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Saturday, October 31, 2009

And the winner is...

And the winner of yesterdays Name that Movie is....

Kelsey Barber! Good job girl!

The quote is from The Princess Diaries II, and is a common saying in this household! Anytime Mr.Pate or I tell the other one that they are just not understanding what we ware saying etc, the other one mouths this quote off. Seriously. Love it.

Pics from Halloween tonight coming soon- we were Billy Ray Cyrus and Hannah Montana. Yep. True story.

Friday, October 30, 2009

Name that Movie Friday!

Welcome to Name that Movie Friday! Don't know what this is? Find out here!

"The concept is grasped! The execution... is a little elusive."

Name that movie!

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

One Necessary Thing

A few thoughts or challenges from a recent sermon at church:

At church, my pastor is preaching through the book of Luke. A few Sundays ago, we were talking about Luke 10:38-42 which is the Mary & Martha passage where Martha complains that Mary isn't helping at all. Jesus tells Martha that Mary has chosen what is better, and that she is worried about many things but only one is needed.

Anyhow, two things that Casey (my pastor) focused one where that we have a problem (making a good thing an ultimate thing) and that there is a solution (we need to focus on the one necessary thing). Ultimate thing? Does that ring any bells of familiarity with any of you who frequent my little blog often? I did several posts on this very subject this summer! Apparently God really thinks I need to learn something! Ha!

Anyhow, it made me think of a saying one of my friends used to have at the bottom of here emails (maybe I had it, I cant remember). It said something like 'let me be so focused on Jesus that if the whole world were to crumble around me I wouldn't even notice', this is a very rough paraphrase.

Have you ever noticed how true this is? Setting our gaze on Jesus changes our perspective so drastically. Maybe this is why there are so many verses in the bible telling us to 'set our minds on things above'.

The point of the Mary and Martha story is that Mary was setting her mind on Christ, and Martha was setting her mind on the earthly circumstances around her. She was not serving and getting the home ready joyfully. She was not filling her mind with kindness and gentleness, instead she was running how much she was doing through her head. She was focusing on what everyone was doing, how much work they were contributing. She had an earthly focus.

How often I am Martha! I let the earthly thoughts of how right I am, or how much I am doing, or how wrong such and such is run wild through my head. And then I wonder why I do feel at peace. I don't feel full of the Spirit. This is because I am not following God's Word, which tells me to "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." (Philippians 4:8&9) "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." (Colossians 3:1-2)

So today, when you feel the marathon of earthly thoughts beginning to take stride, visit the Word instead. Let God change your perspective, and your heart.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

spending some time in the kitchen

This past weekend I spent some time in my kitchen. Quite a bit of time actually. 3 and 1/2 hours to be exact. Why? I was attempting some 'bulk' cooking on my own.

I have been following onceamonthmom's blog for about a year. I own two freezer cooking style cookbooks. Basically I have been very interested in doing once a month cooking for awhile, but I have not taken the leap. Why? Well for one thing, most of the recipes I find are all casserole-ish meals, which we eat some of but not a ton. For another thing, most of the recipes are not the most healthy/low fat either. And I also have very limited freezer space (just the space above the fridge). My friend Cheye and I even met to discuss doing freezer cooking together, but we just haven't found the time yet.

But what I have taken the leap into is moneysavingmom's "baking days". Well kinda. The concept I guess. I have discovered for me cooking a bunch of chicken and browning a bunch of meat at one time saves me lots of time down the road. This weekend I decided to take the plunge and bake some whole wheat waffles in bulk too. That way we have a healthy go-to breakfast that takes no time at all!

So how do I stand being in the kitchen for that long all by myself?

My macbook of course! I bring my laptop in and put in one of my fav movies and turn it way up. It makes the time fly by. Anyhow, here are the fruits of my labor this weekend:

enough cube chicken for 6 meals

12 whole wheat waffles



All in all I think it was a very productive 3 & 1/2 hours, and I even got to "watch" one of my favorite movies! This is definitely something I am going to try to do more of.

Do any of you do bulk cooking?? Do share!

Monday, October 26, 2009

Why I love This Week!


Alright, it's a day late- but here are the reasons I am choosing to love this week:
  • Trunk or treat at church on Saturday! I didnt get to go last year, so I am pumped!
  • Another weigh-in with Weight Watchers, which I am hoping is something to look forward to!
  • Biggest Loser night with Whitney!
  • I am going home to Gallatin on Saturday to see my niece play soccer- yay! I hear she is fierce.

Punkin!

Every year we go to Pumpkin Carving at our friends' Becky & Gary's house. This has been going on for 5 years now! I love this event, it is just a blast. We bring pumpkins, pick out patterns and go to town. Then we get to have s'mores by the fire!! It is a fabulous event. Anyhow, Saturday night was our fifth annual Pumpkin carving, so here are some pictures to share:

Mr.Pate and I shaved a P in one pumpkin (my hand still hurts!)
Our other pumpkin, pretty reflective of us!
Showing off!
My friend Derick's pumpkin, Emily Dickinson! Hardcore I know.
A view of most of the pumpkins (yes there were even more than this!)


Menu Plan Monday 10/26-11/1

Well, I feel pretty good about last week (as far as WW goes), even though I only cooked one night the whole week! This week is only a little better as far as schedule goes, but that is life and I am going to have to learn to make healthy choices regardless of my busy life. Time to suck it up! Ha! I spent all day in the kitchen today, but I'll post more on that later. Here is the plan!

