Snow and School Buses

I know that our school officials take closing schools very seriously. I am positive they must balance safety, security, and scheduling concerns.  This morning, I was traveling to the local park to walk Jackson.  Sadly, I was behind a school bus.   I  see the tires spinning... no traction.... they were stuck with less than an inch of snow.  I wonder if there is ice under the snow.  Finally, they wave us around them.  I wonder if other buses will experience similar conditions this morning.

I am scheduled to tutor ESL students this afternoon.  I hope the roads are better.

Facebook , Twitter, Skype & Technology

After years of refusal, I gave in... I joined Facebook.   Why?  Simple,  I want to stay in touch and connected with my family and friends.   I keep it simple...

Slowly, I added family and friends. I can see my family in Anderson, Pendleton, Indianapolis, Omaha, Jackson,  L.A. &  Columbus. More importantly, I  stay in touch with my children who live thousands of miles away from us. Most recently, I have been able to reconnect with friends from Tennessee. I also experience Europe via my husband's cousins  who live in Europe.  

Slowly, I became concerned about my number of friends...Then, I was looking for friends to add.... I wonder if so and so in on Facebook.  My son, told me, "Mom you are a Facebook stalker."  I laughed it off.   

Yesterday, I discovered an old magazine article that struck a nerve; Confessions of a Facebook Addict.   Hugh Delahanty's article in  the July/August 2009 AARP . He wrote about the growing number of baby boomers and their involvement to Facebook.  After reading the article, I realize that I am not a addict.  But, I am aware that Facebook could be a time bandit.  

How do I use Facebook?   I share pictures...share quotes that inspire...post scriptures that encourage me...  Most importantly, I share prayer requests with a select group of trusted family and friends. I will continue to stay connected with family.  I have decided I will schedule time to visit Facebook.  No more stalking...  Celebrating birthdays...sharing milestone events...praise reports... answers to prayers... planning visit with friends...

 Technology can be a positive tool when used appropriately... My next research project,  "How do Christians use twitter accounts?

A Birthday Prayer & Cupcake

Happy Happy Happy Birthday!

May God Bless You
&
Keep You Safe and Secure in His Love

Happy Birthday Cousin!

Your cupcake tasted good... real, real, real good!

Cindy's Birthday Cupcake

Burns, curling irons, and natural hair styles

Thankfully, I have no new burns. I am exploring creative ways to style my hair.  After several burns, it is time to try something new.  I write this with caution.  It has been several months since I have had a burn.

My most severe burn, I had to go the emergency room.  I had dropped the curling iron and hit my eye.  OUCH… OUCH and OUCH… As I have noted in other entries, I have also  burned my neck, check,…

 What are my lessons?  Hurry and get hurt.  In most cases, I was in a hurry and distracted while doing my hair.  I stay focused when using electrical equipment. I know that is basic. Finally, I thank God for friends.   …

One Sunday, I was sitting next to my friend in church… I explained, I had another burn.  Graciously, she wrote a prescription… It is wonderful to have a friend who is a medical doctor. Here is  picture from our recent dinner.

Love

"Without love, benevolence becomes egotism."

Martin Luther King Jr. 

Traveling...from Anderson to Lexington

"No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home 

and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow."

Lin Yutang

It is also wonderful to find gas under $3.00...

O magnify the LORD with me

It is eerie sitting in the hospital waiting room. With the exception of the television in the corner of the room, the room is quiet.   We are waiting while my sister is having surgery.  Tim is drinking coffee…Nan reading the newspaper…we make small talk…

Waiting…

The wait is over, the surgeon walks in the room…He explains the surgery's outcome…we are so thankful…God has answered so many prayers…Last night, I left messages with my daughter and son…friends…my college roommate…. This morning, I email my prayer partner from church. Driving this morning, I talk with my aunt and daughter. 

