D is for Doxie and Dutch Oven

Today I am going to blog about Sophie. I blogged about Rosie yesterday.
I have a miniature daschund and her name is Sophie Sue. On April 15 she will be six years  old and has a personality all her own.

 

She's not a "dady's dog" nor a "mommy dog." She's the happiest when we are both home. In fact, her favorite place is to sit with her front paws on me and her back paws on her dad. She hates being cold but  refuses to wear her doggie clothes for more than a few seconds.  She loves to give kisses! I swear that she thinks a kiss will solve any problem in the world!

She has been such a God send. He knew we needed her! She can make me laugh or comfort me. She loves to be a lap dog. She thinks she's the Queen and guardian of the house. Unfortunately, the Queen does not eat unless we are both home.I think she worries that we are not going to come home to her! Why wouldn't we? I've heard speration anxiety is a daschund thing but I am not sure.   She loves to burrrow and play-espcially if you say the word outside!.  She's able to get all of her toys out of her toy box but never manages to put them pack. I'm still trying to teach her that one! She's had so many fun adventures since she's joined our family. I can't wait to share the next one with you.

"Nothing will turn a man's home into a castle more quickly and effectively than a dachshund."- Queen Victoria


Okay I know I'm supposed to keep my a-z post short so here's a quick run down of why I love cooking in my cast iron dutch oven. Anything you can cook in your oven or crock pot, you can cook in a dutch oven. Whether you want a meal of chicken and rice, pot roast and potatoes, chili, or even pizza, a dutch oven does a great job! All you need to do is practice and have confidence.
 A Few Tips For Dutch Oven Cooking:

1. Keep checking your food. Yes, opening the oven does reduce the temperature temporarily. But its better to know what’s going on in there than to burn or  under cook your food. You can check the food quickly with practice.

2. For easier clean-up, fill the DO with water after you’ve removed the food, but do not use cool water in a hot oven it will crack the oven!

2. Practice makes perfect so use your DO frequently and learn!

4. To make the oven easier to clean you can line it with foil or use a foil or tin pie plate in the bottom of the pan. Grease the oil or pan just like you would the Dutch Oven before usising it.

And last but not least my favorite dutch oven recipe:

Dutch Oven Peach Cake 
12 inch Dutch Oven, butter
1 yellow cake mix
3 eggs
1/3 cup cooking oil
1 – 30 ounce can sliced peaches with juice

Butter a 12 inch Dutch Oven.
In a large bowl, combine cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil and syrup from peaches. Stir til smooth.
Pour batter into a buttered 12″ Dutch oven. Arrange peach slices over top of batter.
Cover oven and bake using 8-10 briquettes under the DO and 14-16 briquettes top for 1 hour or until top center of cake springs back when touched.

Delicious with whipped cream!

C cats and chocolate

C is for Cats and Chocolate

Well this one of my furry babies- Rosie. She's not actually a baby. She's 11 years old. I refer to her a "Momma" because she's old enough to be my mom in cat years. She's very laid back, and happy go lucky except when you pick her up. Then all hell breaks loose.  She absolutely hates being picked up. No matter what! I don't know why. I've picked her up since she was a kitten!  Is that normal for cats?

But on the plus side, she has definitely mellowed out and become more affectionate with age. She loves her belly rubbed! She always has a smile and a meow for me when I come home-no matter what kind of day I've had.

Now on to one of my most favorite things ever CHOCOLATE! I am a chocoholic. Espeically when it comes to dark chocolate. Here's one of my favorite chocolate recipies. I espeically love to drink this during our hot Texas summers!

