It's official.
I've actually made a decision and stuck to it. I actually DID what I said I was going to do!!
I closed my Facebook account!
The correct wordage, I believe, is I have deactivated my account.
I feel like a weight is lifted off of my shoulders!
It was a temptation that I could no longer allow around me. I was spending too much time on it. Basically, my "right eye" was offending me, so I plucked it out. I prayed for God's help in this area, for balance, and the idea to close my account came to me and wouldn't leave me alone. I had been grossed out at how impersonal FB is, how for some it takes the place of face-to-face or eats up time with family. I had been weirded out at some people's penchant for posting the most mundane, most unimportant statuses! I had been upset with myself for spending too much time on FB, and for not being able to exercise self-control over it. It was a case of not being able to achieve balance and knowing that it was starting to be detrimental to my family. It fed my struggle with laziness. I like to take the extreme stance on things, and so, I killed it. I feel so free. I can't wait to have a day without being obsessed with FB.
I got lots of comments.....well, lots of comments for me. My FB friends were saying they'd miss me or they didn't want me to leave FB. But actually, I'm still here. I can be reached through my blog. I know that my true friends will know how to reach me. I know that those who really care about my life will tune in to my blog as I try to keep it up more often.
Please, believe me when I say that this was the right decision for me. I'm not pointing any fingers or criticizing anyone here. Even when I talked about mundane, unimportant statuses. If that's how you function, great! This post is not meant to convict or insult anyone. I just got tired of myself when I was on FB. That's all.
So, now that that's over with, I'll say that I'm looking forward to blogging more often and reaching out to more mamas who are just like me. For some reason, I don't struggle with being addicted to blogging or reading other's blogs. I think it's because the blogs that I follow are on my dashboard, and I've been away for days from Blogger and felt perfectly fine. Blog posts are generally once a day or once a week, and I don't feel like I'm missing anything.......
We'll see how long those "famous last words" last!!
I hope ya'll keep up with me on my blog!
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Saturday, July 17, 2010
A Recipe
My Sauteed Mushrooms and Onions
2 lbs sliced fresh button mushrooms
1 sliced sweet white onion, such as Walla Walla or Vidalia
1 stick of butter
1/3 C wine, such as Reisling or White Zinfandel
1-2 tsp salt
In a skillet, melt the butter. When butter is melted, add mushrooms and onions. Saute for about 5 minutes. After about 5 minutes, add wine and salt to pan. Saute this mixture till mushrooms are cooked and onions are soft, about 12 minutes or so.
This saute is so yummy over steak of any kind. We had it last night on cube steak and mashed baby reds with parmesan cheese, and a side of fresh-from-the-produce-stand steamed broccoli. To tell the truth, I have no idea how long to saute this! I just eye it while it's cooking, and when it looks done, it's done.
I also realize that pictures of the process and finished product would be desired. I promise I'll have pics of my next recipe. I really like how The Pioneer Woman lays out her recipes on her blog. Fantastic.
Alas, The Pioneer Woman I am NOT. But I will try.
Try this and let me know how you like it.
Next Saturday's recipe: Apple Pancakes with Warm Apple Syrup. Stay tuned.
2 lbs sliced fresh button mushrooms
1 sliced sweet white onion, such as Walla Walla or Vidalia
1 stick of butter
1/3 C wine, such as Reisling or White Zinfandel
1-2 tsp salt
In a skillet, melt the butter. When butter is melted, add mushrooms and onions. Saute for about 5 minutes. After about 5 minutes, add wine and salt to pan. Saute this mixture till mushrooms are cooked and onions are soft, about 12 minutes or so.
This saute is so yummy over steak of any kind. We had it last night on cube steak and mashed baby reds with parmesan cheese, and a side of fresh-from-the-produce-stand steamed broccoli. To tell the truth, I have no idea how long to saute this! I just eye it while it's cooking, and when it looks done, it's done.
I also realize that pictures of the process and finished product would be desired. I promise I'll have pics of my next recipe. I really like how The Pioneer Woman lays out her recipes on her blog. Fantastic.
Alas, The Pioneer Woman I am NOT. But I will try.
Try this and let me know how you like it.
Next Saturday's recipe: Apple Pancakes with Warm Apple Syrup. Stay tuned.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
My Recipes
I've really been thinking about putting some recipes on my blog.
Who am I kidding? I've really been thinking about putting ANYTHING on my blog!
So, for those of you who still read my blog, would you like to see some recipes on here? I do cook, and I love to cook, and what I love to do is make up my own recipes and adapt recipes to my own tastes.
Tell me if you'd like to see some of my recipes.
