Truck, Truck and Yet Another Truck

Matthew Jacob is the proud owner of another truck.

1993 Chevy S-10, a.k.a. "winter ride".

He still has truck #1 and truck #2.

Truck #1 is almost finished, but now he isn't in a hurry to get it on the road.

Truck #2 is still parked out by the pool. As soon as the cost of scrap metal goes back up, its going to scrapyard heaven.

Truck #3 is a manual and he LOVES it. He has never driven one before, but John talked him into it. Think: cheap gas and FUN for a guy.

John gave him a brief lesson Saturday. Later in the day, Josh and Matt took turns "practicing" up and down the road. I guess it was a riot and they both loved it.

Now Josh wants one.

I'm thinking I need a parking lot. Soon.

Picture to follow later, but I'll let you know what it looks like: its white and rusty, with stickers all over the back window.

You might be a redneck....

Basement Furniture. Not.

John's Mom asked me the other day if I knew of anyone that needed furniture, or perhaps, would I be interested in the "couches" that Tim needed to get rid of.

Tim, is a man, obviously, and I had no idea what his taste in furniture was.

We finished our basement several years ago, but have never furnished it. Except for that one chair that I've had my whole married life, that hasn't had legs on it for years!

So, I'm thinking sure, we'll take it. We would really like to have furniture in our basement. I don't care what it looks like.

So while I'm in the shower Saturday, Tim and his son deliver the furniture and John helps them put it into the basement. I try and peek out the upstairs bathroom window to see what it looks like. Can't see.

After I get dressed, I go downstairs and practically scream! It is BEAUTIFUL furniture! My mind immediately tries to process this whole thing. I LOVE it. This is NO basement furniture. My upstairs furniture is basement furniture! I've got it set in my mind within minutes, this is coming upstairs.

So Saturday, John and Josh switched the furniture for me.

We love it.





These pictures don't even do them justice. The color was MADE for my living room. The couch is so wide and deep = comfy. John wasn't sure about the "cleopatra" style piece, but now he really likes it.

We all love them.

We are in love with our new furniture.

This Week on "The Wallstons"

I've been blogging about this and that and not so much about family lately.

So here's what we have all been up to.

John's Mom got married last Saturday! She is now "Mrs. White". After a very difficult and trying time in her life three and a half years ago, we are so happy to see her find someone that she loves and has so much fun with. They are like two nineteen year olds.

Speaking of nineteen year olds, Josh and Krista are coming up on their "14 month anniversary". Dating, not to be confused with marriage. She is living in Birmingham and the distance is driving them both bananas, but they seem to have adjusted pretty well. Josh is still busy working 5 1/2 days a week, taking a class at the community college and trying to balance everything else out. We had a wonderful conversation last night and I just am so proud of him.

Matt's truck is still a work in progress. Poor guy. He wants so badly to get that thing on the road. Between school, work and church, it doesn't leave him much time to work on it. Seems like there isn't too much left to do, but enough that keeps him from driving it. He is now looking for a "winter ride", because he doesn't want to drive his "salt-free" ride on the very salty winter roads. He is still working at Mickey D's. He is the grill-man or the guy who serves up your order at the drive-thru window. He is my 1,000 watt smile Mattie Jake. Can I still call my sixteen year old that?

Rachel got her braces put on a few weeks ago. She is adjusting to them pretty well. I felt so bad for her at first. All she could eat was yogurt and mashed potatoes. And everyone that has had braces can relate to that. I dread her next appointment, which is in mid-November. That is when they tighten them up. Ugh. She was in Ethel's wedding last week. She got her nails and hair done for the special occasion. Pretty soon we will be keeping her locked up in a closet, with a sign that reads, "no boys allowed - ever".

Alec, Alec, Alec. He got hurt on the playground at school yesterday. Wrong place at the wrong time. While he was walking under a piece of playground equipment, a boy jumped/fell on top of his back. He lost his breath for a minute or so and complained of his back hurting. I had to pick him up from school. And trust me, I know it hurt, but any complaint/ailment from him is a major deal. The baby.

