Enjoy this fun to make treat over the weekend!

Falcone Caramel Popcorn

Ingredients
1 cup brown sugar
½ cup butter
¼ cup light corn syrup
½ tsp salt
1tsp vanilla

Mix all ingredients in bowl and microwave for 3 minutes
Stir
Microwave another 1 and ½ minutes
Add ½ tsp baking soda and stir. It will get foamy!

Pour over popped popcorn and mix! Serve immediately.

ENJOY!

Didn't think I forgot you did you????

Oh no baby-O!

Ok, I am taking the threat out of the last post about not posting since I am hard pressed that any three of you I know will ACTUALLY write a limerick for me...
so in order to keep blogging, I better keep at it. (But I HOPE you do!)

Baby picked up something and is busting a 103 that I am keeping down with Motrin. Poor thing. She is so weak she cannot even stand well! Then the Motrin kicks in and she is running hither and yon asking with her cute little head tilted to one side,

"No cone? I cream? Popsicle? (snow cone, ice cream, popsicle)

Please shoot up a little prayer that my little kiddo recover quick.

And all you no sugar lest you die types, popsicles are making her feel a LOT better!

:) Have a good day.

May our Lord and savior bless you with His wisdom, peace and love this day! I am off to spend some time with Him myself! Woohoo!

Stream of Snot. I mean thought.

Another day done.

Today we organized school shelves....got rid of old curriculum. Got a new plan.
Did Bible study....cleaned my office desk.
It is sooooooo purty! My desk was truly, truly a disaster. Now it is pristine.

Made club sandwiches for lunch, kids are cleaning up dinner and PRAYING we let them stay up to watch the original Pride and Prejudice. Which is like 133 hours long.

Which would be a SIN to let them do since we just re-iterated our reiteration that it was in bed by EIGHT to read or movie at eight until nine and then lights out.
It is currently 8:46....and the clinking and running of water and desperate whispers still emanate from la cocina.

Sooooo, it's not looking good for them. Though I DO have my networking group in the morning so I could let them...
They are on the "up at six" plan and are LOVING it! And since it is biblical...

Oh gee, CALM down, I am just kidding.
I mean actually it IS biblical but I just said that to bug you.
And you know who you are.
Even if I don't. Lol
They are up to do home blessing earlier so we can do school earlier so we can do other things earlier. We are liking it. They always like it because those of us who are early risers KNOW how much work we can get done before others are even making coffee. And when they see it, they are like, WOW.

We've been making lots of TEA lately. Big pots. Little pots. Big mugs. Tea cups.
Which means the facts start rolling in.
"Mom. Did you know that the strength of tea depends on the amount of tea not the length of time is steeps?"
No, I did not. Can I have coffee now?

I have nothing of consequence to say or report but I am TRYING to keep up the blogging...but a friend of mine recently started one that is sooooooo good already! ;) I'll be spending some time reading hers!

I miss blogging about church. I guess I mean I miss having something to blog about. Wait. That's not what I mean. I mean I wish I was in the sermon more so I could hear the message so I could blog about it! Whew. That was hard.
But I never seem to get a full hour outside to listen to it. It is making me crazy and I am considering scheduling it in right after church. Whoever does not attend church will have the full listening time of the sermon upon our return home. Uninterrupted.
We'll farm the kids out to the backyard or something. Whaddaya think?

Got nuthin' my friends. I am spending it all on the publication. Sorry.
Maybe I'll just start writing jokes...or I know, Limericks! yeah! Ok, I'll go first, and then you all leave or send me one and I'll post it on this post with our signatures. I must receive at least three before I blog again!
Wow. Limerical threats. Cool.

There once was a crazy reformer.
Who perhaps showed a bit of performer.
She disliked the obscene
in her magazine-
so now she's a wholesome brain-stormer!

Entry number one: from Tif! GREAT job!

There once was a boy named Joe,
Whose first words were "No, I don't think so."
As time went by,
He learned to comply,
Now he accepts the word "No."

