Can I get a woo-hoo???!!!!
Will Citimortgage take this as paid in full? Hey it's only fair, if Obama is gonna fill her tank and pay her debt why would'nt he help me?
No more working to put gas in my tank and no more working at my mortgage!!!
Follow link to Youtube.
Sorry, I could not get the video to post here.
Chel
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Campaign fun and Change you can trust!
I have found a website with campaign slogans; it is great: http://www.presidentsusa.net/campaignslogans.html
I have a collection of Presidential Campaign Buttons.
One is so funny: Truman was screwy to build a porch for Dewey. (Truman won. Dewey said he did with the paper in his hands.) Moral: Your vote counts!
You can see some here: http://abidingbranch.blogspot.com/2008/10/video-spog.html
I wrote this about Social Security the other day: The candidates say the same things today and Social Security was just an act when this was written. http://abidingbranch.blogspot.com/2008/10/social-security-same-old-story-same-old.html
There truly is nothing new under the sun. If you want something new you gotta get out from the s-u-n and get under the S-O-N. Only the SON can bring real change!
Chel
I have a collection of Presidential Campaign Buttons.
One is so funny: Truman was screwy to build a porch for Dewey. (Truman won. Dewey said he did with the paper in his hands.) Moral: Your vote counts!
You can see some here: http://abidingbranch.blogspot.com/2008/10/video-spog.html
Great post here: http://werehavingaball.blogspot.com/2008/11/political-prodegy.html Well said little girl!!! :-) You make us all proud!
Another great post: http://shondasjournal.blogspot.com/2008/11/one-nation-under-god.html
I wrote this about Social Security the other day: The candidates say the same things today and Social Security was just an act when this was written. http://abidingbranch.blogspot.com/2008/10/social-security-same-old-story-same-old.html
There truly is nothing new under the sun. If you want something new you gotta get out from the s-u-n and get under the S-O-N. Only the SON can bring real change!
Chel
a letter from a "wealthy person"
This is too good not to pass on.
Mr. Obama,
Given the uproar about the simple question asked you by Joe the plumber, and the persecution that has been heaped on him because he dared to question you, I find myself motivated to say a few things to you myself. While Joe aspires to start a business someday, I already have started not one, but 4 businesses. But first, let me introduce myself.
You can call me "Cory the well driller".
I am a 54 year old high school graduate. I didn't go to college like you, I was too ready to go "conquer the world" when I finished high school. 25 years ago at age 29, I started my own water well drilling business at a time when the economy here in East Texas was in a tailspin from the crash of the early 80's oil boom.
I didn't get any help from the government, nor did I look for any. I borrowed what I could from my sister, my uncle, and even the pawn shop and managed to scrape together a homemade drill rig and a few tools to do my first job. My businesses did not start as a result of privilege. They are the result of my personal drive, personal ambition, self discipline, self reliance, and a determination to treat my customers fairly. From the very start my business provided one other (than myself) East Texan a full time job. I couldn't afford a backhoe the first few years (something every well drilling business had), so I and my helper had to dig the mud pits that are necessary for each and every job with hand shovels. I had to use my 10 year old, 1/2 ton pickup truck for my water tank truck (normally a job for at least a 2 ton truck).
A year and a half after I started the business, I scraped together a 20% down payment to get a modest bank loan and bought a (28 year) old, worn out, slightly bigger drilling rig to allow me to drill the deeper water wells in my area. I spent the next few years drilling wells with the rig while simultaneously rebuilding it between jobs. Through these years I never knew from one month to the next if I would have any work or be able to pay the bills. I got behind on my income taxes one year, and spent the next two years paying that back (with penalty and interest) while keeping up with ongoing taxes. I got behind on my water well supply bill 2 different years (way behind the second time... $80,000.00), and spent over a year paying it back (each time) while continuing to pay for ongoing supplies C.O.D..
Of course, the personal stress endured through these experiences and years is hard to measure. I do have a stent in my heart now to memorialize it all.
I spent the next 10 years developing the reputation for being the most competent and most honest water well driller in East Texas. 2 years along the way, I hired another full time employee for the drilling business so that we could provide full time water well pump service as well as the well drilling.
Also, 3 years along the path, I bought a water well screen service machine from a friend, starting business # 2. 5 years later I made a business loan for $100,000.00 to build a new, higher production, computer controlled screen service machine. I had designed the machine myself, and it didn't work out for 3 years so I had to make the loan payments without the benefit of any added income from the new machine. No government program was there to help me with the payments, or to help me sleep at night as I lay awake wondering how I would solve my machine problems or pay my bills.
Finally, after 3 years, I got the screen machine working properly, and that provided another full time job for an East Texan in the screen service business. 2 years after that, I made another business loan, this time for $250,000.00, to buy another used drilling rig and all the support equipment needed to run another, larger, drill rig. This provided another 2 full time jobs for East Texans. Again, I spent a couple of years not knowing if I had made a smart move, or a move that would bankrupt me. For the third time in 13 years, I had placed everything I owned on the line, risking everything, in order to build a business.
A couple of years into this, I came up with a bright idea for a new kind of mud pump, a fundamentally necessary pump used on water well drill rigs. I spent my entire life savings to date (just $30,000.00), building a prototype of the pump and took it to the national water well convention to show it off. Customers immediately started coming out of the woodworks to buy the pumps, but there was a problem. I had depleted my assets making the prototype, and nobody would make me a business loan to start production of the new pumps. With several deposits for pump orders in hand, and nowhere to go, I finally started applying for as many credit card as I could find and took cash withdrawals on these cards to the tune of over $150,000.00 (including modest loans from my dear sister and brother), to get this 3rd business going.
Yes, once again, I had everything hanging over the line in an effort to start another business. I had never manufactured anything, and I had to design and bring into production a complex hydraulic machine from an untested prototype to a reliable production model (in six months). How many nights I lay awake wondering if I had just made the paramount mistake of my life I cannot tell you, but there were plenty. I managed to get the pumps into production, which immediately created another 2 full time jobs in East Texas. Some of the models in the first year suffered from quality issues due to the poor workmanship of one of my key suppliers, so I and an employee (another East Texan employed) had to drive across the country to repair customers' pumps, practically from coast to coast. I stood behind the product, and made payments to all the credit cards that had financed me (and my brother and sister). I spent the next 5 years improving and refining the product, building a reputation for the pump and the company, working to get the pump into drill rig manufacturers' product lines, and paying back credit cards. During all this time I continued to manage a growing water well business that was now operating 3 drill rig crews, and 2 well service crews.
Also, the screen service business continued to grow. No government programs were there to help me, Mr. Obama, but that's ok, I didn't expect any, nor did I want any. I was too busy fighting to make success happen to sit around waiting for the government to help me.
Now, we have been manufacturing the mud pumps for 7 years, my combined businesses employ 32 full time employees, and distribute $5,000,000.00 annually through the local economy. Now, just 4 months ago I borrowed $1,254,000.00, purchasing computer controlled machining equipment to start my 4th business, a production machine shop. The machine shop will serve the mud pump company so that we can better manufacture our pumps that are being shipped worldwide. Of course, the machine shop will also do work for outside companies as well. This has already produced 2 more full time jobs, and 2 more should develop out of it in the next few months.
This should work out, but if it doesn't it will be because you, and the other professional politicians like yourself, will have destroyed our countrys' (and the world) economy with your meddling with mortgage loan programs through your liberal manipulation and intimidation of loaning institutions to make sure that unqualified borrowers could get mortgages. You see, at the very time when I couldn't get a business loan to get my mud pumps into production, you were working with Acorn and the Community Reinvestment Act programs to make sure that unqualified borrowers could buy homes with no down payment, and even no credit or worse yet, bad credit.
Even the infamous, liberal, Ninja loans (No Income, No Job or Assets). While these unqualified borrowers were enjoying unrealistically low interest rates, I was paying 22% to 24% interest on the credit cards that I had used to provide me the funds for the mud pump business that has created jobs for more East Texans. It's funny, because after 25 years of turning almost every dime of extra money back into my businesses to grow them, it has been only in the last two years that I have finally made enough money to be able to put a little away for retirement, and now the value of that has dropped 40% because of the policies you and your ilk have perpetrated on our country.
You see, Mr. Obama, I'm the guy you intend to raise taxes on. I'm the guy who has spent 25 years toiling and sweating, fretting and fighting, stressing and risking, to build a business and get ahead. I'm the guy who has been on the very edge of bankruptcy more than a dozen times over the last 25 years, and all the while creating more and more jobs for East Texans who didn't want to take a risk, and would not demand from themselves what I have demanded from myself. I'm the guy you characterize as "the Americans who can afford it the most" that you believe should be taxed more to provide income redistribution "to spread the wealth" to those who have never toiled, sweated, fretted, fought, stressed, or risked anything. You want to characterize me as someone who has enjoyed a life of privilege and who needs to pay a higher percentage of my income than those who have bought into your entitlement culture. I resent you, Mr. Obama, as I resent all who want to use class warfare as a tool to advance their political career. What's worse, each year more Americans buy into your liberal entitlement culture, and turn to the government for their hope of a better life instead of themselves. Liberals are succeeding through more than 40 years of collaborative effort between the predominant liberal media, and liberal indoctrination programs in the public school systems across our land.
What is so terribly sad about this is this. America was made great by people who embraced the one-time American culture of self reliance, self motivation, self determination, self discipline, personal betterment, hard work, risk taking. A culture built around the concept that success was in reach of every able bodied American who would strive for it. Each year that less Americans embrace that culture, we all descend together. We descend down the socialist path that has brought country after country ultimately to bitter and unremarkable states. If you and your liberal comrades in the media and school systems would spend half as much effort cultivating a culture of can-do across America as you do cultivating your entitlement culture, we could see Americans at large embracing the conviction that they can elevate themselves through personal betterment, personal achievement, and self reliance. You see, when people embrace such ideals, they act on them.
When people act on such ideals, they succeed. All of America could find herself elevating instead of deteriorating. But that would eliminate the need for liberal politicians, wouldn't it, Mr. Obama? The country would not need you if the country was convinced that problem solving was best left with individuals instead of the government. You and all your liberal comrades have got a vested interest in creating a dependent class in our country. It is the very business of liberals to create an ever expanding dependence on government. What's remarkable is that you, who have never produced a job in your life, are going to tax me to take more of my money and give it to people who wouldn't need my money if they would get off their entitlement mentality asses and apply themselves at work, demand more from themselves, and quit looking to liberal politicians to raise their station in life.
You see, I know because I've had them work for me before. Hundreds of them over these 25 years. People who simply will not show up to work on time. People who just will not work 5 days in a week, much less, 6 days. People always looking for a way to put less effort out. People who actually tell me that they would do more if I just would first pay them more. People who take off work to sit in government offices to apply to get free government handouts (gee, I wonder how things would have turned out for them if they had spent that time earning money and pleasing their employer?). You see, all of this comes from your entitlement mentality culture.
Oh, I know you will say I am uncompassionate. Sorry, Mr. Obama, wrong again. You see, I've seen what the average percentage of your income has been given to charities over the years of 2000 to 2004 (ignoring the years you started running for office - can you pronounce "politically motivated"), you averaged less than 1% annually. And your running mate, Joe Biden, averaged less than π% of his annual income in charitable contributions over the last 10 years. Like so many liberals, the two of you want to give to the needy, just as long as it is someone else's money you are giving to them. I won't say what I have given to charities over the last 25 years, but the percentage is several times more than you and Joe Biden... combined (don't you just hate Google?). Tell me again how you feel my pain.
