Only with the help of our troops...

I found this article through The Political Clock. I am amazed it was actually on CNN.com. Please take the time to read it. We have truly the most amazing military in the world--tough, loyal and compassionate.

Natural Food Diet Tip...

So, for lunch today it was some crackers and cheese ball. Take a minute to look at a cheese ball. This particular one is a mixture of, I think, three cheeses—cheddar, jack and something else I cannot identify. You take spoiled milk products and roll it all together in a ball. When the goo sets, it gets rolled in shaved nuts or something of the sort. When the time arrives to eat, the lump gets set on the table next to crackers and such with a sharp utensil stuck in it. A group of revelers gathers around and mmms and ahhs as they slather it on the crackers and chow down. What I find so strange is that if any one of the people found spoiled milk in the fridge, they would toss it out or feed it to the pigs, if they have any. (The pig thing is a whole ‘nuther story!) Yet the fact that it is left far longer than simple spoiled milk and then rolled in stuff, makes it a treat. I really don’t get it, but I love a good cheese ball, actually cheese in any form is delicious.

In writing this I may have found a great diet tip for the new year. Say that I think about my food in its natural form. Growing up we raised chickens for both eggs and the meat. Eggs aren't so bad. The shell doesn't get eaten after all. But there was a reason mom didn't make fried chicken for a couple of weeks after the killing time. Now, beef liver is even worse to think about. It’s an organ that aids in digestion and removes waste products and worn-out cells from the blood. Ewww! How about…

You know, I think I'll go have another orange, before I do anymore thinking about this. However, the diet angle might just work...

Five Things

I decided to take both Cheryl's tags and run with them so here is the second.

What was I doing 10 years ago?

Working as a team leader in an Alzheimer’s Day Program, living in a mobile home park (miss the house, not the neighbors!), had one dog (Juneau, American Eskimo), married and had 22 nieces and nephews

What was I doing 5 years ago?

Had just changed to working for the same small software company as DH and was doing tech writing and customer service and sales, my mom had her first cancer surgery, had 2 dogs (Juneau & Casey), still married

What was I doing last year?

Working as the Assistant Administrator of an assisted living and memory care community, spending the first Christmas without mom, Juneau died, still married and had 1 great nephew

What was I doing yesterday?

It was Christmas read the previous post!

5 yummy things I like:
Dark Chocolate
My sister-in-law’s frosted sugar cookies
Chips and onion dip
Pepsi!
My DH

5 things I know by heart:
SS Number (and DH’s, too)
Driver’s License Number
Childhood Phone Number
Many, many hymns
Psalm 1 and other assorted verses

5 Things I do if I had lots of money:
Start a foundation for victims of sexual abuse by protestant church leaders
Start college funds for all my nieces and nephews
Travel the world!
Visit my family since we are spread out throughout the US
Take a variety of classes just to learn stuff

5 places I'd escape to:
Maui
The Oregon Coast
Noord Holland in the springtime
My bed!
Childhood

5 Favorite TV shows:
Grey’s Anatomy
Bones (although the books are much better)
Mythbusters
Monk
Amazing Race

5 Things I would never wear:
A nose ring
A mohawk
Leg warmers (Can you believe they are coming back?)
A swastica
I am sure there are a lot more, but my brain went dead!

5 Things I enjoy doing:
Reading
Hiking
Learning
Beading
Suprising others by doing the unexpected

The Day After...

DH & I enjoyed a quiet Christmas day. It wasn’t “traditional” by any means, but it is ours. As we pulled into Burger King for Christmas Dinner, I wondered if we were pathetic or very comfortable with ourselves. From there we headed on to his sister’s for a few hours. The kids were excited to show us their loot. Spending time with them was relaxing. I love just hanging out with them, the kids are loving and kind and Jen and Mike are easy to be with. The expectations are low and everyone can just be themselves.

The best part of the day is that I was able to spend it with DH. I go on and on about him, but it is all true. He is the light of my life and my rock. I thank God everyday for bringing him into my life.

Birthday of a King

In the little village of Bethlehem
There lay a child one day
And the sky was bright
With a holy light
O'er the place where Jesus lay.

Alleluia
O how the angels sang!
Alleluia
How it rang!
And the sky was bright
With a holy light '
Twas the birthday of a King.


Humble birthplace
But O
How much God gave to us that day!
From the manger bed what a path has led
What a perfect holy way.


Alleluia
O how the angels sang!
Alleluia
How it rang!
And the sky was bright With a Holy light
'Twas the birthday of a King.

Amberglen Business Park

We headed out to a duck pond in Beaverton this afternoon for a walk. I only had my camera phone with me so it isn't a great picture. But my DH & Casey look great as usual. Casey is unimpressed by the geese and ducks. He is more interested in checking out where any other dogs have been and in marking his territory.

The park has a large pond with fountains and waterfalls connecting them. There are dozens of ducks and geese here year round. (No hunting, Pirate!) There are several signs posted to not feed them, but as we were leaving a family came and did just that. The kids went running as the ducks waddled up a quacking. It was reminiscent of watching a bunch of little girls running away from little boys with bugs—loving the attention, but not sure which was more gross, the boys or the bugs.

Thursday 13

13 Good Things:

Sunrise in Hawaii
Sleeping late
Walking in the snow
Playing with little ones
Reading a good book
Sisters & Brothers
Nieces & Nephews
My Doggie, Casey
Holding hands (and what it can lead to…)
Bubblegum Candy Canes
Cell Phones (Yes, they are good things!)
Good Hair Days
Being married to the most amazing man in the world!

Five weird things about me!

I took this from Cheryl, even though I wasn't tagged, oh, well!

• I change my hairstyle whenever there is a change in my life. BTW, just chopped it off last week!
• I try to beat the check-out person in saying, “Have a nice day!” The look on the face is so worth it.
• I cannot do only one thing at a time. I have to play on the computer while watching a movie, pace when I talk on the phone and other such things.
• I have the characteristics of both the oldest and the youngest child, although I am the 6th of 7 children.
• At the age of 38, I still don’t know for sure what I want to do when I grow up!

Time for a change...

Yep, my blog looks completely different. Well, get over it. I like change, so there. Enjoy the change and check out some of the links to my favorite blogs. They are all clean and family friendly. So for those I visit often and you are not on the links list, well you may have some things my beloved nieces and nephews should not see. Get over that, too!

Do you ever wonder?

That your baby boy would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
would save our sons and daughters?

Did you know that your baby boy
has come to make you new;
the child that you delivered
will soon deliver you?

Mary, did you know that your baby boy
will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
will calm the storm with His hand?

Did you know that your baby boy
has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little baby,
you kiss the face of God!
Oh Mary did you know?

Oh Mary did you know?
The blind will see, the deaf will hear
the dead will live again.
The lame will leap; the dumb will speak
the praises of the Lamb.

Mary, did you know that your baby boy
is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know that your baby boy
will one day rule the nations?

Did you know that your baby boy
is Heaven's perfect Lamb?
The sleeping child you're holding
is the great I Am!

Mary did you know?