About Me

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WA, United States
I home school my kids, highly involved in my church, love to read, drink tea, and design tags.

Books I am reading now

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Verse of the Day

Thursday, September 30, 2010

Day #1with no Coffee - Full Month of Blogs!

Well I made it.  I made it one month of blogging every single day and I made it one day without coffee.  My headache now is worse than it has been all day.  Ugh.
I did get some things accomplished today and am glad for it.  Some things have been picked up the last few days that were just in our way!  Now to get rid of it all! 
Today FINALLY got up to the temperature that the weatherchannel said it would.  Well, that's not true.  It didn't get up to it, but it got closer than it has all week.  I got 2 loads washed and hung up on the line and hopefully they'll get close by the time evening comes all the way.
The kids and I baked some Pillsbury Spooky Cat cookies today.  They are nummy!  They sure love doing that.  We don't do it much.  I hate to cook or bake.  The only thing I enjoy in the kitchen is eating.  And it's not like those cookies are hard, it's just something I hate.  HATE.  So I procrastinate it. 
My poor hubby didn't marry a Susie-Homemaker.  lol 
I don't know if I posted this book yet that I am currently reading, but it's pretty good.  I haven't had much time to sit and read it so I am still on chapter 2 and page 22.  It's called A Busy Woman's Guide to Prayer by Cheri Fuller.  I bought this book for only 1 penny on Amazon.com!  What a deal!  And it was labeled Like New, but I think it's brand new! 
I am going to head out now so that I can read it for a few while the hubby is gone with his dad for a drive.  I think I'll just tie the kids up put a movie in for the kids for a bit so that I can have some peace and quiet to read in.
Say goodbye to September and hello to October.  How can we already be to Christmas again?

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Goodbye Coffee

Doesn't she look happy?  Sitting there, drinking her cup of coffee, relaxing.  *sigh*  Well, today was my last day to have real coffee.  I gave all that I had left away and there is not more here.  Now when I drink "my coffee" it is Teeccino.  Which is all good and well, but I am still going to miss my creamy vanilla coffee.  *sigh*
This morning I gave it a shot.  I didn't make a pot of coffee when I got up, I made a pot of Teeccino.  Teeccino doesn't have caffeine and soon I was feeling it!  A headache was slowly taking over.  So I gave in and made some coffee.  And why not?  I've got I had good Starbucks coffee here.  I certainly can't waste it!  So I knew I just had to get rid of it.  I gave it over.  Sadly. 




So tomorrow I start my no coffee morning.  I have already warned the kids that I may will be grumpy.  lol  I dread the headaches more than the grumpiness.  But I will survive through this and live to drink Teeccino!  lol



So if you can today, pray a little prayer for me to get through this ordeal.  And for my family!  From now on, the only caffeine I will get is from chocolate and maybe some teas.  I don't have either very often though.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Fall Into Reading Question 1


Every Tuesday, Katrina at Callapidder Days asks a question for us to participate in the Fall Into Reading challenge every week.  Today her question is this:

What do you think is the biggest obstacle to your reading? What prevents you from reading as much as you’d like?

For myself, it is definitely finding a balance between reading a book and the other hobbies that I have.  Other than reading I teach my kids, teach Sunday school, teach AWANA, play in the hand bell choir, crochet, take photos, write and of course, play online and/or on computer.  I also can not have any distractions to read.  Like hubby and/or children talking to me or the TV/stereo blaring in the background.  If I am tired or my mind is moving to fast I also can not read.  I have to be relaxed and in a non-active environment.

Monday, September 27, 2010

National Coffee Day with Galen and Caroline MacDougall

2nd Tag of the Day....well sorta

Kitties in coffee cups?  How much cuter can you get than that?

So my friend Kristy, over at The Man Crew answered Mishmash Maggie's questions and I wanted to answer her questions too!  So here are the questions from Kristy:

1 What is in your CD player (or on your iPod) right now? Why do you like it?
Francesa Batistelli and I LOVE her!  Such great uplifting and praising songs!

2 Tell me about your childhood in 3 words, your teenage life in 3 sentences and your adult life in less than a paragraph. Be succinct : )
Childhood:  Daddy's little girl
Teenage Life:  School was my favorite place to be because it was away from home.  Home brought anger and frustrations.  Still a Daddy's girl!
Adult Life:  I've learned what is most important in life.  I have prioritized my life the way that I think God wants me to.  I have had to make some really tough decisions to separate myself from people that bring my troubles or stress.  I learned that it is much harder to be the submissive wife than it is to try and fill a role that I was not meant to fill but with the grace of God I can fulfill the role that He has chosen for me.

