Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Happy Birthday Big Momma
Friday, November 28, 2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Thank a Vet
I think I've sent to all of you Papa Ray's story about his service in the United States Army during WWII. Tuesday would be a good day to take it out, dust it off and read it! You could even call him and thank him for his service to our country. He really is quite awesome, as are the other vets who have served and are serving our country! God bless America! And....God bless Papa Ray!
Friday, October 31, 2008
My Old Washington Home
We don't have hills and mountains full trees with beautiful fall-colored leaves like youse guys in Kentucky, Pennsylvania and Utah. But hey, we do have A tree that is cool. I love this time of year, but it is too short. Plus I feel cheated out of the whole month of September since it was mostly spent in the hospital. But on the other hand I'm VERY grateful to be able to enjoy October and the months beyond.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Pumpkin Patch Hell
While at the pumpkin patch this last weekend words failed me (I know, WHAT?) This doesn't mean anything became physical, I simply excused myself before I blew a gasket . . . this video says it all.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Christmas 2008 gift list
Giver: ----- Givee:
Mom-------- Jason
Dad--------- Emily
Melissa----- Chris
Jason------- Mindy
Chris------- Melissa
Amy------- Gerene
Ben-------- Kallen
Mindy------ Amy
Emily------- Dad
Kallen------- Ben
Brian------- Brandon
Zack-------- Ethan
Taylor------ Jack
Ethan------- Hannah
Brandon---- Taylor
Jack-------- Zack
Hannah----- Brian
Mom-------- Jason
Dad--------- Emily
Melissa----- Chris
Jason------- Mindy
Chris------- Melissa
Amy------- Gerene
Ben-------- Kallen
Mindy------ Amy
Emily------- Dad
Kallen------- Ben
Brian------- Brandon
Zack-------- Ethan
Taylor------ Jack
Ethan------- Hannah
Brandon---- Taylor
Jack-------- Zack
Hannah----- Brian
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
HEY!
I need the Christmas list thing of who has who....I have ideas and a little bit of motivation right now, so I think if I get started now (instead of 2 weeks before Christmas) I may actually finish my project/present on time this year! Help!! Also, are guns ok to give kids? What if they shoot marshmallows?
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Patriot Day
Today is Patriot Day. We flew our flag at half-staff today in rememberance of those who died on 9/11. The scriptures tell us we can humble ourselves or be compelled to be humble. My prayer is that Americans can one day come together in faith as was witnessed on 9/11 and the days following. We will be humbled one way or another, it might as well be on our terms.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
There's nothing gross about this Labor Day
Since the cartoon image (vaginal birth) of Labor Day I posted may have "grossed" more than one of you out, I wanted to post another tribute to the great day we call "Labor." So a big shout-out to all the men (and women) who work so hard to provide conveniences and preserve our way of life. In fact, I am not sure one "holiday" is enough to recognize all the efforts of our cowboys, construction workers, police officers, G.I.'s, bikers(?), and Native Americans. Hooray for Labor Day!!
SPLEEN 101
Ok I did a little research (since we can't do much else right now!) and apparently this blog is also for education, so i thought i'd let ya'll in on what I found out:
Your spleen's main function is to act as a filter for your blood. It recognizes and removes old, malformed, or damaged red blood cells. When blood flows into your spleen, your spleen performs "quality control"; your red blood cells must pass through a maze of narrow passages. Healthy blood cells simply pass through the spleen and continue to circulate throughout your bloodstream. Blood cells that can't pass the test will be broken down in your spleen by macrophages. Macrophages are large white blood cells that specialize in destroying these unhealthy red blood cells.
Always economical, your spleen saves any useful components from the old cells, such as iron. It stores iron in the form of ferritin or bilirubin, and eventually returns the iron to your bone marrow, where hemoglobin is made. Hemoglobin is an important protein in your blood that transports oxygen from your lungs to all the parts of your body that need it.
