Have you met my teenage daughter? Me either, but she sure acts like one.

So, the first day of school has come and gone over two weeks ago.  janel has tried to wear this one particular dress like 3 times and I have told her no every time she put it on.  The straps are not wide enough for school.  So, Monday she walks into the kitchen wearing a really cute shirt, but it has a skull on it.  I told her that it was probably not ok to wear skulls to school so she better pack another shirt just in case.  on closer inspection I saw she had another shirt under the one she was wearing.  I asked her what is was and she said it was just an undershirt.  Me: Come closer and let me see.  Janel: (lifts up her shirt) Me:  (I see sh has her shorts unbuttoned and she is wearing the dress under her clothes and has it stuffed into her shorts. ) Janel, go change clothes right now and then throw the dress away. Janel: So not fair mom.  When she got home from school i asked her what her plans where and she told me they where to go to the bathroom and emove her top clothes so she could wear the dress.  Since then we argue every morning about the things she can wear, how to fix her hair, ect. ect.  I am really trying to pick my battles here but she is doing things most kids do not do till they are teenagers.  UGH  Someone commit me now.  I want my daughters to understand modesty and respect for dress codes.  So if you see my daughter at school in something innapropriate, she is probaby trying to pull a fast one on me.  CALL ME immediately. I worry all the time about my kids and the society they asre growing up in.  It is so easy to be lured into drugs and sex at such a young age.  8th graders are doing it and it is not just one or two.  This just freaks me out to think that she will be in junior high school in 3 years.  My daughters have met their match though.  I will be all up in their business as much as I can be.  LOL  Poor kids. 
On another note, I have had no sleep the past 3 nights because of a cricket in my bedrom wall.  It chirps ALL NIGHT long.  How long can a cricket live without food or water.  I am about to tear some walls apart.  Plus the dog is on his 4th opposum of the month.  The garbage men probably hate picking up my garbage.  YUCK!!! 
Yeah, these are just ramblings, but I am sure someone else is going thru this with their daughters.  We need to be tough on them now before they are too old for us to tell what to do. 

Sky Diving

So, many of you know how afraid I am of heights.  Many of you had bets on weather I would sky dive or not.  Well, as you can see, I did it!!!!  I myself had my doubts.  I was not nervous till we lft the house to head to the airport.  I was sick to my stomach.  I tried to puke but just could not make myself.  I think I went pee 5 times.  There was something wrong with the plane and they had to get it fixed before we could leave so it was gonna be at least an hour wait.  WHAT THE???  I am not getting on that pane.  But, I did.  We get back and get our geer on and head up in the plane.  I was shaking so bad and evey little jerk I would grab my tandem guy and he probably thought I was getting fresh with him or something.  He tells me to turn around so we can get strapped in and then it is time to open the door.  I begin yelling "NO, NO, NO".  Acordding to him, that sounds like go, go, go.  He tells me to stick my leg out of the plane onto the step and I was freaking out.  Finally I decide to just close my eyes and he places my foot outdie the plane at 10,000 feet in the air.  I coss my arms over my chest and before I knew what was going on, we where doing flips out the door.  We free fell till about 6,000 feet and my heart was racing waiting for the chute to come open.  Finally it did.  I had a death grip on the straps the whole time. Finally, we made it to the grouns.  I kissed the ground and then was excited that I actually did it.  I will admit to paying the Lords Prayer before getting out of the plane and also singing Our God is an Awesome God the whole time.  But, I really can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.  And if I can sky dive, anyone can,  for real.  It was the most awesome thing I have ever done. 

Here is a recipe I will leave you with that I tried the other day and it was awesome!!!!

Captain crunch chicken

Ingredients:

• 2 cup captain crunch cereal
• 1 1/2 cup corn flakes, crushed
• 1 egg
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 2 lb chicken breast- boneless skinless cut not strips
• Vegetable oil for frying

Directions:

Beat egg with milk and set aside

Stir together flour, onion, garlic powders and pepper, set aside.

Dip chicken into flour, dip into egg, then dip into cereal mixture.

Heat oil to 325°

Fry 3-5 minutes and serve.

Recipes everyone has asked me for.

King ranch casserole

Ingredients:

• 3 tbsp canola oil
• 1 1/2 cup diced yellow onions
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• 3 cup shredded cooked boneless chicken
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 cup grated Monterey jack cheese
• 1 cup grated cheddar cheese
• 2 cup prepared tomatilla sauce (or a mild green salsa)
• 8 corn tortillas
• 1 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1/2 cup canned chopped green chills, drained (4 ounce can)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350° . Heat oil in large sauté pan over medium high heat. Add onions and cook 2-3 minutes. Stir in garlic, paprika, cumin, salt and pepper. Add the chicken and heat through. Remove from heat and stir in the cilantro. Combine cheeses in small bowl.
Spread 1 cup to stills sauce on bottom of an 8 inch square baking dish. Arrange 4 tortillas on top of sauce, overlapping if necessary. Spread 3/4 cup sou cream evenly over the top. Add 1/2 cup of the remaining to stills sauce, 1 1/2 cup of the chicken mixture, 1 cup of the cheeses, and 1/2 cup green chilis. Top with remaining 4 tortillas and the remaining 3/4 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup to atolls sauce, and chicken mixture. Follow with 1 cup cheese sprinkled on top. Bake about 25 minutes. Serve. Make 1-3 days ahead for more flavor.

Bacon water chestnuts

Ingredients:

• 1 cup ketchup
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 tsp Worcester sauce
• 16 ounce sliced bacon
• 2 (8 ounce ) cans water chestnuts

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°

In a saucepan combine ketchup, brown sugar and worcestor sauce.

Heat just to boiling. Slice bacon into thirds and cut water chestnuts in half. Wrap bacon around chestnuts and then pour sauce over them. Bake 45-50 minutes.

