Never Fails. . .

Why is it that you always find one dirty fork or spoon AFTER you've started the dishwasher? Or you get the electric knife or mixer all put away neatly in its little case just to remember that the blades/beaters are still in the dish drainer and you have to start all over??

Just a random thought. Please tell me I'm not the only one that does this! (Guess you can't tell I'm cleaning my kitchen today!)

Everyday Blessings

After my last class (and I'm ashamed to say my first B in a class since enrolling at AI of Pittsburgh), I was seriously having issues wanting to go on. To make a long story short, I couldn't figure out what the instructor was expecting out of me and when I asked her via e-mail, she wouldn't work with me and give me any ideas of how I could improve. Needless to say, I was a little worried about the next instructors I encountered.

Now I'm about half-way through my current class and the instructor is good enough, but the work load is like nothing I've ever encountered in any other class (even the ones that are supposed to be hard). It's not that the work is extremely difficult and most of it so far is just repeating things we've done in other classes and combining them all in order - actually going through an entire design job start to finish. It's just that most classes have around three assignments each week with the occasional fourth assignment. The first week of this class had FIVE assignments and the next two weeks had four each. Like I said, the work is not hard, but it IS extremely time consuming and if we're honest with ourselves, a lot of this stuff will NEVER be done in the course of the average design job! I've just been way stressed and discouraged with this class. I don't have local resources for fabrics and things, so I spend hours sitting in front of the computer trying to guess at things and our client information is very limited and we don't have a real client to ask our many questions. I know I'm not putting my absolute best into the assignments and yet my lack of sleep is making it hard to even care! I've been a little overwhelmed to say the least!

Anyway, all that to say that Today begins week 4 of 5 1/2 and I just received the e-mail from the instructor outlining the week's assignments. Much to my surprise, there are only three assignments this week!! I know it's a little thing and most of you have no idea why I'm feeling so blessed right now, but I AM!! After a late night finishing up the crazy model (pictured above) Saturday and an early morning Sunday, I was dreading today (and the next couple weeks) but that e-mail just made my whole week! So allow me this moment of relief and excitement - even if it is over a small thing!

Good Riddance Facebook!

Just letting everyone know that Jon and I have deactivated our Facebook accounts. For family and friends, please keep posting pictures and such on your blogs or feel free to e-mail.

The Body of Christ

OK, so this is pretty random, but this song gets me every time! I don't hear it often, but every time not only am I convicted to try to reach out and do more to extend the love of God to others, but the one little phrase "Jesus paid much to high a price for us to pick and choose who should come" stings a little as well I'm sure it should, so I just thought I'd share and who knows, maybe you need it too! :-)

"But if we are the Body

Why aren't His arms reaching

Why aren't His hands healing

Why aren't His words teaching

And if we are the Body

Why aren't His feet going

Why is His love not showing them there is a way

Jesus paid much too high a price

For us to pick and choose who should come

And we are the Body of Christ

If we are the body

Why aren't His arms reaching

Why aren't His hands healing

Why aren't His words teaching

And if we are the body

Why aren't His feet going

Why is His love not showing them there is a way

Jesus is the way"

Lucrative Business!

Just had to share. This is almost FIVE times last week's profits! If it gets any more lucrative, I won't be able to post these updates without my husband wondering where I'm stashing all my profits! :D Unfortunately, it's money we've already earned from one of our jobs and NOT really extra income we don't have to work for. . . Someday! :-)

Quick Update

Two things. . . 1) We were finally able to get our new(er) car yesterday (Monday the 5th). It is a 2001 Malibu fully loaded with remote start, remote keyless entry, fog lights, sun roof, power everything, auto volume control on the stereo (which means it automatically changes the volume to compensate for the added noise when you speed up and the less noise when you slow down or stop.), AND NO PAYMENTS!! We are extremely blessed! and 2) I am back to school also beginning yesterday. My current class is Residential Design Studio and so far looks to be very exciting! After this, two classes at the same time crammed into 5 1/2 weeks and then I graduate just days before for Christmas!

