Adventure 17

It was the weekend after our vacation and I was still in vacation mode. I didn't want to come home and deal with the normal stuff like laundry and dishes. So when i found out that the circus was in town I was so excited. Joslyn had never been to the circus and I hadn't been to one since I was a girl. I was wondering if it would still have the exciting feel as it did to me as a kid. We got there early so we could check out the fun things they had going on. And I looked over and my heart got fluttery. Elephant rides!

When I put ride an elephant on my adventure list I never considered that it would be so easy to accomplish. I remember looking at the State Fair last time hoping they had something like that there, but alas they didn't. So when I looked over and there it was, I was thrilled. The big question was Would Joslyn go with me? We bought tickets and stood in line. We had talked and talked up the elephants before the circus to get her excited about going. So standing in line to ride I showed her that we were going to get to touch an elephant!

We ended up being first in line for our elephant named Viola. Joslyn went on first and was a trouper. Normally a strange guy picking her up would have scared her, but she went with it. Then it was my turn. I looked at that high elephant and said how do i get on? He held his hand out like a stool and offered. I looked at him like he was crazy. He must have been 100 hundred lbs soaking wet, and he wanted my hefty but to stand on his hands? I reluctantly got on and hefted my self on the big beast. Now look, I am no little fairy of a woman. I am big bold and beautiful, but even Viola got nervous when I got on. She started moving back a little and I started to get nervous. I silently said a prayer and thank you to Viola for suffering for my benefit. Turns out she was spooked because I was sitting above the mat and that made her nervous. So they had me scoot back and she calmed down. I patted her head and said thank you sweet elephant! Joslyn was calm the whole time until I got nervous about her being nervous. They loaded a couple other small kids and we were off.

What a ride! Oh I will admit I tried to stay calm while I was on there for Joslyn's sake, but I was terrified! Joslyn was able to pat her head and feel her bristles. Joslyn was fearless! She had fun! Momma did not. I am really glad I did it but I don't think I would ever do it again. Everytime that Viola moved I felt we were going to fall off. I was a nervous wreck until we got off that elephant! A nervous wreck with a smile though! I looked in Viola's sad eyes as we parted ways and thanked her again. I will never understand what it is like for service animals. We all can speculate what they are feeling as they are doing our bidding. Whether it is a service dog, a competition horse, or a circus elephant. All I know is that I will always have respect for the animals. When Adam and Eve took those bites of that apple, they not only changed our lives but the lives of the animals. God created the animals for companions to live in the garden, leisurely lives in Eden to live out eternity. Suddenly thrust in the world to be looked at as food and as the help. Then as sin corrupted all of the Earth, their lush homes turned into desserts and their past companions turned into enemies. I try and remember this as I look at the animals that pass through my life. Gifts from God to his people. Respect and love is something I wish I could convey to everyone in respect to these animals. They aren't playthings or things to abuse, but gifts from God to enjoy and be thankful for.

Thank you God for the animals! Thank you that we have them to share live with, eat and work with. Thank you for their sacrifices for your benefit. Help us to know how best to love and respect the animals and therefore honor you. Thank you for the joy they bring and help us to do our part in taking care of the blessings that you provide for us. In your name amen! 

Adventure 16

As most of you know, my adventures usually come with a lesson. When I first put this adventure on the list I had planned it a little differently.

Adventure 16 - Cook a meal in a friend's home.

Show up at the friends house
They are in a crisis!
They don't know what to make for dinner?
OH NO!
Don't worry Teresa to the RESCUE!!!!!
I take over and come up with a plan and start cooking!
I struggle with finding everything I need and have to make a few last minute replacements.
But Voila! Teresa creates a wonderful, delicious meal for the family without any help from them!
Just call me queen of the Kitchen!

Okay, so maybe I watch Kitchen Impossible a few too many times. And the couple of times I have been in different friends kitchens, I was no where near creative enough to come up with a spectacular dinner. As adventurous as I try to be, I am still a safe person for the most part. Trying different types of food, is something I want to do, but rarely get motivated enough to do the work. That is why this adventure list is so good for me. Slowly getting me out of my comfort zone. So since saving the day wasn't possible I decided to alter it a little.

It isn't everyday I get up the nerve to ask someone to let me cook for them in their kitchen. Most people are very concerned about letting others in their space, unoccupied, much less letting them be photographed. One of the things I learned by my trip to Mexico when I was a teenager, was that most of the people there were not concerned with status and how their houses looked. When our group of missionaries came to town and told 4 families that they were going to get new houses on us, they were so gracious that they offered to cook for all 200 of us workers. There was no way they could have afforded to even feed a portion of us, but their generousity was not lost on me. She didn't care what she looked like and how it would happen, she just was so grateful for the help. I wish I had pictures from back then and could show you what the tiny shack she and her 10 children lived in. They literally had to sleep on top of each other to fit in the tiny space. But God did amazing work through us and in us. I was forever changed by that trip and the glorious simplicity of those people.
But of course, living amongst the society and culture here, I easily forget the simplicity that life can be. How it doesn't always have to go how I want it to go, to work. In fact it is better if it doesn't go my way, as long as it goes God's way.
When I realized that our trip to see my brother was going to actually happen, I decided that I was going to cook for them. One of my gifts is cooking and I love to do it, if I am motivated. So when we arrived at Tim and Beth's abode, I asked if they would mind if I accomplished one of my adventures by cooking in their kitchen. Beth, the wonderful adventure lover herself said sure! No hesitation, no concerns, just yes! I have always loved her from the moment my brother introduced her to me, but I gain a new respect for her each time we get together. Her strength and knowledge and deep down understanding of the important things in life. Her amazing ability to love my brother unconditionally, we can all take lessons from. So thank you Beth, for letting me invade your house for awhile and cook for you. It was truly my pleasure!

So the Mission was this:
Gather ingredients from the local stores for a meal I knew how to prepare.
Rely on the staples they had at the house, spices and oils, but buy the rest of the ingredients
I was not allowed to ask where anything is, I had to find and use the utensils they had on hand.
I had to put everything back where it came from and clean the kitchen when I was done.

