Life Lesson -413

4/7/08 Monday

Crystal, Brent and Haley were here this weekend to help with pricing the yard sale items. It is amazing to see all that they got accomplished. Abe and Crystal worked on pricing almost non-stop.

I can't sit here at the computer very long. I went from bed to the kitchen, this weekend. I was determined to make meals for everyone. If I couldn't do that, I would have been.......well, I didn't want to know how that would have felt. Haley was indescribably wonderful!!! I was so thankful to even be able to watch her move. She talks non-stop. That is no exaggeration!!! I kept thinking, I am so thankful to have my eyesight, to be able to watch her. I am so thankful that I can hear her chatter. I am even more thankful for the fact that she kept going back and forth between Paw Paw, Mommy and me. If I wouldn't have been in the house, she wouldn't have wanted to leave the garage. I was thrilled that she kept coming in the house to be with me. Ohhhhhhh....if I could just siphen some of her energy!!!!

I have a list of enormous proportions, to go over with my internist on Thursday.

Hugs

Life Lesson -412

4/4/08 Thursday

Still feel like nothing but a 'blob', but I seem to see improvement, and that happens earlier and earlier in the day. It started with me feeling stronger at 7 PM. This week, I feel better by 5 PM and yesterday it started closer to 3 PM. What that is all about IS BEYOND ME. I will take what I can get. My blogging still has to be 'as I can' basis.
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Photo of the day: (taken by my same Flickr friend)

Peeling layers of paint

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Vocabulary Word:

bellwether \BEL-weth-uhr\, noun:A leader of a movement or activity; also, a leading indicator of future trends.

Raised to believe they were among their generation's best and brightest, my class can be seen as a bellwether for a generation caught without a compass on the cutting edge of uncharted territory.
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Oven-Fried Chicken

2 chickens (3 pounds each), cut in 8 serving pieces
1 quart buttermilk
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper
Vegetable oil or vegetable shortening

Place the chicken pieces in a large bowl and pour the buttermilk over them. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Combine the flour, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Take the chicken out of the buttermilk and coat each piece thoroughly with the flour mixture. Pour the oil into a large heavy-bottomed stockpot to a depth of 1-inch and heat to 360 degrees F on a thermometer. Working in batches, carefully place several pieces of chicken in the oil and fry for about 3 minutes on each side until the coating is a light golden brown (it will continue to brown in the oven). Don't crowd the pieces. Remove the chicken from the oil and place each piece on a metal baking rack set on a sheet pan. Allow the oil to return to 360 degrees F before frying the next batch. When all the chicken is fried, bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until the chicken is no longer pink inside. Serve hot.

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Learned a new "Rew" for soup, which gives more soup and might be better proportions for cream soup:

Paula Deen did this on her show:

8 cups chicken stock
1 1/4 cups white roux (1 stick of butter and 1/2 cup all-purpose flour; cook slowly over low heat) 1 quart heavy cream
Salt and pepper

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Hugs

Life Lesson -411

4/1/08 Tuesday

This is a wonderful day. 12 years ago, our granddaughter Taylor was born in N.Y. What a precious gift she has been ever since!!!!

By the way, we found out what is wrong with me. I am pregnant!

Ummmm, that is an A.F. Joke, in case you didn't realize it already.

I did ok yesterday morning. Only got very important phone calls made, and I was done for the day. I am finding the website for support to chronic fatigue victims, to be very interesting and helpful. I ordered a book by Dr. Teitelbaum this morning, which was recommended.
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I made the best Cream of Mushroom Soup the other day. I took some of what I see on food network, and Martha Stewart.....combined some of the techniques and ingredients. It was awesome!!!

Here is what I wrote down to be the 'base' for any cream soup: I am sure it is not original, but it is what worked for me:

3 TBSP butter
4 TBSP flour
2 cups chicken broth (beef)
2 cups heavy cream
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Riddle: (I have some of the coolest relatives. Phyllis (Murphy) and Butch live in N.Y. They sent me this riddle yesterday.) Thanks guys!!!!

Who killed one fourth of mankind?
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Vocabulary Word:

jollification \jol-ih-fuh-KAY-shuhn\, noun:Merrymaking; festivity; revelry.

