Pinterest round up

Found some great things to share.  Each of the images belong to their respective blogs which are also listed.  If a picture looks like something you would like...please support the blogs and click on them for further instructions!


Kathryn's Kitchen


Crustabakes


NOLAMommy


Mother Thyme

FoodieTravelGal


Baked By Rachel


Deep South Dish

Should today be a new day?

Not sure if today should be a new day.  It doesn't feel like a new day when you walk into what looks like yesterday.  Stuff still on the couches, wii remotes and games out and everywhere.  Under couches stuffed like pigs, cheerios that had spilled out of a container earlier in the week are still being found under the baker's rack.  I can't find my coffee cup either.  Coffee may become "privilege" in our house for those under 18...not a right.
I have one child up at the moment...poor thing will get the first rant of the morning!  But having them stagger in may be the key to getting things done on different levels.  No you may not have your phone with you and no you may not turn on the tv or listen to music while getting your stuff done.
Yesterday, I had a plan and knew what I wanted to get done today and now I have had a car stop right in front of me and I can't go anywhere with my plan for the day.  So we have to move this car before we can keep moving on our "trip" for the day.  Roadblocks are really hard to handle.  Especially when you normally have road rage.
(Disclaimer: This is speaking metaphorically...we really don't have a car stopped in front of me.  Use the other side of your brain)

I have pulled everything out from under the couches and it sits as a pile in the living room floor.

So how did today turn in to a new day?  The sun did go down and then this morning the Lord rose the sun once again.  We are not promised this for tomorrow.  I am not promised that the chores will be done and ready for a new day the next day either.

All the kids are up now.  One situation already dealt with.  One child already showered. 4 beds made.  Clean clothes on their backs.  Waiting on the kitchen to be finished and I think today will be a homeschool day around the family table.  Maybe we should make it a habit to do it this way at least 3 days a week.

In history...

In history...that is how children nowadays think about history.  That it was just something stupid that happened in the past and why should they learn about it now?  In public school, they learn that "stupid" history fact to pass a test and then do a brain dump.  Not everybody but I can tell my son has done that.  Emily and I were sitting here having a discussion about Rosa Parks and Jacob couldn't even tell me who she was.  So guess what he is doing?
Why are kids pumping and dumping their education?  Do they really need to know every fact, detail and date?  I think that if you were to ask a kid who is "so and so" they should know the general information about that person.  I know for a fact that Jacob learned about Rosa Parks in public school...where did that information go?

New Year...New ?

The day has started out well if you haven't already been stalking my facebook then you would have seen this:

Ok, sorry I was distracted by an email and a game request.  I am just going to post what I wrote on facebook regarding the number pictured above.

The first blood sugar I have looked at in 2013. Its a sensor number so this could go in either direction should I decide to poke my finger and squeeze it to make it bleed. I think I will save that horrifying experience for later when things don't feel "right".

• Its the hot lottery number in the world of diabetes. I don't believe in superstitions or premonitions or any kind of "itions" but I am hoping and praying for a good diabetes year (see I believe in "ing" words). Disregard the mountain before the 100...that doesn't count anymore. The truth of the matter is that it came down and that is the important part. Yes, I know I am talking myself into things but at least I am keeping it positive!

  
  

 oh that smudge on the ESC button is chocolate if anyone was wondering

So of course the only appropriate thing to do is to change my cover picture to the one above and make my profile picture a downloaded Hershey's Chocolate (bells) picture.  Because, after all...that is what created that smudge on my button!

