Its been quite a while.

Well good grief its been a LONG while since I have blogged. WELL, there really isn't much to say even now. I have a job now. :( Not something I would choose but you gotta get the bills paid somehow. I am a cashier at Meijer. It is not a bad job. It is nice being able to talk to people. I'm a talker just like my grandma. There are some crazy people out there that make you think...."can you really be that stupid".....but you just smile and get them out of your line as soon as you can and hope the next person has some smarts. I do have some "hints and tricks" for shopping though.

1. If you are in line and ready to check out and you find that you do not want a few items don't just stick them anywhere you'd like on any shelf or crevice you find. Please give the item to the cashier and he/she will be happy to put it in their "return" bucket and get it back to where it belongs. This keeps shelves and isles clean and neat.

2. READ, READ, READ!!!! If you are buying something that you see has a sign or some type of mark down PLEASE read the sign or markdown sticker or ad or whatever. Many sales have exclusions and/or size preferences for the sale. If you do not read and end up grabbing the wrong item then the cashier has to find out why the item is not ringing up correctly. Which could take quite a while. Just please READ!

3. There are allot of places that have the Bag Carousels nowadays. When the cashier is putting items in the bags and spins the Carousel to get to an empty bag this is not a "que" to you, to turn the carousel so you can get the full bag of your items that you cannot reach. The cashier will turn the carousel so you can retrieve your bags when he/she is done with your order. Patience is the word for this "hint/trick".

4. Please do not blame the cashier for something ringing up wrong. The cashier had nothing to do with it. All the cashier does is ring up the item and bag the item. If you want to blame anyone just ask the cashier to call the manager and you can blame them. Which it really isn't their fault either but they will be able to help you more than the cashier.

5. Cashiers cannot return items at their registers. Items that need to be returned need to go to the service desk. End of story.

6. Cashiers are not meant to put away your carts/baskets. There are door greeters at both entrances and they are the ones who have that lovely job of putting your carts and baskets where they belong. Its not like its out of the way when you are leaving.


Well now that I have that out of my system I am going to bed. Goodnight my friends.

Christopher update

In 9 days Christopher will be 2 years old! I cannot believe he is going to be 2. He has grown so much. He is wearing 4T clothing. To me that seems pretty big. He has his "Check Up" on Monday the 3rd and I am anxious to see how big he actually is. He is saying many words but has yet to make any sentences. He does say "I go" when we say "Lets go" when we are going out. He says it like a question, like "Can I go?". Like there is an option of leaving him home. We now have a tricycle for him to play on. He does pretty well on it. He is still learning how to peddle. He'll peddle for a little bit then he stops. Then he will start peddling again he has alot of fun on it and is doing very well. Next we will teach him how to turn when a tree is in the way. He is so independent. Especialy while eating. He wants to handle the fork and spoon. The fork he can do quite well. The spoon on the other hand he is still working on. He doesn't realize that you have to keep the spoon straight up or the food will fall off. I am still teaching and he is still learning. Usualy I will just guide his hand and help hold the spoon so nothing falls off. He has also slept the last 2 nights without his bottle. That is also going very well. He doesn't seem to really care that he doesn't have it. He is just growing like a weed and I am very anxious to watch him grow even more.

Determination

      So there is this guy in a motorized wheel chair scooter thing that always goes up and down the sidewalk, here at the apartment complex. It seems like everyday he gets out and just rides around the complex getting his daily dose of fresh air. He also has a music device of some sort and he is just bobbing his head to the beat having a good ole’ time in his own little musical world. He is maybe in his late 30’s early 40’s. We just had a nice big storm come through and it was getting pretty serious outside with the lightning. Well I was looking outside watching the birds play in the puddles when I see him just cruising his way down the sidewalk, bound and determined to get his fresh air no matter what the elements may be. He was doing his normal bobbing with the beat and had his umbrella in a nifty umbrella holder on his little scooter thing. I just thought it was interesting and needed to share that with the world. J

R.I.P.

Would you all please take a moment of silence for my spring flower basket. It has kicked the bucket or pot rather. It did put up a good fight though. It slowly lost its beautiful flowers one by one and it just gave up and is no longer pretty. It was a very pretty flower pot that accented my corner very delicately with its beautiful flowers. It seems like just weeks ago that I bought it and it was alive and beautiful. Wait a minute it was just weeks ago. :) Anyways, I don't believe I will be getting anymore flower pots this season BUT, I will get another vine or something else like that. We will all remember you and your pretty-ness my beautiful spring flower basket.

