The Big Question

A long, long time ago (ok, about 2 years ago), there was a young man who loved his young girlfriend very much. She wanted an engagement ring so bad, but he wanted to be certain that everything was in order before he gave it to her. Being the thoughtful planner that he was, he purchased the ring one weekend following yet another of her hint-dropping trips to the mall's jewlry store. He (of course) never mentioned this fact to her, and took her on several more trips to "make sure he had an idea of what she liked" over the next two months.

July 4 rolled around. She hastily threw overnight items into a bag, packed up her weenie dog and all his supplies and picked up her boyfriend with his goodies on her way to her parents' house to celebrate the Fourth. He had a huge birthday bag for her mother, who's special day he'd missed the month before. Inside the bag (she looked, of course) was the Clinique make-up bag he'd described. She wondered why he did not give it to her mother as soon as he'd seen her, but they were busy with the days activities and she didn't ask. He went off alone with her father and she helped her mother get ready for the barbeque.

Several hours later, he came outside and stopped her near a swing at the house where she grew up. "Don't move," he said. He disappeared into the house and returned with her mother's birthday gift. He insisted that she open it, that it was for her, and she refused to tamper with her mother's present. After some confusion and some further convincing, she opened the bag, and opened the Clinique make-up bag. Inside was a small black box which held the most amazing diamond solitaire. He got down on one knee and looked up at her on the swing, asking, "Will you marry--" and she interrupted (as is her custom) with "YES!" and there was lots of hugging, kissing, and sharing of the news with family.

They tentatively set a date: December 12, 2009. Relatives and friends all smiled when they announced the far-off date, knowing they wouldn't wait that long... but the rest is another story for another day!

Tuesday, Tuesday!

Tomorrow is BabyDay. Not L&D, but gender determination day. And I am So. Very. Excited! Wanna guess/vote? Who thinks this little darling is a girl? Who thinks this super-active, fast-growing little charmer will be just like his dad?

I'll update you THURSDAY on the status. We're also doing the routine blood tests to check for a few unwanted disorders, so if you could just pray for a healthy baby, that's what we need most of all. For the record, boy/girl doesn't matter much to me, but Daddy wants a boy some kind of bad!

Moving on, I had company over for supper last night. We have a Bible study for "young adults" every other Monday and now that Jacob and I are all grown up and married, we're trying to host occaisionally. I served taco soup. Pretty sure everybody everywhere already has this recipe, but I'm sharing it because we enjoyed it and I think other people might, too. (Oh, and it's super easy for those of you who work outside the home!)

You will need:
A crockpot. A big one.
1 can Rotel, any flavor
1 can whole-kernel corn, drained(I've substituted hominy in the past and love it, but Hubby does not)
1 can pinto beans, drained
1 can tomato soup
1 cup water (Sometimes you need 1 1/4. Do what looks right. It's soup.)
1 packet Taco seasoning
1 lb. ground beef
Optional: 1 medium onion, diced. (Not in my house...)


Brown ground beef (or whatever ground meat you choose), drain and rinse with hot water. This rinse thing is important, because sometimes there'll be a thick layer of grease on top of your soup if you skip it! You've just completed the hardest part of the recipe. Now, open all those cans, drain the veggies and dump them in the crockpot. Add the rinsed beef and water. Finally, stir in the taco seasoning until well disolved. Simmer on low for an hour. Remember to program it to "keep warm" if you plan on doing this in the morning and heading out for oh, nine hours or so of work before you come back to it. (Don't hate. It's how I get things done, ok?)

Enjoy! I served it with corn chips (thanks, Angela!) shredded cheese and sour cream.

My Friend, Marie

She lived to be 82 years old and had been married for 62 years. Mother of three sons, grandmother to many, faithful church member and dedicated to making life better for others, she asked for memorial donations to American Cancer Research and a local children's home. She died this weekend, and I'm going to miss her. Her husband is a good friend of my dad's. Last time I saw them, I was wearing a white dress and had my hair all twisted up with a veil. She looked me in the eyes and didn't have to tell me the words. Marriage is what you make it. Make it good. She will be missed. If this Nubbin' is a girl, her middle name will be Marie. Not only because it's my own name, but also because of this special, determined, strong example. I'm hoping to beat that record. J and I are aiming for 63 years!

Another Not Me! Monday!

I feel like I just finished last week's Not Me! Don't worry, there's plenty of stuff I did NOT do in the week that has flown by!

First up, I'm NOT the kind of person who would wait a full six months after the wedding to semi-finalize a wedding photo order. Nope, NOT ME!

If I did happen to get a bit behind on that photo order, I would NOT whine to my husband that I'm really not the kind of girl who gets pregnant before her wedding pictures come in! I wouldn't cry when I said it, either. Surely, NOT this girl!

I wouldn't feel a desperate need to finally finish that order so my sweet, wonderful photographer could get on with her life. (Ok, I would and I do. She must be sick of hearing my excuses at this point.)

I did NOT read an Elmo book to a three-year-old 4 times this weekend. Yes, the same book. With those *adorable* musical buttons on the side.

I did NOT have a conversation with said three-year-old about heaven, with her telling me how much she absolutely doesn't want to go there. Because those conversations are for parents, not babysitters and I certainly would NOT have asked her why, only to hear her say, "'Cuz I'm not gonna DIE, that's why."

I am NOT craving fried fish. At all. Cap'n D's is NOT healthy mommy food. And so I will NOT be getting some at some point in the near future.

Oh, and finally, I did NOT spend the weekend in a mad cleaning spree only to be out-clean-freaked by my husband, who finished it last night after the big game. I am NOT feeling somewhat sorry for the sweet guy, and very glad at the same time that I'll be able to sit still for a little while before our guests show up!

Five Question Friday!

1. What are you most afraid of?

Many, many things scare me. The dark, fire, animals larger than me who seem predatory, dying, losing my husband (to death, I mean. I've never really had a reason to fear him up and leaving. He knows he's got it made with me =), flying, climbing huge flights of stairs (the larger I get, the worse that gets!) and giving birth. I'm sure there are others, but I think that's probably enough for now!

2. Do you use a flat iron or curling iron?

Um. I try very, very hard to look presentable with as little actual effort as possible. Most of the time, I wash it, brush it and let it air-dry. It's naturally straight. On those days that something "extra" is required (a date, my wedding, an important work event, church) I curl it with hot rollers. These are rare and special. I HATE spending too much time on my appearance.

3. Hands-free or phone to the ear?

Phone to ear only when necessary. I rarely call people "just to talk." If you get one of those calls, you are VERY special. I get enough phone time at work, thankyaverymuch. While we're on the subject, I absolutely cannot stand it when people use those hands-free devices in the restroom. The fact that your hands are free doesn't mean your time is! I have so often heard people having serious chats amid the flushing of neighboring toilets and it. Burns. Me. Up. Take that 30 seconds for yourself!

4. Do you have a matching bedroom set?

Yes. My in-laws bought it for my very spoiled husband before we married and it's WONDERFUL. He has excellent taste. And he came by it honest, as my Gma would say!
5. Do you believe in the paranormal?

Well, sort of. I am a Christian. I believe that God hears my prayers and he's always with me. That gives me great peace about that laundry list of fears, as well as any other "beings" that may or may not occupy this earth. I've never encountered an angel, demon or ghost. Honestly, I have absolutely no desire to learn first-hand of their existance/role with humanity. I'm content with the knowledge that God is in control!

Doing it ALL...

Flew out the window. The schedule has taken a nose dive this week. I'm pencilling in a bubble bath, foot massage and some chocolate. STAT.

Here's hoping the camera and computer will get along better next week. I miss picutures. Also, perhaps I'll be slightly more motivated to finish my housework. Anybody else bailing on responsibility?

Joy

This morning, I sipped piping hot Tazo tea on my way to work. Just for the joy of it.

As the steamy, aromatic warmth made its way down my throat, I didn't notice how cold and wet it was outside. I forgot about the pain in my back and the (constant) need to head to a ladies' room and the headache that won't go away. I just focused instead on the soothing spicy blend in my cup. I think it warmed my heart, ya'll. I found myself being nice when others were nasty. I even remembered to breathe deep and count to ten before responding with sarcasm. I sent a love note (text) to my honeybunnysnugglebuddy.

I'm thankful for tea on Thursday morning. I'm thinking of making this a regular part of my daily commute!