John is so funny. He is very busy evangelizing and conservatizing his co-workers. He will tell me conversations that he has had with many of the guys. Go John! In a world gone mad, its an exciting thing for people to stand up for truth.

Me, I've been very busy Facebook-ing it. I am looking up long-lost family and friends. So far, I've found four cousins. One that lives in the Virgin Islands that I haven't laid eyes on in probably twenty years!

And now, on to our sponsor:

Electoral College - Huh?

Most people don't pay too much attention to politics. I never used to.

This morning I found myself READING THE U.S. CONSTITUTION. That's right, you are not seeing things.

Stranger things have happened, I know.

I have never really understood the election process. I'm still not exactly clear on the whole Electoral College thing.

But I did find this very cool site. You can look up who ran against who and also who one in each presidential race dating back to 1789! Super cool.

If you are interested and strive to be more like me, (just kidding) go to:

http://www.grayraven.com/ec/

And hey, don't knock me for becoming more interested in this thing called politics.

We should all be more informed.

There will be a pop quiz on Monday.

My Good Friend, J. Hussein

Let me set the scene.

The five of us are driving to church in the van. John is driving, I'm in the passenger seat, with Matt behind John, Rachel behind me and Alec all the way in the back.

The stereo is on, but not too loud.

Both Matt and Rachel have their iPods connected to their ears, listening to their own music.

John and I are commenting on the political signs on the way. Counting them. Two Obama, eight McCain. One Obama, three McCain.

Matt says, "Obama bin Laden".

Now I know, that is not very respectful. But I must admit, seeing "OBAMA _ BIDEN" is pretty close and Alec and I have been saying it on the way to school in the morning when we see that sign.

So I am trying to include Alec in the conversation, but its difficult because he is in the very back and the music is just enough to have to repeat some things to him. Talk louder.

Somehow, in talking about Obama, it turns to his full name. To correct the bin Laden.

I say, "Barrack Hussein Obama".

Matt takes off one of his ear pieces and says, "DID YOU SAY JANELLE'S MIDDLE NAME IS HUSSEIN?"

John and I break out into hysterical laughter.

Is that a crack up or what!

Super Soup Supper

This is what I'm making for dinner today. It is SO delicious. Great for a cool October day, so I thought I'd share.

Enchilada Soup

3 cans chicken broth
2 cans cream corn
2 10 oz. cans red enchilada sauce
1 4.5 oz. green chiles
1 10 oz. can white chicken, undrained
1 cup orzo
1-1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp oregano

Combine broth, corn, sauce and chiles. Mix well. Bring to a boil. Add remaining ingredients. Reduce heat to low and simmer until pasta is tender, about 8 minutes.

Serve with onion, sour cream, co-jack cheese and tortilla chips. "Delicioso Estupendo!"

Thank you Stacy for a wonderful recipe.

I can hardly wait till dinner!

I've Got The Blues

Seeing people mislead. Both in religion and politics. Ugh.

Looking at my house. The work that needs to be done here. Cleaning. Major cleaning. Major organizing. Painting. Ugh.

It's fall. Which means we are spending more time indoors. Which means winter isn't far off. Which means we will spend most all of our time indoors. Ugh.

Speaking of winter. Christmas is coming. Whose got the funds for that? Ugh.

Our family vacation that we looked so forward to was four months ago. Where does the time go? I want to go back. Ugh.

I need more to stimulate my mind at work. Its going to be a loooonnnnnggggg winter there. Ugh.

I'm middle aged. If I live to 80 years of age, I'm half way there. In discussing life with someone recently, I've discovered that we are at the age that weddings, showers and all that are far and few between now. We are the old, married forever with kids crowd. Ugh.

