In Which I Throw a Tantrum Like a Three Year Old

This is a rant. 

Which I try not to do here too often.

'Cause nobody wants to read negativity in a highly negative world. 

Here we go.

Today I'm talking about yogurt.

I am trying very hard to find foods that are not filled with High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS). If you haven't heard all the fuss about HFCS than you probably, 1. Don't care. Or 2. Don't spend nearly enough time on the internet.

If you don't want to do an HFCS internet search, then I will just tell you where my problem lies with HFCS. Your body can only do one of two things with HFCS: it can burn it as energy, or store it as fat. 

Now, my kids are very active. They play sports, and hike, and play outside and are more active than the average kid. Because of their great activity I don't set huge parameters on their snacking schedule. Although, to be honest, we have always been fairly consistent about limiting the "treat foods" (which is what we call chips, cookies, candy etc.)

However, HFCS's are found in EVERYTHING, from ketchup to corn flakes! The amount of HFCS they are ingesting will eventually be  greater than their ability to burn what they consume. Especially as they get a bit older.

I was amazed to find I was buying "natural' granola bars, Power Bars, cheese crackers, even the heart healthy Whole Wheat bread, all of which contained HFCS.  It isn't good for their little bodies. And it will lend to a powerful sweet tooth that will be harder to tame as an adult. 

With that said, HFCS is in nearly everything that my children love to eat. Although I don't fool myself to think that we can completely cut this from our diet (because life is meant to be lived, not enslaved) I can make choices on things we eat in great quantities, like yogurt.

Here's my beef with yogurt:

It was only recently that I realized our 'natural' yogurt was cram-packed full of that sweet corny sugar. I decided that this delectable dairy product needed to be changed.  Surely this would be one easy way to cut the junk from our diet.

Well, it isn't that easy, my friends. It isn't easy at all. All the organic, HFCS free stuff, sold at the two stores nearby, are packaged in two ways: in 30 oz. containers, or in 4-6 oz cups.  

I happen to be married to a man with the metabolism of a hummingbird.  The Mister is one of "those people" who fight to keep much wanted poundage. 

(This is where we all roll our eyes in unison.)

The Mister is the least demanding person I know. He doesn't fuss over much of anything I do, but if I come home with 6 oz containers of yogurt, instead of 8 oz. containers, there is gonna be a fight. Because, you see,  2 oz of yogurt makes all the difference in the world when you have to "manage" to get in a certain amount of calories a day for maintenance.  

I will admit that I am also irritated by the 2-4 oz discrepancy, only because I really despise paying twice as much for less product.

Which leads to the #1 reason food companies use HFCS: It's cheap.

So, if any of you bloggers out there know of a good brand of yogurt (we really loved Mountain High yogurt, which they sold at Costco, but then discontinued), in 8 oz containers (that I won't have to sell my first born for) let me know!

And, as always, thanks for letting me rant. It is certainly cheaper than therapy. 

La Vida Dulce!

Ditto

I had planned to write about how this week is a crazy mess of field trips, Teacher Appreciation, and home-life craziness, but Mer did such a fine job on her blog this morning, that I thought I would say: 

Ditto.

Can I also add that The Boy and The Girl are so ready for school to be over, they are almost delirious. 

My two children, who have been like clock work in the getting-ready-for-school-routine, have become   s...o...   v.....e...r....y....  s....l....o....w.....    

They are like slugs when I wake them up. They aren't keeping on task. It starts with breakfast when they want to talk and laugh and play instead of sleepily eating in dark quiet (although The Girl doesn't stay silent long...Ever.) This makes for a very long breakfast.  

I did feel a little mean this morning when I walked into the kitchen and said, "There won't be anymore laughing or talking at breakfast. You guys are taking way too long. You are going to be late." 

They both looked at me in confusion with there big brown eyes and said, "What?" 

Then they started laughing. As if that was the funniest thing I had said all year.

Summer...how we long for your arrival.

Notes to Self: A Pictorial

1. You have an empty cupboard. Food and necessity items will not just magically appear. Things are getting critical. This is the last roll of toilet paper in the entire house. Move directly to Target, Do not pass Go. 2. The Mister keeps forgetting to take these Cream Cheese Brownies to work. Find a happy home for them. If not, proceed to #3.

3. Extra Brownies = Extra mileage.  

4. Towels that are thrown into the laundry basket stink. Remind children to hang them before they hamper them. 

5. Stealing never pays. You stole this (with permission) from your Mother's home. You brought it into your kitchen, and although you had just used it the day before the theft, it is now broken. Dead. Finis. Completely refuses to brew.  Add new tea machine to your Target list.

