Thursday, January 29, 2009

It's Official. I've Lost My Bloggy Mojo.

I mean, it's been waning for quite some time, but I think the fact that I have just spent three ice/snow days at home without writing a single post officially seals the deal. I imagine there are a variety of reasons for this, but I'm pretty sure I do not have the mental energy necessary to delve into them. I'm also sure I've spent entirely too much time writing this mediocre paragraph. Moving on...

I'll just try to hit the highlights.

The Big D. Right. Well, the Big M has lasted a little longer than I anticipated. It's just that food is so good (hear that in a whiny voice) and I have learned that I can eat fairly well as long as I exercise and maintain my current weight. Ultimately I would still like to lose more weight, but I have been having a hard time returning to the level of caloric deprivation needed to actually do that. It seems I've lost my diet mojo as well.

Running. I'm still plugging away at that. I still don't really love doing it. I sometimes kind of like it, usually feel good afterwards, and am quite fond of it's calorie burning benefits, but...that's about it. I hear talk of this magical moment when you are running and you want to just keep on going (kind of like Engergizer Bunny, I guess), but this has just not happened for me. It could be that I run on generic batteries. Any advice on this matter is welcome.

The Job. I absolutely LOVE my new job. Naturally, having a part-time job has brought about some changes and an adjustment period into our lives, but the purpose involved makes it all worth it! It only took oh...about a nanosecond for God (through this organization) to grab my heart and give me a passion for these kids! I love that our particular branch of Big Brothers Big Sisters is faith based. If you have the time and a heart for being a mentor, please check into it! There are so many kids out there in need of a positive adult role model in their lives. I promise it will bless you! Check out this BBBS promo video...it is really cute!



Spot. I will be honest. I'm still not a big fan of owning a dog (please don't tell my kids because this fact really distresses them...especially Richie). Spot is doing better, but there is still unlawful pooping, peeing, chewing, and even on occasion puking (blech) that I could really do without. However, in the spirit of trying to maintain a good attitude, I will admit a few pros to the whole dog ownership thing including and possibly limited to 1) fewer crumbs on the floor 2) a playmate for the kids and 3) fewer toys on the floor (the kids pick them up so the dog doesn't chew them up!). I still can't say that as of now the pros are outweighing the cons, but maybe we'll get there.

My Papaw. Please keep him in your prayers. He has been suffering from Pancreatic Cancer for awhile now and is not doing well. The doctor's have said there is nothing more they can do for him. My Mom and Dad are in Tennessee now helping out and spending time with him. I hate not being there with them. On a positive note, I did receive one bit of wonderful news regarding him this week, he accepted Christ! I am so thankful for that and feel peace that when he passes on, he'll pass on into the arms of Jesus.

Papaw with the boys two summers ago...

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Be Still My Heart...

Jamie tagged me for this fun little meme...and just look what I found in my photo archives! It's Baby Will! Also affectionately know as Baby Wiwam (what Richie called him at this stage).

Sigh.Where in the world does the time go?

Wanna play along?

Just follow these rules (or you could skip the last one, like I did...I'm such a rebel):

The object of the picture tag is to:

1) Choose the 4th folder where you store your pictures on your computer

2) Select the 4th picture in the folder

3) Explain the picture

4) Tag 4 people to do the same. NO CHEATING! (cropping, editing, etc!)

Have fun!!

Monday, January 12, 2009

If you don't do anything else today, Moms...

READ THIS!

Brought tears of conviction to my eyes.

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Because He Really Does Rock

Check out this fun giveaway at Becoming Me. It is Angela's 35th birthday and she is celebrating by giving away a cute T-shirt from a company called From*me Tees. Don't forget to wish her a happy birthday while you are there!

Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Sugar Cream Pie!

Updated with Photo...

This is my absolute FAVORITE pie. I believe it is native to Indiana. There is a bakery in my hometown that makes a scrumptious version. I found this particular version in my home church's cookbook and it comes really close to the bakery version. I have been trying to perfect it over the last few years and have made some small mistakes in the process...so pay attention to the little notes I've added to the recipe if you decide to try it. It is actually really easy to make, the most difficult part is remaining patient while it comes to a boil over low heat.

Without further ado...

Sugar Cream Pie

½ Stick butter
1 cup half and half
1 ½ cups milk
¾ cups of sugar
¼ cup +1 Tbs. of cornstarch
1 Tsp. of vanilla
I pie crust

Bake and cool one pie crust. Stir butter, half & half, and milk over low heat (I set mine at about 3.5) until butter is melted. Stir together the sugar and cornstarch; immediately add to milk mixture. Cook, stirring until mixture begins to thicken, and boils (this takes awhile, don’t turn the heat up...it will eventually boil). Continue stirring for 1 minute. Remove from heat and add 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Pour into pie crust. Sprinkle with nutmeg and cinnamon. Bake at 350 degrees for 5 minutes.



Oh, and...YOUR WELCOME!

Monday, December 22, 2008

Meet Spot

Well, it was inevitable. I knew at some point in my married life that I would end up succumbing to my husband's love of dogs. I just didn't know he would use our sons so deftly in his ploy to accrue one. Let me set the stage for you...

Saturday morning + Petco + One particularly cute dog from a shelter + "Puppy Dog" eyes from all of my boys...especially the BIG one + Mommy looking like a deer caught in headlights = Flawless execution of Petco's brilliant (gotta hand it to them) marketing ploy (CHA CHING) and a new family dog!

I must admit I've spent the last few days in somewhat of a stunned silence at my current reality. I'm still not sure exactly how I got here. I've never been a dog lover. Please don't judge. I had a bad experience as a young child when I was ATTACKED (okay, maybe it wasn't an attack, but it seemed like it to me at the time) by a Doberman Pinscher. And let's just say, the experience did not exactly create in me a sense of ease in regard to the species we call canine.

But I digress. What was the original point of this post? Oh yeah, to introduce you to the dog.

Meet Spot. He's a JackRat (Jack Russell/Rat Terrier mix). He is five months old. So far he has a very calm and sweet disposition. The only real issue so far is with house training, but he's learning. And thankfully, the guy that had the biggest puppy dog eyes is working on that while he is on break from being all "professorial".

Almost everyone in the family is completely smitten. And honestly, if he could stop emitting bodily secretions on my carpet for awhile, I might consider coming around. That is, AFTER I call the carpet cleaner. Time will surely tell.

Oh wait...what's that? You want to see some pictures? Alright, alright already...here's Spot in his OFFICIAL BLOGGING DEBUT. Drum roll, please....




Tuesday, December 16, 2008

You Are A Friend of Mine

I really hate the term, but per a fellow blog reader's request I finally put the "follower" widget in my sidebar. I decided to title it "friends" instead, though, because that is a much more accurate description. If you would like to be a "friend", just look over to the left hand side of the blog (directly below my favorite verse) and click "follow this blog". I would be honored! Also, if you have one of these widgets on your blog and I have yet to click on it, please let me know...I would love to do that!