Waiting on the Lord...

I wait for you...O Lord;

You will answer...

O Lord my God

PS 38:15

Army???

As most you know I am a HUGE supporter of the United States Military!
Anytime I see someone in uniform or wearing a hat stating their branch of service I always try to thank them for my freedom. I love to see the look on their face when I thank them…it is priceless! If you have never done it I highly encourage you to do so. Randy has even got on the bandwagon and bought several lunches & dinners for servicemen. I also financially support Adopt A Platoon…which is an organization that makes sure soldiers get some sort of mail from home.
Point to this blog…
I have been in the dumps all day...this election, our economy, the war, the bailouts, etc....then I got my mail. Much to my delight my cousin Dan (who is in the Army) submitted me for a Commendation from the U.S. Army Freedom Team! I was so surprised, shocked, overwhelmed, and joyous – all at once…and of course…I exploded into tears!
I got a wonderful letter thanking me for all I do, a certificate (which I immediately framed!), a lapel pin, and some Army stickers for my vehicle. This is a very big highlight for me!
I called Dan tonight and left him a message - thanking him profusely! Dan is currently in training…he will soon be deployed to a foreign country - he is doing what he loves to do! So as a favor for me...when you pray please remember Dan and his wife (which is my very best friend) and his cute as a bug little girl! Our freedom…is not free. Thanks Dan!

A Plan for the Future...

I am so tired of the “Obama-Mania” that has apparently swept our nation. Every channel, radio station, and all other media outlets have joined this frenzy - even Animal Planet had a show about the Obama family dog! I am astounded by the cost of this “show” taking place in Washington DC today!! It is costing almost 4 times what the last inauguration cost!! Our economy seems to be tanking…to say the least…and we…as taxpayers are basically footing the bill for this “show”. Am not saying that there shouldn’t be some sort of hoopla but seriously…$150 million for one day?? Ugh!!
With “that” being out there…
Today IS history…and we are ALIVE to see it!
When Abraham Lincoln was president 143 years ago do you think he even thought that a day like today was possible?
How about 40 years ago when Martin Luther King made his famous speech from the Lincoln Memorial – did he think a day like today was possible?
I will openly say I did not support, contribute, or vote for Barack Hussein Obama. Mr. Obama does not stand for anything I believe or support any of the moral issues I stand for…but as of noon today…he is my President. Just as I have with Presidents in the past I will pray for him, his family, his decisions, and for him to be successful in turning our economy around. I am not sure what the future holds but I do know who holds the future…and I know that He has a plan…and this “plan is to prosper us and not to harm us, plans to give us hope and a future”.

Breathing Treatments...

Palo Duro

This is one of my favorite blog sites.
Check out this picture!!
Awesome!!

Panhandle Skies: Palo Duro Fork Of The Red River#links#links#links#links#links#links#links

Ugh...the hospital...seriously???

