I Did it! [again]

Its been two years since I completed my Phlebotomy Technician training and received my certificate. Phlebotomy is something I have always wanted to do. (dont ask).

Even though I have not used my skills since I left class, I did have a pretty good stick record. I think I was pretty good at it. Its something once you learn, you never forget. It just takes confidence. I use this knowledge as a back up plan. If my current job ever ends, I will have some sort of education under my belt. However, I would not mind finding some volunteer work now to keep me sharp. (no pun intended).

In my spare time, on the 2nd week of January, I went online and took 8 hours of continuing education classes to renew my certificate. A lot of the answers to the questions on the test came right to me. I remember how nervous I was about passing the first time. In the online classes I refreshed on the things I already knew plus I learned some new things that we never went over in the original class. I find every bit of  studies on this subject interesting. I have no trouble staying intrigued.

The online hours were over and I paid my dues. That was not so hard. It didn't hurt a bit and It didn't include any blood shed this time. 

Three days later I got the letter in the mail.....could it be?

Yes it was.

It was my letter of completion along with my new certificate card. Once again, I'm feeling proud of myself. It's good for another two years. Here's to my first goal achievement for 2016.

Will I ever get to practice my skillz? Time will tell.

Ivy Tree

We have only one tree in the yard. Its beautiful to me but my husband thinks its ugly. A tree company told us once that eventually the ivy will take over and kill the tree. Well its been over ten years and the Ivy took over but the tree is still there.

This is all Ivy !!!

When the leaves fall off in the Winter, all that's left behind is the bright green Ivy as if were perfectly placed, transforming the tree into a safe haven for the birds to play. I call it the Ivy tree. 

Looks like its adding a new type of Ivy this year.

Here is more Winter Ivy.

When Spring arrives, it will burst into blooms and transition into a the biggest most beautiful Dog Wood tree in the neighborhood, beautified with white crucifixion flowers. This tree offers a large shade we can resort to on the hot days of Summer.

The birds will rest still in the tangled thickness of the vines. As I look up through the branches, I can actually see their little eyeballs staring back at me. They think I cannot see them. My favorite birds are the turtle doves. They often march out onto the outer branches in pairs and cuddle as they enjoy the warmth of the sun together.

This is full bloom in the Summer

The only Ivy you will see in this tree during the summer are the vines hanging to the ground as if they want to swallow the yard. We keep those cut back because personally, I think they would. Ha. 

I love this tree because it houses many different species of birds and many squirrels. They sing songs and play. I keep them fed and enjoy watching them from my patio or kitchen Window.

We may have to cut the tree back this summer as it will probably reach to the patio and over our grill. 

So, sorry Miss Ivy tree, the patio is mine!

French Toast in a Mug [fail]

I have gotten into this frenzy lately about meals you can make in a mug. Single serve dishes you can whip up in a matter of minutes in your microwave. While most turn out great, sometimes they don't work out like they are suppose to.

Everyone post their pretty pictures of recipes that workout and look delicious and easy. But what about those recipes that just don't turn out right? Well I'm fixing to show you one ( I have had worst). 

I decided to make French toast in a mug. I did everything the recipe called for.

I cut up cubes and placed in a buttered remken (same as a mug). 

I poured in the egg and milk mixture and let the bread soak a minute.

I added a few blueberries for sweetness and stuck it in the microwave for a minute and a half.

It come out of the microwave looking wonderful. But then when I dumped it onto my plate , All I really saw was an egg with bread cubes in top. [fail]

Where did I go wrong? Maybe I should have used more bread?  Either way, I added a little sugar free syrup and ate it anyway. It was actually pretty good. I will give this recipe another shot adding more bread next time. 

Super Power

We all have some sort of super power. Something that's abnormal or unexplained. I'm not talking about fantasy or magic. We all have that one special something only you can do that sets you apart from ordinary.

I think I saw every Wonder Woman episode on TV in the late 70's. She was my favorite female Hero. I also loved the Incredible Hulk and Batman. I seen every episode of them all.

I often joke about my "super powers" even though none are in strength or speed. [bummer].