3 How did you meet your spouse, or best friend?
When I was 18, my parents sold our farm and moved from Western Washington to the Eastern side.  I stayed here w/an aunt for a while, but eventually moved in w/my parents because of financial and personal problems.  While I was staying there, I came back here to visit my best friend for the weekend.  Her boyfriend had his cousin over and he was so cute!  I just had this feeling when I met him that we would be together.  And here we are, 15 years later with almost 12 years of marriage behind us.

4 How has blogging changed your life? It doesn't have to be PROFOUND
It has given me a way to unwind, a sort of release.  It has also allowed me to write, which I love, without feeling like I am being graded or might get turned down by a publisher.  It is a way for me to share my life, my problems, my joys and my love for Jesus with others.

5 What is your favorite Bible story and why?
I love to read about Saul's conversion to Christianity.  I think it is so powerful.  A man persecuting the Christians and the Lord speaks to him.  He is a changed man after that and one of our most leading Christian men of the past.  It is awing and inspiring to me.

6 How would someone else describe you in less than 5 words?
Well it depends on who you ask, lol.  I know this would be said of me, "Brings others to God."

7 If you were stranded on an island, what 4 things would you take with you and why? Assuming that food, water and basic shelter was somehow provided.
1. My Bible
2. My husband
3. My daughter
4. My son

8 How did we meet and why are we friends?
We met on Cafemom in the CEO group.  We are friends because we share the love of the Lord and that makes us sisters in Christ!  We are friends because we share some of the same problems and joys and that stirs a kinship in us.  We are friends because we both have the same sense of humor and we can take the jokes directed towards us.  We are friends because we just love each other!  I can't wait to actually meet you in person sometime Kristy!!

I am not going to post 8 more questions.  It was hard enough to come up with the first 8! lol  Hope you enjoyed!

Tagged by Mishmash Maggie...well not really

I just love lions.  They are my favorite cats from the cat family.  I just love cats!!!  lol

This morning I came across Mishmash Maggie's post and since I like to answer these type of questions I am going to!  lol  So here we go.....

1. What is your favorite Bible verse? How did it become your favorite? (If you don’t have a single favorite, please share one of your faves.)
My favorite Bible verse?  That is a hard one.  But I think the one that keeps me going the most is Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengtheneth me."  It helps me to remember that He won't send me anything that I can't handle.  I might just have to lean on Him to help me handle it.  Which is the reason for some of my troubles I think anyway.  To teach me to cling to Him and no one or nothing else!

2. What is currently on your nightstand? I dump my heart and brain on my nightstand... what's on yours??
I currently am using my end table for a nightstand because my water bed heater broke and I can't stand to sleep on that freezing bed!  So I moved out to the couch.  So on my end table is a popcorn bucket with Leapster and Nintendo DS games and the kids' library movies.  There is also chapstick and hair ties in the bucket for me.  I have my glass of ACV water, my alarm clock and my coasters with Bible verses on them.  I also have a candle warmer that I use to keep my coffee warm when I am sitting there.  At night when I go to bed my book, glasses and hanky is there for me.

3. What place have you not traveled to but would like to?  Why?
I would love to travel to Europe and see the old castles in Scotland, England, Ireland and everywhere else.  That is my dream vacation.

4. What is your favorite snack?
Usually anything with salt!  Potato chips are usually my first choice.  Nachos are my absolute favorite!

5. Why motivates you to blog?
To share my story with others, maybe I can help them or let them know the problems they are facing are being faced by others.  I also want to share my love for my family and Jesus.  This is my way to witness to others because I don't like going door-to-door.

6. Which person from the Bible (besides Jesus) are you most looking forward to meeting?
I think, at this moment, it changes you know, that I would like to meet Moses.  He was such a strong leader and love God, was so close to Him.  I would ask him what it was like walking through the Red Sea, how awesome was it to be in God's tender care while He was making the Egyptians miserable and the awe that he felt at the burning bush.

7.  What brings out the best in you... what brings out the worst?
People who are inconsiderate bring out the worse in me.  I just can't stand it!  I think Jesus brings out the best in me.  It is through Him that I find happiness and peace.

8. What characteristic of God are you the most grateful for?
His everlasting love.  To know that whatever wrongs I do, He still loves me.  He still yearns for me.  He still is in my corner rooting for me!

********************************************************************
Now it is my turn to list questions.  I am not going to list other bloggers to tag because they rarely participate and if you want to do this, you will anyway!  So please if you decide to answer my questions, please come back here and put your link for it in the comment box!

