~~~ TRUTHS TO REMEMBER ~~~
1. Faith is the ability to not panic.
2. If you worry, you didn't pray. If you pray, don't worry.
3. As a child of God, Prayer is like calling home every day.
4. Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape.
5. When we get tangled up in our problems, be still.
God wants us to be Still, So He can untangle the knot.
6. Do the math. Count your blessings.
7. God wants spiritual fruit not religious nuts.
8. Dear God: I have a problem. It's me.
9. Silence is often misinterpreted but never misquoted.
10. Laugh every day; it's like inner jogging.
11. The most important things in your home are the people.
12. Growing old is inevitable; growing up is optional.
13. There is no key to happiness. The door is always open.
14. A grudge is a heavy thing to carry.
15. He who dies with the most toys is still dead.
16. We do not remember days but moments.
Life moves too fast, so enjoy Your precious moments.
17. Nothing is real to you until you experience it,
otherwise it's just hearsay.
~Author Unknown~

Today is national Woody Woodpecker day!! "He-he-he-HA-HA!".....I loved this Cartoon growing up... Woody wasn't such a lovable creature that's for sure.. he was more annoying than anything! But he could truly hold a child's attention for some time!

I guess in life though we have a ton of things that "annoy" us.. for instance.. I think crazy drivers drive me bonkers.. people who don't put their grocery carts away drive me insane... moms who don't discipline their children make me BONKERS!! But life is life and we have to go through this crazy world with others that don't think or do like us. I guess it's true that we are wonderfully and individually made. There is no other in this whole wide world like YOU or I!!

Through such annoyances though I do find joy in things that probably annoy others. For instance take me to a yardsale.. I can creep through every single BOX.. it ANNOYS the heck out of my husband.. LOL LOL..

Ecclesiastes 12:4 says "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them"--" Wouldn't it be nice to go back to ONE childhood days where nothing annoyed you, no one made you mad and it was just plain FUN to be a kid. I personally don't have many enjoyable days as a child.. but I'm sure I could scramble my mind and find at least ONE that I wish I could turn back time and sneak on the couch and watch Woody Woodpecker.. of course I would have to get up and change the channel cause only three channels existed with NO remote control.. could my children survive one day of my childhood.. or would they be annoyed? Ü

If you know me... you will know that one of my passions is cooking. I love to read cookbooks like novels and I love the old cookbooks... Where they have a pinch of this and a dash of that!! Since I was a little girl I have always loved to get my hands into food. I find it to be a creative outlet and one of my most prized gifts from God. I know many women today who can't boil water and I find that strange yet totally understand that some women's talents will not lie where mine lay ( hey did I use that correctly? I lack writing talent.. LOL LOL)...

I Love the bible verse in Titus where Paul writes to Titus and says "Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God" Titus 2:5

I have a passion for taking care of my home, my husband and children. I think I have mentioned in the past that I never had bigger dreams than this, other than to one day possibly be a nurse. Think about it though.. isn't a nurse someone who takes care of another...hmmm what's God telling me? Ever since I was a little girl I vowed that I would have a smooth running home, cook my meals and hang my clothes up on a line and have the biggest garden in the neighborhood.

Well, I do have a smooth running home and I cook ALMOST all of our meals and I LOVE to hang my clothes out on the line.. as for the garden .. welllllllllllllllll... I live on a tiny piece of land that has clay for dirt.. BLUCK.. so no control their... but I will can items from garden stands and orchards.

I guess you could classify me as a Suzy Homemaker! And I love it! I'm the person the friends come running to for a recipe, or stain removal, or organization ( just had friend call me to BEG me to help organize her pantry) To some this may seem boring.. to me I find it a challenge and fascinating!!! I guess you could say I'm just plain Old Fashioned and LOVE IT!!

Here's a CUTE BLOG!!!
http://mrssuziehomemaker.blogspot.com/

1943 Karo Popcorn Balls
1 cup Karo (blue label)
1 tsp vinegar
2 tbsp butter
1 1/2 quarts popped corn
1/4 tsp salt
Put Karo and vinegar in a saucepan and cook, stirring occasionally to prevent burning, to 275 degrees (or until a little dropped in cold water is brittle). Add butter and stir only enough to mix. Pour cooked syrup slowly over salted popped corn and mix well. Form into balls with hands,using as little pressure as possible.
Yield: 10 popped corn balls, about 2 1/2 inches in diameter.

Today is a fluff post for me.. I'm still tired... and stuffy.. wahhh.. but.. I wanted to blog! So yesterday I was listening to my husband's sports radio while lounging on my outdoor swing. I even had the most current Issue of Creative Keepsakes in front of me but NO energy to read. While lounging I was listening to my husbands sports radio... The Dan Patrick show... on ESPN radio... ( any of you ladies out there that have hubby's that listen to that know the tune I just wrote) he was talking about YardSales of the "stars"... questioning what would be in their yardsales if they had one.

