Be Careful What You're Thankful For

At a friend's suggestion (it's going around on facebook), I've been posting something that I'm thankful for each day during the month of November.

This morning I saw a man standing in the rain as he removed his laundry from a clothesline. I decided that today's post should be "I'm thankful for my washer and dryer."

I'm sure you've guess where this is going. I came home, sorted three loads and got started. I just went down to remove the "dry" load only to discover it sitting in the dryer still wet. The dryer runs but the tub doesn't rotate. I now have two loads of wet clothes sitting in my basement. Which, btw, are needed before church tonight!

I hope that guy is thankful for his clothesline.

Not My Normal Friday

I had a very important medical appointment scheduled for 9:4o this morning and the Dr's office is about an hour away. I woke with a migraine, downed 2 Excedrin Migraine, dragged myself to get ready and left by 8:45. So far, so "good."

I got out to Rt 30 and got stuck behind a flatbed truck. One of the features that I love about the new Rt 3o traffic circles is that they are two lanes wide. So as the truck and I approached the circle I considered passing it. But I decided there was no real reason to...he wasn't driving too slowly and I wasn't running late. So I let him merge in front of me and continued to follow him on Rt 30.

About a half a mile later, it happened. The truck and I came to a ridge at a top of a hill and the cars in front of us had, unknown to us, slammed on their brakes for some reason. There was nothing we could do. The truck slammed on its brakes sending smoke and rubber flying as it crashed into a small white car. I slammed on my brakes, sending the contents of my car flying forward. As the truck swerved to the right into a lawn, I swerved to the left to miss both vehicles. An oncoming car had already swerved onto the shoulder so I had room to pass through and avoid the entire accident. Unbelievable! On the lawn where the truck landed were two little girls screaming their heads off as they were chasing the cause of the accident...

Yes, their stray dachshund donning a green coat was darting back and forth in traffic. Not kidding.

I pulled over to make sure everyone was alright and to wait for the police so I could offer to be a witness. The girls caught their dog and ran to their house. I never saw them again. I waited for about 15 minutes but when the police still hadn't arrived I told the men involved that I really needed to go. I left them my name and number if needed but I never got a call.

I got in my car, checked my phone and discovered a sweet message from a friend saying she was thinking about me (thanks, friend!). I headed to my appointment knowing I was now going to be cutting it close. As I replayed the accident in my mind (with my headache now raging) it dawned on me. If I had passed that truck at the traffic circle, I would have been the one to rear end the white car and I mostly likely would have been hit by the truck from behind. There was no way the truck could have stopped in time to avoid hitting me. I would have been sandwiched between the white car and the truck. Now I was shaking.

I turned onto Rt 91 and got stuck behind a John Deere tractor. Good grief. He turned shortly.

I approached Rt 32 in Gamber and a cop was following me. Now I had to drive slowly! Time to call the Dr's office. I explained, they understood and told me to take my time.

On Rt 32 in Howard Co I sat in construction...not moving. By this time I had "given up"...there was nothing I could do, everything was out of my control so I might as well be calm about it all.

I arrived only 15 minutes late.
I survived the medical procedure.
And I lived another day to tell about it.

And I'm still not a dog-lover.

Vacation, October '09

Disclaimer: Kathleen took these photos (except for the one blurry fishermen one which is from my phone).


The view from "our" house at sunset.







A day at Assateague Island:


Ocean City, MD. Have you ever seen it so deserted?! We rode out onto a fishing pier.




We really DID bike a lot. Just didn't get pics!

Look Who's Coming to Town!

Lauren and Maks are coming for a long weekend in October. I'm so excited!

What a Day

This is how I look...

This is how I feel...

And I think I wore this dress in college.

Pumpkin Spice Mousse

Now you'll find out how I cheated!

1 box phyllo sheets
butter
2 packages Pumpkin Spice Instant Jello Pudding
1 c heavy whipping cream
1 c milk
cool whip
pecans

Yields: 8


Phyllo Cups:
You can buy the preassembled pastry puff cups or make your own out of phyllo. One box of phyllo sheets will yield 20 dessert cups. Unused phyllo freezes well.

