Monday, March 9, 2015

Meatless Monday March 9th



Another meatless Monday. Being cooped up in your home without out a vehicle of able to get a ride makes it hard to create healthy meals when you run out of things. The best I can do is improvise and do my best.

Tonight's meatless Monday meal included :
Diced purple onions
Diced yellow bell peppers
Sliced potatoes

I am starting to run out of fresh veggies. As I finished the mushrooms up for lunch. 



Lunch was a mixture of :

Scrambled eggs
Yellow bell peppers
Tomatoes
Onions
Mushrooms


Both meals turned out yummy! I was able to have plenty of fresh veggies. I wasn't feeling to well. I took a nap after the kids got home from school. Rascal the pup crawled right up in bed with me, snuggled up under my chin and stayed with me the whole time. 

Now his rambunctious self is ready to play at 10:30 pm. The other dogs want no part of it.

All photos were taken by and belong to rusty2rusty.

March 8th, Thankfulness

Photo from Pixabay
http://pixabay.com/en/startrails-monument-valley-night-485598/
I am staying up late to write this. It is past 1 am. I should be in bed. However, I can not sleep. I am having stomach issues. So, I thought what a better time than now to write what I am thankful for.

I am thankful today was peaceful. Sure my teens fought some. My daughter started her usually crap. 

This momma got smart. I asked my son if he would drop a letter off at the local mailbox outside a popular grocery store uptown. This momma is thankful he jumped at the chance. I also had him pick him, his sister and myself a 6 inch sub from Subway.

I am thankful I have these walls to keep the elements outside out. Such as the wind, rain, and snow. Instead of being cooped up for days. I could very easily have no place to live.

God has provided my family with each other. I am thankful for each of my kids. Even my oldest who never seems to want to hang out at my place anymore. Hopefully that will change soon.

Neither of my boys like for me to take pictures of them. Thankfully my daughter does. At least one of my children understand my passion for taking photos.

Friday, March 6, 2015

A - Z Emotions Challenge : Abandoned

http://pixabay.com/en/old-ship-mud-broken-abandoned-sad-164980/

Today I am starting a 26 series challenge. Where every Friday, I will be doing the next letter in the alphabet based on an a emotion. To learn more about this challenge. Please read below. I have added it at the end of this post.
Today's letter is : A. I choose to write about the word "abandoned".

Abandoned 
******************
Abandoned is an adjective which means desert or cast off. And to be unrestrained or uninhibited 
As an adult I have abandonment issues. I believe it is because of my past experiences where I feel abandoned throughout my life.

It started when I was a baby. I was born into this world blind and deaf. I could not see or hear a thing. Can you imagine what it would feel like to not be able to see or hear anything? I could feel things. I had no clue what they were. 
I think I knew my mom. Maybe it was her scent that I recognized. As she would tell me when she would put me down I would cry til I was held again. She would shake me out of frustration. Abandoned me in the dark.

This went on till I was two years old, when I was lucky enough to have surgery on my eyes and ears. After the surgery I had partial hearing in both ears. A hole was found in my left ear drum that could not be repaired. I received sight in my right eye. My left eye still would not work. I was given glasses to help correct that eye. Which is called a "lazy eye."

Over the years my siblings help me play catch up in learning how to talk and walk normal. We would play in the dark together. As I would wake them to get them to play. The dark was a comfort to me. I still prefer the night over the daylight.

By time I was five, my dad cheated on my mother. I remember going to the woman house. She had a daughter younger than me. Later, my father divorced my mother and married that woman.

During the divorce my mother left my siblings and I at my dad's to find a lawyer. My dad said she abandoned us and won custody of us in court. I took this really hard. As I was closer to my mother, than my father. My mother was always there. My father was not.

I heard a story that mom gave up a chance at custody of us siblings. Instead, she choose to abandoned us to go to my ex stepfathers court hearing instead of our custody hearing. As a young child. This really hurt. I would cry myself to sleep wanting my mother. Only she knew how to smooth my tears.

I never really had a good relationship with my step mother or father. Even though I grew up in their home. I don't remember ever been talked to by either one of them. Only told what chores need to be done, yelled at if it wasn't completed the right way and grounded for months on end to my room. I did not have  a happy childhood.

