--mostly just like slightly fermented food or like mold---which has a rather dusty smell.  Not bad really.  But once in a while, like today, there is a particularly bad combination of ingredients that just reeks.  No, REEKS.  I did not realize it, but I had some leftover soup in the dark recesses of my fridge that had been there--dare I say it?--since the end of April.  I sincerely did not remember that it was there.  But when I ventured in, there it was lying in wait for me.  Do you have any idea how bad white chicken chili smells after 3 months?  It didn't even have the courtesy to grow mold, so that there would be the dusty smell!  Oh no!  It just had to brew and ferment in there until it came up with the winner of the blue ribbon in the "Worst Smell In The Fridge" category!  It was one of those odors that lingers on and on in the air even after the offending "food"( I use that term loosely here!) has been thrown out.  So Nasty!  None of the other science experiments, aka "old food", aka leftovers in the fridge this morning came even close to that one.  Needless to say, there was bleach poured into both wash and rinse water---not only to kill germs, but in hopes of expunging my kitchen of that awful smell.  It worked pretty well---or maybe it just burned my nose hairs enough so I now only smell bleach.  I'm not sure which, but at least I don't smell that "old food" smell any longer.  But good did come out of this adventure.  My fridge now has lots of room (to begin the process all over! lol), and what is in there is edible.  The sinks are sparkling after being filled with bleach water (I have porcelain sinks).  And I now have cupboards full of clean bowls (with which to fill with "old food" to put back in the fridge! lol).  Such fun on a Thursday morning!  =)

Tuesday Laughter

This morning one of my dialysis patients told me this and I'm still chuckling.  Had to share.  =)


A woman went into a store and the owner's parrot said, "You are the ugliest woman!" 

The woman was incensed!  She went directly to the owner and said, "Your parrot disrespected me and I do not appreciate it!" 

The man apologized and said that he would teach the parrot better. 

A while later the woman went in that store again, and again the parrot said, "You are the ugliest woman!" 

The woman said to the owner, "I thought you said you were going to teach him better than that!" 

The man again apologized and promised that he would, indeed, teach the parrot better. 

The next time the woman came into the store, the parrot looked at her and said, "You know."



=) Hope you all are having a great Tuesday!

sine cera

Do you like word stories?  I do!  You know, how we got to use certain words or phrases.  My grandpa used to have some interesting phrases---some of which I never heard anywhere else.  This past week I was listening to something on the radio--or half listening I should say.  I play the radio sometimes and don't really listen.  I was doing just that this time, but something jumped out and grabbed my attention.  The speaker was talking about sine cera.  I was intrigued.  Apparently in Roman times sculptors or others that dealt in works or pieces of marble would sometimes try to pass off less than perfect pieces by filling in the cracks and crevices with colored wax.  With time or heat that wax would melt or fall out, revealing the defects.  So, the phrase "sine cera" began to be used, meaning "without wax".  Maybe by customers wanting a quality product, or maybe by dealers wanting a quality reputation.  When said together what word do those two sound like?  You're right!  So smart you are!  Sincere.  Without wax.  Pretty good description of someone who is "sincere" don't you think?  Now there is some argument about where our word sincere actually comes from, and some believe this origin is just a myth.  But I believe that sometimes myths are based somewhere in real life, so I wonder....  Regardless, sine cera is still a good way to be:  without wax.  If we try to fill in or mask our "flaws and fissures" with the "wax" that is available in this broken down world of ours, it's all gonna melt away when life gets hot, and we'll be seen for the mess we really are.  Instead we have to have God's grace to transform our lives, change them into something quality.  Quality made clear through, not just filler on the surface.  Sine cera.

Back to rambling

Ooh-eee has it been busy 'round here!  But I'll get to that in a minute.  Lately I've been thinking (yes, I do that sometimes. You needn't act so surprised) that I had begun to look at this here blog from the wrong perspective.  Somehow I started thinking that I needed to "craft" posts on certain topics instead of just doing what the blog title says: Rambling.  "Crafting" posts takes a lot of thought and energy, which means that 98% of the time I am Waaay too tired to post.  You've noticed this?  Ok good.  So what I have decided to try to do is get back to rambling--in my bare feet too.  Maybe then I can get more posts up, so this actually looks like a blog instead of a barren wasteland!

So what I've been doing.  I've been Mowin' and Sewin'.  Ain't that cute? lol  But it's true.  Now that the deluge has ended and the water has receded I've finally been able to go forth from the ark and run the lawn mower again.  What?  Oh, I've got my stories mixed up again?  Well, really it did seem a bit like we had returned to the time of Noah what with all the rain that was coming down!  =)  Fortunately the sun did not shine much while it rained---I know it doesn't usually, but sometimes it does!  But thankful goodness it doesn't too much or I would have literally had a hay field.  As it was, the humid, warm air was just what the grass likes, so it grew plenty while it rained, sun or no sun.  The side yard was so thick it really does look like I need someone to come bale it! lol  It looks yucky laying out there, but if you think I'm gonna rake........ha!  Maybe it will keep the stuff underneath from growing so quickly!  I like to kilt myself in the last 2 days trying to get most of it done just in case the rain started again.  One more section to go, and I rather dread that one because there are great bunches of sticks and branches that have to be picked up before I can mow it.  My neighbor now,  he mows the front yard no matter what is lying on it: pine cones, sticks, branches, whatever.  He and that Cub Cadet go flying over. Whir, plink, crunch, crack........!  I cringe for his mower blade, but maybe he can smooth out the dents himself, so he doesn't mind.  I don't think my little red Fred would take that too well, though, so I go through and pick up the sticks first.  No fun, but you gotta do what ya gotta do!  So that's the mowin' part.  The sewin' part has kept me busy too, but it's much more fun.  I'm changing--or adding too--my little business.  I'm making bags.  So far I'm selling pretty much every one I make, even making custom ones for local friends.  And I'm having a blast!  My one wish would be more time to make more bags.  My friends are sporting theirs and others are going to start asking about them and I still don't have any in the shop!  I also have some advertising opportunities, but how can you really advertise unless you have some product to advertise about? *sigh*  Ah well.  It is what it is.  I hope that someday I can get big enough to go part-time at my "day job", but for now, it's one bag at a time.  And I figure that eventually all my friends will have the ones they want for the moment and then will be time enough to put more in the shop.  Don't get me wrong!  A sale is a sale, no matter where it is!  I am having a great time sewing special items for my friends! I guess anyone else that wants a bag will just have to wait or add their name to the "Custom Order" list!  Makes me feel like a regular "boutique"! lol

