Thats right... Frog Eyed Salad!!! Until last week I had never heard of such a thing... so when my husband called and asked if I had ever eaten it... and... would I make it for him... I thought... WHAT??!! But I googled it, and indeed found a recipe for Frog Eyed Salad. It's actually an italian pasta salad made with fruit juices, fruit, mini marshmallows and whipped cream.
Today I actually made a batch of Frog Eyed Salad... and I have to say... it is yummylious! It is more of a sweet treat/dessert kind of salad than a salad that would or should be served with dinner, but it is definitely worth the effort. This would be the perfect 'covered dish' to take to any kind of social gathering, especially a church social. I as always will include the recipe I used at the end of this blog for any of you who wish to give it a try yourselves.
My husband Joe is a true 'Foodie'. I am always saying... "He will eat anything that doesn't eat him first!!", which is a very true statement. If any of you are familiar with Anthony Bourdain or Andrew Zimmerman... then you would understand my above statement about my husband, because these men are on Joe's bucket list of men to meet and/or dine with as they introduce any new and/or exotic foods to his palate. Both of us enjoy watching cooking and food shows, and often end up preparing various recipes, and dishes we have seen on these shows. In fact... if you have read my "Love Through the Male Tummy" blog, the ragu recipe in that blog came from an Anthony Bourdain episode that Joe watched and described the recipe to me so I could prepare it for him... my ragu is now one of his all time favorite dishes I make for him.
I must admit that I am the complete opposite of Joe... known very well to my friends and family as "Picky Vickie"(In fact... the Meg Ryan/Sally Albright character in the movie "When Harry Met Sally" is exactly how I am)... but I must say that my palate has improved and grown because of Joe's influence and from my experience from culinary school. I am still quite picky, but I now enjoy tons of food I would have never gone near in the past. However, I will read a recipe and tweak it as I am making it to suit my personal tastes and preferred flavor profiles. As a child it was a rare moment when I would go near a vegetable, in fact as a child I have sat at the dinner table many a night for hours and hours after everyone else had eaten and been excused from the table because I refused to eat vegetables or other foods, and now I eat lots of fresh vegetables and foods. My Mother is amazed at some of the things I prepare and eat these days!
If you have read any of my blogs in the past... you will notice it has been since December that I last published anything on my blog. The reason is... I have been recovering from foot surgeries and haven't had the focus or inspiration to write anything... that is until this whole Frog Eyed Salad discovery. I'm assuming this salad gets it's name because the italian pasta used in this recipe must resemble the texture of frog eyes... which is completely gross... so I think it should be renamed... Yummylious Pasta Fruit Salad! Here below is the recipe... it takes less than 20 miniutes to prepare, but 8 hours to set in the refrigerator before serving.
FROG EYED SALAD
1/2 cup - Sugar
2 - egg yolks
1 heaping TBSP - flour
1 cup - pineapple juice
1- 1/2 tsp - lemon juice (Fresh... NOT imitation or bottled)
8 oz - acini di pepe pasta (italian pasta)
1 (20 oz) can pineapple bits or chunks (in pineapple juice... NOT syrup) - drained
1 (11 oz) can mandarin oranges - drained
1/3 cup - maraschino cherries, chopped
8 oz - miniature marshmallows
6 oz - whipped topping
1. In large saucepan over low heat, combine sugar, egg yolks, flour, pineapple juice, and lemon juice. Stir and cook until thickened... (it will be more like a thickened sauce vs a custard consistency). Remove from heat.
2. While sauce is cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 - 10 minutes or until al dente (al dente has a slight soft crunch to it), drain and rinse with cold water.
3. In large bowl, combine cooked mixture with pasta and toss to coat thoroughly. Refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.
4. Toss pasta with pineapple, mandarin oranges, maraschino cherries, marshmallows, and whipped topping. Refrigerate until serving.
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Thursday, November 29, 2012
It's Advent Calendar time again (2012)
Oh My Goodness! I'm soooo excited! It's that time of year again to bring out all my advent calendars in preparation of the Christmas Season. They all begin on Dec. 1st... so if you like to participate in this wonderful Christmas activity... you only have 2 days left to dig them out of storage, or go purchase one to put out.
My dear friend visited me yesterday and spent the entire day decorating my house for Christmas. Katie has a wonderful eye for decorating and adding tweaking touches that takes decorations from "Oh that looks nice!" to "WOW that looks AWESOME". I have crafty talents, but I have never had that kind of decorating eye, so I am always beyond deep appreciation for her time and talents she shares with me. My job in the decorating process was to drag all the boxes out of storage and unload the items we wanted to use this year. As most of you readers... I'm sure you have more decorations stored away than you have room to use... this is certainly true in my case. But... OF COURSE... the first box unloaded was all of my advent calendars. If I only had the room to decorate sparsely... my Christmas Tree is a must and my advent calendars... I would miss all the other items, but would still feel Christmas complete if I only have a Christmas Tree to look at and my advent calendars to do everyday.
I am truly sitting here with a big smile on my face as I type this blog, in the anticipation of beginning my daily round each morning to do all my advent calendars. This year my count is up to 14... which include... 4 wooded ones, 4 starbucks puzzle ones, 2 snowmen w/artificial trees, 1 3D that revolves, 1 wire one, 1 that lights up, and 1 homemade felt/beaded and sequined one w/pockets (this one I made myself). All have meaning and memories behind them, and each one gives me much joy each year as I count down to Christmas.
Starting on Dec. 1st I begin my day by putting the kettle on to boil for my morning tea, then I light my fragrant scented (Mistletoe) Yankee candles, and then I begin my trek around the house to do each and every one of my advent calendars. Some of the calendars require adding an ornament to an artificial tree, or adding an ornament onto a peg from a drawer... some require me to flip the ornaments from the date to a printed design side... some I open a drawer to reveal a lit scene... some have drawers that contain a sweet treat inside and after retrieving said treat, I flip the drawer around to reveal a piece of a puzzle that will be completed on Dec. 24 (these are my starbucks ones)... one I move a stuffed candy cane from pocket to pocket each day... and one has me retrieve a magnet ornament from a drawer and place on the revolving tree.
Which one of these is my favorite? Hmmmm.... that is a good question, because... as I am doing each calendar I exclaim... "OH GOSH!!, this is my favorite"... that is until I get to the next one and repeat that phrase over and over and over. Some I like because they are just so unique and cool, some I like because the of the deep sentimental value they hold in my heart... and some are just kitchy and odd, how could I not love those?
I thought my 'collection' was complete and had no intention of adding any more.... due to, where do I put any more?... but... last year during a Christmas party I won another one (the lit one), then I found one on clearance after Christmas last year and it was sooooo huge and cool that I just couldn't pass it up... and then just recently while searching for a couple of starbucks advent calendars to give away as gifts to my dear friend's sons... I stumbled upon one I didn't know existed, but went with my starbucks collection, so again... how could I pass that up? So my collection grew by 3 in this past year, all totally accidently! I promise I wasn't even looking! My eye just can't help finding cool advent calendars randomly, and when it does, I just can't ignore such an opportunity. I'm sure one day my house will be over runneth with advent calendars... which I think it already is... but until I truly have not an inch of space to put them, I will continue to enjoy these delightful calendars every single Christmas Season.
I currently have 2 grandsons, and there may be more grandchildren who will arrive over the next several years... perhaps one of their sweet faces will implore me to share a particular favorite of theirs with them and I won't be able to resist, knowing my treasured advent calendar is moving on to be their treasure... and how could I say no to that? I would still enjoy the pleasures of any calendar I might give away to them because it would still be treasured in new eyes!
Last year when my grandsons were not quite a year old, I bought them their first wooden advent calendar to start their collection... knowing it would be a couple of years before they would be able to enjoy it, but also knowing they would never know a Christmas without having an advent calendar. Then this year I found two fabric panels of an advent calendar that my Mother-in-law had made for my oldest daughter back in 1982, it has long since been discontinued and very hard to find on ebay... but my persistence paid off and I scored two of them (one for each of my grandsons) back in Feb of this year. I just last week mailed these finished quilted advent calendars to them (made very lovingly for them by me... Gigi) along with the original one I revamped and mailed to my oldest daughter who has not had a child yet (but officially the original one was made for her)... so now all 3 of my daughters have a cherished childhood memory hanging on their walls this year to continue to enjoy and make new memories with their children... and seriously... how AWESOME is that??
Two days and I'm anxiously counting down for the advent season to begin! My hope is that you will be inspired to begin, renew, or experience this wonderful tradition along with me. I promise it will put a smile on your face and a giddy up in your step!
