My Slice of Heaven

I've Moved......

2010-04-19T00:17:00.001-04:00

....my blog, that is. I'm hosting the blog on my own server and have transferred it to a CMS (Content Management Software). It looks pretty much the same as it does on Blogger except for a new horizontal menu.

Unfortunately, although my posts did make the transfer, it looks like my comments may not. I am, however, continuing to use the Disquis commenting system at the new location as well.

I hope you will stop by my new site and continue to follow me over there.

New Porch

2010-03-31T18:51:00.000-04:00

One of the home improvement projects on our list was expanding our porch. This porch sits in front of what we call the "breezeway" which is a room that used to be open and connected the house to the garage, but at some point, a previous owner enclosed it and took out a wall in the kitchen to open the two rooms up to each other.

After consulting with several contractors, it was determined that the best course would be to rip up the old porch and put in a newer, bigger one. Today was the day work was to begin...and be completed.

Here's the old porch

....and the newer, larger porch

Concrete guys said we could walk on it tomorrow but that we should wait a few days before putting the chairs and my organic veggie garden boxes on it just to give it more time to cure and harden.

Now we have room for our dogs to be lay down and be outside with us. Right now there is an aluminum awning but I think we will take that down and get a fabric awning that can be opened and closed as needed.

You can't tell from the other picture, but the left side has a bit of a drop to it so we will be getting some railing to put around the patio as well not only for safety but also for a place for some flower boxes.

Spinach Lasagna

2010-03-23T13:47:00.000-04:00

When I was growing up, spinach was one of those veggies that made me gag, along with mixed veggies, green beans and peas. Even as an adult, my gag reflex kicked in whenever I saw spinach or thought of eating it. Maybe if Popeye had been a girl, I might have been more inclined to eat it. Naw, probably not.

Anyway, my son, who is here visiting me (happy happy joy joy), had asked me for years to make some spinach lasagna instead of our regular artery-clogging, meat-filled one. Nope, never, not gonna happen was my response.

Well, imagine his surprise when I suggested we make some this week. Eyes bugging out, shaking his head in disbelief, he said "YOU eat spinach lasagna now???" Yep. I do.

Why the change of heart? I don't remember exactly why or when I first made spinach lasagna. Probably a few years after my son moved out and we started trying to eat "healthier." But really, whatever/whenever, I no longer have the gag-me-with-some-spinach reflex. I put it in lasagna, soup, and even with a salad. Shocking to those who know me. There, I confessed it and I feel better!!

Anywho, we purchased our ingredients and today I set out to make some delicious Spinach Lasagna, from a recipe I found at cooks.com.

Per usual, I made some substitutions. *did I just say per? Who says that anymore? LOL*

I used fresh, organic baby spinach instead of canned. I forgot fresh parsley, so I just used about 1 1/2 tsp. of dried. I used fat-free ricotta cheese as well.

Here's the finished product. It turned out pretty well if I do say so myself. Oh, my son did as well. :o)

To go along with this, I made some Italian Herb Bread in my bread maker. Delicious!!

A nice hot slice with a little butter was a nice accompaniment to the lasagna.

When it was just the two of us (I raised my son alone until he was 15 yrs old) I didn't cook that often. He was a very picky eater, so cooking for one was not that much fun. When he got into his teens, his taste in food had expanded but he was on the go all the time, so was rarely home for meals. Now that he is here, I want to give him some of his favorites. So, off to make him the fudge he didn't get this Christmas and probably some mint chocolate chip ice cream. Yummmy!!

Chicken Penne Casserole

2010-03-17T18:46:00.001-04:00

After the success of my Tortilla Lasagna from the Taste of Home recipe magazine my step-MIL gave to me when she was visiting, I decided to make Chicken-Penne-Casserole tonight.

As usual, I made a few substitutions, in part because I didn't have one of the ingredients and in part because I wanted to use a healthier alternative.

The recipe is called Chicken Penne, but I used some whole wheat rotini instead. In place of the chicken thighs, I cut up some chicken cutlets I had. Instead of using mozarella cheese (which I didn't have), I just used 75% reduced fat Cabot cheddar cheese.

My ~~resident guinea pig~~ husband was the taste tester. Two thumbs up. Since he ~~didn't fall down dead~~ gave it the ok, I went ahead and tasted it and I have to agree that it is very tasty. I find that most recipes go light on the spices so I was a bit more generous with them, including the crushed red pepper, which gave the casserole a nice zip!

My husband had to go back to work so I had to give him some before I got to take a picture. OK, it was so tasty, I gave myself and my daughter some and forgot to take a picture....but it looked as great as it smelled and tasted!! Definitely something I will make again.

Now, if I could only get that automatic dishwasher to help with the clean-up, I'd be so very happy!

Tortilla Lasagna

2010-03-15T22:21:00.000-04:00

While my husband's step-mom was here last week, she bought me a Taste Of Home recipe book. Lots of delicious looking dishes in there. I need more hours in the day and more people to feed to try them all out!! I should get a job at a diner or something.

Anyway, tonight I decided to make the Tortilla Lasagna. The recipe is pretty simple, really, like you are making a taco salad but instead of using taco chips or a baked tortilla shell, you use flour tortillas and line a pan with them, then layer salsa, meet, onions, sour cream and cheese, and bake for 45 minutes.

I made a few revisions to the original recipe. I used ground turkey instead of ground beef, my homemade salsa instead of store bought, fat-free sour cream instead of regular, and multi-grain tortillas instead of plain.

Oh, the delicious smell as this was cooking. We had a late lunch and weren't even very hungry but after smelling this cooking, my husband and I decided to have a serving. Well, it was so very good.....that we each had a 2nd helping!! I wish the tortillas were a bit crispier all over instead of just the edges. Other than that, a very delicious and satisfying meal.

The Invasion of The Grandmothers

2010-03-07T10:45:00.000-05:00

We are blessed to have both my mother-in-law and my step-mother-in-law visiting from Seattle this week. We have been enjoying some cool, but pretty weather, and visiting some local attractions that we have not even been to living here nine years. Last night, my husband and I were so worn out that all of we were in bed by 8:50pm!!
Day 4 of the Invasion is going to be getting underway soon. Not sure what the plans are for today, but I hope it involves some resting time on the beach at some point! :o)

Busy Busy Busy

2010-03-01T20:52:00.001-05:00

We are in the process of doing some home renovations...some will be DIY and some we are hiring out.

My husband and I started a kitchen renovation. We are trying to open up our kitchen to the living room and to the breezeway which is a room that was once a porch between the house and the garage but at some point was enclosed. We use it as a dining room/sewing room/storage room.

We started by taking out an old breakfast bar and a peninsula.

Breakfast Bar

After removal of breakfast bar and one of the cabinets in the peninsula

Counter top removed from the remaining cabinets to be removed

and upper cabinet removed. The refrigerator will go here.

We took out some cabinets and moved the refrigerator to give more space by the stove for prep work. One of the cabinets that was in the island has been moved over next to the stove where the fridge was.

There is laminate flooring in the entire house, except for the breezeway. It was not laid correctly and buckles and bulges all over. We will eventually replace it. For now, we took out the flooring in the kitchen and then will put in matching flooring in both the kitchen and breezeway (dining room).

We are going to have the wall separating the kitchen and living room removed to open it up. We are hiring a contractor to do this work. Then there will be room for a kitchen island to increase prep space and provide the storage that was taken away by the removal of the kitchen peninsula.

After the wall is removed, we will have new flooring installed and new counter tops. We are keeping the existing cabinets since they are in good shape. The plan is to paint them. We are also going to install beadbord on the exposed portions of the kitchen, which will for the most part be the soffit running around the ceiling above the cabinets and the the space above the counter tops.

Amazingly enough, we managed to remove the cabinets ourselves, move the fridge, switch the fridge doors to open in a different direction, and remove the existing flooring all without any blood being shed (either by a power tool or us going at each other LOL).

We have other things happening around our house as well. New windows are going in at the end of March or early April. We hope to have a new concrete porch poured soon. These are both jobs that are hired out.

Lots to do....I can't wait until it is all done!

What Do Bread, Peanut Butter, Salsa and Ice Cream have in common?

2010-02-24T15:37:00.001-05:00

They are all home made. At least in our house they are. And they are all easy to make with very little time and effort involved. Bread takes five minutes of my time to put the ingredients in the bread machine and turn it on. Peanut Butter takes about 10 seconds to put the nuts in the food processor, and requires just one or two scrapes of the bowl and scooping it into a container. Salsa involves just a few minutes of cutting and dumping into a food processor. Ice Cream, again, just a few minutes to put the ingredients into the ice cream maker and turn it on.

