Mmmmm. I love it.....

I love the holiday season.... for sooooo many reasons. One yummy reason is all the good food that is around. I love the cookies, the candy, the tamales, the posole, the fudge and so much more... but what I really love..... is this:



I love, love pumpkin pie, and I really only eat it around the Thanksgiving and Christmas season.... but oh, how good it is. I must say that it is so good that I almost don't care about the 5 extra pounds I have gained since November.... almost. But you know... that is what new year resolutions are for... so I'll worry about those extra pounds later, and just enjoy the treats for now.

The Cold virus is living in my nose.....

Wash my hands.... sneeze. Wash hands again. Try to prepare food. Feel another sneeze coming on, run out of the kitchen, and sneeze, sneeze. Rub nose raw with Kleenex. Wash hands, again, and again, and again. Wipe, disinfect doorknobs, phones, keyboards. Sit down, try to breathe, stuffy sinus, headache... am I really sick for Thanksgiving? I mean, really? Looks that way... gotta go.. need to wash my hands for the millionth time! Gotta love life... everything is an experience...right!

That Time of Year....

Turkey, and baking, decorating, and hustling and bustling.. it is already here! Anyway I already feel like I am running out of time. I am excited to feast with my family for Thanksgiving, to be thankful for all that God has blessed me with. I want to bake cookies to share with people. I want to decorate my house beautiful, I want to light my Yankee Autumn candles that make my house smell just like Christmas. I want to listen to Christmas carols, and watch The Nativity Story. I want to drink hot chocolate, and stare at my Christmas tree while my cat, and dogs snooze in the coziness. I want to hug, and laugh, and love with my family and take pictures, and make memories, and wish for snow.

Soon, I will decorate this tree again.



And while I am decorating it I will either have Home Alone on tv, or I will be listening to Christmas carols. And my cat, will be beneath my feet, sniffing and investigating all the boxes that will be strewn all over the place. And my hands will be sore from wrestling with the prickly tree, fluffing, and framing it just right... but it will be so worth it!

Old Fashioned Mac and Cheese

Sometimes you come home from work, and you just want to be comforted. You want to put on some comfortable sweat pants that have holes in them. You want to hug your spouse, and tell them that no matter what happened today, you are glad that you are lucky enough to come home to them. Lucky enough to be wrapped in strong arms, and smell that familiar cologne smell. And after that wonderful realization that you are home, you want to make dinner for your husband. Because that is what a good wife does, right? So on these days when Monday really feels like Monday, and cooking dinner is just really not on the top of the list, I make what I call "Old fashioned Mac and Cheese" And it is so good, and so comforting. My husband loves it, which comforts me even more. It really isn't calorie friendly.... but you know sometimes, it's okay. God's got your back, and he knows what kind of day you've had.

Old Fashioned Mac & Cheese (For Two)

1/2 pound of pasta any kind, I like Barilla elbow
1 1/2 Cup of Grated Cheddar Cheese (medium Cheddar Tillamok)
3 tablespoons of real butter
1 small can tomato sauce
Salt
Pepper
2 slices of bread

Fill a medium pot with water, and boil.
Add a tablespoon of salt to water
Add pasta to boiling water
Let boil for about 12 minutes until al dente
Drain pasta, and add pasta back into warm pot
Add butter, cheese, and tomato sauce
Stir and mix together, until mixed well
Add pepper to your liking
Toast bread, and butter
Serve mac and cheese in a bowl with buttered toast

Enjoy, relax, and realize how much you love these moments. Realize how no matter what goes on in your day, you can always get back home. Know you are lucky enough to have such a happy home life. Savor that mac and cheese, and be glad you have it as your secret comfort just when you need it!

Cancer Strikes Again

On Tuesday night my friend at work found out that her mother's cancer came back. Two years later after rejoicing that her cancer had gone away, now her mother faces the same feelings she had before. I have had close people to me deal with cancer, and the fight that takes place. I can only imagine what it feels like to know that something in your body is trying to take over. Not only is it a physical fight it is a mentally emotional fight. Those worries, and concerns of wondering if you are going to die. Worrying about your loved ones, and how they will cope if they lose you to cancer. Wondering how to get through it, when fear is embedded in every thought. I just don't know how people that are faced with it do it. If you beat cancer, that worry and fear of it returning is always there, I am sure.

There is a feeling of helplessness that comes when I have heard of loved ones faced with cancer, or even strangers. I wish I could do something, I wish I could help them. I wish that I could make it go away. I prayed this past weekend for my friend's mother. I prayed that the news the doctors had to tell her were nothing involving cancer. And then when my friend came to work, I saw in her face that the cancer had returned. I see her worry, I see her feeling helpless. And it makes me sad. It makes me sad, and it makes me feel lucky at the sametime. Lucky that I am healthy. It makes me feel scared that we never know what lies ahead on the road of our life. It makes me cling to God, in prayers, in hope, and in relief that he is there to tame my worries, and fears.

Cancer. It is a scary word, a scary reality for so many people. Please, pray for all of those who are dealing with it. That is one way each and everyone can help. God listens, all day, everyday.