The menu was Chicken Enchiladas and my famous Guacamole.

My brother took me to two local stores. First one was an Aldi! I was praising for an Aldi, I can find my way around these stores. So I started gathering the staples I needed but was flabbergasted that they had flour tortillas, but not corn tortillas. I asked an associate if they had them and she looked at me like I was from outerspace. She did not know what corn tortillas were. I showed her the corn tortillas they had that were already fried and made into shells and said I need these but not cooked yet. She said are they doughy? I shook my head and gave up. Luckily, Tim said they had a mexican grocery store with fantastic produce, so I knew I could find them there. I will pray for that sweet little girl that someone will come into her life that can introduce her to really good mexican food or at least Tex mex. Poor thing! So next we went to the mexican grocery store and luckily the problem there was not did they have corn tortillas, but which ones of the 20 different brands do we pick? We also got really lucky, because their avacados were perfectly ripe and beautiful on the inside. I didn't have to throw away one of them. We did have a little trouble finding the enchilada sauce, because of language barrier I couldn't convey what I was needing to the spanish speaking attendant. But, after a little searching we found it. Then we were able to head back to the house and I was ready to get cooking.

So I started out looking for the basics. Skillet to cook the chicken in, wooden spoon or spatula to stir with. At my house, because my husband is used to me cooking for hundreds, even though we don't ever have that many show up, we have a multitude of enormus skillets. Most of them bigger than the burners. Here I only found small skillets, so I had to cook in shifts. I wonder if this contributes to my food addiction? Hmm, gonna have to ponder that... later. Okay so once I started the chicken, I went immediately to look for spices.

Cumin is a staple at our house. We are not allowed to run out. But in my brother's house, where indian food and jewish foods are a main place, I was wishing and hoping that I could find it. I got lucky, they had cumin. Cumin is one of the main spices you can taste in my enchiladas. The next spice I looked for was a mexican spice blend. No suck luck there. But I was able to find taco seasoning and that was a suitable substitute. Luckily, my brother is much more adventurous in food than I am, so I was able to find the other spices needed, like garlic powder and onion salt. After generously applying the chicken with seasoning and cooking it all the way through, I had to remove it to a cutting board, which I had to look for for awhile, while I cut it into small pieces. I stored it into a bowl, while I chopped the onion and sauted it. I added the frozen corn, the rotel, one can of cream of chicken and more spices. I usually use diced tomatoes and green chilis seperately, but Rotel worked for this. After heating up the corn mixture I added it to the bowl to let it cool. While it cooled I started dicing the vegetables for my guacamole.

At home I have a tupperware food processer that is portable and uses a hand crank method to chop the vegetables into the perfect size for guacamole. I always leave my veggies chunky, I think it makes the guacamole the perfect way. So it was more difficult to get my veggies  that perfect size, but I am no stranger to work. Especially when it comes to food. I think I am like Po in Kung Fu Panda, that way, motivated by food. So I use green pepper, onion, cilantro, jalapeno(seeded) and tomatoes (unripened). After all those veggies are chopped up small but not minced, I roll one lime around, to get the juices flowing and squeeze all the juice into the veggies. I make sure the veggies are coated well, then in a different bowl I deseed and chop up the avacado insides. Then I add season salt, which they had, and use a potato masher to get the avacado good and creamy. I found a potato masher at their house and it still had the tag on it! Lucky me! When you are ready to serve mix the avacados and the veggies together well and add more season salt if needed.  For a good size batch I use 4 to 5 avacados. But even this batch was quickly devoured.

After the chicken mixture cooled, I coated two glass baking dishes with red enchilada sauce and started rolling the tortillas. Take the corn tortillas and warm them up in the microwave. If you have a steamer it works better, but I don't even have a steamer at home. Take a warm corn tortilla and add some chicken mixture in the middle and roll it up, placing the seam side down. Make sure to work quickly, because the drier the tortilla the more it will crack. When you have filled the pan with rolled tortillas, apply a generous coating of red enchilada sauce on top and cover with shredded cheese. It takes about 35 minutes in the oven set about 350 to warm the insides and melt the cheese properly. Another easier way to make them is to layer the corn tortillas on the bottom of the casserole dish  and cover with chicken mixture, sauce and cheese. Then repeat as many times as will fit in the dish.

The enchiladas and guacamole, turned out perfectly. And we stuffed ourselves silly when it was time to eat. I made sure to wash the dishes and clean the counters when I was done. Nobody likes cleaning up after a messy cook. And I am a messy cook. The biggest thing I didn't prepare for was the leftovers. I am so used to us eating these things for days and freezing the leftovers that I didn't take in consideration that they may not have room in their freezer. Oh well, I hope they didn't have to throw away the leftovers, but if they did no harm done. Lessoned learned, look for storing space.

I think the best thing I learned from this adventure is that good cooks are able to adapt to their environment, try a new way or try something new, and able to learn from mistakes and/or failures. So I hope you enjoyed my adventure story and I only have 134 more to go! Whew, I better get busy! My challenge to you, is to see what you can come up with new in the kitchen and see if you can use it to help someone else out! Happy cooking!

How we are doing!

Well I thought I would do a slight update on my 6 goals. Since I am less than 3 years away from my goals, things look a little daunting. But even though, I am excited about my progress. God is slowly working in me changing the way I think and act. I have seen such progress in myself since I started this blog almost 2 years ago. Yes two years! In April it will be two years exactly and although, my blog sometimes veers off track I really believe that my original goals that I just jotted down are the things that God is working with me on. Now I am not blogging because I am a new mom with so many new experiences that I NEED an outlet. I am blogging with the full purpose of reaching others through Christ as He changes my quality of life.
1. Lose 150 lbs. Well I haven't accomplished this goal and since I haven't been weighing myself, I can't tell if I have lost anything. But, for the first time in my life I am getting up and going to the gym without outside motivation and I am addicted to a certain yoga class. In fact though I am the fattest girl in there, I feel like I belong, and that I am accomplishing more and more. Today I bought my first yoga mat and I feel like a proud yogaee (Is that a word?)! I remember when my friend Abby bought her first hiking pack and her excitement that she really was becoming a hiker. I feel that since of accomplishment, and I am hoping that eventually I will have that much success! I have to believe that!

