Saturday, September 27, 2014

An "Allergy" Word from our Family

made up language
Welcome to fall allergy season! I'm not sure what is in the air but my sinus holes feel like they've had a wedge driven into them. How are you feeling?. My granddaughter had her first unwell baby doctor visit Monday. Ten months without an ear infection or runny nose. That's impressive. I'm hoping that means her immune system is a good one. Her mom, my husband and my daughter are sick with it too. I worry most about my husband with his already compromised respiratory problems. Please say a pray for him.

Allergies even affect poor ole Herm dog. Steve gave him a steroid shot this week. Seems like every spring and fall he scratches off the hair from his eyebrows after a few hour-long romps in the hay field. See the white patches on his eyes and nose where his hair is coming out. Such a sweet puppy!
dog scratching out hair
My dad's side of our family has respiratory issues. We call it the Parker Curse. My grandfather and two uncles passed with respiratory failure and my aunt passed with lung cancer, all on my dad's side. I've always had severe allergies myself along with many other cousins that suffer like me.
allergy season
I came across our word of the week when visiting with my dad's brother Leonard or Lent as we called him. It's pronounced the way it is written "As-Me". I stopped by his house and ask him how he's feeling and he always replied "My asme's killing me!" Asthma is no laughing matter for folks who have it. Lent was right. His asme took him to the pearly gates almost five years ago. So now, I affectionately refer to asthma as asme in honor of my Uncle Lent. May you rest in peace sweet soul.

If you or your family members suffer from asthma, here are 14 tips to prevent asthma attacks that may help prevent a life-threatening event. Leave me a comment and let me and others know what helps your allergies or things to do to prevent serious effects of asthma.

Breathe freely,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap

Friday, September 26, 2014

The Frantic Chef

Exciting news! I started a business last month. I agreed to sell products, do cooking shows and represent for The Pampered Chef.
Like all excited consultants, I was ecstatic when a cousin of mine contacted me to have a show...unsolicited!  Her real estate office is 40 miles from my house but, what the hay, I'm in business to sell and I'm there! My Mom went with me to help and take care of my 10 month old granddaughter. Due to the commute time, I had to leave before her mom picked her up. All is well.

12 guests rsvp'd. I'm a bit nervous but I've got this. When we arrived, only 3 guests were there (because they worked in the real estate office). They listened to my presentation from their office chairs, sometimes listening, sometimes working at their computers. I couldn't figure out whether to cook or not because two ladies said they weren't staying to eat. I had one lady though, intent on everything that I was doing so I decided to cook Pesto Vegetable Medley just for her. I'm showing off our spiral and slice which makes beautiful spiraled veggies. See..

pampered chef spiral and slice

This one lady was so interested in what I'm doing and I'm trying to answer her questions while I'm spiraling. I'm not sure why I laid my spiral and slice down but I picked up one of our forged cutlery knives to cut red pepper. Bad idea. Bad, bad idea!
bandaged finger

The next thing I know I'm bleeding from chopping a sliver of my finger and fingernail off! It bleed and bleed and bleed. My host, Jenny took me around the corner to an internal doctor to see if they could stop the bleeding. I was so thankful and still amazed that Dr. Kim put hydro chloride on my finger to stop the bleeding, cleaned the wound, put a band-aid on it and didn't charge me a penny! He also gave me some great advice. He said "Now, when you get home don't put no natural remedy like cow dung on that cut." I said "Well, if I see my dad anytime soon, he'll want me to douse it in diesel fuel." My dad swears by diesel fuel to heal any cut! We left the doctor's office and went back to cooking!

Turns out my accident wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it was or as it hurt. Here's a pic of my finger one week later. You really can't even tell its cut. I think everything will grow back just like it was. My director, Melodie told me to be sure to keep my fingers tucked.....after the fact! I said I wasn't using the knife again unless I get invited to a luau and need to gut a pig! I didn't use any cow dung or diesel fuel. I did use a natural honey product on it though.

finger slice


I was supposed to be pampering Jenny but she actually pampered me! I was just a bit frantic for my first show. Good news! I had another show 3 days later with about 15 guests in attendance and it went beautifully! Wish me future success and if you need any cooking equipment, I can hook you up!

Be pampered,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap/Frantic Chef
http://www.pamperedchef.biz/tammystafford



Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Thou Art Amazing...

god is amazing

I woke up this morning with the first line of this poem echoing in my head. I sat down and completed this. I hope you enjoy it. If you are amazed by God, leave me a comment with one thing that amazes you. It would be a shame for me not to get one single comment....now wouldn't it?

Still amazed,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap

Monday, September 22, 2014

Mom-ism Monday #17

I'm always asking people in my family for Mom-isms they remember hearing and using. Last weekend, my brother-in-law Phil shared one that my father-in-law had written in his Bible. I think it's very relevant for back then when he wrote it down and now. Very simple and direct. The dad-ism needs no explanation other than to read it.

dad-ism
Phil is not sure where or why the saying originated. The more surprising story lies in how my father-in-law obtained the Bible he wrote it in. My father-in-law affectionately called Pop was at Lake Conasauga in the 1940's probably fishing. He found a tackle box. The box had a name and address in it. Pop mailed the tackle box back to it's owner. In appreciation for returning the box, the man sent him a Bible as a gift. It's the very same Bible this week's Mom-ism Monday #17 saying is written in!

The next time you're feeling flush and think you might be getting a case of word vomit, remember this: Be sure Brain is Engaged before putting Mouth in Gear!

Ode to the 40's,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

10 Reasons to Keep Singing


psalm 103
photo credit: revival.com
Listen to the song 10,000 Reasons here, before you read any further. The song is based on Psalm 103. 

The first five verses are:

Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

We sang this Sunday. The words "all that is within me" embedded in my being. What is within me, within us? A network of arteries, vessels, blood and organs? Yes, but that's not all. We have a soul designed specifically to praise our Creator! I believe Matt Redman, co-writer of 10,000 reasons, sings to Jesus like never before with all that is within him. Do we? We took communion Sunday in remembrance of Jesus. I started recalling events in my life that caused me to praise God with all that was within me, not holding anything back, totally consumed, giving him all of me because he gave his all for me. I'm sharing 10 reasons my heart finds to keep on singing, then I challenge you to reply to this email with just one reason for you to sing that I can share next week. 


  1. Beholding his glory at the top of the Swiss Alps. I praised Him and felt like I would be transported on to heaven like Elijah.
  2. Singing the last line of the 3rd verse of Blessed Assurance with complete realization of what it means to be "Filled with his goodness, lost in his love."
  3. Having his light shine upon me until his glory dawned while singing "O Beautiful Star". Sing it and you'll see.
  4. The night I knelt beside my bed, asked forgiveness for my sins and Jesus saved me.
  5. The pure love I felt the day God blessed my union to my husband and best friend Steve.
  6. The sweet relief I felt when Sydnee had all her toes. The worry-free feeling I had about Sloane's toes!
  7. My desire for everyone to have a personal relationship with Jesus.
  8. My longing to show Lisette who Jesus is.
  9. The thankfulness that explodes in my heart to have celebrated my parents 50th wedding anniversary six years ago!
  10. Being one of the lame he made walk.
What's your reason? Leave me a comment. 

Singing a new song,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap