Gonna need to go get more storage soon...

Well I had fun while Rylie took her nap today.  I continued to work with the pictures I took of her yesterday.  What fun!  And if I keep up at this rate, and making them as big as I did today, I am really going to need to go find more storage space for these things. LOL

Here is the first one I did this afternoon:

Hmmm, I might have added a bit too much color to her cheeks when I colorized the picture.  She's looking like she got into some make-up and went crazy.  LOL

And this is the next one I did.  I think I am going to print this one out.  I really like it.

Uh, yeah...that took me a while to get the picture to come up, so I am sure it is going to slow my journal down alot.  Oops.

Have a wonderful and safe Friday everyone!

Hugs!

~Jill Marie

 

Glitter and/or sparkle

Okay, I need a little help here.  I am thinking I might want to practice this animation thing on the Paint shop.  Does anyone know where I can go to get a good (easy) tutorial on that subject?  Thanks for any help or links you can send me.

~Jill Marie

Friday Funny~Typical Low-carb day~My horoscope

Okey dokey.  As I said last week, I seem to be hitting a writers block lately.  But I like this Friday Funny thing, so I went looking for stories.  This is what I found for ya'll today.  Not so funny, more like moronic, but what the heck.

Jail Inmate Escapes, but Falls Down Hill

Thu Jan 26, 4:21 PM ET

OLYMPIA, Wash. - Lance H. Gauthun had barely escaped from the Thurston County jail before he was hollering for help and back behind bars.

Authorities heard the cries of Gauthun, 20, and a police officer pulled him to safety after he ran or fell down a steep embankment behind the jail late Tuesday and found himself stuck with temperatures in the low 30s, sheriff's deputy Daniel D. Kimball said.

"They actually rescued the escapee from himself," Kimball said Wednesday.

He said Gauthun, who had served more than half of a 20-day sentence for theft of about $150 worth of copper tubing, slipped out a fire exit about 10:45 p.m. Tuesday in the minimum-security jail annex, which houses mostly inmates on work release or assigned to work crews.

Hostility between Gauthun and other inmates may have led to the short-lived getaway, corrections Capt. Todd Thoma said.

Gauthun has been rebooked for investigation of second-degree escape, punishable by one to three months behind bars for a first-time conviction.

"He's in the big boys' jail now," Kimball added.

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Information from: The Olympian, http://www.theolympian.com

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Okay, Jessica was asking me in the comments yesterday about what a typical day of meals is like on my low-carb "lifestyle".  So I wrote down a typical day for ya'll.  My mother-in-law called the other day, worried that I was starving myself. 

Let me assure you, I am not starving.  I have cravings yes.  But having some guidelines really helps me to have more will power. 

I am very competitive and since I am doing this alone, the only one for me to be competitive with is myself, or the bathroom scale.  This morning the scale won, it didn't budge the teeniest bit from yesterdays reading, lol.  

But tomorrow I might win, even if it is by a 1/2 pound, and I'll be pleased.  Okay so here is a typical day for me:

For breakfast I usually have 2 scrambled eggs -less than 1 carb per egg.  I might top it with some shredded chesse-usually no carbs, but check package to be sure (some have a few carbs, depends).  Occasionally, I put a Tablespoon of salso on my eggs-there are 2 cabs in 2 Tablespoons of the salsa I buy.  I usually have a cup of hot green tea in the morning.  Then I try to drink 2-12 ounce glasses of water between breakfast and lunch.  

For lunch I might have a hamburg (with added soy, I get the patties at Krogers)-4 grams of carbs per patty.  A slice of cheese-the package I get has no carbs, but you really have to read the nutritional info on it.  Sometimes I eat it on a plate, dipping it in Mustard-0 carbs (ketchup does have carbs so I don't use it).  A few pickles-no carbs.  Or sometimes I put it between 2 slices of lettuce-0 carbs.  I might have a diet Pepsi, sugar free flavored water, or just plain water-all 0 carbs. I try to drink another 2 glasses of water.  

For dinner I might have a chicken breast (I pre-cook a bunch at the beginning of the week)-0 carbs (or at least that's what it says on the frozen bag information).   I add about 2 slices of thin sliced ham-2 carbs, and a slice of swiss cheese-0 carbs, and heat it up in the microwave (YUMMY)  1/4 cup of corn-6 carbs (since these come from a veggie I don't worry too much, I consider them good carbs).  Some sugar free Jell-O carbs (It tastes good, really.  When I am really craving something sweet I add a small spoonful of Whipped topping-2 carbs for 2 Tbs) Then after dinner I try to drink another glass of water.  (Yes, I pee alllllll day long, lol)   

I think that the water helps get toxic junk and what-not out of my body.  Whatever, but I always notice a better weight loss when I increase my water intake.  I've also noticed that the swelling in my ankels and calves has gone down since I started increasing my water.   

I have lots of pre-packaged thin sliced ham and turkey in the fridge, there are (I think) about 3 grams of carbs for 7 slices.  I also pre-cook the chicken breast and hamburg patties on my George Foreman grill for the week.  I can also eat bacon, I just hate cooking that stuff.   

I eat broccoli, I love it with a little cheese melted on it.  I believe there are about 4 grams in that, but like I said I don't worry too much about the veggie or fruit carbs.  Mainly because they are also high in fiber.   My biggest challenge came during PMS...I was a bear to live with. 

I craved chocolate like it was air, lol.  So I finally went and got these chocolate peanut butter things that are supposed to be 0grams of carbs.  I don't know, the total carbs were like 17, but the net carbs were 0.  Whatever that means.   I'm not gonna sit here and pretend like I understand it all, because I don't.  At the time though, I didn't care...I just wanted chocolate in a bad way, lol.

I also have a bag of pork rinds-0 carbs.  I don't care for them really, but when the family is eating popcorn or chips, it gives me something to snack on too.  I also bought a container of Breyers carb smart ice cream.  There are 4 carbs per half cup in that, and it is really pretty good.  

I do NOT eat: bread, potatoes, rice, pasta and a lot of other sweet and yummy things.   I know a lot of people think the low-carb thing is stupid or whatever, but my biggest cravings are for carbs.  Which told me that I really needed to go low carb. 

Eventually I will work more carbs back into my diet.  But I think I am going to try to keep it to the healthy carbs, and really limit my intake of the breads, potatoes and pasta, and especially the sweets.