My dear friend visited me yesterday and spent the entire day decorating my house for Christmas. Katie has a wonderful eye for decorating and adding tweaking touches that takes decorations from "Oh that looks nice!" to "WOW that looks AWESOME". I have crafty talents, but I have never had that kind of decorating eye, so I am always beyond deep appreciation for her time and talents she shares with me. My job in the decorating process was to drag all the boxes out of storage and unload the items we wanted to use this year. As most of you readers... I'm sure you have more decorations stored away than you have room to use... this is certainly true in my case. But... OF COURSE... the first box unloaded was all of my advent calendars. If I only had the room to decorate sparsely... my Christmas Tree is a must and my advent calendars... I would miss all the other items, but would still feel Christmas complete if I only have a Christmas Tree to look at and my advent calendars to do everyday.
I am truly sitting here with a big smile on my face as I type this blog, in the anticipation of beginning my daily round each morning to do all my advent calendars. This year my count is up to 14... which include... 4 wooded ones, 4 starbucks puzzle ones, 2 snowmen w/artificial trees, 1 3D that revolves, 1 wire one, 1 that lights up, and 1 homemade felt/beaded and sequined one w/pockets (this one I made myself). All have meaning and memories behind them, and each one gives me much joy each year as I count down to Christmas.
Starting on Dec. 1st I begin my day by putting the kettle on to boil for my morning tea, then I light my fragrant scented (Mistletoe) Yankee candles, and then I begin my trek around the house to do each and every one of my advent calendars. Some of the calendars require adding an ornament to an artificial tree, or adding an ornament onto a peg from a drawer... some require me to flip the ornaments from the date to a printed design side... some I open a drawer to reveal a lit scene... some have drawers that contain a sweet treat inside and after retrieving said treat, I flip the drawer around to reveal a piece of a puzzle that will be completed on Dec. 24 (these are my starbucks ones)... one I move a stuffed candy cane from pocket to pocket each day... and one has me retrieve a magnet ornament from a drawer and place on the revolving tree.
Which one of these is my favorite? Hmmmm.... that is a good question, because... as I am doing each calendar I exclaim... "OH GOSH!!, this is my favorite"... that is until I get to the next one and repeat that phrase over and over and over. Some I like because they are just so unique and cool, some I like because the of the deep sentimental value they hold in my heart... and some are just kitchy and odd, how could I not love those?
I thought my 'collection' was complete and had no intention of adding any more.... due to, where do I put any more?... but... last year during a Christmas party I won another one (the lit one), then I found one on clearance after Christmas last year and it was sooooo huge and cool that I just couldn't pass it up... and then just recently while searching for a couple of starbucks advent calendars to give away as gifts to my dear friend's sons... I stumbled upon one I didn't know existed, but went with my starbucks collection, so again... how could I pass that up? So my collection grew by 3 in this past year, all totally accidently! I promise I wasn't even looking! My eye just can't help finding cool advent calendars randomly, and when it does, I just can't ignore such an opportunity. I'm sure one day my house will be over runneth with advent calendars... which I think it already is... but until I truly have not an inch of space to put them, I will continue to enjoy these delightful calendars every single Christmas Season.
I currently have 2 grandsons, and there may be more grandchildren who will arrive over the next several years... perhaps one of their sweet faces will implore me to share a particular favorite of theirs with them and I won't be able to resist, knowing my treasured advent calendar is moving on to be their treasure... and how could I say no to that? I would still enjoy the pleasures of any calendar I might give away to them because it would still be treasured in new eyes!
Last year when my grandsons were not quite a year old, I bought them their first wooden advent calendar to start their collection... knowing it would be a couple of years before they would be able to enjoy it, but also knowing they would never know a Christmas without having an advent calendar. Then this year I found two fabric panels of an advent calendar that my Mother-in-law had made for my oldest daughter back in 1982, it has long since been discontinued and very hard to find on ebay... but my persistence paid off and I scored two of them (one for each of my grandsons) back in Feb of this year. I just last week mailed these finished quilted advent calendars to them (made very lovingly for them by me... Gigi) along with the original one I revamped and mailed to my oldest daughter who has not had a child yet (but officially the original one was made for her)... so now all 3 of my daughters have a cherished childhood memory hanging on their walls this year to continue to enjoy and make new memories with their children... and seriously... how AWESOME is that??
Two days and I'm anxiously counting down for the advent season to begin! My hope is that you will be inspired to begin, renew, or experience this wonderful tradition along with me. I promise it will put a smile on your face and a giddy up in your step!
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Thanksgiving 2012
Unbelievably it is that time of year again... Thanksgiving arrives tomorrow! WOW!!! Where did time go?? This year I participated in the "Month of November Thankfulness" on FB... where every day my status post is something I am Thankful for. So for this blog... I have decided to blog those posts for those who read my blog, but do not have accessibility to my FB page.
Nov. 1
I'm Grateful for having time to spend with my family... (at the time of this post, I had just been given an unexpected opportunity to fly to Kentucky for an 8 day visit with my family)
Nov. 2
I'm Grateful for the technology and devices that keep me connected to loved ones while I currently live 14 hours away from them all. (Back in the early days of our marriage when we moved far away from home, we did not have the technology or devices to keep in touch with our loved ones... we only had RARE long distance phone calls and snail mail... I'm sooo blessed keeping in touch is so much easier these days)
Nov. 3
I am Thankful, Grateful, and Appreciative for 40 years of Joe, and for my 2nd family that came with him. (I met my husband at the tender age of 13... we have been a couple ever since... and I am blessed that his Parents, Brothers/Sister, Grandparents, and Aunts/Uncles, have accepted me as one of their own... and think I am actually blood related!)
Nov. 4
I'm Blessed and Grateful for 54 years of being a daughter of the most AWESOME Mother... Happy Birthday Mom!!! I love you bunches, thank you for all you've done and all you continue to do for me and my family!!! (Nov. 4 is my Mom's actual birthday... she truly has been and always is just AWESOME!)
Nov. 5
I am very Thankful and Blessed to have enjoyed the wonders of Motherhood for 32 years with 3 lovely, smart, independent daughters who have grown into beautiful young women, and are all growing their own branches on our family tree. (As any proud parent... having my daughters has been one of the biggest blessings in my life... they continue to make me proud every day, as they reach out and enrich others with their gifts and talents, and continue to grow themselves through education, hard work, and involvement in their churches.)
Nov. 6
I am Thankful, Grateful, Appreciative, and Honored to be a citizen of the USA, where I have the freedom and liberty to worship, educate myself, speak my voice, and vote in the elections that choose our country's leaders. My deep THANKS of gratitude for all those who serve our country to keep it free! (Nov. 6th was Election Day here in the USA for our next President... women haven't always had the chance to vote, speak their minds, or educate themselves... I am Blessed to be of the generation who have always had these privileges!)
Nov. 7
I am Thankful and Grateful to all of those who came to my aid during my recovery time... THANK YOU soooo much to all my Caregivers and Drivers... THANK YOU to all of you who sent Get Well wishes via prayers, cards, texts, FB messages, phone calls, and with flowers. I could not have gotten thru this without you, and am VERY Blessed for each and every one of you. I am 90% healed, back on my two feet, will be driving in 2 more weeks, I'm almost there! (I had bunion surgery on my right foot on Sept. 5th... it was a painful and long 3 month recovery, but I was able to manage the pain nicely and push through the recovery easier than most... I had some AWESOME folks who flew, drove, and came to my aid during that time... THANK YOU SOOO MUCH!!!)
Nov. 8
Today I am Thankful and Grateful for all the simple pleasures and chores of life that make me feel independent again... making my bed, running the vacuum, getting my hair done, clipping the toenails on my recovering foot (FINALLY), washing the dishes... But mostly for being able to be a caregiver again instead of a care needer. (I am fiercely independent... I was born to nurture others... it truly is in my nature... and I have had AWESOME examples of women in my family who are nurturing and caregivers... so it makes it very hard for me to allow others to be my caregiver in times of need... but through life I have had the need several times, and I understand how good others feel when they can be there for me as much as I feel good being there for them... however... once my time of need is over, I am soooo grateful to do the simplest of chores that we take for granted and moan about everyday... it has been said... you always miss what you have most after it is gone!)
Nov. 9
I am Thankful and Grateful for the HUGE Blessing of being a Grandparent to two precious toddler boys and 2 fur babies, who make me smile every day. And I'm blessed and comforted knowing these babies all have AWESOME parents! (I've wanted to be a Grandparent for many years... now that I am, I completely understand what a wonderful gift it is! My daughters are wonderful parents and pet owners, who nourish their children and their pets with as much discipline as they do love.)
Nov. 10
I am Thankful and Grateful to have a new dear friend in my life, and who is now my neighbor as of this weekend! Welcome to Hutch Norma and Steve!! The giggles have just begun!!! (Several years ago I met Norma and Steve briefly for a couple of hours on a racing outing. This past Sept. Steve was promoted to the Hutchinson Division. When reintroduced to him and his wife, I instantly remembered that day several years ago and what pleasant folks they were. While Norma was in town house hunting, we had the opportunity to reconnect... all we did was giggle... she was in town for a week and we had a couple more days spent together as I was played Ambassador to the town of Hutch. This is a hard move for them, as they are, and have been very close to their families in Ohio and will be separated from their only Grandchild - a 7 yr old Granddaughter, whom they see everyday. They purchased a house 2 doors down from us and are now not only new dear friends, but neighbors... I'm soooo Blessed they are now part of our everyday lives!)
Nov. 11
I am Thankful that my first thought and action this morning was to spring up out of bed with pure joy in my heart knowing I'm about to attend services at my beloved church. I know my heart will be singing the rest of the day! Sooooo Blessed! (Before our move to Hutch, I had looked for 10 years to find a Church home... we had had several wonderful Church's we belonged to through all our moves... but when we moved to Columbus OH, and then to Northern KY, we just never found that perfect Church home we had known in the past. But... that all changed the first weekend I was in Hutch house hunting when I walked in to my all time favorite Church ever! You just know when a Church fits your spiritual needs. I attended this Church every Sunday I was available... until last Dec. when it all changed. We had gotten a new Pastor who was soooooo AWFUL, after 3 months of being in our Church, he had all but destroyed our Church and a boycott was actually in place. I have spent many an hour on my knees in prayer over this issue, because all I wanted was to be back attending services in my Beloved Church. As of Nov. 8 that all changed when he was given severance and left the Church. Since then the Church has come back together and is back to being the AWESOME Church home and family is was before the horrible Pastor... Nov. 11 was the first Sunday service after the Pastor left)
Nov. 12
I am Thankful for growing up in a military family who taught me "Love of Country", "Pride in the USA Flag", "Discipline", and "Appreciation" for all who have ever served, who continue to serve, and those who will serve in the future to keep our country free and strong. God Bless you all as we celebrate all of you! (Nov. 12 was Veteran's Day here in USA, where we honor and celebrate our military past, present, and future for serving our Country. My father was in the Air Force Reserves, and my Uncle was in the Army. I am Blessed for always knowing how important the military is to keeping the USA a free Country)
Nov. 13
I'm sooo Thankful for the soreness I feel from my pilates workout yesterday from the Abby-nator!!! I'm back in the groove and my last step (pun intended!!!) to feeling 100% normal!!! (I work hard on my health and fitness... my favorite fitness workout is pilates... I have an incredible pilates instructor who is also a dear friend... Nov. 12 was my first day in 3 months to return to working on my fitness after my foot surgery... it feels sooo good to feel sooo sore!)
Nov. 14
I am Thankful to find such pleasure in reading a good book... I find myself becoming so familiar with the characters, that upon finishing the book, I've actually met new friends! (I have had a love of reading since I was a child... which I give Thanks to both my parents for setting the example of reading as well as encouraging my love of reading.)
Nov. 15
I am Thankful for Plan B... Which is usually 'Mo Better' than Plan A!
Shopping excursion fails
Cookie Baking Prevails!
(Plan A was a shopping excursion to Kansas City - a 3 1/2 hour drive from Hutch - for Christmas shopping with my two Best Buddies Abby-Pilates instructor, and Norma-new girl in town... I had to cancel out because of not being able to be on my foot for an 'all day of shopping'... so... just because we wanted to spend the day together with some quality 'girls time', we ditched the shopping trip and decided to just gather together for cookie baking. 'Mo Better' is a term Abby uses frequently)
Nov. 16
I am sooo very Thankful to be living in the wonderful little town of Hutchinson (aka Hutch)... where time has stood still, no one is a stranger, people are genuine, and welcoming, and just want to be your friend. A stroll down Main street on any afternoon comes with Church bells and Chimes ringing, and not only is it like living in Mayberry, it reminds me so much of the hometown of my youth! Such a privilege to have been given the Blessing of the experience of Hutch! (We moved from Cincinnati OH, to a teeny tiny town in the middle of Kansas 2 1/2 years ago... Hutch truly is a treasure to be discovered and I will always be Grateful we have had the opportunity to be moved here for work purposes.)
Nov. 17
I am Thankful for the loving example set by my in-laws as they celebrated their 56th Wedding Anniversary today! HAPPY Anniversary Mom and Pop! (This post pretty much speaks for itself)
Nov. 18
I am Thankful for all the gifts and talents the LORD has Blessed me with, and for the gifts and talents others have taken time to teach and share with me... May I always 'Pay It Forward' every opportunity I have. (I come from a family who are artistic and/or crafty... who have created things from hand, from pure necessity to works of art.. and because I grew up surrounded with this, I learned how to problem solve and think outside of the box. My Grandmother allowed me to be 'under foot' while she cooked, and while she encouraged me with great patience my love of cooking... my Mom and Aunt continued to share their cooking knowledge with me after I married and needed recipes or 'how do you do this' questions. My Mom/Grandma/Aunt all work with their hands creating garments, quilts, and decorations from whatever they had at hand. I appreciate being taught 'the right way' to do things, and never wasting anything.
Nov. 19
I am Thankful for the Glorious Sunny weather we have had here in Hutchinson this past week, and that this week of Thanksgiving we will be enjoying temperatures in the 70's! No whining here! (I am a sun worshiper... I LOVE LOVE LOVE the sun! I want to be outside as much as possible... therefore I like the heat and begin to whine when temperatures dip below 75. The temperatures of Kansas is just one more reason why I love living here)
Nov. 20
I am Thankful for handmade gifts. As a giver and receiver of handmade gifts, I know the love and thought of the individual the gift is being made for that goes into each one... and the remembrance of the maker each time the gift is seen or used. Handmade gifts are my most precious treasures! (This post goes perfectly with the post of Nov. 18)
Nov. 21
I am Thankful for everyone who has come to visit us over the years no matter where we have lived. They have taken vacations, holidays, long weekends, and/or stopped by on their way to or from other destinations. We appreciate you for making us feel special, and our doors are always open, the welcome mat is always out! (Having moved away from my childhood home, all my friends, and relatives the day I married... I have lived far away from my loved ones most my life. We have met many new precious friends along our moves, and to all new or old friends, and family... we appreciate you thinking of us and coming to spend time with us!)
Nov. 22 - Tomorrow
Tomorrow has not yet come... and there are still 8 days left to post "Thankful Thoughts" in the month of November... I must stop here for my blog. But... for tomorrow and the rest of the month of November... I am Thankful for you my readers, I am Thankful for every thought, deed, and prayer on my behalf, I am Thankful for every privilege I've been given or will ever receive, I'm Thankful for everyday I wake up and everyday I crawl into bed at the end of the day, I'm Thankful for having GOD in my heart who keeps me trying to do the right thing to everyone everyday. I wish you many Blessings in your own lives and a Very Happy Thanksgiving 2012! May God Bless you all!
Nov. 1
I'm Grateful for having time to spend with my family... (at the time of this post, I had just been given an unexpected opportunity to fly to Kentucky for an 8 day visit with my family)
Nov. 2
I'm Grateful for the technology and devices that keep me connected to loved ones while I currently live 14 hours away from them all. (Back in the early days of our marriage when we moved far away from home, we did not have the technology or devices to keep in touch with our loved ones... we only had RARE long distance phone calls and snail mail... I'm sooo blessed keeping in touch is so much easier these days)
Nov. 3
I am Thankful, Grateful, and Appreciative for 40 years of Joe, and for my 2nd family that came with him. (I met my husband at the tender age of 13... we have been a couple ever since... and I am blessed that his Parents, Brothers/Sister, Grandparents, and Aunts/Uncles, have accepted me as one of their own... and think I am actually blood related!)
Nov. 4
I'm Blessed and Grateful for 54 years of being a daughter of the most AWESOME Mother... Happy Birthday Mom!!! I love you bunches, thank you for all you've done and all you continue to do for me and my family!!! (Nov. 4 is my Mom's actual birthday... she truly has been and always is just AWESOME!)
Nov. 5
I am very Thankful and Blessed to have enjoyed the wonders of Motherhood for 32 years with 3 lovely, smart, independent daughters who have grown into beautiful young women, and are all growing their own branches on our family tree. (As any proud parent... having my daughters has been one of the biggest blessings in my life... they continue to make me proud every day, as they reach out and enrich others with their gifts and talents, and continue to grow themselves through education, hard work, and involvement in their churches.)
Nov. 6
I am Thankful, Grateful, Appreciative, and Honored to be a citizen of the USA, where I have the freedom and liberty to worship, educate myself, speak my voice, and vote in the elections that choose our country's leaders. My deep THANKS of gratitude for all those who serve our country to keep it free! (Nov. 6th was Election Day here in the USA for our next President... women haven't always had the chance to vote, speak their minds, or educate themselves... I am Blessed to be of the generation who have always had these privileges!)
Nov. 7
I am Thankful and Grateful to all of those who came to my aid during my recovery time... THANK YOU soooo much to all my Caregivers and Drivers... THANK YOU to all of you who sent Get Well wishes via prayers, cards, texts, FB messages, phone calls, and with flowers. I could not have gotten thru this without you, and am VERY Blessed for each and every one of you. I am 90% healed, back on my two feet, will be driving in 2 more weeks, I'm almost there! (I had bunion surgery on my right foot on Sept. 5th... it was a painful and long 3 month recovery, but I was able to manage the pain nicely and push through the recovery easier than most... I had some AWESOME folks who flew, drove, and came to my aid during that time... THANK YOU SOOO MUCH!!!)
Nov. 8
Today I am Thankful and Grateful for all the simple pleasures and chores of life that make me feel independent again... making my bed, running the vacuum, getting my hair done, clipping the toenails on my recovering foot (FINALLY), washing the dishes... But mostly for being able to be a caregiver again instead of a care needer. (I am fiercely independent... I was born to nurture others... it truly is in my nature... and I have had AWESOME examples of women in my family who are nurturing and caregivers... so it makes it very hard for me to allow others to be my caregiver in times of need... but through life I have had the need several times, and I understand how good others feel when they can be there for me as much as I feel good being there for them... however... once my time of need is over, I am soooo grateful to do the simplest of chores that we take for granted and moan about everyday... it has been said... you always miss what you have most after it is gone!)
Nov. 9
I am Thankful and Grateful for the HUGE Blessing of being a Grandparent to two precious toddler boys and 2 fur babies, who make me smile every day. And I'm blessed and comforted knowing these babies all have AWESOME parents! (I've wanted to be a Grandparent for many years... now that I am, I completely understand what a wonderful gift it is! My daughters are wonderful parents and pet owners, who nourish their children and their pets with as much discipline as they do love.)
Nov. 10
I am Thankful and Grateful to have a new dear friend in my life, and who is now my neighbor as of this weekend! Welcome to Hutch Norma and Steve!! The giggles have just begun!!! (Several years ago I met Norma and Steve briefly for a couple of hours on a racing outing. This past Sept. Steve was promoted to the Hutchinson Division. When reintroduced to him and his wife, I instantly remembered that day several years ago and what pleasant folks they were. While Norma was in town house hunting, we had the opportunity to reconnect... all we did was giggle... she was in town for a week and we had a couple more days spent together as I was played Ambassador to the town of Hutch. This is a hard move for them, as they are, and have been very close to their families in Ohio and will be separated from their only Grandchild - a 7 yr old Granddaughter, whom they see everyday. They purchased a house 2 doors down from us and are now not only new dear friends, but neighbors... I'm soooo Blessed they are now part of our everyday lives!)
Nov. 11
I am Thankful that my first thought and action this morning was to spring up out of bed with pure joy in my heart knowing I'm about to attend services at my beloved church. I know my heart will be singing the rest of the day! Sooooo Blessed! (Before our move to Hutch, I had looked for 10 years to find a Church home... we had had several wonderful Church's we belonged to through all our moves... but when we moved to Columbus OH, and then to Northern KY, we just never found that perfect Church home we had known in the past. But... that all changed the first weekend I was in Hutch house hunting when I walked in to my all time favorite Church ever! You just know when a Church fits your spiritual needs. I attended this Church every Sunday I was available... until last Dec. when it all changed. We had gotten a new Pastor who was soooooo AWFUL, after 3 months of being in our Church, he had all but destroyed our Church and a boycott was actually in place. I have spent many an hour on my knees in prayer over this issue, because all I wanted was to be back attending services in my Beloved Church. As of Nov. 8 that all changed when he was given severance and left the Church. Since then the Church has come back together and is back to being the AWESOME Church home and family is was before the horrible Pastor... Nov. 11 was the first Sunday service after the Pastor left)
Nov. 12
I am Thankful for growing up in a military family who taught me "Love of Country", "Pride in the USA Flag", "Discipline", and "Appreciation" for all who have ever served, who continue to serve, and those who will serve in the future to keep our country free and strong. God Bless you all as we celebrate all of you! (Nov. 12 was Veteran's Day here in USA, where we honor and celebrate our military past, present, and future for serving our Country. My father was in the Air Force Reserves, and my Uncle was in the Army. I am Blessed for always knowing how important the military is to keeping the USA a free Country)
Nov. 13
I'm sooo Thankful for the soreness I feel from my pilates workout yesterday from the Abby-nator!!! I'm back in the groove and my last step (pun intended!!!) to feeling 100% normal!!! (I work hard on my health and fitness... my favorite fitness workout is pilates... I have an incredible pilates instructor who is also a dear friend... Nov. 12 was my first day in 3 months to return to working on my fitness after my foot surgery... it feels sooo good to feel sooo sore!)
Nov. 14
I am Thankful to find such pleasure in reading a good book... I find myself becoming so familiar with the characters, that upon finishing the book, I've actually met new friends! (I have had a love of reading since I was a child... which I give Thanks to both my parents for setting the example of reading as well as encouraging my love of reading.)
Nov. 15
I am Thankful for Plan B... Which is usually 'Mo Better' than Plan A!
Shopping excursion fails
Cookie Baking Prevails!
(Plan A was a shopping excursion to Kansas City - a 3 1/2 hour drive from Hutch - for Christmas shopping with my two Best Buddies Abby-Pilates instructor, and Norma-new girl in town... I had to cancel out because of not being able to be on my foot for an 'all day of shopping'... so... just because we wanted to spend the day together with some quality 'girls time', we ditched the shopping trip and decided to just gather together for cookie baking. 'Mo Better' is a term Abby uses frequently)
Nov. 16
I am sooo very Thankful to be living in the wonderful little town of Hutchinson (aka Hutch)... where time has stood still, no one is a stranger, people are genuine, and welcoming, and just want to be your friend. A stroll down Main street on any afternoon comes with Church bells and Chimes ringing, and not only is it like living in Mayberry, it reminds me so much of the hometown of my youth! Such a privilege to have been given the Blessing of the experience of Hutch! (We moved from Cincinnati OH, to a teeny tiny town in the middle of Kansas 2 1/2 years ago... Hutch truly is a treasure to be discovered and I will always be Grateful we have had the opportunity to be moved here for work purposes.)
Nov. 17
I am Thankful for the loving example set by my in-laws as they celebrated their 56th Wedding Anniversary today! HAPPY Anniversary Mom and Pop! (This post pretty much speaks for itself)
Nov. 18
I am Thankful for all the gifts and talents the LORD has Blessed me with, and for the gifts and talents others have taken time to teach and share with me... May I always 'Pay It Forward' every opportunity I have. (I come from a family who are artistic and/or crafty... who have created things from hand, from pure necessity to works of art.. and because I grew up surrounded with this, I learned how to problem solve and think outside of the box. My Grandmother allowed me to be 'under foot' while she cooked, and while she encouraged me with great patience my love of cooking... my Mom and Aunt continued to share their cooking knowledge with me after I married and needed recipes or 'how do you do this' questions. My Mom/Grandma/Aunt all work with their hands creating garments, quilts, and decorations from whatever they had at hand. I appreciate being taught 'the right way' to do things, and never wasting anything.
Nov. 19
I am Thankful for the Glorious Sunny weather we have had here in Hutchinson this past week, and that this week of Thanksgiving we will be enjoying temperatures in the 70's! No whining here! (I am a sun worshiper... I LOVE LOVE LOVE the sun! I want to be outside as much as possible... therefore I like the heat and begin to whine when temperatures dip below 75. The temperatures of Kansas is just one more reason why I love living here)
Nov. 20
I am Thankful for handmade gifts. As a giver and receiver of handmade gifts, I know the love and thought of the individual the gift is being made for that goes into each one... and the remembrance of the maker each time the gift is seen or used. Handmade gifts are my most precious treasures! (This post goes perfectly with the post of Nov. 18)
Nov. 21
I am Thankful for everyone who has come to visit us over the years no matter where we have lived. They have taken vacations, holidays, long weekends, and/or stopped by on their way to or from other destinations. We appreciate you for making us feel special, and our doors are always open, the welcome mat is always out! (Having moved away from my childhood home, all my friends, and relatives the day I married... I have lived far away from my loved ones most my life. We have met many new precious friends along our moves, and to all new or old friends, and family... we appreciate you thinking of us and coming to spend time with us!)
Nov. 22 - Tomorrow
Tomorrow has not yet come... and there are still 8 days left to post "Thankful Thoughts" in the month of November... I must stop here for my blog. But... for tomorrow and the rest of the month of November... I am Thankful for you my readers, I am Thankful for every thought, deed, and prayer on my behalf, I am Thankful for every privilege I've been given or will ever receive, I'm Thankful for everyday I wake up and everyday I crawl into bed at the end of the day, I'm Thankful for having GOD in my heart who keeps me trying to do the right thing to everyone everyday. I wish you many Blessings in your own lives and a Very Happy Thanksgiving 2012! May God Bless you all!
