Well, I think I am insane. You can confirm it at the end of November. I am committing myself to blog every day during November.
I am not going to do a theme, but keep it varied like I do normally. I promise to post something, anything, the next 30 days. So…hang on…here we go!
If you want more information about all of the blogs entering this great blogging party click here:
NaBloPoMo 2012 (blogging party)
And, this counts as Day 1.
Blessings (always),
Jerry Ann
Homecoming 2012
Well, we all grow up, eh?
Stephen. Almost 16. Homecoming 2012.
And with his date – far right -(Christina) and friends.
Life is about having fun, right?
Love this photo.
Blessings,
Jerry Ann
P.S. I don’t like looking at how old my children are getting
…means that I am getting older as well. Pooh.
Clutter!
Okay, blogger universe. I have a question, actually several.
Background: Both of my parents have passed away, only child. I have all of their stuff, keepsakes etc. I also have lots of furniture (rockers, clocks, trunks) that I am not discarding.
I need to start going through photographs, under the bed tubs (4) full of them. I am not sure what to do with them. I can scrapbook some of them, but do I toss the rest? Scan them all? I don’t think some of the general black and white photos that have no one recognizable should be kept?
I want to keep some of things…but deciding on what keepsakes to keep.
I need to start…so one day I will be finished. ugh.
So, how do you deal with keepsakes (of parents), and just in general how do you sort your stuff?
Blessings,
Jerry Ann
Progress…
Progress…I believe that I have acquired some recently.
Progress in thought that I have adjusted to the new routine of not working daily. Well, sort of.
I had the privilege of meeting my hubby in London in September. Wonderful. We haven’t seen one another for about 4 months. So it was a good break from his work in Bagram Air Base (Afghanistan), and for me to confirm the decisions that we have been making.
David and I at the Tower of London
Yes, we did all of the tourist stuff, and many museums. David is a geek of sorts, and loves armor and history. I love the Queen, and everything about the Monarchy. So we compromised and got to see what we both wanted to see around the city of London. We didn’t really travel out of the city. We took our time each day and discovered things that we would not have gone to if serendipity hadn’t occurred. Walking everywhere in London wasn’t easy, but it was fun to do especially with David.
But most of all, I really enjoyed just spending time with my best friend. Talking about our past, present and future. We enjoyed the time with one another. David is now back in Bagram (prayers always appreciated), and I am back home with the kids and their schedules. It was really good to be connected with him again. I think both of us were a bit lost without the other for a while.
The camera ad above is my new camera (got it for my birthday)…and yes, we took lots of pictures in London. By lots, I mean 1928. Yes, that number is correct. My dear hubby took most of them, and the majority of them are pictures of items in museums (like game pieces that the Romans had played). I did tell you he was a geek right? I do love him, so very much. It is taking forever for me to sort through them though. ha. Such is life, right?
On another note, my IV therapy’s have been going very well, (I do them once a month for about two hours) and I believe that I am doing better with the day to day of living with Lupus. The daily stress is gone from work although I truly miss the daily activities of the church.
I am changing my habits to healthier ones with my diet. I am trying to be PRODUCTIVE. My Mom was German, and stated that “We must be productive!” every day. ha. I do try, really I do. Sometimes I have convinced myself that I have been productive if I am up and showered. And depending on my fatigue level, that is good enough for me. Our family goes by the Spoon Theory with my health, if you are unaware, please click on this link. http://www.butyoudontlooksick.com/articles/written-by-christine/the-spoon-theory/
Christine does a wonderful job explaining hidden illness and how we deal with it on a daily basis.
So, progress. I just wanted to update all of you. Life is good, today is better than yesterday.
Have a great week.
Blessings,
Jerry Ann
A to Z Meme…with LPM Blog (Beth Moore’s Blog)
Hey! I saw a cute idea on Beth Moore’s blog (Living Proof Ministries).
Please feel free to comment with your answer to a letter or link up your own blog entry!