So that's me in a nutshell---er, long post! lol  Hope ya'll are having a great summer!
Ciao!

Independence Day

It's Independence Day.  I thought maybe I would write about freedom or patriotism--something along those lines. But this morning one of my Facebook friends shared a link to a flash mob at Colonial Williamsburg done by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  It was lovely, of course.  Those Mormons know how to sing!  But watching that led me to search on YouTube for other "flash mob" videos, and when the search came up there was the video of the flash mob in the mall at Christmas time singing the Hallelujah Chorus.  You've probably seen it.  If you haven't, go to YouTube, search for 'flash mob' and it should be there.  It's by Alphabet Photography. This is my favorite flash mob video of all time.  I cry every time I watch it.  I don't know why, but something about singing so openly--in such an unexpected place--that Jesus Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords, forever and ever, does something to me.  Its one thing to hear that proclaimed in church, or to hear it sung in a performance at Heinz Hall (that's in Pittsburgh, if you didn't know), but to hear it sung loudly and freely in the food court of a mall?  It changes things.  The words seem to have even deeper meaning---out where the rubber meets the road.  And on this day those words reminded me of this:  No matter what is happening in our country, no matter what is being said or done, Jesus Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords, and He will reign Forever and Forever.  He has the last word.  Period.  He is in Charge, no man can change Him, and nothing happens that has not passed through His Hands first. How about some fireworks for that?!!  HE--the Lord of Liberty--makes Independence Day a true day of Celebration.  Hallelujah!

Dad

Yes, I know I'm a week late for Father's Day.  But on the actual day I was way too busy being with my grandparents to get around to posting, not to mention that writing a post on a tablet is rather tedious. (Truly "hunt and peck"!)  So anyway, Happy Father's Day to my Dad.  If you don't know him, you should.  He's a pretty cool guy.  Very talented, though he would not tell you that.  But I will.  =) 

Some of his talents (And I did say "some".  He has lots!):

--He can fix cars.  Growing up, I don't know if he ever took the car to a garage except for things like tires.  If something broke, he fixed it.  If he didn't know how, he found out how.  He still does this for the most part, though the newer the car, the more on it that is complicated and takes complicated equipment to fix.  So he has had to utilize a garage a little---emphasis on 'little'.  He still figures things out pretty much on his own.  And of course, the mechanic ability is not limited to cars.  He's worked on lawn mowers, tractors, wood splitters, chain saws, washing machines......you get the picture.

--He can fix other broken stuff like nobody's business.  Have a book that needs gluing?  Bring it to Dad.  Have a dryer door that won't stay shut any longer?  Dad will rig up a latch system that will have you back in business in no time.  Backstitch lever on your sewing machine broken and the repair shop says there is nothing they can do?  Tell Dad.  He'll get in there and weld a new metal piece on (that will last longer than the motor on the machine will probably!).  Just about anything that is broken he knows how, or can find a way, to fix it--or rig it!--so it still works.  Sometimes when presented with a problem, at first he is not sure he can do it, but just leave him alone for a bit, and next thing you know he has worked out some kind of solution.  It's amazing to watch really.  When he comes to visit I have "Dad To-Do" list all ready!

--He's really good with numbers.  And I do mean really good. In high school he won awards in math and science.  I have seen him with a calculus book just for fun.  =)  All my life I have memories of Dad and his books: church books and personal books.  He can tell you where every single cent has gone---for both!  (Just so you know, his daughter did not inherit his good habit of keeping track of every single penny........I'm sure it's much to his dismay. lol)

--He is not afraid to do the dirty work.  He'll do dirty jobs that most people wouldn't do.  For example, picking up garbage after a large gathering.  Some people leave behind some nasty garbage and most of us don't want to get close enough to smell it, let alone touch it.  There's Dad, cleaning it up without even wrinkling his nose.  =)  My sister's water pipes froze one Winter and wouldn't thaw all the way.  Someone needed to crawl into the very tiny crawl space amidst all the insulation and bugs and who knows what else (shudder!) to get the last bits of ice to thaw and shake loose.  Guess who?  Yep.  Dad.

--He has a great voice and "presence" for reading aloud.  I used to like to sit in church conference sessions in the morning just to hear Dad read the minutes from the previous sitting.  Growing up he read books aloud to me.  He still does sometimes when we are together, and I still love it.  Not just because it's something I do with my Dad, but because I like to hear him read.

