Political Theater

For as long as I live, I will never forget February 4, 2020.  Not just the date of the yearly SOTU address, but the date that I realized that my right to state my opinion ceased to exist.

It began with the President listing his achievements (which he believes to be the best that has ever been in the existence of mankind, mind you), and giving a spotlight to several special guests.  Some of those individuals inspired patriotism, such as the father returning home to his family, and the last surviving member of the Tuskegee Airmen.  Some were about celebration... a child that survived after being born at 21 weeks, as well as another little girl that received a scholarship to attend the school of her choice so that she would have an opportunity to excel.  There were tearful moments as well...seeing a father and mother mourn the loss of a daughter killed by ISIS; a man who had lost his brother to a senseless murder by an undocumented immigrant; the lady and her son who had lost their husband and father to the ongoing war in Afghanistan... I will remember that thirteen year old boy put an arm around his mother with a look of concern and compassion, even though he had lost so much as well.  The President also gave a high honor to a man dying from cancer that has spent decades sharing his political thoughts and opinions, such as they are.

No matter what side of the aisle you may be on, those moments meant something.

Each guest had a story.  Each guest was given a moment that we, as fellow citizens, shared in their celebration or pain.  Those moments were a part of what makes America the amazing country it is.  No matter who you are or where you come from, you are part of the fabric that weaves this great nation together.

Then, the "paper rip heard around the world".  I don't know if it was pre-planned as some have suggested, or that it was a culmination of frustration and anger.  I have no idea what was in our Speaker's heart or mind, but what I witnessed was a childish fit of temper that completely disregarded and destroyed those moments of those honored guests.  Although I'm usually careful to keep my political affiliation private on social media, I posted my thoughts on Facebook in four sentences made of five words.  "Disrespectful.  Childish.  Emotionally unstable.  Pathetic."

1.  Disrespectful = the lack of due regard for the feelings, wishes, rights, or traditions of others.  

I was in my mid-twenties when President Clinton was impeached in the House.  I remember the anger and frustration of the Republican party when he wasn't impeached in the Senate.  However, what I know (and, in some manner, took for granted) was that our government officials would still show the respect and honor due to the Office of the President, regardless of the man's character, choices or policies. Former Speaker Gingrich showed that deference to the Office of President Clinton.  

For eight years, I heard ranting, raving, some ludicrous accusations, anger and frustration with President Obama from those on the right side of the aisle.  However, I did not witness former Speakers Boehener or Ryan show disrespect for the Office President Obama held.

Our present Speaker has not shown any respect for the Office of this President.  It didn't escape my notice that our Speaker broke tradition when she announced our Commander in Chief.  

Speaker Pelosi Announcing President Trump 2020

I also remember this reaction in the 2019 SOTU:

The Pelosi Clap-back

Disrespectful.

2.  Childish = having or showing an emotional or intellectual development appropriate to someone younger. 

I think a clearer statement would have been a lack of self-control, which is childish behavior.  Yes, we all have a boiling point and we all can "loose it", so to speak, but to do so on such a public platform is simply not what adults do.

3.  Emotionally unstable = extreme emotional outburst.

All I could think of when I saw that reaction, and then heard her reasoning: "it was the courteous thing to do, considering the alternative."  What was the alternative, I wonder?  

As a woman, I was disgusted by a behavior that men have been accusing women of for centuries... we're too emotional to handle the important things.

I feel that her reaction set women back decades.  Here is an reasonably intelligent woman, third in line to the highest office in the country, and she pulls a stunt like that.  To me, it doesn't show strength, but weakness. It gives misogynists an opportunity to further denigrate women.  "Must be her time of the month.  Oh, she must of had a hot flash." 

4.  Pathetic = Absurd = ridiculously unreasonable, unsound.

The only thing that paper rip did was further divide a country that is already bitterly embattled.

Because I stated my opinion in the form of those four sentences on Facebook, I had four relationships damaged, possibly for good. I truly hope not, and I grieve because of it.  

