SLEEP

DID YOU KNOW? Research shows that the immune system needs 9 1/2 hours of sleep in total darkness to recharge completely -- When was the last time you had this much sleep?

According to the book: Lights Out

Thank You

Thank You, Lord for loving me
And letting me be free
To worship You and praise Your name
All day continually.
Help my every thought be pure
My word be words of praise.
Let everything I say and do
Bring a smile to Your face.

As we go through our day let us be conscious of the words we say. Are they words we want our God to hear? Are they words that will bring a smile to His face? If we are stuck in traffic, are we complaining and fussing or do we take the opportunity of the delay to praise our God? If we are delayed in a long line because the cashier is slow do we mutter and complain or pray for those around us and end our time with the cashier with “Have a nice day and God bless you”? How do we respond to a fussy child or an irritated husband? Let us think on these things and ask God to help our words (and our thoughts) bring a smile to His face.

This is a devotion written by my mom, she has a devotional blog here. Please stop in and visit her.

Aloha Friday #6

I seriously debated mowing leaves to ruin the back door neighbor's Thanksgiving festivities (You know the neighbors that throw their dog poop and grass cuttings OVER THE FENCE!!)
My question for you this week is:

Tell me about something you almost did but resisted because you didn't want to be as bad as the other guy?

Thankful Prayer

Father when I pray to You
There’s many things I say
I ask You for the things I want
And pray for friends in need
Sometimes I cry and throw a fuss
When things aren’t as I want
I forget to give You thanks
For giving me my life

Father, when I pray to You
Let it be in thanks
Thankful for You holding me
Safely in Your hand
Let me always thankful be
For You have set me free
Change my attitude to praise
For all You send my way.

2/25/2006

Philippians 4:6 In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

“In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving…” I’ve never really noted the words “with thanksgiving.” That puts quite a different slant on my conversations with God. I’ve sent many a prayer of supplication in an attitude of complaint and murmuring. I have no trouble being thankful when I have nothing but praises, when everything seems to be going my way. What a difference it would make to always be thankful. There’s no reason not to be. My name is written in God’s book of life. He is in control of my life and nothing can ever separate me from His love. I must choose to be thankful by keeping my eyes on eternity and not blowing up the importance of the moment in my time and space.

Prayer: God, forgive me for the attitudes of complaints and help me dwell in the attitude of thanksgiving in all things.

This is a devotion written by my mom, she has a devotional blog here. Please stop in and visit her.

Happy Thanksgiving

Photo Wednesday

This completely adorable child is my Mom, taken in 1944!!
Check out the look on her face!!!!

Mom, you are still beautiful!

WFMW - Gmail

About two months ago I switched over to Gmail. I love it! Here are some of the things I love about Gmail:

Spam Filtering. The Spam Filtering is absolutely phenomenal!!!!Multiple Email Accounts. I have four personal email accounts and Gmail allows me to keep them all in one place. And Kevin has one too. With Gmail you have the ability to send and receive from multiple email accounts all in one place.
Search Capabilities. I get a lot of email (especilly with Freecycle) so being able to do a google search of my email is a a huge time saver.
Conversation Folders. If the subject line is the same on emails they all go into a conversation folder and STAY TOGETHER!!! No more searching to see what that other response said!Filters. I can tag the newsletters I subscribe to and archive them. Then when I get a chance I look at them.

If you haven't made the switch I HIGHLY recommend it!

Abba

Abba, Father, how I love You
For sending Your own Son.
Abba, Father, how I love You
Through Him You make us one.
Abba, Father, how much I thank You
Your spirit sets me free
Free to worship and to praise
You through out eternity.

Let this be your prayer today. If you have accepted Jesus, God in flesh who died for all sins, as your personal savior and Lord of your life, you have direct access to God, the Creator, the Father of all creation. Be sure you don’t get so busy preparing for the holidays that you forget to spend time communing with God.

By GinRich

TT: Toymania

I haven't done a "Tackle" in a while because I've been too busy Tackling! Yes, really!

Today I was going to sort through the three girls toys in their room. It was a gorgeous 68 degrees outside though in bright sunny Florida, so I had this noble idea of literally dumping all the toy boxes out in the front yard and sick them to the sorting themselves. (They are out of school for Fall Break this week.) I get stifled when I'm in their room and there isn't enough room and if I dump it all out in the Living Room like I usually do toys wind up all over the entire house!

So..I dumped out 4 bins of toys on the lawn and told the girls they had 15 minutes..pick up what they want that can fit in the largest bin and the rest are leaving the house. IT WORKED!!!! And the best part--I didn't have to do all the work! It's amazing how many of the three boys "toys" (which they are to old for in my humble opinion) were using vital space in the three girls' room. I will do it this way from now on!

p.s. I LOVE FREECYCLE!!!!

See poor Sam? I've never gotten so attached to a cat but there's the poor guy!

Starbucks Hot Chocolate Recipe

It's getting mighty chilly out there!!
Serves 8Ingredients:
2 cups water
8 Tablespoons cocoa
8 Tablespoons sugar
6 cups milk
4 teaspoons vanilla extract
Peppermint flavoring (about 1/2 tsp)
whipped cream
chocolate shavings (optional)

Directions:
Measure water, cocoa and sugar into a glass measuring cup. Stir well. Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes to make a chocolate syrup. Stir in milk and vanilla and peppermint syrup (optional). Microwave until warm. If you don't have peppermint syrup you can add a few peppermint candies to the pot. Top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings. Perfect for this time of year too!

Comment Luv Enabled

Yippee! I did it! I installed Comment Luv on this blog. Geesh it was a bit nerve racking with all the kids here but....it is complete and functioning!

It should make it a WHOLE lot easier for me to visit your blogs! I used to HATE searching profiles for you guys' urls! Gotta love Linky Luv!!!!

Update on Sam (our cat)

For those of you following the story. Sam was attacked by the neighbor's dog three weeks ago. I think he's close to the end he is YELLOW, his eyes, ears, pads, cheeks, gums - everything, like jaundice. Causes of this include bile duct obstruction, a rupturing of the bile duct, pancreatitic disease, cancer, inflammation of the gallbladder, and inflammation of a bile duct.

The cat curse continues!

What I've Done

I have seen this on a few blogs recently and thought I would play along - it is a fun little ditty.
You are supposed to copy the list and bold the ones you have done:

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band4. Visited Hawaii5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland - WORLD
8. Climbed a mountain9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee100. Totally copied a post from someone else's blog to your own
44 out of 100 - not too shabby... Feel free to play along!

Petition - By Ginger Chapman

Father God, I cry to You,
Help me look only to You.
Forgive me for my deep despair,
Free me from all worldly care.
Keep my eyes turned to Your Light,
Help me not Your hand to fight.
Cleanse me from my darkest sin,
Let Your Sprit flow within.
Free me from my fears and woes.
Let Your Peace come fill my soul.
Unless You live within my life,
There’s no purpose for this life.
Teach me how to love you more
To worship You and praise You, Lord.

Scripture reading: Psalms 42

I laid down to rest asking God what was going on. I had a vision. There was a gigantic battle. There were two armies. One army was in black with rugged swords and hideous faces. The faces were filled with more hate than I thought existed. The other army was in white like a radiant light without swords. Deafening noises came from the dark army but the white was silent. I noticed that as a dark one would penetrate a white one with his sword the dark one would disintegrate. I was in the midst of this battle. Several times during the next day this vision came back. Each time I saw more people I knew in the midst of the battle with me.

I contemplated the seriousness and intensity of the battle. A word came to me on the importance of standing firm and wearing God’s armor. Much has been written and spoken on the parts of God’s armor but I have never found it easy to keep His armor on me when in the heat of battle. It seemed neither my strongest discipline nor my firmest will were strong enough to keep me in His armor.

God spoke to me about how much He desired me to be in the midst of Him. He desired me so much that He was willing to leave His throne, put on the sinful nature of man, and suffer beyond my finite comprehension. He told me how He longed for me to desire for Him to be in my midst. I came to see we do not really understand the meaning of the word “desire.” We live in a materialistic world. Our needs have been so bountifully met. We never lack anything long enough to experience a real desire. Like most of the words in our language we overuse the word “desire” and minimize its meaning.

“How,” I asked God, “do I obtain this desire for You as You have for me?” I meditated on God’s desire for me. I looked through the Bible at instances such as Abraham’s desire for God over the life of his long promised son. Where did the saints of old get such an intense desire — a desire so intense as to enable them to go the full distance?

I really wanted this desire. I knew I could not get it on my own. How could I get it? How do I get anything I want? I must pray for it. Once I allow God to show me the need for this desire, I will want it enough to seek after Him to implant it in me. I asked Him to find the most fertile spot within me to plant His seed of desire. I want it to take strong root and grow. I found things that seemed important were loosing their hold. This type of desire will really cause me to seek after the kingdom of God and His righteousness. The cost no longer matters. I know my goal and desire it with my whole being.

God earnestly desires me to desire Him. I cannot desire Him in that way unless He puts the desire within me. He will not put the desire within me unless I earnestly desire for Him to do so. Does it sound like a confused play on words? Yes, to the world it does. If you hear God calling you, you will want to respond. He will open the door to your understanding. He will enable you to begin an adventure far beyond your wildest imaginations.

I am excited God desires me so much. He is growing within me that same kind of desire for Him. I encourage you to step out and see, taste and drink of Him. You will never be the same again.

Prayer: Father, thank You for loving me so very much. Thank You for desiring fellowship with me. Quicken within me the same desire for You and for fellowship with You. Draw my mind toward You throughout the day. Teach me to talk to You and to listen to You.

This is another one on my Mom's devotionals you can find more of her devotionals at her blog GinRich here.

Giggles

Visit to the Local Pow Wow

Today we went to our local annual Pow Wow. It was cool...literally! Actually about 45 degrees but right on the waterfront with a kicking breeze!

We were able to watch them demonstrate blowing darts long distances and several different tribal dances. We looked at all of the booths and saw some really cool stuff.

The favorites were all of the different animals skins and skulls! There were even turtle heads, alligator heads/feet/tails, raccoon, deer, buffalo, cow, squirrel, birds, badger, beaver and rabbit skins (Poor Lucky!)

Kiera picked up one of the bunny pelts and I said "Bunny", she dropped it real quick and just kept saying "bun-ee, bun-ee". Awe! Then of course Josh carries on about how when poor Mr. Lucky passes on he's gonna have him stuffed so he can keep him forever! Unless of course he just decides to --KEEP HIS FEET! Geesh!

All in all a fun-filled, FREE, family Saturday outing.

Casserole Recipes

My question this week:

What is your favorite casserole recipe?
We are stretching our groceries and I am SO bored with ours!

If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and leave your link here. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new blogging friends!

(Please leave you answer and a link to your Aloha Friday in the comments section!)

Quote - Unquote

Thank God for dirty dishes
they have a tale to tell,
while others go hungry
we're eating very well,
with home and health and happiness
I shouldn't want to fuss,
For by this stack of evidence
God's very good to us!

Random Facts

Well! Silly me was given awards and I did NOT follow the rules..OOPS! I shall now list 8 random facts about myself:

1. I broke my foot last Christmas..spent the morning in the ER...not fun and OUCH!!! Getting up at 2 am with the baby, I haven't taken a sleeping pill since!
2. I broke my arm riding a bike in the second grade.
3. I broke my knee skating, well actually getting plowed over by racing referees at the skating rink, in the sixth grade.
4. I broke my finger in the 10th grade catching a jacket. Yep..jammed it in the floor.
5. I sliced my eyebrow open sliding down a slide into a river (six stitches).
6. I cut my finger at work in Hawaii (three stitches).
7. I sliced open my thumb washing a glass, it broke (six stitches).
8. Every bone I have broken has been on the left side of my body.

There...bet you did not know those facts!!!! I'm a little paranoid now about breaking things after the cancer stuff and Tamoxifen and the "M" thing (menopause, took out the ovaries)!

Daycares

I'm been touring day care facilities so I can go back to work.

Thirteen scary things to see or hear at a daycare:

1. Screaming
2. Hitting
3. Biting
4. Coughing literally EVERYWHERE
5. Underwear on the floor
6. Dirty sticky food on tables at 2:00 pm
7. Injured kids waiting to be picked up
8. An excess of toys
9. Open doors
10. One big room day cares
11. Two toilet stalls in the entire facility
12. No fences
13. No playground

13 GOOD things to see in a daycare

1. Schedules posted
2. Kids napping
3. Teachers making posters in their spare time
4. Potty training in force
5. Scripture memory verses
6. Hugs
7. Locked doors
8. Fences
9. Playgrounds
10. Clean tables
11. Relaxed teachers
12. Genuine kindness
13. Appreciation

Our lovely water cooler

We bought a hot/cold water dispenser like this at the Goodwill several years ago and it truly is one of my favorite things! NOW! When the 2 year old decides to serve herself to water and pour it in 50 million devices and get it everywhere....it's not so much my favorite!

