Intercessory Prayer
. . . men always ought to pray and not lose heart —Luke 18:1
You cannot truly intercede through prayer if you do not believe in the reality of redemption.
Instead, you will simply be turning intercession into useless sympathy for others, which will serve only to increase the contentment they have for remaining out of touch with God.
True intercession involves bringing the person, or the circumstance that seems to be crashing in on you, before God, until you are changed by His attitude toward that person or circumstance.
Intercession means to "fill up . . . [with] what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ" ( Colossians 1:24 ), and this is precisely why there are so few intercessors.
People describe intercession by saying, "It is putting yourself in someone else’s place." That is not true! Intercession is putting yourself in God’s place; it is having His mind and His perspective.
As an intercessor, be careful not to seek too much information from God regarding the situation you are praying about, because you may be overwhelmed. If you know too much, more than God has ordained for you to know, you can’t pray; the circumstances of the people become so overpowering that you are no longer able to get to the underlying truth.
Our work is to be in such close contact with God that we may have His mind about everything, but we shirk that responsibility by substituting doing for interceding. And yet intercession is the only thing that has no drawbacks, because it keeps our relationship completely open with God.
What we must avoid in intercession is praying for someone to be simply "patched up." We must pray that person completely through into contact with the very life of God. Think of the number of people God has brought across our path, only to see us drop them! When we pray on the basis of redemption, God creates something He can create in no other way than through intercessory prayer.
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Saturday Haps
Kate had a playdate with Sari today...poor Sari, she didn't want much to do with Kate, (Aim-I think Kate is too young for her?) but Sari was SUCH a joy to have. She loved crafts and was wary of me but you know, I hold nothing back. I am the SAME with your kids as I am with mine. Sloan was like "Mom, you are too scary."
Why? says I.
No one treats other kids so...normal...when they are at their house.
Really? says I.
Well, THAT IS WHY kids LOVE me!
On an errand later, I ran across a yard sale...and you KNOW how I like yard sales, even in the raining, freezing weather, lol.
I got these gems for Kate for a mere $2.50 total. NO haggling either, which is strange for me because I always haggle....but this was so worth it. (long skirt for Kate for buck fifty and cool hat for a dollar!
Why? says I.
No one treats other kids so...normal...when they are at their house.
Really? says I.
Well, THAT IS WHY kids LOVE me!
On an errand later, I ran across a yard sale...and you KNOW how I like yard sales, even in the raining, freezing weather, lol.
I got these gems for Kate for a mere $2.50 total. NO haggling either, which is strange for me because I always haggle....but this was so worth it. (long skirt for Kate for buck fifty and cool hat for a dollar!
Friday, December 4, 2009
December Issue of LFM
Well, we ventured outside of the comfort zone this month after consulting with the LFM board and I think I'm gonna like it! This is our first sibling GROUP. Is that or is that not one HECK of a good looking magazine? I tell ya' for someone with NO publishing experience, I think we are doing a pretty good job! Go ahead, don't hold back...I know..it's beautiful!
Happy December ya'll!
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
My God, My God how beautiful you are!
Ah, God made this saint SOOOOOOO incredibly! His words are like a shoot off of the gospel itself. This one is a wonderful explanation of salvation...Enjoy dear one!
December 1, 2009
The Law and the Gospel...by Oswald Chambers
Whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all —James 2:10
The moral law does not consider our weaknesses as human beings; in fact, it does not take into account our heredity or infirmities. It simply demands that we be absolutely moral.
The moral law never changes, either for the highest of society or for the weakest in the world. It is enduring and eternally the same.
The moral law, ordained by God, does not make itself weak to the weak by excusing our shortcomings. It remains absolute for all time and eternity.
If we are not aware of this, it is because we are less than alive. Once we do realize it, our life immediately becomes a fatal tragedy. "I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died" ( Romans 7:9 ).
The moment we realize this, the Spirit of God convicts us of sin. Until a person gets there and sees that there is no hope, the Cross of Christ remains absurd to him. Conviction of sin always brings a fearful, confining sense of the law. It makes a person hopeless— ". . . sold under sin" ( Romans 7:14 ).
I, a guilty sinner, can never work to get right with God— it is impossible. There is only one way by which I can get right with God, and that is through the death of Jesus Christ. I must get rid of the underlying idea that I can ever be right with God because of my obedience. Who of us could ever obey God to absolute perfection!
We only begin to realize the power of the moral law once we see that it comes with a condition and a promise. But God never coerces us. Sometimes we wish He would make us be obedient, and at other times we wish He would leave us alone.
Whenever God’s will is in complete control, He removes all pressure. And when we deliberately choose to obey Him, He will reach to the remotest star and to the ends of the earth to assist us with all of His almighty power.
December 1, 2009
The Law and the Gospel...by Oswald Chambers
Whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all —James 2:10
The moral law does not consider our weaknesses as human beings; in fact, it does not take into account our heredity or infirmities. It simply demands that we be absolutely moral.
The moral law never changes, either for the highest of society or for the weakest in the world. It is enduring and eternally the same.
The moral law, ordained by God, does not make itself weak to the weak by excusing our shortcomings. It remains absolute for all time and eternity.
If we are not aware of this, it is because we are less than alive. Once we do realize it, our life immediately becomes a fatal tragedy. "I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died" ( Romans 7:9 ).
The moment we realize this, the Spirit of God convicts us of sin. Until a person gets there and sees that there is no hope, the Cross of Christ remains absurd to him. Conviction of sin always brings a fearful, confining sense of the law. It makes a person hopeless— ". . . sold under sin" ( Romans 7:14 ).
I, a guilty sinner, can never work to get right with God— it is impossible. There is only one way by which I can get right with God, and that is through the death of Jesus Christ. I must get rid of the underlying idea that I can ever be right with God because of my obedience. Who of us could ever obey God to absolute perfection!
We only begin to realize the power of the moral law once we see that it comes with a condition and a promise. But God never coerces us. Sometimes we wish He would make us be obedient, and at other times we wish He would leave us alone.
Whenever God’s will is in complete control, He removes all pressure. And when we deliberately choose to obey Him, He will reach to the remotest star and to the ends of the earth to assist us with all of His almighty power.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Little late with the pics, but since I am in blogging mode here, here ya' go. We seem to always do Holidays alone since we moved here regardless of the fact that we DO invite people. Lol But we LOVE it also. No hostessing- any gal can be thankful for that. I finally ramble into the kitchen to begin cooking when honestly? Lately I just feel like I was on a desert island alone...but you know, the KIDS and all that....lol
And Jeff has all the potatoes peeled and the eggs boiled and peeled and well, he is just that kinda guy. We are under some of the worse stress of our lives right now and he is still peeling potatoes. Sigh. Dinner came out great and at .40/llb for that bird, who can complain. Our turkey only cost us 6 bucks and was DE-lish!
We always let the girls have sparkling cider on this day and New Years eve. They love it.
Lauren and Jeff made those little napkin holders in the morning with a glue gun and everything! GO best Daddy of 4 girls!
And Jeff has all the potatoes peeled and the eggs boiled and peeled and well, he is just that kinda guy. We are under some of the worse stress of our lives right now and he is still peeling potatoes. Sigh. Dinner came out great and at .40/llb for that bird, who can complain. Our turkey only cost us 6 bucks and was DE-lish!
We always let the girls have sparkling cider on this day and New Years eve. They love it.
Lauren and Jeff made those little napkin holders in the morning with a glue gun and everything! GO best Daddy of 4 girls!
Monday, November 30, 2009
A first in the Clunn household and that's saying a LOT.
Now, the only thing we don't have in our home is kids hitting each other and telling Mom no, ever. Pretty much everything else, my kids have done like every other kid.
But I also USED to have on this list, toddler cutting own hair.
None of the girls have ever done such a thing.
Tonight, that entry gets scratched off the list.
See three year old beautiful curls...
the really funny thing though, is the fact that you cannot tell AT ALL where she did it! Took me forever to find it! You know, you always think that there will be some gaping hole...I think Elise did it not too long ago...
but Kate funnily cut it at the top where it just layed down with the rest of her hair and really, no problem.
Poor thing. Would have had MUCH less discipline over it had she not just been lectured to never do it by Rachel earlier today when Kate made an inquiry to her about cutting Rachel's hair.
Oh, the law, the law...meant to bring forth sin to show our need for Christ!
Facebook-nook
I don't follow the trails (no time) which is why I was liking it but what I really DON'T like is the fact that I cannot write as much as I like and you know, that can be real problem for me. It's a short open blog and that is exactly why mine is closed...and why I have super limited readers...I trust the readers I kept, at least somewhat anyway, lol, but I did do FB for business but somehow, I am not really writing about business. Maybe on some level someone is learning about me and how I operate and might buy some ad in the future but is it worth it? Likely not. I prefer the blog. And when I am EVER rid of said magola, I shall blog openly for all to see and love and hate and comment but still must come again and again because they just have to know what this wild and crazy girl will say. And if they don't like it? Well honestly? Sorry about their luck.
Ah, blessed freedom. It is the stuff of dreams for this editor.
Ah, blessed freedom. It is the stuff of dreams for this editor.
We have a girl!
Ok, so Facebook is okay....but not as intimate as a blog obviously and I am beginning to worry about what I write. I've been benign so far but the bottom line is, if you randomly type thoughts, then you could be in some trouble. And I have to walk the line there too since I am not interested in stirring up Facebook drama. So...here I can still share deeper feelings or likely just type them since I probably don't have active readers anymore. Lol
Yesterday was an interesting day! I was so psyched for church but Lauren has been sick and was recovering when Kate presented...and then Rach and Sloan and Jeff....nope, not me thankfully. So, no church.
But I did have an appt. I had to attend scheduled for after church. We are doing a story on Alpacas in January issue. (see, and I couldn't post this on Facebook and scoop my own magazine, or worse, have someone else scoop it..because you know, Alpacas are all the publishing rage right now. ;)
So I leave all the sickies at home and off I go on my own to the Alpaca farm to take pictures, shoot the women spinning on the wheels, you know, stuff. We had taken the girls out just the day before to check them out but couldn't stay too long as Kate was really getting into her cold by then.
Well, lo and behold, what a story it turns out to be! All the alpacas, normally not that affectionate, though they are very docile creatures, just fall in love with me and give me the best shoot of my life. I am able to approach all the young babies, (they have multiple babies right now) and the adults are just hamming it up like crazy.