6. You must mail this to Kim TODAY, without fail.  I know you were trying to complete #7 (and several other mailable projects) to make one big trip to the post office, but it isn't going to happen. (I am mailing it today Kim, I promise!)

7. For goodness sake hurry up and get this monogramming done. These kids aren't going to be babes forever!

8. Empty this, and fill it up again.  Wait three hours. Repeat.

9. Last, but not least, please clean this out. Something in there has died. 

10. Work hard today, tomorrow, as a reward,  you get to spend some time in the salon getting those roots done and having a moment to sit down!

Happy Friday!

La Vida Dulce!

I Picked a Bad Week To Quit...

Do you remember that line in those really bad Airplane movies of the 70's when the flight operator would say "I picked a really bad week to stop sniffin' glue." ?

Well, I picked the wrong week to stop drinking Diet Coke.

Those of you who know me IRL (i feel like I say that in every post), know that I have had a small Diet Coke habit. There was a day, a few years back, when my daily bread consisted of a pot of coffee for breakfast, and Diet Cokes all afternoon. 

I have quit the Diet Coke habit three times in my life: both times I was pregnant, and three years ago when I started having anxiety attacks during random moments in my life. 

One afternoon I had a panic attack right after I had had a couple Diet Coke's, and afterward I didn't want them anymore. Kind of like when you get sick with the stomach flu after you eat something, and it ruins that last thing you ingested, for life.

Well, sometime last summer I got back on my diet drink bandwagon. I switched to Pepsi Jazz (which is delicious, and coming from a die hard Coke product girl, that's saying something). 

But, a couple months ago I went into my local grocery store and their wasn't any Jazz to be found. So I picked up a case of Diet Cherry Coke and now I am hooked. Again.

So, this week, I am chain drinking Tazo Passion Tea (which is what they brew at Starbucks, but can be purchased by the box at health food stores and Target).  

I just realized that this is not a calorie free beverage, which sort of irritates me since  it is not my preference to drink my calories when there are hot fudge sundaes to enjoy...but I digress.

Anyway, Today I went as a chaperone to a ranch with the second grade. As in 150 eight year olds, in spring, at the end of the year, on a bus.  I really hate to ride the bus. It's hot, and bumpy and so very noisy.  I always forget how much I like quiet, until I ride a school bus with 150 children. 

I have said it before. I will say it again: If you are a teacher or a bus driver, you deserve a pay raise and a trip to the islands, because your job? It is hard. But you already know that.

All I could think about on the return bus ride was how I would just love to go home and slam down a cold, Diet Coke. Then chase it down with another. 

Good Times....

Do want to know the sad part? It's not even been 48 hours. 

On Tuesday, my parents called me and said that they were in the neighborhood and wanted to take me to lunch. I hopped in the car and was at the restaurant drinking a Diet Coke within 5 minutes, and didn't even realize what I had done until last night when I laid my weary body on the bed and thought to myself, "Why am I so dang-nab tired all the time?"

Which is why I am cutting out the fake sugar. I feel bone tired by 7:30 each night and there isn't any reason for it. I'm just curious to see if fake sugar is the culprit. (Not to mention that I have only had one panic attack in the 14 months! Which should be motivation enough to lay off the fake sugar/caffeine laden soda products!)

So there you have it. I have had a full day and I can't even get my fix.  

Oh, my goodness, i need help!  ;)

La Vida Dulce!

Of Brownies and Birds

Two weeks ago I bought some cream cheese. Yesterday I decided to make Warm Cream Cheese Brownies from this cookbook. I have made them before, and although the recipe makes an enormous batch, I decided to make them again.

The recipe calls for two batters: the brownie bottom, and the cream cheese top. Unfortunately I didn't realize that I had forgotten to put the butter in the brownie mix until it was already in the oven. Rats!

I also had to make another batch of brownies because the other three brownie eaters in this house are "purists", requiring that nothing get in the way of the chocolate brownie experience. Translation? They hate it when I "mess up" the brownies by adding cream cheese (or nuts, or peppermint patties, etc.). It was to their advantage that I already had 6 tsp of butter cut up, just waiting to be made into brownie goodness.

I remembered to put it in the second, non-cheesy, batch. 

I did manage to use the 5 very ripe bananas sitting on my counter (and making my house smell like a den of gorillas), and made two loaves of banana bread. My parents have company rolling into town today so I will take some of my bread and botched brownies to them.  The brownies are good.  I think the Cream cheese top saved them.

