Who Let the Dog Out?

Last night, I woke up with the image of this dog that I had to chase out of the yard on Sunday stuck in my mind. I saw the dog as I was returning from the grocery store with a ton of groceries. The dog was in the middle of the road and he looked a little bit like a pit bull. I am not a dog person so I haven’t really studied different kinds. I pulled into my driveway and gathered all of the groceries that I could possibly carry (for fewer trips to the car, can you identify?). I was walking up to the door when I realized that that dog was after one of my cats. I had three of the four cats in the yard at the time and the dog had cornered two of them. If you know me at all, I am as protective of my cats as I am of my kids. Some would say that is sad! It’s ok. J

My older Persian cat was a ball of fur sticking straight up in the air. The dog was on her tail and I did not even drop my groceries, but immediately started chasing the dog. He was not giving up. I was swinging my twenty grocery bags at his face. I chased him around the tree several times while the cat could climb up it. Then the dog went after my other cat. That cat, not being so bright, just hid behind a bush. I finally threw down my groceries (oops on the eggs) and picked up a rock and chugged it at the dog. I started swatting at it with my hands and screaming at it. My husband heard the entire ruckus and came rushing out of the house to see what I was up to now. He helped me get the dog out of the yard and let me tell you . . . . that dog was persistent. Prince Charming had to pepper the dog with rocks to get him to get away. At first, the dog thought he was playing a game and he started going after the rocks until he got nailed a couple of times.

The dog came back one other time to scare my youngest cat up a tree. The whole thing was pretty crazy. The other thing is there were several people walking down the street watching the whole scene. I am sure that they thought I was one crazy woman. And they would be right. J

As my family struggles with the flu right now I started wondering if it was an attack on my family. We were supposed to go to a family reunion in Missouri the day that our family started getting sick. Whether or not it is it reminded me that we have a very real enemy. He is much like that dog . . . persistent, focused and knows what he wants.

The Bible says that the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy (John 10:10), but Jesus came to give us life and life abundantly. I am reminded by the realness of the enemy today. We need to be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour as it says in 1 Peter 5:8.

Not to leave you on a devastated and defeated note. Here are some verses that show who is victorious at the end of the day.

Psalm 60:12
With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.

Hebrews 2:14

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—


In our relationship with Christ, we will have victory over that “dog” who is determined to kill, steal and destroy. He will be locked up for a thousand years and eventually he will be overcome. We are more than conquerors in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:37)

Much Love and Victory in Christ!

2 Cor 5:17

Menu Plan Monday - Calorie Counting Ready!

A little update on my family. We are fighting the flu. So far I am the only survivor. I am stating that this nice menu just might change. :)

The other thing about this menu is that I am trying to lose weight. So far, in two weeks I have lost seven pounds. I have been counting my calories. I have a hard time with "portion distortion" so counting my calories has helped a lot.

Some of my resources have been my "Lose It" App on my iphone, and a Calorie, Fat and Carbohydrate Counter book that I bought from Wal Mart. All of these recipes should please everyone. . .hopefully! :) Also, Sparkpeople has been a source of encouragement to me in giving me lots of information on watching what you eat.

Monday - Whole Chicken cooked in the crockpot all day/brown rice
Tuesday - Turkey Burgers, black beans with lime juice and cilantro
Wednesday - Prince Charming's Birthday - hmmm. still pondering
Thursday - Bratwurst and Sweet Italian Turkey Sausage for me
Friday - Apricot Glazed Chicken, fresh broccoli, brown rice
1 cup Smucker's sugar free apricot preserves
1/3 cup orange juice
1/4 cup Smart Start
4 skinless boneless chicken breasts
1/4 tsp black pepper
Combine preserves, oj and Smart Start. Rub chicken breasts with marinade combination. Sprinkle pepper on top. Place chicken in a roasting pan. Cook for 20 minutes, basting the chicken with excess glaze every 5 minutes.

I have been reading Jillian Michaels (Biggest Loser coach), Master the Metabolism and Making the Cut. This was one of the many recipes in Making the Cut.
Saturday - Leftovers
Sunday - taco salad (Turkey taco salad for me)

comparison of calories that I have recently discovered:
80/20 ground beef 290 calories per 4 ounce servings
85% lean ground turkey 170 calories per 4 ounce servings (3 ounce cooked weight)

When you are on a 1174 calorie diet, every calorie counts! :) Sorry for all of the extra information, but I have had to brainwash myself to count my calories.

Have a great and blessed day!