So, I've been gone for a while...

Today, October 25, 2013 finds me in a very different place than I was a year ago.

Currently, I am only working part-time at a job that brings me great satisfaction because I am able to actually HELP people work to get their lives back.  Lord only knows that I've had to get my own life back more than a few times in the past! So, I have some experience to share.

Now, it's time to "dust off" all those little fuzzy bunnies that hide in the corners and crevices of my mind... the dust bunnies of loss, emotional exhaustion, financial worry, sadness, etc, etc.  And start with a clean and shiny new day !

The mantra for today is:  HALT
Never let yourself get
                                  too HUNGRY
                                  too ANGRY
                                  too LONELY
                             or, too TIRED

I am off to gather my thoughts, do a little 'house-blog-cleaning' of my own, get a fresh new outlook, and........... maybe take a nap! 

But, I WILL see you back here tomorrow.  Until then,
Have a BLESSED day !

Losing your but...

This morning I was enjoying my favorite TV Evangelist Joyce Meyer (joycemeyerministries.com).  When I say 'watching', I mean dusting or doing dishes while she talks.  Suddenly, I heard her say "...lose your butts".   Well, that immediately got my full attention, as I have plenty of THAT to lose!

Come to find out, it was a different kind of "butt" to which she was referring, BUT it was the message that God wanted me to hear.

How many of you can relate to some of these comments:
"I'd go to church Sunday, but..."
"I'd be happier, but..."
"I'd really like to help out, BUT..."
"I don't want to have hurt feelings, BUT..."
"I would exercise more... eat healthier... take more time with my kids...  spend more time in prayer... BUT!
This list can go on and on about why we act, think, believe the way we do.  We find reasons for not doing the good and rightful things; things that would please God, bless another, help a community, make things easier at home with a spouse or other family.  We find reasons to not do many things that God places on our hearts...  it is then that we use our BUTS.

God's message to me this morning was loud and clear
GET UP OFF YOUR BUTs !

Have a BLESSED DAY!

What is it about the combination of sweet and hot?

One thing that brings me great joy is good food.  And when that "good food" is actually good for me, I feel doubly blessed!

Today's lunch was a salad that I learned to make from a friend of mine who is a pilot for US Airways.

I call it             Capt. Tom's Heart Healthy Salad

It's very healthy and tremendously delicious.

Ingredients:

2 cups Romaine washed and torn in bite size pieces

Sprinkle lettuce with about a teaspoon of Lemon Juice

Mix Dressing:

2 Tablespoons of good grade Olive Oil

1 packet artificial sweetner of choice (I use Splenda)

1/8 tsp. of Ceyenne Pepper

Stir until well blended then drizzle over the Romaine

Crush 4 - 6 Salad Croutons (I use Marzetti's Garlic 'n Butter) and sprinkle over the salad

Top with a sprinkle of Parmesan Cheese

Toss and enjoy!

*add on options  - pecans, cranberries, diced chicken, pine nuts

I personally like it plain and simple... sometimes I toss in some cranberries.

Add a glass of ice water with extra lemon and you have a light and refreshing meal !