Life gets tough sometimes...

So my last post was to exercise more.....this is a feat that challenges me everyday! I will get there I know it...but I received a call from Bonnie (my baby sister) that very afternoon and she was in need of some support.....so my weekend has been again too hectic!

So I have a few thoughts this morning; most of them being brought on by this crazy world we find ourselves living and surviving in.....what the heck is going on with todays economy?

It has been no secret that the American economy has been in trouble for several years....actually decades....but it has always found a way to bounce back....but now we are possibly headed for some really bad times.....but I like many others are very confused about just how bad?

For me, being in the real estate business, this is really hitting home for me. I am troubled by what I would like to see come from all of this. I know that rising home prices are good for many peoples pockets.....but is it really good to have them increase at the rate that they have for these last 6 years? In my opinion (and has always been) my answer has been NO. Although as home prices rise, I make more money on each transaction....being a real estate agent...but as a human being...I think it is just not right. Reason one....our children! What do we expect them to have to pay for their first home? $500,000? With the growth rate these days.....that is where they would be at.

When I was a child, most mothers stayed home. Fathers were capable of earning enough money to pay for homes, cars, food, etc. My mother stayed home with us when we were young and was always volunteering in our school. Where are mothers now? We are working, cleaning, working, volunteering, working, shopping, cleaning, working....actually there isnt enough time in the day to do all that we have to do....and we are stressed out and getting sick. Everyone complains about not having enough energy...well......I know this all too well.

What ever happened to, if you dont have the money for it....you dont buy it? What? Americans these days, spend well beyond their means.....we all look at each other from the outside and think that if they can have it, so can I....but what we dont see is that behind their closed door....they are DROWNING IN DEBT! So much so that mom and dad both are working to pay for things.....and not spending time with their families....which is just plain sad.

So, my point to my many ramblings....is this: so what if wall street hits rock bottom? So what? Why should the government bail out big business? Bad business, out of business in my opinion. The government at this point is too involved and alot of government officials have been profiting from mistakes made and us tax payers continue to have to pay more in our taxes to bail these rich people out....I say NO MORE!

If the housing markets drops....then I will make due. I will also continue to strive for a better America, one that my children can prosper in. One that my children have a decent future and possibly can stay home with their children and learn to live on what they can afford.....we need to teach them this very important lesson.

If you cant afford it.....dont buy it!!! That is the bottom line. And taxpayers in my opinion can not afford this!!!!!

My daily devotion fit in perfectly with my thoughts today; I found it uplifting:

Today's Verse from the New Living Translation

"O God, I beg two favors from you; Let me have them before I die. First, help me never to tell a lie. Second, give me neither poverty nor riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, 'Who is the LORD?' And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God's holy name." Proverbs 30:7–9

Encouragement for Today

This prayer shows us what a wise person asks for from the Lord. And how different it is from most of our prayers! Where our prayers often simply demand "Give me more," this prayer asks for "just enough." The wise person knows that gaining more blessings from God isn't as important as growing in obedience to God. We should be aware of what tempts us and ask God to rescue us from those temptations. We should also focus on knowing God better and seeing his reputation enhanced. If we do this, we will be wise, and we will be praying as Jesus taught us to (Matt 6:9-13). So yesterday was a bad day for the stock market and wall street. But yesterday my sister had to say goodbye to another baby lost. There are worse things going on in someone elses life to get so mixed up in politics and money....remember this. Each day is a gift from God, use it wisely....be there for someone in need.....and someone will be there when you are in need.

Today is the day.....

that I get off my ass and start exercising. I am so sick of feeling out of shape and old....older than I actually am!

I have a $500 eliptical sitting in our office being unused (as Benaiah often reminds me of) and I recently even bought an aerobic ball and DVD set.....think I should start using them.

This is really difficult for me; I have always been thin, in shape and able to eat what I wanted and whenever I wanted, ever since I had Kylee, that wonderful priviledge has been robbed of me......

I know I will never be a size 0 ever again.....but I need to start taking better care of myself....so there I said it out loud and put it on here.....hoping this will make me stick to it!

Daily Devotions

I get daily devotions in my email regularly....and today I needed to read this, so I thought I would share:

Psalm 147

6 The LORD supports the humble,
but he brings the wicked down into the dust.

7 Sing out your thanks to the LORD;
sing praises to our God with a harp.
8 He covers the heavens with clouds,
provides rain for the earth,
and makes the grass grow in mountain pastures.
9 He gives food to the wild animals
and feeds the young ravens when they cry.
10 He takes no pleasure in the strength of a horse
or in human might.
11 No, the LORD's delight is in those who fear him,
those who put their hope in his unfailing love.

12 Glorify the LORD, O Jerusalem!
Praise your God, O Zion!
13 For he has strengthened the bars of your gates
and blessed your children within your walls.
14 He sends peace across your nation
and satisfies your hunger with the finest wheat.
15 He sends his orders to the world—
how swiftly his word flies!
16 He sends the snow like white wool;
he scatters frost upon the ground like ashes.
17 He hurls the hail like stones.*
Who can stand against his freezing cold?
18 Then, at his command, it all melts.
He sends his winds, and the ice thaws.
19 He has revealed his words to Jacob,
his decrees and regulations to Israel.
20 He has not done this for any other nation;
they do not know his regulations.

