Got me some love!

Tami Sue tagged me. She rocks! She is my buddy! I bounce ideas off of her, love to talk about scrapbooking, and life, she helps in the store, she listens to my woe's when I am sad.... she is mad creative, she likes Diet coke and has a Coach handbag fetish like me. She understand good shoes and loves to travel! I don't know what I would do without her........ So thank for the LOVE award Tami!!!

The rules for the award are - (1) The winner can put the logo on their blog. (2) Link the person you received your award from. (3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs. (4) Put links of those on yours. (5) Leave a message on the blogs of the girls or boys you’ve nominated.Now I get to nominate 7 people:

Brenda

Dawn

Michelle

Randi Jo

'Manda

Kristi W

Brandi

J to the M to the E

Today is an ode to a pal! James is 30 today. She isn't sure she wants to turn 30. Let's just say that 2008 isn't hasn't been a 5 star for James. But I tell ya, I wouldn't have survived this year without James.

Here is my top 10 list about Jamie

10- She rocks as a mom, Cormac and Chloe not only have a ton of fun exploring this world but they are laid back and fun to be around. They say funny things, wear great clothes and just enjoy life. Their mom makes sure that they are seeing the world with eyes wide open

9- She doesn't care if her house looks like a showroom or not, she leaves the door unlocked and all are welcome. There might be folded laundry on the couch or the remenants of Chloe's last attempt at painting with nailpolish on the hardwood floors but you are still welcome. Come in, grab a beverage and enjoy

8- She is up for fun at almost anytime, ready to chit chat, visit, or just listen. We have had plenty of time's at Tomato Bros. attempting to solve the worlds problems, only to live again tomorrow

7- She isn't afraid to tell it like it is, Jamie likes to read and be educated, she won't shove things down your throat but she will enjoy a heated debate and that is so fun. One time I learned about Huckby and talked politics it was a GREAT discussion

6- She tells a funny story, when I need a laugh, when the world is funny I can call Jamie. She sees the world with a set of glasses that are full of hope and laughter

5- I can be myself with James. We all know I haven't had the most fun ride this year. James is there to listen to make me laugh to just check in, to really ensure that I am out of bed and at work when I would rather pull the covers over my head. I can be me, the good, the bad and well you know the rest.

4- She loves her family. She is committed to raising a family in this crazy mixed up world. She respects her husband, she takes good care of those extended family in her life and that is a lot of work! And she loves my family too. She helps out with Savannah and cares about Mike and what's going on!!! She loves my mom like I do and that means the world to me.

3- She knows the value of Diet coke in my life. Now that is a friend!

2- She found a special ice supplier, rock on sister!

1- She hangs with me at my store and scrapbooks. We tell funny stories, we laugh, we gripe, we are and its GREAT she stays late, stops by when I am just there working and we have a great time. She makes having a store a lot of fun.

Happy Birthday Pal. Hope its a GREAT ONE!

Such an act of kindness

Tonight I was on the run, driving from the store to home to take Savannah to babysit and I got a phone call. It was my friend Gini, she had made us dinner and wanted to know if she could run it by, it so happened I was 3 steets away. She had made us an amazing dinner, spaghetti with meat sauce, salad with croutons, garlic bread, homemade chocolate chip cookies and DIET COKE! Now that is amazing. It was such a blessing. I got to meet her youngest son, Owen and visit with her and her husband Chris. This family is dear to my heart, we have been friends for over 20 years. They love God, they are as real as they come and live a normal life in our small town. It was a huge blessing to me and Savannah. Gini will never know how touched I was and thankful. It tasted soooooooo good!

NEW store arrivals!

NEW Karen Foster
outdoor, hunting, fishing and camping!

New Scenic Route Appleton

(layout taken from their website)
We love Scenic Route, its bright, fun and ready for your back to school pictures!
There is lots of new Ribbon, paper, wood shaped albums and more. Hurry in, you won't want to miss it!

more on my life..... (caution tough thoughts)

Not really into learning right now. In fact if I could take a few steps back I would. I have been thinking about how this summer has shaken me and my reactions are so different that what I typically might say or do.

This week I have had words with my brother, he said something that hurt, he didn't realize how badly. (I can count on one hand the fights we have had in the last 20 years.) But in my current emtional state I reacted, I was hurt, I was sad, to top it off he told my mom, that makes me more mad. He has no idea how complicated my life is, how many plates I keep up in the air at one time and how many people I have to make happy. I know that he didn't intend to hurt me but what he said isn't easily taken back. I can forgive him but I also choose to just not be engaged. The worst part is, we planned a family vacation soon to the beach and it was the first time I would see him in over a year and probably not again for a year. (we never gone that long in this lifetime, we are have grown up a very closeknit family)

I had words with mike, it was a misunderstanding over the phone, its so hard to call him and to talk about things that I need to discuss. Although he is in a mental hospital working through life things, he has it pretty easy, he is told when to eat, when to sleep, how to feel and given plenty of meds to cope with life. I on the other hand am working, two jobs, raising a daughter, wondering about a son who is away right now, dealing with ill parents, two businesses, a very sick aunt (who is my one and only) and trying to keep it all going. I have friends that are hurting and whom I would like to be a "friend too," ... and yet I get tired. I get frustrated, I am spent.

I am battling insurance companies, doctor's offices, and trying to get into a new schedule as a single parent of a daughter who refuses to drive a car.