Birthday Dinner

This past weekend my mother in law celebrated her 50th birthday. She is such a sweet person, always doing wonderful things for the people she loves. You ask, and she is there. We wanted to make her birthday special, and nice for her. She stated to my father in law that she did not want a big birthday party, but he knew that celebrating her birthday with her family would be something she would love. So we got together and schemed a dinner party at our house. Char, Paula's bestfriend was such a big help. Randy got Paula a massage on the day of her birthday at La Bella. After the massage he told her they were going to our house to pick up Cory and I, and then we would go to dinner, and Casey would meet us. But instead we had dinner all ready for her at our house. I wish that I would have taken pictures... the one flaw of the night. We set the table really pretty with flowers and candles. Had flowers in the living room, with some balloons, and a Happy Birthday sign. When she rang the door bell, we opened the door, and she saw the birthday banner, and then noticed the flowers, and then Casey and Char jumped out of the laundry room and yelled Happy Birthday. She just had the biggest smile. On the dinner menu was Baby Back Ribs, Baked beans, salad, and baked potatoes. Char's mom made Paula a carrot cake from scratch, which was delicious. The whole dinner, if I say so myself was so good. Everything came out just right. But the best thing was how happy Paula was. She loved it, and that was our goal.

He Patiently Waits for me to Get It...

Everything comes from God. Everything. Ourselves, our loved ones, our life, the things we accumulate to live our lives. God knows our desires, he knows our fears, he knows everything..Everything. And how he loves us. Then why do I worry still?? Why do I fret? Why knowing all this do I still find myself trying to control things.. when really I can control little. Thank you God for shaking me when I need it, thank you for reminding me that you are there, that you are here, and that you are everything. It amazes me how I can get myself in a frenzy trying so hard to fix things, and then it snaps, that I only need to talk to God, and let him in, and realize that he has had control the whole time. Sometimes I forget to look at the big picture. Silly, silly me.

New Wheels

Since I wrecked my car, and since the insurance determined my car "totaled" we were put in the position to look for a new car. While it sucks that of course we weren't going to get what we paid for our car, we were fortunate that the insurance was fair, and gave us what the car is valued at now. It was tempting to take that money, and buy another new car, which we would still most likely have to finance in addition to handing over the insurance check.. we thought about it. We like not having a car payment, and cars are just ridiculously expensive. So we looked at a lot of cars... and I am thankful that my husband knows what to look for.

We were driving home on a Sunday. I was oblivious to a pretty car that was on the side of the road.. but Cory spotted it. "Hey there is car, it looks nice, lets go look at it." So we turned around. The car was a Lexus, and it seemed to be in good condition. We called the number that was taped to the window, and made arrangements to look at the car and drive it. First thing Cory noticed when the man drove up, "Look how clean his truck is, that is a good sign." The guy was very nice, and explained how the 2000 Lexus was a very good car, and his wife was not looking forward to selling it. They needed too, because they just bought a minivan, for their growing family. I immediately liked the way the car drove, and was really impressed at how clean the car was.

We went home, and Cory still looked at other cars. Then we decided that it would be smart to buy this car. If we did, we could have some left over money, and still a good car to drive. So he called the owners told them we were interested, and Cory took the car to our neighbors shop to get a good look underneath,and sold. We got ourselves a used, but new car to us. When we went to the house to pick up the car, the woman got a little teary eyed as she handed over the keys.She said " I hope you enjoy it as much as I did." It made me feel good to know that this had been such a good car for her. Her house was immaculate, and it just proved how well these people took care of their stuff. It is always a risk to buy a used car, but so far I think it is working out great.

Things I love about my car:
The ruby red color, that I originally wasn't too sure about. It has really grown on me.
The smooth ride, driving it has been really fun.
The size of the car.
That is has a sunroof that can be all the way open, or just tilted
The seats are very comfortable
That we don't have to have a car payment!

Now I just need to be careful!

Life and a side of Stress

Who likes stress? Nobody that I can think of. Yet stress is something that people will have in life. Sometimes stress is light, but sometimes it can be heavy. Cory is stressed right now. When he is stressed... I become stressed. He is taking on a very important job at his work. He is having to do things that he has never done. If you know Cory, you know that he takes his work very seriously, and he always strives to do his best at whatever he does. This has always been a very admirable quality to me. His personality is that of a leader, he tackles things head on, and he puts his heart into all he does. On top of his new duties at work, he is getting sick. Thursday I came home and made him some homemade soup. After getting up and going to work early he still brought more work home and worked in our living room from 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm, and then went to bed. He has also done some work this weekend and still hasn't felt much better, and I can see in his face that his mind is flooded with thoughts. We are very blessed that Cory and I both have jobs (to stress us out), that we have our health, have eachother. People struggle day in and day out with all kinds of situations that cause stress. Our stress may be slim in someone elses eyes, yet stress is stress. Just if you are reading this, please pray for Cory that he can relax, and trust in God to guide him, and not let stress get the better part of him. One of Cory's favorite sayings is "Stress is like a rocking chair, it gets you nowhere." Now I just need to help him remember that!

Did you know??...

Did you know that I love this little guy? He is so smart, and funny. He makes me laugh everytime I see him...


And did you know that I also adore this little baby.. I do. And if you met him you'd adore him too.



These little gals are too sweet, and so gorgeous..



Oh and I used to take care of this beautiful girl, she was such a cute baby, I used to sing to her while I tried to get her to nap, and she would just stare into my eyes.

No picture of her little brother... but I love him too...

This cute baby is probably a lot bigger then the last time I saw him.. isn't he precious..


And don't even get me started on this fella, he blesses my heart... he is the sweetest kid ever!



So where is my little baby? Are you out there? I'm praying on it! Little baby, if you choose me, I will really love you. I will hug, and kiss you. I will let you drool on me, and I will stay up all hours to comfort you.. I will.

But until then I sure got a lot of babies and kiddos to love... so I'd say, I'm pretty lucky!

