I Got It From My Momma!!

So yesterday, I spent pretty much all day standing in our kitchen prepping meals for the up coming week.
 All the recipes I followed are from the Good Cheap Eats book.

I'm making 5 meals this coming week and they are ready to be cooked. I didn't cook anything before hand, except for the chicken for the chicken black bean and rice soup. I boiled the chicken legs in water with garlic, carrots, celery, and half an onion so that I got some chicken stock for the week as well. It turned out very well.

Three Jars of Chicken stock for soup and making rice this week.

I also got out the bread machine and made some amish white bread. It turned out so fluffy and good. I had some toast this morning and the slice of bread was a tad bit too big for the toaster. That's good bread right there.

As for the other meals, I made my own "Rice a Roni" jars, (one cup of rice with all the seasonings I need for the meal).
And also made my own "Shake-n-Bake" for tonight's dinner.

 I've got vegetables cut and ready to go, and everything measured out.
 I feel very accomplished. And also, I have missed doing stuff like this. I used to when I lived at home and was first married. But after a few years, and after having to work three jobs at a time, I've just fallen out of routine and just forgotten how much fun I had doing prep work and making sure that the pantry is full of ready to go meals and what not's.

Chopped and measured out, ready to be cooked.

The Green Beans already have olive oil and seasoning on them, ready to be roasted in the oven!

Beef, Chicken, and more vegetables in the freezer. 

 
Not pictured is my sourdough starter! I'm very excited about this, I love sourdough bread and rolls. I'm a bit nervous at how it will turn out, but the recipe and instructions seem simple enough.
 You can get all the recipes I am using from the Good Cheap Eats book, and also the blog .

My momma got me this book for Christmas, and I've been using it everyday sense then.

 Happy Sunday.

~*Arielle*Caitlynn*~

Living...

 As 2017 draws to a close, Everyone is setting their "New Years Resolutions".

-Go to the guy-Be healthy in some new fad-ish way-Find inner peace-Forgive and Forget-

Blah-Blah-Blah...

It's all excuses, all fake. I'm sorry, but, NO ONE Keeps Their Resolutions. I never did. I never will.

But, I'll tell you what I will do...

 I'm going to keep being myself!

I'm going to take care of myself-Love myself-Accept myself-I'm going to TRY!

 Try to be more positive-try to be more accepting-try to be more forgiving-try to me more-ME!

 This is a resolution that everyone and their mothers should set. But let's not call it a resolution, let's call it... LIVING.

 Because that's what it is! That's what we all should be doing-Living.

 ~Don't be so busy trying to make a living that you forget to LIVE~

So, 2018, Let's all just get along and live our lives.

The Holiday Season.

 For Thanksgiving, Josh and I went to North Carolina to visit his dad and step mom. It was a long drive, but I'm happy we went. It seemed that Josh needed to reconnect with his dad once we got there, and I loved seeing the mountains.
 We only spent two days there, but we had fun. (And I got three bottles of wine out of the trip as well)

We also had a Friends-Giving before we left. That was alot of fun.

We just recently had an early Christmas gift exchange as well. Josh's mom, sister, my friend Miranda her husband Jason and son Marshel and our roommate Benny were there. We had dinner and opened gifts. Shared alot of laughs and stories.

 All in All, this has been a very good holiday season so far.

Many Blessings,
 Arielle Caitlynn

Home Photos!!

 We are very blessed and excited to have our own home now. We have been living here for half a year now, and it still feels like a dream to me.
 This weekend starts our first holiday season as home owners and again, we are very excited!!

~*Arielle*Caitlynn*~

It Has Begun!!!!

 Good Saturday Morning To You!

 Well, It's started. I ordered a GED practice book a few days ago and I am now on the path to finally getting my GED and possibly taking the ACT and starting some Online Classes.
 I'm so nervous about this. I was never very good at taking tests, or sitting down for lessons. Hopefully Josh will be patient with me as I go through this small struggle of anxiety, self doubt, and worrisome sleep. But I know it's for the best and that no matter the outcome of all of this, I will have tried my best and it is going toward something I've been wanting to do for a very long time.
 I am so grateful for Josh when I made the decision, He supported my ideas and dreams, and has offered to help me in any way. I also have some amazing friends who are saying that they are so proud of me and believe in me.
 I'm wanting all of this time and effort to go towards getting a degree in Early Childhood Education. I've always wanted to work with children, from day one to pre-k. I'm enjoying my job very much and seeing and hearing this kids learn new words and skills, it just melts my heart.
 I'm almost 27 years old. It's time I do something for myself and my future along the lines of education.

