Tired of Stephanie

"My failures continue to embarrass me.
The inadequacies I have carried with me
since my youth still frustrate me.
My insecurities still trouble my soul.
And the praise of others has an increasingly hollow ring.
Bottom line...I just flat out get tired of me.
But I never get tired of Jesus."
--Joseph M. Stowell , Simply Jesus--

What a quote! I found it somewhere in the blogging world. It is so what I'm feeling today. I'm just flat out tired of Stephanie! I don't like the person I was today. Ever been there?

I'm sure glad he never fails.

Long Evening....

After a long evening of parent-teacher conferences I have one thing to say....Stupid people should not be allowed to have child! Harsh I know, but I only wish you could have sat with me for a little while!

Reason Why I Love My Husband #101

Does your husband cook you brownies when you mention wanting chocolate? Even better than that, does he let you lick the bowl and leave spoonfuls of purpose for your enjoyment? Be Jealous....so jealous!

They look crumbled up because I couldn't wait for them to cool.

Sunday's Scriptures

I'm glad it's Sunday!


I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.
--Psalm 122:1

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
--Hebrews 10:25

One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.
--Psalm 27:4

LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.
--Psalm 26:8

A Wife Failure!

The Popcorn King himself using the fancy popping machine...thanks Jess!

A wife failure...Yep, that's me. Last week, I went the grocery store and bought a ton of grocerys and spent a ton of money. When I say ton, I mean lots! Like enough to make meals to last us all month! The only thing is I didn't buy any snacks. And my husband is a snacking kind of man! So when the munchies hit him this morning he started eating raw egg noodles. Raw! I guess he was liking the crunch. His choice of snack tonight--an uncooked, dry grits package...Yummy!

A Truly Amazing Blog

So often we go through the day complaining of simple petty things: I’m tired from a long day at work, my car won't start, there’s a massive mountain of bills due, my best friend is mad at me, my boyfriend broke up with me, I don’t know what to cook for dinner…the list could go on and on. We’ve all been there.

Lately I’ve been trying to focus on the blessings in my life. Like I said in my profile I have been blessed beyond my wildest dreams! The blessings far outweigh any petty obstacle in my pathway. I have my health, my husband, my heritage, my salvation, and my list could go on and on.

O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
--Psalm 34:8


I want to invite you to read a blog I have started reading, Leaning on Everlasting Arms. Start by reading the profile of Stephanie and the path God has taken her down. Once I started reading I could not stop. My heart goes out to this lady. I hope if I am ever tried I will show the resolve she has to stick with God, to follow him, and to remain faithful. I do ask one thing. If you do visit, please do not lurk and spy from the shadows. Leave her a comment or a word of encouragement. I know you will be blessed as I was.


That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
--I Peter 1:7

I am exhausted. This working stuff is hard! Just when I get use to staying home they make me go back! Since I'm working hard on loving my husband extra good today , and since it's the last night of our revival, I'm going to have to drag myself off the couch and cook some supper. I just wanted to post this wordle (word cloud) I just made. I really really like it!



Click on it to make it bigger!

A Birthday and Some Sweet Advice

My blog officially turned one month old today! Happy Birthday! My, I don’t know where the time has gone. Seems like just yesterday she was born. I’m really enjoying her, and can’t wait to watch her grow for many years to come! Please address all gifts and presents to Stephanie Jones!

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Sometimes it’s funny to see how God works. In the last two days, I have had two different ladies approach me with very similar advice. Both of these ladies are elderly and widowed. Both were married for many years before their husbands passed away. I didn’t ask for advice from either but gladly accepted it.


It reminds me of the verse:

“The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the younger women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children. To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.”

Titus 2:3-5


The advice? Round one was to appreciate Michael and love him while I have him. Round two was to never go bed angry at Michael, and always apologize first. Even if the other spouse does not mean it, they will apologize also.


Both are simple things that I know but it does not hurt to be reminded! How sweet, that these ladies love me enough to share some godly advice from their expertise.


Thinking about it now it seems like such a “God-thing” (a phrase coined by a friend at work). Maybe I’m not loving my husband the way that I should. I don’t want to be guilty of not appreciating him and what God has gave us. I think I’ll hug him a little tighter tonight.

124 Visitors

What’s better than a 4 day weekend? A 5 day one, of course! I didn’t expect it but I’ll take it!!!! It’ll give me more time to do somethings around here. Any chance of snow tonight?