All of a sudden, someone yells "Baby!" and we run over and watch a baby being born right before our eyes. AMAZING! Everyone oohs and ahs, and it turns out she is quite the looker, alpaca style- and everyone is whooping it up because her "luster" is like none they've ever seen and she's a girl (preferred) and this and that. The owner goes on to tell me that she is the granddaughter of some kind of grand champion named King Kong that anyone in the alpaca business knows of and they have his son who bred with Jolee, the new babe's Mom.
So, as it turns out everyone is begging, what's her name, what's her name...and the owner turns and asks, "what is your name again?" to me! I tell her and she says, that's a beautiful name and we don't have a Stephanie, so I name her after you, "Stephanie"!
Well I feel honored and flattered of course but really, my little editor brain is a chug-chug-chuggin' along at this moment knowing what a GREAT story this going to make! Little continuing updates on little "Stephanie" and all that. I am always thinking mag. I tell you it's sick. OR maybe that is why the mag is so well-loved, heart and soul, and all that. Who knows.
So I know in life, this not a BIG deal but one day she will be a grandmother herself and maybe the owner will sell Steph's little grandbaby and say "She is the granddaughter of a King Kong editor and here is her story right in this little community magazine.
Maybe that person will be a gorgeous ranch owner who looks us up and falls in love with one of my daughters and they live happily ever after all because of little Stephanie the alpaca.
Maybe it's too early in the morning for me to be blogging. But I hope you had a laugh and an "awww" moment over little baby Stephanie.
So here is to gorgeous little Stephanie-I was once that skinny you know...and you just never know what little baby namesake aplacas can bring to you one day. God is a pretty funny guy afterall. ;)
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
UH OH
My name is Stephanie Clunn and I love Facebook.
Yes, I admit it.
No I am nowhere near obsessed as I was the blog.
Because it is quick and easy and blogging times eternity.
I fear I am short for the blogging world....
Come join me on Facebook.
This means YOU!!!!!!!!
Yes, I admit it.
No I am nowhere near obsessed as I was the blog.
Because it is quick and easy and blogging times eternity.
I fear I am short for the blogging world....
Come join me on Facebook.
This means YOU!!!!!!!!
Monday, November 16, 2009
Still Human!
You know how the question always gets asked: "If you could have dinner with any person living or dead, who would it be?" Well Jesus notwithstanding, and let's admit it, could we even EAT? This would be my choice: Oswald Chambers. I MEAN these are REAL meaty devotionals. Praise God for this saint!!!! If you are skipping these posts, then you are MISSING OUT and are not even trying to read it. It is not difficult at all! This is barely past milk! But sooooooo amazingly right on the money every, single time!!!
Still Human!
. . . whatever you do, do all to the glory of God —1 Corinthians 10:31
In the Scriptures, the great miracle of the incarnation slips into the ordinary life of a child; the great miracle of the transfiguration fades into the demon-possessed valley below; the glory of the resurrection descends into a breakfast on the seashore. This is not an anticlimax, but a great revelation of God.
We have a tendency to look for wonder in our experience, and we mistake heroic actions for real heroes. It’s one thing to go through a crisis grandly, yet quite another to go through every day glorifying God when there is no witness, no limelight, and no one paying even the remotest attention to us. If we are not looking for halos, we at least want something that will make people say, "What a wonderful man of prayer he is!" or, "What a great woman of devotion she is!" If you are properly devoted to the Lord Jesus, you have reached the lofty height where no one would ever notice you personally. All that is noticed is the power of God coming through you all the time.
We want to be able to say, "Oh, I have had a wonderful call from God!" But to do even the most humbling tasks to the glory of God takes the Almighty God Incarnate working in us. To be utterly unnoticeable requires God’s Spirit in us making us absolutely humanly His. The true test of a saint’s life is not successfulness but faithfulness on the human level of life. We tend to set up success in Christian work as our purpose, but our purpose should be to display the glory of God in human life, to live a life "hidden with Christ in God" in our everyday human conditions ( Colossians 3:3 ). Our human relationships are the very conditions in which the ideal life of God should be exhibited.
________________________________________
Still Human!
. . . whatever you do, do all to the glory of God —1 Corinthians 10:31
In the Scriptures, the great miracle of the incarnation slips into the ordinary life of a child; the great miracle of the transfiguration fades into the demon-possessed valley below; the glory of the resurrection descends into a breakfast on the seashore. This is not an anticlimax, but a great revelation of God.
We have a tendency to look for wonder in our experience, and we mistake heroic actions for real heroes. It’s one thing to go through a crisis grandly, yet quite another to go through every day glorifying God when there is no witness, no limelight, and no one paying even the remotest attention to us. If we are not looking for halos, we at least want something that will make people say, "What a wonderful man of prayer he is!" or, "What a great woman of devotion she is!" If you are properly devoted to the Lord Jesus, you have reached the lofty height where no one would ever notice you personally. All that is noticed is the power of God coming through you all the time.
We want to be able to say, "Oh, I have had a wonderful call from God!" But to do even the most humbling tasks to the glory of God takes the Almighty God Incarnate working in us. To be utterly unnoticeable requires God’s Spirit in us making us absolutely humanly His. The true test of a saint’s life is not successfulness but faithfulness on the human level of life. We tend to set up success in Christian work as our purpose, but our purpose should be to display the glory of God in human life, to live a life "hidden with Christ in God" in our everyday human conditions ( Colossians 3:3 ). Our human relationships are the very conditions in which the ideal life of God should be exhibited.
________________________________________
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Friday, November 6, 2009
Something I learned
Something I have learned recently is that part of my struggles in my walk lately have been because of my ignoring a basic Christian principle.
I do not wish to conform to the pattern of this world but did recently learn that I am still trying to be accepted by it.
I am a Christian yet I can still fit! You will still like me! I am not like those you think of as Christians!
Naive thinking at best. Through the most wonderful and God ordained interlude with a Christian in the marketplace, I learned that I will never fit.
I am only doing business in the world but all of my efforts to FIT while remaining set apart are fruitless.
It seems funny to me now, that whilst I strive for sanctifition in my life, that I still have tried to "fit."
I did NOT fit and will not ever fit because I am in fact, set apart! Meant to NOT fit. People know it. I don't hide it. So it doesn't work. Lol...kicking against the goads was I. Why? Seems so funny now!
And it was frustrating me. Trying so hard to "prove" that I was an acceptable (to the world) Christian. I'm not! I am UNacceptable! WOOHOO!!!!
Ha. As if a true Christian is meant to be accepted.
I heard a great saying yesterday the other day...
Obey God. Let him handle the consequences.
Today, I choose to obey God and to stop trying to fit. Let the consequences be what they may!
I do not wish to conform to the pattern of this world but did recently learn that I am still trying to be accepted by it.
I am a Christian yet I can still fit! You will still like me! I am not like those you think of as Christians!
Naive thinking at best. Through the most wonderful and God ordained interlude with a Christian in the marketplace, I learned that I will never fit.
I am only doing business in the world but all of my efforts to FIT while remaining set apart are fruitless.
It seems funny to me now, that whilst I strive for sanctifition in my life, that I still have tried to "fit."
I did NOT fit and will not ever fit because I am in fact, set apart! Meant to NOT fit. People know it. I don't hide it. So it doesn't work. Lol...kicking against the goads was I. Why? Seems so funny now!
And it was frustrating me. Trying so hard to "prove" that I was an acceptable (to the world) Christian. I'm not! I am UNacceptable! WOOHOO!!!!
Ha. As if a true Christian is meant to be accepted.
I heard a great saying yesterday the other day...
Obey God. Let him handle the consequences.
Today, I choose to obey God and to stop trying to fit. Let the consequences be what they may!
My Utmost for His Highest
November 6, 2009
Do you believe this? —John 11:26
Martha believed in the power available to Jesus Christ; she believed that if He had been there He could have healed her brother; she also believed that Jesus had a special intimacy with God, and that whatever He asked of God, God would do. But— she needed a closer personal intimacy with Jesus. Martha’s theology had its fulfillment in the future. But Jesus continued to attract and draw her in until her belief became an intimate possession. It then slowly emerged into a personal inheritance— "Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ . . ." ( John 11:27 ).
Is the Lord dealing with you in the same way? Is Jesus teaching you to have a personal intimacy with Himself? Allow Him to drive His question home to you— "Do you believe this?" Are you facing an area of doubt in your life? Have you come, like Martha, to a crossroads of overwhelming circumstances where your theology is about to become a very personal belief? This happens only when a personal problem brings the awareness of our personal need.
To believe is to commit. In the area of intellectual learning I commit myself mentally, and reject anything not related to that belief. In the realm of personal belief I commit myself morally to my convictions and refuse to compromise. But in intimate personal belief I commit myself spiritually to Jesus Christ and make a determination to be dominated by Him alone.
Then, when I stand face to face with Jesus Christ and He says to me, "Do you believe this?" I find that faith is as natural as breathing. And I am staggered when I think how foolish I have been in not trusting Him earlier
Do you believe this? —John 11:26
Martha believed in the power available to Jesus Christ; she believed that if He had been there He could have healed her brother; she also believed that Jesus had a special intimacy with God, and that whatever He asked of God, God would do. But— she needed a closer personal intimacy with Jesus. Martha’s theology had its fulfillment in the future. But Jesus continued to attract and draw her in until her belief became an intimate possession. It then slowly emerged into a personal inheritance— "Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ . . ." ( John 11:27 ).
Is the Lord dealing with you in the same way? Is Jesus teaching you to have a personal intimacy with Himself? Allow Him to drive His question home to you— "Do you believe this?" Are you facing an area of doubt in your life? Have you come, like Martha, to a crossroads of overwhelming circumstances where your theology is about to become a very personal belief? This happens only when a personal problem brings the awareness of our personal need.
To believe is to commit. In the area of intellectual learning I commit myself mentally, and reject anything not related to that belief. In the realm of personal belief I commit myself morally to my convictions and refuse to compromise. But in intimate personal belief I commit myself spiritually to Jesus Christ and make a determination to be dominated by Him alone.
Then, when I stand face to face with Jesus Christ and He says to me, "Do you believe this?" I find that faith is as natural as breathing. And I am staggered when I think how foolish I have been in not trusting Him earlier
Thursday, November 5, 2009
My Utmost for His Highest
November 5, 2009
. . . but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings —1 Peter 4:13
If you are going to be used by God, He will take you through a number of experiences that are not meant for you personally at all. They are designed to make you useful in His hands, and to enable you to understand what takes place in the lives of others. Because of this process, you will never be surprised by what comes your way. You say, "Oh, I can’t deal with that person." Why can’t you? God gave you sufficient opportunities to learn from Him about that problem; but you turned away, not heeding the lesson, because it seemed foolish to spend your time that way.
