De-cluttering My Brain

I did a big oops this weekend.  I missed a very important, priceless family event and felt just sick about it. What happened?  I am not sure.  My brain was a week behind reality (or a week ahead?!:)), I thought the event was the following week. The crazy thing is, it was written right in my calendar on the right date!  I need to make sure I am looking at my calendar, even on weekends!  Obviously, there is too much clutter in my brain!!

I am thankful for gracious family, and I am thankful for a Monday morning to get my ducks back in a row and declutter my brain!  So far, I have cleaned out my email inbox and spent time on my calendar, making sure that I have all appointments and dates made (haircut clients, piano recital, 6 Christmas
celebrations, school program, school field trips, birthday celebration dates, Gifts Of Love, Bible studies, etc).  I have also organized my "stickies" which are just virtual post-it notes that you can "stick" to the main screen of your computer.  Much of the morning was spent hitting the delete button, which is so very freeing!  My brain is feeling lighter already!

I read a post at Simple Mom, and although I have yet to look into what the main post was about, (anyone heard of GTD?  I'm intrigued.) I keep thinking of this part of her post that hit a chord with me. Here is what she had to say:

Write it down.

Write everything down. Get it out of your brain and on to someplace else. Whatever “it” is that’s on your mind — your to-do list, the chocolate chip recipe you just concocted, your need to call your husband and ask him to pick up milk on the way home — everything. Leave nothing in your brain. Don’t make your brain the holding place for all those bits and pieces hovering around your day.

How often have you said to yourself, “I don’t need to jot down a reminder; I’ll remember this.” And then how often have you forgotten that very thing?

Yeah, me too.

Forgetfulness is one of the main reasons you need to write stuff down. Other reasons are:

• You’re more stressed when your brain is thinking about a thousand little things.
• You’re not able to fully concentrate on the task at hand.
• You overcommit, because you can’t clearly see what’s on your plate.
• You don’t have true, relaxing downtime because you hold on to that nagging feeling that you should always be doing something else – but you’re not sure what.

I like this idea, ALOT.  I do it to an extent (I love lists) but all throughout the day thoughts will pop up in my mind that I would really like to remember, but I do not write them down.  Blog post ideas, Scripture verses, things I want to teach  my girls, notes I need to write, people I need to get in touch with, and even convictions whispered to me that I would like to forget!
I'd like to take this idea a bit further and add "When you think about it, DO IT, and if you can't at the moment, then WRITE IT DOWN"  For those of you who are BO (born organized) this might seem like a "duh" but it really helps me do life in a purposeful way, instead of just going with the flow and allowing the flow to take my fleeting thoughts with it!

It sounds easy to say "if you think about it, DO IT!' but then there is that procrastinator in me that I have to fight.  Many times I DO have the time to do it, but I just plain do not feel like it!  In these moments, what has helped me is to put it into a time perspective.  For example, I hate emptying the dishwasher, but really, if I timed it, it would only take me 2-3 minutes.  No big deal, right?  Takes less time to do it than it takes complaining about it, and it prevents it from becoming a 10-15 minute job.  As Flylady would say, it is about putting out those little sparks before they become big fires. If I empty the dishwasher now, it will prevent a nice big mound of dirty dishes in my sink and 3 little birds chirping at me that they can't find a clean fork!

Well, I need to get off this computer and continue my brain purge.  I know it will pay off as the busyness of this Christmas month starts.  It is so important to me to keep my thoughts on what truly matters this Christmas season, so I guess this is a good way to start!

Whole Wheat Buttermilk Pancakes

I have searched high and low for the perfect pancake recipe that was easy, healthy and just the right texture, and--YIPEE!!!  I have finally found it!

My girls are as happy as I am.  They have been the ones that have to eat all the pancake recipes I have tried, and my oldest daughter expressed relief when I told her that I was going to stick with this one.
She said, "Oh Mom, I am so glad you didn't choose the ones with orange juice in them because they were too sweet, and the pumpkin ones were not my favorite, and the white ones were good but didn't fill me up, and those thin ones were just eww..." I was surprised that she remembered all of the different recipes I have tried, although I was NOT surprised that she had an opinion about each one of them!:)

I had found a mix that I love, Bob Mills 10 Grain Pancake Mix, but as much as we eat pancakes around here, it just was too expensive to justify buying every week.  Now I don't have to, which makes me very happy!

