Take Me Out to the Ball Game!

"Take me out to the ball game,
Take me out with the crowd.
Buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks,
I don't care if I never get back."

For those of you that know me, you may know that I was practically raised on a baseball field. I played t-ball when I was younger. From there, my brother played from t-ball until his teenage years. 

My dad was his coach and mom and I were the loudest cheerleaders for them! 

For the last several years of my brother playing, my dad was the President of the Dixie Youth League in our town, and personally, it rocked! I got to eat the best burgers and candy most nights of the week (yeah, not too healthy, but oh so good! Nothing like a ball field burger!). A few of the girls my age had brothers that were my brother's age, so they all played ball together, and us girls cheered them on year after year! I have no many memories from growing up there and my "baseball family." 

Now, I'm not much into watching it on TV, because personally I like the face-to-face games much better! It's been a long time since I have been to an actual baseball game since we are all grown up now, but today, that's going to change. My dad has a company picnic in Birmingham each year and this year, he gets to take 2 extra people other than my mom. So my dad, mom, the husband, and I are going to Birmingham today. His company is feeding us a yummy lunch, and I know it's going to be yummy because he works for a food company! After that, we are going to watch a baseball game!!! WOOHOO! Yeah, I know. It's pretty stinking hot here in Alabama, but it brings back so many memories. The sights, the sounds, the smells. It all reminds me of growing up and long, hot summer days and nights in our hometown. 

Now as a wife, and hopefully one day a mom, I am wishful that our son (if God blesses us with one) decides to play baseball, simply so I can be the supportive mom on the sidelines that my mom was for my brother growing up.

So wish us a safe and fantastic journey as we travel today! Hope you have a very blessed Saturday. And hey, it's beautiful out, so get out there and play in the sunshine! 

Benefit Walk for St. Jude Children's Hospital

On Saturday, November 20th, I am participating in the Give Thanks. Walk, benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. As I walk, I have challenged myself to raise money to support the lifesaving work of St. Jude--and I am asking for your support to help me reach my goal. Please click the link below to visit my website and make your donations. Thank you in advance for helping support this cause and helping me and my team, Jewels for St. Jude, reach our goal! 

**Before you dismiss this post and request for support, just think. Wouldn't you want everyone that is capable to help if it was your child??

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, founded by the late entertainer Danny Thomas, is one of the world's premier centers for the research and treatment of pediatric cancer and other catastrophic childhood diseases.  St. Jude is the first and only pediatric cancer center to be designated as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute.  Children from all 50 states and from around the world have come through the doors of St. Jude for treatment, and thousands more around the world have benefited from the research conducted at St. Jude -- research that is shared freely with the global medical community.  St. Jude is the only pediatric cancer research center where families never pay for treatments that are not covered by insurance.  No child is denied treatment because of a family's ability to pay.

You can help me reach my goal by clicking this link to make an online debit or credit card donation.  If you do not wish to make an online donation but prefer to use a check, please contact me and let me know.  I can make other arrangements with you to obtain your donation.

If you Believe in the Power of Prayer...

which, you most definitely should, because our God is an amazing God, then I'm asking for your prayers. 

My husband is currently looking for another job. He loves what he does, but it's not completely steady from day-to-day right now. He has applied a few places. There is a government job that him and his friend are up for, but the only thing is that it's a strike job for now..and get this. It's in the Mid-West! Not sure exactly where, but that's definitely not close to me! He talked to a lady from the company today and she is running their background checks. 

She told him that if he hadn't heard from her by August 10th, for him to call her because the job is supposed to start on the 7th. 

Now, our 2 year wedding Anniversary is August 14th and we were planning on going somewhere for the weekend. I don't want to be alone for our anniversary if I'm not able to go with him on his job. Not my ideal anniversary trip by far! If he goes for this job, he will be gone for several months..which means me living alone. I can't stay with anyone because I have two dogs, one of which is inside and it's lots of trouble finding somewhere we can all go. Not just that, but we have been in this house for right at a year, and yes, it's a rental, but I have finally got everything the way I want and it's HOME! We have never spent a night apart and I don't want to stay here alone for several months or longer.

So here is where your prayers come in. I'm asking that first of all, you pray for God's will to be done in our lives. He knows what we need and how those needs can be met. However, I'm asking that you pray that he gets the other job here in our town that he is up for so that he can stay here with me. 

