Thankful Thursday 1-31-13

As usual, I have much to be thankful for. I can't believe its the end of January already. Time seems to go so much faster now that I am older.

1. I am thankful for my friend Debbie. - Debbie is the kind of friend the Bible means when it says there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. She has done more for me than anyone in my family. I have had to stay with her in the past, she is the person who helps me when no one else will. An example would be that this trailer desperately needs remodeled and insulation added. Even with the 3 space heaters that were driving my electricity up it wasn't warm. Debbie worried and worried about it being so cold. Finally she remembered her aunt had an old kerosene heater. She brought the heater, took me to get a wick and kerosene.

2. The kerosene heater- see above answer. It is so much warmer in here now. Before next winter I have to get this place worked on.

3. Church- I got to go to church this past Sunday. I so miss it now that I don't have a car to go. But someone came to get me this past week and I got to go and talk to everyone and hear God's word preached.

Hodge Podge Wednesday 1-30-13

Lordy, today is my cousin Jade's 20th birthday. I can't believe how the years have flown by. I remember going to the hospital with her mom when she was in labor and then all the years of babysitting. Now shes a beautiful young woman although different than about anyone else I have ever known. Jade is the most artistic person I have ever had the pleasure to meet.  This is Jade in a Japanese kimono she made herself and the girl beside her is a friend that Jade free style painted her face for a fall festival.

1. . In the USA this coming Sunday millions will be watching the Baltimore Ravens take on the San Francisco 49er's in the Superbowl.  What was the last event you attended that could be described as super?
I would guess the Elton John concert we attend back in September. I am not a huge fan but my oldest is and she has wanted to see him for years. He was coming to WV and we bought tickets. She actually sat and cried during the concert. I have to admit he puts on awesome show. 

2. Share something you're a fan of these days?
I am more a fan of Jesus every day. I just keep learning the greatest things about Him. Can't wait to meet him in person.  And here lately I am a huge e-book fan. I got into the scene later than most people but now I am hooked. 

3. How do you feel about wings?  In case anyone is confused, I'm talking about the edible appetizer kind.  What's your preferred seasoning-hot, mild, teryiaki, sweet and sour, other? Do you make your own or is there a favorite place you like to go for wings?
I admit I am not a wing fan. I like the boneless wings from Applebee's which are really not wings but breast. I just don't see why people enjoy wings but to each his own. I just saw the funniest article where 2 men had stolen $65000 worth of wings from the warehouse they worked. I admit stealing isn't funny but that a lot of wings :). I guess they were going to sale them for Superbowl Sunday.

4. As long as we're talking sports today, have you been following the Lance Armstrong story?  Did you watch his interview with Oprah and if so what was your reaction to his confession and subsequent remarks?
I haven't really been following per se but I have caught some of the articles. I was sad and disappointed when he confessed especially considering how vehemently he had denied it over the years. I would have had more respect if he would have manned up and admit it when first accused. 

5. What's a question you hate to be asked?
What do you weigh?

6. The coaches in this Sunday's big match up happen to be real life brothers.  Jim Harbaugh coaches the 49er's and his older brother John Harbaugh coaches the Baltimore Ravens.  Were you and your sibling(s) competitive?  In what way?  Are you still?  If you're an only child how did you handle competition growing up? 
I am 11 yrs older than my sister and I was 23 years older than my brother so not a lot of competition. I did resent my sister more because I was at the age of stuff being mine and suddenly everyone was like let her have it shes the baby. She tore up my year book, dolls etc and it was ok with our mom because she was the baby. Then it wasn't long before I moved out so we never really were together much until she was around 19 then we got to be ok friends.  My brother was more like an extra kid of mine because I was already a mom at that at point.  

7. What's your favorite game involving a ball, and when did you last play? 
Bowling and its been a couple years. 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.
 Saw an interesting thing about huge group of starlings that were flying over Israel after being gone for many years. I always think things that happen in Israel are more interesting because of prophecy.  

Chats on the Farmhouse Porch 78

Well its already the last Tuesday of January. How does time seem to go so fast. Todays mail brought sample of tums and nectresse. I have been wanting to try that sugar since they claim its all natural.

1. Have you ever been on a boat? (Motor boat, sail boat, cruise ship, ark, or Good Ship Lollipop).
 My uncle years ago used to own a motor boat and we would go out onto the Atlantic and fish. I loved it and still remember it today. And once time while in Florida we went out on a gambling boat. Its really interesting if you are in Florida in the winter time, they used to (not sure if they still do) let you go on the boats for free, They were day trips out on the ocean. I guess they figured all the money you spent gambling would pay for the trip. Every 2 hours they put out food on all the different levels, it was a different theme on each level. The locals went just for a day trip out on the ocean. They had singers, magic shows and you could see the dolphins from up top or lay out.

2. Do you need an alarm to wake up in the morning, or do you wake up naturally? If you have an alarm, tell us what type.
When I am working, I wake up naturally about 5 minutes before the alarm all the time. I still set the alarm because I am always afraid I will oversleep. Currently I don't have an alarm clock so I have been using the one on my cell phone.

 3. Have you ever had a yard sale?
yes but right now where I live doesn't allow yard sales.

4.  Do you like kitchen gadgets? What are some of your favorite?
I am not really a gadget person. I am more a traditional person and basically use the same stuff my grandmother used in her kitchen.

5.  Do you read labels at the grocery store?
Sometimes, depending on the product. I will look at calorie.

Monday Meanderings

I had a thought that I would try to post what I got in the mail daily. I know almost everyone belongs to a ton of blogs that do wonderful job providing  daily deals. I have gotten some great stuff this year but my mind is so bad that I can't hardly remember days later what I got so thats why I am posting it.  BTW its a wonderful day here in WV, temps in the upper 50s but it is sprinkling rain but I am ok with that. Had a wonderful day at church yesterday.

