Lots to do...

It seems that the more we accomplish the more we have to do this time of year! I hope that I'm not the only one who feels this way... But it seems as though every time I turn around there's something else to do that needs added to our list. Every evening we have such a long to-do list. Oh what I wouldn't give to just relax. But the holidays will once again be over soon & we will be entering into the new year... So we need to take the time to remember what this season is all about & remember to take the time to enjoy the time that we get with our families. There's so many things in this world that cause grief & pain that remembering the good is necessary... Keep God in this season. Keep your focus on how Jesus is the reason for the season...

Lots more cooking.... 29 While 29

Okay - I know it has been a while since I have posted anything on here, but even though I haven't posted anything, doesn't mean that I haven't been doing stuff to fulfill this list! So... here I will be updating a few new recipes that I have been trying, most of which have been a success.


1 - Snicker doodle Brownies

Recipe:
2 2/3 cup flour
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
2 cups packed brown sugar
1 cup butter (room temp)
2 eggs (room temp)
1 Tblsp vanilla
2 Tblsp white sugar
2 tsp ground cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350. Grease a 9x13 baking pan (I used an 8x11).
In medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the butter, brown sugar, eggs and vanilla until smooth. Add the flour mixture to the egg mixture and beat until well blended.
Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan.
In a small bowl, combine the white sugar and cinnamon.
Sprinkle the mixture evenly over the batter in the baking pan.
Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the surface springs back when gently pressed. Remove from oven and let cool slightly on a wire rack. While still warm, cut into squares with a sharp knife.

**These were a HUGE hit and even had a request to make them again! Definitely recommend these!!


2. Crockpot Chicken

Recipe:
1 cup pineapple juice
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 cup soy sauce
2 pounds chicken breast

Cup up chicken into cubes. Place all ingredients into crock pot and cook on low for 6-8 hours.
(I cooked it for 7hrs but it was still a little dry. So either add more liquid - there was plenty left over when I served it - or cook closer to 6hrs.)


3. Crescent Roll Pizza

Recipe:
1 (8oz) package of refrigerated crescent roll dough
4 cheese sticks, halved
1 (3.5oz) package sliced pepperoni
optional - marinara or ranch sauce for dipping
Garlic Butter Glaze:
2 tsp butter, melted
1/2 tsp Italian seasonings
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1 Tblsp grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Take each triangle of crescent roll dough & place between 4-6 pepperoni on the bottom of the triangle. Place half of a cheese stick on top and roll up. Place seam side down on a cookie sheet and bake for 10-14 minutes or until golden brown. (We used airbake pans...it resulted in needing to bake for 18-19min.)
While rolls are cooking, combine the melted butter, Italian seasonings, garlic powder and Parmesan cheese in a small bowl.
When rolls are done remove from the oven and brush with the garlic butter glaze. Serve with marinara or ranch for dipping.


4. Cheesy Enchiladas Casserole

Recipe:
1 pound lean ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
2 1/2 cups salsa
1 can (15oz) black beans, rinsed & drained
1/4 cup reduced-fat Italian salad dressing
2 Tblsp taco seasoning
1/4 tsp ground cumin
6 flour tortillas (8inch)
1 small can of drained corn
3/4  cup reduced fat sour cream
2 cups (8oz) shredded Mexican blend cheese
1 cup shredded lettuce
1 medium tomato, chopped

In a large skillet, cook beef & onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain.
Stir in salsa, beans, dressing, sour cream, corn, taco seasoning and cumin.
Spoon a generous layer of meat mixture on bottom of a 2 quart baking dish. Sprinkle with shredded cheese. Place a flour tortilla on top of meat mixture. Layer with more meat mixture, cheese... repeat as many layers as you would like.
The last layer should be a healthy does of cheese.
Cover dish with foil that has been sprayed with Pam.
Bake at 400 for 25minutes, or until hot and bubbly.
Let stand for 5min before topping with lettuce and tomato (we added more salsa on top too).


