tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-363739642024-03-23T13:27:32.781-05:00Midnight Musings"...O God, and our hearts are restless until they find their REST in You." – St. AugustineAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10436764764797493783noreply@blogger.comBlogger809125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36373964.post-89473504989321611812014-06-07T16:01:00.000-05:002014-06-07T16:01:40.483-05:00It's the Little Things...1. Getting that doctor visit behind me this morning!<br />
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2. Watching two episodes in a row of my all time favorite western series: "The Big Valley".<br />
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3. Listening to my dog snore at my feet.<br />
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4. Sitting at my desk with the assurance of God's grace and forgiveness.<br />
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5. Having a husband who works hard for us.<br />
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6. Remembering the wonderful time with family recently at my nephew's wedding in Georgia.<br />
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7. Realizing my tummy is growling because of hunger; but I'm so blessed to have a stocked fridge and pantry.<br />
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8. Listening to my son as he chats with a friend.<br />
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9. Feeling the cool air from the air conditioning!<br />
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10. Looking forward to celebrating my daddy's 78th birthday tomorrow!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10436764764797493783noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36373964.post-16820211569489187422014-01-05T22:14:00.002-05:002014-01-05T22:15:34.222-05:00My "one word" for 2014<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">OK ~ So many of your are choosing ONE WORD to define what you are going to be working on in your personal lives for this new year. I've chosen my word!! Are you ready for it??? ORGANIZED!! This is the year I'm going to do it! I'm going to get everything in my life organized!! Isn't that wonderful? :) It has been a lofty goal of mine to have everything labeled, stored, sorted, and displayed in an amazing presentation. I am so ready to tackle my office and file drawers first! I'm giddy with anticipation y'all!!! Now if I wasn't so sleepy, I'd get my hands on some washi tape and my labeler and start by reconfiguring my filing cabinet! Man, I sure hope I can sleep tonight and not let the anticipation of sorting through paper work tomorrow keep me awake with heightened anticipation. :)</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10436764764797493783noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36373964.post-59131396270660466662013-12-29T22:11:00.001-05:002013-12-30T12:51:17.412-05:00Goodbye 2013<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">As the New Year approaches, I rejoice in all that we have learned and gained in 2013. Was it all pleasant? No, of course not; but it was all for a higher purpose! I believe each member of the Rios Family has become a better human being because of the various experiences we have encountered along the way this past year. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some of the good: My son Josh was promoted to a management position at Bern’s Steak House and with that promotion came a substantial raise! Shane celebrated his 16th birthday this year! He has scored well on all tests and has gained much work experience and job skills in the construction/carpentry field ~ thanks to various jobs with his Uncle Johnny. Oh, and he won the UGLY SWEATER contest at his youth group party! I'm so proud! LOL In June, Agustin completed his first year with Cantina Laredo and has established strong relationships with many of the regular customers and with many leaders of our community. He has enjoyed having only a 10 minute commute to and from work this past year! I have overcome malignant cancer and many other health issues. I (We) praise God for HIS goodness to us all!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Have a safe and happy New Year’s Eve. We, the Rios family, plan to Par---tay!!! <img alt="Smile" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-smile" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-L_OAm2HF2y0/UsDkNrBIAiI/AAAAAAAAGOI/qdXQd-6rrQY/wlEmoticon-smile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">What are some of your plans?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Here are a few photos of our December, 2013.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Shane’s 16th Birthday party!</span><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-1wLU-2gNHaA/UsDkOdqXhlI/AAAAAAAAGOQ/ePdxLKKyypg/s1600-h/IMG_0962%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0962" height="239" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-HFzES1M-jno/UsDkPEw33AI/AAAAAAAAGOU/e2wHwpbF2SM/IMG_0962_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="IMG_0962" width="281" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Agustin and I enjoying a night at Sea World, Orlando.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-T-mBcTTYndg/UsDkPkEADVI/AAAAAAAAGOg/B73BGE1tJQw/s1600-h/Us%252520Tree%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Us Tree" height="240" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-BQg9XjrwXqQ/UsDkQNKR77I/AAAAAAAAGOo/jmeEXqafhVQ/Us%252520Tree_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="Us Tree" width="201" /></a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">My parents at our house on Christmas Day.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Mom continues to recuperate from her knee replacement surgery.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-DVp6FN2sVWQ/UsDkQwGF9cI/AAAAAAAAGOw/PWiSMn5qJPc/s1600-h/Dad%252526Mom2013%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Dad&Mom2013" height="240" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-je6cPFQ9A_I/UsDkRqOgNII/AAAAAAAAGO4/-Y0NtdbrJj0/Dad%252526Mom2013_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="Dad&Mom2013" width="240" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Our family on Christmas Day.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-v71XnFxBAbw/UsDkSQy4dsI/AAAAAAAAGPA/hkzNblWI4g8/s1600-h/Family2013%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Family2013" height="208" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yRFkpOxcu8k/UsDkSzN3HsI/AAAAAAAAGPI/oNeg_0d89Oc/Family2013_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="Family2013" width="240" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Some yummies made by Shane and I.</span><br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-i1SjnmuWw7s/UsDkTo51r-I/AAAAAAAAGPQ/64UpIgidSBA/s1600-h/IMG_0992%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0992" height="180" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-NXmY8MoYB2c/UsDkUEvfb3I/AAAAAAAAGPU/UCVxhBnMRrs/IMG_0992_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="display: inline;" title="IMG_0992" width="240" /></a><br />
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To see a short slideshow I made with "Smilebox", just click the link below.<br />
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<a href="http://www.smilebox.com/playBlog/4d7a6b794f4463794f54413d0d0a&blogview=true">http://www.smilebox.com/playBlog/4d7a6b794f4463794f54413d0d0a&blogview=true</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Angsana New; font-size: x-large;"><strong><em>As we head into 2014, let me encourage you to consider this wise counsel from God’s Word, Proverbs 3:5&6 which says: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways, acknowledge HIM, and HE shall direct thy paths.”</em></strong></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10436764764797493783noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36373964.post-30441098176593228732013-09-30T23:17:00.001-05:002013-09-30T23:19:46.481-05:00So I Wasn't As Committed As I Thought I Was!<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Ummm, blushing here! I started this month off determined to capture a photo a day, correlated with the list of ideas furnished by </span><span style="font-size: large;">Amy at <a href="http://www.theidearoom.net/">TheIdeaRoom</a></span><span style="font-size: large;"> but instead, I got ... oh shall we say,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">DISTRACTED?? </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I think I will end the month with her prompt - "FALL IS..."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">So here we go! To me FALL IS...decorating with <span style="color: red;">rich</span>, <span style="color: orange;">warm</span> <span style="color: yellow;">colors</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">and having friends over for meals!</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cgw2-RbD3Xg/UkpKxhqV-uI/AAAAAAAAGK4/_jj3IrDEI-k/s1600/IMG_0077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Cgw2-RbD3Xg/UkpKxhqV-uI/AAAAAAAAGK4/_jj3IrDEI-k/s320/IMG_0077.