I hate when you wake up in the morning and your in the middle of a good dream and you all the sudden wake up for no reason. All I want is to get just 5 more minutes to finish my dream.
How many other things can we ask for just for 5 minutes for? Minutes in our day, a peaceful moment, a day with a loved on, and the list could go on and on.
Now I know its not a Klondike bar but what would you do for just 5 more minutes at something? Are you willing to give up something else? We are faced with these choices all the time. Sometimes they are minor things but other times they are something huge. Is it being greedy to give up one thing for another? Or to want those 5 more minutes? Or does the situation make a difference?
No matter what I always try to be grateful for who I am, what I am and what I have.
Its hard sometimes to be grateful for the what we have and are given but we have to always remember...
As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. ~John F. Kennedy
A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees. The greatest work that kindness does to others is that it makes them kind themselves.
~Amelia Earhart
Sometimes it is hard to really explain our feelings and emotions. Sometime I feel so mad that honestly I want to beat the crap outta something or someone. Now where this rage comes from I have no idea. There are other times that I am bouncing off the walls because I am so happy. Now sometimes we can explain what causes these emotions- a spouse, work, an event or something else.
Now what really makes my day is when some one does that something nice for you that you would never expect. From texting to make sure your all right, dropping you an email, stopping in to say hello or stopping you in passing.
I tired to be a friendly and caring person- take others feelings into consideration when I do things. Its who I am. I hate conflict and arguing. I try to let my friends know that my door is never shut and locked now matter what or when. I believe just what the quote above states- "A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees." That one thing you do for someone else leads into them passing something else on and then just like a snowball it gets bigger and bigger the more you roll it.
I love food- not that over eat it but it tastes so yummy! Now I am not much of a chef or a baker but I dabble from time to time. I am posting this today on my other blogs and thought I would share this- maybe you will make it next time I come over :)
Bread pudding is a dessert popular and common in British cuisine, Puerto Rican cuisine, Mexican cuisine, Argentina, Louisiana Creole and that of the Southern United States, as well as Belgian and French cuisine.
There are many ways of serving it either with a sweet sauce of some sort, such as whiskey sauce, rum sauce, or caramel sauce, and sometimes sprinkled with sugar and eaten cold in squares or slices.
Try out Ruth's Chris Steak House version of a traditional New Orleans favorite.
I think I can share this frustration with a lot of people- the never ending fight of loosing weight. Time and time again I have said I was going to loose weight and work out. But time and time again I fail. I have lost weight in the past but then put it back on. It is a roller coaster going up and down. Right now one thing that hinders my goal to loose weight are the infertility medicines and hormones I have to take to try to conceive (see post The sun will come out tomorrow).
So this time I am determined- in a sense I keep telling myself that there is no other option and that if I loose some weight everything bad will become good (now I honestly know that there is no way this can happen but a girl has to do what I girl has to do in order to get things done).
So after talking to my OB/Gyn0-endocrinologist- she told me to try to stick to 1,800 calories a day. Now honestly I thought this was going to be hard to do. Well I found a website called of all things Fat Secret where you can track what you eat plus your exercises. You can also...
Create your own personalized diet
Join challenges and groups
Share your diet with friends (and the world)
Find information about all the popular diets you've heard about
Discover what works - how people are doing on various diets
Record your progress and track your performance against your buddies
Record the food you eat and exercise you do in your diet calendar
Find ingredients and recipes that are right for your diet
Search for diets that fit your lifestyle and needs
Discuss your personal diet or any popular diet
And so much more...
So far so good and I have lost weight the first week- however some days I don't get enough calories in but I am not starving myself. I also found myfitnesspal.com that does some of the same things (but I love that you can great a badge to show your progress).
Now I am working towards small goals in order to reach my large goal. I figure I will get discourage if I work just towards my overall end goal because it will take forever to get there. So I set my ones... right now I want to loose 30 lbs. Now I have me Wii and a few games for working out and we have/had an elliptical but today we bought a recumbent bike that we both can use.
So off I go hoping to reach my goal! Down 3 lbs week 1
I hate it when you wake up in the middle of the night or 2 hours before your alarm goes off (this is what happen to me today) and you can't fall back to sleep no matter how you toss and turn to try. I usually use that time to work on my blogs or read the book I am currently trying to read- A Fistful of Charms (The Hollows, Book 4).
However, sometimes it happens for a reason- you brain won't turn off because you keep thinking of something. I remember a time a few years back when my grandmother passed (father's mother). I was expected to speak at the service and I was racking my brain to try to think about what to write with no luck- so I told myself to sleep on it. However, I found myself woken up in the middle of the night when it came to me what I wanted to say. This is what I said...
My Grandmother by Pam Fraser
My grandmother is a remarkable woman.
She's a wonderful combination of
warmth and kindness, laughter and love.
She overlooks my faults, encourages my dreams,
and praises my every success.