BUT, with a household of six children and the purchase a some little disposable cups...living without a dishwasher isn't so horrible after all. (Just kidding it still is horrible!! ;)) I also love the hot water feature..great for individual tea, hot cocoa, hot cereal, instant grits (go ahead and cringe!).

Cincinnati Chili Recipe

1 qt. water
2 lbs. lean hamburger
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. cumin seed or ground cumin
2 lg. onions, chopped
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
4 cloves garlic, crushed
2 tbsp. chili powder
1 tsp. black pepper
1/2 tsp. red pepper or chili pepper
1 tbsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. ground allspice
1 (16 oz.) can tomato paste
1 1/2 tbsp. cider vinegar
3 lg. whole bay leaves

Crumble raw (do not brown) hamburger into water. Add all ingredients. Bring to boil, then simmer for 3 hours. Remove bay leaves. Serve on cooked rice or spaghetti noodles with grated cheddar on top! Mmmmmmmm

This is truly one of my favorite dishes. Perfect for this time of year too!

Funny Photo Day

Our Path

I praise You, Lord that I can trust
The path you have me walk.
I need not know where it will lead
Because I know You know.
I need not understand why or where
I trust leave those both with You
And yet I listen in my prayers
In case You want to share.

Sometimes I’d like to know the why.
I’d like to understand
Sometimes I’d like to know the where
So I could make some plans
But then I think that if I knew
I’d interrupt Your plans
For Your ways aren’t for me to plan
But just to hold Your hand.

Many times we find we are walking a path we don’t like or understand. Sometimes it seems we have been down the same type of path at other times. Our finite minds always want to understand our circumstances. We want to know where we are headed so we can “chart our course.”

In the Christian walk our “chart for our course” is in the Bible. Our path leads to eternal life with God, our Father and Jesus Christ, His Son and our Savior and Lord. The directions God wants us to take on our way to our Home are His choice. We are on this earth to give Him pleasure. We do this with our fellowship with Him, our trust in Him, our obedience to Him and our love for Him. All these, fellowship, trust, obedience and love, can be carried out without knowing the why’s or where’s of our walk.

It is so nice to be able to just walk and trust. I know where my walk will end. I can trust God’s hand to guide me every step of the way. When my finite mind pushes it’s questions into my attention, I can pause, turn my eyes on my Father, and choose to trust His wisdom and love. Peace overflows as I do this and I can continue my walk in fellowship, trust, obedience and love.
This is a devotional from my Mom (GinRich). Stop by and visit her devotional Blog here.

Aloha Friday #4

We had an encounter with a rat yesterday

in this house...read aabout it here.

My question for you this week:

What's the scariest thing you have ever encountered in your own home??

Ratty was not the scariest thing I've encountered in my home, it was an intruder (I had a restraining order on), but I won't get into that. 

If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and leave your link here. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new blogging friends!

(Please leave you answer and a link to your Aloha Friday in the comments section!)

RATS!

It was very warm here last night so I thought I'd open up the house to get in some fresh air. None of the windows in this lovely home open so we can only do doors. I opened the back sliding door (no screen) and the front door to get some air flow. I showered and locked the doors and decided to retire around midnight. I sat upon my bed to wind down and low and behold....A RAT! YES, I SAID A RAT ran right past me and up the stairs to Ki's room!

I ran after his squealing. (Poor Ki!!) I found something to whack at it and tried to smash the thing! I sicked the dog (Blue Heeler) on it but NO! Stupid thing just tried to get the stick! Oh yes, all along dear Mr. Kevin just watching TV in the Living Room..some Big Foot documentary!

Anyhow, all my screaming woke up every child in the house so I had help then!! Well Nathan and Garit decided to watch all the commotion from their beds, I don't blame them one little bit! Miranda was very brave..I was shocked. We tried to whack it but it ran back into the boys room to the back door, YAY, but IT WAS LOCKED!  Josh didn't want it opened though in case another one would come in. Come on already let's get this sucker outta here! He opened the door again. Meanwhile I was trying to keep Ratty's whereabouts very well known.