Some inform; some prompt the conscience; some entertain, while having more than jollification in mind.
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Mama Daisy's Banana Pudding

Recipe courtesy The Neelys

2 1/2 cups sugar
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
Pinch salt
2 (12-ounce) cans evaporated milk
4 egg yolks 1/2 stick butter, cubed
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 box vanilla wafers, plus more for garnish, crumbled
5 bananas, sliced Whipped cream

In a 3-quart heavy saucepan on low heat, add sugar, flour and salt. Pour in the evaporated milk and stir constantly. The mixture will thicken slowly, about 10 minutes.

Lightly beat the egg yolks in a medium size bowl. Add a ladleful of the thickened milk mixture to the eggs and whisk, to temper the eggs. Add the egg mixture into the saucepan and continue to whisk and cook until incorporated, roughly 2 to 3 minutes.

Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the butter and the vanilla extract. Place the pudding into a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let cool in refrigerator for 2 1/2 hours.

Into a large bowl or trifle dish, add a layer of vanilla wafers, a layer of sliced bananas, and top with pudding. Add the whipped cream and then repeat the layers. Garnish with crumbled cookies on top.
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Sorry, I still cannot type in all that I normally do. Hope to return to normal blogging soon.

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Answer to riddle:
Cain, who killed Abel, leaving Adam, Eve and himself.
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Hugs

Life Lesson -410

3/31/08 Monday

Picture of the day:


A fellow photography lover (Flickr) buddy........his photo was published.



I was surprised to find a photo of him. Notice, he has a crutch attached to his arm. I so admire his photos. More to come, of his recent ones.



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The weekend was an extension of last week. I get to do something very little, like cook a meal, and my legs and arms feel like they fill with lead. It is hard for me to even pick up a jar of something. Unbelievable! I know!!! Once again, I couldn't do things that I so look forward to doing. Abe's parents had their Easter celebration and dinner on Saturday. Yesterday, I got a meal started for my niece and family (she just had surgery) and I was done in; couldn't go to church.

I bounce around from being very, very discouraged, to determined to accomplish something in spite of all of this. You should see how many baby afghans I have produced. I am finishing my fifth one.

I feel so many emotions: very embarrassed, discouraged, sorry for Abe, frustrated that I can't save myself, or that I can't find that symptom that will help a doctor to know what I can do to wipe out this fatigue.

I couldn't get in to see the doctor until April 10th. I think I do have a bit more solid 'tracking' information that might help her to know how to direct me.

Sorry to be writing so much about 'me'. I just needed you to know why I can't write more today. I am going to force myself to do a few things, in regards to exercise today, to see if it will 'wake up' whatever isn't working right. The last several times I tried this, it made things worse. I just have to keep trying until something seems to work.
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Hugs

Life Lesson -409

3/28/08 Friday

Photo of the day: "Spring is Here"!!!!!!!! Yeah!!!!! Thank you Lord!!!!!!!

Hey folks..........Have you ever really thought about, or let's say......stood back and analyzed what our society is teaching our children; what adults are getting involved in - with the tag of entertainment attached to it?

It isn't even possible for me to give you the titles of some of the TV shows that have got my 'dander' up. I just keep seeing ads for them, and I wanna say -where is the sanity in it all? let alone -where is the humanity?

There is a show that has been around for a long time, "The Jerry Springer Show". Lately, we have this show (and I don't know the name of it) which has to do with asking people questions that are very intimate, and personal questions; then airing horrific and what is pictured as devestating answers to one person or the other. The result has even been stated that the answers to the questions caused embarrassment and separation/divorce. Whether this is staged or not.........where is the respect for one another? the human dignity? It appears more like the illegal 'dog fight' arena.

Watch carefully the movies and the cartoons that children are engaged in, or all that is offered to them. They promote disrespect of other humans; arguing; kicking and hitting one another; calling each other names, and acting out in opposition to whatever is before them. I do realize that, to portray life the way it should be portrayed - to promote Beatitude behavior, would not 'sell' or be chosen as being of interest enough to draw popularity. But when will we all realize that we are actually promoting behavior, and those that are angry to act out.....in: school shootings, disrespectful behavior which then integrates the heart and brain of those that are buying it, as if they are being brain washed into believing that this is the way to get ahead; this is the way to behave to survive.

