Dear 20-Year-Old Me

This year will live in your memory as a very fun year.  In January, you will finally meet The One - your future husband.  And yes, you will hear God tell you that it's him!  But here's a hint: He's talking about the other guy in the car, not the one you think.  (To be fair, they both drive almost identical cars.  Is it any wonder your dream car was a blue Mustang??)

Nevertheless, following around that wrong guy for a couple of years will lead you in some very right directions, spiritually, so it's not a bad thing at all.  And meanwhile, you'll become good friends with The One which will eventually make for a solid marriage.  (Thankfully, The One will laugh at your crush on other guy instead of being upset.  In fact, other guy will be a groomsman in your wedding!)

You were right to change your major.  Sure, chemical engineering sounds impressive and has a great salary to go with it, but it's not right for you.  Although you can't even imagine it now, you will someday want to be a stay-at-home Mom - a homeschooler, even! (Don't worry.  It's a lot more mainstream now than it used to be.) - and that math degree will allow you to do just that.

This Summer, you're going to date a really cute guy.  (No, not other guy.  He's already found his One.  And no, not The One - although he's super cute, too.  It's not quite time for that.)

No, he's not really proposing.  Guess who set up this pose??  (Hi, Mom!)

Prepare yourself - this one is a Yankee!  ;)  He's not The One and it won't last much past Christmas, but it will make for a really fun Summer and several trips to Indiana this Fall, rooming with random girls in his dorm and meeting his family.  He will be the reason you first learn to e-mail, and it will be a very tedious process in 1994.  However, once again thanks to computers (that get WAY easier to use), you'll still be in touch with him 18 years later.  (I know.  It boggles the mind, doesn't it?)  Going to Seattle this Summer might seem sort of strange - and in fact, it will be the one and only year that Campus Crusade holds a Summer Project in Seattle - but it's preparing you to live there for several years in the not-too-distant future.  (If you get a chance to try teriyaki chicken while you're there, please do.  Yum-O!)

I hope you enjoyed that undefeated football season last year.  It'll be a while before that happens again, but - brace yourself - we will eventually be the National Champions!

So enjoy this year at Auburn because, win or lose, it really is great to be an Auburn Tiger!  War Eagle!



P.S. Repeat after me: "My socks do NOT have to match my Duck Head shorts."

For others in this series, click here.

This post may be linked up to one or more of the following blog parties.  Check them out! Monday: Menu Plan Monday on I'm an Organizing Junkie Wednesday: Works for Me Wednesday at We are THAT Family Friday: 5 Minute Friday at The Gypsy Mama, Company Girl Coffee at Home Sanctuary Other days: A Wise Woman Builds Her Home

Corn Chip Chili Pie

The original recipe can be found in the Southern Living Ultimate Quick and Easy Cookbook.  The recipe found there involves doing everything in the microwave.  Here's how I make it:

Corn Chip Chili Pie
Serves 4 adults

1 pound lean ground beef or turkey
1/2 onion, chopped
1 (16-ounce) can kidney beans, drained
1 (11-ounce) can sweet whole kernel corn, drained
1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (2 1/4-ounce) can sliced ripe olives (I use the chopped ones so they are more hidden.)
1 (1.25-ounce) chili seasoning
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese (can use sharp Cheddar or a Mexican blend)
1 cup coarsely crushed corn chips (or just use them whole)

Brown the meat along with the onion; drain.  Combine with the beans, corn, tomato sauce, olives, and chili seasoning in a large bowl.  Pour into a 9x13 pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for around 20 minutes or until heated through.  Sprinkle corn chips and cheese over the top, and return to oven until cheese is melted.

Note: this was made with reduced fat cheese.  I don't recommend doing that.




This post is linked up to one or more of the following blog parties.  Check them out! Monday: Menu Plan Monday on I'm an Organizing Junkie Wednesday: Works for Me Wednesday at We are THAT Family Friday: 5 Minute Friday at The Gypsy Mama, Company Girl Coffee at Home Sanctuary Other days: A Wise Woman Builds Her Home

Bloomin' Monday: Get Out There!

unknown source

So far in this Bloomin' Monday series (How to Make the Most of Moving to a New Town), we've talked about how to make friends before you even get there, and meeting the new neighbors.  Today, we're moving beyond the neighborhood.