After graduating, I was working two jobs. My stepmother said I had two quit one of those jobs. I choose the higher paying job. I started staying with a friend off and on. She was my highschool best friend. One day I got off work. all my belongings were sitting at my best friends home.
I felt abandoned again. I did what my stepmother asked. Why was I kicked out of my home without a word to me. Not one word to me. Not one. That was harsh. That wasn't all.

On top of that, one night I was rear ended. This caused me to pass out at work. Causing me to be fired. Thus, I was out of a job.
I decided I was moving to Florida with my best friend. I abandoned Florida, after I got in a fist fight with my best friend. I came home to Ohio. Soon afterwards I met my first husband. Had a child and got married.

Two years later he abandoned both of us. He took the cowardly way out by moving in with another chick without saying a word.
I was staying with my grandmother at the time. He would call my grandmother's harassing. As well as his new girlfriend. It was bad. This upset my grandmother that she cussed me out. I landed in a women's shelter. I felt abandoned once again. This time with a toddler in tow.

Within a year. I ended up hooking up with my estranged husband. Some how he seem to never leave after that night.  fast forward, two kids, married, being shot, and moved to Florida. Then abandoned with two kids back in my home state for another woman.

My estranged husband expressed his fear of losing his job. So, he sent me and the kids to stay with my sister in Ohio. Really he lied. He moved us away. So, he could move his mistress in. Once I learned the news I felt abandoned once again. I fell into a real deep depression. It was bad.

To put a long story short, it took me 8 months to get my place in Ohio. Moving from place to place after being kicked out for different reasons. I was at a point homeless living in my van with my children. I felt abandoned by my estranged husband, my family and friends. My voice wasn't being heard. I felt invisible.
Since, then my life has made a dramatic change.  I am in love with my boyfriend of three years. He doesn't understand my fear of being abandoned. However, he is there for me. He will listen when I need to talk. Or hold me when I can't.
I believe everything I have been through is why I have abandonment issues. 

~~The End

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This series was started by Ruth Cox, a good friend and great writer. To learn more about it. Please click on the photo below.


This post is one, in the many of a 26 week challenge series I have started based on emotions. I will be writing on a different emotion each week. 


Photo from Pixabay. I choose this photo for the word abandoned. I think it fits right in my story.

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

3 Things I am thankful I have

A little bit ago I wrote a rant on Facebook about someone peeing on the back of the toilet seat and not cleaning it up. I took the time to think about this as I was cleaning. I thought what are three things I am very thankful for if those things were no longer available.


1. Toilet - Yes, I hate cleaning it. However, it has more room and stinks less than using a  port-a-potty. It also smells better than an outhouse. I am thankful for the convenience of the modern toilet. 


2. Hot Shower - I love to stand and let the hot water pour on my head, flowing down my back. It helps smooth my aches and pains for a little bit. A hot shower is something I hope I never have to go without for very long. It is a blessing in disguise.


3. Soap - I am very thankful for soap. As I hate being dirty. I am one of those people who will wash my hands several times a day. I like to keep my body and my hands clean. i hate being dirty.

Challenge : Write about three things you are thankful you don't have to live without?

Photos from Pixabay.

Food Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday is sharing photos without words. of course, they will all be food related some how.





Photos taken by and copyright belong to rusty2rusty.

Favorite ABC Foods

I am writing a list of my favorite ABC foods. I know there are some I may not have an answer. I am hoping to fill each letter of the ABC's. I am sure I could do this more than once. As I tend to have more than one favorite food item.


