#101in1001 letter

Alright, so here are these 1001 days ahead. You've planned, you've added and removed items from the list, you've tweaked, second guessed, and yes doubted. Your 101 things today don't look like they did 2 months ago and you aren't sure that this will finish looking the way it does now. You want to be ok with that, but you're not.

You struggle with mounting insecurities and self-doubt. You failed last month, might probably going to happen this month too. You don't mean to be negative, you just give over to your steady nature. The nature that always seems to do the things you didn't plan to do. 

I'm here to say, that's good. I am glad you don't have this mountain top confidence and self-reliance. It means that because you, yourself, have in fact failed you, you can't rely on you. You, by nature, are a sinful, fallen, unreliable person. You, in yourself, won't complete, finish, fulfill, or accomplish anything. Good. You want to and that is what gets you in trouble. You work so hard, climb as high as you can go, and still come out behind. Great.

Are you with me? Do you see where I am getting to? You want you to do it. But God never, ever set it up that way. You having you do it wasn't His plan. Christ was and is. He sent Him as a baby to live the life you can't live, to die a death you can't, and bring about results you are bound never to accomplish. It's His perfect plan that enables you to do anything. 

Philippians 4:13 is an overused verse in my opinion. Everyone uses it, everything has it on there. Truth is still truth regardless. I can do all things not because  I desire to, plan to, or want to, but because Christ lives in me. 

So because Christ lives in you and you are a redeemed, repaired, and repurposed child of the Kingdom you can do all things. Enjoy your 101 things, enjoy how Christ helps and how the Father changes!

#101in1001 November to December

Happy December ya'll! Christmas is 25 days away, say what? This year is almost over.

As I wrap up November I can't help but kick myself in the behind. This has been a very unproductive month. To be honest I am super bummed. In some ways  I feel like I failed but then again, that is the point of this. Learning and growing. I have plans to do better this month but I can't guarantee anything.

November didn't produce the results I was hoping. I did get 18 days into the thankful photo challenge,  and exercised but not a 30 day challenge. I can't mark off anything but you know what? I'll get it next time. Now I'm sounding like a pep rally...

Ok, onto December!

Here is the plan:

#3 - write a letter to myself.
Be looking for this tomorrow.

#13 - contribute December's amount to my IRA.

#20 - I am taking my youngest sister on a Christmas shopping date. She is so good at planning and saving for gifts and needs a ride to pick them up!

#31 - 30 day fitness challenge
This one. 

#75 - a day in the life photo challenge

Alright December! Let's have it!

It's here, 101 in 1001!

Goodness! After a three month delay it is finally here! I am super excited and super ready! 101 in 1001, let's do this!

You can take a look at my list here. But I have posted it in this post too. For this month I am starting out slow. I am planning out my course because I know  I will get sucked into life and not complete things in a timely manner! Gah!

Here is the plan:
November - 30 days
Write a letter to myself #3 - stay tuned
Scripture memory #8 - I will be memorizing Psalm 138
Monthly report #6 - at the end of the month
Photo challenge #72 - My sister's thankful photo challenge (consider joining!)

start date: 11/01/2014

finish date: 07/29/2017

The list

1. come up with 101 things

2. inspire someone else to write a list of their own

3. write a letter to myself on day 1

4. write a follow up letter on day 1001

5. deposit $5 every time I am able to mark something off my list

6. write a monthly report of my progress

7. post about each thing I do

Spiritually

8. memorize 1 passage of scripture for every month of the challenge (0/32)

9. read through as many of the "Bible related" books on my bookshelf as I can

10. blog about each book

11. learn how to pray, really pray

12. share my testimony in it's entirety privately, publicly, or in written form

Financially 

13. Contribute to my IRA monthly for the duration of the 1001 days

14. reconfigure and alter budget to fit my new income (plus, I like to do this every few years as needs change and I tire of the same old)

