Just the Girls

Today's blog is about girlfriends and funny stories. I don't think I would want to live without them. Girlfriends are unique in how they are with each other. I have been blessed to have several really good heart friends throughout my life. I also had/have a wonderful mom who was/is a good friend to me. Plus my daughter and two daughters-in-love (as I like to call them...I hate the term in-law...it sounds like you're an illegal or something) are wonderful friends as well. I like to surround myself with good friends who are funny, take care of me and tell me when I am wrong. I don't want a "you-are-wonderful-and-I-always-agree-with-you" kind of friend. To me those aren't really your friends.

Last night a group of my girl friends from my small group bible study met for a pajama party. We all wore our flannels, brought either a sweet or savory snack and hung out together...just the girls....for a few hours. We laughed so much and ate way too much. We also worked on a service project for our church. There was a bit of grumbling that went on with this service project but we got the job done pretty quick. Anywhoooo.....the gal who hosted the party had "googled" a list of fun questions to get to know each other a little better. We passed around the bowl and would each answer our question or someone else's question. This was really fun and I would tell you some of the stories..........but I can't. :-) I can share with you some of my stories that I had forgotten and are quite funny. I can't even remember what question that was asked that reminded me of these two stories....that would have been helpful.....but the stories themselves are about bad dating experiences way back when I was a teenager before I met my hubby.

Story #1 I went out with this guy that was allot older then me. He was from a wealthy family and a great guy. We flirted a lot at the restaurant where I worked so when he asked me out on a date.........I thought there is no way my folks would let me go. But they did since he was such a nice boy....man. We went out to eat locally and afterwards he took me to see the family ponderosa that I had never seen before. I was quite impressed. He then turned to me, took my hand in his and told me that "someday" this would be all ours. WHAT! He told me his intentions were honorable...that he was dating me because he was looking for a wife. Looking back on this....this is a really sweet story but not to a 17 year old that wasn't looking for a husband....yet. We never went out again...much to the disappointment of my mom as he was a good catch. I remember praying and telling God that I was done looking for Mr. Right and that he would have to pick him...not me. A week later I went out with my husband and we have been together ever since. So it just wasn't God's timing for me to "swoon" over this older guy.....I saved all that up for Troy. :-)

Story #2 When I was a junior in high school I couldn't find a date for the prom to save my life. In my home town the gals asked the guys to the junior prom. This was very hard for me as I had never asked a guy out in my life. Well that year I got to practice three times. Ugh! Talk about humbling. The first guy I asked said yes. He was an old boyfriend of mine who had gone off to college. An hour later he called back and said his live in girlfriend (whom I think he married) wasn't happy. So I asked another guy from my hometown and he said yes. Then I found out he was dating one of my friends....so I called it off. He needed to take her to the prom...not me. Guy number three I met at a dance. He seemed nice, was a little older, shy but could dance country western like nobodies business. :-) I had to ask my parents permission to ask this third guy since he was from out of town. As "luck" would have it my parents knew his parents and said sure you can call and ask him. He said yes. I was thrilled. I was going to the prom with a guy no one knew and we were going to have a great time dancing the night away. Oh the bliss of it all. It's amazing how ones perspective can change in an instant. The week of my prom I got paged over the intercom at school to say I had a phone call in the office. Both times it was this guys MOTHER calling to ask.........first what color was my dress so she could make sure that his corsage and clothes matched mine and number two call was to ask if I was allergic to any flowers. Hello doesn't this seem weird to anyone??? When I told my mom she laughed and had a funny look on her face but she didn't elaborate. I didn't ask why either. Big mistake. The day of the prom arrives and about two hours before my date is going to pick me up a big Cadillac car pulls into the driveway of our home. Driving is this guys mother and my date is in the passenger side. She proceeds to get out with his tux, a blow dryer and suit case, camera etc to take movies and still shots. I start running to my room thinking what is going on? She comes in and she wants to be a part of ME getting ready and she wants to take pictures.....like we are getting married or something. She she is talking 90 miles a minutes and I am thinking this cannot be happening to me. My dad hightails it out of the house while my mother attempts to chat with lady who will not stop talking. My date...........says nothing! I got ready on my own...thank you very much. I came out and she pinned the corsage to my dress, kisses me with her ruby red lips and leaves a mark...the whole time pictures are being taken and of course there were movies of this event too and still my date says.........nothing. I don't remember much about what I said or did but I do know that I was ticked beyond belief. I had quite the temper and I am sure it showed. Finally the time to go arrives and I think.........is she taking us to the prom too? Oh and did I mention that this GUY is out of high school. Okay now where was I............oh yes we are on our way out the door and I am really hoping it is just the two of us. Whew it was. She was going to stay and keep my parents company till we got back at midnight. :-) We didn't or I should say I didn't speak. He tried. We didn't dance. I couldn't. He took me home. I said good night to him and his mother and thought............never again. Looking back on it I was quite a brat to him and as I grew older I felt really guilty. I ran into him about 8 years or so ago and knew I needed to apologize for my behavior. But before I could he did....he said he was sorry he had to bring his mom. He lived in her house, didn't have a car of his own and he either let her come or he couldn't have come. I told him how sorry I was too and thankfully that was that.

