Finished By Friday

Why is it that you always find one dirty fork or spoon AFTER you've started the dishwasher? Or you get the electric knife or mixer all put away neatly in its little case just to remember that the blades/beaters are still in the dish drainer and you have to start all over?? Just a random thought. Please tell me I'm not the only one that does this! (Guess you can't tell I'm cleaning my kitchen today!)

After my last class (and I'm ashamed to say my first B in a class since enrolling at AI of Pittsburgh), I was seriously having issues wanting to go on. To make a long story short, I couldn't figure out what the instructor was expecting out of me and when I asked her via e-mail, she wouldn't work with me and give me any ideas of how I could improve. Needless to say, I was a little worried about the next instructors I encountered. Now I'm about half-way through my current class and the instructor is good enough, but the work load is like nothing I've ever encountered in any other class (even the ones that are supposed to be hard). It's not that the work is extremely difficult and most of it so far is just repeating things we've done in other classes and combining them all in order - actually going through an entire design job start to finish. It's just that most classes have around three assignments each week with the occasional fourth assignment. The fir...

Just letting everyone know that Jon and I have deactivated our Facebook accounts. For family and friends, please keep posting pictures and such on your blogs or feel free to e-mail.

OK, so this is pretty random, but this song gets me every time! I don't hear it often, but every time not only am I convicted to try to reach out and do more to extend the love of God to others, but the one little phrase "Jesus paid much to high a price for us to pick and choose who should come" stings a little as well I'm sure it should, so I just thought I'd share and who knows, maybe you need it too! :-) "But if we are the Body Why aren't His arms reaching Why aren't His hands healing Why aren't His words teaching And if we are the Body Why aren't His feet going Why is His love not showing them there is a way Jesus paid much too high a price For us to pick and choose who should come And we are the Body of Christ If we are the body Why aren't His arms reaching Why aren't His hands healing Why aren't His words teaching And if we are the body Why aren't His feet going Why is His love not showing them there is a way Jesus ...

Just had to share. This is almost FIVE times last week's profits! If it gets any more lucrative, I won't be able to post these updates without my husband wondering where I'm stashing all my profits! :D Unfortunately, it's money we've already earned from one of our jobs and NOT really extra income we don't have to work for. . . Someday! :-)

Two things. . . 1) We were finally able to get our new(er) car yesterday (Monday the 5th). It is a 2001 Malibu fully loaded with remote start, remote keyless entry, fog lights, sun roof, power everything, auto volume control on the stereo (which means it automatically changes the volume to compensate for the added noise when you speed up and the less noise when you slow down or stop.), AND NO PAYMENTS!! We are extremely blessed! and 2) I am back to school also beginning yesterday. My current class is Residential Design Studio and so far looks to be very exciting! After this, two classes at the same time crammed into 5 1/2 weeks and then I graduate just days before for Christmas!

Unfortunately, my profits haven't been too lucrative yet! :-) LOL!! (I thought it was funny!)

(Yes, I realize that is quite possibly the cheesiest post title I have ever come up with. I just decided it'd be fun to try .) K, no pictures unfortunately, but it's not because we haven't been doing anything! It seems like we've been keeping pretty busy for fall. So here's a little run down of our recent activities and not necessarily in order of when they happened, just the order of me remembering them. There is of course the daily work for Jon and nearly daily homework for me, a day or two of work for me here and there, church Sunday and Wednesday, band practice at church for Jon sometimes after church Wed. sometimes Sat., everyday grocery shopping etc., a dead car and the search for a new one, a ladies' retreat, Jon's birthday, birthday/anniversary dinner with friends, yet another attempt at working out and getting healthier, choir practice at church for both Jon and I (after church), young adult game night, and all the everyday things! The good news...

I know I know!! It's just been on my mind so much lately! Sometimes I feel guilty because I want things or I get restless because it seems like Jon and I should be getting further in life (a better car, two cars, a house, etc). If I stop and think about it, I KNOW that since I'm still in school and only working part time and things being difficult for everyone everywhere, that we're doing well for our age. We have a nice apartment, a working car, and so many material things. . . And then I feel bad for saying things to Jon about it because I know he works hard to provide and we never really go without! So I've been trying to focus on Phi 4:11 - "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." For me it's more like "...for I [am learning] in whatsoever state I am in, therewith to be content." I guess the good news is that I am aware and working at it! Thoughts??

Today is a dreary rainy day in Massena. It's one of those days that make you want to snuggle in bed all day and when you DO get up, you feel the need to sip coffee all day either because it seems like it should be cold outside or just because you are having a hard time staying awake. Me, I am awake, up and about, and thoroughly enjoying my rainy day already! And yes, I'm still harping on life's many blessings! After reviewing my last post, the phrase "Showers of Blessing" popped into my head. Then I took yet another look out the window and decided that it was quite fitting for today. There is of course the old camp song ". . . showers of blessing we need mercy drops 'round us are falling but for the showers we plead", but I was thinking of the "showers" of blessings we have already received! I've recently had to stop and wonder several times "Why has my family been spared all the heart-ache others have to face?" I hear/read ab...

