Tough moments in life.

I am the youngest of six children, and was deemed the Medical Power of Attorney (POA) for both of my parents many years ago. When my mother was in her final days, and the DNR (do not resuscitate) had to be issued, it tore me up. Even though  I knew it was what she wanted, it was so hard.

It's been almost 8 years since my mom passed, and  my dad is in a Veteran's home. He has severe dimentia, but other than that, doing just fine. And as his POA, I often receive papers in the mail to sign - papers about policy changes, medication changes, etc. Seeing the letters in my mail doesn't bother me at all.

But today I opened the letter, and it was an update to my dad's DNR order that I needed to sign. And while I know it is his wish. And I know that with his mind gone, it is the right thing to do, it is still something that tugs at my heart when I have to sign it. It makes me pause.

It's not easy taking care of parents. It's not easy making decisions for them.

Growing up isn't all it's cracked up to be.

A day of cleaning and purging...

Once again this winter arctic air has changed our plans, postponing a trip to the local ski hill. Which meant for me, a found day here at home - a chance to do some cleaning and purging.

Am I the only person who feels a great satisfaction in purging?? I love simplifying. I love purging. I love de-cluttering... Today I've been tackling magazines. Going through them, pulling ideas, etc. Didn't have the heart to hit the gardening mags yet, it's just too painful with the two feet of snow and -20 degree windchills. For another day...

We are having our youth group over for pizza and movies tonight. It will be a small group, but a reason for me to get the house cleaned - in preparation for a week of company. Bible study is here on Wednesday, a girlfriend here for the weekend starting Friday, and a superbowl party on Sunday! So the floors have been swept, the dusting done, and the bathroom and kitchen cleaned. LOVE having a clean house, even if only for a few hours. :) I imagine it won't look the same after a bunch of teenagers have been here!

So I have the pizza dough rising, and I have another couple of hours to purge. Onto more magazines!

Love my small town life.

I live in a town of about 850 people. We are approximately 20 minutes from two larger towns, of around 20K people each. As of late, I've seen several articles and interviews with people slamming small town America, stating that these small town areas are useless, with nothing to offer.

I beg to differ.

I've lived in a big city - a city of  just under a million people.

And I'm glad I now live where I live.

Today was a shining example, as I ran errands before the weekend. As I walked into the grocery store, I was able to congratulate a new uncle on the birth of a niece. I was able to talk with a dear friend working there, going through some personal issues. And the door was held for me as I left with my purchases!

I then headed to the library. Was able to not only grab my next book club book, but a new release movie (gotta love that!), and some free magazines that they were purging. I had a chance to chat with a friend from church who works there in the process.

I love knowing the people working in town. I love knowing their families. I love that they know and care about me, and MY family. I know small town living isn't for everyone. But it is for me. :)

The bread machine saga....lightening up the cupboards!

Late last year, my bread machine started to smoke. It was still able to make the dough, but it smelled like it was burning up. Literally. I only used my bread machine for some of the basic doughs - and then would bake them in the oven. Much of our bread, I made from scratch. But I liked the convenience of having the dough made in the machine on days that I was kind of busy.

So for Christmas my husband surprised me with a new bread machine, and the old one (faithful for over 15 years!) was sent to the garbage. I was excited to try out the new machine, and eagerly awaited the first loaf. Imagine how sad I was when it came out with a deflated top. Not knowing what I did wrong, I decided the next loaf - I would simply make the dough, and bake it myself.

I was actually home, and cooking, while this second run was in progress, and as I checked the progress on it, I realized that the paddle and motor combination in this new machine was far from sufficient, and the ingredients were barely getting mixed. Frustration set in. My husband felt it too - and volunteered to take it back and get a different one. But instead, I decided to go without completely. To force myself to bake all of our bread (and for friends) from scratch. It feels good to have one less appliance in the cupboard. Here is to simplifying my kitchen! (a little sarcasm there... read on)

That first week sans bread maker I had to make 4 loaves of wheat bread, something I had always started with breadmaker dough. So I started digging through cookbooks, bread books, and the internet, trying to find a simple wheat bread to make. And while I found one, it was a bit more dense than my normal wheat. So that look continues. Needless to say, when forced to make large quantities of bread, you can never quite get it like you want!

For another week, I simply went back to my standard from scratch french bread. A proven standard, one I wouldn't be worried about. So this week, not having any bread to make for others, I decided I better try to figure out a white bread from scratch, and I'm happy to announce that I was able to modify another recipe and am happy with the results. Who knew that removing that one appliance would encourage me to experiment, and come up with my own recipes?

Simplifying isn't so bad after all!

Reading, reading, reading!

I love to read. And having more time to read is another one of my perks from working part time! I belong to "3" book clubs - one that I helped start at my former employer (yep - we still meet after many years, and despite the fact that a few of us no longer work there!), one online through facebook, and one with a girlfriend. I don't always get to participate in each of them, but do as often as I can.

The problem is, I'm a book lover. Ok, excuse the language, but I'm a book whore. I LOVE books. I have shelves of them. I have too many that I want to read! And I don't keep them all after I read them - I only keep the ones that I might want to read again some day, or lend to someone else. Most of the shelves are full of books that I haven't read! And trying to fit those extras in, with three others books going on, well - it can be difficult!

