Sitting here, this morning, having my coffee and pondering life. 2017 is finally here and it could go either way LOL Last year had lots of ups and downs, so I cannot be one of those people who said it was all bad. Yes, things happened that I did not like, but I can't change that now. I can only use those feelings to fuel goodness for this coming year.
Today, my biggest issue is grad school. I am still on the fence about this. I eventually want my Master's but do I want it right away? Part of me is ready to get back into the work force and put my degree to use. But, part of me really enjoys being a student and I would like to stay in the class room for awhile. Also I do question if I'm ready to get back to work. And by that I mean do I have the experience that I think is needed to be a social worker yet? That I do not know.
And deadlines are coming up. If I want to do UNCG's grad school, I have to make this decision in the next 24-48 hours because the application is due soon and I still have a lot to get done on that. That would be a lot of pressure on myself, but you never know. If I apply and don't get in this time, at least I can see what I need to do to get myself in one day.
And another thing I'm concerned with this is Michael. He's been working very hard the past few years while I'm in school and I think it's his turn for something new. Whether it's going back to school himself or looking for employment somewhere else, I feel that he should definitely have a say in what will make up our next few years.
Either way, I will graduate with my BSW this May and that is my most important accomplishment to achieve right now. Time will tell with everything else.
Cheers
Thursday, January 5, 2017
Wednesday, January 4, 2017
Recipe of the week - lasagna
I love reading older cookbooks. It is one of my favorite pastimes. And, as luck would have it, I have quite a few of them thanks to Mom and Grandmother. I found this recipe for lasagna in one called "Our Best For You" which was published by the Alpha XI Chapter of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority in Monroe in 1961. This particular recipe is attributed to Colene Harris. I tried this recipe just last night for 2 reasons. One is that I had never before attempted making lasagna and it is, or was, one of the things on my "cooking bucket list". And, two, it is close to the recipe that Mom used to make. I don't have a copy of hers and this was close enough that I thought I would try it. We both ended up liking it, so I hope you do too. Enjoy!
1 lb ground beef 1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
1 clove garlic, minced 1 12 oz can tomato paste
1 tbs. parsley 1 box lasagna noodles
1/2 tsp salt
Brown meat. Add all other ingredients, except noodles, and simmer while preparing rest of recipe. Cook noodles as package directs.
3 cups cottage cheese 1/2 tsp pepper
2 eggs, beaten 2 tbs parsley flakes
2 tsps salt 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
8 oz Mozzarella cheese
Mix well the above ingredients except the Mozzarella cheese. place in large baking dish half the noodles, half the cottage cheese mixture, half the meat sauce, half the Mozzarella. Repeat. Bake in preheated oven at 350 for 45 minutes. Serves 8.
*You can always use more Mozzarella if needed.
**In order not to waste noodles, I make this in 3 layers instead of 2.
1 lb ground beef 1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
1 clove garlic, minced 1 12 oz can tomato paste
1 tbs. parsley 1 box lasagna noodles
1/2 tsp salt
Brown meat. Add all other ingredients, except noodles, and simmer while preparing rest of recipe. Cook noodles as package directs.
3 cups cottage cheese 1/2 tsp pepper
2 eggs, beaten 2 tbs parsley flakes
2 tsps salt 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
8 oz Mozzarella cheese
Mix well the above ingredients except the Mozzarella cheese. place in large baking dish half the noodles, half the cottage cheese mixture, half the meat sauce, half the Mozzarella. Repeat. Bake in preheated oven at 350 for 45 minutes. Serves 8.
*You can always use more Mozzarella if needed.
**In order not to waste noodles, I make this in 3 layers instead of 2.
Tuesday, January 3, 2017
Quote
Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.
Albert Camus
This is a great quote to start off my blog in 2017. After the last year, I believe that we all need to really cherish and develop our friendships. They are what get us through the rough times.
This is a great quote to start off my blog in 2017. After the last year, I believe that we all need to really cherish and develop our friendships. They are what get us through the rough times.
Saturday, December 3, 2016
Quote
Happiness is a simple game of lost and found: Lose the things you take for granted, and you will feel great happiness once they are found.
Richelle E. Goodrich
Richelle E. Goodrich
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
Thought for the day - harm reduction
With everything that has gone on over the last month....and it's a lot....i have decided to make some changes for the better. i am determined to conquer my smoking habit by the end of the year. That gives me roughly a month. Easier said than done, i know, but it's time and frankly, i have too much going for me to remain a slave to my addiction.
Yesterday, i completed my first day of harm reduction. i have searched many methods to quit smoking and i think that this is going to be the one that works best for me. i will eventually transition over to the patch as well but this is how i am starting. i cannot quit cold turkey simply because i do not want my body to go into shock, which is a distinct possibility. So, this is going to work for me come hell or high water!
With harm reduction, i have to let a certain amount of time pass in between cigarettes. You'd be surprised how many i can go through without thinking about it, so this works for me. And, i can keep track of the time with an alarm on my phone. Mid day, i increase the amount of time between cigarettes. Then, the next day i begin with the last amount of time from the previous day. It may seem a little OCD, but i need that kind of structure if i am going to succeed at this.
The hardest part is going to be first thing in the morning. i get up around 5:30, start the coffee going, feed the kitty and have a cigarette on the porch. Every day. i'm going to have to definitely change this routine so that smoking is not one of the first things that i do each day. That is really going to be tough for me, but i can do it. Who knows? Maybe i'll start actually eating breakfast each day. We shall see!
Anyway, this is one of my changes and i am happy about it. i will be checking in here from time to time with updates. Wish me luck!
Cheers!
Yesterday, i completed my first day of harm reduction. i have searched many methods to quit smoking and i think that this is going to be the one that works best for me. i will eventually transition over to the patch as well but this is how i am starting. i cannot quit cold turkey simply because i do not want my body to go into shock, which is a distinct possibility. So, this is going to work for me come hell or high water!
With harm reduction, i have to let a certain amount of time pass in between cigarettes. You'd be surprised how many i can go through without thinking about it, so this works for me. And, i can keep track of the time with an alarm on my phone. Mid day, i increase the amount of time between cigarettes. Then, the next day i begin with the last amount of time from the previous day. It may seem a little OCD, but i need that kind of structure if i am going to succeed at this.
The hardest part is going to be first thing in the morning. i get up around 5:30, start the coffee going, feed the kitty and have a cigarette on the porch. Every day. i'm going to have to definitely change this routine so that smoking is not one of the first things that i do each day. That is really going to be tough for me, but i can do it. Who knows? Maybe i'll start actually eating breakfast each day. We shall see!
Anyway, this is one of my changes and i am happy about it. i will be checking in here from time to time with updates. Wish me luck!
Cheers!
Monday, November 28, 2016
10 Things That Make Me Happy
1. Boxing
2. Coffee brewing
3. Finches
4. Kaleidoscopes
5. Weeble Wobbles
6. The smell of candles blown out
7. Toccata and Fuge in D Minor
8. I'm Still Here
9. Sacrifice
10. Garfield
2. Coffee brewing
3. Finches
4. Kaleidoscopes
5. Weeble Wobbles
6. The smell of candles blown out
7. Toccata and Fuge in D Minor
8. I'm Still Here
9. Sacrifice
10. Garfield
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
Thought for the day
It has been a long time since I have blogged. Mainly, it is because school, work and my internship are keeping me very busy this semester. But, it is also because I really don't know what to say these days. There is so much going on in the world, this country in particular, that it makes my head spin. I have gotten very scared and depressed with our current political climate and have not really know how to express that. It frustrates me that by the time that I have come to a point in my life where I have an interest in politics, due largely to studying social work, that this is the political climate we are in. It is very disheartening. I hate to be that person who creates his own bubble to exist in, but I have done that to a degree. I avoid politics and the media whenever I can. It's nothing more than some reality show circus mentality and I don't have the patience for that these days.
Anyway, school is going well, just very busy. It seems like every time I turn around, I have another paper to write. Granted, none of them are extremely long papers, but never the less there they are. Currently working on 3 different ones. Good times! I am enjoying my internship, but I have to keep reminding myself that this is a learning process that sometimes moves slowly. The residents where I work are wonderful and I am developing good relationships with them, which I enjoy.
And I have some personal things that I am working on and working through. When you're a student and constantly have stuff going on, there does not seem to be much time for anything else. I have to work on that time management thing...as always, a never ending process. There are things I need to do and people I care about that I need to make time for, simple as that. It's just hard sometimes when you're trying to stay focused on one thing because that is your long term goal. I will figure out a way to get it done, it's just a bumpy road at times. I keep thinking back to my parents and am trying to learn from their examples. They both, when I was growing up, did so many things with their time that I often wonder how they did it. Of course, they didn't have the internet and social media like we do today so that gave them a huge chunk of time LOL But, I will get there one way or another.
Anyway, I just wanted to pop in and write a little something so that I can get myself back into this habit. I enjoy the blog and need to keep it up more. If I'm going to have a habit, it might as well be something constructive for me. Enjoy your day!
Cheers
Anyway, school is going well, just very busy. It seems like every time I turn around, I have another paper to write. Granted, none of them are extremely long papers, but never the less there they are. Currently working on 3 different ones. Good times! I am enjoying my internship, but I have to keep reminding myself that this is a learning process that sometimes moves slowly. The residents where I work are wonderful and I am developing good relationships with them, which I enjoy.
And I have some personal things that I am working on and working through. When you're a student and constantly have stuff going on, there does not seem to be much time for anything else. I have to work on that time management thing...as always, a never ending process. There are things I need to do and people I care about that I need to make time for, simple as that. It's just hard sometimes when you're trying to stay focused on one thing because that is your long term goal. I will figure out a way to get it done, it's just a bumpy road at times. I keep thinking back to my parents and am trying to learn from their examples. They both, when I was growing up, did so many things with their time that I often wonder how they did it. Of course, they didn't have the internet and social media like we do today so that gave them a huge chunk of time LOL But, I will get there one way or another.
Anyway, I just wanted to pop in and write a little something so that I can get myself back into this habit. I enjoy the blog and need to keep it up more. If I'm going to have a habit, it might as well be something constructive for me. Enjoy your day!
Cheers
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