I got some tax forms and a face cream for product review. Its supposed to be used nightly but I have no self control so had to test it immediately :).

Here are some e-books I found today that were free. I have hundreds of ebooks now. My only issue is my e-reader doesn't seem to stay charged. I can't read that long before its dying. Not sure what thats about. I think I would prefer a tablet with a bigger screen. I am still thankful to have my reader but I have to flip a lot. I am a speed reader so it seems like I am constantly clicking. But on that note I did order a free stylus this morning.  These are all free this morning. I hate the ones that are only free to borrow with Prime. I am not a member of prime and that makes them not free. I think that info should be shared  before I get to the site.


How to Manage your Money when You don't have Any.   Free E-book from Amazon.

Mellington Hall-  historical romance with a little mystery thrown in for good measure.

How to save Money at Home- Room by Room guide  haven't read it and in all honestly there probably aren't that many ideas I couldn't have heard of considering that I have been reading and trying to be more frugal since the 80's.

Killer Work from Home Jobs: 200 Fortune 500 & Legitimate Work at Home Jobs - How to Make Money Online from Home! (Job Search Series)-  I think most of us have dreams of working from home but most of the ideas turn out to be scams. Can't wait to read this see whats here.


Top 100 Free Ebooks. Its the column on the right side that is free.

Book Review- Unglued Devotional

Unglued Devotional 60 Days of Imperfect Progress

By Lysa TerKeurst
Published by Zondervan 

 I have heard Lysa Terkeurst on the radio many times as part of the Proverbs 31 Ministry but I have never read anything by her. This book is a companion to her book Unglued but it worthwhile completely on its own merit. I loved her style of writing. It was simply yet profound.  I think what I liked most about this book was that it was so reassuring. Sometimes salvation is a bit like dieting. You start the diet and by the end of the first week you expect to have lost 20-30 lbs and be in perfect shape :). We get saved and immediately think that we are going to be the sweetest saints of God with pure honey dripping from our lips. We and sometimes those around us think that we will never again lose our tempers, gossip, stress or just be an emotional mess. Reading this book and seeing Lysa's stumbles made me realize anew that I am a work in progress. Each day I am trying to be more Christ like and every time I overcome its one more victory. I got this book in perfect time because within days of starting to read it, 3 of my friends called me to vent and ask advice because basically they had come unglued due to circumstances in their lives. I feel I was able to give them better advice because of what I had read in this book.
Each day starts with a little scripture, a thought for the day, a short devotional of stories about Lysa's life (reminded me of the Guidepost devotion books I used to get), and ends with a prayer. There are 60 days, basically 2 months worth of reading.  If you are a slow reader it might take 5 minutes each day to read that day's reading. I m a quick reader and naturally had to read the whole thing, it took me about 3-4 days of interrupted reading to finish it the first time. Now I am on the 60 day reading plan. It really helps me get my day off to a better start or if I came unglued it gets me back on track. It is not a substitute for Bible reading and prayer time alone with God but it is a great supplement. I plan to read this every 60 days since I don't expect to be perfect at the end of the first 60 days. If you are sometimes an emotional mess (in other words, a human being) I recommend this devotional.

 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze® book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255  “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

TSMS- Through It All

I was surfing around one of my favorite blogs (Shortybear's Place) and she had this song on there. I had never heard it before but just absolutely fell in love with it. It just touched my heart so much that I wanted to share it with everyone I could :). There is just so much truth to these words.

Friday Hops

In order to keep from having a huge bunch of posts for today, I am going to combine all the hops into one big post :)


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This week’s statements:
1. Making ____ is ____
2. I get ___ easily
3. The number of emails in my inbox is _________ and ____________
4. Traveling _______________ makes me _______________.


My Answers:
1. Making money is getting harder
2. I get frustrated easily( had a big example of that last night)
3. The number of emails in my inbox is not that bad, I have cut out a lot  and clean it out before I close it!
4. Traveling isexciting but it makes me tired because we try to see everything and do everything we can think of, just in case we never get back.




1. Do you embrace or dread snow/cold weather days? Now that I am not working, I love snowy days, I hate the cold but I love snow. I don't like it if I have to be out on the roads. I can drive on snow but sadly a lot of people can't and they don't have the sense to stay home.
 
2. Which game show or reality show could you totally win? Its funny because I normally never watch game shows anymore but I was watching family feud the other night and thinking we could so totally win that one.
 
3. What is your preferred climate? warm and sunny. I have always thought San Diego sounded wonderful but there is that whole earthquake thing and its not the mountain state of WV :)

4. What do you buy every time you walk into the grocery store, no matter what? Milk, bread, dog treats, chips

5. If you see a spider/bug in the house, are you brave enough to kill it, or do you call for your hubby? well if I had a hubby you can bet I would be calling him. I squeal like a girl but I either spray it or kill it since I do still have to live here. Now if there were some critter, I would probably just have to walk out the house never to return. 






This week is weird news. I saw this just last night on facebook and thought it was pretty weird and neat. Its not actually funny but it is weird. Now I want to go out at night hunting glow in the dark fungi :)

Glow in th dark Fungi 

 Photo by Ryan Wood

Thankful Thursday 1-24-13

Somehow I got offtrack last week and missed posting. I realized it Saturday but thought it would be stupid to post Thankful Thursday post on Saturday :). I am not sure why but for some reason this year, I have been a day behind every day. Before I forget, I am asking a favor of everyone this week. I entered my little dog in a contest on Facebook and would really appreciate it if you have a Facebook account and would vote for her.  Well here is what I am thankful for this week.

