Pizza-lets

One of the worst things about being single and having a cooking addiction is...ALL THE FOOD! Most of my recipes make a 9x13 or a whole crock pot - and I eat it for days. My Mom tells me to cut them in half, and sometimes I do, but sometimes it's not easy. Half an egg? Half a can of soup? If I had a spare freezer, I would just freeze leftovers, but I don't have one (yet) so for now I just eat and eat once I make something.

As a result, I'm always excited to find little "meals for one" that don't leave me with leftovers for days on end. This is such a recipe. I actually ate this at church this summer the night I helped with VBS. They served a meal before VBS and someone kindly saved the leftovers for those of us who had been busy with registration during the meal. I played around with it at home and now love making this when I need something quick and easy.

The Recipe
2 hamburger buns
4 tablespoons pizza sauce
20 slices pepperoni
1/2 - 2/4 cup mozzarella cheese

Separate top and bottom of hamburger buns and arrange on baking sheet. Spread one tablespoon of pizza sauce on each bun. Arrange 5 slices of pepperoni on each bun and sprinkle cheese over top. Bake for 10 minutes at 400 degrees.

Another reason I'm excited about this recipe is it gives me a chance to use up the one or two leftover hamburger buns that linger after a round of BBQ or sloppy joes. You could also use leftover bagels - or probably biscuits too. And this is just what I always have on hand. You can certainly switch up the ingredients to include what you like on your pizza!

I don't really measure out the sauce...I just spread a little on the buns. I try not to overdo the sauce - mostly because I'll end up wearing it on my clothes. Not attractive. I use my Pampered Chef Small Bar Pan to cook these - perfect size!!

There is a brand of pepperoni that makes really cute dime-sized pepperoni pieces. They cost more, so I stick with the regular kind, but those little ones would be great for this project!

And there's no such thing as too much cheese, right? So load up!

Lunch! Or snacks for a little party. Very yummy!!!

Bits for Sunday, July 26, 2009

I told you a while back that I’ve taken up running. I was told I would grow to love it. Well…that sort of warm fuzzy feeling has yet to arrive. Granted there are many moments where I feel both warm and fuzzy while out running, but it has more to do with sweat and dehydration than any sort of endearment.

My running time can be, as they say, a “come to Jesus” time. Sometimes I pray for the sick and those in need. Sometimes I pray to make it to the next light pole. It was in one such moment last week that I realized an important truth about my life…maybe about life itself.

I admit to experiencing a moment of anxiety when I enter my running path each day. I look at that stretch of road and think fondly of Snickers bars…caramel frappuccinos…moose tracks ice cream…an assortment of other life-joys that landed me in the place where I need to run at all. I think of all the things I could be doing with that hour of my day. And then I take a deep breath and go.

The first steps are great. I breeze through the first few hundred yards, take in the scenery, do some deep thinking. Then, in just about the same spot every time, my ankles start to ache, I find that oxygen isn’t as plentiful as it was at the start (and unfortunately I cannot blame the elevation, because it didn’t change), and I make the sad discovery that my legs instantly gained 20 pounds each, making them much harder to drag around the path.

It’s at that point that I look at the remaining distance to cover…remember that I have two more rounds of this same thing yet to go…and I want to just curl up in the grass and wait for someone to find me, toss me in a golf cart, and take me home.

Last week, in a moment of that sort of realization, I wanted to just quit running. (In case you didn’t know, I run a while, walk a while, run a while, walk a while.) I wanted to walk the rest of the path, and I wanted to start the switch right then. But I could see that I was just a few parking places away from the spot where I normally switch from running to walking. If I’d run that far, I could run a few more spaces. So I said to myself, “Just make it to that yellow line and you can stop.” And somehow, I did. And after I caught my breath, I started again. And again I said, “Just make it to that crack in the pavement and you can stop.” And I did. And then a few hundred yards later… “Just make it to the fire hydrant and you can stop.” For the rest of my run that night, I made it, cheering myself on to the next crack in the pavement.