May God help us..........yes, we need to give to needy people, and help those that are hurting. But folks, how about us getting to the bottom of what are some of the root causes of leading those people astray in the first place, when their minds are being shaped and impressionable?

I know I haven't said what I hoped to as well as another could say it all. But this is my expression of a real concern that I have for our world, our society, our children, our grandchilren, and what in the world will the next generation be like if this keeps going downhill the way it has been?
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Riddle: When you say my name, I am gone. What am I? ( )humility ( )silence ( )time ( )remission ( )divinity

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Bible Quiz:
Which prophet secretly anointed David as king? ( )Elijah ( )Elisha ( )Moses ( )Samuel

Previous Question:
David, the most famous of all the kings of Israel, lived around 1000 B.C. What occupation was he engaged in as a boy? Shepherd
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Trivia Question:
Muhammed Ali suffers from which disease?

Previous Question:
In which year did East and West Germany unify into the current Germany? 1990
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Mama's Bible:

Matthew 19: 4-9 "And he answered and said unto them, have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female.

vs.5 "And said, for this cause shall a man have father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh?

vs.6 "Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

vs.7 "They say unto him, Why did Moses then command to give a writing of divorcement, and to put her away?

vs.8 "He saith unto them, Moses because of the hardness of your hearts suffered you to put away your wives: but from the beginning it was not so.

vs. 9 "And I way unto you, Whosoever shall put away his wife, except it be for fornication, and shall marry another, committeth adultery: and whoso marrieth her which is put away doth commit adultery."

Bonnie's comments: Some of you may not know the story of Abe and I before we were married.

How we met: I was working at Allentown General Hospital. They hired me following my graduation from their LPN program (1 year). Abe worked there in the Inhalation Therapy dept. His family followed a belief that one should not go to war, so when he was drafted, he signed up for what was called then "1W" program. He was assigned to work at the hospital in Allentown. He was married then (he married right out of high school).

He always looked like a very lonely and preoccupied man. But, the day that he noticed me was when he entered the room of my patient. I had just applied shaving cream to the patient's face to shave him. Abe came in to give this same patient his breathing treatment, normally done after anyone had surgery, to keep them from getting pneumonia. (Those days, we didn't get post-op patients out of bed for several days). I quickly responded with starting to remove the shaving cream. Abe told me he would come back, and I should finish. But I insisted that it would be ok for me to resume after he was finished with the treatment. Abe tells the story like this,"No other nurse that he knew would have insisted, and removed the shaving cream, just for him." That was when he first noticed me. Otherwise, he seemed to be running around, doing his job, as if he didn't notice anyone but the patients.

We were both working the 3-11 shift that day. Later, he came back to the floor and asked if I would like to go out with him after work. We went to a nearby restaurant, and talked for hours. I think it was something like 2 A.M. when we pulled into the parking lot at the hospital, and a police car pulled up. The officer asked my name, and "yes, I was Bonnie Miller". He seemed relieved, and told me that my parents were VERY WORRIED about my safety.

I took Abe home to meet my family in later weeks, never telling them that he was about to receive a divorce from his wife. Mother and Daddy fell in love with Abe. Daddy mentioned that I picked someone that he would have chosen for me. Keep in mind that Daddy did not know that he was previously married.

Once I told them about Abe's marriage.......the whole picture changed. It was horrible. All along though, I understood where Mother and Daddy were coming from. Somehow, I had this sense that if I was them, I would react the same way. The strife between us mainly came from the strong feelings that I grew to have for Abe by then. I had been to meet his family, and loved their large family, and learned to appreciate that they all loved the Lord, and lived by many of the standards that our family did. Abe and I had a great deal in common. Abe had 7 siblings and I had 5, etc.

The verses I just quoted from the Bible, which my Mother had highlighted.......those were verses that many people kept throwing in my face. Of course, they could not know, for sure, as I did...that Abe's former wife was guilty of many things that I won't share here. Abe and I went to see two pastor's: My uncle Earl, and also my pastor, at the time, Rev. Robert Addington. They both gave excellent advice, and felt that marriage should be out of the question. We did try some time apart from each other. I cannot remember how long it was, but it was not all that long in the scheme of things, maybe a week. I remember determining that I would date someone else that was very important to me, but that fell through when that other person found out that I was dating someone that was about to get a divorce.

