5 Showtunes I like to dance to

Sometimes I just like to dance around the house.  Normally, I am alone when I do this LOL Mainly because there are certain songs that, when they come on, I totally blast on the stereo.  And I try to be respectful of Michael in regards to my music. 

But there's just something about freeing oneself up and just letting loose.  And it's good exercise.  I don't have to impress anyone.  I can move however I want.  It's just fun and, hey, we all need a little of that these days.  So, here are 5 showtunes that I love to crank up and dance to:

It's Your Wedding Day - The Wedding Singer

You Can't Stop The Beat - Hairspray

Mama Will Provide - Once On This Island

Dreamgirls - Dreamgirls

Hello 12, Hello 13 - A Chorus Line

Yes, there are more, but I'm sticking to these five today.  I'll add more on another list later on.
Enjoy!

Recipe of the Week - Cabbage and Beef Casserole

About six months ago, we were watching a rerun of A Chef's Life on PBS and this was one of the recipes on the show.  Vivian was attending her church's potluck and this was a dish that someone she knew had been making for years for the potluck and it was her favorite.  It sounded pretty good, so I had to try it.  We've had a couple of times and really enjoyed it.  Great comfort food

Cabbage and Beef Casserole
1 bell pepper, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 lb ground beef
3 cups chopped cabbage
3 medium potatoes, thinly sliced
salt and pepper
1 can cheddar cheese soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/3 cup of milk

Saute pepper and onion in olive oil (or butter) until tender.  Set aside.  Brown ground beef.  Layer bottom of casserole dish with cabbage, then layer potatoes on top of that.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Combine both soups with beef, bell pepper, onion and milk.  Pour over potatoes.  Cover in foil and bake for 45 minutes at 350.  Remove foil and bake 10 more minutes.

Enjoy!

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

I wanted a calm, beautiful hymn this morning and I chose this.  Be blessed!

Escapades in Adulting - Overspending

As if my bank account was not sparse enough, I am finding myself overspending the past two weeks.  I checked my account this morning and, yes, there's still money in it but I was like "Whoa!  what have I been buying?!"  Of course, with the hysterical atmosphere we live in right now, I have been going to the grocery store a lot more than normal....stocking up on essentials and such.  Now, I'm not overspending on toilet paper...just the usual amount there.  LOL  If I run out of that, I will find a creative way to deal with the situation.  But canned and dry goods.  That's where my money seems to be going.

I know that a lot of people are doing it, not just me.  These are crazy, scary times and we all want to make sure we have what we need.  I think, though for myself, I need to be better about my budget.  I'm thankful that I still have work and an income for the moment.  I'm luckier than some of my friends in that regard right now.  I still need to live within my means however.  This is really teaching me a good deal about how I spend my money and where it goes.  That is a definite positive I am taking from this entire experience.

And, yes, I have also overspent on a few things for myself.  The power of internet shopping can be very enticing.  I will see something that I don't really need but would like to have and think "Why not?  I might as well treat myself to something extra!"  And I end up with a cart full of stuff.  I do put things back but I still make that unnecessary purchase.  Oops!  LOL  I simply need to be more careful where the money goes.  I have gotten caught up in spending before, for other reasons, and I know firsthand what some of the consequences can be. 

Payday is next week, so I will take this opportunity to really sit down and look at the finances.  I might as well start this habit in earnest while I've got the time and means to do it.  We shall see how that goes!

That is all :)

The Continuing Adventures of Just a Waiter - a note to my coworkers

Well, work is certainly different than it was this time last week.  We have visitor restrictions at all 3 buildings.  That makes things tough on all of us.  Everything has changed as far as entertainment and activities for the residents.  Obviously, who can enter the building has vastly slimmed down.  It's definitely an adjustment, but we are doing what we must to protect the residents and ourselves.  This is the best thing.

I would like to tell my coworkers thank you.  Everyone is stepping up to the plate and doing what needs to be done to keep our people safe.  Work schedules have changed and we often find ourselves working in a different building than where we normally are.  That is, actually, on the fun side for me because I get to see residents I haven't seen in a long time....which is something I need to be better about once this is all done.  Anyway, it's so nice to see everyone contributing to the team atmosphere at HG.  Everyone pulling their weight.  Everyone helping each other out.  It's pretty great to see.  We actually have this kind of atmosphere at work even when we aren't in crisis mode.  The associates really work together on a daily basis to give our residents a wonderful quality of life.  It simply feels highlighted right now under our circumstances.  So, thank you for that!

Also, I want to tell my coworkers to take care of themselves.  I don't mean physically because that goes without saying.  I mean mentally and emotionally.  Right now, most of us are coming to work and then going straight home only to do it all over again the next day.  And we could have this routine for the foreseeable future.  Don't forget while you're at home to take time for yourself.  Yes, there are children to be taken care of.  Yes, there are other family members to look after.  Yes, we still have to pay bills and buy necessities.  But do try and take time for yourself.  Whether it's binge watching on Netflix or going for a walk or reading a book, find something that can help you energize your spirit and let you escape for a while.  Self care is very important and if we don't practice that, we will not be as good as we can be to our residents and they need us now.  And we need each other now. 

We will get through this and come out all the better for it once it is over.  Thank you for all that you do and remember that we do make a difference every day.

That is all

Recipe of the week - Raisin Pecan Coffee Cake

I found this recipe in my large stack of random recipes I've saved...magazine clippings, newspapers, loose recipes from home.  This one comes from one of my Mom's coworkers, Alice Brainard.  She worked for Council On Aging at United Way in the office next to Mom.  I remember Alice being an amazing cook.  She made the best homemade eclairs!  Anyway, I thought I would give this a try a few weeks ago and was really happy with the result!

Raisin Pecan Coffee Cake
2 cups sugar (reserve 1/4 cup sugar, 1 tsp cinnamon for topping)
2 sticks of margarine
2 eggs
1 cup sour cream
2 cups of flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup pecans, chopped
1/2 cup raisings

Mix sugar and margarine until creamy.  Add eggs, one at a time.  Add sour cream alternately with flour.  Mix in pecans and raisins.  Spoon batter into tube cake pan.  Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon topping.  Bake at 350 for 50 - 60 minutes until a cake tester comes out clean.

Enjoy!!

Prayer of St. Francis

I know that I've posted this before, but I can't remember if it was simply the words of the prayer that I posted or this arrangement.  We sang this arrangement in youth choir at FBC in Monroe back in the day.  I've had this song in my brain over the last few days and wanted to share.

Be blessed today!