One Day At A Time....

     Well, It's finals week. You may wonder how I have time to write a post during finals week. I am able to do so because all of my classes that required finals gave them out last week, so I have no finals or final projects or assignments due this week! What a relief that is!      This semester has been an interesting one. School has been great and other than a rough start in one of my classes, I should be getting at or above a B+ in one class and A's in the other 2 classes. I've been working at the University of Toledo since August and while I love it here, I still feel as if I am in limbo land. I have been temping here since the beginning of August, filling in for a lady on leave. She has extended her leave at least 2-3 times since I have been here and is probably going to retire at the end of the year instead of come back to work. While I am grateful to be here, I wish I knew what next year would bring, employment wise. Because I am only a te...

Ingredients 1 lb cooked chicken, cut in cubes or shreaded 1 package frozen brocolli (I like to get the kind you can microwave right in the bag) 1 small can sliced mushrooms (chopped up a tad if desired) 1/2 a shallot or 1/4 c onion, diced 8 oz cream cheese 2 packages crescent dough seasoning to taste sautee mushrooms, onions, salt and pepper in a bit of olive oil.  add chicken, cream cheese, cooked brocolli and stir untill cream cheese melts.  add some yellow shreaded cheese. on a cookie sheet, open a package of crescent dough (the triangle ones). As you unroll the package, you will see triangles. pinch together 2 of the triangles to make a rectangle. scoop some filling on one end, fold over and pinch the edges closed. cook at 350 for about 15 minutes, or untill golden brown. (omit/substitue any ingredients you dont like at your own risk.) Makes about 8 chicken squares, with some extra filling left over (depending on how much you fill yours up)

Tonight I am grateful for timing and people. I'm grateful that of all times to have an unexpected outdoor electrical fire at my parents house, it was still durring waking hours with people in view of the window, so it was caught quickly instead of when people were sleeping or out of view. We had just finished playing a game when I looked out the kitchen window to see sparks comming off the house. Then I realized that THERE WERE SPARKS COMING OFF THE HOUSE! After a brief panic of figuring out what was going on, and having the lights/power flicker and go out, we got everyone out of the house and called 911. Gratefully, we live in the city instead of the outskirts so the fire department was able to come quickly, taking care of the fire before it did any damage to the house. (Also, kudos to the neighbor who allowed us to use his electricaly rated fire extinguisher) The fire department assessed the situation, and informed us that Toledo Edison should be there in he next 1-2 hours to re...

"The future of this world has long been declared; the final outcome between good and evil is already known. There is absolutely no question as to who wins  b ecause the victory has already been posted on the scoreboard. The only really strange thing in all of this is t h at we are still down here on the field trying to decide which team's jersey we want to w e ar!" ~Jeffrey R. Holland

 Look at that snake! Chloe don't care!

A made up recipe by Julie Perry  1 lb mild ground sausage 3 small zucchini 1 4oz can sliced mushrooms (do not drain) 1 8oz can diced tomatoes with Italian seasoning (do not drain) ¼ c diced onion 1 ½ c water shredded cheese salt pepper Italian Ms. Dash Begin to cook sausage with the onion in a medium sized pot. Once sausage is cooked add in the can of tomatoes and can of mushrooms. Add 1½ cups of water to the pot with 1¼ cups of couscous. Bring mixture to a boil until the couscous is cooked and remaining liquid is boiled away. Cut the zucchini in half and scoop out the middle. Season the zucchini with the salt, pepper, and Italian Ms. Dash. Fill the zucchini with the sausage mixture and bake for 20-25 minutes at 400F or until fork tender. Top with shredded cheese for last 5 minutes of cooking time. Note: This makes much more stuffing than the 3 small zucchini can handle. Reuse leftover stuffing in almost anything!

    A friend of mine (Brad Kita) and I have been practicing a few vocal pieces to perform at church one of these days. We both enjoy singing, yet do not get the opportunity to perform as much as we would like to because we do not currently have a branch choir. Right after work yesterday, I rushed down to BG so he could let me into the church to play the piano while he went to look at some houses with his realtor. I probably shouldn't have made it down there as fast as I did, but I made it to the church before Brad did, and he works in BG already!     After practicing the piano and singing for 3 hours last night after work, I was exhausted! Who knew that much music would make me so tired!     How tired was I you may ask? I got home a bit before 9 pm and laid on the couch, debating what to have for dinner. Seeing as I rushed down to BG straight from work to get into the church, I didn't hav...

(Quote credit: www.spirituallythinking.blogspot.com ) Photos by me

This is one of the questions I was asked for my final paper for my Intro to Ed class. Here is part of my response: "While I do not believe education can completely fix society on it’s own, it can surely help the work along. As a teacher, teaching children the importance of being active in their own education and showing them you believe in them enough to help them instills a sense of pride in themselves that will help them make better choices in life. However, I believe the statement by David O. McKay sums up the importance of the home and family in regards to fixing society: “The home is the first and most effective place for children to learn the lessons of life: truth, honor, virtue, self-control; the value of education, honest work, and the purpose and privilege of life. Nothing can take the place of home in rearing and teaching children, and no other success can compensate for failure in the home” (McKay)"

I am approaching the end of yet another school semester with lots of deadlines quickly approaching. As of this minute, I have 7 projects or papers to work on due anywhere from later today to 6 days from now. Am I worried? A little. Have I started any of these? Nope, not really. But I will be shortly....

I can't say it's entirely been rough... just the last 20 minutes. The rest of my weekend was great! (that's for a happier blog post later.) As I was on my way home from a birthday party, I realized tomorrow is Monday. I have to go back to work tomorrow. And I don't want to. Going along with that is I'm sick of my job and I'm sick of complaining about my job. I'm grateful for the ability I have to work and provide for myself. I really am. But this last year, it's been really rough. Between a new boss and new rules and procedures I just dont want to be there anymore. I really dont! I'm sick of disliking Sunday nights so much because I know what the next day will bring. Frustration, anxiety, loathing, genereal dislike, feeling underappreciated. I dont know how much more of this job I can take! I was so worked up about this on the way home that I was crying. Then when I walked in the door of my house, I was to the point of being angry. I practicly threw...

     Every year at my office, the president of the company gets flowers delivered from some lady for Sweetest Day. (He's not married. And why the flowers are delivered to the office is beyond me; the guy spends 98% of the week outside the office. I may see him for an few hours every couple weeks. They literally sit on his office coffee table for weeks and dry out. Then he puts the dried skeleton of flowers on the top of his shelf with the flowers from the past.)      Every year, I wonder for a brief split second, while I am taking the flowers from the delivery person, if someone is sending me flowers. Then I always get that little twinge of disappointment when I read the card and find out they are not for me.      Well, I got a call around 1:15 this afternoon from Ken's Flower Shoppe in Perrysburg. They tried to deliver something to my house, but I wasn't home and they wondered if I want to pick it up after work. I tried to ...

(I actually starting singing the song from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory when I typed that title.... ) Things I'm currently craving..... Creativity Flexibility Understanding I realize these are not cravings in the typical sense of the word. I guess these are more things I am really wanting right now. Creativity -       I want to be able to use my creativity. Unfortunately, the job I currently have doesn't require a lot of creativity. Problem solving, sometimes... just not creativity. Too often at work I have to do my job someone else's way. "It's been done like this for years, and it works, so why change the way we do things." Now, If I decide to change the way I do things, it's OK with me. But when other people I work with want to make me change the way I do things, I have a problem with that. Flexibility -      I just walked outside to get the mail from the mail box and I...

As the weather warms We think a bit more Of nature and being outside. We sit on the lawn Relax in the sun And enjoy what the world can provide. Clean air and blue skies Birds and bugs flying buy And yet we are still not content. We just can’t let go Of what computers bestow Oh, look at the time that we’ve misspent Emails and tweeting Everything beeping We wonder why our years are a blur We must take a step back Get our priorities on track And decide what in life really matters? Poem written me, Julie Perry on 3/15/12 for my Reading Poetry class.

     I realize I have fallen behind in my Blog-a-day 2012 goal. I'm ok with that. Life has been pretty crazy with school, work, traveling, attempting to excercise more, getting financial things figured out, etc. That last one still isnt figured out 100%....probably not even 40%.      I've thought for a while about quitting my job this fall. I am wanting to graduate much quicker than my current path is taking me. I have been attending classes on a part time basis at UT for the last three anda half semesters. If I continue taking classes part time till I have to go full time, it might take me about five and a half years.  That's YEARS! But, if I start taking classes full time starting this fall, I could be finished in about three to three and a half years. Doing this also allows me to save quite a bit of money in the long run. By not dragging out my schooling, I am eliminating semesters. By doing this, I dont have as many of the "sam...

Sometimes, watching 4 back to back episodes of The Cosby Show online is a grand idea. Tonight was one of those nights.