Missing My Love

Okay so I am a sap. This whole car accident thing really shook me up, and threw me in the baby crib. This just had to happen on the weekend Cory is gone. He went to Denver to watch the Broncos play... and boy do I ever miss him. Lastnight I think I must have started to cry a dozen times.... mostly just feeling sorry for myself, but I really just wished I could have my love cuddling me with his strong arms... lets just say this morning I woke up with swollen eyes, and the realization that I really am being a baby. Still it also got me thinking how used I am to being with Cory. We do everything together. Even if we argue..it is just us. I may roll my eyes a thousand times, and I do that without even noticing, and it really gets on Cory's nerves... but after I roll my eyes I smother him with kisses. I love that my husband is my bestfriend. I miss him. I think I'll go smell his shirts.

A Taste of Reality...

Tuesday I was in a car accident on my way to work. It was really scary, and unfortunately my fault. I absolutely did not see the mini van when I was turning resulting in my car getting t-boned. I cannot get the sound of the crash out of my head, or the feeling of impact as I had no control while my car completely swung around facing the opposite direction. When I was stopped, it was so surreal. Slowly looking around, still not sure that I had actually been through that, and that it seemed I was okay. With shaky hands I opened my door, and stepped out of the car. So dazed I practically got hit by a car while I walked around to see the side my car that was hit. It was awful. There was a woman in the mini van, she was by herself. She was okay too. Thank God. She was also a very, very nice person who was so sweet to me. I told her that I was so sorry, and that I simply just did not see her. She told me "life just happens atleast we are both okay." And that is just so very true. Aside from being really sore, and shaken up, I feel so very blessed. Sure it royally sucks that my car is most likely totaled, but really I am so lucky it wasn't me instead or the other woman. If something would have happened to her, I don't know if I could forgive myself. I am just so very thankful. I decided to take the rest of the week off from work. I am scared to get behind the wheel again, but I know I have too. This too shall pass. Life moves on.. thank goodness I am still here to move with it!

Fo Shizzle

Thursday I purchased some wigs at Savers. Cory and I are trying to figure out what to be for halloween. Wigs + family = pure joy and entertainment. Swapping those wigs around... so silly... so fun!

Like father......


Like Son......


How about a real life cabbage kid.....


Or hey don't I look foxy....


How 'bout a kiss sista.....


Look how hard they are laughing...



We had a blast....




Peace out... I'm the baby


Seriously.. I love my family... I mean like FO SHO!!

Seasons of Life

I was thinking about seasons. Fall, Winter, Spring, and Summer. Each season usually brings change to the daily routine. The weather inspires hearts to try new things, eat new foods, wear different clothes, do different activities.
As I was thinking about the seasons in weather terms, it led me to think about how all those things we do contribute to the seasons in life. Things change. Pictures capture the then to compare to the now. Over time that baby face changes.Time is an amazing thing. It is so precious, and truly the lives in which we all live, the time is ticking. We all have a destination. We all have seasons in our lives to live in that moment, and what can be done in that certain time period is precious. If we don't seize the moment.. it is lost. We can be whatever we want while we are here, but really the time to do it is not promised.

I think of people who have lost loved ones. While the world continues to live around them normally, these people are struggling with losing someone. The season of loss. Tears fall, hearts are broken as the thoughts of learning to go on without their loved one is hard to imagine. We all will pass from this world in a season whether it be Fall, Winter, Spring or Summer, and in a season in our life. When I think about that, I wonder if I would be happy with what has been accomplished. And most times I fall short of all the things that I dream of doing.


Truly life is crafted in seasons. We have to cherish this beautiful life that God gave us. Cherish the happy moments, learn from hard times, be there for others, and let love blossom from our hearts to share in all the seasons of life!

That is what I was thinking about "seasons".....

A season to love someone with all your heart...






A season to cuddle a baby who will grow before your eyes...




A season to see the future of the world you know




A season to be goofy, to look back on and remember when... to laugh and live!

Not too Long Ago...

It was hot. The sun scorched my face, and beads of sweat bubbled across my forehead. Out of the corner of my eye the pavement seemed to be smoking. And the leaves on the trees hung limp and overlapped one another trying to get shade from eachother. We needed rain. We were thirsty for a drink from the skies. The desert is the desert, but even the desert yearns for water, moisture, and rejuvenation. I prayed, Dear Lord please bring us rain. And time pressed on, and the heat danced, and then finally it rained. And the hot heat lessened, and then before I knew it fall drove in bringing relief. Crisp, and fresh, but just as comfort tries to settle in, the cold weather is lurking around, soon the cold will come slithering like a snake. We will nestle thankfully in our warm, cozy homes. So blessed in our heated blankets, with warm cups to heat our hands. Content for a moment. But then soon we will yearn for summer, because we are restless creatures. We will wish for that warm weather to kiss our skin, that is until... it gets hot. So hot that the pavement begins to smoke..again. Then we will pray for rain... and the cycle repeats. Here in NM anyway.

"You Take the Love with You"

Naturally the way I was made... I am sensitive. Really sensitive. I cry easily. When I heard that Patrick Swayze passed away... my heart hurt. I always loved him. I thought he was so handsome, and he seemed so charming. The fact that his wife Lisa was his only love from the time he was 18 until now was just a cherry on top. He was a gentleman.

In my car I have the soundtrack to Dirty Dancing. I often seek to track three where Patrick Swayze sings "She's Like The Wind" When I heard that he passed, the sap that I am geared up to play that track on my drive home. With teary eyes I drove home listening to him sing, and pictured his lovely wife the image in his mind as he sang those words.

"No one leaves baby in the corner" That was a line in Dirty Dancing, a great movie where he played an awesome part, his role chased true love... then there was Ghost where he said "Molly, its amazing... the love inside..you take it with you." These lines seem to coincide with his fate in real life. I just finished watching the Barbra Walters special on him, and again my heart hurts.What a great guy.

