Monday, February 27, 2012

Who are you?

If y'all are anything like me, I'm constantly trying to find my place in the world-a place that is ever changing.  I feel like constant improvement and evolution is necessary to keep up in this world.  I find my self constantly stressed, constantly overwhelemd and I know I"m not alone.  Are we stressing over becoming the person we long to be or the person we long for others to see us as?  When did our own self-concept become less important than our presenting self?  It's a depressing question...one that many of us don't like to think about.

Thankfully, I have a husband who loves me as I am; a daughter who thinks I'm fabulous and a heavenly father who created me in his image.  Who else should I need or desire to impress.  Oddly enough, I've found the more real I am, the more acceptance I feel. 

Who I am:

I am a :  happily married wife, an adoptive mother, an educator, close to being a college graduate, a soon to be librarian, overweight, not always a faithful churchgoer, hypochondriac, type a personality, bad temper, overly protective child of GOD.  

I encourage everyone to discover who you really are.

Friday, February 24, 2012

A goopy, red eyeball isn't all that bad.....

This morning, I woke up with conjuctivitis.  I cringed.  The cringing was not because I was uncomfortable, or worried about myself in the least.  I fear the spreading; the contagiousness of this plight of mine.  The past week, I've been in the local children's library quite a bit and have done some student teaching.  Hence, the eyeball.  No matter where I go, I seem to experience a symphony of hacking.  I feel blessed to have fared this well, really. 

As I was saying, after my discovery this morning, my thoughts turned to my day and suddenly, excitement began to build.  I realized I would have to clear my schedule for the day....woohoo.  No dentist appointment (just a cleaning), no trip to the cpa, no volunteer Friday at school. It would be horrible to spread the love ;)  A day to myself?  Really?  I'm gonna be real here and admit to something.  I dearly hope my mama doesn't read this, but here goes.....I haven't really cleaned my house since December 14th.  That date started a colision of unpleasant/hectic activites in my life.  My daughter had surgery, Christmas hit, her birthday immediately after, my husband working huge amounts of madatory overtime, my classes resuming, etc.  Now don't go thinking our home has been nasty.  Every week I do clean, just not up to my standards.  I would do the very best I could do with the time I had.  Everyday when I look at cobwebs in the corners, I cringe.  No one sees them but me, but they kill me.  Are you beginning to guess what me and my nasty eyeball have been doing today?  ClEaNiNg!!!

This morning I have:
scrubbed all floors by hand
wiped down all woodwork
dusted everything properly (pulled eveything out!)
cleaned all electronic components
organized my desk
paid bills
done all dishes
ran a cleaning cycle through dishwasher
vacummed
cleaned out fridge
ran through short cleaning cycle on my range
scrubbed everything in hall bath, disinfected

It feels soooo, sooo good.  After all this, I am taking a bit of a computer break!  I have much more to do yet, but am well on my way.  I just love the smell of clorox and pine-sol!  Anyone with me?  Happy cleaning.

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Happiness and the little things in life!

So....today I have been reflecting.  Our weather is dreary and cool, my hubby had to work overtime AGAIN which really wrecked our plans, my house is pretty much a wreck, my homework is at the point that I honestly don't know if I can catch up or not, our next four weekends are hopelessly over scheduled.  Normally, I would be dwelling on everything that is WRONG in my life, but what good can possibly come out of this.  I've always tended to be a bit negative and I get that honestly.  Much effort has been put into being more positive and some days I'm successful and some days I'm not.  This morning I decided to take a bit of time every morning and think of 10 things I am thankful for/make me happy.  The idea is to start out in a pleasant mood and continue with positive energy for the rest of the day...lol.  Sounds easy doesn't it?  Today I am thankful for:

1)  Easily zipping up the bridesmaids dress I will be wearing in two short weeks!!!  Yay!
2) My super comfy bed...memory foam, two velux blankets, a pottery barn quit and numerous pillows are a very good combo!!
3)  The crackling sound of my fireplace...cozy!
4)  My little shih-tzu who loves me more than anyone else...he is my snuggle buddy!
5)  Blueberry tea with a touch of honey for sweetener.
6)  Fat-free pina colada yogurt
7)  My newly detailed car...I spend huge amounts of time n my vehicle and I love it to be super clean!
8)  Having hair that is finally long enough to put in a pony.  It's been awhile!
9)  Receiving my Dean's List notification in the mail this morn.
10)  Only having to wait six more days for The Vow to be in theatres!!!

Looking back at my list...nothing is overly expensive or difficult (well except the Dean's list) and they make me so happy.  We truly need to start appreciating each day because life is a vapor.  Those that are always building a happy tomorrow may just lose out on the joys of each day.

Friday, February 3, 2012

So, I figure I owe y'all another post....

with the remainder of the sour dough bread recipe.  I have been very, very bad this week.  First of all, Everyone has been sick and I have been mucho busy trying to take care of their needs, tend house, cook, attend my classes and homework, etc.  I am ashamed to admit all of this weeks hustle and bustle has made me grumpy, a bit frazzled and frankly....forced to operate in bare minimum mode.  Bare Minimum mode usually entails accomplishing only absolutely necessary tasks.  What does this all mean?  I let my starter go bad.  You see, I didn't feed it.  As far as I know, that is the only way to ruin a starter.  See how bad I've been?  Luckily, I did manage to remember to feed my family and our 10,000 pets and am proud to say the only thing dead 'round these parts is my starter.  Today I think I will get another started, we'll see.  I'm going to go ahead and list the recipe for the bread in case anyone would like to get a batch going.

Sour Dough Bread recipe

2 T sugar
2 tsp salt
6c. bread flour
1/2 c. vegetable oil
1 c. starter
1 1/2 c. warm water.

Measure out one cup of starter and set aside.  Mix together flour, salt and sugar, then add vegetable oil, starter and warm water and mix well. Dough will be stiff.  Put about 1 tbsp foil in a large bowl and pour bread dough into the bowl.  Flip the bread dough over on time as soon as you put it in bowl.  This will bring the oily side up.  Cover bowl with saran wrap and a kitchen towel.  Let set at room temperature for 8 to 10 hours, then punch it down and knead for 30 seconds.  Pour out onto lightly-floured surface.  Divide into 3 equal parts and knead each piece 8 to 10 times.  make a rectangular shape to fit into loaf pans.  Grease 3 loaf pans and put bread dough in each one.  Cover with waxed paper and let rise for 4 to 5 hours.  Bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes or until golden brown.  If you want to make wheat bread, use 2 cups of wheat flour and 4 cups of bread flour.