Friday 5

The week of sickness is coming to an end.  PRAYING the Diva doesn't get sick.  Hopefully her immune system is rockin' this year.  Okay here are my five for this week....

1.  Has anyone tried this?  

Let me know if you have.  I'm a Rice Chex girl but this looks pretty interesting.

2.  

Started watching this show.  I don't know why I am so into it its kinda gross and kinda funny and kinda i-want-to-slap-that-girl-for-being-so-stupid.  But ya know...

3. 

I really love this outfit from Pinterest.  I'm so ready for March and April.  You know...being over winter.

4.   

This funny...

Pin it!

5.  Sweet tooth indulgence

Mmmmm these are my weakness...may have to make a batch in the coming weeks!

  

Thursday Thoughts: Marriage Enrichment

My husband and I started marriage enrichment this past Sunday at the church we attend.  I'll be honest I wasn't quite sure what to expect.  In my mind I thought at first it was going to be a circle of couples all kumbaya and stuff with the occasional mix of crying and yelling and kissing.

Then I realized that I was probably mistaking enrichment with therapy.

The study is based on the book by Adam Hamilton Love To Stay 


The first night we were challenged to compliment each other for things that we admire about our spouses.  My husband is good at a lot of things but this week he's really been the man.

Since I came down with the stomach virus he has stepped up to the plate and managed the kids and dogs and baths and food and daily tasks quite well.  There are many men who wouldn't be quite so ready to step up and would be calling others.  Not my guy.

He also made sure I had my crushed ice and crackers and not once did he bother to wake me up to ask a question.

I think he really loves me.  Hehe.

Our homework for the week is a date night.  I'm really hoping we're all well enough that the sitter can come on Saturday and we can bust out for a while.  Much needed - and I always get my homework finished up!

Comprehending Compassion

I realize not everyone subscribes to the same belief system I do and I want to make it known I totally respect that.  When my posts go into topics that are quickly labeled as faith based I do not want that to scare any reader away.  I just needed to throw that out there.  My whole thought process is that these blog posts are supposed to be user friendly no matter who you are or what you believe.  They should transcend over the hardened lines that the word religion and faith have skewed.

~*~

On Sundays we have been studying compassion.  I feel like compassion is best described as a verb.  It is an action that you show - or are supposed to show - to everyone around you.   However, the good old dictionary says its a noun.

This past Sunday the Children's Lesson was based around how hard compassion is for us to show.

I always think its interesting how sometimes we learn more from a children's lesson than from the adult's lesson.  For us adults to be so worldly and wise there's nothing like a good lesson for 5-10 year olds to knock us on our butts.

The youth leader was telling the kids about the word compassion and how it never states in the Bible or really any religious text that compassion would be so hard to show.

She couldn't be more correct in that statement.

com·pas·sion

kəmˈpaSHən/

noun

1. sympathetic pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others.

   "the victims should be treated with compassion"

I started taking an inventory in my brain of times when I should have shown compassion but didn't.  Times that I rolled my eyes and turned away and thought bad thoughts.

True, I'm a human and I'm going to make tons mistakes.  However, I shouldn't allow myself to strip compassion from those who need it most.

How many times have you seen this guy or girl:



How many times have you made a joking comment at his expense?  Me, tons.

How many times have you thought, get a job?  Me, bunches.

How many times have you turned your head like she didn't exist?  Me, nearly always.

That's not compassion.

That is judgement.

That is cruelty.

That is not what we are here to do.

The point of the matter is this.  He may be raking in a hundred bucks a day standing there, sure.  A hundred tax free bucks.  Or she may be broken and as our minister says, pushed down.  He may not know how to better himself and she may need just what that sign says.

A miracle.

The miracle could be something as small as someone who has compassion for what they don't know about him or her.

What if he's fighting an addiction that has stripped him of every ounce of dignity?

What if she's battled illness of the body or mind that left him with scars deeper than we can imagine?

What if once upon a time they were just like us.  He had a nice warm home, a little family, dinner on the table and in the blink of an eye she lost it....every piece of it.

Lets take steps to force ourselves to be less self absorbed and more compassionate in 2015.  Each week let's complete a challenge that makes us a better human being.  We can do this.  We can make ourselves better and the world around us so much more amazing if we'll just stop doing the little things that strip the good from our souls.

This week take notice of that man or woman holding the sign.  Have something ready to hand them.  A bag of snacks, a five dollar bill, a gift card for a fast food place...you don't have to give them your wallet or your kidney.  Just show them a smile and a little help.  Acknowledge them.


Together we'll build compassion in ourselves and others.  I believe we can change the world...or at least the world around us.

Join me in this weekly blog post for the next few weeks.

See ya later.

Tasty Tuesday

Take your chili to a whole new level this winter season.

Chili is one of our most favorite comfort and crock pot meals during the cold months.  This month I decided to change it up a little bit and add new ingredients and delete the old standby's.

Two weeks ago I made a delicious Tex Mex Chili.  I omitted ground beef/turkey and in its place I put some pork that was pre cut for stews.  I gave it a light coating in a flour, cumin, salt and pepper mixture and then browned it in some olive oil on the stove top.  I then moved the pork to the crock pot.

