Ok, worry about me!

The week is underway and I realize that I cannot even put together a menu for the week because it is so crazy. Between visits with friends for my birthday and "the wedding" I will just be winging it. I have great hope of fitting into the dress after this week's "slim menu."

Family, here are the options for the week when you are hungry:

• frozen fish
• chips and salsa
• yogurt
• tuna fish crackers or sandwiches
• cheese tortillas
• frozen vegetables with cheese
• Ramen noodles
• popcorn
• Two cans of Chef boyardee
• hamburger helper in a box

I think that's it. This is pretty sad, isn't it? Family, make sure to take your vitamins, you are going to need them.

Don't Worry About Me

The only thing I have posted this week was my menu. Does that tell you anything? I can definitely tell that we are out of the chute now!! There has been so much going on between work, home schooling the kids, church and home that I think we have gone mad. I have been exercising and eating healthier too which takes a lot of brain power to stay on target.

You see, my sister in law is getting married in a week and I have to fit into this dress. If I don't, she said that I have to wear a corset. I have to get into that dress. I am not wearing a corset.

Must go to bed. . . I am beginning to feel like I might go eat a big bowl of ice cream.

Love,

Menu Plan Monday

This is a huge birthday week for my family. My birthday is on the 5th so I expect lots of ecards! :) If you want to read something morbidly funny, read my post from last year about my birthday.

That's all I ask . . .just an ecard from my friends. Prince Charming, you are not off the hook with just an ecard though. I will post my list on the fridge or I will email it you if that is more convenient! ;) Ok, back to my menu planning.

Monday - Roast, potatoes and carrots in the crockpot; using Marie's Easy Slow Cooker Recipe
Tuesday - BBQ sandwiches, coleslaw and beans. . .momma going to run tonight!
Happy Birthday, Brian!
Wednesday - Elders Meeting and the kids and I will chill out at home with omelets
Thursday - marinated lemon chicken, brown rice and broccoli in the steamer with shredded cheese
Happy Birthday Moms!
Friday -

at my in-laws for Birthday Bashes!! We are going to have a "Cheetah Themed Party" (like the design, not the girls) at Gretel's (7 years old) request. I need to get myself together. Any ideas are welcome! I am really excited though because I have bought some fun gifts for her that I know she will LOVE.

Saturday - coming home from in-laws and probably eating there
Sunday - Happy Birthday, Gretel!! I think she would like to eat salsa all day. Still not 100% if we are doing anything outside of celebrating with family this year. I am a big birthday basher, but I think this year my limit is one per child. We will see though. I am always pulling stuff at the last minute.
We may just have a taco salad, salsa fest today! :)

Being Chased by God

The Wild One!

We found "the surrendered one" studying the Bible on my bed.

Yes, this is a boy cat but we were lacking "boy clothes" obviously.

I have been going back through my study that I did this summer with an awesome group of ladies in my community. It is by Mary Kassian and it is called Vertically Inclined. To sum up the study in my own words, it is about your relationship with God and how it goes through various stages and series of peaks and valleys.

There were quite a few lessons that I missed and it was such a good study I thought I needed to go back in and fill in the blanks. In this particular lesson that I was going back through today it talked about how we often ask, "why" when we have trials. She goes through all of the great heroes of the faith and had verses to back up the times that our Bible heroes asked, "Why?" As I was doing my study, my silly cat was walking though the yard and I was reminded of when they first came to our house. Really bare with me here through my ADD moment.

There are always going to be those, "Why" moments in our life. For instance, right now I am going through a job change. My hours are going to be cut down to half of an already part time job. My question is, "Why, Lord." Mary Kassian says that we should not just ask "Why me" but "What now, Lord." Not the, "What now, Lord?" where I have my hands on my hips, shaking my finger at Him screaming, "What now, Lord!" but what do you have for my life now Lord. How can You work through this situation?