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  My horoscope for today: January 27, 2006
Prospecting Your Future
Capricorn Daily Horoscope

You may be keenly aware of the opportunities available to you today, as financial, professional, and personal prospects seem to appear before you. Your optimistic nature can prevail and help you see the eventual gains in seemingly minor opportunities. Limited prospects may seem like they hold greater potential today. But this new windfall of opportunity may actually be the result of your personal values changing and broadening. What once looked like a dead end can suddenly become a path leading to success. It may be that your concept of success has changed or that you have adopted different priorities. If you're inclined to explore new avenues in your personal or professional lives today, you may find that heady prospects await you.

Seizing opportunities when they present themselves is the best way to take control of your future. You may encounter numerous opportunities in both your professional and personal lives, but if you don't take advantage of them, you can't make them work for you. When you have a goal or a future in mind, you increase your chances of attaining it when you are proactive about recognizing and going after opportunities. In essence, you create your own luck by actively seeking the best path and getting on it. Even if you have let opportunities pass you by in the past, taking a chance can mean the difference between personal evolution and stagnation. When you're willing to seize opportunities today, you'll reap many rewards.

I underlined the portions that hit a chord with me.  Any other Capricorns out there?  We are a stubborn type, well I am anyways.  I really should have been a lawyer.  I love to debate and prove my point.  I enjoy the hunt for information and getting to the truth. 

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LOL, that reminds me...when the kids were little I once told them that I knew how to identify finger prints.  I even took some ink and made them put their fingers prints on paper for me.  One of them had carved into a dresser. 

I made them sit in the living room while I "compared" prints, lol.  Then I walked in and offered them a "deal"...tell me the truth now and you won't get in as much trouble.  I really thought it would work, but no one fessed up.  So they all got punished.

Years later I found out that Samantha (about 6 or 7 at the time) had done it.  I still don't understand why.  Except maybe since she carved her brothers name, it was just to get him in trouble. 

I also use to tell them, when we were in the car, that mom's had eyes in the back of their head.  I think one of my parents use to say that to me.  Eventually they figured out I was using the rear view mirror, lol.

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Have a great day!  Hugs!

~Jill Marie

 

Playing around with PSP

Okay, so I've been playing with Paint Shop for awhile this evening.  The first one is one I made earlier today when Rylie was napping.  Ray's daughter, Aimee thought it was pretty cool.  If any of you like it, feel free to snag it.

The next one I did with a few pictures I took of Rylie after her bath this evening.  I put a pink diaper cover on her and gave her a cheap strand of pearls to wear.  I don't really like the background, but I will probably keep messing around with the pictures till I get it to something that I really like.

Yes, she looks like a boy.  I keep rubbing that little head good when I shampoo her, but that hair just doesn't seem to want to grow.  I try to put wee lil' pony tails in her hair, but she just pulls them right out, ouch!

Have a good evening!  HUGS!

~Jill Marie

Aww pooh!  I just saved and looked at Rylie's and realized that I forgot to frame it.  Oh well, after I do it more and more, I'll get it down.

Busy Thursday~Remedies Tip~Low-Carbs Update

Whew...almost forgot to get on here and do this.  My sister-in-law and good friend stopped over for a visit today.  I love when she comes by, no matter how I feel that day she always makes me laugh.  And I need some of that these days.  Are ya out there Cathy-babe?  I love ya!  Alright, on with our regularly scheduled program, lol.

   

These are home health remedies that have been emailed to me or that I found on the Internet.  I have not tried them all and do NOT guarantee the effectiveness of them.  If you try one and it works, or if you have one that works for you, please email me.  Thanks.   Diarrhea

• Eat boiled sweet potatoes seasoned with salt and pepper before bedtime to cure chronic diarrhea.
• For some people eating blueberries works very well. 

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My Daily OM for today:

January 26, 2006
Conditioned Response
Reactions To Life Events

Our experiences color everything. The events of the past can have a profound effect on how we see our lives now and what we choose to believe about our world. Our past experiences can also influence our emotional reactions and responses to present events. Each of us reactsto stimulus based on what we have learned in life. There is no right or wrong to it; it is simply the result of past experience. Later, when our strong feelings have passed, we may be surprised at our reactions. Yet when we face a similar situation, again our reactions may be the same. When we understand those experiences, we can come that much closer to understanding our reactions and consciously change them.

Between stimulus and reaction exists a fleeting moment of thought. Often, that thought is based on something that has happened to you in the past. When presented with a similar situation later on, your natural impulse is to unconsciously regard it in a similar light. For example, if you survived a traumatic automobile accident as a youngster, the first thing you might feel upon witnessing even a minor collision between vehicles may be intense panic. If you harbor unpleasant associations with death from a past experience, you may find yourself unable to think about death as a gentle release or the next step toward a new kind of existence. You can, however, minimize the intensity of your reactions by identifying the momentary thought that inspires your reaction. Then, next time, replace that thought with a more positive one.

Modifying your reaction by modifying your thoughts is difficult, but it can help you to see and experience formerly unpleasant situations in a whole new light. It allows you to stop reacting unconsciously. Learning the reason of your reactions may also help you put aside a negative reaction long enough to respond in more positive and empowered ways. Your reactions and responses then become about what's happening in the present moment rather than about the past. As time passes, your negative thoughts may lose strength, leaving only your positive thoughts to inform your healthy reactions.

Hmm, okay for the rest of today I am going to try to catch myself in "negative" thought.  When I do I will try to figure out where it came from and how to replace it with a more positive thought.  I'm up for it...I'll give it a try anyway.  Can't hurt, right?

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Oh!  Yesterday I was at Jessica's and left a message about cleaning out 2 of my junk drawers.  Well, I never really made it to the one drawer I was talking about in the kitchen.  However, I did clean out the 6 small drawers on our bedroom nightstands, all the drawers and cabinets in our antique buffet.  In the end I had a garbage bag with between 15 and 20 pounds of junk. 

I really felt as though I got something accomplished.  Since the buffet got cleaned out, I was also able to put a few more pictures of the kids out.  And even with more pictures up there, it still looks less cluttered.  Ahhh, less clutter.  Organization...mmmmmhmmm.  Well, I gotta go grab a smoke, yep it makes me thaaat happy!  LOL

HUGS!

~Jill Marie

Thanks and here's my second graphic

And thanks to Vernae for the beautiful graphic.  Ya'll can snag it and some others over at her journal.  She's great isn't she?  One day I want to grow up to be just like her and Brittany.  LOL  Umm, I think their both younger than me.

