Unfortunately real life is calling us back, and we are packing to leave as I write this. Well, technically as I write this, I'm writing this and he is packing...but when I finish writing, I'll help too!
It's 9am in Colorado, 10am in Oklahoma, and we should be leaving in about two hours - around 11am Colorado time. We should make it home about 2am Oklahoma time, and hopefully the boys will be willing to sleep longer. I'm going to try to be good and sleep on the trip so when we get home I can rest a bit, but get up with all the kiddos in the morning. Hopefully baby daddy can get some sleep too.
It's been a wonderful Christmas. My brother came out again yesterday, and we had way too much food - and all of it was way too good! I got to meet one of my Mom's friends from church and she is a dear, sweet lady. Definitely a blessing to meet her!
I am enjoying our view of the mountains, and the mild weather. It's not been terribly cold this weekend, which always makes me happy. I've looked at some rental ads, been asking about churches, talked to my parents about boarding my horse, and now it's time for a waiting game. We have to see how things go in January, financially speaking, and try to complete a plan to move - once we have a plan, and a reasonable way to execute it, I think we may really move back this time.
I need roots though - so if we move it has to be permanent, I do NOT like the thought of moving around, at all. I have never liked moving around, and it seems like we've moved around a lot. Moving definitely frustrates me. That's part of why I am still in my apartment, I thought about moving when my lease was up, but I don't want to move.
Well, it's time for me to start packing again, and the computer needs to get tucked away to go home with me!
Until tomorrow, hopefully!
Showing posts with label home. Show all posts
Showing posts with label home. Show all posts
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Snoozer's
Am I the only one that gets completely irritated when there is a man lying on the couch, mostly sleeping or grumbling at the kids that are playing, because he's not at work? For one reason or another, he's home today, and he's just sleeping? On the couch. Grumbling at the kids every single time they jump on him. Draining away my motivation to do anything, because I just want to be sleeping too?! Am I all alone in this frustration? Please tell me I'm not.
Now let me add one more detail...that at the moment seems so relevant. The man, on my couch, several mornings of the week, is my ex-husband. He's on workman's comp for a back injury – so it's not like he's just not working. He can't, and he's in pain. Yet, somehow, him snoring on my couch, or snoozing even when he's not snoring, is the most aggravating thing about my mornings. It grates on my nerves and causes my veins to boil. It also got me thinking...
How many times the last year has God looked over at me, ready to whisper a truth I needed, or a truth He desired for me to speak to someone that needed it, and I was snoozing? How many times was I grumbling, groggily, at the people in my life, when He needed my light to shine?
Wait, there's more.
The question. That one question, of all of questions, that truly makes me want to throw something at “the man on my couch”. “What needs to be done?” he asks. My jaw drops and my brain explodes every time. If you can't see that the floor in the kitchen needs swept and mopped, there are dirty dishes, laundry to be taken care of, lunch to be fixed, dog poop to clean up (from the yard!), toys to be picked up, vacuuming to be done, etc. then you need new eyes. And a dose of compassion from someone else because of what I'm about to do to you for asking that completely obnoxious, RIDICULOUS question.
Yet, how many divine appointments did I miss because I was sitting in the wrong waiting room, simply wanting to ask “What needs to be done?” - let me qualify this. We need to be prayerful devoted to seeking God's will for our life, each and every day. However, there are obvious things we can do to help the people around us, and I think sometime we overlook “small” tasks, waiting for God to lay down the master plan...yet God is waiting to lay down the master plan because He wants us to be devoted to the “small” tasks.
So, I'm going to count to ten, take a deep breath, get motivated, and stop snoozing through the God-whispers in my life, and try to be more patient with the snoozer in my life!
Now let me add one more detail...that at the moment seems so relevant. The man, on my couch, several mornings of the week, is my ex-husband. He's on workman's comp for a back injury – so it's not like he's just not working. He can't, and he's in pain. Yet, somehow, him snoring on my couch, or snoozing even when he's not snoring, is the most aggravating thing about my mornings. It grates on my nerves and causes my veins to boil. It also got me thinking...
How many times the last year has God looked over at me, ready to whisper a truth I needed, or a truth He desired for me to speak to someone that needed it, and I was snoozing? How many times was I grumbling, groggily, at the people in my life, when He needed my light to shine?
Wait, there's more.
