The trip to visit Job Corps was long! We had a nice stay in an Americinn, compliments of Karen's corporate discount. Then we went on to check out the site, what an amazing place! I think Isaac will flourish there, the computer program he is interested in is an amazing thing.
The grandbabies were happy to see us, we got there pretty late on Friday night. So, Saturday morning, we took them out to breakfast. They both got rainbow pancakes, it was so cute to watch them. Noah ate all his pancakes, Olivia ate all her bacon, and Noah's!
We played Ladder Ball in the yard, went for walks and just had a good visit. Bryan came home and cooked us steaks on the grill. It was a nice, but short visit!
We took a side trip to the coffee shop, the kids got flavored pop, the adults got lattes. It was such a nice time. It seems like the impromptu visits are less intense when we show up without a plan and wing it. The babies sure had a good time, they soaked up the hugs and kisses.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
EDITED: I LOVE TRIPS!
We'll be headed off on a short trip Thursday, rather unexpected. We'll be checking out Job Corps for our son. Hopefully it will be a good fit, he can go to school, get the direction he needs, and get on with his life.
I love the idea, because he won't have TV, video, cell phones, or any other distractions, he can work, and he'll be paid.
After we get done checking it out, we'll head on over to see the grandbabies. We'll be in the area,. I can't wait, I can't think of a better birthday present! This will give me a chance to deliver the big wheels I bought used from a gal at work.
No pictures to show here, I love to see pictures on blogs!
I got the book Jodie suggested, Me And Emma, it was so good, I got it Friday night and read it all the way to the end. OMG, the ending. I was struck by 2 things, I was given a heads up that the ending would be a surprise. I was dispappointed, because I thought I had it figured out, but in truth, the end had another unexpected twist, I LOVE BOOKS LIKE THAT!!!
There is a movie that this book reminds me of, but if I tell you, it will ruin the book!
I love the idea, because he won't have TV, video, cell phones, or any other distractions, he can work, and he'll be paid.
After we get done checking it out, we'll head on over to see the grandbabies. We'll be in the area,. I can't wait, I can't think of a better birthday present! This will give me a chance to deliver the big wheels I bought used from a gal at work.
No pictures to show here, I love to see pictures on blogs!
I got the book Jodie suggested, Me And Emma, it was so good, I got it Friday night and read it all the way to the end. OMG, the ending. I was struck by 2 things, I was given a heads up that the ending would be a surprise. I was dispappointed, because I thought I had it figured out, but in truth, the end had another unexpected twist, I LOVE BOOKS LIKE THAT!!!
There is a movie that this book reminds me of, but if I tell you, it will ruin the book!
Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Do you ever scratch your head and wonder?
I am sure you all know somebody that wears that AWFUL smelling rose perfume, it is cheap, and it permeates your nose, your clothes, and gives you an instant headache?
Well, I know a person that smells like she bathes in this stuff. We had a conversation the other day where she was telling me about how she can't stand the smell of coffee, she can't stand to enter a certain building because the odor kills her, she can't stand the smell of this and that and blah blah blah.
The whole time I am thinking to myself, 'You have got to be kidding me? YOu are standing here wearing THAT perfume?!' It really just makes you want to scratch your head.
I just finished reading 'THE GLASS CASTLE' by Jeannette Walls. If you haven't had a chance to read it, do, it is a good read. Many parts in the book made me scratch my head. I mean, really, what were those parents thinking?!
The one part just fascinated me, it was a scene where the little girl KNEW she heard something slither under her bed. So, she went to the living room to tell her Dad what she heard. He asked her if it had big gnarly teeth, with a scrunched up face, she told him THAT'S IT, THAT IS HIM! so, the Dad jumped up, gave her a pipe wrench, and he took his knife, they went in immediately to look under her bed, they looked all thru the house. He told her stories how that very creature had lurked waiting for him in his younger years, but he whooped it's rear end, and the thing was scared to death of REX WALLS now, once it discovered she was his little girl, it would never bother her again. I thought it was an interesting psychological ploy, the girl faced her fears, believing that she would never see this thing again, or her and her Dad would be forced to hunt it down, and show it a thing or two. I am most certain she never saw or heard anything in her room again.
I have no book to read, which is odd, I generally have a book on in the car during my commute. I just haven't found anything I'd like to listen to or read here lately, if you have an idea, please recommend something, I am an avid reader. My tastes vary, I am not pidgeonholed into one type of book. I will read most anything.