Well, I just got done working on my second graphic.  This is too much fun.  Unfortunately Rylie Jo doesn't enjoy my working on the computer as much as I do.  I have to wait for her to take a nap, and lately she's been waiting till later to nap and it's alot shorter than usual.

Okay, here it is...

That was fun to do.  But it took me quite awhile to figure it all out.  I like it though.  I forgot to save it before I added my name.  But I think it is in a different layer and I can go take that off (? maybe).  If I figure it out I will post it up here as a snaggable, if anyone thinks they might want one.

Have a good evening.

Hugs!

~Jill Marie

My first project

Yes, I am happy.  I got through my first little graphic playing around session without wanting to kick my computer.  It's kind of blah, boring.  A bit kindergarten-ish, especially compared to Vernae and and Brittany.  But it is my first graphic.  Don't expect things to get much better any time soon.  It took me near 20 miutes to figure out how to draw a line...which wasn't that straight, lol. 

I'll keep working on it and try not to hurt your eyes too much.  Gotta go watch for the silly fools on Idol.  Later. 

^that chick up there, lol.

Cleaning tip~Looking younger~Diamonds

  

As I say on my Web page, these are tips that have been emailed to me, or that I have found on the Internet.  I have not tried all of them and cannot guarantee their effectiveness.  If you do try one and it works, or if you have another one that works for you, let me know.

Smashed Down Carpet: To make the carpet stand back up after moving a piece of furniture, if simply running the sweeper doesn't work, place an ice cube on the spot. As it melts, the piles will go back up.  

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This mornng I received an email from ediets with the heading 10 tips to looking younger, I had to check it out.  And now ya'll are saying to yourselves "hmm, so she must be over 35".  I'll never tell!  LOL 

Anyway, I found that a lot of these tips are the same things that I already do (except for avoiding the sun).  As a matter of fact, I was going to sit down one day and make a list of things to do, but ediets already did it for me.  So here is the list.

1. Moisturize-helps skin retain moisture, shich in turn plumps up those fine lines and increase circulation.  When your hands, legs or feet are dry and cracked, they look older and worn out. Add a little cream and the skin is renewed. The same goes for your face.    

2. Keep out if the sun!  Regular tanning, whether it be in the sun or in tanning beds, not only causes sun damage and cancer, but also leads to premature aging. What does that mean to you? Wrinkles! So wear an SPF daily and use a sunless tanner (if that is the look you want) to keep the skin golden and line free.    

3. Drink water!  This is also a no-brainer, but it’s nice to be reminded once in a while. Water helps our bodies perform basic functions, and helps keep us healthy by providing a helpful environment for cells to do their duties. This also leads to younger-looking skin. Your skin cells will be full of water, which, like a moisturizer, helps to plump up fine lines and reduces puffiness around the eyes.    

4. Don't leave the house without a little make-up.  When we were in our teens and 20s, we could run out of the house without a stitch of makeup and still look fabulous. Unfortunately, we can’t stay 18 forever, and our faces need a little help sometimes. You’d be surprised what a little concealer, bronzer and lipstick can do. Crunched for time in the morning? This routine takes less than three minutes. Dab a little concealer under the eyes and on spots like pimples and blemishes. Blend with fingers. Next, apply bronzer with a big, fluffy brush to the cheeks, nose, forehead and chin. Lastly, swipe a little lipstick on, and you’re ready to go.    

5. Too much make-up can make you look old.  It’s easy to get a little carried away with the concealer, blush, bronzer, lipstick and whatever else we use to get ready in the morning, especially when you feel like you haven’t gotten enough sleep. But, before you pile on that foundation, get into some natural sunlight, or a well-lit area of your home. If you take a minute between steps to check your progress as you’re applying, you may notice you don’t need as much makeup as you thought. Natural-yet-polished makeup will help you look younger by enhancing your best assets and camouflaging your flaws. Too much makeup will actually draw attention to fine lines and wrinkles.    

6. Use eye cream.  The skin around the eyes is the first place to show signs of aging, so it’s important to take extra care of this area, even if you don’t yet have any lines. When applying eye creams, use a small amount (that’s why they come in those teeny jars) and use your ring finger to dab and spread the product around. It’s OK if the area is a little shiny, but if it feels heavy to you, switch to a lighter texture or reserve it for nighttime use.    

7.  Use a luminizing product with caution.  Many cosmetic lines have come out with foundations, lotions and concealers that give a gentle, highlighting effect. Most of these products contain some kind of luminescent particle, which helps to blur imperfections and fine lines. While these products are fun and help the skin to glow, remember they can also have the reverse effect if not applied correctly. If you like the idea of a foundation that has this property, use it sparingly, and only if you have fine lines. Deep-set wrinkles will not benefit from any kind of shimmer as they only enhance and emphasize the texture in the skin.    

8. Make sure your hair looks young.  Even if you’ve had a face-lift, you won’t look young if your hair is damaged, out of control or doesn’t have a style. If you’re starting to go gray, make an appointment with your colorist to touch up or refresh your color. A few face-framing highlights will also help to take a few years off. If you’ve decided to keep your hair gray, give it a style that will enhance your features. Avoid pulling your hair back tightly, as it will only make the face look older and more severe.    

9. Don't forget your neck!  There’s a reason why your grandmother used face cream on her face and neck. Like the skin around your eyes, losing skin’s elasticity in the neck area adds years to your appearance.  (*I don't worry about spending alot of $ on fancy moisturizer.  I get mine at the dollar store and use it on my face, neck, elbows and hands.  I got a huge tub of cocoa butter for a buck, and I love it.)    

10. Keep your teeth white.  A nice bright smile helps you to look healthier, happier and younger. Your teeth can become stained over time, especially if you drink coffee or colas. Make an appointment with your dentist to see how you can maximize the look of your smile, or use an at-home whitening kit such as Crest Whitestrips ($42.99, dentist.net).   (*I just got some stuff the other day at Wal-mart.  It is called Plus white and was $4.72 for the tube, or you can spend a little more and get it with the mouth guard thing.  It seems to be working for me.)

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You know what else makes you feel younger?  Feeling good.  And what makes a woman feel good?  I mean feel really, really good?  The following:

 

Who wouldn't feel good if they got a beautiful new diamond for Valentines day this year?  Phhht, if you don't have a husband or boyfriend to buy you one.  Double PHHHHTTTT! if you've got a husband/boyfriend and they don't buy you one.    

