Is this Weird?

I just like to get on my blog and listen to my music play through. Yep that's pretty weird!

Breads, Pastries, Bagels - OH MY!

I have completed my third day at Panera Bread. It is amazing what you can learn in three days!! Let's see I have/can:

• fill a bagel order "Would you like them sliced and toasted, and any cream cheese with that?"
• ring up a U Pick 2 order and I can even figure out how to switch out bread; take off stuff, and add stuff if you'd like
• if you had a call - in order, I can ring you up for that
• need a loaf or miche sliced? - I gotcha covered
• can I interest you in a frozen lemonade or strawberry smoothie or what about a frozen caramel drink - mmm .. those are good and easy to make
• want a pastry? Is that for here or to go?
• ooh - I can slice baguette dough, stretch them out, and slide them in the oven too

Yep that's about it. I still need to learn (among many other things) how to switch/make the coffee, and how to ring up discounts without messing up the order and asking for help. Oh, yeah, and when I press the cash button and I should have pressed the gift card redeem button ... that isn't good either. But overall, I'm learning and doing okay! Tuesday is my last day of "training" and then I'm on the schedule to work Friday night, and we'll see from there.

Today, a lady came up to me and said, "You look like Chelsea Clinton! Has anyone ever told you that?" I was like, "Uh, no - no one has ever told me that" as I looked incredulously at my coworker. She said, "Oh, it's a good thing, because she is really pretty." I just laughed. A visor and an apron disguises much. Although, I don't think I would mind having curly hair.

One plus for working at Panera - they send me home with bread, pastries, and bagels to try. MMmmm...some good stuff!

I bought a new CD tonight (well actually Andrew bought it and I'm going to pay him back.) It is the 5 Browns "No Boundaries" CD/DVD. I've heard about them for a year or two and have been impressed with their talent and passion for classical music. One of my favorites on this CD is Rhapsody in Blue by Gershwin.

So I leave you as I go listen to my music and eat a slice of bread. Au revoir.

Classics

I just finished A Tale of Two Cities. I read the last chapters in one setting because the story was coming together and the plot was so thick and I couldn't put it down! This book was a very good book exposing the harsh realities of the Revolution in France. It was so refreshing to read something that I truly did not know what the plot would be - and sometimes was a bit confused throughout the book. And it was also refreshing to read Dickens' unique writing style - so clever. After reading the book I got onto Cliff's Notes website and read some of the summaries of the chapters and the analysis of the characters and realized that I had understood the book quite well! :) Perhaps some day, I'll read through it again. That is what is so cool about classics - by rereading them you discover things that you missed the first time. Kinda like the Bible - an ever alive book. I'm not saying that classics are like the Bible - God's Word is by far more supreme. But you get my meaning.

I guess the next book I'll start is Pride and Prejudice. After seeing the movie, I'm quite ready to read the book. After that - who knows? Any suggestions on good classics you've enjoyed?

The Newsy and "Dashy" Post

Christianity makes so much sense!! The creation view makes so much sense!! What is people's problem??? Why can't they see it? I know one place that makes it very clear - the Creation Museum. That is where I found myself today - with my three little charges in tow along with LBA's summer camp. I had a very enjoyable day visiting the Planetarium, Men in White, the beautiful gardens outside, the petting zoo (complete with zonkeys), the "Walk-thru History" museum, gift shop, and an Italian ice / vanilla twist to top it off. I'm sure I could have taken a bit more in, read more displays, but alas, when one is responsible for three 1st grade girls, its been a good day if they all made it out in one piece, and semi - conscious. Well ... it wasn't quite that bad - I was just always doing checks - Ok, I see Nikita, Stasi, and where's Nicole - Nicole you must wait for me and not run off! And making sure we didn't break anything - I kept telling them - That's why they have these bars - we are to look not touch! But oh - it was fun. And they were actually quite good. On the way home, as I was munching on some more of my fabulous lunch my mom packed, Stasi asked if she could have some blueberries. Hey - when kids ask for fruit - they've got it! :) So I shared my blueberries with her. Then I started munching on sugar snap peas (I like to munch) and the kids wanted to try those. I thought why not - and surprise of surprise they all liked them! Such good kids. It was so priceless - when I was leaving LBA, Stasi burst out the door and said, "Thanks for the blueberries!" *smile*

Talked with Mr. Renaissance Man - Sam - on the way home from the museum. After talking, I thought I probably should have waited till I dropped off the kids. Driving while talking on a cell phone, I'm told, is not too safe! :) But God's mercy was watching out for my lapse in common sense and safety! (Still good talking with you, Sam!)

BTW - I so enjoy keeping in touch with friends. The blogging world has reconnected and helped me stay connected with so many friends! It's been fun. I've also been emailing Alea, from high school, who I haven't talked to since high school. She's doing well at Miami Oxford - I'm so proud of her!