--He has mad music skills.  He knows what all the notes sound like in his head.   He can sing without an instrument and know whether he is still on key or not.  Need a song started?  No problem.  He'll start it so that everyone can sing it normally---not in the basement or up trilling with the mice.  lol! He can play the piano by note or by ear.  Classical or hymns, solo or duet, he's good to go.  He can even tune it---and without any fancy gizmos! 

--He's great at ministering to shut-ins, people in nursing homes, hospitals, etc.  He's good at coming up with conversation when they don't talk much, and he's absolutely faithful to get in to see them, even when there are a million other things to do.   Sometimes I wish he could have a job doing just that because he's so good at it.

As I said, my Dad is a talented guy.  =)  He's also a man of faith and values, whose character points true North---a "talent" that comes from God alone.   Not something you find much these days, but something to treasure when you do find it.  So Happy Father's Day Dad!  I'm glad you're my dad!

Neighbors

I've got to try to do better on this here blog or there ain't no use in keepin' it! How's that for a little southern drawl? The good news is that there have been a couple posts building up in my head, so they may actually make it here. There hasn't been too much going on in my corner of the world---or not too much exciting I should say! There has been work, and mowing of course, and not too much else besides that. =) This (the mowing) leads me to the subject of my neighbors. In this I have been SO blessed! They are friendly, quiet people, and this alone is enough to make one rejoice---especially if you have been plagued with unfriendly, not so quiet neighbors before! But beyond that, Norman has decided it is part of his neighborly duties that he should help me with the lawn mowing. When I first moved here and he started "cutting in" at times, he told me he hoped I didn't feel as though he were getting into my business. Ha!! I promptly told him that I would never ever get upset with him for mowing the lawn! So he has helped me out from then on. I can't tell you how many times I have come home, knowing that the front yard needed mowing, but tired from work, only to find that he had already been there and done that. Amazing. Usually he does the one front section, but on some occasions (as he did today) he seems to get lost on his mower and swings 'round the side and into the back. I had been putting off mowing because I'm going to be out of town a couple days soon and wanted to wait until the last minute to mow so it wouldn't get too long. Then came Andrea with her drenching rains and a forecast of possible thunderstorms for days! Oh me. I was worried that I was not going to get the lawn all finished before I left (and still have energy for work that is!). But this afternoon the sun came out brilliantly and dried things enough so I could get a large chunk done after work. I don't want Neighbor Norman to ever feel like he has to mow, but I do admit to praying that maybe this time he would do a section for me because I'm feeling pressed. Sometimes God answers prayers so quickly! I was soaking in a hot bath after mowing my large chunk of lawn (don't you just love my descriptive words? lol) and I heard the familiar sound of Norman's mower. And this time he didn't stop at the front yard, but did the swinging 'round part and cut the whole side yard too! This leaves me 2 sections to do and I'll be done! Amazing. This is what I get for trying not to worry how I was going to manage, trying to trust God to help me get things done, asking God for help. He gave me extra strength, good weather, and a kind neighbor to help. I'm feeling very blessed......

PI (or Poison Ivy)

Ooh it has been a while.  In my head--usually while I am behind the lawn mower--I have written books of posts.  The trouble is, most of them don't end up here.  The reason for that is energy.  For some reason, when I'm behind the mower, I can compose all sorts of interesting and witty (at least to me!) posts, but when I think about sitting down at the computer to write them out, most of the time I'm too tired!  Dis is vewy bad.  I wish I had a little doo-hickey thing that would fit in my ear and I could just talk my posts out while I did the mowing.  Then I would just have to transcribe and polish them here.  The trouble with that idea is that I don't think I would be able to hear myself talk over the noise of the mower on the recording.  Bummer.  IV microphone perhaps?  Hmmm.  Maybe I could invent that and then I'd be rich! lol  So anyway.  The bottom line is that there have been lots of posts, just none here. 

In other news, there seems to be a bumper crop of poison ivy this year.  I don't remember seeing so much last year.  Isn't it interesting how one year some kinds of plants thrive on the weather, while others don't do so well, but then the next year it's all switched up and other things grow like mad?  I've noticed the rose bushes here in NC are just crazy with blooms this year.  So beautiful.  It also seems to be a banner year for the ivy.  The poison kind that is.  Maybe there was as much last year and I just didn't notice it much because I hadn't yet felt the onslaught of its wrath.  Now though, since I have felt its fury---or itching---just a glimpse through the weeds makes my skin crawl.  Literally, it does.  Ever since I had my bout with PI a month or so ago, I have been plagued with this creepy crawly feeling all over.  It's better than it was, thank goodness, but very often I still get goose-bumps or just a crawly feeling out of nowhere.  Benadryl helps, but who wants to take benadryl every day?  Anyway, as I was saying, just the sight of PI in the woods/yard makes me get all tingly.  I want to destroy it all, but that would take a lot of work and imagine what I would look like if I tried.  No don't do that. It will give you nightmares! lol   Why is it that humans have to be the only living creature that is allergic to PI?  Very strange.  But I digress.  Again.  I'm trying to learn to ignore the stuff at the edge of the yard in the woods and just stay out of its way.  But I can't ignore the vines that are starting to grow up the trees in the yard.  I will not tolerate that!  Invade the woods all you want you sinister plant, but you will NOT invade my yard!  It's like it's testing me to see how far I will let it go, daring me to try to kill it so it can spread it urishiol poison all over me and drive me insane (ok, more insane! lol) with itching.  A couple weeks ago I bought a commercial poison specifically for PI and PO (poison oak), and started plotting my revenge.  But when I started reading the instructions it said not to use it within the drip line of trees.  Not around the trees??!!  Then pray tell what good is it?  Most of the PI and PO around here is within the drip line of trees!  The stuff out in the yard I can mow over!  Don't need the weed killer there!  duh!  Unless someone can tell me how to mow up the trees, that is where I need the weed killer.  So I was back to square one.  Next stop Google.  It's where I go to find out about pretty much everything these days.  Have you tried it?  It's a great place!  Don't know how to spell something?  Google it.  Just spell it how you think it sounds and Google will politely ask "Did you mean.....?" and there you have the correct spelling.  Need to know how to do something?  Google it.  And from out the clear blue sky Google will provide you with links to someone somewhere who knows how to do the very thing you are asking for.  Need a supplier for an organic boysonberry face mask?  Google it.  Voila!  Google will tell you where to find it, or find you someone who knows how to make it and has provided a tutorial---usually free of charge.  Have you Googled today?  =)  But there I go on a rabbit trail again.  Where was I?  Oh yes, I was Google-ing a homemade killer for PI that won't also kill trees.  I found several recipes, most of which use things you have in your kitchen and laundry room, like vinegar and salt and Dawn, etc.  So most of them didn't seem like they would kill trees---unless you poured gallons and gallons of the stuff into the ground around them.  Not my plan.  I just needed something to spray on the PI that would kill it.  Then I was talking to my mom and she had a recipe from a reputable garden expert that was made from vinegar, gin and baby soap.  I didn't have any gin, but figured alcohol is alcohol, right?  And no baby soap either, but I do have Dawn.  So off I went to Lowe's, bought a 2 gallon lawn sprayer, and mixed up my brew: vinegar, Dawn and rubbing alcohol.  Then I lugged the sprayer around the yard and sprayed pretty much every leaf of PI I could see.  I used all 2 gallons.  Yesterday afternoon I wandered over to the pines to take a look.  What do you think I saw.  Instead of the black and shriveled leaves of PI I was hoping to find, there it was, all green and perky and healthy as ever.  And I think I heard it laughing at me...... Grr.  So it's back to Google I will go and find another recipe and another until I find one that will kill this evil plant.  Laugh now you leaves of three!  Laugh while you can, because I WILL get you with something, even if I have to dress up in a hazardous waste suit and snip you off one by one.  lol  But not today.  Today I'll stay inside and pretend I don't see "it" growing up the trunk of the oak outside my window, take some more benadryl (this post is giving me goosebumps!), and Google.  =)  Cheers!

Tangled

Have you ever done something that makes you say to yourself  "Do I really want to tell anyone else about this?"  Yeah, well it happens to the best of us.  Just the other day I decided it was high time to get the water hoses out and hooked up.  I have a little garden planted, along with several pots, so watering is going to be necessary---and watering everything with a pitcher is a little much.  I have 2 hoses (they're orange BTW.  Has nothing to do with the story, just thought you might like to picture this event in living color).  So I drag my 2 hoses over to the outdoor spigot and dump them unceremoniously in a heap.  I mean, why would I think to keep them both neatly coiled until I got them hooked up?  That would be way too organized!  With 2 hoses there are 4 ends, right?  So from the midst of the heap I grab one end and connect it to the spigot, grab another and connect it to the sprayer.  This leaves 2 unconnected ends.  Connect those to each other, turn on the water,  and we're in business.  Time to stretch out the hose.....but there is a problem.  Because I am unorganized and did not keep the hoses coiled until the proper time, they are now a tangled mass.  Because I am who I am, I worked for a bit trying to untangle this mass of orange plastic.  Yes, I know, it would have been infinitely easier to keep things neat to begin with!  I didn't.  And yes, I know, it would have been, again, easier to just turn off the water, disconnect the 2 hoses, untangle, then reconnect.  But that's just not how I roll.  lol  After a few minutes of trying and re-trying to untangle this mess I realize that it is so twisted and knotted that the only thing to do is to disconnect, untangle, then reconnect.  Reminds me of how our lives and relationships go sometimes. lol  We keep tying ourselves in knots, trying desperately to work out the tangle, when what we need to do is disconnect for a bit (meaning, stop trying so hard), untangle (read Go to God for help!), then reconnect with the situations or people involved.  =)  Anyway. I finally realize that disconnecting is the only way I'm going to get this mass untangled, short of cutting the hose anyway! lol  But there is water pouring into the hose now and I knew that disconnecting meant there would be water everywhere unless I could kink it off somehow.  I know!!  You are all thinking, "Why not just go turn off the water first".  But that would be so easy! lol  I don't know why I'm like this, but I just didn't feel like walking over there and turning the water off first.  So I thought, "If I can just kink the hose before the connection..."  No, I don't know why!!!  That's just the way I am.  I would rather make myself work harder I guess! lol  Just then I happened to look down and say that the hose was already kinked, right where it needed to be.  All the better for me!  So I disconnect the 2 hoses........nothing happened.  No water, not even a drip.  Some of you know where this is going! lol  That was odd, because you know as well as I do that if a hose has been connected and filled, even if it is kinked off it is going to spew some water when you open the end!  So I start pulling hose, untangling it bit by bit.  Finally I came to the other end........Yep.  You guessed it.  I had connected one hose to the spigot and the other end of that same hose to the sprayer.......Need I say more?  Ok I will.  I had connected the second hose to itself........ Oy.  Dis is vewy bad.  lol  Somtimes I do believe my brain cells are Blonde in their composition!  =)   The good things to come from this unfortunate incident are that: 1. Maybe (I did say maybe) next time I will keep the hoses in order and make a point to connect them properly.  2. I didn't get wet when I opened the hose.  And 3. I got to amuse myself---and maybe you too---in the process! lol  So I propose a toast (my Saturday morning Starbucks in this case):  May you all have laughter (even at my expense), and untangled hoses (and lives!).  Cheers!