In short, Mr. Obama, your political philosophies represent everything that is wrong with our country. You represent the culture of government dependence instead of self reliance; entitlement mentality instead of personal achievement; penalization of the successful to reward the unmotivated; Political correctness instead of open mindedness and open debate.
If you are successful, you may preside over the final transformation of America from being the greatest and most self-reliant culture on earth, to just another country of whiners and wimps, who sit around looking to the government to solve their problems. Like all of western Europe. All countries on the decline. All countries that, because of liberal socialistic mentalities, have a little less to offer mankind every year.God help us...Cory Millerjust a ordinary, extraordinary American, the way a lot of Americans used to be.
P.S. Yes, Mr. Obama, I am a real American... meet me:http://www.cmillerdrilling.com/; or http://www.centerlinemanufacturing.com/
Mr. Obama,
Given the uproar about the simple question asked you by Joe the plumber, and the persecution that has been heaped on him because he dared to question you, I find myself motivated to say a few things to you myself. While Joe aspires to start a business someday, I already have started not one, but 4 businesses. But first, let me introduce myself.
You can call me "Cory the well driller".
I am a 54 year old high school graduate. I didn't go to college like you, I was too ready to go "conquer the world" when I finished high school. 25 years ago at age 29, I started my own water well drilling business at a time when the economy here in East Texas was in a tailspin from the crash of the early 80's oil boom.
I didn't get any help from the government, nor did I look for any. I borrowed what I could from my sister, my uncle, and even the pawn shop and managed to scrape together a homemade drill rig and a few tools to do my first job. My businesses did not start as a result of privilege. They are the result of my personal drive, personal ambition, self discipline, self reliance, and a determination to treat my customers fairly. From the very start my business provided one other (than myself) East Texan a full time job. I couldn't afford a backhoe the first few years (something every well drilling business had), so I and my helper had to dig the mud pits that are necessary for each and every job with hand shovels. I had to use my 10 year old, 1/2 ton pickup truck for my water tank truck (normally a job for at least a 2 ton truck).
A year and a half after I started the business, I scraped together a 20% down payment to get a modest bank loan and bought a (28 year) old, worn out, slightly bigger drilling rig to allow me to drill the deeper water wells in my area. I spent the next few years drilling wells with the rig while simultaneously rebuilding it between jobs. Through these years I never knew from one month to the next if I would have any work or be able to pay the bills. I got behind on my income taxes one year, and spent the next two years paying that back (with penalty and interest) while keeping up with ongoing taxes. I got behind on my water well supply bill 2 different years (way behind the second time... $80,000.00), and spent over a year paying it back (each time) while continuing to pay for ongoing supplies C.O.D..
Of course, the personal stress endured through these experiences and years is hard to measure. I do have a stent in my heart now to memorialize it all.
I spent the next 10 years developing the reputation for being the most competent and most honest water well driller in East Texas. 2 years along the way, I hired another full time employee for the drilling business so that we could provide full time water well pump service as well as the well drilling.
Also, 3 years along the path, I bought a water well screen service machine from a friend, starting business # 2. 5 years later I made a business loan for $100,000.00 to build a new, higher production, computer controlled screen service machine. I had designed the machine myself, and it didn't work out for 3 years so I had to make the loan payments without the benefit of any added income from the new machine. No government program was there to help me with the payments, or to help me sleep at night as I lay awake wondering how I would solve my machine problems or pay my bills.
Finally, after 3 years, I got the screen machine working properly, and that provided another full time job for an East Texan in the screen service business. 2 years after that, I made another business loan, this time for $250,000.00, to buy another used drilling rig and all the support equipment needed to run another, larger, drill rig. This provided another 2 full time jobs for East Texans. Again, I spent a couple of years not knowing if I had made a smart move, or a move that would bankrupt me. For the third time in 13 years, I had placed everything I owned on the line, risking everything, in order to build a business.
A couple of years into this, I came up with a bright idea for a new kind of mud pump, a fundamentally necessary pump used on water well drill rigs. I spent my entire life savings to date (just $30,000.00), building a prototype of the pump and took it to the national water well convention to show it off. Customers immediately started coming out of the woodworks to buy the pumps, but there was a problem. I had depleted my assets making the prototype, and nobody would make me a business loan to start production of the new pumps. With several deposits for pump orders in hand, and nowhere to go, I finally started applying for as many credit card as I could find and took cash withdrawals on these cards to the tune of over $150,000.00 (including modest loans from my dear sister and brother), to get this 3rd business going.
Yes, once again, I had everything hanging over the line in an effort to start another business. I had never manufactured anything, and I had to design and bring into production a complex hydraulic machine from an untested prototype to a reliable production model (in six months). How many nights I lay awake wondering if I had just made the paramount mistake of my life I cannot tell you, but there were plenty. I managed to get the pumps into production, which immediately created another 2 full time jobs in East Texas. Some of the models in the first year suffered from quality issues due to the poor workmanship of one of my key suppliers, so I and an employee (another East Texan employed) had to drive across the country to repair customers' pumps, practically from coast to coast. I stood behind the product, and made payments to all the credit cards that had financed me (and my brother and sister). I spent the next 5 years improving and refining the product, building a reputation for the pump and the company, working to get the pump into drill rig manufacturers' product lines, and paying back credit cards. During all this time I continued to manage a growing water well business that was now operating 3 drill rig crews, and 2 well service crews.
Also, the screen service business continued to grow. No government programs were there to help me, Mr. Obama, but that's ok, I didn't expect any, nor did I want any. I was too busy fighting to make success happen to sit around waiting for the government to help me.
Now, we have been manufacturing the mud pumps for 7 years, my combined businesses employ 32 full time employees, and distribute $5,000,000.00 annually through the local economy. Now, just 4 months ago I borrowed $1,254,000.00, purchasing computer controlled machining equipment to start my 4th business, a production machine shop. The machine shop will serve the mud pump company so that we can better manufacture our pumps that are being shipped worldwide. Of course, the machine shop will also do work for outside companies as well. This has already produced 2 more full time jobs, and 2 more should develop out of it in the next few months.
This should work out, but if it doesn't it will be because you, and the other professional politicians like yourself, will have destroyed our countrys' (and the world) economy with your meddling with mortgage loan programs through your liberal manipulation and intimidation of loaning institutions to make sure that unqualified borrowers could get mortgages. You see, at the very time when I couldn't get a business loan to get my mud pumps into production, you were working with Acorn and the Community Reinvestment Act programs to make sure that unqualified borrowers could buy homes with no down payment, and even no credit or worse yet, bad credit.
Even the infamous, liberal, Ninja loans (No Income, No Job or Assets). While these unqualified borrowers were enjoying unrealistically low interest rates, I was paying 22% to 24% interest on the credit cards that I had used to provide me the funds for the mud pump business that has created jobs for more East Texans. It's funny, because after 25 years of turning almost every dime of extra money back into my businesses to grow them, it has been only in the last two years that I have finally made enough money to be able to put a little away for retirement, and now the value of that has dropped 40% because of the policies you and your ilk have perpetrated on our country.
You see, Mr. Obama, I'm the guy you intend to raise taxes on. I'm the guy who has spent 25 years toiling and sweating, fretting and fighting, stressing and risking, to build a business and get ahead. I'm the guy who has been on the very edge of bankruptcy more than a dozen times over the last 25 years, and all the while creating more and more jobs for East Texans who didn't want to take a risk, and would not demand from themselves what I have demanded from myself. I'm the guy you characterize as "the Americans who can afford it the most" that you believe should be taxed more to provide income redistribution "to spread the wealth" to those who have never toiled, sweated, fretted, fought, stressed, or risked anything. You want to characterize me as someone who has enjoyed a life of privilege and who needs to pay a higher percentage of my income than those who have bought into your entitlement culture. I resent you, Mr. Obama, as I resent all who want to use class warfare as a tool to advance their political career. What's worse, each year more Americans buy into your liberal entitlement culture, and turn to the government for their hope of a better life instead of themselves. Liberals are succeeding through more than 40 years of collaborative effort between the predominant liberal media, and liberal indoctrination programs in the public school systems across our land.
What is so terribly sad about this is this. America was made great by people who embraced the one-time American culture of self reliance, self motivation, self determination, self discipline, personal betterment, hard work, risk taking. A culture built around the concept that success was in reach of every able bodied American who would strive for it. Each year that less Americans embrace that culture, we all descend together. We descend down the socialist path that has brought country after country ultimately to bitter and unremarkable states. If you and your liberal comrades in the media and school systems would spend half as much effort cultivating a culture of can-do across America as you do cultivating your entitlement culture, we could see Americans at large embracing the conviction that they can elevate themselves through personal betterment, personal achievement, and self reliance. You see, when people embrace such ideals, they act on them.
When people act on such ideals, they succeed. All of America could find herself elevating instead of deteriorating. But that would eliminate the need for liberal politicians, wouldn't it, Mr. Obama? The country would not need you if the country was convinced that problem solving was best left with individuals instead of the government. You and all your liberal comrades have got a vested interest in creating a dependent class in our country. It is the very business of liberals to create an ever expanding dependence on government. What's remarkable is that you, who have never produced a job in your life, are going to tax me to take more of my money and give it to people who wouldn't need my money if they would get off their entitlement mentality asses and apply themselves at work, demand more from themselves, and quit looking to liberal politicians to raise their station in life.
You see, I know because I've had them work for me before. Hundreds of them over these 25 years. People who simply will not show up to work on time. People who just will not work 5 days in a week, much less, 6 days. People always looking for a way to put less effort out. People who actually tell me that they would do more if I just would first pay them more. People who take off work to sit in government offices to apply to get free government handouts (gee, I wonder how things would have turned out for them if they had spent that time earning money and pleasing their employer?). You see, all of this comes from your entitlement mentality culture.
Oh, I know you will say I am uncompassionate. Sorry, Mr. Obama, wrong again. You see, I've seen what the average percentage of your income has been given to charities over the years of 2000 to 2004 (ignoring the years you started running for office - can you pronounce "politically motivated"), you averaged less than 1% annually. And your running mate, Joe Biden, averaged less than π% of his annual income in charitable contributions over the last 10 years. Like so many liberals, the two of you want to give to the needy, just as long as it is someone else's money you are giving to them. I won't say what I have given to charities over the last 25 years, but the percentage is several times more than you and Joe Biden... combined (don't you just hate Google?). Tell me again how you feel my pain.
In short, Mr. Obama, your political philosophies represent everything that is wrong with our country. You represent the culture of government dependence instead of self reliance; entitlement mentality instead of personal achievement; penalization of the successful to reward the unmotivated; Political correctness instead of open mindedness and open debate.
If you are successful, you may preside over the final transformation of America from being the greatest and most self-reliant culture on earth, to just another country of whiners and wimps, who sit around looking to the government to solve their problems. Like all of western Europe. All countries on the decline. All countries that, because of liberal socialistic mentalities, have a little less to offer mankind every year.God help us...Cory Millerjust a ordinary, extraordinary American, the way a lot of Americans used to be.
P.S. Yes, Mr. Obama, I am a real American... meet me:http://www.cmillerdrilling.com/; or http://www.centerlinemanufacturing.com/
Monday, November 3, 2008
Body Image
Ok, ya'll I am NOT writing this for compliments or anything of the matter. But I do want shared experiences if you feel so lead to comment. (I am comment starved by the way. Not feeling the love and affection if you know what I mean. lol)
This morning, I put on a shirt that was tight when I bought it, you know the kind "it is so cute, on sale, and it WILL fit when I lose the weight"????? Well, IT FITS! But that is not why I write today. I write because of why I put it on.
