Author: Christy Petty

Aspiring to be the Christian Gluten Free Queen of the World. I love writing/blogging, painting, decorating, grand mothering, cooking, helping others BE gluten free, old movies, family, God, animals, my kids, my grandkids, my husband, talking about adoption. I know about painting murals, cooking gluten free, being a mother in law, special needs, cleft palates, Pierre Robin, Celiac, marriage, faith, God, sons, dogs, cats, gardening, a little bit of horses, building a house and living life blessed.
Posted in Exhort Pray Praise...

Why I Can’t Just Say, “To Hell!” With Hell (Even If I Wanted To)

Posted on by Christy Petty

Bryan Daniel’s explains the idiocy of universalism well here:

Why I Can’t Just Say, “To Hell!” With Hell (Even If I Wanted To).

I had no knowledge of this heresy until recently, and then I found that this idea (and it is an idea not a truth) has been going on for years. Different preachers and venues, but same heresy. Actually it was presented first to man, by Satan, in the garden of Eden, ; Then the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die.” Genesis 3:4

If you believe there is no Hell or that Hell’s ‘eternity’ is different than Heaven’s eternity, your have been deceived.

Posted in Christy's Concepts, Family

Day 05 – A picture of one of your favorite memories-Kirk

Posted on by Christy Petty

The photo challenge for the day, I put off until today. For a couple of reasons, one I was terribly busy yesterday, and it was Sunday, I don’t blog on Sunday usually.  Two, today is Memorial Day and my brother Kirk’s birthday

. Kirk’s birthday has always meant good memories, it  usually not only was close to or on Memorial day, it was also close or on the last day of school. Now Memorial day is a time I remember Kirk.

I have two brothers , Kirk 6 years older and Mike 11 years older Kirk is the tall one, I am the girl,which leaves Mike to be the curly haired dude.

Kirk won a KOOL cigarette contest in high school, and the prize was a sailboat, the boat itself was styrofoam, the sail a big green and white KOOL advertisement.  We  lived on a lake so, perfect! Kirk also took up fishing once we moved to Ransom. Instead of just loading up his boat and sailing off and fishing by his lonely, Kirk got me (through Mom and Dad) a tackle box with the same lueres he had (different colors) He would wake me up on random mornings and we would go ‘fishin’ together. I don’t know why he decided to do this, I never asked, I was thrilled to be with him.

Kirk was in a band called The Nice Guys, they were pretty good. They played all over Lubbock, I got to go to the venues that were bar/restaurants, it was so cool to be ‘part’ of the band.  Kirk wrote music, as well as played just about anything you put in his hands. Guitar was his instrument of choice. Kirk was a funny funny guy, he was the personality of the band, sang and told jokes, looked good too. And he was MY brother.  The Nice Guys came to the house and played for my 16th birthday, I was the ONLY from my class that had a party with a live band!! Did I say they were a good band? one that was paid to play? I was sooooo proud.

Kirk was an amazing artist. His sense of humor combined with his gift he was able to create hilarious art. When Kirk’s wife divorced him he dealt with the misery he was going through with expressing himself through his art. He would send letters with his artwork on the outside of the envelopes. I am so glad we did not have cell phones then! Keith had a collage made of some of the favorites.

Kirk was a long tall guy 6’2″ very lean. Size 13 flat feet wearing either cowboy boots or more often track shoes, those black ones with the white stripes.  Tall thin guys always remind me of Kirk.  A close friend of Brian’s, Brent M, immediately stole my heart when I met him, he talked and walked and moved like Kirk, AND he shares the same birthday!

I love my memories of Kirk. The drawings and paintings I have framed or tucked in a folder. The sound of his voice on the tapes of him and his band. Songs of others, that he used to sing. Map colors, his favorite tool to draw cartoons with. The movie Blazing Saddles, his favorite.

. Monica, his daughter. His pride and joy.

Men who resemble him, Tim Robbins, Bon Jovi (I don’t think so, but people used to tell him that, he thought it hilarious), any tall thin man with a smile. I see these reminders as charms from God to put on my  memory bracelet.   I thank God for all the many charms he left me to remember him by.

Kirk left this world almost 23 years ago. I don’t say died, because he still lives in my heart and memories. He lives eternally with our Lord.  Kirk was 32.

Kirk was addicted to alcohol. He was ready to quit, saw the damage it had done, was doing. Kirk never was a drunk, just had to have alcohol to function. It was taking its toll. Kirk would call and talk to me about how frustrated he was with being addicted, the problems it caused. He wanted to quit.  He decided to, cold turkey. 24 hours in, he started D.T’s. Kirk passed out in the driveway, as he and his fiance were going to the  MD. His 6″2′ frame slung his head to the ground. Kirk died 2 days later, 6 weeks after Evan was born, from the head injuries.

