$$$ Saving Laundry Soap Mix last for months~

Almost a year ago I was on Pintrest and discovered Laundry Soap you make that last a very long time so I had to try it!

This is one thing I am truly glad I pinned and did!  We have saved so much $$ over the past year in laundry detergent and this recipe is so incredibly easy, inexpensive, works perfectly and lasts for months!

Here is what I used to make a batch the other day:

The needed things to make this wonderful laundry fix are:

A painter's bucket - got at Home Depot for a couple dollars

Cheese Grater - the $ Store

2 Containers of Oxy Clean or the generic brand is fine ( I use both or mix if the store only has 1 of each )

1 Box Borax

1 Box Arm and Hammer Super Washing Soda

1 Box Large Arm and Hammer Baking Soda

1 or 2 Bars of the Fels-Naptha Bar Laundry Soap

I empty all the ingredients into the painters bucket, but make sure to do slowly and I turn my head for the dust, then I use the large side of the grater and grate the Nels-Naptha Bar soap right into it.  I just mix all together using my hands, until the what looks like "cheese" is mixed through and then pour into the 5$ container I purchased at Walmart.  I use the scoop from the Oxy cleaner and if a really large load I use 2 scoops.  That's it!  Mine lasts approximately 8-9 months!

I have a regular machine but on all the packages it says safe for He machines.  

Do use at your own discretion as this is just what I use and share with family.  I am not taking credit for this idea as I received it from the blog linked below, she answers more ?'s if you have doubts.  

Here is the breakdown in price for months of laundry soap:    :)

Walmart:  

Container: 5.00

Oxy-Clean 3.86

Fels-Naptha .97

Super Wash Soda 3.24

Large Baking Soda  2.18

Borax 3.38

Total:  18.63   

- 5.00 for the refills

13.63  !!   

Hoping you enjoy this as much as we have!  It is truly nice NOT to have buy Tide or Cheer $$ every 2-3 weeks!

Here is the link for the pin I got it from.

http://beingcreativetokeepmysanity.blogspot.com/2010/11/homemade-laundry-soap.html#comments

Thanks to her we are spreading the $$$ saving secrets and love her site for sharing!

Up cycle from an Old bottle to Laundry Loot

Today we were graced with a cold front blowing in that brought much needed rain and with it some amazing skies, I am always amazed at God's masterpiece that is breathtakingly beautiful. Just look!

Kendall and I had finished school and always trying to clean, organize ad find use for things I came across a Patron bottle that I've held onto for years because I loved the shape and knew I could find a use for it someday.

Well, today was that moment! I don't have a cricket, my husband is the production manager at a sign company and I didn't want to wait and realized I do have lots of scrap booking supplies! :)

1 old, cool bottle and some vinyl stickers 5 minutes later and now have something neat to hold the change I always find!  My husband was pleasantly surprised, it's just the little things that can make you smile.

Wishing you a very craft-like, fun day!  Just look around to see what you can find, you may surprise yourself with your own creation! Turning trash into treasure  :)

Alzheimer's sucks...... God help me 2

So this is part 2 of my post regarding my day yesterday...January 28, 2013

We were excited to see my Mom, Kendall's Yai-Yai for the first time this year!

I was nervous because it had been so long, excited because we finally get to see her yet could feel that I was stressed about it.  The closer we got to the nursing home the more I could feel my heart beat and was aware my blood pressure was elevated.

Kendall and I park in our same parking place, under the giant tree in the grass, very shady.

We unload to make the trek up the ridiculously high steep hill to get to the front door.  Seriously, who in their right mind would build a nursing home atop a giant steep hill?  We are always amazed at the walk up.  We enter to see one of the residents that was happy to see us and proceeded to Mom's room.

I saw her sitting, watching TV and she had coloring pages and a color in her hand.  She was moving her hand like she was coloring but not really getting color onto the paper.  She looked up and I said "Mom!!  Hi Mom!" and walked over to her.  She just looked at Kendall and I and said nothing.  We loved on her, told her how happy we were to see her, asked her if she was okay and she just blankly looked at us.  Kendall said, "Yai-Yai, it's me, Kendall" and still nothing.  My heart hurt for my 11 year old who like me remembers being with Yai-Yai all the time and going places and doing things together to her now, in this condition.  My precious daughter, loves my mom so much and just doesn't understand.  