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I have been productive this month and feeling happy about my health and accomplishments. Just last week, I sequestered myself in our church building Monday - Friday, working 10 hour days. Our church homecoming was this Sunday and I wanted to spiffy up our church facilities best as possible. I started with the nursery on that first day and finished up the week by painting bookshelves in our supply room. I warned everyone to stay far away from me that week unless they wanted to be Bleached, Scrubbed with Murphy's Oil Soap, Painted, or Waxed!!! Around 8:30 or 9:00 each night, I'd walk over to my parents home to eat a late supper,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">bathe, and sleep.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Being able to work hard physically is a big deal for me! You see, about 6 months ago, I would NOT have been able to help my church in this capacity. My health was so poor and my pain was very intense. I am so thankful for God's guidance to great doctors, new treatments, and new medicines; but I am most grateful for praying friends and answered prayers!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I so enjoyed my week working at church. I still have many things I want to accomplish there in the buildings, but this week I think I should concentrate on my own home! I only saw Shane, Agustin, and my Delilah once during the entire week!!!</span></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10436764764797493783noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36373964.post-42060080453659540702013-09-07T15:24:00.002-05:002013-09-07T15:32:07.705-05:00A Neighborly Surprise and "Catch Up" with the PHOTO A DAY challenge!<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><em><u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Okay, first the neighborly part:</span></u></em></strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">If you ask me, I have one of the best neighbors ever! She is great about checking on me and keeping me up to date with things going on in the neighborhood. She even ventured out in one of our terrible storms this summer to drive me to a doctor’s appointment on the spur of the moment. (<em>My other ride was late getting into town and I wasn’t allowed to drive due to recent surgery</em>.) </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">She teaches 5th grade and has recently started this year's school term. I saw a cute little something in <a href="http://www.crackerbarrel.com/">Cracker Barrel</a> yesterday and she came to mind.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">What about you? Have you done something nice for your neighbors recently?</span><br />
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I truly try to write nicely but my damaged wrists and fingers won't permit! :(</div>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now the "catch up" part! I am determined to post a photo a day on my blog! I have been keeping up with this challenge on my other social media but have forgotten to post the photos here; so if you really think you can't live another day without seeing my "photo a day" (sarcasm, yes), then feel free to find me on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram so that you can view these amazing photos and make your world right again! ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><em><u> Day Six, Friday - a circle:</u></em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Actually, LOTS of CIRCLES!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(I'm having fun spray painting circular things for a fall craft project I'll be doing with my kiddos in Children's Church tomorrow!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong><em><u>Day Seven, Saturday - a pathway:</u></em></strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The pathway alongside our house.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Below is </span><a href="http://www.theidearoom.net/"><span style="font-size: large;">Amy's</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> list in case you want to join in on</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">September's Photo A Day challenge!</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10436764764797493783noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36373964.post-10366486494198958902013-09-01T14:33:00.000-05:002013-09-03T15:00:12.734-05:00Day One–Inspire<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">I’m playing along by posting a daily photograph describing the word or category prompt for that day at #theidearoom on Instagram or at <a href="http://www.theidearoom.net/">www.theidearoom.net</a>. </span><span style="font-size: medium;"> If you would like to join in the fun, you can access the list and the guidelines by clicking on the link above to see what is next. It’s interesting to see what others have chosen to photograph for their daily entry.</span><br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-3CBMnZ_Il8s/UiY5uDdm58I/AAAAAAAAGI0/f2Y0TTevzA4/s1600-h/2012%25252009%25252030_0104%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="2012 09 30_0104" border="0" height="183" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-K8nJTRtlyI0/UiY5uuuU0zI/AAAAAAAAGI8/MOsJgo5LcM4/2012%25252009%25252030_0104_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="2012 09 30_0104" width="244" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">For today's prompt, the word INSPIRE caused me to write about my Dad and Mom. My parents are an inspiration to me! Both of them are in their seventies and have many health issues; but nothing seems to stop them! My husband and I say they remind us of tenacious bulldogs, but in a good way! <img alt="Winking smile" class="wlEmoticon wlEmoticon-winkingsmile" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9qo8t6fNpkc/UiY5uzWv4yI/AAAAAAAAGJA/f8GRMntZN5E/wlEmoticon-winkingsmile%25255B2%25255D.png?imgmax=800" /> By God’s grace, mom and dad both carry on serving Christ daily and remain flexible to serve others in a magnificent way. There is no way I could keep up with their schedules! Whew!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">My dad is Senior Pastor at our church in Tampa. He counsels families and hurting folks almost on a daily basis. Not only is my Mom a full time Pastor’s wife, she continues to work an outside, full time job and several part time jobs. (She doesn’t consider the part time jobs work-just a way to help out friends.)</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">I love you mom and dad and appreciate your love for the Lord and your example of doing for others. I know it is HE who gives you both the strength to do all that you do.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10436764764797493783noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36373964.post-84994315189391228562013-08-18T17:16:00.001-05:002013-08-18T17:16:48.098-05:00Look Who Is Coming!<p> </p> <p><font size="4">My hubby’s mom and one of his brothers are coming for a week long visit! Their plane lands at 4 p.m. Monday evening!!! This year, they’re coming to help us celebrate his BIG 50!!! <font size="4">We, umm I mean, he (my hubby) is hoping his mama feels well enough to make some of her tamales while here!!! They are the best I've ever eaten. Honestly! </font></font></p> <p><font size="4"></font> </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qaPjz25dQn4/UhFHvT7mLcI/AAAAAAAAGHs/YW2jyOY8uJQ/s1600-h/tamales%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="tamales" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="tamales" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PyVOJI9xGR8/UhFHvyr0v-I/AAAAAAAAGH0/pf80pdwfb_Q/tamales_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="243" height="244"></a></p> <p><font size="4">Here are a few photos of my husband with his mom and brother Elias when they flew up for his birthday in 2009. We had just feasted on tamales, beans, and rice which were accompanied with some of my mother in law's home made salsas! YUM! I can't wait!</font></p> <p><font size="4"></font> </p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Jb1_qfe_JTA/UhFHwe_fymI/AAAAAAAAGH8/_kw3LK99V8Y/s1600-h/Misc.%252520Family%252520031%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="Misc. Family 031" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Misc. Family 031" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--sN2M54ZSz0/UhFHxP_G1WI/AAAAAAAAGIE/r3e0YAkWUL0/Misc.%252520Family%252520031_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0UED3yLRvig/UhFHxs5OnqI/AAAAAAAAGIM/oOhWCagrMkE/s1600-h/Misc.%252520Family%252520033%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Misc. Family 033" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Misc. Family 033" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-oknVygJ8tBg/UhFHyoWN8uI/AAAAAAAAGIU/0vl7lOvSYbc/Misc.%252520Family%252520033_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gIgeLuoza74/UhFHzL1thmI/AAAAAAAAGIc/xOBBcf3w7g8/s1600-h/Misc.%252520Family%252520032%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Misc. Family 032" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Misc. Family 032" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hZpdyfMI2Fs/UhFHziG_S6I/AAAAAAAAGIk/kLDPsqiwo_Q/Misc.%252520Family%252520032_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="209"></a></p> <p><font size="4">Now on to some house keeping</font>! <font size="2">(literally, I still have two bathrooms to clean and a kitchen floor to scrub!) </font><font size="4">But I really need to get some housekeeping about my blog out of the way.