I got this in an email today & thought it was worth passing along! Follow the link!
http://www.wecansolveit.org/page/m2/396e8999/6fe788b7/9c4755e/19ba52b3/267668845/VEsC/
Friday, February 27, 2009
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Oh What a Beautiful Morning!
Remember that song?? "Oh what a beautiful morning! Oh what a beautiful day! I've got a wonderful feeling everything's going GOD'S way!" Well, that's how we sang it in church years ago! Anyway... the sun is shining... it's 45 degrees... I actually thought about throwing on a sweatshirt & sitting out on the deck to drink my morning coffee. But alas, the roofers have been tearing off the roof across the alley from us for an hour... and they're not being quiet about it. Today will be a glorious day to spend in the backyard with Skeeter playing ball. (I cleared the minefield of doggie bombs yesterday!)
Last night we went to the weekly auction - the same one we've been going to for years. Periodically they sell off produce which, as I hear it, is ready to be thrown out of the grocery stores due to "advanced age". There's really nothing wrong with most of it - you just have to be careful! Anyway... I purchased some zucchini (8), huge green peppers (5) & a bag of oranges... paid less than $5.00 for all. I tried to get blueberries, too, but it was obvious the woman who was bidding against me wasn't giving up... and there really wasn't any point in paying MORE for them at an auction than I would in the grocery store. When there is more than one of the same item the auctioneers will offer the winning bidder as many of that item as they wish to purchase, then offer the remainder to others who were bidding. Not this time - wouldn't you know it - she took them all! RATS! We've previously purchased onions & potatoes which were perfectly fine! There's also a woman there who raises chickens & brings farm fresh eggs to sell for $1.50/dozen. I get the big brown eggs... she told me some people just don't care for them... do they taste different? I told her I like them because they're more "farm-y"! :o)
I had better get "off my duff" and get busy enjoying today - the weather is supposed to turn ugly tomorrow.
Last night we went to the weekly auction - the same one we've been going to for years. Periodically they sell off produce which, as I hear it, is ready to be thrown out of the grocery stores due to "advanced age". There's really nothing wrong with most of it - you just have to be careful! Anyway... I purchased some zucchini (8), huge green peppers (5) & a bag of oranges... paid less than $5.00 for all. I tried to get blueberries, too, but it was obvious the woman who was bidding against me wasn't giving up... and there really wasn't any point in paying MORE for them at an auction than I would in the grocery store. When there is more than one of the same item the auctioneers will offer the winning bidder as many of that item as they wish to purchase, then offer the remainder to others who were bidding. Not this time - wouldn't you know it - she took them all! RATS! We've previously purchased onions & potatoes which were perfectly fine! There's also a woman there who raises chickens & brings farm fresh eggs to sell for $1.50/dozen. I get the big brown eggs... she told me some people just don't care for them... do they taste different? I told her I like them because they're more "farm-y"! :o)
I had better get "off my duff" and get busy enjoying today - the weather is supposed to turn ugly tomorrow.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
A Pet's 10 Commandments...
(Thanks to my cousin Sharon for passing this along!)
A PET'S TEN COMMANDMENTS
1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.
3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.
4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.
5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.
8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.
9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.
10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.
~Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them..
Life would be a much more dull, less joyful experience without God's critters.
~ We do not have to wait for Heaven, to be surrounded by hope, love, and joyfulness. It is here on earth and has four legs!
I thought of the wonderful, special pets I've had in my life who have gone on to wait for me on the other side (my cat Ruffles, and dogs Chelsea & Brigit).... and the one I'm currently nurturing. It will break my heart if Skeeter has to leave - even tho' he'd be going back with my son Alex. Skeeter & I have bonded & he has become part of my family!
A PET'S TEN COMMANDMENTS
1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.
3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being.
4. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainment, but I have only you.
5. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it.
7. Before you hit me, before you strike me, remember that I could hurt you, and yet, I choose not to bite you.
8. Before you scold me for being lazy or uncooperative, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food, I have been in the sun too long, or my heart might be getting old or weak.
9. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too, will grow old.
10. On the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there, because I love you so.
~Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them..
Life would be a much more dull, less joyful experience without God's critters.
~ We do not have to wait for Heaven, to be surrounded by hope, love, and joyfulness. It is here on earth and has four legs!
I thought of the wonderful, special pets I've had in my life who have gone on to wait for me on the other side (my cat Ruffles, and dogs Chelsea & Brigit).... and the one I'm currently nurturing. It will break my heart if Skeeter has to leave - even tho' he'd be going back with my son Alex. Skeeter & I have bonded & he has become part of my family!
Fat Tuesday... Mardi Gras... Ash Wednesday
Today is Fat Tuesday. Mardi Gras is in full swing. People all over the country will be indulging in crawfish & corn chowder, red beans & rice, etouffe, chicken gumbo, and a host of other creole / cajun dishes. Beads will be collected... drunken revelers will be ticketed & taken to jail. (Doesn't that sound like a fun way to spend Mardi Gras?)
Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday - the beginning of Lent... the 40-day liturgical season of fasting and prayer before the resurection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. The forty days represent the time Jesus spent in the desert where he endured temptation by Satan.
The Bible doesn't mention Ash Wednesday or the custom of Lent, however, the practice of repentance and mourning in ashes is found in 2 Samuel 13:19; Esther 4:1; Job 2:8; Daniel 9:3; and Matthew 11:21.
Lent is a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline. During some Ash Wednesday services, the minister will lightly rub ashes in the sign of the Cross on the forehead of worshipers.
At one church I attended, on the Sunday prior to Ash Wednesday, worshipers wrote their "sins" on a small slip of paper. Worshipers, one by one, brought their sins to the cross (slipping their papers into cracks of the cross). After the service the sins were then collected and burned... and on Ash Wednesday the Pastor used the ashes to make the sign of the Cross on those wishing to have it.
I'm not a "faster"...I tried doing an all day fast once & discovered that my blood sugar could not handle it...however, I suppose I could fast during one meal of the day & spend that time studying the Bible or in prayer. I don't know yet what I will be "giving up" for Lent. Quite frankly, I hadn't given it much thought until today. One year I gave up alcohol and lost 10 pounds. I'm not saying one should use Lent as a diet plan. Somehow that seems almost sacreligious.
Here's a thought: how about giving up plastic bags & plastic water bottles for Lent?!
At any rate... enjoy Mardi Gras and follow your heart during Lent. Easter is on its way.
Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday - the beginning of Lent... the 40-day liturgical season of fasting and prayer before the resurection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. The forty days represent the time Jesus spent in the desert where he endured temptation by Satan.
The Bible doesn't mention Ash Wednesday or the custom of Lent, however, the practice of repentance and mourning in ashes is found in 2 Samuel 13:19; Esther 4:1; Job 2:8; Daniel 9:3; and Matthew 11:21.
Lent is a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline. During some Ash Wednesday services, the minister will lightly rub ashes in the sign of the Cross on the forehead of worshipers.
At one church I attended, on the Sunday prior to Ash Wednesday, worshipers wrote their "sins" on a small slip of paper. Worshipers, one by one, brought their sins to the cross (slipping their papers into cracks of the cross). After the service the sins were then collected and burned... and on Ash Wednesday the Pastor used the ashes to make the sign of the Cross on those wishing to have it.
I'm not a "faster"...I tried doing an all day fast once & discovered that my blood sugar could not handle it...however, I suppose I could fast during one meal of the day & spend that time studying the Bible or in prayer. I don't know yet what I will be "giving up" for Lent. Quite frankly, I hadn't given it much thought until today. One year I gave up alcohol and lost 10 pounds. I'm not saying one should use Lent as a diet plan. Somehow that seems almost sacreligious.
Here's a thought: how about giving up plastic bags & plastic water bottles for Lent?!
At any rate... enjoy Mardi Gras and follow your heart during Lent. Easter is on its way.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
The Forbidden Saturday Night Live Skit...