Mom wasn't saying a word but her eyes followed my every move.  She never quit looking at me.  I looked at her with the IV still in her right hand, not hooked up just the port so they can re-hydrate if they need to.  I explained to her why it had been a month since we'd seen her that we all had the flu then when we were well she was sick and it took 2 weeks to get through the nursing home before we could safely come back.  

I said "it has been a long time; I've missed you and I love you", she then said clear as a bell "it has been a long time" and that was the only thing she said in the hour and a half we were there.  My friend who is also an aid there and looks after mom noticed the colors weren't coloring and gave Mom a marker.  The next thing I know she is just holding it in her hand.  We were trying to get her to drink some tea but she would act like she was swallowing and just hold the liquid in her mouth until it would start dripping from her lips down her chin.  :(   I would wipe it then the aid tried and the same thing.

The RN for mom came to speak with me with her giant chart and asked if I had any questions.  I let her know that I was concerned Mom wasn't speaking and that her bottom lip was protruding and she just didn't seem right.  The RN then let me know that they were trying to get the UTI cleared up and they couldn't tell if the way she was acting was from the infection or the disease.  I noticed she was still holding that marker and I asked to her let me have it and open her hand, she looked at me and I said "Mom, open your hand, please, the marker is getting all over your hand," she looked down at her hand and opened it up for me and I took the marker and gave her back a crayon.

The RN and I then stepped outside the room and I asked if why the IV port was still in her hand and explained that she was not swallowing.  I explained I was worried about her that she just didn't seem right.  I questioned if because I hadn't seen her in a few weeks if that could cause this and she told me no. The RN then told me that Mom does know who I am because she responded to me.  The RN Natalie told me that mom wouldn't respond for any of them like she just did for me.  She said, she opened her hand up for you and would not do that for any of them.  

Natalie and I then talked again about Hospice and she said she would get me a list and that I should speak with the Social Worker to get all the questions to ask them so I could find the right one and to select carefully.  We then talked about the benefits of Hospice and that lead to something else....

Natalie said that I have something I can't remember the name but it means if Mom's heart stops that they will revive her.  I said, yes, when she came last September and they asked me I still believe with all my heart that Mom would get better, that it was just the medicine they had her on making her like she was and that during a care plan several months ago was forced to face the fact that she is not going to get better and that her disease was progressing quickly.

Natalie the RN, is a little younger, soft, beautiful skin, happy eyes that remind me of my high school friend Beth Grubbs, the eyes just look like they are smiling.  Her hair, light brownish blonde was pulled back into a pony tail and she is just as sweet, soft spoken and honest as she can be explained to me that all kinds of things could happen if Mom coded.  The nursing home is going to talk with me and explain everything to me, for starters when reviving Mom they could break her ribs!  :((   Kendall and I said goodbye and Kendall said to me "today was a sad visit Mommy, Yai-Yai seemed really sad."

I was so not ready for this much less prepared for any of this!  I just wanted to see Mom, was concerned why she wasn't talking with me and worried about her not swallowing liquids.  We will be discussing the DNR the next visit at the end of this week.

My heart breaks thinking about this decision, I can't put my mind around not reviving Mom except when I see her quality of life.  What would she want? Honestly, she colored her hair religiously every 4 weeks, she wore and took care of her face with Clinique as long as I can remember and in my 20's bought me the start up kit and taught me how to care for my skin.  My mom, took pride in taking care and painting her nails, putting on her jewelry every day and just her own personal hygiene.  Her favorite things were the Food Network cooking channel and Channel 13 Saturday programs for their culinary flare such as Julia Childs, Rick Steve's Europe etc...  

My heart breaks, I want my Mom, but I am her legal guardian and with that it is to act in her best interest and it is not about me. I will talk with the Social Worker and Nursing Staff to discuss exactly what I need to do next such as get my Mom hospice so that she is comfortable always....and change my choice to DNR......do not resuscitate..... when the Lord is ready to bring her home.

God help me, help me, help me, please.......   I love my Mom............