It was this same week that I felt overwhelmed in my time with God. I felt like I wasn’t making any progress, I wasn’t learning anything, I wasn’t trying hard enough (and that part was very true!)…and I just wanted to give up. Quit. Eat a Snickers bar. But even while gasping for air on my run, God managed to squeeze in a lesson. He reminded me (rightfully so!) that I approach that relationship in too-big-chunks sometimes. I needed to break it down….make it to the next “crack in the pavement.” Just through tonight’s devotions. Not through the whole next Bible study I’m trying to write. Just through a chapter – maybe even a verse for a few minutes before bed.

So that night, that’s exactly what I did. I sat down with my pile of Bibles, books, and journals, and purposed to get through that night. Just like I didn’t need four miles worth of oxygen to get to the next crack in the pavement, I didn’t need enough spiritual “a-ha” moments to write a best-seller. I just needed enough to last me through my sleep and into the morning (preferably after coffee).

It’s great to have “big picture” focus. That’s what drives us forward. But just as important is making it to the next crack in the pavement.

Pool Party at Last!

I was supposed to go swimming at my friend Faith's on July 4th, but it rained. I was supposed to go swimming at my sister's the following weekend, but it rained. I told our student worker (who had organized a pool party at her house for today) that I would understand if she wanted to cancel my invitation. I might be a weather jinx.

But she said I could still come to the party. Isn't she nice?

Actually I thought it was very nice of her to organize this little party for the girls of the office. Not all the office girls could go, but those of us who did had a very fun time! Rachel's dad grilled for us, and we all pitched in side dishes and desserts.

From the left: Rachel (the hostess with the mostest), Angel, Rachel (holding Anna), me, Robyn.

Sometimes lunch just isn't enough.

Anna, trying out the water with Miss Robyn. She lasted a little while and then she said "Forget it. I want to sleep." Well, she didn't really say it outright like that, but it's what she meant.

Robyn and me...floating on the fun noodle thingies. They were a great invention.

My annual pool photo. It always looks the same. I'm always pasty white, I'm always wearing the same suit...but hey, at least I'm consistent.

Patience is so NOT a Virtue

...at least not one of mine.

Guess what!??!!?! No baby yet! I've decided he's just going to stay in his mama forever. This waiting game is not getting any easier as the days go by....that's for stinkin' sure.

So I guess I'll just catch you up (again) on life in Bekahland.

Wednesday night I went to see The Proposal. Learned a valuable lesson. Do not eat a gigantic bowl of watermelon before going to see the funniest movie ever. I had heard it was a funny movie, but I didn't know it was THAT funny. My goodness! That will be on the must-own list.

Yesterday was our big summer visit day at work. I think they said we had over 400 visitors on campus. I was invited to be a tour guide, since they needed extras for the day. I had a BLAST giving tours. They split up the schedule this year and I actually was able to give two of them. So much fun!

Today I was a judge for the Campus Challenge competition over on campus. (If you're not Wesleyan, you're probably saying... HUH? It's a competition in the denomination that allows students to compete for scholarship money at the Wesleyan schools.) This is my third year to judge - and I did vocals again. I always kind of feel like Paula when I judge the vocals. LOL. But there were some good songs this year! :)

I was quite worried I'd get the baby call during one of those two things, but I did not, so now I'm home free again for a while.

Saying Goodbye...

My friends Nate and Amber are moving...to Hong Kong. Last January they had an impromptu game night at their house, and they rigged one of the games to announce their move. It was impressively creative.

They'll be leaving here in a couple of days, so this past Sunday the church hosted a going away cookout for them. They were gracious to invite me...something I love about those church people!
They didn't toss me out as a friend when I felt God prompting me to go to another church instead.

Here I am with my scrapping buddies, Faith and Sarah.

And here I am with Amber. Since changing churches, I haven't been able to see her as much, but she is still a very dear friend. I remember when her youngest, Isaiah, was a baby, and she would bring him over to my house so she could watch Alias - one of her favorite shows. Since I didn't know much about Alias, I had fun playing with Isaiah and she had fun watching TV! She was also my chick-flick buddy, since Nate wasn't interested in them, and I didn't have a buddy to watch with. We lived not far from each other, and I loved driving past her house on my way to any given place and waving to her...

The cookout was yummy and it was fun to catch up with the church buddies again. Toward the end, a water fight erupted. It began with the tiniest little water balloon and escalated to super soakers, garden hoses, buckets, even coolers! We grown-up girls were the smart ones. We clutched our purses and cameras, wadded up into a huddle and declared it the safe zone because you can't get cameras wet!

I'm so glad I got to be part of the day....these guys were so much fun to see!! (I can say that because I stayed dry...)

Amish Breakfast Casserole

I found this recipe when hunting down easy breakfast recipes for Father's Day this year. I offered to host the holiday for Mom, but I had two problems. One...I had to find something to make that either cooked in around a half hour, since I had church right before lunch OR cooked in the slow-cooker. Two...I had to find something Dad would like, and he is kind of a picky eater, bless his little heart.

After much debate, I settled on a breakfast menu for Father's Day. I made the sticky rolls that are already in the recipe list, served some fruit, and found this alternative to my standard breakfast casserole. This does not REPLACE the other casserole, mind you. It is simply an alternative. Dad actually loved it! I told him I picked it out because it had Amish in the name, and he loves all things Amish.

Last week, I took this to work for the going-away party of my sweet friend Rachel. The work gang cleaned it up. Not even a spoonful left over for me!!

The Recipe:

1 pound ground sausage, browned and drained
1 medium sweet onion, chopped
6 eggs lightly beaten
4 cups frozen shredded hash browns, thawed
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
1 1/2 cups (12 ounces) small curd cottage cheese
1 1/4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

In a large skilled, cook sausage and onion until sausage is browned; drain. In a bowl, combine the remaining ingredients; stir in sausage mixture. Transfer to a greased 9x13 baking dish.

Bake, uncovered at 350 for 35-40 minutes or until set and bubbly. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting.

You know me...always the rebel. I skipped the chopping of the onion and used dried minced onion. Tasted great...couldn't tell a bit that I'd cheated!


The first time I made this, I browned the sausage the night before, refrigerated it, and dumped it in with the other ingredients the next day. It worked fine. The second time I made it, I actually made the entire casserole the night before, refrigerated it and baked it the next morning. That worked fine too. Both times I skipped out on putting the dried, minced onion in with the sausage. I just dumped it in with the rest of the ingredients and it was fine.

I don't actually own a whisk. This is an attachment that came with one of the dearly departed beaters I used to own. :) Works great!

The best part of the casserole - you can just dump everything in. The sausage, the beaten eggs, and that fabulous onion...

...Topped with the cheddar, the mozzarella, and the cottage cheese. I love cheese....

...Mix it all up. Looks terrible, but trust me. It's worth it!

Put it in the greased baking dish...

...Ta daaaaaaaaaa!!! Tastes so good! Warms over nicely too - if there's any left, that is. But I wouldn't count on it if I were you.

Bits for Sunday, July 19, 2009

This is my 800th post! Hard to believe I've been a blogger that long. I wish the post could have a bit more substance, but enjoy anyway.....


I spent the weekend resting and nesting. My friend Trudy is about to have a baby, and I’m once again scheduled to be there for the birth. Early last week , her doctor said she was certain the baby would be born before Sunday. It is now Sunday and that baby was firmly planted inside Trudy when I saw her earlier today.

While I wait, I’ve cleared my calendar of most activities, leaving me with nothing to do but…rest and nest. I caught up on my scrapping, worked on the house and yard, did all the laundry and dishes…and now I’m sacked out on the couch waiting for the Michael Douglas lifetime achievement special to air on TV Land. (If I owned The American President, I’d have watched it today in honor of the special. That is one of my favorite movies.)

It’s been a long time since I just kicked back and rested. Since I sat on the couch and didn’t feel guilty about it. Since I slept for hours at a time with no interruption – even from the cats. Since I had two days in a row with virtually no plans packing every moment.

I think I kind of like it.

My parents raised me well to rest on Sundays. To take a break from work and build up some extra strength for the week to come. I spent many Sunday afternoons lost in the world of books…occasionally sneaking in a nap…talking on the phone…writing…listening to music...writing letters. And when I went on to college, I took that practice with me.

And now I’m all grown up (a.k.a. getting old) and I still love the day of rest. Sometimes the rest seems awfully busy. Does it ever seem that way to you?

But on a true day of rest, I love to…

• Take a long nap – one that ends in waking up tired from sleeping so long.

