LONG TIME VERIZON CUSTOMER

LONG TIME VERIZON CUSTOMER

   Human beings do not like change.  That is a long established fact.  I have chosen to use Verizon as my wireless carrier for a long time.  I believe I first purchased a wireless phone in 2001, for obvious reasons:  my children were in school and I was working away from home for 12-14 hours at a time.  How do you treat customers who have been with you for 11-12 years?  You really do everything reasonable to keep them, right? 

   My Significant Other has been looking at the Samsung Galaxy Note 2's lately.  He said he saw advertisement on the television for buy one, get one on them.  He asked me if I would use one.  He also wanted to get his daughter the iphone.  We both have talk and text right now.  He is month to month with his carrier and my 2-year contract is up in a couple of months.  I really did not want to sign another contract.  His daughter has a pre-paid phone.

   However, I really will do a lot to put a smile on his face.  So, I gave Verizon a call.  They currently have their Galaxy 2's for $300.00-more or less.  I asked them if they would do a bogo on them, or sell them for $150.00 each.  The first rep. I talked with was pleasant but said she could do nothing for me. 

   I went online to search for the bogo that he referred to.  I could not find a carrier that offered it.

   I called Verizon back and asked for a supervisor.  Sometimes the supervisors really do appreciate the long time customers and will work with us if it is something reasonable.  Understand that buying three smart phones would require a data plan, a new contract and access for the phones.  So, basically that would guarantee the 3 phones for 24 months of service.  To add the lines, it is $30.00 each plus the data.  Three phones X 24 months at #30.00 each equals $2160.00.  That would mean if they would give up $150.00 for one of the Galaxy phones, they would gain at least $2160.00.  Simple math, right?  Would you give $150.00 for $2160.00?  Only a fool wouldn't!

   I was patched through to Andrea, a supervisor.  We talked for a minute.  I explained what I wanted to do and how it would benefit her company.  She stalled for time and claimed to be researching other companies for the bogo.  I really didn't call to find out which carrier was offering it, as I did not want to change carriers.  She finally said she would not sell the phones at the price I was asking for:  $300.00 for the two Galaxys and $100.00 for the iphone and $2160 for the service.

   So, I wished her a merry Christmas and hung up the phone.  Maybe we can elect her as our next President of America.  Some people just don't get it!

What are your thoughts?

You are also invited to visit Oma at http://omaswisdom.blogspot.com and http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com.

UPDATE:  December 21, 2012

   I was awakened this morning by the phone ringing.  It was a lady from Verizon saying she had received my e-mail about the phones I was wanting to get for my Significant Other.  She thanked me for staying with Verizon for the past ten years and proceeded to tell me all the options I had, such as I could settle for a different phone or buy them from someone else, or wait a couple of years to purchase them, etc. 
   I thanked her for her trouble but really, I do not have mush for brains.  I am not a Democrat.  I possess critical thinking skills.  I already knew my options.   
   I don't need the phones.  My S.O. wanted to get one for me and one for his baby girl when he gets one for him AND he WILL get them.  I wanted to show him how great the people at Verizon were and how they appreciate loyalty,  how they understood good business sense.   Oh, well.  I was wrong on this one.
   Merry Christmas.
  

 

WINTER SAUSAGE SOUP

WINTER SAUSAGE SOUP

   I was going through my cookbooks the other day and came across the following recipe by Tincy Casey.  I don't know Tincy personally, but I am looking forward to trying this soup.  I hope the weather will turn cooler before long:

2 lbs smoked sausage, sliced, fried, and drained

1 medium onion

2 C carrots

1 (28oz.) can tomatoes, chopped and drained

1 C chopped celery

4 C cubed potatoes

1 C. rich beef broth

1 clove garlic, minced

1 T brown sugar

1 t black pepper

4 C shredded cabbage

Put everything except sausage in a large stock pot.  Let it come to a boil; lower heat and simmer until potatoes are tender.  Add sausage. 

   It seems simple enough.  I will update this post after I try the soup.


update:  The entire family (three generations) really enjoys this soup all year around.

You are also invited to visit with Oma at http://omaswisdom.blogspot.com and http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com.

RUSSIAN TEACAKES

RUSSIAN TEACAKES

   This recipe is another favorite of my children.  For the past couple of years, I have been baking cookies for my families.   I feel it is more rewarding and is a better reflection of my love for them.

1 C margarine, softened

1/2 C powdered sugar

1 t vanilla

2 1/4 C all-purpose flour

1/4 t salt

3//4 C finely chopped nuts

powdered sugar

Heat oven to 400 degrees.  Mix margarine, 1/2 C powdered sugar and the vanilla.  Stir in flour, salt, and nuts.  Shape dough into 1 inch balls.  Place on ungreased cookie sheet.  Bake until set but not brow, 8 to 9 minutes.  Roll in powdered sugar while warm;  cool.  ROLL IN POWDERED SUGAR AGAIN.   about 4 dozen cookies

Let me know what you thought about them.

You are also invited to visit with Oma at http://omaswisdom.blogspot.com and http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com. 

PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE

PINEAPPLE UPSIDE DOWN CAKE

   My Mother is asking for me to bake her a pineapple upside down cake.  I don't eat pineapple, so I have never baked a pineapple upside down cake....why would I?  But, when my Mother asks for anything, it is my duty as her FAVORITE daughter to move heaven and earth to get it done for her.  Isn't that how it should be?  So, the recipe (from a box) follows:

1/2 C butter, melted

1     C firmly packed brown sugar

1 (20 oz) can pineapple slices, well drained--reserve liquid

10   maraschino cherries

1 pkg Pillsbury Moist Supreme Pineapple Flavored Premium Cake Mix

1     C reserved pineapple juice and enough water to equal 1 cup (may add cherry juice if there is not enough pineapple juice)

1/3 C vegetable oil

3     large eggs

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.  Prepare pan:  line bottom with parchment paper, melt butter and pour in bottom of pan.  Sprinkle brown sugar evenly over butter.  Arrange pineapple slices over brown sugar, place cherries in center of each pineapple slice and any place you feel they should be (between slices, etc.)

Pan size/baking times:  13" X 9"/34 - 38 min.;

                                       two 8" round/34 - 38 min.;

                                       two 9" round/29 - 33 min.;

Combine cake mix, juice, oil and eggs in large bowl with electric mixer on low speed until moistened.  Beat 2 minutes at medium speed.  Spread evenly over fruit layer.

Bake at the allotted times for your pans or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.  Immediately invert cake(s) onto serving plate(s).  Serve warm.  Makes 16 servings.

You are also invited to visit with Oma at http://omaswisdom.blogspot.com and http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com.

SO, THE WEATHER TURNED COOLER

SO, THE WEATHER TURNED COOLER

   So, the weather turned a little cooler.  I found a recipe in a recent WalMart circular for an interesting drink:

Frankenstein's Creamy Caramel Hot Chocolate

1 cup (8 oz) hot cocoa

1/4 C International Delight Hershey's Chocolate Caramel Gourmet

       Coffee Creamer

1 T caramel sauce

Combine cocoa and chocolate caramel creamer in a mug and stir to blend.  Drizzle with caramel sauce and enjoy

Serves 1

Doesn't that sound good?  Look out Starbucks!