 

Chili

Ingredients:

• 4 lb London broil
• 1 lb sweet Italian sausage
• 1 lb hot Italian sausage
• 2 large sweet green peppers, seeded and chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 10 ounce cans diced tomatoes
• 3 8 ounce cans tomato sauce
• 2 tsp chicken bullion
• 1 cup hot water
• 1/2 cup honey
• 2 cans dark red kidney beans
• 2 tbsp cayenne pepper
• 5 tbsp chili powder
• 2 tbsp cumin
• 4 tsp oregano
• 2 tsp coriander
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 2 tsp salt
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup sugar

Directions:

In large stock pot add onions, green peppers and garlic and chop into small pieces. Use a food processor if you like. cut London broil into small bite size pieces, add to the pot. Break sausage into pot and turn the heat on high.
When meat is done turn to medium heat and add the next 6 ingredients. ( to kidney beans) bring to a slow boil. Stirring.
Add the 7 spices. Add the cheese and then the sugar, stirring the whole time. Slow cook at least 1 1/2 hour.

 

Cube steak

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 2 pounds cube steak cut into bite size pieces
• 1 cup all purpose flour for coating
• 2 tbsp all purpose flour
• 2 envelopes dry onion soup mix
• 4 cups water
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Garlic salt to taste

Directions:

Heat oil in skillet, coat cube steak pieces with flour. Fry pieces in oil till browned on each side. Stir together the onion soup mix and 1 tbsp flour. Sprinkle into skillet and stir till browned. Gradually mix in the water to make a gravy. Return cube steak to the pan and season with salt, pepper and garlic. Cover and simmer over low heat about 1 hour.

Wilderness Trip-Finale

Finally getting around to writing this blog.  Yeah!!!  Well, we made the long drive to the first camping spot for the night.  We hiked up hill for about 30 minutes to a spot on the top of a ridge and camped there for the night.  When we got set up, the kids and I layed on the ground and just looked up in the sky at all the stars.  It was tempting to sleep there all night but, I will admit, I was a little scared.  It stormed that night and was pretty windy.  I think I had a rock in my back the whole night, but we made it.  We got up early the next morning, ate, took down the tents, and headed back down the mountain.  (The kids had to do all of the work without help from us. EX: cooking, putting up tents, reading the map)  We drive to the area where we will be starting out journey.  It is a hill/mountain side and it is straight up.  It really does not seem THAT BIG when you are looking up, but once you start to climb with a 45 pound backpack strapped on you feel as thought you will tip over at any minute and go tumbling down the hill.  I was pretty scared, and yes, I cried half way up the hill.  Telling myself, don't look down, just don't look down.  As soon as we got up the hill the kids where supposed to go up and to the left.  Well, instead they go DOWN.  Really, down, NOOOOOOO.  But, JJ and I can not say a word, we just look at each other with tears in our eyes and head down.  It was very challenging for the kids to make decisions because they all ahd to agree on the direction we would go.  How often do we make things more challenging in our own lives than it has to be by just not following directions?  We went down the mountain on the other side for a ways before the kids decided we needed to walk back up the mountain.  We probably climed about 2000 feet up hill.  It was very challenging and I often wondered if I would be able to continue.  The point is to find the trail.  We make it to the top and it starts to sprinkle.  What a nice and welcome surprise as we are hot.  We are all almost out of water and we need to eat.  So at the top of the mountain we break for lunch and a rest and head back on our way.  After a few more wrong turns, we head UP HILL again.  Maybe another 500 feet?  felt like 5000 feet.  We are all out of water and I am dying....not really but was scared I might.  Terry and I find bear scat that is pretty fresh.  (Lord, please don't let a bear attack right now, I can not run)  We finally find the trail....Kiss the ground and head down hill to a river.  (We will have to go back UP the Trail tomorrow)  We get to water, pump water and set up camp.  I am so tired but it is so hard for me to sleep on the hard ground.  Tha nk God I brought my little pillow.  It was worth carrying.  For dinner we made roman noodles with canned chicken and potatoe flakes.  get up the next morning and pacl up only to head back UP HILL.  2 different teens where leaders each day but at least now we where on a trail with some guidance.  (the trail splits off at times and you have to make a decision which one to take.)  We hike all day till we get to the next camping spot.  We had times where we stoped to enjoy a little stream or a bathroom break in a sport there where nice big leaves.  The third day we are happy to be closer to our destination.  It is awesome that we can all be in the woods for that long, that close and we had no major arguments or dissagreaments.  I am amazed.  The kids did awesome and I was so proud of them.  I did well except the times the trail was a little thin and you could see straight down the mountain on the other side.  I walked really close to the mountain side and scrunched low.  LOL  The 4th ngiht we made it back to our original camping spot and it rained.  the girls tent had a hole in it and my sleeping bag got soaked.  So, like the girls we are, we went and slept in the van at the bottom of the mountain.  That next morning we went river rafting in Colorado Springs.  it was awesome and the water was perfect for a first time trip.  we hit a few 4's but mostly they where all 3's.  After this we went to town and JJ and I arranged for pizza at a place called Pizza Madness.  What a nice reward after all we accomplished. Pizza never tasted so good after all the things we had eaten.  We then drove to a camp ground and set up camp there.  The next morning we got up and went to repel.  I am so scared just thinking about it but I really want to do this.  I want this experience.  We head up the mountain and get to the top of the rocky ridge and I am scared.  I can't go any further, I am cryhing so i hang my head low and head back down the mountain. (I was the first person on this trip to not do it :(  But the day before we drove across the ridge in colorado Springs and I was a mess.  I think terry new I was not gonna make it.)  All the kids did it and I was so proud of them.  then they had to do solos.  This is where we take them to the woods and they have to spend 24 hours by themself, fasting and with nothing but their bibles, paper and a sleeping bag and water.  Most of them stayed till dark but then a uge storm came in and all but one kids ended up coming in.  I was worried about Aaron but he did awesome and made it thru the night.  I was soooo proud of him.  During the whole trip we went over Phillipians.  I have to say, I was very excited to get back home and see  my family.  I missed them terribly.  It was great to get in the driveway and hear my kids yelling Mommy.  Would I do it again?  I am not sure.  I want my kids to experience it some day and i would like to say I could do it, but I will be like 40 something.....I did lose 9 pounds!!!!  I have alrady gained back 4 of those pounds.  LOL  All in all, I am glad I went.  I got to have some quiet time with my father and it was an experience most people never get to have.  I am greatful I got to do it.  I know there is so much that happened I am not writing here but if you even made it this far, I m proud of you.  haha 