Josh devised a mop handle with a steak knife through it to get Ratty. Of course I wouldn't allow it! (Smart kid though!) I had him cornered and then HE CAME RIGHT AT ME and RAN ACROSS MY FOOT! I jumped up on Ki's toddler bed then. She just watched..and watched..taking it all in.

After a brief recovery session from the foot episode I started to chase hin toward the door and guess what? Ratty ran over my foot again. Need I remind you I was ready for bed and barefoot. This time Ratty tried to crawl up. my. leg.  That was it..this was WAR!  By this point Josh decided he was cute...yes, I said my 15 year old son, thought this rat was cute thereby it did not deserve the death penalty.

I called our trusty Blue Heeler back again, this time he saw it! He cornered Ratty and grab a hold. We heard Ratty squeal, but then he was dropped and the varmit ran right into the PANTRY!  I pulled out the toy box the rodent was hiding behind and Ratty went a running into the boys room and finally out the door! Poor dog never saw him leave he was after the little rat for about another hour! LOL!

Lesson Learned: DO NOT LEAVE THE OUTSIDE DOORS OPEN AFTER DARK UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!!!!!!!

Thursday's Photo

I have absolutely GOT to take more pictures of all the other kids....I just spend more time with Ki because she's home with me all day!

Experience is what causes people to make new mistakes instead of old ones.

Borax

Some of my favorite uses for Borax:

Borax as a Floor Cleaner
1. Fill a bucket with about 1 gallon of warm water.
2. Add about 1/3 cup Borax.
3. Add 1 teaspoon liquid dishwashing detergent.
4. Mix in about 1 tablespoon ammonia.

To remove urine stains and odors:
1. Dampen the soiled areas with water.
2. Sprinkle borax over the areas.
3. Rub the borax over the areas, working into mattress well.
4. Let dry.
5. Vacuum or brush off any remaining borax powder.

Make slime for the Kids:
1. In a glass or ceramic bowl, add 1/2 cup water and 1 cup white glue.
2. Stir in 4 drops food coloring if desired.
3. In another bowl, dissolve 1/2 teaspoon borax in 1/2 cup water.
4. Slowly add the dissolved borax mixture to the glue mixture. Stir well.
5. When not in use, store in a tightly sealed jar.

Aids in drying flowers:
1. Cut flowers you wish to preserve, with or without stem.
2. Sprinkle borax on the bottom of a small box such as a shoe box.
3. Add up to two flowers.
4. Completely cover with more borax.
5. Tape the box shut.
6. Let sit at room temperature for about one week.
7. When dried completely, strain off the borax powder; may be reused for more flower drying.


Kills Roaches:
1. Mix equal parts powdered sugar and borax in a bowl.
2. Sprinkle in cracks along walls and under cupboards.
3. Keep away from children and pets.
4. Repeat as necessary for one to two weeks until all roaches have died.

Kitty Litter:

Sprinkle it in with your kitty litter to mask the odor.

My Brownie Secret

Okay, I'm letting go of a BIG secret here....I know it seems silly but everyone RAVES about my brownies.

This is what I use..Betty Crocker Brownie Mix then add 1 cup dark chocolate chips on the top and about 1/2 cup chopped pecans then lightly tap them in to the mix and bake as directed. The pecans get toasted and oh so good. So simple and yet so good! Try it.

Veteran's Day

Quote

The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.

~Franklin D. Roosevelt

Scripture Sunday

1 Samuel 16:7
People look at the outside of a person, but the Lord looks at the heart.

Aloha Friday #3

My question for you this week, since it was such a hit last time:

What is your favorite Mommy Moment this week?
What made your heart giggle?

Quote - Unquote

Our Greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.

~Confucius

Strength in Faith

Judges 16:6 - And Delilah said to Samson, Tell me, I pray thee, wherein thy great strength lieth, and wherewith thou mightest be bound to afflict thee.

My strength is in the faith God has given me. He’s given me the faith to believe, when I gave Him my life and acknowledged Jesus, His only begotten Son, as my Savior and Lord of my life, He accepted me as more than His creation. He accepted me as His child. I know how a parent feels about a child. I would lay down my life for any of my children. That is what Jesus did for me. Through the trials and testings of my walk with God, He has grown in me faith to know He will not leave me or forsake me. Reading His written word, the Bible, has increased the faith. This faith is the only strength I have. Apart from this, I can do nothing of value. It is God’s working through me that anything of value can come. I continue to find when I do something without prayer I get into trouble. I have a great strength within me. I have the power of God’s Holy Spirit.