Frozen Hot Chocolate

• 6 ounces of chocolate chips ( you can use high quality dark choc. like he suggest, it would be even better)
• 1/2 cup of  1/2 and 1/2 ( I used 1/4 cup cream and 1/4 cup milk because that is what I had)
• 3 cups of ice

Melt chocolate in 1/2 and 1/2. Be sure not to boil. I did this in the microwave, but you have to watch it closely if you do it that way. And stir every 30 seconds or so. Once melted place in blender with ice.  Blend until desired consistency. Mine had some very small ice chunks in it. We liked it like that. It was not smooth like a milkshake.

recipie courtesy of Lynn's Kitchen Adventures

B is for Blogging and Books

B is for Blog and Books

Since 2009 blogging has become one of my favorite pastimes. Up until that time I would always carry around a notebook in my purse to write or draw anytime I had a chance. Okay I still do this but most of the time I blog using an app on my smartphone instead of in my journal. Since blogging I have met some wonderful people. Even though most of them I have never met most of them in person I feel importunate to call them my blogging buddies.  Here are some of my favorite fellow bloggers as well as little bit a their blogs.

1. Beth Zimmerman-http://www.bethszimmerman.com a great blog where she blogs about her life, family and faith. She has some other great blogs too! :)


2. Folksy Musin-http://folksydeb.blogspot.com  She blogs about family, culture and reality tv. I've had the pleasure of getting to know her in real life and she is as cool there as she is on her blog! :)


3.Alex Cavanaugh http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/  an author and  all around great guy. Also one of the co hosts of the a-to-z blogging challenge


4.Candid Pastor's Wife-http://thecandidpastorswife.com talks about life, faith and womanhood. 


I am also a huge book worm. I prefer to read than watch tv. Well most shows anyways. My favorite genre is science fiction and romance. My two favorite books of all time are the Lord of the Rings Trilogy  and the Anne of Green Gables series. I love how books can take you to another place and time. I have a Nook but I still prefer paper books. There's just something about a book in my hands that is soothing to me. 


What do you like about blogging? Do you like to read? If so, what are your favorite books? 

A to Z bloging challenge: A-All about me and Apples

A-to-Z Blogging challenge Day 1 the Letter A-All about me and Apples
First of all I like to welcome you to my blog (if you new here) and to day one of the blogging at to z challenge. Every April for the past couple of years bloggers are challenge to blog every day for the entire month of April on any topic they would like. This year my theme is going to be: My favorite things. It's  not to late to join the blogging challenge. You can join us by going here http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/
But before I get started on the letter A. I'd like to tell you a little more about myself. My name is Carol and I been blogging since July 2009. Wow how time flies. When I am not blogging I'm either taking care of my hubby and furry children, drawing, or at working at school with special needs children.
Now on the the Blogging Challenge.

A is for Apple
 Since my theme is favorite things I will be posting  about some of my favorite foods as well as sharing some of my favorite recipes. Don't worry not all my post will be about food.  Apples are one of my fruits.

I don't like any old apple. Gala apples are my favorite. Here are some other reasons that I love eating apples.
1.  Packing in quite a bit of soluble fiber (4 grams per medium apple) for a modest amount of calories (95) makes apples a filling, sweet snack.

2.  Apples satisfy hunger for few calories so it's not surprising that they can be part of a healthy diet that promotes weight loss.
And in a recent study, dried apples also helped participants lose some weight.
Women who ate a cup of dried apples daily for a year lost some weight and lowered their cholesterol and heart disease markers.

3. Last year, the Iowa Women's Health Study reported that, among the 34,000-plus women it's been tracking for nearly 20 years, apples were associated with a lower risk of death from both coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease.
Some years earlier, Finnish researchers studying dietary data collected over 28 years from 9,208 men and women found that frequent apple eaters had the lowest risk of suffering strokes compared with non-apple eaters.
Experts attribute the heart-healthy benefits to antioxidant compounds found in apples, which help prevent LDL cholesterol from oxidizing and inhibit inflammation. Plus, the soluble fiber in apples has also been shown to lower cholesterol levels.

4.  People who eat apples may be less likely to suffer from metabolic syndrome, a cluster of symptoms linked to an increased risk of heart disease and diabetes.

5.  Eating an apple before you work out may boost your exercise endurance. Apples deliver an antioxidant called quercetin, which aids endurance by making oxygen more available to the lungs.

I think the old adage is right. "An apple a day. Will keep the doctor away."

What are your favorite things that start with the letter A? 

A to Z Challenge Relections Mega Post.

