I really really really hate wasting food. Food costs way too much to waste. Unfortunately when you cook big meals, you are very likely to have a lot of leftovers. And if you have a lot of leftovers you have a greater chance of wasting food. In my house we can eat the same meal for three days max. Some of my closest friends do not even eat leftovers for more than one day. Now that is sad… but I cannot change them.

After three days, JT and I start looking at each other funny… the well, what are we going to eat look. Then the leftovers just get shoved to the back of the fridge. As I mentioned in a previous post, thankfully we did not have many leftovers for this Thanksgiving. I would say that only about 25% of the turkey was left. I asked JT if he could slice up the remaining portion of the turkey so I could make turkey salad tonight. I asked him to do it, because if it was left up to me, I would still be cutting it now… hours later. I am slow at that kind of thing in the kitchen.

I searched for a turkey salad recipe online, but nothing make me lick my lips and say oooh gotta get that. So I got creative in the kitchen. I diced the turkey and mixed the following ingredients: green onions, garlic powder, original Mrs. Dash, mayonnaise, sour cream, a little Worcester sauce and a dash of relish. I toasted two slices of some delicious Sara Lee bread and melted a slice of American cheese on the turkey salad. JT enjoyed the sandwich. I made a small batch just in case he would not like it. Now after I get some more green onions and sour cream, I can make a bigger batch tomorrow.

I am not sure if William and Keisha will like the turkey salad, but I know that JT and I will finish that off without any problem. I feel good about not wasting any food.

I remember when I was younger, getting creative with holiday leftovers such as turkey and dressing sandwiches topped with cranberry sauce.

How do you deal with your holiday leftovers?

1. What is your favorite experience in your life so far?

Two things. In chronological order: Graduating from college and giving birth to my children.

2. What motivates you to keep going every day?

My children motivate me every day, they really keep me inspired. I probably would not be actively pursuing other opportunities if I did not have them in my life.

3. Where do you want to go in life? What do you want to accomplish?

I want to get my Masters in International Studies and Political Science. I really want to work for United Nations as a diplomat.

4. Is there anything that you regret? Do you try to change it?

I really do not regret anything, but if I had the power to go back in time there are a few things that I would do differently.

5. What is your most cherished gift you have received? Why do you cherish it so much?

While growing up, my most cherished gift was a bear that I received when I was just a year old. I had this bear for twenty something years. He looked like I had him for more than eighty years though… In my adult life, my most cherish gift are my twins. I could not have asked for a better gift from God.

http://www.livejournal.com/community/thefridayfive/1466.html

I did not participate in the Black Friday sales this year. I think that I only participated in one Black Friday once during college. We did not get up early in the morning but rather later in the afternoon. I only remember going to Best Buy and waiting through some fairly long lines.

I have absolutely no idea what I am going to get for gifts this year. JT has hinted at a couple of items that he would like to have, but of course I did not write anything down. As I have said many times, if I had a memory, I would be dangerous. For many of my close friends and family, I often get them a gift card, because they either already have everything they could ever want or I have absolutely no clue of what I want to give them.

I feel that gift cards make great presents. The idea of making them more personal by uploading your own picture for a Visa gift card or an existing photo for a special occasion, is wonderful. I bet some of my family members would enjoy receiving a picture of William and Keisha on their Visa gift cards this Christmas.

On Sunday evening, when I found out that my Dad and a little brother I have never met (and knew nothing about), were both going to be staying with me for nearly a week, I thought I was going to faint. I stood there in the freezer section, Sunday evening, in a daze. JT said something to me and that snapped me out of my daze. Between March 2001 and roughly June 2004, the relationship between my dad and I was virtually non-existent. After I became pregnant in 2004, I called my dad to tell him the news and work toward rebuilding our relationship. It has been an ongoing learning experience since then.

The week went by much better than I anticipated. I have a pretty good track record for when I go into a situation thinking the worse, then it almost always turns out not as bad as I thought it would. The first night (Monday night) was awkward, but I gradually felt at ease about talking about some old memories and untouched subjects. I hope that my dad has really listened to what feelings I have shared with him. I am thankful that I had a chance to be with him so much this week, particularly the last two nights where we talked for hours.

This morning my Dad left to head back to Colorado. I was a little bit sad about that. I hope that he is able to come down here next summer. I should have taken a picture with him. I do not have a picture of my Dad and I. That kinda sucks considering how into pictures I am. They left about 13 hours ago, so I imagine that they will be heading into Denver within the next two hours. I hope they did not run into any snow storms.