We first dated in April, and in October we decided to elope. We went to Maryland, and we were married in a church by a pastor of that church. We had two or our best friends that worked with us at the hospital, stand up for us. I bought a dress for the occasion that would serve as an appropriate wedding dress, but also be able to be worn again later. Our best man wore his best suit and my maid of honor wore a new dress and shoes which she bought just for the occasion. Abe bought me a bouquet to carry.

I don't remember much else about the whole day except this: I was waiting to hear my father's voice, screaming at me that he found me and would stop the whole proceeding.

We spent our wedding night in a motel near where Abe's parents live. It took many months for me to resume a relationship with my parents. Abe's parents, of course, were happy for him. My estrangement from Mother and Daddy was something that I always understood for the most part. Mother was the first to contact me. It wasn't long after that, they held a small wedding shower at their home for us.

My poor sister........she suffered as much as Mother and Daddy did. We told each other most anything and everything. Being the only girls in the family, we always were very close. She rightfully felt like I deserted her and that I betrayed her trust. I felt as bad for my sister as I did my parents.

Update: I often said, if I was to separate from Abe......Mother and Daddy, and my sister...they would side with Abe, and take him in to their home before they would give me the time of day. Their love and respect for Abe grew to enormous proportions, over the years.

Some only know to call it destiny; some call it the 'will of God'. Well, we all know where I stand on the common use of the word 'destiny'. We will not know whether it was truly the will of God, or if it was just God answering so many people's prayers for God to continue the work that He had long begun in Abe and Bonnie's lives, at least until we get to heaven and can ask that question. Whatever the case may be: Abe and Bonnie are definitely an 'item' today. A true example of how God can take broken pieces and make vessels that are able to be used. Wow! What an example of God's amazing, AMAZING GRACE!!!

That's all for today.......
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Answer to the riddle: Silence

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No feedback, as of yet, in regards to the survey/challenge for paying it forward.
Still looking forward to hearing your story........
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Hugs

Life Lesson -408

3/27/08 Thursday

Picture of the day:

Yesterday I shared an update on what I am experiencing physically (and emotionally) as I walk through this journey with Chronic Fatigue. After sharing my update, I finally sat down to listen to our pastor's message from 3/16/08; Sunday morning that I was unable to get to church.

I was blown away to realize that Pastor was putting into words exactly what God is in the process of doing in my life. He (God) is 'growing me'. So much of what the pastor expressed has been what God has been leading me to understand, little by little. What a huge blessing it was to hear the truths that I have been gathering, along the way, in verbal reinforcement and affirmation..........God has been at work in my life!!!! God cares!!! God has been with me, EACH STEP OF THE WAY!!!!!!

I encourage you to listen yourself to the message either by going to the church website and chosing the audio or video of the message for 3/16, or to try this link to see if it will take you there, skipping the other step: http://www.gracechurchworship.org/2videomar16.html

The church link to get to message page:

http://www.lgbc.org/sunday/message-series.htm
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Vocabulary Word:

repine \rih-PINE\, intransitive verb:1. To feel or express discontent.2. To long for something.
Even Hancock, though he might regret the source of this sudden wealth, could not repine at its consequences.
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Riddle:
You have lost me a million times, yet you still have me. I am always at your side. What am I?
( )humility ( )nothing ( )time ( )divinity ( )God
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Trivia Question:

In which year did East and West Germany unify into the current Germany?

Previous Question:

What word do these have in common? Music, prisons, and soap? Bars
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Bible Quiz:
David, the most famous of all the kings of Israel, lived around 1000 B.C. What occupation was he engaged in as a boy? ( )candle-maker ( )Carpenter ( )Sherpherd ( )errand boy

Previous Question:
Which of Solomon's sons succeeded him as king of Israel? Rehoboam
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Recipe:

"French" Dressing and Iceberg Lettuce Chopped Salad
Recipe courtesy Rachael Ray

1/2 head iceberg lettuce, core removed and chopped
4 radishes, chopped
4 scallions, chopped
1/3 seedless cucumber, chopped
1 cup shredded carrots, available in produce section

Dressing:
1/3 cup white wine vinegar
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, eyeball it
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1/4 small white onion, finely chopped or grated
Salt and white pepper

Combine lettuce and chopped veggies in salad bowl.