2.Go green. Truthfully I have no idea where God is headed with us on this, since we had to move from country, where we could of had a garden and stored half of a cow and done many other green things, to an apartment. My goal is to try and start a small and I mean really small container garden of herbs this spring on my little porch. If I can keep those alive, then we will see about more. We have been recycling like crazy though. My hubby gets sick of the bags of recycled plastics, paper and tin cans that I collect. I try and take them every week because we litterally have no room to store them. But it is amazing to me how much stuff we could have been recycling all these years and didn't. My trash can doesn't have to be emptied as often and we recycle glass jars for my craft collection. We also collect those baby wipe containers and the plastic round big ice cream buckets for homeschool and craft stuff.

3.Become adventurous. On my list of 150 new things to try I have accomplished 15. And number 14 was completed the other day, because my passport has arrived. It is in a blue shiny new book and it looks so wonderful and it is so pretty! Just have to use it! When I look at the amount of time left and my still growing list of stuff to do I am bummed.  But when I remember how special some of my adventures have been and how they have slowly gotten me out of my comfort zone. Like when I walked on eggshells to remember that I would never again walk on eggshells for anyone. Or when I had my first food fight! So I know that God is really changing me through each small adventure and each time I meet new people and feel a little more confident about who God made me to be! Always stay tuned for more adventures, sometimes I schedule them and sometimes they just happen.

4.Enrich my marriage. Well I am feeling much more confident about this goal then some of the others. God has really blessed me in this department. And the reason I say this is not because I have been working on it. REALLY!!! When I took my first blue chip in CR over 4 years ago, I surrendered my marriage. And really I don't have much trouble with trying to take control over my marriage anymore. I think one of the best reasons is because I am so open about me being in recovery for codependency. I have changed so much in the ways I try and conrol others and my situations. And with me being so open about my vulnerablity I have seen amazing changes in my hubby. He is much more open with me too! Our communication has never been better and although we still have troubles like other couples do, we seem to be able to have the tools to handle them. I also have really been humbled by my friend's marriages ending and marriages mending. It makes it really easy to value what you have when you have watched your friends lose what they love.

5.Teach Joslyn to enjoy life and love others by example. Ouch this is one I really need to work on. Since I really struggle with this stage of Joslyn's life, I have trouble viewing my progress on this. And we have gone back and forth about homeschooling which would give me more time to teach her. But I think that she is going to grow up to be a very respectful young woman and I already see the love capability in her. And as far as enjoying life I know that she will. I know that providing everything a child wants does not make them happy. And happiness is not the same as joyfulness. Happiness is temporary. But I do believe that she will be reasonably happy. She has a very active imagination! My imagination has always helped me out in boring times, especially in high school, where I had my visions of my dream husbands planned down to the color of the carpet and the shoes on their feet. She is a very active child. I plan on keeping her with an active lifestyle and helping her as much as possible to not have my food addiction and laziness. And she is so curious. Although curiousity usually leads kids to trouble, it also brings them to try new things and experience life in a way I strive to!

6. Grow closer to God. Well that is apparant even to me! I feel with each new experience and each new trial God is pulling me closer and knocking down those walls I have built between us. Reading the entire Bible is something I plan on starting soon. But starting a new ministry is something I never knew that would happen and it has. Corinthian Writers is growing and we are now looking to expand and start adding writers to our group. Why because up until now God has provided each writer and girl as needed and we are so blessed for that. But He is showing us that we need to take a leap of faith and start ministering to a certain group home. I won't mention the home yet until it is finalized (we are in the beginning stages now) but we will require many more devoted ladies and gents that would like to commit to writing a hand written letter a month to a girl or boy that could use some encouragement. Some of the stipulations are that you need to have a strong faith in the Lord and you would need to take this ministry very seriously as we do, wanting to encourage and not destroy and lead to the Lord not away from the Lord. So it doesn't matter where you live, but if you would pray about this and see if this ministry is something you need to be involved in, then please contact me.

Thank you again for all of your comments and support as I continue on this path of enlightenment. My question for you would be: have you seen a change in me since you have started reading and what do you look forward to me accomplishing most on my goals? Have a great week!

Adventure 15!

Anybody for tea?

When I first decided to add dinner theater to my adventure list, I was thinking about something fancy like The Yellow Rose Theater or Medieval Times. But as always with this adventure list, God is always showing me ways to look outside of the box, that I like to live in. It really wouldn't have been an adventure for me to go out to eat at a fancy restaurant. But it is an adventure to put my Valentine's Dinner date night in the hands of teenagers.

So when I found out about the teenagers at my church putting on a Murder Mystery Dinner for couples on the weekend before Valentine's Day, I committed to do it. After all the money they raised was going towards their State Youth Conventions and International Youth Conventions. So since you all know I love teenagers, I thought this would be great. Only 30 dollars a couple! Most nice restaurants would be twice that for a fancy meal.

We stopped at the hosts desk and recieved our programs and were seated at a table with 3 other couples. Our drink menu choices were Iced Tea or Water, which they kept filled pretty regularly. Then they brought out our salads or soups. The soup of the day was potato, but since I had chosen our choices before, we both ate the salads. I am saddened that I did not take pictures of the food. When I purchased the tickets we made our food choices then. Out of two choices for the entree, Chicken Parmasean or Spaghetti with Meat Balls. We had Chicken Parmasean and I really have to say it was wonderful. Afterwards we were served our choice of 3 cheesecakes, Raspberry, Chocolate or Carmel. John got the raspberry and I ate the carmel off of the cheesecake. I am not a cheesecake fan. Next the lights were dimmed and the show began.

The story starts off with a homicide detective asking his boss to be transferred to the Arson squad, when the Supervisor asks why he must tell the tale.

Across the street from this detective lived six lonely old women. Their favorite pasttime was staring at said detective through binoculars. They realized that the only way to meet him would be if they devised a plan.

