Onion Gouda Melt- or Lunch!

Onion Gouda Melt

Well, our lives have been on an adventure. I am not the greatest at making regular posts, but I do check in on Facebook. So, friend request me there if you really want to follow along my crazy ride of a life! So today I don’t want to focus on catching up, just a quick fun post.

I have not been doing well with going through my food supply. When we were moving all the time, I would stop shopping, take inventory and plan meals out to finish up what we had, so we didn’t move food around the country, more room for stuff. Since settling down, I haven’t had the need to go through everything and more space to stock up. Now, we have too much stuff and I want to reduce some spending for a bit. While I have not gotten up enough energy to do a full inventory, I am looking at what needs to be used up and planning a few meals around those things.

Today, I decided to use up an old roll of French Bread. It really was past it’s best-buy-date, but since it had to bake, I knew we’d be safe eating it. I opened and removed it from the package. I put it on a parchment covered cookie sheet and sliced down the center of the roll. Opening it to a larger flat dough. I then covered it with a bit of leftover Onion spread… if you have never tried this stuff… it is amazing! I then used some basic ham lunch-meat and slices of Gouda cheese. I baked it for 20 minutes at 350. Once out of the oven, I lightly dressed it with Onion dressing and sprinkled 21 Seasoning Salute. So yummy!! There was only the 3 of us for lunch, but it was all gone!

You could probably find other seasoning, dressing or mixes to use, or even dressings, but I loved the play on the strong onion flavor here. We are also a family that enjoys onions… so if fit us!

Fake It "Til You Make It!!

I was doing some philosophical thinking today. I have been working with the boys on acting more grown up, doing things like a grown up should do and being more confidant in everything.

I have told them, “Fake it ‘til you make it.” Meaning when you have to do something you don’t want to, instead of being grumpy and letting everyone know your unhappy, fake a smile and pretend you’re enjoying yourself until you find you really are enjoying yourself. I don’t allow lying, but everyone needs to know how to put on a smile and just do what needs to be done.

So that got me thinking about people who grumble about everything. Tell me, what kind of person would you rather hang out with, #1: A person that treats life’s tough times as the end of the world? Or #2: A person who treats troubles as just a bump in the road that causes a course correction. I like to think that everything happens for a reason and that there are lessons to be learned. My life is not planned out by me, it is an adventure that I am on and learning new things at every turn. When something happens, it’s for a reason. It’s time for a course correction and keep moving on the journey.

Back to bad attitudes, think of a person you don’t like to spend much time with or that complains a lot. Now, think of something nice about that person, or anything good. It’s hard to think about the good things, right? All your brain can think about is the whining voice, complaining or crying. Is that the kind of person you are sharing with the world? Is that what you want to be remembered as? If not, “Fake it ‘till you make it!”

I saw a video on Facebook the other day, a mom talking about how she doesn’t care if she’s not her children’s best friend. She didn’t care that they were mad at her, because she didn’t want to be their friend, she wanted to be their mom. I have always said that too. But my kids do like me, they want to spend time with me, sit by me, even when they have a chance to spend time with other kids. Does that mean I am too soft on them? Not if you know my boys! I have always follow a belief that kids know that if you are willing to “SAVE” them from themselves, that means that you will save them from the hurt of the world. That means that it’s my job to correct their behavior and actions how I see fit. So while I have been saving them, they have learned to trust me. With that trust comes love and respect. That in turn makes them want to spend time with me. Other kids, adults and teenagers are unpredictable compared to me. I always tell my boys the truth, even “Yes, a shot will hurt.” And made them be accountable for their actions.

So now, how do I teach them confidence? It’s hard for a young teenager to be confident in the world today. They hear so much going on in the world and yet they don’t understand it all. It’s hard for an adult to be confident too! I guess some of confidence is “faking it!” I am just as nervous as the next guy. I wonder if I look alright for certain events or if I will meet anyone new. I question myself after an event and wonder if I could have done or said something different. I am sure that I am not the only one! But how do you teach that…... I am trying to by sharing like I just did, showing them by example.

 I know, it’s funny how I can go on from 1 little starting point…... but I did warn you all that I was doing some philosophical thinking today!

A Turning Point: Anger or Control! & Updates, Family Fun and New Goal

So, we have been busy around our home the last couple of weeks. We have been enjoying ourselves and sharing time with friends. My last post was almost a month ago and since then, not much has changed on the job front. We know we will be waiting until around the beginning of May to make any plans. Until then, we are just going to enjoy our life. Marty has been working and the boys have been doing their school work. My Jonah bible study class finished up and will be starting a new study this week.

"Updates & Family Fun"

 I'll cover the last 2 weeks of February..... We had the cold bug go through the males of the house, yes I avoided it! We then had sleep over and a field trip day to the zoo. Note the pictures, Ryan is growing up since the first time we went there! Spring 2009 and February 2014

Fun with 3 pre-teen boys and riding the train! Long day but worth the fun. We went to the Botanical gardens and Children's Garden, neat place. We have to go back, we ran out of time!