I looked in the mirror in between changing clothes this morning. I know, what was I thinking???? Well, I wasn't. I had lost that loving feelin' for myself and accomplishment. I had lost weight about a month ago and it is still gone other than the occasional swelling in my face, hands, and feet. But I was feeling exactly how I felt 12-15 pounds ago. YUK! Why do we do that????? I just don't know.
So, I grabbed this shirt knowing it did not fit me in June. Could not wear it no how now way. But it fit! I was shocked. I had to reassess the mental image of myself this morning and then also write about it in school this week. I am taking a class in college called Christian Paths to Health and Wellness. And this week is body image! God is always on time.
Having this shirt fit really made (MADE) me realize that my mental image is way off track! That is so sad. I have worked hard in making this work out twice a week. I know I still need to do better in the food department and my energy levels are not where they need to be. So I am taking measures but suggestions would be grand! My sister and I have started a private blog that is on the back burner right now, where we have been completely honest with weight and food. (ouch!!!! I know!!) But knowing someone else is reading it really helps. I want my trainer on there too. So I will be asking this sister if I can give Jennifer permission to help us!!! But there are those things that appear to be true to those "fit" people you see out there daily.
I am going to jot down some things I have noticed and then I want you to share with me some things you do to help keep your mind and body fit.
I have noticed that people who appear fit to me:
Drink green tea (no really!)
Run
Don't watch TV (much)
Go to bed early
Well that is about all I see. I know I have some really tinted glasses on in this area so that is why I reach out to the blog-o-sphere to see if my compadres have some wisdom here. Biblical and physical!!
Will you help this "abiding branch" not be a "sagging" one?
Chel
This morning, I put on a shirt that was tight when I bought it, you know the kind "it is so cute, on sale, and it WILL fit when I lose the weight"????? Well, IT FITS! But that is not why I write today. I write because of why I put it on.
I looked in the mirror in between changing clothes this morning. I know, what was I thinking???? Well, I wasn't. I had lost that loving feelin' for myself and accomplishment. I had lost weight about a month ago and it is still gone other than the occasional swelling in my face, hands, and feet. But I was feeling exactly how I felt 12-15 pounds ago. YUK! Why do we do that????? I just don't know.
So, I grabbed this shirt knowing it did not fit me in June. Could not wear it no how now way. But it fit! I was shocked. I had to reassess the mental image of myself this morning and then also write about it in school this week. I am taking a class in college called Christian Paths to Health and Wellness. And this week is body image! God is always on time.
Having this shirt fit really made (MADE) me realize that my mental image is way off track! That is so sad. I have worked hard in making this work out twice a week. I know I still need to do better in the food department and my energy levels are not where they need to be. So I am taking measures but suggestions would be grand! My sister and I have started a private blog that is on the back burner right now, where we have been completely honest with weight and food. (ouch!!!! I know!!) But knowing someone else is reading it really helps. I want my trainer on there too. So I will be asking this sister if I can give Jennifer permission to help us!!! But there are those things that appear to be true to those "fit" people you see out there daily.
I am going to jot down some things I have noticed and then I want you to share with me some things you do to help keep your mind and body fit.
I have noticed that people who appear fit to me:
Drink green tea (no really!)
Run
Don't watch TV (much)
Go to bed early
Well that is about all I see. I know I have some really tinted glasses on in this area so that is why I reach out to the blog-o-sphere to see if my compadres have some wisdom here. Biblical and physical!!
Will you help this "abiding branch" not be a "sagging" one?
Chel
Monday, October 27, 2008
Fall Into Flavor - Apple Dip
Slice your apples, clean your fingers, spoons up, elbows bent, and dig in!!!
Linda happy late Monday to ya! I hope your daughter's pre-birthday was awesome and that her actual day is a blast!
Linda has hosted the deliscrumptulosis flavornastic recipe exchange! Pop on over and see what the others have posted.
I love this dip and it makes it possible to have an entire block of cream cheese to yourself. What's that? You say, "No way!", Well, "Yes way!"
Sliced apples of your choice
One brick of cream cheese
brown sugar
vanilla
I'll be honest I don't typically measure everything. If I were to "eye" it the brown sugar needs to be close to a cup, let's say 3/4 and the vanilla should be a teaspoon, but I go all the way and pour about a tablespoon. To each his own right?
This makes the best dip! Way better than the caramel store bought dips with tons of added preservatives. I LOVE IT!!!
Tootles, Chel
Sunday, October 26, 2008
My Foolishness, HIS Holiness
Perhaps the moment I truly knew Jesus deeply loved me and longed for me was when I was 17. I had been living like an utter heathen, simply disgraceful! One day while with my friend we returned to her home and there I met a woman who looked extremely familiar. I could not recall who she was; but she was Mrs. Brown, Jamie’s grandmother. My memories rushed to me back from when I was 5 years old. I was in my Sunday school class with Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Brown. This was the Mrs. Brown who led me to Jesus! I felt Jesus inside me and realized He had been there all along; my wonderful, merciful Savior had never left me! I felt a love I could not explain or even begin to understand. Although I was not completely on the right track after that moment, I was now determined to try. After turning 18, I moved in with my aunt and uncle, 6 hours from home. I knew my sinful ways were deeply engrained within me, but I was finally listening to the voice I had worked so hard to ignore.
At age 23, married and living in another state I began to read the Bible starting in James. With my heart, eyes, and ears open I read James 4:17, “For he who knows the good he ought to do and does not do it, to him it is a sin.” These words pierced my heart and although they may not sound like a love note to you, they sure were to me! I finally realized, through this verse, that Jesus had more in store for my life and it was more than I could ever imagine. This verse serenaded the deepest parts of my soul. Even though I was completely clueless to His plans, that verse shook something deep within me. Then in my foolishness, I began to create my mental check list of do’s and don’ts. The epitome of a goody two shoes I would be; furthermore, I became a stark contrast to the heathen at the beginning of this story. Now I knew beyond all doubt that “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” as stated in 2 Timothy 3:16. Jesus had my attention and my all, finally. My good and bad checklist seemed to working for me or was it? I thought back to lining up the neighborhood boys when I was in 4th grade and telling them how their language would send them to the “bad place.” There seems to have been a Pharisee in the making and my checklist needed to go. In total grace and love for me, my Jesus inoculated my Pharisaical ways and set me free. I now realized that a check list was not on His list of desires for my life, but a heart full of devotion was.
Even as late as yesterday, I stand amazed over the Word of God and His people. I learned from Joni Eareckson Tada that I can borrow the Savior’s smile when I cannot seem to find mine. Beth Moore posted on her blog to for her readers to pray for her since she was to speak from 2 Corinthians 3-5 this week. In order to pray specifically, I opened my Bible and began to read, while relishing every word, I found something new that caused my soul to shudder. I discovered that my soul is a letter! In verse 2, Paul tells his readers that they are a letter, “You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody.” This struck me to the innermost! Our souls are letters about the cross, the empty tomb, and a living breathing walking talking testimony of our Wonderful, Merciful Savior. I need nothing else to fall for on the face of this earth. I have no need of cupid’s arrows or love potion #9 when I have the Word of God, the scent of Jesus, and His Holiness to cover up my foolishness.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
"Who are You that God would use YOU?"
What-A-Question!!!! Has anyone ever asked you this question? I hope not.
Unfortunately, it has happened to me, but there is freedom from the implications of this question found in Hosea, Psalms, Believing God.
History of the book:
Hosea was told by God to take for himself an adulterous wife. (I know!) Basically he had heartache & frustration to look forward to. Hosea was being asked to be an example of how God truly deeply loves His sinful people. (What? God intended this horrible pain to be gain?????)
The major themes of this book addresses sin of the nation, God's judgement, God's love and ultimate restoration.
We have a good Sunday School teacher that poignantly uncovered another theme, a sub-theme that I had never considered, by asking us one question. Our teacher asked us all, "How much ridicule do you think Hosea must have received while addressing the nation's sins.......when his house was full of it?" (some liberty taken with question for effect)
He must have been mocked and ridiculed, deemed unworthy and incapable. Why would God use Hosea? I dare not ask. After all, his wife was an adulterous prostitute and he could not control her or bring her to repentance. Would you follow this man?
You see we are not always aware of the whole of persecution especially when it comes from other believers. Sometimes the persecution we face in Christ is from brothers and sisters in Christ. Sad, but true. I am not writing this for you to conclude, "poor Rachele, someone hurt her feelings," but I write this to let you know that YOU TRULY ARE WHO GOD SAYS YOU ARE! {Thanks Beth, we're still believing God.}
There have been a influx of hurting people thrust into my life recently and I had asked a friend to pray over a certain area in my life as well. She has been and I do love her dearly; but she has asked me not once, but twice, "Who are you to help these ladies, when you can't fix your own stuff?" Well first of all I wish I could fix my stuff, but it is not necessarily within my control. It is all around me. I most certainly daily ask God to keep me from stumbling. I had need of prayer. (Who doesn't?)
And then God in His wisdom sent me a few women who are very UN-happily married. So, I shared that much with her because I wanted prayer as I did my best to obey HIM and be there for them. God had placed this huge task in my life and I attempted to share it with my friend. When I requested prayer, her response was not that "she would pray for me" or even that "God might teach me while helping them" but the question....Who Are You? Now, please know I do love this friend dearly and I don't think for one minute that she meant me harm.
By the way, with all that God has appointed to me, the honor of acting upon in prayer or service, I have never felt that I was the cat's pajamas. I actually daily ask God who am I that you would trust me with ___________? He just always reminds me that I am HIS. And so ARE YOU!!!
Anyway, I have never felt the need to respond to her because I am who God says I am. And I will do what God asks me to do. How do you really respond to that without sounding defensive? Plus I was baffled not hurt.
Whether you have the right to be or not, defensive that is, people automatically get defensive back when you defend yourself especially when it is ridiculous. So, according to Psalm 5, I allowed the Lord to defend me because, God can do what He says He can do. (thank you so much Beth).
Psalm 5, NKJV, "But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You."
Hosea, you, and I may go out boldly regardless of our past, regardless of our home lives, all because He has sent us. You are able and capable because it is God alone who gives you that strength and He is alive and active in you! (Oh Beth, you just bless us so! You're the dear one,..............., no you are!) as if she were reading my blog! ha! lol
God will ask the uncomfortable of you. God will ask you to speak up maybe not from a podium or megaphone, but He will ask you to speak, mark HIS word. The way I see it is this, God will let you out of your box or squeeze you out of it.
Yes, where there is sin there is anger, pain, and the feeling of justice loss. But with God there is redemption and blessing after repentance. Hosea 14: 4 God speaks, "I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them."
Did-you-see-that??? He will heal the waywardness, not just discipline, not just ask repentance from it, but He will heal it all. Why? Because He loves us so much.
Psalm 32:5 has brought me great freedom from guilt. If you see that He will heal our waywardness and still wonder how, read Psalm 32:5 (NLT), "Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone."
My fellow sojourners we are freed from sin's grip, guilt of past sin, and from all guilt!
I could go on but my question is, "Who are we to ask whom God chooses to use?" If God is who He says He is, and can do what He says He can do, I am who God says I am, and I can do all things through Christ whose word is alive and active in me.....then why do we question what God does and the person He chooses to use?
