If someone mocks you for your faith or for your "weak" nature, when you actually pray for self-control, peace, and the right response, remember Isaiah 66:5-6.

⁵Hear the word of the Lord, You who are concerned about His word! Your kinsmen who hate you, Who spurn you because of Me, are saying, "Let he Lord manifest His Presence, So that we may look upon your joy." But theirs shall be the shame.

⁶Hark, tumult from the city, Thunder from the Temple! It is the thunder of the Lord As He deals retribution to His foes.

They make themselves His enemies by making light of your faith in Him. Do not lose hope but instead keep praying, keep believing, and - most of all - keep walking and living your faith.

God knows what He is doing and when He will do it. Our job is to simply keep living, looking for the Silver Lining Moment in every dark cloud, and focusing on the people/things/events that make and keep us happy.

Wishing you much peace, happiness, and success,

Unknown

Me. Circa 2000 in Austin, Texas. Pre-CJ.
Water damage destroyed my other pics.

Normally, I don't make Resolutions. I feel like it sets the tone for failure early on in the year. Big goals, overwhelm, life happens, and poof. It's all gone down the toilet causing guilt and the dark cloud of failure to rain down and mess up whatever else you've got going on.

Heck, I even read an essay this morning on a very influential website that said we fail because we split our goals into categories like I just did instead of looking at the end goal and stepping toward that.

Thing is, last year I made a decision to step up, grab life by the horns, and make my life the life of my dreams. Except I couldn't decide what to do first, second, or third if I was just looking at the big picture. I needed smaller goals I could track progress on.

That's why this year I am doing the New Year's Resolution thing. Even if I'm posting this toward the end of January. LOL

Unknown

A dolphin knew it was in trouble and swam over to a diver for help. The Daily Mail says, "Mr. Laros was leading a group of snorkelers for a manta ray dive experience off the Big Island's Kona International Airport when the dolphin squealed out." The saga was caught on video.
*sniff* Excuse me, my eyes are a bit misty.

Have fun, stay safe, and G-d bless,

Unknown

Getting sick a couple of weeks ago and having my tech kiboshed in an electrical fritz were blessings in guise. I had time to think. Time away from all the distractions of email, SMS, chat, website updates, and ... e-work in general.

It made it easier to focus on my on-going quest to simplify, streamline, and hit my target goals. I was burned out from trying to force all my hats to co-exist peacefully.

Truthfully, I've been feeling like I'm failing at everything. Failing at being a good mother and daughter and woman in general. Not meeting my goals for homeschooling, working at home, or finishing my degree.

The guilt that came from failing at being happy with my blessings was making me miserably unhappy!

While I was sick, I realized I was being waaay to black and white about everything. I don't have to give up one thing to have another.

For example, instead of thinking I had to drop the homestead for an RV, I can live a more RV'y lifestyle and keep the homestead as a home base. Plenty of RVers do it. Just because I wouldn't be a fulltimer for 1-2 more years doesn't mean I am a failure.

Life doesn't have to be so black and white. It can be one giant Venn diagram with you smack dab in the middle.

That "aha moment" helped me to come up with a 1 and 2 year plan, while setting some R.E.A.C.H.able goals for year 5 and beyond.

If you are stuck in limbo and feeling like a failure, perhaps this small mental shift will help you breakthrough just like I did.

Have fun, stay safe, and G-d bless,

Unknown

As usual, my son, mom, and I loved the latest Living the RV Dream podcast episode but I won't lie. I am an app addict, I love any excuse to download and test apps, check out new websites, and research some techy thing or other. LOL

This episode, titled "New GPS App, Podcast Apps, Tire safety, Travel Journaling" had some great suggestions for managing podcasts on an Android. Sadly though, the podcast manager I use was not on their list.

As Carolyn might say, boo hiss. Except we're talking about a project by the fabulous John and Kathy Huggins! I'll do a sad face instead. :(

Speaking of Ms. Awesomesauce herself ...

Breaking News: Carolyn's grandson Charlie just arrived. Congrats, Carolyn!

Sorry! New babies - human, furry, feathered, whatever - are always a sweet distraction. Where was I?

Ah, yes. The radio apps take up a lot of data and we are more boondock-ish. Not exactly the best combo. For that reason, I actually keep my podcasts separate from my radio listening.

If I have to choose between data use for my feeds/podcasts and radio, app-based radio can wait. My vehicular radio is good enough for local info. The feeds/podcasts help me to keep up with events, weather, and great location ideas (or warnings). It also helps cheer me on when I start to feel that "maybe I really am crazy for wanting to do this ..."

BeyondPod Podcast Manager is my go-to app. It has some really great features that allow me to customize my podcast and feed experience.

