Throwback Thursday

I saw this the other day and it made me laugh out loud. It's so true, isn't it?

Do you know what movie this scene is from??

Life is too short to cook for you people

Here is another Bottolfini staple. This means it's easy and delicious.

Taco Salad. Yum-o as that pest on Food TV would say.

So here's what you're gonna do to wow your family this week.

Brown 1# of ground beef or turkey in a skillet. Drain off the grease and return the pan to the range. Add to the cooked meat 2 cans of chili beans and 1 jar (I think it's about 12 ounces) of salsa. Simmer it for about 15 minutes. It should look like this:



Return the pan to the stove and add one bag or half head of shredded lettuce, one bag or about 2 cups of shredded cheese, and a small can of sliced black olives. Mix it all together.

I know it sounds gross but the best ideas always do, right?





Serve over Fritos. I like Chili Cheese Fritos but you can use plain if you want. Or maybe Tostitos.



It should look something like this - cell phone optional.

Yum right? I added jalapenos after I took the picture but I didn't want to scare you.

Enjoy!

GratiTuesday

Back to your regularly scheduled brand of mediocrity and it happens to be Tuesday!

You know what that means, it's time to give a little shout out to the Lord for something in life for which I am truly grateful.

Today I am thankful for my hobby as a creative outlet for my stress. Sometimes when life seems overwhelming and absurd beyond comprehension I open my little scrapbooking closet and there I feel comforted by the colors and trinkets. I can sit and doddle for hours gluing and stamping without a care in the world.

I only discovered this hobby one short year ago and thought I'd never understand but thanks to my wonderful friend Janelle (who moved away and I miss so much) I have become a regular scrappin addict. This girl has wicked talent, my friends. If you ever need scrappin advice, visit her blog and send her an email. She is all over it.

Sorry about that

Sorry about the impromptu blogging break.  We had a funeral to attend out of state and I didn't think there was anything appropriate to post during that hiatus.

Thanks for being patient.

Join us tomorrow for your regularly scheduled blogging.

R.I.P. Burton Bottolfson

I was hoping to blog about Veteran's Day today and in a way, I am.

I will dedicate this entire post to one Vet who is most deserving of an entire post.  My husband's namesake and hero who passed away in his sleep last night.

May you rest in peace Grandpa Burt.  We know God has called home one of his Angels.

Readers

Recently I had my annual eye exam and much to my dismay I was told I was in need of readers.  

Initially, I pushed through my obvious need for them because 1) I felt I was way too young for readers.  I was planning to wear cute readers in my 40s but they are not in my current fashion plan; and 2) I was quite confident the military optometrist was young enough to be my son and probably made a mistake. 

I did my usual mumbling and complaining to anyone who would listen.  I figured I could talk my way out of them with Carl since he usually buys into what I'm telling him.  It didn't work.

I mentioned my need for readers to Michael and he said something about me being a cougar like Sarah Palin.  This peaked my interest and I immediately Googled her glasses.  I didn't like them, but I was a little more interested to find that all readers didn't come with matching neck chains.  I started shopping around and found a cute pair of burgundy Coach readers with rhinestone dragonflies on the arms.  Score.

But wait, it gets better.

When Carl and I went to order my cute little readers (see how they are cute now?) the optometrist had to measure my eyes for the glasses.  She had me look into  something that measured the distance between my eyes to make sure the lenses were set properly.  As she pulled the measuring device back she did a double take.  I assumed something was wrong.  She said, "well that's strange, they're perfectly symmetrical.  you don't see that very often".

I looked up at Carl and asked, did you hear that, perfectly symmetrical?  Then I asked her to say it again.

I like this reader thing.  It's gonna be alright.

Funny Friday

There were 3 good arguments that Jesus was Black:
1. He called everyone brother.
2. He liked Gospel.
3. He couldn't get a fair trial.

There were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was Jewish:
1. He went into His Father's business.
2. He lived at home until he was 33.
3. He was sure his Mother was a virgin and his Mother was sure He was God.

Then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was Italian:
1. He talked with His hands.
2. He had wine with His meals.
3. He used olive oil.

Then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was a Californian:
1. He never cut His hair.
2. He walked around barefoot all the time.
3. He started a new religion.

Then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was an American Indian:
1. He was at peace with nature.
2. He ate a lot of fish.
3. He talked about the Great Spirit.

