I lived on my own for most of my twenties, and although I usually had a boyfriend or friends to have dinner with, I had many meals to myself. During that time, I didn't eat very well, and survived on some pretty sad meals.
When I was really poor, I would eat spaghetti noodles and ketchup, with a sprinkling of Kraft Parmesan cheese - that was my spaghetti. Or I would make a type of sloppy joe using up some stale bread for the bun. Or a double batch of Tuna Helper Au Gratin was what you served when some friends came over.
Fast-forward several years and there are a couple more people in my house, and a bit more money and much more food on my shelves, but you know what? I still crave some of those foods. My husband thinks I'm insane but I'm sure I'm not the only one. Isn't that what comfort food is all about? Food that you ate when times may not have been good but they were certainly memorable?
Like the time I ate spaghetti in a glass that was heated on a BBQ. Sure it was 3am at some university student's house and we had all been drinking, but still... those were good times. Good times.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
In Search of.... Me!
For years I have been searching for 'my passion'. I've looked in so many places. I've done so many tests. Family encourages me to find it or to keep looking, but admittedly I'm getting a little tired of The Search.
In a recent Success Magazine interview, I listened to the speaker talk about how successful people don't have good golf or bowling scores because they spent their time focusing on their success. And as I thought about this, coupled with the idea of downsizing, I debated giving away all my craft supplies. That would clear out a lot of room, plus I'd have more time to focus on "ME".
But as I was crocheting this afternoon, I was pondering my future and I thought - what if my crafts lead me to my passion? What if this is what I am supposed to do? What if I keep doing my crafts and one day I develop the one thing that makes my heart sing and I become famous (and prosperous) for it?
Some life coaches tell you to "do something, anything, just pick and do!" In the absence of a better idea, do I remain doing my crafts? Maybe if I turn off the TV or stop listening to my iPod and continue to think about my life while crafting, I'll come up with the idea.
I'm curious - how do you know what to do?
In a recent Success Magazine interview, I listened to the speaker talk about how successful people don't have good golf or bowling scores because they spent their time focusing on their success. And as I thought about this, coupled with the idea of downsizing, I debated giving away all my craft supplies. That would clear out a lot of room, plus I'd have more time to focus on "ME".
But as I was crocheting this afternoon, I was pondering my future and I thought - what if my crafts lead me to my passion? What if this is what I am supposed to do? What if I keep doing my crafts and one day I develop the one thing that makes my heart sing and I become famous (and prosperous) for it?
Some life coaches tell you to "do something, anything, just pick and do!" In the absence of a better idea, do I remain doing my crafts? Maybe if I turn off the TV or stop listening to my iPod and continue to think about my life while crafting, I'll come up with the idea.
I'm curious - how do you know what to do?
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
The Dog Days
Years ago, a boyfriend taught me that there are two things you can never criticize or talk negatively about - people's dogs and people's kids. And although I'm no expert on children, I do know a thing or two about living, loving and training dogs.
I currently have a 10 1/2 month old chocolate Labrador who is becoming a very wonderful little girl. She's eager to please and loves training and really hasn't been a problem at all except for the shedding (that's another whole post!).
One of her daily routines is to play fetch in our backyard. - and being a retriever, we're outside a couple times a day. During this time I can observe the neighbour's daily activities. They have a 9 month old shepherd lab cross who seems to be a terrible little trouble maker; she's chewed up patio chair cushions and plant pots and she's dug all over the yard. And she's been getting in trouble from her owner and his friends as they play with their RC cars on his backyard track.
And what I want to say to them, but can't, is that there dog is the way it is BECAUSE IT'S BORED! Plain and simple. This young dog doesn't get enough attention. Just because he sits on his balcony smoking doesn't mean the dog is getting an activity at all. As I'm throwing the "ball" (it's actually a fat squirrel toy) and my dog is happily returning it to me, this poor thing is getting yelled at for entering the track and chasing RC cars. Poor thing.
I was so tempted to go over to the fence and say, "here, let me take her for a while" and play with her.
What needs to happen before people take the time to understand and care for their animals? Will they ever realize that a little bit of extra attention in the beginning will give them a wonderful companion? Why do some people get dogs in the first place?
I currently have a 10 1/2 month old chocolate Labrador who is becoming a very wonderful little girl. She's eager to please and loves training and really hasn't been a problem at all except for the shedding (that's another whole post!).
One of her daily routines is to play fetch in our backyard. - and being a retriever, we're outside a couple times a day. During this time I can observe the neighbour's daily activities. They have a 9 month old shepherd lab cross who seems to be a terrible little trouble maker; she's chewed up patio chair cushions and plant pots and she's dug all over the yard. And she's been getting in trouble from her owner and his friends as they play with their RC cars on his backyard track.
And what I want to say to them, but can't, is that there dog is the way it is BECAUSE IT'S BORED! Plain and simple. This young dog doesn't get enough attention. Just because he sits on his balcony smoking doesn't mean the dog is getting an activity at all. As I'm throwing the "ball" (it's actually a fat squirrel toy) and my dog is happily returning it to me, this poor thing is getting yelled at for entering the track and chasing RC cars. Poor thing.
I was so tempted to go over to the fence and say, "here, let me take her for a while" and play with her.
What needs to happen before people take the time to understand and care for their animals? Will they ever realize that a little bit of extra attention in the beginning will give them a wonderful companion? Why do some people get dogs in the first place?
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