RealNetta

New site... MOVED OUT!

2011-04-11T17:18:00.001-04:00

I still blog!!!
But I have a new site...
Please click HERE.

and you can also get it sent to your email....
click on tiny envelope at the top of my new blog.

please do this...

2011-03-19T19:47:00.000-04:00

Hi,
If you're getting this email you are my friend!
Thank you!
BUT I don't use this site anymore...
1. please please click here (on the word here) to go my
cool new site... and

2. then click on the little envelope on the top right of
my new site

3. Enter your email address in the box (and the weird coded letters)

4. Check your email for a "subscription confirmation"
and click the link that's given

THEN... you'll get my NEW stuff to your emails!

Thank you... cuz I'd really like to stay connected.

:)

Not really here...

2011-02-11T13:04:00.002-05:00

Hi Friends!
I'm not REALLY at this site anymore!
Find my lastest thoughts at...

www.realnetta.com

Something New

2011-02-03T19:05:00.000-05:00

Hi Friends...
If you're reading this you are missing the improved site
that is actually still at www.realnetta.com but it NOT this.
(don't ask me how... my husband & our computer-genius
friends did it!)

Anyway, if you're getting this to your email would you
PLEASE go to my new site and click on the envelope at
the top right of the site. This will allow you to enter your
email address & start receiving my recent posts.
And make sure that when you get a "confirmation email"
to your inbox that you click on it so that my new posts
can be sent to you!

Thanks for reading my thoughts!
That encourages me & hopefully they encourage you, too!

HUGS!

www.realnetta.com

Happy Birthday, Courtney!!!

2011-01-27T07:49:00.000-05:00

Beautiful
Thoughtful
Creative
Original yet Tried & True
Affactionate
Funny
Sensitive & Sincere
Tidy
Expressive
Unique
Loyal
Reflective of Jesus

Happy Birthday, My Beautiful Courtney Ann!

I love you!

Her thoughts can be read on her blog here.

Wordless Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011

2011-01-26T00:00:00.000-05:00

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

It's NOT multiple choice

2011-01-25T00:00:00.001-05:00

Yesterday I shared how worry & prayer don't mix.

Here's another thing Jesus has been speaking to me...

and changing in me.

"Praying specifically" isn't about giving God several
specific ways to answer a prayer.
It's presenting specific needs to God. Period.
And letting Him do the answering.

Phil. 4:6
"Don’t worry about anything;
instead, pray about everything.
Tell God what you need,
and thank him for all he has done.

If we get it into our heads that we must come up
with ways for Him to answer...

- it'll keep us from praying cuz when
we "don't know what to ask for"...
- keeps us frustrated
- keeps us from experiencing miracles
- causes worry

Don't worry... INSTEAD... pray.
Tell God what you NEED.... and thank Him.

My prayers have turned from "not knowing what to
ask for" into something like this...

"Lord Jesus, we have _____ need and only you
can help us."
and
"Jesus, this ____ is so difficult! Please Help!"

Does this lesson from Philippians ring a bell with you?

Menu Plan Monday, Jan. 24, 2011

2011-01-24T17:10:00.000-05:00

MONDAY
Lunch- Do Overs from the weekend
Dinner- Taco Bowls

TUESDAY
Lunch- TLC Sandwiches (Turkey, Lettuce, Cheese)
Dinner- Chicken Pot Pie

WEDNESDAY
Lunch- Homemade Potato Soup, Crackers
Dinner- Teriki Chicken & Br Rice, Broccoli

THURSDAY, Happy B-Day Courtney
Lunch- Cheesy Roll Ups, Salsa
Dinner- Eggplant Parm, Spaghetti, Salad

FRIDAY
Lunch- Smothered Baked Potatoes & Veggies
Dinner- Homemade W. Wheat Pizza

SATURDAY
Lunch- French Fry Salad
Dinner- White Chicken Enchiladas

SUNDAY
Lunch- Chili, Mashed Potatoes
Dinner- TBA

For more ideas see Menu Plan Monday at orgjunkie
and also My other menus

It Can't Be Both

2011-01-24T10:33:00.000-05:00

This entire month many of us
at Real Church have chosen to read
through Philippians over & over
again in our personal Bible
reading time... and it's so cool.

One of the many things Jesus
has spoken to me through
this book is this..

"Don't Worry about anything. Instead, pray about everything."
(Phil 4:6)

It's an "either/or" situation.

You can't worry AND pray.
You do one or the other!

Worry kills prayer.
Prayer kills worry.

Which one do you do most often?
Why?

(Jesus also spoke more to me about why I tend to NOT pray
as much as I think... check tomorrow's post for more.)

(Above photo was taken years ago of my daughter, Mariah)

God Spoke Through My Iron

2011-01-22T09:51:00.000-05:00

Jesus speaks to me in a language I understand.

This week He spoke through my iron... more or less.

(and I hardly used it all week.. hee hee)

Paul said...
"I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the
heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us."
Phil. 3:14

PRESS
The greek word means "aggressively chase, like a hunter pursuing a catch"

I don't relate to hunting. Nor do I usually chase after anything too aggressively.
(unless my kids are hurt, then I may bust into a sprint... don't laugh!)

But thankfully I speak the language of the other kind of press...

IRONING!

1. Ironing - takes what's already washed & improves it
Yes, Jesus washed away my sin, but He's always wanting
to change me & make me better.

2. Ironing - flattens puffiness... pride

3. Ironing - smoothes the bumps & creases...
the inconsistencies in my life & character

4. Ironing- requires heat that is "ouchy" but totally

necessary. Painful times are needed.

5. Ironed Garment- reflects the one who is inside of it...
JESUS!

I will not fight against difficult times, but walk through them
knowing that Jesus is ironing me into a reflection of Him.

(Now, take one of these points and insert it into the verse above
in place of the word press. For example, #2,
"I will flatten my pride so that I will reach the end of the race...")

Has God spoken to you through anything usual lately?

Not-So-Wordless-Wednesday

2011-01-19T17:17:00.001-05:00

Sometimes on Wednesday's I just post a picture...
Not today.

OOOh NO, today is whole big fat day full-a words, baby.

Photo snapped right BEFORE the
following events took place.
HA!

Lots of our friends are getting the flu,

so..
We purposely started our school day a
little later than normal
since we could all use an extra bit of sleep...
But that backfired...
people were draggin around,
having a hard time getting into
the task at hand. I was the worst.
So the morning was a bust.

Then, in somewhat of a random order...

-child bombs quiz

-same child bombs another quiz

- child pees pants (note: not the same child as the one taking tests!)

-another child informs me that yesterday's school work didn't actually get
done as they'd said, so they're a day behind in 2 subjects

-toilet clogs (but I fixed it)

-Soup from a can (for tin can day) is weird... no one eats it...

including me

-water puddle appears in the basement

-this above mentioned basement is filled with the mounds of laundry
that I have fallen sorely behind in washing

-another water puddle is discovered under my kitchen sink

- the Mom (that'd be me) realized that the little pipe under the sink
is causing the basement puddle & fixes it (thanks to instructions from
our friend Zach who'd warned me about it several weeks ago)

-piano practice brings out the stubbornness that my kids may have
inherited from their Mom

-child melts into tears regarding above mentioned quizzes

- above mentioned Mom sheds a few tears of her own & asks
Jesus to please help her with Homeschooling & to show her
who to go about this process with greater ease... and joy

BUT THEN....
-the kindergarten-aged boy volunteers to do his chores and some
extra one, too

- the child with "pee-pants" takes a nap & wakes up acting like
himself again

- I "stumble" into a timely blog about homeschooling and Jesus whispers
wonderful encouragement and practical ideas into my heart

- I take a deep breath (why do I hold my breath when I'm tense?)

-formerly upset children make conscience efforts to calm down &
move forward

- youngest children are playing nicely together & enjoying Christmas toys

- I grab a Diet Coke & some Multi-Grain tortilla chips (they're practically
health food, you know), and I write this blog

- Smile (see the picture at the TOP of the blog)

Menu Plan Monday, Jan. 17, 2011

2011-01-17T09:55:00.001-05:00

For more ideas check out orgjunkie.com

MONDAY, MLK Holiday

Lunch- Cheesy Bread & apples

Dinner- Oven Fried Chicken Fingers, Cornbread, Rice

(our version of MLK's fav foods!)

TUESDAY

Lunch- PB & J sandwiches, Pineapple chunks, chips

Dinner- Crock pot Chicken & Dumplings

WEDNESDAY

Lunch- Soup from a Can (it's Tin Can day)

Dinner- Beef Enchiladas, Rice, Salad

THURSDAY

Lunch- Chicken Saltine Cracker Casserole
(it's my friend, Jodi's, Bday & she made this for us once. mmm)

Dinner- TBA

FRIDAY

Lunch- White Chili

Dinner- Homemade W.Wheat Pizza

SATURDAY

Lunch- Waffles & Bacon

Dinner- Chicken Gumbo in Crockpot

SUNDAY

Lunch- Turkey Breast, Potatoes & Carrots

Dinner- Do-overs

(Ha, looking over this it seems to be the

Week of the chicken! O well.)

I'm Too Old for That

2011-01-14T00:00:00.002-05:00

In recent days I've connected with...

- an amazing single pastor in her 30's

- a 20-something lady from another county with more experience
in youth ministry than many life-timer youth pastors

- a classy lady in her 50's whose house is from a magazine
and her entertainment skills put Martha Stewart to shame

- a young married mom of 3 kids, ages 4 and under

- a single 20-something who ministers to preschoolers all day

- a young married lady who will soon be planting a church
out east with her husband

- a southern bell (sorta) in her 30's who is married w/one child
and has preached several times recently at her church

- a lady in her mid 40's who sends me encouraging texts and
blesses many other church planter's wife in Michigan

- Another lady in her 20's who is leaving the suburbs next week
& moving into the city... cuz it's where her heart is

- A young Mom who also left the burbs a year ago & moved into the city
with her husband & little boy, and happens to gives piano lessons to
her pastor's kids as a ministry

- A 40-something who gives sewing lessons to the muslim girls
in her neighborhood, just to show them the love of Jesus

- A 40 year old lady who's life closely mirrors mine... but her address
is in Maryland... too far away

When I was younger I thought I needed that ONE friend...
that ONE person who could fulfill all my friendship needs.
But I've later realized that diversity is beautiful!
Not just race, but background, age, outlook, calling, etc....

