The longest conversation ever about Hot Pockets

The other day I ended up at Walgreen's during my errand run. I was just going to pick up a prescription when I remembered we were out of milk. I was bummed at the thought of not getting to use the drive thru and actually have to do something strenuous such as walking in this heat wave. Don't get me wrong I was tempted to see if they could just slide through a half gallon of milk through the little window, but opted not to. Maybe if I had kids that would work.

So I walk in and decided I should probably pick up a few other essentials to tide us over till my weekly grocery store trip. I grabbed the perscription, bottled water, the milk, found these new guacamole pringles that looked rather yummy so I tossed those in too, and took a look at the frozen foods and reached for the hot pockets. These are the essentials of life folks. Your freezer must always be stocked with Hot Pockets, you never know when they may come in handy.

I headed for the check out when the nice young man began to check me out and our conversation went as such.

Him: "Well Hi Ma'am how is your day going?"

Me: "Wonderful, how about yourself?"

Him: "Great thank you. Oh wow Hot Pockets. I love these"

Me: "Yeah Hot Pockets are great"

Him: "Oh yeah I love them. I have 3 favorites and guess what they carry them all here?"

Me: "No way" (At this point I'm trying to think of something Hot Pocket worthy to say)

Him: "But my ultimate favorite is the broc. and cheese"

Me: "Yeah, yum. Those new mexican flavors look good too".

Him: "Well I don't know about those?"

And so folks after the longest conversation about hot pockets and me looking like an moron talking about the newbies in the hot pocket family I paid and left.

"I AM" Bible Study Questions

Wow! Great study going here. I love getting real with these Godly women and their individual faith journeys. If you haven't joined in yet, I encourage you to do so. I think you will really enjoy it and plus you've got a week before the next lesson.

After each lesson you're able to post the questions for the week, so I'd thought I'd share mine with y'all.

1. Are there any circumstances or relationships in your life where you can see God has intentionally placed you? What do pereceive may be at stake if you do or do not speak out for Him?
Many a times I may have resisted where I was or been dumbfounded at my placement, but I feel blessed to be able to look back and see I was there for a reason. One example has been a job where I felt like I was paddling against the current, but I realized the people surrounding me needed to hear my journey with the Lord and be reminded of His love. I feel that if I don't share His word or speak out for Him I'm letting this amazing opportunity go to waste. I'd call that Closet Christianity.

2. Can you honestly describe yourself as a woman with a 'yes' in her spirit? If not, what keeps you from this?
Well, honestly, I'm a maybe girl. Fear takes over and it can get very hard to put that control back in Him.

3. Do you recognize any circumstances in your life which could be described as an 'unrecurring event'? Have you ever said 'no' to one and watched God use someone else instead?
I really have to think about this one some more. It's a tough one. I can say that I have said no and watched someone else be used instead. It's hard and there is always that "what if it was me".

4. Are you in an emotionally and spiritually healthy place? If yes, how are you using this freedom to minister to others? If no, what do you feel is holding you in your Egypt?
I would say yes, but it can always be better. As a grow spiritually I notice things in my life that I could do to strengthen my relationship with God. I love being able to share Jesus with others, I'm not the chick that will walk up to strangers and say "hey do you know Jesus?" But I feel that by my actions, my heart, my work, my family we can spread that same word.

"I AM" Bible Study

Hey Girlies!

I'm headed over to The Preacher's Wife for the her bible study "I AM" which starts today. Stop on by if you get a chance.

This was no ordinary Joe.

Over the last few weeks I've been taking a ride along with our good friend in the bible Joseph. What a ride it has been? If you have not had a chance to pull out your magnify glass and look more in depth at his life, then I strongly encourage you to do so starting in Genesis 37.

