A Little Pick-Me-Up For Me And One For You!

Just because today is Wednesday. 

Just Because my alarm did not go off this morning. 

Just Because, I once again filled up the hummingbird feeders this morning.

Just because I left my coffee sitting on the counter AFTER I poured it into a cutie little to-go cup as I rushed off to work.

BECAUSE  I received great news concerning the Goat Project…more on that tomorrow.

Just because I love my blogging friends so much…

That when I stopped this morning to get my soy chai tea, extra hot, no water added…just sayin’, that I got a $5 gift card for you!!

Leave me a comment with your “just because” and I will draw for a winner, tomorrow!!

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

Well actually no chicken dinners were won here nor were any chickens harmed in this drawing!  I have the names of the winners of my “Just Because” give-a-way…..

The winners of the gift cards are….

Bath & Body

JessRaquel

Starbucks

According to Kris...

McDonalds

Barbie

Farmville

Robin @ Be Still and Know

Congratulation to all the winners and please e-mail your address to me at jpdbj (at) dtccom (dot) net so I can get your card in the mail.  Robin, I will send you the number for the card if you wish, so you can get the bonus of a spring pond before time runs out…y’all it’s a Farmville thing.

Thanks for playing along!!

Just Because…

Because today is Friday.  Because I have curly hair.  Because yesterday I hit 100  followers.  Because I received these awards…(thanks Laina)

Because I love blogging and have the most awesome blogging friends, ever.  Today I am giving away a few of my favorite things…just because.  Up for grabs,,,

$5 Bath & Body Works gift card, because I love their Butterfly Flower scent!

$5 Starbucks gift card, because Peppermint Mocha Lattes are so yummy!

$5 McDonalds gift card, because there is nothing better than MD’s french fries!

$10 Farmville gift card, because I am so addicted to this game!

So what do you need to do to get one of these cards?  That’s the easy part!  Just leave a comment and tell me a “just because” about yourself!

Also, since the Farmville gift card requires you to have a Facebook account and to also play the game, make sure that you leave in your comment that you “do” or “do not” play Farmville so when I draw for these items, if you do not play this game, I will give you another card. 

Just because I am known to be a procrastinator, and I will be so stinkin’ busy the next two days, I will draw for these sometime this weekend, no later than Monday morning!  Good luck!

Time To Celebrate!

Woo to the Hoo, today I turned TWO! 

Break out the confetti and the party hats, because today my blog turned two and we are celebrating!!  Wow, two years of yakking away in the virtual world of blogging and meeting great friends along the way!

Instead of getting presents, today I am giving them!  Just because I have bored you to tears on my endless random craziness for  two years, I figured y’all deserved something…HA!

Up for grabs will be two of my favorite things…

Coffee on me, a $5 Starbucks Gift Card.

And…

One of my favorite smells,

Bath & Body, Butterfly Flower lotion.

If you want to one of these, leave a comment and I will draw for names sometime between tomorrow and Tuesday morning.   

We Have Winners….

Okay, I did the number generator thingy and the winners are…

#3 – Sara 

#7 – April

YAY!!  Sara if you will send me your address, I will get your cross in the mail to you!  April, I know right where to find you and I will get your Wal-mart gift card to you as well!

Thanks so much for playing along!! 

It’s A Give-A-Way!! Yay!

I am slowing coming out of my mission haze…it was been a hard adjustment back to life after our mission trip, but I think I am finally getting there.  Our week in the Dominican was a challenging, rewarding and life changing event in our lives and my heart leaps with joy being able to share this experience with my hubby!

We did have a hard start to the trip with our luggage not arriving.  I can not explain the feeling of stomach dropping realization that you are in a third world country on a mission trip with nothing but the clothes on your back.  We were told that our luggage would not make it in until Friday, the day before we left, but we only had to spend two days without it.  I would say, that was a rough two days, but when we finally did get our luggage, there were some things I could of lived without.  I don’t think i would of truly come to that conclusion if I did not spend two days without it.  Next year, I will pack accordantly and also I will pack a carry on with all the essentials!!

Life is good, our hearts are forever changed and we are catching up on much needed rest.  I think even the teenagers were glad that we were home!