15. begin a sponsorship through ShowHope

16. deposit all of my pocket change from the last 6 or 7 years...about $40

17. go one complete month without spending money on things other than gas and needed food
18. research and really understand my accounts and where my money is going
19. by the end of the 1001 days fully fund my 3-6 months of emergency savings, begin growing my savings accounts, and pay my taxes quarterly as opposed to annually

Relationally

20. get back into the groove of taking my sisters on sister dates 1x/month

21. intentionally work on relationships outside of my immediate family

22. host a cooking party
23. host a favorite things party
24. purposefully make time to spend some time with my grandparents and my nanny

25. take each of my nephews on a date to a place of their choice

Physically

26. achieve a goal weight (-50)

27. maintain that weight

28. learn how to rock climb

29. become certified to belay 

30. train and participate in a 5k, 8k, 10k, and half marathon

31. Exercise at least 3x/week for the duration of the 1001 days
32. complete a 30 day "__" challenge per month of the challenge (ex: 30 day plank, 30 day arm, etc.)
33. complete a Whole30

Health and Beauty

34. dress in something other than athletic shorts and tshirts everyday for an entire week; accessories, shoes, hair fixed, etc.
35. blog about each day and my thoughts

36. learn how to dress my body type

37. get rid of or alter clothes in my closet that do not fit or work well for my body type

38. learn as much as  I can about herbs and essential oils so that I can restrict my use of medications such as ibuprofen, antihistamines, etc.
39. learn how to apply makeup correctly
40. learn what essential oil will get rid of my moles and get rid of the bothersome ones

Job

41. create a monthly scrapbook with Cam of all the things we do that month
42. make lesson plans for organized learning

Projects

43. choose and complete 5 Pinterest inspired projects

44. blog about them

45. choose and complete 5 Pinterest inspired recipes

46. blog about them

47. finish settling in and setting up my new room

48. blog through each project

49. reclaim the poison oak covered backyard and reclaim the weed covered, poorly trimmed front yard
50. recycle my old doll cradle
51. finish refinishing my antique high chair
52. learn to use chalk paint
53. purchase, redo, and sell at least 5 items by the end of the 1001 days
54. finish my tshirt quilt

To Buy

55. buy one item of clothing from Modcloth (without grimacing at the price=))

56. buy one item of clothing from DownEast
57. place an order from thred up 

58. DSLR camera

59. my own drill and tools (the basics: hammer, screwdrivers, wrench, needle nose and normal, pliers, etc.)

60. a pair of riding style boots
61. buy iMovie

Blogging

62. redo or have my blog redone

63. participate in blog link ups weekly for one entire year (longer if I can)

64. refresh my "about me" section
65. set up a flexible but productive blogging schedule
66. rename my blog

Technology

67. go phone and computer free for 24 complete hours other than receiving phone calls/texts work related (not extensive but necessary)

68.  go through and delete unwanted pictures and organize albums on the computer

69. delete old and unwanted files, downloads, and duplicate documents

70. burn all files and pictures to cds
71. learn how to use photoshop and bamboo

Photography

72. participate in a 30 day photo challenge 5 times

73. have my pictures taken for blogging purposes

74. take one picture in the same location for every season

75. participate in a day in the life photo challenge once per month for the duration of the 1001 days
76. take a basic photography class

For Others

77. pay for someone in line behind me

78. take someone food during and after a move

79. ramp up operation birthday card blessing
80. meet a need

Random

81. celebrate turning 25

82. celebrate turning 26

83. celebrate turning 27

84. graduate my student (class of 2016)

85. hold a piglet

86. become CPR and First Aid certified

87. plan and lead one field trip per month for the duration of the school years inside the 1001 days

88. provide a way for my family have our pictures taken professionally

89. have the sewing machine my mom gave me conditioned

90. go on a zip line tour
91. rent a how-to book from the library and learn the contents during the 4 weeks it is in my possession
92. have a coffee with a design in the froth
93. go see Christmas lights in my pj's
94. go to the eye doc
95. become a certified doula and natural childbirth educator
96. begin pulling together all the recipes I want in my future home into one organized cookbook
97. take a class from craftsy.com
98. witness my cousin's marriage
99. take a complaining fast
100. get up early((ier) than 6:30) every day for a week
101. eat something I've never tried before

So excited and so ready! Who else is doing a 101 in 1001? I'd love to link up! 