Back to my cats. About two weeks before Christmas I found these two cute kittens outside my door. I had been asking my husband for a cat for Christmas. He could not believe two weeks before Christmas there were two cats outside the door. Of course, I squealed in delight and ran to bring them inside because I knew this was God answering my little Christmas prayer. :)

The cats had two different reactions to becoming part of our family. The first little kitten was so funny. We (my daughter and I) ran outside to get him and he ran for a just a split-second and then flopped down on the ground as if saying, "I surrender, just take me in. . .pet me and make me your own. Please dress me up to your hearts content, but please do not give me a heart attack by chasing me around anymore."

The other was a little more difficult to catch. First, he ran under the car. Of course, with my expert cat skills I grabbed a stick and played with him to try to coax him out. To no avail, he would play for a second with my cat charmer and I would try to grab him and he would get away. He was so lightning fast. I wish I recorded myself trying to catch that cat. I chased him around and around that car.

Finally, after giving up for awhile I went over to talk with my neighbor when the cat came strutting over to me. I interrupted the conversation rather abruptly (while my neighbor looked on in horror I do believe) to try to catch the cat again and he ran up the tree in her yard. Right as he got about 5 feet in the air I finally caught him. He was trying to scratch me and get away. He was madder than a hornet and as wild as can be. I ran him over to my house before he clawed up my arms and put him inside my house all the while exclaiming how I caught the cat and was so proud of myself.

I reminisced sort of happily today as I saw "the surrendered cat" walking through the yard. I wish I was like him. No not hairy and fish-breathed, but surrendered. I wish I was not that wild one kicking and scratching all the way home. I wish that when God chased me that I would give up quickly and say, I know you have good plans for me. Please take care of me like I know you desire for me to be taken care of. No, I have to be caught and soothed into submission. The Lord is still trying to tame my wild heart, but I think He got a little closer today. Teach me your ways, o Lord. Help me to know that Your plans for me are good. Tame my wild heart.

Menu Plan Monday

And we're off! The first day of school. The races have begun. . .the gates are open and we're coming out of the chute!

And we have Menu Plan Monday to start off the race.

Monday - Chicken and Dressing in the crockpot, crescent rolls and green beans

Tuesday -
snack 100 calorie pack crackers or cookies
lunch - leftovers and Capri Sun
dinner - Chicken Stir Fry with brown rice

Wednesday -
snack popcorn and water
lunch - turkey and cheese wrapped in tortilla on George Foreman
dinner - Wet Burritos from Happy to be at Home/refried beans

Thursday -
dinner - leftovers or breakfast for dinner (pancakes or eggs and bacon)
To Do: put beans on for tomorrow's dinner

Friday - friends coming from Texas; Yee Ha!
snack - popcorn and water
lunch - turkey sandwiches, Capri Sun and 100 calorie crackers or cookies
dinner - Beans, fried potatoes and corn bread

To Do: cook roast for tomorrow's meal;

Saturday - BBQ, French Fries and Cole Slaw

Sunday - after church - eat lunch out to get my friends back off to Texas :(

Next weeks lunch to remember: pepperoni and mozzarella wrapped in crescent rolls
Back to School Story for your reading pleasure! :)

A Back to School Story for Your Enjoyment

This is my eight year old now. . .going on 24!!! This is a story about him just three years ago.
My son, now going into third grade took me for a loop the first day of kindergarten. We lived in the Big D at the time. We had a 45 minute commute on the toll road to a very nice private school. He would go two days a week, but we paid the price of a college if you ask me. I felt very good about our decision to send him there because he was on track for learning Latin in the third grade. You know the basis of our language might be helpful for his career as a doctor. He could be the next Doogie Howser, MD. You never know.

Let's rewind a couple of years, it was the very first day of kindergarten for my first born. I do have to tell you we rolled in about 3 am from a family reunion the night before. I stopped at Kroger to get some frozen waffles about 2:30 am just to make sure we had a great breakfast to get his day started off right. . .in what like 3 hours? Are you catching on to what might happen here?

I took him to school that morning. I have pics of how adorable he looks in his cute little private school uniform. By the way, all they accept as clothes are Lands End, but we were in seminary for pete's sake. Who has extra money for Land's End?

All day I wondered how he was doing. I wondered if he was getting along with the other kids and making friends. I figured I would pick him up and get an amazing glowing report at how well he took to the new Latin vocabulary words and that he was a natural.