Praise the LORD!

Encouragement for Today
Want to know how to delight God? Trust him! Put your hope in his unfailing love, humble yourself by obeying him, and the God of the universe will actually delight in you. Your trust and obedience have the capacity to bring more pleasure to Almighty God than any other thing in his creation! Make God smile today and experience his support, as well.

Dinner Tonite?

So I was watching one of my recorded Oprah shows....and Mario Batali was on (with orange crocks to boot) and he prepared a fifteen minute gourmet dinner that looked yummy......so I thought I would give it a try tonite......




Flamenquines
Created by Mario Batali



Try this fast and easy pork recipe for a quick meal—perfect for busy moms! Mario Batali recommends serving this dish with a side of fried potatoes.










Ingredients:
8 1/2-inch thick boneless pork loin chops (3 ounces each)
Freshly ground pepper
8 thin slices of serrano ham
All-purpose flour , for dusting
2 large eggs
1 Tbsp. milk
1 1/4 cups dry bread crumbs
Pure olive oil , for frying
Mayonnaise , for serving
Working with 1 pork chop at a time, place in a resealable plastic bag and pound into a 1/4-inch-thick cutlet. Arrange the cutlets on a work surface and season with pepper. Cover each cutlet with a slice of ham and, starting with the short end, roll tightly into a cylinder. Dust with the flour. In a shallow bowl, beat the eggs with the milk. Put the bread crumbs in another shallow bowl. Dip the pork rolls in the egg mixture, then in the bread crumbs, pressing them on lightly. Transfer to a plate.In a large skillet, heat 1/4 inch of oil until shimmering. Add the pork rolls and fry over moderate heat, turning, until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the center registers 155°, about 5 minutes. Transfer the rolls to paper towels. Serve hot, with mayonnaise.The breaded pork rolls can be refrigerated overnight. Let return to room temperature before frying.



I just realized I forgot the fried and lemon! Opps....heading back to the store this evening (good thing it is right around the corner)

I will let you know how it turned out if you are interested!!! :)

Down with the sickness

I dont know why, but everytime I am feeling sick. I feel sick all over. It slows me down and seems to catch up to me.

I hate that feeling of wanting to sleep endlessly...it is a beautiful day out and I have lots to do....but all I wish I was doing is sleeping :(

Funny thing happened yesterday; I was home after my meeting with a colleague and I was out back letting the dogs out.....now every afternoon since the kids are all in school.....I have to let the dogs out myself one at a time (cant wait for my new fence)...I let Stella out first cause she is easy, then take her in and set out her food bowls, get Zeus on a leash and then take him out to his chain and feed/water him....then I come back in for Milo. I wait to take Milo out because he is hyper as hell and I cant keep him calm while I take the others out.....so he is last! Well during the entire process of letting Zeus and Stella out (maybe five minutes) he BARKS and BARKS! He has the most annoying bark too....very high pitch and whiny. So as I was standing outside with Stella (before I let out Zeus) my neighbor, Rachel came out to say hello from across her yard.

I said to her, "Gosh, you hear Milo? He never shuts up". She is a dog trainer by profession and says to me, "You want a bark collar? It is perfectly safe and doesnt shock him"......I was like heck yeah! So she goes in and gets it for me. She explains that it shoots citronella in his face everytime he barks. It is perfectly harmless and wont hurt him, but he wont like it at all.

I was so excited to use this thing; so after I let all the dogs out and fed/gave them water. I put the collar on Milo.

TEST ONE: When I go outside and ask Milo to stay.....he jumps on me and barks at me like he is pissed off. He wont dare come outside, but he barks and barks....then runs to each window and door back and forth, from upstairs to down and tearing everything apart in his path.

So after I put the collar on Milo, I went to go outside.....I told Milo "Stay"...he went to jump and bark and immediately got shot in the face with bitter citronella.....HE SHUT UP AND BACKED DOWN! Freakin amazing!!!

Soooo all day he was a totally different dog; I was able to leave and come in without having to hear his endless barking and cleaning up everything he knocked over. I was able to sit on the couch without having him jump across me and onto the furniture barking at everyone and every car that went by........peace!

Take a walk down memory lane....

with me as I dig up some old pics and scan them here.......thought it would be fun!

This is a picture from the day of my christing. I dont look very happy......probably didnt like the water on my head thing...lol.

I love this picture; my grandfather looks so proud and my dad looks soooo "cool". I love his chill attitude, red camaro and his hat! Funny those hats are back in style these days :)

I love this picture; shame it is stained and didnt scan so well. I was eating cake and you can tell I was throughly enjoying it!

I will post more from time to time.....always fun sharing memories!

it's a small world afterall...

