If you know me much at all, you probably know of my love for iced coffees. In fact, I think I just might be addicted to them, even though I don't have an addictive personality, rarely becoming addicted to anything. It all started when I bought one at McDonald's. Then, I discovered the iced mochas at Burger King...mmmmm, are they ever good!! I've had iced coffees from just about every restaurant around here that serves them. The best one I've had, by far, was from the Manna Bagel Co.
Since I live on a very tight budget, I can't buy myself iced coffees as often as I'd like, so I started making them at home. I've tried many different methods, and I've finally come up with the PERFECT homemade iced coffee. I'd like to say I made it up myself, but truthfully, I read about it in an article I saw.
The article said that in order to make a great iced coffee, you have to start with cold-brewed coffee. It said that when you brew coffee the normal way and then chill it, it makes the iced coffee weak and bitter. I hadn't really noticed it before, but I knew the article was right. It went on to suggest a few different cold-brewed coffees you can buy, but they were out of my price range. Thankfully, the article also included instructions on cold brewing coffee at home. I tried it and fell in love all over again!
I poured a cup of water in a large mug and stirred in 1 tablespoon of ground coffee. I placed it in the refrigerator and let it chill over night. When I was ready to drink it, I strained it through a coffee filter into a tumbler. I added 2 tablespoons of sweetened condensed milk (since sugar doesn't dissolve well in cold drinks), about 6 ounces of milk, and a little chocolate syrup. I stirred it until the condensed milk was completely dissolved, added a few ice cubes, and discovered my most favorite drink in the whole world! It was heavenly!
Seriously, I was surprised at what a difference it made to use cold-brewed coffee. It takes some planning and forethought, but it's definitely worth it.
By the way, when I make iced coffee at home, I like to use flavored coffee. The one I had today was made with Millstone Cinnamon Hazelnut coffee. Mmmmmm...that's some good stuff!!
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
What I've Learned
It may have taken me a while, but I've finally learned not to waste my time thinking about someone who doesn't spend any of his time thinking about me.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Financial Enhancement, LLC
I'm telling everyone I know about a new business started by one of my best friends. The name is Financial Enhancement, LLC, and that's what it's all about ... enhancing your finances. For a limited time, he is offering a FREE financial assessment and credit repair.
Head over to Financial Enhancement, LLC today. What have you got to lose?
Head over to Financial Enhancement, LLC today. What have you got to lose?
Friday, August 19, 2011
Pandora
Have you tried Pandora internet radio? I've heard about it for quite a while, and Sam has been using it for two or three years now. I guess I'm just behind the times, but I just recently downloaded the app on my iPhone, and I.LOVE.IT!
I had it cranking while I was in there washing dishes earlier, and it made the task not seem so horrible. Here are a couple songs I especially enjoyed singing along with:
I had it cranking while I was in there washing dishes earlier, and it made the task not seem so horrible. Here are a couple songs I especially enjoyed singing along with:
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Proud Mama
I'm sure my mom is sitting in Heaven beaming down in pride for my son, her youngest grandchild. She was a very influential part of his formative years. (He still talks about things she taught him many years ago.)
This past Sunday night, Sam informed the church that he had surrendered to preach. I've been proud of him on many occasions but never more than at that moment! He has always had a tender heart and has soaked in the Bible.
Last night, I took Sam to the Bristol Area-Wide Tent Revival. There were very few young people there. In fact, I was one of the youngest people in attendance. That did not dampen his spirits, though. He sang the hymns with gusto and listened to both the choir and John Bishop with rapt attention. He is hoping to get to go back tonight to hear Clarence Sexton, but since I have to work, I don't know if he'll get to go.
Throughout his nearly 16 years, I have been very proud to call Sam my son, and I marvel more and more that this incredible young man is MY son!
This past Sunday night, Sam informed the church that he had surrendered to preach. I've been proud of him on many occasions but never more than at that moment! He has always had a tender heart and has soaked in the Bible.
Last night, I took Sam to the Bristol Area-Wide Tent Revival. There were very few young people there. In fact, I was one of the youngest people in attendance. That did not dampen his spirits, though. He sang the hymns with gusto and listened to both the choir and John Bishop with rapt attention. He is hoping to get to go back tonight to hear Clarence Sexton, but since I have to work, I don't know if he'll get to go.
Throughout his nearly 16 years, I have been very proud to call Sam my son, and I marvel more and more that this incredible young man is MY son!
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
What a Night!
I'm so glad last night is over and done with! I had a good day yesterday and was hopeful that my evening would continue in the same mode, but it was not to be! When I got to work, I was given a note with instructions from my department manager. It seemed to me that it was probably a little more work than I could get done in my four-and-a-half-hour shift, but I was determined to give it my best shot. One thing the note said was that I was NOT to be called to the front so that I could get my work done. Yeah, like that was really going to happen! When I was paged to go to the front to get on a register, I called up there to let them know that, per the co-manager, I was not to go up there. I was informed that he was the one who told them to call me, so off I went to the front. I ended up on the register for AN HOUR!!!
When I finally got back to the toy department, said co-manager came by and reminded me to call for a zone check before I left, and I asked if he realized I had been up front for an hour. Well, he let me know that he expected me to still be able to get everything done, even though I expressed doubt that it could have been done had I been left alone for my entire shift.
I must confess, that really upset me! It's not my fault that the store is managed so poorly that they never have enough cashiers and constantly have to call associates from the floor to help out up front. Besides, I got off the front end because I didn't want to be a cashier any more. So much for that, huh?
Now, if this had been an isolated incidence, it probably would not have phased me much; but the problem is, it happens ALL THE TIME! I work as hard as I possibly can, and I do my job well, but I can't be expected to do as much in three and a half hours as I could have gotten done in four and a half hours. I became very despondent and was seriously contemplating quitting. Thankfully, God sent along a couple different friends from church who encouraged me.
Then, when I got home, I thought my awful night was over, and I sat down to unwind. I heard someone knocking loudly on the door. It was a neighbor informing me that my car had rolled away. When I got home, I was still a little upset about work and so very tired that I failed to put the car in gear or pull the emergency brake. Once again, God was looking out for me. A curb stopped my car just before it hit a neighbor's fence, and somehow, it barely missed hitting a mailbox. Amazingly, my car (and all the surroundings) survived the incident without a single scratch. I felt stupid but also very relieved!
After such an evening, I was afraid I'd have troubles going to sleep, but I didn't. I believe I was asleep before my head hit the pillow, and slept like a baby.
When I finally got back to the toy department, said co-manager came by and reminded me to call for a zone check before I left, and I asked if he realized I had been up front for an hour. Well, he let me know that he expected me to still be able to get everything done, even though I expressed doubt that it could have been done had I been left alone for my entire shift.
I must confess, that really upset me! It's not my fault that the store is managed so poorly that they never have enough cashiers and constantly have to call associates from the floor to help out up front. Besides, I got off the front end because I didn't want to be a cashier any more. So much for that, huh?
Now, if this had been an isolated incidence, it probably would not have phased me much; but the problem is, it happens ALL THE TIME! I work as hard as I possibly can, and I do my job well, but I can't be expected to do as much in three and a half hours as I could have gotten done in four and a half hours. I became very despondent and was seriously contemplating quitting. Thankfully, God sent along a couple different friends from church who encouraged me.
Then, when I got home, I thought my awful night was over, and I sat down to unwind. I heard someone knocking loudly on the door. It was a neighbor informing me that my car had rolled away. When I got home, I was still a little upset about work and so very tired that I failed to put the car in gear or pull the emergency brake. Once again, God was looking out for me. A curb stopped my car just before it hit a neighbor's fence, and somehow, it barely missed hitting a mailbox. Amazingly, my car (and all the surroundings) survived the incident without a single scratch. I felt stupid but also very relieved!
After such an evening, I was afraid I'd have troubles going to sleep, but I didn't. I believe I was asleep before my head hit the pillow, and slept like a baby.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Back to the ER with Sam
I haven't written in here in quite a while because I've been much too busy.
Last night, after I got off work, I had to take Sam to the ER for a leg injury. He was wrestling with a friend Monday and fell on some steps. His right leg hit the edges of one of the steps. Then, he walked in a parade, which was probably the worst thing he could have done. It was very swollen and bruised, but I thought it would be okay in a couple days. Well, Sam has complained about it all week, and when he showed it to me last night, I was shocked at how bad it still looked. I became afraid that the bone was actually broken.
We got to the ER at 11pm and had to wait in the waiting room for what seemed like forever. (It was actually about an hour and half.) They were very busy, and their computer system was down. Once we got back to a room, the RN apologized to us several times for how long it was taking.
When the doctor looked at the leg, he was concerned that the bone might be cracked, so he ordered X-rays. Thankfully, the bone was not broken at all. The muscle, however, is badly bruised and swollen. Also, there is a large hematoma. The doctor told us to keep a close eye on it for the next week or so because of the possibility of blood clots or compartmentalization. Also, Sam isn't supposed to be using his leg much at all, and no going up or down steps if it can be avoided.
Earlier this year, I bought Sam a loft bed to conserve space in his room. All this week, he has been climbing up the ladder to the bed, and that hasn't been good for his leg. Last night, he slept on cushions on the floor. I guess he'll do that for at least the rest of the week.
Here is a picture I took in the ER last night. It's not a great one since I had to sneak and take it because Sam didn't want me to take any pictures.
Last night, after I got off work, I had to take Sam to the ER for a leg injury. He was wrestling with a friend Monday and fell on some steps. His right leg hit the edges of one of the steps. Then, he walked in a parade, which was probably the worst thing he could have done. It was very swollen and bruised, but I thought it would be okay in a couple days. Well, Sam has complained about it all week, and when he showed it to me last night, I was shocked at how bad it still looked. I became afraid that the bone was actually broken.
We got to the ER at 11pm and had to wait in the waiting room for what seemed like forever. (It was actually about an hour and half.) They were very busy, and their computer system was down. Once we got back to a room, the RN apologized to us several times for how long it was taking.
When the doctor looked at the leg, he was concerned that the bone might be cracked, so he ordered X-rays. Thankfully, the bone was not broken at all. The muscle, however, is badly bruised and swollen. Also, there is a large hematoma. The doctor told us to keep a close eye on it for the next week or so because of the possibility of blood clots or compartmentalization. Also, Sam isn't supposed to be using his leg much at all, and no going up or down steps if it can be avoided.
Earlier this year, I bought Sam a loft bed to conserve space in his room. All this week, he has been climbing up the ladder to the bed, and that hasn't been good for his leg. Last night, he slept on cushions on the floor. I guess he'll do that for at least the rest of the week.
Here is a picture I took in the ER last night. It's not a great one since I had to sneak and take it because Sam didn't want me to take any pictures.
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