Thankful Thursday

Laughter -makes the world go round!

Have a little laugh at life and look around you for happiness instead of sadness. Laughter has always brought me out of unhappy situations. Even in your darkest moment, you usually can find something to laugh about if you try hard enough.-- Red Skelton

The best thing in the whole world is to hear a child laugh....it seems to come from their toes. I could be having a horrible day ~ but to hear my daughter laugh makes my DAY!!! I am so THANKFUL for the laughter they give.

photo credit: valco

Every time we remember to say "thank you", we experience nothing less than heaven on earth.
-- Sarah Ban Breathnach

Thank you for stopping by!!!

Firsts ~ so NOT ready!

I will not forget the day Bailey decided that diapers where DONE!!! She would take a stack of books and enter "her" domain and not come out for like 1/2 hour! We were so excited that we had reached this mile stone.....becoming a "Big Girl"

Or how about the day that your daddy let go of the back or your bike and you peddled off on "Your Own" ~ not needing the support of extra wheels or a daddy's hand.

When you went off to school for the first time ~ not even turning your head as you ran off to join the other children......My heart cried out because I knew this was only the beginning ~ each year would bring her closer to "Growing Up"

There have been MANY mile stones over the years ~ but you have reached one that I am SO NOT READY FOR!!!! I knew it was coming, but I am in denial. You have threatened me ~ NOT to speak about your "boobies". I even have to pay you $10 each time I may have mentioned the "word". Last Friday you made the decision ~ it was "TIME"....we had to venture into unkown territory ~ in search of that "First Bra" {there I said it!!!}

My lil angel who will be 12 this August....is wearing her "FIRST" bra today to school. Wonder if the boys will notice??? {hope not!!!} Does she feel different??? Am I ready for the next step ~ you know ~ puberty {I am definitely NOT ready for that step} I think I can deal with the zits and attitude....but explaining ~ you know ~ THAT.....thank the Lord that American Girl has a book all about "your body".

So I sit here in shock today.....knowing that my sweet lil baby is making another step toward becoming a young lady. HELP!!!!!

photo credit: thejbird, rskoon, lcso72, rob2bobbie64

Every time we remember to say "thank you", we experience nothing less than heaven on earth.
-- Sarah Ban Breathnach

Thank you for stopping by!!!

What to do with my Elephant now....

I was watching Arsenio Hall's show "funniest moments" and they had a segment about Dumb Laws. I wondered what was still out there for NC....so I did some googling and here are few that I found: {check out other states...pretty funny ~ Dumb laws}

The mere possession of a lottery ticket is illegal in North Carolina and may result in a $2,000 fine. {ok....so I guess that since we now have the lottery..this gets kinda tricky!!}

In north Carolina it is illegal to hunt on Sunday without a dog.

Elephants are not allowed to plow cotton fields {ok...I guess I will have to put my elephant out to pasture since I am not allowed to work him}

Singing off-key in the state can get you busted. {damn...will ya'll come visit me in jail?}

Topsail Beach ordinance that says hurricanes would not be permitted within the town limits {yeah right!!!}

A Charlotte ordinance requires women to cover their bodies with at least 16 yards of cloth at all times. {don't see that happening!!!}

Two people who check into a hotel room, pretending to be married, may not raise any eyebrows today, but it is still against the law, It is also a misdemeanor for two unmarried people to co-habitate. {guess you will have to arrest A LOT of people!!!}

While having sex, you must stay in the missionary position and have the shades pulled. {go ahead...tell on me...I dare you}

A marriage can be declared void if either of the two persons is physically impotent {ok....so does that mean if I say I cant orgasm...then I am impotent??? }

Chapel Hill, people can not ride their horse on the town's sidewalks

Every time we remember to say "thank you", we experience nothing less than heaven on earth.
-- Sarah Ban Breathnach

Thank you for stopping by!!!

"The Crack~Up"

"Of course all life is a process of breaking down, but the blows that do the dramatic side of the work - the big sudden blows that come, or seem to come, from outside - the ones you remember and blame things on and, in moments of weakness, tell your friends about, don't show their effect all at once. There is another sort of blow that comes from within - that you don't feel until it's too late to do anything about it, until you realize with finality that in some regard you will never be as good a man again. The first sort of breakage seems to happen quick - the second kind happens almost without your knowing it but is realized suddenly indeed. Before I go on with this short history, let me make a general observation - the test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function. One should, for example, be able to see that things are hopeless and yet be determined to make them otherwise."

-F. Scott Fitzgerald, essay: "The Crack-Up", February, 1936

Every time we remember to say "thank you", we experience nothing less than heaven on earth.
-- Sarah Ban Breathnach

Thank you for stopping by!!!

Sunday Stealing: 29'er Meme

1. What bill do you hate paying the most? Really ALL of them!!! but if I have to pick one ~ it would have to be my cable bill..highway robbery

2. Where was the last place you had a romantic dinner? hhmm...that would be Kanki

3. How many colleges did you attend? ONE...good ole NCSU

4. Why did you choose the shirt that you have on right now? It is my Team Parent shirt ~ Bailey had a swim meet today...GO WAVE!!!

5. First thought when the alarm went off this morning? 5:45 is way too early ...and we were not even going to church...but a SWIM MEET

6. Last thought before going to sleep last night? That I wish I could sleep in

7. What do you miss being a child? Not really having any responsibilities....and really no worries

8. What errand/chore do you despise? LAUNDRY

9. Have you found real love yet? totally....I am married to my best friend...the love of my life

10. What do you get every time you go into Wal-Mart? usally a book or some clothes

11. Do you think marriage is an outdated ritual? heck NO!!! it is a sacred institution ..but I think that some people can make it more about "things"... and less about LOVE and a union of two families.

12. What famous person would you like to have dinner with? Reba...she is so facinating

13. Ever had to use a fire extinguisher for its intended purpose? nope..that is why I married a firefighter....he can do it for me

14. Somewhere in California you've never been and would like to go? I have friends that are from Carmel...I hear it is beautiful

15. At this point in your life would you rather start a new career or a new relationship? heck - a NEW career..bring it on!!!

16. Do you have a “go to” person? Usually my mother-in-law....or my friends Cliston or Michelle

17. Are you where you want to be in life? Life is an ever evolving thing. I have many things that I would like to accomplish....I am very happy with where I am at.....each day is an adventure...

18. Over the years, what about you do you think has changed the most? That I look at life totally different. I am living life for me and my family.....and that no matter how much I try...my father will never be happy with who I am

19. Looking back at high school were they the best years of your life? uuuhh...not really

20. Are there times you still feel like a kid? pretty much all the time...except when my joints pop

21. Where was the hang out spot when you were a teenager? that would be the Farm Shop..

22. Who do you think impacted your life the most? Honestly...my momma

23. Was there a teacher or authority figure that stood out for you? no ...not really

24. Do you tell stories that start with “when I was your age”? All the time..Bailey is sick of hearing them

25. What is the scariest thing that has happened to you as an adult? having my daughter...Heck ~ it scared me to death to think I was responsible for another human body....but I would not trade this experience for ANYTHING

26. What advice would you give to someone about to get married? Listen, Communicate, be HONEST and do not try to change them.

27. What advice would you give someone starting their first job? pay attention and relax...you will be fine. Learn as much as you can...one day you will be the BOSS!!!

28. If you could go back and change one thing you did, what would it be? that I should have gone to Europe and played soccer for the USA...had the chance and like a dodo brain...passed!!!

29. If you could go back and change one thing someone else did, what would it be? I would love to see my father accept me for ME...actually spend time with me and my family and really get to know me.


Every time we remember to say "thank you", we experience nothing less than heaven on earth.
-- Sarah Ban Breathnach

Thank you for stopping by!!!

Remember when?

Looking at this picture brings tears to my eyes. It looks just how my mother pictured it would look. This picture is of my childhood home. However, it looks TEN TIMES BETTER!!!!

My father sold this home about 3 years ago - my parents had purchased it in 1972. I cried to see it pass on to another owner...but my father COULD not keep it up. He could not afford to put it back to its GLORIOUS state. It most deff did not look like this 3 years ago.....similar...but minus a garage and a covered front stoop. I hope to do a walk through next week...pics to follow!!!

