Monday, October 27, 2008

Happy Birthday to Me!

Happy Birthday to Me! Thanks for all the Birthday wishes. I feel loved! I had quite a few people ask, "what did you do for your birthday?". Well, let's see...I changed poopy diapers, cleaned up cat vomit on the carpet, laundry...the usual mom, wife, pet owner stuff. Pretty uneventful until I got to thinking, which is always scary. I remember a birthday five years ago. A birthday when I was uncertain as to whether God could hear my prayers or my families prayers, friends prayers, co-workers prayers. Five years ago when in 3 days (Mike's birthday too) I would be heading to the hospital to get hooked up to an IV and have toxic stuff trickled into my body to get rid of the toxic stuff in it. Go figure??? I couldn't help but wonder if he could hear us, answer us, fix me. In my heart I knew He could and despite satan's attempts to crush my spirit, God kept me strong and gave me signs to let me know that he wasn't done with me yet. Although I would never wish cancer on anyone, I wish everyone could experience the tingle of prayers being answered and knowing that God is in charge. People asked, "how can you have such a good attitude?" while I was going through treatment. How could I not? When you're getting loved on by you're Daddy Ol' Mighty. I knew I was safe and that his plan is always better than mine or anyone elses. There was a test score on one of my medical reports. My score was a 9 out of 9. I looked up what this test was for and it was to determine the estimated success of treatment. 9 out of 9 was the worst score you could get. But satan didn't estimate the power of prayer and so here I am 5 years later.
Happy Birthday to Me!

Sunday, October 26, 2008

The adventures of Tweedle Dee & Tweedle Thumb


It's such a shame that State fans are just so used to losing that they don't know how to behave when they win! Someone in my household, not me, but I'm not saying who, felt a creative urge after the win last weekend and had to vent his artistic, more like devilish, talent on a poor unsuspecting co-worker who happened to be a Michigan fan. Of course this was such a big project he, oops, I mean, this person, had to engage another fence sitting fan into partaking in this occasion. I'm not naming names but I have heard them called Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Thumb. But just because someone is nicknamed Tweedle Thumb and a friend of ours has an injured thumb doesn't mean that is who I'm refering to...

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Time to store up fat for winter hibernation!



What is it about fall that makes me want to cook? Brooke and I went on a little cooking binge this week and ventured into some pie baking. I have to confess that Brooke did most of the work but I was head cheerleader. We made apple and pumpkin pies. oooohhhh they were yummy! The apple was made with jonathon and granny smith apples and the pumpkin was made with sweetened condensed milk instead of evaporated. DE-LISH!
For the big MSU/U of M game day get together with the Taylors I made some chicken n cheez enchiladas, found the recipe in a magazine. Wooo Wee! Another winner!

Here's the recipe if you're interested (I doubled it):
1-10-3/4 oz. can Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup
1/2 c - sour cream
1 c - Pace Picante sauce
2 tsp.- chili powder
2 c - chopped cooked chicken
1/2 c - shredded colby jack cheese
6 - flour tortillas
1-sm. tomato, chopped
1 - green onion, sliced
In Med. bowl mix : soup, sour cream, chili powder, set aside
In Lg.bowl mix, chicken, picante sauce & cheese.
Divide the chicken mixture between the tortillas, roll up the tortillas and place them seamside up in an 11"x8" shallow baking dish.
Pour soup mixture over the filled tortillas.
Cover and bake at 350 for about 40 min.
Top with tomato and onion.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Farewell to the camping season


It was brisk but beautiful. We spent our last camping weekend at the Holly KOA before we cleaned out the camper for the winter. The Taylors camped with us again. We spent alot of time around the campfire. The boys (Kenny & Mike)even watched the MSU/Ohio game sitting by the fire. We only had to share the campground a few other campers and they pretty much hibernated the whole weekend. There were a couple of really brave guys in a tent. Madalynne and Connor Scott visited on Saturday while mom & dad went to a wedding. The kids had a picnic over on the basketball court and played in the leaves most of the day. It was a nice way to bid farewell to the camping season.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Vacuum use training video

This ones for Grandad! It seems affection for the "popcorn popper" runs in the family!


Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Less blaa, blaa, blaa and more cluck, cluck, cluck

I thought I'd share this letter we got at the radio station. Chicken farmers throughout Michigan will soon be listening to Smile FM!

It reads.

Dear Smile FM,

I intended to call in this pledge during the fundraiser but every time I
thought of it I was busy.
Now that you signal is improved (you said awhile ago) my husband who is
a welder at Morbart in Winn can no long get your station.
He really misses it (88.3 WEJC).
Also our chickens like the music. When the station goes off the air
occasionally they don't seem as content and don't lay eggs as when the
music is going.

