Alton Brown Has GREAT Tips

We watch Food TV quite often in our house and one of our favorite cooks is Alton Brown. He has such great ideas and tips for how to cook some of our favorite foods. Jim often takes the tips offered by Alton and cooks some of the greatest foods. Tonight was no exception. Jake had decided he wanted steak for dinner and Jim cooked them. Boy, were they good!!!

She's Back

A month or so ago, we added a new member to our family. Her name is Allie and she's a baby calico. She's a sweet lap cat and is so patient with our youngest.

She has been at the vet's office over the past few days. She was spayed and declawed on her front claws. She seems to be doing well, but has to be hurting...she's not as peppy as she usually is. But she's home to rest and gain her strength and is as snuggly as always.

Welcome home, Allie.

My Blogging Boys

A Little Help From a Friend

Today, the boys and I were on our way to the funeral home for a visitation. Because we're new to the area, I wasn't really sure where this particular funeral home was, but we set off to find it. We drove through the town and I didn't see it...we were on the outskirts of town and I thought, "OK, we can either drive around aimlessly and never find this place or we can stop and see where to go."

Just then I saw a WV State Police sign and an officer getting into or out of his car (he was sitting in it with his door open). We pulled up behind him and I asked him if he could tell me where it was. He said he thought he knew where it was and pointed the way. But he also asked another office just to be sure.

I didn't feel so bad since he wasn't sure and it was another lesson for the boys of the folks you can trust to take care of you. If we hadn't asked for directions, I don't think we would have gotten there.

Milestone and New Project

I've been wanting to do Project 365 for some time, but didn't start it right after the first of the year. Today I hit the "Big 4-0" and decided I would mark this milestone year with a picture each day.

Oh, great AARP is sending me emails asking me to join...our oldest says, "You can't do that, mom, you're not old enough." That made me feel good.



Here is what the front of the house looked like this morning thanks to some of our more mischievous members.

Trick or Treat

Here's some pics from last week...there would be more but my camera's memory card was loose and I only had internal memory for Batman and Robin.

For preschool our 2 year old went as Mickey.

ONU Homecoming

Last Saturday we went to Homecoming at Ohio Northern. The Polar Bears won their game 28 - 0 over Marietta. The boys enjoyed some football, cotton candy and rides. Here are some pics from the day.

Things I Learned at the Corn Maze Tonight

Tonight I went with our youth group to the local corn maze. It's a good fall night here...by good fall night I mean COLD. But I bundled up and and off to church I went. We got to the maze and things seemed to be going well except it was about 7 o'clock and getting dark. The guy who runs the maze told us that if we got stuck in the maze for over 2 hours, someone would come find us. I was hoping that there were torches along the way or some kind of lighting devices. There were none. Did I bring a flashlight...uh no.

So off we went. I checked the time as we entered the maze...thinking if I hear, "If you build it, he will come," I was going to make a run for it. We chose to answer the movie, music and TV questions. I didn't want to do the biblical questions cuz I didn't know how hard the questions would be and didn't want to get stuck in the maze any longer than I had to be.

It started off well. We found the first post for the question with little trouble...actually that's how the first five questions went. Then it got REALLY dark. People were screaming in the maze, folks (which ran the danger of being maimed by me) were jumping out of the maze, cutting through the corn stalks, and screaming which was a little un-nerving.

Finally, less than an hour later, we emerged from the corn...we unfortunately were the last ones out. But we made it none the less...and in 50 - 55 minutes.

Things I learned:
1. Don't go to the corn maze at night.
2. If you do go at night take a flashlight. Using your cell phone works ok unless you keep pressing the camera button. (I have great pics of blackness of the corm).
3. When wandering around in the corn, it might be a good choice to continue turning the way the previous clue told you...when we followed this tip we got to the next question easier...and this might just be true of this particular maze.
4. Dress warm...I was fine but my legs are still a little chilly...reminded me of the ol' marching band days in November.
5. Make sure that everyone uses the restroom before you leave your starting point...especially if they say they have to go to the bathroom before you enter the maze.
6. It helps to pick a topic/category that you have a handle of...or have someone who has a bunch of trivia in their head.
7. Did I mention to take a flashlight?!

All in all it was fun...just wish I could have seen a little better.

Happy Birthday!!

Today is a special day in our house...as is most birthdays. It's Jim's birthday and also his brother Tom's birthday. Happy Birthday my honey I hope your day is great. We love you very much!!

This Season Won't Be the Same

As a Michigan and Patriots fan, I must say this year might very well turn out to be a disappointment. I will miss seeing Tom Brady, one of my favorite player on the gridiron this fall due to his knee injury.

College football is off to a rough start too as Michigan lost their season opener to Utah. This past weekend was a win but was hoping for larger margin of victory.

Could the Polar Bears of Ohio Northern pull off a good season? Time will tell.

