What a Week-End!!

What do Sarah Palin, exercise for the liver, Smithy, and the Cheesecake Factory have in common? Think hard........ The answer is the "Women of Joy" Conference. A group of 20 women from our area went to Oklahoma City for the week-end to attend the conference. It was wonderful.

We sang with Michael W Smith and Charles Billingsley and heard Sarah Palin, Kay Arthur and Karen Kingsbury speak. My favorite was Anita Renfroe. Talk about laugh, I thought I would die!! Did you know that the only exercise the liver receives is when you laugh? Who Knew??? There were 9,000 women attending and it was was so awesome to hear their voices lifted in song to our God. If you ever get a chance, please attend. I promise you will receive a blessing.

We traveled in five vehicles and it was interesting to get us all to the places we wanted to go! Best meal of the week-end was of course the Cheesecake Factory. For some reason I later looked in my purse and there was a piece of cheesecake!!! Unfortunately, I had forgotten to pack my diet so I ate it!!! Heaven in a slice!

Different speakers, same idea: How long will God protect a nation that calls evil things good and good things evil? We better get ourselves aligned with God or the USA will be suffering the consequences. We need to stand firm on the word of God and not tolerate the sins that seem to be more acceptable these days. God's word is firm, we must stand firm.

I was surprised how dry OKC was. I knew the Texas Panhandle was suffering, but so is Oklahoma. Pray for rain, please. The wildfires in Texas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma need a good drenching rain to help stop them. Please Lord, let it rain!!! Please pray for the families that are suffering because of all the fires.

Where Does the Time Go?

Does your life every seem to be passing you by? When I look at my calendar, I get weak. Why do I do so much and get so little done? I think the older I get the more I want to slow down, but I'm not sure where to start. I love my family and friends and want to do the things they do, so I have made a decision. God gave me the wisdom to decide what I should do and I am doing it. I am thankful that I have family and friends, I am thankful I have the health to be active, and I am thankful that I have a God that loves me and blesses my life so fully. So.... I will keep filling the calendar and keep going and doing, but mainly keep giving thanks in the process!

Have any of you been watching the baby eagles? I first heard about it on KLove. I am now deeply attached to these 3 little white bundles. Every morning when I get to my office I turn on KLove and then set my computer on the eagles. Mother eagle is such a good mom. She covers them under her and feeds them and monitors their every move and chirp. If you haven't seen them go to this site: http://www.raptorresource.org/falcon_cams/index.html.

As I watch them, I think about how a mother eagle represents our Father God. He puts us under his wing and protects us, he meets all our needs, and he loves us unconditionally. Sunday in church our pastor gave this same illustration by bring my daughter (Amy) and her baby girl (Cydney) up to the front. He told Amy to make her arms like wings and he placed Cyd right next to her, under her wing. He made the point of saying we are all protected under our Father's wing, but if we step out of that protection the enemy (Satan) can make our lives miserable. As he was talking, Amy was standing there with her "wings" up and Cyd had her "wings" up also. Every once in awhile Cyd would flap her little "wings" and just smile. She was such a cute little "chick".
Life under the "wings" is so much better than life without those "wings"!

Looks like spring is finally here. I need to plant plants and pull weeds, but the main thing I need to do is stay under those "wings". Blessings to you all and stay under the Father's "wing".

Kathie

April Fool's

Well, was the April Fool's joke on me or what?? This week-end, I worked in the yard/garden- windy but very warm (89). The flower beds look so much better. I am always amazed by the amount of new growth under all that old, dead junk from last year. I just can hardly wait to see what all those little green, baby leaves will be, you see I tend to scatter seed and let nature take it's course. Now for the joke, we woke up this morning with the ground covered in SNOW!! Where is spring and I want it back NOW! Thank goodness I did not get the tomato plants planted that I purchased on Saturday. I love my Master Gardening class, but my checks to the various garden places are mounting up; maybe we will give up food this month.

