A Shellbug's World

PROBABLY NOT EVER GOING TO LET MY HUSBAND RETIRE!!!!!!!!

2011-05-10T08:47:00.000-07:00

We are very far from retirement age but I can see my husband doing some of this just for fun. Hope you laugh as much as I did.

PROBABLY NOT EVER GOING TO LET MY HUSBAND RETIRE!!!!!!!!
Your laugh for the day --What a retired husband does...**

Got this from a friend, thought that you would enjoy it.

After I retired, my wife insisted that I accompany her on her trips to
Target. Unfortunately, like most men, I found shopping boring and
preferred to get in and get out. Equally unfortunate, my wife is like
most women - she loves to browse. Yesterday my dear wife received the
following letter from the local Target.

Dear Mrs. Springer,

Over the past six months, your husband has caused quite a commotion in
our store.. We cannot tolerate this behavior and have been forced to ban
both of you from the store.. Our complaints against your husband, Mr.
Springer, are listed below and are documented by our video surveillance
cameras.

1. June 15: Took 24 boxes of condoms and randomly put them in other
people's carts when they weren't looking.

2. July 2: Set all the alarm clocks in Housewares to go off at 5-minute
intervals.

3. July 7: He made a trail of tomato juice on the floor leading to the
women's restroom.

4. July 19: Walked up to an employee and told her in an official voice,
'Code 3 in Housewares. Get on it right away'. This caused the employee
to leave her assigned station and receive a reprimand from her
Supervisor that in turn resulted with a union grievance, causing
management to lose time and costing the company money.

5. August 4: Went to the Service Desk and tried to put a bag of M&Ms on
layaway.

6. August 14: Moved a 'CAUTION - WET FLOOR' sign to a carpeted area.

7. August 15: Set up a tent in the camping department and told the
children shoppers he'd invite them in if they would bring pillows and
blankets from the bedding department to which twenty children obliged.

8. August 23: When a clerk asked if they could help him he began crying
and screamed, ' Why can't you people just leave me alone?' EMTs were
called.

9. September 4: Looked right into the security camera and used it as a
mirror while he picked his nose.

10. September 10: While handling guns in the hunting department, he
asked the clerk where the antidepressants were.

11. October 3: Darted around the store suspiciously while loudly humming
the ' Mission Impossible' theme.

12. October 6: In the auto department, he practiced his 'Madonna look'
by using different sizes of funnels.

13. October 18: Hid in a clothing rack and when people browsed through,
yelled 'PICK ME! PICK ME!'

14. October 21: When an announcement came over the loud speaker, he
assumed a fetal position and screamed 'OH NO! IT'S THOSE VOICES AGAIN!'

And last, but not least:
15. October 23: Went into a fitting room, shut the door, waited awhile,
then yelled very loudly, 'Hey! There's no toilet paper in here.' One of
the clerks passed out.

22 or 23 weeks (depending on which due date you use

2011-04-07T09:20:00.000-07:00

Life has been supper crazy. We have finally finished the living room (well, almost I still have about 20 min. of touch up painting.) It is very nice to have a living room again. I cannot tell you how much I missed just relaxing on the couch.

Also, I am getting bigger and bigger, I am 22 to 23 weeks depending on which due date you want to use. It is really cool to feel our sweet baby move. I have to say that its a weird but very cool feeling. My husband is now able to feel her move, Yes I said HER. I don't think I have put that on here yet. But we found out we are having a wonderful little girl. It is going to be a huge adventure. She already has her Dad and both of her Grandpa's wrapped around her little finger. I'm sure that all she will have to do is ask and it will be hers.

We are going to go with the colors green and brown for the nursery. We haven't got it done yet but it will be. We still have time. Plus after all the work we have done on the living room I'm just not ready to get started on the nursery. It will be much faster really all I have to do is paint. Now, Johnathen will have to replace the window but he had practice in the living room. So it shouldn't be to bad. I know that it will sneak up on us and I will be trying to get it all done, but for now I just need some down time.

Laughing Matters

2011-03-10T10:35:00.000-08:00

My boss gave me a paper this morning that had this in it and I laughed. I can really see my Dad loving this.

Laughing Matters
Remembering Childbirth
Compiled by Susan Capps

Question:
Should I have a baby after 35?
Answer:
No, 35 children is enough.

Question:
I'm two months pregnant now. When will my baby move?
Answer:
With any luck, right after he finishes college.

Question:
What is the most reliable method to determine a baby's sex?
Answer:
Childbirth.

Question:
My wife is five months pregnant and so moody that sometimes she's borderline irrational.
Answer:
So what's your question?

Question:
My childbirth instructor says it's not pain I'll feel during labor, but pressure. Is she right?
Answer:
Yes, in the same way that a tornado might be called an air current.

Question:
When is the best time to get an epidural?
Answer:
Right after you find out you're pregnant.

Question:
Is there any reason I have to be in the delivery room while my wife is in labor?
Answer:
Not unless the word "alimony" means anything to you.

Question:
Is there anything I should avoid while recovering from childbirth?
Answer:
Yes, pregnancy.

Question:
Do I have to have a baby shower?
Answer:
Not if you change the baby's diaper very quickly.

Question:
Our baby was born last week. When will my wife begin to feel and act normal again?
Answer:
When the kids are in college.

I hope this made you laugh I know that it did me.

Many Changes

2011-03-03T07:59:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I know that it has been a really long time sense I have posted anything on here. (two months and a few day to be exact.)

My husband and I have some really big changes coming up. I am 17 weeks pregnant, and very excited. I am due August 10 and really can't wait. I am so ready to meet our little one. So far I have no idea what we are having but I know that it will be blessed. This baby has been very prayed for.

