Halloween Pinterest

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Porch or sunroom decor

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Easy and cute idea

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Recycle Ghost Lights

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Going batty?

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Simple donuts and cider party.  Love the balloons.

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Goodie googly ghost bags

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Peek-a-boo pumpkins

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Medusa wreath {shivers}

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Pretty pumpkins

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Pumpkin poptarts

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Pepper pumpkin

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Recycle those cans

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Cute & easy ghost cookies

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Love the shadows cast on the wall

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Do you have the patience to make this?  I don't..:)

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Super cute ghost marshmallow s'more treat bag

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Chalk paint stones

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Use cookie cutters to carve a pumpkin

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Spider web treats

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Halloween wreath

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Love this!

Cinnamon Maple Pumpkin Oatmeal

We have had some of the most beautiful fall mornings lately, here in Nebraska.  It has put me in the mood for all things fall!  I've sprinkled some fake leaves here and there throughout the house, got my fall colored couch pillows out, and set some candles, pumpkins and gourds all throughout the house.   I love fall!

I have also been craving fall foods.  I picked up a box of Cranberry Bread Mix from Trader Joes {yum} and I have had squash almost every day this week.  My skin is starting to have a nice orange glow:)

Mornings have been a little chilly, so my Overnight Cold Chia Oats just were not cutting it for me.  I wanted something warm, comforting and full of fall flavors. I had a few cans of pumpkin and went searching for a Pumpkin Oatmeal recipe.  This is the second recipe I have made, and in my opinion it is perfect!  Creamy, with a touch of cinnamon, salty and maple sweet-- but not too sweet.  A healthy comfort food.

Cinnamon Maple Pumpkin Oatmeal {serves 1}

{adapted from All Recipes}

1/2 cup old fashioned oats

1 cup milk (I used almond)

1/4 cup pumpkin puree

3 dashes cinnamon

1 dash ginger

1 dash nutmeg

2 pinches salt

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2 tsp maple syrup

1 pat of butter {I used Earth Balance spread}

chopped walnuts {optional}

Add all but maple syrup and butter to a saucepan.  Bring to boil.  Reduce heat and simmer for about 5 minutes or until thickened.  Place in a bowl.  Add the pat of butter and a swirl of maple syrup.

Health Update

Remember the implant I told you about?  The one that was slowly migrating south and ignored my whispered pleas to stay put? Well, it had to pay for its rebellion and has been replaced with a brand, spankin' new one.  This exchange happened yesterday and surgery went really well.

I was completely covered in prayer, I know this by your comments here and my guestbook comments at my Caring Bridge site.  Boy, did I feel those prayers!  I woke up in the morning with no apprehension, and had complete peace and even joy all day.  Such a crazy feeling.  So very cool.

My Todd, Mom & Dad all kept me company before surgery.  My loves.

It was all so familiar:

blood drawn in arm,  I.V. in hand,  paper gown,  silly socks,  silly hat,  sexy compression stockings,  a bazillion questions and signatures,  kind nurses,  capable doctors,  sweet anesthesiologist,  a ride to the surgical suite,  a transfer to the surgical table,  arms stretched out  and strapped down,  my body in the shape of the cross that brought thoughts of my Jesus, drugs to bring a deep sleep,  the question "are you feeling that yet?",  asleep and awake before I can answer, a moan from me, a question from her "how is your pain?," my not- so- familiar answer 

"I have none."

This was the first time I woke from surgery and didn't need any morphine or additional I.V. pain meds.  How cool is that?   After crackers and apple juice, my mom helped me dress and before I know it we are on our way.  We stop at Bread & Cup for a vegetable soup and sandwich to bring home. My mom made her famous Sloppy Joes which delighted my kids who ate 2 sandwiches each!  My mother-in-law, who saw my girls out to and in from school, joined us.  She then gave my girls a ride to a skating party, and I was left in a quiet house to rest.  

Really... a great day.  How strange.  Sometimes God is.  I love it when He takes something that one might usually dread, mix in His supernatural peace and gifts, and makes it something beautiful.  You asked Him this for me and He answered "Yes."

Right now it is 3 a.m. and sleep just won't come.  My throat is sore and I feel like I was punched super duper hard in the chest.  They cut through my chest muscle and stitched 'myself to myself' to create a new "fold,"  so I am quite swollen and sore.  Ice packs help.  It is only painful when I move, so I am practicing stillness.  This physical stillness brings on a beautiful spiritual stillness.  I am being still and knowing that God Is.  

God is God.

God is great

God is present.

God is good.

God is love.  

God is always.

God is.

Surgery Tomorrow

I had a fun, witty, informative post written about my surgery tomorrow.