I remember sitting in the hospital room with him, holding his hand. We had been told everything was shutting down, and possibly he was brain dead. They were still getting brain response from the area of the brain for thinking process and reasoning, he was not brain dead,yet. I was talking to that part of Kirk, to Kirk who was listening either there or as he was passing to eternity. I was praying. I remembered to Kirk my favorite song that he wrote. Fields of Clover– One verse is ” Some fine day we will all be there walking hand and hand in that field of clover in the distant land”  I told Kirk I so wanted him to stay, so wanted him to meet his newest nephew. I wanted for him to be healed of his struggles. I wanted him to stay and be with his joy, his daughter Monica. Yet, I knew he was looking at that field of clover. I knew what he was so close to was more wonderful than anything I could want for him. I told him we would meet him in that field of clover someday.

A favorite memory is my Kirk, on this memorial day. A favorite memory that reminds me of a future of walking hand in hand in a distant land. 

Posted in Christy's Concepts

Day 04 – A picture of your night. Photo Challenge

Posted on by Christy Petty

My night is very very dark. We live in the country of West Texas. No lights. It is a cloudy night, wind has been blowing for over 48 hours about 40 mph . The few trees we have around here look tired. There was a storm predicted, it supposedly did rain somewhere west of us, a 100 miles or so away. The moon looks so much closer than my camera shows. It is not a quarter moon, it is just partially covered by the clouds.

I tried to get a picture of a drilling rig, but it is so far away it does not do it justice with the night lense. Rigs lit up at night look like the eiffel tower, or land of oz, they are beautiful at night.  Someday I will get closer to one and post a picture.

Good night– it is bed time

Posted in Christy's Concepts

Day 03 – A picture of the cast from your favorite show- Photo Challenge

Posted on by Christy Petty

I love these guys! At least the characters ;).  Nerdy and not. Misfits and not. Outcasts and not.

I love that the quirky, individuals, all different from each other in so many ways.  The OCD, nerdy, so smart he is oblivious, asexual Sheldon can be ‘friends’ and consoled by the sexual, adorable, ‘under educated’  savey, a bit slobby, laid back, Penny– None of them have anything alike, yet they are the bests of friends– I think we all are misfits, it is those  that accept that, that can accept others and enjoy life and each other.

Posted in Christy's Concepts

Day 2 60 Day Photo Challenge- My longest closest…

Posted on by Christy Petty

#2 A Picture of you and the person you have been close with the longest– I did several 😉I met Keith the summer of 1979. I lived in rural Lubbock area and he in Midland. He liked me, he really liked me! This was my first ‘prom’ type thing, at HIS school, my school did not believe in such things, we only had banquets.  My teeth were not grimy, just covered with braces.

.     We dated long distance all through his senior year.

I got my braces off. Totaled a couple of cars. Keith gave me his senior ring, said it meant HE would date me exclusively. He lied ;).  I did date him exclusively. Yes I know, I am a much better person.

Keith and I and Mr. Winkler , a chaperone,. Dating a guy in an explorer post has it’s perks.  They went on a cruise at the end of his senior year, I joined so I could too! I was not able to raise the $$ with them, so I used my earnings from my most recent totaled car.  In this picture we are  a whole year older– 17 and 18.  Keith gave me a promise ring on this cruise– I roomed with his ex girlfriend– No big deal, remember, I don’t compete. If she did, it had not effect on me 😉

Me being in Lubbock and still in high school persuaded Keith to go to Texas Tech for college.  We were engaged in October. Mom was not happy, she liked Keith but not me being engaged sooooo young. Little did she know she would have much more to be unhappy about later.

I was a pretty good student, sucked at Algebra, but made up for that elsewhere. I was 2 credits short of graduating when I started my senior year, so I arranged my schedule and I graduated in January of 81 instead of May.  Keith had decided to drop out of college, he was doing ok, IF he wanted to, and he did not want to.  We went to Midland for a visit with his parents and instead ended up getting jobs. My mom was PISSED. Any way, moved out of house at 17, got a great paying job (OIL BOOM), and got an apartment with Keith. I came back to Lubbock to walk the to walk,. Jumped in the car right after work and drove the hour and a half straight to the church where graduation was. Rolled up my jeans and put on my high heels, to make it look like I was dressed up under the gown. Put on my gown and my NHS sash– graduated. It was so odd to be with all my class mates them all excited about starting their new lives in a few months, the kind of life I had been living for the past 5 months.  Mom was happy I was there for the pictures.

The Wedding invitations said July 11 and July 11 it was. 

Me 18 Keith 19  SEE>IThis is us about 4 hours before the wedding. My home was on a lake, we had been working our butts off since January and this was our vacation!! We went skiing. Mom was PISSED. I was sunburned.

3 months after being married we were pregnant.  The way we figured it we had been ‘married’ and living together since January, ‘married’ otherwise for about 2 years, it was time to get someone else in the deal.Then 18 months later someone else

five years later someone else

Someone’s have been added. 29, 27 and 22 years I have had them in my life. They I have had in my life more than my parents, my brothers, my grandparents.   But no one has been with me longer than my Keith. Having met Keith at 16 he has been in my life, for 33 years now. That is pretty much 2/3 of my life.   We have been through thick and thin (literally). We have grown physically, mentally and spiritually together. We have been poor together. Had/ have had plenty together.

We have dressed alike ;), starting to look alike I think. We have experienced life like no other’s have, together.  We did missionary work in Uganda, Zambia, and South Africa, something I never dreamed I would do and am blessed to have shared it with Keith. We raised three boys to men. We brought 2 of our children through much pain and illness, watched one die and be revived. We have fought each other and loved each other, anyway. We mourned the death a a brother and 3 parents together. We have disappointed and accepted. We have caused pain and forgiven. We have lived many places; fifth wheel, mobile home, house from hell, house built by our own hands, all we have made a homes, together. We. Keith is is my forever person.

Posted in Christy's Concepts

60 Day Photo Challenge (blog posting challenge too)

Posted on by Christy Petty

A fellow blogger ,Flamydwife, posted this ’60 Day Picture Challenge’ I am joining in. I have slacked a bit lately. A few minor major events have happened. I am revamping my eatage to lose some weight, going Dukan.  Put on a few events here at the house, 2 down, 1 to go. Working on Evan’s apartment some more. Shower is next. Some bad decisions of others have affected my spirit and my Spirit. My cat was struck by lightning, I think.  So I have slacked on the blogging– This will kick me back in.

Here is the ‘what it is’:

Day 01 – A picture of yourself with fifteen facts.
Day 02 – A picture of you and the person you have been close with for the longest.
Day 03 – A picture of the cast from your favorite show.
Day 04 – A picture of your night.
Day 05 – A picture of one of your favorite memories.
Day 06 – A picture of a person you’d love to trade places with for a day.
Day 07 – A picture of your most treasured item.
Day 08 – A picture that makes you laugh.
Day 09 – A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most.
Day 10 – A picture of the person you do the most messed up things with.
Day 11 – A picture of something you hate.
Day 12 – A picture of something you love.
Day 13 – A picture of your favorite band or artist.
Day 14 – A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without.
Day 15 – A picture of something you want to do before you die.
Day 16 – A picture of someone who inspires you.
Day 17 – A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently.
Day 18 – A picture of your biggest insecurity.
Day 19 – A picture of you when you were little.
Day 20 – A picture of somewhere you’d love to travel.
Day 21 – A picture of something you wish you could forget.
Day 22 – A picture of something you wish you were better at.
Day 23 – A picture of your favorite book.
Day 24 – A picture of something you wish you could change.
Day 25 – A picture of your day.
Day 26 – A picture of something that means a lot to you.
Day 27 – A picture of yourself and a family member.
Day 28 – A picture of something you’re afraid of.
Day 29 – A picture that can always make you smile.
Day 30 – A picture of someone you miss.
Day 31 – A picture of a tradition you have.
Day 32 – A picture of a crazy night.
Day 33 – A picture of the house you grew up in.
Day 34 – A picture of your currently most played CD.
Day 35 – A picture of your favorite place to eat.
Day 36 – A picture of your ‘other half’.
Day 37 – A picture of the people you spend most of your time with.
Day 38 – A picture of the best part of your day.
Day 39 – A picture of your favorite movie.
Day 40 – A picture of your favorite Disney character.
Day 41 – A picture of your pet.
Day 42 – A picture of your dream house.
Day 43 – A picture of something you can’t function without.
Day 44 – A picture of someone you’re told you look like.
Day 45 – A picture of your room.
Day 46 – A picture of where you wish you were right now.
Day 47 – A picture of your favorite place to shop.
Day 48 – A picture of your favorite actress/actor.
Day 49 – A picture of where you live.
Day 50 – A picture of your most frequented place.
Day 51 – A picture of your dream car.
Day 52 – A picture of your favorite sport.
Day 53 – A picture of someone you think is hot.
Day 54 – A picture of the one thing you would bring if you were stranded on a deserted island.
Day 55 – A picture of the last movie you saw in theaters.
Day 56 – A picture of something that makes you happy.
Day 57 – A picture of your favorite holiday.
Day 58 – A picture of your favorite animal.
Day 59 – A picture of a random item that you own.
Day 60 – A picture of something you’re excited about

 Here is a picture of me- I took it myself with the timer thing on my camera. Lizzy the lightening cat is at my feet

Here are the 15 FACTS OF CHRISTY:

  1. I am adopted, been that way for all but 7 days of my life.
  2.  I was a twirler in Jr. High and High school. I actually liked the twirling, but did not like the comradely, or lack of, of the twirling team.
  3.  I don’t compete. I don’t get it. Do your best, if you win you win. If they win they win. If it becomes a competition I quit. I don’t compete for friendship. I don’t try to better others.  I do my best, I can’t do anymore. If I don’t do my best, it is usually because someone made it a competition. Thus my issues with twirling.
  4. I am 49, this past April.
  5. I have been married for almost 31 years, in July.
  6. I married when I was 18, Keith was 19.
  7. I had my first of 3 sons, 364 days after I was married, I was 19.
  8. I was only girl and baby, had 2 older brothers. Mike 11 years older and Kirk 5 years older.
  9.  I was a lifeguard.
  10. My 3rd son was born with a cranio facial deformity, Pierre Robin sequence something went wrong in a surgery in first few days, he had a stroke. I am a mom of a special needs adult.
  11. My 2nd son was diagnosed with Celiac when he was 10- since then all of the family, me included have found to be gluten sensitive/intolerant.
  12. I am a damn good gluten-free cook
  13. I wrote a cookbook more to come
  14. I paint, murals and such.  I did the flower in my picture, and walls and dresser.
  15. I found my biological family. Mother, sister, 2 brothers. paternal Aunt, Uncle and cousins–
  16. I am blessed . had to add one 🙂
Posted in Christy's Concepts

I AM Losin With Dukan

Posted on by Christy Petty

I am losing, but it is a good thing! I need to drop some L. B’s. I have needed to for YEARS.  I have tried and lost some, gained more, lost some, gained more, become disgusted, become complacent, become drivin, then not, again and again.  I did phen phen years ago, LOST!! But then they said it could kill me. Not losing, but the phen phen. I did herbalife, it worked until the licorice in the ‘vitamin’ made me sick. I did Adkins, it worked, for a while, but all that FAT was a bit weird to me. Why could I eat a stick of butter but not a head of lettuce? Did Weight Watchers, a couple of different ‘ways’ of eating through Christian weight loss chicks- Gwen ?Weigh Down? . All gained me some loss, but I have never reached my goal weight.

I KNOW we are supposed to focus on the ‘look’ the health of it all, not the number. I am not trying to be 110 again, if it happened I would take it, though. I just do not want this FAT belly, thighs, upper arms. I was NOT created to be sagging and bagging and blubbery. I do not like me fat. Yet, I have been for years, 20+ now. Half of my life time. Most of my marriage, sorry Keith. I have been very disappointed in myself.

I have been working on weight loss seriously for a year  This time. Exercise and eating ‘right’, I lost some, about 20 lb.  It was diligent everyday exercise and pulling sugar and most carbs, removed dairy (pretty much) I felt a lot better, looked better. It was slow and steady. Then I went back on my hormones :p. Then the holidays hit. Then the flu season hit.  Then 10 lb’s came back. My goal was to be 40 lb’s lighter by my 49th.  This did NOT happen.

Fairly recently I ‘befriended’ a blogger  Flamidwyfe, she is a midwife in China, from the states, doing the Dukan diet.  Liked her blog, loved watching her progress, inspired by her. She is about my age, losing weight, changing her eating style, gluten free, I can ‘watch’ her and have a comrade. I had no intentions of going Dukan, I was happy with Flat Belly approach, it was working  SLOWLY. Well, Flamidwyfe posts daily, her life as midwife, her life, and her progress with Dukan.  She loses weight almost daily. Posts her meals, her exercise plan. I became curious and started reading on Dukan. At first I did not notice too much different than what I was doing, other than she had results and I did not.  I had just decided to start counting calories in addition to the sugar and carbs, I was down to 1000-1200 calories a day for over 3 weeks, exercising everyday and I was not losing anything, at all! My sounding boards excused it to my extra muscle I was growing with the new work out program. Maybe. But still I did not like that 1#0 that kept showing up on the scales. I decided to Dukan.

I don’t think I am going to get to telling you how much I weigh(ed) at the start of Dukan, yet. I can tell you I have lost about 7 lb in 6 days, depending on the time of day ;).  This is HUGE for me.  I AM going Dukan.

Some of my recipes will now be Dukan.  Some will not. ie Bamaws Brownies are NOT Dukan. All will still be Gluten Free.