Fancy That!

Jared and I had to stay home from church this morning because he started vomitting, but we had our own church up in here! My new favorite TV is GTV directTV channel 355 GodTV. We watched the Hillsong Conference Friday night airing of TD Jakes. His message was so meaty and spoke directly to me. He said that he feels as if God's word right now for the church is to express their creativity. God didn't give us a chair of a pencil he gave us trees. He wanted us to experience the pleasure of using our creativity just like He did when He created the earth. He put inside of us a seed in our bellies to be creative. He talked about seasons of our lives and time as it is running out. Jakes' mom wanted for him to learn to count to 100 which was difficult for him as a child. He says she pushed him constantly. As he counts he starts on the floor 1,2,3-10, then steps up one level 10,11,12-20, then steps up another level, 21,22,23,24,25. . . he says the thing that stops people from going on to the next level the next new thing is the fact that they have to start back at one again, 21, 31, 41, I felt that way when I started playing tennis this year. I wasn't the best at it, but I allowed myself to not give up and keep practicing. I found it got alot of stress out. I haven't heard TD Jakes in a while, but he sure is full of fun and speaks from the heart.

I looked ahead on God TV and there's more from the Hillsong Conference taped in July 2007. The next speaker is Ed Young. He's so great, and a cool man's man type preacher. My husband and I have watched him in SS class speak on marriage. He uses illustrations and makes funny sounds in the mic during his messages. He'll have me laughing that's for sure.

The coolest thing I'm looking for is hearing John Paul Jackson speak on Sat. from the Clan Conference in Scotland. I never get to see John Paul on tv much because he is very selective about his appearances. His ministry is Streams Ministries where he teaches on using symbols from the bible to interpret dreams. He has a series of courses designed to mentor people in this area. I've taken all the courses, and I do pretty good at figuring out my dreams' meanings. John Paul is one of those men with a Pastor's heart. You can just look into his big blue eyes and see God's eyes. His wavy white hair gives me the feeling that it's a reflection of how handsome God is to see in person. Maybe Moses has hair like that.
For more info on dreams go to the link in the right column. Interpretmydream

Ok, so it's time to get those fat-storing cells to stop the maddness that comes from feeding on sugary stuff. The first thing I am doing is adding greens and fruit to my menu. Today I made a spinach cheese puff. I got the recipe off of Martha Stewart's show sometime before the holidays. I think I'll tweak this recipe a bit before publishing it. I cut the salt, but it was still too salty, and it was runny. I think I'm looking to add a bit of flour to the mix next time to thicken it more. I really wish I could reproduce the spinach dish on the menu at Calhoun's restaurants in Knoxville. I went to the grocery store and bought some fresh asparagus. I plan to steam it, then cover it with a little tomato sauce and parmesan and bake until it's warm and cheese is melted. I also bought some Glory brand seasoned turnip greens. I'll probably cook this on the stove top adding some garlic and 2 turkey necks for flavor, maybe a tablespoon of sugar.

Why greens? They help the digestive track wake up from being slowed down by carbs and sugar. It will stop the liver from converting food to fat by raising the pH in the body. You can test this by testing urine pH with test strips bought at any health food store. This has always really helped me. I don't often test the pH because I know I'm doing what I should be doing, and I trust it will work.

Lastly, I bought some Pomegranite Blueberry juice to get some antioxidants in the mix. I'm going to try some V8 Fusion Peach Mango flavor. Basically, I just want more real food going into my system, and less fast food, salt, and junk. I even found Powerade Option (the low cal version) on sale for 50 cents each at the local grocery store.

It's time for a change.

This new album is great and well worth the money for the 2 CD's FULL of dynamic songs. I'm all about fast praise music w/ a beat to get my cardio workout pumpin', and there are quite a few songs that will be going onto my MP3 player. It starts out with a cool track - It's Alright! It has varying rhythm combinations and harmonies that make this song go on and on. Never Separate and Madly In Love and Go Go Praise are a few of my fast song fav's. The dress Vickie is wearing on the album cover looks like a wedding dress - very pretty choice. I'd look good in that! The song, Falling In Love reminds me of my pre-teen years singing that song in my little home church w/ 15 rows of pews on each side. It's a red back hymnal revisit. If I need a good cry I just listen to the sweet voice of the boy on the track More Than A Mom. I hope to be that kind of mom my little guy can say all those sweet things about. When's the next new album?

