Friends and Followers:
OK, so I debated and pondered and debated some more on what the heck to use as my topic for my blog and I think I have FINALLY come up with something, after such a long delay!
Stacey's Taste of Homcooking!
I have decided that since 1) I will no longer be employed after May 7th and I have to shave the budget, I need to cook at home more often and 2) my entire family needs to eat a bit healthier, I am going to start blogging recipes I use with them! The pro's, the con's, etc. Kinda like the movie Julie and Julia. . . but I'm not about to go thru the entire Betty Crocker cookbook! I'm dumb, but not THAT dumb! :)
So, my dear friends, stay tuned! Stacey's Taste of Homecooking starts Friday :)
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
A new step. . .
Well, I'm taking a new step in the career world. Maybe I should say the job world, as I don't foresee this becoming a career.
Anyhow, I have accepted a position with the Edison Community Schools in Lake Station. I will be the English tutor on T/R at the high school and M/W at the 6th grade school. It will bring in a little more per pay check and it allows me to have my Friday free, or to sub on a Friday, which would bring in add't income. . .
So, it might only be a small step towards higher income, but it's income! It is guaranteed until 2011.
Anyhow, I have accepted a position with the Edison Community Schools in Lake Station. I will be the English tutor on T/R at the high school and M/W at the 6th grade school. It will bring in a little more per pay check and it allows me to have my Friday free, or to sub on a Friday, which would bring in add't income. . .
So, it might only be a small step towards higher income, but it's income! It is guaranteed until 2011.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Is it a culture difference or an area difference?
Just got home from a totally cute babyshower and had a nice time! However, now I'm debating the question culture v. area. You see, not only am I married to a hispanic man, but I've been transplated from a little town in East Central Indiana to a much larger area in Northwest Indiana. Things are done differently up here, and I have yet to figure out if it is due to the area or if it is the cultural difference. . . . So, for those that follow this blog, PLEASE, comment! I'd like to see what others think as well.
Now, what is the question regarding? Showers, weddings, etc. Here is the debatable question:
Back home, showers (wedding, baby, etc) usually the male is not there. Here, they are REQUIRED to be there. At bridal showers it makes it a wee bit embarrassing when the soon-to-be-hubby is sitting there and one of the gifts opened is a nitey piece. . . Can we say red cheeks all around? Back home, showers are done in peoples houses, or if they want to have one large one, maybe a shelter house at a park or the AMVETS or a high school classroom or something to that affect. Up here, the showers are held at fancy restaurants. . . Places that I know cost over $20 a head. . . Back home it's cake and ice cream and maybe some veggies and meatballs. Here, it's a plated dinner with a cloth napkin.
Outside of Eluides' family and our bridal and baby showers (which were in the basement), I've only been to one other bridal shower up here, and I felt right at home, as it was a home shower. . .
So, does this happen back home and I just don't know about it? Are people in ECI having baby showers at Richards, McD's, or that place out by the airport? Or are they still doing them at home in the living rooms?
Don't get me started on weddings. . . but for now, what are your opinions on showers?
Now, what is the question regarding? Showers, weddings, etc. Here is the debatable question:
Back home, showers (wedding, baby, etc) usually the male is not there. Here, they are REQUIRED to be there. At bridal showers it makes it a wee bit embarrassing when the soon-to-be-hubby is sitting there and one of the gifts opened is a nitey piece. . . Can we say red cheeks all around? Back home, showers are done in peoples houses, or if they want to have one large one, maybe a shelter house at a park or the AMVETS or a high school classroom or something to that affect. Up here, the showers are held at fancy restaurants. . . Places that I know cost over $20 a head. . . Back home it's cake and ice cream and maybe some veggies and meatballs. Here, it's a plated dinner with a cloth napkin.
Outside of Eluides' family and our bridal and baby showers (which were in the basement), I've only been to one other bridal shower up here, and I felt right at home, as it was a home shower. . .
So, does this happen back home and I just don't know about it? Are people in ECI having baby showers at Richards, McD's, or that place out by the airport? Or are they still doing them at home in the living rooms?
