New Blog Look
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Hey,
So what do you think of my new blog look? It’s been streamlined and reflects my personality a little more. This is not the original header graphic I intended. I’m still waiting on my custom caricature. :-(. I designed this header myself using various clipart images as templates from a royalty free website and created what you see here. What do you think? I’m hoping to have the new character soon and at that point my website will undergo another transformation. Until then, this will do. lol.
Have a blessed day and tell me what you think.
Home Eating a Threat to Public Kitchens?
Filed Under Humor, General | Leave a Comment
Someone sent this to me and I just had to share. This is too funny! I don’t know who wrote it, but I’d be happy to give credit where credit is due. Enjoy.
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Home Eating a Threat to Public Kitchens?
State Allows Growing Trend of Eating At Home
April 13, 2099
Reunited Press
After much heated debate on the house floor, legislation was passed today to allow a growing number of families to cook meals for their families in their homes. The children must have annual physical examinations to assure proper growth and weight gain. Attempts to require weekly meal plans and monthly kitchen inspections were voted down.
A spokesperson from the National Association of Nutritionists (NANs) condemns this decision. “These children are being denied the rich socialization and diversity that is an essential part of the eating process. Without the proper nutritional background, it is impossible for the average person to feed their own children. We, as child advocates, see this as a step backwards and speak out for the sake of the children who cannot speak for themselves.”
Homecooking parents say the benefits of eating at home include increased family unity and the ability to tailor a diet to a particular need. Elizabeth Crocker, a home cook, states, “We started cooking and eating at home when we realized that my son had a severe allergy to eggs. The public kitchens required him to take numerous medications that had serious side effects in order to counteract his allergy. We found that eliminating eggs was a simpler method and our son has thrived since we began doing so.”
After this experience, the Crockers decided to home cook for all of their children, and converted their media room into a kitchen. Elizabeth says, “We have experienced so much closeness as we have explored recipes and spent time cooking together and eating together. We have a dining circle with other families where we sometimes share ideas and meals together.”
The Crocker children have done well physically under their mother’s care, weighing in at optimum weights for their ages and having health records far above average. It should be noted that Mrs. Crocker, while not a professional nutritionist, has a family history rich with nutritionists and home economists. “Surely the success of the Crocker children is due to the background of their mother,” responded the spokesman from NANs. “The results they have achieved should not be viewed as normative.” Mrs. Crocker counters that her background was actually a hindrance to the nutritional principles she follows. “Our paternal great-grandmother was a home economist, but she prepared most meal from pre-made mixes. In our homecooking we try not to duplicate public-kitchen meals, but to tailor our meals to the needs and preferences of our children.”
In a related issue, legislation is in committee that would provide oversight for the emerging homecooking movement. Says the Home Eating Legal Defense Association (HELDA): “We want to provide umbrella kitchens to aid parents in the complicated tasks of feeding their children. Many families lack the expertise of the Crocker family, yet desire to eat at home. As we have seen, the umbrella kitchens meet the needs of all concerned. We are happy to provide this service.”
What I Learned on the Zip Line
Filed Under Philosophy, Faith, General | 1 Comment
This past weekend I went on a women’s retreat. It was a great time and an enlightening experience. For the first time in my life I did something really fearful. Well, at least for me anyway. I’ve always thought of myself as somewhat brave, but I never put my physical body in harms way unless I have to.
Our women’s group stayed the high school camp of Pine Cove. One of the hallmark activities there is the zip line that comes down off of a high tower down through the pine trees. I decided to take a chance. I was a bit apprehensive, but I thought, “I can do this.”
As I started to strap on my harness and put on my helmet, I started thinking,”What am I doing?” “Am I nuts?” Then I thought, “If kids can do this, I can too.” I got on my gear and got my rope and started the climb up the tower. On the way up I remember thinking, “Am I there yet?” “How high is this thing?” Then I stepped out unto the platform and see how far the drop was and my stomach started to feel queasy. I was the last one up and the helper had started clipping everyone onto their safety ropes and explaining the rules. “Am I really going to do this?” I asked myself. He then clips us all onto our zip ropes and instructs us to sit down on the platform. He tells us that you don’t have to go if you don’t want to, but if we’re ready to scoot forward and dangle our legs over. I’m looking down and thinking, “Lord be with me.” The helper now says to get into position and scoot forward so only our rear is on the platform and on his mark to lean forward to go off the platform. My heart is racing. “Am I going to do it?” I ask myself. “Yes, I am going to do this!” I have to.
He says go. Three of the four of us lean forward and off we go. I am scared out of my wits. I’m thinking, “What did I do?” But it’s too late. The initial drop was a free fall until the rope caught. It was the scariest thing I’ve ever experienced. Then next thing you know, I’m whizzing through the trees and it is so cool. Then it’s over.
So what did I learn in this? Sometimes the scariest thing in life is to take that initial step. But once you get over the fear and just do it, you just may find that it is a fun ride. On a spiritual note, I also learned that God is always there to help us along and He WILL catch us when we fall if we just trust in Him and don’t let our fears get the best of us.
What are you afraid of doing? Don’t you think it is about time that you take that next step?
Changes coming soon
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Hi All,
This is just a heads up that I will be making some changes to my website very soon. I am so excited. My colors and designs will be changing as I switch gears in my life. I have great lady working on a really cool graphic for me that will be my new “online presence.” I can’t wait to show you all. Check back soon.
Also, if you read my blog, please let me know. There are no comments on my pages, but I know I have a few readers because they have told me so. Don’t be afraid to post. You only have to create an account to do so. The only reason for that is so I don’t have a bunch of people posting inappropriate things on my page. I won’t spam you or anything. lol.
Allergy Scare
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Last week we experienced our first major allergy scare in a very long time. Two of my three kids have very severe allergies. Highest on their list: peanuts. Well my youngest, who is not allergic, went to his class for the day as usual. Parents take turns bringing in snacks for kids. This particular day the snack consisted of cookie dip sticks and individual containers of peanut butter. Youngest didn’t eat it bu it made it’s way home with us and up the stairs into his room in his backpack. Well one of the girls came into contact with it trying to be a big helper and bringing it down to the kitchen knowing it shouldn’t be upstairs. All of this occured right as we were sitting to dinner. I had no idea what had just transpired since I was busy getting food on the table. As we sit and start eating. I see my little one’s face starting to turn red, then hives starting to form. I couldn’t figure out what was going on. I knew she wasn’t eaing anything she wasn’t supposed to have, or at least I thought she wasn’t. So, I’m thinking contaminated food. But the other one wasn’t having a reaction. So I go to get some benadryl and no benadryl! How did this happen. I’m searching all over the place. Where’s th epipen just in case. Found the epipen. But where in the owrld is the benadryl. Call the neighbor. Does she have any? I don;t have time to keep looking. Yes, she has some. Come on. Let’s go for a walk. Whew! Benadryl stpped the reaction. So, what happened? It was then I learned from hubby that she’d brought down the container of peanut butter. It have never been opened, but just touching the container was enough. Fortunately, we didn’t have to get her to a hospital again.But we learned a valuable lesson. Which brings me to an interesting point:
Why do comapnies continue to mass produce items and cross contaminate products? With the surge in allergies these days, why aren’t better manufacturing policies in place? Also, you ever wonder why there are so many allergies these days? What are we doing to our environment and our food supply? Genetically engineered food? Why?
Last, what’s a parent to do when one of there other allergens is corn? We now have corn based plastics use for food packaging, plastic cups, plates and knives and the like. They are not required to put warning labels on their packaging. I fear the world my preceious children have to grow up in.
People Who Drive Too Fast
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On the soapbox again… This time it’s about people who drive too fast.
Okay, I live in an area that’s near another area that is known for it’s maniacal drivers. So much so, that I try to stay out of the city as much a possible and only go there when I have to. But the trend is starting to reach the suburbs too.
First, yes I do have an SUV. And before you start to beat up on me for it. I also have to haul kids and product around on a normal basis. Plus, most of the things I do are within 10 miles from my home, so I really am not wasting that much gas. Basically, I could drive the HOV lane every time I leave my home. AND when I bought my vehicle, there were not any good hybrid cars available and my SUV actually gets pretty good gas milage for what it is and it could fit three car/booster seats. lol.
So, back to the story…
The crazy driving is making it’s way to the suburbs. Plus, in view of all of the news you hear about people doing strange and awful things on the road, I’m scared to do anything about it. I’m talking about those people that drive faster than the speed limit and drive so close to your bumper that if you had to stop or slow down for any reason, they’d ram right up your back end. Defensive driving tells you to slow down a bit to make them slow down, but I fear that if I do that, they’d get mad and do something crazy. My husband says put on the breaks, but I fear that too sometimes. Especially when I have my kids with me. So, basically, I either have to speed up and break the law or put my children’s (and my) saftey at risk. What kind of choice is that? I also live in an area where many of the lanes are turn offs. A lot of the roads meet up in sections then split off. So most of the time the lane I’m in, I have to be in it to get where I going. Plus I rearely travel in the far left lane unless I have to.
What’s a person to do? In this age where you hear about road rage so much, and people shooting others over nothing, how do you protect yourself? And don’t say ride the bus. I also live in an area that has no buses. 
“Oh, I’m sorry I was speeding, Officer. That man was driving so close to me that I was trying to get away before he hurt me or my kids.”
Another pet peeve: big rigs that drive way too fast on the roads with cars. But that’s yet another soapbox….
Another Credit Card Bites the Dust
Filed Under Faith, General | Leave a Comment
Woo hoo! Another credit card down the drain. This really is starting to get easier. Once you get the hang of the rapid reduction strategy and start applying it, it really makes a difference!
What you do is list all of your credit cards and minimum payments in order from smallest to largest. Carve out an extra hundred dollars from your budget somewhere. Apply that hundred to your smallest credit card - above the minimum amount. And pay until it’s gone. Then you take ALL of that money and pay it towards the next one. You’ll find that your cards start falling like flies. Of course we took an additional step on the front to jump start our payoff by applying some of our tax return to totally pay off our smallest card. Then put the initial one hundred and minimum of that card towards the next card. We were able to pay that one off and start on the next one. It’s really cool.
You never think about how much debt you’re really in until you do something like this. I never thought we were poverty stricken or anything, but any time you cannot pay off everything you owe it’s not good. Our society has become so used to the subtlety of debt that we don’t even think of it much any more. In the 1950’s, credit cards and “on account” barely existed and where you did have it, you were required to pay it off on a periodic basis. Yeah sure we can get that big screen TV right now, but think of how much you are actually paying for it in the long run. Our goal is to totally pay off everything, including our cars and house. What’s yours?
That reminds me, buy something please. lol. Or sign up for a class. (wink, wink). Have a glorious day!
Financial Freedom
Filed Under Reading & Books, General | Leave a Comment
As I mentioned in one of my earlier posts, hubby and I are on the road to financial freedom as taught by out church through the ABC’s of Financial Success. Here is the link I promised you: The ABC’s of Financial Success The book can be found at The Disciple Shop. And it also has a matching workbook and CD series available to it. We are so excited about this. We have already paid off one entire credit card and one the verge of another one in just 6 weeks without totally sacrificing our entire lives. I encourage everyone to give this a try. It has plans for budgets and rapid payoff. It is way cool! You’ve gotta try it.
Looking for a Business Venture?
Filed Under Business, General | Leave a Comment
Okay, this is a shameless plug for my newest business venture. But you know what? I’m trying to share the wealth with those that need it or want it.
Are you looking for a little sideline business to make some extra cash? You just have to check out Letters By Design. It’s fairly new but the products are excellent and pretty much sell themselves. Plus, it only take $5 to get started. And that’s just the setup fee to get you a website going for people to order from. All yu have to do is sign up and point people to your affiliate website.
I love all of their products. I had to sign up to get the discount because I knew I would probably end up buying the whole store. lol.
But seriously, check it out. If you don’t want to sign up, still take a look. You may want to buy something. 
Here is the link: Letters By Design My affiliate number is 172 if you decide to join for the cash or the discount. If you think you’ll spend more than $25 there, go ahead and join, your discount will cover your fee easy.
Busy, Busy Lady
Filed Under Parenting, Faith, General, Homeschooling | Leave a Comment
Hi All,
So I bet you’ve been wondering what’s happened to me. Well, I have been extremely busy. Between being sick, another story for another day, homeschooling my kids and keeping up with my teaching responsibilities, it’s been crazy.I started teaching children’s classes at JoAnn’s and I have become quite popular it seems. I have had many classes over the last couple of months and looks like a full schedule for next semester.
In the meantime, hubby and I have decided to do the ABC’s of Finance with our church. Our pastor is encouraging everyone to become totally debt free and we are going to give it a whirl. Many of the principles of the ABC’s are very similar to those taught by Dave Ramsey.Once you look at your credit cards and see just how much money the creditors are making off of you, you’ll be convinced this is they way to go. Just think of all that money you can use to do other things that you are paying your credit card and mortgage company. We are extremely excited about the prospect. According the principles, you can be totally debt free including paying of your house (yes, you house too) in 7 years or less. Isn’t that amazing! We are totally into this. I’llpost the link to our church’s website with the ABC’s on it in a little. Our pastor wrote the book and goes around speaking about. He also practiced what he preaches. His book is based on his own experience. So he knows what he is talking about.
I’ll post some photos and stories about my sewing classes later this week too. The kids that I have been teaching are so awesome. It’s amazing what a child can learn if you just take the time out to teach them.
keep looking »