Next, we are re-doing our house. Well, at least that part that we haven't done yet. Right now we are working on the living room. It is taking up all of our spare time. We have re-sheetrocked, added insulation and are going to replace windows and put new carpet in the house. I am very excited about this also. I feel like I am getting a new house without having to pay closing costs.

We are getting ready for our new addition to the family and are very excited about all the changes that are happening. I can't wait to let ya'll all know what we are having. And when the living room gets done I will post some pics so you can see how pretty it looks. Also, we will start the baby's room as soon as the living room is done. So much work so little time.

Jaxon the Giraffe

2010-12-30T12:47:00.000-08:00

I think this is one for my favs. It is kinda old but I noticed that I haven't uploaded it so here it is. I hope that everyone has a very Happy New Year. I know this year is bringing great changes to my little family. It is growing by one so we are very excited. I hope to spend more time on art this year but I think I say that every year so maybe someday I will get there. Anyway HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Merry Christmas

2010-12-22T14:28:00.000-08:00

I hope that everyone has a very Merry Christmas. I just want to say how wonderful it is that we get to take time off work to be with our families and celebrate the birth of our Savior. Happy Birthday Jesus, you are the reason that we all celebrate. God is a amazing, we only see a small part off all the wonderful things that he does in our world. I challenge you this Christmas to see God in a way that you may haven't seen him in a long time. He sent his son for you and me.

Merry Christmas.

Canada Geese

2010-12-07T14:50:00.001-08:00

I went to the park to eat lunch today because I love to sit there in the sun and watch the animals humans included and pray. Well this time of year we always get the Canada Geese. I love them. I love to listen to the talk to each other and fly and all that. I think that God is so amazing that he can make these little (ok big birds) fly half way around the world each year. So anyway while I was sitting there I got to spend some much needed time in prayer and then some time sketching. I had to post just a quick sketch of the birds that bring me joy. I'm not a big fan of this time of year everything turns brown and the wind blows but I love when I watch the geese. Happy Fall (just a little late.)

2010-12-02T10:00:00.000-08:00

I have been drawing a lot of people in the last few weeks. I am not very good at the human body so I am trying to get better. This one was one of them that I really liked. This is really rough and I will be coloring her in the future maybe. (I make no promises).

On a different note I hope that everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I know that I did with all my family.

2010-11-17T14:42:00.000-08:00

I did this after vacation this year. We were going though an area were these energy windmills were everywhere. I have always thought that they looked like robots and have been waiting for the day when something strange happens and they all come alive and start walking. (OK I know that I watch way to many Sci fi movies. What can I say I like them) I may or may not get around to coloring it.

2010-11-08T14:07:00.000-08:00

I haven't uploaded in forever which I'm sure you are all aware. Hahaha! Sooooo, I have been working on all of my invites and cards. I will upload some of those soon. By that I mean hopefully in the next week. (But I make no promises) Also, I have been working on some T-shirts that I have photos of and will post that soon too. But for now here is one of my favorites. I did this a while back and haven't ever shared it with ya'll so I thought I would.

By the way this was done in illustrator 10 and copyright by shellbug designs.

Dear Diary

2010-08-09T09:23:00.000-07:00

This is my creation for a wonderful topic of diary. I started going to Illustration Friday to get ideas and join in the fun, but it takes me longer to finish than a week. I am getting faster and someday son will be able to join in. It really helps me to keep the creativity flowing. So hope you like it and would love to hear what you have to say.

Fiddle

2010-07-30T12:52:00.000-07:00

This is something really, really old but I have never posted it on here. I told myself that I post something every two weeks at least so I am trying to do that. Hope you like it and I have some great artwork that hasn't been posted so when I am in a very crazy time I will post a few old ones. Hope you enjoy.

Just Imagine

2010-07-13T12:05:00.000-07:00

This is something that I just finished but started a long time ago. I was flipping through my sketch book and found this. I started coloring it and just remembered being a kid and my brother wanted to be an astronaut. So in a way I have him to think for this idea.

Oh and really good new about my big brother, he just asked a wonderful girl to marry him and he is getting hitched. I'm supper happy for them.

Summer Swimming

2010-07-08T13:54:00.001-07:00

I have really been in the mood for swimming and the lake. Well I have 12 days until I am at the lake and so ready for it. I fell in love with a pic of a little girl swimming so I drew it. I like the way it turned out. I am still learning and the blue highlights were very different to work with. I had a blast with this one and really learned something new.

Psalm Doodle

2010-06-09T07:36:00.000-07:00

This is a verse in Psalms that has really meant a lot to me the last month or so. Well I was drawing and wrote it down and started doodling around it and this is what I came up with. I hope that it brings you some joy. I really loved the way that this came out. I know that it is just a doodle but I wanted to share it with all ya'll.

2010-06-08T07:19:00.000-07:00

Just a fun little doodle. I been in the mood to draw silly animals and here is my snail.
More silly animals to come soon.

Memorial Day Weedend

2010-06-01T12:39:00.000-07:00

Well, my husband and I didn't get to leave town for Memorial Day but we did have a lot of fun. On Saturday we got up and went to help Brother-in-law & Sister-in-law with there branding. We had fun. My Husband had to do the work and I got the really hard job of taking pictures and helping cook. (My sister-in-law had all the food already done) We here are some of the pics.

Just some pics of my husband and my father-in-law working with the cows. They did a great job. My father-in-law gave all the shots and my husband got to take the cows down.

