This is a very easy recipe that I found on Allrecipes.com I have made this several times and we always enjoy it!
Shrimp Creole
3 Tbsp rendered bacon fat
3 Tbsp all purpose flour
2 cups chopped stewed tomatoes
1/8 cup tomato sauce
6 Tbsp minced onion
6 Tbsp chopped pepper (I use yellow peppers)
1 1/2 tsps chopped parsley
1 clove garlic
1 1/2 cups hot water
2 tsps salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
7 oz peeled, deveined shrimp
Melt bacon fat in a skillet over med heat. Add flour, stirring constantly to make a roux. Add all other ingredients, except for the shrimp. Bring to a boil then reduce heat to medium low and simmer for 20 minutes. Add shrimp and cook until they turn pink and are opaque in the center. Serve over rice.
Today has been one of those days...rough, reflective days that no one particularly likes but everyone benefits from. We don't always see that in the moment that it happens, but after the fact, we know it's true. When I logged onto Facebook this morning, one of the first things I see is a post from my best friend saying that another friend of ours suffered a massive heart attack yesterday. This is someone who is very loving and giving. He's so much fun to be around and is the perfect son to his mother. He actually just came back from a vacation earlier this week. Needless to say, prayers are going out to him. Then, not even an hour later, I clicked on one of my friends lists that I had created only to find out that someone I know has passed away. He left this earth on Monday. He had been very ill over the years. I do not know exactly what he suffered from but I know it wasn't good. I never had the pleasure of meeting him in person, we only had an online friendship. That is something that will haunt me for the rest of my life. We did chat a lot though online and he had the most amazing attitude. He was always patient, listening to me and my "problems". And he always was able to put a positive perspective on what was going on in my life, no matter what was going on in his. That is something that can never be taken away.
That's what it's all about, people. Taking the time for the people in your life that you care about. I know that it's easier said than done many times, but it's oh so worth it. I have spent most of my adult life living with so many "what ifs" when it comes to my loved ones. People that I care deeply about and when they needed me, I was not there. Mom and Grandmother are "what ifs" that I do not if I can ever forgive myself for. There were times when that almost killed me. Seriously. I can work through it, but not sure if I can ever forgive and that is hard to live with sometimes. And, honestly, I'm tired of the "what ifs".
I know my friends and family. We all have a great many people in our lives that we care about. Sadly, though, many of us are too busy with whatever. Many times we hide behind things like Facebook so that we don't have to make the effort. Yes, we're busy with work and life and whatever. But, in the end, is that what really matters? No. It is the people we cherish. That's what matters. They are in our lives for a reason and there is no excuse for not maintaining in real time. I am guilty of this for sure and it makes me so tired. I'm tired of being tired. Aren't you?
So, whoever actually reads this...take time tomorrow to connect. Write someone a letter. Call someone. Return someone's call. Go to lunch with a friend. Spend some time together. Let someone know the difference they have made in your life. Chances are, the feeling is mutual.
We've all heard, and probably said, that tomorrow is not a guarantee...or something to that effect. As cliche' as that is, it is the God's honest truth. Let's not let the ones we care about become a "what if". Believe me, it's not worth that in the end. We're here now, so we should make the most of the opportunities with the people in our lives. Life is too short not to make the most of it.
Be good to yourself and to others. Be blessed. I know I am because of you.
I suppose sooner or later in the life of everyone comes a moment of trial. We all of us have our particular devil who rides us and torments us, and we must give battle in the end.
Here I am now, two weeks out of graduation. I have been working on my resume and looking around at potential jobs here in Guilford and the surrounding counties. Needless to say, it's all overwhelming at the moment. First of all, I have never really had to do a resume before except one for the social work department when I was applying to get in and for my field placement. I hated doing it because it just looked so simple....there just wasn't much to it. I realize that working for the same company for 16 years does look good but it also only takes up a little space on one's resume. Secondly, I have never really had to look for jobs before. That is, real jobs that require experience and education. I can honestly say that every job I have ever had came from one networking connection or another. This makes things a little daunting. I will forge through because it is part of the process, but still it's very new territory to me.
So, today, I will work more on the resume and getting profiles set up to look for jobs. I am determined, though, not to let my fears overtake me today. It really does get pretty scary for me thinking about all of this. Worrying that I'm not experience enough and no one will hire me. Yes, I realize that we all have to start somewhere. I'm fine with that. I just want to find somewhere to start, that's all. It's not like I'm sitting on a pile of money and can spend a year looking around for work. Being an adult comes with responsibilities...and bills...too many bills. And I also do better, mentally, when I have something to do, someplace to go where I feel like I am needed. So, I will keep moving forward and seeing what today brings my way. While I understand that this is a slow process, I must keep at it and perservere. Otherwise, what was the point in getting the degree in the first place?
Some days, life with a dog can get frustrating. Not that I would change having Squirt for anything in the world. He's made our little family complete. And I'm old enough and smart enough to realize that having a dog is the closest thing to having an actual child that I will ever get, so needless to say I am quite protective of my little one.
When you take a dog, or any other animal, into your life they become part of your family. At least that's how I see it. I know that not everyone feels that way and that's sad. Animals bring so much to one's life. And you do realize how your perspective changes particularly when it comes to your stuff. Squirt pretty much owns the house now and 99% of the time gets whatever he wants. Spoiled? Yes! Do I care? No! He sits on whatever he wants, sleeps wherever he wants and yes, pees wherever he needs to when he can't hold it any longer. Those are just the facts that have come to be expected.
And also, I realize that sometimes sacrifices must be made when it comes to Squirt. Last year, when there was a chance his eye would have to be removed, I was ready to sell my car to pay for it. I didn't even think twice about it because that's what you do for your children. Anyway, my graduation trip is coming up in a few weeks. It's actually our annual trip to mountains of Tennessee to go camping with friends. I had thought about planning something else as a trip, but since this one was so close to graduation, I thought I might as well do this for graduation instead.
But, as per usual in life, there is a fly in the ointment. All of our regular dog sitters have said no to taking care of Squirt while we're gone. Of course it's their right to say no but it certainly does put a hitch in our plans. And I'm not exactly sure what to do now. Squirt's not much of a people person, so taking him with us is not the best option but still a possibility. We'd just have to take turns staying with him in the tent. There are worse things I suppose LOL Putting him in a kennel is not an option strictly for financial reasons. So, there's a chance I may have to stay behind to take care of the pooch. That would suck, but sometimes life throws you a curveball. I would hate to miss this trip as I really love it every year. And let's face it, I need it and Michael needs it. On the other hand, Squirt needs me and family comes first.
We still have a few days to figure something out so I will make no rash decisions. It's a rainy day here and now if I can just get Squirt to at least go pee in the front yard that would be wonderful! Wish me luck!
This is one of my favorite pictures of my Great Aunt Billie, or Granny B as we called her. This was her bridal portrait. She married Quincy Belle Snipes of Wilmington, NC in 1928. Somewhere, in all of my stuff, I have the tiara she is wearing and also her shoes, which you can't see. A beautiful portrait of a beautiful lady!
