Friendships

Do you all ever feel like you are beginning to question some of your friendships? Well, the past few weeks this is a subject that has been weighing heavily on my mind. You see, I have a friend that I thought at one time was more like a sister. But here lately, I feel that we have drifted apart. I have tried to talk to her about it on more than one occasion. But yet, things still haven't changed. I have always know that she has a tendency to be self-absorbed but here lately it has gotten much worse.

Maybe I am being a baby. But last week I think I had mentioned that I had to get some test ran. And here it is a week later and the friend has still not called to see if everything went OK. Not that I am expecting her to drop everything. Or for her to baby me over the results. But if the tables were turned, I would of called her immediately to make sure everything went well. Especially, since she knew how nervous I was over them.

Am I being a brat? Or would you all feel the same way? I just feel lately that this friendship is so one-sided. I guess I am one of those friends that would go above and beyond for my dear friends. I try to make sure they all know that I love and care about them. And that I am here for them no matter what. But at the same time, I am beginning to feel that I am forcing this friendship on her.

I guess I am feeling this way about a couple friends. See a couple of these women I have been friends with since high school. And I am just wondering if we have grown apart. And starting to not have alot in common. Or even used in a sense. One of the friends my husband and I have been friends with her and her husband since high school. But again, thru the years we have drifted apart. We never go to dinner, etc. But yet, they only seem to call whenever they need something (IE to borrow money, etc).

Recently, I have met a few woman that I think I "click" with. Woman thru church, etc. that seem very nice and that I would have a lot in common with. So, in saying all of this...what would you suggest? Do you all think I should just let the "old" friendships that I feel are dying, die? And concentrate on these "newer" friendships? Or I try one last time and try to salvage them?

Simple Country

Simple Country Treasures ~ Lebanon, IL.

~UPDATE~ I just wanted to give a quick update on the situation with my daughter's ex-boyfriend's Aunt (gosh that was a mouthful) My daughter has since gotten an apology from the Ex. Then his Mom called me and I basically told her that I had NO problems with the Ex or her. But until the Aunt could call and apologize to my daughter, the Aunt and I would have problems...needless to say, the woman apologized thru a text. YES a text!! I know real classy. But you know what? We are over it!! God doesn't like ugly and she will regret her decisions one day.

Anyway, not much going on here...same ol' same ol'. Spent my Saturday doing laundry. And LOTS of it!! Oh well, at least it is done and we all have clean clothes. I have been trying to update my Facebook status with something that I am thankful for everyday, as so are others. And the other day I read an update where a girl I know was thankful for the mountain of laundry she was doing because it meant that her and her husband could afford to put clothing on their children's backs. I thought that was awesome way of looking at it!!

Today was another pretty day here in the midwest. Perfect fall day. I was wanting to go to the local town of Lebanon, IL. They were having their Victorian Holiday celebration. And I was hoping to go and take a look in a few of the shops I love there. One being Simple Country Treasures. And the other being Calico Moon. But unfortunately, "Big Daddy" hasn't been feeling good. And now "Muscles" is following suit. Gosh, I hope I don't get it!! That sounded bad didn't it!?!?!

Looking forward to going to church tomorrow. Hope the boys feel better, so they can go. Tomorrow will be my 3rd time going to this church but I really enjoy it. I have been feeling really at peace lately, and it feels good!! I know I even posted a little while back about how I hoped my husband would go with me. Well I am happy to report that last week he did and he REALLY like it. He told me while we were leaving the service last Sunday that at first he went for me (to shut me up, I think were his exact words...LOL!!) But that he will DEFINITELY being going with me this week and that he will be going for himself this time NOT me. That made me happy!!

Anyway, I guess that is it for now....I hope you all are having fun and relaxing weekend!!

Til next time...Hugs!! Carrie

Good Day Turns To...Ummm, Not So Good Day!!

Do you all ever have one of those days where it starts out good and then BOOM all heck breaks loose?!?!?

Well, today was one of the days for me. I woke up this morning feeling a HUGE relief because my test results came back with the A-OK. BTW, thanks to all that left the warm wishes!!

