Under "Life-long Learner" in the dictionary is my picture

Looking back on my educational career, 14 years in the making - I'd say that was one hell of a career, I see how much of a wishy-washy person I am. Growing up I always, always want to be a vet. I have had almost every animal in the world (well, not barn or exotic animals) and have just had a passion for taking care of them. I started off in college in Fall of 99' and I was enrolled in the pre-vet program at Wayne State. 

That first semester I failed BIO 1010. Oh, my mother of God - I was bummed. So I took it again. FAILED a second time. So my third semester I took it off campus at an extension center and passed that shit. I passed that shit with a B....how does a person fail 2 times and then pass with a B? Was it just that the information was building up? In my opinion, nope. It was a smaller class size (450 ppl or 35? Hmmm) with someone that spoke English as a first language. With that out of the way came BIO 1020, which I took with the same teacher and did great. 

At that time I was working as a pharmacy tech at our local drug store and loving it. The pharmacists talked me into switching my major talking about all the money I would make. Then I had CHM 1030. That just sucked. BIG TIME. Let's just say mathematics isn't my thing and I had to take a lab with each math class in college. So, I knew this was not something that I was going to be able to finish. 

By the time I realized this it was 2001 and I felt lost and bummed. I just got a job working for the Taylor School District as a teaching assistant and I LOVED what I was doing. I really saw my hard work pay off with these amazing 1st - 3rd graders that I worked with. Once again, I switched majors. I think at this point my mom and dad didn't care what I did, just as long as I graduated and got the hell out of their house....lol. With 2 years wasted, I started the long haul through the college of education. Which is four years and a year of student teaching. I graduated with my bachelor degree in Aug. 2006. I started working that very next month! I loved it and knew that the Lord had guided me into the right career. 

In Sept. 2006 as I was starting my first year teaching, I also started grad school. I went part time (4 credit hours) year round. My major was Early Childhood, since I LOVE the babies. (Obviously, since I would be a Duggar if I could.) I worked on that part-time for about a year and a half. In this time I had switched jobs (more pay by 10K) and was in need of some special education training, since our school had a sucky special ed program. It was non-exisistent, at least for early elementary it was and it was shabby for the upper elementary....charter schools - gotta love em'. I switched my major to learning disabilities and figured I could just get my ZA (early childhood) certification along with my masters. I was on a great path! Then came the course that everyone takes in autism. Holy Moses - I fell in love. So...I switched my major again. With the plan to get my ZA & LD (learning disabilities) certification on my teaching license and my masters in autism (AI). 

As of May 2013, I will be a graduate of Madonna University. I will have my masters in AI and I have 2 classes to finish to get my ZA certification and 2 for my LD certification. It's been a long time coming. I love going to school. I don't love paying for school (which should kick in soon) but I would go to school and get as many degrees as possible if they would let me. Well - if I could afford it. 

I have switched my major 6 times. 6 times people. How crazy is that. Once I changed it the third time I did stay in the same field, but still drifted from one side to the other. I think that it was just because I have always wanted to help people. Now, I am not using any of this 100K+ education for income purposes. I have been fortunate enough to be able to stay at home with my girls for the last 2 years. Believe me I am putting all of that education (even the vet & pharmacology into good use!) You see, school doesn't just teach you the skills you need for a career. I learned a lot from those 2 'wasted' years of college. I know to NEVER mix bleach with ammonia - because of the fumes. I know the conversions for ounces to cups and ML to teaspoons - tablespoons. Bio 1010 - Dolphins and Pigs are 2 animals that have sex for pleasure...yes- that is what I remember. 

I have learned so many great things over the years. I know that school is not for everyone. I understand that however...

Knowledge is power. 

It has the ability to take you anywhere. 