The sufferings of Christ were not those of ordinary people. He suffered "according to the will of God" ( 1 Peter 4:19 ), having a different point of view of suffering from ours. It is only through our relationship with Jesus Christ that we can understand what God is after in His dealings with us. When it comes to suffering, it is part of our Christian culture to want to know God’s purpose beforehand. In the history of the Christian church, the tendency has been to avoid being identified with the sufferings of Jesus Christ. People have sought to carry out God’s orders through a shortcut of their own. God’s way is always the way of suffering— the way of the "long road home."
Are we partakers of Christ’s sufferings? Are we prepared for God to stamp out our personal ambitions? Are we prepared for God to destroy our individual decisions by supernaturally transforming them? It will mean not knowing why God is taking us that way, because knowing would make us spiritually proud. We never realize at the time what God is putting us through— we go through it more or less without understanding. Then suddenly we come to a place of enlightenment, and realize— "God has strengthened me and I didn’t even know it!"
. . . but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings —1 Peter 4:13
If you are going to be used by God, He will take you through a number of experiences that are not meant for you personally at all. They are designed to make you useful in His hands, and to enable you to understand what takes place in the lives of others. Because of this process, you will never be surprised by what comes your way. You say, "Oh, I can’t deal with that person." Why can’t you? God gave you sufficient opportunities to learn from Him about that problem; but you turned away, not heeding the lesson, because it seemed foolish to spend your time that way.
The sufferings of Christ were not those of ordinary people. He suffered "according to the will of God" ( 1 Peter 4:19 ), having a different point of view of suffering from ours. It is only through our relationship with Jesus Christ that we can understand what God is after in His dealings with us. When it comes to suffering, it is part of our Christian culture to want to know God’s purpose beforehand. In the history of the Christian church, the tendency has been to avoid being identified with the sufferings of Jesus Christ. People have sought to carry out God’s orders through a shortcut of their own. God’s way is always the way of suffering— the way of the "long road home."
Are we partakers of Christ’s sufferings? Are we prepared for God to stamp out our personal ambitions? Are we prepared for God to destroy our individual decisions by supernaturally transforming them? It will mean not knowing why God is taking us that way, because knowing would make us spiritually proud. We never realize at the time what God is putting us through— we go through it more or less without understanding. Then suddenly we come to a place of enlightenment, and realize— "God has strengthened me and I didn’t even know it!"
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Saturday, October 24, 2009
This is what you get for having friends...
So my good friend MATT whose more prudent wife said NO to this kitty rescue, decided that we, the Clunns were the right choice. These I'm afraid, rescue or not, are NOT staying. They sure are cute though. But EIGHT kitties is out of control. Ya think?
He FOUND these poor little guys..too young to have left der muddah. They are scarfing kittie formula and eating kittie chow and playing like all get out so we think they will make it. But still, is there something inherently WRONG with Family A, who knows Family B love kitties and already has too many, BRINGS MORE kitties to said Family B??? (who also has 4 daughters filled with too much love and compassion for any normal human being) Me thinks YES. WRONG WRONG WRONG!!! Thanks Matt!
He FOUND these poor little guys..too young to have left der muddah. They are scarfing kittie formula and eating kittie chow and playing like all get out so we think they will make it. But still, is there something inherently WRONG with Family A, who knows Family B love kitties and already has too many, BRINGS MORE kitties to said Family B??? (who also has 4 daughters filled with too much love and compassion for any normal human being) Me thinks YES. WRONG WRONG WRONG!!! Thanks Matt!
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Whitey-Kins
SPEAKING of Whitey, he came home last night as a big fat SURPRISE. He comes home every 4-5 months now and I am of course, hoping he makes it home one more time when we are about to leave for the new house. He stays home about 3 days and is then off again. Very bizarre.
I am preparing their hearts for the possible and hoping for the miracle.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Our newest addition...
Because, you know, we're insane.
Kitty is currently un-named. Choices seem to be keeping in line with Frodo and Samwise (Sammy) Everyone loves Gimily but Lauren, the one in "charge" of said kitty.
So if we are not careful and we wait too long like to name him like we did with Whitey, then his name could end up like poor, cracker Whitey. If only we were African American, then "Whitey" would have actually been funny.
Dear M and I used to laugh since her black kitty is named Tar Baby. I kid you not. Whitey and Tar baby: best friends. Much reminsicent of the many differences she and I had in beliefs but somehow found deep friendship anyway.
Anyway, we found him while innocently enough going to Walmart with all 4 daughters (strike one) while poor, barefoot, kid holds shivering kitties (strike two) in front of door trying to give them away for FREE. (and we're out)
Admittedly, they have been excellently cared for, no fleas, very clean and well socialized...just what we homeschoolers strive for in our kids.
No worries, though, we can take care of that easily enough. Soon enough he'll be scrounging for scraps, be flea ridden and dirty and completely anti-social...just like us homeschoolers. :)
The Bust of His Life
I don't know why I have a problem with the fuzz. I don't think I have this deep seeded resentment toward authority. I guess it's just because I know enough of them to know the personality type is really scary. Not including you C, of course.
But anyway, you have to admit this is funny.
The Bust of His Life.
Hear: "I'll have to confiscate the contents of your truck, sir."
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Skateboarding and Karate
Call it a mid-life crisis but yes, today, I went skateboarding including trying a half pike and took a beginners Karate class.
I am sooooo sore but it was fun and I was better at skateboarding than Karate! Wow!
I guess my few times I went skiing when I was much younger and did really well for a beginner proved out because skate boarding felt similar to me and I liked the back and forth movement.
I almost fell a couple of times but thankfully didn't.
Karate was harder than I thought. Such basic moves..but if you are not "right on", it doesn't work out for you.
I guess if you had to throw a punch, your timing better be right on or else it won't get you much!
Anyway, it was fun trying these two new activities and I see a LOT more of it in my future...even if WAS only on the Wii Fit!
I am sooooo sore but it was fun and I was better at skateboarding than Karate! Wow!
I guess my few times I went skiing when I was much younger and did really well for a beginner proved out because skate boarding felt similar to me and I liked the back and forth movement.
I almost fell a couple of times but thankfully didn't.
Karate was harder than I thought. Such basic moves..but if you are not "right on", it doesn't work out for you.
I guess if you had to throw a punch, your timing better be right on or else it won't get you much!
Anyway, it was fun trying these two new activities and I see a LOT more of it in my future...even if WAS only on the Wii Fit!
Friday, October 16, 2009
Clermont Clermont Everywhere
Well, I leave for Clermont in an hour. It is their monthly chamber breakfast and we expect it to be something else as we started distribution there last month with our Sept issue. Our October issue focused on Clermont, specifically on their 125th anniversary and has gotten some rave reviews. Response has just been HUGE there with our 'different' publication and I must admit, I am hoping for some good words this morning.
When I come home, I am taking the entire weekend off. Ok, not really but I will pretend to.
When I come home, I am taking the entire weekend off. Ok, not really but I will pretend to.
Monday, October 12, 2009
But Dave Ramsey Said....
I am EXCITED, no, beyond excited, FIRED UP
for this Dave Ramsey class. I imagine by the time I finish, I'll be trying to shop it over to CC. I would LOVE to teach it. EVERY man, woman and child should be taught this. The girls are all pumped up as we have really taken the time to teach what we have learned. Scary that our parents did not train us financially. Whatever you do, don't make the same mistake!
Compound interest will blow your older kids' minds!
Dave surely is a dynamic speaker and like many things that I have learned, it is just more about your attitude, self-discipline, and how hard you focus your efforts that will pay off in the end.
It's exciting to live now like no one else, so later, we can LIVE like no one else!
If you understand that, then already get the idea.
for this Dave Ramsey class. I imagine by the time I finish, I'll be trying to shop it over to CC. I would LOVE to teach it. EVERY man, woman and child should be taught this. The girls are all pumped up as we have really taken the time to teach what we have learned. Scary that our parents did not train us financially. Whatever you do, don't make the same mistake!
Compound interest will blow your older kids' minds!
Dave surely is a dynamic speaker and like many things that I have learned, it is just more about your attitude, self-discipline, and how hard you focus your efforts that will pay off in the end.
It's exciting to live now like no one else, so later, we can LIVE like no one else!
If you understand that, then already get the idea.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
More "change"
Obama Reaffirms Promises to Gays...
President Barack Obama restated his campaign pledge to allow homosexual men and women to serve openly in the military...
...Obama also called on Congress to repeal the Defense Of Marriage Act, which limits how state, local and federal bodies can recognize partnerships and determine benefits. He also called for a law to extend benefits to domestic partners...
...He expressed strong support for the HRC agenda of ending discrimination against gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people...
..."We have never had a stronger ally in the White House. Never," Joe Solmonese, the group's president, said at the dinner before the president spoke... (HRC Group: Human Rights Campaign)
http://news.aol.com/article/president-barack-obama-addresses-human/712688?icid=mainmaindl1link4http%3A%2F%2Fnews.aol.com%2Farticle%2Fpresident-barack-obama-addresses-human%2F712688
Now, I am not highly political, which may surprise you. Most reformers are about real political change but we are not to that place on reformation road yet. Just not well educated in politics to know enough. But it easy enough to just CARE about it and see the wrong in some things. Like the above.
I am not big on the gay issue, but it is still wrong and I know it. It's just not my personal passion to come up against. It's sin like you and I commit everyday. Theirs is no different than ours. This is an issue that has served us well in teaching the girls to hate the sin, love the sinner. Believe it or not, when we had the devil run cable in our home still, lol, we loved Ellen and I was able to teach them that it was OK and RIGHT to love her and think she was great all the while seeing her sin and acknowledging it. (It is never flaunted or discussed on her show, ever that we have seen or I would not have let them watch it) They felt more SORRY for her than anything else. I think we must embrace the sinner more. Just because we hide ours better doesn't mean we are any better.
But the dissolution of marriage by giving rights to domestic partners? That is a no-no we all should be concerned about.Marriage is my second passion right up behind proper parenting. I am on a proper parenting freak out right now after I took the girls to the Splash Park AGAINST my better judgement where a mean 11 year old boy actually hit Kate in the face and told her to get of his way. What winners those parents must be. Yeah, "Don't tell me what kind of Christian ( or even just person!) you are, I can see perfectly well what kind you are by your kids." I have got to find out who said that, it is so powerful. Talk about digressing, sheesh. Sorry.
But anyway, I find it hard to get on the political train when I know that:
~God has placed the authorities,
~we are not meant to, nor have we been promised,
~ and biblically we are not going to have peace or get "better". At least not at this point in the juncture. (Like praying for peace in Jerusalem, just bad theology!)