Apples

A fall tradition in our family is apple picking. Meaning Thanksgiving better not arrive before a large bushel of apples is sitting in our kitchen floor and our legs are sore from climbing all over a mountain for that "perfect" apple. This past weekend we decided to ramp up our tradition and made it a two day quest! 

Saturday we headed west with my grandma, uncle and aunt, and sister and brother-in-law to pick in a very small orchard. We were able to take away a bushel of cameos. Yummo! 

The apples were HANGING from the limbs!

see? 

Sunday my parents, sisters, and I headed north to hang with my sister and brother-in-law and nephews and we all went apple picking for a second time! It was FREEZING but fun! I didn't take a lot of pictures that day. When my arms are wrapped around a nephew there is little room for a phone/camera!

I am getting over being sick and impromptu sick day Thursday. Really thankful for the rest and time to get some things done. Looking forward to the weekend and the fun plans!

What's on the agenda for you this weekend?

#weighinwednesday 6 and #whole30 4

Almost down to the final week of #whole30! I can't believe it is almost over. I'll be honest, there for a little bit I thought for sure I was just not going to make it! 

Day 18 - (no pictures)

Breakfast: fruit and nuts

Lunch: left over coal burgers

Dinner: we went to get bbq at one of our favorite spots! I opted for the smoked chicken with spices, green beans, and potatos. 

Day 19 -

Breakfast: sweet potato wedges and strawberries.

Lunch: rotisserie chicken, Tuscan tossed cabbage, and salt and vinegar green beans. 

Dinner: almond crusted chicken nuggets, steamed broccoli, and apple squash bake.  

Day 20-

Breakfast: day 20 and we finally find sausage that is compliant that I didn't have to make! So, cilantro orange sausage, and left over squash apple bake. 

Lunch: more squash and apple bake (I love it!) and spicy baked tilapia (SO tasty! Where had this been these 30 days?!) 

Dinner: back to day 1 for taco salad! 

Day 21 -

Breakfast: sausage and hash browns 

Lunch: we went apple picking so we made almond chicken nuggets, flour less banana muffins, and grapes! Wonderful picnic!

Dinner: (no pictures) rotisserie chicken, baked apples, and salad

Day 22 - (no pictures)

Breakfast: scrambled eggs and fruit

Lunch: my dad baked some chicken for another apple picking picnic, we also had grapes and tomatoes.

Dinner: sausage butternut skillet from early in the 30 days

Day 23 - 

Breakfast: (no pictures) sausage and eggs

Lunch: spicy tilapia and rosemary potatoes

Dinner: italian chicken sausage zucchini soup

Day 24 - 

Breakfast: sausage and fried eggs

Lunch: cilantro chicken (incredible!!!) and skillet sweet potatoes

Dinner: cilantro meatballs (I was on a cilantro kick!), roasted sweet potatoes, and broccoli

Still doing ok. Really wanting donut! =)

No amazing increase in energy that is noticeable, to be honest. I am not in the this sudden "real food is amazing" kick. I do agree that the food I have been putting in has been digested well. I don't agree that it will save the whales, preserve the rainforest, and bring world peace. I am sorry, I just can't. So there you have it.

I haven't lost my desire for a bowl of pasta and  any apple dessert I've seen on pinterest, BUT, I have't wanted it so bad my eyes go cross.

Looking forward to this last week!
Happy Hump Day!

#weighinwednesday 5 and #whole30 3

Day 11 - Head's up, I didn't take a SINGLE picture today! Nada...no shame! =)

Breakfast: scrambled eggs and oven roasted potato

Lunch: platanos (I wasn't hungry)

Dinner: bunless hamburger, salad, and oven roasted potato

Day 12 - again, no pictures. What is my problem? I don't know, maybe the massive amount of eggs and bananas I have consumed have now blocked all logical and normal thinking!