• I can stop a windup wristwatch. This is true. I used to put on a non-battery windup watch and sure enough, after a few hours it would stop telling time or even stop all together. 
• If i'm ever stung by a bee. You'd never know it except by my cry. My skin will not turn red or swell.
• Mosquitoes do not bite me. My skin (or blood) is a shield of those blood suckers. 
• No matter where I go, expect the lights to flash or dim. Ok, I know that's just a coincidence, or is it? I told my Husband that when I die, I call dibs on the flashing light spook.
• I can touch my tongue to the end of my nose and to the bottom of my chin. That is super isn't it? I bet your trying right now.
• My eye color can change depending on the temperature or what I wear. I used to be dark brown eyed until the birth of my green eyed daughter and now they are greenish hazel like my Mom and sometimes yellowish brown. Not sure what happened there. I just think it's cool how they change.
• I can make my eyes tear up like i'm crying. That's right. I can turn them on and turn them off. Didn't take long for my parents to realize that when I was young. So, it was not much to my advantage. Crying is real though.

But the real super power I have is that I'm a "Lucid Dreamer".

That's right. I know when I'm dreaming. I can become conscious inside my dreams. I can take control and either wake myself out of them or continue dreaming while exploring. Knowing i'm dreaming gives me the ability to go anywhere I want to go in my unconsciousness, unless something from the outside wakes me up.
I didn't even know what a Lucid Dream was until I was telling a friend of mine about this ability I have. Her eyes got big as she said in excitement, "you have lucid dreams?" Then she preceded to explain to me what's going on and how lucky I was to have this gift.

Cool huh? Its not all that unusual. Everyone has the ability to do this. Its something you learn in your mind set. Mine started when I was small. I always had bad dreams until one night I realized during a bad dream that "hey this is just a dream" then opened my eyes away from it. I was able to do that in almost every dream  that I didn't want to be in. After that, I was no longer afraid to dream, also meaning I didn't have to venture to my parents room and stare my daddy awake in the middle of the night so he'd cuddle me until I felt safe again.

There are a lot of books and even supplements that help people find they have Lucid Dreams but mine comes natural and that's something super to me.

So whats your special super power? I know you have one.

Oatmeal Fruit Cobbler

Its the middle of January and we finally have some colder temperatures. I'm not a fan of cold weather but the sooner it comes, the sooner it will go and spring will spring.

Since it's cold outside, I love to have a warm breakfast. Ok, I like any kind of breakfast anytime but that's beside the point. Today I'm going to share with you one of my favorite quick breakfast.

I call it "Oatmeal Fruit Cobbler". 

Its so good, its like getting a hug from Jesus. Well sure, nothing could be that good but you get what I mean.

• Its quick,
• easy,
• requires no mixing, 
• Fills you up,
• Its healthy,
• and only contains 146 calories! 

Are you ready? Grab a small bowl or mug. Yea this a personal meal. All to yourself.

All you need is Quaker instant oatmeal (single packs) and about a 1/4 cup of juicy fruit or berries. The choice is yours. The best flavor of oatmeal to use is the non fruity kind such as brown sugar, maple, or in my case today, apple and cinnamon.

In a small bowl, throw in your fruit.

Pour the whole pack of oatmeal over top

Add 3 tablespoons of water. Just sprinkle the water all around, to moisten the top.

Yep that's all the water you need. Just ignore the directions on the pack. The fruit makes up the rest of the liquid. You'll see.

Microwave for a minute and a half.

Let it cool a couple minutes or the fruit will blister your tongue.

Top with whip cream, powder sugar, or ice cream. Again, the choice is yours.

The texture becomes moist and a little chewy like moms homemade fruit cobbler. 

If you want to take the time to bake it, it may even become crisp. 

Its filling therefore you will not want to snack all morning. You can go throughout the day knowing you just had a low calorie healthy breakfast that will make your heart smile as well.

Enjoy

Do You Vape?

There is a new fad among smokers out there now days. Vapor cigarettes. There are even vapor lounges and shops set up around town where these niccotine addicted people can get their fix.

Don't get me wrong. I do think its a better alternative to smoking. I do not smoke but It seems all my working life, ive had to breath it! Even today, I work around a few disrespetful men that have no problem blowing smoke in my face as they come into my office to ask me a question.

I will say the vapor cigarettes would be easier to put up with. But I hate both of them. I have family and friends that enjoy the vapor cigarettes and think its ok to puff around me. "Its not smoke, Its vapor" they say. Well, I still can smell it!! It still goes up my nose or into my lungs as I sit next to you. I don't care if its smells like roses or tangerines, Its still rude, stinks and just looks plain out ugly in your mouth.
 

Has it come to this? Some sugar coated way to light up? I walked through a cherry smellling vape smog the other day as someone had just released it from their lungs. It choked me. It sorta burned actually. The rest of the night, all I could think about was, "if I could feel that, I wonder what toxins or germy bacreria did I just inhale from this person?".