The question. That one question, of all of questions, that truly makes me want to throw something at “the man on my couch”. “What needs to be done?” he asks. My jaw drops and my brain explodes every time. If you can't see that the floor in the kitchen needs swept and mopped, there are dirty dishes, laundry to be taken care of, lunch to be fixed, dog poop to clean up (from the yard!), toys to be picked up, vacuuming to be done, etc. then you need new eyes. And a dose of compassion from someone else because of what I'm about to do to you for asking that completely obnoxious, RIDICULOUS question.
Yet, how many divine appointments did I miss because I was sitting in the wrong waiting room, simply wanting to ask “What needs to be done?” - let me qualify this. We need to be prayerful devoted to seeking God's will for our life, each and every day. However, there are obvious things we can do to help the people around us, and I think sometime we overlook “small” tasks, waiting for God to lay down the master plan...yet God is waiting to lay down the master plan because He wants us to be devoted to the “small” tasks.
So, I'm going to count to ten, take a deep breath, get motivated, and stop snoozing through the God-whispers in my life, and try to be more patient with the snoozer in my life!
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Pampered Chef...oh how I enjoy you!
So, I'm bouncing off the walls...I just had my first cooking experience with Pampered Chef.
Last night I went to my first cluster meeting, and the ladies there were all so inspiring. I'm so impressed by the businesses they've built, and the warmth with which they welcomed me, and several other new consultants!
I am excited to move forward in this opportunity, and as such, chose tonight to bake cookies.
I made whole wheat chocolate chip cookies (yes, I am weird like that, and they are awesome cookies!) using all Pampered Chef utensils.
I used the Mix 'N Scraper, Easy Read Measuring cup, Adjustable Measuring Spoons, Classic Batter Bowl (glass), Stackable Cooling Rack, and my Large Bar Pan. This recipe went something like this:
I put 1 cup of butter in the Classic Batter Bowl, put it in the microwave for 1 minute, melted the butter, pulled it out....the glass bowl was not too hot to touch but the butter was melted. I put 3/4c brown sugar in my Easy Read Measuring cup and giggled because it was so easy to read! I then measured 3/4c regular sugar, and giggled...this is definitely my favorite measuring cup ever! And with the ergonomic handle (which simply put means it feels good and is easy to hold on to!) I picked it up and poured the sugar into the Classic Batter Bowl. It poured super easy, did not make a mess, and impressed me more. I added an egg and 1tsp of vanilla. My measuring spoons are adjustable! No more digging for three or four different measuring spoons, just slide to the size I want and wow! Ready to go. I mixed all this together with my Mix 'N Scraper and it did a great job of scraping the sides - it's bendable enough to do the job well, and firm enough to not be flimsy. At this point I added 2c whole wheat flour 1/2tsp salt and 1tsp baking soda. I begin folding it all together with that excellent Mix 'N Scraper, the dough was thick like it should be, wasn't stuck to the sides of the Classic Batter Bowl, and smelled sweet. I mixed in 2c semisweet chocolate chips, then spooned 12 cookies onto my Large Bar Pan. I baked them at 375 degrees for about 10 minutes (9 would have been a little chewier like I like...). They came right off of the Large Bar Pan...put them on my Stackable Cooling Rack, and enjoyed a warm cookie a few minutes later.
In summary....these cookies are amazing! I love the even way the Large Bar Pan baked them, and the Classic Batter Bowl was perfect for mixing these up. I'm sold. I want more stoneware, I want the pans, and the all of the accesories and the knife block and and and and!
Pampered Chef produces a quality product, I made 2 dozen cookies in about 20 minutes, it took me maybe 10 minutes to clean up, and all of the products delivered a consistent, quality result. I'm looking forward to more cooking and baking as I add pieces to my collection. I know I'm selling something worth owning and I am excited to share these products with everyone I know!
Last night I went to my first cluster meeting, and the ladies there were all so inspiring. I'm so impressed by the businesses they've built, and the warmth with which they welcomed me, and several other new consultants!
I am excited to move forward in this opportunity, and as such, chose tonight to bake cookies.
I made whole wheat chocolate chip cookies (yes, I am weird like that, and they are awesome cookies!) using all Pampered Chef utensils.