THE FORBIDDEN Saturday Night Live SKIT
SNL did a "Bailout" skit, which has created some rather awkward
problems for NBC. They spiked the video and tried to shut it down
on the Internet. But aha, there's still some sites that have it.
http://msunderestimated.com/SNLBailoutSkit.wmv
Very startling to see Saturday Night Live absolutely nail the history and
culprits of the Big Bailout. No wonder the powers at NBC pulled the skit.
Through impersonations they present stark truth, perhaps one of the most
surprising presentations almost allowed on NBC.
SNL did a "Bailout" skit, which has created some rather awkward
problems for NBC. They spiked the video and tried to shut it down
on the Internet. But aha, there's still some sites that have it.
http://msunderestimated.com/SNLBailoutSkit.wmv
Very startling to see Saturday Night Live absolutely nail the history and
culprits of the Big Bailout. No wonder the powers at NBC pulled the skit.
Through impersonations they present stark truth, perhaps one of the most
surprising presentations almost allowed on NBC.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Darn Digital TV anyway....
We are BASIC people...technology challenged to say the least!!
We've been using a BASIC 10 year old laptop computer - and we know how to use the BASIC features (the Microsoft programs, email & eBay).
Our cell phones are BASIC... no fancy downloaded ringtones or cameras; we can hook up to the internet on our phones & have something called T2T... but have never so much as tried either one!
Our most recent techological challenge has been in the last day when we changed from analog TV to digital. We've been cable-free or satellite-free for close to 5 year and our television is most likely 10+ years old. We've been using rabbit ear antennae for reception. Even with the rabbit ears we got 9 or 10 channels - some of them looked like snow storms while others were a bit static-y. Static had become the norm for TV viewing & we were actually okay with it. Now we have this digital conversion box & have scanned it just like we were instructed to do. We don't get all the same 9 or 10 channels we got before - although we do get PBS channels (3) which we previously did not get - however we get "NO SIGNAL" on at least 4 of the channels and depending on the cloud coverage the other channels consist mostly of little pixel boxes and sound like a vinyl record that is scratched & skips! Grr!! Hardly worth turning on the TV. We did look at 19" & 22" flat screen TVs the other day. They're pretty reasonably priced - but who knows if we'll have ANY kind of TV reception on the mountain without satellite (which I understand is pricey out there).
Who knows what we'll end up with in Colorado. We may have to rely on the radio, newspapers & the occasions when we can sneak a peak at a friend's house. Darn "progress". Darn digital TV anyway..........................
We've been using a BASIC 10 year old laptop computer - and we know how to use the BASIC features (the Microsoft programs, email & eBay).
Our cell phones are BASIC... no fancy downloaded ringtones or cameras; we can hook up to the internet on our phones & have something called T2T... but have never so much as tried either one!
Our most recent techological challenge has been in the last day when we changed from analog TV to digital. We've been cable-free or satellite-free for close to 5 year and our television is most likely 10+ years old. We've been using rabbit ear antennae for reception. Even with the rabbit ears we got 9 or 10 channels - some of them looked like snow storms while others were a bit static-y. Static had become the norm for TV viewing & we were actually okay with it. Now we have this digital conversion box & have scanned it just like we were instructed to do. We don't get all the same 9 or 10 channels we got before - although we do get PBS channels (3) which we previously did not get - however we get "NO SIGNAL" on at least 4 of the channels and depending on the cloud coverage the other channels consist mostly of little pixel boxes and sound like a vinyl record that is scratched & skips! Grr!! Hardly worth turning on the TV. We did look at 19" & 22" flat screen TVs the other day. They're pretty reasonably priced - but who knows if we'll have ANY kind of TV reception on the mountain without satellite (which I understand is pricey out there).
Who knows what we'll end up with in Colorado. We may have to rely on the radio, newspapers & the occasions when we can sneak a peak at a friend's house. Darn "progress". Darn digital TV anyway..........................
25 Random Things About Me - everyone else is doing it!
I read a lot of blogs... not religiously... but I do try to read each one at least once a week. I've noticed that many of them have this thing called "25 Random Things About Me". I thought this was kind of self-centered, tooting one's own horn, but as I read these I discovered they are really quite interesting & sometimes very funny. So... here goes!
1) I am an adopted child. Twice. Once by my parents; and again by God.