This quote comes from a man who I have a great deal of respect and appreciation for. President Kim W. Beck was the 1st Bowling Green University Branch President when the branch was formed several years ago. (almost 10 years now.) "What does the Lord see in us that we don't see in ourselves?"

"You never saw me period and why? Because I am not 5’9” and slinky with long blonde hair and a perky little nose that would fit in a bottle cap. You haven’t the faintest idea how terrific I am. For your information I happen to have a fantastic sense of humor, a bubbly personality, and I am warm and sensitive like you wouldn’t believe. I also sing and play guitar and I am learning to tap dance. And on top of all that I happen to be cute as hell!" ~Nurse Kelley to Hawkeye   Click here to watch this clip on YouTube.  

“Decide what you want, decide what you are willing to exchange for it. Establish your priorities and go to work.”  ~H. L. Hunt

Happy Birthday Grandma Hall!!!! Obviously, she's the beautiful lady on the far left.  Lady in the middle? Cousin Diana Hall Jenson on her wedding day. Good lookin' guy on the right? Grandpa Hall!

photo found at http://lifehacker.com/5831343/everyone-is-a-genius

Chloe's 10th Annual Birthday Cheeseburger! Enjoy a snippet of the video Michelle posted to Facebook yesterday. And yes, I know this video is sideways....

Waking up 5 minutes before your alarm clock to the sound of a cat screeching and howling outside kinda stinks, especially after waking up around 1:30 am and not being able to go to sleep till around 4 am the same night.

It's 3 'blessed' a.m.! Even roosters are comatose! -- Colonel Potter

"Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted." ~Randy Pausch (Ali Rackley used it in her testimony today.)

I drove to Kirtland with Chiara Cameron tonight to attend a mid-singles fireside and dinner. The fireside's speakers were Elder and Sister Celdon. Elder Celdon, formerly President Celdon, had been a stake president in the Kirtland area and has been called as a member of the 6th quorum of 70. I really appreciated the speakers. A few snippets of wisdom from the talks: Sister Celdon read the book "Ohio Thunder" and then spoke on how to prepare for spiritual storms. Strengthen our faith in Christ Great faith has a short shelf life. Pray for what to do and react quickly when the answer comes. Read the scriptures 5 minutes a day Elder Celdon spoke of some of his time in the military as well as a great analogy about a tandem bicycle. "We volunteered for the Lord's plan; we weren't drafted".~Elder Celdon On a bicycle built for 2, the Lord is in front and we are behind him. We cant see what's ahead of us, but we can pedal and work and continue...

Never insult seven men when all you have is a six shooter -- Colonel Potter

On the road again.... This time to Pokagon State Park around Angola, Indiana for the annual YSA toboggan run trip. Not many pictures were taken, though many were attempted. It's quite hard to photograph a group of people speeding down an iced hill at 40 miles an hour. But, here is a pretty picture of some trees.... And the front of a sled.... Update: 2/7/12-Obviously, I havnt gotten the pictures off my camera yet... Soon...hopefully.

I've got a guy at work who in all seriousness said "I thought she (meaning me) was 19..." um, no. that's shaving a bit too much off.... I don't mind when people think I'm a couple years younger than I am.... but 9 years shaved off? really?   (BTW: I hope to be back to my normal blog themed schedule next week...)

Yea, nothing too exciting today. Went to work, got the carpets cleaned at work, went to school, sat thru an incredibly boring poetry class, drove home, had pizza and Chex Mix for dinner, watched some of the Winter X Games. Yea, I know. super exciting.... total snooze fest....

Today was not a good day. Nearing the end of my work day, I was about to bite off heads. Nothing major happened, just a lot of little things adding up that I did not appreciate. (Even getting a page of extremely small typing thru the fax machine made me really mad!) There are times I go through stuff and realize I am not being appreciated for what I do. It has happened to me frequently over the past few years at work and in my personal life. I think this need to feel appreciated is part of what is fueling my desire for completing my degree.

I realize I kinda slacked off and just put quotes for the last few blog entries.  But as long as I have a post for every day this year, I'm still on track, right? Today's post about UT is short. I left work a bit early (with permission) to finish (ok, start and finish....) some discussion board posts that I had neglected to do before my 5:45 poetry class. I'm telling you, if I didn't have to take this class, I wouldn't. It's kinda boring, and the teacher is kinda odd. (Why do I get the weird ones?) While logged into BlackBoard, I saw a message from my Intro to Education teacher stating that class was cancelled for the evening! (Yippee!!!!) So I came home and had a realaxing night, and worked on more neglected homework. (See, such an exciting evening.....)

