Girl Schmuck

Spring is here and so is the mud.

2012-02-06T11:11:00.000-05:00

Sometimes you just have to let it go. Me, I am going to let go of the idea that my floors will be clean for more than 10 minutes until next Fall. Saturday and Sunday we all worked in the yard. Black dirt everywhere. Even with us removing our shoes at the door, the dirt clings to you, falls down your shirt, hides in your socks and is smashed into your back side. I could be a freak and chase the kids and the dirt around with the hoover. I don't really want to be remembered as a super neat clean freak.
A truck load of dirt is going to be delivered today. As if I don't have enough issues with dirt, we are having more delivered. Because we live on a slope, our dirt washes down down down and away away away.
Anyhow, spring is here. Its climbing into the 80's everyday and by March I will have the air conditioner on and the pool pump running eight hours a day. Little bit (I call her Little Bit when she isn't being a Stinker Belle) and I have planted seeds for her flower garden. She said, "I want my very own garden". I reminded her that she had her own flower garden last year and the flowers were close to five and six foot high.

On Saturday the kids and I went to the Home Depot and bought some starter vegetable plants and Diesel wanted Strawberry plants. I haven't had time to till the garden yet, so it's bogged down with aggressive grasses. So I will just put it all in larger pots until we have time to till up the soil. You can grow almost anything in a big enough bucket of dirt. One year I grew sweet potatoes. They were so so good. I use a big black 40 gallon garden pond for fish, which has holes drilled in the bottom. Think maybe I will try again this year. Last year the rain came and we got so much rain, my entire garden rotted out in two weeks. I have good luck with green beans, zucchini and cucumbers. I use gardening as a excuse to play in the dirt. I love to wash the mud off with the outside pool shower and then jump in the pool to cool off.

Military Man sharpened my tools for me yesterday. The pruners where in sad shape. He tightened them up for me too. Once I had all the trimming done, he ran around with the ATV and the tractor attachment and hauled all the branches away to the burn pile. I moved my rosemary bush and transplanted the lavendar plants. I tore out the star jasmine and added it to the burn pile. I absolutely hate the juniper in my front beds. Its prickly and the hornets love to nest in there.

My flowers in the front bed are doing well and multiplying so I was able to dig them up, separate them and have more flowers to spread out around the garden. I will still need to buy a few flowers to fill in a few holes, as I do like to change it up a bit and see what else I can grow. Do you ever go to the discount flower area in your store? That's where they put plants that might be saved, but they have frost damage, or heat damage. I love to buy those plants and bring them back to life. Plus they are 50% discounted.

My Stinker Belle gave up helping after seeing a bee. She was stung last year and now she would rather watch us from the safety of the house through the window than being outside with us. She started whining yesterday when I made her come outside and pick up branches. She screamed when a junebug wizzed by her ear. She was done. I sent her upstairs to rest. She was never so excited to pull off her socks and shoes and crawl under the covers for a nap. I was a bit jelous. I wanted to take a nap too.
I will have pictures soon. Its not a good idea to bring out the camera when your covered in muck. There is much to show you and more to tell you about.
This is Girl Schmuck signing off.

An Introduction to Christian Writing

2012-02-02T12:25:00.000-05:00

I found this post back on my drafting table. I never published it. Now I am going to post it and I hope you just see it for what it is... Me, being silly. Enjoy it.

An Introduction to Christian Writing by Ethel Herr is the book I am reading right now. It's really a writers companion. I believe it to be packed with great ideas, helpful hints, jump starts and organization. I am still reading, so I can't give you a summary. I can give you the the idea that she is a great author, has written other books and again as I have said before, books are great gifts.

Ms. Ethel states you should never use the word, "very" unless its very very important. I think my friend Dot would very much agree. Come to think of it, Jackie, Becky, Lisa, Mo and KiMO, (all teachers) would prolly agree too. I hang out with smart people. I think I am just their comic relief. Just ask those who attend my birthday parties. But I digress, back to the book.

She also states "there are four basic purposes of writing. Persuade, stimulate, inform and entertain." And I am reading that I "should refrain from cliches." Good thing she said Not to avoid them all together cause then I would be just making up my own cliches. Oh wait I think I already do that don't I?

Heck, I always go for the funny bone(cause I love to laugh and laughers never laugh alone) and if I happen to hit any of the other three, Then I am just happier than a pig in poo. Darn, now I have to avoid my favorite sayings too??? Why Am I recomending this book again? Just joshing ya, I love the book. Go on and get it.

This is one of the strangest book reviews I have ever done. I am not sure I am going to publish this. The END
-----
2012 Update: It is a book I would still recomend. I just find it funny that I would not publish it. I hope it made you laugh and I hope you consider investing in the book if your a writer and want a Christian perspective on writing for God.

This is Girl Schmuck signing off.

Organize and Simplify in the year 2012

2012-02-02T12:17:00.000-05:00

Organize and Simplify is our marriage motto for this 2012 year. AKA.. "We have too much stuff and need to move." If you are frequent mover, never staying in one place more than two years you understand. The longer you live in one place the more Junk you collect, keep or just ignore. We have lived in this house for six years and we are still getting rid of boxes of stuff we never unpacked. Throw it out.!!!
For example: How many cell phones have you owned in the past five years? Ok, now how many cell phone chargers are floating around your house? At least five or six that don't fit your currant phone right? Throw that crap out. Of course if your like my friend Robin, she still lives in the 19th century and only has a house phone.. no cell phone. Therefore this is not for you folks like her. I have a broken printer right now under my desk. We have old film cameras and even digital ones we never use anymore. Donate it, throw it out or use it.