One was with a woman that I thought of as a favorite aunt or a second mom.  She's known me since I was eight years old.  Forty-three YEARS.  I spent hours in her home and consider her daughter as a younger sister.  However, that relationship, crafted over decades, didn't matter.  I needed to be taught a lesson.  She informed me I had been blinded by Satan, saying that I had become a "lover of my own self instead of a lover of God."  A meme she shortly posted after declared that anyone who cared more about someone tearing up a piece of paper didn't care about civility, but power.  

Two other relationships were with former students of mine.  I had been their music and/or piano teacher from the time they were in first and third grade, respectively until their seventh grade years.  They were quick to remind me of all of President Trump's failings, bad behaviors, inconsistencies and lies.  One of the students symbolically mocked me because I called the constant comparisons between the President and Speaker playground arguments.  "He did it first.  He's mean.  He's disrespectful. What he's done is so much worse".

The last one, which upset me the most was from a piano student's dad.  Ironically, I've known him for the least amount of time, only a year or two, but have taught his child for almost four.  Like the others, he educated me on all of Trump's bad behaviors in a meme that ended with telling me to "take a seat".  That ending statement, although not his own personally, was obviously what he wanted to say to me, and that was to shut up and sit down.

What bothered me was that those statements so quickly posted on my wall completely disregarded the relationship I had built with those people.  Some I'd had for decades, some for only months.  Relationships that I'd nurtured with nothing but kindness, understanding and respect.  They were out to prove that not only was I obviously stupid, but horribly wrong... that I had no right to state my opinion, because they assumed I'm blindly loyal to a man, party or news organization that only demonizes their side of the aisle. (Which is not the case, by the way.)  That I needed to sit down and shut up.

This is what political theater does.  It causes false assumptions, fans the flames of hatred, resorts to childish playground antics and arguing that further divides our nation.

One of President Lincoln's best known speeches is from his address to the Republican Party's nomination to run for Senator of Illinois.  The best-known quote is this:

"A house divided against itself, cannot stand.  I believe this government cannot endure, permanently, half slave and half free.  I do not expect the Union to be dissolved-- I do not expect the house to fall-- but I do expect it will cease to be divided.  It will become all one thing or all the other.  Either the opponents of slavery will arrest the further spread of it, and place it where the public mind shall rest in the belief that it is in the course of ultimate extinction; or its advocates will push it forward, till it shall become lawful in all the States, old as well as new-- North as well as South."

Post Script:  Lincoln lost the campaign to Democratic incumbent Steven A. Douglas, who accused Lincoln as being "an abolitionist for saying that the American Declaration of Independence applied to blacks as well as whites".

However, what some may not realize is that these words have been around for millennia.  In fact, Jesus Christ is the Author of those words.  The quote is found in three of the Gospels, Matthew 12:25, Mark 3:25, and Luke 11:17.  Matthew 12:25 says "And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand."

After this moment, I'm not going to post any opinion that can be viewed as "political" on social media.  I refuse to be a part of the theatrics, drama and division of this country.  Yes, I have a right to state my opinion, but I've learned that in respect to politics, civility, kindness, respect and tolerance are no more.  In fact, they no longer exist. 

New Tasty Tuesday

When I was more of a faithful blogger several years ago, I shared recipes I'd either considered as old standbys or new ones that I'd found on Pinterest.

I even had spiffy labels for them:  Muffin Mondays, Tasty Tuesdays, Awesome Appetizers, Bountiful Breakfasts, Breaking Bread, Cookie Crumbles, Delectable Desserts, Scrumptious Salads, Simple Suppers, Substantial Soups & Sassy Sides.  I'll admit it.  I'm a sucker for descriptive alliteration.  What can I say?

I thought for this Tasty Tuesday, I'd share a new recipe for Lasagna.  It's from Ree Drummond, aka The Pioneer Woman.  I just love her!  The chick keeps it real.  I've even seen inside her kitchen drawers at the infamous ranch!  It's wonderfully messy organization & I love it!

Just in case you may not believe me, here I am standing in Ree's kitchen at the Lodge! (Please ignore the hair.  We were in Oklahoma, where "the wind comes sweeping down the plain"!)

I digress.  Anyway, here's The Pioneer Woman's recipe for Spinach-Artichoke Lasagna!

Lasagna Noodles:

Kosher salt

12 lasagna noodles 

Zucchini:

2 zucchini, cut into long thin strips (about 10 slices)

2 tablespoons olive oil 

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Spinach:

2 tablespoons salted butter

18 ounces spinach 

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Alfredo:

6 tablespoons salted butter

1/4 cup all-purpose flour 

3 cloves garlic, grated 

4 cups milk, heated 

1 cup heavy cream, heated 

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

3 cups grated Parmesan 

Two 14-ounce cans artichoke hearts, drained and chopped 

1/2 cup store-bought pesto 

Ricotta Mix:

8 ounces ricotta cheese

1/4 cup grated Parmesan 

1 large egg yolk, whisked

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Layers:

Butter, for buttering the baking dish

24 deli-sliced mozzarella slices (I used shredded mozzarella)

Torn fresh basil, for garnish

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

1. For the lasagna: Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil in a pot; season the water with salt. Add the lasagna noodles and cook until al dente, about 7 minutes. Drain and lay the noodles flat on a baking sheet. Set aside. (I used oven-ready noodles, and they turned out great!)
2. For the zucchini: Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Put the zucchini slices in a bowl, drizzle with the oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add the slices to the grill pan and cook on both sides until grill marks appear, about 2 minutes per side. Remove to a plate and set aside.
3. For the spinach: In a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Remove to a sieve set over a bowl to drain excess liquid; set aside.
4. For the Alfredo: In the same skillet over medium heat, melt the butter. Sprinkle in the flour, whisking to form a roux, and cook over medium-low heat for 2 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Slowly add the hot milk and cream, whisking until smooth, and cook until thickened, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the heat. Season with salt and pepper. Fold in the Parmesan, artichoke hearts and pesto. Set aside.
5. For the ricotta mix: In a medium bowl, add the ricotta, Parmesan and egg yolk and mix to combine. Season with salt and pepper.
6. For the layers: Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish.
7. To assemble the lasagna: Spread 1 cup of the Alfredo sauce on the bottom of the buttered baking dish. Add a layer of 3 lasagna noodles. Add 1 1/2 cups Alfredo sauce and spread evenly. Scatter the spinach evenly on top. Add a layer of 6 mozzarella slices. Add a layer of 3 lasagna noodles. Add 1 1/2 cups Alfredo and spread evenly. Add the ricotta mixture and spread evenly. Add a layer of 6 mozzarella slices. Add a layer of 3 lasagna noodles. Add 1 1/2 cups of Alfredo and spread evenly. Add a layer of 6 mozzarella slices. Add the zucchini slices. Add the remaining 3 lasagna noodles. Spread the remaining Alfredo evenly over the top of the noodles. Top with the remaining 6 slices of mozzarella.
8. Bake until browned and bubbly, 40 to 45 minutes. Allow the lasagna to sit for 10 to 20 minutes before serving. Top with lots of torn fresh basil.

(Yep, these were my leftovers from Ree's restaurant at the Mercantile).  Yum!

Seeking God's Kingdom

I don't know exactly how it happened.  All my good intentions went right out the window within a matter of hours.  However, I haven't forgotten about my key word for the year...purpose.  In fact, that word has been at the forefront of my mind on a daily basis.

I was talking with one of my sweet friends yesterday, and she admitted that she's walking through some of the same valleys I'm dealing with right now.  Feelings of disquiet.  Discontentment.  Discouragement.  Wondering exactly how to make our lives count.

It was no coincidence that our pastor spoke on those exact things yesterday.  In Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, (specifically Matthew 6:25-34) He taught that we are not to worry about necessary or even unnecessary needs.  After all, the birds can always find a meal.  The grasses that have a short life span are thoughtfully and carefully arrayed with colorful blossoms.  If God cares about these supposedly small, unimportant things, how much more does He care about me?

Only idolaters seek after and worry about worldly things.  They have no trust in God. However, as a Christian, I am to seek what God wants and what He's up to...the business of His kingdom.  His righteousness...value and character.  I am to rely on His promise of provision...He will take care of the necessities of life.  I'm to only concern myself with what God's provided me with.  In other words, I'm to trade my agenda for God's agenda and not be consumed by temporary things.

That leaves me thinking about God's provision.  He's given me my health, a loving husband, three amazing children and nice home.  I have wonderful friends and a sweet church family. I've been given opportunity for ministry.   Only God alone knows the outcome of my life.  I just need to seek Him daily and take care of the blessings He's given me.

Hello, Again!

Well, I've decided to dive back into the blogosphere again...maybe not everyday, but at least once a week.

So, on that note, hello, again!  If we haven't met, my name is Shelly.  I consider myself a homemaker, but am also a preschool music teacher, piano and voice instructor, as well as nursery coordinator and children's choir director for my church.  I've been married for 22 years to my sweet husband.  We have 3 teenagers... 2 daughters and a son.  This blog is dedicated to encourage like-minded women that want to live a life that pleases the Lord.  I in NO way consider myself to have all the answers or want to set myself up to be a standard of "this is THE way, walk ye in it!"  I have not arrived spiritually.  I'm learning and growing every day.  

Maybe it's my age... (51 - yikes!) maybe it's the idea of a new decade... I'm not sure.  But, somehow, this upcoming new year has me assessing the life I've lived, choices I've made, and what I've deemed as "important".  Don't misunderstand... I've always wanted to live a life that pleases the Lord, but I haven't keep it at the forefront in my mind.  I've been reviewing my life lately, and I realize I've been falling short.

Time for total transparency here.  

I waste entirely too much time in things that simply don't matter.  Facebook.  Netflix.  TV.  Pinterest.  You get the idea.  Not that all of those things are bad.  It's the amount of time/importance that I place on them.  It's what I may let "slide" by.  

I also don't do things that are best for my health.  I worry/get angry about things I can't control.  Ingest food items that have no real nutritional value whatsoever, but just taste good.  I live a sedentary lifestyle.

I've also neglected to work on the gifts/talents the Lord has given me.  Piano and vocal practice, spending quality time on lesson preparations.

I feel as if I've let things slip.  My homemaking.  My quiet time.  My relationships.

I now acknowledge that these feelings of disquiet are from the Lord.  Yes, He is a loving father, but a loving Father also admonishes His children.  He's not condemning me, but allowing me to recognize my shortcomings.  That way, with His help, I can transform into the woman that glorifies Him.  I'm so grateful that He still speaks to me, even though I've failed Him.  

With much prayer and consideration, I'm making the year of 2020 be my year of 20/20 vision.  To seek the Lord faithfully.  To look at each upcoming day as a gift.  To make my life matter for His kingdom.  

I'm not one to make New Year's resolutions.  I usually fail by the end of the first week!  This year, however, I've decided to claim a key word.  That key word is purpose.  I want everything I do to have purpose.

How I spend my time.  What I eat.  How I manage my home.  What I talk about with my friends. How I teach my sweet students. 

I want it all to have purpose.

Harried and Frazzled!

It's been a very busy week for me so far.  No posts for Tasty Tuesday or for Wisdom Wednesdays.  Please pray for my mom as she's struggling with the pain of shingles.  We spent almost all day yesterday in the ER. Her blood pressure is extremely high and she's in severe pain.

It seems as if everything happens at once and I have 3 billion things to do.  I forgot my son's dentist appointment yesterday and didn't complete homeschool.  Hopefully I can get back into the groove tomorrow.  Right now, I'm trying to get Popsicle in gear to complete her school so that we can run into town to get my mom's windshield repaired this afternoon ~ hopefully it will be done in time so that I can get back in time for me to teach my piano lesson, make dinner, get the kids to AWANA and direct choir practice this evening.

This is the day that the Lord has made ~ I will rejoice and be glad in it!

(Sorta) Muffin Monday

I guess these aren't actual muffins per se, but I'm using poetic licence and declaring it muffin-ish because #1 ~ You can still eat it with your hands, and #2 ~ It's just plain yummy! Biscuits!  These are just about the easiest biscuits I've ever made. Thank you, Pioneer Woman!  (I just love her ~ she's absolutely adorable!)

Southern-Style (aka) Self-Rising Buttermilk Biscuits

The Pioneer Woman

Ingredients:

2-1/2 c buttermilk 

(or if you don't have buttermilk:)
 2-1/3 c whole milk + 3 T white vinegar

6 c self-rising flour, plus more for kneading

1-1/2 t salt ** (see note below)

3/4 c lard (or shortening or butter or a combination of the three)

melted salted butter, for brushing

Oven: 475*

** Ree says that if you're using salted butter, cut down on the salt that's in the recipe.**

Directions:

If you're making your own buttermilk, stir vinegar into milk.  Let set 10 minutes.

