Prayer......

I am going to take a detour from food for our stomachs and post a brief, albeit important, blurb about prayer.  More specifically Prayer for our Children.

A few months ago, I participated in a 21-day challenge to pray for my son.  It was focused, it was specific. It was good.

All I am going to say is if you have boys, I would encourage you to check it out by going to warriorprayers.com.

You won't regret it......

Praying through your Adoption....an interview with the Author

For all our friends who have journeyed along this path of adoption, some with successful placement, some still waiting, and some who have received the answer of "no", BUT all who have journeyed with grace,  and  to those who have allowed us the privilege of praying with you, bearing the burden as you struggled, I chose this book on purpose.  Watch in the days ahead for more posts related to this topic.  

What can you tell us about yourself, your childhood, and the present?

I grew up as an only child in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Faith was a vital part of our family life, so I believed in God from an early age. About mid-way through college, after heartaches and some poor decisions, I decided to trust Jesus and the plans He has for my life. I graduated, moved to the suburbs, and married my husband, Eric. I worked in the corporate world and Christian ministry before becoming a work-at-home mom through adoption. 

When did you first realize you wanted to become a writer? 

I started writing poems and stories for fun as a child. I even had a poem published in Highlights for Children. Through high school and college I enjoyed researching and writing papers, but I never considered becoming a professional writer until I wrote Praying Through Your Adoption. 

What inspired you to write Praying Through Your Adoption?

I've been talking to God in prayer for as long as I can remember. I turned to prayer during our infertility, and I had planned to pray through a pregnancy if that had been God's plan. While adopting our son from Russia, we experienced painful delays and obstacles, such as increased fees and additional paperwork. At a particularly low point in the adoption process, I participated in an online prayer vigil that directed me to pray for very specific aspects of adoption – from government officials to waiting children. I realized the power of prayer specifically in adoption and saw the need to help other families pray through their adoptions as well. 

How did you come up with the title?

Becoming an adoptive family is a process. First, you make decisions about the type of adoption and the age of the child you wish to pursue. Then you work to become approved, educated, and prepared for welcoming and parenting this new child. Praying Through Your Adoption shows families how to rely on God and their faith through the entire journey of creating and nurturing their forever family.

What other life experiences shaped you to write this book?

Wow, many life experiences influenced this book. Our infertility is probably the biggest since the longing and waiting for our son is a large portion of our story. But even getting laid-off right before our adoption, experiencing post-adoption depression, and dealing with special needs made me want to encourage others dealing with similar difficulties. 

What was the hardest part of writing your book?

Retelling my experience with post-adoption depression was hard. After our difficult time becoming parents, I never imagined I'd feel overwhelmed, anxious, and depressed as a new mom. As much as I wanted to skip over that chapter in my life and in the book, I felt it was important to paint a realistic picture for prospective adoptive families. Thankfully, other adoptive families were willing to share their real-life joys and challenges in the book as well.

What's one of the most important things people need to know about adoption?

One of my favorite quotes in the book is from the late Derek Loux, an adoptive father of and an advocate for orphans. He said,

“My friends, adoption is redemption. It's costly, exhausting, expensive, and outrageous. Buying back lives costs so much. When God set out to redeem us, it killed Him. And when He redeems us, we can't even really appreciate or comprehend it.”

Derek's words capture so much. There is loss, and, yes, there are sacrifices – financial and otherwise – in adoption. But the rewards for answering God's call to care for orphans are priceless.

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?

In writing the book, I had the opportunity to feature around 20 families and their unique adoption stories. No matter the circumstances, I could see the special love that ordinary families experience as forever families. I'm grateful for their transparency and support for this project, and I think the readers will be, too.

Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers? 

With over 143 million orphans across the globe, I would love to see more families consider adoption. But I deeply respect the person who reads this interview or picks up this book and, for whatever reason, decides adoption is not right for them. I hope they would at least consider providing prayer support and perhaps even financial support to families pursuing adoption.

Where can readers learn more about you and adoption?

I encourage readers to visit www.PrayLoveAdopt.com, a website I created to provide information, encouragement, and prayer support for families in any stage of the adoption journey. Visitors can read an excerpt from Praying Through Your Adoption and order a paperback or e-book copy if they desire. They can also visit my blog, www.MommyForward.com, and my main website, www.MicheleCScott.com to learn more about me and my other projects.


