My Portfolio

How is it possible to determine the best advice from the man who guided me in purpose, direction, integrity, responsibility, ethics and so much more throughout my life? I know, everyone believes their Dad is better than mine. Not so. There are no greater men on earth. Yes, it's possible there...

March, 1997 I wish I'd been there when he crossed the finish line. As it was, we'd been gone only a short while. Maybe that's as it should be.  His was a victory that didn't come easily. Throughout the long, chilly night and into the early hours of the morning, we...

The big day has arrived.  Rachelle has been preparing for the annual Piano Guild Exam since she started taking lessons from Khoren last Fall in 2008.  Her teacher expected great things from Rachelle and has not been disappointed.  Originally, Rachelle was scheduled to play 10 pieces from memory.  Because of school...

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This is the story about two mothers. It was the summer of 1967, right after graduation. I had no clue what to do with my life. Nobody in my family could afford college and in those days it was never even considered. My family was big. Very big. 10 kids. My...

Given a choice, I would prefer to be named Ronda Peace instead of Ronda Jean. By nature, I am a bona-fide pleaser and died-in-the-wool caregiver. I like tranquility, not tumult. I most assuredly do NOT like conflict. In my youth, I took extreme measures to avoid clashes making me an inviting...

On the surface, one might think the residents of Sunrise Senior Living at Pinehurst as weary, time-worn citizens simply coasting through their latter years. Many are physically challenged, some struggle with dementia or Alzheimer disease, still others live at Sunrise because advancing age has rendered them incapable of living alone. But...

Given a choice, I would prefer to be named Ronda Peace instead of Ronda Jean. By nature, I am a bona-fide pleaser and dyed-in-the-wool caregiver. I like tranquility, not tumult. I most assuredly do NOT like conflict. In my youth, I took extreme measures to avoid clashes making me an inviting...

Grandma\'s special cakes. When I was a wee girl living in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, one of my favourite tasks was help Gran with any baking task she had. As the owner/manager of a 10,000 acre Hereford cattle breeding stud and mother of 11 children, Gran was always very busy, every day...

On the surface, one might think the residents of Sunrise Senior Living at Pinehurst as weary, time-worn citizens simply coasting through their latter years. Many are physically challenged, some struggle with dementia or Alzheimer disease, still others live at Sunrise because advancing age has rendered them incapable of living alone. But...

Age is like wine, it gets better with time. But why do my legs hurt more? Why is it harder to read the nice print in my paper? Why do I throw only four holes, but feel like I golfed all day? Oh, I know!  Age is like wine, only mine...

I love you, then I don't, but that is ok with us. You love my smile, but my teeth sometimes you don't, But that is ok with us. Do I snore?  Or was that you?  It sounds like a cat's purr . . . maybe Edwin?  But that is ok with...

I found something that works. Smilebox allows you to create very nice digital scrap book pages for free if you allow advertising with displayed. For a small fee you can purchase the design groups for display without ads and that can be reused To my surprise, it also allows movies to...

David was meant to be born into our family.   It took 3½ years to prepare for his coming.   In the Fall of 2002, I had a dream I was pregnant.   It seemed strange to me because my husband and I felt that our family was complete.   We...

9 whole green chilies (1 lg./1 sm. Can) 1/2 # Monterey Jack Cheese, cut in 1x3" strips 1/4 # Cheddar cheese, grated 3 eggs 1/2 c. + 2 T. milk 2 T. flour 1/4 t. salt Paprika Tabasco Salt and pepper to taste.   Preheat oven to 350°.    Carefully rinse...

10 eggs 1 t. baking powder 1/2 t. salt 1/2 c. flour 8 oz. green chilis chopped 1 lb. shredded Monterey Jack cheese 1 pt. cottage cheese (small curd) 1/2 c. melted butter Preheat oven to 350°.   Beat eggs.  Add dry ingredients and both cheeses.  Add butter and chilis.  Bake in...

1 - 16 oz. pkg. of frozen, pitted sweet cherries 1 - 16 - 20 oz. can crushed pineapple in its own juice 2 -  3 oz. pkgs. Cherry Jello 3/4 c. chopped walnuts 1 - 12 oz. can coca cola Drain and cut up cherries.  Drain pineapple. Save all of...

3 pkgs. Somen (about 1/2 lb.) 6 cups boiling water Dashi sauce:  1/2 cup dashi (made with katsuo)                          1/3 cup shoyu                           2 - 1/2 T. sugar                           1/2 t. msg In large pot add somen to 6 cups boiling water.  Stir thoroughly.  Place lid on pot and bring to...

White Sauce: 1/2 c. butter 2/3 c. flour (mix in 2 t. of salt - may add a bit more) 2 2/3 c. milk 2- 61/2 oz. cans crabmeat, drained 4 c. chopped celery 1/2 c. chopped green pepper 2 sm. Jars of chopped pimento 2 T. grated onion 1/3 c....

1 3/4 c. sifted flour 1/4 c. sugar 3 t. baking powder 1/2 t. salt 1 egg, slightly beaten 3 T. cooking oil 1 c. milk Preheat oven to 400°. Sift together flour, sugar, baking powder and salt into mixing bowl. Combine egg, oil and milk in small bowl; blend well. ...