As I have mentioned before, one of the best ways to meet new people is to find groups who share common interests/careers/stages of life with you.  My stage of life currently is Mom of young children.  When we first moved to our current city, I quickly made acquaintances through 3 sources: a local playgroup, a MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group, and one of the moms in my son's preschool classroom.  (If you are also a Mom of young children, I cannot say enough great things about MOPS.  You can find a group in your area here.)

Another place where I have found great friendships is through the churches we have been a part of in each town.  (I know that all of you reading this may not be religious, but the general ideas that follow can still apply with other groups.)  After seeking the Lord and what church He would have you to join, I highly recommend checking out any of the following that exist in your church:

1.  Home Groups: There is something particularly bonding about meeting together in someone's home.  Without the formality that still tends to exist in most church classes, people tend to share more of their hearts, and friendships more quickly develop.  One of our favorite memories of our first home in Montgomery, AL, is of our home group.  Thanks to Facebook, we are still in contact with the leaders of that little group 12 years later.  (Hi, Candyce!)

2.  Bible Studies: Sunday school (or whatever it's called at your church) attendance is vital if you want to really become involved with your new church.  However, I'm talking more specifically about Bible studies that meet sometime other than Sunday morning.  I have enjoyed so many of these through the years and was blessed with the opportunity to lead one when we lived in Alabaster, AL.  (Hi, Laura and Kristi!)

3.  Mission trips: Should you go on a mission trip just to meet people?  Of course not.  BUT it is an incredible way to get to know people on a level that you otherwise may never reach.  Although we had been involved in home group, Bible studies, etc. for about a year when we lived in Knoxville, we truly felt most connected to our church after participating in a mission trip to Mexico.

The point is this: attending group functions will allow you to get out of the house (especially important if you're a stay-at-home Mom) and meet some new people.  But to really make new friends, you're going to have to go beyond the superficial.  Invite one person or a couple of people to lunch after the group meeting.  Invite another Mom to bring her husband and kids over for supper one night.  You get the idea.

After moving 13 times since getting married - 7 of which involved brand new towns - I have concluded that it takes about a year to really feel like you "belong" somewhere.  If you have made the effort to really get to know people during that time, the second year and beyond can be great!  (Admittedly, I have limited experience on the second year and beyond, but I'm currently enjoying being at 2 1/2 years here.)

It does take some effort, but it is worth it if you want to truly Bloom Where You're Planted!



This post is linked up to one or more of the following blog parties.  Check them out! Monday: Menu Plan Monday on I'm an Organizing Junkie Wednesday: Works for Me Wednesday at We are THAT Family Friday: 5 Minute Friday at The Gypsy Mama, Company Girl Coffee at Home Sanctuary Other days: A Wise Woman Builds Her Home

Menu Plan Monday: Week of February 6, 2012

We've got a pretty busy week ahead of us, but here's the general plan (as usual, WW+ point per serving in parentheses):

Monday - Lighter Chicken Macaroni Casserole (10)

Tuesday - Shrimp and Tortellini (10)

Wednesday - Church supper

Thursday - Baked tilapia (5), macaroni and cheese (7 - I usually just have 1/2 a serving), and sweet potatoes (4)

Friday - Lime Chicken and Black Bean Burritos (5 each when using fat free cheese)

Optional substitution: Chicken Spaghetti (9)

Bon appetit!  What's for supper at your house?



This post is linked up to one or more of the following blog parties.  Check them out! Monday: Menu Plan Monday on I'm an Organizing Junkie Wednesday: Works for Me Wednesday at We are THAT Family Friday: 5 Minute Friday at The Gypsy Mama, Company Girl Coffee at Home Sanctuary Other days: A Wise Woman Builds Her Home