A to Z Challenge Reflections Mega Post

• What attracted you to the Blogging From A to Z April Challenge? I thought the challenge would be a great way to streach and challenge myself as a blogger
• Did you feel intimidated by the Challenge? Oh yeah! I didn't think I would be able to do it.
• Did you ever feel like quitting? Yes, when I started not feeling well.  What kept you going? The thought of being a quiter. I don't like to quit.
• What do you think was your biggest contribution to the Challenge? I don't feel like I contributed at all. I feel that my post were not up to par with everyone elses.
• In finishing this challenge, will you be more apt to try other blogging or writing challenges (e.g.--NaNoWriMo)? Yes but I don't know about right now. I am very frustrated with my blog and my post. I need to regroup and get it together.
• Do you feel you did your best in the Challenge? Up until my health problems started acting up again.   What could you have done better? Stuck to my blog topics and planned ahead.
• What did you learn from the Challenge? There are lots of great bloggers out there and that I need to do better or give it up.
• Will you be blogging any more now than you used to? I dont' think so. I think I am going back to three or four blog post a week. Quality over quanity. 

Arlee, you did an excelent job of coming up with the idea for this challenge and organizing it. I would definately do another challenge you created. Excellent job!
 

W is for Water

W is for Water
I've been needing a mental health day-so I took it. I went with my friend Ev to Galveston Island.  Galveston is only about 45-1hour from where we leave so it's fantastic for a day trips. First we went to Moody Gardens. If you've never been to Moody Gardens you can find out more about it here. At first I was really bummed about Moody Gardens-they didn't have the Rainforest pyramid open and the Colonel Paddle Wheel Boat was closed. Those were the two attractions I had been really looking forward too. However, I decided not to let that ruin my day. I'm so glad that I didn't! We ended up going to the Aquarium pyramid at Moody Gardens. It was fantastic. Watching the fish swim. Is so relaxing. It reminded me about Matthew 6:30 where The Bible talks about how God clothes the lilies and how much more he will care for us. 
The penguins by far were the coolest! They are so funny! There was this one penguin who kept following us as well walked around the penguin habitat. I think it might have been because I had a lot of yellow on and he/she thought I was a penguin! LOL
After Moody Gardens we went to Gaidos. I had never been to Gaidos before. I had heard it was this wonderful classy, swank restaurant along the sea wall with fantastic food. They were right. I've never had such wonderfully, fresh food! Usually food that fresh comes from home. I especially loved their crab cheesecake. No it's not a dessert-it's an appetizer and AMAZING appetizer. The baked mahi-mahi was good too. I can't wait to go back and have some of their world famous oysters! 

No trip to the Galveston would be complete without stopping by Ben and Jerry's for some ice cream. I love their Pish Food! After lunch we made it to the beach. We choose to go to the west end of the island because its less developed. We drove right down to the shoreline and got out our chairs and blankets. I've never realize before how soothing the sound of the waves were. It was so relaxing. It seemed like the wind and sea washed all my worries and cares away.  After several hours we realized we had to come back to reality-like it or not. 

I hope you've enjoyed my letter W post. I apologize for not having more pictures. I left my camera in my friends car. As soon as I can I will update this post with pictures I took. Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Letters U and V

Letter U and V
I want to give everyone an update I am so much better. Up until Friday I continued having my horrible allergy headaches Thankfully some rain utterally washed all the pollen away-At least for now. Since my headaches have ceased I have been running around like a mad woman viciously trying to catch up. Understand that these headaches were unusually dabiliating. Our house was so untidy! It made me crazy! Things are better now. MUCH Better! :)
Also this weekend was Relay for Life. Our church had a both. Our unique theme this year was "Lick Cancer" and we sold lollipops. There were several vacancies on the schedule for working the booth-especially during the night. My hubby and I vallently stayed. Well I did. I finally told my hubby the he needed to go home at midnight since he had to work the next day. I lasted till about 2 am  That's about all I have time for. I have to vamoose to work

T is for Trust, Tribe.