I know there are those who feel no remorse or repentance for the things they do. They are ignoring His voice in rebellion, but those who truly love God and want to serve HIM for HIM are free indeed! We must encourage one another regardless of past and circumstances and work with repentant hearts; hold your ridicule even from your self and move forward in grace, freedom, and victory!
And again to add to what my Sunday school teacher asked us, "Do you fake an injury in order to sit on the bench instead of joining God's team?" Hosea could have cried uncle but God wanted more regardless of the mess around him.
In the deepest love of Jesus,
Chel - one ordinary abiding branch with baggage (a lot of baggage!)
Unfortunately, it has happened to me, but there is freedom from the implications of this question found in Hosea, Psalms, Believing God.
History of the book:
Hosea was told by God to take for himself an adulterous wife. (I know!) Basically he had heartache & frustration to look forward to. Hosea was being asked to be an example of how God truly deeply loves His sinful people. (What? God intended this horrible pain to be gain?????)
The major themes of this book addresses sin of the nation, God's judgement, God's love and ultimate restoration.
We have a good Sunday School teacher that poignantly uncovered another theme, a sub-theme that I had never considered, by asking us one question. Our teacher asked us all, "How much ridicule do you think Hosea must have received while addressing the nation's sins.......when his house was full of it?" (some liberty taken with question for effect)
He must have been mocked and ridiculed, deemed unworthy and incapable. Why would God use Hosea? I dare not ask. After all, his wife was an adulterous prostitute and he could not control her or bring her to repentance. Would you follow this man?
You see we are not always aware of the whole of persecution especially when it comes from other believers. Sometimes the persecution we face in Christ is from brothers and sisters in Christ. Sad, but true. I am not writing this for you to conclude, "poor Rachele, someone hurt her feelings," but I write this to let you know that YOU TRULY ARE WHO GOD SAYS YOU ARE! {Thanks Beth, we're still believing God.}
There have been a influx of hurting people thrust into my life recently and I had asked a friend to pray over a certain area in my life as well. She has been and I do love her dearly; but she has asked me not once, but twice, "Who are you to help these ladies, when you can't fix your own stuff?" Well first of all I wish I could fix my stuff, but it is not necessarily within my control. It is all around me. I most certainly daily ask God to keep me from stumbling. I had need of prayer. (Who doesn't?)
And then God in His wisdom sent me a few women who are very UN-happily married. So, I shared that much with her because I wanted prayer as I did my best to obey HIM and be there for them. God had placed this huge task in my life and I attempted to share it with my friend. When I requested prayer, her response was not that "she would pray for me" or even that "God might teach me while helping them" but the question....Who Are You? Now, please know I do love this friend dearly and I don't think for one minute that she meant me harm.
By the way, with all that God has appointed to me, the honor of acting upon in prayer or service, I have never felt that I was the cat's pajamas. I actually daily ask God who am I that you would trust me with ___________? He just always reminds me that I am HIS. And so ARE YOU!!!
Anyway, I have never felt the need to respond to her because I am who God says I am. And I will do what God asks me to do. How do you really respond to that without sounding defensive? Plus I was baffled not hurt.
Whether you have the right to be or not, defensive that is, people automatically get defensive back when you defend yourself especially when it is ridiculous. So, according to Psalm 5, I allowed the Lord to defend me because, God can do what He says He can do. (thank you so much Beth).
Psalm 5, NKJV, "But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You."
Hosea, you, and I may go out boldly regardless of our past, regardless of our home lives, all because He has sent us. You are able and capable because it is God alone who gives you that strength and He is alive and active in you! (Oh Beth, you just bless us so! You're the dear one,..............., no you are!) as if she were reading my blog! ha! lol
God will ask the uncomfortable of you. God will ask you to speak up maybe not from a podium or megaphone, but He will ask you to speak, mark HIS word. The way I see it is this, God will let you out of your box or squeeze you out of it.
Yes, where there is sin there is anger, pain, and the feeling of justice loss. But with God there is redemption and blessing after repentance. Hosea 14: 4 God speaks, "I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them."
Did-you-see-that??? He will heal the waywardness, not just discipline, not just ask repentance from it, but He will heal it all. Why? Because He loves us so much.
Psalm 32:5 has brought me great freedom from guilt. If you see that He will heal our waywardness and still wonder how, read Psalm 32:5 (NLT), "Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone."
My fellow sojourners we are freed from sin's grip, guilt of past sin, and from all guilt!
I could go on but my question is, "Who are we to ask whom God chooses to use?" If God is who He says He is, and can do what He says He can do, I am who God says I am, and I can do all things through Christ whose word is alive and active in me.....then why do we question what God does and the person He chooses to use?
I know there are those who feel no remorse or repentance for the things they do. They are ignoring His voice in rebellion, but those who truly love God and want to serve HIM for HIM are free indeed! We must encourage one another regardless of past and circumstances and work with repentant hearts; hold your ridicule even from your self and move forward in grace, freedom, and victory!
And again to add to what my Sunday school teacher asked us, "Do you fake an injury in order to sit on the bench instead of joining God's team?" Hosea could have cried uncle but God wanted more regardless of the mess around him.
In the deepest love of Jesus,
Chel - one ordinary abiding branch with baggage (a lot of baggage!)
Social Security - Same Old Story, Same Old Song
Dear readers this is so ridiculous you may not believe it at first due to the ridiculous nature.
I have in my possession an old news magainze from 1937 called Real America. Within this issue there are articles regarding Prohibition, Clipper Ships (airplanes), Our Horse and Buggy Traction System, and several articles on crooked politicians and government promises.
This song may have a different tempo these days but the media and the issues are the same now as they were then. REALLY??? Yes, really.
An excerpt from section titled, For A Better America, states, "Social Security: Those who have examined critically the Social Security Act find it as full of flaw as a wormy apple, but it's a start in the right direction. It must be ammended and perfected, and it will be. The thing for us to remember is that the right for those who do the work of America to look forward to a secure old age has been admitted by our government, and that effort is being made to guarantee this security."
Does this sound familiar to anyone else but me?
Chel
I have in my possession an old news magainze from 1937 called Real America. Within this issue there are articles regarding Prohibition, Clipper Ships (airplanes), Our Horse and Buggy Traction System, and several articles on crooked politicians and government promises.This song may have a different tempo these days but the media and the issues are the same now as they were then. REALLY??? Yes, really.
An excerpt from section titled, For A Better America, states, "Social Security: Those who have examined critically the Social Security Act find it as full of flaw as a wormy apple, but it's a start in the right direction. It must be ammended and perfected, and it will be. The thing for us to remember is that the right for those who do the work of America to look forward to a secure old age has been admitted by our government, and that effort is being made to guarantee this security."Does this sound familiar to anyone else but me?
Chel
Monday, October 20, 2008
Fall Into Flavor with Orange Bread!!!
I love this stuff!! I mean really really love it!!!! With butter without butter but always warm!
I have fallen into love with Fall Into Flavor with Linda at 2nd Cup of Coffee, brew you a pot and head over to her blog for more wonderful recipes!
Orange Bread
Ingredients:
Peeling from 2 to 3 oranges 3 cups sifted flour1/2 tsp salt 2 T melted shortening
1 cup sugar 1 egg well beaten
1 cup water 3 tsp baking powder
I always cut the peel very small so that it ends up tasting like candy.
Bring to a boil the orange peel in the cup of water with the sugar, & salt and simmer 10-15 minutes until a thin syrup is created. Set aside and cool to luke warm.
Mix dry ingredients in separate bowl. Add beaten egg to liquid mix and add enough water to make 2 cups of liquid. Then add the shortening. Blend liquid mixture and dry together. Pour into greased & floured dough pan. Bake 45 minutes at 350 degrees. Serve warm.
Enjoy!
Chel
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Man of Sorrows: Our Blessed Jesus!
Please hop on over to my other blog for the names of God carnival. I am dedicated to this and even if you do not participate (which is ok) please pray for this because it is about HIM.
Please this button (the picture) and go on over there to leave a comment if you will pray regarding the Names of God.
I really want to see His name proclaimed all over this blogosphere! http://racheleposey.blogspot.com/2008/10/man-of-sorrows-our-blessed-jesus.html
Love you all deeply!!! When you get to the post if you want to participate please steal my button, write yours, tag mine, and leave a comment so we can all see WHO you are braggin' on today.
Love ya! CHEL
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
WFMW - Look Ma No Hands (prints that is!)
Thank you Shannon at Rocks In My Dryer for your wonderful Works-for-me-Wednesday opportunities to share our knowledge and experients (lol) with one another!!!
Stanley Home Products Grime Guard Glass Cleaner!! This product works and actually repels fingerprints. No LIE! It repels water spots and dirt on your glass and surfaces.
I used this product and then proceeded to put my fingers and hands all over the window and there was nothing, no prints, no smears, no yucky stuff, just this smooth clean surface! And it smells clean too, no strong ammonia scent lingering around.
I do suggest you find yourself a Stanley Home Products representative and have a party. I am having one in January because you get a portion of the total in free product.
I will be trying other products and posting them each week. Come back by next week to hear how the degreaser works on my kitchen floors!!! I will try to take before and after pictures even though that may reveal a very dark side to me! YIKES!
Chel
Monday, October 13, 2008
Laugh At ME Moment!!
Ok, you four readers you are going to get a giggle in your soul and a tickle in innerds out of this.
I started off having a very bad day mood wise today. I won't go into all the details but after reading an article in the Discipleship Journal (Sept/Oct 2008) by Joni Eareckson Tada titled, "Borrowing God's Smile," I realized that I did not borrow His smile this morning or even ask for one. But He chose to give it to me anyway!
BTW, this will lead into another name of God to share about later, Man of Sorrows. I will go more into this smile-thang with that post, so stay tuned.
Back on track, I never get side tracked I do not know what is wrong with me...lol...This article showed me a thing or two. But His Smile taught me a lot.
My hubby and I were not on a great page this morning. I accomplished a HUGE long over due task last night and was up until 1:00 AM finishing it. I felt unnoticed and unappreciated for a list of reasons. We said I love you and I left for work....late....and I was a complaining desert dweller!
I called him and told him that I noticed the bath tub was not draining and it was either after washing our quilt or cleaning the shower, either way he said he would take a look at it. This was 10:00 AM.
11:00 AM the phone rings, it is hubby. He said that he had called to tell me about the drain problem. The tub was PLUGGED! Yes you read that right. I poured "stuff" down it and used the plunger. All the while during the process of cleaning the tiles I had hit the lever and plugged the tub!!! Too funny!!! I cracked my lips here but read the next paragraph for my full smile!!!
In a way that when only a humble man (ie Hubby) or God himself can do, I was made to smile with God's smile...hubby told me not to feel too bad because he had done the same thing. But he took even more drastic measures than I had. I only plunged twice and poured stuff once then walked away. He said he plunged like crazy and worked hard trying to figure out the problem only to find the drain was plugged.
The point, even though I read this article at lunch, I recognized in hindsight that I had failed to ask Jesus for His smile. I awoke not really feeling like sharing one of mine. My hubby and I were not exactly full of grace with one another, now it was not dis-grace, but still. Lesson learned here, I must ask Jesus for His glorious breath taking smile when I can't muster one up. And as I read in 2 Corinthians 3 today that I am a letter to others. My soul is the writing on the cross and the empty tomb, a living walking breathing testimony of my Wonderful Merciful Savior and I had a frown, well really more than that. I was down right pitiful!!! Being the Wonderful Merciful Savior that He is, even though I did not ask for it, He delivered His smile anyway!