It may be a better alternative than actual smoking, but people still need to be repectful to those that do not smoke and wish to only breath in air.

Just a Simple Blogger

Im Just a simple blogger.

Not a very creative writer (though I wish I were).

Someone asked me once if you can make money blogging. hmmm, I guess the good ones can.
I do it for free. Yep, its all a gift to everyone. ha.
I do not use advertising on my blog. I guess that's where you make money huh? But no, One thing I hate the most is when I visit some ones blog because the title interest me and I have to wait 3 minutes for the whole page to pull up (ok that might just be my cheap computer) then once I get interested in reading their post, a pop up ad will flash up. grrrr hate that! I wouldn't want anyone to suffer that when they visit my blog. You can just hop in and start reading. Nice huh?
However, I will share links for free for some. You will see them on either side of my page. No ad, just links. Sort of like free advertising, right?

I don't have a fancy set up with a purchased domain (how do you do that?).
I do not keep a blog journal, my gears do not work that way. I've tried it. When I write, its usually right off my mind. Want to hear about the dream I just had? Just kidding. There have been actual moments I've pulled out my phone and started writing about something going on at the moment. Yes, I've even wrote a whole blog post from my smart phone. I have scheduled a few post because I have more than one thing to share and want to add a little space between them, but again, not planned. My post are fresh off the mind.

Sometimes I will adjust my blog and try to fancy it up just a little bit, for example: I just redone my "recipes" in the recipe tab. Go check it out. I've learned about a site called Inlinkz that helped me build the html code thing to make it all look neat and spiffy. It was easy.

I have been asked to be a guest blogger before but I turned down the opportunity because frankly, I didn't know how that worked and didn't want to sound like a dumb dumb and ask how. Same with having a guest blogger to my blog. I have no problem sharing. It is what it is.

Why do you blog one asked? Well, I want to keep my mind and imagination going. I eventually want to be able to write some interesting things, and be creative. I do not have a lot of traffic to my blog but that's ok I do it mainly for myself. Just puts my mind away from other media and fast pace living we have today.

I want to share things I do with my family (which I've learned that my Mom is the only family that reads my blog).  I also find it relaxing to sit and tell a story or share a recipe or craft.
I hate to read but Im gradually learning to like a book here and there and will usually read one a year. (Stop laughing). I was a failure in English class all my years of school. I hated it. I hated to read but loved to write. Weird huh? I know, It doesn't make much since.

So with all that being said. Don't make fun of my grammar or writing skills.  Im just an ordinary general educated girl. A simple blogger that wants to share her stories and is very thankful for my readers, comments and most of all  "spell check".

New Year Twenty Sixteen

Happy New Year everyone.

I'm up early this morning having my breakfast and enjoying a cup of Joe before I begin preparing for my annual family New Years Dinner. 

On New Years Eve, Nick and I choose to avoid going out into the mob of booze infused people and loud noises. You can tell I'm getting old huh? We opt for a nice Sushi dinner and enjoyed bringing in the new year cuddled up on the couch.
 

Then we anxiously await that new years text from our daughter. It just gives us a little piece of mind that's she's okay out there living it up with her friends.

As I sit here, I can smell the aroma of the pork shoulders that have been slow cooking all night, thanks to my darling husband. He has already cooked ten pounds of collard greens.

He cooked those yesterday because we find that they taste better reheated the next day. He cooks them outside. If you have ever cooked collard greens, you'd know why.

I used to do them this way. But thank the Lord they come ready to cook now.

Now I need to start peeling ten pounds of taters, prepare the crock pot macaroni n cheese, cook the black eye peas and bake three fruit cobblers. 

Last year was a pretty good year. I lost 47 lbs. and only suffered one agonizing back pain that lasted a couple weeks and a small three day cold. Nick and I do good avoiding getting sick.

Here are my top ten goals for the new year.

1.  Continue good health
2.  Maintain my weight loss
3.  Participate in a small marathon.
4.  Clean closets out (again).
5.  Blog more 
6.  Stay off Facebook
7.  Redo my Kitchen 
8.  Worry less and pray more
9.  Get to work on time
10.  Renew my Phlebotomy certificate
11.  And better myself all together.

Now I'm off to the kitchen to get this feast ready by noon. I will be missing my daughter this year as she will be traveling to the beach for a friends wedding party. This will be our first new years day without her here. I pray for her safe travels. I'll worry about her until she gets back home. Oh darn, I just messed up #8. Can I have do over?

What are some of your goals for the new year?