tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13344544256943711472011-11-10T03:26:37.458-08:00Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.comBlogger561100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-79051478322977540082011-02-08T13:25:00.000-08:002011-02-08T14:07:06.941-08:00

This recipe was taken from the foodnetwork website (Paula Deen). It is really quite complicated, so be sure you have a pen and paper to make sure you are copying the directions exactly as needed. Here it is:English PeasIngredients:1/4 C (1/2 stick) butter2 cans (14 1/2 ounces) English Peas, drainedDirections:Melt the butter in small pot and add the peas. Cook over medium heat until peas are

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-25667784128888562462010-11-14T15:11:00.000-08:002010-11-14T16:15:36.527-08:00

Wow. Have you ever woken up from a dream and thought, "THAT was a doozy!"? (Okay, I know 'doozy' may not be the exact word you would use, but you know what I mean). Well, last night I had a doozy of a dream. To preface, I dream often and vividly. It isn't unusual for me to remember more than one dream when I wake up in the morning. I'm also a lucid dreamer, which means that while I am

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-29540999318382906552010-10-03T13:49:00.000-07:002010-10-03T14:35:21.700-07:00

I had the strangest thing happen today. Sometimes I have to wonder if I am the only one experiencing these kinds of things or if it is just that I am the only one that thinks it is bizarre? So, I was on my way to With Child to open the doors for a birth couple who wanted to come in and watch movies on their impending birth. I thought I'd drive through Taco Bell and pick up some food for them

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-32950885073139035552010-08-29T16:06:00.000-07:002010-08-29T17:46:46.303-07:00

It all started innocently enough. The kids and I went to the pound, picked out a kitten and named her Sneakers. She was precious, and we loved her dearly, until she went missing when we were on vacation in 2003. Such Sadness. I, in my brilliance, somehow decided that the reason she went missing was because she was alone in the world. I figured if she had a companion, a fellow furry friend, they

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-46741860063739549932010-06-06T11:12:00.000-07:002010-06-06T11:32:28.474-07:00

- The One who created me loves me and leads me in a personal way.- Love isn't enough - you need commitment.- My children are my greatest blessing.- People wear masks.- Family divisions can usually be repaired, and should be before it's too late.- Relationships are built from time invested.- Life would be bleak without animals.- Abortion is wrong. Always.- Blood and water can be equally thick.

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-85971598169756184782010-05-05T18:07:00.000-07:002010-05-05T18:28:14.843-07:00

God - who put order in the sky, sea and land - who gives the animals what they need - lovingly cares for you, too. Look around you and believe...this is your creator:"Praise the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty. He wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent and lays the beams of his upper

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-23851772114376676902010-04-28T17:29:00.000-07:002010-04-28T17:59:35.247-07:00

I've been pondering just exactly how to blog about RSVPing. I know I want to blog about it, but I don't want to offend the masses (as if 'the masses' are reading this). Since I'm not sure how to blog about proper RSVPing with out sounding like a whiny, snivelling creature I guess I'll take a few minutes to talk about something deeper. Did you know that the finger licker at my local Starbuck's

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-42936156093089858332010-03-11T12:34:00.000-08:002010-03-11T13:41:11.917-08:00

I just don't get it. Every time I hear a new story involving twittering, tweeting, twoting, twirping and the like I shake my head in baffled confusion. I wish someone would explain to me why they follow people, and also why they want people to follow them. What purpose does it serve to send a message to followers that says, "I'm at Target"? Likewise, why would you want to know the daily

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-18401983336837838172010-01-30T12:46:00.000-08:002010-01-30T13:27:03.592-08:00

The other day I was sitting with a friend and thinking about all of the loss that I will likely experience this year. John is joining the Army, Mariah is going to college, even our dog is probably not going to make it until his 13th birthday in August....and that is just the tip of my Loss Iceburg. The physical loss of the daily presence of these loved ones in my life is going to be profound.