Every time we remember to say "thank you", we experience nothing less than heaven on earth.
-- Sarah Ban Breathnach

Thank you for stopping by!!!

Anyone for a Drink?

Can anyone please explain why fast food restaurants have the need to fill my home with all these plastic toys???!!! Yes ~ some are cute....but MOST have NO use what so EVER and end up in my bathtub, or all over my car.

Remember the good ole days??? A new movie or show would come out and the fast food chains would create GLASS SETS!!! I remember telling my mom that I HAD to eat a hamburger EVERY day because I HAD to get ALL the McDonald's Star Wars glasses...or head over to Hardees and get the SMURFS!!!

They ARE cool....you can USE them on and on and on!!! {unlike those cute lil toys you get now} I would LOVE to head to McDonald's and see Charlie Brown staring back at me.

Or the Muppets!!! These are all classic movies and shows.

So I am off to DIG through my cabinets and attic or rummage through the flea market and see if I can salvage just ONE glass.... THEY ARE AWESOME!!!

{photo credits: powerbooktrance, jasonliebig

Every time we remember to say "thank you", we experience nothing less than heaven on earth.
-- Sarah Ban Breathnach

Thank you for stopping by!!!

Ya can't say NO

Mary Ruth over at "Momma Ruth Says..." has some new puppies and I LOVE puppies. During my childhood, my parents used to raise afghan hounds. When I was born, my parents had about 15 dogs in our home {that included 1 litter of puppies} ~ so try picturing a new mommy caring for her newborn as well as tending to a litter of puppies in a house of about 1200 sq ft....with ALL dogs living INSIDE!!! {can't have SHOW dogs living outside!!}

But seeing momma ruth's page made me really think that seeing a puppy can brighten up the blahest of days!!! How can you not SMILE at their sweet faces....those BIG eyes!!!

Just wanted to SHARE some "SMILES" ~ Have a beautiful week!!!

photo credits: ladyoz, scott kinmartin, believer9, hella.vella, love and luck

Every time we remember to say "thank you", we experience nothing less than heaven on earth.
-- Sarah Ban Breathnach

Thank you for stopping by!!!

Happy Mother's Day

Momma, I miss you very much! You are and always are in my heart!!! To my daughter ~ you are a true blessing in my life!

Happy Mother's Day ya'll!!!

Every time we remember to say "thank you", we experience nothing less than heaven on earth.
-- Sarah Ban Breathnach

Thank you for stopping by!!!

The 2 for 1 Meme ~ Happy Mother's Day

1. What is on the walls of your room? wallpaper...we have not gotten around to decorating b/c I plan on redoing the room...

2. What type of music do you listen to? all kinds...I love dance, pop, country

3. What do you want more than anything right now? to talk with my mother

4. Do you get scared in the dark? depends...sometimes it is peaceful...but if I hear "Bumps" in the night...yeah maybe

5. What's you worst fear? death

6. If you could anything right now, what would it be? pay all the debt for my hubby's companies

7. What’s the most meaningful gift that you’ve received? the last 2 years of my momma's life were a TRUE gift!!! the time we shared together

8. Do you have a crush? yeah - sshhh...don't tell my hubby :)

9. Who is your favorite celebrity? hhmm....Johnny Depp

10. Could you fall in love with someone that you know must leave? love happens and knows now boundries

11. Share a favorite quote of yours. Faith is deliberate confidence in the character of God whose ways you may not understand at the time. ~Oswald Chambers

12. What’s your weakness? I am soooo impatient

13. Do you believe that we all have a soul mate? I believe that there is someone out there for everyone.

14. What were you doing before Sunday Stealing? creating a card for my mother in law.

15. What do you get complicated about the most? that would be family...life with them can be soooo complicated sometimes

16. What turns you off the most from a potential partner? body odor

17. What is you worst habit? being LOUD

18. When was the last time that you were jealous? been awhile

19. Have you ever had a “friend with benefits”? yeah - haven't we all???

20. Do you use sarcasm? sometimes...

21. At the moment, what’s you favorite song? don't have 1 in particular...like a lot of songs

22. What is you favorite day of the year? EVERYDAY!!! that the Lord blesses me with another sunrise

23. Describe your love life. I am married to the sweetest man in the world...he is my hero and my shinning knight

24. When was your last one night stand? goodness me...well over 20 years!!!

25. How many past lovers are too many? when you begin to forget how many b/c the list is so long





Every time we remember to say "thank you", we experience nothing less than heaven on earth.
-- Sarah Ban Breathnach