A few nights ago, my dad and I were talking about my grandfather. I think about my Papa all the time. I remember that he used to go hunting every winter. He would mainly hunt for rabbits and deer, but occasionally I believe that he also hunted raccoon. He often used a large amount of gear when he would hunting such as the footwear, tactical knives and undergear shirts that 5.11 tactical provides. Looking back, I am amazed at myself that I was never afraid of his rifles, bullets, knives and everything else Papa used. Papa taught me what they were for (but not how to use them), they were his and not to be played with. I respected and honored that.

These days, I cannot imagine leaving out rifles and bullets in front of any children. The times were different twenty five years ago and more, I suppose.

I would love to taste some of that venison right about now.

Thanksgiving dinner was truly success at our home yesterday. First of all, it must have been at least six years since I have celebrated Thanksgiving with my father… so that was great to have him just in my presence for such an important holiday. I am thankful for that.

Having my divorced parents in the same room was another story. But I have to admit that the event in itself was not as bad as I thought it would be. Well it was not that bad for me. There may have been a lot of tension from my mom, but I am not certain. I told my dad last night, that I hope that one day they can not only sit in a room together, but *gulp* have a conversation. What a concept…

I do not want my children to grow up thinking that their grandparents hate each other. Family is important. The twins only have one surviving great-grandmother, two grandmothers and one grandfather left. I want William and Keisha to be close to all of them. Not just one side or one grand parent because of an estranged relationship and secretive past. My children deserve better than that. I will pray for my mother and father. Not to get back together (I can accept that their relationship has long been over), but rather to forgive one another and be amicable, because that is the right thing to do.

I have been wanting to write a particular post for about 4 weeks now, but I could not get the words together. Instead of trying to compose an elaborate piece in an attempt express my mixed feelings, I will just keep it simple…

Today my family had a memorial service at Jefferson Barracks for my grandmother. She passed away at the end of October. Three years ago, Grandma had breast cancer and survived, but cancer came back this July as brain and lung cancer. Surgery was not an option.

Her funeral was held in Colorado, but unfortunately I was not able to attend. My grandmother’s ashes will be buried in the plot with my grandfather and my aunt Kay (who passed away from complications from sickle cell disease about twenty years ago). My grandparents and Kay will receive a new headstone soon.

The memorial service was not quite what I expected. The only thing that I got out of it is that it confirms how weird, selfish and crazy my family can be.

There were no flowers and none of her children spoke a word about their mom. I did not expect a grand event, but how about at least a plant and a couple of words about the woman who gave birth to you, loved you and cared for you.

JT and my mom were very supportive of me today. Thank you for the support. That is what family is for.

I wonder what grandma would think about all of this.

Thanks to Eaglehawk for coming up with this idea.

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Week 250

Say … and I think … ?

1. Toasty :: French toast… I had some for breakfast and it was delicious.

2. Allegations :: Rumors… plenty of them floating around at my job. I wonder which are false and which are true?

3. Herb :: One of my favorite seasonings in my cabinet is the original Mrs. Dash (yellow container). I cannot live without it.

4. Bacon :: Do you believe in the home remedy that if you get a splinter and put a piece of bacon fat on it, that the splinter will come out? I have never done this for myself but I have seen it work on my grandfather’s fingers when I was younger. As far as eating bacon, it has to be turkey or beef bacon. Not pork.

5. Neck to neck:: This sounds a little kinky.

6. Simon :: I used to love playing this game. Do you remember the Radio Shack version called Pocket Repeat?

7. Heels :: I am not a fan of wearing high heels.

8. Fundamentals :: For some reason, pythagorean theorem came to mind first.

9. Middle :: Finger, of course.

10. Seasonings :: See number 3… my cabinet is full of them. I also love lime pepper, lemon pepper, paprika, lemon peel, garlic powder, onion powder, Mrs. Dash Tomato Basil, Garlic & Herb and many more.

http://subliminal.lunanina.com/um/ind/week_250/

I know that this week is going to be challenging. I have some hectic things going on at work and at home.

I am trying to make a commitment to work on being positive and… especially since this week is Thanksgiving, focus on what I am thankful for.

Today, I want to tell you that I am thankful for all of my friends. Particularly today (Sunday), I want to thank my best friend and a good friend many miles away from me. They saw that I was down and out today and they were there for me to cheer me up. They did not judge me. They cared for me, hugged me, made jokes with me and in so many words told me that everything is going to be okay.

My friends are so important to me and sometimes it feels like I am not always there for them as much as they are there for me. I hope that during our lifetimes that I can be a wonderful friend to you like you have been to me. Thank you also to my other dear friends.

I love you.