Cactus

So Wes and I went to Lowes yesterday and decided we wanted some cactus. We bought about quite a few and have them all in their own little mini gardens. Here are some pictures of them. Hope you enjoy.

These we liked because they were odd and different

This one is my favorite. I love all the colors in this one.

These are called Old Man and Old Lady. I bet you can't tell which is the man and which is the lady.

Sun + Plants = Happy Healthy Plants

     Well it has been rainy and cloudy for about 2 weeks now. My poor flowers are looking so droopy and sad. Today the sun has decided to grace us with its shine and my flowers are outside soaking it ALL up. They are looking so happy now.
     Also, I have discovered that some plants need watering more often than other plants. Duh. :) My flowers need watering every 3 to 4 days. My vine needs watering every 4 to 5 days. The other plants I have never need watering, they are very simple plants.  I want to get more plants and just have a jungle in this apartment. I will wait though till my thumb gets a little greener. :)
     Oh, and since my floweres were looking not as healthy as they should some of them were dieing. I would pick off the dead ones and throw them outside. Well Christopher saw me doing this and he thought he would help. Well, being 19 months old he does not know the difference between a dead flower and a live flower. Yes, he was picking off my beautiful flowers that were still healthy and happy. I have rearanged my living room so that I can put the flowers up away from him. Hes such a helpful little guy. Thats the update hope you have a safe and wonderful weekend!!

Adventure in Plants

     So, I have purchased my first few plants. When I was growing up we didn’t have many plants in the house because, well, my mom doesn’t do so well with plants. She can get real easy plants that don’t need a lot of watering or any maintenance. I have never had plants before. I decided I wanted to see how much of a “green thumb” I have. My first plant I bought was a vine. It is hanging in my dining room just low enough for Wes to bump his head. I have already repotted the vine into a bigger pot that fits my décor. My next plant purchases were two bamboo shoots that came in these pretty green holders and had purple and pink flowers on them. The flowers are fake but it still looks good. I was given an Aloe Vera plant which stays outside for some balcony decoration. Just the other day I bought a hanging mixed spring basket. It has a few different types of flowers in it. Its really pretty but it really doesn’t have a spot yet because it needs sun and my apartment doesn’t get ANY sun at all. So I have it out on the balcony during the day and bring it in at night. With the spring basket I bought a couple plants that are called “Succulent Dish Garden”. It is just a small little dish that has a variety of different little plants and they are VERY low maintenance. They would work very well with my mother. J It is also covered in rocks as well. I hope all goes well with my plants and I do plan on getting more. Wish me luck with my “Adventure in Plants”.
These first two are my Succulent garden dishes.



These are my two bamboo shoots

My beautiful vine.

Spring flower basket

Last is my Aloe vera

 

Elder Gentleman

At Wal-mart there is an Elder Gentleman who is just the cutest old person.He works in the produce department and he always stops what he is doing to come and talk to us. He is in love with Christopher. He reminds me allot of my Grandpa. If I see him I nonchalantly work my way towards him so he can see Christopher. Christopher just loves him. He sits there in the cart just smiling and being his cute self. I have found out that he has 3 grandchildren but he is fascinated with the younger kids around Christopher's age. He says that Christopher has a million dollar smile. I obviously agree with him. :-) He is just a cute grandpa who needed to be talked about. I have yet to get his name though.

Things I miss as a child

Things I miss as a child:

I miss my mom doing EVERYTHING  for me.

I miss not having to call stupid insurance people who send me a "questionnaire" to fill out. Which says "If you have any questions please call us and we will be glad to help" WELL, when I call I expect to be talking to someone who is actualy glad to be helping me.

I miss not having to pay bills.

I miss being able to sleep in until 11am and not feel guilty about it.

I miss being able to sleep in.

I miss only having to be responsible for myself.

I miss my mom.

I miss not having any stress.

I miss being a kid.

I miss not having to clean everyday.

Don't get me wrong I love my life right now and everything and everyone in it. There are just some things I miss from childhood.

Grocery Store Etiquette 101

#1     As you go up and down the grocery store isles you walk on the right side of the isle. Its like driving, you drive and walk on the right side of sidewalks, roads, isles, etc. You do not slowly make your way down the center of the isle slowing everyone down.

#2     When you shop with children, watch them. When you go on ahead, there is no question they are knocking something down and not picking it up.

#3     Just because you are on your cell phone doesn't mean life slows down. You can still go at the same pace you were going before you were on the phone.

#4      If you meet up with someone you know and would like to have a little chat with them, please make sure you are out of every ones way.

#5     When you are walking to and from your car, you need to walk on the right side of the cars. Not the middle of the row. It is just like in the store. Also when exiting the store and you are waiting for someone or are talking to a friend, do not stand directly in front of the door blocking the people wanting in or out of the store. Stand aside.

Please just be considerate and respectful. We are all in this world its not only you.

Breakfast

My favorite meal of the day is breakfast. Not really sure why. Maybe because all I think about is food and what better way to start the day than with a wonderful breakfast. I think the best breakfast I have made is what I made last saturday and today. 5 potaotoes(chopped), 1 large onion (chopped), Green Bell pepper, (chopped) and sliced mushrooms. I like to use maple sausage, it just gives it that nice sweet taste. Then of course the eggs. You can mix the eggs into everything or you can just scramble them on the side, or even just do a cook to order for eveyone. Put a little cheese on it and there you have it a very good filling breakfast. I love to make it. It does take a little time though. You have to cook the potatoes just right then add everything else just at the right moment. Its a skilled task that I like to think I have mastered. :-) Well thats it for today just wanted to comment on my wonderful filling breakfast.

$3.00

OK, So I have had $3 in my wallet for a few weeks now. Not real sure where it came from. I was cleaning out my wallet and it had just appeared there. I have been wondering what I am going to do with this $3. Well today on the way home from Wal-Mart, I was first in line of a long line of cars. Up ahead there is a person standing with a cardboard sign. Not uncommon to see at the Wal-Mart parking lot. Like most people I just think to myself "get a job". Well today something was urging me to stop and give the man something. I'm racking my brain for something to give this guy trying to think quick before I reach the stop sign where he is standing. I think, "do I just hand him a bag of groceries. I do have a $10 but we need laundry done. What can I give this guy." The feeling of guilt is starting to creap up on me. For some reason I really want to give this guy something. Well I finaly reach him at the stop sign and I reach down for the change from the ashtray and there in the diaper bag is my wallet with the $3 sticking out nice and conveinient for me to quickly give it to this guy. He was extremely grateful and thanked me profusely. As I drive away with a huge silly smile on my face I look in the rear view mirror and most of the line of cars behind me were stopping and giving him something. I said to Christopher "Well look at what mommy started." Whats weird is I didn't use that pocket of my wallet when I was in Wal-Mart. I don't know if Christopher unzipped it or if the zipper was cought on something when I put it down. All I know is I started a line of good deeds today and I feel very good about it. Something inside me just knows that, that man needed that $3 more than I did and who knows how much more he got from the vehicals behind me.

2011 is almost here and Venison Casserole.

Lets start with Venison Casserole.

Here is the original recipe which I found online...

1 1/2 lbs. ground venison (may substitute ground beef)
1/2 c. chopped onion
1 tbsp. butter
1 (16 oz.) can tomato sauce
1 tsp. sugar
8 oz. pkg. noodles
1 c. cottage cheese
3 oz. pkg. cream cheese
1/4 c. sour cream
1/4 c. chopped green onion
1/4 c. chopped green pepper
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/8 tsp. garlic powder
2 tbsp. melted butter
1/2 c. Parmesan cheese

Brown venison and onions in butter. Stir in tomato sauce and sugar; set aside. Boil noodles according to package directions; drain.
Combine cheeses, sour cream, green onions, green pepper, salt, pepper and garlic powder and set aside. Butter a 3 quart casserole dish; pour in half the mixture, layer half of the noodles, cover with all of the cheese mixture.
Top with remaining noodles; pour melted butter over casserole. Top with remaining meat sauce and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.


OK the only thing I did differently was, I didn't put the cottage cheese and sour cream in. Only because not everyone around here likes those particular items. It still turned out good. Although, it calls for 8 oz of cream cheese and Wes and I both think that it is way to much. It was like every bite had a mouthful of cream cheese. We love cream cheese but not that much. Not really much to say about the casserole.

2010 is coming to an end. Allot has happened this year. I think everything that has happened to me has been good. Especially my move to Ohio. I needed to get away from New Mexico and be around my people. I do still have friends who I need to visit. When the time is right it will happen. So in 2011 all I can hope for is a healthy family and happiness for everyone. Happy New Year Everybody!!!!!!!

Venison Meatloaf

Yes, I am still making my venison casserole, but today I decided to make meatloaf instead.

So the onions I have been buying lately have been making my eyes water and burn so bad. Wes is always calling into the kitchen or popping up behind me asking me if I'm alright. He hears me sniffling and cursing at the onions because they are so strong. The things that we go through to make something taste good. Well I get the onion chopped and everything ready to put into the meatloaf pan. Well, there is no meatloaf pan. Good grief, I know that we had one in New Mexico and that is something I wouldn't have given away. I went through every cupboard in that kitchen and a few other places it might possibly be hiding. It wasn't anywhere. So, I'm standing in the middle of the kitchen thinking what pan I could use then, for some unknown reason I pull out the drawer under the oven and look behind it and there it was. It had fallen out of the back of the drawer and was now under the drawer that is under the oven. So here I am trying to get the stupid meatloaf pan out from under everything. Meanwhile, Wes is taking a nap so I'm trying to stay quiet, oh and I have a 14 month old little boy next to me trying to help. I do eventually get the pan out with the broom. Now I have to wash it cause who takes out the drawer under their oven and cleans. I get the meatloaf in the oven and it turns out pretty good. It could have used some more seasonings I think. My brother Jason had come over. He and Wes both liked it so that makes me happy. I think meatloaf is another one of those dishes that could be different every time. There are some many different things that you can put in meatloaf. So I will be experimenting.
        Well that was my evening. Even though I had a fight with the meatloaf pan it all turned out pretty well in the end. :)

Chili is the topic today.

        My most recent dish that I have cooked was chili. Chili is not a hard dish to make. Like my dear G-G (Grandma) always says, seasonings, seasoning, seasonings. She definitely has a point. If you don't season your food, it will taste bland and just no good. When you make chili it usually will never taste the same twice. At least mine never does. I also don't make my chili from any recipe. I just "wing it" as some would say.  So in this chili that I made I put Kidney beans, corn, diced tomatoes and some chili beans. Oh and of course hamburger. I Seasoned the hamburger before I put it in the chili then I seasoned the chili. I put all kinds of seasonings in my chili. I just season it till it tastes good. That is the most important thing when cooking anything, always taste your food. How are you going to know if it tastes good if you don't taste it? Trust me, if it looks good that doesn't mean its going to taste good. Always, always, always taste your food before serving it. Something as simple as chili is so much fun for me to make. I have such joy when I cook. My mind just wonders and I just go off into my own little land. I may have said that before. I just love cooking.
       Well we are getting paid again so I will be getting some more ingredients for a venison casserole. I'm very excited to make it and see how it comes out. I'll be keeping you posted. Have a wonderful Christmas everyone!!!!!

Cooking

        So for those of you who might know, I was in love with cooking a few years ago. I even had plans to go to school and become a big time chef and all that. Life got in the way of my plans and well, I didn't go to school. I also lost the passion I had for cooking. I didn't cook for I think, it was at least 2 1/2 years or more. I am happy to tell you, that I have dug deep and found my passion for cooking again. I love reading my cook books. I read them like people read mystery books. It amazes me how all I can think about is food and what I can do with it. Even my favorite movie is based on cooking. Julie and Julia. I am so very much in love with that movie. I am in the process of setting up a similar project for myself based on the movie. I am not going to go through a whole cook book in a year. I think, I will just pick a few recipes out of a cookbook or even offline. I will then write in my blog and tell you how everything is going.  I am very happy to have found my passion for food again. It is so much fun for me. When I am cooking I am just in my place, in my own little land that only Christopher gets to come into. Lately I have just been doing simple stuff. Vegetables from a can rice from a package. Simple stuff. For Christmas I hope to make a nice big dinner.
        Something else I have gotten into is, baking. I don't know why either. I don't really like pastries, or dessert type of food. I did make banana walnut bread a while back and it turned out pretty good. Then I made cupcakes. I have been wanting to make a cake here recently. I haven't because Wes has been gone for work and it would go to waste. He will be able to be home for a little while so it would be a good time to make one. I also want to get into making cookies. Well at least sugar cookies so I can decorate them. You know, now that I think about it, I may just want to decorate all the baked goods that I want to cook not necessarily eat them, just make them pretty. :)
        Well there you have it. I will keep the blogs coming to keep you informed. I hope this all works out and maybe it will further my cooking career.     

Christmas is coming!!!

        So November is nearly over. There are a few presents for the family hiden away ready to wrap and get put under the tree. Ahhhhhhhh, the Christmas tree, such a wonderful part of the Christmas season. The decorating of the Christmas tree, I think, is one of the best parts of Christmas. I remember the day after Thanksgiving my mom and I would always dig out the Christmas decorations and just make the house look all warm and cheery. It is sad that we cannot have a real tree, but we will get an artificial one and that will just have to do. It is so nice being able to get Christmas presents for Christopher when he is with us. He even plays with them in the cart and once we have them bagged at the checkout counter he forgets all about them. I know this will not last long so I am enjoying his memory loss for the time being. :-) It will also be interesting to see what he will think of the tree and the presents. I'm sure we will have to descipline him on getting into the presents too early. He has learned what no means but, he is a little boy who is determined to get into whatever it is he is not supposed to get into.
        Thanksgiving day will be a good family gathering. I love it when the family gets together and we just talk and have a good time. We are also going to my Dads this weekend for Thanksgiving. Wes is going to go hunting. He is very excited and we both hope he gets a deer. It would be very lovely to have a deer in the freezer. It is always nice to take a family trip to Michigan. Well any trip that we take is alwaysgood. This will be Christopher's 3rd time to Michigan. He does pretty well in the truck. We have tons of stuff to keep him occupied. Being a one year I'm sure a 5 hour drive seems like 5 days.
       Ok so I must not be in the mood to write any more my laundry needs my attention anyway so I hope you have enjoyed my post and hope to hear from you. Love you all. :-)

November

        So its a start to a new month. November, the harvest month. Living in an apartment with a man who is gone allot for work and a 1 year old, means I will be doing most of the hHoliday decorating. I love decorating for the holidays. I am very excited for Christopher to know the meaning of Christmas and be able to enjoy the holiday. This year he will just be wondering what mommy is doing putting all these pretty things around the apartment for him to play with. It will be interesting to see how he reacts to the Christmas Tree. Hopefully he won't try to hard to take the decorations down too early. I think I will decorate in silver and blue this year. Its really too bad that we can't have a real Christmas Tree. The apartment complex won't allow it. Fire hazard I guess. So we will be getting a fake tree. I know its just not right having a fake tree but I can't go without a Christmas Tree. Although I have had a fake Christmas tree before. There was one year that my mom and I made it look pretty good.
        Lets see what else to talk about.....Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving this year will be nice. Just Wes, Christopher and I. Just the family. Carol I'm sure will be inviting us over for dinner too. Depending on whats going on I'm sure we will be going over there as well. Wes and I have decided to go against the traditional turkey and ham and get those little Cornish hens. I think that is what they are called. It will be easier for us to get rid of leftovers if there isn't a huge turkey to eat.
        Well its laundry day and since Christopher doesn't seem to want to take a nap we better get going. I have been procrastinating on doing the laundry so there is quite a few loads to do. Until next time I hope you all have a wonderful day!!!

Thoughts of you

I thought of you today, the thought of you makes me feel joyfuly gay.

Our time apart, strengthens the love i have in my heart.

Like the stars in the sky, you shine your love without a try.

You make me feel beautiful, thats what makes our relationship so wonderful.

I think of you everyday, and love you in everyway.

The life I dreamt of.

        All my life I dreamed of being a stay at home mom. I would dream of 2 kids and this wonderful husband. We lived in this beautiful neighborhood full of wonderful people. The dinner parties we had were just fun, elegant and full of joy. Our house was the perfect size for our little family and life was just perfect. 

        My life has been far from perfect. There are things that I regret and would change if I had the chance. God has helped me through so much in my life. He is such an awesome God. He has not given me the "perfect life" I dreamt about, but its awfuly close.

        I have a wonderful man in my life. Wes is my partner, my love, but most of all he is my friend. We will stay up late at night just talking and laughing. I think about him every hour of everyday. When he goes out of town for a few days I get so alone. He calls me when he can and I always wait for those phone calls. When he comes home I become a teenager all giddy with butterflies. I love this man with all my life and plan on spending the rest of my life with him.

        God has also given me the most wonderful child I could ever ask for. Christopher is always happy. He is also very smart. Some of the things that he does are just amazing to me. Its funny how when a 1 year old boy puts a square block in a square hole just excites you to no end. I really think he will excel through anything and everything he does.

       Like in my dream I am a stay at home mom. As long as the finances allow it, it will stay that way. The joy I get from keeping my home a happy home is just awesome. I can admit that when Wes is gone on a job out of town I do slack a little. By the time he gets home you wouldn't know it though.

      Not everything in my dream came true but its pretty darn close. I love my life and can't wait to see what the good lord has in store for me next.