Wednesday Hodgepodge-053012

1. What can the average citizen do to honor a military veteran and/or those currently serving?

 I think you can pray for those currently serving, buy their meal if you see them out at a restaurant, value our freedom and rights that they have fought to defend.

 2. Besides a flag, what is something you own that is red, white, and blue?
offhand I can't think of a single thing

3. Does love really conquer all?
only God's love can do that.

 4. Strawberry shortcake or blueberry pie?
I will eat just about anything that is strawberry flavored so I pick the shortcake for sure.

 5. Do you share personal stuff with your hairdresser?
I don't have a hairdresser but if I did I probably would

 6. Does money lead to selfishness?
 no I think thats a weakness that comes from inside and I have seen people with almost nothing be completely selfish. I think the natural self wants to keep and have everything and we have to work to overcome that.

7. What piece of furniture in your home most needs replacing or refinishing?
I bought a trailer that completely needs repairing so everything would be the answer but the most pressing would be the kitchen stove right now.

 8. Insert your own random thought here.
I hope today is a good day.

3 on Thursday- May 24th 2012

What are 3 things you would never do? This is my first time doing the 3 on Thursday and its a doozy :)

1. I can't imagine any circumstances under which I would fly. I am terrified of heights and at amusement parks they have stopped the rides to let me off, I don't think they will stop the plane to let me off and if they do, I am sure there will be some uniformed officers waiting on me.

2. I would never quit church and give up on God. I did that once and thankfully He forgave me and allowed me to come back to the fold. He has done too much for me to ever turn back again.

3. Own a snake or a pet spider. I just can't imagine why anyone would do such a thing and I think the best way for them to be is dead.

Hodgepodge Wednesday-05232012

1. What's something you miss about the 80's? If you're too young to miss the 80's how about the 90's? my youth. I miss being young and feeling good. Rheumatoid Arthritis is really getting me down this week and I regret all the days I didn't appreciate being young.

2. Do you have a library card? If so, how often do you visit? I have a library card but I seldom use it anymore. I used to read all the time but I honestly think its s combination of being online too much and needing glasses. My insurance has kicked in so that I can get glasses but I haven't made an appointment yet. I used to read all the time even when I was online daily but now my eyes have gotten so I can't read and I haven't done anything about it. Next pay day for sure I am going to the dr.

3. What's the secret to success? I haven't made any success in the life so far so I have no clue

4. This is National Backyard Games week...what's your favorite backyard game? Badmiten and on that note I just thought this was such a cute graphic

5. If I dropped by today what would I find on your coffee table? a mess. I always hate a coffee table because for whatever reason its always the spot every one piles stuff on but my ex made our oldest a coffee table and now it sits in my living room and once again collects stuff.

6. Do you own a bicycle? When was the last time you rode a bicycle? Is that something you enjoy? I do not own a bike and probably never will again. The last time I rode a back was way back in Feb of 1992. I wrecked the bike by flipping over the handles and broke my knee and never got on one again. It was almost a year before I was able to walk without a limp.

7. What's your favorite cheese? My girls and I love cheese in all forms. I can't decide if my favorite is muenster cheese or string cheese, but I will eat about any kind of cheese

8. Insert your own random thought here. I want to go see this movie so bad. I used to watch the tv show years ago and I know this will be so funny. I love Johnny Depp and Tim Burton pair ups.

Healer of My Heart

It seems like its one step forward and 2 steps back. I just can't seem to bounce back. These past 70 days have been so horrible and trying to move forward is hard. Only one thing helps, spending time with God. Listen and let the words minister to your heart.

May 16th Interesting Pins

While surfing blogs the other day I came across the coolest meme. I am so addicted to Pinterest and this meme is all about the most interesting pins you have seen that week. So here goes my first entries.