Top with butter and pure maple syrup, and you will be in healthy pancake heaven!

Whole Wheat Buttermilk Pancakes
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 cup evaporated cane sugar (or plain sugar)
2 1/4 cups buttermilk
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
2 Tbls butter

Whisk dry ingredients together.  Make a well, add buttermilk and lightly beaten eggs.  Stir just until combined, leaving some lumps (if you over mix, your pancakes will be tough instead of light and fluffy)
Melt butter in skillet or pan.  Pour about a 1/4 cup batter into pan, wait until bottom is golden brown, then flip and cook until golden on other side. Continue to add bits of butter to pan to prevent sticking as you make more pancakes.
Makes about 16 four inch pancakes.

I double it, make a bunch of pancakes and freeze them in gallon ziplock bags.  My girls help themselves in the morning by microwaving for a few seconds.

Awake, Alive and Grateful

I had a dear friend remind me recently just how much we have to be thankful for.  She put it plain and simple, and it really hit home for me.  She said "I am just grateful to God for waking me up each day."  I don't know about you, but my first thoughts when I wake up in the morning go something like this... "Oh no, it is morning already, ugh..."   What would happen if I changed that thought pattern to this?  "Thank you God for waking me up today, and for giving me life." I'm sure spilled Cheerieos would make me much less grumpy if I started my day out with those words.

I truly do have so much to be thankful for.  I am MOST grateful for my Creator, who has given me everything by sending His Son Jesus to die, so that I might live.  Oh, to keep that thought in the forefront of my mind everyday!  No matter what happens here on this earth, because of Jesus, we have Hope for all of eternity!

Popcorn Chicken & Roasted Red Potatoes

This recipe is inspired by one I found at Heavenly Homemakers.  When I  made it for my girls, they argued over who would get to eat the last one and have begged me to make it again.  My husband Todd and I both enjoyed it, too. The Roasted Red Potatoes go perfectly with the chicken.  You can bake them at the same time, but potatoes bake a bit longer so put them in first!

Healthy Homemade Popcorn Chicken

3-4 Large Chicken Breasts (I use Smart Chicken brand)
3/4 Cup Whole Wheat Flour
1/2 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
1/2 tsp All-Purpose Grill Seasoning (like Misty's)
Butter

In a shallow dish (like a glass pie plate), mix flour and seasonings.  Cut Chicken into bite-sized pieces (use kitchen shears)  Toss chicken into seasoned flour mixture to coat well.

Cover 9x13 inch pan with foil (easy clean-up).  Smear a thick layer of butter on bottom of the pan.  Place coated chicken pieces in pan, spreading out to a single layer.

Bake 350 degrees for 10 minutes, stir, then bake another 10 minutes.

Serve with your choice of dipping sauce (ketchup, ranch, honey, bbq, sweet and sour)

Roasted Red Potatoes
1 lb. Red Potatoes, Quartered
2-3 Tbls Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper
Herbs or seasoning

Place quartered potatoes in 11x7 inch pan in a single layer.  Drizzle with olive oil (enough to coat when tossed) Toss.
Sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Toss.
Add fresh herbs (rosemary is great) or Lawry's seasoning or Grill Seasoning.  Toss.
Arrange back into a single layer and bake at 350 degrees, 35-45 minutes, until tender.

This Post Is Linked To:

Just Something I Whipped Up @ The Girl Creative

Anything Related @ All Thingz Related

An Ever-Present Touch

Matthew 11:28,29

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will cause you to rest. 

(I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.)

Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle (meek) and humble (lowly) in heart, and you will find rest (relief and ease and refreshment and recreation and blessed quiet) for your souls.

For My yoke is wholesome (useful, good--not harsh, hard, sharp or pressing, but comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is light and easy to be borne.

Matthew 11:28,29 (the Message version)

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me--watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you.  Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly."

This picture is so beautiful.  It represents how I felt much of the weekend.  Not that I was submitted at His feet all weekend, I was not, but I was weary, and I felt his hand on my head.  Gentle, firm, reassuring, present. Ever-present.