I was given a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for posting the author’s interview on my blog. This blog tour is managed by Christian Speaker Services (www.ChristianSpeakerServices.com).

"Well You Won't Starve....."

UPDATE on the Zucchini Fries post.  A wonderful friend actually calculated the calories in these fries to be 4 per stick!  NOT BAD!  So, when you have extra zucchini from the garden, make you some fries!

Now, on to the feature of the day.

NEWBIE RECIPE:  Baked Parmesan Crusted Tilapia
Takes less than 20 minutes from start to finish. 

Ingredients:

4 tilapia filets
2 eggs
1 cup bread crumbs
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp paprika
Salt & Pepper to taste

Heat oven to 450.
Beat eggs and place in shallow bowl.  Combine rest of ingredients in another shallow bowl.
Dip filets in egg wash, then in crumbs until fully coated.  Place on prepared cookie sheet (I use one covered with foil and sprayed with cooking spray.)
Bake 6 minutes on each side.  Viola!

Add a green salad, maybe a roll and Dinner is Done!

What happened to Healthy Living Wednesdays?

I died.....not really (obviously).  But in an effort to LIVE our life, the blog post was shoved far down the list yesterday.  Many apologies....it is still floating in my head but this week has been cr-aaaa-zzyy...so I am going to keep doing what I know to do which is drink water, add some raw nuts (so as to curve my desire for some sweet or carb-loaded snack), and drink more water.

Until next Wednesday..........
(oh...Kathy- I am going to answer your question as to why raw and not roasted but just trust me for another week!)

Happy Living!

Blog Tour: I Called Him Dancer by Eddie Snipes

What made you write I CALLED HIM DANCER? Have you ever danced, taken lessons?

The only dance lesson I’ve received came when I was walking in the woods. A yellow cloud surrounded me and I began swatting yellow jackets like a break-dancer. Upon reflection, I don’t think I had the grace needed to make it big, so I quit after my first lesson. No more bees for me.

The inspiration for I Called Him Dancer came from a song performed by Tralena Walker and co-written by Tom Webster. I attended a meeting at the Atlanta Writers Club. Tralena and Tom were guest speakers. The topic was on how to write a story in lyrics for songs. Not my cup of Formosa Oolong, but at least it was entertaining. After performing the song, "Dancer", either Tom or Tralena said, “We’ve been looking for someone who will turn the song into a novel. We think it would make a great story.”

Until those words were spoken, I was a passive observer. I looked up and words were swarming around me like those yellow jackets. They attacked my head while I lay screaming on the floor. Okay, maybe I didn’t scream – but my mind did. In an instant, the story unfolded in my mind and I knew this was something I was to write.

I knew nothing about dancing (other than what the bees taught me). Tom and Tralena gave me the lyrics and I started researching and writing. I have to admit that I worried about the dancing scenes, but I knew things took shape when people began asking how I became so knowledgeable about dance.  I thought back to the bees and said, “It’s just something that hit me while walking in the woods.”

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

When I was a child, I got my first book. I flipped through the pages, then tore it apart. I didn't know it at the time, but that's exactly what you do when editing a manuscript. 

I hated writing when I was younger. I only did what I had to do, and sometimes not even that. Writers block was more like writers dementia. My mind didn't return to me until after ... hmm. What were we talking about? 

In 1998, I became active in prison ministry. Many of the men I ministered to were eager to learn. Someone asked me if I had my studies or notes on paper. I agreed to write out the next study and then my writing career was born. The problem wasn't that I couldn't write. It was that I didn't have something to say. Or didn't realize I had something to say. Over time writing transformed from a task to a passion.

Is I Called Him Dancer your first fictional story?

My first fictional story was written in high school. It wasn’t supposed to be fiction, but hey, the best fiction looks like the real world, right? I’ll tell you the story.

In high school, I had a class that was dedicated to writing a 30 page research paper. I chose the topic, The Arms race between the US and Russia. It was the 1980s when the Cold War was still on everyone’s mind. We spent weeks in the library researching our topic. I say ‘we’ in the general sense. My research was sports and other useless browsing.  At the halfway point, we had to turn in our research note cards. The teacher graded them and as she returned them, she said, “Some of you aren’t going to pass this class.” She paused in front of my desk as she said this, and then dropped my notecards on my desk. She continued, “You cannot write this paper with less than 70 research cards.”