A murderous plot was devised and the remaining 5 ladies prepared to meet the detective. When the detective shows up with his apprentice and dismisses their claim that the lady was murdered. They get frustrated.

The ladies unable to convience the detective that they are serious, result in choosing their next victim. The 4 ladies pull out the rat poison and close their eyes. Each of them get a chance to poison the victim's tea without the others really know if they did it. Therefore the only one who knows who poisoned the old lady is the criminal.

As the detective is brought back this time, he realizes that someone will die each time until he puts a stop to this plot. He cleverly figures out the killer! As he goes to to arrest the criminal, the other ladies fight over him and fawn over him. So much that he leaves the house screaming in terror.

Upon hearing this story, the supervisor agrees that the best option is to promote the detective to the arson squad. Minutes later the detective is sent out on his first case:a fire was started at a little house of elderly women, right across the street.

The cast did a wonderful job! I was so proud of these students. Some that I have met before and some that I hope to get to know in the future. The youth servers, cooks, hosts, and the youth director were also amazing! My lesson in this adventure is never assume paying more money is going to bring you a better experience. My husband and I had a blast at this dinner. We are so proud that instead of giving our money to a corporation, we are supporting those we love. We strive as a couple to put our money into the little guys pockets as much as we can. I know that the more I do that the more I will strengthen those relationships God has put in my life. 

My challenge for you is that you find a way this week to support someone locally, you never know where that relationship will go! happy Valentine's Day my loved ones! I thank you for supporting me as I grow and change in this blog.  

Adventure 14

Well I don't have it in my possession yet, but I have accomplished Adventure 14, getting my passport!!!!
It should take about 3 weeks to recieve the actual physical hold in my hand passport book, but it is bought and in the works! This is a real accomplishment because it works toward my lifelong bucket list to travel and see the world. I know that there isn't a lot of traveling on my adventure list but that is because my blog goals are to accomplish these things before Joslyn turns 5, since she is 2 now that doesn't leave me a lot of time to accomplish these goals. 14 in a year isn't very spectacular, I know. But since we are working on a limited budget and have many adventures that are expensive or require other circumstances. But God has done great works in me so far through this list and will continue to bless me and others by continuing to help me accomplish these. How is a silly adventure list part of God's plan, you ask? Well, since I lived most of my life avoiding any kind of risk and choosing to hide in the shadows by not drawing attention to myself. Every week you hear me talk about Celebrate Recovery and the changes it has made in me. But one of the biggest changes has occured within, when I truly realized my worth in God and therefore make the decisions to live out in the open and out of the box. What others think of me are irrevelent compared to what God  feels about me. Each time I accomplish an adventure that is either scary or draws attention to me, I am fullfilling God's plan and breaking those chains of unworthiness and self worth that used to control my every move. So each week I expose myself a little more, to draw closer to my Savior and if you don't like it, then so be it! I do love you though because God loves you and me, we are and will always be important in His eyes!
P.S. I will update this post when I get the actual passport. I am not a huge fan of the picture, but oh well what can I do about that? I will be really really excited when I get my first stamp in my new passport!

Recipe- Crockpot Chicken Tortilla Soup

I haven't posted a recipe in a long time, but I thought I would share an amazingly easy recipe that is souper good! I love Chicken Tortilla Soup, and I loved how all of them taste a little different. I have made this soup for many people and each of them have liked it. I hope you do too!

What you will need:

2 to 3 frozen chicken breasts
1 can of black beans
1 can of rotel or diced tomatoes with green chilis
1/2 onion chopped
1 cup corn
2 cups of water
1 cube of chicken bullion
1 tsp chili powder( or I used Mexican seasoning)
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp garlic salt

Topping choices:

Shredded cheese
Sour cream
Chopped green onions
Cilantro
Fried tortilla strips

Directions:

Add all items to the crock pot, make sure to use a crockpot bag for easy cleanup. Cook on low for 8 to 10 hours. You might have to take the chicken out and shred it then add it back to the soup. Then if you want take corn tortillas and cut them into small strips and fry them in a little bit of hot oil until lightly brown. Drain the grease off and cool them down then put them on top of the hot soup, chow down.

P.S. I am accomplishing an adventure this week so stay tuned. Click here to see my list of adventures and see if you can guess which one I will be accomplishing this week! 

Dreaming

Saturday is my 33rd birthday! I can't believe that time flies by so fast. It seems like it was only yesterday that I was a teenager listening to songs and daydreaming about boys. Playing mash was one of my favorite games. I could daydream about the cute boys that were in my school. My imagination has always been very active. It is a defense mechanism that helps me cope with my crazy life. Day dreaming is so much fun! I used to dream about having a fabulous life as a wildlife conservationist. In my dream I had thousands of acres, fenced in really good and I would take in old lions and tigers and all kinds of big cats. I had created a wonderful playland for these animals to live out their last days. We had a couple of veterinarians on staff to care for their medical needs. But the best thing was that the animals could run and run and explore their territory. Nobody wants to die in a cage! Have you ever seen Secondhand Lions? I love that movie! And I love that the lion gets to be free in the end.

Now that I am thirty my daydreams aren't as vivid. It is sad how the doldrums of  life can take away our ability to dream. I believe that God gives us some of our best dreams. Dreams that fulfill our desires and if we let the world tell us we cant then we are letting the wrong people tell us what to do. Now I am not saying that all of our dreams will come true. But I am saying that we should work hard to find the dreams that God is giving us and work towards them. I don't think that my dream of being a wildlife conservationist is going to come true. But that doesn't mean that I can't rescue animals. It also means that God probably has different dreams for me now. Some of them are on my adventure list  some of them are small and some of them have to do with Corinthian Writers and they are huge! Only God can help me accomplish them, but only if I keep dreaming.
 What dreams do you have?
Are they dreams God has put in your heart?
What can you do to accomplish them?

Love, Teresa

Musicals (part 2) The List

For explaination read part 1. Otherwise this is my musical list! This list is not all of the musicals I have seen, but the ones I have watched since starting my adventure list.