So we have this golden teenage running around telling his brothers his dreams of ruling over them, sibling rivarly takes over and the brother's sell the dreamer off to slaves. He ends up in Eygpt with a husband and a liar of a wife who tells her husband how Joseph tried to come on to her and then before Joseph knows it he's hanging out in jail. Thankfully Joseph gets on good terms in jail and the prison guards takes to him and confides in him to help him look after the prisoners. Two of the prisoners have these crazy dreams and by God's grace he is able to tell the dreamers what they mean. Word later gets out to Pharaoh that this prisoner interperts dreams after the Pharaoh has a wild dream one night that he needs explained. So, Joseph tells what the dream means, Pharaoh's pretty impressed and makes Joseph 2nd incommand.

Worn out yet...we're almost done.

The famine hits, which Joesph had indeed said would happen from Pharaoh's dream and these unruly brother's of Joseph come walking into Eygpt to buy some food. Joseph knows who they are and accuses them of being spies, but sells them the food and secretly places the silver they bought the food with back in their bags. The bros. leave and find out the silver is in their bag, stunned they tell their father. Once the food is gone, dad tells the bros. to head back, get some more, but the bros. remember the man who sold it to them said he wouldn't sell them anymore until they brought the youngest brother to see him, so they load up the youngest for the ride.

Now the kicker of an ending we see is how Joseph finally confesses to his brothers his identitiy, immediately forgives them and invites them to dinner. I don't know about you all, but this part of the bible is a goosebump moment for me. Secretly (don't think less of me), but I still sit here amazed at the forgiveness blessed upon Joseph's heart. It would be so hard to not tell them off and refuse to help your own flesh and blood who left you to rot in slavery.

Even as a woman in love with Jesus it is so hard to forgive. Being completely real I can think of many a time when I took the control and refused to forgive. Sound familiar? It may be the gal that cut you off on the freeway, or the husband that forgot to take out the trash, or the friend that let you down. Regardless of the situation, we have to clear it out and forgive. Our loving Father doesn't want us to spend are precious time being consumed with anger or hate, He wants it focused on these amazing blessings He has laid before us.

It's hard friends, but God blessed Joseph with the words to forgive at a moment when it would have been much easier to turn the other way. We can rest a sure that in our forgiveness moments that if we stop for a second and listen God will do the rest. Today I encourage you to pray and practice this...I'll be doing it to.

The Queso Queen

I love chips, queso, and flour tortillas. It's truly the ultimate comfort food, amen? I've finally started to get smart and instead of ordering it as an appetizer, I just order it as the meal. Saves some calories and that way I get the whole bowl to myself. I don't share by the way.

Over a recent bowl of queso I informed boy that my dream job would be to be a queso connoisseur. He found the job fitting and then asked me to rate my favs. in the DFW area. So here it goes. For those of you who leave near these places, check them out. If you don't will then hop on down and I'll join you for a bowl.

1. Joe T. Garcias www.joets.com- Fort Worth
They have the ultimate queso...it's a little sweet and a little spicy that's why it's my favorite. They serve family style though with great everything.

2. Via Real www.viareal.com- Irving
I've been coming here for years and it is always amazing. This is the upscale queso bowl. There menu is very different from the typical tex-mex restuarants in the area. Also, you may want to make reservations, It's pretty crowded on weekends.

3. Uncle Julios www.unclejulios.com- multiple locations
Another great restaurant. The queso is amazing with their flour tortillas.

4. Gloria's www.gloriasrestaurant.com- popping up all over dfw.
You have to try their queso here because with the complimentary salsa they serve a black bean dip that is to die for. So the key is to dip in the beans then the queso. Yum. They have more of a Salvadorian menu which is amazing.

5. Catina Laredo www.cantinalaredo.com- multiple locations
Okay here is the awesome thing. The queso is free and it's off the hook!! We love Cantina Laredo! It's so good I would pay for it, but I'm not tellingt them.

6. Abuelos www.abuelos.com- multiple locations
AMAZING! That's all I can say. They also serve as a side with an entree this potato thing that is head over heels good.

