And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much! Luke 6:33 (NLT)
On my way to work this morning, I was listening to our local Christian Radio Station, which really isn't all that local, but you know what I mean. One of the DJ's told a story about God nudging her to do something that she really did not want to do, but she followed God's push anyway.
It snowed yesterday and the DJ decided that she and her boys should go out and shovel driveways in their subdivision. Out they went. They had finished almost every house around but that one house, driveway untouched, she was trying to avoid. You see, the DJ is black. The woman that lived in this particular house had made it very clear that she did not care for her or her family and had even used the "N" word before in reference to them. The DJ did NOT want to shovel that driveway. But God did.
So she gathered her boys and headed to that house. She rang the door bell several times with no answer. She was about to give up, when the door swung up and that woman appeared. The DJ told the woman what she and her boys intended to do and headed out to clear the snow. When they had finished, the woman met them in the driveway and broke down crying.
Awesome.
Next time you feel that nudge, God knows what he is doing...even if you don't.
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Monday, February 3, 2014
"About 20 minutes"
Last week I had another cooking fiasco that supports my theory that although, for many, a woman's place is in the kitchen, I fit into the better-in-the-barn category.
I'm back on the Weight Watcher's wagon (it is a new year, you know), and I was perusing the recipes on their website. I stumbled upon a roasted sirloin beef that had great reviews and looked fairly simple. My family loves meat, it's a healthy meal...it's a win-win situation. Yes.
I found the perfect sirloin and made sure I had everything to prepare the meat before I left for my weekly Weight Watcher's meeting. I read over the recipe at least three times and knew I could attend the meeting, come home, prepare the beef and not starve to death in the process. It was a quick fix, the recipe said 20 minutes in the oven. Sweet. My family would love me - they love beef!
So I do just that. I attend the meeting, come home and get right to work rubbing down the sirloin. I put it in the oven and start some vegetables in the microwave because it will be quick. (Yes, I happen to love the frozen veggies that you can just throw in the microwave.)
Meanwhile, my family is quizzing me on supper, wanting to snack on anything and everything, and I'm trying to maintain my composure because I, too, am ready to gnaw a finger off. Weigh-in/Meeting night is particularly rough because you try to be so good until you weigh in.
Hang on, I said, it will just be about 20 minutes.
Here is the key sentence in this recipe: "Roast until a thermometer inserted in center of beef reads a minimum of 145ºF, about 20 minutes." This is the sentence I was fixated on and had complete and total faith in. I read and reread this sentence several times over the course of the next 90 minutes wondering what happened to the "about 20 minutes" aspect.
I was even more puzzled by the comments in the review section that suggested not cooking it quite as long as called for because the meat was tough. Again, I kept thinking, less than 20 minutes cooking time for a 2.5 lb beef roast? Hmm, but I checked and double-checked and that is what it said. So we waited.
This is where a very average cook like myself has trouble. I know just enough to be dangerous and not enough to realize there is no way, this side of heaven, I can cook a 2.5 lb beef roast for 20 minutes in the oven and it be fit to eat.
I had to wrangle Jay in and get his opinion. He couldn't see how it could possibly be done in 20 minutes either. We got the roast out, stuck the meat thermometer in, returned it to the oven and waited. Again, more analyzing of the recipe took place, and finally it dawned on me that "about 20 minutes" pertained to how long the stupid meat thermometer was supposed to read 145 degrees! Because there were no other references to time, I just assumed that "about 20 minutes" was it.
There are those moments you look back on and realize, duh, I'm such an idiot. How could I possibly believe I could cook a 2.5 lb sirloin in 20 minutes? (I think Grandma Great would find this humorous.)
After at least 90 minutes, we sliced up the medium-rare sirloin roast, warmed up the almost-back-to-frozen vegetables and ate our supper. Fortunately, my family likes rare meat. If it were not so, it might have been midnight before we were ready to dine.
Someone, anyone, open a local restaurant where you can order complete take-home meals at a decent price...and I will be there in about 20 minutes.
I'm back on the Weight Watcher's wagon (it is a new year, you know), and I was perusing the recipes on their website. I stumbled upon a roasted sirloin beef that had great reviews and looked fairly simple. My family loves meat, it's a healthy meal...it's a win-win situation. Yes.
I found the perfect sirloin and made sure I had everything to prepare the meat before I left for my weekly Weight Watcher's meeting. I read over the recipe at least three times and knew I could attend the meeting, come home, prepare the beef and not starve to death in the process. It was a quick fix, the recipe said 20 minutes in the oven. Sweet. My family would love me - they love beef!