• Curl up and watch a movie – while doing NOTHING else. No multi-tasking.

• Do a scrapbook page or seven.

• Read a book…and by read, I mean underline, highlight, and journal about all through the process.

• Look at old scrapbooks.

• Do my nails.

• Catch up on blogs.

• Every now and then, maybe even take a walk that doesn’t involve speeding or sweating.

• Call AT&T to see why my internet crashed again. (Oh wait. That just slipped in there. It’s not really something I love to do.)

You may not be waiting on a baby…but I would like to highly recommend taking a day of rest. Your version of rest might look different from mine, but there’s nothing like that rejuvenation. And of course…the promise that it will come back around in another week!

...Still Waiting!...

No baby yet. I'm still waiting for the call to go to the hospital...and I'm still keeping busy with random chores.

* I mowed and semi-trimmed the yard.

* I went for a run.

* I slept for about ten hours last night, so I'm well-stocked on rest.

* I'm about to have a laundry marathon.

* As soon as the dishwasher finishes its run, I'm going to bake peanut butter cookies and contend with the zucchini-on-steroids I acquired.

* I will prepare for the Sunday School lesson I may or may not be present to teach.

* I guess when all that's done, if I still haven't been called, I'll go back to scrapping!

Meanwhile, here are some pictures from this week. I was an extra in a commercial-type video shoot for our office's website. There will be four separate shoots, and the first two were this past week. I couldn't make it to the afternoon shoot, and I was sad about that. But in the morning...

...our set was the coffee shop. My friend Jonathan served as the barista (or "bartender" as he called it) and my friend Rachel was the customer. She was very patient, since she waited over an hour for a drink he never made! LOL. He did a great job of pretending to make coffee, though. He also did a great job of sending away the five people that wandered through to ask for coffee...apparently oblivious to the large camera and lighting things just a few feet away.

These two girls, Rachel and Maggie, were my pretend-coffee-drinking buddies. We sat at a table behind Brittany (who is standing up in the background) while she read for this part of the shoot. Maggie (in the red shirt) was a fabulous fake-drinker. I just stirred my coffee...which was actually whipped cream in a cup. :)

And this guy right here was the highlight of our experience. He wandered through, asked for coffee (which of course, we didn't have), and then sat down just out of view of the camera. He promptly fell asleep and started snoring so loud that the mic picked him up. So one of the camera guys "tripped" over a chair behind him to wake him up.

The Things We Do While We Wait...

...The Fellowship of Christian Magicians crew arrived on campus this week. I'm thinking this is not my best look...so I'll stay in my job and let them stay in theirs. :)

My friend Trudy is getting ready to have a baby. And by getting ready, I mean I'm not allowed to go anywhere - even the bathroom - without my phone attached to me, in case I receive "the call." The call to go to the hospital (which I hope I remember how to get to), count contractions, feed ice chips, and take pictures whenever the little one decides to join us! This will be my fourth childbirth to attend, and I'm excited. I still get excited and nervous...and I always love watching those very first moments of in-the-world life.

So while I wait for Trudy and while Christina waits for Teapot....

...apparently I try on balloon hats.

...I redo all my nail polish, because I want it to look good for pictures.

...I clean up the mess that has overtaken my house in the days leading up to "don't-make-any-plans-days.

...I think about mowing the yard and decide it can last another day.

...I keep the batteries on the charger so I can give this sweet thing a well-deserved photo shoot after birth.

...I blog about waiting.

...I jump EVERY time that stupid phone vibrates because I think it might be "the call" when usually - like just now - it's a text.

Bits for Sunday, July 12 2009

FYI - Got a little post-crazy this weekend! Below this is a picture of the "super-cute pink shoes," a new recipe, and pictures of my "pool party" this weekend! Enjoy!

I had lunch with some friends today, and after their kids went down for a nap, the three of us sat in the living room and talked about a little bit of everything. I told stories from the “only in Bekahland” collection, and we all sat around laughing and having a great time.

Somewhere along the path, we talked about writing and teaching, and that led to a conversation that left me thinking.

I hate to admit that I’ve reached an age where I can “look back and see how things worked together in ways I couldn’t see at the time,” but it’s true. I have.