Recipe Review

So I made some more "new food" over the weekend.  =) 

One recipe I tried was a recipe called Quick and Easy Pizza Crust.  I have had such a hard time finding a good recipe for pizza crust that bakes all the way through.  I really despise settling down for a piece of fresh, hot, homemade pizza only to find that the dough directly under the toppings is gooey.  Blech!!  I keep trying recipes and so many times I'm disappointed---even when I bake the dough partially before adding the toppings.  (I added that because I knew some of you were going to suggest it. Been there, done that, didn't work. See? I saved you the work of typing that message to me! lol)  Anyway.  So in my meanderings around Allrecipes.com---which I do quite frequently---don't know why I even bother to own a cookbook---I found this "Quick and Easy" recipe for pizza crust.  It was good!  Chewy and not soggy.  Yay!  I actually enjoyed my homemade pizza!  It was even still ok today.  A little dry, but that is so much better than soggy--IMHO.  So this one is going in the file to be tried again.  You can find the recipe here. 

The second recipe I tried was a WINNER!  Wow.  It was called Too Much Chocolate Cake.  Yum. Yum. Yum!!  Again, chocolate cakes sometimes disappoint me because you have to search hard for the chocolate flavor.  Not in this one!  And so easy!  It's a cake mix and dry pudding base with a few other ingredients added.  Easy.  Moist.  Dense. Chocolatey.  Delicious.  What more could you ask for in a cake?  This one is Definitely going in my recipe box!  I took it to work today and when I left this afternoon there was still maybe a third of the cake left.  Sooo that cake plate just kind of jumped into my hand and came home with me....  I don't usually do that, but this cake is that good!  Just the amount of chocolate the Doctor ordered.  Today.  =)  You can find that recipe here

Happy Eating!

Things My Mom Taught Me

I was doing dishes earlier and was reminded of how my mom taught me to wash a sharp knife with the sharp edge away from you so you didn't accidentally cut through the dishcloth and into your hand.  It started me thinking about some of the other things Mom taught me.  What better day to think about this than Mother's Day?  =)  So here's a little list.  It is by NO means comprehensive or complete.  Mom has taught me more than I can put into words.  So it's just a little list.  =)

1. She taught me to make pie crust.  Good pie crust!  She is one of the best of the best at it.  Making pies is not hard now because she taught me that it isn't.

2.  She taught me that when "Christian" people do things that make you wonder, you hope that their hearts are better than their heads.

3.  She taught me to say Please and Thank You.

4.  She taught me that if something is worth doing, it's worth doing right.

5.  She taught me to crochet.

6.  She taught me to use common sense!

7.  She taught me that creative homemade things make wonderful gifts.

8.  She taught me to love the garden and growing things.

9.    She taught me how to use a candy thermometer. Once again, she made something that seems hard to be not so hard after all.

10.  She taught me to be responsible for myself and my actions.

11.  She taught me to clean up the house before Sunday--because Sunday is God's Day.  (Many late Saturday night vacuuming sessions come to mind!  We still laugh about how I hated those.)

12. She taught me that a true Christian woman walks the walk much more than she talks the talk.

As I said before, this is just a little list.  My Mama taught me---and still teaches me---so many things.  I am thankful for her every day.

Happy Mother's Day Mom! I Love you!

