Amusement from Mistakes (my mistakes)

Okay, today I was a little stressed. It wasn't because I had to stay late at work, nor was it because of the extensive report that had my mind in overdrive for over 2 hours. For some reason I wasn't stressed because I had to go to a baby shower even though I haven't been home very much lately, and I wasn't stressing out over not eating supper with my family. . . something I hate to miss. I was fine with all those things.

I just wasn't lining up.

Lining up with what? With others standard of a good person? With my mom's standard of a good young lady? With my own standard of a good Christian? I think it was a combination of all three! ☺ (Not that my mom puts me under pressure, but you know how it is. Everyone wants to be like their mom!)

So as I frantically looked through my nightstand for my daily Bible reading record (you know, the whole guilt thing making me think I wasn't reading enough) I stumbled across a sheet of paper with some words jotted down. For some reason I thought it was a good idea to write down some of the mistakes I made when I was giving piano lessons. That is, when I was giving piano lessons at age 15 to four children, two of which were very energetic. Boy did I think I knew it all! Now I don't think I would be so brave to tackle such an undertaking! But back to the notes. I wrote down some of the things I told my students. Things like, "Play your thumb with your 1st finger." Hugh? I told one student to "count to 4" not just one time, but four times in a row! Lastly, I (the teacher) counted to 4 when I was only suppose to count to 2. My, my. What a good teacher I was!

Now I don't feel quite so bad. I found some mistakes that I can laugh about, because everyone makes mistakes!

I Love Saturdays!

Yesterday I had a great day! Saturday is one of the two days I get to . . .

• sleep in past 7:00
• eat breakfast with my whole family (except Ryan who is just getting home from work and going strait to bed)
• wear my jean skirts instead of "office clothes"
• exercise in the morning if I feel like it
• play the piano more then durring the week days
• practice our songs with Bethany, Phillip and Amy
• and stay at the house the whole day!

I love it! Last saturday I spend most of my day cleaning, but this Saturday I cooked supper with Bethany, and made a Chocolate Trifle. Making the desert was very interesting and took up a lot of time!

I started out with a chocolate cake that I would use in the trifle. I did this without any errors so I was feeling pretty good. While it was baking mama and Bethany headed to the store to buy some lace for a dress Bethany was making and I started on the pudding that would go on top of the layer of cake. While I was beating the milk and pudding mix together and chatting with Amy I noticed the electric mixer was kind of acting funny. Before I knew it the mixer was going crazy! I didnt know what was going on except that chocolate was being splattered everywhere and the mixer didn't want to corroperate. It took me by such surprise that I couldn't find the button to turn it off with right away, and when I did finnaly turn it off I found the beaters twisted together and a peice of it on the floor! Chocolate was everywhere, including me. Amy and I cleaned it all up and made another batch of pudding just in case little metal peices had gotten into the bowl. I had never seen such a thing! I believe I will be afraid to use an electric mixer for at least 2 months! : )

Luckily, the rest of the dessert went smoothly with no mistakes and everyone agreed that it tasted very good!

Something Humorous

You might believe in courting if . . .

 . . .you talk about Josh Harris as if you know him personaly.

I Did It!

Before I tell you what I did I think I should give you some background information about myself so you will better understand how amazing this story is.

When I was learning to bake cakes I would eagerly mix up the recipe to the best of my knowledge, pour it into a pan, and place it in the oven. Sounds normal right? Then I would grab a book, head to my room, and wouldn't come out till I heard the smoke detector or mama calling me . . . whichever came first. Yes, I burnt many cakes! That is, if they even got to the point of being baked! This wouldn't sound so bad if I could say that it doesn't happen anymore . . . but it sometimes does. Only now I usually go to my room and get on the Internet instead of reading a book. I have learned that I do best when I am able to set a timer and tie it around my neck!

I am a little absent minded. The worst time ever was when I burnt the popcorn in the microwave while I played the piano only a few feet away. The smell of the over cooked popcorn, the smoke, nor the fact that there was no more "popping" couldn't make me realize that THE POPCORN IS DONE!

But tonight there was no absentmindedness about me. I had been planning on baking some Taco Pick-Up Sticks for my co-workers but wasn't planning on baking them while mama was gone. Of course I had no worries. Why should I? I mixed the potato sticks together with the peanuts and french onions and then poured some butter and taco mix over them. I will have you know that I did not burn them! I even remembered to stir them every 15 minutes exactly! To top it off, I didn't even use a timer! I relied solely on my memory and for once I was not disappointed.

But enough of that. (I am not the best at making humor, but everything I said did not include any exageration. That's my life!) Here is the recipe that made my day! It is great around the holidays when everyone is baking something sweet. Something salty is always welcome!

Taco Pick-Up Sticks

21 0z potato sticks (about 12 cups)

12 oz French fried onions
12 oz peanuts

1/3 cup butter

1 pack taco mix

Dump first three ingredients in bowl. Melt butter and add taco mix. Toss together. Back at 250 for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes.

Note: The 1/3 cup of butter and taco mix isn't going to look like it will be enough but it will spread.

All Because of Laughter

"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: . . ." Pro. 17: 22

Today I didn't have the best day. Going to work and studying Human Diseases was the last thing I wanted to do! All day I couldn't bring myself out of that gloomy mood I was in. That is, until I spent some time with my family. While I was in the living room talking to mama, daddy, Ryan and Bethany, I decided to read them "A Dieter's Psalm" that was printed in our church bulitun. Yesterday I read it to my sister Amy and had no problem. This time however, I got tickled and couldn't stop laughing! I think they were laughing more at me than at the Psalm! So I thought I would share it with y'all just in case you need a little bit cheering up. It made my evening!

A Dieter's Psalm

Strict is my diet. I must not want.

It leadeth me past the confectioners.

It trieth my willpower.

It leadeth me in the paths of alteration for my figure's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the aisles of the pastry department, I will buy no sweet rolls for they are fattening.

The cakes and the pies, they tempt me. Before me is a table set with green beans and lettuce.

I filleth my stomach with liquids. My day's quota runneth over.

Surely calorie and weight charts will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the fear of scales forever.

Siblings . . . are They a Blessing?

Siblings! I don't know about yours, but mine keep me on my toes!

Today when I got home from work I saw that no body was home . . . or I thought no body was home. So I unlocked the door, walked in, and headed for my bedroom down the hall. I was unconsciously talking to myself - an old habit of mine - and acted as if I was the only soul in the house. When I got near the two bathrooms (which are right across from each other) Bethany, Phillip, and Amy jumped out at me from both sides! I screamed, jumped, and grabbed my purse in terror! I was horrified! They all started laughing as if it was the funniest thing in the world. They were almost doubled over, they were laughing so hard! Amy acted so innocent and claimed that she didn't scare me, but we all know she could of warned me, so thus she is as guilty as the other too. Bethany was proud of herself for scaring me half to death . . . and I have to admit, it was funny! From now on, I will not talk to myself in the house (that will only happen in the car where I know I am by myself :) and I will walk cautiously down the hall, ready for any little children who might want to jump out at me.

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas! I'll be back to my blog in a few days.

Merry Christmas!