Good Tuesday morning!
I've added a few more Christmas Tree Farm pics to the Gallery today. I had a feeling I wouldn't be out and about taking "new" pictures for the blog after my visit to the dentist so I saved a few from the weekend. Tomorrow, more recent pics... I hope.
CHRISTMAS EVERY DAY IN DECEMBER
Sometimes with all the hustle and bustle of this most special season, we miss opportunities to enjoy a little piece of Christmas each day leading up to the 25th. Things can get in the way... work, shopping, cleaning house, wrapping gifts, party after party, traveling, etc. For the next 25 days (beginning today, December 1), I'll be sharing one or two "doable" ideas for celebrating the holiday. Even if life gets extremely hectic, you can still enjoy and/or share a festive moment each and every day with your family!
DAY 1
1. Buy a chocolate Advent Calendar TODAY (if you don't already have one) for each child in the family. Hey! Buy one for the adults, too. I don't know a single person who wouldn't like to wake up and have a small piece of chocolate to start their day. It doesn't matter if you're five years-old or 50! Chocolate is chocolate, and I believe the world would be a better place if everyone started their day eating some before climbing out of bed! (You can usually find these at Wal-Mart AND Cracker Barrel.)
2. Read a different Christmas story EVERY night before bedtime to your little ones (secular, as well as spiritual). It takes only minutes, but it will be something they look forward to all day long. (I bet you will, too.)
Okay. Here are two little things you can do this very Tuesday. I'll be adding to the list until Christmas Eve. I'm pretty sure we'll all be doing festive things by then! Don't let a day of this wonderful time of the year pass without doing something "Christmasy."
Well, I must say having my bone scraped in preparation for a new crown was not as pleasant as it sounded. In fact, I do not recommend this procedure at all. The periodontist was extremely nice (I will recommend him if you are ever in need), and the women in the office were even nicer if that was possible.
The doctor himself gave me an IV and he did an EXCELLENT job. You see, I have no veins, so I usually judge a doctor's (or dentist's) office by their "blood taker" or "IV putter-inner." I have had to give several offices a big fat 0 out of 10 on their ability to perform this task, but my doctor got a 9. (The only way you could ever earn a 10 is if I felt nothing at all, and believe me, that hasn't happened yet!)
An hour later, I was awakened with Silly Puddy in my mouth (that's what they use in place of gauze, but they call it something more professional sounding... but basically it is Silly Puddy), stitches on both the inside and outside of my jaw, and a little pain. They told me I would have swelling and I would have bruising by Tuesday if not before. (A little something to look forward to!)
All in all, not my favorite way to spend a rainy November Monday, but I will survive. As long as I have Loritab, I WILL survive.
Mikie stayed with me until 2:00, and went to work until 5:00 when he left to watch Roxie play in her basketball game. I don't like missing "events" in any of the kids' lives, but last night wasn't a basketball kind of evening. And Josh was an excellent "nurse." He checked on me, fed me, fetched for me... I've trained him well. Some girl out there is going to be extremely lucky one day.
But enough about me. We have a special guest to meet today, and her name is (DRUM ROLL, PLEASE...) JOAN PATRICK! That's right. Joan is my Special Guest for the month of December, so we'll go ahead and get started with the interview.
Special Guest of the Month
1. Name three places in the United States you've never been, but have always wanted to go... and why?
Hawaii. I heard the scenery was beautiful.
Alaska. See Hawaii.
California. Beaches.
2. If your life was made into a movie, would it be considered (mainly) a comedy, drama, action/adventure or a romantic chick flick?
Comedy
3. Not counting the days you were saved, married, or the birth of your children, what are two of the most significant, life-altering days you can remember, and why?
The day my dad passed away.
The day I found out my other name was Doris. (That is what my future grandmother-in-law thought my name was, so the first time I met Dale's family they had "Welcome Doris" signs up all over the house).
4. What was your worst dating experience?
I had a blind date and as he pulled up to my apartment, I saw him throw a beer can in the back of his pick up. The date lasted 30 minutes.
5. How many siblings do you have, and where do you fall in the mix?
One, and I'm the baby.
6. Use five adjectives to describe you (good or bad)?
Sarcastic, optimistic, outstanding, humorous and talented.
7. In as few words as possible, what is the most important lesson you want your children to know before leaving your home?
That knowing Jesus as their Lord and Savior is THE most important decision they will ever make.
8. If you could have one physical attribute changed, what would it be?
Removal of ALL cellulite.
9. Dog lover or cat lover?
Call PETA... animal hater.
10. Breakfast, lunch or dinner... favorite meal?
FOOD! Just kidding... dinner.
And on that note, we'll continue getting to know Joan better tomorrow and talk about food a little more with our Tuesday recipe.
Eggnog Pound Cake
I found this one in the December issue of Southern Living. It sounded festive and easy... oh, and delicious.
You will need:
1 package pound cake mix
1 1/4 cups eggnog
2 large eggs
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1. Preheat the oven at 350 degrees.
2. Mix all ingredients well. Pour into a 9" x 5" loaf pan.
3. Bake for 1 hour to 1 hour 5 minutes, or until long wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.
Have a lovely Tuesday. Tomorrow, as promised, I will have a step-by-step description on how to begin your own Black Friday at the Wynfrey tradition. Wednesday Wisdom and the second half of our interview with Joan Patrick, Special Guest Extraordinaire, will be featured, too.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting and Throbbing Belinda
Monday, November 30, 2009
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Nativity Devotion
Good Monday morning!
The Showcase Pic is of Austin and Josh. I got a quick shot of them before the Sunday clothes came off. Handsome guys.
The Gallery Pics continue telling the story of Black Friday, and I've added some of our Christmas Tree Farm photos as well. Are we completely decorated? Uh, no. Once I get the trees up, I usually work on finishing everything over three or four days. The family is coming over Friday night, so I have to have everything finished by then... or life as we know it will cease to exist!
Monday Mayhem
We had a wonderful long weekend beginning Wednesday with all five of us at home. Thursday was spent with Mike's family and MY great-nephew, Matthew. By the way, Matthew is calling me Aunt Benda (which is fantastic), speaking in complete sentences, knows almost all of his letters by sight (as well as his numbers and colors), is unbelievably pleasant even when he misses his nap, and is beyond precious. He is a sweet, sweet little guy, and it is so much fun having a toddler during the holidays.
He will not be two until January, but he knows all of us by name because... Are you ready for it? HE READS MY BLOG! Actually, his mom, Brandi, shows him our pictures on the blog and he can point us all out, but I'm thinking by this time next year, he'll be reading AND adding comments to my posts. Just a little prediction.
Black Friday at the Wynfrey, as I said earlier, was a huge success, but I will write in detail about that adventure on Wednesday under Seasonal Traditions... because I'm pretty sure that is what it has become for our little group. We learned a few things, and next year we have plans to make it a little better, but everyone is anxious to try it again... especially the younger girls. You know, the ones who look good with little or no sleep. (No offense, Amy and Bev. You both looked marvelous. However, I think people could tell I was sleep deprived. Of course, I look like that after a good ten hours and a nap, but that's just me.)
Saturday was an easy, breezy day. The Christmas Tree Farm was fun, and we found our tree in record time. When we found our tree so soon into the hunt, I was afraid someone would come behind us and take it for their own... so we made Austin stand guard. A few minutes later, we looked up the hill to check on the tree status and were surprised when we found no Austin. But he had marked our tree with a JSU cap, so he gets an A for using his head... or hat... or whatever it took to save our tree.
We had a celebrity sighting, too... Jerry Tracy and his wife were there. I couldn't get Mikie or Roxie to take a pic for me, so you'll just have to take my word for it.
While Austin and Melia watched G.I. Joe, Josh and friends saw Old Dogs, Roxie and friends had a sleepover birthday party, and Mikie did a little Christmas shopping research at Sam's, I wrapped gifts and did laundry. Fun, fun Saturday night!
Sunday was equally exciting. We're down to the last Amazing Race next week, which makes me very sad indeed. Thankfully, there will be plenty of Christmas movies and Hallmark specials to take it's place for two or three weeks at least.
And that's it. Our weekend in a neat, little nutshell. Very simple. Boring even. But that's the way I like 'em!
This morning will find us going in many different directions. All three kids will be going to three different schools, and Mikie and I will be headed to the periodontist to have the bone scraped in my jaw. I don't mind telling you, I am a little apprehensive. When I talked to the girl in the periodontist's office last week and asked her if I could be put to sleep, she said, "No problem." I'll be honest with you. Usually I have to beg to be put to sleep, so I'm thinking with her quick okay, they must agree I'm going to NEED to be asleep during this little procedure.
I'm ready for Part Two to be over... especially since it is a three-parter. All I want for Christmas is a pain-free crown!
REMINDER #1 - Tomorrow we will be featuring our Special Guest for two or three days, so you'll want to check back to see who she is. She won't disappoint. I promise.
REMINDER #2 - Enter the Contest. You have until December 18. I know it sounds like a lot of time, but with the busy Christmas season, it will be here before you know it.
CONTEST! CONTEST! CONTEST! The Contest winners celebrating my 300th post of A Simple Life will be awarded their very own Mystery Bag Party. That's right! We had such a good time in October, I have decided to have another Mystery Bag Party in January... and the six women who will accompany me on this "journey" will be selected from the women who enter the contest.
Just leave your name under my Comment Section, on Facebook or my e-mail with the word "CONTEST" beside it, and I will put your name in the bowl. I will draw SIX NAMES December 18... the day of my 300th post. You have about three weeks to enter. It will be a very fun party! I've also changed things a little from the first party, so it will be an unique event. I'll be reminding you once a week or so until December 18, so go ahead and get your name in today! A good time will be had by all who win!
REMINDER #3 - So far, so good on Belinda's Project 365. I'm close to having a picture a day for 100 days. It has really gone by too fast, but it's been fun. Will I do it again when I turn 49? I don't know. It's a good way to look back on your year and remember the big AND the little stuff, but it may be a commitment I have to take out of my "busy basket" next August. I'll just have to see.
Nativity Devotion
You may or may not already do this with your small children. If you have little ones, this is a great hands-on Christmas devotion for you and your family.
You will need a nativity set you do not mind the kids touching. One night while you are decorating, bring the family together and sit down with the nativity and a children's Bible. Depending on how many children you have and their ages, let them take turns setting up the nativity all by themselves, telling the Christmas story in their own words as they go. When they are finished, talk about any corrections you may need to make to keep the nativity "accurate."
Then read an age-appropriate version of the Christmas story to the kids. Be sure to be ready to explain words such as "manger," "myrrh," etc. Remember, hands-on is always a very good way to help little ones remember.
Having an age-appropriate nativity in each child's room would be a great way to help them remember the true "Reason for the Season," too.
Tomorrow I have a delicious and easy Christmas dessert, our Special Guest will be here, and hopefully, Part Two of my Christmas Crown will be feeling great!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Showcase Pic is of Austin and Josh. I got a quick shot of them before the Sunday clothes came off. Handsome guys.
The Gallery Pics continue telling the story of Black Friday, and I've added some of our Christmas Tree Farm photos as well. Are we completely decorated? Uh, no. Once I get the trees up, I usually work on finishing everything over three or four days. The family is coming over Friday night, so I have to have everything finished by then... or life as we know it will cease to exist!
Monday Mayhem
We had a wonderful long weekend beginning Wednesday with all five of us at home. Thursday was spent with Mike's family and MY great-nephew, Matthew. By the way, Matthew is calling me Aunt Benda (which is fantastic), speaking in complete sentences, knows almost all of his letters by sight (as well as his numbers and colors), is unbelievably pleasant even when he misses his nap, and is beyond precious. He is a sweet, sweet little guy, and it is so much fun having a toddler during the holidays.
He will not be two until January, but he knows all of us by name because... Are you ready for it? HE READS MY BLOG! Actually, his mom, Brandi, shows him our pictures on the blog and he can point us all out, but I'm thinking by this time next year, he'll be reading AND adding comments to my posts. Just a little prediction.
Black Friday at the Wynfrey, as I said earlier, was a huge success, but I will write in detail about that adventure on Wednesday under Seasonal Traditions... because I'm pretty sure that is what it has become for our little group. We learned a few things, and next year we have plans to make it a little better, but everyone is anxious to try it again... especially the younger girls. You know, the ones who look good with little or no sleep. (No offense, Amy and Bev. You both looked marvelous. However, I think people could tell I was sleep deprived. Of course, I look like that after a good ten hours and a nap, but that's just me.)
Saturday was an easy, breezy day. The Christmas Tree Farm was fun, and we found our tree in record time. When we found our tree so soon into the hunt, I was afraid someone would come behind us and take it for their own... so we made Austin stand guard. A few minutes later, we looked up the hill to check on the tree status and were surprised when we found no Austin. But he had marked our tree with a JSU cap, so he gets an A for using his head... or hat... or whatever it took to save our tree.
We had a celebrity sighting, too... Jerry Tracy and his wife were there. I couldn't get Mikie or Roxie to take a pic for me, so you'll just have to take my word for it.
While Austin and Melia watched G.I. Joe, Josh and friends saw Old Dogs, Roxie and friends had a sleepover birthday party, and Mikie did a little Christmas shopping research at Sam's, I wrapped gifts and did laundry. Fun, fun Saturday night!
Sunday was equally exciting. We're down to the last Amazing Race next week, which makes me very sad indeed. Thankfully, there will be plenty of Christmas movies and Hallmark specials to take it's place for two or three weeks at least.
And that's it. Our weekend in a neat, little nutshell. Very simple. Boring even. But that's the way I like 'em!
This morning will find us going in many different directions. All three kids will be going to three different schools, and Mikie and I will be headed to the periodontist to have the bone scraped in my jaw. I don't mind telling you, I am a little apprehensive. When I talked to the girl in the periodontist's office last week and asked her if I could be put to sleep, she said, "No problem." I'll be honest with you. Usually I have to beg to be put to sleep, so I'm thinking with her quick okay, they must agree I'm going to NEED to be asleep during this little procedure.
I'm ready for Part Two to be over... especially since it is a three-parter. All I want for Christmas is a pain-free crown!
REMINDER #1 - Tomorrow we will be featuring our Special Guest for two or three days, so you'll want to check back to see who she is. She won't disappoint. I promise.
REMINDER #2 - Enter the Contest. You have until December 18. I know it sounds like a lot of time, but with the busy Christmas season, it will be here before you know it.
CONTEST! CONTEST! CONTEST! The Contest winners celebrating my 300th post of A Simple Life will be awarded their very own Mystery Bag Party. That's right! We had such a good time in October, I have decided to have another Mystery Bag Party in January... and the six women who will accompany me on this "journey" will be selected from the women who enter the contest.
Just leave your name under my Comment Section, on Facebook or my e-mail with the word "CONTEST" beside it, and I will put your name in the bowl. I will draw SIX NAMES December 18... the day of my 300th post. You have about three weeks to enter. It will be a very fun party! I've also changed things a little from the first party, so it will be an unique event. I'll be reminding you once a week or so until December 18, so go ahead and get your name in today! A good time will be had by all who win!
REMINDER #3 - So far, so good on Belinda's Project 365. I'm close to having a picture a day for 100 days. It has really gone by too fast, but it's been fun. Will I do it again when I turn 49? I don't know. It's a good way to look back on your year and remember the big AND the little stuff, but it may be a commitment I have to take out of my "busy basket" next August. I'll just have to see.
Nativity Devotion
You may or may not already do this with your small children. If you have little ones, this is a great hands-on Christmas devotion for you and your family.
You will need a nativity set you do not mind the kids touching. One night while you are decorating, bring the family together and sit down with the nativity and a children's Bible. Depending on how many children you have and their ages, let them take turns setting up the nativity all by themselves, telling the Christmas story in their own words as they go. When they are finished, talk about any corrections you may need to make to keep the nativity "accurate."
Then read an age-appropriate version of the Christmas story to the kids. Be sure to be ready to explain words such as "manger," "myrrh," etc. Remember, hands-on is always a very good way to help little ones remember.
Having an age-appropriate nativity in each child's room would be a great way to help them remember the true "Reason for the Season," too.
Tomorrow I have a delicious and easy Christmas dessert, our Special Guest will be here, and hopefully, Part Two of my Christmas Crown will be feeling great!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Friday, November 27, 2009
Weekend Happenings
Good Friday afternoon!
Black Friday was a huge success. I'll be posting more next Wednesday under Seasonal Traditions. If you enjoy shopping and there are women in your family, this is the tradition for you. I'll talk to you about the pros, cons and other fun things we experienced last night and early, early this morning, so check in next Wednesday, please.
The Gallery Pics are of Thanksgiving #2 at Mike's Mom and Dad's home and some Black Friday pictures. It has been a long day already (it began at 3:30 this morning and it is almost 1:00 p.m. as I type this post), so I will be keeping it brief today.
Weekend Happenings
I'm assuming we're doing the exact same thing everyone else is this Friday afternoon... taking a nap! Well, I'm taking a nap with Roxie and the guys are watching the Alabama/Auburn game. Of course, we're an Auburn family, so we have high hopes. Anything can happen, but we'll know for sure in just a few short hours, won't we?
Saturday is a "get the Christmas tree at the Christmas tree farm" kind of day. That's all I have planned. I'll begin decorating and we'll just hang out around the house. I need an easy day after such a busy Thursday and Friday.
Sunday will be more of the same. Church, Faulkner Five lunch, decorating, Amazing Race, etc., etc. And a lot of kicking and screaming as we go to bed Sunday night because we have school the next day. (Mostly from me!)
If everyone will forgive me, I'm going to leave the post for right now. I have several books I'll add this afternoon, but I'm about to fall asleep on the keyboard. I just wanted to be a blogger of my word and post by 2:00 p.m. The days when I could go, go, go on just five hour's sleep are over. (Actually, I've never been one who could go, go, go on just five hour's sleep. I've always been an 8 to 10 hours sleep kind of girl.)
SATURDAY EVENING - I lied. I am still too tired to add all the books I had planned, so I'll leave you with two very good ones from my list.
1. Magic Tree House - Thanksgiving on Thursday by Mary Pope Osborne. My kids loved the Magic Tree House books back in the day. They were fun, educational, and fairly easy to read... either alone or as a read-aloud chapter book to several kids at once. This would be a great book to read a few days prior to Thanksgiving.
2. Winnie the Pooh's Thanksgiving by Bruce Talkington. Two of my favorite things... Pooh and Thanksgiving. You can't go wrong here for reading material for your younger children.
I've kept my word (sort of), and now I am going to take yet another little nap. Black Friday takes a lot out of you!
In the words of California's famous body-building governor... "I'll be back!"
Take care, and I'll talk to you Monday.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting and EXTREMELY TIRED Belinda
Black Friday was a huge success. I'll be posting more next Wednesday under Seasonal Traditions. If you enjoy shopping and there are women in your family, this is the tradition for you. I'll talk to you about the pros, cons and other fun things we experienced last night and early, early this morning, so check in next Wednesday, please.