So...

 Be ready for some posts where I may say things like, I Can't Do This! I'm So Stressed and Confused.

But also be ready for some posts where I might say, I DID IT!! THIS IS HAPPENING!!

I'm scared, nervous, excited, happy and ready for this to begin.


 Many Blessings.
~*Arielle*Caitlynn*~

    

It's not always easy...

 Working a 40 hour work week, that is 4, 10 hour days for me. 5, 9 hour days for Josh. Yes the pay checks are worth it, paying our bills, going grocery shopping, and getting some random things for my class room. But at the same time, I'm missing my afternoons off most days. Being able to sit down for a few hours and do a craft or a panting. Work out in the yard, or call a friend. Take a bubble bath.
 Now more than ever I am wishing I had a few more afternoons to myself to get school things done. Cut out the pieces of a craft for the kids to glue, finish coloring and putting together the bulletin board art. Write up and print out welcome and information letters to send home to the parents sense I can't always stay and talk to them. (I also feel odd adding them on facebook...)
 Just an afternoon or two to get caught up on some things. I also feel like I am slacking on house work as well. The yard needs mowed, the floors need swept, food needs prepped, and the cats need attention.
 But going into this job and life style, I knew it wasn't going to be easy. That's why I have Josh. He actually helps out when I need it. He also seems to know when we just need a day to be lazy and watch tv or go horse back riding.
 He likes to watch me print off craft pages for the kids and work on them myself. He is amazing. Sometime he encourage me to get my butt in gear and get things done, but afterwards he sets me free. "Thank you helping with the dishes and cleaning up the kitchen! Go take a bath and read!!" He knows that I need space sometimes. And I Love Him For That.

 Now...
  Being a Teacher for One Year Olds!!
That is a tough job. They don't quite get how to follow some directions. Like...
 *Put the Triangle on the Glue...
*Pick up our toys so we can have Breakfast...
*Shhh.... be quiet your friends are still napping...
 I am trying to find some crafts and work sheets that they can do, with my help.
I am also finding that I am gaining a lot of patience working with these toddlers. And drinking my coffee at record speeds! :)
 But you know. I wouldn't trade my job for any other. Yes waitressing got me quick cash, and bartending was fun. But these kids.
 When they smile and come running to me to give me a hug, or pat my back and tell me it's ok while I'm sitting on the floor crying. They light up my world. It's not always easy...
 But, It's Worth It.

 Wish all this said, does anyone out there know of any good blogs, forums, web sites.... that have good ideas for One Year Olds? I'm looking for printables and downloads, and even places where I can chat with other teachers and get tips and help.
 Any advice is great as well.

Many Blessings!
 Ms. Arielle

Home is Where Ever I Love You

Our New Home, Nearly Done. This was Mid April. Just before the sod was put down. We came by the lot every weekend to check the progress of the our new home. I was so excited to see all had been done. I was most excited to see the hard wood floors and kitchen cabinets. I love our home. 

My Life As It Is...

As I sit, eating cheddar broccoli soup from a coffee mug, in my new kitchen, in my new home (not apartment, HOME) I can't help to feel a little home sick. Home sick for the days when mom would have a baking day and Allison and I would sit and watch Little House on The Prairie as it snowed out side.

 I miss being home sometimes. But at the same time, I am in absolute love with the life I have here in North East Arkansas.

 I am the lead teacher in my one year old class at the learning center. I have a wonderful boyfriend who went out of his way to get us a house to share. He makes sure the bills are paid and that there is always enough money for us to spend on a date night once a week. Now that we have the house, I'm going to start gardening again, and maybe even sell at the farmers market. Who knows, maybe I'll become good friends with some people at the farmers market that I can talk them into coming to the learning center and talking to the kids about home grown food.

 I'm also looking into starting a sensory garden for the school as well. I hared of them while at a seminar. The lady who was speaking had talked about how her son who has autism, had done very well with the garden they started in their back yard. He would go into sensory over-load with the lest bit of change, so the garden introduced change in a healthy way for him to cope. I would love to start a flower garden with my class and show the kids how to be gentle and use soft touches with the flowers, and how to care for them and not just rip them up. Then I'll move on to vegetables.