Now..listening to Dan he said he has begged his wife in the past to just throw his stuff away or give it away to Goodwill. He didn't want to see all hi stuff throw out in the front lawn and strange people digging through it. I thought this was pretty funny!

I love love love yardsales! I love finding treasures that make my house more of a home. I love the old stuff.. the older the better! I've have found Old raggedy ann's and andy's.. buttons...jars... and even an old fashioned clothing rack that I mounted to my kitchen wall one of my all time FAVORITE finds!

So here's a question for you... if someone was driving by YOUR yardsale TODAY.. what are the top 5 things you would be willing to throw in that yardsale? What top 5 things speak about you?

For me

1) Lots of fabric

2) Older tupperware

3) Clothes that just don't fit and if they did I would never wear them again

4)Foosball table

5)Books-- I read way to much

Here is a funny funny blog I found.. You have to check it out.. it's all about yardsales!!

http://yardsaleaddict.blogspot.com/

"Go to the ant, you sluggard;

consider it's ways and be wise!" Proverbs 6:6

Today was a sluggish day for me.. I'm not sure if I'm fighting allergies, which I've never had in my life or a cold. I have NO energy. And the friend who was suppose to go with me to Weight Watchers wasn't feel well either. So technically I will sign up next Monday but will start my journey on my own tomorrow!

Did you know that an Ant can pick up anything 50 times it's weight! As a child I remember laying on the lawn and watching ants as they trotted with "white" things on their backs in that perfect line that they form to bring their item of destination to only a place they knew of.

As I would sit and watch, what seemed to be for hours, I finally got a mean urge to rub the ants holes closed... I wanted to stop their path of work and see what would happen. After awhile those little ants would emerge from their hole again.. nothing seemed to stop them.

There are many days I feel like satan wants to cover up my light at the end of my tunnel and some days I think he succeeds.. UGH... but I always have to remember that little ant song.. the one that I use to sing to my kids so many years ago when Barney of all Creatures was popular.. ha ha ha...

The ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah

The ants go marching one by one, hurrah, hurrah

The ants go marching one by one,The little one stops to suck his thumb

And they all go marching down to the ground

To get out of the rain, BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

ANTS ON LOG RECIPE

INGREDIENTS
5 stalks celery
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup raisins
DIRECTIONS
Cut the celery stalks in half. Spread with peanut butter. Sprinkle with raisins.

I'm chubby... and not liking it right now.!! Last spring I was so proud of myself.. I ran our track.. I lost weight, clothes fit better and I felt better I had TONS of energy... then my son got sick in October and we didn't even figure out what he had til February... I didn't think about myself in those months.. and depression set it.. I gained all my weight back and more... You know what they say.. the weight you lose.. you always gain back more and I did..!! UGH!! So I have decided this Monday to go back on the Journey of Weight Watchers... It's the BEST program for me!! I know that I would do ok on my own.. but I need the accountability and the justification of spending the money! My hubby supports me 100% and tells me I'm beautiful just the way I am... awwww... but when my clothes don't fit.. and summer is coming I don't want to feel frumpy and feel like I have to hide! I have let the enemy sneak in and cover my emptiness and sorrow with food... Psalm 18:17 "He rescued me from my powerful enemy" my powerful enemy is food! Soooo all my bloggy friends.. can you keep me accountable and ask how it's going? I really truly honestly want to be successful this time!! I don't want to give up!! On that note.. I have to scoot to a friends for dinner and a birthday cake.. yikes...

side dishes
Was POINTS® Value: 6Now POINTS® Value: 4Servings: 4Preparation Time: 12 minCooking Time: 10 minLevel of Difficulty: Moderate

Don't bust your waistline with high-fat, fried cheese sticks. Our slimmed-down version hits the spot and is much healthier for you.
2 sprays olive oil cooking spray, divided
8 oz canned tomato sauce
2 tsp ground oregano, divided
3 slice reduced-calorie wheat bread, torn
1 tsp dried thyme
8 oz part-skim mozzarella cheese, cut into 8 finger-like strips
2 Tbsp honey mustard
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400ºF. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.
In a small saucepan, combine tomato sauce and 1 teaspoon of oregano; set pan over low heat and simmer 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a food processor, combine bread, remaining teaspoon of oregano and thyme; process until mixture resembles fine crumbs. Place crumbs in a shallow bowl. (Tip: Use the ends of the loaf of bread for the bread crumbs since those slices are often uneaten.)
Coat cheese sticks with honey mustard. Transfer cheese to bread crumb mixture and turn to coat. Arrange cheese on prepared baking sheet and lightly coat with cooking spray.
