Are you a mom.... How much are you worth?

Well, Mother's Day is almost here and although my husband thinks this is one of those Hallmark holidays, I truly enjoy Mother's Day.
Why? because it reminds us that there is a special person in our lives who gave us life. She knew us 9 months before everyone else on this earth did. Now, I know it does not compare to how the Father knows us because He knew us before our parents even had a thought about us.
You may say how did your mother know you before everyone else did? I can truly say that there are ways my children move and things they do that I felt while they were in my womb.
These past few weeks I have been having some health issues and my mom has been......just that....a mom. Yes, I am 44 years old but I am still her child and she still loves me like the moment that she brought me into this world.
I am sure there were times that she felt like she was overwhelmed with the task of being a mother and that she was simply underpaid for this job that she did not interview for.
Mom, the scriptures tell us that your value is better than gold.
If you are a mom and feeling a little under appreciated today......take heart.....you are working on a pay off that lasts a lifetime. Those "paydays" may come few and far between but there is a big pay day. When they are fully functioning adults who find someone to share their lives with and are contributing to society and changing their world you will see the big pay off. It's the MOTHERHOOD buy out plan.
If you want to have a little fun click on the link below and take the quiz to see how much you should get paid. I guess I am worth $ 167,000 per year. I would enjoy that pay day!?!?!
Finally, let me say.......Happy Mother's Day!!!

http://swz.salary.com/momsalarywizard/layoutscripts/mswl_newsearch.asp

Cashew Chicken

For the last week I have been thinking about my life in college back in the 80's at Evangel and CBC.

Those were some great days and memories that bring a smile to my face when I think about it. My freshman year I spent at Evangel College on N. Glenstone. I still remember for weeks hearing people talk about "Cashew Chicken". I had no idea why this dish was so popular and why people were obsessed with it. College food was enough of an adventure for me...much less to try any new food. But one Sunday night I was desperate. I had been sick all week, had no car, and missed the favorite of the week in the Cafe on Sunday after church and had enough pizza. So I walked across the street with some friends to this little dive that served Chinese food. I really don't remember what the name of the place was but it was about the size of a box. I gave in and tried Cashew Chicken and was hooked.

It has been years since I have been to Springfield and had some Cashew Chicken. Our Evangel and CBC students at church have always brought some home for me when they could and I am thankful but it's been a long time since I had some and that sounds really good right now.

I found the recipe and the story behind Cashew Chicken and thought I would post it. When I feel better, I think I will make myself some. Enjoy!!

CASHEW CHICKEN STORY
A particularly notable version of the dish, using breaded, deep fried chicken rather than stir-fried, is closely associated with the city of Springfield, Missouri. Springfield-style cashew chicken was first served in 1963 at the Grove Supper Club in Springfield. David Leong, the chef, who moved to the United States from China in 1940, struggled to gain acceptance for the foods of his homeland so he began searching for a dish that would appeal to local residents' taste buds. His famous cashew chicken recipe was so popular he soon opened Leong's Tea House in Springfield. The dish became exceedingly popular in the Springfield area and is often cited as the unofficial "dish of the city".
Borrowing from the local love of fried chicken, David Leong came up with a combination of fried chicken chunks covered with Chinese oyster sauce, a handful of cashews and chopped green onions--an immediate hit with the local crowd. As word spread about the dish, so did the recipe. Leong's Tea House closed its doors in 1997, but Springfield-style cashew chicken is still being served at over 70 Chinese restaurants, as well as many non-Chinese restaurants, in and around the Springfield metropolitan area, and elsewhere in Missouri and other states.

Springfield-Style Cashew Chicken:
Serves 4.
4-5 chicken breasts, chunked in 1" pieces
1 cup all purpose flour for dredging, more if needed
Salt and Pepper
Olive or expeller pressed canola oil
Hot cooked rice
1) Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees. Put flour, salt, and pepper in gallon sized baggie and shake to mix spices around. Put all of the chicken chunks in, seal, and shake around to cover. Let sit 15 minutes.
2) Saute chicken in batches in heavy, oven-proof skillet in a 3-4 Tbsp Olive or expeller pressed canola oil. As chicken browns, transfer to a paper towel covered plate and let drain. When finished browning all of the chicken, empty and wipe out any excess oil from the skillet.
3) Place the chicken back into the skillet and bake for 20 minutes on 375 degrees.
While chicken is baking, prepare the sauce (rice should already be prepared or in the process of steaming at this point).
For the sauce, in a small saucepan, combine:
1 cup chicken stock
1/2 cup water
2 tsp Sugar
2 tbsp Oyster sauce
1 tbsp Soy sauce
2 Tbsp cornstarch
1) Bring to a simmer until thickened, whisking the entire time to prevent lumps from the cornstarch.
To serve, layer chicken and sauce over rice and garnish with:
Cashews
Green onions