Money Laundering. . .

Unfortunately, my profits haven't been too lucrative yet! :-) LOL!! (I thought it was funny!)

Moist Monday Message

(Yes, I realize that is quite possibly the cheesiest post title I have ever come up with. I just decided it'd be fun to try.) K, no pictures unfortunately, but it's not because we haven't been doing anything! It seems like we've been keeping pretty busy for fall. So here's a little run down of our recent activities and not necessarily in order of when they happened, just the order of me remembering them. There is of course the daily work for Jon and nearly daily homework for me, a day or two of work for me here and there, church Sunday and Wednesday, band practice at church for Jon sometimes after church Wed. sometimes Sat., everyday grocery shopping etc., a dead car and the search for a new one, a ladies' retreat, Jon's birthday, birthday/anniversary dinner with friends, yet another attempt at working out and getting healthier, choir practice at church for both Jon and I (after church), young adult game night, and all the everyday things! The good news is that I'm finally finished with what has been the worst class I have had yet (not because the work was that hard. The instructor was just NOT great, the lectures and instructions were totally vague and the instructor was absolutely no help when I asked for it!) and I passed it with a somewhat respectable grade (not what I would have liked). Now I have all this week off and a financial battle with the school to deal with before I begin my next quarter. I'm in the home stretch! Just three more classes - just 11 more weeks after this week!! Jon is also keeping good and busy. Work is coming in faster than they can do it almost (lots of boiler installs which can take a couple days each depending. . .). They have two different "crews" with two different "trucks" (actually panel work vans) going almost all the time and things are going well. So, lack of word from me does not mean that we haven't been doing anything, it just means I haven't taken any exciting pictures and I know I get discouraged reading long posts without pictures sometimes. And now, I have a mile long to-do list for my one week off school, and I better get to it so I can actually make a dent before the week is over! Today's task: Straightening the entire house and getting laundry completely done, folded, and put away.

Contentment

I know I know!! It's just been on my mind so much lately! Sometimes I feel guilty because I want things or I get restless because it seems like Jon and I should be getting further in life (a better car, two cars, a house, etc). If I stop and think about it, I KNOW that since I'm still in school and only working part time and things being difficult for everyone everywhere, that we're doing well for our age. We have a nice apartment, a working car, and so many material things. . . And then I feel bad for saying things to Jon about it because I know he works hard to provide and we never really go without! So I've been trying to focus on Phi 4:11 - "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." For me it's more like "...for I [am learning] in whatsoever state I am in, therewith to be content." I guess the good news is that I am aware and working at it! Thoughts??

Showers of Blessing

Today is a dreary rainy day in Massena. It's one of those days that make you want to snuggle in bed all day and when you DO get up, you feel the need to sip coffee all day either because it seems like it should be cold outside or just because you are having a hard time staying awake. Me, I am awake, up and about, and thoroughly enjoying my rainy day already! And yes, I'm still harping on life's many blessings! After reviewing my last post, the phrase "Showers of Blessing" popped into my head. Then I took yet another look out the window and decided that it was quite fitting for today. There is of course the old camp song ". . . showers of blessing we need mercy drops 'round us are falling but for the showers we plead", but I was thinking of the "showers" of blessings we have already received! I've recently had to stop and wonder several times "Why has my family been spared all the heart-ache others have to face?" I hear/read about some families that just can't get a break with sickness and death. On one hand it worries me because it doesn't seem fare or possible that God would let a family as large as mine all stay safe and healthy. On the other, I trust that He protects and guides his children AND that He knows best! So, for the moment, as I sit listening to the cars splash by outside, I just feel an overwhelming peace and contentment that not only has God always supplied all our needs and a large majority of our wants, but He continues to bless us daily with His Protection, Love, Grace and Mercy! We are SO BLESSED!! Today's Blessing - Good health for Jon, me, and our immediate families. This song has been running through my head off and on for over a week!

"Great is Thy faithfulness, Great is Thy faithfulness, Morning by morning new mercies I see: All I have needed Thy hand hath provided Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!"