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Witnessing, Belief, Answers
This past month has been delightfully strange to say the least... this blog entry is 'my story' that I thought needed to be shared, because it is just that AWESOME... so to give fair warning... it may be a bit wordy and long... but... stories tend to be like that... so either grab a cuppa tea/coffee, prop your feet up for awhile and continue to read on... or... click off and go on your way... I totally understand if you bail here.
My story begins with my Orkin man coming to do my scheduled maintenance bug spraying. We have lived in this house two years now... and as always... whenever we move into a new home, one of the first things I do is to call Orkin to begin regular bug spraying to keep our home bug free... I've used them for 20 years and am very pleased with their service. Any hoo... I digress... my bug man "Stephen" is from Scotland, and has a very heavy brogue accent, making it difficult to understand him... therefore I have always been polite, but never encouraged conversation with him, only because I could not understand him, and didn't want to keep saying to him "I'm sorry I didn't quite get that".
On his first visit 2 years ago, we were discussing what had brought my husband Joe and I to this new home, and we chatted about our families. He shared with me on that first visit that he had recently lost a child, but he didn't elaborate on the cause of his son's death, and I didn't ask, I felt if he wanted me to know more he would have shared his story with me then. Fast forward to 4 weeks ago, when he came to do his regular spraying. I recently had foot surgery and have been laid up since September 5th (2012), Stephen stopped to chat with me and ask about my surgery when he was finished with his spraying. What made us begin this particular conversation... or rather "witnessing" session... I have no idea other than he asked about my surgery... which turned into an hour long conversation... that for the first time in 2 years, I totally understood every word he spoke in his Scottish brogue.
Our conversation turned into our personal faith and beliefs. His story is AMAZING... it would take another very long blog to tell it all in detail... which would be totally worth the read... but... to be concise... basically this man is just like Job in the bible. He has had misery after misery, he has lost everything, picked himself back up and restarted many times... all the while holding tight to his faith and a positive attitude. Personally, I truly believe God put this man in my path on that particular day for a reason. Stephen was not looking for pity... he was just sharing his story from questions I was asking him. I was laying on the couch with my foot propped on pillows, Stephen stood across the room, and for an hour (which seemed like only moments) he poured out his personal story, and the story of his son's death... which led me to share my own story of my families heartache, and loss of my sister when I was just a 3 year old child.
Stephen (like Joe and I) met his first wife at the tender age of 13, they married young, had children... a daughter and a son... and life was good. One day his wife decided she had married too young, had children too young, and had missed her youth. She told him she wanted a divorce so she could go find and enjoy her youth again. He was devastated and totally blindsided... he 'thought' they were a very happy family. His wife told him he could take the children as long as she was allowed to keep all government money alloted for them. She then became the town drunk and whore, while he began to rebuild his life. Years later he met his current wife and they moved to the United States to begin their lives together in the land of promise. They too had children... a daughter, and then girl/boy twins.
One night two years ago he received the phone call that his son had died in Scotland... he had drowned while taking a bath. At this point I asked how old his son was... 11 was his answer... so without thinking... I ask him if he had fallen in the bathtub... he replied No... Stephen was told the boy had been sick with a cold, had taken cold meds and must have become dizzy from the meds and drowned... however... the autopsy revealed the child had not been sick, and there were no signs of any medications in his system. The next day a blizzard hit Scotland... 4 feet of snow made it impossible for him to get back to Scotland for his son's funeral.
As Stephen continued to share and witness with me about his son, he told me his son was a very Godly boy, and had remained behind in Scotland with his mother to try and save her from her drunken and whorish ways. Stephen believes the boy committed suicide because he was unable to help his mother and could no longer tolerate, or be forced to live with her life style, as man after man came in and out of his home to bed his mother. At this point I was completely silent and in tears... Stephen spoke all of this to me in a very calm and steady voice... like a blanket of sorrow that he alone would bear. I shared my own story of my sister's death, and how much I wished I had known her... how I have always wondered if I had been a good big sister to her during her short life... would I have been a good big sister to her had she lived? I shared with him that I have ALWAYS known she is, and always has been with me, and to this day I KNOW she still watches over me. To digress a bit again... my Grandmother had a special gift of premonition, and spiritual awareness that she passed on to myself, my youngest daughter Lauren, and my cousin Nancy. While we appreciate her gift, at times it is hard to explain to others and understand. Either you believe or you don't believe us... we are ok with either... we don't ask, or expect everyone to understand or believe, we just share/witness to those who do. We have all had visions in such detail about things we could never possibly know about, that when shared with other loved ones, and then told them about the details... they know we could never have just made this up. To those who do believe, they find great comfort from what we share.
After Stephen left my house that day I started to get several prayer requests from loved ones, both friends and family, or I heard several things of concern that were on the hearts of my loved ones. I never mentioned this witnessing with Stephen to anyone, only because as life does, things got busy and I honestly forgot about it... but... I did find myself often in deep prayer that week of Stephen's visit.
Fast forward again to the week after Stephen's visit. Rarely do I ever include myself in my prayer requests.. but in times of great need of spiritual guidance I do ask for it, making sure to ask for clear answers that are so obvious I will know what God's plan is. When most of us pray... we already have what we think the 'perfect' solution is in our minds, and we want/expect for those solutions to happen. Each and every time I have found myself on my knees asking for answers, whatever they may be, I am always totally open to anything... believing that when I give it to God, I have to let it go... God ALWAYS gives me my answers and they have NEVER been anything I could have dreamt up in my wildest dreams... then I KNOW for sure that is what I am supposed to do, and it is amazing how perfect his answers are. I truly blindly trust when this happens and I have never regretted it.
My personal prayer request occurred when I least expected it. I had gone to the basement to fetch a soda out of the beverage refrigerator when I literally, and suddenly became overwhelmed with the need to get on my knees on the cold basement floor and just pray. I had been praying for my concern for awhile... but it was more like a daily prayer of guidance vs the deep gut releasing request that occurred in the basement that night. It was a Monday night at 10:30 p.m., Joe was out of town and I was all alone in the house. Joe and I had not been able to attend church here for the past 6 months due to a terrible split of our church over the new pastor... and I still can't believe one man could completely destroy a congregation like he did. At the time the split occurred, Joe and I were in the process of becoming members, and the split forced us to put our membership plans on hold. At no time during this 6 months did we entertain the thought of just going to another church... this church was worth waiting for the resolution. That night on my knees... all I was asking God was for guidance... were Joe and I doing the right thing... were we supposed to begin the search for a new church, or continue to just wait? What did God want us to do? After pouring my heart out to God, I continued on my knees to pray for some loved ones who are really going through a hard time, and how could I possibly help, or make a difference. Out of no where... completely unexpectedly, and without her being on my mind... my sister appeared to me, and I instantly knew God had my ear, everything would be Ok, and a peace I can never come close to explaining came over me.
After my prayer session that night in the basement... I forgot about my soda and just went up to bed... waking up the next morning, going about my business, and never mentioning my experience from the night before to anyone. And then... prayers began getting answered... in ways I could never have imagined. Since the prayers for others are personal and private, I can't and won't share those prayers or answers... and at first, even I didn't realize what was happening... until... my own prayer request was answered 3 days later on Thursday afternoon. Our church sends out a bulletin each Thursday before church on Sunday. For that past 6 months I have been so upset about the circumstances at our church, that as soon as the bulletin arrives in our mailbox, it goes instantly into the trash without me even glancing at it. On this particular Thursday Joe collected the mail (he never collects the mail, except for when I'm out of town)... as he went through the mail he handed me the bulletin not knowing I never read it anymore... and... as I was tossing it in the trash an insert fell out... as I picked up the insert to toss in the trash, something caught my eye causing me to actually read it. It was written by the new Interim Pastor!!!!! He was writing about how the problem Pastor had been given severance and was gone... and then he continued to write about how the church could now move forward, reunite, and heal. I instantly fell again to my knees in prayer of Thanksgiving... and it was like connecting the dots to all of the other answered prayers that week, and how each of those answered prayers were every single thing I was requesting of God that night on the basement floor.
For the next two weeks random, and amazing things continued to happen... each one with such clarity that I knew God truly had had my ear that night... and because I truly let go of each and every concern on my heart that night as I gave them to God, I also knew without any doubt what God's plan was for me to do for each of my prayer requests... and thus began my witnessing of these events to others... including the night in the basement that I had not spoken about to anyone. I did not plan, or set out to witness so much, or to so many people this past month... but each witnessing session (whether it was I doing the witnessing, or I was being witnessed to) was completely spontaneous, but so rewarding!
That Sunday I returned to church. Every single word the Interim Pastor spoke during his sermon, and every single lyric to every song we sang resonated in my heart as if those words, and lyrics were meant only, and specially for me. I quietly wept thru the entire service... which was an outdoor, by the lake service... the only outdoor/lakeside service our church holds each year, with a cookout after the service. It felt like a movie version of my prayers... with my head wanting to scream this doesn't really happen in real life, while my heart was loudly praising... yes it does, when you pray, believe, and trust in the LORD.
