Happy NEW YEAR Everyone!!

It is 12/31/09...the last day of this year. We are at the end of one year and the beginning of a new year. A new fresh start no matter what it is we have chosen to do to make the new year a better one for ourselves. we are blessed for the bountifuls that God has provided us this last year. Friendships, family, reconnecting with many friends on FB...and to many maybe even reconnecting with God.

I wanted to share with you the newly published (hot off the press) Cookbook that I had published for my Academy Alumni Association with the help of my (former) Academy classmates!

You can read all about the lovely From Heart to Home cookbook and what people are saying about it at its' website: This delightful & color, padded 3-ring hard back cookbook has nearly 700 delicious vegetarian & vegan recipes. A delightful & delious way to stay healthy!

Are you looking for ways to live & eat healthier? Want some nutrients for your family? Want to make changes of your eating habits? Look no further! From Heart to Home Cookbook can help you with all of this! Here is your start for a New Year's Resolution! Enjoy our tasteful & delicious meals.

enjoy!!

• Almost 700 delicious vegetarian & vegan recipes


• Over 8 categories including Breakfast dishes


• Kitchen & Cooking tips


• A colorful 3-ring padded hard back cookbook


• Recipe Envelope pocket


• Ability to add more recipes to cookbook in near future


• Colorful round tabs-easy to find recipes


• Contributors & Recipe indexes


• Budget-friendly ingredients
  

This cookbook is on sale today- last day for only $26.50 (includes discount & shipping). Regular price is $31.50 (including shipping). Get the most out of your money by purchasing your cookbook TODAY at a 20% discount. Beginning January 1-2, 2010 there will be only a 10% discount off our regular price with this email only!! (Discount Code newyrdisc) . Help us raise funds today by purchasing this delighted cookbook...it is also great for gifts.

http://www.fromheart2home.org/

We also have a Business Partnership discount. If you are a business owner, purchase a minimum of 10 cookbooks for only $185.00 (plus $15 shipping) or a case of 18 for $333.00 ($18.50/book). You can download forms at the http://www.fromheart2home.org/ website. Must have a business name and EIN#.

We also have an Incentive program. Sell your first (5) five cookbooks to family and friends and get a FREE COOKBOOK!!

Discount specials does not apply to Business Partnership & Incentive programs.

We are accepting checks and mail order by postal mail and Credit cards and debit payment by PayPal.

To download forms to send with payment by mail, http://www.fromheart2home.org/downloads.html

To pay by PayPal, http://www.fromheart2home.org/order-cookbook.html

The cookbook was compiled by the classmates of Stonecave Homecoming Association, Inc.

From Heart to Home- A Vegetarian Cookbook is the official fundraiser for Stonecave Homecoming Association, Inc for 2009-2010. Stonecave Homecoming Association is a 501 c-7 non-profit organization. It is an Alumni (sister-affiliated Academy) Association for 4 SDA Academies (all four are closed down but the association was established to keep classmates connected). Funds will help with the educational seminars and peer support groups at all homecomings/reunions.

Its goal is to REBUILD FRIENDSHIPS, RECONNECT CLASSMATES, & REUNITE ALUMNI.

Please share this e-mail with YOUR family & friends! Thank you for your support in helping us accomplish our Cookbook Campaign today!

Always!

Dee Bird, Executive Director

Stonecave Homecoming Association

http://www.stonecavehomecomingassoc.org/

From Heart to Home- A Vegetarian Cookbook

http://www.fromheart2home.org/

But who cares?

So I'm wondering why I care enough to make such big efforts with projects when most people just don't care ....don't care about the project, don't care about reading the message....don't care of what it is really about. they don't care if it will later ruin you. why? it won't bother them.

I was just thinking how tired I am of making the effort to do things to make it possible for many people and yet I get the funny they just don't care. So why do I? Why do I bother to make the effor to call, to write, to share when people just don't care. Why do I make the effort to reach out and be their friend when they are not willing to do the same for me? Am I really that unworthy to be their friend, to make that effort because I really do care.

So i was wondering, will it be worth saying all the "hello's" when most likely people has already in their own way has just said "good bye" or "be-gone" People are so busy with their life that nothing seems important enough to stop to say "hello". But yet there is a time, when you are for sure no longer around, they want to come and say "good bye" they had no time to say hello but had plenty of time to say "good bye".

So I"m trying to decide if I should just give up....shut down my phone, emails, lock my doors, close all the blinders and just "vanish" I'm sure many would just love that!

