Fall is a special time of year for many reasons. It’s the time of year where my children were born. The Holidays! The Weather! It is also the time of year which involves comforting lattes’ and cappuccinos.
Thanks to my daughters “fringe benefits” for working as a barista, she was able to get me a bunch of new things at wholesale.
Cheers. ☕️
1. Learn to respond to people instead of react to them.
2. Learn to not be over excited when meeting new people, because my enthusiasm oftentimes scares people.
3. Just because I don’t see eye to eye with someone doesn’t mean I should discredit them as good people.
4. Don’t try to justify people’s bad situations by telling them that things could be worst.
5. Never look for faults. Try to focus on positives. “Be Polly Anna”
I am not sure if this is an actual recipe or not, but I got creative; as I have become addicted to using my crock put for every meal this past year, and I wanted to feel as if I was a more hands-on sorta cook.😉
Ingredients:
6 boneless chicken breasts
2 eggs
2 cups of crushed Special K cereal
Salt,pepper & seasonings of your choice
(I used Adobo and Italian seasoning)
1/2 cup of Parmesan Cheese
1 cup of Ranch salad dressing (pre-made)
I threw everything in a large bowl, mixed it up, and then coated/patted it onto each chicken breast.
I used stoneware so I didn’t need to spray the pan, as it is well seasoned.
I baked in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30 minutes.
I served it with potatos and green beans.
Super Easy, with little clean up.😉
This may be a bit of a controversial topic. It is not to make anyone feel bad. It’s just something that has been on my mind for some time.
These are just some observations I have personally noticed.
Topic:
Blacks
Whites
Hispanics
Does a certain race determine how family oriented you will be as an adult?
Does a certain race determine how helpful you will be as an adult?
Does a certain race determine how much genuine love you will have for your community?
Does your race determine your future?
Does your zip code play a factor?
Do people make their zip code, or does your zip code make you?
After asking around..this is what I have found..
It appears that Blacks and Hispanics are taught from knee-high a sense of community.
Whites, not so much.
At least this is what I have been told and what I have personally noticed.
Apoligies for such “blanket statements”
I am white. Btw.
And…I married a Hispanic man.
After marrying into a Hispanic family
I noticed the sense of community that Hispanics have.
I have also noticed the same type of community within the black communities.
One that I have never witnessed in my own life, or in other white communities growing up.
I didn’t grow up with much diversity.🤔
That said, I have been surrounded by diversity these past few years. And I Prefer it.👍
I’m really not sure how community is taught. But it has to be taught, because community never comes naturally. It just doesn’t.
It needs to be built. And my guess is that it needs to start at a very young age if you want your kids to be adults that reach out to the local community, neighbors, and friends of all sorts.
If you want your children to grow up caring for their siblings then you need to instill “family first” at all cost.
Personally, I teach “family first”
And with two kids who are basically adults now, I pray that I’ve done a good enough job instilling “family first” values.
I think you need to start off by teaching your kids that their siblings are their forever best friends. Not their enemies.
It saddens me how many children grow up having no relationships with their siblings.
I feel like their parents have failed them.
More observations:
Whites usually keep to themselves. At church, as well as in their neighborhoods.
Their motto generally is, “You don’t bother me and I won’t bother you.” Period!
“And no, I don’t want to visit you, and dear God! I don’t want you over here visiting me.”
“Yes, I am new to your neighborhood, but please! please! Keep your cookies and cassoroles at your place, because I don’t want them.”
It sounds silly to read all that, but it really is true.
Several of my friends at church who have been church members for the past ten years tell me that they still don’t know anyone.
Personally, I mean.
Sure they know almost everyone’s name, and wave in passing….But what about their kids names?
Their family pets names?
Their health issues?
Do they really know who they have been sitting next to for the past ten years. Breaking bread and praying with?
THESE are signs of REALLY knowing someone.
One woman at church has told me that I am the first person that has ever invited her over for lunch.
That people just don’t do that anymore.
I am saddened by this. I have tried time and time again to get unity going.
Getting people socializing. But…..
(On a positive note, I have a Sunday School social this coming Sunday. I thought a pic-nic at the park would be nice. Just a pot-luck. Nothing that takes any real planning. About half the class will be attending, but it felt like no one wanted too. It was suppose to be a time of fellowship outside the church walls.