Breakfast: 2 fried eggs

Lunch: salad with grilled chicken and grapes

Dinner: Kung Pao Chicken (this was a.MA.zing!)

Day 13 - Hey, lookie there...no pictures again. This would be the "I hate everything I am eating stage and it doesn't deserve any glory" phase of the program. Pardon. Me.

Breakfast: Mixed fruit and nuts

Lunch: sauteed cabbage with the kung pao juice from last night, rotisserie chicken, and sautéed mushrooms (pretty good meal!)

Dinner: sweet potato chili (awesome!!!)

Day 14 - catching the trend yet...?

Breakfast: mixed fruit and nuts

Lunch: left over sweet potato chili

Dinner: Chipotle salad bowl; lettuce, carnitas, pico, the end. Not Chipotle like I like but satisfied the "need."

Day 15 - 

Breakfast: almond meal pancakes (I know, I know, this defies everything this program stands for. However, I didn't step outside of the bounds of what I am needing to do. I can eat eggs, I can eat bananas, and I can have almonds. Why not ground the almonds down, mix the three together and enjoy something different?

Ignore the ridiculous nail polish!

Lunch: Caribbean Jerk Pork Chops (my own marinade), broccoli, and roasted carrots.

Dinner: nada...when we have big lunches on Sunday no one really wants dinner! 

Day 16 -

Breakfast: strawberries and banana and almonds

Lunch: left over sweet potato chili (finally a picture of it!)

Dinner: bacon apple turkey burgers, oven taters, and green beans 

Fabulous dinner! 

Day 17 - (sorry no pictures, it was meals on the run!)

Breakfast: banana and almonds 

Lunch: sautéed chicken pieces and green beans. 

Dinner: coal burgers...our family invention from year ago modified for #whole30

So, wrap up of week 3. Um, yea...that's all I've got. 

Just kidding. 

I am so over this. Honestly. I am pushing to the end because I am really desiring to see if it solves some gut issues. But, I am loosing creativity!! QUICKLY! 

But, here we go...

Emotionally: over it. Just, over it all.

Physically: I haven't had a single problem. Granted I haven't been able to eat any of my trigger foods but I haven't been nauseous, queazy, bloated, or ill-feeling. I haven't noticed a magic wellness and fit come over my mid drift but I am not feeling bad and yuck when I eat food! So, yeah! 

I am supposed to be in the "tiger blood" stage with boundless energy and overwhelming satisfaction with the program. Um, no. Not happening. My pants don't fit looser. Other than overall "good" feeling in my gut I don't have a satisfying wellness feeling, acne hasn't cleared up, and I am still in the same shape I was 18 days ago. I know, I know, there won't be a one-size-fits-all result for the program but I am not seeing drastic yet.

Still trucking on. Countdown below. No judgement allowed. 

#weighinwednesday 4 and #whole30 2

Another week into #whole30 and it hasn't felt as good as the first week. I want pasta, I went to a wedding where they served tiramisu cake, and I am tired...all the time!

Here is the run down!

Day 4 - 

Breakfast: pulled pork and potato (not pictured)

Snack: grapes

Lunch: sautéed chicken breast in Montreal chicken seasoning and sweet potato with ghee roasted nuts.

Dinner: chicken pesto with zucchini "noodles."

Day 5- 

Breakfast: leftovers from yesterday's breakfast. (Not pictured)

Snack: grapes

Lunch: spaghetti squash and chicken. (Not pictured)

Dinner: Crockpot Chicken Cury over cauliflower rice and sweet potato

Day 6- 

Breakfast: scrambled eggs and pulled pork with red pepper flakes! 

Lunch: leftovers

Dinner: rotisserie chicken, oven crunchy potatoes and carrot sticks (not pictured)

Dessert/snack: banana whip with raspberries! So so tasty! And so so needed! 