Don't get me started on weddings. . . but for now, what are your opinions on showers?
Monday, January 11, 2010
Rebecca Bloomwood Meet Stacey Pagan!
Before reading, please note that this is a personal narrative, so be kind in comments!
I slowly walked by the numerous stands, wondering just what all the hubbub was about! There were several at the student union, the Fly Swatter, Teachers College, and even in front of the library! Each stand was crowed, and be, being a Curious George, finally bucked up and walked over to see what all the buzz was about. Little did I know that my short walk to the table at the Fly Swatter was going to cause me so much grief later in life!
There, at the booth, I happily handed over my drivers license, filled out a short form, received my 'free' gift (probably a t-shirt or umbrella) and waited a few weeks for the spawn of the devil to arrive in a plain what #10! My first credit card!
The emotions were so overwhelming! There I was, a freshman in college with a brand, spanking new shinny, silver VISA card! With a $1,000 credit line to boot! It was like easy money! I thought I had been deprived of so much while in high school -- this was how I was going to get those much desired items! A stereo, a new dresser, new pants, new cassettes for my new stereo. . .
The scene that I was growing to love was, "Will that be cash, check or credit?"
"Credit please," I said, handing over the card. . . That VISA was on fire the first month! When I received the bill I was OK because the payment due was like fifteen bucks! Sure, no problem, one night of babysitting would cover that. . .
It did not take me long to get another beautiful, shinny card! Yes! A JC Penny Card! Then a DISCOVER card, a BP Amoco, who cares if good ol HC didn't even have a BP store, I had a gas card! You name it I was probably carrying it! Yes, there was a plethora of plastic in my every growing wallet! However, I did not have a job to pay the balances, just my student loans and babysitting money. . . oh yes, bad decisions all around!
Did I stop spending? Naw, that would have ruined me. I did decline the others that came in the mail, heart wrenching as it was. . .
Soon, I got a job, yet it was still only paying the minimum payment. Why pay more if it wasn't required? The thoughts of a dumb college kid. . . Yes, a bad decision again.
I continued to rack up the charges. A trip to Michigan, more clothes, shoes, a new book bag, junk, junk and more junk. Seriously, looking back I was like Rebecca Bloomwood in Confessions of a Shopaholic! If I wanted it, I charged it! Yet, what did I have to show for it?
My fourth year in college I fell behind on my bills, which caused the wolves to start knocking at the door, and rather loudly. My mother found out, and yes, all hell broke loose! She took every single shinny card I had. She took my debit card, my paycheck, and at the time, I felt she took my life away. She gave me an allowance each week which consisted of enough money to get my gas and about $20 for entertainment. I was 20 years old, living at home, hoarding the tips from my waitress job in order to have extra money! It was so embarrassing! yet, my mom did a good job at managing MY money! She paid off a card and worked on others! I was miserable, but coming out of debt.
During my last year at Ball State I moved out, taking MY bills with me! I did not start charging right away. . . just a few things now and then. In 1998 I moved to Northwest Indiana and racked up charges! As hard as it is to admit, I started all over again! It did not take long for the wolves to start howling and I knew I had to get help!
By this time in my life I was married and had two children! I was working on 12 years of excessive charging! My husband had a few cards, but nothing like me! So, in late 2005 we enrolled in a credit counseling company. All of our cards were cancelled (there went our great shopping sprees), and we started paying them off, one by one.
In the late spring of 2009 we paid our last card off! It was an exhilarating feeling! The credit card calls have stopped, the accounts closed, and we are able to 'relax' a little. To one, this may seem harsh, but for us, having only one card with a very low limit solved our problem. No, we have a goal! Credit score recovery! Eventually, we'd like to have a higher score, but we know it is a long road of recovery (like a drug addict), but we're in it for the long haul!
Rebecca Bloomwood, meet Stacey Pagan!