The problem is Hording. You think you might use it again or someone might need it so you hold onto it for them. My dad falls into this category. I have warned him if he brings his stuff over here thinking I can use it without me asking for it.. I walk it down to the curb. Bye bye.

Maybe you will understand this one? You buy something on BOGO (buy one get one) you store it in the back of a closet or under the sink. You forget you had it, and you buy it again the next time you see it on sale. Six months later you open the hall closet and 14 bottles of shampoo fall on you.
I went to the bargain store to buy more organizers for my "too much darn stuff" problem. See already I have to lug home more crap to organize the crap I have. (sorry for saying the word crap mom)

I have a serious Tupperware addiction. My father keeps cottage cheese containers, Mom keeps Cool Whip containers. I am not like them, I throw those out. I buy the expensive real stuff. I like exactly the right container for the exactly the amount of food I am storing. I have two huge deep drawers dedicated to just storing my Tupperware. So I cleaned it out and made sure all bottoms had tops.

Next I tackled my space under my bathroom sink. I put all the nail polish and emery boards in one container and placed it in the hall closet since I don't paint my nails. I put all the feminine stuff in another lidded container. Extra shampoo, toothpaste and spare toothbrushes all went in their boxes. WOW that was so much fun. It feels like you have really cleaned the entire house. Sometimes it can feel like Christmas when you find crap you forgot you had and can really use. It would be really great if I found a brand new I-Pad that I forgot about.
This is Girl Schmuck signing off

Shell and Flora in Florida

2012-01-21T17:10:00.000-05:00

I want you to met Southeastern Guide Dogs in Florida. Well .....ok really I want you to meet my newest pals, Shell and Flora. Flora is about two years old. She is a dog training with her new owner Shell. Shell is my buddy on Christian Journaling Group. This is the first time we have been able to meet. Shell and Flora took a break from training to have lunch and talk with me. Shell lives in Washington. She has been here before with a previous dog. I agreed to drive down and bring lunch with me. We ordered sunshine and blue skies and got exactly that. We ate chicken salad and fresh Plant City strawberries. It's strawberry season in Florida. Poor Flora was not permitted to have anything with us. One of the rules for me as a visitor; I was not permitted to play, pet, touch the dog and get her all excited. And guess what.. I was good. Yes I was a good girl. I wanted to baby talk to her and play with her.. but I was a good girl. ha ha

I didn't ask why, but while Shell has a visitor, she could not put Flora on harness. Flora was being very good and ignoring me. She is suppose to. I even asked her to look at the camera (the dog, not Shell) and she wouldn't. I think it had to do with how good she felt sitting next to her mama in the sunshine.

I wanted to lean over and rub her belly and tell her she was such a good baby. (Again, the dog not my friend Shell)

Here are Shell and Flora sitting together on our make shift picnic. We just started losing the sun behind a tree. Highs today are a 80. Just to clarify... What is the high in Washington today?

Shell had placed the harness on Flora but was using a lead while I was there. That is my no sew Tigger blanket we sat on. I took off my socks and shoes. Behind us was a lovely water fountain we listened to.

Just inside the door of each dorm room is the place for the dogs to rest. They are kept on a lead attached to the hook on the wall so they can't just wander down the hall I guess. And I suppose if the dog got up and laid next to the bed and the person tripped over them, that might be a bad thing??

This is Floras brother. I will call him "J" as I don't know yet if I am allowed to release his name. He was so wanting to come out and play with me. He told me so. I broke the rules and talked to him in baby talk and how could I not? He has the biggest golden/brown eyes identical to his sister across the hall.

I wish I brought a tennis ball. I would have taken this guy outside and let him run. I am such a pushover when it comes to dogs.

Shell's room.

Well one corner of her room. She has a private room and bathroom with a flat screen tv and a big bed. A small refrigerator is on the other side of the bed. Not too shabby I would say.

The day room where it's fun to just hang out.

Me, Shell and Flora

Can you believe the dogs are not allowed on the furniture there?

I would be Soooo fired as a trainer.

Thank you to Southeastern Guidedogs for allowing me on campus.

This is Girl Schmuck signing off.

Beauty

2012-01-20T13:24:00.000-05:00

We have all heard, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder". Sometimes we make something beautiful and at times it's God who makes all things beautiful.
This first picture are things of beauty. It's not my story to tell of how God used these glasses to bring a bit of calm and peace into someones life. I was just the one who showed up with the paint. I have been painting glass with my buddy Dot for more than 10 years. It's really easy. We didn't even use paint brushes on these. We used a piece of regular old kitchen sponge.. a brand new clean one of course. And then we had paint in tubes with long narrow tips and we just used our imagination.

This was loads of fun and I hope you try it sometime.

This next picture is Gods handy work. I think I have to say this is my favorite Florida bird. The Great Blue Heron.

A Florida Sunrise just outside my front door. God created it just for this day. He makes a new one every single day for each of us. How many have you seen?