I started on my way to get him. I was in the line with all of the other pimped up cars and I saw smoke spewing out of my 96 Jeep Grand Cherokee. (By the way, I have one for sale.) The smoke was pretty thick and I thought I better move this puppy out of the car line before we all explode. I pulled to the side, cut the car off and called on my trac phone to get help. My hubby started making the trip to rescue the family.

In the meantime, I still needed to pick up my son, so I walked across the parking lot to get him. I am sure that he was expecting a car, but all he had was me so I walked in the school to get him. His teacher found me quickly, and said, "Are you Hansel's mom?" I said yeah a little haggardly, but still expecting the praise report to come gushing now. She said,"Hansel had a little trouble today. You will need to talk with him at home about some of the things he did today. He taught all of the other kids "potty" words like poo poo and pee pee during lunch." I said I was so sorry and I would definitely talk with him at home and we would straighten this out.

I steered him away from the teacher and back to see if I could get my car and child under control. Right before I escaped into the parking lot, the "Head Master" stopped me. He said, "Is Hansel your son?" I am thinking, no. . .he is a neighbor's kid and I am just picking him up for today. I gritted my teeth and said yes. The Head Master said, "We had a few problems with him today and he will not be able to go to this school with this kind of behavior." I apologized and said, "We will straighten this out." He said that Hansel's teacher left for a few minutes and he had to check in on the class and asked that the class quieten down a little. Hansel blurted out, "You're not the boss of us."

No!!! This is not my child. The Head Master was actually quite ticked off about this little five year old telling him that he was not the boss. I don't know where he gets that kind of attitude??? :( So I told the Head Master, "Talk to the hand." Just kidding.

I was pretty much in shock at this point. Hansel has a lot of energy and sometimes gets a little ahead of himself, but I had never known him to be downright disrespectful or rude. I am not sure what was wrong with him. All I knew was that my car had just about caught on fire, my first born child's first day of kindergarten was a disaster and I was having to patiently wait for a ride home. I felt a little delirious. Several people stopped to see if I needed help and really hitching a 45 minute ride at that point did not sound appealing with someone I did not know.

Finally, hubs came to pick us up and I cried all the way home.

So, if today is your child's first day of kindergarten. . .lower your expectations just a hair and take it from me . . .it will probably not be this bad.

New Year's Resolution Revisited

I was thinking the other day. . .I wonder if I have accomplished any of my New Year's Resolutions and I am glad that I posted them. I am revisiting and going to highlight what I have accomplished thus far. I still have 1/2 month of August till December to get the other ones accomplished! The proof is in the pictures!!!

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

2008 New Year's Resolutions

I am blogging on this basically for my own accountability and reminders of what I am working on! It never hurts to share your deepest passions with all of cyberspace when you need a little accountability. Cheaper by the Half Dozen started this blog topic and has some great resolutions if you need help thinking of something. :)

I am reminded in a post by Wellblog on the subject of New Year’s Resolutions. “In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.”—Prov. 16:9 (NIV) I am keeping that in mind as I think of all that I want to do this year.

She also added in her post that they are doing a Bible study curriculu m (Faithlink Dec. 30, 2007, copyright Cokesbury) and it had this quote: “While a lot of people who make New Year’s resolutions do break them, research shows that maki ng resolutions is useful. People who explicitly make resolutions are 10 times more likely to attain their goals than people who don’t explicitly make resolutions.” (Quote by John Norcross, a researcher at the University of Scranton).

Spiritual Goals: How do you measure closeness with Jesus? My only guess is that you look more like Him each day. That’s the goal. The ways that I might attain this. . .
1) Consistent Quiet Time – my time is before bed because I usually hit the hay before hubby; It has been better this year than in a long time. . . not perfect, but on the right track
2) Memorizing Scripture with my family through Awana
3) Praying without ceasing

My vertical relationship will impact my horizontal relationships: reaching out and ministering to others

Family Goals:
1) More Time with my Hubby (You know . . .time)
2) To play with my kids. . .you know to get down on my hands and knees in the floor and play. . .they don’t want presents, they want my presence!! That is going to be my reminder this year. Presence not presents! I am still working on this. . .the other day I taught them how to play rummy which is much more enjoyable than Chutes and Ladders!
I was dugout mom for Gretel's t-ball team this year. That was a lot of fun.