After that we went to the movies with two great friends and we went to the drive in movies. I love the drive in. It is so much more fun than the other movies and cheaper.

Sunday we looked at a house that I really loved but the timing is all wrong.

Monday we went to my parents for a wonderful cook-out. My Dad did all the cooking on the grill my brother and his girlfriend came along with my Grandma and little sis. It was just a really great time with family. Thanks for having us it was so much fun.

Kickboxing/karate

2010-05-17T09:25:00.000-07:00

So I started a kickboxing/karate class and love love love it. I had be wanting to join a karate class for as long as I could remember. I finally just jumped in and went for it. I must admit it was kinda scary to walk into a class that I knew nothing about and get started but I did and I'm so glad that I did.

The last class we strapped on our gloves and got to kick the giant bags butt. I would tell anyone who has ever wanted to do something like this to just go for it. It is so much fun. After a few days of rest I drew this super quick sketch.

2010-04-27T12:40:00.000-07:00

Me, Shiranda, her wonderful son and lovely daughter went to the Art Festival the other day. Ok more like last week or the week before but who's counting. I personally love art of any kind but here they had LEGO Sculpture. They were amazing so of course I had to take pics. I was unable to get close to the sculptures to read who the artist were so if you know give them a shout out.

Here is Shiranda helping to make some of the art stuff that they had for kids. Me and the little one are no were to be seen there were way to many people. But, we had a blast.

Rattlesnake Roundup

2010-03-16T11:49:00.000-07:00

We went to the Sweetwater Rattlesnake Roundup a few weeks ago. (Yes, I am always a week behind) I had a blast! My husband and I took some of our wonderful friends with us. My wonderful husband wanted to get some snake skins to mount on the wall. I know for most of you girls you would not let a snake skin in you house much less on your wall, for me I don't care. Snakes don't really bother me. Plus it my husbands house too. Anyway here are some pics that I took.

This is the main arena. There were more sections of this stuff and a ton of people.

Here is my hubby shopping for his skins

He is milking the snake to make an anti-venom.

Snakes in a bucket after they had been milked.

In this they are teaching what a snake does and what the teeth look like and all that fun stuff. Also you can see the other snakes curled up in the pit with this guy. It was really neat.

Me and Shiranda at the snake roundup. (I had to get a pic of the two of us.)

Here he is trying to get the snake to pop the balloon. You can see that its head is up and he is ready to strike. (the snake not the dude.)

Here he is showing off the teeth and where the venom comes from. All that fun stuff.
Not one of my favorite parts of the day were all the people . I am a people watcher. I love to sit and see and meet new people. Well, this lady really got me. She had this massive dog with her and there hair was the same color. I will say that both the lady and the dog were very nice to everyone who came by. But I loved this pic. so I just had to share.

We also went to the WASP Museum.

They had no idea that he was pushing the plane. Yes I know its not a real airplane but we were having fun nun-the-less.

Here we were getting to fly.

idigi contest

2010-03-08T11:12:00.001-08:00

A few months back I entered some of my artwork and photography into the idigi contest. This was a digital art fest and contest. This weekend they awarded the stuff and I got not one but 2 golds. The photography pic. I named "Looking to the Ski" and it won not only gold but $100.00. I was super excited.

This is the digital art that I entered "Feeling Froggy." It also got gold.

Just wanted to let you all know what was going on.

Please do not steal my designs they are a copy write of Shellbug Designs.

Snow Skiing In NM

2010-03-01T13:16:00.000-08:00

Johnathen and I went with our friends Rusty and Shiranda to Ski Apache. Here are some pics from our trip to Ruidoso, NM.

Rusty and I are teaching Johnathen the basics.

On the first ski lift.

Me in my snow clothes. And they were warm.

Rusty and Johnathen.

You have to love the hat. I do. I makes me laugh every time.

I got the look. We were riding in the gondola.

me and Shiranda taking a break in the truck.

The Four of us at the top. For once all of us are smiling at the same time.

After hitting the slopes we went into town for a little fun. Stopped at some of the shops....

got bit by a giant rooster.
Sniffed by a bear...

And came to a tragic end.

Crazy Nightmares

2010-02-25T08:41:00.000-08:00

Last night I had crazy nightmares. I hate when I get bad dreams. Yesterday before my husband got home last night we had a person bang on the door. I know that that shouldn't scare me but it did. See, I pride myself on being able to live and spend time on my own (even after dark) in my own house and feel afraid. Last night something was off it really bothered me. I went to the bedroom to see who was banging on the door and no one was there but a man I had never seen before was walking down the street to my neighbors house. I have no idea what he wanted and I think that is what bothered me the most. There was no car in the drive just a van that was driving very slowly down the street. It really freaked me out. Max (my dog) was having a fit as well as all the other dogs on the block. I really wish I knew what was going on.

My hubby got home shortly after that and there was no one to be found out and about on my block so we just went on. My subconscious must have been having trouble with this. I had nightmares all night long about some breaking into our house. I never get dreams like this. If I have nightmares its usually that someone close to me died not harmed my house. In a small area town close to ours there have been a lot of break-ins they got the guys and they are from our town so maybe that were its from. I don't know it was really weird.

Ministerial Alliance Meeting

2010-02-18T09:54:00.000-08:00

I went to the Ministerial Alliance meeting this morning for work. I was very pleased by what they are doing in our community. If you don't know the Ministerial Alliance is a group of our cities pastors from all denominations that get together to help and support the work of God. They are not there to say that one person is right or wrong but that we are all children of God.

I had the pleasure to sit in on there meeting, even though I am not a pastor or a leader in the church. The cool thing was to hear of what they are doing to try to make our community better.