We are on the way down and out from the earth and for the Christian, UP to heaven and God has not given me the job to try to change the political world which is likely where the end time prophecies will take place, my job is love, nurture, and educate my family.
And the proverbial chips? Well, so be it.
President Barack Obama restated his campaign pledge to allow homosexual men and women to serve openly in the military...
...Obama also called on Congress to repeal the Defense Of Marriage Act, which limits how state, local and federal bodies can recognize partnerships and determine benefits. He also called for a law to extend benefits to domestic partners...
...He expressed strong support for the HRC agenda of ending discrimination against gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people...
..."We have never had a stronger ally in the White House. Never," Joe Solmonese, the group's president, said at the dinner before the president spoke... (HRC Group: Human Rights Campaign)
http://news.aol.com/article/president-barack-obama-addresses-human/712688?icid=mainmaindl1link4http%3A%2F%2Fnews.aol.com%2Farticle%2Fpresident-barack-obama-addresses-human%2F712688
Now, I am not highly political, which may surprise you. Most reformers are about real political change but we are not to that place on reformation road yet. Just not well educated in politics to know enough. But it easy enough to just CARE about it and see the wrong in some things. Like the above.
I am not big on the gay issue, but it is still wrong and I know it. It's just not my personal passion to come up against. It's sin like you and I commit everyday. Theirs is no different than ours. This is an issue that has served us well in teaching the girls to hate the sin, love the sinner. Believe it or not, when we had the devil run cable in our home still, lol, we loved Ellen and I was able to teach them that it was OK and RIGHT to love her and think she was great all the while seeing her sin and acknowledging it. (It is never flaunted or discussed on her show, ever that we have seen or I would not have let them watch it) They felt more SORRY for her than anything else. I think we must embrace the sinner more. Just because we hide ours better doesn't mean we are any better.
But the dissolution of marriage by giving rights to domestic partners? That is a no-no we all should be concerned about.Marriage is my second passion right up behind proper parenting. I am on a proper parenting freak out right now after I took the girls to the Splash Park AGAINST my better judgement where a mean 11 year old boy actually hit Kate in the face and told her to get of his way. What winners those parents must be. Yeah, "Don't tell me what kind of Christian ( or even just person!) you are, I can see perfectly well what kind you are by your kids." I have got to find out who said that, it is so powerful. Talk about digressing, sheesh. Sorry.
But anyway, I find it hard to get on the political train when I know that:
~God has placed the authorities,
~we are not meant to, nor have we been promised,
~ and biblically we are not going to have peace or get "better". At least not at this point in the juncture. (Like praying for peace in Jerusalem, just bad theology!)
We are on the way down and out from the earth and for the Christian, UP to heaven and God has not given me the job to try to change the political world which is likely where the end time prophecies will take place, my job is love, nurture, and educate my family.
And the proverbial chips? Well, so be it.
Not like my mother...
I can remember long ago...when I was still a child, thinking that I would be able to one day do things differently than my mother and father. Not in a rebellious way (I wasn't a rebellious child but knew myself and my own mind even then) but just knowing that I would be able to make my own family's decisions.
I was glad that I would be able to do things differently. Most of the really important ones are of course, life changing-eternity and victorious living changing but some of them, and the ones I am speaking of here, are just every day, run of the mill things. Kinda like that last sentence.
Here are some things that we do differently.
If you don't like it, you don't have to eat it. (this being said with kids that love veggies so I am not talking about the "Ewwwwww, I don't wanna eat it" spoiled kid thing. I'm talking if you do not like peas, lima beans, brussel sprouts, you do not have to eat them. Lauren does not like rice. Sloan does not like eggs. If I make a meal they do not like, (generally spicy ones) then you may have a PB&J.
Yep, I am glad that I have the authority to say, it's ok, you don't have to eat it.
At our house you can also enjoy as long a shower as you would like, a long phone call, pierced ears before 16 and a turn in Mom's bed. There must be others, but you get the picture.
I was glad that I would be able to do things differently. Most of the really important ones are of course, life changing-eternity and victorious living changing but some of them, and the ones I am speaking of here, are just every day, run of the mill things. Kinda like that last sentence.
Here are some things that we do differently.
If you don't like it, you don't have to eat it. (this being said with kids that love veggies so I am not talking about the "Ewwwwww, I don't wanna eat it" spoiled kid thing. I'm talking if you do not like peas, lima beans, brussel sprouts, you do not have to eat them. Lauren does not like rice. Sloan does not like eggs. If I make a meal they do not like, (generally spicy ones) then you may have a PB&J.
Yep, I am glad that I have the authority to say, it's ok, you don't have to eat it.
At our house you can also enjoy as long a shower as you would like, a long phone call, pierced ears before 16 and a turn in Mom's bed. There must be others, but you get the picture.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Nirvana Grocery Shopping
I shopped at Publix today. Publix is to Walmart what Target is to...Walmart.
I'm a WalMart girl through and through for the savings.
But You can't get THESE at Walmart.
Well, actually you can. That's how I discovered them. But now they don't carry the flavor that I like. Jalapeno. Let me tell you what, these are the best almonds EVER CREATED. And if you mix them in pop corn? Well now you've gone to a whole new level of pleasure.
Anyway, it was a nice experience at Publix I must admit. When I unwrapped and smelled the pork roast I bought, I wasn't even fearful. That's funny I know. You never know quite what you'll get elsewhere, but I trust Publix for the most part. Golly, the bakery. That place is like sin city. PLUS Publix has Friendship cottage cheese with pineapple and NICE staff. TWO people asked me if I needed help. Weird.
Sorry, I won't be converting any time soon. I mean, I don't understand the waste of money. This line people say about saving money there since they don't impulse by on other items that Walmart carries seems flimsy at best. Like it's the store's fault that they can't keep their impulses to themselves. That equals bad consumer not bad store. But I digress. Walmart prices are unbeatable and I just can't spend that much money when I know I can save.
BUT it was nice. I give you Publixers credit for that. And I get to go occasionally so I can get my yummy nuts. Yummy nuts. That's a fun combo of words. Say it. Yummy Nuts. See?
I'm a WalMart girl through and through for the savings.
But You can't get THESE at Walmart.
Well, actually you can. That's how I discovered them. But now they don't carry the flavor that I like. Jalapeno. Let me tell you what, these are the best almonds EVER CREATED. And if you mix them in pop corn? Well now you've gone to a whole new level of pleasure.
Anyway, it was a nice experience at Publix I must admit. When I unwrapped and smelled the pork roast I bought, I wasn't even fearful. That's funny I know. You never know quite what you'll get elsewhere, but I trust Publix for the most part. Golly, the bakery. That place is like sin city. PLUS Publix has Friendship cottage cheese with pineapple and NICE staff. TWO people asked me if I needed help. Weird.
Sorry, I won't be converting any time soon. I mean, I don't understand the waste of money. This line people say about saving money there since they don't impulse by on other items that Walmart carries seems flimsy at best. Like it's the store's fault that they can't keep their impulses to themselves. That equals bad consumer not bad store. But I digress. Walmart prices are unbeatable and I just can't spend that much money when I know I can save.
BUT it was nice. I give you Publixers credit for that. And I get to go occasionally so I can get my yummy nuts. Yummy nuts. That's a fun combo of words. Say it. Yummy Nuts. See?
Friday, October 9, 2009
Who needs Halloween? This is Sca-a-a-ry!
OSLO (Oct. 9) -- President Barack Obama won the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for "his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples," the Norwegian Nobel Committee said, citing his outreach to the Muslim world and attempts to curb nuclear proliferation.
The stunning choice made Obama the third sitting U.S. president to win the Nobel Peace Prize and shocked Nobel observers because Obama took office less than two weeks before the Feb. 1 nomination deadline. Obama's name had been mentioned in speculation before the award but many Nobel watchers believed it was too early to award the president.
"Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world's attention and given its people hope for a better future," the committee said. "His diplomacy is founded in the concept that those who are to lead the world must do so on the basis of values and attitudes that are shared by the majority of the world's population."
The committee said it attached special importance to Obama's vision of, and work for, a world without nuclear weapons.
"Obama has as president created a new climate in international politics. Multilateral diplomacy has regained a central position, with emphasis on the role that the United Nations and other international institutions can play," the committee said.
Theodore Roosevelt won the award in 1906 and Woodrow Wilson won in 1919. Former President Jimmy Carter won the award in 2002, while former Vice President Al Gore shared the 2007 prize with the U.N. panel on climate change.
The Nobel committee received a record 205 nominations for this year's prize.
In his 1895 will, Alfred Nobel stipulated that the peace prize should go "to the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between the nations and the abolition or reduction of standing armies and the formation and spreading of peace congresses."
Unlike the other Nobel Prizes, which are awarded by Swedish institutions, he said the peace prize should be given out by a five-member committee elected by the Norwegian Parliament. Sweden and Norway were united under the same crown at the time of Nobel's death.
The committee has taken a wide interpretation of Nobel's guidelines, expanding the prize beyond peace mediation to include efforts to combat poverty, disease and climate change.
—
Associated Press Writer Ian MacDougall contributed to this report.
The stunning choice made Obama the third sitting U.S. president to win the Nobel Peace Prize and shocked Nobel observers because Obama took office less than two weeks before the Feb. 1 nomination deadline. Obama's name had been mentioned in speculation before the award but many Nobel watchers believed it was too early to award the president.
"Only very rarely has a person to the same extent as Obama captured the world's attention and given its people hope for a better future," the committee said. "His diplomacy is founded in the concept that those who are to lead the world must do so on the basis of values and attitudes that are shared by the majority of the world's population."
The committee said it attached special importance to Obama's vision of, and work for, a world without nuclear weapons.
"Obama has as president created a new climate in international politics. Multilateral diplomacy has regained a central position, with emphasis on the role that the United Nations and other international institutions can play," the committee said.
Theodore Roosevelt won the award in 1906 and Woodrow Wilson won in 1919. Former President Jimmy Carter won the award in 2002, while former Vice President Al Gore shared the 2007 prize with the U.N. panel on climate change.
The Nobel committee received a record 205 nominations for this year's prize.
In his 1895 will, Alfred Nobel stipulated that the peace prize should go "to the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between the nations and the abolition or reduction of standing armies and the formation and spreading of peace congresses."
Unlike the other Nobel Prizes, which are awarded by Swedish institutions, he said the peace prize should be given out by a five-member committee elected by the Norwegian Parliament. Sweden and Norway were united under the same crown at the time of Nobel's death.
The committee has taken a wide interpretation of Nobel's guidelines, expanding the prize beyond peace mediation to include efforts to combat poverty, disease and climate change.