I told Paula that when I went to college and decided to major in writing, I really thought I’d be writing fiction the rest of my life. It was the only kind of writing I read up to that point, and I spent much of my spare time working on short stories. I had plans for the next great Bekah-novel.

But apparently God had some other plans.

My major wasn’t very demanding when it came to class scheduling. I always took every writing class offered that semester, but even with those and the required-for-all-students classes, I had many holes left to fill in my schedule. I hated science and math, so those classes were out. I wasn’t artistic, musical, or athletic, so that ruled out a few more. I had an academic scholarship, so it was important to take something that would keep that alive and well.

So each semester, I signed up for all sorts of Bible classes. I’d grown up with a pretty good background of the Bible and I thought I stood a chance in those classes, even alongside all the aspiring preachers.

And while I was busy filling my schedule with those classes, I also learned that there was a whole separate kind of writing I’d never realized I loved. I took a class in non-fiction and could have given up fiction entirely after that semester.

Today when Paula and I talked, I told her that looking back, I can see how God was involved in something as simple as an empty schedule for a writer-in-training. He was molding two loves right then for a work to be done later. A work that is not done yet. A work that probably has even more pieces feeding into it than I can even see (because I’m so young yet, you know).

Even better, my love of fiction and story-telling can still factor in when I write. Those loves were permitted to stay…they were just moved to a secondary spot to allow what is really important to have a place of prominence.

Sometimes it’s good to look back over life and see what you can decipher of the work God has been doing. It’s fascinating to grasp even a bit of His ways. And it’s good to remember that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6)

For Christina...

My pink shoes....which suddenly look very small!!

Weight Watchers Chocolate Squares

As you might have gathered from recipes I've posted...I am not entirely (remotely?) health conscious. I'm trying to do a better job of eating smaller portions and choosing better things when I have the chance, but that's where I draw the line.

Several of my friends, though, are doing Weight Watchers right now. It has been frustrating because I want to be able to cook for them, but they can't eat most things I make. And I'm sad when they choose to not eat my cooking...so when you can't beat 'em, join 'em!

My Mom had these little brownies (which are actually more of a cake consistency) at a friends' house and said they were very good. She gave me the recipe, and I made it a couple of weeks ago for a friend...and again yesterday for my sister. They were both really excited about it, so I thought I'd share with you!

The Recipe
1 box dark chocolate cake mix
1 small box fat free, sugar free chocolate fudge instant pudding
1 1/2 cups water
3 egg whites
4 ounces (1/2 cup) natural applesauce.
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips.

Combine all ingredients (except chocolate chips) into a bowl and beat on medium to blend well. Continue to beat for 2 minutes. Fold in 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips. Pour into sprayed 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes.

When cut into 24 pieces, each piece is 2 Weight Watchers points.

Look closely! That's the most name brand stuff you'll ever see in one of my pictures! I was looking for a German chocolate cake mix - but found that Pillsbury actually has a mix called "dark." And I found the "natural" applesauce in Motts' individual cups. Each cup is just about 4 ounces, so no measuring required! Just dump in the cup and go!

I don't know how to separate eggs by doing the little shell trick, so I used my Pampered Chef egg separator. I just separated them over a bowl to catch the egg whites and then I put the yolks in the garbage disposal.

Doesn't take long to dump all the ingredients in a bowl...this is everything but the chocolate chips!

I mixed it up by hand a little first just to keep it from flying all over the kitchen when I turned on the beaters.

When i got it pretty well mixed up, I switched over to the beaters....

And as you can see, the consistency changed quite a bit then.

This is what it looks like after a couple minutes of beating.

Then the chocolate chips go in....

Spread it in the pan....

And here is the baked version!

If you cut them 3 across, 8 down, you'll have your 24 bars! You can top with fat free cool whip if you want....individually freeze the rest and have snacks on the go!

"Pool Party"

My sister, Julie, has a pool at her house. I don't get the chance to visit her very often, but a few weeks ago, I told her we should schedule a day for me to come down and swim. We consulted our calendars and picked yesterday.

It POURED all day.

So here's our pool party, plan B.

