BEING PERFECT

Is there even such a thing? I don't believe there is, no matter how much we struggle or work being perfect is something we can not accomplish in this life. What I have to remember is that in God's eyes I am already perfect and that should be more than enough to accept myself as I am.

I don't think we should take this to mean that it's okay to laze around and never try to improve or grow in life, but I do think it means that we need to accept ourselves as God's creation and stop nitpicking and cutting ourselves down in our insecurities and doubts.

There's a reason in any bookstore one of the largest sections is Self Help books. I actually think it's rather funny that almost everyone has an opinion on the best way to lose weight, the right exercise program, how to overcome depression, fears or...well you get the idea. People are constantly looking for a way to make their life happier, to be more content, to overcome, ...but I've come to realize the only way to be an overcomer is to be content in the arms of God and to understand that He loves us just as we are...scars and all.

COUPONING!!!

I have discovered the joy of couponing! Not only do you save significant amounts of money on groceries and other items but it's a lot of fun! Yesterday I did my major grocery shopping for the month and saved $98.27! I love BOGO's and thankfully our grocery chain does those weekly and our other local chain has 10 for $10 sales weekly as well.

I'm not as crazy as some of the ladies on extreme couponing, but I do enjoy saving money on what we use. I can't see myself stockpiling three years of toilet paper, in the first place I'm not sure where I'd put it, but I don't see the need for anyone having three years of toilet paper or 150 bottles of body wash. I also do not spend 60 hours each week cutting, planning, plotting and shopping. I spent about an hour cutting, searching and planning and saved almost $100, or 50% of my shopping costs.

When you watch extreme couponing you'll notice they seldom buy big ticket items, fresh vegetables or meats. That's where anyone spends their money. I've started buying my meats at our local grocery store's 5 for $19.99 counter. That generally provides us with almost 2 weeks of meat.

We also participate in the Angel Food Ministry where you can purchase boxes of restaurant quality food for a limited budget. We purchase the $46 a month box. If you've never tried it, go to www.angelfoodministry.com and check on the menu for May. There are several different price options/box contents. I like the $46 a month box as it has the best variety for the money. May's box even includes 4 New York strip steaks.

This has become a new way of life for me and I find I am truly enjoying it!

LEARNING TO BE FRUGAL

Daddy told my husband when he asked for my hand that I was "high maintenance." He wasn't kidding. I like the finer things in life and if it sparkles I like it. When I go into a jewelery store the piece I choose will always be the most expensive thing in the store. However, I did not marry a billionaire and as the economy has changed I've had to learn to economize and change the way I look at things. I've begun couponing and sale shopping and have truly been enjoying it. Just this past Saturday I bought 5 5# bags of Gold Medal flour, 2 pkgs of Crisco shortening (the sticks), 5 1# bags of brown and confectioners sugar, 5 pkgs yeast, 4 Angel Food cake mixes, 4 large bottles of REAL McCormicks vanilla, 2 bags of coconut, 1 lb bag of walnuts, all for $35.00. That's enough baking products to last me the remainder of the year. We have started purchasing from Angel Food Ministries, restaurant quality food at a minimum price. We buy the $41 box and have enough food for us for a couple of weeks.

I'm learning how to bake my own bread, not with a bread machine. I'm cooking at home more, shopping the meat sales, and using coupons to get things at a very low price and stocking up. I'm learning to buy clothing with pieces so I can mix and match with other things, and figuring out I don't need new clothes every season.

I'm also realizing that we need to take heed to what scripture teaches us about the last days. Yes, I firmly believe we are living in the last of the last days. Scripture teaches
Luk 21:9 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by.
Luk 21:10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom:
Luk 21:11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven.

As things change in our world we need to be prepared. I remember a song from my teenage years that said, "a piece of bread will buy a bag of gold." I don't think we should be afraid, but prepared, like the 10 wise virgins were prepared in the book of Matthew 25:1-12. The wise virgins had oil in their lamps and extra, just in case. The foolish virgins were not prepared and the Lord turned them away.

I know I want to be prepared.

THE WORST DAY OF THE YEAR

Well, it's the worst day of the year for me anyway. The day I sit down and figure out the taxes. I guess it's the worst day because I don't like the way the government spends my money. I don't like the complicated and confusing way they write the forms. I certainly don't like that the middle class and small business men end up carrying the weight while the rich and huge corporations walk away relatively scott free. But hey, that's just my opinion and I can help to change things the next time there's an election, just as I cast my ballot in the last election.

I'm trying to keep a positive attitude, to look on the bright side and to follow the Biblical principle to "render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's".

I think I need to keep singing, "O say but I'm glad, I'm glad. O say but I'm glad. Jesus has come and my cup overrun. O Say but I'm glad."
Keeping a positive attitude is everything, I've discovered. I can choose to have a great day or a lousy day and I need to make that choice before I open my eyes and place my feet on the floor in the morning. Before I go to sleep the night before I whisper a prayer and ask God to bless the next day, to help me to be in a good mood, to make it a great day. I have no doubt God does his part, it's up to me to do mine. I need to keep the negative thoughts and comments at bay, I need to keep a song in my mouth, a smile on my face, and God's joy in my heart.