We then went into March with our insurance through Marty's employer kicking in, Medicaid switching to a HMO type plan base. Then after having reported all the changes and turned in all the documentation needed, Medicaid was canceled on the 10th. Oh well, got eye exams done on both Marty and I.... still waiting for the glasses to come in. I have been working on the garden, mostly covering and un-covering the garden. The weather has been crazy with 82 one day and dropping to 14 by the next evening. Not to mention bringing freezing rain with it. I need to get my seedlings out of the house and into the garden before they die from lack of root space! More sleep overs and hanging out with friends. Those fill my time and I enjoy that more than anything.

We also went on a short ½ day mission trip. We joined our church youth for the afternoon on their mission field during spring break. The youth hosted a mini Vacation Bible School at a low-income apartment complex, working with an organization that has lots of groups doing the same. The boys friend plays guitar and writes his own songs. So we practiced 2 songs and the boys performed them for the VBS kids. It almost didn't happen, the complex had a “rough” crowd, there was a fear of bully type behavior and our youth/children's pastor was concerned for the boys feelings. We gave the boys the info and warned them of the fears, then gave them the option to back out. They didn't! While it wasn't perfect, after having to quietly speak to a few rowdy ones, a few others really seemed to connect with the message of the music.

We continued our day with joining the Dance class at Scottish Rite Hospital, we attended this class last year but they have changed the schedule to Wednesday nights, conflicting with our church schedule. After having a ton of fun, the boys were now hungry, so off to Ihop for some dinner. Long day filled with so much fun and fellowship! 

Finished the spring break week with some great family fun. For 2 days no body got dressed, we played the Wii 1 day and watched recorded shows the 2^nd day. We even ordered pizza and grabbed snacks instead of cooking 1 day! Lazy family time, but together!

“Turning Point: Anger or Control” 

During all of this fun, the bible study finished up Jonah. I had a few more Jonah moments, but was more reflective, not pensive. A verse that got me really thinking; The Lord said, “Do you have good reason to be angry?” Jonah 4:4

Do I have reason to be angry at God? I always have refused to blame God for any troubles, always thought that was the worst thing I could do. I can't get angry at Him, He is God! Right?? But, should I be allowed to feel angry, if only for a moment? Should I just get it out? While I never placed blame on God for any troubles, I would say that it was meant to be a lesson, somewhere in whatever was going on, there should be a lesson to learn. But when the trouble hits you back to back, you wonder what lesson are you missing. The angry comes, but you direct it at yourself first- “You are missing the lesson! You did something wrong and still haven't learned what God wants you to learn!!” Just questioning yourself, your every action, word etc, looking for the wrong doing to explain why things are falling apart around you. If that doesn't get you answers, you then start looking at your spouse- “what have they done wrong? Where are they slipping? What reason (blame) can be causing the trouble in your life?” Then starts the cycle of guilt, “I have no right to blame my spouse; I shouldn't question their faithfulness; I have a bad attitude!” etc. So, anger is there all along, it's just directed different. But when we get angry at ourselves, are we also getting angry at God? For me, that is where I needed to go. I needed to hear the words, “It's OK to be angry at God!” I had been placing this blame on my shoulders and trying to find the answers, working so hard that I was doing it again.... taking control! Here it is again, that ugly bug that grabs us, takes a hold, multiplies like fleas and we can't get rid of it! CONTROL!!!! I was trying to find a way to control the “why” it was all happening. Anything I could do but get angry at God, because to get angry at Him meant that He was the one in control of it all! I'll say that again, “If I were to get angry at God, that means He is in control of the circumstances that I am in.” We all know and I believe, He will take care of us in our times of need, but do we acknowledge that He is in control and may have caused them? The troubling times are reminders that He is in control, not just over the solutions but over the causes as well. Now I know most folks would/ will disagree with me on this. Most say that God doesn't punish or cause bad things to happen, it's the devil that does it. Well, sometimes it is the devil but the bible does tell us God punishes. “Whether for correction, or for His world, Or for loving kindness, He causes it to happen.” Job 37:13 

So, God CAUSES it to happen. That means He does control it all, the good and the bad. See, here is my reminder and here is my lesson to be learned; He is in control, not me. So, I let go! I don't have to worry about what, how or why, I just need to be me and enjoy my family, where-ever we are.

Now, letting go doesn't mean not doing what I am supposed to do. It means to let go of the worry and the reason's behind it all. If you don't think about the why, then most of the worry goes away with it. So, we are paying our bills, spending our time and money on what we need to and even on some of the wants. We are not worrying about saving for the rainy day that always seems to come. But you want to know what keeps happening when we do that, the money we “need” comes right when we need it. I give to others more freely and spend on my family. I still am frugal, but I stopped hoarding the money. I had a $100 bill in my wallet for almost 2 months, worried that if I spent it, then some emergency would happen and then I would be left feeling guilty that I had spent that last $100. Sound familiar? Well, so finally I went through and spent all the money in the bank account to pay all the bills I could. Next day, there were checks in the mail to cover the bills I couldn't. So then, Marty get's the job and get's his 1^st pay check, I again paid all the bills.