T is for Trust

“Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.” - Isaiah 26:4 NIV

I am starting to think something is wrong with me. I can't seem to trust! I don't know why! Maybe it's because of my abusive past I don't know.  It's just frustrating. It's bad enough that I have trouble at times trusting my family and friends. But worst of all I have problems Trust my Father God! Am I the only one with this trouble!!? I know He know's what's pest for me it's just that not knowing! URR! It's so aggravating! It's so much easier to say that you trust God than actually do it.

I think this is the hardest thing in the world to do. To let go and give God complete and total control. The hardest thing for us to do is release our faith.
When we truly trust the Lord with our hearts, we finally give Him permission and freedom to minister to us without us getting in His way.
He won’t force anything on us. But we must let go completely.
By NOT trusting Him…we are retaining our control over our situations.

He won’t force anything on us. But we must let go completely. Easier said than done but I find comfort in God's Grace and Mercy

A person who wholly follows the Lord is one who believes that the promises of God are trustworthy, that He is with His people, and that they are well able to overcome.- Watchman Nee

S is for Success

S is for Success

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also ... Matt 6: 19-21.

Three years ago we had it made. We were the worlds defintion of success. I was teaching full time and my hubby was working +50 a week a his job. Sure I didn't see my husband very much but we could afford anything we wanted. so it was ok. At least I thought so. Then it all changged almost over night. My husband got laid off and I had to take a medical leave of absence from teaching. Our life of luxury fell with a thud. I truly believe that thud was God's saving grace for our family. Had we continue continued down that slippery slope my husband and I  would have been divorced at best and dead a worst.

Life was hard when we were both unemployed-it make us stop a revalutate what success is and what it should be in our lives.  Our eyes were opened to value and worth of friends, family, and most importantly our faith. Now life has such a richness that we never would have seen had we continued to chase after the worlds defintion of success.

However mean your life is, meet it and live it: do not shun it and call it hard names. Cultivate poverty like a garden herb, like sage. Do not trouble yourself much to get new things, whether clothes or friends. Things do not change, we change. Sell your clothes and keep your thoughts. God will see that you do want society.

Henry David Thoreau

 

 

 

The Letter Q and R

The Letters Q and R

The past few days have been crazy. My friends Jeremy's funeral was Saturday and then the whole thing about the headaches. I have had headaches almost constantly for the last two weeks. Talk about making you crazy! I went to the doctor on Friday and he said it was allergies. He confirmed my fear that the allergies here in Southeast Texas have been worse than usual this year. Anyway he gave me some medicine and this time the medicine is worse than the cure. It makes me physically ill. Well I let him know that he said there was nothing else he could give me and that I would just have to make do the best I can. That on top of everything else going on right now (my job ending, worrying about paying bills,..etc.) I wanted to quit. I haven't felt good and it's affecting every other area of my life-nothings quite as good as it should be. From my blog post to my house keeping,to my work.  I want to crawl up under the covers and not come out until everything better. I think I qualify for a mental mental health day or two-or more. Then in the quiet I hear a still small voice say-"Have you talked to me about what's going on?"  Knowing the answer to that question I cried. "I didn't have time or feel like talking to you about it!" I began to cry. Yet again it seemed like I had abandoned Christ when the storm came. Instead of clinging to Him all the more. I quiescently sat and prayed. I felt Christ peace wrap it's arms around me.  I saw a very in my bible reading that I had never seen before. It said.This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it. .(Isaiah 30:15) 

Repentance and rest is you salvation. Repentance-doing a total 180 away from the sin you have in your life. He's calling the Iseralites to get real!  I think he's talking about physical rest but more importantly I think He's talking about mental rest. How many times are we sitting somewhere doing something yet our mind is a million miles away thinking about something else. God wants us to tune everything out and just listen and rest in Him.  In quietness and trust is your strength. Quietness huh? Me quiet? Lord do you know your talking to a motor mouth about being quiet!?  However, I was surprised when I looked at the definition of the word quiet. One of it's meanings is

free from disturbing thoughts, emotions, etc.; mentally peaceful: a quiet conscience. Free from disturbing thoughts? How could I do that? By prayer and keeping my mind on things above. Slowing down and not getting bogged downby our culture. And trust, if we are quiet I believe that we can hear from Him better and hearing Him helps us to trust more. 