1. I am thankful that my best friend's little dog got found. BB is a house dog but he goes out to play. He went out last Friday morning and there was a bigger dog in the yard. BB started running the big dog off and ended up following him out the yard. My friend lives beside a major road and we just knew BB had been hit. She looked and looked and we prayed and prayed. Finally after about 5 hours he was faintly heard and she went that way and found him. He wore himself out because he came home and slept all day :) I know how she feels about her little BB because thats how I feel about Maxine. Neither my friend nor myself have jobs currently so mostly we are just home alone. The little dogs lay with us almost constantly and are such company.

2. I am thankful that I now have an e-reader. I went to visit a friend on Saturday and somehow we got to talking about e-readers and she said well you can have the one I bought last month. She had never been able to figure out how it worked. It was brand new because I am the one who took her to buy it. It took a couple hours but my daughter figured it out and I have been on a downloading frenzy ever since.

3. I am thankful that Amazon has so many e-books for free :). I now have almost 500 e-books. Some of them are books that I actually already own but just love to read again but most of them are brand new to me books. I recommend you sort by low to high price. Some of the books show in the free search but actually aren't free.

Hodge Podge Wednesday - 1/23/13

I am asking a favor of everyone this week. I entered my little dog in a contest on Facebook and would really appreciate it if you have a Facebook account and would vote for her. . Its time for another hodge podge. I am running a little late this week, think I might be getting sick and just not feeling it right now :(.

1. The popular saying 'All is fair in love and war' is originally credited to English writer John Lyly. Is he right?
No, I don't think that either love or war justifies acting anyway you want. I think your ethics and character come out in both situations. In a war issue I would be more inclined to act unfairly since let's face it, its life or death but now in love. I don't think you can attempt to have happiness at the expense of someone else. Right is right no matter who is doing it.

2. Are you a cereal eater? What's your favorite kind?
I love cereal. I love frosted mini wheats or raisin bran either one. My favorite hot cereal is either cocoa wheats or cream of wheat.

3. A five year old in Pennsylvania was recently given a ten day school suspension for talking with a friend about shooting one another with a Hello Kitty Bubble gun (the toy blows bubbles). She did not have the gun with her at school.

A psychological evaluation was also ordered and the incident was recorded on her permanent record. The suspension was later reduced to two days and her parents are suing to have the incident removed from her file. Your thoughts? (If you missed the story, click here for details)

I heard this when it came out and thought it was the stupidest thing ever. People can act like such idiots at times. I mean its a bubble gun, hello kitty even, it doesn't look like a gun nor could it do any damage. Kids have played cops and robbers for years and that didn't make them grow up and shoot up places yet now suddenly everyone is gun crazy. I don't think we should suddenly take all the nerf guns and laser tag guns away from children.  I am pro- gun and believe that everyone should be properly trained to defend their family and themselves. I think we need to teach our children that actions have reactions and how to handle their feelings.  Obviously this is an issue with strong emotion and  impact. To me this is as stupid as when the suspended that little boy years back for kissing another girl on the play ground under the zero touching policy and they were both in kindergarten. 

4. Whatever happened to_______________________?
Personal Responsibility. It seems like we keep pushing personal responsibility further and further away. I don't need the government or another person to be responsible for my actions. I think we need to accept that what we do is our own issue. I should be held accountable for my own actions. I mean they have legislated cigarettes, now its food, guns. If I know that smoking kills me, eating too much and not exercising enough cause me to be fat and have health issues, recklessly waving a loaded weapon around causes harm. We, as parents take things away from our children that will harm them. I am not a child and I need to accept responsibility for my actions. I don't need to you to make it so I can't buy a large coke if I so choose. Another part of this is that people want to blame their childhood. No matter what horrible childhood you had, once you are an adult, your actions are your choices. You can look at the world around you and see that other people don't have sex with children that its wrong. I just get tired of people laying all the responsibility for their lives at someone else's feet. Man up as they say and own your life and your actions. Your choices make your life. I don't need someone else to think for me.  (another hot issue)

5. January 23rd is National Handwriting Day, billed as a day to reacquaint yourself with a pen and pencil.  Do you like your handwriting?  Do you prefer to print or write in cursive?  This date was chosen because its the birth date of John Hancock.  What's the last thing you signed your name to? 
I hate my handwriting. When I was a little girl I was left handed and then had an accident that injured my left hand, by the time it had healed I had learned to write right handed and never could write left handed again although I still use my left for lots of other things. I always say thats why I write like a pig. My grandmother used to tell me I should have been a doctor. I always did poorly in school on handwriting and to this day I am shamed of my writing. I spent hours practicing, trying to write better but it never helped.  I prefer things to be printed so everyone can read what it says. Some peoples writing is almost illegible (mine included) I had to fill out some paperwork yesterday that required a signature. 

6.  Speaking of John Hancock, ever been to Philadelphia?  Do you have any desire to visit the city of Brotherly Love?
I've never been there but would love to go. There is a ton of stuff I want to see and do in Philly. Really one of my life dreams is to own an RV and just travel around America visiting all the fun stuff and blogging about it as I go. Maybe one day :)

7. Share something funny you've heard a child say. 
Ok this is an old story but its what immediately comes to mind. My aunt was putting face cream on her face and my cousin was watching her. I would say he was probably around 3. Jamie asked what the cream was for and my aunt told him it was to make her beautiful. He responded with "how long does it take to start working".  I love children's honesty but it can be brutal. They are so funny.

8.    Insert your own random thought here. 
I am think that as pretty as snow is, I am tired of cold. I hate being cold and I am ready for spring. Its spitting snow today and its really pretty but I want to be warm again. I am not one of those people who complain of the heat. No matter how hot it is, I don't complain. I just think its easier to cool down than to warm up. 

