ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE

"All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt."
~Charles M. Schulz


I hope today (for you and me) is filled with lots of love and a little chocolate too!



"Father, help me to be a blessing to someone today."

JOURNALING

Do you journal? Gosh, I wish I had started as a child and kept it up. I started my blog as a way to journal about my days, never dreaming anyone else would read it, but when I realized others did, I guess I "toned down" what I wrote as well as kept somethings private. That sounds like a complaint, but I'm "just stating the facts ma'am". I love blogging and won't change, but I do think about having an actual ONLY ME AND GOD type journal where I can write down my deepest (and darkest too) thoughts. What I HAVE started is a PRAYER JOURNAL. And I love it.

In 2006 when I was diagnosed with breast cancer, a neighbor who owns a international sales company told me that he was praying for me...and not just him, but his staff. He then went on to tell me of one of their company practices. At their morning meeting, they have a prayer and praise time before they start their meeting. Prayers are written into a journal. He told me how humbling it is to look back and see the prayers God has answered. It gave me chills then and again now as I type this. People I didn't know and who certainly didn't know me were praying for ME. Little old me. And obviously their prayers worked. Here I am 4-1/2 years later...happy, healthy and praying for others, some I don't even know personally.

Just one example -
A few weeks ago someone I don't know personally emailed me one morning and asked that I pray for her. She was really struggling and said she sat at her computer looking for help and found me. She knew I was a Christian (from my blog) and asked for my prayers. OH.MY.GOSH! I was touched, surprised and privileged to pray for her. And I still do. Her first email was short and sweet with no details. And that was okay. I really don't need to know details. I know she needs prayers and I know my God is listening.

Anyway, back to my friend who told me about his company prayer journal. After he told me everything, I really planned to start one myself. Then life happens. You know what I mean. We make plans and then life gets in the way. That's a BIG FAT LIE of an excuse, right? If I have time to blog, facebook, play tennis, etc. then I certainly have time to journal.

As I've mentioned recently, I just finished reading THE HELP (loved it!). One of the main characters is Abileen, a black maid in Jackson, Mississippi in the 60's who writes down her prayers. She started as a child and never stopped. Everyone who knew Abileen asked her to pray for them because it was a known fact that almost all of her prayers were answered. Everyone thought she had a direct line to God.

So, again it was placed on my heart to start a prayer journal. I don't know about you, but the older I get the more prayers are needed. Not just for me, though the good Lord knows I need them, but for so many people I encounter every.single.day.

Soooo...drum roll please...I've started a prayer journal. It's nothing fancy and I don't write out individual prayers for each person. I just write down people's names and their situation. I don't feel like I need to do more. Our God knows all the details. I've found that writing it down acts as a sort of release for me. Awwww....God this is so important, so heavy, so draining but you oh God can take it.

I used to say my prayers at night...and almost always sometimes fell asleep before I could finish the l-o-n-g list of people I wanted to pray for. I still want to pray at night, but the prayer journal is an awesome tool for me.

Since I feel so good about my prayer journal, I might eventually start a personal ONLY ME AND GOD journal too.

Let me know if you journal and how it works for you.


"Father, help me to be a blessing to someone today."

POSITIVELY TOUCHED

It's been awhile since I've received an award, so I was really touched when I was given one today by Patrice at Everyday Ruralty. She said "This lovely woman is soooo positive!".

What a nice thing to say!

I really DO try my best to stay positive. It's not always easy, but I do try.


Thanks so much Patrice!


"Father, help me to be a blessing to someone today."

DID YOU KNOW

'cause you are!



"Father, help me to be a blessing to someone today."

WELCOME TO AUTUMN? HUH?

Even though it seems everyone in Blogland is talking about Fall and doing their Fall decorations and buying their Fall clothes, it still feels VERY much like summer here in Florida. I'm still in my sundresses and wearing my flip flops (and probably will be until November, maybe even December), but my mind lately has been on candy corn (thanks a lot Nonny) and pumpkin bread and curling up in front of a fireplace.

How about you?

Here's my visions of Fall:











Tonja at Gatherings has asked this question:

What does the word AUTUMN say to you? She has challenged us to list what it means to us by making an ABC list. Here's mine:

Acorns
Bread (freshly baked loaves of pumpkin bread or banana bread)
Cider
Dunking for apples
Exercise (there's something about the cool air that makes exercise feel so good)
Fireplaces to snuggle in front of
Golden sunsets (ours are the most beautiful during the fall)
Halloween and Hot chocolate
Indian corn
Jackets
Kin (spending more time with family)
Leggings
Marshmallows (in my hot chocolate or in my smores)
Naps
Ogling the pretty autumn leaves
Planning for the holidays
Quiet times of reflection before the Holidays begin
Reading (love to curl up with a good book- in front of the fireplace, of course)
Scarecrows
Tea (hot tea)
Umbrellas (for those wet autumn days)
Voting (I'm sick of the political ads though)
Warm bowls of oatmeal for breakfast
eXtra covers on the beds
Yardwork!
ZZZZZZZZZ (I seem to sleep better when the weather is cooler)

Okay, now tell me what AUTUMN means to YOU.