3) I would say to clean my house better. . .nah!! Not important, right!? Maybe I could get a house cleaner in 2008! Woo Hoo!
4) Continue to pray and seek the Lord for wise counsel on our school decisions for next year. Decided to home school both this year. The Lord provided my sweet friend to tag team home school this year. Thank you, Lor d!

5) Continue with my meal planning because they save everyone from chaos during the week. It also saves our family money when I am able to think ahead. Yay!
Who can meal plan with this crazy crew???

6) Take a family vacation somewhere. Celebrate our 10th anniversary somewhere tropical even if I have to decorate the bedroom like a rain forest! 
7) Remember my family’s birthdays and try to get a card to them on or before their birthday. We will start with family first and then work our way to friends. Baby steps!

Physical Goals:
1) Continue with my crazy exercise program; it not only benefits me physically, but emotionally, mentally as well as socially! Wow, now that’s a keeper!
2) Eat well. Look for healthy alternatives to my faves: chips and dip and cookies!
3) Drink water. Like a camel. I will look young when I am 100. Now that’s for thinking ahead!
4) Run or walk in at least one 5K like the Race for the Cure. . .possibly a summertime 5K as well would be fun. Yay! This is me at the end of the Tax Run in our town.

5) Look for ways to push myself physically-like buy a bikini and look in the mirror every day with it on. Never mind. . .erase that mental picture! 

Personal Development Goals:
1) Possibly take classes to get my teaching certificate back; I am studying for the Praxis to get my license back as we speak
2) Continue blogging at least 3 times a week.
3) Work hard and diligently at my job with Apartment Life. Look for ways to honor God and help others in what I do. Take every thought captive when working with applicants.

This is a pic of some of my co-workers. It's not too hard to be diligent with all of the fun that we have between work!

4) Garden this Spring throughout the fall. Very enjoyable. Very rewarding.

Looks like a wild year. And my God always brings on a couple of extras in there. My hope is that my security will lie in Him only this year. . .not things, people or any other distractions. . .only in Him!

“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.”—Prov. 16:9 (NIV)

Menu Plan Monday

We had a great Olympic Party on Saturday! We were originally planning for Friday, but I double booked myself. I made Swedish Meatballs and they were really good. My small group friends all made incredible things. We represented Russia, Sweden, Mexico (of course), France and Thailand.

Monday - Trixie at Farm Home Life reminded me to make Chicken Fajitas
Tuesday - hot dogs and homemade french fries from the gobs of potatoes we have around here
Wednesday - probably fast food; honey if you wonder where I am until Saturday. . .I will be at my moms; you are in charge of eating everything in the fridge and pantry.
Thursday - on your own
Friday - on your own
Saturday - on your own
Sunday - on your own
Monday - Happy Tummies had this awesome recipe for Honey Chicken Shish Kabobs

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/3 cup soy sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 8 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into 1 inch cubes
• 2 cloves garlic
• 5 small onions, cut into 2 inch pieces
• 2 red bell peppers, cut into 2 inch pieces
• skewers

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large bowl, whisk together oil, honey, soy sauce, and pepper. Before adding chicken, reserve a small amount of marinade to brush onto kabobs while cooking. Place the chicken, garlic, onions and peppers in the bowl, and marinate in the refrigerator at least 2 hours (the longer the better).
2. Preheat the grill for high heat.
3. Drain marinade from the chicken and vegetables, and discard marinade. Thread chicken and vegetables alternately onto the skewers.
4. Lightly oil the grill grate. Place the skewers on the grill. Cook for 12 to 15 minutes, until chicken juices run clear. Turn and brush with reserved marinade frequently.

My Etsy Shop Experience

My Etsy Shop is finally up. I have had a lot of people ask me questions about Etsy since I started talking about it. Etsy is a place where all types of artists display/sell their crafties. There are so many things on Etsy and many of them are amazing. You would not believe the talent in this world. It is similar to ebay minus the fact that you cannot bid on an item and the items are all handmade.