So for the past few years I have discovered MySpace......had a few different pages within those years.....hackers breaking in.....stalkers....you name it. But I keep it because if gives you something to do on here.....(this internet thing) and it is soo fun catching up with friends and family.

As our daily lives take over much of our free time to spend with those we love......we can now at least see pictures and read blogs about their lives.....stay connected.....at least.

So over the years, I have found friends, family on MySpace and have enjoyed seeing their pics and sharing mine. Once in awhile I will change my background or song on my site.....just to jazz it up a bit.....make it interesting for those who care to stop by.....haha.

My husband recently joined Facebook.......he likes it better due to the nature of the GAMES, GAMES and MORE GAMES! If my husband could earn a living at playing computer games we would be rich beyond our wildest dreams! hahaha So I thought, well I will give it a whirl......and I must say, it has become another addiction on this internet thing!!

But recently on Facebook I have discovered people I NEVER thought I would ever see again......Sylvia & Mary Decker; Tara & Nolan Brooke.......just to name a few. These are kids I used to babysit from the church I grew up in. It wasnt just church either, it was my family. Every Sunday morning & night, Wednesday, youth group retreats....we celebrated holidays, weddings, birthdays, babies being born....every important moment in our lives were shared and I remember being with them all the time......

My father was a huge part of that church and he passed away when I was sixteen from cancer. As time passed my mother decided to make decisons that wasnt in anyones best interest other than her own (despite the fact she had four children to take care of) and slowly all these people who were my family started to disappear.

Now, as I see pictures on Facebook of them all........it FLOODS my mind with memories and images that I can remember clear as day......it makes me miss them all. Especially seeing Tara Brooke all grown up and having fun with her parents; Rosemary and Keith (who my father loved deeply)......what a full life they seem to be having! Others like Sylvia & Mary still seem connected to many others from church and I cant help but wonder......if my father hadnt passed would I have grown up with them? Would we still all be connected? Do they ever think about what happened to those "Trotter" kids?

I am so grateful for this internet thing....haahah. It has reconnected me with people I never thought I would see again; never have the chance to maybe have them in my life......I sit here and cant help but get excited to see them again! This life as I know it.....amazes me every day :)

Weekly Happenings...

Monday was the first day of school this week....back to a schedule and a routine!

Tuesday, I didnt have to work...so what better to do with my spare time? CLEAN! And clean I did too. I rearranged Kylee's bedroom and took all her toys down to the playroom in the basement :) I cant have her and her friends playing in her room anymore....the mess is driving me nuts! OCD kicking into high gear with the kids on schedule and me having time to clean....I am in full force cleaning mode. No major events on Tuesday....thank goodness!

Wednesday; I had to work till 3pm....did the usual dog dance and got Kylee from the bus. The twins had an away game in Emmaus and Amanda forgot her sneakers! It was a turf field and you can't play in cleats so I had to drive down there and give her sneakers so she could play. Benaiah and I decided to just go grab dinner at Wendy's and watch the game since we were there anyways! Brandi apparently couldnt get into her locker at school and the coach was nice enough to give her sneakers to wear since I wasnt asked to bring her any! They lost their game....it was tough to watch since Emmaus has the best hockey league in the area...and with turf it is sooo much harder. Our girls have no subs to releave any players and they were RUNNING after that ball the entire game.......I give them an A for effort and not giving up! They didnt get home from the game till 10pm and still had homework to complete.......so it was another late night for them!

Thursday.......no work again...but had alot of errands to do. I had to go do some payroll for a client which took a whole half hour in Souderton so I decided to see what my best friend Shannon was up to........I went and woke her up and we went and got supplies to close our pools! Had lunch at Taco Bell........YUM! On my way home I cleaned out the Honda that my husband so wonderfully had filled with his dirty laudry and FIVE bags of trash! It is much nicer to drive now.....lol. Got Kylee off the bus and picked up the twins at field hockey practice at 5:30pm, made dinner and was off to dance with Brandi at 7pm. Dropped her off and spent the next two hours chit chatting it up with Shannon.........I love that I see her once a week now! We didnt get back till 10pm........Brandi had her second late night in a row this week!

I woke up utterly EXHAUSTED this morning! I didnt want to get up! Thank goodness my husband did! He got Kylee dressed and off to school.........I hung out with the neighbor this morning as she stopped by for a bit......but havent had a desire to remove my ass from this couch.......have some emails to respond to.......need to clean the playroom and go to Walmart to get storage bins for all the toys (trying to organize)......ugh, dont feel like it! Need to get my crockpot dinner together tonite because the girls have another game tonight and I want to go watch........supposed to rain........maybe it will be canceled and I can get out of dinner! haha

So in case any of you wanted the breakdown of my week.......there it is! The routine has began once again in this life as I know it!

Today is just one day.....

of many more blogging to come. Have to bear with me as I am new to this site. I love to tell people all about my day....I tend to complain and brag about whatever I have happen to me or others I know on a daily basis.

I also love to write.........so where not a better place to start than here.

I hope to make this a fun part of my daily life....haha :)