Opperation Lizard

Look at his face. Is endearing the word that comes to mind? For you it probably doesn’t, but for my Country Sis and me, this little guy has a special place in our hearts. The details surrounding Operation Lizard have long been forgotten, but it is a tradition that carries on, bringing much "endearment" with it.

Years ago when my Country Sis was still The Eldest City Sis (whom we teased and called Mother Superior...you know like the head Nun in a convent* smile*) started to "hide" this plastic lizard somewhere in the other sister's "stuff." The goal was to surprise her.

Back and forth, from underwear drawer to shoebox, to makeup cabinet, agent Lizard went. Occasionally he brought a message such as a tender "I love you" or a playful, "Didn't think you'd find me here did ya?" The tactics became more serious and complicated when I mailed Agent Lizard to our friends in Texas so they could hide it in Eldest City Sis's suitcase. I had forgotten to do so before she left.

On my recent trip back from Eldest City Sis's home (now married and whom is fondly renamed Country Sis. Sorry girl-friend but I don’t' think you were cut out to be a nun!) I found Agent lizard in my bag. After years of sabbatical, he was back on the track, with a bow on him!

I don't have Agent Lizard anymore, he has been sent on another mission.--back up with Country Sis. When she came for a October visit, the reptilian Agent accompanied her back home.

Mission Accomplished!!

Anyone else want to share the fun and silly traditions that they have?

Photo of the Week

Photo taken by Beauty of the Lord

copyright 2009

Picture of the Week

Early morning flower...

Late afternoon Sunset ...

Food Fact Fridays

This is a great make-it-ahead, freeze it, on-the-go sort of breakfast shake. You can also divide it in half, freeze and it as a snack.

I also have a quirky variation… to include a little fiber, add several Shredded Wheat pieces (like the boxed cereal you find at the grocery store). This sounds odd but it gives it a little more texture. I actually think that combined with the peanut butter taste and the foaminess from just being blended; the shredded wheat mimics the test of malt in chocolate in milkshakes. I’ll eat a “Peanut butter malted milk shake for breakfast” anyday of the week!

Peanut Butter Split Smoothie

Time 15 minutes or les
Serving size: 1


Ingredients:

1 Ripe banana (both fresh or frozen chunks work equally well)
½ cup nonfat milk
¼ cup plain nonfat yogurt
1 ½ tablespoons creamy natural peanut butter

Put all of the ingredients in a blender and process until smooth.



*Calories per serving: 325
Total fat 12.5 G
Mono 0 G
Poly o G Sat 13.5 G

Protein 13.5
Fiber 4.5 G
Chol: 3 MG

An excellent source of: Calium and Fiber, Protein, Vit B6, and Vit C
A good source of : Manganese, Potassium, Vit A, Vit D

* This calorie amount does not include adding shredded wheat or any other add-in.

Writing Bits

I received some kind compliments regarding my post, “Days Like Threads,” and lest anyone think my writing scraps are 100% deep and brilliant let me show you a silly piece of writing that sailed through my head this morning as I drove to school. The inspiration for this work came from last night when my head was dizzy whenever it was on a vertical plane, my forehead sweaty, and my nose was runny. Did I mention that the final draft of my reaction paper was due in several hours? My dear sister told me to “go lay on the couch” and let her type the rest of my paper up! What a chum. What a dear (and no, she is not up for trading. Yeah, yeah, I am sure your sister is nice too, but I want to keep this one!)

To be sung to Jingle Bells (make sure you sing it with an upbeat before the first line. It begins at the "Dashing through the snow" part).

Anne….

On the 3rd week of Fall school.
I had a paper due.
It needed lots of work
So I gave it then to you.

With patience plentiful
You read, re-read, revised.
You even typed it up for me so I could spare my eyes!!
Ohh…Chorus anyone….?



Reason # 156 why NOT to live in dorm…..because a room-mate would NEVER offer to type your research paper for you the night it was due.

Thank you again Anne a MILLION times over!!

Days Like Threads

Saturday felt like it got started on the wrong foot. The following is an excerpt from my journal.

October 17th, 2009

Do you ever have notion that days are like threads?

Some days are silky smooth.. On these days all the things I had hoped to complete were finished before dinner: the research paper written, the weeds picked, and the car washed.

Other days slip passed the way silk strands glide through my pressed-together fingers. Their passing is almost indiscernible. No disaster, no exquisite joy is felt.

An then there are the days that feel like the thread itself has untwisted and loosened itself, becoming a frazzely, ravelly mess. It is not even the fact that I can’t get the “to dos” on my list done, it is the fact that I can not even find my “to do” list!
My cars keys are lost in the bottom of my purse instead of being found on the hook in the cupboard.
Clean laundry from 2 days past lies crumpled in its basket…on the floor of a bedroom that must be cleaned…only after the sheets are put on the bed and the desk and floor tidied.
The vacuum’s cord unwinds, trailing down the hallway like my nerves—long, stretched, and taut.
The internet threatens to fail and the research articles for my school paper look as though they will run off and elope with my car keys.

And it isn’t just MY day that feels unraveled, my loved ones “mishaps” collide with my own—the same way Mom and I step into each other’s path in the kitchen.

Thus our frazzled ends intertwine and loop into an orb-like webbing; like a yarn ball. We each try our hand plucking away at the confusion, but we just foozle ourselves more.

That is when I turn to the Great Weaver who I have neglected to think about until now. He can re-twist the ends I have splayed. He knows the pattern in which my thread should be woven.

“Behold the handmaiden of the Lord. May it be to me according to your word…my soul magnifies the Lord.”
Luke : 38, 46a

Copyright 2009

My days

I haven’t blogged much (not even to share my vacation pictures from weeks ago. EEK), because I have been one busy girl. School has started, and God has been so gracious in uncountable ways. He has given me strength, wisdom, new aquaintences, and even a new class right when I needed it!

What today looked like…

~6:00 am Rise and Shine (at least I tried anyhow!)
~ 6:40ish am Devotions
~ 7:20 am Bike Ride
~ 10:am Leave for School and Study until Noon
~ Noon eat lunch and attended AG club ice cream social! Yeah baby! Chat with student mentor
~ 1:15- 2:20 pm Study
~3:00pm – 5:00pm Food Safety and Current Events class. (Bum hurts while I sit at desk. Ouch… the reality of my 9.72 mile morning ride sinks in!)
~ 5:30pm dinner with Sis at Panera bread (Fuji Apple salad is my favorite!)
~7:00pm Home at last! Get breakfast/lunch/snack ready for Wed.
~ 7:45 pm Study