It rocks my faith, I am trying to understand on a spiritual level/my view of God... I think God can take it and isn't surprised by all of this, He can handle every emotion, He knows when I cry at nite so no one will hear, when I can't sleep worrying about the details, where there will be enough money to keep going or how we will pay yet more bills. At times I want to scream when I am driving down the road, and ask God WHY? WHY don't you just heal him? Why don't you just come in and do it; so we can go on living? I hear from people around me I am so strong, but they just don't see it, I am angry, I am sad, I want to turn my back and run from God and from the world, I am just so hurt that this is the life I am living. But I think that I am beginning to understand that God can handle it, that when I have nothing left to offer to say, then where is my faith? What is my definition of trust? This is not necessarily what I thought Trust was... I thought that Trust was going to mean that things turned out the way that I thought they should, when maybe now TRUST should mean believing that someone (God) is going to be with you no matter what the road is doing in front of you or behind you. I have to TRUST His promises though I don't feel like He's there........

more to come....

a few things I know...

There are a few things in this life that I think I am good at. Things that aren't difficult for me...

*I do not get lost in the mall and I typically know where my car is at.. this sense of direction is valuable as I have placed a lot of time and effort into retail therapy. I find a sense of solace roaming a mall.
* I can typically find my way around any city, even when I haven't ever been there, its a knack and a ton of fun, I love to go exploring, I think my whole family could say they are like this...
* I am the go-to girl, I know new jobs, houses to rent or buy, or a friend who might know a friend.. etc. its fun and yet at times burdensome 'cause I feel the need to lend a hand even when I am running on empty.
* I also am really good with insurance companies, some of you may laugh at that thought, but I have been down the road a few times, plus add in the fact I worked for one of the "blues" for awhile and I learned a lot. I know my way around an EOB, I can figure out the most complicated benefit and I hate hate hate to deal with their customer service people.

Today I had the opportunity to deal with one of the providers we have been using for the last 18 months. They neglected to bill one of our insurance companies and now it might be past the submission time. Its funny that it might now be my problem, what part of "sign this contract, provide us the insurance companies, we have already confirmed your coverages and we will take care of the rest" Well they sorta dropped the ball. NICE? Its a 1500.00 bill, When I questioned the person at the office, she pulled the hard file, and wanted to see where they made the error, I really at this point could care less where they made the error, I am not going to PAY THE BILL. I then hung up with this new billing girl, and called back asking to speak to her boss. I was PERFECTLY happy with our last orthodontist and never wanted to change but our dentist recommended this.... grrrrr. I told the front desk girl that if we could leave their practice we would leave today, but you don't do that when you are 3/4 the way thru with braces treatment. Needless to say the insurance girl called and spoke with a supposed supervisor at the insurance firm and they are going to consider my claims. I had asked 3 times why she hadn't submitted the claims and she didn't give me a reason. She didn't know that I had called them today and found out that they hadn't even submitted a claim. GRRRR! The dentist called while I was getting a much needed massage, I didn't answer, his whole speal on the phone was how great his billing person was and how she was going to work her hardest to get this resolved. Funny how that is not my experience thus far.....

Since I was having so much fun playing w/the blue cross people, then I decided I should call the Idaho blue cross people and talk about the 54k in outstanding claims that are sitting unpaid for the last 30 days. You don't even want to know how that convo went.
Nonetheless if you need insurance help I am more than willing to tango with you.

Thinking ahead MENU

This is what I am making this week. I have had to think a bit so that we aren't just eating Otter pops for dinner. here is what this week will bring...

Crock Pot Chicken and Rice

Ingredients
Boneless, skinless chicken breast (2-3 lbs)

Chicken Flavored Rice

Cream of Celery soup

Cream of Chicken soup

1 cup water

salt
Instructions
Put rice in crock pot, and water. Combine soups and layer on top of rice. Salt chicken and layer chicken in pot. Set on high for 4-5 hours

Breakfast in the slow cooker

1 bag (32 oz.) frozen hash brown potatoes

1 lb. of bacon diced, cooked and drained

or 1 lb. cooked ham, cubed

1 medium diced onion

1 green bell pepper diced

1 1/2 C. shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese

1 dozen eggs

1 C. milk

1 t. salt

1 t. pepper (more or less to taste)

Instructions
Place a layer of frozen potatoes on the bottom of the slow cooker, followed by a layer of bacon then onions, green pepper and cheese. Repeat the layering process two or three more times, ending with a layer of cheese. Beat the eggs, milk and salt and pepper together. Pour over the Crockpot mixture, cover and turn on low. Cook for 10-12 hours.

Chicken Tacos

Thaw 3 frozen chicken tenders, cut into cubes

saute in olive oil

add 2 tb spoons taco seasoning

and 2 tb spoons water heat thru

in a non stick pan, heat corn tortillas

layer chicken, shredded cheese, tomato's, onion and green chili sauce onto corn tortillas.

Slow Cooker Lasagna

INGREDIENTS
1 pound lean ground beef
1 onion, chopped
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1 (29 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 (12 ounce) package lasagna noodles
12 ounces cottage cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
16 ounces shredded mozzarella cheese

DIRECTIONS
In a large skillet over medium heat cook the ground beef, onion, and garlic untill brown. Add the tomato sauce, tomato paste, salt, and oregano and stir until well incorported. Cook untill heated through.
In a large bowl mix together the cottage cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, and shredded mozzarella cheese.
Spoon a layer of the meat mixture onto the bottom of the slow cooker. Add a double layer of the uncooked lasagna noodles. Break to fit noodles into slow cooker. Top noodles with a portion of the cheese mixture. Repeat the layering of sauce, noodles, and cheese until all the ingredients are used.
Cover and cook on low heat in slow cooker for 6 to 8 hours.