Cake in a Mug!?!

A very good friend last week mentioned the "Coffee Mug Cake". Tonight, I needed some chocolate, but had no chocolate chips - my go-to dessert. So, I got online and found the recipe for the cake in a mug. I used water instead of milk, and, of course, powdered fake egg. I also had no vanilla. The recipe said that chocolate chips were optional. But if I'd had them, I wouldn't have needed the cake, now would I?!

Result? Not half bad. Killed my craving. Was quick and easy. Very much not good for you! I'd actually like to try it with the chips, and vanilla, and (soy) milk.

Thanks, L. for reminding me the recipe was out there!!

Have I Totally Lost It??

Since I keep dwelling on the "new" me, let me humor you further!

Monday evening I needed to take the trash to the curb, and had some room in the trash bag, so checked the fridge and freezer for any leftovers, etc. that needed to go. Easy enough...

I can't even remember what happened to get me to the next stage!! Next thing I know I've taken the bottom drawer thing out of the freezer that has had melted fruit juice-y stuff all in it forEVER!! It goes in the sink to soak. I let it soak overnight and last night I cleaned it all up and put it back in the freezer. Which REALLY needs a good cleaning...

I have it on my to-do list for this weekend, but I'm sitting here thinking "well, I'm not doing anything else productive, maybe I should do the freezer"...

WHAT'S HAPPENING TO ME?!?!?!?

Luckily, dinner's almost ready so by the time I eat, the urge should be long gone. Maybe.

Another thought

This weekend as I ran lots of errands and did this and that around he house, I also built in some downtime for me and G to just sit and be. But at those times I was still thinking I shouldering be doing something. And I got to thinking...

I spent the last two years basically unemployed. I couldn't get a job. I was going deeper into debt. I was depressed. I had no purpose. All that fun stuff.

Anyway, I realized that I'm not depressed anymore. Really and truly for the first time in a while. and I'm thinking this simple fact is helping the whole not being lazy thing.

Moral of the story is: I feel alive and happy :) So I think I'll go to bed! (I didn't say I was cured of needing sleep!!)

Constant

I am currently obsessed with Francesca Battistelli. Her new album rocks!!! I don't generally prefer female voices but her lyrics are amazing.

This morning as I make banana bread I'm jamming. And thus is my thought...
Her song Constant is an instant favorite.
"You're my constant in every moment
Constant
You've never failed me
All my life
You have never left my side
You are my constant."
SO true and so amazing!!! I was thinking yesterday how even when I didn't go to church, prayed irregularly and only selfishly, His was still right there loving me. I was what I'd call distant when I had cancer removed. But I'm all good and experienced one of lifes biggest blessings that day!!! The idea of it all - the constant blessings no matter our current position in the church, so to speak - overwhelms me and makes me want to spend my life in praise and thanksgiving!!!

If I knew how to post the song here, I would.

New Me?

About a month ago, at a Spiritual Retreat, I was asked to declutter my mind and life. I can't remember the exact prompt but we were to write down something that we could give up to aid in the decluttering. I wrote down "laziness". Although the rest of the event was unspectacular, that one part stuck with me and I took it to heart.

I am, by nature, lazy. Or I thought I was. I'd much rather watch TV or read than clean or exert energy, unless it's exercise like hiking. If I can avoid walking into another room to put something away, I will. Well, previously I would!

Somewhere in writing down the word, or maybe it was in the sharing of it with my neighbor at the table, I changed my attitude. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy a good lazy afternoon, or day, or whole weekend! But...

I started with the dishes. I HATE doing the dishes. I let them pile up until I run out of something (knives, for example) and then two days later finally get the dishwasher full and running, and still have a pile in the sink that didn't fit. It was a horrible, embarrassing cycle that I don't believe I've ever admitted before!! BUT!! No more!!! My dad would always give me a hard time. He uses about three dishes a day and washes them by hand after dinner and that's it. I have finally gotten ahead of the cycle and have now, for TWO weeks, washed my dishes every night before heading to bed. Know what? It doesn't take long when there's a pot, some cutlery, and a plate!! I do still use the dishwasher though. But when I run it, I don't leave the clean dishes in it for a week!! When they're dry, they come out :)

So, now that my kitchen is basically perpetually clean, instead of the opposite, I have found that messiness in other rooms is starting to bother me...

Am I becoming a neat freak?!?!?!! I doubt it. But I REALLY like my new attitude!!

Spring Break 2011

Well, technically Spring Break is over. All we have left is a regular old weekend. I think I've done quite well in enjoying this Break. I cleaned. I hiked. I sat around and did nothing. I hung out with George. I saw some friends. I ran errands.

The week could never be long enough, but I guess it's time to go back to the real world, before I get used to sleeping in, staying up late, and eating anytime I want.

10 weeks until summer!!!

Success?!

Yesterday and today all the algebra students who got a 93 or above first semester took a test. Well, if they wanted to (meaning their teachers could talk them into it!). I had 19 who signed up and 15 take it (or so). The other two had a few more I think. We've been talking about he test for weeks and its become a fun little competition between teachers. For me its also about proving to my self and maybe others that I know what I'm doing!
I was in 2nd after yesterday. But I talked Danny into it today. He had to be late for soccer practice. He ROCKED it!! He actually did the second best on the test but they average it with their first semester grade. And HE WON!!!!!!! Which means I WON!!!!!
Don't worry he gets good stuff - letter jacket and/or letter, certificate, etc. And I want to do something small for all who took it. But definitely for him. Soccer something.
Anyway, its nice to win. It's nice to know I'm doing something right!!