I used the Mix 'N Scraper, Easy Read Measuring cup, Adjustable Measuring Spoons, Classic Batter Bowl (glass), Stackable Cooling Rack, and my Large Bar Pan. This recipe went something like this:
I put 1 cup of butter in the Classic Batter Bowl, put it in the microwave for 1 minute, melted the butter, pulled it out....the glass bowl was not too hot to touch but the butter was melted. I put 3/4c brown sugar in my Easy Read Measuring cup and giggled because it was so easy to read! I then measured 3/4c regular sugar, and giggled...this is definitely my favorite measuring cup ever! And with the ergonomic handle (which simply put means it feels good and is easy to hold on to!) I picked it up and poured the sugar into the Classic Batter Bowl. It poured super easy, did not make a mess, and impressed me more. I added an egg and 1tsp of vanilla. My measuring spoons are adjustable! No more digging for three or four different measuring spoons, just slide to the size I want and wow! Ready to go. I mixed all this together with my Mix 'N Scraper and it did a great job of scraping the sides - it's bendable enough to do the job well, and firm enough to not be flimsy. At this point I added 2c whole wheat flour 1/2tsp salt and 1tsp baking soda. I begin folding it all together with that excellent Mix 'N Scraper, the dough was thick like it should be, wasn't stuck to the sides of the Classic Batter Bowl, and smelled sweet. I mixed in 2c semisweet chocolate chips, then spooned 12 cookies onto my Large Bar Pan. I baked them at 375 degrees for about 10 minutes (9 would have been a little chewier like I like...). They came right off of the Large Bar Pan...put them on my Stackable Cooling Rack, and enjoyed a warm cookie a few minutes later.
In summary....these cookies are amazing! I love the even way the Large Bar Pan baked them, and the Classic Batter Bowl was perfect for mixing these up. I'm sold. I want more stoneware, I want the pans, and the all of the accesories and the knife block and and and and!
Pampered Chef produces a quality product, I made 2 dozen cookies in about 20 minutes, it took me maybe 10 minutes to clean up, and all of the products delivered a consistent, quality result. I'm looking forward to more cooking and baking as I add pieces to my collection. I know I'm selling something worth owning and I am excited to share these products with everyone I know!
Monday, September 13, 2010
Whew, it's been a while...
So, my finger tips have been burning, and I have a million things on my mind. Yet, I haven't been writing. I am not sure that the things I have to write about are appropriate for a blog. I like writing when I know no one is reading, but with a blog, that's just not the case. This is the stuff for people to read - and wouldn't you know it, I'd actually like to write stuff that someday, people enjoy reading.
Some part of me would really like to be a published author. I've started probably about 10 books in the last 4-5 years. I'm trying to decide if I'm failing at writing a whole book, or if it's just a really long process? I'm not sure which. In fact, upon browsing this computer this evening I've discovered only one of my starts is here. I have one on the desktop, as well. Both were intended to be masterpiece material, but I get bored
trying to figure out how to break a book into chapters and scenes and, let's face it, I'm no professional.
So here sits I, blogging on this Monday night. I still have one son awake, in fact he is now....thirsty! I only put him in bed an hour and a half ago. His older brother? Out! However, the little one seems to think sleeping is for anyone other than himself and he avoids it all cost and tantrum.
I'm going to start selling Pampered Chef, in all of this wonderful spare time I don't have. I'm going to talk to a student advisor about nursing, and I keep considering a change in job. You know what I'm realizing about myself? I want to be something, or someone great. I lost a huge part of my identity when I had to go to work and wasn't married anymore. I was something great, I was a wife and a stay at home mom. I was raising two kids, and tackling every day messes. Somehow, working, and sending them to school & daycare left me feeling void. I'm no longer something great. I have a stressful, pointless job. I see my kids for something like 34 hours a week, not including when they are sleeping. And that's only if they aren't with their dad on the weekend. When he takes them...I get like 10-15 hours a week. I no longer feel like a great mom, I'm not a wife, not even a girlfriend. I'm no longer a great volunteer (in fact, I haven't volunteered in months).
I bought myself a horse, and decided I was going to do great things with her. Yeah. I see her once a month-ish. Great. I was going to get in great shape and loose a bunch of weight. Nope. Hasn't happened.
Am I the only one that longs to do something great? What do you want to do that is great? I can't decide if I'm spread to thin to do anything great, or if I just haven't found what I'm supposed to do great at.
Well, that's all for this lonely September post...good night!