I have to hurry and get the flower beds in shape and the garden in so I can think about golf. A group of ladies are taking a 3 day refresher class the beginning of May. If you remember, I just really learned how to play last year so I really do need refreshing! Please spring and summer, hurry along.

Blessings to you all and may your week be filled with mercy and grace. Take the time to appreciate all the beautiful budding trees and smell the lilacs!

Back to Reality

Spring Break is over and it is back to work. Nine more weeks of school and then we get the summer break. I started cleaning flowerbeds during the break. It is so good to see little green plants popping up under all the dead remains.

I learned how to make a rain barrel so I can use rain water to water some of my plants. We also went back to the old house and picked up rocks and "treasures" to put round the flowerbeds.

When I look back at the list of things I wanted to accomplish during Spring Break, it looks pretty dismal, but the closets and drawers will have to wait until later. The outdoors was calling my name with the weather being so nice. I am imagining beautiful flowerbeds with colorful blooms, not nice, neat closets and drawers! Jeriann inspired me to create a cross picture, but it didn't get finished; the story of my life. Where does the time go?

I wanted to catch up on some reading, but I didn't get that done either. All in all it was a great Spring Break spent with family and friends. Thank you Lord for beautiful weather and time with those I love. Hope your past week was a blessing to you.

Kathie

New Toy

I have found a new toy. It is "Yummy Soup" for my Macbook. It is an app you download. " Yummy Soup" is a digital cookbook. I have set it up and bookmarked my favorite recipe sites. When I find a recipe I like, I can import it to my "Yummy Soup" for later consideration. It had gotten to the point that I had filled 2 large notebooks with recipes I had printed out and categorized. Having it on my laptop is so much easier. If you have an Apple computer, check it out. I think you will love it. I'm not sure if they have a PC version.

I have been attending my Master Gardner classes for several weeks now. I have met some very nice people and have already gotten some ornamental grasses from one lady. Now if spring would really get here and quit just teasing me, I am ready to work in the garden. I have order some seeds and hope they get here soon. I love Spring!

I am also part of a group of older ladies, or should that be mature ladies, in my church that are doing a study called "Home Experience" by Devi Titus. I am really enjoying it and just wish I had the information in my early marriage and motherhood. I think we are becoming Titus 2 women. No matter what the study, fellowship with your church members or other women in your community is such a blessing. Find one you like or start one with your friends. We need each other to grow and enjoy life.

I have started looking for Easter recipes. If you have a family favorite let me know. We seem to always have the same thing and I would like to make some changes this year. Speaking of Easter, I hope you all are keeping in your heart the real meaning of this season. I know the kids love the egg hunt and the Easter candy, but please remind your children the true reason we celebrate this holiday.

Spring break is upon us and when we return that means only 9 weeks of school left. Where has the school year gone? Each year gets faster and faster. Please take the time to enjoy your life and family each and everyday. I look at my kids now and their kids and I can't believe that time has escaped me. When did my "babies" grow up and become such neat adults? I love them so much but I also miss the time when they were home with me and DaDa. Can you tell I have a birthday approaching and I'm getting a little sentimental? I could have sworn I just had a birthday last week! Whether you are young or "mature", take the time to enjoy what God has blessed you with.

I am also reading a book for the online bookclub that Big Mama blog has started. This is our second book to read and I must admit they both have been books I would not have selected myself. If you are interested in reading with an online group, check it out. I love reading on my iPad and I would recommend it to everyone. If not an iPad, a Kindle or a Nook, or some other electronic reader. It is so easy and convenient to use. I stick it in my purse and off I go. Well, it seems I have just visited about a lot of little things. I guess I had no true agenda this morning. Blessings to you all and I hope you have a peaceful week.

Kathie

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's to all. I just heard on KLove that teachers get more valentines than anyone else. That is really neat that teachers are remembered on Valentine's Day.