 

P is for Pet Peeves and Prayer

P is for Pet Peeves and Prayer

Do you have those things that get on your nerves?  I mean really get on your nerves-like waving a red flag in front of you? I do and I thought I share a few of them in no particular order. They ALL get on my nerves!

1. Communion Hoppers.  I don't know if that is the correct name for this group of people but that is what I call them.  Communion Hoppers are people who do not come for church they solely come for communion. They manage to wait until the last possible second to come in and they make a ton of noise. They like to be the first in line for communion and as soon as it's over they leave.
  

2. Tailgaters. Let me start this peeve with a disclaimer. I know there is hope for you tailgaters out there because I used to be one.  Now for my ranting. We are headed in the same direction why do you have to ride my butt. Is it because you think you are in a bigger hurry than I am? If that's the case-go around! I am going as fast as I feel I can with in the confines of the law or traffic. You driving right behind me makes me drive slower!  How did I get over my tail gaitting? By planning ahead and leaving on time! So I don't have to rush and ride someones butt!

3. Lack of Manners. I know we are in a busy fast paced society but how long does it take to have a few manners. Please and Thank You go a long way. If we are to busy for kindness we are too busy! 

Do you guys have any pet peeves? 

With all my Pet Peeves I need prayers and to pray. Prayer is something that God has really laid on my heart lately. I still don't pray as much as I should but I am getting there. I am super excited about a prayer group that is starting at our church. I think we have gotten so busy that we don't have time to pray like we should. I think it's part of Satan's plan to distract us and keep our minds off of what we should be doing.
Ladies I also wanted to share with you that Hallee The Home make is starting a bible study on May 1.  The bible study will be over The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie OMartian. You can find more information about the bible study here. I'm excited about being a part of it.

Ode to Aaron and Jeremy

Ode to Aron and Jeremy

With just one look at the paper
everything changed.
Two friends gone suddenly
Though not a the same time.

They could make me laugh
They also had my back
Childhood friends not soon forgotten.

Two friends who I thought I'd see again
But God had other plans.
I'd give anything to talk to them one more time
and let know what an difference they made.

God I don't understand why you give some poeple
such a short time on this Earth.
But I know your plans are dfferent than mine
I take comfort in knowing when my heart is breaking
I never leave His hands.

This poem is deiicated to my friends Jeremy "Jay" Smith and Aron Carley who were taken before their time. Aaron passed away last year and Jermey passed away this week.  This wasn't what I planned on writting about for the blogging challenge. I will post it at a later date.

N is for Nature

N is for Nature

 Nature is truly God's handiwork. I can not even beging to do justice to God's handwork."He spreads out the northern skies over empty space; he suspends the earth over nothing. He wraps up the waters in his clouds, yet the clouds do not burst under their weight. He covers the face of the full moon, spreading his clouds over it. The pillars of the heavens quake, aghast at his rebuke. By his power he churned up the sea.... By his breath the skies become fair.... And these are but the outer fringe of his works; how faint the whisper we hear of him! How then can we understand the thunder of his power?" (Job 26:7-9, 11-14) I  am just going to post some pictures of nature I have taken and play a beautiful song that by Watermark that talks about praising God. Enjoy!

M is for Movies

M is for Movies

In honor of today's letter I am going to post my top ten movies of all time (in no particular order). 

1. Anne of Green Gables-the trilogy. Total chick flick! I love these movies-especially the first two. The third one is ok but it's not true to the books.  This trailer shows parts from the entire trilogy.

2. UP by Pixar. This movie always makes me smile.  The animation is incredible and so is the story.Viewing life as an adventure and keep looking up.  I wish they made collars for dogs that help them talk. Heaven only knows what Sophie would say!

 3. Harry Potter Series. I love the books and I love the movies. I was very disappointed in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Price. It was very different than the book. I am not looking forward to the last two Harry Potter films either because they are going to change the ending. Here's a montage from all the movies so far.

4. The Women

This is like the only movie ever made that i like the remake better than the origonal. Ladies- this movie is so us! It's hilarious. And what a great cast! Jada Pickett-Smith, Meg Ryan, Annette Benning, Debra Messing.  

5. Singing in the Rain- A great mix of laughter, love and music! My favorite song in the movie is "Good morning!" Unfortanly I cannot find any clips on Youtube that I can embed into my post. However, I did find a cool Usher tribute to Gene Kelly you can find it here

6. The Wizard of Oz

I like the Wicked Witch. I just think she's cool. I could not find a movie clip of her on you tube that I could use. I am going to tell you what my favorite line from the movie is: You cursed brat! Look what you've done! I'm melting! melting! Oh, what a world! What a world! Who would have thought a good little girl like you could destroy my beautiful wickedness? Oooooh, look out! I'm going! Oooooh! Ooooooh!

7. Gone With the Wind

What Southern Girl hasn't dreamed of being Scarlett O'Hara. However, the older I get the more I wish I could see the good in everyone like Melaine. I'm still working on that. This is one of my favorite scenes

 

8. Casablanca

I love Boggy. He's one of my favorite actors of all time. He's so classy.

9. His Gal Friday

Cary Grant is another one of Hollywoods best men of all time. At least I think so. I love him in this role-trying to break up his exwifes remarriage.

10. the King and I

Anna travels to Siam to teach the Kings children. What's not to love.

What are you favorite movies? I'd love to know!

Lions and Life

L is for Lions and Life

I get to talk about one of my favorite animals today.

Lions

Lions live for ten to fourteen years in the wild, while in captivity they can live longer than twenty years. In the wild, males seldom live longer than ten years, as injuries sustained from continual fighting with rival males.They typically inhabit savanna and grassland, although they may take to bush and forest. Lions are unusually social compared to other cats. A pride of lions consists of related females and offspring and a small number of adult males. Groups of female lions typically hunt together, preying mostly on other animals.

Visually, the male lion is highly distinctive and is easily recognized by its mane. Here's a picture of my favorite lion. His name is Leo

Matt gave Leo to me when first started dating six years ago. At the time he was working like 50+ hours a week and we hardly ever saw each other. Isn't he cute!? 

Life

 I can't believe that April is here and almost already half over! Where has this year gone. It seems like every year time keeps slipping by faster and faster. I think that means I am getting old.! LOL I just wanted to remind everyone that life is precious and enjoy it while you can. One of my favorite country songs. "Don't Blink" by Kenny Chesney. Enjoy!

J is for Joy, Jogging, and Jelly Beans

J is for Joy, Jogging and Jelly Beans

 

Webster Dictionary defines joy as 1 a : the emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires. But I think joy is so much more than that. I think joy is a deep happiness and peace that has nothing to do with what is going on around you. It's more than happiness. I think of happiness as circumstantial. It is amazing to see how God provides joy in every situation and you can find that He dwells in the praise of His people; in God’s presence there is joy; in anxiety there is the joy of the Lord that comforts our soul; God’s works fill our hearts with joy, His miracles make our hearts leap for joy! See those verses for yourself! 

"You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." Psalm 16:11

"The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy." Psalm 126:3

"Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs." Psalm 100:2

 Jogging

 I like to jog. Until about a two years ago you would've never ever heard me utter those words. Jogging is stress releasing to me. It clears my head and renews my energy. It's my "me" time. I turn off the world and recharge. I haven't been able to run in couple of months due to some medical problems. I finally got the ok last week to start jogging again. YEAH!  I am training to run a 5k. I don't think I am going to run one but I am at least going to train run one. I am following this training program.You can train along with me to if you'd like 

Jelly beans 

I am addicted to jelly beans! I found some that are gluten free and I'm eating them all the time!Yet, another reason reason I need to start jogging again. Have you ever had something that you were addicted to that you had to give up? What was it and how to you break the addiction?  

Ps. I changing up my blog layout. I'd love to know what you think of it.