But then my daughter proceeds to tell me that her ex-boyfriend's Aunt left her a VERY nasty comment on Facebook. You see, my 18 YO daughter and her boyfriend of a year just broke up a few weeks ago. Well, since then his ADULT Aunt has been leaving her nasty comments anytime she updates her status. Which, my husband and I am pretty much ignored because we like the ex and his parents. We have no hard feelings towards them and I hope they feel the same about us. Even though, Katelyn was the one that broke up with him...they are being very civil to one another.

But after the VERY nasty comment she left in Katelyn's page last night (which let me add she deleted after the ex yelled at her for leaving) I LOST it. The Mama Bear in my came out. The only way I knew to get ahold of the Aunt was to send her an email through Facbook, so that was what I did. A very nice email telling her that I didn't appreciate the comment she left on my daughters page and that the break up has been hard on both of them but as the adults I think we all should stay out of it and let them sort things out between themselves. The next thing I know she leaves me a nasty reply and basically said that my daughter was lying, etc. And denied leaving the comment. Are you freaking kidding me!?!?!?

I was being VERY nice and trying to handle things maturely. Well, let me just say after reading that I lost my temper I then blasted her and told her that if she was a big enough woman to leave the nasty comment on my 18 YO daughters page and call her the names that she did that she should be a big woman to admit it and deal with the consequences.

Funny thing is though, even though she deleted the comment it still shows on my daughters cell phone since she has Facebook on it.

So, do you all think I overreacted? Or would you have down the same thing?

I have been trying so hard lately to try to be a better christian, etc. (which BTW, I have tried a new church and I LOVE it) and I know God doesn't like ugly. BUT as a Mother, I felt the need to protect my baby!! Am I wrong?

Homemade Holidays ~ Week Two

I decided to stick with my whole appetizer theme for Colleen's Homemade Holiday Recipe Swap, as they are my absolutely favorite food group. LOL!! So, here is another "go-to" recipe in our house. This is not only a Holiday favorite but also a real favorite on Sundays while watching football...


STICKY WINGS (I know the ingredients sounds strange...but trust me WELL worth trying!!)

1 (5 pound) bag frozen chicken wings
1 (10 ounce) jar apricot preserves
1 (1 ounce) packet dry onion soup mix
1 (16 ounce) bottle Catalina-style salad dressing

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Cut the chicken wings into individual pieces and place on two lightly greased cookie sheets.

Spread apricot preserves over wings. Sprinkle dry onion soup mix over wings, then pour Catalina dressing all over. Bake for 1 hour.

Makes 20 to 25 servings.

Are you a worry wort?!?!?

Sorry, I haven't been posting the past few days. I have been having some issues that I have had to go to the doctor about. And I am just praying that all turns out well. I will know more Monday after I have an ultrasound done. I am trying to remain positive but I am such a worry wort that I have to admit I have been a mess. As some of you may know, I suffer from Panic Attacks and this isn't helping them.

Hope all is well with all of you...

Til next time...Hugs!! Carrie♥

Happy Veteran's Day!!

Thank you to all of the BRAVE men and women that have and still fight to protect our country!! Happy Veteran's Day!!

Homemade Holidays~Week One

If you ladies are anything like me, you are always looking for new and exciting recipes. Especially, during the upcoming Holiday season when we all have more parties to go to than we can count and we don't want to bring the same ol' thing.

So, you all need to go over HERE and visit Colleen. She has been hosting a recipe swap for the last several weeks. She started back in the Fall with a Back-To-School Recipe Pool and now she is having a Homemade Holiday Recipe Swap Go and check it out.....

I know for some, when they think of "Holiday Food" they think SWEETS!! Well, not me...I am ALL about the appetizers. I am definitely a CARB kinda girl!! Give me some hot cheesy dip and chips or some sticky wings and I am a happy camper. Unfortunately for my waistband, that's not such a good...LOL!! So, whenever I think of my favorite appetizers I always think of this tried and true recipe. This is definitely my "go to" dish!!

Let me introduce you to the BEST.SPINACH.ARTICHOKE.DIP.EVER!!!!!