A - Apples, anyone that knows me. Knows my favorite fruit is an apple
B - Banana's, my family seems to enjoy them to
C - Ceasar Salad, I have been on a kick with Ceasar salad lately in all forms
D - Dill pickles, I love dipping them in peanutbutter. Started that trend when I was pregnant with my first child 23 yrs ago.
E - Eggs Benedict, I rarely eat this. As I am the only one in family that seems to like it. Unless I can find a restaurant that makes it. It is on my wish list.
F - Fried Chicken, I miss how my Angel grandma use to cook the family fried chicken
G - Garlic bread, I don't eat much of this either. As I tend to not eat very much bread
H - Hamburgers
I - Ice cream, I will eat ice cream in the winter time
J - Jelly, I eat this sparingly. As I don't eat much bread
K - Kumquat. I fear these fruit are a required taste
L - Lasagna
M - Mashed potatoes, I don't eat these as often as I would like because of all the carbs
N - Nuts, I love adding them in varies meals and as an ice cream topping
O - Olives, another food i don't eat much of because of the salt content they hold
P - Pancakes, I like the stuffed pancakes best
Q - Quesadilla, Chicken and cheese please
R - Raspberries, my boyfriend doesn't share my love for these.
S - Salmon, I enjoy a good grilled salmon
T - Tacos, I add as many veggies as I can to make them healthier
U - Uncle Ben's rice, I can't think of anything else that starts with the letter U that I like
V - Vanilla pudding, I use it a lot when making desserts
W - Watermelon
X - I have no clue. Any suggestions of a food that starts with the letter X
Y - Yams, I can't wait to make these for Thanksgiving
Z - Zucchini

Challenge : What are your favorite ABC foods?

Photo © belongs to rusty2rusty. It was taken at the while on vacation in Texas. I thought a picture of a restaurant would be great for my list of Favorite ABC foods.

Tags : ABC, ABC-foods, Food, Favorite, Food, Favorite-ABC-foods, Favorite

Introducing Moose the Chug

Photo copyright belongs to rusty2rusty.
This photo was taken by me of my male puppy named Moose. When he was 3 months old. He is a Chug, which is a chihuahua/ pug mix. His momma was a tall chihuahua and he was fathered by a pug. Here's a little of his back ground.

I was fostering his momma. I was told she was good with kids. Already potty trained. Non aggressive. Was up to date on shots. She wasn't fixed but had no contact with other male dogs.
Photo taken by and copyright belongs to rusty2rusty.
Got a surprise a couple months later when Moose and his two siblings popped out. They are Halloween pups born on October 31st, 2012. His momma had been tagged by the former owners male chug.

She had issues from the start. She was very aggressive towards my son and boyfriend. For some reason she hated males. So, much she would go to the bathroom on their beds if she could get in to the bedrooms. She would not allow my teenage son to walk down the hall of the trailer we lived in. She would stand at his door and growl. She would not let him out. I did what any responsible mother and pet owner would do. She was re-homed to an older lady with no children.

His siblings were one male and one female. The female looks like a chihuahua, with droopy ears like a chug. Similar in coloring to Moose but lighter in color. She was named Chia. As she was spoken for upon birth. That home became unavailable when they decided they could not get her as they were moving out of state. She was up for re-homing again. I had several no shows and alot of exchanges in emails and texts til she finally found her forever home. She was re-homed to an older lady with a cat.

The other male was much smaller. he is staying the size of a chihuahua. Light fawn in color. He was Moose side kick til he was re-homed. His owner named him Zues. He was with a friend for about a year. That story is for another time of when I fostered Zues. As I am trying to keep this story about Moose.

Photo taken by and copyright belongs to rusty2rusty.
I decided to keep Moose as my own puppy. He took to me right off the bat. As soon as he was born he wiggled right up to my leg. He would be the first one to come out when the pups started walking. He was the most playful and just seem to enjoy being around my family. He loves to play with toys. Or anything he can grab off the coffee table and run with. He also goes outside to use the rest room. He loves playing out in the snow. But hates taking a bath.

Photo taken by and copyright belongs to rusty2rusty.

He has learnt to tree a squirrel. Yesterday, he ran a black cat up the tree in the back yard. This cat stands on the other side of the wire link fence and taunts him. No harm done, the cat got away. However, the other day, a blackbird wasn't so lucky. He is a quick learner. He is also the smartest one of my three dogs.

With Moose I get the best of both worlds, a mix of chihuahua, and a mix pug traits. Moose is very comical and loves to sit in funny positions. I think he is the funniest dog I have ever owned. He also is very receptive when I do not feel good. He climbs straight on my lap and expects to be petted.