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-59291973749294319252009-12-21T08:00:00.000-08:002009-12-21T08:28:23.475-08:00

I'm not a Scrooge, I promise. I love gift cards as much as the next person, but I just can't get over the silliness of exchanging gift cards at Christmas. What is the point of giving my brother in law a $50 gift card to Harkins and then opening his gift to me: a $50 gift card to Target? Why are we going through the motions of pretending we are 'gifting' one another? It's different with actual

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-11834484882410002542009-11-15T22:46:00.000-08:002009-12-02T06:51:29.842-08:00

Ahhhhhhhh. A couple of weeks ago I met baby Calvin. Finally. I was waiting until I got over my Kansas sickness because I didn't want to be around a newborn and take a chance of passing along some gunk. He was certainly worth the wait. Analicia, Calvin's mom, came in to With Child in October and told me that she wanted to make a plan for adoption. She thought she had several months to go in

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-60898292297329295252009-10-29T12:12:00.000-07:002009-10-29T12:40:06.481-07:00

I have a problem with mucus. I admit it. I don't like to eat off people's plates or drink out of people's cups. This goes for the people I love as well. When my kids were little, people always said to me, "Oh, you'll end up sharing your water with your child." To which I would say, "No. Never." To my recollection I held firm to this because I knew...deep down in my being...that I was not one

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-35376164136392841232009-10-20T16:05:00.000-07:002009-10-20T16:34:29.627-07:00

Reading Marie's blog has reminded me (again) how much I despise "anonymous" posts. Honestly, isn't the internet/blogging anonymous enough without calling oneself "Anonymous"? Invariably, anonymous posters post negative comments. This results in something much like a hit and run accident. They do damage and then high tail it away from the scene of the crime, leaving the poor victim to wonder

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-88871639147369370352009-09-26T23:02:00.000-07:002009-12-21T08:00:25.762-08:00

Lord help me. The new tv season has started and I find myself waking up and thinking, "What show is on tonight?" I don't know when my addiction to tv started, but I can remember excitedly watching it as young as 5 or 6 years old and I've never stopped. The earliest show I remember was called Romper Room. I also watched a local show called The Wallace and Ladmo Show at a pretty young age. Does

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-20039104780037876432009-08-31T20:27:00.000-07:002009-08-31T20:54:11.417-07:00

If you follow Dave Ramsey (heretofore referred to as DR) you know that he is big on the envelope system for some areas of spending. I have taken this DR concept to heart. At the beginning of every month, I trot myself down to my bank and hand the teller a piece of paper that allocates precisely how many $50's, $20's, $10's, $5's and $1's I will need for my envelopes. The process is simple,

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-27237691789261702042009-08-24T11:07:00.000-07:002009-08-24T11:55:31.852-07:00

On August 2nd, my WithChild mentor and friend, was killed in a head on collision. This abrupt news came as such a shock to me that it took me quite some time to really absorb the reality of it. Kim was the kind of person who filled whatever room she was in with her zest for life and her passion for people. She directed the WithChild center for the last 11 or so years and had her hands in every

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-44590579527794364012009-07-23T11:16:00.001-07:002009-07-23T11:31:48.020-07:00

I had to laugh as I watched Dave Ramsey today. He was talking about he and his wife feeling out of place at an event and said, "I felt like a hot dog in a steakhouse". That just cracked me up. I've often felt like a hot dog in a steakhouse, too, but usually I feel like the baked potato (rimshot).Speaking of food, I've lost my appetite. Well, it isn't completely gone but it seems to have its

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-79599600741598998882009-07-08T17:36:00.001-07:002009-07-08T18:19:40.183-07:00

I really should be blogging about my recent trip to Kansas, but since that involves posting pictures it will need to wait. Stay tuned...For the record, let me begin by stating that yes...the MJ coverage was bloated, voyuristic and overdone. That said, I did participate in watching the memorial on Tuesday. I found it to be a beautiful and a fitting tribute to a man who, like him or not, had

