For God So Loved The World...

One of the best things about tonight's playoff game between my favorite team the New England Patriots and the Denver Broncos was watching this brief commercial from Focus on the Family sharing the message of God's love. There is nothing that can top today than the fact that God loves us so very much.

Book Review - The Lord Is My Shepherd by Debbie Viguié

One of the wonderful things about my goal to work out - besides burning off some much needed calories - is I latch myself onto the elliptical trainer and pour myself into a book.  Or would that be a Nook?  Well, it would be both.  I was given a Nook via my husband's boss (he doesn't enjoy reading like I do and thought I would enjoy it- I DO!!!!), and it is definitely one of my favorite things.  I love taking it everywhere and always having a book on hand.  I love that I can change the print size so I can read it without reading glasses (which I have recently needed).  I love that I can take it with me to the gym and workout on the elliptical or treadmill without holding pages open like so many others have to do.  Mind you I have an old-school Nook, but it is still a joy!


I really wanted to increase my reading time, and having the Nook and the opportunity to read while I workout has really working out more enjoyable and reaching a reading goal even more amazing.  It is wonderful getting the opportunity to multitask in a very good way.  The past two weeks I have been working my way through "The Lord Is My Shepherd" by Debbie Viguié.  





Here are some details from Goodreads:


Cindy’s church is getting ready to celebrate Easter, and Jeremiah’s Temple is preparing for Passover when Cindy literally stumbles over the body of an unknown man lying dead in the sanctuary. The church was locked, and a bloody cross necklace on the floor seems to be the only clue. The killer is likely a member of the congregation, but there are hints that similar deaths have happened in the past. Are Cindy and Jeremiah dealing with a serial killer? They have to unravel the clues before Easter Sunday arrives and more people die. 

My Review: 


I picked "The Lord Is My Shepherd" because I was looking for a cozy mystery.  I love that cozy  mysteries give you a mystery without the sex and foul language.  Cozies also involve more characters that I can relate to.  Let's face it, for the most part, the people we know aren't fashion models, movie stars or explorers.  Most of us through six degrees of separation may know someone in a high end career, but most of us still live our day-to-day lives far from a spotlight.  In a cozy anyone can become a central character to an adventure be that person a grandma, waitress, real estate agent or even a church secretary.  


Now this cozy was a little more bloody and creepy than the usual cozy, but it still had most of the key ingredients that I enjoy.  Cindy is a mild-mannered and perhaps slightly bored church secretary who literally stumbles on a corpse in the church sanctuary of all places.  The story immediately moves forward from there and introduces Rabbi Jeremiah Silverman and man other characters.  Together they have quite a wild ride and some rough patches and truly I had no idea who the actual killer was.  Let's just say that was a thrill in itself as I almost always figure things out.  


"The Lord Is My Shepherd" delighted me so much that I immediately began to read the next book in the series "I Shall Not Want."  The icing on top of the cake is that both books in the series, well actually all three of the books in the series, I was able to get free through Barnes & Noble.  I look forward to what comes next!

Casting Crowns - Just Another Birthday

The impact of the presence of a father in a young girl's life is, in my opinion, literally life altering.  This song by Casting Crowns touched the little girl in my heart who missed some important bonding time with her own daddy.  I am happy to say that I now have a relationship with my father, but I  still have issues that I deal with because I just have not felt worthy and filled myself up with what the world advised.  I needed God to fill the emptiness.  Sadly, I felt that God couldn't possibly love me, because I couldn't grasp the love of a parent. 


In this regard, I am definitely a work in progress.

Thrifty Tips for January 12th

I do a thrifty tips special weekly at the radio station.  Here is what will be on deck for Thursday:

FABULOUS WEBSITE

FlyLady is here to help everyone with CHAOS which she calls Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome.  Want to get your home in order, gain control over your day and be happy to have someone over without worrying about the mad dash to get things nice and neat or the garbage bags you need to locate to temporarily "store" some clutter?  Check out one of my favorite places to inspire and equip everyone to keep their households under control.


LINK:  FlyLady

FREE MUSIC DOWNLOADS

iTickets.com has a free download available of Rend Collective Experiment's song "Second Chance" from their CD "Homemade Worship by Handmade People.  PS...they will be at Grand Canyon University on January 20th with Francis Chan.  So if you like what you hear, you might want to check them out live.  PPS...I think it is PPS...anyway, don't forget you do need to be a member of iTickets.com in order to download, but membership is free and they do not spam you.