Alzheimer's sucks another blow..... God help me 1

Monday,  January 28th, 2013

Today was an overcast morning here in North Texas.  We meaning Kendall my daughter and I woke a little late after our big weekend and were very excited because today was the 1st day we were going to see my Mom all year!!  

Seriously, Christmas Eve we spent with my Mom, we talked and interacted together it was a good day.  We planned on going back that next Friday, the 28th... but fate had another plan. My husband calls me from the office saying " I have chills and don't feel well" and I tell him to come on home.  

The flu is in Texas and really spreading and I prayed that wasn't it.  I made the choice to not see Mom today so that to prepare for him, just in case I got the linens changed, kleenex out, Emergen-C  out and prepared supper to help him when he got home.

My sweet husband came home, felt so bad, took his temperature 102 and sent him to bed.  He told me he felt "drunk" and well his cough that started that morning was by the evening was nothing to take lightly.  He went to bed and was there, basically, 3 days!  I put on a mask, packed an overnight bag and camped out in the den/family room and used the hall bathroom.  He was home but Kendall and I were alone, Friday, Saturday (with the exception of  my 2 aunts and cousin for a couple of hours) and Sunday.   

Sunday, the 30th, David felt good enough to sit in the recliner for a couple hours then back to bed, yet away from us, he had the flu.  However, sleeping on the couch around 2:30 a.m. New Years Eve morning Kendall wakes me to say she's not feeling well.  :(  I jumped liked the scene from Home Alone when the parents realize they've over slept!  She startled me and I jumped.  She laughed despite feeling crappy with fever around 100.  Gave her some Advil and off to bed.  I prayed, went back to sleep the best I could because all I could do was think about my 11 year old precious daughter and loving husband whom I'd not slept with since the Friday night he coughed in my hair all night!

So we woke the next day,New Years Eve and Kendall had developed the deep, loud, congested, scary cough that had been with David the past 3 days.  He was now over his fever and hers was escalating to the point she was complaining about a headache and restless. 102.7 and Ibuprophen and Tylenol every 4 hours.  She, unlike her father wanted to be in the den recliner with me around.  When I put her to bed set my alarm for every 4 hours to alternate meds and keep her fever down because this is how I was raised.  My Papaw was an MD and my Grandmother a RN....not to mention I was on the Deans Academic List in Nursing School!

Thank the good Lord I have always prepared Kendall to wake when I came to her room with meds to take but did my best to make it special as this was New Years Eve.

12 am temperature check, medicine and 2 vanilla wafers plus a bottled water.  You can't take meds on an empty tummy and she sat up took her meds with a smile and went back to sleep as I told her to be ready to wake again for another dose.  God has blessed me with the ability to explain to her all her life what is going on so it doesn't come as a surprise and she responds with His grace.  

I, alone, celebrated New Year's Eve with my Wine Toast in my special Tis the Season Fa La La La La glass, by the glow of our Christmas Tree which was so beautiful.  I was glad to be able to take care of them but sad as I didn't get to see my Mom Friday and now here I was taking care of my husband and daughter that had the flu so I couldn't think of taking that around her and the 1st New Years in 16 years David and I didn't share a kiss at midnight.

  Thank God it was a quiet night because I'm by now, exhausted!  I mean, really!!  Back on the couch for my next nap.

The next morning, January 1, 2013

David feeling human again and out of our bedroom; Kendall clingy still alternating meds but letting more time go in between doses to see where the fever is at.  The next thing I know it's time for bed, Kendall wants me to stay with her; she coughs all over me and I pray, silently, Lord help me not to get this and to get through this....

Well we manage to get through with David having fever 3 days, Kendall for 2 and I was super thankful that I had managed to miss the flu as I nursed my family back to health and that I stayed well.  We were together on January 2nd Kendall's fever going down and feeling better.  , was a quiet day we sat as a family watching movies all day doing nothing but together; finally.  I was super tired this day and by that evening, yep, started feeling like I was getting a cold.

January 3, woke up freezing even though I was under 4 blankets and feeling like my skin was crawling.  When I went to the bathroom and pulled my pants down it hurt my skin.  I had 101.5 dad gum it; i hadn't missed it.  I felt awful.  Mine, however, was in my head, fever for me just 24 hours.  Thank the good Lord!