"Father, help me to be a blessing to someone today."

WHEW! I SURVIVED

Isn't it funny the things that we fear?!

I was asked to be a speaker at our local Team Leader University meeting for our local Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk. I am not a speaker though, so I was a tad nervous (until I got there).

But you know what, I did just fine. After all, I was just speaking to other survivors and those who are working hard to make breast cancer a thing of the past. I had notes, but really didn't need them. I felt comfortable and just talked to everyone as if we were friends sharing advice. I felt at peace. Thank you Lord!


We met at a clubhouse in a neighborhood, so the atmosphere was casual and fun. That's not me up there. Thank goodness I don't have a photo of me during my speech.
I thought this was a cute idea. They passed out SMARTIES candies when we answered questions correctly during a game. Fun!

Thanks for your well wishes!


"Father, help me to be a blessing to someone today."

I WALK FOR MORE BIRTHDAYS

A world with less cancer is a world with more birthdays!

My birthday is later this month and I hope to have many many many many more.

As a lot of you will remember, I walk every year in The Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk. I'm proud to say that my team is always the largest one in our local walk. I hope it will be again this year. Our walk is Saturday, October 30th.

Most of my team last year, but not all...some arrived after the photo was taken.

I've been asked to speak at the Team Leader University meeting tomorrow morning about how I have been so successful with my team. I am not a speaker, but will do my best. Say a prayer for me please.




Here are the wonderful lyrics to this inspirational song by Melissa Etheridge, a cancer survivor herself. Enjoy! She says run, but I walk...either way, it's important that we participate so ALL of us can have more birthdays.

I RUN FOR LIFE

It's been years since they told her about it
The darkness her body possessed
And the scars are still there in the mirror
Everyday that she gets herself dressed

Though the pain is miles and miles behind her
And the fear is now a docile beast
If you ask her why she is still running
She'll tell you it makes her complete

[Chorus:]
I run for hope
I run to feel
I run for the truth
For all that is real
I run for your mother, your sister, your wife
I run for you and me, my friend
I run for life

It's a blur since they told me about it
How the darkness had taken its toll
And they cut into my skin and they cut into my body
But they will never get a piece of my soul
And now I'm still learning the lesson
To awake when I hear the call
And if you ask me why I am still running
I'll tell you I run for us all

[Chorus:]
I run for hope
I run to feel
I run for the truth
For all that is real
I run for your mother your sister your wife
I run for you and me my friend
I run for life

And someday if they tell you about it
If the darkness knocks on your door
Remember her, remember me
We will be running as we have before
Running for answers
Running for more

[Chorus:]
I run for hope
I run to feel
I run for the truth
For all that is real
I run for your mother your sister your wife
I run for you and me my friend
I run for life

My team's official kick-off is TODAY. If you would like to donate to my team and help give me (and you and those you love) more birthdays, please click on the thermometer on my sidebar. Every single dollar helps.


"Father, help me to be a blessing to someone today."

FEELING VERY BLESSED

To share in bible studies + fellowship with this great group of women is a precious gift!

(this photo was taken today at our luncheon)


"Father, help me to be a blessing to someone today."

BE HAPPY

"Every day may not be good, but there's something good in every day."
~author unknown



"Father, help me to be a blessing to someone today."

SO EASY YET SO YUMMY

Much much better today. I've definitely had my share of itching lately between the hives and the ant bites. I should buy stock in baking soda ;-)

Not much to blog about tonight, so I thought I would share a recipe. Tomorrow is the luncheon for my bible study group and everyone is bringing a dish. I've decided to take this easy, but oh so yummy salad and thought you might enjoy it too. It's always a hit and it makes enough for a crowd.


ASIAN COLESLAW

2 (3oz) packages of beef Ramen noodles
2 packages of coleslaw mix
1 cup sliced almonds, toasted
1 cup sunflower kernels
4 green onions, chopped
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1/3 cup white vinegar

Note: the ingredients will be layered. Don't toss until ready to serve.

Remove flavor packets from noodles, and crush noodles in the bottom of a large bowl. Top with slaw and sprinkle with toasted almonds, sunflower kernels and onions. Whisk flavor packets, sugar, oil and vinegar. Pour over slaw, cover with plastic wrap and chill over night.