Yesterday was a record setting day for my blog! 124 views! I’m still giddy! Wow, it makes me warm and happy inside to think someone might actually like reading my blog! *big cheesy smile* [Yes, I am totally ignoring the fact that I was linked up to the passionate homemaking site…Every girl needs to have her moment!] Maybe…just maybe….I’m on the way to being cool…Yeah right!

I have so many blogging thoughts swirling around in my head. I’m gonna try to spend a few minutes developing them today. You might see some good posts in the coming days (just hang in there Wendell). The 124 visitors yesterday is really going to my head!

Freezer Meals

First a digression: Hooray....Finally a snow day! Words Can not describe how excited I was last night when I got the text! I think partly because we have 13 snow days built in (meaning we put extra time into our school day) and never use them! A three day week is sounding pretty good. When we go back, I'm gonna be so refreshed that I'll be a better teacher for it!


Now for your regularly scheduled program:

I'm really excited about this

Lindsay at Passionate Homemaking is hosting a nutritious Freezer meal carnival today. I'm hoping to find lots of new yummy meal ideas. Before (married life) I was always skeptical of freezer meals. It just never seemed possible that they would be as tasty as fresh food. Now as a busy-working wife, they are growing on me. I have found several recipes that freeze well and taste quite yummy heated up! It is such a time saver to set a dish out of the freezer the night before and then heat it up.

I made the pasta dish yesterday. It was really really good! Think I'll make the enchiladas tonight.


Easy Baked Pasta with Spinach and Meat Sauce

Ingredients:
1 onion (diced)
1 Red Pepper (diced)
1 Small Can Tomato Sauce
1 Small Can Diced Tomatoes
1 Cup Cooked Spinach
1lb ground beef (could substitute with Turkey or sausage)
1 Package Grated Mozzarella Cheese
Swirl Pasta
Salt/pepper
Oregano
Basil Leaves

In a lightly sprayed pan fry onion and red pepper together (I usually add water and cook awhile so they're not crunchy!). Set onion and pepper to the side. Cook and drain meat. Add Tomato sauce, tomatoes, peppers and onions, spinach, and spices to meat. Simmer for 15 minutes. Cook Pasta until it is almost done (don't overcook or it will get mushy in the oven). Drain Pasta and combine with meat sauce. Divide into two casserole dishes, top with mozzarella cheese. Bake one dish at 350 degrees or until cheese is melted and bubbly. Freeze the other dish, up to three months. To cook frozen dish, thaw in refrigerator over night. Set out of Frig 30 minutes before baking.

This picture honestly does not do it justice....It's really good!

These other two recipes came from Carly, but since she's holding out on creating a blog, I'll post them.

Beef Enchiladas

Ingredients

2 1/2 lbs ground beef

2 cans enchilada sauce

1 can tomato soup

2 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

2/3 cup chopped onion

1 can cream of mushroom soup

20 Flour Tortillas

Brown meat, drain. Combine enchilada sauce and soup; pour 1 1/2 cup of sauce into beef, set remaining sauce aside. Spoon 1/4 cup beef mixture down the center of each tortilla, top with 2 Tb cheese. Roll tightly, place seam down into prepared dish. Top with remaining sauce. Cover and bake one pan at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes. Uncover, sprinkle with additional cheese. Bake 5 to 10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Freeze the other pan. Thaw in refrigerator overnight. Bake as directed.

Chicken and Bows

1 Pkg Bow tie Pasta
1 Cup Sweet red pepper
1/2 Cup Butter, cubed
2 cups frozen peas
1 1/2 Cup Milk
1/4 to 1/2 t of salt
2/3 cup Parmesan Cheese
2 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
2 cans cream of Chicken
1 t garlic powder
1/4 t pepper

Cook Pasta. Meanwhile cook chicken and red pepper in butter for 5-6 minutes. Stir in soup, peas, milk, garlic, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, simmer 1-2 minutes. Stir in Parmesan cheese. Add drained pasta to chicken mixture. Freeze 1/2 for up to 3 months. Thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat on stove top.

Discounts at Krogers

Just a little FYI. If you shop at Krogers you need to visit http://www.cellfire.com/ and http://shortcuts.com/. They have coupons, but not the ones you have have to print and remember to take to the store. You sign up online, enter your krogers card number, select the coupons you want, and they put them all your card. I think this is so so neat! And it actually works. It showed up on my receipt today and even the cashier commented on it. So cool! My only complaint is there are not a whole lot of coupons for things I normally use. Check it out...maybe it'll save you a little $.

