Prayer Request!

So this morning I had a phone interview to determine my eligibility for unemployment. Thank God it went pretty well. Usually it's set up where it's a 3 way call between you, your employer and the claims examiner, but because my job does not participate in those it was just me and the claims examiner. (whew!) Now I'm just playing the waiting game (which all ya'll know that I HATE and struggle on a daily basis with...) until they determine if I'm eligible. I'll find out by Friday. I'll either get a check in the mail or a form telling me why I'm denied. So, just pray for patience on my end!!! And wisdom on their end. Oh yeah.... and pray that my employer doesn't give some crazy story that makes me have to have another interview on Monday.... *sigh* Just in case... pray for me after 3 on Monday! :)
Thanks sooooo much for being an encouragement to me ya'll!!!

P.S. On a much happier note..... 7 days 'til vacation!!!

Confronting Fears, A Recipe, and Other Random Thoughts!

So I like to think of myself of fearless..... I truly would try anything at least once! I am a HUGE thrillseeker! So imagine my shock on Saturday when I was brought face to face with the realization that I have a huge aversion to raw meat!
Ok, so I will admit that I have not liked to touch raw meat for a very long time, but Saturday I realized just how much it freaks me out! I always look for a way to not touch the meat when I'm cooking.... I'm very adept at using forks! :) But on Saturday we were making sausage cheese balls, no matter how much I tried I couldn't get them to mix! So I had to plunge my hands into the meat.... *shudder* It took mom forever to talk me into it, but I did do it!!! (Aren't you proud of me??)
But thru all this I did figure out where the aversion comes from. It's getting the meat under my nails! yuck!
So anyways... the Sausage Cheeseballs came out splendidly! yummy!!!! And for those of you who can only think "Wow! Sausage Cheeseballs sound good!" Here's the recipe!

Sausage Cheeseballs

2 lbs. (32 oz) sausage, uncooked
1 1/2 cups all-purpose baking/biscuit mix
16 oz. Sharp cheddar cheese (or 4 cups shredded)
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 cup finely chopped celery (I use about 1/4 teaspoon celery seed instead)
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (I use minced garlic)

Preheat oven to 375*. Shred Cheese and mix all ingredients. Form into 1" balls. Bake 15 minutes on ungreased cookie sheet until golden brown. Makes about 6 dozen. Balls can be frozen uncooked.
I always grease the cookie sheet, because they tend to stick. You have to experiment though and it depends on the sausage you use.


In other random thoughts... Becci has made it home safely. Summer has started to come to New Jersey... Finally!! :) The job search is okay... And Vacation is 11 days away!!!! Yay! We just have a ton to do between now and then! :) Hope ya'll have a great holiday!!

Vacation and Some Prayer Requests!

Ahhhhh..... Vacation! Though the last 4 days were absolutely exhausting, I did enjoy myself and actually relaxed! :)
Some of things I got to do:
I got to meet one of my friend's husband. (I liked him so he is approved) :)
I spent 2 glorious days at the beach! Thanks Amber!
I saw old friends, most for the first time in 3 1/2 years. Yeah.... I heard about that one alot!
I learned a new card game.
I got to witness what will go down in family storytelling as legend!
I got to meet Jillian! (I read her blog) Sorry we couldn't talk more! Next time I promise!
I got to watch my sister graduate! Wow!
I spent 3 nights on my sisters couch..... ouch!
I got beat in tennis.
I got my picture taken. Thanks Pat! You made us sooo pretty! :)
I got a boyfriend! His name is Cotton! (okay, so it's Amber's dog, but he loves me!!! and he's soooo cute!)
I bought 6 books. Add those to the 4 I brought with..... heavy carry-on!
I spent 13 hours traveling home on Saturday. I travelled Pensacola to Atlanta to Detroit to Philadelphia. LONG day! :)

So, some prayer requests?? :) Pray about the whole job situation. I need a new one! Pray for wisdom and direction on the next chapter in my life. I have a world of options and I need to pick the right one. Pray for patience for me! I need a whole bunch of it!
So pictures will have to wait.... they aren't downloaded yet! But that, in a nutshell, is my trip!

