Be Thou My Vision

This is another favorite hymn of mine. The Tabernacle Choir does a wonderful job of singing this arrangement.  Enjoy!

Recipe of the Week - Pinot Grigio Mojito

 I do love my pinot grigio!  Several months ago, I wanted to find something else to do with my wine and searched the internet for a fun wine cocktail.  I found this mojito and thought it sounded good.  I like regular mojitos anyway, so why not try this.  It's very tasty and a perfect drink to sip and relax!

Pinot Grigio Mojito

5 Mint Leaves

Lime Juice

Simple Syrup

Ice

Pinot Grigio

Lime for garnish

Muddle the mint leaves in the bottom of your glass.  Add 1 oz of lime juice and 1 oz of simple syrup.*  Add ice and pour a generous amount of Pinot over ice.  Stir will and garnish with a slice of lime.

*Adjust these amounts for your personal preference.

Enjoy!

Student Adventures - The Next Step

 My last class ended several weeks ago. I'm proud to say that I got an "A" in the class and have maintained my 4.0 while in grad school.  I never thought that would happen LOL  But, I really did enjoy this class so I would have been happy with any passing grade. So now it's time to think about my upcoming capstone project.  One of my professors held an information session on our capstone projects which I was not able to attend, so I need to go back and watch the session and read the material.

I am going to take the next few months to give myself several options.  I have the option of doing something at work or do some kind of internship.  Both have their pros and cons.  While I don't necessarily want to take seven weeks off from work and go without a paycheck, the idea of going into some other establishment and doing hands on learning is pretty exciting.  I want to talk to some folks who have gone out and done internships and see what their experience has been like.  One of the places that I am looking into is The Corporation of Guardianship.  That kind of work interests me, so we shall see.  I would also love to work at some kind of senior resource center or find something to do with dementia.  

If I do something at work, it will have to be something that I don't currently do or have not done before.  Working in resident relations, that can be tricky.  Having worked in housekeeping and dining, that pretty much leaves our art of living well department.  While I have done some things for that department, it gives a wider spectrum of options for this kind of project, I believe. I am thinking of some kind of mental health project because that is not as addressed as often as it should be. Again, we shall see.

I have several months to figure this all out.  Now that I am done with classes for a while, I will have time to figure this out.  If you have any suggestions, I will welcome them. But I definitely will take all of the good energy you can send me!

Going Through the Kitchen Cabinets

 

Now that Jason has moved in, I am finding that the kitchen is getting pretty crowded.  That's not necessarily a bad thing as we are combining two kitchens basically.  But I need to pack up some stuff and reorganize in there. So, I am going to start with the cabinets and go through them.  See what I use and what I can pack up or give away.  It's always cleansing when I get myself better organized.  

I like for the kitchen to be the heart of the home.  It needs to be comfortable and functional.  I spend a lot of time in there.  Getting it back into better shape is my goal here.  I don't mind having a lot of stuff in there.  As you know, I love my stuff.  But I don't want it to feel cramped and crowded.  This is an achievable goal.  It is simply a matter of making it happen.

That is all. 

Owning Handbells - A Dream

I've decided that if I ever win the lottery, I am going to buy myself a set of handbells.  Of course, I'll have to buy a house that has a room big enough to put them in.  But if I win the lottery that will not be a problem LOL  I have always wanted to have my own set of bells.  Ever since I was a toddler.  I remember my Mom looked and looked for a set of bells for me for Christmas and finally found one.  I believe I was in kindergarten or first grade when she got them.  Or when Santa brough them to me. Good memories.

I would just like to have a full set one day and form a choir just for the fun of it.  But let me tell you they are expensive.  Even looking at listings on Ebay, they are expensive. I did find a five-octave set along with tables, pads, cases and music for a mere $14,500.  Pocket change LOL  Maybe one day!!

I was always surprised that UNCG never had a bell choir considering how many church musicians it turned out of its music department.  Ah, well.  Still, I would love to get people together just to make music like that.  I think it would be fun. Until then, hopefully I can find a choir to join in the area.  Still, it's nice to have a dream.

Thought of the Day

 I believe that if people spent as much time and energy in lifting other people up as they do in putting others down, then this world would be a much better place. With politics and social media at the forefront of our culture these days, it is not only easy to be mean and disparaging, but also often encouraged and promoted. I believe people are inherently better than that.  I want to believe that.  I must believe that. We need to stop giving negativity such power in our lives because it will destroy us.  Find something good today to promote.  Lift someone up.  Lift yourself up.  Create a cloud of positivity that surrounds you and those you love.

That is all. 

Looking for Christmas gifts

 

Now that my classes are done, it is time for me to begin Christmas shopping in earnest. I have been shopping since May, to be honest.  But I have not gotten many things yet, just a few here and there.  I do love shopping for the perfect gifts and so, naturally, Christmas is the perfect holiday for me! I do not intend to go overboard this year, but I do want to do special things for the people in my life.  Most people are grateful just to be remembered.  I know I feel that way very much whether it be a gift or a card.  So I think it is important to find special things for people that mean something.  Now, that does not mean it has to be something expensive or extravagant. But I love to get things that fit that particular person.  I have a pile of boxes and bags already filled with things for people, so it is time to get out there and do more.  

Also, this year, I want to do more shopping locally for gifts.  While Amazon and online websites are quite convenient, those companies already get lots of money.  It is time to spread the wealth while I can because who knows what things will be like in the future.  I want to support those people who have a dream and are making it happen with their businesses.  And I can find some great things that way too. Things that I would never have even thought about and then there they are right in front of me.  It's a win/win situation. Hopefully things will work out for me with my health right now that I can take the time to do this.  We all know how much I love Christmas and the shopping that goes with that.  We'll see how it goes!

One Drawer at a Time

 

Now that Jason has moved in, there is definitely more stuff in the house.  Of course, it is not like that was unexpected, but it does mane that I am back to having piles of things all over the place. I'm not complaining about it because it's a good thing that he is here.  And, in many ways, the timing was right for my one drawer at a time process.  I had just finished my first cycle throughout the house and was getting ready to start the process over when he moved in.  Now, I am looking at things with a slightly different angle.  What of mine really can go into storage or be donated?  What do I need to make room for of Jason's?  I don't want my house to make me feel claustrophobic, so it is important not to have too much.  Now, don't get me wrong, I love my stuff and there it still lots in the house.  That won't change, but I need everything to have a good flow to it. I want it to feel comfortable for me.  I can do that.  And I need to keep telling myself that I can switch things out periodically if I want some different decor.  This is totally doable and now that I'm done with class, I can do it!

Favorite Cartoons of the 80s

While the 80s produced lots of good cartoons, I'm making this list around 10 cartoons that I watched consistently.  They had to start production in the 80s, so some of my favorites like The Flintstones and Scooby-Doo were not included.  Also, they needed to have actual seasons and not just special episodes like Strawberry Shortcake.  Here are some of my favorites, in no particular order:

1.  Jem & The Holograms

2. Garfield and Friends

3. She-Ra

4. Snorks

5. Shirt Tales

6. Inspector Gadget

7. Smurfs

8. Alvin & the Chipmunks

9. He-Man Masters of the Universe

10. G.I. Joe

What were some of yours that aren't on my list?

Abide with Me - King's College

 This hymn was mentioned in a documentary I was watching last night about the Roosevelts.  It's been stuck in my head ever since and this is a beautiful rendition.  Enjoy!

Quote of the Week

 This just spoke to me.  That is all. 

Recipe of the Week - Shrimp Salad with Lemon and Kalamata Dressing

 I haven't posted a recipe in a few months, so it's time to get back to my love of cooking!  I adapted this recipe from one I found online.  I didn't have all of the ingredients that the online version called for, so I improvised and ended up really liking it.  I hope you do too!

Shrimp Salad with Lemon and Kalamata Dressing

Pinch of salt

1 pound large shrimp peeled and deveined

1 celery rib finely chopped

2 green onions trimmed and sliced

1 heart of romaine lettuce, chopped

3/4 cup mayonnaise

1 lemon

1 Tbsp Dijon mustard

1 Tbsp chopped kalamata olives

Dash of paprika

1/s tsp Worcestershire sauce

Bring a medium pot of water to a boil.  Once it's boiling, season the water with salt and then turn down to medium.  Add the shrimp and cook approximately 2 minutes until they turn opaque. Lay them out on a paper towel lined plate to dry.

Add the zest of the lemon to your mayonnaise, then add juice from half the lemon and whisk until it is well combined. Mix in kalamata olives, mustard, paprika and Worcestershire sauce. 

Combine shrimp, green onions and celery.  Add dressing.  Toss to coat completely then chill for 20 minutes to one hour.  

Line your serving tray with chopped romaine and top with shrimp salad.  Can add some fresh black pepper or chopped parsley to garnish. 

Enjoy!

Student Adventures - the final weekend of class

 Here I am in the final weekend of my class.  It ends officially on Monday.  At least, that is when I have to turn everything in.  I have one final paper that I am working on this weekend and then I will be done.  I have enjoyed this class immensely and have learned a lot from it.  And one of the ways that this class differs for me from other ones that I have taken is that I look at this class as a springboard to other learning.  The topics we have covered in elder law have been quite interesting, but I know that we have only touched the surface on many of them. I want to learn more about them.  Things like Medicare and Medicaid can be extremely complicated and if you don't know your way around the system, it could be disastrous.

I do have to work this weekend as well, so I will be working on my paper when I have downtime at work. It's ok, I have permission!  But I will tell you honestly that I am struggling with this paper.  I turned in an outline several weeks ago that I got good marks on.  I missed a few of the required things she wanted, but that's how it goes.  Still, I was happy with the feedback.  I have just had a hard time getting started on it.  I know that once I get going, it will really flow.  I just have this block right now. My topic is why aging members of the LGBTQ+ community fear going into nursing homes. It's a topic that I find engaging and it's close to who I am.  I've found many great articles on the topic. It is simply going to be a matter of putting pen to paper.  Or fingers to keyboard, actually LOL

Hopefully I can get my stress level down and be productive.  I don't want to crap out at this point in the game.  Keep your fingers crossed for me!