7. Rosa's Cafe www.rosascafe.net-Texas & California
The drive thru of queso. What's better than not having to get out of your car for great queso. We eat here regularly.

8. Anamia's www.anamias.com-DFW
They did not have a pic. of their queso, but check out their guac which is easily delicious. Eaten here forever and is always yummy.

9. On the Border www.ontheborder.com- EVERYWHERE
I'm sure this is no stranger to anyone, but I had to put it on because this place is still one of my favorites. They always have great queso with ginormous chips.

10. Planet Burrito www.planet-burrito.com- Texas
I know hokey name, but this is our new find. We love their burritos but I adore their queso. It truly is like no other.

Hungry yet? That's my Top 10. I'd love for you to add if you have one.

10 things I've endured

Miss Mandy has tagged me to share 10 things that have happened to me. Let me choice which 10 to share before I totally embarrass myself to you all.

1. I stepped on a sea urchin in Jamaica. It was so totally painful, but more so scared me to death because I thought my foot was being attacked by a shark. And yes, if you know how to cure it you can laugh even harder!

2. At the age of 16 I had kidney stones. I pray you never have to endure that!

3. I met Bob Saget at a promotional event once. I tried to act cool and calm because that was after all DANNY TANNER!! I was that tempted to ask if John Stamos was with him.

4. At the age of 4 I appeared in a commercial. I don't remember it, but I'm sure it's on videotape somewhere.

5. This is my husband's favorite one. In the 1st grade a girl wet her pants. I was the only one that did not laugh at her. So the next day my teacher made an announcement and awarded me with a sticker for not laughing at the little girl. So blogging friends if you wet your pants I won't laugh, but I do expect an award of sorts.

6. At my husband's grandfather's funeral I had set my cell phone alarm and forgot to turn off the alarm, but did turn off the phone. During the middle of the service my cell phone turned itself back on to let the alarm go. I had no idea cell phones did this, but apparently everyone else and their dogs did. I felt horrible.

7. I threw up at Disney World when I was 6 at the Lady and the Tramp restaurant. I don't even know if it's still open.

8. I sat through a 2.5 hour presentation on pots and pans just for a free weekend at a hotel in the Bahamas which we never used.

9. I used to watch "As the World Turns" with my mom as kid. She'd tape it then we'd watch it. I guess I picked up a few things because one evening before my parents went out to dinner she asked how she looked and said she looked like a hooker. I thought the word at the age of 10 meant pretty. She did not take it as a compliment.

10.Most importantly I was saved in February 2003.

I'm not totally sure how to tag so I'll add them at the bottom.
The Flying Mum
Suzi at the Fabry Family
Little Steps of Faith

Yes ma'am we are rejuvenated!

I'm refreshed and rearing to go. There is nothing better for the body than just getting away from the day to day routine. We're simple people just visiting with good friends over a great meal or visiting with family does the soul good.

We began the week off at the lakehouse hanging out on the boat then sitting out by the water with a book. There just isn't anything better and oh how I wished I could have taken a few pictures to proof my relaxation (and black suit) but I left the memory card at home. Bummer huh?

Then we head further south to visit boy's family. Boy's sister was there to visit also and when we all are there...let the games begin. We played endless hours of cards and cranium while laughing up a storm. What a blast!

From there we headed to boy's grandmothers home a further driver out. This was our first visit out there since boy's grandfather's funeral. It always breaks my heart to have to witness lives moving on after the passing of a loved one. She is doing wonderful though, and we sat around praising God for the wonderful memories we were able to share with him.

Last but not least we celebrated are 2nd anniversary Monday. Boy and I promised not to do anything big, just a fun dinner, but the little sneak once again surprised me. He loaded the car with pug and a suitcase and we headed out to drop pug off at a sleepover with are dearest cousins/friends and headed over to a night at the Westin at Stonebriar. It was just a short distance from our home, but wow it felt like a thousand miles it was so peaceful. We swam in the pool, ordered room service and a movie. What a great memory!

