Dashing through the Mall! Ching, Ching, Ching!

Shopping with children is not for the weak!  Throwing a penny in the fountain, the bubble gum machine, an overstuffed umbrella stroller (filled with cheerios), a carousel ride in the  children’s play area (germs), nursing in a dressing room, a visit to the toy store (touching, touching, touching), backtracking for the baby shoe that fell off along the way, carry me whines, breaking up fights,  bathroom breaks (more germs), losing a kid in the clothing racks, petting a puppy at the pet store (begging), meltdowns, finding a place to change that diaper (you know the one that oozed out and up the babies back...UGH, and ice cream……Oh the memories of taking my three children to the mall! The bribes only worked so long.  At some point during the shopping experience, I would choose having my eyeballs rubbed with sandpaper over shopping!  I can vaguely remember, what seems like a previous life, shopping all day and having a leisurely lunch!

Finally finding that perfect outfit for myself, I make it to the dressing room (saying a sweet prayer under my breath) Getting undressed in a tiny dressing room jail cell with three kids is not fun!  They could care less about the wonderful buy or how the outfit looks on mama.  Somewhere along the way, that sweet prayer, turns into….well.…shall we say a “THREAT”. 

Of course history repeats itself!  Here are two of my grandsons on a recent shopping trip!  I tried to keep them entertained so their mom could do some shopping.  We played dare, and you are going to marry the next person that walks by; I think I made that game up (it did not go to well for me)!  Trying on masks was definitely a big hit!

Parents today can sit at home in their PJ's and shop online….so you are not likely to go on a killing spree. However, if you are going shopping with children, you better get your big girl britches on and your armor.

Psalm 118:24

This is the day which the Lord hath made; 

we will rejoice and be glad in it.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances,  for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

James 1:2-3
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds,because you know that the testing 

of your faith develops perseverance.

Darth Vader, My Granddog

I just spent the last several days babysitting my grandkids Brock and Brady and my granddog!  My granddog, Vader, totally controls me!  Vader is a four year old pitch black Cockapoo.   He has three inch long eyelashes which curl up all on their own (I am jealous), with dark chocolate eyes that give him the ability to look sad at all times; he uses this look to manipulate me.   

Morning sweet morning!  When my feet hit the floor, I am not taking care of the needs of the boys….oh no, Vader comes first.  He does not realize I do not like to go outside in pajamas, so he gets very impatient as I get dressed.  Prancing through the grass he tugs and tugs on the leash determined to use the neighbor’s yard….NOT his own.  Back inside Vader is jumping at me for a treat for peeing in the neighbor’s yard (which he gets)! 

The boys have now settled in front of a video game (shhhhhhhhh).  As I am trying to be nana of the year and discuss what they want for breakfast, Vader is now talking to me by making  raspy breathy sounds that come from deep within his throat…..wanting his breakfast.   So, the boys are back on hold as I get Vader fed. 

Now, back to the little people and their breakfast……oops…not quite so fast!  Vader now wants to make sure I know that he gets a spoonful of peanut butter.  Of course he does not realize a tiny little white pill is hidden in it for seizures.  I did not realize his tongue is about a foot and a half long until I watched him eat his peanut butter/pill mixture.  My daughter, Jenny, stressed that I not forget to give him his medicine; how could I forget, he reminded me like clockwork. 

Whew, now I am back discussing breakfast options!  I now heard the click, click, click of Vader’s nails as he jumps at the front door wanting to go for his morning constitutional walk.  The school teacher in me is now wondering if “time out” works for dogs!   Promising the boys that I will fix breakfast soon, I head out with Vader on a leash hoping I can get him past the neighbor’s green green grass since this is going to be a little more serious.  He obviously does not like to cootie up his own yard!

Finally, the little ones get to eat sausage, eggs, and toast!  Guess who was under my feet the entire time I cooked!  Vader is certainly very pampered and humanized.  I don’t know about the boys, but the dog certainly thinks I am nana of the year!