Ok...so now I'm going. For now, this is MY good-bye. I will NO longer make an effort being a friend or to care to be a friend. As my efforts have become worthless and I no longer care to make that effort anymore.

I'm tired. I'm fustrated. I'm angry. I"m hurt. I'm stresssed out. But who cares?

When people delete my emails...that is telling me..."good bye, I don't care to hear from you" .

Ok....then good bye! I don't know if I want to do this anymore. Maybe it was a mistake to care!

going back to my dungeon where I should had stayed from the beginning.

Listening to the Radio

Have you ever turned on the radio (or stereo) and heard a song that you seems to bring back memories from your younger days....and somehow that song still somehow triggers a dance! Nothing wrong with dancing or listening to music. Even the Bible talks about a "joyful noise" and talks about dancing. Infact, they have proven that lots of dancing can help you loose weight.

Anyhow...so I was up in the wee hours and TIME LIFE of course had one of their many infommercials on...songs from the 70's. Of course, I have all their series, as far back as the 50's through the 60's, 70's, and 80's. I don't think I have of the 90's yet. But I"m sure its coming! But its just memory flash back when you hear those songs from that day and time that when you also hear it on the Radio, you can't help but remember your "younger" days. But with Time Life, they would play about 30 seconds of those songs....like a medley. I was testing myself to see how many I can go through and remembering the words. Almost all of them. Almost. So...now I have my CD's playing so I can hear the whole song. Can't wait for the radio to play them when I desire them now.

I have a friend who just shared that is turning 30 today. I looked at my age and suddenly I feel so damn old! I'll be 49 next month. 49!! I want to do something for my birthday. Anyone wanna party with me?

maybe we can listen to the radio.....lol

To my extended family & friends

Its December 25, 2009. Its Christmas morning. Most of the world asleeps, while the other half has already enjoyed their holiday festives.

For me, didn't have the chance to put up the xmas tree or decorate. No funds to go shopping (except for some food & gas), so we won't be opening presents this year. My sister and her little family is coming up for the day. Although I think we had a few early Christmas gifts, a few good angels helped payed our electric bill and my landlord did give us a $100 gift card last month. So I can count my blessings there.

We plan to move tim's room around or move him out in the Living room so he has more room to move around. I spent most of the day yesterday and during the night giving my kitchen and house a pretty much good cleaning. I'm feeling hungry. a little bit. Feeling thirst for cold water...slowly sipping it up.

Here in Florida, it is nice and warm, a few clouds, but no rain. I know that most of US is under snow...lots of it. Its pretty to look at...but I actually hate it. the coldness. the ice. the slippery roads. I hated driving in it. I don't miss it at all. Many others do. Its ok.

I've been playing Farmville on FB and I want to buy a little cottage. But first I need more money. but the dumb thing keeps freezing up on me. So I thought I take a break. Maybe I should go take a shower.

I don't want to start cooking yet. I'm going to make that wonderful Sweet potato dish with apples. Make some cornbread. And maybe a pie. Still contemplating on that one! right now, I can eat some Italian Ice. I am hungry for a frosty. LOL

I need to sell at least 150 more cookbooks by January 1. So...I'm need to pull out my marketing skills and sell them so that we can make a payment to the Publisher. So please! please! if you have not purchased one yet, please buy one today. Ohhhh-- today is the last day for the 20% off discount off the regular price.

Well....I do hope everyone is having a safe & happy holiday. Look forward to seeing pictures!

Christmas Eve Christmas Memories

It's Christmas eve. To many, there are alot of memories about today. There is for me too, but mostly I think of my Grandma Rose. Today would had been her birthday. She would had been 94 years old. It does not seem possible.

I remember she use to tell me that she was cheated out with this holiday season. Her birthday on the 24th, Christmas on the 25th and her wedding anniversary on the 26th. She only got one gift for all three days. She had thought she would had got 3 + but nope!

I'm sure many have many fond memories of different family memories along with their favorite times, traditions and their special Christmas time....perhaps with a love one, a friend, a child, a spouse.

What I miss the most is family. Not just Tim and I. Right now, we don't do anything special, simply because we just don't have the funds to go out and shop or do anything special, so we just play on the computer or watch movies and maybe depending on the funds we make a special dinner. You know the turkey fixings or ham or all the goodies that comes along with with it. Otherwise, the most and last fond memory I have is when Tim was a toddler and we had Christmas in Masschuettes at my Uncle's ranch.