Toss right before serving.

Enjoy!



"Father, help me to be a blessing to someone today."

IN A FOG

Warning: Whining ahead.

A Benadryl fog that is! It must have been fire ants that got me because I have those white pimple type sores on my feet, especially my left foot. Grrrr! My skin is so super sensitive to bug bites, spider bites, mosquito bites, hives, etc. It takes so much longer than the average person to get some relief.

I feel so sluggish!



"Father, help me to be a blessing to someone today."

CAN'T SLEEP

Can't sleep. I've tossed and turned for hours and finally gave up and got up at 4:30. I was bitten by something on both feet when we sat outside with the kids to eat pizza on Sunday night. Both feet are so itchy, but my left foot is swollen and hot and is giving me fits. Looks like ant bites. Grrrrr!


"Father, help me to be a blessing to someone today."

SWEET

The kids left this morning after breakfast :-( It's so quiet here now. We miss them already.

Of course, there was ice cream every night. It's a tradition.



"Father, help me to be a blessing to someone today."

THE FUN BEGINS

So excited! Our son and daughter-in-love and three of our grandchildren arrived today!

We haven't made a lot of plans (yet). Why make plans? We plan to just do what feels right and fun at the time. I do know there will be lots of hugs and kisses and snuggles. And food. And ice cream, of course. And cake. And golf cart rides. The beach. The pool.

And I do know one meal I will be making since it's a favorite of Eric and Angela's. I used to make it when they came home from college and brought their friends with them. It was always a big hit. It's good re-heated the next day too. It's a recipe Kitty, my tennis partner in Nashville, gave me years ago. Very yummy!

BOWTIE PASTA WITH GRILLED CHICKEN

6 chicken breast, boneless and skinless
1/3 bottle (approx.) Dale's Seasoning
1/3 bottle (approx.) Italian dressing
1 box bowtie pasta
1/4 cup or more grated Asiago cheese
1 cup white wine
3 tablespoons green peppercorns
1 stick butter
salt and pepper
8 ounces half and half
8 ounces whipping cream
1/4 cup chopped purple onion
1/4 to 1/2 can Oscar Meyer Real Bacon Bits

Marinate chicken in mixture of Dale's and Italian dressing for 3 hours or more. (I do mine in a large ziplock bag...easy to turn and no clean up.) Grill chicken; then slice.

Cook pasta according to box directions and keep warm.

Sauce: Cook wine and peppercorns until it reduces by half. Melt butter and saute onions. Then add half and half, whipping cream, cheese, bacon bits, salt and pepper, and wine mixture. Cook until it thickens. You may add more cheese if desired.

Toss sauce, chicken and pasta together and serve. (I toss the sauce and the pasta and place on a large platter and then arrange the sliced grilled chicken on top for a nicer presentation.)

Note: This can be made ahead and placed in a low oven to keep warm.


I hope your Labor Day weekend is filled with lots of memory making moments and time with those you love.

Thank you Lord for time with family.


"Father, help me to be a blessing to someone today."

HOO'S THERE?

Thanks to the handy dandy Feedjit Life Traffic Feed on the side of my blog, I get to see that people from all over the USA and even abroad stop by for a visit. I love that. I love visitors, both here on my blog and here in my home.

Most people don't leave a comment though :-( It makes me wonder...
are they shy?
did they come by mistake?
or they in a hurry?
did they not enjoy the post?

9 times out of 10 I leave a comment when I visit a blog. But that's just me. Everybody thinks differently.

How about you? Just curious.


Speaking of visitors...my son Eric and his family are coming tomorrow for the long holiday weekend. I'm so excited!!!!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

YIPPEE! It's Friday so.......





"Father, help me to be a blessing to someone today."

BELIEVE ME I'M AWARE

Did you know September is National Menopause Awareness Month? Well, it is. I can't believe there's any woman out there who is not aware of her menopause or that it's coming if she hasn't been "blessed" yet. Believe me, I'm aware. Very very aware.

How 'bout you?

I've felt all of these!

The worst part for me is the hot flashes. They seem to come and go. Mine have started again...with a vengence.

Symptoms of Hot Flashes

• A feeling of pressure in your head when the hot flash begins

• A feeling of mild warmth to intense heat that spreads through your upper body and face

• A flushed appearance with red and blotchy skin on your face, neck, and upper chest

• A rapid heartbeat

• Sweating, particularly on your upper body

• A chilled feeling when the hot flash ends

• 

This made me laugh because I can not put on my makeup or get dressed without a fan blowing right on me. I even take one with me when I travel.

"Father, help me to be a blessing to someone today."