Bake until golden brown, about 4 to 5 minutes. Serve with warmed tomato sauce on the side. Yields 2 cheese sticks and about 1/4 cup of sauce per serving.

I love diet pepsi.. I'm addicted to diet pepsi and as I type this I have a 32 oz diet pepsi sitting by my desk!That's a little known fact about me. It's my coffee in the morning... my sweet snack in the afternoon and my medicine for this obnoxious cold that has decided to come in and take over my body.. and I mean entire body of aches and pains!! UGH!

Why though, can I not be this addicted to Christ? Why can I not sit her and make sure he is by my side 24/7? Why can I not use him for my coffee and my afternoon medicine? And the best part about Christ?...!!! HE'S FREE! Pepsi is not! Nothing in life is FREE except Christ's gift to us... and his awesome and amazing GRACE!!

For fun.. here are the A-Z of me.... After I share.. I wanna see you share!!! Post it back to me or share it on your blog.. what ever you feel like doing...

A - Age: 34
B - Bed size: queen
C - Chore you hate: mopping floors
D - Dessert you love: I am a junk food junky!
E - Essential start your day item: ummm as above Diet Pepsi..
F - Favorite actor(s): Ben Stiller
G - Gold or Silver: Silver
H- Height: 5' 4
I - Instruments you play: My voice...
J- Job title: Wife, Mom, cook, photographer, maid, taxi driver, nurse, counselor...but in real life away from home.. a Pharmacy Tech
K - Kid(s): 2 that are mine and many more that stop in.. wouldn't have it any other way.. who says a child needs to grow under your heart to live in your heart!!
L - Living arrangements: with hubby, my two kiddos, foreign exchange student in our own home
M - Mom's name: sorry.. no relationship with my mother
N - Nicknames: hon!
O - Overnight hospital stay other than birth: When I was 17 I was hospitalized for Mono.. I had mono for two months and lost 27lbs before my parents noticed..I also had a huge abscess in my throat.. I was close to dying.
P- Phobia or fear: Watching others that I love die
Q. Favorite quote: "It's going to be Ok"
R - Right or left handed: LEFT!! are we the creative ones???
S - Siblings: 2 sisters
T-Time of day you get up- When I work 4:30.. other time usually 6:30-7:00 am
U - Unique habit: I pick things up with my toes
V - Vegetable you hate: Peas and just for you KIM.. OKRA!!!
W - Worst habit: Loving Diet Pepsi
X - X-rays you've had: dental and what they do at the chiropractor
Y - Yummy food you make: give me a recipe and I can make it yummy.. I just wish I had Paula Deen's spirit like she cooks
Z- Zodiac Sign-...I don't believe in Zodiac or do anything with it.. but I'm a Virgo

This was my day yesterday.... I had all this emotions... It was the WORST parenting day of my life and the sad part was.. it wasn't even my child that I had given birth to! Today the Lord has healed all these emotions... Forgiveness is a beautiful thing. I wanted to come here last night and pour my heart out but my blog wasn't working.. wonder if that was the Lord's way of talking??? Psalm 130:4 "But with you there is forgiveness"

To add a bit of "fluffness" to my message today I had to put a picture of this DASHING Chef Curtis Stone! Isn't he a cutie?

I've seen his show only a few times on TV The Take Home Chef.. he approaches women in grocery stores.. ( yes ODD) and asks them if he can help them shop and go into their homes and cook a meal with her and her loved one... Personally if he approached me.. I probably wouldn't be able to speak.. hardee har har...secondly I don't think my hubby would take to kindly to a strange man and a production crew in my kitchen.. and thirdly there is no way on God's Green Earth that I would be home alone long enough to SURPRISE ANYONE to a fabulous meal!!

Here's a quiz on his home page... name the utensil.. and tell me how you did http://tlc.discovery.com/fansites/takehomechef/quiz/quiz.html..... Cooking is one of my passions... so I didn't do to shabby.. and quite honestly.. the pictures give away some of the answers!!!

Here's is one of his recipes...

Chocolate Ice Cream Bon Bons
Makes 40
Ingredients:

1 quart/946 ml chocolate ice cream

14 ounces/400 g good-quality dark chocolate (semisweet or bittersweet),

chopped2 ounces/55 g good-quality white chocolate, chopped
Method:
To create the bon bons:Line a baking sheet with plastic wrap. Freeze the baking sheet until it is very cold. Dip a melon baller into a cup of hot water, then scoop the ice cream to form a ball that is 1 inch/3 cm in diameter.Immediately place the ice cream ball on the frozen baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining ice cream, working as quickly as possible so that the ice cream balls do not begin to melt and dipping the melon baller in the hot water before each ball is formed, to make 40 balls total. Reserve any remaining unused ice cream for another use.Place the ice cream balls in the freezer for at least 1 hour or until they are set firmly.Place a 12x12-inch/30x30-cm piece of Styrofoam on the work surface. Working quickly, place a toothpick into each ice cream ball and loosen the ice cream balls from the baking sheet. Stick the opposite end of the toothpicks into the Styrofoam so that the ice cream balls stand upright on the Styrofoam.Return the ice cream balls to the freezer and freeze until set.