Wow!!! What Grace that continues to amaze me! I should probably let someone read that chapter on my soul!!
To read this article make a note to yourself and once it is archived you can read it or go ask someone at church for this issue. You won't be sorry, I wasn't!!
You know we ask for His heart to love, His eyes to see, His appetite for the WORD, etc.
But I ask God to Bless Me and You ALL and May (I) You Smile with God's Smile especially when we misplace ours.
Chel
I started off having a very bad day mood wise today. I won't go into all the details but after reading an article in the Discipleship Journal (Sept/Oct 2008) by Joni Eareckson Tada titled, "Borrowing God's Smile," I realized that I did not borrow His smile this morning or even ask for one. But He chose to give it to me anyway!
BTW, this will lead into another name of God to share about later, Man of Sorrows. I will go more into this smile-thang with that post, so stay tuned.
Back on track, I never get side tracked I do not know what is wrong with me...lol...This article showed me a thing or two. But His Smile taught me a lot.
My hubby and I were not on a great page this morning. I accomplished a HUGE long over due task last night and was up until 1:00 AM finishing it. I felt unnoticed and unappreciated for a list of reasons. We said I love you and I left for work....late....and I was a complaining desert dweller!
I called him and told him that I noticed the bath tub was not draining and it was either after washing our quilt or cleaning the shower, either way he said he would take a look at it. This was 10:00 AM.
11:00 AM the phone rings, it is hubby. He said that he had called to tell me about the drain problem. The tub was PLUGGED! Yes you read that right. I poured "stuff" down it and used the plunger. All the while during the process of cleaning the tiles I had hit the lever and plugged the tub!!! Too funny!!! I cracked my lips here but read the next paragraph for my full smile!!!
In a way that when only a humble man (ie Hubby) or God himself can do, I was made to smile with God's smile...hubby told me not to feel too bad because he had done the same thing. But he took even more drastic measures than I had. I only plunged twice and poured stuff once then walked away. He said he plunged like crazy and worked hard trying to figure out the problem only to find the drain was plugged.
The point, even though I read this article at lunch, I recognized in hindsight that I had failed to ask Jesus for His smile. I awoke not really feeling like sharing one of mine. My hubby and I were not exactly full of grace with one another, now it was not dis-grace, but still. Lesson learned here, I must ask Jesus for His glorious breath taking smile when I can't muster one up. And as I read in 2 Corinthians 3 today that I am a letter to others. My soul is the writing on the cross and the empty tomb, a living walking breathing testimony of my Wonderful Merciful Savior and I had a frown, well really more than that. I was down right pitiful!!! Being the Wonderful Merciful Savior that He is, even though I did not ask for it, He delivered His smile anyway!
Wow!!! What Grace that continues to amaze me! I should probably let someone read that chapter on my soul!!
To read this article make a note to yourself and once it is archived you can read it or go ask someone at church for this issue. You won't be sorry, I wasn't!!
You know we ask for His heart to love, His eyes to see, His appetite for the WORD, etc.
But I ask God to Bless Me and You ALL and May (I) You Smile with God's Smile especially when we misplace ours.
Chel
Fall Into Flavor: Green Bean Casserole
A simple but alluring dish, the Green Bean Casserole, is a must on my Thanksgiving table. (side bar, isn't it funny how the leaves fall this time of year but our weight rises???? geez!)
Thank you Linda at 2nd Cup of Coffee for the beautiful button and groovy idea to share our fall favs!!! For more recipes to delight your taste buds hop on over to her blog and check it all out!
(edit.....I realized that I had thought this WAS the original recipe, no not KFC, but for the green bean cass. My aunt shared it with me before I was married 16 1/2 years ago. Later I found out that this was NOT the original.) DUH!
I decided to share this dish because my mother-in-law (I have two, long story!! LOL) loves mine. She is so funny because she can't stand green bean casserole. I use much of the same ingredients but mine is thicker or creamier or something. Ah, yes made with LOVE. AWWWW!
Ingredients:
2 Cans of Green beans (prefer french style)
1 can of cream of mushroom (I do prefer the brand on this one)
1 small can of durkee onions or 1/2 of the large can
salt
pepper
GARLIC & VELVETTA (I think these are what makes it for her)
I use a round casserole dish.
Directions:
I completely drain one can of the breans and then put the beans and the cream of mushroom into the dish and mix.
Sprinkle a little salt and pepper to taste.
Next add minced garlic or garlic powder. I don't usually measure garlic but I dust the top of the dish with the powder and then stir.
Pour in 3/4 of the can of onions and stir.
Pour in 3/4 of the can of onions and stir.
Bury about 7 small pieces of velvetta into the casserole (6 around the inner edge then one chunk in the middle.)
Cover and bake at 350 until bubbling, remove and stir, then add the rest of the onions then bake uncovered until they are browned.
Whala! You have a creamy version with an unexpected flavor (Velvetta).
Branded and Labeled, "Diary of Anne Frank"
Today I saw the Diary of Anne Frank at our local college; my friend's daughter was in it. She was fabulous!! Just in case you're wondering the ending was the same. {sob, sob, sigh}v Ok, this is probably my longest post, so bear with me. I was moved in so many ways I feel like I will be taking you down the hopscotch trail!!
The scene opens with the Frank and the van Daan Families entering into hiding and taking cover in the attic. Right away I noticed the huge gold stars on their clothing. After settling, they began to rip off their “stars”, the mark of the Jew. They felt freedom and relief by removing this brand off their clothing. (A much differing perspective than what we see today, eh?) I shudder to think of it all! My spirit was so heavy when I left that play today and remains so this evening.
Moving along, at one point toward the end the boy, Peter van Daan, said he would “never be a Jew again” and Anne reacted, “What do you mean?! You would get baptized, become a Christian? You know you will always be Jew inside?”…Oh the agony and the truth in that statement….Once a Jew always a Jew in the sense of birth and what an honor, Chosen First among all to be the “race” of our blessed Messiah, Jesus! But we know that inside if he truly sought out Jesus he would be very different!
By this point my tears were rivers and my thoughts booming sounds of thunder. Then something Linda at 2nd Cup of Coffee said came to my mind, “Why does anything have to be labeled "Christian?" Very good question! [isn't funny to think of someone you have never met in the midst of a family outting? and isn't it funny how one word, statement, or question can spark something in another person?]
I then began to think of “branding” and the use of the word Maverick for John McCain and how this term actually was for unbranded livestock. (long story, details not applicable) Anyway, being unbranded is a brand in and of itself. I agree with Linda especially in regards to how the emotion was portrayed by these young actors in this very real play. It does break my heart into many many pieces to think of how this young man felt the need to rip off his "label"; furthermore, turn his back on his religion and become Christian (not because of Jesus otherwise this would be a turning point) but because of the Nazi regime. Being a Jew was now marred in his sight, a horrible label, and would bring bnothing but horrible memories. Memories, that is if he would be so blessed to live and have them. But Anne’s father was the only one that lived.
This also made me think of how Christians are also branded with no visible marks like “the Star of David” or “the scars of our Lord”, but by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that was poured upon us when we believed in Jesus as our Savior. This brand is very real and very visible, especially when it is lacking – boy oh boy is it visible then (AMEN or OH ME!). So, I thought I would pose some questions to you that I have thought of often.
1. Do you know people who won’t put a Christian symbol on their car so if they speed they are not branded? (Same as Peter here? Removing our star and denouncing our birthright?)
The word says that (1) in Matthew 5:17-18 17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.”
A jot is the smallest letter in the Greek or even Hebrew alphabet and a tittle is the smallest mark (the dot of an I). Nothing will escapte our Christ; He is going to fulfill every bit of it, the laws and the prophesies.
2. Do you know people who will not send “labeled” Christmas cards that say “Jesus” in the event that friends or family are offended?
The word also says (2) in 2 Corinthians 2:15-17 that 15For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 16To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? 17Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God. And Jeremiah 6:10 says “To whom can I speak and give warning? Who will listen to me? Their ears are closed so they cannot hear. The word of the LORD is offensive to them; they find no pleasure in it.”
I often wonder how offensive it must be turning in (ratting on) someone who is threatening to harm themselves, others, or having an intervention for an addict but we do it because we love them and want them “safe”. We are to tell people about Jesus for the “safe” eternal dwelling of our loved ones. Hmmmm. Just a thought I have had.
3. Do you know people who remove their “label” in order to accomplish a fleshly or worldly task/desire?
Oh this one, #3, breaks our hearts doesn’t it? Do we know people who have turned their backs on Christ to have “fun” & be that prodigal in order to go experience things for themselves? This is one is much harder to touch. I think we have all done this in a way whether it lasted a long time or a brief time. But Hebrews 6:6 says this to us for this action, “if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.”
And Hebrews 10:37-39, “37For in just a very little while, "He who is coming will come and will not delay. 38But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him." 39But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.”
And James 5:19-20, “My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back,20remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.” {warm fuzzies and smiles here}
4. Ok, this one is scary, because believe me I am asking myself all these questions as well….do you know people who will remove their “label” in order to save their own life?”
Finally “saving our own lives” by denying Christ, I HOPE THE ANSWER IS ALWAYS NO FOR ALL OF US. And let us not be like Simon Peter by behaving in a way in order not be “united” with Christ in His sufferings. Let’s just say after reading the WORD, lessoned learned by Peter, but what about us? There may come a day where Christians may have to go into hiding like Anne and her family or the Ten Boom family. Do not forget either that families in other countries are having to meet in secret or be jailed even killed.
Take Hitler for example, he came into power very subtly at first. He basically snuck up on them all, on all of them really. First he helped them out of a financial crisis, then he began to put himself in the public’s eye in order to continue to caress the people in ways they wanted to hear. He also then he began to place his people into positions of power. Well the rest is horribly dark history, but just remember it began as a very sly sneak attack. {resembling that sly snake in the "Garden" no doubt!} Make no doubts that his “memoirs” were written and published BEFORE his rise to power, yet no one saw the signs. He made himself known in print then by sound bites with financial plans and I could go on but it is getting too sad and scary.
As moving as the Diary of Anne Frank is there is another lady, a matriarch to our Christian heritage, Corrie Ten Boom. Her family was Christian and they hid Jews from the Nazi Gestapo. Please read her story you will be blessed and not to mention on fire with the Spirit of the Mighty God. You must read about the "blessing of the lice and flees".
My point is that the Ten Boom family risked their lives to literally save others physically and eternally. Thereby fulfilling the blessing of our Lord when He said in Matthew 10:39, “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” These people went into hiding to save their lives; these people went into hiding to save souls.
Hebrews 3:8 "do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert,"
Hebrews 3:13 "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness."
Hebrews 3:15 "As has just been said: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion."
Hebrews 4:7 "Therefore God again set a certain day, calling it Today, when a long time later he spoke through David, as was said before: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts."
So dear friends and myself....don’t allow your heart to harden by the struggles and trials of today but proudly where your “label” or “brand”, share your faith, lose your life, and seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness!! (Matthew 6:33)
The scene opens with the Frank and the van Daan Families entering into hiding and taking cover in the attic. Right away I noticed the huge gold stars on their clothing. After settling, they began to rip off their “stars”, the mark of the Jew. They felt freedom and relief by removing this brand off their clothing. (A much differing perspective than what we see today, eh?) I shudder to think of it all! My spirit was so heavy when I left that play today and remains so this evening.