All of these woman are my friends...
and each of them fill a different "spot" in my "friendship need."

What I contribute to one friendship is vastly different from what
I give to another friendship. And vise versa.
But they all mean a great deal to me.
They're all counted as cherished gifts from Jesus.

Yeah, I used to think I really needed that ONE best friend,
but now, I'm too old for that (and hopefully too wise for that, too!).

(NOTE: I have more friends than those listed, but these are
ones that I've connected with in the last 8 days.)

Talk-To-Myself... WEDNESDAY?

2011-01-12T10:42:00.000-05:00

My family says

I talk to myself,

but actually I'm

just thinking out loud!

Here's what I've

been thinking...)

I started typing out several things on my mind for this post and then

suddenly realized that it's Wednesday... not Tuesday.

O dear. This realization fits perfectly with several other

things listed below. Some of you may now feel the deep

calling in your heart to pray for me.... Please... do! :)

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

- When my kids were using an online dictionary that says

the pronunciation of the word out loud.. it's hard to scold them

for looking up words like "poop" and "fart" for several reasons:

1. It makes me laugh , too

2. I spilled hot tea down the front of me and proceeded to

blurt out, "Oh, Poopy!"

(Maybe someday I'll grow up! ha!)

- My friend, Nancy, informed me (while laughing hardily)

that the phone message I'd left her last week saying, "Sorry

to call you on a Wednesday evening..." was actually left

on THURSDAY! What? I'm losing it!

- Our Christmas letter that never happened was going to be

a "New Year's" letter, but now I'm thinkin' that Valentine's Day

is highly underrated & that I nice family letter would be most

appropriate. (Good Grief)

- A Christmas Tree that's decorated in all Red & White

would make a nice Valentine's Tree, don't you think?
(UGH! It's coming down tonight!!!)

- Yesterday was National Clean Off Your Desk Day... so I

started doing it this morning... and found a Thank You note

that I thought I'd mailed TWO months ago. Oh Dear.

- Oh NO! While finding the link to the "Nat'l Clean your Desk"

thing (above) I realized that the official day was actually NOT
yesterday, but the day before that. This is getting serious? right?

- I used to joke that my motto was, "Why do anything the easy way

when you can make it more complicated." It's apparently not

as much of a joke as I thought. (Help!)

- As I walked down the stairs from my little boys' very cool

and incredibly toy-littered bedroom my frustration mounted

(maybe it was the Planet Hero that jabbed the bottom of my

foot... again!)
But, whatever the reason, I was complaining/apologizing

to God (you know how we do that...
the whiny pathetic "Help-me-Jesus-cuz-I'm-really-letting-You-down" stuff)

and He quietly asked me,

"Are the important things in your life in order?"

Well, I did a verbal rundown (I talk to myself, remember) of my

walk with Jesus, my marriage, our children... etc....

OK, for real, Lord, please forgive me for complaining & putting

emphasis on what is NOT lasting & for putting myself down.

(smile!)

- Summary... maybe I'm a little sleep deprived... or something... Ha!
Either way, I'm spending wonderful time with Jesus each morning as
always, laughing like usual and loving my life!!!

So, it's all good.

hee hee

Just know

2011-01-11T12:35:00.000-05:00

You don't have to understand the situation, just seek to understand
God... and how He wants you to walk through the situation...
ONE step at a time.

If we try to figure out the "why's" & "what in the world's?" of
the circumstances we're in then we'll be unable to know HIM
and to live blamelessly.
(And, we can sometimes become just like the very thing/person that
is causing the difficult situation.)
So, focusing on understanding HIM better!
(Word, Prayer, Fasting, Applying)

Hosea 6:3 "Oh that we may know the Lord!"
Let us press on to know Him. He will respond..."

Phil. 1:10 "I want you to understand what really matters so that
you will be able to live pure & blameless lives..."

Menu Plan Monday, 1-10-11

2011-01-09T23:23:00.000-05:00

MONDAY
Lunch- Cheeseburger Soup
Dinner- TBA

TUESDAY, the date is 1-11-11 (cool)
Lunch- Ribbon Salad
Dinner-Chicken Enchiladas, Rice

WEDNESDAY
Lunch- Scrambled Eggs, Toast, Apples
Dinner- Lasagna, Bread, Salad

THURSDAY
Lunch- Warm PB & J
Dinner- Little Mamas w/homemade Tortillas
(I forgot to buy tortillas last week, so I made'um.
Oh My WORD! So yummy! and not hard)

FRIDAY
Lunch- Veggie Soup, Crackers
Dinner- Homemade W.Wheat Pizza

SATURDAY
Lunch- BLT sandwiches, peaches
Dinner- Dorito Casserole, Rice in Crockpot

SUNDAY
Lunch- Meatballs in Crockpot, Spaghetti
Dinner- Do overs

Arrested...

2011-01-06T20:11:00.000-05:00

ASSEMBLIES OF GOD LEADER URGES PRAYERS
FOR IRANIAN CHRISTIANS UNDER ARREST

Dr. George O. Wood, general superintendent of the Assemblies of God
(USA) and chairman of the World Assemblies of God Fellowship
representing more than 63 million members, has called church members
around the world to pray for more than 70 Christians who were
arrested over Christmas in Iran.

BBC Persian (in England) reported that the governor of the province
of Tehran said on January 4 that they have arrested Christians and
will arrest more. He said Christians are corrupt, deviant, similar
to the Taliban, and controlled by the West.

"These Christians represent the house churches in Iran," states
Wood. "For the past year or two we have seen efforts by the Iranian
government specifically to stamp out these ministries." "The
Assemblies of God recognizes the house churches in Iran as a
legitimate part of the global main stream body of Christ, and urges
the Iranian government to recognize them as such, and give them
freedom to meet publicly."

In addition to these 70, the pastor of the Assemblies of God church
in Isfahan was arrested on December 31. It was noted other major
attacks against Christians are occurring in places like Iraq,
Pakistan and Egypt, to name a few.

"There is an urgent need for Christians all over the world to
intercede for our brothers and sisters in prison in Iran," Wood
continued. "Let us pray that they will experience the presence and
the power of the Holy Spirit, even in their prison cells. Pray they
will have supernatural endurance and courage through this trial, and
be shining witnesses to the guards and other inmates. Pray for peace
and wisdom when they are being interrogated. Pray for their health.
Pray for comfort and confidence for their families. Pray they will
soon be released."

Wood is requesting that Assemblies of God congregations make this
issue a matter of prayer in all services over the next few weeks.

"It is comforting to know that God knows about every single arrest
that has been made and that He will bring glory to His name through
the suffering and bring victory for His Kingdom in Iran," Wood said.

----------------------------------------------------------------
AG-NEWS: The A/G News & Information Service, (c) 2011
A service of the Assemblies of God's Office of Public
Relations. This mailing list was created to inform the media
and public of current events within the Fellowship and
continuing developments among its many ministries.

If you have a news lead, contact us at news@ag.org

Office of Public Relations
General Council of the Assemblies of God
1445 N. Boonville Avenue
Springfield, MO 65802-1894
USA

Phone: (417) 862-2781
Fax: (417) 862-5554
Email: news@ag.org

Grace = Strength

2011-01-05T15:15:00.000-05:00

Remembering that everything in my life results directly from
the grace of JESUS ... I didn't earn it... don't deserve it....

gives me strength to show grace to others in whatever
circumstance I encounter... even if they "don't deserve it!"

After all, it wouldn't be GRACE if we earned it.
(My good works aren't worth jack)

JESUS gives GRACE
GRACE gives strength

Menu Plan Monday, Jan. 3, 2011 & (Weird Holidays?)

2011-01-03T02:04:00.001-05:00

CONFESSION-
I'm SOOOOO bored with menus,
food and cooking. Inspiration was needed.
So... I planned meals around National "Holidays"
and other interesting (but often not terribly important)
facts. Turns out, I've printed coloring sheets for my
little ones & made some homeschool lessons plans
that will coinside with the food we're eating.
Strange, but somehow it turned into the motivation
I so desperately needed. Have fun!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MONDAY
Lunch- W. Wheat Waffles
Dinner- TBA

TUESDAY
Lunch- Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches (Nat'l G.W. Carver Day)
Dinner- Spaghetti (Nat'l Spaghetti Day)

WEDNESDAY
Lunch- Veggies & Dip with Cheesy Roll-ups
Dinner- Chili (it's Nat'l Bean day afterall)

THURSDAY
Lunch- Hoe Cakes (George & Martha Washington's Annivarsary)
Dinner- Little Mamas (it's my Mom's B-day, today)

FRIDAY
Lunch- A BIG Salad w/French Fries
Dinner- Homemade W.Wheat Pizza

SATURDAY
Lunch- Waffles, Cherries & Whip Cream
Dinner- Fried Green Beans, Turkey Ham, Bkd Potatoes

SUNDAY
Lunch- Crock pot version of BBQ Chicken (Pres. Nixon's Bday)
Noodle, Carrots
Dinner- Do Overs of all kinds (Stephen Foster's Bday)

For more ideas see www.orgjunkie.com

I'm on a Mission... so are YOU!

2011-01-01T13:01:00.000-05:00

If you're alive you have a purpose.
(My husband says this often)

Having a personal relationship with our Creator, Jesus Christ,
is the only way to find our real purpose.

