Computer Withdrawals

Our computer is "fried". Our friend John has it now trying to repair it. It's been almost two weeks now, and I am having serious withdrawals. I didn't realize just how much I depend on the web for all kinds of info! Especially keeping up with the day to day life of my fellow bloggers. I am using my mother's computer now, which I can use whenever I need to, but it's just not as convenient. I have a ton I could blog about (for a change), but I really don't have the time now. I must post pictures of Kim going "freakin' nuts" (those were her own words about me a few weeks ago) cleaning out my closet. I also need to post about our first fabulous camping trip in our pop-up! SOOO much fun! I invite everyone to come with us. I can't wait to go again. Well, I need to check on the kids. They are playing in the basement. You never know what's in the basement. Better go.

Turkey Day Dinner

Oh my yummness! Thanks for the recipe, Kim. I planned this big meal for Friday night and invited Jason and Anne Marie. I had planned on baking the Triple Chocolate Bundt Cake that Kim is famous for, until I remembered that Anne Marie had given up chocolate of Lent. So I made the Brickle Cake instead. Scrumbdelicious!

Yea! I cooked my first turkey too. I have to say it was really good. I enjoyed the whole cooking experience. I don't cook big meals often. It was fun to prepare a "Thanksgiving" meal. My dressing was alright, but no where near as good as my step-dad's famous dressing. I really wanted a picture of the big beautiful bird before it was carved, but I forgot. So this is some of the remains.

We counted almost thirty turkeys in our back yard last week. Too bad there is no hunting allowed! I could cook turkeys every day of the month!

Rambling

Has anyone actually watched this new "game show" I have seen advertised? Something about telling the truth. I can't remember the name. But I love American Idol and it comes on after it I think, so I see the commercials for it. I think they hook these people up to a lie detector or something and ask them the most horrible questions! "Would you cheat on your spouse if you were sure they would never know?" "Are you a better mother to your children than your mother was to you?" "What is the biggest secret you are keeping from your spouse?" ARE THEY TRYING TO WRECK FAMILIES?! I think so. Very disturbing. They must be offering big bucks.

Our neighbor has his house for sale now. I don't know if I'm happy or not. He is a single guy and we don't know him that well. I'd love for a family with young kids to move in. But then again, you never know what you'll get! This house is very close to ours. Right now it is nice and quiet, no barking dogs or screaming kids (that's all at my house). I guess I'll just pray that God puts someone there we can have a relationship with.

Carson is almost potty trained! Yea!! I say almost because I have to remind him about every half hour. But I'm OK with that for now.

I bought a turkey yesterday. I've never made a "Thanksgiving Dinner" before. I'm thinking about trying it this weekend. Wish me luck.

I ran 28 minutes straight this morning. This is a huge accomplishment for me. I've never been a runner.

Hummm.......let's see, what else can I brag, uh I mean, blog about????

Went bowling with Kim, her friend (and mine too now) Missy, Heather and Connie yesterday. And ALL the kids of course. We are very brave. It was fun though. Just hard to explain to a 2 year old that they have to wait for 4 more people to bowl before it's their turn again. Tinsy bit ANNOYING.

We bought a new painting to hang over the mantle today. Trace Donahoo's mom had some oil paintings from a shop she previously owned. She gave us a deal. And I absolutely LOVE it! It's what I have been wanting for years! She's a nice lady. Thanks, "Mrs. Trace's mom".

Quick Post

Josh has taken the kids to the park. I have a million things I'd like to do before they get back. (But I chose to blog, it's been a while). We are getting a pop up camper today! Yea!! I can't wait to take the kids camping. This is my idea of roughin' it. Pop up camper with heat, air conditioner, refridgerator, two beds. That's roughin' it. Right? We are buying it from the Wilkes. I think they may be getting a new one. We've talked about all going camping together. Fun! Anybody else like to camp? Come join us. The next pretty weekend we have, we are heading somewhere.

We had a great time bowling last night. Thanks to all of you who kept our children. It was so nice to pay 4 bucks and not have to worry about your kids all night! Bowling went by WAY too fast. Honostly, we thought we'd get there at 5:30, bowl a couple of hours, maybe go to a quick restaurant, and start to head back to the church by 8:45. We were still bowling at 8:15! Congrats to my hubby for making me proud! He kicked some booty at bowling. Quinn had a nice spin on the ball. Fun to watch. Anne Marie definitly got the award for how high a 10 lb. ball can be thrown in the air. Kim can do a beautiful cart wheel down the bowling lane (yea, she really did). Jason gave us all great bowling tips (he's pretty good too). And I was able to refresh everyone's memory of the "Roger Rabbit" dance. We really needed a camera. FUN times. We'll have to do it again soon!

New Love

I just finished a good book, Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. I had never read any of her books until several weeks ago when my mother recommended Leota's Garden. Then, Ginger told me she was reading a Francine Rivers book too. She let me borrow Redeeming Love when she was finished. Ginger and I are both discovering that we actually do like to read after all. After years of always saying that I "just don't enjoy reading", I have found that I love to read! I always felt guilty because I was a teacher and wanted to instill the love of reading in children because I knew how important it was, but I still just really didn't care much about it. I would only read when I had to. I look back and think, "How could I say I didn't enjoy reading? How could anyone NOT enjoy reading?". I guess you just have to find books that appeal to you. I have to say thanks to Laura Morgan for inspiring me with her love of books. She has recommended several books to me and I have loved them all.

I'm always a little sad when I finish a good book. Although I get a great feeling of accomplishment, like a kid....."wow, I read a really thick book"! I mourn for a few days after. I really miss the characters. I'm sad that I won't be able to hang out with them anymore. It's like a relationship that is just abruptly over. No phone calls, no short visits, just over. Oh well, it just makes me want to start another book quickly.

When I get really interested in a book, I begin to neglect other things. ie, laundry, dishes, cooking, children, husband............so I need a few days to catch up on things in between. Josh one time told me, "I should have never taught you to read". Funny Josh.

I've also been feeling a little guilty about all of my fictional reading. I get a little intimidated by some non-fiction stuff. I just picked up The Passion of Jesus Christ, by John Piper. It was in a box full of books that Joyce Sullivan was getting rid of. It is a short book. I think I can handle it. I'm going to try to finish it quickly. I'm a one-book-at-a-time kinda girl. Can't have too much going on at one time. Overload!

Carson's sleeping. I think I'll go catch up on all those "in between" things so I can read some more.

Don't Swallow Your Bubble Gum!

Alright ladies, you've all heard that it isn't good to swallow your gum. Here's proof!! hee hee :)

Parts is Parts

My last post was a little depressing, so I feel the need to post about something on a happier note. Would "hot dogs" be considered something happier? I guess, just don't ask Leslie, or maybe not even Ginger. But I have to tell you about something I recently re-discovered. Nathan's Hot dogs. A while back, years maybe, George Gurly introduced us to these famous franks. And most of you know, George knows his meats. He went on and on about how great they are. At that time I think you could only find them at Costco (never been there, is that spelled right?). But most famous in Chicago. We had them at a cookout, and he was right. They were great.

Last Friday I headed to Food World to stock up on the necessities (because of the big winter storm headed our way) :) I ran into the Silvey's near the sausage. They were cracking me up, pondering which sausage to buy. Obviously Lee is a picky sausage eater. One was too mild, one was too hot. Anyway, I told them they were spending way too much time picking out sausage. So I grab my sausage and head on down the refrigerated section. There I saw it. Buy one get one free. Which ALWAYS gets my attention. I am an obsessed "bargain" shopper. Nathan's Hot dogs??? No way. Yep. Right there in Food World. So I bought one and guess what...........got one free. (neat how that works)

Saturday we played out in the snow with Jason, Anne Marie, and the kids. Anne Marie mentioned she was making chili for dinner. Which could not have been more perfect to go with my dogs. They brought down the crock pot, we threw some dogs on the grill.........incredible. I ate two, but could have eaten ten.

So there you have it. Shameless plug for Nathan's Hot dogs. If you are in to pig parts, you've got to try some. Call me I'll bring the chili.

I'm tired today. I'm tired and I feel really depressed and broken. Since I heard the news of the Burgess tragedy, I've not been able to get it out of my mind. I listened to Bubba on the radio this morning for a while. I know the answer to our screams of "WHY?" I know God will bring glory to Himself through tragedy such as this, but I still ache for the family. I couldn't sleep last night. I prayed myself to sleep and then Carson woke up around 2am. I held him in my arms and cried and prayed, just feeling him breathe. I felt the need to fall on my face. I rarely feel this way. This morning, I feel the need to scream "why?" to myself. Why do I not pray myself to sleep every night? Why do I not feel the need to fall on my face daily in adoration and thanksgiving? because I'm selfish and I take things for granted every minute of everyday.
Of course, I do not know the Burgess family personally. But I do know that they are using this as an opportunity to show their listeners the gospel. I know the gospel and yet through this I was definitely preaching it to myself last night. We hear it continuously at Community, we must preach it to ourselves daily. I am thankful for that. God will be glorified.

Google ME???

I was talking to Ginger today and she was telling me about how she had "googled" her name to see what would show up. She said it showed the church website and a couple of friend's blogs that had mentioned her. So I decided to give it a try. There were 480,000 results!!! Yes, 480 thousand. Of course not one of them had anything to do with THE Paige Mitchell. At least I don't think so. If so, it was probably around number 479 thousand and I just wasn't that intent on finding info on myself. However, I did find out that there is a WWII medal of honor recipient named Mitchell Paige. They actually named a GI Joe figure after him that was released in the 90s. I am not much of a history buff so this was all news to me.
There is also an author named Paige Mitchell. And a Middle School named Mitchell Paige, I'm guessing after the WWII hero.
I thought it was kinda interesting. Google your name.....see what ya get!

Christmas Fun