Holy Week

As we make our way through the holiest week in the Christian calendar, I am struck by the amount of hate being spewed toward others in the name of the Christian faith.

Many of the posts I have seen propound putting God back in schools, government, and other secular institutions.  I would like to encourage all of my readers to go back to the document that founded our great country.  Count up the number of times you find the word "God" in the Constitution.  It should not take that much time.  In fact, there is not one single mention of God anywhere to be found.

In fact, the word religion also does not appear.  Nor does separation of church and state.  That phrase was actually Thomas Jefferson's interpretation of the Amendment.  The actual wording is, "Congress shall make NO law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. "

It seems that a large portion of the Christians in this country have forgotten how and why our country was formed.  The fact that the early settlers who came to the Americas fled to this continent because of religious persecution.  Those pilgrims were looking for a place to worship in their own way. Where along our timeline did that principle disappear?  

By enacting laws allowing discrimination on the basis of religion, states are in direct violation of the Amendment as to an establishment of religion.  In truth, the only tenet common across all religions, from Christianity to Wicca, is that of love.  Perhaps it is time the United States remembers that.

Love,

Jerri

Dear Indiana:

My apologies

I am so sorry!  My blog may be intermittent this week as I'm fighting allergies and extreme exhaustion.  I will do my best!

Love,

Jerri

A Quick Note

It seems Facebook has changed some of its programming yet again.  Numerous pages have had their "Likes" dropped from inactivity.  I, unfortunately, have also fallen victim to the new programming.

If you haven't done so yet, please head over to Jerri's Empty Nest on Facebook and give it a "Like" when you have a chance.

If you already have liked the page, please head over and make sure yours was not one of the likes that was dropped.  If you still like the page, remember to "like" the individual posts that you enjoy.  This interaction with the page will ensure that your "Like" of the page will remain active.

Thank you all so much!!

Love,
Jerri

https://www.facebook.com/JerrisEmptyNest

Purple Perfection

A sweet treat!

Ingredients:

1 box grape gelatin
1 can blueberry pie filling
1 20 oz can crushed pineapple (DO NOT DRAIN)
1 cup mini marshmallows
1 cup slivered almonds

Directions:

With one cup boiling water, thoroughly dissolve grape gelatin in a large bowl.  Add pie filling and crushed pineapple, mixing thoroughly.  Place in refrigerator until it just begins to thicken.  Remove bowl and stir in marshmallows and almonds.  Pour into a 9x13 pan and chill.

Enjoy!!!

Free Relief

Stress relief does not have to be costly.  As a matter of fact, the best methods are free!  Here is a short list to get you started:

1.  Call a friend.  Remember, when venting, let it out and let it go.

2.  Take a walk.  The exercise will release endorphins which will immediately make you feel better.

3.  Do your nails.  Pick a color that makes you happy.

4.  Have a sweet treat.  Don't overdo the calories, just enough to put a smile on your face.

5.  Cuddle with your pet.  Petting an animal is proven to lower blood pressure and alleviate stress.

6.  Spend time doing a handicraft you enjoy.  Creating beauty soothes the soul.

7.  Stand up straight.  As we become stressed, we slump.  You'll instantly feel better.

8.  Give to others.  Whether your time or energy, giving to others brings gladness to you.

9.  Have a marathon.  Pick your favorite show, curl up and enter another world.

10. Read fiction.  Living someone else's life...even for a few moments...takes you out of your own problems.

These are just a few of the endless ways to relieve stress, pamper yourself, and make your day a bit better.  Enjoy!!

Love,
Jerri

Pamper

Another way to relieve stress is to pamper yourself.  This doesn't have to be an expensive trip to the spa.  It can be as simple as setting aside some time to do something you love.  

Pampering yourself is not selfish.  Women are frequently taught by society and the way they were raised that such actions are self-indulgent.  Indulgent they are, but they are also necessary to release tension and stress.

Pampering allows you to slow down.  Life moves so incredibly fast.  Taking a few moments to slow down affords you time to breathe.  Just that small action relieves stress.

You cannot take care of any situation or person in your life without taking care of yourself.  That is not a selfish action, it is a matter of survival.