  • Breakfast: Choc. Chip Whole Wheat Waffles (adapted from Money Saving Mom), Shredded wheat cereal, fruit, fiber one bars
  • Lunch: sandwiches, veggies, fruit, leftovers
  • Dinner:
Monday- Teriyaki Chicken Stir-Fry
Tuesday- Leftovers (Mr.Pate is working and I have dgroup so we are
fending for ourselves)
Wednesday- Dinner at Dustin's
Thursday- Dinner at a church members house
(rescheduled for last week)
Friday- Baked Rigatoni
Saturday- Turkey Dogs (at Trunk or Treat! at church)
Sunday- Zero Point Soup

Baked Rigatoni

6 oz lean ground turkey

1 cup cooked whole wheat pasta (rigatoni)

1 cup tomato sauce

½ cup part skim ricotta cheese

½ cup shredded fat free mozzarella cheese


1. Preheat oven to 400º

2. Spray a 1 ½ or 2 quart casserole dish with nonstick spray.

3. Spray a skillet with nonstick spray and heat; brown turkey meat.

4. Add pasta and sauce, mix well.

5. Transfer mixture into casserole dish, spreading evenly. Drop teaspoonfuls of ricotta cheese evenly over pasta mixture.

6. Bake until mixture is heated and ricotta cheese melts, 10-12 minutes.

7. Sprinkle evenly with mozzarella, bake until cheese is melted and mixture is steaming hot, 10-12 minutes longer. Makes 4 servings.


Zero Point Soup (Weight Watchers recipe from Getting Started book)

SERVES 6 -8 , 1 cup
3 cups nonfat beef broth
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 cups chopped cabbage
1/2 yellow onion
1/2 cup chopped carrot
1/2 cup green beans
1/2 cup chopped zucchini
1/2 teaspoon basil
1/2 teaspoon oregano
salt & pepper
Directions
1.Spray pot with non stick cooking spray saute onions carrots and garlic for 5 minutes.
2.Add broth, Tomato paste, cabbage, green beans, basil, oregano and Salt & Pepper to taste.
3.Simmer for a about 5-10 minutes until all vegetables are tender then add the zuccini and simmer for another 5 or so minutes.

(I omit garlic, onion and zucchini and I add celery)


As always, go check out Org. Junkie for more meal plans! Have a great week guys!


Saturday, October 24, 2009

And the winner is...

And the Winner for yesterday's Name that Movie Friday is:

Sarah Katlyn Norris

The movie was The Notebook. Love it! What girl doesn't right? Anyhow, this quote comes from a scene when they are playing in the ocean and she keeps acting like a bird, then asks him if he thinks she could be a bird in another life (or something like that) and then he ends up saying to her "If your a bird, I'm a bird." I love this quote. I think this whole scene was random and funny. I say this to Mr.Pate all the time (just ask him).

The Notebook is not a movie I watch alot (not one of my cleaning ones) b/c that movie just takes alot out of you, ya know? But I decided I should share my three encounters with watching this movie (that I can remember):

1. Went to see this in a small artsy theater in Nashville with Duke the summer before our Senior year. Then we ate and hung out at a KFC or some chicken place like that... random pick after a sappy movie right?

2. My senior year of college one night me, Duke, Comer and Mr.Pate all watched it in our apartment (mine and Duke's). Boys teared up... haha!

3. This summer while I was in mexico with Kris and Karen, this movie played on one of our long bus rides. It was in Spanish though. So I narrated the entire thing to Kristen. Yep the entire thing. And I think I did a dang good job!

There you have it. I really hope next Friday more of you take a stab at guessing the movie! Even if someone else has already gotten it!!! Happy weekend!

♡,
Sabrina

Friday, October 23, 2009

Name that Movie Friday!

Welcome to Name that Movie Friday! Don't know what this is? Find out here!

"If you're a bird I'm a bird."

Name that movie!

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Imagination Station

Did you ever have certain hiding places as a kid? What about special places where you weren't really hiding, but transforming it into whatever your mind came up with?? They are doing all kinds of construction on our building at work, and it got me thinking about places I used to play. It seemed totally normal back then, but these places sound crazy now! Ha! I want to share some of my favorite places to play as a kid:

  • In the bottom corner cabinet in my kitchen (yes I fit just fine!). Our corner cabinet had a half shelf in it, which was the perfect width to serve as a desk when I sat down there. I would pretend it was my office and I was some big time business person.
  • In my armoire or wardrobe cabinet thing. I had this purple cabinet that usually held my tv in it… but I would often take the tv out and lay in it. I would pretend I was a runaway hiding out, or a homeless person in a box, or the orphan annie (I realize I am strange).
  • Under my parents extra large and tall water bed.
  • Me and my cousin Amy would play at the top of her uncle's walk-in closet. We would climb up onto the shelves and sit and play with our cabbage patch babies.
  • The attic. Or any attic. My friend Ashley and I would do all kinds of stuff in the attic, play games or dolls or pretend.
  • The woods. Behind Ashley's house there were some woods and we would make houses out of a group of trees! I even swept the dirt floor like every day!


     


     

    Did you guys have any fun "play" places when you were young that sound crazy today??

a funny story for you

So I am currently reading "Instructing a Child's Heart" by the Tripp's. Yesterday I read this story and just laughed out loud while I was working out (yep, I am multi-tasking! reading while I do cardio machine... check). Hope you laugh too!

This little girl's mother got very sick, and ended up in the hospital. The little girl was distraught and didnt know what to do. So she went home and colored her mother a picture. It was a picture of her mother as a zebra. When she handed to her mom, the mom said "Oh thank you dear, I love it! But why does mommy look like a zebra?" The little girl responded, "Because in Sunday School they taught us that 'By His stripes we are healed'!"

Let's all rejoice we are zebras today! Haha!

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

The journey has begun!

Hey peeps! Did I mention I started Weight Watchers again? Did I mention I had ever done it in the first place? Well let's start from there.

Before Mr.Pate and I got married, someone told us that we would be in the best shape of our lives on our wedding day. Uh Oh! We certainly were not in the best shape of our lives! So that motivated us enough, we started weight watchers. When I see "we" I mean I went to the meetings and wrote down my points and did the program, and Mr.Pate ate what I told him too so he would lose too. Ha! Anyhow, we were very successful on it... well while we were on it. I lost like twelve or thirteen pounds (which doesnt sound like much, but I was smaller then) and even got within three pounds of my goal! But after my wedding, I just quit.