Why do I lift my head and turn the other way, looking in expectation at those who cannot take my burdens?  As I turn back and rest, His hand is still there, reminding me that "He will never leave me, or forsake me."  Reminding me that He gets it--He gets me-- more than anyone else could, more than I even think I do.

Young Hollywood Hair

Johnny Lavoy is a hairdresser for Ford Models.  He is very talented, and is able to instruct in such a simple way!  This look is a soft, touch-able wavy look.  It is fast and easy, and you don't have to be Young Hollywood to wear it!

Here is another look by Johnny. It is a quick and easy way give the hair a polished look, and add a bit of body. He ends the video with showing how to do a messy but chic bun.

A Child's Heart On Thanksgiving

I had to share this with you all.  My sister sent it to me last year around thanksgiving and I have not forgotten it.  Oh, to have a heart like this little girl, so joyful and thankful for the small things.  The rest of the family makes me laugh, so typical!!  At the same time, it is kind of sad!  They are so easily distracted, such a stark difference between them and the little girl.  I have to ask myself, which one am I?
I truly am trying not to sweat the small stuff or get caught up on the details of thanksgiving this year (read more here).  Instead, I am thinking of all the things I have to be thankful for, like...gum, chewing gum!:)

A Casual, Un-Perfect Thanksgiving

Mary is Giving Up On Perfect this thanksgiving, and so am I!

I am hosting thanksgiving this year.  I've been in a very simple, take- it- easy kind of mood lately, and I am approaching Thanksgiving in the same kind of way.  I'm making plans, but not becoming a perfectionist about it.  I do not want to get pre-occupied with all the preparation and details, then the meaning of it all becomes an after- thought.  Really, it is a precious time to be together as a family and acknowledge the many blessing we have and thank our great God for His goodness.

Here are some of the ways I am planning on making it simple:

Paper Plates-

I've used paper plates in the past, and looking back at thanksgiving pictures,(above) it really is possible to create a nice table, even using paper plates.  I found the plates in the above picture on sale, they helped give color to the table. I set them on top of some silver chargers, rolled up paper napkins and made a pretty decent table. This year, I am going even more simple and casual.  We will be using disposable cups and utensils.  I rarely use disposable products, but sometimes it just has to be done.  I do not want to spend time washing dishes when my family is over, plus I do not have enough glasses and utensils for 15 people, so I really don't have much choice.   I had a hard time finding disposable plates that were not cheesey or covered with picture of a turkey.  Maybe its just me, but I don't want to lift a bite of turkey up to my mouth, look down, and discover I've uncovered part of the plate where the turkey is looking up at me as I eat him.  Appetite killer, for sure!:)

I am so happy I discovered the Solo Bare paper product line.  It caught my eye among all the paper plates with the typical patterns, flowers and bright, very un-fall colors. The color of the bare plates were so tasteful, warm, simple, boring and in my opinion, perfect.  Any type of napkin would match, and I quickly found (at Target) some printed fall napkins that will add color to the table. The bare cups are just plain and clear, so much better than bright yellow, red or blue!  I plan on making a cranberry punch so the cups will show off the beautiful color of the punch.  I am also keeping the eating utensils clear, since they are not that attractive I don't want to draw attention to them, clear will disappear.

I have yet to mention the best features of the bare line,  they are renewable, compostable and recyclable!

Easy Beverages-

For the main beverage during dinner, I am making a simple Sparkling Cranberry Punch.  All you do is put equal portions of cranberry juice cocktail and sprite, then mix.   There are different types of bottled juice, you could do cranberry-raspberry cocktail, cranberry-grape cocktail, whatever.  Pour over ice.  So easy!

The rest of the day while we are hanging out and playing games, I will have soda and some Hot Apple Cider warming in a Crock-pot, ready for guest to help themselves.  Click Here for the Recipe.

Guests Bring a Dish

My family is great about everyone pitching in and bringing a dish.  My oldest sister, Julie, is a great cook.  I told her to bring whatever, and to let me know ahead of time what she was going to bring.   I am so lucky to have her as my sis, here is one reason why...check out this list of food she is bringing!!

