So Im sitting here coming down off of a lovely weekend with family, counting my blessings, we really are incredibly blessed in so many ways. This got me thinking about all the negative things that can blur your vision, cloud and muddy up our sight so that we don't SEE the blessings we've been given. THere are lots of things that do this, but most of all, we do it to ourselves, and we let other people do it to us.
There are SO many beautiful, wonderful, positive things in our lives, in all of our lives, but often times we dont see them.
Why?
Well in my life a big reason I dont see these beautiful things as often as I should, is because of the negativity and naysayers Im surrounded by. What is it with these people who make you feel bad, low, stupid etc...? Why do they feel the need to constantly be a negative influence in others lives? Are they jealous? Unhappy? purely evil?
Im naturally a pretty positive person, I'm pretty good at seeing the light at the end of a painful tunnel, seeing the good side to situations and to people...but if I am surrounded by negativity it is bound to wear off on me and sometimes, it does.
I really am tired of the constant complaining, putting down and bashing that I hear on a daily basis. Im tired of feeling like Im beneath someone else because of my job title or where I live etc....(just generalizations, not necessarily specific examples)...I only have to prove aything to GOD, Only his judgement matters. Those who are of real importance in my life, those who really know me and love me do not judge me.
This is the internal monologue I have going on in my head most of the day, "dont listen to them, they're opinions do not matter" over and over.
And I truly believe that....what I do no understand is what is their motive? WE all have these people in our lives. What motive do they have? What kind of sick pleasure do they get by being a negative force in others lives? How is it possible to get off on someone elses pain that you've caused?
Hmm...I guess thats one of the questions I'll never have the answer to. But for now, I am so blessed, GOD has been incredibly good to me.
I have Luke, I have an amazing family and the best friends, I have a job, a roof over my head, a dog who loves unconditionally, I am intelligent, I am able bodied, Im capable of things even I am unaware, and I have a GOD who loves me and wants the best for me.
So Im trying, consciously TRYING to be that positive force...not let that negativity get to me, or bring me down.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Enchiladas and Papas--Katie style!
I like to experiement with food...sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesnt....well tonight it DID, and I wish I would have taken pictures to make this blog a lot more interesting...but alas, I did not...so here are my recipes.
First let me just say that I do not measure, I never follow a recipe (unless IM baking, I do use measuring tools for baking...therefore i dont bake very often...) SO there will be a lot of "pinch of this", "fist full of this"....they're just generalizations, if you have to have a set rcipe....my recipes are probably not for you :) Oh, also, this is just what I have on hand....lots of substitutions can be made...in fact I think I'll probably use shredded chicken in the enchiladas next time...also the veggies in the enchiladas are what i had too, and they're veggie Luke likes (besides the onion but I didnt put many in and cute them up really small)
Enchiladas:
Ground turkey
1 can green enchilada sauce -Mild
1 small can chopped green chilis
1/2 yellow onion
1 small zucchini
1 small yellow squash
Low Carb flour tortillas (6-8)
Shredded mexican blend cheeses
brown the meat and add the chopped onions, zucchini and squash until tender.
Add in 1/2 can of the green chilis....if you like spice then add the whole can (Lukes not a big fan of spice so I just added enough for the flavor) and stir in, then pour about 1/4 of the can of enchilada sauce in to the meat/veggie mix.
Spray a baking dish with cooking spray, and I always coat the bottom of the pan with a tiny bit of the enchilada sauce.
Take a flour tortilla (you can use corn tortillas too, make sure they're warm enough that they're flexible and will not break) put meat mixture down the middle, add a few fingers full of shredded cheese, roll up and place seam side down in the pan. continue until you either run outta room or out of mixture. THen sprinkle a fist full of cheese over the enchiladas (At this point I had extra meat mixture so I pour that over the enchiladas at this point too) THen pour the rest of the can of sauce over them, finish it off with more shredded cheese and bake in over at 350 for about 20 minutes until its all melty and bubbly.
Papas
6-8 red potatoes
shredded cheese
sour cream
butter
1 can rotel tomatoes drained
salt & pepper
Rinse the potatoes then nuke them in a microwave safe plate until tender (I had 6 for 11 minutes, perfect)
whent they're soft thake them out and smash them up with the butter (about 2 spoons full), sour cream and salt and pepper, once mixed well add a fist full of shredded cheese. mix well then add about 1/2 the can of rotel (drained). I used 6 potatoes, and didnt want the them to be TOO tomato-y do I used a little over 1/3 of the can...
Mix all together and TADA! Mexican Papas!
I served this with corn & watermelon!
Well Luke LOVED this and it will definately be something I make again!
First let me just say that I do not measure, I never follow a recipe (unless IM baking, I do use measuring tools for baking...therefore i dont bake very often...) SO there will be a lot of "pinch of this", "fist full of this"....they're just generalizations, if you have to have a set rcipe....my recipes are probably not for you :) Oh, also, this is just what I have on hand....lots of substitutions can be made...in fact I think I'll probably use shredded chicken in the enchiladas next time...also the veggies in the enchiladas are what i had too, and they're veggie Luke likes (besides the onion but I didnt put many in and cute them up really small)
Enchiladas:
Ground turkey
1 can green enchilada sauce -Mild
1 small can chopped green chilis
1/2 yellow onion
1 small zucchini
1 small yellow squash
Low Carb flour tortillas (6-8)
Shredded mexican blend cheeses
brown the meat and add the chopped onions, zucchini and squash until tender.
Add in 1/2 can of the green chilis....if you like spice then add the whole can (Lukes not a big fan of spice so I just added enough for the flavor) and stir in, then pour about 1/4 of the can of enchilada sauce in to the meat/veggie mix.
Spray a baking dish with cooking spray, and I always coat the bottom of the pan with a tiny bit of the enchilada sauce.
Take a flour tortilla (you can use corn tortillas too, make sure they're warm enough that they're flexible and will not break) put meat mixture down the middle, add a few fingers full of shredded cheese, roll up and place seam side down in the pan. continue until you either run outta room or out of mixture. THen sprinkle a fist full of cheese over the enchiladas (At this point I had extra meat mixture so I pour that over the enchiladas at this point too) THen pour the rest of the can of sauce over them, finish it off with more shredded cheese and bake in over at 350 for about 20 minutes until its all melty and bubbly.
Papas
6-8 red potatoes
shredded cheese
sour cream
butter
1 can rotel tomatoes drained
salt & pepper
Rinse the potatoes then nuke them in a microwave safe plate until tender (I had 6 for 11 minutes, perfect)
whent they're soft thake them out and smash them up with the butter (about 2 spoons full), sour cream and salt and pepper, once mixed well add a fist full of shredded cheese. mix well then add about 1/2 the can of rotel (drained). I used 6 potatoes, and didnt want the them to be TOO tomato-y do I used a little over 1/3 of the can...
Mix all together and TADA! Mexican Papas!
I served this with corn & watermelon!
Well Luke LOVED this and it will definately be something I make again!
Things I do not understand...
So I can be pretty naive sometimes...sheltered maybe....I live in my little bubble, life is happy here, Im a good person, I try to surround myself with good things, and ultimately I AM a happy person....but there are things that just baffle me, things that, though I am an intelligent human being and I think I've got a good dose of common sense that I do not understand....
How do two people just suddenly STOP being friends....you know someone for 15 years or more, one day your friends, and then before you know it, it's been months since you have heard from that person. And even then it was YOU who contacted them. What makes a person just STOP contacting a person whom they've deemed they're good friend?
I know people drift apart, but over night?
I'll just throw this out there, if you call me your best friend, you will call me occasionally, and answer when I call you. Otherwise....dont call me anything. :)
How on earth do people NOT believe in God? What is your purpose for living if you have no Faith in Heaven and Hell and working to do good to spend eternity with Our Saviour? What gets you out of bed int he morning? WHY do you work, have friendships and relationships? What would be the purpose? And how do youexplain everyday occurances that I attribute to Gods blessings? When you have noone and nothing, do you pray? Who do you talk to? There is absolutely no logic in this at all. God is real, he's alive, and I see his glory everyday, I can't wrap my mind around the torture it must be, to live a life with out that faith.