On to other things...

Here is a bird update: She is still there, even though I open the door 1000 times a day to let the dog out. When I grill (3-4 times a week) I try to be very quiet. And you cannot know the restraint I have held, since I am dying to try to get closer to see her eggs.  But I have heeded the warning of a couple of you bird-lovin' readers, and have done a pretty good job at leaving her alone to tend to her eggs!

La Vida Dulce!

Everybody's Doing It, You Should Too

This morning I found this meme here and here. So I thought I would jump on the band wagon too!

Where is your cell phone? Laying on the kitchen table.

Your significant other?  Is a saint.  He married me almost 13 year ago, and I am certain he had no idea what he was getting into...still he loves me lavishly. Oh, and he’s a hunk. 

Your hair?  Has roots.  Need to call stylist immediately.

Your mother?  Has amazing inner strength. More than she knows.

Your father?  Is a fabulous cook. He’s also likes to celebrate, which is so important in life.

Your favorite thing?  Coffee in the early morning.

Your dream last night?  Don’t remember, but I had one last week that is still very vivid. I was taking my family to get a portrait when i stopped by a little decorative waterfall and saw a water moccasin. I decided it would be cool to have a poisonous snake in the portrait, so I picked it up and it bit me. Then i decided it wasn’t such a good idea and needed to get rid of it. Two blond girls approached me and said they had something I could put it in, so we walked to the trunk of their car. On the way, i was hoping I wouldn’t die from a snake bite before I could take the family portrait.  In the trunk of the car was an old fashioned make up case. in the case were two hand bags they were going to give away. Holding the snake with one hand I was admiring the hand bags and asked if I could keep them.  They said ‘yes’.  I put the snake in the make-up case and threw it into a lake.  

Your favorite drink?  Coffee...of course.

Your dream/goal?   To live to a ripe old age with The Mister. To bounce grand babies on my knee. To spoil those babies with sugar and send them back to the parents. To teach bible study more often to small intimate groups. To know Jesus more.

The room you a€re in?  The kitchen/slash breakfast area.

Your ex?  Don’t have one. I dated in high school, but never exclusively. The Mister was my first, and only, serious relationship.

Your fear?  Leaving my children before they are grown.

Where do you want to be in 6 years?  Settled. Not thinking about were we will have to move to next.  And I assume looking into college for The Boy!  YIKES!

Where were you last night?  Co-leading bible study with Mrs. Moofish.  

What you a€re not?  I am not as content as I would like to be.  I am not a shmoozer. As an old friend used to say, Kellie is “what you see is what you get.”  At the time I wasn’t certain I liked that. But today, I would totally take it as a compliment.

Muffins?  If they are homemade. I don’t like pre-packaged muffins.

One of your wish list items?  Just one!?  Ok...A Cuisinart Food Processor

Where you grew up?  Right here in southeren AZ.

The last thing you did?  Ran on the treadmill.

What are you wearing?  A black work out tank and light blue running shorts.

Your TV?  Is very dusty.
 
Your pets?   Is the biggest factor for the excessive dust.  Her name is Kona and, although I love her, she is completely neurotic, which drives me insane.

Your computer?  Takes up so much time. Its a love/hate relationship!

Your life?  Is amazing. It’s full. Occasionally hard. Often humorous. But very, very good.

Your mood? Happy. Right now i have happy little exercise endorphins.

Missing someone?  I miss my girlfriends that are all over the country. You know who you are. 

Your car?  Needs to go to the shop. It squeaks really bad when running, but it isn’t the brakes. 

Something you are not wearing?  Make up.

Favorite store?  That depends on what we are buying: shoes, clothes, groceries. But I think right now my favorite store for fun frilly-girl things is Anthropology.

Your summer?  Will be pool side.  The kids are on swim team with practice every morning and meets twice a week!

Like someone?  To what? To clean my house? Absolutely!

Your favorite color? Pink, (and red, and cobalt blue, and...)

When is the last time you laughed?  Last night, after bible study Mrs. Moofish and I went to the grocery store. We were in a cupboard crises at my house, having run out of 2% milk and chunk peanut butter (which is a post all it’s own). I was doing an happy dance in the dairy isle, because, y’all, 2% milk was one sale for $2.00 a gallon!!!!! When we walked to the car Mrs Moofish suggested that we put the milk jugs in the back seat,and I jokingly told her to be sure they were very secure, because milk at that price was like gold!  When I looked into the back seat she had buckled both jugs in the seat belt.  And we laughed so hard at her cleverness! Although with her and I, the laughing never really stops.

