link [2] THE DUST BUNNIES WILL WAIT

A Day in the Life of Me.

Friday, Oct. 10: 

Our busy cleaning day is usually on Friday.  Friday's consist of dusting, vacuuming, & mopping.  Before I started vacuuming with my piece of junk Bissell sweeper I took it apart and gave it a really good cleaning because it wasn't sucking very well.  After cleaning it I started vacuuming.  It still wouldn't suck like it should.  I mean, I had to go over a little piece of lint 8 times before it would pick it up.  THAT WAS IT!  I WAS DONE!  I told my girls that I would be right back.  I was going to Walmart to buy a new sweeper.  I was just going to get a Hoover but I seen that they had a Dyson.  After thinking about it for awhile in the aisle I decided to buy the Dyson.  It was on clearance and didn't cost a whole lot more than one of the other sweepers.  I paid $250 for it.  The other sweepers were around $180 so I figured I got a good deal.  So yes, I am the PROUD owner of a DYSON!!  It is a homemakers best friend!!!  I love this machine!  I actually LIKE sweeping the carpets now!

My youngest, Katie, had her best friend, Courtney, spend the night.  They had a scavenger hunt at our library for the middle schoolers from 6-8 pm so I dropped them off there.  When I came home I started making supper.  I tried a new recipe for pizza from my Bisquick cookbook. 

Stuffed-Crust Pepperoni Pizza

prep time: 20 mins.                                 start to finish: 35 minutes

• 3 c. Bisquick Mix (I used my homemade version)
• 2/3 c. very hot water
• 2 T. olive or vegetable oil
• 3/4 c. diced pepperoni
• 4 sticks Colby-Monterey Jack cheese (from 10-oz. pkg), cut lengthwise in half
• 1 can (8oz) pizza sauce (I used my homemade sauce)
• 2 c. shredded Pizza or Mozzerela cheese (8oz)
• 1 c. sliced mushrooms
• 1 small green bell pepper, chopped (1/2 c.)
• 1 can (2.25 oz) sliced ripe olives, drained

1. Move oven rack to lowest position.  Heat oven to 450*.  Spray 12" pizza pan with cooking spray.  Stir Bisquick mix, hot water and oil with fork until soft dough forms; beat vigorously 20 strokes.  Let stand for 8 minutes.
2. Pat or press dough in bottom and 1 inch over side of pizza pan.  Lightly press 1/4 c. of the pepperoni along edge of dough.  Place string cheese over pepperoni along edge of dough, overlapping if necessary.  Fold 1-inch edge of dough over and around cheese and pepperoni; press to seal.  Bake 7 minutes.
3. Spread pizza sauce over crust.  Sprinkle with 1 cup of shredded cheese, remaining 1/2 cup pepperoni, mushrooms, bell pepper and olives.  Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup cheese.  Bake 9 to 12 minutes or until crust if golden brown and cheese is melted.  8 servings.

It was a hit!  Yummy!

Saturday, Oct. 11: 

I spent most of the day doing some sewing.  I am putting a dress together.  A cape dress but it's a little different than the last one I made.  After putting my sewing away I did half the dishes the I went to lay down for a bit because my back is giving me some pain.  It always hurts when I've been sewing for a long time.  I ended up falling asleep for a half hour!  When I got up I finished up the dishes, swept the floor (with my new Dyson! ~Smile~), washed my hair, and then made supper.  We are having haystacks tonight.  DH has been gone most of today.  This morning he went out hunting & then he had a golfing tournament for our church to play in so he won't be home until around 9 pm so it's just us girls this evening.

Until next time...

A Brand New Start

Some photos taken in last couple of days

I just took a couple of photos and I had some friends ask me what a gas hob was, we had one fitted this morning.  We had wedding gift vouchers from a store called John Lewis over here which is an upmarket department store in the U.K. We had to get a new gas hob we were able to get a stainless steel one in the sale at the above store.

Below are photos of our cat Bizkit, canning/bottling I have done in the last few weeks. Last but not least socks that my DH bought home for me yesterday - aren't they just too cute :)

I have a beef casserole cooking in the crockpot which should be ready within an hour.  I finish work at 6pm so will go and peel & cook potatoes - so we will have mashed potatoes with our stew.

The weather today has been just delightful and so warm

DH & I are going to have supper and watch Strictly Come Dancing, just basically have a nice relaxing evening.

Emily's goat story

***Vegetarian Soup Recipe ***

NEWSTART... and disclaimer

I assigned categories for the pieces of health information that I plan to write about.  These categories focus mainly on the acronym NEWSTART.  I have added a couple other categories which really do not relate to the NEWSTART acronym, and may continue to add a category or two as necessary. 