Then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was Irish:
1. He never got married.
2. He was always telling stories.
3. He loved green pastures.

But the most compelling evidence of all - 3 proofs that Jesus was a WOMAN:
1. He fed a crowd at a moment's notice when there was no food.
2. He kept trying to get a message across to a bunch of men who just didn't get it.
3. And even when He was dead, He had to get up because there was work to do.

Throwback Thursday

Is it love or is it Memorex?

One of my favorite things about the 80s was mix tapes.  You'd wait for hours for the DJ to play your favorite song and even though he'd talk over the first half of it, you'd record it, along with others and give them to the one you loved.  It was the thought, right?

Mix tapes.  Remember?  Everyone had them.

I found this website and made a tape for Carl.  He didn't get it, but, well, he's Carl.

Check it out and make one for the one you love.  He'll think you're wicked cool for trying.

Ducky Surgery

This is not Ducky's first brush with death.

By the look on Bruiser's face, you can see how close we came to losing Ducky this time. Ducky almost didn't make it.



Luckily mama has mad whip stitching skills and was able to quickly sew up Ducky before too many insides or the all important noise maker came out.

Yes, the glove was necessary if you must know. Carl asked me that too. It wasn't to keep the incision clean. Oh, no. It was to protect my hand from the, ahem, drool that covered the wound prior to the operation. I didn't clean the site very well prior to the treatment in an effort to save time and eliminate trauma (i.e. I didn't want Bruiser to cry for 20 minutes when Ducky was furiously spinning in the rinse cycle).

You Gotta Vote **UPDATED**

Today's the Day, Folks. You Gotta Vote.

**Updated 11/5/08...um...not like that though.**

Yes, You Forgot My Blogiversary

Today marks the one year anniversary of my first blog post evar.

If we were married, you'd be sleeping on the couch tonight.

But this post is about celebrating ME. So let's get on with that. I'm sure somebody, somewhere got me a cake, right? And just so you know, my blogiversary happens to coincide with Cliche Day, Digital Scrapbooking Day, Fala Day and Sandwich Day so now you guys won't forget to buy me presents next year.

When you think you can't eat your cake and have it too, think of me.

Now, I've got a little bloggity something for you. Leave me a comment about why you keep coming back. Come on. Tell me your favorite part of the Pack. Please? Don't leave me hanging.

After all, I wouldn't have been posting for a year if you didnt' keep reading. I'd have given up long ago.

There might even be a little something in it for you.

Linkage

Interesting Stuff: The Trophy Kids Go to Work

Free Stuff: Get a Free Target Bag

Blissful Thinking:  Downsizing

Funny Friday

Happy Halloween!!!

Throwback Thursday

Because I truly, honestly LOVED the 80's with a passion few will ever understand, I'm going to dedicate this blog, on occasion, to that very decade. I'm going to host a little something I'd like to call "Throwback Thursday".

Oh, how I LOVED the 80's. Big flock of seagulls hair, blue eye shadow, 5 Swatches, the list goes on and on.

I'd go back if I could.

Tell me your favorite thing about the 80s? Wearing multi-colored socks perhaps? Hi-Tops? Leg Warmers? Mix Tapes? Bad acting? Maverick?

Just call me Martha!

Do you make treats for your co-workers around holidays? Me either.

How about your day care providers? Not me.

The people you see every week when you take your dog in for blood work? You betcha!

How about the people your dog sees once a month to have his fuzzy buns washed and brushed? Of course!

Every holiday the kids take special treats to those people who treat them best. They pile into the Tahoe with daddy and hand deliver home made goodies and lots of kisses to the ones they love.

This month I went a little overboard.

I hand dipped scary bones with blood inside. Down to the very last detail. Yep, that's what the crazy dog mommies do. Only after I packaged them up did I realize a Vet probably wouldn't think bloody bones were cool.

This dog mom's lost it.

GratiTuesday

It's Tuesday so you know it must be time for me to give that Lord and his crazy sense of humor a Big 'Ole Shout Out~ Holla if you hear me!

So lately I've been trying to find good even in the things that don't seem so fun. Like, I don't know, my job. If you know me at all you know I've been overwhelmed and struggling with everything that's happened at work lately.

I tried to find the many blessings in the fact that I have employment while others struggle to find a job. I just couldn't do it anymore; I was about to admit defeat.