Then, we live it.
Everything BIG or little thing we do should fall under
that purpose...therefore giving even the most mundance
task a deeper meaning & value.

That's why I've revised my missions statement.
Sometimes having a reminder of what's most important
and the guidelines to keep things in the right order is
what I need... it keeps me sane & free from guilt of
"not doing enough." (and the mistake of doing much)

Here's how I've done it for years. It's a combo
of things I've learned & been taught over the
years... it's certainly not original.

1. List the various things that I am
Example: God's daughter, Wife, Mom, a person,
homemaker, Pastor's wife/mentor, daughter, friend, etc...

2. Stated my main purpose in that role
Example: "I am alive to love God, to know & enjoy Him
and to serve Him always in all areas of my life."
Example 2: "I am completely devoted to my husband..."

3. State several specific things under each point that
I'm committed to doing that will carry out the stated purpose
Example: "Continue AM time w/God, Memorize weekly,
fast monthly," etc...
Example 2: Cheerfully encourage & help..."

4. Keep Statement in my planner & refer to it each week
as I schedule my time.
This keeps me on track, doing what is MOST important
and of greatest value.

Be encouraged.
Be purposeful.
Everything holds meaning when it falls into the greater
scoop of God's purpose for our lives.

How do you stay focused on the important?

Always wanted to do this...

2010-12-28T14:39:00.001-05:00

Candles... love'um. The smell. The little flickery light.

For years I've been saying that I'd like to take the wax

that's left over in a candle, melt it down & make a new

candle out of it.

Last week I did just that!

(Can you see me smiling with satisfaction? hee hee)

It's sorta.. in a strange kinda way... like JESUS!

He's takes our burnt out, used up efforts.
He melts us down (humility hurts).
Then He reshapes us.
Adds color & new life.
Pours in His beautiful fragrance and gives us
the ability to be pleasing to God!

And... although the outer "container" remains
pretty much the same, the inner change makes
the outside glow with His beautiful light!

(Just like this little snowman candle that Courtney
made in Kindergarten... it has new life...)

The Best Seats

2010-12-21T09:10:00.000-05:00

Serving

UGH! I keep hearing/reading that word.

Don't I already serve you, Lord?
Don't I already serve those around me?
Don't I usually take the back seat?

But..
When I'm serving, my heart is the happiest...
if I'm doing it out of true love for Jesus, that is.

Yet, honestly... it feels like I miss things sometimes.

John 2 proves otherwise.
Jesus performed His first miracle at the wedding.
The big shots at the wedding didn't have a clue
what was going on behind the scene....
ONLY the servants knew about it.

Miracles. The Power of JESUS at work.
I wanna see that!!!!

Of course... Serving is worth it.
It's where JESUS is!
I'll keep serving... I wanna be with Him!

Menu Plan Monday, Dec. 20, 2010

2010-12-20T10:55:00.000-05:00

MONDAY
Lunch- Potato Broccoli Soup
Dinner- Lasagna (w/hidden veggies inside)

TUESDAY
Lunch- Homemade Mac & Cheese
Dinner- Chili & Mashed Potatoes, Gr. Peppers & dip
(make extra for Thursday night)

WEDNESDAY
Lunch- Soup (left over from Monday)
Dinner- White Chickn Pasta in Crockpot

THURSDAY
Lunch- Meaty Nachos
Dinner- Chill-ehtti (chili over spaghetti noodles)

FRIDAY, Christmas Eve!
Lunch- Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup
Dinner- TBA

SATURDAY, Merry Christmas!!
Lunch- Strata (and all the candy we'll get in our stockings! hee hee)
Dinner- Beef Wellington, White Pasta, Cranberry Jello, Candied Carrots

SUNDAY
Lunch- Chicken Gumbo, Rice
Dinner- TBA

---------------------------------
Since my Mom will be with us over the holiday I'm planning
menus ahead of time!
---------------------------------

MONDAY
Lunch- Scrambled Eggs, Toast, Homemade applesauce
Dinner- Little Mamas, Rice

TUESDAY
Lunch- Chicken Tortilla Soup
Dinner- Homemade Pizza Roll ups

WEDNESDAY
Lunch- Waffles, Bacon
Dinner- Ranch Chicken Casserole

THURSDAY
Lunch- Lunch Meat Roll-ups
Dinner- Warm Chicken Sandwiches, Buns, Carrots, Celery

For more ideas check out Orgjunkie.com

The Right Order

2010-12-14T09:07:00.000-05:00

(Cute Shepherds)

Angels told them the Great message...

and then sang...the first Christmas Carols!

Then Shepherds go, "Hey, The Lord just told us

something great. We can't sit around.

We've GOT to go see this baby!"

They sought Him out... and found Jesus.

THEN... they rejoiced & spread the news all around.

And people were amazed at their words.

-------

Don't try to tell people about Jesus & expect them to

be amazed at the Story if you haven't

first spent time seeking Him out, seeing Him, Face-to-Face..

being with your Savior & Lord.

Only when we've been with Him first will other people

take note of our words (and our life).

Have you spent time with Jesus today?

What did you do?

Where was it?

What did He say to you today?

Twelve Days... Kid Style

2010-12-08T11:28:00.001-05:00

Twelve day of Christmas usually makes me think
of a bunch of weird stuff and a strange bird in a tree.

This year our church was inspired to put together
a list of 12 things to bless others & share the
Love of JESUS! You can view our list here and
click on the bottom left "What's New."

But... My kids & are NOT gunna do that list.
Instead, we are doing our own version of the list.
We don't get out much... so we're having to be
creative. What things are you doing this Christmas
to be purposeful about sharing the LOVE of JESUS?

_________________________________________________
TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS FOR KIDS

Day 1 – Write a note or draw a picture for your Kids Pastor/Director

Day 2 – Help select a gift for “Joy to the D” (see day 12)

Day 3 – Select 3 toys ( in nice condition) to give to a shelter

Day 4 – Make a thank you card for the mail carrier & attach it where it’ll be seen

Day 5 – Let your brother and/or sister go first or get the bigger piece

Day 6- Draw or list 3 things you love about your Grandparents & then

Mail it to them

Day 7- Make a treat for your neighbor & deliver it

Day 8 – Do a chore that isn’t assigned to you

Day 9 - Take a short walk on your street & pick up garbage

Day 10- Perpare a food gift for a homeless person you see regularly

Day 11- Call a friend & invite him/her to church

Day 12- JOY to the D (an outreach to the children/parents of Detroit)

Menu Plan Monday, Dec. 6, 2010

2010-12-06T13:16:00.000-05:00

MONDAY
Lunch- Scrambled Eggs
Dinner- Crock Pot Chicken & Dumplings

TUESDAY
Lunch- tba
Dinner- Dorito Casserole

WEDNESDAY
Lunch- Lunch Meat Roll-ups, apples
Dinner- Chicken Tortilla Soup

THURSDAY
Lunch- Grilled Cheese & Tomato Soup
Dinner- Gumbo in Crockpot

FRIDAY
Lunch- Potato Broccoli Soup
Dinner- Pizza Rolls

SATURDAY
Lunch- Eggs & Toast
Dinner- Lasagna, Broccoli

SUNDAY
Lunch- Ham w/Crockpot Br. Rice, Gr. Beans
Dinner- Cheesy Roll-ups

Not Expected

2010-12-04T15:21:00.000-05:00

Last night some sweet young ladies from our church came
over to help me decorate our house for Christmas.
This has been a tradition since the start of my "grown-up" life...
an all-girl night of putting up the tree, eating cookies, laughing, etc..

They were all nothing but adorable, helpful & sweet.

But I felt poopy.
But I wasn't sick.
Truthfully, I was completely disappointed in myself.

-My kids were arguing with each other & acting like people I didn't know.
What kind of a mom am I anyway?

- My gorgeous historic house deserved beautiful holiday decor...
and I don't have much... and I'm lacking the skills to do anything with
it even if I did have more.
What kind of homemaker am I anyway?

- The lights were hung uneven, so the top of the tree is dark-ish.
It looks kinda silly. Who strung those lights? Oh... me... sigh
Apparently I can't even do the simplest tasks of decorating.

- etc....etc...

This morning in prayer I pathetically told Jesus how I felt
bummed out... for no reason.

Oh, there's a reason!

Really, Lord? What?

Expectations.

Huh? Oh... yeah. You're right. (Like Jesus needs me to tell Him, that! ha)

Sadly enough, I'd let my "ideas of what it SHOULD be" cloud my
gratefulness and it robbed me of the joy of the actual moment.

Expectations keep us thinking about self... ick.

Forgive me, Jesus, for thinking about myself and what I think
things should be.
That's so NOT like You.
It's NOT the joy of CHRISTMAS.
I refuse to think of myself.
JESUS!!!!!

Menu Plan Monday, Nov. 29, 2010

2010-11-28T23:54:00.000-05:00

MONDAY
Lunch- Chili over Rice
Dinner- TBA

TUESDAY
Lunch- Chili Dogs, apples, chips
Dinner- White Lasagna in Crockpot

WEDNESDAY
Lunch- PB & J, canned peaches
Dinner- Mexican Skillet Dinner

THURSDAY
Lunch- Grilled Chicken Fingers, Hm made Fries
Dinner- Homemade Veggie Pizza

FRIDAY
Lunch- Empanadas, gr. peppers & carrots w/dip
Dinner- White Chili (a version of this)

SATURDAY
Lunch-Taco Roll-ups (a version of this), grapes
Dinner- Turkey Ham & Veggie Pasta

SUNDAY
Lunch- Crock Pot Chicken & Dumplings
Dinner- Do Overs

For more ideas check out www.orgjunkie.com

Just thinking about Christmas...

2010-11-27T10:16:00.000-05:00

- We're supposed to be telling people about Jesus,
not just inviting them to church. Give them a reason to come.

- Talk ONE minute for every FIVE that you listen

- Since no one on my "Christmas List" actually needs anything,
I'm going to give loving tokens of from my heart so that there's
more to give to those who are really in need.