"My kids had a hard time going to sleep and they liked to celebrate. So I would rock them to sleep...I just couldn't find a big enough rock! (Motions bopping someone on the head with a rock) ~Grandpa Bruce Hall

"Moral standards can not be changed by battle or ballot. They were designed before the world began." ~Elder Boyd K. Packer

Nobody can get the truth out of me because even I don't know what it is. I keep myself in a constant state of utter confusion. -- Col. Flagg

I can't do it, I'm not a psychiatrist. I am not screwed up enough. -- Hawkeye

It's too big a world to be in competition with everyone.  The only person who I have to be better than is myself.  ~Colonel Potter

This is one of my favorite quotes from M*A*S*H.... "I will not carry a gun.... I'll carry your books, I'll carry a torch, I'll carry a tune, I'll carry on, carry over, carry forward, Cary Grant, cash and carry, carry me back to Old Virginia, I'll even hari-kari if you show me how, but I will not carry a gun!"  ~Hawkeye, Officer of the Day

I sit in the front of the classroom in college. It forces me to pay attention instead of goofing off as much. (but in some classes, goofing off with my iPod Touch and UT's free wireless is inevitable.) My poetry class makes me wish to rethink my choice to sit up front. My professor came in, announced that she thinks she cought something from her grandkids and that she didnt feel well. (no, she didnt throw up on me... ewww) but she sat right in front of me for about the entire class. That's just too close especialy if you are sick and reading entire passages from the book out loud.... I need to find some OJ, vitamin C, zinc, etc. I really don't want to get sick.

I've decided to write down the words to a song I enjoy that talks about family history..... Well, I changed my mind. Instead, I'm going to post a link to the song via the writers webpage. ( Sally DeFord ) The name of the song is "To Those Who Came Before Me" by Sally DeFord. Enjoy!

"Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid." — Albert Einstein

Who? Myself, Jennie, Christina, Michelle Were? Ann Arbor, MI! Why? Because we felt like it! OH MY GOODNESS! This store smells SOOOO good! If you need a spice, they probably have it! After being in The Spice Merchant, we all were getting hungry. So we went to.... Customizeable dish of meat, starch, veggies, fruit, sauce, and seasoning? YES PLEASE! Although, from the looks of this next picture, I don't think Jennie got enough meat.... Today's foot picture brought to you by: Jennie, Christina, and the leftovers! As we were walking back to the car, Christina took the opportunity to take a picture that I really like (credit goes to Christina for this photo) Great way to spend a Saturday!

(Cracker Barrell, Perrysburg OH)

I did go to class tonight. In case you wondered how I had time to make cookies and pizza...I'm awesome like that! I used the bread maker to make the pizza dough and then decided to make chocolate chip cookies. Pictures to come shortly. (when I remember to take the picture)

Tomato Avocado Salad 3 ingredients.... tomatos, avocados, Garlic Expressions dressing chop tomatos and avocados, toss with dressing.... enjoy! I realize it dosent look too appitizing, but try it! You may like it! (I sure do! I ate 3 roma tomatoes, and an avocado for dinner last night!)

Well, classes start tonight. (5:45-9:45 pm). It's going to be a long day. (work 8-5, class 5:45-7:00, 15 minute break, class 7:15-9:45pm, drive home, pass out.) So, because nothing much is going on school wise right now, here's another installment of  Random JLP Q&A   Are you addicted to anything? Air. Definitely addicted to air. Just can’t get enough of it. (My name's Julie, and I'm an air-aholic.) Do you find excess piercings/tattoos attractive? Absolutely not. Can you lick your elbow? Nope. I think that this is impossible for about 99% of the population. Even still, knowing this, people still look like idiots trying! When you wake up, what's the first thought that runs through your head? Usually random song lyrics. This morning I woke up to a mash up of Lamb Chop’s Play-a-long theme song and the Irish Drinking Song from “Who’s Line Is It Anyways?” If you jumped out your bedroom window right now, how injured would you be? Depend...

Painting by Gilbert and Jane Stuart Oliver Hazard Perry US Navy Commodore War of 1812 Born August 23, 1785 Died August 23, 1819 - died of yellow feaver while in the West Indies/South America. Famous Quotes: "We have meet the enemy and they are ours." Sailed on the USS Niagra with a flag stating "DON'T GIVE UP THE SHIP" (Fore more information about Oliver Hazard Perry, click here ) 

"You need help from a power beyond your own to do something extraordinarily useful." James E. Faust. "And some days you may need that power to just to be ordinarily decent and kind." John Thomas Both of the above quotes were from a devotional given at BYU-Idaho by John Thomas on November 6, 2007 entitled "Don't Be In A Hurry" (click here for a PDF of the devotional) Read this devotional! I really enjoyed when I found it a year or so ago. I liked it so much that it made it in my binder of my favorite church talks. I keep it in my church bag so I can have something spiritual and uplifting to read in case I don't/cant pay attention to the talks in Sacrament meeting. Want to know what all is in this binder? Here ya go! The Reflection in the Water by President Uchtdorf Don't Be in a Hurry by John Thomas True Love by Richard Turley Confidence Tests by Lance B. Wickman Look to the Light, Live for the Light, Be a Light by Jennifer O...

I know I'm weird. It's part of who I am. So as part of Road Trip Saturday, Michelle or I will take a picture of our feet wherever we happen to go. So, without further adeu....This is Michelle's foot. We took a road trip Saturday to.... the Toledo Art Museum! Steggy Each time I visit this museum, I have to see my relative. Meet Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry! I will write more about him on Monday as part of my Family day post! Michelle and I mainly went Saturday because it was the last day we could view the Egypt Experience exhibit. We couldn't take pictures in the exhibit, but we could take pictures of our hand stamps in the car when we got done....  So we did! :) All in all, it was a pretty fun trip!

RALPHIES!!!!! This is the famous Chicken Chunks (Zesty, with a side of ranch) and a bowl of French Onion Soup. And what do you do while you wait for dinner? Play Battleship using Keno sheets! Why not!

I did make a project tonight. I just don't have a picture for it yet. it will be posted when I take it. I used vinyl and a great Dr. Seuss quote. I think it looks kinda awesome! It's hanging up in my room right now!

Crock Pot Cream Cheese Chicken (Ingredient list and instructions can be found by clicking link above) (Photo credit-Sandy from CA) I have read that this is a very tasty recipe. So I decided that this is what I want to have for dinner/lunch this week. I just need to start it in the crock pot before work and come home to a mostly made meal! Hopefully I can take some pictures of my own attempt of this recipe and let you know next Wednesday how it turned out!

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE? I share a middle name with my mother. 2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? A couple weeks ago. It was a Sunday and I was in the process of having a musical fit. (Musical fit for me means playing the piano in the attempt to get my mind to work thru or temporarily relocate my complicated blender of feelings.) 3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING? Yes and no. There are times I wish it was different, but as long as I can read it, I'm fine with it. 4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT? Pepper Turkey or Rosemary Ham. YUMMY! 5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? Not yet. Gotta have a hubby first. 6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? Probably. We'd enjoy a lot of the same things, so I think we would be friends. 7. DO YOU USE SARCASM ALOT? Sometimes. Depends on what mood I'm in. 8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? Yupp. 9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP? HECK NO! 10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL? Currently either Lucky Charms or Lif...

So, bring on the daily blog posting! On Mondays, I hope to do a little update on the happenings of my family. Here we go! D ad is still working as a professor at Owens Community College and teaching webcourses at Tiffin University. M om works for the City of Perrysburg in the payroll department. She seams to really enjoy where she works. Mom and Dad also work as temple workers at the Columbus Temple on almost every 1st and 5th Saturdays. J ennie is getting ready to start her 2nd semester at UT, majoring in Art. She works in the admissions department for the Toledo Hospital C hristina is starting her 3rd semester at Owens, majoring in International Studies. She has been working at Starbucks for a few years now and is currently a supervisor there. As for me... I 'm still working full time at Thermeq Company. I am also getting ready to start my 4th semester at the University of Toledo, majoring as an Intervention Specialist (aka: Special Educati...

Some call them New Years Resolutions, others call them goals. I call them.... well I dont know because I never seam to be able to stick to them. And yet, almost each and every year, I take the time to write out what I want to accomplish in the new year. These are not currently listed in order of importance: Blog about something ever day of 2012. Yes, that means there should be at least 366 entries this year (btw: it's a leap year) Loose weight.            Yes, I realize there are MILLIONS of people who are going to make this goal today. I've made it myself for many years. It's the one goal 90% of America won't achieve. (sidenote: I wonder how busy the Y is going to be come next week.) Continue with my 4.0 in school.           So far, in the 3 semesters I have completed at the University of Toledo at the time of writing this, I have been able to maintain a 4.0 GPA! This is a great accomplishment, esp...