Go buy one for yourself then.  It doesn't have to be the size of Mount Rushmore to make you feel good.  You know they will be on sale all over town.  More importantly, you know you deserve it!  Come on, (to steal a phrase) Just do it!  lol     

Have I?  Yes, I once bought myself a small diamond necklace (cheap like Kohl's on sale $40), took it home wrapped it up, wrote a real romantic card, and left it sit on the counter.  Then when the ol' man got home, I said "Oh baby, what is this?  You got me something for our anniversary?"  The anniversary had been the previous month, lol.  

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Have a wonderful day and be sure to spend some time checking out the jewelry sales!  

Hugs!  

~Jill Marie    

PS~Am4039 email on the way with vegan recipe sites.  You should really have your kids go and sign up too.  There are probably newsletters and things that they can get.  I hope it helps.

Monday Menu idea

Okay, I don't know that I am going to make this Monday menu a regular thing.  I think we all know how hard it can be to keep coming up with tasty dinner ideas.  But we'll see how long I can keep coming up with something.

Menu:
Pork chops
Rice 
Steamed Carrots
Muffins

Okay, just one recipe today.  To keep things easy, I would recommend you use boxed pork flavored rice or wild rice.  A box of Pumpkin or Bannana nut bread & muffin mix.  Then just steam a bag of those baby carrots.

PORK CHOPS L'ORANGE

3-4 pork chops
1 tablespoon margarine
1 small can frozen orange juice
1 spoonful brown sugar
splash white wine (or sherry or water)
pinch of ground ginger (optional)

In skillet, on medium heat, fry pork chops in margarine till light brown on each side.  Combine all other ingredients in a bowl.  Pour over pork in skillet.  Cover and reduce heat to lowest setting.  Cook 35-45 minutes.  Serve over rice.  

* Pork must be thoroughly cooked.  

Well, that is it for today.  I am off to go through the kitchen and make a list of things I need from the grocery.  Anyone do what I do?  I make a list of things I need, then I make a new list so that the things are in the order of the aisle's of the store.  Am I anal or what?  LOL

Here's to wishing you all a very harmonious and peaceful week.    

   

Hugs!  

~Jill Marie

PS~OMG! Just went and checked my mailbox and got this latest news update:

NBC 24 has learned that the Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station was under a lock-down this morning, after intruders apparently tried to get onto the property.

A First Energy spokesperson tells NBC 24 that the Davis-Besse is "safe and secure" and that the employees are not in danger.

There is no word yet on whether anyone was arrested.  NBC 24 will have updates on this story throughout the day.

My parents cottage is probably less than 1/2 mile from there.  That is just crazy!  We live about an hour or so from there, so if anything were to happen...I don't even want to think about it.  Well, there goes my harmony...sheesh.

Picture help needed

Okay, ya'll know I am working on this scrapbook for Rylie.  I wanted to put in some old pictures.  Ones of our parents and grandparents, black and whites of us as kids.  Ray's mother emailed me some scanned pictures of her and his dad from back in the day. 

However, they don't print out very well. There are scratches and things, and some blurriness that just kind of ruins them.  I can use them the way they are if I have to, but I'd really like to try to get them fixed. 

Here is my question.  Do any of you who do graphic work do picture work too?  If anyone thinks they could help fix these up for me a little bit, please email me.  I'd really appreciate it.

I tried to do it with my Ulead picture thing, but I can't really get them looking as nice as I'd like to.  I think I have the scratches off, but then when I look at them after saving them...they still don't look very good.

Other than that, nothing much going on here.  I hope ya'll have a peaceful Sunday.

HUGS!

~Jill Marie

Can't sleep

Recently Terry Ann left this comment:  "... I am a member of flylady.com.  you might check her out.  I just love the site.  I have been a member for about 4 months."  Since I can't sleep, I finally got the chance to go and check out the site.  I, of course, signed up.  Ya'll should really go take a peek at The Fly Lady.  I think it is going to be worth the time. 

Well, my sink is shining, lol.  Go read a bit of it and you'll see what I am talking about.  Ah, I was going to say have a good night.  However, I would imagine that most of ya'll are asleep.  Shhhh, nighty-night kids.  lol

Hugs,

~Jill Marie

Nae's graphic~Saturday silliness~Rylie Jo~Gratefulness

First of all, the graphic today is from Made by Nae!  Yummy looking huh?  She has a real cute story up here..."I call this a Friday Funny".  Warning:  Do not drink anything while reading this.  I almost spit diet pepsi all over my keyboard and monitor when I was reading it.

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Okay, it's Saturday.  Late, it's already after 6pm here in Ohio.  But as last week, better late than never, I guess.  I haven't had much time to do a lot of searches but I did do a few. As usual, I went to Google, typed in a word and then clicked the "Feeling Lucky" search button.  These are the words and the links I got.

candy       http://www.candyusa.org/          Once there go to the recipes page, there is a recipe for chocolate chunk muffins that looks oh so yummy!

turquoise     http://mineral.galleries.com/minerals/phosphat/turquois/turquois.htm  I did this search because turquoise is my favorite type of jewelry.  Once there, you can do a search and find out a little about your favorite gem stones.

picture editing    http://www.snapfiles.com/Freeware/gmm/fwgraphicedit.html                  Well, most of ya know the trouble I had with PSP.  Then my son told me to find something called Gimp, which I never did do.  As it turns out, The Gimp is the second free program on the list.

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Now how about some pictures of an adorable toddler with the attitude of the average 13 year old female, lol.

 Hotdog lunch.  She likes to eat the ketchup and mustard and then maybe a few bites of the dog.  Oh yeah, she likes to get comfortable and put her feet up on the table, as you can see.

  One evening Ray was running the water for a bath while he was shaving.  All of a sudden he heard some splashing and this is what he saw.  Yeah, we usually don't have to ask twice if she wants to take a bath.

This was about a week ago.  Rylie refused to take a nap.  She was sitting at her little card table she got for Christmas playing with Babee (the grungy lamb) and watching Disney.  Ray called me and told me to bring my camera.  This baby crashed hard, lol.

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This was my daily OM that I received in my email yesterday.  It's a nice thought and I wanted to share it.

January 20, 2006
The World In A Bright Light
Grateful

Everyday is a blessing, and in each moment there are many things that we can be grateful for. The world opens up to us when we live in a space of gratitude. In essence, gratitude has a snowball effect. When we are appreciative and express that gratitude, the universe glows a bit brighter and showers us with even more blessings.