Casual, carefree, and fun! A time to get to know one another. Personally.
But to keep it church based, someone suggested that we actually do our Sunday school lesson at the park. Then eat, then fellowship if time allows. So that is the current plan. 😐)
Yes, my mind is scattered today. I’m so sorry.
Moving right along…..
Whites rarely offer to help you move, watch your pets while you are away, or lend you their lawn equipment,car, ect.
We have all been here before.
1. My car just broke down and I need a ride. Who can I call? Oh yeah. No one! Praise God for tow-trucks, taxis, and Ubur.
2. I’m moving and I could really use some help packing and loading the truck. Oh yeah! I have no one in my life to help with stuff like that. Maybe I can flash a hundred dollar bill and five free pizzas.. Then I will have better luck. Maybe.
3. I’m going on vacation. Who can I ask to watch my dog and feed my livestock? Well, I suppose the two hundred dollars that the pet hotel charges per week is not all that much. And if I just leave tons of water and food out for the animals, they may not die.
I have moved alot in my life and I have always noticed that white people are rarely offering to help out.
Help with…Well, anything. I don’t understand it.
I have mentioned it before but if you are not a regular reader here, my family currently attends two churches regularly.
One is all upper middle class white folks.
The other is very Diverse.
Blacks, Indians, Hispanics, whites, and Asians.
At the white church the preacher has a sign up sheet for folks that need help with yard work or moving, could possibly get the help that they need. People rarely sign up though.
So after a couple weeks go by with no one signing up to help he will call an elder meeting to round up a some of the teens to go help out.
At the more diverse church, the preacher will casually mention ONCE that someone is needing help with something and all sorts of hands go up. At least the black and Hispanic hands.
Surely other people notice these things. Years after years…you’d have to be blind not to.
My family was the only one that showed up to help an elderly lady with her yard work a while back. (This was at the an all white church)
I tried to round up some others, but they were all just too busy.
How do you motivate people to physically help other people out?
It seems like those who try to set the example, never actually accomplish anything, other then people taking advantage of them.
When ever I start to feel this way I try to pray it away. It’s so hard at times, but I dont want to stop helping people because they don’t appreciate it.
There are a lot of of people that do appreciate hands on help. But there are a lot more who take advantage of people’s helpfulness. But that’s all a different topic entirely.
So once more….Moving right along.
I will use my husbands family for an example.
I have noticed throughout the years how all it takes is one phone call when one of them needs help with something.
It doesn’t matter if it’s physical help or financial help. They all have each other’s back. Always!
My family? Well, it’s only if they are not busy. And it has always been this way. Nothing new.
I see this same pattern with my white friendships and their families, too.
Example:
My husbands brother attends a Spanish church.
He bought an old house that needed loads of work done. And within a month he had it move-in ready.
I assumed he hired outside contractors, but he laughed and said that he put the word out at his church one Sunday and that afternoon he had a bunch of people willing to help him. No one even expected compensation he said. His wife just insisted on feeding them dinner. I was shocked!
I do not know this way of living, or fellowship. But I hear stories like this all the time within the black and Hispanic communities.
So I am left wondering…
What are we not teaching our children?
Wasn’t there a time era where whites and community were in the same sentence. Perhaps not.
Anyone care to share their thoughts? I need to think more on this…
I have no idea what is going on with our Walmart, but I think I will wait a couple months before going there again. It took me twice as long to find anything tonight.
They moved the greeting cards to the very front of the store. They use to be by the stationary and school supplies. Not anymore.
Maybe no one is buying cards anymore? Maybe that’s why they felt the need to bring them to the front of the store. I have no idea. I still buy cards though.
They moved the men’s clothing section over by the food. That is where the infant and toddler clothing use to be.
The shoe section they put right behind the greeting cards. The ladies clothing was switched out by the handbags and jewelry, over by the make-up, and the toy section the left alone.
It was such a mess!
I’ve never seen it this empty!😳
I have no idea what’s happening here, but much of the frozen food was completely gone. 🤔
A whole lot of clearance things.
They were out of my favorite cough drops. 😐
Well, since buying that awful bird book for my daughter and scaring get half to death…
I made up for it with these cute Flamingo finds at Michaels for her.
I also took measurements of the big bird book and now will be on the hunt for cheaper o f hand 14×17 picture frames. I’m not sure if they make them, but will keep a tape measure in my purse from now on.
I want to frame some of the more normal bird pictures to sell.
1. Straws
2. Hair ties
3. Playing cards
4. Sleep mask
Let the rally’s and protesting began. We are braving it in the parking lot.
These people. Smh!
My youngest (9) loves flamingos. For the past few years I’ve been collecting them. The builds-bear stuffed plush, a mug, socks, bathing suit, shirts, coloring book, stickers. You get the point.
So when I came across this huge coffee table book right before the Goodwill was closing last night, I grabbed it without paging through it first.
I thought all hardbacks were only a dollar, so I cringed when I was charged $5, but I bought it anyways.
I came home and handed it to my daughter. She hugged and thanked me, then ran off with it to her room.
I felt pleased with myself. I love the smallest things that put a smile on my kids face.
Looks nice, huh?
Fast Forward to this morning when she hands it back to me with a strange frown.
Then shyly tells me that she doesn’t want the new book because it gave her nightmares.😱
I took the book from her and began to page through it myself…..
Lets see….we have an eagle with a dead bunny whose mouth is dripping with blood.
I’m really perplexed at what’s going on in this picture. A vulture that captured a small nude toddler who is urinating?!
And here’s a picture that has a mythical flavor. Half bird, half witch?! Again, I’m not sure. But I will assume it’s grand ART!
So here I am. Upset with myself for not looking through it before giving it to her.
And to think, I gave it to her and told her to take good care of it, that it’s a special book.
I meant because of its huge size…
I guess it’s more different, then special. *G*
I hope it’s the latter.
I’ve always heard that when you turn forty, your world is shaken upside down and all around.
That you change.
Sometimes having a nervous breakdown.
Men and women alike.
Men change careers, have affairs, buy fancy sports cars. Sometimes all of the above.
Ladies have emotional breakdowns,then their health goes down the tubes.
Sometimes remarrying and having more children.
Your appearance changes.
The way you dress, wear your hair, and your hobbies change.
Even your circle of friends may change.
Why? Because YOU change!
I have found what has changed for me, more then anything else has been my mental state.
For the better too! I feel at ease. Fearless!
In my 20’s I was all about myself.
In my 30’s I was an emotional basket case.
Not to name call, but I really was. Pregnancy does things to the brain. I swear it does!
I was SO emotional and worried about everything, and everyone.
Who I was, my future, and my children’s lives. Everything!
I was also trying to micromanage all areas of my life. All.the.time. It wasn’t fun.
And looking back nowadays, I’m embarrassed for myself….
Aw well. That’s part of life, I guess.
Now, in my 40’s, I am the best version of me.
Not to toot my own horn, but if the shoe fits.😉
I have been noticing how laid back I’ve become. Even my family has noticed. I just don’t worry about, well, anything.
And my OCD has chilled way the heck out.
I have also noticed these past few days, is that I’m not thinking about crap 24/7.
My head is not spinning or foggy anymore.
I wish I could explain it, so you all could share whether or not it has happened to you. Yet.(Providing you are of age)😉
Ex:
If today is Monday, and I have plans on Thursday to go out to dinner or the movies and a concert. Whatever the case may be…
I use to be thinking non-stop about “said event” until that day arrived.
Much like the anticipation that most people have for the Holidays.
But I have noticed lately that I am truly living each day as it is. Every day!
I’m living one day at a time.
And I’m so much happier!
I have had a few events happen in my personal life these past few years that may, or may not, attributed to this new me. But I don’t see any of it as regrets, or a negative. Anymore!😉
That said, I think age has played a huge role in my happiness.
So I’m here to tell you that everything gets better with age.
Like a fine wine. 🍷
Encouragement for today:
Each day, or perhaps week, is nothing more then a chapter in a book. Your book!
Your life book! And like a book, some chapters are Better then others.
And most books are pretty good!😉
You Are Good!
Life is Good!
And you are going to get through whatever chapter you are participating in right now.
There is no place to go but up! 🙌
Wednesday leftovers:
Left over cooked rice
Some veggies from the garden
•1/2 onion
•1/2 green pepper
•1 Zucinni
One pound of ground beef
I sautéed the veggies in butter, garlic, salt and pepper.
I ground the burger up in a pot, then threw in the leftover rice and veggies in it.
Super Easy!
It served 6.