According to the CDC and all the news casts show all about the flu spreading and how you are contagious 7 days after fever is gone and that coughs can last for up to 18 days, and the fatigue or tiredness lingers for at least 7-10 days for each of us.   I am, have always been a little bit of a germ freak.  I wipe the handles of carts and have for years with antibacterial wipes.  

So we stay in, not going anywhere until January 16th with only David going to work and the store if we need something.  We got ready to go see mom on the 10th only to find out she had the stomach virus and it was spreading all through the nursing home!  

2 weeks and the nursing home is all clear, January 29th we went to see her and boom.... next blog.... God help me 2

Alzheimer's Devastating Curse 1

On October 17th, 2012 I sent out this email to my family, friends and anyone that I could think of who knew or loved my mother:

After prayerful consideration I am compelled to let everyone know just what is going on with my Mom/Vicki

so that no one is shocked or left out and understands exactly where she is and why.  This does not come lightly but is necessary as mom loves each of you and you have been an integral part of her life at some point and would not be fair to her to not give everyone the ability to see her.

As you know by now or have heard through the grapevine that Mom/Vicki has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's/Dementia & she will be 64 on February 18, 2013.

This diagnosis occurred a little over 2 years ago.  As with Mom she's always done things a little different and her disease seems to be going along with her in that way.  I have been forced to see first hand exactly what this disease can do to someone you love.  

Mom has over the past 2-3 years gone from someone who drove to Walmart everyday, several times a day, to calling Brother, Annette

and myself countless times a day to calling us at all hours 24/7 with no rhyme or reason other than to say I love you or just sit there to someone

that cannot carry a conversation.  She first has always been a "jolly lolly" person happy in her own little world and able to be in the real one

with God's grace and a smile on her face to someone who now stares blankly.  

She smiles so sweetly when we come to see her, and she will talk to me but only answer what I ask and it is not a quick response, half the time I have to guess and she will yes or no till we get it and then giggle a little.  This is precious time that I thank God for and we have it often.  

Her face is still young, beautiful and eyes still so blue, however, she has lost so many teeth it is alarming.  I bring this to your attention so when you come see her you will not be shocked by her appearance because as I see it all the time it is troubling.  Genetics, medications etc... have aided in the tooth loss, which is mainly on the top.  

Last year she would roll all around in her wheelchair and now she just sits in it.   She managed to move the wheels 1'' a couple of weeks ago with some prompting but it was hard for her so that is it.  She spends most of the time in her bed or her wheel chair. 

 She loves to color but only on certain days.  She speaks in full sentences when I bring Holly my Pomeranian who is her approved therapy dog. 

 Her upper mobility is slow but she holds Holly, pets her or plays with the zipper on her travel bag.  Mom will move the hair from my eyes  and hold my hand. She loves to be hugged. 

 I received a call this past weekend from the nursing home telling me that they needed to send Mom to the hospital because her sodium level was extremely high and she was dehydrated.  The Doctor informed me that her sodium level was critical and he had her on IV drip to re-hydrate her.  

When I met with the nursing staff to address my concerns before going to the hospital, they informed me that she would not eat or drink and that her jaw was locked down.  They did all they could do to assist but were worried and so they sent her via ambulance to Harris Methodist where she was re-hydrated and back to her "normal" state.  They ordered another swallow study.  I say another because I authorized one back in September for speech eval and swallowing.  She can swallow, the issue now is she forgets.  :((

They think she could have had a TIA, mini stroke or the disease has progressed to this state and this will come and go.  For now, she is good and back to pureed food at a feeding table.  Mom does feed her self but needs help if she forgets.  She cannot straighten her legs any longer either.  

The disease has drastically taken over and she is at the end stage 7. 

 This is what I need for each and everyone to understand; research yourself and be aware of the time we have left with her

as the person we love before her mind is totally erased by this devastating, gut wrenching, sad, nasty, horrible curse of a disease.

I know that she might not remember everyone but those who truly know her I urge you to please come see her, she might not speak but her smile and her

eyes will let you know she recognizes you and she might just speak, try, try and don't give up.