There is always something to be grateful for, even when life seems hard. When times are tough, whether we are having a bad day or stuck in what may feel like an endless rut, it can be difficult to take the time to feel grateful. Yet, that is when gratitude can be most important. If we can look at our lives, during periods of challenge, and find something to be grateful for, then we can transform our realities in an instant. There are blessings to be found everywhere. When we are focusing on what is negative, our abundance can be easy to miss. Instead, choosing to find what already exists in our lives that we can appreciate can change what we see in our world. We start to notice one blessing, and then another.

When we constantly choose to be grateful, we notice that every breath is a miracle and each smile becomes a gift. We begin to understand that difficulties are also invaluable lessons. The sun is always shining for us when we are grateful, even if it is hidden behind clouds on a rainy day. A simple sandwich becomes a feast, and a trinket is transformed into a treasure. Living in a state of gratitude allows us to spread our abundance because that is the energy that we emanate from our beings. Because the world reflects back to us what we embody, the additional blessings that inevitably flow our way give us even more to be grateful for. The universe wants to shower us with blessings. The more we appreciate life, the more life appreciates and bestows us with more goodness.

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I guess that is it for today.  Have a good night.

HUGS!

~Jill Marie

PS~Getting close to turn that counter over the 2,000 mark.  Sign in and let me know if your the 2,000 friend to visit.  Sorry, no prizes.  Maybe when we hit the 50,000 mark, lol!

Friday funny~2 must see journals~a lil' jewelry

Wow, I have been so "cheap" in my journal this week.  My entries have been short and just barely there.  Rylie is just full of "spirit" this week and keeping me running, and when I do get the few minutes to sit down...I seem to draw a blank. 

Then I think of something, and the getting old thing hits, did I already talk (write) about this?  I put those pictures on my FTP space...but did I post them yet?  I don't know what my problem is this week  I've lost a total of 10 lbs. so far on my diet...maybe it all came off my brain, lol.

Let's see, I've told the stories about Samantha's "willy", the pony tails, the "Mommy" river...  For crying out loud, I've got four kids between the ages of 2 and 20!  I know there are more funny stories, but then my mind isn't what it used to be because...I've got four kids between the ages of 2 and 20!

Shortly after my divorce, one day I took Samantha (about 9 yrs old at the time) with me to the laundry mat.  The fella working there (the owners son) was an old friend of mine from high school.  So we were standing there talking, and Samantha was kind of hanging on the edges of the conversation. 

Finally, after about 10 or 15 minutes she turned to him and said "Are you going to ask my mom out?  You should really ask her out."

Oh my gosh...I think I must have turned about 5 shades of red.  "Samantha, we're just old friends."

"Well, you should go out on a date with my mom."

Oh I could have just died.  I don't remember how many more times she said that to him, but it was several.  I don't know why she seemed so intent on having the two of us go out. 

I'm going to have to ask her if she remembers that, and just what she was thinking.  Oh, and also remind her that I owe her a very embarrassing moment...hmmm, what can I do to her?  LOL

Oh, but maybe the K-mart moment was my get back, lol.  One day Samantha and I were shopping in K-mart.  I think she was somewhere around 11yrs old.  You know, that time when they are so easily embarrassed and their mood turns on a dime.

Well, we were in the store and apparently something happened that she didn't like.  Oh, beware the bad mood of an 11 year old female.  So now she is walking around with this nasty attitude and pouty face. 

All of a sudden I grab her arm, look at her and start to sing "I love you!  You love me!  We're a happy famillyyyyyy!  Won't you say you love me too?"  At first she tried not to laugh, but then she realized people could actually hear me and...oh mah gosh, if looks could have killed.

Of course, now she laughs about it.  Just like she used to hate my car dancing.  Now she gets a kick out of it.  Well, unless there is a car of hot young boys nearby, lol. 

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If you haven't been to either one of these journals Made by Nae or Eyecandy Tags, you should really check them out.  I have gotten some tags from them this past week, and I really want to brag about them.

I really love their creations.  I couldn't possibly say enough kind things about their work.  I wish I had a tenth of their ability and creativity.

Vernae has a problem with her shoulder and really should be taking it easy right now, right Nae???  But I think she has a graphic addiction and just can't seem to stop.  We may have to do an intervention, lol.

Please go check out their journals if you get a chance.  You won't regret it.

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Ahh, if I won a little lottery I might shop here...Shankari.  Of course, the piece I like isn't one of the REAL expensive ones.  I like the clarity Pendant II, center row, 4th one down.  Yep, it's only $275...LMAO!  But check out the one up a row and on the right side.

The wonderful thing is you don't have to pay to window shop.  Go see these pretty little pieces.  Well, some are pretty, some are just too much of this and that.  Of course, we all know how I don't like clutter...I love those nice clean lines, I guess in jewelry too.

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I hope ya'll have a safe and happy weekend.  I will be back tomorrow for some Saturday silliness.  Later!

HUGS!

~Jill Marie

Yes, I am a bit late getting here this morning.  But Rylie woke up early, and if I didn't know better I would have thought she was going through PMS this morning.  I just hate when that baby wakes up grumpy.  I prefer when she wakes up and gives me this big smile, like "what can I get into today?"  LOL  Okay, on with business...

   

These are home health remedies that have been emailed to me or that I found on the Internet.  I have not tried them all and do NOT guarantee the effectiveness of them.  If you try one and it works, or if you have one that works for you, please email me.  Thanks.  

Dark circles around eyes

• Make a paste out of 1 tsp. tomato juice, 1/2 tsp. lemon juice, a pinch of turmeric powder, and 1 tsp. of flour. Apply around eyes. Leave on for 10 minutes before rinsing.
• Mix a drop or two of honey with 2-3 drops of fresh lemon juice.  Apply to the area under the eye and leave on for 15-30 minutes.  It is also suppose to be good for those wrinkles under the eye.

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Grrrr, I thought I might get to some other things today...but at this moment I have a nearly 2 year old throwing a temper tantrum because I won't let her play with my deceased grandmothers sugar and creamer set, that is on my china cabinet.  So later, kids...

~Jill Marie

My name tag by the wonderful Ms Brittany

Okay, so I went onto the old mans computer and downloaded the tag.  It was fine there.  Then I inserted it as a picture and mailed it to myself.  Then I got on my computer, opened the email, right clicked on it and saved it, adding the .gif to the end of the file name and saving as all files.  Now lets see if it worked.  {{{crossing fingers}}}

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!  It worked, it worked!  I just love this, don't ya'll think Brittany does wonderful work? 

