Thursday, August 22, 2013

Watermelon Frostie


I saw this recipe for Watermelon Frosties here....it didn't work this way for us...but we used the basic idea. I plan to buy more melons now that they are plentiful and cheap and freeze them...just wish my FREEZER was here! Seriously, visit Katie's site and check out her cool photos.

3 C of frozen watermelon
Almond milk - or milk of choice (I used LOTS - enough so it's the consistency you like - original called for 1/3 cup but I couldn't blend at that much)

I did not add sweetener - the almond milk has some and we liked the watermelon taste.

That's it. Blend. Drink. Ah.....

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Today's Projects


I thought we were out of projects the kids and I could do until our final shipment arrives. I was wrong. However, we may now be out of projects we can do alone. 

Roses' encouragement that uneven simply means personality spurred me on to try hanging more of the wall quotes. I still have one for our room, and a couple which can't be placed until our other furniture, ladders and/or appliances arrive. 


Kid's bathroom...put the target on the seat as I just COULDN'T put it in the bowl.  We put the "Put Me Down" on each toilet in the house. LOL 

Still haven't gotten this tub clean enough to use...but someday I will make a nice oasis here....I plan to decorate the master bath with an onsen theme...if I can ever find the photos I had from Japan....Grrrr.

Family Room Wall 

Guest Bath - which we  use a LOT as it's off the family room

Laundry Room Door

Not my DREAM for my pantry door....but it will work for a rental. I need to buy some chalk. 


We didn't have enough to do the whole door; but had some left over....so I copied Dorothy's idea. 

We continued our new habit of a mid-afternoon icy drink break around the fire pit. Today's drink was a watermelon frosty and it was awesome! Soaking up the Vit D. 


Arielle & I love having our wok and veggies back - DINNER!

I'm not sure WHY it took all day to do this much - but it did. We'll see what we can find to do tomorrow. I have a few things in mind:
  • Master Suite - at least figure out what to do with the pictures
  • Maybe attempt a couple of more wall decals by guessing where furniture will be placed
  • FIND the cards I was given as a MOPS speaker so I can get a collage made
  • I guess send onsen photos to be printed at shutterfly
  • Michael will kill me if I attempt the shelves and big, heavy pictures. LOL 
Michael will be out until at least 9:00 p.m. tomorrow. It's his first week in the office and he was volunteered to do inspections at other units which cost him  three days of work.....he has things to get done tomorrow.....We won't be mobile....so we will find things to do here. Muhahahaha....or maybe I'll put the whip to rest and we'll spend the day reading, watching movies and playing games. LOL

Wall decals were bought from a variety of companies on Amazon.com and from Enchanting Quotes. We had one from Amazon which was wonky - the letters had to be transferred to the sticky film before we could put them on the wall.  All from Enchanting Quotes have been great. 

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Skinny Shake


We've been enjoying mid-afternoon icy snacks around the fire ring. ::snort:: This one was one that's been going around FB. Arielle tried it...we drank it before I took a photo. 

3/4 C Almond Milk
15 Ice Cubes
1/2 tsp. Vanilla
1/2 Banana
2 T Cocoa Powder
1 T Peanut Butter (Arielle addition)


Blend.

No cholesterol, no added fat (none if you don't do the PB)....yummy.

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Starting Again


For eighteen years, I have prayed with each move God would send us where there was an established, strong, thriving PWOC.  God has consistently said, "No."  I have started or been part of revitalizing PWOC's at each assignment.  God has answered with a big, resounding, "YES"  at our last assignment. These ladies are wonderful. I connected with several of them before arriving in CA via Facebook. 

When I arrived the President loaned me a duster and a vacuum as well as dropping off some yummy World Market chocolate and PWOC treats in a cute bucket (which sits on my desk and holds pens and scissors).  

Monday night was LIFT (Ladies in Fellowship Together). This is held monthly and I am going to LIKE it. I was greeted like a rock star and chatted with many ladies. It was fun to put real faces with FB profile pics. 

PWOC Bible Study started Wednesday. The kids do not want to go. I told the younger two they needed to try the homeschool room. They ended up loving it. They are doing STEM enrichment....very structured and wonderful program which one lady has taken on as her ministry to homeschooling moms...and she isn't a homeschooler! I'm blessed.

These women know how to welcome a newbie into their midst. Nothing I am about to say reflects on THEM. It's me.

The staff spouses at Beale are wonderful. I can tell I'm going to love Barbara and Valerie and am excited our young chaplain is marrying in October. We've already shared dinners and I feel we are getting to know each others' heart. Nothing I am about to say reflects on THEM. It's me.

At our first assignment a woman told me with tears, "I came here, knowing it was for two years, determined not to make another friend before we retired. It's just too hard to say goodbye to friends all the time. Then I met you...." I sympathized but didn't understand. I've heard the same sentiment expressed differently over the past 18 years. I've always been excited to move and excited at the "friendship dating" phase (which I now see many dread).  Monday I was stunned to realize I was dreading LIFT. I didn't feel like I had the emotional reserves to start all over...to make new friends...deep friends and leave in 2 years. I wanted to just sit it all out until we retired and then begin to emotionally invest again in a place I may have the joy of staying longer than 2 - 3 years.

God has been talking to me since Monday. He wants all of me...even the parts that don't want to emotionally engage....because it's about following Him even in relationships.   It is o.k. to be sad. It is o.k to cherish my "old friends" but I also need to be willing to move forward. It is not o.k. to cling to the past and neglect the present.

I've been sad at the loss of the mentor group I led last year. I so loved those young ladies...and I doubt folks will know me enough to want to be in a mentor group by January. ::snort::

I've been wondering if it is selfish of me not to move out again into various leadership opportunities....

This afternoon, God gave me the gift of being able to connect via skype with MY mentor. This wise woman who walked where I'm walking, successfully transitioned with her husband from the chaplaincy to civilian ministry, has walked seasons of life I'm just entering, has walked in leadership roles I have held....today we talked....and  her words were a balm.

I've only been here a couple of weeks. We've been traveling a lot for a couple of months. I'm tired.  It's not time to end a season of rest until God makes it clear it's time. It's not selfish to rest when He has placed you in a season of preparation for the next mission.  It's O.K. to grieve the loss of dear friends while reaching forward to meet new ladies. God will open up future mentoring doors when it is time.

And....so....I'm praying, with tears, to find the emotional reserves to make dear buddies knowing in two years my heart will break all over again at saying goodbye to them....but that's the glorious sorrow...to have loved well.

I can relate in a deeper way to those who share these feelings with me in the future. I understand.

Choosing Joy!
©2013 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...