 I have so many great ideas for my class, but like many teachers out there, I really don't have the time or the means to make my ideas happen. But I'm slowly getting there.

 Now, I'm sure you are wondering. "When did you get a House!?"

At the begging of the year, Josh and I started to look at some homes, and get an idea of what we could afford. As we were looking at some homes, we came upon a new subdivision in the town were the learning center is, and we fell in love! We were able to build and customize our house, pick the colors, the style, a jetted tub, carpet, hardwood floors... everything was picked out by us. I am so happy with our home. I'll work on uploading some pictures. Our back yard is big enough for maybe 4-6 garden boxes, and we are even looking into getting a green house! I'm very excited for the green house. Next summer I plan on going full force into back yard gardening again. I'm hopping momma can come down and help me out and maybe even grandma Joanne. I do need to start doing more research on gardening in the south. Like when to start certain plants, what type of veggie would do best in the excessive heat, how to harvest and store the plants. So I may become friends with the extension office at the college. And, I'm ok with that.

 Other than teaching and being a home owner. Not much else has been going on. No word on engagements or marriage for Josh and I. Not yet anyways. And that's ok. I'm fine just being with him and learning about each-other and going on adventures.

 We did got to Florida last September. I got to see the Magical World of Harry Potter!!! I was like a little kid again. I bought so much candy. I would love to go again, and get more wands, and maybe some clothing items. But I would also love to go to the beach again. 

 This summer is about the house. We are new to mortgage payments, so we decided to stay home and work on saving up. And I'm ok with that.

 Right now we are planning out our holiday vacations. We might be going to North Carolina to see his dad for Thanksgiving, then Ohio to see my family for Christmas.

 With that said, I'm out of things to talk about. I will work on getting some house pictures up, and that is all for now.

 Many Blessings.

~*Arielle*Caitlynn*~

Dreams do Come True!!

 Well, it's finally happening. I may get to be a daycare/preschool teacher!!!
I'm so very excited. I can't wait to start this new chapter in my career life. I'll be working 4, 10 hour days, from 6 am to about 6 pm. The position that is open that I could possibly fill is working with the 1 year olds. I honestly couldn't describe how happy and excited I am for this opportunity. I'm just so happy. I also may be teaching a new friend how to crochet a blanket for her fiance, and we went to go get some yarn and a crochet hook for her today.
 I never knew what was to come of my life when I decided to stay in Arkansas. I just figured I would continue to waitress and work at the bakery until I got married again and had kids. But now.... My Dream Of Becoming A Teacher Is Coming True!!! I am just so, so, so happy. Wish me luck on my working interview on Monday and keep me in your prayers.
 ~Blessings~
*Arielle*Cailtynn*

No Work Today!!

What do I do on my days off?

Laundry,

Sweep and Mop the floors,

Clean the Bathroom,

Make the Bed,

Clean the Kitchen,

Clean the Dinning Room,

Clean the Living Room,

Unpack all the boxes that have not been unpacked yet,

Find Places for all My stuff with out taking up too much room,

and,

Work out.

All the while, play with the cat,

make lunch and dinner,

listen to music,

do yoga,

maybe call a family member or two.

Yup, I'm pretty busy on my days off, and I kick myself if I don't get anything done. I'm just weird like that. I hate messes, and even clutter. My room, that's my room so what ever, but the living room, dinning room, kitchen, I hate to see clutter. If I had a busy day at work, and I come home to stuff every where and a mess, You can bet I'll have an anxiety attach. I'm becoming more and more like my momma everyday. And that's a pretty good thing.

I don't mind spending my days off like this. I'm going to get some gardening stuff this weekend, and make some garden boxes for salad and herbs.

I'm also working a story entry for my friends website, a story about the number one turning point in my life.

I'm having some troubles with it though, because essay writing was not a strong point in my school, but I'm writing from my heart, and that's all that matters right?!

Well I've got to get some lunch heated up for when Josh comes home for his lunch. Also have another load of laundry to do.

Have a wonderful day.

Many Blessings.