Sunday's Scriptures

8--The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
9--He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
10--He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11--For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12--As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13--Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
14--For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
15--As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
16--For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
17--But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children;
18--To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

--Psalm 103:8-18

Yet another fictitious post, Yes I am so bitter!

Dear Parents,

I will not begin to respond to your many concerns and comments directed toward me yesterday. However, please understand I was trained in college to teach your child, not to explain situations that I, myself, do not understand.


I am sorry that your sweet little ones were required to attend school yesterday when 51 other schools and counties were out in our area. (Yes, I also spent my time counting on the screen).


Yes I do realize that our school neighbors many counties that were under a wind chill advisory. Yes I do realize we felt this “ARCTIC AIR MASS” with “VERY COLD TEMPERATURES COMBINED WITH BREEZY WINDS” and that “WILL GENERATE DANGEROUS WIND CHILLS” (Direct quotes taken from the national weather service). I also noticed my car thermometer reached the low temperature of 2 degrees. However, you may not realize that our superintendent is up for a prestigious award of never calling off school! You should be proud of her! Rumor also has it that there is a bonus in store for the director who calls off school least often.


Many have expressed concerns that your child may not be getting enough physical activity during these cold days. Rest assure, although we have not had recess this week, the kids have taken it upon them self’s to stay active by bouncing all over every square inch of our room. I really cannot blame them, as I myself am going a little stir-crazy!


Please note, if your child came home and expressed how cold our classroom was during the morning, this was not another kindergartener exaggeration. Our room was a chilly 58 degrees for the morning which we warmed up with space heaters, that I carefully guarded myself to keep little hands away from burn danger. I mean I surely didn’t have a better way to spend my time. The maintenance men soon arrived and braved the school top to work on the units and the room soon warmed up.


For any parent of a child who rides bus 27 that broke down….well…..umm…I’ll deal with this one later.


Just bundle them up and deal with it. This is what they do in Alaska anyways, isn’t it? Who really needs all 10 fingers? Is 9 degrees really that cold?


In closing let me remind you that violent shivering, clumsy movements, and speech slurred are all signs of hypothermia. If your child experiences any of these symptoms, please rush them to the nearest medical center.

Yours Truly,
Mrs. Jones

Unbelievable

Have you ever had something happen to you that is...just so unbelievable. Something that you hesitate to tell for fear of gaining a rep as a fibber. I've debated all day as to whether or not I should post this. I mean, who would believe it? Would you believe it?


And then there is the whole moral/religious value thing. Did I do the right thing? Make the right decision? I guess I should start the story from the beginning...


I was driving home from school yesterday when my gas light came on. Great....there it was Wednesday afternoon. I had late afternoon bus duty. I didn't have any 'good' groceries at home. My husband would be home 30 minutes after me. I needed to run to Kroger's and iron. There simply was no time to stop and get gas. Just No time.


I know what you are thinking and no I didn't run out of gas. I use to have a reputation of running out of gas. Use to...not anymore! Wanna know what cured me? The last time some nice gentlemen (that I know) stopped to help me and under his breath said "Doesn't your dad own a gas station?" Waa-laa I'm cured. No more driving by faith for me!


Back to yesterday....I made it to Krogers and home. Fixed a quick spaghetti dinner, ironed, brushed my hair, jumped into Michael's fully gassed truck and rushed to church.
So that leads to this morning. No I didn't run out of gas....why won't you listen????? I woke up late, which put me leaving late. I simply could not risk driving all the way to Oliver Springs with my gas light on. So I made the decision to go through Kingston and fill up.


So I pull up at Race Way, stepped out of my car and quickly realize I should have got gas yesterday. It was so cold. Were you out this morning? I mean like Arctic cold! I quickly insert my card into the pump, yank the nozzle down, slam it into my car, and run back to the driver seat. I am just about to sit my bottom back into my seat that I knew would still be warm from my heated seats (Heated seats=must have!!!!!!) when I see it! There at my feet is a.....lottery ticket. Oh my!


At that moment a thousand thoughts race through my head. Should I pick it up? Is it a trick? Is it really a ticket? Someone really threw their money away. I quickly pick it up and shut my door trying to conceal some of my precious heat. In case you do not know me well....I have issues with lottery tickets. I would never buy one or support them. However I didn't buy this one. It blew up to my feet.


I started studying the ticket. "Lucky 7's"....cost=$1.oo. Who would really waste a dollar on this? I would so have saved my dollar and buy a drink at school with it. As I continue to study it I realize that it hasn't even been scratched off. Wow...someone really wasted a $1.00.


Being the extremely nosey person I am...I did the only thing I could possibly do. I dug a quarter out of my purse and began scratching. The plan was no matter what it the ticket revealed...to trash it....at that exact moment the gas pump clicked off, so I ran around (in the Arctic cold, again) and de-nozzled my car, and ran back to my heated seats...to finish scratching.


Up until this point you are thinking this is a pretty believable story, right? Well here's were the unbelievable part comes in. Wanna know how much the ticket is worth?


Remember the part where I said this story was unbelievable? Well....Fact is that I love love my life. Yes it may seem boring to others or to some step-dads but it is what it is and I think it is just perfect the way it is. So when certain individuals complained about my blog being "bor-ring", I decided to spice it up. Now really Wendell, would you rather me fabricate some wild story or simply tell of my weight loss journey.

P.S. I do not in any way support RaceWay gas stations. I am sorry if your last name is Patell but I strongly feel you should pay taxes like the rest of small business owners! I just simply knew the thoughts of me stopping at RaceWay would really get Wendell!

P.S.S. Thanks to my incredibly cute husband who helped in the research department for this post! It takes a lot of research when you know so little about lottery tickets.

Six Month Anniversary

Yesterday was Michael and my six month anniversary. I didn't have time to blog about it yesterday but didn't want it to pass by unnoticed. It's hard to believe that it's actually been six months. I can honestly say these have been the best six months of my life.

It's nothing short of a miracle that we even met. God was so good to bring us together, put us together and keep us together. Truly.....I found him whom my soul loveth.

Hooray!

I hope you have already noticed the weight ticker to the right. Yes that's right 4lbs. I was so doing a victory dance on the scales this morning!

Have a great day!

Sunday's Scriptures

And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

--I Corinthians 6:11

Randomness

• I'm wondering if it's really been since Wednesday that I last posted.
• I actually posted last night, but quickly took it off. (Go ahead Michael and Carly....laugh).
• We're meeting Michael's parents @6 to eat dinner.
• Nothing exciting has been going on.
• Finished report cards only to find out that they are now going home on Monday instead of yesterday. (I could have procrastinated longer!)
• I have a new blog look coming soon....I'm so excited about this.
• We just determined that Michael's next Monday off, I'm also off (hooray!).
• I haven't touched the back room in 2 weeks. I'm hoping to do a little today.
• Michael and I have discovered the convenience of the red box that's a mile and a half away.
• I'm ready for Spring break!

I'm hoping (you are too) that something exciting will happen for me to blog about. I'm begining to feel like a failure.

Life is unfair....

I'm sitting on my couch watching (and smelling) my 130 lb 6'1" husband eat a complete bag of Orville Redenbacher's Gourmet Pop Corn. Oh and not just the plain Jane version but the Ultimate Butter version. The kind that my sisters drool over. The kind that possesses 480 calories and 36 grams of stomach-packing fat .
My saliva glands have increased production to compensate for the buttery salty goodness they have hoped to taste since the first whiff more that 5 minutes ago. Did I mention he is an incredibly s---l---o---w eater? Pretty soon I will be drowning in my own saliva.
Yes, here I sit in all my short fat glory as I try to enjoy this 50 cal 0 fat Popsicle.

New Years Resolution 2

Well here it is folks.....to lose 35 lbs. Actually I'd like to lose more but I figure I'll set my goals low and maybe just maybe I'll achieve them. You know the assumption that you gain weight when you're happy...let's just say I've been real happy here lately!
I'm working real hard on this new diet. Well, actually I've been working real hard since yesterday. I waited til I went back to work to start dieting because it's just easier for me.
My short term goals are to eat breakfast every morning, drink only diet cokes, and drink at least one 20 oz water a day. I really plan to up the water drinkage but it's gonna take me a while. Sometime in the near future I'll add some form of exercise.
I'm using the weight watchers form of counting points. I know the system and it worked for me in the past. I weighed yesterday. I'm going to wait til next Monday to weigh again.
This resolution is a toughy for me. I'm gonna need some encouragement....thus going public...and the cute count down ticker.