Maybe I am not very romantic, but Valentine's Day is not that different for me and DaDa. I am more thankful that I have his love and respect on any ordinary day of the year. We wish each other Happy Valentine's and sometimes exchange cards, but it is not an earth-shaking day for us. Maybe after you have been together for 40+ Valentine Days, you are not as impressed by the glitz and glamor as with the true commitment and daily love you share. Heaven knows I don't need the chocolate and I would rather have roses in my yard. Thank you Lord for bringing the two of us together and placing a permanent Valentine love in our hearts. There is something so dear and special in growing old together and thinking about how you have been blessed.

If flowers and candy are your thing, I wish you the desires of your heart. May you also receive all the "warm fuzzy's" you can handle!! Happy Valentine's Day!!
XOXOXO

February Has Arrived!

Today is February 1st and what a day. We had to begin school late because of the snow. We only have 2 or 3 inches, which isn't bad for the Texas Panhandle, however, we have a 20 to 30 mph wind to go with it. Chill factor is -10 to -20 degrees below 0!! Now, that is not good!! It would have been a great day to stay home, sit by the fireplace, and read a good book. As I think about what February has in store for us, I wonder where January went. Time goes by too fast! I think we are all too busy and life is speeding by for us. I just don't know what to take off the calendar!

February is the beginning of our "Home Experience" and "Table Experience" study by Devi Titus. A group of 12 women in our church have been asked to participate. I am looking forward to it, so it stays on the calendar. Two week-ends this month, Da-Da and I are keeping some of the grandkids. That for sure stays on the calendar! I also start my Master Gardening classes this month. I have waited for that to begin for a while now, so that stays on the calendar. Every Wednesday evening is Life group and I definitely won't take that off the calendar. See, I just don't have a thing to take off the calendar. So I am changing the way I look at it.

Thank you God for giving me the opportunity and health to stay busy. May I be a positive influence in all I do and all I participate in. May my priorities be the priorities you have set for me and may the plans for my life be your plans.

Life group at our house tomorrow night--green chili stew, fresh tortillas, and buttermilk pound cake. Stop by for a cup of coffee and visit and pray with us!

Stay warm all and if the weather dictates, stay in, be peaceful, and enjoy the time at home. Blessings to you all!!

Dieting

Whoever heard of a diet at Thanksgiving and Christmas? Well, I had had it with the tummy roles and muffin tops. I never had to worry about weight until good ole menopause came to visit. Every year the weight seemed to creep up and always settled around the tummy. I hated how I looked and my blood pressure was rising. Shopping was no longer fun because nothing looked right.

One of my past students has become a Chiropractor. He has started a new weight area in his practice. His parents had such good luck I decide it was time to do something about mine. So in mid-October I started with a 10 day cleanse and then started the 40 day HCG diet. Yes it is often hard to make myself follow it but I have lost 17 pounds so I know it works. I take HCG hormone drops 3 times a day and eat 500 calories a day. The food selection is limited but I now have a waist. The real benefit is when it is over the hypothalamus re-sets the metabolism so I should be able to stay around my target weight. Before the diet, I'm not sure I had any metabolism! So there will be next years Thanksgiving to look forward to and Christmas will just have to be low sugar and carb.

In the past I have really been anxious about my self-discipline or lack of. Several months ago God woke me up twice in one night to tell me that I had all the healing and self-discipline I needed; I just had to trust him. So I am trusting and have stepped out on this diet to get the old Kathie back and I can see glimpses of her, just somewhat older!

Happy Thanksgiving to all. Next year maybe I will have some new recipes since this year I am not really thinking about them. Blessings to you all.

Summer is Here!!

It has been several weeks since I have blogged with you. The end of school is always so busy for me. I know it is coming but I never seem to have everything done by the last day of school. Now that I am officially on summer break, I am spending hours and I mean hours in our yard. I love all my flowers, but they sure require some 'babying' to look good. That's alright, I prefer yard work to housework!! There are weeds that need pulling or flowers that need dead-heading everyday. I always seem to get more exercise in the summer and I know it is the gardening that does it.