Last time you cried? I can’t remember the last time I have had a real good sob. But I get teary nearly every day, over things both joyful and heartbreaking.

Who will repost this?  I am thinking maybe Desert Diva.

If you are reading this and haven’t already done it, consider yourself tagged. Let me know if you decided to play!

A La Vida Lunch Break (interrupted)

It was supposed to be a quick post.

The soup was ready. The sourdough toast, toasted. The iced Passion tea? Perfectly brewed.

But everything else went wrong.

It's because I am in a hurry. Which has never gone well in my life. Even my 2nd grade report card will tell you: Kellie is a smart girl who is respectful and kind, but she has trouble with rushing. If she would take her time than she wouldn't make so many simple mistakes.

I have the report card. I would scan it for you, but I'm kind of in a hurry.

Anyway, tonight is the second to last night for the bible study that Mrs. Moofish and I are leading. Tonight we are studying Mary Magdalene.  Oh her story is so good!  I get excited just thinking about it.

I try to keep things on the down-low during the day of bible study night. Because I get anxious when my day is jammed packed and I know I have to teach in the evening. Teaching with anxiety is nearly impossible.  

So today was about studying, and folding laundry. I wasn't going to blog, but I was dying to to be a Bragger Bragorino, and show you the place-mats and napkins I made for an auction/charity dinner next week.  

I was thinking about how pretty the soup and toast and tea would look sitting on a new place setting. Just for the sake of a quick picture. Of course my camera was running out of battery and the lighting was bad, so I tried to rest the camera in the dock while fixing the light. I plugged the camera dock in a plug that sits right over the dog's water dish. Evidently the weight of the plug was too much for the socket, because it just fell out of the wall and into the full bowl of water.

I quickly retrieved it and prayed that the Arizona heat will dry it out.

Meanwhile I had to get a picture, with a camera that will only stay on for a total of ten seconds. Then i had to trick it into staying on long enough to get it loaded into the computer.  Then Blogger was taking it sweet time to upload. 

AUUGGGGHHHH!!!!! This was supposed to be quick.

This what I get for  trying to post when I shouldn't be; and for being a self-seeking seamstress.

So there you have it. A very ill-lighted bowl of veggie soup, and a piece of toast with a bite taken out. 

I should probably spell check,  but have I mentioned I'm in a hurry?

Meeting Darcie

It has been almost three years since I started this blog.

Back then I had no idea how this little "hobby", meant to keep up with good friends, would lend itself to meeting others.

Nor would I ever experience the 'small world' phenomena in such amazing ways.

A couple weeks ago a gal named Darcie had stumbled on my blog, and realizing we shared a birthdate, decided to say hello.

Of course, I clicked over to her blog, Such the Spot, to be greeted by a picture of her sweet pixie face. After reading for a few minutes I came across this post. I laughed out loud, and thought, "I gotta bookmark this gal!" Little did I know that we would be meeting within the next ten days!

She blogged about a lettuce incident at her local store, and through a series of emails, and blog posts, we realized we lived in the same town. What's even more amazing, is that we live within miles of one another!  I practically started singing "It's a small world after-all" when I realized that we shop at the same grocery store where the lettuce caper took place!

Yesterday we met with our kiddos at the park. 

I was a little nervous. I am a people person, but to meet someone IRL (in real life) after reading their blog is kind of a funny thing.  

First of all, I am great at acting like the gal who is full of confidence and calm, but I am probably the most insecure individual that walks the planet. What should I wear? What should my kids wear? Should I put on full make-up (which I never do)? What if we can't find a thing to talk about?

Secondly, there is that whole "I am meeting someone in the park I met on the internet" thing. That in itself is a little strange. Especially when you are driving your kids to the park with you while telling them they shouldn't ever, EVER!, meet someone from the internet ANYWHERE! But I digress...

After much worry about what to wear and what to say, I decided to be myself and not worry about making an impression. We were meeting at the park, in 90 degree weather, with our kids in tow. This visit would likely involve sweating, and nothing says "keeping it real" than hoping your deodorant works.

Of course, all this worry was for not, because meeting Darcie was great! She is so easy to talk with, and very laid back. I am looking forward to getting together again sometime soon!

Jo-Lynne, you told me that Darcie was "delightful", and you were absolutely right!

La Vida Dulce!

And The Winner Is...

Thanks to all who participated in the Bloggy Giveaway.

It is so fun to visit your blogs (those of you who have one)!