   If that isn't enough, let's cook some chili:



3 lb ground chuck or chili meat

1 medium onion, diced

38 oz can of Ranch Style Beans

42 oz Pace Picante sauce

3 T chili powder

Brown the meat with the onions.  Drain.  In 5 qt Dutch oven, add the meat, onions, picante sauce and beans.  Cook over medium heat about 20 minutes.  Mix in chili powder until well blended.  Enjoy over hot dogs, corn chips, rice, crackers, or a number of different foods.

You are welcomed to share a favorite cool weather recipe with Oma in the comments section.

You are also invited to visit with Oma at http://omaswisdom.blogspot.com, http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com, and http://tbcspeaks.blogspot.com.



BROOKSHIRE BROTHERS GROCERY STORE/MRS SPRINGER

BROOKSHIRE BROTHERS GROCERY STORE/MRS SPRINGER

   It has been a really long day.  I had to work Saturday this week, a six day week.  A good time was had by all yesterday at the cemetery:  we observed All Soul's Day with the Priest giving Mass and blessing individual graves.  Then, we had a committal service with a mariachi band and releasing of the doves.  It was nice: a wonderful tribute to a life lived, one who touched many.

   So, today was just a long day.  And it was busy at work.  So, after work, I went back to Brookshire Brother's to, once again, try to redeem the rain check I have had for a while.  They ran a special for choice cut sirloin for $2.99/lb.  I have made four trips to purchased these steaks, today was the fifth trip.  I just wanted to get the steaks and go home and kick my feet up.

   The meat department was open this time.  So, I got a shopping cart and headed back to it.  The butcher was there.  Well, maybe this time.....   But he had no whole sirloins that he could sell me.  The truck wouldn't be back until Monday.  There were small packages of the steaks in the show case, so I asked if I could just buy a couple of them at the adjusted price until they could accommodate the rain check.  The butcher, Alan,  called over a manager.  Alan asked if I was the woman who had been trying to get these steaks for a period of time.  Yes, that's me.  Obviously I was the talk of the store. 

   The manager was tall and young.  He was such a man.  He was strutting his stuff, looking down on this old woman and stating in no uncertain terms that the rules were the rules.  He could not sell the smaller packages at that price.  And what?  You can't even locate the rain check?  Well, no.  It must be in the truck.  I have been working on this for a while.  Again, no.  He would not sell the smaller packages for the reduced price.

   I was tired.  I left the shopping cart at the meat market and thanked Alan.  Then, on my way out, I stopped by the customer service window to leave my card with my blog address on it and advised that I would be posting about the trouble I have been having trying to purchased the steaks.  The lady behind that counter wasn't a  big as a minute.  She was older and exuded calm and authority.  She stated that she would sell the smaller packages to me and help make things right.

   Well, that knocked my socks off!  I just thought I would give them all a big laugh that I was having so much trouble.  She turned things around and asked Alan to help me.  He not only allowed me a couple of the smaller packages, but would put one of the whole ones back for me and hold it until I could get back to buy it.

   Customer service brings your customers back with their friends.  Thank you, Mrs Springer.  When I paid for my items, the staff all agreed that Mrs Springer walked tall among them.  She has earned their respect.

What are your experiences?  You are welcomed to leave a comment.

You are also invited to visit Oma at http://omaswisdom.blogspot.com and http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com.

TEXAS STATE OPTICAL IN BAYTOWN, TEXAS

TEXAS STATE OPTICAL

   I got my eyes examined today.  But, let me begin at the beginning: I wanted to get my eyes examined, so I googled Texas State Optical in Baytown, Texas.  The listing appeared with Dr Hutto.  Good.  That is the one I have taken my children to for years.  I like Dr Hutto.

  I phoned Saturday to make an appointment for the eye exam.  The girl who answered the phone asked me for my insurance information.  Well, I was in the wash room doing laundry, instead of in front of my insurance card, so I told her I did not have it in front of me.  I just wanted to make the appointment.  She said I could call back when I had my insurance information.  So, I asked for clarification that I could not make an appointment for an eye exam unless I had insurance.  Well, no.  She said I could make the appointment for self-pay but they could not accept the insurance when I came in unless I called back early Monday with my insurance information.  I did not call to give insurance information.  I called to make an appointment to get my eyes examined.

   I finally made the appointment, got the laundry started, and called back to TSO with my insurance information.  Fine, I would see them on Monday.

   That should have been my first clue that the employees there take a lot for granted and are too inexperienced with dealing with the general public or too immature to ask questions.  It is all about herding them in and herding them out like cattle.  If you have to ask questions, you might have to put an effort into your job, right?
   So, I go in for the exam.  There is a bald skinny fellow running in and out of the rooms.  This is not the doctor who is posted on the internet, the one my children went to.
   I am called back into a room and put through the paces.  I was given a test before I was asked if I wanted to pay for it.  Did I mention I have insurance?  They performed a test on my eyes and then told me insurance did not cover it and asked after the fact if I wanted to pay for it.  Then I was told that they would dilate my eyes, which would reveal the same information that the machine would.
   No, I did not want to pay for an extra test to help them pay for their machine.  And no, I was not told when I made the appointment that I should have someone with me to drive me back where I came from since they would be rendering me blind with dilating my eyes.  It is a shame the girl did not say something when I made the appointment instead of worrying about the insurance.
   When I left the room, the girl made a comment that she was sure I would "complain" about her treatment of me on the phone.
   Really?  Complain?
   The rest of the exam was consistent with the initial activity.  Needless to say, I left without a pair of glasses and I will not recommend that anyone else go to TSO on Garth Road in Baytown, Texas.

   What are your thoughts?  Have you ever gone there or to another place to have your eyes examined and what was your experience?  Just leave a comment.

You are also invited to visit Oma at http://omaswisdom.blogspot.com and http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com.

KROGER: WALMART WANNABE

KROGER:  WALMART WANNABE

   We have been going through a remodeling at the local Kroger.  In fact, we have been doing the same thing at WalMart.  They are getting ready for all the holidays coming, I get that.

   My problem is not so much that there is a lot of remodeling going on.  My problem is in the meat department.  I stopped at Kroger on the way home tonight for some ground chuck to make meat loaf for my S.O.  We had discussed the menu for tonight earlier in the day.  Meat loaf is his favorite entree.  So, I had to buy ground meat.  I also didn't want to be there all day.  My goal was to get home before dark.

   I walked straight to the meat department.  They had  packages of ground chuck for an outrageous price.  I forget, now, how much they were; something like $5.00/lb.  The other choice was the chub like WalMart sells.  Well, the problem is that the packages were the same as WalMart, also.  They were pre-packaged with no dates on them, just a "sell by this day of the week".  I did not want to shop at WalMart, or I would have driven to WalMart.  I wanted to shop at a grocery store.

   So, there I was, fuming!  What to do?  Do I buy WalMart meat from Kroger, or go to WalMart and buy it there?  No, I will tell a manager that I am very unhappy.  The customer service desk is "closed due to re-modeling".  Well, isn't that just peachy?!?  No one should have an issue while Kroger is re-modeling, right?