It's pretty good to be in her shoes these days. Santa brought me the CD, and it's been in my car for the past few days. My favorite songs are God Loves Ugly, and Young and in Love. God Loves Ugly might be ok to sing at church because it's about how God sees everything inside of me and he still says I'm beautiful. Sometimes I feel ugly inside too, and then after I've let God love on me and asked for him to forgive my stupid stuff I see myself better. Young and In Love -like that -like that -like that -is gonna hit #1 on the dance charts. I've got to say there's a bit of a wierd eastern voice singing on the track Freeze the Moment. What is that? Do ya have to play it backwards to see if it's saying something poisonous? I didn't like that little demonic sounding voice. No offense Jordin, I'm just sensative to spiritual things. I saw Jordin on a morning show singing during Christmas weekend. She is still so sweet and overtaken by her new fame. She's got that innocent excited spirit, and it's so likable and refreshing.

It's about to be 2008, and I've eaten all the chocolate chip biscotti, spritz tempting drop sugar cookies, cherry oatmeal, white chocolate graham cracker, coconut cream pie, chocolate truffles my friend Renee' made, and whatever else I could get my lips on for the Christmas Holiday I shouldn't have. Whew! I gained 1 pound of something and several inches. I went back to the gym the other day and did some weight lifting! Yeah, ok. Not gonna say, I'm walking w/o pain, but I feel good.
So onto my Starbucks research. I've found out there are a few things I need to do to trim out the calories from this coffee thang that's going on.
#1. No Whipped Cream
#2. Non-Fat Milk when ordering a latte.
#3. Sugar-Free Syrup (Vanilla, Cinnamon Dulce',Hazelnut)
So my final order will include some doctoring, but the Mocha will have to be reserved for that time of the month when we all need chocolate. It's time to get the final few pounds off this butt, and firm, and burn it all up. If you want to work out with me at the Rush, leave me a comment. I'll be there.

Wow, I was surprised to see Nick Lachey's choir win the competition. They were very good, but I thought Patti had them beat from the first song they sung. Now Nick promised to feature them as backup singers on his next album. Hmmmm what kind of song will he choose? There was a cute little blonde in his choir too - a possible new prospect perhaps? She spoke about he choir quite eloquently like she had more brains than Jessica. If she is smart she won't treat Nick like all the other girls. He said once on the Newlywed's show that he liked Jessica because she wasn't all over him like some of the others. Take a hint, sweetie, Nick likes a challenge.

I was happy to see that the other choirs who had been voted out were back for the finale. They were performing. The front-runners probably appreciated the vocal break since it takes alot out of you to perform and rehearse 4 nights in a row. Good move, producers!

When I looked at the choir leaders who were chosen to participate in this program, I see a mentoring relationship developing. Michael Bolton has been around a long time, and has had a lot of popularity and won numerous awards. He could offer an abundance of advice to Nick Lachey. There's probably things Michael would tell Nick that he has learned, composers and song writers he could hook up w/ Nick who is still in the beginning of a solo career. I don't think Nick has found the keys to a Platinum record yet. Kelly Rowland and Patti LaBelle are probably really tight these days too. Patti can offer all the secrets to staying in the music business for the long run. Kelly is doing very good with her solo career. I think she'll be around after Beyonce' goes to Vegas. (just a prediction) Blake? Ummm does Blake strike me as a mentor - no. He's wild, open, and flys by the seat of his pants. There's no rules with this guy, and he's got the IT factor going for him along with this sense of humor. He's really let out all the stops, and his fans are liking him so much with all the off the cuff stuff he said during this live show. He will be sold out this summer tour. No problem.