And so now I must tend to the laundry and the empty pantry that is staring me down. Pug had a blast visiting all these new and different homes to explore, but he is dog tired now. I'm so looking forward to catching up on everyone's blogs too!

I do

"If you live to be a 100, I hope I live to be a 100 minus 1 day, so that I never have to live without you".
Winnie the Pooh

Happy 2nd Anniversary babe, I can't praise God enough for the day I married my best friend. I love you for the husband you are and most importantly I love you for your unbelievable love for the Lord.

With all my being,
girl

Glad I'm not my mailman

Over the past few weeks I have been seeing a number of doctors. No worries, it's not severe at all. I am just seeking out some second opinions. Anyhow, I had an appointment with a specialist last week. We were coming home early from the lake to make this appointment downtown, and the plan was that we'd swing by the house drop of boy and pug and then I'd head to the appointment. Well, no such luck a huge wreck delayed us by an hour so guess what the gang is coming with me.

I hop out of the car, say it should only be half hour tops. HAHAHA, no such luck. It truly turned out the be the longest wait I've ever had in a doctors office...can you say 2 hours? I was flipping out inside thinking about what a terrible wife I am to leave my husband outside with a dog in 100 degree weather. This was not happening.

Finally the doctor graced me with his presence. I thought of a few snide remarks to say about the wait, but thought to myself that Jesus would not do that so I bit my tongue. He did is doctor talk routine and I sat there pausing on ever big word looking for a dictitionary to fumble through for help. All I got was he will be doing some extensive labwork to examine the huffalumps, ompaloppas, and teletubbies in my system. Okay gotcha doc! So I feel very knowledgeable as I walk to check out. Mind you I am the only one still there because I enjoy my days at the doctors office where I have to wait the longest to get to read magazines.

I get to the check out lady and she says today's visit will be $180. What?? No no ma'am I have insurance. I only have a $15 copay. She then goes in to inform me that the $165 extra is for a pee test I have to take home. A pee test runs you $165 dollars now a days? There must be some mistake because you see I do not believe my toliet cost me that much. She glares at me so I fork over the money and walk out with my jaw dropped in shock of what I just spent $165 on.

I get in the car to my sweet and patient hubby and pug who kindly forgives the mishap and torture they just went through. He then asks how it went and what's in the box.
"Well apparentley this box is full of golden tickets because I just paid $165 to ship my pee in it"
"Do what????"
"Yes, the directions say I have to be pee in this cup then poor it in this test tube, freeze it and mail it off"
"GROSS your pee is going in our freezer"
"No the neighbors, yes our freezer"
"The one where we keep the hot pockets and ice cream?????"
"Yes! Right next to your vanilla ice cream"
"Well make sure it doesn't touch my ice cream"
"I"ll do my best baby...thanks for your concern"

And so dear friends, I successfully did my calling, which now sits in the freezer, which is now giggled out everytime boy opens the freezer, which I pray for our poor mail man which has to pick up such disgusting packages.

She did not wear an itsy witsy tiney winey yellow polka dot bikini!

Boy actually has a week off...hooray! We've decided to use the week basking in the sun at the lake house. Lots of peace and quiet and well deserved boating fun will be the game plan. Today I began a little packing and noticed that I really need to get a one piece swimsuit for water skiing. The past few times I've almost lost my bottoms when hitting the water, luckily I grabbed my drawers in time but oh the thought of getting in a boat without pants makes me have an anxiety attack. So, I needed a one piece.

It only took be 3 stores before I found a place that had a few bathing suit choices left. This is another blog in itself, but what is with the sweaters in August? It's a 100 degrees out at least. No one is buying turtle necks. Get with it Gap.

I found a rack with a few ugly ones and picked through reminding myself this is not a fashion show and who cares. I grabbed my selections and headed to the dressing room. You know you don't have your teenage body anymore when you're jumping around trying to get into a spandex nightmare and sweating at the same time. I finally found one that would do the job and so I headed out to put the discard pile up quickly.

It's an ugly black thing, but get this $19.00. Yes ma'am! Originally $68 too. Wow a good deal always make everything better doesn't it? So I checked out and made an oath to myself to never purchase another bathing suit again.

This one's for the Fabry Family

Suzi's sweet blog asked for some new receipes and although I am no Paula Deen in the kitchen I do enjoy good meals for just the 2 of us or entertaining family and friends. This is one of my new favorite recipes, I've made it numerous times and have received some awesome feedback. The receipe come from the wonderful fooks at Pillsbury. I had asked for Christmas this past year for the Pillsbury little monthly receipe books that you can get at the check out line. I'm very much about fast food that is hearty and delicious...this is perfect for that. Boy and I are no health nuts and especially love recipes that "hide" the veggies...so Suze I hope this is a crowd pleasure for you!

Night Before Taco Bake
From the Winter Entrees Edition


1 lb lean ground beef
2 cups frozen bell pepper and onion stir-fry (16 oz. bag)
1 can (11oz.) Green Giant supper sweet yellow and white corn (Walmart & Tom Thumb carry this)
1 can (4.5 0z) Chopped green chiles (sometimes I use this sometimes I don't. I did not for the pictures).
1 package taco seasoning mix
1 jar (8oz.) taco sauce
3 cups coarsely broken white corn chips
2 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend

1. Spray 12 by 8 glass baking dish and sheet of foil with cooking spray.
2. Cook ground beef completely then drain.
3. Stir in frozen stir fry, corn, green chiles and taco seasoning (don't use water). Cook 5 minutes and then add taco sauce. Remove from heat.
4. Spread half of mixture in baking dish.
5. Top with 2 cups of chips and 3/4 cup cheese
6. Spread the rest of the mixture on top.
7. Addd 1 cup chips and 1 cup cheese.
8. Cover and put in refridgerator for 4 hours. (Now I have cooked it without refridgerating and it's fine. Putting it in the fridge just makes it super flavorful. Not a huge difference.
9. Cook at 375 degrees for 20 minutes then sprinkle with 1/4 cup cheese.
10. Enjoy


It makes great leftovers too! The recipe serves 8, but we have it for dinner the next night. It is also 370 calories per serving. Not bad.

For which I have been rather mean

Well I figured I should give you all an update on giving up my caffenine addicition. It has been 6 days and 10 hours since my last sweet and delicious sip of Dr. Pepper. I can honestly say that I have not slipped and had one, but I have not been nice either. Folks this is tough work giving up your one vice that made the world a ray a sunshine. I have had pounding headaches for days and let's face it you can only drink so much water and juice boxes in a day to fill the void.

So back to my meanness. The little things that really tick you off with caffeine just about multiply without it. On the way to the lake boy was insistent on talking the whole way and finally I snapped and said "PLEASE turn some music on!". Then on another road outing a women on a cell phone pulled out smack dab in front of us causing every item in the car to shift forward. She had no idea what she did so as we passed her I felt the urge to let her know by giving her the "hey what are you thinking" motion with your arms stretched out to the sides and palms up.

Then this evening at the grocery store around 10 o'clock a woman felt the need to return to the cashier while it was my check out turn and argue with her 3 babies in tow why they charged her a $1 too much. I'm by no means loaded that a $1 isn"t valuable, but is it worth ticking off 10 people standing in line at night? I don't think so. I kept my mouth shut although it took every ounce I had to not run out the doors screaming.

So, there you have it. The journey of girl coming off Dr. Pepper. I do promise for my positivity to return for a more eventful and enlightening post, however, thank you for the vent session. You all are great therapy!

Pay It Forward Book Giveaway

Overwhelmed with Joy is hosing an August Pay It Forward Giveaway. I think this is such a fun idea so do stop by and enter.

