New Year's Resolutions

I was sitting here thinking about the New Year and all of the possibilities when I came acrossed this very fitting post by Kathi over at Tales From The Homefront

It was written by Regina Brett of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio.


She says it is the most requested column she'd ever written and it was rerun in honor of her 90th Birthday. I'd say she's got a lot of wisdom to impart.


45 Lessons Life Taught Me

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.


2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.


3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.


4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.


5. Pay off your credit cards every month.


6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.


7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.


8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.


9. Save for retirement early starting with your first paycheck.


10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.


11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.


12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.


13. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.


14. If a relationship has to be secret, you shouldn't be in it.


15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.


16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.


17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful, or joyful.


18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.


19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.


20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.


21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.


22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.


23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.


24. The most important sex organ is the brain.


25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.


26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words, "In five years, will this matter?"


27. Always choose life.


28. Forgive everyone everything.


29. What other people think of you is none of your business.


30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.


31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.


32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will. Stay in touch.


33. Believe in miracles.


34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.


35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.


36. Growing old beats the alternative.


37. Your children only get one childhood. Make it memorable.


38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.


39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.


40. If we threw all our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.


41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.


42. The best is yet to come.


43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.


44. Yield.


45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

In case I don't get back to you....have a safe and wonderful New Year!!

Couldn't Of Said It Any Better Myself...

The Mom Song from Northland Video on Vimeo.

Sunday Supper

Taco Soup

Ingredients
2 pounds ground beef
2 cups diced onions
2 (15 1/2-ounce) cans pinto beans
1 (15 1/2-ounce) can pink kidney beans
1 (15 1/4-ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can Mexican-style stewed tomatoes
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can tomatoes with chiles
2 (4 1/2-ounce) cans diced green chiles
1 (4.6-ounce) can black olives, drained and sliced, optional
1/2 cup green olives, sliced, optional
1 (1 1/4-ounce) package taco seasoning mix
1 (1-ounce) package ranch salad dressing mix
Corn chips, for serving
Sour cream, for garnish
Grated cheese, for garnish
Chopped green onions, for garnish
Pickled jalapenos, for garnish

Directions
Brown the ground beef and onions in a large skillet; drain the excess fat, then transfer the browned beef and onions to a large slow cooker or a stockpot. Add the beans, corn, tomatoes, green chiles, black olives, green olives, taco seasoning, and ranch dressing mix, and cook in a slow cooker on low for 6 to 8 hours or simmer over low heat for about 1 hour in a pot on the stove. To serve, place a few corn chips in each bowl and ladle soup over them. Top with sour cream, cheese, green onions and jalapenos.

Another hit in our home...courtesy of my BFF Paula Deen!!

Twas Two Days After Christmas...

Gosh, how times gets away from you this time of year. Sorry, I had meant to get back on here and post before Christmas to send you all my warmest wishes to you and yours.

But with last minute shopping, wrapping, cleaning and cooking (and every else on the infamous list!!) time just got away from me.

So, in saying all of that, I hope you all had a WONDERFUL Christmas!! I know we certainly did. All bellies were full with good food. Fun time was spent with loved ones. And most importantly, all of our hearts were filled with love. The BEST gift, if you ask me.

It is really hard for me to believe that this year is almost over though. So much has happened to our family this past year. Both bad and good. We have not only lost loved ones near and dear to our hearts. We have also overcome certain obstacles.

Over the past few days, I have really been looking back, reflecting over the last year. And I can't help having both feelings of joy and heartache.

I can only hope that 2009 will be a year of peace, health and happiness!!

He's She's Making A List...He's She's Checking It Twice!!

Making a list...checking it twice!! Ok, I admit it, I am a self proclaimed list maker. Just ask the hubby. It drives him CRAZY at times!! But being a working Mother of two teens, you have to try anything and everything to stay organized. And notice the emphasis on try!!

So it is only natural that I have a been making my own list and that I have been checking them twice. But I think I can cross most of the items off...or at least I hope!!

DECORATE HOUSE FOR CHRISTMAS

MAIL CHRISTMAS CARDS Yeah, don't ask!!

CALL THE IN-LAWS AND TELL THEM WHAT TIME WE WILL BE EATING ON CHRISTMAS DAY

SHOP FOR PRESENTS

WRAP PRESENTS

CLEAN HOUSE

CATCH UP LAUNDRY

MAKE MENU AND GROCERY LIST FOR CHRISTMAS DINNER

GROCERY SHOP FOR CHRISTMAS DINNER

MAKE A TRIP TO SAMS CLUB FOR CHRISTMAS DINNER

BAKE COOKIES AND PIES

COOK CHRISTMAS DINNER

CLEAN UP HOUSE AFTER CHRISTMAS DAY / DINNER

TRY TO GO BACK TO WORK ON FRIDAY WITHOUT FALLING ALSEEP

Christmas Ham Anyone!?!?!?

This is how you make a Christmas ham right?!?!? LOL!! Seriously, this Christmas will be the first year we will be having ham for Christmas in our home. Normally, my husband is not as fond of ham as the rest of us are so when he come home from visiting his Dad one evening and asked me to make a ham for Christmas, I knew something was up.

You see, this year is the first year since my husband's Mom passed away and we are trying to make Christmas a little extra special for my Father-in-law. So when the hubby asked his Dad if there was anything special he would like to have for Christmas dinner, he asked for ham. So, if ham is what the man asked for then it will be ham the man gets!! Which is perfectly fine with me because unlike the hubby I LOVE ham!! LOL!!

Sorry Mr. Turkey, our menu will be changing quite a bit this year...so there will be no turkey, mashed potatoes or dressing for us. This year we will having the following on our table...

APPETIZERS

**Sweet and Sour Meatballs**
**Veggie Tray**
**Fruit Tray**
**Spirals**
**Fiesta Dip with Tortilla Chips**

MAIN COURSE

**Ham**
**Broccoli Rice Casserole**
**Hashbrown Casserole**
**White Corn**
**Green Bean Casserole**
**Deviled Eggs**
**Pasta House Salad**
**Rolls**

DESSERTS

**Cookies**
**Pumpkin Pie**
**Apple Pie**
**Brownies**
**Pumpkin Cheesecake Dip with Graham Cracker Dippers**

I hope this is OK. Sounds weird but I am a little nervous changing up the menu. (Hi, my name is Carrie and I am a little bit of a control freak!!) But I thought these sides went better with ham. So I ask you all this what will be on your Christmas tables this year?

Shop Til We Dropped!!

This is what the hubby and I did today! Ok, Ok...I guess that is what I get for totally procrastinating and not going before today. But in my defense after working all day and trying to keep things up and running around the homestead, I am just to gosh darn tired lazy to go out at night.

And anyway, technically I hadn't totally procrastinate. I think I had 3 presents bought before today but honestly whenever you have to get as much as I did today, really what's the difference between 3 and 0!?!?!?

So this morning my husband and I decided to get up early and head out to the stores before all of the other shoppers procrastinators got out there. OH.MY.GOSH!!!! Were we ever so wrong!! Honestly, it wasn't too bad up until about 8:00 or 9:00am, then all heck broke loose!!

By the time we got to Kohl's the lines were halfway around the store. I know probably nothing for all of you brave ones that fight "Black Friday" every year. But this girl is NOT one of those girls. Usually, because I don't rank the seniority at my job (Even though I have been there nearly 11 years. Seriously, don't some people know when to reitire!?!?!?) to get that day off but mainly because with age I have lost the abilty to shop til I drop!!

Even though back in the day, I could out shop the best of them. I even had the classic 80's "Shop Til I Drop" sweatshirt to prove it! Don't laugh, you all know you had the too. LOL!!

But seriously, it wasn't that bad. And I think we got a lot accomplished, even if we tried to do a major power shopping trip and do it all in one day. I think all we have left to do is get my Mom and my Father-in-law's gifts. And maybe a few filler things for the kids. And all of the grocerys for Christmas dinner that we are hosting for the in law's. And clean house. And....And....And....

Ok, maybe I am NOT close to being finished!!! UGGHHH!!! Calgon take me away!!!!!!!