5. Pumpkin Coffee Cake

Recipe:
1/3 cup water
1 can Pureed Pumpkin (15oz)
2 whole eggs
1 Tblsp vanilla extract
2 tsp Pumpkin Pie Spice
1 box yellow cake mix
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup brown sugar (divided)
1/2 cup flour
4 Tblsp butter, melted
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream

Preheat oven 350 - grease a 9x12 pan with butter or Pam.
In large bowl mix together water, pumpkin, eggs, 1 Tblsp Vanilla, pumpkin pie spice until well combined. Add cake mix & baking soda - mix until just combined.
Pour into greased pan.
In small bowl - mix 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/2 cup flour and melted butter. Use fingers to sprinkle over the top of the cake.
Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes (or until a toothpick comes out clean).
Glaze -- combine 1/2 cup brown sugar, granulated sugar, 1 tsp vanilla & heavy whipping clean in saucepan and bring to a simmer until all sugar is dissolved.
Once cake is baked, poke holes in the top with a toothpick (I used a fork). Pour glaze over the cake, making sure to cover all surfaces.
Serve cake warm or at room temp.

**These were a HUGE hit! I will be making these again - actually was told I need to make them for our family Christmas get together!

29 while 29 #26

26 - Eat a ballpark hotdog!

Now this requires going to a baseball game – which is something my husband and I have been talking about doing for a couple of years now. So I guess, in a way, this goal will be accomplishing two at once!

This past weekend I was able to eat my first ballpark hotdog in probably 12 years! 

I am a member of a site called Vet Tix (vettix.org) where people can donate tickets to events to veterans. When I got an email about Cleveland Indians tickets available for Labor Day weekend, I jumped on the chance to get tickets and Destry & I were able to go and take my parents with us. There was a little issue since the tickets were mailed on 14Aug and we never got them in the mail. But thankfully, Vet Tix is an amazing organization and they took care of calling the Indians to get me 4 more tickets that were left at will call for us....and we ended up with better seats than we would have had if the actual tickets had come in the mail.

Destry & I at the Indians game!

The game was fun and even though the Indians lost to the Rangers, we all seemed to have a good time together. Just being in the ballpark is a feeling that we should all experience at one time or another in our lives. Even though we are not the hugest of baseball fans - that did not matter because we thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere.

A view of the field from our seats!

 One thing that made the game that much better was that the annual Air Show was going on in Cleveland at the same time. So while we were enjoying the game - we were also enjoying the Navy Blue Angels flying around in formation! It was fun to hear the cheers for the Blue Angels and the Indians at the same time! And we actually had some amazing seats to see the Blue Angels compared to normal at an Air Show! Haha

The Navy Blue Angels flying over the stadium.

29 while 29 #20

20 - Find some way to build a memorial to Olliver

When my Olliver went to Heaven on 30 August 2011 it was by far the hardest day of my life thus far and I am still in need of some kind of closure from this. So I would like to do something to give me a memorial or something for him. Not sure exactly what this is, but in time we will figure it out.

This is something that was very important for me to do this year since Olliver was my baby, my buddy, the one who really helped me through a rough time in my life. So when he died suddenly last August, I knew I needed to do something in memorial to him as a way of hopefully helping me heal. While I have a couple other ideas of things I would like to do, this was at least something that I could do at this time. 

What I did was go online and googled "Memorial Stones" and found this site that had amazing deals on some gorgeous stones. I'm not sure that they were meant to be used for pets, but I really don't think it matters how I use something...as long as it makes me happy.

Destry & I are still not quite sure where we are putting the stone, but for now, just having it helps us both feel better.

29 while 29 UPDATE #13

13 - Become a military chaplain

Okay – well anyone who knows me knows that this one has been under works for like 10 years already! And it is very close to coming true, which is why it is on here because I plan on this finally coming to pass this year!

Well - on the 6th of July I swore in at the base as a 1stLT in the role of being an Air Force Chaplain! So, after years and years of studying and working towards a goal if finally came to pass! And what was even better was the fact that my husband, parents, some of my siblings & my best friend were all there to see it come to pass! Which meant so much to me that I had so much support and love around me... I was so excited to know that it was not just me who accomplished this goal since all of those people surrounding the room while I swore in had accomplished it with me as well. They loved me, supported me, encouraged me and just knew I could do this, even on the days that I questioned myself. 

So, now I have to go to a couple of schools so that I can fully finalize my goal, but either way I have made it already and I am so excited to see where God takes me now with this new season of my life!