Surgery is over; we are sitting by her bedside.  My sister is still a little fuzzy from surgery, but she is doing well.  Thanking God…. Her pastor has returned to visit.   We talk…savoring the good report…Pastor O’Neil is preparing to leave, he offers a prayer…praising God for who He is and thanking Him for answers to prayers.   

Later, we reflect, God is sovereign, whatever the outcome, God is good, faithful, merciful, and our redeemer...


"O magnify the LORD with me, And let us exalt His name together." Psalm 34:3 (NASB)

Cooking Light Lunch

Each month, a small group of friends meet for lunch to try one recipe selected from the most recent issue of the Cooking Light magazine.  We learn from each other...


"My Smokey Potato Pancakes did not turn out well.  Does anyone have any suggestions?” Did they turn brown?  Yes…there is a simple fix, put them in ice water.  Why did they turn brown?  It is a simple chemical reaction, oxidation.  This was my first attempt at cooking potato pancakes.  Now I know how to fix the problem.

Couscous Stuffed Chicken page 140 ~ Jan/Feb 2011

Clementine Date Cake ~ page 128

The reality of evil

Most people don’t question the reality of evil.  We may disagree on the origin of evil, but we cannot deny its existence.  Can people really ignore the existence of evil?

Do people reject the reality of selected historical events?  Yes, incredibly, there are individuals who deny the Holocaust. How is it possible that people ignore historical facts?  Is it possible that hatred can so distort reality and facts?

How can we explain evil? What about child abuse, domestic violence, stalking, addictions, murders, war, famine, and pestilence… the list can go on and on. Do we attribute evil to ignorance; mental disorders, ineffective parenting and so goes the list.

Today, the nation is looking for answers in the recent tragedy in Arizona. Over the next several weeks, we will discover more about the troubled shooter.  Already, some commentators are floating theories about his motives.  In the midst of the horror, I think of the Church of Christ minister who died while shielding his wife from the spray of bullets.  Then, I reflect on the life of a federal judge who had just attended mass before coming to the event.  Then, I remember the short life of the little girl born on 9/11.

In church service today, we prayed for the comfort of the families touched by the tragedy.  Our pastor taught regarding the reality of our enemy from the Book of Daniel Chapter 10.  Words spoken by Jesus over 2000 years ago still ring true,“ The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” John 10:10 New Living Translation.

Joy

"If you live gladly to make others glad in God, 

your life will be hard, 

your risk will be high, 

and your joy will be full."

John Piper

What is Nuesse Kipfel?

How do you transform a simple lunch into something special?

Presentation is the answer to the question.

The lunch menu

Simple & Tasty

Chilled Diet Cranberry Ginger Ale

Chicken Noodle Soup with crackers

Sandwiches

Nuesse Kipfel and other assorted cookies

Carol extended an invitation to join her for lunch. Before lunch, she  treated me to a tour of her home. All of her Christmas decorations are still displayed.  Carol reminded me, "It is the Twelve Days of Christmas".  Take a minute to read more about the  “Twelve Days of Christmas”.  Here is a link: http://www.crivoice.org/cy12days.html  

Tasty Sandwiches

Meringue Chocolate Chip Cookies  on page 305 of Creating a Stir  In the Bluegrass and Beyond

Delicious Diet Cranberry Ginger Ale

What is Nuesse Kipfel? Answer: German pastry.   Carol continues to make many of the recipes she learned from her grandmother.   Those little Nuesse Kipfel cookies are good.  As always, visiting with Carol... great food & conversation

A Moving Target

I have been thinking about a focus for Monday.  The following ideas have been rattling around in my brain:
1. Meatless Mondays
2. Money Saving Mondays
3. Mature Mom returns to the Work Force...and the challenges...
4. WW...Weight Watchers
5.  Moving More... my exercise journal


I am still pondering... what will be my focus? 


Last Monday, I went back to Weight Watchers.  Last week, there were about 10 people in the room.  Today, I think probably over 100 people in the room.
This week, I lost 4.5 pounds. 

Happy New Year!

"God cannot give us happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there.  

There is no such thing."

C.S. Lewis