Well, I know a person that smells like she bathes in this stuff. We had a conversation the other day where she was telling me about how she can't stand the smell of coffee, she can't stand to enter a certain building because the odor kills her, she can't stand the smell of this and that and blah blah blah.
The whole time I am thinking to myself, 'You have got to be kidding me? YOu are standing here wearing THAT perfume?!' It really just makes you want to scratch your head.
I just finished reading 'THE GLASS CASTLE' by Jeannette Walls. If you haven't had a chance to read it, do, it is a good read. Many parts in the book made me scratch my head. I mean, really, what were those parents thinking?!
The one part just fascinated me, it was a scene where the little girl KNEW she heard something slither under her bed. So, she went to the living room to tell her Dad what she heard. He asked her if it had big gnarly teeth, with a scrunched up face, she told him THAT'S IT, THAT IS HIM! so, the Dad jumped up, gave her a pipe wrench, and he took his knife, they went in immediately to look under her bed, they looked all thru the house. He told her stories how that very creature had lurked waiting for him in his younger years, but he whooped it's rear end, and the thing was scared to death of REX WALLS now, once it discovered she was his little girl, it would never bother her again. I thought it was an interesting psychological ploy, the girl faced her fears, believing that she would never see this thing again, or her and her Dad would be forced to hunt it down, and show it a thing or two. I am most certain she never saw or heard anything in her room again.
I have no book to read, which is odd, I generally have a book on in the car during my commute. I just haven't found anything I'd like to listen to or read here lately, if you have an idea, please recommend something, I am an avid reader. My tastes vary, I am not pidgeonholed into one type of book. I will read most anything.
Sunday, April 6, 2008
Sad news
I am heartbroken. Tonight I can't sleep, my good friend called me tonight to tell me the Dr's told her today she is no longer a candidate for the surgery to remove her tumor from her abdominal wall. It has metastasized to her lungs, and other parts of her body. (she did not specify and I didn't ask, we have known each other many years, it was too painful to get the details. She was crying, and I was trying to be strong for her while she talked).
Donna has been a friend to me for many many years. She and I knew each other when our kids were very small. I think Karen was 7 or 8 when we met, Karen is now 30. Donna is one of the sweetest, kindest people you would ever meet, one of the meak that the bible speaks about. She taught me to hold your tongue in anger, for those words can never be retrieved, or the pain that they caused reversed. (Good lesson to learn from a girl who was raised on harsh, bitter words and a heavy dose of unforgiveness for any wrongoing.)
She was adopted by wonderful people and grew up an only child. She has survived one cancer, to be diagnosed with a totally different kind recently. After undergoing 3 chemo treatments, her Dr. had to tell her she was not responding as they had hoped to the treatment, the chemo would be reduced, given more frequently as palliative treatment, because the tumor had spread. I listened to her talk, and then hung up. I have been making beads, quietly thinking about the impact this would have to me and my life. I just broke down and cried a good cry, then decide to share it all with you here, with her permission of course.
I love that gal like family, I will not stop praying for her, if God wants to use her as a tool to practice a miracle, I am not going to argue, but embrace His decision, which means I will get my wish to have her remain with me on this earth.
If He chooses to take her, then I will relish in the Glory of Him taking home one of His own, she is willing to go, as she is a born again Christian, understanding an early end to this physical life only means a return to Him in our kingdom home. I am selfish enough I want a miracle, but that is me, I am a selfish kind of person, only thinking of my own needs. I will not accept her staying in a body wracked with pain and suffering, it wouldn't be fair.
Please help me to pray for her, thank you.
Donna has been a friend to me for many many years. She and I knew each other when our kids were very small. I think Karen was 7 or 8 when we met, Karen is now 30. Donna is one of the sweetest, kindest people you would ever meet, one of the meak that the bible speaks about. She taught me to hold your tongue in anger, for those words can never be retrieved, or the pain that they caused reversed. (Good lesson to learn from a girl who was raised on harsh, bitter words and a heavy dose of unforgiveness for any wrongoing.)
She was adopted by wonderful people and grew up an only child. She has survived one cancer, to be diagnosed with a totally different kind recently. After undergoing 3 chemo treatments, her Dr. had to tell her she was not responding as they had hoped to the treatment, the chemo would be reduced, given more frequently as palliative treatment, because the tumor had spread. I listened to her talk, and then hung up. I have been making beads, quietly thinking about the impact this would have to me and my life. I just broke down and cried a good cry, then decide to share it all with you here, with her permission of course.