LINK:  Second Chance by  Rend Collective Experiment


New Release Tuesday is also a great resource for free Christian music downloads as well as fabulous Christian music news.  They also are offering a free download of "Second Chance" by Rend Collective Experiment as well as "Love  Lifted Me" by John Barnett from his new album "Never Look Back."  You can like them on their Facebook page or head to their website.


LINK:  New Release Tuesday song downloads

FREE EBOOKS

I would like this focused entirely on my life in general...I was not blessed with organizational skills.  A book like "Absolutely Organize Your Family by Debbie Lillard could just work wonders for someone like me.  If organization is one of your goals, check out this free opportunity:


Absolutely Organize Your Family: Simple Solutions to Control Clutter, Schedules & Spaces by Debbie Lillard (BARNES & NOBLE) (AMAZON) 


Ruby (Dakotah Treasures Series) by Lauraine Snelling (BARNES & NOBLE) (AMAZON) For those into Western inspirational stores, Lauraine Snelling is really amazing.


Priced To Move by Ginny Aiken (BARNES & NOBLE) (AMAZON)


The Lady of Bolton Hill by Elizabeth  Camden (BARNES & NOBLE) (AMAZON)


If you are looking to make something quick and easy you have to download 5 Minute Recipes by Instructables Authors (AMAZON)

REBATE

If you catch Physician's Formula's new Organic Wear 100% Natural Lash Boosting mascara with a special "TRY ME FREE" sticker attached, you simply cannot pass it up.  There is a rebate available now worth a maximum of $9.95.  Be sure to follow ALL the directions.  For example the "Try Me Free" sticker must be included with the rebate form, the purchase needs to be made between 11/1/2011 to 10/31/12, and the form must be postmarked by 11/15/12 (though I wouldn't wait that long).  Follow the link below for your rebate form.  Don't forget to follow ALL the directions.  Keep a copy too!  :)


LINK:  Physician's Formula Organic wear Natural Lash Boosting mascara rebate

PRINTABLE COUPON

Try Arby's Roast Beef Classic Special for just $3.99 with the printable coupon at the link below.


LINK:  Arby's Roast Beef Classic Special

SAVING STAR COUPONS

Don't forget to head over to Savingstar.com to download the latest coupons to your loyalty card.  Each time you purchase an item with the corresponding coupon, more money drops into your Savingstar account.  When you hit $5, you can parlay it into an Amazon gift card or have it go directly into a bank account or even Paypal.  This could pile up quickly or slowly, but it is still money that you can get by items you would purchase anyway.  Check them out if you haven't already at the link below.


LINK:  Savingstar

FREE TASTING EVENT

Starbucks is very proud of their coffee and very confident in their flavors, and starting January 12th through January 14th you can participate in a taste test and vote for your favorite be it Blonde Roast, Medium  Roast or Dark Roast.  According to their website, they will also give you a little something as a thank you.  Follow the link below for more details!


LINK:  Starbucks Coffee Sampling Event

WHAT TO DO? WHAT TO DO?

It is time again for another free National Park Weekend!  Yes in celebration of Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, more than 100 National Parks that charge an entrance fee will be offering three fee-free days: January 14th, 15th and 16th!   Click on the link below for the list of participating parks.


LINK:  Free National Park Entry


If you decide to pack up the kids for some fun National Park Hopping, you may want to stop by the Pringles' Facebook page for some fun traveling printables. 


LINK:  Road trip printables for the kids


Lowe's Build and Grow Clinic will offer the kids an opportunity to build a cute little castle complete with stickers and cut outs.  This activity will run on January 14th.  Don't forget you need to register via the website.  You can also register the kids for their chance to build a...Build-A-Saurus a sweet lil wooden dinosaur for the kids.  That building class will be held on January 28th.  All these activities are free. Follow the link below to sign up now.


LINK:  Lowe's Build and Grow Clinic for Kids

GROCERY DEALS

FRY'S

Kroger Cheese Select Varieties Bar or Shredded 6-8 oz $1.79 Each
Yoplait Yogurt Select Varieties 4-6 oz 20/$10
Red Bell Peppers 88 cents each
Kroger tomato Sauce Seclect Varieties 8 oz Can 5/$1
4 for $10 (Plus Get One Free Gallon Fry's Milk or One Half Gallon Simple Truth Organic Milk - limit 2 rewards per transaction)
Special K Cereal or Crackers Select Varieties 4-19.5 oz
Nutri-Grain Cereal Bars, Kellogg's Fiber Plus Bars or Special K Bars Select  Varieties 5-10 ct
Kashi  GoLean Cereal Select Varieites 14.1-15 oz
Keebler Right Bites or Wheatables Select  Varieties 4.24-8.5 oz
Blackberries or Blueberries 6 oz 2/$3
Red Cherries $2.49 lb
Bar-S Bacon 12 oz $1.99 (limit 2)
Spiral Sliced or Half Ham 99 cents lb
Campbell's Soup Select Varieties 10/$10
Manwich 15.5 oz 10/$10
Hunts Pasta Sauce, 26-26.5 oz 10/$10
Mangoes 99 cents each
Bananas 57 cents lb
Yellow or Zucchini Squash 99 cents lb

Also a big 50% off sale with 50% off taken from:

New York Strip Steak or Roast (limit 2)

Foster Farms Whole Chicken

Ronzoni  Smart  Taste Pasta Select Varieties 12 oz

Classico Pasta Sauce 8.1-26 oz Select Varieties

American Beauty Pasta 12-16 oz Select  Varieties

Libby's Canned Vegetables 14.5-15.2 oz (excluding peas) Select  Varieties

Nabisco Saltines 9-16 oz Select  Varieties

Ken's Salad Dressing 16 oz Select  Varieties (coupons were in last Sunday's paper)

Challenge Butter 16 oz Select  Varieties

Clorox Wipes 150 count

 ALBERTSONS

USDA Choice Beef T-Bone Steak Bone-In Family Pack $4.77 lb (I don't typically indulge in T-Bones, but if I do, it will be at a sale price)
Sanderson  Farms Chicken Drumsticks, Thighs or Leg Quarters Family Pack or Whole Body Fryers 99 cents lb
Red Seedless Grapes $1.49 lb
Prego  Pasta Sauce 23.25-24 oz 2/$3 (there were coupons for these in the Sunday paper)
Hunt's tomato Sauce 8 oz limit 6 or Maruchan Instant Soup 2.25 oz Select Varieties 3/$1.00
Coffee-mate Flavored Creamer 32 oz $2.99
Hormel Compleats or Dinty Moore Meals 10 oz $1.49 (limit 4)
Chobani Greek Yogurt 6 oz 10/$10
Qyaker Quick or Old Fashion Oats 42 oz $2.49
Campbell's Chunky Soup 18.6-19 oz Select Varieties 2/$3 (limit 4)
Jennie-O Blue Ribbon Hickory  Smoked Turkey Breast Sliced from the Deli $3.88 lb
Pork Sirloin Chip or Roast Boneless $1.99 lb
Ground  Beef 93% Lean $2.99 lb any size package (not a price I go for, but if you really want some ground beef)
Bar-S Bologna 12 or Jumbo Meat Franks 16 oz Select Varieties 4/$5
Ronzoni Garden Delight or American Beauty Pasta 12-16 oz Select Varieties 10/$10 (check out the 50% deal at Fry's though it could be a better price)
VO5 Shampoo or Conditioner 15 oz Select Varieties 89 cents
Napa or Bok Choy 2 lbs $1

Bunch Green Onions or Radishes 2/$1
Navel Oranges or Menneola Tangelos 99 cents lb

SAFEWAY

Whole Boneless Pork Loin - Sold in bag $1.99 lb
Jimmy Dean Breakfast Sausage Rolls or Fully cooked Selections 9.6-16oz Select Varieties 1/1 free save up to $5.49 on 2 (plus there were coupons in the Sunday paper)
Blackberries or Blueberries 18 oz containers $4.99 each
Sweet Navel Oranges 49 cents lb
Red Delicious, Gala, Fuji or Granny Smith Apples 99 cents lb
Marie Callender's or Healthy Choice Meals 8-19 oz Select Varieties $1.99 each
Ragu or Francesco Rinaldi Pasta Sauce 16-24 oz 4/$5
Anthony's Pasta 12-16 oz Select Varieties 10/$10
Hass Avocados 99 cents each

Safeway 3-Day Sale

Friday, Saturday and Sunday

Chef Boyardee Canned Pasta 7.25 to 15 oz 89 cents

Nabisco Premium Saltines or Snak-Saks 8-16.5 oz $1.59

Sweet Imported Cherries $1.99 lb

Safeway Ground  Turkey 20 oz 1/1 free (save up to 4.79 each)

Not A Good Day

Well it wasn't the worst day, but as far as my diet goes...not great.  I did work out at the gym and burned off 330 pounds on the elliptical trainer.  So I can be proud of that, but the eating...not great.  I learned something though. 