29 while 29 UPDATE

4 - Go to the Ohio state fair.

I’ve gone to many county fairs, but never been to the Ohio state fair. I hear it is fun and for once I want to know this for me and learn first-hand what kind of fun it is at the fair.

12 - Go to a concert.

I love going to concerts! I think that they are so much fun and you can really let loose and just enjoy being with so many people who are enjoying the same music as you! 

Okay - So I am updating two of these at once since they actually go hand-in-hand with one another due to the fact that they happened at the same time.

My best friend, Deidra, bought tickets for my birthday to see Casting Crowns (with Sanctus Real opening for them) at the Ohio State Fair on July 30th. So, after my birthday we started making plans to go to the fair together and see the concert.

I had not been to the Ohio State Fair before - it was really big....and there was so much food (which luckily I left most of it at the fair even though I wanted to just chow down on EVERYTHING!). Deidra & I walked around the fair just laughing and having a good time looking at everything and people watching. It was some much needed girl time that I think the both of us needed and fully enjoyed it!

Then, around 6:30pm or so we made our way to the building to find our seats for the concert. We had AMAZING seats! I mean AMAZING! So we sat down and chatted until Sanctus Real took the stage... They are from Ohio & sure enjoyed playing to Ohio fans! They even ended their set with the four of them standing there doing the traditional O-H-I-O! It definitely made the crowd go wild!

Once Sanctus Real was done with their set, Casting Crowns took the stage and it was just wonderful to see so many people praising God and lifting their hands in Worship! I loved how they put the words to the songs up on the screen behind them so that everyone in the building could worship God along with them. It really just showed a lot about how a concert should be and what it looked like to have so many people there for one purpose - and that purpose was God. 

So there are two more items on the list for the year that are complete...thanks to my bestie! :-)

29 while 29 UPDATE

18 - Have a garage sale

I think that everyone has some things in our homes that we don’t use nor do we need. I would like to go through everything in our house and take an honest inventory of everything to put things in our sale that we just do not use or need. Here’s to clearing clutter!!

Okay - So Destry & I actually had a garage sale on 28May2012. We were all set up and ready to go by 8am, which is when we had people starting to come in and look at what we had to sell. Destry & I worked together to set everything up and sell everything. It was a very long, very hot day for us, but overall it was definitely worth the time that we spent in our garage that day. All the profits we made we are putting towards our new furniture that we have been wanting to buy for a little while now. 


I heard that having a garage sale would be a lot of work and stress. Well, it was a lot of work setting up and being alert the whole time people were in our garage shopping. But I honestly would do it again. We were able to get rid of a lot of stuff that we just didn't need to keep any longer and at a good price for people too. Anything that was left over (that was not of value that we still felt we could sell later) we took to Goodwill and donated. 


It felt good to clean out our closets and get rid of so much stuff that we just do not use. So, overall I would say that our garage sale was a success for us!

Been Crazy...

Okay - I know I have not kept up with anything on here lately but life has gotten beyond busy lately. Destry got a new job and therefore we had to put our house up for sale, try to find a new house & in the meantime we are not really living together due to the distance between his work and my parents house. So... Hopefully I can get back to my goals I set for this year (well at least blogging about my progress) and actually fulfill my goals.

29 While 29 - Item 19 **UPDATE**

19 - Donate my hair…again!

This is something that I have already done twice in my life (June 2005 & November 2007) and I would like to do this again. My hair is already long enough to donate, so really it is just a matter of when do I want to cut it! I will post before and after pictures when I do get it cut and mail off my hair!

The 19th item on my list of things to do while I am 29 was to donate my hair to Locks of Love. This is an amazing organization that takes hair donations of at least 10inches long and uses them to make wigs for kids with cancer. So, since my hair grows so quickly, I like to help out when I can. Last night I decided it was time to cut my hair again... so I have my donation all ready to be mailed out and I will mail it in the morning. 

I am sure you want to see pictures... So here you go:

Here is the Before picture....

...and here is the after picture!

There was certainly a lot of hair there - they put it into 2 ponytails in order to cut it better. So hopefully with this donation I will be able to help a child in their time of need.