I slowly walked by the numerous stands, wondering just what all the hubbub was about! There were several at the student union, the Fly Swatter, Teachers College, and even in front of the library! Each stand was crowed, and be, being a Curious George, finally bucked up and walked over to see what all the buzz was about. Little did I know that my short walk to the table at the Fly Swatter was going to cause me so much grief later in life!
There, at the booth, I happily handed over my drivers license, filled out a short form, received my 'free' gift (probably a t-shirt or umbrella) and waited a few weeks for the spawn of the devil to arrive in a plain what #10! My first credit card!
The emotions were so overwhelming! There I was, a freshman in college with a brand, spanking new shinny, silver VISA card! With a $1,000 credit line to boot! It was like easy money! I thought I had been deprived of so much while in high school -- this was how I was going to get those much desired items! A stereo, a new dresser, new pants, new cassettes for my new stereo. . .
The scene that I was growing to love was, "Will that be cash, check or credit?"
"Credit please," I said, handing over the card. . . That VISA was on fire the first month! When I received the bill I was OK because the payment due was like fifteen bucks! Sure, no problem, one night of babysitting would cover that. . .
It did not take me long to get another beautiful, shinny card! Yes! A JC Penny Card! Then a DISCOVER card, a BP Amoco, who cares if good ol HC didn't even have a BP store, I had a gas card! You name it I was probably carrying it! Yes, there was a plethora of plastic in my every growing wallet! However, I did not have a job to pay the balances, just my student loans and babysitting money. . . oh yes, bad decisions all around!
Did I stop spending? Naw, that would have ruined me. I did decline the others that came in the mail, heart wrenching as it was. . .
Soon, I got a job, yet it was still only paying the minimum payment. Why pay more if it wasn't required? The thoughts of a dumb college kid. . . Yes, a bad decision again.
I continued to rack up the charges. A trip to Michigan, more clothes, shoes, a new book bag, junk, junk and more junk. Seriously, looking back I was like Rebecca Bloomwood in Confessions of a Shopaholic! If I wanted it, I charged it! Yet, what did I have to show for it?
My fourth year in college I fell behind on my bills, which caused the wolves to start knocking at the door, and rather loudly. My mother found out, and yes, all hell broke loose! She took every single shinny card I had. She took my debit card, my paycheck, and at the time, I felt she took my life away. She gave me an allowance each week which consisted of enough money to get my gas and about $20 for entertainment. I was 20 years old, living at home, hoarding the tips from my waitress job in order to have extra money! It was so embarrassing! yet, my mom did a good job at managing MY money! She paid off a card and worked on others! I was miserable, but coming out of debt.
During my last year at Ball State I moved out, taking MY bills with me! I did not start charging right away. . . just a few things now and then. In 1998 I moved to Northwest Indiana and racked up charges! As hard as it is to admit, I started all over again! It did not take long for the wolves to start howling and I knew I had to get help!
By this time in my life I was married and had two children! I was working on 12 years of excessive charging! My husband had a few cards, but nothing like me! So, in late 2005 we enrolled in a credit counseling company. All of our cards were cancelled (there went our great shopping sprees), and we started paying them off, one by one.
In the late spring of 2009 we paid our last card off! It was an exhilarating feeling! The credit card calls have stopped, the accounts closed, and we are able to 'relax' a little. To one, this may seem harsh, but for us, having only one card with a very low limit solved our problem. No, we have a goal! Credit score recovery! Eventually, we'd like to have a higher score, but we know it is a long road of recovery (like a drug addict), but we're in it for the long haul!
Rebecca Bloomwood, meet Stacey Pagan!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Christmas Cookies Round I
Well, the time has come to start my annual Christmas baking! I'm going to attempt to add a variety of cookies this year, and not just my norm! I started tonight with my granny's Peanut Butter Blossoms! For the longest time I thought my granny had made up this recipe! Little did I know! :) This year I added a new twist to it -- I decided to use colored sugars instead of the plain ol white ones and I'm quite pleased with them! Here is the recipe and a picture if I can figure out how to post a picture in this silly wacky thing! So far so good!