Baby, baby, baby.....s

As some of you know from my ramblings here and there that we are trying for our third child. We have been "trying" since September. Now when I say trying, I don't mean - we'll see what happens when it happens. I mean, temperature charting, ovulating testing - the whole nine yards. I can say that after 6 months of trying, I probably only have 1/10th of the want that people who haven't conceived in years or never will. My thoughts often go to those who aren't able to have kids at all. I think that adoption should be attainable for EVERYONE with the means of supporting and loving a child. It's ridiculous to have to spend 20K+ to adopt a child and give it a better life. RIDICULOUS.

There are some people that sympathize with us and others that don't. Let me just tell you that the ones that don't are high on my shit list when they talk all high and mighty. If you have never "tried" and "tried" and "tried" to get pregnant, with no success - shut.your.hole. The best phrase to say to me to get punched in the throat is, "Stop trying." Really?! Are you kidding me?! I don't have a young 20 something body that is popping out vibrant, healthy eggs every month. I want what I want and I want it NOW!

A lot of people who are trying to make me feel better, say, Oh, it will happen when it's supposed to happen. No shit sherlock....really? You don't think that I realize I have no real control over this and that it makes me feel even more like losing my fraking mind?! I love those people for trying to make me feel better. When I get so close to that time of the month, it's great how mother nature fucks with me.  It makes my boobs hurt, turns me into a narcoleptic, and makes me bubble with emotions. I think - hmmm...maybe the sperm were like Michael Phelps this time....maybe me holding my legs up for 25 minutes after really worked. Only, to start my period 2 days later. What.a.bitch. Yeah, you mother nature are a huge BITCH.

As you can tell, it's getting close to that time of finding out if it's a + or a - sign. Less then a week. And the anticipation is KILLING me. I guess good things come to those who wait right? That's a shitty saying too...blah - I need to eat something with chocolate and go back to bed!

Bagging those bags!

We had our first "bagging" this past Saturday. It is exciting, inspiring, and productive! We had many people that donated supplies and their time to make this happen. Our goal for the evening was 30 bags. We made 38! I was most excited about seeing everyone's hard work in action. There were 5 adults and 9 kids that attended. The 4 ladies that showed up worked hard and I appreciate every effort they made! I am hoping that in a couple of weeks, I will be getting comments about people handing out their bags and how great of an experience it was. Here are some pictures from the night!

Brayden sorting through toiletries

Getting set-up

Shannon and Brayden ~ Thanks for your hard work!

Even the littlest ones got involved!

Diana working on getting the bags ready.

Erin working hard!

Lots of goodies going to people who need them.

Poor Cheryl, we made her work on her knees!

Finished bags, packed to the brim!

Isabella showing off our finished product!

We did a really great job, and there was tons of items stuffed into those bags. Everyone that donated supplies or their time got bags to take home to pass out. We had a meeting of the minds at the end of the night and jotted down things that we would like to do this year. Next month we are donating to a women's shelter, March is Children's Hospital, and April is the Brownstown Animal Shelter.

Everyone left with a smile on their face, bags in hand, and hope in their heart.

I didn't understand how giving people were. This project has enlightened me greatly on the wonderful people that God has placed in my life. I have known some of these people my entire life. I haven't seen some of them in over ten years. Some I met that night. People in general are pretty amazing. I am happy to see such good come out of a small idea from my pea sized brain.

With all of this goodness going on, I have really been thinking about starting a non-profit. I have done some research and starting an association would be super easy with minimal cost. However, I would solely have to rely on the support of individuals. If I start a non-profit, then I can apply for grants and get local businesses involved. It's a big job, not one that I went to school for, but I am trusting in the Lord to lead me in the right direction. I have always wanted to help the greater good. This is the reason why I became a teacher. I love helping the innocence of our population learn and grow. However, doing this would be to help another group of our population. These are  people who have lost their innocence and have battled trials and tribulations, not even I have seen. This is a major life-changing decision. The Hubbs is behind me 120%. I just have to believe in myself enough to make a decision.....

