Back to School

Today is Tuesday, September 6. The first day of preschool for our students. The littlest kids have a shortened day for the first week... just 9:30 to 11:30 (we call it the easing-in schedule). And two hours is plenty for them. And for the teachers, too, since many times there are a lot of criers -- especially in the toddlers and younger 2 year olds. The 4 and 5 year olds have their full day of school -- which is really just a half-day... 9:30 to 1:15. They eat lunch at school. (In case you're wondering about the 3 year olds, they do the shortened day for the first week, too.)

So -- it's now 9:30 a.m. I'm here at home praying over the first day of school. I'll be going to work after the little kids are gone today... so around 11:45 or so. I decided that too much activity (and crying) may not be good for me. Yes. I'm wimping out a bit. Or, I guess we can just say that I'm easing back in, too. I'll let you know how it goes. I probably won't be staying very long... I have a radiology treatment at 1:50 (or something like that) and will, of course, need to eat lunch before that. Food reigns around here these days. :)

One thing that I'm most grateful for today is that I made it through the weekend without devolving into some sort of delirium. It felt tenuous at times -- but I think that was just a mental thing on my part. So... I am truly, truly thankful that my thought processes still seem to be relatively clear and intact. And I'm quite looking forward to getting back into treatment. Hopefully that will relieve any swelling that's going on in my brain and in the rest of my body (like my legs and ankles are starting to turn into tree trunks and I won't even tell you about my waist, thighs, and face!). But, really, the Lord has been so gracious and good to me! And I am truly thankful!

So -- here is some scripture that I pulled from what I read this morning:

Psalm 50:14-15

"Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High. Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory."

Lord, I am so thankful for all You have done for me. Throughout my life... but especially over the past 5 weeks. I'm not sure what I've done to deserve so many blessings from You, but I am so, so grateful! You know my situation... You know my needs... You know my desires. And You know that I count on You to rescue me. You're the only One who truly can! And -- all the glory will go... does go... to You. Don't allow me to take things for granted... or to have expectations of what You will or will not do. You are all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-loving. And You know what is best for me. But... this isn't all about me. It's about You and what You want to accomplish -- not just in me but in everyone that I come into contact with... whether that contact is actual or "virtual". Thank You for blessing me with the opportunity to make an impact for your glory!

OK -- that's kind of an example of how I've been doing my morning prayer time. I read my scriptures for the day, pick out a verse or passage and pray with it, meditate on it, rewrite it, whatever. Just something to get it more solidly in my head. And to touch base with my Lord. Really, you've been privy to at least an adaptation of that part of my day for most of the weeks since my brain tumor diagnosis. I'm not sure how many years I've been doing this (on-and-off) -- but I do know that the years I've really made it a priority have been my best and biggest years spiritually (and otherwise, too). So why I ever lapse is a mystery to me.  

Now... 

I know that some of you are waiting for the corn casserole recipe... so here it is. I'd like to put it on a recipe card at some point and do a blog entry with that, but don't think that you really want to wait for that to happen. Who knows how long it could be!

Grandma's Company Corn

1 can cream style corn  (14.75 oz)

1 can regular corn  (15.25 oz)

1 stick butter or margarine (melted)

1 cup sour cream (I use light)

1 box Jiffy cornbread mix

2 eggs

Mix all the above ingredients together & pour into a 9"x9" pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45-60 minutes.

(I usually double all ingredients and use a 9x13 pan. It'll need to bake at least 60 minutes then... maybe more.)

Who am I kidding. I ALWAYS double the ingredients and use a 9x13 pan. :) It's just too good not to! It's good fresh, it's good leftover... it's even pretty good cold. If you've never had this before, you really need to try it. And, oh... the recipe isn't really from my grandma. That is what was written on the paper when the recipe was given to me. And, since I liked the cozy sound of it... well, I kept it. Why not?

 

Moving on to today's card...

In recent years I've been leaving some kind of treat for the weekday school teachers on the first two days of school. Baking just seemed a little overwhelming this year so I went with the standard apple for a teacher thing. It's healthier anyway. :) 

Ken bought the apples and took them up to school for me.

Impressively arranged, aren't they? Yep. He's an impressive guy. :)

SHOW

And here's a look at the inside. Usuallly I'm not much for cutesy little abbreviations, but "UR" seemed to work best... so "UR" it became.

 

 

 

 

AND TELL:  stamps are from Papertrey Ink (Tag-its #6); cheap clearance aisle notecard; ink is Stampin' Up (Real Red, Bashful Blue, Daffodil Delight) and PTI (True Black); also used SU's Stampin' Write markers (More Mustard, Always Artichoke).

That's about it for now. My stamping friends will be interested to know that my Papertrey Ink order arrived today... five stamp sets (well, two are minis... but still, five total!) Pretty exciting stuff. :) Now to discipline myself to finish up my current projects before breaking them open... Well see how successful I am at that.

Thank you so, so much for stopping by and for loving me. :) I'm loving you all back!

