The funeral

We will be going to Laurence Pacey's funeral today. Please take this time to stop and think about your loved ones; maybe even call to let them know you love them and were thinking about them.

To read Mr.Pacey's obituary you can click here.

Mr.Laurence Pacey- a legend that will not be forgotten

This is one of the one-room school houses that Mr.Pacey attended while growing up.  Mr. Pacey became a school teacher after graduating from high school.  He taught in the little country schools of Kansas for 42.5 years.

Matt's step-mom Rochelle was taught by an amazing man. Matt met up with Laurence Pacey last spring. Matt's paper was read by a Ron Wilson who wrote an article about Matt and his meeting with Laurence. I was so honored when I met Laurence. I had worked the night before and was very tired; but I was bound and determined to meet this man I had heard so much about.

Matt and I found out today that Mr. Pacey went to the one-room school house in the heavens on Friday. We will be attending his funeral tomorrow.

Laurence Pacey changed my life in just meeting him once. His eyes are so kind and his words are drenched in wisdom and patience. 

We were honored to have the tour of Mr.Pacey's wood shop when we visited. Mr.Pacey was known for making bowling pin lamps and turtle stools for children of family and friends. Mr.Pacey will be surely missed on Earth; but I know he is having a party with his wife in heaven.

The incredible edible egg!

Two weeks ago at my weight watcher's meeting a woman said she never liked eggs until she started weight watchers. 

I decided I would try it. With the extra lean protein I feel less hungry!

I like them hard-boiled as well as this recipe:

1 egg

1 egg white

a dash of milk

1/2 cup mushroom

a dash of low-fat/no fat cheese

Omelet add mushrooms and cheese to omelet.

ENJOY

WW points: 2 pts (just don't go overboard on the cheese or you will need to add an additional point)

Cream cheese bagel with tomato

I have done a revamp of my daily recipes to give me fresh options to keep me from getting bored of my "fuel" for the day. I thought I would share them with you.

Here is another quick breakfast or snack I found in my Fitness magazine!

A whole wheat mini bagel sliced in half and toasted

1 tub of individual serving Weight Watchers cream cheese

2 small slices of tomato (I use roma tomatoes)

salt and pepper to taste

Toast bagel, place cream cheese on halves of bagel, place one slice of tomato on each half, salt and pepper to taste.  ENJOY!

WW points: 3

Yogurt Pumpkin Parfait! YUM!!!

I found this recipe in Fitness magazine and I love it; I thought I would pass it on:

It was listed as a breakfast food-but I eat it anytime of the day

Yogurt Pumpkin Parfait:

60z plain low fat yogurt-about 1 small container (I do about 1/3 cup since I buy yogurt in bulk)

1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice

2 tsp honey

1/2 cup canned pumpkin

1/4 cup low fat granola cereal

Mix yogurt, pumpkin pie SPICE, and honey in a bowl/or cup

Add canned pumpkin

Sprinkle granola on top. 

ENJOY!

WW points- approx 3 

What have I done or not done...

I got this "Bucket List" from the Glunt Quartet blog. The blue ones are the ones that apply to me. Are there any that surprise you? (DEV see #26-you know the story!) Do you have numbers you would like to share that you have done or numbers you would like to do? I thought this was fun and made me reflect a little and look to the future a little. I hope this post prompts you to remember some of the important things in life and maybe to enjoy your many blessings a little more thoroughly today.

1. Started your own blog

2. Slept under the stars.

3. Played in a band

4. Visited Hawaii-can't wait to go back!

5. Watched a meteor shower.

6. Given more to charity than you can afford. (although this one is rather a matter of perspective.

7.Been to DisneyWorld

8. Climbed a mountain-okay so it was more of a hike and it wasn't Mt.Everst!

9. Held a praying mantis

10. Sang a solo

12. Visited Paris

1 3. Watched a lightning storm at sea

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch

15. Adopted a child

16. Had food poisoning.

17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty

18. Grown your own vegetables 

19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France 

20. Slept in an overnight train 

21. Had a pillow fight

22. Hitchhiked-my car went into a ditch and a gentleman drove me back to my parent's house. I knew I was okay when I got in his car and he had the Christian Radio station on!  I'm am not sure my mother ever got over this! (I was 16!)

