SNOWED IN

Giant Food's Peapod delivery, understandably, cancelled. I still consider the service a godsend, though.
As I ate the last Yoplait peach yogurt, I found myself feeling so grateful for my Mom's teaching and her creativity in the kitchen. I took inventory of the cabinets, refrigerator, and freezer, and was grateful that, in addition to the staples: bread, milk, eggs, flour, rice, and sugar, there was something in all of them that I could combine to parlay into breakfast, lunch, dinner, and a snack for several days, if need be. (What was the frozen solid, brown stuff in one of the ziploc bags? THE LEFTOVER CHRISTMAS GUMBO!!!!!)
These days are perfect for cooking the stuff you overlooked for something else--stuff that's been languishing, but it's still not past its sell-by date. These are the days that you realize, you DO have more than enough food. Just use what you've got--and you've got nothing but time to prepare it because you're not going anywhere. You don't have to have soda. You can make tea or, here's a thought: Drink water (unless you live in a certain town in Michigan.) No chips? What about those 4 potatoes that have been sprouting in the basket? 
I laughed when I thought about every time I looked at that whole fryer in the freezer, changed my mind, and cooked something else that was easier. I had no problem thawing, washing, cutting up and seasoning that bad boy yesterday, though. I even sat down and cut up potatoes--sweet and white--and saved and seasoned the skins.

You may not have what you want (Okay, okay. popcorn and almond M&M's), but you CAN plan and make appetizing, and healthy meals that will last.

Maybe I can get out and get some popcorn (Okay. Groceries) tomorrow...and promise myself never to run out again. The chopped cabbage and celery salad satisfied my need to crunch, today. The French dressing was running low, but a little mayo, mustard, ketchup, vinegar, and garlic powder all mixed up was quite tasty. 
I'm not sure when I decided to consolidate all of the tea into one box, but the dark chocolate Swiss Miss was a wonderful surprise...: )

FEELING GOOD

Ever feel like you've turned a corner? gotten over a hurdle without getting your foot all tangled, or falling on your face? Sometimes you purpose to stick it out; get through a situation; do the right thing simply because it's the right thing to do. Funny thing is that you don't realize it until it's quiet...you're still; rested...and you look around...and you're still in one piece...and not broken or beaten up...and propelled by the prayers and encouragement of those who truly care...and you have the last laugh...and it's a good, genuine, hearty one. You're stronger, settled, comfortable, secure, confident, and tougher. You're moving with ease. You know you're supported, and it feels amazing.

A NEW VIEW

RANDOM MEAL

Someone brought KFC to my dad last week. The only thing he didn't eat was the cole slaw. I decided to drain it of all the mayonnaise-y stuff and rinse it. Clean cabbage and carrots. I put it in a ziploc bag and tossed it into the freezer. I was cleaning out the refrigerator today, and ran across it. Not sure how soggy it would be if I nuked it, or let it thaw, I put a pat of butter in a sauce pan, dumped it in, and let it fry...then I added some red, green, and yellow peppers...and onions...and garlic...and celery...sea salt and pepper...and broccoli florets and stirred it all up. 
KFC cole slaw won't languish in the fridge for so long any more, but the stir fry wasn't bad at all.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

1.A change of scenery helps.
2.The only person you can change is yourself.
3.Never abandon the things that feed your soul.
4.Determine whether the things to which you assign importance are really that important.
5.Pick your battles, and when you pick, fight to win.
6.Let some things go. They're not worth it.
7.Be extremely good to yourself. Make time for yourself without apology.
8.Recognize when people are projecting their issues onto you.
9.Don't argue or try to reason with a fool
10.Know when it is time to go...and go.
11.Remember the truth and don't be blindsided by anything pretending to be.
12.Toxic people and situations are unhealthy. Protect yourself.
13.Be grateful for wise people and good friends.
14.Speak boldly when necessary.
15.Don't pass on another great opportunity ever again.
16.Laugh....a lot.

CONFRONT

Sometimes, you just take one for the team. Sometimes, to spare another person any embarrassment, you don't correct or clarify, you keep quiet; you don't want to expose their weakness, vices, or circumstance; you don't want to call them a liar; you just let them have their say (Maybe dogging you makes them feel better about themselves. I don't know.); you hear stuff, but forgo being offended or defensive; you don't want to ruffle any feathers, or make any waves--until the chatter begins to threaten your existence, integrity, livelihood, efforts, health, or reputation. Then you can't keep quiet any longer--and you're happy that some teacher told you long ago, "Always document".

Words ARE powerful, and can do great harm. What you say about other people DOES matter. Many people get their faces cracked for minding the business of others; for approaching others while armed with a lie. If you're going to go to bat for someone, you'd better know that they're telling you the truth. Go on with your bad self because you feel you HAVE to say something to someone about what someone else TOLD you--but you should do your homework, or stop to think if what they said makes a lick of sense. Go ahead, though. You just might find out something you didn't really want to know...AND get your feelings hurt...AND have to apologize.

Many people miss out on great personal and working opportunities because they believed a liar. Sometimes you have to abandon your fear of confrontation and set people straight--and you need not use any non-Sunday school words, either.

Don't just control the narrative, speak the truth...all of it...publicly if necessary. Like mama used to say, "Wherever you act up, that's where you're gonna get it." Don't delay. No more holding conversations with people who aren't present. Confront. Light is a good thing. Speak the truth. It will shut some things down, and, finally, shut some people up.

MONDAY THOUGHTS: DREAMS

I was asleep in my dream.

 

I could hear someone walking around outside my door, and woke up. 

I was angry with myself that I hadn't heard the person walk down the stairs. 

They'd walked around in the family room. 

They opened another door, and began to unzip the pool table cover. 

Then I heard their footsteps coming closer. 

I was wondering if they were tampering with my computer, or any of the other things I'd left in the family room before I'd gone to bed. 

I was more afraid when I realized they were in my room rummaging through things. 

I could sense they were standing near the foot of my bed. 

I kept my eyes closed; pretended to snore, cry out, kick, and talk in my sleep. I thought, "That's right. Pretend you're having a nightmare". 

My cries were muffled. I could hear myself. 

I heard them say, "Oh, s_ _ _. She's asleep." 

They left the room, but I didn't hear their footsteps anymore. 

When I thought it was safe, I got up. 
Then I woke up. 

It seemed so real. 

I walked into the family room. 

Everything was where I'd left it.

 

After I went to the bathroom, I looked around, put a few things where they belonged, and shut down my computer. 

(Apparently, my version of Windows isn't authentic, but I digress.) 

I opened the closet. 

Things looked a little neater than I remembered. 

I thought about my dream. 

It was one. 

There's no zippered cover on the pool table.