Take thirty minutes this week and do something just for you.  You have earned it!!

Love,

Jerri

Vent

The first way to relieve stress I am going to touch on is venting.  Here is where your girlfriends are invaluable!  

Let me be clear.  Venting is not the same as complaining or bitching.  Venting is the process of getting the stress out of your system.  Once it is out, the process stops.  To continually linger on the source of your stress only continues the stress.  Vent, let it out, and let it go.

Remember, when you have vented...whether it be to a girlfriend, spouse, friend, or family member...be courteous and caring.  Allow that person the same privilege and listen with love as they vent.

So vent.  Let it out.  Let it go.

Love,

Jerri

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

Breaking Up

Yes, please!  Stress seems to taking over my life lately!  This is one break-up I would sincerely welcome.

While there are numerous situations over which I have no control, I do have a modicum of control over my reactions to them.  Obviously, I am not the greatest at this as the stress has been getting to me lately.  

This week, let's focus on ways to manage the stress we all deal with.  Together, we can break up with this monster for good!

Love,

Jerri

Hawaiian Baked Beans

Warning:  Tastes great...but I'm a horrid food photographer!

Ingredients:

1 lb ground turkey or hamburger

1 28 oz. can homestyle baked beans

1 can pineapple chunks, drained

1 can diced tomatoes and green chiles

1/2 cup barbecue sauce

1 Tbsp minced garlic

Directions:

Brown meat.  Spray slow cooker with non-stick spray.  Combine all ingredients until well mixed. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours.

Enjoy!!

A New Page

There has been a new page added to Jerri's Empty Nest!

Like a lot of women, I enjoy my shopping!  With that in mind, I have created a Shopping page on the blog.  As I come across shopping pages I adore, the referral links will be added to that page.

Of course, I began with things close to my little shopping heart!  Wine and shoes!!

Enjoy!

Love,
Jerri

Be This Woman

Admirable

I am blessed to have incredible women as friends.  Whether the loss of a spouse, the loss of a child, cancer survivor, or survivor of physical and/or emotional abuse; these are some of the strongest, most loving women in the world.

It would be easy for me to be envious.  But that is not what I feel.  I admire them, I strive to be more like them, and I love them.  Having them in my life only makes me a better person.  

This is what I wish I could get young women to comprehend.  Seek out these women in your world. Bring them into your circle.  Make these types of women "your girls" and hold them in your heart.  It will lift you up, raise them, and make the world a more joyful, peaceful place.

I have my circle, my girls.  Find yours...you already have me!

Love,

Jerri

Women vs. Women

Some of the nastiest comments I see online are from young women directed at other women.  Why? Have we created such a competitive society that our young adults believe that part of succeeding must consist of tearing someone else down?

From fat shaming to calling other women "THOT", there seems no end to the vitriole that young women are spewing.  If there is one thing I could impart to that generation...it is that supoorting each other makes you stronger.  Attacking another woman only hurts all women.  There are enough forces at work in this world attacking women, from ISIS to the rapes in India, that we do not need to attack at each other.

We are stronger together.  A true judge of character is how you treat the least among us.  Raise up every woman.

Love,

Jerri

Straight to the Heart

Last week was my birthday.  My youngest posted the following status on Facebook, making me the proudest mom ever!

Today is my mom's birthday. This woman is the epitome of not giving up. She has gone through a lot this past year yet she still graduated college, got a job at a law firm, and is just awesome all around. She is my motivation to keep pushing no matter what youre going through. So please, wish my mom, the strongest woman i know, a happy birthday.

How lucky am I??  I have such an incredible son and I am so proud of the man he has become.  

You'll just have to excuse this post...this mom had to get her brag on!!

Love,

Jerri

It's Time!

Yum??

Movie Night!

Rock-n-Roll!!

Birthday Girl

Tres Chic!

Vroom, Vroom!

A Look Back...Waaaaaaaaaaaay Back!

In honor of my birthday this week, I will be posting pictures each day from my birth year.

For some of my readers, it will be a remembrance.  For others, it will be a history lesson!

Enjoy the pictures and the trip down Memory Lane!

Love,
Jerri