Add all of the dressing ingredients into a blender. Put the top in place and blend on high until dressing is combined. Pour dressing over salad and toss. Adjust salt and pepper, to taste.
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Fact or Fiction:

DO ANTIPERSPIRANTS REALLY CAUSE ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE?

The scare began about twenty years ago, when scientists noticed that the sick brain of people with Alzheimer's disease had high levels of aluminum, prompting people to throw out their pots and pans, cast a suspicious eye on tin foil, and shun antiperspirants, antacids, and other household products that contain aluminum, a known neurotoxin. Like a 1950's sci-fi movie plot, the thought was that the aluminum in antiperspirants would seep into your armpits, invade your bloodstream, and eventually settle in your brain, turning it into mush.

But in the real world, there's no reason to sweat it. Scientists have thoroughly debunked the idea.

What now seems pretty clear is that those high levels of aluminum found in the brains of Alzheimer's patients were a result, not a cause, of the disease. Weak or dying brain cells lose their ability to eliminate toxins, making them more likely to contain high levels of aluminum, which is so widespread (it's the third most common element on Earth) that everyone is exposed to it.

With so much evidence, you may be wondering if aluminum can be absorbed through the armpits at all. The answer is yes- but only in extremely microscopic quantities. In general, a person absorbs no more than 4 micrograms of aluminum during a single use of antiperspirant on both underarms.

How much is a microgram? I you chopped a thumb tack into a couple million pieces, one of those pieces would be a microgram.

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Product Information -Other uses for household products.......

Product: Crystal Clear Nail Polish

-Stop a run in nylons

-prevent the bottome edges of shaving cream cans from rusting

-thread the needle with ease-dipe the end of the thread in clear nail polish, let dry, and thread

-protect shirt buttons. Dabe the center of each button with clear nail polish to reinforce the threads so buttons stay on longer

-prevent cut fabric from fraying

-laminate prescription labels

-repair a small dent in a window, car windshield, or wood floor.

-prevent the knots of small ribbons on lingerie from untying

-tighten loose dresser-drawer knobs

-prevent rust on toilet seat screws

Invented: 1970's

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Answer to the riddle: Time

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No feedback, as of yet, in regards to the survey/challenge for "paying it forward"......still hoping and waiting........

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Hugs

Life Lesson -407

3/26/08 Wednesday

Update on Chronic Fatigue:

I am still stuck here at home. It seems that I am progressing a bit, in that I am resuming a very minimal amount of exercises, and I find that I have to stop after 1/4 of the reps that I used to do. I spend most of the day crocheting. Yesterday was the first day I didn't lie down (I hate, hate, hate to lie down during the day). I get up about every hour to try to accomplish something small. I have an appt on April 10th to share about 10 reasons why I feel that this is most surely hormone related. I looked up Chronic Fatigue support group, and found enormous amount of links. I have to take more time to look into these groups. I haven't wanted to go to this extent because I sometimes feel like something like a support group can drag a person down rather than encourage. I feel so like an alien when this keeps happening to me, and so alone. Of course I have THE MOST WONDERFUL support from Abe, and our girls.......Doreen is my most important support because she is suffering horribly with the Fibromyalgia end of the disease, and some degree of chronic fatigue. But Abe and Crystal just cannot relate. They support out of love, and watching what this all does to a person.
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Vocabulary Word:

misnomer \mis-NO-muhr\, noun:1. The misnaming of a person in a legal instrument, as in a complaint or indictment.2. Any misnaming of a person or thing; also, a wrong or inapplicable name or designation.

Morning sickness is a misnomer -- it can strike any time.
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Trivia Question:

What word do these all have in common? Music, prisons, and soap?

