Wordless Post

(Kona, HI)

Sherry

"Fresh" Salad Anyone?!!!

Look closely at the package. Just below the words "Fresco Lavado"...

Oh! My! Word! Talk about freaking out. That would be me! It is believed that the water the lettuce was washed in contained polliwogs and these became "fresh" new frogs, right in the packages! I guess, as the Cajuns would say, Mexico put a little lagniappe (something extra) in their bags of lettuce!

Life at the parsonage ... avoiding this brand of lettuce!
Sherry

A Day in the Life ...

This morning -- I am sooo sore! I told you in an earlier post that I have been steam cleaning carpets. Over the last 3 days (Sunday not included) I have cleaned carpets at a rental house that we own (pictured below). Note: I have not had the privilege of living in this house. I really love it. It's larger than the parsonage we live in and I just love s-p-a-c-e.


The renters left it in very good condition, but being the daughter of the "Queen of Clean" I had to buff and shine the place myself.

There are new renters moving in May 1 so, yesterday, I went back to finish up (1 hour drive). I vacuumed the clean carpet upstairs, THE stairs and downstairs; ran a broom over it to make it even (I just love a good presentation:)); finished cleaning windows; shined the kitchen; shined the powder room; cleaned front door inside and out; shined the sink in the utility room; and mopped all downstairs floors on the way out the door.

I loaded the pickup truck with all items needed for this cleaning frenzy, swept the garage, and left for the parsonage at 5:20 p.m. (an hour drive back). I had to stop to fill up with gas ($60 -- highway robbery) and since I had not eaten all day, I stopped for a restful hamburger at Sonic.

To make the most of my driving time, I made a few phone calls checking up on some friends. I also called hubby to ask him to call a lady in our church who was hosting a Joy Fellowship meeting at her home at 7:00 p.m! That's right -- I WAS GOING TO BE LATE!

When I got home I asked hubby to unload the pickup truck for me in case it rained, then I changed clothes. My hair and makeup were still intact from the a.m. so not much needed there. I made it to the meeting just in time to e-a-t. I didn't. It was a wonderful evening with some of the sweetest ladies on the face of this earth. The theme for the evening was Living a Life of Balance!!! Needed that! Great job Carolyn!!

Life at the parsonage ... recovery mode!
Sherry

Friends and Food

Last week our Music Pastor, Allison, invited us to a family dinner at her new home. She served the best turkey burgers I have ever tasted. When we walked into the house there was an incredibly delicious aroma. She was cooking the burgers and let me tell you, they tasted just as yummy as they smelled. Here is the recipe:

Turkey Burgers

Ingredients

1 lb ground turkey breast

2 tablespoons fresh thyme

course salt, stripped and fine chopped, to taste

fresh ground pepper, to taste

2 scallion, fine chopped

1 carrot, shredded

1/2 small zucchini, fine chopped (or shredded)

extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling

4 leaves green leaf lettuce or romaine lettuce

1 vine ripe tomato, sliced

1 cup store bought refrigerated creamy ranch dressing or herb salad dressing

4 crusty roll, split

Directions

1. Combine first 7 ingredients in a bowl and form into 4 large patties.
2. Brush with olive oil and cook 7 minutes each side over medium high heat in nonstick pan.

3. Serve on split buns with lettuce, tomato and ranch dressing.

(I think she also added a chopped red bell pepper - to taste.)

Also, we had a Strawberry Spinach Salad with homemade dressing. AND.... for dessert, a giant chocolate chip cookie with a cream cheese mixture spread on top, then the whole thing was topped with fresh whole strawberries drizzled with chocolate. I've made this recipe before and it is so yummy!! I will post these recipes another time. But for now ....

Life at the parsonage ... heading out the door to buy some ground turkey!!!

Sherry

I'm Steamn'!

Nope. I'm not angry about anything and I'm not on my soap box -- today. I have been cleaning carpets! Whoo Who! Last Friday I purchased my first steam carpet cleaner. (I no longer will rent the "beast".) After doing some research, I decided on this one:
Good choice. Bissell has obviously been listening to the users' suggestions. This one has the bells and whistles that I wanted and it does a great job. BUT... can you say BLISTER? Maybe someday they'll come up with a way to prevent that??:))

Life at the parsonage.....all bandaged up.