The NEWSTART acronym is described below:

N- Nutrition

E - Exercise

W - Water

S - Sunshine

T - Temperance

A - Air

R - Rest

T - Trust in God

Remembering the different parts of NEWSTART can help one to remind themselves of the areas that can improve one's health.  We hardly ever fall apart because of ONE problem, but rather it is usually a combination of health struggles.  Making changes in one area may show improvement, but it likely is not going to be a lifelong answer to our struggles.  NEWSTART can help us towards a healthier lifestyle.  It isn't about diet to lose weight, or sleeping pills to get our rest, but simply getting back to what we were designed to live by. 

DISCLAIMER:

A disclaimer that I want to add is that some of us have bodies that are far along in disease processes.  Changing late in the game is likely not going to cure us, however, we may see decreased symptoms by making healthy lifestyle changes.  A diabetic may still be a diabetic, but their blood sugar levels  are easier to control.  Also because of sin,  our bodies have become run down after generations of misuse.  That means our children can have problems like allergies or other horrible diseases that are not caused by how they are living, but rather a compilation of problems in our own genetics that we have passed down to them, or problems caused while growing in the womb...not to mention the exposure of so many things that are just considered normal these days... (chemicals, pesticides, immunizations, pollution, etc.) that can adversely affect one even though many others can take those exposures without much of a symptom at all.  So, do be realistic in making changes, they won't cure us overnight and they may not cure us at all.  Some changes may relieve us of some symptoms, but some changes could be detrimental to our specific medical condition.     

What does that mean?  If you have a medical condition or your children are sick, please read for guidance of where to go for information, not to substitute for medical treatment.  Making changes without your medical doctor's knowledge can cause big problems.  Medications you may be on may become too strong when making changes to a healthier lifestyle and without some guidance from your doctor on how to wean from your medications, you may end up sicker trying to live healthier than when you just lived "as is" with your medications.  Also, if you are ever feeling concerned or overwhelmed with a situation, do not try to do it on your own, just because it is healthier.  Our gut feelings are there for us to seek help.  And sometimes we do not notice something going terribly wrong because we are untrained in knowing what to look for. 

Now, I do not want this to deter you from trying natural remedies or lifestyle changes.  Just when you do it, make wise choices and if under medical care, take it to your doctor to explain what you are wanting to try.  Some doctors are not supportive of healthy lifestyle/home remedies... in that case, find one who is and one who knows what you are talking about because not all doctors know what home remedies even are as many are not trained in that area or they have seen disasterous cases from one trying to cure themselves on their own.  Often a person will misdiagnose a problem and the "cure" they are using will never work, but only cause the problem to continue without restraint. 

 Many medical missionaries treat others with home remedies and teach unschooled mothers and fathers in treatments where medical facilities are too far away or too expensive.  These treatments are taught and used all over the world and have improved lives.  Why we don't use them here in America boggles my mind.  With medical care so expensive and drug treatments sometimes noneffective or the side effects so damaging, we need to go back to some simple ways of healing. 

In summary, I do not feel anyone should be afraid of remedies or lifestyle changes.  Many changes are as simple as not eating cheetos and eating a whole grain cracker instead.  Some home remedies you can practice even while on medications and see increased results above what just the medication alone will do.  As your skill improves, you will feel more confident.  As time goes by, you will understand how our bodies work and see why something will or will not work in a situation.   Be wise in your decisions; pray and ask for guidance. 

Warmly, ~Melissa

A New Blog for a New Purpose...

Funny Stuff My Kids Have Said

I am going to try to remember as many as possible, but my kids have said some really funny stuff over the years. 

One time we were in Altoona, and we got behind a car with one of those Penn State paw print magnets on the back.  Cameron was about 2 at the time, and he yelled, "Look!  A clue!"

One Sunday, Dave was getting ready to take the kids to Sunday School and he put Emily in his truck and buckled her in.  When he shut the door, the window on the side of his cap shattered.  Cameron looked down at all the glass and then looked and Dave and said, "That sucks."

Here is a conversation I overheard toward the end of last month:  Emily said, "Cameron, when is my birthday?"  Cameron said, "I think it's in Secember.  Hey, TODAY is Secember!"  She said, "Is TODAY my birthday or is it on the 26th like yours?"  He answered, "I'm not sure, but I think it's on a weekend."  By the way, her birthday is in December...