No reason really. Especially not a good one. I just quit. We were married and skinny and happy, why spend the money to go those meetings? I knew the program like the back of my hand! I could keep it off, right?

WRONG!!!

Here I am, 3 & 1/2 years later and 25 lbs heavier. I had no accountability to keep it off. Mr.Pate and I are just food lovers, and we are weak. It didnt help matters that within that 3 &1/2 years I had my thyroid removed, became insulin resistant, mr.pate lost his job, I worked in campus ministry (all hours of the day and night), we are baptists (potlucks you are the devil dressed in honey!), and have a tight grocery budget (healthy food is expensive in America!)!

But last week I rejoined Weight Watchers. And yesterday I weighed in for the first time. I was a nervous wreak, because I have been told many times that it is very hard to lose weight without a thyroid.....

are you biting your nails with me....

sitting on the edges of your comfy couches while reading this....

wish i would just tell you if I lost???

I did!!! I lost 3.2 lbs this week. Which felt like 100 in my heart! The journey has begun.

What journey you ask? The journey back to a healthier, more active, more social and more balanced me. Pray for the Lord's strength in my weakness and His self-control not mine!

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

A follow up and random tidbits

Thought I would share a few updates on things I had blogged about and randomness:

  • Last week I asked your advice on how to find a balance on work, family, ministry and cleaning. Thanks for all your input! I am going to try the "one thing a day" approach and see how it goes. I am finding that I want to squeeze as much fun into the weekends as possible, and that means there just isnt much time for cleaning!
  • All of your input for the article I am writing was great! (if you didn't weigh in it is not too late!) I am working on it and will definitely link it when it is up.
  • I made a Christmas playlist and began listening to Christmas music last week... Yes I realize it is still October! It was cold and rainy and I needed a pick me up. I heart Christmas music so much!
  • You should all watch the Big Bang Theory, it is prob our fav show now. Sheldon is tooo funny of a character!
  • My dad fixed my washer! Yay! Although I never mentioned it on here, I have been battling my washer for almost a year. The lid switch was shot, so it would not advance to the next cycle unless I went and sat on it and jumped up and down. Yes I am serious. Yes it was annoying. My dad is amazing.
Random I know. Heart me anyways???

Monday, October 19, 2009

Menu Plan Monday 10/19-10/25


Mr.Pate and I started Weight Watchers again last week (we did it for about 6 months before we got married and lost quite abit). So I am trying hard to memorize how many points everything is worth etc., which can get quite exhausting. I was in total denial about just how badly we were eating! And I want to mention that I only get 18 points a day, while Mr. Pate gets 36 (thats right, double how much I get)!!! Ugh!! And it may not help that we are not eating at home much this week... here's for hoping!

  • Breakfasts: Broc-Cheddar Mini-Frittatas, Cereal, Fruit
  • Lunches: Sandwiches, veggies and fruit (ps. we love the sandwich thins I mentioned last week), leftovers one day
  • Dinners:
Monday- Going out to eat with my fam for my Dad's bday

Tuesday- Salsa Chicken

Wednesday- Dinner at Dustin's

Thursday- Eating at a church members house (i think its pizza, yikes!)

Friday- take our own Turkey Dogs to North Warren's Fall Fellowship

Saturday- leftovers before heading to Pumpkin Carving!!

Broc-Cheddar Mini-Frittatas
1 Cup chopped steamed broccoli
2 cups egg substitute (or egg whites)
2 oz low fat cheddar cheese, finely shredded

1. Preheat oven to 350℉. Lightly spray 8 cups in muffin tin.
2. Divide broc evenly among the cups (2 tbls each).
3. Divide the egg substitute evenly among the cups (1/4 cup in each).
4. Bake for 7 to 9 minutes, or until almost set.
5. Sprinkle the cheese over the tops. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes longer, or until the egg is no longer runny and the cheese is melted.
6. Transfer to a cooling rack and allow to set for 2 minutes before serving.
Makes 4 (2-frittata) servings.

Salsa Chicken

4 chicken breasts

1 pkg reduced sodium taco seasoning mix

2 cup salsa

2 tablespoons cornstarch

¼ cup fat free sour cream


1. Spray the crock pot with cooking spray. Add the chicken and sprinkle with taco seasoning.

2. Top with salsa. Cook on low for 6-8 hours.

3. When ready to serve, remove the chicken from the pot.

4. Place the cornstarch in a small amount of water and stir well.

5. Stir the cornstarch mixture into salsa sauce. Stir in ¼ cup of sour cream then add chicken back in.

** I serve over shredded lettuce like taco salad, with tomatoes and shredded cheese etc.


As always, head over to Org Junkie for more ideas!

What are you having for dinner this week? And what it your favorite no guilt to the diet food??

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Why I Love This Week

  • The Sims & friends pumpkin carving is this saturday!! I love this event! We are going to try to carve two pumpkins instead of just one this year, we will see how that goes!
  • We are supposed to have more fall-ish temperatures this week!
  • Tuesday is my dad's bday... love you dad! glad you were born!
  • Some friends are coming into town saturday and I get to meet baby nonie!
  • Week three of my job- I am finally feeling at home and like I have some clue about what I am doing!
Why I love this week was originally from Heather at Live.Laugh.Love. (she just got married this past weekend! In Maui!).

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Special Features, where are you?

Tonight mr.pate and I watched 17Again (I thought it was super cute and it even made us laugh out loud a couple of times). Now as I have mentioned before , I really enjoy the "Special Features" part of a DVD. I really look forward to getting to see the deleted scenes or what went on in making the film etc. It makes me feel in-the-know, which if you know me, is something I crave.