They help the people that get stuck in our little town by giving them a place to stay or helping them get to the next place they are going also by giving food and many other physical needs that people may have. One thing they are also trying is to help people that need repairs to there homes who

1. have no way to pay or
2. or otherwise incapable of doing so.

I thought this was a great way to show God love for people.

I ask each one of you to take a minute and show Gods love to someone today. If its saying a prayer or taking someone food, a phone call to say you care, or just a smile and a hug. I know that there are many people out there who want to help so just do it people.

Baby Steps People

2010-02-16T14:38:00.000-08:00

Starting February 1st. I have been taking a closer look at all the sugar that I eat and trying to lose some winter pounds. (I didn't which winter)

So I wanted to report that I have lost 2 pounds. It is day 16 and I have only had 2 sugar cheat days. Thats really good coming from the candy queen. By that I mean that I don't eat candy, or desserts. But if sugar is in say my cereal I still eat that. In time I may change that too. Baby Steps people. I can't change over night.

I still have a lot to do to make it to my summer goal but I'm getting there. Also, as I told you last time I started lifting weights. It is going really good. I am finally getting to where I'm not hurting for the next week. I get a little sore but it goes away fast. So for all of you out there who think that you can't do it, I'm here to say you can! It just takes time.

16 Days 2 pounds down. I know that most of that is more thank likely water weight but I don't care I'm still proud to lose it.

On a different note. We had a great weekend with not much going on. Spent some time with my family and my hubby's. I talked to my sis-in-law and her and my new nephew are doing great. I'm really glad. He is now 13 days old. I wish that I was able to see him more but that will come in time.

My other sis-in-law is still awaiting her little bundle of joy. I can't wait to meet the new little one in the family. Awww. How great it is to be aunt.

Well, off to the gym to run. Catch you all later.

V-day cards

2010-02-08T13:50:00.000-08:00

I was just having some fun with a Valentine's day thing going and came up with some V-day cards. These were my faves so I thought I would share them.

Please do not steal my designs they are a copy write of Shellbug Designs.

Accents

2010-02-03T13:30:00.000-08:00

At work we are talking about all the words that our West Texas accent has us say wrong. Well mostly what I say wrong. See, I work at a newspaper and all of the people that I work with are really great with words. (well I'm not) I am an artist that means that I find other ways to express myself without words. So anyway some of the words that I say and spell wrong are:

Decided - I want to say decited
Potato - I want to say butata (I know this is bad)

There are many more like the word kinda, or wont to, I know that I sound like the "you might be a redneck joke but this is really sad. I want to know what words you have problems with.

This is day 3 with no sugar and I really really miss it. I know its crazy, but I WANT CHOCOLATE. When I started my new workout I decided not to have any sugar (I'm sure this decision is going to impair my brain function.) I love candy and all things sweet. I was doing really good yesterday until I got hungry before dinner and Johnathen wasn't home yet. I had to work really hard not to get that left over truffle out of the frig. Well, I didn't eat it. I cleaned out the freezer so that I could fit the truffles in there instead. Yah for me! I will admit that I still eat things that are made with sugar (no not cake and donuts and such but I had a bagel for breakfast and that has sugar in it just the more natural stuff.

Oh and I found this Ann's House trail mix with dried fruit in it. Its really good. You should try some.

Up-dating

2010-02-02T10:19:00.000-08:00

I started a new workout yesterday. I know most people start stuff like that the first of the year but what can I say I'm always late. I have to say that I was just going in to run then I saw this girl with killer arms and I must say I had arm envy. So, I started doing some weights and all that stuff that I haven't done in years. Almost 10 to be exact. My goal is to have great tank top arms and of course with killer arms you don't want flabby legs, butt, and abs so Legs, and Abs are today. I hope that I can stay with it. It is my goal. I will let you know how it goes.

Also, this weekend we had my sister-in-laws baby shower. She had a really great shower and got some amazing stuff. It always amazes me the things that babies get. That baby got more clothes than I have. It really was a great shower and we had a lot of fun. Now if my (not really mine but my nephew and niece) 2 babies would just get here so I can hold them. Can't wait.

Thats really all I have going on as of now but I will let you know when things change.

Marker Fun

2010-01-13T13:14:00.000-08:00

So I will admit that I have been playing with the markers. No they are not great blending colors or anything like that but what do you expect from $3.50 Crayola from Wal-mart. I have to say this is not my best work but I was having fun. I don't know why I think that I need to play with markers again after all these years but I was getting in touch with my enter-child. (Truth be know that enter-child comes out more than most peoples).

I don't really have a lot going on so for a resolution (will not say New Years because it came about before then) I am trying to spend at least 30 min. a day on something art related. It seems like a lot of time but its really not. Most people spend more time watching TV than that. One of the great things about only having a DVD player is that I have seen everything that we own so I don't mind not really paying attention to it. Hope all is well and blessed for you.

Dinobird

2010-01-08T12:31:00.001-08:00

So I have been drawing more and more and came up with this little Dinobird. He does not have a name yet. I have been drawing him a lot. You might be seeing more of this little guy but I will not make any promises. But maybe I will take the time to color him without the markers. Sharpies don't blind well.

Glitter Grapes

2009-12-30T09:00:00.000-08:00

For a Christmas party I made something called Glitter Grapes they were a really big hit and very very easy to make. I took pics and will tell you how to make them if you care. Also, I posted the pics they are very hard to find on the internet. Trust me I looked.

Ingredients

Directions

Spread the gelatin mix on a plate, about 1/4 at a time. (I dumped it all, I don't follow directions very well.)

Rinse the grapes under water, and place a handful on the paper towel. You don't want so much water that it makes they jello start to liquify. Just get the jello to stick. Thats all you need.

Roll the grapes in the gelatin, coating the grapes.

Place coated grapes on to what every you want. I put them on the platter that I was serving them on.

Repeat with the remaining ingredients until all of the grapes are covered.

Put it all in the refrigerator, until the gelatin is set.

These are better the colder they are.

I used grape jello for the grapes and strawberry for the strawberries. I know it is very original but what can I say. Also I didn't get the strawberry quite dry so the jello doesn't look as pretty on them but we can't all be perfect they taste wonderful. Oh it is was a hit. I had very little left.

Angels in the cotton field

2009-12-15T14:42:00.001-08:00

I must admit I had way to much time on my hands and got board. I was looking at Paige's pic that SMP Photography took and call my good friend that is the photographer and she let me play around with it. So Paige I hope you like it if not I had fun and it cured my boredom for a time at least. Shiranda thank you so much for letting me play with you pic. I want everyone to go see how good she is check it out here. Thank you again.

Baby Shower Invites

2009-12-14T14:26:00.000-08:00

So due to the fact that not one but two of my sister-in-laws are about to have wonderful little bundles of joy, I have doing baby shower invites! Here are the two that we are going to use.

I must admit that I have had so much fun with this. I really like doing stuff for babies. I am able to be as creative as I want to be. Also each girl have different wants and likes so they are so different. Hope you like them.

T-shirt

2009-12-03T12:17:00.000-08:00

I was informed that I do not update this as much as I should so I'm trying. Not much is going on in my life to tell ya'll about. But I did finish this t-shirt design. So here it is. Sorry for the water mark, but it has to be done.
I saw a pic. of 2 girls street dancing and got this idea. Not much else about it. Other than I really like it hope you do to.

All is Cherry!

2009-11-03T11:50:00.000-08:00

I created some cherries. I started working on this at work in my down time finished it and here it is. It is vector created with Adobe Illustrator 10. Thats really all I have to say. When I get some more stuff I will show it to ya'll. Hope everyone is having a wonderful day.

Oh, and on a personal note, I have an amazing husband. I came home for lunch and he had been cleaning. YES, LADIES I SAID CLEANING! I am really blessed to have a wonderful husband like him.

My Daily Blessing

2009-10-22T09:26:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I was going through the normal

"What to cook for dinner?"

Every girls battle. So I noticed that the dog was out of dog food so I was just going to go to the store and get dog food and hunt for something for dinner. Well, I was looking and looking and finally decited that I was going to make a chicken pot pie. In case you are wondering I have never made one before. I always go to KFC to get one, but I was going to try. Being the dummy that I am I didn't look for a recipe so I thinking about how to go about this.
I was standing in the Frozen Food section when a friend come up to me and told me that I was thinking way to hard. Well, I made light of it and said

"You know just trying to decide on dinner."

Then she told me a really great recipe for a chicken pot pie! Isn't God wonderful. So that was my Daily Blessing yesterday. I just had to share that God even cares about what we eat for dinner.

Easy Chicken Pot Pie
• 1 package of roll-out pie crust
(it comes with 2 rolls)
• 1 large can of cream of chicken soup
• Canned Chicken (I used cooked drumsticks my husband likes dark meat)
• 1 package of what ever frozen veggies that you like.
Roll the pie crust in the bottom of a pie pan. Mix all the ingredients together, salt and pepper to taste and put in pie crust. Use the other pie crust on top, cut slits in it and bake for about an hour.
(I used fresh potatoes and it needed more time. So if you use fresh keep that in mind)

Just so you know both my husband and I loved it. He even said it would become one of his faves. And its so easy.

God saved me from a FIRE

2009-10-14T14:09:00.000-07:00

I wanted to share the amazing thing that happened to me last week.

So last Thursday, I came home first to find that my boat had been into (don't worry it was just my brother-in-law). I stared to panic when I remembered that my husband and the boys were going fishing. So I called my brother-in-law to see if it was him. I think that I was talking to fast because he said "HU?" Well if you know him you can hear him saying that. So it was him getting into the boat panic avoided.

Now to the real story. On Thursday's I have bible study so I was going to clean house for about a hour when I remembered a conversation that we had at work about dryers. My dryer is old and when I say old I mean OLD so I was saying how it was taking more and more cycles to dry well a guy that I work with told me to clean out the vent. My first though was OK I can do that, my second though was I'll get my husband to do that. HA HA! Well, a few weeks go by and I don't think anything about it until last Thursday.

So I was cleaning and I God kept telling me to clean the dryer vent. I was like I will tell my husband. But the voice was very adamant "CLEAN OUT THE VENT NOW!" So I though how hard could it be.

I couldn't reach back there. So I had to move the dryer. I don't have a lot of room in my laundry room so my but was up against the wall on one side and trying so hard to make the dryer move. It was really funny. I finally get the dryer out of the way and get behind it. The hole to get behind it was just an inch smaller than my butt. So I get back there and find that I need a screw driver to get the vent hose off. So I craw out with one foot on the washer and one on the floor behind the dryer and try my hardest to lift myself out.

I make it out and go to the garage and get both kinds of screw drivers because of course when I was behind the dryer I forgot to see which kind I needed. So I head back behind the dryer. Get the vent off and thank God that his voice was telling me to clean it out. It was clogged! I don't just mean a little clogged but way clogged!