This story, and this journey all began the day Stephen witnessed his story with me, completely out of the blue, and completely trusting me with his faith. The purpose of this particular blog entry is continue my witnessing that I feel God wants me to do, to reach as many people as possible who have their own deep prayer requests, and to help them believe prayers ARE answered. When you experience the kind of AMAZING things I have witnessed this past month, it is impossible to keep it to yourself. I feel VERY Blessed to have been chosen to not only have this spiritual experience, but to feel compelled to share it. I continue to get prayer requests, and I continue to pray for them.... May God Bless you all!
My story begins with my Orkin man coming to do my scheduled maintenance bug spraying. We have lived in this house two years now... and as always... whenever we move into a new home, one of the first things I do is to call Orkin to begin regular bug spraying to keep our home bug free... I've used them for 20 years and am very pleased with their service. Any hoo... I digress... my bug man "Stephen" is from Scotland, and has a very heavy brogue accent, making it difficult to understand him... therefore I have always been polite, but never encouraged conversation with him, only because I could not understand him, and didn't want to keep saying to him "I'm sorry I didn't quite get that".
On his first visit 2 years ago, we were discussing what had brought my husband Joe and I to this new home, and we chatted about our families. He shared with me on that first visit that he had recently lost a child, but he didn't elaborate on the cause of his son's death, and I didn't ask, I felt if he wanted me to know more he would have shared his story with me then. Fast forward to 4 weeks ago, when he came to do his regular spraying. I recently had foot surgery and have been laid up since September 5th (2012), Stephen stopped to chat with me and ask about my surgery when he was finished with his spraying. What made us begin this particular conversation... or rather "witnessing" session... I have no idea other than he asked about my surgery... which turned into an hour long conversation... that for the first time in 2 years, I totally understood every word he spoke in his Scottish brogue.
Our conversation turned into our personal faith and beliefs. His story is AMAZING... it would take another very long blog to tell it all in detail... which would be totally worth the read... but... to be concise... basically this man is just like Job in the bible. He has had misery after misery, he has lost everything, picked himself back up and restarted many times... all the while holding tight to his faith and a positive attitude. Personally, I truly believe God put this man in my path on that particular day for a reason. Stephen was not looking for pity... he was just sharing his story from questions I was asking him. I was laying on the couch with my foot propped on pillows, Stephen stood across the room, and for an hour (which seemed like only moments) he poured out his personal story, and the story of his son's death... which led me to share my own story of my families heartache, and loss of my sister when I was just a 3 year old child.
Stephen (like Joe and I) met his first wife at the tender age of 13, they married young, had children... a daughter and a son... and life was good. One day his wife decided she had married too young, had children too young, and had missed her youth. She told him she wanted a divorce so she could go find and enjoy her youth again. He was devastated and totally blindsided... he 'thought' they were a very happy family. His wife told him he could take the children as long as she was allowed to keep all government money alloted for them. She then became the town drunk and whore, while he began to rebuild his life. Years later he met his current wife and they moved to the United States to begin their lives together in the land of promise. They too had children... a daughter, and then girl/boy twins.
One night two years ago he received the phone call that his son had died in Scotland... he had drowned while taking a bath. At this point I asked how old his son was... 11 was his answer... so without thinking... I ask him if he had fallen in the bathtub... he replied No... Stephen was told the boy had been sick with a cold, had taken cold meds and must have become dizzy from the meds and drowned... however... the autopsy revealed the child had not been sick, and there were no signs of any medications in his system. The next day a blizzard hit Scotland... 4 feet of snow made it impossible for him to get back to Scotland for his son's funeral.
As Stephen continued to share and witness with me about his son, he told me his son was a very Godly boy, and had remained behind in Scotland with his mother to try and save her from her drunken and whorish ways. Stephen believes the boy committed suicide because he was unable to help his mother and could no longer tolerate, or be forced to live with her life style, as man after man came in and out of his home to bed his mother. At this point I was completely silent and in tears... Stephen spoke all of this to me in a very calm and steady voice... like a blanket of sorrow that he alone would bear. I shared my own story of my sister's death, and how much I wished I had known her... how I have always wondered if I had been a good big sister to her during her short life... would I have been a good big sister to her had she lived? I shared with him that I have ALWAYS known she is, and always has been with me, and to this day I KNOW she still watches over me. To digress a bit again... my Grandmother had a special gift of premonition, and spiritual awareness that she passed on to myself, my youngest daughter Lauren, and my cousin Nancy. While we appreciate her gift, at times it is hard to explain to others and understand. Either you believe or you don't believe us... we are ok with either... we don't ask, or expect everyone to understand or believe, we just share/witness to those who do. We have all had visions in such detail about things we could never possibly know about, that when shared with other loved ones, and then told them about the details... they know we could never have just made this up. To those who do believe, they find great comfort from what we share.
After Stephen left my house that day I started to get several prayer requests from loved ones, both friends and family, or I heard several things of concern that were on the hearts of my loved ones. I never mentioned this witnessing with Stephen to anyone, only because as life does, things got busy and I honestly forgot about it... but... I did find myself often in deep prayer that week of Stephen's visit.
Fast forward again to the week after Stephen's visit. Rarely do I ever include myself in my prayer requests.. but in times of great need of spiritual guidance I do ask for it, making sure to ask for clear answers that are so obvious I will know what God's plan is. When most of us pray... we already have what we think the 'perfect' solution is in our minds, and we want/expect for those solutions to happen. Each and every time I have found myself on my knees asking for answers, whatever they may be, I am always totally open to anything... believing that when I give it to God, I have to let it go... God ALWAYS gives me my answers and they have NEVER been anything I could have dreamt up in my wildest dreams... then I KNOW for sure that is what I am supposed to do, and it is amazing how perfect his answers are. I truly blindly trust when this happens and I have never regretted it.
My personal prayer request occurred when I least expected it. I had gone to the basement to fetch a soda out of the beverage refrigerator when I literally, and suddenly became overwhelmed with the need to get on my knees on the cold basement floor and just pray. I had been praying for my concern for awhile... but it was more like a daily prayer of guidance vs the deep gut releasing request that occurred in the basement that night. It was a Monday night at 10:30 p.m., Joe was out of town and I was all alone in the house. Joe and I had not been able to attend church here for the past 6 months due to a terrible split of our church over the new pastor... and I still can't believe one man could completely destroy a congregation like he did. At the time the split occurred, Joe and I were in the process of becoming members, and the split forced us to put our membership plans on hold. At no time during this 6 months did we entertain the thought of just going to another church... this church was worth waiting for the resolution. That night on my knees... all I was asking God was for guidance... were Joe and I doing the right thing... were we supposed to begin the search for a new church, or continue to just wait? What did God want us to do? After pouring my heart out to God, I continued on my knees to pray for some loved ones who are really going through a hard time, and how could I possibly help, or make a difference. Out of no where... completely unexpectedly, and without her being on my mind... my sister appeared to me, and I instantly knew God had my ear, everything would be Ok, and a peace I can never come close to explaining came over me.
After my prayer session that night in the basement... I forgot about my soda and just went up to bed... waking up the next morning, going about my business, and never mentioning my experience from the night before to anyone. And then... prayers began getting answered... in ways I could never have imagined. Since the prayers for others are personal and private, I can't and won't share those prayers or answers... and at first, even I didn't realize what was happening... until... my own prayer request was answered 3 days later on Thursday afternoon. Our church sends out a bulletin each Thursday before church on Sunday. For that past 6 months I have been so upset about the circumstances at our church, that as soon as the bulletin arrives in our mailbox, it goes instantly into the trash without me even glancing at it. On this particular Thursday Joe collected the mail (he never collects the mail, except for when I'm out of town)... as he went through the mail he handed me the bulletin not knowing I never read it anymore... and... as I was tossing it in the trash an insert fell out... as I picked up the insert to toss in the trash, something caught my eye causing me to actually read it. It was written by the new Interim Pastor!!!!! He was writing about how the problem Pastor had been given severance and was gone... and then he continued to write about how the church could now move forward, reunite, and heal. I instantly fell again to my knees in prayer of Thanksgiving... and it was like connecting the dots to all of the other answered prayers that week, and how each of those answered prayers were every single thing I was requesting of God that night on the basement floor.
For the next two weeks random, and amazing things continued to happen... each one with such clarity that I knew God truly had had my ear that night... and because I truly let go of each and every concern on my heart that night as I gave them to God, I also knew without any doubt what God's plan was for me to do for each of my prayer requests... and thus began my witnessing of these events to others... including the night in the basement that I had not spoken about to anyone. I did not plan, or set out to witness so much, or to so many people this past month... but each witnessing session (whether it was I doing the witnessing, or I was being witnessed to) was completely spontaneous, but so rewarding!