Thankfully everyone at the pj party had silly stories like mine that we all shared in the laughter. There is just something about telling a funny story from your past that brings out all sorts of memories. These gals are some of my heart friends whom I have grown to love and treasure so much. I am a better person because God allowed them into my life. For that I will always be grateful. I am so glad that we had this time together .................with just the girls. Be Blessed until next time.

Plank or sawdust?

How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
"Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces. Matthew 7:4-6

This scripture out of Matthew has always amused me when I visualize the question posed in this verse? However this question is no laughing matter when you take time to ponder it's true meaning. Last night at our small group gathering we discussed what we thought this scripture was all about. I am still having trouble wrapping my mind around the whole meaning. I keep thinking there has to be more to it then what it states. But does it? I always thought it meant that if you were advising someone about some sin in their life that you had to make sure you too were not in that same sin. But now I think it means that I am not to judge that person's little speck when I myself have a huge plank of sin that I don't even see. First I need to deal with my own sin in my life by repenting to God. Then as God takes that sin away and gives me a right heart to speak to my brother I will see their sin for what it is....God alone will give me the insight to be able to do this. I have more pondering and praying to do about this because I am just not sure I have the whole concept right. However I am sure that God will give me the answers I seek. Be blessed ya'll and watch out for your planks....you could poke an eye out. :-)

Can Salsa change the world?