Peanut Butter Blossoms1/2 c granulated sugar
1/2 c packed brown sugar
1/2 c creamy peanut butter
1/2 c butter or margarine, softened (I just use the stick margarine)
1 egg
1 1/2 c flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
Granduated sugar (can use colored sugars too)
About 36 Hershey Kisses (or stars), unwrapped
Heat oven to 375 degrees. In large bowl, beat 1/2 c sugar, brown sugar, peanut butter, butter and egg until well blended. Stir in flour, baking soda, and baking powder (I use electric mixer) until dough forms.
Shape dough into 1 inch balls; roll in sugar. On ungreased cookie sheets, place about 2 inches apart.
Bake 8 - 10 minutes or until edges are light golded brown. Immediately press 1 kiss into center of each cookie. Remove from cookie sheet to cooling rack.
Makes about 3 dozen. . . however, I always get more than this -- maybe I roll the balls smaller than 1 inch? They are always good! When storing them I place a piece of bread in the bottom of the container to keep them moist. :)
Enjoy
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Give me a reason!
I know I had stated I was going to quit using this site and use another, but I decided I'd just keep with it. . . and then I had not posted forever and a day! Maybe it's because I took a break from life, got caught up with facebook, whatever! Life has been handing me lemons, and damn it I've been trying to make lemonade out of them. . . but I fear I need a buttload of daggone Splenda right now! Here, let me catch ya up on my life :)
I'm still working as a para-professional on a temp status. This means that ol Stacey-poo does not get any PTO, benefits, funeral pay, etc. I'm doing OK with this, even though it is not what I had expected to be doing at the good ol ripe age of 34! Student loans are on a deferrement status (can't squeeze blood from a turnip can ya?), and we are getting by -- by the hair on the chinny, chin, chin though! Most days I enjoy the job, but there are days that I just come home and want to cry! But, God is providing!
My ol Trusty Rusty scares me to death every day! I mean, it's like a walking heart attack for me to get in the darn thing on a daily basis! But, like I said, God provides! That thing is still running! OK, so I do get odd ball looks when I start 'er up and it squeeks and rumbles for the first 45 seconds. . . and the driver side window can no longer roll down (poor LJ about had a cow when the window came falling in at me one day in the ATM line. . . ), I have to use a straw or something to put in the heater thingie to make it go (and only on high), and that I have to pound on the dash board to get my lights inside to show up. . . . but it runs and THERE ARE NO BANK NOTES on it! I do pray that I make it to and from work w/o having to use my hazard lights and pull over on 73rd Avenue! (my husband just laughed when he read over my shoulder! That was so not funny Pagan!)
This year, due to lack of funds, my family is making a lot of Christmas gifts for adults! Of course, I have all these ideas and now I must find the time to actually implement the projects! But, since we have been eating at home more often, we are home more in the PM's and I've already started! Yeah, I know you are all wanting to know what we are doing, but I cannot say until after the holidays because I'd give out secrets! I'm only hoping they all turn out OK! Only time will tell!
We have not put up our tree yet, nor any other holiday decor. . . which is kind of depressing, because it should be up by now, but I just have not had time! As many of you know, my Granny had been battling end stage lung cancer. . . we were home the weekend before Thanksgiving, as she was admitted to the hospital and not doing well. TomTom and I were home Thanksgiving weekend and returned home on Sunday. On Sunday night Granny took her last breath and is now in the hands of the Lord. So, we've been home since Monday night for the funeral. . . and of course things are tense all around. . . although it's a sad time, it's also a happy time! No longer is she in pain and with her maker! How can one not be happy about this?
Of course, as with any funeral, you start talking to people you've not seen in forever. It's like they come out of the woodworks. . . And tonight my lil sister and I spent a few hours with our cousin JohnBoy. He is now living in Mississippi (all his life he lived in Lousiana until recently) and I'm pretty sure it has been over 10 years since I've met him, as tonight was the first night he ever met Eluides! We had a nice time sitting around the kitchen table talking, chatting, and of course, gossiping! You cannot live in the Thomas family without the gossip for cryin' out loud! So, it was a nice evening. I'm sure I'll catch up with some other folks this week, but only time will tell!