Follow handling instructions on the package. Brush one sheet with melted butter. Using pizza cutter, cut into quarters. Layer each piece into a greased ramekin or muffin tin pressing down lightly into the cup. Repeat with a second sheet of phyllo for a total of 8 layers per cup. Bake 350 for 10-12 minutes until golden brown. Cool slightly.

Filling:
While cups are baking combine pudding mixes, heavy cream and milk in a chilled bowl. Chill ten minutes. Fold in one cup whipped cream and refrigerate til ready to use.

Assembly:
I used my Pampered Chef decorating tool to fill the cups.
Top with toasted pecans and whipped cream.
Serve on a plate because crust will flake off.

Big Maks

Brief

Been swamped
Still been reading your blogs
Leaving for a conference in Granger, Indiana today
Get back early Sat morning
Stomach isn't feeling well
Having friends over Sat night
House is a mess
What was I thinking!?

Found a treasure
Amazingly effective
Neutralizes odors instead of masking them
Just bought more for car, bathrooms, closets
May be this year's perfect stocking stuffer
Thought I'd share...
Renuzit Super Odor Neutralizer Air Freshening Pearls

Swear Free

I'm feeling introspective so decided it was time to post. I have no idea where this is going. So, yes, it will be random.

I'm feeling burdened for my sister. Husband needs a job, they need to sell their house, van broke down, kids start new school tomorrow in a district they have to move into by Oct 15 in order for the kids to attend school there. I can't imagine her life. I can only pray from this end. Can you please stop reading this and whisper a prayer for a house showing they have on Friday? And pray that someone would be burdened to drop them a huge check in the mail.

I'm back to biking now that I'm feeling better. Been trying to rack up the miles. The weather's perfect. Ran over two chipmunks on my last ride. I need to do more than biking though.

I started a serious diet thanks to an incredible iPhone app. It is totally motivating, fairly easy to stick to, and actually kind of fun. Can't believe I used the word "fun" in a description of a diet. The app tracks calories and exercise and does all the calculating for me. I'm grilling more, shopping wisely, drinking tea instead of coffee, planning ahead and saving money by not eating out. By the way, I started this BEFORE hearing this weekend's message at LP. A group of Lancaster friends started a Biggest Loser Club. They each pitched in $75 to join which ended up creating a winning pot of $2250!! Now that's motivating! Their weigh in finale is Dec 15. I guess they are all hoping to look hot in time for Christmas.

My woman's Bible study regroups next Monday. I need the discipline but I'm not a good Small Group Leader. We are going to study "Girl Talk" by Jen Hatmaker. A study on friendship. Ugh...something that's kind of a sore spot for me right now. God knew I'd need this study.

I'm excited about football season. Gonna enter all the Ravens' games on my calendar tonight. Hope I don't become too much of a couch potato.

I'm absolutely in love with my fire. I know...I've said it many times before. It is my sanctuary. However, it is a constant struggle finding wood. Every load I pick up is gone in one night.

I was attacked by a hummingbird today...three times. I don't know why he was attracted to me. I wasn't wearing bright colors. Maybe just curious. He kept hovering and darting around my head. I wish I could have snapped his photo.

My neighbors scream at their kids. I don't mean yell, I mean scream. This afternoon a two year old literally cried for hours as her mom tortured her with screaming. I don't know how people live like that. Oh, by the way, that family is "Christian."

As I was writing this my sister called. In a puddle of tears. Please pray.

So can you tell I never started that unpublished blog? I'm still talking here. Haven't started swearing...yet. Boy, could I go for some ice cream right now.

Square One

Had my Dr follow-up yesterday after being off the migraine medicine for a week. Everything I predicted was true...Lyme's negative, Vit D low, thyroid normal (yay!), blood sugar too high (oops!). Still having a few flashing lights and tipping episodes but he predicts these will continue to subside.

So overall GREAT news...on the right track!

Oh except that my headaches are back. Currently having my second one in four days. So we are back to square one...my new normal. Have to decide which Dr to pursue next. Thanks for your concerns!