Category: Ramblings

Unemployed

~ Life of Momma B ~ Leave a comment

Well I didn’t see this one coming! Yesterday my husband was laid off. No warning, effective immediately.

I must say losing a job is like a death. You go through the five stages of grief (denial, anger, depression, bargaining, acceptance). How do I know this? Well, we have been here before. twice for that matter. And to be quite honest it sucks. Yesterday was my denial stage. I was in complete shock. I had to be the “strong” one and supportive wife and mother. I put on the brave face and told the kids what happened. And waited by the door with open arms when my husband came home.

Last night the anger hit. I’m angry at the company. I’m even angry with my husband. But the anger is turning to depression and there is nothing I can do. I feel completely helpless. Every time my husband has changed jobs it has meant a major move across county. Last night my sweet daughter climbed up into my lap and cried because she did not want to move. And once again I smiled and told her it would be okay.

Now what… We wait for God to show us the next step. Having faith that God is in control of everything makes this whole process more bearable.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

Praying for Preslee Lynn

~ Life of Momma B ~ Leave a comment

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Let me introduce you to a sweet little girl from Katy, Texas. Her name is Preslee. Preslee Lynn was involved in a major car accident, far away from home in North Carolina, she sustained horrible injuries to her head and internal organs and is need as many prayers as we can get!! Pray warriors hit your knees and PRAY PRAY PRAY.  Please include Preslee’s family in your prayers as they have rushed to her bedside and need you to lift them up in prayer!!!

If you would like updates or to see how you can help this family check out their facebook page HERE.

Where has the summer gone?

~ Life of Momma B ~ Leave a comment

I have been off-line for a little over a month now and the summer is almost half over (or at least the calendar says it is). It has been insanely busy month.

It all began when I got pneumonia! Let’s clarify that… pneumonia, bronchitis and a double ear infection. In June of all times. Oh what a joy (NOT). To but it nicely it kicked my butt for a good week and it took several weeks to get over.

Shortly after getting sick my father tore his rotator cuff. Since he lives by himself in Alabama this meant an unplanned trip to visit with the surgeon. He was injured at work and due to the slow workmen’s comp insurance surgery has been scheduled for August. So I will be headed back to Alabama soon for a few weeks.

Then came family vacation. My brother-in-law (who is active duty Air Force) has recently been stationed at Fort Meade, MD. This is only 30 miles from Washington DC. Since we have never been and we had free lodging, we were able to spend the week of July 4th with family. What an awesome experience! In addition to spending time with family we went to the National Zoo, the Library of Congress, the Capital, and Arlington Cemetery. It rained most of the week but we had lots of fun. We watched the fireworks from the statue of Iwo Jima. What a view. The crowds were not bad and the weather was great. Then we came home to rest. It was a busy week where we spent most of the days going, going going.

But have no fear. I am home and rested and ready to start blogging again. This time off does not mean my hands have been idle, far from it. Now to find the time to write-up all the many projects and recipes that I have completed.

It’s Strawberry Season

~ Life of Momma B ~ Leave a comment

How did you spend Memorial Day Weekend? Family? Bar-B-Que? Swimming Pools? Remembering those who gave their lives for our freedom?

memorialdayFirst, let me begin by saying. I am proud of our military personnel. When these men and women enlist, they are willing to give their lives. They agree to serve us 24 hours a day. Unlike most of us, if we don’t like our jobs we can change, but these brave men and women sign a contract that they will serve for 4 years, sometimes longer. They will do whatever is asked of them, regardless to the cost to themselves or their family. They will pick up and move upon request and leave behind friends and family. They will put themselves in harms way regardless to whether they agree with the cause or not. They agree to die for us and our freedoms, and many have. How can words ever express our appreciation? For their is no way to repay them for all they do.

But I digress, I was able to spend Memorial Day Weekend with my family. We spent the first part of the weekend at the NCHE Homeschool Convention in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It was nice to get away for a few days. When we returned we went and picked strawberries. Four gallons to be exact. This means that Memorial Day was spent processing strawberries.

What did I do with 4 gallons of strawberries you ask. Here is a list of things that I did with them.

  • Fresh Strawberries topped with whipped cream by the bowl full
  • Angel Food cake with fresh sliced strawberries
  • Dehydrated strawberries for later use (great for cereal – think Special K with Strawberries)
  • Strawberry ice-cream topping (recipe to follow)
  • Homemade jam (recipe to follow)
  • Real fruit snacks (recipe to follow)
  • Froze the rest for later

I thought I would spend the next couple of days sharing these recipes so stay turned.

Strawberries

But don’t worry I did get some bar-b-que (smoked chicken to be precise).

Stressed, I’m not STRESSED!

~ Life of Momma B ~ Leave a comment

I have to admit, I had a meltdown the other night. You know, one of those moments when nothing is going right and every little thing makes it worse. Well that was me. You can blame it on hormones, lack of sleep, being in pain from a re-occurring back problem. Whatever the cause I had one to many things go wrong and I did not want anymore.

As my hubby and I “talked” (or should I say I fussed and he patiently listened). I came to realize that I hate change. The move across country has been hard on me. I left all my friends, my volunteer positions, my support network, my comfort zone to move 5000 miles. To make it worse, I have to find new doctors, learn new roads, and find a new church. And do all of this while trying to keep a “happy” face for the kids who are also miserable.

I think the icing on the cake was dealing with new technology. You know about my adventures with the new laptop. But we all know that bad news comes in threes. So within 2 weeks, not only did I replace my laptop, but my phone died and I was in an accident that totaled my van.

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The good news is no one was hurt. As my daddy always said “THINGS YOU CAN REPLACE, PEOPLE YOU CAN NOT”. I think I am more frustrated than anything. I loved my van. I had it for 9 years. It had 160,000 miles on it, drove great and the best part it was paid for. No for the joy of car shopping.

If you were not aware, April was National Stress Awareness Month. Since it is now May, that means I’m no longer stressed right?