But lately there is a problem. The last two times we have watched a DVD, there were NO SPECIAL FEATURES to be found! What is going on? Have they stopped doing this? Why on earth are they punishing me like this? Don't they know I need my special features? Don't they know I crave them? Don't they know it completes the movie for me? Don't they know I have a hard time with the movie ending and somehow the special features comfort me???

... No, they don't know. Because the "they" I am speaking of are very-rich-movie-business-people who have lives. They probably don't even watch the movies when they are done. Too many parties or shopping sprees or whatever people in Hollywood do with their time.

I on the other hand...

And the winner is...

The winner to yesterdays name that movie friday is.....

Angel! The first one to guess got it right! (Sarah Katlyn was a close second!)

The quote was from Bewitched (the newer movie version with Will Farrell and Nicole Kidman). I think it is a cute movie and have it in while I clean often. As I was trying to decide which quote to do, I realized it is hard to pick just one quote from a movie when you like so many! Anyhow, better luck next week to the rest of you!

♡Sabrina

Friday, October 16, 2009

Name that Movie Fridays!

Those of you who know me well know that I am an avid lover of movies. I am not big into music, i like TV shows when they are on, but movies I love. When I am cleaning at home, wrapping presents, sick, etc. I don't put on the radio. I do not listen to my iPod (I don't have one of those). I do not turn on a favorite TV channel (I only have 6 to choose from anyhow). Nope, I put in a fav movie and get to work!

I have so many movies I could watch over and over again (or have watched over and over again)! So I have decided Fridays around Patelife will be a day for me to quiz you on lines from some of my fav movies. Are you up for the challenge?? Of course you will win nothing but my praise and excitement that you know lines from great movies (in my humble opinion), because i am not one of those super popular bloggers who get prizes given to them. Sorry for your luck!

Hope you will participate each week! Now for our first challenge, an easy one:

"You be quiet or I'll give you a tail!"

Name that Movie!

Thursday, October 15, 2009

The Giver... My take on it.


I finished The Giver in three days. Really it was two focused times of reading, maybe a few hours total (it is young adult fiction though so I guess I shouldn't feel too accomplished)! I now remember why I dont often read fiction- it is too addicting. I could hardly put the book down! I love this book! I had read it once or twice when I was young, and for some reason I was in the mood to relive it (i have so been in a reminiscing mood). Here is my take:


Things I liked about the book:
  • The whole concept is so creative!
  • It makes you truly think about how you live life, view others and what's important.
  • It elevates love, true feelings, and family
  • For some reason it makes me think about sin and choice, if you read it you might understand this too
Things that annoyed me about the book:
  • The ending! In literary terms it is probably a great ending, suspenseful and all, but I want to be told how everyone ends up!!!
  • There are parts that are super sad... like "release"
I totally reccomend everyone read it- it is one of my favorite books, and it is short and easy to read! Here is a summary I found online so you can get a better picture of what it is about:

Jonas turns 12 he is going to receive special training from the Giver. The Giver will take Jonas through the pain and the pleasure of life. Now it’s time of Jonas to receive the truth. There is no turning back. I recommend this book because it is unique and different.

“The Giver” is a futuristic science fiction novel set in a utopian society. In Jonas’s community, there are no feelings, no hunger, no inequalities, and no pain. Everything is created to be equal. Every family unit is uniform and prescribed according to the community leaders. Each member of the community is given their profession when they turn twelve. Jonas is selected to become the receiver of memory. As he trains with the Giver, he realizes the truth of the community he lives in. The people of the community do not get to feel love, true happiness, of any of the god qualities of life. On the other hand, they do not feel any of the negative aspects either. They live in a colorless society. Those who do not live up to the standards of this Utopian society are quickly “released”. Jonas later finds out that this release process is equivalent to that of death. He decides that it is up to him to return what has been taken from the members of the community. With the help of the Giver, Jonas escapes from the community, which will result in the release of all memories to the community. This memory release process initiates the community members to previously unfelt feelings of pain, famine, war, as well as human differences, love, and happiness. The resolution of this science fiction novel is up for debate and ultimately depends upon the discretion, opinion, and interpretation of each individual reader.

Review found here.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Get Cozy

Can you tell what's different in this room?? I would love to post a before and after... but the only other picture I have of my living room has alot of different things so the point would be lost! Anyhow, here is a close up of the "different":

So last year Starbucks had these cute cute signs up as part of their fall decor. They were warm and inviting and "my" colors. I had mr.pate request to get them once starbucks was done with them. Fast forward to now, October of the following year, and we just now got around to making the cute holder to use one of the signs! We are just not on top of our crafty goals ok?!

Anyhow, I wanted to give you a look at how cute this little frame thing mr.pate built for me is! It says "get cozy" on it (hard to read in the pic) and I just love the color we painted it (mr.pate picked it out!). We are working on another frame for another sign that says "welcome home", I'll keep you posted. Hopefully it wont take a year!

What do you think?


Tuesday, October 13, 2009

So random but cool!

Ok so we all know by now that I love the blog-world (if you didnt know this you can read this post here well, just read my whole blog). But today the blog-world loved me! What do I mean?

Amiyrah at 4 hats and frugal featured my blog on her Blog Spotlight post today! I was completely shocked to see the post in my google reader today! I have followed her blog for awhile now (I am telling you that woman balances a million roles better than I have ever seen) but I had no idea she read mine.

So if you have time, head over and read her post here. Completely random but totally cool! Looks like the blog-world is kinda a small world too!

finding a balance

Ok, so I have been back at work for a week now and I am needing your advice! For me it has always been hard to balance quality time with my man, cooking and cleaning, personal time, ministry time, and work. But at my last job I had the freedom of setting my own schedule and "flexing" as Tommy Johnson called it. I am so much more productive at cleaning in the morning, so I would pick one day and clean in the morning then go in later (I worked several nights then, so it balance out).