One night, Dave was trying to do something and I overheard him saying, "Damn!"  Cameron said, "D-A-M"

The other day, I packed Cameron's lunch and I gave him an apple, a pudding cup and a sandwich.  Dave asked him if he ate his lunch and he said, "I forgot to eat my sandwich and my apple."

Ok, apparently, I need to think about this some more.  I can't remember any more.  I'm sure more will come to me later, so I'll do another post...

giving up...

Have you ever had one of those days/ months/years, where you just want to throw in the towel and say I quit?  Well, I'm there.

First, I lost my job.  I know I'm not unique.  It was just on the news that over 500 state workers (who thought they had job security) are losing their job, and businesses are closing.  It sucks for everyone.  But it really sucks for me.  I have NO money coming in.  I can't count on child support, again, because Joe quit his job.  So I don't even have that little bit of security.  So how am I paying for gas to get the girls to school... funny you should ask.

I am now selling my plasma for gas money.  I pray I"ll be able to continue doing this, because it pays $60 a week for 2 visits.  That fills up my gas tank.  Unfortunately my body is not responding to well to it.  I had a severe reaction to the anti-coagulant.  I don't know if my reaction was so severe because I needed to eat and drink more, and I'm hoping to not have the same reaction tomorrow.  I still feel weak, and it's been 2 days.

I'm depressed.  I'm lonely.  I want to be loved.  but the state of virginia has decided that I have to be seperated for 6 months before I can file for divorce.  I've only KNOWN him for 6 months.  4.5 months to go before I can file.  Counting down...

I'm leading worship at my dad's church now.  I thought it would be easy sailing, but the piano player says she can't play it in the keys I've picked.  I've got some stubborn personalities to work with, and it's not gonna be easy...

I'm still interning at 9-1-1.  I absolutely love it there, and wish they could hire me right now.  But they don't have any openings.

Kalena is a huge challenge.  Let me know if you want more details...

Beth is getting back to her sweet self.  JL hurt her emotionally and physically and it's taken a while to get my little girl back.  I've been volunteering in her classroom this week, and I can see why she has a hard time.  She sits with 3 girls that are huge distractions.  So not fair...

***I now feel I need to say something****

I need to ask that readers leaving comments on my blog re: Candy at Keeping The Home, need to stop as I will not tolerate this any further. 

Everyone has a free will and a right to express their opinions on the internet as long as both blogs and comments do not offend anyone else.

Tell me, what is the purpose to putting anti blogs against a fellow blogger on the internet? What are you trying to achieve? Don't you also realise that posting/putting up "anti"blogs or anything similar for this matter is upsetting Jesus - has this crossed your mind?

By posting statements/blogs against someone is not only upsetting for that person but upsetting for friends, family and more importantly Our Father...............

If you have something to say then you need to tell the person directly to do other than this is not only very offensive but also childish and it is about time frankly that you guys out there grew up and fast and to think about what you are doing........

I will also add here that I enjoy Candy's blogs and besides which she speaks as she sees fit - not only that this woman speaks her mind and she makes it clear that she is not offending anyone but she is trying her best to reach out to the lost out there and those that do not know the Lord.

Candy like all of us is not perfect but she has a lot to offer all of us and I certainly am learning a lot from her.  Candy also does not spend "all her time" on the computer but posts once maybe twice a day. Candy moderates all her comments of which I am not surprised and quite frankly don't blame her for doing so considering the anti Candy blogs out there.  This very Godly woman is very much within her rights to post the kind of posts she does and has experience.  Ok, this lady may only be in her early 30's but she is a lady who can reach out to younger women and teach them.  Give her a break and get a life.

I will finally say here that I also may not agree with everything that Candy writes but on the whole I do agree with her posts and this lady follows the bible through and through and does her utmost to live a very Godly life (and yes this lady makes mistakes like all of us). She does her utmost to serve her husband and to teach her children the correct way to live - good for her but everything she does is is for the Lord and if you have a problem and/or fail to see that then go to your maker our Father.

I am not going to apologise for the harshness of this post but quite frankly I can not and will not deal with childishness especially in Adults.  Oh and for my comment from my last post you also have no right whatsoever to put up a blog in the manner you are doing and if you fail to see the hurt etc you are causing then perhaps you need to go back to the Word of God and to back off completely.

If any more childish or anti comments are left against Candy or anyone else then these will be deleted straight away without fail.  For goodness sake get a life and grow up.

I also pray that the Lord will bring your destructive ways to your attention and that you pray for forgiveness and move forward from what you are doing -

I have said my piece and that is that!