1. I love these heads and think they would be so neat in the garden when I finally get a garden. My daughter said they were too freaky.

via

2. I have rheumatoid arthritis and I am always reading about how wonderful ginger is for arthritis and I can't seem to find any candied ginger around here so I thought I would try to make my own.

via

3 I have been going to a bunch of baby showers lately and we made diaper trikes for them but I thought this was super cute also.

via

4 All my facebook friends have been talking about this pie and I have had it before but didn't have the recipes. I make one similar only I use yogurt instead of condensed milk. Less calories and more like chiffon.

via

5. Yes I can understand this funny.

via

Homemade powdered detergent- UPDATED

Today I mixed up a batch of powdered laundry detergent. I got the recipe from here. I have read about homemade detergents for years, both in books and online but haven't ever managed to make it. Before I left NC, I had bought all the ingredients and finally today got around to mixing it up. Normally all you read about is liquid detergents but I didn't feel like spending that much time on it so decided to try powdered out. I will let you know how I like it and how it worked for me in a couple of weeks after I have time to really test it. Here is the recipe: Powdered Laundry Detergent I doubled the batch. 2 cups Fels Naptha soap, finely grated. (for me 1 bar of Fels Naptha made right at 4 cups) 1 Cup washing soda (not baking soda) 1 Cup Borax Mix well & store in an airtight plastic container. Use 2 Tablespoons per load. Here is what mine looked like. I probably will try to do the liquid next time but we shall see how this works first. See update below

UPDATE
I love it and now this is all we use. I found a way to make it a bit easier though, instead of grating the soap, I cut it into small chunks (about 5-6 per bar) and microwave the chunks for 3 minutes. The soap will swell up. I let it cool completely (otherwise it goos up on you) and once its cool, I just crush the chunks in my hand. The grandkids love this part since they get to help crush :). now I mix it a big batch at a time so it lasts for several months.

3 bars Fels-Naptha laundry soap, crushed to a powder
1 Box of Borax
1 Box of Arm and Hammer Washing Soda
3 Containers of powdered Awesome Oxygen Cleaner ( I get this at the Dollar tree for $1 a container)
1 container of Purex Crystals (this isn't necessary but I like the scent it adds) I get the ones for Babies.

mix it all in a bucket ( I have a 5 gallon bucket with lid) and just shake it all together. I put it in a smaller container by the washer and just refill the container as needed. Each time I give the bucket a shake before refilling just in case it settles. I have given samples to friends and family and every one loves it and raves on its cleaning power.

Things I learned from my Mom.

1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE .
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."
2. My mother taught me RELIGION.
"You better pray that will come out of the carpet."
3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL.
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"
4. My mother taught me LOGIC.
" Because I said so, that's why."
5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC .
"If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."
6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT.
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."
7. My mother taught me IRONY.
"Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about.."
8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS .
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper."
9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM.
"Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"
10. My mother taught me about STAMINA ..
"You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."
11. My mother taught me about WEATHER.
"This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."
12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY.
"If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"
13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE.
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out.."
14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION .
"Stop acting like your father!"
15. My mother taught me about ENVY.
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."
16.. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.
"Just wait until we get home."
17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING .
"You are going to get it when you get home!"
18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to get stuck that way."
19. My mother taught me ESP.
"Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?"
20. My mother taught me HUMOR.
"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."
21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT .
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."
22. My mother taught me GENETICS.
"You're just like your father."
23.. My mother taught me about my ROOTS.
"Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?"
24. My mother taught me WISDOM.
"When you get to be my age, you'll understand."
And my favorite:
25.. My mother taught me about JUSTICE .

"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you !"

Didn't I walk on water

Well, I won't lie and say it hasn't been a rough 8 weeks. This has been the hardest time in my whole life but with God's mercy and the prayers of friends and guidance of a wonderful preacher, I think I am have finally made it through this valley. Still missing my brother every day but trusting in God's divine grace and mercy. Here is my latest favorite song. I play it over and over in the car so I thought I would share with all of you. I pray it blesses you as much as it does me.