Girlie Wisdom.. Thanks Julie !!!

Girlie Wisdom!

1 A friend of mine confused her Valium with her birth control pills... she now has 14 kids but she doesn't really care..

2. One of life's mysteries is how a 2-pound box of chocolates can make a woman gain 5 lbs.

3. My mind not only wanders, it sometimes leaves completely.

4. The best way to forget your troubles is to wear tight shoes.

5. The nice part about living in a small town is that when you don't know what you are doing, someone else does.

6. The older you get, the tougher it is to lose weight, because by then your body and your fat are really good friends.

7. Just when I was getting used to yesterday, along came today...

8 Sometimes I think I understand everything, and then I regain consciousness.

9. I gave up jogging for my health when my thighs kept rubbing together and setting fire to my panties.

10. Amazing! You hang something in your closet, for a while, and it shrinks 2 sizes!

11. Skinny people irritate me! Especially when they say things like...'You know sometimes I forget to eat!'.....Now, I've forgotten my address, my mother's maiden name, and my keys, but I have never forgotten to eat. You have to be a special kind of stupid to forget to eat!

12. The trouble with some women is that they get all excited about nothing and then they marry him.

13. I read this article that said the typical symptoms of stress are eating too much, impulse buying, and driving too fast. Are they kidding? That's my idea of a perfect day!

My First Trip To Rite Aid Cost Me Only 18 Cents

My haul : Regular price about $21.00 I paid 18 cents !!

I'm just in heaven tonight. I got all this cool stuff for 18 cents.. You are probably thinking, " Karen, have you been doubling up on your pain meds". The answer is NO.. I really got these 6 items at my local Rite Aid store for a mere 18 cents.

I have a couple of Friends at Church who are big into couponing. They have taken a class and call me frequently screaming into their cell phones something like..

Karen, I just got 60 boxes of crayons.. guess how much I paid for them ??

I respond.. I have no idea.. $25.00.. No your not gonna believe it.. but I got them for 60 cents.. I faint.. then talk about what savvy shoppers they are.

I have signed up for the class. I can't wait. I have clipped coupons for years. I even use them. Usually they don't save me enough money to fool with. so I've let it go. Then I saw a news blip on one of those Coupon Queens who buy $300 worth of groceries for $4 bucks.. That is the person I want to be.

I joined up with a coupon site.. (there are about a gazillion of them now) and check it weekly for my local grocery deals and coupons that match the sale items. I no longer cut each coupon but instead save and date the circulars they come in. I then match the coupon and the circular to the sale item I want. I save some that way. But not like those Coupon Queens on TV.

I have joined a couple of new groups, http://www.afullcup.com

and http://www.moneysavingmom.com

They have wonderful forums, groups, and emails giving alerts to all the cool deals out in the grocery stores and drug stores in your area. This is where I saw the Rite Aid deals of the day. I didn't get the circular this time, but the website listed the specials and the coupons that could be used.

Here is what I used on the items above:

• 1- Bottle of Nivea Men's body wash Reg. price $4.99 Sale price $3.00. I used a $1 off manf. coupon so the price lowered to $2.00
• 4- bottles of gain dish soap reg. price $1.49 ea. Sale price $.89 I used 4- $1 off coupons = Free
• 1- tube of Boudreauxs butt paste reg. price $9.99 Sale price $3.99 $3 off Butt paste video value coupon and $1 off manf. coupon. making the Boudreauxs = Free

My Total for the 6 items was $2.18 less the $2 up Reward I can use on my next shopping trip.. my actual cost for all 6 items was $.18 Cents..

I can't wait to take that couponing class and learn some more tips. I may just become the next coupon queen.

When People Give, Great Things Happen

Ready for the Kids to Register....

You may be wondering what I've been doing with myself these past 3 weeks. Well this is one of the events that I've been helping to plan for a few months.

The "Back To School Blast".

I can't tell you who loves this event more Our Church members, or the Community that comes and participates. We have been doing this event for several years. I think it probably started about 7 or 8 years ago. I'm ashamed to say I donated to it, but never participated. No particular reason, this is just a very busy time of year, Summer is winding down and the garden is coming in full tilt.

About three years ago I joined the OutReach Ministry Team at our Church. We decided to continue the Back To School Blast, and we wanted to kick it up a notch or two. I think many people feel like I did. It was the biggest Community event we hold and we wanted to add some fun extras to an already great event.

This year along with games, face painting, popcorn, cotton candy, sno-cones, punch, dunk tank, Fire Truck/Fire Fighters/safety coloring books, goodie bags full of basic school supplies (folders, pens, crayons, pencils, spiral notebooks, glue sticks, bookmarks, erasers) free drawings for prize packages of school supplies and backpacks. We added a Child ID program and Haircuts.

