WHO AM I?????

I may be losing it---wait-the dryer just cut off---I will be back---This seems to be the theme of my life right now---I have LOTS going on. This causes stress--even though I don't really recognize it as stress. Stress produces CRAZY! I find myself totally out of character and doing things I would NEVER usually do.

Example----and this is a DANGEROUS one---I emailed BC an option trade yesterday and told him just the opposite of what I wanted to do---DANGEROUS & EXPENSIVE. Thank goodness he was functioning as my broker and called and asked what I meant to do. I immediately KNEW what I had done!

Later the same day--I am cleaning out & organizing our house and plan to have a large garage sale of 40 years of accumulation---even when you are not a pack rat---it piles up. I have rented a storage unit to accumulate things in as I declutter our house. I took a load-put it in the unit and went to run the next of a long list of errands. As I was driving off from my second errand, it occurred to me that I had not closed the door much less locked the storage unit. LONG story short---I had to buy another lock.

Today as I was leaving from CSE and tutoring, it occurred to me that I had forgotten Nannie's dental appointment. The Nursing Home called yesterday as I was doing my last minute review for teaching our Small Group Bible Study and reminded me to tell BC of the appointment. Thankfully the NH took her and the dental staff are familiar with her---but I forgot to tell BC and he forgot also even after the dentist called to remind him yesterday.

I AM ON OVERLOAD! This produces stress and the applicable hormones that go with it. If I should disappear---see if you can figure out what was on my list of "To Dos" and then head in the direction that I was going and just keep on driving until you find me. I may have gone over the edge!

I NEED TO GET OVER---NICE!!!

MONA ON THE RIGHT

Sweet Friend, Mona, took me to lunch today to celebrate my birthday. It was a few days late-but not her fault-I have been slightly preoccupied during December. We had a wonderful lunch and laughed and talked. She also brought me a wonderful surprise.

Mrs. Mona makes the MOST DELICIOUS egg nog I have ever tasted in my life. I don't even like egg nog---but hers is a wonder to behold! Let's just say---egg whites, ice cream, LUSH THICK SO RICH YOU WANT TO SLAP YOUR MOMMA! It is DELICIOUS and that is SUCH an inadequate description.

She usually gives me a quart and I am thrilled. This year--I GOT TWO QUARTS---HEAVEN! That should leave me satisfied for the entire year with NO need or desire for more.

Then-----I GOT NICE! I felt bad and thought I should share. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME!!! This is MY birthday present---who in the world shares their birthday present??????And yet----I find myself offering BC and our college adoptee a glass. WAIT THAT'S LESS FOR ME!!!! NO GOOD TURN GOES UNPUNISHED----I catch BC in the frig for his SECOND glass----AAAAARRRGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

What is wrong with me----I need to get over NICE...........One for all and all for ME!

WOULD YOU????

If you will notice, the paper often contains sales on school supplies and yesterday a coupon or 2 in the sales inserts. I clipped a coupon from Walgreens to get Sharpie Highlighters or PaperMate Stick Pens for $.69 per package. I also clipped a coupon for PaperMate Mechanical Pencils for $.19 per pack.

In case you didn't know, the schools (especially those at risk schools such as my Adopted School Cypress Springs) keep a supply closet for those students who are unable to buy the needed supplies. It must be heart breaking and SO confusing for a student to hear that they can't afford to buy the needed supplies for school! This is a way to help-with LITERALLY little effort.

When you run by the store ANYWAY-pick up the needed supplies. NO NEED to immediately run them to school---just save them up and take a sack by and drop them off in the office anytime. THEY ARE SO APPRECIATIVE OF ANYTHING YOU DO TO HELP!

By the Way---always looking for readers or tutors. If you have a little time to spare to invest in the future of a precious child-let me know or contact the school near you-----SUCH A BLESSING TO YOU!!!!

LEFT OVER PEAS?

What in the world do I do with all these left over peas from New Year's Day?????

BLACK EYED PEA SOUP!

Dice 4 pieces of bacon and brown the bacon in a dutch oven

Remove the bacon from your pan & drain

Saute 1 diced onion, 1 diced green bell pepper, & 2 cloves of garlic in your bacon drippings

Add 32 Ou of left over peas (can use 2 cans of peas) & 2 cans of diced tomatoes (any kind-use the flavor you prefer)

add 1 t cumin

1 t dried mustard

1 t chili powder

1/2 t curry

1/2 t pepper

1/2-1 t sugar

salt/pepper to taste

NOTE--I play with the spices and NEVER measure exact amounts

Simmer until you peas are falling apart

NOTE--I also added chopped ham that I had left over

Serve with cheese & bacon sprinkled on top with cornbread

This recipe is saved to the "Recipe" tab on the top of this page.

NEW YEAR RESTORATION

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION---

"RESTORE THE JOY TO MY LIFE"

Scriptural Basis For My Resolution-

"Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me." Psalm 51:12

I plan to pray this daily---to change my life and my outlook on the future. HE will sustain me and grant me joy and the peace that is--only found in Him.

Celebrate with Thanksgiving the many Blessings He has bestowed upon you tonight and keep your eyes upon your Eternal Future.

THE TRUTH-THE WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH!

I have a New Year's Resolution this year to restore the joy to my life. I have plenty to be joyful about-----the problem seems to be that the negatives in my life have drug me down and taken most of my conscious "Thinking".

SO----in an effort to restore that Joy----perhaps I need to "throw out the trash"----Get Rid of The Negatives!

It is unbelievable how the negatives in your life can over-whelm and convince you of your unworthiness. Those that are around me that are "Positives" need to be on the "Front Row" and those that pull me down and instill low self image--need to be tossed.

Perhaps it is time to tell the truth--the whole truth-----clear the slate---start anew---the world will be shocked---BUT I will be truly who I am----AND THAT ISN'T SO BAD AFTER ALL!

MAYBE even a new blog-----OUT WITH THE OLD & IN WITH THE NEW----
I am looking for a catchy title---got any thoughts?

KERFUFFLE

As the Scots would say, my life is a kerfuffle currently. God is teaching me and stretching me. It is painful at times---but He is drawing me and showing me His character. He is the Faithful One who is the "Author of Love".