Bread is a "staple" in most families. Ever since I started making my own bread , we've never run out, not had to run to the store at the last minute, and never opened the bag and found stale bread. It has been great having fresh, delicious bread whenever we wanted.

Peanut Butter is another staple, especially if you have children. I buy a bag of bulk, organic peanuts and just a few minutes in the food processor, and we have fresh ground peanut butter, without the sugar and additives found in store bought brands.

Salsa is such a healthy snack. Search online for recipes....there are many different recipes and flavors from fruity to spicy! Again, prep time is just a few minutes. If you have a food processor, you just dump your ingredients in, give it a few pulses and you have your salsa. You can also use a mini-chopper, or if you are like me and like your salsa more chunky, you can use something like the Vidalia chop wizard. Takes just a few minutes more. In five minutes of prep time, I have some great tasting salsa. We not only eat it with chips, but also put it on scrambled eggs or mix it with rice.

And Ice Cream....who doesn't like some cool, tasty ice cream on a hot summer day? I bought an ice cream maker and made my first batch last week. We had some lemon sorbet, and the other day, some yummy mint chocolate chip. Both took just a matter of few minutes to mix the ingredients and pour into the machine, and turn it on. A short time later, ice cream!

The best part is being in control of the freshness and quality of the ingredients used. Each of these things literally takes just a few minutes to give my family fresh, healthy foods....and for a bonus, I save time and $$.

Those are just a few things I make at home. What foods are homemade at your house?

Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

2010-02-22T21:16:00.004-05:00

The last two times I made ice cream or sorbet, it was runny, but firmed up nicely after leaving it in the freezer overnight. This time I made sure to leave the freezer container (that you make the ice cream in) in the freezer for two days, packed with lots of ice to make sure it was really cold. Also, I wasn't sure how much effect using the low-fat milk and 1/2 and 1/2 cream had to do with how the first batch turned out. So this time I used 2% milk and heavy cream. Mixed in some Ghirardelli Baking chocolate broken into little pieces and some peppermint extract. Just five ingredients, 25 minutes in the ice cream maker, two hours in the fridge and I must say, it turned out nice!

I let my daughter have some right away, but it was more like soft serve. I put it in the fridge for two hours and it was much firmer.

We all give this two thumbs up!!

Sunny and 75°

2010-02-21T18:31:00.001-05:00

After months of below normal temps, the mercury hit a beautiful 75° today so The Princess and I spent the afternoon with a friend and her daughter and granddaughter. So much fun to watch the two of them play. Weather folks are predicting that we stay warm until Thurs/Fri where it will cool off again but hopefully back up into the high 60's for the weekend. Woot!

My husband was supposed to be home around 4pm but texted me to say he would be late. Good, because I had nothing planned for dinner. Decided on taco salad, but made a bit healthier with organic 94% lean ground turkey, organic corn chips, homemade organic salsa and homemade organic taco seasoning, fat-free sour cream, 75% reduced fat Cabot cheddar cheese, and lettuce. Easy and quick to make:

Now I need some ice cream to cool off my mouth from that five-alarm salsa!

Six Word Saturday

2010-02-20T07:58:00.001-05:00

It's Saturday, so that means it's time for Six Word Saturday. Visit Cate's Blog to play along.

Happy 13th Birthday Jake and Luke!

I have two yellow Labrador Retrievers who captured my heart 13 years ago. Their owners lived next to my sister. Luke was a birthday present for my oldest son and was the puppy he picked out. I saw Jake, though, and couldn't resist his cute face and his playfulness. So, both boys came home with me at just five weeks old when their mother started attacking them and the owners were moving and said they would just take the dogs to the pound. I have been "Mom" to them ever since. We've been through a lot together. Happy Happy Birthday Boys! I love you and hope to have more years with you!!

Look what I got yesterday...

2010-02-19T23:08:00.003-05:00

My desktop is on it's last legs...so we used the Employee Discount my husband get's from his employer to purchase this Inspiron 1545. So far, I'm pretty happy with it. Last night, my husband and I were up till early this morning playing around on the new laptops we got! Fun, fun, fun!

Got Milk?

2010-02-17T13:50:00.003-05:00

... and some cream, sugar and vanilla? If so, you have the makings for some homemade vanilla ice-cream. In my continued quest to eat more organic, natural, chemical-free, non-modified, healthier foods, I ordered the Cuisinart ICE-20 Series Automatic Frozen Yogurt-Ice Cream & Sorbet Maker (FYICSM **my acronym*) It arrived on Monday. :o)

After unpacking the FYICSM, I placed the freezer bowl into the freezer overnight. Tuesday morning I sent my husband to the store to get some milk and cream. The instructions tell you that you can substitute lower fat milk and cream, but that it will affect the texture and taste of the ice cream. I had my husband get some 2% organic milk and organic 1/2 and 1/2 cream.

I mixed the milk, sugar, vanilla and cream according to directions, I poured the mixture into the FYICSM, turned it on and waited the 25-30 minutes indicated in the instructions. At the 25 & 30 minute marks, the mixture was still milky. After 10 more minutes, it had started to thicken slightly. The instructions do tell you to put the mixture into the freezer for a few hours if you want your ice cream thicker, so I poured the mixture into a plastic container and put it into the fridge.

When two hours had passed, I took the mixture out. It was still extremely thin so I put it back for another few hours. Checking later, it had indeed turned into a creamy ice cream mixture......that is, the top 1/2 of the mixture was. The bottom half was still runny. I left it in the freezer overnight and we enjoyed today some incredibly delicious vanilla ice cream.

I'm not sure if the extended length of time it took to have the ice cream mixture harden was due to the lower fat content or not. It was worth the wait, though, to have organic, low-fat, vanilla ice cream with absolutely NO other ingredients....no gum, not carrageenan, etc. Just organic milk, organic sugar, organic vanilla, and organic cream. YUMMMMY!

Today, I'm making some lemon sorbet. Sugar, water, lemon juice and lemon zest. That's it. I'll let you know how it turns out.

I Made Bread: Part III

2010-02-12T17:02:00.001-05:00

Today, I made a loaf of Italian Herb Bread. I think I've died and gone to heaven. After it baked, I put a few slices under the broiler with some parmesan cheese and some more italian seasoning. It was soooo good. By the time we each tasted a piece, 1/3 of the loaf was gone! I'm making spaghetti for dinner, so more of the bread (with more cheese, garlic and italian herbs) will be going under the broiler.

The only thing I've noticed about this bread maker is that the left side of the loaf is usually deformed in some way. In the herb bread today, it didn't rise as high as the right side. In the wheat loaves, the left side isn't smooth....it's lumpy. The bread won't be getting any awards for aesthetics, but it doesn't affect the taste and that is all I really care about.

My First Time.........

2010-02-10T17:00:00.001-05:00

No, not my first time doing THAT! My first time getting a blog award. Erica, over at Joyous Jabberings gave me THIS award:

I actually got this award for my other blog, Our Life With The Princess, but since that blog is just about my daughter, I'm posting my award over here on my personal blog! Hope that is ok Erica.

As part of receiving this award, there are a few rules:

Thank the person who gave you the award. So, thanks again, Erica for giving me my first award!
Post this award to 15 other bloggers that you follow and think are great!
Leave a message on each blog, letting them know you are giving them this award.
Post seven things about yourself.

The blogs I'm passing this award along to are: Kristen, Raechel, Erica, Linny, Meeghan, Susan, Mae, Marsha, Julia, Michelle, Tracey, Gwenn, Kim, Cheryl, and Lisa.

So, here goes:

I grew up in Michigan, but moved to Florida in 2000 and can't imagine living anywhere else (well, that is if you don't count that eight month "vacation" in Seattle back in 2006...but hey, we came back)...ever!!
I have two yellow labrador retrievers that are almost 13 years old.
I had my first child when I was 24 and my youngest when I was 43!
I was a computer geek for many years, but now are more interested in making our house a home.
I love cooking and baking, but I also enjoy sewing (still a novice) and will be giving gardening a try this year (starting out small...just a few tomato plants, and some onions, peppers and some herbs).
I love the ocean. We used to live just two blocks from the ocean but am now a bit further but close enough we could ride our bikes. I hope to move back to the beach one day.
I met my husband online. He moved here to Florida from Washington State to marry me. :o)

Thanks for stopping by and celebrating my getting this blogger award!

I Made Bread: Part II

2010-02-09T18:37:00.001-05:00

I am loving the bread machine I talked about in this post. It is so very easy to use and I am making a new loaf of bread every other day. I have tried out a few other types of bread as well with pretty good success.

We have been big eaters of organic Honey Whole Wheat bread from the store. I used the whole wheat recipe that came with my bread maker and just substituted some organic honey for some of the molasses called for in the recipe. I have to say that this bread turned out just as good, if not better, than the stuff from the store.