I pulled up the driveway after a terrible day, with tears in my eyes, I saw these little heads peaking through a specially carved window in the fence. Their tails must have been wagging so furiously because their heads were moving! I could almost see their smiles!

Bruiser

Divita

The blessingright now isn't my job after all. It is the "something" I come home to.

I'm still praying for this other job that I really want. Feel free to join in. In my mind's eye it would be a much better fit for me. If God see's fit, I sure would like to have it.

I'll keep you posted.

Guess who's coming to dinner?

Me & Mikey

Carl's going TDY (read: on a business trip) for a week or so in November and Michael's coming to keep me company. Military wife rumor mill get started.

He's my best friend in the entire freakin' world and I can't wait. We're like one person when we're together. He's actually going to stamp camp with me! Agh!

Do I have the best husband in the entire universe or what? Such a tolerant man.

Love you, babe.

I'm Speechless

It's so beautiful, it doesn't even need words.

Funny Friday

My friend Nikki sent this to me the other day in an email. It was so funny I asked her for permission to repost it here.

So with her blessing, I present to you:

Life with Dad



I took my dad to the mall the other day to buy some new

shoes and we decided to grab a bite at the food court.



I noticed he was watching a teenager sitting next to us.



The teenager had spiked hair in all different colors:

green, red, orange and blue.



My dad kept staring at him. The teenager would look and

find him staring every time.



When the teenager had enough, he sarcastically asked,

'What's the matter old man, never done anything wild in your life? '



Knowing my Dad, I quickly swallowed my food so that I would

not choke on his response; knowing he would have a good one.



And in classic style he did not bat an eye in his response.



'Got drunk once and had sex with a peacock. I was just

wondering if you were my son.'

People, I need you **UPDATED**

With the holidays coming up I've got gift giving on my mind and I was wondering:

What is the most thoughtful gift you have ever received?

What is the best gift you have ever bought for yourself?

What is a gift or gifts you have given to someone else that made you feel so good inside you are so glad you gave it?

Think it over and let me know? I'm gonna post about it in a few weeks.

If you aren't comfortable posting your answer in comments or don't know how, you can email or text me your answer.

I'll be writing about it in a few weeks.

Please share?

**UPDATED TO ADD - I'm not looking to steal gift giving ideas. This is all in the spirit of thoughtfulness around the holidays**

A lil confession to make

I love hair and accessories. Make up and glitter. Nails and Shoes.

I'm sure you know it too.

Did someone say accessories? Or shoes? Okay, so speaking of accessories, check out my cute new Naughty Monkey Ballet Flats! Cute, right?!



Back on task.

I have a little confession to make to ya'll.

I haven't had a good haircut since I moved to California.

That's right.

Me.

Bad, crooked, chunky, over processed hair = me.

There are a lot of stories, good gossipy stories leading up to this, but I'll spare you because yesterday I met Jessica.

That's right. Jessica single-handedly made my hair beautiful (for a cost I have no intention of sharing with my husband.)

I spent FIVE hours with Jessica picking out various shades of honey, caramel and chocolate (I picked them all) to low, mid and hi light my hair with. Then she razored, snipped and sang her way through my hair cut.

I love her and I will be signing over whatever remains of each paycheck (you know, after the furkids are done with it) every month for her to gloss, snip and whatever else she does back there for me to end up with this.

What do you think?

Oh, and I'm hoping we can reduce the five hour thing to about 2.

GratiTuesday

I've been having some trouble with GratiTuesday lately. Not because I have trouble being grateful, but because as I write, I feel almost as if I'm bragging.

Today I was going to write about how grateful I was that my mom could afford to visit us each month because I love her company but the more I thought about it, the more it sounded braggy. Does that sound braggy? Like, "haha my mom has enough money to visit"? I never meant for it to come off that way. Agh. Carl said it did.

So I'm going to write about something else but would y'all weigh in on my gratefulness delivery? Does it come off that way? Should I ditch the GratiTuesday idea in lieu of something else? No good deed goes unpunished, does it?

DELETE and REWRITE.

I'm grateful for the Internet!

For example, just last night I wanted to tell my mom a story but it was late and I thought she might already be in bed so I typed up my notes and hit send. Instantly the story was waiting for her in her Inbox for a morning read!

Another reason I love the Internet is that I live in a small town that is practically worthless when it comes to shopping. What do I do when I need, yes I said need, something? I go online!

