Science Fairs & New Family Members

I don't know about this Science Fair that Nonny wanted to do. It's coming up this Friday and we really have nothing. We made a sun, moon and earth out of clay. We will have a flashlight & mirror to bounce the light off the earth from the sun to hit the moon. We have a wiffle ball that is broken in half so a magnet could be put inside of it and then put on a board w/a magnet underneath so she can show how the moon pulls into the earth by magnetic force. We have a lot of "book" information.

Then last night a friend of mine called me around 8 pm. Her husband wants her to get rid of their pet turtle that she has had for over 5 years {well, its actually her kids, but, you know how that goes}. He was going to take it and put it in the river. She and her kids were upset and she didn't want it to go to the river. I don't blame her there. So, yep, my daughter and I are the proud new owners of Jordan---formerly known as Walter. Nonny changed his name. Uh, I think its a he. He was very nervous and our cat Lilah was watching everything--she doesn't seem too threatened by him at all. It took him a loooooooooooooong time to settle down----but this morning when I got up he was hiding in his log. So today I am hoping to get to a store to get him a new light for his terrarium---because the one they gave me blew out. Sundays are awful with buses, so, I am going to see if I can get a ride after church service. I had to do some reading up on what they need.....not as much as Lilah believe it or not, but, they need it.

Well, off to church I go. Have a blessed time today brothers & sisters. Remember Jesus loves you, love your neighbor and extend your hand and bounty to those who need soul care, salvation and practical things----love you all.

The Only Sinner

Good Morning,

I woke up this morning thinking about this quote that I read one day. It is not in perfect form, yet, it still gets the point across.....I believe St. Augustine is the one who said it. Sit back and think about this:

If everyone in the world and I mean EVERYONE in the world, were righteous.....and you were the ONLY sinner....Jesus would have still come and died for you.

Let me say that again for you:

If everyone in the world and I mean EVERYONE in the world, were righteous......and you were the ONLY sinner....Jesus would have still come and died for you.

Ponder that abit.

Selah.

So the next time you feel that you are the only sinner in the world, or noone does it worse than you. He still would have come. The next time you think a bad thought, say the wrong thing, hurt someone, act the wrong way, break a commandment, not love your brother.............when you think that noone could be worse than you and Jesus will not and would not forgive the things that you do..............That you are "unforgivable".............He still would have come. I believe that completely.....our Salvation is personal......He died for YOU.

Selah.

Betcha Thought I Was Gone??? Nah, You Didn't

Hi Everyone!!!

Forgive me for taking so long to get back here! I have been so busy! It is the end of March! Oh my gosh! Where did March go?????

So, I had been gone doing skit practices for the drama ministry I am in at my church for Resurrection Sunday. And my daughter, she is going to be part of the science fair at her school, she is going to do little simple nuggets about the moon....It has to be simple, I am too busy right now for anything else! lol.

Also, I am preparing to cook and host a fundraising pancake breakfast for our crisis pregnancy center. Now, the decision for my Pastor is, do we do it before or after service? Traditionally we were doing it before service but now, the idea has been put into our heads that more people may stay around AFTER the service and we could get more money!

Then, right after that it is time for a taco cafe---yup, our church is sending a team to Mexico again this year and the taco cafe's raise money to get some things taken care of---so I will jump into that next.....don't worry I am not stressed out---I love this stuff!!!!

Now, let me tell you, that it is planned within the next couple of weeks for me to work from home! woo hoo! I can not wait. My company just sent our local cable company to hook up business client and mine was taken care of Monday!!! woo hoo! lots of woo hoos huh?

Also, we did get our beds that I was talking about---they are wonderful! I have NEVER had a new bed and of course neither has my daughter. I am investing in a digital camera and will put some pics on here soon of all things and people---yes I plan on going crazy with the camera---aren't we supposed to? lol

I missed being here----it is getting late however, and I am not working from home yet so that means I still have to get up early and make the trek to work.

Love you all!!! I will be back really soon---

In Christ!

Two Week Dinner Menu Starting Feb 24,2008

Ok, so I am putting this on here for me and everyone else! Remember there are only 2 people in my family so there are left overs to consider. This is the dinners I have planned. A couple I will put the recipes on in due time, you will see those in red.