Vader’s behavior reminds me of what a loving master he has!  Looking back over the last few days, I am reminded of my loving Master!  He leads me, feeds me, and brings me amazing blessings.  God knows us in such a personal way.  He knows what is important to us and what is weighing on our heart.  He sees our joys, burdens, and sorrows.  He wants us to walk with him!  He has provided us the keys that will bring happiness, contentment, and joy. 

Be still, and know that I am God...    Psalm 46:10 

Daily Devotions

                                   This is oh so true!

Easy Banana Poke Cake

Easy Banana Poke Cake

Ingredients:
1 (10 oz.) box yellow cake mix
ingredients needed to make cake (eggs, oil & water)
2 (3.4 oz.) packages instant banana pudding
4 cups milk
1 (8 oz.) tub frozen whipped topping, thawed
20 vanilla wafers, crushed

Directions:
Prepare cake mix according to package directions for a 9×13 cake.  Once cake comes out of the oven, allow it to cool for just a couple of minutes.  Then, with a wooden spoon handle or some other similarly-sized object, begin poking holes in the cake.  You want the holes to be fairly big so that the pudding has plenty of room to get down in there.   Be sure to poke right down to the bottom of the cake.
In a bowl, whisk together instant pudding with 4 cups milk.  Stir until all the lumps are gone. 

Let the pudding sit for just about 2 minutes, so it has just slightly begun to thicken but not fully set, it should still be easy to pour. Pour pudding over cake taking care to get it into the holes as much as possible.  Spread it all out and using the back of the spoon gently pushing pudding down into the holes.
Put the pudding into the fridge to set and cool.

Once your cake has completely cooled, spread on whipped topping.  If you haven’t done so already, crush your vanilla wafers.  I just place mine in a Ziploc bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
Leave some of the pieces big. It’s nice to have a bit of a crunch when you eat the cake.
Spread crushed wafers onto the top of the cake. You can do this part immediately before serving the cake if you like. This will ensure the wafers are Crunchy when you serve it. 

To me, it’s even better the next day so it’s a great dessert to make ahead of time.  Keep refrigerated.

Memorizing Phone Numbers

When you leave a store without making a purchase, do you ever feel a slight panic as you ask yourself, “Am I still carrying anything around with me? Do I still have on anything I tried on?” 

Yesterday as I was leaving Bealls with my new running tennis shoes (no, I don’t run, but they are adorable), I hear a lady yelling, “Miss!”  I turn to see her walking towards me at a brisk pace.  Still not sure if she means me, I yell, “Who, me?”  To which she responds, “YES!”  With my heart pounding, I am mentally preparing myself for a strip-search right there in the parking lot.  My sweaty hands are tightly clutching my new turquoise running shoes as she approaches.  I was PUNKED…wickedly laughing in a nearby car sat a friend of mine, Valerie Hillman, who had maliciously put her sister up to this! 

I have not ever been arrested, and I can’t imagine that I ever will be at this point in my life; however, since I am a speed dialer, I would  be in trouble when I was told I could make my one phone call.  At this point, my cell phone (tucked sweetly inside its blue/turquoise flowery and sparkled case - BLING) along with the rest of my valuables (purse and five shades of lipstick) would be locked in a vault in another part of the facility. 

Come to think of it, if I am ever arrested at….hmmmmm let’s say for some kind of protest or something, I DO know my work number.  I am not sure if it is proper etiquette to call the school where you work if you are arrested, but if it comes to this, I will definitely ask for Valerie Hillman. 

Creamy Banana Pudding

                                            Banana Pudding at Nana's House

Creamy Banana Pudding 

1 (14 oz.) can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 ½ cups cold water
1 (4-serving size) package instant vanilla flavor pudding and pie filling mix
2 cups Cool Whip
36 vanilla wafers
3 medium bananas, sliced

In large bowl, combine sweetened condensed milk and water.  Add pudding mix; beat well. Chill 5 minutes.  Fold in whipped cream.  Spoon 1 cup pudding mixture into 2 ½-quart glass serving bowl.  Top with one-third each of the wafers, bananas, and pudding.  Repeat layering twice, ending with pudding.  Chill thoroughly.

Swimming Pool and Diarreah

Splash all you want! Throw others in! Bring your pet shark! and.......see below: