Weigh-in on another controversial topic!

I got an e-mail from Heidi...you know, the lady that writes all the columns on Whattoexpect.com.  It was about spanking. So, I thought, this is the perfect topic for weigh-in Wednesday. I know that times are a-changin' and this is becoming even more debated now than ever. My generation grew up being spanked - with the belt, even - and it was socially acceptable in the 90s-ish. Now, if you were to spank your child in public, you'd probably get a knock on your door from CPS.

Here's the article if you're interested in reading it: spanking

I'm on the fence here, since spanking was the way I was disciplined, but I'm feeling a bit nervous about all of the research and findings. I agree with her perspective on giving a quick/firm/not incredibly violent smack when your child is on the verge of extreme danger (e.g. running out into the road, continuing toward a hot stove, etc.).

Can't wait to hear what you all think :)

P.S. I'm so sad. I just realized that I didn't take a single picture yesterday. Sigh.

How-Tue-sday

Ok, I do not claim to be an expert at ANYTHING by any means. I find ideas here and there, try them out, and some work, some don't. I saw this pin on pinterest (yes, I am on Pinterest. And, no, I don't do most of the stuff I pin. But this one I did).

Source: americanwoodworker.com via Kathy on Pinterest

I have never been good at hanging things like shelves, art, frames, etc. on the wall. I saw this and thought, why couldn't I do that to line up the holes on the back of a frame for hanging. And, actually, I didn't have a photocopier handy, so I made a rubbing. I held up a piece of paper to the back of a cube shelf I wanted to hang, used the side of a pencil (not the lead) and rubbed the paper over the holes to create an image on the paper. Then, I used a level and made marks with my drill using the paper up against the wall. Then, I put screws in and it actually worked! I wish I had documented it along the way with pictures so you could actually see what I mean by all this jibberish. But, hey, I'm new to this blog -everyday-kind-of thing. Here's the finished product at least and a pic of the rubbing I did on the paper to use.

Menu Monday!

The line-up for this week:

Monday - Pioneer Woman's easy calzones. These turned out reallly yummy!

Tuesday - Hamburger Steak, rice/gravy, green beans

Wednesay - July 4th shrimp boil (I'm making a fourth of July trifle with strawberries and blueberries)

Thursday - poppy seed chicken with broccoli

Friday - pork chops, veggies on grill

Saturday - breakfast (bacon, eggs, biscuits/cinnamon rolls); left overs

Sunday - we normally eat out

So a lot of these recipes were on my menu last week and we got off track for some reason. I noticed that it is really important in meal planning to actually cook and eat the meals you plan for (duh!); otherwise, you end up throwing some stuff away that you needed to use.

I'd love to hear what some of you are having this week :) And don't forget, comment on the Surprise! Saturday post about something you'd like to have me give away for FREE from Pampered Chef!

Inspiration for Sunday

My pastor said something yesterday that just reallly got me thinking. It was about compassion in relation to the legislature that was passed recently.

"Is it compassion to make someone do something they don't want to do in order to meet a need?" NO
"Is it compassion to see a need and meet it because you know in your heart it's what God calls you to do?" YES

I agree, but before this turns into a political post (which you'll most likely never get from me!) I have to ask a few questions myself, just for inspiration to get YOU thinking.

As a believer, do you believe that the money you earn for working is actually God's? He's just loaning it to you and asking for a small percentage back, but it's really HIS.

As a believer, do you believe that you are better than someone else? Do you believe you deserve better opportunities, benefits, more money, etc.?

I'm not making comments on whether you work for your money and the next person doesn't. These are just fundamental questions that I believe my faith is founded on and just hope to get you thinking about compassion and how it is in most ways contrary to the American Dream.

Surprise! Saturday

You guys understand when I say that I get a little busy sometimes and don't get a chance to post on the right day? I'm going to try to do better this week :) But I've got 3 posts to do today to get caught up, and I just can't pass up my ideas to skip over them...so here's Surprise! Saturday.

I want to do a giveaways periodically to get more exposure. What I know at this point is that it will be a Pampered Chef item since I am a consultant and can get all the great stuff!!! I may announce it next Saturday but would need at least 20 people participating in order to make it an interesting contest :) Tell all your friends to comment today or sometime this week to let me know an item that you might like to have from PC like a piece of stoneware, a gadget you've wanted to try, a Pantry item (rub, seasoning, sauce, etc.), metal bakeware, and the list goes on. You can search and browse on my website: www.pamperedchef.biz/ebsmitty

Surprise! Hope it's an exciting surprise to be in the running to get something free! Also, even if you're not in driving distance of where I live, I will ship to you!