—
Associated Press Writer Ian MacDougall contributed to this report.
Monday, October 5, 2009
The Frugal Gourmet
Jeff took the kids to the new house so I could work but they had too good a time! They walked around the 80 acre forest, much to my chagrin!! But they explored, saw bear tracks and the neighbors bull mastiff...lol. Had fun and Kate went too and she had a great time the whole way through! (she is one not to like grass or sand or ants so the girls were shocked)
Well since we are on the budget, well, we haven't actually MADE the budget yet but I know we are going to so I made due with what I had in the house instead of shopping and spending money! Yay for me! Took Chicken breasts and made baked garlic and basil chicken...sliced a few tomatoes and my last two bluebell cheese rounds and doused them with Italian dressing/salt & pepper for a good ride in the fridge before eating...butter noodles with garlic, parmesean and the diced ends of the tomatoes thrown in gave color (and no waste!) and butter biscuits from Save-a-Lot. (last minute run I couldn't resist but cheap and they consider a real treat)
Looked good to a hungry crowd and they ate EVERY bite. LOL
Stream of Thought
We are taking a 14 week Dave Ramsey class and it is changing our family's life. At this very minute, I am printing my credit report as homework. We will be making a cash flow plan and let me tell you, I am HOOKED. The kids are totally changing and we can already see the blessing in what they are learning. More regular posts on this to come.
We stayed up until 1:00 AM last night chatting with friends about all things God, reformed living, revolutionary thinking, the Muslim uprising, kids, debt, the mainstream church (yeah, you really gotta talk about that!) and any number of other things. So wonderful.
Yes, we are actually this late behind in OCT issue but it has prompted some great changes in how we roll. We are currently looking for a managing partner or some such thing. Couple of ideas.
Looks like we will be moving in about 4 months. One more Christmas. Everyone is anxious to go now and we are spending more and more time there.
Kate and I are taking Sunday mornings off for awhile to continue training at home so you will be seeing more of Jeff and the girls, than of me. We had such a wonderful time Sunday reading about creation, discussing what God made, talking about Adam and Eve and praying and of course, coloring, swinging and making chicken salad for lunch. This is going to be a sweet time and I did not know what a great thing it would be.
Thanks to the best reviewer in the world, our own Amy A. I have a new writing curriculum and FINALLY a basic root word program. That has launched my excitement back into homeschooling.
I did not do my evals in August and am acting like "it will just go away"....denial. It is such a killer.
We stayed up until 1:00 AM last night chatting with friends about all things God, reformed living, revolutionary thinking, the Muslim uprising, kids, debt, the mainstream church (yeah, you really gotta talk about that!) and any number of other things. So wonderful.
Yes, we are actually this late behind in OCT issue but it has prompted some great changes in how we roll. We are currently looking for a managing partner or some such thing. Couple of ideas.
Looks like we will be moving in about 4 months. One more Christmas. Everyone is anxious to go now and we are spending more and more time there.
Kate and I are taking Sunday mornings off for awhile to continue training at home so you will be seeing more of Jeff and the girls, than of me. We had such a wonderful time Sunday reading about creation, discussing what God made, talking about Adam and Eve and praying and of course, coloring, swinging and making chicken salad for lunch. This is going to be a sweet time and I did not know what a great thing it would be.
Thanks to the best reviewer in the world, our own Amy A. I have a new writing curriculum and FINALLY a basic root word program. That has launched my excitement back into homeschooling.
I did not do my evals in August and am acting like "it will just go away"....denial. It is such a killer.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
My Utmost for His Highest
As I take some serious beatings lately and admittedly try to hide in the gutter instead of the light, I am thankful, so thankful for Oswald Chambers. If you are taking some beatings financially, emotionally, physically or spiritually, take heart dear saint. He knows us, sees our plight and loves us through to the end. This made me want to take my beatings while still living in the light and reflection of His vision for me. I'm going to make it!!!
Read on! Read on!
October 4, 2009
The Vision and The Reality
. . . to those who are . . . called to be saints . . . —1 Corinthians 1:2
Thank God for being able to see all that you have not yet been. You have had the vision, but you are not yet to the reality of it by any means. It is when we are in the valley, where we prove whether we will be the choice ones, that most of us turn back. We are not quite prepared for the bumps and bruises that must come if we are going to be turned into the shape of the vision. We have seen what we are not, and what God wants us to be, but are we willing to be battered into the shape of the vision to be used by God? The beatings will always come in the most common, everyday ways and through common, everyday people.
There are times when we do know what God’s purpose is; whether we will let the vision be turned into actual character depends on us, not on God. If we prefer to relax on the mountaintop and live in the memory of the vision, then we will be of no real use in the ordinary things of which human life is made. We have to learn to live in reliance upon what we saw in the vision, not simply live in ecstatic delight and conscious reflection upon God. This means living the realities of our lives in the light of the vision until the truth of the vision is actually realized in us. Every bit of our training is in that direction. Learn to thank God for making His demands known.
Our little "I am" always sulks and pouts when God says do. Let your little "I am" be shriveled up in God’s wrath and indignation--"I AM WHO I AM . . . has sent me to you" ( Exodus 3:14 ). He must dominate. Isn’t it piercing to realize that God not only knows where we live, but also knows the gutters into which we crawl! He will hunt us down as fast as a flash of lightning. No human being knows human beings as God does.
Read on! Read on!
October 4, 2009
The Vision and The Reality
. . . to those who are . . . called to be saints . . . —1 Corinthians 1:2
Thank God for being able to see all that you have not yet been. You have had the vision, but you are not yet to the reality of it by any means. It is when we are in the valley, where we prove whether we will be the choice ones, that most of us turn back. We are not quite prepared for the bumps and bruises that must come if we are going to be turned into the shape of the vision. We have seen what we are not, and what God wants us to be, but are we willing to be battered into the shape of the vision to be used by God? The beatings will always come in the most common, everyday ways and through common, everyday people.
There are times when we do know what God’s purpose is; whether we will let the vision be turned into actual character depends on us, not on God. If we prefer to relax on the mountaintop and live in the memory of the vision, then we will be of no real use in the ordinary things of which human life is made. We have to learn to live in reliance upon what we saw in the vision, not simply live in ecstatic delight and conscious reflection upon God. This means living the realities of our lives in the light of the vision until the truth of the vision is actually realized in us. Every bit of our training is in that direction. Learn to thank God for making His demands known.
Our little "I am" always sulks and pouts when God says do. Let your little "I am" be shriveled up in God’s wrath and indignation--"I AM WHO I AM . . . has sent me to you" ( Exodus 3:14 ). He must dominate. Isn’t it piercing to realize that God not only knows where we live, but also knows the gutters into which we crawl! He will hunt us down as fast as a flash of lightning. No human being knows human beings as God does.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Happy Birthday
Yep, it's the big 41 today...we're heading up to Celebration of Praise in Clermont to do a big kid-fest gig up there. I am missing my own celebration of praise at Calvary that bums me but I have actually wanted to do this event as a vendor since the get go so I am going to consider it a blessing and go have fun behind a table for a change instead of managing 50 others behind their own 
tables.
Rachel is making me a peanut butter silk cake later and I suppose a few presents will be in store.
My bd falls on a non-bd caring heart this year but I will put on a happy bd heart for the kids.
There is too much to do to have a bd!
We continue our Dave Ramsey class tomorrow evening with some friends. For 14 weeks we meet Sunday nights with their 5 kids (and one on the way!!)
We all have dinner here and then leave them behind as we make our way across to class at Faith Lutheran. You've heard of Dave Ramsey right? Good stuff.
I haven't done our homework either and it likely won't get done unless I do it. Not mentioning any names or anything. lol
It has been a good training for the girls to prepare that much food at home. 13 people and then to manage the home without parents with all those kids,
They did great though and with a second family of reformers, that equaled everyone wanting to sew or bake bread and loving taking care of the little bits.
Harmless and the kids were glad to have some like minded friends around again. You know, they just speak the same language which we don't have in our lives right now.
Off to the CF Kids Fest at Celebration of Praise!
Cool name for a church.
tables.Rachel is making me a peanut butter silk cake later and I suppose a few presents will be in store.
My bd falls on a non-bd caring heart this year but I will put on a happy bd heart for the kids.
There is too much to do to have a bd!
We continue our Dave Ramsey class tomorrow evening with some friends. For 14 weeks we meet Sunday nights with their 5 kids (and one on the way!!)
We all have dinner here and then leave them behind as we make our way across to class at Faith Lutheran. You've heard of Dave Ramsey right? Good stuff.
I haven't done our homework either and it likely won't get done unless I do it. Not mentioning any names or anything. lol
It has been a good training for the girls to prepare that much food at home. 13 people and then to manage the home without parents with all those kids,
They did great though and with a second family of reformers, that equaled everyone wanting to sew or bake bread and loving taking care of the little bits.
Harmless and the kids were glad to have some like minded friends around again. You know, they just speak the same language which we don't have in our lives right now.
Off to the CF Kids Fest at Celebration of Praise!
Cool name for a church.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Love and War
I took Lauren and Rach to Walmart today after a 2 week long endeavor to make Lasagna.
Yep, that's how we roll these days.
Got all the ingredients but by the time we got around to it I only had 1/2 the ingredients and kept having to go to the store to replace ingredients when we finally got around to trying to make it.
So the big thing now is to let them, her, whomever go into the store by themselves as they are growing in their training....Lauren has been wanting to go since she was 7 and I am STILL sending an older one with her..though she does handle smaller stores just fine, but Wal Mart? I dunno, I still want Rach or Sloan with her.
So I was driving along in and out of aisles looking, waiting, peering to see if I can see them in there...up down, in, out, I go... and while I go up one aisle I see a Hispanic Father pushing a cart to the car fast and seriously with Mom holding her toddler and walking behind.
I do NOT know why I immediately thought this, but Jeff and I never walk that way and I thought wow, does he beat her? Is she walking behind so the child doesn't irritate him?
Is she living a life she needs, hopes, PRAYS she gets rescued from? From this terrible man????
And I round the corner to go back toward the entrance and start peering again to look for the kids.
But I steal one last look at the family and he has turned around to say something to her and she throws her head back laughing unabashedly and totally NOT like an abused woman would.
And I was relieved for her. And remembered that women tend to always go to the most dramatic response. Or at least I do. And that they probably had a very happy life but by the meer fact that he was walking ahead of her purposely made me think something.
And of course their life wasn't perfect but at least at that last moment I saw them, it all seemed ok. And I was thankful for them and the relief I felt for them.
And for right now, the world's ok.
Yep, that's how we roll these days.