What about blogging? How would you ever know that I'm a grateful bragger if I didn't get on the 'ole Internet and start typing away?!?

My friend E lives in Nova Scotia. Yah, that's right, Canada. Not easy to make the connection without a quick email. Blessings of the Internet? I talk to her almost everyday!

And finally, Google. How would I instantly know the answer to EVERYTHING if it weren't for Google (and Wikipedia)?

My love for the Internet is endless and a little braggy.

Fast Bulbs & Gravy

Yesterday afternoon while I was preparing one of my husband's favorite meals for the fifty millionth time I started to wonder why some people refuse to share their recipes.

I've never shared this recipe but mostly out of shame. My grandmother on my father's side insists that there is "no such thing as good Italian food fast" and I'm afraid that she just might be a little bit incorrect about this meal. Therefore, I declare that this meal is NOT Italian, just good. (Or maybe it's not the 19th century anymore and things are made a little faster.)

Either way, I'm NOT saying Grandma D is wrong. No way. No how.

This is also not Grandma D's recipe, it's mom's. So Grandma would probably have a complaint about that too.

Anyway, on to the recipe. I might warn you that I DO NOT measure but I'm a fairly good guesstimator, if I do say so myself.

BULBS

• 1.5 # of Ground Turkey or Beef


• 1 tube of Ritz crackers


• 3 eggs


• 2 TBSP Chili Powder


• 2 TBSP Flour


• 1 Onion


• 1 Green Pepper


• 3 Cloves Garlic
  
• Salt


• Pepper
  

SAUCE (Oh yah, you're making the gravy too)

• Can Of Tomato Juice (Big Can)


• 290z of Tomato Puree
  

Get out a stock pot and pour in the Tomato Juice and Tomato Puree. Bring to a boil for about 15 minutes.

In a separate boil mix together all of the other Bulb ingredients and add to the sauce in even balls after the sauce has boiled 15 minutes. Like this:

I used an ice cream scoop to get the bulbs the same size so they cook evenly. Use whatever you want to make them even.

Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for about an hour and a half. Your house will smell amazing! Serve over pasta al dente with garlic bread (and if you have kids add some sort of vegetable).

I made Halloween cupcakes for dessert...um, out of a box. Hehe.

Funny Friday

This is the front of a card I received from a friend when I turned, um, 30, um, this year.

Yeah, that's right, this year.

I laugh every time I think about it. Mostly because of my very real fear of "mom jeans".

My Little Monkey Is All Growed Up

I'm not her "REAL" dad, so I could never begin to understand what it's like to see her all grown up, but I miss this cute little monkey.

This cute little nugget of a being came into my life when she was four little years old. That's the day I met K.

Her mama, K-Czeck is my best friend. K is a single mama and I used to watch her little ones on occasion when she was just too sick to take one more step. While I love both of her little Nuggets with the same passion only a "fill in daddy" could, Nugget 1 and I stayed closest through the years and distance. We talk almost everyday.

Isn't she adorable???




What happened? She's still so beautiful but now she's all grown up. I've got to admit though, K did an EXCELLENT job as a parent. These are the best and brightest kids I've ever known. I'm flying Nugget 1 out to California next summer to visit for a bit. I miss the little thing, so we're gonna hang out and do stuff friends do (is that what cool people say these days?) We're driving to Solvang to eat chocolate at Mortenson's, we're gonna have Spa day in Santa Barbara and go shopping, and anything else she wants to do.

Cause I miss her.

Hugs kiddo, from your "fill in dad".

Engagement Celebration

Prior to our marriage, not only did Carl & I manage a very long engagement, we managed to break off that engagement over 5 times in 8 years.

That's called commitment, people.

So the other night we celebrated the anniversary of the very last time Carl proposed. You know, the one we ultimately celebrated with a wedding? We celebrated that milestone in our lives by watching the sun fall off the West Coast.

The sunset was beautiful.

First, let me say watching a sunset seems wrong in so many ways. You aren't supposed to look at the sun. Right? I know this. You probably know this. My brilliant husband Carl, however, told me that it was entirely okay to look at the sun as long as I used a CD. Remember this guy? The one with the Master's Degree? Who knows what they were teaching him at that school, but I tried it . For an entire minute I started directly at the sun through the center of the CD until I started crying. Only then did he tell me I was doing it wrong. I was supposed to do it like this:

Silly me.