Aunt Fannie's Squash Casserole (we don't have an Aunt Fannie, but I'm sure it is a great recipe!:))

Cranberry Meatball Appetizer

Jalepeno Popper Dip

Antipasto Sausage Skewers

Pumpkin Pie

Cherry Pie

Isn't she great?  Don't you wish she was YOUR sister?

My other sis is paying the Turkey, bringing Pop and Peanut Butter Pie. Yum. She rocks, too.  How generous to pay for the bird!

I have another sis who is bringing Stuffing and Broccoli Casserole.  Broccoli Casserole!! Oh how I love that stuff.  I could put my face in it right about now.  My baby sis is so great, that just bringing her cute self and her husband would be enough, but her cute self plus stuffing and casserole?  Oooh...its gonna be a good day!

My mommy always bring some kind of delish quick bread and is famous for her Cranberry Orange Muffins.  I try not to let her bring much, because she always comes early and peels the Potatoes, carves the Turkey, makes the Gravy and helps me with the last minute details.  I'm spoiled.

Not much left for me, huh?

I have some of this Harry and David Cranberry Relish Dip that I will serve over a block of cream

cheese w/ crackers to dip.  I will also make Rolls & Butta, Mashed Potatoes, Gravy, Corn Casserole, Velveeta Shells and Cheese (its for the kids, so why make it from scratch this time when Velvetta makes them smile?) some type of Jello Salad and some type of Chocolate Dessert.

Final Menu:

Appetizers

Cranberry Relish Dip W/ Crackers

Jalepeno Popper Dip

Sausage Appetizer Balls

Cranberry Meatballs

Main Meal

Turkey, Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Stuffing, Squash Casserole, Broccoli Casserole, Corn Casserole, Mac n Cheese, Rolls, Jello Salad

Sweets

Cranberry Orange Muffins

Pumpkin Pie

Cherry Pie

Peanut Butter Pie

Somethin' Chocolate

Beverages

Sparkling Cranberry Punch

Hot Apple Cider

Pop

Wow-ie!  I'm ready to EAT! (as you can see, healthy eating in this family goes right out the window on a holiday, otherwise, it just would not feel like a holiday!!)

Buffet Style

No passing the turkey around here!  I like the table without the clutter of food, and it is just easier for everyone to help themselves.  The kitchen becomes our buffet.  I have counter space and a glass table, which is plenty of room to hold all the food. We start with prayer, then the mom's help the kids get their food, then its our turn!  It  is so smooth, and you don't get interrupted while you eat with "please pass the..."

Casual Clothes

I am going to encourage my family to come comfotable and cozy.  Fuzzy socks are welcome!  I don't want added pressure to have my girls all dressed to kill, just so they can stain their nice clothes with Sparkling Cranberry Punch. They will look decent, but I am so NOT about to go out and buy special outfits just for one day.  Looking perfect is not what the day is about, my kids don't need to look like a gap commercial.  Its about being thankful for what we have, not spending money on things we really do not need

Simple Decor

I have a lot of fall decorations, (remember this post?). For my table decor, I am simply going to grab from what I have.  Maybe these brown paper pumpkins from my sunroom windowsill, a few fake leaves sprinkled about and some candles.  My plates have an earthy, organic feel, so these would keep with that theme.

The kid table is always fun.  I love to get on Familyfun.com and get new ideas.  I used these cute ice cream cone cornucopias a couple years back.

The kids just loved them!  This year, my girls have made little toilet paper roll people.  They so very cute!  I will label them with the kids names, and set them on their plate so they know where to sit.  I thought about doing the same for the adults, but they are smart enough to know they are made from toilet paper rolls, which may be another appetite killer!

"Good Enough" House Cleaning

My house will be picked up and clean enough.  NOT carpets steam cleaned, windows washed, tile grout scrubbed, floors hand cleaned, "perfect" clean!!  Just toilets cleaned, sinks wiped, rooms vacuumed in the middles, quick dust, quick sweep, quick mop, "no- sweat" kinda clean!!  There will 15 people here, so the floors will be un-perfect within minutes, and we are not eating off the carpets so they don't need to be steamed!  Nobody's perfect, why try to fool each other into thinking we are?  Especially family, who knows we are DEFINITELY not!:)

Easy Fun

It doesn't take much for my family to have fun and entertain ourselves. All it took one year was a camera and each individual willing to make a turkey out of themselves by making a crazy face for an individual portrait.