Previous Question:
The Adam's Apple (more prominent in males) is formed by a slightly triangular-shaped protuberance located in what part of the body? Larynx
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Bible Quiz:
Which of Solomon's sons succeeded him as king of Israel? ( )Adoniram ( )Jeroboam ( )Rehoboam ( )Samuel

Previous Question: What was Solomon's greatest sin? Idolatry
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Riddle:

Who ever makes me, sells me. Who ever buys me doesn't need me. Who ever needs me doesn't buy me. What am I? ( )respect ( )friendship ( )rags ( )money ( )a coffin
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Recipe:

Mac and Cheddar Cheese with Chicken and Broccoli
Recipe courtesy Rachael Ray

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 pound chicken breast tenders, chopped
Salt and pepper
1 small onion, chopped
1 pound macaroni elbows or cavatappi corkscrew shaped pasta twists
2 1/2 cups raw broccoli florets, available packaged in produce department
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 teaspoon paprika
3 cups whole milk
1 cup chicken stock
3 cups yellow sharp Cheddar
1 tablespoon prepared Dijon mustard

Place a pot of water on to boil for macaroni.
Heat a medium pan over medium to medium-high heat. Add extra-virgin olive oil and chicken and season with salt and pepper. Saute a couple of minutes then add onion and cook another 5 to 7 minutes until onions are tender and chicken is cooked through. Turn off heat and reserve.
To boiling pasta water, add pasta and salt to season the cooking water. Cook 5 minutes, then add broccoli and cook 3 minutes more or until pasta is cooked to al dente and florets are just tender.
While pasta cooks, heat a medium sauce pot over medium heat. Add butter and melt, then add flour, cayenne and paprika and whisk together over heat until roux bubbles then cook a minute more. Whisk in milk and stock and raise heat to bring the sauce to a quick boil. Simmer until the sauce thickens about 5 minutes.

Drain macaroni or pasta and broccoli florets. Add back to the pot and add chicken to the pasta and broccoli.

Add cheese to milk sauce and stir to melt it in, a minute or so. Stir in mustard and season sauce with salt and pepper. Pour sauce over chicken and broccoli and cooked pasta and stir to combine. Adjust seasonings and transfer to a large serving platter and serve.
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Mama's Bible:

Matthew 18: 11,14,18-20 "For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.

vs.14 "Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

vs.18 "Verily I say unto you, whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

vs.19 "Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

vs.20 "For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them."

Bonnie's comments: I decided to look a few of these verses up in the commentary.........Matthew Henry's Commentary.

vs. 11-14

Christ came into the world to save souls, and he will reckon severely with those who hinder the progress of others who are setting their faces heavenward. And shall any of us refuse attention to those whom the Son of God came to seek and to save? A father takes care of all his children, but is particularly tender of the little ones.

15-20

If a professed Christian is wronged by another, he ought not to complain of it to others, as is often done merely upon report, but to go to the offender privately, state the matter kindly, and show him his conduct. This would generally have all the desired effect with a true Christian, and the parties would be reconciled. The principles of these rules may be practised every where, and under all circumstances, though they are too much neglected by all. But how few try the method which Christ has expressly enjoined to all his disciples! In all our proceedings we should seek direction in prayer; we cannot too highly prize the promises of God. Wherever and whenever we meet in the name of Christ, we should consider him as present in the midst of us.
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Fact or Fiction:

ARE ARTIFICIAL SWEETNERS BAD FOR YOU?

How sweet it is..........aspartame, that is.

This chemical freak of nature and sugar inpersonator, commonly found in packets of NutraSweet and Equal, is a staggering two hundred times as sweet as the plain old sucrose sitting in your kitchen cupboard. Then there is saccharin, the substitute we know as Sweet'N Low, which is-get this-two hundred to seven hundred time as sweet as sugar! And yet somehow both of these sweeteners have little or no effect on blood sugar and vitually now calories.

But even more fascinating is that for decades artificial sweeteners have been linked to everything from cancer to seizures to headaches. And none more so than aspartame. Fears about aspartame have haunted the sweetener from the day it was approved by the FDA in 1981, and have been inflamed repeatedly by dubious studies ever since.