I counted my cards. Seven. A very weak seven. This information must have shocked my brain, for I didn’t even think about this again until the teacher informed the class that the rough draft was due in the morning. “Holy cow! It’s due tomorrow?” I said.

After school, I visited a few friends, ate dinner, and watched TV. It was now nearly bedtime. No more goofing off. I sat down and began to write. The information flowed. I clearly needed more research sources, so I interviewed military experts born mere minutes ago. But hey, Colonial Imagination was still a source. I wrote thirty pages – somehow. And I got a good grade in the class. After all, no one had more expert sources than I did. 

I should have known then that writing was in my future, but it would be more than two decades before I discovered a passion for writing.

Tell us a little about your book, I Called Him Dancer.

For a moment, Michael danced on top of the world, but one bad choice turned his life upside down. The once promising Broadway star now washes windows for tips and lives among the homeless. When his former dance partner recognizes him behind the fray of whiskers, shame drives him away from her. Angry at God and the world, the Dancer refuses to allow anyone into his life. When everything is stripped away, three things remain: faith, hope, and love. The greatest of these is love.

I Called Him Dancer is a story about how one woman’s enduring faith and unconditional love drives her to reach out to a homeless friend, who has given up on life.

Who is your favorite character in I Called Him Dancer?

The character that inspired me the most is Kenyon. Many readers have stated the same. He’s human, struggling to do what is right, and lives by a genuine faith. At times he wrestles between what he knows God wants him to do, and what he wants. Kenyon is down to earth, not preachy, yet his life has an impact on others.

In the story I tried to present Christianity in an honest light. Many who claim to be Christians show hypocrisy and drive others (like the Dancer) away from the faith. This is a real problem in the Christian culture. Kenyon shows what sincere faith looks like. He’s far from perfect, but his simple faith impacts those around him. Kenyon’s sincerity is something the Dancer can’t understand and it piques his curiosity. 

What would you like your readers to take away from this novel?

I want people to look at the reality of how faith impacts the world around us. Hypocrisy is being pretentious about faith, and there is a difference between failure and hypocritical behavior. Christians shouldn’t feel dejected when they fail. It’s part of this life of reaching upward.

Also, we all know someone who appears hopeless and hostile toward God, but we don’t know what the Lord is doing behind the scenes. Ultimately, hope is what everyone should take away. Hope that readers are not alone in their struggles. Hope that our lives can make an impact – even with our imperfections. Finally, hope that the people we care about are never out of God’s reach.

How can readers get in touch with you?

You can flash a light on the clouds that says, ‘Free chicken fingers,’ and I’ll play Batman music and come running. Some people prefer the simpler route of connecting with me on Twitter @eddiesnipes. My Facebook username is eddiesnipes. It might seem like a strange coincidence, but my LinkedIn name is also eddiesnipes. Even more crazy is my website: http://www.eddiesnipes.com. On each of these, I just closed my eyes and typed out random keys. I might have peeked on a few letters. You can get the book through online bookstores or your local Christian bookstores. 


 I was given a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for posting the author’s interview on my blog. This blog tour is managed by Christian Speaker Services (www.ChristianSpeakerServices.com).

Well You Won't Starve....but you might gain a little weight!

Do you have your favorite winter pasta dish?  maybe lasagna...baked ziti....something that you serve on a cold winter night to ward off the chill that speaks warmth to friends and family.  Our family has several of those winter pasta dishes but when the HEAT of summer rolls in, who wants hot pasta?

But you still have a longing......Ahhh......

I found a "cool" hot pasta dish this year.  Yes, you bake it at 350 but it is not a "heavy" dish and for some reason our family dubbed it a "cool" spring/summer pasta meal.  And it only takes about 20 minutes to prep and 30 minutes to bake....a quick and easy meal!