Just two minutes later

This is Girl Schmuck signing off

The Patriarch's Christmas 2012

2012-01-16T10:40:00.000-05:00

We have a second Christmas in our family. We celebrate with extended family in January around "The Patriarch" aka my stepfather.

Grandpa getting some morning snuggles from Little bit

Grandpa and his girls. I just saw these girls six months ago. Now they are young women. Stop growing, stop I tell you. You are not allowed to get any taller or more beautiful.

Grandpa having his morning coffee and the tree that later became the bonfire.

The Pit were we burned the very dry Christmas tree. I think this is the real reason we get together, just so we can burn something. We are a bunch of pyro's.

Our sleeping quarters. Florida in January.

Outside Florida Christmas gift exchange

Grandpa opening presents.

Pops and Son

Dad and three of his boys. We miss you Fly Boy. Fly Boy is in Vegas with his Family.

Now this is funny. They suggested my Military Man step in for the one son that is missing. So my sister in law was not gonna be left out. That is her Jumping up to make sure she is counted too. I love her. She is so silly.

Begin the cutting of the tree for the bon fire. This brother loves his power tools.

My sister in law, her mama and her Abuela.

And another tent in the background. We have a regular compound.

We were also celebrating someones birthday. He turned 11.

My SIL and My nephew.

Sometimes I give up the camera to get in front of it. If you didn't remember this brother is the Russian Spy.

I love this crazy family of mine. This is Girl Schmuck signing off.

Random happiness

2012-01-16T09:43:00.000-05:00

These are just a few random pictures that make me smile.

This is a day we went to the Flea Market. Little bit found this hat the first five minutes we were there. For the next two hours, she kept asking for it. She wore it home, she wore it to the table, asked to be served dinner in a dog food bowl and then she wore it to bed. She even wore it to school the next day.

I dressed the girls up for church but then they allowed me to to an UPDO for church. Little bit's hair is so straight that it won't stay. A reminder of a photo I did with my best friends on my wedding day.

I love to watch my boys work together on a project. This is daddy and his boy installing the tonnaeu cover on the truck.

Happy Birthday Papa. This is Papa and his new puppy on his 75th birthday.

Levi needs some love

2012-01-12T14:28:00.000-05:00

I am home, but my heart is still at school. TEACHERS... I have no idea how you do it. I seriously would be a basket case of tears and in jail for kidnapping kids from school. Here is the story.

His name is Levi. Levi is one of five siblings. Levi is never on time to school. He comes in late every day, sits by himself in the center pod (no carpet) and eats his breakfast all by himself each morning. Levi can be coopertive (good days) or a spitting snarling mad little boy (very bad days). Levi has way more bad days then good days. Levi has come to school with horrible breath, dirty clothes and very dirty teeth many days.

After he finished his breakfast this morning, he got on the computer and just sat there by himself. I asked him if he wanted to come join the rest of the kids on the carpet. He said, "I don't want to get the rest of the kids sick". He is always sick. Never have I seen him 100% healthy. So I said, "did you get some medicine to feel better." That did not make him happy. He reponded, "I did not get any medicine."

I started to rub his back and I said, "I hope you start to feel better, and I think your very kind to respect the kids and not want to share your cold".

I gave him some distance for a few moments. Then I asked him to show me what the teacher ment by "five at five" The kids are suppose to choose any one of five things to do quietly so the teacher can work one on one with children at her desk. Levi liked that I followed him and wanted to see what he was going to do. He said, "I have to read one of my books quietly." I said, "It says you should read a book to a friend, can I be your friend today? Will you read a book to me and then I will read a book to you? Levi's little face lit up.

So we sat at his table and talked and read the story. After practicing a few lines of the story, he memorized it and repeated it to me. I was telling him "Great job" "Way to go" and "Give me a high five for that one" He was beaming. He said very excitedly, "Its time to clean up and go to the carpet." Now Levi wanted to be near his friends. Now he wanted to participate with the class. I asked him, "Can I sit on the carpet with you?" Maybe Levi just needed some unconditional love today? Maybe being asked if I could be his friend, he got a choice? Maybe my new pal was starting to feel better?
Levi sat quietly and listened to the teacher and participated in questions she asked. I was really proud of him. I leaned over and said, "you are behaving so good today. I am so proud of you." Bless his wee little heart, He broke mine when he asked, "can you rub my back again". So I did while he listened. Then we were dismissed to do another activity quietly while she worked with another five kids. (15 kids in class total)

"I am going to do sight words." Levi realized I was coming with him and in the few moments on the floor, Levi and I started to bond. I have been in the classroom a number of times and this is the first time I have had time with Levi because the child I am normally assigned to help was not there today.

We linked letters together and sounded them out and he would yell, "CAT, DIG, IT" and so on. He said, "This is so much fun, I wish you could play with me everyday." Preston came over and said, "I want you to play with me now." "Ok Preston, the next word is yours, what does this say?" "COW"

Again, when this activity was over we came together on the carpet. Levi was glued to my side. Another little girl Destiny was also at my side. Destiny will see me anytime on campus and run up to give me a hug. I leaned over and said, "Hey you two are behaving so well, I don't have to sit with you. I have to go sit with the boys on the floor who are being disrubtive and try to remind them to be quiet." Levi and Destiny didn't like it but they were good for carpet time.