Hmm, I should really put something informative or interesting up here, not that Brit's tag isn't interesting.  But I kind of feel like taking today off.

I am going to take today to do nothing though.  Samantha doesn't have school and we are going to hang, lol.

Hugs ya'll

~Jill Marie

Computer frustration!

I am getting real sick and tired of this computer, it is driving me nuts!  Brittany sent me a beautiful tag today.  But when I download it, my computer won't give me the option to save it as a GIF...only bmp or "all files", so it doesn't work right.  I tried to type GIF, but it won't let do that either.

I am about to pull my hair out.  I don't understand it, I have 2 other GIF's that downloaded just fine earlier this week.  I hate this computer!  I hate that I am computer stupid.  I am done for tonight, time to get to sleep and worry about this tomorrow. 

Good night ya'll.

~Jill Marie

Okay we just had a Rylie related emergency...RED jello on beige carpet.  Ugh!  But remember back in the last week of December, the 26th I believe, I did an entry on carpet stains?  This entry, well I used the second method.  The hydrogen peroxide and a few drops of dish soap.  It got it clean!  Yea! 

Whew, thank goodness.  Since I haven't tried all the tips, it's real nice when I find out one works well.  We even went into Aimee's (Rays daughter) room and tried it on the black eye shadow that Rylie, was kind enough, to grind into the carpet.  It worked on that too.  Yipeee!

Wow, I am just using all kinds of cleaning things around here today, lol.  Just one of those days.  Have a great evening!

I know, hard to believe that sweet angel is such a terror, lol.

~Jill Marie 

Another cleaning tip...

So I was just in the kitchen trying to clean the nasty grease build up off of the range exhaust hood.  It can be a tough job if you are out of grease cutting cleaner like I am today.

So was trying to use this cheap orange cleaner I got at the dollar store.  It was not working well at all.  You know how grease just kind of gunks up and doesn't want to come off.  That was what I was dealing with.  So I think "what can I use that would act as a mild abrasive?"  I didn't want to scratch that glorious beige enamel paint, lol.

So I put a little bit of powder dishwasher detergent on my wet sponge.  All I can say is...Wow!  It just whipped right through that nasty grease.  I am now off to try to tackle that nasty grease that collects under the edges of those silver thingies beneath the burners.  I just wanted to share this one with ya'll before I forgot to do it.  Hm, better go add it to my cleaning page too. 

Later!

PS~I almost forgot the most interesting part of all that.  As I was wiping my wet sponge and trying to clean around the light & fan knobs, I heard a little buzzing sound (almost like a bee or fly). 

Then I noticed a bit of smoke coming from under the one knob.  "Oh crap!  One of the wires must be exposed!"  So I grab a wet towel to try to dry it off, and as I stupidly reach up and grab the knob...yep, I got shocked.  Yozzers!  What a ding bat, lol.

No problems though.  I think I got it dry, it stopped smoking and I am keeping an eye on it. 

 

Tuesday cleaning tip~Organic living~Other sidebar~My stripper song

                                         Tuesday Cleaning Tip

(I have a headache this morning, thats why no flashy, flipping red Tuesday cleaning tip sign today)

As I say on my Web page, these are tips that have been emailed to me, or that I have found on the Internet.  I have not tried all of them and cannot guarantee their effectiveness.  If you do try one and it works, or if you have another one that works for you, let me know.

Shower Doors: 1)Try using Resolve® carpet cleaner on clear shower doors to remove soap scum.

2) Make ammonia solution of 1/2 C. ammonia in 1 gal. water.  Pour solution into a spray bottle.  Spray the shower door.  Use a sponge or stiff bristle brush to scrub.  Rinse well.

Warning:  Keep room well ventilated while working!  Ammonia can irritate your skin, so wear gloves while cleaning with this solution.  Ammonia and bleach form a toxic gas when mixed together, do NOT mix the two cleaners!

Shower soap scum:  If possible change to liquid soap it is a better alternative over bar soap.  Liquid soap doesn't have any talc and talc is responsible for the build up of soap scum.  Talc only adds volume to the soap without adding any value to it.  Changing to liquid soap will reduce the frequency of needing to remove soap scum.

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Anyone into the organic or spiritual lifestyle?  Yoga, organic clothing, sheets, towels, etc?  I happened to stumble across this site and thought some people might want the link.  Me?  Yeah, it would be cool if I could have only organic things and teach my kids yoga, and we were all vegans... 

But I live in the real world where we live week to week.  If I can get sheets under $15, I don't care what they are made of, sorry.  Yoga?  Heck, I'm thrilled to get my kid off the gameboy and outside for some fresh air, lol.  Vegans?  We're really pushing it now, lmao.

Oh, sorry.  I got so busy rambling that I forgot to put the link up.  The place is called Gaiam.

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Okay, this is the other side bar I made last night.  What do ya'll think?  Any preferences?  Yeah, I know...I am on this brown & pink and brown & turquiose kick.  I really love those colors together.  I especially love wearing them.  I am a huge fan of turquoise jewelry.  I got a few pieces this year from Ray for Christmas. 

                                 

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Your Stipper Song Is

 

I'm a Slave 4 U by Britney Spears

"I'm a slave for you. I cannot hold it; I cannot control it.
I'm a slave for you. I won't deny it; I'm not trying to hide it."

You may seem shy, but you can let your wild side out when you want to!

 

I hope you all have a wonderful day. 

HUGS!

~Jill Marie

Sidebars

Hmm, I have been having so much fun playing with the paint program that comes on my computer, lol.  I wish I could master the PSP thing too.  Oh well, one of these days.  So I am gonna put the new one I made up and play around with the colors one my journal.

Have a great night, see ya'll tomorrow!

~Jill Marie

Menu idea

Okay, so I woke up this morning and got on here and was trying to figure out what "helpful" idea I could do today.  I think I am starting to get writers block, lol.  So I went around searching for a few yummy sounding recipes.  I have this typical Menu in mind for today, but I wanted to make it a bit different.  Here is the Menu, you've probably all made this a million times.

Meatloaf

Mashed Potatoes

Greenbean casserole

Applesauce

Typical, normal, boring...y-a-w-n, right?  Okay how about a few recipe ideas for this meal?