Got all the ingredients but by the time we got around to it I only had 1/2 the ingredients and kept having to go to the store to replace ingredients when we finally got around to trying to make it.
So the big thing now is to let them, her, whomever go into the store by themselves as they are growing in their training....Lauren has been wanting to go since she was 7 and I am STILL sending an older one with her..though she does handle smaller stores just fine, but Wal Mart? I dunno, I still want Rach or Sloan with her.
So I was driving along in and out of aisles looking, waiting, peering to see if I can see them in there...up down, in, out, I go... and while I go up one aisle I see a Hispanic Father pushing a cart to the car fast and seriously with Mom holding her toddler and walking behind.
I do NOT know why I immediately thought this, but Jeff and I never walk that way and I thought wow, does he beat her? Is she walking behind so the child doesn't irritate him?
Is she living a life she needs, hopes, PRAYS she gets rescued from? From this terrible man????
And I round the corner to go back toward the entrance and start peering again to look for the kids.
But I steal one last look at the family and he has turned around to say something to her and she throws her head back laughing unabashedly and totally NOT like an abused woman would.
And I was relieved for her. And remembered that women tend to always go to the most dramatic response. Or at least I do. And that they probably had a very happy life but by the meer fact that he was walking ahead of her purposely made me think something.
And of course their life wasn't perfect but at least at that last moment I saw them, it all seemed ok. And I was thankful for them and the relief I felt for them.
And for right now, the world's ok.
The blog revisited
Wow. This is weird. But I had to do it. I missed it! Well, I missed it just today long enough to do it. I won't alert anyone in case I change my mind. (who me?) But someone is bound to find it eventually. Maybe.
I think I just wanted to see my past posts.
Those kittens are done grown up! And mine are a gittin' purdy big too!
How are YOUR kids???
I think I just wanted to see my past posts.
Those kittens are done grown up! And mine are a gittin' purdy big too!
How are YOUR kids???
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Friday, May 8, 2009
WOOHOO!
Well, I did it. I mean, I REALLY did it. I wish you guys knew, I mean REALLY knew what it was like to put 32 pages of content together in 1.5 days.
I am not one to feel particularly proud of myself. I'm not a perfectionist by any measure, but I just feel like it could always be done better. Truth be told, it could. I know when I cut corners or slack. I cannot lie to myself. It's painful not to have that quality...to be keenly aware of your shortcomings. Torture really.
But this time, I TRULY feel proud of myself! I actually cannot remember the last time I felt that way! I did it! AND I like it! I didn't half potato it, it's good!
I am taking the weekend off! (except for revisions of course)
Wouldn't it be the COOLEST if you could make LIFE revisions???
Wow, that would make a good post/story.
I forgot how much blogging my currently flowing thoughts could get my creativity going....cool!
I am not one to feel particularly proud of myself. I'm not a perfectionist by any measure, but I just feel like it could always be done better. Truth be told, it could. I know when I cut corners or slack. I cannot lie to myself. It's painful not to have that quality...to be keenly aware of your shortcomings. Torture really.
But this time, I TRULY feel proud of myself! I actually cannot remember the last time I felt that way! I did it! AND I like it! I didn't half potato it, it's good!
I am taking the weekend off! (except for revisions of course)
Wouldn't it be the COOLEST if you could make LIFE revisions???
Wow, that would make a good post/story.
I forgot how much blogging my currently flowing thoughts could get my creativity going....cool!
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Stream of Thought
I feel very strange with the blog open. I am glad at this moment that few know. It will be fun to see who comes along. I was thrilled by the way Lisa, that you still dropped by to check. Little warm fuzzy for me. ;)
F.A.R. (Far above Rubies) curriculum is AMAZING and so much fruit is blossoming forth from the kids. The new pared down schedule, computer and work time is working beautifully. Likely not smart that I picked up blogging again but we'll see.
A bonus that came with the curriculum is an audio book of Beautiful Girlhood. It. Is. Amazing.
And I could post for the next year just at what Sloan is TELLING me about it.
I likely will start a thread on it. Eventually.
HUGE HUGE NEWS that I cannot share. Lol (no, I'm not pg, I WISH) but basically, I made a really big contact after watching a news blurb on something cool, going to the website, emailing a kudos about what they were doing and they called me.
Fast forward to early November 09 and you will be looking at my first SERIOUS event to throw. A parenting conference. Guest speaker agreed to waive his HUGE fee so the other speaker could collect and well, lots of details to come. Campaign comes out in our Back to School issue so you'll just have to WAIT!
Yes, I consider the Family Fun Fest a big event but this one just has more serious stuff. To put it eloquently. I'm SO excited!!!
Oh, that means you will soon know that like most parenting mags, we will for the first time in LFM history, close for the summer. I think it is a good idea and am tempted to toy with being nervous but what's the point? I'm not.
Do you ever do that? Play the role that you really don't feel but should be normal to feel so you do? That's how I feel. I should be nervous about not putting out 2 issues but I just am not. I am confident that we will not be forgotten. And will likely be even bigger by the time summer closes down.
You do realize that summer is upon us and you know what that means, right????
CHRISTMAS IS COMING!!!!!!!!!
can i get a woohoo?
Come on, it's FUN and you KNOW IT.
Our kittens are to die for. And here's the proof.
F.A.R. (Far above Rubies) curriculum is AMAZING and so much fruit is blossoming forth from the kids. The new pared down schedule, computer and work time is working beautifully. Likely not smart that I picked up blogging again but we'll see.
A bonus that came with the curriculum is an audio book of Beautiful Girlhood. It. Is. Amazing.
And I could post for the next year just at what Sloan is TELLING me about it.
I likely will start a thread on it. Eventually.
HUGE HUGE NEWS that I cannot share. Lol (no, I'm not pg, I WISH) but basically, I made a really big contact after watching a news blurb on something cool, going to the website, emailing a kudos about what they were doing and they called me.
Fast forward to early November 09 and you will be looking at my first SERIOUS event to throw. A parenting conference. Guest speaker agreed to waive his HUGE fee so the other speaker could collect and well, lots of details to come. Campaign comes out in our Back to School issue so you'll just have to WAIT!
Yes, I consider the Family Fun Fest a big event but this one just has more serious stuff. To put it eloquently. I'm SO excited!!!
Oh, that means you will soon know that like most parenting mags, we will for the first time in LFM history, close for the summer. I think it is a good idea and am tempted to toy with being nervous but what's the point? I'm not.
Do you ever do that? Play the role that you really don't feel but should be normal to feel so you do? That's how I feel. I should be nervous about not putting out 2 issues but I just am not. I am confident that we will not be forgotten. And will likely be even bigger by the time summer closes down.
You do realize that summer is upon us and you know what that means, right????
CHRISTMAS IS COMING!!!!!!!!!
can i get a woohoo?
Come on, it's FUN and you KNOW IT.
Our kittens are to die for. And here's the proof.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Congratulations Lisa!
And we're back with a gift certificate for a beautiful bouquet of flowers for the winner of our first back to blogging contest! Our first responder Lisa! Congrats Lisa!!!You have won a bouquet of flowers from Daisy a Day Florist in Mount Dora!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Surprise.
If you are reading this, then you are one of the first to see me back on the blog roll.
Don't expect TOO much, and I've cut my reader's list by half so let's just keep it to ourselves if you don't mind.
I've been better than ever, our family is doing well and it has been fun catching up with you all in PERSON.
But I've missed sharing thoughts as well.
So we'll see how it goes.
Would love if you left me a hello in the comment section.
First one who does wins (of course) a beautiful bouquet of flowers from Daisy a Day Flowers and Gifts.
Shalom Ya'll.
If you are reading this, then you are one of the first to see me back on the blog roll.
Don't expect TOO much, and I've cut my reader's list by half so let's just keep it to ourselves if you don't mind.
I've been better than ever, our family is doing well and it has been fun catching up with you all in PERSON.
But I've missed sharing thoughts as well.
So we'll see how it goes.
Would love if you left me a hello in the comment section.
First one who does wins (of course) a beautiful bouquet of flowers from Daisy a Day Flowers and Gifts.
Shalom Ya'll.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Stream of Thought
Hello there brethren.
Jeff took ALL the girls to Vero since I have to have LFM done by Monday. It is slooooooooooow going. I had to take a break as I have been at it since about well, you do NOT want to know. The stupid production schedule got moved up so we went into emergency mode and they are gone and I have to miss church and it was my time to serve so that is let down to others PLUS I have to WORK.
For those of you who don't have to work, APPRECIATE it. APPRECIATE your husbands that do work hard. I think the majority of us take it for granted. I have always appreciated how hard Jeff has worked and thought he worked harder than many and now we both work harder than I ever thought possible even! That's what we get for thinking we were in early retirement!!! LOL We both talked about how great it would be when I got back to just SERVING the family. And boy, I was pretty good at it then but just WAIT baby.
Deb came by with coffee (THANKS DEB) but really it was just a ploy to see her little triplets. I sucked down that Joe in 3 secs flat. Did you notice that Deb? Maybe I'll rate a LARGE next time. ;)
It is weird being in the house alone. I am so NOT alone most of the time. Right now, I am completely alone. But NOT lonely.
Sloan and I have been (GASP) TEXTING back and forth. We are not a texting family so it takes like 30 minutes for me to write: luv u. I am getting faster though.
I have her so indoctrinated to my cultish ways of no ridiculous techno-culture that it seems a little taboo to us both I think. But harmless since I know she won't be racking up 14,000 texts this month.
It's kind of the fun thing about having the kids that we do. All the "bad" stuff that they get never gets used in a "bad" way. It's quite funny.
Rachel has veggie tales on her ipod and Sloan has Doug's sermons.
I went for a pedicure today for my break and got thinking as she hurt me a time or two that pedis should not HURT! Then she massaged me and put hot towels on me and I thought of an analogy that it is kinda like God's Word. You don't want it to HURT. But sometimes it does...but mostly it is gentle and feels good...but sometimes a little something needs a little clip here or a clip there and there is pain but then you are left better than before. Pretty good huh? Trust me, the way I had it in my head was much more graphic but I am working on the kinder, gentler me.
Being alone always gets me "jonesing" for my NY life. How WEIRD is that? I have not had duck pate since I left NYC!!!! (I know the accent goes on pate but have NEVER been able to find out how to do it) BTW- it is pronouced patay, but you know that. Anyway, appetizers and fine champagne don't seem to be on the menu for me anymore. I know that sounds ridiculous but you would have to have lived it to truly understand what a fine pate tastes like...or the best steak your lips ever touched...or coffee and the NY Times without a call for Mom interrupting, or a long retreat with some serious teaching...it is amazing. Isn't it AMAZING about 'triggers'? That just my being alone reminds me of that?
