Friday, January 30, 2009

What Generation Do You Belong In?

I found this neat little quiz over at Mari's. It doesn't take much time, so try it out. I was born in 1973 so it pegged me just right!

You Belong in Generation X
You fit in best with people born between 1961 and 1981.
You are fun, laid back, and very independent.
You are willing to take risks and live your life however you see fit.
You are casual, accepting, and friendly. You see everyone as your equal.
What'>http://www.blogthings.com/whatgenerationdoyoubelonginquiz/">What Generation Do You Belong In?

Friday, January 23, 2009

BLAH!!!!

I am so happy that it is Friday! I need a weekend to catch up on life :) Is there such a thing?

I have so much laundry to do, and our cabinets are crazy...What I mean is they aren't organized and that drives me crazy! Since we started our diet revamp Charlie has been grocery shopping with me. Well, I told him this past weekend that he couldn't go with me anymore. If something looks good then he just puts things in the buggy as we pass by. Don't get me wrong, it is all on our diet, but we have too much of certain things and not enough of others. I just can't tell him No when he really wants something. You should see us in the store...I'm sure that everyone is laughing. He is just like a little kid, and if it is on sale...well, enough said...we have to buy it! Our grocery budget has been blown every week for the past 3 weeks.

I only had a minute to write. I hope all of you have a great day, and a great weekend!

Monday, January 19, 2009

Monday - January 19

As I sit here in my room within a room, listening to my worship playlist, I am thinking about how good God is. He has blessed us financially, with our health, and most of all he saved us from a life of sin. On Thursday by 1pm, my headache was completely gone, and I know that it was only through prayer! Isn't it nice to know that you can live a life that God is always with you?

Please pray for my siblings. I have 4 brothers, and 1 brother-in-law that have either recently been laid-off or their work has severely decreased. I know that God always provides, and that he will see to their needs.

For Today, January 19
Outside my window... I don't have windows in the backroom, but when I went out earlier it was snowing!
I am thinking...that I must organize my coupons this evening & make a grocery list.
I am thankful...for God's mercy & grace.
From the kitchen this week... Chicken Wraps, Turkey Burger Pitas, Tacos, Baked Ziti, and hopefully Parmesan Tilapia.
I am wearing...Grey slacks, Black Shirt, and my dress shoes.
I am reading... I just traded several books at McKay's and I can't wait to start one!
I am praying... that my siblings will all find jobs.
I am creating... Beth's quilt. I'll have pictures later. We bought the material on Saturday, 1/2 price! It is going to be beautiful.
I am hearing... my Worship playlist.
Around the house... sorting clothes, laundry, and I hope to start cleaning out our extra bedroom downstairs so that I can have a sewing room!
One of my favorite things... just watching TV with my husband and kids.
Few plans for the rest of the week...I hope that I am able to stay in during the evenings this week. On Saturday, Beth has ice skating lessons, other than that no plans.
A picture thought....
I can't upload a picture from this computer...sorry.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Headache!!!!

Today, I woke up with the one of the most horrendous headaches! It has been months since my head has hurt this bad. I think I slept wrong or something. When I woke up I could barely move my neck and the entire back of my head felt like it was going to explode! Charlie massaged it for me and then I took a hot shower to try to work out some of the tightness. It relieved it enough that I was able to go to work. Now, I just can't seem to get my thoughts focused. I have asked Charlie to pray, and I will ask you too. Please say a prayer for me that God will move this headache or just give me the strength to bear it.

There is a song that has been on my mind the past couple of weeks. It is called "It Didn't Come to Stay". The words are beautiful.

It Didn't Come to Stay
Sickness must be present for healing to take place
Lives must be broken so they can be restored
We must stop looking at our hard times like they are dead end roads
But avenues to prove that he is Lord!
It didn't come to stay it came to pass
The Lord will move that mountain if you ask
The trials that we see today won't last
It didn't come to stay it came to pass
If I should live by sight I would be beaten down
Because I can't see past these walls of circumstance
But faith will be my substance and my hope is in the Lord
And He will turn my sorrow into dance
Oh He will turn my sorrow into dance!
It didn't come to stay it came to pass
The Lord will move that mountain if you only ask
The trials that we see today won't last
It didn't come to stay it came to pass
Weeping may endure for the night
Oh but I'll find my joy tomorrow, tomorrow
It didn't come to stay it came to pass
The Lord will move that mountain if you only ask
The trials that we see today won't last
It didn't come to stay it came to pass
**After I wrote this post I searched through my old posts because I wanted to listen to a video that I knew that I had posted with The Isaacs singing It Is Well. I listened to the video, and then I just happened to scroll down and read the previous post. It made me think about everything that I've been through this year. How at the time I wrote the post I didn't know why I was having sleepless nights and waking up with headaches. I do know now, and last night was the first night that it has happened since the elders prayed for me this past summer. I know it was God that led me to read that entry. I will not give Satan the victory today! I will overcome. Also, take the time to read the Proverbs 31 devotional that I referenced that day.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Reflections, Dieting, and Work

As I am sitting here on a break at work, eating my Activia Prune Yogurt, I am thinking about how much I miss being at home. My kids went back to school yesterday, they were out for over 2 weeks for the Holidays, and they were so excited to tell me about all their new classes. However, where was I? I was at work until 5:30. When I did finally arrive home at 6:15, traffic was horrible and it took me 45 minutes to go 15 miles, I had to turn around and leave again for a church business meeting that started at 7. I miss being with my kids, I miss having supper ready at 7. You may say, Why can't you have supper ready by 7 if you get home around 6? Well, maybe I will be able to once I figure out how to prioritize! Yes, I don't do well with schedule changes. It seems like just when I get used to a schedule in my life...it changes!