To K.I.S.S., I use Google Reader to subscribe to all the blog and podcast feeds that I am interested in and then have BeyondPod import them to Andy (my Android phone LOL).

Then I can use my laptop's larger screen to cull/add/modify feeds when I have a more reliable and/or unlimited data/wifi. That is also when I can stream my favorite stations using either:

• TuneIn
• IHeartRadio
• Pandora
• Grooveshark

BeyondPod is my workhorse, Grooveshark is my go-to when I want to hear a specific song right now, and Stitcher is my guilty cheat!

Have fun, stay safe, and G-d bless,

Unknown

This morning, we started preparing for an anticipated storm with winds up to 60 miles an hour and hail. By the time we got home, the reports were calling for winds of up to 70 miles per hour, possible hail, and more of a tornado threat.

Okay so it's not the greatest reason to buy pizza, gather the animals, and drink lots of caffeine to stay up but eh. Here we are.

Some of our more skittish babies, prone to feats of escape that would put high level spies to shame, are currently lounging in carriers. Either for their protection, our protection, or a quick evacuation.

Staying up to monitor the situation doesn't actually do much more than ensure we'll already be awake when the booms begin. I don't know about anyone else but I'd rather be awake than wake up scared.

To keep up with the latest developments, I tried to get my new Millenicom service going (as I just picked the Sprint gadget up from my mail box service) and wouldn't you know it? It's not activated correctly.

Looks like it's a 'tomorrow' thing. As in, if I don't hear back by 10am-ish, I'm supposed to call back.

Hello deliberate Verizon data overages. Goodbye super freaky storm.

Gah! Here I had just gotten $118 in overages chopped off my bill and now, I'm flirting with bill-induced trauma.

The worst part is that the overage inducing weather check informed me that the storm has been downgraded. Still a storm but not as remember-the-last-time worrisome. Thank G-d on behalf of ourselves, our pets, our home, our vehicles, and all the other familes and creatures in the storm's path.

Yet, it's a bit of a letdown too. Which is an odd reaction. The upset at overages is something I can write off as part of a logical need for on-demand safety information at reasonable rates. The other aspect, well ...

We're fascinated by weather - Storm Chasers addicts - but at some point (like during potentially life threatening situations), logic needs to stomp on adrenaline and the desire for new and powerful sensation.
That's what good books and action/adventure movies are for, no?

They said 9pm-3am would be the worst and I can hear the wind picking up now. It almost blew CJ and me backwards as we left the library in McAllen around 2pm but had died down to an errie quiet.
Always a scary time.

Now, it's a waiting game. We tried to prep ourselves, our property (home, vehicles, etc.), and our pets as best we could. We even said a prayer for all of that and everyone and everything in harms way.

Yes, I am beating myself up right now. If I'd only had more faith in my prayers and not crossed that data line! I guess we'll see what happens now. Sounds like it's really winding up.

Although it may sound trite and like a feel good PC soundbite, please know I sincerely hope that you ...

Have fun, stay safe, and G-d bless,

Unknown

Running in to town for medical assistance (darn sickness!) without eating breakfast was NOT on today's agenda. Until I found out it's not just rain and cold we're expecting.

Hail and friggin' freezing temps (for us) is anticipated by 6pm tonight!

CJ and I abandoned our 'wait the flu out' plan in favor of running pre-storm errands ... and some medical help. Beyond the 3 weeks of feeling like poop thing, we ran out of light bulbs and vitamins. Small but important things we'd need and would be silly to risk our lives for later.

So we piled into our Escape Pod (aka Ms. Scarlett) and zoomed in to McAllen.

Turns out, leaving without breakfast and arriving around lunch has it's perks. Like stopping at the Corner Bakery Cafe. :)

2 cups of delicious Cheddar Broccoli and some Truffle Mocha later, we're feeling mellow and happy.

The Corner Bakery Cafe seems to attract a well-groomed, mature lunch crowd but is open and friendly to families and children. Just follow the arrows to place your order, then sit wherever you'd like. Friendly waitstaff will be along shortly to deliver your order.

They also have a very nice, welcoming, and covered outdoor eating area. It is sheltered on the north and south sides by walls, while the Bakery itself covers the west side. I forgot to bring my memory stick, so I'll add a picture of that when I get back home.

Our soup was yummy and warm but we weren't fans of the Truffle Mocha. Perhaps it is our sick taste buds or maybe it just isn't our thing but it tasted a tad on the burned coffee side to me. The friendly staff more than made up for it though and I did here a woman in a group saying she stops by twice a month and hadn't tried anything yet that she hadn't liked.