Apple Pizza Turnovers

In the fight to get my grown-ass husband to eat breakfast, I have been trying new recipes. I have made ham mcmuffins, bacon-n-eggs cups, and apple pizza. Well, it was supposed to be apple pizza, however, I turned it in to an apple pizza turnover. The original recipe was supposed to be dairy free, however, no dairy allergies in this house...so we used real butter. I used more lemon juice then was specified and from a real lemon. I love tart apple pie!

This is what it was supposed to look like....

This is what it actually look like!

I guess in my mind I wasn't picturing a pizza per say....I was thinking of a pie. I think that's where it all got out of hand. I rolled the dough out too much and had large squares of dough. So, I improvised and made turnovers. Crafty, huh? Who the hell cares what they look like, they were fantastic! I got 2 thumbs up from the Hubbs and my dad (who is a apple turnover connoisseur). Of course, it was one of my favorite things for breakfast! Who doesn't love pizza dough and apple pie filling? So, here's the recipe I used....it was adapted from this version.

Ingredients

• 1 tube of refrigerated pizza dough
• 2 apples (1 tart, 1 sweet) peeled, cored, chopped
• 2-3 Tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice + a little bit of pulp
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• 2 Tbsp brown sugar
• ½ tsp corn starch
• 3 Tbsp butter divided 
• {Streusel}
• 3 Tbsp brown sugar
• ¼ cup unbleached all purpose flour
• 3 Tbsp butter
• {Glaze}
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 1 Tbsp butter, melted
• 2 Tbsp of milk, more depending on consistency desired

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or foil.
2. Place peeled and cut apples in a bowl and sprinkle with lemon juice, cinnamon, brown sugar, corn starch and mix. Place apple mixture on pan. Then speckle tiny dots of butter over the top. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until soft. Remove from oven and set aside to cool.
3. Raise oven temperature to 450 degrees F and roll out the pizza dough to about 1/2 thick. Use pizza cutter to cut into 4 pieces. 
4. Transfer dough squares to lightly greased baking sheets and top with apples. Prepare streusel by combining brown sugar and flour and then cutting in butter with a fork until well combined. Sprinkle over the top of the apples. Then fold in corner to make into a turnover. Top each with 1 tsp of sugar.
5. Bake pizzas for 10-12 minutes or until the edges appear lightly brown and the toppings are bubbly.
6. Meanwhile, prepare glaze by combining powdered sugar with vanilla and melted butter and whisking in milk until desired consistency is reached – thin enough to drizzle. You will have leftover glaze.
7. Remove turnovers from oven and drizzle with vanilla glaze, cut however you please and serve warm. These store well in an airtight container refrigerated for up to 2 or 3 days. Simply reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.

I seriously just ate the one that was left over as part of my lunch and it was AMAZING! So good luck - it was easy and didn't take that much time! 

Kitchen, kitchen - your a friggin mess!

I am always trying to organize this house and our lives easier. Most the time, it isn't so easy with the little ones leaving toys all over the place and dropping their snacks here and there. Not to mention, the hairy ass dog that sheds like it's a necessity for a Corgi-hair rug in every room. It's a never ending battle.  I have no idea how people work, raise babies, clean their house, cook dinner, etc. I appreciate every day the fact that I get to stay home, while the Hubbs brings in the money.

My first attempt at organization has been the girls toys. I have successfully gotten the living room toy-free. Most of the toys are in their rooms, however, we still have playland in our family room. At least, I have one room that is presentable!

After this, I realized that a very large portion of my day is spent in the kitchen. I love to cook and bake. I have really become quite the chef in the last year or so. This love of cooking has cause my cabinets to look like a nightmare of stacked bowls, pans, and pantry items shoved here and there. You know what that looks like...your kitchen is probably much like mine was. Don't lie. You have that bottom cabinet that is cast in darkness with tins and bowls stacked to the top.

My search of cabinet organization resulted in my wanting the new sleek pull out drawers. These drawers are beautiful! The smartest thing that I have seen in my life. Have you seen the corner cabinet drawers?