This year

• I plan to have a good diabetes year and overcome my short something.   Should I say short falls? Or short comings?  I mean I did just use the word overcome...Anyhow, I just would like to do better and continue to get better.
• I plan to get to those game requests a lot sooner on my phone...sorry random opponents I don't know...but you keep some of my world rotating.  For those that I play that do know me, I expect to get more requests from you.  Not the facebook games! I don't do those.  And I don't like games that you can buy/upload a cheat app to help you beat me better.  It gets pretty obvious if my total score is like 300 and yours is 6,000.  I know I am not that dumb!
• I plan to plan better.  I always say that when I plan, God laughs.  Well he did it again this week.  I planned all weekend for this week.  We were going to start back with our lessons.  Well, yesterday we had a guest and today daddy is home and we want to go swimming instead.   Did you hear that?  HAHAHAHAHAHA! Yep that was Him laughing at me. 
• I plan to delete people on my facebook that either 1. I really don't know 2. They don't have diabetes or 3. They are not a cross stitcher.  4. You are a homeschool mom.  So if you don't know me in real life and we don't converse outside of facebook and we don't have a texting relationship...consider yourself gone.  You should have diabetes too because if you don't then I am sure you don't want to hear about my numbers or the kids numbers and be able to understand when we are "high" and not think we are junkies.  I have to keep my homeschool moms because that is an outside connection that I need...or maybe its their ideas that I really need.   Cross stitchers just "get" me...most of them at least do.  Some have the ADD bug like I do and stitch for awhile and then wonder why they aren't stitching for the past month?  So, yes, I am cleaning up my facebook.  I am glad I have found people I haven't seen in ages but just because I found them doesn't mean I talk to them.  Do you?
• I plan to blog more.  Blogging is like therapy to me.  It gets my feelings out and I don't have the fear of being judged.  Because if I did feel judged I would blog about YOU! lol...j/k! ::maybe not::

This may be a good start for me.  We have a lot to look forward to this year.  Big plans...lets just hope they work out!  One of our big plans involves a great present received last week!  This kids have been out of the house most of the week because of it.  I have had an empty bed at night also!  Big perks for me!  We have already started mapping out where we want to go too!  We all got new bicycles...nah, just kidding!

This is so new to us and we are so excited!

Hurry before the end of the month!

I don't know if anyone else does this...but we do!  Since our insurance is all paid up from deductibles and OOP expenses we needed to get all equipment in before the 1st of the year and all the deductibles go back to ZerO!

The kids were able to get their sensors in!  Yay!
I suppose you can say that we have a charging station now on the edge of my bathroom vanity.  I wish it stayed this neat and tidy...but it doesn't!  I have one tha tis blinking red right now so I am assuming it needs a new battery!  I will have to look at this in a bit!  Getting the boxes delivered felt more like Christmas to us!  They have waited a good time to get these and have spent quite a few night with lows and shaky, yucky feelings!
Our 12:12 on 12/12/12 picture!  Only one was not at 12:12...she did it at 12:14 because it took her extra time to get more blood out of her finger!

On the 2nd Day of Christmas I blog over to you...

This fun day!!

Yesterday, Elizabeth was able to meet her K12 teacher in person at the winter social 2012.  In our area the children met up at the bowling alley.  They had a coloring poster for each of them to color on and then had a drawing for 10 of the K12 string backpacks.  Elizabeth was a lucky winner for the backpack.!!

Jacob didn't want to come with us...must be a 13 thing not to go bowling with your mom and siblings. Idk!  But we did have fun!  This bowling alley has the BEST fried mushrooms around and when I told Emily we were going she was so giddy about getting the mushrooms.  I was smart this time and bought our drinks as a pitcher of soda otherwise I would have been paying more for refills.  So we downed a pitcher of soda, two orders of fried mushrooms and a large pizza!

I bought the kids 3 games each because I figured the time will go by quickly and this would keep them busy.  But it was hard to keep Elizabeth at our lane and she was fluttering around talking to other kids (which is fine!) and trying to keep the attention of her teacher.  "Watch me", "Did you see that?" and "Can I go home with you"...which I feel makes a parent feel about an inch tall thinking we aren't doing something right that Elizabeth thinks her teacher can do better.  While I am sure that is not the case but that's what it feels like anyhow.  

About 10 minutes into the bowling session the lights turned off and cosmic bowling was ON like donkey kong! I know cheesy...but it sounded pretty good in my head to say that on here.  Emily wore the perfect shirt for this occasion.  Didn't plan for it to work out as good as it did...but it was awesome!

The other three have taken their holiday break a bit early.  So much has been going on to get ready for Christmas.  Some nice weather we have had with a few days of rain.  We are still recovering from the Christmas play days where the kids took part as banner carrier, offering bearer and in the homeschool handbell choir.  These days were proud mama, daddy, grandaddy and aunt days!  We even had a friend of ours come with us on 2 nights of the performance.  Everyone that took part in the play did a superb job!