Blogs and War

So I sat down at the computer earlier--like 2 hours ago!--to write a blog post.  But then I started looking around for books written by Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans...........2 hours later, here I am---with about 50 new books added to my Amazon wishlist! lol  If you've known me for any length of time you know that soldiers--especially the veterans of our current war--have a huge place in my heart.  I've read their blogs, with posts written while their hands were still hot from the last patrol.  That is the best way to read war stories--and I use that word "story" not because there is anything glamorous or "bedtime-like" about them, but because I can't think of a better word.  Maybe I should use the word "account", but that sounds sterile and boring---and their "stories" are anything but.  Those blog posts are the best war narratives---unfiltered, raw, heartwrending, and REAL.  To be able to read a story written by a soldier right after it happened to him/her gives you the truest picture of war you will ever read.  The books are good too, but they are stories written after the fact---maybe a long time after the fact--and that changes things.  Not intentionally, mind you, but time changes memories and wording.  I'd rather read their blogs.  Back when Iraq was in the heat of things I read a lot of blogs.  There were more then.  There aren't as many now.  Maybe because the war is long or because of too many OPSEC regulations.  I'm not sure.  It's not because things are not still hot and hard.  They are still hot--and hard--in places in Afghanistan.  The news just doesn't tell you anymore.  The main-stream media has moved on to more "interesting" stories.  The War "over there" is old news to them.  But once in a while a little news from soldiers will trickle out and you know it's still hot there.  But there seems to be little blogging about it.  Maybe it's because they are just tired.  10 years of deployment after deployment; 10 years of 18 hour days, patrols, danger, and adrenaline; 10 years of missing--and losing their families.  It makes me tired just to think about it.  I can only imagine how they feel.  Whatever the reasons, the current "milblogs" are few.  It's too bad.  I miss them.  I don't mean that I wish for soldiers to be in hot combat just so they can blog about it!  I mean that I know they are still in combat and I wish I could read their stories.  All of them.  The good, the bad, and the ugly---and I know that most of their stories are made up of those last two.  I still want to read them.  I wish I had saved all of the stories I read all those years ago.  I have a few that I saved, but I wish I had saved every single post. Some of their blogs are gone--pulled off the internet for one reason or another.  I hope the authors saved those posts.  I know for some they hold bitter memories, but they are a part of our history and should be saved and cherished and re-read.  I wish I had saved them all so I could go back and read them again.  Their stories, raw and uncut, changed me.  They gave me heroes in my generation, men and women of honor and courage and bravery in my own time.  It's a completely different perspective to have heroes of your own age and time, compared to having heroes from previous generations.  And I will always call them heroes, even in the midst of the ugly stories.  I think sometimes they are afraid to tell their ugliest stories because even soldiers have an idea of what a "hero" should be, and the ugliest stories don't seem to fit.  But I think that the ugliest stories should be told right along with the good and the bad, because they are what makes the "hero" human.  Those stories take the hero off the pedestal and put him in Real Life, and we find out that our "heroes" are just humans who have the strength to do the ugly.  I once told a Marine that I wished I could climb inside his head and read all his stories.  He replied "It's dark in there, CJ."  Dark or not, I still wish I could read all their stories.  Every.Single.One.  Over and over again. To remind myself of what they have gone through--and still go through, and what they relive every.single.day. They come home, but they don't really ever come completely home again. Part of themselves is left on the battlefield---wherever it was, and part of the battlefield goes with them--wherever.they.go.  I do not want to forget: who they are, and what they pay to keep us free.  I think of those previous bloggers and wish I knew where they were, if they were doing ok, if they have friends who care for them.  So many of our soldiers come home to no one.  They may have had family and friends when they left, but when they come home?  Sometimes the family is gone and so are the friends--or they will leave when the nightmares and flashbacks start to get bad.  They come home to what is supposed to be "the real world" and find that they just don't fit anymore.  They drink, do drugs, drive 125mph on their Harley, all kinds of things to try to forget or to try to make the world make sense again.  Sometimes all they can come up with is suicide.  The growing number of vets--especially Iraq/Afghanistan vets--who are turning to suicide is like a knife in the gut for me.  How I wish I could stop them, could show them that somehow there WILL be life after war, could remind them that they will Always, Always be Heroes of the best kind.  I wish I could make a safe harbor for them, where all their stories could be told, complete and uncut.  Because they--and their stories--are part of Our Story, and we can't afford to lose them.

New Food

I was going to post yesterday--and forgot!  Imagine! Me, forgetting something!  I know, it almost never happens.  I guess it has to happen to the best of us.  lol  Anyway, I had a 3-day weekend and I was a cookin' fool--at least for me.  I actually tried 3--three!--new recipes.  The first was a cauliflower pizza crust and it wasn't anything to get excited about.  Highly disappointing!  You used grated cauliflower, lightly steamed in the microwave, as the base, mixed it with cheese and egg and then baked.  After which you just top like regular pizza and bake just long enough to cook the toppings.  It wasn't horrible, just not great.  Won't be going in the file.  But the other 2 recipes..........whooee.  Fab-O!  I know, that's not a word, but today, here in my world, it is. =)  Anyway.  Recipe #2 was a cinnamon roll swirl cake.  If you go to my boards on Pinterest, it's there.  You can also find it here.  It's a cake that tastes like cinnamon rolls.  The cake texture is dense and not too sweet--which is a good thing, because you swirl it through with this sticky, buttery, gooey cinnamony mixture.  To top it off, when it comes out of the oven you pour a glaze icing over top--just like you would on cinnamon rolls.  Oh so yummy!  Then there is the bacon.  Recipe #3 for the weekend.  Candied bacon to be precise.  Oh.My.Goodness.  How did I get to be this old without making this before?  I had seen recipes for it a couple times before in my online travels, just never made it.  Why?!  Well, I suppose it's really a good thing I haven't done it before because I really might be 300lbs by now with a completely shot gallbladder! lol  This stuff is that good.  I could hardly stop eating it.  And so simple!  Just bacon dredged in brown sugar (don't you just love the sound of something being dredged in brown sugar?) and then baked.  You can add pepper or any other spice you might like, or you can just do it plain.  Place on a rack that has been placed over a cookie sheet (with edges mind you!) and put in the oven at 350 for 20-25 min.  You don't want to do it too long because the sugar will just burn.  But you don't want it to be too floppy when you take it out or it will be soggy after it cools.  You want it somewhere in the middle--stiff and caramelly (not a word either. I know.  But it's my blog after all).  Take it out and beg yourself to not taste it until it cools.  Hot bacon and sugar--not friendly to the tongue!  Then after it cools and you have a taste, you will have to beg yourself to stop so you won't be sick! lol  Such simple ingredients for such a tasty snack.  It would be great as an appetizer for a party.  So there you have it.  My New Food weekend.  It was such fun.  Now if I just had more time for all the other gazillion recipes I want to try!