But now I have an eight to four-thirty set schedule. And my hubby has a varying work schedule. And I still want to disciple young girls and have "iron sharpen iron". And I want a home that is a comfortable retreat for my family and friends and guests. And I want to eat healthy yummy meals at our table while sharing life together. And I want time for me to just do things that relax me or I enjoy too occasionally. Is this too much to ask?? Ha! The thing I am having the hardest time with is when and how to keep the house clean and comfy.

So I need your advice. How do you balance work and home-keeping? Do you clean a little each day, all at once, at night, or not at all? What's your plan?

I want to find a routine that will allow me to put quality time with my husband first, instead of ruining free time I have with him by freaking out about cleaning a house that is supposed to be for us! Any advice would be much appreciated!

Monday, October 12, 2009

Menu Plan Monday 10/12-10/18


Well last week's crazy schedule really got the best of us, and we ended up eating out or randomness at home all but two nights. So we have some repeats from last week on the menu again. I definitely have to get back into the groove of cooking when I work (as opposed to having all day to get it together), remembering to thaw meat at 7 in the morning is not the easiest thing!
Here's this weeks plan:

Breakfasts: mocha chip muffins, cereal, yogurt & fruit

Lunches: turkey thin sandwiches (we found a cool new bread that i hope we love called sandwich things-anyone had them?), pretzels, grapes, cheese squares, fruit snacks, leftovers on day

Dinner:


Tuesday- Leftovers or Sandwiches (mr.pate is working & i have dgroup)

Wednesday- Dinner at Dustin's

Thursday- Tacos & spanish rice

Friday- Salmon, mashed potatoes and green beans

Saturday- Eat out

Sunday- Dinner for 8 (which has yet to meet! but hopefully this time)

** Disclaimer: I realize you dont need to know every single thing I am having for lunch, but it is helping me get back into the habit of packing & planning lunches to type it all out.

As always, head over to Org.Junkie for more ideas!

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Why I Love this week!


  • I have a week under my belt at work, so it wont be as uneasy and nerve-racking to walk in tomorrow!
  • Students will be back from fall break yay! #1. That means my office wont be absolutely dead! #2. I love students!
  • Mr. Pate is only working one night this week! So I will actually see him without a drive thru headset getting in the way! Ha!
  • I am re-reading a fav book from childhood that is oh so good!
  • I began working out again (after over a year of not really working out) and will get to workout during lunch everyday this week. Great accountability huh?
  • I will be meeting with my dgroup again and one of my youth girls! Yay for not being a hermit anymore.
  • The house is clean, the food is prepped, and the clothes are clean.
Why I love this week is from Heather at Live.Laugh.Love . Check her out (she is getting married this week!)!

Friday, October 9, 2009

Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Faith in Community... my take on it.


I finally finished Life Together, it only took me like 3 and 1/2 months! And by now you guys should know the drill, but just in case you don't pay much attention to me (imagine that!), here's how this review will go down: I will let you know what I liked about this book, what annoyed me and then let you know if I recommend the book overall. Here we go!


Things I liked about the book:
  • Filled with so much wisdom!
  • Well organized. It was laid out into chapters that took you through the an overview of community, what he calls "the day with others" (or family/group devos), the day alone (your time with the Lord), and ministry.
  • It has totally challenged me to truly live out the verse that tells us to "consider others better than yourselves" (phil 2:3). He brings up such good points about how our biggest problems with community are that we are trying to hard to make everyone we don't "care for" or who get on our nerves more like us or like we think they should be, instead of giving them the freedom to be whoever God wants them to be. Did that make sense?? Hope so!
  • He talks about family devotion times and it is such an inspiring perspective on it.
  • Great great points about prayer and about work (I even wrote a little on it here).
Things that Annoyed me about this book:
  • It was written in the 50s by a German, so it was hard to follow. I had to reread almost every paragraph at least twice to get it.
  • It really seems like he is writing to men, I am not sure if this is true but that is the vibe I felt the whole time.
  • He talks about hymns and worship time during the family devo time- it is the most boring part of the book! It just drug on and on and on.
Overall, I would recommend every Christian read this book, especially the chapters on "the day together" and "ministry". It was well worth working through the harder style (well maybe some of you are smarter than me and wont struggle through it!) and old language. If you are wondering what to read next, check this one out!


Thursday, October 8, 2009

a short health update

It has been awhile since I have updated you guys on my health (thrilling I know). If you are new to my blog and don't know what I am referring to, catch up here.

So the last time I wrote about my health issues, I wasnt really doing too hot. My thyroid levels were all whacked out and my insulin resistance had gotten worse. But I had my labwork done a week or two ago and got great news!
A Bare Bones Explanation of My Thyroid Deal: (Brace yourself, it gets confusing)
Last time my TSH level was at 30 something! The "normal" range is 0.3 to 3.0, and the smaller the number the more-active your thyroid. So I was severly hypothyroid, or had an underactive thyroid. However, this time my TSH is at 6. That's a big improvement! My doctor has decided that because I feel so good or "back to normal" that we are going to count 6 as my normal range and not aim for higher right now (unless I start feeling bad).
So basically, after almost two years for feeling ridiculously tired and exhausted etc., and trying several medicines and doses, I may finally be "set"! Yay!!!
A Bare Bones Explanation of My Insulin Resistance Deal:
In April of this year, I found out I had an issue called insulin resistance (well it has other names too, like the metabolic syndrome and some long science-y name). You can read what this means here. Last time I had my labs drawn, my C-Peptide (one indicator you can use to measure this) level was at 18.8 but this month it is at 10!! Almost cut in half! Yay! The biggest way to deal with Insulin Resistance is to lose weight, however for a Thyroid patient, this is often super hard to do.
But I am now working in a gym. And I am starting weight watchers AGAIN (it annyos me that at one point i lost weight and looked good and then let myself "go" as they say). So hopefully these things will help this issue out alot! I want to stop taking the stupid medicine for it as soon as possible!
Random and wierdly detailed post I know, but there is the update for the few of you that might actually care!
Happy Wednesday!