I will share more as the weeks progress but I wanted to show you what I got in the Dominican for a give-a-way!!  The pictures are bad, and I tried to take several but they just would not turn out.  This cross is truly beautiful!

   

It is a cross that is made out of Blue Larimar.  This stone is only found in the Dominican, and I love the way it looks!  I am giving this away to one lucky person! 

Also, in honor of our luggage being lost, I am also giving away a $10 Wal-mart gift card!  On most days it’s not a far stretch to say I loath Wow-mart, but when you are in a third world country with no luggage for two days, I would of been one happy camper to see that big ‘ol blue Wal-mart sign!  Yeah, enough said.

If you would like to be in the drawing for either one of these, leave a comment and I will draw for a winner in a day or so!  Good luck!

Gallbladder & Net Trigger Winner

Today's the day, ugh! I finally made it in to see the surgeon a whole 1/2 early yesterday and miracles never ceasing, there was no wait! After I filled out the paper work, I was whisked into an exam and room and before I could read his diploma on the wall, he was in there! Wow!

My gallbladder only functions at 23% so out it comes. I really like this fella, he even held up a chart to my chest, so I could see where the gallbladder is and exactly where he would be putting the holes in to remove it! Again, wow!

Does that make it any better? Nope, still scared to death, but that's me. After his exam I was taken to another office to schedule the surgery, and she sheepishly smiled and asked is tomorrow good? Trust me, I was frantically scanning my brain for any important to-do's on my list, and could not find any that would justify to my Hubby for saying no, so I reluctantly happily took it. So today, is the day, that I will part with an organ. This has hardly given me anytime to google possible complications and such horror stories that I am so drawn to!

The doctor will be adding the impressive zero's to his portfolio around 1 pm today. I will update you tonight, maybe, good chance it will be tomorrow. If you are on pins and needles, my sis-in-law Jenny, I'm sure will update on her blog, on my traumatic experience. Trust me anytime I am involved in a hospital setting, it's usually tragic, mostly for the staff!

Okay, now for the exciting news of the day, the winner of the Net Trigger giveaway, is.......

Which happens to be......

Congratulations! If you will e-mail me your address (jpdbj at dishmail dot net), I will get this book on it's way to you!

If you were not a happy winner, and do not live in middle Tennessee, go to you local Lifeway store and they will order it for you. Also check out Mark Gregory's website here for more information on his book!

Wow, Do Not Put Yourself Out, Really...

Yep, had to drag Ye 'Ol Soapbox out for this one....

As you know my gallbladder is not functioning, which in return is causing me somewhat of A LOT of pain. I was referred to a surgeon last week, that, was on spring break. Go figure! I was given an appointment of 3 pm on Wednesday. WHAT?? I could not wait that long so when I complained, I was told by my doctors office (which set up the appointment) to call everyday for a cancellation. So I call everyday, beginning the moment I hung up my phone with my doctor, to get in sooner. Of course everyday, I was told there were not cancellations, but if the pain worsens to go to the ER.

Well I called again yesterday, well because I guess I was feeling stupid lucky, and again was told, sorry, but if it gets worse to go to the ER. I am not an ER person, but have thought about it a lot, especially in the middle of the night, but then I try to hold on, and I do, which brings me to today.

The surgeon's office just called, guess what?? The lady on the phone says, we have a cancellation, (I'm thinking to myself, great, Hopefully in the next 10 minutes) Do you think you could come in at 2:30 tomorrow instead of 3. WHAT??? ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? THAT"S WHAT YOU CALL GETTING ME IN EARLIER????????

Of course I took it, I did not want to look ungrateful. Geeze, I give up. Oh well, what's 24 more hours, right?

BTW, don't forget, if you have not already done so, go here and leave a comment for this book!! I will draw for a winner tomorrow evening sometime!

Net Trigger Giveaway!