At work, we sell puzzle pieces for autism. On one side they say "I AM" and on the other, any number of things - awesome, loved, peace, music, magnificent, unique, original, unstoppable, etc. One of my favorites is the one that says "I AM BLESSED" It's such a simple reminder to stop and think of just a few of the good things when life really doesn't FEEL that good at the moment. I like to give these little reminders for gifts whenever I can. It supports a great cause (one very close to my heart) and every time, it reminds me as well. . . I am blessed to have friends and family to buy gifts for! In other news. . . Jon returned home safe and sound Tuesday shortly before noon and was back to work that afternoon. His overnight flight made the three hour jet lag non existent by bed time that night! For the rest of the week, it was work/school and a little hanging out with friends until the weekend. . . Friday, we both got out of work a little early to have time t...

So I don't have anything exciting to say, I just wanted to write a post about our lack of excitement. Since Tuesday, I've been mostly just hanging out at home. I had friends for dinner Wed. night, worked All day Thursday, and today just more hanging out at home doin' homework. Random note: I finish my program and receive my diploma in Residential Planning (basically the same as Interior Design) Dec. 20th. Jon on the other hand has been livin' it up on Rt. 66. OK, I don't think they're sticking with 66 and I'm pretty sure he wouldn't necessarily consider driving for a week straight as "living it up", but he has gotten to see some of the country's (or maybe world's would be more accurate) greatest wonders like the St. Louis arch, Grand Canyon, and the Hoover Dam (today) as well as miles and miles of nothing but flatland! He is taking LOTS of pictures and I'm sure will be posting some when he gets home. Unfortunately for me, he do...

By show of comments, who would like to see a picture of my finger the day after the accident?

(Check out the pictures, there may be more coming that are not for the faint of heart) It was a stressful day indeed. Lets go in order of the pictures. My wife was heading back to our boss's office to wrap up for the day. But she had to travel down a long windy road with less than good road conditions. She told me that she fought with the car a good bit when she realized that she was losing control. But unfortunately a greasy road, and windy curves landed her over a large embankment tearing up the whole underside of the car on the way down. She said there was a guy behind her who never stopped, and just kept going. She called 911 and within minutes a State Trooper, a firetruck, and the rescue arrived. It was quite the bump because half of the stuff that was in the very back of the car (the VERY back) was up in the seat behind her and up front with her. She had tried to call me but didn't get an answer. She tried three times, and finally decided to call Rodney, the guy...

I'm very excited to see this movie. It comes out soon on DVD. I can't wait!

Soup of the day is as stated above. Well... there won't be a soup everyday, but here is another one. Interestingly enough, I concocted this soup when I was somewhere between the ages of 10 and 12. I made it then but have never made it since... until tonight. I don't remember how it tasted O' so many years ago, but you can ask my wife... tonight it was quite tasty! Ingredients: Two boneless chicken breasts cut in half (total of 4 pieces) 4 to 5 medium sized potatoes (skins on) 2 cans of Cream of Mushroom Soup Grill the chicken first with only salt and pepper (or bake if you don't have a grill, or don't feel like grilling). No special flavoring unless that is your preference. Allow the chicken to cool and cube into bite size pieces. Cube the potatoes to bite size, ( no one wants to look like an animal at the table) and then boil in water for about 6-8 minutes or until almost soft. They will soften the rest of the way in the soup. Mix the two cans of soup with one can ...

I enjoy cooking, and Jon is so NOT picky, that for the most part I can just make whatever and he's going to eat it and enjoy it. Sometimes I think he wouldn't even care if we had the same three things over and over. I however need more variety, so I'm always looking for a new recipe or way to spice up an old one. I admit although we've only been married for a year and three months, I find myself getting bored with the same ol' thing. I can't even imagine my poor Momma making menus after thirty some years! Anyway, all this to say I do have a favorite recipe that I don't think I'll ever get tired of. As some of you may know, broccoli has long run a close second to my favorite veggie - green beans, so as you can guess, one of my favorite recipes is based on broccoli. I was going to share this recipe a while back and never did, then it got too warm for soup again, so I haven't made it for a while - until today. This one is relatively quick and easy and ...

We have actually had the new "car" since the middle of August, but didn't post pictures because we wanted some people to see it "in person" first. Now, however, everyone has seen it and for lack of something better to post, here is a picture of the new wheels. We cristened it with a trip up Whiteface Mt. the day after we got it (back when we posted all the other Whiteface pix). It's a 2002 Mazda Tribute. Features include: sun roof, cassette player AND 6 CD changer, power locks and windows, remote key-less entry, both automatic and push button 4-wheel drive, etc. It's quite an upgrade, and we're excited to have something a little more dependable and suited to our location!

I never ever would have guessed that this election would have been so disturbing for me. I find myself being reminded of 9-11 and that next morning saying to mom, "I can't believe that really happened" Although, those aren't my exact words. But I have been so encouraged as this election has come and gone, there is one "phrase" (I guess you could call it) that I have heard from several people, and they all have said, "On Wednesday morning, no matter who is president, God will still be in charge!" I'm so very encouraged by that! I'm sure many have seen this, but here it is again: Top Ten Outcomes in this Election 1. The Bible will still have all of the answers. 2. Prayer will still work. 3. The Holy Spirit will still move. 4. God will still inhabit the praise of His people. 5. God will still pour out His blessings upon His people. 6. There will still be God-anointed teaching and preaching. 7. There will still be singing of praise to God. 8. T...

One of the things that I always like about Google is they always know what's going on, and make thier trademark Google logo correspond. I just wanted to share their little picture with you today, and remind everyone to get out and vote.