So I am excited about a new winter reading program at our library. Local businesses have provided prizes, for an incentive to read in these cold, Wisconsin winter months. So I am reading! Finished one book this week and last night started another. Very excited to be pushing myself to read some of the books on those shelves. Maybe when I'm done, I can turn them in at the used bookstore in town - to get store credit - and BUY MORE BOOKS!

I have a few vices. Reading is one of them. But one that probably isn't THAT bad for me. :) We do live in the frozen tundra...and it's winter. It's cold outside! No better reason to curl up with a book in front of that fireplace!

The power of positive..

I thrive on positive. This is nothing new. And when I have something positive to look forward to, something in the near future, it makes days go by so easily.

One of my dearest friends in all the world is coming at the end of the month for a girlfriends weekend... a weekend of scrapbooking, coffee, good food, and talking. And I cannot wait. I absolutely love these weekends, which we do not do enough! And this time I get to host, so I'm having fun planning menus, etc.

Only a few days after she leaves, I have a mid-week getaway with the hubby. A concert ticket was my gift from the kids for Christmas - and we are sneaking over to the concert and staying over night!

And then, three weeks from that - is Mardi Gras. It will be my second time there for Mardi Gras, this time taking the kids. Another family vacation, which I know will be dwindling away after my daughter graduates from college and starts her next stage in life. So I will cherish this vacation. With all my heart.

I love having these things in the back of my mind, as they keep me going. They give me a light at the end of the tunnel. And I am very Blessed to have so MUCH to look forward to! 

a Misunderstanding???

We've all seen the posts, the jokes, etc. about the husband not understanding what the wife does all day at home.

Last night we received notice that due to snow, school would be delayed this morning. And with that delay, the field trip for the band off, and with that, my sub job cancelled. I had a TON of things on the plate for this week, and felt immediate relief when I realized that I would have the day to catch up!

Before going to bed last night, my dear husband asked me "what are you going to DO with all day tomorrow??" And while I know his intentions were good, that he was happy I'd have a day "off", I realized that he really doesn't have any idea what it takes to run a household!

Before noon today I had:

• sorted all of the recycleables
• taken garbage and recycling out to curb
• shoveled the massive pile at the end of the driveway left by the plow
• unloaded and loaded the dishwasher
• baked 3 dozen biscuits for my families
• washed dishes and cleaned up the kitchen
• gotten the fireplace going
• cleared the mantel
• washed a load of laundry

by noon

The afternoon will include additional cleaning and laundry.

Wonder what I should do with my day off? ;)

Introducing my new blog!

With all that has happened recently, I've decided that it's time to start a new food blog... Introducing....

Saturday Morning Coffee with Missy

 http://saturdaymorningcoffeewithmissy.blogspot.com/

 Working on the first true post now - and playing with templates. I'd love to have you join me there! 

Getting ready!

This morning I'm up early prepping food! I have baked oatmeal in the oven, with my girlfriend coming over for a healthy breakfast, our first chance since the kids went back to school.

But I'm also prepping for the television spot on Sunday. I've been taking pictures along the way to send them, as they want pictures before the fact. So the Balsamic pork is in the crock pot! I'm pretty darn excited at this point. I hope it goes well. What a fun chance to share not only my passion for cooking, and providing for my family, but a super yummy recipe that I think everyone will LOVE!

I really need to figure out how cooking can become my future. It makes me so happy....

New glasses, new hair, and the photo sample prep underway. Guess I'm getting ready for my big spot! Channel 7 this Sunday - airing around 7:40ish.

God's timing....

So my Faithful readers know that I spent the morning on my knees in prayer. (if not - read the previous post)

I received a phone call this morning from a local news station, asking me to showcase one of my recipes on the Sunday morning news show!

I am beyond excited. Not because I'm getting paid (because I'm not) - but for having something to look forward to! Something positive, and fun. And who knows? God makes everything happen for a reason! He heard my anguish and distress this morning and sent me a gift.

God is so good.

Life's tests...

I help out with our church's youth group. And we have a facebook page - for updates, scriptures, etc. We finished a Bible study just after Thanksgiving, and then had a Christmas party, but have been "off" for the holidays. In order to jump start January, I posted a passage from James on our site the other day - about growing stronger through those tests. James 1:2-I1.

I have felt these last couple of months an incredible strain and stress. There are many factors. So many. And more arose this morning. And I'm not talking tests about housework, or people issues, I'm talking about big life tests. The ones that change you.

So this morning, I closed my bedroom door and fell to my knees. And I prayed. I prayed for strength, and for peace. I prayed prayers of repentance for all I've done wrong. I prayed for guidance and direction. I prayed prayers of thanksgiving for bringing us to where we are today. But mostly, I simply prayed. I prayed, giving all of my worries and stress up to God. Because that's what I do. At least I try. I try to give my worries up, allowing Him to worry for me. To take care of me.

I don't know where I would be without my Faith. It gets me through, and makes me stronger, no matter what the tests and trials. I am so thankful for my God, for His strength.

The arctic cold?

I'm not sure what one calls the cold we are predicted to be getting this weekend and early next week.

Now I'm ALL for winter. Like it very much. Family likes to snowboard and go four-wheeling.

But they are predicting wind chills between 50 and 75 degrees below zero for Monday. That is insane. Schools are cancelled, as are other events.

I am saying prayers that everyone stays safe this weekend and next week. That everyone has a sound shelter to stay in, with heat, and food.