Chats on the Farmhouse Porch 77

I am asking a favor of everyone this week. I entered my little dog in a contest on Facebook and would really appreciate it if you have a Facebook account and would vote for her.  Also I am going to see about a job today. Its an office assistant position at the local senior center here. I really think I would be good at this. I have the office skills and years ago I used to sit with elderly ladies. Growing up I used to visit all the little old women in my neighborhood on a daily basis. I probably spent more time with then kids my age. My grandmother raised me so thats probably why. This job is in walking distance to my house and without a car I need that until I can get a new motor for my car. Plus it would be so awesome for my new healthy lifestyle.  I want want want this job. Please say a prayer that God will give me favor and bless me with this job. Ok, on to the chat.

1. Do you eat eggs? What is your favorite way to serve them?  
I love eggs and eat them about any way you cook them except restaurant style omelet. I have to have my omelets cooked on both sides. 

2. Do you have a favorite item that you really like having around? (a pillow, a chair, a sweater, a teddy bear, etc.)
Around as in I have to carry it with me, no. Around as in the house then I have a Pooh Bear from when I was a little girl that I always have with me, yes.

3. Is most of the furniture in your home dark wood, light wood, painted, lacquered, or distressed?
mix of light wood and painted. I don't like darks.

4. Please fill in the rest of this sentence. "I could write a book about____________."
I don't know. I actually want to write a book and years ago someone told me that she had a vision I would write a book but so far no luck.  Based on life, I would say I could write a book on who not to date. 

5. If money and calendar/family obligations weren't an issue, would you prefer to spend next weekend at a Bed and Breakfast, a posh hotel, a cabin in the woods, or on a sailboat on a calm body of water? I guess the last thing, the sailboat, would have to be someplace warm. :) (It's 30+ degrees here.) 
A posh hotel with a heated indoor pool.  (its 11 degrees here and its so cold even in the house) 

Free Ebooks from LM Montgomery

A wonderful friend of mine had an e-reader that she couldn't figure out so she gave it to me. I am the one who took her to buy it so I know its less than a month old. Took my daughter a while but she figured it out. Since its not a Kindle we had to have the Kindle for Android app to make it work. (there is also an app if you don't have any e-reader you can read them on your computer)Then I went on a downloading frenzy and soon had over 400 e-books. Just in case you don't already know you can go to Amazon and search free e-books, then sort if by price low to high and you will find a ton of free e-books.  As I read the e-books I will probably list some of them.  Sometimes the free e-books stay free and sometimes they are only free for a few hours or days. When I found these books by L. M. Montgomery I wanted to share right away because I love the Anne of Green Gables series. Some of these are about Anne and a few aren't.



Chronicles of Avonlea

Further Chronicles of Avonlea

The Story Girl

Lucy Maud Montgomery Short Stories

Anne's House of Dreams

Rainbow Valley- 

Rilla of Ingleside This is probably my least favorite in the Anne series. One I really don't like Rilla's character and two its just so sad in parts. Much more real than the other books. I hated parts of it and I don't normally reread this one when I read the rest of the series.

Kilmeny of the Orchard

The Golden Road

TSMS- Already There

Its been weeks since there was a new TSMS meme, I hope Amy is ok. I miss visiting everyone and seeing all the new songs :(.  I guess I will go through some of the older memes to visit everyone and see whats going on with their lives. I also miss the songs because its been over a month since I was able to go to church. My dad still hasn't come to get my car and I hate calling to bug him so I have no way to go anywhere. Its a 20 minute walk just to town and while I need to walk its just so cold my asthma can't take it. I am just going to keep trusting God that He is working things out for my good, but oh do I miss going to church and seeing my friends, hearing the Word taught and preached.
Here is a song I heard this week and really liked it. Casting Crowns are one of my favorite groups.

A couple Pinterest Recipe I tried

I am always pinning so yesterday I decided to try a couple of the recipes to see if we liked them.  They turned out really well and will be repeat recipes with some adjustments. My adjustments are in red

 Outback Steakhouse Chicken (I got the recipe off Pinterest, the link on pinterest just went to another blogger who posted the recipe and gave a link to the main page of the blog it was supposed to come from. I went through weeks of posts but got tired of it. I hate not giving credit to the actual person but just couldn't find it on the blog it was supposed to come from. ) Awesome flavor and the honey mustard came through without being too much.

    4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, pounded to 1/2 inch thickness
    Lowry's Seasoning Salt
    6 bacon slices
    1/4 cup regular mustard (I used Koop's Honey Mustard instead of the mustard, honey and mayo)
    1/3 cup honey (I find Koops at the Dollar Tree for just a dollar and its wonderful)
    2 Tbsp. Mayonnaise
    2 teaspoons dried onion flakes
    1 cup sliced fresh mushroom (We don't eat mushrooms so left this out)
    2 cup shredded Colby/Jack cheese

First, Sprinkle and rub the chicken breasts with seasoning salt.  Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
While the chicken is in the refrigerator, cook bacon in a large skillet until crisp.  Remove bacon and set aside.  (Next time I won't cook the bacon, it got hard since you cook it for another 30 minutes, I will use it raw)
Saute chicken in the bacon grease for 3 to 5 minutes per side, or until browned.  Place chicken in a 9" × 13" casserole dish or pan.
To make the Honey Mustard:  In a small bowl, mix the mustard, honey, mayonnaise and dried onion flakes. 
Spread some of the Honey Mustard over each piece of chicken, then layer with mushrooms, crumbled bacon, and shredded cheese.
Bake in a 350° oven for 30 minutes, or until cheese is melted and chicken is done.
Serve with the left over Honey Mustard Sauce.

source: http://debrapate.blogspot.com






Creamed Corn Casserole - A wonderful lady from church makes a corn casserole that I love more than anything else at the dinners. I would gladly just eat that instead of dessert even. She gave me her recipe but she is a guesstimater and doesn't use exact measurements so I never got it right. I tried and tried. I saw this recipe on pinterest and it had most of the same ingredients so I decided to try it. It was pretty close and I think with the changes I plan it will be about right. It was a little too corny and sweet. Plus my pan really was too small and I should have either used a bigger pan or only poured half. It took forever to get done and was slightly curdled but not bad. After I make it next time with less corn I may need to adjust the milk and eggs also but for now I will wait and see.

Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients:

    1 can corn, drained  (I will leave this out, I think the one can of creamed will be enough)
    1 can creamed corn
    4 tablespoons flour
    4 tablespoons sugar (going to try only 2 tablespoons to see if that cuts the sweetness some)
    1 stick of butter, melted
    1 cup milk
    2 eggs, well beaten
    1/2 teaspoon salt
    pepper to taste (left out since its a sweet custard type dish)

Instructions:

    Mix all of the ingredients together -- it doesn't really matter what order. This is simplicity at its best!
    Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 1 hour 15 minutes.
    This recipe can easily be doubled or even tripled, but you may need to increase the baking time accordingly

http://unsophisticook.com/creamed-corn-casserole/

Five Question Friday

1. If you were going to be stuck on a deserted island, which 5 books, movies, people and foods would you take along?

 Books

Bible

Anne of Green Gables (guess that means not the whole series)

something by Dick Francis

Secret Garden

 something by Beth Moore

Movies (strange there is power)

Fireproof 

Con Air

Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood 

Home is where the Heart Is

Its a Wonderful Life 

People ( I picked my grandkids because there wasn't enough for them and my girls)

 Junior 
Avril
Frankie
Peyton
Bella

Foods
Strawberries 
Chickens
Wheat
Sugar
Cow
    

2. What is your thought on year round school? 
I know a lot of people are in favor of it but I remember how much I loved vacation when I was in school. I can remember that thrill of the last day before summer break. I just don't think anything can compare to those solid weeks to just be a kid. I think we push children too hard these days. I don't know of anyone that had problems in school because of those breaks and I just don't think a 2 week break now and then compares. We need to get children back to being children and less like little adults. They spend too much time indoors playing video games alone.

3. What is your most embarrassing potty story? 
I think I was in my early 20's when this happened. We were at a wake and I don't know about where you are but where I am from everyone acts more like its a reunion than a memorial for the dead so they congregate and stand together. The men always gather at the back hall outside the bathrooms. I went to the bathroom and when I came out went to find my husband. This woman I didn't know came up to me and in my mind I was thinking who is she and what does she want. She whispered in my ear that my dress was caught in my hose. I was mortified :). To this day I check and double check if I am wearing a dress to make sure this never happens again :)

4. What's the temperature where you are?
25 but sunny. Its beautiful out but cold.

5. Are you a winter/spring/fall/summer person?   
Spring, I can't wait for blooms to start popping up, trees to show their flowers and to be able to plant plus all the baby animals.  

Friday Fill In #95

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I am not a free thinker so this is a harder meme for me than probably any of the others.


This week’s statements:
1. I am a ____
2. Sometimes I don’t know when to ____
3. My two favorite words lately are ___________ and ____________
4. I would like ____________ if ____________ didn’t happen

My Answers

1. I am a Christian
2. Sometimes I don’t know when to shut up
3. My two favorite words lately are _miracles and __happiness_
4. I would like _winter if _cold___ didn’t happen

Friday Sillies # 62 - Pranks

This is my first time being part of this meme but I thought since I am always posting funny stuff on Facebook for friends to see, this would be a great thing. I love to laugh and think there is enough sadness out there that we should all share in laughter.

This video isn't so much a prank as they should have known better than eat the food. I love to watch Duck Dynasty. I never watched it because everyone talked about how they were a bunch of rednecks and even though I am from WV I don't like stupidity and figured that was what the show was about. Actually they are really great people. Everyone would be lucky to have a love like Phil and Mrs Kay, the boys are respectful to their parents, they are Christians and love their families.

A and E 733961279207 Duck Dynasty Season 1 - 3-Disc Set (Google Affiliate Ad)

HPW- 1/16/2013

1. Lake Superior University has once again published a list of words/phrases they think should be banished from the Queen's English...here's the list for 2013-

fiscal cliff, kick the can down the road, double down, job creators/creation, passion/passionate, yolo (acronym for you only live once), spoiler alert, bucket list, trending, superfood, boneless wings, and guru

Which of these words would you most like to see banished from everyday speech and why?  Go here to read more about how the words were chosen.

I have a bucket list and I love that idea so I don't want rid of it. I despise the yolo so thats my vote. I don't like the idea even because I feel a lot of people have taken the thought and ran with it and use it as an excuse to just do whatever they want regardless of how it affects others. You might only live once on Earth but that is not a reason to hurt others just to make yourself happy. 

2. When was the last time you rode a train?  Where did you go?

I don't honestly think I have ever rode a real train, just like little trains around theme parks. I used to ride the Metro to DC if that counts as a train. We used to live in Warrenton and would go to DC often to sightsee way back in the early 1990's.

3. Bagels-yay or nay?  Favorite 'flavor'?  Favorite topping?

I love bagels, plain with just cream cheese. Oddly enough they never taste as good as they do when I stay in a hotel even when I buy the same brand. Must be the vacation atmosphere.

4. Tis the season of awards shows....if you could star in a movie already made, which one would you choose?

Something classical like Gone With the Wind or the Wizard of Oz, to be part of the magic of either and meet Vivian Leigh, and Judy Garland.

5. The move towards single gender classroom has been making the news in recent months...what say you?  Do you think kids perform better if separated by gender and are taught differently or is that discrimination?  If you're a parent is this something you'd support in regard to your own children?


I think this is one of those things where theory wise it seems like a good idea but I totally agree that separate is never equal. I think it would start out equal and rapidly disintegrate into inequality. I feel that history has showed repeatedly that separate can never be equal. 