John started getting sick on Wednesday. I was not too worried...it seem to be more allergies than anything...he had a runny nose, watery eyes, and lots of sneezing! Bless his little heart...he apparently has my allergies and Randy's sensitive skin!
On Thursday he started getting worse. Lots of congestion, a barking cough, runny/stopped up nose...but no temperature and he was playing around the house....I didn't think it was serious. I was pushing liquids, some allergy medicine, and a decongestion syrup. I called the nurse (Doris) and she said to keep doing what I was doing but if I needed to I could bring him in. (Being a first time Mommy I tend to panic...I am trying to ease off and not run to the doctor with every cough) When Randy came home we talked about it and we decided to just let "it" run its course...it can't be too serious...he doesn't have a fever! Well...Thursday night was one of the longest nights I have had since I had John. He was up and down all night - coughing...wheezing...runny/stopped up nose...and now he had a low grade fever. As soon as 6am rolled around I was in the shower...we were going to go to the doctor. We couldn't get in until noon so we had breakfast and John seemed much better than Thursday...we thought about cancelling our appointment but I told Randy lets just make sure everything was okay. When we got to the doctor's office they immediately swabbed John nose and throat for RSV and strep. They checked his oxygen levels and they were only peaking around 86-87% which...apparently...is not a good thing. The RSV test came back positive and the doctor said he had to be put in the hospital immediately. UGH!!! Seriously!!! I HATE the hospital - of course...does any of us like hospitals?? All the sickness, germs, and GERMS!!! So... we came home to pack a bag...the doctor said John would be there AT LEAST 3 days...I called our family and some prayer warriors and headed to the hospital.
When we got to the hospital they got us in a room immediately - which was AWFUL - very dreary. I was not a happy camper but John to say the least was having a blast! He was trying to escape the room anytime the door opened....climbing under/over/on top of the crib, cleaning out drawers, & destroying anything that wasn't nailed down. Each time a nurse would come in with an electronic device...computers, blood pressure monitors, or whatever - John as the first to inspect and push a button! When they would take his bp, or oxygen, or listen to his lungs he was ripping the glasses off the nurses, pulling their masks down, pulling their hair or earrings...and laughing the entire time!!! At one point I overheard the nurse tell the other nurse (silently) "how are we going to IV this boy...and keep it in?" Finally the respiratory nurse came by and took his oxygen level...it was 97%! She listen to his lungs and said they were very clear! The head nurse came in and did the same test and asked "exactly what were we doing there". We told her about the RSV and she said "he may have a mild cases...but you guys should go home before he gets really sick. WHEW-WHO...this Momma was NEVER so HAPPY!! The doctor called us in a prescription for breathing treatments and congestion...and we went home!
John had a great evening....and slept all night last night! We had to go back to the doctor this morning to be re-checked...his oxygen level was 95% and they said his lungs sounded better! Praise the Lord! The Lord is the one who healed John. When I called my family and friends I KNOW they immediately stopped and said prayers...and praise to the Lord! PRAISE...PRAISE to the LORD JESUS CHRIST! This is all about HIM!! Whew-Who!
Needless to say...we will be house bound for a good while...we WILL NOT be passing this along! I will post some pictures of John doing his breathing treatments. He does not like it...but he does not fight me...he will get in my lap and sit for them! My big boy...I am so proud!!

Memo...CHRISTMAS IS OVER

I love Christmas. I love everything about it...the decorations, the lights, the presents, the food...and spending quality time with family and friends. However...after December 25th I am ready to get on with life. I am ready for the decorations to be stored away, the presents to be put in appropriate places and the new year to begin. In fact this year I realized I might have a "disorder" about my obsession about decorations. Randy didn't want me to take anything down until he went back to work on January 5th...I relented and did very well until the 2nd....then I saw my neighbor putting his away and I couldn't resist!! I had to do it!
To the point of this rambling...
I understand people leaving decorations up...long into the new year...they have jobs, family stuff, and general "life". What I don't understand is people turning their decorations on after...let's say...January 10th!!! It makes me crazy!!! There is a man and his wife at the end of my block and they are still turning their Christmas tree on. They do this every year! I know this family...they are not some strange religion that believes in Christmas decorations until February but each year...it gets later and later when he turns off his tree. It was almost February when he decided not to turn the tree on last year...and March when he actually took it down. Why??? Can anyone answer me why??? Do they have more family coming in and to stay in the spirit they keep the tree on??? It is the 14th of January??? And...the house across the street from this guy...still has his tree on...but I think they may be out of town & it is on a timer. Back to my rant...Christmas has been over for 20 days???
Randy tells me to "get over it"...they enjoy Christmas plus it is "none of my business". Seriously??? Next time I see this neighbor - I think I am going to ask him about this...Randy has threatened me not too and reminded me that I almost have a restraining order against me for another neighbor that happens to be a local weatherman - who is just NOT nice to me...another blog...another day!! Anyway...back to my neighbor...am I missing something?? Turn your lights off!!! please???

Austin...

I went on a quick trip to Austin on Friday to go to the doctor with my sister-in-law and nephew.

My nephew (Ty Allen 13) has been having bad headaches for a few years so the doctor ordered an MRI...which came back with some "abnormalities" and a "cyst".

