And this is why I hate cooking!

I just don't understand what my problem is with cooking. Something ALWAYS goes wrong so I usually just don't do it. Occasionally, I may make a pot of chili, spaghetti, or even a chicken and rice casserole but I don't make a habit of it.

But this morning, I looked at some blueberries in the refridgerator and decided I would like to try making blueberry muffins. I looked online and found a healthy recipe that had 16 ingredients - that would be SIXTEEN ingredients! I almost moved on but decided to give it a try. My last attempt at making muffins turned out really good so I was feeling pretty confident.

I wrote down all 16 ingredients, went through my cabinets and marked off what I already had and then went to the store to get all the rest. A few minutes ago I went in the kitchen to get started and as I was measuring out the flour I noticed that it said "BETTER IF USED BY 03JUL10". For the stinkin' love! As you can see, the bag was full. How could I have not used flour in over a year and a half???

Obviously, I decided I better check all the ingredients I already had and the Wheat Germ was no better.

It occurred to me that the last time I used any of this stuff was my last attempt at making muffins - which when I looked back turned out to be March 8th, 2009. I'm just gonna call it. This is flat-out embarrassing. Of course, I was ready to throw in the towel but Hubs was having none of that. Bless his heart, he's at the store now. These better be some good muffins!

In Sickness and in Health

Have I mentioned before that Hubs has every illness known to man - at least in his mind? The internet is a cruel tool that allows him to look up every ache and pain, real or imagined.

This is a text I got last week:

"I consulted web md and I think I'm having what is called 'Braxton hicks' contractions. It says I shouldn't be worried"

My reply:

"Baby, I hope you're not PG. I might have to leave you..."

I wish I could say this isn't normal for us.

I love it when a weekend comes together

I don't usually consider it a good thing when things don't work out the way I planned but this weekend was an exception. I had anticipated working all day Saturday but was pleasantly surprised when I was able to get it all done Friday night. That left me with a completely open Saturday! I celebrated by being quite lazy and treating myself to a trip to Target where I went down every.single.aisle that struck my fancy. I know, I know... I'm a party animal.

My running partner was on vacation last week which left me running solo. I went to bed Saturday night thinking how embarrassing it's going to be when I tell her that I only ran one time. So I hauled myself out of bed Sunday morning at 5:30 to hit the pavement. And how about it started raining after I took about 10 steps. The greatest thing was that I didn't even mind because surely running in the rain is the equivalent to running 2 normal days, right??

I had a wonderful day at Church, a great lunch, and just an overall great day with Hubs on Sunday. I think my favorite part was when he decided he wanted to learn how to walk on his hands after seeing the half-time show of the Superbowl. Unfortunately, I'm not the best spotter. We'll keep working on that - it's sure to be a crowd pleaser at parties! :)

Weekend Wrap-Up

The past couple of weeks have been busy, busy, busy. I've learned to be thankful when I'm busy at work because that means we're making money - which you know, is kind of good when you have a family business!

(Just a note - that last sentence is a testament to monumental changes the Lord has made in my life in the past couple of years. He is teaching me that changes in my "normal" routine are not cause to cry, be angry and generally feel like the world is coming to an end. This girl has learned that willingness to say, "OK God, You're shaking it up. You must have something really awesome in the works." allows me to ENJOY changes in my day.)

I've been blessed with a wonderfully lazy but productive weekend. Saturday morning I met my running buddy, Melissa for a long run - IN THE RAIN! We missed a couple of days this week and decided that we would run no matter what. It actually felt kind of good.

I kept James and Abbie for Mama Hen till around lunch. We spent the morning making pillow houses in the living room and a trip to Wal-mart to buy things that drive Mama Hen crazy. It's the joy of being an Aunt!

After they left Jay and I cleaned out a couple of closets. I can't tell you how good it feels to just get rid of "junk".

Saturday night the girls in my Sunday School class got together for a painting party. We all found pictures online and hoped for the best. This is my attempt at "Sassy Girl". She'll be making her home in the Laundry room with the rest of my "masterpieces".

After Church  today I was able to get under the covers and just read and read without feeling a lick of guilt. And you know what made it a tish more wonderful? Wearing these sweet treats for my feet that J2 gave me for Christmas.

Hubs even got the toilet fixed in our bathroom. It only took 2 trips to Lowe's for a $7 part. (Sometimes I think they get the wrong part on purpose the first time just so they can go back.)



And that's it for our weekend. We're all settled in for the night waiting for the storms to roll through. I'm even excited about my busy week ahead!

The New Year Has Rolled On In

Well, the holidays are officially over and now I feel like I need about a week to rest!

Hubs was so sweet to surprise me with tickets to the Alabama Theater to hear the Alabama Symphony Orchestra for New Year's Eve. It was such a treat!

(Hubs is so cute!) 

I might have said our night was perfect except for the prize I found in my seat AFTER I had already sat in it. Some little lovely left their big wad of flourescent green gum right in seat 102 especially for me. The people behind us were so nice to let me know when I stood up.

Needless to say, we decided not to eat out after the concert but did enjoy some Carside to Go from Applebees. I think it turned out better that way. I got to get home and get in my jammies earlier than expected!

Yesterday I got to keep my newest nephew for a couple of hours. There's no doubt I have the cutest nieces and nephews in the world! Look how sweet he is!

Today it was back to work. Thankfully, it went by really fast which was good since I'm suffering with "the Sinus". Unfortunately, my car wouldn't start when I started to leave but my brother-in-law was my hero and jumped my car off. I made it home and now Hubs has gone to get the battery replaced. Not a great way to start the New Year, but hey, if that's the worst that happens in 2012 - I'll be sittin' pretty!

Never a dull moment

Earlier tonight I caught Hubs setting a Frito on fire. Yes, you read that right. When I asked him about it he said a guy at work told him it could be done. Two thoughts: One, how did this even come up in
conversation and two, who tried it the first time?

And if you're wondering - a Frito can catch fire.

Life on the Ranch

This past Friday night I had the opportunity to go to the Big Oak Ranch for Girls. The Women's Ministry at my Church has gone a few Friday nights this year to eat and watch movies with the girls so the house parents could have a night out. This was my first time to go and what a treat! We had a Christmas dinner and did some fun crafts.

The Ranch sits on 325 acres. It has 8 residential homes (where the girls live with their foster parents), a gym, pool and equine center. It is so beautiful there. Even the name is beautiful, it comes from Isaiah 61:3 "And they shall be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord that He may be glorified." I praise God for men like John Croyle who followed God's calling to minister to these children.

I had no idea the scope of the Big Oak Ranch and the ministry it is. I also had no idea how much a couple of these girls were going to get under my skin and take residence in my heart. One was 14-year old Nara. She's one of those larger-than-life personalities who attached her hip to mine right from the get-go. She kept me laughing and at one point said she wished she could get a hold of my hair and fix it. Hmmm...

Towards the end of the night we were paired with a girl to talk and pray. I was paired with Vanessa. She's in the 10th grade and from the moment she opened her mouth, I wanted to take her home. She told me she and her sister have been at the Ranch for 10 years. That's so hard for me to comprehend. I don't know her story - all I know is that she looked happy and the things she asked me to pray for were normal teenager things like school and a boy at Church she has a crush on. 10 years ago her list was probably a lot different.

I hope I have many more opportunities to go back. I can't get these two girls off my mind. God arranged our meeting and I'll forever be greatful.