I also made a loaf of what is called Trail Mix bread. This loaf was moderately successful. I think the dough was just a bit too wet. Next time I need to check it better and add some more flour if necessary. Plus, with this recipe, you only get to add 1/2 cup of "trail mix" which just did not seem like enough. The bread maker allows you to make 1.5lb and 2lb loaves. I have been making 2lb loaves but for this one, just made the 1.5lb loaf. With the 2lb. loaves, you get to add 3/4 cup of trail mix. I may just add 3/4 cup to my 1.5lb loaf next time and see how it turns out.

I think tomorrow I may make either focaccia dough or cheese/onion bread. They both sound so yummy.

Can you tell I'm having fun? Did I mention I love to bake? I think I need to get serious about my walking program if I'm going to keep making all this delicious bread, otherwise Pillsbury may be contacting me to be the next Pillsbury Dough Person! LOL

Rainy Day

2010-02-09T15:43:00.001-05:00

We're getting the tail end of the big storm that is heading to the northeast. We are going to have a cool rest of the week with temps only into the 50's. This has been a cold (I know it is a relative term considering what the rest of the country is getting) winter for us. I was hoping we were done with winter and moving into our spring. But, Mother Nature is playing a cruel joke on us sun/warmth worshipers. At least it is rain, not snow!

It's been a lazy day due to the rain. I went for a walk with a friend this morning before the rain started. Had a late breakfast and went back to sleep for 3 HOURS! *yawn* I'm still tired! LOL

After E's nap, we mixed up a batch of chocolate mint brownies. They are baking in the oven now and smell soooo good! This recipe is different than the one I used before. It has a layer of mint icing on top. Can't wait to taste them later.

That's all from Boringville! Things will liven up around here pretty soon as we have some home improvement projects coming up in the next month or so. Oh, and I'm going to plant a small garden. Fresh veggies for our meals...can't wait!

Six Word Saturday

2010-02-06T12:13:00.000-05:00

It's Saturday, so that means it's time for Six Word Saturday. Visit Cate's Blog to play along.

It Is All About The Laundry

I usually try to do laundry a few times a week but this week we have been busy with other things, so I can't put it off any more. My W/D will be getting a workout!

Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!

Do you like to cook/bake?

2010-02-05T16:05:00.004-05:00

I really love to do both. Over the years, I've tried so many different things: woodworking, sewing, web design, to name a few but have never found anything that I enjoyed as much as I enjoy cooking and baking. I enjoy everything about it: finding recipes, buying the ingredients, making the food, ~~cleaning up the mess~~, except for cleaning up the mess.

I'm lucky to have a husband who will eat anything. Anything. He is like Mikey, for those of you who might remember the popular Life Cereal commercials. I jokingly tell him that he WOULD eat anything because before we got married, his meals consisted mostly of frozen dinners, so the bar is not set very high. LOL
I'm going to be starting a small organic garden, but only growing a few things to start with. I'm thinking onions, peppers, tomatoes and maybe some herbs. These things I use just about every day. My husband said we should get some chickens so we can have eggs too. Although I wouldn't mind that, I'm not sure my neighbors would be too happy with the cockle-doodle-doo of a rooster.

You know those little cookbooks that you see at the check-out register. I'm addicted to them. Seriously. I have so many of them sitting on a shelf. I'm going to go through them and pick out a few recipes and make them with organic ingredients, substituting as I go along for anything refined (i.e. white sugar, white pasta, butter, etc.) Plus, there are so many great websites with recipes. I just started a new notebook in the kitchen just with recipes I've found online.

Here's something I made from a recipe I found in Real Simple magazine. It's Maple Roasted Chicken and Sweet Potatoes. It is very simple to make, although not as healthy as I would usually make. Recipe calls for a whole chicken, cut-up. I only had four chicken thighs, so all dark meat, with the skins on it. The only other ingredients are two sweet potatoes cut in cubes, an onion, cut in chunks, and some olive oil and spices. An easy, week-night meal in about 65 minutes.

How about you? Do you like to cook and/or bake? If so, what are some of your favorite kitchen appliances/tools that make it easier for you? I just bought a food processor, a slow cooker, and a bread maker. I also have a little mini-food processor for smaller jobs. Any favorite recipes? Recipe sites?

I Made Bread!

2010-02-05T14:07:00.004-05:00

In an effort to eat as much fresh, healthy food as possible, I recently bought a Breadman TR875 Breadmaker from Amazon. After researching online, I found this one had good reviews, and the price was right. Since I had never made bread before, I didn't want to invest a lot into a bread maker until I was sure this was something I would want to keep doing. This machine also makes pasta dough, pie crust dough, cookie dough, gluten free bread AND jam!

Two nights ago, I made my first loaf. The instruction booklet recommends you start with the white bread recipe, so I did. We don't normally eat white bread, but I went ahead and made a loaf and it turned out delicious. The machine was so incredibly easy to use. Just add your ingredients in the order the recipe indicates, put the loaf pan into the bread maker and press a few buttons to select your options...then press Start. That's it. So very simple. The machine kneads, punches, shapes and bakes the bread.

I was so happy with how the white bread turned out, I made a loaf of Cinnamon Raisin. The only extra step (and the machine beeps to prompt you to do this) was to add the raisins after the bread had been kneaded a bit. Again, so very simple and this load turned out incredibly delicious as well.

Today, I made a loaf of Whole Wheat bread. There was a little bread malfunction.

The bread maybe ugly, but the consensus from my husband and daughter (and myself) is that the bread is delicious!

My husband said, I think you will be getting a lot of use out of this machine. I think he's right! :o)

I Survived The Great Power Outage of 2010.....

2010-02-04T21:56:00.000-05:00

OK, it wasn't that great an outage...it was just in our neighborhood. But, it was for FIVE hours. Oh, the internet withdrawal pains were starting. I was getting twitchy, feeling the pressure build up inside me. I NEEDED to GET ONLINE!!

On top of it, I had dropped my cell phone and broke it today. We have a digital phone (cable service) so since that was out, I had no phone, and since I don' wear a watch, with no electricity meant I had no idea what time it was!! At least we had several lanterns so we had plenty of light.

Turns out that at the construction site at the end of our street, someone in the construction crew knocked over the pole with a transformer on it...snapped it right in half! I'm so thankful that they were able to fix it tonight. If I had to go without internet access much longer, I'm not sure what I would have done and I don't think I could have been held accountable for my actions!! LOL

Getting To Know You.......

2010-01-31T12:13:00.004-05:00

It's Sunday, and time for some Getting To Know You fun. Hop on over to MannLand5 to play along.

1. Do you iron your sheets? Ummm, no. Isn't that why we have blankets and comforters...to cover up wrinkly sheets??

2. Your dream car is....? One of these beauties: A jaguar XF

3. Do you have an innie or an outie belly button? Innie

4. What meal do you look forward to the most..breakfast, lunch, or dinner? I have to choose one?

5. Favorite mascara? I don't have a favorite. In fact, please leave me recommendations of some waterproof, non-clumping mascara. Right now, I'm using Volume Express by Maybelline.

6. What would you say your decorating style is..traditional, modern, eclectic, country, french country, shabby chic, etc..? Does messy count? We're not a neat family....our house looks very, ummm, lived in. LOL Seriously...no that was serious, but even more serious is that we bought a little cottage and we are going to decorate it probably with a Key West-type style.

7. Have you ever been skinny dipping? Yes.

8. I hate the smell of...? Can I list more than one?? Vomit, poop, people who wear too much perfume or aftershave, cigarette smoke and fish.

Thanks for stopping by and Getting To Know....me!

My World Is Getting Smaller

2010-01-28T23:00:00.003-05:00

We have a king size bed. Lately, it hasn't felt too comfortable sleeping on it so we decided to invest in a foam mattress topper. We found one at Overstock.com for $109 so we ordered it and it arrived on Tuesday.

Four inche memory foam topper from Overstock.co

I haven't slept this well in a long time. I may never leave my bed again! I think I'm going to have to order a laptop so I can be online right from the incredible comfort of my bed!

Oh, and the picture is not of my bedroom. I have two yellow labs and a five year old, not to mention a husband. But one day, maybe, just maybe......

Lookee What I Saw Last Night

2010-01-23T14:11:00.001-05:00

There is a 2x4 vertical in the ground just outside our back door. A few weeks ago, I was letting my dogs out at night and happened to glance at the post and saw this cute little owl. Before I could get my camera, it flew away. A few days later, I saw it again, but could not get a picture of it.

Last night, when I let my dogs out, there it was. This time, it didn't fly away. I tried a few pictures with the backyard light on, but the glare was too much. Had my husband turn the light off and snapped this picture. He is a tiny thing. But he sat there patiently till I got a good picture of him. Sweet little owl. :o)

Six Word Saturday

2010-01-23T10:19:00.001-05:00

It's Saturday, so that means it's time for Six Word Saturday. Visit Cate's Blog to play along.

Tree Trimming Is A Noisy Business!

We are having much needed tree trimming done this morning. They've been here since 8am. It is loud, but they do such a great job. This guy has been taking care of the trees at this house for 20+ years...long before we owned it. We finally have some light in our little backyard and we will now have some sunshine on our pool once it warms up enough to USE our pool. Well worth the few hours of noise.

Have a great Saturday everyone!

FAIL

2010-01-18T15:03:00.001-05:00

I was trying to do the Read Your Bible in 90 Days plan, but I just got ~~bored~~ overwhelmed with the beginning books in the Old Testament. It starts from Genesis and goes forward through the rest of the bible. I soon ~~realized~~ remembered I have the attention span of a gnat. FAIL.

Then, I switched to a 61 Day reading plan from Bible Gateway, which takes you through the "highlights" of the Old and New Testament. That was more interesting, more readable/comprehendable to me, but after a few days....FAIL.

I may have failed to keep to my reading plan, but I DO know that God does not want me to feel like a failure. Romans 8:1 tells us "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

I know it is important to read God's word every day, and to memorize scripture. Psalm 119:11 says "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." I pray that God will help me in my bible reading. I pray He will open my heart and mind to what I am reading that I may understand his Word and store it in my heart to draw upon when I am tempted or in trouble. I pray that when I do miss a day (or two) that I do not feel like I have failed, but instead remember that tomorrow is a new day and a new chance to feed my spirit with the Word of God!

Six Word Saturday

2010-01-16T08:08:00.001-05:00

It's Saturday, so that means it's time for Six Word Saturday. Visit Cate's Blog to play along.

Praying For The People Of Haiti

My heart aches so deeply for the people of Haiti right now.

Six Word Saturday

2010-01-09T07:31:00.000-05:00

It's Saturday, so that means it's time for Six Word Saturday. Visit Cate's Blog to play along.

Freezing My Fanny In Frigid Florida!

Lest you think I'm a wimpy southerner, it is only expected to reach 43 degrees today and go down to 30 degrees tomorrow night with a high of only 40 on Sunday. That is cold for us heat-loving Floridians!

Load Time

2010-01-08T21:22:00.001-05:00

Could you take a minute and let me know how fast (or slow) my site loads for you? I have a poll posted in the left column. I realize some folks still have dial-up and so I want to make this blog load as fast as possible for everyone who visits.

Thanks!

Getting To Know You.......

2009-12-20T13:35:00.002-05:00

A little Sunday fun, brought to you by MannLand5. Just copy and paste these questions into a post, then go to MannLand5 and put your blog post URL into MckLinky!

Today's questions..

1. Middle name? It's top secret. Seriously, I try not to give too much of my person info out online.

2. What do you think is your best asset (physical)? Everyone tells me my smile, although I don't like it. I would say it's my eyes.

3. If you could only eat one type of cuisine for a year, what would it be (Mexican, American,Chinese..etc.)? Mexican....yum!

4. Walmart or Target? Target. I'm too afraid of going into Walmart....I might end up on the peopleofwalmart website! LOL

5. Favorite State besides the one you live in? Michigan, especially northern Michigan which has incredibly beautiful scenery.

6. What side of the bed do you sleep on, left or right? Right!

7. King or Queen size bed? King...I like to stretch out!

8. Beer or wine? Neither

9. Water..ice-cold or room temp? Definitely ice-cold.

10. Christmas..love it or hate it? I do enjoy Christmas, but probably more toned down than most.

Six Word Saturday

2009-12-19T09:59:00.000-05:00

It's Saturday, so that means it's time for Six Word Saturday. Visit Cate's Blog to play along.

Today's All About Baking For Christmas

My daughter and I will be making Christmas memories today by baking some Christmas treats. She loves to help....as long as she doesn't have to touch the butter!

The Birds: The Sequel

2009-12-15T19:30:00.001-05:00

We've had some great weather the last few days so we got on our bikes and headed over to the beach.

N and E were playing, while I sat on the blanket. As usual, the seagulls gather around the blanket. Normally just sit there and stare at you, trying to will you to give them something to eat. Today, however, out of the blue, they took to the air all around my head. I felt like Tippi Hedren (wish I looked like her) from The Birds. No, I'm not old, I just like Hitchcock movies (that's my story and I'm sticking to it). I even screamed "HELP" to my husband, who came running and shooed them away. Evil seagulls. Well, not all of them were evil. There was The Nice One, this one rather pretty one who stayed off to the side. I'm sure The Nice One is a girl because it had good manners. :o)

Hopefully, I haven't been too traumatized by today's events. *sarcasm* I think next time we'll bring squirt guns and shot them with water if they bug us again...except for The Nice One. She can stay as long as she likes. :o)

Six Word Saturday

2009-12-12T10:55:00.001-05:00

It's the weekend, so that means it's time for Six Word Saturday. To play along, visit Cate's Blog.

Hurtling Through Space At Breakneck Speeds!

My daughter is piloting a shuttle into outer space. We are on our way to Jupiter. Apparently I didn't pay attention when I agreed to go on this shuttle ride...as she has informed me we are not returning to Earth but rather are living in space forever. I wasn't prepared to stay away that long, But she was:

Happy Sixth Birthday Benjamin!

2009-12-07T06:00:00.004-05:00

My son turns six today. but he is not here with me to celebrate. He left us shortly after birth. This is his sixth Heavenly Birthday...and he is celebrating with Jesus again, and my dad, and now my father-in-law, who joined them the day after Thanksgiving.

Usually, at this time of year, I am a wreck....the build up to the day is always harder than the actual day itself. But this year, I'm at peace. Oh, I have my days when I cry and cry about him. He is missed every day. He would have been in kindergarten this year. His sister misses him and wishes he were here to play with her. Our family will never be complete. Well, that's not exactly true. We will one day. When Jesus calls us home, we will finally be a complete family, living forever with God, in the place He makes for us.

Until that happens, we will continue to miss our little boy. We will have cake and ice cream for him, sing Happy Birthday and release a few balloons, sending our love to him. We will continue to talk about him with E, keeping his memory alive. Others in our family may not remember him, but he will not be forgotten.

Happy Birthday Benjamin. Daddy, Mommy and E miss you very much. We will see you again. Until then, give Papa and Grandpa Nick big hugs for us.

Prayer Requests

2009-12-06T10:51:00.002-05:00

Do you need prayers? Or do you know someone who needs prayers? I have a prayer page on my blog and I would like to add you or anyone you know who needs prayers to my prayers list. You can leave your prayer requests in this post or here. You can also use the kontacr me button in the left column.

To get to the Prayer Request post at any time, just click the Prayer Requests link in my blog header.

Mama M's Giveaway...........

2009-12-05T21:27:00.002-05:00

What's soft, white and cuddly and has a microwavable/freezable heart, great for soothing your hurting child? To find out, check out Mama M's latest giveway. You can have up to four chances to win.

Visit Mama M's blog for all the info!

Super Snapshot Saturday

2009-12-05T12:10:00.003-05:00

This is my first time particpating in Super Snapshot Saturday. Check out Angel's Blog for this week's theme and then link your blog post to hers using MckLinky.

Here are a few favorites of my daughter from a few years ago. I use a program called PhotoImpact to edit my photos.

Now go through your own photos and find some favorites to post!

Six Words Saturday

2009-12-05T10:37:00.004-05:00

It's the weekend, so that means it's time for Six Word Saturday. To play along, visit Cate's Blog.

REUNITED AND IT FEELS SO GOOD!

My husband has been out-of-town since Tuesday for his dad's funeral services in Seattle. He got in late last night and we are happy he is home...my daughter especially. She was eagerly anticipating his arrival and was so happy when they were reunited. Of course, I'm happy he's here too, but three days feels like forever for a four year old.

Letter from Jesus about Christmas --

2009-12-03T19:59:00.001-05:00

I saw this posted on a message board and thought I'd put it on my blog. I've seen so many discussion lately about "Merry Christmas" vs. "Merry X-Mas" or "Happy Holidays." Food for thought!