Sunday

Lasagna Rollers
Turkey Meatballs
Green Beans/Mixed Veggies

Monday

Chicken Tacos
Red Beans & Rice

Tuesday

Lasagna Rollers
Turkey Meatballs
Green Beans/Mixed Veggies

Wednesday

Chicken Tacos
Red Beans & Rice

Thursday

Hamburger Helper {this is the last one in my pantry, will not be buying anymore of these}
Corn
Fruit

Friday

Hamburger Helper {last one left overs}
Corn
Fruit

Saturday

I will be having dinner somewhere else, Nonny will have dinner at a friend's home.

Sunday 3/2/2008

Chicken Noodle Soup Express
Crackers
Fruit

Monday

Italian Marinated Chicken
Scalloped Potatoes
Peas

Tuesday

Chicken Noodle Soup Express
Crackers
Fruit

Wednesday

Italian Marinated Chicken
Scalloped Potatoes
Peas

Thursday

Taquitos
Black Eye Peas
Fruit

Friday

Pizza

Then that Saturday there will be a new menu to set up.

Foil Chicken

My daughter and I love this one! Now, we 'create' our own in separate foil so that the veggies and/or potatoes are what we chose.

1 boneless, skinless chicken breast {half for each person}
1 small potato, peeled and chopped { or not peeled if you prefer}
1 carrot, chopped
red onions { I love onions so I put about a 1/4 cup if I chop them or a layer}
peppers {any kind, I like a variety of peppers & I add a little of all}
broccoli {raw or frozen}
baby spinach {remember it really shrinks so be generous if you like it}
red beans {to taste}
Italian salad dressing { I prefer Wishbone's Italian Robusto, it has a kick}
garlic (whole, powder or minced)
black pepper

Hours before or the night before I marinate the chicken breasts with the salad dressing.

when ready to cook, I preheat the oven 350 degrees. I spread out foil {about the size of a cereal box} and I put the chicken on it {remember I do separate foil for me and my daughter so if you want to do all one kind you need bigger foil!}. I chop all the veggies (the red beans are canned, I rinse them) and layer on top of chicken...add potatoes.

Wrap up the chicken put in a casserole dish or 13x9 baking pan and bake for approx 45 mins until chicken is thoroughly cooked ---veggies are soooooooooo tender. Remember, when you open up that foil, really hot steam is going to be coming out so be careful

Get creative too! We do.

Enjoy!

Baby B Brings My Nonny New Faith

My baby sister who was born when I was 18, living on my own and working full time {yes I am going to feel old again in a minute}, gave birth to twin boys in June 2006. We will call them B & O. O was born strapping and strong and ready for the world. B however, he was not, he was underweight, he had to be "encouraged" to breathe, he had to be rushed away from his Mom to a hospital specializing in prenatal ICU in a helicopter even before she lay eyes on him. While O was a typical newborn baby boy, his twin was struggling for his life some miles away. B's lungs were not fully developed, there were heart issues, he was "not responding" to noise or anything....pretty much comatose....he was fed IV.

My daughter was very excited about having twin baby boys to play with.....because the prognosis for B was not good, they did not expect him to thrive, my step-mother and sister decided to advise the family. Please note, that my sister had an emergency c-section and still has not lay eyes on her son who she was being told would not live. She was having a difficult time bonding with O and O knew something was wrong---babies know--they know.

Well....as soon as we received the news----I went right to the Throne! As I pulled in friends to join me.....in her bedroom my daughter also was having her conversation at the Throne {she was 8 at the time}....I don't know exactly what was said or done.....but the next day.......

The doctor from the hospital called my stepmother to let her know-------are you ready?

B was responding....he was making 'sucking' motions with his mouth, his eyes had opened, he coughed, he made bowel movements {this is a big deal you know}, he hands were gripping the nurses fingers, his heartbeat was strong.....and you want to know something? The doctor's were completed baffled and speechless {as was my unsaved family}......Bringing that news to us was instant Praise to Jesus----instant!

My Nonny turned to me and said, "I talked to Jesus and I asked Him to keep B alive. And He did." Only you who know, can understand the faith that brought my daughter into....A new level....