Prayer: Father, thank You for Your Holy Spirit and the gift and fruit of faith You have and are growing within me. Continue to mature the faith and work through me to Your glory and pleasure.

**Yes, Another on from my mom...I'm running out though..MOM!!! I have gotten several comments from you all about how much you enjoy these.

Just a Thought

Why not learn to enjoy the little things -- there are so many of them.

Curse on Cats

I was chatting with a fellow blogger about the demise of pets and realized I have not shared the "Birthday Curse on Cats" at our home.

We got Miss Kitty when Kevin moved in with us. She was a sweet petite little black cat with two stocking feet. An itty-bitty little thing. Well, she had four little cutie pies! Mitten looked just like his Momma but the stockings were on the opposite feet. Minnie was the sweetest, softest light gray cat. Shadow was a jet black loaner but very personable. Last but not least was Tiger who was a stripped big fuzzy ball of fluff! They all got along great.

Miss Kitty disappeared when the kittens were about ten weeks old. I checked at the shelter and everywhere...no clue what happened to her!

Then, my poor kids! We have back to back birthdays and we lost a cat on each of the next three birthdays! What are the odds of that? Minnie the poor dear got squashed by the snotty lady down the street, poor A (4 years old at the time) saw the whole entire thing! Tiger somehow wound up disemboweled on our next door neighbor's lawn one morning. Mitten just vanished! Gone! Completely!

Shadow disappeared too. He came home about seven weeks later with his tail half rotted off! I remember that odor very well as I was going through chemo at the time. Poor Kevin took it upon himself to cut off dear Shadow's tail before infection took over and killed him. (Yes! Don't worry! He knew exactly what he was doing. He is by trade a horse breeder and farmer with extensive animal care.) Well, we knew if we were to cut off dear shadow's tail we would never see him again. If we did not though he surely would die. The kids often say they see him several blocks over when they ride the bus!

So there we were cat-less again! The poor little dears! Then Kevin rescued a little kitten off the highway one day and guess what? Yep, he disappeared too! Jeez!!!! What the heck???? And what ever happened to nine lives???

I made Kevin promise NOT to bring home any more kittens no matter what! The poor little guys just did not deserve the death sentence that would surely come upon them! Well, yeah...I gave in. There was a momma cat where Kevin worked and the kittens were starving. He brought home a solid white one with the brightest blue eyes ever! This time I'm keeping him INSIDE! I have never had a litter box before and I do not like it one little bitty bit!!! It's been about seven months now and he's still here. Hey I just had a Birthday too!!! Yippee, the curse is OVER!!

Update: Since I wrote this post poor Sam was attacked by the dog across the street. Poor guy seens to have some internal injuries...hmm..I sure hope he's okay!!!

TT - Places I'd like to visit

Today, I thought I'd share thirteen places I'd like to visit:

Jamaica

Bahamas

New England

Puerto Vallarta

Australia

Ireland

Alaska

Colorado

Yellowstone

Niagara Falls

Florida Keys, again

Smokey Mountains, again

Grand Canyon

Leave us your link here so we can visit you!

Quote

Too many people miss the silver lining because they're expecting gold.

~Maurice Setter

Wednesday's Photo

Woo Hoo! My oldest plays the trumpet in his High School marching band. They had their final competition on Saturday and placed second overall! Great Job Guys!!!! I think they should have won. Unfortunately, the winning band's director resigned the day before because he was arrested for indecent exposure.....SCARY STUFF!! My mom used to pray for each of us as we left for school. THANKS MOM!!!!!

Sorry these pictures are so awful...anyone have an old digital camera they like to donate to this mom of six?? Hee, hee....

QUEEN OF TOSSING

Whew! I was the QUEEN OF TOSSING this weekend. Sunday, I headed back to the laundry room/storage room/closet....then my bedroom.

I gathered SIX (6) 55 gallon trash bags for charity and 2 55 gallon bags for trash! Omigosh...It looks wonderful. I even rearranged my room. I feel so empowered when I get rid of stuff. I looked at pieces of clothing and then asked myself what it reminded me of...seeing as I've had a horrendous 4 years with a divorce after 17 years then cancer...not all fond memories. SO...if I did not LOVE it and it reminded me of a time I should have been happier OUT it went. (Besides the fact I have gained over 50 pounds since I started my cancer regimen and most of it does not fit anyhow!)