So I do just that. I attend the meeting, come home and get right to work rubbing down the sirloin. I put it in the oven and start some vegetables in the microwave because it will be quick. (Yes, I happen to love the frozen veggies that you can just throw in the microwave.)
Meanwhile, my family is quizzing me on supper, wanting to snack on anything and everything, and I'm trying to maintain my composure because I, too, am ready to gnaw a finger off. Weigh-in/Meeting night is particularly rough because you try to be so good until you weigh in.
Hang on, I said, it will just be about 20 minutes.
Here is the key sentence in this recipe: "Roast until a thermometer inserted in center of beef reads a minimum of 145ºF, about 20 minutes." This is the sentence I was fixated on and had complete and total faith in. I read and reread this sentence several times over the course of the next 90 minutes wondering what happened to the "about 20 minutes" aspect.
I was even more puzzled by the comments in the review section that suggested not cooking it quite as long as called for because the meat was tough. Again, I kept thinking, less than 20 minutes cooking time for a 2.5 lb beef roast? Hmm, but I checked and double-checked and that is what it said. So we waited.
This is where a very average cook like myself has trouble. I know just enough to be dangerous and not enough to realize there is no way, this side of heaven, I can cook a 2.5 lb beef roast for 20 minutes in the oven and it be fit to eat.
I had to wrangle Jay in and get his opinion. He couldn't see how it could possibly be done in 20 minutes either. We got the roast out, stuck the meat thermometer in, returned it to the oven and waited. Again, more analyzing of the recipe took place, and finally it dawned on me that "about 20 minutes" pertained to how long the stupid meat thermometer was supposed to read 145 degrees! Because there were no other references to time, I just assumed that "about 20 minutes" was it.
There are those moments you look back on and realize, duh, I'm such an idiot. How could I possibly believe I could cook a 2.5 lb sirloin in 20 minutes? (I think Grandma Great would find this humorous.)
After at least 90 minutes, we sliced up the medium-rare sirloin roast, warmed up the almost-back-to-frozen vegetables and ate our supper. Fortunately, my family likes rare meat. If it were not so, it might have been midnight before we were ready to dine.
Someone, anyone, open a local restaurant where you can order complete take-home meals at a decent price...and I will be there in about 20 minutes.
Thursday, January 23, 2014
It's possible...
I don't believe I ever thought I would say this, but I would love to have a little "cabin fever" right now. I keep seeing these knitting posts about projects to knit to cure cabin fever, etc. And I laugh. Oh, how I wish I could do nothing but knit. It's possible that sometimes I do...
I say that as if I don't already put everything on the back burner to knit. It is quite possible that my son complaining about not having any socks is what forces me to do a load of laundry. It is possible that suppertime will come and go and it hits me that my children haven't eaten real food. (Hypothetically speaking, of course.)
My daughter has now banned me from knitting at her volleyball games. What?! I have been taking it to the basketball games and it helps me focus on something other than the game so much...and this habit I have of yelling like a cheerleader. It doesn't necessarily cure the whole problem, but I think it helps.
Have you been to a volleyball game? Do you know how long the warm-up takes?! It's about a half hour in between games. That is 30 minutes that I could be knitting. She says it embarrasses her. Hmm. Last year I took my Nookbook and read. I guess I really don't see what the difference is. I told her I would honor her request at volleyball games this year...but I did take a hat to the basketball game last Saturday and I did accomplish quite a bit...while yelling just a little. One of our youth kids yelled down at me that I needed to pay attention to the game and quit knitting. Obviously he wasn't paying attention because I had been yelling 'words of encouragement' on every possession...and even in between. Yes, it's possible to knit and watch a ball game.
It's possible that I have a small obsession with yarn and patterns. Thankfully, I have a better half that isn't about to say anything about that little obsession (right?)...at least until it gets way out of hand...and we aren't even close to that level...yet. The kids are old enough to gather nuts and berries. Socks can be worn two+ days maybe. And my daughter won't really die of embarrassment if I'm in the bleachers knitting.
Hey, if the ship goes down, I can always sell hats, cowls, scarves and ear warmers. It's possible I will have plenty.
I say that as if I don't already put everything on the back burner to knit. It is quite possible that my son complaining about not having any socks is what forces me to do a load of laundry. It is possible that suppertime will come and go and it hits me that my children haven't eaten real food. (Hypothetically speaking, of course.)