The Gallery Pics are of Thanksgiving #2 at Mike's Mom and Dad's home and some Black Friday pictures. It has been a long day already (it began at 3:30 this morning and it is almost 1:00 p.m. as I type this post), so I will be keeping it brief today.
Weekend Happenings
I'm assuming we're doing the exact same thing everyone else is this Friday afternoon... taking a nap! Well, I'm taking a nap with Roxie and the guys are watching the Alabama/Auburn game. Of course, we're an Auburn family, so we have high hopes. Anything can happen, but we'll know for sure in just a few short hours, won't we?
Saturday is a "get the Christmas tree at the Christmas tree farm" kind of day. That's all I have planned. I'll begin decorating and we'll just hang out around the house. I need an easy day after such a busy Thursday and Friday.
Sunday will be more of the same. Church, Faulkner Five lunch, decorating, Amazing Race, etc., etc. And a lot of kicking and screaming as we go to bed Sunday night because we have school the next day. (Mostly from me!)
If everyone will forgive me, I'm going to leave the post for right now. I have several books I'll add this afternoon, but I'm about to fall asleep on the keyboard. I just wanted to be a blogger of my word and post by 2:00 p.m. The days when I could go, go, go on just five hour's sleep are over. (Actually, I've never been one who could go, go, go on just five hour's sleep. I've always been an 8 to 10 hours sleep kind of girl.)
SATURDAY EVENING - I lied. I am still too tired to add all the books I had planned, so I'll leave you with two very good ones from my list.
1. Magic Tree House - Thanksgiving on Thursday by Mary Pope Osborne. My kids loved the Magic Tree House books back in the day. They were fun, educational, and fairly easy to read... either alone or as a read-aloud chapter book to several kids at once. This would be a great book to read a few days prior to Thanksgiving.
2. Winnie the Pooh's Thanksgiving by Bruce Talkington. Two of my favorite things... Pooh and Thanksgiving. You can't go wrong here for reading material for your younger children.
I've kept my word (sort of), and now I am going to take yet another little nap. Black Friday takes a lot out of you!
In the words of California's famous body-building governor... "I'll be back!"
Take care, and I'll talk to you Monday.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting and EXTREMELY TIRED Belinda
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Food Bank Date
Good Thursday morning! And Happy Thanksgiving! (A twofer!)
The Gallery Pic is one last photo from Thanksgiving #1. Tomorrow, I will be adding some pics from Thanksgiving #2 which will be taking place on Mike's side of the family.
I have a few reminders for you...
REMINDER #1 - Tomorrow's post will be late. Since I will be spending the night at the Wynfrey with cousins, sister, niece and daughter (all in the same room), I won't be home until around 11:30 Friday morning. Check after 2:00 p.m. for all the normal Friday stuff.
REMINDER #2 - Enter the Contest! Yes, I'm blog yelling at you again. It will be so much fun... if you win. Read instructions for entering on yesterday's post.
Topic of the Week - Thanksgiving
I said today would be lighter, and it is. I'm going to list the Top Ten "Little" Things I am most thankful for this year. It could go without saying I am thankful for the big stuff (God, family, friends, a home, food, a wonderful church in which to worship, health, etc.), but I did want people to know I don't take any of those things for granted. However, there are some simple pleasures I will share today for which I am also thankful.
10. Diet Peach Tea from Arby's on a hot summer day. Refreshing!
9. A cool breeze on my face signaling the changing of the seasons from summer to delightful autumn.
8. Roxie slipping her hand in mine and walking for a few minutes in Wal-Mart before she remembers she's 13 years-old.
7. Mikie slipping his hand in mine for long periods of time, and realizing after 22 years of marriage we still "fit."
6. Austin coming through the door on the weekends yelling, "I'm home, Mom. I'm home, Pop."
5. Finishing a "to do" list. (A very rare occurrence.)
4. Watching Josh hop out of the car, grab his books and head inside a school building. There were years I didn't think I would ever be witness to that "Little Thing" again.
3. An unexpected invitation to lunch with a friend.
2. Slipping into a bed with crisp, clean sheets after a long, long day.
And the number 1 "Little Thing" I am thankful for this Thanksgiving Day is...
1. Any and every time I find myself in a room with the Faulkner Five. That is a very good day indeed!
Special Guest Hints
6. The outside of her house is my favorite color.
7. She's a water lover (and I don't just mean bottled).
8. Her daughter is her fashion advisor (and she does an excellent job).
Blog Linkage
I'm a little slim on Linkage today, but what I have is good, good stuff.
1. Of course, you have to go to http://blog.al.com/bargain-mom/ for bargain after bargain after bargain for Black Friday and beyond. She has a lot of printable coupons, too. You will want to check it out!
2. Once again, please go to Nitty.Gritty under My Blog List and read Jody's November 19 post. There are links you can click on in this post to hear more stories of families and children who are struggling this holiday season. Families who need our prayers. Families who would do anything to trade places with some of us this Thanksgiving. Jody's posts always give me perspective... and I always need perspective.
3. Next, go to www.coalcreekfarm.com and read the post entitled "Just another day at Coal Creek Farm and a surprise." This is a very entertaining blog about a farming family. This post describes in detail her visit to Ree Drummond's book signing (The Pioneer Woman). It is fun, light and enjoyable reading. (I started reading scrapbooking blogs two years ago, and now I think I'm getting hooked on farming blogs. Go figure!)
Food Bank Date
Ask your oldest child to accompany you on a shopping spree... to the local grocery store. This is one of those dates where you go through the house and gather all the change you can find in all your family's change-collecting places. (Make sure you have at least $15 before visiting the grocery store.)
The purpose of this one-on-one time is to buy canned goods for a local church, mission or fire station food bank. Call ahead of time to see what items the food bank needs and the times they will be open. Once you have all the information, you can plan the date.
Explain to your child where you're going, what items you're looking for and how the items will be used. While shopping, make sure you talk about the best prices to get the most items for the money you have to spend. Once you have finished shopping (buying a variety of canned goods), head to the food bank.
Before you walk into the food bank with your child, sit in the car and pray over the food you are about to donate. Pray for the families who need help and ask God's blessings on the meals which will be made. Walk in together and deliver the food.
Now it is time to spend some more time with your child answering questions he/she may have about why there are people who do not have enough food in their homes. It's hard for some adults to understand, so you can imagine children can have a hard time comprehending this situation, too.
This is a time to talk about being thankful for all of our blessings, and because of this hands-on date, this time it will not be "just words." You and your child will have done something to help the situation.
Have a blessed Thanksgiving Day. I hope you are making wonderful memories with family and friends. (And if you are making wonderful memories, what are you doing reading A Simple Life? Get back in the living room and visit!) Tomorrow afternoon (check after 2:00 p.m.), I will have Weekend Happenings and the end of the month Book List... and all the info regarding our adventure during Black Friday at the Wynfrey Hotel. (Pictures may or may not be forthcoming depending on what everyone looks like at 4:00 a.m. tomorrow morning!)
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow around 2:00 p.m.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Gallery Pic is one last photo from Thanksgiving #1. Tomorrow, I will be adding some pics from Thanksgiving #2 which will be taking place on Mike's side of the family.
I have a few reminders for you...
REMINDER #1 - Tomorrow's post will be late. Since I will be spending the night at the Wynfrey with cousins, sister, niece and daughter (all in the same room), I won't be home until around 11:30 Friday morning. Check after 2:00 p.m. for all the normal Friday stuff.
REMINDER #2 - Enter the Contest! Yes, I'm blog yelling at you again. It will be so much fun... if you win. Read instructions for entering on yesterday's post.
Topic of the Week - Thanksgiving
I said today would be lighter, and it is. I'm going to list the Top Ten "Little" Things I am most thankful for this year. It could go without saying I am thankful for the big stuff (God, family, friends, a home, food, a wonderful church in which to worship, health, etc.), but I did want people to know I don't take any of those things for granted. However, there are some simple pleasures I will share today for which I am also thankful.
10. Diet Peach Tea from Arby's on a hot summer day. Refreshing!
9. A cool breeze on my face signaling the changing of the seasons from summer to delightful autumn.
8. Roxie slipping her hand in mine and walking for a few minutes in Wal-Mart before she remembers she's 13 years-old.
7. Mikie slipping his hand in mine for long periods of time, and realizing after 22 years of marriage we still "fit."
6. Austin coming through the door on the weekends yelling, "I'm home, Mom. I'm home, Pop."
5. Finishing a "to do" list. (A very rare occurrence.)
4. Watching Josh hop out of the car, grab his books and head inside a school building. There were years I didn't think I would ever be witness to that "Little Thing" again.
3. An unexpected invitation to lunch with a friend.
2. Slipping into a bed with crisp, clean sheets after a long, long day.
And the number 1 "Little Thing" I am thankful for this Thanksgiving Day is...
1. Any and every time I find myself in a room with the Faulkner Five. That is a very good day indeed!
Special Guest Hints
6. The outside of her house is my favorite color.
7. She's a water lover (and I don't just mean bottled).
8. Her daughter is her fashion advisor (and she does an excellent job).
Blog Linkage
I'm a little slim on Linkage today, but what I have is good, good stuff.
1. Of course, you have to go to http://blog.al.com/bargain-mom/ for bargain after bargain after bargain for Black Friday and beyond. She has a lot of printable coupons, too. You will want to check it out!
2. Once again, please go to Nitty.Gritty under My Blog List and read Jody's November 19 post. There are links you can click on in this post to hear more stories of families and children who are struggling this holiday season. Families who need our prayers. Families who would do anything to trade places with some of us this Thanksgiving. Jody's posts always give me perspective... and I always need perspective.
3. Next, go to www.coalcreekfarm.com and read the post entitled "Just another day at Coal Creek Farm and a surprise." This is a very entertaining blog about a farming family. This post describes in detail her visit to Ree Drummond's book signing (The Pioneer Woman). It is fun, light and enjoyable reading. (I started reading scrapbooking blogs two years ago, and now I think I'm getting hooked on farming blogs. Go figure!)
Food Bank Date
Ask your oldest child to accompany you on a shopping spree... to the local grocery store. This is one of those dates where you go through the house and gather all the change you can find in all your family's change-collecting places. (Make sure you have at least $15 before visiting the grocery store.)
The purpose of this one-on-one time is to buy canned goods for a local church, mission or fire station food bank. Call ahead of time to see what items the food bank needs and the times they will be open. Once you have all the information, you can plan the date.
Explain to your child where you're going, what items you're looking for and how the items will be used. While shopping, make sure you talk about the best prices to get the most items for the money you have to spend. Once you have finished shopping (buying a variety of canned goods), head to the food bank.
Before you walk into the food bank with your child, sit in the car and pray over the food you are about to donate. Pray for the families who need help and ask God's blessings on the meals which will be made. Walk in together and deliver the food.
Now it is time to spend some more time with your child answering questions he/she may have about why there are people who do not have enough food in their homes. It's hard for some adults to understand, so you can imagine children can have a hard time comprehending this situation, too.
This is a time to talk about being thankful for all of our blessings, and because of this hands-on date, this time it will not be "just words." You and your child will have done something to help the situation.
Have a blessed Thanksgiving Day. I hope you are making wonderful memories with family and friends. (And if you are making wonderful memories, what are you doing reading A Simple Life? Get back in the living room and visit!) Tomorrow afternoon (check after 2:00 p.m.), I will have Weekend Happenings and the end of the month Book List... and all the info regarding our adventure during Black Friday at the Wynfrey Hotel. (Pictures may or may not be forthcoming depending on what everyone looks like at 4:00 a.m. tomorrow morning!)
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow around 2:00 p.m.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Find a Family in Need
Good Wednesday morning!
The Gallery Pic is just ONE more JSU photo of Roxie giving the baritone a try. There is obviously a big difference between the baritone and the sax and the amount of air you have to use.
Also, do you know how it feels when you have a lot of stuff to do, and then something happens that creates more work... even though you already have a lot of stuff to do? Well, that's kind of what the second picture in the Gallery depicts. I washed Mikie's feather pillow today, and after a few seconds in the dryer it kind of exploded. I know, I know. It could have been worse. At least it was in a contained area. Right? But it's still not something "on the list," if you get my drift. (That, and it looks like I threw two white chickens in my dryer... which I did NOT.)
Austin made it home for a very long weekend, AND in time for dinner and a movie. We had a fun time, and it was a good start to our five days together. I almost feel as though I need to post Weekend Happenings today, but I'll be posting Thursday morning and late Friday afternoon (after we get back from our Galleria/Wynfrey/Black Friday experience), so it isn't time for that yet. The holidays leave me feeling like I'm never really sure what day it is. (And I'm not.)
CONTEST! CONTEST! CONTEST! The Contest winners celebrating my 300th post of A Simple Life will be awarded their very own Mystery Bag Party. That's right! We had such a good time in October, I have decided to have another Mystery Bag Party in January... and the six women who will accompany me on this "journey" will be selected from the women who enter the contest.
Just leave your name under my Comment Section, on Facebook or my e-mail with the word "CONTEST" beside it, and I will put your name in the bowl. I will draw SIX NAMES December 18... the day of my 300th post. You have about three weeks to enter. It will be a very fun party! I've also changed things a little from the first party, so it will be an unique event. I'll be reminding you once a week or so until December 18, so go ahead and get your name in today! A good time will be had by all who win!
Special Guest Hints
3. She has said she will NEVER eat a rutabaga... EVER!
4. She is great with teenagers. I wasn't around her very much when her kids were small, but if I had to guess, I would say she is definitely very comfortable with this age and all it entails. (Code for TEENAGERS DO NOT INTIMIDATE HER IN THE LEAST!)
5. She has a very unique and contagious laugh. (And if she is reading this, that is meant as a compliment.)
Topic of the Week - Thanksgiving
I'm a believer in lists. I think they give your day purpose, and thus, help you live your life in a purposeful way. The following is the list of some of the things I am thankful for which have come about because of Josh's illness. It was not always an easy list to make, but it gave "purpose" to his illness, and that was important to me.
Because of Josh's illness:
1. I learned to listen to God's still, small voice. When Jenny Bowen's name kept coming up in my mind, and I kept dismissing it, I now know God was directing my path to Jenny... who would direct me to Laura Hancock... who would then direct me to the Christian psychiatrist and his wife who would finally listen, diagnose and put us on the path to finding a way to help Joshua. I am thankful I am finally learning to listen to God.
2. I learned to think before I speak. And when I did speak, I learned not to say too much. "Little is more" when talking about illnesses people are unable to understand. I am thankful I finally learned how to summarize Josh's illness in a brief, understandable way to anyone interested enough to ask.
3. I learned not to depend on my church, friends or family when I was at my absolute lowest. Very few of them were there. I learned to depend on God, and He was always there. I'm thankful for His presence in my life every day... not just during the good times.
4. I learned there was a very good reason I was married to Mike Faulkner, and my children were Austin, Joshua and Roxie Faulkner. When our family could easily have been broken beyond repair, we huddled together and became one very strong family unit. I am thankful I married the person God chose for me, and not the wrong person. I am thankful for the three children God blessed our family with... not by accident, but by God's perfect plan.
5. I learned to put everyday things in perspective. Many things in my life which at one time seemed all important now seem silly in comparison with my child's health and well-being. I am thankful I am not sweating the "little things" quite as much. (I have to admit... I have to work on this daily. It's kind of who I was before Josh's Journey began... a "sweater." But I am getting better. I promise.)
6. I'm learning to have more compassion and empathy for others and their hardships and their struggles. I'm thankful Josh's illness has opened my eyes more to the suffering of others. (I'm still working on this one, too.)
7. But I think more than any of the above, I have learned that everyone has a special "story" which is uniquely their own. I believe we can learn a lot from each other through these stories. And I am thankful God has opened my mind and heart to new people who are willing to share their stories with me, AND listen to mine.
Tomorrow I will end the Topic of the Week on an upbeat note. No "downers" before the holidays. That's my new motto! It's not snappy enough for a tattoo, but it's good advice just the same.
Wednesday Wisdom - Today's quotes are about Family. Most of us will be spending time with family this coming holiday season, and these are two simple quotes I enjoyed very much.
"Families are like fudge - mostly sweet with a few nuts." Author Unknown.
"The family. We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together." Erma Bombeck. (I miss Erma, don't you?)
Find a Family in Need
This is a time when many families reach out to help those in need. Although as Christians we should be doing this EVERY day of the year, we are made more aware of the needs of those around us during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons.
If you don't know of a needy family, find one. Call the Salvation Army or a local church and ask them how to get in touch with a needy family. Sometimes the counselor or principal from a school will know of a specific situation which could be handled anonymously through the school. Once you have the information, decide ways you can help make a special memory for that family for the holiday season.
Whether it is (1) supplying food for a meal; (2) buying specific gifts for children in the family for Christmas; (3) giving the family gift cards to Wal-Mart or Cracker Barrel or a local grocery store; (4) buying a small Christmas tree and a box of inexpensive decorations; (5) offering to pay a utility bill; or (6) even something more "creative" or "inventive," open yourself (and your family) up to the possibilities of giving more than receiving this holiday season.
As always, make sure the kids are involved... watching and learning by the example their parents set for them and by actually helping themselves will help the "lesson" stick!
Have a lovely Wednesday before Thanksgiving! There's going to be a lot of cooking going on today, isn't there? We'll be heading to Mike's hometown for part of the day Thursday, but bright and early tomorrow morning you will find Blog Linkage and a holiday date... So even though it's an Official National Holiday, and you have a million family members in your living room, take a moment or two to visit A Simple Life. You'll be glad you did! (Oh, and don't forget I'll be giving you a couple more hints regarding our Special Guest for next Tuesday.)
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Gallery Pic is just ONE more JSU photo of Roxie giving the baritone a try. There is obviously a big difference between the baritone and the sax and the amount of air you have to use.
Also, do you know how it feels when you have a lot of stuff to do, and then something happens that creates more work... even though you already have a lot of stuff to do? Well, that's kind of what the second picture in the Gallery depicts. I washed Mikie's feather pillow today, and after a few seconds in the dryer it kind of exploded. I know, I know. It could have been worse. At least it was in a contained area. Right? But it's still not something "on the list," if you get my drift. (That, and it looks like I threw two white chickens in my dryer... which I did NOT.)
Austin made it home for a very long weekend, AND in time for dinner and a movie. We had a fun time, and it was a good start to our five days together. I almost feel as though I need to post Weekend Happenings today, but I'll be posting Thursday morning and late Friday afternoon (after we get back from our Galleria/Wynfrey/Black Friday experience), so it isn't time for that yet. The holidays leave me feeling like I'm never really sure what day it is. (And I'm not.)
CONTEST! CONTEST! CONTEST! The Contest winners celebrating my 300th post of A Simple Life will be awarded their very own Mystery Bag Party. That's right! We had such a good time in October, I have decided to have another Mystery Bag Party in January... and the six women who will accompany me on this "journey" will be selected from the women who enter the contest.