- Jesus radiates God's glory & expresses the very
character of God (Heb. 1:3). And Jesus has asked me,
His follower, to imitate Him. Hmm, asking myself wha
kind of expression/impression of Jesus I give to others.

Not the Norm "Thankful For" List!

2010-11-24T16:00:00.000-05:00

Besides my JESUS, my MAN, My CHILDREN, FAMILY,

Church Family, Friends, House, etc,

Here's a list of some of the "little" things that add up to

BIG things in my life... and I'm thankful for them, too!!!

In Random order...

- Giant WINDOWS in my house

- Beautiful views of cool buildings out my window

- Historical old houses all around us

- A giant pot to make a huge batch of chili for a crowd

- That my family IS a crowd

- Computers & wireless Internet

- Digital cameras

- Being able to print out postage

at home from the USPS

- Delivery trucks that bring

goodies from Amazon

- Huge, blue Ikea bags that serve us

in countless ways

- Skype... even thought I forget to use it most of the time

- Text Messaging- especially now that most of my closest friends

FINALLY have it!

- The color RED... and of course PURPLE!

- Storm windows that allow me to continue to love my old

historic windows

- Fabric Softener balls, cuz I could

never add the softener at the

right time without it!

- Those bumpy dryer balls

that make the clothes dry sooner

- A basement that's not a complete

freezer

- An actual freezer in the corner of my basement that helps me

use our money & food wisely

- Toilet Paper! (Hey, my Dad use to tell stories of corn cobs &

old magazine pages.) ick

- Christmas Music

- A loud laugh (well, most of the time I'm thankful for that,

except for the times that something is totally funny & I'm

NOT suppose to be laughing. opps!)

- The funny little "mouth piece" I wear to bed that keeps

my TMJ headaches in check

- A working fireplace... and friends that delivered firewood!

(I'm so excited to use it!)

- Fuzzy slippers (that happen to match Mariah's Snuggie.

She better now try to "adopt" them while she's home!)

- YOU! For reading my blog, sharing in my life and being

a sounding board for the thoughts that room around in my

brain! *

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

HUGS!

* (Feel free to comment at any time. If you read this in an

email you can click on the title of the post & then scroll

down bottom of a daily post & hit "comment." You do

NOT have to sign up for anything to leave a comment.

Just type your remarks & name, then select "Anonymous"

under the "Choose your identity" & enter.)

Wordless Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2010

2010-11-24T00:05:00.000-05:00

Talk-to-Myself-Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2010

2010-11-23T10:18:00.000-05:00

(My family says I talk to myself, but actually I'm

just thinking outloud! Here's what I've been thinking...)

-Hearing good news from far-away friends makes my heart so warm

- I wanna sew pillows... lotsa pillows to cover my couch & window
bench, and chairs and bed

- Football, it's nice... occasionally!!!

- Tomorrow my oldest daughter comes home for a couple of days!
YIPPEE!!! Wow, I miss that girl.

- Cooking in my "New" kitchen is SO much fun!

and the island ROCKS!

- Our House... I just LOVE it! Thank You, Jesus!

- Reading a good book is so good... I think...

it's been months since I've done it.

-Traditional Thanksgiving food is really fun... once a year.

I do like tradition when it comes to stuff like this.

(although we have been known to make an all mexican meal for

a holiday, too... and I'm mostly German!)

- There were Chilton's on the Mayflower - James Chilton, his wife &

their daughter Mary.

- "Being the Strong One" doesn't mean you can't cry, it just means

that in the middle of emotion you keep the TRUTH in mind and

allow Jesus to guide your thoughts, words and decisions.

- Lotsa people at my house make a Happy Holiday for me!!!

- My family is LOUD! (I can't imagine why!) When our friend,

Zach, is over for dinner, he occasionally just starts laughing cuz

we're so loud & talk continuously. hee hee

- Despite the troubles in our country, I'm Proud to be an American!

- It's the Kindness of Jesus that leads us to repentance!

Praise You, Lord Jesus! I love YOU!

Menu Plan Monday, Nov. 22, 2010 THANKSGIVING!

2010-11-22T15:47:00.000-05:00

MONDAY
Lunch- Warm Ham Sandwiches, Carrots, Chips
Dinner- Pot Pie

TUESDAY
Lunch- Hot Dogs, Jello, Chips
Dinner- TBA

WEDNESDAY
Lunch- Frozen Pizza (I haven't served this in YEARS!)
Dinner- Chili in the crock pot

THURSDAY- THANKSGIVING!
Turkey
Sausage Stuffing
Sweet Potato Casserole*
Green Bean Casserole
Mashed Red Potatoes*
Rican Rice & Beans *
Veggie Tray
Cranberry Bread Pudding
Pecan Pie

* indicate the dishes that friends are bringing

FRIDAY
Lunch- fend for yourself Friday Dinner!
(my kids made up this name for the days we eat leftovers.)
Dinner- Homemade Rice-a-Roni

SATURDAY
Lunch- Veggie Wraps
Dinner- Mexican Skillet Dinner

SUNDAY
Lunch- Lazy Lasagna
Dinner- Broccoli Soup

For more ideas check out this site

Be Veeery Afraid! or NOT!

2010-11-19T20:36:00.000-05:00

They were rebuilding the wall around their city.
Decades before it stood strong & proud.
They had to clear the rubble just to get to place where the wall
once stood.
They worked hard.
God had started this project & He'd finish it.

The people around them were ticked.
They made fun of them.
They pointed out the hugeness of the job.
They threatened.
They weren't messin' around.
Their purpose was to intimidate God's people.

Still, the wall construction continued.
Their leader, Nehemiah, made appropriate preparations
and then kept on working.

Intimidation seems mild.
It's not.
It means FEAR!
To be AFRAID!
That's not mild. That's opposite of God.

Fear STEALS our purpose & destroys our ability to obey God.

We're God's people & we get intimidated - rather easily...

- By listening to lies
Sometimes people, media, situations lie to us.
Sometimes it's our own pathetic "self-talk" - nuf said

- Letting ourselves become Discouraged
It's seems noble & somehow OK, but it's really just selfishly
thinking about what WE want, how this is effecting US
and what WE think should be happening.
That'll keep us from God's purpose.

- Fake Friends
When a few people turn on us we can fall into fear mode
and begin to pull away from everyone we're serving.
"Don't be close, you'll get burned."
That is not the character of God.
This certainly keeps us from God's purpose... that's fear.

Obviously there's tons of things that can put fear in our
minds... but it's up to us whether we'll allow it to stay &
grow in our hearts.

Nehemiah
-refused to sin
- prayed for strength
- didn't let any of the list above keep Him
from accomplishing God's purpose.

Which... is good, cuz his purpose directly affected the
people around him.

So does your purpose.

What fears tend to make you stop or at the least pause
from your purpose for a moment?
How to you go on?

More Kitchen Pics

2010-11-18T00:00:00.001-05:00

A few weeks ago I posted pics of our "old kitchen"
and only one pic of the new kitchen. Some of you
asked for more pictures. I REALLY Love this room!

The floor:
No longer has 2 layers of horrid cheap tile,
thanks to our friends!

Next project: paint the floor RED!

Wordless Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010

2010-11-17T00:55:00.001-05:00

The view while I'm making a cuppa tea on Monday Morning

Old & New- Walls, Dressers & Floor

2010-11-16T00:00:00.001-05:00

Pictured above is how the room looked when we

bought the house. Ugh

But then...

HUGE, MASSIVE THANK YOUs
for our many friends who
helped out in various ways as we redid
this room:
- rip out old carpet & 4 million staples
- strip horrid wallpaper
- rip off strange tile that was under carpet
- sand furniture
- tape the room for painting
- lay NEW flooring! (Friends did 100% of this job)
- Drill holes for new drawer pulls

( I learned alot from these projects and
still have a fascination for power tools,
though my knowledge has only
grown slightly!)

THANK YOU, FRIENDS, for sharing
your time & giftings with us.
We LOVE this little room!
We LOVE YOU MORE!

Menu Plan Monday, Nov. 15, 2010

2010-11-15T09:37:00.000-05:00

MONDAY
Lunch- Homemade Pizza (we never had it last week)
Dinner- TBA

TUESDAY
Lunch- Quesadillas
Dinner- Crockpot BBQ Chicken on Avalon Bread
carrots & celery

WEDNESDAY
Lunch- Grilled Cheese, Fruit
Dinner- Little Mamas, Rice

THURSDAY
Lunch- Homemade Mac & Cheese
Dinner- Beef & Veggie Stew (crockpot)

FRIDAY
Lunch- Scrambled Eggs, Toast
Dinner- Homemade Pizza

SATURDAY
Lunch- Sandwiches, chips, carrots
Dinner- Little Italy Chicken & Spinach (a new fam fav)
This is also a crock pot dish. We ALL like it! That's rare!

SUNDAY
Lunch- Chicken Gumbo (in the Crockpot) over rice
Dinner- Smothered Baked Potatoes

For more ideas check out Orgjunkie

Seriously!

2010-11-13T08:53:00.000-05:00

When you're sharing God's Truth, from a pulpit or public place,
or in casual conversation...
Take The Word Seriously!

Know it. Study it. Digest it into your own heart!

When you're sharing God's Truth, from a pulpit or public place,

or in casual conversation...

Don't take yourself too Seriously!

People won't be changed by your words, but by the
Power of the Holy Spirit & HIS Word.

Relax. Laugh at yourself. Let the Spirit speak do the talkin'!

"For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is,
there is freedom." 2 Corinthians 3:17

2010-11-09T11:55:00.001-05:00

My family says I
talk to myself,
but I prefer to think
of it as simply
"Thinking Out loud."

Here's what I've been
saying lately...

If we allow frustration & insecurity and/or fear
to guide our decisions we're headed for heartache.

Homeschooling has its moments ... the ones that make
me wanna poke my eyes out, scream & say, "NEVER MIND!"
But, God has called me to do this, and ultimately He's made
it the desire of my heart (something ONLY He could've done).
I won't quit, even when I'm frustrated.

Frustration is my motivation to...
-Listen more carefully to God's directions
-Work more creatively
-Laugh more hardily... hee hee

It was good to take a break from the "Home Improvement"
stuff... and I'm much slower to think about it this week.
(See Monday's blog for more details on this one)

How in the world do we always manage to "lose" things
when we move? How does that work?

I really like RED nail polish. Haven't worn it since
last winter & I sorta forgot how awesome it is.

Our house is a tool... and I'm so excited to use it again
this week to host friends & bless a wonderful lady
that I often refer to simply as "31" cuz she's Proverbs 31
all they way.

All the unpacked boxes sitting quietly in the corners of my
house, almost unnoticed cuz I've grown used to seeing them...
they're going down! To the basement that is. At least
I'll have the feeling of being completely moved in.
(But I won't be deceived... I know better than to live by feelings!)

What have you been thinking/talking about recently?

2010-11-08T21:19:00.000-05:00

MONDAY
Lunch- Out
Dinner- Chicken & Dumplings (loaded w/spinach & carrots) shhh

TUESDAY
Lunch- Canned Soup over Rice
Dinner- Cajun Chicken Pasta (a version of this)

WEDNESDAY
Lunch- Chili over Mashed Potatoes (in crock pot)
Dinner- Grilled Cheese, Carrots

THURSDAY
Lunch- Scrambled Eggs & Bacon
Dinner- Brown Rice Casserole (version of this)

FRIDAY
Lunch- Little Italy Chicken & Spinach
Dinner- TBA

SATURDAY
Lunch- Eggs
Dinner- Homemade Pizza (yes, it's NOT on Friday, I know)

SUNDAY
Lunch- Broccoli & Potato Soup
Dinner- Mac & Cheese (homemade)

For lots more idea check out Orgjunkie.com

A Strange Fast

2010-11-08T09:23:00.000-05:00

The first week of every month our church has fasting & extra prayer.

Sometimes God asks me to fast:
- sweets
- carbs
- Diet Coke (Oh, that's a tough one)
- a particular meal every day
- etc...

This month was different!
One evening BEFORE the Week of fasting our family was sitting
in the dining room & I asked my husband, "What color in that
'inspiration painting' over there do you think I should choose to
paint the walls of this room?"

His reply: "Please, can we stop painting & redo-ing things &
just live for a while."

Ouch!

It was at that point that God asked me to fast...

ALL things associated with home decorating & improvements...
which included-
- HGTV (tough, cuz that's really the only TV I enjoy)
- Home magazines of any kind
- All decorating blog sites & websites
- All e-newsletters regarding improvements or projects
- conversation & thoughts about "what project to do next, etc"

The result...
I had NO idea how much of my time & energy has been spent
on this. All week long I was catching myself starting to think
about all this... numerous times a day. Numerous.
Now, we just moved, and it's OK to improve your
home... but I was thinking about it ALL the time!

My brain was constantly pondering, deciding, planning,
calculating, etc... it was ridiculous!

So now...
well, I still have lotsa things I want/need to do with our home,
but I'm gunna put "obsession" on a self, lower the number
of things I read, keep my thoughts in check... focus on what
is lasting!

My home is TOOL in God's hand.
I work for God!
I don't work for my house.

In the OT, when God blessed people they'd sometimes
turn that blessing into a shrine & worship it instead of the
Lord who gave them the blessing. When I read that I think,
"Wow, how dumb is that?"
Then I started doing it.

I will not do that.
Thank you, Jesus (and Chilly) for pointing it out to me!
I serve JESUS!

First Time Moms

2010-11-05T00:20:00.000-04:00

Over the past few months I've collected some thoughts
about parenting that may encourage you,

perhaps enlightening you
or maybe even slightly tick you off.
Hopefully they'll cause you to think, pray about some things
and become an even better parent to the precious child God's
entrusted to you.

Smile

Keeping Smiling. You WILL sleep again, it'll just take
time... and you WILL survive until that time comes.

You are NOT the only one who has felt overwhelmed,
so don't feel guilty & do NOT have a pity party. Keep
doing what you can.

Letting baby cry from time to time (when you know his
basic needs are met) won't hurt him.

Doctors don't know your baby like you do. Trust your gut.
(Our pediatrician reinforced this!)

Don't push your child to do things. We all know you're a great parent
already! (Don't make baby "prove it" to us.)

Yes, people love your child, but stay attentive to those people.
Their non-verbal communication may be saying, "OK,
I've enjoyed them, please take them back now."
or "Grr, will you please deal with your whinny child?"

Sometimes friends enjoy time with you... just YOU.
Getting a sitter from time-to-time will keep strong friendships
strong... we Moms need solid friendships. It's worth the
effort to nurture them.


   When you're on the phone,
   please be on the phone.

If you must stop to speak to your child,

keep it short.

No one wants to listen to a

three minute explanation

of "why mommy is one the phone &

can't play with you right now."

Discovering that your child is extremely gifted in an
area doesn't mean you're an extremely gifted parent,
it just reminds everyone that God is an extremely
creative & generous creator!

If you have yet to discover your child's "talents"
don't panic & don't push. God forms each child
according to His plan. Your prayer & patience
will allow Him to reveal those talents in His time.

When someone tells you, "Oh, of course you have time..
just do it while the baby is sleeping," is crazy & has no
idea what the life of Mom is like. So just smile & nod.
No response needed. (And go ahead & take a nap yourself
while the little one naps!)

Plan for tomorrow, but don't worry about it. You have
just enough strength for today, so don't waste it on
wondering about the future.

Just when you get into a groove your child will get into
another stage of life... it's the way it's supposed to be.
So be flexible. We can't expect our kids to grow if
we're not constantly growing, too.

Things that are "so-the-right-thing-to-do-now" may
be viewed as "just a fade" in a few years...
so be careful to choose what is best for you & your
family now matter what "all the other people are doing."

And... just about the time you're convinced that this
parenting job is making you completely loopy...
you're probably right.. so take a long look into the
eyes of that adorable little off-spring of your's and
you'll remember that they're worth every bit of it!

(A parent who has
briefly given-in to
the insanity around
her. She may or
may not be me!)

Sometime parent-insanity is actually referred to
as "stopping-what-you're-doing-and-just-getting-
silly-for-a-few-minutes!" That's ok... it's FUN!

School, Boys & Starting Early

2010-11-04T00:00:00.002-04:00

(NOTE: These are JUST my opinions based on 21 years of ministry
and 18 years of parenting... so far.)

Recently a young Mom asked my thoughts about starting
her 4 yr. old son in home school Kindergarten soon.

Here's my response.

I'm sure he's more than able to learn the stuff that's

taught in kindergarten, but you may wanna think long-term.

Growth is more than head-knowledge, and boys tend to

mature at a different rate than girls. That said, if a boy

begins school early then he's always the youngest among

his peers & possibly the smallest, too. (Which can be

very significant to a boy) He might always be the "little kid"

or the "shorty" or whatever else kids may think up to say.

Playing in sports with his grade level would put him at a

disadvantage, which can be difficult for developing

self-confidence.

Younger-starting children can also face disadvantages

because their emotions and social development are not

as advanced as their brains, and this can be frustrating for

the child as well as peers and other people in their lives.

Also, Starting K as a 4 yr old means that a child

would graduate as a 17 yr old... not always a plus.

(Not to mention the parents saying, "Goodbye" a year early! SAD!)

When making parenting decisions involving the oldest child,

parents need to be careful that their desires for advancement

have nothing to do with proving to themselves and/or

others that they're a good parent.

These are observations gather over the years in youth ministry

(we've seen many students who were young for their grade level)

and our own 18 years of parenting.

So these are just some things to consider & pray about.

You may have other thoughts & observations.

I'd love to hear them. (Your comments are ALWAYS welcome!!!)

Wordless Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2010

2010-11-03T10:24:00.000-04:00

Fall at Dusk

The Giraffe is bringing up the tail

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Menu Plan Monday, Nov. 1, 2010

2010-11-01T11:07:00.000-04:00

I love the Fall!

MONDAY

Lunch- Eggs & Toast

Dinner- Chicken & Dumplings in Crockpot

TUESDAY

Lunch- Broccoli & Cheese covered Bkd Potatoes

Dinner- BBQ Ribs in Crockpot, Green Beans

WEDNESDAY

Lunch- Veggie Pasta Salad

Dinner- Messy Max's (Sloppy Joes), Apples

THURSDAY

Lunch- PB & J, Carrots

Dinner- Sausage & Bean Soup (crock pot, again)

FRIDAY

Lunch- Chicken & Veggie Wraps

Dinner- Homemade W.Wheat Pizza

SATURDAY

Lunch- French Toast & Bacon

Dinner- Crispy Bean & Cheese Burritos (a version of this)

SUNDAY

Lunch- Meatballs (crockpot) over Spaghetti

Dinner- Quick Turkey Tetrazzini (a version of this)

Look out the Window

2010-10-29T13:23:00.002-04:00

Max, come look at all the birds out our window!

Mom, they're eating the berries from our trees & bushes. How come?

God created the berries for the birds.

Pause

I'm glad God picked this house for us and the berries for them.

Me, too, Max.
Me, too.

-------------
My daughter, Courtney, posted some really cool pics she took
from a recent walk. I love the last one best.. the reflection in the
water is super beautiful!

www.nomadicsongbird.blogspot.com

Wordless Wednesday, Oct 27, 2010

2010-10-27T16:43:00.001-04:00

I took a break from painting our bathrooms
to play in the leave with the kids.
Some of the leaves were HUGE!
All of the kids are gorgeous!