- Thomas Chisholm

I AM . . . Blessed!

At work, we sell puzzle pieces for autism. On one side they say "I AM" and on the other, any number of things - awesome, loved, peace, music, magnificent, unique, original, unstoppable, etc. One of my favorites is the one that says "I AM BLESSED" It's such a simple reminder to stop and think of just a few of the good things when life really doesn't FEEL that good at the moment. I like to give these little reminders for gifts whenever I can. It supports a great cause (one very close to my heart) and every time, it reminds me as well. . . I am blessed to have friends and family to buy gifts for! In other news. . . Jon returned home safe and sound Tuesday shortly before noon and was back to work that afternoon. His overnight flight made the three hour jet lag non existent by bed time that night! For the rest of the week, it was work/school and a little hanging out with friends until the weekend. . . Friday, we both got out of work a little early to have time to regroup (and for Jon - nap) before heading down to Saranac Lake for dinner at Mom and Dad Catton's. Brad was working at the office in Saranac Lake and Melissa was bringing Logan down from Plattsburgh to show him off, so Mom jumped on the chance to have everyone there for dinner. It also just happened to be Mom and Dad's 38th anniversary! (She claims it wasn't on purpose. . . :-) So, we enjoyed yummy grilled chicken and ribs complete with Mom's famous potato salad (which I think I had only ever heard about) then it was time to make the foggy and somewhat stressful drive home (deer lurk around these parts at night!). Obviously, we made it home just fine (after saying a little prayer that the deer would just stay out of our path because we couldn't see real well some of the time). Saturday, we were able to catch up on some sleep and just relax (and cut Jon's hair!) around home before dinner with friends. Oh yeah, then there was homework that had been put off all day, but it wasn't bad. Sunday is always a somewhat busy day - this one possibly more so than usual. And now today, it's back to the usual. Jon's at work, I have laundry to do, homework to do, and the house usually needs some attention after the weekend, so I guess I better get to it! P.S. I am blessed to have my own little home (apt) and my own washer and dryer in my house and at my disposal whenever - no waiting for someone else to get their stuff out, and no change required! :-)

Everyday. . . Nothingness

So I don't have anything exciting to say, I just wanted to write a post about our lack of excitement. Since Tuesday, I've been mostly just hanging out at home. I had friends for dinner Wed. night, worked All day Thursday, and today just more hanging out at home doin' homework. Random note: I finish my program and receive my diploma in Residential Planning (basically the same as Interior Design) Dec. 20th. Jon on the other hand has been livin' it up on Rt. 66. OK, I don't think they're sticking with 66 and I'm pretty sure he wouldn't necessarily consider driving for a week straight as "living it up", but he has gotten to see some of the country's (or maybe world's would be more accurate) greatest wonders like the St. Louis arch, Grand Canyon, and the Hoover Dam (today) as well as miles and miles of nothing but flatland! He is taking LOTS of pictures and I'm sure will be posting some when he gets home. Unfortunately for me, he doesn't get home until Tuesday right around noon! So, that's pretty well it for all the random little things I can think of happening with us right now. Aren't you glad I posted?? Such excitement you wouldn't have wanted to miss I'm sure!

Poll Question

By show of comments, who would like to see a picture of my finger the day after the accident?