That Sunday I returned to church. Every single word the Interim Pastor spoke during his sermon, and every single lyric to every song we sang resonated in my heart as if those words, and lyrics were meant only, and specially for me. I quietly wept thru the entire service... which was an outdoor, by the lake service... the only outdoor/lakeside service our church holds each year, with a cookout after the service. It felt like a movie version of my prayers... with my head wanting to scream this doesn't really happen in real life, while my heart was loudly praising... yes it does, when you pray, believe, and trust in the LORD.
This story, and this journey all began the day Stephen witnessed his story with me, completely out of the blue, and completely trusting me with his faith. The purpose of this particular blog entry is continue my witnessing that I feel God wants me to do, to reach as many people as possible who have their own deep prayer requests, and to help them believe prayers ARE answered. When you experience the kind of AMAZING things I have witnessed this past month, it is impossible to keep it to yourself. I feel VERY Blessed to have been chosen to not only have this spiritual experience, but to feel compelled to share it. I continue to get prayer requests, and I continue to pray for them.... May God Bless you all!
Friday, October 5, 2012
Front Stoop Sitting
Geez... I've been front stoop sitting as far back as I can remember. Things to be done on the front stoop are... mostly chatting (if you are with someone)... mostly pondering and relaxing (if you are alone). I've been doing a lot of front stoop sitting this past Spring and Summer because of the new home construction going on behind my house, and wanting to be outside but away from the noise and dust.
Our house is nestled in the woods on a cul-de-sac street, in which we are the only house on the street. I LOVE THIS!!! Our neighborhood which has big wooded lots, only has 16 homes in it... thus... it is very peaceful and quiet. We get all kinds of wild life that roam around our yards... such as deer, wild turkeys, coyotes, and all sorts of bird life. I can go out in the morning with my cup of tea and just sit quietly and watch as these animals go about their daily lives... and if I am real still and quiet they don't see me or know I'm there... but you let me so much as blink and off they dash back into the woods... so I usually try to stay really still and just watch.
My Dad has always loved just watching nature, and NEVER EVER wants to kill a thing... not even a spider or a snake... he would rather observe them from a distance and leave them alone. But since I grew up in the country and lived on 8 woodsy acres... my Dad has had to kill several mice, snakes, and spiders (which I'm sure each one broke his heart) just to make sure I knew he would always save me and take care of me whenever I needed. Heck... I remember very clearly one fall morning when my cousin (Debbie) and I were walking down the stone wall of my driveway and encountered a cow/barn snake who was really minding his own business... my cousin steps right over it and keeps going... I come to an instant stop and SCREAM as if I had actually been bitten. My Dad... who is a night owl and a late sleeper... did not appreciate being awaken at that early hour by my piercing scream... the kinda of scream that terrifies the heart of any parent... but bleary eyed and barely dressed... out runs my Dad to save me from that totally harmless snake! I also remember sitting on our front porch with my Dad watching a spider spin it's web in the corner of the porch. My Dad would get so absorbed in watching that spider... that he would actually throw flies and bugs in the spun web just so he could watch what the spider would do... and I believe he checked on that web everyday until it was blown away by the wind. So nature watching is one of my favorite past times to do on the front stoop.
Front stoop chatting is one of the best places to just solve all the problems of the world! When my girls where in elementary school, my neighbor (Kim) and I would sit on our front stoops every afternoon with a glass of iced tea and chat while we waited for the school bus to drop the kids off after school. We would hug our kids, hear about their day, give them an after school treat, and then we would continue to stoop sit and chat while the kids played in the yard together until time to go in and start homework and begin making dinner.
But as I stated earlier... new home construction has been going on behind our house since this Spring, and because it is noisier and dustier out back, I started going out on the front porch for the peace and quiet. I enjoy reading, talking on the phone, sipping my tea, or just laying on the concrete to absorb all the warmth stored up from the hot sun. It is a very relaxing place to spend a few reflective moments, or an hour reading a book. When my Mom and daughter (Lauren) came to care for me after my bunion surgery a few weeks ago, we all spent lots of time sitting on the front stoop visiting... my mother worked on her hand sewing, Lauren and her 19 month old son (Henry) played in the yard, and we just talked, laughed, and soaked up the warm rays of the sun. It was sooo nice to share one of my favorite spots with them during their visit.
Fall has arrived and Winter isn't far behind, so my front stoop sitting for this year is almost to and end. But I will continue to front stoop sit while I read, think, chat, or just observe nature for as many warm days as I have left before the first snowfall... after that I will stay inside and huddle up to the warmth of the fireplace and watch nature from inside, counting down the days until I am back outside on my front stoop next Spring!
Our house is nestled in the woods on a cul-de-sac street, in which we are the only house on the street. I LOVE THIS!!! Our neighborhood which has big wooded lots, only has 16 homes in it... thus... it is very peaceful and quiet. We get all kinds of wild life that roam around our yards... such as deer, wild turkeys, coyotes, and all sorts of bird life. I can go out in the morning with my cup of tea and just sit quietly and watch as these animals go about their daily lives... and if I am real still and quiet they don't see me or know I'm there... but you let me so much as blink and off they dash back into the woods... so I usually try to stay really still and just watch.
My Dad has always loved just watching nature, and NEVER EVER wants to kill a thing... not even a spider or a snake... he would rather observe them from a distance and leave them alone. But since I grew up in the country and lived on 8 woodsy acres... my Dad has had to kill several mice, snakes, and spiders (which I'm sure each one broke his heart) just to make sure I knew he would always save me and take care of me whenever I needed. Heck... I remember very clearly one fall morning when my cousin (Debbie) and I were walking down the stone wall of my driveway and encountered a cow/barn snake who was really minding his own business... my cousin steps right over it and keeps going... I come to an instant stop and SCREAM as if I had actually been bitten. My Dad... who is a night owl and a late sleeper... did not appreciate being awaken at that early hour by my piercing scream... the kinda of scream that terrifies the heart of any parent... but bleary eyed and barely dressed... out runs my Dad to save me from that totally harmless snake! I also remember sitting on our front porch with my Dad watching a spider spin it's web in the corner of the porch. My Dad would get so absorbed in watching that spider... that he would actually throw flies and bugs in the spun web just so he could watch what the spider would do... and I believe he checked on that web everyday until it was blown away by the wind. So nature watching is one of my favorite past times to do on the front stoop.
Front stoop chatting is one of the best places to just solve all the problems of the world! When my girls where in elementary school, my neighbor (Kim) and I would sit on our front stoops every afternoon with a glass of iced tea and chat while we waited for the school bus to drop the kids off after school. We would hug our kids, hear about their day, give them an after school treat, and then we would continue to stoop sit and chat while the kids played in the yard together until time to go in and start homework and begin making dinner.
But as I stated earlier... new home construction has been going on behind our house since this Spring, and because it is noisier and dustier out back, I started going out on the front porch for the peace and quiet. I enjoy reading, talking on the phone, sipping my tea, or just laying on the concrete to absorb all the warmth stored up from the hot sun. It is a very relaxing place to spend a few reflective moments, or an hour reading a book. When my Mom and daughter (Lauren) came to care for me after my bunion surgery a few weeks ago, we all spent lots of time sitting on the front stoop visiting... my mother worked on her hand sewing, Lauren and her 19 month old son (Henry) played in the yard, and we just talked, laughed, and soaked up the warm rays of the sun. It was sooo nice to share one of my favorite spots with them during their visit.
Fall has arrived and Winter isn't far behind, so my front stoop sitting for this year is almost to and end. But I will continue to front stoop sit while I read, think, chat, or just observe nature for as many warm days as I have left before the first snowfall... after that I will stay inside and huddle up to the warmth of the fireplace and watch nature from inside, counting down the days until I am back outside on my front stoop next Spring!
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
40 Years of Joe
Our story began on a beautiful summer day... June 22, 1972 to be exact (it's in my diary!)... when a 14 year old boy (Joey) took off on his bike with his two brothers to gather the neighboring kids to play a game of field baseball. Joey and my cousin (Debbie) lived in the country... so to find enough bodies to make two teams for a game of baseball, meant all the kids in every nearby family was invited to play... which meant you had kids from the ages of 5 to 14 all outside, in the neighbors field, playing baseball until the parents called them all back home for lunch, chores, dinner... etc.
On this particular June day, I was visiting with my cousin at her house... we have been best friends and playmates our entire lives... I'm 3 years older and was/am a girlie girl, Debbie was/is a tomboy who could, and does play any sport as well as any of the guys. So of course she was ALWAYS the first neighbor who would be asked to play baseball with them any time a game was getting put together. Joey knocked on the door expecting Debbie to answer it... but... Debbie left to go to the bathroom, leaving me to answer the door, which I did... and there he was... sooooooooooo darn cute that I was instantly smitten... I may have only been 13 years old... but... I was TOTALLY SMITTEN!!!
