Ah, It's Here Again....

'Tis the season......to be what? Are you going to be a major grumpola because you have to wait in line for 10 minutes? Are you annoyed that your Christmas lights are tangled or broken? Are you already complaining about the cold weather? Commercialism? People who don't say "Merry Christmas at the stores? Please! Spare me! No more complaining! I don't care how righteous it sounds. What I am doing right this second is also complaining. I'm complaining about complainers!

I don't hate democrats. I don't hate republicans. I don't hate anyone for that matter, yet how many emails do I get in a day that hates one of those, I can't even tell you. I don't care about Jon and Kate, Adam what's his name, tiger woods, or even who shot J.R. I simply want to live my life in peace, enjoy my blessings, stick my graying haired head in the skirt of my Christmas tree, and thank my God that I'm alive.

I don't really want to know what is ticking you off right now. I just want to hear all the good stuff that you are keeping from me. I don't want to hear the latest slam on a celebrity that I will never meet, nor do I ever care to. I would love to hear something that I want to repeat! Something good. Something helpful. Something positive. Something real. A something that can only come from your heart. Love, maybe?

Why am I so annoyed already? I can just feel it coming, and this time I am prepared. Not only do I not want to sweat My small stuff, I don't want to sweat anyone else's either. I am taking a stand against whiners, complainers, and grumpy gomers!

Really, some days I can tolerate this, and some days it just gets me. I guess as I gaze at my Christmas lights and come off an absolutely blessed weekend with my family, I really don't have room for negativity. This is a crazy mixed up world, it's true, but we aren't to be a part of that, are we? Isn't there something better than this world and all it's trappings? I think so.

So, I remind you again, as I did last year. Do not be offended when someone says Happy Holidays. That is what it means. It has nothing to do with our God. It is simply an all emcompassing greeting to cover 2 holidays in one. Please don't assume that every one and every school and every business is against God. They simply are not. If we continue to think that way, we are doomed to find something wrong with everything and everyone. If it really gets under your skin, then YOU be the person that stands in the cold, ringing a bell, and YOU say Merry Christmas as loud as you want to. You be the example!

Please try to have a meaningful Christmas this year. Find your blessings, be a blessing, and if you catch me being a grump (and I can be,let me tell you), please print this out and hand it to me with a great big smile on your precious face.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and yours!

Fruit Salad Life

It's been a little bananas for us lately, as all Novembers seem to be crazy busy! Rewinding for a moment, last week we went down to visit Steve's Grandma, who is temporarily living down the road with Steve's parents. She's 90, and pretty sharp, just needs hot meals and lots of company. She loves dominoes, so we went down to play a few games with her. She won, of course! We've been told her eyesight isn't very good, but the way she played dominoes, I would beg to differ! The girls really enjoy playing with Grandma Bailey, but she frequently beats them in every game! She's a good apple, that Grandma!

During the week, we had decided that we would put up our outdoor Christmas decorations, since we missed it last year due to the very early snow. I turned on the Christmas tunes and sang in the front yard as I untangled string after string of lights, and stopped only to play a little basketball with Natalie. Natalie and I did a pretty good impersonation of Elvis, while singing "Blue Christmas". We do a pretty mean air guitar as well. Of course, Steve occasionally jumps into our basketball games, and that's where I take a time out. He's brutal, but Natalie can keep up with him! Way to go, girl! Serena just cracks us up with her basketball antics. We spend so much time laughing....I am so very blessed to have them in my life. I should have posted the pictures of the three of them playing. They are a bunch of fruit loops!

We also enjoyed a couple dinners out over the weekend....Steve handed us out some ballots and we all had to vote on where we wanted to eat. The girls and I won, and off to Fazoli's we went! It's just a great place to go with family.

Fast forward to today....Serena's 4th grade class had their Thanksgiving program and feast today. The parents all brought food...so much food! The kids sang and just did a great job! I made a giant roaster full of mashed potatoes, and worried that I'd bring most of them home (it happened before!), but I brought home a very empty roaster! Yay!

I spent the rest of what was left of my day baking for the bake sale. I also have shopping and cooking to do for Thanksgiving, then a birthday cake and party to plan for Steve on Saturday. I think every week and weekend is booked from now until January. All good stuff, mind you, but a bit busy for my taste.