I cannot not eat.  When I get overly busy at work I tend to drop eating because I am just way too busy.  What happens next is I tend to pop just about anything into my mouth just to keep from feeling weak and ookie.  Today I only was able to eat about five bites of my salad.  Because it was easier, I quickly nabbed two eggrollish items (our program director's wife made them and they were amazing just not good for me) because they were easy to handle.  Because I didn't eat a decent lunch, I ate two pumpkin granola bars on the way to the gym.  Not only did I not enjoy a thing, I definitely did not eat well.  


I did hit the gym and work out, but I got there late, because we had a staff meeting that took longer than expected.  I am happy about showing up though, because I really was close to not going at all.


When I hit the house I was hungry and rather than eating something good for me, I popped a donut. 


Let's face it...this day sucked.  


Dinner was much better.  I had one fajita with black beans (I had them cooking all day).  Tomorrow...I will definitely do better.  I think I may make an extra hardboiled egg so I can have something quick.  I am not envisioning a simple day tomorrow.  I have to record our on-air calendar and do show prep for tomorrow morning.  Lessons were learned though.  


Three things I am thankful for:


1- I had fun hanging out with my son today after the gym.


2- Dinner was good and I only had to pick up some frozen peppers to make it complete.


3- It is so nice to have a car with heat!


Two things I am patting myself on the back for:


1- I went to the gym even though I was pressed for time and wouldn't get the amount of workout time I wanted.


2- I said no to an icecream sandwich.

Menu Plan Monday

OOOPS!  Sneaking this in WAY late.  I really really really want to do my best to keep up.  So here is my menu plan for the next week.


Monday - Pork & Pasta Casserole
Tuesday - Chicken Fajitas with Black Beans
Wednesday - Pasta and Sauce (easy night)
Thursday - Meatloaf, mashed potatoes (mashed) salad
Friday - Senate Bean  Soup and Salad
Saturday - Chili 
Sunday - Pot  Roast Mashed Potatoes & Salad


Big thanks to Laurie from I'm An Organizing Junkie for Menu Plan Monday!

Learing To Stop And Pray...AND Study the Word (my verse for the week)

My verse this week:  Habakkuk 1:5, "Look at the nations and watch and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told."


Isn't this a great verse? I can't wait to see what God has planned for me this year.  :)  This will be my total reminder as the week rolls along.  :)


I read a really awesome devotional the other day via Proverbs 31 Ministries.  It reminded me how important it is to just stop and pray.  So many times in my life I stop and pray when chaos is all around me.  But truly I need to be praying all the time.  I need to be communicating with my God just as I communicate with my son and my husband.  I don't just speak to them when my life is in crisis mode.  I shouldn't communicate to my God just when I am in crisis mode or before meals.  Okay...it isn't quite that bad, but I realize that I need to reach out more habitually.  Praying about all things from the good to the bad. Share about my day with God.  Yes...He knows everything that is going on already, but I still need to actively bring God into my day and my nights.


Today I am thankful for:


1-  We had leftovers for dinner.  I am thankful that I had the food leftover to make a good meal for each of us which allowed me to have the time to just enjoy a piece of Sunday with my husband.


2-  I am thankful that my son got up early when I asked so we could get his hair cut, and I could pick up a few much needed items at the store while he got his hair cut.


3-  I am thankful that I found Kernel Season's Popcorn Seasoning in Jalapeno flavor (SOOOOOO yummy).  It was the perfect treat while watching football today.





I am patting myself on the back today for:


1-  Cleaning out a pile of papers from our coffee table (I am not done yet, but I made a nice dent in the mess).


2-  Making my son laugh.  I like being a funny mom or at least funny to my son.  :)


Looking forward to a beautiful week tomorrow!