But boy, do I miss my kids. Typical Mom. Just like Misty. (see cat post below) Get a kid, throw the rest of the good life straight out the window.
Have you seen that new Pledge product?? It cleans EVERYTHING! Stainless steel, wood, counters, glass???? I cannot wait to try it.
My highly dysfunctional Mom took Sloan grocery shopping at Sam's to the tune of $400.00. She is going to send home with them likely every food we do not eat and lots that we do. This is how she has always showed affection or made up for something she did wrong. This is the first time she has seen the kids since we decided it was healthier to not be a part of her life right now. (about 3-4 months) and her taking them to dinner and shopping has reminded me of years past and made me feel extremely sorry for her. But still not enough to engage in further dysfunction.
I'm hungry. But I have to go back to work.
See ya.
Jeff took ALL the girls to Vero since I have to have LFM done by Monday. It is slooooooooooow going. I had to take a break as I have been at it since about well, you do NOT want to know. The stupid production schedule got moved up so we went into emergency mode and they are gone and I have to miss church and it was my time to serve so that is let down to others PLUS I have to WORK.
For those of you who don't have to work, APPRECIATE it. APPRECIATE your husbands that do work hard. I think the majority of us take it for granted. I have always appreciated how hard Jeff has worked and thought he worked harder than many and now we both work harder than I ever thought possible even! That's what we get for thinking we were in early retirement!!! LOL We both talked about how great it would be when I got back to just SERVING the family. And boy, I was pretty good at it then but just WAIT baby.
Deb came by with coffee (THANKS DEB) but really it was just a ploy to see her little triplets. I sucked down that Joe in 3 secs flat. Did you notice that Deb? Maybe I'll rate a LARGE next time. ;)
It is weird being in the house alone. I am so NOT alone most of the time. Right now, I am completely alone. But NOT lonely.
Sloan and I have been (GASP) TEXTING back and forth. We are not a texting family so it takes like 30 minutes for me to write: luv u. I am getting faster though.
I have her so indoctrinated to my cultish ways of no ridiculous techno-culture that it seems a little taboo to us both I think. But harmless since I know she won't be racking up 14,000 texts this month.
It's kind of the fun thing about having the kids that we do. All the "bad" stuff that they get never gets used in a "bad" way. It's quite funny.
Rachel has veggie tales on her ipod and Sloan has Doug's sermons.
I went for a pedicure today for my break and got thinking as she hurt me a time or two that pedis should not HURT! Then she massaged me and put hot towels on me and I thought of an analogy that it is kinda like God's Word. You don't want it to HURT. But sometimes it does...but mostly it is gentle and feels good...but sometimes a little something needs a little clip here or a clip there and there is pain but then you are left better than before. Pretty good huh? Trust me, the way I had it in my head was much more graphic but I am working on the kinder, gentler me.
Being alone always gets me "jonesing" for my NY life. How WEIRD is that? I have not had duck pate since I left NYC!!!! (I know the accent goes on pate but have NEVER been able to find out how to do it) BTW- it is pronouced patay, but you know that. Anyway, appetizers and fine champagne don't seem to be on the menu for me anymore. I know that sounds ridiculous but you would have to have lived it to truly understand what a fine pate tastes like...or the best steak your lips ever touched...or coffee and the NY Times without a call for Mom interrupting, or a long retreat with some serious teaching...it is amazing. Isn't it AMAZING about 'triggers'? That just my being alone reminds me of that?
But boy, do I miss my kids. Typical Mom. Just like Misty. (see cat post below) Get a kid, throw the rest of the good life straight out the window.
Have you seen that new Pledge product?? It cleans EVERYTHING! Stainless steel, wood, counters, glass???? I cannot wait to try it.
My highly dysfunctional Mom took Sloan grocery shopping at Sam's to the tune of $400.00. She is going to send home with them likely every food we do not eat and lots that we do. This is how she has always showed affection or made up for something she did wrong. This is the first time she has seen the kids since we decided it was healthier to not be a part of her life right now. (about 3-4 months) and her taking them to dinner and shopping has reminded me of years past and made me feel extremely sorry for her. But still not enough to engage in further dysfunction.
I'm hungry. But I have to go back to work.
See ya.
Jackalope anyone?
We have successfully pulled the wool over Lake County's eyes! Lol
We ran a story on Jackalopes in April's issue with a cover tease that read: Eustis Family Reveals Amazing Secret!
Here's the story:
Eustis Family Raises and Sells Jackalopes!
The famed Jackalope has arrived in Lake County! The family of the Jackalope boasts a variety of species including a flying variation that looks like a cross between the standard Jackalope and a chicken. The Jackalope originates from Wall, South Dakota. The Jackalope has always been difficult to breed since Jackalopes will only breed during electrical storms that include hail, explaining its rarity. But Palio Flors of Eustis says that he has discovered a secret technique in breeding.
This Eustis family has made a go of breeding the original species that first originated in the American West, right here in Central Florida.
Palio claims that Jackalopes are very friendly but extremely shy unless approached. Female Jackalopes can be milked as they sleep belly up Palio says, and the milk can be used for a variety of medicinal purposes. He says that the Jackalope can convincingly imitate any sound, including the human voice which makes them highly valuable. It uses this ability to elude pursuers, chiefly by using phrases that sound amazingly like "There he goes!” In some parts of the United States it is said that Jackalope meat has a taste similar to lobster but Palio discourages this practice. He was raised around Jackalopes since he was a youngster and considers them domestic friends.
He now is ready to shed the light on this well kept secret. “I’ve been waiting for just the right time.” claims Palio. “I have built up a stock and am ready to sell!”
If you want more information on how you can own your very own Jackalope, contact Palio at
Palioflors@gmail.com
Well, Lake County did not disappoint. We created a false email address and we have been receiving emails about our famed Jackalopes.
We have been responding with:
Unscramble my name to reveal a famous April Holiday and you can receive your very own Jackalope! Palio Flors
We even had one poor TEACHER along with her entire 4th grade class write in asking for one for a class pet! (Yikes, we won't be revealing HER name! lol) and I tell you, this has been the most fun we've had yet. If we go out in June, it will have to be a CLIFF HANGER! Ideas welcome!
See Ya!
Friday, April 3, 2009
2 Cor 12:9-10
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made
perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my
infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take
pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in
distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Wow. This scripture came through on the end of a Steph Kliber email. It really spoke to me and I am going to meditate on it for a few days. I shall boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me! How many of us know the first line by heart but rarely take note of the second sentence!
perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my
infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take
pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in
distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
Wow. This scripture came through on the end of a Steph Kliber email. It really spoke to me and I am going to meditate on it for a few days. I shall boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me! How many of us know the first line by heart but rarely take note of the second sentence!
Proud Mommy
Misty is a natural. It is truly amazing to see motherhood kick in. She went from young girl to wise Mom in just a few hours. It seems you can see it on her face even. She's aged. As only motherhood can do. She is so content with her little brood. Purring like mad and making "butter" with her paws as they nurse contentedly. Motherhood. Is there anything else!?!
I realized...
I realized full force yesterday that we think we know each other and we don't. I mean, we really think we do but we really, really don't. I think you have to know someone for years and years until you even know them a little bit. But we think we know each other, we form opinions about people and get ideas about them and think they are "this way" or "that way" and guess what? 9 times out of 10 we are likely wrong.
I got this when listening to someone totally peg me wrong yesterday. It was typical. They did it so sweetly but I realized that through our blogs, small conversations, emails...that we all begin to PERCEIVE each other in a certain way. Normally NOT accurate.
So, now I realize for all of my trying to talk to people long enough, or in enough detail to show them the TRUTH of who I am instead of the misconception, that is not me who is being the things they may perceive me as. It might actually be actually THEM. So this is an interesting train of thought I am going through.
Why do we think we know each other? Why can't people just LOVE unconditionally without putting other people in a box with a label? Out of all the things people think I may be, one would NOT be putting people in boxes with labels. Yesterday I realized for the first time, that I am being judged much more harshly than others think I may be judging. It's funny really and comforting to know that my "big personality" causes a very strong opinion to be formed that is not true. Comforting to realize it can't be helped really. We all do it. And for those of you, if you're reading this, that may have held me at arm's length, I am sorry for our separation. I LIKE you! (no, I am NOT talking about any one person, I am talking about the universal you, which may or may not include you)
It's ironic and actually funny that I am so strongly convicted about some matters that seem to make people crazy for whatever reason and yet my even stronger belief in the truth of familial authority trumps any idea that someone may have of my saying they should be doing the thing too. YOU are the authority in your own home. I do not care if you do x, y, or z because YOU get to decide, not ME. I love your families with a power that is not my own, I am IN LOVE with people, not consumed with what they do or don't do. Why does it bug YOU that I believe x, y or z? Isn't that a judgement in itself? I don't preach it or teach it but it still comes through? Puhleeze, you ASK and I ANSWER. That's about it.
But anyway, I got thinking about this when this poor person went on completely wrong about me. I thought it was sad that they thought the thing about me....that they perceived me to be something I was not. But how do you undo something someone thinks in a 2 minutes of conversation? When they also formed an opinion in as much time? No matter, really. The important thing is that I keep on my own walk, reforming, reforming, until the day of Christ. Loving people, living my convictions, allowing them to be changed (anyone note Kate in nursery???? Insanity!).
But I won't pretend to know you...I will just really love you, just the way you are.
I got this when listening to someone totally peg me wrong yesterday. It was typical. They did it so sweetly but I realized that through our blogs, small conversations, emails...that we all begin to PERCEIVE each other in a certain way. Normally NOT accurate.
So, now I realize for all of my trying to talk to people long enough, or in enough detail to show them the TRUTH of who I am instead of the misconception, that is not me who is being the things they may perceive me as. It might actually be actually THEM. So this is an interesting train of thought I am going through.
Why do we think we know each other? Why can't people just LOVE unconditionally without putting other people in a box with a label? Out of all the things people think I may be, one would NOT be putting people in boxes with labels. Yesterday I realized for the first time, that I am being judged much more harshly than others think I may be judging. It's funny really and comforting to know that my "big personality" causes a very strong opinion to be formed that is not true. Comforting to realize it can't be helped really. We all do it. And for those of you, if you're reading this, that may have held me at arm's length, I am sorry for our separation. I LIKE you! (no, I am NOT talking about any one person, I am talking about the universal you, which may or may not include you)
It's ironic and actually funny that I am so strongly convicted about some matters that seem to make people crazy for whatever reason and yet my even stronger belief in the truth of familial authority trumps any idea that someone may have of my saying they should be doing the thing too. YOU are the authority in your own home. I do not care if you do x, y, or z because YOU get to decide, not ME. I love your families with a power that is not my own, I am IN LOVE with people, not consumed with what they do or don't do. Why does it bug YOU that I believe x, y or z? Isn't that a judgement in itself? I don't preach it or teach it but it still comes through? Puhleeze, you ASK and I ANSWER. That's about it.