After I gave up I started snapping pictures and you know what? The sun is beautiful when it falls off the end of the Earth!

Okay, truthfully, I should have put down the camera and stuck my nose in the CD because when the sun finally when down I was upset. I missed the entire thing. I missed it because I was so busy yelling at my camera because the "action" button didn't work the way I expected. Then I yelled at Carl because everything that doesn't work like I expect it to is his fault. Well and anniversaries just aren't anniversaries unless there is yelling.

That is how you make a marriage work.

Love you C1.

GratiTuesday

It's Tuesday so you know it's time for me to give a little shout out to the Lord for something which I am wickedly grateful.

Today's post is going to be all about my Grammy.  Remember how I told you I had the coolest mama in the entire rockin' world?  You know where you get a cool mama?  Well from the coolest Grammy in the entire world, of course.

Yesterday was Grammy's 80th Birthday.    I missed her fancy NY birthday celebration because my new boss is one of the biggest jerks in the entire world, but writing about how much I hate him wouldn't make my grammy's loving heart sing so we're going to skip that and I'm going to tell you some of the wonderful things about my g-ma.  

I can't tell you all of them cause they just won't fit in one post, but I do swear that after I tell you just a few things about her you'll wish she was your own.  She's THAT wonderful.  

Seriously.

For starters, my g-ma is the most selfless person I have ever met in my entire life.

For example:

If you buy g-ma chocolate cake for her birthday she will declare that chocolate is her favorite cake in the entire world and she will love on the cake, and the buyer of said cake, for hours to show her appreciation.

If you are out to eat with the very same g-ma and a chocolate cake is delivered to your table and only one piece remains with two empty plates, that very same g-ma will declare that she never really did care for chocolate cake all that much anyway.

Secondly, G-ma is hilarious.  A few months back I called her to see how g-pa was feeling after a little bout with the flu.  Of course, she's 79 at the time so I wouldn't catch her sitting on the couch when I called.  Oh, no.  I had to leave a message because she might be at the gym teaching calisthenics or at the church cleaning.  G-ma never sits still.  One time I asked her why and she told me people who sit still sometimes don't get up.  Anyway, I called to see how g-pa was feeling and when she finally called me back her answer was, old.  That's right.  She said, he's old.  She wondered why I was surprised by that.

My favorite memories of grammy involve her cooking.  That woman makes amazing home made gravy and even better squash.  Just thinking about it makes my mouth water.  Whenever I'm sick and feeling dumpy I want gravy and squash.  Not chicken noodle soup or  tea.  Just gravy, squash and grammy.

So today I am so thankful that I not only got the coolest mom in the entire world, but I bonused when she did too!

Love you Grammy!

My Husband is EDJUMICATED

Saturday night I took Carl down to Casmalia for a special little treat of over priced corn fed beef and delectable sides to celebrate his new duhgree.  My husband is now the Master of Business.  Had you heard?

He was so proud to be finished even the folks in New York must have heard him yell about it!

As we sat there munching, my husband started a conversation about the economy (oh yes, my husband is a fun one to party with).  Somehow we got around to discussing hair and the cost to get mine cut, colored along with the cost to have all the other girly bits I require maintained each month.  He wondered aloud if stylists and the like made any money.  He actually said to me, "What's the mark up on a hair cut anyway?"

I looked at him with a blank stare.  I'm glad he received his degree before they heard him ask that.  I just smiled and told him how proud I was that he had his Master's Degree.  

I love that man, but he NEEDS me.  

A Sad Little Something

A sad little something followed some great news.

The great news?  My new migraine medicine works amazingly well.  My migraines still happen, and they still happen almost every week (yes, the great news is coming) but they last only an hour or two!  Yay!

The sad little something, you wonder?

My migraine medication made me lose my sense of taste.

That's right.  If I have a bad day and I want to gorge on chocolate, I can.  I just can't taste it.

That's right.  I can't taste chocolate.  At all.

It's like being on a diet and not being able to cheat.  

Part of me wondered if there was a way to move my tongue and rub the chocolate around on my cheeks until it melted.

Okay, I tried it.  It didn't work.

I can't even taste soda, and if you know me, you know I love my soda.

Anyway, I've had quite the week and last night I needed a glass of wine.  I tried to really hard to convince myself that all the bottles we had on hand went bad.  After I'd opened and tasted at least eleven bottles, my husband walked a tear stained and shaken woman back to bed and told me to "let it go".  

