Tray 3 Week 2

A couple more days until I move on to tray 4. I'm getting tired and growing weary lol! Come 14 months! I hate to rush my life, but lort I'm ready to have my mouth back.

At this time, when my trays are out; my bite feels off. So, preferably I'd rather my trays in. I also get tired of taking them out to eat...so there goes any "snacking". Which is good because I'm trying to slim down anyway. 

At first, tray 3 hurt like no other but of course now...things are feeling better because I'll be changing trays (Go figure) 

Increase

Let's claim it! Above anything and all things! Let's place it on our lips, within our heart and throughout our mind! 

Increase our knowledge. Increase our wealth. Increase our spirituality. Increase. Claim it! Increase our legacy. Increase our family. Increase our health. Increase our favor with God. Increase. Claim it!  Increase our status. Increase our strength. Increase our opportunity. Increase. Claim it! 

Are you claiming it? Continue to claim it, in Jesus' name.

Food Chronicles pt 5

Baked ribs, filthy rice (spiced rice), greens, and cornbread! Yum

Season and bake ribs in the oven, cover with foil until served.

Cook white rice, add beef broth, seasoning, chop yellow, white onion, along with red and green bell pepper, celery, sausage, then add seasoned ground meat (optional- one meat will do).

Wash greens well (or cheat and get the bagged greens ;-)) boil salt pork until tender then add greens and all other seasonings and vegetables chopped. Cook until tender.

Read the box and follow directions :-)

Complete meal yummy, filling and satisfying! You're welcome :-)

Difference Between Fiction and Reality

As The World Turns (In Real Life) Episode 5

Here's a story that a bitter woman told. After you read the fiction story that the bitter woman told, I'll give you the eyes-wide open REALITY!

Bitter Woman: I'm at a graduation party and a woman (a hometown associate) came up to me asking how I'd been since the divorce. I answered great! Then she asked, how my ex-husband was. I then replied, well you should know! You go to dinners and movies with him and his new woman. The associate looks puzzled since I've now called her out. I continue and say, my daughter's dad is fine. 

The associate then goes on to tell me. She's heard he's doing quite well and has gotten newly engaged, and he's been looking at houses with his new woman. I then tell my associate, I hadn't heard of that and I'm pretty sure if I wanted my marriage, I could still have it back. 

   Here's the REALITY

The bitter woman saw her hometown associates (two of them) out last year (several months back) with her ex-husband and a woman. She previously spoke and held a conversation with the associates before she saw that her associates were clearly at the movies with her ex-husband and his new boo on some type of couples outing. Had she known before she spoke to the associates...her bitterness more than likely would have prevented her from speaking to them. 

Fast forward to the graduation party the bitter woman attends, she now, sees one of the culprits, er... I mean associates, and thinks it's a perfect opportunity to "find out" from a third-party what's up with her ex-husband, since obviously the associate is "friends" enough to go to dinner and a movie with her ex-husband's new woman. 

The bitter woman speaks to the associate. The associate speaks and asks the bitter woman how has everyone (meaning mother and child) been and adjusting since the divorce. The bitter woman says, I'm great, but you should know how my ex-husband is doing since you hang out, going to dinner and movies with him and his new boo all the time, but anyway...his daughter is good too! The associate looks puzzled because her intentions were to speak and this bitter broad has opened an entire new can of worms that she couldn't care less about because she has her own husband and two kids to worry with. Why would she be concerned about a divorced bitter woman and her EX-husband!  The associate then says, I don't know about all of that. Yes we've been around each other once but the last thing I've heard is that they're looking at houses, and talking engagements so they must be still together and happy.

Upset at the twist of events and the fact that the taste was just slapped out of her mouth since that's not the answer or reaction she was looking for from the associate; the bitter woman's only outlet is to go into quick defense mode and say in one swift comment, I don't know about any of that...I'm pretty sure if I wanted my marriage I could have it back. 

One story makes sense, adds up, and goes in a logical order while the other story is sporadic, unclear, and clearly not thought through. One story makes sense while the other does not. One story has a clear motive by someone and shows a self-serving purpose, while the other sounds absurd! One even oozes with a bitter, tart smell...but hey; you decide!

xoxo, 

Living in love, not hate! Stay in your lanes sweetie pies...you might get crashed and BURNED ;-)

Con. Tro. Versy.

Funny thing about it is; everybody has something to say! And I do mean EVERYBODY! But as the saying goes, 'Opinions are like buttholes...everybody has one.'

http://youtu.be/klNNb4zCC9Y

Wasting Time OR Using Time Wisely

Both are a matter of perspective! I think wasting time would be equalivent to lack of growth. To not receive anything from the experience. To come from the moment unchanged, unfathomed, and ultimately none the wiser. However, if, when you remove your self from the situation you're a bit wiser, you've been challenged and grown, you have a new outlook or better grasp then; the time wasn't wasted! 

Could it have been spared. Okay, that's another matter of perspective. You GROW through what you GO through. So, in essence, had you not gone through the time spent; you wouldn't be the person you are or have the appreciation of life that you may. 

Some Negative Nancy's (as we've all been guilty of being) may argue that time isn't forever. Once you've lost it, you don't get if back; and that's true! But! We must speak in perspective! We have to concentrate on the positive and lend beams of light, whenever capable AND possible to others so that no one is ever left gasping for air. Unable to breathe through mistakes, mishaps, moments, and milestones of our lives. It's imperative. Look for signs of those time wasters or time wisers! They have been known to happen at the same time ;-) BUT! Watch your perspective and make every moment count!

Food Chronicles pt 4

If you're looking for a tasty salad: enjoy! 

Add strawberries, feta cheese, almonds and red wine vinegarette dressing. 

Food Chronicles pt 2

This recipe I got from a team member, Juliet, at work several years ago and keep it in my arsenal. It's yummy and definitely a fan favorite!! 

Taco Soup

This was my first time using actual taco shells! I usually use tostitos chips but I went to a Fight Party and my Honey's cousin made a taco soup and used shells. There wasn't much difference in taste but I loved being able to scoop the soup into the shell and eat!! Yum!

Food Chronicles pt 3

Today...I was STARVING...so I went to a Mommy-staple: 

Season your meat well and cover it with flour to brown. Once browned, make your gravy...then add meat to gravy and season more. Add any sides you'd like! 

Whalah! Delicious! 

Chopping onions/bell pepper 

Browning meat

Adding to gravy

All the sides

Complete plate :-)

Food Chronicles pt 1

My rendition of a great Sunday dinner. I needed something pretty low maintenance. I'd already made plans for a day at the beach, but really wanted something to come home to. I got the recipe off of Twitter from Jill Marie Jones:

Steak, onion, jalapeños, and any other seasoning you like. I added my staple seasoning passed down from my mommy and included some red potatoes! 

Brown the steak ahead, then place in crockpot for 3 hours.

Once done I made rice, cabbage and cornbread! It was minimal prep, simple, and tasty! 

Before 

After

Here's Jill Marie Jones' 

Before

After

I think our major difference, besides the obvious sides, might have been crockpot shape. 

Happy eating! 

Ladies Beware!

Allow a man to be a gentleman! Stop degrading and allow these men to:

•Approach you

•Compliment you

•Take you out

•Open your door

•Call you first

•Send you flowers or other small tokens of appreciation

•Tell the world about you

•Hold your hand

It's not "thirst". It's called dating! It's called taking an active interest in someone. In some places, it's even called basic common decency. (Clears throat) That place would be my mouth! Even within a relationship, if you've found a gentleman, you'll still be fortunate enough to date your significant other every chance you get.

Beware, however, to remain a lady! Be a gracious recipient. Use the wonderful phrases like, please and thank you. You'd be surprised at the amount of gentleman that aren't used to hearing those things. It's foreign to them, and sometimes uncomfortable if heard because they're obviously not used to dating ladies.

I'm dating someone that feels obligated to be a gentleman and thinks it strange that I would ever say, "Thank you for a perfect evening." While I understand the thought-process of feeling obligated, or I should say, thinking: I'm offering to take you out so it'll be a good evening and you don't have to thank me for that ...wait! Scratch that! I don't understand that thought-process! Nevermind. I'll continue to say please and thank you and he'll continue to be baffled at my politeness. We aim to change the "game" one "player" at a time...joke (slightly) 

But seriously: allow men to be gentlemen and women, remain ladies! Chivalry is not dead...well...at least it's not buried, so it can still be revived! Stop calling men thirsty for wanting to show interest in you and attempting to spend time with you. If no one was doing it; you'd call it a drought! That's exactly where you'll end up if you continue with this nonsense talk of thirst. These men are truly damned if they do, and damned if they don't with y'all LOL

I saw that post on Instagram and thought it spoke volumes!

Damn auto-correct

When texting a parent goes ALL the way wrong! Damn iPhone auto-correct! 

To Teach Is To Touch A Life FOREVER!

One more half day with these chirren!! Just four and a half more hours and I'm FREE...Hallelujah!! ....Then I receive a graduation invitation from a former student I taught 7 years ago! He actually took the time to deliver an invitation to me! Another student came up to visit because he's graduating this year and got to leave school early as a senior! 

I'm overwhelmed with gratitude that my former students, these scholars thought enough of me after all this time to include me on such a memorable accomplishment! I'm proud and I'm grateful for the career that, literally, CHOSE me! 

No matter how much disdain, or how much discomfort, or the extreme amounts of frustration I may endure with the public education school system, the administration, the community, the parents, my colleagues, the students themselves; in those moments...and each year I receive them: from the first day of school when my budding, nervous fifth-graders enter, to teacher appreciation week,  all the way to new classes of bright-eyed, bushy-tailed, full of dreams and hope graduates enter the world; do I realize the Calling that not everyone is Called to do. 

I was chosen. To teach is to touch a life forever! Not everyone understands, but it's true! Great and bad experiences shape us. I've never had any ill-will or intentions for any of my students! 

I've only always wanted to foster productive citizens. Respectful and well-prepared learners. I'm from "old school" I suppose. A time where it took a Villiage to raise a child. A time where parents and educators attempted to work together to help build society. A time where parents were children's advocates, not enablers. A time where spelling mattered and so did proper English...but I'll get off that soap box for now and continue to be GRATEFUL for those students that continue to excel and do great things! Those students that I've inspired and in turn they inspire me to keep reaching! 

Congrats class of 2014!! Shoot for the moon...that way, even if you miss, you'll still land amongst the STARS and SHINE! 

An Instrumental Voice...

An instrumental voice left this place this past week. A voice that served as a catalyst for many reforms and agents of awareness. I'm speaking of Dr. Maya Angelou. She wrote her first book, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, and opened a myriad of discussion, debate, and outlook; both historical and personal. 

I admire John Singleton for exposing her to pop culture through one of my favorite films, Poetic Justice, without which; most would not have known this mystic lady nor her expressive poetry. That film alone had every young woman, not just of Black descent, but most women believing and reciting Phenomenal Woman! From every school or church program, to every fashion and talent show somewhere, someone performed Phenominal Woman. Especially in the 90's! 

In honor of Dr. Maya Angelou and ALL of her great work; I'm going to share some of my favorite quotes:

Love is a virus. It can happen to anybody at any time. 

Try to be a rainbow in someone's cloud. 

Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at it's destination full of hope. 

When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time. 

There is nothing so pitiful as a young cynic because he has gone from  knowing nothing to believing nothing.

 

and the epitome of my extreme admiration for her words, that I have on my Facebook page under favorite quotes:

A woman should have enough money in her control to move out and rent a place of her own, even if she never wants to or needs to.

She was FULL of life! Inspiring! Motivating! Wisdom!

She once said she'd thought she'd be writing until God called for her by name...and she was absolutely correct. She was indeed writing. Her story. Her voice continues to inspire. Her legacy is still being written by those that are stimulated to create a specific prose or provoked to recite or share her very words. What a captivating life to have lived! Inspiring for generations!

Rest in Paradise ~Dr. Maya Angelou

Another Man Will

Good book. A few typos that annoyed me but it was on Kindle, so maybe it's not like that on hard copy. Here are a few Khrystianisms I took or already use from the book:

When a man wants something, they go after it.

Don't give up on your faith! When you least expect it He is going to bless you (abundantly) <-I added abundantly.

I can't eat in front of a hungry man.

If they can't give you all, take none.

A story of three sisters, from a two-parent household that are unlucky in love and go through the rhythm and blues of relationships, that test even the most confident of women. While reading you may feel as if you see it all coming or....you may just get surprised by sudden turn of events and changes of heart. You NEVER can tell when it comes to matters of the heart and exactly what, Another Man Will!

Tray 2 Week 1

Comfort level is great! There's no cutting of my tongue so far but the top is obviously tight.