To coat the bon bons:Meanwhile, place the dark chocolate in a small bowl and set the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water. Stir the chocolate until it melts and no lumps remain.Set the melted chocolate aside until it is barely warm. Be sure the melted chocolate is not hot when you use it or else it will melt off of the ice cream rather than coat it.Dip the ice cream balls into the melted chocolate to coat completely. Gently shake the excess melted chocolate back into the bowl. Once the melted chocolate stops dripping, stick the bon bons back onto the Styrofoam. You may want to work in batches and freeze the ice cream balls between the batches to ensure they do not melt.Once all balls have been coated thoroughly in the melted chocolate and stuck into place, put them back into the freezer for about 30 minutes to set the chocolate.While the bon bons are in the freezer, place the white chocolate in another small bowl and set the bowl over the saucepan of barely simmering water. Stir constantly until the white chocolate melts.Pour the melted white chocolate onto a sheet of plastic wrap. Gather the sides of the plastic wrap and hold the pouch of white chocolate firmly. Twist the pouch. Pierce the bottom of the pouch with a sharp toothpick or skewer.Drizzle the white chocolate decoratively over the bon bons. Return the bon bons to the freezer for a further 30 minutes. Reserve any remaining white chocolate in the pouch for another use.Once the white chocolate has set, remove the toothpicks and place the bon bons on a plate or platter and serve immediately.

Oh it's so good to be home!!! I did have fun on my trip to NY!!! We went and visited friends in the Syracuse area!! My darling boys got to see a semi pro( I believe) baseball game Syracuse Chiefs vs Ottawa Lynx while the girls went to Michaels and the Christmas Tree Shop!!!

New York is busy! Would I want to live there? The area that I saw.. probably NOT! But it was so different to see these BEAUTIFUL Country farm homes and then right next to them plazas of shopping!

Funny how we can find so many faults in our surrounding areas in which we live, yet when we visit other areas we can't WAIT to be home to where it's comfortable! 2 Corinthians 1:5 b "so also through Christ our comfort overflows" I believe that my home is a comfort through the good times and bad because we have allowed Christ in. He never promised us a perfect life but always situations that He could walk us through and hold our hand and wipe away the tears . He also promised to party down with us in times of Joy and Happiness. I find comfort in such little things! When this magazine shows up in my mailbox I know it's time to take a half an hour to myself and skim through the thin magazine and wish and plot on the things I could make and buy.. but month after month... I don't and that's ok.. Want your own? Go here and request a copy if you LOVE country things http://www.thecountryhouse.com/ I have been told many times that others love to come to my house because it's comfortable and they can put their feet up.. and that it ALWAYS smells like something homemade is cooking. As a young wife and mother that has always been my goal. I have never desired a corporate life or to be at the top and live in one of the high risers in NY. I however, would support any woman that desires that and would encourage them! I believe God made all women strong in many areas.. I have found that area where He has lead me.. and I continue to climb my "corporate" ladder everyday with my home, hubby and kids and I feel pretty darn successful!! My pay?.. it comes in extreme amounts of Love. That's all I desire.

Here's an "old fashioned" Cooke recipe to share! Bake these up and your home will smell so inviting!

Gingersnaps have become a tradition at our house. Each year I make tins of them for family members, and extra to have on hand at the house. There is no comparison to store-bought gingersnaps. The crispiness and the flavor are wonderful. We have rolled our dough in colored sugar as well as plain. It's a little bit messy but they turn out nice, and the kids have a great time! You can store them in tins, cookie jars, cellophane bags for giving or on trays. They stay crispier if they are airtight and not combined with other cookies.
Ingredients:

2 cups flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. ginger

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. ground cloves

3/4 cup shortening

1 cup sugar

2 tablespoons molasses

1 egg
Combine flour, soda, spices and salt. Beat shortening for 30 seconds, add sugar and beat until fluffy. Add molasses and egg. Beat til combined. Add dry mix and beat on low until combined. Shape into 1 1/2 inch balls, roll in granulated sugar, and place 3 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until light-brown. Cool on racks. Makes 20. Note: I also make tiny gingersnaps and shape the balls into barely one inch in size.

Cool Blog find: http://www.angbrimwil.blogspot.com/

I was tagged by Curl Girl today.. so I must tell you 10 different things about me that you might not know!!... hmmm let's see...

1) I won't drink out of a gallon of milk unless I am the first to open it.

