I am so sorry to hear of your grandmother's passing! Remember all the wonderful times you had with her.

Wounded, weary, and worthless
I was broken, betrayed and beaten
bruised and battered by a world that didn't care

Surrounded by noise and craving silence

Surrounded by people but lost and alone

I had believed in the promise of happiness
but found that promise to be empty

Through pleasures I sought fulfillment
but sought it all in vain

There must be a place I will find healing

There must be a place I will find peace

I sought that peace in high places
where the mountains touch the sky

I sought it by the waters edge where the waves caressed the shoreline

I sought it deep in the forest where dappled sunlight shined

But that sense of peace and healing was nowhere to be found

Then one night at my lowest abyss
I finally prayed to God

Not in a fine cathedral
but in the pouring rain of my soul

And I heard the voice of an angel
saying Welcome! Welcome Home!

To find the peace you long for and the healing that you need look deep within your heart and soul. They are there within yourself.

Congratulations!

sad

TwilightsTwin, it seems you have answered your own question. If I were
in your shoes I would go w/my heart and who has molded you to the woman
you are today. It sounds like your 'real' father has brought you alot
of pain during your childhood and even though he has 'changed', your
feelings about him really haven't. Take both your mom and your
stepfather down the aisle to give you away. Together they have created
a very strong woman. They have jointly helped you grow into the
responsible adult that you are. Remember that this is your day, go
w/your heart. The rest will fall as it may. Also traditions can always
be changed for the better.

I got this hint from a girlfriend going to culinary school:

Always use pan drippings in your gravy, either with the Roux recipe or
instant then, melt 1 stick of butter, whip in flour until smooth (it
will be thick) then add to gravy mixture. Cook until thickened. You
will never get lumps! And this will make a wonderful gravy full of
taste. Enjoy!

swallow=pride

Mystique42, Sorry I mean DS not DD. Fingers aren't working

TwilightsTwin, we will keep you and your son in our prayers. I had no
idea of the extent of your trials. May God watch over you and your DS.
Keep us posted.


Mystique42, hello and welcome to the group! I salute you for adopting a
child w/special needs. It takes a big person to do that. I know what
you mean when you say life hasnt been the same since you adopted DD. I
can't remember life and how easy I had it before my youngest came into
our lives. She sure keeps us hopping! God bless you and yours and we
will pray for your family also. Keep us posted on his progress. When
is his surgery scheduled?

I agree w/Smile103 completely. Its your day, you get to call the shots!
Make sure its people who are close to you and not ones you feel
obligated to put in the wedding. And remember the true meaning behind
the wedding, don't get too wrapped up in the materialistic things. Good
luck

torture= endless

Our family will pray for the safe return of this one and all of those
missing today

sleep-insonmia

equal-opposites

Hi All

TwilightsTwin: I understand your trials. My DD was born at 24 wks and
spent the next 110 days in NICU. But overall, she has managed to pull
through w/flying colors despite the odds. She also had the blood
transfusions and the numerous infections but she doesn't have any of
the side effects I was preparing myself for. She wears glasses (when
she decides to keep them on...any suggestions on that one!) and uses a
walker to walk or should I say run! Its tough keeping up with her! She
trys to keep up w/her twin sisters. (Yes I said twins! but they were
easy compared to DD) We just received her new wheelchair on Monday and
she loves it. Thank God I think my back was going to break soon. LOL!

Anybody having any problems w/seizures this time of year? DD usually
has seizures peak during the months of November to March but this year
they seem to keep coming. She is on Keflex and it was doing some good
for awhile but now it seems to not work as well. She has an appt next
w/neurologist but I wanted to know if anyone else has seen an increase
w/their child. Thanks!

spaghetti & meatballs, salad and white chocolate and raspberry cake for
dessert. Kids helping again tonite

Just saw your question for this and figured I would give you the receipe
I follow. Just had it over the wknd. Family loves it. Let me know
what you think! Enjoy




Meatloaf:
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 teaspoons dried oregano
2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 1/2 pounds meatloaf mix
1/3 cup grated Parmesan
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
2 large eggs, beaten

Gravy:
1/2 medium onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, smashed
1 teaspoon dried oregano
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
3 tablespoons tomato paste
1 (15-ounce) can chicken broth
1 (15 1/2-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1/4 cup grated Parmesan
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon kosher salt
ground black pepper


Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Add the olive oil, onions, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper to the
skillet and cook until onions are tender, about 8 minutes. Let cool
slightly. Add the onions to the bread crumbs along with the meat,
cheese, and Worcestershire sauce. Toss and mix gently. Add the eggs and
stir to coat the meat completely.

Transfer to a foil-lined sheet pan and gently press into desired shape.
Bake for about 45 minutes.

Gravy: Cook the onions, garlic, and oregano in the olive oil and butter
in a large skillet over medium-high heat until browned, about 6 minutes.
Add the tomato paste and bay leaf. Cook for about 3 minutes. Add the
chicken broth and crushed tomatoes. Bring to a boil over high heat.
Reduce heat to maintain a simmer and cook sauce until it thickens, about
5 minutes. Whisk in Parmesan cheese, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Slice
the meatloaf and serve with the gravy.

count me in - I have a 6.5 yr old w/cerebral palsy. I could use all the
support I can get!! Keep me posted. Sometimes you feel you are the
only sane person left on the planet

Its Kids' nite in the kitchen. We got tacos, rice, salad and frozen
yogurt w/strawberries for dessert.

The Fairy On The Christmas Tree

Father Christmas was not in a very good frame of mind - in fact he was
very depressed.

That morning after breakfast, Mrs Santa had told him that her Mother was
coming over to stay 'for a few days' and he knew that would be for
several weeks, and as Christmas was approaching her visit was the last
thing that he wanted.

The Elves had been playing up and had gone on strike for more pay. The
replacement elves Santa had put in were much slower and the number of
toys that had been made was way down.

Father Christmas went to visit his Reindeers and found that two of them
were pregnant and another two had kicked down the fence and had
disappeared into the forest. He was by now even more depressed.

What I need is a drink he thought, but upon going indoors he found that
the elves had hidden his Whisky and there was nothing left to drink in
his liquour cabinet. Deciding upon a coffee he went into the kitchen but
managed to drop the Jar of Coffee all over the floor. Now he really was
cheesed off!

He went to fetch the broom to sweep up the mess but found that the mice
had chewed off all the bristles.

At that moment there was a knock at the front door.

Upon opening it, Father Christmas was confronted by a beautiful Fairy
holding a lovely Christmas Tree.

"Good Morning, Santa" she called "Isn't it a really lovely day. I have
bought you this beautiful tree, isn't it lovely? Where would you like me
to stick it?"

And that is why by tradition we have a Fairy sitting on top of our
Christmas Trees.