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-25309396436402975102009-06-14T09:11:00.000-07:002009-06-14T10:15:22.290-07:00

It all started out innocently enough. It was a facebook quiz "name five things you can't live without". These items were to be material in nature, not people and animals, etc. So I listed my Blackberry (along with coffee, Jeep, tv and Bible). Less than 48 hours later, said Blackberry went on the fritz. A serious fritz. Half of my icons were missing, phone kept freezing up, I couldn't make

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-85262965842144232222009-06-07T07:38:00.000-07:002009-06-07T08:02:53.894-07:00

Dear Neighbor,I wanted to take a few minutes to thank you (so much) for once again letting your barking dog out at 7 am. I just love the sound of his yelp over, and over and over. It is like a symphony to my ears. It is especially wonderful on mornings, like this morning, when I have hardly slept due to insomnia. Why, it almost makes me giddy to hear that yelp and know that my day can begin

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-10000569064315135972009-05-24T11:25:00.000-07:002009-05-24T12:17:09.521-07:00

Today John left for a trip to California with his senior class. I miss him already. It is such a joy to watch him as he prepares to graduate. No more homework, no more deadlines, no more tests...just a load of fun with a load of friends. I couldn't be happier for him.Mariah turned 16 last week. She got her license, permission to date and is eager to find a job. She said, "I'm free!" which

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-41055405093241047002009-05-13T10:36:00.000-07:002009-05-13T11:23:18.510-07:00

I am sitting in a La-Z-Boy recliner in the middle of my kitchen while I type this post. I am feeling lazy indeed, as I watch my friendly carpet cleaning man slaving away over my filthy carpet while I rock in this chair. Mind you, it was my intent to clean the kitchen while he cleaned the carpets. However, I failed to remember that when he cleans the carpets he moves all the furniture into the

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-64539537863059932582009-05-01T07:49:00.000-07:002009-05-01T08:42:01.170-07:00

who named the swine flu 'h1n1'? call me silly, but i don't think it is necessary for a flu name to be four syllables. i prefer 'swine' because it has a comical ring to it, and Lord knows when you have the flu you need to find humor in it. i have to laugh at the graphics that i see on tv with the little pigs and the headline "SWINE FLU". what kind of cute graphics are they going to have for "

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-71806034607367308012009-04-23T08:49:00.000-07:002009-04-23T09:26:38.811-07:00

Much like MLK Jr., I have a dream. My dream is that Allison get the boot on American Idol. Sooooo close to going last night, but noooooo. I will need to endure one more week of her marbles-in-the-mouth singing and looking at her bad dye job. She has seriously got. to. go. Okay, enough about her. This post is about the REAL dream that I had two nights ago. I had a dream that I was at the

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-44593702686120425582009-04-16T16:39:00.000-07:002009-04-16T17:08:35.014-07:00

I had one of the most blessed birthdays last week because of the richness of blessings I received from my family and friends. YOU are gifts in my life and I hope that you know how much you mean to me. On top of that I received some of the most beautiful and heartfelt presents. I hereby acknowledge the following awards:Best Humanitarian Award...to Nicki McKee for her generous gift to WithChild in

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-29712516963199932602009-04-07T18:22:00.000-07:002009-04-07T19:06:11.598-07:00

I admit to feeling quite choked up at the idea of our children heading off to prom. Gosh, the time has flown. It doesn't seem that long ago that I was feeding John Gerber peas and watching Mariah drink from her, 'baba'. Now, John rarely eats peas and Mariah only drinks milk with her cereal. I have a lifetime of precious memories raising up these two lambs. They have my heart. Here's a group

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-4205876926341388152009-04-02T18:33:00.000-07:002009-04-02T18:58:11.664-07:00

Everyone knows who Richard Simmons is. That goof with the curly hair and striped, tight gym shorts. He's well known for his video, "Sweatin' to the Oldies", which I promise I have never watched. (I did buy his deal-a-meal years ago, but realized it wouldn't work for me when I got a burrito at Taco Bell and found that most of my day's allotment was almost gone). Anyway...I recently joined a gym so