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

because i just know some of you are wondering...

"how's the job??"

I know those of you who have been walking with me during this journey are wondering how the new job is going and just what i am doing and if I like it so far.... so of course I am going to share with you! I have completed two whole days of work (ha) and still like it! Heres what the last two days have consisted of:
  • learned all about the services my office offers to students, faculty/staff and the community
  • learned how to check people in for these services and do the paperwork.
  • did some laundry, and folded it too. (surprised? we offer massage therapy, so we have sheets and towels to wash and dry... well I have sheets and towels to wash and dry) We have commercial sized washer and dryers at Preston, and they are sweet! I am pretty sure I could do all my laundry for two weeks in one load.
  • went to my first staff meeting
  • had orientation with hr, which means I will get paid and have benefits! yay!
  • got a parking permit... but only after going to the wrong place first(apparently they got a new building and nobody felt like telling me!) and then being told I was not in the system yet as an employee... but luckily the guy had pity on me and sold me one anyhow
  • began to organize my desk a little (i love organizing so much!)
  • answered a few random calls... like a twenty minute convo i had with a student about getting a massage, he was clueless
  • sat around... and around and around and around! they want me to take it slow and not get overwhelmed... but that is not really the way i learn best. so i am really bored right now bc i am not doing my whole job yet. but i guess we will get there someday!
Overall, I am really enjoying the environment and the people! I get to have a longer lunch break if I workout- so that way I dont have to come in early or do it after work! Yay! So, I like it and I am adjusting just fine. Getting up and getting ready has been easier than I thought it would be,of course the fact that it looks like midnight outside is not helping matters! But I am going to have to invest in some "exercise-ish" or sporty or causal clothes... everyone in my office dresses sporty and I really dont have that type of clothes (well my workout clothes are like rough you know?).

Anyone got suggestions on where I can get some cute but cheap sportish attire in bg?? (Think yoga pants and zip up fleece jackets)

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Can I get a little help?

Dear Blog reading friends,

I need your help. I will be writing an article for a Christian Women's online magazine about Celebrating Christmas on a budget. I am super excited about it! But I need input! Pronto!

Please answer the following questions in the comment section:

  • What is your favorite tip for saving money during the Christmas season?

  • What is the hardest part about sticking to a Christmas budget (or if you dont have a budget, how have you ended up spending way more money then you meant too)?

  • How many people do you typically by presents for?

Your help would be much appreciated and is super needed! Can you believe it is time to think about and plan for Christmas already?? Crazy!

Much Love,
Sabrina

Monday, October 5, 2009

why i love this week!




{Why I love this Week comes from Heather's blog, check it out here }
  • I start my new job!
  • My dog and cat have laid on the couch next to each other twice- they will be best friends one day I just know it!
  • The house is clean, the hamper is empty!
  • Watching another episode of The Big Bang Theory with my hubby!
  • My friend whitney is coming to watch Biggest Loser with me!
  • Its fall break for my youth, and at the end of the week for WKU (I wont be off, but yay for them)
  • Fabulous cool weather!
  • I get to dress up all week (it has been so long since I wore cute clothes everyday in a week it is pathetic!)
  • I am starting weight watchers again on tuesday (oh me!)
  • I am going to hangout with kristi on thursday (and her cute cute little puppy!)
  • mr.pate and I should complete a cute project we are working on together- pictures to come!
  • meeting with my new dgroup again- they are some fun girls!

Why do you love this week? Tell me please!

Menu Plan Monday 10/5-10/11


It's that time again (already?)! And this week (as all weeks are) will be a crazy one! I am starting my new job today, and wouldn't you know it, mr.pate is scheduled to work almost all nights at Starbucks! Ugh! So we will barely see each other, and I will be carting dinner up to starbucks several nights, but its only one week. So here is the plan:

Monday: Brown Sugar, Soy & Worcestershire Pork Chops, green beans and brown rice

Tuesday: Asian Tomato Beef in the Crock Pot

Wednesday: Dinner at Dustin's (this is mr.pate's twin brother- i forgot to mention this for those of you who dont actually know me!)

Thursday: Chicken Pot Pie

Friday: Salmon, mashed potatoes and green beans

Saturday: Out or leftovers

Sunday: Lunch at Peppers! and dinner is with our Dinner for 8 group!

Brown Sugar, Soy & Worcestershire Pork Chops
1 cup Soy sauce
1 cup worcestershire sauce
1/3 cup brown sugar

1. mix all ingredients, place pork chops in a dish and cover with marinade.
2. let marinade for at least 1 hour but it is better for 4 or more hours.
3. grill pork chops.

No Guilt Chicken Pot Pie

1 can (10 ¾ oz) Campbell’s 98% Fat free Cream of Chicken Soup

1 package (about 9 oz) frozen mixed vegetables, thawed

1 cup cubed cooked chicken

½ cup milk

1 egg

1 cup reduced fat all purpose baking mix


1. Preheat oven to 400º.

2. In a 9 inch pie plate (or a smaller baking dish) mix soup, vegetables and chicken.

3. Mix milk, egg, and baking mix. Pour over chicken mixture.

4. Bake 30 minutes or until golden. Serves 4.


Be sure to head to Org.junkie for more ideas!

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Jobapalooza: Q & A Finale

Well, this is it- tomorrow morning I will be heading back to the world of employment! The house is clean, the lunches are packed and the dinner is prepped, I am officially as ready as I can be. But before I go, its time to finish up Jobapalooza with the Q&A I promised! Thanks to the FOUR of you who participated (where are the rest of you at??)! Actually it turned out good that only four of you asked questions, because this is a long long post even with just the four peps! So hope you enjoy:

What are you going to be doing EXACTLY at your new job?? (And a duplicate: What is your new job title, and what will you be doing?)

