Don left yesterday for a business meeting in California. Plans were for Alex to go with him. He was looking forward to it so much…Don was too. But when he got up yesterday morning, he was just too sick to travel. He showered and dressed and was all packed, but his body just would not let him go. He and Don were so disappointed.
Don had to go ahead and leave to catch his plane. What a bummer. Alex feels guilty for not being able to spend this time with Don. We had prayed that God would give him a few days of relief and a little fun…but it was not to be.

It is at times like this that I get angry. It seems so little to ask that this young man have a few days of fun. So little to ask that he get to do something that others take for granted. So little to ask for ‘normal.’ So, I’m angry. Not at God…just at life, and situations, and illness. These are the times it gets hard to keep a smile on my face, these are the times I want to hit something and cry out that “IT’S NOT FAIR!” And it’s not. But, what it is , is LIFE. And it’s the life we have been given. And I do not always like it. It’s at times like these that I feel as if I am going to fail as a mom…fail at keeping Alex’s spirits up, and fail at showing God’s strength and love…fail at finding a silver lining…fail at giving him hope.

“Because of God’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.” Lamentations3:22,23

Please pray for us. I know I sound really down, but I am not. Please know that I do not blame God for this. Sure I wonder why, but God is all loving and compassionate and He wants only the best for us. He continues to give us strength and sanity(*?*), I know He will never fail.

I found this recipe…and it’s likely the ONLY recipe you will ever get from me…in the diet book, Dr. Gott’s No Flour, No Sugar Diet.

COCONUT PECAN GRANOLA

3/4 cup of Fruit Sweet
2 tablespoons butter
6 cups old-fashioned oats
3/4 cup toasted pecan
3/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
pinch of salt
OPTIONAL: may add raisins or other dried fruit

preheat oven to 325

Melt butter in large mixing bowl in microwave. Add Fruit Sweet, oats, pecans, coconut, vanilla, and salt. Mix until well combined. Spray a baking sheet with vegetable oil spray and spread mixture out on the pan in an even layer. Bake, stirring several times, about 25 minutes until mixture is light golden brown. Cool completely. Serve at room temperature. Can be stored in airtight container for several weeks. Makes about 8 cups or 16 servings.

You can add this to nonfat plain yogurt with sliced fresh fruit. It is also a quick breakfast cereal with skim milk, or just out of hand as a snack.

FYI: FRUIT SWEET is a liquid fruit sweetener, made from concentrated fruit juices.
It is a good substitute for sugar and honey in cooking, but is sweeter than sugar and has fewer calories per serving. This is just one brand name, and it can be found in the baking needs isles of supermarket or health food stores.

ENJOY!

“Be still and know that I am God.”
Psalm 46:10

B club 2
Originally uploaded by Tonja Owens

This meeting was called together by member, Jean, who said, “I’m heading south, so you better jump at this chance!” Fellow members, Kat and Tonja, eager to be given voting priviledges, and just being good, all- around girls, proceeded…with haste…and began preparations for the meeting. Plans were made for the opening gavel to sound at 3:00…and at 3:10…it sounded loud and clear. … Well, maybe not a gavel, but a lot of excited female squealing and jumping about. All this was watched…at a distance…by our own hero/service man…Ray…standing at attention or at ease or something…it just looked very official and military like. And another gentleman who just looked on in amazement…and amusement.

Eager to begin the official meeting, the 2 gentlemen were hastily send off on their merry way…they SAID they were going to CHURCH!
But that has yet to be documented. However they did run into a man named Hemingway.

But, back to club news. The 3 members in attendance…parched of throat as they were, proceeded into the bar . Now, gentlewomen, never fear. We sat right by the door and only partook of diet cherry coke…and posed for several pictures. This first session lasted about 2 hours, and then our need for nourishment began to call. We made a quick trip to the nearest eating establishment , secured an out of the way booth (so as not to disturb others), ordered, and began Session 2. We learned much from this 2 hour session: the need for organization, the benefits and pitfalls of dieting, and the dangers of consuming too many sugar free candies. A near disaster was averted when Jean realized she had left important paraphanelia on the table and was able to retrieve it quickly. Hopefull no evidence was lost. Session 3 commenced in the lobby area of the hotel and rounded out the evening. Much conversation was shared by the 3 in attendance, along with a few tears, and lots of laughs.
Jean’s chaperone came and retrieved her and settled her safely back in her room, and Tonja and Kat escorted each other up to their
room.
A learning session for the computer challenged Tonja was planned, but alas the computer genius Kat was only able to impart a tiny amount of knowledge, because the internet connection was faulty. That’s what the genius said, the dummy just thought the computer was broken. Sleep came after much laughing and silliness, and a short flip-flop fashion show…very short! Session 4 bagan over breakfast. Jean was in absentia, but was contacted via phone for her 2 cents worth. Plans were made to hold the second meeting soon in hopes that more of the members(YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!!!) can be in attendance. Thus ended the meeting. All arrived home safely, with warm memories and cute pictures!
And a little Pennsylvania chocolate!

Minutes respectfully submitted: September 3, 2007.

 

Look at the new set of Vera Bradley my husband gave me for my birthday. And he let me pick out the pattern that I wanted. I have always loved this shade of green and I love blue and green together. There is just 1 more piece that I want to complete my set, the laptop bag. Cause you know, a girl’s gotta stay connected…and look fashionable at the same time!

I am leaving tomorrow for a little trip. Not JUST to use my new luggage, but to meet some bloggy friends IRL. I can hardly wait. One of my friends lives way up in PA., but she’s making a trip down south, and several of us Southern Blogging Babes are going to meet her. I can hardly wait! I haven’t even met all the southern girls either, and I am just as excited to meet them, too. So if you hear of a tornado down in Pensacola, FL., don’t worry…it’ll just be us…talking up a storm!!!