Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Lucky Dog

Lucky Dog.... Mary and her husband Jim had a dog named 'Lucky.' Lucky was a real character. Whenever Mary and Jim had company come for a weekend visit they would warn their friends to not leave their luggage open because Lucky would help himself to whatever struck his fancy.
Inevitably, someone would forget and something would come up missing. Mary or Jim would go to Lucky's toy box in the basement and there the treasure would be, amid all of Lucky's other favorite toys.
Lucky always stashed his finds in his toy box and he was very particular that his toys stay in the box.
It happened that Mary found out she had breast cancer. Something told her she was going to die of this disease....in fact; she was just sure it was fatal.She scheduled the double mastectomy, fear riding her shoulders.
The night before she was to go to the hospital she cuddled with Lucky. A thought struck her...what would happen to Lucky? Although the three-year-old dog liked Jim, he was Mary's dog through and through. If I die, Lucky will be abandoned, Mary thought. He won't understand that I didn't want to leave him! The thought made her sadder than thinking of her own death.
The double mastectomy was harder on Mary than her doctors had anticipated and Mary was hospitalized for over two weeks. Jim took Lucky for his evening walk faithfully, but the little dog just drooped, whining and miserable.
Finally the day came for Mary to leave the hospital. When she arrived home, Mary was so exhausted she couldn't even make it up the steps to her bedroom. Jim made his wife comfortable on the couch and left her to nap. Lucky stood watching Mary but he didn't come to her when she called. It made Mary sad but sleep soon overcame her and she dozed.
When Mary woke for a second she couldn't understand what was wrong. She couldn't move her head and her body felt heavy and hot. But panic soon gave way to laughter when Mary realized the problem.
She was covered, literally blanketed, with every treasure Lucky owned!
While she had slept, the sorrowing dog had made trip after trip to the basement bringing his beloved mistress all his favorite things in life.He had covered her with his love.
Mary forgot about dying. Instead she and Lucky began living again, walking further and further together every day.
It's been 12 years now and Mary is still cancer-free. Lucky still steals treasures and stashes them in his toy box but Mary remains his greatest treasure.

Remember.....live every day to the fullest. Each minute is a blessing from God. And never forget....the people who make a difference in our lives are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care for us.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Pearly Bites




RECIPE INGREDIENTS:
Pink frosting
Small, round wafer cookies
Yogurt-covered raisins or peanuts
White frosting
Black food coloring
1. To make each oyster, spread a layer of pink frosting on the bottom of a small, round wafer cookie, then gently press a yogurt-covered raisin or peanut on top. Position another cookie as shown, anchoring one edge in the frosting.
2. Dab on white frosting eyes, then use a toothpick dipped in black food coloring to add pupils.
*Recipe and picture found here: http://familyfun.com

Friday, August 14, 2009

The Bee's Knees

Friday's fun picks



Thursday, August 6, 2009

Looking for Something Fun ?

I got this recipe and idea from a great website called Kaboose
This is for Salt Dough:
2 parts flour
1 part salt
1 part water
Mix together well, if needed knead the dough. Roll out and use cookie cutters to make different shapes or make your own creations with your hands. If you want to use these little trinkets to hang on backpacks use a toothpick to make a hole big enough to fit some string through when they are done baking.
Place on cookie sheet and bake for 2-2 1/2 hours at 250 degrees. Let cool and then paint.

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

On a Personal Note

I find myself in a very strange place right now and thought writing it out would help bring some clarity.

I'm the type of person that likes to plan things out; funny how all of my children were "surprises" :O) What occurred just recently has really thrown me a curve ball.
I knew this day would come but I didn't expect to feel so conflicted about it and quite frankly....nervous.

We decided when my oldest was two years old and we lost our sitter that it would be better if I stayed home until he was ready to go to school, less heartache and stress on the family...so we re-adjusted and low and behold right when I was about to return to the job search we found out I was pregnant. This happened twice (yes, every four years I had a baby)LOL. Now my daughter is going into first grade and I am about to return to searching. I'm not going to lie, this has me up at night. The last time I returned to work after a six month break every interview had the same question "why haven't you worked in six months?" Is anyone going to be willing to hire me after not working for 12 years? Am I going to have to take a job that I really don't want just to help contribute?

I know in the end it will all work out but for now I remain quiet and contemplaintive....

Tuesday, August 4, 2009

When Life Hands You Lemons....

make this delicious frozen treat :O) Recipe courtesy of kraftfoods.com
This is so easy and yummy!
Frozen Lemonade Squares
What You Need!
9 HONEY MAID Low Fat Honey Grahams, finely crushed (about 1-1/4 cups)
1/3 cup margarine or butter melted
1 qt. (4 cups) frozen vanilla yogurt, softened
6 oz. (1/2 of 12-oz. can) frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
1/2 cup thawed COOL WHIP LITE Whipped Topping
Make It!
MIX graham crumbs and margarine; press onto bottom of 9-inch square pan.

BEAT yogurt and concentrate with mixer until well blended; spread over crust.

FREEZE 4 hours or until firm. Serve topped with COOL WHIP.