I still have more to do in the laundry room. I'll get back to it soonish but I feel a lot better! Even got it to where I could hide a huge Christmas present in there!!!! Oh! And I've been working on filling up the little trailer for the dump outside as well!!! THAT is huge! Kinda have to be a little sneaky outside...if ya know what I mean! ;)

P.S. - Still on a roll three more tall kitchen bags and a crib- OUTTA HERE!! This is liberating ladies!! The bed of the truck is now FULL!! Woo Hoo

STEAK CASSEROLE

STEAK CASSEROLE
3 or 4 boneless cube steaks
1 can Campbell's Golden Mushroom Soup
1 can mushrooms (optional)
1 med. onion, sliced

Brown the steaks in a frying pan, then place in the bottom of a baking dish. Pour the mushroom soup over them, add the can of mushrooms if you wish. Spread the sliced onions on top and season with salt, pepper and paprika to taste. Bake for about 35 to 40 minutes at 350 degrees. Serve with noodles. The gravy may be spooned over them.

My Favorite Things

This is it Ladies....Uh huh! One of my favorite things in the whole wide world!!

Ice cold with a straw in a glass container!! Uh huh. That's it!

I was Tagged

I was tagged by Sandi over at Pregnant with Cancer. I'm supposed to share 6 random things about me and pass the torch to 6 other blogging buddies. Here goes.. (Blogger is having spacing problems apparently...sorry!)

1. I mentioned before that I always use a straw to drink...well I also wash out the glass/mug two times with soap before I get a drink. (Yeah, I know a little OCD.)

2. I LOVE Caffeine- Free Diet Dr. Pepper! Love, love, love it!

3. I don't sleep...hardly ever. I can sleep during the day...easy..just not at night! Weird??

4. My first daughter's name came from a movie I liked. Both her first and middle names. I had to wait 13 years though to use it! All those boys just kept on coming and coming and coming.

5. I still have MAJOR chemo brain! Grrr. I can't remember SQUAT. I lost a ton of memories too (wish it were only the not so fond ones!) Even from 10 minutes ago. My poor kids must think I have Alzheimer Disease. They are getting more patient with me though...yay!

6. I can not put on the same pair of socks twice...eww..even if they are clean. If it's only been a very short while (like minutes) then they definitely have to go on to the same foot or the toe just doesn't match up!

Meal Plan Monday

Monday again, huh. It seems like it happens each and every week! Jeez!

Entrees:
BBQ Slow Cooked Chicken Legs
Country Fried Steak
Scrumptious Ground Beef Casserole (recipe follows)
Meatloaf
Chicken Spaghetti
Taco Salad


Scrumptious Ground Beef Casserole
1 lb ground beef
1 (15 ounce) can tomatoes
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped bell pepper
1/4 cup chopped celery
1 (8 ounce) can mushrooms
2 tablespoons brown sugar or sweet pickle juice
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 (10 3/4 ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
1/4 lb sharp cheddar cheese
1 (6 ounce) package angel hair pasta, cooked
1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
salt and pepper

Brown meat in large skillet or Dutch oven. Add onions, pepper and celery and simmer for 15 minutes. Add tomatoes and tomato sauce, mushrooms, brown sugar and Worcestershire sauce. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cook in skillet for 1 hour. Place cooked pasta in bottom of large casserole dish. Spoon mushroom soup over pasta. Pour sauce over the soup and top with cheese. Bake in 350°F oven for 30-45 minutes.

Useless Information

Count the number of cricket chirps in a 15-second period, add 37 to the total, and your result will be very close to the outdoor Fahrenheit temperature.

Giggles

A man left work one Friday afternoon. But, it being payday, instead of going home, he stayed out the entire weekend partying with the boys and spending his entire week's wages.When he finally appeared at home on Sunday night he was confronted by a very angry wife and was barraged for nearly two hours with a tirade befitting his actions.Finally his wife stopped the nagging and simply said to him, "How would you like it if you didn't see me for two or three days?"To which he replied, "That would be fine with me!"

Monday went by and he didn't see his wife. Tuesday and Wednesday came and went with the same results. Come Thursday, the swelling went down just enough where he could see her a little out of the corner of his left eye.

Introducing: An Angora Rabbit

Introducing: An Angora Rabbit!

Can YOU SAY YIKES!!!??!!?