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-58642388365371523742009-03-30T21:09:00.000-07:002009-03-30T21:38:14.399-07:00

I've always maintained that cooking is a breeze and have never been able to understand why people say they can't cook. My sarcastic response is usually something along the lines of, "well, can you read?" Because, for the most part if you can read...you can cook. I also love crock pot meals because they are easy, breezy - just like Cover Girl makeup. HOWEVER, the other night I made a crock pot

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-27034617203762199462009-03-29T12:14:00.000-07:002009-03-29T12:34:43.137-07:00

I will fully admit, at the beginning of this post, that perhaps my Christian heart needs some balance when considering the care of our earth. I don't litter, but I also don't recycle. I'm not proud of the fact that I don't recycle, I'm just too lazy to do it. (I'm thankful I don't live in a state where they tell me I must do it, because I don't want the government in my garbage, thank you.)

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-46244190031205921182009-03-25T17:06:00.000-07:002009-03-25T18:50:17.146-07:00

oh my gosh! i was at the grocery store today using the last of my weekly grocery money. i had $48.91 to spend and when i rang up my groceries (in the u-scan lane that i love so much) my total came to (drum roll please.....) $48.93. i was like a little kid counting out my change and realizing that i might have the EXACT amount of money. the fact that i was off by two cents didn't dampen my

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-87627401516002686882009-03-24T17:49:00.001-07:002009-03-24T18:12:27.430-07:00

dr. phil never ceases to crack me up...and i needed a laugh today. he was talking to three young women who were each in a dysfunctial marriage. their individual issues are too numerous to mention. (one of the young women broke her husbands collarbone with the leg of a table, but to her credit admitted that she has sought help for her 'anger' issues.) anyway...here it comes...at one point in the

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-45134948428547665282009-03-23T16:10:00.000-07:002009-03-23T17:11:18.903-07:00

it's taken a week, but i am ready to talk about it. ashley, a young woman who looked like she walked out of an abercrombie & fitch advertisement, came into withchild in late january for a pregnancy test. she was scared about the results having had a previous abortion and a subsequent tubal pregnancy. the results? positive. again. ashley took it hard, but having regretted her past abortion she

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-87433059582464444132009-03-21T15:21:00.000-07:002009-03-21T15:33:43.035-07:00

I love this shot of John hanging out with a couple of furry friends in Guadalajara. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *He always seems to meet new animals when he travels. This is a shot of Ginger who he met in Alaska last summer. She had really bad paws so before he left he bought her little booties to wear. She doesn't have them on here, but she looked cute in her new little shoes.

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-52331819454266972092009-03-18T21:26:00.000-07:002009-03-18T21:48:53.103-07:00

i had a great time at the zoo today, even though it felt like it was 120 degrees outside. i had the foresight to wear a spaghetti strap tank under my see through blouse (smart me), which was good since i shed my blouse about 45 minutes into our zoo adventure. anyway, i digress. spending the day with my own lamb, mariah, was fantastic. i think we saw every animal on display and ooohhhed and

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-3865529265790260502009-03-13T15:39:00.000-07:002009-03-13T16:01:07.530-07:00

okay, so yesterday i got a notice in the mail that my chase credit card is going to raise my APR from 11.99% to 15.24%. gee thanks, chase! that was the bad news. the good news is that i got them before they got me and cut up my pretty little chase card last october. sadly, for chase...but happily for me i am paying it off next month a full month before they decided to stick it to me. despite my

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-83848468447588770292009-03-10T13:31:00.000-07:002009-03-15T09:49:51.448-07:00

I'm home now and going through the usual, 'I miss Kansas-family' letdown that occurs everytime I leave. Of course coming home to my own family is wonderful, but I just wish I didn't have to leave my extended family who live so far away. I think the people in the 'old days' had it right when they had communities made up of families...sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, etc.