A Stressful Day

(Check out the pictures, there may be more coming that are not for the faint of heart) It was a stressful day indeed. Lets go in order of the pictures. My wife was heading back to our boss's office to wrap up for the day. But she had to travel down a long windy road with less than good road conditions. She told me that she fought with the car a good bit when she realized that she was losing control. But unfortunately a greasy road, and windy curves landed her over a large embankment tearing up the whole underside of the car on the way down. She said there was a guy behind her who never stopped, and just kept going. She called 911 and within minutes a State Trooper, a firetruck, and the rescue arrived. It was quite the bump because half of the stuff that was in the very back of the car (the VERY back) was up in the seat behind her and up front with her. She had tried to call me but didn't get an answer. She tried three times, and finally decided to call Rodney, the guy I was working with. She said, do you know where my husband is, and handed me the phone. This leads to the second part of the story. As Rodney handed me the phone, I said, "Hello?" "Honey, you're going to kill me!" She exclaimed. "Well you're going to kill me first!" I grunted "I just got my finger caught in a wood splitter, and it's pretty bad." "Oh... well I just wrecked the car and it's in a pretty bad spot, but the troopers just arrived." she said seemingly in agreement with my situation. "I need to go, Rodney is going to take me to the hospital." I handed Rodney the phone never thinking to tell my wife "I Love You!!!" As we drove to the hospital we passed my wife. I did not realize she was on the same road as me, as we went by though, I started blacking out. So I did not really pay much attention. Rodney had rolled my window down and was blasting me with cold air. He called our boss's office assistant Tiffany and told her that he was trying to get me to the hospital before I passed out. Just as she got off the phone with him, my wife called her and told her she just lost control of the car. Tiffany said she would bring Leah to the hospital. We got to the hospital and I was met by a nurse who got me ready for the Doc. The Doc came in and gave me a nerve blocker shot on both side of my thumb. The pain was miserable at this point, so the stick of the shots wasn't that bad. The Doc checked me out (he was a really great guy) and sent me for X-rays. (You should see me trying to type right now... I usually press the space bar with my right thumb...but since that would just about knock me out, I'm trying to teach my left thumb how to do it... and let's face it... he's just being rebellious.) After the X-rays my wife and Tiffany (the office assistant) showed up. They told me about the car getting pulled out over the embankment and how it did as much damage if not more getting pulled out as it did going in. They said it scraped, and both front tires were kicked way out at the bottom, and there was a serious leak of some fluid. She was okay, and a little shaken but said she had no pain (until this morning). To my surprise, they both wanted to see my thumb, which I didn't want to happen so I said, no. My wife said, "I'll be okay" and back and forth we went until I caved. She didn't pass out (she's strong). The Tiffany said, "Can I see?" So we had show and tell in the ER. Tiffany left after being extremely helpful and caring. The Doc came in and told that the bone wasn't broke, and that it was just soft tissue damage. My finger nail was completely torn off, I found it later in my glove. That was amazing, the nail was completely clean, and so was the inside of my clove. No blood, no nothing. I must have gotten my glove off so fast that there wasn't time for blood. The flesh on my finger was spit right up the middle. I received 7 stitches and an anti-biotic and hydrocodone (Vicoden) for the pain. We thank the Good Lord above for us both being safe. We've no idea why it happened both in the same day, within 10 minutes of each other, but it's obvious our gracious and caring heavenly Father was with us both. There is more to tell, but I can't write anymore. We'll share more later.

WALL-E

I'm very excited to see this movie. It comes out soon on DVD. I can't wait!

Grilled Chicken and Mushroom and Tater Chowder

Soup of the day is as stated above. Well... there won't be a soup everyday, but here is another one. Interestingly enough, I concocted this soup when I was somewhere between the ages of 10 and 12. I made it then but have never made it since... until tonight. I don't remember how it tasted O' so many years ago, but you can ask my wife... tonight it was quite tasty!

Ingredients:

Two boneless chicken breasts cut in half (total of 4 pieces)

4 to 5 medium sized potatoes (skins on)

2 cans of Cream of Mushroom Soup

Grill the chicken first with only salt and pepper (or bake if you don't have a grill, or don't feel like grilling). No special flavoring unless that is your preference. Allow the chicken to cool and cube into bite size pieces.

Cube the potatoes to bite size, ( no one wants to look like an animal at the table) and then boil in water for about 6-8 minutes or until almost soft. They will soften the rest of the way in the soup.

Mix the two cans of soup with one can of water, and one can of milk in a large pot.

