SnowChel
Snowflake, Seashell-ishnessHandwriting
I like writing with pen and paper. Specifically, I like a fine tip purple ball point pen and at least two pieces of paper, so the point is soft and it doesn’t feel like I’m writing directly on the table. I like writing aimlessly and about nothing in a blank journal book that nobody will ever read. It’s funny that I’m typing this, while I’m really wanting to see these words in my own font. Ashley and I were talking about this again the other night. She may be one of the few people whose handwriting I’d recognize anywhere. Actually, I recently received a postcard from a high school friend. I knew it was his writing immediately. Sometimes I catch a glimpse of small writing, like my brothers and it makes me miss him so much. I wonder how his daughter’s writing will look. Does her mom have things my brother wrote? This reminds me of an old post by Kevin Donahue. I believe he once said he keeps voice messages from his wife. If something were to happen, he could then listen to her voice. I think I remember that being his post. Writing is the same, but different. You can hold it. Both are evidence of someone thinking of you – even if the message is just – Get Butter, Please. I hope that the people that recognize my handwriting are excited to see it, happy to know I was thinking of them when I wrote it.
Christmastime is Here
I have that Peanuts Christmas song in my head. I have for a few days.
Well, Thanksgiving has passed and so it’s Christmastime! I do believe in getting through Thanksgiving before starting on Christmas. This year, however, after our Dave Ramsey class, we needed to get our November budget done and that included setting aside gift money, so I was set a little sooner than normal this year. I have always had a gift budget, so that part was easy. Between having that money earmarked for gifts and maintaining a gift idea list through the year, we are/were well prepared. We have almost everything ordered and we haven’t even put the tree up yet! It was very strange to wrap gifts last night and not have a tree to put them under. We’ll get one this weekend. We already have a group set to go. It’s a nice thing that the Waldo Canyon Fire didn’t burn up the tree cutting area. I feel selfish saying that, when really, I think about and pray for the families that are rebuilding all of the time. We’ll load up thermoses with hot cocoa and some of the minestrone that I made yesterday and head to the woods to find our tree. Years ago, the boys, their cousin, and I made a bunch of ornaments. I was hoping to get them to make at least a couple this year. We’ll see.
The other day, I considered posting several things I was thankful for. I ended up spending the morning thanking God for so many things and never thought up the perfect way to post what was in my heart. God and I have that conversation every day. I am so thankful for so many people and things.
Rebellion
Do we all have rebellion in us? Do we all immediately want to do the opposite of what we’re told? I think that not being rebellious comes with maturity, but do we ever really let it go? Right now, my 14 year old step son is in trouble and definitely wanting to do the opposite of what is asked. On the other hand, I’ve seen myself and other adults rebelling this week. For my part, I mentally rebelled on something I knew was right and gave it some thought, and did the right thing (in this one situation). Why can’t we give that up? Clearly, it’s a control thing. We don’t want someone else to control us, but are we smart enough to control ourselves and do the right/best thing? I’m at a point in my life that I want to learn from OTHERS mistakes. I’m 38 and I’m just figuring that out. It took me a long time to get to this point. I can’t expect others to be at this same point. This is where my mind is now.
TGIF?
I’m glad it is Friday, that means the end of the work week for Kelly. However, it’s the end of my time off. I’ve been off since last Friday and it’s been great. I didn’t have any plans really. It’s been great. I’ve had lunches and visiting time with my mom, friends, and with my grandmother. I got my eyes checked, went to the dentist, went snowboarding, ran errands, cleaned the house – yeah, all kinds of fun stuff. It’s not over yet, though. It’s still early today, then two more days off. I’ve been tempted to peek at my work email, but I haven’t. Ah, just saying that has me thinking about work stuff. Next subject.
We ended up with a fun group costume idea. It should be a lot of fun and our group keeps growing. I can’t wait to see us all laughing at each other.
Lazy Sunday?
So far, it’s a lazy Sunday. We slept in llllaaatttteeeee. I got up, read my regular things on the Internet, had coffee, and finished my Halloween costume. Now, as relaxed and content as I am, I am thinking of what I’ll do for the rest of the day. I’ve thought of plenty of things, but nothing that will make it anything other than a lazy Sunday. Kelly will watch football and stare at his Fantasy Football scores. The dogs will find at least four places to enjoy naps. Right now, Molly is out in the sun and Cupid is here on the sofa. I expect to get a shower, laundry done, Kelly’s costume done, get started on our November budget, I should sew up this pillow next to me, before the seam comes apart more. Okay, yeah, that’s plenty. Now to find the motivation to get going…in just a few more minutes.
Cheesecake (Low Carb, Of Course)!
I had some leftover ricotta cheese recently and went looking for low carb ricotta recipes. I shall now always have leftover ricotta! This is so easy to make and soooooo good. It tastes good warm, just out of the oven, but is WONDERFUL the next day, after it has fully chilled. I probably shouldn’t sit here thinking about it, since I’m out of cream cheese right now. I’ll have to get some tomorrow. I think I want to make two and send one home with my dad. I think he’ll love it.
Ok, maybe I should make three, since the boys will be here and Zach tasted the first one and liked it.
Cheesecake
I Found It Here
- 1 package (8 oz.) low fat cream cheese
- 1/4 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup granular Splenda
- Pinch of salt
Preheat oven to 350*. Combine all ingredients and mix with a fork until you achieve a nice and creamy consistency. Spray a pie pan with some cooking spray, and pour the mixture in. Bake for 30 minutes. Cool before serving.
Who do you talk to…in your head?
I realized that I talk to God a lot. Throughout the day, I thank God for all kinds of things – a new day, health, Jesus, my family, my friends, my job, good traffic, cute toes, a new Scrabble game with grandma, my little dog, my big dog, my fun Jeep; really, all kinds of things. I also talk to God when I’m trying to sort something out. I’m thankful to be able to do it. I then wondered what Atheists do, or even other believers – anyone. How does YOUR brain work? I’ve done this for so long that I don’t know how I did it before. I guess that my point is that I hope that people know that God is there and you can talk to Him like that – anytime, anywhere, and about anything.