Here it is:

Three-Cheese Pasta Bake


Ingredients:

1 (16 oz) pkg ziti (or rotini is our preference - holds the sauce better!)
2  jars prepared Alfredo sauce, your preference (I used light without problems)
8 oz sour cream (I used light without problems)
1 (15 oz) container ricotta cheese (I used light)
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley (I have used dried - just adjust accordingly)
1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese
***you can add Italian sausage, cooked chicken, or shrimp to this dish as well.

How to Prepare:

1.  Cook pasta according to directions on package; drain.
2.  Stir pasta together with alfredo sauce and sour cream; if you are going to add meat, add it here; make sure the pasta is evenly coated.  Pour 1/2 of pasta mixture into 13x9 pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
3.  Stir together ricotta cheese and next three ingredients; spread this over the pasta in pan. Spoon remaining pasta over the mixture in dish.  Sprinkle evenly with mozarella cheese.
4.  Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes (til bubbly).

Serve with a green salad and bread.  Viola!  A complete summer meal and you won't starve:)!

Happy Eating!

Healthy Living Wednesdays: Are You Puckered?

Week One is over!

How did you do with your water/liquid intake?  If you are like me, you did good for a few days and then life got busy again and well, ......you lost count of how much water you were drinking.  But, alas, do not fret.  While it is Wednesday and the middle of the work week....it is the start of Week Two of Healthy Living and we can commit again.  Makes Wednesday a good day!!

Do you know one of the reasons ladies want to drink water?

WRINKLES!

Staying hydrated lessens the wrinkled puckered look.  Do you want to look like this?

I think not.   Me either.  Can't get to the water fast enough:).

This week....we are adding Healthy Nuts!  

Yes, because we do not diet  ("limit intake according to a prescribe rule").

We are learning how to LIVE! 

 And in living.....there are "Healthy Nuts" for you to add to your daily intake.

Healthy Nuts include RAW almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, and macadamia nuts.  DO NOT eat peanuts (they are not nuts) and do not eat nuts that have been roasted or toasted!  You want raw! 


Previously, you had to go to Wh**e F**ds to find a good selection of healthy nuts but now even your local W*lm*rt has them.  I keep a can of Raw Almonds in my vehicle so when we are out, if I get hungry, I can grab 8-10 almonds and drink some water.  Viola!  I have curbed my appetite and skipped the drive-thru.  PLUS, I have given my body some healthy fats (that is not an oxymoron....healthy fat just doesn't sit on your thighs!)


Our local good grocer has a great selection of raw nuts.  I have my kids eating RAW nuts by putting them out on the bar in my kitchen.  Now, kids can eat more than you.  If you start GRAZING on the nuts....you are having way to much!  


What I am doing is having my handful of healthy nuts about mid-afternoon - you know, when you normally get the munchies.  Instead of choosing a carb stack, try choosing healthy RAW nuts.  It is enough protein that you should not be hungry until supper time!  


REMEMBER....We are adding a handful of RAW nuts a day and increasing our daily water intake so as not to have puckered faces!  


Happy Living!  

Double Feature- Another Book Review: The Promise of an Angel

What a surprising read!  I cannot wait to read book two in this series as Ruth Reid is an excellent author who is able to capture your attention from page one and keep you reading until you reach the final word on the last page.

Judith Fischer is a young Amish girl, ready to marry, settle down and start her family.  However, Judith witnesses a "strange man" visiting her brother Samuel on the day of his tragic accident.  It turns out that this "man' is an angel named Tobias.  The visit of an angel to the Amish community is not a welcomed event and many in the community do not want to believe Judith.  The conflict this brings not only to Judith but to her family is only part of the story line.  Reid develops the other part of the story to show us how Judith struggles with her faith and belief in truth at all costs.  Judith must choose to do what is right even if it costs her relationships.  Is this not the struggle we all have?

I was unsure if I would like this book due to the "angel" roles and not sure how Reid would develop that character in the book.  However, Tobias is not "hokie" nor is he "mystic".  He is in a supporting role to encourage Judith to stand firm in her faith.  Reid also takes a noticeable twist from other Amish fiction writers in that she openly shows the relationship between Judith's "beau" and her sister, Martha when other writers would have probably kept that more secretive like the Amish ways.  However, this is a good thing because it helps the reader appreciate what Judith is struggling with and helps understand her.

For a debut novel, this was excellent!