2) I have seven children. 6 boys, 1 girl. Four of the boys are not mine but I love 'em like they were! They're great!
3) I found my biological family & have three siblings I didn't know about...whom I love very much!
4) I am technologically challenged. How do I manage to use the computer?
5) I have a little sign in my kitchen that says "I have a kitchen because it came with the house". Truth is - I enjoy cooking - especially for company.
6) I am a better "mama" (read: grandma) than I was a mother. I love being "Mama Marcy" to Hayli & Kristen... and Madeline!
7) I discovered last summer that to have a dream & see it happen before your eyes is an incredible thing!
8) I also discovered last summer that I had the physical strength to do things I thought I could never do!
9) I was raised in a small, rural town in Kansas - the heartland, the Land of Oz! It's nice to "go home" once in a while!
10) I don't like spiders and snakes.
11) I don't like summers in the Midwest!
12) I LOVE dancing with my girlfriends! (I dance like no one's looking!)
13) I cry at the darned-est things: military personnel homecomings (doesn't even have to be my kids!), news reports of children being abused or killed, obituaries of babies or children, I've cried at funerals I played for - for people I NEVER even met!...Extreme Makeover, Hallmark commericials...the little commercial that a local TV station plays promoting Lincoln/Nebraska...
14) I need to learn to love my body & take better care of it. It's the only one I have.
15) I love Mexican food.
16) I drink wine on a regular basis (meaning weekends).
17) I forgive... but I don't forget. I really need to work on that!
18) I am a "FRIENDS" junkie! I can see myself in both Monica & Phoebe. :o)
19) I'm getting closer to #25!!
20) I don't speak any foreign language.
21) I believe coffee should be a food group unto itself!
22) I LOVE our place in Colorado... our cabin... the view of the mountains... the friends we've made there... the church we attend...
23) I hate wearing panty hose & high heels!
24) I rarely wear makeup anymore... or very little when I do wear it.
25) My God and my family are the two most important things in my life!
There you have it! 25 Random Things About Me!
1) I am an adopted child. Twice. Once by my parents; and again by God.
2) I have seven children. 6 boys, 1 girl. Four of the boys are not mine but I love 'em like they were! They're great!
3) I found my biological family & have three siblings I didn't know about...whom I love very much!
4) I am technologically challenged. How do I manage to use the computer?
5) I have a little sign in my kitchen that says "I have a kitchen because it came with the house". Truth is - I enjoy cooking - especially for company.
6) I am a better "mama" (read: grandma) than I was a mother. I love being "Mama Marcy" to Hayli & Kristen... and Madeline!
7) I discovered last summer that to have a dream & see it happen before your eyes is an incredible thing!
8) I also discovered last summer that I had the physical strength to do things I thought I could never do!
9) I was raised in a small, rural town in Kansas - the heartland, the Land of Oz! It's nice to "go home" once in a while!
10) I don't like spiders and snakes.
11) I don't like summers in the Midwest!
12) I LOVE dancing with my girlfriends! (I dance like no one's looking!)
13) I cry at the darned-est things: military personnel homecomings (doesn't even have to be my kids!), news reports of children being abused or killed, obituaries of babies or children, I've cried at funerals I played for - for people I NEVER even met!...Extreme Makeover, Hallmark commericials...the little commercial that a local TV station plays promoting Lincoln/Nebraska...
14) I need to learn to love my body & take better care of it. It's the only one I have.
15) I love Mexican food.
16) I drink wine on a regular basis (meaning weekends).
17) I forgive... but I don't forget. I really need to work on that!
18) I am a "FRIENDS" junkie! I can see myself in both Monica & Phoebe. :o)
19) I'm getting closer to #25!!
20) I don't speak any foreign language.
21) I believe coffee should be a food group unto itself!
22) I LOVE our place in Colorado... our cabin... the view of the mountains... the friends we've made there... the church we attend...
23) I hate wearing panty hose & high heels!
24) I rarely wear makeup anymore... or very little when I do wear it.
25) My God and my family are the two most important things in my life!
There you have it! 25 Random Things About Me!
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
A disturbing video...