Good morning readers of my ever so silly blog today! :-0 So I ask you...can Salsa really change the world we live in? The reason I ask this and ponder this is because in the last week I have been reminded of how salsa has been a part of my life. Yes that sounds nuts doesn't it. But let me tell you all about it.............When I was 15 or 16 I got a job as a waitress in Moriarty NM at a place call El Comedor. I worked summers and weekends during the school year and loved it. This place served the BEST salsa and Mexican food. Even though I was raised in a home where one of my parents was Spanish I can't say I had ever had salsa up until I got this job. I didn't know it existed. How awful is that??? :-) Anyway as time went by I learned how to make this yummy stuff and would bring home a batch with homemade chips pretty much every Saturday that I worked. Our family grew to love the stuff and in time my mom started making it at home. Yea! Yummy Yummy! It was great stuff and really HOT (chili hot) most of the time. When I met and started dating my hubby Troy our first date was at El Comedor and we had.........you guessed it.........yummy salsa and chips and root beers. Oh sweet memories! Ha! After getting married it became a staple in our home just like ketchup or mustard. I made it for parties, for pot lucks, for the kids for school, for whatever the occasion. And there was always a batch in the fridge for us to eat. Many times people would ask where we bought it. JAR SALSA...perish the thought. That just wasn't right and almost seemed like a sin. I know a little dramatic right. Ha! The thought of buying salsa in a jar even to this day seems not right to me so I don't.......most of the time. Once in a while I give in and I critic whatever brand it is to the point where I realize I wasted my money.....again. Hmmm where was I......oh yes....the history of salsa in my life.....I taught each of my three kids how to make it. Now that they are grown and living all over the place they have each changed the recipe to fit their tastes. Our son in Missouri makes his with fresh grown jalapenos....his kiddos love it. My daughter in NM uses canned jalapenos and Rotel tomatoes to make hers and I am not sure how my son in South Dakota makes his but I do know he does. Every where we have been stationed in the Air Force whether it be Idaho, England or NM I have always made salsa to take to parties. For the most part people are receptive and will at least try it. Some like it and some don't but most...love it. When we moved here to Florida I did the same thing for get togethers. Of course I wasn't prepared for southerns who didn't LIKE salsa. How can you not like salsa? Isn't that wrong somehow? Well it didn't take me long to realize they had always eaten the stuff in a jar or the salsa that the restaurants serve around here.....note I am not trying to cut down the places here in Florida....it's just not like back in NM. With a little coaching we have been able to get most of our friends to try it and you know what............they like it..........no that's not right...........they love it!!! It is now requested for most any party or get together. Now to this week...........this week I talked with a friend I had lost touch with who is from Boston. She was a Hall Director at the college where I worked years ago. We became friends in a craft group I had started and she was introduced to salsa. When I emailed her I asked if she was still crafting and she said not so much but she did do something that I wouldn't believe. She is KNOWN for her salsa in Boston. Yes the northerners love the stuff and request it anytime she is coming to party. Ha! Ha! Talk about funny...I just couldn't believe it. Then my son in South Dakota called on Saturday to chat. He told me he was making salsa for his wife's first Creative Memories gathering. He said all her friends request he makes it. :-) How great is that? Then I have an aunt who lives in California that gave me an idea for a ministry. She visits shut-ins all the time and she brings them homemade salsa, tortillas and a visit from her. Such a simple thing but brings lots of pleasure to the one receiving it. I am not saying I will do the tortilla thing but the salsa idea stuck. This week I brought a batch of salsa to a friend who had been sick. I also make it for friends...just cuz they love it. Last night I got an email requesting that I make it for an upcoming Super bowl party. Yummy! So I ask you can salsa really change the world we live in? I am not sure "salsa" is really changing the world but it is a tool that I can use to open a door to conversation, some laughter and little TLC for those I share it with. It's a simple comfort food to this gal from NM. It's a way in which I share a little bit of my past with others and little bit of love to them. We think we have to do "something big" to change the world when really it's all about the little things. Be creative you bloggers out there and touch someones life with a part of your life.

Here's the recipe for my homemade salsa....maybe you too can start a family favorite to share.....who knows you might change someones world! Be blessed until next time!

Pamelita’s Salsa

In a blender combine…

1-2 (8oz) cans of tomatoes
1-2 fresh jalapeno peppers (or you can used canned jalapenos)
2-3 cloves of fresh garlic
1-2 tablespoon of dehydrated onion *
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1-2 teaspoons dried cilantro *
Salt to taste

Blend to the consistency you like. *Adding fresh ingredients instead of dry will change the taste but is optional. Serve with tortilla chips.