Day 7- the aforementioned wedding day

Breakfast: scrambled eggs and left over potatoes from the night before (not pictured)

Lunch: Italian sausage, heaping piles of fresh fruit and vegetables.(not pictured)

Dinner: a naked juice and nuts

Day 8 - 

Breakfast: hard boiled egg and homemade turkey sausage (not pictured)

Lunch: baked potato with pulled beef au jou (not pictured)

Dinner: naked juice and green beans with vinegar. (Not pictured)

---------------

I thought I would break and do a "one week in update." So far so good. Really. 

Now really, let's break for some harsh honesty. I am getting really sick of eggs and cooking! I am not so much realizing what I can't have, just realizing what I can have is slightly limited to certain bounds...and I've reached them. 

Physically I am exhausted! I feel like sleeping all the time. I have kind of skipped days 1-10 listed here and went straight to feeling zonked and bored. I have some new recipes this week to try so I am hoping that pumps up my variety enough to keep this up! 

Emotionally I am still ok with it all. I know it's only for 30 days, not a year. I know that I am almost a third done, and I am still hoping it produces good things for my gut. 

Over all still ok and still excited to keep going. And I may or may not really want a donut! 

--------------

Day 9 - 

Breakfast: sweet potato with ghee roasted nuts

Lunch: spaghetti squash and pulled pork...I was getting desperate! 

Dinner: Strawberry and spinach salad from Noodles and Co. (not pictured)

Day 10 -

Breakfast: scrambled eggs and pulled pork (not pictured)

Lunch: island impact smoothie with out added proteins or sugars...just fruit...from smoothie king

Dinner: ground turkey italian casserole (Not pictured)

Sorry for the lack of pictures. I am quite serious about what I had to say in my mid-week update. This was getting old and it resulted in my enthusiasm to take pictures or get creative!

Most missed: pasta and rice!!! I didn't realized just how much I consume and just how much I missed it.

Symptoms: over all tiredness. I reached the exhausted stage and stayed there. I am fairly confident it still has to do with being away for a month and hitting the ground running when I got home. No "recovery time" at all. I haven't been able to get a decent amount of sleep at any given point to make up for the sleeplessness while I was away. But as far as the whole 30 symptoms I haven't really had any headaches or withdrawals, I am not grumpy, etc.

Best thing I ate: I loved the banana whip! It has been such a nice "treat" occasionally! I made this years ago and posted here on the blog. But I altered it and added some additional fruit for #whole30 approval and variety. I will post what I do soon!

One of the rules of Whole 30 is that you aren't allowed to weigh yourself or take measurements. I didn't listen. =) I forgot to do so when I started but I did 2 days ago. Maybe one day I will feel like posting them but for now, know that I am watching my measurements.

Happy Hump Day!

Butternut Apple Sausage Skillet

I love those one pot wonder meals. The ones that don't require a lot of extra supplies to make. The ones when you are done it doesn't look like Williams and Sonoma puked on your kitchen. I love to cook but if I have to spend the same amount of time cleaning as I did cooking wears on me! =)

This whole #whole30 thing has kept me in the kitchen. Meals take a good amount of time to make and putting together a quick sandwich isn't an option. So, cooking and cleaning, and cooking, and cleaning, and...you get the idea.

Until this meal.

And my, was it GREAT!

1 peeler, 1 knife, 1 spatula, 1 pan, one. happy. me!

So, ready?

Butternut Apple Sausage Skillet

1 butternut squash
3 apples (I used honey crisp and sweetango)
3 lbs ground turkey
4 teaspoon ground sage
4 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon red pepper

Mix raw meat and spices together and let it sit aside. You want the flavors to get all happy together!
While it is sitting peel the squash and apples and dice into bite size pieces. Brown the turkey stirring to maintain big chunks. When browned and there are still remaining juices throw in the apple and squash and cover. Allow the squash and apple to soften over the meat for a few minutes on medium heat. Stir a few times, add more sage and/or salt if needed, and cook until soft. Serve warm!