Moving along, at one point toward the end the boy, Peter van Daan, said he would “never be a Jew again” and Anne reacted, “What do you mean?! You would get baptized, become a Christian? You know you will always be Jew inside?”…Oh the agony and the truth in that statement….Once a Jew always a Jew in the sense of birth and what an honor, Chosen First among all to be the “race” of our blessed Messiah, Jesus! But we know that inside if he truly sought out Jesus he would be very different!
By this point my tears were rivers and my thoughts booming sounds of thunder. Then something Linda at 2nd Cup of Coffee said came to my mind, “Why does anything have to be labeled "Christian?" Very good question! [isn't funny to think of someone you have never met in the midst of a family outting? and isn't it funny how one word, statement, or question can spark something in another person?]
I then began to think of “branding” and the use of the word Maverick for John McCain and how this term actually was for unbranded livestock. (long story, details not applicable) Anyway, being unbranded is a brand in and of itself. I agree with Linda especially in regards to how the emotion was portrayed by these young actors in this very real play. It does break my heart into many many pieces to think of how this young man felt the need to rip off his "label"; furthermore, turn his back on his religion and become Christian (not because of Jesus otherwise this would be a turning point) but because of the Nazi regime. Being a Jew was now marred in his sight, a horrible label, and would bring bnothing but horrible memories. Memories, that is if he would be so blessed to live and have them. But Anne’s father was the only one that lived.
This also made me think of how Christians are also branded with no visible marks like “the Star of David” or “the scars of our Lord”, but by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that was poured upon us when we believed in Jesus as our Savior. This brand is very real and very visible, especially when it is lacking – boy oh boy is it visible then (AMEN or OH ME!). So, I thought I would pose some questions to you that I have thought of often.
1. Do you know people who won’t put a Christian symbol on their car so if they speed they are not branded? (Same as Peter here? Removing our star and denouncing our birthright?)
The word says that (1) in Matthew 5:17-18 17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.”
A jot is the smallest letter in the Greek or even Hebrew alphabet and a tittle is the smallest mark (the dot of an I). Nothing will escapte our Christ; He is going to fulfill every bit of it, the laws and the prophesies.
2. Do you know people who will not send “labeled” Christmas cards that say “Jesus” in the event that friends or family are offended?
The word also says (2) in 2 Corinthians 2:15-17 that 15For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. 16To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? 17Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, like men sent from God. And Jeremiah 6:10 says “To whom can I speak and give warning? Who will listen to me? Their ears are closed so they cannot hear. The word of the LORD is offensive to them; they find no pleasure in it.”
I often wonder how offensive it must be turning in (ratting on) someone who is threatening to harm themselves, others, or having an intervention for an addict but we do it because we love them and want them “safe”. We are to tell people about Jesus for the “safe” eternal dwelling of our loved ones. Hmmmm. Just a thought I have had.
3. Do you know people who remove their “label” in order to accomplish a fleshly or worldly task/desire?
Oh this one, #3, breaks our hearts doesn’t it? Do we know people who have turned their backs on Christ to have “fun” & be that prodigal in order to go experience things for themselves? This is one is much harder to touch. I think we have all done this in a way whether it lasted a long time or a brief time. But Hebrews 6:6 says this to us for this action, “if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.”
And Hebrews 10:37-39, “37For in just a very little while, "He who is coming will come and will not delay. 38But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him." 39But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.”
And James 5:19-20, “My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back,20remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.” {warm fuzzies and smiles here}
4. Ok, this one is scary, because believe me I am asking myself all these questions as well….do you know people who will remove their “label” in order to save their own life?”
Finally “saving our own lives” by denying Christ, I HOPE THE ANSWER IS ALWAYS NO FOR ALL OF US. And let us not be like Simon Peter by behaving in a way in order not be “united” with Christ in His sufferings. Let’s just say after reading the WORD, lessoned learned by Peter, but what about us? There may come a day where Christians may have to go into hiding like Anne and her family or the Ten Boom family. Do not forget either that families in other countries are having to meet in secret or be jailed even killed.
Take Hitler for example, he came into power very subtly at first. He basically snuck up on them all, on all of them really. First he helped them out of a financial crisis, then he began to put himself in the public’s eye in order to continue to caress the people in ways they wanted to hear. He also then he began to place his people into positions of power. Well the rest is horribly dark history, but just remember it began as a very sly sneak attack. {resembling that sly snake in the "Garden" no doubt!} Make no doubts that his “memoirs” were written and published BEFORE his rise to power, yet no one saw the signs. He made himself known in print then by sound bites with financial plans and I could go on but it is getting too sad and scary.
As moving as the Diary of Anne Frank is there is another lady, a matriarch to our Christian heritage, Corrie Ten Boom. Her family was Christian and they hid Jews from the Nazi Gestapo. Please read her story you will be blessed and not to mention on fire with the Spirit of the Mighty God. You must read about the "blessing of the lice and flees".
My point is that the Ten Boom family risked their lives to literally save others physically and eternally. Thereby fulfilling the blessing of our Lord when He said in Matthew 10:39, “Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” These people went into hiding to save their lives; these people went into hiding to save souls.
Hebrews 3:8 "do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert,"
Hebrews 3:13 "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness."
Hebrews 3:15 "As has just been said: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion."
Hebrews 4:7 "Therefore God again set a certain day, calling it Today, when a long time later he spoke through David, as was said before: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts."
So dear friends and myself....don’t allow your heart to harden by the struggles and trials of today but proudly where your “label” or “brand”, share your faith, lose your life, and seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness!! (Matthew 6:33)
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Political Humor - A must see!!!!
As I was blogging around today I came to Living in the Land of Pink and saw this video. I cried I laughed so hard!!! So now I am going to share it with you too!!!
Ok, you will have to scroll down and pause my player in order to hear this.
You do NOT want to miss it!!!
Chel
john mccain does streisand
Ok, you will have to scroll down and pause my player in order to hear this.
You do NOT want to miss it!!!
Chel
john mccain does streisand
Friday, October 10, 2008
Name Carnival
If I can get more to participate I will start telling you all what your names mean! :-)
Don't comment here, click on the picture and hop over to my other blog and steal my button, write on a name, read, comment, and don't forget to tell us your link to your name post.
God Bless!
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
WFMW - The First Tee of Fort Worth, Texas
Thank you Shannon for hosting the Works for me Wednesday, it is always a pleasure to read and participate with all the bloggers!
The First Tee golf instruction program of Fort Worth has been a wonderful thing in my family. It truly works for us!! Not only has it improved the golf in my children but it has also forged family time, friendships, and fun into our lives.
My daughter participated in her first golf tournament for school and she made a 5th place showing after a tie for 4th was lost by score card play off. (performance for the last few holes).
This was fabulous and even her school coach credited the First Tee and told the other golfing gals that he wished they would all join! This program originally started in order to give inner-city kids with less opportunity a costly sport with little to no cost to them.
The First Tee is more than golf it is life skills and these kids have class with class!!! You see all kinds of people on the golf course old and young, male and female and you can find the 9 core values missing in their games.
My kids know the 9 Core Values and have benefited greatly from each one ~ after all who wouldn't benefit from these:
Honesty
Integrity
Responsibility
Courtesy
Confidence
Perseverance
Judgement
Sportsmanship
Respect
My precious princess shaved 33 strokes off her game from the last (& first) time she played 18 holes. She learned perseverance right off the first tee (pun intended). Her first tournaments were in the pouring rain and she finished it all the way to the end. Her confidence was shining yesterday as she finished with a score of 100 for her 2nd time out there. She used great sportsmanship, judgement, and courtesy in approaching a girl who did not appear to know how to count all her strokes. I could list each exhibited value but you see where I am headed, the First Tee and especially the The First Tee of Fort Worth has truly grown my daughter and given her goals to reach for.
My son has been in program for 2 1/2 to 3 years and beats most men that my husband brings to play. In one week he shot 2 and 3 over par more than once in North Texas Junior PGA tournaments and won the Fort Worth City Championship for his age group. For his age the only play 9 holes but that is a lot for 7-12 year olds to walk and carry their bags.
My husband has been helping as a volunteer coach and has made some new good friends and I don't have to tell you how tough that is for men. He has exercised the 9 core values with other people's children and learned a lot about golf himself by watching instructions.
I am working on a way to use this logo I have created. I can see it on shirts, totes, fanny packs, and water bottles. I just need to get to it. I am going to pull some resources together and bring Christ into the picture if only by putting this on our clothes.See hole 19 is often referred to the club house which may have inference to drinking alcohol, so since this is mostly children, I thought I would take it a step further and offer the Living Water instead!
After all, our lives are All Fore Him anyway!
Chel
Fall Into Flavor - Pumpkin Dump Cake
Linda at 2nd-cup-of-coffee has this wonderful Fall Festival on her site. Not only will you rejoice but your taste buds will delight. We have removed all the fat and the calories too, so jump over there and submit a recipe or two!!
Pumpkin Dump Cake
3 eggs
1 large can evaporated milk
1 16oz can pumpkin
1 ½ cups sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
1 box yellow cake mix
Pecans
2 sticks of margarine
3 eggs
1 large can evaporated milk
1 16oz can pumpkin
1 ½ cups sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla
1 box yellow cake mix
Pecans
2 sticks of margarine
Mix the above (except the cake mix, pecans, margarine) and pour into an ungreased 9x13 inch pan. Sprinkle 1 box yellow cake mix over the top. Melt 2 sticks of margarine and pour over top. Sprinkle with pecans. Bake one hour at 350 degrees. Serve warm with cool whip or ice cream.
I don't know who made this up but it is one of my new favorites. I have a lot of Fall favorites in the way of food. It is my favorite season for everything that is involving my 6 six senses (yes I know I said 6, lol)
I received this from my church bunco group. This was so wonderful I have to share it and I share it often. Thank you FBC Saginaw Ladies!!! Your friendship and fellowship in Christ and Bunco means more to me than you could possibly know.
We have such wonderful sweet ladies at our church. These ladies in this group are fun, exciting, infectious with laughter, organizers, hostesses with more mostessess than I have ever seen, great cooks, great prize buyers, generous, approachable, and most of all the Love of Christ is seen in each of them!!! Awww, I love you gals!!! :-)
This is fabulous!!! I am NOT kidding. You will love it, everyone will devour it. You will crave it. It is a must for this Fall and I'm not kidding ya'll!!!
Chel
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Blog Hop and Name Drop
Come on! Don't be afraid, just click here on this button, read a little, relish a little, then think of a Name of God that means so much to you and leave a comment with a link to your post....let's go Name Droppin' In the Name of the Lord, It is the Sweetest Name of All! My post will be there at 12:01....then you take it from there!
Very Sad Today
A very dear lady has gone to be with Lord. Her name is Martha Evans Valancius and I wrote this poem for her: http://racheleposey.blogspot.com/2008/08/time-well-spent.html
My son's middle name is Evan, in honor of her.
She was very dear to me and a living example of the Proverbs 31 Woman. She inspired me beyond belief and she and her husband Stan who arrived Home before her, were truly a Godsend to my life. She was a mentor among mentors and I wish I had been able to spend more than 4 years with her, but it was truly Time Well Spent.
She was taken by lung cancer and never smoked a day in her life. You just had to know what a true lady she was. She often laughed at herself because if she would stumble from an uneven floor she would say that she was a ballerina and they don't look down when they walk.
