Lori's Rambling

Well, it has been a long time since I posted anything.  I have been pretty busy.  I started a new job at the end of June, working as a foster care caseworker for Lebanon County Children and Youth Services.  It has been challenging balancing working a full-time traditional job with time for my family and myself.  I think I am finally feeling settled in at work.  There have been some challenging moments along the way.  It was particularly difficult when Jaelyn was sick and I still had to go to work.  Since I have never worked a traditional job since she was born, I have never had to leave her to go to work when she was sick.  Scott took good care of her, but it still tore at my heart to leave for work when she wasn't feeling well.  I recently purchased an Amazon Kindle.  For those of you who aren't tech savy -- the Kindle is an e-reader.  I have been spending so much more time reading that I haven't had time to be on the internet or...

I'm feeling very scattered today, so as a result today's post may seem just as scattered -- you will be able to see that I have a lot on my mind and going on.  After two and a half months of job hunting, I have been offered and accepted a position with Lebanon County Children and Youth Services!  I will be working as a foster care caseworker.  I worked for Lebanon Co. CYS about 10 years ago in the same position.  The bonus on having a new job is being able to work with the same supervisor that I worked with 10 years ago.  To some people that may not seem like a bonus, but having a terrific supervisor makes any job easier to do.  I am excited to be returning to work and particularly in a job that I like, with a good supervisor, excellent benefits, and relatively close to home (only a 15-20 minute commute. On the other bright side, I am almost ready to list my first jewelry on Etsy.com .  Hopefully I will have about six listing on my site:  htt...

Well, the BIG yard sale is over. Whew!  Glad it is done -- hope to never have to do that again!  We probably sold about 50% of what we had -- made around $1000, so did really well.  We sent most of the leftover items to a church thrift shop .  What a free and light feeling to have all those belongings gone and lots of open space in our garage.  I could even get my bike out easily to take a bike ride yesterday!  I still need to organize what is left and clear out some more trash, but it looks so much better already!  Now I feel like I can move on and spend more time on my job search .  I have one interview scheduled and am waiting to hear a date and time for another interview.  I am very interested in both jobs, so very excited about the interviews!   I've also been working on getting my shop up and going on Etsy.com to sell some of my jewelry .  Hopefully will have my first items posted in the next couple of days, then will...

HUGE YARD SALE: Friday, May 27th and Saturday, May 28th from 7 am to 2 pm 101 N. Lancaster St., Jonestown, PA  17038 Lots of great deals!  Free hot dogs from 12-1 both days!  See below for detailed items - furniture , outside items (boats, etc.), household items, books, baby and kids items Paint Sprayer:   Professional Grade - Magnum XR7 - 5 gallon capacity Furniture: 2 - computer desks -- one is tall corner unit, other regular vertical unit Refrigerator -- great for second frig -- freezer on bottom -- checked by repair tech and is in working condition Dining room table - great condition Outdoor Items: Lots of water toys -- squirt guns, sprinklers, etc. Canoe -- Coleman 15 ft. - 3 seats -- great condition Gas Grill Kayak - older model Aerocraft - v-bottom boat w/Evinrude 40 HP motor -- project boat, w/trailer Aqua-Glide -- wind surfer, inflatable -- new in box Household Items: Large set of corelle dishes blue glass items ice cream make...

One of my friends got me started making jewelry about 2 years ago.  I tried selling necklaces and earrings at one point early on but discovered that making money by making jewelry is not the easiest thing in the world especially since it seems like eveyone is into making jewelry.  I still enjoy making jewelry, but I am getting overloaded with necklaces.  I mean really, a person can only wear so many necklaces.  So just recently I decided to expand my jewelry making into actually making the beads and pendants themselves.  On a recent trip to Michael's, our local craft store, I discovered Sculpey clay that can be baked in a regular oven.  I bought a DVD put out by Sculpey on different processes and steps to making certain types of items, jewelry, luggage tags, picture frames, etc.  It teaches the basic techniques to obtaining certain basic looks that can be expanded on to make more elaborate pieces.  I have been experimenting with it the last...

I first tasted this cookie when I was visiting a friend for a playdate for our daughters.  I found these cookies irrestistible then and still find them irrestistible now!  Thanks Tanya for a great cookies recipe!!!  This is a simple, tasty and filling cookie.  Even my picky 5 year old likes these cookies! I lightened the recipe up a little bit from the original and it came in at only 2 Weight Watchers points per cookie and tasted just as yummy. Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Cookie 1 cup whole wheat flour 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/4 tsp salt 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup sugar 2 Tbsp light margarine 1/4 cup egg beaters or egg substitute 1/2 cup reduced fat peanut butter 1 medium mashed banana 1 1/2 cups rolled oats (not instant) Mix all ingredient together thoroughly, then drop by spoonful onto a lightly sprayed cookie sheet. Makes about 2 dozen cookies. Very yummy -- great as a breakfast cookie on a morning when you ...

Image via Wikipedia Since I have been on Weight Watchers for the last six months, I have been looking for healthier versions of favorite foods. I recently tried an Oven Fish 'n' Chips recipe from the Taste of Home Guilt Free Cooking. It is a "breaded" fish with fries for only 5 Weight Watcher points per serving. My husband is not a big fan of seafood unless it has been breaded and fried. He tried this recipe and decided that it was really good and that I could make it again anytime. Success!!! Oven Fish 'n' Chips 2 tablespoons olive oil 1/4 teaspoon pepper 4 medium baking potatoes (1 pound), peeled Fish: 1/3 cup all-purpose flour 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1/4 cup egg substitute 2 tablespoons water 2/3 cup crushed cornflakes 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan Cheese 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 pound frozen haddock filets, thawed Tartar sauce, optional In a large bowl, combine oil and pepper.  Cut potatoes, lengthwise into 1/2 inch strips.  Add to oil...