The winner of my apron goes to:

Kim of The Misplaced Midwesterner

She said:

What a beautiful apron! I can so use one as I'm cooking more than ever right now. Great giveaway!Have fun this week with your giveaway. Don't forget to head on over to my blog and enter mine!

Congrats Kim!  

Your apron should arrive this week!

La Vida Dulce!

Fried Food is not my Friend

I took the kids to the County Fair yesterday afternoon. 

I am still tired.

It could be because The Girl made me go with her on rides that should be illegal for 35 year old housewife.  I mean really, what in the world possessed me to go onto a ride that requires you to lay on your stomach and then spin around in a circle for three minutes.  

Y'all, I can't even ride the Merry-Go-Round without getting queasy, but there I was, riding face down, willing myself to keep from ralphing. Not because I hate to throw-up more than going to the dentist (because I do), but throwing up while already in a completely unattractive position would have been humiliating. I could feel gravity pulling the wrinkles on my face as I was spinning.  

But The Girl is a lover of the scary rides and The Mister wasn't with us to be the scary ride chaperone. Paw (my Dad) was there, but he was only there to do that thing that grandparents do: fill 'em up with sugar, love on them, and leave.  No, no, he actually walked and visited the animals with us and had some lunch. He even held my bag and took some pictures while I tried my darndest to act as if I was a young hip mom who loves to ride coasters all while looking great. Like when I ....

... went on the water log ride and managed to get my backside completely soaked.  Try looking hip when your rear is all wet. However, on an arid, 7% humidity day like yesterday, it took precisely three minutes and 42 seconds to be completely dry, including my chonies. 

Anyway, today I am reaping the consequences of eating a corn dog, cotton candy, and funnel cake. Oh! And there was also a bite of a fried Twinkie in the mix, which brings me to my next subject...

A couple years ago, back in the day when we had cable, The Boy and I were die hard Unwrapped fans. One afternoon there was an entire episode dedicated to Fair Foods. It was during this time of mother/son bonding that The Boy made up his mind that he would someday find a fried Twinkie and eat it. All. By. Himself.

Now, I was curious about the fried Twinkie myself, only because I had heard people rave about it over the years. Honestly, last year I intentionally skipped the area where the fried cookies and candies were sold because I was still weighing out the caloric options.  I don't even like Twinkies. Would it be worth all those calories?

(For those of you who would rather not know the nutritional data of the fried Twinkie, don't click this link.)

Yesterday, with The Boy being ten years old and all, I decided this would be the year for his dream to come true.  Also, I could have a small bite and taste, first hand, if the Big Broo-haha over the fried Twinkie was everything Fair Food Foodies say it is.  Whew! Now that was a sentence!

Please don't hate me, but the fried Twinkie? Not so much.

The Boy on the other hand thought he was in food heaven, but he is, of course, a ten year old boy.  He's like a goat. A busy, growing, tween-age, goat.  He'll eat anything if it is fried, sugar-filled and horrible for you, and he'll be hungry again before you can say Gravitron.  

On the other hand it was fun to give him his childhood dream for $3.75.  I have a feeling that in a few years his hopes and dreams are going to get more expensive. But i digress...

Let's talk about what I would totally, and completely, spend my hard earned calories on:

Well first there is this.  Then maybe that. And of course there is this.

How about you? Are you a Fried, Fair Food, Fanatic? 

No? Then what is your substitute? Please don't tell me carrot juice.  I'm trying to digest yesterdays corn dog.

Happy Friday!

Work(s) in Progress...Sort of!

I should be cleaning up the kitchen, but why clean up after breakfast when I can blog?

I have several projects that are in the works. Actually, I have more than several, but these are the ones that have deadlines that must be met!

This is fabric that The Girl has been looking at for months. Last weekend it was 50% off so we finally bought a couple yards and I am doing my best to make the skirt she has designed in her head.  We shall see.  My only problem is that the top layer of tulle has massive amounts of glitter on it, that comes off whenever  you touch it. Being a lover of all things sparkly myself, I bought the fabric without any thought that the glitter would get everywhere, including in my machine. My sewing area looks like a glitter factory exploded. I am trying, unsuccessfully, to keep the sparkly-mess to my sewing area. It's getting tracked everywhere, causing issues throughout the house. The Mister doesn't think glitter on his uniform is within the military dress code. I'm thinking it adds a nice touch.  I, however, am not liking the glitter mess it is making my otherwise clean tile floor.  So the sooner this is finished the better.

Moving on...

