Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Just can't say No....


A couple of weekends ago, Ashley's school hosted the
JV & Varsity Volleyball and Soccer Tournament for their association.

Three (long) days of games....and concession stand duty!

As a parent, you've probably been there too! :)

The lady who was supervising the concession stand, called and asked what times I was available to work and if I could make a pot of chili.

I make chili during the winter often, but it is the thick chili with beans that serves as a meal, not chili for hotdogs and nachos.

I was shameless and suggested another mother who made chili last year, and it was wonderful.
But, I didn't get out of it....couldn't say NO!
Why can't I ever learn to use that magical word, NO?

My FIL always warned me! Especially when I complained non~stop about having to do something I either couldn't or didn't have time for, just because I couldn't say NO, but was now obligated to do so!

So what's a girl to do???
I went on the Internet and there are thousands of recipes for hot dog chili. Thinking this was not the time to "experiment," I headed to Food Lion. If you think God doesn't look after you on the small stuff....Armour Chili was half price that week, for $1.19 a can!
(I later found out that I had less cost in my pot than another mother who made hers from scratch!)

I figured I could just tweak it a little, and it would be semi-homemade! ...works for Sandra Lee! LOL! She has made quite a career out of it.


So, I dumped nine cans of chili in the crock pot...

Browned 3#'s of hamburger meat and broke the chunks down into fine pieces...

Added a little Texas Pete, Worcester Sauce, ketchup, salt, and pepper. And, it turned out pretty good. It was so good, (or maybe they were so desperate because they were running out), they asked me to make another pot for the next day.

But guess what??? I said NO! Actually, I had a very good excuse....but still! LOL!

I was really proud of Ashley and the JV team. She was a starter this year and did really well!




She has an awesome serve!


The girls ended up 4th in the Tournament! For various reasons, they were unable to practice for a month before, only playing the regular games. But they played hard, and even went into overtime in the last game.

(accidently deleted the pic of the whole team....UGH!!!)