When I thought about pursuing this Etsy experience I literally thought that I would craft some jewels, click some pics and pop them online. No, just in case you are wondering what all is entailed, it is not like that at all. It takes a lot of research and time. I read somewhere that it is not for the faint of heart and I do believe that.

Look at me, all I have is two items for sale and that was probably 30 man hours. My biggest obstacle has been my camera. It takes horrible pictures. It was a purchase that I was forced into when my last camera went kapput. I have read and read and done everything I can think of. Tomorrow I am going to a friend's house who is a photographer who can "shed some light" on this dilemma. No pun intended or maybe just a little one. :)

I have learned lots of terms: lightbox, white balance, macro and delete delete delete!!!

The other obstacles that I have faced are pricing, shipping and handling including setting up a paypal merchant account, as well as jewelry terms. Girls, I just buy a bunch of beads, some wire and start stringing them! I have had to go back and figure out what I have been using. This is really wild stuff. I am hoping to at least make enough to get my time back! :)

No, really the entrepreneurial wild woman in me is having the time of her life. The perks is that you get to think of creative displays and get to do your hobby and call it, "WORK." Waaaaahhh! :) Really, honey, I can't cook right now. . .I am working ;)

Dread!

What do you dread doing and you put it off until the last possible minute? Mine is dealing with the outside world. . .mainly government agencies. Isn't that awful? I really did not realize what a phobia I had of government agencies until I put this post together, but I really do. Yesterday was the most amazing day. There were several things on my to do list and I took them head on like a bull in a rodeo. I was proud of myself and I think my kids think I am a bit crazy.

My To Do List:

• Mailing UPS package: The hours for sending UPS packages are 8-9 am and 4:00 - 6:00 pm. That's it! There are no other times the darn place is open. Can you believe it?
• Getting New Drivers License after having lived here (in a new state) over 2 years!!!!!
• Going to the Post Office to mail several packages
• Going to the grocery store with my kids (and I use very specific coupons)

These are pit stops along the way:
I had to send two huge packages through UPS and the UPS lady was actually helpful and she said that my options were the following. If you have a phobia like I do, here are your UPS options.

1. They can pick up your package for a PRICE.
2. You can take it your UPS Store between the slivers of time that they are open.
3. The final option is to flag down a UPS driver and hand it to them.

You would not believe who I got behind (with my packages not taped, but my labels available in my car). Yes, I was screaming and raving and my kids were like, "What is it?" I said,"God loves me, there is a UPS driver right there." I squealed tires pulling into the bank parking lot and showed the guy my untaped packages and HE TOOK THEM FROM ME!

Mailing UPS package: The hours for sending UPS packages are 8-9 am and 4:00 - 6:00 pm. That's it there are no other times the darn place is open. Can you believe it?

I went into the Revenue office and I thought God had abandoned me for a short moment. After having to order my lost marriage license I thought I was cocky walking in with all of my paperwork all neatly folded. Nope. . .I could not find my birth certificate or passport. I had been carrying around my passport because I thought if the police pulled me over even though I had the wrong state on my license they would still be nice to me since they knew I was a US citizen. My logic is quite irrational when I put it on the screen, but hey I didn't need that passport because I remembered it just in the nick of time when I was about to give up and walk out on the drivers license.

I was so giddy at having found all of my documentation that I decided to donate my organs and register to vote!!! Yay! I even asked for a discount since I did all of that, but apparently there is no discount for such noble things! That's a shame.

Getting New Drivers License after having lived here (in a new state) over 2 years!!!!!

I was having such a hunky dory time after those two things I thought I would press my luck. No Whammies! I ramped the side of the Post Office Parking lot only to see a bazilion cars. Ugh! My blessings have just run out. I get out walk into the Post Office and no one and I mean no one was in there . . . just two jolly postal workers smiling at me. God does have a plan for my life!!

Going to the Post Office to mail several packages

Ok, the last dreaded, groaned about chore. Before I could do it. . .I had to gear up with some high energy, low fat Sonic food. I treated my kids to take the whineys away. It didn't work. . .my luck stopped there. They asked for everything in the store and were only successful on about three of the, "ok, just get it's."

My dreaded tasks are finally over. I do not have to fear being pulled over anymore other than the ticket I get for high speeds or going down one way roads that I might incur. Other than that, I am bracing myself for the next government agency encounter. I have zapped a little of the fear and dread though having one good experience after another.

Thoughts Everywhere!

Today, I have been all over the place with my thoughts so I thought I would track them on my blog. Stick with me here. . .

Woke up thinking about hub's XBox/Rock Band/Guitar Hero Birthday Party last night. Did he have fun? Was he really surprised? Did they keep my friend up all night who volunteered her home for the all guy party?

I found out he had a great time and yes he really was surprised. I finally pulled it off after 10 years of being married to the sneakiest man on earth. Yay!

My thoughts slowly went to the condition of the house as well as of my heart. Both in shambles. I have not done much to the house except make it worse, but I did do my devotions this morning. By the way, I have changed the way I say the time spent with God from "Quiet Time" to "Devotions" because although it is by no means quiet at my house I am still quite devoted to Him! :) He assured me that although I am not 100% loyal to Him He is still my Jehovah-nissi (banner) and His banner over me is love.

Through my devotions, I decided my in-laws sign business is definitely biblical because they make banners! :) Yes, a random, but amusing thought.

I moved on to my work thoughts. I have been working (telecommuting) with a ministry for several years and have discovered that my position with one of the metros (not my whole job) is indeed about to come to an end. My boss assured me that it was not something that I have done/not done it is more about having someone local vs. telecommuting.

Obviously, my thoughts are all over the charts with this. I absolutely want what is best for the ministry because this is something that God is doing a great work in and I want what is best for the ministry as well as my own life. Just like your kids. . .you just want what is best for them even if it means a little heartache along the way.

So, I have been trying to decide what the Lord wants from me in my work. Whatever it is Lord, have Your way in me. I have decided to get my teaching license renewed through either taking the Praxis or a couple of courses at a local college this year. Either way, I am looking at a year to decide the correct course of action. I have been thinking for awhile that I need to get my teaching license back regardless if I go back to teaching or not. I just think it is safe to have it close just in case something happens. After all, it is a shame to have a degree and not be able to use it if need be.

I have another post floating around in my brain but I don't have the umph to construct it. More to come though!

Love you and hope you are having a great week!

Menu Plan Monday

Are anyone else's kids on summer break making them a little loony? This is especially not a good sign since I am home schooling both of them this year.

Monday - hot dogs and watermelon :( Not much of a menu, but hey it's food. . .well sort of
Tuesday - Happy Birthday To You! Special birthday dinner for hubs;
No Hints and I will not be able to reveal what I make until after dinner besides hotdogs on Monday always make you appreciate anything you get during the week!
Wednesday - eggs, cheese and Canadian bacon with English Muffins
Thursday - We did not get to try the Sweet and Sour Chicken Packets on the grill; I will serve rice with this and maybe some egg rolls
Friday - Ladies Night at church; eating at yummy restaurant in town; family on your own
Saturday - Small Group Olympics Party; Need to bring something from a different country that is represented at the Olympics. . .does anyone have any ideas?
Sunday - Taco Salad

Recipe Update: Last week I made the most awesome potato soup. I guess I cannot really say that I made it because my Prince Charming helped, but I take credit since I found the recipe. It really was good and you should definitely try it if you like that kind of thing. I made cornbread and salad to go with it.

Jewelry Give-away Winner!

Random Integer Generator

Here are your random numbers:

71

Timestamp: 2008-08-04 00:04:27 UTC

Carol, from Sheep to the Right as well as Internet Cafe Devotions' blogs, you are the winner of my handmade jewels. I hope you just love it and will tell all of your friends about my up and coming Etsy shop.

Thank you to all who entered my give-away. If you stuck with me through the carnival because you like my blog, welcome aboard! I hope you will comment often and enlighten us with your thoughts. I often post my menu, a Work's for me Wednesday idea, some exercise updates and something spiritual that the Lord is doing with me.

