Prior to our move to another state, every year we would have our friends over to make homemade Tamales. We are now continuing the tradition in our new home state of Washington. Here are a few photos of the prep prior to everyone’s arrival. Pork for those who eat it and chicken for everyone else. The night before just get out the crock pots and season the meat and let it cook all night. The next day it is ready to go. Let’s talk Masa. I make my own and yes you need lard to make it taste good, everything in moderation as they say. recipe below: I also bought some pre-made from our local Taqueria. Let me just say make it yourself. flavor is so much better and so is the texture. Everyone went home with a bag of tamales and happy. Just another reason to get together with friends.
Masa:
6 cups masa harina
5 cups chicken broth (warm)
2 cups lard
2 tsp salt, 3 TBS onion powder and chili powder
2 TBS cumin
mix masa with spices first, then add chicken broth, and last the lard mix it well
I felt some kinda way today when I saw a woman I know post a video of her beautiful home with a view. So let me break it down for real. I have worked since I was 13, put myself through college while taking my 2 sons with me to night classes. I have accomplished so much, owned 3 homes and truly am so proud of being able to say I don’t need a man. I love my husband of 30 years but certainly would be a ok without him. This woman since i have met her has looked for ONLY men with money who could take care of her so she could just be cute with no job. And there have been lots. My question is how can you be proud when nothing you have belongs to you? Maybe I’m different but if I drive a Hyundai I paid for it is better than a benz that dude can yank at anytime.
I was watching house hunter tonight on HGTV and I am amazed at the stupidity that I see from those who have endless money. So if you don’t have a door to close off the toilet is that is a deal breaker? shut up… Do you fart in front of your spouse? My husband knows that this is healthy as the doctor who did my intestine surgery 30 years ago stated that passing gas is essential so get over it, oh my god. If you have a place to sleep, people you love, I don’t care if it is a one room shack, celebrate… thats all
Today I attended my CPR/first aid certification course. I arrived and a man with a keg beer belly and long white hair was in the back of the room, also a participant. I being friendly Fran spoke to this ass hat and asked him where he worked in our organization. He informed me he is a crew chief for one of our offender work crews. Ok I am passionate about rehabilitation and second chances so I engaged in a very brief conversation.
What the hell, this dude in 3 minutes asked how long I worked for our company. When I replied that I relocated from Idaho. The first thing out of his mouth was how could I move from such a beautiful state with such wonderful Trumpster conservatives. Ugh that’s exactly the reason I moved to get away from the bigots I watched treat non white and LGBTQ like shit my entire life.
It got worse, he refused to participate in the CPR portion of the course and sat for 4 hours doing absolutely nothing other than watching us. He stated he was only interested in the first aid portion of the course. What?
The point of this post is to demonstrate the quality of people we have working with men trying to rebuild their lives. I cannot imagine how he treats the work crew participants and know for certain in just 3 minutes it is horrible. We have to identify and stop allowing people like this man to have any power or influence with anyone coming out of the criminal justice system.
My co-worker came in today so excited she was given a Rumba for Christmas.
This little gadget here: would be grounds for divorce in my house. Why you ask?
Anyone who knows me is aware that I LOVE to vacuum.
The only rooms in my house that have carpet are the bedrooms (which is both good and bad); the additional parts of the house have solid surface floors and throw rugs.
I added the rugs to ensure that the floors didn’t get scratched and honestly to provide additional areas for me to clean.
It baffles me that anyone would not want to vacuum, are you crazy?
I think the all the new electronic gadgets have created a bunch of lazy folks who can’t bend over anymore, my observation of course
Now Alexa is a whole other story, she can play music ha
Each time I turn on the vacuum that sound gives me such joy
I know that when I am done I get to see all the junk that has been sucked up
Dog hair, food, dirt, etc. (you have a visual of what you have accomplished)
The satisfaction of knowing how clean you have made the floors is great (this includes my cars)
Stress relief, yes it works no Xanax for me
Just think about it:
No one can talk to me when I’m vacuuming
The TV can’t be on because you can’t hear it
Anything left out the night before has to be picked up so I can vacuum
If you are sleeping, it’s time to get up
If you put in your headphones you can vacuum with Pharrell (HAPPY)
I have a valid reason to move the furniture
Last week I was lying in bed at 2 am thinking about how I was going to rearrange the bedroom when we got up
My best friend is the beauty guru and her lashes are amazing. I have gone and had lash extensions that made me crazy because I felt like I couldn’t wash my face, my issue but I have to wash off mascara.
So a few weeks ago my girl brought over lashes and schooled me on how to put them in easily. Ha right this is a lie, big fat lie. She showed me in like 5 minutes just glue, place, etc. I was going to a party, it took me 5 tries, a tube of glue and a whole lot of laughing but got them on.
I’m sure this is easy if you put lashes on daily but for me this was hilarious and difficult. I love them but good lord help me….
I love the holidays but not for the same reasons as most people. I love the holidays because it provides some much needed downtime and my boys are normally home. It has always been interesting to me that this is the only time of the year I ever hear or see anyone express gratitude. So my question is why? Every year they have holiday toy drives and let’s volunteer to serve holiday meals but what about the rest of the year.
I am very blessed to be employed and have a permanent place to call home. There are a lot of people who don’t have this and struggle daily just to find a safe place to sleep. I don’t know what the answer is to help solve this problem and the circumstances that lead to homelessness could impact any of us at anytime. I heard a statistic that each of us is just one paycheck away. Let that sink in for a moment.
What can I do to help create a brighter future for others and ensure I also remain self sufficient? Here are a few ideas:
Engage and talk to people
We never know someone’s story so be kind
Most people are willing and grateful to be treated no different than anyone else (I learned this when I worked in the corrections field)
respect and eye contact go a long way
Gather a group of friends and do a closet purge
We all have way to much stuff
I have crap in my closet that still has tags on it
Giving much needed clothing to those in need can change someone’s entire perspective and outlook
If you look good you feel good my mom used to say
When you travel take those free toiletries
These are the perfect size to put in a care bag for others
For women feminine hygiene items are key so pick up a few extra on your next trip to the store
Inexpensive and necessary
Spend as much on those in need as you do for xmas gifts
If you plan to spend $300 on gifts spend the same on items for any cause
I am passionate about St Judes, animals, veterans, and rehab centers
There are young people who get out of the military and rehab that have NO support
Last stop thinking that you NEED everything you see, Pay off those credit cards and cut them up, pay off your vehicle if you have one and drive it til the wheels fall off. Do you care if the person at the stop light thinks your car is great? Ugh no
I have committed to this and as of this month I have no debt other than my house and the student loan that I now am hitting hard to pay off in full. All of these saving can then be used to help others. Get inspired and do something great
let’s just be honest as we age our eye brows become sparse or for me pretty much non existent. I decided to go visit my bff’s brow lady this week, here is day 1. They are beautiful but dark, just the first step to the end goal. My husband said Burt from Sesame Street ha. I will post weekly progress but I’m juiced to see the final results.
Ok today was brow touch up, so beautiful
They are always DARK on day 1 but final will be Fantastic
The past week I decided that I was not drinking nearly enough water. I figured that your water intake should be comparable to your wine intake, ha so I picked up this super cute new water bottle that is 24 ounces and determined it was good to drink 5 of these per day.
I have done a good job of taking the bottle everywhere I go but man the first week I spent more time in the restroom than I did at my desk. Maybe that was just my perception but good lord how many times can one person pee in a day, A LOT I tell you.
The health benefits of drinking water are also a motivator:
Clears toxins- good bye wine
Skin care- maintains turgidity
Relieves constipation- not my issue
Reduces hangover symptoms- again good bye wine
Weight loss- um no I’ve gained 3 lbs, really???
Improves brain function- my old brain needs this
Regulates body temperature- I am the coldest woman in America so let’s hope this is true
I am back in the gym too, this should help eliminate the 3 lbs. of water hopefully but right now I feel like the attached photo. I am hoping that Jesus will come turn my water to wine soon.
