10 Things That Make Me Happy

1.  Playing solitaire
2.  Thunderstorms
3.  Rain on a tin roof
4.  Getting an A
5.  The Sound of Music
6.  "Sheep May Safely Graze"
7.  Polishing silver
8.  Yellow roses
9.  Tang
10.  Mom's perfume

Thought for the day

Somedays, i do take a step back and realize that i just need to calm myself down.  These final weeks of school are extremely stressful for me.  There is a lot to get done.  And, luckily, i have developed some good friendships with my classmates and i know that i am far from alone with these feelings.  Having said that, i know what needs to get done and will do them to the best of my ability.

i have my final professional skills interview tomorrow.  i am worried about it because i froze up during my practice interview.  i have been going over things in my head and trying to remember all of the points that i have to make.  And while i am worried about it, this time i am also ok with making mistakes.  There will be things i may forget to do and say, but that's all part of the learning process.  Nothing is perfect.  No one is perfect.  So, while i am putting a lot of pressure on myself to do well, i also recognize the fact that doing my best is my goal.  i have done great work in this class and one more bump in my road is not going to take away what i have learned.

So, while i am under a lot of pressure and stress, i am going to take away many good things from this semester.  i have a good foundation for my field work next year and i am looking forward to the challenges of it.  Now, i just have to get through the next few weeks and i can breathe easily again!

Cheers

Recipe of the week - sweet and sour meatballs

This is a quick way to dress up pre made meatballs.  Mom discovered this recipe when I was in high school and I have always enjoyed it!

1/2 Cup sugar
2 Tbsp Cornstarch
1/2 Cup cold water
1 Large can crushed pineapple
1/2 Cup chopped green pepper
1 small jar pimento, chopped
Sprinkle of garlic powder
1/2 Cup Vinegar
2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
10 drops of Tobasco

Mix all ingredients.  Bring to a boil.  Pour over meatballs and cook for 35 minutes at 375.
*I like to do these on the stove top as well.  Pour over meatballs and bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until meatballs are heated through.
**This sauce would work well with homemade meatballs, if you have to the time to make them.  As far as pre made ones go, I prefer the Food Lion house brand.  They're really quite tasty.

Enjoy!!

Thought for the day

Slowly, i am learning the importance of self advocacy.  It has never been something i have done for myself much, as i am naturally a passive person and get a great deal of pleasure doing for others.  However, i am learning that there are times when i must advocate for myself and make my voice heard.  There is nothing wrong in going after what i want.  There is nothing wrong with putting my wants and needs at the top of my list.  After all, with a social work career ahead of me, if i cannot advocate for myself, i certainly cannot be a good advocate for others.

Last week, i did some advocating for myself.  The outcome was what i wanted and i am pleased with that.  However, i am more pleased with the fact that i did what i needed to do.  i found value in myself and let people know that i am worth the effort.  i matter...to me and to others.  Doing this sort of thing is foreign to me, but i have to admit that i like the feeling.  It means that i am capable of taking care of myself.  And while i still have other people to answer to, i must also answer to myself and take responsibility for my life.  Advocating is a great way to do that.  Yes, there will be times when the outcome is not what i desire and there will be times when being passive is the way to go.  But, i am on a path to recognize the difference between being passive and being a doormat.  All in all, that's a good thing.

So, i can definitely see a different path ahead of me.  Same goal, just a different path to it.  And by different, i mean that i am going to be more assertive when it comes to myself.  It has been a long time since i have felt this way and i admittedly like that feeling.  It's nice to have a sense of self worth.

That is all

Cheers

10 Things that make me happy

1.  Wisteria
2.  Charlotte's Web
3.  Tax refunds
4.  The color yellow
5.  The smell of coffee brewing
6.  Waves crashing
7.  Playing David Lanz pieces on the piano
8.  The overture to Mame
9.  Esther The Wonder Pig
10.  Letter writing

thought for the day

For some reason, i am lethargic today.  It feels as if everything is moving in slow motion for me and i am not sure why.  This past week definitely had its ups and downs.  In the end, i think that everything has turned out alright, but for some reason today i am stressed and unmotivated.

The rally last Sunday was, overall, quite exciting.  It was wonderful to see my community come together in support against HB2.  But, it was also very disheartening to see such hatred within the community.  There was supposed to be a class next week on transgender and what it means.  But, because there was only one person of color on the panel, all hell broke loose and the class has been cancelled.  i had already made up my mind not attend because of all of the hateful comments on the event's Facebook page, but it really sucks that it got cancelled because people's feelings of hatred towards one another within the trans community escalated so quickly.  Oh well.

And, as far as school goes, i have been dealing with issues concerning my GPA.  Everything is under control and i will be moving forward as i had hoped to be.  Still, it made for a very stressful week.  And now, as the semester is coming to an end, there is much to do.  i still have not mastered the art of starting assignments as soon as possible, so it will be a stressful time as far as that is concerned.  But, the end result will definitely be worth it.

i think, today, i am going to get myself out of this funk.  Maybe do a little role playing and be someone else today.  me, but someone else.  Taking the qualities that i strive for a incorporating them into my life today.  Maybe they'll stick around.  We shall see.

Cheers

10 Things That Make Me Happy

Yesterday, in church, the sermon pertained to things that make us happy.  Simple, everyday things and the stuff that dreams are made of.  So, I'm going to start doing some lists of things that make me happy...just cause I can.

1.  Squirt greeting me
2.  Daffodils
3.  Pollyanna
4.  Setting a table
5.  Scratch & Sniff stickers
6.  Coffee on the porch
7.  Moments of silence
8.  Old Photos
9.  Seasons changing
10.  Unexpected visits

Cheers