</font> <p> <p><font size="4">So ... two months ago, I bragged about how my blog would be seeing more action from me now that I'm experiencing better health these days. WELL.....OOPS! Sorry little blog! I suppose I've been feeling SO much better that I've been SO much busier than I had anticipated. It's great being able to get out of the house more for special events and socializing. Even running errands is a blessing to me! I'm so grateful for my praying friends who have interceded on my behalf!</font> <p> <p><font size="4">Today was a wonderful day at church. My kiddos in Children's Church were in wonderful moods. After church, a bunch of us from church went to one of our favorite Chinese restaurants where we surprised a dear sister in Christ. Vera has lymphoma and is fighting her fourth round right now. She maintains her testimony for Christ and maintains a good attitude and a hope that God will use her through this illness to be a witness for HIM. She and her husband bless my heart beyond measure. They bought a huge van specifically to drive all or at least as many of their grandchildren as possible to church each week. Most are in my class. Even on days Vera is in horrific pain or very weak, she pushes on. Please remember she and her husband David in prayer. May they experience God's grace and power during these difficult days. Oh and our surprise party for her was a home run! We made her cry, so that's always good, right?? :)</font> <p><font size="4">Since I don’t think those bathrooms and that kitchen floor are going to scrub themselves, I best sign out now. Y'all take care, ya' hear!</font> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10436764764797493783noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36373964.post-33946194102295752772013-06-10T19:14:00.001-05:002013-06-10T19:14:46.809-05:00My New Mantra!<p> </p> <p> </p> <p><font size="4">Yeah that’s right! Now that I’m experiencing better health and have more energy, my little ol’ blog is going to be seeing me around a lot more often! I hope to see you around my blog more too!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-baQH5hDmwjE/UbZr8yh1HGI/AAAAAAAAGHQ/_UaKysBugKc/s1600-h/rockblog%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="rockblog" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="rockblog" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-OMNEowX3Qt8/UbZr9XLvKPI/AAAAAAAAGHY/7f3qXZP0bh0/rockblog_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="196" height="228"></a></p> <p>(Pssst---let’s see how long this lasts!)</p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10436764764797493783noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36373964.post-17591155598874064272013-04-08T22:39:00.002-05:002013-04-08T22:39:29.784-05:00Josh Turns 26<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">My last post was about my eldest son's birth. Here are the few photos we took Saturday when he was over for one of his favorite home cooked meals: Honey Spiraled sliced ham, mashed potatoes, peas, and rolls. It was wonderful having him "home" even if only for a few hours!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm coming in for a kiss! He asked: "You're not going to do anything weird are you?" </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">He makes me laugh</span>!</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">*Smack!*</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then he whisked me up! What a surprise!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(click to enlarge! believe me it's worth it to see our faces!)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I love my boys!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Agustin was rushing off to work. This photo tickles me!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Doesn't he look like a little school boy trying hard to be good? ;)</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10436764764797493783noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36373964.post-46395370813738374982013-04-06T20:12:00.001-05:002013-04-08T22:43:01.845-05:00Swept Off My Feet (again)<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-V3hZqdJJoGE/UWDH63E003I/AAAAAAAAGEk/4BlWXMr_qEk/s1600-h/IMG_0804%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0804" border="0" height="184" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-5iJIW9PPgqk/UWDH7cKSTII/AAAAAAAAGEs/mnCQk1RNzh8/IMG_0804_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0804" width="244" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">A very handsome man stopped by our house today</span><br />
<span style="font-size: medium;">and “swept me off my feet” AGAIN!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Our first born, Josh, turned twenty six today. My mind cannot comprehend that! It seems like just yesterday, God sent us that tiny miracle at 2:22 a.m. April 6, 1987. I was “swept off my feet” the moment I laid eyes on his perfect, but tiny form. My dad often says that Josh reminded him of a little old man with sagging skin wrinkled up.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Below is the amazing story of how God performed a miracle on that April 6, 1987 morning. It’s a tad long, but if you feel so inclined, I’d love for you to read it.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Finally, packing up to go home!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">He came early, but ready to fight!!! I had flown in from Mexico the week before his birth, which may be what brought on the premature labor.(and the fact I was further along than believed) It was the most painful moment of my life, waving goodbye to Agustin. He stood at the bottom of the escalator in Mexico City’s huge International airport. He had not be awarded his VISA yet, hence preventing him from being able to accompany me to the states. I looked back at him the entire ride up the tall escalator, never taking my eyes off of him. What if something happened and I never saw him again? My heart was in my throat!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">I cried and sobbed quietly during the entire flight from Mexico City to Miami. I caught looks of pity and concern from other passengers and the flight attendants. After a short layover in Miami, I was on a smaller plane headed to Tampa. I felt exhausted. I tried sipping a beverage during the 30 minute or so flight. I believe I ordered orange juice. I was so relieved and happy to walk off the airplane and see my friend Jan and my mom waiting for me in that concourse of Tampa International Airport. First came the smiles and hugs, then the expected “pregnant tummy inspection”. “Why are you even wearing a maternity dress? You have no belly. You don’t even look pregnant!” I explained that Agustin had bought the dress for me a couple of weeks prior and I felt that since I didn’t appear pregnant, the dress might garner me some help with the luggage, and it had! I didn’t have to carry my ginormous heavy bag off the luggage belt. A lady looked kindly at me and asked if I was pregnant. I said yes and she proceeded to find out which bag was mine, then lifted it off for me. Amazing isn’t it how one small moment of kindness lingers forever in our hearts and minds! Well, Mom and Jan whisked me off to meet up with Mom’s friend Mona who was staying in her parents condo in Clearwater. Mom had flown down from West Virginia to help Mona pack up her parent’s things to move them to Missouri. We had several days together before I had to leave for West Virginia with my dad and brother in law, Clint. I remember eating at a Golden Corral and having to excuse myself to the restroom several times due to small amounts of leaking. Then the next night while out to eat at The Spaghetti Warehouse in Ybor City, I was so sick, I ordered only an ice water. I started having contractions while there but didn’t say a word to anyone as I just thought I wasn’t feeling well. I didn’t want to ruin their dinner.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">That night I slept at Mona’s house. I lay there in her guest room wondering if this pain would stop. I wondered if the slow leaking meant anything. Boy, was I dumb! My baby wasn’t due for several more weeks! I was scared! I cried! I prayed! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">The next morning, we all went to Jan’s house for breakfast. Dad and Clint had made it into Tampa to make a delivery and were headed back up to W.V. right after we ate. The plan was that I’d ride back with them, get settled in my parent’s home in Logan, then find an OB/GYN to care for me and baby during my last weeks of the pregnancy. It did NOT happen that way!