Entry number two: Cheryl! I love it!

There once was a writer of fiction.
Who couldn't get right with her diction.
She started to blog, her head in a fog,
and she now has bloggers' addiction.
Shalom ya'll.

Hooray! It's over!

Root canal? Check!

Easy? Very...Dr. Ladley, my new favorite guy is the BOMB!!!!

I was in and out in 30 minutes, pain free. I go back in a week for the permanent filling. I guess they see how this one does.

So I am very very happy and it is the first time I have been without excruciating pain in over 2 weeks.

Couldn't tell, couldja!?!

Woohoo! I'm BACK!

A MULTITUDE of thanks for your prayers and you know who you are! I SERIOUSLY covet them! Thank you!

Ouch

Time has stopped. I can't think of anything but tomorrow at 3:30.
Do you ever do that?
So not look forward to something that you can't really function until that thing is over?
Root canal.
Root canal.
Root canal.
But the alternative of this pain continuing is unbearable.
I keep thinking I'll walk out with no more pain.
Is that true?
Is that what will happen?
My pain will be gone and life will return to normal?
I also have a few cavities to be filled.
This from not going to a dentist for over 20 years...
I guess I should count myself blessed to get out of it with only 1 root canal. Lol
I am taking better care of my kid's teeth of course.
I am going for the whole thing. Fill everything. Root canal everything. Crown everythng.
Then I am going to get whitened.
And then I'll have a dazzling smile!
Of course, I won't be able to afford my mortgage anymore or food or electricity...but my teeth will be done.

Gettin' my blog on

Well my usual desire to blog when the magazine goes to print was missing this month. But slowly it is coming back.
I think it has to do with my epiphany about coming back to my old life as well
Jeff and talk about ad nauseum and today's realization was that maybe I was supposed to commit those last four months to get the mag to a point where it was acceptable to run with less effort. It took four months all day every day to do it. I am not kidding. It was all consuming. This is the first month I am letting myself remember the old days.
I'm not saying I'll start quilting again but maybe, just maybe, the kids will at least get there Mom back! Lol
I am slowly catching up on blogs.
Sure do miss you guys.
We should all harass AnnMarie until she starts one.
Consider this your first harassing Am.

Stream of thought

Well, my tooth is killing me still but my fun appt is tomorrow....so we'll see.
Rach told me she thought of me yesterday in church when "Miss Amy stood up and said, How many of you would rather get a root canal then stand up here and do what I do".
Lol I hope it is not going to be that bad.

I've heard that Dr. Ladley is pretty good from a few different people so I can always hope...after the experience I had with the first guy though, giving Lauren a drill and a knife would most likely do just as well.
I saved the blogging audience the savoring of that story as it was filled with oh so many yummy details of what happened but suffice to say, Jeff will not let me go back.

Sloan had a good time babysitting for a new family Fri and Sat and may do more of the same for them as she did for Am.

But the big news is last night I had an awakening to my first love again...
and got full view of what was happening with the kids. Too much to write, but let's just say, my priorities are re-aligned and though I have "many rivers to cross" I am happy and relieved and at peace that have re-prioritized my relationships with the Lord and the children.
Took me long enough.
I remember that God does not give me more than I can handle so if something is off balance it is my fault not his.
I am blessed with the inability to live in denial which is good most of the time, but also often torturous as I am painfully aware of my shortcomings in all their glory.
I could go on about this but why? I realize that I may have been trying to operate in the wrong circle...which was exhausting and heartbreaking at times...I forgot that I have the most powerful women already on our side: Moms! I am returning to them and am going to promote motherhood, family and marriage in every way I can.

Today is Memorial Day! Hoo-ya? I found myself missing Vero over the last few days for the first time in FOREVER...(Hi Cheryl!)

Rachel has a tea party waiting for me...gotta run...

Shalom Ya'll

Hats off!