My grandmother has the wisdom of a teacher,
the sincerity of a true friend, and the
tenderness of a mother.
She's someone I admire, respect and
Love very much.
My grandmother will always have a cherished
place in our memories and in my heart.
She's someone for whom I want every happiness
in return for the joy she always brings.
My grandmother is all the dear and precious
in my life...
Which brings me to My Grandmother’s Smile
Over the last few nights I have been laying there trying to think of my fondest memory of Grandmom. Pictures of my past and childhood ran through my mind not know where to stop- the beach, the green striped sofa, the back yard, a cardinal- but I just didn’t know what my fondest memory was. So there I was sound asleep on Sunday morning and I woke up around 4:30 am and it hit me- Her smile! Every picture and memory that ran through my mind she had a smile.
Some of the biggest smiles that stick out for me are during some of my happiest moments in my life. I can picture now as though it was just today- July 12, 2003- my wedding day. We are at the reception and I walk out into the lobby area and see my grandparents sitting here holding a martini glass of those cheddar cheese gold fish- in fact I even have a picture of this- there they are sitting with their shoulders cuddling and talking and across her face is this big smile. Another one that comes to mind is when I was younger- now it happened over the course of many times- but goosh she loved to give us treats- those lemon squares and Ice cream- there was always ice cream in the ice chest. Every time she scooped a cone up or sliced a lemon square she had a smile across our face as she watched me eat it and my nick name “Messy Jessi” came true.
So if I could tell her one last thing it would be- You made us all happy when you smiled!
My Grandparents on my wedding day
What children need most are the essentials that grandparents provide in abundance. They give unconditional love, kindness, patience, humor, comfort, lessons in life. And, most importantly, cookies. ~Rudolph Giuliani
So things are going my way just yet in the baby department but in a sense I am a Mom... his name is Edgar.
I grew up always having a dog- I can't imagine not owning one. My baby is Edgar. He is a "Bug"- Boston Terrier and Pug mix. He is a crazy little dog but we love him so! He is very much a Mama's Boy and is always attached to my hip in a sense! Words really can't describe the good he does for us. He is such a snuggle bunny- he knows when I don't feel well and when I am sown and out. He is a great walking buddy and even though he may nut understand me when I talk to him, he at least gives me his undivided attention.
I talk to him when I'm lonesome like; and I'm sure he understands. When he looks at me so attentively, and gently licks my hands; then he rubs his nose on my tailored clothes, but I never say naught thereat. For the good Lord knows I can buy more clothes, but never a friend like that. ~W. Dayton Wedgefarth
I can't count how many times I have been asked why I got into doing restaurant reviews as people ask me and how it all started.
First let me say I don't like to consider myself a restaurant reviewer or critique but some who shares their experiences.
How it all started...
A few years back while I was attending College of Notre Dame in MD I was required for my one class to start a blog about anything I wanted. Well since I grew up in a town that only has 2 red lights called Muncy, PA (not counting what is at the Lycoming Mall- which did have a Friendly's) there wasn't many restaurants around to eat at except some fast food joints, bars and "mom & pop" joints. If you want more selection you had to jump on I-180 and drive about 20 minutes to Williamsport, PA (home of the little league world series). It was the "big" city for us- nothing compared to Baltimore by any means. Here you would find some chains like Red Lobster, Olive Garden, and other local places. So I figure now that I live in the real "big" city I didn't want to eat at chain places all the time and wanted to explore the world of restaurants here in Baltimore. So I started blogging about where we went as a record for myself. Then before I knew I gained followers and they kept on coming. Then I got picked up by Foodbuzz.com and then some other sites asked me to be a featured writer and then finally came along Examiner.com. Plus a few other places after that wanted to feed my articles. So that is how it all started.
I am very thankful that this sort of fell in my lap because I have had some great experiences from it and met some great people (could name them all put that would take a while). It has also brought some great experiences for my husband because he does photography and has taken taken some YUMMY food shots!
Let us rise up and be thankful,
for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little,
and if we didn't learn a little,
at least we didn't get sick,
and if we got sick, at least we didn't die;
so, let us all be thankful. - The Buddha
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.” ~Dr. Seuss
I hate to sit still. I can't help but be on the go. Yes I love a good day to stay in my PJ's all day and lounge. I love to take the world in and learn from those around me- experience life. I guess this is why I spread myself too thin sometimes. Some weeks I have something going on 5 of 7 days of the week. Now some are after work, some are things I get done during lunch at work and others I get done before I even get a shower in the morning.
I post 5 sometimes 6 days a week on Baltimore Restaurant Examiner and Adventures in Baltimore Restaurants- and some weeks certain days have 2 posts- it all depends on what going on. So writing keeps me busy- but yet I started another blog- this one! See what I mean- how far is too thin?
But I feel the reason I started this blog is I need an outlet for what goes on in my head- a place to let it all spill. I could care less if I have 1 reader or 300. Its just the plain truth- my thoughts.