She took me out to eat at the Cheesecake Factory. I'd never been there before, and I've decided it's good for my calorie intake and my spending habits that I don't live any closer to it than I do! WOW that was some good food! I had the chicken artichoke soup...and it was fabulous. It seemed improper to leave without at least trying the cheesecake, so I chose the Snickers cheesecake. YUM.

Did I mention it POURED? When we finally landed in the mall (after shuffling together under my tiny umbrella), we had to pause for Julie's shoes to dry out...

...and my umbrella to stop dripping. I'm talking to Mom on the phone here...who was informing me that at home, the sun was out. SUPER.

By the time we were done shopping, the sun was out at her house too, but by that time, we didn't have enough time left for pool lounging. Sad, sad day for Bekah.

So here we are...at our "pool party." Sigh. Maybe next time.

Happy Thursday!!

Well let's see....what's happening in Bekahland??

* Last night I got a SUPER cute pair of pink shoes at Wal Mart. We are smack in the middle of freshman registration this week, and the dress code for it is black/khaki. I've decided to spruce it up for a couple of the days with an accent color for my purse/jewelry/shoes. Yesterday was red day. Today I wanted to go pink...but I didn't have pink shoes. So I was very excited to find a little pair of WHOA MAMA pink ballerina flats.

* After leaving the Wal Mart, I had the joy of watching some random citizen of my town giving the pond next to Taco Bell a major "what-for." I don't know what the pond did to offend him, but he stood over it and yelled with all his might - and gestured wildly. Some guy in a white convertible was gawking, so I didn't feel as bad following suit as I drove along behind him.

* After THAT, I spent 25 more minutes on the phone with AT&T to once again correct my once again crashed internet.

* Then I went for a run, which was disastrous. My shorts were riding up (hate that) and my shirt was falling down (making it look like I wasn't WEARING shorts), I forgot my pony tail holder, and it started raining. LOVELY.

* I spent 55 minutes watching the new "Best of Larry Ford" Gaither taping....mostly because I could. Larry has a really powerful voice, and while I am not as much of a fan as I am of...say...David Phelps...I did enjoy watching.

* New recipe coming soon. I'm baking either tonight or tomorrow night, so that will be posted whenever I decide to go for it!

* Hoping to finish my Hershey scrapbook tonight and tomorrow night. I'm seeing my sister this weekend and wanted to show her. (She''ll be thrilled...KIDDING!) I'm all the way to the final event I attended before going home, so hopefully 10 or so pages and I'll be done.

I think that's about it!

Writing Because I Can

I'm still offline at home and becoming increasingly frustrated about it. It's a great "opportunity" to work on my character, but I'm still frustrated. The whole getting up early and staying late after work to be able to use the wireless here is...not my first choice of the way to spend my time! But I am very thankful I have a backup.

Last night I spent an hour on the phone with AT&T and received...no answers. They said a technician would come out between 8-12 today, but I had no phone call, no note on the door that one had been there, no green light, and no dial tone, so I think I'm still where I was before.

Except now I've added "provider shopping" to my list.

This whole mess has consumed most of my non-working time, so I really have nothing to report. It just seemed that while I COULD post...I SHOULD post.

The Weekend in Review

Being offline all weekend (see post below) has me all out of sorts. I've been valiantly reading, trying to catch up on everyone's lives, but I'm afraid I have more reading to do.....

Anyway, here's a few pictures from my weekend.

On the 4th, I went to the Gas City parade with my friend Faith and her kids. It rained, but not so hard that we couldn't have fun. Just hard enough to frizz up the hair. Here we are waiting for the parade to start.

More waiting for the parade to start....

And of course, the main reason any kid goes to a parade: CANDY!!!!! This kiddo cleaned right up on the candy!

And this little sweetie had been hoping for a sucker. It's all she wanted to make her life complete, and she got her wish!!

The day before the 4th (which would make it the 3rd), Marie and I went putt-putting. Here we are waiting in line for our turn at the second course.

Marie won. (By a lot.)

But I had a lot of fun losing!

Sign of the day - next to the putt-putt course. Forks? There's a forks store? Not until I got to the other side of the course did I see it really said "fireworks" - but it was wrapped around the building.

Bits for Sunday, July 5, 2009

At the risk of sounding old and somewhat reminiscent, I have to say…what did we do in the days before home internet access? I have now been without it for three days and twenty-three hours, not that I’m counting, and quite frankly, I’m not sure what to do with myself!