Just leave your name under my Comment Section, on Facebook or my e-mail with the word "CONTEST" beside it, and I will put your name in the bowl. I will draw SIX NAMES December 18... the day of my 300th post. You have about three weeks to enter. It will be a very fun party! I've also changed things a little from the first party, so it will be an unique event. I'll be reminding you once a week or so until December 18, so go ahead and get your name in today! A good time will be had by all who win!
Special Guest Hints
3. She has said she will NEVER eat a rutabaga... EVER!
4. She is great with teenagers. I wasn't around her very much when her kids were small, but if I had to guess, I would say she is definitely very comfortable with this age and all it entails. (Code for TEENAGERS DO NOT INTIMIDATE HER IN THE LEAST!)
5. She has a very unique and contagious laugh. (And if she is reading this, that is meant as a compliment.)
Topic of the Week - Thanksgiving
I'm a believer in lists. I think they give your day purpose, and thus, help you live your life in a purposeful way. The following is the list of some of the things I am thankful for which have come about because of Josh's illness. It was not always an easy list to make, but it gave "purpose" to his illness, and that was important to me.
Because of Josh's illness:
1. I learned to listen to God's still, small voice. When Jenny Bowen's name kept coming up in my mind, and I kept dismissing it, I now know God was directing my path to Jenny... who would direct me to Laura Hancock... who would then direct me to the Christian psychiatrist and his wife who would finally listen, diagnose and put us on the path to finding a way to help Joshua. I am thankful I am finally learning to listen to God.
2. I learned to think before I speak. And when I did speak, I learned not to say too much. "Little is more" when talking about illnesses people are unable to understand. I am thankful I finally learned how to summarize Josh's illness in a brief, understandable way to anyone interested enough to ask.
3. I learned not to depend on my church, friends or family when I was at my absolute lowest. Very few of them were there. I learned to depend on God, and He was always there. I'm thankful for His presence in my life every day... not just during the good times.
4. I learned there was a very good reason I was married to Mike Faulkner, and my children were Austin, Joshua and Roxie Faulkner. When our family could easily have been broken beyond repair, we huddled together and became one very strong family unit. I am thankful I married the person God chose for me, and not the wrong person. I am thankful for the three children God blessed our family with... not by accident, but by God's perfect plan.
5. I learned to put everyday things in perspective. Many things in my life which at one time seemed all important now seem silly in comparison with my child's health and well-being. I am thankful I am not sweating the "little things" quite as much. (I have to admit... I have to work on this daily. It's kind of who I was before Josh's Journey began... a "sweater." But I am getting better. I promise.)
6. I'm learning to have more compassion and empathy for others and their hardships and their struggles. I'm thankful Josh's illness has opened my eyes more to the suffering of others. (I'm still working on this one, too.)
7. But I think more than any of the above, I have learned that everyone has a special "story" which is uniquely their own. I believe we can learn a lot from each other through these stories. And I am thankful God has opened my mind and heart to new people who are willing to share their stories with me, AND listen to mine.
Tomorrow I will end the Topic of the Week on an upbeat note. No "downers" before the holidays. That's my new motto! It's not snappy enough for a tattoo, but it's good advice just the same.
Wednesday Wisdom - Today's quotes are about Family. Most of us will be spending time with family this coming holiday season, and these are two simple quotes I enjoyed very much.
"Families are like fudge - mostly sweet with a few nuts." Author Unknown.
"The family. We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together." Erma Bombeck. (I miss Erma, don't you?)
Find a Family in Need
This is a time when many families reach out to help those in need. Although as Christians we should be doing this EVERY day of the year, we are made more aware of the needs of those around us during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons.
If you don't know of a needy family, find one. Call the Salvation Army or a local church and ask them how to get in touch with a needy family. Sometimes the counselor or principal from a school will know of a specific situation which could be handled anonymously through the school. Once you have the information, decide ways you can help make a special memory for that family for the holiday season.
Whether it is (1) supplying food for a meal; (2) buying specific gifts for children in the family for Christmas; (3) giving the family gift cards to Wal-Mart or Cracker Barrel or a local grocery store; (4) buying a small Christmas tree and a box of inexpensive decorations; (5) offering to pay a utility bill; or (6) even something more "creative" or "inventive," open yourself (and your family) up to the possibilities of giving more than receiving this holiday season.
As always, make sure the kids are involved... watching and learning by the example their parents set for them and by actually helping themselves will help the "lesson" stick!
Have a lovely Wednesday before Thanksgiving! There's going to be a lot of cooking going on today, isn't there? We'll be heading to Mike's hometown for part of the day Thursday, but bright and early tomorrow morning you will find Blog Linkage and a holiday date... So even though it's an Official National Holiday, and you have a million family members in your living room, take a moment or two to visit A Simple Life. You'll be glad you did! (Oh, and don't forget I'll be giving you a couple more hints regarding our Special Guest for next Tuesday.)
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Monday, November 23, 2009
Cheesy Chicken Simmer
Good Tuesday morning!
I have two more Thanksgiving #1 pics in the Gallery today, along with two JSU pics from Saturday. I'm having to spread them out because Austin took my camera to JSU for the Band Banquet last night, and I knew I wouldn't be able to add anything new and exciting to the Gallery... not that anything new and exciting happened yesterday. In fact, I had to take Belinda's Project 365 picture for yesterday at 6:00 a.m. while Roxie was still sleeping (and before Austin left for school). The Boy is getting his new camera this weekend, or else!
We're looking forward to going to the movies tonight with the whole gang. Austin is coming in this afternoon, and as soon as Mikie is finished at work, we're sharing a huge tub of popcorn and drinking $4 sodas. Ah! You can't put a price on family time... but if you did it would come out to about $100 just to go to a movie! But I digress. We're looking forward to a fun evening.
Special Guest Hints
Today through next Monday I'll be giving you one or two hints about our December Special Guest. There will be no prize, but if you want to venture a guess, feel free!
1. She is the wife of one, and mother of two. Both of the "two" are teenagers.
2. The longer I've known her, the more I've realized she is related to everyone in our fair city. (Code for DON'T SAY ANYTHING NEGATIVE ABOUT ANYONE IN FRONT OF HER... SHE'S PROBABLY THEIR COUSIN!)
Guesses anyone? I'll have some more tomorrow, and we'll start to narrow this down a little.
Austin Update - Austin attended his first JSU Band Banquet tonight. No parents attended. In fact, food didn't make an appearance either. When he called tonight to tell us about his evening, he said he was on his way to eat with three buddies. "Why didn't you eat at the banquet?" I asked.
"Well, it wasn't so much banquet-type food as bowls of assorted hard candy on each table."
College is just so different, isn't it?
But he did have good news. He was awarded Outstanding Member of his section AND Rookie of the Year for his section. He tried out for Section Leader, but that honor went to a Sophomore and Junior.
I know what you're thinking. It doesn't make sense, does it? I mean, what were the "powers that be" thinking giving Section Leader to two other students. The very idea. It's a good thing I wasn't at the banquet... chewing on hard candy... hungry and mean. I might have made a scene.
If I was 13 years-old and texting right now, I would be typing LOL and JK like crazy. So please know I am most certainly joking about the above.
We're thrilled for Austin, excited about his next year with the Southerners, and happy for the two boys who are now Section Leaders for the baritones. It has been a good season.
And tomorrow he comes home for five days in a row. Life is good.
Topic of the Week - Thanksgiving
The Topic of the Week is kind of no-brainer I guess, but I wanted to talk about something that came to my attention a little over a month ago. It bothered me greatly then, and it's not much better now. Perhaps you can relate... or maybe I'm the only person in the entire universe who has ever felt this way.
During the time Josh became ill, I honestly didn't ask the question, "Why us? Why our family?" I really didn't. I didn't expect to go my entire life without hardships or grief or sadness. Mike and I had even talked about how we had never experienced a tragedy or illness or traveled through a valley during our Christian walk. We were both 42 when tragedy struck our family, 44 when Josh became ill and 45 when I began having ongoing panic attacks. As I said, I didn't question WHY it was happening to us, but I did feel totally unprepared to deal with any of the things which were occurring.
Last December was the first time in three years I could look back and see God's very physical presence during our time in the valley. And since last December, I have seen more and more of the positives that have come about since December 5, 2005.
And I am thankful for so many things... some of which I will talk about tomorrow. But what bothers me today is not knowing if I would have been grateful and thankful for God's presence in my life if Josh had not improved over the last four years. Would I be able to see some good in every day if Josh had stayed exactly the same? Would I be willing to reach out to others and try to help them if Josh had gotten worse and worse? Would I have become more bitter and unhappy and joyless as time went on?
I don't know. I truly don't know. So many people have been through so much more than our family has experienced. At 48, I know Mike and I have many more difficult times ahead. My hope and prayer is the next valley I walk through I will do a much better job.
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7.
I know I've quoted that verse before, but I know the next hardship I come across in my life I need to not only have this verse in my "head," but in my "heart" as well.
And I pray that for you, too.
Cheesy Chicken Simmer
I asked Amy Patillo, a Sunday School and Facebook friend, to share a recipe with us today. I could tell from Amy's posts on Facebook she is a cook, and I had a feeling she would have something good to contribute. She describes this particular dish as "easy and fairly healthy." Two very good adjectives for a family meal!
You will need:
1 1/2 pounds chicken breast (or tenders)
1 tablespoon canola oil
2 to 3 cups broccoli florets
1 can cream of chicken soup (10 3/4 ounce)
8 ounces Velveeta
2 cups cooked Minute Rice
1. Heat oil in large skillet on medium and add chicken. Cook 4 minutes on each side.
2. Add broccoli. Stir.
3. Cut Velveeta into small slices and place over mixture.
4. Pour chicken soup over mixture and stir together until mixed well and melted.
5. Simmer on low 5 more minutes after melted well and serve over rice.
She's right. "Easy" and "healthy." And a whole meal cooked together! What more could you ask? Thanks, Amy. I may call on you again in the near future.
Have a fun and safe Tuesday. I am loving sleeping late! It will be hard to go back to school next week. As usual, tomorrow we'll have Wednesday Wisdom, a Seasonal Tradition, a few more hints about our Special Guest and a little more "thankfulness" to share for the Topic of the Week. Stop by if you get a minute.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
I have two more Thanksgiving #1 pics in the Gallery today, along with two JSU pics from Saturday. I'm having to spread them out because Austin took my camera to JSU for the Band Banquet last night, and I knew I wouldn't be able to add anything new and exciting to the Gallery... not that anything new and exciting happened yesterday. In fact, I had to take Belinda's Project 365 picture for yesterday at 6:00 a.m. while Roxie was still sleeping (and before Austin left for school). The Boy is getting his new camera this weekend, or else!
We're looking forward to going to the movies tonight with the whole gang. Austin is coming in this afternoon, and as soon as Mikie is finished at work, we're sharing a huge tub of popcorn and drinking $4 sodas. Ah! You can't put a price on family time... but if you did it would come out to about $100 just to go to a movie! But I digress. We're looking forward to a fun evening.
Special Guest Hints
Today through next Monday I'll be giving you one or two hints about our December Special Guest. There will be no prize, but if you want to venture a guess, feel free!
1. She is the wife of one, and mother of two. Both of the "two" are teenagers.
2. The longer I've known her, the more I've realized she is related to everyone in our fair city. (Code for DON'T SAY ANYTHING NEGATIVE ABOUT ANYONE IN FRONT OF HER... SHE'S PROBABLY THEIR COUSIN!)
Guesses anyone? I'll have some more tomorrow, and we'll start to narrow this down a little.
Austin Update - Austin attended his first JSU Band Banquet tonight. No parents attended. In fact, food didn't make an appearance either. When he called tonight to tell us about his evening, he said he was on his way to eat with three buddies. "Why didn't you eat at the banquet?" I asked.
"Well, it wasn't so much banquet-type food as bowls of assorted hard candy on each table."
College is just so different, isn't it?
But he did have good news. He was awarded Outstanding Member of his section AND Rookie of the Year for his section. He tried out for Section Leader, but that honor went to a Sophomore and Junior.
I know what you're thinking. It doesn't make sense, does it? I mean, what were the "powers that be" thinking giving Section Leader to two other students. The very idea. It's a good thing I wasn't at the banquet... chewing on hard candy... hungry and mean. I might have made a scene.
If I was 13 years-old and texting right now, I would be typing LOL and JK like crazy. So please know I am most certainly joking about the above.
We're thrilled for Austin, excited about his next year with the Southerners, and happy for the two boys who are now Section Leaders for the baritones. It has been a good season.
And tomorrow he comes home for five days in a row. Life is good.
Topic of the Week - Thanksgiving
The Topic of the Week is kind of no-brainer I guess, but I wanted to talk about something that came to my attention a little over a month ago. It bothered me greatly then, and it's not much better now. Perhaps you can relate... or maybe I'm the only person in the entire universe who has ever felt this way.
During the time Josh became ill, I honestly didn't ask the question, "Why us? Why our family?" I really didn't. I didn't expect to go my entire life without hardships or grief or sadness. Mike and I had even talked about how we had never experienced a tragedy or illness or traveled through a valley during our Christian walk. We were both 42 when tragedy struck our family, 44 when Josh became ill and 45 when I began having ongoing panic attacks. As I said, I didn't question WHY it was happening to us, but I did feel totally unprepared to deal with any of the things which were occurring.
Last December was the first time in three years I could look back and see God's very physical presence during our time in the valley. And since last December, I have seen more and more of the positives that have come about since December 5, 2005.
And I am thankful for so many things... some of which I will talk about tomorrow. But what bothers me today is not knowing if I would have been grateful and thankful for God's presence in my life if Josh had not improved over the last four years. Would I be able to see some good in every day if Josh had stayed exactly the same? Would I be willing to reach out to others and try to help them if Josh had gotten worse and worse? Would I have become more bitter and unhappy and joyless as time went on?
I don't know. I truly don't know. So many people have been through so much more than our family has experienced. At 48, I know Mike and I have many more difficult times ahead. My hope and prayer is the next valley I walk through I will do a much better job.
"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7.
I know I've quoted that verse before, but I know the next hardship I come across in my life I need to not only have this verse in my "head," but in my "heart" as well.
And I pray that for you, too.
Cheesy Chicken Simmer
I asked Amy Patillo, a Sunday School and Facebook friend, to share a recipe with us today. I could tell from Amy's posts on Facebook she is a cook, and I had a feeling she would have something good to contribute. She describes this particular dish as "easy and fairly healthy." Two very good adjectives for a family meal!
You will need:
1 1/2 pounds chicken breast (or tenders)
1 tablespoon canola oil
2 to 3 cups broccoli florets
1 can cream of chicken soup (10 3/4 ounce)
8 ounces Velveeta
2 cups cooked Minute Rice
1. Heat oil in large skillet on medium and add chicken. Cook 4 minutes on each side.
2. Add broccoli. Stir.
3. Cut Velveeta into small slices and place over mixture.
4. Pour chicken soup over mixture and stir together until mixed well and melted.
5. Simmer on low 5 more minutes after melted well and serve over rice.
She's right. "Easy" and "healthy." And a whole meal cooked together! What more could you ask? Thanks, Amy. I may call on you again in the near future.
Have a fun and safe Tuesday. I am loving sleeping late! It will be hard to go back to school next week. As usual, tomorrow we'll have Wednesday Wisdom, a Seasonal Tradition, a few more hints about our Special Guest and a little more "thankfulness" to share for the Topic of the Week. Stop by if you get a minute.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Ten Commandment Gourd Devotion
Good Monday morning!
The Showcase Pic today is of Josh, Austin and Roxie after the JSU game Saturday afternoon. It's silly, but I like it.
The Gallery Pics include a couple more JSU photos along with two or three from our Thanksgiving celebration at my Mom's house yesterday. I like to call it Thanksgiving #1, because we'll be celebrating Thanksgiving #2 on Thursday with Mike's family.
I WAS WONDERING - Was it just me, or did anyone else hear a story on The Today Show about a canned pumpkin shortage this year? News stories like this absolutely push me over the edge. I now have 48 cans of Libby's packed pumpkin... and I'll be selling them for a small profit between now and Thursday. I've even put a couple on e-bay. Let the bidding wars begin!
CONTEST! CONTEST! CONTEST! The Contest winners celebrating my 300th post of A Simple Life will be awarded their very own Mystery Bag Party. That's right! We had such a good time in October, I have decided to have another Mystery Bag Party in January... and the six women who will accompany me on this "journey" will be selected from the women who enter the contest.
Just leave your name under my Comment Section, on Facebook or my e-mail with the word "CONTEST" beside it, and I will put your name in the bowl. I will draw SIX NAMES December 18... the day of my 300th post. You have about three weeks to enter. It will be a very fun party! I've also changed things a little from the first party, so it will be an unique event. I'll be reminding you once a week or so until December 18, so go ahead and get your name in today! A good time will be had by all who win!
Monday Mayhem
I've tried very hard to think if anything changed from the original plans, but believe it or not, everything went according to the SCHEDULE! I'm loving that! I know better than to get used to the feeling though.
Friday night everyone went their own separate ways, but met back at the house in time for bed and a much-needed rest before our marathon Saturday began. Saturday morning was just beautiful, and we headed to the last JSU game of the season. The band was great (again), and I even saw some Gardendale friends visiting to catch a glimpse of the best college band in the state. (Hi, Faith!) Unfortunately, because of the exact location where I saw Faith, I didn't have my camera with me or she would have been in the Gallery Pics. (People tend to get a little nervous when you take a camera into the bathroom, and understandably so!)
Josh stayed behind and had supper with Austin before they packed up his "stuff" (Code for AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF DIRTY LAUNDRY), and headed to Trussville to pick up Roxie. Mike and I had plans to eat with friends at Ezell's in Trussville, and even that worked out perfectly time-wise. Austin and Josh arrived 15 minutes before we were to meet our friends. We actually had time to spare! Amazing! (And I ate fried pickles. I love fried pickles with ranch dressing. I couldn't eat them every day, but Saturday was a fried pickle kind of day, if you know what I mean.)
Sunday morning was spent cooking, going to church and heading over to my Mom's for Thanksgiving with my side of the family. We had a wonderful feast, read our Thankful Letters, and "hung out" for several hours before heading home to do laundry (me), have a dinner date with Melia (Austin), watch The Amazing Race (the Faulkner Five) and stay up incredibly late (Josh and Roxie) because some of us were able to sleep in! Yes! I love the holidays.
Ten Commandment Gourd Devotion
There is a small, round gourd with ten raised bumps on top going around the gourd in a circle. (It is very distinctive.) During the Thanksgiving season, you can use this gourd as a table centerpiece and after dinner one evening, as a devotion. Holding the gourd, ask the children to count the bumps. Talk about the number ten and ask the children if they can think of something in the Bible which uses that specific number. (Hopefully, they will come up with the Ten Commandments.)