Meanwhile, in a bowl I added a bottle of green salsa, 2 cups of onion, some low sodium chicken broth, oregano and chili powder, fresh minced garlic.  I stirred this up and then added it into the crock pot with the pork.

I topped it off with a larger can (19.25oz) of black beans.

It cooked for about six hours and then we devoured it.

This is a thick chili and could be served many ways.  You can easily put it in a bowl with some avocados and sour cream as a meal or you could serve it as a dip with chips.

The kids loved it and the adults did too.

Proper Recipe

2-3lbs of pork stew meat
3 T of AP flour
1T cumin
1/2T salt
1/2T black pepper
3T Olive Oil

Stir together your dry ingredients and toss your stew meat in it.  Brown in the olive oil on the stove top.

1 jar of green salsa (salsa verde)
2 cups of chopped onion (I use yellow onions)
3/4 cup of a healthy option chicken broth (lower sodium)
1 1/2T dried oregano
1 1/2T chili powder
1/2T minced garlic

Stir these items together in a large bowl and then add to your pork in the crock pot.

1 19.25oz can of black beans (drain or don't, totally up to you)

Cook on low for about six hours.

I served it up with sour cream and cheese and some tortilla chips.


*****

My Diva is in the second half of her first grade year.  They have a snack time before the end of the day bell rings.  I decided I didn't want to buy treats anymore.  Instead, I let her pick out a sweet treat for us to bake together on Sundays.  After we bake it up and pull out five containers and put a serving in for each day of the school week.  The remaining go in a tub for the family to enjoy as dessert or a treat when we watch a movie.

It works out great and its less than $2.00 a week.

This could be used for non kid households too.  If you're trying to keep your calories in check you can do just as we do and bag up proper portion sizes and throw it in your bag for work.  Saving money and calories during that 2:00 slump never seemed so easy.

See ya later!

House Reveal: Flooring & Living Room

Hey guys!  Well the day has finally arrived to start showing off some of the house.  I am really excited to do this.  As you know this house has been a labor of love and source of serious tension headaches!

Back in October/November I posted about flooring options we were weighing out.  (You can click here to read that post.)

In December I was able to go check out flooring and also fall in love with a certain laminate available at Lowes.

I wanted something different from the run of the mill blonde and or walnut style finishes.  My love for gray is evident to most readers.  I also like eclectic and rustic looks.  Well ladies and gentlemen it just so happened Lowes had what I was looking for.

I took this shot from the landing on the half story.  I think it does the floor the most justice.  LOVE THIS!  PS We had to repaint our hall way during the lovely events of the fall.  Can I tell you how awesome our friends Josh & Heather are for helping us tackle the WHOLE bottom level including the hall?!  Awesome!  (Walls are Totter Island by Valspar)

This flooring is called Tavern Oak by Style Selections and has a beautiful rustic and worn look.  It also has hints of all different wood coloring in it.  I absolutely adore this floor!  A great break from traditional and perfect fit for my style choice.

Before our little issue in September we had a living room and a play room.  After the event and while planning out the changes in the house we decided to eliminate the play room and have a living room for adults and a family room we could all hang out in.  The play room was scratched.

I love this room.  Its cozy and welcoming.  We kept the original wall color of Gravity by Valspar.

Our new living room is one of my favorite rooms and is very comfy and welcoming.  We were able to purchase new furniture at a local warehouse (Furniture Mattress Warehouse in Clemmons).  This purchase included the leather couch, love seat and the entertainment stand seen in the second picture.
As you may be aware of, I was all about getting rugs for each room. Target to the rescue!  I purchased all three of the rugs I wanted at Target (thanks to Cartwheel for additional savings).  I absolutely adore this rug in the living room.

The end tables were the subject of a blog post from May 2013 - click here to check it out - I had painted them with left over samples from Sherwin Williams.  In early December I decided to re finish these guys again.  I was so pleased with the way it turned out.  I sanded them down, base coated them with a sample can of Valspar paint and primer in one (terracota), sanded again, and used a rag to add finish them out with some walnut colored Minwax.

When I can make an old piece of furniture new for less than $13 I am a happy camper.

I made the room complete with hanging our old canvas and photos of the family.  I also brought in an antique table we've had in my family for ages and used it to showcase some larger pictures.

No the television screen isn't broken...that's a camera thing.  And yes it may seem barren to some but I'm into minimalist and don't like things cramped or a lot of items in rooms.  I did debate a coffee table but quickly decided against it....for now.

If you're wondering - we do use this room to entertain but it has turned into a space for the family to hang out in too.  That's life right?

I look forward to finding some valences for the windows.  However, this is a tedious task since I'm a bit critical on window treatments.

Until next time!  Have a good day!

Friday 5

Five Things I'm Looking Forward To This Winter:

1.  Marriage Retreat

We started attending a new church in November 2014.  Luckily, its been a great fit for our family.  Starting this Sunday we're signed up for a marriage conference for the next six-ish weeks.  It will culminate with Valentine's Day Weekend at Myrtle Beach, SC.  Stoked to make my marriage stronger and have fun while doing it.

My Diva in her room the very first night back living here!

2.  Finalizing the house!

We are in and loving it.  Over the next few days/weeks I'm going to hopefully put some finishing touches on the hacienda so when I start presenting it to you you can be like ooohhh nice.  

3.  New Work?

Not saying much but I really hope to land myself back into regular work this winter.  I'm ready, my life is calming down (knock on wood), lets do this!

4.  Television

Really, she put that?  Yes, she did.  I spent four months not caring about or hardly watching anything on television.  So you better bet your bottom dollar I'm going to milk my Netflix for all its worth during these cold months.

5.  More fun...

And that means more time with friends, family, reading, cooking, laughing....life is short and when you get knocked on your booty you realize it even more.  My kids are getting older and obviously I am too but I don't feel it (nor look it LADY WHO CARDED ME ON NYE) I'm tired of being drained and feeling defeated....its time to have more intentional fun.

What are you looking forward to this winter???  Share it with me!

Post ONE of 2015

I really went all out with that title didn't I?

Hello, Day 8 of the 2,015th year.  If you go with another calendar I must apologize for greeting you the wrong way.

So its been a little while since I posted and I am really aware of that.  What can I say?  A lot has been going on.  A lot of stuff that you will see in the coming weeks here on the blog.  Yay!!!  I'll be revealing some of this and some of that.

But until I get my hands on a good camera and finish up some small things I thought....why not post something for kicks and giggles.

A lot of bloggers do an introduction or reintroduction of themselves to start off a new year.  I will follow suit.  I'm not going to apologize for what I share because I don't feel like its necessary to apologize for being yourself.  I mean, isn't that what makes the world so flipping awesome?

Yes.

Indeed.

Ok lets do this....



1.  Today I will start my very first Netflix account.  Yes, I'm that far behind the times.

2.  In First Grade I killed the teacher's fish.  I was out of PE because I had been sick.  The mean teacher (she really was a mother of a dog) gave me math sheets to work on and left me alone.  I hated her so much.  I decided to feed the fish.  I had dogs I knew animals needed nourishment.  So I fed the fish.  I actually fed the fish what you would feed a small puppy.  I didn't realize it would kill him.  I was only 7.  He died and I denied.

3.  First grade sucked for me.  Not because of the fish incident but because my teacher was horrible, my parents were really young, and I felt stress for the first time ever.  No kidding....I slept walked my entire first grade year.

4.  My first glasses were Smurf glasses.  They were blue and white and had the smurfs on the side.


5.  I'm an NC born and bred girl.  Seriously....born here, raised here, schooled here, still here.  I have no desire to leave unless its 6 degrees when I wake up and then I think Florida sounds terrific.

6.  I'm allergic to winter.

7.  I do not like beer.  I drank it in college and post college but it never was appealing to me. I drink wine but I don't love it.  I'm a full out liquor style drinker.

8.  I sleep in flannel pants, a long sleeve cotton shirt, a fleece pull over, and socks.  And to think I was a hot natured kid.



9.  I guess my hot temper froze out my body huh?

10.  Cats scare the bajeezus out of me.  I will forever be a dog lover.

11.  I hate buying clothing brand new.  I just feel like its a total waste of time of cotton.  I'm the girl who wants to go through your closet when you feel the need to stock up again.

12.  My kids are awesome and I love them.  However, I don't make them my life.  They are a critical part of my life and I am a critical part of theirs but my job is to raise them right and not worship them.  I feel so alone on that ideology.  And I'm sure many of you will hate me now for being honest on that note.



13.  When in a new place I will sit quietly and listen in on every conversation.  Creepy, I know.

14.  I won awards for poetry I wrote in school.

15.  I hate shoe shopping.  Ughhhh.

16.  Irony:  I think NASCAR is stupid.  The first race I ever went to I ended up meeting my future spouse.  Shut the front door.



17.  Oh, I've been married 8 years - 5 hard ones + 3 good ones = So far.

18.  I love the colors green and grey.

19.  When I'm in the car and I listen to NPR I talk to the radio like I'm the guest on the show.

20.  I have a killer British accent.

21.  I extend invitations to people three times and then stop.  Isn't it their turn then?



22.  I miss having a regular job.  I have to be busy and when I'm not I feel out of sorts.

23.  When I was about 10 years old American Greetings had a pen pal program.  I signed up and got a fab Danish chick who lived in Edmonton, England.  We wrote regularly for nearly 10 years.  Now we're Facebook friends.

24.  Crafting sounds fun....I get the bug every now and then.  A trip to Michael's generally ends the desire.

25.  Sometimes I contemplate going to school to get a Master's and then I vomit.



26.  I hate I lost my Conway Twitty Greatest Hits CD.

27.  Taylor Swift seems insanely down to earth to me and I'm glad my kid can see a female singer who isn't a tramp and has a good business and humanitarian head on her shoulders.

28.  I love to have my nails painted.


See ya later gator!