It is one of the last Christmas's I remember having with my grandmother Rose. I remember her sitting in that wooden rocking chair,watching her grandchildren and great-grandchildren run around playing with new unwrapped toys. My two younger cousins were considered kids still at that time, not quite done with elementary schools while the rest of us were now down with college and having our own families. Grandma just sat there laughing at the little ones as they run around laughing and playing with each other and their new presents. She was really enjoying herself at that moment.

I miss Grandma Rose. When she died in 1999, it was a big blow to many of us. I really felt the loss. It was like loosing my mother all over again. She had taken us in when my mother passed away in 1971. and she was our "mom" until my dad re-married. But I never lost that respect for her as a mother, muchless a grandmother.

My other memorable memory was soon after I moved to Orlando, when the cell phones were finally starting to pop up and availability became more obvious, I had secretely bought a set and wrapped one up as a xmas gift for my sister. We hid it under the tree. but the secrete couldn't last long. She guessed it way to soon. The plan was to let the phone ring under the tree. Oh well...we tried!

One other memory I have is when my mother was alive. We were living in Ft. Lauderdale. I still hold that gift close to me....given by my mother. A doll. Its the only thing I have left of her (other than her photos)...is this little doll. Its now has white curly hair and its dress made by my grandmother Rose, while the rest of its body and limbs are a bit dirty. I often look at that doll and remeber the day I got this gift. I was 8 or 9 years old. Just a kid. Still holding onto precious memories.

Precious memories. Special memories. We all have them. As we talk (or write) more about it, I'm sure more and more memories keeps coming up. I know more will pop up for me. I look forward to hearing from you and what you remember as a child....or as an adult!

Wishing all my friends & family Happy Holidays!

Secrete Ingreditents in New Cookbook

As I try to sell the cookbooks, I occasionally look through it and remember alot of fond memories of recipes that we made. There is one recipe in there that became "Famous" in the early 80's when I "invented" the Peanut Butter Granola.

For a long time, my "homeheads" (aka Deans) would wonder what I did different other than adding the peanut butter. I, of course, was not going to share my secrete and over the years she has tried to guess it off. I would laugh at her and just simply reply, "nope". I'm sure many of my classmates might have guessed what it was but just simply stayed quiet. So after 25 + years, it is finally revealed and you can only get it by purchasing the cookbook.

The recipe spread around campus quickly...as different classmates that cooked for the guys and staff members tried to "copy" my recipe. Whatever they did, it was still delicious enough that many just enjoyed it anyhow even if they didn't know exactly what my secret ingredients were. Well, obviously it was just not the peanut butter. We know that all to well.

I have not made that recipe since I left Stonecave so I had to really search deep inside my head to make sure I had been correct to what it was. Oh I know what it is...but needed to confirm it.

If you would like to know the recipe and learn more about healthy cooking for you and your family, take a moment to purchase this delightful & colorful cookbook with nearly 700 delicious recipes.

Are you desperately trying to think of what to give a friend or loveone for Christmas? Are you looking for something for healthy living for you and your family? Well, we have the answer for you!!

This delighted & colorful Vegetarian cookbook was compiled by classmates of Stonecave Homecoming Association. It is a 3-ring Hard back padded book. All recipes are vegetarian or/and vegan recipes. With over 8 categories, including breakfast dishes, you will delight in the delicious & healthy meal for you and your family. This book has almost 700 delicious recipes for healthy cooking for you and your family. Round tabs specially made for the dividers and includes a recipe envelope and Kitchen & cooking tips.

From Heart to Home - A Vegetarian Cookbook is a fundraising project for the Association. Its recipes has memories of classmates with all the farming, cannery and cooking we did in our High School (Academy) days (in the 60's, 70's & 80's). The name of the cookbook was selected as part of a contest and was actually suggested by a 7 year old of a classmate.

Stonecave Homecoming Association, Inc. is a 501 c-7 non profit organization. It is a sister-affiliated Alumni Association of four former Academies (now closed down). Our mission is to Rebuild Friendships, Reconnect Classmates and to Reunite Alumni. Funds also help towards moral support groups, Self-growth seminars and Homecomings.

This Cookbook would be wonderful as Christmas gifts!

Buy five (5) for Family & Friends and get the 6th book FREE!! See our official website for more details.

Business owners can purchase at bulk whole sale cost. See our official website for more details.

www.beautifulstoneycavecastleassoc.org/feature/from-heart-to-home-cookbook

Shipping: $6.50 for the first book purchased. Add $5 for each additional book purchase.

So..... I desperately need to get 250 cookbooks sold by January 1, 2010. It is really NECESSARY and important that I do!! However, I've only sold 40. So I need another 210 sold in the next 2 weeks.

