Kid Friendly Squash

3 yellow "crookneck" squash
3 zucchini
salt
pepper
garlic powder
onion powder

The squash and zucchini were approximately 6-8 inches long and about 2 inches in diameter.  I cut all of the squash in rounds and tried to keep them about 1/4 inches wide; keeping them the same width helps them to cook more evenly.  I then sprayed a non stick 10 inch skillet with olive oil and put all of the squash in the pan and sprinkled it with salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder to taste.  I then lightly sauted the squash for about 20-25 minutes, spritzing with olive oil as needed.

This is very easy and despite the fact that all three kids were hesitant about trying it, they all did and ended up going back for seconds!

Make New Friends, But Keep The Old

How many times have you heard that saying?  Have you ever really stopped and thought about it?  I have many acquaintances, but just a few really good, true friends.  My friends come in all age groups from their early 20s to their late 70s but each one of my "true" friends brings something special into my life.

I have kept up with friends I had while growing up in Little Rock through FaceBook and Pinterest and after all these years, I find that we still have a lot of interests in common.  We share a lot of childhood/teenage years memories and experiences, but even though I haven't seen some of these people in over 20 years I still find that we have some of the same likes and dislikes, pet peeves, etc.  I keep saying that one day I'll go back and meet some of them for dinner one night, but for whatever reason I keep putting it off.  Maybe this year, I'll actually do it.

I am going to dinner tonight with a group of friends that I met at my last job.  We worked together for several years and many of us have moved on to other jobs, but a group of us still get together once a month to eat dinner and play catch up.  These are the ladies that were with me when I went through a bad break up, was a single mom trying to raise two teens, lost my dad to cancer and they were there when I started dating the man who later became my husband.  They have been through hell and back with me and we have history together.  We know each other's deepest, darkest secrets and would drop everything to be beside the other one if they needed us.  These women have become the sisters I never had.

In my current job, I work with another group of amazing women.  I haven't known these women as long, but they have become friends.  We share a lot of our day to day activities and problems with one another and are there for support when we're needed.  These ladies are the ones who were there for me when my son left for boot camp and AIT, when my daughter moved away from home to attend college and they were there when I married my husband and took my first vacation in over 10 years.

I guess the old adage of everyone is in your life for a season is a true statement.  I've had some "friends" who were in my life for a while and then we just drifted away from one another.  Sometimes life got in the way; children's activities, school, moves, etc.  Sometimes we just grew away from each other because the situation that introduced us was resolved and what was left was just not enough to keep us close.  We might still run into each other and say "hi" but we will never be as close as we once were and that's okay - we served our "season" with each other and have both moved on.  No hard feelings on either side just really not enough history to keep us close.

Whatever the reason for your friends and the length of their "season" enjoy them while they are an active part of your life.  Thank God for bringing your friends into your life and, when you get a chance, thank them for being a part of your life.

Easy Chicken Enchiladas

One of our favorite meals and it's easy and economical!

4 chicken breasts, cut up and browned

1 pound Monterey jack cheese, sliced

10 flour burritoes, fajita size

2 cans cream of chicken soup

1 can RoTel

First, brown chicken after seasoning with salt and pepper.

Mix 2 cans cream of chicken soup and 1 can of RoTel.

Set up assembly line with burrito shells, cheese, chicken and a 11x13 pan sprayed lightly with Pam.

Place several pieces of chicken and 2 slices of cheese on the tortilla shell and then roll up burrito style.

After you finish, it should look like this.

Pour soup mixture over enchiladas making sure you cover all the surfaces of the burrito shell completely with the mixture.  This prevents you from having "hard" spots on your enchiladas.

 Bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

 

Enjoy!  This fed my husband, me, and three teenagers.  Total cost of the meal was approximately $9.37 after using coupons and buying ingredients on sale and I got the burrito shells at a local bread store on the mark down table. Price per person was $1.87.

Teenage Girls and Modesty

I do not understand nor do I like the fashions that are "popular" for teenage girls at this time.  I was taught that young ladies do not show certain parts of their body to everyone who can see them.  My parents did not allow me to wear anything that showed too much of my chest area, my stomach, too much leg, etc.  I was also not allowed to wear anything that showed any part of my underwear, including bra straps, panty lines or anything that was considered an undergarmet.

I am not a prude, but the fashions for young teen girls today are geared toward making girls look much older than they are, showing too much skin and not leaving anything to the imagination.  We have a 13 year old daughter and it is a constant battle to find clothes that she likes and that her father and I approve of and will let her wear in public. 

What happened to teaching our children about modesty?  There is nothing wrong with not showing all your "assets" to anyone who happens to be looking.  Wanting to wear your shirts so low cut that your cleavage is showing or half your boob is hanging out is NOT acceptable at 13 years old.  Neither is wearing your shorts so short your butt is hanging out nor is wearing a skirt so short that everytime you move someone gets a panty shot.

We are trying very hard to teach our daughters about modesty and dressing/acting like a young lady and it is extremely difficult.  Society is trying to push our daughters to grow up too fast and to act and dress like they are 4-5 years older than they are.  They need to enjoy their teenage years and not be in such a hurry to grow up. 