Then the class had a reading, writing, cutting, pasting activity project to do. Levi asked, "Will you help me?" Destiny asked, "Will you help me?" "Yes, I will be so glad to help you because you have been so polite today", I told them. I explained that I would walk from one table to the next being their special helper today.

The activity went really well and everyone finished their project. Now my own little girl was feeling a bit put out and so I came to her chair and helped her finish her paper. Levi was glued to my hip. I was kneeling down and told him, "I am so proud of you for your excellant behavior today, can I have a hug?"

I went to hug him and he kept his arms at his side. I said, "Hey I want a hug, that means you put your arms around me too". He didn't understand. Then it dawned on me... He isn't hugged at home. This little five year old boy doesn't know how to hug. I took his arms and put them around my shoulders. He still didn't understand and so I released him. But he was not leaving my side. He was starved for attention. He said, "I want you to go play with us" Will you go to the lunch room with us?"

"No baby, I have to go home." He tried to follow me out the door. I said, "Levi can I come and spend time with you next week?" He just nodded. Neither of us cried, but I think we both wanted to. "Today has been a really good day, and I hope to spend a lot more good days with you." I left him with his class lining up for recess.

The teacher said, "Thank you. I got so much done today with the other kids because I wasn't constantly reprimanding Levi".

Levi loves being read too.
So there you have it.. God has just assigned me a new job.
I am going to make sure Levi learns how to hug and gets read to.

This is Girl Schmuck signing off.

Happy Anniversary Military Man

2011-12-31T09:32:00.000-05:00

I know I said I would see you next year, but my heart is so full of love to the point of bursting, I just have to share.

I love this man

Today I am married to the love of my life for eight years. Gods perfect choice for me.

We are so in sync with each other.

I love you more than words can express baby.

Happy New Year Everyone

This is Girl Schmuck signing off

Christmas, The final gift... its the big one

2011-12-28T12:51:00.000-05:00

"Papa, what does this say, I can't read the handwriting."

The first box contains....

..a wacky poem written by Santa himself.

Box number two is a odd piece of velcro and long spiral cord.

Box three is the key to the garage and an odd shaped key that

looks just like dad's ATV key.

The hint in the note said I have to wear my helmet

"See I told you it was the garage key mom"

Hurry, I want to see too.

(what you can't hear is the excited "WOW", "oh Man". But if you look closely at the side of his face, you can see his smile.)

Stinker Bell, his sister has claimed

her back seat position for a ride.

Merry Christmas Diesel Boy

See you all next year

this is Girl Schmuck signing off

Part III, Christmas continues with family

2011-12-27T16:18:00.000-05:00

Not so wordless Christmas Part 2

2011-12-27T15:59:00.000-05:00

Waiting patiently for the first gift to be given out

Getting help from her big brother. You think the bows are tough to remove wait until you try to get this baby out of this fabric bag

WOW, just what I wanted

Its called the Easy bake oven, not the Easy Open Oven.

Santa included mixes too? WOW. What is up with this weird smile, Child of mine?

What are you making for dinner tonight little one?

Daddy gets to open a gift.

Its a tool bag from the kids

Lets share some love. oooh I love you.

Girls Schmuck signing off

Christmas without words Part I

2011-12-27T08:14:00.000-05:00

Christmas EVE with the Schmucks

2011-12-26T10:50:00.000-05:00

I have seen where others call it Wordless Wednesday. Bloggers post pictures and allow the story to unfold without typing anything. I think that is a good idea, except I don't know how to stop talking. And today isn't Wednesday so it's not gonna happen. So here is Christmas Eve with the Schmucks 2011.

Waiting patiently while Grandmas decides who gets to open the first gift.

Big hugs for getting us exactly what we asked for.

Girl Schmuck and Diesel boy. I have a smaller double chin this year than last year.

Little bit could not wait to get home and tell her baby doll Rose all about going camping and show her the new dress she received.

She is so easy to buy for. I just buy her stuff I want to play with too.

Stay tuned for the big Christmas day spectacular event.. coming soon.

This is Girl Schmuck signing off

Small town vs. Big City

2011-12-22T14:18:00.000-05:00

I love our small town. Small towns are really into big events with focus on the family. Last night we went to our Church Street Christmas Walk. Its on Church Street. It is named this because that is where all the churches are... on church street. Small towns are smart like that.

Every house and church is decorated. The churches have music and live nativities. People hand out free hot coffee, hot chocolate, mulled apple cider, candy canes and lots and lots of birthday cake.

This is what sometimes happens to a face after eating hot chocolate, sticky candy canes and chocolate birthday cake.

That ain't dirt on her face.

The live animals were great.

The wise men walked about the street holding treasure chests, asking if you wanted to see what gift they brought for the Savior. The heavenly hosts were singing, proclaiming the good news to the Shepard's. The Shepard's where wandering up and down the street following a star... looking for a savior. All the while the streets were packed with visitors coming in to be counted for a census. It was crazy fun.

Miss Little Bit herself took this picture of me. She did a fine job if I say so.

This was inside one church. They were taking family portraits for free for anyone who wanted one. We were clearly NOT dressed up for pictures. We kinda decided to go do this last minute.

A really nice guy came up and asked if he could help take the picture. Little Bit responded as only a five year old can, "I can do it myself". And she did.