Right now I have sold 2 on E-bay. Great!!! :) I have two more on E-bay. I'm hoping people will step up and help out here. Here are the links to the EBay Auctions:

Fundraiser Cookbook #1

Fundraiser Cookbook #2

Currently, we even have 20% discount off the regular price ($25)....so for right now through December 25 you can purchase a cookbook for only $26.50 (including shipping and discount).

Thank you to the many who has supported us by purchasing a cookbook.

Brought to you by: A Mom's Journey

http://journeyroadofamom.blogspot.com/

Winter Cravings

Well...its Tuesday! I went to bed early last night. I had this terrible stress headaches. I'm sure everyone knows what that is like. I hate it. I actually slept 12 hours. Really?! Sure did need it.

The weather here in Florida has had its up and downs. It can't decide to be winter or spring. From freezing cold to weather in the 70's-80's. Its confusing us! No wonder so many get sick. Ugh!!!! Right now, the sun is shining! Thank God!! Now if I can get the motivation to leave the house.

I do need to go visit some of the Health food stores and churches to see if I can sell these cookbooks. I really thought alot of people would be excited about them and find myself struggling to get them sold. What scares me is that we owe the publisher so much money and is ALL due the 23rd of February, but rather get all paid off before that time. That means I need to sell a minimum of 250 by 1/1/10.

So....right now we are having a Ebay Auction/bidding War. There is one cookbook up for Auction to help us raise funds. It ends on the 12th. So if you would like to be part of the Fundraising auction and bid on the cookbook, please go by today. The link is:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220522341939&ru=http://shop.ebay.com:80/220522341939_W0QQ_fviZ1&_rdc=1

Its a fun thing to do....bid responsibily, but have fun! Enjoy!

Well here is another miracle at the bird house! Tim's dad has been calling every nite to check on him. He plans to call every night at a certain time. He actually got Tim a Christmas gift..."in the mail." I have been trying to encourage Victor to spend time with his son while he is still with us with all that is been going on in the DMD Community. I am hoping that not only influence him but rest of our family and friends too. Especially since he can't travel anymore.

Right now, I have a craving and hunger for Banana Cream Pie. Do you ever have those cravings? Did I tell you I tried out that one recipe from Better Homes. The Sweet Potatoes with apples. I think it is call Maple Glaze Sweet Potatoes & Apples. I'll be happy to share this recipe. I tried it out thanksgiving time. It was so good!

Here is the recipe:

1/3 cup butter
1/4 cup maple or maple-flavor syrup
1/4 cup apple cider or juice
3 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-1/2- to 2-inch chunks (8 cups)
1-3/4 pounds tart red and/or green apples (such as Macintosh, Granny Smith or Rome Beauty), cored and cut into eighths (4-1/2 cups)
1 cup pecan halves, toasted

Directions
1. In a medium saucepan combine butter, syrup, and cider; heat to boiling, stirring occasionally. Boil gently, uncovered, for 1 minute. Remove from heat; set aside. Place potatoes in a 3-quart rectangular baking dish. Pour butter mixture over potatoes; stir to coat. Cover and bake in a 350 degree F oven for 45 minutes.
2. Uncover dish; add apples and stir to coat evenly. Bake, uncovered, about 30 minutes or until sweet potatoes are tender, stirring once halfway through baking. Sprinkle with pecans before serving. Makes 10 servings.

I can assure you this recipe is so delicious! I did leave the skins on (I love SP skin) and I did add some brown sugar to it too. I also thought it would be or might be delicious with mini-marshmellows in it too. OH...and also, I did boil the potatoes first too. Its an option to do. It is now one of my favorite dishes and I plan to make it for Christmas.

Well....I'm sure I will have much more winter cravings. What cravings do you have? I would like to hear them...and if you have a recipe to share, let's read about it.

Until the next time!

A Terrible loss to the DMD Community

Four wonderful young men who was affected with Duchenne Muscular dystrophy has passed away this week. Nick, Alex, Cody and today, Josh Winheld. It is definitely a sad week in the DMD Community. This is a disease that needs to END....a Cure needs to be found.

I'm speechless...awed...emotionally wreck and plain frightened. My son also suffers from this illness and on Thursday, his pulmonologist told he may need to consider putting him on a trach. She can tell by looking at his neck/throat that he was having difficulty breathing, SOB. She was telling us that he stays on the bipap he may suffer a painful but slow death. He has Restrictive lungs. It scares me greatly. My life will really restricted to what I can do and go once he is on the ventilator.