Wilderness Trip part 2

Yes, it has been a while since I blogged.  A lot has happened in this last month.  My sons older brothers house burnt down and they all three stayed with us for a weekend which was a very stressful time in our lives.  Bobby is still living with us and it continues to be a stressful situation so I ask for prayer that gods will be accomplished and we are positive role models.  We worked hard to get John (the oldest brother) a place in John 3:16 mission.  He got accepted (THEY ONLY HAD ONE OPENING IN THE LAST TWO YEARS) In the end, he turned down the help and chooses to be homeless.  I guess there comes a time when you have to move on and quit offering help.  There is only so much you can do when the person who needs it will nto accept or acknowledge that they need help. 
So, onto why I am writing this blog:  We had our first meeting with our guide last week and let me tell you.  I am excited, scared, nervous, and full of anticipation.  We talked about how the kids will be our guides (most of them barely read a map)  and we can not help them. Then, I think how God gives us a great map to follow and we often choose to not even read it.  He offers help and we deny it.  These kids will get some help, only to keep them from danger, but for the most part we as sponsors will be followers.  Now, thpose that know me, know how hard it will be for me to be a foloower and watch these kids make mistakes that will effect me, at times, in a major way.  (I can do it, Yes, I can)  We also talked about the one on one time they will have with themselves and God.  A full 24 hours of no interaction with any other adults, just them, their sleeping bag, their pen and paper and bible and some water. (fasting for 24 hours)  This makes me think about how many of us could use this time of reflection for ourselves.  We are all so busy with all the day to day routine.  We never take time to really reflect on ourselves and what is important.  Marriages are falling apart so fast I can not remember who is married and who is not anymore.  People hit a rough patch and divorce seems to be the easiest route these days.  (I have no room to judge becasuse I was there once, but I am more mature now.)  We all need a time of reflection.  I have started trying to do this for ten minutes a day.  (Do you know how hard it is for me to sit in one spot with no noise and be still for ten minutes?  Neither do I, cause I have not made it to ten minutes yet.)  The deadline to sign up is coming and we will know for sure how many kids have decided to take this challenge.   I am so excited to start working with them to earn money to go and to maybe do a few hikes before the actual trip.  I still need prayer for the heights thing.  I am going to try and do the repelling but I need to get past the initial fear of going over the edge.  If I do this, it will be the ultimate test for me.  Trusting in someone else and something else.  I have always needed to have control over every aspect of my life and my childrens, OK, and Jasons.  HAHA  This might even be a chance for me to get closer to God than these teens.  I am going in this hoping so.  I want to give control over to God.  What better way than to give it over to teens and hope they are listening to what God has to say to them and listen to his direction instead of their own. 
I have to go pick the kids up from school, but I will say that a month ago, my life was pretty easy going.  I know God has to keep us on our toes and he is def. doing that right now.  There are lots of issues and challenges going on and I really do not feel I can write about it all with a clear mind right now.  I wish I could becasue I know there are lessons for others in my trials from the past month.  I guess it is just hard to write about when the trials are still on going.  I ask for prayer in those trials and also in the upcoming trip we are going on in July.  (Yes, seems so far away, but it will be here before we know it.)
God's power helps me to do what is right. "Be holy, becasue I am holy!" 1 Peter 1:16 

Recipes, including snow ice cream and other great recipes you asked for.

Snow Ice Cream

Easiest

1 gallon snow

1 cup white sugar

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

2 cups milk

Best

1 (12 fluid ounce) can evaporated milk

2 eggs, beaten

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3/4 cup white sugar

1 gallon snow

Grownup Version

Instead if vanilla, add coconut run and some cocunut flakes if you like to the Best recipe. 

On all of the above, just combine all the ingredients till mixed.

This first one is actually published in a cookbook with my name.

Chicken Spaghetti

5 boneless skinless chicken breast

2 cloves garlic (chopped)

3 stalks celery (chopped)

1 onion (chopped)

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 can cream of celery soup

1 can rotel

½ pound velveeta cheese (squared)

1 jar mushrooms

1 bag spaghetti

Cook the chicken with the garlic, celery and onion in water (Make sure the chicken is completely covered in water). Boil till chicken is done.  Remove only the chicken and then cook the spaghetti in broth.  When done, drain and mix spaghetti mixture with all other ingredients except chicken.  Tear chicken into pieces and add to mixture. Place in large baking dish and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. 

Chicken and Rice

4-5 boneless skinless chicken breasts

Cream of chicken soup

1 can water

1 box chicken rice-a-roni

½ pound velveeta cheese (cubed)

Cook rice-a-roni as directed.  Boil chicken till done, then combine all ingredients in a baking dish, tearing the chicken into pieces.  Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.

9 can soup       This recipe is great for leftovers and a cold day.

1 Pound hamburger meat  (cooked thouroughly)

2 cans ranch style pinto beans

1 can ranch style beans

1 can stewed tomatoes or diced

1 can rotel

4 cans minestrone soup

1 can water

Combine all ingredients in a large pot and simmer for 30-40 minutes. 

