I have such mixed emotions about 2016. In some ways it was amazing for me and in some ways it was the most trying year of my life. I got to start my own business and have so much encouragement from every one and shared so much with people who supported me. I learned that I had way more real friends then I thought I did and found a couple I hope with be friend forever. I learned what sadness truly is with the loss of my mom and how much I love all of my family.
I have not thought about what 2017 will bring, but I know I am a bit more prepared for it, if that is really possible.
There is a couple things I wish for myself this coming year. I want to be happy. I want to be nice above all.
Today is the day after my mothers would be 76th birthday. For my memory of her I got a tattoo of a tortoise on my wrist. I am not super emotional lately – not super happy or super sad, but I did manage to cry yesterday evening. I am so very appreciative of people who care about me and I was talking to one of them and I just can’t get over how nice some people are!
Enough mushy stuff
I have been working this last couple weeks mostly at home and plan on finishing out the year here as well. So thankful that I have understanding employers who work with me in my situation with my dad being here alone.
I have some traveling to do early in January – need to go to Atlanta for the Construction’s Southern Region Safety Certification. I actually need to get certified this time so no teaching just doing
I think that I have basically decided to just make an “office” space in the dining / living room. That way we can all be together in the house and I am sure more comfy. My sister is here now, I think I am going to get her to help me take out the leaves in the table so I can leave my big huge white board out of my bathroom
I need to leave here to go get my packages – maybe hook the gate back up on my way out!!
1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with Chile peppers
1 can sliced black olives
1 (9 ounce) package frozen corn
1 (8 ounce) package rotini pasta
1/2 cup salsa
2 tablespoons taco seasoning
Sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, and additional salsa for topping
Directions
Brown ground sirloin and drain. In large skillet combine sirloin, pepper, onion, tomatoes, corn, salsa, and taco seasoning. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.
Cook pasta and combine with meat mixture.
Simmer for an additional 10 minutes.
Serve with topping of sour cream, salsa and shredded cheddar cheese.
Mix the white sugar, brown sugar, half and half, and salt into saucepan.
Bring to a boil and reduce heat to medium continue to boil and still constantly until mixture thickens to a syrup, about 8 minutes. A candy thermometer should read 220° F.
Stir in butter, pecans, and vanilla. Continue to cook until mixture reaches 234° F.
Allow the glaze to cool for 5 minutes and pour over prepared bundt cake.
In a small bowl, mix the sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt together.
Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat; add sweet potatoes, and stir to coat. Sprinkle sugar mixture over the sweet potatoes, and stir. Cover skillet, and reduce heat to low. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 1 hour, or until the sauce is dark and the potatoes are candied. They should be tender, but a little hard around the edges.
I went yesterday and picked up my desktop from the wood place and today I will get it put on the frame and hopefully be able to move all the stuff off the table and onto that. We are running out of space and I really need to get something done about it. I have a giant white board in my bathroom, 3 desk chairs in there and too much crap on my real desk in the bedroom!
Not to mention all the clothes I really need to go through to clean out my closet and drawers. Samantha has been trying to get me to do that for months now – guess I better do something at sometime – she may just get rid of everything
I also need to figure out what all will be made for Thanksgiving – which happens to be dad’s birthday. Now last year he asked for beenie weenies. I am not going to say that I refuse to cook that for Thanksgiving, but it isn’t really going to go well with the hens…
I am sitting here and Nickel is being like a cat. He just hates when I am at a computer. Now I have Dime doing the same thing – she is less calm than him though.
Paul is coming over today and we will get good stuff done I hope. I may have threatened him to either bring me a donut or sandwich. I hope he does
OK, going to get started this morning and will get back to this later I hope.
New desk space – is that the kitchen table, maybe…