We got word yesterday that Tim was denied for the Medicaid waiver program simply because he is on SSI with medicaid already. However this program was a different type of Medicaid due to this disease and his age. So we have to wait till his caseworker is back to find out what we did wrong or why they fail to see what it is he needs to be on. I hate the way our government works and now that the MDA is cutting a needed program, I already know Medicaid is goint to play this stupid game about the MDA.

There are over 32 boxes stacked in my living room. I'm trying to move them into my room. 32 boxes, 567 cookbooks. I HAVE to sell 250 before 1/1/10. Really NEED to sell them before 1/1/10.

They really turned out really nice. Better than I expected. Anyone want to buy a cookbook? Quite an impressive book with almost 700 delicious vegetarian recipes.

It will be great for Christmas gifts!!

front & back of cookbook cover

Anyhow....my back is hurting...Tim is calling me and I have to scoot for the next few minutes. Hope you all are having a great weekend!

When an Innocent soul dies...

When an innocnet soul dies young, it just breaks your heart...maybe your spirit. As parents we have to wear the mask and prentend to be strong for the family. but as mother's, how do we? really? how do we? It is especially sad when you loose one boy to a disease but when you have all your son's with it, it is just heart breaking. So how do we really survive it. We do, somehow, but really how do we?

It is a very sad week in the Muscular dystrophy community. Of course it is always sad when anyone passes away from any type of illness, we know that. But when you bond with mothers and fathers whose children suffer from Duchenne Muscular dystrophy, it hits you ...knowing that possible your child could be next; but you pray it does not.

We received word yesterday that young Cody Buchanan passed away early Monday morning. He would had been 17 on the 3rd of December. I remember meeting this family about 10 years ago. Cody was just a little guy than. By looking at his pictures, I can tell he has progressive DMD, like my son Timothy does.

Then this morning, I learned that young Alex has passed. He was 17 years old. I remember "meeting his mother" too...many years ago.

Now my fear is that since things come in 3's that another one will pass soon. I HATE Duchenne Muscular dystrophy. I know it is a disease that will claim my son soon enough and it scares the shit out of me. I don't know what my life will be like without him. He has been my best friend. We laugh at the stupidist things together and although there are times we have alot of disagreements, we still see eye to eye on many other things...including family issues.

Although Tim has been blesssed and has lived passed the years of these young men, I still think it is UNFAIR that there is still NO cure for this disease. Why?! Why?!

I'm still angry at Tim's dad because he has made NO effort to come spend time with Tim. How can this man "preach" that he cares and preaches to his nieces and nephews about life, and about responsiblity when he is guilty of the very same thing!! He has not even brought Tim's young brother to visit either. I remember when Tim was about 6 or 7 years old and Victor promising to give Tim a brother. Well ...the brother is here...has been for 2 years and he has not shown forth of this young boy. What is he so afraid of? He is a coward!! A fool!! and the sad part of it is that his family supports his behavior. This man knows that his son may not have much time and yet he makes absolutely NO EFFORT to be with him and he keeps using me as the excuse. He can't be that stupid. IF he keeps using that as an exuse than he will have many many regrest later...and all within himself. He will have to live with that guilt. Don't blame me because I have given that man so many opportunities to be with Tim ...I've taken him up and I've given him the oppotunity to come and spend time with him and all he does is make excuses and lies. Isn't that sickening? isn't that disguesting that a man who claims to be a christian acts like this? Ohhh I can't wait till Judgement day when I sit by God's right side and wait to hear the stupid excuses he comes up with God. I am asking God to let me go to Hell just to watch that man burn!

I plan to see CJ today. emotionally this is a toll on me. I don't think anyone in my family really understands or knows what I'm going through....much less what Tim is dealing with. they are clueless. This kid needs family support and all our family does is make excuses (most of them, not all). This is an emotional issue for Tim as well for me. I have not told him about Cody or about Alex. I feel maybe to better not say anything. I don't want to ruin his spirit. but I know it will have to be discuss...& soon. He knows .......what the doctors have told him. But he has been blessed so far and has lived longer than expected. I know he will probably hit 21 ... God Willing.

I ask that you please keep Cody's family and Alex's family in your prayers during this terrible time of loss. It is a sad sad week in the DMD Community. I pray God sends them comfort during this terrible time of loss.

I HATE DUCHENNE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY. help us END DUCHENNE by voting today at the CHASE COMMUNITY GIVING on Facebook and look up PARENT PROJECT MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY Research, Inc. We want to end this disease by finding a cure and any support you can give is greatly appreciated.