James 3:5-6

A few months ago a very well-known church in the town next to where I live caught fire and basically burned completely down; the frame walls remained, but they were held up by a lot of 2x4's post-fire so that they would not fall. After that happened, my best friend made this post on Facebook that I copied, started a post on here, and then saved for a later date... 
This was her post:


I read in the paper today that the likely cause of Ada's church fire yesterday was an unattended candle that was close to combustable products. That made me think of how just something so little and simple can turn into something so big. And that made me think about how the words we say...even the small ones...can affect those around us negatively. Think about the things you say before you say them. 
"It only takes a spark, remember, to set off a forest fire. A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that. By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell."
James 3:5-6 MSG


When I read what she wrote it really got me thinking about how important the words we speak are. I think all too often we forget that words hurt, and words are the cause of a lot of issues we deal with. And honestly, it is time we start taking control of the words we speak.


This is a topic that is often discussed at my church and when we do a popular movie quote seems to always come up... There is a part in the Pirates of the Caribbean movie where Johnny Depp's character "Captain Jack Sparrow" says - "The words of your mouth love, the words of your mouth." And yes, I know this was a movie but what he said there has so much meaning for our everyday lives that I think it is worth mentioning.


Just as that fire in the Ada church started with just a small flame on a candle, what will happen to the words that you speak? How large will they grow? What negativity are you putting out there on yourself, your family and friends or even your job?


Now this is something that works both ways. Speaking positive and uplifting words can also spread and grow with time to where they are helping people and making a positive difference on someones life. Like it says in the book of James in the Bible, that a careless or wrongly placed word can set off a forest fire. But they can also spread the Good News if we are just continuously careful about what we say. 


Words are important... words can hurt no matter what the little saying says that we grew up hearing. You know the one...Sticks and stones can break my bones but words will never hurt me. The sad truth is that words can hurt and sometimes worse than sticks or stones. All it takes is a choice by all of us to either spread good words or negative words around; to lift someone up by what we say or break them down by our taunting. The decision to do the right thing lies in each and every single one of us alone - and it is a personal decision we have to make.


What do you choose....??

Random thinking...

Sometimes I really wonder who is out there in need of help but staying silent for fear of not knowing who they can turn to. It seems like we are all so busy that we forget to take the time to really realize what is actually important in life and if we do realize it, it may be too late. I only post this question...this general wondering... because I often read people's posts on Facebook, or Twitter, or see them driving by me on the street, passing me in a store... And it seems as though we are all so involved in what is going on that we forget to stop and realize what really matters in life.

I know I am not the only one who goes to the store with my list of things I need/want to buy and set about getting it done without talking to anyone else. I try to keep to myself and sometimes even get annoyed when people get in my way as I am trying to just wander around without purpose just for a little time alone. Which is silly because I spend every day at home alone with our 2 dogs... So it is not like I need that time, just want it.

The simple fact is this...how many of us know our neighbors? How many of us have even 2 people we can turn to when we are feelings sad or lonely and know that they will be there without question to just listen? I think it is time that we all stand up and stop being so self-involved and start sharing the life God has given us with those around us. I for one do not know my neighbors. I recognize them in their yard, and even chat with them once in a while, but I couldn't even tell you their names. And that is sad. It is time to make a change.

Sorry for my ramblings... Just have a lot on my mind and knew that I could share it all on here.

Until next time...

Item #1 - Cook More = #1 "Crust-less Pizza"

Okay - So the first item on my "29 while 29" list was to use my cookbooks to make more recipes. This past week I made one of them for dinner, but I changed a few things in it based on how my mom has been making this recipe for a while.

I absolutely love pizza but we all know the crust is the worst part for us to eat. So we found this recipe for a Crust-less Pizza! And honestly, it is very good. My mom has been making this for years, but this was my very first attempt at making it on my own.

Here is what you need:
Hamburger (I used like 1.75lb I think in mine)
Eggs (amount of these will depend on how much meat you used - I needed 3 eggs)
Pizza Sauce
Your choice of pizza toppings (I used mushrooms & pepperoni this time)
Pizza Cheese (I found that Kraft makes a Pizza blend, which I used)

All you do is brown your hamburger. Drain it and then place it in a baking pan. Mix the eggs together in a bowl and then pour over the hamburger. I mixed it in to ensure that the egg got all over the meat and would help it stick together. Put the pizza sauce on it and cover the whole pan. Then add your toppings of choice. Cover with the cheese (the more cheese the better in my mind!) and put it in the oven. Bake it for 30min at 375. Once I took it out of the oven I let it stand for about 10 minutes before trying to cut into it which seemed to help me serve it up a little bit better.

Very simple, very good, and reheats very well as well!

The finished Pizza!

So there you go - there is the first recipe I have made so far and I think it turned out pretty good! Enjoy!

#11 - Read More

Okay - I wanted to ensure I updated where I was at on my list. So far, I can say that I was able to read a book in a week. Of course, since it was the 3rd book in The Hunger Games, I really couldn't put it down! I guess that helps.

Even though I read the first 2 books in the series before I turned 29 (okay, I finished the 2nd book the day before my birthday!) I thought I would include all of them in my little summary of the book for anyone who would like more information on it and possibly read the book themselves. (I have already gotten my mom to read them and she has had a few of her friends read them too!)

THE HUNGER GAMES - TRILOGY

From the moment the first book started I was hooked. It is like instant action going on and you just want to keep reading to see what happens and how things pan out.

Basic overview of the books is this: They are set in the world of Panem and there is the Capital and 13 Districts. These Districts really do not have any names other than their number. The majority of the story takes place in District 12 where Katniss Everdeen lives with her mom, sister (Primrose, or Prim for short) and Prim's cat Buttercup.
There was a point in the history of Panem when the Districts tried to revolt against the Capital and District 13 is destroyed in the process. When the Capital regained control, they started what is known as "The Hunger Games" as a way of controlling the Districts and reminding them that the Capital is in charge.

What are the Hunger Games?: Every child in every district from ages of 12-18 has their name put in a bowl one more time each year. (So if the child is 12 their name is in their once; if the child is 18 their name is in there 7 times.) Now, since there is such famine in the land, the children can have their names added more times in exchange for food to feed their families, which happens a lot in District 12.
Every year the Capital comes and draws 2 names from the bowls - one boy and one girl to be that Districts representative in The Hunger Games. These children are forced to fight to the death in an arena set up by the Capital.

It gets better: This might sound like a harsh book or a rough story line to read, but as you continue through the books you start to better understand what is going on. The Districts do not like the way things are and the children do not want to kill. Basically, think of it as the Nation is at war...just like we have been with Iraq and Afghanistan since 9/11. Only instead of having an all-out war, they choose to use the Hunger Games as a way of keeping the Districts in line.

Keep reading: One thing I will say is that you owe it to yourself to keep reading these books. Do not stop! I found book 2 a little rough to get through, but others I have talked to liked it the best. I cannot tell you much of what happened in book 3 though or else it will give everything away.

I know there has been some controversy over these books and how they are having children kill children, but that is not the theme of the books. It is not the main point either. If you read them all you will begin to see that there is so much more to this trilogy than the killing. Its a nation at war with itself and finding out how they handle the situations they are faced with.

Yes, I do recommend these books - but only if you stick with them and read all 3 together. It is just like any other movie or book out there about finding love in the midst of a war.

My official list...

…29 Things To Do While I Am 29…

1 - Use my cookbooks to try 29 new recipes.

I have so many cookbooks in the cabinet that have been given to me & there are plenty more recipes online that are available for free… so in the next 52 weeks, I want to try 29 different recipes that I haven’t tried before. They can be breakfast, dinner or desserts…all are fair game!

2 - Visit “Carlo’s Bakery” in Hoboken, NJ and buy a cake or cookie from them.

I have always wanted to try something they make since I started watching “Cake Boss” on TV. Just seems like fun to try something they make right from the bakery!

3 - Go camping for the first time.

Hard to believe I am almost 30 years old and never been camping! So, this year, I want to mark this one off my list! (Plus I know it is something my husband enjoys and I really want to enjoy it with him.)

4 - Go to the Ohio state fair.

I’ve gone to many county fairs, but never been to the Ohio state fair. I hear it is fun and for once I want to know this for me and learn first-hand what kind of fun it is at the fair.

5 - Run a 10K or ½ marathon…and finish without stopping.