So I start to clean it out and find that I am a supper chicken. See, I don't want to stick my hand where I can't see. I know I am such a girl. So my best friend the handy dandy screw driver gets in there. I pull out lint. Then I pull out more lint. And then I get even more lint. Then inside my giant lint ball I find a pen and a Quarter for my effort. I finish cleaning the vent put it all back together.

Now that I have it all back together I have to find a way out from behind the dryer. My legs were starting to go numb from the way that I was scrunched behind this dryer with a hole one inch smaller than my but and now I have been back there for some time and I'm really not sure I can get out. So up goes the foot on the washer. Deep breath and I make it up. (It was not graceful).

Now I put the dryer back which was harder than pulling it out and see that my laundry room is covered in lint. All the wads that I pulled out of the vent were still there but they multiplied and made baby lint balls that were every where. Even in my hair, nose, mouth and who knows where else.

The vent is now clean, the lint is somewhat in the trash, the dryer is back in place and its time to go to Bible study.

The point of this whole story is that God is amazing. He truly saved me and my husband from a fire. I know that if I hadn't listened to the voice of God I would be in trouble. I know that God tries to protect us from all the silly things that we do all we have to do is listen. I hope this story made you laugh as much as I have laughed at myself and also to see that God is wonderful.
I did this quick sketch of me behind the dryer. I wish that I could show ya'll how comical it was but this is a close as I could get. And for the record my washer and dryer do not match but I could make them match in my sketch so don't even bring it up. HA HA HA!

Prayer Changes Headlines Poster

2009-09-17T09:40:00.001-07:00

I wanted to share a poster that I created. I don't know if it will be used for anything as of yet but I was helping get some stuff ready for the revival that we had a church a few weeks ago and God gave me this to create. It is a little young for the church, but I was thinking that someday a youth group might like to use it for something. I know that some people don't believe in the power of prayer. I personally do. I know that it changes things I know that it changes people and countries. So I am asking that you pray for our country and for the people that you know that are hurting. Prayer is an amazing gift that God gave us so that we could talk to him and have a personally relationship with him. Have a great and blessed day.

* please ask if you want to use this image for anything. Also if you want a copy of this it does come without the logo.

Bumper Sticker Fun

2009-09-10T13:27:00.000-07:00

So, I was at work and this kid that works in the back is driving a care with an Obama sticker on it well I just couldn't let that happen so I just had to change it.

No paint on this car was damaged and I was care full not to get any tape on the paint. I just had to do it. Of course I was not alone in this I had help from other co-workers and it is all in good fun. Hope ya'll get a good laugh out of it too. If not laugh have some fun in life your too serious.

Psalms 25 A Prayer For Me

2009-09-02T06:56:00.000-07:00

God has really been working on me. I had to share what is going on with someone so I was thinking why not share it with entire world.

For some reason I have been in a very sad and have a sorrow filled mind and heart. I have no reason for this. Nothing has gone wrong and I don't really know how to explain what has been happening except that it has. I have been reading the book "Walking With God" by John Eldredge, and it is really opening up some things in my life. I truly believe that God is changing many things in my life and that Satan is not really very happy about it. I also think that is why I have been struggling with sorrow among many other things.

This morning after my run I came to God in prayer. I really didn't know what to pray I just new that I needed help, and no one could give it to me except the father. I asked God what I should read, if he had a word for me and he sent me to Psalms 25.

¹ O Lord, I give my life to you.
² I trust in you, my God!
Do not let me be disgraced,
or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat.
³ No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced,
but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.

⁴ Show me the right path, O Lord;
point out the road for me to follow.
⁵ Lead me by your truth and teach me,
for you are the God who saves me.
All day long I put my hope in you.
⁶ Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love,
which you have shown from long ages past.
⁷ Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth.
Remember me in the light of your unfailing love,
for you are merciful, O Lord.

⁸ The Lord is good and does what is right;
he shows the proper path to those who go astray.
⁹ He leads the humble in doing right,
teaching them his way.
¹⁰ The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness
all who keep his covenant and obey his demands.

¹¹ For the honor of your name, O Lord,
forgive my many, many sins.
¹² Who are those who fear the Lord?
He will show them the path they should choose.
¹³ They will live in prosperity,
and their children will inherit the land.
¹⁴ The Lord is a friend to those who fear him.
He teaches them his covenant.
¹⁵ My eyes are always on the Lord,
for he rescues me from the traps of my enemies.

¹⁶ Turn to me and have mercy,
for I am alone and in deep distress.
¹⁷ My problems go from bad to worse.
Oh, save me from them all!
¹⁸ Feel my pain and see my trouble.
Forgive all my sins.
¹⁹ See how many enemies I have
and how viciously they hate me!
²⁰ Protect me! Rescue my life from them!
Do not let me be disgraced, for in you I take refuge.
²¹ May integrity and honesty protect me,
for I put my hope in you.

²² O God, ransom Israel
from all its troubles.
Psalm 25(New Living Translation)

God just gave me the prayer to pray. What was even cooler was the fact that I have been praying to be a woman after God's own heart like David was a man after God's heart. This was a prayer of Davids. I am not the only person that has been feeling this way, David the greatest king, also had a heart of sorrow. I must say that I hope to never have to go trough the many challenges that David did. But, if it gets me closer to God then I will.

I am so grateful to God for his never ending love. I know that for some, you believe that God doesn't care what we are going trough or that he is just some being in the sky but for me he is my friend. Sometimes he is the only one who I can truly tell about my heart and my deepest thoughts.

I pray that I came to know him more and that I am a woman after his own heart.