  And then, I was interrupted...for like the 18th time...and somehow it was deleted.  It is one of those nights where the word "MOM!" has been said one too many times, and I need to get my needy punkins into bed. (Dad is working late at a volunteer training)

SOOOO....

Here are to-the-point details..ready?

Surgery tomorrow morning 10:30 at Methodist Outpatient in Omaha.

Implant exchange and internal sling revision, to fix an implant that does not want to stay "up." (That explanation was so much more fun and interesting in my last writing.)

 {sigh}

I am ready.  I am tired. I wore myself out preparing to be useless for a week. 

I really am doing better than I sound.  Really.  Just in a bit of a sarcastic mood..

I'm ready to do this thing!!  

Bring on the I.V., the gown that I freeze in, the cup to pee in!  I'm ready to count backwards from 10, to be asked if I'm ready take a nap, to sign the papers that state that I understand there is a very small possibility that I may not wake up from that "nap".  {Slightly disturbing}

C'mon silly "one-size-fits-all" socks, blood pressure cuff that is on auto squeeze, bed on wheels, bright blinding surgical lights, masked surgical team that may be smiling at me but who knows?  

I got my prescription anti-nausea patch to stick behind my ear---the one whose price made me nauseous. I got my pain pills that constipate me, my anti-constipation pills, my antibiotics to ward off any infection and my hibacleanse to shower with tonight.  I'm stuffing myself full of food and drink because cut off- time is at midnight.

I am ready. 

I am ready, surgery number 5. Let's do this exchange!

Anti-Procrastination Tuesday #69

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I did it!  I finally had the garage sale and it was worth my time.  We made a couple hundred dollars that will help supplement our budget.  It felt so good to stop thinking about doing it and JUST DO IT!

Eager to see what you all have been up to.  Thanks for linking up!

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Most Clicked On Anti-Procrastination Type Posts:

Designing With An Inspiration Photo @ Remodelaholic

Most Clicked On Flexible Type Post:

Pumpkin Scones With Honey Cinnamon Butter @ Permanent Posies

My Favs

Breakfast In A Box @ Stylebaggage

Milk Jug Ghosts @ The Quick Journey

Sideswept Bangs @ The Small Things Blog

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Be Encouraged, Be Inspired, and Get Something Done!

***STOP and read before linking***

I will have two different themes for you to link to.  Please choose the correct theme or I will have to delete your link.  Thank You!

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Anti-Procrastination Themed Posts

~thinks you want to accomplish (lists, goals, projects)

~goals you did accomplish

~thoughts on procrastination

Flexible Themed Posts

~crafts

~recipes

One Thousand Gifts #28

One Thousand Gifts: A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are

#661-#680

~new stripey shoes that match with everything

~rain

~pride revealed

~her grace in death

~survivors sharing stories

~songs on Sunday, they heal

~a heart pulled toward those in pain.  His leading.

~new doctor relationships. Their kindness.

~peace despite upcoming surgery

~peace despite upcoming health decisions

~knowing the Peace-Giver

~the beauty of leaves changing

~the words of a very sick friend "I'm just thankful to live one more day.  This day."

~my husband.  His support. His words that erase my fears.  His affirmation.

~a counselor that knows me, that knows God, and points me toward Him

~clarity

~a successful garage sale

~beautiful weather to sit and sell in

~pumpkin pie oatmeal

~my writing used: "I read your post.  I felt for lumps.  I found one.  It is cancer."

Tropical Green Salad Smoothie

{can you tell my hair is totally wack?}

This smoothie is pretty much a salad in a smoothie.  It is delicious! I often make it breakfast, along with a piece of high fiber toast.  I love that I am getting all of the benefits of eating a big healthy salad, without having to eat another plate of big healthy salad!  Slurping my fruits and vegetables through a straw can be much more fun than all that chewing.

 I use 2 whole cups of baby spinach which is so mild tasting that it disappears once you add the fruit.  I add a bit of flax oil, it is the "dressing" of the salad.  I add it to help get my omega's in for the day.  On a simple day, I use only banana and then add a cup of ice at the end.  Today was more special, I happened to have frozen mango chunks and frozen pineapple tidbits (both in the freezer section at Trader Joes), so I added those.  My girls argued over "who got more" of this smoothie today.  Never seen kids argue over a salad before, have you?

*Put the ingredients into the blender in the order that I list them.  They blend much more smoothly if you do.