Merry Christmas from our Family to yours.

This is Girl Schmuck signing off.

Sometimes this is as good as it gets

2011-12-20T16:37:00.000-05:00

Sometimes you just don't feel like smiling. Sometimes your tired. Sometimes your dress itches. Sometimes your hungry but don't really want anything other than a chocolate brownie but mom says you have to eat protein first. Sometimes mom just has to settle for the stupid look on your face and settle for it, because if she keeps telling me to smile I may just throw up. Sometime this is as good as it gets and Good enough for today.

Sometimes she gets lucky and we fake it for a few seconds and she captures the moment.

Happy Holidays love Diesel Boy and Stinker Belle.

What do you want to do when you grow up?

2011-12-17T14:11:00.000-05:00

How many times do you think as a kid you were asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” I hated being asked that question. I felt like I was always expected to give them the answer they wanted, so I did. I think a better question is, “What gifts and talents do you share with others?”

As a girl, I was given the idea for women’s job opportunities were few and far between as a teacher, nurse, dental hygienist and secretary. Those were the jobs the women in my life held. No one ever in my life suggested perhaps I could become a fisherman even though we lived in Florida. There was no discussion of librarian, electrician, plumber, post office worker or mechanic. I never knew you could make a living as an artist. My parents were holders of Masters Degrees, I was going to college. However college is just not for everyone.

I was NOT a great student and I did NOT do well in high school. I found food to be my great love. Eating it, selling it, changing it, experimenting with it, creating new recipes, making it sing in your mouth and sharing it, food was my art. I decided to be a chef, but yet again that idea was discouraged because the big culinary schools were so expensive and my parents didn’t have the money. I interviewed with an Executive Chef at a big hotel for a sous chef position and was told, “This is a man’s world honey and I don’t see you being able to cut it.” He was right. I didn’t like the hours very much.

In college I was working to get my degree to become a dietitian. Life interrupted that idea and I got a job with a veterinarian. I nearly fainted when I had to assist in the operating room. I worked in a law firm for awhile. Lawyers are fine; it was the secretaries I had problems with. They enjoyed too much drama. If there wasn’t enough drama going on in the office, they created it. I loved being a social worker helping people apply for benefits, however the stress level in a state job can kill you and it nearly did me in. The job that has fit me best and the one I have held down the longest is MOM.

If we return to my question, “What gifts and talents do you share with others?” my answer is twofold. The first part of the answer is myself. I share myself with others. I am not sure how I discovered this gift. It’s the gift of gab maybe?? I am friendly, honest, relaxed, vulnerable, and insightful with a tuned-in radar when others try skirting answers. I also pick up on body language and can tell when others are uncomfortable. I can talk with just about anyone regardless of nationality, color, sex, wealth status or profession. The second part of the answer is writing. I didn’t realize I was a writer but I have been all my life. It goes beyond the love affair with pens and notebooks. Somewhere deep in my soul I have a voice that needs to speak and to be heard. If you didn’t listen my soul would speak anyways. I don’t need an audience. I love an audience, and if I know I have an audience, I will usually do anything to keep the audience, to have them laugh with me and sometimes at me. Sometimes I write to inform you of an issue that just needs to be known. Sometimes I write about my kids and the funny things they say or do. Sometimes I write about my own experiences or maybe great service I received. Sometimes I write about God, and my faith, my joy, my sadness, my friends that might be experiencing difficult times. Over on my other blog I write about my health issues surrounding diabetes.

Over the next couple of weeks, possible months, I am going to seek people out that have really interesting jobs. I am going to bring my camera and my notepad and just have a conversation with them. I think it will create some fantastic new posts. I am giving myself the title “Down Town Reviewer”. My small town has some really interesting people doing some really interesting jobs in it. See you soon.

This is Girl Schmuck signing off.

Blessings and Merry Christmas

2011-12-13T12:45:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas has come a few weeks early to our home. Military Man finally has a truck. I can tell you this, I will never drive anything smaller again. I love this monster. It has a step on the side just so us short people can get in it.
We have prayed about this and asked Gods permission about how we could be good stewards of His money. Father God has provided a great deal for us. We had downsized our large SUV for a smaller suv last year. I couldn't handle it. I didn't like that it didn't have enough cup holders and adapters for recharging games. Cup holders are so important to us girls. Not so much with you guys. Guys actually look under the hood and want to know engine size and how many MPG it will get. Military Man did a lot of research and we test drove a bunch of different ones. My very first car was a Toyota, my second car was a Toyota and now we are a two Toyota family.

Merry Christmas Military Man. God is so good and we praise Him for providing us with this great opportunity.

This is Girl Schmuck signing off

The greatest gift

2011-12-12T09:01:00.000-05:00

I don't believe in Magic but I like to think that today will be a Magical Monday. I am setting my mind to have a great day, dental cleaning included. The reason today is so great is that yesterday was so fantastic and my yesterday is overflowing into today. OK that is kinda magical isn't it? I have to share with you something that made my heart grow five times it's size yesterday. Actually it wasn't so much a something as a someone. I can't tell you his name because I don't know it. I will tell you that God used him to minister to me as much as God used me to minister to him. Here is the story.