His wife, and him were so in love, a team, in sync. It is sad to think that she is at the beginning of living without her true love. If you are reading this, say a prayer for her that she will be comforted. Right now as I type she is grieving, and hurting. 34 years they loved eachother. Love is the greatest gift from God. We all need it, all want it... and once you have it, you fear losing it... what happens when you do? My heart hurts.

Loving My Grandma from Here to Heaven.....

I love September. I always have. But September is sad too, because September 5th of 2003, my sweet grandma passed away. It has been six years since I have heard her voice, hugged, kissed,or laughed with my grandma. I close my eyes and think about my favorite times with my grandma, and her smile is the first thing to come to mind. I know that my grandma is in heaven, so I am happy for her in that regard. Heaven is where I aspire to get to one day. But in the meantime while I am here, and she is there.. I really miss her.



She was a complete joy, a loving person who truly lived life to the fullest. My grandma could not hear. She lost her hearing when she was 12 years old after being sick with scarlet fever. I am sure it was sad for my grandma that she couldn't hear her children's voices, or any of her friends or family. Still she never complained, and she was a very happy person as long as she had her family around. She loved to sing and dance, and cook.You would think that someone who couldn't hear wouldn't be able to carry a tune, or bust a move, but my grandma sure did. She sang and danced her heart out, and it was literally music to my ears!

When I was little she played cards, and made up games with me. She took care of me while my mom worked, and she instilled love, and values in my heart. She was a wonderful mother, who nurtured her family, loved people, and loved God. She taught me so much. It is hard to lose someone who is so good in your life, hard to know that I can't see or talk to her anymore, and it is sad not to have her here for all the special moments. I am thankful for all that I did get to share with her, and that God granted her presence in my life. She was a blessing, and I will cherish the memories of my grandma as long as I live. Thank God for the memories.

Fun and Fall

This past labor day weekend we went to Castlerock in Co. They have the coolest outlet mall there... everything you could imagine. It was such a nice time. We met my cousins Donovan and Kiera, and baby Liam. It was so fun to be able to spend some time with Liam, and see how much he is growing. Liam just has a sweetness about him, and I think that he is going to be very charming at an early age. He is a very good baby. It was also fun to spend time with Don and Kiera. Kiera and I both got new Coach purses. I would say that was one of the highlights of our trip, can you blame a girl? Our husbands were both very supportive of us buying a purse... aren't we lucky! We just had a great time shopping, and being with eachother. Family is the best. You only get one family, and as I am getting older I am realizing that it is so important to spend time with your family while you have them! My only regret is that I took my camera and took no pictures.

I love Fall. This time of year is wonderful. Fall brings roasted green chile here in NM,and the air just smells so good, and it is so fresh. I find myself wanting warm soup for dinner. Things I love to cook at this time of year are green chile stew, beans and chile, and green chile chicken enchiladas.

I love to be curled up on the couch in the fall, reading a book, or crocheting a blanket. Infact I wish I was doing that right now.

Who Wants to be scared silly... Not Me!

Scary movies freak me out. I try to be brave once in a while and watch one, and always end up feeling sick. We just watched The Last House on The Left, and it was disgusting how sick people are.... and maybe it was just a movie, but there are sicko people out there that get ideas from watching these flicks. I know there are lots of people that like to watch scary movies, but usually after I watch one, I don't feel the need to watch another one for a long time. I totally prefer a good comedy, or a chick flick! I'm just saying............

Behold!

Dear Samsung,
I had one of your cell phones a couple years ago, I loved it. It was small, compact, cute, and simple. One day I lost that little Samsung. I think it fell out of the truck at the carwash. I was bummed. So I had to replace you. I should have stuck with you Samsung. But I didn't, I strayed. I replaced you with a Motorola Razor. It was okay... I thought I would get used to it. I gave it almost 2 years time, but it never won me over.... I always missed my little Samsung. Well it was time and my razor was old...so I upgraded.

I have only had my Samsung Behold for a couple of weeks... but I love it! It is such a silly thing to get so excited over such a thing as a cell phone, but it is so cool!

Anyway thought I'd write about it, because I am seriously getting tired of looking at this blog, and seeing a letter to an Onion... and I am almost certain that I will get equally tired of looking at a post about a cell phone... so hopefully I will have something better to share next time!

Could this be the worst blog ever... I think so!

The Result of a Late Night Quesadilla with Salsa...

Dear Mr. Onion,
When I was little I didn't like you. You smelled, and tasted strong. Then one day when I was around 6 or 7 and eating a cheeseburger from my favorite restaurant McDonalds, I asked my grandma what the little rectangular, transulet things were laying on top of the cheese. And she said "those are onions". I thought about it and decided maybe I could just like you when it came to cheeseburgers at McDonalds. So on through out the latter part of my still young adolescent life, I was wary about you. "No Onions please" was a common phrase while ordering food. Then one day I fell in love with a boy, and I started to cook for that boy. The cooking channel used onions on just about anything... so I started to buy you, Mr. Onion. I dice you very small and add you to my food... and you make lots of things taste good. I still can't eat you raw... you really are strong for my tastebuds, but cooked you take on a new flavor. I still am not totally buying you all the way, but we have taken steps towards a decent relationship. Only thing that really makes me mad about you, is that I can enjoy the flavor you add to my food, but I don't want you to linger in my mouth for like two days after I eat you. It really isn't cool to me, when I brush my teeth at night and wake up tasting you. It is just gross. Just thought I'd let you know. And Mr. Onion, please don't get offended, this is who you are. There are lots, and lots of people who love you, and the bad breath you give them. In fact I used to have a teacher in High school who ate you as if you were an apple, and then proceeded to teach a room full of students. You and garlic must be great pals... although I do favor garlic more, but that's a whole other story.