Mowing Season

The mowing has begun.  I think I should start planning an annual party event to coincide with the mowing season.  Kind of like Fat Tuesday before Lent. lol  Because once the mowing begins there is very little stopping until it gets hot hot--like July.  I even thought I could have my guests all bring a mower and everyone make a round before dinner.  I mean, one round on the yard is not too much to ask for a table full of food and drinks with a fire afterwards is it?  Think I would get any takers?  Really, I don't mind the work so much.  The hardest part is trying not to get stressed thinking about what needs done.  If I could just keep telling myself 'it will get done one piece at a time', I'd be ok.  But I tend to not do that, so consequently end up feeling pressed sometimes.  Also, it does take a lot of time, so that means very little time for hobbys and other likes.  BooHoo.  But the actual work?  I really don't mind it.  People are always telling me "Girl you need to get a riding mower."  Yea yea, I hear ya.  But I don't for 2 reasons.  First off, I've never had a rider so don't know a thing about upkeep, and it's not as if I have a resident handy man to do it.  I do, however, know enough about machines to know that if you don't know how to keep them up, you might as well not waste your money to buy them in the first place because you ain't gonna have 'em long!  Besides, I don't have a trailer to haul it to anyone who does know how to take care of it---and I really don't think my explanation of "Officer, I was just drivin' this here mower over to Bubba's place for upkeep" is going to hold much weight in the ticket-not-issued department! lol So that's the first line of reasoning.  Secondly--and most importantly, I might add--is the fact that having 2 acres of grass to mow with a push mower is rather like having a drill sergeant trainer who is at your door every.single.day. making you get out there and sweat!  Without the mowing my exercise program is......well, non-existant.  I never have been good about a long-term "exercise diet".  It's sad, I know.  But there's the truth of it.  I know I need it.  I'll be the first to tell you that.  Not just for cardio exercise/body health, but mental/emotional health too.  Me especially. (Stop nodding your head!)  But really, I  feel a lot better emotionally when I've had some good exercise. However. When I come home after a shift at the dialysis unit, the very LAST thing I want to do is excercise.  So I don't.  Until the Mowing season.  Then there is no choice but to get myself out there and cut that grass.  Because ain't nobody else gonna cut it---unless I'm willing to fork over nearly $100 every time.  And there is a whole lotta craft stuff I can buy with all those $100's!  I mean, in the Spring here I would be doing that at least every 3 weeks and maybe every 2!  No. Way.  So.  From now until July I will be having nearly daily dates with my little red mower.  Maybe I should name it Fred.  lol  Muscle tone and mental health here I come!  (Yes, I know that my mental difficulties need way more than a red mower!  You needn't rain on my parade so soon!) See ya round the yard!

Poison Ivy.....

I suppose it's a miracle really.  I mean, 40 years of being outside, playing in the woods, mowing lawns, pulling weeds, cutting brush--and no poison ivy, oak or sumac.  Til now.  *sigh*  I suppose it had to come sometime, right?  I wore gloves, I tried to be careful, I washed clothes and showered as soon as I was done, but....  I didn't see any sign of it's presence on me until the next day, and even then I saw it before I felt it.  Not itchy or anything.  So I thought 'hmm, maybe I'm just not that allergic to it'.  Wrong-O!  I thought maybe since there were no leaves on it yet, I would be less likely to come in contact with the poison ivy "juice".  But now I'm wondering if getting the sap on you from the bark before it has leafed out is actually worse.  You should see my arm.  No, rather you shouldn't see it.  You don't want to, really you don't.  I have a patch on my right arm that looks rather like something out of a sci-fi horror film.  A red mass of oozing blisters, the like of which I have never seen.  Frankly there have been a few times when it almost made this nurse sick to her stomach to look at it! lol  I have been soaking in oatmeal and epsom salts, and applying calamine, hydrocortisone and ice.  Popping benadryl like candy too.  Right now the patch seems to be staying the same size, the itching is under control and the blisters aren't oozing quite so bad.  It's been so strange though, watching this develop on my arm from a quarter size patch to this 'thing' that is about 2x2.  I've also developed tiny patches elsewhere--days after I came in contact with the plant.  I guess I thought the rash would show up right away--as big as it was going to get.  I keep looking around, half expecting more alien spots to show up! lol  I'm thankful though.  This could have been WAY worse.  I don't know how in the world people take it when they have this all over.  Just the little spots I have and the itching has nearly driven me insane (well, more insane than I am already! lol)  I can't imagine a whole body case.  I think I would have to be locked up!  But enough for now.  Time for more sitting in the chair with ice applied.  Here's hoping for my human skin back soon!  =)

MT

I was trying to think of what to post today, and then I saw the news that Baroness Margaret Thatcher, The Iron Lady, had passed.  I was just a teen during her time in office, and not really interested in political goings on (still am not interested too much!), but I remember that her name and Ronald Reagan's name were mentioned together, and that her name was a good name.  Now I know a bit more about her policies and what she did for Great Britain---and Margaret Thatcher is still a good name.  She wasn't perfect I'm sure, but I believe she was the right, strong leader at a time when Britain really needed one.  Policies aside, I admire her for daring to do what she wanted to do.  When she was elected Prime Minister, she was blazing a trail of her own making.  No woman had ever done what she did (in Britain).  I don't know if any had ever attempted to get elected in the first place--let alone be elected more than once!  But she had a vision, she wanted to do it, she did it.  And then, once elected, she stood where she stood and if you didn't like it that was your problem!  I admire that.  I have such difficulty letting go of my fears and just doing what it is that is in my heart to do.  I admire people who just do it and forget about being afraid; who don't worry if everybody likes them. We call her The Iron Lady, which in my book is a compliment.  Too many countries' leaders are all talk and no backbone, and you don't really know where they stand, but you're pretty sure it's not in the country's camp.  Not so with Margaret Thatcher.  You knew where she stood and she stood there firmly.  She was a Patriot, a Leader and a Lady.  America has lost a friend, and we mourn her passing.  Rest In Peace, Iron Lady.