I is for Imagination

I is for Interesting

Today I discovered something interesting Well actually someone. Someone I knew of in elementary school but didn't meet till today. His  name is Shell Silverstein. Shell Silverstein is an poet, comic, songwriter and overall Renaissance Man. Today I read my students some of his poetry and they just loved it! I did too! His poems are so fun and interesting so I'm going to share some with you. Plus, I was having a hard time coming up with something for I. 


Messy Room
Whosoever room this is should be ashamed!
His underwear is hanging on the lamp. 
His raincoat is there in the overstuffed chair, 
And the chair is becoming quite mucky and damp. 
His workbook is wedged in the window,
His sweater's been thrown on the floor. 
His scarf and one ski are beneath the TV, 
And his pants have been carelessly hung on the door.
His books are all jammed in the closet, 
His vest has been left in the hall. 
A lizard named Ed is asleep in his bed, 
And his smelly old sock has been stuck to the wall. 
Whosoever room this is should be ashamed! 
Donald or Robert or Willie or--
Huh? You say it's mine? Oh, dear,
I  knew it looked familiar!


The Meehoo with an Exactly Watt This one reminds me of the 3 Stooges skit about Who's on First.
Knock Know!
Who's There
Me!
That's right!
What's right? 
Meehoo!
That's what I want to know!
What's what you want to know?
Me, who? 
Yes, exactly!
Exactly what? 
yes, I have an Exactly watt on a chain!
Exctly what on a chain?
Yes!
Yes what?
No, Exactlywatt!
That's what I wnat to know!
I told you -Exactlywatt!
Exactly what?
Yes, it's with me!
What's with you?
Exactlywatt-that's what's with me.
Me who?
Yes!
Go away!
Knock Knock.....


My favorite one of Shel Silverstein's poem's is called Sick. I know we've all felt this way when it's time to go to school or work. 


Sick
"I cannot go to school today."
Said little Peggy Ann McKay. 
"I have the measles and the mumps,
A gash, a rash and purple bumps.
My mouth is wet, my throat is dry, 
I'm going bind in my right eye. 
My tonsils are as big as rocks, 
I've counted sixteen chicken pox
And there's one more--that's seventeen, 
And dog you think my face looks green?
My leg is cut-my eyes are blue--
it might be instamatic flu.
I cough and sneeze and sap and choke, 
I'm sure that my left leg is broke==
My hip hurts when I move my chin, 
My belly button's caving in, 
My back is wrenched, my ankle's sprained,
My 'pendix pains each time it rains.
My nose is cold, my toes are numb.
I have a sliver in my thumb.
My neck is tiff, my voice is weak,
I hardly whisper when I speak.
My tongue is filling up my mouth.,
I think my hair is falling out.
My elbow's been, my spine ain't straight,
My temperature is one-o-eight.
My brain is shrunk, I cannot hear,
there is a hole inside my ear. 
I have a hangnail, and my heart is--what?
What's that? What's that you say? 
You say today is...Saturday?
G'bye. I'm going out to play!"


Who are your favorite poets and authors? If you would like to learn more about shell Silverstein check out his webpage. Enjoy! 

H is for Hodgepodge

H is for Hodgepodge
In honor of my 100 post. I've decided to list a hundred hodgepodge facts about me.Enjoy!