The person that invented this is a pure genius!

I also fell in l.o.v.e. with this little number.....

How awesome would my new pots and pans look on this? Super sexy...that's how they'd look!

The top picture would require getting all new cabinets, which is in our future. Not immediate future, but before we die future. The second picture was 129.00 at Lowes....on our shoe string budget that's not going to happen right now either. So, I searched and got a little creative and this is what I came up with. *I didn't take before pictures, because I was so excited about this I just jumped right into it.*

This is our bottom cabinet. When we moved in this lovely money pit, we moved a door and added cabinets for more storage. This is the cabinet my dad and cousin Chris made. I got the pan organizer for 11.99. I love that I can pull them out and put them back easily. No more taking the whole stack out, getting what I want, putting the stack back, and repeating after use. My pans are now stacked on a handy stacker. It was only 8.99!! How awesome is that?! I used a dish drainer to hold my pot/pan, which probably isn't the best use of space, but it makes them easy to access. I did see something that can be screwed on onto the side of the cabinet to hold them there, but I couldn't find it in the store. The bottom part is still not organized. I have my cake carries being held in place by a Pampered Chef stone (which I have owned for over a year and never used).

Directly above this homemade cabinet, is a store-bought cabinet that the Hubbs and my dad put up. It stores all of our snacks and some of our pantry items for the week. It was a MESS. There were things stacked on top of things. Chips getting crushed. Items forgotten about and it was just blah. I got an adjustable shelf for 11.00 and this was the result!

Now we can see what snacks we have and which ones we need. This will make my grocery shopping easier and allows for Lilli to get a better look at the selection of snack we have. 

Until I can have the kitchen of my dreams with all the drawers and real organization tools, this will have to do. I am pretty pleased and it should last the 15 years it will take to save for that new kitchen!

Sandy Hook....

It makes me sick that someone has produced a video that twists what happened at Sandy Hook Elementary into a hoax. Those teachers and babies DIED!! What the hell is wrong with people that they would desecrate someone's memory like that?!?! Of course the media reported wrong info when it first happened, they were just trying to keep us in the loop. I realize that this video was to raise support to encourage people's righta to weapons, but there is a different way to go about this. Maybe make a video of all the masses of people that have been saved by having someone having a gun on them at the right time, in the right place. Saying that it was a hoax is the worse thing that anyone could say. It makes me want to throw up and punch the guy that made it in the throat....then kick him in the balls....what an asshole.

Nasty habits

My entire life I have had this horrible, nasty habit. I have done it all my life. I have had 2 bouts in my life that I have actually managed to stop. Right before I got married (for about 3 months) and while I was pregnant with Lilli (for about 6 months). This habit, which since becoming sort-of a germ-a-phob makes me want to throw up in my mouth a little. I don't even know I am doing it. It is really a nervous habit. I do it no matter where I am. In public, in my house, and in front of people. 

My nasty habit? Biting my nails. OH-M-GEE. 

I have, once again, officially quit biting my nails. As of the new year, I have not bitten my nails. I always make sure that I have nail polish on - which may be a deterrent....cause who wants to look like trash with chipping nail polish? My nails are growing to the point that I need to get a manicure and get them trimmed a little. They are extremely LONG for me. For other people, it is probably a normal length . Here's what they look like now...

I am sort of obsessed with nail polish now, and try to do different designs on my nails, which usually looks like shit. However, whenever I feel the urge to chomp away, I put some lotion on and rub each one of my fingers nails and palms real well. I think that it is really an addiction that I am trying to battle here. It sounds dumb to someone who hasn't done it their entire life...but if it's this hard to break myself from biting my nails...could you imagine how hard it would be for me to stop doing crack? Not that I would touch crack with a 10 foot pole! But I think I have a 1/200th sample of how they feel....Well - here's to the new nails...and feel them as I click clack away on my laptop!