Rice and Meat and Gravy

When I was growing up there were a few things my mom made that would make me stuff myself silly.  Now understand that when I was younger I didn't eat much.  My mom was a great cook, I just didn't like food.  Spaghetti was one thing I loved and another was Rice and Meat and Gravy.  Sometimes my mom would make mashed potatoes instead of rice.  OOOhhhh yummy.  That's what I made for dinner tonight.  For my favorite meal I don't make it that often.  Not because of it's difficulty, but because it's not the family favorite.   Tonight it was a hit.  Even after taco night last night.

Here's the instructions:

You get some beef.  stew meat, fajita meat, whatever.  You slice it up into bite size pieces.  Throw it into the crock pot with 2 packages of brown gravy mix and about 3 cups of water.   Let that cook for about 6 hours on low until the meat is so tender it's falling apart.  Then just mash up some potatoes or cook up some rice, thicken the gravy and voila, dinner. 

 

I hate my job

OK I don't hate my job, really.  I love my job, I just hate jobs in general.  I forgot how nice it is to not have to work.  Working sucks.  I love the kids and working with the kids, but it is soooooo tiring.  Last night I went to bed at 9pm after falling asleep on the couch.  Tonight I will probably do the same. This morning it was awake at 5 up at 6 and let the day begin... I worked from 7:30 to 8:30 doing crossing guard and then had to be at the district office at 9 for training.  That went until 11 which gave me just enough time to run home and eat before reporting for noon duty at 11:10.  Did that until 1:30 and then came home and fell asleep on the couch until 2:30 when I walked back up to the school to pick up the kids.   Then at 4:30 I had to go to the store and get food both for dinner tonight (thank goodness for rotisserie chicken) and also for snacks for school lunches.  Got home, cut up the chicken and had dinner and here we are at 6:30.   Wow, I'm even more tired just writing it out.  Maybe I'll just go to bed right now...

I got a job... er... another job

So just when I was thinking that the job at the halloween store was the answer to my prayers God decided to switch things up.  He gave me another job offer.  A few weeks ago I asked at my son's school if they had any open positions for either crossing guard (which I did 2 years ago) or noon duty.  They told me no.  Well, yesterday they called me and told me that both the crossing guard and noon duty positions were mine if I wanted them.  After doing a little math and figuring out that the pay would be the exact difference between our old rent and our new mortgage.  Wow!  Plus I only have to work 3 hours a day!  And it's fun!   You know that old saying God works in mysterious ways?  well...

I Got A Job!!

www.spirithalloween.com

So I have been looking for a part time job to help supplement our income since we moved in to the new house.  I have been applying all over town.  I probably submitted 10 applications or inquiries.  I didn't hear anything back.  I had noticed the old Benwood Furniture store was becoming a halloween store.  I had checked the web site multiple times to see if they were looking for workers.  The web site said that they would post openings at the end of July.  Not true.  

So I was looking for specific hours that I was available.  I only wanted to work while the kids are in school. I only wanted to work part time as to not affect my Social Security.  So I prayed about it.  I didn't pray constantly I just prayed about it and gave it to God. 

Anyway, one day I was driving home and noticed a sign outside that said "job fair".  I went in and filled out an application. The district manager was there and interviewed me on the spot.   Before I left he said "I have to check out your application, but I'm telling you either way I'm hiring you".  He told me that he'd be calling me Sunday evening, but if he didn't get around to calling me then I should call him Monday morning.  

Well he called me TODAY!  He wants me to come in tomorrow at 12:30 to work out the details of my hiring.  I am so excited.  This job is everything I prayed for!  And I found out today that I can work for up to 9 months without any income restrictions.   

Bottom line:  GOD IS GOOD!

So maybe you're thinking that a "halloween store" isn't the best place for a wholesome christian woman to be working.  Well I thought about that at first, but then I really thought about it and what better place to be to show people that "we" are normal fun loving people who just happen to love God.  I fully intend on wearing my SVC shirts during the store set up period when we can show up in jeans and t-shirts.  I just want to witness to people by being myself.  I want to shine for our Lord.  

Maybe I'm not so crazy after all.  Or maybe I'm crazier than I thought...

Ahhhh The Beach... The Ocean... The Waves...

I used to go to the beach all the time.  I lived 30 minutes away.  There were days when I would get off work and head out and let the waves wash the stress of the day away (figuratively).  I would just sit there and watch the waves go out and come back in.  It was great.  

I recently got a chance to go back to the beach.  I don't even know how long it's been since I've been to see the ocean.  It's one of those things that you take for granted living in California.  

My parents moved to Colorado a while back and although my mom has been back to visit a few times my dad has only been back once and just for a weekend.  They are both coming to visit next month and one of the things my dad wants to do while they are here is go to the ocean.  I wish I could be the one to take them, but they are leaving my house and going to Santa Cruz.  Maybe I'll just hide out in their trunk...

AVA The Adventure

I wanna have the same last dream again 
The one where I wake up, and I'm alive 
Just as the four walls close me within 
My eyes are opened up with pure sunlight 
I'm the first to know, my dearest friends 
Even if your hope has burned with time 
Anything that's dead shall be regrown 
And your vicious pain, your warning sign 
You will be fine 

Hello, here I am 
And here we go 
Life's waiting to begin 

Any type of love it will be shown 
Like every single tree reach for the sky 
If you're gonna fall, I'll let you know 
That I will pick you up like you for I 
I felt this thing, life can't replace 
Where everyone was working for this goal 
Where all the children left without a trace 
Only to come back, as pure as gold 
To recite this all 


Hello, here I am 
And here we go 
Life's waiting to begin, tonight 

Hello, here I am 
And here we go 
Life's waiting to begin, tonight 

Hello, here I am 
And here we go 
Life's waiting to begin 

I cannot live; I can't breathe unless you do this with me 
I cannot live; I can't breathe unless you do this with me 
I cannot live; I can't breathe unless you do this with me 
I cannot live; I can't breathe unless you do this with me 

Hello, here I am (You do this with me) 
And here we go 
Life's waiting to begin (You do this with me) 

Hello, here I am (You do this with me) 
And here we go 
Life's waiting to begin 
Life's waiting to begin