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Dad, Clint, and I loaded into that tiny Ford Ranger truck. We were all much smaller back then so it really wasn’t that crowded. About half way to W.V. I realized I needed help. Each time we would pass a H for Hospital sign on the interstate, I wondered if I should ask them to find that hospital. I held on for as long as I could. We finally arrived in Princeton, W.V. and dad wanted to stop at the Shoney’s to eat since it would be his last opportunity to do so for awhile since there wasn’t one near Logan. It was cold, snowy, and icy! I remember praying not to fall as I stepped out of the truck. Once again, I only ordered water. Dad and Clint were at the salad bar, happily piling their plates high. I went to the ladies room. I came out white as a ghost. I had started bleeding! I sat quietly in the booth, sipping on my water. Clint finally noticed that something was wrong with me. He asked if I was ok. I quietly told him about the back pain and the bleeding. He then, in only the way Clint can do, gently said that we could get a hotel for the night. I needed to put my feet up and rest. That is what the doctor had counseled Rita to do when she was spotting during her pregnancy. When I said no, I’d rather try to continue on the last couple of hours to get home. He then called the State Highway Patrol for weather conditions. This was in 1987, so no laptop, no smart phone, no internet! They said all roads were clear, it was safe to travel. After the men finished their meals, we set off again. An hour into the trip I was groaning. Dad then became very concerned. Clint told him what I had experienced back at Shoney’s. Dad then suggested we stop at my Aunt Catty’s house. She was a nurse and knew good doctors. She could get me in first thing in the morning with an OB/GYN. We showed up that night around 9:30, surprising her and Uncle Ted. She took me right in. I ate a bowl of corn flakes then took a warm bath. (All things I shouldn’t’ have done since I was in LABOR! – But I was too dumb to know it and it was way too early to even think that!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Finally, we get to the hospital where my aunt worked. She was able to get me quick attention. It was so chaotic due to me having no doctor or connections at all there. They called in the OB/GYN, Dr. Sultan. They also called in the pediatrician, and the helicopter life flight from the larger hospital in Huntington. The consensus was that the night was not going to bring forth good news. I was told to change. The technician then began an ultrasound on me. I was complaining of back pain. She could find no baby! She called in the obstetrician. After he and she spoke quietly, he had me rolled in to the delivery room. He explained that I would need to deliver naturally without drugs. He also explained to me that he wasn’t sure what he would be delivering, a live or dead baby and I should prepare myself. He then informed me that the helicopter was on standby in case the baby needed to be rushed to Huntington. I remember pushing and pushing and being put on oxygen at some point. I remember being told they had no heartbeat on the baby. I remember being so scared and feeling sad. My Aunt Catty was right there with me, holding my hand and feeding me ice chips. I did not know until years later that Dr. Sultan had told her out in the hall that he was afraid he would be delivering a blob. Another thing I wasn’t aware of at the time, my Aunt Virgie was out in the hallway calling her church prayer chain, asking prayer for me and the baby. She also called Clint and Dad who had driven on to Logan after leaving me in good hands earlier that evening. They were shocked when Aunt Virgie announced that she was at the hospital with me and we were about to have a baby but things looked grim. Poor Clint! He knew Agustin from our days together in Mexico. He said he paced the floor trying to form a speech to give Agustin on the phone once the baby was born. His Spanish wasn’t as proficient as it is today, so he wanted to have the right words if he were to tell Agustin we had lost the baby. We were all able to laugh later when he told us how he was dreading making that call to Agustin in Mexico when the phone rang again. It was Aunt Virgie again. She rejoiced: “We’ve got us a baby boy!” Clint said he was so relieved. He then called my husband, and at first Agustin did not believe Clint. He thought it was just another prank from the master prankster! He was finally convinced that he had a son; a tiny son, but a living son! Then my mom was called in Florida. She and Mona too thought Clint was playing a mean joke, calling at 2:30 in the morning! Finally, they were convinced I had given birth. Imagine, they had just seen me that morning in Tampa and they were still proclaiming that I didn’t even look pregnant!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">There is so much more I could tell you. The prayers of concerned Christians who had never met me and the love of family was overwhelming.The main point is that God performed a miracle that night. He actually did have me in the right place at the right time, even though it didn't seem like it at first. The doctor who delivered Josh was wonderful. The pediatrician, Dr. Haas was amazing! I had no insurance or history with any of the doctors mentioned. The hospital had grants from the state and I never saw a bill. There were a few ups and downs during the next few weeks, but all in all, Joshua had very little difficulty compared to other babies born as early as he was. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">He isn’t so tiny today! He is a miracle from God and so strong and strapping. He has a beautiful heart and is a loyal friend to others. He has an awesome work ethic and is amazingly blessed with athletic skills. He still has heart issues but hasn’t let that hold him back. If anything, it has caused him to work harder and try harder. It’s been a wonderful ride watching this miracle of ours grow and learn, try and fail, try and succeed, watching him become a man.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10436764764797493783noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36373964.post-82476628197413229642013-03-05T15:51:00.002-05:002013-08-18T18:20:19.368-05:00CREEPERS!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">If you know anything about the game Minecraft, then you'll know what a CREEPER is. It's an object that follows you around in the game and if it gets too close to you - it blows up! I usually am not a "creeper" but on Father's Day, 2012, a remarkable thing happened! My mom, my niece Jayde, my son Shane, and I became CREEPERS!! Oh but be not dismayed: we do not blow up at the end of this story! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Let me start at the beginning. We had a very sick friend who needed some cheering up. We decided to drive Jayde and her "road manager" (that's what we jokingly called Shane) over to a friend's home so my niece could play and sing for him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">About five minutes from mom's house, while stopped at a red light, I noticed a bumper sticker on the car in front of us. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Mom, does that bumper sticker say Paraguay?" I asked. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Yeah I think it does!" she replied excitedly.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then an even more excited voice asked from the back seat, "Does it have a 200 on it?"</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I squinted my eyes to check. "Why yes, it does. Why?" I answered. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Then I remembered that Jayde had won a contest at school in Paraguay for creating a new seal to celebrate the nation's 200th anniversary. Of course, while I was remembering that, Jayde exclaimed, "That's my design!" We all began squealing!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Well, by ALL, I mean all of the FEMALES in the car. I don't think Shane squealed, cuz he's cool like that.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">(and he's a male)</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We three females looked at each other, big eyed. "Mom, follow them." I suggested, er no, more like I commanded!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">"Should I?" she queried. "Yes, go go go!" Jayde and I were giggling by now! Mom stepped on the gas and we were off on our first adventure as "CREEPERS"!!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It turned out we followed them all the way to their driveway which happened to be about one block from our original destination!! How convenient!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">There's more to tell you but I'm tired. To make sure that we didn't explode, please watch the video I posted below.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><em>I was delighted to find these photos and videos on my dad's laptop! I made this little montage for my sister and her crew in Paraguay mostly, but you all can watch it too if you choose. ;) I know some of the singing goes a little long, so fast forward to the harmonica playing at the end.</em></span></div>
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(Dr. Martinez is a pediatric surgeon at St. Joseph's Hospital)</div>
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Oh and as for going to sing for our sick friend, yeah we did that as soon as we finished at the Martinez home! ;) I may post that part of the story soon.<br />