Some part of me would really like to be a published author. I've started probably about 10 books in the last 4-5 years. I'm trying to decide if I'm failing at writing a whole book, or if it's just a really long process? I'm not sure which. In fact, upon browsing this computer this evening I've discovered only one of my starts is here. I have one on the desktop, as well. Both were intended to be masterpiece material, but I get bored
trying to figure out how to break a book into chapters and scenes and, let's face it, I'm no professional.
So here sits I, blogging on this Monday night. I still have one son awake, in fact he is now....thirsty! I only put him in bed an hour and a half ago. His older brother? Out! However, the little one seems to think sleeping is for anyone other than himself and he avoids it all cost and tantrum.
I'm going to start selling Pampered Chef, in all of this wonderful spare time I don't have. I'm going to talk to a student advisor about nursing, and I keep considering a change in job. You know what I'm realizing about myself? I want to be something, or someone great. I lost a huge part of my identity when I had to go to work and wasn't married anymore. I was something great, I was a wife and a stay at home mom. I was raising two kids, and tackling every day messes. Somehow, working, and sending them to school & daycare left me feeling void. I'm no longer something great. I have a stressful, pointless job. I see my kids for something like 34 hours a week, not including when they are sleeping. And that's only if they aren't with their dad on the weekend. When he takes them...I get like 10-15 hours a week. I no longer feel like a great mom, I'm not a wife, not even a girlfriend. I'm no longer a great volunteer (in fact, I haven't volunteered in months).
I bought myself a horse, and decided I was going to do great things with her. Yeah. I see her once a month-ish. Great. I was going to get in great shape and loose a bunch of weight. Nope. Hasn't happened.
Am I the only one that longs to do something great? What do you want to do that is great? I can't decide if I'm spread to thin to do anything great, or if I just haven't found what I'm supposed to do great at.
Well, that's all for this lonely September post...good night!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
As today fades....
Sweetly Broken Video
Jay
MySpace Video
So I'm headed for the big D and don't mean Dallas. Cheesy, I know. I heard that song a few weeks back and it made my stomach hurt. I suppose I'm coping with it alright. I keep hearing Stacy point out that I filed for the thing. Course, I'm equally quick to point out that he walked out, and moved in with his now girlfriend. He was "sleeping on her couch" before I filed for divorce. I suppose that's the way it goes right? It's a horrible case of blame-shifting. Careful, I'll tell on you at group if you don't stop blame shifting...that used to be such a funny joke. Now, I just shake my head and sigh. I'm a bit wound up tonight, court is in the morning. I'm sitting here writing this, and I'm so tense and stressed that I think I could stay up all night. I want to start cleaning and crocheting and continue writing. I think I'm going to go to http://www.pandora.com/ and turn on my "David Crowder Station" and try to mellow out a little.
Okay, music on. The video I embedded was pointed out by a friend and fellow blogger. Excellent song and video. I'm trying to remember tonight that Christ takes me as I am. I'm thankful for the forgiveness extended to me, and I'm praying for God to reveal what exactly forgiveness looks like toward Stacy, from me, right now. Stacy told me Friday to just go, and not delay it. I was asking him to kick out his girlfriend and work on things with me, and he didn't want to kick her out. So, I was left wondering what's so wrong with me. I finally quit letting the question eat at me as of today. I'm a sinner, saved by grace, and that grace is enough. God is in control, and Jesus is enough. Period. That will be my simple truth, everytime I feel weak.
On a completely off track side note, Asher was so funny tonight! He was talking to Isaiah and he said "I love you Isa...I mean SUPERMAN!" and he grinned, a big, goofy, Asher grin, and said to Isaiah, "You are awesome." I swear, you can't buy entertainment, or LOVE like that. The boys rubbed each others back tonight in the bath, and both said "I hope you feel better." Aww! I love the moments when they reach out to each other and are simply thoughtful and loving.
Asher did significantly better listening to me today! We've been reading a devotional at bedtime, and praying. Plus, I have really been working on not just yelling and flying off the handle. I just remind myself to take a deep breath and be intentional, and when I calm down, the boys respond better.
I found Chase a great home. Or rather, a great home for Chase found me. She has a pink collar, a new bed, is inside, and has two kids to play with! I think she's found a beautiful family to be a part of and while I will miss her, I know that it was best. I'm also feeling a bit more compassionate toward Oliver. Hopefully we can get a schedule worked out and he will get used to going potty while on the leash.
Well, I'm going to take him out for a while, then I'm going to sleep as best I can - tomorrow is going to be a long day. Goodnight friends!
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