While I was in Germany I ran quite a few 5K’s, and then in May 2010 Destry & I ran a 5K together. But last year we didn’t do any. So this year, on top of running a couple 5K’s I would like to run a 10K or even possibly a ½ marathon. The training is well under-way and now I just have to do some research for which ones I want to sign up for.

6 - Kiss my husband in the rain.

This is something that you always see as being romantic on TV, so I figure why not try it. And since I am married…well, hopefully this is on Destry’s list of fun things to do too!

7 - Learn to play guitar.

I have always loved the guitar and while Paw-Paw made me one when I was 13, it is strung right-handed and well, I am a silly one who even though I am primarily right-handed, I play guitar left-handed. Haha So a couple of months ago my husband bought me a left-handed purple guitar. While I have messed around with it a little bit, I haven’t really set down to actually learn to play. So let’s see how I do on making this point happen.

8 - Learn to sew.

When I was in middle school I loved Home Economics I loved the section on sewing. Since then I had always wanted to actually learn about sewing and possibly make some of my own stuff. So, for Christmas my husband bought me a sewing machine…which has unfortunately not been out of the box yet! But that’s okay. We think we have everything we need in order to get me started. Which is why this is on my list – I want to at least make a quilt this year. 

9 - Do 29 hours of volunteer work.

My senior year in high school I did like 150 hours of volunteer work and thoroughly loved doing it. So I thought I would bring this back into my life. Not sure what I will do yet or where I will work, but I will let you know what I decide to do.

10 - Take a road trip with my best friend.

Deidra & I went to Gatlinburg, Tennessee in July 2010 and have always wanted to take another trip together. So we are planning a trip to Savannah, Georgia in November of 2012 as of right now. We are going to continue to plan and see what we come up with. Of course there will be lots of pictures to come from whatever trip we end up taking.

11 - Read more.

College caused me to not like to read as much. So my goal is to read for me all year…which I have been doing for a few months now. I just put this on here to ensure I continue to read for me. As I read a book though, I will try to do a review on it so that you know my thoughts about it.

12 - Go to a concert.

I love going to concerts! I think that they are so much fun and you can really let loose and just enjoy being with so many people who are enjoying the same music as you!
**UPDATE** This one is already worthy of an update because Deidra bought us tickets to go see Casting Crowns in July at the Ohio State Fair (#4 on my list!!). So we will be taking care of #12 and #4 at the same time in July! J

13 - Become a military chaplain

Okay – well anyone who knows me knows that this one has been under works for like 10 years already! And it is very close to coming true, which is why it is on here because I plan on this finally coming to pass this year!

14 - Go dancing with my husband.

(Or stay in and have a night of dancing at home!) I am not a very good dancer but I love dancing with Destry! So I thought it would be fun to have a night of dancing with him!

15 - Have a baby

Yes, I know this one could actually take until I am 30, but I at least would like to consider getting pregnant sometime while I am 29. I know this one is also a little personal, but it’s on my list even though I know that it all happens in God’s timing!

16 - Keep writing my books

I love to write and have been working on writing some books over the last few years. I know that this one is a little bit involved, which is why I am just putting on here to keep writing. If I can work on getting someone to publish them, then sweet!

17 - Donate blood

This is something that I have done a few times already in my life and I feel like if I am physically able to donate, then I should. So I put this on my list as a way to remind me that I need to ensure that I am helping people in any way that I can.

18 - Have a garage sale

I think that everyone has some things in our homes that we don’t use nor do we need. I would like to go through everything in our house and take an honest inventory of everything to put things in our sale that we just do not use or need. Here’s to clearing clutter!!

19 - Donate my hair…again!

This is something that I have already done twice in my life (June 2005 & November 2007) and I would like to do this again. My hair is already long enough to donate, so really it is just a matter of when do I want to cut it! I will post before and after pictures when I do get it cut and mail off my hair!

20 - Find some way to build a memorial to Olliver

When my Olliver went to Heaven on 30 August 2011 it was by far the hardest day of my life thus far and I am still in need of some kind of closure from this. So I would like to do something to give me a memorial or something for him. Not sure exactly what this is, but in time we will figure it out.