If you would like to keep up with my cross stitching and learn about giveaways and how you can win for yourself or somebody else (great stocking stufferes right now!) Come check it out at:  http://yougotmeinstitches.blogspot.com/  I am posting a new giveaway tonight, become a follower and you are in!  No other strings attached...I promise!

And it wouldn't be a complete blog post if I didn't plug in Pampered Chef as well!  
This month I will be organizing a Pampered Chef Order of the Month Club.  Looking for groups of 12 who will commit to buying $20 in products + applicable taxes & shipping.  Each month a new hostess of the group will have the honor of earning the free products and hostess gifts!  Easy, right?  If you are interested in this leave a comment and let me know.
Yesterday was a long day with appointments and shopping.  But I came home to daddy and Jacob making potato chips in the deep fryer!  He used the Simple Slicer from Pampered Chef and raved over how easy it was to do!  "simple" would have been my word and the obvious word to use but I will take his "easy" anyhow!  The Simple Slicer is only $30 in the catalog and it adjusts to 3 different thickness selections.  See our potatoes??  Come visit me at pamperedchef.biz/rcj176

12 Days of Christmas "our" style

On the 1st Day of Christmas our family

Checks their blood sugar 7 times

On the 2nd Day of Christmas our family

Eats 15 carbs and waits 15 minutes

On the 3rd Day of Christmas our family

Scrambles to find out who is online to help with a carb question

On the 4th Day of Christmas our family

Greets the mailman with 4 giant smiles

On the 5th Day of Christmas our family

Makes 4 different doctor appointments

On the 6th Day of Christmas our family

Has hypos at different times of the day (remember there are 24 hours in a day)

On the 7th Day of Christmas our family

Asks, "Are you HIGH?"

On the 8th Day of Christmas our family

all changes our pump batteries

On the 9th Day of Christmas our family

Somebody yells, "Who is beeping", "What does it say"

On the 10th Day of Christmas our family

Tries to plan which pajamas to buy according to how well the pump will clip on

On the 11th Day of Christmas our family

looks at their sore fingers and wonders if that lump of black dots will go away

On the 12th Day of Christmas our family

Has diabetes but diabetes doesn't have us and we have 4 great blessings to thank God for!

Holiday Food Gifts

Pampered Chef has some great ideas when it comes to gift giving with a budget.  We all love the holiday jar gifts we have received in the Mason Jars.  I know I do.  What if you received a gift in a small batter bowl?  It can be the gift that keeps giving!!

When you buy a small batter bowl  ($12.50) I will send you some holiday tags that includes gift tags with recipes.  Easy to attach to the handle of the batter bowl with a ribbon!

The recipe mixes included are for brownies, harvest pumpkin bread, celebration cookies, cowboy chili!

Order HERE before December 18th for Christmas Delivery!

Homeschooling from bed at times...

I think Elizabeth and I were able to get through more material today since she is sick in bed.  I had her full attention after all!  She seems to have caught some type of virus.  We thought something was going on when her sensor was dropping and so were the fingerstick tests.  I thought viruses and germs cause your blood sugars to raise.  My kids are the exception I suppose.  So a pallet was made next to my bed for the past two nights where she slept at arms reach.  She had a drink at my bathroom sink, a coke on the nightstand and yogurt going in her belly!  She also had her kindle and was ready for the long nights.  I am glad she was because I was pretty tired.  Later on in the night she developed a sandpaper rash but I am happy to say that today her blood sugars are up a little (around the 130s) and says she feels better.  I really think she is bored of staying in bed and wants to be better.  

Pre-Holiday Party Plans!

Kick back and view the Fall/Winter 2012 catalog with a PRE HOLIDAY PARTY...no need to get dressed up or find a babysitter Grab a cup of java or tea and browse through our catalog! 

Pampered Chef has some great items for your kitchen & grilling area (indoor & out)! Shopping online has never been so much fun and easy! All orders can be placed online and shipped directly to you.