So, while life is a bit busy, the things we do are producing quite a nice fruit salad to share with anyone who comes our way!

Eye Can

I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. I will not refuse to do something I can do.

Helen Keller

Lately I've really been focused on what I can do, since I am constantly reminding my girls that the word "Can't" is not allowed in our home. I cringe when Serena says, "I can't dribble so I don't like basketball." So, one morning when I had her all to myself, I began a dialogue with her about what we "can" and "can't" do and why. (by the way, she can dribble a basketball!)

Come to find out, she doesn't "like" basketball because she has a fear of messing up and being embarassed. Well, I could have told her that, but I wanted her to discover it on her own! Like a lawyer, I asked lots of leading questions until she had to say out loud, "I guess I'm just scared."

I don't know if it will make her want to play basketball, and frankly, I don't care if she does or doesn't play, but it has to be for the right reasons! We bring so much of our own childhoods into our parenting, and for me, it has been a positive thing. I was afraid of my own shadow as a kid. I was pent up, inhibited, scared to death of being embarassed, noticed, teased, etc.... It wasn't until Jr. high that I began to leave that behind. But oh, all the things I missed in the process! What a regret I had for not trying something just because I was scared. I told Serena how paralyzing fear is and that it shouldn't stop us from doing what we really want to do. I remember wanting to try something so bad that my heart would race, and I let myself down by not doing it out of fear.

I can already see that she's nothing like I was as a kid, and I'm so very proud of both of my girls. I can see that fear will have a harder time of tripping them up than it did me. God really used my fearful childhood to make me a better mom for my kids. I can teach them many things because I already walked through that and I'm sensitive to the signs.

At our house, we have a can in the pantry (until it gets used) that has eyes drawn all over it. When someone says, "I can't", they get the "eye can". I've even been handed the can a few times! Oops! Can they do everything? Of course not, and I don't expect them to, but what they "can" do is t-r-y before they give up!

I have started something recently that I've always told myself I 'couldn't' do, and it's like laughing fear right in its face. I'm doing it out of love, and so my fear is being replaced with the "eye can". I always thought I shouldn't turn people down when they ask me to do things that I know I can do, but sometimes I know it's just not the right thing for me. I find out later that I was needed for something else, something more difficult, and I knew my time had to be spent doing that instead.

One of my power verses has always been Philippians 4:13...I can do ALL things through Christ who strenthens me. He is working in my life and I can see Him working in my family. I am keenly listening for Him and following His lead for my life. That is something I CAN do for sure! No excuses!

Be blessed and get busy making yourself an "eye can" or better yet, have the kids help....it's fun!

A Breck Girl Moment

Wow. What a difference a few curls in your hair can make! I haven't had my mane cut in awhile (part of my money-saving strategy), so today I went in for a good trim. Nikki decided again to give me a curly "do". Then she said, "there you go, hot tamale! Call your husband and have him take you to lunch!" Well, we missed the lunch, but we did make it for dinner instead. I had a meeting up at school for "Count Me In" which interfered with Wed. Night class, so I met Steve uptown at one of our favorite spots, Pizza Man's. He took one look at me and it was va va va voom. Well, not really. He actually wasn't feeling well and has been fighting a cold all week. Through his glassy tired eyes, though, I think I caught a twinkle! :)

Anyway, I went up to pick the girls up from church and ran into a friend of ours who said, "hey, I really like your hair....it makes you look really young!" Oh, Fred. You are on my Christmas list for sure! Then as I was leaving, dear Allison caught me and said, "I love your hair! It makes you look about 10 years younger!" Whoa....was that a conspiracy or what? Okay, all flattery aside, now I'm thinking, just how old did I look before?? Hmmm....

Anyway, we're headed back to the salon tomorrow for the girls' haircuts and I will ask my stylist personally if she is curling my hair because I am looking old these days! :) She's so stinking sweet she'll just smile and say "no way..you're a hottie!" I must tip well, eh??

Okay, enough hair talk.....here's a cool idea for that Christmas party you're planning.....

At Steve's work, they are doing this really cool gift exchange game. Maybe you've heard of it. I hadn't and thought it sounded really fun. You draw names with your co-workers, Sunday school class, family, group of friends, Bible study group, etc.... You pick a toy for the person whose name you drew, but not just any toy. It has to be a toy that you think that person would have liked as a child. Then you open the gifts at the party, tell the person why you thought of that toy, then all the toys are donated to charity!! Isn't that cool?? I so want to do that! It really puts the meaning back into giving for me.