I will be the Office Associate for the Health and Fitness Lab, which is part of the IM-Rec Sports Department in the Preston Health and Activities Center on WKU's campus (That helps right? ha). I will hold down the front desk of the office, greeting people and answering the phones. I will handle the schedule, organize the office, handle deposits for the department, take minutes at the staff meeting, and do special projects for the staff in the office as needed.

Will you have time for meals and game nights with your friends?!?! <---I'm not joking!! Interested party! :)

YES! This job will actually free up my schedule compared to my last job (although all summer I have been "free as a bird"). The only way to do campus ministty is nights and weekends, but my new job will be a Monday to Friday, eight to four thirty job mostly. I am so excited about this change, because I will have more time for my hubby and church and family and friends!

why did you leave your last job?.....

I loved my last job (for those that dont know, I worked at the Baptist Campus Ministry on WKU's campus). It was an amazing opportunity and I got to work with such amazing students and faculty and coworkers. But that job was not very family friendly. Now, I know plenty of campus ministers who make it work great- but majority of them are men. And I may sound very conservative or old fashioned for alot of you, but I feel my husband and home are two of my most important priorities. I feel like creating and up-keeping a home that is a relaxing and rejuvenating place for my family is my responsibility (justin does help alot!). So keeping up with cooking, cleaning, shopping and quality time was a difficult task when my job required alot of nights and weekends. That was reason number 1 I felt it was time to leave and get a less consuming job.

Reason number 2 was that unfortunately my job at the BCM paid very little in monetary terms (although very well in spiritual terms!). Last year, mr.pate had three jobs because my one job didnt contribute much in money and contributed none as far as medical benefits. So I had to leave in order to let mr.pate have only two jobs and I could see him! I just hate money!

Anyhow, reason number 3 was that I really wanted mr.pate and I to focus on ministry together. With him on staff at a church and me on staff at a campus ministry, I always felt divided. I was trying hard to invest in both my college students at the B and my youth at church, and felt like I was doing a poor job at both.

I love the B so much, it is a very special place to me bc of the impact it has had on my growth both when I was a student and staff member. It was hard to leave. But I knew that for now, leaving was the best decision for my family for several reasons. My family is my first and foremost on this earth. I believe thats how the Lord wants it.

...and why did you really want this new one?

The BCM never paid me during the summers, so two summers ago I worked in the IM-Rec office. I grew to love this department. They are fun and inspire you to be healthy, which is not the case in alot of offices on campus. I love the people in this department, and already have a great relationship with most of them. So working here was an obvious fit. Because of they didnt post this job until late in the summer, I was afraid it was not an option for me (I assumed I would have a job by then- ha! naive little me). But the Lord had His perfect plans, and I am thrilled this office will be my new work home!

What do you feel that you learned about yourself through your time of not working?

I am trying to figure that out! haha! I think I will be gleaning wisdom and lessons from this season in my life for a long time to come, but I do have a few big lessons already.

I think it had to take me this long to get a job because I needed to learn to more fully rely on the Lord, understand that ALL I have is the Lord's and not mine, and how much my life needs to reflect Him at all times. If you had showed me a list of these tree things four months ago, I would have told you I knew all of this... but I was not truly living in a way that reflected these things.

Not having a job for 4 months meant mr.pate and I really had to depend on the Lord completely. During this time, the Lord brought several studies into my life that focused on money and giving (click here if you are interested). He has taught me so deeply that to follow Him means I will have radical priorities. My new job will pay me alot in my eyes (compared to what I was making), but not in the world's eyes. It is more than I was expecting. We will face many new decisions on how to budget and spend this new money. The Lord new this would be happening, and He needed to prepare my heart adequately. I spent alot of time this summer committing my head and heart to giving and spending all my money with the understanding that the Lord's Kingdom was a first priority. I know it sounds strange, but I really feel like this is one reason it had to take so long for me to get hired.

I have learned alot about myself, but more importantly I have had time to re-prioritize my life. This time was a blessing. Instead of rushing into the next job, I got time to spend with mr.pate, family, and friends. I had time to myself. And I feel recharged, refocused and ready to go back to work with a stronger commitment to me, my family and the Lord amidst it all.

And now its time to stop talking about it and go live it! If you think of anything you truly did want to talk to me about or that I didnt answer, feel free to comment or email me.

And now, your turn! Name one great things about your job! It is important not to get bogged down with the daily grind, and instead to give thanks! So leave a comment letting me and you know what you are thankful for on the job-front!


Friday, October 2, 2009

Jobapalooza: My how the seasons change!

Welcome to Jobapalooza, where we are celebrating all things work. Why? Because I got a job!

This week has been all about celebrating getting a job, making the most of the few days I had left of unemployment, and trying to reflect on all I have learned or been blessed with during this season in my life. I took a look back at all my posts from this summer, especially those job related (you can view these here). Wow. It is crazy how quickly you forget how you felt during different times in your life.

First there was this post, about how I was both excited and sad to leave the BCM. I still am, and I have been gone for months. I am leading a dgroup there and it is wonderful to still be connected, but I miss my old job and working with Tommy and getting onto my students about going to class.

Then there was this post, about my first day of unemployment (read it, its funny). Ha! I wish the motivation would have continued all summer long! I would not still have so many projects that remain undone (and probably will for that matter) if I had still had that kind of energy by the end of the journey!

Then there were all of the tips about getting a job, cover letters, interviews, the dreaded caller ID, etc. It really was an all consuming part of my life. People would ask if I was enjoying myself, or they would look at me like "oh you have it so bad, you have free time all day everyday". THe truth of the matter was, I couldnt enjoy myself. My husband was hard at work with two jobs! I felt like I always had to be looking for jobs or working on a better cover letter or practicing for interviews, or contributing by cleaning the house or being wonder wife. It was an emotionally exhausting summer.