My question is will there be anyone who was a soloist in any of the choirs scouted out? Will someone be called up by a Sony/ Jive/ Word/ GoTee Records company big-wig? Is there a newbie we are going to see out of this thing? It would be cool for that to happen to one of the older, dead end career people - someone who is too old for American Idol, and too mature to be able to spend all those weeks locked up in a house w/ teenager/college kids.

I enjoyed watching. Thanks NBC.

The Clash of the Choirs Tuesday night was a shocker! I was so disappointed to see Kelly Rowland's group dismissed. They should have allowed them to perform while elminating the possiblity of them winning the charity monies. All that work they'd put into rehearsal went down the drain. What a downer for the members too. Kelly was tearful some of the night too. Bummer.

Micheal Bolton's group did alot better with their song choice too. I'm not sure why he used the same male soloist again, but maybe he is the best choice out of the male voices. Who knows. I'll bet he was feeling the pressure when he lost his voice that morning. Tea w/ honey, Honey. That's the secret.

Blake Shelton had the crowd rockin' too. He is such a personality with all the creative jokes coming with each comment to the mic.

Patti LaBelle raised an eyebrow or two when she told Lachey that his choir was blessed by God. He had a bit of a blank look on his face. If you ever watched the Newlywed's show w/ him and Jessica, he would never talk about God or going to church. That's not something he's used to at all. Maybe this is God's way of getting Nick's attention for a change. Patti is allowing herself to be used to speak into some lives the love of Christ they may not have ever heard before. People need the Lord, and they don't even know it. How many times has live TV edited out the words God wants to speak in Primetime. Oh, you can find some TV preaching and Christian music on BET on Sunday morning. M-F is a different story.

Patti's choir continues to wow us. She is featuring different soloist women each night. Are they in a local church choir? Where did she get those girls? It's touching to see how very heartfelt they express the lyrics. Bravo!

NBC is narrowing the song choice tonight with Christmas being the theme. Let's sing about baby Jesus!!!

The battle was ON Monday night with the Clash of the Choirs on NBC! Why weren't any of the celebs from my town? I could've helped them w/ alto or a soprano part! The top two choirs for me were Kelly Rowland's group and Patti LaBelle's wild bunch. Wow! I was so impressed by Patti LaBelle. She is so genuine and a natural director. She seemed to be ready to direct, and had a great song choice. Who would've guess that the choir would rock the house with "He's Got The Whole World In His Hands". When the parts were broken up and sung hitting me right between the eyes - I was Hooked!! Then, they added in "I Put It All In His Hands" and the roof came off the place! Print the sheet music up, girl, that was HOT!!! Thanks NBC for the praise party. It's about time the world got a view of what it's like to have some church - up in there. You could tell the ladies featured in the duet were feelin' the spirit, and shouting Hallelujah!

I noticed the directors were very very nice to each other with comments this first night. No "Simon Cowells" among the group to gripe or advise. They are accomplished artists, and I'm sure they don't like it when someone would criticize ANYTHING they are doing. Bottom of my list was Michael Bolton's group because it didn't bring out the SATB parts very well. That's not saying the soloist wasn't ON with his raspy edgy voice. He was a good choice.

Nick Lachey took a big chance with his song, "Unwritten". It was difficult because of the rhythms, if you don't keep on top and ahead of each phrase, it's easy to get behind the beat. He had a good group with some strong women soloists. Cincinnati has movers and shakers!

I was proud of Blake Shelton for pursuing the troops to be part of his choir in Oklahoma City. Why he didn't include the choir director he questioned for advice, is beyond me. I cannot believe he doesn't know how to read music. How can he lead a choir? Can he hear the parts? There must have been a pianist provided to play all the parts for everyone. This IS a national show we're watching. Let me guess there were special split tracks w/ part tapes produced for each choir also. NBC had to spend money somewhere since there weren't any actors to pay. Blake's choir soloists were good and adventurous with some of their ad libs.

Kelly Rowland had Houston dancing with attitude. It helps to wear red when you go to war! The tenors were very strong; maybe they were the first of her secret weapons ready to be released. I can't wait!