Sherry

Wordless Post

Sherry

What Shoe Are You?

I took the quiz.

You Are Loafers

You are confident, powerful, and successful. Hard working and business like, you always dress and act appropriately. You are consistent and a bit conservative. You aren't really susceptible to trends, although you always dress well. While you tend to be formal, you know how to adapt to your surroundings. So are professional at work... but more laid back when your with your friends. You should live: In a huge city You should work: In a competitive field where you can rise to the top

I'm not so sure I fit the above description, but there's one thing for sure -- I'm a shoe nut! I have way too many for my closet, but it is such fun to have something for every occasion. I buy shoes, t-h-e-n I find an outfit to go with them. How about you? Do you have a fetish for shoes?

Life at the parsonage .... well shod and ready to go!

Sherry

I JUST LOVE THESE! The Mr. Clean Magic Erasers will clean when nothing else will. You should read the instructions, though, because they're not to be used on all surfaces. It is the best soap scrum cleaner ever! I have used them for over 4 years and still do. If you have not yet tried them -- DO! They really work!

Life at the parsonage ... clean!

Sherry

Can He Cut It?

Infomercials have flooded the television over the past several years. If you happen to be up in the very early hours of the morning and turn on the TV, that's pretty much what will be showing.

Today I saw the Gardner Groom Hedge Trimmer. It looks likes this:

I caught myself laughing as I watched them trimming pre-trimmed hedges and shrubs. They were demonstrating how easy, neat and clean it worked but what made me laugh was that when they finally ran the trimmer across a piece of hedge that needed trimming -- it didn't cut! They had to go back over it once or twice! Yeah buddy, it made me what to pick up the phone and order one of those babies! I would have liked to have seen what it would have done on a shrub that really needed trimming. It may be a great product, but I will have to have more proof before I buy. You just never know if the infomercial items for sale are genuinely a good deal. Our local TV news networks review various types of infomercials to reveal if they really work or not. In the case of the trimmer's first try, it couldn't cut it.

It makes me think of Christianity. There are those who wear the "tag" as a form on godliness. Matthew 7:15 tells us to beware of those who come in sheep's clothing but inside are ferocious wolves. They are such a danger to the body of Christ not to mention the baby Christians who are not yet stable in their walk of faith. Thank you Jesus for the Holy Spirit who helps us discern these types of things.

I desire to be genuine in my walk with Christ. I strive to be wise as a serpent but harmless as a dove (Matthew 10:16). I want the sword of His spirit (the Word) to cut away anything in my life that does not belong. Can He cut it? Oh, yes he can!

Life at the parsonage .... thinking on the Word.

Sherry

Happy Birthday To My Love!

Today is my honey's birthday. I love birthdays because they are a celebration of a life. I am so thankful for him. He has brought so much joy and fulfillment to my life. I tell him that God made him especially for me.

He is the 5th child of a minister. They were very poor so let's be realistic here. They certainly did not need or plan for # 5 -- probably not even for #4, or #3. Come to think of it, since #2 and #1 came so soon after the marriage I suspect that none of them were planned. That's why I say he was made just for me:)

Our son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter met us at The Cheesecake Factory for a b'day dinner. The food and cheesecakes are so scrumptious. We all had something different and sampled each others dish. It's always so nice to spend time with family; especially when the relationships are great!

Life at the Parsonage tonight .... very blessed!

Sherry

Weekend Recap

Breanna turned 4! Here are a few of the MANY pics that I took of the party fun. (She is such a fun girl.)

Blowing out the candles on the pig-nosed Cinderella cake I made. Even though Cinda needed a nose job, she was delicious.
It was a fresh strawberry cake.

Mommy's yummy cupcakes.

Blue ice cream cones. Thank you uncle Billy.
Blue is my favorite color and flavor.

Best bud, Riley. Do they look like partners in crime - uh -mischief or what? These two munchkins play together without conflict! Honest! I caption them as "joined at the hip".
So cute!