Here is a video clip I found very disturbing... but I think it needs to be seen! I follow the blog of a guy in Idaho who posts some really good stuff. This is his blog address... Check it out! http://betterpanic.blogspot.com/2009/02/whats-in-your-kids-school-lunch.html
Makes me want to become a vegetarian!
Makes me want to become a vegetarian!
Saturday, February 14, 2009
The Story of Stuff...
Here's a link to an interesting video! Check it out!!
http://www.storyofstuff.com/
http://www.storyofstuff.com/
Valentine's Day...
Today is Valentine's Day. Big deal, huh? Last nite we went with friends to a local venue to hear one of our favorite bands, The Wheezetones (two members have asthma - hence, the "wheeze" in Wheezetones!). The question was asked of our men friends "what are you getting your wife for VD?". Three out of four (my DH being the fourth) said they were buying flowers and jewelry. Jerry & I have never "done" Valentine's Day really. He has asked if I want roses or "flowers"... and my response has always been that I'd rather have flower seeds or seedlings that I can plant and have flowers all spring / summer / fall. Do you know how many packets of seeds or seedlings you can buy for the price of a dozen roses? Holy cow! We tried going out for dinner a couple times only to be told that the particular restaurant we went to did not take reservations or call ahead seating... and the wait would be 2-3 hours, or at another restaurant one needed to make reservations & we didn't think that far in advance to do so. Thank you, but NO! We used to buy cards for each other but really nothing else.
So... this morning in honor of Valentine's Day... I put a corned beef, potatoes, carrots, cabbage & a bottle of beer in the crockpot to have for dinner tonite. Ooops... guess I should've saved that for St. Patty's Day! Oh well! Corned beef & cabbage it is! We're going out with our friends again tonite to hear the Tijuana Gigolos (band). Another fun nite spent with friends & Gigolos... who could ask for more?! :o)
Be sure to give your honey a squeeze & tell 'em you love 'em!
John 3:16
So... this morning in honor of Valentine's Day... I put a corned beef, potatoes, carrots, cabbage & a bottle of beer in the crockpot to have for dinner tonite. Ooops... guess I should've saved that for St. Patty's Day! Oh well! Corned beef & cabbage it is! We're going out with our friends again tonite to hear the Tijuana Gigolos (band). Another fun nite spent with friends & Gigolos... who could ask for more?! :o)
Be sure to give your honey a squeeze & tell 'em you love 'em!
John 3:16
Thursday, February 12, 2009
God is Good...All the Time!!
Tonite my daughter & her husband had a baby girl! I was halfway across the country -unable to be at the birth in person but they called as she was beginning to push... and five minutes later the doctor said, "It's a girl!" and the sweet cry of Madeline Claire was heard for the first time. I'm sure I heard angels singing at that moment! Baby Madeline weighs 6 lbs. 1 oz & is 19 1/2" long and has lots of dark hair!
Mommy & Daddy are doing well... I'm curious how the two older girls are going to react to a "real" baby - she's not just the baby in mommy's tummy anymore!
(obviously this picture of Madeline was taken just shortly after she was born... more to come!)
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Stand Up and Say "Ah"
My husband found this little article in the February 1947 edition of The Reader's Digest. I thought it was very interesting & worth passing along - considering this article was written more than 60 years ago! Almost Prophetic!
STAND UP AND SAY "AH"
Michael Wright in Better Homes & Gardens
This is how it is in Britain. The doctor got back to his office just at two o'clock. "How many?" he said to his nurse.
"Forty."
Casually, he put on his white jacket and poked his head into the waiting room where the 40 patients sat. "Will those of you troubled with headache please stand," he said.
Six stood. The doctor took identical printed prescriptions out of his desk and handed one to each of the six and dismissed them.
Then he said, "Will those of you troubled with a cough please stand." Another group got up, and again he handed them printed prescriptions and dismissed them.
The others he took one by one into his private office for a few minutes. Two hours later the office was empty, the 40 patients gone. This was an average of three minutes to a patient.
And that, Dr. Edward H. Ochsner of Chicago testified at the recent Wagner-Murray-Dingell bill hearings in Washington, is how it is with socialized medicine in Britain.