Things I Love......

Soft blankets, Chips, Pickles, Candles, Smells of rain, and green chile roasting, Jesus, Kisses, Tender moments, Dancing, Laughing, Hugs, Wine, Grandmas, Mom's, Family, Babies, Church, Smiles, Shoes, Clothes, BBQ's, Sun, Snow, Happiness, Holding Hands, Purses, Perfume, Books, Movies, Slushies, Bowling, Love, Zoo Animals, Chick Flicks, Stories and books, Gerber Daisies, Crochet, painting, cooking, Lemons, True Friends, Making up after a squabble, memories, Cheesecake, Ladybugs, Swimming, Relaxing, Dancing,Ice Cream, T.V., Good Hair Days, Chocolate, Ice, Reading, writing, daydreaming, a good cry, nail polish, lip gloss, Making someone smile, swing sets, Cats, and Dogs, coloring, drawing,pizza, green chile stew, decorating the Christmas tree, laughing, kids, road trips, and so much more..... but mostly I love and cherish that God has given me a life to experience all of these most wonderful, wonderful things!

Meet the New Rocky....

Something is going on. For the second time this year, my eyes swelled up. Not just minor swelling... I'm talking freak at the circus swelling. People would get great amusement out of this one.

I was watching TV with Cory. I started to feel weird. My hands felt itchy. Then my eyes started to feel weird, and itchy too. I told Cory "I feel weird." I got up and looked into the bathroom mirror. What a sight. I looked like Rocky, and Cory confirmed it when he walked in to see why I was freaking out. He took one look, and said "Adrieanne!!!" Then he started pretending to box.

I called my mom, and she told me to take some benadryl, and offered me soothing words of comfort, but she couldn't help but laugh at listening to Cory in the background yelling lines from the Rocky movie....

Finally I tried to calm myself, and Cory became less kidding, and more loving and we fell asleep. In the morning I woke up, and nudged Cory. "How are my eyes, did they go down?" He answered "Adrienne!!" Let me tell you the funny of that was well worn out... I jumped out of bed, and looked in the mirror, and it was worse. No way was I going to work. The swelling didn't go down until late afternoon.

A couple of weeks ago, it happened again. I have tried to think of everything that it could be.... the second time it happened, my hands and feet started to itch. SO strange. I know I will regret posting these, but just so you know I am not exaggerating. Oh the horror.

Taken

First she was drawn to him because he was cute, with his flirty smile, and his sweet eyes. Then she was taken by his sincere conversation, and his brave yet shy manner. He had her interest. She wanted to know more. They exchanged phone numbers. He called her more then once but never caught her. Finally one day their voices met over the phone. They arranged a date, and then another, and another. She was hooked.
She looked at him, and knew that he would know exactly what she was thinking. She loved him so much. He took her breath away. He was smart, kind, gentle, and so different then anyone she had known. He gave her courage, he encouraged her to do things she never really thought she could. He didn't lie. He was so truthful, and he didn't sugarcoat anything. When something was wrong he talked about it, sorted it out, and helped find a solution. One surprise after the other with him. He was so determined in everything he attempted to do. He loves her, she knows that with all her heart, and with all her heart she loves him right back.

My Opinion On Michael Jackson..........

When I was little my teenage cousins were fans and listened to Michael Jackson. They were teens in the 80's, and played his album over, and over. They would tell me "Michael Jackson is the best." As I got older I always thought that Michael Jackson was talented. I liked his music.
When his troubles began with the accusations of Child molestation, I really never believed it. Then when Macaulaly Culkin said in an interview that Michael Jackson never did anything to him that was inappropriate I began to feel sorry for him. Now my opinion is this. I do not believe that Michael Jackson was a pedophile. I do believe that he was a very talented child brought up by a very demanding, and abusive father. I believe that he was a sensitive person at heart, and that as his fans built him up, he never quite expected the crash. That is what people do with movie stars,and musicians... sadly they love someone so much, build them up, and then they knock them down. Examples? Jessica Simpson,Britney Spears, Jon & Kate + 8, .............. I think that Michael Jackson did love children. He could be himself around them. They didn't use him, they had fun and laughed with him. He had so many adults let him down in his life. Maybe he should have not had children sleeping in his bed with him. Yet I think that he just was trying to have a childhood that he never got to have. I am not saying that he does not hold any responsibility for the way some things went in his life, but I do think that he felt alone.

It is so sad that now that he is dead, the world is embracing him. Now that he is not here to see the love, the emotion for him, he is gone. Now it is too late. He probably needed all this positive attention when he was alive. To be famous is a hard road. He was just a person, a child of the Lord, and he had talents, but he was not the ultimate King. It makes me sad to think that he was sad, lonely, and hurting. His children look like happy children, although I do believe there lives are at the beginning of a very drastic change. I pray for the Jackson family that they have God, I pray for the children to find peace, and I also pray that this world will learn how to unite, and be loving when it counts most. We shouldn't wait until it is too late to be "there" Only God knows if what Michael Jackson was accused of is true, and he has taken care of that. I know that God calls his children to have compassionate hearts, to love one another, and I just wish that all people found this easy to do. In the meantime we should all keep praying, and never stop.

What The World Needs Now....

The World needs:

Jesus
Love
honest people
sweet children
Good parents
Discipline
Structure
A good spanking
Realization that "our" time is meant for a purpose
Friendship
Non-materialism
Compassion
Forgiveness
Unity
Honor
Equality
Knowledge of the Bible
Knowledge that there is only one God and he is the one that sent His one and only son to die, so that "we" could have a chance at eternal life with HIM
Knowledge that no matter what happens: God is STILL in control!!!