Mommy, Daddy and baby brother who will arrive in June.

The gifts!

A bike!

Don't forget the protective gear!
Later she discovered how cool the knee and elbow pads are.

Outdoor fun! (Pa Pa supervising).

Watch out! Here comes a woman driver.
She gave the phrase "cruis'n for a bruis'n " a new meaning;
she crashed him into the swing set!
Actually, he was steering, she was the "girl-power".
The video of this is hilarious. She started pushing the car without him in it. He decided that he wanted a ride, so he ran and caught up with her. She just kept going and he jumped in the car while it was in motion. Thus, his crammed-up position.

Me and one of the loves of my life. What a blessing he is!

Me and two more loves of my life!

The Tods played outside for a long time. After everyone left, I helped DeLayna put the house back in order. They went out to dinner with DeLayna's parents and then took Brea to Chunk E. Cheese to use some tokens she had. We had dinner in town before going home. A great day Sunday topped off the weekend. I, like David, was glad when it was time to "go into the house of the Lord."

Life at the parsonage this weekend .... full of thankful hearts.

Sherry

S-t-r-e-a-k-l-e-s-s

I have found something much better to clean glass and mirrors – streak-free. This may seem strange but Lemon Pine Sol is absolutely wonderful.

Mix water with a small amount of Pine Sol in a cleaning pale. Using a cotton cloth (something that will not leave lint) wet and wring out and wipe mirror or glass. Many times you will not even have to dry it. Do not use paper towels, they will cause streaks. If you need to dry or wipe because of some lint left behind, use a terrycloth hand towel, etc. It is the best thing I have ever used and is so much easier than going over the surface several times trying eliminate the streaks. I have a large mirror that used to give me grief, but it looks great now. Of course, it’s great for cleaning counter tops, mopping floors, and anything else washable. It does not leave a residue. Good stuff!

Life at the parsonage ... shiny!

Sherry

Bippity Boppity Boo

Today was shopping day for our granddaughter's 4^th birthday. I usually have her gift earlier than this but this year she wants a slide that goes round and round – in other words, a turbo tube slide. Therefore, PaPa was in charge of the purchase. Since the tube slides are a minimum of $400 for the slide only – no platform, no ladder, no lumber included – she will be getting a speedwave instead. It mounts about 7 feet high so that should thrill her. Lest you think I’m a careless Grammy for getting something so high up, it has fairly high sides, basically cradles the child and hold up to 270 pounds.

Also, for her birthday, I will be making and decorating her cake (#4). Her first birthday was a duck in a bathtub (orange cake bathtub and lemon pound cake duck). Birthday #2 was Rainbow Bear (chocolate fudge cake). #3 birthday was Strawberry Shortcake (homemade strawberry cake) and this year, #4 is Cinderella, and its another Strawberry cake. It will be Bippity Boppity Boo and all the trimmings !

With the all of this in mind, I had better get busy ready instructions on icing, color and decorating tips.

Life at the parsonage … studious.

Sherry

Treat, Retreat

We have been out of town at the annual CMA Pastor's Retreat in Arkansas. This is like no other retreat that we have ever attended. It is so refreshing and yet challenging. In order to attend, a CMA member must refer you, and there is usually around 120 ministers and their spouses. They honor the ministry couples in so many ways: lodging for each night is provided, lunch and dinner (the most fabulous tasting food), and awesome childcare is available. Upon arrival for registration, there are hors d'oeuvre and punch. The menus are wonderful and there is always dishes that I have never eaten before and sooo yummy! When the offering time comes around, they don't take an offering, they give an offering. Each pastor receives a gift and each pastor’s wife receives a gift. This takes place twice a day. There are three speakers daily and what awesome speakers they are! The last night is a concert. Each year is a different guest soloist or group. This year was Jeff and Sheri Easter.

Our little granddaughter went with us. This was her second year to attend and it will be her last since she will be starting preschool next year. We so enjoyed spending an entire week with her 24/7. She is such fun and keeps us laughing with the things she says. What a darling!

So, this week we have been treated and retreated! Blessed beyond description!

Life at the parsonage tonight…..feeling thankful!

Sherry

Whose Call Is It?