A Hundred Things About Carol 

1. I currently live in the same house I grew up in

2. I've lived in the same town I am currently living all my life-well except 4 1/2 years when I went off to college. 

3. Sophie is the first "inside" dog I've ever owned. 

4. Rosie is the first cat I've owned

5. my parents were abusive- they still are

6. I broke the abuse cycle. Praise God!


7. I read books voraciously 

8. I love to draw and paint

9. My dream job is to be a childrens librarian.

10. I love to bake

11. I have a gluten allergy

12. I met my husband in high school. We did not get together until 10 years later.

14. I am tall. 5'11" to be exact

13. I am a Christian and so is my hubby

14. I love working with children

15. But I love coming home to a nice, peaceful, and Child free home.

16. I wish I knew how to decorate

17. I love taking photos. 

18. I am the unofficial photographer at my church. 

19. All the car's I've driven (and currently drive) are Nissans

20.Tulips are my favorite flower

21. I am not analytical but thankfully my husband is!

22. After a long day I love a warm bubble bath

23. I have two nieces and one nephew

24. I take medication-a lot

25. I am working to make healthy changes so I can get off some of these meds

26. My wedding ring is a fire topaz. I used to think that diamonds looked like a fire topaz

27. Now, I like fire topaz rings better than diamonds

28. I much rather be cold than hot

29. I love being outside and enjoying nature. 

30. I love to sing but I can't carry a tune in a bucket

31. I love all music except heavy metal and rap

32. I grew up listening to country, contemporary Christian and hymns

33. I don't like last minuteness

34. I like be prepared and knowing what's going on-in advance

35. I am learning to enjoy exercising. I've still got a ways to go though

36. I don't like to exercise but I LOVE the way I feel afterwards

37. I  love to laugh! 

38. I learning to drink water and tea and not soda

39. I used to drink soda every day now I drink sodas only 1 every couple of weeks or so. Unless it's a Mexican coke.

40. I love chocolate!


41. My husband is my best friend

42. I love the hot chocolate from McDonald's! It's the best hot chocolate I've ever tasted besides Abulita hot chocolate

43. Spending time with God is the best way to start my day. 

44. Sometimes I don't spend time with Him and it really puts me in a funk

45. I can be really anal about some things

46. I can also be a slob too

47. I am a first generation native Texan

48. I love Texas!

49. I like to dress up occasionally

50. I do not like to wear dresses or hose!

51. I love wearing Crocs or my boots

52. I am trying to shed a few pounds.

53. I am not trying to obsess about a number about what weight I need to get down to-I am just trying to be healthier. 

54.I love snuggling on the couch with my hubby and babies

55. My babies are a miniature daschund and a calico cat

56. My feet are always cold

57. I love Burt's Bee products.


58. Their products are gluten free and they feel great too!


59. I love the Twlight Series.

61. I wish my hubby would sparkle. (Twlight fans-you know what I mean)

62. Turner Classic Movies is my favorite TV channel

63. I only have one TV in my house. Can you believe it!? 

64. My hubby and I like it better that way. 

65 And no, the TV isn't in the bed room. 

66. I like to play Scrabble. I am not good at it yet but I am learning

67. Glee is my favorite tv show

68. I wish we had a horse. 

69. My brother had a horse when I was growing up

70. My parents gave me a real cabbage one Christmas when I said I wanted a Cabbage Patch Kid. Thankfully they had bought me a real Cabbage Patch too. 

71. I like purses. I have a ton of them. My husband thinks I could start my own purse store. 

72. I don't like a lot of shoes. I have 3 or 4 favorite pairs that I wear with everything. 

73.I grew up in a Baptist chruch but now I attend a Lutheran one. 

74. my favorite colors are blue, green and purple

75. I tent to say what I think. This is a good thing but sometimes it's also a bad thing. 

76. I love blogging. It's therapy to me.

77. I like to draw and paint with watercolors.

78. I like to go on nature walks. 

79. I like being punctual. I'm ocd about it actually

80. I didn't like vegtables growing up but I am learning to like them now

81. My veggies so far are carrots, apples, oranges, pumpkin and brocoli, colifour and asparagus.

82. The clothes in my closet are arraged by color. 

83. I like to scrapbook but sometimes I get frustrated with it because I want something to be perfect and it's not.

84. I like spending time in God's word

85. I collect teapots

86.I collect ladybug and daschund stuff (anythign and everything from pens, to doormats, to magnets to shoes)

87. I love tex-mex

88. I will drink a coke made in Mexico any chance I get. It use real cane sugar and it taste fantastic.

89. I love to take photos

90. I have been a susbtitue teacher, cashier, and secretary

91. I am very opinonated

92. My husband is my best friend

93. My dream cars would be a Chevy camero  and a Nissian Titan

94.  My parents retired and moved to Arkansas. 

95.  Third Day is my favorite band EVER! 

96. I believe in the power of forgiveness.

97. I can be extroverted and shy at the same time.

98. I belive in the power of forgiveness

99. I belive that our thoughts greatly affect our actions

100. I believe in Jesus.