Who am I kidding? I've really been thinking about putting ANYTHING on my blog!
So, for those of you who still read my blog, would you like to see some recipes on here? I do cook, and I love to cook, and what I love to do is make up my own recipes and adapt recipes to my own tastes.
Tell me if you'd like to see some of my recipes.
Friday, July 2, 2010
Communication
I'm so glad the lines of communication between me and the Lord are always open!
I was sitting here yesterday morning having my quiet time and I found myself contemplating this amazing thought.
I marvel that I don't have to pick up the phone and get the operator and wait for God to come "on the line".
I don't have to knock on His door and wait anxiously for Him to answer.
I don't have to send Him an email and then be frantic and pacing around while He answers the millions of other emails that came into His inbox before mine.
I don't have to stand in line with my number clutched in my trembling, sweaty hand, waiting for someone to call "Next".
The fact is, for me, it's so easy to just begin to talk to Him, anytime, anywhere, without greeting, without preamble......without fancy words or endless postulating or perfection. I can even talk to Him with greasy, messy hair and jammies on! I was smiling because MOST of the time, my communication with the Lord is just natural these days.
As I'm driving down the road and someone comes to mind, I pray for them. When I'm standing at the sink doing dishes and that "thing" comes up again that I'm wrestling with, I hash it over for the 1000th time with the Lord. When I'm hugging my teenage son, I pray for him under my breath, sometimes right out loud. When I've lost my keys, I ask Him to help me find them. And.......
When I'm kicking and screaming and throwing a full-on tantrum, I'm saying "Lord, I know I'm wrong! Help me to see the right of this situation."
And on and on it goes. Sometimes I don't even know I'm doing it. Some days I think I shoot up prayers all day!
And you know what? He has shown me that He is so much closer than a phone call!
Because the Bible says He tabernacles with me, to me that means He's always, always here, near, always listening. His ear is never deaf or turned away from my many calls....or my complaints....or my whinings....or my sadnesses or anger or praise.
Listen to me! You need to know that He's always there for you too! He's always there to answer, listen, counsel and calm. But are you close enough so you can hear what He's saying?? Are you keeping the lines of communication open? Are you?
Are you taking every little thing to Him? Every care, every triumph, every praise, every heartache?
He cares!
Oh, there are so many times when I don't want to talk to Him. But eventually I do, because He prods me and urges me and draws me and beckons me.
And you know He's doing that for you too!
I do work on keeping the lines open between me and Him. And when I ease into the old, familiar conversations, He talks to me just like a Husband or a Dear Friend. It's like He's sitting right here on the couch in my living room. He hears me right away! He listens attentively.
He understands.
And He answers.
He comforts.
He rebukes.
He chastises.
He rejoices with me.
And He will with you too! With just a bit of effort on your part.
I urge you, open up the old lines of communication today, right now! You know you want to.
Just begin to talk to Him! Whisper His name. He hears that whisper. Pour out your heart to Him today and tomorrow, even minute by minute, second by second.
I promise you'll never, ever regret it. You don't have to wait till you're "perfect"! You don't have to have a formula. You don't have to be nice or cheerful or smiling, even. You don't! He wants you! He doesn't care what you're wearing or what's smeared on your shirt or how much you're sighing or how long it's been......
You won't get an operator. You won't get voicemail. You won't be put on hold.
So what are you waiting for? Do it!!!
I was sitting here yesterday morning having my quiet time and I found myself contemplating this amazing thought.
I marvel that I don't have to pick up the phone and get the operator and wait for God to come "on the line".
I don't have to knock on His door and wait anxiously for Him to answer.
I don't have to send Him an email and then be frantic and pacing around while He answers the millions of other emails that came into His inbox before mine.
I don't have to stand in line with my number clutched in my trembling, sweaty hand, waiting for someone to call "Next".
The fact is, for me, it's so easy to just begin to talk to Him, anytime, anywhere, without greeting, without preamble......without fancy words or endless postulating or perfection. I can even talk to Him with greasy, messy hair and jammies on! I was smiling because MOST of the time, my communication with the Lord is just natural these days.
As I'm driving down the road and someone comes to mind, I pray for them. When I'm standing at the sink doing dishes and that "thing" comes up again that I'm wrestling with, I hash it over for the 1000th time with the Lord. When I'm hugging my teenage son, I pray for him under my breath, sometimes right out loud. When I've lost my keys, I ask Him to help me find them. And.......
When I'm kicking and screaming and throwing a full-on tantrum, I'm saying "Lord, I know I'm wrong! Help me to see the right of this situation."
And on and on it goes. Sometimes I don't even know I'm doing it. Some days I think I shoot up prayers all day!
And you know what? He has shown me that He is so much closer than a phone call!
Because the Bible says He tabernacles with me, to me that means He's always, always here, near, always listening. His ear is never deaf or turned away from my many calls....or my complaints....or my whinings....or my sadnesses or anger or praise.
Listen to me! You need to know that He's always there for you too! He's always there to answer, listen, counsel and calm. But are you close enough so you can hear what He's saying?? Are you keeping the lines of communication open? Are you?
Are you taking every little thing to Him? Every care, every triumph, every praise, every heartache?
He cares!
Oh, there are so many times when I don't want to talk to Him. But eventually I do, because He prods me and urges me and draws me and beckons me.
And you know He's doing that for you too!
I do work on keeping the lines open between me and Him. And when I ease into the old, familiar conversations, He talks to me just like a Husband or a Dear Friend. It's like He's sitting right here on the couch in my living room. He hears me right away! He listens attentively.
He understands.
And He answers.
He comforts.
He rebukes.
He chastises.
He rejoices with me.
And He will with you too! With just a bit of effort on your part.
I urge you, open up the old lines of communication today, right now! You know you want to.
Just begin to talk to Him! Whisper His name. He hears that whisper. Pour out your heart to Him today and tomorrow, even minute by minute, second by second.
I promise you'll never, ever regret it. You don't have to wait till you're "perfect"! You don't have to have a formula. You don't have to be nice or cheerful or smiling, even. You don't! He wants you! He doesn't care what you're wearing or what's smeared on your shirt or how much you're sighing or how long it's been......
You won't get an operator. You won't get voicemail. You won't be put on hold.
So what are you waiting for? Do it!!!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Corny Questions
I'm back!!
And I'm back with something so utterly silly and UN-important as these silly questions that I've answered, after I've seen this same meme on my friends' blogs....
I got a wild hair, okay?
I had to answer them!
Here goes, and I apologize for the lack of pictures...allllllll of our pictures are on Husband's Big Computer, and he's on it right now....
So....
What color are my socks? I'm not wearing any.
What am I listening to right now? Husband giving Samantha a flute lesson and Hannah feeding oatmeal to Lucie...bliss, I tell ya!
Last thing I ate? A delightful corn quesadilla with colby jack cheese and Green Tabasco ranch. And a bit of apple oatmeal.
Do I know how to drive a stick? Um, no. Does anyone anymore??
Last person I spoke to on the phone: Husband, earlier in the day, on his way home from work. He has a bit of a commute.
How old am I today? I'm 37 and three days! Yep, I turned 37 three days ago!
What is my favorite sport to watch on TV? Ice Skating, long program, or Gymnastics.
Favorite drink?? 20 oz vanilla or kona mocha Big Train with 5 pumps of coconut and 2 shots of decaf, caramel on the cup!!
Have I ever dyed my hair? Yes. I dyed my hair for many years, until my then-5 year old Samantha said she didn't like me to dye it, so I have not dyed my hair since then. It is naturally very, very dark.
Favorite food? Mexican. Or Greek.
What was the last movie I watched? Gaither Atlanta Homecoming DVD. Does that count as a movie??
What is my favorite day of the year? My fave day is Thanksgiving.
How do I vent my anger? Talk really, REALLY loud. Slam things around. Even throwing things. Be really sarcastic. All right in front of my kids. Then cry afterwards from shame and guilt. And ask forgiveness from them. I'm NOT proud of this! Only starkly honest. I'm not perfect, and God's grace covers over a lot of ME.
What was my favorite toy as a child? Easy one! My Barbies. I had tons and tons of stuff. I spent hours and hours by myself playing Barbies. Barbie and Ken were always in bed together. Their pillows were maxi pads! Ugh, I hate Barbies now!!! Haughty eyes, trashy clothes.......
What is my favorite season? Hands down, my fave season is Autumn!
When was the last time I cried? Yesterday. And a tiny bit today.
Cherries or Blueberries? Strawberries!!!!
What is my living situation? Queer question! In a house with my family!!
What is on the floor of my closet? My shoes are there, plus, I think Dave's big ol' winter parka for work is down there.
What am I most afraid of? I will always be most afraid of my babies dying. I've been through this but it will never be easier.
Plain, cheese, or spicy burgers? I love my burgers! Red Robin is my fave burger joint, and I like my burgers gooey, with alllll the fixin's. And no bun.
What is my favorite dog breed? None. I'm not a fan of dogs at all, even though we have a Blue Heeler and a Black Lab.
