Wednesday, October 25, 2006

A good kid.....

I am so proud of my son......he has always been such a thoughtful boy, even as a child and teenager. Once a month, he sets up a "date" with his Grammy and takes her out to dinner and a movie. She loves going out to eat, and loves going to the movies. Maybe it's just me, but I think it a very special young person that makes time for his grandmother. I know I have a very hard time making enough time for everyone!
Since Harold died, she has really had a hard time. Within three years, she lost three loved ones, her son, her baby brother and her husband. She is not in the best of health. It was her choice to sell her home and all of her belongings and move away from her friends and church to live with her son. Now it seems that she is just sitting in a recliner with her dog on her lap, watching movies and eating candy all day.....waiting to die. It is very depressing....and I am sure she is suffering from depression and that is why she doesn't care how high her blood sugar gets.
All of this makes me not want to get old! I am determined to take care of my health, both mental and physical!
Today is Dr. Mobley's birthday....I think it is 64! He is an amazing man. He has been through chemo for a year, continued to work everyday, and is doing wonderful. I think a lot of this can be attributed to a positive attitude and taking good care of himself. I only wish that everyone who has cancer could come out of it this well!
I think I need to start a gratitude journal and find 5 things to be grateful for every day......it's a little hard to be depressed when you are being thankful!

Thursday, October 19, 2006

Time and creativity

"You will never find time for anything. If you want time, you must make it."
~ Charles Buxton

Sometimes I feel like I don't get anything done! I cannot think of the last time I actually sat at my sewing machine and worked on a quilt! But I think the real problem is that I can't sit and focus very well....is it menopause?
One of the reasons I like to scrapbook is that it is instant gratification! But I miss the sense of peace that would come to me when at my sewing maching or curled up in front of the TV stitching. Sewing has always been my "tranquilizer"...now it is my frustration!!!! So how do I overcome it?

On Wednesday evening, I try to go to my yoga class. I really do enjoy it, not only for the benefits it has on my body....love that twisting and stretching...but also the benefits it has to my mind. I am trying to "get in touch with myself"....asking is this all there is? (I think it's called mid-life crisis) You know the drill:
pity parties, beating myself up, fatigue....and there are so many things I want to do and I defeat myself by thinking I don't have the time. Or when I do have time, I do not use it wisely because of the fatigue or depression. Therefore, I am trying very hard to become more mindful and control my thoughts and actions.

I am very excited about a yoga workshop I am attending next Saturday....we will be learning about forgiveness! I so need it....I have tried for so long...in church, through prayer....I guess I am not going at it the right way. Two people I need to forgive are myself and my dad. I can "say" it, but I don't mean it. Hope to gain some insight! I have forgiven my mom...that is a positive.

Karah with Blue Flambingo has asked me to be part of her creative team. She has a brand new website and beautiful digi-scrapping kits to work with.

And last but not least....I got some very GOOD news this week. Two weeks ago, Dennis was admitted to the hospital with a collapsed lung and pneumonia. On the x-ray, they saw what appeared to be a tumor. My kids and I were devastated, we did not want my sis and family to go through the nightmare that we had 6 years ago.
The good news is....no tumor, no cancer, it's a stone! Possibly a peppercorn that he had aspirated and it calcified. When they did the second biopsy, the Dr was able to destroy the stone and with antibiotics, Dennis is on the mend! Praise God!!!

Tuesday, October 17, 2006

Magic Little Dragon


Last Halloween, Caleb had the most adorable costume ever....he was a dragon! It was so fun to see him waddle around in it! Today I was talking to him on the phone and asking about his costume for Halloween this year and he is going to be a frog. When he was done talking to me, he said "I'm done." And that was the end of the conversation!

Wednesday, October 04, 2006

Cinnamon Roasted Almonds....yummy!!!

I so love to eat the roasted almonds one can usually find at all the fall events...and they are so expensive! So I decided to make my own and they are delicious!

1 egg white
1 tsp cold water
4 cups whole almonds
1/2 cup white sugar
1/4 teaspon salt
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Lightly grease a 10 X 15 jelly roll pan.
Lightly beat the egg white ; add water, and beat until frothy but not stiff. Add the nuts, and stir until well coated. Mix the sugar, salt, and cinnamon, and sprinkle over the nuts. Toss to coat, and spread evenly on the prepared pan.
Bake for one hour in the preheated oven, stirring occasionally, until golden. Allow to cool, then store in air-tight container.

I went to Sams Club and bought the big bag of almonds (9 cups) since I have been on an almond kick for snacking.

Two more days until my scrap book retreat!!!!!

All week, I have been waiting for the new show "The Nine" to come on, so I better go check it out......

And a new layout of Jordyn.....I think this is the most gorgeous photo ever!



I used Kimberly Giarusso and Val Fowler's new kit Freestyle Art...love this kit!