She was a woman of virture in every sense of the word. She served with a smile and provided for me and my soon to arrive son, a wonderful babyshower in her home. My favorite drip-beef roast and my daughter's favorite sweet and sour sausage were her recipes!! And I added them to a recipe book I created in 2005 called From the Manger to a Masion: Recipes of a Lifetime.
Never having worked outside the home, she could give most CEO's and CFO's a run for their money with her ecomoic skills (there was nothing "girly" about 'em). She was amazing and the loss on earth is great today but I know that Heaven rejoices and she heard on Monday, "Well done good and faithful servant!" Then I know He opened His arms wide because even Jesus was eager to spend time with this woman.
Please pray today for the void this matriarch has left in her families lives but rejoice because she is with her LORD today!
My son's middle name is Evan, in honor of her.
She was very dear to me and a living example of the Proverbs 31 Woman. She inspired me beyond belief and she and her husband Stan who arrived Home before her, were truly a Godsend to my life. She was a mentor among mentors and I wish I had been able to spend more than 4 years with her, but it was truly Time Well Spent.
She was taken by lung cancer and never smoked a day in her life. You just had to know what a true lady she was. She often laughed at herself because if she would stumble from an uneven floor she would say that she was a ballerina and they don't look down when they walk.
She was a woman of virture in every sense of the word. She served with a smile and provided for me and my soon to arrive son, a wonderful babyshower in her home. My favorite drip-beef roast and my daughter's favorite sweet and sour sausage were her recipes!! And I added them to a recipe book I created in 2005 called From the Manger to a Masion: Recipes of a Lifetime.
Never having worked outside the home, she could give most CEO's and CFO's a run for their money with her ecomoic skills (there was nothing "girly" about 'em). She was amazing and the loss on earth is great today but I know that Heaven rejoices and she heard on Monday, "Well done good and faithful servant!" Then I know He opened His arms wide because even Jesus was eager to spend time with this woman.
Please pray today for the void this matriarch has left in her families lives but rejoice because she is with her LORD today!
VIDEO Spog
Well I wanted to post my video. It was loading for 2 hours and still going last night when I had to go to bed. So, this morning I looked at it and it was 225 MB large! So, I will re-do if it isn't too late and get back with you all later today!! I will let the SPOG roll. (speaking my blog)
Sorry Linda! I tried.
UPDATE: I finally got it to work! The only bad thing is that now I am 10 pounds lighter!!!! (sigh)
( I did it!!!!) woo hoo!!
Linda @ 2nd Cup of Coffee was so creative to challenge us all to do this video blog and I failed but I will try again. Come back by later....
See ya on the e-side,
Chel
Monday, September 29, 2008
Autumn Test Results
Your Autumn Test Results |
 You are a dynamic, vibrant person. You aren't afraid to pursue your passions. When you are happiest, you are calm. You appreciate tradition and family. You enjoy feeling cozy. You prefer change to come slowly. You need a long transition period when your life changes. You find love to be the most comforting thing in the world. You feel at peace when you're with your loved ones. Your ideal day is active and full. You like to keep busy with your favorite things, and you appreciate a routine. You tend to live in the moment. You enjoy whatever is going on, and you don't obsess over the past or future. |
Ok, did you see it? I appreciate a routine but live in the moment???? Duh, I guess if I routinely live in the moment, we're good to go!!
LOL
Friday, September 26, 2008
A Great Distraction
Today I needed a little distraction for many reasons some serious and some not. But as a kid I really loved Scooby Doo (ok, I know you are now saying, "WHAT????"
This is so great, I am still smiling. I had errands to run at lunch and talked on the phone with a couple of great gals. But there is this thing weighing on me and I have a date with my hubby tonight!!!
So.....I was driving back to the office and there it was, a fun distraction....The Mystery Van! I am NOT kidding! It was great! Shaggy and Fred were in the van.....NO REALLY.
There was this robust looking driver and this scraggly skinny guy in the passenger's seat! I just loved it!! AND I am smiling again!!!
You know the song goes, Scooby dooby doo where are you, we need some help from you now.
Who knew the LORD could use Scooby too!!!!
This is so great, I am still smiling. I had errands to run at lunch and talked on the phone with a couple of great gals. But there is this thing weighing on me and I have a date with my hubby tonight!!!
So.....I was driving back to the office and there it was, a fun distraction....The Mystery Van! I am NOT kidding! It was great! Shaggy and Fred were in the van.....NO REALLY.There was this robust looking driver and this scraggly skinny guy in the passenger's seat! I just loved it!! AND I am smiling again!!!
You know the song goes, Scooby dooby doo where are you, we need some help from you now.
Who knew the LORD could use Scooby too!!!!
Chel
Just My Observations
I truly know the Name of Jesus causes demons to flee!
I know that freedom has an appearance , I have seen it recently.
My son is wise beyond his years and my daughter is more mature than a lot of adults I know. He heard a commercial with kids saying they did not know what to do without tv and he looked at me and said, "hmm, I don't know, perhaps they should a read book." Yes, we all shake and nod a lot in this house over him.
I know that freedom has an appearance , I have seen it recently.My son is wise beyond his years and my daughter is more mature than a lot of adults I know. He heard a commercial with kids saying they did not know what to do without tv and he looked at me and said, "hmm, I don't know, perhaps they should a read book." Yes, we all shake and nod a lot in this house over him.
Shake and nod is a form of ooo and ahh or ah ha moments!
My quiet dishwasher is not very quiet when you are trying to think.
I am thankful for the police in my town, well for all but one I tolerate him, he is mean. But the others are awesome. They knocked on my door tonight, we were all home, and they were smelling ether so they were checking all the houses. Yes, I am so glad they are out and about! Thank you Saginaw Police Dept. I appreciate you!
I am thankful for good neighbors and I know they are not cooking anything but love and good food! lol At least if there is an explosion it won't be right next door to me but across the street is another story....
Filtered water is good, unfiltered not so much!
Life is great without braces!
My hair is self-bleaching, why was I paying so much money????? Although I really need my friend to get a hold of this mess!
God still performs miracles!
Filtered water is good, unfiltered not so much!
Life is great without braces!
My hair is self-bleaching, why was I paying so much money????? Although I really need my friend to get a hold of this mess!
God still performs miracles!
The Pilates Reforming is still kicking my booty and now my outside hip muscles. I don't believe I ever just "worked" those before.
I don't like it when I get up and forget why I did.....I just did that!
I am learning to put the fun in dys"fun"ctional!
I need a massage, I'm just sayin.....any help here? No, really!!!
I need a retreat name the place! This makes me think of I spy...I spy a wonderful place for a get-a-away, she has horses! Loves the Lord, Believes God....I wonder who that is..... Want to book a retreat? Click the Pic...
I am learning to put the fun in dys"fun"ctional!
I need a massage, I'm just sayin.....any help here? No, really!!!
I need a retreat name the place! This makes me think of I spy...I spy a wonderful place for a get-a-away, she has horses! Loves the Lord, Believes God....I wonder who that is..... Want to book a retreat? Click the Pic...
I found out recently I could pose as a judge in FW court! I'm ready I will charge $500 per hour, it'll be fun. I scared a lawyer! He walked in and saw me, thought I was this really tough judge, so I offerend to stand in for her...I don't think it will happen. Man, I thought I could be like that show the Pretender where I could walk into any situation and know just what to do whether it was surgery, flying a plane, being a judge, you get it.....I am so sad!
I love moussaka!
I strongly dislike laundry. I would rather just buy new clothes. (so would my daughter, see I told you she moved through the 20's and on to 30!)
I love the McRaes, gospel group. Young gals, old souls! They are on my blog roll, Life in living color!
I love to write and can't wait to be published! (prayers appreciated)
I want you to partipate in the Name Droppin' Carnival. Click the pic for instructions.
Final observation, I think toooooo much.
Love ya'll!!! Chel
Thursday, September 25, 2008
1st Treats and Trait Name Droppin' Carnival
I have posted over here: http://racheleposey.blogspot.com/2008/09/who-should-i-say-sent-me.html
Feel free to join in on the fun!
Let us be everything under the SON!
Chel
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
WFMW: MOUSSAKA!!!
If you have watched My Big Fat Greek Wedding then you heard this dish lovingly referred to as Moose-caca. But it is not like moose ca-ca at all, not that I know what THAT tastes like. lol
My favorite restaurant in the world is Scampi's Mediterranean Cafe in downtown Fort Worth on Magnolia. Now, you need to know that Magnolias are my FAV-O-RITE! So how wonderful that my fav place is on my fav tree named street? Pretty cool if you ask me! And the ambiance is wonderful. The walls are warm and welcoming and the colors and decorations in every nook and cranny show there flare and care for presentation.
It is fancy without the schmancy! tee-hee, did you like that? I think I will use it again some time.....Linda what do you think about that term my Mrs. Frou Frou?
Ok, back to the post title, Moussaka, this dish is to die for! SERIOUSLY. Ok, this truly reveals a little gluttony, but you have to know that this is my all-time-feel-good-food & sorry Chel & Nat, but I get to eat it today. I know, I know but it is for business (to discuss insurance) and pleasure (b/c it is with a high school friend, Candace).
See, I have taken Chel to this place and Nat is very familiar with it. Their Greek Salad is also to die for! Their homemade Greek dressing makes it and beats all others hands down!
Ladies, if you ever come to Fort Worth and I know about it, WE WILL GO HERE!
Chel and I have a ladies ministry called WOVEN and when we have an event we will let you all know. Our next one is in Michigan so I doubt all of you would be headed that way in JANUARY! Either way, God is so good!
Enjoy by sight!
And I will let you all in on an inside joke between a dear friend of mine name Teresa and me, you saw the Lion King right? Well we don't say Mufassa with a growl, we say Mouuusssaka ah ha ha ha!
Shannon, thank you for being such a gracious hostess with the mostess!
Moussaka really works for me inside, we won't discuss what it is capable of on the outside!
L-O-L Chel - duh branch! ha ha!
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
New Blog Alert: Just My Thoughts
My beautiful sister-in-love (Chel I'm stealing, I mean using the phrase chica!) has a brand new blog! Shower her with your welcoming smiles!
LissaLynn is her name and bloggin' is her new game...go check her out!
http://lissalynn2006.blogspot.com/2008/09/new-beginnings.html
She is rockin on my roll too!
LissaLynn is her name and bloggin' is her new game...go check her out!
http://lissalynn2006.blogspot.com/2008/09/new-beginnings.html
She is rockin on my roll too!
Friday, September 19, 2008
Name Droppin' Carnival
I have another blog http://racheleposey.blogspot.com/2008/09/1st-ever-t-t-name-droppin-carnival.html where I place my poetry and some other stuff.
The Lord has put on my heart to blog on His name and invite you to do the same.
On Thursdays we are going to Name Drop and praise the Maker, Redeemer, Friend!
Please join me. First go read this one and be in prayer over the next week and have a name to drop on Thursday!
Tell me why the name is a Treat and what Character Trait is revealed about HIM by that name or you can pick more than one, one for each, or one for a treat and one for a trait.
Any questions?.....Comment away...
Let's Just Praise the Lord!
Chel
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
I'm gonna wash that (_________) right outta my hair!
thank you Lord for another wonderful Wednesday to live as your creation and thank you Shannon for another WFMW opportunity! 
I do have natural blonde hair but as I get older it needs a little help remembering how it is supposed to look. This particular shampoo is good for gray hair as well. There seems to be red or yellow appearing on my head from time to time. And it is not a pretty red or that special yellow that looks good on sports cars (old and new) but this gal likes her hair to have that soft appeal.