Thanksgiving is coming and I am thankful. For what? Oh, everything! Good, bad, and in between. It's all good. I hope you are just as thankful for your life and all that it holds. A grateful heart is a happy heart!!

Be blessed, and hey, go curly!

All in a Day's "Work"

Wow. What a busy Monday. It started off by getting the girls off to school, then heading over to my mom's to meet my sister for our first Bible study together. I am both honored and terrified to be teaching her about the Lord. I am being stretched, for sure! It went well, and I hope next week goes even better. After our study, I ran home to throw in some more clothes from Mount Stinky, then began to plan dinner. Natalie had an honor society meeting, so I had to run to get Serena, bring her back home, work some more on Rachel's scrapbook for Jonathan, and make some calls. I also volunteered to help the three girls below with their science project, so I brought them home with me as well, planning to run them all back that evening. Whew. That was after getting all their supplies, listening to Brit Nicole at top volume, and making them Mama's Pizza Pasta with Rustic garlic bread for dinner. Do I sound tired? Actually, it was fun!

Here are the girls working on their ecosystem diorama. They had to make a rainforest. They began by painting a landscape on the back of the box. I was thoroughly impressed! Each girl was able to incorporate her unique idea to the project making it truly a collaborative effort. I really tried to stay out of the way, only suggesting one or two things. I couldn't help myself, guys.

There is the finished project! I just know they will get a high score for their efforts! It was a joy to see them be so proud of the work they had done. Now the big question...who gets to keep it? I suggested a three way custody split, then giving it to whoever has the cleanest room. Won't be Natalie, I'm sure!! I love that girl, but oh, my goodness!! :)

Just Call Me Grace

I've been a bit busy since my last post! On Thursday I had a ton of housework to do, then some running I had to do at night for several upcoming things....birthdays, science project, etc...

We couldn't find my mom's birthday gift where she said she saw it, so we ended up going home without it, planning another trip in the morning. I had big plans to take Mom over to Loafer's Glory for lunch, so I had a lot to pack in that day. We also planned on going over that evening to share her b-day with her.

Well....so much for plans! Shortly after 10pm Thursday night, I started feeling sickish, starting with yes, a migraine. Ugh. So, with no sleep that night, it was safe to say I was in for it. I had a bad headache for much of the day Friday, and although I was fatigued, I couldn't sleep. Here's the kicker.....don't laugh now.....

I heard the girls' fans running upstairs, and I was annoyed that they left them on. I dragged myself upstairs to shut them off, saw their overflowing laundry baskets in their rooms, and thought, hey, I will probably feel like doing that later, I'll take them down now. Did I mention how woozy I'd been feeling before this?? I took one step down with the laundry basket and next thing I knew, I was skidding down the stairs with my left leg bent completely under me. I banged up both arms pretty good too! At first, my foot was burning and I thought for sure I broke it. I stopped panicking and tried to stand on it. Good news. Nothing broken but my dignity! I picked up the basket and the clothes that flew down the steps, limped on down the rest of the staircase, and muttered the only word to describe myself at that moment. Idiot! The bad thing was, I still had my migraine, and now I had a sore body to match, and a mountain of laundry too!

I was a bit sore on Saturday and my arm didn't want to bend right, but as the day went on, I began to feel normal again. Good thing. The headache was gone, but I was feeling really tired. We had a pretty busy Saturday with the girls' activities and another visit from Patty and Regan! We ran some more for the science project and the shoebox toys Saturday night.....it's no wonder I am tired today!

So, we just got back from celebrating mom's late birthday. She wanted to watch a movie with us, so we watched "UP". She made us dinner and we shared a yummy cake. Did you catch that? She made her own birthday dinner! Oh, mom....

Mom also came over while I was sick. She walked into my room where Sophie and I were resting, patted my hair, and told me there was chicken soup and vernors on the bar. She kissed my forehead and told me to sleep. For a second, I felt 10 years old again. Isn't it just like a mom? We really are at our best when our kids need us most. I squinted up at her, said, sorry about your birthday mom. Love you. Thank you. Then I shut my eyes and felt like crying. Only I won't cry with a headache. It makes it worse!!

So, happy birthday mom, and thanks for all your love.