2) I refuse to drink out of plastic cups

3) I know every word to just about ever commercial I heard growing up... two all beef patties special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles on a a sesame bun....

4) I learned spanish in the room that Robert Frost taught English many years ago.

5) I pick everything up with my toes.

6) I've never been to the west coast.

7) I wear flipflops in the snow.

8) I can come up with a song for anything in split seconds, and sing it.

9) I've been a mother for 16 years and I'm 34.

10) I could give Martha Stewart a run for her money $$$$

So when I get back from my little trip to NY.. I'm gonna tag some of ya.. I wanna see what your "secrets" are.. LOL LOL LOL!!

My Cool Blog of the day.. well I wouldn't say cool as much as eye opening.. here I spend days worrying about little things... when there are more important things out there... I challenge you to post an uplifting comment to a much needed blogger today... http://ependyparent.blogspot.com/ Psalm 94:18 "Your love, O Lord, supported me"

Tonight I am resting my head early...so I will blog more tomorrow.. plus it's snowing.. ONCE AGAIN!! sighhhhhhhh....

Ever have one of those days... Today isn't one of those days for me... but lately it does seem like it... ever feel like your touching something....but the doors are closing all around you? I feel like a sitting duck in my job... I'm a contracted out worker for a pharmacy.. so I don't work directly in the pharmacy... however I decided about two years ago I would give full-time a shot in the pharmacy.. It was ok.. TO many LONG hours... 12 hour days and not enough family time and to much politics. So I work contracted out now but get treated extremely poorly from a certain employee and a supervisor.. everyone else seems to be GREAT!! Can I tell you my secret.. I WANT to so desperately write a long letter about these two women anonymously and send it to higher beings in the hospital... oh that is my DREAM!!! But then I read "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" Ephesians 6:12 I need to put the Armour of God on... and the Devil is trying to tell me "forget it kid".. You'll lose... My real opponents are not against humans..but the devil.. and to me to think that I can fight this battle by humanly means.. honestly isn't going to get me anywhere.... So as much as I struggle and WANT.. or so desperately WANT to lash out and prove to another HUMAN that this girl is wrong... I must sit back and let the Lord take care of HIS child... HIS problem... not me... I am only the keeper of myself... My true duty in ALL of this.. is to get down on my knees and PRAY... that is the ONLY source of action I am to take... and I must obey... But God.. "why oh why"??? Ü I know what HIS answer will be.. "Because I am in control I am the pilot and you my dear are just the Co... I will listen to your heart.. but you will take final direction from me... "... Tonight.. I know how that child feels with their hand in the cookie jar.... just ONE more cookie!!!

I am so excited.. I figured out how to add a video!! woo hoo.. had to share.. ok... I know TWO posts in one day!! tee hee

These are my Fresh Air Kiddos!!! Well minus the little one there he isn't quite old enough yet.. but I can't wait to meet him.. he is soooooooo adorable.!! I got the cutest little blurb from Tay( the oldest) today telling me she couldn't wait to come back this summer ( she missed last summer due to work). My family and I have been a part of the Fresh Air Fund for more than 8 years and I love it so much! I think the kids are fun and quite funny! Even though they only live hours away from us, their culture and lives are much different. They bring so much to the table with stories, songs and cool dance moves! These kids have rhythm and soul.. us white family.. well.. I'll leave it at that! Ü Here is a link to their site. If you live in the New England area I urge you to give this a shot! It's not for every family.. but you never know unless you try! http://www.freshair.org/

"Offer hospitality to one another with out grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in it's various forms." 1Peter 4:9,10

Ok.. seriously.. are you "living in foolishness"????? I was watching my DVR'D Martha Stewart today while folding laundry ( have to be doing TWO things at once you know!!) and she has a CONTEST on their for SPRING CLEANING..Guess what the details contain.... "If you have a room that you are afraid of and is terribly messy you could WIN".... Seriously.. Seriously.. stuff like this just irritates me!! I thought when we grew up as children you were NOT rewarded for having left a mess behind.. you were told to pick up after yourself and that was it... it was EXPECTED .. if you didn''t.. then you got in trouble... But here Martha is rewarding you for having the sloppiest room around... GOOD GRIEF!! Now.. don't get me wrong..I am NOT the perfect house keeper.. my floor NEEDS a good mopping and my bathroom could probably be wiped down while I type this... but NEVER would I let a room in my home become "unusable" because I was lazy and just threw stuff around... People are making MILLIONS off the fact that others don't want to clean or get rid of un-needed JUNK!! Ok.. I'm sure you could walk around my home and say "umm you don't need this.. and you don't need that".. but never would you find all that un-needed stuff thrown into one room... There are families out there who have a dining room and haven't sat in it for YEARS!! YEARS!! because of junk that "grows" in there... WHY? "Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God." Titus 2:4 Ok.. I know what some of you are thinking.. You can do all this and STILL work full-time out of the home.. and with that.. I do agree.. I've done it before... HATED it... But it's possible... I feel that in my heart I am to "teach" my daughter how to care for a home no matter what her desire is in life ... I need to show her that I love her father and that he is very important to me and to everyone here.. I find the home to be one of those examples. There is no reason that my husband should work full-time and then come home to a messy house if I am fortunate to stay home... even when my children were teeny tiny and I was watching others.. my house was never a disaster.. there were days when I would hope NO ONE would knock on the door.. but it wasn't something that couldn't be fixed in a half an hour or so...