Now I still had this $100 bill in my wallet, but now I didn't need it as much as it was a security blanket. Then for some reason I had to break that $100, needed to use cash for some reason and only had that left. A few days later, a friend let me know they were having some struggles and were short on funds. I was able to give all that I had left from that $100 and help someone else that needed it. If it had still been in that $100 bill, my friend might not have taken it. See, life keeps going and I have to remember, I AM NOT IN CONTROL... GOD is!

So, now this week we start a new bible study, on Nehemiah. I am looking forward to more “moments” of God speaking to me. I hope I help to inspire you, or spark you to re-look at things and stop trying to control things.

"New Goal"

Also, our new family goal... work on our prayers. The boys offer our mealtime prayers, I have now challenged them to “5 finger prayers” which is 1 prayer or praise for each finger (and the thumb) during their mealtime prayers. We do a quick run down before we start, so everyone gets to help pick the 5, also that way we all are really focused on those 5 prayers.This has been helpful and we hope our prayers are getting answered. Have a blessed day!

Short, Sweet and to the Point Update!

I have been working on some other posts and I realize they are long ones that will not be posted for awhile. So I need to make some smaller posts in the mean time. Here is a quick run down of the last few weeks.

• Short term disability insurance company sent a check (out of the blue) for a few more weeks worth of coverage! So the bills were paid in time. Praise the Lord!

• Andy went through some testing and Doctors appointments, made some more appointments. All is good for now, just have to wait until after the end of March before we can start to put all the pieces together and get a better understanding of what is going on.

• We were approved for food stamps and Medicaid came through.

• Marty had 2 job interviews, 1 has already informed us he didn't get the job, the other- who knows?

• Marty took a travel contract for the next 3 months, locally. That means, we have income that will start to come in the next 2 weeks and it should last for at-least 3 months.

• I started taking a Woman’s bible study at church on Wednesday mornings and repeating the same class in the evenings. Yes, I am trying to focus myself that much!

• Because of the class, the boys have made a stronger connection to another homeschool boy their age. I have grown closer to him and his grandmother. We now all spend Wednesday afternoons together working on some group teaching subjects.

• The boys have had a sleep over and a field trip to Sea Life Aquarium with a fun side trip to Lego-Land Discovery Center.

• The boys are working well on school work and Dad is the grader for all schoolwork, That means I just have to help with the work and fill in the grade-book with the final scores.

• The taxes are done!!

There is probably more that I am missing, but this is a pretty close list to all that has been going on. Short, sweet and to the point. Hope you all are having a blessed day and month.

Yard work!!!

So, we live in a rented townhouse. We have great space and like our neighbors. The problem is the HOA lawn care. It's awful and has been causing problems with bugs, ants in particular. The last time they trimmed between the driveways was in the beginning of July. The ants have been a huge problem and we have found them attacking dead bugs in the garage so it is safe to assume that any dead bugs in the grass/ weeds are also feeding the ant population. So, we have been treating the ground around the house with any bait stations, but they have become in-effective. While on a shopping trip to Lowe's/Home Depot, Marty purchased a string trimmer. He then spent a few hours cutting all the grass around the house and between the driveway.

Once he was done, I realized that he couldn't get everything really good because the neighbor had some pots with weed growth wrapped around them and making it hard to trim around. So, we left a patch un-trimmed and I talked to the neighbor a few days later. After being told that only 1 pot had a real plant in it, I asked if I could remove them and clean the area more. That started the fun. As I pulled a huge weed out of a half empty pot, I found out, (real quick) all the dirt had been replaced with a Fire Ant NEST! So, I quickly dropped the pot and weed, grabbed the ant/bug spray and soaked it all down. I did this several more times, after stirring up the dirty and pot more. Then I moved the 1 "plant", it was sitting up against the house and had what looked like a dirt piled up on 1 side. Nope, another Fire Ant Nest! So, more spraying and stirring.

Now, I started to find that we needed to do something bigger to control the weeds and the ants. So, I started to dig up some granite tiles the neighbor had put down years earlier, she was hoping to control the weed growth. Then I got out my landscape fabric and went shopping for rocks! The boys and I spent about 2 days and under $50 to clean up the space and cover it with rocks. We even washed the tiles off and re-used them. The color of the rocks looks great, after a good washing!
Yes, I used a fireplace screen to help hold down the fabric while pouring the rocks.


We are still trimming the space between the driveways, even went ahead and cut the neighbors weeds on the other side of their driveway, found another Fire Ant NEST over there, but we treated it quickly. Before the project, I was getting bit at least once per week while just sitting in my garage watching the kids play. I can report now, I haven't gotten bit since we did this work. That's $50 well spent!