Be blessed, my friends, and let nothing stand in your way!

God Bless the Veterans

I am safe, warm, and comfortable. I have everything I need. I know where my family is and I can pretty much do whatever I want. Never a day goes by that I take that for granted. The men and women of this country make it possible for us to live our lives freely by giving their lives freely.

So, to all the veterans, including those in my family, to all the soldiers and their families....

God Bless You! Thank You! We love you!! Most of all, we won't forget what you've done and what you do!

Scrapapalooza

Well, last Saturday was our Crop day at church, and a whopping 4 of us showed up. Of course, Jenn and I put it together, so actually 2 showed up. Kinda disappointing, not because people weren't there, but because it has been nearly impossible to find anyone who enjoys scrapbooking. It really is an art that is fun to do with someone else who enjoys it. I don't know how much Jenn got done, but I didn't scrapbook at all! I sat there and caught up on my correspondence, messed around with my laptop, and put tab dividers in my sister's new Bible. Then I actually did a layout for Rachel, who is putting a book together for her son for his upcoming graduation. She despises scrapbooking of any kind, but wants him to have a book of his own. So, the three of us took her photos and are working on her layouts at home.

I have to say, I have not had a passion for scrapbooking for about the last 4 or 5 years, although I used to be quite addicted. I'm hoping through working on Rachel's pages that the passion will reignite in me so I can finish the many scrapbooks I started for my girls.

They will be treasures one day! It's not just the book they enjoy, but seeing their mom sitting for hours working on pictures of them, adding journaling and titles, it really makes them feel special! They would walk by while I was working on my pages and just get big smiles on their faces! I always enjoyed showing Steve my finished work. Actually, I did make him a nice scrapbook for Christmas last year. I forgot about that. It is one of his favorite gifts from me, and is at his office so he can see it whenever he just needs to feel better.

So, I guess my hobby needs to become a gift again. To me and to those I treasure most. It is what connects me to my friend Patty, whose continual encouragement makes me want to grab the glue tabs again! It is what connected me to Jenn, as I watched her working on her beautiful, and I mean, beautiful works of art!

Jenn is passionate about sharing her gift with others, and I hope it catches on so she has that opportunity to teach us something really special!!

Now if I could just hook her up with Patty....oh, wouldn't that be a fun day??

IPS +SOS= GOD

Life is getting busier and busier as the holidays approach, so I may be a bit absent now and then. Of course, many of my fellow bloggers have been AWOL for some time too. It's just cyclical, I guess. (or a better commitment to Facebook...you know who you are!)

November is getting full of activities and obligations, and believe me, I will try to stay positive, but my IPS is screaming. IPS. That's "Internal Positioning System". A whole new abbreviation for the 20 somethings to steal. That means internally, I am spinning around while the outside of me appears somewhat normal. "Calgon, take me away" won't even cut it !

So, after I just deleted the 3 paragraphs that originally followed the above, I will leave you with this.

"Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me. For I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28

Jesus said that! God didn't give His Son for me so that I let the troubles of life, people, and situations get the best of me. He will provide all I need to handle it all. What I can't do, He will take from me and carry it on His shoulders. He will then comfort me and make it possible for me to do the work He laid out for me to do, unhindered by this world.

You're wondering what those 3 paragraphs said? It was nothing that would have lifted you up, encouraged you, or helped you in any way. Really, we all know life is challenging, and it's often the little things that really irk us, but the bigger picture is that God knows what we go through and what we need and we need to trust that He will provide the rest, strength, and patience that we need! Venting is something to be careful of.....instead of throwing a fit, use that energy to tell God what's on your mind and why. He will settle you down! He says to me, "Hey, little missy, settle down!!" He speaks my language, and I know He speaks yours too! Just quiet your heart, open your ears, and let it in.

We all have reasons to be upset or disappointed, and we do need to share those with people and share the burdens that we bear. God allows us to help others by sharing what we go through, and it is important to do that. However, sometimes I just feel better by taking a few minutes to think about how God has blessed me. I then take some time and pray about someone who needs God in his or her life, and it takes the focus off me altogether. What I was "snitting" about suddenly pales in comparison and I feel like a spoiled brat! God's spankings are sometimes the best!! :)

I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me. (Phil. 4:13)

You can too!!

Yes, Connie...I Share Recipes!!