Back to Work

It was back to the real world today. I can actually sum up my entire day in one word......YUCK! Actually it was a pretty good day in the land of kindergarten. I can't complain too much. The day flew by! Report cards go home Friday so that'll keep me busy testing the rest of the week. I really love my job. I feel I'm right where the Lord wants me, doing what he wants me to do. I might have got a little lazy over my break.

We finally made the trip to Dolly Wood on Saturday. It was a good day. It rained all morning but it was passed by the time we got there (sometimes it pays not to be morning people). It was a nice day with just my husband.

I love love all the lights at Dwood.

Sporting our ultra-neat 4D glasses for the polar express (yeah...we are that cool!)

Just the two of us....notice the double chin....this will be addressed in tomorrow's post.

Sunday's Scriptures

O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

---Psalm 34:8

Top Ten Pictures of 2008

Yes I know I already have posted my favorite pictures of Michael and I in 2008 but I just really wanted to participate in the New Years Party going on at The Roost! So here are my top ten fave pics from 2008 in no certain order. Alot are centered around my wedding but what can I say...getting married was huge!

The four sists back together and looking better than ever!

My Girls and I....loved the matching wedding party shirts, Thanks Jen

Shooting bridal shots at the park made for a fun day, Thanks Carolee. Here I'm dreaming of my man.




Love Love this picture...took it before the wedding without seeing each other!

Jec and I, Long time pals....I love the expression on my face....You can tell I was so happy!

The American Falls with a bit of a rainbow...Saw on our honeymoon in Niagara Falls!

Couldn't do the American Falls pic without a picture of the Horseshoe Falls.

This was at the Butterfly Conservatory in Niagara....It a super awesome place. I loved it....Michael endured.

Panty hose + Balloons = Reindeer....need I explain more?

A end a year sweethear picture.

New Years Resolution 1

If your name is Mom or Nanny, stop reading now….before you become very disappointed.

Have you ever taken on a job that ended up being way bigger than you can handle? Someone did that very thing this week…ding, ding, ding….Bob we have a winner….ME!

Here’s the scoop. Right before Michael and I got married our lives were very rushed and chaotic. We were planning a wedding, buying appliances, and moving into our house. Yep, things were so busy we didn’t have time to move in properly. Sure the all the major rooms were unpacked and organized but every little thing we didn’t know what to do with went to the …..this is the part where the eerie music plays…..back room. For most people this wouldn’t be a problem….however I moved from my parents’ house with a big basement…and well…..I’m what I consider a collector. Mom has always called me her pack-rat, but is it really my fault? Can I help it that I enjoy reminiscing on past days and relics? Who’s to blame that the genetic pool fell in favor of dad who also has many treasures? I seem to accumulate stuff, bunches of stuff. The fact that I’m a school teacher doesn’t help either, it’s a known fact that school teachers save everything. It’s in a teachers DNA. Do you realize while in the back room today I found cards from my high school graduation. Some of which made me cry. Who else can say they still have cards from high school that make them cry.

Back to the subject at hand, I took on the job of cleaning out the back room (eerie music again). I started Wednesday, pushed right along through Thursday, and started back today with new zeal. Here’s the problem. There’s a lot of stuff in there and we are having company tonight. I finally had to call it quits so I could start cooking and clean the rest of my house. I made it through 10 of the totes. They are now decluttered and organized. There are also about 10 bags of garbage to prove my accomplishment. However 10 totes is only a small piece of the pie. This is really a huge project and at this moment I’m feeling like a junky failure.

When I say huge project I mean huge. For example I finally threw away one of my treasures. It was Christmas present from my fifth grade teacher. Do you still have a present from your fifth grade teacher? (It was a great miniature trash can with my name painted on it. Maybe I can make some for my kids next year. I need to start checking craft stores. I can get them now and store them in the back room.) See, I told you I’m diseased.

This is the part that the resolution comes into play. During the month of January I’m gonna post some of my resolutions. That way you can hold me accountable. And resolution number one is…(drum roll)…to clean out the back room.

So now that you have read about my major fault you can go back to your life. And please don’t spread the word too much that I’m a “collector”.

P.S. Dad I found your Kosovo license plate and book Blue Gem.

Happy New Years!

Happy New Years!

Welcome 2009