At night when I lay down to sleep, and pray.... I always think of how scary the world is with all it's man made devices, the superficial personalities, and all the things that try to take away from what is really important... and I worry...and then pray to God that he will keep my faith strong, and that he will help me be what he wants me to be, that no matter what happens to hold on to me, even if I begin to stray. And he hears me, and he comforts me, and I know that he won't leave me. And I am so thankful.

Am I Kinda Anal?

I have never thought that I could ever be thrown into the category of being Anal. There are some recent discoveries that are making me change my mind, just a bit.

People who I know that are anal are (and I love these people immensely) my mother, my husband, and my cousin Donovan.

My dear mom is so neat, sometimes I cringe, because I wonder what happened to me. She recently stayed over at my house. She was downstairs before me, and when I went down I suddenly began to notice some differences around the living area. My stack of magazines that were strewed a long the coffee table, were now in a very neat pile, angled at just the right direction. The throw pillows that belong on our sofa were no longer “thrown”, they were now sitting, perfectly spaced apart, and vertically straight all along the seats of the couch. The two comfy blankets that sometimes are sloppy folded, where now neatly folded in equal three parts, and stacked on eachother, in the middle of my ottoman. My mom, noticed my eyes traveling around the room, and with a smile she said, “oh I was just straightening up a bit.” Then later walking by the bathroom she took a shower in, my mouth almost dropped to see how perfectly the towel that she used was hanging from the shower rod. I mean seriously, I don’t know how but I can’t make a towel look that neat… I tried. I wish I had a picture. That is just my mom. She has always been organized, and meticulous. Even her bedroom looks like the bed never gets slept in. She is so clean, and orderly.

Cory is also very neat. Not in a perfect way like my mom, but he is just good about putting his things away, and getting rid of stuff that he is not using anymore. He eliminates the process of clutter build up. It is embarrassing to say that his bathroom, and closet are always cleaner then mine. He also irons practically all his clothes. We are talking even T-shirts, and jeans.

Then Donovan, he is sort of in the category with my mom. He is very neat. He likes things spaced apart, and organized. He is kind of a slow poke, though making sure something is just so. I used to love to go into his room when we were younger, and take something on his dresser, and slightly move it over. I swear he always knew. Shortly after he entered his room, you would hear “who was in my room!”


The point I was coming to though, is that though I may not be super neat like the examples above. I do have certain areas where I think may have a tinge of the anal definition. I am particular, as to how towels are folded… in half, and then folded in three parts…. Umm yes it is the way my mom folds towels. When washing dishes, I hate having more then one dish in water at one time… it really disturbs me. Cooking, is also hard to do with other people, because I have certain ways that I think it should be done. Cory and I have been trying to cook together, and it is so hard for me to refrain from correcting him. Also I have just learned in general that sometimes I have felt overwhelmed by all things I needed to do to keep the house running. I have found that Cory is a great help, when I am not telling him how I want him to do things, and just letting him do it.

Either way… it is funny to analyze the quirky things that people do, that simply make up who they are. Once I had a friend tell me that my purse looked like a trash in the inside. (Kiera) Ever since then my purse looks a lot better, and neater. But how is it that someone that can have a sloppy purse, junk drawers, or cluttered glove compartment, can still be so particular when it comes to the way things get cleaned, or put away. Thinking about it, I am very particular about how I do things. Weird.So is that being bossy or is it kind of anal?

A Trip to Vegas, and Being In Love.....

Tonight is Sunday evening. Tomorrow I go back to work, after being off for a whole week. It seems as if I have been off f o r e v e r.... which is good I suppose, rather then feeling that it went to fast....

We went to Las Vegas Nevada for a couple of days. It was really fun, although a few days in Las Vegas is plenty. Combine 98 degree heat, long nights, smokey hotels, large crowds, and lets say lots of different individuals... and you get a realization that comfy, routine, watching movies with my hubby life is so much more relaxing. Not to say that we didn't have fun. It was nice to get away for a not so routine adventure. I enjoyed seeing all the massive, beautiful hotels, laying out by the beautiful pool at Mandalay Bay, Watching Terry Fator, and even a bit of gambling. We literally saw a man gamble, and lose 20 thousand dollars... I just could not imagine that...wow.



The funnest thing about going somewhere is experiencing it with Cory. I just love to make new memories with him. We just keep depositing into our relationship, the years are adding up, and the love is getting stronger, and it is amazing to see that the more you give to your marriage the more you get. I've said it a million times, but will keep on saying I love my husband!!!!

This and That

The other day I was looking through my pictures on my digital camera. I held down the button that took me fastly through the pictures. As I looked at the images in fast forward mode, I thought that this is just how life feels sometimes. So fast paced. Work is here, weekend is here, work, work, weekend.... and so on.

I haven't really had much to write about lately, which leads me to think that I am not doing much that is worth writing about.

Cory and I joined a bowling league with Linda and Chad. We bowl on Tuesday nights. We were the new guys on the block. I was so nervous for our first game. So nervous that one time I accidentally dropped my ball and it rolled behind me. So embarrassing... I wanted the floor to swallow me. But then on our next game I didn't feel to bad because Cory accidentally stepped in some water. His foot stuck mid bowl, and he fell... still got a strike though! So I guess that just happens sometimes.

In September I am thinking about joining an in depth Bible class with some of my friends from my small group Church class. The class meets every Monday. My friend Shanna told me about it, and says that she highly recommends it, and that she loves it. They are going to spend a full year in the book of John. I just think it would be so beneficial for my life. Lord knows I need his guidance.

Seven Random Things About Me..

1. Whenever I wash dishes, I only allow one dish at a time in the sink. It drives me nuts when I go to someone's house and there is so many dishes in the sink at once. I feel that dirty dishes deserve one on one attention. Weird, I know but I totally live by it in my house.

2. I feel like my cat is my child. I love her so much... it almost hurts. Don't get me wrong I love my dogs too, but I think I am so protective of Ginger because she lives in the house with me. I can't get enough of her.

3. I don't mind being alone. I think growing up an only child has a lot to do with this... But I actually enjoy being alone sometimes, and I have no problem entertaining myself.

4. I can never really stay mad at anyone and I hate confrontation. I usually get over things fast, and would rather be getting along then fighting...

5. I prefer salty things over sweets. I'd pick potato chips, or pickles over chocolate cake.

6. I have learned as I've gotten older not to let people take advantage of me. I used to let people push me around, but found that I am capable of nicely getting my point across... and it is great.

7. Sometimes I wish I lived in "Little House on the Prairie Days". I love to picture myself running, and picking flowers on rolling hills, wearing a dress with a bonnet, and helping ma, and pa make homemade butter, and riding to town in a horse and carriage.

Kids are The Greatest!

Tonight we babysat my little cousin Noah. Let me tell you.... he is so cute, and so smart... and I am not just saying that. He really is smart. He learns things so quick, and already knows so many things. I know this has a lot to do with how much his parents play and interact with him. Tonight he brought over a new game to play called "the PU game" Let me tell you some of the smells were gross... but it was a fun game. We played, Noah won, Cory came in 2nd, and you guessed it Ginger came in third, ha ha no I came in third... but Noah knew the whole game, and if we hadn't read the directions he would have easily told us how to play. He is a joy to be around. Cory said he was going to mow the lawn, and Noah jumped in and offered his services,and helped Cory. It was so cute. I love that little guy.... and it took him awhile to be comfortable here, just because he has such a structured life, and he was loves his mama so much... but now I think he enjoys his time here... although he might not be ready to admit it... anyway kids are great...and when you are my age you realize how short of a time kids are kids... they grow so fast! Whenever I am around kids I always think back to when I was a kid, and I just wanted someone to pay attention to me... I try to remember that... because it isn't long before it is too late. I love you Noah!

You've Got Mail... Probably an email...

How often in this day and age do we get a handwritten letter? Not very often! It seems that computers and emails have taken away that cursive, handwritten treat in the "old fashioned" mailbox that stands near the fence in the front yard.

I remember when I was little, around the age of of 11 I had a pen pal. Marianne did not start out as a pen pal. In fact she started off as the woman who lived across the street from my grandma on Yucca street. She was a delightful woman. Marianne was married to a truck driver named Steve. Although I remember hearing about Steve I only remember meeting him once, as his job had him on the go all the time. Steve probably never knew the kindness and joy that Marianne brought into my life and the lives of my two cousins Donovan, and Dawnelle. But she was really special, and as I type this I am taken back to my youth, when I met Marianne, and her zest for life kept me going for more. She was funky, and cool, sweet, and generous, and really smart.

Steve had two sons from a previous marriage. The boys used to come visit in the summer season. When they went back home to California where they lived with their mother, my cousins and I would take their place, and visit Marianne. I am sure that there was more then one afternoon when Marianne probably didn't care for the company of three kids, who were full of questions and energy. Though this may have been true, she always answered our knocks at her door and welcomed us in. She let us ride her horse in the front yard, let us join her for walks with her dog, took us to the library and introduced us to a variety of books. She occasionally took us to Church and took us to the laundromat with her, offered us snacks, and treats while we sat in her living room. There were days when she piled us in her car and took us to the school swimming pool, and she listened to us, and was our friend. She was simply wonderful.

Marianne was from California. One day she let us kiddos in on some sad news. Marianne was moving.... back to California. We were so sad. One day when I was down in the dumps, Marianne let me in on a secret plan. She said "Brianna, don't be sad. Give me your home address, and I will write you letters to keep in touch. Then you can write me back, and we can be pen pals!" Still sad that she was leaving, I was excited to have a pen pal across the miles. We exchanged quite a few letters, and I enjoyed receiving her pretty stationary in the mail, with her neat cursive that told me what she was up to. I am not sure exactly why or how the letters came to a stop,but it may have been due to the fact that I grew up into a silly teenager. Whatever I thought was important then, was probably not as good as getting Marianne's lovely letters. Somehow we lost touch.

My point is at the end of this long, drawn out story is that I loved getting Marianne's letters in the "old fashioned" mailbox. Well, okay so I didn't really have a mailbox in my front yard, but I did get excited when my mom and I drove to the post-office, because I knew that there might be a letter for me in that little box among many boxes, and it was just for me. Just for me, from a wonderful person, who took the time to write a little girl in a small town a letter, that would get read over, and over again. A letter that would be shared with her cousins, and her grandma.

So though emails are great, fast, and to the point.... a letter in the mail, with neat, sloppy, curly, or beautiful penmanship is still better. I wish that I knew where Marianne was, so I could write her a letter.... I'd have so much to say, to fill up her "old fashioned" mailbox.

Aiming For Organization...

I noticed that I feel kind of bad when I haven't updated this blog- but then I stop to remember that the reason for my absence is because I am living my life... and this blogging world can sometimes take away a lot of time that could be used productively somewhere else. It comes down to a matter of priorities. Should I get on line or use the time I have to read the bible, or to get something organized that needs organizing, finish that book I started two months ago, or go visit someone who could use my company.

I find that if only I took the time to actually organize what I really need to do verses doing what I want to do, my life would be a lot easier. I have always had a problem with being organized. My elementary teachers were constantly telling my mother the same thing at parent- teacher conferences " Your daughter is very bright, she has a lot of potential. However she has a little trouble being organized, and she likes to visit a lot with the other students. And have you considered getting her a planner?" A million planners later, I am still trying to figure out how to get my life in calm order!

Sometimes I feel like I have it together. The house is spotless, the fridge is stocked, Cory's underwear drawer is full enough for two weeks.. and then suddenly I feel so overwhelmed with all the tasks that seem to have snuck up on me. For instance right now these are the things that I really need to get done: Clean and organize my closet and drawers. I need to get rid of some clothes, and other stuff that is causing me clutter. I have been planning on it, and have yet to do it! I need to make a menu for dinner so that I can have our dinners planned so that when I get home from work, I already know what I am going to make. This would give me more time to exercise, instead of not being able to work out, because I got out of work to late, and now I have to figure out what to feed a hungry husband, and by the time that is done, I ran out of time to work out... unless of course we want to eat at 7:30 or 8:00... which we don't.

I have also been wanting to make myself a chore list for the longest time. For each day I want to schedule something that needs to be done, so that when Saturday rolls around I don't have to spend half the day doing laundry, dusting, cleaning toilets or vacuuming.

Then there is all the hobby stuff that I would like to do. These are things like: crochet, which is important because there are lots of people that I want to make a blanket for, but unless I crochet... it ain't going to happen. Then there is sewing, which I need to work on if I ever want to get better at it... because it seriously intimidates me. On to reading which I love. I cringe at the fact that my reading habit has gone from always reading, sometimes reading 2 0r 3 books at one time... to reading if I am lucky 1 book in three months. I credit the reading of my youth for the love of my writing, which has ceased to grow, because reading fueled my imagination for writing. I have so many books that need to be read, but sadly they sit, alone, and without the attention of my eyes and mind.

There is so much to do, all of which I know I am capable of doing. Yet I am frustrated that I have not successfully managed all of the things that make up my personality. What hinders me?? To answer honestly... Television and the Internet. My free time seems to be consumed by those two things, and I can't deny it. And those two things do not bring glory to God, do not enhance the gifts I was given, and do not make me feel proud.

I want to be a productive person. I have moments of great productivity. When I get my house spic, and span, when I make a delicious dinner for my husband, when I do something that can benefit someone else. Yet I still find myself wasting time.

One night Cory and I were chatting. I had my legs lazily slung across the couch, and I said "Do you think that I am creative?" He looked at me, and answered " I don't know, what do you do that is creative?" My heart hurt a little, because the fact is... is that I know that I am creative, but my husband may not because I have not really shown him by my actions. What an eye opener. At first I was shocked that he could ask me that, but when I stepped back to look at myself, I could honestly understand why he didn't really know.

So my frustration boils down to my lack of expressing myself in the ways that I know I can. Maybe it is turning 30 that has made me realize all of this. I thought it was nothing new turning 30. But maybe, it has forced me to see that I have a chance to do my thing, but if I don't do it... it is my loss and no one elses. I also think that all of this is also conviction from the Lord. He wants me to excel as he intended. He doesn't want me to spend my life watching TV, and evaluating other people's lives, he wants me to live my life. And I want to know that at the end of the day I will have done at least one thing that God would be proud of.

I don't want my life to be a crazy girl running out the door for work, having to turn around, and run back upstairs to get her cell phone because she forgot it, and then almost kill herself running back down the stairs, because she is rushing, to finally get to work in the nick of time to only realize that she forgot her lunch, and now she has to buy a greasy burrito from the trailer truck down the road, because there is nothing else close by.

I crave the skill to be organized, and ready. I strive to get there... hope I do, with all my heart I hope I do!

Heartache

Geez I have been sappy today... for some reason everything is touching me, almost to the point of tears. This morning at Breakfast Cory was telling me a story of his friend at work that was sharing his experience of losing his son... I got choked up. Later driving to the mall to get some jeans altered, I was listening to the radio, and was just thinking of all the people I love, and know, that have been through sad things, and I wished that I could make everyones "hurt" go away, and I got teary eyed. Then I started thinking that it is probably the occasion that is here. Easter. On Friday, is when it really began when I was thinking about how much pain Jesus went through. I can't even fully imagine it. I stopped to think that maybe I have really never thought about the events of Good Friday. The day when Jesus gave it all for me, and everyone else. So I think that it is where my mood of compassion, and love is coming from. Tomorrow is the day we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. Aren't we so lucky that he didn't forsake us then, and that now we still have him. He is still loving us, even though we are sinners. Wow... here I go again. Get this girl a kleenex.

Turning 30

I did it... I turned thirty! At first I was a little shocked anticipating the actual arrival of my birthday that would take me from 29 to 30... but the day got here, and I had a great birthday! I spent my Birthday with my wonderful husband who makes every day special, and my friends Chad and Linda. It was so fun.







I went shopping at the mall, ate pizza at Village Pizza (So good), went bowling, and had some Martini's. Linda and Chad gave me a beautiful set of Martini glasses. I love them.

Sunday my mom, and Dave came over to visit me for my birthday. We had tacos, which were yummy, and later for dessert we had Ice Cream with warm brownies.

So I thought I would have something more profound to write about after turning 30, but the truth is, I am still me. I don't feel any different, but I do think that it is awesome that Cory and I are both 30 together. He is my bestfriend, and we are in this boat together. So goodbye twenties, you were young, and fun, but now I am in my early thirties, still young, still fun... and I'll let you know what else I find out about this new age. For right now, it ain't to bad!