1.  When you have free time, all to yourself, what do you do?

2.  If you could choose one question right now to ask God and have Him answer it now, what would it be?

3.  If you could go to school for something or learn something new and money was no object, what would you choose?

4.  Do you have any specific Bible verses that you pray over your husband or children?

5.  What is one thing that you love to have or do now that you really should have outgrown?  For example, I love crayons and to color!  lol

6.  When you feel troubled is there something that comforts you?  Is it a material object like a fuzzy blanket or one of those stress stones?  Or do you turn to someone for comfort?

7.  What is your favorite time of the day and why?

8.  Do you have a comfort food and what is it?

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Today's Frustrations

Today was a frustrating day.  It wasn't really a bad day.  There were good parts.  But there were parts that I could have avoided. 
The main part of my problem I think is just people.  Inconsideration, rudeness, assumptions, laziness, undependability.....those are some of the issues I was faced with today.
I don't know if it's because I'm nice, but I'm tired of being walked on.  I don't mind helping people.  But I don't like feeling used or like I have to help because I'm a Christian and they know that and basically that's the only reason why they ask.  I don't like being talked down to either.  Nobody is superior to me, so why do they act like it? 
I am going to eat and lay down, watch tv, by myself. I just need to be alone right now.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

My Friday Fave Five

Susanne over at Living to Tell the Story hosts this wonderful post every Friday.  It forces you to think back on the wonderful praises and blessings of your past week.  And without any further ado, here is my favorite things of the week:

1.  The love and comfort that I have from my church family.  I am so thankful for them!  They are blessings to my whole family!  I always know that when I walk into my church, I will be loved and accepted.  And comforted if I need that!


2.  I got my Teeccino samples in the mail!  As most of my readers know, I am in love with coffee.  I found out it's not the best thing for my kidney stones and can actually make them worse.  So my hubby talked me into trying to quit.  For my health.  I am not a big tea drinker and I don't think that is strong enough to fill my taste for coffee.  I searched for an alternative and found one recommended by a lady at Super Supplements and a friend on Twitter.  Well, it is fabulous!  It is so much like coffee that I will be able to switch!  You can read my posts on this here and here.

3.  I am so blessed by my beautiful cats.  My kitten just knows how to make me smile and laugh.  He cuddles up on my lap and does not let me ignore him!  Our middle cat has been getting closer and closer to me, he's quite shy and panicky.  Poor guy.  We got him like that and it makes us sad for him.  Our oldest is ruder than ever but trying to be a little bit nicer because she wants to come in more now that the warm weather has passed.  She is a sweetheart, if you catch her in the right mood! 


4.  I am extremely thankful for the laughter that I shared this week with my kids.  As Stinky is getting older, she is funner to joke with.  And she gets more things, like when I mess up.  Bubba is just a little joke maker and loves to make others laugh.  He's a little comedian for sure.  I am blessed by my babies and I thank the Lord for making me their mother!






5.  And last but not least, I am thankful for my creative talents.  I decided to crochet myself a new headcovering instead of spending money that I don't really have right now on a new scarf or a real headcover that I can order online.  I am excited for this!  My first one won't be anything special or fancy, but it will help sharpen my skills all the same.  I haven't crocheted enough to understand all of the lingo and directions yet. 

Have a fantabulous week folks!  If you'd like to count your blessing for the week, you can join us by clicking on the name "Living To Tell the Story" above! 

Friday, September 24, 2010

Teeccino Part 2

Yesterday I blogged about trying Teeccino.  When my hubby got home, I told him to try it.  Now, my hubby is not a coffee drinker because he thinks it's too bitter.  But I decided to try it with some cream and sugar last night and I didn't care for it that way at all!  But I thought he would so I gave it to him and he downed the whole cup!  Than told me yep, I'm right, he wouldn't be able to tell it wasn't coffee but it wasn't as bitter.  He might just think it was a different flavor.
So far, in most of my healthy food/diet changes, he hasn't liked it.  He doesn't like butter better than margarine, the organic cookies taste stale to him (except for the peanut butter and organic oreo like cookies), even though he agrees you can barely tell the difference between ground turkey and ground beef he still wants to eat the beef.  I was shocked to hear him say that it was something he liked!
Then when I told him that it still had a natural energy boost and also include inulin, which has many healing and nutritional qualities, he was all for it!  To check out the ingredients used and their properties go here.  To check out the health benefits go here
After my father in law came over, which he does every night and drinks my coffee, I tried a little test on him.  I told him I bought a new kind of coffee and to try it.  He said that it was really good!  Then he asked me what I bought.  So I showed him the package and explained it to him.  He was impressed that it was healthier for you and said he'd buy some.  I told him you have to order it and he said when I order mine to let him know so he can order some.