My daughter has now banned me from knitting at her volleyball games. What?! I have been taking it to the basketball games and it helps me focus on something other than the game so much...and this habit I have of yelling like a cheerleader. It doesn't necessarily cure the whole problem, but I think it helps.
Have you been to a volleyball game? Do you know how long the warm-up takes?! It's about a half hour in between games. That is 30 minutes that I could be knitting. She says it embarrasses her. Hmm. Last year I took my Nookbook and read. I guess I really don't see what the difference is. I told her I would honor her request at volleyball games this year...but I did take a hat to the basketball game last Saturday and I did accomplish quite a bit...while yelling just a little. One of our youth kids yelled down at me that I needed to pay attention to the game and quit knitting. Obviously he wasn't paying attention because I had been yelling 'words of encouragement' on every possession...and even in between. Yes, it's possible to knit and watch a ball game.
It's possible that I have a small obsession with yarn and patterns. Thankfully, I have a better half that isn't about to say anything about that little obsession (right?)...at least until it gets way out of hand...and we aren't even close to that level...yet. The kids are old enough to gather nuts and berries. Socks can be worn two+ days maybe. And my daughter won't really die of embarrassment if I'm in the bleachers knitting.
Hey, if the ship goes down, I can always sell hats, cowls, scarves and ear warmers. It's possible I will have plenty.
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Driver Distractions
This subject matter has been on my mind a lot lately because of a new law - driving distractions. I have decided that many things cause distractions, it's just that some are more noticeable than others. Personally, I'm annoyed by the new law regarding cell phone use while driving. What is next?
For instance, my daughter is always wanting to drive, and I am always telling her that even though she may believe she is a good driver (little too soon to tell), how would she be in an emergency situation? For instance, she hates spiders. They completely freak her out. What if a spider were to drop down in her lap, what would she do if she were behind the wheel of a car? Hmm. This has happened to me a couple times, and although I am not super scared of spiders, I certainly don't like them and usually have some sort of knee-jerk reaction to having appear one in my lap.
Will spiders in cars be outlawed soon?
If you're like many folks these days, you may feel like you're on the go constantly. I know we eat way too much on-the-go, but sometimes it is the only option if we're out and about. Have you eaten a taco while driving? I have many, many times. Syd's tacos are the worst to eat in the car because they're so greasy (but oh, so good). I cannot tell you how many times I have dropped the back end of a taco in my lap. Should I eat a delicious, greasy Syd's taco while driving down the road? No, probably not, but I must admit I do.
Will eating in cars be against the law next?
Who hasn't been driving down the road with their infant or toddler in the back seat strapped in...and they drop their pacifier, bottle, toy, etc? I will say I have reached back into the backseat many times to grab something off the floorboard or hand my kids something, only to look back up and realize I have veered off the road. It is not a good idea, no argument there.
Will they outlaw children in cars while their mothers are driving?
There are so many scenarios that I could come up with that distract me while I'm driving. Just this morning, driving to work in wintry conditions, I was plugging along following the car in front of me, not having a bit of trouble...and I started daydreaming and went off the road a little bit...and I do mean just a little bit, just enough that my car made that funny sound. I even laughed to myself because I wasn't texting, talking on the phone, reaching down to grab my fallen phone, picking my nose, getting chap stick out of my purse, putting on make-up or eating a taco. I simply zoned out.
Will they make daydreaming while driving illegal in the near future?
I recently traded vehicles and now have this touch screen in my dash to control everything. I'm somewhat comfortable with that screen and how to navigate around it now, but at the beginning, just trying to turn on my defrost could have caused me to crash. There are some factory-set safety features that keep me from getting too carried away on that touch-screen, but seriously, as much as I love being able to check the weather map or search for the best fuel prices as I'm tooling down the road, it is very distracting.
How is talking on a cell phone more dangerous than that?
I get not texting while driving. I'm not saying I have never been guilty of this, but I understand the distraction it causes entirely. Do I think teenagers are capable of texting and driving down the road at the same time? No, and adults aren't either. It is dangerous. No question. End of story. I'm not advocating for texting and driving to be legal.
Lawmakers have decided that at sixteen years old, you are capable and responsible enough to have a driver's license. Are we preparing our kids for that responsibility or are we going to rely on traffic laws to handle it?
I'm not suggesting driving laws are not necessary. What I am suggesting is that at some point you have to use common sense and take responsibility for your actions. Dangerous actions often lead to serious and even deadly results. And there are not enough laws in the land to cover every scenario that might cause an accident. We must teach kids common sense and responsibility...and better yet, use it ourselves.
Okay, I'll step off my soap box now...
