Cleaning house.

Some people spring clean.  I tend to get antsy in the fall and feel the need to clean, declutter, organize.  I have been busy clearing out.  Bags of things have gone to the thrift store, other things have been shared with friends, and still others sold online.  Even bigger, though, is that I am working hard to weed stress and nonsense out of my life.  Sometimes it means doing things you felt God telling you to do a long time ago.  Pruning isn't comfortable, but knowing it is from Him gives me peace.

Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. ~John 15:2

Blessings,

Cheryl

Just because.

Just because it's Saturday...And just because I needed to throw something together to take to a company picnic today...And just because sometimes a girl needs some chocolate...And just because sometimes you wake up, remembering recipes you haven't made in some 15+ years...I bring you this:

Cream Cheese Brownies

1 box chocolate cake mix

1 stick butter, melted

2 eggs

1 pound powdered sugar

1 8oz package cream cheese

2 Tsp vanilla

Combine cake mix, butter, and 1 egg.  Press into greased 9x13 pan.

Mix together softened cream cheese, remaining egg, sugar, and vanilla.  Spread over cake mixture.  Bake at 325* for 25~ minutes.  Cool and cut into squares.

*Variations - you can sprinkle chopped nuts between the two layers - my kids don't like nuts, so I didn't add them this time.

Happy Saturday!

Like jewelry? Then check out this contest!

I just stumbled on a local jewelry designer.  Sarah's creations are fun, pretty, funky, different, and affordable...all wrapped into one!  Monday she is giving away the prettiest pair of earrings...go to her blog and read how to enter.

http://piecebypeacedesigns.blogspot.com/2009/09/september-contest.html 

Blogging has taken a back seat to LIFE for the past 5 weeks.  In a nutshell:  kids started school, I am working on starting an Etsy.com shop (more details later!), working on a project for the 'day job,' etc.

Now, go check out Piece by Peace Designs and enter to win some earrings! :)

Blessings,

Cheryl

My husband is an Ironman.

Yes, Terry completed his first FULL Ironman Triathlon on August 1 in the Santa Rosa, CA area.  For those of you not 'in the know', an Ironman involves 2.4 miles of swimming, followed by 112 miles of bicycling, then topping the whole thing off with a marathon - 26.2 mile run.  It adds up to 140.6 miles.  He has done two half-ironman triathlons in the past and was excited to take on this challenge.  I have NO desire to follow in his footsteps, but am sure proud of him!

Carbing up:

 

Taking a good look at the finish line:

The neat thing with races is you get a free shirt!

Posing by finish line:

 

Checking in...about 5:00 a.m.

  

On the swim (at least it might be him - frankly, they all look alike out there):

Taking salt capsules before hitting the road:

Pulling in to ask me for Ibuprofen...this is about 50 miles into the bike ride:

 

Back on his way:

 

Cute shirt on a very pregnant lady - she and her husband are both triathletes and they have high hopes for their baby:

 

Headed into the run:

Taking time to walk a bit:

 

His finish wasn't eloquent.  He was hobbling and had a Frankenstein-like walk, but he FINISHED!  Official time was 15:01.14 (he started in the 3rd wave of swimmers, thus the time difference).

Friend and co-worker, Shahin Mansour, who presented Terry with a bar of iron after the triathlon:

Time for an ice bath.  Numb those painful legs:

Beware of Craigslist scam

My step-sister's beloved dog ran away while they were on vacation.  She has placed ads on Craigslist in hopes that someone will return their dog to them.

Today she got an email from someone who said they thought they had the dog.  After multiple emails back and forth, things started smelling a little fishy.

Beware of a LATIFA JONES responding to lost and found ads.  Her email address includes the words "holy" and "missionary".  If she responds to an ad you have posted, she is only wasting your time.