Ask the children which book of the Bible they can find the Ten Commandments. Ask them to name as many of the commandments as they can from memory. Read Exodus 20 and discuss the ten commandments one by one. Be sure to be able to explain words such as "adultery," "covet," "idols," etc. in ways your children will understand. Use examples your children can relate to, also. You can plan on having this devotion with your family no matter what their ages in November. If the children are old enough, you can also give each family member a commandment to memorize before the next meal.
The idea for this devotion came from Tish Boyer many, many years ago. I'll try to find a gourd and add a picture to the Gallery this week, but once you see it, there is no mistaking it is the Ten Commandment Gourd. (And I've counted hundreds of bumps on these gourds... There are ALWAYS ten! It's pretty neat.)
Have a lovely Monday. No school for Josh and Roxie today! If you're out of school, I hope you have a well-deserved break. Tuesday I have a new recipe from a church friend you'll want to check out... And no, it isn't soup! There will be an Austin Update in the morning. I may have some good news to share. I'll also have a few hints about our Special Guest who will be making her appearance next Tuesday, and I've picked a topic for the week which will begin first thing tomorrow.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting and Ever So Thankful Belinda
The Showcase Pic today is of Josh, Austin and Roxie after the JSU game Saturday afternoon. It's silly, but I like it.
The Gallery Pics include a couple more JSU photos along with two or three from our Thanksgiving celebration at my Mom's house yesterday. I like to call it Thanksgiving #1, because we'll be celebrating Thanksgiving #2 on Thursday with Mike's family.
I WAS WONDERING - Was it just me, or did anyone else hear a story on The Today Show about a canned pumpkin shortage this year? News stories like this absolutely push me over the edge. I now have 48 cans of Libby's packed pumpkin... and I'll be selling them for a small profit between now and Thursday. I've even put a couple on e-bay. Let the bidding wars begin!
CONTEST! CONTEST! CONTEST! The Contest winners celebrating my 300th post of A Simple Life will be awarded their very own Mystery Bag Party. That's right! We had such a good time in October, I have decided to have another Mystery Bag Party in January... and the six women who will accompany me on this "journey" will be selected from the women who enter the contest.
Just leave your name under my Comment Section, on Facebook or my e-mail with the word "CONTEST" beside it, and I will put your name in the bowl. I will draw SIX NAMES December 18... the day of my 300th post. You have about three weeks to enter. It will be a very fun party! I've also changed things a little from the first party, so it will be an unique event. I'll be reminding you once a week or so until December 18, so go ahead and get your name in today! A good time will be had by all who win!
Monday Mayhem
I've tried very hard to think if anything changed from the original plans, but believe it or not, everything went according to the SCHEDULE! I'm loving that! I know better than to get used to the feeling though.
Friday night everyone went their own separate ways, but met back at the house in time for bed and a much-needed rest before our marathon Saturday began. Saturday morning was just beautiful, and we headed to the last JSU game of the season. The band was great (again), and I even saw some Gardendale friends visiting to catch a glimpse of the best college band in the state. (Hi, Faith!) Unfortunately, because of the exact location where I saw Faith, I didn't have my camera with me or she would have been in the Gallery Pics. (People tend to get a little nervous when you take a camera into the bathroom, and understandably so!)
Josh stayed behind and had supper with Austin before they packed up his "stuff" (Code for AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF DIRTY LAUNDRY), and headed to Trussville to pick up Roxie. Mike and I had plans to eat with friends at Ezell's in Trussville, and even that worked out perfectly time-wise. Austin and Josh arrived 15 minutes before we were to meet our friends. We actually had time to spare! Amazing! (And I ate fried pickles. I love fried pickles with ranch dressing. I couldn't eat them every day, but Saturday was a fried pickle kind of day, if you know what I mean.)
Sunday morning was spent cooking, going to church and heading over to my Mom's for Thanksgiving with my side of the family. We had a wonderful feast, read our Thankful Letters, and "hung out" for several hours before heading home to do laundry (me), have a dinner date with Melia (Austin), watch The Amazing Race (the Faulkner Five) and stay up incredibly late (Josh and Roxie) because some of us were able to sleep in! Yes! I love the holidays.
Ten Commandment Gourd Devotion
There is a small, round gourd with ten raised bumps on top going around the gourd in a circle. (It is very distinctive.) During the Thanksgiving season, you can use this gourd as a table centerpiece and after dinner one evening, as a devotion. Holding the gourd, ask the children to count the bumps. Talk about the number ten and ask the children if they can think of something in the Bible which uses that specific number. (Hopefully, they will come up with the Ten Commandments.)
Ask the children which book of the Bible they can find the Ten Commandments. Ask them to name as many of the commandments as they can from memory. Read Exodus 20 and discuss the ten commandments one by one. Be sure to be able to explain words such as "adultery," "covet," "idols," etc. in ways your children will understand. Use examples your children can relate to, also. You can plan on having this devotion with your family no matter what their ages in November. If the children are old enough, you can also give each family member a commandment to memorize before the next meal.
The idea for this devotion came from Tish Boyer many, many years ago. I'll try to find a gourd and add a picture to the Gallery this week, but once you see it, there is no mistaking it is the Ten Commandment Gourd. (And I've counted hundreds of bumps on these gourds... There are ALWAYS ten! It's pretty neat.)
Have a lovely Monday. No school for Josh and Roxie today! If you're out of school, I hope you have a well-deserved break. Tuesday I have a new recipe from a church friend you'll want to check out... And no, it isn't soup! There will be an Austin Update in the morning. I may have some good news to share. I'll also have a few hints about our Special Guest who will be making her appearance next Tuesday, and I've picked a topic for the week which will begin first thing tomorrow.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting and Ever So Thankful Belinda
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Weekend Happenings
Good Friday morning!
FYI - Our Special Guest for December is working on her interview questions as we speak. She was very gracious (as was Melaney), so don't forget that she will be making her first appearance on A Simple Life Tuesday, December 1. It will be here before you know it!
Weekend Happenings
This weekend has all the makings of a great two days! Tonight finds everyone "doing their own thing." Birthday parties, relaxing around the house, etc. And we need the relaxing part, believe me.
Saturday, the Faulkner Four are driving to JSU and reuniting with Austin making us the Faulkner Five once again. This is Austin's last game of the season, so he'll head home with us after the game. Mikie and I are having a grown-up evening with friends, and words cannot express how much we are looking forward to this time with other adults... where we will all sit around and talk about our kids. (Some things never change.)
Sunday is a little different than the norm because we'll be having an early Thanksgiving Day celebration at my Mom's. (We alternate having Thanksgiving Day with my family and with Mike's family. So we'll be eating really well TWO days this week!) Hopefully, during our Sunday time together, I'll be able to get several pictures for our collage Christmas Card. I would love to order my cards next week. Speaking of cards, if you need my mailing address, just give me a call or I'll send it to you via e-mail. I'm just saying.
Of course, it's always interesting to me to see how many things change over the course of a weekend, so Monday Mayhem will record what REALLY happened.
Thankful Post-It Notes (BONUS)
I got this idea from reading Lisa's Blog under My Blog List. Her family is a "note" family. They leave all kinds of notes for each other around the house all the time... reminder notes, "I love you" notes, etc. It made me think of the upcoming holiday and maybe, just maybe, starting a new tradition.
I bought some colorful post-it notes and beginning Monday, I plan on leaving notes all over the house for Mikie, Austin, Josh and Roxie. The notes will not be necessarily about them, but will have things written on them for which I am thankful.
I'm planning on putting the notes up Sunday night after everyone goes to sleep. Austin will wake up to take his shower before heading back to JSU for a couple of days to find one on his mirror... "I'm thankful you get to come home Tuesday night and stay for five whole days." Anything and everything I can think of, I'm going to be writing and sticking all over the house.
And all the notes do not have to be serious in nature. I'm planning on putting one on top of our toilet that says, "I'm thankful for indoor plumbing!" Anyone who has ever gone camping truly understands the joys of indoor plumbing.
As everyone discovers the notes, I'm going to tell them where the pens and post-its are, and I'm just going to wait and see if they are "note" people, too. If not, that's okay. It's just a little experiment.
I'll let you know in a couple of weeks if this tradition is a Faulkner Family "keeper," but it's definitely easy, meaningful and worth trying.
Have a great pre-Thanksgiving weekend. Next week is our Thanksgiving Extravaganza on A Simple Life! Actually, it is just more, more, more Thanksgiving ideas for you and your family. Look below for a few "Don't Forgets," and visit A Simple Life again on Monday!
DON'T FORGET - If you are a Newbie, click on Newbie Info on my sidebar for information and instructions about A Simple Life.
DON'T FORGET - Enter the 300th Post Contest this weekend. All you have to do is leave your name beside the word "Contest" in my Comment Section, Facebook or via e-mail. Six names will be drawn December 18, and the winners will join me for a January Mystery Bag Party. A party NOT to be missed!
DON'T FORGET - I will be adding daily pictures to Belinda's Project 365 Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Take care, and I'll talk to you Monday.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting and Thankful Belinda
FYI - Our Special Guest for December is working on her interview questions as we speak. She was very gracious (as was Melaney), so don't forget that she will be making her first appearance on A Simple Life Tuesday, December 1. It will be here before you know it!
Weekend Happenings
This weekend has all the makings of a great two days! Tonight finds everyone "doing their own thing." Birthday parties, relaxing around the house, etc. And we need the relaxing part, believe me.
Saturday, the Faulkner Four are driving to JSU and reuniting with Austin making us the Faulkner Five once again. This is Austin's last game of the season, so he'll head home with us after the game. Mikie and I are having a grown-up evening with friends, and words cannot express how much we are looking forward to this time with other adults... where we will all sit around and talk about our kids. (Some things never change.)
Sunday is a little different than the norm because we'll be having an early Thanksgiving Day celebration at my Mom's. (We alternate having Thanksgiving Day with my family and with Mike's family. So we'll be eating really well TWO days this week!) Hopefully, during our Sunday time together, I'll be able to get several pictures for our collage Christmas Card. I would love to order my cards next week. Speaking of cards, if you need my mailing address, just give me a call or I'll send it to you via e-mail. I'm just saying.
Of course, it's always interesting to me to see how many things change over the course of a weekend, so Monday Mayhem will record what REALLY happened.
Thankful Post-It Notes (BONUS)
I got this idea from reading Lisa's Blog under My Blog List. Her family is a "note" family. They leave all kinds of notes for each other around the house all the time... reminder notes, "I love you" notes, etc. It made me think of the upcoming holiday and maybe, just maybe, starting a new tradition.
I bought some colorful post-it notes and beginning Monday, I plan on leaving notes all over the house for Mikie, Austin, Josh and Roxie. The notes will not be necessarily about them, but will have things written on them for which I am thankful.
I'm planning on putting the notes up Sunday night after everyone goes to sleep. Austin will wake up to take his shower before heading back to JSU for a couple of days to find one on his mirror... "I'm thankful you get to come home Tuesday night and stay for five whole days." Anything and everything I can think of, I'm going to be writing and sticking all over the house.
And all the notes do not have to be serious in nature. I'm planning on putting one on top of our toilet that says, "I'm thankful for indoor plumbing!" Anyone who has ever gone camping truly understands the joys of indoor plumbing.
As everyone discovers the notes, I'm going to tell them where the pens and post-its are, and I'm just going to wait and see if they are "note" people, too. If not, that's okay. It's just a little experiment.
I'll let you know in a couple of weeks if this tradition is a Faulkner Family "keeper," but it's definitely easy, meaningful and worth trying.
Have a great pre-Thanksgiving weekend. Next week is our Thanksgiving Extravaganza on A Simple Life! Actually, it is just more, more, more Thanksgiving ideas for you and your family. Look below for a few "Don't Forgets," and visit A Simple Life again on Monday!
DON'T FORGET - If you are a Newbie, click on Newbie Info on my sidebar for information and instructions about A Simple Life.
DON'T FORGET - Enter the 300th Post Contest this weekend. All you have to do is leave your name beside the word "Contest" in my Comment Section, Facebook or via e-mail. Six names will be drawn December 18, and the winners will join me for a January Mystery Bag Party. A party NOT to be missed!
DON'T FORGET - I will be adding daily pictures to Belinda's Project 365 Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Take care, and I'll talk to you Monday.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting and Thankful Belinda
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Thankful Date
Good Thursday morning!
The Gallery Pic is of something I have always hated. The very word causes me to break out in flop sweat. This is a... PROJECT! Roxie and Ally have worked very hard on the "PROJECT," and Ally is going to finish the lettering tonight because Roxie has a basketball game. She's a good, good friend. All in all, it was a good pairing. They worked well together, and agreed about practically everything from the paper to the pictures to the title. They even agreed on crazy bread and cheese pizza. I'm just ready for it to be out of my house!
Pigeons From Heaven - Part Three
No, another pigeon didn't fall on my head the next day! I'm now going to show you how similar I am to Jonah as per Pastor Kevin's sermon. Ready?
1. God has a PLAN for you life!
2. You can RUN, but you can't HIDE from God!
3. It's never too LATE to start over!
Am I, or am I not, Jonah's long-lost sister? "The word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai saying, 'Arise, go to Nineveh the great city, and cry against it, for their wickedness has come up before Me.' But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord." Jonah 1:1-3.
See? Same exact thing, except in my case I was suppose to rise up and go to Cullman... and the pigeon vs. the whale thing is a little different, too. But points 1 through 3 are the same for everyone, and if I had only accepted God's plan for my life instead of pursuing my plan... Well, let's just say there might be a five-pound pigeon flying around downtown Birmingham as I write this post.
Blog Linkage
I have two blog links to share with you today.
1. Please click on Nitty.Gritty under My Blog List and read Jody's November 11 post. Something unexpected happened to her this week, and she handled it so sweetly. If you have lost a loved one, I believe this post will give you hope and a deeper understanding of what grief truly is.
2. The next post I'd love for you to read has to do with sponsoring a child. I've never been to this blog before, but this woman met the child she sponsored face-to-face and it is a wonderful description (with pictures and video) of that day. It will literally touch your heart and make you think about what you can do to help others. Go to http://thepipers.wordpress.com and read the post entitled "You've been cordially invited to break your heart." She wrote it earlier in the week, so you'll have to scroll down a little.
Thankful Date
During this season of counting our blessings and being more aware of all the things and people we should be thankful for, I am suggesting we plan a date with our husbands and actually TELL them why we're thankful for them. That's right. Verbalize. Communicate. Put it in writing. Before the holidays get cranked up, Mikie and I are going out to dinner... his restaurant choice, not mine. At dinner, I am going to pull a list out of my purse and read it to him. I'm going to let him know item by item how much I appreciate him and everything he does for me and our family.
Let's face it. Kids take up a lot of time. I mean A LOT! And they should. But they should never take so much time that I forget to tell Mikie how much he means to me. You may tell your husband every day. But for those of us who don't always do that, plan a specific dinner date and take care of that item in the next few days.
You'll be thankful you did.
Have a beautiful Thursday. I hope you have a great day. Tomorrow we'll be discussing Weekend Happenings and this and that. If you haven't entered the contest, the details are below. I also have a Seasonal Tradition BONUS I want to share before Thanksgiving next Thursday, so if you are interested in implementing this new tradition next week, you'll have time to do so. (I rarely deviate from the schedule, but I'm feeling a little WILD today!)
CONTEST! CONTEST! CONTEST! After much thought, I have decided the Contest winners celebrating my 300th post of A Simple Life will be awarded their very own Mystery Bag Party. That's right! We had such a good time in October, I have decided to have another Mystery Bag Party in January... and the six women who will accompany me on this "journey" will be selected from the women who enter the contest.
Just leave your name under my Comment Section, on Facebook or my e-mail with the word "CONTEST" beside it, and I will put your name in the bowl. I will draw SIX NAMES December 18... the day of my 300th post. You have a little over a month to enter. It will be a very fun party! I've also changed things a little from the first party, so it will be unique and different. I'll be reminding you once a week or so until December 18, so go ahead and get your name in today! A good time will be had by all who win!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Gallery Pic is of something I have always hated. The very word causes me to break out in flop sweat. This is a... PROJECT! Roxie and Ally have worked very hard on the "PROJECT," and Ally is going to finish the lettering tonight because Roxie has a basketball game. She's a good, good friend. All in all, it was a good pairing. They worked well together, and agreed about practically everything from the paper to the pictures to the title. They even agreed on crazy bread and cheese pizza. I'm just ready for it to be out of my house!
Pigeons From Heaven - Part Three
No, another pigeon didn't fall on my head the next day! I'm now going to show you how similar I am to Jonah as per Pastor Kevin's sermon. Ready?
1. God has a PLAN for you life!
2. You can RUN, but you can't HIDE from God!
3. It's never too LATE to start over!
Am I, or am I not, Jonah's long-lost sister? "The word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai saying, 'Arise, go to Nineveh the great city, and cry against it, for their wickedness has come up before Me.' But Jonah rose up to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord." Jonah 1:1-3.
See? Same exact thing, except in my case I was suppose to rise up and go to Cullman... and the pigeon vs. the whale thing is a little different, too. But points 1 through 3 are the same for everyone, and if I had only accepted God's plan for my life instead of pursuing my plan... Well, let's just say there might be a five-pound pigeon flying around downtown Birmingham as I write this post.
Blog Linkage
I have two blog links to share with you today.
1. Please click on Nitty.Gritty under My Blog List and read Jody's November 11 post. Something unexpected happened to her this week, and she handled it so sweetly. If you have lost a loved one, I believe this post will give you hope and a deeper understanding of what grief truly is.
2. The next post I'd love for you to read has to do with sponsoring a child. I've never been to this blog before, but this woman met the child she sponsored face-to-face and it is a wonderful description (with pictures and video) of that day. It will literally touch your heart and make you think about what you can do to help others. Go to http://thepipers.wordpress.com and read the post entitled "You've been cordially invited to break your heart." She wrote it earlier in the week, so you'll have to scroll down a little.
Thankful Date
During this season of counting our blessings and being more aware of all the things and people we should be thankful for, I am suggesting we plan a date with our husbands and actually TELL them why we're thankful for them. That's right. Verbalize. Communicate. Put it in writing. Before the holidays get cranked up, Mikie and I are going out to dinner... his restaurant choice, not mine. At dinner, I am going to pull a list out of my purse and read it to him. I'm going to let him know item by item how much I appreciate him and everything he does for me and our family.
Let's face it. Kids take up a lot of time. I mean A LOT! And they should. But they should never take so much time that I forget to tell Mikie how much he means to me. You may tell your husband every day. But for those of us who don't always do that, plan a specific dinner date and take care of that item in the next few days.
You'll be thankful you did.