So...the mag is good for something evidently. This is a cardboard round that comes inbetween the stacks of mags on the palette. Now magically transformed into the perfect prop for the "Easter Parade" song needing easter hats....
and issue number four heading right out the door. Notice the increase in distribution! Jeff; "That's one big stack o' magazines Mama!"

For Crystal and For Myself and for any other tortured souls...

Many rivers to cross
But I can’t seem to find my way over
Wandering I’m lost
As I travel along the white cliffs of Dover

Many rivers to cross
And it’s only my will, that keeps me alive
I’ve been licked washed up for years
And I merely survive because of my pride

And this loneliness won’t leave me alone
It’s such a drag to be on your own
Love has left me, and I don’t know the reason why
Well I guess I have to cry...

Many rivers to cross
But just where to begin, I’m playing for time
There’ve been times when I fought myself
Thinking of committing, some dreadful crime

Won’t you tell me now. Many rivers, Many rivers, Many rivers, Many rivers
Many rivers... yeah yeah yeah
Oh .. many rivers

Annie Lennox

Alrighty People....

Well, I do wish on some level that my return to blogging had a less, well, PAUL feel to it.
But the question has been asked.

How did sin enter the world?

Romans 5:12
Death Through Adam, Life Through Christ
12Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned— 13for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law. 14Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come.

Yes Eve was deceived first, yes she was the weaker vessel. This is not an argument over the fact that Eve sinned. This is the question of who the bible says was responsible.

The FACTS are that sin entered the world through ADAM.
As Christians we are plucked out of the lineage of ADAM and placed into the lineage of Christ.
Our sinful inheritance from birth comes from ADAM.

Further: 12Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned— 13for before the law was given, sin was in the world. But sin is not taken into account when there is no law. 14Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come.
15But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! 16Again, the gift of God is not like the result of the one man's sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. 17For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.
18Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. 19For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.

I am sorry if some thought this was an argument or a debate...truly it was not! I first said, "I don't want to talk about it" and "Ask your pastor" but when pressed, felt compelled to answer. Honestly I am confused and in shock that this very basic scriptural issue is a matter of confusion or discussion and while Amy is right, it is not a salvation issue, as seasoned Christians, or basically taught Christians, this should not be a source of confusion.

According to scripture in it's fullness, sin entered the world through Adam.
I am not and was not tonight trying to argue this point.
If you have a different opinion, great.
If you do not know, go find out.
As Amy said, she will look for herself.
If you do not know where to look, I suggest you start with your pastor and then test his answer by finding it in the Word and asking the Holy Spirit which is what the bible says to do.

I guess my confusion came from my seeing that no one in the group knew the answer to this or was willing to state it if they did. I mean there is SO MUCH that I do not know. I honestly know much less than most. But this one was a shocker to me! I was remiss in not showing less surprise.
I guess I should not shown such surprise, and for that I am sorry!!!!
But surprising it was and in that moment I could not hide it.

The real point? That we are saved from sin through Christ. That the law was created purposely by God to bring forth sin to show the need for salvation and reliance upon Christ.
That is the more important issue.
Be blessed in the Truth you seek.

Sorry if anyone got upset over this. I blanket statement ask to be left out of any potentially provocative conversation. I do not like how people react to my stance or strength in stance. If I offend someone then I consider myself first in being sinful so I truly prefer to stay quiet. Though I will NOT be "Switzerland". If questioned, we must answer the questions people ask. If scripture is clear and we know the answer even if it is not a salvation issue we are called scripturally to answer. We must correct wrong teaching in love and since I may not always have that effect, I prefer to stay out of it.
So when I opt out, like I tried to, please let me! :0)

I do NOT want this post to become a debate in the comment section so please if you do comment, be sure your stance is strongly grounded in the full context of the Word.

You guys are the best! How I love you! I love how you force me into being honed, carefully considering not just what I answer but HOW I answer! I am blessed by each one of you and was SO thrilled to see you all tonight! Let us endeavor to edify and encourage. I will continue to confess and strive for this! Thank you for being my friends and sisters in Christ!