Another useful thing your spleen can do is store blood. The blood vessels in human spleens are able to get wider or narrower, depending on your body's needs. When vessels are expanded, your spleen can actually hold up to a cup of reserve blood. If for any reason you need some extra blood – for example, if trauma causes you to lose blood – your spleen can respond by releasing that reserve blood back into your system.
Your spleen also plays an important part in your immune system, which helps your body fight infection. Just as it detects faulty red blood cells, your spleen can pick out any unwelcome micro-organisms (like bacteria or viruses) in your blood.
When one of these invaders is detected in your bloodstream, your spleen, along with your lymph nodes, jumps to action and creates an army of defender cells called lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that produces antibodies, special proteins that weaken or kill bacteria, viruses, and other organisms that cause infection. Antibodies and white blood cells also stop infections from spreading through the body by trapping germs and destroying them.
Pretty cool, eh? Here's the "just in case" good news-
Does that mean I can't live without my spleen?
As you've seen, your spleen is a very useful organ, but it is not vital. Sometimes, a person's spleen does have to be surgically removed. This may be because the spleen becomes injured, or it may be taken out in the course of transplanting other organs.
Other parts of your body, like your lymph nodes and your liver, are able to step in and take over many of your spleen's functions. Because the spleen is so important to your immune system, people without spleens are more vulnerable to infections. This is why your doctor may tell you to take extra precautions, such as getting vaccinations, once your spleen has been removed. You will also be prescribed oral antibiotics to take daily; this is another way to prevent infection. Still, it's not uncommon to be without a spleen, and many people are able to enjoy full lives without one.
http://www.chp.edu/CHP/Ref+spleen
So there ya go in case anyone wanted a little more spleen information. Dad and Mom are still stuck in the hospital just waiting to hear what they're going to do (as of the time of this post.) We're all thinking of and praying for yous!! We love you Daddy!!
Your spleen's main function is to act as a filter for your blood. It recognizes and removes old, malformed, or damaged red blood cells. When blood flows into your spleen, your spleen performs "quality control"; your red blood cells must pass through a maze of narrow passages. Healthy blood cells simply pass through the spleen and continue to circulate throughout your bloodstream. Blood cells that can't pass the test will be broken down in your spleen by macrophages. Macrophages are large white blood cells that specialize in destroying these unhealthy red blood cells.
Always economical, your spleen saves any useful components from the old cells, such as iron. It stores iron in the form of ferritin or bilirubin, and eventually returns the iron to your bone marrow, where hemoglobin is made. Hemoglobin is an important protein in your blood that transports oxygen from your lungs to all the parts of your body that need it.
Another useful thing your spleen can do is store blood. The blood vessels in human spleens are able to get wider or narrower, depending on your body's needs. When vessels are expanded, your spleen can actually hold up to a cup of reserve blood. If for any reason you need some extra blood – for example, if trauma causes you to lose blood – your spleen can respond by releasing that reserve blood back into your system.
Your spleen also plays an important part in your immune system, which helps your body fight infection. Just as it detects faulty red blood cells, your spleen can pick out any unwelcome micro-organisms (like bacteria or viruses) in your blood.
When one of these invaders is detected in your bloodstream, your spleen, along with your lymph nodes, jumps to action and creates an army of defender cells called lymphocytes. Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell that produces antibodies, special proteins that weaken or kill bacteria, viruses, and other organisms that cause infection. Antibodies and white blood cells also stop infections from spreading through the body by trapping germs and destroying them.
Pretty cool, eh? Here's the "just in case" good news-Does that mean I can't live without my spleen?
As you've seen, your spleen is a very useful organ, but it is not vital. Sometimes, a person's spleen does have to be surgically removed. This may be because the spleen becomes injured, or it may be taken out in the course of transplanting other organs.
Other parts of your body, like your lymph nodes and your liver, are able to step in and take over many of your spleen's functions. Because the spleen is so important to your immune system, people without spleens are more vulnerable to infections. This is why your doctor may tell you to take extra precautions, such as getting vaccinations, once your spleen has been removed. You will also be prescribed oral antibiotics to take daily; this is another way to prevent infection. Still, it's not uncommon to be without a spleen, and many people are able to enjoy full lives without one.
http://www.chp.edu/CHP/Ref+spleen
So there ya go in case anyone wanted a little more spleen information. Dad and Mom are still stuck in the hospital just waiting to hear what they're going to do (as of the time of this post.) We're all thinking of and praying for yous!! We love you Daddy!!
Monday, September 1, 2008
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Peaches & Cream Cheese Cake/Pie
Peach season is upon us!!! This recipe calls for canned peaches, but I have used fresh as well. It is SOOOO yummy! It's one of my favorite non-chocolate desserts :)
3/4 C. flour
1 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
1 pkg. 3 1/4 oz. instant vanilla pudding
1 egg
1 C. milk
3 T. melted butter
1- 15 oz. can sliced peaches
Mix flour baking powder, salt, vanilla pudding together in medium bowl. Add milk and stir. Add egg and melted butter. Pour into a 10 inch pie pan. Arrange peach slices on top of cake batter (after straining off juice--but RESERVE 3 tablesppon of the peach juice).
In separate bowl:
Mix together
1-8 oz. softened cream cheese
1/2 C. sugar
3 T. of reserved peach juice
Spread cream cheese mixture on top of peaches.
Mix together some cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl and sprindle on top of cream cheese mixture.
Bake 350 for 30-35 minutes. YUM-O!!!!!
Monday, August 18, 2008
Let's get educated!
WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
chit-chat
noun
1. light informal conversation for social occasions
verb
1.
talk socially without exchanging too much information; "the men were sitting in the cafe and shooting the breeze"
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
news
Audio Help /nuz, nyuz/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[nooz, nyooz] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun (usually used with a singular verb )
1. a report of a recent event; intelligence; information: His family has had no news of his whereabouts for months.
2. the presentation of a report on recent or new events in a newspaper or other periodical or on radio or television.
3. such reports taken collectively; information reported: There's good news tonight.
4. a person, thing, or event considered as a choice subject for journalistic treatment; newsworthy material. Compare copy (def. 5).
5. newspaper.
6. newscast.
chit-chat
noun
1. light informal conversation for social occasions
verb
1.
talk socially without exchanging too much information; "the men were sitting in the cafe and shooting the breeze"
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
news
Audio Help /nuz, nyuz/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[nooz, nyooz] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun (usually used with a singular verb )
1. a report of a recent event; intelligence; information: His family has had no news of his whereabouts for months.
2. the presentation of a report on recent or new events in a newspaper or other periodical or on radio or television.
3. such reports taken collectively; information reported: There's good news tonight.
4. a person, thing, or event considered as a choice subject for journalistic treatment; newsworthy material. Compare copy (def. 5).
5. newspaper.
6. newscast.
Ode to Carpooling
There are many personal benefits to carpooling:
Carpooling also benefits employers and the environment by:
- Reducing congestion within existing parking areas
- Reducing capital costs of building additional parking spaces
- Improving employee morale
- Improving community relations by reducing neighborhood traffic and parking problems
- Reducing absenteeism and late arrivals
- Reducing traffic congestion
- Improving air quality
- Conserving energy
- Conserving oil
Way to go, Dad! First place for being so environmentally conscious as well as reaping some of the carpooling benefits for yourself.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
IT'S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN WHEN THE LIVIN' IS EASY, GRASS IS GROWIN' AND THE ZUCCHINI IS TOO!
We grew 1 zucchini plant this year! Before we left for Chris and Amy's we picked the 3 little zuchinnis on the plant and took them with us. Chris made delicious fried zucchini---yummy! We were discussing the casserole we used to make with the cheese and bread crumbs....so here it is!
Zucchini Casserole ala Grandma Lucille
Peel and parboil zucchini (Just barely boil and drain.)
Spread in casserole dish and cover with lots of grated Monterrey Jack cheese.
Beat 6 eggs and pour over zucchini.
Salt and pepper and top with buttered bread crumbs.
Bake about 30 minutes at 350 degrees (Until eggs are set and not runny—yuck!)