Sift flour and salt together into a large bowl.

Use a pastry cutter to cut in the fat of your choice until the size of small peas.

Slowly pour in wet ingredients, stirring until it just comes together.

Flour your working surface, and plop out the dough.  Knead 10-15 times, adding flour until it's less sticky.

Roll out dough 1/3 to 1/2 inch thick.  Cut out biscuits and place on a baking sheet 1/2 inch apart.

Bake exactly 10 minutes.  Remove from oven & brush with the melted butter.

* I think you could cut these a little larger & adjust baking time about a minute or two.  Split & fill with scrambled eggs. bacon or sausage, and a slice of cheese.  Wrap in a piece of foil (or napkin) ~ and voila!  Breakfast to go!

Fitness Friday

Time for transparancy.  Here goes.

I've struggled with my weight from the time I was in 5th grade.  I remember sweating in the dressing room of a department store at the age of 11 or 12, trying to squeeze into a jean skirt ~ only to realize it wasn't about to zip because of my pudgy belly. Frustrated, I squirmed out of the skirt, thankful for the sudden freedom.

"I think we need this in a larger size," I remember my mom telling the saleslady.  "What size do you have?" the nice lady asked.  "A size 14," my mom replied quietly as she handed the skirt to the salesperson.  Then the seemingly sweet lady gave a sigh and cooed, "I'm sorry, but that's the largest size they come in.  Perhaps you can find something in the women's department," she then added in a disparaging tone.

My mom's eyes met mine in the mirror.  And in that instant, I knew.  I was fat.  As I studied my red, sweaty face, stringy hair and the fat rolls above my flower panties,  I felt ashamed.  Already, I had witnessed most of my friends beginning that "wonderful" transitioning of girlhood to adolescence.  They were getting thinner waists, hips, and, most importantly, boobs.  They had the beginnings of the coveted hourglass figure.   I, on the other hand, was more like a wine glass ~ round ~ well, everywhere except where it mattered!

So I withdrew.  Sure, I still went along with the flow of life, but I felt inferior.  And, of course, the criticism and teasing of so-called "friends" only added to my pre-pubescent angst.  Because of that, I ate.  I could eat an entire bag of Doritos from the grocery store to my house.  I chugged bottles of Pepsi.  I gorged on candy bars, cookies, and cakes.  I ate plates of spaghetti.  I even remember eating 7 tacos in one sitting. All the while, I hated myself.  And because I had such low self-worth, I allowed people to treat me like dirt.

That was my life until I was 15 years old.  I don't know what happened, but something clicked within me that I had had enough.  I was tired of being the butt of jokes, being left out ~ being ~ insignificant.

I began to exercise.  I had this LP record of ~ all things! ~ country aerobics.  I sweated.  I struggled!  I was in pain!  But within a couple of weeks, I could tell a difference.  My skirts were looser ~ I wasn't out of breath in PE class when we had to run.  In fact, by the time the 400 meter dash came around later in the semester, I came in 3rd place ~ right behind the track girls.  Sweet victory! ~ that is, until I puked my guts out all over the finish line! Oh, well.

However, my eating had changed, but not for the good.  I simply didn't eat.  No more breakfasts ~ only a Pepsi for lunch ~ and a lettuce salad with oil, vinegar and seasoning salt for dinner.  I did eat pretty healthy on the weekends, because we ate together as a family and what I ate was noticed.

Finally, by my senior year, I had arrived at my goal weight: 110 pounds.  Dress size ~ 2's and 3's.  I was wearing the cutest clothes that showed off my Barbie-like figure.  I was the fashion plate!  I had finally arrived!  

Then came college.  I became so busy, I quit exercising.  I had classes straight from 7:30 until 11:30 with no break.  Because my next class wasn't until 1pm, I ate out almost every day.  If money was tight, I dined on what I could find in the vending-machines.  When I arrived home, it was time for homework, piano practice, traveling over the weekends with a singing group, or my part-time job.  By the time I had graduated, I had gained  a little over 25 pounds.