A-1 Meatloaf

Ingredients:  

2 lbs. lean ground beef
2 tbs. A-1 steak sauce
2 tsp. salt
1 cup dry bread crumbs
2 eggs
3/4 cup milk
3 tbs. parsley flakes
1 small onion, minced
1/4 cup shredded carrots
1/4 cup diced green pepper

SAUCE:

Mix 2 tbs. A-1 steak sauce with 1 can (8 oz.) tomato sauce.

  Instructions:   Mix all meatloaf ingredients together with 1/2 sauce mixture. Blend well. Pat meatloaf into a 9" loaf pan. Spread remaining sauce mixture over top of meatloaf. Bake in 400 degree oven for one hour. 
Notes:  

You may want to cook this meatloaf for one hour and an half so the edges will be blackened.

Greenbean and artichoke casserole

Ingredients:  

6 cans of greenbeans
3 cans of artichokes
16 oz. olive oil(I use light)
16 oz. Italian bread crumbs
12 oz. parmesan cheese
1 whole lemon strained
salt, pepper, garlic powder to taste
1 large can of Durkee onions

Instructions:  

Chop the artichokes by hand or with a mini food processor. If a mini proc. is used it might pulverize them, but you get the same taste.
Mix all ingredients together, except the onions. It should be a good consistency, not dry but not too much oil. Pour in a deep 9 x 13 pan. Cook at 350 degrees for 30 min. Sprinkle the onions over the casserole and cook an additional 5 min. The onions should be crispy.

I haven't tried this greenbean recipe yet, but it sounds like it makes a lot.  Depending on the size of your family, how much they like greenbeans, whether or not they eat leftovers...you may want to halve this recipe. 

I love artichokes though.  I bet this isn't low carb though, lol.  Guess I will make this the first day I am done with the low carb lifestyle.  Or look into altering it a wee bit.  Hmmm, gotta go check the carb content on artichokes, it's sounding good for breakfast, lol.

Okay, I was going to go look for an apple cake recipe instead of just applesauce.  But I accidently hit the save button in the middle of doing this.  Okay, come back if your already here I will go look for something a little more yummy than applesauce.

How a dessert that is suppose to be low fat. 

Chocolate Applesauce Cake

Ingredients:  

1 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup fat-free egg substitute
3 Tbs reduced-calorie margarine, melted
1 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup lite whipped topping   Instructions:   Preheat oven to 350¿F. Coat an 8-inch square baking pan with cooking spray.


Sift together flour, cocoa, baking soda and sugar. Beat together egg substitute, margarine and applesauce; blend into dry ingredients.


Spoon mixture into pan and smooth top. Bake until cake feels slightly firm in center, about 25 minutes. Cool completely before cutting into 8 pieces. Top each piece with 1 tablespoon of whipped topping.
 

Well, I realize that it is Sunday and I did my "feeling lucky" search yesterday, but I did a few more today.  Here are the words and the results.

Peace   Peace Corps    

Love   The Love Calculator      

Uh, yeah...Ray and I have a 13% chance of making our relationship last.  Well, that's probably better odd than some people gave us.   (edit addtion:  I just had a thought, so I went back to the love calculator and entered our first and middle names only.  We now have a 97% chance of making our relationship work, if we drop our last names, lol.)

Your Heart Is Blue

 

Love is a doing word for you. You know it's love when you treat each other well.
You are a giving lover, but you don't give too much. You expect something in return.

Your flirting style: Friendly

Your lucky first date: Lunch at an outdoor cafe

Your dream lover: Is both generous and selfish

What you bring to relationships: Loyalty  

Here is a copy of my daily OM from Friday.  I thought is was a good one.  It seems like I let my feelings flow a lot lately, lol.  

January 13, 2006
Letting Your Feelings Flow
Tears

How wonderful it feels to give in and let tears flow when we are overwhelmed with emotions, whether we are happy or sad. Tears come from the soul, from our well of feelings rising from deep down. When we give in to the prickling behind our eyes and the lump in our throat to let teardrops fall from our eyes, we allow our feelings to surface so they can be set free.

Proud parents shed tears of pride in a child's accomplishments, a baby's first step, birthdays, and graduations. Long lost friends fall into each other's arms, tears rolling down their cheeks when they reunite after years of separation. Tears may flow from us when we are witness to a commitment being made at a wedding or even while we are watching a love story. Tears of relief may spring forth from our eyes when we hear that a loved one has survived an ordeal, and tears may fall when we bow our head in sorrow over a loss or death. Tears born from heartache can flow like they'll never cease, whether our tears are for a love that is over, a friendship lost, or an opportunity missed. We shed tears because of disappointment in ourselves, tragedy in the world, pain, and illness. Tears of anger can burn with emotion as they fall down our faces. Tears offer us a physical release of our feelings.

Shedding tears can sometimes make us feel better, although it can feel like the tears will never end once the floodgates are open. There is no shame in letting tears flow freely and frequently. Tears are as natural to us as is breathing. There is beauty in allowing yourself to be vulnerable enough to shed tears. Open up, release your tears, and let your feelings flow.

I am still on my low carb "lifestyle", but I do want to share another recipe with you.  This one came from the Kraft web site.

Chocolate Covered OREO Cookie Cake
   
1 pkg. (2-layer size) devil's food chocolate cake mix

4 squares BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate

1/4 cup butter, cut up 1 pkg.

(8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened

1/2 cup sugar

2 cups thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping

12 OREO Chocolate Sandwich Cookies, coarsely crushed

PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Prepare and bake cake mix as directed on package in 2 (9-inch) round cake pans. Cool in pans 5 min. Invert onto wire rack; remove pans. Cool completely.

MELT chocolate in small microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1 to 2 min. or until chocolate is melted, stirring after 30 sec. Blend in butter. Set aside to slightly thicken, about 5 min.

BEAT cream cheese and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Gently stir in whipped topping and crushed cookies. Place 1 of the cake layers on serving plate, top-side down. Spread top of layer evenly with cream cheese mixture. Top with remaining cake layer, top-side up. Spoon glaze over top of cake.

KRAFT KITCHENS TIPS
Size It Up
Enjoy a serving of this indulgent cake on occasion, but keep portion size in mind. One cake makes enough for 16 servings.
Family Fun
This great tasting cake looks like a giant OREO.

Have a wonderful day!

Hugs!

~Jill Marie

Saturday Silliness

Okay, time for Saturday Silliness again!  Today's searches are all related in some way to my daughter, Samantha.  These are things that I find by using the google "I'm Feeling Lucky" search button. 

This first one is the return on a search of the word frog, Samantha likes frogs alot.  She even had 2 pet tree frogs at one time.

