Live Like No One Else

I'm feeling very accomplished tonight.  On a night where Daniel and I would have probably gone out to eat and maybe gone to a movie, shopping, etc.; we ate some amazing "Easter" kabobs (that's my new name for them) and are watching a movie from our collection!

Daniel and I have been "doing" Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace for about 3 years now.  We've actually kind of modified his program to fit our lifestyle and  have been slowly but surely trying to pay off our debt.  There's probably a reason Dave says to do things a certain way.  I bet we'd have been out of debt already if we'd just done what he said.  I've always had to learn the hard way....ask my parents!

Now, under our modified financial plan, we've paid off 2 cars, a baby, and a student loan.  We've also been able to avoid going further into debt.  All of these are fantastic accomplishments, but it has really taken a toll on us as it has taken SO long to do all these things.  We're ready to finish "living like no one else" so that we can "live like no one else." 

So, we had one of those infamous "budget meetings" Dave's always talking about.  We talked rationally and reasonably about our goals and some of the things that we've been doing that we could cut out of our lives.  The result??  We'd like to be debt free in a year - April 2012.  We firmly believe this is feasible and (for the moment) are pumped to get going.  Daniel gave up truck parts (he recently bought back his old yellow, Dodge pickup from his brother), and misc. hunting gear.  I, the free spirit, gave up everything else.  Haha, no, just kidding.  I am giving up Sonic & QT drinks (limiting to 1 a week), misc baby purchases (that aren't needed), and new clothes, purses, etc.  Together, we're limiting our entertainment - no movies out; only redbox.  We're also going to limit our eating out even more than we already do. 

Now, I will be the first to admit, this is going to be really hard.  We went to Walmart last night for flour, cheese, and chicken....I'm glad Daniel was with me or I would have left with Easter candy and a bouquet of tulips!!  We've only been doing this for a week and I've already used up my Sonic/QT drink for this week and next...oops!  BUT, I'm encouraged.  I'm always up for a challenge, and I truly believe that we can do this. 

So, Dave, we submit.  We're gonna try it your way!!  We've seen amazing things happen in our budget and God has blessed us immeasurably.  Now, it's up to us to finish the job and owe no man!!

Little Susy Homemaker Strikes Again

I LOVE to cook.  I didn't learn to cook until I left home and moved into my own apartment my junior year of college.  My mom made sure I had a toaster & a microwave because she knew that I could use those appliances.

I have come a long way since then.  I love to try new recipes & am thrilled to have a new computer with wireless internet so I can look up recipes, substitutions, and tips while I'm cooking.  The Pioneer Woman is one of my favs.  She posts step by step photos to help you while you're cooking.  I'm so visual, that I really appreciate this.

I'm definitely not an expert and most of my recipes are adapted recipes from other people, but I read once that when you change a recipe 3x - it's yours!!

Cooking is definitely not as much fun when you have to do it, when you just got home from work and you're tired, and when you have a 15 month old climbing your leg, crying because he wants to play.  So, I like to cook things ahead of time (in the morning, perhaps) and stick them in the oven when I get home from work.

Last night I made one of my favs.  My family likes it too, so that's a bonus!  I got the recipe from someone in my Sunday School class who made it for us when Will was born.  Since then it's become one of my token meals to take to new moms.  It makes a ton and it freezes well.  I actually made a pretty serious mistake last night and made it with the Rotel that has green chiles in it.  If you know my family - we don't do well with spicy things.  Even I had problems with it...oops!!  Poor Daniel.  I wasn't here to witness it, but I bet there was some nose running and lots of water drinking that went along with it!!

Here's my recipe.  I think this is a pretty popular recipe with lots of variations - if you have one, please let me know!

Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti

1 lb chicken (cut & cooked)
1/2 onion & 1/2 pepper either sliced or diced (however you prefer)
I can Rotel
I can diced tomatoes
1 can cream of chicken (or mushroom) soup
1lb Velveeta cheese (cubed)
1 package of spaghetti

Cook spaghetti as directed on package.

Saute your veggies in butter (or olive oil) until tender.  Then added chicken and mix around for flavor.   Add Rotel, diced tomatoes, and cream of chicken soup.  Mix around.  Add Veleveeta and mix until melted.

Mix with spaghetti.  Bake at 350 (uncovered) for 20 minutes.  (I always freeze half  before baking for a meal later on).

Enjoy!!  Anyone want the batch in my freezer with the chiles in it?  I can't say we'll be eating it any time soon!!

The Soundtrack of My Life

I just finished reading Jodi Piccoult's newest book, Sing You Home.  As is common in most of her books, she really makes you think about issues that aren't always black and white.  While I didn't necessarily agree with the politics of the book, the main character was a music therapist and her portion of the book fascinated me.  She would begin a lot of her sessions by asking her clients to identify the artists that would be on their life soundtrack.  The more I read about these sessions and the important association music has with some aspects of our lives, the more I wanted to create my own soundtrack.  So, here goes...

In no particular order:

First on the list would have to be Dave Matthews.   There is probably a Dave song for every season of my life.  Any time I listen to his songs I can think of a particular time and sometimes even place.  I remember people, events, conversations, etc. associated with Dave's music.

Right now, I'd definitely put the Zac Brown Band on the list.  Man, I love them.  They're country, but they're not, and man do I love the song "Chicken Fried."  I can't stand fried chicken, but I love the song and what it's about.  It's funny how it's the little things in life that mean the most....  Oh and who couldn't agree that a pair of jeans that fits just right isn't the greatest feeling in the world!!  I have a pair from college I'm still not willing to give up because they fit THAT good!!

I'd put Jami Smith & Chris Tomlin on my list too.  Man, these two can worship like none other.  I've never been able to listen to one of their cds without having an amazing "God" experience.  Singing scripture and meaning it with all your heart...man there's nothing like that!

Brad Paisley would definitely be high on my list too.  That man has a song for everything: my marriage to my son to my life in general.  In fact, I used one of his songs to create Will's first birthday video.  He's an amazing songwriter!!

I'd probably also add a little Sinatra, James Taylor, Ella Fitzgerald...all of these guys know how to make me feel good when I'm in a classically nostalgic mood.  I danced to Ella at my wedding, sang along with my friends to James Taylor, and secretly listen to Sinatra when the sun is shining, the windows are open and I'm cleaning my house.  Weird...I know!

I've always had a not so secret indulgence for Aerosmith.  Steven Tyler has the biggest mouth in the world, but he knows how to use it!! 

I'm still in love with all my Norah Jones cds.  I love to sing along to all her albums...

The more I read Piccoult's book, I thought about the seasons of my life, the moods of my days and the music that I listen to to make myself feel better.  Lately, with the sunny, warm days; I've been driving with my windows down, listening to a lot of Zac Brown Band in my car. 

When I'm nostalgic and thinking about how fast time is going with my little one, I'll pull out Will's first birthday video and sing along to Brad Paisley.  He also has a great song that perfectly describes the way we fall more in love with our spouses as we continue through life with them...and we thought we loved them then!!!

When we're having company for dinner and we want light background music and I'm feeling all hostess-y and Martha Stewart-y, It's definitely time for Ella, James, Norah, and Frank.

When I feel like singing; it's time for Norah - I LOVE singing along, at the top of my lungs, to her soulfulness.

Music is such a part of our lives.  My 16 month son will calm down in an instant when he hears music.  We have a song that only I sing to him and when I do, his whole body will relax.  He gets excited when he hears the music announcing Elmo's World, and will stay riveted to the music of Baby Einstein. 

How cool is music??  There's a song and a soundtrack for every season of our lives!  What are yours??