Some years I will have an organized craft for the kids to do, and  sometimes I have lots of game ideas.  This year, I'm not really going to plan anything.  We have a ton of board games, we will have our annual 1,000 piece Christmas puzzle sitting out to be worked on, and we can just sit and enjoy each other.

We may have to pull out the turkey feather game.  The kids love it, because they get to play it with adults and see adults act like dorks,  and adults love it because we get to watch the kids excitement, and join in on the fun.

 How to play:  You'll need  a turkey feather (any feather) and everyone in the same room.  Send the "finder" out of the room to count to 30.  When they are gone, hide the feather somewhere in the room.  When the 'finder' comes back in, help them find it by saying hot or cold.  Or, you can take it up a notch like we do, and make very annoying beeping sounds as a group, getting louder and faster as the finder gets closer, and slower and quieter when they turn away from where it is located.  It's quite funny! (at least we think so, but remember, it doesn't take much...)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Well there you have it, my Casual Thanksgiving plan. I so look forward to seeing my un-perfect family in my un-perfect house, hanging out in our fuzzy socks drinking hot apple cider, beeping annoyingly in a chorus for the hide-the-feather game, and just simply being... thankful!

A Healthy Homemade Gift

I have several friends who have really been great examples to me when it comes to embracing food that is nourishing. It is quite humorous when we get together, it's not but a few minutes before the subject of food is brought up.  We discuss brands of food, where to shop, and recipes we love, among many other things. I love foodie friends!  It is often I will get a text from a friend letting me know what is on sale and where, or "the clementines are really good right now at..." It is really fun to have friends who care about what I care about.  I have learned much from them, and I want to give them a special lil' somethin' for Christmas.

I've been keeping my eye open for a fun, homemade, edible gift that I can put together.  Something just simple, easy, nourishing, different and low in sugar.  Well, my eye finally found what it was looking for! I recently participated in a crockpot recipe blog carnival over at Passionate Homemaking.  I found so  many great recipes, but one made me very excited.  It was the perfect homemade gift that my healthy foodie friends would appreciate.  It is...

...ok, I just hesitated to tell you because now that I have talked it up, you will probably think...WHAT?  Who would want THAT for Christmas?  Let me prepare you.  It's not cookie mix in a jar or fabulous fudge...remember, it is for my friends who get excited talking about what the best substitute for sugar is or how to substitute a healthier fat in a recipe.  Now that you have been warned, I will proceed.

Cranberry & Flax Multi-Grain Cereal ...Made In A Crock-Pot
(don't say I didn't warn you..)
Seriously, I think they will love it.  It is different, sugar- free, nourishing, and easy! The recipe was posted by "Monkeys On. The. Bed." I am grateful to her, and look forward to browsing her very cute blog.
 I plan on making a mix with the dry ingredients and packaging it cute, with the instructions printed and tucked inside.  The only wet ingredients in the recipe is water and applesauce, so it will be very easy to make.  It cooks in the crock pot overnight...mmmm, imagine waking up to a house that smells like cinnamon! (at least that is what I am hoping for!)  I am going to put it in my crockpot tonight.  I quick mixed some together so I could take a picture for this blog post.  I am participating in another blog carnival for homemade gifts and will be submitting this post.  The Carnival is over at Nourishing Gourmet, you must check it out!  This site is full of great recipes and tips on healthy eating.  I can't wait to see other homemade gift ideas that will be posted!! (I've already seen one for fudge, so head on over there!)

Cranberry & Flax 
Multi-Grain Cereal

Ingredients

• Nonstick cooking spray
• 5 cups water
• 2.5 cups natural applesauce
• 1.5-2 cups dried unsweetened dried cranberries (or any dried fruit)
  
• 1 heaping tsp ground ginger
• 2 heaping tsp ground cinnamon
• 6 Tbl steel-cut oats
• 6 Tbl wheat bran
• 1/2 cup long-grain brown rice
• 1/4 cup pearled barley
• 3 Tbl yellow cornmeal
• 2 Tbl flaxseed 

                                                                             Dash of Salt
                                                                           11/2 tsp vanilla

Mix all dry ingredients.  Package cute and give to a friend with these instructions:

Oil crockpot to prevent sticking.  Add 2.5 cups of applesauce to crockpot.  Dump in Cereal Mix and stir until blended.  Add 5 cups of water.  Stir.  Cover and cook on low for 6 hours.  Wake up, and when you smell cinnamon, let that remind you how very much you are loved!