I guess my point is.. why are we enabling people to MAKE MILLIONS off of filth? And why are we rewarding the ones that HAVE THE FILTH? Take these shows for example.. CLEAN HOUSE, CLEAN SWEEP, MISSION ORGANIZATION...I don't know about you.. but I can't sit there and watch them....aggravation just set in...

My Biggest Tip I can give you for keeping your home clean and organized.. GET YOUR CHILDREN INVOLVED.. they are never to young to help around the house!!!

Here are few other tips I found on line to s hare!!

Make a Schedule
Set aside a regular short period of time each week for the family to straighten up the house. It teaches good habits to the kids and gives the family a project to do together. Everyone will feel better when the job is done, and might just look forward to the day when they know things are going to be neat and organized.

Cleaning with Automatic-Dishwasher Detergent.
Automatic-dishwasher detergent works well on refrigerators, stoves, floors, walls and glass.
Dissolve 1/4 cup in one gallon of very hot water.
Wipe with a dry cloth afterward.
Wear rubber gloves and test first to make sure that what you're cleaning is colorfast.

Clean Windows
Wash windows on a cloudy, but not rainy day. Working in direct sunlight causes streaks because the cleaning solution dries before you can wipe it off. This is the best time to vacuum the frames and sills. Cool, clear water is the choice of most professional window washers. If windows are very dirty you can add 2 to 3 tablespoons of vinegar per gallon of water. Use horizontal strokes on the inside and vertical on the outside so you know which side the streaks are on. for drying windows, a wad of crumpled newspaper works just as well as expensive paper towels. Wear rubber gloves to keep your hands free of ink.

Quick fix for shiny wood floors.
Put a piece of waxed paper under your dust mop. Dirt will stick to the mop and the wax will shine your floors.

I'm so late with this.. but I try NOT to blog on Sunday.. just read others... but I had to share!!

Ok.. so I did another STUPID thing today.. I ventured back out to Wal*Mart.. 1) on a SATURDAY and 2) the day before a holiday... but seriously.. I really wanted a nice butternut squash to enjoy our oven roasters with tomorrow afternoon...WAL*MART said that they had NO squash and that NO ONE in town has any... ummm ok... So me.. being told I wasn't going to find something went in search at the next grocery store... HA HA HA guess what mr WAL*MART employee I found a TON!!! So I marched up to the register and the lady put them on the scale and said that will be $8.48.... WHAT?????????????????? ummmm... I told her "I can't justify paying that much for two very SMALL squash that only I am going to eat".. she was NOT happy with me.. they ended up costing $1.99 a lb!!! You have GOT to be kidding me.. for Butternut Squash? In all my days of living NEVER EVER have I seen one that expensive!!!! I was sooooo BUMMED!!! So in truth I was defeated.. and I left squashless.. I know it's raised for the holiday.. EVERYTHING is.. even the price of gasoline... it amazes me how companies do this and can get away with it... But...... there's always a positive.. right??? Luke 24:34 says "It is true! The Lord has risen"..... Ok dear heavenly father.. can we talk about the rising prices of butternut squash too????? I just know today he is looking down on me and shaking his head.. wondering.. thinking.. " Oh daughter of mine.. what cloth were you cut from... cause you're totally crazy at time"....