"It's your call...."

" No, it's yours..."

A conversation like this took place yesterday between two small town fire departments. Before they decided whose call it was, a 14 year-old boy perished in his burning home. The rest of the family made their way to safety, but he was somehow trapped in the inferno. The teen's family waited helplessly while the fire departments disputed over whose responsibility it was to answer the call. The family needs our prayers.

It makes me wonder if we are doing the same type of thing with the sinner. While we may be trying to decide who should step out of their comfort zone to reach them, the sinner perishes. Jesus commanded us to go. He went to controversial places to minister to a needy soul. Are we willing to do the same?

We discussed this subject in our ladies Bible study class Sunday night. I asked them a question: " If you were to see my walking out of a bar, what would you think? " Some jokingly said "Ah!" and the rest said nothing. What I would like for them to say is, "How many people did you lead to the Lord?" In reality, even though I am their pastor's wife, I'm afraid that might not be the case. For a few, it would be a juicy piece of gossip. There might be those who would use it as an excuse to give up. Then there are those who would jump on the bandwagon to help minister right where the sinners are.

One thing for sure, we should never "go" unless the Lord sends us. An obedient child of God will find themselves out of their comfort zone from time to time, but with their obedience comes wisdom, strength, and anything else needed for the task.

So, whose call is it? Yours and mine when we beckons us to step out with Him.

Life at the parsonage tonight ... somber.

Sherry

"Vroom, Vroom"

This past Sunday was our 5th Annual Biker Sunday. Members of the Christian Motorcyclist Association rode in for a special service. We have several CMA members in our congregation. This is a wonderful organization that ministers to people that probably you and I might never be able to reach. They are will willing to go to where the unsaved are and at time their safety is at stake. They ride their bikes and minister from tents in all weather conditions. They minister in the summer's soaring heat and the winter's frigid cold. God bless them!!!

This is their awesome logo:Each member wears the logo on the back of their vest or jacket. They do wonderful work all over the world. -- very mission minded. Some of them may look a little rough around the edges but that only helps them to get into doors that might not be entered otherwise. At the end of this month my husband and I will be attending a CMA Pastor's Retreat in Arkansas. We always have a wonderful time. They focus on ministering to the Pastors and their families.


Life at the parsonage today was bathed in beautiful sunshine.

Sherry

It's a Date!

I promised Breanna this week that I would take her on a play date with her BFF, Riley. So, today that’s just what we did. Riley, our Music Pastor’s three-year-old son, was delivered to me by his parents. After loading him in the car (car seat buckled in, bags with extra clothing, drinks, toys, etc) we stopped to pick up Breanna at Kid’s Day Out. I unbuckled Riley and we went in together to get her. I greeted her teacher, Brea introduced Riley to her teacher and then I gathered up Brea’s belongings, zipped her in her coat, pulled up the hood and then out to the car where I buckled in two three-year-olds. McDonalds, here we come.

It was a very cold day; in fact, it snowed a little. The McDonalds we went to has an indoor playground which is perfect for such a cold day. After Happy Meals the Tods were off to play for the next 1 ½ hours. While supervising their play, I telephoned my BFF from high school. We caught up on the latest in each other lives. She and I were as close as sisters and have kept in touch and spend time together as often as possible. She lives approximately 2 hours from me.

When the little ones felt they had enough of the play area, we headed for my house for more play. Before leaving McD’s we took a potty break. They were a little pumped and took off to explore other parts of the restaurant while I was trying to gather up bags, coats, Happy Meals, my purse & coat. I caught up with them just as they were making their way into (thank goodness) the women’s bathroom.

We had a nice drive home while listening to Brea’s favorite song “Awesome God” over and over and over and over again. It is on one of Travis Cottrell’s CDs (the kid has great taste in music). By the time we made it home and I unloaded the Tods, the bags, the Happy Meals, and all of my stuff, my thoughts turned to the show “Jon and Kate Plus Eight”. How do they do it?