5 stars

Thomas Nelson Publishers provided a complimentary copy of this book through their BookSneeze program in exchange for my fair and honest review.  As always, all opinions are my own.  

Book Review: A Gift of Grace (Book 1) by Amy Clipston

Amy Clipston is a first-time author and I am always looking for a new author to appreciate.  A Gift of Grace looked like a possible pleasant surprise in the Amish fiction genre.

Unable to conceive, yet always desiring to be a mother, Rebecca's longings are fulfilled in a very different way than she ever imagined.  When her older sister, Grace, dies in a car accident, Rebecca becomes the guardian of Grace's two teenage girls.  The struggle is that Grace had left the Amish community and the Amish ways and the two teenage girls have been reared in the modern world!  What will Rebecca do?  How will she, and they, assimilate to living together?  Can they make this work?

I really liked this book because Clipston develops her characters in a way that allows you to peer into their thoughts and feelings in the midst of the conflicts.  One of the main conflicts in the story, obviously, is the conflict between the girls' modern ways and the Amish ways of the community they now are living in.  While Rebecca is more patient in helping them adjust, Daniel, her husband, struggles with their progress (or lack thereof). Daniel's struggle produces the second major conflict in the story being between he and Rebecca.

Rebecca, as an Amish wife, is portrayed as an independent woman, yet submissive to her husband at the same time.  This ability is a very tender balance and Clipston pulls it off well.   She also develops the oldest teen, Jessica, with balance...again not leaning too far where the character is a "typical teenager" nor is she unrealistic in her role.  Clipston manages to make you feel as if you are living in the house with the Kaufman's as they are trying to make this scenario work out.

The sadness for me was as this plot was building and I couldn't put the book down it seemed as if all of a sudden everything stopped, the author threw in these two major emotional events,  and then resolution was obtained.  Almost like an hurried end which made the two major events unrealistic and the resolutions anti-climatic.

Would I read another book by this author?  Yes, at least one more to see if this is her writing style or if what occurred in this book was a one-time experience.

3 stars
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Zondervan in exchange for my fair and honest review. 

"Well, you won't starve..." Fridays

I am surrounded by creative people.  Musicians.  Artists.  Writers.  and Thinkers.  Yes....Thinkers.

And being a deep thinker myself, I enjoy reading the musings and ponderings of other deep thinkers.  So, a few years ago, my dear son started taking guitar lessons from a great musician who happens to be married to a great thinker. Someone sent me a link to her "thinking blog" and I began to quietly stalk follow her and appreciate her thoughts as she processed some deep subjects.  Then, out of nowhere, she surprises with a new food blog entitled "Well, you won't starve!"  What irony!

And oh how I loved it!  The title stuck with me (as did some of her recipes) and so out of honor for her creativity and humor, I have "borrowed" her blog title and started a Friday series.

It is here where I will post Newbie recipes (meaning those recipes we have tried and liked) or our current Family Favs (those recipes that get a thumb's up).  I would love to maybe have a "Recipe Party" where we can share some Family Favs and possibly get new ideas from each other.  Of course, that means everyone needs to be cooking....and have a blog to post the recipe so you have a place to link.  Oh well...maybe in the future.....

NEWBIE RECIPE:  Zucchini Fries

This is a great way to get kids to eat their vegetables!  And some adults too:)!

Ingredients

• 2 zucchini
• 1 egg white
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup seasoned breadcrumbs
• Vegetable cooking spray

Preparation

Preheat oven to 425°. Cut zucchini into 3-inch sticks. Whisk an egg white in a small bowl, and add milk. Combine Parmesan and seasoned breadcrumbs in a separate bowl. Dip zucchini sticks into egg mixture, and then roll in breadcrumb mixture. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray, and place zucchini on sheet. Bake for 25–30 minutes or until golden brown.

Health SEPTEMBER 2008

Healthy Living & Weight-loss Wednesday

I borrowed the title for this series from a new blogging friend.  As I mentioned before, I have been pondering resurrecting a series I did (via email - gasp!) about healthy eating.  Why?  Because I need the reminders....I have, ummm....let's just say have "fallen off the wagon" and would like to return to some former healthy ways.

Where are you?  Are you feeling good? or do you find yourself like me...feeling tired, rundown, and maybe carrying a few extra pounds that you would like to shed.  If so, keep reading.

Or maybe.....you just want to read to see what I am going to say this time -lol!

Or maybe....you might want to add some healthy things to your already healthy way of life.

Whatever finds you reading today, hang around, join the community and share your thoughts.

Is this a Diet? you ask.  NO WAY!  we do not diet in this house.  According to the faithful Webster, diet is "to limited intake according to a prescribed rule."  In this series on Healthy Living and Eating, we are going to discuss what we should be adding to our intake.  Now in that process you may find that some unhealthy things in your current intake get moved around, but that is not because someone has said you cannot have it.  Or you may discover that your taste buds do not want that box of cheeze-its for a snack this afternoon.  Things may change......but it will not be because you went on a DIET.  It will be because you changed your lifestyle. THAT pattern is very different.  


And freeing!

Do you know why?

Because no one likes to be told they cannot have something.  

Put a bowl of M&Ms on the counter at your house and tell your peeps they can't have any.  They will dip in that bowl the minute your head is turned.  It is the sin nature people.  So the minute you say "diet", even if just in your head, you start to rebel.

Instead, we tell ourselves what we are going to ingest what is good for us and in the process....we shall see what happens!

So today is Week One of Healthy Living and Weight-loss Wednesday and we are going to start with WEIGHnesday and WATERdnesday (a little lame?  yes, but you will remember, no?)

Yep, go stand on the scale and see how much you weigh.   You don't have to tell anyone...but you need to know how much you weigh so you can figure out the minimum amount of water you need.  Take your weight, divide by 2 and that is the number of ounces of water need for the day.  WAIT!  if you drink caffeine (umm....like myself), then you need more water to compensate for the caffeine.

Do not get stuck here on if you should have filtered, bottled, or what type of water is the most healthy for you.  If all you have is tap water, then drink it. I am almost positive that your tap water is better for you than that can of diet coke!  or the Starbucks:).

A disclaimer....where did I gather the information I will share in this series?  personal research (and I will cite the source) as well as my sister's work when she was in practice as an MD.  A little background on her program - she devised a 9 month program for a group of women who wanted to not only lose weight but wanted to change their lifestyle.   I "borrowed" the idea of "no diet concept" from this program because it did not have a diet component - only healthy eating. It also included movement...that "E" word that makes us sweat!  Oh, wait!  Ladies do NOT sweat....we perspire....


Are you going to join me back on the wagon?


To Healthy Living,
Debra

Monday's Book Review: The Story of The Pledge of Allegiance by John Hudson Tiner

Happy Independence Day!  What a wonderful day to celebrate and to give thanks for living in a country that celebrates freedom.  And how appropriate to review the book of The Story of The Pledge of Allegiance.


This is a small book (less than 50 pages) but it is packed with good information.  It is appropriate for upper elementary and middle school aged children but it would be a good review for anyone.  The author provides a brief background about the events that led the United States Government to write a pledge to its flag.  This book contains an excellent overview of the people, events, and circumstances that impacted our nation.  Tiner also discusses what the words and phrases in the pledge actually mean.   There are questions at the end of the book as well as a list of some activities you can do to extend your learning.

Overall, this is a great resource to supplement your study of American History.  A quick and easy read with  review questions ready!  What more could you ask for?

5 stars*****

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.  All opinions are my own!

Things are a Changin'

I have been musing over this blog for a few months now.  I have been silently lurking about, reading other blogs, as I have tried to determine what I want to do with this space.  There are so many varieties of blogs in the blog-o-sphere that it is truly "mind-boggling".  But, this is our family space...sort of.  Dear daughter started her own blog and does it quite well.  Dear son...well, he is not interested in blogging.  Dear hubs, hmm...not sure where he lands on the spectrum of blogging so I guess in reality this is "Momma Hoosier's blog".

So, hang on....as we navigate where these thoughts lead this blog.  Books, yes.  Cooking?  umm...yes.  It is a fave of mine.  Deep thoughts on life and spiritual things...probably.  And for those of you who have been around me for awhile, I am pondering resurrecting the musings about chocolate, women, eating habits, etc. that I did about 4-5 years ago.

All this to say...things are a'changin'.....