Comments

[SueB]

I look forward to your post EVERY day!! So good to catch up with you on a daily basis. Those apples look delicious! And what a sweet card to go with. Your usual thoughtfulness. I've gotten two my of new sets into their cases but it's time to stop and go get meatloaf in the oven for dinner. I just love every thing I got in my order today. Glad you made it through the long weekend. Prayers and hugs and love to you, dear friend.

[Joan B]

glad to see you are still posting. love that tower of apples. you are sweet beyond measure. hope the radiation does battle with the tumor.

[Lynn]

Janelle, My heart is breaking a bit for you today as I know you would have loved to have been there all day with all the new little ones arriving. I can only imagine the positive impact you've had on so many children! I'm sure all the teachers adored the ables and sweet, sweet card. Thinking of you and praying for the radiation to be smooth and healing. Sending you lots of love!

[Jen W.]

LOL! Those are the reddest, most perfect looking apples I have ever seen! They're like something out of a commercial! Usually by the time our produce gets here it looks like it's been through a war zone!

And that corn thing sounds dangerous. I'm afraid to even look too closely at the recipe... ;)

[Jen W.]

And I meant to say I can't wait until you break out your new PTI stamps! I have to live vicariously through other people's orders for the next month or so. :)

[Kathy Zarybnicky]

Hi, Janelle....Oh how I missed the click-click of your heels down the hall today. It was very strange to start school without our leader!!!!! Sure did miss you. The tower of apples looked so nice, Ken sure is a man of many talents, he must get that from you! Well, maybe we'll get to see you for a while at card swap on Saturday. Know that we are sending lots of prayers and hugs to you and hopefully we'll hear that clickety-clack of those heels very soon. Love you much's!!!

[Gwen Berry]

Hi Janelle...can't wait to try Grandma's corn casserole...sounds VERY yummy...'so glad the weekend went fairly well. I think it's because you shared your concern going into the weekend...your friends and family were praying for you throughout and there you go!

[Joyce M.]

I guess it's back to school day for everyone today. My girls went back today, too. I'm sad for you that you couldn't be there today to welcome all the little ones back. But, I'm sure you'll be there soon enough. Boy, those apples sure look good. They are a great reminder that fall should be here soon. Not soon enough for me, as I love fall. Such a cute card you made. I just got that Tag-it's set a week or two ago, but finally put it together yesterday. I feel a case coming on.....
Hugs from San Diego.

[Courtney Young]

Hi Janelle,
Those apples were good and the card very pretty. I was estactic to see you and Ken at School...I'm glad I didn't knock you over when I jumped over my new kids and came over to hug you.
The corn casserole will be made at the Young's house soon...just can't tell Stuart there is sour cream in it...our little secret!

[Tricia T]

Ooo! Can't wait to see your newest PTI stamps!! : ) Glad you were able to go to school at least for a little while and praying that your treatment went well today.

Blessings!

[Kay Gasser]

I like the way you take the scripture verse and "run" with it in your prayer for the day...it reminds me so much of what I leaarned to do whenDon first got sick...I still do it and sometime I just write... then go back and read it on days that I "feel emply"....so glad you will be returning to school....love you bunches....

[carol aka krillsister]

Janelle,
I am glad you made it through the long weekend. I loved your prayer of thankfulness today. It is truly from the heart. You are so inspiring.
Hugs!

[eleftheria]

Happy first day at school my friend!I know how much you love your job and that you d like to be there the whole time.School starts on Monday here so i ll be getting back to work in a few days.I miss it very much.But on the other hand....i m not so keen on handling a bunch of teenagers yet!...
I m praying for you and i really hope, from the bottom of my heart that sometime you will be able to return to work full time....Take care
xxx

[Jill W.]

Those kids are so blessed to have you! Continued prayers go out for you. Your blog encourages me (both spiritually and crafty!!). What a sweet little card!

[Audrey (Buhler) Gordon]

That looks like a recipe that might like to go camping with us... Thanks for it, and thanks for the daily devotionals. Hugs!

[Connie]

So glad you were able to go to school for a while. Hope your treatment went well. Your card is perfect - and the apples are beautiful...wish I could reach out and take one myself. Thanks for sharing the corn casserole recipe. Keeping you, Ken, your family and doctors in my prayers and thoughts. ((HUGS))

[Vicky]

Hope it went well on the first day back and that you're feeling okay. It is so like you to insist on carrying on the first day back at school treats for the staff even when you aren't well! I'm sure those gorgeous apples were very much appreciated along with that cute card. I had a crafting delivery too today - I still can't get over the excitement!

[Marybeth L.]

Hi Janelle, can't believe you went to school today, that is wonderful and just the ticket for you . Sounds like Ken is a great guy ,I have a great guy so I can usually spot another one. :) That card is adorable, love the inside,did you come up with that? Thanks again for the scripture, your doing the work of God posting everyday. Take care.

[Kristine Dartnall]

I love everything in your post... especially your meditation routine... lovely... and of course the Gramma receipe.. didn't she do some marvelous yummies... I was there at school today... and you were so missed... trying to figure out how to post a couple of your cute kiddies but alas... no... will drop some by!! luv ya
The Coffee Girl