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.

Too fast.

Summer is going by all too fast.  I look at summer as a time for my kids to unwind from the hectic pace of the school year.  But there are only two days left in July.  Next week my 15yo girls will be at church camp all week.  The following two weeks they have marching band practice twice daily, then school starts the next week.  Summer break is essentially o.v.e.r. for them.  And I'm so, so sad.  We had an amazing vacation in Hawaii, but...I am already dreading school starting.

Bad news, good news.  I fell last Friday.  (Am I getting old or WHAT?!)  That's the bad news.  I can still walk so I must be fine, right?  5 days later and things are healing...except that my left knee continues to be swollen and the pain increases daily.  A trip to urgent care this morning at least got me x-rays (nothing broken), a knee brace, and started the ball rolling to find out what's going on.  But hey, I can still walk.  And that's good news.

More bad news, good news.  While getting x-rays, kids call from home and tell me the kitchen sink is plugged up.  That's the bad news.  A plumber comes and says it will be $120...but...he proceeds to flood my house through a sink in our wet bar.  We had to completely gut the bar (cabinets, drawers, shelves were all soaked with nasty water from the pipes) of its belongings.  We used almost every towel in the house, as well as the towels that were out by the pool, and have the majority of the mess cleaned up now...and the bar really needed a good de-cluttering, anyway.  Mortified plumber says that there will be no charge and they will reimburse me for ruined items.  That's the good news.

Really, in all things, I want to have a grateful heart.  The first song on my playlist, Chris Tomlin's "I Will Rise" came to mind as I started washing towels.  It's a song that has been playing in my heart often.  I look forward to the time with no more sorrow, no more pain!

"I Will Rise"
There's a peace I've come to know
Though my heart and flesh may fail
There's an anchor for my soul
I can say "It is well"
Jesus has overcome
And the grave is overwhelmed
The victory is won
He is risen from the dead
And I will rise when He calls my name
No more sorrow, no more pain
I will rise on eagles' wings
Before my God fall on my knees
And rise
I will rise

Tomorrow hubby and I head to the Santa Rosa, CA area for him to participate in an Ironman Triathlon.  He will be swimming 2.4 miles, biking 112 miles, then topping those off with a full marathon - 26.2 miles.  He has been training for this for months and it's my prayer that he is able to finish the race safely.  I get to drive him home on Sunday and I don't want him whining.

Lastly, please remember to pray for Kate!

Blessings,

Cheryl