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill

24. Built a snow fort

25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping-yes I have done this!

27. Run a marathon

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice.

29. Seen a total eclipse

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset-I grew up living across the street from SUNSET Park. I was blessed to see a lot of sunsets growing up!

31. Hit a home run 

32. Been on a cruise

33. Seen Niagara Falls in person-and rode the boat near the falls!

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors-England

35. Seen an Amish community

36. Taught yourself a new language

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied-sometimes I am here and other times I am not!

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person

39. Gone rock climbing

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David

41. Sung karaoke

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant

44. Visited Africa

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight

46. Been transported in an ambulance-I was working/not as a patient

47. Had your portrait painted.

48. Gone deep sea fishing

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person- One word: Breath-Taking!

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris - not climbed it but I have visited it. 51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling-both

52. Kissed in the rain

53. Played in the mud

55. Been in a movie

56. Visited the Great Wall of China

57. Started a business

58. Taken a martial arts class

59. Visited Russia

60. Served at a soup kitchen

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies-never sold them, but I like eating them!

62. Gone whale watching

63. Got flowers for no reason- received and bought them myself for no special reason

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp

67. Bounced a check

68. Flown in a helicopter

69. Saved a favorite childhood toy

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial

71. Eaten caviar

72. Pieced a quilt

73. Stood in Times Square

74. Toured the Everglades

75. Been fired from a job 

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London 

77. Broken a bone- baby toes multiple times!

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle 

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person

80. Published a book.

81. Visited the Vatican

82. Bought a brand new car

83. Walked in Jerusalem

84. Had your picture in the newspaper

85. Read the entire Bible

86. Visited the White House

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating- I have fished. I have helped prepare food that someone else has hunted.

88. Had chicken pox

89. Saved someone’s life

90. Sat on a jury

91. Met someone famous 

92. Joined a book club

93. Lost a loved one 

94. Had a baby- hope this one happens in the next year!

95. Seen the Alamo in person 

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake-couldn't bring my self to swim in it-but I've seen it

 97. Been involved in a lawsuit

98. Owned a cell phone

99. Been stung by a bee

100. Read an entire book in one day

Bonus Exercise in January (13 & 14)

So if you haven't noticed I have fallen in love with ZUMBA! I went on Tuesday and this afternoon. I picked up some extra hours, so I won't be able to go to Zumba tonight. Oh well!

A prayer request....

Matt has a phone interview at 0800 CST TODAY for the University of Louisville! Please send up a prayer while you are reading this today! The adventure continues. I promise as soon as we find out where our new home base will be I will let you know; after we have told immediate family of course.

Matt reports that his on campus interview at E-town went well.

Thank you for your prayers! We are praying that Matt has good interviews and God guides us to the place we are suppose to be.

We are able to list positives for every location Matt has applied to. Louisville's are: big city, airport, major hospitals and education, affordable housing, Churchill Downs, 4th Street Live, pottery, and the MOST IMPORTANT Pro: probably guaranteed visits from Dory and probably Shannon when she is visiting Dory!

Exercise in January 12 out of 12!!!!!

Well today marks the 12th day of exercise in January. Of course I finished the 12 of 12 with Zumba at 0800! I still have the rest of the month to get in exercise, but I have made it to my goal for the month! Yeah me! I think that means I can reward myself with new running shoes since I should have replaced them 3-6 months ago!!!

I have added the Zumba infomercial for those who asked me what Zumba is! Even if you gym doesn't have it you can experience Zumba in your home! I have also included a testimony by a child!





GET OUT THERE AND GROOVE, MOVE, DANCE, ZUMBA!!!!

Swim suit season is just around the corner and my 10 yr high-school reunion is even closer!

Exercise in January (days 10& 11)

Saturday and today I have taken Regan for two very long walks! We continue to work on walking on the leash. Regan is doing much better on leash training. While walking yesterday in the middle of Manhattan, KS we saw 2 does (that's female deers for city folk). Yes it is rare to see deer in the city (even a small city) even in Kansas!

Exercise in January (9 out of 12)

Today was another fun filled 30 minute Zumba class over the lunch hour! YEAH!

I will update you with Matt info as soon as I hear something. Please just keep sending your prayers our way for safe travels and a contract on a job by April would be nice :)

Additional exercise today!!!