My Birthday

2009-08-26T07:42:00.000-07:00

My Birthday was 6 days ago and I had a wonderful time. I have to say that I felt truly loved. Thank you to everyone who called, sent cards or had the time to hang out. I had a blast.

The day before my birthday Shiranda took me to get a pedicure. It was wonderful (know I use that word a lot). If you have never had you feet done it really is nice and worth it every once in a while. My favorite color is green so my toes are just the wild neon green.

Also my wonderful husband got me a beautiful bracelet and some ear rings. He out did himself. We (Johnahten & I) also went to eat with Shiranda, Beka, Misty and her friend and the kids at O'Hanas it is one of my favorite places to eat in Levelland. So for lunch we when there. We were hoping that Mom could come but she was in school getting ready for all her crazy kids to come back.

Isn't it pretty this is what Johnathen got me.

See my husband did really good. I know that they are just objects and the most important thing is that everyone was able to talk to me on my birthday. I is nice to know that you family & friends love you and that they take the time out of there day to make yours better. Also some really great guys that I work with got me a card and a gift card to Taco Villa I only go there everyday for a drink I thought that was really sweet.

Well, that was my b-day in a nut shell sorry I'm always a week late posting things. But, thats just the way that I role.

Going To Be An Aunt Again!!

2009-08-13T11:45:00.001-07:00

I am so excited I found out 2 days or was it 3 days but anyway I AM GOING TO BE AN AUNT 2 TIMES IN 3 MONTHS. I am going to have so much fun shopping for the shower and making shower invites I can't wait.

At The Lake

2009-07-23T12:28:00.000-07:00

As most of you know I was on vacation last week and went to Brownwood Lake. We really had a blast and anytime I will be ready to go back. I just love the water. I have always said that God put me in West Texas where there is no water just to get me to go to work everyday. I would so be a bum if I lived near the water.
We headed down there on Sunday morning and Randy had his annual flat in Lubbock. That was the first time it was this early so we wished it didn't happen but we were so glad that it didn't make a habit of it on the trip. So we get on the road and start heading out. I was so glad to be getting out of town for awhile. So we get there and unpack and all the good stuff. Johnathen and most of the family spent most of the time fishing. Which was fine with me, I like to fish. I will admit that I didn't fish at all in the morning this trip. I came to the conclusion that I was on vacation and didn't have to get up early in the morning. As much as I like to fish the fish just arn't worth it.
Here is my husband fishing. We found this great crappie whole and just fished and fished. But I will say that they would not bite after the sun went down which was very strange for crappie.

As you can see we (I use that term but I didn't clean any fish just the boys) cleaned a lot of fish I know they will taste great. Can't wait to eat them.

After a few days at the lake all us girls went to the fine city of Dublin to visit the Dr. Pepper plant. It was a lot of fun. We took lots of pics and drank a lot of Dr. Pepper.

They still make Dr. Pepper with sugar and not corn syrup so it is sooooooooo goooooood. Yes, I know I took a pic of my Dr. Pepper you can call me crazy if you wish.

When you get a fountain Dr. Pepper in Dublin they mix it for you. By that I mean that its not mixed by a machine like every other fountain coke in the world. The put the syrup in then they mix the carbonation in so that it just perfect. And it was.

We all ate lunch at the plant and had a blast. All us girls it was so much fun. If you look at the pics you can see that we had way to much sugar in our systems and we haven't even had the float yet.

We all walked through the plant and learned a lot about Dr. Pepper and how it is created but no they will not reveal the secret recipe. I know its really a bummer but what can I say. We saw how it was bottled and caped and learned that new bottles are to weak for the machine that hey have so if you have any old glass bottles then they will buy them off of you. I thought that was really interesting. Then we went to the store and got some bottled Dr. Peppers and a t-shirt for me and then what ever anyone else bought. I will also admit that we got a great Dr. Pepper float. It was really good but it was very sweet. I couldn't even eat all of it. It was a really sad day for my sweet tooth.

My brother saw this picture and said that I looked like I got caught doing something I wasn't allowed too. It was a really good float.
All us girls in front of the giant Dr. Pepper can.
We had to say goodbye to the Dr. Pepper sign as we drove out of town. The only thing that wasn't great about this trip was that Shiranda couldn't be there. It was strange having girl time with some of the girls missing. We did think of her and the others that didn't want to come.

After Dublin we went back to the lake. We had tuns of fun.
All the boys playing in the dirt. Imagine that.
Everyone just sitting around having fun.
He looks like he was really thinking.

Most of the family started to leave early and Rusty and Shiranda came to be there through Sunday so we stayed to play with them and just played.

Here is Johnathen skiing he is really good. I wish I could stay up like that. And do everything that he can on a ski maybe someday.

Johnathen and Rusty were jumping off the boat doing flips and I just really liked how the pics came out.

Here is Johnathen after Rusty tossed him around on the tube. As you can see he got some pretty good air and landed it.

We had a lot of fun which I know I said in other placed in this blog but I did. I'm ready to go back to the lake just as soon as we get out boat fixed. Which is coming along well.

Six Flags and the Zoo

2009-07-06T14:00:00.000-07:00

My little sister Misty has been wanting to go to Six Flags for well as long as she saw her first fair. But as a big sister I was worried that she wouldn't what to ride any of the rides until she was just a bit older. So for her 9th birthday we (Mom and I) took her to Six Flags. The first day we went to the zoo, no not to make Misty wait longer but we had 1/2 price tickets for Monday, not Sunday. My little sis is 9 yrs. old and has never been to the zoo well until now.

Here we are in front of the beavers that are swimming in the tank behind us. Yes, Misty is all wet because it was only like 106 degrees that day and we are walking around like crazy people in the heat of the day. We still had a blast.

Now this one is of our favorite pet Penguin. I would fallow Misty's fingers wherever she put them so if they went up in down so did the Penguin, if they went side to side so did the Penguin. Well you get the picture, we had a lot of fun playing with that Penguin.

Well, it was first time to wrestle a gattor. It looks like I'm holding on for dear life.

Now that we got the zoo out of the way we prayed for a cool day in Arlington and you know what God gave us one. We went to Six Flags and it was cloudy and only like 90 degrees. I know for some of you that live up north you are thinking that 90 is still pretty hot and you are right but after 106 it was a breath of fresh air. So we start the day of at Six Flags and my Little sister is really cool she can say the the very first roller coaster she ever rode was the TITAN. Yes, I said the very first roller coaster that the ever rode what the TITAN. We sure didn't start off small.

Here we are waiting in line to get on. Misty is really excited.

Her favorite ride at Six Flags was the Mine Train. You thought I was going to say TITAN didn't you. All I can say is if we rode the Mine Train once we rode it a thousand times. There were no lines so we could just about ride it as many times as we wanted and never have to worry that we were spending to much time in line or whatever. Misty also really liked the old time cars. She really like to be able to drive. She told me she was ready for her drivers license. We had a lot of fun.

Misty is trying to drive the old time cars but I was more worried about get all of us in a pic.

Misty's first trip to Six Flags. Isn't that a really cute pic.

Go on you can say it... That is a really cute picture of Misty. Or at least I liked it.

Now, the cowboys in the pic with us were really nice but tragically died in a gun fight. They were right in front of the seriffs office when it happened. To bad they were on the wrong side of the Six Flags Law. What a sad day.

Now after a very hard day of nothing but walking and fun. I'm waiting on the trolly to take us back to the hotel. And waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting well you get the picture.

Mom and Misty on the trolly ride home. They look like it was a really fun day. Which it was but by this time we sure were tired.

So, now you know all about or adventure to Six Flags. Misty loved it. I had fun even Mom rode some of the rides. Grandma got to ride up to Arlington and back with us so we got lots of really good girl time. It was a lot of fun. I think I said that already.

I'm going to be a new aunt!

2009-06-18T07:31:00.001-07:00

I have to say that so many things are going on and then nothing is going on. I know it make a lot of sense, but what can I say I don't have to this is my blog not yours.
So I get to be a new Aunt in about 9 months. I am so excited. So now I will get more babies to play with. My sister Misty isn't exactly a baby anymore but we have fun in different ways, like getting to go see Hanna Montana and taking her with me to work and all that fun stuff. Well then I have Rustin, who is a crazy fun kid I can pick on him all day long and he just laughs. We can't forget our newest addition Raily she is just 1 month old and really sweet so now I will get 2 babies to play with. I am really, really stoked. (I know lame word but what can I say it works)
Also Johnathen and I will celebrate our fifth, as in the number 5, anniversary tomorrow. It really doesn't seem like that long but then it seems like we have been together forever. Once again, it doesn't have to make sense its my blog.
Well, maybe I will get some great pics or have a great story to tell next week. Then again, maybe you will just have more of the same rambling.

How often do you think about JOY?

2009-06-12T13:14:00.000-07:00

Well I have been going to this wonderful Bible study with some of the girls in my family and we are going through this really great book
"Walking With God" by John Eldredge.

The book has really been opening my eyes to many things such as:

Do I really listen to what God is saying?

Do I ask God on a regular bases what he wants from me?

But the question that has been on my mine all week is How often do you think about Joy?

Joy, really should I be thinking about joy or is it just a feeling that comes to me every now and then when everything works out just the way that I want it to. Well, I looked up what the dictionary said about it. It is a feeling of happiness and pleasure. After that I decided to look up what God said about joy.

1TH 1:6  You became imitators of us and of the Lord; in spite of severe
suffering, you welcomed the message with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.

So God says that joy is given by the Holy Spirit so then if the Holy Spirit comes to us when Jesus enters into our hearts why then do we not live in more joy. By that I mean why do I wake up in the morning thinking "Great another day one more of work. When is Friday? Why is my hair not working with me?" and so on and so forth. Shouldn't I be joyful because I am a child of the Most High God. Yes I should because the joy of the Lord is my strength.

So now that you have read all that I looked up I discovered that I very seldom think about joy (at least until this book) So if all my joy comes from God I really should think about him and his gifts (joy) more. So I am trying to find the joy in everything that I do.

I will quit preaching to you and try to get some pics. I really hate looking at blogs with not pictures. Hope you all enjoyed all of what God has shown me this week.

A New Start

2009-06-10T14:34:00.000-07:00

So here I am blogging, something that my wonderful friend Shiranda has been trying to get me to do for a very long time. But untill today I truly didn't want to take the time to make one. Well, now I find that its summer and my job has become much slower and I have time to play around on the internet. Fun Hu!

So just a little bit about me:
I live in a small Texas town (not as small as some but smaller than most) and love it. I work for a newspaper building all the great ads that you see in it. I will not say that I am the one that messes some of them up before they go to print eather. I am married to Johnathen and we live very happly in a small house. Ok so maybe small isn't the word tiny would be better. No really it isn't that bad great for the 2 of us and the 2 dogs that live in the back yard.

I don't really know what else to say, but I'm sure that I can babble on for much longer. No I'm just kidding you will get to know more about me as time goes on and I tell all the really crazy, stupid stuff that I do. Like breaking down the door and burning dinner and any other crazy thing that I do.