Now I just have to finish drinking my Starbucks Breakfast Blend that I bought......lol


Thursday, September 23, 2010

My First Teeccino Sample

I took the plunge and tried it.  I really can't believe that I am going to have to say goodbye.  Really?  Maybe.....
Ok, so because of my wonderful kidney stones, my hubby wants me to quit drinking coffee.  The caffeine and coffee acids contribute to them.  That unnerves panics me!  I thought to myself, "I am going to have to find a replacement drink!  All I drink besides coffee is water.  I want some flavor!" With that thought, I decided I would go ahead and check the health food store for a coffee alternative.
Well, I didn't go exactly....but that's what friends are for right?  Now, actually she was already there and called and asked if I needed anything.  Since she asked, "Oooh yea!  I need some more Dr. Bronner's liquid castile, face cleanser and check out their choices for a coffee alternative and let me know what they have please?!"  Of course she did.  Actually, she brought me everything I asked for and gave me a website to order a coffee alternative.
I was on Twitter and chatting with a friend and she mentioned that she had gotten her Teecchino in the mail and she was so excited!  I asked her what that was....I was curious because the website I was given was written "Teechino".  I found out that she was talking about the same thing and I had been given the wrong spelling.  She told me a little about it and how great it was.
My next step was ordering!  On http://www.teeccino.com/ I found that they have a sampler pack that I could order to try 10 of the flavors.  And of course, I did.  I was also told that I could order this from Amazon.com.  I got my samples yesterday in the mail. 
This afternoon I tried it.  I opened up the Teeccino Mediterranean Original herbal coffee, smelled it (I could totally smell the carob.  Honestly, it doesn't have a great smell), brewed me a pot and sat down with my cup of Teeccino.  I wanted to try it black first, to get the real flavor.  Then if I needed to I could add cream and sugar.  I was excited about this Mediterranean flavor because it is described like this:
Citrus notes of orange peel sweetened by dates and figs
My favorite coffee is Starbucks Breakfast Blend.  Folgers Breakfast Blend is my 2nd choice.  But both use citrus flavors and maybe I like that?  I was a little disappointed to find that there wasn't a breakfast flavor, but this has to be it!
When I took my first sip, I couldn't believe how much like coffee this tastes!  It's amazing!  I am looking up now because I will be able to keep my flavors!  And the best part?  It's 75% organic!  The ingredients for this blend include:
Organic carob, organic barley, chicory, organic dates, organic orange peel, almonds, organic figs, natural citrus flavor
You can add cream and sugar if you want.  So far, I have drank 2 cups without cream or sugar.  I think I may add some in the next cup.
I am still in shock at how much like coffee this tastes!  There is a slight drawback.  It is a little more expensive than coffee.  But, as someone who spends at least $15 on coffee products per week, I can handle just a couple more dollars for health!  I am doubly sure that I could serve this to people and they would never know that it wasn't coffee. 
This is definitely a 5 star product for me!

Too Many Things

I have many many things just blowing around in my mind right now.  I want to blog, but I need more time to think about a few things.  I've got a book review coming up, a alternative coffee review coming up and thoughts of my personal journey through the topic of head coverings.
Please stay tuned....I will be blogging more!  Hopefully later today....
I have canceled homeschool work for the day to get some housework done that is desperately needing it!
Be back later when my mind slows down and my work is done!


Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Watcha Reading Wednesday


This week's Watcha Reading Wednesday Teaser works like this:
Type in the first 2 full sentences on page 50.
Remember to alert any spoilers.
You can participate by leaving your WRW teaser in a comment below, or you can make a post on your own blog and link back to this post in the linky below. Feel free to use the WRW graphic, just please be sure to link back to Busy Moms Who Love to Read.

"Teaching also brought her money that she could spend on whatever she wanted, without the auditing glance Warren always gave her when she made a purchase of even minor extravagance.  Finally, teaching had given her Danny McDavitt, the kindred spirit she had been searching for all along."
From Third Degree by Greg Iles

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

My Fall Into Reading Book List


If you'd like to join the Fall Into Reading 2010 reading lists, please join by visiting Callapidder Days blog.  Blogger won't let me add links to pictures or words right now, not sure what the problem is.  But here's the actual link:http://callapidderdays.com/2010/09/fall-into-reading-2010-the-basics.html

My reading list is pretty simple.  I just go by what is on my To Be Read Bookshelf and write down what I think I can read in the 3 months that we will be doing this.  I loved participating in the Spring Into Reading 2010 blog.