And then I talked to my close friend Tiffany the other day - and she is doing well too. God has been answering prayer for her.

So I guess all of this is just to say - relationships are very important. I used to think I could be Miss Independent - you know - live on my island ... I don't need people! But that's not how God is - duh - He created us to have a relationship with Him. So keep cultivating that relationship with God and the people He's placed in your life!

*Step down from soapbox* :)

I am officially an employee of Panera Bread - at least my info is in the computer and direct deposit is set up! I have so much peace about this job. Everything is working out! Praise God! Saturday, I go to Planet Bread, aka, orientation, then training, and then I think I start the 30th! Wohoo!

Well, I'm going to wrap up this newsy and "dashy" (---- lol) post.

THE END

A Continuation in the Computer and Car Saga

The good news is that one of my dad's work buddies gave us a computer that wasn't being used - so that is a BIG blessing! So my IM friends - I'm connected again if you want to chat. The bad news is we are not sure if our files and pictures from the old computer can be recovered. So I've already resigned myself to that loss and have learned some hard lessons through it - but life goes on.

As to my car - our mechanic called a couple of days ago saying that he was still waiting on some parts and that he was going on vacation till Tuesday or Wednesday - so I'm HOPING for sometime at the end of the week.

One thing God has been teaching me through all of this is that HE PROVIDES. Nothing can happen that is too bad or too much. He still comes through. It looks like He has provided a job for the school year and even in the meantime he's provided a job. I'll be helping out at LBA's Summer Camp for about thirteen hours next week. A fun job that I get paid for! So I'm continually being reminded that God is my Great Provider. I feel blessed.

Guess What?

The letter reads:

Dear Alanna:

We want to personally thank you for your interest in an employment opportunity with Kohl's Department Stores. We enjoyed meeting you and learning about your background and experience.

We have had the opportunity to meet many qualified candidates for the opportunities we have available. Although you demonstrate many qualities, we are unable to offer you a position at this time.

We will retain your application on file for any future opportunities that may develop.

If you have any questions, please contact the store.

Thank you again for your interest in Kohl's. We wish you the best in all your endeavors.

Sincerely,

Ben XXXXXXXX

Pers/Ops Manager

Kohls, StoreXXX

Miami Twp, OH

But my dear bloggers, had this not been a letter of decline, I would have really been in a quandary. Because Tuesday, Troy - manager - offered me a position at Panera Bread!! I go in Tuesday to get my name into the computer and to set up my direct deposit! God is good all the time!! This manager knows I am unavailable to work on Sundays yet says he thinks he can work around it! Thank God for a sympathetic manager! He told me not to expect too many hours this summer, because everyone is wanting hours now. So, I told him that I just really wanted to get my foot into the door so that I can have a job throughout the school year (and next summer, hopefully!) So I'm very excited about this new adventure, and really think it's all going to work out. So never fear - I will keep ya'll updated! :)

PS I apologize that this entry is all scrunched together. I tried to add breaks, but it's not seeing them or something!

How to Make Homemade Spaghetti Sauce

Recipe adapted from Sally Fuller in Collector's Cookbook

First turn on some music.

(This particular set up is how I best receive KLOVE in this location of the house.) :)

Saute diced celery, green pepper, and onion (around 1/2 cup each), and one diced garlic pod in olive oil.

Brown meat. I did probably about a pound of hamburger and half a roll of Italian sausage. Drain grease. Mix meat and veggies.


Add 1 cup of water, 2 small cans of tomato sauce, 1 can of tomato soup (I substituted about 1/3 jar of Ragu since we didn't have tomato soup), 1 small can of tomato paste, 1 can cream of mushroom soup, 1 small can mushroom stems and pieces, chopped. Stir Well.


Finally, add Italian seasoning (I just shake some out - lots!), 1 tsp. of salt, black pepper, and a shake or two of dried parsley. Let simmer for four hours stirring occasionally. (I simmered it for about 2 1/2 hours because we ran out of time - and it was still very good.)