Corner Bakery Cafe

4021 N. 10th St. Suite C4
McAllen, TX 78504

Penny's Rating
3 out of 4 thumbs up. Two thumbs and one big toe. The coffee and CJ's "creepy bathroom" comment kept the other toe from voting.

Have fun, stay safe, and G-d bless,

Unknown

• 

Running in to town for medical assistance (darn sickness!) without eating breakfast was NOT on today's agenda. Until I found out it's not just rain and cold we're expecting.

Hail and friggin' freezing temps (for us) is anticipated by 6pm tonight!

CJ and I abandoned our 'wait the flu out' plan in favor of running pre-storm errands ... and some medical help. Beyond the 3 weeks of feeling like poop thing, we ran out of light bulbs and vitamins. Small but important things we'd need and would be silly to risk our lives for later.

So we piled into our Escape Pod (aka Ms. Scarlett) and zoomed in to McAllen.

Turns out, leaving without breakfast and arriving around lunch has it's perks. Like stopping at the Corner Bakery Cafe. :)

The Corner Bakery Cafe seems to attract a well-groomed, mature lunch crowd but is open and friendly to families and children. Just follow the arrows to place your order, then sit wherever you'd like. Friendly waitstaff will be along shortly to deliver your order.

They also have a very nice, welcoming, and covered outdoor eating area. It is sheltered on the north and south sides by walls, while the Bakery itself covers the west side. I forgot to bring my memory stick, so I'll add a picture of that when I get back home.

[caption width="400" align="aligncenter"]2 cups of delicious Cheddar Broccoli and some Truffle Mocha later,
we’re feeling mellow and happy.[/caption]

Our soup was yummy and warm but we weren't fans of the Truffle Mocha. Perhaps it is our sick taste buds or maybe it just isn't our thing but it tasted a tad on the burned coffee side to me. The friendly staff more than made up for it though and I did here a woman in a group saying she stops by twice a month and hadn't tried anything yet that she hadn't liked.

[caption width="320" align="aligncenter"]Corner Bakery Cafe
4021 N. 10th St. Suite C4
McAllen, TX 78504[/caption]

Penny's Rating

3 out of 4 thumbs up. Two thumbs and one big toe. The coffee and CJ's "creepy bathroom" comment kept the other toe from voting.

[signoff]

Unknown

Authentic TexMex is a strange and not very specific description. After all, El Paso TexMex can be quite different from Hidalgo TexMex and what the heck is TexMex anyway?

My best guess is that it's a Texan/Mexican hybrid of deliciousness that qualifies as neither authentic Texan nor authentic Mexican but is yummy-licious in it's own right.

That is right smack dab where Delia's tamales wind up.

If you ever find yourself in the Rio Grande Valley and are interested in authentic South Texas tamales - the kind I grew up with - you have to visit Delia's.

Delia's has 18 tamale varieties (including a few dirty vegetarian ones) and 5 upper Valley locations: Edinburg, McAllen, Mission, Pharr, and San Juan.

Dirty Vegetarian: A vegetarian dish that may (or may not) have been cooked after a meat dish and/or with an ingredient that would add a meat base or flavor (like lard or broth).

The prices at Delia's are reasonable, you can dine in or carry out, and the tamales are as pretty as they are delectable. I kid you not. 

1. There's no masa (dough) overflow to impeed the removal of the corn leaf. 
2. The naked tamale is perfectly formed, not lumpy. 
3. The ingredients are well mixed and the spices are just right.

Heck, my Mom picked up 3 dozen tamales last night for her, my son, and I to share. There are none left as I write this.

Penny's Rating
Four out of four thumbs up. Two finger thumbs, two big toes! LOL

Have fun, stay safe, and G-d bless,

Unknown

• 

Authentic TexMex is a strange and not very specific description. After all, El Paso TexMex can be quite different from Hidalgo TexMex and Laredo TexMex.

Just what is TexMex anyway?

My best guess is that it's a Texan/Mexican hybrid of deliciousness that qualifies as neither authentic Texan nor authentic Mexican but is yummy-licious in it's own right.

That is right smack dab where Delia's tamales wind up.

If you ever find yourself in the Rio Grande Valley and are interested in authentic South Texas tamales - the kind I grew up with - you have to visit Delia's.

Delia's has 18 tamale varieties (including a few dirty vegetarian ones) and 5 upper Valley locations: Edinburg, McAllen, Mission, Pharr, and San Juan.

[su_pullquote align="right"]Dirty Vegetarian:
A vegetarian dish that may (or may not) have been cooked after a meat dish and/or with an ingredient that would add a meat base or flavor (like lard or broth).[/su_pullquote]The prices at Delia's are reasonable, you can dine in or carry out, and the tamales are as pretty as they are delectable.