One of the most "special" things that has happened since my last post is the baptism of four of our grandchildren. C1, C2, M1, and M2 were al baptized on the last Sunday in May. They each wrote their testimony to be read when they were baptized. Praise the Lord for children that love their God. I know God loves the little children, but when you see 10 children baptized in a small rural spirit-filled church, it is the most special occasion you can imagine. You pray for things in life for your kids and your grandkids, but knowing they are saved and have a relationship with their God has to be one of the best "blessings" in life. Thank you Father God!!

I have also decided I need to be more disciplined in taking care of myself. I have tried to eat better since Da-Da's heart problems several years ago. I take my vitamins and drink my water, but exercise has always been another question. I am forcing myself to walk every morning--well I have for 4 out of the last 5 mornings. I must admit that I do have more energy when I walk and seem to rest better at night. I have tried many different things to get rid of the "muffin top" and I have put off exercise until now. So, I will have to challenge myself every morning for the rest of the summer. I know I can do it. Thanks for Beth Moore on my iPod as I walk!!!

I also called last week and signed up for 3 golf lessons. My two daughters and their husbands and my son all play.....but not DaDa and I. I guess I will see next week if golf is for me!!

I have also realized I need to clean out some closets and drawers. I seem to hold on to things! I might need them! This morning I was looking for something and found several magazines from 2004. Now if I haven't read them or used their information by now, I NEED TO THROW THEM OUT!!! I think this may be harder than making myself exercise! The older I get the less important items become. I am tired of dusting and moving things around. We have lived in this house for only 3 years and I have accumulated too much stuff!! It is time to down-size some of that stuff!! As you can tell, this summer needs to be a time for change for me. Please pray for me!!

I am looking forward to the fresh summer fruits and vegetables. If you have any great recipes, send me a link and I will do the same. Have a peaceful week and may you be blest beyond your expectations!!!

New Business!

I just signed up for a new business. I'm not retiring from the school, but this is a little extra something. Even if it does not grow, I am benefiting from the product.

It is called DuVita and was started this past January. DuVita sells two products: Balance+ and Appetite+. Balance + is a combination of Chinese medicines designed to help boost your mood and keep your body in balance. Appetite+ increases the body's ability to burn fat quicker and more efficiently without jittery side effects. Both are made from natural ingredients.

I have had trouble lately with going home from work and crashing on the couch and then stuffing myself at supper. Yesterday I took Balance+ and Appetite+ about mid-morning. When I got home yesterday I had energy to clean out a flower bed and mow the grass. But, the best part was when I ate supper, I didn't clean my plate. I felt full and stopped eating. That in itself is a big step for me. I've never had a weight problem until menopause. Boy oh Boy has that changed things. I think it even helped me sleep better last night. Only time will tell, but right now I am very happy with the two products. I started Da-Da on the Balance+ this morning because he is working such long hours. There just has to be more to the late 50's than exhaustion and being fluffy!!!!

Check out my site at: www.duvita.net/kabryant

If any of you have other suggestions for adapting to menopausal problems, let me know. I am game for anything that will get me back into life again.

Rain is predicted for today and Saturday. Praise the Lord, we are dry. School is on the down-home stretch and summer is coming!!! Have a great week-end and may you all be blessed abundantly!!!

Day after Mother's Day!

I was thinking about yesterday, Mother's Day. I was with my two daughters, my mom, my mother-in-law, my aunt, my daughter's mother-in-law, her sister-in-law, and her cousin-in-law. It was a wonderful family day. Four of the five granddaughters dressed up and sang us a song - Amazing Grace. All of these girls and women are so precious. It was just a blessing to share the day with those I love so much. The men helped cook and clean up the kitchen. Thank you Lord for the blessings of families!

This morning I saw this on Julie's blog "circlecliffviews.blogspot.com". I thought about the females in my family and can see or imagine each one of them in this lifeline.

" A Woman's Lifeline"

Age 3: She looks at herself and sees a queen

Age 8: She looks at herself and sees Cinderella

Age 15: She looks at herself and sees an ugly duckling
(Mom, I can't go to school looking like this!)

Age 20: She looks at herself and sees.."too fat/too thin, too short/too tall,
too straight/too curly" but she decides she's going out anyway!

Age 30: She looks at herself and sees.."too fat/too thin, too short/too tall,
too straight/too curly" but decides she doesn't have time to fix it so she's
going out anyway.

Age 40: She looks at herself and sees.."too fat/too thin, too short/too tall
too straight/too curly: but says, "At least I am clean," and goes out anyway.

Age 50: She looks at herself and says, "I am what I am," and goes wherever she wants to go.

Age 60: She looks at herself and reminds herself of all the people who can't even see themselves in the mirror anymore. She goes out and conquers the world!

Age 70: She looks at herself and sees wisdom, laughter, and ability and goes out and enjoys life.

Age 80: Doesn't bother to look. Just puts on a purple hat and goes out to have fun with the world.

The moral is....maybe we should all grab that purple hat a little earlier!

I also think we worry way to much about what others think about us. I know I feel frumpy and out of sorts at times and just know I look a mess. But why should I worry? God made me in his image and he is perfection. He doesn't see the muffin top, the bad hair day, and the wrinkles. Why do I dwell on them? I need to look on others with more love and hope they do the same. Life is too short to be constantly concerned about the what ifs and why nots.

I hope you all had a wonderful Mother's Day and may you be blessed beyond measure this week!

MS Walk

I have a special, young friend that has recently been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Kassie is one of my past students and is such a neat girl. She is in the green shirt.

We have had this walk planned for months. So come Saturday morning it is windy, rainy, and soooo cold. But we walked! This is my daughter Ansley and then my son's girl friend, Kari.



The news said there were over 700 people signed up to walk, but only about 250 or so showed up. We were not the biggest team or the smallest team, but we were the "orangest"team. The circumstance may have been miserable, but the cause is a great one. Blessings to Kassie and her family. God is an awesome God and he is our healer. Always expect a miracle.

After the MS walk, I had to get back home to help my other daughter. She is the Jr. class sponsor and Saturday night was "Prom" night. I went out to help behind the scenes. It was beautiful and the girls looked amazing. The guys cleaned up well also!!

After the prom, I went by Amy's and picked up the 3 C's to spend the night while their mom and dad finished with the prom. Dada had been keeping the 3 M's for Anz. So all 6 grand-kids spent the night and had breakfast with us on Sunday morning. Needless to say, we missed church. My timing was a little off trying to get everyone around, fix breakfast, and dressed. Maybe God knew I could only handle 3 children and get to where we needed to be! The week-end was fast and furious, but with many blessings. Life is a joy ride, so get on and live each day to the fullest!

Blessings to you all!

It's April

I can't believe I have gone so long with out posting. I have been in a slump. The weather flip-flops from warm to cold, it is very windy, and I don't have a clue. Every time I sit down to write, I draw a blank. Is it menopausal brain death? Lack of a fast-paced life? Stuck in a rut? There could be so many causes. I feel silly posting day-to-day occurrences like went to the city to pick up DaDa's prescriptions, bought groceries, had my toenails painted so cute. I don't want you to think I don't have a life!

But truly, I have spent time with my grandchildren lately and have really enjoyed them. I helped hide eggs for the community Easter Egg hunt on Saturday and nearly blew away, however the kids didn't mind the wind. I check the flower beds every day or two to make sure spring is really coming. We had a great Easter Sunday. My son-in-law was baptized and we had a family dinner. As usual, I ate way to much but enjoyed every bite. I love Easter. The church services the past few weeks and on Easter were so inspiring. Thank you God for the sacrifice of your son for me. It just amazes me that he loves us so much. I hope your Easter week-end was a blessing.

I bought a new camera, well new to me, on eBay. It has so many buttons and dials. I was tired of my point-and-shoot, but I think I may have lost my mind for real. This camera is so technical. Why don't my pictures look better? I was sure it was the old camera and not me. Spring has to hurry because I am tired of taking pictures of brown leaves and dead grass. I have discovered my house does not provide enough natural lighting and I thought I designed it so well. The grandkids run and hide when I get out the camera--"Oh No, not again!!". Poor babies. I also bought Photoshop Elements thinking I could do this. Hello, where are the step-by-step instructions??? I am not giving up, I can do this, please Lord help me get a clue. I just love all the great pictures on other blogs. I can do this, I can do this. It just may be more of a senior moment instead of a menopausal moment. I have the time, I hope.

Blessings to you and may you enjoy each and every moment God blesses you with.

Fudge Guilt!!

Fudge. I love fudge. Good fudge with lots of pecans. Friday at school we had early release for spring break. Anz and I went to the city to the city's largest garage sale. We had never been so didn't know what to expect. We saw the good, the bad, and the ugly......then there was the really ugly. As we walked up and down the isles, we came across a girl selling fudge. After several samples, I purchased some. Upon arriving home that evening I needed another sample or three. It really is good. Bedtime came around and I went to bed and fell right to sleep...until about 3:00 am. Then, wide awake. Was it fudge guilt? I had been on a diet for several weeks, so did the guilt awaken me from a sound sleep? Or was it one of the many little gifts that come with menopause? Whatever it was, do you know what is on TV at 3:00 am?

First I watched a celebrity model's skin care line and just knew I needed her cantaloupe inspired skin system. I could look 10 years younger! Then I felt sure I could use a home silk screen Tee-shirt making system. Oh, the XXL Tee's I could make with this beauty!! Next was a wonderful body girdle system that redistributes the muffin top to give you a smoother look and better posture. You can look up to 2 sizes smaller with this little under garment. My only question is what area of the body gets the redistributed muffin top? Personally I don't want it under my arms and my rear-end has it's own share of plumpness. Does anyone know where the muffin top is sent, if so please share your knowledge. The last item I was so sure I needed was an exercise machine guaranteed to slim you down in 6 weeks. I fell for this once and it made a great clothes hanger, but my weight never disappeared. Thank goodness I got sleepy and fell back to sleep. I saved a lot of money. Saturday morning came and in the sunlight those offers didn't look near as inspiring as the night before. I think it would be cheaper to give up fudge and take a Tylenol PM.

As I think back on the past night, I realize how the enemy preys upon us when we can't rest. Worry, anxiety, pressure, fear, doubt, all the things that can seem so big and scary in the dark are really so small and worthless in the light. We just have to let God be our light at all times and shine the light of his mercy and grace on us 24/7. It's a choice you know? Do we face the dark by ourselves or do we stay in God's presence and light? He's always there with us, we just have to choose the right path. Have a restful and peaceful evening and may you always choose the light. Blessings,

Time to Think About Flowerbeds!

Last Saturday was a perfect day to start planning the flowerbeds for spring. I decided to enlarge the bed by the drive, so I drew out the area I wanted to be tilled.

I also cleaned out the existing beds and got them ready for spring. I know we will still have some cold weather, so I left some covering for the new plants, but I took out a lot of old growth. Now to the seed catalogs to decide on plants &/or seeds. Oh, by the way, I had a cheering squad as I planned the new bed. M3 and her babies came to watch the planning and contribute some ideas. She also had to have her own "tweezers" to trim the old growth out of the existing beds. What a helper she was!!

Have a great day!

Ivey

Ivey is our Basset Hound. She is the latest in a long line of Bassets. She is the baby now that all the kids are gone. She loves the grandkids, but she gets so excited to see them that she can't control her bladder. Now that the snow has melted she is really enjoying laying out in the sun. Hopefully this summer she will keep out of my flower beds. Last year I though it was because she was a puppy. We'll see how this spring and summer goes now that she weighs 50 lbs and is definitely not a lap dog anymore.

Count Your Blessings!

Today is February 28th and we have had snow on the ground for 28+ days. That is uncommon for the Texas Panhandle. Today going to church I noticed the top of our neighbor's globe willow had a greenish tinge to it, so I know spring is coming. I am thankful we have been blessed with moisture and I am thankful we will be blessed with a beautiful spring! I read the following on a blog I follow and it made me thankful for all my blessings this morning; really extra thankful, because I am truly thankful every day. Thank you Jane for posting it.

Count Your Blessings

Count your blessings instead of your crosses;
Count your gains instead of your loses.
Count your joys instead of your woes;
Count your friends instead of your foes.
Count your smiles instead of your tears;
Count your courage instead of your fears.
Count your full years instead of your lean;
Count your kind deeds instead of your mean.
Count your health instead of your wealth;
Count on God instead of yourself.

Author Unknown



May you be blessed this coming week and may you be thankful for each and every blessing.

Be an Angel Today!

I saw this on a blog I check often by Tara. Thanks Tara.

Many people think angels are no longer here,
Like in the scriptures of old when they'd always appear.
Our angels today don't have halo's or wings,
They just go through their lives doing natural things.
They may take out the trash, and work long, hard hours,
But they listen with care or cheer others with flowers.
They may love to eat chocolate and sit down to relax,
But always help ease the burden on many weak backs.
They may like to play games and have fun with friends,
But are the type of a person on whom many depend.
We are all angels without halo's or wings
And we must realize we're capable of miraculous things.

Author unknown

Hope you are someone's Angel today.

Love the Sunshine!

After school today, I came home and noticed that the sun was melting off some of the snow around the yard. I just had to go out and check to see what was happening under that snow. Spring is truly coming! I see green! I can go outside without my heavy coat! I am so excited that my flower beds are coming alive.

When I decided to start a blog, I decided I needed a better camera. Since I am teaching myself how to use it by reading other photography blogs and trial and error, I decide to take it outside and take a few practice shots. Remember, I am still learning so if you have any suggestions please comment for me. I sneaked in a few of C3 helping me straighten the pantry this weekend. A Bannie needs all the help she can get!







And now for my little helper!





Have a wonderful evening with your family. Blessings!!

Just a Thought!

I usually listen to KLove when at school and in my suburban. Yesterday I was going into town to the dentist and I heard a random comment by a guest on their show. I was daydreaming, as usual, about what was for dinner, did I need to go to the grocery store, did I have time to got by the cell phone store to have them look at my piece of junk, etc. The comment was about spending time blogging and twittering. The person commented they didn't do it very often because who really cared. They were more concerned about the relationships with people in the same room, not across the Internet. At the time I just gave it a casual thought, but this morning it has come back to mind.

I am there for my family and friends; I really think I am. However, I also think of the enjoyment I have gotten from reading blogs. They make me laugh, they make me think, they make me cry.

Last fall I was spending some time looking around the Internet and came across "The Pioneer Woman" blog. My daughter had a blog and I sent her the link to look at some of the great recipes on Ree's page. Besides my daughter's page, this was my first experience with a blog. Since then I have subscriptions to many others and really enjoy visiting them. I may never meet these women, but they inspire me to cook, to create, to read more, to praise God often in a day, and yes, even to blog.

So my final conclusion is that blogging doesn't hamper my relationships with friends and family. When God whispers in my ear that I have my priorities out of alignment with him, I will stop and re-evaluate, but until then I will keep reading about my new friends and their life adventures, pray when I read a need, and for sure LOL at many comments and stories.