Brea and Riley play very well together. It can be dangerous when these two put their heads together and think up things to do. They had been playing “clean up” with two of Brea’s fake misting bottles from her housekeeping set. I suddenly realized they were quiet. Oh boy! I knew they must be up to something. When I found them they were in my bathroom. Brea was up on the counter filling a real misting bottle with water. (They had already emptied it and needed a refill.) Not only had they sprayed an entire bottle of water on the shower door mirror, but they found a pump bottle of soap! Oh, yes they did! Thick blobs of soap were dripping down the shower door, in the door track and on the floor. I told them to stick with the pretend bottles and shooed them out of the bathroom so I could clean up.

Riley went home around 5:00 p.m. Breanna missed him after he left. She eventually crashed and took a nap. Delayna picked her up and now Grammy has toys to pick up and a “tent” to take down. The little ones had a great time and so did I. We are making plans for another play date. The next outing will be to McD’s and then the children’s museum for some hands-on fun.

Life at the parsonage is … sudsy!

Sherry

Just Rambling

I can’t remember when the weather has been so ridiculously fickle. We live in an area right on the jet stream which means the weathermen hit and miss on their predictions. We were to have snow today, but guess what? Nada! Not a flake. It was cold, breezy and overcast but there wasn’t any precipitation at all. As I have said before, I am so ready for spring to come – not just the date on the calendar but the temperature.

I’m having a good hair day J The reason; I just returned home from the beauty shop. My hairdresser told me today that I have enough hair for 5 people! He’s right about that. I am abundantly blessed with good hair on my head. One good thing about having too much fast growing hair is that if I get a bad haircut, in about two or three weeks, no one can tell – no joke! Most days I am very thankful for my mop of hair.

When I returned home from the beauty shop this evening I noticed we had a new front glass door. A few months ago we had horrific wind and as I was coming in the house, the wind ripped the door out of my hand and pushed the door closed so hard that it actually shoved the door past the frame causing it to be jammed shut. I had to ring the door bell for my husband to help me get in. It has continued to give problems off and on. This past Wednesday my daughter-in-law, DeLayna, brought Breanna over to spend the day. I could not, for the life of me, get the stupid door open. She had to come in through the garage instead. So, Hubby ordered a new door the very same day. The installer just happened to have a cancellation and was able to install it today – just one day after purchase – unheard of!

Life at the parsonage today… quiet.

Sherry

A Day with the Tods

Today was my day to spend with toddlers. Wednesdays begin with my darling granddaughter, Breanna, coming to spend the day. Today was beautiful! We were able to be outside for most of the day. The crazy thing about being outside today is that it snowed yesterday! The weather report predicts 4 to 6 inches of snow for tomorrow. I am looking forward to spring. In the meantime, Brea and I go to the McDonald’s indoor playground from time to time for some fun out of the house

Each Wednesday night I teach the toddler class at church. They are so precious. Class is about 1 hour and 15 minutes long so it’s pretty fast pace. They enjoy doing crafts. It’s messy but they get so excited and that makes me happy.

After keeping a 3 year old today then running off to church, life at the parsonage tonight is ... a little messy.

Sherry

I'm Still Here

It has been three months since I have posted to my blog. December is consumed with the holiday preparations at home and at church. We had a wonderful Christmas with our family.

January is like a black hole for me. Year end reports, taxes, payroll, taxes, financial reports, taxes, annual receipts, taxes, filing, taxes. I have taxes every month!

February is the month I make sure I have everything caught up.

March began like a lion. Last Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the weather was absolutely beautiful and warm. We had snow today! It is not unusual to have the biggest snow of the year in March. However, it was a light snow. I am so ready for Spring.

Our granddaughter, Breanna, spent the night with us Saturday. What a delight she is and so much fun! Her favorite color is blue and her favorite song in “Awesome God” from Travis Cottrell’s CD, the” Lamb Has Overcome”.

Since I last posted, we have found out that we have a little grandson that will be joining our family in June! We have seen a 3-D ultrasound picture of him and he is so cute. In the pic he looks like his beautiful Mommy. Breanna looks like her Daddy. She likes the idea of having a baby brother. Hope her feelings don’t change after he arrives, but they probably will for a time.

I sign off for tonight. Life at the parsonage on March 4, 2008.…. relaxed.

Sherry