On a brighter note! I love my paycheck... Our bills are being paid with ease, and when my kids told me all the "class dues" that they have for the new classes, I didn't feel my heart quiver, and my stomach didn't start hurting! In this economy with many people without jobs, God has been good to me! I know I'll get used to this schedule, and I will be able to prioritize things so that the time I am at home will be smoother.

Another reason my menu plan is so hard is that Charlie & I started a diet on Monday. We both need to lose weight and eat more healthy. For 6 months we have eaten very unhealthy. I love to cook, and I have made all kinds of things since I wasn't working. Fried okra, fried chicken, french fries, fried green tomatoes, Do you get the picture? In the fall of 2006 I joined LA Weight Loss. I didn't use their bars, shakes, etc. I wanted to learn how to eat healthy with things I could buy at the grocery store, and a plan that I could work with for the rest of my life. On LAWL they teach you that you should eat proteins, vegetables, fruits, dairy, starches, & fats everyday just in the right portions. Portion control is my biggest weakness when it comes to food. Today I might not eat any vegetables, and then tomorrow I might only eat vegetables. Charlie is the same way because I cook for the entire family. In a nutshell, I am making my entire family unhealthy. The difference this time is that Charlie & I are both committed to this! We are going to the store together. We are planning our meals together. So far it is fun! Charlie hates being told what he can & can't eat so it is a little harder I think for him, but maybe he is just acting that way so it will be easier for me. You never know with Charlie. He is a character... The first two days your food is very limited. You eat only green vegetables & baked chicken, you drink lots & lots of water, and you drink this special blended juice. This is to flush out your system, and "jumpstart" your weight loss. This morning being the 3rd day we weighed in... I have lost 5lbs, and Charlie has lost about 10lbs. I don't know his exactly because he wouldn't tell me where he started. He is worse about keeping his weight a secret than I am.

Well, my break is over... I hope to talk to you all again soon.

Friday, January 2, 2009

A Penny to remind us...

I received this email from a friend today, and it touched me. I thought I'd share with all my friends. We must always remember to trust in God!


A PENNY
You always hear the usual stories of pennies on the sidewalk being good luck, gifts from angels, etc.. This is the first time I've ever heard this twist on the story. Gives you something to think about.Several years ago, a friend of mine and her husband were invited to spend the weekend at the husband's employer's home....

My friend, Arlene, was nervous about the weekend. The boss was very wealthy, with a fine home on the waterway,and cars costing more than her house. The first day and evening went well, and Arlene was delighted to have this rare glimpse into how the very wealthy live... The husband's employer was quite generous as a host, and took them to the finest restaurants. Arlene knew she would never have the opportunity to indulge in this kind of extravagance again, so was enjoying herself immensely..

As the three of them were about to enter an exclusive restaurant that evening, the boss was walking slightly ahead of Arlene and her husband.He stopped suddenly, looking down on the pavement for a long, silent moment.Arlene wondered if she was supposed to pass him. There was nothing on the ground except a single darkened penny that someone had dropped, and a few cigarette butts Still silent, the man reached down and picked up the penny.He held it up and smiled, then put it in his pocket as if he had found a great treasure. How absurd! What need did this man have for a single penny? Why would he even take the time to stop and pick it up?

Throughout dinner, the entire scene nagged at her. Finally, she could stand it no longer. She casually mentioned that her daughter once had a coin collection, and asked if the penny he had found had been of some value.A smile crept across the man's face as he reached into his pocket for the penny and held it out for her to see. She had seen many pennies before! What was the point of this?'Look at it' He said. 'Read what it says.' She read the words ' United States of America ''No, not that; read further.''One cent?' 'No, keep reading.''In God we Trust?' 'Yes!' 'And?''And if I trust in God, the name of God is holy, even on a coin Whenever I find a coin I see that inscription. It is written on every single United States coin, but we never seem to notice it! God drops a message right in front of me telling me to trust Him? Who am I to pass it by? When I see a coin, I pray, I stop to see if my trust IS in God at that moment. I pick the coin up as a response to God; that I do trust in Him. For a short time, at least, I cherish it as if it were gold. I think it is God's way of starting a conversation with me. Lucky for me, God is patient and pennies are plentiful!

When I was out shopping today, I found a penny on the sidewalk. I stopped and picked it up, and realized that I had been worrying and fretting in my mind about things I cannot change. I read the words, 'In God We Trust,' and had to laugh. Yes, God, I get the message.It seems that I have been finding an inordinate number of pennies in the last few months, but then, pennies are plentiful! And, God is patient.

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God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way. I hope you are all having a wonderful day, and that God is with you every step of the way!