Then there are the things I have learned about myself through it all, like the fact that I am not good at setting my own schedule (i will only read blogs for 15 minutes... 2 hours later i get off the computer), I work better when I have a deadline (since no one is paying me to wash my windows, they just probably wont get done-ugh!), I have a natural inclination to be a hermit (once I am in the house for over 10 hours the chances of me leaving on my own accord are slim to none), and I hate lunch food. I have also learned I depend far too much on myself and my "abilities" and too little on the Lord and His Abilities. I am headstrong, stubborn, judgmental, and headstrong. But on the positive side, I take criticism well, desire to be held accountable, crave biblical community and my husband is my favorite living being.

I am still taking questions for the Q&A because I think there is still alot to glean out of this whole season of my life. But I know without a shadow of doubt that a big lesson I needed to learn, or prove rather, was that I trusted the Lord to be the Faithful Provider I say He is. As I have quoted before, and will probably quote again:

"I found Him faithful yesterday, He will not be unfaithful today." (Beth, Living Free)
And it is true... "if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself!" 2 Tim 2:13

Jobapalooza: Things I will not miss about being Unemployed!

Welcome to Jobapalooza, where we are celebrating all things work. Why? Because I got a job!

Things I will not miss about being Unemployed:
  • Not getting a paycheck.
  • Looking for jobs. Constantly.
  • Writing cover letters.
  • Filling out applications.
  • Job interviews.
  • Having the answer the question, "Have you found a job yet?"
  • Being at home all day long some days.
  • Cleaning every single day, because you feel like you have to do something of value.
  • Begging the Lord for a job.
  • Checking and rechecking Google Reader for some new posts because I am so bored... really people, even though you have jobs and lives, cant you throw a jobless girl a bone??
  • Wondering when a job will come.
  • My heart racing when the phone rings, wondering if it will be about a job (it rarely was).
  • Feeling like I am not contributing at home, I mean we dont have kids for me to take care of so what should I do all day long?
  • Setting my own schedule, which I have realized results in me eating lunch at 2pm and not getting near enough done!
  • Probably alot more, but it seems like thats enough negativity for one day.

Thursday, October 1, 2009

The Duggars: 20 and Counting... my take on it.

[Reminder to post questions for our upcoming q&a here! Thanks to all who have participated so far!]


So I finished The Duggar's book last night, again it took me under a week. (Before you guys start to think I am a great and fast reader, tearing apart these books like a pro, let me remind you that the last two books were really easy reads. They were written simplistically without deep thoughts or meanings.) So without further ado, my review:




Things I liked about the book:

  • It was really well organized and put together, it flowed.
  • I love the way these people truly put family before everything- I think alot of us say we do, but then we just make our family adapt to decisions we make that may not be the best for them overall. They truly make every decision based off of how it will effect and change their family. Thats refreshing.
  • They share recipes through out, which I liked because 1) i like recipes and 2) i wondered what they could possibly cook for so many people! (All of the recipes serve 16-20 people!)
  • They share their daily schedule, parenting techniques and financial decisions. I felt like they did a great job of truly sharing how their life works, which is what I was interested in to begin with. I mean what in the world is life like with 18 kids?!!
  • I love the way they are so solid in their faith but are not pushy or super strange and legalistic about, like so many that get in the limelight (ever seen "Christians" on wifeswap?). They do a great job of just letting their faith flow naturally through each part of their lives. It was great to see and a challenge for me to check and see if the same is true for my life.
  • They are quick to tell you they dont have all the answers, have it all together and get it all right all the time. I love people who admit this.
Things that annoyed me about the book:
  • Throughout the book they have these little boxes with questions people have emailed them and answers. Alot of them are the children answering the questions, and all of their answers were so generic and vague. It was annoying. I havent seen the show- do these kids have personalities? (On the other hand, there are a few that Michelle answers that I love, i think she has spunk)
  • They talk about living frugally, and I guess in proportion to their size they do, but they have top of the line everything. Most large families, I would think, would be discouraged to see that they can afford to have 4 sets of top of the line washers and dryers and a commercial kitchen. Yes they got the kitchen for $11,000 when it is worth over $100,000, but the average family does not have $11,000 to buy a commercial kitchen debt-free! This is kinda a catch-22 because I loved hearing how they refuse to live in debt and they borrow NO MONEY whatsoever, but even if you live like that most people still wont end up with that kind of cash lying around.
  • Along the same lines, they shared about different deals they were able to make and ways God provided things for them financially... and this rubbed me the wrong way. For instance, they were able to get some piece of equipment to use for building their gargantuous house for like $5,000, but then they sold it for $10,000 after they were done using it. I feel like that is taking advantage of someone. $5,000 is a heck of a profit... especially when God gave you such a good deal. Do you know what I mean? Basically i am trying to say, I feel like they have done so well financially because God brings them amazing deals and then they resale it for way more than they should. Rubbed me the wrong way. (now I will get off the soapbox)
  • The fact that the girls always wear long skirts and long hair... I have just never gotten where this principle came from biblically. But lots of more fundamental beliefs practice this. I would go nuts without pants, but thats just me... I love my jeans.
  • Michelle's hair. Call me vain, thats fine, but her hair just drives me nuts! She is a naturally pretty lady, and if she would just not have a mullet hair cut it would really help. I am not saying to run out and get highlights and a super stylish inverted bob that will take an hour to fix, but just a long layered, non-mullet cut would do wonders!!!
Overall I loved the book. I find myself just drawn to this family. I am going to rent some of the show to watch them more. I love their faith, their love of family and their positive, self-less attitudes. It challenges me. I know, they are slightly weird by todays standards, but I guess I like weird. I would highly recommend the book, it is neat to see such a different kind of life. And that's all I have to say about that.