Have a beautiful Thursday. I hope you have a great day. Tomorrow we'll be discussing Weekend Happenings and this and that. If you haven't entered the contest, the details are below. I also have a Seasonal Tradition BONUS I want to share before Thanksgiving next Thursday, so if you are interested in implementing this new tradition next week, you'll have time to do so. (I rarely deviate from the schedule, but I'm feeling a little WILD today!)
CONTEST! CONTEST! CONTEST! After much thought, I have decided the Contest winners celebrating my 300th post of A Simple Life will be awarded their very own Mystery Bag Party. That's right! We had such a good time in October, I have decided to have another Mystery Bag Party in January... and the six women who will accompany me on this "journey" will be selected from the women who enter the contest.
Just leave your name under my Comment Section, on Facebook or my e-mail with the word "CONTEST" beside it, and I will put your name in the bowl. I will draw SIX NAMES December 18... the day of my 300th post. You have a little over a month to enter. It will be a very fun party! I've also changed things a little from the first party, so it will be unique and different. I'll be reminding you once a week or so until December 18, so go ahead and get your name in today! A good time will be had by all who win!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Spending the Night at the Mall
Good Wednesday morning!
The Gallery Pic is from a professional photo shoot we had last evening with the "girls" in my family. (Portrait Innovations did a better job than I did, but I thought I would share a couple with you.)
It was truly a beautiful November day yesterday. A little gray in the morning, and then a little sun shining through in the afternoon. Cooler temps and leaves fluttering down. It's beginning to look a lot like... Thanksgiving. I do not believe in skipping holidays. There will be plenty of time to celebrate Christmas AFTER we enjoy Thanksgiving and all it has to offer. But that's just me. In reality, I'm extremely jealous of people who are already putting up trees and getting their other decorations ready. I may have to re-think this and put my huge inflatable JOY up in the front yard just for the fun of it! We'll see.
Wednesday Wisdom - This quote is a little deep, but I like it just the same. "I like spring, but it is too young. I like summer, but it is too proud. So I like best of all autumn, because its tone is mellower, its colours are richer, and it is tinged with a little sorrow. Its golden richness speaks not of the innocence of spring, nor the power of summer, but of the mellowness and kindly wisdom of approaching age. It knows the limitations of life and its content." Lin Yutang. I guess it goes without saying I do not know who Mr. or Ms. Yutang is, but I agree with them wholeheartedly.
Pigeons From Heaven - Part Two
As I was walking to my car on Friday afternoon, I was berating myself for being such a "weenie." I was at my absolute lowest, and I still refused to do what God said to do. "What is it going to take?" I asked myself... and God answered.
I saw something dark go over my head out of the corner of my eye, but I didn't look up. I heard a tremendous crash directly above my head, but still didn't look up. I felt a large object land on my head, and I COULDN'T look up! A huge pigeon had flown into a window of the (old) SouthTrust Building and had fallen, stunned, on the Most Stubborn Woman in the World. I dropped everything immediately because from my vantage point, I was unable to see what was on my head.
Then the flapping began and the huge pigeon began hitting my face with its wings. Of course, I still didn't know it was a pigeon. I was thinking along the lines of a vulture, condor or some other enormous man-eating predator. I grabbed the bird and tried to snatch it off my head. The claws were stuck in my new navy blue headband! (Remember, this was over 20 years ago. It was fashionably acceptable for me to wear a headband!) I twisted and pulled and screamed and finally wrestled the pigeon off my head, and in a complete and utter hysterical frenzy, I threw the bird into the plate-glass window of a loan officer's cubicle in SouthTrust Bank. (The horrified look of the young couple applying for a loan on the other side of his desk is burned into my mind forever.) I picked up my purse and ran directly into the street, leaving in my wake one very dead five-pound pigeon.
"Do you really think God dropped a five pound pigeon on your head to get your attention?" you may ask. Yes. Yes, I do.
On Monday morning, I turned in my notice. It was the right thing to do. It was part of God's plan for my life, and it was His love and patience that taught the Most Stubborn Woman in the World a very important lesson (again). Sometimes I think it is so easy for us to take for granted the things we learn as children in Sunday School. The Lord's Prayer comes to mind in this situation. "Our Father, which art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come, THY WILL BE DONE, on earth as it is in Heaven." (I've checked all the translations -- it doesn't mention Belinda Faulkner's will even once!)
After much prayer, and the news that Austin would be joining our family, God's will for our lives became clear to us (without pigeons), and we prayerfully decided to live solely on Mike's salary. God has blessed us time and time again, and I must say, I thoroughly enjoy His plan and perfect will for my life much more than dinging cars or wrestling giant fowl out of my hair every day!
Tomorrow, as promised, I will tie in my pigeon story with Jonah's whale story using the three simple points Pastor Kevin used. Jonah could have been my twin, I tell you!
Spending the Night at the Mall
I've been wanting to try this one for years. On Roxie's 13th birthday, instead of going on a little mini-trip (just the two of us) like the boys and Mikie did, I decided to take her to the Wynfrey Thanksgiving night and take advantage of Black Friday from INSIDE the mall. No looking for parking three miles away. No huge crowds. Several stores open their doors at 4:00 a.m. The whole mall opens at 6:00 a.m. This is our plan.
My sister and niece (Bev and Katie) and my cousin and her daughter (Amy and Monica) will meet Thanksgiving night after celebrating the holiday with our families. We will get comfortable in our pajamas and eat popcorn and drink hot chocolate in bed, and watch Christmas movies until we fall asleep. At 4:00 a.m., the alarm will go off, and we will hop out of bed and go to the stores which are open and shop, shop, shop. (We may or may not be wearing make-up and/or pajama pants. I am insisting we all brush our teeth before heading out!)
Around 6:00 a.m., we'll eat breakfast in the food court and shop a little more. Depending on the mood of the girls and how everything is going, we will continue to shop until check-out (and perhaps finish ALL of our Christmas shopping), OR we will go back to the room for a little nap before it's time to leave.
Since we've never done this before, I don't know if we'll do it every year. However, I do know of women who do this annually and thoroughly enjoy it. I'm hoping we'll be some of those women.
Of course, if you try this with your family, you need to make plans months in advance. As always, save money for the hotel room and shopping in an envelope marked "Thanksgiving." Just $5 or $10 a paycheck will give you more than enough for this special time with your family or friends.
I'll be letting you know how it turns out!
Have a wonderful Wednesday. Tomorrow I have a spouse date to squeeze in for the holidays, along with a few more things to discuss. Check back in if you get a chance.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Gallery Pic is from a professional photo shoot we had last evening with the "girls" in my family. (Portrait Innovations did a better job than I did, but I thought I would share a couple with you.)
It was truly a beautiful November day yesterday. A little gray in the morning, and then a little sun shining through in the afternoon. Cooler temps and leaves fluttering down. It's beginning to look a lot like... Thanksgiving. I do not believe in skipping holidays. There will be plenty of time to celebrate Christmas AFTER we enjoy Thanksgiving and all it has to offer. But that's just me. In reality, I'm extremely jealous of people who are already putting up trees and getting their other decorations ready. I may have to re-think this and put my huge inflatable JOY up in the front yard just for the fun of it! We'll see.
Wednesday Wisdom - This quote is a little deep, but I like it just the same. "I like spring, but it is too young. I like summer, but it is too proud. So I like best of all autumn, because its tone is mellower, its colours are richer, and it is tinged with a little sorrow. Its golden richness speaks not of the innocence of spring, nor the power of summer, but of the mellowness and kindly wisdom of approaching age. It knows the limitations of life and its content." Lin Yutang. I guess it goes without saying I do not know who Mr. or Ms. Yutang is, but I agree with them wholeheartedly.
Pigeons From Heaven - Part Two
As I was walking to my car on Friday afternoon, I was berating myself for being such a "weenie." I was at my absolute lowest, and I still refused to do what God said to do. "What is it going to take?" I asked myself... and God answered.
I saw something dark go over my head out of the corner of my eye, but I didn't look up. I heard a tremendous crash directly above my head, but still didn't look up. I felt a large object land on my head, and I COULDN'T look up! A huge pigeon had flown into a window of the (old) SouthTrust Building and had fallen, stunned, on the Most Stubborn Woman in the World. I dropped everything immediately because from my vantage point, I was unable to see what was on my head.
Then the flapping began and the huge pigeon began hitting my face with its wings. Of course, I still didn't know it was a pigeon. I was thinking along the lines of a vulture, condor or some other enormous man-eating predator. I grabbed the bird and tried to snatch it off my head. The claws were stuck in my new navy blue headband! (Remember, this was over 20 years ago. It was fashionably acceptable for me to wear a headband!) I twisted and pulled and screamed and finally wrestled the pigeon off my head, and in a complete and utter hysterical frenzy, I threw the bird into the plate-glass window of a loan officer's cubicle in SouthTrust Bank. (The horrified look of the young couple applying for a loan on the other side of his desk is burned into my mind forever.) I picked up my purse and ran directly into the street, leaving in my wake one very dead five-pound pigeon.
"Do you really think God dropped a five pound pigeon on your head to get your attention?" you may ask. Yes. Yes, I do.
On Monday morning, I turned in my notice. It was the right thing to do. It was part of God's plan for my life, and it was His love and patience that taught the Most Stubborn Woman in the World a very important lesson (again). Sometimes I think it is so easy for us to take for granted the things we learn as children in Sunday School. The Lord's Prayer comes to mind in this situation. "Our Father, which art in Heaven, Hallowed be Thy Name. Thy kingdom come, THY WILL BE DONE, on earth as it is in Heaven." (I've checked all the translations -- it doesn't mention Belinda Faulkner's will even once!)
After much prayer, and the news that Austin would be joining our family, God's will for our lives became clear to us (without pigeons), and we prayerfully decided to live solely on Mike's salary. God has blessed us time and time again, and I must say, I thoroughly enjoy His plan and perfect will for my life much more than dinging cars or wrestling giant fowl out of my hair every day!
Tomorrow, as promised, I will tie in my pigeon story with Jonah's whale story using the three simple points Pastor Kevin used. Jonah could have been my twin, I tell you!
Spending the Night at the Mall
I've been wanting to try this one for years. On Roxie's 13th birthday, instead of going on a little mini-trip (just the two of us) like the boys and Mikie did, I decided to take her to the Wynfrey Thanksgiving night and take advantage of Black Friday from INSIDE the mall. No looking for parking three miles away. No huge crowds. Several stores open their doors at 4:00 a.m. The whole mall opens at 6:00 a.m. This is our plan.
My sister and niece (Bev and Katie) and my cousin and her daughter (Amy and Monica) will meet Thanksgiving night after celebrating the holiday with our families. We will get comfortable in our pajamas and eat popcorn and drink hot chocolate in bed, and watch Christmas movies until we fall asleep. At 4:00 a.m., the alarm will go off, and we will hop out of bed and go to the stores which are open and shop, shop, shop. (We may or may not be wearing make-up and/or pajama pants. I am insisting we all brush our teeth before heading out!)
Around 6:00 a.m., we'll eat breakfast in the food court and shop a little more. Depending on the mood of the girls and how everything is going, we will continue to shop until check-out (and perhaps finish ALL of our Christmas shopping), OR we will go back to the room for a little nap before it's time to leave.
Since we've never done this before, I don't know if we'll do it every year. However, I do know of women who do this annually and thoroughly enjoy it. I'm hoping we'll be some of those women.
Of course, if you try this with your family, you need to make plans months in advance. As always, save money for the hotel room and shopping in an envelope marked "Thanksgiving." Just $5 or $10 a paycheck will give you more than enough for this special time with your family or friends.
I'll be letting you know how it turns out!
Have a wonderful Wednesday. Tomorrow I have a spouse date to squeeze in for the holidays, along with a few more things to discuss. Check back in if you get a chance.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Monday, November 16, 2009
Pumpkin Chip Cookies
Good Tuesday morning!
The Gallery Pic is one more of Roxie in her After Pageant Glory. Since I have approximately 179, I think it's okay to use one more!
The tooth drama continues. I'm shopping around for periodontists, and should make my decision sometime today, which means I'll probably make an appointment sometime tomorrow. The urgency has worn off because I am liking my temporary crown very, very much. The pain is now gone (even without taking Loritabs), and I could see myself living like this for the next two to three years easily. I'm thinking since last week was so traumatic to my sensitive system, why put it in overload by having two more painful procedures this week. Spread it out a little. Give my psyche time to heal. (Mike and my dentist say I have to take care of this NOW. I'm thinking of running far, far away. Maybe Cullman. The drama continues!)
As promised, I am showing you, the readers of A Simple Life, how much I am like Jonah from the Bible. I'll tell my story in two or three segments, and then I'll pull it all together with the points Pastor Kevin used Sunday morning. Good stuff!
Pigeons From Heaven - Part One
This was previously written for my Sunday School Newsletter over ten years ago.
Just to show you that I can deal with subjects other than motherhood, the following story is about something I have a huge problem with... not only as a woman, but as a human being... knowing (and accepting) God's will for my life.
I had worked for an attorney in Birmingham for eight years when I married Mikie. I truly loved my job and planned on working there until Mike and I started our family. However, Mike had to move to Cullman for his job, and since we had only been married for eight months when he received this news, he said he would really enjoy it if I would move with him. I didn't pray about my job situation and continued to work in Birmingham commuting over an hour each way every day.
Well, if I had asked the Lord what He wanted me to do, it is clear to me now (20 years after the fact) I was indeed supposed to move to Cullman and get a new job there. For 13 long months I made the miserable commute to Birmingham, and my job and relationships deteriorated daily because I was simply not doing what God wanted me to do. Week after week, I talked to Mike about giving my notice and week after week, he supported my decision to do what I thought was best. And then I decided. I would turn in my notice. What relief!!! What happiness!!! What joy!!! A huge burden had been lifted off my shoulders because the Most Stubborn Woman in the World was finally going to do what God had wanted her to do for over a year. The following Monday, I would give my notice.
Monday was a busy day, and I had a headache. Tuesday we had a birthday party at the office, and I got to see some old clients I hadn't seen in quite a while. It seemed a shame to mess up a good day. Wednesday my boss was out of town. I thought about telling him over the phone, but that seemed the coward's way out. Thursday was my favorite day of the week, and I tried to never spoil my favorite day. Friday was the last day of the week, and we were going out to eat that night. I wouldn't be able to enjoy my dinner at all if I had just done something as upsetting as quitting my job.
Needless to say, it was a long weekend as it always is when you are not doing what God has told you to do. Things would be different next week, I promised myself. Little did I know how different things would be.
SPOILER AND DISCLAIMER: NONE OF THE "ACCIDENTS" DESCRIBED BELOW ARE ON "RECORD" AND NO POLICE WERE EVER CALLED TO THE SCENES. THUS, JUST LIKE TRAFFIC WARNINGS ARE NOT CONSIDERED TICKETS, I DO NOT CONSIDER THESE INCIDENTS "WRECKS." (If you disagree and wish to argue the point, I'll be happy to do so. As far as I'm concerned, if there isn't a paper trail, it isn't a wreck!) Also, when you see the word "ding," please know we were sitting in bumper-to-bumper, 5 miles per hour traffic jams. There... I feel better now. On with the story...
Monday - Halfway to Birmingham, I decided to wait until Tuesday. At Malfunction Junction, I hit a van in front of me (just a "ding") and a large (450+ pound) man with tattoos all over his massive chest, arms and back got out of the vehicle. "How did you know he had tattoos all over his massive chest, arms and back?" you may ask. He wasn't wearing a shirt (and to be perfectly honest, he was barely wearing his pants). I felt sure I wasn't going to have to quit my job because an ax murderer was about to put an end to my suffering on this earth. Surprisingly, he just growled a couple of obscenities and got in the van and drove off.
Tuesday - I knew even though I had told Mikie, "This is the day," I had no intention of turning in my notice. At Malfunction Junction, I hit a white Toyota in front of me (just a "ding"), and a businessman in a nice suit came to my window and expressed his displeasure.
Wednesday - I made it to Birmingham without a "ding," but ran a yellow/red light and was pulled over. I didn't get a ticket, however, because by the time the police officer got to the window of my car, I was blubbering so badly even the prisoner in the back seat of the police car was feeling sorry for me.
Thursday - On my favorite day of the week, I hit a red truck in front of me (just a "ding"). This time the driver didn't even get out. He just waved me on. "What is wrong with me?" I thought to myself. I still didn't take care of the problem.
Friday - I made it to work without a traffic violation of any sort. I walked in and out of my employer's office a hundred times that day and never did the right thing.
The End of Part One!
Where's the bird? What has this got to do with anything? You promised us a Woodland Animal Story and we read the whole thing and NOTHING!
There is a bird... a big bird, and it will be in Pigeons From Heaven - Part Two... tomorrow!
While we're waiting for the rest of the story, let's try a new recipe, shall we?
Pumpkin Chip Cookies
1 1/2 cups butter, softened
2 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup sugar
1 can (15 ounces) solid-pack pumpkin
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups self-rising flour
2 cups quick-cooking oats
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
1. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugars.
2. Beat in the pumpkin, egg and vanilla.
3. Combine the flour, oats and cinnamon; gradually add to creamed mixture.
4. Stir in chocolate chips.
5. Drop by tablespoonfuls 2" apart onto ungreased baking sheets.
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned.
Ta-da! Something different from a soup recipe. I love anything and everything pumpkin, so I'll be making these today, and I'll let you know how they turn out. This recipe came from my Taste of Home Halloween Party Favorites. I know it says "Halloween," but technically pumpkin can be used for Halloween OR Thanksgiving. Enjoy!
Have a terrific Tuesday! What other kind is there? Tomorrow we'll have Wednesday Wisdom, a Seasonal Tradition, the second part of Pigeons From Heaven and a new tooth update. I can hardly wait.
DON'T FORGET - Enter the 300th Post Contest. Read yesterday's post for details. You have until December 18, but you might as well enter today.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Gallery Pic is one more of Roxie in her After Pageant Glory. Since I have approximately 179, I think it's okay to use one more!
The tooth drama continues. I'm shopping around for periodontists, and should make my decision sometime today, which means I'll probably make an appointment sometime tomorrow. The urgency has worn off because I am liking my temporary crown very, very much. The pain is now gone (even without taking Loritabs), and I could see myself living like this for the next two to three years easily. I'm thinking since last week was so traumatic to my sensitive system, why put it in overload by having two more painful procedures this week. Spread it out a little. Give my psyche time to heal. (Mike and my dentist say I have to take care of this NOW. I'm thinking of running far, far away. Maybe Cullman. The drama continues!)
As promised, I am showing you, the readers of A Simple Life, how much I am like Jonah from the Bible. I'll tell my story in two or three segments, and then I'll pull it all together with the points Pastor Kevin used Sunday morning. Good stuff!
Pigeons From Heaven - Part One
This was previously written for my Sunday School Newsletter over ten years ago.
Just to show you that I can deal with subjects other than motherhood, the following story is about something I have a huge problem with... not only as a woman, but as a human being... knowing (and accepting) God's will for my life.