You would never know looking at B that he had a death sentence written for him....he strong and your typical little boy....he had no surgeries {which they thought would happen in a last attempt to save him} and his pediatrician stated that you would never know....and you wouldn't...

Thank You Jesus---for showing up---for being the same yesterday, today and forever. For giving me and my daughter a deeper level of faith.....for showing an unsaved family who You are............

Thank You

Miracles

I have to, must, should have a tag for miracles....Because Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever, shouldn't we be expecting the blind to see, the deaf to hear, the mute to speak, the crippled to walk, the cancer to go, the bones to come together, the AIDS to flee, the asthma to go, the thyroid to become new, the MS to go? The dead to rise?

I will be talking about Biblical miracles, yet right now......

I have a couple of miracles I will be talking about when I come back tonight. Miracles I have witnessed myself. Someone walking and functioning perfectly when told they would never walk again, someone cancer free when they were given a death sentence, a baby not given a moments chance by doctors, a set of twins that beat all odds and all human understanding.....yes, brothers & sisters----He still brings miracles, because He is the same yesterday, today and forever!

Birthday Party, Bible Study & Busy--ness

Last weekend I had Nonny's big birthday bash. She is 10 now, I can't believe it! I think I was in mourning for a few days! When she was 5 I promised her when she turned 2 number she could have a big party---she remembered. There were a lot of people here. My busy--ness, turned into major busy--ness!!!! I had to clean the house, go shopping, order pizza's and wings (2 -24 cut cheese pizzas & 100 wings), potato chips & dip, I made a pasta salad, pretzels, soda, water, coffee, tea----------they played Twister, musical chairs, spoons & speed cup stacking. My daughter giggled all day long....there was so much fun! She had friends from church & school, families....just wonderful....and of course she got a lot of stuff----she loved everything---arts & crafts and games and stuffed animals and jewelry and money and clothes. What a wonderful time we had!!!!

That has been my busy--ness for some time---that week was immensely busy. The Friday before the party I had to go to home group and co-lead with the co-homegroup leader, so I was preparing all week for that, I had a womens group on Monday, prayer on Tuesday--whew--what a weekend!!!

Ahhhhh---my Lord, He stayed faithful....just amazes me sometimes....I am in awe at how smoothly everything went that week despite my anxieties and worries....How I had just enough money to pull it all off...and some left over! How my daughter's laughter and giggles (cuz to me of course, God gave her the best laugh) were worth every moment and every cent. Wow! He is just an amazing God---that even when we are not looking up and counting on Him {cuz I always try to do it myself first} He still comes through....

Master Shopping List Draft

As part of all my organization, a Sister/friend is helping me out with this and in part gave me a master shopping list she uses....what an amazing idea. So.....I am in the process of mine....almost done, I have not decided if I want the canned veggies I buy under canned goods or veggies :O)....Almost all done and then I get to put it in order and go! This will save money and time, next is the monthly menu {again Karen} and that will help define 90% of the shopping list, I do bring breakfast and lunch and any snacks to work with me---I will soon be working from home PRAISE HIM----so that will save some too.....so off I go again

TURKEY SALSA BURGERS

These are YUMMY ---with a capital Y and UMMYYYYYYY!!! My daughter loves them too!

1 lb ground turkey
salsa {any kind you like, I used Tostino's the first time}
Breadcrumbs {any kind, I use garlic & herb}
salt
pepper
onion powder or real onions diced to taste
garlic or garlic powder

In medium bowl put turkey, salsa {I use about 1/3 c or more depending}, breadcrumbs {about 1/2 c}, salt & pepper to taste, onion, garlic, mix well, form into burgers {about 4}, spray a frying pan or griddle with fat free canola oil, cook till done, {about 10 mins each side}

Put on hamburg rolls or eat alone, really does not matter---these are magnifico, I was awed on how good they are! ENJOY!!!