1. Fosse - This is a musical based on the choreographer Bob Fosse and the songs he has choreographed. 30 songs from such wondrous musicals like Pippin, Chicago, Cabaret, All That Jazz and so many more. It's a 3 act production without a story line but featuring some of his famous dances. There are so many talented people in this musical but I loved Ben Vereen and of course Ann Reinking. Ann Reinking played Grace Ferrell in Annie whom I got to play her part in our little high school production of Annie! Love her! Apparently, Bob Fosse was unbelievably talented.

2. Victor/Victoria - there are 2 movie versions of this musical. I watched the one in 1982 with Julie Andrews and James Garner. I really loved it! The plot of the musical was a struggling singer is finding a very hard time finding work when she runs into an older gay man who introduces her to idea of her singing as a guy pretending to be a girl. Well she becomes a sensation but trouble arises when she starts falling in love with a guy, who thinks she is a guy. Well although the topic of the musical is taboo, I really loved the witty script and of course Julie Andrews is amazing! She hits the glass breaking note many times in this musical and I will always be in awe of her.

3. Cats - Watched it last week and was sorely disappointed. Cats is one of those musicals that is talked about and talked about. But because of my highly active toddler, it was very hard to hear the words and I was expecting a major storyline so I was very confused. So I have decided to read the book that it is based on Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats. And then watch it again when kiddo is asleep or gone for the night.
When I do, I will update this list!

4. Little Shop of Horrors(1986) - Okay who knew this musical was so good! I have to admit I had not heard what this movie was about but stayed away from it. When I started the musical and saw Rick Moranis and Steve Martin was in it I was hooked! I couldn't stop laughing and watching it! I thought it was wonderful! My favorite song was Suddenly Seymour when Rick Moranis and Ellen Greene realize their love for each other. And of course when ... well that would spoil it. Watch this movie, so much fun!


5. Sarafina!(1992) - This movie musical was made in 1992 after the Broadway show lasted 597 performances. It was conceived and directed by Mbongeni Ngema. When I saw the preview on the T.V. I thought that Whoopi Goldburg was the main character. But in fact she is not featured too much in the movie. The story line is about students involved in the Soweto Riots, in opposition to the Apartheid. Sarafina (Leleti Khumalo) is a student who dreams of being a star but she is stuck in a tough time where freedom is just a dream. Sarafina is encouraged to fight freedom without killing by her teacher (Whoopi Goldburg) but when her teacher is arrested for teaching the truth, Sarafina has to find her own way. This movie is hard to watch but I was glad that I did.

6. Oklahoma (1999 musical film version) Oklahoma has been made into 2 movies, the original film done in 1955 and this new version in which the stage performance is filmed. I had seen the original Oklahoma long before in my teenage years, when I was in lust with theater and stage performance. But when I saw that Hugh Jackman was a main performer in this version of Oklahoma, I had to see it! It also starred Josefina Gabrielle as Laurey and those 2 together played a wonderful performance. I really enjoyed hearing Hugh sing and watch him dance and there were so many wonderful performers. You need to see this version!

7.Star - is a 1968 American musical film about the life of Gertrude Lawrence. This 175 minute film stars Julie Andrews who is one of my favorite actresses. I had to watch this movie in sections because of its length. But it is really a great film, and was nominated for 7 academy awards. Julie does a great job protraying Gertrude who loves the theater more than anything else in her life including her 2 husbands and daughter and is very conflicted about it. The costumes are fabulous and so is the content, but my favorite parts are the extremely witty comments by her best friend Noel Coward. He was hysterical. My favorite song was "Jenny", Andrews did many stunts for this song alone, it was quite impressive. I loved this movie!

8. South Pacific - (the 2001 movie version) I have seen the original version such a long time ago. But I have to say this version is the best I have ever seen! Glenn Close was phenominal in this movie. She sang beautifully and her on screen romance with Race Sherbedgia felt so real. And of course Harry Connick Jr. was wonderful to look at in this film. I was saddened by the fact that "Bali Hai" was shortened, but "I'm Gonna Wash That Guy Right Out Of My Hair" was done great. I recommend this film for sure. In fact I would love to buy this film.

9. Hair - made in 1979, this film is a hippie revolution. Treat Williams stars in this film that is based upon the very popular musical. Set in the sixties in the middle of the Vietnam war, one Oklahoma boy (Claude) heads to New York. He has been drafted and with only a couple of days before he has to show up to the drafting board, he meets some unlikely characters. A band of hippies who oppose the war and most forms of conforming, take Claude for a ride. With the sexual content, drug use and nudity, this show is not for the faint of heart. There were a few laughable moments including the song "Black Boys". But for the most part, I didn't like the movie. Not because of the shady content, but mostly because it was too serious and sad for me. I rally couldn't relate to anything in the movie and although with most musicals that isn't an issue, it was with this one. Sometimes I was very confused on what was real and what was an LSD trip. I don't recommend this one unless you relate to the issues, the age or the rebellion.

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Musicals (part 1) Explaination

Musical -Also called musical comedy. a play or motion picture in which the story line is interspersed with or developed bysongs, dances, and the like. Ref. Dictionary.com

Changed something on my adventure list. I originally had number 114 as visit 100 museums and then changed it to 50 museums. The reason I chose museums was because they are a great way to learn culture. But as I thought about it more I really don't like most museums. Scratch that I love museums! But I don't like how stuffy they are and how kids friendly they are not. If I was a single gal with plenty of money to burn, you would find me at all the museums in the world. But since my world involves being financially strapped  with a toddler in tow, I figured out a better way to gain culture. 

The musical world has always held my appeal! Since I was a small girl I would often be involved in school or church plays. I can't remember many of them, because we moved so much, so my memory is lost. But I do remember being in the musical in 6th grade I think of The Electric Company! And sometime in junior high I was in my church play For Unto Ya'll as Mary. Both of them were enlightening and exciting. But in my junior year I got to be apart of The Wizard of Oz in Moore High School's yearly musical. This was my first experience with true choreography and music that is involved with a musical production. The most exciting thing was the teamwork that was involved in putting this production together. So many people working so hard to make something that was non sequential to many others. It gave me this huge respect for movies and musicals and plays and ALL that are involved. When someone goes to a show and has no respect for the people who have put it together they might be missing the biggest part. 