This is a stack of material for baby blankets I am trying to get finished and mailed off before these precious babies graduate from college. Two of my friends have had their sweet boy and girl within a week of each other. It's always so much fun to make these blankets. Mostly because a soft, warm, blanket is on the Top Ten List of things I love the most.

This is a stack of material my mom gave me several months ago. Each piece is only 1/4 of a yard (she bought them to make a quilt), so I have been trying to think of what I could do with so many little pieces of fabric. I decided that I would start making doll outfits for our American Girl dolls.  I'd like to get this project done just so I can stop looking at the pile of fabric.  I love to have fabric, but I also hate having piles of stuff hanging around (the "clean counter queen" starts to rear her ugly head. Have I mentioned I despise clutter?)

Lastly (although not really), this fabric is soon to be a four-piece table setting set, with napkins.  In 10 short day this has to be packaged and ready to be auctioned at a charity dinner my parents are hosting. 

Yikes, what in the world am I sitting at my computer for?

Avoiding "The Wedge"

I mentioned several weeks ago that Mrs. Moofish and I have been co-leading a weekly bible study together. Last night I taught on the Faith of the Canaanite Women.

This was a study I put together years ago, as part of a class on how to study the bible for the purpose of teaching. 

This is the third time I have had the opportunity to teach it. What amazes me is that each time I study this little, seven verse, story, I learn something completely new.

I was also amazed at God's timing. 'Cuz out of the 12 gals who showed up last night, no one needed this lesson more than I.

If you are not familiar with this story, you can find it here. 

To write out the complete lesson would take up way too much time, so I will start with my opening statement: 

How do we keep our life circumstances from placing a wedge between who we are (God's children) and what we need (Christ and His healing)?

This faithful women is a Canaanite, despised by the Jews. Coming from a society that loves all the wrong things. She has a daughter who is sick beyond any illness or disease we can imagine. She is demon possessed. This child's mother knows that all these things work against her, but she also knows the only hope she and her daughter have is Christ, the King of the Jews. 

She knows Whom she is seeking. She has watched Him be compassionate with everyone else. She has seen (or heard) of Him healing the sick, curing their diseases, giving sight to the blind, and raising the dead (Matthew 8-10). She knows He is compassionate. That he cares deeply for those who come to Him.  He is compassionate to those who seek Him.  He loves His people.

So she seeks Him. She asks Him to heal her demon possessed child.

The first time she asks Christ is silent. The second time she asks, He tells her she isn't His own. By this time the disciples are starting to resent her pestering. The third time His response seems a tad bit insulting. Ok - it feels down-right insulting. Still, she persists. 

It may seem by His response that He is being grouchy and impatient, but what we know of His character, we can assume this isn't true. What's more, The Canaanite didn't allow His response to hinder her what she knew to be true: that He was (and is) a compassionate and loving God. 

Here is a female, Gentile, from the wrong side of town, who has got some serious issues. If that weren't enough she has asked, three times, for something she is desperate to receive, and has been (seemingly) rejected. Rejected in front of others, and yet, in her faith, she will not concede. She will not give up on her only Hope. 

She knows He is the Messiah and she professes her faith in Him. She knows He is the answer to her daughters life, but more importantly we can see that Christ is not only interested in the physical life of the daughter, but in the spiritual life of this mom as well.

I can't help but put myself in the shoes of this women. If it had me I would likely have given up after the silent answer. Certainly after the second 'no', especially if the disciples started to complain about me. I would have allowed my pain in the moment to color my entire perception of Christ; exchanging what I know to be true about Him for what I perceived to be true in the moment.

The Lord has really been speaking to me on this subject this week. The Mister and I have had a big prayer concern over the last several months. We have prayed unceasingly for God's favor; His timing; His will...and just when we thought we had all things figured out, our prayers would be answered in ways that would lead to more prayer.  We have been in a pattern that we like to call "Wait and Pray."   Although we don't much like being in the middle of it.

It seems that we are slow learners, because God puts us in this position time and time again. 

This week as I was preparing to teach,  I was talking to God about all that has transpired in the last few months (and years, really).   I was asking Him to give me something fresh to give to the bible study gals. I was asking about The Wedge: What is it in life that keeps us from drawing nearer to Him? Obviously, in this little group of gals, we don't have the odds stacked against us as the Canaanite woman did in her time and culture.

This is what I heard Him say to me:

He said, "First, Kellie, let's talk about you. When you pray, and I am silent, does that mean I am not there? When you ask me for things in life you want specific answers to, and my answer feels like rejection to you, does that change who I am? Kellie, do what the Canaanite did, and remember the truth. Seek me still. I am the same yesterday, today and forever. I will never leave you or forsake you. I will not change."