Ummm Yummy Cotton Candy...

what a wonderful day !!! We registered over 100 kids. A local hair salon *HeadQuarters Family Hair Salon donated 30 free haircuts and 20 free mini-manicures. Our Local City Police dept. provided a special ID program that is all digital. The $7000 donation from the local Kiwanas allowed the City of Burton Police Dept. to purchase the special program. Everything is put on a CD and given to the parents. It's really cool.

Wow Look at the School Supplies !

All those School supplies were donated. Yep I said donated. Over 300 spiral notebooks, 1000 ink pens, well over 100 boxes of crayons, at least 100 glue sticks, and folders. hundreds of pencils and 79 Backpacks. Our local Meijers store donated a $200 gift card that we used for some of the supplies, and some of the food we used. Members also donated pencil boxes, markers, colored pencils, scissors, rulers, calculators, composition books, mechanical pencils, loose leaf paper, and binders.

I can't tell you how awesome it all was the night we put the bags of school supplies together.

face painted -check

New backpack full of school supplies-check

the best cotton candy on earth-check

Then the day of the event finally arrived. I can't tell you how many smiles we saw that day. Kids with fresh haircuts, and freshly painted faces. Kids playing games, blowing bubbles and hula hooping. Kids proudly showing off their new backpacks and putting their bags of school supplies in them. Smiles all around. On every child's face. On the faces of Parents, and Volunteers. All because people chose to give.

Many gave not only school supplies, but time and talent. Some sacrificed warm dry clothes for the cold water of the dunk tank. Some Sacrificed 20 minutes to clean out that gooey cotton candy machine, and others sacrificed clean dry hands and arms for sticky sno-cone syrup covered hands and clothes.

Four Hair Stylist Sacrificed 2 hours on a Sunday afternoon to cut hair on squirmy kids who didn't always look to happy about the way "mama" wanted it cut.

A Police Officer Sacrificed 2 hours of his time after working a full shift that morning. (He had also worked 16 hour days that week at a huge local event)

A great day of Fun...

When People Give Great Things Happen. A lot was given that Sunday afternoon. Smiles, kindness, The Love of Christ. It was spread around and it covered every adult and child.

The generosity of all from the Kiwana's who made the Child ID program a reality.  to Meijers for the gift card,, the Stylists of HeadQuarters, the off duty Fire Fighters and Police officer, along with the members of Eastgate. A Great thing happened. The lives of children and their parents were made a little brighter.

And The Knee Saga Continues..

I can't believe it's been a month since my last post. Well maybe I can believe it.

A lot has happened in that time. I finally got an MRI towards the end of July. If you look at the drawing above you can find the lateral Meniscus ( the left side) that is where I had an extensive tear.

I finally got the call that a Surgeon would see me, but only after some long and interesting days.

Referrals are many in our Dr.'s office. It's a large clinic where there are about 5 or 6 main physicians and upwards of 16 or so residents. I think I would be close in saying that 100 or more patients are seen in any one day. Referrals make all the testing apts. and referring apt's. for other Dr.'s.

Usually it takes about 3 days to get the call, from the place you were refered to, to set up the apt. When I spoke to one of the 2 referral people. I was flatly told " since you just had surgery on that knee in May, I can pretty much tell you that no one in Dr. D's practice is going to see you. Once one of them rejects you as a patient no one in this town will take you." She then told me that my Dr. had said to schedule the apt. in the next 2 weeks.. she scoffed and said " that's not going to happen". I asked what would happen if Dr. D. would not see me. She told me I'd have to try and find someone out of the area.. or go to Detroit to see the one that did the Surgery.

I left for my car upset, well more then upset. I was mad and upset. What would I do if Dr. D would not see me. I was so upset, that my usual trip to Burger King *cause hubby loves Burger King, Didn't happen. I prayed on the way out to the truck. God kept nudging me to go home and call my old knee Dr. I did. He was still coming to his office once a week. He was not completely moved yet, but he was only doing surgery in a hospital in the Detroit area. She also told me that there were two Dr.'s in town that were taking his patients. I was thrilled at least if no one in town would see me I'd have an option.

I called Referral person to tell her about the 2 Dr.'s to which she replied. Well I know one of them is in the same practice as the Dr. D but if Dr. D won't take you he won't either. Just because Dr. L told Old Knee Dr. that he would take his patients doesn't mean he has to see you. oh, I said. Now I was really ticked off. That negative little referral person was raining all over my wonderful visions of quick and wonderful knee surgery. She also put a whole lot of negative thoughts and fear in my mind. I let it stay there a little to long.

A friend at church pointed out the next Sunday (when I told the class how I just had to know what was happening so I could make plans) that I was a control freak, and maybe God could take care of it, and I didn't have to do anything. What kind of crazy talk was that. I can take care of this as soon as I can make a plan.