I had worked for an attorney in Birmingham for eight years when I married Mikie. I truly loved my job and planned on working there until Mike and I started our family. However, Mike had to move to Cullman for his job, and since we had only been married for eight months when he received this news, he said he would really enjoy it if I would move with him. I didn't pray about my job situation and continued to work in Birmingham commuting over an hour each way every day.
Well, if I had asked the Lord what He wanted me to do, it is clear to me now (20 years after the fact) I was indeed supposed to move to Cullman and get a new job there. For 13 long months I made the miserable commute to Birmingham, and my job and relationships deteriorated daily because I was simply not doing what God wanted me to do. Week after week, I talked to Mike about giving my notice and week after week, he supported my decision to do what I thought was best. And then I decided. I would turn in my notice. What relief!!! What happiness!!! What joy!!! A huge burden had been lifted off my shoulders because the Most Stubborn Woman in the World was finally going to do what God had wanted her to do for over a year. The following Monday, I would give my notice.
Monday was a busy day, and I had a headache. Tuesday we had a birthday party at the office, and I got to see some old clients I hadn't seen in quite a while. It seemed a shame to mess up a good day. Wednesday my boss was out of town. I thought about telling him over the phone, but that seemed the coward's way out. Thursday was my favorite day of the week, and I tried to never spoil my favorite day. Friday was the last day of the week, and we were going out to eat that night. I wouldn't be able to enjoy my dinner at all if I had just done something as upsetting as quitting my job.
Needless to say, it was a long weekend as it always is when you are not doing what God has told you to do. Things would be different next week, I promised myself. Little did I know how different things would be.
SPOILER AND DISCLAIMER: NONE OF THE "ACCIDENTS" DESCRIBED BELOW ARE ON "RECORD" AND NO POLICE WERE EVER CALLED TO THE SCENES. THUS, JUST LIKE TRAFFIC WARNINGS ARE NOT CONSIDERED TICKETS, I DO NOT CONSIDER THESE INCIDENTS "WRECKS." (If you disagree and wish to argue the point, I'll be happy to do so. As far as I'm concerned, if there isn't a paper trail, it isn't a wreck!) Also, when you see the word "ding," please know we were sitting in bumper-to-bumper, 5 miles per hour traffic jams. There... I feel better now. On with the story...
Monday - Halfway to Birmingham, I decided to wait until Tuesday. At Malfunction Junction, I hit a van in front of me (just a "ding") and a large (450+ pound) man with tattoos all over his massive chest, arms and back got out of the vehicle. "How did you know he had tattoos all over his massive chest, arms and back?" you may ask. He wasn't wearing a shirt (and to be perfectly honest, he was barely wearing his pants). I felt sure I wasn't going to have to quit my job because an ax murderer was about to put an end to my suffering on this earth. Surprisingly, he just growled a couple of obscenities and got in the van and drove off.
Tuesday - I knew even though I had told Mikie, "This is the day," I had no intention of turning in my notice. At Malfunction Junction, I hit a white Toyota in front of me (just a "ding"), and a businessman in a nice suit came to my window and expressed his displeasure.
Wednesday - I made it to Birmingham without a "ding," but ran a yellow/red light and was pulled over. I didn't get a ticket, however, because by the time the police officer got to the window of my car, I was blubbering so badly even the prisoner in the back seat of the police car was feeling sorry for me.
Thursday - On my favorite day of the week, I hit a red truck in front of me (just a "ding"). This time the driver didn't even get out. He just waved me on. "What is wrong with me?" I thought to myself. I still didn't take care of the problem.
Friday - I made it to work without a traffic violation of any sort. I walked in and out of my employer's office a hundred times that day and never did the right thing.
The End of Part One!
Where's the bird? What has this got to do with anything? You promised us a Woodland Animal Story and we read the whole thing and NOTHING!
There is a bird... a big bird, and it will be in Pigeons From Heaven - Part Two... tomorrow!
While we're waiting for the rest of the story, let's try a new recipe, shall we?
Pumpkin Chip Cookies
1 1/2 cups butter, softened
2 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup sugar
1 can (15 ounces) solid-pack pumpkin
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups self-rising flour
2 cups quick-cooking oats
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
1. In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugars.
2. Beat in the pumpkin, egg and vanilla.
3. Combine the flour, oats and cinnamon; gradually add to creamed mixture.
4. Stir in chocolate chips.
5. Drop by tablespoonfuls 2" apart onto ungreased baking sheets.
6. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned.
Ta-da! Something different from a soup recipe. I love anything and everything pumpkin, so I'll be making these today, and I'll let you know how they turn out. This recipe came from my Taste of Home Halloween Party Favorites. I know it says "Halloween," but technically pumpkin can be used for Halloween OR Thanksgiving. Enjoy!
Have a terrific Tuesday! What other kind is there? Tomorrow we'll have Wednesday Wisdom, a Seasonal Tradition, the second part of Pigeons From Heaven and a new tooth update. I can hardly wait.
DON'T FORGET - Enter the 300th Post Contest. Read yesterday's post for details. You have until December 18, but you might as well enter today.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Sunday, November 15, 2009
God is Like Donuts Devotion
Good Monday morning!
What a weekend! The Showcase Pic is of Roxie and friends goofing off after the Pageant. As you can tell, they had a pretty good time.
The Gallery Pics are Pageant Pics, After-Pageant Pics, Day-After Pageant Pics and a little JSU Lovin' with Josh. So you would think that was our weekend, wouldn't you? But you would be wrong. So very, very wrong.
CONTEST! CONTEST! CONTEST! After much thought, I have decided the Contest winners celebrating my 300th post of A Simple Life will be awarded their very own Mystery Bag Party. That's right! We had such a good time in October, I have decided to have another Mystery Bag Party in January... and the six women who will accompany me on this "journey" will be selected from the women who enter the contest.
Just leave your name under my Comment Section, on Facebook or my e-mail with the word "CONTEST" beside it, and I will put your name in the bowl. I will draw SIX NAMES December 18... the day of my 300th post. You have a little over a month to enter. It will be a very fun party! I've also changed things a little from the first party, so it will be unique and different. I'll be reminding you once a week or so until December 18, so go ahead and get your name in today! A good time will be had by all who win!
Monday Mayhem
I'm hoping to get to something of substance in this post, but we'll just have to see. I have dull, but entertaining to me, stories to tell... and tell them I will!
Thursday afternoon around 4:45, I broke my tooth eating an Arby's sandwich. I was in immediate pain (not severe, but worrisome). I have never had a toothache before, and I was going for a record. The "No toothache until I'm 80 or dead... whichever comes first" record. I immediately called my dentist who said he would see me first thing Friday morning.
I showed up 10 minutes before opening time Friday morning, and he took me back right away. I was lucky. I didn't need a root canal, but I did need a crown (an earthly crown).
But wait, there's more! This wasn't your ordinary broken tooth/get a crown scenario. Oh, no. Something was wrong with the bone under the tooth, so I have to go to a periodontist and have my bone scraped BEFORE they can fix the tooth and give me the permanent crown.
You know that verse, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Sometimes, I think my life verse should read, "I am freakishly and wonderfully made." I just don't fit the norm.
"How long will that bone shaving thing last," I asked.
"Not long. About an hour," the dentist replied.
Now I'm new to all this, but bone shaving for an hour sounds like a long time. PLUS, it sounded painful, too, so I asked another question. "Will I be put to sleep during this procedure?"
"Well, we have a lot of drugs like Novocaine which we usually use, but I guess I could request that for you."
"Yeah. I'm going to need you to put in that request RIGHT AWAY. Very important. Mark it URGENT."
What I haven't told you is when he was giving me Novocaine shots before he drilled near the nerve, he kept asking if I could feel anything... and until I felt my left eye close, I kept saying, "Yes." The numbness finally left me completely today. But bone shaving? That just screams "Put me to sleep."
I left his office with a temporary crown and the promise of not one, but two, very miserable dental visits this week.
Is there anything "glass half full" to this story? He must have felt sorry for me because he gave me 16 Loritabs. Good dentist. Good, good dentist. (Now I've only used 2 1/2, but just knowing I have them gives me some peace of mind.)
Tooth problems aside, the rest of Saturday was very much pageant-oriented. Hair, make-up and interviews in the afternoon with the Pageant itself beginning at 6:00 in the evening. The girls all looked so beautiful and grown up. It would have been impossible for me to pick a winner. At the end when they announced the Top Ten, I wanted to yell, "Pick ten more!" It just wasn't enough. To all the winners AND participants, I just want to say I was very proud of you... and I'm glad it's over for another year.
Austin and Josh were very good brothers, and after driving in from the JSU game they sat through 1 hour and 45 minutes of the Pageant before Miss Congeniality and the Top Ten were announced... thus missing 1 hour and 45 minutes of the Auburn game. Roxie's name was called for Miss Congeniality, and as soon as she received her award, Mike texted the boys in the back of the auditorium to tell them they could slip out. He started chuckling, and I looked over to read a text he had received from Josh. "We're already gone." If only Auburn could have won to reward them for being good brothers, but that obviously was not to be.
Sunday was spent at church, taking more pictures, more church and The Amazing Race. Typical Sunday, but an extremely beautiful November day.
Speaking of Sunday, yesterday morning Pastor Kevin preached a sermon on Jonah and the whale, and I realized which Bible character I am most like... Jonah. No doubt about it. I AM Jonah. (For a long time, I was afraid I was more similar to Job's wife, so as you can imagine, this was a relief for me.)
To prove my point, beginning tomorrow I am going to re-tell The Pigeon Story. It's been awhile and if you've heard it before, feel free to skip... but if you're a Newbie, I think you'll see the similarities between me and Mr. Jonah quite clearly.
God is Like Donuts Devotion
This devotion comes straight from Object Talks That Teach the Gospel by Zach Hapeman. I chose it for today's Party/Event/Devotion because it teaches thankfulness in an unique (and delicious) way.
Theme: When we only see the bad in life, it's because we have forgotten how much greater the good is.
Supplies: At least two donuts of varying sizes. Most grocery stores carry small sugar donuts that can be dwarfed by any donut from a donut shop.
Point: Compare the holes in two donuts. The bigger the hole, the bigger the donut. Same way with God. When we are focused on what's missing in our lives and the troubles we bear, we often forget what's not missing. God is like donuts because the more difficulty we have, the more present he is. The bigger the hole in our lives; the bigger the donut God holds out for us.
Do you ever feel like nothing is going your way, like the whole world is out to get you? Have you ever had a bad day? Have you ever gotten up in the morning and just felt like being blue, kind of sad?
I think it is easy for us to look more at the bad things in our lives than the good things. We always notice the bad things that happen to us. We always notice when we hurt ourselves or lose a favorite toy, or when we get into an argument with a friend. But we don't always notice the good things in our lives, like the fact that God, the Creator of the universe, has a special place in his heart just for us.
The Bible tells us that because God loves us so much, he has created a great reward for us in heaven. So we should rejoice and be glad... not glum and full of sadness.
We have the biggest, best, most powerful and awesome person on our side -- God. How often when we're feeling bad do we forget that?
I think God is like donuts. (Pull out a small donut.) We are always looking at the hole, saying, "I wish I had more of this," and "I never have anything good happen to me." But the whole time we look at the hole, we forget about everything that is around that hole: all the blessings God has given us in our families, our friends, our health and best of all, our Savior Jesus Christ and the reward we have in heaven.
Now that's all fine and good, but here is the best thing about having God in our lives: (Pull out a big donut.) The bigger the hole, the more donut there is to be thankful for. We forget that as God's children, he is blessing and protecting us even more when times are bad. When we're feeling like the whole word is crashing down, that's when God really gets close and says: "Rejoice and be glad because great is your reward in heaven." We have much to be thankful for!
After your devotion, pray with your family thanking God for all your blessings. Finish this devotion by having a big, cold glass of milk with one of the donuts you didn't use for the illustration!
Have a lovely Monday. I may or may not be having my bone scraped. I'll let you know tomorrow. I've got a great dessert to try for Thanksgiving Tuesday, and don't forget The Pigeon Story. I can tie everything in with this past Sunday's sermon very neatly, I think.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
What a weekend! The Showcase Pic is of Roxie and friends goofing off after the Pageant. As you can tell, they had a pretty good time.
The Gallery Pics are Pageant Pics, After-Pageant Pics, Day-After Pageant Pics and a little JSU Lovin' with Josh. So you would think that was our weekend, wouldn't you? But you would be wrong. So very, very wrong.
CONTEST! CONTEST! CONTEST! After much thought, I have decided the Contest winners celebrating my 300th post of A Simple Life will be awarded their very own Mystery Bag Party. That's right! We had such a good time in October, I have decided to have another Mystery Bag Party in January... and the six women who will accompany me on this "journey" will be selected from the women who enter the contest.
Just leave your name under my Comment Section, on Facebook or my e-mail with the word "CONTEST" beside it, and I will put your name in the bowl. I will draw SIX NAMES December 18... the day of my 300th post. You have a little over a month to enter. It will be a very fun party! I've also changed things a little from the first party, so it will be unique and different. I'll be reminding you once a week or so until December 18, so go ahead and get your name in today! A good time will be had by all who win!
Monday Mayhem
I'm hoping to get to something of substance in this post, but we'll just have to see. I have dull, but entertaining to me, stories to tell... and tell them I will!
Thursday afternoon around 4:45, I broke my tooth eating an Arby's sandwich. I was in immediate pain (not severe, but worrisome). I have never had a toothache before, and I was going for a record. The "No toothache until I'm 80 or dead... whichever comes first" record. I immediately called my dentist who said he would see me first thing Friday morning.
I showed up 10 minutes before opening time Friday morning, and he took me back right away. I was lucky. I didn't need a root canal, but I did need a crown (an earthly crown).
But wait, there's more! This wasn't your ordinary broken tooth/get a crown scenario. Oh, no. Something was wrong with the bone under the tooth, so I have to go to a periodontist and have my bone scraped BEFORE they can fix the tooth and give me the permanent crown.
You know that verse, "I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Sometimes, I think my life verse should read, "I am freakishly and wonderfully made." I just don't fit the norm.
"How long will that bone shaving thing last," I asked.
"Not long. About an hour," the dentist replied.
Now I'm new to all this, but bone shaving for an hour sounds like a long time. PLUS, it sounded painful, too, so I asked another question. "Will I be put to sleep during this procedure?"
"Well, we have a lot of drugs like Novocaine which we usually use, but I guess I could request that for you."
"Yeah. I'm going to need you to put in that request RIGHT AWAY. Very important. Mark it URGENT."
What I haven't told you is when he was giving me Novocaine shots before he drilled near the nerve, he kept asking if I could feel anything... and until I felt my left eye close, I kept saying, "Yes." The numbness finally left me completely today. But bone shaving? That just screams "Put me to sleep."
I left his office with a temporary crown and the promise of not one, but two, very miserable dental visits this week.
Is there anything "glass half full" to this story? He must have felt sorry for me because he gave me 16 Loritabs. Good dentist. Good, good dentist. (Now I've only used 2 1/2, but just knowing I have them gives me some peace of mind.)
Tooth problems aside, the rest of Saturday was very much pageant-oriented. Hair, make-up and interviews in the afternoon with the Pageant itself beginning at 6:00 in the evening. The girls all looked so beautiful and grown up. It would have been impossible for me to pick a winner. At the end when they announced the Top Ten, I wanted to yell, "Pick ten more!" It just wasn't enough. To all the winners AND participants, I just want to say I was very proud of you... and I'm glad it's over for another year.
Austin and Josh were very good brothers, and after driving in from the JSU game they sat through 1 hour and 45 minutes of the Pageant before Miss Congeniality and the Top Ten were announced... thus missing 1 hour and 45 minutes of the Auburn game. Roxie's name was called for Miss Congeniality, and as soon as she received her award, Mike texted the boys in the back of the auditorium to tell them they could slip out. He started chuckling, and I looked over to read a text he had received from Josh. "We're already gone." If only Auburn could have won to reward them for being good brothers, but that obviously was not to be.
Sunday was spent at church, taking more pictures, more church and The Amazing Race. Typical Sunday, but an extremely beautiful November day.
Speaking of Sunday, yesterday morning Pastor Kevin preached a sermon on Jonah and the whale, and I realized which Bible character I am most like... Jonah. No doubt about it. I AM Jonah. (For a long time, I was afraid I was more similar to Job's wife, so as you can imagine, this was a relief for me.)
To prove my point, beginning tomorrow I am going to re-tell The Pigeon Story. It's been awhile and if you've heard it before, feel free to skip... but if you're a Newbie, I think you'll see the similarities between me and Mr. Jonah quite clearly.
God is Like Donuts Devotion
This devotion comes straight from Object Talks That Teach the Gospel by Zach Hapeman. I chose it for today's Party/Event/Devotion because it teaches thankfulness in an unique (and delicious) way.
Theme: When we only see the bad in life, it's because we have forgotten how much greater the good is.
Supplies: At least two donuts of varying sizes. Most grocery stores carry small sugar donuts that can be dwarfed by any donut from a donut shop.
Point: Compare the holes in two donuts. The bigger the hole, the bigger the donut. Same way with God. When we are focused on what's missing in our lives and the troubles we bear, we often forget what's not missing. God is like donuts because the more difficulty we have, the more present he is. The bigger the hole in our lives; the bigger the donut God holds out for us.
Do you ever feel like nothing is going your way, like the whole world is out to get you? Have you ever had a bad day? Have you ever gotten up in the morning and just felt like being blue, kind of sad?
I think it is easy for us to look more at the bad things in our lives than the good things. We always notice the bad things that happen to us. We always notice when we hurt ourselves or lose a favorite toy, or when we get into an argument with a friend. But we don't always notice the good things in our lives, like the fact that God, the Creator of the universe, has a special place in his heart just for us.
The Bible tells us that because God loves us so much, he has created a great reward for us in heaven. So we should rejoice and be glad... not glum and full of sadness.
We have the biggest, best, most powerful and awesome person on our side -- God. How often when we're feeling bad do we forget that?
I think God is like donuts. (Pull out a small donut.) We are always looking at the hole, saying, "I wish I had more of this," and "I never have anything good happen to me." But the whole time we look at the hole, we forget about everything that is around that hole: all the blessings God has given us in our families, our friends, our health and best of all, our Savior Jesus Christ and the reward we have in heaven.
Now that's all fine and good, but here is the best thing about having God in our lives: (Pull out a big donut.) The bigger the hole, the more donut there is to be thankful for. We forget that as God's children, he is blessing and protecting us even more when times are bad. When we're feeling like the whole word is crashing down, that's when God really gets close and says: "Rejoice and be glad because great is your reward in heaven." We have much to be thankful for!
After your devotion, pray with your family thanking God for all your blessings. Finish this devotion by having a big, cold glass of milk with one of the donuts you didn't use for the illustration!