In Germany, where they also had a compulsory system, some doctors did even better - 30 to 40 patients in one hour.
This is how most doctors believe it will be here in America if our own womb-to-tomb compulsory health scheme becomes law.
Something to think about........
STAND UP AND SAY "AH"
Michael Wright in Better Homes & Gardens
This is how it is in Britain. The doctor got back to his office just at two o'clock. "How many?" he said to his nurse.
"Forty."
Casually, he put on his white jacket and poked his head into the waiting room where the 40 patients sat. "Will those of you troubled with headache please stand," he said.
Six stood. The doctor took identical printed prescriptions out of his desk and handed one to each of the six and dismissed them.
Then he said, "Will those of you troubled with a cough please stand." Another group got up, and again he handed them printed prescriptions and dismissed them.
The others he took one by one into his private office for a few minutes. Two hours later the office was empty, the 40 patients gone. This was an average of three minutes to a patient.
And that, Dr. Edward H. Ochsner of Chicago testified at the recent Wagner-Murray-Dingell bill hearings in Washington, is how it is with socialized medicine in Britain.
In Germany, where they also had a compulsory system, some doctors did even better - 30 to 40 patients in one hour.
This is how most doctors believe it will be here in America if our own womb-to-tomb compulsory health scheme becomes law.
Something to think about........
Mid-week -- Progress being made little by little
In the last couple weeks I've been making a HUGE effort to reduce our waste (garbage). My recycling boxes have become fuller (plastics, glass, aluminum cans, newspaper) and our weekly garbage pick up has been reduced to 1 large paper bag of garbage. Hardly worth what I'm paying to have the garbage picked up but I'm sure the neighbors would frown on having my measily bag of garbage in their dumpsters! I have a few paper shopping bags to use for garbage...although I hate to kill trees just for the sake of not using those ^*#@ plastic bags! Since I've been using my recycled/fabric shopping bags I have very few plastic bags left... I've returned A LOT of them to the recycling box at WalMart, a local grocery store & a thrift store (they asked for them!). I'll save a few for the garage sale the end of March.
I'm currently looking for an inexpensive container to keep under the sink to put table scraps in before taking them to our compost pile. A large coffee can would work... but I don't buy coffee in cans - I buy organic/free trade coffee that comes in bags. Anyone have any ideas? Taking scraps to the compost pile isn't such a huge deal... but it's at the back of our yard & if there's snow I don't want to wade thru it to get to the pile... nor do I want to dodge the dog poop landmines. Yeah... I need to scoop poop, too! Should've done that yesterday! Maybe today.
I read recently that fluoride is NOT GOOD... and was needing toothpaste... so I bought some fluoride-free toothpaste & mouthwash. (I should get a water filter to put on the sink and also one for the shower to get rid of chlorine & fluoride. Apparently you can also absorb both chlorine & fluoride thru the skin!) I started buying sugar in the raw a while back... but have yet to get completely away from refined sugar altogether. I also must confess that I have almost an entire bag of white flour in the pantry, along with a large box of Jiffy mix. When they're gone - they're gone!
We typically have a rather late breakfast so early/mid-afternoon we've been having a fruit smoothie for lunch ... yogurt, strawberries, blueberries, banana, a squirt of Agave nector & some flax seed... a little ice & blend! So yummy, good for us & it holds us over until 6:00 when we have dinner!! We have a few pork items in the freezer... and just like the white sugar & flour - when they're gone - they're gone! No more pork. That does cause some problems with breakfast as we've been used to having bacon, sausage, or ham to make breakfast skillet meals (we have this a few times a week). We also prefer pork roast over beef roast... but there are other meat alternatives... turkey, venison, elk, lamb or buffalo are great!!! We do eat salmon & chicken quite often... should get in the habit of buying more fish and more vegetables. Another thing we're getting away from is "processed" foods - sandwich meat, certain cheeses, boxed "anything"... and really watching the labels of canned goods! SPLENDA is splashed all over the labels of canned fruit these days! Speaking of preservatives... I was looking thru my spices the other day & found a container of ACCENT! Remember this stuff? 100% MSG... SO BAD for you! I remember my mom always had this stuff in the spice cabinet! I hate to waste stuff... but I thru it in the garbage! Jerry thinks life will come to a halt without Lowry's Season Salt (no MSG) but I did buy a container of Sea Salt & have been using it... he's not complained or said he notices a difference... so that's a good thing?
Other than these few small changes... things are basically the same around here. Jerry's been listing & selling quite a few things on eBay. My downsizing continues... boxes are being filled with "garage sale" items to be sold at The Mother of all Garage Sales in March... and other boxes are being filled with things I can't seem to part with that will be taken with us to the cabin.
I'm currently looking for an inexpensive container to keep under the sink to put table scraps in before taking them to our compost pile. A large coffee can would work... but I don't buy coffee in cans - I buy organic/free trade coffee that comes in bags. Anyone have any ideas? Taking scraps to the compost pile isn't such a huge deal... but it's at the back of our yard & if there's snow I don't want to wade thru it to get to the pile... nor do I want to dodge the dog poop landmines. Yeah... I need to scoop poop, too! Should've done that yesterday! Maybe today.
I read recently that fluoride is NOT GOOD... and was needing toothpaste... so I bought some fluoride-free toothpaste & mouthwash. (I should get a water filter to put on the sink and also one for the shower to get rid of chlorine & fluoride. Apparently you can also absorb both chlorine & fluoride thru the skin!) I started buying sugar in the raw a while back... but have yet to get completely away from refined sugar altogether. I also must confess that I have almost an entire bag of white flour in the pantry, along with a large box of Jiffy mix. When they're gone - they're gone!
We typically have a rather late breakfast so early/mid-afternoon we've been having a fruit smoothie for lunch ... yogurt, strawberries, blueberries, banana, a squirt of Agave nector & some flax seed... a little ice & blend! So yummy, good for us & it holds us over until 6:00 when we have dinner!! We have a few pork items in the freezer... and just like the white sugar & flour - when they're gone - they're gone! No more pork. That does cause some problems with breakfast as we've been used to having bacon, sausage, or ham to make breakfast skillet meals (we have this a few times a week). We also prefer pork roast over beef roast... but there are other meat alternatives... turkey, venison, elk, lamb or buffalo are great!!! We do eat salmon & chicken quite often... should get in the habit of buying more fish and more vegetables. Another thing we're getting away from is "processed" foods - sandwich meat, certain cheeses, boxed "anything"... and really watching the labels of canned goods! SPLENDA is splashed all over the labels of canned fruit these days! Speaking of preservatives... I was looking thru my spices the other day & found a container of ACCENT! Remember this stuff? 100% MSG... SO BAD for you! I remember my mom always had this stuff in the spice cabinet! I hate to waste stuff... but I thru it in the garbage! Jerry thinks life will come to a halt without Lowry's Season Salt (no MSG) but I did buy a container of Sea Salt & have been using it... he's not complained or said he notices a difference... so that's a good thing?
Other than these few small changes... things are basically the same around here. Jerry's been listing & selling quite a few things on eBay. My downsizing continues... boxes are being filled with "garage sale" items to be sold at The Mother of all Garage Sales in March... and other boxes are being filled with things I can't seem to part with that will be taken with us to the cabin.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Just another day in paradise...
Friday Jerry went to screen for another medical study. The study isn't for a couple weeks - and is 2 or 3 weekends - but the pay is good! Friday nite we heard two great bands... String Demons and The Dubious Brothers & Sister Red... and spent some quality time with our friends.
Saturday brought another gun show. I typically don't care for them (did you read my earlier post about gun shows?) but went anyway. I'm glad I did... as I ran into a gal I had grown up with, went to school & church with. Her husband was a vendor at the gun show so she was there to be with him. Jerry & I went to a couple antique stores & got a few little things... bargains I'm sure! Upon our return home we got dressed to go to a birthday dinner with friends and then to the home of other friends for a while. Two late nites!
This morning we went to breakfast at the home of one of our sons. We had a wonderful breakfast and enjoyed visiting with everyone who was there. At one point his girlfriend & I decided to make a quick shopping run... to a local *health food store* not far from their house. Homemade ice cream was waiting for us when we got back. Jerry & I were home by 5:30... and have been just hanging out watching some TV... and now "What About Bob?" (one of my favorite movies!).
These past few days I've been reading two books... kind of cross-referencing them I guess. "Natural Cures 'They' Don't Want You to Know About" by Kevin Trudeau and "The Maker's Diet" by Jordan Rubin. These are quite interesting... I'll be sharing some of the lifestyle changes we're making along the way. These are, of course, "baby steps" (in the infamous words of Bob Wiley - "What About Bob?").
Saturday brought another gun show. I typically don't care for them (did you read my earlier post about gun shows?) but went anyway. I'm glad I did... as I ran into a gal I had grown up with, went to school & church with. Her husband was a vendor at the gun show so she was there to be with him. Jerry & I went to a couple antique stores & got a few little things... bargains I'm sure! Upon our return home we got dressed to go to a birthday dinner with friends and then to the home of other friends for a while. Two late nites!
This morning we went to breakfast at the home of one of our sons. We had a wonderful breakfast and enjoyed visiting with everyone who was there. At one point his girlfriend & I decided to make a quick shopping run... to a local *health food store* not far from their house. Homemade ice cream was waiting for us when we got back. Jerry & I were home by 5:30... and have been just hanging out watching some TV... and now "What About Bob?" (one of my favorite movies!).
These past few days I've been reading two books... kind of cross-referencing them I guess. "Natural Cures 'They' Don't Want You to Know About" by Kevin Trudeau and "The Maker's Diet" by Jordan Rubin. These are quite interesting... I'll be sharing some of the lifestyle changes we're making along the way. These are, of course, "baby steps" (in the infamous words of Bob Wiley - "What About Bob?").
Thursday, February 5, 2009
It's been a slow week!
I'm not complaining, mind you, just making note of it! Last weekend we traveled to the home of my father-in-law to spend time with family at the funeral of a dear uncle! He had been a SeaBee during WWII; the local Color Guard gave him a 21 gun salute & Taps was played as he was laid to rest. It was, of course, a sad time - but also time to reconnect with some of Jerry's cousins & other relatives.
Skeeter got to spend some quality time kenneled at the veterinarian's while we were gone & was VERY excited to be home. I don't know if he missed his tennis balls or me more!
Tuesday was auction night. Jerry bought some more stuff... but not a lot! eBay sales have been doing well so I can't really complain about that either!
Yesterday I finally knuckled under and called a local moving company to move our stacking washer/dryer out of the kitchen down to the basement. It was not an easy move for them by the sounds of it... but at least it's done! The washer/dryer has been sitting in the kitchen since we moved in - in November & we've been hauling our laundry to a launderette every week. Ugh! Our landlord came over & changed out the hoses & I did a load of laundry last night. Today is supposed to be REALLY nice, so I'll do a load of towels & hang them outside to dry in the sun! We moved the Hoosier cabinet into the space where the washer/dryer had been which made more room in the living/dining room.
Hopefully this trend will continue & the rest of the week / weekend will be calm.
Skeeter got to spend some quality time kenneled at the veterinarian's while we were gone & was VERY excited to be home. I don't know if he missed his tennis balls or me more!
Tuesday was auction night. Jerry bought some more stuff... but not a lot! eBay sales have been doing well so I can't really complain about that either!
Yesterday I finally knuckled under and called a local moving company to move our stacking washer/dryer out of the kitchen down to the basement. It was not an easy move for them by the sounds of it... but at least it's done! The washer/dryer has been sitting in the kitchen since we moved in - in November & we've been hauling our laundry to a launderette every week. Ugh! Our landlord came over & changed out the hoses & I did a load of laundry last night. Today is supposed to be REALLY nice, so I'll do a load of towels & hang them outside to dry in the sun! We moved the Hoosier cabinet into the space where the washer/dryer had been which made more room in the living/dining room.
Hopefully this trend will continue & the rest of the week / weekend will be calm.
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