Do they make support groups for people like me?

Hi my name is girl and I'm addicted to Dr. Pepper.

I blame it on my mom really. She was never the coffee drinker in the house so her caffeine was a glass of coke each morning. I'd always beg for a few sips on my way to school each morning as a little kid. Then when I gained some freedom in childhood, soft drinks became my drink of choice at resturants, movies and stock piled in our fridge. When I started driving I kept the pop tradition and my breakfast consisted of a hearty ice cold glass of Dr. Pepper on my way to high school. If you haven't been able to tell yet, I'm not a health nut and I probably bleed Dr. Pepper I drink it that much!

Well my pop habits have only increased. I felt once you say "I Do" and are strapped to a mortgage payment you are free to guzzle down as many bubbly pops as your heart desires with anyone telling you "no".

I've been convicted dear friends, a recent news show hounded the horrible effects down my throat and boy and I really began praying about this luxury we cling too. Okay well my luxury...boy has more self control then me. We really have no total proof of a full and healthy lifetime of avid coke drinkers. Even if you ask your parents or grandparents, Pop was a special treat that was drunken only on rare occassions and way back when refridgerators were not manufactured with convenient pop storage built in. So it's a rather scary deal to be one of the first to drink cokes from a sippy cup and with such frequency. Therefore, I don't want to risk it. I want to be healthy and not consistently feeling the need to stop by Chik-fil-a or Sonic for an iced cold soda (they do have the best with the yummy ice and styrofoam cups that even keep them cold for hours in this Texas heat).

Today is the first day I have not had one. So far so good. Yesterday, I went to the grocery store and purchased 2 gallons worth of water botles, 4 liters of grape cranberry juice, 2 cartons of milk and 4 packets of kool-aid. On my way home I swung by Whataburger for my last drink...I ordered 1 large and 1 medium Dr. Pepper. You should have seen the glea in my eyes as the cashier handed them to me with such loving care. She even made the comment "boy you sure like dr. pepper". I responded back in tears, "you don't even know the half of it".

So, Dr. Pepper, it is time we part. I will miss you more than you ever know. We have spent some wonderful memories together!! Take care!

Jeremiah says it...

Jeremiah 29:11 is one of my "come to verses". You know the verses you "come to" when you're hungry for His promises, our you "come to" when you are weak and in need of His strength or the ones you "come to" for a ray of understanding.

Well I have come to this verse A LOT this past month. "For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future." AMEN to this verse huh?

I love how personal this verse gets. The Lord declares that He know the plans for me. I can trust in these plans because with them He's not going to let me fall flat on my face or fail at life. It's not a scam...it's a deal set at the cross. It's such reassurance to soak this up and be reminded that our journey's set...we just have to sit back and enjoy the ride.

Well I am learning how to sit back. It's not easy. I feel like it's handing a piece of white paper and some markers to a toddler saying you can color, but don't color over here, and oh please don't use that color it's no good, and while were at it stay in the lines! I'll be honest, my relationship with God can be the same in areas. Here's my life, don't mess with this part, do add in that, let's just keep it the same and I'll come to you if I need anything. Note to self...It doesn't work that way.

I had a huge decision to make this past week. I kept trying to go one way and God kept trying to show me another. I finally threw in the reigns saying " I can't control this anymore...I'm handing it to you for good".

I kept praying for the past month over this verse and while I waited patiently...He revealed the decision. He's so awesome like that, isn't He? I took His decision and now I am trusting in Him to provide the rest because it's not going harm me, right?

So I'm sitting back an enjoying the ride. I'm on His journey. Now I have to be patient and wait for His time to reveal the plan.

Before I go I wanted to share with you a portion of the Jeremiah 29:11 from The Message. I love having The Message on hand to pull verses up in. In this it says..."He knows what He's doing".

Hallelujah to that sisters!!