Forgiving Me

Thank You Lord for forgiving me. I thought yesterday and this morning of all the things I used to do, the person I used to be, the way I treated people, the way I treated myself. Just the thoughts that used to pass through my mind. My intentions, my hatred.........and You forgive me? Your Word says yes you do. Thank You for taking my dirty rags and washing them as white as snow. Thank You for being above all and in all. Thank You Lord for holding no charge against me. Thank You for saving me from myself. Thank You for saving me from satan's schemes and plans. Thank You for saving me from the enemies net. Thank You for forgiving me when noone else would {including myself}. Thank You Lord, for being who You are. Thank You for loving me just the way I am. Thank You for forgiving me the words that caused pain, hurt, division and hate that spewed out of my mouth. Oh Lord, thank You for forgiving me for the way I taunted and hated. Lord, thank You.

THANK YOU JESUS FOR BEING WHO YOU ARE

I have a few minutes this morning and decided to do a little blogging before heading off to work. How about just praising the Lord?

Thank You Jesus for saving me, for calling me unto You, for choosing me before the beginning of the creation of the world and calling me Your own.

Thank You Jesus for loving me when I was unloved & unlovable. When I was doing all the dirty things of this world--thank You Jesus for loving me anyway.

Thank You Jesus for being El Shaddai, The Great I Am, Yahweh, Jehovah Jireh, Elohim, Adonai, Alpha, Omega, Prince of Peace, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Deliverer, Healer, Mercy, Grace, Joy, Salvation, Life, Eternal, Mediator, Comforter, Counselor, Happiness, Love, Creator, Redeemer, Saviour, Friend, Head of the Body, Foundation, The Rock, woo, I love You Jesus. Thank You Jesus for being freedom, all wisdom, all knowledge, all understanding.

Thank You for being there when noone else was---thank You for coming to get me, when noone else was---thank You for reaching down from on high! Thank You for standing me up and cleaning me out and making me whole. Thank You for bringing me this far and making plans for me.

Thank You Jesus when everyone shook their heads and saw me in certain death---You resurrected me and brought me to LIFE!!!! Thank You Jesus when noone had hope for me, You instilled hope in me and gave me a new life---you wiped the slate clean. Thank You Jesus, when I was at wits end, couldn't take life no more, couldn't bear to keep going as I was---You took me in Your arms and loved me! Lord, thank YOU for being the All in All, The Everything I am not, the purity and grace, the hope and faith of my life---thank You Jesus for loving me when noone else did......

Now thats the way to start a morning!

Thank You for knocking down satan and setting me free---thank You for freedom!

Viruses, Blessings, Furniture & More Blessings

I know, It has been such a long time! My computer had a virus---thank the Lord that my church has many capable computer geniuses!!! This is wonderful! So my whole hard drive just had to be dumped and all that---so here I am!!

My Nonny just turned 10 years old--2 digits now----boy have I missed this computer! lol

I am so glad to be back.....

So in my organization journey I have found beds for me and Nonny. Her's is a loft bed with a built in dresser and desk with a huge drawer at the bottom to be used for storage or a trundle bed & then on the side there is a door and you open it up and EUREKA! there is tons of storage behind the dresser and desk! Mine is a captain's bed with 5 drawers underneath, 1 really huge one and then in the back of all the drawers EUREKA more storage! Hallelujah!

A friend of mine is building me a closet in my office (need one badly) and I have picked out my new living room set, dining room set---do I deserve them? Absolutely. I have never had anything new as far as house stuff goes. so with my tax returns will be the beds and then some saving for the living room set and then some more for the dining room set and so on.................whew

Then, let me tell you friends. I have bulging disks in my back and neck and there is something wrong with my feet---they don't know what yet---anyway---while I am waiting for my healing---cuz you know its coming right? I have been going to the laundromat 2 times a month and doing all our laundry---so.................I was also spending $80 a month on laundry....not supposed to be lifting and not really having that kind of money, I approached the Lord--and guess what happened???? HE ANSWERED! No I am not surprised---I capitalized it for others who need it! Anyway, a friend and her husband in my church brought me a brand new portable washer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I feel like dancing!! And I did! No words can express......anyway, seems a couple of people got together and bought it for me----I don't know who they are---but God does and I have asked Him to bless them tremendously, have that generosity come back and bless their socks right off!!!

so now I have to visit some blogs I have not been to in some time---toodles for now---but I will be back!

Just This Simple

HE BECAME FLESH

Does that not just completely blow your mind? HE BECAME FLESH! FLESH!