Taken by and copyright belongs to rusty2rusty.
When someone new comes over, he sits by my leg and will bark. Til I tell him to stop. He will lay down and stare at them til they leave. Once he warms up to new people. He is all over them and expects attention. He climbs on the couch like a cat. It is really funny. His favorite toy is a little stuff puppy in the first picture. He still has it. I think it is because his momma and siblings scent is on that toy pup.

As you can tell Moose has changed his looks a little bit over the last couple of years. He is still very energetic and eager to please.

Monday, March 2, 2015

Where did the Leprechaun hide the gold?

Photo found on a free use website called Pixabay while looking for the words pot of gold.

This is a fun story I created about a Leprechaun and his pot of gold. This is how it goes :

I have a Leprechaun that lives out back in the woods. I know where he lives because I followed him one day. I had to be sneaky. So, he did not know I was following him. As Leprechauns are smart. They hate to be spied on. As they do not want anyone to find their hidden gold. Gold is one of leprechauns favorite items. They will trick anyone to protect it.

The Leprechaun lives out between the two big trees that come together on top of the big rock at the bottom of the hill. He has made a little area to live. It is like a cave but not. It is a cute little home from the outside. I have never been inside. As I stand too tall. I can not fit. I can only peek through the tiny windows.

I followed the Leprechaun one day to see if I can find his gold. I followed from his home to the big pond, through the bush, around the rose garden where he disappeared. I think he must have noticed me. Out of no where he appeared in my path. He spoke in a demanding voice and asked,"Why are you following me?" Of course, this caught me off guard. I could tell I was in a pickle. As every time I took a step back. The Leprechaun took a step towards me.

The Leprechaun spoke,"You don't like it when I follow you, do you?" I stood there and shook my head no. I muttered,"You scare me." He pointed his finger and sneered,"You best remember that. The next time I see you following me. I will turn into a toad." With a snap of his finger he disappeared.

As quick as I could. I ran home and locked the door behind me. I have no idea where the Leprechaun hides his gold. Nor do I plan on finding it out. I suspect it is hid among the rose with all those sharp thorns to deter people from looking. As I noticed a thorn in the Leprechauns arm dripping with blood. As a few gold coins fell out of his pocket when he walked towards me earlier. It could be a trick. I am not sure. I don't plan on going through the roses with all thorns to find out.

Where do you think the Leprechaun hid his gold?

Challenge : Write about a pot of gold

Leprechaun, Pot-of-gold, Gold, Short-story, Where-did-the-leprechaun-hide-his-gold

Simple Crock Pot Beef Stew

Photo from Pixabay

I love a good hearty stew. Especially on days I don't want to stand over the stove to long or I feel I need to warm up inside. I do alot of hands on cooking where I don't measure ingredients. I have a tendency of grabbing what is on hand and knowing how much to add by eyeing it. This is a way of cooking I have learned from my grandmother and my mother. This recipe does have some bite to it. So, if you like a little fire. You will enjoy this recipe.



Ingredients :

Beef tips
Carrots, chopped
Potatoes, chopped
Chili mix (recipe follows)
I large can of tomato juice for base

Mix all together. Place in crockpot on high for 6 to 8 hours.

Chili mix ingredients :

1 tablespoon paprika
2 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon basil

This can be prepared ahead of time. Keep in an air tight jar.

Recipe, Crockpot, Food, Stew

What Is Moose?

Moose isn't a moose.
Moose isn't a pug.
Moose isn't a chihuahua.
Moose isn't grown.
Moose isn't alone.
Moose isn't mean.
Moose really isn't a purebred.
Moose is a dog.
Moose is a pup.
Moose is a chug.
Moose is a designer breed.
Moose is comical.
Moose really is a mutt.
Moose is crate trained.
Mooose is potty trained.
Moose has a fenced in back yard.
Moose has a soft bed.
Moose has a lot of toys.
Moose has a favorite stick.
Moose has a bone.

Moose has a forever home. Moose is my Chug that was born right before Halloween in 2012. He was a product of an unwanted pregnancy of a previous owner getting rid of their dog. Claiming it was their boss's dog but knew nothing about it. Turns out the previous owner was a known dog flipper and wanted to get rid of Moose's momma before anyone noticed she was pregnant. Her lose, my gain.

Chug , Animal, Dog, Moose, MooseDDog