Tuesday Tip

I just have to let you all know how glad I am to be back in the swing of things! I missed visiting everyone while I was recuperating. It is also good to get back in to my normal routine.

We are only 3 weeks away from graduation, it seems like only yesterday Ethan was starting Kindergarten and now he is apply to college. When I say "it passes sooo quickly", it truly does. I plan on posting pictures from Prom night and several other items I have put off.

But today it is time for a helpful hint.

Today's hint is related to Spring and Summer! With all the beauty surrounding us, flowers in full bloom, come the insects of summer. When I was young I was and am still allergic to bee's. My mom used home remedies and my grandmother was the queen of home remedies. So I thought I would share some of those with you, hopefully you wont be in need of them, but just in case.

Tip: Treating a Bee/Wasp Sting

First foremost is hug and kiss from Mom, and while this is comforting to little ones please make sure you try to remove the stinger from the insect bite if possible. After removal of stringer you could try one of the tips my relatives used.

For bee stings take a cigarette and break it, take the tobacco and moisten with water and apply to sting with a bandaid, this will take the swelling, soreness and pain from it. I would never promote cigarettes or tobacco, it was not as taboo when I was young. I think my grandmother used my grandfather's chewing tobacco. For a safe more convenient item you could also cut a onion in half and then gently rub the affected area. In less than 5 minutes, the red and swelling and pain will be gone.

For bites that itch, use Preparation H, sounds silly but it works!

Now girls I know we have Walmart and Walgreens close enough and if you are like me you have several types of creams or salves to apply, but just in case you don't, thought you may need an alternative medicine. lol I don't know if these remedies ever truly helped, but don't tell my mother I said that.

Have a blessed and beautiful day!

***Update: I would never promote cigarettes, tobacco or smoking! This is just a old time remedy that earlier generation used.

Menu Plan Monday

I feel like I have been gone for such a long time! I hope I didn't miss too much! Between recovering from Flu, closing the books for the fiscal year for Junior Auxiliary and the Prom (will post pictures later) I have been one busy woman.
The weather here in Tennessee is beautiful, and the days are getting longer. With warm weather we always enjoy firing up the grill. I will have to plan that for at least 2 days this week.

If you want to try other fabulous menu items please visit Laura at Orgjunkie. As always thanks for stopping by and please come again.

Mon: Taco Salad, Corn Cob
Tue: Lasagna, Salad, Bread
Wed: Grilled Chicken Salad, Bread
Thur: Lemon Pepper Chicken grilled, Salad
Fri: Eat out/Take out
Sat: Hamburger Steaks, Baked Pot., Salad
Sun: Dinner at MIL

You Inspire Me

I have been away for several weeks recovering from the worst bout of the flu imaginable to mankind! lol I wanted to thank all of you for the cards, phone calls, and sweet comments.
I am late in posting this award from Joy. I read the definition and felt so honored. Thank you Joy.

I have a little challenge to help us all be an inspiration.
1. I have not always been faithful in being positive or uplifting or inspiring to others around me.
2. Yes I have had my feelings hurt, and I have hurt others feelings at times.
3. I also have asked for forgiveness, and understanding and compassion.
4. I feel the world is full of negativity and strife and hurt. God doesn't need me adding to it.
5. Yes, I know we are female with hormones and they run rampant at times.
6. I also know that we should practice self control, and we must work on keeping our anger and negative feelings in check. This only hurts us.
7. I am old enough to know this one thing. We are Female, we need each other, the world is ready to tearing us down enough, we sure don't need to hurt each other.
8. Lets all inspire to be what God would have us be.
9. Our time here is limited and should be spent striving to live a Christ like life.
10. It is so easy to forgive and move on.
11. We need to work on loving our neighbor and do good to our enemy. In doing so we may lead someone to Christ and make a friend.

I feel so blessed and honored to spend time with other people blogs...you open your family, your home, and your thoughts and so many of you are beyond talented. I pray that we all work hard to encourage one another. Truthfully, our goal here is to make it to heaven and help those who are lost make it. Life is too short to be angry, bitter and jealous.
As I said earlier I hope you take on this challenge. Lets all try to inspire and live a life of
Peace and love. I share and pass along this award to you who are reading this.
God bless!

Flu in April!!!

Flu Virus
protection for my family

Yes, what you read is correct. I feel like I am in the middle of an April Fools joke. I will be out of commission for awhile. I have been feeling so bad (understatement of the year) the last few days! I visit the doctor today and she says, "You have the flu" after the flu test comes back positive. It only took it like 1 minute to show up positive, and it usually take like 10 minutes. I always get the flu shot every November. I thought I was home free again this year, guess again. I am home, sick and in bed. She did give me Tami Flu and some amazing cough medicine that makes me feel as if I am almost better. It's just the codeine! lol If you have never had the flu you are sooo lucky. This is the first time for me. My whole body aches and it even hurts to walk. I will be checking in this week, when the codeine kicks in, probably not posting much. It is so wrong to be sick when it's 60 degrees outside. I hope you all have a germ free week! Peace and love to all :(

Saying Thanks and asking for prayers......