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What a great Sunday afternoon it was!<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10436764764797493783noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36373964.post-53855623475219155972013-01-21T22:03:00.001-05:002013-01-21T22:03:31.150-05:00Making Get Well Cards<p> </p> <p> </p> <p><font size="3">We have two ladies in our church who are recuperating from falls and subsequent surgeries. So after our lesson on Sunday, I asked the children if they would like to make some Get Well cards for these ladies. They jumped at the idea with smiles. So we scurried to get all of our supplies together and they got busy.</font></p> <p><font size="3">One of my goals for these children is to help them realize they are the hands and feet of Christ. I want them to learn from their own experiences the joys one receives from doing for others.</font></p> <p><font size="3">I hope you take the time to enlarge each photo and read the precious notes these kids wrote. I’m so blessed to have these children in my life and I’m positive these two ladies will receive a sweet blessing from these simple cards. What about you? What would your reaction be if you received a sweet, handmade card made by precious children?</font></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0JkPXCqz9Zk/UP4BLKnlfLI/AAAAAAAAF_A/eYWUCnhb-nA/s1600-h/2013%25252001%25252020_0422%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="I am so blessed to have these children in my life!" border="0" alt="I am so blessed to have these children in my life!" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2I5CZ_DGqiI/UP4BLyEv5-I/AAAAAAAAF_I/E1ROgZe08hs/2013%25252001%25252020_0422_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NjGXJ3cIpc4/UP4BMpimR9I/AAAAAAAAF_Q/keXt2Futqwo/s1600-h/2013%25252001%25252020_0423%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="So precious! I know this card will brighten Martha's day." border="0" alt="So precious! I know this card will brighten Martha's day." src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-06B52cJhsxM/UP4BNE6lCqI/AAAAAAAAF_Y/QAx4bxvNECI/2013%25252001%25252020_0423_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nzmTSlp625s/UP4BNmy7tiI/AAAAAAAAF_g/AKTaLFCgemo/s1600-h/2013%25252001%25252020_0424%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2013 01 20_0424" border="0" alt="2013 01 20_0424" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-gXd72fEDWtI/UP4BOFOdt7I/AAAAAAAAF_o/gBzV0APxI74/2013%25252001%25252020_0424_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="269"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DHX_dBWUwgQ/UP4BOS168RI/AAAAAAAAF_w/ZHjykSFi7_A/s1600-h/2013%25252001%25252020_0425%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2013 01 20_0425" border="0" alt="2013 01 20_0425" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-01rzpdlFKm4/UP4BO3IAOjI/AAAAAAAAF_4/Z1zIp2Ykz6U/2013%25252001%25252020_0425_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="260"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-k5-zJ5d4nTA/UP4BPfm-UDI/AAAAAAAAGAA/DZGC8nTRr_k/s1600-h/2013%25252001%25252020_0426%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2013 01 20_0426" border="0" alt="2013 01 20_0426" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iCGT_qX5bQ0/UP4BQBtUSOI/AAAAAAAAGAI/WaRj75ZZpmQ/2013%25252001%25252020_0426_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-zjpPcj7QD3s/UP4BQpiOZLI/AAAAAAAAGAQ/xjG8AhPaj84/s1600-h/2013%25252001%25252020_0427%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2013 01 20_0427" border="0" alt="2013 01 20_0427" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-FpcYUjyax8s/UP4BROCRf1I/AAAAAAAAGAU/ID8lEKqKDx8/2013%25252001%25252020_0427_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-B0_a3id9e5E/UP4BRkKiI6I/AAAAAAAAGAc/x0NNti8q2VI/s1600-h/2013%25252001%25252020_0428%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2013 01 20_0428" border="0" alt="2013 01 20_0428" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ylhoYmLyQL0/UP4BSF2t9TI/AAAAAAAAGAo/17iydhFAPF4/2013%25252001%25252020_0428_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UM38osuswGY/UP4BSzc_xHI/AAAAAAAAGAw/uHXNjQ69gMM/s1600-h/2013%25252001%25252020_0429%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2013 01 20_0429" border="0" alt="2013 01 20_0429" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UC8RdWE5M5E/UP4BTYBw3_I/AAAAAAAAGA4/TTIpFBXYdJA/2013%25252001%25252020_0429_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Wi8UjGtUKXY/UP4BT6H2UEI/AAAAAAAAGBA/m9deDM3mV3E/s1600-h/2013%25252001%25252020_0430%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Matthew's card to Martha Palmer." border="0" alt="Matthew's card to Martha Palmer." src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BexOc6j3mr0/UP4BUkc2hVI/AAAAAAAAGBI/sCtZBdq0eYw/2013%25252001%25252020_0430_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JvwRj9w-Zfc/UP4BVDr1MWI/AAAAAAAAGBQ/l2pFRSUZPmo/s1600-h/2013%25252001%25252020_0431%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Kodi's card, just precious!" border="0" alt="Kodi's card, just precious!" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-v8vI8NBByk0/UP4BVpO30AI/AAAAAAAAGBY/tF7rbvm6vag/2013%25252001%25252020_0431_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9q3LSHRBRto/UP4BWYP8YRI/AAAAAAAAGBg/MjhH0uuejKw/s1600-h/2013%25252001%25252020_0432%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Madison's card impressed me!" border="0" alt="Madison's card impressed me!" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sBEMkm1GWW8/UP4BXODJJKI/AAAAAAAAGBk/CFrhear2di8/2013%25252001%25252020_0432_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SvgdgOFJ5QE/UP4BXQqJ3tI/AAAAAAAAGBw/lOvQI4a-WsA/s1600-h/2013%25252001%25252020_0433%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2013 01 20_0433" border="0" alt="2013 01 20_0433" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-bqQS8D9e8TY/UP4BYCqFqBI/AAAAAAAAGB4/g4yAbzjLCCQ/2013%25252001%25252020_0433_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nyHufirqfCg/UP4BZHt_79I/AAAAAAAAGCA/GrzHW7JGicU/s1600-h/2013%25252001%25252020_0434%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="2013 01 20_0434" border="0" alt="2013 01 20_0434" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Oi-A2UrhTgM/UP4BZtpvTlI/AAAAAAAAGCI/mM_gINx56V4/2013%25252001%25252020_0434_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hX67ggkqJUQ/UP4BaAzh0PI/AAAAAAAAGCQ/n83CSWmrWFg/s1600-h/2013%25252001%25252020_0417%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Seth's card" border="0" alt="Seth's card" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-F3zOZEmxK2I/UP4BawgVhbI/AAAAAAAAGCY/INAI1X-dPic/2013%25252001%25252020_0417_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QWgawCu6XJo/UP4BbPvuQhI/AAAAAAAAGCg/KLGITQAN9p0/s1600-h/2013%25252001%25252020_0418%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Camron working on his card" border="0" alt="Camron working on his card" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GF3XE9ghIiQ/UP4Bbw_jYcI/AAAAAAAAGCo/2nFzSYlLRWM/2013%25252001%25252020_0418_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-0SYSguc-13o/UP4BcqRd3EI/AAAAAAAAGCw/XCmN0ZEAAtU/s1600-h/2013%25252001%25252020_0419%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Macayla and Bethany hard at work!" border="0" alt="Macayla and Bethany hard at work!" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Jbrb2ZQNXUs/UP4BdK_gVgI/AAAAAAAAGC4/wEu4H2sK3MI/2013%25252001%25252020_0419_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Rh2ha-XV-5o/UP4BdyVsFPI/AAAAAAAAGDA/7luVWIv0p4o/s1600-h/2013%25252001%25252020_0420%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Kodi always pays attention to details!" border="0" alt="Kodi always pays attention to details!" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vTyJJZY0bY0/UP4BeU6BQXI/AAAAAAAAGDI/1gxlGmVGMH8/2013%25252001%25252020_0420_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-a0KMARDhF2c/UP4Be1ZnHSI/AAAAAAAAGDQ/3zWWyOs-Rqg/s1600-h/2013%25252001%25252020_0421%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Matthew adding stickers to the Get Well card he made." border="0" alt="Matthew adding stickers to the Get Well card he made." src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8E6jNSQN4X4/UP4BfVP9p3I/AAAAAAAAGDY/cmOEHnv87Ic/2013%25252001%25252020_0421_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RzAZnJzKppA/UP4Bf4F4IUI/AAAAAAAAGDg/oUFrq5b5eCc/s1600-h/2013%25252001%25252020_0416%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="Children's Church making Get Well cards for Mrs. Powell and Mrs. Palmer" border="0" alt="Children's Church making Get Well cards for Mrs. Powell and Mrs. Palmer" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nmSTAB0i-xk/UP4BgCnAN5I/AAAAAAAAGDo/vw9xcwOUHbw/2013%25252001%25252020_0416_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10436764764797493783noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36373964.post-9108668465106824412013-01-11T21:03:00.000-05:002013-01-12T21:10:58.633-05:00Day 11 ~ T.V. SHOW<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
