Confessional Friday

OK party people... I'm sitting in an un-air conditioned gym watching junior high basketball. I need a diversion so let's confess with Leslie @ A Blond Ambition Blog.

1. I confess that whoever sold my email address to the spammers is in BIG trouble! If I ever find out, you are dead to me. Dead, I say!!

2. I confess basketball is Not my favorite sport. Something about the squeaky shoes, or the frantic pace- constantly up and down, back and forth!!!

3. I confess I'm ready to move. We've been living out of boxes for a week and I'm starting to unpack things we need- like iPod chargers and DVDs... You know, essentials!

4. I confess that I'm not a good example for my kids. I currently have 3, yes 3, pairs of shoes in our living room. (Dad, I know this doesn't surprise you at all!)

5. I confess that I'm not going to my HS Reunion. 20 years -can you believe it!!

That's it for me today!! Feel free to go see Leslie or leave your comments below!!

Love you all,

Rulissa

Yummy Pinterest

Are you like me?  Do you browse Pinterest, only to find delectable recipes that you pin with high hopes and then NEVER make them?!

Well, NO MORE, I say!!  I will make these recipes!  The pictures are too mouth watering not to try...

I started with this one... "Slow Cooker Salsa Chicken."  At last count it had been re-pinned about 900 times!  I guess I wasn't the only one who thought it looked tasty!!  You can find the original post and recipe here, and I just made a couple of adjustments.

I used 5 frozen chicken breasts and still cooked it for about 4 hours with a packet of taco seasoning, a can of cream of chicken soup and 1 cup Pace picante sauce (you can use whatever you have!).  And I did not add the sour cream... I think it's a personal preference. After I shredded the chicken, I returned it to the crock pot for another 30 minutes.

It was so tasty, I even used it as a type of dip for my chips.  My Stars!!!  You have got to try this - soon!!!!

Happy cooking y'all!

Rulissa


You can follow me on Pinterest here, or just follow my "Yummy" board here.

I'm linking up at The Vintage Apple to share my Pinterest find... you should, too!

Bubble Baths

Good grief!  God is really stretching my faith lately!!  I may have mentioned (here & here among other places!) that we are selling our home... :-)  We were supposed to close on the 15th.  I stressed a little because we still didn't have a place to live, but I knew that God would provide. Well, that closing got delayed a week ('til the 22nd) and we thought that just meant that God was working on something big.  Sooo...I just got a call from the Realtor and closing is going to be delayed again!!!!!  Since we are still without a place to unpack, it's not that big of a deal.  I'm praying and trying not to stress...I used to be a worry borrower, but God is working on that and now, I'm just unsettled because there are so many balls in the air.  I know I can't juggle that many balls and I'm going to have to have faith that God will catch them when they all fall to the ground.

The reason I'm going on about this is to let you know where I go when I need some quiet time...

Oh, yes...I have been know to spend up to an hour in the bath...reading, relaxing, praying.  Now, sometimes there is a knock on the door and some little monkey needs to see mommy for "just a minute," but for the most part, it is just me, my iPod and whatever I am reading.  So that is also how I Calm My Crazy!

     


So when you need some quiet time, feel free to escape to the bubble bath - that's where you'll find me!  How do you unwind??

Love you all,

Rulissa


**writing prompt provided as part of Mama Kat's writer's workshop**

Confessional Friday

You know, I'm never one to hold back so here is a perfect opportunity to get some things off my chest...

I confess that I can be a little short sometimes with incompetent people.  For instance, person-who-shall-not-be-named answering the phone at Mazzio's...if you are going to take my order, you are going to have to stop talking to everyone else and PAY ATTENTION TO ME!!!!  By the time I got off the phone, I was furious and  my amazing hubby was cracking up!

I confess that I own entirely too many clothes.  I have spent the last weeks packing my closet.  And packing... and packing... and packing.  Who knew?!  I am never going to complain about not having anything to where again.  (Well - I probably am, but I'll just kick myself later!)

I confess that I {heart} Troy and Jacob Landry.  (Swamp People, if you don't know.)  They are so cute with their accents and smiles and the way they love their families!  I love that show!!!

I confess that I watch Reality TV.  I always said that I didn't.  And, to be honest, when I think of Reality TV, I think of shows like, The Bachelor or Dancing with the Stars, American Idol or Dance Moms... and I REFUSE to watch those.  But...I do watch Swamp People and Duck Dynasty and Ghost Hunters and Destination Truth - oh, and American Pickers.  So, I guess I'm a Reality TV junkie, because I don't think I really watch anything that's scripted - except the news!