And my list is as follows:
Sept-Oct:
Nov:
Dec:
I will also be adding books from booksneeze.com and Tyndale publishers when I receive them.


Monday, September 20, 2010

Busy Busy Busy!

It's been such a busy day today and I didn't even have time to homeschool.  This evening I finished my book that I started on Friday.  It was a good book.  I think it's more for a teen girl though.  I have the next 2 of the series to read soon.
I am going to start a new book tonight.  It's by Roald Dahl, who I just love!  I have never read this one.  It's called George's Marvelous Medicine. 
Hopefully tomorrow I have more time to do everything that I need to.  And I should.  Sorry this is so short tonight, but I'm tired and want to lay down. 









Sunday, September 19, 2010

Sunday is the Best Day

Today was an extremely awesome day at church!   I had 11 kids in my Sunday school class!  This is so exciting!  I have the 1st and 2nd graders.  It is awesome to see my class grow so much.
During church today we started the dedication to our new sanctuary.  The bell choir that I am in played a song with a great clarinet player.  It was How Great Thou Art.  The song had an interesting jazz twist to it, but it was a good song nonetheless.  There was also singing in church by the trio of ladies that sing together.  One of them is my good friend Shannon.  She sings beautifully!  She plays the bells with me also.
After church a good friend that I haven't seen for a long time came home with me to just hang out.  It was nice to hang out with Chelsea.  I have missed her.  We just hung out, talked, snacked and even cleaned my kitchen up!  It's nice for both of us to do that sometimes.
My kidney stone hasn't bother me much today, which was a blessing so I could go to church and play.  My hubby went this morning also.  That is ALWAYS good!
I am tired now.  I have to get a few things ready for school tomorrow.  I also need to take a trip to the library tomorrow.  Some books for this school week are on hold for us.  So, without further ado, I am signing out and getting things done so that I can lay down.  And eat dinner!  Night folks!!

Saturday, September 18, 2010



I started reading a new book last night because I finished the other one.  I don't usually read very much Christian fiction, because sometimes it is dull.  But lately I have been wanting to read more fiction and not really wanting to read secular books.  So I got a Janette Oke series from the last church free bazaar thingy. 
This is from the Prairie Legacy Series and I started with the first one called The Tender Years.  I started reading last night, and have read today also.  It seems pretty good, but maybe something that would be more aimed for a teen girl, than a married woman. 
I have most of my planning done for this school week.  I just need to plan when we read certain books.
My kidney stone has been bothering me every day for a week so I have been taking pain pills.  I haven't been able to every day, but I have had one today and one yesterday. So I am not feeling right.

Friday, September 17, 2010

Book Review - What in the World is Going On? by Dr. David Jeremiah

What in the World is Going On? is a must read for all Christians!  I loved the simplicity of this book and how well it described future events.  Dr. David Jeremiah take the time to break down verse by verse and point by point  things that Christians should know.  This book explains the AntiChrist, Armageddon, the Rapture, Jesus second coming and much more!  

Dr. David Jeremiah has fully researched the subjects that he has written about and is fully prepared to explain all of his points.  This book answered many questions that I had.  There were a few things about the Rapture that I was not clear on.  He also distinctly explains both of Jesus’ coming to earth, once at the Rapture and twice at the Second Coming.  

This would be a great book to do as a study with a group of people.  I am planning on taking a couple of chapters to read with my husband to help clear up some areas of confusion for him also.  I believe that teens can also greatly benefit this book because it is written so that everyone can understand it.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze.com <http://BookSneeze.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Thursday, September 16, 2010

My Current Favorite CD

I recently was able to buy a new CD for myself.  I got a little tired of listening to my other ones and I my radio doesn't work in the van, just the player.  I have been wanting and searching for Francesca Bettistelli.  She sings a couple of songs that I love.  Like "Free To Be Me" and "I'm Letting Go".  After I bought the CD, I noticed that I also know Beautiful, Beautiful from the radio.  I got the deluxe edition called My Paper Heart.
The nice thing about this CD is that it is a Christian CD and my children love to sing to this album.  We have quite a few Christian men albums but I like to have some women sometimes because Amanda likes to sing to "girl singers".
So far, my favorite song is "Blue Sky".  When you feel down, you have to listen to this song and you just won't be able to stay down! 
"I'm Letting Go" is a song that I totally can relate to.  Every day of my life, this is the way I try to live. 
I recommend all you definitely buy this CD to have in your collection!

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