Best Ever  Chicken and Dumplings

In a crock pot combine 2 cups cooked chicken (or I use 3 cans of chicken, water drained)

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 can cream of chicken soup

2 soup cans water

2 tsp. chicken bouillon granules (I have also used 2 cubes)

½ tsp. pepper

1- 8 pack can of buttermilk biscuits (1/4’d) (I cut them into 4’s with a pair of scissors)

Cover and cook on low 4-6 hours.  This recipe can also be doubled.

Texas lasagna     (This recipe is so easy once you do it the first time and it makes a lot.)

1 ½ pound ground beef

1 onion (chopped)

2 clovees garlic (minced)

2 cans chili beans

1 can cream of mushroom soup

1 can cream of chicken soup

1 can enchilada sauce

1 can rotel

Flour tortillas

2 cups cheese

Cook beef with onion and garlic till done.  Then add all ingredients together except cheese and tortillas.  Once mixed, Layer small amount of meat mixture in a glass baking dish, then top with torn tortilla pieces (1/4’d)  Add another layer of meat mixture, then top with tortillas and then put remaining meat mixture on top.  Bake 40 minutes at 250 degrees.  Top with cheese last 5 minutes of baking.   I serve this with chips to dip in the mixture.  Very yummy. 

Crunchy Beef Bake

1 Package elbow macaroni (cook till tender.  I usually only use 2/3 of the box for the recipe and save the other 1/3 part for the girls to have some noodles for lunch the next day and top with shredded cheese.)

1 pound ground beef (cooked)

1 can cream of mushroom soup

¾ cup shredded cheese

1 can diced tomatoes

¼ cup chopped green pepper

¾ tsp/ seasoned salt

1-2 cans real French fried onions

Combine all ingredients except the French fried onions.  Bake in clear baking dish at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.  Top with French fried onions last 5 minutes.  My family likes to have extra French fried onions on the table to add to theirs when we eat.

Onion Rings

¾ cup evaporated milk

¾ cup suger

¾ cup water

2 eggs

¾ cup flour

In one bowl combine evaporated milk, sugar, water and eggs.  Mix Thouroughyl.  In another bowl add flour.  Cut onions into round pieces.  Dip in milk mixture, then in flour and repeat.  Fry in deep fryer till done.

Pina Colada Cake

1 box white cake mix

1 medium tub cool whip

1 can condensed milk

1 can cream of coconut

1 bag sweetened coconut

Mix white cake mix according to directions.  Stir in ½ bag of coconut.  Bake as directed.  (I use a bunt pan for mine)  When done, with the end of a wooden spoon, poke holes all over the cake.  Mix cream of coconut and condensed milk together.  Pour mixture (slowly) over hot cake and let stand until it is soaked up.  Mix the rest of coconut and cool whip together and top cake with mixture.  (For holidays you can add jelly beans or dye the coconut green.   Make sure to keep refrigerated.

Bacon Wrapped Water Chestnuts

 1 cup ketchup

1 cup brown sugar

1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

16 ounces sliced bacon

2 cans water chestnuts

Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Add first three ingredients together.  Cut bacon into 3 slices.  Cut bigger water chestnuts in half.  Wrap chestnuts in bacon and hold together with a toothpick.  Place in a baking dish and top with mixture.  Bake 45 to 50 minutes. (I have also wrapped the bacon around little smokies before instead of water chestnuts.)

Pineapple Pie   One of my most requested things to make and also most unusual.

2 large cans pineapple (drained)

1 cup or more sugar

Cinnamon

1 stick butter

¼ cup corn starch

Crust:

2 cups sifted flour

1 cup butter flavor Crisco

6 Tbs. cold water

Combine ingredients for crust and then place in a pie pan.  Combine above ingredients and poor into pie dish.  Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo  (Another favorite people ask me to make.)

1 pint heavy cream

1 stick real butter

2 Tbsp. cream cheese

½ cup to ¾ cup parmesam cheese (shredded)

1 tsp. garlic powder

Combine first 3 ingredients in a saucepan and cook on Medium till cream cheese is dissolved.  Then add last two ingredients and simmer at least 20 minutes.  Throw a little pepper on top if you like.  Cook some fettuccini noodles as directed on package and I always grill some chicken with some season all salt on them.  Pour sauce over noodles when done. 

Fried Chicken  This is a really good recipe but messy and time consuming.

Whole chicken

1 ½ cup flour

1 package good seasonings Italian dressing (dry packaets.)

1 envelope lipton tomatoe cup of soup (I can only find the kind with croutons in it but that is fine.)

2 eggs well beaten

2/3 cup milk

Vegetable oil ½ inch deep in pan

Combine eggs and milk

Combine flour with Italian dressing and soup mix

Dip chicken in liquid and then dry mix, repeat.

Fry over medium heat 20-30 minutes.

Frozen Strawberry Pie  (When I make this people think it is store bought.)

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened

1 cup sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Beat these together till smooth

Fold in:

4 cups strawberries chopped

1 carton frozen whipped topping, thawed

½ cup toasted pecans

2 nine inch chocolate crumb crusts

Pour mixture into pie crusts, cover and freeze 4 hours before serving.  Remove from freezer 15 minutes b/4 serving.

Spaghetti Salad   (Great for the summer)

1 pound spaghetti, broken in half and cooked

1 bottle Italian dressing 16 ounces

1 Tbsp. grated parmesan cheese

1 Tbsp. sesame seeds

2 Tbsp seasoned salt

1 Tbsp poppy seeds

1 tsp paprika

½ tsp garlic powder

½ tsp black pepper

½ tsp cayenne pepper

1 medium cucumber, diced

1 medium red onion, diced

2 medium tomatoes, diced

Parsley sprigs

Mix all ingredients together and then pour over spaghetti, keep in refrigerator at least 2 hours before serving.