OKay that is all for now....just a couple of things I have rattling around in my head this morning, wanted to get them down on paper...
Now Im going to curl up on the couch, ont his sunday afternoon, watch a movie with my husband and think about what to make for dinner (Enchiladas and Papas I think...I'll post a recipe after i make them!!)
How do two people just suddenly STOP being friends....you know someone for 15 years or more, one day your friends, and then before you know it, it's been months since you have heard from that person. And even then it was YOU who contacted them. What makes a person just STOP contacting a person whom they've deemed they're good friend?
I know people drift apart, but over night?
I'll just throw this out there, if you call me your best friend, you will call me occasionally, and answer when I call you. Otherwise....dont call me anything. :)
How on earth do people NOT believe in God? What is your purpose for living if you have no Faith in Heaven and Hell and working to do good to spend eternity with Our Saviour? What gets you out of bed int he morning? WHY do you work, have friendships and relationships? What would be the purpose? And how do youexplain everyday occurances that I attribute to Gods blessings? When you have noone and nothing, do you pray? Who do you talk to? There is absolutely no logic in this at all. God is real, he's alive, and I see his glory everyday, I can't wrap my mind around the torture it must be, to live a life with out that faith.
OKay that is all for now....just a couple of things I have rattling around in my head this morning, wanted to get them down on paper...
Now Im going to curl up on the couch, ont his sunday afternoon, watch a movie with my husband and think about what to make for dinner (Enchiladas and Papas I think...I'll post a recipe after i make them!!)
Friday, May 20, 2011
Carlsbad trip
I remembered that I posted in my last post that I would put up pictures from our little road trip to Carlsbad Caverns....and I for got to....so here they are!
:)
This is the entrance into the Main Cavern! :)
Som random Alien statues in Whites City...I assume because Calrsbad is in NM they think they have a connection to Roswell where aliens are "supposed" to be....I dunno...either way here LUke is with his friends :)
:)
And this is the path leading into the main entrance! You think you're not in TOO bad of shape till you walk straight down for a while and your calves start to hurt haha! we had to stop and rest at one point...sad!
Us at the Visitor Center--we did not buy ANY tourist-y crap!
Monday, May 9, 2011
New Week, New Start, New Hope!
I am starting this week off with a positive attitude and full of hope!
(This is a picture I took in California years ago, but thought it appropriate when talking about hope :) Its beautiful!)
Today Luke begins his new venture towards a career. I am so proud of him! He has taken a leap and risked his comfort zone to go into something he knows nothing about, excited for an opportunity to learn something new, and he’s done it for our family and our future. What an amazing man he is!
Im feeling pretty good today too! Things are just going so well for us. We’re so blessed. We are not at all deserving of what we have but we’re so grateful.
2 weekends ago I went on a last minute trip to San Angelo to go see Cirque De Symphonie with my BFF! (Miss Kendall Ka') we had a great time. Sometimes we just need a few hours of girl time to just hang out! We went to dinner and drank REALLY big margaritas (Lobersteritas actually) and I think they had a lot more sugar in them then tequila...but they were yumm!!
THen we went to the show, how fun was that! We thought this would save us money so that next time we go to Vegas we wont feel the need to see Cirque De Sole...WWWRRROOONNNGG...it was just an appetizer, so now we HAVE to see them! ha! We had a lot of fun though! Yay for girls nights!
Just a few pics...
(Me and Kendall on my wedding day. One of my favorite pics ever of us!)
This past weekend we went to Carlsbad Caverns! I just love it there! But I definitely know we need to start walking regularly ha! Out of shape much? Yep…
It was a nice little getaway though! It’s nice to just get away from everyone and everything for a few hours occasionally!
(I"ll post pictures later...they're still in my camera and I havent uploaded them yet!)
Yesterday was Mother’s Day and we were reminded how incredibly blessed we are to have such wonderful mothers.