Whole 30 and family approved! 

Happy Monday! 

#weighinwednesday 3 and #ahdoeswhole30 1

Good Wednesday morning to you all!

It has been a fabulous week around here! I certainly miss everyone in Georgia but it is good great to be home! September is over and I wasn't here for most of it. Oh dear me! More on that later. For now I wanted to get back into the groove of things keeping my promise of weekly updates and #whole30 progress.

We started #whole30 on Sunday and have had pretty smooth sailing. We know that we're in for a few bumps in the road and we aren't blinded by that. For now things are going well!

Day 1 (sorry, no pictures) -

Breakfast: 2 scrambled eggs and a lot of grapes!

Lunch: Big ol' pile of different lettuces, 1 diced avocado, several scoops of pico de gallo (our own recipe), and taco seasoned ground turkey. Yum!

Dinner: Mixed fruit and almonds and pecans

Over all the day went well. We were gone to church and my nanny's so cooking time was interrupted and meal time had to be quick. We realized we needed a good amount cooking and prep time and just didn't. As a result I think we all go hungry a lot faster than we should.

Day 2 -

Breakfast: mushroom, spinach, potato frittata.

Oh. My. Goodness. This was fantastic! Recipe to come!

Snack: salt and vinegar green beans (no picture)

Lunch: Montreal Chicken breast, cabbage sautéed in the sausage juice from this morning (I used this recipe to make sausage for later meals but I have some tweaking so I'll let you know!), and carrot sticks (not pictured).

Dinner: Butternut Apple Sausage Skillet

Oh to the my was this delicious!

I will post the recipe to this soon too!

This day was much better! Less hunger and more time to cook! So tasty!

Day 3 -

Breakfast: mixed fruit and nuts (not pictured)

Snack: two turkey sausage patties I made the day before and some bites of the frittata left overs.

Lunch: I had the leftover taco salad! 

Dinner: pulled pork, roasted squash, zucchini, and onion, and roasted carrots (not pictured)

Over all I think we are doing well! We are getting into the groove of the do's and don'ts and maintaing a balance. We were reading up on #whole30 day by day last night and it seems we aren't in the think of it yet. Mainly our complaint is feeling tired or generally unwell. We have to remember that our bodies are processing food completely different. It is a learning curve and I think we will get there!

So, #whole30 days 1-3, there you have it! Stay tuned for more! 

101 things and Whole 30

An update is coming soon! I promise! I landed late last night from being gone for the month of September. Looking forward to getting in the groove of things and getting some things done! For now...

I am so excited to announce two things!

numero uno: Whole 30! I am pretty excited about this. My family has decided to do it all together so I feel like I will have some encouragement as I attack these 30 days. I really hoping and praying that this solves some things in my gut. I don't know what the outcome will be but I am excited! Be looking for my #whole30 post updates weekly where I will update about some meals that I tried, symptoms and feelings, tricks I've learned, and progress. Follow @ah_wils on instagram (ask to follow: I have had to keep my account private because of safety issues) and be sure to look out for #AHdoeswhole30 and please, please, please comment if you have done or are doing Whole 30! I would love any advice, tips, or recipes!

and, #2: 101 in 1001. Ugh! This has seemed to take forever! I have been trying and trying and every time I go to start I shoot myself in the foot by deleting or messing up my list. Not this time Zerg! I got it! I have been wanting to do this for a long time and I can't wait to see what comes of it! So follow along again on instagram and look for my #101in1001 posts!

So, Whole 30: September 28th, 2014 - October 28th, 2014

101 in 1001: November 1st, 2014 - July 29th, 2017 

Fun new blogs!

I stumbled upon some encouraging blogs lately and wanted to share them here! Enjoy!

Youngers Keepers of the Home

Girl Defined 

Single Matters 

Happy Monday!