Wednesday I had a very long day at work, so I looked forward to my get-rid-of-the-grays evening followed by settling in on the couch to peruse the new stamp catalog that was supposed to be available online beginning that day. After my hair had marinated away the grays, I grabbed the computer and settled in for a glorious evening of screen-shopping.

I hadn’t even been online five minutes before the now-familiar kicking-out of the internet happened. I waited a respectable amount of time and then called AT&T (now officially a permanent resident in my phone’s “recent calls” list.) I’ve been calling at least weekly for the past couple of months. This time, however, they weren’t able to resolve my issue on the phone and promised to send a repair guy on Friday.

Long story short, it is now Sunday, and I still don’t have my internet. And if I were to go to a wi-fi location every time I wanted to check something, I’d be completely bankrupt from obligatory shopping in exchange for internet use.

Funny, though, how much stuff depends on being able to hop online.

· I feel completely behind in everyone’s lives. I haven’t been able to read blogs or status updates. People have probably been having babies and getting engaged…and I am none the wiser. And after three days and twenty-three hours of disconnect, the chances of me successfully reading far enough back to consider myself truly “caught up” is slim.

· I still have no idea about the new stamps that came out, and while I hadn’t planned to place an order today, it’s the principle. I want to know what I could be buying if I so desired.

· My email inbox had 18 messages in it yesterday when I was able to be online at a friends’ house long enough to look for things like that. Of course another 24 hours have since passed, so who knows how full it might be now!

· I wanted to check the radar yesterday to see how soon it was going to rain on our parade (literally) – but then I remembered I couldn’t do that.

· Today was my scheduled day (brand new schedule, no less) to devote to writing a Bible study, but I couldn’t because I do all my word-studies for Greek and Hebrew online.

· And speaking of Bible studies…tomorrow is my day to begin an online Bible study…so this should be REALLY interesting.

· I can’t post the pictures of my weekend – which actually was fun after all!

· I’m writing this…which I can promptly NOT post or email to anyone. Why am I even writing??

I was going to call to see if they could switch me back to dial up until this could be resolved – IF this can ever be resolved, but it turns out my phone has been disconnected in the mayhem.

Needless to say, I’m extremely frustrated. Sometimes that’s an understatement and I’m just flat out mad. It would be nice if I had some great words of wisdom for you…but after this weekend of frustration…I don’t. And now I’m going to go in search of someplace with a strong enough signal to post this. If it doesn’t work, I guess you’ll hear from me in the morning! (As will AT&T.)

Just Say No

My mind's been on money lately. Not in an obsessive sort of way. Just in an observation sort of way.

I work with money all day...hey, maybe that's why it's in my thoughts all the time!...and I see people making a variety of decisions that cause me to raise an eyebrow. It's not my money, so I try to keep opinions to myself, but here's something I've observed despite the economic downturn.

People don't know how to say no.

Last Saturday I really wanted to leave town and shop at the Gaither store. I haven't been there since February or March...and I wanted a couple of things...and they were having a sale...you know how it goes. I didn't have any plans for the day, so I was free to go.

But I stayed.

I stayed because I realized my gas tank was precariously close to empty and while I technically "had" money I could have used to refill it, that money was marked for something else. I did not need to "borrow" it to take a frivolous trip. I stayed because while I also "had" money for random shopping, I really didn't have undesignated money, and the chances of coming home without a purchase were...none. I stayed because there were better uses of 2-3 hours in my day than driving and spending.

Instead I took four bucks and went to Starbucks - to at least take advantage of the drink I would have purchased there.

And by the time the day was done, I was really glad I'd stayed. Glad I accomplished more at home. Glad I still had gas in my tank and money in my purse.

When I was first out of college, I lived on a ridiculously tight budget. I didn't make much and I lived on very few spare pennies. I didn't go to movies or eat out (at places that didn't have dollar menus) or shop often or take vacations. And while I'm able to live a little bit more "freely" now, and I'm thankful for that, it was good for me to be reminded of the days when I just said no. There were times people invited me to things and I had to say no because I couldn't afford to go. And it's a good reality check to remember those days.