Learning about Forgiveness

Good morning bloggers! :-) Today's blog is about forgiveness. (I thought I had already learned this lesson by the way!) Last week week or was it week before last when my grandson was so ill I was trying to be a good daughter and let my parents know what was going on. I almost didn't tell them about this and wanted to wait till after the crisis was over but thought no that's not right and I need their prayers. I knew my dad would take the news okay but I wasn't so sure about my mom. A little history on my mom...................My mom is the oldest of fifteen children. She was born to migrant farm workers back in the 30's. My grandma went to the second grade and could never read or write. My grandfather could read and write but his world was his home, his sheep and family. Her parents were very "unloving" towards her growing up and I grew up hearing stories about being disciplined with a barber belt of all things. I knew my mom had a hard life but it wasn't until I grew up how I realized that would effect how she would raise my sister and I. She was and is a good mother. She made sure that we both had every thing we ever needed and some of what we wanted. She was strict with us but we knew that this was because she loved us. However for all my mom's wonderful qualities she was "unloving" towards my sister and I physically. By that I mean hugs were in short supply. She would kiss us goodbye and goodnight. But that was it.....which is a good thing and not bad. BUT I was and still am a very sensitive and emotional person so there were many times when I was hurt over something as trivial as having a fight with a friend I would want my mom to hug me and tell me it was going to be okay.........I wanted to be comforted. Instead I would be given the speech that I needed to buck up and be tough. I wasn't to cry as it was a sign of weakness and I was to come across to the whole world like I had my stuff together. Looking back this was a lot to ask of a kid plus it's just wrong thinking. However I know NOW because of my moms upbringing this was all she knew and this is what she was passing on to me. I didn't get beaten. I didn't get harsh punishment. I did get told off in Spanish though. ha! Now that was funny but another totally different story I may tell you another time. My mom was a good mom....I don't want this to come across as something bad on her part. This is all about me and how I thought these actions hadn't effected me. Okay now to present time.....my mom has mellowed a lot. She has gotten older and realized how short a life she has left on this earth. She also suffers from depression and so that in and of it's self has changed her so much. She cries easier these days and has just softened. When I visit she wants me to hug on her a lot and I do. But it's still weird to me. Who is this changed person...where's the tough drill sergeant mom? Ha! Oh and did I mention my mom is the QUEEN of worry. If she hasn't anything to worry about...she worries about that. So I knew when I called her about my grandson being sick this was going to worry her. I don't like causing my mom undue worry so I try and limit the things that I tell her. After I told her what was going on I told her I would call with any changes. Now I knew deep in my mind that she wasn't going to wait for me to call her. And she didn't. She called and she called and she called. And she tried calling my daughter I am sure too. It was driving me up a tree. And as the week progressed and still there was no answer to what ailed him she started trying to comfort me and it just ticked me off. I was short with her. I didn't want to hear it and I was tired of her calling me so much. Because after all I couldn't show weakness. And I couldn't cry on her shoulder...I had to be a tough little soldier with her at least. Whew! After my grandson got to come home and the doctors said all would be well I called mom to report the news. She had called my daughter and found this out herself as I wasn't quick enough for her. Ha! She was content and that is a good thing. But days later I had this sense of discomfort in my soul. I knew something was up and I couldn't pinpoint the cause of my distress. I kept thinking about my mom and how I had treated her. And even though I hadn't been rude.........I had not been the loving, kind daughter of Christ that I have been called to be. I KNEW this to the depths of my soul that I had a problem. So I asked my husband. He listened and gave his take on it but what he had to say didn't sound right either. So I called a dear friend who is also my aunt that lives in California. She is very spiritual and loves the Lord so much. She lives the walk she talks. Oh and did I mention this is my mom's younger sister? So she was raised the same way my mom was. I told her about my grandson. I told her about mom and how I had treated her. I told her of my struggle with finding out exactly what it was that had me so bothered. She listened and asked me....have you prayed and asked God to show you the "root" of your problem? No I hadn't prayed that specific. So I did and the same day it came to me..........don't you just love that saying.......it came to me....(that was God my friends) that when I was little and wanted my mom to comfort me she wouldn't. I felt cheated by this and swore I would never be like this with my children. I thought I had forgiven that treatment based on the fact that she had such a rough life and I just knew better. But what I didn't realize is that I was not allowing her to comfort me so that I could make her pay for how she had treated me many times. BINGO! I felt horrible. I hadn't really forgiven my mom's treatment. I had justified it, buried it, etc. I prayed and asked God's forgiveness right away and I called my mom to apologize to her. I think I would have spilled my guts out if she would have let me but she wouldn't. She just said "oh don't you worry about it.....you were just worried about your grandson" and that was that. As far as she was concerned it wasn't even an issue. Talk about grace from an unexpected source. My mom has changed and I am so thankful to God for that change. I am also so thankful that he showed me the error of my ways. I have prayed that he will pull this root out. I know he will. And I know I will be tested again.........cause after all I have lots of living to still do and tribulation will come and I will be calling her again. Here's hoping I really learned my lesson to forgive.



