1) I love LOVE this casserole as leftovers
2 chicken breasts (cut into cubes)
1 can of cream of _______ (chicken, cheese or celery) soup,
a good amount of broccoli,
2 cups cooked rice,
enough cheddar cheese to kill a horse (or to satisfy you)
cook the chicken in a CAST IRON SKILLET (I'm so in love with CIS's that I need to yell it) until nice and brown. take out of skillet, pour in some chicken broth, get all the yummy bits up. put the brothy-yummy-bits into a bowl, add soup, chopped up cooked chicken, cooked broccoli, rice, and mix. Turn in Cheese. Bake in oven (if you want, in your CAST IRON SKILLET) until warmed through (doesn't really matter the degree setting; I did it 10 minutes @ 400.)
Eat and enjoy. warm it up the next day, eat and enjoy again.
2) I think about food a lot.
Thursday, November 19
Tuesday, November 10
Things they Don't tell you when you apply to Grad School
You'll start dinner at 7:30 am in order to provide for your husband and make the appointment with your 6:00 pm client. (Who inevitably doesn't show.)
Tuesday, October 13
Manna
"On the evening of the fourteenth day of the month, while camped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho, the Israelites celebrated the Passover. The day after the Passover, that very day, they ate some of the produce of the land: unleavened bread and roasted grain. The manna stopped the day after they ate this food from the land; there was no longer any manna for the Israelites, but that year they ate of the produce of Canaan."
It occurs to me as I read this passage that God provides what we need, when we need it. That sounds very elementary -- however I'm reminded that the Israelites weren't terribly fond of Manna at points in time during their wanderings. I'm not terribly fond of waiting on the Lord to provide for me, and oftentimes I'm not very excited about the way in which he provides. My "Miniature God" complex raises its ugly head.
However, the Lord provides clients when needed and when prayed for, and I believe he is more honored by a desperate plea than an indifferent request. At least, he certainly has been getting desperate pleas out of me!
But he provides the thing we need when we need it: I need clients, and I've prayed. They haven't come in the timing that I would have dictated, had I been able to dictate, but they've come, and the Lord has been good to me. When I could have been dependent on the Manna of steady part time work and stay there, He has given me a vision of how I might be able to counsel part time for a while and then transition into full time.
He's shown me that he wants my dependence to be on him, not on my own work and abilities.
It occurs to me as I read this passage that God provides what we need, when we need it. That sounds very elementary -- however I'm reminded that the Israelites weren't terribly fond of Manna at points in time during their wanderings. I'm not terribly fond of waiting on the Lord to provide for me, and oftentimes I'm not very excited about the way in which he provides. My "Miniature God" complex raises its ugly head.
However, the Lord provides clients when needed and when prayed for, and I believe he is more honored by a desperate plea than an indifferent request. At least, he certainly has been getting desperate pleas out of me!
But he provides the thing we need when we need it: I need clients, and I've prayed. They haven't come in the timing that I would have dictated, had I been able to dictate, but they've come, and the Lord has been good to me. When I could have been dependent on the Manna of steady part time work and stay there, He has given me a vision of how I might be able to counsel part time for a while and then transition into full time.
He's shown me that he wants my dependence to be on him, not on my own work and abilities.
Monday, October 5
October
I remember reading a blog of a girl I didn't know and always thinking, "I wish she would update more frequently."
Things from this past week:
I've been fingerprinted for the FBI (and the MO Highway Patrol) as a part of state licensure. I assume I will soon have an FBI File....
Although I grew up in a culture that taught that you should always strongly declare the truth to a person struggling to believe, Sometimes it's hard for me to know whether I ought to be tough or tender when there are terrible tears streaming down the face of a hurting person as they believe the lies Satan sells us.
My husband came to me on the first day of the month (pay day) and brought me a pumpkin spice latte.
I try to plan our month of meals (since we are paid once a month) and it takes me 3 hours. I hate that.
It makes me incredibly sad to know that by the time I make it back home for Christmas, I will not have seen my sister in a year.
I'm really thankful for my counseling site - the people there continually remind me that it's not about my ability but about the Holy Spirit's power to change people.
Work is gearing up! (at both sites)
Things from this past week:
I've been fingerprinted for the FBI (and the MO Highway Patrol) as a part of state licensure. I assume I will soon have an FBI File....
Although I grew up in a culture that taught that you should always strongly declare the truth to a person struggling to believe, Sometimes it's hard for me to know whether I ought to be tough or tender when there are terrible tears streaming down the face of a hurting person as they believe the lies Satan sells us.
My husband came to me on the first day of the month (pay day) and brought me a pumpkin spice latte.
I try to plan our month of meals (since we are paid once a month) and it takes me 3 hours. I hate that.
It makes me incredibly sad to know that by the time I make it back home for Christmas, I will not have seen my sister in a year.
I'm really thankful for my counseling site - the people there continually remind me that it's not about my ability but about the Holy Spirit's power to change people.
Work is gearing up! (at both sites)
Monday, July 27
Not Quite the Bummer post the last one was
I repeatedly think about this blog. And usually I think about how I should update it with some profound story, or thought, or realization.
Unfortunately, confidentiality usually requires me to shut my mouth about the latest thing I've learned, because it's generally in response to something in a session that I've just walked out of. I'm learning the art of vague, insightful stories.
However, today I realized that I've come a long way since first beginning grad school. As part of my licensure process, I'm required to meet with my supervisor once a week - primarily to keep my counsel of my clients healthy and ethical. As our Ethics prof reminded us: State licensure is not there to make you jump through hoops, but rather to keep you from harming the public at large!
All that to say, my supervisor had me and the other counselor in training discuss each others strengths and offer encouragement where we could grow.
And as I struggled to think of my own strengths, he encouraged me that I've grown in softness and empathy for clients and others. And it occurred to me much of my "I'm right just listen to me!" thinking has given way to a curiosity toward others and striving to learn what it is like for them, during this roller coaster of life.
and then I thanked God that he is faithful to change me to be like him, and that he's accepting of me all along the way, though I stumble so often.
Unfortunately, confidentiality usually requires me to shut my mouth about the latest thing I've learned, because it's generally in response to something in a session that I've just walked out of. I'm learning the art of vague, insightful stories.
However, today I realized that I've come a long way since first beginning grad school. As part of my licensure process, I'm required to meet with my supervisor once a week - primarily to keep my counsel of my clients healthy and ethical. As our Ethics prof reminded us: State licensure is not there to make you jump through hoops, but rather to keep you from harming the public at large!
All that to say, my supervisor had me and the other counselor in training discuss each others strengths and offer encouragement where we could grow.
And as I struggled to think of my own strengths, he encouraged me that I've grown in softness and empathy for clients and others. And it occurred to me much of my "I'm right just listen to me!" thinking has given way to a curiosity toward others and striving to learn what it is like for them, during this roller coaster of life.
and then I thanked God that he is faithful to change me to be like him, and that he's accepting of me all along the way, though I stumble so often.
Wednesday, June 24
Today is better than yesterday
Yesterday, after having the dreaded financial conversation with my husband (it's one of the only things we argue about. Sweet Husband didn't realize he was marrying an ascetic), I did a stupid thing and incurred a $20 fee on one of our accounts.
I pounded out 35 emails to people letting them know I won't be around for a week.
Monday, I listened to 3 people's legitimate distress, had two people cancel last minute, and spent 9 hours at the counseling office. I made $0.
Then I thought about the 30 missed hours of paying work, due to weddings and vacation.
And Yesterday, I went home in about the worst mood I had been in for months.
THEN the seamstress left a message asking if I really needed that bridesmaid dress today, or if it could be later, after having not worked on it for a week. Anger bubbled up. (To everyone out there, no, we're leaving on Friday, so I need the dress today to pack).
I wondered on the way home if I was going to pick a fight with my husband. You'd think that I'd know when I was picking a fight, but I'm funny that way. I don't. I'm insightful, but not when I just want to fight because I'm in a foul mood.
Instead, my lovely husband let me tell him how angry I was at myself and the day. He even avoided falling into any trap I might have left, trying for a fight (I don't think I did it, but he avoided it if I did.) And then he kissed me, and we watched the rest of Les Miz.
For all of the difficulties in marriage, and yes, I pick fights and harp on money issues and am tired most days, There are just some lovely parts of it. I wouldn't trade it for the world.
I pounded out 35 emails to people letting them know I won't be around for a week.
Monday, I listened to 3 people's legitimate distress, had two people cancel last minute, and spent 9 hours at the counseling office. I made $0.
Then I thought about the 30 missed hours of paying work, due to weddings and vacation.
And Yesterday, I went home in about the worst mood I had been in for months.
THEN the seamstress left a message asking if I really needed that bridesmaid dress today, or if it could be later, after having not worked on it for a week. Anger bubbled up. (To everyone out there, no, we're leaving on Friday, so I need the dress today to pack).
I wondered on the way home if I was going to pick a fight with my husband. You'd think that I'd know when I was picking a fight, but I'm funny that way. I don't. I'm insightful, but not when I just want to fight because I'm in a foul mood.
Instead, my lovely husband let me tell him how angry I was at myself and the day. He even avoided falling into any trap I might have left, trying for a fight (I don't think I did it, but he avoided it if I did.) And then he kissed me, and we watched the rest of Les Miz.
For all of the difficulties in marriage, and yes, I pick fights and harp on money issues and am tired most days, There are just some lovely parts of it. I wouldn't trade it for the world.
Thursday, June 11
The Cathedral Basilica St. Louis
When Mom and Ben were in STL with us, we went to the Basilica - it is a beautiful cathedral, as well as unique - the mosaics inside are detailed and the entire place is immense.
Wednesday, June 3
The Poor Ones
We're poor. Being as this will likely remain for another few years, we have begun frequently visiting the local STL public library. Yesterday we found the 1934 version of Les Miserables, directed by Raymond Bernard. It's a Criterion Collection film (which Adam likes) and it's Les Miserables, which I like. It's also impressively faithful to the book!
Sunday, April 26
Weddings everywhere...
Last summer we were one of 23 couples that we knew getting married in 2008. This summer is shaping up to look similar, and we've been in Philly for the first wedding of the season - Adam's cousin's wedding. Adam was one of the groomsmen and I'll post photos soon enough.
I'm listening to the song they danced to for their first dance - "Lullaby" by The Dixie Chicks:
"How long do you wanna be loved? Is Forever enough, is Forever enough?"
I told Adam before we left STL that I'm going to renew my vows to him with each wedding we attend. I might have to sing along, too.
I'm listening to the song they danced to for their first dance - "Lullaby" by The Dixie Chicks:
"How long do you wanna be loved? Is Forever enough, is Forever enough?"
I told Adam before we left STL that I'm going to renew my vows to him with each wedding we attend. I might have to sing along, too.
Thursday, February 26
You and Yours
You & Yours
Answer these questions about you & your significant other.
What are your middle names?
Alene and Jude
How long have you been together?
1.5 years
Who asked who out?
He asked me out – I was oblivious that ‘this guy’ could be interested in me at all.
How old were each of you when you met?
We were each 23 and 29.
How old are each of you now?
24 (almost 25) and 31
How tall are each of you?
He's 6’3” and I'm 5’4”
Whose siblings do/did you see the most?
It’s pretty equal – we probably see his side of the family more frequently, but we spent almost 3 weeks straight with my family over Christmas.
Do you have any children together?
Not yet, a few years out.
What about pets?
Do books count? No, we keep talking about getting a dog, but the house (or a place with a yard) has to come first. And he wants a purebred, and I don’t care that much.
Did you go to the same school?
No, I went to College in St. Paul, he in Chattanooga. He and my sister went to school together a few years before we met. We go to the same graduate school now.
Are you from the same hometown?
Nope.
Who is the smartest?
He’s smarter, but I think he’d argue the opposite.
Who is the most sensitive?
Me. Me, me, me.
Where do you eat out most as a couple?
Right now, it’s probably Frank and Helen’s, a pizza place that’s been locally owned since the 60’s. Adam could eat pizza twice a day for meals and not ever get sick of it. No. Really.
Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple?
Hmmm. Well, going to Montana, but we flew, so that was about 6 hours of travel. We’ve driven to Philly twice. The last time was pretty rough, since we were only there for 3 days before we returned to STL, and it’s a 15 hour drive.
Who has the worst temper?
I get irritated more frequently, but when he’s mad, he’s pretty mad.
Who does/did the cooking?
I do the lunch and dinner cooking. He cooks breakfast daily (old fashioned oatmeal.)
Who is more social?
I think we would have said me, no question, before we got married. Now that most of my life consists of talking to people for 8 or 9 hours a day as a part of my job(s), I’ve become quite introverted during my off time. Other ways to say that are “I’m just plain tired” or “protective of my time.”
Who is the neat-freak?
We’re about the same at tidy-ness. We both start to feel it when the apartment gets messy - which usually comes after a particularly hectic week with a long paper or big test. He’s an Organizational genius, and I’m the scheduler extraordinaire.
Who wakes up earlier?
Me. He gets up 15-30 minutes later. Except Saturdays, but that’s usually because of my internship. I’m usually up around 7 on Saturdays and he gets up an hour or so later.
Who has the bigger family?
Our immediate families both are 5, but I think my extended family is slightly larger. Not by much though.
How do you spend the holidays?
We alternate holidays. We’ll see what happens next year – Thanksgiving will likely be traditionally at his family, Christmas at mine, since each of our families tend to major on those particular holidays.
Who is more jealous?
Me, though I don’t like to admit it.
Do you have little pet names for each other?
“Sweetie” for both of us, “honey” and “baby” sometimes. He’s started calling me his Sprightly Chickadee, from a Ray Lamontagne song.
How long did it take to get serious?
About a month. We didn’t mess around.
Who eats more?
Sometimes, to my chagrin, me. EXCEPT when it comes to pizza. Him, no question.
Who sings better?
Me probably, but I love to hear him sing. Especially when it’s along with a song in the car, after we’ve both been quiet for a while.
Who does the dishes?
Him, most of the time, though I wipe down the kitchen and put the food away usually.
Who snores?
Neither – it’s made the marriage adjustment much easier. Maybe when we’re sick, or something.
Who’s better with the computer?
Apple or PC?
Who drives when you are together?
Him. He gets nervous when I’m driving and saying mean things to the cars around us (cough. Raging.)
Who is the first to admit when they're wrong?
Usually he does, which is bad. I shouldn’t be so stubborn.
Who kissed who first?
I wanted to, but he kissed me first.
Who has more tattoos?
He does – 3 to 0.
Who eats more sweets?
Him. I’m all about the crunchy-salty. He’s all about the ice cream.
Answer these questions about you & your significant other.
What are your middle names?
Alene and Jude
How long have you been together?
1.5 years
Who asked who out?
He asked me out – I was oblivious that ‘this guy’ could be interested in me at all.
How old were each of you when you met?
We were each 23 and 29.
How old are each of you now?
24 (almost 25) and 31
How tall are each of you?
He's 6’3” and I'm 5’4”
Whose siblings do/did you see the most?
It’s pretty equal – we probably see his side of the family more frequently, but we spent almost 3 weeks straight with my family over Christmas.
Do you have any children together?
Not yet, a few years out.
What about pets?
Do books count? No, we keep talking about getting a dog, but the house (or a place with a yard) has to come first. And he wants a purebred, and I don’t care that much.
Did you go to the same school?
No, I went to College in St. Paul, he in Chattanooga. He and my sister went to school together a few years before we met. We go to the same graduate school now.
Are you from the same hometown?
Nope.
Who is the smartest?
He’s smarter, but I think he’d argue the opposite.
Who is the most sensitive?
Me. Me, me, me.
Where do you eat out most as a couple?
Right now, it’s probably Frank and Helen’s, a pizza place that’s been locally owned since the 60’s. Adam could eat pizza twice a day for meals and not ever get sick of it. No. Really.
Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple?
Hmmm. Well, going to Montana, but we flew, so that was about 6 hours of travel. We’ve driven to Philly twice. The last time was pretty rough, since we were only there for 3 days before we returned to STL, and it’s a 15 hour drive.
Who has the worst temper?
I get irritated more frequently, but when he’s mad, he’s pretty mad.
Who does/did the cooking?
I do the lunch and dinner cooking. He cooks breakfast daily (old fashioned oatmeal.)
Who is more social?
I think we would have said me, no question, before we got married. Now that most of my life consists of talking to people for 8 or 9 hours a day as a part of my job(s), I’ve become quite introverted during my off time. Other ways to say that are “I’m just plain tired” or “protective of my time.”
Who is the neat-freak?
We’re about the same at tidy-ness. We both start to feel it when the apartment gets messy - which usually comes after a particularly hectic week with a long paper or big test. He’s an Organizational genius, and I’m the scheduler extraordinaire.
Who wakes up earlier?
Me. He gets up 15-30 minutes later. Except Saturdays, but that’s usually because of my internship. I’m usually up around 7 on Saturdays and he gets up an hour or so later.
Who has the bigger family?
Our immediate families both are 5, but I think my extended family is slightly larger. Not by much though.
How do you spend the holidays?
We alternate holidays. We’ll see what happens next year – Thanksgiving will likely be traditionally at his family, Christmas at mine, since each of our families tend to major on those particular holidays.
Who is more jealous?
Me, though I don’t like to admit it.
Do you have little pet names for each other?
“Sweetie” for both of us, “honey” and “baby” sometimes. He’s started calling me his Sprightly Chickadee, from a Ray Lamontagne song.
How long did it take to get serious?
About a month. We didn’t mess around.
Who eats more?
Sometimes, to my chagrin, me. EXCEPT when it comes to pizza. Him, no question.
Who sings better?
Me probably, but I love to hear him sing. Especially when it’s along with a song in the car, after we’ve both been quiet for a while.
Who does the dishes?
Him, most of the time, though I wipe down the kitchen and put the food away usually.
Who snores?
Neither – it’s made the marriage adjustment much easier. Maybe when we’re sick, or something.
Who’s better with the computer?
Apple or PC?
Who drives when you are together?
Him. He gets nervous when I’m driving and saying mean things to the cars around us (cough. Raging.)
Who is the first to admit when they're wrong?
Usually he does, which is bad. I shouldn’t be so stubborn.
Who kissed who first?
I wanted to, but he kissed me first.
Who has more tattoos?
He does – 3 to 0.
Who eats more sweets?
Him. I’m all about the crunchy-salty. He’s all about the ice cream.
Tuesday, February 17
Catchup
I've just spent the last hour looking at new templates (thanks Addie!) and trying them out on my other (the movie) blog. I'm tired, and I keep thinking that I'm copying the illustrious Ms. Morstad (soon to be Mrs. Bedford).
That said, the feeling from the last few weeks is Tired. Even working for Peacemakers I've never been so tired. Of course, at PM, even if you're giving a lot of yourself, it seems as though everyone's ready to emotionally give to you, too.
Counseling? The question to ask is "what is therapeutic for the client?" Which means, you're generally just giving of yourself, and relying a lot on Jesus. Which I need to do more of.
