Friday, September 30, 2011

ADELE.


I could listen to Adele for days.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

BIG DAY.

Today was a big day. Why? (drum roll please....)

I went to a new hairstylist. HUGE, I know.

Ladies, you can relate. We all have our one thing that we will spend a stupid amount of money just so it can be perfect. Some people spend it on clothes, some spend it on shoes, some spend it on makeup, beer, food. Me, I spend it on my hair.

I've been putting off this day, dreading it, for two reasons: 1. I can no longer go to my stylist since she is now 250 miles from me. :( and 2. I have no money (Happy Early Birthday to ME!)

So I started shopping around, looking for someone's hair that I liked and then asked them where they got it done. Today I went to who I was referred to by. And she didn't disappoint. Thank God. You should have seen me before I went. Serious anxiety.

I went in with an idea, just add some lowlights. Got there, talked it out with her, and came out with something totally different- full dye, rehighlight, tone- a PROCESS. I'm such a sucker for persuasion- but I trusted her and I'm glad I did. I love how it came out and it's perfect for the season. We tried to come up with a name for it- nothin'. I'll leave you with rich, warm, chocolatey brown with a hint of caramel honey. When I look close I can see red in there too, made me a little nervous, but it works. The dark will take a little getting used to but it makes 'dem baby blues POP!

So Blonde, it was fun having you around. You'll be back again. But in the meantime, Brunette you are HOT  this season and I missed you! Let's go have some fun.

(I don't like any of these pictures- it doesn't really do justice, but you can get an idea.)



Tuesday, September 27, 2011

TO THE LADIES:







“This life is what you make it. No matter what, you're going to mess up sometimes, it's a universal truth. But the good part is you get to decide how you're going to mess it up. Girls will be your friends - they'll act like it anyway. But just remember, some come, some go. The ones that stay with you through everything - they're your true best friends. Don't let go of them. Also remember, sisters make the best friends in the world. As for lovers, well, they'll come and go too. And babe, I hate to say it, most of them - actually pretty much all of them are going to break your heart, but you can't give up becuase if you give up, you'll never find your soul mate. You'll never find that half who makes you whole and that goes for everything. Just because you fail once, doesn't mean you're gonna fail at everything. Keep trying, hold on, and always, always, always believe in yourself, because if you don't, then who will, sweetie? So keep your head high, keep your chin up, and most importantly, keep smiling, because life's a beautiful thing and there's so much to smile about.”


-Marilyn Monroe

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

"Chicken Pot Pie. Can't get enough of it."


a little thing I like to call "Chicken Pot Pie"


get. in. my. belly.



I made this for dinner tonight. I have fallen in love with chicken pot pie ever since I tried this one. I think of Little House on the Prairie when I think of chicken pot pie. Of course they ate that for dinner every night back then and had porridge for breakfast. But I don't care, this is good!

I would love to claim it as my own recipe, but it really just happened to be for dinner one night I was babysitting a few years ago. Begged the mom for the recipe. And here we are.

Everyone I have ever made it for has loved it. So here it is- try it out. I don't think you'll be let down. If you are, you have bad tastebuds.


 Ingredients:

1 box refrigerated pie crust for 9 inch double crust
¼ cup butter
1/3 cup flour
1 tablespoon instant minced onion or 1/4 cup fresh minced onion
¼ teaspoon pepper
1½ cups water
¾ cup milk
3 cubes chicken bouillon
2 cups chicken, cooked and diced 
12 oz. frozen mixed vegetables


Directions:

1. Heat oven to 425˚.
2. Lay bottom pie crust in bottom of pie plate.
3. In large saucepan melt butter, stir in flour, onion and pepper – blend well.
4. Add water, milk and bouillon cubes.
5. Cook until thickened, stirring constantly until bouillon cubes are dissolved.
6. Add frozen veggies, stir until thawed.
7. Stir in cooked chicken, cook until hot.  (add milk if the mixture looks too thick).
8. Pour filling into pie crust.
9. Place top crust over filling, fold top edge over bottom, cut slits in top crust.
10. Bake for 25-35 minutes or until golden brown.
(Put a cookie sheet underneath in case it bubbles over)

Let set for 15 minutes before serving.

Enjoy!! :)


Tuesday, September 20, 2011

I GOT THE BUG.

Holy Moly- I have been KNOCKED OUT, DOWN FOR THE COUNT the past two days from either a terrible, terrible bug or terrible, terrible food poisoning. I'm still not sure which one it was because I could reason both, but whatever it was, it was TERRIBLE.

Yesterday my day consisted of a three step process on repeat.
Bed. Sleep. Bathroom. (repeat) Bed. Sleep. Bathroom.

And menu for the day...Water.
Yum. (screaming sarcasm)

I'm happy to say that finally tonight...48 hours later,  I am beginning to feel better. I am no longer running to the bathroom every 5 minutes, no longer have a 102 fever, have hot sweats, chills, stomach ache, or a headache. Stomach is still a little sensitive but I can deal with that.

It was a nasty, nasty bug and I hope it never plans on coming back.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

I REMEMBER.



It was a beautiful Tuesday morning. Just a typical day though. The usual hustle and bustle of getting ready in the morning and going into school. I was in 7th grade. I went to my first two periods of class and then for third period went to Spanish. I was sitting in Ms. Denton's class on the left side of the classroom, second row, facing the clock.  At around 9:15am, we were suddenly interrupted over the loud speaker that a plane had hit the World Trade Center.






The day became not so typical anymore. Students and teachers all became frantic and uneasy because it seemed like we all knew at least one person who worked there, was NYPD, or FDNY. Tears started falling and we all felt helpless. Throughout the course of the day, the school was essentially in lockdown and students were being pulled from classes continuously as parents came to pick up their children. By the end of the day, there was nearly no one left. It made sense- in times of such tragedy, you just want to gather with the ones you love.

The bus ride home was silent and before getting off the bus a parent, guardian, or older sibling had to physically be there to get you because the school wanted to be sure that you were not going to a home whose parents would not be returning.

In the days to follow I was blown away by the number of stories I had heard of how their dad was supposed to be there, but was late for work, who got stuck in traffic, or whose train was supposed to be there at the time, but didn't go in that day, or who decided to stop and grab a cup of coffee before heading in. This is where I see God in the midst of this horrific event. There were supposed to be 12,000 people in each of those towers- meaning 24,000 people. And to count that only 3,000 died on that day including the Towers, Pentagon, planes, and first responders- it's a miracle that 21,000 lives were saved.



My heart breaks for the families that I know who lost a loved one on September 11th, and the ones that I don't. It was a terrible day in history that I don't think, and hope, any of us will ever forget. We did learn one thing that day though: evil is real, and so is courage.

This event brought Americans together in an instant. Everyone was willing to lend a helping hand to a stranger regardless of race, age, gender, religion, and economic status. We were one and united we stood.




In the midst of the tragedy and sadness, I love the feeling and sense of pride and unity that a day like today brings. I wish these feelings would stick around for more than 2 days out of the year instead of falling back into the routines of our lives. 

May we always remember, never forget, and be forever grateful.

God Bless America.


Thursday, September 8, 2011

BAM! You got me, Mr. Maxwell.

I couldn't sleep last night because I had so much on my mind. I was full of doubt, impatience, fear, sadness...


And then God wanted to prove himself.  He made today an incredibly productive day, full of little miracles and upped spirits.


And to end the day, I stumbled upon this little gem. It's safe to say I have learned my lesson.


"Patience is tied very closely to faith in our Heavenly Father. Actually, when we are unduly impatient, we are suggesting that we know what is best—better than does God. Or, at least, we are asserting that our timetable is better than His. We can grow in faith only if we are willing to wait patiently for God's purposes and patterns to unfold in our lives, on His timetable." 
 Neal A. Maxwell

Monday, September 5, 2011

CHANCE.

(Who didn't love Monopoly growing up?- hated that card, though)


Just a few thoughts I've had within the past few days about the game called "Love".

I can't say I have ever been "in love" but I can say that I have learned a lot from the few short relationships I have had and have experienced from friends and family standing on the outside looking in. It's always interesting to me when friends come to me, asking for advice with their relationship, seeing as I haven't had as much first hand experience as they have.


Ok boys, here it goes.

If you like a girl, don't text her all day and invite her over at night, or on weekends when it's most convenient for you. Your intentions are clear. And if she has enough respect for herself, she will decline.

Take her out on a date. I know that is a big step and you feel vulnerable because you may get shot down, but chances are, she'll like you more in return for alone just taking that step.
And the last thing a girl wants to do is plan her own date. Take her out to a place where YOU have chosen. Make her feel like you've put thought and effort into this night, because she's worth it.

Call her. Even if she hates talking on the phone. Show her you want to hear her voice. She wants to hear yours too.

Surprise her. Send her flowers. Yes, it sounds so cookie cutter, but that's what we want.

Tell her what you're thinking- communicate. We can't read your mind. And we (well, most of us) are not about to play games to try and figure it out.

If you don't try, you'll never know. I think a problem with guys now-a-days (trust me, girls have their long list of problems too!) is that they've been hurt before (I know, girls have had their share of heart breaks too, but just hear me out). Their hearts are just as fragile as girls'. Once they've been hurt, they don't want to be hurt again (who does?). So they put on this front and flirt and try to get just as far as they can before getting attached. I have found this in several guys I have met. It truly breaks my heart when they say things like, "I'm afraid to commit.", "I've been hurt before...She ripped my heart out.", or "That's why I don't love." (real quotes). After I hear that, I get it. It all makes sense. They got hurt once or twice and have an ego (be honest boys, you have one- and personally I think it's a good thing) that they don't want to ruin again. They don't want to let another girl in and are afraid to commit. Then what happens when a good girl comes around and you don't give her a chance? She is now lost.

This is the game of love. It's hard. But sometimes you gotta fall and get hurt before you stand up and win.
Love wins, by the way.

And girls, same thing goes for us. Give him a chance. Half the time he doesn't know what in the world he is doing either. I'm trying to teach myself this too. I need to get better at it. Sometimes it's an automatic "NO" without even knowing him at all. Give him a chance. Also, we're so quick to be sarcastic, at their expense, and argue with them. "They can take it. They're a guy." Yea, it's true. They should be able to give it back, argue with me, defend your point- without being hurtful. But ladies, build them up, encourage them, show them compassion. They need a little TLC too.



“The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing, and becomes nothing. 

He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot learn 

and feel and change and grow and love and live.”

-Leo F. Buscaglia