Home Tour - Not!

I pride myself on cleaning up as I go. Baking and cooking are neat and organized at my house. Well, this week I can forget about that. Sunday entertaining ran into Monday morning when I had to make two casseroles. Everything is clean, but everything is a mess. I made Pioneer Woman's Chicken Spaghetti X2.

A new recipe takes a lot of concentration on my part and then doubling it. Yikes! I liked the recipe, however; I kept thinking I wanted to saute the onions and peppers even though the recipe did not call for that step. I was disappointed that I hadn't when we ate it. Next time I would definitely make the change. Always go with your gut instinct. The first time I make a recipe I try to follow it closely. I did use red peppers instead of green peppers, always do.

The second time I make a recipe I do my own thing. I have a bit of a reputation for changing recipes, being the know it all that I am. I am enjoying Pioneer Woman's new cookbook. Sam got it for me for Christmas.





A bright spot in a mess. Jodi brought me daffodils. I like to think there is always a bright spot in a mess.

I got a call last night for a Sunday lunch at church. Would I like to bring a casserole or two dozen rolls? I'll take the buns this time, thank you!

Prayers

This is where I have been...

Sunday we had my Mom's birthday lunch at the Stone House. There were 19 of us, gifts, and a delicious layer cake for dessert. A nice day and a special time for my Mom. Happy Birthday Mom!

Hubby and I both had some health issues this week. Nothing serious, just there. It's getting better but everyone is worn down. Hubby called last night and needed to work late, so he got home after four this morning.

Sam is starting his AIT tomorrow. He was texting me prayer requests Saturday evening, he was worried his group would have to wait to get started but at 2:38 a.m. on Sunday he texted that all the rangers were going and he was again in with a great group of guys. YAY!

The days surrounding Sunday have not been easy here. Our friends, Len and Sheila lost their son in a farming accident last week. Nick had a loving wife and three sweet daughters. He was 30 years old. It is difficult to understand why this had to happen to Nick, to Kylie, to Taryn, Taylor and baby Lauren and their families. God has the answers and we are looking to Him for comfort. Ours is not to wonder why...

Max is friends with Jon, Nick's brother, and has been at the farm with Jesse E. helping with chores. Please pray for Jesse and Max too. They are tired. It's amazing how our emotions and tears can zap us.

Please pray for everyone involved, this family is hurting. Kylie's Mom asked me today to pray for their evenings as it is so hard for the girls. It made me so sad to think about how when my kids were little they couldn't wait for Daddy to come home. Usually Mommy can't wait either! Nick is at home with his Heavenly Father tonight. Kylie is at home with those sweet twins and baby girl. They need our prayers and love.

This was the passage the family chose for the funeral today-
Romans 5:3-5 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us.

Amen!

Last night I got an email from my friend Ad and I emailed right back to keep her in the loop. She is a prayer warrior and we needed her this week. Big things and little things, God is listening. Thanks Ad.

Now I am going to remove what mascara I have left and go to bed. Oh, and wait for Max to come home. And then - sleep.

A Sweet Reader

Saturday afternoon one of my sweet readers brought me Lloyd Boston's Before You put That On to help me meet my goals this year. She read my post here and then sent me a message letting me know that she enjoys my blog and wants me to have the book. I should not rush out and get the book because she has ordered it for me.

Okay, that my friends, is better than a comment.

I am loving the book. It has a fashion tip to read everyday. You may not recognize me in a few months if I take all of the classy advice to heart.

Thank you so much!

Accountability Bites, Sucks and I Hate It

This is not going so good. I think the pedometer is broken. It doesn't go very high. Monday at boot camp I had over 3,300 steps. Wowza, getting to 10,000 should be a cake walk, I mean I had over three grand by seven in the morning. Woohoo, I feel good about myself, oh yay!

I had a lot to do on Monday, got busy, doing laundry, baking for lunches, vacuuming, running outside with the recycling and getting firewood. Apparently, I need a bigger house because there aren't enough steps to add up to ten grand.

Late afternoon I check my pedometer. I'm shocked and now embarrassed to write, still not at 4,000 steps. WHAT? I run upstairs and back down to make sure it's working. Yes, the pedometer is working. I'm not working, at least hard enough or my house is too small.

Ate less on Monday and Tuesday and then fell off the wagon. Did not put on the pedometer this morning. I just didn't feel like it. OKay? Back off. Don't get all judgmental with me Missy.

I'm at the crossroads. Do I just forget it for another year? Join Weight Watchers? Put the pedometer back on? Buy a wii Fit? Walk outdoors in the rain and wind?

I read a list of What If's yesterday. Instead of resolutions, everything on the list was written as a What If? instead of as I Will. What If I lose weight this year? What If? I like it.

Now, I could hit the delete button because frankly I don't HaVe to be accountable to you people. But I do have to be accountable to myself. I'll keep you in the loop, just to keep myself honest.

How are you doing? Be honest and accountable. Nobody like a liar, even if you are only lying to yourself...

God's Grace

I carry a small notebook with me in my purse. Today I cleaned out my night stand and found several of the full notebooks. In these notebooks there are To Do lists, honey do lists, budgets and bills, days and days of every bite I've taken with calories recorded, grocery lists, mall lists, museum hours, Spring garden thoughts, Bible verses, prayers, walking for exercise charts, Christmas card lists, Christmas gift ideas, clothing sizes for the guys and GOALS.

Goals or resolutions, not just for January, painstakingly written by me, several times a year. Over and over.

As I went through these notebooks I realized that I'm a busy woman, my life revolves around family and friends. I am blessed over and over. God is good. The lists get finished.

But the goals are basically the same every time I write them and they are not completed.
*Devotions- morning and night.
*Pray more.
*Be a better wife and mom.
*Lose weight.
*Stay under 1500 calories a day.
*Exercise, walk, move more.
*Don't go through life on auto-pilot. Think about it!
*Daily vitamins.
*Regular doctor and dentist appointments.
*Be kind.
*Think before I open my BiG mouth.
*Spend less, work more, give more.
*Be accountable.
*And I had several notes reminding me to find a book, Before You Put That On by Lloyd Boston. Maybe I'll just try to do that in 2010... and call it good.

I guess I just realized I am living the mantra 'if at first you don't succeed, try, try again.' Or more likely, There but for the Grace of God go I.

Happy 2010

Refresh
Renew
Reinvigorate
Reinvent