Here is how it works:

1. Visit pamperedchef.biz/rcj176
2. Click "Shop Online" and enter Regge Jones as the host
3. Shop away!

December 1st - 7th

Guests spending $75 will earn the Stackable Cooling Rack for FREE!! ($15.50 value)

Do you have a product that you need ideas for...let me know and I can email you recipes for any product.

All orders will be submitted together and shipped when the show closes on December 7th; credit cards will be processed at that time. For security purposes I can't see your full cc number...only the last 4 digits. Direct shipping is available to anywhere in the U.S. Questions? Email me @RCJ176@gmail.com

The beginning of the holiday season

Our holidays have started off very well.  Thanksgiving was stress free, lots of food and plenty of catching up with stories.  Tables were beautifully set and ready for out of town family to arrive.  All the typical Thanksgiving fare was served and today after eating on the leftover for a few days at Judge's parents home we brought everything to our house.  They were tired of eating turkey and they knew with 4 growing kids it wouldn't last very long here.  I think I need to make some more sweet potato casserole though (that's my favorite) and one the first to be finished off too!

Now I am getting ready to start about Christmas and which boxes that need to come upstairs first to begin sorting.  I don't want to overdo it.  The kids are cleaning rooms this afternoon and straightening up the basement that has been neglected for the past month.  While I catch up on reading and learning spanish.  I already know some conversational spanish but this program DuoLingo is kind of showing me I really didn't know as much as I thought I did!  It is really fun and to me it feels like a learning game.  You can attach it with your facebook and compete against friends I suppose.  I did this but only invited my children to come learn with me.

Yesterday, Emily helped me finish up the lesson plans for the week. The only one that isn't on the board is Elizabeth's plan as its already on the computer.  Its really nice having Jacob and Emily in the same grade as their assignments are quite even except for the math part.  Jacob is taking Advanced Geometry while Emily is working on Algebra I.  We are desperately in need of another laptop in our house.  Too many people needing to be on the computer at the same time.

A lot of my friends are gluten free and I found a list of pantry items that are in the Pampered Chef catalog.  She is a fellow consultant and she has this list on her blog HERE.  Thanks Erin!

I was thinking of making either Large Meatballs tomorrow for dinner or a homemade BBQ.  I have the meat for either one but really can't decide.  The Large Meatballs would help and be good hand therapy for me as I roll them into balls.  I was thinking of making them like small meatloafs (but circular) and putting them in my muffin stone.  But if I make the BBQ, I do have a nice sized pork loin I can slice up and put in the large oval baker and then get to use my salad choppers (which is also good OT for my hands).  I think we have eaten a lot of buffalo chicken dip and we are burned out on that one. So I need to change things up a bit.  Either recipe I decide to do I bought a sauce that I can use for the marinade.
And remember with tomorrow being Cyber Monday, orders over $75 not only get a free serving spatula but they also get FREE SHIPPING!  This can save a lot especially depending where you are!  I do have an open party right now and you are more than welcome to take advantage of the free shipping tomorrow if the order is large enough to close tomorrow.  Otherwise individual orders are always welcomed!  Come visit my Pampered Chef site!

2 great recipes

None of my mindless thought today or teary eyed "so-that's-why-I-am-the-way-I am" feelings.

Lets talk about recipes...are you looking for something to make this week.

Yesterday I posted my goal list of what I wanted to be able to do.  I was able to get everything done except for the creme brulee.  I think I will do that this morning.  Here is the recipe I will be using.
http://whatscookingamerica.net/CremeBrulee.htm

Perfect Crème Brulee Recipe

Recipe Type: Dessert, Puddings & Custards
Yields: 6 servings
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min

Ingredients:

6 egg yolks, chilled
6 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups whipping cream, chilled
4 tablespoons granulated sugar, for topping

See the website for more instructions!

Most of my friends know that I love brussel sprouts!  I like them plain, steamed and buttered but this recipe caught my eye.  Not sure it would be appreciated by everyone but I know I would thoroughly enjoy it!

http://www.eatliverun.com/caramelized-brussels-sprouts/

caramelized brussels sprouts

Ingredients:

12-14 large brussels sprouts

1 tbsp olive oil

1 clove garlic, minced

pinch sea salt

2 tbsp brown sugar

1/4 cup roughly chopped pecans or walnuts, toasted

Directions:

Slice each brussels sprout very thin until you have a mound of feathery brussels sprout ribbons. Heat the olive oil over medium high in a large skillet and saute the garlic for 30 seconds. Add the brussels sprouts and continue sauteing for another 4-5 minutes, until bright green and tender. Add the sea salt and brown sugar and toss together. Finish by adding the toasted nuts.