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-5941108760355651982009-02-23T20:35:00.001-08:002009-02-23T21:01:15.168-08:00

How is it that I can feel such overwhelming sadness for a life that I may have never known? Today the manager of our state run homeless shelter was shot 9 times by a homeless man. Reports say that the homeless man was angry about being kicked out of the shelter, so he shot someone dead.~My heart feels cracked over the senselessness of this act.~My brain feels frightened for Thursday night when I

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-75502895229666705202009-01-26T23:08:00.000-08:002009-01-26T23:19:37.361-08:00

I was just so overwhelmed today. I went to the doctor with one of my WithChild clients, who is a birthmother planning to place her child for adoption. We were all there: the birthmother, her teenage daughter, the adoptive parents and me. The love...the pure, unselfish love...that this woman is showing her unborn child by placing her for adoption is unbelievable. I have so much respect for her

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-3606216015436608162008-12-10T18:04:00.001-08:002008-12-10T18:10:00.609-08:00

oh, how i fell in love with this little cutie. when bob sent this picture, early in his tour in afghanistan, i asked him if she was "adoptable". i did this, mind you, without even discussing it with my husband. i can't get over the sheer joy in her sparkling eyes. nor can i get over the dirt on her small hands. she's just precious.

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-44045274464236842222008-09-21T22:57:00.000-07:002008-09-21T23:01:40.874-07:00

It is a place of quiet solitude. Water skimming over rocks, leaves getting swept away into a pool of calm. It is worth the work. It is peace.

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-30758938732765429302008-09-14T12:05:00.000-07:002008-09-14T12:10:30.588-07:00

I babysat Sophia for the first time last week. She is one of the best babies I have ever been around. She just has a fantastically calm disposition. I told Doug and Tiff that they hit the motherload. They definitely need to know that all babies aren't so wonderfully quiet! Her hair is hysterical, isn't it? It sticks straight up in the air and is as soft as her little behind. Baby love, indeed!

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-85460563800047123842008-08-26T07:36:00.000-07:002008-08-26T07:54:43.888-07:00

Heart ties happen early. I love these two pictures of Mariah holding Addison as a newborn and a two year old. She loves this girl so much, and I'm sure it is due to the investment she's made in little Addie's life. The cuddling, diaper changing, tear wiping, laughing, playing times. Even though we live half a country away, this little pumpkin head has our hearts.

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-43962442241519373962008-08-26T07:33:00.000-07:002008-08-26T07:35:01.350-07:00

fireflies blue & yellowdip through streams and dance aboutflights of fancyswirling, twirlingfree

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-6897467578146178622008-08-21T22:43:00.000-07:002008-08-21T22:49:09.486-07:00

Oh, how I love these two! Tiffany, my brother's wife, realized a dream come true today...with the adoption of newborn Sophia. And Cheryl, who has been with me for as long as I have been on this earth. Steadfast and true. I am blessed.

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-15406484688793515652008-08-21T21:31:00.000-07:002008-08-21T21:41:26.084-07:00

I need a phone. My two year contract with Verizon ends in February, but I need to expedite the process because I dropped my phone when I was getting out of my Jeep and now it is a sorry mess. Unfortunately, needing a phone means I need to make a decision which leads to anxiety over making the wrong decision. This is why I went without a dishwasher for 4 or 5 years, why I couldn't pick a

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-20373298767453547402008-08-21T18:56:00.000-07:002008-08-21T19:17:00.870-07:00

This is a picture of Pearl's Snack Shack. She serves some of the best burgers on the island...but it isn't fast food!I got a kick out of this seagull perched on a surfboard. Ahhhh, what a life!We took our dinghy to an island and Don was able to get a shot of our sailboat framed by the lush BVI vegetation. Every place you look seems to be a 'picture' in the islands.