I am so thankful to our savior Jesus Christ who saved me from my sins...past...present...and future. He gave me a wonderful parents who love me so much. He gives me so much grace and has even shown my mom how to forgive, change, and give grace. Praise God for this.

I also learned that I need to be upfront with my mom. I need to show my emotions and don't act tough. I need to show her love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control....hmmmm those sound like the fruit of the spirit. Amazing!



It's funny how God works................guess what we are studying in our bible study group..........yep you guessed it....forgiveness. God is so good. So as Jesus said in Matthew 6:12...."Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors." Good advice don't ya think! Forgive me for making this post so long. I am sure there is a quicker way to say what I did but then that just wouldn't be me. Until next time.........be blessed.

Two steps forward and five back

Have you ever had one of those days where it seems like everything you tackle or try to do just doesn't turn out the way you planned? I have had one of those days today. It started off with going to a local store to buy a house warming gift. I found what I wanted pretty fast but I love this store so I thought I will just look at all the clearanced items. After all most things were 75 percent off. In a bin with some patchwork handbags I found two cute pink cosmetic bags. Was their a price on it? Oh no of course not. So I rooted around thinking there would have to be one more in there. Nope. Oh well..surely one of four sales girls will know what these are selling for. I place my item on my ever growing stack of items and continue to look around. I finally realize I need to get out of there before I spend more than what I should. One of the girls goes to ring me up and asks another clerk if she knows the price of the two bag set. She doesn't but says I will look it up. The clerk rings up everything else I have and I was pleased to see I had only spent 20 dollars. Not bad for thirty minutes of shopping. In the meantime I am waiting for the price for the bag. These two girls look and look and look and look. They ask the third clerk and she says give it to her free if she buys a candle. :-) Now that girl I like!!! But no they didn't listen to her. Instead they try the computer next...still no price. Then they ask a fourth girl who I find out later is the manager and she doesn't know either. In the meantime a couple other people have finished their sales and still I wait. I am not really good at waiting but I have learned to be more so as I went through a period of 6-9 months where any and every situation I found myself in.............I was waiting. So while I waited I thought okay don't get mad, they are young, they are trying to help you etc. But the longer I wait the more frustrated inside I began to feel. They go get the manager and one of them says sorry for the wait. By then I realized I really don't need the bag. This must be a sign so I tell the girl it's okay...I don't need it...just ring me up please. Now I haven't raised my voice but I know that I must look frustrated. Because to tell you the truth those bags couldn't have been more then 5 dollars and they were spending forever to find the price....three of them. I think they really lost money on this deal. As I am leaving the one clerk said...maybe when you come back it will be priced. Ha! I am not sure I will be back. It was just that these were pink and I love pink. Oh well I can find another bag.

My second frustration was I just couldn't seem to get things right with my sewing projects. I am making a table cloth or I should say I made the table cloth top and I thought I would sew a back to it. I measure out the fabric and start to sew. One side is an inch too short. I have to shorten the adjoining sides. Then the next side is four inches too short and I think how in the world did I do that. I finish up the last side and there are puckers everywhere. So the table cloth is NOT going to have a back. I will just finish the edge. Ha! Tomorrow I will try again.