6. What's your favorite thing about staying in a hotel?

Ordinarily I would say just being on vacation since every time I have stayed on vacation has at least been a mini vacation but after my last trip, I would say the bed. We stayed at a Super 8 in Wheeling WV and they had the most awesome beds every. My daughter agreed it was the most restful night of her life. It certainly rivaled the Hampton Inns I have stayed at. 

7.  Do you have a 'word' for 2013?  What's the story behind your choice?

Its only been in the past few months I even heard of people using this so no I don't think I have a "word" for this year. If I were to choose one I think it would be miraculous. Last year was the worst year of my life and I feel that God has great things in store for me personally this year.  Its starting off with a not such great outlook but I think thats just smoke and mirrors.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

My day started on a good note because I got on the scales and had lost 10 lbs so far. I have been trying not so much to diet as to find a new way of life. I have been overweight my whole adult life so I need to change my thinking and find a new path. So my thing so far has been new choices. An example being that I love pizza and so I have been making this mini pizzas out of tortillas but today I realized that they aren't filling at all so I always eat too many of them because they are really like a snack. Its basically been doing an eat this instead of this plan so far. 

Chats on the Farmhouse Porch 76

Boy this year is flying by already, I can't believe today is the 15th. I have been 2 days behind on everything for a week now. I figured I had better get over and do my chat  now before I forgot :).

1. What was your favorite game as a child?  
I always loved to play Red Rover and we played a lot of jump rope games. Then when I was in 5th grade I discovered a game called 4 square. I rocked at that game so that was probably my favorite. 

2.  Have you ever had your own business? (home business, a shop, Etsy, lemon-aid stand, etc)
 I used to sell Avon and I really enjoyed that. I would walk door to door around the community and visit with people while taking their orders. Now days its not safe around here to go door to door and there are so many people selling Avon its not worth doing. I dream of one day owning my own used book store. Thats always been the job of my dreams but since I am not actively doing anything towards it can't see it happening. Maybe that will be on my goal list for next year.

3. How's your spelling?
Fairly decent. I sometimes have words wrong because I don't wear glasses but apparently need them so I can't see what I have typed sometimes :). I always catch misspelled words that are in a book or article. My brain stops and I have to force myself to get past it. My college English class, the teacher offered extra credit if you brought in articles or books with typos, I already had an A but I had more extra credit than anyone. I even sometimes msg web sites about words. It drives me insane and now you know one of my pet peeves. Spelling is why I can't be part of online dating. Most of the guys who I am sure are really great guys can't spell worth a darn and at that point its all I have to go on. haha. 

4. How are you about going to the dentist?
 I am a real baby. I hate pain, I hate the smell of Novacaine. It all started when I was in 6th grade and had some teeth to abscess. My mother wasn't a great parent and finally broke down and took me to the dentist because my stepdad said I was keeping him awake at night crying. We had really good insurance and the dentist talked her into root canals instead of pulling them. The teeth didn't even have sides for the most part and should have been pulled. The infections were so bad it took almost 6 months to get each root canal. I would be on antibotics, then he will work until he hit more infection, more antibotics and so forth. That started my hate relationship with dentists even though I have had a couple since then that were wonderful I still get a sick feeling in my stomach when its time to go back.

5. Do you enjoy board games?
 Love them. We own probably 10-15 games now. I come from a gaming family although it was mostly cards but still I love about any game. I can't tell you the number of versions of  Trivial Pursuit we own. Love Monopoly, Racko, Sorry etc. The only one that I never really liked was Scrabble and thats probably because it was so time consuming. 

Thankful Thursday- 1-10-13

You know how I love meme's and I just found a new one and wanted to join right in.

1. The first thing I am so thankful for is God's grace and mercy. I found a scripture and when I read it, it just spoke to my heart.  God has shown us in His word, His promises and His Son what is good and all that He requires is that we live right and walk with Him.  How easy should it be to walk with Someone who loves you so much that He would send His own Son to die just so you could be with Him.  I just really want to praise His name today. He is such a wonderful God. The angels continuously spend their day adoring and worshipping Him yet we let everything crowd Him out of our minds.


"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” -Micah 6:8

2.  I am thankful for good friends. One of my good friends that I met at my previous job treated me to lunch on Saturday. We had such a good time laughing and chatting. Plus our waitress was so attentive and fun too. Thankfully I have always managed to find some good friends on all my jobs.

3. I am thankful for Suddenlink workers. The cable went out suddenly a few nights ago and in just a couple hours they had it back up and running. I am sure coming out on a Saturday night at midnight wasn't that much fun for them.  I love all the good ideas I find on the Internet and hate being without access to the web.

Hodge Podge Wednesday 1-9-13

1. What is one thing or area in your home or life you hope to report is completely organized when 2013 draws to a close?  Do you have a plan to make it happen?

 The kitchen is my main goal for this year. Due to the remodeling its a mess. I want to remove one wall and add more counters. Basically we are gutting what is currently there and I want it all done and everything organized.

2. What's the worst uniform you've ever had to wear for a job?

 When I worked in the mail room at the prison we had to dress business casual, hated it because it was a dirty job and all my good clothes would get dirty or stained, second of all we never saw anyone other than inmates and other staff and everyone wanted to just wear regular clothes so it caused lower moral.

3. What was your last kitchen 'mishap'?  This question comes to you courtesy of Betty who blogs over at A Glimpse into Midlife...everyone go say hi to Betty!

 off the top of my head I can't think of anything recently so I will tell my biggest one :). The first time my oldest was going to camp I was a nervous wreck. I had call forwarding added to the phone so that no matter where I was I wouldn't miss a call (this was before cell phones were common) so I decided to make her favorite dessert which is a hot fudge cake. I had made that cake a millin times and I guess because of my nerves this time it didn't turn out. I thought it looked weird going in the oven and then it started to smell funny. The flour burned, I had forgotten to add any fluids to it :)

Here is the recipe I always use

1 cup flour
3/4 cup sugar
6 tablespoons baking cocoa, divided
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 3/4 cups HOT water
whipped cream or ice cream, optional

In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, 2 tablespoons cocoa, baking
powder and salt.  Stir in the milk, oil and vanilla until smooth.  Spread
in an ungreased 9" square baking pan.  Combine brown sugar and remaining
cocoa; sprinkle over batter.  Pour hot water over all; do not stir.  Bake
at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes.  Serve warm.  Top with whipped cream or
ice cream if desired.

4.  How do you protect yourself against other people's negativity?

 I am at a point in life where I can walk away from negative people. I don't have a job so I don't have to put up with anything there but when I did work and people were negative my biggest response would be to pray.

5. Who in your family do you most resemble (physically)?  If you have children, who do people say they favor?  Do you agree?

 I resemble my mother more than anyone else. Depending on if she is with me or with her dad thats who everyone says she resembles. Shes a mix of both of us and if either of us are around you can see that person in her, my youngest resembles me more than her dad.

6. January 8th is National Bubble Bath Day...will you be celebrating?

 I celebrate bubble baths almost daily. Even as a child a bath was a ritual for me. I have an addiction to buying bath products. I love salts, bubbles and oils.   It is also Elvis's birthday and this year was the first time in years we haven't done anything for it. I had a horrible headache and didn't feel like up to it.

7.  Some of the 'world's best winter festivals' are...Mardi Gras (New Orleans), Quebec Winter Festival (Canada), Sundance Film Festival (Park City Utah), Rio Carnivale (Brazil), Sapporo Snow Festival (Japan), Venice Carnival (Italy), and the Harbin Ice Festival (Northern China).  Of those listed (and if cost were not a factor) which would you most like to attend and why?

 Probably Mardi Gras because its the one I have heard of for longer and dreamed of attending. Plus I so want to explore New Orleans.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

 I had a scary event this past weekend. There have been a lot of home invasions around here so I have been more leary, someone came to the door wanting in to use the phone claimed it was an emergency. I don't open the door after midnight esp to someone I dont know  They just kept saying it was an emergency and needed to use the phone which is exactly what the home invasions did.  I called 911 myself so if they need help it will be here. They aren't coming in my house. The police did 2 drive bys but apparently didn't see anything nor did they come by my house.  

Chats on the Farmhouse Porch 75

I spent most of yesterday in bed so didn't get my chat done. I had a real bad headache all day and no pain meds were working. I am hoping it was just a headache and nothing else since the flu is going around but I still feel crappy today and my tummy hurts so I am thinking its some form of bug :( Oh well onto the chat.

1. What's your favorite thing to have in hot cocoa/ hot chocolate?
 I love hot chocolate in about any form so I really don't have a favorite. I like it with marshmallows, cinnamon, creamer or just plain. My grandbabies love homemade hot chocolate best.

2. Did you have a white Christmas? Have you had snow since then?




We had snow on the ground for a snow a couple days before and it has sprinkled snow a couple times since than but nothing on the ground now. Its actually 50 degrees and raining today. I am glad. I love to see the snow on the trees and grounds plus as its falling but I hate being cold. I have enjoyed the snow more this year than any other year in a long time, mostly because I am not working so when its pouring snow and the roads are slick I don't have to drive on it. 

3.Have you been looking over seed catalogs? If this doesn't apply, what kind of catalogs do you like to leaf through?
Not yet but I have ordered a couple already so I can start looking. I am so looking forward to spring. This will be my first spring in this trailer and I want to do some landscaping plus I would like to plant a little garden. All my life I have had dreams of owning a farm and living off the land and planting a little garden and canning from it makes me feel more in line with my dreams. 


4. Gas stove or electric?
Right now I actually have no stove. We took out the old gas stove and I was going to convert to electric since the stove is the only thing gas in the house but after the first power outage and no way to cook nor any heat I decided to put in another gas stove. I actually prefer to cook with gas anyway and in an emergency we can still cook and use the oven for heat if need be.

5. What's new or interesting? 
Not much since I still have no car or job so I don't hardly leave the house. But I did have a wonderful weekend, a former coworker took me to lunch at Bob Evans. We laughed and talked. It is so great to connect with old friends. Thankfully I have always had great coworkers for the most part and am still friends with them. probably 25% of my facebook friends are former coworkers or bosses.

Biggest Loser

  If you have read my blog you will know that one of my goals for the year is to lose weight. I have been making small changes this first week, such as unsweetened tea, trying to exercise more.   Tonight I watched the season premiere of Biggest Loser. I was really disappointed with it. I do not like Jillian, I guess she is one of those people you either love or hate and I am not on the love side. I thought she was too mean. I didn't blame the woman for walking out of the show. If you are overweight the world treats you badly anyway. I am not the kind who would push myself for someone who was mean to me. My whole life I have had people being mean to me and I would not put myself in a place where someone would yell at me like that. I just think you can get results without having to be nasty about it.
    I wish I could join a gym because I can't afford to buy an assortment of equipment but we only have one gym here and its pretty high dollar so I can't afford that either. Going to have to be plain old walking and exercise tapes for me. My whole life I have never been able to lose weight without exercising a lot, and by lot I mean hours. Some people can lose weight by cutting calories but that just doesn't seem to do it for me. For my diet plan I am going with a modified Adkins plan. That has worked for me in the past but I gave up. I am tired of giving up and this is going to be the time I succeed. I have spent my whole life overweight and I have made so many bad choices based on my weight. I can think of so many times I didn't do something because I was fat. I am sick of being fat. 
   I am trying each day to remember that I would rather by thinner and healthy than to eat all the time. To do that I am going to have to work hard and spend some time every day reading others blogs and posts for inspiration. 

Daily Bible

I know its that time of the year when people start with resolutions or goals. One of my goals is to grow closer to and more like God, in order to do that you have to read His word. The Word is how He talks to us. I like a daily bible and one that I have used for years is The Daily Bible. I first bought this bible about 22 yrs ago and it was the first time I ever read the Bible all the way through. I like this version because its in chronological order and it has some good notes with it. There is a lot of background history there. As a matter of fact I had misplaced mine when I wasn't living right and as soon as I got back in church, I wanted another. I found one but my best friend kept saying she wanted a daily Bible so I gave her mine. Then I found another one used and thats the one I have now. My only downfall are the Psalms, I know most people love them and I do love lines of  the Psalms but poetry has never been something I was into.I start reading poetry and my eyes glaze over.  I think this year might be the year I finally appreciate the psalms for what they really are about. If you are looking for a wonderful daily Bible I encourage you to check out this one. You can probably find one at a bookstore used if you don't have the money to buy it new.  I find my best time to read this Bible is first thing in the morning. I think if you start the day with God's Word you are better prepared for all that happens, its sort of like putting on the whole armor of God for me.
And no I am not being paid nor compensated in any way other than seed sowing. I just happen to like this one for reading purposes. Its been a wonderful read for me and helped me grow in knowledge over the years.  I have a whole different set for studying purposes :). Below is my copy and you will notice its looking a little ragged but thats ok. Sadly it got wet a couple months ago and has some damage from that. I will probably have to buy another one soon.

5QF- 1/4/13

Well its that time again. Another Friday and the first one of 2013. So far the year has been ok, Nothing major good or bad but thats an improvement over anything bad. Its mostly just been too cold to so much here in WV this week. Originally they said it was going to get to the 60s this weekend but now when I look at the weather forecast it shows only in the 30s and snow. I sent my application in on another state job. Hoping that it works out for me. I have to say I love love love being home all the time but I hate the no money part. Now for the question portion of today's post.

1. Have you set any goals/resolutions for 2013?
yes I always do, I don't always succeed but if you never strive for the mark you never improve is my thought process. I made a list of 12 goals for the year. 

2. Have you made any travel/vacation plans for 2013?
Not set in concrete but if I get the job I am wanting we have some ideas. We would like to buy season passes to Dollywood and got a few times this year. I would also like to go to Busch Garden Williamsburg, its my favorite vacation spot I have ever been too and we haven't been in probably 15 yrs or more.  I have been doing research and planning the most economical trips possible. Plus at least a couple trips to Wheeling WV again. We went last fall and loved the town. There is always something happening there.

3. What room is never cleaned in your house?
probably the one cleaned the least is my room but they are all cleaned normally. Clutter is my problem. 

4. What food must be in your house at all times?
tortillas, I use them to make mini pizzas or as rollups for sandwiches, veggie burritos. 

5. Are you a hugger or more of a hands off person?
I am a hugger. I am always touching. I am one of those disgusting touchy feely people.

HPW- 1/2/13

Well there is barely an hour left of Wednesday and I had almost forgot to do my first HodgePodge of the year. 

1. How did you ring in the new year?

Pretty boring. It was just myself, my oldest daughter and her boyfriend. Plus the house animals. Normally I like to go to a watch night service at a local church but my car has been broke down for 2 weeks now so I was stuck home. Thats ok though. I praised God for getting me through 2012 and thanked Him for what He's going to do in 2013.We did watch the ball drop but it just wasn't the same without Dick Clark and I was very disappointed in the majority of the music choices. Taylor Swift was the only one I liked.

2. What is one thing you are looking forward to in 2013?

Mostly just remodeling this trailer. It needs a lot of work and I knew that when I bought it but life interfered and I am now ready to get back to the work.

3.   Steven Spielberg is quoted as saying, 'All of us every single year, we're a different person. I don't think we're the same person all our lives.' What say you? 

I totally agree. I can't imagine anyone who stays the same all the time. I like to think I am improving each year, growing more like Christ and showing more love. I am becoming more comfortable with my life and more trusting of God's guidance. I think everyone changes in their thought patterns, beliefs, and actions as they keep living.

4.   The Pantone color of the year for 2013 is emerald green. Like or dislike?  Do you already own something this color?  Will you add something in this shade to your home or wardrobe in 2013?

Green has always been one of my favorite colors and I love the rich jewel tones of emerald. I own several items in this color and probably will buy a few more. 

5.    Speaking of emerald...what's your favorite gemstone?

I have always loved opals but I also love the flash of diamonds. 

6.  Share a favorite book or movie from 2012.

Honestly I can't think of either one that stands out for me right now. Probably later on I will think of a ton but drawing the blank right now. I spent a lot of the past year in a fog so thats my excuse.

 7. What is something you want to tell yourself at the start of this brand new year?

I want myself to remember that no matter what happens, God's got this. Don't stress, trust Him and keep on keeping on. 

8.  Insert your own random thought here. 

I waited too late and its almost bedtime so my only thoughts are good night, God bless and sleep well. 

 

Word Verification

I don't know how you feel but I absolutely hate word verification on a blog. I have so much trouble seeing what those stupid letters are and get them wrong half the time and have to start over and over again. I have reached the point that unless I really really want to leave a comment, if the site has word verification on then I won't comment at all.  I don't understand since most blog sites enable moderation. If you are worried about spam just enable moderation and then you can control spammers.  

If you have word verification and would like to turn it off, here are instructions. And if you do turn it off - Thanks!!!
1. Open Dashboard
2. Click on comments
Scroll down to:
"Show word verification for comments?"
Click on no
Scroll down to Save Settings

Now everyone can be happy :)