   So, I walked back to the meat department and there was a guy who worked in that department.  Poor child, I knew it was not his fault and there was nothing he could do about it.  He just worked there....hourly employee, right?  This young man, Keith, stood there listening to my complaint in a very polite way.  His Mother must be very proud of him.  He did not just apologize or tell me it wasn't his fault.  No, this young man took on the task of actually listening to my concerns and identified why I was upset.  He suggested that I buy the "ground beef", which is ground there at the store.  He took the time to explain what is was.

   Not only did I buy three packages of it, I left with a smile on my face. And I got home before dark.  I don't know about you, but I saw a leader in this young man.  He turned the lemons into lemonade by listening and addressing my concerns.  Way to go, Keith.  Thank you.

What are your thoughts?  Don't you think Keith should get a promotion?

You are also invited to follow Oma at http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com and http://omaswisdom.blogspot.com. 

PRE-ARRANGED FUNERALS

PRE-ARRANGED FUNERALS

   Let me share what I know about pre-arranging for your final expenses.  Expenses.  No one wants to spend money on things that are necessary.  When was the last time you were looking forward to going through the stress of shopping for a new automobile?  What about groceries for dinner?  And then, there are taxes we have to deal with.  None of these things are things most of us look forward to.  Funerals are in that category, I'm afraid.

   However, that doesn't change facts.  Someone will make final arrangements for you.  Who are you going to saddle with that responsibility?  When we arm ourselves with facts, it changes the entire paradigm.  I am looking forward to impressing my loved ones with my funeral.  I care about my children, my S.O., my grand baby, my parents.  I want them to come away with nothing but good feelings, joy, happiness;  not stress and sadness and anger.

   Do you see the difference?  I have my information written down:  what to do, who to contact.  I have my final expenses taken care of.  They will not have to borrow money or wait for life insurance money or wonder if they made decisions I would have made.  Personally, if I would have made them, I SHOULD have made them.  I want them to be free to experience the moment and reflect on my life, not the mess I left them to deal with.

   The future may not be as far away as you may think.  Take the following story from KHOU for example:

"Mourners wearing yellow shirts gathered outside the school in the early morning hours to hold a memorial service for Shawn Williams, 16. Friends said yellow was the teen's favorite color.
Williams died and another teen was hospitalized in what police said was a shoplifting case that turned into a car chase. The two teens were innocent bystanders caught in the middle of the chaos."

   I feel sorry for the parents and the rest of his family.  There are two scenarios:  either the parents are free to grieve, or they have the emotional task of making final arrangements for him.  If they had made the arrangements for themselves, the child was probably covered with the same funeral that they made for themselves.  Some funeral homes cover dependents in the event of the unthinkable.

   Do you know that Joseph made final arrangements for his "bones" for such a time as when the Jewish people left Egypt?  "Then Joseph said to his brothers, 'I am about to die.  But God will surely come to your aid and take you up out of this land to the land He promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.'  And Joseph made the sons of Israel swear an oath and said, 'God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up from this place.'"  Genesis 50:  24-26   (NIV)

But now, there is no fear of death:  "Since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil--and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their FEAR of death."  Hebrews 2:  14, 15  (NIV)  Today, we should have wisdom, not fear.  Today, we should take care of our own responsibilities.

   So, leave a comment with your contact information and we will have a conversation to inform you and show you many benefits of pre-planning.  I want everyone to enjoy the freedom to celebrate a life lived, not have your sorrow compounded by being forced to make decisions during the worst day of your life.  No comments are posted without being screened, so your information will NOT be published.

   I am also directing my own funeral.  I have lived an exciting life.  There is a particular message I want my loved ones to hear, that I prefer to deliver myself.

   How about you?  Would you like to direct your own funeral?  Have you ever been to a funeral where the Minister did not know the deceased and couldn't even pronounce their name?  Let's change that.  Leave me a comment with your contact information.


   What are your thoughts?

You are also invited to follow Oma at http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com and http://omaswisdom.blogspot.com. 

A LOVE LETTER TO MY SISTER

LOVE LETTER TO MY SISTER

Good morning my Sister,

      Do you know how much I love you?  Let me count the ways....O.K., no poetry.  The fact is that you were my sister before I was born.  We have gone through life together.  When people look at me, they see you.  That makes you the best looking person I know!  Blah, hah, hah.  This is really hard to write you a serious letter, because we always inject humor...that is our relationship.

   Everything you are going through is what I am trying to fix.  I want only good things for you.  I want you to have joy.  Right now, I am struggling to retrieve mine.  What we once enjoyed has now soured.  I want your joy back so I can have mine.  I know that must sound selfish.  My point is that when you have 100, I have 50.  When you have 10,000, I have 5,000.  I want you to have so much joy and blessings, that I can enjoy at least half of it.

   So, knowing that you are going through the fire, I am experiencing it, also.  I can't laugh at the things we have always laughed at.  I constantly pray for your healing and wait.  The wait is excruciating.  I love you so much that I experience the pain.  When you struggle financially, I do, too.

   Let's talk about money.  You know some of my situation.  The problem is that I know some of yours.  When you put the word out that you are really struggling, I took it to heart.  I went straight to my Father and showed him my finances (as if He didn't know) and explained my bills.  He said for me to call your doctor and pay 100% of one of your treatments.  He knows about my procrastination, so He wants it done within the next 24 hours. 

   Then He brought the Centurion to my mind.  When the Centurion asked Jesus for a healing for his servant.  I believe that since I will do this for you, that the treatment will not be necessary.  Your healing will be manifested before you can receive the word that the treatment is paid.  With this, our joy will be restored.

   If I am willing to do this, how much more is my Father willing to do?  He loves you even more than I.

All my love always,

Your Sister  

WALGREEN'S/THE MARK OF THE BEAST

WALGREEN'S/THE MARK OF THE BEAST

   Have you been to Walgreen's lately?  I like shopping at Walgreen's for a number of things, like make up, those seasonal chocolate covered marshmallow candies, cough drops, etc.  I don't shop at CVS and will not get a card to shop there.  One of the reasons I keep shopping at Walgreen's is because they don't force their shoppers to obtain a card to shop there....or do they?

   I went by Walgreen's today to pick up a few make up items and the lady at the cosmetic counter asked me if I wanted to apply for a card.  I asked what it was for.  She said to collect points and receive cash for a certain amount of points.  I asked what kind of information she required.  Only my telephone number.  Well, O. K. then.

   I gave her my telephone number and she put it in her computer.  Then she told me who I am, where I live, what my birth date is.  I just about had a heart attack.  Why do any of the stores we trade with need any information about the common citizen?  Did I say I don't shop at CVS because of their nosey ways?

   I have a card for Kroger and one for Randall's.  I will not shop at ANY store from now on which requires a card to trade with them.  I guess all I have to select from now is Dollar General and Wal Mart.  I am tired of ushering in the time of the "mark of the beast".  The time is coming when we will be denied shopping anywhere without the "mark".
   I challenge you to go to your local Walgreens and stand by the cashier for a while and witness what I am telling you.  People are mindlessly giving away their privacy.  What is the price of freedom?  How many have sacrificed for Americans to have freedom?  It is hard for me to witness so many just mindlessly giving it away. 

