Unplanned Weekend

I had big plans for this last weekend, which I did none of.  I had been suffering from a migraine for several days and on Friday it decided to take me down.  I arranged to have Friday off as my brother and his family were coming to town.  I managed to make it through zumba, lunch with my husband, movies with the kids and even dinner with the family Friday night.  When I made it home I crashed.  I had taken pain pills at my moms house, therefore unable to drive.  My husband got me home, I took more pain pills and tried to go to sleep.  NO SUCH LUCK!  The pain pills must have been some generic brand.  They made me itch from the inside out.  I took Benadryl to combat that madness.  Moral to the story, I did not sleep Friday night. 

Honestly, I do not remember much of Saturday.  I was miserable between the headache and the itching.  My brother, his wife and my mom came and got my kids to take them out bowling and to lunch.  The plan for Saturday night was to go dancing, obviously we did not do that.  I certainly didn't.  At the time I guess I did not know if everyone else went out or not. 

Sunday I slept until noon or so.  Got out of bed in time for my sister in law to come over and do my hair.  I felt so horrible that I was not very good company.  She got my hair done, cut my daughters hair and even trimmed my youngest sons hair.  My brother took all the boys to an indoor football game.  Yes, a lot of plans, none included me.  Migraines stink! 

Today, Monday, I feel better.  I still have a headache and I am incredibly tired.  I took one extra day to get myself 100%.  I slept in this morning, took more pain meds and rested all day.  My oldest son was nice enough to get me food and drink.  With my last bit of energy I am writing this.  Guess what is next.......a nap.

Live and Learn

 
I have been having profound emotions with the beginning of writing my book.  I am positive that writing about it all will also be tremendous therapy for me.  Perhaps I have been overly sensitive lately, yet something happened this week that I just had to share.

A friend of mine is getting married.  He called me before he even proposed to tell me how he was going to do it.  He was excited, I was excited and I could not wait to watch them exchange vows.  Since we have not seen each other in a while I even asked if I would be invited (you never know what type of wedding someone is having or how many people will be invited).  He told me "of course".  A few months later he and his now fiance came over to have dinner at our house.  We had a good time talking about old times, the wedding and everything else under the moon.  Again, we were told "of course" we are invited.

After the dinner together I tried to be better at maintaining communication with my friend, as he and I both admitted we had not done the best at that.  You see we use to work together, but neither of us work at that company anymore.  I would leave little notes on his facebook, just so he knew I was thinking of him, even if I did not have the time to call and have a full blown conversation.  After two of these messages the fiance started posting crazy comments on her facebook that I could only assume were about me.  Things like "don't you hate it when people pay more attention to your fiance than you do" blah blah, madness.  I backed off a little thinking she was just crazy swamped with wedding planning.

A few weeks ago I saw the fiance post that the invitations had gone out in the mail.  I was so excited to see it, read it and of course RSVP.  A week passed, no invite.  Then she posted that they had received their first RSVP, still no invite.  I am not the type to "stew" on things so I contacted my friend.  I asked him straight up "Are we invited"?  He gave me this long answer that was basically "No".  I gave it a little thought and I understood if someone is limited on funds, space, whatever.  My husband and I really limited our wedding to who fit on the cliff with us (35 or so people).  What upset me is how I found out.  He could have shot me an email, text, facebook message, anything just saying that they could not make it happen due to funds.  Anyone would understand that. 

The next thing I know, the same day, I get an insane facebook message from the fiance.  She attacked everything about me.  My friendship with her fiance, me going to zumba, my facebook posts, my blog, whatever she could think of.  It was an easy decision to unfriend them both and block her completely.  Is she truly this insecure?  What a sad sad series of events. 

I truly wish him the best, it will take some work with her at his side.  He has goals, he is highly intelligent and a great dad. 

I will miss his friendship, but not enough to accept her drama into my life.  Live and learn.

Reduced Fat Enchiladas

  

Ingredients

• 2 half chicken breasts on the bone with skin (remove skin before adding to enchiladas)
• 1 (16 oz.) red enchilada sauce (no sugar added)
• 1 (4 oz.) can green chile peppers
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, reduced fat
• 1 (8 oz.) container sour cream, fat free
• 6 medium whole wheat tortillas, low sodium if possible (corn tortillas are not recommended as they tend to fall apart)

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place chicken breast on the bone, with skin, in a covered baking dish, bake until juices run clear when pierced with a fork, about 45 minutes. Chicken should have reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees. Allow to cool. Remove skin and bones, discard. Shred chicken or cut into bite size cubes.

In a medium mixing bowl, add chicken, garlic powder, cumin, chili powder, black pepper and salt to taste. Add to seasoned chicken, green chile peppers, 1/2 cup of enchilada sauce, 1/2 cup sour cream and 1 cup cheese, mix well. Place 1/2 cup chicken mixture in the center of each tortilla, leave about 2” at the bottom without filling and fold up...continue until all tortillas are filled.

Lightly spray the bottom and sides of the slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Lay enchiladas seam side down in the slow cooker, add a little of the sauce above to each layer as you stack them. There should be 2 layers of 3 or 3 layers of 2, depending on the size of your slow cooker.