For January Photo A Day meme</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Ah this one is easy! Right now my favorite T.V. show is</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.usanetwork.com/series/psych/">"PSYCH"</a>.</span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s0M4dn9ap64/UPIVcVvuQrI/AAAAAAAAF-g/ixcE52rqLIs/s1600/psych616_0006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s0M4dn9ap64/UPIVcVvuQrI/AAAAAAAAF-g/ixcE52rqLIs/s320/psych616_0006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My son recently introduced this comedy series to me. I've fallen in love with all the cast and their zany characters! I can't believe I didn't know it has been on USA network for some 6 or 7 years now. Thanks to <a href="https://signup.netflix.com/">NETFLIX</a>, I'm catching up on all the seasons I missed! Are any of you fans?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Oh and I have a MUST MENTION! Can you imagine my pure delight when I happened upon a new show on <a href="http://www.hgtv.com/">HGTV</a> today? It's called __________________??? I'm not telling!! Click on <a href="http://www.hgtv.com/clean-freaks/show/index.html">this link</a> to see why this show is right up my alley!! ;)</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10436764764797493783noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36373964.post-86798009968542824842013-01-10T20:18:00.000-05:002013-01-12T20:20:29.597-05:00Day 10 ~ TO DO...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">PAPERWORK!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">File/Purge/Organize </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">What about you? Do you dare share a photo of your desk? Of course you may not be as "paperwork challenged" as I am!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10436764764797493783noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36373964.post-5611804393698439662013-01-09T00:20:00.000-05:002013-01-12T20:17:08.375-05:00Day 9 ~ Favorite...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-size: large; text-align: left;">The word for today is FAVORITE. I chose to post about my two most favorite pieces of jewelry!! They have sentimental value far above earthly value! The first is my Wedding Ring which is an antique pearl ring from Spain. It once was worn by my husband's grandmother! I was amazed when Agustin presented it to me on the day he asked me to marry him! It didn't look quite like this back then though. It had golden prongs coming around the pearl, sort of like a birdcage, but the tips of the prongs were open, not connected to each other. The pearl was loose inside the prongs and moved around. After my first baby was born, I somehow caught one of the prongs on a piece of the baby's clothing and it broke off. I knew that if I broke one more of those fragile prongs, my pearl would roll right out of it's little cage! One day while I was at work my husband took the ring to the jeweler's to inquire about the best way to go to secure the pearl. He suggested that all prongs be removed, melted down and a base formed from them, then set the pearl permanently on that base. That's what we did. I have worn it daily since then. I do not wash dishes or shower with it on though. This rings means so much to me!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The second piece of my favorite jewelry is the little heart pendant you see in the photo. It means the world to me because it was the first gift my two sons joined together to buy for me! They gifted it to me on Mother's Day many years ago when Shane, my second born, was only 2 years old. This little piece of my jewelry also has a story to tell. You see, I was going to give my makeup drawer in my vanity counter a quick spruce up. I just stuck the end of the hose of my mean ol' KIRBY vacuum in the drawer thinking that was a quick way to remove hairs from the corners of the drawer. I had forgotten I had placed my MOM pendant necklace in there for SAFE KEEPING! Ha! I was reminded about it though as soon as I heard that horrific sound; the sound of it getting tangled around some of the mechanics of my vacuum!! My honey dumped the bag and dug through, finding all pieces of the necklace. The chain was in several pieces and the little heart was bent and doubled up - which meant MY REAL HEART felt bent and doubled up as well. Agustin washed it off and placed all the pieces in a baggie. I finally took it into the jeweler's today and he straightened out the heart. I still need to purchase a fine gold chain for it. The chain was irreparable. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Now as I conclude this little post I realize I am a tad hard on my jewelry!!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">It's not too late to join in on the fun with us at <a href="http://www.theidearoom.net/">The Idea Room</a> for January Photo A Day!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10436764764797493783noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36373964.post-16774933815005168222013-01-08T22:51:00.002-05:002013-01-09T06:19:53.954-05:00Catching Up ~ Days 6, 7, & 8<span style="font-size: large;">Whew! Since I've been immobile with an excruciating RA flare the past two weeks, I've gotten terribly behind with household chores and desk work. Playing catch up in those two areas alone has taken up most of my "good hours" during each day. That hasn't included much blogging or face booking time for me these past few days; but it does mean I'm doing much better and getting back to living my life!!! I'm afraid many don't realize that with this chronic illness (an auto-immune disease), I have a small window of time each day to be productive. I do appreciate all of my wonderful praying friends! I am reaping the benefits of each prayer you offered up on my behalf! I'm not totally out of pain and I still have substantial swelling in most joints, but I am functioning and getting a few hours of deep, healing, rejuvenating sleep each night. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I'm delighted to tell you that I'm also on day five of the Cabbage Soup Seven Day Diet and I'm feeling positive results! As of day three, I had lost two pounds! hip hip hooray!! I can't wait to weigh again on Sunday! See the diced fresh veggies in the picture below? That is the beginning of the base for my cabbage soup.</span><span style="font-size: large; text-align: center;"> I love seeing the pretty colors come together in the pot! </span><span style="font-size: large;">After sauteing, seasoning, adding the cabbage and tomatoes further on in the process, I must say, it came out delicious!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Well now that the "housekeeping" issues are out of the way here, (my explaining why I'm behind on the Photo A Day meme) I shall commence on "Catching Up" with some photos!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">This is my son Josh painting his grandmother's kitchen.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I can't find a picture of me doing anything restful, but I did come across this sweet photo of my son </span><span style="font-size: large;">Josh relaxing with baby Abbie, his cousin's little one.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u> Day 8 ~ I AM...Me!</u></b></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Top row: I am a wife, a mother of two handsome fellows, the sister of a red head!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(That's her surprising me on my fiftieth birthday! She had to fly all the way from Paraguay to pull it off!)</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Middle row: I am the zany friend, a follower of Christ and I love His Word, a singer!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(I'm in the green, singing with friends around my organ!)</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bottom row: I am the Mother of a beautiful fur-child, a teacher of children, a foodie!</span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(I'm eating a steak & cheese sub at <a href="http://www.portillos.com/">Portillo's of Chicago</a>!)</span></b></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10436764764797493783noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36373964.post-12685717960109907102013-01-05T20:19:00.001-05:002013-01-05T20:25:21.955-05:00Day 5 ~ EARLY<br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">My cup full of coffee w/ cream!!! YUM! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Come join us in </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="http://www.theidearoom.net/2012/12/january-photo-a-day-2013.html">The Idea Room</a></span><span style="font-size: medium;"> for this fun meme! It helps me stay on target of posting something each day of January, even if it is a simple picture. I hope this will help launch me back into the habit of journaling our lives on my blog more consistently!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><img alt="January-Photo-a-Day-2013-final_thumb" border="0" height="244" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4F_nMwROG7U/UOjRHHMPWgI/AAAAAAAAF6E/jEDV4rlR76g/January-Photo-a-Day-2013-final_thumb_thumb.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="January-Photo-a-Day-2013-final_thumb" width="244" /></span> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10436764764797493783noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36373964.post-62123032819931129012013-01-04T20:09:00.000-05:002013-01-05T20:26:41.043-05:00Day 4 ~ Bright!<br />