We had Brunch with my family and then we all went to Andrews and put new flowers out at our Grandparents gravesite. IT was a good day. Luke was able to talk to his mother a couple of times. What amazing women we’re surrounded by, our mothers, Grandmothers, sisters, aunts, friends…All so selfless and caring and loving. We wouldn’t be who we are now had it not been for these wonderful women.
God Bless them!
(Luke with his Mom and Sister)
(Me with my mom and sister)
(This is a picture I took in California years ago, but thought it appropriate when talking about hope :) Its beautiful!)
Today Luke begins his new venture towards a career. I am so proud of him! He has taken a leap and risked his comfort zone to go into something he knows nothing about, excited for an opportunity to learn something new, and he’s done it for our family and our future. What an amazing man he is!
(Just a new picture of Luke & I win our wedding attire :) a fun one!)
Im feeling pretty good today too! Things are just going so well for us. We’re so blessed. We are not at all deserving of what we have but we’re so grateful.
2 weekends ago I went on a last minute trip to San Angelo to go see Cirque De Symphonie with my BFF! (Miss Kendall Ka') we had a great time. Sometimes we just need a few hours of girl time to just hang out! We went to dinner and drank REALLY big margaritas (Lobersteritas actually) and I think they had a lot more sugar in them then tequila...but they were yumm!!
THen we went to the show, how fun was that! We thought this would save us money so that next time we go to Vegas we wont feel the need to see Cirque De Sole...WWWRRROOONNNGG...it was just an appetizer, so now we HAVE to see them! ha! We had a lot of fun though! Yay for girls nights!
Just a few pics...
(Me and Kendall on my wedding day. One of my favorite pics ever of us!)
(Lobersterita!)
This past weekend we went to Carlsbad Caverns! I just love it there! But I definitely know we need to start walking regularly ha! Out of shape much? Yep…
It was a nice little getaway though! It’s nice to just get away from everyone and everything for a few hours occasionally!
(I"ll post pictures later...they're still in my camera and I havent uploaded them yet!)
Yesterday was Mother’s Day and we were reminded how incredibly blessed we are to have such wonderful mothers.
We had Brunch with my family and then we all went to Andrews and put new flowers out at our Grandparents gravesite. IT was a good day. Luke was able to talk to his mother a couple of times. What amazing women we’re surrounded by, our mothers, Grandmothers, sisters, aunts, friends…All so selfless and caring and loving. We wouldn’t be who we are now had it not been for these wonderful women.
God Bless them!
(Luke with his Mom and Sister)
(Me with my mom and sister)
Thursday, May 5, 2011
My top 25 movies
Ok this is the best I can do with this, I tried to come up with the movies that first popped into my head...
Im going to number these just to keep track of how many I've listed but Im not saying these are the order of favorites.... :) The top 3 are in order, after that they're random :)
Just for fun! My top 25 movies
1. Scent of a Woman
2. Shawshank Redemption
3. To Kill a Mockingbird
4. A League of their own
5. The Sandlot
6. Breakfast at Tiffany's
7. The Patriot
8. Meet me in St. Louis
9. The Wizard of Oz
10. Shrek (the first one)
11. Beauty & the Beast
12. Hoosiers
13. Apollo 13
14. Mr. Hollands Opus
15. Schindler's List
16. Forrest Gump
17. Toy story (1 & 3)
18. Up
19. Sixteen Candles
20. Stand By Me
21. Now & Then
22. Finding Nemo
23. American Beauty
24. Glory Road
25. Saving Private Ryan
Im going to number these just to keep track of how many I've listed but Im not saying these are the order of favorites.... :) The top 3 are in order, after that they're random :)
Just for fun! My top 25 movies
1. Scent of a Woman
2. Shawshank Redemption
3. To Kill a Mockingbird
4. A League of their own
5. The Sandlot
6. Breakfast at Tiffany's
7. The Patriot
8. Meet me in St. Louis
9. The Wizard of Oz
10. Shrek (the first one)
11. Beauty & the Beast
12. Hoosiers
13. Apollo 13
14. Mr. Hollands Opus
15. Schindler's List
16. Forrest Gump
17. Toy story (1 & 3)
18. Up
19. Sixteen Candles
20. Stand By Me
21. Now & Then
22. Finding Nemo
23. American Beauty
24. Glory Road
25. Saving Private Ryan
Monday, May 2, 2011
God Bless America! (5/1/2011)
This morning we wake up to an Osama Bin Laden free world. This weekend he was sent for his judgment by the one who has determined Bin Laden’s eternity. I do not wish death, on anyone, but this one is long awaited and well overdue. I’m also a selfish, egotistical American and am glad it is the United States Military who will go down in history as the force that finally brought him down!
