Venting...

Venting, yes I need to vent.

Last night I went to bed propped up on pillows with vapor rub on my chest to ward of the beginnings of a cold.  I slept well.  I hoping to sleep in (for me that is around 10:00a.m.), but no.  Not for me, and most certainly not today.

At 6:02 a.m. this morning a chirping beep begins.  Yes, the smoke detectors are beginning their song and dance.  After thinking I could sleep through it, (not) I got up to figure out which one of (I have no clue how many of) them are chirping.

It is now 6:30 a.m. and I have found the one (so I thought) that was going bad.  I found a new 9 volt battery, and somewhere found a step stool to climb up on.  I replaced the battery, only to discover another chirp.

And, so it goes, until I have used all of the new batteries (which I have 9 new ones), for 10 smoke detectors.  Yes, one battery short.  I thought for a bit and decided that one could not get a new one, but no, it keeps chirping.

Note:  hubby is still in Afghanistan.

I do not wake up pretty. Hair goes in, at least, six different directions.  My nose (vapor rub didn't work) is stuffy and runny.  Ugh.  After I shower, and get ready for the really early day (especially for me) it begins to rain.  Yes, rain.  (insert laughter)

Okay Lord, I hear you.  Umbrella in hand, off to Wal-Mart. Of course, I don't just purchase 9 volt batteries (enough for the end of times), but milk, creamer, bread, (they had a sale on beef jerky), etc.  So, $170 later...

I arrive home to be greeted by our rat terrier (Dexter) who is not happy that I left him alone with these annoying birds.  After I bring the twelve bags of groceries, and put away the cold stuff, I venture off to locate the smoke detector that was missing a battery.  I insert said battery into the detector, and press the reset button...and another one goes off...chirping.

After much thought (once again - NOT), I replace all of the units with new batteries.

No more chirping.  Thank you God. Dexter is now napping, and I am thinking I will join him.

Happy Labor Day!!!
Blessings -always.
Jerry Ann

Crock Pot Corned Beef Brisket

Corned Beef.

Sometimes I serve it with noodles, and sometimes potatoes, but I always cook it in the crock pot.  Turns out perfect every time.  This is one of our go to recipes around here.  Perfect for a work day, or on a weekend.

 2 to 3 yellow onions thick sliced, and a rib of celery, cleaned and placed

on the bottom of the crock pot.

 I get the Flat Cut Corned Beef Brisket that has the season packet (makes life a little bit easier).

 Place beef fatty side up, and sprinkle the seasoning on top.

Fill the bottom portion with water (to the bottom of the beef).

 This time I added fingerling potatoes.

 Then top it off with carrots.

   

 I rough chopped a head of cabbage, and added season salt in a skillet.

 Saute with butter until most of the cabbage is cooked through.

 

 The beef cooks on high for about 8 hours.

Vegetables are tender, and very flavorful.

Perfect every time.  

Enjoy!

Moved My Cheese.

So, last week I moved my cheese.

I quit my job.  I have worked there for 12 years, doing a variety of things.  It is different not having to go in on a Monday morning.  It is different not dreading Monday.

Yesterday was the first time in a very long time I sat in my church just as a church member.

God has placed the right people in place for me to let go.  Let go.  If any of you know me, you know how very difficult that truly is. Letting go for me has never been easy.  This was different.  God let this go.  He is letting me relax in this guided path.

I will still be there as a consultant when they need me.  If they need me.

But this week, new habits, new routines, new beginnings.

Blessings,
Jerry Ann

Bucket List

Yes, a bucket list.  Things that I would like to do or accomplish.  Not in any order, and I may change my mind tomorrow.

1.  Get a good camera - done (early birthday)
2.  Travel to Australia
3.  Travel to Japan
4.  Travel to Scotland/Ireland (they are nothing alike, but are listed together. I am not sure why.)
5.  Spend a week in New York --see a Broadway play a day.
6.  Jump out of an air plane (preferably when I want to, not need to.)
7.  Ride in a Hot Air Balloon.
8.  Dance on Broadway (was an original dream of mine at 17.)
9.  Make a quilt (like my grandmothers.)
10.  Learn to speak German - really!
11.  Learn to speak Japanese
12.  Open a restaurant.
13.  Open a store (scrap?)
14.  Write a cookbook
15.  Walk on the Great Wall of China.
16.  See Paris again with my love.
17.  See London again with my love.
18.  Conquer Algebra.
19.  Eat at a Gordon Ramsay restaurant.
20.  Eat at Morimotto's sushi restaurant (prefer the one in Japan.)
21.  See U2 live in concert (front row preferred.)
22.  See Motley Crue in concert (I tried in 1987), and now finally done!
23.  See Poison in concert. - done
24.  Meet Bret Michaels - done
25.  Run a 5k.
26.  Live at Disney World.
27.  Be the Fairy God Mother at Disney World.
28.  Grow a vegetable garden.
29.  Write a book.
30.  Be a mentor.
31.  Refurbish a piece of furniture.
32.  Color my hair (or parts of it) pink.
33.  Be a size 12 again.
34.  Organize my scrap/craft area.
35.  Take a trip around the world.
36.  Be a tour guide.
37.  Sew a dress.
38.  Crochet a blanket.
39.  Learn to knit.
40.  Meet the Queen of England.
41.  Meet Nathan Fillion.
42.  Speak in front of a group of people without freaking out.
43.  Learn how to can vegetables.
44.  Learn how to make jam or fruit preserves.
45.  Be a friend to my children.
46.  Get a Bachelors degree.
47.  Learn more than 6 words in sign language.
48.  Live in Germany.
49.  Own a Corvette.
50.  Own a BMW or Mercedes.
51.  Go to a Dallas Cowboys Football game.
52.  Attend an Olympic event.

I have had thirty of these for over 20 plus years.  Ugh.  Trying to get some of these marked off this year, but I keep adding to the list.

Do you have a bucket list?  Does it always change (update)?  Do you place things on your list that you know you will accomplish?  Are they obtainable?  Or all fantasy?

Blessings,
Jerry Ann

Moving My Cheese

Several years ago, there was a book entitled "Who Moved My Cheese?" by Spencer Johnson.  The basic premise of the book is there is constant change.  It is how we deal with the change that either allows us to find where our cheese has moved, or die continuing to go back where it was.


I have always been fine with change so long as it was me doing the changing.  You know what I mean...when we manage the control...everything is fine.  I have had this as my mantra for a while now (since reading the book I believe).  Moving my cheese...is happening now.  


I have been looking to do something different for a while now, and I am taking a leap of faith.  


I will update once everything is in place.  Prayers appreciated.

Blessings,
Jerry Ann