Combine the remaining enchilada sauce and 1/2 cup sour cream. Pour over the enchiladas, cover and cook on low 3-4 hours, or until hot and bubbly. Cut between each enchilada and carefully remove, one at a time, with a large spatula. Pour liquid from slow cooker over enchiladas and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Garnish with diced tomatoes and shredded lettuce. 

Yields: 6 servings | Serving size: 1 enchilada | Calories: 249 | Previous Points: 5 | Points Plus: 6 | Total Fat: 6 g | Saturated Fats: 2 g | Trans Fats: 0 g | Cholesterol: 26 mg | Sodium: 470 mg | Carbohydrates: 31 g | Dietary fiber: 2 g | Sugars: 0 g | Protein: 18 g 

*** I have not tried this yet, but it looks and sounds delicious.  If you are able to try before me, let me know your thoughts.  ***

Choices

January 3, 2013

Today I am concentrating on choices.  I wish I had done this years ago.  I, personally, need to work on how I absorb the information around me and how I allow the actions of others to effect me or not.  The most important aspect?  Consider the source.  It is important to know those within your circle so you are able to respond properly to what is going on. 

I am pretty set in my ways.  What do I meant by that?  I mean that Yvonne is not going to change depending on who she is with that day.  I can, however, learn about those I am with as to not hurt anyone unintentionally.  I cannot expect them to know who I am or even accept who I am.  This burden is on me.

Obviously I need to think this through.  The last thing I want is to create unreasonable expectations for those who share their life with me.

Happy New Year

January 2, 2013

I read something that said with every end there is a new beginning.  I AGREE!  Although 2012 was challenging in many ways I know that I came out of it a better, happier person. 

I had decided that I was not going to make a New Years Resolution, instead I was making a plan for 2013.  I also decided I was not going to make some plan/goal that was unrealistic, thus setting myself up for failure.  I am a winner, a person that reaches their goals.  I look forward to watching my own progress this year and sharing it with you.  This year is not about losing weight, it is about implementing the changes in my life needed to be the person I know I am.  In order to follow the change I have this blog.  I will be taking a picture a day, as well as documenting my days.  I am convinced that utilizing my passion, writing, will be a huge step in the right direction.

New Years Eve was spent with friends and family.  I am so incredibly grateful to have ALL of them in my life.  I missed having my brother with me this year.  Honestly, having a younger brother (12 years younger) keeps me young.  Goodness knows I can't let him beat me at anything, including drinking.  By the way, he usually wins..........but it is fun trying to keep up.

My best friend was here for NYE as well.  There is not a better way to start a new year than with someone that already makes you a better person. 

2013 promises to be amazing.  Just remember in all of your resolutions to create something that is attainable.  Do not set yourself up for failure, you deserve to feel the accomplishment - mentally and physically.

Happy New Year Everyone.  Remember to love, laugh and live!

Negative to a Positive

December 28, 2012

Today started out absolutely fantastic.  I even found the time to touch base with all of those I needed to thank or express my gratitude to for being part of my life in 2012.  I spoke to friends, I was productive and even received some very up lifting emails/text to start the day. 

Who knew that one simple action could tear me down completely.  I have really got to work on how I handle the way others view me.  I realize I should not care so much, however when it has to do with my work life, it matters to me.

Being strong has its draw backs.  Everyone thinks you can just be shit on and it will not matter because you are strong and will get over it.  NOT TRUE.  Those of us that take our professional life seriously, regardless how strong, take things to heart when they are said/done. 

I have often worked in industries where all of those around me are younger.  It usually means that most of my standards are not met.  I try to give enough that the change I require does not hit so hard.  There is always going to be those who just do not like change and those that are just to young to grasp that you can actually learn something from the change.  I have been told, at my newest job, that I bring a new level of professionalism here.  See, I think that is a compliment.  However, when you have those around you scared of that change or worried how it will affect them, it makes it hard.  These youngens are use to getting what they want because of the history or events.  It's time to take control of the business and not worry as much about the individual.  I understand this will be a process, but work with me people.

These are the days that I am happy that I began this blog.  This outlet does more for me than anything I can remember.  Therefore, instead of being upset by the actions today, I am going to grateful that I have this blog to keep me sane.

Positivity

December 21, 2012

There is something to be said for surrounding yourself with the right people.  The positivity around me is overwhelming.  You never really know who your friends, or even fans, are until you are in need of them.  I am happy to say my true friends have answered my need. 

It took me over 20 years to decide it was "OK" to share my poetry.  There is so much history and emotion wrapped up in the words that it was difficult for me to read, much less share with anyone else.  I honestly can't remember what the PUSH was for me to start the blog.  What I remember is the support I received once I made that decision.  Had today been the "end of the world" I would have zero regrets. 

The best news?  I have actually started work on my book.  I have started this book three, four, maybe five times (don't worry, names have been changed to protect the innocent).  While preparing to write this time I realized how much I had to say and share.  I have always been a believer in "Everything Happens for a Reason", that must mean that all of the events in my life happened for a reason.  It not only created who I am today, it led me to who I want to be.  Sharing it all can only be good therapy.

Thank you all for the support, love and positive energy you have shown me.  You will never know exactly how much it meant to me.