I’m not naïve enough to think that this cures all the problems with Al Quaeda and the middle east, but the symbol of evil that Bin Laden has been to the world and to the United States, he is GONE, no more wondering, no more cryptic videos in caves, messages to the media…he’s gone. Hallelujah!
I’ll never forget where I was that fateful day 9/11/2001. I was 2 weeks into my very first college semester. Angelo State University in San Angelo Texas. I was actually still going to my classes at this point. I got up, got dressed and went to class. When I got out of that 9:00 class my phone started ringing off the hook “turn on the TV” “you’ll never believe what’s happening” I went to my next class which was dismissed so that we could all go home and watch. I went back to the dorm and Kendall and I sat on our beds, cried and watched TV for hours, days even. Our generation, as short as our lives have been, has seen a lot of devastation, a lot of BIG events in our lifetimes. But this one day, those few minutes, those thousands of lives, this, in my opinion is the defining moment of our generation. I was 18 years old, living in my little sunshine and rainbows bubble in West Texas and suddenly, the world changed, overnight, things were no longer sunshine and rainbows, a dark cloud loomed over the United States, but in that same dark cloud a ray of sunshine, patriotism spiked, a sense of community and country came to life and we fought back.
Almost 10 years later, the man responsible for that dark day and the following days is no longer walking the earth. He is being judged by the only Judge that matters, he is answering for his sins, and he’s probably asking where all his virgins are…Yeah they’re not there…Burn in Hell Osama Bin Laden, for the Millions of lives you’ve affected, for the Thousands of people you killed, for the evil you posses and the suffering you caused.
Thank you to the United States Military. God Bless you! And God Bless America!
I’m not naïve enough to think that this cures all the problems with Al Quaeda and the middle east, but the symbol of evil that Bin Laden has been to the world and to the United States, he is GONE, no more wondering, no more cryptic videos in caves, messages to the media…he’s gone. Hallelujah!
I’ll never forget where I was that fateful day 9/11/2001. I was 2 weeks into my very first college semester. Angelo State University in San Angelo Texas. I was actually still going to my classes at this point. I got up, got dressed and went to class. When I got out of that 9:00 class my phone started ringing off the hook “turn on the TV” “you’ll never believe what’s happening” I went to my next class which was dismissed so that we could all go home and watch. I went back to the dorm and Kendall and I sat on our beds, cried and watched TV for hours, days even. Our generation, as short as our lives have been, has seen a lot of devastation, a lot of BIG events in our lifetimes. But this one day, those few minutes, those thousands of lives, this, in my opinion is the defining moment of our generation. I was 18 years old, living in my little sunshine and rainbows bubble in West Texas and suddenly, the world changed, overnight, things were no longer sunshine and rainbows, a dark cloud loomed over the United States, but in that same dark cloud a ray of sunshine, patriotism spiked, a sense of community and country came to life and we fought back.
Almost 10 years later, the man responsible for that dark day and the following days is no longer walking the earth. He is being judged by the only Judge that matters, he is answering for his sins, and he’s probably asking where all his virgins are…Yeah they’re not there…Burn in Hell Osama Bin Laden, for the Millions of lives you’ve affected, for the Thousands of people you killed, for the evil you posses and the suffering you caused.
Thank you to the United States Military. God Bless you! And God Bless America!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)