The cast, the crew, the director, the writer, the choreographer, the costume designers, makeup, the paperwork and accounting side of the work! So many people working together for one goal! How can we say that isn't important? Yes you may not like the end result, or certain aspects of the show. But respect should be paid. Can you imagine what would happen if all the world was a stage? All of us different people coming together with our different talents and helping each other make this world better. Guaranteed you probably will never respect the true talents of the crew of a musical, until you have been on one or needed them. Can you imagine putting on a huge musical without anyone running the lights? You would never see it!!! Or what about those beautiful costumes that were sewn by some amazing people and that person never feels important? Because they aren't the actors doesn't mean they are any less important. So to embrace my respect for these wonderful productions, I am going to watch 100 of them or more. And I really want to watch more. I have never found time to watch some of the most influential musicals that I have always wanted to see. And I really want to include some that may not seem so appealing on the outside. But I know that I can respect the effort that was put into these productions and even more important I can teach Joslyn the respect for the arts. Because what am I really teaching her, to value all talents and people, because they are important and should be valued. You never know what part they will play in your life or how your life will be lacking without them!

So What I will be doing in watching 100 musicals and writing a little about what I like on each. Since I will be writing so much I will be splitting this section unto 2 posts. This one and the next one will be the lists of the musicals I have watched. So I wonder if you ever have had this experience with a musical or movie or play? And are there any musicals that you think I should watch? Due to money constraints I will have to watch many of these in my livingroom, but I would love for you to watch some with me!

Adventure 12

Today was an awesome day! We went on an impromptu visit to The Sam Noble Museum. This is a great museum, full of dinosaur bones...

and a dog exhibit..

and other really cool displays...

and an awesome guy that has a really cool animal collection....

Joslyn touching a bull snake

A bull snake

An Emperor Scorpion

A South American Tarantula

But the coolest thing about this day was that I got to fulfill my 12th Adventure from my Adventure List . Something I didn't know how it was going to happen. But it was awesome and really neat! This guy knew his stuff and really has a passion for these creatures! I will never look at them the same way again! you have to wait till the end of the video, but it is worth it!

What a neat day! And before you ask, no I wasn't scared. I normally would be shaking scared. After all this was an Oklahoma tarantula, a wild tarantula, he had caught this particular tarantula 2 weeks before! But this wonderful guy conveyed such a passion for these creatures that he made me see them as the creatures God made. The ones that Adam named and the ones we are designed to take care of. Believe me this is not how I came into this world feeling about spiders, but I was truly changed today! WOW! God is good! And I like to think that He was probably proud of me a little today!

God Breathed Adventure Lists

God-breathed Adventure Lists

The movie "The Bucket List" is a great movie that has inspired thousands if not millions of people to create their own bucket lists. Then they inspired others and so on! While many people I know have encouraged me to create an adventure list, my list was mostly inspired by God.

My life as a young person was designed around fear. Abandoned by my dad at the age of 11, I assumed the role of protector of my family. Risks were something I never took. Too much was riding on me, or so I thought. My younger brother and sister were constantly being chided by me to be careful and stay in the lines. I was trying to create my own safe place in a world full of chaos! But sooner or later my little world was going to crumble. It was a burden that was too heavy for me to carry. Instead of feeling comforted I felt trapped. My safe little box had become a prison!

One of the many things I grasped in Celebrate Recovery was no matter how safe or chaotic my world got, that God had everything in control! He knows my every move before it is thought up in my head. He guides and protects me, even when I step into danger. He holds my life in His hands! I cannot die unless it is His will! I no longer have to live in fear. I do not have to be afraid of what others think about me, because I am fearfully and wonderfully made in His image. I do not have to fear death, because God sent Jesus to die so that I can live forever with God in Heaven. Fear can cripple your life, but God gives us freedom over fear! Living without fear enables me to see God's will.

 "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

My adventure list is comprised of many things that pull and tug at that box of fear I have created. Every adventure, whether silly or serious, is an extension of who I want to be and who God wants me to be. To see the many things I want to accomplish in my Adventure List click here. But I really want to challenge you to come up with your own! If you could live life without any fear, what would you do? Or think of it this way, what would you do if you lived like you were dying? How would it feel? What would it look like? Number 98 on my adventure list is to inspire 10 people to start their own lists. Will you be one of them?

Friends!

It is very hard for me to believe that it has almost been a year since we moved out to the country, Chickasha, OK! Boy time does fly when you are having fun. I have discovered so much in this year that it is almost immeasurable. God has taught me many lessons this year through the help of friends and I want to take this time to thank those people that have been monumental in this year.
First I have grown many steps in my quest to enjoy "quiet time". I am not referring to quiet moments, which are only possible in this house if the toddler and all the dogs are sleeping. I am referring to being alone. You see, one of my constant struggles as a codependent is being alone. My inner being detests alone time. The devil knows this and uses every opportunity to bring me down, tell me lies and drudge up the past. But luckily God has used certain wonderful people in Chickasha to help me through these struggles and to teach me how to use this time to grow closer to God and learn more about myself.
Megan. She is a fellow blogger and Stay at home mom. I don't think she knows how much she has enriched my life. When I was searching for friends she befriended me at church and always had a friendly smile to offer. She is one of those people that I want to flock to because her heart for God is so available. Megan had invited us for lunch one day after church, no notice just an invite and I was and am still very grateful for that. It meant a lot that she cared enough about us to invite us over without fussing about details. It was one of the most wonderful moments I have had here in Chickasha. It seems silly but, so many people including me never show you their house without plenty of warning. Although, we are truthful in our want to enjoy and be enjoyable, there are parts of ourselves that we feel we need to hide. Messy houses, untidy places that we feel we can't expose. Now her house clean and welcoming, but it was lived in, so I felt completely comfortable to be me in her house and with her family. The experience was beautiful.  I don't know how i stumbled on to her blog, but I was amazed when I did find it. It was just what I needed. I was a new blogger and I looked to her site as a guidebook to blogging.  Her spirit is uplifting and her blogs are thought provoking and wonderfully written. I have also met many other wonderful Christian bloggers through her blog; that draw me closer to God. Please check out her blog Sorta Crunchy if you can, you won't be disappointed. I am very thankful for her.