Challenges of the #ALSICEBUCKETCHALLENGE

It's been all over the place. Everyone you know knows someone who has done it. Thousands of pounds of ice and thousands of gallons of water have cascaded over heads and shoulders world wide. My facebook newsfeed has #icebucketchallenge trending in it's upper right side. It has become cold water mania in the name of ALS.

It has taken center stage in the media lately. From ice bucket challenge fails...

...to our former President and Mrs. Bush...



...to heart wrenching personal responses (warning: language!)


The outpouring of support and donations have been overwhelming. I am awed by the speed that news spread and monies raised. There was an overnight success. 

However, I had many issues with it when I viewed my first challenge. I swung on a pendulum between insanity and compassion before landing on a few thoughts. I don't have all the answers but wanted to voice my opinion.

First issue: what is ALS?

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis or, Lou Gherig's Disease is a horrific attack on the nerve cells in the brain controlling voluntary muscle movement. Over time the ability to move or speak is limited and eventually impaired all together. Ultimately ALS take's a persons swallowing and breathing capacities. ALS takes lives. It is brutal and nasty.

To date ALS has no treatment or cure. The diagnosis of ALS is a death sentence. Thus the ice bucket challenge. Researchers have been working to provide a cure or treatment or something. Anything to offer hope to someone struggling with ALS. But, research requires funding. Funding that has to be raised. So people across the nation and globe are dousing their do's in some H2O and donating $10 or keeping their curls in tact and donating $100. Or so that is the plan. 

This is a great idea and plan. One that would be great except for one glitch. 

ALSA, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association, and your dollars are speedily being pulled into an operation taking the value of life to an unimaginable and difficult to swallow level. From the ALSA website we find this excerpt:

The discovery that human embryonic stem cells can be isolated and propagated in the lab with the potential of developing into all tissues of the body is a major medical breakthrough.

... Available options to be explored, together with the challenges to making stem cell therapy a reality for ALS, are pushing this field forward rapidly, with continued commitment of funds and expertise.

Human embryonic stem cells is white coat speak for, babies. Babies! Fertilized, conceived, humans waiting to be cared for a nurtured to viable age outside of the womb. We are exchanging one life for another in the name of research and hiding the evidence under code words like "stem cells." This should be disturbing. This should make us shutter. But it doesn't.


I decided a while back that I wouldn't participate in the challenge. Dave Ramsey's #icebucketchallenge included that his funding couldn't go to any research done with embryonic stem cells but that wasn't sure enough for me. I had to make this decision based on what I feel God has lead me to through His Word.

I firmly believe that life begins at conception.

I firmly believe that embryonic stem cell research is abortion at the least.

I firmly believe that to be a good steward of my money I cannot peacefully fund abortion. 

I know that I sound heartless. I don't mean to. I really struggled with this decision. If I was facing my end and that end had a name, ALS, I would seek every option available. I would fight and come up with something, anything. I would love to honestly say that being faced with this decision without a doubt that this would be my choice.    

John 15:13 (ESV)  
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

But I am not there. I can't say it. My heart is burdened for the thousands of men, women, and children plagued with ALS. But no more than it is for the millions of babies being murdered. Saint John Paul II said in best in 2003 when he said this.

Any treatment which claims to save human lives, yet is based upon the destruction of human life in its embryonic state, is logically and morally contradictory, as is any production of human embryos for the direct or indirect purpose of experimentation or eventual destruction.

That doesn't mean there isn't anything you can do. Here are some thoughts on that.

#1 - There are places to donate that don't fund or participate in embryonic stem cell use or research. Here are a few.

Cell Therapy Foundation 
You can specify where you would like for your donation to go. ALS is an option. 

Compassionate Care ALS 
Supports and provides care for those suffering from ALS and their families. CCALS has an ice bucket challenge themselves and the money you donate there goes directly to the families. No research involved at all. 

ALS Therepy Developement Institute
ALSTDI issues research only on adult stem cells. 