Fortunately for me, I also lived in the country, just 2 miles down the road, and because there just weren't many girls in the area my age, I didn't have competition on trying to win Joey's affection. Joey was always a nice, sweet and funny boy, our personalities matched perfectly and we just hit it off from "I reckon" (my answer to him when he asked me if I wanted to play ball with them). Even though I spent a lot of time with Debbie before I met Joey... you can only imagine how much more time I was at her house after meeting Joey. It was a FABULOUS summer, and by summer's end I was in LOVE!!!!
Joey was a year ahead of me in school, but we had several classes together and we quickly became High School Sweethearts, we would stay sweethearts all through High School. After graduation, Joey left for college 2 hours away. He broke up with me before he left for college... not because we had a disagreement or weren't still in love... it was because his Mom insisted he have the freedom to experience college without any ties back home. In her eyes, this was his chance to really see what the world had to offer. At the time, I was broken hearted and knew he would find someone else and I would lose him forever. But... I quickly learned that even though we were 'officially' broken up... we really weren't. He wrote me letters several times a week, we called each other long distance when we could (at the time long distance was a luxury most of us couldn't afford), he came home for the weekends whenever he could, and our relationship continued to forge and bloom long distance all the same... he never dated anyone else, nor really did I. Now that I am a parent, I totally understand sending your child off to college and encouraging them to be unattached so that they would be available to enjoy all of the college experience. I have always had a great relationship with my Mother-in-law, and I knew her wanting him to be 'free/available' at college wasn't about me... it was about her wanting her son to know he would always have options. And it was at college that Joey grew up and became Joe.
I was ready (or so I thought) to get married and have babies the moment I graduated High School... I had no intentions of furthering my education, I wanted to just get a good job, work and have a family of my own. Now that I am in my 50's I see the silliness of my thinking... but all I knew was I was in love with this wonderful guy and I wanted us to be a family forever! As it turned out... after 5 years of dating, Joe and I did marry young... I was 19, he was 20... and two years later we started our family. It hasn't always been blissful... we were young, dumb, and dirt poor... but we found our way all by ourselves... and we have had fun all along the way. When we didn't have a penny to our name... we sat and played cards, board games, and backgammon and listened to albums... when we had some spare change we would get a neighbor to watch the girls and we would go to the movies, or out for a cheap dinner (we couldn't afford to do both)... when we had a bonus, we took the entire family out to celebrate. With or without... we have just always made it work, and have always had fun along the way. I remember and cherish the early days that were hard because it made us grow strong together... Joe and I have always been "We" and/or "Us"... 40 years strong and hopefully 40 more years to go!
I am blessed to have found the "Love Of My Life" at the tender age of 13!! Joe and I just celebrated our 34th year of marriage this summer. He continues to be the "Love Of My Life", my Best Friend, my Partner, my Soul Mate... "the bread to my butter, and the breath to my life" (to quote Paul Child's toast to Julia)... Joe makes me laugh every day, he makes me a better person just by the example of goodness he sets... Joe really is, always has been, and always will be my Everything! I am blessed and I am grateful!
Here's to all of you as you celebrate your own Love Timeline!... Here's to Love... May Love always rule strong!
On this particular June day, I was visiting with my cousin at her house... we have been best friends and playmates our entire lives... I'm 3 years older and was/am a girlie girl, Debbie was/is a tomboy who could, and does play any sport as well as any of the guys. So of course she was ALWAYS the first neighbor who would be asked to play baseball with them any time a game was getting put together. Joey knocked on the door expecting Debbie to answer it... but... Debbie left to go to the bathroom, leaving me to answer the door, which I did... and there he was... sooooooooooo darn cute that I was instantly smitten... I may have only been 13 years old... but... I was TOTALLY SMITTEN!!!
Fortunately for me, I also lived in the country, just 2 miles down the road, and because there just weren't many girls in the area my age, I didn't have competition on trying to win Joey's affection. Joey was always a nice, sweet and funny boy, our personalities matched perfectly and we just hit it off from "I reckon" (my answer to him when he asked me if I wanted to play ball with them). Even though I spent a lot of time with Debbie before I met Joey... you can only imagine how much more time I was at her house after meeting Joey. It was a FABULOUS summer, and by summer's end I was in LOVE!!!!
Joey was a year ahead of me in school, but we had several classes together and we quickly became High School Sweethearts, we would stay sweethearts all through High School. After graduation, Joey left for college 2 hours away. He broke up with me before he left for college... not because we had a disagreement or weren't still in love... it was because his Mom insisted he have the freedom to experience college without any ties back home. In her eyes, this was his chance to really see what the world had to offer. At the time, I was broken hearted and knew he would find someone else and I would lose him forever. But... I quickly learned that even though we were 'officially' broken up... we really weren't. He wrote me letters several times a week, we called each other long distance when we could (at the time long distance was a luxury most of us couldn't afford), he came home for the weekends whenever he could, and our relationship continued to forge and bloom long distance all the same... he never dated anyone else, nor really did I. Now that I am a parent, I totally understand sending your child off to college and encouraging them to be unattached so that they would be available to enjoy all of the college experience. I have always had a great relationship with my Mother-in-law, and I knew her wanting him to be 'free/available' at college wasn't about me... it was about her wanting her son to know he would always have options. And it was at college that Joey grew up and became Joe.
I was ready (or so I thought) to get married and have babies the moment I graduated High School... I had no intentions of furthering my education, I wanted to just get a good job, work and have a family of my own. Now that I am in my 50's I see the silliness of my thinking... but all I knew was I was in love with this wonderful guy and I wanted us to be a family forever! As it turned out... after 5 years of dating, Joe and I did marry young... I was 19, he was 20... and two years later we started our family. It hasn't always been blissful... we were young, dumb, and dirt poor... but we found our way all by ourselves... and we have had fun all along the way. When we didn't have a penny to our name... we sat and played cards, board games, and backgammon and listened to albums... when we had some spare change we would get a neighbor to watch the girls and we would go to the movies, or out for a cheap dinner (we couldn't afford to do both)... when we had a bonus, we took the entire family out to celebrate. With or without... we have just always made it work, and have always had fun along the way. I remember and cherish the early days that were hard because it made us grow strong together... Joe and I have always been "We" and/or "Us"... 40 years strong and hopefully 40 more years to go!
I am blessed to have found the "Love Of My Life" at the tender age of 13!! Joe and I just celebrated our 34th year of marriage this summer. He continues to be the "Love Of My Life", my Best Friend, my Partner, my Soul Mate... "the bread to my butter, and the breath to my life" (to quote Paul Child's toast to Julia)... Joe makes me laugh every day, he makes me a better person just by the example of goodness he sets... Joe really is, always has been, and always will be my Everything! I am blessed and I am grateful!
Here's to all of you as you celebrate your own Love Timeline!... Here's to Love... May Love always rule strong!
Saturday, September 22, 2012
The First Day of Fall 2012
Today is the first day of the Fall season for 2012... and it indeed does feel like fall, smells like fall, looks like fall... and therefore, my taste buds have begun to switch over from the tastes of the fresh fruits and vegetables of Summer, to the heavier and heartier tastes of Fall. Isn't nature funny in how that happens?? No matter how much I enjoy eating certain foods of any season... when the season has passed and the new one has begun... my taste buds change right along with the seasons.
I'm a devout Summer lover... it truly is my favorite season... I enjoy Fall and Spring... I endure Winter! I'm really trying hard this year to be a good sport and not be a pouty pants whinning about the end of Summer like I usually do. All of my friends and loved ones know... I start my pouting and whinning over the end of Summer soon as Labor Day ends. This year may be different because my situation is different... but either way I'm gonna try hard to appreciate the beauty of Fall and not mourn the passing of Summer.
My situation this year is different due to the fact that I had bunion surgery 2 weeks ago and am pretty much under house arrest for the next 3 months... which means... I can't be outside swimming, gardening, golfing, or enjoying any of my other Summertime pleasures, so I will stay propped up inside and watch as the colors change and the leaves fall.
Don't get me wrong... I don't dislike Fall... it's just that... Fall isn't Summer. I do like the crispness in the air that Fall brings, I like watching the leaves change color and fall into a Monet like blanket all over the grown. I LOVE caramel apples, and they only taste good in the Fall, I love the soups and stews that warm the belly and soul on a cool crisp day, or even better on a cold rainy day. I like huddling up to and warming my hinnie by any fireplace or firepit. I love pumpkin patches and all the yummy treats that can be made from pumpkins. I love corn mazes, hayrides, art/craft fairs, and the festivals that Fall brings.
There really is sooo much to enjoy in the Fall season and I welcome Fall 2012 with arms open wide! In fact... I think I will go put on my first pot of chili for this very first day of Fall!
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About Me
- Vickie G
- I am a short little lady with a passion for cooking and pilates. I have been married for 31 years to my high school sweetheart (my soulmate and love of my life!!!) and we have 3 amazing daughters. I am 50 years old and love living life with as much zest as possible.