A. Age: 46…proud of every day.
B. Bed size: A King.
C. Chore that you hate: Dusting…the minute I am done, I need to do it again.
D. Dogs: Dexter – Rat Terrier; also Cat: Abigail.
E. Essential start to your day: Coffee. 
F. Favorite color: PINK!
G. Gold or Silver: Both are beautiful, and I don’t think I would turn down either
H. Height: 5′ 3″ and round
I. Instruments you play: I don’t, can’t sing either, but I do.
J. Job title: Administrative Assistant, Director of Preschool & Children, NOW: Homemaker, Wife, Mother.
K. Kids: Carmen, daughter -19; Stephen, son – 15
L. Live: Florida
M. Mother’s name: Lore, so wish she was still with me.
N. Nicknames: Cookie, from elementary school friend Mom. Hand always in her cookie jar. It stuck. 
O. Overnight hospital stays: Just to bring two babies into the world… well worth the stay.
P. Pet peeves: Wal-Marts —NO it is Wal-Mart!!!!! And, people that never see the good or bright side of things.
Q. Quote from a movie: “A dream is a wish your heart makes” – Cinderella
R. Right or left handed: Right-handed
R. Right or left handed: Right-handed
S. Siblings: Older sister (Carmen) deceased.
T. Time it takes you to get ready: Probably about 50 minutes. I always shower in the morning, the hair must start the day out clean, and fluffy (I am a Southern girl from the 1980’s by the way).
U. Ultimate Vacation: anywhere with my family.
V. Vegetable you hate: Fennel, not a fan – don’t hate.
W. What makes you run late: The snooze button.
X. X-Rays you’ve had: Lots…. Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, so knees, shoulders, hips, ankles, wrists, fingers.
Y. Yummy food that you make: Sauerkraut, my Mom’s recipe, or Nutella Marble Pound Cake both are comfort food.
Z. Zoo animal: Giraffe. Their chins are always up. (plus it is a inside family joke, and whenever we try to explain to anyone, they don’t get it. so)
Pick a letter, and leave it my comment section. I would love to see them!!
Thoughts
I know that I should be more specific, but eh, that wouldn’t be me. A reminder that I ramble, or forget where I am going (unless it is a recipe – but then I forget the items to put in it), or turn right three times and still get lost. So hang in there…
Today’s calendar thought:
“You can’t get anywhere today if you are still mired down in yesterday.” – unknown.
I went to bi-monthly Mom’s group today. One that I last attended regularly in the Summer of 2000. Yep, 12 years ago. I know that my children are almost done growing (youngest is a 15 year old boy, and oldest 19 year old girl at college), and that I may not have much to offer or gain. But I did today. I did one of the hardest things in a long while for me to do, and that was admit that I have been feeling lost.
The Lord has been working on my ego, and pride much to my dismay. Ah, why can’t I just learn a lesson and be done? Why can’t any of us read what scripture tells us, and do it. Simple. Right?
Proverbs 16:18 (MSG) First pride, then the crash—the bigger the ego, the harder the fall.
Lost in my past routines, daily frustrations that they were, my routine. Although, I felt called to be doing what I did…my pride now…is showing nothing. I am not working… I am at home… Without a routine. Structure is to be my gain. Learning from the past, letting go of my past pride and ego.
Lost in the securities of knowing what the day held. Lost. I let go this morning of that feeling just by sharing in Christian Fellowship. I know that hindsight is 20/20. I know that I am secure in His plans for me. Just need to seek Him.
I know that I am home for my health, to have less stress. I know that I am home to help my hungry all the time 15 year old son. He is struggling now with school, and we are on the path to help guide him. But this is a path that I am unsure of…one with a routine I have never experienced before. Not sure of my steps in this path. How am I to guide when I have no clue where we are going?
Connections. We are to be with other Christians to support, help, remind ourselves that we don’t do anything alone. I will attend that Mom’s group again, Lord willing. I will try to listen, and be there for someone else, like those precious women were there for me today.
He guides our ways. He holds us close.
Focusing on Him, today and tomorrow with a new routine.
Philippians 4:13 (NIV) I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Blessings,
Jerry Ann
Venting…
Venting, yes I need to vent.
Last night I went to bed propped up on pillows with vapor rub on my chest to ward of the beginnings of a cold. I slept well. I hoping to sleep in (for me that is around 10:00a.m.), but no. Not for me, and most certainly not today.
At 6:02 a.m. this morning a chirping beep begins. Yes, the smoke detectors are beginning their song and dance. After thinking I could sleep through it, (not) I got up to figure out which one of (I have no clue how many of) them are chirping.
It is now 6:30 a.m. and I have found the one (so I thought) that was going bad. I found a new 9 volt battery, and somewhere found a step stool to climb up on. I replaced the battery, only to discover another chirp.
And, so it goes, until I have used all of the new batteries (which I have 9 new ones), for 10 smoke detectors. Yes, one battery short. I thought for a bit and decided that one could not get a new one, but no, it keeps chirping.
Note: hubby is still in Afghanistan.