Thanks in advance for the prayers!

Weigh-in Wednesday

I'm short on time today. 

I have found myself blogging a little more than I need to. Not that I don't enjoy it, because I obviously do, but I am spending time on here when I could be up and doing something productive! I have set up a schedule for today and tomorrow for sure since I'm not babysitting today and I'm sticking to it.

So today's Weigh-In is going to be short and sweet!   Here are my thoughts....

I'm starting my Weight Watchers stuff ... again. I do great with tracking and keeping up with what I eat..well, until about mid-afternoon. That's when I get bored, start snacking, and just not paying attention. However, that stops today. If I don't track it, I don't eat it! That's my new motto when it comes to food. I bought enough groceries this week so that there should be no eating out. This means that I'm able to know points values for everything we eat. I weighed this morning, and I'm not currently thrilled with what I saw. 

I think this picture about sums up what I feel.

I'm also setting a goal of reaching at least 200 minutes of exercise each week!
There are only 22 weeks left in 2010 and I'm setting a goal to lose 20-30 pounds by graduation in December!! It's gonna be tough, but if I steadily lose 1-2 pounds a week it's possible. Thinking Positive!

All words of encouragement, tips, WW recipes, and fun exercise tips are GREATLY appreciated!! 

Try It Tuesday..as promised!

Hey Bloggers. I'm back for Try It Tuesday as promised.

And this week's healthy recipe is.....

Beef Enchilada Casserole

 5.5 WW points per serving

 Calories: 261  Fat: 9g, Protein: 14g, Carbs: 34g, Fiber: 4g

Ingredients

• 2 cups canned red chili sauce
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 4 cups low sodium tomato puree
• 1 1/2 teaspoons mild/hot chili powder
• 1 pound extra lean ground beef
• 1/4 c. onion flakes
• twelve 6" corn tortillas, quartered
• 4 1/2 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 40 small (or 24 large) black olives, pitted and chopped

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. 

To prepare sauce, in medium sauce pan, stir 1/4 c. of the chili sauce and flour until flour is dissolved.

Gradually stir in remaining chili sauce, tomato puree, and chili powder.

Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat; cook (stirring constantly) for 2 minutes or until slightly thickened.

Remove from heat; let cool.

Meanwhile, place large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; add beef.

After it is done, add in onion flakes, then drain any grease. Set aside.

Spray 9x13 casserole dish with  nonstick cooking spray.

Spread 1/2 cup of cooled sauce over the bottom of the casserole dish.

Dip 12 tortilla quarters into remaining sauce; arrange evenly in casserole dish.

Sprinkle evenly with 1/3 of the beef mixture, 1/4 of cheese, and 1/4 of olives.

Top evenly with 1/2 cup of sauce.

Repeat layers 2 more times.

On the top layer of last 12 tortilla quarters, top evenly with remaining cheese, olives, and sauce. 

Bake covered; 35 minutes. Uncover, bake 25-30 minutes longer or until completely golden and sizzling. 

Let cool and enjoy!!

Alright, let me know what you think and make a post with your healthy recipe on it! Leave a comment telling me where it is!! :) 

Have a happy and healthy Tuesday!!

TTA :)

Found myself another cute blog-hop. 

I love just seeing what others are doing and checking out their blogs.

 I find the cutest things! 

Check out the other blogs over at Tuesday Tag-Along.

 I'll be back later for my actual Try it Tuesday Post :)

Tasha

Meet Me on Monday

It's time for another Blog Hop!!

Questions:

1. What one food could you eat every single day?
2. Do you wear glasses or contacts?
3. What kind of cell phone do you have?
4. What did you have for dinner last night?
5. What is your favorite candy?

My Answers:

1. What one food could you eat every single day?

CHICKEN

Grilled, Fried: Breast, fingers, wings, etc. Any kind, I just love chicken! 

2. Do you wear glasses or contacts?

Nope. My blue eyes are all mine!!

I got lucky!

3. What kind of cell phone do you have?

Verizon LG Dare

And I love it!

4. What did you have for dinner last night?

 Jack's Chicken Sandwich and Fries

Well, I started my 30 Day for Me Challenge today, so I had a not-so-healthy last meal last night.

5. What is your favorite candy?

Sour Patch Kids

 Without a Doubt!!