Have a lovely Monday. I may or may not be having my bone scraped. I'll let you know tomorrow. I've got a great dessert to try for Thanksgiving Tuesday, and don't forget The Pigeon Story. I can tie everything in with this past Sunday's sermon very neatly, I think.
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Weekend Happenings
Good Friday morning!
The Gallery Pic this morning is of Roxie with her "pageant hair." It will be a little fluffier Saturday evening, but this is the general "do." Curly or straight? Curly or straight? It was the question that haunted us for weeks. (I'll believe it is going to stay curly when we leave the beauty shop Saturday afternoon... and not before!)
If I could, I would take a picture of my first ever toothache. My tooth cracked around a 40 year-old filling. I want to have it removed... tooth, filling, pain and throbbing, but I have a feeling they are going to want to "fix" it. My dentist warned me this day was coming a couple of years ago. He told me fillings were only meant to last about 40 years or so. "What?"
"Well, actually that's a pretty long time," he defended himself and dentists everywhere.
"That's only a long time when you're an eight year-old girl. Not when you're a 48 year-old woman!" I grumbled.
Since he isn't 40 yet (I'm not sure he's even 25), he doesn't really get it.
So today, I will be sitting in my dentist's office all morning hoping he can "squeeze me in" to "take a look-see." Who talks like that? Well, besides me.
I'm hoping this toothache of mine will enable me to try some new meds over the weekend. (That's just me trying to be a "glass half full" person again. Always looking for a silver lining!)
CONTEST! CONTEST! CONTEST! After much thought, I have decided the Contest winners celebrating my 300th post of A Simple Life will be awarded their very own Mystery Bag Party. That's right! We had such a good time in October, I have decided to have another Mystery Bag Party in January... and the six women who will accompany me on this "journey" will be selected from the women who enter the contest.
Just leave your name under my Comment Section, on Facebook or my e-mail with the word "CONTEST" beside it, and I will put your name in the bowl. I will draw SIX NAMES December 18... the day of my 300th post. You have a little over a month to enter. It will be a very fun party! I've also changed things a little from the first party, so it will be unique and different. I'll be reminding you once a week or so until December 18, so go ahead and get your name in today! A good time will be had by all who win!
Holiday Organization Tips - Day 4
The only tip I have for today is simply to remember why we celebrate Christmas in the first place. I love all the "stuff" that comes with Christmas. I really, really do. But I think when we focus more on the "stuff" instead of the real reason... Well, that's when things get stressful.
"And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register, along with Mary who was engaged to him, and was with child. And it came about that while they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her first-born son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." Luke 2:4-7. It isn't just a story in a book. It really happened.
I'm going to end this section with a song I posted a few days ago... "Turn you eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace." I have trouble remembering that. I always have. But I'm going to keep trying.
Teacher's Gifts
7. I have one more gift suggestion for this week. I knew a woman who baked two Quiche Lorraines and a dessert for her child's teacher. She would deliver them late in the day, and all the teacher had to supply at home was salad and tea. Having been a teacher herself, she realized how nice it was to have dinner ready and waiting when you arrived home. This would be especially welcome during the hectic Christmas season. A fairly inexpensive gift, but oh, so nice!
Weekend Happenings
Friday night is WIDE OPEN! I love saying that. WIDE OPEN! There. I said it again. I don't know what we'll do. It will just be four of us, but I'm hoping for something like a Faulkner Family Game Night. We'll see what happens.
Saturday is Pageant Day! Roxie will have her hair done at 1:00, her make-up done at 2:30 and she must be dressed and ready to go at 4:00. The Pageant starts at 6:00.
Mike and Josh are going to JSU for the football game, but they should be back in plenty of time (along with Austin) to see the Pageant. At the end, Austin, Josh and Mike will RUN home to watch the Auburn game in its entirety thanks to TiVo or DiVo or whatever you call it. (I miss my VCR. I actually knew how to operate that little piece of machinery.)
I think Sunday is an open day, too. See how well I'm doing. I'm not planning every minute of every day. I think my throbbing toothache is having a positive effect on me. (Code for I CAN'T CONCENTRATE ON ANYTHING BUT THE PAIN IN MY MOUTH, AND I HOPE I GET SOME GOOD MEDS TODAY!)
Have a wonderful weekend. I hope you get to spend a lot of special time with your family and friends. Next week, we've got a lot of things to talk about, so be sure and stop by if you get a minute.
Don't forget to enter the Contest. Don't forget to check Belinda's Project 365 Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Don't forget to read Newbie Info if you are indeed a Newbie.
Take care, and I'll talk to you Monday.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting and Throbbing Belinda
The Gallery Pic this morning is of Roxie with her "pageant hair." It will be a little fluffier Saturday evening, but this is the general "do." Curly or straight? Curly or straight? It was the question that haunted us for weeks. (I'll believe it is going to stay curly when we leave the beauty shop Saturday afternoon... and not before!)
If I could, I would take a picture of my first ever toothache. My tooth cracked around a 40 year-old filling. I want to have it removed... tooth, filling, pain and throbbing, but I have a feeling they are going to want to "fix" it. My dentist warned me this day was coming a couple of years ago. He told me fillings were only meant to last about 40 years or so. "What?"
"Well, actually that's a pretty long time," he defended himself and dentists everywhere.
"That's only a long time when you're an eight year-old girl. Not when you're a 48 year-old woman!" I grumbled.
Since he isn't 40 yet (I'm not sure he's even 25), he doesn't really get it.
So today, I will be sitting in my dentist's office all morning hoping he can "squeeze me in" to "take a look-see." Who talks like that? Well, besides me.
I'm hoping this toothache of mine will enable me to try some new meds over the weekend. (That's just me trying to be a "glass half full" person again. Always looking for a silver lining!)
CONTEST! CONTEST! CONTEST! After much thought, I have decided the Contest winners celebrating my 300th post of A Simple Life will be awarded their very own Mystery Bag Party. That's right! We had such a good time in October, I have decided to have another Mystery Bag Party in January... and the six women who will accompany me on this "journey" will be selected from the women who enter the contest.
Just leave your name under my Comment Section, on Facebook or my e-mail with the word "CONTEST" beside it, and I will put your name in the bowl. I will draw SIX NAMES December 18... the day of my 300th post. You have a little over a month to enter. It will be a very fun party! I've also changed things a little from the first party, so it will be unique and different. I'll be reminding you once a week or so until December 18, so go ahead and get your name in today! A good time will be had by all who win!
Holiday Organization Tips - Day 4
The only tip I have for today is simply to remember why we celebrate Christmas in the first place. I love all the "stuff" that comes with Christmas. I really, really do. But I think when we focus more on the "stuff" instead of the real reason... Well, that's when things get stressful.
"And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register, along with Mary who was engaged to him, and was with child. And it came about that while they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her first-born son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn." Luke 2:4-7. It isn't just a story in a book. It really happened.
I'm going to end this section with a song I posted a few days ago... "Turn you eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace." I have trouble remembering that. I always have. But I'm going to keep trying.
Teacher's Gifts
7. I have one more gift suggestion for this week. I knew a woman who baked two Quiche Lorraines and a dessert for her child's teacher. She would deliver them late in the day, and all the teacher had to supply at home was salad and tea. Having been a teacher herself, she realized how nice it was to have dinner ready and waiting when you arrived home. This would be especially welcome during the hectic Christmas season. A fairly inexpensive gift, but oh, so nice!
Weekend Happenings
Friday night is WIDE OPEN! I love saying that. WIDE OPEN! There. I said it again. I don't know what we'll do. It will just be four of us, but I'm hoping for something like a Faulkner Family Game Night. We'll see what happens.
Saturday is Pageant Day! Roxie will have her hair done at 1:00, her make-up done at 2:30 and she must be dressed and ready to go at 4:00. The Pageant starts at 6:00.
Mike and Josh are going to JSU for the football game, but they should be back in plenty of time (along with Austin) to see the Pageant. At the end, Austin, Josh and Mike will RUN home to watch the Auburn game in its entirety thanks to TiVo or DiVo or whatever you call it. (I miss my VCR. I actually knew how to operate that little piece of machinery.)
I think Sunday is an open day, too. See how well I'm doing. I'm not planning every minute of every day. I think my throbbing toothache is having a positive effect on me. (Code for I CAN'T CONCENTRATE ON ANYTHING BUT THE PAIN IN MY MOUTH, AND I HOPE I GET SOME GOOD MEDS TODAY!)
Have a wonderful weekend. I hope you get to spend a lot of special time with your family and friends. Next week, we've got a lot of things to talk about, so be sure and stop by if you get a minute.
Don't forget to enter the Contest. Don't forget to check Belinda's Project 365 Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Don't forget to read Newbie Info if you are indeed a Newbie.
Take care, and I'll talk to you Monday.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting and Throbbing Belinda
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Make a Sibling Christmas Gift Date
Good Thursday morning!
The Gallery Pic today is of something I feel necessary to warn you to avoid! I love Activia Light Vanilla Yogurt. It is sweet, creamy and it tastes good. Well, imagine my delight when I saw Activia Light Vanilla Yogurt with FIBER. A "twofer." A healthy "twofer." Yes!
Well, not so much. They took my sweet, creamy and tasty yogurt and added a tablespoon of sawdust. It is not good... not good at all. Thankfully, they still make the yogurt WITHOUT the sawdust, so I am not totally unhappy. But I did want to do this little Public Service Announcement for the dozen or so people who might stumble across A Simple Life today. Save your money and STEP AWAY FROM THE FIBER!
Today was a very good day. I hadn't realized how long it had been since we had a day off from school. It was Labor Day! And for today to be such a beautiful day after yesterday's monsoon made it even better still. Roxie enjoyed a day with friends. Josh went to a movie with friends. Mikie came home from Chicago around 2:00, and he took Roxie on a date to see A Christmas Carol. If Austin had been off today, it would have been a rare perfect day for the Faulkner Five. Unfortunately, not only did he still have classes, but he also had tests. Oh, well. Thanksgiving is just around the corner.
Holiday Organization Tips - Day 3
Today, we're talking about Christmas Cards. The single most stress-inducing Christmas activity known to man. The clothes, the hair, the perfect smiles, the setting... it's enough to give you a migraine!
I remember a time when Josh had just turned two, Austin was almost five and Roxie hadn't even arrived yet. I was just working with two little guys. I had used at least 20 rolls of film (NO exaggeration) and the Wal-Mart Christmas Card deadline was coming up at midnight. (There is no deadline now. You can pick up your cards one hour after you pick them out on the "machine." But 13 years ago, believe me... there was a deadline.)
We had just finished eating spaghetti, and the boys were in a good mood. Spaghetti will do that for little fellows. They were giggly and hugging. Josh had a Christmas turtleneck on with red pants, but he had a big spaghetti stain on the front. Austin was wearing a red turtleneck with black jeans. This was my chance.
I whispered to Mike, "Run get Austin's Christmas vest out of his closet. Don't let him see you. Don't make any sudden movements. Go. Go. Go!"
I lured the boys into the living room to play in front of the Christmas tree. Mike came quietly down the stairs and was standing behind the door. I motioned for him to move in. Before Austin knew it, he was wearing a vest, his hair was combed and Mike had expertly positioned him in front of the tree. In the three seconds it took to accomplish this feat, I had whipped Josh's turtleneck off and put it back on backwards to hide the stain, and set his little bottom in a wooden rocking chair sitting nearby.
For a moment, both boys looked stunned, and then they started laughing. I had my camera hidden under my shirt (where it lived most days) and started clicking away. I had four exposures left on that roll. There wasn't time to change the film. The moment had passed. I weakly handed the film to Mikie and asked him to run it to Wal-Mart for one-hour developing to see what we had. We had four hours until the deadline. I put the boys in the tub.
When Mike came home, I heard him running up the stairs. Either he was being chased, or he had something good he wanted to show me. It was the latter. A really good Christmas Card picture... with Josh's shirt on backwards. Laughing boys, eyes open, fingers not in their noses, hair combed... beautiful Christmas Card pictures. What a relief!
Because of digital cameras, those days are gone. Yes, it can still be difficult to take the perfect Christmas Card picture depending on the age of the kids, but you can see immediately if you have something to work with.
Last year, as a gift to my family, we did a collage picture Christmas Card. We used four pictures we took at our Thanksgiving dinner and put them on one card... digitally. It turned out great. A week or so before Christmas, one of the kids asked when we were going to take the dreaded Christmas Card picture, and I was able to pull it out and show it to them. It was my little gift to them.
If you have trouble in this department, I highly recommend the collage card to get the best shots of everyone in your family.
As far as other tips go to make Christmas Cards an easier task, I address five or six a day. Just like wrapping gifts, I very seldom have several hours to sit down and address all of them at once, but I always have 10 or 15 minutes a day to address a few. Within a week to ten days, you are finished and you can mail them.
I also have a friend who loved sending picture Christmas Cards, but it was just too much for her to do during the Christmas season. Sometimes she even had the perfect picture, but no time to send them out. She solved her problem by sending the cards the week after Christmas and calling them New Year's Day cards. They were still festive. They were still seasonal. They were still well-received.
I also know people who were in the habit of sending a Christmas letter with their cards. If they had a year where it was hard to not only take a Christmas Card picture, address and mail all the cards, BUT also write a letter, they just put it off until it was too late. If you want to write a letter, write a brief, but descriptive note which will fit on the back of the Christmas Card. Having the size of the note diminished will make it easier to write than a one- or two-page letter.
Teacher's Gifts
5. The Movie Gallery has a deal for $11.99. You get a bag of popcorn, a bottled soda, a candy bar and two movie rentals. That's a great deal and a nice gift, too.
6. Ask your child's teacher if she would like a new Christmas book of DVD for her classroom collection. There are usually several new ones published each year. This would be something useful for her AND her classroom.
Blog Linkage
1. Turn your attention to Jody's post today on Nitty.Gritty on my sidebar. Short, but sweet. And so, so true. It will help put the mundane into perspective.
2. This website came from a friend of a friend on Facebook. It is a very nice website and has great tips on organizing for the holidays week per week. I enjoyed reading her tips, and I'm planning on utilizing some of them. Go to http://simplemom.net.
3. As always, check out http://blog.al.com/bargain-mom each and every week. She keeps a very up-to-date website... everything from bargains to fun places to take the kids, etc. If it is a bargain, she has it!
4. If you haven't become a fan of The Pioneer Woman, now is the time. Click on Confessions of a Pioneer Woman on my sidebar and enjoy looking at life through the eyes of this woman. The pictures and stories are wonderful. You almost feel as though you are living on a ranch in Oklahoma. Almost!
5. Click on Big Mama under my sidebar. She has written a post about Veteran's Day and the American Flag, and it is excellent. Pay special attention to the meaning of the last fold in the "folding of the flag" ceremony. Wonderful!
Make a Sibling Christmas Gift Date
This is a date Roxie and I are going to be taking the next week or so. Since Austin is attending JSU and Josh is an Auburn fan, Roxie and I are going to The Painted Bisquet in Cullman, and she is going to spend a couple of hours painting mugs with their favorite school colors.
I like the Painted Bisquet because you can paint the mug a solid color, and then add the second color with a polka dot sponge they use in the shop. It makes a perfect circle. She's going to fill them with hot chocolate packets. Both of the guys love hot chocolate, and I imagine Austin will be a coffee drinker before his college days are over, so these will be useful and practical gifts, too.
We'll spend time talking on the drive to Cullman, as well as the time in the store and the drive back.
When it is time to pick up the mugs a week or so later, I'll plan the time so we can have lunch together. That makes this date a "twofer."
It's a great shop, and they have a lot of wonderful gift ideas. This can be a date with any of your kids and they can make something for Dad or a grandparent. Make the date your own.
Their address is 111-A 1st Street, N.E. (Warehouse District) in Cullman, and their phone number is 256-775-2477. They are open Wednesday through Friday 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Have a fantastic Thursday. I wish we were out of school another day! Friday we'll discuss Weekend Happenings, a few more random holiday organization tips, I'll have a couple more Teacher's Gifts, and who knows what else!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
The Gallery Pic today is of something I feel necessary to warn you to avoid! I love Activia Light Vanilla Yogurt. It is sweet, creamy and it tastes good. Well, imagine my delight when I saw Activia Light Vanilla Yogurt with FIBER. A "twofer." A healthy "twofer." Yes!
Well, not so much. They took my sweet, creamy and tasty yogurt and added a tablespoon of sawdust. It is not good... not good at all. Thankfully, they still make the yogurt WITHOUT the sawdust, so I am not totally unhappy. But I did want to do this little Public Service Announcement for the dozen or so people who might stumble across A Simple Life today. Save your money and STEP AWAY FROM THE FIBER!
Today was a very good day. I hadn't realized how long it had been since we had a day off from school. It was Labor Day! And for today to be such a beautiful day after yesterday's monsoon made it even better still. Roxie enjoyed a day with friends. Josh went to a movie with friends. Mikie came home from Chicago around 2:00, and he took Roxie on a date to see A Christmas Carol. If Austin had been off today, it would have been a rare perfect day for the Faulkner Five. Unfortunately, not only did he still have classes, but he also had tests. Oh, well. Thanksgiving is just around the corner.
Holiday Organization Tips - Day 3
Today, we're talking about Christmas Cards. The single most stress-inducing Christmas activity known to man. The clothes, the hair, the perfect smiles, the setting... it's enough to give you a migraine!
I remember a time when Josh had just turned two, Austin was almost five and Roxie hadn't even arrived yet. I was just working with two little guys. I had used at least 20 rolls of film (NO exaggeration) and the Wal-Mart Christmas Card deadline was coming up at midnight. (There is no deadline now. You can pick up your cards one hour after you pick them out on the "machine." But 13 years ago, believe me... there was a deadline.)
We had just finished eating spaghetti, and the boys were in a good mood. Spaghetti will do that for little fellows. They were giggly and hugging. Josh had a Christmas turtleneck on with red pants, but he had a big spaghetti stain on the front. Austin was wearing a red turtleneck with black jeans. This was my chance.
I whispered to Mike, "Run get Austin's Christmas vest out of his closet. Don't let him see you. Don't make any sudden movements. Go. Go. Go!"
I lured the boys into the living room to play in front of the Christmas tree. Mike came quietly down the stairs and was standing behind the door. I motioned for him to move in. Before Austin knew it, he was wearing a vest, his hair was combed and Mike had expertly positioned him in front of the tree. In the three seconds it took to accomplish this feat, I had whipped Josh's turtleneck off and put it back on backwards to hide the stain, and set his little bottom in a wooden rocking chair sitting nearby.
For a moment, both boys looked stunned, and then they started laughing. I had my camera hidden under my shirt (where it lived most days) and started clicking away. I had four exposures left on that roll. There wasn't time to change the film. The moment had passed. I weakly handed the film to Mikie and asked him to run it to Wal-Mart for one-hour developing to see what we had. We had four hours until the deadline. I put the boys in the tub.
When Mike came home, I heard him running up the stairs. Either he was being chased, or he had something good he wanted to show me. It was the latter. A really good Christmas Card picture... with Josh's shirt on backwards. Laughing boys, eyes open, fingers not in their noses, hair combed... beautiful Christmas Card pictures. What a relief!
Because of digital cameras, those days are gone. Yes, it can still be difficult to take the perfect Christmas Card picture depending on the age of the kids, but you can see immediately if you have something to work with.
Last year, as a gift to my family, we did a collage picture Christmas Card. We used four pictures we took at our Thanksgiving dinner and put them on one card... digitally. It turned out great. A week or so before Christmas, one of the kids asked when we were going to take the dreaded Christmas Card picture, and I was able to pull it out and show it to them. It was my little gift to them.
If you have trouble in this department, I highly recommend the collage card to get the best shots of everyone in your family.
As far as other tips go to make Christmas Cards an easier task, I address five or six a day. Just like wrapping gifts, I very seldom have several hours to sit down and address all of them at once, but I always have 10 or 15 minutes a day to address a few. Within a week to ten days, you are finished and you can mail them.
I also have a friend who loved sending picture Christmas Cards, but it was just too much for her to do during the Christmas season. Sometimes she even had the perfect picture, but no time to send them out. She solved her problem by sending the cards the week after Christmas and calling them New Year's Day cards. They were still festive. They were still seasonal. They were still well-received.
I also know people who were in the habit of sending a Christmas letter with their cards. If they had a year where it was hard to not only take a Christmas Card picture, address and mail all the cards, BUT also write a letter, they just put it off until it was too late. If you want to write a letter, write a brief, but descriptive note which will fit on the back of the Christmas Card. Having the size of the note diminished will make it easier to write than a one- or two-page letter.
Teacher's Gifts
5. The Movie Gallery has a deal for $11.99. You get a bag of popcorn, a bottled soda, a candy bar and two movie rentals. That's a great deal and a nice gift, too.
6. Ask your child's teacher if she would like a new Christmas book of DVD for her classroom collection. There are usually several new ones published each year. This would be something useful for her AND her classroom.
Blog Linkage
1. Turn your attention to Jody's post today on Nitty.Gritty on my sidebar. Short, but sweet. And so, so true. It will help put the mundane into perspective.
2. This website came from a friend of a friend on Facebook. It is a very nice website and has great tips on organizing for the holidays week per week. I enjoyed reading her tips, and I'm planning on utilizing some of them. Go to http://simplemom.net.
3. As always, check out http://blog.al.com/bargain-mom each and every week. She keeps a very up-to-date website... everything from bargains to fun places to take the kids, etc. If it is a bargain, she has it!
4. If you haven't become a fan of The Pioneer Woman, now is the time. Click on Confessions of a Pioneer Woman on my sidebar and enjoy looking at life through the eyes of this woman. The pictures and stories are wonderful. You almost feel as though you are living on a ranch in Oklahoma. Almost!
5. Click on Big Mama under my sidebar. She has written a post about Veteran's Day and the American Flag, and it is excellent. Pay special attention to the meaning of the last fold in the "folding of the flag" ceremony. Wonderful!
Make a Sibling Christmas Gift Date
This is a date Roxie and I are going to be taking the next week or so. Since Austin is attending JSU and Josh is an Auburn fan, Roxie and I are going to The Painted Bisquet in Cullman, and she is going to spend a couple of hours painting mugs with their favorite school colors.
I like the Painted Bisquet because you can paint the mug a solid color, and then add the second color with a polka dot sponge they use in the shop. It makes a perfect circle. She's going to fill them with hot chocolate packets. Both of the guys love hot chocolate, and I imagine Austin will be a coffee drinker before his college days are over, so these will be useful and practical gifts, too.
We'll spend time talking on the drive to Cullman, as well as the time in the store and the drive back.
When it is time to pick up the mugs a week or so later, I'll plan the time so we can have lunch together. That makes this date a "twofer."
It's a great shop, and they have a lot of wonderful gift ideas. This can be a date with any of your kids and they can make something for Dad or a grandparent. Make the date your own.
Their address is 111-A 1st Street, N.E. (Warehouse District) in Cullman, and their phone number is 256-775-2477. They are open Wednesday through Friday 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Have a fantastic Thursday. I wish we were out of school another day! Friday we'll discuss Weekend Happenings, a few more random holiday organization tips, I'll have a couple more Teacher's Gifts, and who knows what else!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Christmas Shopping "Swap the Kids"
Good Wednesday morning!
First of all, I just want to say I am thankful for my sight. I obviously wore Josh's glasses all day today and have been dizzy, suffered from a massive headache, and although I could read all the road signs, etc., I felt my vision had considerably worsened during the night.
I am also thankful I didn't go to the eye doctor and pay them a $30 co-pay for them to tell me I was wearing someone else's glasses. It's been a good day!
The Gallery Pics this morning show the Cheesy Wild Rice soup from beginning to end. It is delicious. The only thing I would do differently is serve it with the Mexican Cornbread Muffins used with the Turnip Green Soup. But that's just me. I'm sorry to say, Soup Season is now officially over, and we must move on to other food sources... mainly chocolate. (I may change my mind on this one if someone has another great soup idea, so do not hesitate to share if you have a recipe!)
Wednesday Wisdom - I'm going with a theme today. SIMPLIFY! Here are a couple of wise sayings which you (and I) need to tattoo discreetly on our bodies!
"The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak." Hans Hofmann.
"It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all." Laura Ingalls Wilder. Love her!
Holiday Organization Tips - Day 2
Okay. I'm assuming Lists 1 through 4 are well on their way to being completed... or not! Whatever the case, we'll be talking about List 1 and List 2 today (Gifts and Calendars) and ways to simplify our lives.
Buying Gifts - Personally, I try to buy one to three gifts a week beginning in October. Of course, if I fall behind I have to kick it up a notch, but having one or two gifts bought and wrapped is better than NOTHING! And we try to avoid NOTHING at all costs. So, if you haven't bought any gifts (or just a few), this is the week to make a goal to purchase one to three gifts by Saturday afternoon. Go ahead and wrap these gifts. Believe me, it will help your breathing which by this time of the year is becoming increasingly more difficult!
When the kids were small, I would trade out with another mom who had children the same ages as my own. I would power shop for four hours. A few days later, it would be her turn. This is a great way to get things done, and also have a fun play date for your kids.
This is also today's Seasonal Tradition. Check for details below.
Delegate your list. Let your husband be responsible for his side of the family, electronic purchases or gifts for one or more of the kids. Give him ideas and lists, but let him be in charge of several items, and then STEP BACK. Let him know when you need the gifts giving him plenty of time to shop.
I'm a big believer in giving some of the same type gifts every year. Each of my kids will receive a calendar featuring a favorite TV show or activity, an ornament which represents something that happened in their life this past year, and a new devotional book. These are nine gifts I always give the three kids, so it is easy to look for these early in the shopping season.
Also, when the kids became older, I changed their stocking stuffers from small trinkets and gifts and began making Movie Stockings. We go to the movies the day after Christmas each year. (It was a tradition started five years ago, and we have really enjoyed it. It's obviously a tradition for many families because the theaters are usually packed.) Each child's stocking includes a RAVE ticket, their favorite popcorn seasoning salt and favorite candy bar and sucker. (Yes. We take candy bars and suckers into the movie! But we always buy a giant tub of popcorn and a large drink with five straws... ALWAYS!)
Also, all the grandparents receive a photo calendar each year, so these can be purchased ahead of time.
Remember, try to buy at least one to three gifts a week and watch your stash grow and your stress diminish.
Calendars - Calendars are tough. At this time in our lives, we know what to expect. Christmas Band Concert, Mikie's work party, church musical, family parties, etc. But from year to year, there have always been things we have not attended.
Say "no" when you've already received a prior invitation. Party hopping is exhausting and takes away from the enjoyment of sitting down and actually visiting with friends and family during Christmas.
While we always enjoy the Christmas Parade, we have skipped the years we haven't had a child participating in the Parade to have a nice dinner at home and watch a Christmas movie.
If you are looking at a calendar so full there isn't any time to spend with your own little family, see what you can delete. If you host three parties a year at your home, you may need to cut it down to two for a few years until the kids get a little older.
I also know a lady who would have three parties, but she had them all in the same week. While it may sound hectic, the menu stayed the same so she just tripled everything she made, decorated once, cleaned thoroughly for the first party and then straightened up for parties two and three. She enjoyed entertaining, but when the week was over, she could relax and enjoy the rest of her Christmas.
I have a friend who would put no more than one thing per day on her calendar. Once that day had an activity or party, it was CLOSED. She also didn't put anything on her calendar AFTER the 15th day of December except for family parties. This gave her time to finish up her Christmas shopping etc., and enjoy the rest of the season with her own family. When people asked her to do something December 17, she would kindly say she already had plans. And she did... with her family.
As I said before, the Calendar is a tricky thing. It can sneak up on you. Be very wise and prayerful about what you write in INK.
Teacher Gift Ideas
As promised, a couple more Teacher Gift Ideas.
3. A large tin of popcorn. You see these in Wal-Mart all the time. I love these tins. But take it a step further and when the teacher opens the popcorn, have a Movie Gallery Gift Certificate taped to the bottom of the lid. Movie and popcorn. Perfect!
4. If you are buying a gift from the entire class, after you have collected all the money, tape a Gift Certificate from The Summit or The Galleria in the middle of a shirt box. Have all the children sign their names on the inside of the shirt box around the taped Gift Certificate. I know I wouldn't mind a shopping spree for a Christmas gift.
Christmas Shopping "Swap the Kids"
As I stated above, if you can swap the kids with a friend and get some shopping done, make sure they have a festive, easy, inexpensive Christmas outing with their friends during this time.
Here are some ideas to help make that happen.
1. Bake cookies. If you do not want to roll out, cut out and decorate cookies, simplify by making the Cake Box Cookies. This recipe came from Becky Higgins. It is beyond easy, and to make them Christmasy, just add green or red food coloring. Even small children can help with these cookies. You will need the following:
1 cake mix (We like Funfetti Cake Mix)
2 eggs
1/2 cup oil
1 cup white chocolate chips
Mix all ingredients together. Spoon cookies on a greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 9 minutes. (Don't forget to add the food coloring when you are making the batter!)
2. Read the children a Christmas story.
3. Let them paint a picture on aluminum foil (Christmas tree, star, etc.).
4. Sing and dance to Christmas music.
5. Pile pillows in the den and settle down to watch a Christmas movie.
6. Buy an inexpensive, age-appropriate Christmas craft kit at Hobby Lobby, Wal-Mart or Michael's. They have dozens for each and every age group.
Make it a small, but fun, Christmas party, and ask the other mom to do the same. (This is called a "festive twofer.")
Have a drier Wednesday if possible. Tomorrow I have a fun Thanksgiving date and Blog Linkage. Some of the Blog Linkage has to do with other ideas for organizing and simplifying your holiday season, so please check back. We'll also talk about Christmas cards and some ways to make that process a little more stress-free.
As always, any ideas you might have to share will be greatly appreciated!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
First of all, I just want to say I am thankful for my sight. I obviously wore Josh's glasses all day today and have been dizzy, suffered from a massive headache, and although I could read all the road signs, etc., I felt my vision had considerably worsened during the night.
I am also thankful I didn't go to the eye doctor and pay them a $30 co-pay for them to tell me I was wearing someone else's glasses. It's been a good day!
The Gallery Pics this morning show the Cheesy Wild Rice soup from beginning to end. It is delicious. The only thing I would do differently is serve it with the Mexican Cornbread Muffins used with the Turnip Green Soup. But that's just me. I'm sorry to say, Soup Season is now officially over, and we must move on to other food sources... mainly chocolate. (I may change my mind on this one if someone has another great soup idea, so do not hesitate to share if you have a recipe!)
Wednesday Wisdom - I'm going with a theme today. SIMPLIFY! Here are a couple of wise sayings which you (and I) need to tattoo discreetly on our bodies!
"The ability to simplify means to eliminate the unnecessary so that the necessary may speak." Hans Hofmann.
"It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all." Laura Ingalls Wilder. Love her!
Holiday Organization Tips - Day 2
Okay. I'm assuming Lists 1 through 4 are well on their way to being completed... or not! Whatever the case, we'll be talking about List 1 and List 2 today (Gifts and Calendars) and ways to simplify our lives.
Buying Gifts - Personally, I try to buy one to three gifts a week beginning in October. Of course, if I fall behind I have to kick it up a notch, but having one or two gifts bought and wrapped is better than NOTHING! And we try to avoid NOTHING at all costs. So, if you haven't bought any gifts (or just a few), this is the week to make a goal to purchase one to three gifts by Saturday afternoon. Go ahead and wrap these gifts. Believe me, it will help your breathing which by this time of the year is becoming increasingly more difficult!
When the kids were small, I would trade out with another mom who had children the same ages as my own. I would power shop for four hours. A few days later, it would be her turn. This is a great way to get things done, and also have a fun play date for your kids.
This is also today's Seasonal Tradition. Check for details below.
Delegate your list. Let your husband be responsible for his side of the family, electronic purchases or gifts for one or more of the kids. Give him ideas and lists, but let him be in charge of several items, and then STEP BACK. Let him know when you need the gifts giving him plenty of time to shop.
I'm a big believer in giving some of the same type gifts every year. Each of my kids will receive a calendar featuring a favorite TV show or activity, an ornament which represents something that happened in their life this past year, and a new devotional book. These are nine gifts I always give the three kids, so it is easy to look for these early in the shopping season.
Also, when the kids became older, I changed their stocking stuffers from small trinkets and gifts and began making Movie Stockings. We go to the movies the day after Christmas each year. (It was a tradition started five years ago, and we have really enjoyed it. It's obviously a tradition for many families because the theaters are usually packed.) Each child's stocking includes a RAVE ticket, their favorite popcorn seasoning salt and favorite candy bar and sucker. (Yes. We take candy bars and suckers into the movie! But we always buy a giant tub of popcorn and a large drink with five straws... ALWAYS!)
Also, all the grandparents receive a photo calendar each year, so these can be purchased ahead of time.
Remember, try to buy at least one to three gifts a week and watch your stash grow and your stress diminish.
Calendars - Calendars are tough. At this time in our lives, we know what to expect. Christmas Band Concert, Mikie's work party, church musical, family parties, etc. But from year to year, there have always been things we have not attended.
Say "no" when you've already received a prior invitation. Party hopping is exhausting and takes away from the enjoyment of sitting down and actually visiting with friends and family during Christmas.
While we always enjoy the Christmas Parade, we have skipped the years we haven't had a child participating in the Parade to have a nice dinner at home and watch a Christmas movie.
If you are looking at a calendar so full there isn't any time to spend with your own little family, see what you can delete. If you host three parties a year at your home, you may need to cut it down to two for a few years until the kids get a little older.
I also know a lady who would have three parties, but she had them all in the same week. While it may sound hectic, the menu stayed the same so she just tripled everything she made, decorated once, cleaned thoroughly for the first party and then straightened up for parties two and three. She enjoyed entertaining, but when the week was over, she could relax and enjoy the rest of her Christmas.
I have a friend who would put no more than one thing per day on her calendar. Once that day had an activity or party, it was CLOSED. She also didn't put anything on her calendar AFTER the 15th day of December except for family parties. This gave her time to finish up her Christmas shopping etc., and enjoy the rest of the season with her own family. When people asked her to do something December 17, she would kindly say she already had plans. And she did... with her family.
As I said before, the Calendar is a tricky thing. It can sneak up on you. Be very wise and prayerful about what you write in INK.
Teacher Gift Ideas
As promised, a couple more Teacher Gift Ideas.
3. A large tin of popcorn. You see these in Wal-Mart all the time. I love these tins. But take it a step further and when the teacher opens the popcorn, have a Movie Gallery Gift Certificate taped to the bottom of the lid. Movie and popcorn. Perfect!
4. If you are buying a gift from the entire class, after you have collected all the money, tape a Gift Certificate from The Summit or The Galleria in the middle of a shirt box. Have all the children sign their names on the inside of the shirt box around the taped Gift Certificate. I know I wouldn't mind a shopping spree for a Christmas gift.
Christmas Shopping "Swap the Kids"
As I stated above, if you can swap the kids with a friend and get some shopping done, make sure they have a festive, easy, inexpensive Christmas outing with their friends during this time.
Here are some ideas to help make that happen.
1. Bake cookies. If you do not want to roll out, cut out and decorate cookies, simplify by making the Cake Box Cookies. This recipe came from Becky Higgins. It is beyond easy, and to make them Christmasy, just add green or red food coloring. Even small children can help with these cookies. You will need the following:
1 cake mix (We like Funfetti Cake Mix)
2 eggs
1/2 cup oil
1 cup white chocolate chips
Mix all ingredients together. Spoon cookies on a greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 9 minutes. (Don't forget to add the food coloring when you are making the batter!)
2. Read the children a Christmas story.
3. Let them paint a picture on aluminum foil (Christmas tree, star, etc.).
4. Sing and dance to Christmas music.
5. Pile pillows in the den and settle down to watch a Christmas movie.
6. Buy an inexpensive, age-appropriate Christmas craft kit at Hobby Lobby, Wal-Mart or Michael's. They have dozens for each and every age group.
Make it a small, but fun, Christmas party, and ask the other mom to do the same. (This is called a "festive twofer.")
Have a drier Wednesday if possible. Tomorrow I have a fun Thanksgiving date and Blog Linkage. Some of the Blog Linkage has to do with other ideas for organizing and simplifying your holiday season, so please check back. We'll also talk about Christmas cards and some ways to make that process a little more stress-free.
As always, any ideas you might have to share will be greatly appreciated!
Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.
Sincerely,
The Enchanting Belinda
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Friday...
Finally, some new basketball action shots.
The JV team had two 40-minute games Friday, so I thought I would just go ahead and start filming now!
And here's the obligatory Bryant Tuggle pic. He's a HUGE supporter of our baskeball team. Always has been... always will be. Well, until he gets his own driver's license!
Saturday...
We spent the day with the cousins Saturday. Monica, Amy, Roxie and I shopped at Brookwood, ate at Yolo's and went to the movies (Pirates 4). It was a great day, but the best part was our celebrity sighting...
That's right! Will Ferrell! (Please feel free to use your imagination. I know we did!)
Sunday...
Mikie's 50th Family Birthday Celebration! Everyone knows 50 year-old men LOVE the Green Lantern...and their wives really like Ryan Reynolds! (How cool would it be to have your picture on a birthday party plate package? Another goal, perhaps?)
What do you give a 50 year-old guys for his birthday? Cards... filled with money, Ricky Skaggs' concert tickets, a True Grit DVD and a Red Devil's Food Cake with Divinity Icing (from his Mom). It was a very good day!
Lovely Melia gave him the True Grit DVD. (I LOVE that movie!)
And it wouldn't be a birthday without a hug from Roxie!