Secondly, God has been teaching me to serve only for Him. When I started going to Celebrate Recovery at the wonderful Baptist Church here in Chickasha; I was being told by God to go a whole year without making commitments to serve in the church. This was very hard for me to do, because I had used service in the church to fill up my calendar, fill my need to be needed, and to build my self esteem. All of these things should have been lead by God, but instead I was doing them for my own selfish reasons. Celebrate Recovery helped me see why and when I was doing this, but God told me that I needed to break the habit. Yes you can get addicted to serving. Or more point in fact people. I needed them as much as they needed me and therefore I was not being God's hands and feet. I was relying on my own power, although I did it with the best intentions.  Many people have been very influential in this aspect of my growing process. Some of them are:

Cindy is (how do I say it) the most wonderful bundle of positive energy I have ever met. She has been a mentor, a friend and a provider for me this year. She is always so positive, even when times are tough. God has used her to help me get through the tough moments and help me move past my conflicts with being dependent on people. She is very wise and she guided me through writing and sharing my testimony for the first time. For this I will be eternally grateful. She is helping me to enjoy life more. It is easy for me to write about adventures but doing them is not as simple. Being in Cindy's presence is always an adventure. I will forever be grateful for her.
Jennifer is a wonderful soul and my neighbor. It was a couple of months before I got the nerves to talk to her. Meeting new neighbors has always been hard for me, since I moved a lot growing up. Once I did I was kicking myself for waiting so long. We are kindred spirits. We get each other. We have a lot in common and are both moms, Christians and wives of truck drivers. When we talk together we never want to end the conversation. God lead me to her because I needed a friend that I could see almost everyday. He knows my fears and being able to talk to someone, who isn't my husband, allows me to feel better. She also needed me to watch her daughter after school and on days when school is out. I enjoy having an older child around and Joslyn gets the interaction she needs too. I am learning so much from being in their lives and I enjoy their company very much.
Thirdly, God is teaching me that I don't have to have money to have fun or reach others for him. He has given me many ideas on how I can use what I have. I have learned so much about money in this phase of my life and I know that I am not done growing on this issue. I have talked before about our lessons through Financial Peace but I don't think I said that it would have been possible without my friend Heather.
Heather. How do I describe her? Joyous, amazing, successful, loving, generous, etc... The list could go on and on. When she joined my CR group I had no idea how influential she would be in my life. John and I started talking seriously about going to FPU but had no idea how we were going to afford the 100 enrollment fee. We figured that we would be able to raise the money some how. Well, after mentioning that in CR one night, Heather walked up to me and said that she wanted to sponsor us. She didn't even know me that well and definately didn't know John. Well, I was floored! I knew that she was obeying God by doing this. Well of course I told her that we would accept only if she would hold me accountable for going. She did and we have been great friends and accountability partners ever since. I love her dearly and feel so lucky to get to be a part of her life.
Sharon. Sharon is a woman in my Sunday School class that I was intrigued about right away. I noticed her humble attitude and serving heart right away. It took me awhile to get to talk to her because she was always surrounded by people who she was serving. Since the moment Megan had invited us to her house on a whim, I had wanted to do that for someone else. I knew that Sharon was that person. When I invited her she accepted and I was thrilled. As we ate our sausage and french fries (glamorous isn't it) , we got to talk and get to know each other. We were like two peas in a pod. Feeling the same way about so many things. We talked about our enjoyment of playing games and how it invokes wonderful feelings for both of us. A couple of months later we had our first Friday night game night. I made tons of food and expected many people but it ended up just being my sister, Sharon and I. We had so much fun. We have had many other Friday night game nights and it has always been just the two of us, well 3 Joslyn included. I have loved every one of them, getting to know this kindred spirit a little better.
There are so many people that have been influential in my life and I can't name them all. But these people have been valuable since I moved to Chickasha. I had left so many of my friends behind in the city that I felt abandoned. I pleaded with God to bring people in my life that would help me during this time of struggle.
I don't like asking people for help but God has shown me that I am not doing his will if I don't trust Him in providing for me through His people. The desires I had to help others wasn't wrong it just had to be God lead, then it could work the way it was supposed to. And it had to go both ways. I had to be humble enough to ask for help as much as I liked helping others. These people have allowed me to be who I really am and loved me for it. I couldn't be luckier.
As we look forward to a future move and the exciting new plan that God has for our lives, I can't help but be nostalgic as I look at who we are leaving behind. I will miss each of them so much! Thank you God for the people you have put in my life. May our friendships always be healthy and pleasing to you Lord. May we grow together, lifting each other up in times of need and drawing each other to your will.

Adventure Time

So I'm sorry it has taken a couple of days for me to write this. I came down with what I am calling the country flu. It started as allergies, then a sore throat and runny nose, the next day I had a fever and the worse sinus headache and now I am back to the sore throat and runny nose.

Adventure, what does that make you think of? My husband likes to say that I am allergic to adrenaline. I am not much of a risk taker. Adventure for me is trying a new restaurant or taking a back road. But there is a small part, and I mean small, that is dying to feel the speed of 200 miles per hour. SO in order to improve my quality of life, I am setting a goal of 150 new things that I wouldn't normally do before. My husband is all over this list. He is definately a risk taker. So I am going to put this out there for all to respond to and I will edit this list until I have come up with 150 things. Please feel free to give me ideas on what you think is adventurous. Let me say this though, I will not eat anything funky like bugs, chocolate covered or not! These adventures are not in order but the numbers that are next to the adventures is my goal of the year Joslyn will be when I accomplish this task. Give me your ideas and here is what I have so far...

1. get purple hair (accomplished 5/12/2010)

2. ride on a fourwheeler (accomplished 5/15/2010)

3.get legs professionally waxed (accomplished 5/26/2010)

4. shoot a bow (with ABBY) accomplished 5/30/2010

5.be in a food fight (accomplished 7/10/2010)

6. Mystery gift exchange with Layla (accomplished 8/25/2010)

7.  visit my grandma (accomplished 9/3/2010)

8.  walk on eggshells (accomplished 1/15/2011)

9. Finish Financial Peace University! (accomplished 1/23/11)

10. Watch a scary movie that John picks out (accomplished 2/27/11)

11. learn to make balloon animals (accomplished 4/23/11)

12. hold a tarantula (if you know me at all, this is scarier then sky diving)(Accomplished 11/12/2011)

13.Write a song ( accomplished 12/25/2011)

14. Get my passport (accomplished 02/07/2012)

15. enjoy a dinner theater show (accomplished 2/12/2012)

16. prepare a meal for a friend in their home.(accomplished 3/18/2012)

17. ride on an elephant (accomplished 3/25/2012)

18.Make a starter bread and make a loaf out of it (accomplished 12/10/12)

19.go on a cruise (accomplished 1/25/2014)

20.go to a native american ceremony(2)

21.learn to sew(2)

22.stay the night on a moving house boat(2)

23.stand on a street corner with a sign for an hour that says "honk if you love Jesus"(2)

24.Learn to make cheese. (2)

25.go mudding in a big truck(2)

26.Dig for gems(2)

27.Catch a catfish(2)

28.dress up like a rodeo clown for a fair or festival(2)

29.squish grapes for wine and help in a vineyard for a day at Sandhill Vineyards(2)

30.Go to IHOP(International House of Prayer) with Toni(2)

31.Get debt free and speak with Dave Ramsey on the radio!(2)

32.go hunting for an animal (but not a deer, I could never shoot Bambi) something small gopher?(2)

33.milk a cow(2)

34.work on a cattle farm for a day(2)

35.take a motorcycle riding course (doing this only for my biker babe)(2)

36.make homemade butter (churn it myself) sounds exhausting(2)

37.ride on a seadoo(2)

38. go geo-cashing(2)

39.sheer a sheep(2)

40.Make a starter bread and make a loaf out of it (2)

41.John buys me an outfit and I must wear it one whole day(2)

42.go noodling (2)

43.take a cooking class (with Kim Ferrell)(2)

44. Go Mud Wrestling(2)

45.play golf(2)

46.learn to say hello in 50 different languages(2)

47.clean house for an elderly person in need(2)

48.try to water ski(2)

49.ride a mechanical bull(2)

50. get a henna tattoo(accomplished Sept. 28th, 2012)

51.learn to play bridge, p-nuckle, and canasta(2)

52. carve my name in a tree(2)

53.learn origami(2)

54.make beef bourguignon(2)

55.sumo wrestle in blowup suits (2)

56.Ride in a horse drawn carrage.(2)

57.learn to drive a tractor(2)

58.take a glass blowing course(3)

59.go sailing(3)

60.hand glide(3)

61.take a self defense class(3)

62.grow crystals(3)

63.build a radio(3)

64.clean and cook a fish(3)

65.build a rocket and shoot it off(3)

66.play paintball (3)

67.learn to throw a baton and catch it(3)

68.ride in a blimp(3)

69.go on a zipline(3)

70.go zorbing(3)

71.take a dance class(3)

72.go to an Oktoberfest (3)

73.make a quilt (Aunt Carolyn)(3)

74.wash a dog at a dog wash (3)

75.go to a fashion show(3)

76.catch a greased pig sulphur rodeo(3)

77. get certified to go into the prisions(3)

78.take a hip hop dance class(3)

79.learn to juggle(3)

80.go cave climbing(3)

81.offer a stranger a ride(3)

82.touch an ostrich (terrified of these)(3)

83.go on a Ghost tour!(3)

84.make a model ship(3)

85.make a doll house for Joslyn (3)

86.throw a mystery party(3)

87.learn how to salsa dance(3)

88.spend a day volunteering at an orphanage(3)

89.make a scrapbook for Joslyn (3)

90.go to a really big food festival(3)

91.stay at a monestary for one night(3)

92.float the talequah river with my husband(3)

93.go white water rafting (hope Sharla will go with me)(3)

94.flock someone(put flamingos in someones yard)(3)

95.learn to snorkel(4)

96.write a childrens book(4)

97.go rock climbing(4)

98.Inspire 10 other people to do an Adventure List (4/10)Kristi,Chad,Stephanie,Tiffany A.,(4)

99.make a stained glass window(4)

100.make 100 new recipies from around the world( see posting from June 11)(4)

101. go snow skiing (terrified of this)(4)

102.take a log rolling lesson(4)

103.take a honeymoon with my hubby(4)

104.make a piece of pottery(4)

105.get my fortune read(4)

106.Sky diving (thank you Andrea)(4)

107.take a yodelling course(4)

108.go kayaking(4)

109.see a broadway play(4)

110.build a chicken coop(4)

111.start and maintain a garden(4)

112.ride in a hot air balloon(4)

113.go to marti gras(4)

114.see 100 musicals (see post from December 6th, 2011)(4)

115.learn to wind surf(4)

116.swim with dolphins(4)

117.ride in a race car going over 100 miles per hour(4)

118. go parasailing(4)

119.take a helicopter ride(4)

120.Ride one of the ten largest roller coasters(4)

121.visit a haunted house(4)

122.ride a unicycle(4)

123. go to the top of a volcano(4)

124. bungee jumping(4)

125. take a surfing lesson(4)

126. participate in a Hanukkah celebration (4)

127. read the entire Bible (4)

128. fast for 48 hours (4)

129. go for a long hike with Abby (4)

130. go to a midnight showing of Rocky Horror Picture Show (4)

131. Eat a Chicago Dog (2)

132. be a part of a flash mob (4)

133. go kiteboarding (4)

134. gutting and clean an animal, and then eating the kill (4) John's choice

135. learn make beer

136. Go deep sea fishing

137.

138.

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147.

148.

149.

150.Get a tattoo (only if I get 100 followers) with my sister

P.S. Tomorrow I will talk about my next goal, the picture is of my pink laptop, which I love very much and am typing on right now.