FROGLAND! AllAboutFrogs.ORG

While there I took the little quiz, what kind of frog are you...

You are a Pacific Tree Frog

 

Pacific Tree Frogs like to eat a variety of bugs, including crickets, flies and spiders, though they aren't fond of larger beetles that can bite their lips. Courting males have a high pitched ribbit that is often heard as the classic Hollywood "woods at night" sound effect. Pacific Tree Frogs tend not to climb as much or high as most tree frogs, usually not going more than two feet up into vegetation.

That reminds me, Sammi really likes Penguins.  Okay the search took me here...Penguins.

Now my nickname for Samantha has always been Stinkerbell, a play on the name Tinkerbell from Peter Pan.  So I did a "Feeling Lucky" search on the name tinkerbell, and this is what I got...Peter Pan's Home Page... Are You Tinkerbell?

And finally, Samantha is finishing high school at a local vocational school.  She is studying early childhood development.  So I did a search on the word children and this is the result I got for that...Children Now Home . 

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This is my older "baby" girl, Sammi

Sometimes I look at her and wonder where that pretty little baby went?  She grew into a beautiful young woman so quickly.

LOL, that reminds me of the time when Sam was about 12 or 13.  I was getting on her case for something and she told me that "she was a woman now" blah, blah...I didn't hear much after that.  I looked at her (you can imagine what was going through my mind) and said "where in the world did you get that idea?" 

"You told me so", she replied.

"What?!  And just when did I say that to you?"

Apparently, when Samantha got her first "visit" and we had the long chat about everything, I said something about her becoming a young woman...she only heard me say that she was a woman, lol. 

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By the way, for any of you mothers out there who have pre-teen daughters here is an idea.  When Sam told me that she started (we have a great relationship, I think she told me almost right away) I went to the store and bought her all the things that a YOUNG (lol) woman will need to deal with her monthly cycle.

Let's see I got pads, regular and mini's, slender tampons, midol,chocolates and I think I put in a journal or something like that too.  You could put in whatever would be special for your daughter.  I attached a card, and when I gave it to her I let her talk about it, and ask me any questions she had.  It was a very special bonding moment for us as mother and daughter.

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I hope you all have a safe and happy weekend.

Hugs!

~Jill Marie Y

Friday funny~A little kid bragging~Recipe mix

First, I want to wish everyone a happy Friday the 13th.  I wish you all a safe and happy day.  Watch for guys named Freddy, Jason, Hannibal or fella's carrying around a chain-saw (or any deadly weapon) for no apparent reason.  

bigoo

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Okay, time for another Friday funny.  One day when David (my infamous 20 yr old) was about 3, we were driving from Bowling Green to Waterville.  Waterville is a quaint little town  with lots of neat little antique stores about 20 minutes from Bowling Green.  It is on the other side of the Maumee river.

Just as we reached the outskirts of Waterville, you have to go across a bridge over the river.  (We can talk about my fear of bridges another time.)  David was in his car seat in the passenger seat upfront (back then they didn't recommend to keep the kids in back).  He was looking out the window when he turned to me and asked "Mommy, whats that?"  He was pointing to the river.

I said "That is the Maumee river."

A few seconds went by and we were just about off the bridge when he turned to me and said, with a big smile on his face, "Mom, that is the David and Daddy river too, huh?"

Realizing that he had heard Mommy instead of Maumee, there isn't really a lot of difference, I smiled at him and said "Your right babe, that is the David and Daddy river too".

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Gosh I make beautiful and smart babies, don't I?  Just too dang adorable.  David ended up being my child that excelled at math.  He doesn't even have to study it, it just seems to come naturally to him. 

He is also an extremely gifted artist.  From about the age of 3 he would always sit and draw pictures, very detail oriented pictures.  He didn't even care for crayons really.  Just give him a piece of paper and a pencil and he would stay occupied for the next 30 minutes drawing.  

Oh, but he was such a perfectionist.  If he made a minor mistake (in his eyes) he would get so angry.  He'd try erasing and if he couldn't get it completey removed, he would get very mad and crumple the paper.   

For awhile he talked about becoming an architect.  I think he would have been great at that.  However, the only school anywhere near here that offers that as a major is in Cincinnati.  David would rather not go that far away.  I believe he wants to be independent and grown up, but still near his parents.  Nice to know, but a little sad because I think he would have loved doing that.

So instead he is studying graphic art at a local community college and working at the Meijer's in Bowling Green.  He keeps busy.  He is a real good kid, if he could just get rid of that "lead foot".

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Okay, I know Christmas is over and most of ya probably don't have a need for anymore recipe gifts, but this can be given any time of the year.  Or you can make it up and use it yourself. 

I bet it is a lot cheaper than going and buying boxes of Hamburger helper.  What does that run now anyway?  I think I pay about a dollar for the generic stuff.  Make up a couple batches of this and store it. 

Dang near Hamburger Helper Mix

2 cups nonfat dry milk
1 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup beef bouillon powder
2 tablespoons onion flakes
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons dried parsley
1 tablespoon garlic powder 
1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt                                                                                    

Mix the ingredients together and store in an airtight jar.

Attach the following recipes to the jar:

Chili Mac
1 pound ground beef, browned and drained
1 cup water
1/2 cup macaroni noodles (uncooked)
2 cans chopped tomatoes
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 cup mix

Combine all and simmer 20 minutes or until macaroni is cooked.

Stroganoff
1 pound ground beef, browned and drained
2 cups water
1/2 cup mix
2 cups uncooked egg noodles
1/2 cup sour cream

Combine all except sour cream. Simmer 20 minutes or until noodles are tender. Stir in sour cream and serve.

Potato Beef Casserole
1 pound ground beef, browned and drained
3/4 cup water
6 potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
1 cup frozen mixed vegetables
1/2 cup mix

Combine all and simmer, covered, until potatoes are tender, about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove cover and cook until excess water is evaporated.

Quick Lasagna
1 pound ground beef, browned and drained
1/2 cup mix
1 onion, chopped
2 cups water
16 ounces tomato sauce
3 cups lasagna noodles, uncooked, broken into bits
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
2 cups mozzarella cheese, shredded

Combine all except mozzarella in large skillet. Bring to a boil, let simmer for 15 minutes or until noodles are cooked. Top with mozzarella. Turn off heat and let cheese melt.

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Go have a wonderful Friday, remembering my earlier warning, lol.  I will see ya'll later.

myspace

~Jill Marie