I have yet to figure out how to show a video here.. but please watch this Youtube video... this is AWESOME!! Perfect for this weekend ( if not everyday... ) This video says it all.. ENJOY!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkO-D0fatRQ

I forgot it was Good Friday today...and I thought going to Wal*Mart at 11am would be a safe time!! WRONG!! Oh my goodness it was PACKED... all I needed was batteries and a smoke detector for our home inspection today! ( yeah nothing like waiting the last minute). As I walked around I kept wondering why so many people were here... as I tried fitting my shopping cart down an isle and couldn't move it DAWNED on me... It's Good Friday.. something I don't celebrate... Yes I realize what this day means but being a born again Christian.. I guess you could say we just don't follow those traditions. I watched as people of all ages loaded their shopping cars with PEEPS, Chocolate Bunnies, Jelly Beans, fake grass, baskets and $1.00 toys to Celebrate Easter Morning. Part of me feels guilty because this year.. I'm not doing that for my kids... but then again.. several years ago.. many families didn't celebrate Easter that way.. They Celebrated it family and a nice meal.. and maybe a few Easter Egg Hunts...But it doesn't seem like that anymore.. and if they are Easter Egg Hunts it's only for the glory of the treat inside... But not for the Glory of God....."Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!. In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead" 1Peter 1:3 I once said to a co-worker that Easter has to be the second most important holiday of the year... one that should be celebrated.. and I remember her laughing and giving me a funny look... I personally didn't see anything funny about it...but I left it alone. Seriously though.. think about it... if there was NO resurrection... there would be no future for us that believe.... We wouldn't be dancing in heaven... We wouldn't see the fingerprints of God up close and personal... What if Jesus didn't die..? Personally I don't think about the wouldn't.. I think about the DO's!! I can't imagine the severe death that HE endured for us because HE loves us soooooo much!! Can you imagine having that amount of love for EVERY human being on Earth? Each breath that Jesus took on that Cross was one of the most painful experiences. Each breath of air for life He had to LIFT his body up to take... could you do that? With nails in your hands and feet? Most of us don't even want to think about it... Could you take the place of this Man? Could you take the nails from His hands??? Honestly as a human I would have to say "No"... Jesus Died for us.. for ME.. for you... That has to be the MOST amazing gift in the world... There are days I think that my son's "I love you mom, you're the best" notes are enough to melt my heart.... but seriously.. the greatest gift of all is Salvation.. and I hope that I can pass that on to every generation that comes after me!!

"The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught" Isaiah 50:4 this quote is telling me that I have to be responsive to God...Today I believe I have been.. although I wouldn't call it a negative day I have learned a few things today...

1) God is a jokester.. because here it is April 4, 2007 and it's SNOWING in my yard!

2) Never get in the way of a business owner and webkinz.. NEVER EVER call them glorified Beanie Babies... and NEVER EVER act like you don't know what they do... cause shame on you if you don't agree with the intelligence of the stuffed animal.

3) Never stress about money.. it gives you a headache!

4) Be honest in everything you say and do and be the best friend you can be!!

I journeyed out today for my boss to see if I could find a Webkinz for his special needs child.. she has a certain "syndrome" and I could tell in his deep daddy voice that he didn't want to go home to disappoint his little sweetness. Unfortunately I tried but was unsuccessful in finding a Dalmatian and because I wasn't EXCITED about the webkinz the store owner thought I was a lost cause....

Well instead of the webkinz I did walk out with a few yankee candle tarts... I NEEDED the smell of spring in my home... I have already packed up my hats, mittens and most of my scarves.. Why the JOKE God??? I guess I did my spring cleaning to early.. sighhhhhh!!! Well one of my dearest friends is from FLORIDA.. so I decided to give her a bit of spring and sunshine in her mailbox... I tucked in some of these cute tarts!!! She called me with in 10 minutes to send a BIG thank you.. nothing I was looking for.. but I knew the sun shined over there!! Ü

My Boss goes home tomorrow on a big airplane back to PA.. so I couldn't let him go home empty handed to his girls... I'm sure that he will get them gifts.. but I made up two little purses, with ponytail decorations, a cute Easter notepad and cute little stuffed animals that make noise... today I felt like giving!! and it was a good day! I love to give back like Christ did....I don't seek anything in return.. just love the smiles...Ü

http://www.annieshomepage.com/resurrectioncookies.html Here's a cute website for resurrection cookies with scripture.. I personally have never made these.. but maybe this year!!!

I know this picture isn't that big.. but this is where I ate lunch today with my boss from PA!! A nice Italian restaurant called Lui Lui's.. The pizza's are made in brick ovens.. and we sat right next them.. OH the warmth was wonderful for our chilly cold air!! The have these homemade dinner rolls with the BEST dipping oil... I could eat that in a meal all itself with a diet pepsi... mmmmmm....

Today I'm terribly tired.. on a normal working day I wake up at 5:30 am and get home from work around 2ish.. today not so.. 5:30pm was my time home... I get home in time to kiss my husband walking out the door for work.. and greeting my overly active 11 year old son and my Spanish daughter... within 15 minutes my daughter is home from softball practice.. ahhhhh a moment of relaxation... or so I thought... "KNOCK KNOCK'... UGH Someone is at my door.. well.. it's three young boys who ACT like they are my sons friends, when in truth, they use him as a convenience to them... the littlest one says to me "Can I use your bathroom"? ME.. I say "um why? use your own.. ".. Ok.. so I know he doesn't live in this neighborhood.. but is buddy standing right next to him DOES and he has 2 bathrooms vs my 1.... The kids then pipe up and ask can my son come out to play.. Ummm.. me.. "NOPE"!!! You're not going to use my son to pee in my toilet!!! I told them since they were all playing together they could go pee in the other child's toilet...GOOD GRAVY!! I shut the door.. do I need to hang a sign on my door that says "PEE AT YOUR OWN HOME OR THE CHILD'S HOME YOU ARE VISITING"....?? Is there a bible verse for this???????? WAIT.. Maybe there is a small bit of scripture.. John 16:20 in the later part of the scripture says.. "You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy"... Can some one please explain to this tired mom tonight.. how I would have gotten joy by letting that child pee in my toilet????????? Honestly I did feel guilty for closing the door on him.. but..... this is the same child that borrowed a video game from my son and ruined it and then denied he ever had it.. maybe I'm holding more than grief...... ??????