   My question is:  what are these people doing with our information?BEWARE AMERICA.  IT IS TIME TO STAND UP AND DEMAND YOUR PRIVACY.

   What are your thoughts?

You can also follow Oma at http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com and http://omaswisdom.blogspot.com.

RECIPE FOR FRESHENER

  If you use and like Febreeze, here is a recipe for about $.15 per bottle.  Use on fabric or just to spray into the air.

RECIPE FOR FRESHENER

1/8 C fabric softener

2 T baking soda

hot tap water

combine ingredients in spray bottle, mix well, use.



MY DAY OF FASTING AND PRAYER

MY DAY OF FASTING AND PRAYER

   I felt led to call for a day of fasting and prayer for our country on July 4, 2012.  Our country is on life support spiritually, so I felt it fitting to pray my heart out on her birthday.  Fasting is a way of getting closer to God, getting His attention, letting Him know you are really serious about your request.
   Fasting...it should not be that difficult.  You simply don't eat food.  I decided I could go without something to eat until sundown.  That is how I understand that Catholics fast.  No problem.  BUT...I still had to cook and smell the food and be around others who were eating. 
   When was the last time I fasted?  I honestly cannot remember EVER doing such a thing.  I love to eat.  I love Blue Bell Ice Cream.  Yes, I just gave them free advertising...it is that good.  I don't ever recall a time that I felt a need to fast.  Did I mention that I am very concerned for my Country?  America is in such trouble.  If we don't turn from our wicked ways and seek God's face, we will soon be destroyed.  God said it; I believe it.
   So I lasted for eight hours from the time I got up that morning.  My day of fasting revealed every where that I had little stashes of "nibbley" food all over the house.  I would open a door and there was something to nibble on.  I would go to a different room and there was something else.  NO WONDER I WEIGH FOUR HUNDRED POUNDS!  The fasting may not have gotten God's attention, but it sure got mine!
   And the praying:  I prayed for soldiers who are actively serving, some who have died for my Country, and others who have served in the past.  I always cover the 5000+ who are associated with the USS Carl Vinson, because that is where my son served.  Mostly I prayed heavily for my family and friends.  Time is so short and this Country could really really use a spiritual revival.
   At the end of the day, there were so many more prayers I needed to send.  I just couldn't concentrate because of hunger.  I am so weak.  The good news:  God wants us to be obedient more than He wants us to sacrifice.  I will make another attempt at this before the November elections.

What are your thoughts?

You are also invited to visit with Oma at http://omaswisdom.blogspot.com/ and http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com/.

TONY'S FAVORITE ITALIAN CREAM CAKE

TONY'S FAVORITE ITALIAN CREAM CAKE

1 C   margarine

2 C   sugar

2 C   all purpose flour

1/4 t salt

1 t    baking soda

1 C  buttermilk

5      eggs, separated

1 C  coconut

1 C  pecans

1 1/2 t vanilla

1/2 t almond extract

Grease and flour 13 x 9 inch baking pan.

Cream margarine and sugar.  Beat in egg yolks, one at a time.  Mix flour and salt in separate bowl.  Add soda to buttermilk.  Add flour mixture alternately with buttermilk mixture, beating after each addition.  Beat egg whites until they form a peak, set aside.  Add coconut, pecans, vanilla, and almond extract.  Mix well.  Fold egg whites into batter.

Pour into 9 x 13" baking pan, well greased and floured.

Bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean.  Let cool 10 minutes on rack before removing from pan.

Frost with cream cheese frosting.

CREAM CHEESE FROSTING
 

8 oz cream cheese, softened at room temperature

1/2 C (1 stick) softened margarine

1 t vanilla

1 box powdered sugar (3 1/2 Cups)

Cream margarine and cream cheese together,  Beat in powdered sugar.  Add vanilla.  Beat to spreading consistency.

Remember that this is a homemade cake.  I tell everyone that I bake all the fat and calories out of it.

Please also visit Oma at http://omaswisdom.blogspot.com/, http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com/, and http://omashealth.blogspot.com/.

CVS PHARMACY JUNE 9, 2012

CVS PHARMACY   JUNE 9, 2012

   I need to say, before I get too far into my latest experience with CVS Pharmacy, that I am not happy being forced to use this pharmacy exclusively by our new insurance.  Go Obama! 

   So, I went to pick up our refills today on routine medicines.  I had dropped off a new script yesterday, so I decided to just pick up all the scripts together.  I arrived and was given the scripts and asked to sign for them.  As I always do, I checked them before leaving.  I asked where the new script was.  That started the clerk scrambling.  She didn't know where it was.  I explained that I had brought the doctor's prescription in yesterday and told them I would pick it up today. 

   I also noticed I was given a medication that was not ordered.  I separated that med. from the ones I was supposed to have while the clerk continued to look for the new med.

   In a little while, the clerk came to me, looking through the medicines I had signed for.  She reached and took the medication I had separated, saying I had been given the wrong medicine.  Well, imagine that!  Do I look like a pharmacist who works at CVS?  No, but I am an informed consumer.

   The Pharmacist on shift tried to cover up the mistake.  Here is why it is such a big deal:  Maybe I would have been allergic to the medication that was initially filled.  Maybe I was so uninformed that I did not know that was the wrong med. and took it.  Maybe the wrong med. was a diabetes medicine that would have lowered my normal blood sugar, leaving me in a coma.  Maybe the wrong med. would have been an antihypertension med that would have dropped my blood pressure and sent me into hypovolemic shock.  The possibilities are many.

   All I have to say is that if you are forced to use CVS Pharmacy, please pay attention to what they are doing to you.

What are your thoughts?

You can also visit Oma at http://omaswisdom.blogspot.com, http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com, http://omashealth.blogspot.com, and http://tbcspeaks.blogspot.com.  Just click the name of the site you want to visit.

WASHING DISHES

WASHING DISHES

   It was getting late in the day and the dishes were piled up in the kitchen.  Not a lot of dishes, just a couple of big dishes.  I needed to wash them by hand.  I am tired of washing dishes.  Housework is not my cup of tea.  I have washed, dried clothes, folded them, and put them away.  And dishes...I have washed enough dishes to fill the great state of Mississippi with them.  I didn't want to wash the dishes and I said so.  Of course he never tells me I have to do anything.  He just said, "Don't wash them if you don't want to."

   Then I thought of a friend of mine who would probably give a lot to be physically able to stand at the sink and wash dishes.  That made me feel small complaining about the task.  My friend turns 30 years old this year.  I can't remember a time when she could bathe herself.  She has been carried to the toilet since I can remember, and I've known her since she was in middle school.   And I want to complain about washing the dishes.

   I have a loved one in prison, also.  I'll bet he would love to complain about something as trivial as washing dishes whenever he decides to get up and do it.  That is a life I cannot imagine living.  Sometimes we make choices that are not the best and there are consequences we did not consider.

   Forgiveness is like that, you know.  Someone does something to us that hurts us.  Sometimes they don't even know we take offense at them, since they meant nothing by their actions or words.  But we harbor resentment and hatred toward them. 