This letter, however, inspired her sisters, her nephew, a beautiful letter from a dear old friend for me and one sent to her, a couple of flower arrangements and a high school friend to visit but even with this not my brother, her son.  :(       I have prayed for God to restore my family and that is where I am leaving this.

This picture was Christmas Eve 12/24/12  We got her to smile and keep it long enough for our photo!  My daughter and I see her 2-3 times a week with the exception of this flu season and we love her dearly.  To me she is exactly the Mom I know, by the way she lights up when she sees me, yet still wants to move the piece of hair that I think purposely falls so she can move it; and when I ask her she can lift her arms to hug me.  It may not be the hugs of past but my heart melts and without her seeing I dry my eyes and say goodbye.  I always think I won't cry but God knows my heart, love and compassion plus grief for her and well He gets me through.  

I received a call yesterday that she had a UTI, and they had trouble waking her and that during her lunch she passed out, they said fell asleep but I knew better.  I was very concerned that she was suffering from severe dehydration again and my suspicion was correct.  I received a call this afternoon to tell me that they were sending her to the hospital; again.   

In that moment my guard dog personality began questioning why this happened again, explaining that her dad my Grandfather was a MD, my Grandmother was a nurse, that I myself was on the academic Deans List in college where I was studying to be a nurse and that the only reason I was not one is I did not get into my school of choice.  I informed them that I had just submitted my Guardianship report and said that I had listed she was being taken care of and now I was on the verge of calling the Probate Court and speaking to the Judge to inform them of what was going on!  At that moment the Nurse on the phone said the Director of Nurses would like to talk with me.

I explained to her how frustrated I was and she calmly explained to me that Mom over the past couple of days had been "pocketing" food and became dehydrated.  I told her that yesterday the Nurse had told me she had a UTI and he thought the medication was causing her to pass out and not wake.  I let him know then and her that I knew that was not the issue.  I asked them to write on her chart to take her Sodium Levels 1st

before running UTI's and then spending 2 days in limbo for the freaking tests to be ran so that she is now critically dehydrated.  She then asked me if I'd thought about hospice?  

My heart broke and my anger and business sense flew right out the window and I started crying uncontrollably.  I have spoken with one of my friends who works at the nursing home where my mother is and told her everything.  She calmly explained to me how hospice would care for my Mom, make her comfortable, treat her like she's on cloud nine.  She then explained that it doesn't mean death's door only, that there is another resident there that has had hospice since 2001.  I feel much better about everything and now have a new "to do" for my mom.  I will find her hospice to make her everyday life better and we will go from there.   God help me and guide me through in all I do, Amen.  

My precious Mom, Vicki Lasley...... I love you with all my heart!

Super Easy Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake Bars

I must admit I am a Pintrest addict!  I am trying my best not to be but I had broke my arm back in April, which is another story, and was on the couch for seriously 2 full weeks with only 1 hand working right and Pintrest became my relaxing, get my mind off the pain, fun way to plan all the things I want to do!  

I have over 8,000 pins and with each one it is something I find wonderful, beautiful, special, heart-warming, funny or something that I want to do, make, create, sew, craft, bake, cook or do!  So, with that said I went on my To Do board which has a ridiculous amount of pins and trying to accomplish at least 2 a day to whittle it down!  

I have to admit, I also have a board of Things I have Tried some are from Pins and others just from myself.  I move my To Do and Delete when done to the the Tried Board and then post a comment.  

Some of them, well, leave something to be desired.  :0  While, others are excellent, fun or easy.  

I'm going to share the one I did tonight and believe I have figured out how to link it so here goes!

I made the Super Easy Chocolate Chip Cake Bars tonight and here's how I did it and my take on it. Hope it helps and will post the link for the wonderful recipe at the end.

 Okay, Ingredients:  Yellow Cake Mix or White ( I used yellow ) 1 package = 2 cups Milk Chocolate Chips, 5 TBS butter and 2 eggs.    Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.  Pre-heat your oven.

 I then greased my 13 x 9 pan with some Crisco.  ( Every since I saw The Help I have used Crisco more than ever! ) No more Pam, fumes or paper towels wasted using to spread my oil.  I use my $ store rubber brush dip in Crisco and rub away and stick that sucker in the dishwasher!

Next, melt your 5 TBS butter.

 I have a Kitchen-Aid Mixer thanks to my wonderful husband on Mother's Day several years ago after I blew up 3 hand held mixers making home made Dog Treats for my Pampered Pets recipe!  :)   You will need a little muscle if you don't have a paddle attachment.

Beat your 2 eggs, then add the package of Cake mix, melted butter and chips.  It gets really stiff; think about it, like a cookie .... dough, literally!


 Scrape it off into your greased pan and pat it down till it covers the bottom of your dish..

 Then put it into the oven and bake it for 20 minutes:

 The result:  is delicious and to me tasted like a cake with chocolate frosting!  Love it and so did my husband and daughter!  Woo Hoo!

Super easy, shared with friends and it is a hit!  Hope you enjoy and here's the link to where I got to try this fun, yummy and easy Cookie Cake Bar!    
http://www.imalazymom.com/2011/02/lazy-cake-cookies.html

Snow and Propane, God Has My Back

Well, today was a wonderful day, we woke up to Snow, beautiful white flakes & with heat and hot water!  You see when we woke up yesterday there was no hot water, no heater and it was 59 degrees in our house! 

Yes, it was cold!  We have lived in our house for 12 years and in all this time we have always had natural gas that ran from the Spindle Top Gas well on our property.  My Papaw/Grandfather set it up this way when he built this house back in 1982.   In November, there was a day we also woke to no hot water and no heat; our 1st official cold spell.  I called the people that run the well and the sweet man who has always helped us said, "Oh, they were supposed to let you know 30 days ago that your well has collapsed!  They will not be fixing it at this time and you will need to convert to propane or electric for your heat and hot hot water!"  

You can only imagine my shock, surprise and our conversation as I struggled being a single income family on a tight budget exactly what was next!  Thank God I called the propane place in town and they were able to convert our hot water tank and heater for propane and fill the tank 1/2 full.  This was only able to happen because this land is an estate and so that covered it for us at that time.

Imagine my surprise when all the sudden only 2 months had gone by and we had run out.  I in my wildest dreams never thought I'd run out of gas in my house.  When I was in High School, in my car, well that's another story and yes, it happened on more than one occasion!  Through God's grace I contacted the propane place and explained that we had no propane and thought there was a leak.  I told them it was freezing inside and I was baking banana bread just to heat the kitchen a little and that we were wearing our coats inside.  Here's my 11 year old sitting on the couch trying to type!

The sweet lady asked me, "why do you think you have a leak?" I explained that Thursday 4 days ago it started smelling like egg salad really strong by the hot water heater.  I then learned that when you get the "stink" your propane tank needs to be refilled!  Charlie Brown said it best:  Good Grief!  

It sure would have been nice to know this before!  So here we are in 30 degree nights and my husband doesn't get paid until this Friday, the 18th!   The propane company is compassionate but at the same time we had to spend 250$ just to get them out here for the 100 gallons which doesn't even get us 1/2 full!  

Thank God through his grace they came, re-lit the pilots, made sure the heater was working and let me post date my check till our payday for the extra 150$ November past due that the estate didn't cover!  That is God's grace for sure into today's world I know!  I took them a loaf of banana bread today as my way of blessing them for helping us.  The owner of the company I love like my own Papaw, he is a kind, gentle man.  He hugged us and then gave us a lesson in propane :)  He remembers Kendall being 2 feet shorter and me from 2009 when we used to fill our little tanks for the grill.  He always asks " how is your Mother?" and remembers her story that I will share another time, he shows my daughter and I God's love of a Father/Grandfather that I no longer have and that is how I know God has my back and His Angels are all around.... I thank Him for letting me see....

So now we are nice and toasty, know what to look and smell for and yes, are truly aware it can run out!  So if you run propane and smell eggs BeWaRe your running low! 

Delicious to the last drop Queso

This is something I make on cold days when we are lucky enough to get them and every time we have a get together it is gone before I turn around!  I am always asked "what's that green stuff"? Cilantro, baby, that's how we roll!  It gives it such a delicious flavor and it's bright aromatic green leaves make me smile!  :)    I am always asked for this recipe so decided to share it for those who read or follow my blog.  