We have had to wait almost two weeks to talk to the doctor which seemed like years...but then I thought if it was very serious they would have scheduled an appointment earlier!

Anywho...the appointment went good - nothing critical, no surgeries - right now - maybe in the future. He has a Chiari Malformation...barely a level 1. These are very common...most people do not realize they have this. In severe cases they can do surgeries to correct this but Ty Allen's is not that bad. The doctor prescribed some medicine and a special pillow to sleep on.

Praise the Lord he was okay!!

I got to sort surprise Ty Allen...he didn't know I was coming.

We picked him up at school.

After the appointment we met up with my niece and her boyfriend for an early dinner then I came home.

I got to Amarillo about 10pm - I was so tired! It was a long but fun day. I have slept all day!

Happy Birthday!

Did you know...today would have been Elvis's 74th birthday??

Yes...I have Elvis playing in the background...I have my Elvis shirt on...and we will have some peanut butter & banana sandwiches later! Hee...Hee

Thanka..Thanka Very Much!

Dog Day...

What a day!! I have been so busy taking Kiki to the beauty shop, washing Thing 1 & Thing 2, cleaning/washing all their bedding...inside and out - whew...what a day!
It is good to have clean smelling dogs - worth the work!

My original baby...Dopey aka Gunther...

aka Demon Dog...aka Poppers. The Princess DoxyKiKi Dog

Coca-Cola Cake

One of Randy's favorite childhood Christmas memories is his Mother's Coca-Cola Cake.
I am not sure why I never adventured to make this recipe but I did this year...seriously...I made it Sunday night. I was going to make it at Christmas...and forgot. Better late than never right??
This was soooooo good, however...it is VERY rich. This will definitely be a new Christmas tradition. Now let me ask you again...why am I fat???

2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
2 sticks butter
2 Tablespoons cocoa
1 cup Coca-Cola
½ cup buttermilk
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 eggs, beaten - lightly
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 ½ cup mini marshmallows

Preheat oven to 350.
Put flour and sugar in large bowl.
In pan, melt butter, add cocoa and 1 cup of Coca Cola, and just get it to boil, then pour over flour mixture. Add buttermilk, soda, eggs, vanilla and marshmallows. The batter will be thin and marshmallows will float to the top, fear not!
Pour into greased and floured 9X13 pan and bake 30-35 minutes.

While the cake is cooking make the icing.
½ cup butter
3 Tablespoons cocoa
6 Tablespoons Coca Cola
1 box powdered sugar - sifted
Put powdered sugar in bowl.
Combine butter, cocoa and Coke and heat to boiling.
Pour over sugar and beat well.

Let cake cool only ten minutes then ice!
Sprinkle chopped pecans on top!

Why Am I Fat???

Count on me to try to sabotage your New Year's resolution of losing weight...hee...hee...the mischievous laugh in the background.
Not really... but I am going to share my three favorite recipes I cooked this past (big sigh of relief) holiday season. The first two are finger foods - just for you Mel!

Sausage Balls
2 cups Bisquick
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 Tablespoon poultry seasoning
1lb Jimmy Dean Sausage - hot is the best!

Combine all ingredients. Form into walnut size balls.
Place on ungreased cookie sheet.
Cook at 400 degrees about 25-30 minutes.
Drain on paper towel.
------------------------------------
Chicken Wing Dip
2 cups cooked chicken
2 (8 ounce) packages of cream cheese – softened
1 cup of Ranch salad dressing
¾ cup pepper sauce – like “Franks Red Hot”
1 ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese

Preheated oven 350 degrees
Mix cream cheese and pepper sauce until well blended.
Add the remaining ingredients.
Spread in ungreased 9x13 dish
Bake 30 minutes
Serve with Fritos or Tostito's

Have You Ever??

I got this from Leelee's Place and thought I would use it for a bit of fun.
Copy this list and put it on your blog.
If you've done it, change it to bold print.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland (or Disney World!)
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not sick
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
100. Read an entire book in one day

Like Leelee I would be curious how many on the list you have done.
If you have a blog, cut and paste to your blog.
If you don't have a blog, you could always send it in an email.