   I have recently been brought to my knees about someone that I haven't given a second thought about.  She lied about me years ago and tried to destroy my relationship with my S.O. (Significant Other).  He knew she had lied, because what she said about me was so far from my normal behavior.  So she failed at her mission.  But I had written her off without even forgiving her.  Do you know how much it costs me to forgive her?  You're right!  I don't have to spend one penny on it.  I can forgive her for nothing.  Jesus forgave me for all the sins I have committed, am committing, and will ever commit.  How can I not forgive her?

   By the way, I washed the dishes.  I will wake up to a clean kitchen in the morning, and a clear conscience, too.

You can also visit with Oma at http://omaswisdom.blogspot.com/, http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com/, http://omashealth.blogspot.com/, and http://tbcspeaks.blogspot.com/.  Just click the name of the site you want to visit.

BLACKBERRY COBBLER

   As I started to post this recipe, I looked back to see if I had posted my recipe for pie crust.  Oops!  I didn't see it.  So, I will post my pie crust recipe, that can be used for any pie, also:

BLACKBERRY COBBLER

CRUST

2/3 C and 2 T. shortening

2     C               flour

1     t                 salt

1/8  C               sugar

3 - 5 T              cold water

Mix dry ingredients together.  Add shortening and cut with pastry cutter until mixture resembles coarse meal.  Add cold water until moist clumps form.  Gather dough into ball, flatten into disk.  Divide dough in half and roll pie crust on lightly floured surface to 15 inch round.  Transfer into baking dish.

FILLING

16 oz (1 lb) blackberries--i used frozen

2/3 C sugar

1 T corn starch

dash salt

1 T butter

To make filling, mix berries with sugar, corn starch and salt.  Spoon onto pie crust.  Dot with butter.  Roll other half crust into 15 inch round, place on top of  berries.  Bake at 400 degrees for 55 minutes.  Dot top of crust with butter and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar mixture 10 minutes before dish is done.



Let me know if you baked this.  It just melted in my mouth.

You are also invited to visit Oma at http://omaswisdom.blogspot.com, http://omashealth.blogspot.com, http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com, and http://tbcspeaks.blogspot.com.  Just click the link of the site you want to visit.

UNSEEN (PSYCHOLOGICAL) PROBLEM

UNSEEN PROBLEM

   I have been loosing interest in driving for a while.  The first time I remember a problem was in Denver a couple of years ago.  I was in a foreign place with unfamiliar roads.  There was one highway there that I was afraid to negotiate.  I was constantly hearing about major accidents on that road.  I hated it.

   Then, one day on the way to the office, I lost control of the steering on my truck.  The belt broke.  I had to try to move my truck out of traffic to a secure location and call for help.  Fortunately, my Middle Son was in the truck with me and he basically grabbed onto the steering wheel and moved the truck out of traffic.  My anxiety was very elevated.

   After Denver, I was expected to drive on a highway in Tennessee that always had wrecks on it.  I saw the wrecks there frequently.  Many of the wrecks were caused by people trying to avoid hitting deer.  How many sedans and 18 wheeler trucks have I seen in the median?    It affected me.

   I have noticed that I drive on the right side of the road.  I never drive over the speed limit, but often I drive under the limit.  My gauges on the dashboard show no problem, but the check engine light is often on.  Something is wrong and I have adjusted my driving accordingly.  I am miserable behind the wheel, I had lost confidence in myself to drive.  I just decided that I am too old.  I am looking to work from home or to just retire.

   Then, I am informed that I need a lot of front end work done on the truck.  This is an unseen problem.  My gauges don't show this, so I keep driving for a month or so. 

   Then, one day when I am on my way home, about an hour away, it gets worse than ever.  I have two hands on the steering wheel, driving under the speed limit, having great difficulty keeping the truck in my lane.  I have severe doubts that I will be able to negotiate the truck home without crashing.  My anxiety was elevated, and so was my blood pressure.  Driving was affecting my health!

   I arrived at home and parked the truck.  I will not drive again.  I'm through.  I am no mechanic and I just can't deal with this.  I phoned my friend who told me the front end needed work and asked if he could fix it.  He is so generous with his talents.  He agrees to fix the problem and even replaced my front brake pads.  Then, I had to get the front end aligned.  O.k.

   Let me tell you...I was driving to see my Mother recently and noticed that I had the radio turned up, enjoying my drive.  I was passing those drivers who were driving under the speed limit.  I was no longer driving in the slow lane, listening for new noises that would indicate that I needed to pull over.  I really was enjoying the drive!

   It struck me that sometimes life is like that.  Problems creep up on us and we adjust our lives.  Relationships suffer.  We are miserable, out of control of our emotions.  Life gets difficult to deal with.  The cause of our misery is unseen.  The good news is that you may need your "front end" fixed.  I recommend that you start with God.  He is the answer to all questions.  Ask Him to show you what is causing the problem.  Then, seek professional help.  Christian therapists/counselors can help identify the root cause and help fix it.  Life will be good again.

   If you are using chemicals to deal with daily life, emotions, relationships, it is time to get your "front end" looked at.  Alcohol and street drugs are not used for routine maintenance, but they are an "adjustment" to deal with the problem.  Seek help.   It is good to smile and sing and go places when you want to.

   What do you think?

You are also invited to visit Oma at http://omaswisdom.blogspot.com/, http://omashealth.blogspot.com/, http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com/, and http://tbcspeaks.blogspot.com/.

EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS

EDIBLE ARRANGEMENTS

   If you follow me on facebook, you know how busy I was on Mother's Day:  I made sugar cookies and delivered them to three people.  I cut out letters for two people that read Happy Mothers Day.  I had no apostrophe.  Then I cut out hearts and flowers, put them on sticks, baked them, and stuck the sticks in foam stuff in a basket for cookie bouquets.  Of course, my Mother received both the letters and the bouquet.  My Step-Mother received the letters, and my Daughter-in-Law received the other bouquet.  My Granddaughter was sick, so she could not assist me in making the cookies.  She loves to bake cookies.

   I must have driven about two hundred miles on Mother's Day.  Then I had business on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at my house.  On Wednesday, I went to a friend's house to help.  I received a call from my Daughter-in Law who is out of state on Sunday that I had a fruit bouquet at Edible Arrangements for me to pick up.  I got another call on Monday to remind me I needed to pick up the bouquet.   On Wednesday, I received a call from Edible Arrangements.  I had almost forgot about them by then, but said I would come today and get them.

   When I finally arrived at Edible Arrangements, I told the manager, Nikki, who I was and that I was there to pick up my arrangement.  She knew how late I was at picking it up.  She went in the back to assess the bouquet and came back to the front to say that she was not going to allow me to take the order with me the way it was.  I had waited too long. 

   Let me say that Edible Arrangements has no freezer onsite.  All orders are made fresh and placed in their "cooler".  I was informed that when the fruit is dipped in chocolate, it breaks down the fruit.  The fruit is at a disadvantage of retaining freshness at that point.  Compare it to normal fresh fruit, which can stay in the 'fridge for days and still be relatively fresh.