<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ZZFLN-vbhSg/UOjO4fK6HaI/AAAAAAAAF5E/ft6FgIWeK0M/s1600-h/IMG_0596%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_0596" border="0" height="148" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-stwJ6ubsg-0/UOjO4_3Ef_I/AAAAAAAAF5M/BioXyzbybPw/IMG_0596_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_0596" width="300" /></a><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Guest bath vanity lights!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Photo A Day meme at </span><span style="font-size: small;">The Idea Room</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-MgAiZMHs2J4/UOjPbrgPqRI/AAAAAAAAF5U/mYnyLbfL0So/s1600-h/January-Photo-a-Day-2013-final_thumb%25255B3%25255D.png"><img alt="January-Photo-a-Day-2013-final_thumb" border="0" height="301" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gVr_Ce7ZS84/UOjPcJTmFII/AAAAAAAAF5c/wDuqK4KRnsQ/January-Photo-a-Day-2013-final_thumb_thumb%25255B1%25255D.png?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border: 0px currentColor; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="January-Photo-a-Day-2013-final_thumb" width="291" /></a></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10436764764797493783noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36373964.post-34619616145690719442013-01-03T02:28:00.000-05:002013-01-04T02:31:19.720-05:00Day 3 ~ Organized!<p><font size="5" face="Aharoni"></font> </p> <p><font size="5" face="Aharoni">UMMM NOT YET OBVIOUSLY!</font></p> <p><font size="5" face="Aharoni">I’m participating in another Photo A Day meme for the month of January and our word on the list for today is “ORGANIZE”. I hope that means to START organizing!!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-hjFDHuD811U/UOaEU2mhI7I/AAAAAAAAF4c/5fikH2xB-w0/s1600-h/IMG_0586%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0586" border="0" alt="IMG_0586" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-A5oscdWYMYs/UOaEVmxj_3I/AAAAAAAAF4k/Ip9Adn5eAGc/IMG_0586_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="311" height="254"></a></p> <p><font size="5" face="Aharoni"> I’ve been experiencing quite a lot of pain for the past two weeks and haven’t been able to do daily household chores much less attempt to put away our Christmas décor. But thank the Lord, today I felt enough reprieve from pain that I excitedly pulled some boxes to the middle of our garage floor and began packing away our Christmas decorations. This should all be put away by tomorrow. I still have to take down the tree.</font></p> <p><font size="5" face="Aharoni"></font> </p> <p><font size="5" face="Aharoni">Another area that needs my attention and some purging is our office. We moved in a year ago and I still haven’t gotten the office organized, but that all changes this month!</font></p> <p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1mUSIlY5Mzg/UOaEWXtX40I/AAAAAAAAF4s/hBBWT_BTfzU/s1600-h/IMG_0587%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_0587" border="0" alt="IMG_0587" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-F4nmRaHjyk0/UOaEWyfJ0ZI/AAAAAAAAF40/CER53EraDkw/IMG_0587_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="315" height="268"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nLYRO6F4aNU/UOaET8j-ULI/AAAAAAAAF4M/XNyxYROqmTg/s1600-h/January-Photo-a-Day-2013-final_thumb%25255B2%25255D.png"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="January-Photo-a-Day-2013-final_thumb" border="0" alt="January-Photo-a-Day-2013-final_thumb" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rZrQ5Claix8/UOaEUc0s86I/AAAAAAAAF4U/iD5w2lm-u9U/January-Photo-a-Day-2013-final_thumb_thumb.png?imgmax=800" width="244" height="244"></a></p> <p><font size="5" face="Aharoni">What about you? Have you been bitten by the PURGING BUG or ORGANIZING BUG already this New Year?</font></p> Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10436764764797493783noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36373964.post-77905334373323911992013-01-02T21:57:00.001-05:002013-01-02T21:57:18.635-05:00 Resolution for the New Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"> DAY 2 ~ Photo A Day @ #theidearoom</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">You can see "resolution" is listed as our photo topic for today, January 2. 2013. </span></div>
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Join in the fun at <a href="http://www.theidearoom.net/">The Idea Room</a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">I do this at the start of each new year, make a resolution, even though I know I will fail at some point. (You know the old regulars like *lose weight * get in better shape * exercise more.....). Many folks scoff at the idea of making "New Year's Resolutions" but I know you agree with me about the importance of us all having goals of some sort. I mean, that is one of the things I find so exciting about a new year - turning the page! It's the feeling of a new beginning!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">See these beautiful little ones in the photos below?</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My resolution for 2013 is to spend more time with these kiddos! </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">At our church, I am the Children's Church teacher. I enjoy preparing the lessons and snacks for each week. The children are sweet and very loving in my class - (most of the time) *smiles*. However, with the recent realization of just how fast they're growing up and how the world is vying for their attention already, it has recently laid heavy on my heart that I need to reach out and try to become more involved with them during the week. An hour or so at church on Sunday morning and a snack from a loving teacher just isnt' enough. That's not going to cut it in giving them the spiritual strength, knowledge, and tools they need to stand up to the many hurtful temptations in this fallen world. I ask you to pray with me for the precious young lives I am a part of. I've lived with a chronic illness since the age of 27. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">for the past two months, my disease has been in a very active mode. I see a new specialist soon. I need to feel better physically in order to follow through with what the Lord has laid on my heart, so I'd appreciate your prayers in the specific area of my health.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I know they will most likely make some poor decisions in the future, but I have been there, done that. If/When that happens, I hope to be there with unconditional love for them; to help dust them off and get them going on the right track again.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><em>Things I have in mind for the year as my health allows:</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><em>*Invite the child's family to our home for a meal; include a short devotion.</em></span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">*Invite one child at a time to spend a Sunday afternoon with us.</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">*Let children take turns helping Shane and I pass out food & water bottles to the homeless.</span></em><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Courier New; font-size: large;">*Deep clean the classroom together on a Saturday. Pizza party afterwards.</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Courier New", Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><em>*If you have any suggestions on ways I can disciple these children more frequently, I'd love to hear them. The logistics will be interesting since the children and I live in scattered towns.</em></span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10436764764797493783noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36373964.post-67886405014792306872013-01-01T00:01:00.000-05:002013-01-02T04:53:41.775-05:0012:01 am ~ Happy New Year!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">No New Year's Eve party for us this year. Agustin had to work. But after I spent a quiet night at home, sick I might add, he surprised me by walking in the door about five minutes to midnight!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">My honey, it seems, was able to steal away from work just in time to step in the door and watch the ball drop with me, then...</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">the <em><span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">New Year's kiss!</span></em></span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6ZFwT81CNEQ/UOP8HU_1MAI/AAAAAAAAF24/oZjYsn9ijjE/s1600/NY+kiss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6ZFwT81CNEQ/UOP8HU_1MAI/AAAAAAAAF24/oZjYsn9ijjE/s320/NY+kiss.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Oh, did I mention he brought home Mexican food too?</span><br />
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I'm participating in <a href="http://www.theidearoom.net/2012/12/january-photo-a-day-2013.html">#The Idea Room's Photo A Day meme</a>. <br />