Okay so it is like 20 degrees and falling tonight while I am filling up my gas tank and with the super dry air and the increase in static electricity I so do not need my car catching on fire and being engulfed in flames-- yes it is something I think about! So, a solution to the problem of turning into a popsicle while filling my car: (I so wish Matt were with me to get this on video)

Insert nozzle into gas tank and then start running/hopping/side stepping/air boxing in place to keep warm. Thank-goodness my car only has 10 gallons! I did not dare to look around to see if anyone was watching. I know I burned a few calories and I stayed toasty!

Exercise in January (8 out 12) Biggest Loser episode 2 clip

Okay so I watched the season premier episode 1 on hulu.com and then caught this clip from episode 2. Wow!


I am off to the gym for a fit ball workout!

Elizabethtown PA

Just a quick note- Matt has his first interview in PA tomorrow! Please send prayers of safe travel, good weather (it is 10-15 degrees warmer there than it is here!), a good interview, and God's hand in it all! Thanks in advance!

Exercise in January (7 out of 12!)

I am back on the wagon!

I got back to a weight watchers meeting!  I had not been in since 12/8/08- LAST YEAR! Oh my goodness...

Well I went to my meeting and saw a friend S. there; we said hi and that was that. Matt and I went and started laundry. We were almost finished when I left him to fold the whites and load the laundry up while I went to a 30 minute Zumba class.

I walked into the Zumba class and S. was there! We both laughed. 

I am going to change things up a bit at least this month. I am going to go to bed at a decent time on Monday nights and get up for the Tues Am WW meeting; go to Zumba and start my day. 

Here's to another day of exercise and eating healthy in moderation!

Exercise in January (6 out of 12)

Over the weekend Regan and I went on a few short walks and worked on walking up and down stairs like a lady and not like trying to qualify for a race! I have to say she is getting better (I am getting better at being consistent with her training!).  We walked up and down the front porch of mom's house for over 20 minutes practicing together. We also went on a walk and enjoyed it together- my arm doesn't hurt from her pulling when she walks like a lady!

My very busy weekend in one blog post...

Friday afternoon we arrived at Wichita State University to be watch the ceremony of the Honorable Eric F. Melgren take his place as a judge of the United States District Court.

 

Friday late afternoon I took my cousin Sam out for ice cream and a trip to Stoneware Studio to paint! How I miss Braum's!

 

Sam painted a gift for one of his sisters (chip off the ol' block-it takes awhile to finally start painting something for one's self- maybe next time).
 

This is a little something I painted- it's a tealight holder!


 

I love all the different objects one is able to paint at Stoneware Studio in Wichita, KS.
 

Gaylene has over 100 different colors of paints- so many choices!

 

Saturday we drove from Wichita to Hutchinson to wish my Great-Grandmother a happy 99th birthday!
 

After a visit with grandma we traveled to Marion, KS to visit another birthday girl! Shaliah turned 1 yr old on my grandma's 99th birthday!

 

After a long day we all felt like Regan.
 

The moon was so beautiful!

 

After we got home we had dinner with some good friends at a local restaurant in Manhattan, KS. 

Sunday morning we were part of the worship team at our local church, Crestview Christian Church. After lunch with a friend we picked up Matt's new suit for his interview in PA this week!

Sunday was our day of rest and we enjoyed it after such an eventful weekend!

Exercise in January (5 out of 12)

Yesterday- Thursday, was ZUMBA!!!!!!!!

Okay Jennie is awesome! The Zumba instructors are going to alternate every other Thursday night and I am excited about that. Jennie kicked my butt with a major high intensity cardio Zumba for approx 40 minutes then it was time for a cool down. Then for the last 20 minutes it was weights/lunges and then BOSU ball! It was a great workout and I can't wait for next time!

G-Pa Update!

Thank you for all the prayers for my G-Pa. No open surgery needed; they were able to just do pins and call it good! Below is the email update I received:


Hi, Rebakah.....

Well, 3 screws are in and everything is lined up. Now, about 4 weeks in the cast and then removal of the cast & pins.....then some PT to restore motion and strength.

He tells me it should be back to normal by the time we leave on our cruise around So. America. We'll see about that!

So......all I need is patience. Love, G-Pa Norm

Exercise in January (4 out of 12)

 

Leash walking...

Yesterday Regan and I went on a quick walk around the courtyard on the leash! She is walking better on the leash- YEAH! I know this will be a continual process that we will have to work on forever!  

Grandpa update

Got an email from Grandpa today- says he is going to the specialist today and will know more tonight. He says they are going to try to reduce it again and try some pins- if that doesn't work they will have to go in and put a plate in.

Please keep sending those prayers!

Thanks in advance.

Fitness days in January (Days 1,2,3 out of 12)

Okay so I am going to exercise at least 12 days out of this month. Next month I will make the next plans to exercise 12 days then and again and again.

So far I have exercised 3 times this month:

Jan 1st:
Matt and I took a 45 minute walk with Holly in Florida. (Holly is his sisters pit/lab pound puppy they adopted about 2 yrs ago; Holly is approx 3 yrs now!)



Monday Jan 5th: walked/jogged on the treadmill at the gym for 45 min

Tues Jan 6th: walked Regan for approx 30 min (we are trying to get her to walk on the leash a little better- she did well today)

The alligator photos I promised!

We saw 3 different alligators while on our airboat ride! They do not guarantee alligator sightings and we were so fortunate to see 3, WOW!

 
 

What big teeth you have!


Enjoy this alligator at monitor's reach. This was close enough and at times too close for me! I kept telling myself: "This is a wild animal! How many people get in trouble with alligators while on airboat rides?"

A bucket list item.....

Matt and I were waiting in the Atlanta airport on our way to Kansas City and overheard that they were offering upgrades for a fee to first class. They had over 6 people trying to fly stand-by. Matt and I talked. We had been blessed with the plane tickets anyway and had been given some cash for Christmas. We decided to spend the money and fly First Class! We know with our future plans that this opportunity will not be presenting itself for awhile if not ever so we jumped and checked it off our Bucket List!

When you get to your seat they have a pillow and blanket waiting for you! Then they offer you drinks (yes any drink is free...)
 

This is the view from our first row seats in first class! 
 

Say Cheese!

Sending out a prayer request for my maternal grandpa!

I received an email this morning from my mom. She had received it from Ann, grandpa's wife. Sounds like my grandpa will be spending the first month or so in surgery and recovery...He and I would appreciate your prayers!

This was Ann's email:

Dear Family,

Your Dad took a tumble on his usual morning walk with Lacie, slipped on a
paint-covered graffitti slope and broke his right wrist. He's been treated
in the ER, and must see an orthopedist on Tuesday - looks as though he will
have to have surgery - the radial bone fractured and a piece of fragment
from that cannot be put in place without open reduction, it seems. Please
say a prayaer for proper placement and healing - thanks so much - Love, Ann

If there is one thing I have learned so far this new year...

DO NOT HIT THE DELETE BUTTON ON THE LABELS DROP DOWN MENU IN THE EDIT POSTS PAGE OF BLOGGER!!!!

I was trying to detach labels from posts and instead I deleted over 30 posts! I have a wonderful hubby that was able to retrieve them and save them in his google reader in less than 10 minutes after it happened. Blogger does not have a way of retrieving posts nor did it ask me if I really wanted to delete the posts (I obviously would have said NOOOOOOOOOOOO!). 

So I will rewrote and edited my old posts from mid November to the present last night; I have my posts but not my wonderful comments from my wonderful friends. Please have pity on me and comment on future posts starting with this one! :)  

Well, I guess my typing skills will continue to flourish in the new year! LOL!

Happy 2009!

This is a snapshot I got on our airboat ride on 12/29 in the Everglades. I think it captures what I see for the next year and it's blank pages:

The Everglade waters flow slowly into the Gulf/Atlantic Ocean there is no end and very few boundaries, only opportunity.

The Everglades may be scary with unknowns like alligators; but beauty is easy to find as well. Life may have some ugliness; but beauty is all around if you take a second to find it.

And sometimes you just have to leap in faith as the bird in this photo soars out of the water and into the air.

This year is bringing new trials to our country and world; please remember to pray for our leaders and our countries. We may not agree when it comes to politics; but I think we can agree that praying that our leaders will have wisdom, grace, kindness, understanding, and self-control can't hurt!