Thank you for stopping by!!!

oohhh....strawberries GALORE

Today was the BESTEST day....sunny, warm and perfect for picking strawberries! {one of the fruits I CAN EAT - has the lower amount of fructose} Me, Bailey and her friend went off on a mission.....lots and lots of berries. I wanted to create a strawberry pie, and the girls were all for strawberry/banana smoothies, chocolate dipped strawberries and a chocolate/strawberry cake. Boy was I in for a FUN afternoon!

I called my mother-in-law and got her recipe for her strawberry pie. {she has made 11 of them in 2 days} It is TOTALLY easy.

1 1/2 cup water

1 1/2 cup sugar

3 tbsp corn starch

mix ingrediants over heat until thick

mix in 1 Large box of strawberry jello~make sure everything dissolves

use either graham cracker crust or frozen crust ~ fill pie crust with cut strawberries

let sugar mixture cool a little ~ poor over strawberries and place in fridge

will make 2 pies

The girls had a BLAST mixing the cake {and especially LICKING the bowl} Once the cake had cooled, I sliced each half ...giving us 4 layers.

The girls decided that the layers would go as follows:
Cake

Icing

Strawberries

The girls had fun {I think more icing made it into their mouth than the cake!!!} here is the finished product: {it lasted about 10 seconds....and then we watched as the layers slowly slid in all directions.} Oh - it may NOT look pretty now....but it is DELICIOUS!!!!

Saturday fun and SMILES ~ the BEST!!!

Every time we remember to say "thank you", we experience nothing less than heaven on earth.
-- Sarah Ban Breathnach

Thank you for stopping by!!!

Pac Man is running loose

I get "THE" call from my Dr. I have been having gastro issues and last week I had a breath test done {testing to see if I was lactose, fructose or luculose intolerant}

WELL....{drum roll please} Pac Man is running around my colon and NOT in a good way!!! I have a FRUCTOSE intolerance which means that fructose sugar is not being absorbed correctly and causing a build up of BAD bacteria which eats the good bacteria {atleast now I know what is causing me to look bloated and pregnant!!!!}All I can picture is a lil pac man running around my instetines gobbling all the "good" bacteria.

I sit here stunned.....ME....not being able to digest Fructose sugar! Me....who LOVES fruits and veggies GALORE!!!! The Dr. really knows how to make my Mother's Day weekend a good one! Here is the call"

Nurse: "Mrs. Murray? this is Dr. Herschlmens office. we have gotten your breath test results."

Me: "good. Ok. ~ that was quick"

Nurse: "the tests show that you do have a high amount of "bad" bacteria in your intestines. this is due to your intolerance to digesting Fructose sugar. We have prescribed a 7 day course of strong antibiotics to treat the bacteria."

Me: "Ok...so what does that mean over all?"

Nurse: "You will have to begin a diet free of Fructose Sugar"

Me: "Can you give me some suggestions?" {I am in shock and was hoping they had a list of Do's and Don'ts}

Nurse: "you can google fructose intolerance and that should help you with finding a diet"

Me: {in shock still} Ok.....thank you

Nurse: "we will see the first week of June for a follow up. call if you have any questions"

I DO HAVE QUESTIONS and you told me to GOOGLE!!!!! I go to pick up my killer antibiotics and ask the pharmacist if she could help. She basically told me that sugar comes in many forms, but that I was only tested for fructose intolerance. I will need to READ all the labels of my food and stay away from Fructose Sugar {which is in pretty most ANYTHING!!!!}

So here I sit on this sunny Saturday, GOOGLING my future.....wondering how bad my body will get if I eat that ONE cookie or drink that one glass of fruit juice. I am thankful to finally have an answer {we hope} to why I look 5 months pregnant. I am hoping my clothes will fit again!!! I will trust in the Lord that He has a reason for this - even though I still think it is a cruel joke.

So - everyone out there....please have a HIGH FRUCTOSE SUGAR day for me.....while I enjoy my meat and white potatoes and finally {hopefully} get my figure back!!!

{photo credit-waynesutton12}

Every time we remember to say "thank you", we experience nothing less than heaven on earth.
-- Sarah Ban Breathnach

Thank you for stopping by!!!

With me FOREVER

71 years!!! I hope to reach that milestone. This week, in honor of Mother's day, I want to share my momma. As you know, this will be my first momma's day without my momma. I know she is with me in spirit...but it is still very emotional. I want to reach for the phone and call.

To all you mommas out there ~ Happy Mother's Day!!!!

Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

Every time we remember to say "thank you", we experience nothing less than heaven on earth.
-- Sarah Ban Breathnach

Thank you for stopping by!!!

El Shaddai

Any time I am having a "tough" time....I close my eyes and lift my heart to the Lord.

My sister in law is in need of Prayer.....I lift her up to the LORD!!!

Amy Grant has always been able to give me a sense of peace when my heart is hurting.

El Shaddai, El Shaddai, Elyon no Adonai [God almighty, God almighty, God in the highest, oh LORD)
Age to Age your still the same
By the power of the Name
El Shaddai, El Shaddai, Erkamka na adonai
(God Almighty, God Almighty, I will love you, oh LORD)
We will Praise and Lift you high
El Shaddai




Through Your Love and through the ram
You saved the son of Abraham
And by the power of your hand
Turned the sea into dry land
To the outcast on her knees
You were the God that really sees
And by your might you set your children free




El Shaddai, El Shaddai, El Elyon na Adonai
Age to Age your still the same
By power of the name
El Shaddai, El Shaddai, Erkamka na Adonai
We will praise and lift you high
El Shaddai




Through the years you made it clear
That the time of Christ was near
Through the people failed to see
Whatmessiah ought to be
Though your word contained the plan
They just could not understand
Your most awesome work was done
Through the fraility of your son




El Shaddai, El Shaddai, El Elyon na Adonai
Age to Age your still the same
By power of the name
El Shaddai, El Shaddai, Erkamka na Adonai
We will praise and lift you high
El Shaddai




El Shaddai: by Amy Grant

{photo credit: ^i^heavendarkangel2}




Every time we remember to say "thank you", we experience nothing less than heaven on earth.
-- Sarah Ban Breathnach

Thank you for stopping by!!!

uuumm.....forgive me for the TEARS

Tears in Heaven



This week is really difficult! It all comes down to ONE day....Sunday. The one and only Mother's Day. I am a mother and LOVE it when my daughter makes me a card. It is filled with love and created from the heart!

I am a daughter-in-law and LOVE my mil so very much. She is a TRUE Blessing to have in my life ~ so wise and caring.

But I am also a daughter......however.....my momma is with the Lord. This is my first Mother's Day without my momma....and well....I am beginning to feel a bit overwhelmed. I can cry at anything one minute and laugh the next. I will probably be really snappy by this weekend.....not sure why that happens. I know my momma is with me always....and she knows that I LOVE her very much!

photo credit: meme

Every time we remember to say "thank you", we experience nothing less than heaven on earth.
-- Sarah Ban Breathnach

Thank you for stopping by!!!

Call 911

HELP!!! we have 1/2 a container of playdough...and NO ingrediants to make any!!! When you are home sick from school and bored out of your gourd....playdough comes in handy. I guess I am off to the store tomorrow for some ingredients.....gotta replenish our playdough stash!!!

Nature's Playdough
1 cup flour

1/2 cup salt

1 cup water

2 tablespoons oil

2 tablespoons cream of tartarbeet, spinach, and carrot juice
Mix flour, salt and oil, and slowly add the water. Cook over medium heat, stirring until dough becomes stiff. Turn out onto wax paper and let cool. Knead the playdough with your hands until of proper consistency. Use as is, or divide into balls and add a few drops of the vegetable juices to make green, pink, and orange.

Playdough
4 cups flour

1/4 cup powdered tempera

1/4 cup salt

1 1/2 cups water

1 tablespoon oil
Mix together flour, powdered paint and salt. Mix water and oil, and food coloring if desired. Gradually stir the water and oil mix into the flour mix. Knead the playdough as you add the liquid. Add more water if too stiff, more flour if sticky.

Alum Playdough
2 cups flour

1 cup salt

2 tablespoons alum

1 cup water

2 tablespoons oil

liquid food coloring
Pour dry ingredients into large pan. Stir together to mix. Stir oil and food coloring into the water. Pour liquid into the dry ingredients while mixing, squeezing and kneading the playdough. If too sticky, add more flour. Keeps best in the fridge.

Just Like the Real Playdough (so they say)
1 cup flour

1 cup water

1 tablespoon oil

1 tablespoon powdered alum

1/2 cup salt

2 tablespoons vanillafood coloring
Mix all dry ingredients. Add oil and water. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until reaching the consistency of mashed potatoes. Remove from heat and add vanilla and food coloring. Divide into balls and work in color by kneading the playdough.

Oatmeal Playdough
1 cup flour

2 cups oatmeal

1 cup water
Gradually add water to flour and oatmeal in bowl. Knead until mixed (this playdough is sticky, but unique in texture.) Model as with clay.
Tip: Add cornmeal or coffee grounds in small quantity for texture.

Nutty Butter Playdough
1 cup peanut butter

1 cup powdered milk

1 cup honey

1 cup oatmeal
Mix together and play.

Kool-Aid Playdough
2 1/2 to 3 cups flour

2 cups boiling water with

1 package Kool-aid (any flavor)

3 tablespoons corn oil

1/2 cup salt

1 tablespoon alum

photo credit: jimmiehomeschoolmom

Every time we remember to say "thank you", we experience nothing less than heaven on earth.
-- Sarah Ban Breathnach

Thank you for stopping by!!!

Refined Flour

Ok...I have been having....uumm...let's just say gastro problems and I am having a breath test done {testing for lactose, fructose and laculose allergies} Well....the day before I am to perform the test, I have a restrictive diet that is VERY restrictive. I am allowed to eat REFINED Flour, COOKED veggies, MEAT, EGGS and down ALL the water I can swim in!

Now - I have been searching on the world wide web of google....and have come to find that REFINED flour is NOT the healthiest. So off I go to my cabinet in search of something to eat for breakfast.

I first grab the sourdough bread I bought yesterday {makes the best toast!!!} and flip to the label....NOPE - it is made with UNBLEACHED flour {darn those health nuts}

Off to the regular white bread....NOPE - same thing.

OK...let us try the saltine crackers.....MAYBE - it has ENRICHED flour....getting a lil closer.

I can eat CORN FLAKES - but guess what...I DO NOT HAVE ANY!!!

Sooooo - I reach for the grits and guess what - I CAN HAVE THIS...only 1 cup. YIPPIE!!!!!

I guess I will have to OD on grits, bacon, eggs {minus the cheese and milk} and STEAK!!! All in the hope to find the reason I am having "ISSUES" in my gastro system.

Wish me LUCK!!!

photo credit: gabo

Every time we remember to say "thank you", we experience nothing less than heaven on earth.
-- Sarah Ban Breathnach

Thank you for stopping by!!!

Blah!

Everyone has those days when they feel BLAH. For me, it is when the sun hides and the weather is yucky. All you feel like doing is curling up on the sofa, snuggled under a blanket, watching or reading.

As adults, we have so much going on in our lives with family, work, and friends. Children, are smaller images of ourselves, and I think we sometimes forget that they too can have issues. When Bailey was a toddler and I noticed she was sad, I would tickle her or make goofy faces. Now, at age 11 1/2, that does not really work.

Bailey has been having issues with her knees lately {previous post} and it seems the Spring allergies are getting to her. She woke up today BLAH. It breaks my heart to see her mope around.....and all I want to do is make her LAUGH!!!! I keep forgetting that she is human, and is ALOUD to have BLAH days too. . . . but as a parent....you just want to wiggle your nose and make it all better!

So....I am spending the day worrying about my lil boo, trying to think of ways to break her out of this BLAHNESS. Maybe a snuggle on the sofa in front of the tv will do the trick.



photo credit: sirkus

Every time we remember to say "thank you", we experience nothing less than heaven on earth.
-- Sarah Ban Breathnach

Thank you for stopping by!!!