God is using this ancient story to change my heart; to admit that I allow wedges to be placed (by my own doing) between Him and me.  Just as he draws out the faith of the Canaanite woman, He is drawing out my faith as we pray through an uncertain time.  The Lord, in His compassion, reminded me that I must remember truth; I must seek Him still. Even when things aren't done in my timing, or in my way.

And then I had to teach this study, as if I had any authority in which to do so! ;)

I love spending time studying scripture with other women. But today I am just as grateful to be at home "waiting and praying."

La Vida Dulce!

Bloggy Giveaway Time! *comments closed*

Hooray! It's here! The Bloggy giveaway hosted by Bloggy Giveaway.

I am giving this handmade pink and white apron:

It's made from bar towels but has the look of chenille.

Leave a comment and then go check out what others are giving away and sign up there too! I will use a random number generator on the morning of Saturday, March 25th to pick the winner.

The Good News? You don't have to be a blogger to participate! But you do have to have a valid email address.

The Bad News? I'm sorry, but I can only mail to addresses in the US and Canada.

La Vida Dulce!

A Weekend Recap

I haven't posted in several days. There is a reason for this.

I went on the 2nd grade field trip to the zoo on Friday.  

I shopped most of the day with The Girl yesterday, and then came home and had the best power nap a girl could ask for!

The highlight of the zoo trip was getting to feed the Giraffes. My favorite animal is the Giraffe. They are so graceful and their faces (and eyes) have such a sweet, docile look to them.

This morning I am able to blog a bit because we aren't going to service at our church. We are going to celebrate mass with some friends of ours. Our neighbor, and The Girl's friend, is celebrating her First Communion this afternoon, and we have been given an invitation to celebrate with her family.  

This morning I am going to work on a couple sewing projects and also decide what I will be giving away for Quarterly Giveaway tomorrow.  I am thinking it will be an apron, because that's what I have!

OK, the coffee buzz has kicked in and I need to stop sitting and get moving! 

La Vida Dulce!

Whatta-ya think?

I want to post a question to all you Inter-netty people out there.

If you have been reading for awhile you will now that I am a big water drinker. I posted about it here.

Perhaps you have heard, or have been keeping up with, news regarding the making of baby bottles with BPA (Bisphenol A). If not here is an article that gives the general concern with out too much science speak.

However, this quote is my main concern:

Shelby says while they largely agreed with the expert panel, which was convened by the Center for the Evaluation of Risk to Human Reproduction, they broadened the areas they felt could be of "some" concern, including effects on the mammary gland, prostate gland, and acceleration of puberty in females.

Both groups agreed that there already was some concern that exposure to the chemical could cause neural and behavioral effects in fetuses, infants, and children

When this finding hit the news a few weeks ago I wasn't very concerned. Mostly, because I my bottle days are over.

But the truth is, there not. I drink from a water "bottle" everyday.

This isn't just a concern for our babies, but for our children, and for people like me who drink 98% of my liquid from a Recycle #7 bottle (these are the plastics made from PBA.) 

The Mister and I were talking last night and then we decided to look at our water dispenser bottles. 

Yup, #7's. 

In a moment of drama I asked him,  "Should we switch to glass? Should we throw away all PBA plastics? Should i not allow the kids to drink from water bottles? What about Nalgene, should I go replace everything with those? Why does it feels like nearly everything we eat or drink or touch or experience has always got some element of danger to it? From Puffed Wheat to Water Bottles, is it all poison?"

This is when he sighed, and looked at me lovingly, and calmly said,

"Yup, you can't leave this earth alive."

Oh the voice of reason...

So I will you ask you. Will you let your kids drink from Recycle #7's? Would you switch to glass?

Inquiring water drinkers want to know...

Grocery Store Rebel or the Story of Two

I totally broke all the rules today.

Man, did it feel good.

This morning, I woke up feeling kind of sludgy.  You know that feeling when it seems like you

are walking in Jell-O all day, and no matter how much you try to perk up (regardless of your caffeine intake) your "get up and go" never gets going? Well, that's how I felt today. 

I couldn't even imagine driving to the gym this morning.  It wasn't the workout I dreaded, but the getting there seemed painful, and hard, so instead I worked out here at the house, in an attempt to rev up the brain. It worked for a bit, but didn't last. 