21 - Learn to play poker

There is absolutely no reason to this one other than I have always wondered what the hype was all about. I just think it would be fun to learn.

22 - Finish a puzzle with Destry

We started a puzzle in December 2010 together and I would like to finish it this year sometime. We really don’t work on it very often, so I guess in order to have this one come to pass I will have to ensure we actually get it out and finish it! Don’t worry – I will post pictures of this when it is done!

23 - Sell a blanket

I have been crocheting for years now and have lately lad this crazy idea of possibly selling my blankets I make. Now, as of now I have given all of them away (my nieces & nephews have them – Olivia, Ezri, Luke, Annabelle & “yet-to-be-named” Baby Matthews) so I would like to sell one and see if I can maybe start to have some sort of side-business doing something that I love.

24 - Become licensed to perform weddings

Now I have been a licensed minister for 4 years already and been allowed to perform marriage ceremonies, but I have yet to do the paperwork with the state of Ohio to be legally allowed to do this. So this year I am going to do that paperwork so that I am able to do this part of my job!

25 - Write in my journal at least once a week for the whole year

I am so bad about keeping a journal but I have one that I would like to keep. Now, the details of this will not be shared --SORRY-- but I do want to ensure that I am continually writing in it. So I am adding this to ensure that I keep up with my writing.

26 - Eat a ballpark hotdog!

Now this requires going to a baseball game – which is something my husband and I have been talking about doing for a couple of years now. So I guess, in a way, this goal will be accomplishing two at once!

27 - Play more golf

I have had my own golf clubs for a few years now but have never actually taken them out to play. So this year I would like to take them out more and actually play golf. Maybe just 9 holes but this is something Destry & I have discussed doing together for a while so maybe this will be the year that we will make it happen. (I will even accept going putt-putt golfing more!)

28 - Keep up with my blog

This one I should be able to do since I plan to post about all of these 29 things this year. But I would like to challenge myself to actually blog more – I was really excited to start my blog, but I have kind of let it go. So this year, I would like to gain more followers somehow and actually spend time blogging.

29 - Take my Jeep off-road

I bought a 2008 Jeep Liberty last summer & since we saw it, Destry and I have talked about taking it off-road. I’m not talking a massive off-roading trip, just taking it off-road enough to say that we did and have a little fun in the process. So, I figure since this will be the first full summer that we will have the Jeep, it’s the perfect time to see what he can do! Here’s to a good time!

29 while 29...

Okay - So my list has started... Only had a couple suggestions, so I am needing a bunch more... But here is what I have so far.

1 - Use my cookbooks to try 29 new recipes.

2 - Visit “Carlo’s Bakery” in Hoboken, NJ and buy a cake or cookie from them.

3 - Go camping for the first time.

4 - Go to the Ohio state fair..

5 - Run a 10K or ½ marathon…and finish without stopping.

6 - Kiss my husband in the rain.

7 - Learn to play guitar.

8 - Learn to sew.

9 - Do 29 hours of volunteer work.

10 - Take a road trip with my best friend.

11 - Read more.

12 - Go to NYC/Washington DC with my husband.

As you can see - I am not quite there yet - so I need more help! They can be fun, random things too. I'm open to most suggestions!!

Just 17 more items to add to my list...Think we can do it?

Needing Suggestions...

I have come to the realization that I am about to be 29 years old (Yes, I knew it already, but just hear me out!)... I have just 2 months and 7 days and I am in my last year of my 20's. And while I have done a lot over the years, traveled and experienced so much over the years, I know there are still things that I want to do, and have not been able to do them yet. So, since I have graduated from college, I am now married, and we do not have any kids right now, I figured it is the best time to make a list of some things that I still want to do before I turn 30 years old.

Which is why I thought it would be a good idea to make a list of things I want to do before I turned 30...

...29 Things To Do While I Am 29...

But - I need help figuring out what all I should have on this list. I have a few things in mind that I want on the list but not sure I have 29 things yet. So since I have just over 2 months to make this list, I thought getting some input on what I should have on the list would be a good thing. Now, they have to be decent, appropriate things - so if your suggestion isn't appropriate, please keep it to yourself. :-) But if you have a good suggestion, something that you have done and are glad you did or something you wish you would have done before you had kids or whatever - I'd gladly welcome the suggestions! And when I get the list finalized, I will post it - near my birthday so that you can all see it. Then, as things get marked off the list, I will tell all about them.