People will comment that my hair looks lighter when I use this purple stuff. And my aunt was going crazy one day over my hair and how she wanted my color desperately but then I showed her my stylist and my shampoo and she went back red. J I said this to say the result is pertiful! And if my camera had not been stolen I would show you pictures!
Clairol Simmer Lights Original Conditioning Shampoo works for me at least once a week! BTW, it smells good too!
Warning:I am not a hair care professional.
I take care of my hair and I am a professional but the two do not go together!
“Clairol Shimmer Lights Original Conditioning Shampoo brightens white and gray hair. Shampoos away yellow, and refreshes faded highlights.Let your lights shine! Bring out the shimmering highlights in your hair with Clairol Shimmer Lights Original Conditioning Shampoo. A protein-enriched color enhancing shampoo. Tones down brassiness on blonde / gray hair. Shampoos away yellow. Refreshes faded highlighted hair. Tones down brassiness. Maintains and refreshes cool, ash-toned hair color. Leaves hair shiny without residue.”
This stuff really does work! You can go online and read the customer testimonials but I am here to tell you. You are less brassy (hair only not attitude!) when you use this shampoo once a week. You could do it more but then your hair would be purple so unless that is what you are shooting for then do it once.
This stuff really does work! You can go online and read the customer testimonials but I am here to tell you. You are less brassy (hair only not attitude!) when you use this shampoo once a week. You could do it more but then your hair would be purple so unless that is what you are shooting for then do it once.
I do have natural blonde hair but as I get older it needs a little help remembering how it is supposed to look. This particular shampoo is good for gray hair as well. There seems to be red or yellow appearing on my head from time to time. And it is not a pretty red or that special yellow that looks good on sports cars (old and new) but this gal likes her hair to have that soft appeal.
People will comment that my hair looks lighter when I use this purple stuff. And my aunt was going crazy one day over my hair and how she wanted my color desperately but then I showed her my stylist and my shampoo and she went back red. J I said this to say the result is pertiful! And if my camera had not been stolen I would show you pictures!
Clairol Simmer Lights Original Conditioning Shampoo works for me at least once a week! BTW, it smells good too!
Chel
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Tags, About Me Information!
Tagged!I've been tagged by my best friend and sister, Chel.
Thank you for tagging me! This is going to be fun!!!...I'm supposed to share an alphabet story by answering questions from A-Z about me.
Attached or Single? Attached!
Best Friend? Jesus and Chel who loves to leave a legacy. She has left one with me!
Cake or Pie? Depends, I love birthday cake, old fashioned and fattening! I like it even when it isn't my birthday but I love Millionaires Pie!
Day of Choice? Sunday
Essential Item? Computer! what did I ever do without it????
Flavour of Ice Cream? Mocha Almond Fudge (It must be a conspiracy! But it can't be just any old Mocha Almond Fudge, the almonds must be coated with delicious chocolate or sugar!)
Gummy Bears or Worms? Neither!
Hometown? The Body of Christ, TX
Indulgences? Back massages and Pedicures. Wish I had a huge tub for the love of baths that I have!!
January or July? Depends on why, financially July because January is after Christmas and both the kiddos bdays! But it is can be cold and the July can be HOT! Hmmm, can I get back to you?
Kids? 2 one boy one girl! I am done! (isn't that right Lord?)
Last Movie I saw in a Theater? I think it was Raiders of the Lost Ark (the new one)
Middle Name? Lynn, I am a child of the 70's! I could have been Lori Jean, no offense to anyone but thank you Daddy for naming me! I like Rachele Lynn! I could have done without my maiden name though. LOL
Number of Siblings? No natural ones that I know of!! My dad was a well, he got around I hear. Now, onto the better side, I thought about NOT mentioning her here cuz she made a plea for more!!! lol, but I will cuz see, Chel and I are sisters! Our mom's were besties when mine was alive and we all miss her very much! :-) We were both only children and have known each other since we were three! I would tell you how long that has been then you would know how old we are! Seriously, I too want to have more Spiritual Sisters too!
Oranges or Apples? Apples. I love apple crisp a la mode!
Phobia or Fear? Phobia! I hate spiders, was bit by a brown recluse. I did not see did not feel it until later then several shots and doctor's visits later I have a lovely scar just NW of my left well, it is on my chest! Good thing I cover up!! It is like a friend of mine, Janet White, said while speaking at a conference.....your breasts are for your husband's pleasure not your neighbor's husband!!! Cover them up as gifts and show him (your husband) later!. AMEN or OH ME!! lol
Reason to Smile? When I get a call, email, or blog comment from someone who says they were thinking of me and just wanted to give me a call. When my daughter displays her humor and my little man mixes up his words. He used to say, turn the radio a lit bittle. oooo how sweet! And When I Think About the Lord; no matter what I find myself in He always makes me grin! awww, did not intend the rhyme, oh well. Also, when I read this verse John 3:16, then I looked up the original language and saw that it applies to daily life NOT just salvation!!! Yes, I know!!!
CALGON HAS NOTHING ON GOD!
Read this when you use all the definitions to re-write the verse YOU WILL SMILE:
Indeed, God loved His creation beyond compare in such a way insomuch He supplied His one and only son in order that each and everyone would put full confidence into Him so they will not be destroyed or rendered useless instead giving the expception to the possession of a full active vigorous life wholly devoted to God without end.
Season? Autumn...most assuredly!
Tag five more:
Marina, Natalie, Tabby, Shonda, & Whitney!!!
Let me know if you guys post this, because I want to read your answers!
Unknown Fact About Me? Unlike Chel, I was NOT a tom-boy but we did play Barbie's together, awwww! I know, how sweet, oh yeah, weebles too! See our pic!
I had loved to write and have written poetry since I was 14. I am an only child, my mom died at age 36 when I was 11. Breast Cancer - get your screenings ladies! Anyway, you can read my poem to her here: http://racheleposey.blogspot.com/2008/08/reflections-of-her.html
Hmmm, still not scraping the unknown here! Oh, oh oh, I knew my husband 3 months before we married. That is odd and we have been married 16 years, one of is stubborn! Hmmmm, still thinking here....I love to talk, talk, talk, write, write, write, duh, ok those are a given, I love to cook. Let's see if I can think of something ODD....I love analogies and they are even funnier when I am mad. :-)
Vegeterian or Oppressor of Animals? I like steak and fajitas, and chicken, and pork, and bacon, bacon, bacon, bacon!
Worst Habit? Procrastination.... Eh hem, can I answer later?
Xrays or Ultrasounds? Ultrasounds, skip the Xray you usually have to go back any way and that is unneccessary cost and time wasted.
Your favourite Food? Ok, I will just go with what, beyond the Lord, fills me to the uttermost, Mousaka from Scampi's Meditteranean Cafe in Fort Worth, TX - next time we have WOVEN conference in Texas you all come and we will go there!
Zodiac? No thank you, what else ya got?
Thank you for tagging me! This is going to be fun!!!...I'm supposed to share an alphabet story by answering questions from A-Z about me.
Attached or Single? Attached!
Best Friend? Jesus and Chel who loves to leave a legacy. She has left one with me!
Cake or Pie? Depends, I love birthday cake, old fashioned and fattening! I like it even when it isn't my birthday but I love Millionaires Pie!
Day of Choice? Sunday
Essential Item? Computer! what did I ever do without it????
Flavour of Ice Cream? Mocha Almond Fudge (It must be a conspiracy! But it can't be just any old Mocha Almond Fudge, the almonds must be coated with delicious chocolate or sugar!)
Gummy Bears or Worms? Neither!
Hometown? The Body of Christ, TX
Indulgences? Back massages and Pedicures. Wish I had a huge tub for the love of baths that I have!!
January or July? Depends on why, financially July because January is after Christmas and both the kiddos bdays! But it is can be cold and the July can be HOT! Hmmm, can I get back to you?
Kids? 2 one boy one girl! I am done! (isn't that right Lord?)
Last Movie I saw in a Theater? I think it was Raiders of the Lost Ark (the new one)
Middle Name? Lynn, I am a child of the 70's! I could have been Lori Jean, no offense to anyone but thank you Daddy for naming me! I like Rachele Lynn! I could have done without my maiden name though. LOL
Number of Siblings? No natural ones that I know of!! My dad was a well, he got around I hear. Now, onto the better side, I thought about NOT mentioning her here cuz she made a plea for more!!! lol, but I will cuz see, Chel and I are sisters! Our mom's were besties when mine was alive and we all miss her very much! :-) We were both only children and have known each other since we were three! I would tell you how long that has been then you would know how old we are! Seriously, I too want to have more Spiritual Sisters too!
Oranges or Apples? Apples. I love apple crisp a la mode!
Phobia or Fear? Phobia! I hate spiders, was bit by a brown recluse. I did not see did not feel it until later then several shots and doctor's visits later I have a lovely scar just NW of my left well, it is on my chest! Good thing I cover up!! It is like a friend of mine, Janet White, said while speaking at a conference.....your breasts are for your husband's pleasure not your neighbor's husband!!! Cover them up as gifts and show him (your husband) later!. AMEN or OH ME!! lol
Reason to Smile? When I get a call, email, or blog comment from someone who says they were thinking of me and just wanted to give me a call. When my daughter displays her humor and my little man mixes up his words. He used to say, turn the radio a lit bittle. oooo how sweet! And When I Think About the Lord; no matter what I find myself in He always makes me grin! awww, did not intend the rhyme, oh well. Also, when I read this verse John 3:16, then I looked up the original language and saw that it applies to daily life NOT just salvation!!! Yes, I know!!!
CALGON HAS NOTHING ON GOD!
Read this when you use all the definitions to re-write the verse YOU WILL SMILE:
Indeed, God loved His creation beyond compare in such a way insomuch He supplied His one and only son in order that each and everyone would put full confidence into Him so they will not be destroyed or rendered useless instead giving the expception to the possession of a full active vigorous life wholly devoted to God without end.
Season? Autumn...most assuredly!
Tag five more:
Marina, Natalie, Tabby, Shonda, & Whitney!!!
Let me know if you guys post this, because I want to read your answers!
Unknown Fact About Me? Unlike Chel, I was NOT a tom-boy but we did play Barbie's together, awwww! I know, how sweet, oh yeah, weebles too! See our pic!
I had loved to write and have written poetry since I was 14. I am an only child, my mom died at age 36 when I was 11. Breast Cancer - get your screenings ladies! Anyway, you can read my poem to her here: http://racheleposey.blogspot.com/2008/08/reflections-of-her.html
Hmmm, still not scraping the unknown here! Oh, oh oh, I knew my husband 3 months before we married. That is odd and we have been married 16 years, one of is stubborn! Hmmmm, still thinking here....I love to talk, talk, talk, write, write, write, duh, ok those are a given, I love to cook. Let's see if I can think of something ODD....I love analogies and they are even funnier when I am mad. :-)
Vegeterian or Oppressor of Animals? I like steak and fajitas, and chicken, and pork, and bacon, bacon, bacon, bacon!
Worst Habit? Procrastination.... Eh hem, can I answer later?
Xrays or Ultrasounds? Ultrasounds, skip the Xray you usually have to go back any way and that is unneccessary cost and time wasted.
Your favourite Food? Ok, I will just go with what, beyond the Lord, fills me to the uttermost, Mousaka from Scampi's Meditteranean Cafe in Fort Worth, TX - next time we have WOVEN conference in Texas you all come and we will go there!
Zodiac? No thank you, what else ya got?
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