I am also making a baby blanket for a friend who just had a baby girl. I cut out four sunbonnet sue appliques and put decorative stitching on all four. Two of the girls face one way and two were supposed to face the other way. When I went to sew the squares together I had only made one facing to the left and the other three were facing to the right. How did I do that? And why didn't I notice it when I did it? But I thought oh well that is okay I will just use the two that are facing one another. I sewed strips of fabric around the blocks and had the biggest quilt top that looked just ridiculous. By this time I am thinking I just need to stop but I didn't. Instead I cut it down around the sides but it is too long now. Sooooooo I cut some of the middle out and sew the two sides back together. Do they go back together just perfect. Oh no way!!! I am not sure how this happened and for those of you who are reading this you probably don't understand a thing I am saying. But that is okay. This is therapy. Ha! I can either start all over. NOT. Or I can fix this. I had some leftover fabric.............what to do....what to do....I think. Then it hits me...just applique a heart over the two spots where they don't meet just perfect. It will all blend and it does. But I still know the flaws are there. Oh well that's what I get for not stopping.

And as I reread this there are many typos...some I found and some you will find.....

And that is my day. Hope your day was more productive. Maybe tomorrow will be for me. Until next time be blessed.

Grandson update

Well here it is January 22nd and I haven't been on this blog spot for a while. Sorry about that. I wanted to update everyone on my grandson. He is back in school and doing a lot better. He still walks hunched over. They are not sure what that is all about but he is doing better. He should be going back next week for a follow up appointment. We are very blessed and thankful for this quick recovery and pray this was a one time deal. His parents have reconciled their differences...still................which I praise God for. They have had a BBQ together and gone to two ball games of the boys. God is so gracious and merciful. What could have been a very stressful, finger pointing experience turned into a time of renewal and putting the kids first. Yea God! I pray for continued healing for my grandson physically as well as emotionally. I know that our Lord is with Him and healing Him. Thanks for all the continued prayers.

Miracles still happen

Wow it is almost Friday...in a few minutes. This week has been one of the longest of my life. I have prayed more and asked for more peace from God this week. He has always answered but he really came through this week. I couldn't have made it without him. This week one of my grandsons has been the hospital with a "still" unknown illness. He complained his legs, back and neck hurt. Many tests were run on him starting with a spinal tap that was horrible. He also had a MRI, EEG and various other urine and blood tests. The doctors have finally concluded that he either had a virus that attacked his muscles or it was nuerological. He is being released from the hospital tomorrow to go home. yeah! He has a walker and a small wheel chair to use as walking makes him tired. At first when he walked, he would walk on tippy toes with his back hunched. Now he is taking steps but they tire him and he naps alot. But he is doing better and will have a physical therapist as well as counselor when he gets home to New Mexico.

My grandson together with his brother have been under a lot of strain and stress for some time. Their parents got divorced years ago and it has been war ever since between the two of them. As adults we think that when children are little they don't hear or see things but they do. He has watched his parents fight verbally for years now. About a year ago there was a change in custody where his dad was the primary custodian. This turned his life upside down as he was no longer with his mom but every other weekend and one afternoon a week. There was a sadness that came over him when this happened but everyone said kids get over things. He will be fine. But he has not been fine and has grown angrier and sadder. Then this illness happened. For the first time in years the parents had to communicate and get along for their sons sake. And get along they have. A miracle happened this week. All parties involved came together for the good of their son not themselves.

Tonight I got a call from his mom and she told me that they had sat down with him tonight to tell him how sorry they were for behaving the way they have. They tried to explain to him how wrong they had been and how it was OKAY to love all of them. His mom said the change that came over him was amazing. He started giggling and smiling. He was hugging everyone and so happy. He told his mom that he didn't think his brother was going to believe they were all friends now. WOW! Is God good or what! This couldn't have happened without love. Harsh words can hurt and they can kill. Only love can truly change lives. I am so thankful that even though this week was hard for the grandparents....and especially for my grandson....it was equally humbling and life changing for the parents. I pray that God continues to show them the right path that they need to walk on. That they need to put their sons needs before their own and to sacrifice whatever prideful feelings they have to get along and raise their sons. I also pray that through this experience they learn to walk with God and seek him out even in the good times. I also pray that my grandson continues to heal physically as well as mentally and spiritually. So remember miracles still happen....you just have to have faith, pray, praise and believe. Then stand back and watch God at work. He is amazing. Thank you Jesus!