Also, thank you for all of your sweet and encouraging comments about my jewelry. . .especially from the jewelry piercing lady (STAN. . .stay off my blog :))!!! Truly, I do thank you for your encouragement in the gifts God has given me and I pray that He will use it to His glory.

Several hopefully great posts coming up this week including. . ."The Unopened Invitation". Check back to see what this is all about.

Much Love,

I'm Hot!

Today, I woke up and looked at the weather and I knew I was in trouble. Yeah, the headline read that it was going to be "a scorcher" of a day. The humidity was way high and no one broke any records today on running. I have been training for a four mile race and today was the day of the race. Let's just say that I did not come in first, but I was out there running and that's all that matters to me.

My awesome partner-in-crime, Shanna, beat me again. Little booger! This has been such an awesome accomplishment since I have been exercising consistently since December 10th! I have never been much on exercise and really never big on running. Let's just say I was more cut out for "the track manager position" in high school. The #1 thing that has kept me motivated: a friend to exercise with. That's it. . .the key to sticking with it. . . a friend to run the race with!

Clappy Shoes Closet

Grand Opening Coming Soon to a blog near you! Yes, that is right. I thought about it for 30 whole seconds before I decided to plunge forward. I have told a lot of my friends about Etsy for awhile and no one would open a store so I figured if I like it so much why don't I do it myself!

I am currently screaming at my camera because it takes terrible shots of my cute jewels. Right before I went to the beach I had to buy a new one and let me tell you my old flame was so much better to me. I cannot stand this new one, but we are warming up to one another. I decided to read the instruction manual. You would think I was a guy the way I hate reading those things. Either way, my Etsy shop will be opening in the next couple of days and yes it is called ClappyShoesCloset. Oh my word, is that not the cutest name ever!?? :)

Ok, you convinced me!

After only 14 or so comments and many of them positive about my jewelry I am going to sell on Etsy. I have to tell you a little story though, so brace yourself.

Many of you know this story if you are a personal friend of mine. Not to exclude all of my cyber friends, but my friends that are around me hear my antics all of the time.

When I was a little girl (in my pretend world), my name was Stephanie Fox (I was related to Michael J Fox and I had a best friend named Stephanie). From 1st grade on I had wild entrepreneurial dreams. When I was in 1st grade I found some clay behind our home and shaped it and molded it into ash trays. I then went door to door selling my ash trays for $1. Many people bought them much to my mom's dismay.

Ok, it just gets better. When I was fourth grade I was a copyrighters nightmare where I sold Bon Jovi lyrics on the school bus for .25 cents. I made copies at the store for .10 (that is a .15 cent profit :))and then sold them until I was busted by someone who had gone to a concert and said that my lyrics were wrong. Short lived career, but a start nonetheless.

From fourth grade to sixth grade I had my pretend business world. My stores were carefully listed on paper. I was the CEO and founder of many stores including The Cubby Hole, Carpet and Carpet Inc, Mini Mart and Trailer Accessories, Inc.. I made a list of supplies that I sold, quantities and prices. I played pretend all day on a phone (made out of an Atari accessory). I wrote out scripts for my commercials that advertised my stores. I was the boss and everyone had to answer to me.

So all this to say, I have a really strong desire to have my own business. With the stage of life that I am in which includes: mom of two, working part time for a ministry, wife to a pastor, and the CEO of my home I do not have time, energy or money to start up my own business right now. But.... I do have time for hobbies like jewelry making in which I can sell my creations on Etsy.

I have a real fear that no one will buy my stuff, that my beautiful lovelies will break in someone's hands, and that I will make a mistake in signing up on etsy with a username that I cannot change and that I did not like (ok, that was reality, not a fear).

My fears are real, but my God knows the desires that I have. He says that He will supply all of my needs according to His riches in Christ Jesus. I cover this little Etsy shop in love, excitement, prayer and if you ever buy something from me and it breaks send all of your complaints to stephaniefox@*****.com.

Much Love to my real and cyber friends,P.S. My desire is to put my Etsy shop on my sidebar and my real hope is to have some really nice inexpensive pieces for you to buy for friends and family for Christmas. So make sure to subscribe or bookmark Clappy Shoes so you will stay tuned in to all of the upcoming details.

By the way, this will not become a jewelry blog, but just a convenient way to provide exposure. More news to come when I figure out how to set up my etsy shop with the shop name that I actually like.

A Little Late but Nonetheless

I am a little late for the Bloggy Carnival, but nonetheless I have an excellent and beautiful prize for you. I have been perfecting my jewelry making skills and am considering even selling some on etsy. . .only if I have a lot of positive reinforcement and encouragement! :) Please feel free to tell me if you think that I ought to stick with my day job. You know. . .talking on the phone and sweeping. :)

So here she blows. What I want you to do is very simple. . .tell me what outfit you will wear with your new jewelry.
These are two pics of the same jewelry. I have had a lot of positive feedback on my jewelry and I hope that you love it as well. So comment away on your cute outfits.

This set has several different colors and bead shapes. Both pieces are primarily made up of sea blue glass beads, silver rondelles and faux white pearls with a heart shaped clasp. The earrings have a tad bit of antiqued silver and are on lever back earring wires. Both the earrings and bracelet will come in the mail to you next week. They would make a great gift for someone or a fun new accessory for you! Hope you win!!

For more great give-aways and I mean a lot more. . .visit Chiliheads Bloggy Give-aways asap!!

Also, I have updated my blog with more details on an etsy shop. . .please read this post if you are interested in the future of my creations.

Love Always,

Planting Fun

What is that growing on my pool trellis? (Please ignore the garden that has not been weeded!) GREEN BEANS! If you need something fruitful to grow like a vine. . .plant some green beans. The fun thing is that when we are swimming and we get hungry . . .there you go, a fun snack! :)This was a fun project from something I saw last summer on a farm. I made the little table from a broken fountain. I made a really bad mosaic on the top. Two chairs with flowers growing from the little mesh containers. A broken gate with a fun sign hanging. I bought the little pails at Wal Mart and planted the sweet potato vine which grows like crazy here in Arkansas.
This was my really really fun project. I guess you can figure it out. . .but this is what you do. You get a big planter and turn in upside down. Get a large round bowl and put a smaller clay planter and turn it upside down in the larger round bowl. Fill the round bowl with potting soil, flowers and greenery. Put a clay dish on top and fill it with candles or use it as a bird bath. I saw this in several magazines and I just had to make it.

Menu Plan Monday- July 28th

Day One - I have all of the ingredients for this Crockpot Thai Chicken that organizing junkie made- I made this earlier in the year and I really liked it. . . my kids were not too fond but they ate it! So there you have it.
Day Two - I have a lot of potatoes that need to be eaten so we will have Cheesiest Potato Soup; It is kind of hot for this but it's all for the sake of the budget :)
Day Three - French Toast and bacon
Day Four - Chicken Caesar Salad
Day Five - Carbin' Up with Spaghetti and French Bread for my race
Day Six - My Four Mile Classic Run- pray for me because I have shin splints and I have worked so hard to this point; pray that they will not prohibit me from doing my best; I love this recipe idea that I got off of Three Ladies and a Dad blog; grilled Sweet and Sour Chicken Packets; I will make some rice to go on the side
Day Seven - We usually have leftovers or cheese quesadillas or some kind of taco salad; I have not been buying hamburger meat lately because it is too expensive and kind of on the do not eat list! :(

Looks like it is going to be a great food week! :) I made this awesome banana walnut loaf earlier in the week as well. I made it in my Pampered Chef Four Mini Loaf Pan and we have had a loaf a day. I love it.

Banana Walnut Bread
2 cups sifted flour
1 tsp soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup margarine
3/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
3-4 mashed bananas

Measure and sift together flour, soda and salt. Set aside. Cream margarine and add sugar. Cream this. Add eggs and vanilla. Add bananas. Fold in dry ingredients. Place in well greased loaf pan. Bake 325 for 55 - 60 minutes (less if you use mini loaf pan). Test with toothpick.

Enjoy and have a great menu planned week!