Thursday, December 31, 2009

LIFE'S HANDBOOK 2010

Health:

1. Drink plenty of water.

2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.

3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants & has to be killed, bled, cured, aged, smoked, fried, or frozen

4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy.

5. Make time to pray.

6. Play more games. Feed the birds. Plant flowers or vegetables- even in a pot.

7. Read more books than you did in 2009.

8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.

9. Sleep for 7 hours.

10. Take a 10-30 minutes' walk daily. And while you walk, smile ¬ice your surroundings, changes in nature every day, &listen to the birds.
Personality:

11. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about. Each person has their place in the scheme of life.

12. Don't have negative thoughts of things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment - do what you can to make the world around you better.

13. Don't overdo. Keep your limits. Physically, spiritually, financially or emotionally. Be humble.

14. Don't take yourself too seriously. No one else does.

15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.

16. Dream more while you are awake.

17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. Don't blame your parents for every problem you have. That will ruin your present. We choose actions &reactions when we become adults.

Happiness:
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others. It's easier to understand and move on.

20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present. Yesterday is gone and you have a limited number of tomorrows.

21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you. It's your choice to feel happy or miserable, anger or joy, frustration or acceptance, jealousy or peace, shame or pride.

22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

23. Smile and laugh more.

24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
Society:

25. Call your family often.

26. Each day give something good to others.

27. Forgive everyone for everything.

28. Spend time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6

29. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

30. What other people think of you is none of your business.

31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
Life:

32. Do the right thing!

33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

34. God heals everything.

35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

37. The best is yet to come.

38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank God for it.

39. Your inner most is always happy. So, be happy.



Wednesday, December 30, 2009

The Biggest Loser (home edition)

The Biggest Loser…home edition





After all of the indulgence and overeating (even worse with the holiday season), some people at work have decided to do a Biggest Loser Contest. For three months we are going to weigh in once a week. Weigh in will cost $1.00. The person with the largest percentage weight loss will win the pot. It will be a small pot, but I need all the motivation I can get!

January 4th is our first weigh in…wish me luck!


Monday, December 28, 2009

Thought of the Day



A Simple Diet



Remain healthy by maintaining a simple diet of pure feelings, good wishes and positive thoughts.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Cap'N Crunch French Toast

I saw this the other day on Dinners, Drive-ins and Dives on the food network. It is so goey, sweet and delicious!

Cap'n Crunch French Toast






Ingredients


• 6 large eggs


• 5 tablespoons sugar


• 2 cups heavy cream


• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract


• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon


• 1/2 cup butter


• 1 (16 ounce) box Cap'n Crunch cereal (don't use the cheaper brands)


• 1 loaf Texas toast thick bread


• Whipped cream


• Caramel ice cream topping

Directions


1.

Pour Cap'n Crunch into a gallon-size Ziploc bag and crush to a course meal -- make sure there are a few good size pieces in the mix. Pour into a 9x13 pan in order to dredge properly.


2.

Combine eggs, sugar, cream, vanilla, and spices in a large bowl. It will have the consistency of custard.


3.

Soak each slice of Texas Toast in wet ingredients, 30 seconds each side. Be sure the edges are moist, too.


4.

Dredge in Cap'n Crunch, lightly press onto each side, and around the crust.


5.

Heat 2 tbs. butter in large skillet, then gently place slices in pan; two at a time.


6.

Cook three minutes per side or until lightly brown.


Serve with whipped cream and caramel ice cream topping


Saturday, December 19, 2009

SNOW!!!!!

The snow has arrived!

It is beautiful outside.

My solar light is under there somewhere.

Stephen was out practically as soon as he woke up!


So far we have about 8 inches of snow and it is still coming down. The Governor has declared a state of emergency for West Virginia. Please pray for the safety of all the people that have to be out on the roads this week-end.


Friday, December 18, 2009

Winter Storm Warning

We are under a winter storm warning starting this afternoon! OK... I know this makes me strange...but I am excited. We may actually have a white Christmas!!!!! My son is so excited...he is having his Christmas party at school today and then it will start snowing tonight. He has big plans for this week-end.
Here is the weather map for our area...

Be safe all my east coast friends...stay inside and have hot cocoa, play board games, watch movies, and relax.

Wednesday, December 09, 2009

MAYA ANGELOU'S' A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE

MAYA ANGELOU'S' A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE




A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ...

enough money within her control to move out

and rent a place of her own,

even if she never wants to or needs to...

something perfect to wear if the employer,

or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour...


A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..

a youth she's content to leave behind....

a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to

retelling it in her old age....

a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra...

one friend who always makes her laugh... and one who lets her cry.....


A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE........

a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family...

eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems,

and a recipe for a meal,

that will make her guests feel honored....



A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..

a feeling of control over her destiny...

how to fall in love without losing herself..



EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW....

how to quit a job,

break up with a lover,

and confront a friend without;

ruining the friendship....



EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW.....

when to try harder... and WHEN TO WALK AWAY...



EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

that she can't change the length of her calves,

the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents..

that her childhood may not have been perfect....but it's over.....



EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
what she would and wouldn't do for love or more....

how to live alone.... even if she doesn't like it...



EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW.. .


whom she can trust,

whom she can't,

and why she shouldn't take it personally...



EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...

where to go...

be it to her best friend's kitchen table..

or a charming Inn in the woods...

when her soul needs soothing....



EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW...
What she can and can't accomplish in a day...

a month...and a year...

Saturday, December 05, 2009

The First Snow of the Year in West Virginia!

Ahhhhhhhh, we finally got some snow! It is so pretty outside. My son was up and outside playing by 8AM!

We have had a snowman kit for years and have never had the chance to use it...well today was the day!

Now...if the carrot were an actual real carrot, his mouth would have been no where near it...

...my little Angel making an Angel...

..There is no after picture...he rolled all over it getting up...he has my grace (poor little guy).
The trees are so pretty with all the white snow on them...

...snow even makes Mums pretty.

The snow has made me a little more excited about Christmas coming, so today I want to wish all of you a Merry Christmas...

Friday, December 04, 2009

Yummy Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball

Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball

(not my picture...but how pretty it is)


"A sweet switch from the usual cheese ball. Cream cheese and butter are sweetened and blended with miniature chocolate chips, then rolled in chopped pecans."

Ingredients:

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese,

softened

1/2 cup butter, softened

3/4 cup confectioners' sugar 2 tablespoons brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

3/4 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

3/4 cup finely chopped pecans



Directions:

1. In a medium bowl, beat together cream cheese and butter until smooth. Mix in confectioners' sugar, brown sugar and vanilla. Stir in chocolate chips. Cover, and chill in the refrigerator for 2 hours.

2. Shape chilled cream cheese mixture into a ball. Wrap with plastic, and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

3. Roll the cheese ball in finely chopped pecans or toss on mini chocolate chips before serving.

Good served with Nilla Wafers or Graham Crackers