Truly, Madly, Deeply!

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth...literally!

First off, I HATE going to the dentist!  Since my childhood and then after my car accident, I ahve been there more than I wish to even think about!

So, with a pretty intense oral surgery looming today, I have been sick over it for weeks and try not to think about it.  Last night I took valium, this morning Valium and Xanax....still anxious....but ready to get it over with..I trudge in.

I get they get me all settled, consent signed, me sedated, mouth numbed, and I hear her showing the partial to Beaver. I asked to see it....in my stupor I note a possible error, but think it might be the medication speaking....so I slowly formulate my question and I hear silence in the room.........Uh-oh....I am so sorry, the partial is wrong.  I got laughing so hard I had tears steaming down my face!  Only me!!!

Long story short, I ended up with free sedation, another Rx for valium, an appointment for another day, and LOTS of apologies.

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS MY TWO FRONT  TEETH....LITERALLY!!

His plans are higher

Following a mix-up in communication between 2 leaders of the hospital, I dropped my Master's classes to finish my BSN (even though I already hold a BS in a related field).  Only to find out the information had been clarified, and I could go back into the Masters program. Ridiculous!  So, I decided to finish out the BSN and be done with it. 

I graduated this week BSN, RN, 4.0  J!! After contemplating a break, I will forge ahead and begin taking the Master's classes again Dec 3rd! :)

I was disappointed in not getting to finish the Masters right away and was not proud of the BSN completion.  However, my husband and a special mentor encouraged me to BE PROUD of the accomplishment. I just felt the switch was pretty nuts, but oh well, God knows why!

I heard a quote once, “Never regret money spent on books or flowers.”  I am going to amend the quote, “Never regret TIME & MONEY invested in education.” 

GOAL:

Complete MSN in 18 months

and

Obtain my DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice) within 5 years. 

In setting a goal, I humbly realize God has His own plans that I will embrace, should they change!

Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.

Plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you a hope and a future.”

Praise be to God, for He is always good.



God, you and I can handle anything...together!

Work, school, move, adoption, sick nephew, etc....There is a lot going on these past few weeks and in feeling very overwhelmed I look to the Lord to give me the strength and peace that I need.

This got me to thinking  a lot about the verse in Corinthians that talks about God not giving us more than we can bear.  The verse:

1 Corinthians 10:13 "No temptation is given you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so you can escape it."

Some believe this means he doesn't test us more than we can personally handle on our own. But He does...It does not say that he doesn't give us more than we can handle...but he DOES promise that He will be there to provide the way of to get through.

1 Corinthians 12:9 "My Grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."

It is when we are challenged beyond ourselves, beyond what we can handle, it is in our weakness that He is strong. His strength is made perfect to overcome our weakness and meet our needs.

We WILL be stretched, stressed, bent, pushed, and pulled.  However, it is in those times that we realize just how great our need is for His strength.  It is then that God in His Almighty strength takes over for us, makes us strong, and provides a way of escape.

HE WILL NOT GIVE YOU MORE THAN YOU AND HE CAN HANDLE TOGETHER!

What a mighty God we serve!!

Group 1 Crew  and Jars of Clay have 2 awesome songs that have been an encouragement to me this week, I have linked them below, enjoy!


Jars of Clay - He will lift up your head

Group 1 Crew - He said

Warning: 9 year anniversary present = cookware!

So what do you get from your husbands for your 9 year wedding anniversary? Evidently cookware! :)

Actually, it is just what I wanted....oh and the fact that he has one of the new Pandora bracelets on order doesn't hurt!! (Great job, Honey!!)

I was looking around one of my favorite places in Grand Rapids, Wealthy at Charles, and I fell in

love with the organic cookware set they sell.

OSCURO organic cookware handmade from Columbia.  It is so versitile, just what I need!  From the microwave to the stove top, into the oven, or even on the grill!!  For impatient cooks like me, you can even cook on the stove top with a high flame! :)

This cookware is so nice looking that I can cook in it and then use it as a serving dish. Less to wash, another huge bonus for me...or actually that part benefits my husband! :) Or you can pop the cookware right into the dishwasher!!

Honey, thank you so much! My only hope is that I do not have to wait until Anniversary # 10 to get my next piece...HINT HINT!!

Mac & Cheese Grows-Up!

I often joked that I had the palate of the 5 year old...but I have broadened my scope over the years.  However, sometimes there is just nothing like some good old macaroni and cheese to soothe the soul!

Here is my grown up version that my husband and I made over the weekend. It was very creamy and the gorgonzola gives it a great rich, grown-up flavor! :)

1 box of macaroni - (penne, rotini...your choice!)

1/4 c butter
1/3 c flour
3 c milk

12 oz cheddar cheese (white or yellow)
2 oz gorgonzola
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp chili powder
1 splash of worchestire sause
1/2 tsp fresh garlic
1/8 tsp pepper (white or black)


Make a roux of the butter and flour - then slowly add the milk, stir constantly.  Once the mixture thickens (about 12 minutes on medium heat) turn off the burner and add in all the other ingrediants except macaroni.  Once the cheese has melted add in the macaroni mix it all in and then pour it into a baking dish.  I used two 5X9 dishes, but a 13X9 dish would work too.  I also have some small serving size baking dishes, you can use those if you have them to make individual portions.

TOPPING:

1 sleeve of ritz type crackers (we use aldi brand - they taste the same)

1 1/2 - 2 tbsp butter

melt the butter in a pan

crush crackers and add them to pan with butter and stir to coat all crumbs.

Spoon the topping over the mac n cheese.

Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees.

DIG IN!!

Repurpose to Recycle

Ran out on a quick errand and snapped up this fab find at an estate sale!  It will be my new recycling bin! Reminds me of the song, "Momma's little baby loves shortnin', shortnin'...."