The Sovereign Omnipotent God, Creator, Divine Artist, The Potter of everything that lives and moves and has being----He became flesh! FLESH! Just Boggles the Mind!

Happy Birthday Jesus. Thank You for coming and saving us from our dirtiness, our sin, ourselves......thank You for becoming flesh.

Christmas Stockings

Another tradition we have is being able to open our stockings the night before we open our gifts. This Christmas Eve we will be opening all our gifts, we have such a busy, blessed day on Christmas that we won't have time. So on Sunday after dinner we will open our stockings. That is why I have to get them all wrapped tonight. Now every year there must be the favorite candies of the person you are giving the stocking to, a lifesavers storybook (which by the way has grown quite smaller since I was a child) and a candy filled candy cane---usually M&Ms. Then whatever else can fit in it--usually a small gift or two.

When I have to work the day after Christmas we usually open gifts on Christmas Eve if I have it off and then Christmas day we get to enjoy them when we can amongst the food, people, love and hugs (which by the way is the best part of Christmas)............

Parties, Teeth & Tests

Nonny got excited with every passing day this week. We have a chalkboard santa that she counts down on everyday and she started at 40 days this year---lol, she tortured herself with that....she happily displayed 2 this morning. She wrapped my gifts last night and put them under the tree---I am just like a kid at Christmas yet I am trying not to guess what anything is.....

She was not feeling well when she came home last night, little achy and a slight fever....that got knocked out with some prayer and she is looking much better today---she didn't eat much last night but she ate breakfast this morning.

On Tuesday we straightened her hair---oh it is so beautiful--not that it was not beautiful before---it is amazing right now. I had to do the normal stuff of doing her hair and then I had to use a special comb and blow dryer to dry it, then add some thermal lotion and use straightening plates (my daughter's hair is very very thick) layer after layer. We started around 6 and did not get finished until after 8 pm. Yet it is worth all of it....to see the look on her face when she looked in the mirror made every second worth it--she kept saying as she stroked it "I am dreaming or you put a wig on me" lol. Now she swings it about and combs it and all that....it is wonderful.

She had her school Christmas party yesterday and brought in scoops & salsa and chips & dip. She came home with books from her teacher and a bag full of candy (and not feeling well).

Oh yeah and she lost another tooth! I can't take it! lol

She will 10 this coming year and I don't know if I am ready for it. She asked for the "High School Musical" theme for her party. Oriental Trading has a great deal on the theme pack. And then I will just buy more yellow and red plain plates and cups--then I won't spend an arm and a leg on stuff...Oriental Trading is great for stuff like that and keeping it within a means. She also picked out tie dye goody bags there--I don't know why she didn't want the Hight School Musical bags but she didn't.

She asked for the movie Mary Poppins so I will get her that and another board game (because we love those) & something else. She asked for pizza and wings, so we will do that--alot less work for me...last year she wanted fried chicken and macaroni and cheese! Then a cake and ice cream of course!

The state's language arts test is coming up the first week they are back from Christmas vacation, so her teacher sent home a test from some years ago for her to practice---yes I know homework over the holidays--yet I want her to be ready for the state exam.

Whew! Be back with more Nonny adventures.

Munchie Days/Secret Santa/Wrapping Gifts.......

Well, this week just flew on by! Work was hectic being that we have Monday and Tuesday off. Monday I had the MRI, Tuesday there was a big holiday luncheon at work they served turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans and then a variety of sugar food, you know, cookies, cakes, pies, cobblers etc.....Wednesday I finished my shopping --for real this time. Thursday was my departments Christmas munchie day; lasagna, salads and more sugar food--lol. Then this young lady I am doing a bible study with and getting to know came over and we watched Smallville (her new favorite show), exchanged gifts and had left over munchie day dinner (subs, lasagna and salads). We talked so much (haha) that it became late and she spent the night on my couch and left the next day.

We had a secret santa at my job and you write down 3 things you would like, so I asked for photo frames, reeses peanut butter cups and unique Christmas tree ornaments. I received this beautiful snowman photo frame, it is gorgeous. I received a unique ornament, it is a snowman, the bottom of it is a gold ball and then a wooden painted top and where it was put together a little handmade scarf is--it is really cute. Come to find out it was all homemade. My senior at work gave me boxes of chocolates with a father Christmas ornament. I love those. My Dad collected old fashioned santa's and somehow I have now fallen in love with this collection.

