Bliss or Bust

It's been so much fun RELAXING this summer. Yesterday I was at the pool with the boys, and really just enjoying the heck out of myself. I called my dad just to tell somebody how damn happy I was.

The water was sparkling, the sky was blue, and I readjusted my chair as I chatted. I laid back, and the chair...


The chair... It FLIPPED! There I was, in all my glory, splayed out on a lawnchair with my head on the ground (in the flowerbed!) and my arse up in the air. Oh my... and my dad was dying on the phone as I relayed the details of my position. Not good.

I'm so glad that noone else was at the pool, and of course noone was looking down at me from their glass doors at the 900 apartments surrounding the pool. Noone was laughing. And if they were...

NOONE was laughing.

I'm still picking flowerbed mulch out of my hair...

Yesterday's Dinner

Chicken Curry (recipe by Pam Anderson)

• 2 tablespoons curry powder
• 1 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 large onion, halved and thinly sliced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 rotisserie chicken, skinned and boned, meat pulled into large chunks ( I browned 3 chicken breasts cut into bite sized pieces)
  
• 1 (13.5 ounce) can light coconut milk
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken broth

DIRECTIONS

1. Mix spices in small bowl. Heat oil in a Dutch oven or small soup kettle over medium-high heat; add onion and saute until golden, 8 to 10 minutes.
2. Add garlic; saute until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add spices; toast until fragrant, 30 seconds to 1 minute. Add chicken; stir until completely coated with spices. Add coconut milk, tomatoes and broth. Bring to a simmer; cook uncovered until flavors blend and stew is thick, about 20 minutes.
3. Remove from heat.
4. Serve over basmati rice.

Okay, so I made this yesterday. I served it with basmati rice, garlic bread, and a delicious salad. Pam recommends serving this with mango chutney, which I did not have. She also loves using cilantro but I am one of those people that hate everything to do with cilantro, and I think it tastes like soap.

The salad: fresh romaine, olive oil, sea salt, fresh cracked pepper, the juice of 1 and 1/2 tangerines, dried fruit, and roasted pine nuts. Garnished with sliced Driscoll strawberries.

It was sooooo good. I've never cooked Thai or Indian food, but this dish was incredible. Chris is loving all the fresh salads and new dishes we've been having lately.

I'm going to start taking more pictures...

~Me

I'm having fun just being a mom...

So, I'm coming out of the closet, now. I did decide to put the boys in school next year. I know, I know. I changed my mind several times previously, but about a week and a half ago, I had a day that it just... became so clear to me what I wanted and needed to do. So, I sent the school books on to TN, and decided to take the summer off. Aside from reading "Bridge to Terabithia" we're doing nothing.

Yesterday, the boys started VBS. I've got the next 4 weeks planned with VBS activities. They're loving it so far. I love hearing about their morning, and then there's lunch and swimming. It's been WONDERFUL so far. I don't have SCHOOL hovering over my head. I'm just enjoying being "mom" and having fun with my boys.

I'm excited about them going to school. I was previously riddled with apprehension, no matter my decision. But, now... there's no looking back. I know I've made the right decision. I know they'll both do great in school, and I intend to be involved with their education every step of the way. I'll accept nothing but their best, and I'll give them the same.

I'm a little sad that our decision will cause Chris and I to be apart for a few months, but we both feel optimistic nonetheless.

In a year or so, the kids won't be the only students in the house. TTU is calling my name, and I intend to fulfill my dream of getting my degree. I'm going to get a degree in something PRODUCTIVE, rather than the history/english degree I once intended. I'm thinking math or some science...

So, there's my ramblings for the day.

Oh, and it was so sweet to hear the Father whisper my name this morning. I love those moments that His spirit flows over me, like water... quenching a thirst I didn't even realize I had. Thank you, my Lord for giving so generously....

Back Already...

Don't I look good?!? I ask because I came surfin' in on my cool new HP laptop that Chris bought me yesterday. I was tickled as he picked it out and talked with the sales guy. I felt like his princess, and he was so intent on making sure I had *exactly* what I wanted.

So, moving on... I've been tagged! Angi apparently wants to know 8 MORE things about me (see below where I quickly threw out the first 8). I think I'll give it a little more thought this time.


8. I love to read. Right now, I'm reading Wicked. It's so good. I hope to be able to see the musical production someday.
7. Worthy of repeating, I still get major flutters from my husband. His touch is like fire on my skin. The last 2 years of our marriage have been especially blissful, and continues to get better. I'm so blessed!

6. I LOVE to cook. Lately, I have been devoting some time to this lost love of mine. No longer carby processed foods, but truly healthy cooking. My whole family has enjoyed the food I've prepared, and it's so good for them. I credit my accomplishments to Pam Anderson, author of "How to Cook Without a Book".

5. I am really NOT a people person. There was a time when I really truly loved unabashedly, but beyond my husband... I no longer feel capable or willing to love,trust, invest without reservation. A hard lesson learned, but valuable nonetheless. As time progresses, I find myself embracing solitude and the comfort it lends. People fall to the wayside, but to no fault of mine or theirs. Tis is the way that life leads, I suppose. As I feel more comfortable in this skin, I find it easier to accept people, because no longer is there any expectation. Just...acceptance. And I know that acceptance often can feel like love. So, then, all is not wasted.

4. Since I rambled so much in #5, let's just say... I absolutely adore my kids...and my dogs. Not just in a "they live here" sort of way. I really ENJOY them, especially my dogs.

3. I recently made a difficult decision. After changing my mind many times, I came to great peace with my decision, but I still haven't "come out" about it yet. It's my own little secret, but I know that my husband supports me, and we have chosen wisely.

2. I'm truly enjoying life right now. I woke up this past Saturday, and went into a fit of giggles. Why? Because, for once, I had *nothing* to concern myself with. Nothing was unresolved at that moment. Nothing was waiting to be done. Nothing. It was incredible. Of course, people started getting hungry shortly after, and my moment went *poof* as I started cooking breakfast. But, even still, life is good.

1. My faith in the redeeming love of Jesus has been pivotal to making me a better woman. Walking in His grace has allowed me to see myself for who I really am, and to become more like I should be. I am thankful for His comfort and leadership as he has guides me through the fire and refines my heart and soul.


So...there you have it.