It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 1: 1-8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5 Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary-- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember :

I LOVE YOU,

JESUS

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-26T16:21:00.001-05:00

It's a beautiful day here in Paradise. I am thankful for so many things, including:

For a God who loves imperfect me and who promises never to leave me nor forsake me;
For a Savior who was willing to go to the cross for me, that my sins would be forgiven;
For the gift of three beautiful children: two here to love and one waiting for me in Heaven;
For my husband's continued employment, even with reduced hours and pay, when so many others have lost theirs;
For family and friends near and far;
For continued good health;
For my 12 year old Labrador Retrievers, Jake and Luke. It's so hard to see them age. Each day is a blessing;
That I get to live here, in Paradise, my own Slice of Heaven;

Speaking of My Slice of Heaven, we went to the beach today. Yes, here in Paradise, we get to go to the beach pretty much year round. Here are some photos from today. Enjoy!

Walkway from parking to the beach

A couple we used to live by keeps their boat (catamaran?) on the beach

Boat belonging to a beachfront house

Beach chaises for a beachfront property

People often just leave their chairs on the beach
and come back later

These shots need no description

I'd be happy with this little cottage

Or maybe a condo in this new building?

One of these days, I hope we can move back to to this little city on the beach. It's where we feel most at home, but until then, I'm so thankful that we live close enough to visit whenever we want!

Six Word Saturday

2009-11-21T10:26:00.005-05:00

It's the weekend, so that means it's time for Six Word Saturday. To play along, visit Cate's Blog.

Sunny and 79° Today In Paradise!

Another beautiful day here in My Slice Of Heaven. We're still wearing t-shirts and shorts. Sunshine and warm temps is why I moved here nine years ago and why I plan on staying here until Jesus calls me home!

Six Word Saturday

2009-11-14T09:57:00.006-05:00

Where has this week gone? It's already Saturday and time for Six Word Saturday. To play along, visit Cate's Blog.

The Best Medicine? My Daughter's Smile!
If I'm feeling sick or having a bad day, seeing this face makes everything better.

Six Word Saturday

2009-11-07T09:28:00.004-05:00

Problem:

Child playing keyboard near me . . . headache!

Solution:

Send child to bedroom . . . headache gone!

Disquis Comment System

2009-11-02T18:09:00.000-05:00

I installed the Disquis Comment System on my blogs. Please let me know if you have any issues when trying to leave comments.

If you do, there is a "kontactR me" button in my left column that you can use to send me a message. **You can use that button anytime...feel free :o)**

Six Words Saturday

2009-10-31T12:48:00.001-04:00

Lab hair everywhere. Time to vacuum.

....or Swiffer, which my litle girl loves to do. "Oh Princess........."

Five Question Friday

2009-10-30T12:58:00.004-04:00

This is my first time participating in Five Question Friday. If you want to play along, visit Mama M's Blog to get the code for the FQF button, copy the question to your blog and insert your answer, then head back to Mama M's blog to insert the link to your FQF post into MckLinky so others can come check out your answers and learn more about you.

What were you doing the last time you really had a good laugh? It happened just a few minutes ago. We are eating lunch and my daughter looked at my husband and said "Dad, I have to tell you something. Do you know when you eat, your ears wiggle?" We tried to stiffle our laughs but then she wanted to know if her ears wiggled when she ate too and we lost it. She is such a funny kid....our own inhouse comic!!
Who was your first CELEBRITY crush? Donny Osmond...and I think he is still hawt even today!
What is one talent you wish you had? I wish I were more artistic/creative. There are so many things I would love to do but I just lack any creativity of my own.
How often do you and your spouse go out w/o the kids? Is it frequent enough? Never...seriously. My husband works a lot of hours, so when he is not working, we really just enjoying being together as a family.
What colour(s) is your bedroom? A dark-ish tan color...same as the rest of the house. Not a color we chose but it is the color that was in the house when we bought it. I want to paint it but am undecided on what color.

Thankful Thursday

2009-10-29T12:15:00.002-04:00

If you'd like to participate in Thankful Thursday, head over to Sonya's blog and get the graphic and code and paste it into your post. Next write down five things you are thankful for this week. Finally, go back to Sonya's blog and link up with Mr. Linky. It's that easy!

So, here's my list:

I continue to be thankful that my husband still has both his jobs. Although his salary is shrinking at his full-time job, there are so many who have no jobs so I am thankful that there continues to be enough work for him to continue at both jobs;
I am thankful for our continued good health. With so many people I know of who are ill or have passed away recently (including several children), I am grateful that our family has been spared from any serious illness;
I am thankful for a little girl who loves to be with me and help me. The other day she went and grabbed some cloths I had just dried and without me even having to ask her, folded the entire pile and put them away. She is such a sweetheart and every day I thank God for giving her to me;
I am thankful for the free internet and cable service that is a benefit of my husband's job. Without it, I would no longer be able to get online and enjoy the friendship and fellowship of my new (and old) online friends;
I am thankful that I have gotten to realize a long-term dream of mine to live down here in Paradise. I lived 39 years in the upper mid-west and am so grateful to have the chance to live the last nine years here and hope to live here the rest of my life!

Pucker Up

2009-10-28T17:22:00.002-04:00

My husband's hours have been cut at work. So, in order to bring home some more $$$, he has decided to open a side business. Any takers? Please, we really, really could use the $$.

Stellan

2009-10-28T12:04:00.001-04:00

Stellan is a cute little almost one year old (tomorrow is his birthday) boy, the son of MckMama (a woman whose blog I follow), who has been battling severe heart problems since before he was born. He has been in and out of the hospital this year and each time the docs have been able to bring his heart issues under control. Last night he started exhibiting signs of the same issues and his mom had to take him back to the hospital, where he is currently in the PICU (Pediatric Intensive Care Unit).

Please pray for this sweet little boy, for his doctors who need to make more decisions about his care, for the nurses who will be attending to Stellan, for his mom and dad as they face yet another crisis with their sweet little boy, and for Stellan's brothers and sister at home who are surely missing their baby brother.

Need Prayers?

2009-10-24T10:49:00.000-04:00

In my header, I've included a link to a post I made for Prayer Requests. Check it out if you or anyone you know needs prayers.

Six Word Saturday

2009-10-24T10:38:00.001-04:00

No mon(ey), but sun and fun

Remember that little poem "No mon, no fun, your son. To bad, so sad, your dad." Mine is a play on that. We have no money to spend but we have sunshine and will be outside having lots of fun in it!

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

Thankful Thursday

2009-10-22T08:25:00.001-04:00

I continue to be thankful that my husband still has both his jobs. Although his salary is shrinking at his full-time job, there are so many who have no jobs so I am thankful that there continues to be enough work for him to continue at both jobs;
I am thankful for more time with my dog, Luke. We thought we were going to have to say goodbye to him earlier this week but he has rallied and is doing better;
I am thankful for the beautiful, fall-like weather we had earlier this week. We are back up in the 80's now, but those few cooler, less-humid days were a welcome relief;
I am thankful that my daughter loves the lord so much, even at age 4, and that she loves to sing and dance and proclaim her love for Him;
I am thankful for new friends that I am making online.

Six Word Saturday

2009-10-17T11:45:00.000-04:00

It's cool enough for no a/c!
(It's a beautiful 69° after months of temps in the 90°'s)

Thankful Thursday

2009-10-15T15:01:00.002-04:00

My precious son Benjamin, whom God gave to me for 22 weeks, to grow and to love inside me, before he was born prematurely and went to Heaven on Dec. 7, 2003. I am so thankful that I am his mommy and that I got to hold him before he went to be with Jesus;
The two other children that I have been given the incredible honor and privilege of raising and I am so thankful that God entrusted their care to me;
Jesus - that God gave us his son and that by believing in him, I will have the opportunity to see my precious Benjamin again, and spend eternity in Heaven!
For my friends Tina and Debbie, who have both suffered the loss of children. I know God put moved us to attend the same churches so that we would be there to support each other as we endured these losses;
For my mother, who lives in Michigan, and who I haven't seen since February 2006. Even though she lives so far away and does not get to see my daughter grow up, she is always on the lookout for little things she thinks my daughter will like and sends them to her a few times a month just to say she is thinking about her. Thanks Mom!

What are you thankful for?

Empty Me

2009-10-12T15:59:00.002-04:00

My DH had taken our daughter to the park today, so I was home, ~~working hard~~ playing Yacht on FB, listening to some Contemporary Christian music, when I heard a song come on that I had heard before but never really paid attention to the lyrics. Something told me to pay attention now. So I did. Soon, the tears flowed and I was crying out to God to Empty Me.
Empty Me of all the anger, selfishness, and pride. Empty Me of all the pity, hurt, pain, confusion, and fear.

Joyce Meyer has long been a favorite of mine. She has an awesome ministry, and I tape her show, Enjoying Everyday Life each morning. I like her because she is a down-to-earth, no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is kind of person. I can relate to almost everything she preaches about. Recently, her ministry has been talking about, and promoting her teaching series about a Love Revolution.

Are you fed up with all the pain and injustice that’s plaguing the world? Nothing will ever change if we don’t get involved. The world is in desperate need of people who are willing to ban together and start a Love Revolution.

Possibly one of Joyce’s most urgent books, The Love Revolution forces you to answer the question, “What are you doing for others?” Your answer could change your life and your world.

Joyce has a favorite little teaching moment where she pretends she is a robot and walks the stage saying "What about me? What about me? What about me? What about me? What about me? What about me?" With the Love Revolution, it is get your mind off of you and onto someone else!

When asked by the Pharisee's which commandment was the most important, Jesus replied "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:37-40)

So today, when I was crying out to God to take away all the "what about me" inside of me, I asked Him to "Fill me with You!" Fill me up to overflowing with love and care and concern for others. Help me to take the focus off me and put it out there on my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, where it belongs. Help me to SHOW love in all that I do.

This is the song, and the lyrics, that so moved me today. I hope that you will be moved as well to ask God to empty you and fill you with Him.

Empty Me by Chris Sligh

I've had just enough of the spotlight
When it burns bright
To see how it gets in the blood
And I've tasted my share
Of the sweet life
And the wild ride
And found a little is not quite enough

I know how i can stray
And how fast my heart could change

Empty me
Of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition
And the poison of my pride
And any foolish thing my heart holds to
Lord empty me of me
So i can be
Filled with you

Ive seen just enough of the quick buys
Of the best lies
To know how prodigals can be drawn away

I know how I can stray
And how fast my heart could change
Empty me
Of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition
And the poison of my pride
And any foolish thing my heart holds to
Lord empty me of me
So I can be
Filled with you

Cuz everything is a lesser thing
Compared to you
Compared to you
Cuz everything is a lesser thing
Compared to you
So I surrender all

Empty me
Of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition
And the poison of my pride

Empty me
Of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition
And the poison of my pride
And any foolish thing my heart holds to
Lord empty me of me
So I can be
Lord empty me of me
So I can be
Filled with you.
Filled with you
Empty me

Sunday Afternoon Church........

2009-10-11T16:16:00.002-04:00

with Mike Farris! This guy is one of my favorite singers. Such an awesome voice and his music really ministers to my soul.

My favorite....Can't No Grave Hold My Body Down

Click the "Rest of the Story" link to hear more of Mike's music.

Precious Lord (Lead Me Home)

Sit Down Servant

Another new blog layout.........

2009-10-10T21:35:00.001-04:00

I took the photo that makes up the header and background at sunset on the beach near my house. Every night, people walk down to the beach and sit and watch the sunset. We used to live just a block from the ocean. Now we live just a mile and a half away but we rarely go there anymore. I miss going to the beach every day. I hope we get to move back there one day.

Six Words Saturday

2009-10-10T12:46:00.006-04:00

I feel the need to swim!

2.5 Miles

2009-10-10T11:10:00.001-04:00

That is the distance from our house to the intersection where two drugstores, our bank, pet food store, two fast food restaurants, and one grocery store are located.

When our car died this past February, we didn't have the $$$ to fix it and with the economy, didn't want to try and take on a car payment, so we decided to get bikes since we were so *close* to all our usual spots. My husband works at home for his full-time job, and takes the bus on the weekends for his part-time job, so we have been able to fairly easily make do w/o a car. I have a good friend who lives two streets over who has generously offered her car to us whenever we need it, and occasionally we take her up on it, but for the most part, we hike/bike everywhere.

What I didn't know at the time we got the bikes was how difficult it was to pull my daughter on her bike (which is attached to mine). You get quite a workout, let me tell you. Unfortunately, earlier this summer I pulled a muscle in my knee riding with her so I haven't ridden my bike since about mid-July. So trips to the grocery store, etc. are made walking, usually pulling The Princess in her wagon.

Today was grocery shopping day. Usually we go Friday morning but I slept in ~~a bit~~ a long time yesterday so we went today. We left at 8:45 am, got dog food, stopped for breakfast at McD's, then off to the store. Shopped quickly (my husband had to get home to go to his part-time job), got home by 10:45 am, checked the weather...84°. Turned on the pool pump and we are headed into the water to cool off after that ~~leisurely~~ hot, sweaty 2.5 mile walk!

Paradise

2009-10-09T21:02:00.002-04:00

I've wanted to live in the south ever since I was in high school and played in a softball tournament in Valdosta, Georgia. I am a warm weather person. I grew up in the midwest so I was used to cold but the older I got, the less I enjoyed the October-May time of year. I was so depressed most of my life, especially during those long winter months of bitter cold and snow. When summer time came, and temps were in the 80's and the sun shone all day, I always felt so much happier. But than fall and the rain came, then the cold and snow and I longed for a time where I could feel this summer-time happiness all year.

In 2000, circumstances occured that allowed my son and I to make a move...a fresh start and we packed all we could fit into my car (with a car top carrier) after shoe-horning ourselves, our two labrador retrievers and two cats in first, and hit the road. What an adventure that road trip was, but when we arrived here after traveling for three days, I felt like I was finally home...like I was where I belonged. In this beautiful state of perpetual sunshine, palm trees, ocean breezes, I finally came alive, felt a happiness I had never known in my life.

Things have not been all sweetness and light since I've been here. My son and I grew apart. He moved back where we came from the day of graduation and never looked back. My middle child, my sweet Benjamin, died at birth. I almost lost my precious daughter in the middle of my pregnancy and had to be on bedrest for 16 long weeks before she arrived safely. My marriage has been a struggle, with more ups and downs than I ever thought imaginable. The same for my weight.

Despite all this, I am so grateful that I got a chance to live in paradise. We briefly moved out-of-state in 2006 but came back because we all missed the sunshine and the ocean. I love living in shorts, t-shirts and flip-flops almost year round. It's October, and it was 91° today and we went swimming 2x...not something we could ever dream of doing in either my home state or my husband's.

Yes, we are looking forward to a bit cooler temps and less humidity. Yes, I do miss my family and wish we could see my mom and my siblings and their kids more than once every couple of years. Yes, I wish I was closer to New York and could see my son more often. But I don't ever plan on living anywhere else but My Slice of Heaven!

Economy is Improving?

2009-10-05T17:41:00.007-04:00

"They" say the economy is improving. "They" say things are starting to turn around. We must be living in the wrong place. Things are not improving for us. Things are not turning around for us. My husband got word last week that there will be no shifts available for his job that make the 11% shift differential he has been making. His employer is offering the last shift to start at 2:45pm...15 minutes earlier than would qualify for this differential. So now, on top of not having any overtime for most of this year (our income is down about $1K a month because of this), my DH's regular paycheck is going to decrease as well. Whoever "they" are, they must not live in where I do!

Don't get me wrong. As of today, he still has both his full-time and his part-time jobs. But..it used to be that if his hours got reduced at his full-time job, he could pick up extra hours at his part-time job. That has not been an option for most of this year. So, no OT, no extra hours at PT job and now a reduced full-time job paycheck. The problem with this is that we bought this house when my DH was making a lot more money. Now our mortgage is 50% of his take home pay and that number will go even higher as his paycheck gets reduced starting in November.

I am going to remain positive. I am praying for God to open a window for us. I currently am a SAHM. I have occasionally did some computer work outside of the house, but when our car died this spring and we didn't the the $$$ to fix it or replace it, that stopped. Luckily, my husband works at home for his full-time job so not having a car has not been that bad. We are within walking distance of the grocery store/bank/drugstores so we are ok there too. It's just if I can't get some work that I can do at home.....I won't have transportation to go to a job outside of the house.

I know that God is with us. I know that all things work for the good of those who believe in him. So, I am praying, praying, praying that I can do some work at home. I used to make baby burp cloths, baby blankets, etc and sell them. I'm thinking about starting that again to see if I can bring in any extra $$$. I also used to do some web design, so I'm learning a PHP and MySQL to see if I can pick up some part-time work that way. If you pray, please pray that this, or some other opportunity will work out for us. In the meantime, I will continue to stand firm in my faith that God will provide...and pray that what "they" are saying is happening to the economy will start to happen down here in FL where we live.

Prayer Requests

2009-10-01T18:00:00.032-04:00

Often times I read of people who are in need of prayer, or who are requesting prayer for someone else. I want to keep remembering them in prayer, but sometimes I forget. I need to have a list to refer to so I'm going to keep a list here of those I know who need prayers.

If you have a prayer request, send me a message. Your request can be a graphic like those you see below, or I can add it to the text list below the graphics. Either way, click the orange envelope (kontactR me) link in the "Send Me A Message" section at the top of the left column and send me your prayer request. Please make sure you have permission from the person you are listing for prayer that their information be included on my site. If you do not wish to have your name and/or blog/website listed, let me know that also in your request.