Again, because winter is nearly here, I crave everything starchy. Potatoes, potatoes and more potatoes, then add some macaroni and cheese. Comfort foods. Gotta put on that winter weight...wait, WHAT? I want to eat and hibernate. Wake me up in the spring. Ugh.

Did I mention my kids? Yeah, I know. I do all the time. Hey, its my blog. You know the drill. Ugh.

Thanks for listening.

...What's the date on the calendar? Yep, that's it.

Taxes, Lies and a YouTube Video

From yahoo news this morning:

Obama Launches TV Ad About Mich. Economy
30-Second Political Ad To Focus On State's Job Losses, Foreclosure Rates
POSTED: 5:01 pm EDT October 19, 2008

LANSING, Mich. -- Barack Obama's campaign is launching a new television ad about Michigan's struggling economy.

The Democratic presidential candidate's campaign said Sunday the 30-second ad will highlight the state's job losses and mortgage foreclosures. It calls on Michigan voters to "reclaim our economic future" by supporting Obama and his running mate.

State Republican Party spokesman Bill Nowling said Sunday the GOP is working to sway voters to Republican candidate John McCain by talking about the economy, and that Obama's economic plans will hurt the state.

Michigan's unemployment rate dropped slightly to 8.7 percent in September, but remains higher than the national rate of 6.1 percent. Michigan also has been among the hardest hit states nationwide by foreclosures.

Let me get this straight. Obama, a democrat, thinks he is going to help Michigan? Isn't our fine govenor a democrat? Isn't Detroit's fallen mayor, Kwame, a democrat? Yep, they really made Detroit and Michigan flourish. Since the democrats turned into the majority in the congress almost two years ago, they've also done a fine job with spending and running our economy into a nose dive. Oh, that's right, we are to blame the President for everything bad that happens. Sorry, my bad.

Last night I could've jumped through the television and gave this woman a big kiss.

Well Beat My Biscuits

While watching a tv program the other day, Paula Deen came on and whipped up some monkey bread. I just recently shared that easy recipe with my Dad. I immediately made a note to self, "pick up some can biscuits at the store".

Paula asked if someone would "beat her biscuits", because she is afraid of the noise that it makes when the can bursts open. "POP!"

I started laughing. Only in the past few years has it not bothered me anymore. I used to hate opening biscuits for that same reason. I would extend my arm as far as I could and turn my head in the opposite direction, wincing as I pounded the can on the counter. Halarious.

I LOVE one liners and now want to use this phrase at each opportunity that I can.

'Cause that's how I roll... (no pun intended).

Shock & Awe

As soon as I seen this picture, it made me think of something.

People are shaken up by the now world economic crisis.

Sadly, this will also be the look on people's face when they discover that the message about Jesus, in which they did not believe, is in fact true.


Matthew 24:29-31

"Immediately after the distress of those days"
'the sun will be darkened,
and the moon will not give its light;
the stars will fall from the sky,
and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.'

"At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.

Say What?

Marcia Brady is 52 years old.

Fifty-two.

Say it ain't so, Joe!

Dear Mr. & Ms.

Dear Mr. Deli Style Cheese Packager, Ms. Jar of Peanut Butter Cardboard Sealer, Mr. Liquid CoffeeMate Foil Seal, Ms. Lunchmeat Packager, et all:

You have all made my morning very difficult. Making coffee and packing lunches. I couldn't get your stuff opened!

Don't you realize that in trying to keep your products "safe" and "fresh", that you've made them next to impossible for me to open? With my acrylic nails and all. Please keep that in mind when you attend any upcoming "fresh ideas" meetings. We need change.

(Where have I just recently heard that...oh, that's right, from Mr. Smooth-I've got ALL the answers-Magicpants).

Make-the-process-of-opening-your-products-easier.

Thank you. It will make my life easier.

Appre-ci-a-tion

October is Pastor Appreciation Month.

I try and take time to let my pastor and his wife know, here and there throughout the year, that we appreciate them. I do not do it often enough.

Their lives have been so dedicated to the Lord. So. Dedicated.

I think back to the Christmas production that the church had put on back in 2002 that I attended with my kids, Mom and Kristie. Pastor had a salvation call after the service and I had raised my hand, signifying that I did indeed know that I needed Jesus in my life. Little did I know, I would be back in that church in the beginning of March 2003 and my life would then be forever changed.

Soon after, it was after another production put on by the church, that John's Mom accepted Jesus.

The list goes on. Our church is growing by leaps and bounds. John and I are "first time greeters", so we have a chance to talk to visitors before service most times. Last Sunday, I spoke with a young woman, who with her family, has attended several times now and said how much she just loves coming to this church. How the Word is brought forth. I could see the excitement in her eyes.

ALL of the efforts made by these two, along with the church, to show people the way to Jesus. Many, many lives have been touched in the 27 or so years of their ministry together. Their three sons have been raised up to serve as well and oh how they touch the lives around them, including myself.

Don't ever give up Pastor and Tammy! Keep running the race. Your reward will be great when you enter into Heaven, into the wonderful presence of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Thought you might enjoy this.

Josh & Krista Plus Zero

Sorry. Can't resist the temptation to make couples names added with the combination of the number of children they have.

In their case, they have no not one.

Thank God!

This has nothing to do with having kids. Well, at least not the first half of this post.

(breathe a sigh of relief)

Krista has officially moved to a new zip code. Instead of living 30 minutes north of us, she is now 45 minutes, give or take a few, south of us.

I'm sure that we can all agree that it can be a good thing for them. They have been inseparable for almost thirteen months now.

"Absence makes a heart grow fonder". At least that is what they say.

It worked for John and I. Our circumstances were different, we had been broken up for a while and it was during a six week period of no contact with each other that my heart eventually couldn't take it any longer.

Now he goes away for two weeks and I'm like, John who? Just kidding. But twenty years of marriage changes things up a bit.

It will be interesting to see how this all plays out for Josh and Krista.

I spent the day with her last Saturday when I took "the girls" to Frankenmuth. The guys had went up north for their annual bird-hunting trip, so I thought it would be fun for Rachel and I to invite Krista for a day of what us girls like to do best. Shop.

This girl definitely cares for my son. I see it displayed often when they are together here at our house. But its another thing to spend time with her and hear her talk about him.

This is the second half ~

While looking at an adorable display of "Snowbabies" in Bronner's, Krista pointed out an ornament that was a large engagement ring with a cute snowbabies couple sitting on it and said, "Ohhhhh! I want that one!". Now you know that I am all about babies and all. I then pointed to the cute little snowbaby that held a baby blanket and said, "Ohhhhhh! I want that one!". We got a giggle out of it, saying how cute it was and all.

Off and on during the shopping trip, she would get a text message from Josh and quickly reply to it. I've come to learn that this is what they do. A lot. She would then share with me most of what was said. "They are doing this..." "They are doing that"...

She then says to me, "I just texted Josh and told him that I want to get engaged and then have a baby!"

Now I'm sure she meant -- get engaged, get married and then have a baby...

Its probably not a good idea that I point out cute, adorable baby stuff anymore to her.

Now let's pray.

Career Woman

Rachel took an online career assessment in her careers class the other day. After going through the test, she was told that her answers lined up best with these three professions:

Actress

Photographer

Stunt Person

Stunt Person? What kind of questions would lead her to that?

*Yes, I like adventure.

*Yes, I do not see any problems with having broken bones.

*Yes, I want to see my name in the credits of a movie, showing that I was the lunatic who jumped from building to building in New York City.

That gave us quite a chuckle.

I'm thinking photographer.

p.s. There is going to be some beautiful teeth behind that camera someday...she got her braces on yesterday.

Give Me Jesus

These are difficult times. So much uncertainty.

This video blessed me and I hope it blesses you.

"You can have all this world, give me Jesus..."