I do not wake up pretty. Hair goes in, at least, six different directions. My nose (vapor rub didn’t work) is stuffy and runny. Ugh. After I shower, and get ready for the really early day (especially for me) it begins to rain. Yes, rain. (insert laughter)
Okay Lord, I hear you. Umbrella in hand, off to Wal-Mart. Of course, I don’t just purchase 9 volt batteries (enough for the end of times), but milk, creamer, bread, (they had a sale on beef jerky), etc. So, $170 later…
I arrive home to be greeted by our rat terrier (Dexter) who is not happy that I left him alone with these annoying birds. After I bring the twelve bags of groceries, and put away the cold stuff, I venture off to locate the smoke detector that was missing a battery. I insert said battery into the detector, and press the reset button…and another one goes off…chirping.
After much thought (once again – NOT), I replace all of the units with new batteries.
No more chirping. Thank you God. Dexter is now napping, and I am thinking I will join him.
Happy Labor Day!!!
Blessings -always.
Jerry Ann
Crock Pot Corned Beef Brisket
Corned Beef.
Sometimes I serve it with noodles, and sometimes potatoes, but I always cook it in the crock pot.
Turns out perfect every time. This is one of our go to recipes around here. Perfect for a work day, or on a weekend.
2 to 3 yellow onions thick sliced, and a rib of celery, cleaned and placed on the bottom of the crock pot.
I get the Flat Cut Corned Beef Brisket that has the season packet (makes life a little bit easier).
Place beef fatty side up, and sprinkle the seasoning on top.
Fill the bottom portion with water (to the bottom of the beef).
This time I added fingerling potatoes.
Then top it off with carrots.
I rough chopped a head of cabbage, and added season salt in a skillet.
Saute with butter until most of the cabbage is cooked through.
The beef cooks on high for about 8 hours. Vegetables are tender, and very flavorful.
Perfect every time.
Enjoy!
Moved My Cheese.
So, last week I moved my cheese.
I quit my job. I have worked there for 12 years, doing a variety of things. It is different not having to go in on a Monday morning. It is different not dreading Monday.
Yesterday was the first time in a very long time I sat in my church just as a church member.
God has placed the right people in place for me to let go. Let go. If any of you know me, you know how very difficult that truly is. Letting go for me has never been easy. This was different. God let this go. He is letting me relax in this guided path.
I will still be there as a consultant when they need me. If they need me.
But this week, new habits, new routines, new beginnings.
Blessings,
Jerry Ann
Bucket List
Yes, a bucket list. Things that I would like to do or accomplish. Not in any order, and I may change my mind tomorrow.
1. Get a good camera – done (early birthday)
2. Travel to Australia
3. Travel to Japan
4. Travel to Scotland/Ireland (they are nothing alike, but are listed together. I am not sure why.)
5. Spend a week in New York –see a Broadway play a day.
6. Jump out of an air plane (preferably when I want to, not need to.)
7. Ride in a Hot Air Balloon.
8. Dance on Broadway (was an original dream of mine at 17.)
9. Make a quilt (like my grandmothers.)
10. Learn to speak German – really!
11. Learn to speak Japanese
12. Open a restaurant.
13. Open a store (scrap?)
14. Write a cookbook
15. Walk on the Great Wall of China.
16. See Paris again with my love.
17. See London again with my love.
18. Conquer Algebra.
19. Eat at a Gordon Ramsay restaurant.
20. Eat at Morimotto’s sushi restaurant (prefer the one in Japan.)
21. See U2 live in concert (front row preferred.)
22. See Motley Crue in concert (I tried in 1987), and now finally done!
23. See Poison in concert. – done
24. Meet Bret Michaels – done
25. Run a 5k.
26. Live at Disney World.
27. Be the Fairy God Mother at Disney World.
28. Grow a vegetable garden.
29. Write a book.
30. Be a mentor.
31. Refurbish a piece of furniture.
32. Color my hair (or parts of it) pink.
33. Be a size 12 again.
34. Organize my scrap/craft area.
35. Take a trip around the world.
36. Be a tour guide.
37. Sew a dress.
38. Crochet a blanket.
39. Learn to knit.
40. Meet the Queen of England.
41. Meet Nathan Fillion.
42. Speak in front of a group of people without freaking out.
43. Learn how to can vegetables.
44. Learn how to make jam or fruit preserves.
45. Be a friend to my children.
46. Get a Bachelors degree.
47. Learn more than 6 words in sign language.
48. Live in Germany.
49. Own a Corvette.
50. Own a BMW or Mercedes.
51. Go to a Dallas Cowboys Football game.
52. Attend an Olympic event.
I have had thirty of these for over 20 plus years. Ugh. Trying to get some of these marked off this year, but I keep adding to the list.
Do you have a bucket list? Does it always change (update)? Do you place things on your list that you know you will accomplish? Are they obtainable? Or all fantasy?
Blessings,
Jerry Ann
mommajerryanns.com 