Please pray for:

Please pray for my brother-in-law and his family as they mourn the passing of his mother.
Please pray for my husband and our extended family as we mourn the passing of his father.
Please pray for Meaghan. She has been diagnosed with Medulblastoma.
Our finances. My husband's pay has gotten cut. We are grateful for both his jobs, but we are stretched very tight (as are many others, I know) and are believing that God will provide other financial opportunities.
Travel mercies for my son as he heads to New Zealand on Nov. 8th. He will be spending several months there, returning to the U.S. next February. Please pray for his safety while he is in NZ as well. Thanks!

PRAISE REPORTS

Sweet Stellan, is the son of MckMama. ~~He is currently in the PICU with re-occuring heart issues~~. Stellan had successful heart surgery in Boston that has eradicated his heart issue!! Praise God for this healing!!

About Me

2009-10-01T18:00:00.003-04:00

My name is Sharon and I am married to Nick, and mom to J, B & E (The Princess) and two fur-kids, Jake and Luke. J just graduated from college. B passed away at birth in December 2003 and lives in Heaven. E is our youngest and is four. We wish she could stay this age forever. You can read about E in my other blog, Our Life With The Princess.

I grew up in the upper mid-west but moved to Paradise in 2000 with my then 15 year old son. I met my husband on-line and eight months later he moved to Paradise so we could get married. I am an attachment parenting, gentle disciplining, home schooling, beach loving, warm weather living, bike riding, computer and internet addicted, web designing, SAHM. I enjoy sewing and baking. My daughter and I are having fun in the kitchen! I'm teaching myself PHP, JavaScript and MySQL. My husband and I are looking forward to fixing up our fixer-upper house. Most importantly, I am a child of God. I love the Lord, and am striving to be a woman of integrity and excellence and to teach my daughter to be the same.

Thanks for stopping by my blog. I hope you will feel free to comment (keep it clean though or I will have to delete your message) or to follow me on Twitter.

Thankful Thursday

2009-10-01T17:22:00.001-04:00

I am thankful for my friend Tami. She is such a blessing in my life;
I am thankful that even though my husband's pay is being cut, he at least still has both his full-time and part-time job;
I am thankful for God's grace and mercy every day, even though I know I don't deserve it;
I am thankful that my teaching preschool at home to my daughter is going so well. She loves to learn and God is really bringing out the patience in me that I need;
I am thankful for old friends that I've reconnected with online. It has been so nice to catch up on what has happened to us since we got out of high school 30 years ago!

Sunday Dinner

2009-09-27T14:40:00.004-04:00

We don't often have sitdown dinners on the weekends since my husband usually gets home around 7pm or so. Today, however, he will be home around 4pm, so I decided to make a whole chicken, which is cooking in the oven now. I also have some sweet potatoes cooking on the stove for some Sweet Potato Salad. I hope my husband gets home on time, 'cause the smell of that chicken cooking is making me hungry!

Dinner was so good! Here are a few pics.

Chicken after it was done cooking:

Sweet Potato Salad. It's supposed to have green onions in it but I didn't have any.

Patiently Waiting

2009-09-24T23:05:00.005-04:00

I've been so busy the last few weeks. I decided to home school/preschool my 4 1/2 year old daughter (she will be five in December, so too young for kindergarten this year). You can read my posts on my blog about her here and here and here. This is a big step for me. I am not the most patient person.

Over the years, I have prayed and prayed and prayed for patience. I ~~patiently~~ impatiently waited for God to open up the patience reservoir and pour a gallon or two or three onto me. I ~~patiently~~ impatiently waited (do you sense a them here?) until I was 39 years old for God to bring into my life the man I was to marry. I ~~patiently~~ impatiently waited for the children God had planned to give me. I continued to ~~patiently~~ impatiently wait for patience, wondering why God didn't hear my prayers, asking "When God? When will you get around to me?"

Then I saw an episode of Joyce Meyer's Enjoying Everyday Life, where she talks about not praying for patience, because each of us already has patience inside us and that we just need to let God work it out of us. Galations 5:22-23 says "²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness and self-control." God gave us the fruit of the Spirit as a free gift just for loving Him and having faith in Him. Each of has the ability to be patient in every circumstance. We just need to trust God, that His timing is perfect, that all things happen in due season. While we are waiting, we can enjoy our lives, we can be happy.

So, I'm going to trust God that He will work out of me the patience I need to teach my daughter. I'm going to enjoy the time I get to spend with her and be happy that I have the opportunity to do so!

If you want to read an excellent article written by Joyce Meyer on Patience, go here.

Thankful Thursday

2009-09-23T23:13:00.002-04:00

This is my first time participating in Thankful Thursday. If you'd like to participate in Thankful Thursday, head over to Sonya's blog and get the graphic and code and paste it into your post. Next write down five things you are thankful for this week. Finally, go back to Sonya's blog and link up with Mr. Linky. It's that easy!

So, here's my list:

I am thankful that I live in a country where I am free to to sing God's praises at the top of my lungs while dancing around the house with my 4 1/2 year old daughter;
I am thankful that my son returned my call the other day. He lives in New York and we have an estranged relationship. Anytime I get to talk to him, even for just a few minutes, is a real joy to me.
I am thankful for God's grace and mercy every day, even though I know I don't deserve it;
I am thankful that my husband willingly works two jobs so that I can stay home and care for our daughter, even though it has meant his working 50-60 hrs. a week, and sometimes up to 70 hrs. a week. He gets to work his full-time job at home, and has afternoon/evening hours so that he gets to spend the mornings and early afternoon with our daughter, and gets to see her on his break and at dinner time.
I am thankful that I have found resources to guide me through teaching preschool to my daughter here at home, and that we are both enjoying it.

I'm Expanding........

2009-09-19T13:41:00.000-04:00

and not in a good way. I love to cook...LOVE to cook. I don't have a lot of counter space right now which makes it difficult to spread out and cook like I want. So, at least this is my excuse, we have found ourselves eating a lot of fast food. Don't get me wrong, we buy almost exclusively organic food at the supermarket. My daughter eats almost exclusively organic meals...except for those pesky fast food meals. So, as a result of this over-use of fast food to satisfy our hunger, I am expanding--and not in a good way. I have gained so much weight. I got my hair cut recently and wanted to take a picture to share with friends who asked to see what the haircut looked like and OH-MY-GOSH. What I saw on the camera sickened me...really.

So, I'm at a cross-roads. I know that having had gestational diabetes with both Ben and Emma, I have a higher risk of getting Type-2 Diabetes. I haven't tested my blood sugar in a long time. I'm afraid too. Stupid, I know. I KNOW what I should be eating. I KNOW that I KNOW. But I don't. I have absolutely no will-power. On top of it, it has been so hot and humid, that my friend and I have stopped walking. My bike tire was flat for quite a while, so no bike riding. It's been replaced, but when I got on my bike to ride, I felt dead after just a few blocks. The only exercise I get is the going-to-the-fridge-to-get-something-to-eat variety. Not good.

I haven't always been heavy. I was very athletic as a kid/teenager/young adult. When I got pregnant with my oldest, I gained about 70lbs. I lost it all, except for a large blob of skin/fat that got so stretched out, nothing short of plastic surgery could fix it. When I went back to college in the late 80's/early 90's, I slowly started putting on weight. I am an emotional eater, can anyone relate? College alone was difficult for me. Add to it the stress of having a toddler/preschooler with you, raising him alone, well, lets just say, food was my enemy. As my weight ballooned, my self-esteems shrunk. Over the years, I have tried to lose weight numerous times but never managed to get off more than a few pounds, before putting it right back on, and then some. You know how that is....yo-yo dieting.

Then, in 2003, I got pregnant with my sweet Benjamin. After he died, I decided to take control of my weight, and went on the South Beach Diet. I walked several miles a day with my dogs, and over the course of five months, lost 40+ lbs. I was looking so much better, and feeling so much better as well. Then, I got pregnant with my precious Princess. I had to be on bedrest for 16 weeks, so I put one a few more lbs. than I wanted, but overall I did pretty good. I lost all the baby weight and than a bit more due to breastfeeding The Princess, as well as all the walking I did with her because she was sooooo colicky!

In 2006, we decided to move to Seattle to spend time with my in-laws. The stress of that cross country move, living in a hotel, having job/money issues, not to mention all the rain, well the lbs. started adding on. Then we decided to move back to Florida after just eight months there, so the cross country move again, living in a hotel again, job/money issues again...and more lbs. crept on. So here I am, almost five years after giving birth to Emma, and I think I am at my heaviest I have ever been. So much stress still in my life, and I reach for the food.