What is my favorite day of the week? Sunday, because Husband is off work and gets to stay home alllll day, and the day stretches, on and on, like a smooth, bright golden late summer day.
What is my favorite flower?? Sunflowers. And black eyed Susans. And marigolds.
The last question was if I had had the H1N1 vaccine, which I think I will not answer!
I guess you know all there is to know about me now!
And I'm back with something so utterly silly and UN-important as these silly questions that I've answered, after I've seen this same meme on my friends' blogs....
I got a wild hair, okay?
I had to answer them!
Here goes, and I apologize for the lack of pictures...allllllll of our pictures are on Husband's Big Computer, and he's on it right now....
So....
What color are my socks? I'm not wearing any.
What am I listening to right now? Husband giving Samantha a flute lesson and Hannah feeding oatmeal to Lucie...bliss, I tell ya!
Last thing I ate? A delightful corn quesadilla with colby jack cheese and Green Tabasco ranch. And a bit of apple oatmeal.
Do I know how to drive a stick? Um, no. Does anyone anymore??
Last person I spoke to on the phone: Husband, earlier in the day, on his way home from work. He has a bit of a commute.
How old am I today? I'm 37 and three days! Yep, I turned 37 three days ago!
What is my favorite sport to watch on TV? Ice Skating, long program, or Gymnastics.
Favorite drink?? 20 oz vanilla or kona mocha Big Train with 5 pumps of coconut and 2 shots of decaf, caramel on the cup!!
Have I ever dyed my hair? Yes. I dyed my hair for many years, until my then-5 year old Samantha said she didn't like me to dye it, so I have not dyed my hair since then. It is naturally very, very dark.
Favorite food? Mexican. Or Greek.
What was the last movie I watched? Gaither Atlanta Homecoming DVD. Does that count as a movie??
What is my favorite day of the year? My fave day is Thanksgiving.
How do I vent my anger? Talk really, REALLY loud. Slam things around. Even throwing things. Be really sarcastic. All right in front of my kids. Then cry afterwards from shame and guilt. And ask forgiveness from them. I'm NOT proud of this! Only starkly honest. I'm not perfect, and God's grace covers over a lot of ME.
What was my favorite toy as a child? Easy one! My Barbies. I had tons and tons of stuff. I spent hours and hours by myself playing Barbies. Barbie and Ken were always in bed together. Their pillows were maxi pads! Ugh, I hate Barbies now!!! Haughty eyes, trashy clothes.......
What is my favorite season? Hands down, my fave season is Autumn!
When was the last time I cried? Yesterday. And a tiny bit today.
Cherries or Blueberries? Strawberries!!!!
What is my living situation? Queer question! In a house with my family!!
What is on the floor of my closet? My shoes are there, plus, I think Dave's big ol' winter parka for work is down there.
What am I most afraid of? I will always be most afraid of my babies dying. I've been through this but it will never be easier.
Plain, cheese, or spicy burgers? I love my burgers! Red Robin is my fave burger joint, and I like my burgers gooey, with alllll the fixin's. And no bun.
What is my favorite dog breed? None. I'm not a fan of dogs at all, even though we have a Blue Heeler and a Black Lab.
What is my favorite day of the week? Sunday, because Husband is off work and gets to stay home alllll day, and the day stretches, on and on, like a smooth, bright golden late summer day.
What is my favorite flower?? Sunflowers. And black eyed Susans. And marigolds.
The last question was if I had had the H1N1 vaccine, which I think I will not answer!
I guess you know all there is to know about me now!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Creation's Celebration
Lord, the earth shouts Your Name~
In perfect chorus,
in ageless tune,
in sublime harmony!
Trees
raising baritone voices
and bold bass notes~
Fields of flowers
declaring You~
in sweet, soprano song.
Waters, streams, rivers
weaving tireless tenor lines~
Mountains trumpet
to exalt You
with eternal glorious cadence~
And waves
crash cymbals of joy
over it all.
Creation looks to You
changeless Conductor and Concertmaster~
Oh, may my voice
ever be a part of this constant,
ceaseless
Celebration!
In perfect chorus,
in ageless tune,
in sublime harmony!
Trees
raising baritone voices
and bold bass notes~
Fields of flowers
declaring You~
in sweet, soprano song.
Waters, streams, rivers
weaving tireless tenor lines~
Mountains trumpet
to exalt You
with eternal glorious cadence~
And waves
crash cymbals of joy
over it all.
Creation looks to You
changeless Conductor and Concertmaster~
Oh, may my voice
ever be a part of this constant,
ceaseless
Celebration!
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