Patience---or Long-Suffering

Patience or Longsuffering?  I've had this post idea nibbling at the edges of my brain for some time now.  Let's see if I can get it written down.  A while ago I started thinking about how some versions of the Bible use the word Patience while others use Long-Suffering, and I decided that I liked Long-Suffering better.  Why?  Because for me the word Patience has such nice connotations---like it's referring to someone who has it together, and is in quiet and complete possession of themselves while they wait for something.  Long-Suffering, on the other hand, just says it like it is: suffering looooong.  It's not really nice, not pretty, not all put together.  Long-Suffering, to me, refers to someone who is slogging through the trenches with muddy cold feet, trying desperately to keep their rifle dry as they wait for reinforcements. (Please forgive the military reference.  I can't help myself!)  There are 2 particular verses that come to mind when I think of this comparison.  One of them is the description of the Fruit of The Spirit, where Patience (Long-Suffering) is put right in there with Love, Joy, Peace and Kindness.  Seems so nice doesn't it?  Now please don't get me wrong.  I'm not saying there is anything wrong with 'nice' Patience!  But when you get right down to the nitty gritty in life and you are waiting desperately for something, and so many times you feel like you can.not.wait. another moment, you don't run to Patience!  You go to Long-Suffering.  Because you can DO long-suffering.  You do it every day while you wait.  You slog through the mud of life and you push on and you continue and you stay determined and you work HARD at keeping faith.  You suffer long.  The other verse I think of is in The Love Chapter where it says "Love is patient and kind".  The other version says "Love suffers long and is kind".  Makes a difference, don't you think?  Sometimes loving others takes Patience, but at other times it takes Looong Suffering!  Oh you know what I mean, and someone's name or face just popped into your head didn't it?  Admit it!  There are some people who are easy to love and there are others who cause you to hunker down for a siege of suffering long! lol  Jokes aside, though, there are people we meet/grow up with/are related to, etc.  who take some suffering in order to love them, aren't there?  There are many facets to this suffering long in order to love thing, but that's a whole other tangent I will not get off on here.  This post is already gonna be long enough! =)  My point here is that if you are going to love someone else with any depth or strength you are going to need a portion of 'patience' or 'long-suffering'.  And once again, when it gets hard to love, you don't run to Patience, you run to Long-Suffering.  That's the only way to get through, the only way to keep loving. Long-Suffering. I don't think the word Patience says enough.  'Patience' seems like it should be easier somehow than 'Long-Suffering'.  When I try to be Patient and it's not easy, I feel like I somehow have fallen short---like I should be better at this 'Patient' thing.  Then I get frustrated.  But if I think that in this particular situation in life, or with this particular person I  have to be Long-Suffering, I know it's gonna be hard right from the start! No ifs ands or buts about it!  I like that better because I don't have to feel like I've failed when it's hard to wait--or when it's hard to keep loving.  I'm doing wth the Bible says:  Suffering Long.  =)  Of course, the bottom line here is, it's not about how hard it is to wait or to love.  It's about the not giving up.  If you can do Patient, then be thankful.  It's a gift from God.  Really.  But if all you can do is Long-Suffering, be thankful for that too.  Because it's also a gift from God.  Long-Suffering (or Patience--depending on your version!) is what keeps us from giving up, from quitting, from letting go, from losing hope. And not.giving.up. is a very good thing.

Thinking Ahead

Why do I never learn to plan ahead?  You would think after being around this planet for 40 years I would have learned at least a LITTLE bit about planning!  *sigh*  So here I am, once again up against the wall because I haven't thought ahead.  This time its the lawn mower.  It's the 3rd of April, here in NC the grass is getting thick, and just today I went out to see if the mower would start.  Can I blame my lack of organization in this particular department on the fact that I was born and bred in the North?  I mean, in Upstate NY it's still snowing at this time of year!  You're barely thinking about flowers blooming, let alone lawn mowing!  So yes, let's put the blame right there.  I've only been in the South for several years---not nearly long enough to sweat the Northern Winter habits out of me yet.  =)  Anyway, the lawn mower.  So I attempted to start the thing and miraculously it did!  Off I went, round the front yard, thinking I might just cut some of the longer sections.  I got about 5 rows done and then it died.  Kaput. Dead.  And yes, it does have gas and oil in it! lol  I tried restarting Multiple times--and it starts, but then dies immediately.  So.  Off to Sears I must go, mower in tow, for servicing (the mower, not me!  Though maybe I should ask if they can fix me too! lol).  The problem is that they send out mowers on Mondays and get them back the next Monday--which means it will be more than a week before I can get ANY mowing done!  Oy.  Thankfully most of the yard does not need done yet.  The side yard however, is getting a bit shaggy.  By the time I get the mower back I may need to invest in a sythe instead!  I suppose there is always next year for thinking ahead..........=)

Whew.  As you can see, I have been gone for an entire month plus.  And what a goat-rope of a ride it was.  Don't ask me to explain that phrase. I heard it from a Marine.  But you know what it means without my telling you, don't you?  =)  That's what I love about Military expressions.  They might use a strange sounding phrase, but you don't have to ask anyone what they are talking about.  Anyway.  March was a hard month, but thankfully its gone and done, and hopefully April will be better.  Its not that the whole month was bad, just most of it! lol  I did have a 12-day vacation in the middle, which was great, but the time before and the time after............well, let's just not talk about that, shall we?  I'll just say that emotional issues, work issues, computer issues, and cold weather don't mix! Period.  lol   So.  I'm trying to get back in the swing of blogging.  I'd also like to try following one of those Photo-a-day challenges, but I don't know if I can do that right now or not.  I was all set to try one in March---started it even---and then the computer issues started. Grr.  Which led to the rest of March.......oof.  So one thing at a time.  But at least now I'm looking forward to trying some things again.  And this is a very good thing.


PS. My drain no longer looks like something from the Redneck Home Journal!  Yay!  Thanks Annie!!