Then last night my best friend came over and helped Nonny wrap the gifts for me.I got 11 presents under the tree!!! I feel like a little kid again. I can not wait to invest in a digital camera so I can take quick pics and put them on here so you can see.

Tonight I have to wrap all of Nonny's gifts especially the stocking gifts (there is a reason why, this will go in my "Holidays Traditions and Celebrations" label). Do you know I have already started thinking of next Christmas??? Shame on me! Yet the sales are going to be wonderful! lol

I will be next shopping for Nonny's 10th birthday party (she is going to be 2 numbers now)...which for that day I promised her a small bash-lol. And my best friend's birthday which is the same month's as Nonny's.

And tonight I have drama practice at my church. We are doing a skit called "The Caroler's Rebellion", I am playing the narrator this time. This skit will be quite simple because we have really had no time to practice, so, our 'carol' books will be holding the actual skit....lol. It is going to be so much fun!

Oh yeah and on Monday we had our last women's group before Christmas, the topic was "Moving from Anger to Love"---it was quite eye opening and such a blessing too.....be back

Christmas Shopping & Spoil-Spree

Nonny is definitely excited about Christmas, she has a little stuffed santa that has a chalkboard that she counts down the days on.

Her paternal grandmother and great aunt took her shopping on Wednesday. They took her on a spoil-spree is what I call it. This is what she received:

1)winter robe--gorgeous powder blue, soft & warm
2)black slippers--they have little 'diamonds' on the top of them
3)brown velour jogging outfit and a khaki shirt to go underneath
4)2 pairs of blue jeans
5)black patent (sp?) leather shoes---you don't want to know the price on them
6)pretty aqua color shirt with little tiny jewels around the cuffs
7)black gloves
8)pocketbook--fatigues
9)black wallet
10)hair dryer
11)black belt
12)shampoo and conditioner that will last a while --Nonny has biracial hair texture so she needs "special" shampoo and conditioner and it can become quite expensive

I believe that is it....can you believe it???? Oh my goodness.....I wanted to go shopping!

Then guess what happened today? She lost another tooth!

She went shopping with my best friend on Saturday to go shopping for me and her best friend. I can't wait to see what she got me!

No Church Today & Still Blessed

Hi, well, we got a lot of snow and though it tapered off earlier, then it became freezing rain and now it is snow again! Pastor decided to cancel church today and then the lady who was holding the single women's Christmas brunch cancelled also. So, it turned into a really blessed day also.

I played backgammon and hangman with Nonny. She is pretty good (of course she had a great teacher hahaha). Then we watched a movie, have I told you she likes dinosaurs--well, we watched Jurassic Park: The Lost World...you know the second one. We ate chocolate Christmas trees and Lays potato chips (and no, you can not eat just one!) I love them.

I did some cleaning, prepared lunches for tomorrow and had left overs from the Senior Pastor's Christmas party for dinner again (what a blessing) then took a really nice long hot shower and am now relaxing. I don't get to do this often you know, so I am taking a little advantage of it!

Tomorrow is the big MRI day. Almost had to cancel it. The lady who would usually bring me to appointments like this and then to work is now currently having car trouble so I had to shoot an email out and I have a ride to the MRI and to work. How great is our God? I would ask that any of you that is reading this would pray for me....prayer is such a wonderful tool.

So I will be late to work tomorrow and will have to use paid time. That is okay. I need to know what is going on with my feet and arms and hands. For those of you who do not know--it feels like someone has taken a broken bottle and scraped the bottom of my feet and then set them on fire with a blow torch---yeah--the medz I am on are helping and lots of prayer gets me up and out to work everyday.

Also, I know I forgot to blog it or may just so excited I don't remember: I will be working from home soon---yes you read that right! I can not wait! Then I won't have to worry about car pooling or using my vacation time for doctors appts I can make all the time up and I won't have to go to work on someone else's schedule! It is so wonderful I could just shout!!! It is wonderful. I filled out the paperwork on Friday and handed it all in--boss says that I am looking at the date of February 2008 which is great! I am so blessed! So blessed! What a God we have!

Be back soon,