Home made cleaning ingredients

Those of you that have come to my house have seen my cleaning cabinet and asked about how I make my own.  Here are a few recipes that are easy to get you started.  They are safe for your children and the environment.  They work just as good in not better than the stuff you buy at the store.  And the best part is, it cost a lot less. A nice little trick I like to do is put the recipes in sharpie on the side of the bottles so I do not have to keep looking them up when I need to refill.

My version of Windex.  (You can use this on class and as a cleaning agent for tables, ect.):
1/2 tsp. liquid detergent (I use members mark, eco responsible brand from Sams for HE washer.)
3 TBS. Vinegar
2 cups hot water
A spray bottle

Combine all in a spray bottle and use till gone.

Granite Cleaner (This is a LOT cheaper and even works better than the store brands.):
1/4 cup Rubbing alcohol
3 drops dish soap
Fill spray bottle with water

Stainless Steal cleaner:
Undiluted Vinegar
put in spray bottle and use.

My version of Tilex:
Fill your spray bottle almost full with HOT water, then add:

1 teaspoon borax
1 teaspoon washing soda
1 tablespoon liquid Castile soap (Dr. Bronners)
1/2 cup vinegar (kills mold/mildew)
Shake well before using.

If you put the other ingredients in before the water it will foam up a lot when you add the water.


Granted, vinegar does have a smell for a brief period of time after using, but I promise, the smell does not last long at all.
  Below are a couple other little tricks I use:

1. Reheat Pizza:  Heat up leftover pizza in a nonstick skillet on top of the stove , set heat to med-low and heat till warm. This keeps the crust crispy. No soggy micro pizza. I saw this on the cooking channel and it really works.
2. Easy Deviled Eggs:   Put cooked egg yolks in a zip lock bag. Seal , mash till they are all broken up. Add remainder of ingredients , reseal , keep mashing it up mixing thoroughly , cut the tip of the baggy , squeeze mixture into egg. Just throw bag away when done easy clean up.
3. Expanding Frosting:   When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store , whip it with your mixer for a few minutes. You can double it in size. You get to frost more cake/cupcakes with the same amount. You also eat less sugar and calories per serving.
4. Reheating refrigerated bread :   To warm biscuits , pancakes , or muffins that were refrigerated , place them in a microwave with a cup of water. The increased moisture will keep the food moist and help it reheat faster.
5. Newspaper weeds away:     Start putting in your plants, work the nutrients in your soil. Wet newspapers put layers around the plants overlapping as you go cover with mulch and forget about weeds. Weeds will get through some gardening plastic they will not get through wet newspapers.

6. Broken Glass clean up: Use a wet cotton ball or Q-tip to pick up the small shards of glass you can't see easily.
7. No More Mosquitoes:    Place a dryer sheet in your pocket. It will keep the mosquitoes away.
8. Squirrel Away!: To keep squirrels from eating your plants sprinkle your plants with cayenne pepper. The cayenne pepper doesn't hurt the plant and the squirrels won't come near it.

9. Flexible vacuum nozzle: To get something out of a heat register or under the fridge add an empty paper towel roll or empty gift wrap roll to your vacuum. It can be bent or flattened to get in narrow openings.
10. Reducing Static Cling:  Pin a small safety pin to the seam of your slip and you will not have a clingy skirt or dress. Same thing works with slacks that cling when wearing panty hose. Place pin in seam of slacks and -- ta da! -- static is gone.
11. Measuring Cups clean up :     Before you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill with hot water. Dump out the hot water, but don't dry cup. Next, add your ingredient, such as peanut butter, and watch how easily it comes right out.
12. Hate foggy windshields?:     Buy a chalkboard eraser and keep it in the glove box of your car. When the windows fog, rub with the eraser! Works better than a cloth!
13. Reopening envelope:     If you seal an envelope and then realize you forgot to include something inside , just place your sealed envelope in the freezer for an hour or two. Viola! It unseals easily.
14.Hair Conditioner:     Use your hair conditioner to shave your legs. It's a lot cheaper than shaving cream and leaves your legs really smooth. It's also a great way to use up the conditioner you bought but didn't like when you tried it in your hair..
15. Goodbye Fruit Flies:     To get rid of pesky fruit flies , take a small glass fill it 1/2" with Apple Cider Vinegar and 2 drops of dish washing liquid , mix well. You will find those flies drawn to the cup and gone forever!

16. Get Rid of Ants:     Put small piles of cornmeal where you see ants. They eat it , take it "home", can't digest it so it kills them. It may take a week or so, especially if it rains , but it works & you don't have the worry about pets or small children being harmed!
17. INFO ABOUT CLOTHES DRYERS :   The heating unit went out on my dryer! The gentleman that fixes things around the house for us told us that he wanted to show us something and he went over to the dryer and pulled out the lint filter. It was clean.
(I always clean the lint from the filter after every load clothes.) He told us that he wanted to show us something; he took the filter over to the sink, ran hot water over it. The lint filter is made of a mesh material - I'm sure you know what your dryer's lint filter looks like. WELL...the hot water just sat on top of the mesh! It didn't go through it at all! He told us that dryer sheets cause a film over that mesh that's what burns out the heating unit. You can't SEE the film , but it's there. It's what is in the dryer sheets to make your clothes soft and static free - that n ice fragrance too, you know how they can feel waxy when you take them out of the box, well this stuff builds up on your clothes and on your lint screen. This is also what causes dryer units to catch fire & potentially burn your house down with it! He said the best way to keep your dryer working for a very long time (& to keep your electric bill lower) is to take that filter out & wash it with hot soapy water & an old toothbrush (or other brush) at least every six months. He said that makes the life of the dryer at least twice as long! How about that!?! Learn something new everyday! I certainly didn't know dry er sheets would do that. So , I thought I'd share! Note: I went to my dryer & tested my screen by running water on it. The water ran through a little bit but mostly collected all the water in the mesh screen. I washed it with warm soapy water & a nylon brush & I had it done in 30 seconds. Then when