INGREDIENTS

~1 onion, chopped
~2 tablespoons olive oil
~1 can Rotel tomatoes with green chiles
~1 (4 ounce) can sliced black olives, drained
~1 can artichoke hearts, chopped
~2 (10 ounce) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained (I defrost mine in the microwave and let it cook for about 5 mins then drain)
~1-2 cups shredded Colby Jack cheese
~1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, cubed
~1 cup half-and-half cream
~1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
~salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

~Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
~Saute onion in skillet over medium heat in oil until softened, about 4 minutes.
~Stir in Rotel, black olives and cooked spinach mix well
~Then add vinegar, half-and-half, salt and pepper.
~Let simmer for a min or so until heat through
~Then add Colby Jack cheese, cream cheese.
~Spoon mixture into shallow baking dish.
~Bake in the preheated oven until the dip is bubbly and the top is light brown, about 35 minutes.

Hope you all enjoy as much as we do!!

Til Next Time...Hugs!! Carrie♥

Tidbits Of My Home...Courtesy Of Kris @ Simply Prim

Evening Ladies!! Gosh, I can't believe it is November already. Time sure does get away from you doesn't it!?!? Heck, Christmas will be here before we know it!!

I don't know if you all remember or not, but I had won a giveaway a while back that Kris was having over @ Simply Prim. Which I meant to show pictures of WAY before now but I guess time got the best of me...sorry, Kris!!

I don't know about all of you, but I feel that the kindest act of appreciation or graditude for a gift is when the person who gave it to you actually sees you wear it or use it. So, in saying this I would love for you all to see where I used all of my wonderful gifts I received from Kris's giveaway!!

Thanks again Kris....I L♥VED it all!!

I placed the putka pods in this beehive jar on top of my scale!! (Sorry, didn't want to get to close of a shot...can you say DUST?!?! LOL!!)

My Choice Quilts “Autumn Leaf” placemat...

An iron book candle keep, a fire ash candle stub, a handmade cross-stitched pin keep, a handmade stuffed pumpkin and a handmade prim book.

And lastly, this beautiful black felt table runner with pumpkins and berries stitched on it.

Wasn't Kris SUPER generous?!?!? I'm definitely a lucky girl!!

Til next time...Hugs!! Carrie♥

Menu Planning Monday

Evening Ladies!! I don't know about all of you but sometimes after getting home from work, I am too tired to think. And dinner is the LAST thing on my mind. So, one way of simplifying this is by planning my weekly menu. This way, all I have to is look at my menu and follow the game plan of that evening.

Not to mention that I am always on the outlook for new recipes. So, I have decided to join all of the other ladies over HERE and join in on Menu Planning Mondays....

Monday ~ Pork Tenderloin~Roasted Potatoes~Green Bean Bundles

Tuesday ~ Taco Soup with Toppings(Shredded Cheese~Sour Cream~Crushed Tortilla Chips)

Wednesday ~ Beef Stew~Cornbread

Thursday ~ Sunday Crockpot Pork Chops~Mashed Potatoes~Spinach and Artichoke Casserole~Rolls

Friday ~ Chicken Soft Tacos~Spanish Rice

OK, now I am HUNGRY...LOL!!

Til Next Time...Hugs!! Carrie♥

Farmhouse Dreamin'

Copyright of Warren Kimble

Happy November everybody!! I hope you all had a "SPOOKTACULAR" Halloween last night!!

Don't you just love this picture? Or all of Warren Kimble's picture for the matter?

Yesterday, "Big Daddy" and I spent the day with my Father-In-Law. Ever since my Mother-In-Law passed away, I think he is VERY lonely. Which is very understandable. I couldn't imagine being married to somebody for over 40 years and not missing them EVERY.SINGLE.DAY for the rest of your life!!

During our visit yesterday, we took a drive thru the country. Taking in all of the beautiful colors of Autumn. But another part of driving thru the country that I truly enjoy, is looking at all of the old Farmhouses. I absolutely L♥VE them!!

I dream that someday, "Big Daddy" and I can find an old Farmhouse to fix up. So much history!! I would love to have some land to plant a garden. And I know being the animal lover that "Big Daddy" is, that there would have to be a few animals as well. LOL!!

So, how about you...if you had your wish, would you rather have brand spanking new home? Or an old Farmhouse to fix up? What would your dream be?

Til Next Time...Hugs!! Carrie♥