1. There's no masa (dough) overflow to impeed the removal of the corn leaf.


2. The naked tamale is perfectly formed, not lumpy.


3. The ingredients are well mixed and the spices are just right.

Heck, my Mom picked up 3 dozen tamales last night for her, my son, and I to share. There are none left as I write this.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="350"] Delia's Menu[/caption]

Penny's Rating

Four out of four thumbs up. Two finger thumbs, two big toes! LOL

[signoff]

Unknown

So we're still sick. Worse, if I'm honest. You know those people who feel better and so they start doing stuff before they are totally well and then they get sick again - only a bit worse?

Yeah. That's us.

Today, the weather is nice. Cool but sunny, low wind. Sooo tempting. We just HAD to go out and adventure. Even if it was just a short walk, unraveling the mystery of the vanishing cow, before my dying phone and an expected call back from Verizon sent us back inside.

The Silver Lining to having our outdoor time cut short is that we didn't overdo it.

The Silver Lining to the Verizon thing is still up in the air. I changed my plan online but it didn't record it the way I selected and I wound up with hefty overages. I did call on two separate occassions about the warning messages I got and was told all was well. Just a glitch.

A nearly $500 glitch.

You bet your biscuits I am following up on this as much as CJ is following up on the cow mystery.

Speaking of the cow, we've named her Midnight because she's solid black and usually shows up at midnight. Intimidating the dogs who then scare us awake. At least until we remember, oh yeah. Midnight.

Fresh poop, tracks in all directions, no cow. A worthy challenge to the adventurous (and delirious) mom and son duo otherwise called ... uh ... Sherlock Penny and CJ Holmes?

Have fun, stay safe, and G-d bless,
Penny

Unknown

Eek. This was supposed to post the day after Christmas but my flu-hazed mind saved it as a Draft instead. ~ P
.......

Woops. Had an unintended humbug holiday because I forgot to order the gifts!

See, my household hasn't celebrated Christmas for a few years now. Between the death of the matriarch, the finance thing after the layoff, realizing it probably isn't really the Savior's birthday, and hearing Jingle Bells in stores before Halloween, the spirit of the whole event just died for me.

So while some relatives get snarky about quantity and quality of the gifts they get, we honestly just appreciate spending time together. Laughing, maybe slightly tipsy if we're all in a good mood, and talking to each other as friends and not just relatives.

You know, not just loving them because we're kin but actually liking each other as individuals.

We know they didn't have to get us anything and we didn't expect them to so every gift - no matter how small or strange - is appreciated. Especially if it's camping related. LOL

So now I feel bad. Christmas isn't our thing anymore but it is theirs and I fully intended to gift some gifts. I will need to make it up somehow. Especially because they did give us some wonderfully appropriate things that really fit our personalities.

Just A Ringin'

By golly the ringing in my ears has almost drowned out everything else! I barely heard Carlos and the fist shaking racoon this morning.

Plus my head feels like it's stuffed with wet cement, hot pokers are burning my nostrils, and someone capped my nose. My nose can run but no air can circulate. I mean, what the heck is that all about? I thought gas was lighter and more permiable than liquid!

The flu thing this year is serious bidness. :(

Lordy, I hope none of you get sick. If it's too late for that, I hope you get well quickly because wow. This is crummy!

The Silver Lining Moment courtesy of CJ: the best part of being sick is the soup. I'd like to add: no penalties for giving in to nap attacks, lounging around conserving energy, skipping a chore or two, and making crazy boondocking decisions.

Have fun, stay safe, and G-d bless,
Penny

Unknown

Thursday, while CJ and I prepared for my Mom's surprise birthday dinner, we found out that a relative lost one of his twin girls. A little bun, just 3 months in the womb.

Friday was another cousin's birthday (he worked) and Mom's dinner. Although today is actually her birthday, we generally do something the night before so that she can be open to invitations today and we won't feel left out or slighted somehow.

It is a very disconcerting - somewhat guilty - feeling to be celebrating life while someone else was mourning.

Yet, my Mom is officially 70 now. As much as I wish she'd live forever, we're human. Regardless, of whether she, I, or CJ goes first, I want to cherish and celebrate the time we have together.

That doesn't mean that we partied up a storm. We had a subdued but pleasant dinner and tried hard not to get on the merry-go-round of why's and the significance of death.

Only G-d knows why this death and why death in general. Honestly, I'd rather let Him do His thing because it's too much for me to wrap my brain around. So many people, so much emotion!

Don't wait for something to be perfect. LIVE! Live now. We don't know how long we have and some little souls never have the chance to live at all. Make each day matter to you. Revel in each gift of sight, sound, taste, touch, and feeling.

Celebrate life!

Have fun, stay safe, and G-d bless,
Penny

Unknown