So, yes, I've been busy, but not THAT busy! Just rather lazy! Shhhh, don't tell my secrets!
I'm still looking for my career job! I still need to finish cleaning my house up from the daycare (yes, there are still daycare items in the 'play room' but what the heck, I don't have the $ to furnish it, so why rush right?), I have a ton of baking that I'll be doing starting next week, and lots of homemade gifts to start on! So, the holiday season is going to keep me hopping, counting my blessings, and taking trips down memory lane. . . .
So, if you have a memory of me/us you want to share, please, feel free to post it here! Give me a reason to blog more often wontcha?
I'm still working as a para-professional on a temp status. This means that ol Stacey-poo does not get any PTO, benefits, funeral pay, etc. I'm doing OK with this, even though it is not what I had expected to be doing at the good ol ripe age of 34! Student loans are on a deferrement status (can't squeeze blood from a turnip can ya?), and we are getting by -- by the hair on the chinny, chin, chin though! Most days I enjoy the job, but there are days that I just come home and want to cry! But, God is providing!
My ol Trusty Rusty scares me to death every day! I mean, it's like a walking heart attack for me to get in the darn thing on a daily basis! But, like I said, God provides! That thing is still running! OK, so I do get odd ball looks when I start 'er up and it squeeks and rumbles for the first 45 seconds. . . and the driver side window can no longer roll down (poor LJ about had a cow when the window came falling in at me one day in the ATM line. . . ), I have to use a straw or something to put in the heater thingie to make it go (and only on high), and that I have to pound on the dash board to get my lights inside to show up. . . . but it runs and THERE ARE NO BANK NOTES on it! I do pray that I make it to and from work w/o having to use my hazard lights and pull over on 73rd Avenue! (my husband just laughed when he read over my shoulder! That was so not funny Pagan!)
This year, due to lack of funds, my family is making a lot of Christmas gifts for adults! Of course, I have all these ideas and now I must find the time to actually implement the projects! But, since we have been eating at home more often, we are home more in the PM's and I've already started! Yeah, I know you are all wanting to know what we are doing, but I cannot say until after the holidays because I'd give out secrets! I'm only hoping they all turn out OK! Only time will tell!
We have not put up our tree yet, nor any other holiday decor. . . which is kind of depressing, because it should be up by now, but I just have not had time! As many of you know, my Granny had been battling end stage lung cancer. . . we were home the weekend before Thanksgiving, as she was admitted to the hospital and not doing well. TomTom and I were home Thanksgiving weekend and returned home on Sunday. On Sunday night Granny took her last breath and is now in the hands of the Lord. So, we've been home since Monday night for the funeral. . . and of course things are tense all around. . . although it's a sad time, it's also a happy time! No longer is she in pain and with her maker! How can one not be happy about this?
Of course, as with any funeral, you start talking to people you've not seen in forever. It's like they come out of the woodworks. . . And tonight my lil sister and I spent a few hours with our cousin JohnBoy. He is now living in Mississippi (all his life he lived in Lousiana until recently) and I'm pretty sure it has been over 10 years since I've met him, as tonight was the first night he ever met Eluides! We had a nice time sitting around the kitchen table talking, chatting, and of course, gossiping! You cannot live in the Thomas family without the gossip for cryin' out loud! So, it was a nice evening. I'm sure I'll catch up with some other folks this week, but only time will tell!
So, yes, I've been busy, but not THAT busy! Just rather lazy! Shhhh, don't tell my secrets!
I'm still looking for my career job! I still need to finish cleaning my house up from the daycare (yes, there are still daycare items in the 'play room' but what the heck, I don't have the $ to furnish it, so why rush right?), I have a ton of baking that I'll be doing starting next week, and lots of homemade gifts to start on! So, the holiday season is going to keep me hopping, counting my blessings, and taking trips down memory lane. . . .
So, if you have a memory of me/us you want to share, please, feel free to post it here! Give me a reason to blog more often wontcha?
Saturday, October 10, 2009
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