So I need 29 things to do in the 365 days that I am 29years old. Here's to making a fun list!!

:-)

Thinking

Sometimes we all need someone to talk to but we don't know who that person is... and it seems like there are times we cry out to everyone, but no one truly hears us or what we are saying. I know I am not the only one who has ever felt this way. It's sad that in a world as big as this one that we live in that something like this can happen. Especially when we have so many people in our lives.

You know, it's weird how many times we cry out and cry out and seem to ask for help but it's always overlooked. You get told "oh, you're having a bad day" or "It's okay, this will pass" or even "maybe God is trying to teach you something"... The funny thing is, what if you really feel like you need someone to talk to... someone who won't judge you or hold anything you say against you later??

Now, I know that not everyone feels this way, nor has everyone ever felt this way. But is it possible that maybe there are a few people out there who need someone.. Someone to talk to them or better yet, someone to listen to them.

I guess I have just been praying that I can be that someone for someone... And if that is something I am willing to do...makes me wonder who you can be that person for in your life. There are so many people who need someone to talk to them, just seems that there are many people who need someone to just listen to them and we should all be willing to be that listener for them.

Just my thoughts...

Prayer...

There are many times when we are praying for something (an answer, a miracle, a situation to be changed) and it seems like nothing is changing. Our human eyes are too human to see that God is making a way. We need to stop looking with our human eyes and start looking with our soul. God is hearing us.

We should never give up no matter what. Just when you feel discouraged, when you feel like all hope is lost or there is no way what you are praying for will ever happen, that is when you need to PRAY HARDER! God is there! He hears us. The devil wants us to think that our situation can never change. He wants us to think that what we are praying for is impossible. But we need to know what God promised us.

Look up Scriptures to back what you are praying for. God always gave us everything we need in His Word. It is there. I do not care if it takes 20 years for you to see your prayer answer - NEVER GIVE UP! Never doubt that prayer is working. Never let the devil have a single ounce of success.

How do we do this? By praying without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). We need to be in constant prayer. This does not mean that when we pray for a day and don't see the answer we want we give up. Or after a week. Or a month. It means that we are continually in conversation with God about our need/concern/want.

I have heard people say that they tried prayer and it didn't work for them. I just laugh! Tried prayer? Like it is a food our parents make us try as kids and if we don't like it we can have peanut butter and jelly instead! Prayer is not something we just TRY! It is a lifestyle. It is a way of life. It should be continual throughout every situation we are presented with.

Now - this does not mean that the devil will just leave you alone... On the contrary! It means he is going to try harder to not lose you. Yes, I said he thinks he has you..that you are his and not God's! But we need to ensure that we teach him a lesson that we are GOD'S CHILDREN! And we know the power of prayer. When the devil starts to bring up doubt in your mind - knock him down with a Scripture! When the devil starts to make you think that God isn't listening - quote a verse at him (1 John 5:14-15).

Know what your Bible says - and use it! Don't just carry it so people see that you have one. Don't just let it be a decoration on your coffee table so that its there when you need it... YOU NEED IT NOW!

Pray - pray - pray! That is what will make a difference in our lives.

God bless!!!

Ohio Weather

Oh my goodness is this weather crazy lately! I cannot believe that on Friday evening/Saturday morning it was freezing cold and we had so much snow that the roads were almost too bad to drive on. Then, today (Monday) there is nothing but wind and rain... the snow is all melted. Ugh!

Yet the thing that always gets me is that how there are always so many people complaining about the drastically different weather conditions. We live in Ohio and it is always like this! Haha But so many people are always complaining that the weather is so bad and they don't like it.

The only complaint I have is the fact that Draekon's fur seems to be confused as well... seems he's starting his spring shedding already! LoL But, it's no big deal. We will just continue to brush him and get all that extra fur off of him so that he is silky smooth and looking his best. Hopefully soon his fur will figure out what is going on and that it is still winter and he shouldn't be shedding this badly already!

Here's to the rest of winter... since it is Ohio, we never know what tomorrow's weather will look like!