#2 - Pray. Pray for those with ALS, the researchers and their hearts, those taking the challenge, those hoping for a cure. Pray.

#3 - Gain as much information as possible. Research, research, research. Read up and all about. Here is a good article with several links and lots of info. 

I do not judge those who have participated, nor do I believe in anyway, shape, or form that those who have participated are intentionally taking part in something they know to be wrong. My purpose is education. I want others to know what is going on behind the bucket. I am so glad that so many want and desire to help and contribute.

Room to grow! #thelist

So, we have moved in and are settling. Not really anymore boxes. Just piles, more or less.

One of my 101 in 1001 (if I can get the list rewritten due to my blunder!) is to settle in and set up my room. I have a tiny room but one that had several possibilities. I can't wait to make these piles something decorative and fun! 

I got my idea of "how" to tackle my room from a dear friend, Sarah. She has been taking her house one room at a time with what she calls, her focus rooms. She makes her lists, sets a time limit, and works her way through.  I loved this idea the moment I heard it! 

Since I don't have a "house of my own" my room is the big picture and I am going to be breaking it down into smaller bite size pieces and projects. I have compiled my projects in this list and will take then one by one. 

I have hesitantly taken pictures of my before to show you the mess I am residing in! It has been a set up and go mentality so I have taken what I can get. This weekend I hope to take care of another big chunk. Trust me, what you see here is progress from where I started. Whew! 

1: make bed with my bedding! 

2: change blinds 

3: go through sweaters and get rid of/put away

4: refinish tray

5: paint frames and mat antique English paper

6: update all pictures 

7: finish fruits of the spirit wall hangings 

8: make collage on my wall

9: install mid support for shelf and rod in closet

10: get a basket for my shoes

11: Set up night stand 

12: "hang" mirror

13: make cork board

14: change wimpy fan pull

15: make jewelry board 

16: hang jewelry board and earrings holder
17: finish sorting and putting away clothes
18: get a hamper that is cute! =)

I am making progress and can't wait to update everyone next week! 

cardboard boxes and the blessing of food

Good Monday Morning! I feel like this day should be like a Friday...maybe, or a Tuesday, or wait, what? Last Sunday was the last "normal" day I had, but then again, what's normal? =)

Monday morning we hit the ground running...quite literally. Some dear, dear friends came all the way from Atlanta to help load us up and head us out. Some back and forth with the new house lead to three solid, straight days of packing, cleaning, and loading and about 30+ hours of homelessness Tuesday through Wednesday. We finally closed Wednesday morning and moved in. God supplied in unlimited supply help for all three days. 

I can't even begin to thank the people who spent hours pouring over boxes, gave up time with hubbys to send them to lift the heavy stuff, made and brought us food, provided starbucks, gave encouragement, loved on us, praised with us, packed and unpacked boxes, and the list could go on. They were such blessings through this whole process.

By the way, this has shown me one very important thing. When someone moves I will be taking them food! I cannot begin to describe the blessing food was through all this! Oh goodness, it was NOT on the forefront of our minds...at all, until we were hungry! 

Wednesday night was the first night in the new place and yet today was the first day I can say that all the boxes are "unpacked" and we are "moved in." It has been a whirlwind of a week! 

The empty house

During our "homelessness" my nanny made me muffins to snack on! There were a lifesaver for me! 

Sitting in a parking lot with almost all my possessions in the back seat of my car waiting on our house! 

Day 1 night of the new house. Exhausted, overwhelmed, and so very thankful.

Life gets "back to it" this week. It was supposed to begin today but I have had my sick nephew all weekend and my employers didn't think a nasty virus with fevers, sore teeth (throats), and upset tummies made for a great first day. 

Yes, I said first day but that is a story for another day. 

For now, happy Monday! 

I am looking forward to getting back into the groove of things! I will be back on target with Wednesday Weigh In and Oh Hey Friday along with other posts swirling in my head lately! Due to a blunder on my part 101 in 1001 is delayed. =( SO bummed when I figured out what I had done...ugh!