Faith and reflection - Hymn of Promise

This is another anthem i remember singing in youth choir and it has always stayed with me.  The lyrics are very simple but very beautiful.  This song has been going through my head a lot lately.  i think it's because it is a song of hope.  And, without many things to be hopeful for in this world, i think that i cling to the sentiment of this song.  At church this summer, the prayers during service have been less than hopeful.  In fact, they've been down right depressing.  i understand that there is a lot in this world to be depressed about right now, but it does start to weigh a person down.  Admittedly, the last few Sundays i've been in church, i've sung this song in my head during morning prayers....it makes me feel better and i think God understands that.

Thought for the day

Here i am, enjoying a quiet Sunday morning, pondering what to do with my day.  In my head, there are so many choices of things that need to be done and things i want to do, so i need to spend some time figuring that all out.  i know i will make it to church this morning for sure. Maybe throw in some grocery shopping as well.  We shall see.

But i've been thinking, now that the summer is half over, that i need to make the most of my time before school starts next month.  i am very excited about the upcoming semester but i want to enjoy these last few weeks.  i have done a fairly decent job of seeing people but there are still those on my list that i have not gotten to yet and i need to catch up!  And also get out and do some things.  There are many fun, free things in Greensboro that i can do and i need to get myself out there and do them before my schedule becomes so jam packed that i won't be able to!

So, you know how i am about my lists.  It's time to make a new one of things to do!  i do enjoy my lists haha  We shall see how that pans out for me.  Until then, enjoy your Sunday and have a relaxing day!

Cheers

Quote

"If you have only one smile in you, give it to the people you love.  Don't be surly at home, then go out in the street and start grinning 'Good morning' at total strangers."

                                                                                      Maya Angelou

showtune of the day -

i chose this song today for no other reason that it's a beautiful song.  No underlying themes, i just love it.  And Rebecca Luker....OMG...just one of my favorites.  i got to hear her sing this in the original production on a Thursday matinee...brought tears to my eyes.  Her voice is angelic.  And Mandy Patinkin ain't so bad either lol  Enjoy!

An old family photo - Mohisco staff

i found this picture among some other old family photos.  The only thing written on the back of the picture is Mohisco, which is the Monroe High School Yearbook.  Mom graduated in 1962 so i'm guessing that this picture was taken sometime between 1960 and 62.  Mom is smack in the middle of the front row.  i love this picture because it's the same high school i attended.  Ah, generations :)

Thought for the day - Facebook

i finally made the plunge after a 2 month hiatus and rejoined Facebook.  In many ways, i have definitely missed it.  i miss the people a lot. It's nice to see what people are doing, watching their children grow up and see how life is treating them in general.  What i did not miss does not matter any more.  During the time i was away, i took a long look at why Facebook was affecting me the way it did and i figured a few things out.  One is that i do not need to be in communication with people ALL THE TIME.  Here and there on FB is fine, but i do not need to spend endless hours there.  And not having the need to document everything i do and feel is such a relief.  Sometimes i forget that the seesaw of life gives us both good feelings and bad feelings.  And mine are usually pretty extreme.  Facebook is not the place for that and i know that now.  It's just a matter of me being tactful....which i am mostly, but not always.

Facebook is a good way to reach out people, but not the only way to do that.  While i was gone i wrote letters, made phone calls, had coffee with people, had dinner with people...just got out there in the real world.  Now, i didn't do nearly as much of that as i wanted to but i did make a good starting point.  And i need to balance that kind of thing with FB if i want to avoid another mental collapse.  FB can be addictive and we all know that kind of thing is not good for me.

i have also learned what i will and will not tolerate both from myself and other people.  i feel no need to go into a long list of things but the bottom line is that if it makes me feel bad or has some kind of negative connotation, then it does not belong on my page or in my life.  That includes my passive aggressive bullshit as well.  i believe that everyone is allowed to live their own lives and have their own beliefs and should be respected.  i welcome healthy debate and disagreement.  i do not welcome insults though.  i know how i will handle these things when they arise.

i know that unfollowing people is better than unfriending.  i rarely unfriend people unless things get too bad.  It has only happened a few times.  i, however, have been unfriended plenty by friends and family.  It use to bother me...now, not so much.  It's Facebook for crying out loud not the Holy Grail.

Having said all of that, i am looking forward to catching up with people and finally seeing how Facebook can enrich my life again.  That is all.

Cheers

Recipe of the week - Apricot Curry Chicken

i made this recipe a while back and will probably make it again soon.  i've just had a craving for it!

2 Tbsp butter or margarine
1 cup chopped onion
1 (10 3/4 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup, undiluted
1 3 ounce package of cream cheese, cubed
1/3 cup milk
1/4 cup apricot preserves
1 tsp curry powder
3 cups cubed cooked chicken breast

Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add onion and cook, stirring constantly, 3 minutes or until tender.  Stir in soup and next 4 ingredients; bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly until cream cheese melts.  Add chicken breast cubes; reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes.  Serve over rice.  Yields 4 servings.

* cubed turkey breasts work well too
* if you cannot find apricot preserves, peach preserves will work.

Enjoy!