   So I asked Nikki what I should do.  I was at least hoping to take the balloons and the vase with me.  She informed me that she was going to REPLACE the bouquet before she would allow me to walk out of her shop with it.  I asked how much more money that would cost, hoping that it would maybe be half priced.  She said she would replace the whole thing for me at no additional cost.

  Those of you who know how critical I am about businesses that have lost their customer service have to know I was impressed.  Believe me, at my age, you really have to work to positively impress me.  Nikki did not know me from the next guy, I had never seen her before in my life.  I can say this, though, I will come back to her with my business in the future, and I highly recommend Edible Arrangements in Humble, Texas to everyone.  The address is 20669 West Lake Houston Parkway.  You can contact them by phone at:  281-852-1335.

   I also want to say that this bouquet that my Oldest Son sent had so much fruit on it that it fed more that ten people.  I called for help from my S.O.'s sisters and his daughter and three of his grandchildren.  There was plenty for everybody.  It was very tasty as well as pleasing to the eye.

   No one pays me for my opinion on their businesses.  That is probably a good thing, because many fall short of expectations.  When I find a business that is taking care of their customers, I gladly share.

What about you?  Have you recently found a business that favorably impressed you?  Let us hear about your experience.

You are also invited to visit Oma at http://omaswisdom.blogspot.com/, http://omashealth.blogspot.com/, http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com/, and http://tbcspeaks.blogspot.com/.

CUTTING SODIUM FROM DIET

CUTTING SODIUM FROM DIET

   Getting back to the DASH diet, how are you doing on it?  I have taken two blood pressure pills this year.  Not two kinds every day; only two this year.  The diet is working.  Basically, I am off the blood pressure pills and my blood pressure is good.  My target was <140/90.  I monitor it twice daily. Currently, it is 127/88, and there is a lot of stress in my life.

   One of the things we are doing is the addition of fruit juices daily.  In the past, we drank a lot of gatorade, so I kept the bottles.  I clean them out and put the fruit juices in the 12 oz. gatorade bottles for my S.O. to carry to work. 

   In the 20 oz. bottles, I pour freshly brewed tea.  Then I freeze them.  I send them, frozen, in his lunch.  He has sweetened and unsweetened.  In the unsweetened tea, he adds crystal lite, or some kind of flavoring.  He has cut way down on the sodas and gatorade he was drinking.  The sodium in drinks really adds up.

What are you doing to cut the sodium from your diet?  How is it working?

You are also invited to visit Oma at http://omaswisdom.blogspot.com/, http://omashealth.blogspot.com/,  http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com/, and http://tbcspeaks.blogspot.com/.  Just click the names of the site you want to visit.

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES

   When you have to work on the weekend, or are just feeling blue, these cookies are guaranteed to make you feel better (unless you are allergic to peanuts).  You can freeze the dough up to three months.

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIE RECIPE



1/2 C     sugar

1/2 C     packed brown sugar

1/2 C     peanut butter

1/4 C     shortening

1/4 C     margarine or butter, softened

1            egg

1 1/4 C all-purpose flour*

3/4 t      baking soda

1/2 t      baking powder

1/4 t      salt

Mix sugars, peanut butter, shortening, margarine and egg.  stir in remaining ingredients.  Cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours.

Heat oven to 375  degrees.  Shape dough into 1 1/4 inch balls.  Place about 3 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheet.  Patten in crisscross pattern with fork dipped in flour.  Bake until light brown, 9 - 10 minutes.  Cool 2 minutes:  remove from cookie sheet.  About 3 dozen cookies, 85 calories per cookie.
* If using self-rising flour, omit baking soda, baking powder and salt.

From Betty Crocker Cook Book.  This is a family favorite.

You are also invited to visit Oma at http://omashealth.blogspot.com,%20http//omaswisdom.blogspot.com, http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com/, and http://tbcspeaks.blogspot.com/.  Just click the name of the site you would like to visit.

ROBBINS CHEVROLET/APRIL FOOLS

APRIL FOOLS

   This year, on April 1st, I posted on my facebook page that I won a New Chevrolet 2500 crew cab pickup.  It is "catch-me" red.  Those who know me are aware that my truck has nearly a half-million miles on it.  The post started out catching some by surprise, but before long, the family started saying, "April Fools".  So, I thought it was such a great idea, that I e-mailed Robbins Chevrolet to let them know I gave them free advertising.  It was an e-mail.  You never know if those things go straight to the "spam" folder, or what.

ROBBINS CHEVROLET

   A few days later, I received an e-mail from the internet sales department congratulating me for winning the truck.  How stupid!  Does anyone at any business ever know what is going on in their company?  Don't you think something like that would be posted everywhere at their business?  Really!  At the very least, they should not have sent any response.  It is well known that if you keep your mouth shut, no one knows how stupid you are.

   After investigating my claim and discovering I won nothing, the salesman should at the very least have e-mailed me back and invited me for coffee to get to know who it was who gave them free advertisement.  He may have even sweetened the pot to lure me in for this cup of coffee by saying, "maybe there is something we can do for you since you were so generous to us."

   The problem is that no one wants to put any effort into their jobs.  If they can't learn that I didn't win that truck, why would I trust them to "go the extra mile" for me if I were to BUY a truck from them.  Thanks but no thanks.

   What are your thoughts?

You are also invited to join Oma at http://omaswisdom.blogspot.com/, http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com/, and http://omashealth.blogspot.com/.  Just click the name of the site you would like to visit.

THINKING OUTSIDE OF THE BOX

THINKING OUTSIDE OF THE BOX



   My Oldest Son is amazing.  He is brilliant.  He was the one to introduce my family into thinking outside of the box when it comes to employment.  He always said that he did not want to work at a job, but rather he wanted to be the boss.  He decided to reach for his dreams.  He has begun a variety of businesses and his mind keeps coming up with more ideas.

   There may be a curse on your family related to finances:  "You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.  You shall not bow down to them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.  Exodus 20: 5,6  (NIV) 
   Some may have grown up on welfare.  As you reach the age of going out on your own and making your own way, you fall back on what is familiar, what you were taught.  The fact is that getting your relationship with God is the first step of taking control of your own destination, breaking the curse.  Then, get educated.
   Next, look at your gifts.  What are you above average in doing?  In America, everyone is expected to work for an hourly wage.  There is no wealth in that, but we focus on just paying the bills and getting by.  There is no shame in that, but why not work for yourself?  Yes, I am talking about starting your own business.  That is a scary idea, but once you think about it and take that first step, the sky is the limit!
    We noticed that the family curse was lifted when one of us siblings graduated high school.  That is a monumental task for a family with nothing, contributing to the finances of the family just to feed and clothe your siblings, pay the monthly bills.  Then one of us attended college.  One graduated college, another attended college.
   The next generation was born and graduated high school and some joined the military, some attended college.  But my Oldest Son said, "no".  He wanted to start at the top.  He would be the boss.  So, he became an entrepreneur.  He failed some, but he did not give up.    He worked for others long enough to learn what they knew, then he started another business.  He is forging the way for the next generation.  The curse is broken.
   What about you?  Is there a curse upon your family?  What are you doing to break it?  Worship the one and only God and pray for revival upon this country.  What my Oldest Son has taught me is to think out of the box.  Lay the ground work.  Get up and dust off your pants and get your hands dirty.  We live in the greatest country in the world.  Seek out those who can teach you.  Don't give up.


What do you think?  You are also invited to visit Oma at http://omaswisdom.blogspot.com/ , http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com/, http://omashealth.blogspot.com/, and http://tbcspeaks.blogspot.com/.  just click the links of where you want to visit.  You are invited to join the site, or just leave a comment.

VALENTINE'S DAY SCAMS

VALENTINE'S DAY SCAMS

   I had been listening to some of the talk shows for days before Valentine's Day and was convinced that I needed to send my Mother some chocolate covered strawberries for Valentine's Day.  I called Sheri's Berries and placed an order.  I could sent six of them for "only $19.99" and I could send a complete dozen for "only $10.00 more".  At the end of my placing the order, the CSR asked me if I would pay another $14.00 or so to have the berries delivered.  I was incredulous!  Did they think I was ordering the berries for their company to enjoy?  I wanted my Mother to enjoy them.  I cancelled the order.

   Then, I was listening to the Sean Hannity Show.  He convinced me to send a dozen assorted roses to my Mother for "only $29.99".  I dialed 800flowers.  I was having difficulty communicating with the CSR, so I asked her in what town she was located.  She said she was in the Philippines.  Anyway, I placed the order, only to have this company do the same thing as the first company.  I told her I was not going to pay half as much again the price of the order, to have them delivered.  She said, "O. K. You want free shipping."  Why, yes I did.  I wanted to pay "only $29.99" as I was told they would cost.  She proceeded to try to sell me a bouquet for $99.99 with free shipping.

   This went on for the better part of an hour.  When I finally thought we were on the same page and I was going to order the "only $29.99" special, I gave her my credit card information.  When she told me the final total, she had added the shipping charge.  I told her to cancel the order.  I NEVER CONFIRMED THE ORDER.

   A few days later, I noted a charge on my credit card for over $47.00.  I was mad enough to hurt somebody.  I called the 800flowers and told the CSR what had happened.  He advised that he could give me a $20.00 credit but he could not cancel the order or refund my money.  I asked him if he thought he could steal money from people with no repercussion.  He kept trying to do everything but refund the money which was never authorized to be taken.  When I started using language like "stealing", he finally said he would refund my money.  (Which he tried to convince me he could not do.)  The money was refunded within three business days.

   My question is how many Valentine's Day Scams are there?  Are the talk show hosts who fervently promote such scams getting a kickback?  Are they even aware that these are scams?  If not, why not?

   Bottom line:  beware of who you trust.

You are also invited to follow Oma at http://omashealth.blogspot.com for information on health issues, http://omaswisdom.blogspot.com for Bible reading, and http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com for clarification of current events.

MY PURPOSE IN LIFE

MY PURPOSE IN LIFE

   Do you wonder what your purpose in life is?  Why you were born?  We know why Jesus was born.  But He also lived.  He taught, performed miracles, loved His family and friends, ate, slept, "wept".  His mission was to seek and to save those who were lost.  His purpose was to die on a tree in my place because I sin.

   I wonder sometimes, why I was born, what is my purpose in life.  I had children.  I thought that was my purpose.  I raised my sons.  There comes a time in everyone's life when they have to accept responsibility for their own lives.  I gave it all I had, so I accomplished my goal.

   When I worked in the oil fields, I was buried in a bell hole.  I survived a deadly explosion.  I helped family and friends along the way.

   When I worked in nursing, I comforted.  I monitored and taught.  I helped save lives.  I kept some company as they were actively dying.  I tried not to judge, but to help.

   I have recently realized that I am getting older.  I am almost as old as my "Dear Old Dad".  That is an eye opener.

   What have I accomplished, what is my purpose?  I have sent Bibles to the Ukraine, brought Jews back to the "promised land", fed the hungry, etc.  I have done good things that I don't even remember doing.  I just did them because I could at the time.  I have witnessed to my sons and their friends.

   I think of Rachael Scott.  She is my hero.  She was just going about her life, when one day at school in Columbine, she professed her faith and died.  She practiced her faith in her life, so she was prepared for that one moment.  What was her purpose in life?  Many people are still talking about her all these years later, and her faith.

   I don't know what the future holds, but I pray that I make my God proud.  Please don't misunderstand, I am not perfect.  If I were perfect, Jesus wouldn't have had to die for me.  But I do try.

What are your thoughts?  You are welcome to leave a comment.

You are invited to join Oma at http://omaswisdom.blogspot.com for Bible reading, http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com for her comments on current events, and at http://omashealth.blogspot.com for information on health issues.  Just click the names.  And please leave a comment.

RESULTS OF THE DASH DIET

DASH DIET

   We have been on the DASH diet for ten days.  Our first day was documented on Oma's Life, the other day's recommended diets were on Oma's Health.  My Significant Other has lost ten pounds since we started.  My blood pressure, without medication, was 121/87 today.  The diastolic (bottom reading) is still high, but I have prescriptions for two different blood pressure medications, so I consider this impressive.  My systolic (top reading) was running 150-over 160.  That is why I have the prescriptions.

   My biggest take away has been unsuspecting item that I have been killing myself with.  Things like bread.  I like to start my day with a little breakfast taquito.  Just consider the bread:  white bread:  115mg sodium, wheat bread:  DEPENDING ON THE BRAND Mrs. Baird's honey wheat: 100mg sodium, Nature's Own honey wheat:  120mg sodium.  THE SAME BREAD!  For my taquitos, one tortilla has 310mg sodium.  That is amazing!  The better choice is to have a fold over egg sandwich with the Mrs. Baird's honey wheat bread.  Not an entirely different meal, but a big difference in sodium.

   We have been eating more salads that we did before.  Look at the different dressings:  Italian, which contains vinegar, which is good for lowering blood pressure, has 340mg of sodium; Hidden Valley Ranch has 260mg sodium.  The ranch also has 1gm protein, which is good, but has 10 mg cholesterol and 14 fat grams.  The Italian has no cholesterol or protein, and only 7 fat grams.  He likes Catalina.  It is a trade off, and you can mix it up to keep interest high.  

   We have also incorporated ground turkey instead of ground chuck.  So far, we have eaten turkey burgers and spaghetti with the turkey.  I told him not to turn his nose up at the turkey.  After all, he has been known to go to fast food restaurants.  I told him he really didn't know if he was eating beef or camel!  The turkey has received no complaints.  I will make his meat loaf with ground chuck.

   We are also eating a lot of fruit.  I like bananas, pears, oranges and apples with cool whip on them.  I bought the sugar free cool whip.  It is like what we fix on Christmas.  Today, he added pineapple chunk to the mix.  I just don't eat pineapple.  The pineapple has no sodium, but also has no potassium.  Remember, we want to increase dietary potassium while we decrease the sodium.  Raisins have potassium, as does the banana and orange.

   Breakfast is oatmeal with a little cinnamon and some raisins, or Raisin Bran.  And we have fruit-on-the-bottom Oikos Greek yogurt daily with walnuts.  Walnuts have potassium, no sodium.  Pecans have no sodium, also, but have no potassium.  Walnuts are the better choice.