*top with milk and honey if desired.

**only half the mix would fit in the little bags/cups I purchased, so the recipe makes double what you see in the picture, just so you are not confused!  I'm kicking myself for not getting a bunch of mason jars to put this in. Duh!  I love mason jars!!  I also love circles and good deals, so I couldn't pass up these cute (but a bit too small) cups!

 I just realized my foodie friends read my blog and will now know what they are getting for Christmas.  Oops!  Oh well...:)
For Going Green Packages and Toppers Part 1, Click here.

For Going Green Package and Toppers Part 2, Click here.

For Homemade Brown Paper Bag Gift Wrap, Click here.

Different Do's I Have Done

I am a cosmetologist, but I have not done hair in a salon for years now.  I do keep my skills up by doing the hair of family and friends, it brings in a little extra income, and is much fun!

Changing hairstyles just comes with the territory when you are a hair stylist.  I don't think I have stuck with the same do' or color for more than a few months. There are just so many to choose from, by the time I get my hair grown out, I find a short style I like, so out come the shears and... CHOP!  After I go short, growing it is a fun process because it takes me through the different lengths and I get to experiment along the way.

So at the risk of coming across as very self absorbed, I thought it would be fun to post pictures of the different do's I have done.  I just started taking purposeful pics of my different styles/colors the past few years, just for fun, and to remember the styles I have worn. Oh, how I wish I would have taken more pics through the years of my adolescence and of cosmetology school days.  Boy, would that give us all a good laugh!  I loved that Rave hairspray, it is amazing how high I got my bangs with that stuff!

 Right now, I am collar bone length, and I am my natural color (the last picture is very recent) which is kind of nice since I almost forgot what it looked like.  I figured I would experience it for awhile, before I start getting those gray's and feel like covering them up!  I am about to turn 34, and have not seen a gray hair...yet.

Did you notice I have at least part of my forehead covered with hair in every picture?  No joke, I have a forehead that goes on forever, so I soften it up with bangs. On top of that, I have ears that stick out!  Needless to say, you will never see all my hair slicked back in a classy chignon...

Ah-ha, ha!  That reminds me of a story I must tell you.

 My high forehead and "sticky-outie ears" are responsible for my husband and I getting in our first fight as a married couple. We were on our honeymoon, I know... sad day, but oh-so-funny now!

We were in Florida, just boarding our cruise ship.  We were giddy and googly eyed, ready to tackle the Caribbean as husband and wife.  My adoring husband had the camera around his neck and was ready to capture every moment. (we came back from our honeymoon with 13 rolls of film to develop)  We went up to the deck of the ship to watch the sun- set and the ship leave the dock.  My husband must have been in awe of my beauty,(ha) because he was determined to take my picture.  Usually, I would get posey and cheese ball it up, but at this moment there was NO WAY I was going to let him take my picture.  Why?  Because...we were on a ship...on the deck...leaving the dock...and... THE WIND WAS BLOWING!  It wasn't just a little breeze, it was a super- duper strong wind, blowing right in my direction, lifting all my lovely, long locks and exposing my mile-high forehead and fievel-the-mouse ears.  I could not turn with my back against the wind, because the whole point was to capture the sunset behind me. He just could not believe I would not let him, and I just could not believe he wouldn't take no for an answer!  Both of us had our heels (flip-flops) dug so far into that ship deck, I'd love to go back and see the marks.

I think I got my way, and my poor husband pouted...that is, until we got to our cabin.  Then we both remembered that we were on our honeymoon and got busy making up.:)

Its been 13 years, and yes, I am over my jumbo forehead and my dumbo ears.  I have a wonderful man who loves me and thinks I am beautiful, and I have a God who knew what He was doing when He created me, and who loves me more than I can imagine.

I hope you enjoyed my do's from the last 4 years.  I am now growing it long again.  We'll see how far I get before I get bored, then....CHOP!