Let me begin by sharing with you all a little bit about my bout with pneumonia a few weeks ago. It all started with what I thought was yet another cold. Everyone says that after your provisional years as a teacher, your immune system is tough and you won't get sick all of the time. Well my friends, that was a lie. I think this school year, I have been sick more than in years past. Cold, after cold, after sore throat, and throw in another cold! Hopefully, I have rid myself of all future colds, pneumonia cases, and hopefully the flu (Thank you MSD employee flu shot clinic!). All I can say about pneumonia is that it SUCKS!! I literally sat hovering over my humidifyer for 3 days....it was the only solution to my cement filled (seriously, that is what it felt like) lungs. I took a day off work (3 days would have been best...but you know how I feel about leaving my little darlings), got some medicine, and spent UEA on my couch trying to get better. It was a very unpleasant experience that I hope I don't have to deal with anytime soon. I truly feel for people who have chronic breathing issues now. Feeling like you are breathing through a straw is miserable! Luckily, my lungs are pretty clear now, and coughing is the only issue. Let's hope that was my "killer" bug for the year!
As we all know, I am an avid amateur chef. I love to cook, and to eat (hence my amazing physique), so naturally when Satan (AKA my sis) asked my mom and I to compete in the annual "Fall Harvest Smackdown" (which is an Iron Chef inspired cooking competion that Satan's man friend (The Gimp....read his blog....it is quite entertaining)spear heads) last year I was totally in! Well, since all of the Bradley's have a gazillion children to bring and stuff the ballot box when voting on the best dishes, we were shut out last year. I was really miffed about the whole situation to be honest. First of all....what the HELL is a jelly melon?!? And, what kind of secret incredient is that?!?!? It tastes AWFUL!! What can you make with this that won't be VILE?
Even after last years competion, and in my opinion rigged results, my mom and I decided to participate again this year. I was literally afraid of what the secret ingredient would be after last year. How could it get any worse? Well, to my surprise (and I think it is safe to say everyone who participated surprise), that this years secret incredient was this....
Yes, the spicy, yet delicious habanero pepper! I was actually pretty excited about the ingredient this year. I can deal with spicy! Last year we only entered 3 items (an entree....which was the bomb, BTW, an appetizer, and a dessert), we decided to go for 4 this year. For our entree we made a habanero lime marinated salmon with a garlic habanero compound butter. Yum! Our side dish was roasted corn with garlic and habanero. Also Yum! The appetizer we made, which wasn't my favorite but everyone else seemed to love it, was sweet potatoe fries with a mango habanero dipping sauce. And finally, the big hit of the night was my dessert. It was a delicious peach trifle with habanero whipped cream....and boy it was sinful!! We had a lot of fun cooking and getting ready for the competion....and our hard work paid off this year. Team Pneumonia (thank the Gimp for that team name) took home the prizes for best side dish and best dessert!! That's right, we took 2 prizes!!! Now, Seth (the ultimate Bradley smack talker) thinks we rigged the competition this year (because we requested that there be judges....to be true to Iron Chef). What I have to say to that is....may the best chef prevail....and prevail we did!!
And to Seth the smack talker.....did you misplace your trophy? Next year you should take better care of your winnings :).
Now, on to more serious things of note.....
In the past few months, I have learned some valuable life lessons. As many of you know, Cam is finishing his last year of nursing school. And with that, comes a lot of school work. I am amazed at what Cameron is able to do. I watch him study and listen to his online lectures to prepare for tests....and to be honest, I feel like I am listening to someone speak in a foreign language. All of that medical talk, and prescription names make my head spin! I could never survive nursing school, let alone all of the yucky hospital stuff. To get Cameron through school, we have had to make a lot of sacrifices....mostly financially. As strange as it sounds, money has never been an issue for me. I have always worked (since I was 15....wow, almost 11 years now) and bought myself what I needed/wanted. The first two years of our marriage, we seemed to be able to buy everything we wanted and needed....clothes, any Apple product we could get our hands on, basic day to day necessities....you name it.....we needed/wanted it, we bought it. Well, that all changed when Cameron started school. We had to change the way we viewed money. I will be honest, it was hard. There were many months that near the end....I was afraid. Cameron is going to kill me for sharing this....but I have learned so much in the past year. Like everyone says....that which does not kill us makes us stronger. I am now a firm believer in that. I also learned how to grocery shop without spending a fortune! Cooking is my stress reliever. Some people read, or run, or meditate.....me, I want to cook. So coming home from work, and cooking dinner really helps me calm down (and with my job, there are days that I need a lot of calming down). Unfortunately, some of the things I like to cook are not cheap....and I have had to learn to make do with what I have. I have also learned that cheaper, store brand foods taste almost the same as the more expensive name brand items. I know that may sound silly, and make me sound like a total snob, but lets face it.....sometimes I am. So, not only am I so incredibly lucky to have such a smart husband, who is giving up so much to go to school to better our future together, I am actually appreciative for the experience it has given me. It in a way, brought me back to reality....and somewhat made me a more grounded person who appreciates the little things. Too bad it too me almost 26 years to figure that out. Today, I am a stonger, and more fiscally responsible person which will help me greatly in the long run.
Well, I began this lovely post at about 2 PM this afternoon, and it is offically 8:20 PM now. I am officially DONE for today! Only 2 more conferences tomorrow!
Until next time America!
4 comments:
Lindsey, we were the same way! When we lived in apartment, I didn't go to school nor did we have very many bills. Then we got a house and I returned to school and we've had to learn to live without certain things. After you do it for a while, though, it becomes easier. Glad you're over the yucky pneumonia for the most part :)
Linds, you need to post the pictures Cam took of our delicious food! Some of our fans have been waiting to see the pics!
That's so cool that you guys won in that food competition! I envy your cooking skills! Look at all these hidden talents you have! I totally feel you on the money thing too! School makes things tight. Try eating spaghetti sauce from a can! Luckily we can afford the jar now! Haha!
that food competition sounds amazing!!! way to go!
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