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Here's her list of some of the fun things we'll be capturing with our cameras and posting either to Instagram, Twitter, or our Blogs.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GqKKHqsbfbc/UOQDQ-2pAwI/AAAAAAAAF3U/45k0jtWODiM/s1600/January-Photo-a-Day-2013-final_thumb.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GqKKHqsbfbc/UOQDQ-2pAwI/AAAAAAAAF3U/45k0jtWODiM/s320/January-Photo-a-Day-2013-final_thumb.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Why don't you join in the fun with us?!?</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10436764764797493783noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36373964.post-86085252811917013172012-12-31T21:26:00.003-05:002012-12-31T21:26:39.569-05:00Day 31 ~ Reflecting on 2012 <div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Well, this is the last day of the #HOLIDAYPHOTOADAY meme I've been participating in. I believe I managed to post a photo each day capturing the month of December. Sure, some were doubled up on various days to make up for what I missed,</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">but I did it nonetheless!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For this the final day of 2012, I'd like to share a few of our highlights from this busy year!</span> </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qASjR1KXJOY/UOJALY7Ts0I/AAAAAAAAF1k/BlmkA9LY6fU/s1600/PicMonkey2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qASjR1KXJOY/UOJALY7Ts0I/AAAAAAAAF1k/BlmkA9LY6fU/s320/PicMonkey2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<li>Our niece Jewel graduated from college in Jacksonville, Fl</li>
<li>Our nephew David graduated from college near Chicago, Il</li>
<li>My cousin, Garin, married his beautiful Casie</li>
<li>My niece Jackie and her family visited us from Paraguay & I got to introduce her to Taco Bus</li>
<li>The RNC came to town</li>
<li>My Aunt Phyllis made her debut on ESPN</li>
<li>My sister & her family visited in June which afforded her a rare chance to be with our dad on Father's Day</li>
<li>Our first born moved into his first apartment</li>
<li>Our baby turned 15</li>
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<span style="font-size: large;">And Agustin & I celebrated our 26th wedding anniversary!</span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qQ5jkO8Rszc/UOJIu0ADeeI/AAAAAAAAF2A/AyV37kEgzYE/s1600/datenight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qQ5jkO8Rszc/UOJIu0ADeeI/AAAAAAAAF2A/AyV37kEgzYE/s320/datenight.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10436764764797493783noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36373964.post-4057997389903638322012-12-30T02:18:00.000-05:002012-12-31T02:19:51.347-05:00Day 30 ~ "Jingles" Goes A Fishin' I enjoyed participating #HOLIDAYPHOTOADAY meme with Social Savvy Mom and Kerry Bergman. Tomorrow, my final post will be about my goals for the new year, 2013.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Before allowing me to pack him away with the other Christmas decorations, our buddy "Jingles" wanted one last excursion for the year 2012. I couldn't resist his begging so I gave in and let him hang out at his favorite "fishin' hole" before being placed in his storage box. I'll miss this little bear and all of his shenanigans!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">If you've followed my posts throughout December, I'd love to hear which of "Jingles" predicaments you enjoyed most.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pz4Ubg5qkws/UOE7JP9ooVI/AAAAAAAAF1I/louKI5nw1ko/s1600/IMG_0470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pz4Ubg5qkws/UOE7JP9ooVI/AAAAAAAAF1I/louKI5nw1ko/s320/IMG_0470.JPG" width="291" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ttxamXr_0fw/UOE7FopNhiI/AAAAAAAAF1A/wNVWy8ENieE/s1600/IMG_0469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ttxamXr_0fw/UOE7FopNhiI/AAAAAAAAF1A/wNVWy8ENieE/s320/IMG_0469.JPG" width="152" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Good bye you naughty little bear!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10436764764797493783noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36373964.post-80374907298682375052012-12-29T20:35:00.000-05:002012-12-29T20:35:13.837-05:00Day 29 ~ Tis the Season for the 7 Day Diet Weight Loss Wonder Soup!<span style="font-size: large;">After all the rich and delicious foods during the holidays, my husband and I are so ready to detox and eat healthy. I've heard rave reviews about "The Cabbage Soup Seven Day Diet" being a quick start to weight loss and a great way to detox. It's supposed to help rid your body of uric acid build up. I think I tried this years ago and felt much better afterward. So here's the recipe and the week's instructions to go with it just in case you'd like to give it a shot!</span> <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ncYJp2LhW6c/UN-aCPJIryI/AAAAAAAAF0k/5MiSmWyssjI/s1600/cabbage+soup.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="157" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ncYJp2LhW6c/UN-aCPJIryI/AAAAAAAAF0k/5MiSmWyssjI/s320/cabbage+soup.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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(If anyone has tried this before, I'd love to hear your review. I think I remember my sister Rita doing this a couple of years ago!)<br />
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<a href="http://divascancook.com/2012/10/wonder-soup-recipe-weight-loss-soup-7-day-diet-cabbage-soup.html">7-Day Diet Weight Loss Soup (Wonder Soup)</a></div>
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Author: <span itemprop="author">Divas Can Cook</span></div>
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Recipe type: <span itemprop="recipeCategory">Soup</span></div>
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Ingredients</div>
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<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">½ head of cabbage, chopped</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 cup celery, diced</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 cup white or yellow onion, diced</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 cup carrots, diced</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 green bell pepper, diced</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">2-3 cloves garlic, minced</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">4 cups chicken broth</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">14 oz can basil, oregano, garlic diced tomatoes</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 teaspoon oregano</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">1 teaspoon basil</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">½ teaspoon red pepper flakes</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">few shakes of black pepper</li>
<li class="ingredient" itemprop="ingredients">½ teaspoon salt (optional)</li>
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<li class="instruction" itemprop="recipeInstructions">Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.</li>
<li class="instruction" itemprop="recipeInstructions">Add celery, onions, bell peppers, and carrots.</li>
<li class="instruction" itemprop="recipeInstructions">Saute until slightly tender.</li>
<li class="instruction" itemprop="recipeInstructions">Stir in garlic.</li>
<li class="instruction" itemprop="recipeInstructions">Pour in chicken broth.</li>
<li class="instruction" itemprop="recipeInstructions">Stir in tomatoes and cabbage.</li>
<li class="instruction" itemprop="recipeInstructions">Bring to a boil and then reduce heat.</li>
<li class="instruction" itemprop="recipeInstructions">Cook until cabbage is tender.</li>
<li class="instruction" itemprop="recipeInstructions">Stir in oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, black pepper and salt (if using)</li>
<li class="instruction" itemprop="recipeInstructions">Taste broth and adjust seasoning if needed.</li>
<li class="instruction" itemprop="recipeInstructions">Serve and enjoy!</li>
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<br /><br />####################################################<br />This recipe came from Divas Can Cook which is <br />Old School Cooking For The Modern Woman. <br />Make sure you go check out the website for more great recipes. <br /><br />###################################################<br />Read More <a href="http://divascancook.com/2012/10/wonder-soup-recipe-weight-loss-soup-7-day-diet-cabbage-soup.html"><span style="color: #e30d86;">http://divascancook.com/2012/10/wonder-soup-recipe-weight-loss-soup-7-day-diet-cabbage-soup.html</span></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.cabbage-soup-diet.com/eating-plan/">CLICK HERE FOR THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE WEEK</a><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">I will start this after New Year's party! ;)</span></strong>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10436764764797493783noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36373964.post-68853233106186770182012-12-28T23:36:00.005-05:002012-12-28T23:40:59.281-05:00Day 28 ~ Just the Right Medicine for Me Today<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: large;"> Having had several days of pain with an R.A. flare, I needed some relief. I'm so thankful for praying friends and the power of prayer! The good Lord saw fit to send me some relief today and I'm happy to report that I was able to do some light housekeeping. Not only did I feel well enough to change the sheets on our bed, I also had the "oomph" to put away Christmas dishes and silverware. That's so much more than I accomplished yesterday!</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">I love using my Lenox flatware during the holidays!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^</span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10436764764797493783noreply@blogger.com1