My once-size 3 figure grew into a size 8, a size 12, and then (gasp!) a size 14.  (I know, right? I was huge! Not!)   However, the self-loathing returned, full-force.  Once again, the name-calling started.  Again, the critical comments arrived. "Honey, you couldn't squeeze into a size 12 if you wanted to." ~ that was said by my "best friend".  To top it all off, the guy I thought I was in love with had the audacity to tell me that he couldn't commit to me because I had a "fat" stomach and that he "couldn't compliment me honestly." (However, when I look back at pictures of myself at that time, I now realize how great I looked!  120-140 pounds was not fat! I wish I could be "fat" like that now!)

Add 17 years and 3 pregnancies later.  I reached a size 18-20, and tipped the scales almost 100 pounds heavier.  I was miserable, ashamed, and felt as if I were a total failure.

Those feelings stayed with me until a little over a year ago.  I despised my gluttony, but I couldn't stop, and that scared me.  (I think it's very important to mention that my husband has never ~ and I stress ~ never had an issue with my weight, but he has worried about my health.)  I realized that it was time to analyze myself and be completely honest.  Yes, I am fat. Morbidly obese being the clinical term.  Yes, I am an emotional eater, but I can no longer allow food to be a solace.  I also cannot continue to excuse my gluttony or allow any excuse for my condition.  I had to make changes in my life.  So I took a small step to give up something I didn't think I could ever live without ~ Dr. Pepper.

November 1st marked the first year of being "clean", and boy, does it feel good!  No more bloated, rock-hard stomach that made me look like I was 9 months pregnant ~ no more heartburn ~ and, as an extra bonus ~ that my husband totally loves ~ is that I'm saving almost $30 a month by not purchasing it!

Exercise is now a constant in my life.  I was walking almost 3 miles a day until I developed plantar fasciitus. I couldn't walk. Terrifying thoughts of putting back on the weight made me sick to my stomach.  However, I learned from the podiatrist that I had lost almost 30 pounds!  That kept me motivated, so I didn't begin that downward spiral of emotional eating yet again.

I've maintained my weight loss during my hiatus, and have recently taken up walking again ~ only about 1-1/2 miles every other day.  Even during these recent freezing temperatures, I feel revitalized and energized.

I also use a fitness ball and do 2 types of Zumba on the other 3 days.  (I don't have the funds ~ or the desire ~ to go to a gym.  I did the majority of my walking there last year, but hated it. Walking around a track gets monotonous after a while, plus I got tired of keeping track of what lap I was on!)

Yes, I still love food ~ but I strongly believe in moderation.  As Giada de Laurentiis said in a magazine interview I read recently, "Eat a little of everything ~ but not a lot of anything."  She also emphasized eating 5 small meals a day.  She also suggested to eat the more carb-friendly foods early, like around lunchtime, where you will have time to burn off the extra calories.  She also mentioned that eating protein at dinner will hold you over until breakfast the next morning.

Just to verify, I will continue to use butter and cream in my cooking, but I will only eat a small portion of the finished product ~ not the whole thing.  I will make certain lifestyle changes, but I'm not going to go radical. I've seen too many people loose enormous amounts of weight by exercising like crazy and only eat low-calorie food.  After they loose their desired weight, and feel great, they inevitably go back to their former lifestyle.  They put almost every pound back on. Sometimes even with a few extra to spare.  

I don't want to do that.  I believe it's a change in your mindset and attitude as much as your diet.  I'm happy to say that I no longer view food as a solace.  It's fuel.  Fuel to be enjoyed and savored ~ why else would God give us taste buds?  Fuel to get us moving.

The most important realization came to me very recently.  I had left out the most significant facet of all:  God. My worth/value is found in Him ~ not in my own eyes or in the eyes of others.  Only in Him.  He loves me, wants me to make my body the best temple I can be for His service.  If that isn't divine motivation or intervention, I don't know what is!  

I plan on loosing this weight slowly.  After all, it took me years to put it all on ~ I can't expect to take it off in a few months.  

I will try to write a little each month about my fitness journey.  Hope you stop by!