A FREE GIFT FOR EVERYONE

Does that have your attention?  Good, I thougth it would.  This is a true free gift and all you have to do is take it.  My life consits of making sure everyone I know has this free gift, so what better way to let everyone know about it than here?  The free gift I am talking about is from God.  It is eternal salvation with him in heaven, and it does not cost a thing.  If anyone tells you it cost money for this gift, it is a scam.  (We all know there are a lot of scams these days.)  If anyone tells you you have to work to get this gift, it is a scam.  All you have to do is accept it.  So I am going to tell you how you can have this free gift.  I promise, it will be the best gift you will ever recieve.
The first thing you need to know, is that we are all sinners.  What is a sinner?  Anyone who does anything wrong.  No one is sin free, we all sin, and sometimes we do it more than one time a day. (No, I am not perfect.  There, I said it.)  How do I know this?  Read in the bible:  Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." We have all sinned. We have all done things that are displeasing to God. There is no one who is innocent. 
Now, when I do something wrong, there is a punishment, but God gives us a way out of this punishment.  He sent his son, Jesus, to this earth to die on a cross for our sins.  Romans 6:23, teaches us about the consequences of sin - "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." The punishment that we have earned for our sins is death. Not just physical death, but eternal death!  God gives us a way out. 
Romans 6:23  "but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 5:8 declares, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Jesus Christ died for us! Jesus' death paid for the price of our sins. Jesus' resurrection proves that God accepted Jesus' death as the payment for our sins.
Isn't it awesome to know someone else paid our debt?  Al you have to do to recieve this gift is let God know you are a sinner and ask him to be a part of your life.  (Yes, it really is that easy. No need to pay money to anyone or say hail Marys or bow down to a buddha, or even be baptised.)
Romans 10:9, "that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Because of Jesus' death on our behalf, all we have to do is believe in Him, trusting His death as the payment for our sins - and we will be saved! Romans 10:13 says it again, "for everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Jesus died to pay the penalty for our sins and rescue us from eternal death. Salvation, the forgiveness of sins, is available to anyone who will trust in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. 
God promises that once we are his, no one can take us away from him.  We will be tempted by the devil still, bad things may still happen.  God does not promise an easy life with him in it, but he does promise protection.  In fact, life may even get harder as people will want to condemn you for your choice to be a follower of God.  Here are versus that show us his promise.
Romans 5:1  "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Through Jesus Christ we can have a relationship of peace with God. Romans 8:1 teaches us, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Because of Jesus' death on our behalf, we will never be condemned for our sins. Finally, we have this precious promise of God from Romans 8:38-39, "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

All you have to do is pray to God and ask for this gift, but you must truly mean it in your heart, not just saying it, but meaning every word. I have given an example to help you if you are not sure how to start this.  Saying this prayer is a way to declare to God that you are relying on Jesus Christ for your salvation. The words themselves will not save you. Only faith in Jesus Christ can provide salvation! "God, I know that I have sinned against you and am deserving of punishment. But Jesus Christ took the punishment that I deserve so that through faith in Him I could be forgiven. With your help, I place my trust in You for salvation. Thank You for Your wonderful grace and forgiveness - the gift of eternal life! Amen!"
My life would not be filled with the joy I have in it if not for this prayer, so how can I keep it form you?  Living a good life and being a good person does not save you.  Only trust in Jesus Christ.  If you are not sure about this and would like to talk to me, my phone and e-mail is open to you. 
Feel free to copy and paste this if you would like to re-use it.  And on a side not, you may not agree with what i have written, but if I am wrong, what have I lost?  Nothing, just lived a better life becasue of my faith.  If you are wrong and you don't have this gift, what have you lost?  EVERYTHING  I know Christans at times can be judgemental or maybe even hypocritical.  But there is where the problem lies.  When you rely on other people for your faith, you will be let down every single time.  When you rely soley on God, you will never be let down.

WHAT IF?????

Are you someone who has had a tragedy in your life and you can not get past the What ifs?  What if I would have done this, or what if I did not do that?  Last week I had a what if moment.  My niece Lauren got her drivers license in November and she is teaching my daughter to ride horses.  She wanted to take Janel to the stables Thursday and I thought that would be ok so I let her pick up Janel and Jentri from school, bring Jentri home and off they went to the stables.  That evening they where going to sign up for the Skiatook Round Up Club so Lauren asked if she could just take Janel there and I said no, bring her home.  Lauren drops Janel off and asks again if Janel can go. I almost said yes.  That little voice told me, not tonight, she had homework to do and it was already 7:00.  So, I said no.  30 minutes later, I get a phone call.  Lauren has been in a bad accident right down the road from us.  Wrecked her truck over a 20 foot bridge and landed upside down.  Oh my goodness, is she ok, what happened?  Surprisingly, Lauren was able to get out of the truck and climb up the embankement and her mother drove her to the ER.  Lauren had not one single broken bone and barely a scratch. (She was sore for a couple days)  But as soon as I was told about teh accident I kept thinking how janel was supposed to be in that vehicle with her.  It made me cry to think about that.  If she was there, we would most likely not have Janel here today.  Jason even got emotional over this.  I mean, that What If scenario would not leave my mind.  It had me pretty upset and thinking how could I ever not have my Janel?  Thank God for good friends that came and sat with me as everyone was at the hospital and for God.  I said a prayer for him to give me peace and I thanked him for the voice that I listened to.  We should all be concious of that little voice.  It has kept me out of trouble many a time.  And it is amazing how many times I do what I feel it is telling me and it ends up being the perfect thing to do. 
My other What If was in hgih school.  I was a senior in high school and I had my friends child with me in the back seat.  It was midnight and we where dricing home from looking at Christmas lights.  it was very late.  I was sleepy so I kept turning up the radio and slapping my face.  I ended up falling asleep at the wheel and when I woke up I was on the opposite side of traffic.  Thank God no one was coming the other way.  What id they where?  I stommped on the brakes and ended up doing a doughnut and in a ditch.  A friend lived close by and heard the screeching and ran down to see what was going on.  He ended up driving me home and on the way 3 deer ran in the road.  He had to put on the brakes and we ened up feet form a bridge. I was very scared and did not want to get back in the car.  I did end up making it home that night, but I always think about that night and how I obviously had Angels watching over me. 
Now these two things may not seem like huge What ifs to you.  I know people have lost loved ones, had houses burn down, and other things I can not imagine.  But, they are things that we can make it thru.  We can overcome.  What good does it do for us to live in the What If?  God can help us overcome.  When I think of that I have two versus that come to mind.  I am sure there are better ones, but this is what came to my mind. 
Matthew 18:18-19"I tell you the truth, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. "Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.