A week passed. Nothing. I called the referral person again. She told me she had gotten my message and reiterated that most likely none of the Dr.'s in that practice would take me. She was just waiting for the office to return her call.

another weekend passed. Another Sunday. Another time of realizing that I love God to do stuff for me, but I want to be in control.

Monday morning I prayed and told God I was giving up control. I didn't have to know who was going to do the surgery, when or where. He could make the plans. I'd just do what I was told.

I had planned on calling referral girl that afternoon. I didn't. God was in control, not referral girl. I quit being mad at her that day too. She wasn't trying to keep me from having surgery. She was just doing her job. She would call me.

That afternoon when I got home from some errand running. Hubby told me that the Dr's office had called and he had let it go to the answering machine. I played the message. It was referral person. Dr. D would see me. He had an apt. Wed. morning at 7:45.

Whooo hooo.. is God cool or what.. I went to that apt. tho I almost missed it cause my alarm clock didn't go off.. and I didn't wake up till 7:00.. yikes. I went to the apt. and Dr. D. looked over the x-rays, and reports. Surgery was the only option. "How is Friday" he asked. I was shocked.. you mean the day after tomorrow Friday I said.. He laughed.. that's the one. I can wait a week if you want. I took that Friday.

My surgery is done now.. it was done a week ago. I go see Dr. D this week for my first follow up visit. I can't wait. Hubby talked to him after the surgery but I didn't. I do have the pictures. they are really cool. I'm going to take them and get the lo-down. I think I will most likely start physical therapy next week. I'm going to take it easy this time. I've already heard that I have to lose weight.. another story for another day. For now I'm going to focus on recovery.

So is God cool or what !! by the way. the surgery was done on the 14th day. so I saw the Dr. and had surgery in that 2 week window. pretty cool huh..

I'll keep you posted on my progress. Lots of things to catch you all up on.

I hope you give up your control to God. He'll make things go so much smoother and you won't have to carry around all that stress.... :)

The Knee Saga Continues.

Hello all, well it's been almost 3 weeks since I re-injured my knee.. LOL They finally took x-rays this past Monday. after almost 2 weeks. I suggested to the Dr. that we really needed to eliminate some basics, like a broken knee. (egad you are the Dr.)

X-rays were taken and as I suspected no breaks or cracks. YIPPEE. I finally got an appt. for an MRI this week. tomorrow as a matter of fact. at 11:15 pm.. LOL yep PM.. our facility is open 24 hrs. I'm just glad I get to go and get it done. finally. With all the pain I know I've done something. just not sure what.

In the meantime I had some surgery Ya, you heard me right surgery. menopause has not been easy on me. I had some trouble a couple of years ago too. This time I had a cyst along with more stuff that needed to be removed.. I'll spare you all the gory details. I got the biopsy report today. Cancer Free.

Praise the Lord. I am so thankful. I wasn't really worried about it. Actually I didn't even consider a different outcome. Some would call that Peace I felt denial. I choose to call it Faith. I knew it would all be OK.

I am still having some cramping and other twinges, but nothing this old girl can't take. actually the knee pain keeps the belly pain out off my mind unless my belly is really being sassy.

This knee thing has really put a cramp in my summer. I've missed some of my great nieces and nephews graduations, a cousin's wedding, several family picnics, a great nephew's reception, lake time, fishing, walking outside, helping work at the troop support group events, tractor shows, and gardening.

I've also managed to avoid all major cleaning projects. I just do the very minimum so we don't all die of some horrible disease. I've also managed to avoid a lot of cooking. I do very little. easy stuff that can be cooked in one pot with a minimum of standing. Husband has been good to run the vacuum, wash a dish on occasion, though he has offered to bring my office chair into the kitchen to ease my dish washing duties. I wash them. It just takes a while. I have to sit down a lot.. LOL Hubby has also swished a brush around in the toilet a few times. I don't look at the tub anymore. I just work on getting myself in and out in one piece.

Hubby has also taken over breakfast making duties. If you are all into oatmeal, cheerios, or toast, stop by. he'll whip you up some. :)

I have a Dr.'s appt. next week. hopefully the MRI will show us if there is anything that needs to be fixed. My knee dude left this area so I'll have to get a referal to another surgeon. I'm hoping we can just put the sassy thing in a brace for some healing time, or do more Physical Therapy.

I do have an exciting time lying in bed and watching TV. My set is old and we brought it home from Ky. I couldn't remember why until I had my first knee surgery in May. The delightful little thing occasionally decides to turn itself off. Yep about every two minutes. I think one of us has to go. I don't think it will be me. When I can manage sitting in the living room I do. The best seat in the house is my office chair in front of the computer. LOL how odd. No really it is the least painful position for my knee.