Brick Oven Pizza ( Brooklyn Style)

INGREDIENTS
1 teaspoon active dry yeast
1/4 cup warm water
1 cup cold water
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups bread flour

6 ounces low moisture mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced
1/2 cup no salt added canned crushed tomatoes
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
6 leaves fresh basil, torn
DIRECTIONS
Sprinkle yeast over warm water in a large bowl. Let stand for 5 minutes to proof. Stir in salt and cold water, then stir in the flour about 1 cup at a time. When the dough is together enough to remove from the bowl, knead on a floured surface until smooth, about 10 minutes. Divide into two pieces, and form each one into a tight ball. Coat the dough balls with olive oil, and refrigerate in a sealed container for at least 16 hours. Be sure to use a big enough container to allow the dough to rise. Remove the dough from the refrigerator one hour prior to using.
Preheat the oven, with a pizza stone on the lowest rack, to 550 degrees F. Lightly dust a pizza peel with flour.
Using one ball of dough at a time, lightly dust the dough with flour, and stretch gradually until it is about 14 inches in diameter, or about as big around as the pizza stone. Place on the floured peel. Place thin slices of mozzarella over the crust, then grind a liberal amount of black pepper over it. Sprinkle with dried oregano. Randomly arrange crushed tomatoes, leaving some empty areas. Drizzle olive oil over the top.
With a quick back and forth jerk, make sure the dough will release from the peel easily. Place the tip of the peel at the back of the preheated pizza stone, and remove peel so that the pizza is left on the stone.
Bake for 4 to 6 minutes in the preheated oven, or until the crust begins to brown. Remove from the oven by sliding the peel beneath the pizza. Sprinkle a few basil leaves randomly over the pizza. Cut into wedges and serve.

Summer is coming.. this past weekend I could feel it. I had the desire to actually be outside and rake and bring the summer furniture out! Although the grass is still brown and the leaves are wet and everywhere I could see some green sprouting up!! My snapple cap fact tells me that "Your eye expands up to 45% when looking at something pleasing." I wondered if it looked like my eye balls were going to fall out of my head this weekend? In Psalms 19:14 "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord my rock and my redeemer." I was surely praising him that the weather was getting warmer and that meant that the flowers would be back, the butterflies, and no oil bills!! Today however, it was COLD!! Low 40's but because I have faith that spring and summer will come I started my trek back on our track again! My town has the most awesome TRACK!! Some women find bubble baths to be relaxing.. I find a good walk and a light jog with my MP3 player to be LUSCIOUS!!! The town finally took the chains off the track and it is open to the public... I grabbed my sneakers ( well broken in) and scarf and MP3 player and headed to the track only to find the high school track team down there!! UGH!! Well, I didn't turn back.. I walked with the best of them.. however I didn't jog.. I'm hoping that's for the next time..

Baseball season has officially begun in my home.. Major's for my son.. Varsity softball for my daughter.. and of course... the FIRST RED SOX game tonight played.. me.. NO interest in the Major stuff.. but always willing and ready for the home stuff!! Fortunately for me.. the track and the practice fields are at the same park!! Need I say more..?? Ü Here's a recipe I found on the web.. www.cooks.com Looks yummy.. if you try it .. let me know!!

BASEBALL BARS

2/3 c. butter

1 c. brown sugar, packed

1/4 c. light corn syrup

1/4 c. chunky peanut butter

1 tsp. vanilla

4 c. quick oats (not instant)

1 (12 oz.) pkg. chocolate chips

1 (12 oz.) pkg. butterscotch chips

SECOND LAYER

2/3 c. chunky peanut butter

1 c. chopped walnuts
FIRST LAYER: Melt butter in large saucepan. Add brown sugar, corn syrup, peanut butter and vanilla. Stir over low heat until melted. Add oats and stir well. Pour into well-greased 9 x 9 inch pan. Pat down with a spoon. Bake at 375 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes until brown. Remove from oven and spread with second layer.
SECOND LAYER: Melt chips together over low heat in a clean saucepan. Add peanut butter and chopped nuts. Stir well and spread over warm first layer. Cool. Refrigerate to set chocolate before cutting.