This is so easy and takes about 30 minutes total before enjoying so get your self ready for a real treat!

Ingredients are:  Owens Sausage Regular ( I was browning it and forgot to snap that photo )
Velveeta Big Block Cheese, 1 Bunch Cilantro, 2 cans Rotel Original ( if too spicy, use 1 Original and 1 mild)  Cumin, Chili Powder and Paprika.  I used Smoked Paprika but also make it with regular.

First start browning your Owens Original Sausage till nice and browned, while it's cooking gather your ingredients together 

While sausage is browning cut your Velveeta into cubes, I've found it the easiest is thick slices then cube them 

Get a microwave safe glass container and put all the cheese into it then add both cans Rotel  

Now micro-wave for 4 minutes

While it's cooking stir sausage and rinse cilantro, dry with paper towel then chop it all!

Yes, even the stems, they hold wonderful flavor!  I only chop off about 1 1/2'' from the end to throw away because I like them to be fresh cut

Then take the cheese and stir it up after the 4 minutes

There will still be a few pieces not melted but now is time to add your cooked sausage 

Cook again for another couple of minutes ( my micro-wave is 1100 watt ) so just cook till cheese is smooth checking and stirring after a couple minutes.

Now time to add the green stuff!  Cilantro, all of it trust me!

As good as it is now, make it better add 1 teaspoon each:  Cumin, Chili Powder and Paprika

Stir it all up and get your chips ready to enjoy some delicious to the last drop Queso!

Enjoy and be ready to share the recipe, if you want that is ;)

The Start of God Has My Back......

Life:    As I know it....   my day........ today...........1/12/13.

My precious 11 year old and I had a wonderful day.  We read the Bible together; we cleaned the house together and each of us cleaned something to make our day special while doing it separately.  When my precious husband came home... her Daddy... we each wanted him to see what we had done, together and just for him and or us.

I had just posted God's beautiful sunset onto Facebook, had a glass of red wine and home made spaghetti and garlic noodles (Kendall's favorite, she's like to just have the noodles). We enjoyed dinner and a TV special together while eating, we talked during, but understand that we DO bless our food before we start the show.  I was raised eating dinner at a little table in front of Little House on the Prairie or The Walton's, and now we do the same thing but different shows.  God gives me this:    The scripture:  Train your child in the way he should go and he will not stray far from it..... takes on a whole new meaning!

As my family has gone to bed I was on Facebook seeing all my precious friends posts about being pregnant, or their new baby and all the wonder that goes with each step; the precious baby smiles, eyes and laughs that accompany all these posts that I love, sitting here in my silence and my heart broke.  You see, I can no longer have babies but at the same time I am so happy, excited, filled with joy and love for all the babies, my family and friends are blessed with but with every smile and feeling of joy for me also brings tears. Tears of what was, what could have been, what I have lost and unless God creates, yet, another miracle inside me, I will not experience again during my life on this earth.  Childbearing.  One word = Miracle.

I always want to be uplifting and positive in everything I choose to share with the world.  However, first you must understand that I was crippled and I have lost 2 children to miscarriage.  I am often asked, is Kendall your only child?  My Lord has guided me to answer:  I have 3, she is my Earth Angel and the other 2 are in Heaven watching over us.  He has to help me; how can I answer as I love her with all my being and at the same time grieve for the 2 that did not make it?  She is blessed beyond measure and God is and will use her life to bring glory to Him, Amen.  The emotions and physical ramifications that were experienced for the other 2 are very real to me; regardless they were not able to be born and I know there are countless women/friends/souls out there that feel this same way.

I lost my Morgan, May 05, 2005.... Cinco de Mayo which I used to celebrate now has a whole new meaning for me.... and I had to have the other baby surgically removed in 2008 because the Doctor was worried about bleeding and told me to have a DNC.  That day to me, still I don't know the terminology because I don't want to; it was painful enough. That day is a story within itself; both losses are and deserve to be told and I will as the Lord guides me.

I have so much to say; I know I can help, but only as time permits and the Lord guides me too, because, I can only type so much before my eyes are filled with salty tears that burn my eyes, sting my cheeks and now my nose it running, making it hard to type but knowing that I have to because I have held it in for years and years.