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Talk-to-Myself-Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2010

2010-10-25T23:22:00.001-04:00

My family says I
talk to myself, but
I prefer to think of it
as "thinking out loud!"

Here's what I've been
thinkin' lately...

- Paint Primer really does stick to all surfaces...
just take a peek at my hair

- Insecurity brings out such yuckiness

- By tomorrow night our family bathroom will be an
adorable shade of pale green/blue

- I really do enjoy painting

- Just because I enjoy something doesn't mean I'm
great at it

- But, if I practice today & I'll be better tomorrow

- Everyday I ask Jesus for creativity because the older
I get the less often great kids-ideas pop into my head... sigh

- Dollar movie theaters are such
a fun way to enjoy
a day off with the family,
especially on Mondays
when the $1 movie is 1/2 price!
Yes!

- Del Taco's $ .39 tacos make a
cheap dinner to follow
the 1/2 price dollar movie days

- How awesome! The whole fam gets dinner & movie
for a total of $13... now that's a frugal day out!!!

- Nanny McFee Returns ... ADORABLE

- TMJ, hurts

- Jesus desires to change me... daily

- I really want to hang up shelves & then paint, paint, paint!

- Naps! Aww, they're so nice

Menu Plan Monday, Oct. 25, 2010

2010-10-25T11:46:00.001-04:00

MONDAY
Lunch- Bird's Nest
Dinner- TBA

TUESDAY
Lunch- French Fry Salad
Dinner- Turkey, Rice

WEDNESDAY
Lunch-
Dinner- Ham & Homemade Rice-a-Roni

THURSDAY
Lunch- Grilled Cheese & Canned Soup
Dinner-Dorito Casserole

FRIDAY
Lunch- Turkey & Rice Soup
Dinner- Pizza

SATURDAY
Lunch- Homemade Mac & Cheese
Dinner- Messy Max's (aka "Sloppy Joes)

SUNDAY, Oct. 31st
Lunch- Crock Pot Gumbo & Rice
Dinner- TBA

Don't Pamper the Theif

2010-10-25T10:21:00.000-04:00

He was a King!
Tall. Handsome. Brave.... well, at one time he'd been brave.

His insecurities made him a people-pleaser.

He listened to people instead of obeying God.

He then justified his actions.

Those following him did what he did...

They were robbed of God's blessing & protection.

Insecurity.
It's steals SO much.

Don't pamper it.
Don't feed it by thinking about yourself all the time.
Stop.
Repent.
Choose to think about TRUTH!

Life in the D & Mistaken Identity

2010-10-22T14:22:00.000-04:00

Mistaken identity sometimes gets the good-guy caught

instead of the bad. Well, at least in the movies, and we just

watched a movie about that last night.

But then today...

- Drove 1/2 hour south of the city with 3 of my kids

to pick up a my daughter's friend

- On the highway home, just a couple of minutes from our house

I suddenly hear zillions of sirens

- The sight in my rearview mirror makes me JUMP!

- There's about 5 police cars behind & almost beside me!

- Lights flashing! Sirens blasting!

- Where in the world did they just come from!

- Have I been in their way? Was I daydreaming?

- I've gotta get out of their way, QUICKLY

- I pull over.

- So do they.

- All of them. Marked cars. Unmarked Cars. Pull over.

- Wait? WHAT?

- I wasn't even speeding.

- Officers. Uniformed & in street clothes w/badges hanging around

their necks.

- I roll down my window and stick my head out to hear what he's yelling

- "Roll down ALL your windows!"

- I do.

- An officer cautiously but quickly approaches my window

- His gun is drawn!

- He looks inside. At me. At the kids, who are as clueless as I am.

- Officers on 3 sides of the car. Guns drawn!

- WHAT in the WORLD?

- The officer at my window yells over his shoulder

that we're "not the ones"

- (I know! I know! We're not!)

- At another window an officer asks where I've been & had I been downtown.

- No! I tell him where we were & what highways we'd used.

- He tells me there's a car exactly like mine that is going around downtown

today bashing (or stealing) cars.

- They tell me I can go

- In a second they're in their cars, leaving

- Just like that....

- My heart was pounding.

- I wish I'd told them I appreciate what they do.

- I wish I'd told them that I'm grateful for their protection.

- I did, however, use this incident to explain to my little boys that we don't have

to be afraid of the policemen because they were working at catching the

"bad guys" and as soon as they saw who we were, they went on.

- Now, this afternoon, I keep on praying for those officers, and for

their search

Grateful to live in the Protection of JESUS!

Grateful that He's called me to live in Detroit!

The Old & New Hutch, Wordless Wednesday, 2

2010-10-20T11:20:00.000-04:00

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2010

2010-10-20T06:54:00.000-04:00

Woodward Ave in Midtown Detroit

on a Sunday morning in the fall.

(This pic on the top of my blog was also taken
in the same area on the way to church a couple
of weeks eariler. What a beautiful drive to church, huh?)

Wordless Wednesday
Wordless Wednesday

Talk-to-Myself-Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2010

2010-10-19T06:46:00.001-04:00

My family tells me I talk to myself...

I prefer to think of it as "thinking outloud!"

Either way, here's what I've been saying...

- We can't expect God to guard our hearts if we're

unwilling to guard our mouths.

- When we had 11

friends over the

other night. I may

have purchased

too many donuts.

ha!

- Who needs work-out videos when you can
purchase a can of paint & get yourself going
on a painting project. Bend, squat, reach, lung,
dip, stretch, kneel, bend, etc...

- Sweet-Potato Bread may be a new favorite fall food.

- I miss my friend, Jodi. (She lives out East & we
haven't seen each other in over 5 years! sigh)

- My kids make me laugh. (especially when they
dance, tell original knock-knock jokes or make up
rhymes.

- I'm a halloween scrooge. Maybe it's just cuz I've been
coming up with cheap/free costume ideas for
18 yrs and I have a zillion years to go. But whatever
the reason, ugh. So far we have a pirate... and... um...
Bah Humbug!

-So blessed to have been

given a swing set from

a kind lady who also

gave my boys a

trunk-full of clothes!!

- When our mouth is left to spout what it wants it

just reveals that our heart is selfish. (see the 1st thing

I listed on the post)

Menu Plan Monday, Oct. 18, 2010

2010-10-19T00:01:00.000-04:00

MONDAY
Lunch- Homemade Rice-A-Roni
Dinner- Roast in the Crock-pot (didn't cook it last week),
Bkd potato & fresh Asparagus

TUESDAY
Lunch- Homemade Mac & Cheese
Dinner- Crock pot Chicken, Broccoli

WEDNESDAY
Lunch- Chicken Wraps (leftover chicken from Tue)
Dinner- Beef Stew

THURSDAY
Lunch- Grilled Cheese, Apples
Dinner- Turkey in the crock-pot (experimenting for
Thanksgiving)

FRIDAY
Lunch- Chicken Tortilla Soup
Dinner- Pizza

SATURDAY
Lunch- Scrambled Eggs, Biscuits
Dinner- Turkey Pot Pie

SUNDAY
Lunch- TBA
Dinner- Gumbo over Rice

-----------------------------------------------------

It helps me to have a bit more than a week

planned, so I added a few more days...

MONDAY, Oct. 25
Lunch- Pancakes w/Apples Foster
Dinner- TBA

TUESDAY, Oct. 26
Lunch- French Fry Salad
Dinner- Dorito Casserole

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 27
Lunch-
Dinner- Chili

For more ideas check out OrgJunkie.com

Netta's NICHE- French Fry Salad

2010-10-15T13:53:00.001-04:00

The name slips my mind.

It was a small restaurant on a main street of a fairly small town.

We were newly weds and would eat at that little place once in a while.

They served it there.

All these years later, a version of that dish sometimes shows up on my

weekly menus. The little restaurant called it STEAK SALAD!

If you know me well, you know that ANYTHING with STEAK on it

if gunna be on the top of my list! mmmm

So salad with steak... awesome.

BUT... the real zinger here is what was served around the edges

of that giant steak salad.... FRENCH FRIES!

Today we don't have steak in our salad too often, but we do

have salads for lunch. No one gets excited about that.

BUT... if it's salad with FRENCH FRIES on the top...

well, that's reason for a jumping for joy!

Here's the ridiculously easy way to make those Joy-inducing fries:

The thinner you cut them the quicker they cook.

Usually I toss'um in Oil, salt & garlic powder.

Today I used a bit of leftover pasta sauce, oil & seasoning salt.

Turned out pretty good.

(Plain oil version is our fav)

Spread on baking sheet. Cook at 425 degrees

for approx. 30-45 min. Turn once.

(If you want them crispier, turn on the

broiler for a couple minutes. DO NOT

walk away! They'll burn in seconds!...

not that I've ever done that or anything.

hee hee)

Serve on top of a tossed green salad.

(Our family uses Ranch, Bleu Cheese or

Thousand Island Dressing on it.)

Mmmm

Sometimes people...

2010-10-14T06:44:00.003-04:00

Sometimes the very thing people fear
is exactly the thing they run to
while trying so hard to stay away from it.

The only way to avoid this is to truly know the author of love
... JESUS!

(I John 4:16-18)

Run to Him.

Wordless Wednesday, Oct 13, 2010

2010-10-13T06:30:00.001-04:00

Nature Walk- City Style
(with a stop at the post office, too)

Wordless Wednesday

Weeds

2010-10-12T06:43:00.002-04:00

Our house sat empty for months before we bought it.
It was in decent condition, but the weeds were starting
to feel right at home.

(Before)

Honestly, we've only lived here a few weeks and I
had already stopped noticing them.
I was used to those weeds.
They were almost decorative.

(Before)

But then...
Our friends came to the rescue!

About 15 of our wonderful friends came over on Saturday
and pulled weeds, and raked, and pulled weeks, and
helped fix the pipes so we can water the lawn next spring,
and did I mention that they pulled weeds?

(after)

My life is the same.

So is your life.

We have areas that we ignore, don't wanna deal with,

so we don't.

Then weeds grow. Little compromises that junk up our lives.

Little attitudes that are sin. Plain & simple.

We get used to them.

It takes honest, Jesus-lovin' friends to point'um out

and help us decide to get rid of the weeds.

Then, great friends go the next step, too, and

help us establish a working system (like the water pipes)

that will keep the healthy growth happening.

Do you have friends like this?

You must BE one to have one.

(and your life must be respectable before you can

earn the right to speak truth into a friend's life)

Menu Plan Monday, 10-11-10

2010-10-11T09:29:00.002-04:00

Sanity is Baaack!
I haven't planned out meals
in detail for over a month...
and it's been driving us all crazy!

Kids: "Mom, what's for lunch?"
Me: "Food." (cuz I have no idea)
Kids: "What kinda food?"
Me: "The kind you eat."
Kids: "Mom!!!"

(I've even that the same
conversation with my husband!)
Not good

MONDAY
Lunch- Scrambled Eggs & Toast
Dinner- Chicken Enchilada Casserole

TUESDAY
Lunch- Cream of Broccoli Soup
Dinner- Crock Pot Chicken & Biscuits

WEDNESDAY
Lunch- Grilled Cheese & Bacon Sandwiches
Dinner- Vegetable Chow Mein

THURSDAY
Lunch- Veggie Wrap Sandwiches
Dinner- Chili in the Crock Pot over mashed potatoes

FRIDAY
Lunch- Steak Salad w/french fries
Dinner- Homemade W. Wheat Pizza

SATURDAY
Lunch- TBA
Dinner- Taco Bowls

SUNDAY
Lunch- Crock Pot Chicken Gumbo over rice
Dinner- Stuffed Baked Potatoes

For more ideas check out Organizing Junkie

But I followed the Rules...

2010-10-08T19:54:00.000-04:00

People of every surrounding city were afraid of him.
Kings' hearts melted in fear.
He was takin the Promised Land by storm...
JOSHUA!

One of my favs.
He took on a big job and just DID it!
God directed, he obeyed.

But then there was that ONE time...

That time in Joshua 9 where he was super
aware of God's rules -
"Don't make a peace treaty with any country that is nearby!"
but... still broke'um.

Here's how he did it:

- Joshua used his own wisdom By looking at the enemy
it appeared that their story checked out.
HUMAN Wisdom... faulty!
(Josh. 9:14)

- He failed to ask God about the situation. (vs. 14)

Just following the rules with our own human insight is NOT
enough to get the job done... and those following us will
pay a price.

Whether you're leading a ministry, a family or a group
of friends, your choices will leave a mark.
Sure... OBEY God... of course.
But TALK to Him.
ASK for His insight.
LISTEN to His specific leading!

I'm sure Joshua (and all the Israelites from that era)
would tell you the same.

Happy B-day, Chase

2010-10-05T13:31:00.000-04:00

This cute little guy had a birthday this weekend!

We had lotsa fun celebrating with him.

Besides getting to bowl at church & share cookies with his

friends, he had friends over later to play & decorate their

own cupcakes.

Happy B-day, Chasey. You're my little present from Jesus!

xoxox

Talk-to-Myself-Tuesday, Sept. 28, 2010

2010-09-28T07:00:00.030-04:00

My family tells me I talk to myself...

I prefer to think of it as "thinking outloud!"

Either way, here's what I've been saying...

- It's amazing what a difference some more

space and lotsa bright windows can make

- After a "moving break" it's back to school now.

Kids aren't really rejoicing, but they ARE kinda bored

- During the packing & unpacking I've been delighted to steal

away & read old journals... Jesus' love and faithfulness is
evident all through "the stories of my life!"

- If you don't write down the stuff God teaches you & tells

you... what in the world? The GOD of the universe (and beyond)

in intimately involved in your life... and you're NOT keeping

a recored of it?

- um... The GOD of all creation cares about me!

CRAZY!

- Happily I discovered a wonderful kindergarten website packed

full of all the FUN things little ones should be doing.... I've been

a little overly focused on academics with my little guys & sorta

forgot about the "fun" learning activities that makes childhood

what it is! This site keeps me from racking my brain...cuz...

- Sometimes creativity can be so taxing on my brain & energy!

- So happy that it's fall.
We're gunna go on a leaf hunt this week.

(now that we live on a street
that has tons of trees! YAY!)

- My new neighbor gave me two
HUGE mums for our entrance...

(thanks, Melissa) and so far
I haven't killed them. (killing plants

is one of my accidental talents!)

- I miss going to High school football games

- Nope... I haven't been planning menus! Shock! But it's just

been too unpredictable around here. Eating out of the pantry & freezer

has been a funny experience (just ask my kids, they're always happy
to share the great stories of my homemaking skills or lack thereof!)

Smile!

- Knowing that Riley isn't gunna sleep at home in her bed
until Christmas time gives me a strange pinchie feeling
in my throat.

- Reading an old classic book &
putting it into practice

- What's got you "thinking out loud?"

My Weekend... of TEARS!

2010-09-27T10:56:00.000-04:00

On Saturday we helped our oldest daughter move into the coolest
loft apartment as she begins a year of discipleship & hardcore
learning how to follow after Christ... aka "X-Min Academy."

We're super proud of her as she follows God's leading in her life...
but I'm not gunna lie... I cried.
On Thursday... several times.
On Friday... NINE times! (that's ridiculous!)
But on Saturday, moving day, I got misty a few times in the morning,
but that's it.

True to form, I usually have a harder time BEFORE an emotional
event, but then enjoy God's grace & strength when it actually happens.
Many of you will tell me that I have no reason to cry because she's only
living 1/2 mile away & will still be a part of our church. But in all honesty,
I've been mourning the end of an era... called "her childhood."
However, she's a godly young lady & I wouldn't want to change a thing

about her.

Chilly wrote a beautiful blog about Mariah... here's the link if you're
interested in CRYING!

The Old & The New... Kitchen!

2010-09-23T21:40:00.000-04:00

-Last Saturday we moved to our beautiful historic home in Detroit
- Many of you gave us some serious help... and it was so much fun!

- Some others of you are asking for pictures

- Here's a few that tell a snippet of the story of this past week

Kitchen... Before. This house was empty for a year or so.

The horrid wallpaper boarder has been painted over &
rewall papered SEVERAL times..
THAT was a pain.
(Wallpaper is probably made in Hades!)

(If I EVER even consider hanging wallpaper, please read
the following statement to me:

"Dear Netta, make a tight fist. Hold out your arm.
Now punch yourself repeatedly in the head with your
full strength until you remember how much you totally
hate the entire wallpaper process!")

Primed & ready to paint

The doors were sanded, primed & painted in the grass
and then the garage.

And NOW...
A corner of the beautiful finished product!
(More to come... when I finish unpacking everything!)

Wordless Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2010

2010-09-15T06:04:00.000-04:00

Today, possibly at the very moment you're reading this, we're

closing on the purchase of our beautiful, historic home in Detroit!

But, I'm not posting any more pics at the moment.

Instead... just a few from a Labor Day Cook-out with friends

that happen to include a trampoline!

BOXES!

2010-09-10T06:00:00.001-04:00

Gathering boxes to move is a sport for me!

Not having to buy boxes motivates me.

Knowing that reusing the old cardboard means

new change for me... So exciting!!!!

We move in 8 days.

Tomorrow, some friends are coming to help us Pack!

Not move, yet... just pack!

(Yes, you're jealous of our friends! Be very jealous!

They're A CONSTANT blessing!)

Until a couple of days ago we only had a VERY few boxes.

Then, the shameless dumpster diving & pathetically desperate

text messages were sent (to some of those same great friends).

Boxes have started to arrive! (Thanks, Erika!)

Also, this JACKPOT (pictured below) was discovered

behind Target! (Have I mentioned that I love that store!)

And, cloth carts of cardboard treasures

were discovered during a recent grocery shopping

trip. (below)

We grabbed so many of those treasures that sweet little Zoe

had to carry around the ones that didn't fit into the cart.

(below)

My house... (below) ugh...

But all for GOOD reason!

YIPPEE!!!

And, if you happen to drive behind a store or shopping center

and catch a quick glimpse of a brown-haired lady frantically

yanking boxes out of giant green dumpsters, and a car full of

children carefully ducking their heads so as not to be recognized...

just honk!!!

(and honk LOUDLY cuz that lady is probably shamelessly

talking to herself and saying, "YES! We hit the BOX jackpot!!!")

Moving for the 18th time

2010-09-09T09:51:00.002-04:00

Moving kinda makes me giddy.

Change.

Packing.

Purging.

New.

Fresh start.

Since I went away to college I've lived in 17 different

places. Now, next weekend we'll be moving into my

18th. (If you're confused, please see this post)

Lived in 7 states.

Besides my childhood home (where my Mom still lives)

the longest I've had an address is 5 yrs.... a huge record.

Up until that, it was only 3 yrs.

I've filled the back of a red & white striped Suburban to

drive several states away,

carried dressers across a small college campus,

moved across the hall, or up to the next floor,

had a U-Haul, enjoyed professional packers...

etc..

Moved as a newly wed when all my stuff was brand new,

moved in the winter while it was snowing,

moved while 71/2 months pregnant,

moved with a newborn,

moved while my husband was outa the country and once

while he was outa state... etc...

What do I do first? Next?

1. Go dumpster diving for boxes

2. Clean out closets

3. Clean out weird cluttered corners

4. Pack stuff off that hangs on the walls

5. Use my organizer a lot MORE!

6. Adjust & readjust my expectations of myself

7. Adjust & readjust my expectations of situations

8. Continue to adjust & keep deciding to "just go with it"

My best suggestion is to just take a deep breath.

The important stuff really does get done.

Everything else will just fall into place...

or else it just doesn't need to be.

Smile!

Laugh!

Eat more convenience foods than usual.

And MOST importantly...

keep reading The Word & hanging with Jesus everyday!

Beautiful Colorado

2010-09-03T00:17:00.000-04:00

Everywhere. In every direction...
beautiful, contrasting reminders of God's power & love!

(These are taken on my phone... so they'll just give you
an idea of the wonderful sites I've seen this past week.)

Denver International Airport

I love this Man!

2010-08-31T23:44:00.004-04:00

This Man ...

- Has a Birthday today

-Is dedicated to JESUS!

- Is committed to me, and I never question that

- Loves & leads our children

-Lovingly leads me & doesn't let me push him around
(and believe it or not, I want that! That's how God created
marriage to be.)

- Is a pioneer... finding new places & way to share the news
of JESUS' love

- Is real. The same. Anywhere.

- Is the person I love MOST in the world

- Is my husband... Chilly...
and I'm in LOVE with him!!!!

Happy Birthday, My Love!

My First... Church building

2010-08-31T22:39:00.003-04:00

I'm in my hometown of Greeley, Colorado this week
to be with my Mom while she's recovering from a knee
replacement surgery. (She's doing well)

Between visiting relatives & going to physical therapy
we've been driving past some old familiar places.

Below are pictures of my very 1st church... it used to belong to
First Assembly of God. When I was about a week old my
parents brought me to church for the first time, and from
then on I was there "every time the church doors were open."
When I was in Jr. High we moved to a bigger building.

Inside this building I ...

-experienced the power & love of Jesus

-heard the wonderful stories of Jesus from incredibly

loving & dedicated teachers & Pastors

- was baptised in Water

- was filled with the Holy Spirit

- learned how to communicate during sermons w/out talking

(hey, I loved Jesus, but I WAS a kid, too!)

- learned how to read the "evil eye" from my Mom that meant

I'd better be quiet or I'd be in serious trouble

- learned what real friendship is like

- made decisions that would affect the rest of my life

Truly, I'm grateful for parents who serve(d) God wholeheartedly

and for the dear Pastors, teachers & church family who invested

in my life!

(If You've ever been encouraged by anything I've ever said or done,

then you, too, can be thankful for the beautiful Christian people

who were part of my first church!)

Happy B-day, Riley

2010-08-28T20:58:00.003-04:00

My first Baby is now an "adult!"

We spent the afternoon together & the evening with

family enjoying a yummy dinner & the chocolately-est cake

I've ever eaten!

This lovely girl loves Jesus & is following His guidance.

She'd wonderful to be with.

I love her SO much!

Happy Birthday, Riley!

When Ministry HURTS!

2010-08-26T06:00:00.001-04:00

A few months ago I sweet lady that was once in our youth

ministry contacted me because her pastor/husband was

experiencing very difficult situations in their church/ministry.

I typed a number of thoughts off the top of my head.

Now, some months later I've decided to post these.

If you're married, read this... even if you don't hold a

" ministry title" this may be helpful to you & your husband...

if not now... at some point.

- It's good that you're very aware that it's the enemy

that's attacking you, not people

- Defending ourselves never helps... it henders

- I've had to smile and nod (and not say a word, OFTEN!)

- It's helpful for wives to listen to their husbands

but not ask too many questions, don't give advice that

requires action and don't join in the conversation with

comments like "Wow, that guy is really a jerk!"

- On the flip side, sometimes, after much listening,

a wife can gently sympathize by saying things like,

"I can see why this is so poopy for you. I love you, Honey.

How is God directing you to respond to this situation?"

- Wives can spare their husbands some (at least a little) pain

by not constantly expressing our own pain.

I'm not saying to be fake, or dishonest, but if wives are

quick to show our hurt & unhappiness then it puts pressure

on our husbands to solve the situation quickly to spare

further pain on the one they love... this can sometimes

cause rash action that's later regretted.

- Wives can find great strength in pouring their deepest hurt

and pain alone with JESUS. (obviously) And then venting

with a trust friend who is NOT in the same ministry location

that she is.

- Your prayers for your husband are your greatest blessing.

- Try to maintain some sense of "normal" around the house

and talk about other things so that "home" is a retreat to him

and not just another place where he has to deal with

more of the same.

- I've learned that guys sometimes process things in silence

(unlike girls who talk out thoughts & emotion). So, be OK with

quiet times together. Him knowing that you're there and

loving him & going about "normal" things will encourage &

strengthen him (possibly more than he may know at this point).

- Nothing lasts forever... except JESUS! and Jesus is worth it all!

While reading the NT I'm constantly reminded that the trials we

endure in the USA are minor.

- Fight to forgive. Of course they don't deserve it...

but neither do we.

- "JESUS!!!!!" (just say His name outloud a few times!)

I love being in ministry... even though I've walked through

some painful situations. If you're dealing with hurt then

I pray that this encourages you & gives you something

practical to put into action.

Wordless Wednesday, August 24, 2010

2010-08-25T08:06:00.000-04:00

This REALLY is in DETROIT!

Wordless Wednesday

Talk- to-Myself-Tuesday!

2010-08-24T14:48:00.009-04:00

My family tells me I talk to myself...

I prefer to think of it as "thinking outloud!"

Either way, here's what I've been saying...

- Thank You, Jesus! Thank you, Jesus!

The re-negotiating is over! The beautiful old house

is our's! Hopefully we'll be closing by mid September!!!!!!

(Can you hear me clapping & see me skipping! See tomorrow's

post for a couple of pictures)

- "Expecting a Miracle" ... God's been dealing with the "expecting"

part of that miracle-phrase. More on that later. Hmm

- Four month old vacuum cleaners are supposed to work....

but all vacuums are in some sorta association & have had an

APB out about me for years:

"Calling all VACUUMS! If this lady (my picture appears)

buys you... sputter, cough, smell like you're on fire & then die.

Do whatever it takes to drive her insane!"

- LOVE outlasts emotions

-Delivering cookies to visitors at Real Church is so much fun!

- I really don't drink Diet Coke all day long. Only when I'm

NOT at home... which isn't all that often.

- Everything ALWAYS takes longer than you think.

- Most things are much easier SAID than DONE

- Thankful for friends who help out in countless ways!

- Excited to fly to Colorado soon to see my Mom. She's had a knee

replaced & I'll be there to help out when she gets outa

the rehab hospital.

-So happy to see people I love in Colorado that I haven't seen

in 8 years.

- The corners of my home need cleaning out... badly. Oh wait,

I am cleaning them out cuz WE'RE MOVING!!!!!

(I smile every time I think about it!)

- Buying school books on ebay can thrill me if I win by

changing my bid at the last minute.... and can make me crazy

if I lose by the same method. It's way the game is played, I guess.

- I have 59 cookbooks (just counted them). That's alot.

Ridiculous really. But nearly every book has a story of a person.

Someone I love who is in some way a part of me. And I use

many of them often. But seriously, that's alot!

Hmm, I really will have to let a few go...

maybe the Low-Fat ones.

Yeah, that's it. Those can go to the garage sale! Then

I'll only keep the "real" ones... I feel better now.

- Looking forward to getting a Detroit Library Card.

There's a really gorgeous historic library in the Museum District

that only Detroit residences can check books out of... and that's

gunna be in a few weeks! Cuz... We're MOVING!

- Gotta stop running over here to the computer & just get

back to cleaning, sorting & packing!

(Be sure to read tomorrow's post... pictures!)

Menu Plan Monday - Pantry Purge

2010-08-23T09:56:00.005-04:00

Hopefully next month we're moving into a gorgeous old home

in Detroit. (We currently live in Hamtramck, which is a city

that's actually surrounded by Detroit city limits... so we're totally

IN the city, but our address, voting, etc is not Detroit. So

we wanna move into the actual city limits!)

All that geography said...

I'm trying NOT to buy many more groceries this week and

use the stuff in the pantry (and freezer). Here's the plan.

MONDAY

Lunch- Mac & Cheese

Dinner- TBA

TUESDAY

Lunch- PB & J, Carrots

Dinner- Asian Noodles & Veggies

WEDNESDAY

Lunch- Homemade Rice-a-Roni

Dinner- Taco Bowls

THURSDAY

Lunch- Canned Soup over Rice

Dinner- Grilled Chicken & Potatoes

FRIDAY

Lunch- Fried Eggs & Potatoes

Dinner- Grilled Pita Bread Veggie Pizza

SATURDAY- somebody's b-day

Lunch- Hamburger Gravy over Biscuits

Dinner- TBA

SUNDAY

Lunch- With Real Church @ the Big Splash

Dinner- TBA

For more ideas check out Organizer Junkie

Wordless Wednesday, August 18, 2010

2010-08-18T17:51:00.003-04:00

PURGE

Wordless Wednesday @ 5 Minutes for Mom

and

WordlessWednesday.com

Things overheard at our house... 2

2010-08-12T07:55:00.002-04:00

Back in December I posted a similar blog

I don't promise any deep life lessons...

just a laugh or maybe encouragement knowing that

you're not the only crazy household in the world! :)

(Our family in Barbies! Thanks, Zoe)

________________________________________________

"Is it Sunday today? Please can it be Sunday? I love Real Church!"

"There are no guns allowed in McDonald's!"

"Mommy, how come atha kids have a twicicle & I don't?"

"Mom, let's raise Chickens!"

(I blame Melissa O. for this... hee hee)

"I like food way more than decorating. When I grow up I'm

gunna be really big!"

"You're a piece a work!"

"What? I don't even have a job?"

"What kinda truck is that, Daddy?.... oh... what's a SWAT truck?"

"Where does Jesus work?"

"Well, Honey, Jesus doesn't go to work."

"MoooM, I thought Jesus worked in our hearts!"

"Mommy, I love you. You're so cute & chubby!"

"This is so cool, Mama. I love it. Thank you!" (my heart melts)

Wordless Wednesday, August 11, 2010

2010-08-11T05:53:00.000-04:00

Wordless Wednesday