I'd better change the title of this post then....okay, so it's not the worst day of the year, maybe simply one of my most stressful.

BECOMING AN EZER

I teach the ladies Sunday School class in our church. Mainly we study things that help us be better Christian women. A few weeks ago we began studying what it truly means to be an Ezer...or if you don't speak Hebrew, a helpmeet. To understand what the true role of a woman is you must first understand why God created woman. I began searching the internet, which has become a fabulous study tool, and came across another blog which introduced me to a book by Debi Pearl, Created to be His HelpMeet. Talk about an eye-opening book!

First, let me be clear, women were not created to be slaves. Being a submissive woman doesn't mean you are a doormat for your husband to wipe his feet on. In fact, an Ezer (helpmeet) is like a strong right arm, a warrior for your husband, one with whom he is not complete. We are the glue that holds the family together.

I've discovered that many things we modern, liberated women do are actually demeaning and harmful for our husband's mental and physical well being. In the quest to be equal (which we already were created as equal) we attempted instead to be the leader, the head. We forgot that we were the feminine, soft-spoken, gentile half. We all forgot the old adage, which I often hear my mother's voice ringing in my ears saying, "you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar."

I've also learned that in our attempts to be what we were not created to be we've blasphemed the Word of God. I think that bothered me most.

I highly recommend women read Debi Pearl's book. It's an eye-opening, life-changing experience.

ORGANIZATION!!!

The new year has brought with it a few trials...like corneal keratitis...which means I can not wear my contact lenses for at least two months and my vision has been blurred like peering through frosted glass, but it's also brought a blessing with it. My computer time has been quite limited and so I've needed to find other things with which to fill my spare moments. ORGANIZATION! I'm a neat-freak anyway, but now I have the time to spend doing all the little organizational things I've always wished I could do.

I went to Office Depot and purchased several plastic storage boxes. Why plastic, you may ask. Because here in Florida we deal with bugs, humidity and rain aplenty (most of the time, if we're not in a drought like last summer) so any storage boxes must be air and water tight, hence the plastic. I'm storing away old tax records (when you own a business, even a small one, the paper work you must save is horrid.) I'm also going through old photographs and sorting them into three piles..one to save and scrapbook, and one each to send to my two sons. I'm also sorting through old greeting cards and only keeping those I wish to add to a scrapbook. The rest...storage or garbage.

I must admit, I am not a Oprah fan, however there is program on her new network called Enough Already. It's made me have a new appreciation for organizing and, while I am no where near a hoarder, how we all keep things we do not need nor even particularly want. We keep things for sentimental or other reasons. We all have closets we can't open, cabinets that are bulging with stuff, yet we continually buy more and don't use what we have already.

Last year I took a 365 challenge...get rid of one item per day for an entire year. I accomplished it in less than a month and STILL have more than enough stuff to do it once a month for a year. So this year, I'm challenging you to declutter and destuff your home. If you haven't used it, needed it, wanted it, looked at it, worn it...you get the idea...this past year put it in a box and give it away. Yard Sale, Goodwill, Salvation Army...you decide. Donate books you've read to your local Friends of the Library or good Christian books to your church library. Jewelry and perfumes or colognes you don't like can go to your local nursing home. Blankets and comforters, sheets, pillows and the like can go to your local shelter. Good used professional clothing can go to shelters and organizations for abused women.

Anyone else have any ideas with what we can do with STUFF???

Crab-Stuffed Tilapia with Orange Sauce

Yummy dinner tonight....here's the recipe!

1 Tilapia filet per person
1/3 c crab cake mix (I purchase mine already done at the fish counter)

Oil the bottom of your baking dish with olive oil. Coat the tilapia with the olive oil then place the crab cake mix on one half of the filet. Fold the other half over the top and secure with toothpick. Salt, pepper and paprika to taste. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

While fish is cooking mix in sauce pan 1/2 cup orange juice, 1 T orange zest, pinch of salt, and you may add 2 T citrus juice if you wish. Bring to boil and cook about 1-2 minutes, reducing slightly. Turn heat down to simmer and begin whisking in 1/2 cup butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, whisking constantly. If you have the heat too high or fail to whisk the sauce will "break". After the entire 1/2 C butter is added continue whisking until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and serve over the fish. DELICIOUS!!! Even my picky husband, who genearlly prefers catsup on his fish (ick) loved this.

Cheesy Potato Soup with Bacon

My sweet husband's birthday is Jan 5th and he always asks for the same thing..potato soup and a bologna sandwich. This year I decided to try and "jazz up" the potato soup a bit. It turned out to be delicious! I thought I'd share the recipe here with you.
2 cups water
2 cups diced potatoes
1/2 cup carrots, shredded
salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder..to taste
3 T chicken boullion or you can use 1 C chicken stock

Cook together until potatoes are tender

In sauce pan prepare a white sauce:
1/4 C butter
1/2 C flour
2 C milk
mix butter and flour together over medium heat until smooth, add milk and whisk until thickened. Then add 1 C Velveeta Cheese, shredded and stir until cheese is melted.

Slowly add to soup, stirring until it begins to thicken. Add 1 cup of crumbled cooked bacon (or you can use Hormel real bacon bits). Simmer until soup is desired thickness.
I think it was the best potato soup I've made.