Things of life that should be updated: The car is sold, but not the way that I wanted. I was taking a left and was hit by a guy in the rear-passenger side. So we got the Honda hauled to the collision center, and being as we didn't have collision insurance on it, eventually sold it to the little man who worked there. (it would have cost 116% of the cost of the car to fix the damage.) We're still waiting on the two insurance agencies to hammer out liability. Hopefully we'll get something from the insurance agency.
It's been a tough couple of weeks, and truthfully, I feel as though sharing my complaining attitude online is tantamount to sharing via a bullhorn.
On the other hand, our 6 month anniversary coincided (somewhat) with Valentines day, which helpfully occurred on a weekend. Therefore Valentines for Hannah was on Friday ("The Duchess" and Chinese food) and Valentines for Adam was on Saturday (steak. Lots and lots of steak dinner. with Creamy Mashed potatoes and corn. But the steak was REALLY good.)
So that's the update. More to come. (Hopefully a story of lots and lots of rest.)
That said, the feeling from the last few weeks is Tired. Even working for Peacemakers I've never been so tired. Of course, at PM, even if you're giving a lot of yourself, it seems as though everyone's ready to emotionally give to you, too.
Counseling? The question to ask is "what is therapeutic for the client?" Which means, you're generally just giving of yourself, and relying a lot on Jesus. Which I need to do more of.
Things of life that should be updated: The car is sold, but not the way that I wanted. I was taking a left and was hit by a guy in the rear-passenger side. So we got the Honda hauled to the collision center, and being as we didn't have collision insurance on it, eventually sold it to the little man who worked there. (it would have cost 116% of the cost of the car to fix the damage.) We're still waiting on the two insurance agencies to hammer out liability. Hopefully we'll get something from the insurance agency.
It's been a tough couple of weeks, and truthfully, I feel as though sharing my complaining attitude online is tantamount to sharing via a bullhorn.
On the other hand, our 6 month anniversary coincided (somewhat) with Valentines day, which helpfully occurred on a weekend. Therefore Valentines for Hannah was on Friday ("The Duchess" and Chinese food) and Valentines for Adam was on Saturday (steak. Lots and lots of steak dinner. with Creamy Mashed potatoes and corn. But the steak was REALLY good.)
So that's the update. More to come. (Hopefully a story of lots and lots of rest.)
Wednesday, January 21
Short updates
Ok, so it's just as bad as it ever has been - as far as updating the blog goes.
I'm trying to be committed to 5 minute updates. It’s 1:20 pm. I’m at work (gasp!) and hiding the fact that I’m updating my Montana-and-other-parts-of-the-worlds friends by typing this out in my email, cutting and pasting. Shhhh.
Update 1: I’m going to be a bridesmaid for the 6th time! More to come in the next few days. Adam and I will be having the lovely future bride and groom over tonight for dinner.
Update 2. I’m jealous of Addie Morstad’s web design abilities. I’m hoping that she’ll share some of her secrets.
Update 3: Classes start up next week. I’m presently working 20 hours in the Admissions office at Covenant and seeing 10 clients per week. Along with 7 hours of class time and an hour and a half of supervision, I’m running from 8 am to 5 pm most nights. However, I just found out that I will not have to work or see clients on 4 or my 5 weekday nights – yay
I'm trying to be committed to 5 minute updates. It’s 1:20 pm. I’m at work (gasp!) and hiding the fact that I’m updating my Montana-and-other-parts-of-the-worlds friends by typing this out in my email, cutting and pasting. Shhhh.
Update 1: I’m going to be a bridesmaid for the 6th time! More to come in the next few days. Adam and I will be having the lovely future bride and groom over tonight for dinner.
Update 2. I’m jealous of Addie Morstad’s web design abilities. I’m hoping that she’ll share some of her secrets.
Update 3: Classes start up next week. I’m presently working 20 hours in the Admissions office at Covenant and seeing 10 clients per week. Along with 7 hours of class time and an hour and a half of supervision, I’m running from 8 am to 5 pm most nights. However, I just found out that I will not have to work or see clients on 4 or my 5 weekday nights – yay
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)