A Book Review:

Wow, Lisa has blown me away with the number of ideas for motivating children to obey and do things the way a parent would imagine. Of course, I'm thinking it's going to take some time for my little guy (not quite 2 yet) to be able to understand my methods and the reasoning behind them. I was impressed by idea upon idea mentioned in this book.

Some things I have been working on, is getting Jared to clean up his toys and food he throws on the floor. I am pleased to report that he no longer is whirling bowls of unfinished dinner at me or off the side of the highchair tray. He says, "Done." and offers me the fork/spoon. Then I run! and go and get it quickly!!! He is doing better with tantrums, as he sits in a chair until he quits crying.

An e-mail was sent to me by BabyCenter.com on discipline techniques. I thought it was very good, and I'd like to share it.

http://parentcenter.babycenter.com/0_the-discipline-tool-kit-successful-strategies-for-every-age_1475318

I've always been the type of person to research the topic I'm learning; whatever it is at the time. You should see the books I've read on gardening, magazines on scrapbooking, books on how to maintain a fishtank (still can't do this well), then there's my ultrasound books on each modality. So here goes my research into how to be the best parent I possibly can become for Jared's sake.

Somethings been going on lately. There is some big green thing in the livingroom with lots of "ites" and pretty hangy things too. Momma keeps her eye on me when I get too close. I hate it when I see that my "ites" aren't lit yet, so I found this square plastic thing w/ 2 prongs that fit great into the socket on the wall. The "ites" were on!! I got in trouble. Last weekend I went to the mall with Nana and Pap and Momma and Dadda. Nana and Dadda stood in line waiting while Momma pushed me around in my stroller showing me all these Babba's (bears) w/ snow. Big "ites" there! and a "tee" too. When Nana and Dadda got to the front of the line Momma too me into the "seat" where a scary man in a red suit was sitting. She AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAhhhhhhhhhhhhh put me on his lap AAAAAAAAAAAhhhhh! She picked me up and put me on her lap and sat on that man's lap AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAhhhh!! Dadda sat on the other side of him and a flashy "ite" hurt my eyes! We all were outa there in no time. Dadda drove us around town; I saw green and red lights all over the place. My house has a white snowman, a penguin on the porch, and my favorite is a "Babbba" w/ a red scarf, "Awww, Babba."

I've been looking for a really good oatmeal cookie recipe. It should taste very chewy and thin. I've tried the recipe on the oatmeal container and one in the Martha Stewart Baking handbook. They were both very bulky and almost tough. Any suggestions? The very best oatmeal cookie I have ever had was made by my old boss, Karen Romine. I asked her for the recipe, and she didn't have it. So I'm on a hunt!! Do you have the recipe I need? Please share!

I finished knitting this dishcloth over the summer, and I thought it needed a mate. I've started on a second one with what I have left. I bought the yarn in Myrtle Beach at a knitting store in Cherry Grove called Knitting Up a Storm. I was delighted to meet the owner. She had so much to choose from. I loved the color of this cotton yarn. It is a deeper blue than the pic can show. The pattern is from Creative Knitting Magazine. There is also a sweater in the mag that uses this pattern throughout. It is beautiful, but I can't commit for that long of a project right now. I'm wanting to start my corset soon (link on the side column).

I was so hungry for chocolate chip biscotti to go with my hot creamy coffee. I found an easy recipe from my cookbook "The Cake Doctor". It is made with a cake mix. Why is there such confusion about this mysterious cookie? You mound the dough in a rectangular shape and bake first, then cut into strips and turn on their sides to bake again for another 10 min - turn oven off and leave them in for another 2 hrs. They are crisp and ready to rehydrate when you dunk them in your hot liquid. Yummy. John wanted to sample them after the first baking rectangle came out of the oven! Friday, I was running late to a party and grabbed them on the way out the door along with some coffe mate creamer and coffee grounds. They were put out with the other desserts. One of the men at the party walked up to me later and said, "Those chocolate chip cookies were really HARD as a rock!"