I decided that what I needed to do was to just get showered and ready. Yesterday I got all caught up on laundry. On Monday I went postal over the dust in my house and cleaned all. day. long.  (The desert? It is beautiful, but oh! is it dusty.)  

I hadn't yet had the opportunity to enjoy my clean home (although the dust was once again living on my counter tops and shelves early this morning), so I thought today might be the day to rest and enjoy the fruit of my labor. Since I was feeling sludgy and all.

I sat down to read a bit when it occurred to me that I could not remember the last time I had been to the grocery store.  

A quick look through the cupboards told me that it had been a pretty long time.

So I grabbed my bag and headed out the door. 

This is where my first Rule of Grocery Shopping had been blatantly broken:

I was hungry.  

It wasn't until I got to the store that I realized I was really being a rebel, because not only was I hungry, but was obstinately breaking the second Rule of the Grocery...

Shopping without a list.

Yes, I know. I know!

What will you think of me now?

There are two reasons I shop with a full stomach and a list:

1. I won't buy every single thing that sounds good.

2. I will buy everything I need, and won't have to go back for at least a week.

So, having to pay for the consequences of my actions, I came home from the store with two impulse buys:

OK, so the plain Popsicles aren't really impulse (except I don't usually buy TWO jumbo boxes). They are a pretty much a summer-time staple around her. After-all, I do live in the desert and I must stay hydrated.

The Creamsicles? Total impulse.  I actually bought two of those as well, but I was too lazy to get the other one out of the freezer. 

I have to say I confused myself with the purchase of cream cheese. It was on sale, and when I passed by and saw it there on the shelf, I grabbed (of course) two packages. 

This was quite possibly the most impulsive part of the trip, because I am not all that crazy about cream cheese. Now, don't get me wrong, occasionally I like a little Philly Goodness on a bagel, or when it's part of a cheesecake, but it's not on my list of weekly items.

To make this post just that much more weird. I also bought 2 gigantic Russet Potatoes, because for some reason, while shopping, all I could think about is Potato Soup, and how much I wanted that for lunch. Because potato soup is what someone craves when it is 90 degrees outside.

In spite of my huge deviance (read with sarcasm) I managed to spend $20 less than I usually do when I visit the store. 

Which probably means I will have to go back before the weekend. 

When I got home and got all the stuff put away (and obsessively wiped the dust on my counter that had settled while shopping) I promptly made a turkey sandwich, completely forgetting my craving for potato soup.

The good news is that if you are feeling sludgy and tired, and are craving potato soup, being a Grocery Store Rebel is the cure.

Oh, and Creamsicles help too.

A Shower Each Day Makes Me Crazy, OK?

This is my bathroom. It's a happy place with it's milk chocolate color and fluffy cream colored towels.  But it holds a secret that I can no longer keep to myself....

 

Actually, a week ago, I was lamenting. 

Well, some might call it complaining, but I like lamenting. Anyway, I had posted on the burden we females must carry regarding the removal of hair on the legs.

I had mentioned that one reason this is so difficult (for me) is that I have the worlds smallest shower. Which requires me to undertake the shaving of legs as an event, instead of another daily routine, such as brushing ones teeth.

 Let me submit to you Picture A:

I will admit that the Master Bath was (at first) what sold me on this house. It has a big-ole tub and lots of room. When I am in there drying my hair, and putting on my make-up, I feel like I am in nice hotel. Which I really enjoy. It is spacious. The perfect spot for a woman like me who spends almost an hour making her self look "natural."

However, the people who designed this floor plan must have not seen any need for better planning regarding the shower. I mean they didn't even take in consideration the long-legged woman who needs space to wield her razor properly. 

My parents own an RV, and I am pretty sure that the shower in that rig is bigger. 

Not that I am complaining or anything. 

Well, actually, I might be...just a little.

OK, back to the Picture A...I took my handy-dandy tape measure out, and the measurement from my right hand to the left is exactly 30 inches.  A mere 2 and a half feet.

The good news is that from the wall at my back to the glass door (when it is closed) is a whopping 32 inches.

I want you to know that those extra five centimeters make all the difference in the world.

The shower head is set exactly at 70 inches (5'8"). Which means that The Mister and I are lucky to only be 5'7" (him) and 5'6" (me) tall, because a couple inches taller and we would have to hunch to wash our hair.  And that would really be annoying. 

I hate to say this, because I am no man basher, but the shower was obviously designed by a small, unmarried, man, with no sisters. Cuz a man who was 5'8 or taller, and has lived with a woman for any length of time, would have put some bigger dimensions on that baby.

I'm just sayin'.