But anyway, I got thinking about this when this poor person went on completely wrong about me. I thought it was sad that they thought the thing about me....that they perceived me to be something I was not. But how do you undo something someone thinks in a 2 minutes of conversation? When they also formed an opinion in as much time? No matter, really. The important thing is that I keep on my own walk, reforming, reforming, until the day of Christ. Loving people, living my convictions, allowing them to be changed (anyone note Kate in nursery???? Insanity!).
But I won't pretend to know you...I will just really love you, just the way you are.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
4 Little Blessings
As a good friend told me today....life goes on! ;) These kittens are a good reminder!
I just can't do it!
DeNIAL. DeNIAL. DeNIAL.
I just cannot do another one. I CAN'T! I caaaaaaannnnn't.
PLEASE don't make me. I know I am whining. I know how old I am.
But honestly, I just can't. So....I guess we'll see.
You either all have to somehow get me throught two more ( and end in summer)
or, I just shut down the whole operation right now.
Ugh! The pain! I know it seems like not a big deal in the realm of importance but honestly, it feels like a train on my shoulders. I haven't even picked it up and tried to pull it, now I can't even get on and ride.
5 days until D-Day. Somebody shoot me! Hey that reminds me of this classic scene in the wedding singer where he sings this song to Drew Barrymore. It's hilarious. You have to have seen it to appreciate the lines that went:
Somebody kill me please
Somebody kill me please
I'm on my knees
pretty pretty please
Kill me
I want to die
Put a bullet in my heaaaaaaaaaaaad.
Sorry to say that is pretty much how I'm feeling.
I would have posted the youtube but there were a LOT of cuss words in the beginning.
Hear the Plunky guitar sound of The Cure meets Adam Sandler. FUnny!!! (who remembers The Cure? Fantastic!)
I just cannot do another one. I CAN'T! I caaaaaaannnnn't.
PLEASE don't make me. I know I am whining. I know how old I am.
But honestly, I just can't. So....I guess we'll see.
You either all have to somehow get me throught two more ( and end in summer)
or, I just shut down the whole operation right now.
Ugh! The pain! I know it seems like not a big deal in the realm of importance but honestly, it feels like a train on my shoulders. I haven't even picked it up and tried to pull it, now I can't even get on and ride.
5 days until D-Day. Somebody shoot me! Hey that reminds me of this classic scene in the wedding singer where he sings this song to Drew Barrymore. It's hilarious. You have to have seen it to appreciate the lines that went:
Somebody kill me please
Somebody kill me please
I'm on my knees
pretty pretty please
Kill me
I want to die
Put a bullet in my heaaaaaaaaaaaad.
Sorry to say that is pretty much how I'm feeling.
I would have posted the youtube but there were a LOT of cuss words in the beginning.
Hear the Plunky guitar sound of The Cure meets Adam Sandler. FUnny!!! (who remembers The Cure? Fantastic!)
Park Pics
Sloan is going to kill me since she took these and hasn't gotten them to her picture blog yet but she downloaded them on MY computer. That makes them open game! Look at it this way honey, I LOVE your pics!!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Yeah, well- whatcha gonna do?
Last night, my friend and I were sitting in the living room and I said to her,
"I never want to live in a vegetative state, dependent on some machine and fluids from a bottle. If that ever happens, just pull the plug."
So she got up, unplugged the Computer, and threw out my wine.
She's such a rat.....
(compliments of Amy W.)
Chipotle Wraps
This is what Chipotles in Adobo Sauce looks like. You can find it in your ethnic aisle.
You only need one or two to flavor. They are not "hot", they are smoky, spicy. Hard to explain...
they work wonderfully to spice up a dish without a 'cayenne' hot. Thought the more you use, the spicier your dish gets!Love 'em!
This is Phyllo dough. But you knew that. It was MY first time working with it. It kept breaking...Grrr! Oh, I was supposed to DEFROST it first? Make note to self...
A little brushy brush with some butter.
Glad they broke actually, because I thought the full size ones were too big. Wrapped and ready to go!
Fini!
Looks pretty good eh? It was pretty good actually and with a few minor variations for next time, it could be great! It was fun to make though and easy!
Quick Recipe: (in other words, too lazy to look up measurements, especially since I don't measure much.)
Ground chicken mixed with chopped scallions, garlic cloves, 1.5 cups shredded cheese, chipotles, salt and pepper. Mix well.
Brush with butter and salt and pepper 3 layers of phyllo dough and pipe meat onto wrap long wise. Roll up like a burrito and brush with butter again. Bake, seem side down at 400 for 15 minutes. I forgot to show the avacado dipping sauce but that is what you serve it with.
Notes for next time: use shredded chicken instead of ground. (I couldn't find ground chicken so I used ground turkey,it was a little meat-loafy) A little less meat in the wraps. More onions-more chiptoles-generally more spice.
Avacodo dipping sauce: Haas avacados, couple good dashes of evoo, garlic powder and salt. Add a little water, blend until dipping consistency. (so you can pour it)
Can she bake an apple pie Billie Boy, Billie Boy?
Ok, I know the song is cherry but that wouldn't work now would it?
I had forgotten just how easy apple pie was to make. Even your novice chefs can manage this one. Here is Lauren making her first apple pie yesterday!
I left while it was still in the oven and it cooked faster than the directions said...good thing they checked it when they did. Slightly browned but still DE-lish. We ate the whole thing. Well, there ARE six people in the house!
I had forgotten just how easy apple pie was to make. Even your novice chefs can manage this one. Here is Lauren making her first apple pie yesterday!
I left while it was still in the oven and it cooked faster than the directions said...good thing they checked it when they did. Slightly browned but still DE-lish. We ate the whole thing. Well, there ARE six people in the house!
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Stream of Thought
It's 3:14 am.
I remember once my old pastor said that people who go around saying they are "early risers" are just bragging. Lol
Not me, I just woke up, and felt like a cup of coffee. :)
I didn't have a single cup yesterday. So, no I am not weirdly addicted to it. I can take it or leave it. I just like it, that's all. I also like Margaritas. But I don't drink them at 3:14 am. At least not yet.
I am blessedly FREE from Saturday mornings. I am liking the word FREE lately, in terms of freedom.
Can't wait to try out the new "talk show" online. I decided that the best talks Deb and I ever had were when we sat at my table. Add a mike, voila!
New issue will be here Monday. RiDICulously great cover. Can't wait for you all to see it.
I am contemplating blueberry muffins or rice pudding for church today. Though I was supposed to stay home and put the new issue together that is due, gulp, Saturday. The issues are running closer and closer together now that we are growing so large...I had the production schedule for May's issue before April's got printed. Sheesh. They are trying to kill me.
Busy week next week, Dentist appt, committee meeting, new issue is out so I am SUPPOSED to go the networking meetings but....Sloan babysits, Dragon Boat Festival vendor...fair...
so I am trying to work ahead a bit.
In my reorganizing, I cleaned out Kate's clothes closet. Yikes. Two garbage bags full of clothes that do not fit. Now the kids have to go through those to see which of those are Heather C's that she lent us. I am afraid they may have gotten sucked into the vortex. Heather, if you read this, will you release me????
If I stay home from church, then I will likely put the kids on that sorting chore.
Next will come the 3 year old sock basket that needs matching. 3 drawers deep. Have fun kids!
Been finding some great houses....making sure there's room for one more! Jeff and I are HOT for another kiddo. Hmmm, doesn't the word HOT in that context, along with the idea of a child just sound WRONG??? Let me rephrase.
We are really, really, really ready. We will adopt, try for our own and beg God for one. Are we ready for a boy? Sure, why not! Though all our baby stuff is for girls!! We are going to start trying again for our own after our 3 miscarriages and look into adoption. Except I don't know how. Seems like a biiiiiiiiig undertaking, adoption. The idea of raising the actual child seems less difficult than the adoption process. I would prefer a private adoption.
Ok, gots to go! Can't wait to hear how International Day went! We opted out. Lol Surprise!
I remember once my old pastor said that people who go around saying they are "early risers" are just bragging. Lol
Not me, I just woke up, and felt like a cup of coffee. :)
I didn't have a single cup yesterday. So, no I am not weirdly addicted to it. I can take it or leave it. I just like it, that's all. I also like Margaritas. But I don't drink them at 3:14 am. At least not yet.
I am blessedly FREE from Saturday mornings. I am liking the word FREE lately, in terms of freedom.
Can't wait to try out the new "talk show" online. I decided that the best talks Deb and I ever had were when we sat at my table. Add a mike, voila!
New issue will be here Monday. RiDICulously great cover. Can't wait for you all to see it.
I am contemplating blueberry muffins or rice pudding for church today. Though I was supposed to stay home and put the new issue together that is due, gulp, Saturday. The issues are running closer and closer together now that we are growing so large...I had the production schedule for May's issue before April's got printed. Sheesh. They are trying to kill me.
Busy week next week, Dentist appt, committee meeting, new issue is out so I am SUPPOSED to go the networking meetings but....Sloan babysits, Dragon Boat Festival vendor...fair...
so I am trying to work ahead a bit.
In my reorganizing, I cleaned out Kate's clothes closet. Yikes. Two garbage bags full of clothes that do not fit. Now the kids have to go through those to see which of those are Heather C's that she lent us. I am afraid they may have gotten sucked into the vortex. Heather, if you read this, will you release me????
If I stay home from church, then I will likely put the kids on that sorting chore.
Next will come the 3 year old sock basket that needs matching. 3 drawers deep. Have fun kids!
Been finding some great houses....making sure there's room for one more! Jeff and I are HOT for another kiddo. Hmmm, doesn't the word HOT in that context, along with the idea of a child just sound WRONG??? Let me rephrase.
We are really, really, really ready. We will adopt, try for our own and beg God for one. Are we ready for a boy? Sure, why not! Though all our baby stuff is for girls!! We are going to start trying again for our own after our 3 miscarriages and look into adoption. Except I don't know how. Seems like a biiiiiiiiig undertaking, adoption. The idea of raising the actual child seems less difficult than the adoption process. I would prefer a private adoption.
Ok, gots to go! Can't wait to hear how International Day went! We opted out. Lol Surprise!
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