I confess that my children are driving me (and each other) bonkers.  I know summer just started, but since we are moving, I haven't been able to implement much of a schedule or do any of the fun things we want to do.  So that leaves too much time together with nothing to do and that is a recipe for disaster.  Bear with me kids - if I don't kill you soon, it will get better~!!

OK - I'm feeling much better now.  How 'bout you?  Anything you want to get off you chest? Leave me a comment, then go link up with Leslie at A Blonde Ambition!

Love you all,

Rulissa

Simple Pleasures

This week has been soooooo stressful. I have to admit that I'm feeling a little overwhelmed right now.

We have finally almost sold our house. We close on Friday. Unfortunately, after we do that, we will technically be homeless. Our rent house has fallen through (hopefully temporarily), so it looks like the in-laws' guest rooms for us!

So after this kind of stress, I think it's important to find "Simple Pleasures"... Hence this link up with Classic & Glam Blog!

Right now, my simple pleasure is my prayer journal. It's just a simple 5x7 hard backed journal with lined pages, but it calms me. When I'm overwhelmed or frustrated, or when I see a special need, I turn to God. He is always there. And my journal helps me focus on what I need or what I'm thankful for. And, it let's me go back and see the many, many, many prayers that God has answered.

So there you have it. My Simple Pleasure for the week. Leave me a message about your simple pleasure, then go link up!!



Love you all,

Rulissa

Perfection

Throughout the years, I've always searched for perfection. In everything.

The perfect grades. The perfect job. The perfect husband. The perfect shoes. The perfect house. The perfect hair. The perfect meal. The perfect kids. Being the perfect wife, mother, friend. You get it...

Let me tell you something. Perfection is tiring.... And unattainable.

I burn dinner. I yell at my kids. I don't give my husband the respect he deserves. I forget to return calls (sorry, AJ- I love you, girl!) The perfect house gets messy. The perfect shoes pinch my toes. And I live in Oklahoma (Tornado Alley) so perfect hair is a pipe dream!

The thing is, I have beaten myself up too many times for not attaining perfection. Guilt is a horrible thing - especially unwarranted, self-inflicted guilt. Why do I do it? My amazing hubby thinks I'm perfect in every way ( have I mentioned he's a keeper?). My kids think I'm perfect, even when I yell. (In fact, Princess even told me "You're the bestest Mom even though you're mean to me.)

I have learned am learning to let go of my expectations for myself and focus on God's expectations for me. When I fail (as I do often), the devil comes in and tells me I'll never be good enough. But, God thinks I'm good enough. He promises He will be with me wherever He sends me- whether that's the kitchen or the Congo. I need to TRUST that promise! Rely on His strength.

I guess what I'm saying is that I should stop looking for perfection- I've already found it... I am made perfect in Him. Because Jesus died for me, I am covered with HIS perfection.

When my hair doesn't live up to my expectations, I tell myself...
"I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made..." Psalm 139:14.

When my house isn't the biggest or newest, I tell myself... "...for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." Philippians 4:11.

When I find myself yelling at my kids AGAIN and thinking I will never change, I remind myself... His mercies "...are new every morning:great is thy faithfulness." Lamentations 3:23.

I know I'm not perfect, but I do the best I can. And I know that God's not finished with me yet... "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:" Philippians 1:6.

So if you're like me, and beat yourself up when things aren't perfect, just remember that you aren't alone. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and try again- and it's OK to ask for help... "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally..." James 1:5.

Let me know if you are struggling, too. I would be happy to share your burdens and pray for you.

Love you all,

Rulissa

Letters From Home

I wanted to take some time to thank the people in my life for being so wonderful...so today's letters are to them. Go ahead and visit Ashley at Adventures of Newlyweds and link up your

Dear Amazing Hubby, There is nothing in this world I could do to deserve the love you give me everyday.  Thank you for standing by me - through everything - and reminding me that I am truly loved, no matter what. I love you.

Dear Tween Monkey, Don't be in too big of a hurry to grow up.  Enjoy your youth and innocence and remember, I am still your mother and it is still my job to make sure you turn out alright.  So you may not like everything I ask you to do, just know that I have my reasons.  I love you.

Dear Monkey Boy, Your heart continues to amaze me.  You are always thinking of others and what you can do to help them or do something special for them.. (You are so much like your Dad!)  Everything you do tells the world that you love, no matter what, and I pray that nothing happens to change that.  I love you.

Dear Monkey Princess, We are so proud of you.  You are growing and learning everyday and becoming a beautiful young lady (on the inside and the out).  You melted my heart when you asked if God was smiling at you.  I know He is.  I love you.

Dear Readers, Thank you so much for sticking with me.  Every comment you make is so encouraging and I hope you continue to enjoy visiting with me and learning about what makes me tick!


Love you all,

Rulissa