The best part is that according to research by the Mayo Clinic, one solitary woman is the source of the rumar that aspartame causes almost every illness known to man. This prolific and anonymous woman has argued that most of the studies of aspartame can't be trusted because they were financed by the company that created it, G.D. Searle, which supposedly has withheld evidence of its dangers, much like Starbucks has kept mum on the well-known fact that its lattes are outrageously addictive.

Conspiracy theories aside, there have been a lot of thorough, independent studies of aspartame, and most have cleared it of any hazards. Its proponenets like to point out that the components of aspartame-phenylalanine, aspartic acid, and a tiny amount of methanol-are found in much larger amounts of dairy products, meats, and fruit juices, and that they are metabolized no differently.

One widely promoted claim is that aspartame is responsible for a nationwide rise in brain tumors. But studies show that brain tuors were on the rise long before aspartame was introduced, and of course plenty of other hazards have been blamed for the spike, such as cell phones.

Some research has linked aspartame to lymphoma, including a 2005 Italian study that showed that rats that consumed the equivalent of four to five bottles of diet soda a day had an increase in cancer. But studies carried out by the National Cancer Institute looked at hundreds of thousands of us humans and found no elevated risk, even among the heaviest users of aspartame.

That side of the debate rages on. But one of the more mysterious reported side effects is also among the most commonly mentioned: headaches. Migraine sufferers are sometimes known to steer clear of aspartame and other sweeteners, if only to be on the safe side. That is probably a good idea. While the evidence is not strong, there is certainly some scientific basis for their concerns.
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Answer to the riddle:
A coffin
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No feedback, as of yet in regards to the survey/challenge for "Paying it Forward".........still hoping and waiting...........
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Hugs

Life Lesson -406

3/25/08 Tuesday

I am going to stick my neck out and ask you to respond - ANONYMOUSLY-to a type of poll. It is really more like a survey with the purpose of challenging our minds, and then passing the information on to others.

Of course, you know that I received this idea from some where else. I just LOVE LEARNING FROM SOMETHING I AM READING, OR FROM SOMEONE ELSE'S STORY. In this case, I love the 'principle' of the Big Challenge, which Oprah and others have put together. Do I like everything about it? No. Would I do it differently? Yes. But then I ask......am I doing anything on this level. I believe that I do, but not nearly enough.

Remember how I have been praying for God to enhance my vision, and awareness of the needs of others. I feel so 'challenged' in my own daily living, just to keep my head above the water and challenge myself into getting my own life back, that I have trouble with what I love calling, "Paying It Forward". Yes, I watched the movie, "Pay It Forward". One critic said, "The plot was empty". Another commented: "Pay It Forward is a prime example of what films are supposed to do: make you laugh a little, cry a lot, and profoundly affect you in a way that keeps you thinking about the movie for weeks afterwards."

This is an example of what people, whom I question their true relationship to God, is doing right, and we are doing so little. Those of you, that might read this..........that are in full time Christian service........seem to have more opportunity to live out this principle. (I do believe even 'you' would have to examine whether you are living the true principle of giving back to God from the resources that He gives to you with a true "paying it forward" act.)

I watched the "Big Give" on Sunday night. I see a group, not identifying themselves as Christians doing something like this, and I believe I ask myself....are we, who profess to be Chrisitians making an impact on those that are needy.

My challenge to you is this: Write to me, and tell me as often as you can, about what you did lately, today, tomorrow, in the future.....to give to someone in need; tell me even of one that you tried to help but they refused. I will post each reply, and keep each response anonymous, even if you prefer to send me your response through email. I truly believe that 'WE ARE' doing some of this too, but no one is following us around with a camera, reporting it. You know: even when you "pay it forward" to family, it is worth reporting - I just believe that the pay it forward isn't quite the magnitude in that instance as when you are alerted to the need of a stranger, and you reach out your hand to help that person without need of anyone knowing about your deed.

Before I give you my stories, let me tell you about a couple of people I know that are living examples of this: (yes, their stories relate to giving to family; but I don't know many that would sacrifice on this level)

Let's call her "Joy"............her immediate responsibilities have always been great, round about her whole daily living reality. Her parents came to the place of needing 24 hour caregivers. She travels a very long distance, each week, to share in her responsibility as a daughter (along with other able sisters) to take her turn in caring for her ailing and needy parents. She could actually write a book on this subject. It is a very touching story.