Dream

Some people dream of success... while others wake up and work hard at it. ~AuthorUnknown

I have a lot of dreams, and goals that I think would be awesome to accomplish! I have challenges in my life that I would really like to be able to overcome, and slowly I am learning how to overcome these challenges and accomplish these goals. The most important component of achieving ones goals though is deciding to work at them instead of just standing around dreaming of them. Often the only thing that separates a successful person from a failure is that the successful person simply chose to would work on achieving their goals. It is so easy to simply become an observer in life rather than become an active participant who changes things they see as unfit. If you want to overcome the challenges you face in life, the first step is to decide to work at it!
Are you a dreamer or a sitter? Do you watch or run? Do you encourage or discourage? Are you a dream builder or dream killer?
It's never to late to begin......the choice is yours! God does not forget your dreams!!!
Proverbs 3:5-6
"Trust in the Lord in the Lord with all your heart.....and He will give you the desires of your heart."

The Honor of Serving

It's no secret that I really enjoy teens. They are full of such hope and energy that I don't have...(the energy that is).
I serve the Chardon Local School District as a member of the Board of Education. It has truly been an honor to serve the students, parents, teachers, and voters of this district. I did not really enjoy to campaign process but since I have been on the board, I have found it an honor.
Today I got to do one of the fun parts of the job.
The Chardon HS Cheerleaders are 3 year National Champions. This morning they left for Orlando to see Mickey and bring home another National Championship. Yes, girls.....YOU ARE GOING TO DISNEY WORLD!!!
I enjoyed talking with parents and the girls. They even let me take a group picture with the Champions.
Today, I am thankful for the many opportunities that God has afforded me in this life. He has taken me to places I have dreamed of and allowed me to meet people that are His children and that He loves.
Today, I am thankful for the honor to serve and be a servant.
I want to say Good Luck to the CHS Cheerleaders........We are very proud of you girls!!!

Blonde for a day - part 2

Enough already. I am glad you are all having a good laugh at my expense because that's all a person could do was laugh.

And now......by popular request.....the pictures to prove the blunder. Enjoy!!

God is God - Steven Curtis Chapman

This song has been on my mind all day.
Sometimes we all need to be reminded that God's ways are not ours. His plan is perfect and He....YES......HE alone sees the entire plan!

GOD IS GOD
And the pain falls like a curtain
On the things I once called certain
And I have to say the words I fear the most
I just don't know
And the questions without answers
Come and paralyze the dancer
So I stand here on the stage afraid to move
Afraid to fall, oh, but fall I must
On this truth that my life has been formed from the dust
CHORUS:God is God and I am not
I can only see a part of the picture
He's paintingGod is God and I am man
So I'll never understand it all
For only God is God
And the sky begins to thunder
And I'm filled with awe and wonder
'Til the only burning question that remainsIs who am
ICan I form a single mountain
Take the stars in hand and count them
Can I even take a breath without
God giving it to me
He is first and last before all that has been
Beyond all that will pass
CHORUS: Oh, how great are the riches of His wisdom and knowledge
How unsearchable for to Him and through Him and from Him are all things
So let us worship before the throne
Of the One who is worthy of worship alone

Old People Polish

I am blond! Yes, you heard me folks.....I am a blond now.
Yesterday I decided to do something for myself. I should say......I let someone do something for me that I normally do myself. My son calls it "OLD PEOPLE POLISH."

I have started to gray around my temples and have had a hard time covering it for any length of time. So I decided to spend the money and go to the beauty shop and get my hair highlighted and the gray covered........BIG MISTAKE!

Now for years, I have done my own hair and managed just fine. You would think I would be content but NO!!! I have to try the commercial way and get my hair done. SO.....I spent 24 hours as a blond.

Do they have more fun? Not in my 24 hours. All I wanted to do is hide my head and happened to have a day where I needed to be out in public. O Joy!!?!?!?!
The look on my husband's face was priceless; my children were not amused and in fact....laughed.
They are all such supportive people!!!

Anyhow, today I went back to the salon and WASHED THAT BLONDE RIGHT OUT OF MY HAIR.

Moral to this story....Why spend the money and let someone mess up what you can mess up yourself???? Next time, go out and get yourself some OLD PEOPLE POLISH and do your hair yourself and save at least $40 bucks.