As the season goes on, if you see me dressed in black, you'll understand why.

Batting Down the Hatches

It looks as though this hurricane season is going to be one that will make history. As we collected money to help the rebuilding efforts of the churches that were devastated by Katrina, as we prayed for family members who were hoping to flee from Gustav's wrath but were having trouble finding gas for their car, and as we hoped that the storm would weaken or change course, it marched on. Now the weather officials and others are keeping their eye on Hanna and Ike, other storms that could reek havoc on our coasts.

Let us remember all those who are trying to gather their most prized possessions and leave their homes to find safety. May they travel safely.

The Timing is a Little Eerie

It always sets me back a bit when things in life are a little to perfectly fit to one another. A while ago our conference was sent letters by the bishop to collect a special offering for the continued Katrina efforts either last Sunday or this Sunday.

Last week our congregation had a LOT going on. We did a blessing of teachers, students, administrators and staff as most prepared for the beginning of school this past week. Our service ended with the breaking of ground for our new Family Life Center. So, the service didn't really lend itself to having a special offering.

This week we see the potential of Hurricane Gustav to cause significant damage in that same part of our country. As folks seek to find a safe place to go until the storm eventually passes, as once again some face the horror of losing everything they have again, and as folks are still traveling down to that part of our country seeking to help rebuild the devastation, we will gather. We will gather to pray for those who are once again being effected by these acts of nature and we with gather together to offer from our blessings so that others might know the help and love that God offers.

Hard to Believe It's Been 45 Years

Forty five years ago today, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his "I Have a Dream" speech. Today is another day to be a milestone in history.

Enjoy this video from the past as we think about the future.

First Day Went Well

My 7-year-old started second grade today. I was nervous for him because he was switching schools and this was the first time he'd be away from one of his best friends since they were 18 months old. The little one and I walked with my oldest to the art room where he and the other kids would wait for their teachers. I asked if he wanted me to wait and he said no.

All day I wondered how he was doing. When I picked him up, I prepared for the worse. The "I hate this place why'd we have to move." But he said he had a good time. There were kids he knew from his summer program as well as those he knew from church. He likes his teacher and he said, "I actually made a new friend today too." I hope his enthusiasm continues...and he continues to like the school and his new friends.

Where Did the Summer Go?

I can't believe the summer is over already. The locusts are singing, the air is getting chillier and the school bells will ring tomorrow. This year is different for us than most...our oldest will be starting at a new school. He's not excited at all for the change and I think I'm nervous more for him than he is himself. We're hoping to stop by the school today to see his classroom. Maybe that will give both of us a little bit of security as this new chapter opens in our lives. I hope he continues to make new friends as easily as he's done in the past. This will definitely be a big change.

No Wheaties for Phelps

I just saw on the news that Michael Phelps won't be gracing the front of a Wheaties box. He has signed a deal with ellogg's and will be featured on their Corn Flakes and Frosted Flakes boxes. The folks at Kellogg's say that Phelps is GR-R-R-E-I-G-H-T anyway. Congrats Michael!

Happy 2nd Birthday!!

Today is the second birthday of our little one. It's hard to believe that it's been two years since he came into this world. I went to the hospital he was born in to do visits today and it was a little surreal to think 2 years ago I was a patient in that place.

Happy birthday to my little one. You've grown so quickly these past two years...I look forward to the years ahead. Just don't grow up too fast...mommy's having a hard time with you getting older.

This Just Bothers Me

OK, normally I don't blog about politics, but when I received an email tonight it bothered me so much I just had to write about it... hoping to release some of the anger I feel right now.  It appears that there is a move to redefine abortion to include birth control, which would eliminate many state laws protecting women's rights.

It apparently comes down to pretty much an insurance issue, so that if birth control is redefined as abortion - the means of birth control won't be covered.  It seems so wrong in so many different ways that this is even an option for some people to think about.  

It takes away a woman's right to decide when to get pregnant... it takes away the peace of mind offered to someone who at this time does not want children.  

What about persons for whom birth control is needed?  Those who need the medication for health reasons?  This is not to mention the whole psyche of the decision to label contraception as abortion... preventing a pregnancy is not the same as terminating one.  

If you would like to get more information, go here.

Time Goes Fast

It's hard to believe that it's been almost 2 years since our youngest was born.  It seems like just yesterday we were preparing our oldest to be a good big brother and I was waddling around waiting for the birth.  It was a Friday, the weather was warm and our family was gathered around.  

Today we're having a little party with grandma and grandpa...a trial run for our bigger party tomorrow and his party with his "school" friends on Monday.  I baked an Elmo cake for the occasion today and will make another one tomorrow...it looks kinda like the one above.  We'll do cupcakes for Monday.  I hope he has a great time.

Sorry it's been a while

Yes, it's been a while...we moved to a new house and started a new appointment.  Things are going well...just busy.  I will post more later.