Matthew 21:21
Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, `Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done.

I am so thankful I still have my Lauren and Janel with me today.  But I also know, if anything happens to me or them, they have a seat waiting for them in heaven.

Our adoption story

Let me start of by saying, I am a Christian.  So just about every post I write will have Christ throughout it because he is a big part of my life and he is the reason I have JOY, pure JOY, not that crap others call happiness.  (Yes, there is a difference.  Happiness is something you experience from getting or doing something, Joy is just a part of who you are becasue of Christ.)  OK, now on to my story....
Cody and Bobby are my sons.  They are 22 and 20.  Jason and I adopted them at the ages of 13 and 16.  This is a long story but many ask how it came to be that we chose to adopt teenagers. (Yes, crazy, who gets along with their own tennagers, much less adopting two that did not grow up with us?)  I always felt I wanted to adopt and since we already had two girls, I wanted boys and was scared to have another child and it not be a boy.  So, Jason and I talked about adopting a boy around the age of 6 or 7.  Jentri had just been born and I was witnessing at the Tulsa State Fair with a teenager from our youth group.  We came across the section for "Waiting Child" (A program the local news station does for children in foster care).  There was a picture of these two boys that stood out to me and the teenager that was with me was like, "Hey, I know them. They used to go to our school."  This interested me and I asked questions, but never really thought about it again except for the fact that I did want to start classes to adopt.  These two boys where actually from our small town and had attended school here for several years.  (All of this took place at the beginning of October 2004)  Jason and I started adoption classes that November and had finished that January.  During this time a friend had heard we where taking adoption classes and actually mentioned Cody and Bobby.  I was like cool, but my husband would never adopt teenagers, and def. not two.  So, again, forgot about them and continued on with out search.  After several months of not hearing anything from DHS. (Not a single thing, how is that when there are so many kids looking for homes out there?  and I know our home is a good one.)  I called our social worker and she told us it would be good for us if we went to an adoption party.  The next one was in July.  So, we signed up.  The night before the adoption party, we rented a hotel in Tulsa and let the girls swim and loaded up the next morning to go to the party.  I swear, the first thing they had us do was pull out the folders of all the children that would be there that day and gave us inserts of children that decided to come at the last minute.  Guess whos picture was on the very top,  That's right, Cody and Bobby.  I walked right up to my social worker and told her I wanted to meet these two boys.  Not that we wanted to adopt them but just to let them know people from our town are thinking of them.  As soon as we met them, I felt protective of them.  Jason and I spent the majority of our time with them and when other couples would come up to them I felt jealous.  Like, get away from them, they are mine.  (I know, wierd, huh?)  That night, I went home and wrote in my diary about them.  And then about a week later, I wrote again.  I could not stop thinking about these boys.  Butm I never thought Jason would go for it.  So finally one night, I felt God speak to me and tell me to say something to Jason.  So, I did. Me: "Jason" Jason: Yes"  Me: "Remember those two boys from the adoption party..." Jason: "Me too"  Me: "What are we going to do about it?" Jason: "Call in the morning and see where they are and what is going on"  Really?  I was so shocked.  I got up the next morning and stared at the clock till it said 8:00.  I called our social worker and asked her to find out what was gong on with them.  She called back about an hour later and said they where in a boys home in Pawhuska.  She asked if we really wanted them to visit and I said yes.  Great, they where out of school for a holiday Friday and they wanted to know if they could call thet evening and talk to us.  Wow, really, ok.  The boys called that night and we talked and I found out they where actually out of school Thursday too.  They wanted to know if they could come over Wed. after school.  Well, if it is ok with the social worker, why not.  Social worker is ok with it, so the plan was I would pick them up Wed. after school and take them back Sunday.  (Keep in mind, DHS does not normally work this way but they where older and so they do things a little different and can offer special circumstances.)  Jason was not going to be home much this week or weekend because he was really busy at work this time.  I wa a little upset with him that he was not going to spend much time with us but we would get what we could.  Wed. comes and I have not heard from Jason yet, I am ready to pick up the boys and I get a call.  Jason has been in a very very bad accident and he may lose his leg, but he wants me to go get the boys still, his mother is on her way to the hospital and I should not worry about him.  (This is the nurse telling me this)  I am so torn about what to do at this point.  I pray about it and feel like God has told me Jason will be ok and to go get the boys.  I drive the hour and 20 minutes to Pawhuska and walk into the boys home. Here are Cody and Bobby, already hugging Jentri and Janel and ready to go.  As we are driving home I tell them about Jason and ask Cody if he has his permit yet.  He says yes, so I let him drive the rest of the way home so I can make some calls.  Jason is going to get to come home but he has to stay off of his leg and needs to stay laying down. (See what happens when you put off what god wants you to do. LOL  He made Jason spend even more time with us)  So the boys got to stay with us for a full four days and Jason was there the whole time.  Sunday came and I am supposed to take them back.  But, my motherly instinct kicks in and I just can not.  I call my socail worker on her emergency number and tell her I amnot taking them back. They want to stay and we want them too.  Are you sure, she asks, Yes, we are.  She says she will see if she can get an emergency stay thru Monday till we can see what can be done.  Whew.  I will not have to go to jail on kidnapping charges.  Monday comes and social worker calls.  Again, Are you sure you want to do this, YES, we are sure.  By that Thursday we where driving to Pawhuaka to get all of their things packed in my truck and checking them into school.  This was in September (almost a year since the fair)  and in January, their adoption was finalized.  They where mine.  Now, things have not been all peechy and wonderful since then.  But, I have taken enough of your time for now.  I will tell some of those stories at a later time.  This is how Gods plans always get achieved though.  He had this planted in my mind for a year.  Something I never thought i would do, was done.  Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.  colossians 3:17

Wilderness Trip intro.

As I sit here with my coffee, fried eggs and baby on my lap, I thought it would be a great time to explain the wilderness trip I am goin on in July. (Oh, wait, Jaycee needs the dog in her lap.  This post is going to take longer than normal.) Ok, back to the wilderness trip. (I get easily disstracted people.) In July I will be a sponsor for a youth group going to colorado for a week long wilderness hike/Find yourself/get closer with God trip.  I am the only female sponsor going with a couple males sponsors.  As of now there are 7 girls and 3 boys signed up. (I just thought I had seen cry fest before)  We will be hiking a in the wilderness, no trail, solely led by the teans. (In other words, we will be lost in the wilderness) for 3 days.  No toilet paper, no toothpaste, no hair products, makeup, pop, sugar.  They also have to cook their own food. (I have a feeling I am going to lose some weight on this trip) After that we will do some repeling down a mountain and the teens will have to spend a full 24 hours in 11 mile canyon by themselves with no food.  Only water, a bible, paper and their sleeping bag.  (NO TENT) Glad I am no longer a teen.  hehe  After that we will float the royal gorge and then spend a night in a cabin only to head home.  So my thoughts are not surrounded on the fact I will not be able to bring toilet paper but on what food I want to carry to hide for myself.  HA  I am already thinking of what to pack and I am thinking I might try and wear the same clothes for the whole three days.  Of course, I will bring a change just in case I rip my pants. (sorry JJ, my visions of me on facebook with a whole in the butt of my pants are not comforting.)  And then, the second dilema.  I am very very very afraid of heights.  This is something I have started praying about now.  I want to overcome this while I am there.  I want to repel, but I also have tried it before on a leadership thing and I could not do it.  If someone can just push me off the cliff....throw me....carry me....anything but me having to go to the edge of the mountain and look over and then crawl over.  Oh, and last, but I am sure not least, coffee.  I love my coffee with creamer and sugar in the mroning.  Oh, no, not an addiction, ok, maybe a little.  (That song, I will survive plays in my head as I write this.)  So now, let's talk about how freaked out the kids are.  The girls are already griping.  LOL  I think they will do wonderful if we can get them there.  I see this as a great opportunity for them to realize they can do things on their own and not need soemone there to guide them along every step of the way.  It will also be a great time of having no distractions (no cell phones, pagers, tape, I mean CD, I mean Ipods.)  to really get closer with God.  I also am excited about the time my father and I will get to spend with each other.  To end this, all I ask form you is to start prayhing for the kids that will be going and for myself and the other sponsors.  Pray that decisions will be made for God and that I can be a good role model and have the right encouraging words to say when needed. (I am not a very nurturing person, I need to work on this.)  I will write another blog after our meeting in Feb. (OK, another blog about the wilderness trip, you know your going to hear from me about something else before then.)  Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work. Titus 3:1

What is this thing called blog and why do I want to do it?

I have always wanted to try and do a blog.  Now I actually have something worth blogging about.  I am about to embark on a wilderness trip in July and thought it might be nice to express my thoughts and feelings before and after doing the trip.  I also just like to impose my opinions on others and so what better way to do it?  I think faster than I type so you may often find typos and errors.  I don't really care so no need for you to point it out.  This is supposed to be my place, right?  Don't like, don't read.  Harsh, but true.  A little about me.  I am blessed to have 5 children, 3 girls and 2 boys.  My husband and I adopted the two boys when they where 13 and 16.  They are now 20 and 23.  Time sure flies.  Our youngest daughter is 20 months and we have a 6 year old and a soon to be 8 year old (FEB. 14th)  I will probably tell silly stories here about them as they make me laugh on a daily basis.  Life is very dramatic when you have 3 girls.  I love to work out and teach classes at a gym locally.  I love to read when I get the chance and just finished the Hunger Games series.  (I highly reccomend)  I love photography and have been known to take wedding and senior photos but mostly enjoy taking pictures of my children.  Not really wanting it to be a full time thing as I enjoy my weekends far too much.  I love love love the summer and would live on a boat at the lake if I could.  I do not watch much T.V. as I enjoy far too many other hobbies that I do not have time for it.  But I do like The Biggest Loser and Two and a Half Men.  I enjoy making hair bows (I have three girls, remember?)  and scrapbooking.  I would not call myself crafty but others might disagree.  I am a girl scout leader and have been for three years.  (cookies go on sale the 11th)  I also enjoy my church and visiting with those that are homebound.  I love to cook and try new recipes at least once a week. (Yes, at times I will post recipes.)  Is this a lot to write for a first blog?  hmmmm  I could go on but for right now, let's just see how this thing works.