But they did place 2nd for the Season!!!
Ashley and a fellow team mate below....



~~~~

Today is election day. I've prayed and I've voted, all I can do, as many of you have.
I ran across this verse last night, and thought it was so appropriate and a comfort....
"Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear." Hebrews 12:28

The earth we live on today is unstable, but the kingdom of Heaven cannot be shaken!
~Rhonda :)

37 comments:

onlymehere said...

First of congrats to Ashley! Go team!! That's totally awesome to go that far! Second, you amaze me. I would have just dumped in the chili and never thought to try to make it taste like it was homemade!! I have so much to learn from you!! You definitely are the master in decorating and in cooking! I'm not kidding, I don't excel in either one but I get by. Lastly, that's too bad about the grandparents. Larry's parents are the only grandparents my kids have left and they never come to anything either, never have. I think that's sad too but it's just how it is. I'll be voting after work today and I've done all you have too but it's all in God's hands now, I can't control the outcome. Any decision made yet on what we talked about in the email?

Susan said...

We voted already, too. No matter how this election turns out we (THE CHURCH) must continue in prayer and fasting for our Country and for THE CHURCH.
Susan

mysteryhistorymom said...

Ashley is such a pretty girl- and an amazing volleyball player, too? You must be so proud! And that chili looks delicious, Rhonda! Good job saying, "No", my friend. It's not easy, is it?

How is the wallpaper adventure going?? Lori

onlymehere said...

Awww, you made my day! I know I can be boring and I show off Savannah too much but that's my life!! Thanks for your kind words. Watch your email tomorrow afternoon bz I hope to send you those pictures we discussed forever ago of my laundry room. I do need help deciding how to do the trim and you are the queen of mouldings!!

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

You said NO!!!!!! wow, I need to take classes from you.

nikkicrumpet said...

Congrats to Ashley and her team. And congrats to YOU for saying NO! Gosh did they not stop to think about the expense for you to make another pot!!! That's an awful lot to ask of anyone! And I love the scripture you quoted. We have to really on heaven...because nobody making stupid decisions can mess that up!

Amelia said...

Sometimes "No" is the best thing even if it hard to say it. Doing something when your heart is not in it can oft times lead to utter chaos. Congrats to Ashley and her team for their hard work.


God will continue to bless you.

Bo said...

aawww, Rhonda...when I read this my heart went out to you...but I really liked your chili solution! Say congratulations to your Ashley & her team for me...good job!
;-) Bo

Justabeachkat said...

Gosh, I love the scripture...perfect!

Congrats to Ashley!

We voted early...no lines for us today. Yeah! I'm praying hard McCain will pull this out.

Hugs!
Kat

Dawn said...

I like your clever solution to the chili making :)

It took me a while but I have learned to say NO. I do it more and more with less guilt.

I'm glad Ashley's team did well. I'm sure she appreciates all that you do for her.

Yes, today is the day that all these months of campaining will pay off for someone! I did my duty and voted after school.

take care,
Dawn

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Congratulations to Ashley and her team. What cute girls. One time, I was asked to make mayonaise for a luncheon. I really intended to do it, but ran short on time; bought Helman's mayo; added a little lemon & a little sugar, and presented it in a tupperware tub. The lady who told me it needed to be homemade said it was the best she had ever had and asked to keep the remainder of it!!! I am still waiting for her to ask me for the recipe!! laurie

Pink Slippers said...

I can never say No either but then find myself complaining. Yikes. God needs to help me with it.
Wendy

ksarra said...

Hooray to you for supporting your daughter! I know the memories of you being there for her will remain with her always. Hey, that chili looks goooood!

Picket said...

Go Ashley!!!! Congrats to that beautiful daughter and her team...girl I still hadn't learned to say no..anytime my kids are having a function at work they call and want me to cook something!! lol lol I have a quick chili recipe that only takes a few minutes and cooks a huge pot full..fantastic with cornbread...I gotta start getting my stuff together to make cakes and chicken & dressing and sweet potatoe casserole ..lordy...I think I need to go get a snack! lol lol have a great night girl!

Theresa @ Take A Sentimental Journey said...

CONGRATS ashley ! And Rhonda the chili sounds so good . We are going to have to change your name to Sandra girl .

Anonymous said...

Way to go Ashley! She is so darn cute! That chili looks pretty good too~

Anonymous said...

Hi Rhonda!! That chili sounds delicious!! Oh, congrats to Ashley! My daughter was a volley ball player all through high school.
Thanks for stopping in to see me.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Darlene said...

Congratulations Ashley and her team...WAY TO GO!!!!! Your chili does look and sound FABULOUS!

Bella Della said...

Hey there. Sorry I have not dropped by in a while. I was glad to see you on mine tonight!

Way to go Ashley! Her grandparents are missing out.

And how creative with the chili- you go girl.

Missy Wertz said...

You did good with your yard saling! Kewl finds!!!

Scripture and the words you put with it are so true. We are of the Kingdom of the Lord and His Kingdom cannot be shaken.

Whatever the outcome, God is in control. It will still be His man. Whether to show us mercy or discipline. Of course, we would all prefer mercy.

Anonymous said...

Hello Rhonda,

It's lovely to hear from you! :) Love that verse you shared.

Congrats to your daughter and her team!

Blessings!

Natalia said...

The grandparents thing struck a chord with me...my daughter experiences that, but with an Aunt. Sad. I think a grandparent doing that would be worse for her...and me. Stinky. I hope my priorities are squarely in line when I'm a grandma.

That chili recipe is one I can totally handle, lol! I did something similar last year but it was with baked beans and I added Portuguese linguica and a little barbecue sauce...of all beans at the cookout mine were the first to go and my pyrex was scraped clean :).

Voted and am watching results now.

Vanessa Greenway said...

Very comforting verse. I was just thinking "what's gonna come next?" and I came to check your post out. Hugs, Vanessa

Suzann said...

You go girl! Volleyball is awesome!!
Ah the election, the voting, the prayer. I voted, I watched, I'm praying.

Kristen said...

Congratulations to Ashley and you! Your chili sounds great!

SmilingSally said...

I read a book titled, When I Say No, I Feel Guilty." It may still be on your library shelves. It's a good one to read for occasions like this. However, you turned this experience around into a terrific post, and Ashley's win is exciting!

Kim's Treasures said...

Congrats to Ashley!!!

Unfortunately, even with my daughter in college, I am STILL having to make things cuz I can't say no! She and her bf belong to Intervarsity Christian Fellowship and are on the exec team. Whenever the group doesn't get enough help with the food for events...her bf's mom and I are the ones filling in the blanks and it's usually with the expensive main dish things. Then I feel bad for grumbling...sigh!

Hope you have a great day!
Kim

Kathi said...

Thanks for sharing this verse. It is very comforting.

Kathi

Monogram Queen said...

Congrats to Ashley (G-parents loss!)

Congrats to you on the awesome chilli and finally saying No!

I love the ending to your post.

Liz Harrell said...

Hey! I LOVE your chili idea! That's genius!

Essential Oil Premier University said...

Too bad the grandparents missed out. We let our, local living, grandparents know when our daughter is cheering at a game and God bless my father in law. He makes every one. My MIL comes when she can. I know it means the world to our daughter too (and us!)

Good idea on the chili and yes, NO is a complete sentence!

Blessings,

Sher

Rue said...

Hi Rhonda :)

Congratulations to Ashley and her team!! Hot dogs and chili sound goooood :)

hugs,
rue

Michelle said...

prayer...we need a lot more of it....Good post!

Congrats to Ashley...

Heather said...

I can never say No either. My worst......trait. I am always afraid I am going to hurt someone's feelings or upset them. And then I usually end up suffering. Why is it so hard?
Congrats to Ashley and her team! WOOHOO!!! That is fantastic!
Hey......I noticed something real purty in the picture with the stacked cans of chili...........are those measuring cups and spoons I see hanging from that beautiful silver sculpture???? Have you ever shown pictures of your kitchen? I am dying to see the place where you whipped up the "Just Say No Chili"!! he he he
HUGS
Heather:)

Unknown said...

That chili sounds like it turned out good! And good for you for saying no - something I'm trying to work on also.

Love that verse, too - very fitting.

tincanlily said...

I like your chili fixer upper! I agree with you Sandra Lee has done quite well with Semi Homemade! She has really grown on me over the past few years.
I love chili!
denise

Nancy Rosalina said...

Hi Rhonda, I bet that was good! Oh, I love the measuring spoons and cups...LOL!!!! Nancy