For instance, my daughter is always wanting to drive, and I am always telling her that even though she may believe she is a good driver (little too soon to tell), how would she be in an emergency situation? For instance, she hates spiders. They completely freak her out. What if a spider were to drop down in her lap, what would she do if she were behind the wheel of a car? Hmm. This has happened to me a couple times, and although I am not super scared of spiders, I certainly don't like them and usually have some sort of knee-jerk reaction to having appear one in my lap.
Will spiders in cars be outlawed soon?
If you're like many folks these days, you may feel like you're on the go constantly. I know we eat way too much on-the-go, but sometimes it is the only option if we're out and about. Have you eaten a taco while driving? I have many, many times. Syd's tacos are the worst to eat in the car because they're so greasy (but oh, so good). I cannot tell you how many times I have dropped the back end of a taco in my lap. Should I eat a delicious, greasy Syd's taco while driving down the road? No, probably not, but I must admit I do.
Will eating in cars be against the law next?
Who hasn't been driving down the road with their infant or toddler in the back seat strapped in...and they drop their pacifier, bottle, toy, etc? I will say I have reached back into the backseat many times to grab something off the floorboard or hand my kids something, only to look back up and realize I have veered off the road. It is not a good idea, no argument there.
Will they outlaw children in cars while their mothers are driving?
There are so many scenarios that I could come up with that distract me while I'm driving. Just this morning, driving to work in wintry conditions, I was plugging along following the car in front of me, not having a bit of trouble...and I started daydreaming and went off the road a little bit...and I do mean just a little bit, just enough that my car made that funny sound. I even laughed to myself because I wasn't texting, talking on the phone, reaching down to grab my fallen phone, picking my nose, getting chap stick out of my purse, putting on make-up or eating a taco. I simply zoned out.
Will they make daydreaming while driving illegal in the near future?
I recently traded vehicles and now have this touch screen in my dash to control everything. I'm somewhat comfortable with that screen and how to navigate around it now, but at the beginning, just trying to turn on my defrost could have caused me to crash. There are some factory-set safety features that keep me from getting too carried away on that touch-screen, but seriously, as much as I love being able to check the weather map or search for the best fuel prices as I'm tooling down the road, it is very distracting.
How is talking on a cell phone more dangerous than that?
I get not texting while driving. I'm not saying I have never been guilty of this, but I understand the distraction it causes entirely. Do I think teenagers are capable of texting and driving down the road at the same time? No, and adults aren't either. It is dangerous. No question. End of story. I'm not advocating for texting and driving to be legal.
Lawmakers have decided that at sixteen years old, you are capable and responsible enough to have a driver's license. Are we preparing our kids for that responsibility or are we going to rely on traffic laws to handle it?
I'm not suggesting driving laws are not necessary. What I am suggesting is that at some point you have to use common sense and take responsibility for your actions. Dangerous actions often lead to serious and even deadly results. And there are not enough laws in the land to cover every scenario that might cause an accident. We must teach kids common sense and responsibility...and better yet, use it ourselves.
Okay, I'll step off my soap box now...
Thursday, January 16, 2014
So long, Doll
 |
| Doll immediately after her exciting win in Michigan 2011 |
It's been fun, Divinity Doll, but we are happy you have found a new home with companionship and devoted horse lovers.
The Wilhoit Ranch is now a horse-free environment. We have lots of horse-associated items, but there are no longer any live horses on the farm. It's bittersweet. I enjoyed having horses, but I'm not a horseman, and since those that were are not now...it's pointless. Doll was lonely and had recently been kicked out of the warm, cozy barn (stupid pigs) so that pigs could farrow this month (poor thang).
We had made previous attempts to find Doll a good home with no avail until now. It was divine intervention, you know. Our friend "Karie" mentioned how well one of their retired thoroughbred horses was doing as a 'jumper' at a home near St. Louis and it clicked. Hey, wonder if they would want Doll baby? And they did!
Jay took her to Effingham last night and everything from the moment he pulled into the parking lot to meet the new owners was perfect. The new owners have the EXACT same horse trailer we do, right down to the very color and brand. And already this morning the new owner has texted Jay and told him that Doll and our friend's horse have been playing and are inseparable. That warms my heart. I'm so glad to know she is enjoying herself. They plan to put a saddle on her this weekend for their first ride. Awesome.
Maybe we'll hear about her winning some competitions soon like her companion horse. He is doing great as a jumper. Regardless, she was a good horse for us and we're so happy she's in a good place.
This morning as we were leaving the house for school/work, I looked over at the pasture to mouth "Bye, Doll baby" and realized she was not there. That could take some getting used to.
Thursday, January 9, 2014
A sigh - a sign?
The Merriam-Webster dictionary gives the following as the definition of the verb, sigh:
: to take in and let out a long, loud breath in a way that shows you are bored, disappointed, relieved, etc.
: to make a sound like sighing
: to take in and let out a long, loud breath in a way that shows you are bored, disappointed, relieved, etc.
: to make a sound like sighing
: to say (something) with a sigh
I would say that I am not a sigher (my made-up word for this post). I feel confident about that statement because I am around at least three people who sigh...a lot. I know for certain I do not sigh as much as some people, if indeed I do sigh.
I guess I have never really noticed people who sigh until recently...thanks to the three sighers of whom I speak.
I won't throw out any names, you can try and guess them on your own, but I will start off with Sigher #1. This person sighs a lot, sighs loudly, and almost growls as the sigh is expelled. Many times I want to holler out, "Is there something I can help you with?" because I am assuming that the sigh is a sign that there is a problem...and perhaps this person wants my assistance?? Most likely it is frustration with whatever #1 is doing, but honestly, if #1 doesn't want my help, then stop with the incessant sighing...
Moving onto Sigher #2 . #2 doesn't necessarily sigh a lot, but when he or she does sigh, it is loud enough for all the world to hear, and again, I can't help but wonder if that is intended for my ears and/or if it is a cry for help. Other times, I feel like it's my sign that #2 is having difficulties, doesn't really want my help, but wants to make certain I realize things are not going smoothly...as if to one-up me.
And finally, Sigher #3. #3 is just at that stage in life (I'm hoping) where everything is just one big sigh. I'm not even sure if #3 realizes how much they sigh. It's almost as if it has become an unconscious habit or something. If you just stop and wait for #3 to sigh, it is comical how many times you will hear it. And once again, do I offer some assistance? No, because I don't know anything of importance, I cannot possibly understand their situation, and frankly, I think it boils down to #3's age and stage in life. We can only hope...*sigh*
I have decided that even the Precious Hank the Tank II has picked up on the sighing...
It is funny how much I have tuned into the sighing during the last couple of weeks...perhaps because I have heard it consistently from all three sighers...or maybe I just have really good hearing. *sigh*
Friday, January 3, 2014
Weather Forecastin' Family right here.
As luck would have it, a winter storm warning/advisory/watch of historical proportions is predicted over the weekend and early part of next week for the Midwest. Six weeks ago when Jay had been working for what seemed like an eternity, I made reservations to the French Lick Water Park/Resort for the family (three other families are going also) for this very weekend.
Jay says not everything is about me. I realize this (or at least I'm trying to). But I really am starting to wonder if my/our purpose in life is to predict nasty weather. It seems we cannot go anywhere outside of Clark County (and many times at our local state park in county) without being blessed with unpleasant weather. It appears as if it follows us where 'ere we go...you know what I'm saying.
It is January, and the heart of the winter season, but still. There are like, what, 15 weekends during winter...this weekend is just ONE of them. Last March we went to Branson with the 4-H Horse Club and drove home in some of the worst winter weather I've ever been out in. It was frightening at times.
Just this morning, Madolyn and I were talking about that treacherous drive home, how scary/stupid it was, etc. And guess what? We are heading east tomorrow as soon as volleyball practice is over. Yee-Haw.
My advice to you - go in the exact opposite direction of where the Wilhoit's plan on being. And go to Wal-Mart before the weather advisory hits the airwaves...Stay safe and warm, friends!!
Jay says not everything is about me. I realize this (or at least I'm trying to). But I really am starting to wonder if my/our purpose in life is to predict nasty weather. It seems we cannot go anywhere outside of Clark County (and many times at our local state park in county) without being blessed with unpleasant weather. It appears as if it follows us where 'ere we go...you know what I'm saying.
It is January, and the heart of the winter season, but still. There are like, what, 15 weekends during winter...this weekend is just ONE of them. Last March we went to Branson with the 4-H Horse Club and drove home in some of the worst winter weather I've ever been out in. It was frightening at times.
Just this morning, Madolyn and I were talking about that treacherous drive home, how scary/stupid it was, etc. And guess what? We are heading east tomorrow as soon as volleyball practice is over. Yee-Haw.
My advice to you - go in the exact opposite direction of where the Wilhoit's plan on being. And go to Wal-Mart before the weather advisory hits the airwaves...Stay safe and warm, friends!!
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