Our pastor, Dr. Mark Gregory, just had his first book published, Net Trigger. Needless to say everyone is so excited for him. What I have heard, it's it wonderful. I just purchased the book myself, but have just begun the book, but what I have read has been wonderful. Here is the book and it's description:

The Federal Bureau of Investigation receives an anonymous tip of an international technology company's plot to shut down the Internet and create a national security risk. They also obtain photographic negatives from a 24-year-old 35-millimeter camera depicting passengers struggling to survive a Convair 580 plane crash. The resolution of the crisis can only be found in the remains of the crash, deep in the Campeche jungle of Mexico. Though separated by decades, two timelines converge as Agent Darin Newsom and a team from Honduras search for the wreckage and the documents that can stop the countdown of the "net trigger."

I am so very excited for him and for his book, that I purchased a book for one of y'all! If you so happen to win, Dr. Mark will also sign it for you! I know, it's great to have connections!!

So how do you win? First leave a comment on this post and of course that will get you entered into the drawing. If you would like to have a second entry into the drawing, mention this on your blog, then come back and leave me another comment and you will get another chance at winning it.

If you so happen not to be the lucky winner, you can order Net Trigger off of Amazon & Barnes and Noble, and if you live in Middle Tennessee, you can purchase it from Life Way. Of course any Life Way store can order it for you and you can avoid the S&H. Either way, you will not be disappointed!!

I will close the contest sometime Wednesday evening and announce the winner on Thursday morning. Good Luck!

Yummy White Chicken Chili & Giveaway!

Let me start off my saying that is recipe will rock your socks off! It is so yummy, that it actually caught me by surprise! Guess what else??? You make it in the microwave using this.....

I know, you are thinking....'Say it's not so" But really, microwave! Everyone that tried it on Friday LOVED it and we had a great response!

So where do you get one of these wonderful Cranberry Deep Covered Bakers, you ask?? You can get one from me! Yep, from The Pampered Chef! If you are interested, let me know and we can place an order for you, or better yet, get it free or half priced! Also, right now if you place an order of $150 you will get either the Sweet Cinnamon Sprinkle & Chipotle Rub OR a Cranberry Hot Pad/Trivet for free (a $10.50 value)!!

I know, I know you are ready for the recipe and here it is!

The Pampered Chef ®Microwave White Chicken Chili Recipe

3 whole heads garlic (about 48 cloves), unpeeled (It's good really!!)
3/4 tsp salt, divided
3 tbsp olive oil, divided
2 poblano peppers
1 medium onion
1 1/2 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs (I use a rotisserie chicken)
2 tbsp Southwestern Seasoning Mix
2 cans (15.5 oz each) Great Northern beans, drained
1 jar (16 oz) salsa verde

Using (5-in.) Santoku Knife, slice about 1/4 in. off the pointed top of garlic heads to expose cloves. Place garlic cut side up in Classic Batter Bowl. Sprinkle garlic with 1/4 tsp of the salt and drizzle with 2 tbsp of the oil. Cover batter bowl with lid; microwave on HIGH 3 minutes or until garlic is soft. Set aside to cool.

Meanwhile, finely dice peppers using Santoku Knife. Chop onion using Food Chopper. Combine peppers and onion in Deep Covered Baker. Trim and finely dice chicken using Boning Knife. Add chicken, seasoning mix, remaining 1 tbsp oil and remaining 1/2 tsp salt to baker; mix well using Master Scraper. Microwave, covered, on HIGH 4 minutes; stir to separate chicken. Cover; microwave an additional 4-6 minutes or until chicken is cooked through.
Meanwhile, gently squeeze cooled garlic from heads into batter bowl (discard skins); mash using Mix ‘N Masher. Add beans and salsa to batter bowl. Transfer bean mixture to baker; mix well.

Microwave, covered, on HIGH 5-7 minutes or until chili is heated through.

Yield: 8 servings (8 cups)

One more fun thing.........a giveaway! Because October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, If you do place an order or want to host a show for me, yes, catalog shows do count, there are two things I am doing a drawing for!

If you place an order in the next two weeks, I will place you in a drawing for this Pink Bar Board & Knife
And if you host a show or catalog show and submit at least $150 in sales or place an order of $150 or more, I will put your name in the drawing for these beautiful Pink Polka Dot Simple Additions coffee mugs, that hold a whopping 16oz of yummy coffee, or other beverage of choice!