My life is over.  I can't taste.

I doubt I'll lose any weight because I'm not a quitter.

I wonder if I'll lose my sense of fashion?

Funny Friday

I'm sure I would have found this more humorous if I would have been able to travel this week.

Unless, of course, it would have been my luggage they tagged.

and this one because I need the love...

Wants Vs. Needs

I don't mind a little confrontation. Actually, it's like my morning coffee, I need it to get me started in the morning.

That being said, please know that is not my intention with this post. I don't normally go all political or religious on this here little blog because my mama told me never to discuss politics or religion with anyone with whom I intend to maintain a friendship.

Therefore, we won't discuss.

I'll talk. You just listen and know that I'm not meaning to delve into anybody's political business.
I'm just spilling what is in my brain. Brace yourselves sometimes it comes out all jumbled up.

First, let me say that this whole economic mess makes me really uncomfortable. I watch the dow plunging and my stomach gets all woozy.

Not only does the financial condition of our country seem to be plummeting, but it seems to be plummeting under conditions that are unprecedented.

The thought that keeps coming to me, however, is that we are getting what we deserve. What did we expect?

Before you get rowdy, know that I am including myself in that "we".

I know several people who are living in 5000 square foot homes but are struggling to pay their electric bill.

Friends who have 75 cents in their checking accounts at the end of each month are driving Hummers.

A family going on a two week luxury vacation with no job to return to when they get back home.

I even have a friend who just bought herself a new Escalade and put rims on it while her house is being repossessed.
I couldn't make that up.

I've made stupid purchases myself. Mountains of clothes with tags still on them hang neatly in my closet. Never worn.

We have money in the stock market and it has been scary. Like, hide in fetal position under my bed kind of scary.

We don't try to live above our meants. I know that we didn't set out to live that way. In fact, I feel that by the world's standards, we live very carefully. But why are we affected by this financial disaster if we aren't living above our means?

Hungry Husband and I have been revamping our budget over the last few months and it has not been fun.

We've had to cut things that are pleasant.

House keeping service? Bye Bye. (Weeping and gnashing of teeth.)

Gym? See ya later.

Mani/Pedi? Only monthly now.

Eating out? Once a week, thank you very much.

Dry cleaning? Might ought to wear things twice.

We are not in financial crisis as much as we are preparing to live more responsibly.

Look at that list of things that we are letting go. I mean, seriously. Each of those items is something that I was letting someone else do for me.

Not one of those things is bad.

I have enjoyed each one immensely.

Immensely.

In no way am I judging anyone who partakes of any of those things.

I am just saying that for our family, at this time, those are not things that I need. They are just things that I want.

Our world has gotten needs and wants really confused.

Do we even know what we need anymore?

I don't know about you, but for the past few years I have felt the urge to simplify my life.
Get rid of stuff. Choose to be involved in things that matter as opposed to the fluff that fills time.
To live richly with less.

However, as our budget analysis has proven, I have a long way to go. I am thinking that I haven't really even started.

I'm wondering about you. Do you have those same thoughts? Have you been overwhelmed by the direction in which our world seems to be heading? Not politically so much, but materialistically?

Oh, and I don't know if you've heard, but I enjoy confrontation if you were thinking you wanted to bring it. You just can't do it today, cause my mama said.

Works For Me Wednesday

It's Works For Me Wednesday again and I've got to be honest. I'm getting a little burnt out. This may be my last contribution.

I know, I know. You're going to so miss my delightful ideas and "can't live without them" techniques, but seriuosly, you can live without most of this stuff.

So brace yourself for my last (maybe) Works for me Wednesday idea.

Right in time for winter colds, I'm going to share with you the best way to get rid of chapped lips fast.

Loading on the Chapstick DOES NOT WORK. You have to remove the "chapped" first.

Take an old toothbrush and dip it in Vaseline.

Brush you lips gently.

You have to get rid of the dry stuff before the Chapstick will ever work.

See. I'm running out of fuel.

GratiTuesday

It's Tuesday so you know it must be GratiTuesday, time for me to give a little shout out to the Lord for something which I am eternally grateful.

Today I'm grateful for my JOB!

Yesterday my boss quit. When you work directly for someone and they quit, well you start to wonder what you'll be doing.