Thank you, keep up the good work.

Love Pat L.
Blanchard, MI

Summer has slip slided away

Well, it isn't exactly slip-n-slide weather but I wanted to put this on my blog back in August when we did this but didn't get around to making it into a movie until now. So I hope you enjoy it. This is the highlight of the Freedom Center Family ReUnion we had on Labor Day weekend. As you can see Pastor Phil knows how to throw a party!


I apologize for the poor quality but You Tube has a way of doing that to videos!

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

One step forward, Two steps back

Well, this week has been a comedy of errors so far. On Monday, I thought I'd get the dreaded trip to the Social Security out of the way so we could get Naomi on our health insurance. So I pack up, which anyone who has a toddler knows that is a pretty big task in itself. I had to dig up the key to the fire safe box to get our passports and our official paperwork from the government, Google the directions to the SS office, de-hair my black sweatshirt and remove the Naomi boogers from it...so about an hour later were finally in the car. I head to Flint. Of course the directions I googled don't take into consideration that Robert T. Longway is one way so I end up having to fumble my way around anyways. Once I get going in the right direction I pass the office because I am in the left lane and can't get over fast enough so I have to double back. When I finally get there the parking lot is eerily quiet. In fact, there isn't even one car in it. Hmmmmm, that's strange. So I call before I unload Naomi (smartest thing I've done all day) only to discover it's a Federal holiday and they are closed! Columbus Day! So back home we head.
That evening I send out the will call list for The Afters concert to the respective person after I have notified all the ticket winners only to find out that there has been a typo somewhere and the concert is the 24th NOT the 14th as I had told them all. So back to the drawing board with that one.
Today I had a client coming for a cut & color. I spent an hour and a half just picking up the house before she got here because it was so trashed. It took me about an hour and 15 minutes to do her hair then I had to spend another hour cleaning up the house because Naomi has unloaded every cupboard, the dryer sheets out of the box, the kleenex out of the box, all the products out of my roller cart, need I say more. I forgot to take my Super Mom pill today so I decided to load her into the car to get her to take her nap. I drove around for about 2 hours and I think I only got a half hour nap out of her. She's had a cold so I figured she need some good sleep but that didn't happen. I spent a whole lot of time doing a whole lotta nothin' today. Oh well, there's aways tomorrow.

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Naomi walks


We went out for our Anniversary to dinner and a movie, we were only gone about 5 hours. While we were gone Naomi decided to start walking! Go figure!

Friday, October 10, 2008

Message on our DJ Blog

Smile FM helps to wrap the homeless

Donate gently used fall/winter coats, clothing and accessories to be distributed to shelter. Men's, Women's & Children's items accepted. Also in need of diapers, new socks and under garments. Please drop off at: Freedom Center in Fenton, Freedom Center North on Saginaw in Flint, Smile FM Imlay City office (across from Kroger), Imlay City or Smile FM Williamston office. Items are needed by 10/24. See our Family Fun Calendar for drop off times and directions!

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

I've got mail!

I have to confess, I am an internet addict. I didn't think I was, like anyone with an addiction. My computer took a vacation for a couple of days and it was driving me bonkers! Thank heaven for geeks, Ed and Clayton (Smile FM engineers) were able to remedy the situation fairly quickly so I didn't have to suffer too long. I have come to realize I really rely on the internet for a ton of information. On top of my internet obsession is the fact that I hate lagging behind in my email correspondence (very different from my lack of concern regarding voicemails). How odd is that? I am not fond at all of phone calls yet get edgy when I can't get to my emails...
Today Mike was presented with "Mutual Separation" papers from GM. Essentially what that means is that in the next 45 days if not enough salary personal take the early retirement option that is being offered at the present to bring their numbers down Mike may be offered another job (who knows where) within GM or be tapped on the shoulder for a quick exit. I have peace that it is in God's hands and if we need to move for Mike's job it is his plan. I have complete confidence that he will take care of us if we are obedient to his command to trust in Him. It is hard not to anticipate the what if's with my "planner" mentality but I'm sure He is working in me with this very test.

Saturday, October 4, 2008

BLeach added color to my life

Praise God for the likes of inspirational speakers such as Brad Leach. We had some really great speakers at the Leadership Conference at church. Brad was my favorite. He used some Roman history to illustrate how our economic downfall could be a windfall for the Christian faith. It was a long day but well worth the wait. I've been very discouraged lately and this was just what I needed.