I already mentioned my friend, Joanne. She is one of the most "aware of people's needs" person that I know. Of course, she loves her daughter as much as the rest of us do. The daughter is finally in the midst of her career just beginning to blossom. No, it is was not a financial crisis. No, it was not a matter of paying it forward, so to speak. But, it was that realization of this being one of those 'crutial' opportunities to do something for this daughter that I believe would be considered a possible 'defining' moment. The sacrifice that my friend and her husband made for their daughter, very few would have done. It was more a matter of traveling many hours just to be there for her; assisting her at a time where she is taking a big step into the next level of her life as a single woman; supporting her in a way that has little to do with money. My friend Joanne..........Wow! She could write 'such a book' if she was to put her giving experiences on paper.

Let me tell you two of my stories:

About a month ago, I was in a check-out line in a store. The young girl ahead of me was buying lots of embroidery thread, seemingly for a project. I think it was also on sale. She was shocked by the total which the clerk gave her. She gave the clerk her three dollar bills she had wrinkled up in her hand. She then dumped out all her change from her change purse. She was short. The clerk felt sorry for her, and told her that she had more than enough extra pennies that people didn't want from that day, and that it would make up for the balance. After the girl left, I asked the clerk what the 'extra' amounted to, thinking it was at least about a dollar or so. I had my money out to pay for the extra. She said it was only $.03, and wouldn't accept the money from me. Not a perfect example of what this is all about, but it felt so good to have witnessed the need; to have wanted to 'give', even though it would not have been 'big'.........to help someone else. I felt so badly.......REAL BADLY..........that I didn't step in, and offer, way earlier; before the young girl had to feel the weight of one moment of worrying what she was going to do. But in this case, I waited as one should to access the situation. Was this a true needy person? Did they have a credit card to cover the rest? When I finally realized the situation, for real.......and the girl had to walk away feeling embarrassed, the clerk had taken care of it. Again, I was thinking that that amount amounted to more than $.03. Not a "pay it forward" situation, but in line with the right idea.

We were in a situation where we were with a group of people, and we were all having to eat out together. I knew that someone with us was struggling financially, and their meal would have cost quite a bit. I slipped them some money to help defray their cost. I always have to work past the fear of the emotions which my giving will 'cause' at a time like that. Embarrassment, difficulty with accepting for all kinds of reasons. Yes, there are better ways to go about this, if you have the liberty to have a plan that will be not so obvious to the person. I am better with spur of the moment, or things seem to get in the way of follow-through. In fact, I didn't have to do a lot of coaxing in this situation. Therefore, the concern on their face may have been quite real.

I was talking to someone that is having a problem. They are struggling financially right now. This person told me of a book that they hoped to be able to get very soon to help them with what they are going through. They gave just two words that would be in the title of the book. After talking to this person, I researched book titles and came up with the book they were referring to. I ordered the book and had it mailed to them. It has been very, very helpful to them upon reading it.

Now..............your turn to tell me your stories.

Remember, you can comment under anonymous to this blog at the end. If you send me an email to: abcds@ptd.net I will not share your name when I share your story.

Let me share the one from the "Big Give" that meant the most to me. Of course, these people were given $100,000.00 to spend in 24 hours. The young man went to a car repair shop and said that he wanted to pay for all outstanding bills they had. The mechanic was shocked, said that that would mean $9,000+. The 'giver' told him that he would pay $8,000 of that, and the mechanic replied, "Most of these people have these balances, and haven't been able to pick up their car, because they don't have the money to pay the bills?" They showed the recording of just one of those people coming to pick up their car. We could only assume that they were father and son. They were blown away by the generosity; but the VERY BEST thing about it all was the little boys response. He just kept saying thank you, over and over again, as if he carried such a burden for the fact that they needed their car, and now they could have it back.

Dear ones: I do know that you and I don't have that kind of money or resources. But.....GOD GIVES US SOOOO MUCH. It is not just money that we have to give.

God, please give us the magnification vision, the sensitivity, the awareness of those that we come in contact with that are in need. Of all people, we should be out there touching people's lives in this way. Why? Because it is what "YOU" were all about when you walked this earth.

Amen and Amen
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