~*Arielle*Caitlynn*~

Wanderlust

When I was little, I never thought much of the ocean.
It was big, dark, wet, scary, filled with strange creatures. The things my nightmares were made of. I am afraid of water, well, water I cannot see in. Dark, cold water. If I can't see the bottom, I wont go in.
 Well, when I went to California back in 2012, I was excited to see someplace new. Though we didn't do much other than sleep, eat and lay on the beach, it was still an adventure for me. But the ocean... Oh That Ocean.
 I couldn't see the end of it, and it was so dark, I was frightened, yet, mesmerized. Here I was, Just a dot, seeing for the first time how big this world was. I was awestruck. I teared up, I looked to the heavens and said, this is bigger than how much you love me?! This, as far as the East is from the West? From one horizon to the other. I was just, awestruck.
 After we returned back to our daily lives, I was hooked. I always thought of the ocean, of the waves. The sound of the water rushing over the shore, the gulls crying in the air. The warmth of the sun reflecting off the white sand. Children giggling in the foam and seaweed. I longed to go back.
 It wouldn't be until 3 years later that I would go back. Not to the same beach or part of the ocean. But back to a beach and see the ocean from a different point of view.
 In May 2015, I went to Florida with my dad, little sister and her best friend. We went to swim with the manatees in Crystal River, then made our way from north to south then back up, all along the coast. The waters in Florida were clear, and a beautiful teal color that I cannot unsee. The sand was softer, The sun was warmer. My heart was better. This was a vacation I needed after my divorce. I was so unsettled, and my soul was restless. That was when I found out for the first time what Wanderlust felt like.
 I was being drawn to go somewhere I have never been, nor ever thought of going. To be someplace new, meet new people, to just be new again. And I am better for it.

Never in a million years would I have ever thought I would put on a wet suit, go out on a boat at 6 o'clock in the morning, plunge into a cold fresh water river, and put my face under water and come face to face with the most adorable creature I've yet to meet, and touch it and almost ride on it as it swam underneath me and rose to the surface. I was terrified. My heart rate went sky high, my breathing was irregular, and I had the biggest smile on my face when my sister pulled my hand over to squishy, hairy boulder just inches in front of her. I reached for Lydias hand and did the same, when we all looked up at eachother, I couldn't tell if it was just water, or tears of joy, but the smiles we shared, and I was so thankful for my daddy. He paid for all of this, drove all night, woke us up, and was just as happy as we were. Just remembering all of this has me worked up.
 And I'm Longing To Go Back.

Growing up, I always thought I was named after The Little Mermaid. We looked alike. Skinny, long red hair, could sing pretty well. But I couldn't swim to save my life. But I do like some water. Pools, baths, hottubs, streams. If I could see and touch the bottom, I was fine. The sound of running water soothes me. Feeling it wash over my skin, like it's washing all the bad in the world away is the best feeling in the world to me. But the Ocean. Those waves, will kill me. I got washed away in a wave in California. Was rolled and flipped, I didn't know which way was up or down. I panicked. I cried, I prayed. I even sent an I Love You to my family in my mind, thinking I wasn't going to make it back to the beach. But luckily, I floated, and made my way back. That was the first and last time I ever went into the water.

 But, In Florida. Allison and I went out so far, the people on the beach looked like dots. We didn't realize this. We just kept walking and talking and watching our feet and looking for seastars and fish.
 When we looked up, the water was up to our chins and only one thought came to mind for me, SHARKS! Time to go back, and quickly, I said to her and we swam, and laughed, and rode waves like we were mermaids. Smiles on our faces. Lydia thought we were crazy and dad did his, I should be upset with you but I just can't be cause look how happy you are, laugh. And we all sat together and watched the sunset over the water.

This winter I have wanderlust so bad, I can't sit still. I keep looking at all my pictures of my adventures from summer, and I am just beside myself I didn't do more. I didn't travel further. That I am living in an apartment instead of a pull around camper and seeing the world.
 I do like my apartment and warm soft bed. I love being with Josh, and my job. But OH THE WANDERLUST!!

The Warm Sun...

 The Colors...

I have made a promise to myself, that this summer, I would go somewhere new.
 A Dessert, A Snow Capped Mountain, A Muggy Rainforest.
              ANYWHERE!
As long as it was new, I was going to go.
 But for now, I have the memories, and those will do.

 
Many Warm Blessings To You.
 ~*Arielle*Caitlynn*~