I love that gal like family, I will not stop praying for her, if God wants to use her as a tool to practice a miracle, I am not going to argue, but embrace His decision, which means I will get my wish to have her remain with me on this earth.
If He chooses to take her, then I will relish in the Glory of Him taking home one of His own, she is willing to go, as she is a born again Christian, understanding an early end to this physical life only means a return to Him in our kingdom home. I am selfish enough I want a miracle, but that is me, I am a selfish kind of person, only thinking of my own needs. I will not accept her staying in a body wracked with pain and suffering, it wouldn't be fair.
Please help me to pray for her, thank you.
Thursday, April 3, 2008
Bakerella: New Blog for your pleasure
Karen has a cool new blog site to add. I put it in my links for you. I love this:
Here is the recipe
Ingredients
Makes about 50
• 9-by-13-inch Chocolate Cake for Cupcake Pops
• 2 cups Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting
• 1 package chocolate coating bark
• 1 package white coating bark or pink candy melts
• Sprinkles, for garnish
• Candy-coated chocolates, such as M&M's, for garnish
Directions
1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside. Trim about 1/2 inch from the perimeter of the cake. Working in batches, crumble cake into the bowl of a food processor; process until fine crumbs form. Transfer to a large bowl and add frosting; blend together using the back of a spoon, until well combined, 5 to 10 minutes.
2. Roll mixture into 1 1/4- to 1 1/2-inch balls; transfer to prepared baking sheet. Cover with parchment-paper-lined aluminum foil. Transfer to refrigerator until chilled, about 2 hours or to a freezer for about 10 minutes.
3. Begin to shape balls into cupcakes by rolling balls first into logs. Fit logs into a 1 1/4-by-3/4-inch flower-shaped cookie cutter. Push cake mixture into the cutter halfway so that some of the cake mixture extends beyond the top of the cutter. Shape extended cake mixture into a cupcake-shaped top. Push cake from cutter to remove. Transfer to a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Transfer to freezer until chilled, 5 to 10 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, melt chocolate in heatproof bowl set over (but not touching) simmering water. Line another baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside. Remove cupcakes from freezer and dip the bottom of each cupcake into the chocolate; transfer, bottom-side up, to prepared baking sheet. To make lollipops, insert a lollipop stick into the bottom of each cupcake. Let chocolate set, 15 to 20 minutes.
5. Melt white chocolate or pink candy melts in heatproof bowl set over (but not touching) simmering water. Dip the tops of the cupcakes into the chocolate and place right-side up on prepared baking sheet or stick lollipop sticks into a Styrofoam square. Place a candy-coated chocolate in the center of each and top with sprinkles. Let dry completely.
Here is the recipe
Ingredients
Makes about 50
• 9-by-13-inch Chocolate Cake for Cupcake Pops
• 2 cups Cream Cheese Buttercream Frosting
• 1 package chocolate coating bark
• 1 package white coating bark or pink candy melts
• Sprinkles, for garnish
• Candy-coated chocolates, such as M&M's, for garnish
Directions
1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside. Trim about 1/2 inch from the perimeter of the cake. Working in batches, crumble cake into the bowl of a food processor; process until fine crumbs form. Transfer to a large bowl and add frosting; blend together using the back of a spoon, until well combined, 5 to 10 minutes.
2. Roll mixture into 1 1/4- to 1 1/2-inch balls; transfer to prepared baking sheet. Cover with parchment-paper-lined aluminum foil. Transfer to refrigerator until chilled, about 2 hours or to a freezer for about 10 minutes.
3. Begin to shape balls into cupcakes by rolling balls first into logs. Fit logs into a 1 1/4-by-3/4-inch flower-shaped cookie cutter. Push cake mixture into the cutter halfway so that some of the cake mixture extends beyond the top of the cutter. Shape extended cake mixture into a cupcake-shaped top. Push cake from cutter to remove. Transfer to a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Transfer to freezer until chilled, 5 to 10 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, melt chocolate in heatproof bowl set over (but not touching) simmering water. Line another baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside. Remove cupcakes from freezer and dip the bottom of each cupcake into the chocolate; transfer, bottom-side up, to prepared baking sheet. To make lollipops, insert a lollipop stick into the bottom of each cupcake. Let chocolate set, 15 to 20 minutes.
5. Melt white chocolate or pink candy melts in heatproof bowl set over (but not touching) simmering water. Dip the tops of the cupcakes into the chocolate and place right-side up on prepared baking sheet or stick lollipop sticks into a Styrofoam square. Place a candy-coated chocolate in the center of each and top with sprinkles. Let dry completely.
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