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-19325941789544954712008-08-15T22:30:00.000-07:002008-08-15T22:42:19.939-07:00

I have been volunteering at WithChild since April and have been blessed beyond belief as I watch the hand of God move. Just today a woman called and said that she was told that we would make a referral to an abortion clinic. Rather than hanging up the phone (when I told her we encourage women to make a different decision) this woman was willing to allow our director to make an ultrasound

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-4903211959780283952008-06-10T11:06:00.001-07:002008-06-10T11:08:21.685-07:00

Ohhhhhhh, Summer! Welcome...I've been waiting for you. I absolutely love summer because the birds are in the nest and we don't need to set an alarm clock. We are getting ready for our trip to the BVI at the end of the month. Ten days of sun and relaxation. Yeah!

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-79621137787961323282008-01-23T12:34:00.000-08:002008-01-23T12:40:31.982-08:00

Arghhhhh!I am the worst procrastinator. I'm not proud of it. I should be doing Ozark work at my desk, but instead I have found everything BUT work to do. I've organized papers, drank coffee, wandered around the house, blogged and checked e-mail...then I organized papers, drank coffee, wandered around the house, blogged and checked e-mail again. Oh, and I've surfed the internet, too!Okay, I'm

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-18002521082766063042007-12-20T07:41:00.001-08:002007-12-20T07:52:40.526-08:00

It doesn't matter what size you are, but what the size of your heart is.It doesn't matter what color eyes or skin you have, but whether you can see and feel the pain of someone else.It doesn't matter how big your house is, but whether you would welcome others in.It doesn't matter if your outside is beautiful, but if your inside is beautiful as well.

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-44322586535297691472007-12-10T20:11:00.000-08:002007-12-11T18:22:51.939-08:00

Ahhhh, I love these rainy days! When my sister and I were young we used to call rainy days "baggy pants days". I suppose this is because we would put on comfy clothing and get cozy in the warmth of the house with the rain pouring outside.When my lambs were little I was bound and determined that I was going to make sure they LOVED thunder and lightning as much as I did. When a storm would come I

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-70620588459968382022007-11-13T07:24:00.000-08:002007-11-13T07:28:39.392-08:00

The anysoldier website (see link under 'giving') is something I just found out about and is a great resource for those of you who would like to help the men and women serving overseas. The website was designed with the idea of highlighting the needs of the troops. Some of the needs are as simple as Mike & Ikes and microwave popcorn. I would encourage you to check this site out and give as your

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-51225130541600891312007-10-30T12:42:00.000-07:002007-12-20T07:54:47.501-08:00

Give a lot of loveAdd a bunch of graceSprinkle on some kindnessTouch the human raceOpen up your heartShare it with a friendDive below the surfaceWatch a bond beginLook about your worldGrab those you hold dearTell them that you love themSay it without fearSeek a child-like joyYearn to speak what's trueFind the faith you needLet it carry you*******Penned December 1997

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-8168248705496437512007-10-30T12:12:00.000-07:002007-10-30T12:41:42.966-07:00

There was a garden with flowers of all types and varieties. It was a large, luscious garden brimming with color.In the midst of the garden, there was a flower like no other.When the rain would pelt and the other flowers' petals would droop, this flower would stand tall - always anticipating the sun and an end to the stormy weather.And when the sun would break through and shine on the garden, this

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-72408487390841800812007-10-23T19:27:00.001-07:002007-10-30T12:29:31.937-07:00

this is my brother-in-law who is serving in kabul, afghanistan. the picture was taken during a visit with local refugees.

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1334454425694371147.post-3577833371475583822007-10-23T11:07:00.000-07:002007-10-23T13:55:26.176-07:00

well, here i am once again with an online blog. blogs are not easy for someone whose comfort zone is squarely in the realm of 'privacy' especially in regard to personal things, but i do enjoy using this outlet for lighthearted banter...and for reading about all of YOUR deepest thoughts. heh heh.the state fair is here once again and anyone who knows me well knows that i lovelovelove the state fair

Michelehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13261872375294337738noreply@blogger.com3