This is a very poor picture of the end result (Parmesan cheese is on top) but according to the family and myself, it was very tasty! Mom and Andrew were running errands so I had the whole afternoon to myself, and enjoyed it very much! :)

P.S. Interview tomorrow (Wednesday) at Panera at 2:30 p.m.!! :)

Blueberries, Movies, and Chambers

This morning I found myself being awakened by my alarm at around 7:20 a.m. -- The first day of blueberry picking! There's an apple farm near our house that also has blueberry and thorn-less blackberry bushes and it's really become quite a place. Each year there seems to be so many people! It is so fun picking them - so big and so many! Here's a picture of my beauties:

Recently, my dad (after much consideration) joined Netflix and the first two movies came in the mail, one being Pride and Prejudice (2005). I have *gasp* never read the book or seen the movie, so it was a wonderful evening realizing a treasure I have missed! It took us a little while to get used to the British accent, and we had to pause the movie several times to discuss what was going on, because the story line moves very quickly. One time we had paused the movie and I asked my dad to explain to my brother what was going on, and dad says something to this effect, "I don't know what's going on. Where's John Wayne? He talks slower 'Welll, liisten heerre...' ." We all died laughing. (Dad and Andrew are huge John Wayne fans.) But I greatly enjoyed the movie and as soon as I finish A Tale of Two Cities I want to read the book Pride and Prejudice and probably more of Austen's books.

Well, I need to get off here, but wanted to leave you with some Chambers I read last night.

"Worrying always results in sin. We tend to think that a little anxiety and worry are simply an indication of how wise we really are, yet it is actually a much better indication of just how wicked we are. Fretting rises from our determination to have our own way (emphasis mine). Our Lord never worried and was never anxious, because His purpose was never to accomplish His own plans but to fulfill God's plans. Fretting is wickedness for a child of God.

Have you been propping up that foolish soul of yours with the idea that your circumstances are too much for God to handle? Set all your opinions and speculations aside and 'abide under the shadow of the Almighty' (Psalm 91:1). Deliberately tell God that you will not fret about whatever concerns you. All our fretting and worrying is caused by planning without God (emphasis mine)."

July 4, Oswald Chambers

P.S. Car and Computer Update.

Car - still don't have it, but mechanic thinks it is the timing belt/chain and is trying to find another one

Computer - we think the motherboard has gone out, so pics and files can probably be saved, but we'll have to get a new computer or try to fix mine that freezes often

But not worried - just thankful for what I have. :)

A Summerish Day

Well - I think the worst has happened. Our home computer abruptly shut off while Mom was using it and refuses to be turned on. I'm hoping it isn't truly the worst, because I have years of pictures and important school documents on there. I'm trying not to think about it too much, because I fear I may cry! :) So, I'm updating on my dad's laptop.

Today, I had a very summerish day - I guess as "summerish" of a day that you can have in the summer. lol Mom decided that today was the day for a bike ride. So after much cajoling I got out of bed and got ready while Andrew put the bikes on the car. My mom treated us to Panera Bread - cinnamon crunch bagel with butter - the perfect quick (and cheap) breakfast! We then began our great escapade in Milford and headed due - well I'm not really sure which direction we were heading - but we headed towards Loveland. It was quite a beautiful day for a bike ride - breezy, sunny, and not too warm. We rode and rode and rode and continued riding in hopes of finding a picnic table for our lunch but finally settled underneath a large tree amongst the dead cicadas and lively ants. There is nothing quite better than a picnic lunch after a 6 and some mile bike ride. After we ate our lunch we began the long journey back. Somehow it always seems like it takes longer on the way back at least when you are on a bike. We made it back with just a slight scuffle when Mom was trying to cross an intersection the same time a car was trying to cross. But she made it out quite alive and much more cautious at further intersections. My dear mother, who was in such a generous mood today, stopped at Sonic (because it was happy hour) and got all of us slushes and limeades for I believe around $2.70 for the three of us. We love happy hour, at Sonic that is.

We made it home a little before 3 p.m. and Andrew mowed the yard, quite rapidly I thought, and mom and I decided to tackle a tree garden that had become just that - a garden full of trees. I snipped and she dug and then I left in great need of a shower and preparation for my class at church.

We fixed mini pizzas for supper - after quite a long discussion as to what we would fix (why can't we say *poof* and supper is ready?) and then headed to church. Today was Randy's birthday so we sang lots of songs, reviewed last week's lesson on the Giant and reviewed the verse and then had cupcakes and milk. (Birthday's are awesome, right?) Then I let them play outside a little early. (Birthday's only come once a year.)

I've begun A Tale of Two Cities and am extremely enjoying Dickens' writing style. He says things in ways I've never heard before - it is quite refreshing. For instance, I was just reading this part and thought this sentence was good:

"When his host followed him out on the staircase with a candle, to light him down the stairs, the day was coldly looking in through its grimy windows."

That was just one sentence that caught my eye - there has been so many. Who knew that classics could be fun! ;-)

Independent Study - DONE

So my title basically says it all - the assignments for BU115&116 are completed! All I'm waiting on is to see if I need to take the two quizzes. (I'm hoping not!)

Self - you will never let this happen again! It is July 1 and you are just now completing a class that you had since January to do!!! NEVER AGAIN! Next time, you will set goals and not procrastinate!

Ok - now that that is over ... I'm going to bed and tomorrow I'm starting A Tale of Two Cities. (See I was good and waited!)