Take a look at your teen's FaceBook page and look at the clothing being worn by your children's friends and the pictures they post.  If you really look, I think you will be very suprised and disappointed in the direction our teens are taking.  I do not find it acceptable for a teenage girl to post provocative pictures or videos of herself on any social network.  I will continue to monitor her FaceBook account and look at pictures her friends post.  If I find it offensive, I will ask her to delete the post and ask her friends not to post these things on her wall.  If the offensive behavior continues, I will then ask her to delete and block this friend from her friends' list.

We, as parents, must be diligent in watching our children and their activities and try to keep them safe and to let them be children for as long as we can.  So, I challenge you to take a moment and really spend some time looking at your children's FaceBook page, text messages, etc. and talk with them about what is appropriate and what is not.  Their safety and innocence depends on us being diligent and informed parents. 

No More Diluted Coffee

My husband always puts a couple of ice cubes in his coffee to help get it to a sipping temperature quicker.  One morning, I had the bright idea to use the left over coffee to make ice cubes - no more diluted coffee and no more waste!

Daily Reminders

When my husband and I were first dating we gave each other really "mushy" Valentine's Day cards on out first Valentine's Day together.  I framed them and put the next to our bathroom sinks - when I'm irritated with him or feeling neglected, all I have to do is read the card he gave me or read the one I gave him to remind him how much we really love each other.  It never fails to make me smile and reaffirm my love for him.

Quiet

Some days you just have to choose to be quiet and listen.  Listen to God speak to you, listen to your children interact with one another and with others on the phone.  You never know what you may learn...

Choosing to be a Parent

Being a parent is one of the hardest jobs/responsibilities any person could ever have; but God willing, it is also one of the most rewarding.  Some people choose to become a parent, for others it is not planned. But whether you became a parent by choice or it was unplanned, at some point you have to make the choice to either be your children's friend or their parent.

Choosing to be a friend to your children is easy, you don't have to tell them "no", you don't have to teach them responsibilities and you don't have to punish them when they make the wrong choice by lying, stealing, etc.  You can re-live your childhood (or the one you wanted to have) through them.  You can let them dress the way you wish your parents would have let you dress; you can be the popular parent and be the place where your children's friends want to hang out because you let them drink, smoke, do drugs or any thing else they want to do; and you can leave them to their own devices so you can go to the casino, bar, a date or where ever you want.  The problem is that your child will like you, but they most likely will not respect you AND they will not learn the values that will take them far in life.

Choosing to be a parent to your children is hard; you have to tell them "no", set rules and guidelines and follow through with consequences for wrong decisions.  You have to sacrifice doing some of the things you want to do in order to be home when they have friends over, you have to sacrifice a nap in order to take them to the mall and STAY with them.  You have to be their friend on Facebook and watch their posts, comments, etc.  Today's culture is so technologically advanced that you, as a parent, have to monitor everything. 

Trying to teach your child responsibilities, morals, modesty, appropriate body language, etc. requires your full time viligance.  It's hard to tell your children "no" and even harder when you have to punish them for not following your rules.  They are going to say they hate you, and at the time, they probably do; however, as they grow older they will (hopefully) appreciate the lessons you've taught them along the way and will become the responsible adult they were meant to me.

So, it's your choice - are you going to be a parent or a friend to your children?  We chose to be parents and hope you do too!

Pantry Reorganization

Yesterday, was my pantry reorganization day.  I was tired of everything being jumbled up in my pantry and not being able to tell what and/or how much of any of the staples I use on a regular basis.  I went to Hobby Lobby and purchased 2 sets of inexpensive metal buckets and the result was much more room in the pantry and everything is easier to see - including how many of each thing I have on hand.  Total cost was under $20.00 and less than an hour.

How does this relate to choices?  I chose to do something I've been putting off for quite a while AND it will save me time and money in the long run by not having to search for things and not buying items that I do not need!

Mom's Christmas Gift

My mother bought me a book of daily devotions call Jesus Calling Enjoying Peace in His Presence by Sarah Young for Christmas.  Yesterday after posting my first blog, I decided to read the devotions for January 1 and 2.  The devotion for January 2 was about spending time talking with God on a daily basis and not letting life get in the way of my relationship with God.  The lines that really caught my attention were about sacrificing time for these daily devotionals and it ended with, "You have chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from you."  How appropriate that I have made the choice to be aware of my decisions/choices during 2012 and the devotional stated that I have chosen what was right and it would not be taken away from me. 

I have made the choice for 2012 to spend time with God each and every day and nothing will take this away from me.  What choices will you make that God promises he will not take away from you?

2012 - Year of Choices

2012 will be the year that I focus on choices I make - whether it is eating correctly, exercising, time management or whatever I decide to do - I will have a choice to do it.  I work full time outside our home, have three stepchildren, two children, a wonderful husband, two cats and two dogs.  My time is very busy and I rarely have/make time for myself to do the things I not only need to do but the things I enjoy doing.

This year I will focus on making time to do some of the things I enjoy and maybe some things I don't necessarily enjoy but are necessary - such as eating properly and exercising.  Join me as I learn to make the right choices for me and, hopefully, become a stronger, healthier woman as I make this journey.