the one where i let it all hang out

This will not be brand new information to anyone that knows me even slightly, but since many of you do not, I'm letting it all hang out right now. I am an angry person. And I have daddy issues. And besides him being a source of my anger, I am even more angry with him for winning this war. I constantly carry around these war stories and play them in my head. But here's the thing, actually two things: I cannot control him or how he treats me or how he takes care of himself and really, in the grand scheme of things, he isn't nearly as awful as he could have been. I mean look at me, he did something right! I am his only child, and by God, I am a success! Yes, I probably arrived in this place because I was determined not to be him but he also wanted me to be nothing like him. So, here are my newest revelations: I've decided never to forget, because that is truly impossible, and I've decided to accept him, set boundaries, and move on with my life. Of course, this means that now I have to deal with my unintentional mean streak and my own personal anger issues, but one thing at a time! Go me for finally seeing these things a little more clearly. I understand how this would seem so simple and obvious to so many people, but it was hard for me to arrive here. And I don't care that it took me this long, I'm just happy that I've gotten here.

Much love and many blessing,
Cassie

menu : september 27th-october 3rd

Monday: leftovers/clean-out the fridge/this is getting ridiculous
Tuesday: Crockpot BBQ Chicken w/ Corn & Mexican Cornbread
Wednesday: Taco Soup 
Thursday: Crockpot Oh-So-Easy Lasagna
Friday: Dinner Out
Saturday: Homemade Pizzas w/ Salads
Sunday: Crockpot French Onion Beef w/ Peas & Baked Potatoes

Just so you know, the crockpot is becoming my new best friend and now that I have two, I'm using them like crazy!! I'll post one or more of these recipes soon. Happy Fall!

now back to our regularly scheduled program

Hello friends! I have missed you. I have missed writing to you. And I have missed having a space to unload my baggage, good and bad. There will be a short catch-up because honestly, my life isn't that interesting anyway. :)

I've been reading and studying and teaching Lucy like a mad woman. I love school and I'm obsessive about it (have I mentioned that enough for you all to catch my drift, haha) but it has been paying off. I'm acing both classes and not because they are easy, which is pretty satisfying to the geek within. And like I said, I'm teaching my little bug a lot too. She's growing so fast and I feel like she's absorbing everything like a sponge (particularly sign language and speech). I'm so proud of her and really can see that she will be a little brain too. I don't care if every parent says that, it seems pretty special to me. :) She learns new words everyday and really loves to learn. It's my dream-come-true! We've been doing a playdate or two a week with various women and their kids that we met on meetup.com and it has been awesome. I like any excuse to get out of the house and I definitely needed the interaction. We are strongly considering another child now but have resolved not to "try" so much as "stop not trying." I figure that if I'm going to have five-ish kids and I'm 26, we better get moving. Otherwise nothing too exciting around our house.

I am very happy Fall has decided to make an appearance this year afterall. As I type, I'm enjoying the breeze through my open windows and the scent of my favorite Spiced Pumpkin candle. Fall holds almost all of my favorite things about life. Fall brings football and pumpkins and mild weather and wonderful festivals. It may sound odd but Fall renews me and I love it! It sounds like Lucy woke up from her nap, so I better go for now. But I wanted to ask for your opinions: Do you like me posting menus for the week and recipes? I don't want to bore anyone! :) Happy Fall!!!

blogiversary - happy 3 years!

Today is my third blogiversary! Here's to three fun-filled years. Oddly enough, I started this blog before I had a husband or a child. Of course I didn't keep it up-to-date for the biggest chunk of that first year-ish but I've still had this, my little corner of randomness, all along. I've tried for a few weeks to think of something awesome to write today and have failed miserably. I thought I might be pregnant because I was so dang scatter-brained but alas I am not.... I'm just scatter-brained and feeling crazy. I promise to catch you all up on the mundane life I lead very soon, but right now I'm going to take advantage of my child sleeping and attempt to finish some schoolwork. Thank you all for your support of my blog, it makes me happy each time I share a little piece of myself with someone else and especially when you all comment and show me some love. Happy Blogiversary!!!

Much love <>< Cassie

Cassie's Famous Crockpot Chili - Feeds a Crowd!!

Cassie's Famous Crockpot Chili

2 lbs. ground turkey or beef

3- 15oz cans Bush's Chili Beans (I use hot)

1- 15oz can black beans or kidney beans 

1- 12oz can tomato sauce or soup

1 lb. Tennessee Pride Sausage (again, I prefer hot)

2 jars salsa (I use Pace)

salt and pepper to taste

4 Tbsp hot chili powder 

1/2 white onion thinly sliced
2 cups water

-Brown and drain ground turkey and sausage.
-Drain beans but do not rinse.

-Put all ingredients into crockpot. Mix them well prior to cooking.

- If chili looks too thick, add more water or beef stock.

-Stir occasionally while cooking. 

-Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours.

-Optional dressings: shredded cheddar cheese, tortilla chips or crackers, sour cream, Frank's Hot Sauce

ENJOY!!!

consumed

Like I said before, I become obsessed and consumed with school. I'm sorry I've been MIA but I have spent a lot of time absolutely devouring my books and I doubt there is any end in sight. I haven't decided what to do about my book challenge... On one hand, I really want to accomplish this because I think it would be awesome to do but on the other hand, time with my family takes priority and with football and school added into that mix, there just isn't much time. Maybe I'll try to listen to at least one book a week until the end of this semester and then I'll read like crazy again through the holidays. We'll see. I am not giving up the book challenge just yet, but I'm not sure how I'll get from point A to point B.

Here is this week's menu around our house:

Monday: Crockpot Beef Roast w/ Veggies
Tuesday: Lemon Garlic Flounder w/ Rice and Broccoli
Wednesday: Shepherd's Pie
Thursday: Sausage and Potatoes w/ Carrots & Green Beans
Friday: Dinner Out
Saturday: Cassie's Famous Crockpot Chili
Sunday: Mushroom Dijon Pork Chops w/ Potatoes & Corn


I hope you all enjoy and forgive me for being a blog-slacker. Have a great week!