Time:

20 minutes

Hmmm this blog has me thinking...she has another recipe that does the shredded brussel sprouts with bacon and couscous.  I am not thinking dinner tonight will be caramelized brussel sprouts, with shredded chicken and bacon.  Doesn't that sound yummy??

Sea Legs

Today I am up on my 2 sea legs.  A little wobbly, a lot off balance. But I am determined to do this today.

So far I have walked to the living room from my bedroom.  Then went to the kitchen to get some lunch.  Walked back to the living room and almost lost my lunch by tipping over and thank goodness Judge caught me in time.  He was able to get me back to the couch with my lunch intact! :) Yay me!  Then I walked to the puzzle table and worked on the puzzle for a bit, walked to the bathroom (will spare the details) and now I am back to the couch.

Goals today:

Make sure I can walk to the bathroom

Watch football from maybe the recliner this time

Make dinner (chicken fajitas on tortilla chips...pictures below)

Try to make Creme Brulee for the first time.

Make sure I can walk to my bed to go to sleep tonight

If you haven't figured it out yet...the keyword today is WALK!  I am walking!

Pampered Chef Blog Plug
This is what you will need to make the shredded chicken (and done in the microwave too)  Cook it, shred it with the salad choppers, add seasonings and voila!

Checking my boundaries...

Are my boundaries unobstructive?

Are my boundaries clear?

Are my boundaries creating havoc in my physical life, emotional life and/or spiritual life?

How are my boundaries affecting my children?

It seems that my feelings are hurt more now than they have ever been.  I feel that I am tearing apart on the inside first and then the outside is coming soon.  I find that the outside part is my physical life and my insides are my emotional and spiritual life.

I am experiencing all three parts right now as I cope with a pretty good attitude a medical issue that is still up in the air as to what it "officially" could be.  All arrows point to an obvious diagnosis but we have to wait up on the Lord and the doctors.

Having an unhealthy boundary that brings you down at every chance due to their lack of "having a life" is hard.  Having "know it all" boundaries are hard to deal with as well.

I am trying not to be needy and look like I am put together really well but its not working for me right now and in the now I am having outward emotions.  I know the children have seen some of it as it comes out in my moods.  And sometimes my moods are dictated by my blood sugars.  When my blood sugars are high it is usually due to stress or stressful situations.

I found this quote and it totally applies to me but I just don't know where to start:

“You change for two reasons: Either you learn enough that you want to, or you’ve been hurt enough that you have to.” ~Unknown

http://serenityonlinetherapy.com/healthyboundaries.htm :

Learning to set healthy boundaries can feel uncomfortable, even scary, because it may go against the grain of the survival skills we learned in childhood - particularly if our caretakers were physically, sexually, or emotionally abusive. For example, we may have learned to repress our  anger or other painful emotions because we would have been attacked and blamed for expressing the very pain the abuse had caused. Thus, attempting to set healthy boundaries as an adult may initially be accompanied by anxiety, but we must learn to work through these conditioned fears, or we will never have healthy relationships. But this process of growth takes time, and our motto should always be, "Progress not perfection."

Here are some tips for setting healthy boundaries, modified from the book, Boundaries: Where You End and I Begin, by Anne Katherine:

• When you identify the need to set a boundary, do it clearly, preferably without anger, and in as few words as possible. Do not justify, apologize for, or rationalize the boundary you are setting. Do not argue! Just set the boundary calmly, firmly, clearly, and respectfully.
• You can’t set a boundary and take care of someone else’s feelings at the same time. You are not responsible for the other person’s reaction to the boundary you are setting. You are only responsible for communicating the boundary in a respectful manner. If others get upset with you, that is their problem. If they no longer want your friendship, then you are probably better off without them. You do not need "friends" who disrespect your boundaries.
• At first, you will probably feel selfish, guilty, or embarrassed when you set a boundary. Do it anyway, and tell yourself you have a right to take care of yourself. Setting boundaries takes practice and determination. Don't let anxiety or low self-esteem prevent you from taking care of yourself.
• When you feel anger or resentment, or find yourself whining or complaining, you probably need to set a boundary. Listen to yourself, then determine what you need to do or say. Then communicate your boundary assertively. When you are confident you can set healthy boundaries with others, you will have less need to put up walls.
• When you set boundaries, you might be tested, especially by those accustomed to controlling you, abusing you, or manipulating you. Plan on it, expect it, but be firm. Remember, your behavior must match the boundaries you are setting. You can not establish a clear boundary successfully if you send a mixed message by apologizing for doing so. Be firm, clear, and respectful.
• Most people are willing to respect your boundaries, but some are not. Be prepared to be firm about your boundaries when they are not being respected. If necessary, put up a wall by ending the relationship. In extreme cases, you might have to involve the police or judicial system by sending a no-contact letter or obtaining a restraining order.
• Learning to set healthy boundaries takes time. It is a process. You will set boundaries when you are ready. It’s your growth in your own time frame, not what someone else tells you. Let your counselor or support group help you with pace and process.
• Develop a support system of people who respect your right to set boundaries. Eliminate toxic persons from your life - those who want to manipulate you, abuse you, and control you.
• Setting healthy boundaries allows your true self to emerge – and what an exciting journey that is.
  
  
  My highlighted area is where I am right now.  Please pray for me as a hard transition is in the horizon.
  
  
  Lord I ask you to be with me during this trial and tribulation.  I ask that you provide the comfort that I am so much need of.  I need to find your love and guidance as I embark on this emotional journey.  I pray for peace on both sides of the fence and for understanding and as little of a transition as possible.  In Jesus Name,  Amen.
  
  
  How's that?  My first online prayer.  Not great but not too bad either.  God knows what is in my heart each time my heart gets broken.  Only He knows my desires and my needs.
  
  
  I thank my friends who are true friends.  That they have taught me what true friendship is through this season in my life.

Bringing me closer

Sorry I know I was going to write on Saturday morning but instead I thought I would put my body through its own trauma and get a lot done while Judge was a willing driver.  We had a wonderful day but I sure did pay for it later that night.  

Something I have had heavy on my heart is the outpouring of kindness we have  been a recipient of in the last few weeks.  Since my hospitalization we have had meals brought in, days set up for people to pick up my children so they can still attend handbell choir, numerous calls, text messages and a ride here and there for me to get a few things done.

First I must mention that I had a similar medical experience 6 years ago and we did attend church at that time too.  We did end up leaving the church because we did not feel like we belonged when I came home with my right side not working properly.  The only help that we received was getting me back and forth to therapies and the kids to public school.  Our helpers weren't apart of the church.

As church members we should help our own flock.  I am not saying this as if everyone needs to get over here right now because I have a spot on my floor.  I am saying this as a sheep knowing that we must all stick together.

Something I have also noticed is that the people that have helped are not only visitors from our church leadership but people from our previous church that we don't have membership.  So our help has come from our church family and other church "families" too.  It is nice to see that our society is starting to come together as a family.  Even if its just a glimmer of unity.  I can see it.  And I hope the light shines bright enough for others to see it to.  

Families just because we don't belong to the same church I hope we are still worshiping the same God.  We have that common bond and sense of family.  Families take care of families!  I received a card in the mail from my aunt in Texas.  She has always been Catholic for as long as I can remember and went to services at different times than we did.  She sent the most beautiful card that brought tears to my eyes.  It was a Get-Well Prayer that stated that I was to be remembered in daily prayers at Saint Lawrence Seminary for 1 year.  I hope they won't forget me after a year but it was very touching to receive the card not only signed by aunt and uncle but also their "priest"?  How sweet is that.  She didn't have to do that.  She is not a Baptist like I am but I know that we have the same God.  I have had long conversations with her about the differences and similarities of our churches.

I guess my grand point is that we don't have to go to the same church as each other or belong to the same group of friends....although that may be how you find out who may be ill.  Churches are coming together as one and taking care of God's people. I find this to be a blessing!