Tropical Green Smoothie
1 Tbls flax oil (optional)
2 cups baby spinach
1 banana (can be frozen or not)
1 1/4 cups milk  (I use almond or coconut.  Can use dairy)
1/2 cup frozen mango
1/2 cup frozen pineapple
(if not using the additional frozen fruit, add a cup of ice)
Sweetener of choice, if needed (stevia, honey, agave, or sugar)--usually not needed
________________________
Add the oil, spinach, banana, and milk to the blender.  Blend until
spinach disappears into tiny green flecks.  Add the frozen fruit or ice.  Blend until smooth.
This recipe makes 26 ounces.
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**can add a scoop of protein powder and a touch more milk if you desire.  I use a vegan pea protein powder,  Plant Fusion Vanilla Protein Powder which I love.  I buy the vanilla flavor.

**you can pour these into popsicle molds and let the kids have green popsicles for breakfast!

Anti-Procrastination Tuesday #68

***Please, please, please read before linking.

There are 2 areas to link up, with 2 different themes.  Read more below and please link up in the right area.  Thanks!***

To learn more of what this is all about, read this post.

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Be encouraged, Be Inspired, And Get Something Done!

***Stop And Read Before Linking!***

I will have 2 different themes for you to link to.  Please choose the correct theme, or I will need to delete your link.  Thanks!

__________________________________

***Anti-Procrastination Themed

~things you want to accomplish (lists, goals, projects)

~goals you did accomplish

~thoughts on procrastination/ways you beat procrastination

***Flexible Themed 

~crafts 

~recipes

I Am Remade

Is there someone in your life that hurls accusations at you?  That won't forgive your shortcomings?  That reminds you on a consistent basis where you are failing?  Who points fingers at you, making you feel like everything bad that happens in life is your fault?  Who makes you feel like you have done something wrong when you have not? Or, when you have messed up, keeps holding up a mirror forcing you to stare at what you have already confessed?

Is that someone you?  Is that someone you love dearly?

Whether or not it is another person or your own self- talk, accusations are meant to destroy.  I believe they ultimately come from the one whom all evil flows-- Satan, the Accuser.

From "A Confident Heart" by Renee Swope:

God's spirit will convict you, but His heart will never condemn you.  How do we know whether what we are experiencing is condemnation that comes from the Accuser, or the voice of conviction that comes from God?

 Condemnation sweeps across our thoughts with generalized statements- "Your such a failure," "Your so hypocritical," etc.  When it is the Accuser, the tone is condemning, questioning and confusing.  It leads to guilt and shame.

Conviction that comes from God will be specific.  It reveals a sinful action and attitude and instructs us on what we need to do to right the wrong.  He'll give us steps to take to change behavior or attitude.  

 ~Instead of Your such a failure as a [wife, mom, daughter, friend], the Spirit might say, You were really critical the way you talked to _______. (your husband, child, parent, etc.).  you need to say you are sorry and ask for forgiveness.  Then tell them something that will build them up instead of tearing them down. 

~Instead of You're so hypocritical, the Spirit might say, You judge others for gossiping, but you are doing the same thing when you talk about your neighbor are at work.  Tomorrow at lunch break, apologize for what you said and share a few things that are positive about her.

God uses conviction lovingly, to show us our sin and lead our hearts to repentance.

--Renee Swope "A Confident Heart"

A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself and Live in the Security of God’s Promises

We've got to get our "good enough" from Jesus.  When we belong to Him, we're clothed in His righteousness, forever beloved and accepted; a constant recipient of His steadfast love and grace.

--Gary Morland

My prayer:

Lord, thank you for remaking me.  Thank you for a love that is patient, is kind and keeps no record of my wrongs.  I trust your perfect love for me and I know that because of that perfect love I don't need to be.  I will remain in your love and I will be confident of this: that He who began a good work in me will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus!

The video above is powerful.  The song is a favorite of mine.  I hope you enjoy.

You Are More by Tenth Avenue North

There's a girl in the corner
With tear stains on her eyes
From the places she's wandered
And the shame she can't hide

She says, "How did I get here?
I'm not who I once was.
And I'm crippled by the fear
That I've fallen too far to love"

But don't you know who you are,
What's been done for you?
Yeah don't you know who you are?

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade. 
Well she tries to believe it
That she's been given new life
But she can't shake the feeling
That it's not true tonight

She knows all the answers
And she's rehearsed all the lines
And so she'll try to do better
But then she's too weak to try

But don't you know who you are?

You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.

'Cause this is not about what you've done,
But what's been done for you.
This is not about where you've been,
But where your brokenness brings you to

This is not about what you feel,
But what He felt to forgive you,
And what He felt to make you loved. 
You are more than the choices that you've made,
You are more than the sum of your past mistakes,
You are more than the problems you create,
You've been remade.