I am contemplating go back to school. For what I am not sure- I have a few ideas. Some ideas lean towards education and other ideas are far from education. I am not talking about full time just a class here and there. Every semester I keep telling myself self I will take a "for me" class at the local community college- cooking, jewelry or something. I just need to do it!
Now people question me and tell me I am on the go to much and what will I do when I have a baby but I know when that time finally comes I will slow down and tell people no (I have a problem telling people no). But until then I agree with Dr. Seuss- “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go.” Now its not all about the books (yes you need to read books everyday- you are talking to a Library Media Specialist here) life teaches you may things also- experiences feed the soul! I am determined!
When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.
~Franklin D. Roosevelt
So my question to myself is how long is my rope? I guess every problem or challenge in life has a rope and for each one that rope is different in length.
Support is a keyword for me- knowing someone cares and is behind you. So many people go through problems not knowing you have people to lean on when you need them. Now how they hold you up may vary from one person to the next. Some people with let you whine and cry and go on and on over and again, then some people will say nothing of the matter but will check in a lot in bringing up other subjects, some people will drop and email or even try to relate with you. I am very lucky- my mother is the best (not to brag LOL) but she is always there for me no matter what or when. She has supported me in many ways through out my life and sometimes not even knowing it! Sometimes the only person who will make you feel better is "mommy"- not your husband or best friend. There was this one time in college at about 1 am when I got something in my eye. Now my husband (boyfriend at the time) tried to help me but it wasn't working. I was a lot of pain. So I finally broke down and called my mother. She talked me down and told me to head to the ER and even offered to drive an hour to my school and meet me there. In the end I told her not to and my boyfriend took me (and yes he is my husband now). If your curious it was a tiny tiny peice of foil from a "Hershey Kiss" that got stuck in my eye. Now many people would think how was your mother going to help from an hour away? Well its the support that makes you feel better!
I want to thank those of you I told of this blog that stopped by to read. Some of you emailed me while others left a comment- thank you for the support it means the world!! That support gives me more will and strength to HANG ON to my rope longer!
Sometimes its hard to accept that life doesn't always turn out the way it's planned...
I have accomplished a lot in my life to be proud of- conquered a learning disability, earn my masters with high marks, member of Zeta Tau Alpha (international women's fraternity) and Kappa Delta Pi (international honor society in the field of education), author two popular blogs (Baltimore Restaurant Examiner and Adventures in Baltimore Restaurants), married a great man and gained a wonderful family, traveled to numerous places around the world and much more- but what about those things we dream of and planned to happen in life and aren’t turning out the way I expected them to?
We all have dreams as we grow up and even as adults but how do you overcome things when they go wrong or when you are too afraid to try or face a fear? Who do you turn to for understanding and support?
A fear- rejection. No one likes rejection! I have written a children’s picture book but fear trying to get it published. It’s a dream of mine to be a children’s author. More ideas for stories float around in my head but I can’t even get past trying to get the first one out there.
A dream- to be a mother. Most women dream of their wedding day and then becoming a mother. However, life doesn’t always go has planned. As of December 25, 2008 I have been trying conceive. It has been one wall after another. First my period disappears for 7 months and I have to take hormones to get it back. I completely understand how women feel during menopause and dealing with hormones. So finally a little over a year later my period is back (not many girls will say they are happy to see it but I will). Now with high hopes I hope I can conceive- wrong! Now I am not ovulating and so now we move onto Clomid. I go every month for a blood ovulation test and still nothing- the test result start at a little over zero and after 3 months of 50 mg of Clomid they are only up to 2.31 and I need to be at around 10. So now its time to raise the amount of Clomid to 100 mg and hope or pray this works. Now what is the hardest part? Being surrounded by friends and loved ones and their babies and pregnancy. Now don’t get me wrong I am elated for them and can’t wait to celebrate their child- look at myself its plastered with smiles- but my soul hurts inside but I dare not let them know! That is the hardest part- not letting this all get to me and be positive- I am trying my best (an please don’t think you can’t share your child or pregnancy with me because of this- that will hurt me even worse!)
So that’s why I say sometimes its hard to accept that life doesn't always turn out the way it's planned- but at last we must move forward. Somethings we can do things to make it change or come out the way we hoped but some we can’t.
So I turn back to my childhood for words of wisdom and the song “The Sun will Come out Tomorrow” from Annie (ask my mother I used to play this record over and over and sing it at the top of my lungs)
The sun'll come out
Tomorrow
Bet your bottom dollar
That tomorrow
There'll be sun!
Just thinkin' about
Tomorrow
Clears away the cobwebs,
And the sorrow
'Til there's none!
When I'm stuck with a day
That's gray,
And lonely,
I just stick out my chin
And grin,
And say,
Oh
The sun'll come out
Tomorrow
So ya gotta hang on
Tïll tomorrow
Come what may
Tomorrow!
Tomorrow!
I love ya
Tomorrow!
You're always
A day
A way!
.