Sunday morning church was a flurry of events. We have our advent Chistmon Tree all decorated and in the front of the church. We have our Alternative Christmas Market on display in our activities center and we have a number tables set up for toy drive and the sign up for bell ringers in our courtyard. Every Sunday we have our Open Arms ministry feeding the hungry. Its a full breakfast for anyone who might need a meal and a safe place to have the meal out of the weather. I understand we can feed as many as 300 people on Sunday morning. This is not for our regular church attendance. This is for folks down on their luck. The hard terminology is Homeless or Unemployed. In today's economy we are seeing so many folks who are struggling and this even includes the working at times. Occasionally some of these visitors will come and share a pew with us in our service.
Service begins with music. We have an introduction song that helps people understand that service is starting and they need to get into their seats. Then two songs are sung followed by someone welcoming us to service, usually from one of our pastors and then our final worship song. At the end of the final worship song, our worship leader will say: "before you take your seats, greet one another in the name of our Lord".
Now comes the fun part. I turn to the people all around me, left, right, front, back, back and to the left, back and to the right, front and to the right.. you get the picture. I introduce myself with "Hi, I am Amy, welcome to church, so glad to have you here today." Most people just say, "Good morning", but once they hear me introduce myself they will actually look me in the eye and also introduce themselves too. Yesterday was no different. Well OK it was otherwise you wouldn't be getting this long drawn out story. Yesterday I turned around and greeted the three people behind me when I saw this fellow standing behind me and to my right. I had to lean on the pew to reach him, but I held out my hand and he looked up and I clasp his hand in mind and gave him a great big smile and welcomed him to the service. I noticed he was not a member. He wasn't shaved. He wasn't really dressed for church, even with our dress comfortable casual service. He didn't have very clean fingernails and his clothes probably had not been washed recently. All that didn't matter. I was in the moment and I needed to tell him that he was a child of God and welcomed here. I needed to let him know he was my brother in Christ Jesus and he can still have Joy in his heart even with life's difficulties thrown at him. How do you say all that in three seconds? I will tell you how. Big warm smile that light's up your entire face, eye contact that holds their eyes and a warm clasp of their hand that says, I am your friend and want to share a moment with you. That's just what I did. What I didn't know is what it meant to him.
After the service I got up to leave, speaking to others that I knew. I was busy wishing people a wonderful holiday season when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I was sure it was another friend of mine wanting to wish me a Merry Christmas. Turning around I was surprised to see this same new face that was behind me in the pew. I looked up, confused and waited. He said in a very unexpected joyful tone, "Thank you for the brightest smile today". And then I just turned away, being pushed forward by the others trying to leave the sanctuary to retrieve their children from Sunday School and to do more shopping in the alternative market. My heart soared through the rafters of church as I proceeded down the aisle. I silently thanked God as I was used to brighten someone's day. Then it occurred to me that my new friend had just made my day. He confirmed Gods work in me. I was were I was suppose to be doing the work God created me to do. A smile. That was my job yesterday.
Hours later I reflected on this chance meeting and thought I should have asked him his name. Somehow it was OK that I didn't know his name, I knew God did. I didn't know anything about this fellow other than he sat behind me yesterday at church. The more I have reflected on this moment, the more my heart grew. Mean words just tear us down while kind words lift us up. I believe you can find that exact idea in the book of Proverbs.

Proverbs 12:18 NIV

The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Always speak the gospel, use words if you have to.

This is Girl Schmuck signing off

Updating your address book

2011-12-10T09:13:00.000-05:00

I still use the old fashion phone book. You know that huge yellow book that comes to your house every year and left on your doorstep? I still use a real phone and address book for my personal addresses too. It's not that I don't trust technology, but I have lost plenty of stuff because I forgot to backup. So this week as I went through the many names in my address book, I was struck with the memories of people of my past. Some of them have passed on and some have just stopped calling. I have learned to write in pencil for my brother Flyboy. He has had more addresses than years he has been alive. Some people were written in pen and I have had to just put a slash through their name. To be honest, sometimes slashing their name gives me great joy. People who are "joy suckers" get slashed. Those are the people that can suck the joy out of every conversation, every gathering, every event they attend. I can't stand to be around them, they suck the joy right out of the air.

Someone just asked me for my mailing address and I watched in amazement how fast she was able to touch the tiny buttons and type in my address on her phone. What if your phone gets lost or dropped in the toilet? (don't laugh, it has happened to many of my friends) Your entire phone book is out of commission until you have a chance to somehow retrieve your back up if you made one.

I am pretty good at keeping in touch with other people. It's other people letting go of me. For some reason they don't return calls, or don't return emails. I am no longer on their top 10 people to talk to. That's really OK, I believe we are all given a season to make an impression or impact on others lives. When the job is done we move on with both parties fading off into the sunset.

I was pretty thrilled to see I have added over 10 people this year to my address book. I kind of collect people. I don't hang them on my wall, just add them to my address book. Have you added to your address book this year? Are you reaching out to people or are you slimming down and trying to spend a bit more in your own world? Spending time by yourself is nothing to be ashamed of. It is necessary to recharge our own batteries so we might be useful and happy when we are around others.

I pray you are filling out the cards you write with love and joy. I hope you are connecting with others that need to hear from you. I wish you peace and laughter with each person you encounter this holiday season. This is Girl Schmuck signing off.

Kids of Personality.. My own funk band

2011-12-07T18:29:00.000-05:00

Back before clocks were invented. Back before calendars where around, way way back. It was then. It was a time called the 80's. Big Hair, black parachute pants and neon shirts with gummy bracelet's and friendship pins on your sneakers. Sorry incomplete sentence. I was a girl of the 80's. I didn't actually own Jordache jeans myself, because we could not afford them. And forget about owning Guess Jeans with the zippers at the bottoms. Oh yes, does this post have a point? Yes, it does. Do you recall a Group which sung a song called Cult of Personality?

Cult of Personality" is a song by funk metal band Living Colour. It was the first single from their debut album, Vivid, released in 1988. "Cult of Personality" reached #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #9 on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart. It also won the Grammy award for "Best Hard Rock Performance" in 1989.

I have no idea what Cult of Personality means but I love the song and can sing it at the top of my lungs to this day. So fast forward 30 years and I remember this song because I have kids of personality. And when I see these pictures I want to sing songs of the 80's taking them back to the 80's. They have no desire to go.

I swear she makes taking pictures so much fun. I love this face. I don't want this child to ever leave me. Don't grow up and move out and leave me. Just don't sweet pea, child of mine. OK, moving on

All I see is how dirty her socks are and how we could do a commercial for bleach and Mr. Clean to clean your socks and your floors. This is NEXT years Halloween costume. But once I saw it on her and how short it was, it suddenly became today's dress up outfit for fun.

This is how we get our funk on. Remember back in the 80's when we went OUTSIDE to play?

Military Man showing the kids survival skills.

OK, how about something to just make you laugh?

Meet Martha Ray, The big Mouth..aka .....Minnie ME

This is Girl Schmuck signing off

Christmas cards, giver or receiver?

2011-12-03T15:09:00.000-05:00

Its Christmas card season. I love to receive them. I hang them up all over the door jam to display them. I keep the pictures and put them in photo albums. After the New Year I cut up my cards and use them in making new cards and prompts in my journals. Cards are never wasted on me.
I try to get my cards out the first week of December. That would be this week. This year I wrote a two page letter with pictures of the kids included on the letter. I have my kids signing the names and writing things inside the card itself. Are you a card send or just a card receiver? Or are you the person that send out only so many cards to a few people until you get their card in the mail and then you quickly send out a card to them also? I couldn't believe how many cards my parents received every year and they never sent one card out over 20 years of marriage. How odd that people were not offended and kept them on their Christmas card list.
With this year and our tough economy I am making sure to send out as many cards as my fingers can write. This is a great time to share how God is making Himself alive and real in your life by sending out a bit of hope in your cards.
It would be so awesome to receive a card that said, "In lieu of your gift this year I am paid up on my mortgage. Have a good nights sleep knowing I still own my house". Or what if you got a card that said, "I spent money on the card and the time to let you know I was thinking of you. Instead of buying me a gift this year, help someone in need by paying their electric bill." As nice as this idea is, it would fly like a lead balloon.
I have stopped new gift exchanges with others though. I have said, "Do you really want to have to buy or receive more stuff?" Can you and I just exchange consumable gifts or just go out for coffee and enjoy our new friendship?" I love that we can be so honest and not keep this silly buy more idea to commemorate our friends. That's why I give cards. I can not afford to buy you all gifts. I don't want to buy you all gifts. Remember I am the girl who does not like to shop. A card tells someone that your thinking of them, wishing them well, hoping love is filling their home and they are happy safe and warm. Cards are simple and even if they are not filled with lots of news about the family and simply signed with a name, to receive one should be viewed as a huge blessing. My next post will be my Christmas Card to all of you. This is Girl Schmuck signing off.

Don't hate me because I am done Shopping

2011-11-29T15:02:00.000-05:00

I absolutely hate shopping. No correction.. I hate clothes shopping. Yes, I am still a girl. I just prefer to shop and chop vegetables. I like to look for lean meat in the cold case not the cool heels in the over crowded mall. So it goes also with Christmas Shopping. I have taken a page from my mothers book. Have all Christmas shopping done by October 1st. OK, I am not that good, but I did finish before December 1st.
I thought I would pass on my good ideas. It may take some of the stress out of purchasing the perfect gift for your loved one.
I start my Christmas Shopping on December 26th. Yes, I really do hold onto stuff for my kids for an entire year. I also score on the 50% off stuff for birthday gifts, home warming gifts and for my favorite.. What the Hell-o gift. Baby showers and baby gifts are not so easy but can be done if your willing to buy one boy and one girl gift. Then no matter if a girl or boy, your set. (And of course me friends that most recently had a baby has not received a gift from me yet. I know.. I suck)

Many people are getting or have some type of e-reader these days. I have the kindle. You can send a brand new book to someone and all you need is their email. I have a friend who has both an I-pad and a kindle. She uses her I-pad more now and the kindle is collecting dust. So I asked if she would loan her kindle to her son who loves to read. Bingo, I bought him a book on dragons and it took me all of one minute.
Lets talk Jammy Jams. Also known as pajamas or sleepware. Now if you sleep in the nude.. I got nothing for you. However if you are a man, ladies please throw out all the nasty hole in crotch shorts and t-shirts he has and buy him a fun pair of character pajama bottoms. Men love silly character or beer advertisement pajama bottoms. Guys when you were dating your lady it was fun to buy all that sexy lingerie. That is such a sweet gesture,but it ends up on the floor and later shoved in the very back of our drawers anyway. So lets go with some mighty comfortable sleepware. I am talking about clothes that are really fun comfy stuff that us girls can walk around the house in without flashing the neighbors or embarrassing ourselves in front of the kids. Now you have to talk to your lady about this. I prefer cotton. Some of you girls love satin and silk. I love the store Walmart and TJ Maxx but some of my friends need to shop with Victoria and get to know her secrets. Then again if your really lucky she could be the "I want to sleep in your big shirts" girl and your off the hook on this one.

Tip for the Guys. Military Man is smart and every time I mention something, pick something up, look at something, talk about how a new lamp might look good in the corner etc etc etc : My Man writes it down on his card. I am a lucky girl.

See the thing with gifts are that should be things we want and need. I need a new dishwasher and I want a new dishwasher. But if I gave my best friend a new dishwasher.. no wait bad example.. she really does want and need a new dishwasher too. OK So what I am trying to say is that more often than not we buy because we want and we want what we don't need. And worse still is we don't buy what we need, we just put up with the broken stuff. So to make this as simple as possible I will state it with a big ugly truth. Here it is.

It is not your money to spend however you want.

That's how we get into this "gimme" attitude. We think because we work and we earn that we can spend it however we want. NOPE. Here is the other truth, but it ain't so ugly. Its God's money. He is allowing you to borrow it while you live here on earth. Here comes another idea. Have you ever asked Gods permission to spend his money on something? When you change your attitude about money, it stops changing you. You will have a new look and idea of what Christmas is and what real gifts look like.

This is Girl Schmuck signing off.

In Love with Love

2011-11-28T08:39:00.000-05:00

I am in Love. I have been in love for years before I got married. I am in love with LOVE. I am the hopeless romantic that loves the happy ending. I love to see the good guy gets the girl. I had a wonderful example of tenderness, love, kindness and gentleness as a kid. My step dad adored my mom. She was pretty darn good to him too. The two of them were married 22 years. I watched them as best friends and later understood they were great lovers of life and each other. They always held hands, always gave one another a tender kiss regardless of who was watching. He brought her flowers, she made him wonderful meals. He always said she was sexy and she called him a handsome devil.

I am going to confess something. I am a voyeur. Yikes did I make you blush? I love to witness two people in love share a tender moment. I almost giggle out loud when I witness two adults holding hands. Its hope beyond the hurt that can destroy if you allow it to. One of my most treasured memories is witnessing our Pastor at church holding his beautiful wife's hand as they walked together into the sanctuary. OH melt my heart. Most people don't like to show public forms of tenderness or display affection of any kind in front of others. For them I am sad. I am not into watching two kids snog on the side of a building. That is just hormones out for a ride. Witnessing an elderly couple helping each other walk safely across the street, or a excited moment of celebration as one gives another a hug around the neck and a big kiss on the cheek for sold out tickets to a concert; that's what makes my heart go pitter pat.
Just the other night I got a glimpse again at another tender moment of love and I fell in love all over again. I was attending a function and at the end of the night the fella said how much he appreciated and loved her for her great job. No one was really paying all that much attention to them, but I could feel the heat in the room change and in my face as I watched the love in their eyes lock and they knew of no one except each other. Glasses clinked and toasts were made and I was missing my own fella. I felt like doing a fist pump and yelling "YES". I am in love with Love. Perfect Love. Love that brings us together which no man (or woman) can separate. I love when Gods perfect plan comes together. Its a beautiful sight. Hope you see it sometime.

Homemade Cranberry sauce

2011-11-17T14:39:00.000-05:00

I have been waiting for about three months for cranberries to come into the stores. I bought five bags the other day. That was the first trip. Today I am making homemade cranberry sauce. Everyone has to know how easy making this stuff is right? One cup water, one cup sugar, one bag (12 ounces) of whole cranberries. You bring the water and the sugar to a boil and add cranberries. They burst in the heat and the natural pectin in cranberries makes it gel when it cools.
So many of you don't like the bits and skins and have to have jellied sauce instead of whole berries. That is the best part. So today I am making the sugar free version, made with splenda instead of sugar. WHY doesn't Ocean Spray make a sugar free version?? They make all those flavored cranberry juices and they make a sugar free cranberry juice why not a sugar free cranberry sauce?
Well today I am canning my sauce. I added a fresh squeezed orange to jazz it up a bit. Its the same process except you have to boil the jars afterward to get a seal so you can store them in the cellar. My Military Man can eat the stuff right out of a can like it was candy in a can. I have to have mine with a slab of turkey, or pork, maybe some roasted chicken.
So now that I am canning my own cranberry sauce I can have it all year around. I am not sure if it will jell as hard as the stuff in the can because of the splenda substitute. I have found my sugar free jellies don't always jell hard until I get them opened and put them in the refrigerator. Not because of the splenda but because I can't follow a recipe. I use more fruit or extra juice or something like that. I will tell you this: I have never made the same recipe exactly twice, even when I write it down and try to recreate it. I just have to change something. Sometimes its a disaster and it goes in the garbage, but more often than not its good.

This is Girl Schmuck Signing off