Drain the potatoes and put them in the mushroom soup mix. Add the chicken in also. Turn the soup on low and let simmer for about 30 minutes stirring periodically. During that time, add some garlic and onion powder (to taste). Also add a bit more pepper and salt (also to taste, fresh ground pepper is much more flavorful and gives it that Zuppa Tuscana kick). After 30 minutes dish and serve. As the SUNY Potsdam coffee cups used to say, "Warning: The [soup] you are about to enjoy is extremely hot!" Have with bread or sandwiches or whatever grabs you!

What's for Dinner?

I enjoy cooking, and Jon is so NOT picky, that for the most part I can just make whatever and he's going to eat it and enjoy it. Sometimes I think he wouldn't even care if we had the same three things over and over. I however need more variety, so I'm always looking for a new recipe or way to spice up an old one. I admit although we've only been married for a year and three months, I find myself getting bored with the same ol' thing. I can't even imagine my poor Momma making menus after thirty some years! Anyway, all this to say I do have a favorite recipe that I don't think I'll ever get tired of. As some of you may know, broccoli has long run a close second to my favorite veggie - green beans, so as you can guess, one of my favorite recipes is based on broccoli. I was going to share this recipe a while back and never did, then it got too warm for soup again, so I haven't made it for a while - until today. This one is relatively quick and easy and can be made ahead of time and re-heated. . . Sooooo here's what's for dinner. Creamy Broccoli Soup 2 Tbsp minced onion 3 Tbsp butter or margarine 1 ½ tsp salt 3 cups milk 3 Tbsp flour 3 cups chicken broth (or 3 bouillon cubes dissolved in 3 cups of boiling water) 1 10 oz. pkg. of frozen chopped broccoli (slightly thawed) 2 cups carrots (thinly sliced) Additional saltPepper In large sauce pan, saute onion in butter until tender. Add salt. In large measuring cup (or a bowl) combine milk and flour, mixing well so the flour doesn't get lumpy. Slowly pour milk/flour mixture in pan. Bring to a boil stirring constantly. Add chicken broth, broccoli, and carrots. Cook over low heat stirring occasionally (do NOT boil!) until carrots are well cooked and flavors have blended. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve with grilled cheese, garlic bread, croutons, or just shredded cheese. As always, using fresh broccoli instead of frozen makes for a fresher better soup. I always use fresh broccoli. I try to keep onions minced and in a container in the fridge to cut down on time. Also, cut baby carrots take less time to cook.

New. . .er Wheels!

We have actually had the new "car" since the middle of August, but didn't post pictures because we wanted some people to see it "in person" first. Now, however, everyone has seen it and for lack of something better to post, here is a picture of the new wheels. We cristened it with a trip up Whiteface Mt. the day after we got it (back when we posted all the other Whiteface pix).

It's a 2002 Mazda Tribute. Features include: sun roof, cassette player AND 6 CD changer, power locks and windows, remote key-less entry, both automatic and push button 4-wheel drive, etc. It's quite an upgrade, and we're excited to have something a little more dependable and suited to our location!

The Day After...

I never ever would have guessed that this election would have been so disturbing for me. I find myself being reminded of 9-11 and that next morning saying to mom, "I can't believe that really happened" Although, those aren't my exact words. But I have been so encouraged as this election has come and gone, there is one "phrase" (I guess you could call it) that I have heard from several people, and they all have said, "On Wednesday morning, no matter who is president, God will still be in charge!" I'm so very encouraged by that! I'm sure many have seen this, but here it is again:

Top Ten Outcomes in this Election

1. The Bible will still have all of the answers.

2. Prayer will still work.

3. The Holy Spirit will still move.

4. God will still inhabit the praise of His people.

5. God will still pour out His blessings upon His people.

6. There will still be God-anointed teaching and preaching.

7. There will still be singing of praise to God.

8. There will still be room at the Cross.

9. Jesus will still love His own.

10. Jesus will still save the lost.

Picture: http://www.inspirationalarchive.com/inspirationalstoriesblog/category/inspirational-photo/

Election Day 2008

One of the things that I always like about Google is they always know what's going on, and make thier trademark Google logo correspond. I just wanted to share their little picture with you today, and remind everyone to get out and vote.