Debra at Bunnie's Bungalow gave me this great award! I felt so honored, especially coming from Debra she is so talented and I love reading her blog. Stop by and visit her.
The rules are:
By accepting this Excellent Blog Award, you agree to award it to 10 more people whose blogs you find Excellent Award worthy. Please award at least 10.Feel free to recognize blogs that have already received this award.
Now comes the hard part....
1. Laura at Organizing Junkie
2. Denise at Sketon Photography
3. Ashley at Ashley's Attic
4. Kat at Just a Beach Kat
5. Rhoda at Southern Hospitality
6. Kelly at Kuties by Kelly
7. Susan at Susan B Designs
8. Annette at Toadily Handmade Cards
9. Angela at Terrible Speller

and last but not least, on a more serious note, Joy at Simply Joy Catering. Those of you who live in our hometown know of the crisis that Joy and her family suffered Friday with the tornado. For others who may not know. Our town had a sever storm, and tornado's touched down in several areas all over our county. Several families suffered a great deal of loss of property. Several areas were hit hard and homes were damaged. I know Richard was out until 3:00 am working with the Ben Lomand Telephone and Caney Fork Electric to help restore power, phone to the victims. He was back up at 5:30 am and he worked until 11:30 am when all the repairs were completed.
Today as we leave our comfortable beds, and walk out the door of our warm and dry homes, please keep Joy's family, and all the other victims in your prayers. Ladies this is a great opportunity for us to show our Christ like attitude and help lift up someone in need. If only you say a prayer in the days ahead, God will always be listening. The word of God teaches us that "the fervent prayers of a righteous man availith much." So please where ever you are today stop and say a prayer for all of the victims and their families who are suffering.
There was no loss of life, God is good. Peace and love to all!!!

I have been on a blog vacation!!

Yes, as I live and breath and as my post says, I have been on a little break! I just needed some time to devote to family and work! We all just finished our annual (TCAP) test for our school system this week, need I say more!

I have also been very busy with Junior Auxiliary the last couple of weeks. We had a successful Easter Egg Hunt, Hopping Into Health, Jr Miss Pageant, and finishing my treasurer duties for our fiscal year.

I did take some time to check on each of my blog friends this week and imagine my surprise when I realized I had been given an award this week. The same award by 3 special and sweet ladies. I was so honored and I wanted to take a moment to thank each of these friends.

All of the blogs I read, and especially these girls make my day!

Tabetha Sullens at Reminiscence Heirlooms: Tabetha, I admire you so much. She is just a great Christian wife, mother and she is a "rockstar" when it come to creating masterpieces! She is also a wonderful friend and she not only makes my day, but so many others! Thank you Tab!

KJ at eye-dyllic: KJ is so talented and I love to visit her blog and am so inspired by her ability to write! We keep each other in our daily prayers, for this I am so thankful. Thank you KJ

Rennie at All that Glitters: Rennie, this young lady is so happy, you can see it in her smile. I love her blog, and I always leave with a smile. Her love for God and her post are so inspiring and I look forward to each visit.

Please grab a cup of coffee and visit each of these ladies, you will be better afterward.

Now the hard part I must pass this on to 5 ladies who make my day.

Brandie at Dream Custom Artwork: Brandie is just a natural talent. Not only with a paintbrush, but also in the classroom. I am blessed to work with her and call her my friend.
Rhoda at Southern Hospitality: She is she is so talented and I so enjoy visiting her and seeing all her decorating and design talents.
Ashley at Forever Flowers Jewelry: Ashley is Brandie's sister and a family friend. Talent sure runs in this family! Who would have ever thought of making lasting treasure with flowers! She is so unique.
DebraK at Bunnie Bungalow: Debrak is a recent retiree and she has an eye for bargains and she also is so good at decorating and I love my visits!
Leanne at Lot of Loops: Leanne teaches, creates beautiful bows for little girls, and she is also my JA sister. She is a wonderful christian wife, mother and I admire her so.

Please go and spend a moment with these wonderful ladies and let them make your day too. Thank you to all my blog friends for sharing your lives and letting me share in your memories.

A few of my favorite things......

This pic was taken thru the lens of another camera!!! This is one of my favorites, ahh I wish I could keep them here a little longer
Just being a brother and sister
Wow where did the time go! He is getting ready to graduate High School!

Funny pic. She is always the one trying to be in control (big sister thing)

Sitting pretty and posing!
Down on the farm!
Ethan and dancer!

Down on the farm II
Don't let those smiles fool ya!

I've got your back!!! Laughing and being silly!
Their Calendar Pose!!!

I have been reminiscing tonight, as you can see. I have always heard you should enjoy all the little moments. Even the hectic days and moments of being a mom. You turn around and they are grown up! Looking at these pics really brings those quotes home. I have enjoyed being a mom to these amazing young people. They have taught me so much about life, and living life. All of the hustle and bustle of ballgames, sleep~overs, camping trips, teaching them to drive cars and waiting up for them, and just being their mom, and along the way I have learned a lot about love. I think as young parents we worry to much about the many things which do not matter in the grand scheme of life! So just for today if you have a little one, hold them a little tighter, and give them an extra kiss. Today when they have one of their moments be patient with them. You will turn around and young adults will stand before you.

Just thought I would share my sweet ones with you all! I am so proud of this young man and this young lady. I hope I have given to them what they continue to give to me.

Tuesday Tip

"Heart disease and stroke are the No. 1 and No. 3 killers of women. They are two of the many cardiovascular diseases that kill nearly 500,000 women each year. That is more than the next seven causes of death combined, including all forms of cancer." - American Heart Association

With this in mind today's tip is listed below....

Tip:

Lets take time to add exercise to our daily routine. "Bless Our Hearts" a few minutes everyday by moving, walking, dancing, biking, swimming, playing whatever you love to do that moves your body and blesses your heart.

tip courtesy of Flylady.com