Here’s another on I found that sounded a little better. (More jazzed up)
SUMMER SQUASH CASSEROLE
2 lbs yellow summer squash, sliced (about 6 cups) You could also use zucchini
¼ C. chopped onion
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
1 C. sour cream
1 C. shredded carrots
1 8-oz. pkg. herb-season stuffing mix
½ c. butter, melted
In saucepan, cook sliced squash and chopped onion in boiling, salted water for five minutes. Drain. Combine soup and sour cream. Stir in carrots. Fold in drained squash and onion. Combine stuffing mix and butter. Spread half of stuffing mix in bottom of baking dish. Spoon vegetable mix on top. Sprinkle remaining stuffing over vegetable mix. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Makes 6 servings.
Cheese Stuffed Zucchini
6 zucchini, 6-7” long 2 eggs, well beaten 1 ½ C. cheddar cheese
½ C. cottage cheese 2 tsp. chopped parsley 2 T. chopped onion
½ t. salt 1/8 t. pepper ½ C. cracker crumbs 2 T. melted butter
Cut off ends of zucchini and scrub well. Cook whole in boiling water about 12 minutes, or until barely tender. Remove from water and cut in halves lengthwise. Scoop out center pulp. Invert on paper towels to drain. Combine eggs, cheese, cottage cheese, parsley, onion, salt and pepper. Arrange squash in greased pan and fill with cheese mixture. Toss crumbs with butter and sprinkle over top of zucchini. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Serves 12 (Better invite company!!!) This would be good with some fresh basil too!!!
Ben, you don't know what you're missing! Mmmmmm good!
Zucchini Casserole ala Grandma Lucille
Peel and parboil zucchini (Just barely boil and drain.)
Spread in casserole dish and cover with lots of grated Monterrey Jack cheese.
Beat 6 eggs and pour over zucchini.
Salt and pepper and top with buttered bread crumbs.
Bake about 30 minutes at 350 degrees (Until eggs are set and not runny—yuck!)
Here’s another on I found that sounded a little better. (More jazzed up)
SUMMER SQUASH CASSEROLE
2 lbs yellow summer squash, sliced (about 6 cups) You could also use zucchini
¼ C. chopped onion
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
1 C. sour cream
1 C. shredded carrots
1 8-oz. pkg. herb-season stuffing mix
½ c. butter, melted
In saucepan, cook sliced squash and chopped onion in boiling, salted water for five minutes. Drain. Combine soup and sour cream. Stir in carrots. Fold in drained squash and onion. Combine stuffing mix and butter. Spread half of stuffing mix in bottom of baking dish. Spoon vegetable mix on top. Sprinkle remaining stuffing over vegetable mix. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Makes 6 servings.
Cheese Stuffed Zucchini
6 zucchini, 6-7” long 2 eggs, well beaten 1 ½ C. cheddar cheese
½ C. cottage cheese 2 tsp. chopped parsley 2 T. chopped onion
½ t. salt 1/8 t. pepper ½ C. cracker crumbs 2 T. melted butter
Cut off ends of zucchini and scrub well. Cook whole in boiling water about 12 minutes, or until barely tender. Remove from water and cut in halves lengthwise. Scoop out center pulp. Invert on paper towels to drain. Combine eggs, cheese, cottage cheese, parsley, onion, salt and pepper. Arrange squash in greased pan and fill with cheese mixture. Toss crumbs with butter and sprinkle over top of zucchini. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Serves 12 (Better invite company!!!) This would be good with some fresh basil too!!!
Ben, you don't know what you're missing! Mmmmmm good!
Friday, August 15, 2008
New Rule
Ok, new rule. Out of respect for one another I vote that while the Mom and the Dad are visiting one of us (the siblings and out families), the only reason another sibling should call is in the event of an emergency and not just to chit chat. This is valuable time and I know this sounds selfish, but when they are at my house I want their full attention. I will respect their time with all of you, so please do likewise and let me be selfish with my sort time with them. Thank you, I love you all, nobody should be upset or hurt over this, if you are . . . blog it.
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