I have no will-power. My husband is an enabler. If I called him right now and told him to bring home Burger King or McDonald's for dinner on his way home, he would do it w/o a second thought even though I have told him over and over again to say NO to me when I ask him. Don't get me wrong, this is NOT his fault. I am the one w/o will power. I am the one who puts that food into my mouth. I am the one who is NOT out there working the lbs. off.

So, I will get down on my knees and pray. Pray to the one who CAN help me with this. I KNOW I can do this. I KNOW that He wants me to. I KNOW that He will help me and guide me, because I KNOW that "with God, all things are possible!" (Matthew 19:26)

New Blog Layout.......

2009-09-18T22:34:00.000-04:00

I'm debuting my new blog design today. I'm sure there will be some tweaking done as I go along, but I'm pretty happy with it. We live near the ocean and that is our favorite place to spend time, so it's natural that I would use that as a theme for my blog.

The header was made in PhotoImpact, which is an inexpensive design software that can do just about everything you can do in PhotoShop, but quite a bit cheaper. I downloaded a free e-book from BloggerBuster.com with great instructions on how to customize your blog on blogger.com.

Hope you like it!

Who's In Control Anyway?

2009-09-01T20:23:00.001-04:00

If I ever thought that I was in control of my life, the events of December 7, 2003 proved to me otherwise. But the story doesn't start there. It really starts earlier, back to the spring of 2001. My husband-to-be and I had talked several times about whether we would start a family once we were married. I was 39 and already had a 15 year old son that I had raised alone since birth. I thought I was too old to start again with kids. My husband had never been married and did not have any children of his own. Although he would have liked to have children, he listened to my concerns and accepted my eventual decision to not have any more children. Shortly after we were married, however, I started to have a change of heart. We talked again about starting a family and agreed to put it in God's hands, accepting whatever He decided, not knowing how hard that was going to be.

After almost two years of "trying" with no success, we figured that God's plan must not have included any children for us as a couple and in our minds, we moved on, content with my son and our two dogs and two cats. But we were wrong. At end of July 2003, I started feeling nauseous and took a pregnancy test. My husband was already in bed. Instead of waiting the recommended three minutes, I looked immediately, saw the test was white and left the room. I went back and checked a while later and even though it is not recommended to read a test after about 10 minutes, I looked anyway and the test was positive! I woke my husband up and showed him the test. He drove to a 24hr. drugstore in the middle of the night to get pregnancy tests. Four home pregnancy tests later, we finally believed that what we had hoped for was coming true...I was pregnant!!

Whoever decided to call the pregnancy nausea "morning sickness" really had no idea. Like my first pregnancy, I had nausea day and night into the 2nd trimester, then started feeling better around 16 weeks. We had ultrasounds at 6 weeks (to determine a due date) , 14 weeks (due to a very slight bleed one day) and 18 weeks (our Level II ultrasound), all indicating that Ben was growing normally.

On Monday, December 1, 2003, I started bleeding. I went to Labor and Delivery, at which time another ultrasound was done. To our relief, Ben was doing fine. However, my cervix was already dilated to 1cm. I was put on Magnesium Sulfate for 24 hours to stop any contractions I was having. The pain was intense, like someone sitting on my chest, but I was willing to go through it if it meant Ben would be ok. The next morning I was taken off the MS but stayed in the hospital for observation the remainder of the day. At 7 p.m. Tuesday evening, the doctor decided I could go home on strict bed rest.

For the next four days, my husband and son took care of me, cooking meals for me, getting books from the library, cleaning the house and doing laundry. Jake and Luke (our Labrador Retrievers) spent those days up on the bed with me. Jake, especially, is very tuned into how I'm feeling. He has always known if I was sad or upset and loves to snuggle up close to me to comfort me.

On Saturday, December 6, 2003, I was experiencing an extremely sore back. I was unaware that this was an indication of premature labor. Several hours later, I was bleeding slightly, so I called my doctor, who did not feel I needed to go to the hospital. So I laid down and tried to sleep.

Around 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, December 7, 2003, I awoke with what felt like contractions. I timed them for a while...they were 5-6 minutes apart. I called the doctor who told me to meet her at Labor and Delivery. When we got there, I was examined by my doctor, who told us the devastating news that I was already dilated to 4cm and that there was nothing she could do to stop my labor. Our baby would be born, and at 22 weeks gestation, would not survive. The hospital did not have an advanced neo-natal unit that could handle babies born before 24 weeks gestation. I wish I had known this beforehand as I would have had my husband take me to the hospital in our county that might have been able to save him!

After an hour of getting poked and prodded for an IV and another hour waiting for an epidural, I was finally feeling no physical pain....but the emotional pain was just beginning for us. To know that you would give birth to a baby that would not survive is an indescribable pain. We were blessed to have a wonderful nurse sit with us. She had lost a daughter at 20 weeks gestation several years ago, so she knew first-hand what we were experiencing. Having her there with us, holding my hand, coaching me through the delivery meant so much to us. In fact, the entire nursing staff, as well as my doctor and the anesthesiologist, were very kind and compassionate towards us, helping us to make it through this terrible day.

At 10:38 a.m. on Sunday, December 7, 2003, our much loved and anticipated son, Benjamin Edward Chapman was born. He weighed 1 lb. 4 oz. and was 11 inches long. Ben was born alive, and we got to hold him in our arms. He was perfect in every way...and was a carbon copy of his daddy, from his nose and lips, to his hands down to his feet. Shortly after his birth, with his daddy holding him, Benjamin leapt into the arms of Jesus.

Later, we received the pathology report and found out that Ben's premature birth was caused by a massive Group B Strep infection which had breeched the placental barrier, as well as his umbilical cord. Group B Strep is not even routinely tested for until the end of a pregnancy. I never heard of this until it happened to our son!

It's been almost six years now that Ben has been gone. We're not angry with God. We never asked "Why us?" We did ask "Why at all???" Why give us this precious little boy, only to take him from us. God gently reminded me that we had agreed to accept whatever His plan was for us. He is in control. Romans 8:28 says "In all things God works for the good of those who love him." So through the pain, through the tears, we gave Him the glory. We have faith. Ephesians 6 says "Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen." We KNOW we will see Ben again and what a reunion that will be!

Life and Death

2009-08-14T20:20:00.000-04:00

In the last six years, two people who are forever intermingled in the fabric of my life have died. Oh, there have been many that are part of my extended family that have passed away. However, these two people, one in their 70's and one just minutes old, were so precious to me. My father, George, helped give me life and my son, Benjamin, I helped to give life. Both of them taken before I was ready to let them go.

My father lived a long life, but he had five children and 21 grandchildren who loved him and whom he loved and 77 years was just not long enough. Today is the four-year anniversary of his death. I was not there when he died. The rest of my family was, but I live out-of-state and could not get there in time. My mother kept telling me it was ok, that he knew how much I loved him. But I did not get to say goodbye. We had just been up to visit him and my mother just three weeks before he passed. It was the first time I had seen him in four years and it was the first time he held his granddaughter. My dad loved babies...LOVED them. My mom said that week we were there was the best week my dad had had in a very long time. My dad was not big on showing affection, but we said we loved each other as I was leaving to head back home and we planned to meet up half-way between our homes after he had his knee surgery. Three short weeks later, he was dead. I miss him so much.

My son Benjamin, born at just 22 weeks gestation, lived just minutes before leaping into the arms of Jesus. Only minutes to memorize his face. Not long enough. Only minutes to hold him, love on him, kiss him. Not long enough. And then he was gone.

Almost six years later, and the pain sometimes is as if it just happened. Today is one of those days. School is getting ready to begin. Parents are shopping for clothes and school supplies, gearing up for fall sports and other activities. But we're not. Ben would have started Kindergarten this year. Another first we do not get with him. No getting him dressed the first day, taking his picture the first day of school, walking him to school, getting him settled into his classroom, greeting him at the end of the school day and seeing what he thought. No soccer or basketball or football or at night. It hurts. But you know what hurts too? Not being able to talk about him. Not having anyone out side of my husband and daughter and I, even acknowledge he existed. Even my own son doesn't talk about him. Can I just tell everyone, please, please, PLEASE, let me talk about my son. Please acknowledge that he existed. You don't have to say a lot. Really, just "I'm sorry" is enough. Please don't tell me he is in Heaven and is better off and I will see him again. I know that. I KNOW that. I BELIEVE that. But it doesn't make it any easier or less painful. Not when these "first" happen. I miss my little boy...more than I could ever say.

First

2009-08-14T19:45:00.000-04:00

I don't know why people type that on blogs when they *think* they are the first to post...do you? Anyway, this is my first post on this blog. I have one blog for my daughter, The Princess, but I guess I'll use this blog for everything else.

So here we go.......