I'm sorry, but I think people who have a great recipe and won't share it are just mean. That's right. Mean! It's like the kid who has a giant chocolate bar and says, "Neener neener, I have something yummy and you'll never have it unless I decide to give it to you! " I mean, come on, food is to be enjoyed and shared, right? Who cares if someone wants to make your Grandma's famous cookies? I think you should be honored that someone loves it so much that they want to pass on the tradition of making it for the ones they love. No, recipes should not be coveted. They should not rot in the bottom of your recipe drawer long after you're gone. In fact, I'm pretty sure that if there are people out there not sharing recipes, that soon the "Recipe Paparazzi" will be following you around! You better guard it with your life. They will get you and we'll be eating whatever it is you are too stingy to share. I'm being funny, please withhold your hate mail.

Okay, with my speech being said, here is a recipe that I borrowed from the famous Taste of Home magazine. It was sent in by an obviously gracious lady, Nancy Roper from Etobicoke, Ontario, wherever that is. There. With credit being given, knock yourself out, Connie, here it comes! Thank you, Nancy, for not being stingy!!

Creamy Cranberry Coffee Cake (from Feb./Mar. 2003)

2 cups all purpose flour
1 cup sugar
1-1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 egg
3/4 cup orange juice ( use the good kind)
1/4 cup butter, melted (not margarine)
1 tsp. vanilla (mexican, if you have it)
2 cups coarsely chopped fresh or frozen cranberries
1 T grated orange peel

Cream Cheese Layer :

1 8oz. pkg. Philadelphia cream cheese, softened (the full fat kind, of course)
1/3 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp. vanilla

Topping:
3/4 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup cold butter (not margarine)

In a large bowl, combine the first four ingredients. Combine the egg, orange juice, butter, and vanilla; stir into dry ingredients until well combined. Fold in the cranberries and orange peel. Pour into a greased 9" springform pan.

In a small mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add egg and vanilla; mix well. Spread over batter. (lick spoon) Combine the flour and sugar; cut in butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle over top.

Place pan on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 for 70-75 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes before removing sides of pan. (Loosen belt and get a fork)

Yield: 12 servings

Enjoy, enjoy. It is a keeper. Everywhere I take it, people swoon and their eyes go back in their heads. It is a time-consuming recipe for sure, so give yourself lots of time to prepare. Oh, and if you're still being stingy with that recipe. Just give it up. I'm tired of your "neeners", and I will probably get tired of your "special dish" before too long as well!!

Family Fun

It's been a family tradition for the past few years for us to have a little party on the Friday before Halloween. We carve our pumpkins, bob for apples, eat and play games all night. This year, we changed it up a bit and invited grandma and grandpa to come. I had organized a scavenger hunt (yes, in the wind and rain), and it turned out to be a lot of fun for the girls.
This is the pizza snake that I made. Yes, me, big ole scaredy cat me. I despise snakes. Even pizza ones!

Here's just a bit of the yummy spread. We had "arachnamole" (guacamole), eye of newt (wraps), "mummy dogs", cider with a floating hand, a brownie spider web cake, caramel popcorn with gummy worms, pumpkin seeds, and so much more! It was such a fun party. I know mom and dad loved being with us. We played dominoes and laughed a bunch. It took me two days to put this little shindig together, but it was well worth the effort.

We made time to get over to Maxwell's Pumpkin Farm again. Another tradition we've had for a long time. The girls still enjoy picking out their pumpkins. You're never too old for a pumpkin farm!

There's Miss Gypsy. Serena enjoyed this costume for the sheer fact that she could wear giant hoop earrings and look "pretty". She was quick to correct those who called her a fortune teller. She doesn't think too highly of them, obviously!

Oh, what a great day at the Lazy Day Spa. Natalie didn't really care to get candy, but she enjoys dressing up and hanging out at Grandma's. They live in town and get hit pretty hard, so she likes to watch all the cute kids come up the steps for candy.

Between the church trunk n treat party, the party at school, the party at home, the actual visiting on Halloween, and the football dinner on Sunday, we are pretty partied out!

Actually, we never get tired of parties, and we never get tired of having fun as a family. I enjoy every minute I get to spend with my family no matter what we're doing! Oh, my costume, you ask?? I went as "Steve's girlfriend". I wore Steve's old varsity jacket from high school and chased after him all night. :)