I am hoping for a pain free knee before Christmas. I'm really starting to wonder. If something doesn't happen soon, my summer will be gone, And I will have spent it sitting in the house. This thing better get better quick.

Music That Moves Me....

I love music.. It moves me.. It just does something to my Soul that nothing else can do..

I especially love the new contemporary Christian music.. I've always loved the Hymns.. We have a great and awesome God, and I've always loved singing about Him. The thing I love about Contp. Christian music is it not only says something about God.. but some of it I can sing to Him, and I like that....

I think that in Heaven we'll do a lot more singing to Him then about Him.. Just my opinion.. whoo what a Worship service that will be..

I thought I would share 3 of my favorites this week with you....

1. You can come as you are... by Pocket full of rocks.... (love the name) is so moving.. I just gushed tears the first time I heard it... God's not mad at you... what a great first line..

2. Forgiven: by Sanctus Real... In this life, I know what I’ve been, But here in your arms,
I know what I am, I'm Forgiven....

3. Better than a Hallelujah: Amy Grant... This song brought one thing to my attention.. that all my singing, praising, and sweet Christian talk in Church or around Church people doesn't mean a thing unless it's real.. It also reminded me that In the eyes of God, prayers of repentance, cries for help, and cries for healing, show our love and Trust in God.. they are a lovely song to His ears.. and They sometimes mean more to HIm then a Hallelujah..

Check them out on your local Christian radio station.. or you can go to http:// www.klove.com and find a station in your area..

I hope you find a song that moves you this week.. that speaks to your heart..

"You can come as you are"

by: pocket full of rocks..

He’s not mad at you

And He’s not disappointed

His grace is greater still

Than all of your wrong choices

He is full of mercy

And He is ever kind

Hear His invitation

His arms are open wide

Chorus:

You can come as you are

With all your broken pieces

And all your shameful scars

The pain you hold in your heart

Bring it all to Jesus

You can come as you are

Louder than the voice

That whispers you’re unworthy

Hear the sound of love

That tells a different story

Shattering your darkness

And pushing through the lies

How tenderly He calls you

His arms are open wide

"Forgiven"

by: Sanctus Real

Well the past is playing with my head
And failure knocks me down again
I’m reminded of the wrong
That I have said and done
And that devil just wont let me forget

In this life
I know what I’ve been
But here in your arms
I know what I am

I’m forgiven
I’m forgiven
And I don’t have to carry
The weight of who I’ve been
Cause I’m forgiven

My mistakes are running through my mind
And I’ll relive my days, in the middle of the night
When I wrestle with my pain, struggle with my pride
Sometimes I feel alone, and I cry

When I don't think and I don’t feel like I belong anywhere
When I don’t measure up to much in this life
Oh, I’m a treasure in the arms of Christ ‘cause

I’m forgiven
I’m forgiven
And I don’t have to carry
The weight of who I’ve been
Cause I’m forgiven

" Better Than a Hallelujah"

by: Amy Grant...

God loves a lullaby
In a mother's tears in the dead of night
Better than a Hallelujah sometimes.
God loves the drunkard's cry,
The soldiers plea not to let him die
Better than a Hallelujah sometimes.

We pour out our miseries
God just hears a melody
Beautiful the mess we are
The honest cries of breaking hearts
Are better than a Hallelujah.

The woman holding on for life,
The dying man giving up the fight
Are better than a Hallelujah sometimes
Tears of shame for what's been done,
The silence when the words won't come
Are better than a Hallelujah sometimes.

We pour out our miseries
God just hears a melody
Beautiful the mess we are
The honest cries of breaking hearts
Are better than a Hallelujah.

Better than a church bell ringing,
Better than a choir singing out, singing out.

We pour out our miseries
God just hears a melody
Beautiful the mess we are
The honest cries of breaking hearts
Are better than a Hallelujah.

Happy 4th Of July...

Happy 4th of July to you !!! I love it.. I love the whole thing, picnics, parades, hot dogs, swimming, ice cream, grills, suntan lotion, and bug spray... I love the soppy wet kisses given by wet kids fresh out of the lake, the smell of charcoal, the smell of sunscreen.. LOL I love the Music, Patriotic and Loud.. I love the sounds of laughter, grandparents telling stories of their special 4th of July memories, and Fireworks.. the perfect end to a perfect Day..

But my favorite thing of all is to see the Flag.... Our Flag.. Flying.. proud, bold, unhindered...

Our Flag.. what Emotions it evokes in me... some of them I wrote here.. http://maamawkaren.blogspot.com/2009/07/im-yankee-doodle-dandy.html

Today I hope you enjoy a picnic, grill smoke in your eyes, soppy wet kisses from a kid, ice cream, Patriotic Music, the sounds of laughter, and Fireworks..

Today I hope you see a Flag, Our Flag, Flying, Proud, Bold, and Unhindered....