   How are you doing on the diet?  I'd love to have your feed-back.

You are also invited to join Oma at http://omaswisdom.blogspot.com/ for Bible reading, and http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com/ for Oma's take on current events.

TRIBUTE TO MY SISTER

THINKING ABOUT MY SISTER AND EGGS

   I can't help but think of my sister when I make scrambled eggs.  The only time I fry eggs these days is when I can find pastuerized eggs, because there is no reason to take a chance in contracting salmonella poisoning.  But when I scramble them, I think of my sister.

   I was 16 or 17, maybe 18 and she was in charge of taking care of me.  Now, understand that she is only two years older than I, but she was definately more mature.  I was very naive.  Anyway, she accepted the responsibility.  There was a time that we lived on what ever the milkman left at the front door.  That was eggs, butter, and milk.  That was mostly what we had to eat and were grateful for it.

   She is still like that today, all these years later.  She takes care of anyone that she thinks needs care.  How can you fault anyone like that?

You can also follow Oma at http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com/ for Oma's opinion on current events, http://omaswisdom.blogspot.com/ for Bible reading, and http://omashealth.blogspot.com/ for information on health issues.  Just click the names.  You are encouraged to leave a comment.

ONE OF THOSE DAYS

ONE OF THOSE DAYS

   This was just one of those days.  If it could be aggravating, it was aggravating.  It started out with a phone call in the middle of my S.O.'s sleep.  It was from my Mother, to wish him a happy birthday.  This is not a complaint about my Mother.  She is very dear to me and she did not know he would be sleeping in the middle of the day.  She thinks highly of him and wanted him to know she was thinking about him on his special day.  All I'm saying is that I have a problem with him not getting the proper rest, because I care about him, too.

   I drove to the grocery to pick up his birthday cake I had ordered yesterday, and I couldn't find my grocery card.  This grocery requires a card if you want to take advantage of their sales.  My card was no where to be found, so I left without the cake.  I went back to the house to look for that card.

   His daughter pulls into the driveway and the dogs go crazy with their barking.  It was a wonder the police didn't come to see what they were barking at.  Anyway, she and her toddler come into the house, bringing him a cake for his birthday.  I'm glad somebody has him a cake, because I'm definitely having a problem producing mine before he leaves for work.  He is too tired to get out of bed to visit with her, so she leaves.

   When he finally gets up, his sisters and brother-in-law come to wish him a happy birthday.  They bring gifts.  I was going to go to the local Harley shop and get him a pocket t-shirt as a gift, but he is going to leave for work before I will be going to the Harley shop.  I am rushing around, trying to put his meals together for him to take to work, so he has enough energy to work and come back home.

   Then, everybody leaves minutes before he leaves for work.  I take my paycheck down to another grocery store who requires a card to get cash to go buy that cake and his t-shirt.  The check was hand written, so they will not cash it.  So, I go back to the house on the verge of tears.  As I am backing into the driveway, the truck quits running.  Fortunately, when I turned the key, it cranked up and I was able to park the truck.

   That was it for me.  I put in to just have the day cancelled.  Maybe tomorrow will be better.

Please also visit me at http://omaswisdom.blogspot.com/ for Bible reading, http://omashealth.blogspot.com/ as we try to follow the DASH diet, and http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com/ for Oma's comments on current events.

  

DASH DIET DAY 1

DASH DIET     DAY 1

  Today we started our journey on the DASH diet.  Here is our menu:

breakfast:

3/4 C Raisin Bran

3/4 C milk

1 medium banana

lunch:

1 large bowl green tossed salad

2 T. Italian dressing

1/4 C cheese

1 C fruit

dinner:

1 large bowl chicken and dumplings

1 fruit on the bottom yogurt

1/4 C walnuts

For the chicken and dumplings, I used Cricket's recipe:

3 boneless, skinless, chicken breasts

2 T chicken bouillon

1/2 C heavy whipping cream

2 C bisquick

1/3 C milk

1/3 C heavy whipping cream

Boil chicken and bouillon in dutch oven for an hour or until done.  Remove from water to cool.  Shred chicken and return to water.  Bring to rolling boil.  Add 1/2 C heavy whipping cream.

Mix Bisquick, milk, and 1/3 C. whipping cream until soft dough forms.  Drop by teaspoonful into boiling water.  Cook uncovered over medium heat for ten minutes, then cover and cook another ten minutes. 

Thank you, Cricket.  This was the best chicken and dumplings I can ever remember eating.

My blood pressure without medication yesterday was 118/79.  I have been eating the yogurt as part of my regular diet.  Pretty cool, don't you think?  I have also started a job that is very low stress. 

My S.O.'s cholesterol is over 400, so we had to take matters into our own hands.  Every prescription drug on the market has side effects.  The news report this week is that statin drugs, which help lower cholesterol, may also be linked to type II diabetes.  He takes two meds for cholesterol, and three for blood pressure.
   Here is the menu from the DASH Eating Plan from Your Guide To Lowering Your Blood Pressure With DASH courtesy of the U.S. Dept of Health:

You can also follow Oma at http://omaswisdom.blogspot.com/ for Bible reading, and http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com/ for her comments on current events.  The DASH diet day 2 will probably be posted on http://omashealth.blogspot.com/

MY SUGAR COOKIE RECIPE

MY SUGAR COOKIE RECIPE

   Those of you who follow my blog deserve an apology.  When I posted the sugar cookie recipe previously, I indicated that it was CLOSE to the recipe I could not find.  Well, I baked a batch of those cookies.  As my Granddaughter would say, "that's nasty!"

  The following recipe is the real recipe.  Again, I apologize.  I hope you enjoy these:

6T         margarine, softened

1/3C     shortening

3/4 C    sugar

1           egg

1 T       milk

1 t        vanilla

2 cups  flour
1 1/2 t  baking powder
1/4 t     salt

  Cream margarine, shortening, and sugar together.  Add egg, milk, and vanilla and beat until creamy.  In separate bowl, combine baking powder, salt and flour.  Add to creamy mixture and mix well.  Divide the dough in half, cover and chill for about 30 minutes or until dough is easy to handle.

   On a lightly floured surface, roll half the dough at a time until 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick.  Using a 2-1/2 inch cookie cutter, cut the dough into desired shapes.  Place 1 inch apart on ungreased cookie sheet.  Decorate with colored sugar, sprinkles, cinnamon discs, etc. as desired.

   Bake in preheated 375 degree oven for 7 to 10 minutes or until edges are very lightly browned.  Transfer to a wire rack; cool. May frost after cooling with Royal icing if desired. 

   Personally, I like to decorate with sprinkles before baking them.  My oldest son likes red hots as decorations before baking.  My daughter likes colored sugar.

Dough may be refrigerated for a couple of days, or frozen for a couple of weeks.

What is your favorite way to decorate them?  You are encouraged to leave a comment.  We also encourage you to share this post on your favorite social media.  Thank you.

You are invited to join Oma for Bible reading at http://omaswisdom.blogspot.com/, and for information you don't get in the mainstream media at http://omaspolitics.blogspot.com/.  Just click the names.  And I invite you to leave a comment.