Work

About 4 years ago, I completed my credential in special education.  Excited to get to work, I started looking for a new job.  I was a little nervous and a little hesitant at the time, because I would begin working on my masters soon.  My current job at a nonprofit school had offered me substitute work until I found something.  Mom said, "Why don't you quit your job and just focus on school?  I think that it's more important for you to finish school strong. You can always work after."  This wasn't new to my ears. Mom had been asking me to quit my job for over a year.   Although she is ofen proud of my altruism, she also worries that here aren't any limits to it. 

As many people know, jobs are harder to come by these days.  Giving up a perfectly good one before I had the next thing lined up seemed like a horrible decision.  However, my mom's words had planted the seed, and I thought more and more about it.  I had been offered educational loans, and a grant would be paying my tuition.  If I lived frugally enough, I really could focus on school without working. 

So one day, I did it.  I when in to work and said that I was going to be leaving to focus strictly on school.  I was willing to possibly return in summers and when the school desperately needed a sub, but emphasized that I should probably be last on the list. 

I came home that day, proudly awaiting my moment to tell my mom what I had done.  Her forehead wrinkled and she said, "Why would you do that? How are you going to live?  You don't have a job now..."

70

Last October, I got to witness something truly amazing.  I had spent the day with my mom and my younger brother in San Diego for my mom's 70th birthday. We arrived  that night to our home, filled with family from San Francisco and some relatives. At about 10:45 that night we all paused when we heard screams by the front door. We all thought it might be the kids just playing and being loud, but we came to the front to check anyways.
My mom's best friend fell through the front door, shouting "He took my purse!"
Maybe it was adrenaline, but my brothers and I took off running after the guy.  One of my older brothers grabbed the guy, but let him go when he looked like he might be reaching for a weapon.
My younger brother chased down the thief's car to get the plate number while I called the police.
When this all happened, my oldest brother had thrown himself over our nieces to protect them.
Because we had all reacted so quickly, the police were at our house within minutes. They chased the car down the freeway until the man crashed and fled on foot. The K-9 unit following him released a dog on him, and he surrendered after being bitten.
Later that night, the police found that the man had a gun in his car. We all would like to assume that it was our strength in numbers probably prevented him from having the opportunity to use it.
It goes without saying, but when it comes down to it, you protect the ones you love; it's the most valuable lesson we've learned from my mom.

Foodie Love from Pennsylvania

This is late, I know. I have been quite busy juggling work, family time, and a little bit of travel. But, oh, how I do ge so excited when the doorbell rings and a package stuffed with goodies awaits me.  What can I say? I love surprises

This box came from Shelley in Pennsylvania.  The barbecue chips were tasty, and so were the coffee cakes.
There were some Hershey bars and Reese's, which had to wait until after lent, but didn't last very long after.  I have yet to try the funnel cake mix, but I have always wanted to make one.  :)

Shoo fly pie! I had only ever heard of this in books. It was delicious!

I made this pasta with mushrooms and some nutty tofu balls.  It didn't last long.