I'm Home!

Just a quick note to let all ya'll know that I made it home safely! For those who don't know, I just spent 2 weeks in Florida for Becci's Graduation!!! I had so much fun! Thanks to all ya'll who made it enjoyable! I'll post pics and videos and an extensive post on the trip and graduation in the next day or two.....
Me!

All things work together for good!

Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.

First off let me say, I'm soooooooo sorry I haven't posted!!! I have been an emotional mess, and just didn't want to say something I'd regret. But then I started looking at everyone else who has posted thru such horrible things and realized how much I appreciated knowing how to pray. So I guess I need to extend the same courtesy, huh?? :)

To those who have heard thru the grapevine, thanks for the prayers! They have helped more than you know.
To those who haven't heard what happened but have prayed anyways, an even bigger thanks!
To the rest of you..... I'm sorry, and I will rectify that now!

Basically it's been a really bad week! I lost my job after a 3 day ordeal. Some false accusations were made, and lies were told, and I got the short end of the stick. It was not handled right and I have no idea where to go from here.
I guess I would just say, pray that things get resolved, and that God gives me wisdom on how to handle this. Pray that I find another job, and that this does not reflect badly on my record. Pray that I keep a good attitude thru this. Pray that I always keep in mind that this was a part of God's plan, and that all things WILL work together for good!

The Husband List

Can I tell ya'll something about me???
I like lists.
Alot.
I make lists for everything. What I have to do for the day. Books I want to read. Books I have read. Movies I want to watch. Clothes to wear. Things to pack for my next trip. What vacations I want to take in the next 2 years. Presents to buy for the year.
So of course I have lists for the important stuff! You know, baby names I like. Baby names I don't like. Things to do before I die. Ballparks I want to see. (okay, so maybe that belongs on the other list... or not) and the all important, "Husband List".
Yes, I have one of those too! And yes, it's real. What is the Husband List, you ask? Well, basically it's a list of qualities I'm looking for in a man! Some are crazy, some are really important, some are just wrong that I shouldn't even have to put on there! But I figure one day when I am "crazy" in love it won't hurt to have "the list" to refer to! Just to make sure..... :) What's on the list??? Well, the full list will probably never be disclosed. But, I can give you a sampling! Just the obvious ones. So, are you ready??? :) (as she begins to sing)
"The man that I marry will have to be....."
(and if you didn't get that you are just sad..... It's from Annie Get Your Gun)

First and foremost a Christian
Second and just as important must be a MAN and always have been of the male persuasion (so wrong that I have to add that)
willing to be the head of the family
a sports fanatic (hey, I need some company!)
a lover of all things Disney
able to read more than a comic book
willing to live by faith
must love kids as much as I do
willing to watch chick flicks
open to trying new things
willing to travel
a take charge kinda guy
sincere in his faith and in life
okay with my shoe addiction

Getting the point??? Now the scary part..... the list is 2 pages long. Yeah....... it gets detailed, and absurd, and some made my mommy cry. Some of them are on there sadly from experience, and others as a result of being a PK and seeing way too much. Some are negotiable, some are deal breakers. I know, I know, you may be saying "Jess, you're being way too nit-picky" but, I prefer detailed?? :) Anyways, I think that the more God has to go by..... He knows the important ones anyways! The Bible does say "Let you request be made known unto God" right??? My request is just rather detailed! :)
So the list is in a secure place away from prying eyes, and evolving.... he he he!

So anyways, this was a look into my crazy head! Hope you enjoyed!

Thanks ya'll!!

This is just a quick note of thanks for all ya Florida folks! See ya'll got so much rain, and complained so much, that God decided to bless us with some! It's been raining, and raining, and windy! So thanks ya'll! I guess we all get to be miserable, right?? :)