I started to panic that I might be let go. I'm not sure why I worried, but I did. I received a call later in the afternoon that my job was secure and that the SVP would like me to stay on the project.

I need to remember that I chose this. I don't have to work, I WANT to work. I could walk away at any moment and stay home. We would be okay. Maybe not as many dinners out. Maybe not as many Coach Bags or Naughty Monkey shoes. Maybe not as much Stampin!, but we'd make it.

I'm sure in days to come I'll be overwhelmed by the work left behind. I'll be frustrated and angry. I'll cry and stomp my feet (yes, I still do that).

Today I will find grace and peace in my work (before it kicks my ar$e), but I am grateful that I am able to work and that I have a job in this economy and okay, okay you caught me...I'm grateful that I have....no boss!

Can I ask for a little help?

Ya'll listening?

I'm a little nervous.  I really don't like to fly, you see, and I'm leaving for NY on Thursday.

I'm flying all the way to NY from California (Yes, all the way across the country - wah).

Would you kind folks mind saying a quick prayer that I get to NY safely and without any, you know, loss of luggage (or breakfast)?  I kinda, um, get motion sickness and stuff when I travel.

Also, if you could throw in a quick prayer for my Divita (cause I'm even more worried about this part) I'd be really grateful. 

She's just fine but she has that darn Addison's Disease and stress (i.e. Mommy leaving for a week) could have very fatal consequences.  If you could just ask your God if Divita could be stress free and without worry or concern during her mommy's absence I would be extra grateful.

Now I've got to get some rest, because between now and Tuesday, with all my stress, I'm going to try to find something to be really grateful about and that's going to take some serious thinking!

Funny Friday - More Ironic

Nature is never in a hurry, yet things are always finished on time.

Autumn, for instance:

Quilting Cards

Easier than they look.

Works For Me Wednesday

So it's Works for me Wednesday over at Shannon's again (you know, since it's Wednesday and all I probably shouldn't act so surprised).

Since it's also the first Wednesday of the month she got all cute and made it a themed WFMW. It's all about what works for me in the kitchen.

What's with all these southern girls needing to have things work in the kitchen?

You know what works for me in the kitchen? My trash can having a pedal. My fridge having a door handle. I don't know. Ask me something useful.

I guess I have recipes in my kitchen and they work for me when I use them or when I can find them. I keep them in a binder with plastic sheet covers because when I am in the kitchen I tend to be a lot like I am every where else.

That's right. A little messy.

I must say, I'm not all that helpful today.

I hope you weren't expecting much.

Maybe try out Shannon's place and see if you can get some good advice over there.

Try me again tomorrow or on a day when we talk finance or real estate contract documents.

Now there's an interesting subject where I could shed some light.

GratiTuesday - *UPDATED*

It's Tuesday so you know it must be time for GratiTuesday where I give a little shout out to the Lord for something which I am wicked grateful.

Today I'm going to post about my "mama".

Mama and I haven't always been close. We had the ups and downs that normal girls and their moms have.

When I was a teenager I moved out and decided I could do it on my own.

I can, but I don't wanna.

I'm grown now and I still like to "need" my mama.

Actually, she raised me to do it all on my own. I'm a smart girl and I know I can do it.

But I love my mama and I want her around.

I like her to visit. She's smart. And funny.

And when I'm hurt or sick. I still call her.

When I'm sad. I want my mom.

When I'm alone or confused. I call my mom.

I'm grateful God made moms and I'm especially grateful He made mine.

Now call your mama and tell her you love her.

Do it.

And if you don't have a mama. Call mine. She'll love to hear from you.

You know why?

Cause she's a mama, silly.

I love you mama. You're my best friend.

Honestly?

Okay, I need your honest opinion.

And if you're a trolling around and have arrived at this blog, I want your opinion too.

Dink.  Come on.  

Mom.  Log in and leave a comment.  Please.  

Cassandra, I know you're going to leave a comment.

Okay.  So when you make all your cards by hand you have to think ahead a little and you have to start making them months ahead.  

Right, Janelle?

So last year I made all 50 cards the exact same but by the time I was done, I hated the card.

Hated it.  I was so sick of Sage Shadow and Chocolate Chip I couldn't stand it!

So this year I'm thinking I'll make a few different cards and I tried a few out yesterday.

This is my first "try".

Do you like this one?

Be honest.

Oh, and if you decide you like it try to pretend you didn't see it...cause you might get it for Christmas!

Funny Friday

You won't think this is funny unless you regularly watch Mythbusters on Discovery Network.

I bet you already knew that.

Cards and A Sad Story

Here are a couple cards I made over the weekend.

E L MO

A card of loves.

Monday I went to the eye doctor for a routine eye exam and guess who needs readers? 

Yep.    That's right.  Me.

I'm 31 and I need readers. 

How stylish. 

Maybe I could get a fashionable chain to wear around my neck so that I don't lose them or sit on them.

What do you think?

It's a sad day when I don't want to shop, isn't it?

Works For Me Wednesday

It's Works For Me Wednesday over at Shannon's again and for the love of Pete I'm going to share one of my shopping secrets with you people. Do you promise not to tell?

Mypoints.com

That's right. I click thru.

We all know I have a little shopping addiction and I like to get my money's worth. Therefore, everytime I shop online I first visit this website and locate my store. Then I earn points for every dollar I spend. Later I can switch those points for real money.

I know, it seems to good to be true. Right?

So I'm shopping :)

AND

I'm earning points :)

It's a win-win situation.

Maybe next time I'll tell you how I NEVER pay full price.

GratiTuesday

It's GratiTuesday so you know it must be time for me to give a little shout out to the Lord for something in my life for which I am wicked grateful.

I am grateful that God trusts me to care for such medically fragile pets.

At first, when Rajah became paralyzed and the bills started to mount into the tens of thousands I said to the Lord, "Why me?"  I didn't understand why God was punishing me.  I was angry with God.

Then, when Divita was diagnosed with Addison's Disease (among other things) and I faced years of very expensive medical treatments all over again I asked God again, "Why are you punishing me?"

It was only a few months ago that I realized this isn't punishment at all.  This is a gift.  God knows that I can be trusted to care for Rajah, Divita and now Bruiser like no one else can.  He knows that my love for animals far exceeds what most humans can comprehend and I know He plans for these animals to wind up in my care.  

For that I am so grateful.  Not to mention the love I receive in return makes my heart sing.

Amen.

A Book Review - Kinda

Since I had a little extra time over the weekend, I thought I'd share some thoughts with you about The Shack by William Young.

A very sweet friend dropped The Shack on my front porch.  The note inside said, "You've got to read this.  Call me when you're done!"

I could almost feel the intensity of her words.  I'd never heard of the book and right from the start, I knew it wasn't my normal kind of read.  

At all.

But I love my good friend and I was intrigued.

And so I read it.  Every single page in only 2 days.

Here's the synopsis from the back of the book:

Mackenzie Allen Philips' youngest daughter, Missy, has been abducted during a family vacation and evidence that she may have been brutally murdered is found in an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness.  Four years later in the midst of his Great Sadness, Mack receives a suspicious note, ostensibly from God, inviting him back to that shack for a weekend.  Against his better judgment he arrives at the shack on a wintry afternoon and walks back into his darkest nightmare.  What he finds there will change Mack's world forever and quite possibly your own.

In a world where religion seems to grown increasingly irrelevant The Shack wrestles with the timeless question, "Where is God in a world so filled with unspeakable pain?"  The answers Mack gets will astound you and perhaps transform you as much as it did him.  You'll want everyone you know to read this book!

After I read the very last page and closed the book, I called my friend and we talked about this unusual book.  And since we had some questions, we Googled it.

Well.  That is when I discovered that The Shack is a pretty controversial book.  Some churches are teaching it in Sunday School while others are calling it blatant heresy.

Now, let me just say, I'm not taking sides.  I'm not going to give my theological opinion on this work of fiction.  

I'm just not that smart or dedicated.

Here is my two cents:  I picked up the book and I read it.  I'm glad I read it before I was aware of all the controversy surrounding it.

First of all, this is a book of fiction.  I think if people are looking at it as a Biblical guide, they will find fault.  

Secondly, the first 5 chapters are VERY hard to read.  Prepare yourself.  It won't be easy.  

I understand the mystery surrounding it, but it made me really think about what I believe about God.  And I'm glad I read it.

The bottom line for me is while I didn't agree with every word in The Shack, it did challenge my faith and stir my heart to know God deeper.

And in my book, that's a good thing.

Funny Friday

My husband says there are three types of people in this world.

1) Those that can count; and

2) Those that can't.

He's not funny, but this is: