Some recipes

Hawiian chicken teriaki

Add these 3 ingredients&

 any extra spices you prefer, 4-6 hours in crockpot.

Pumpkin spice cake

Put ingredients together as seen above,

 bake as directed on box. 

current happy things and stress that comes on the side.

We went to the ultrasound yesterday and they are saying it looks like a boy! Such exciting news. I was actually hoping and thinking it might be a girl but I'm happy with either. We also got the call about the apartment while at the Drs office, we are approved.

So now I have a slew of new things to stress about including our current living situation not giving them much notice and questioning if they are going to still want some kind of partial payment because of the short notice. Also we will have to open utilities at the new place which usually has a deposit to get started. I mean, hopefully the catholic charities is going to approve everything for the apartment rent/deposit-wise and that won't stress me too much... I'm just really hoping some positive things are coming our way.

Ate a good dinner and trying to relax at home after a long morning but I keep getting little stress bugs in my ear. I'm also thinking about baby shower stuff... Rob's sister wanted to host it since they have a large house in Jersey (where most of the friends/family reside anyways) but of coarse my Mom doesn't want to cooperate for anything bc she lives in upstate NY. But shes not complaining about traveling (this time!) It's that she doesn't want to impose at their house by bringing the dog (because she hates putting her in the kennel overnight) and that she might have to get a hotel or something because we don't have a place for them to stay there. Also, she doesn't want to put $ in for a car with Rob's parents and isn't giving me a reason why besides what I'm assuming is shes being cheap. (Which we even tried to make a gofundme for but it hasn't gotten any hits) ANNOYED. Like the baby is going to have all kinds of check up appointments and god forbid there is an emergency where he will have to goto the hospital or need medicine asap. But also it will benefit me getting and getting to job(s) where I can make more than unemployment without walking or taking an uber everyday.

 I talk to my mom almost everyday, she helps us out every once in a while financially but I rarely ever see her because shes such a shut-in and shes obsessed with bringing her large dopey dog everywhere with her. Before we got married, it had been like 3 years since I physically saw her.

Anyways, I think I'm going to taper off for tonight.

"A new little family"

Well, this story started last year when I got married to my husband.We decided we would tie the knot and start a family of our own.

Moving on from the toxic environment we inhabited at the time was a task. As only one of us could drive due to an epilepsy condition my husband has. This doesn't prevent him from working, it only limits his abilities to work full-time & also he is paying child support for his son weekly. His take home was around fifty dollars per week if that. So most of the bread winning was done by me for the expenses- Jersey rent was always super expensive even to rent a room.

 We got lucky and friends told us to come out to Pennsylvania to start something of a life here where it's cheaper. So we grabbed everything we owned and went for our dream.

Things were looking up till we lost our car when the head gasket went &the mechanic wanted more than we paid for the car to fix it.  So, uber too work from then on out.

 We got the best news soon after that-I was pregnant with my first. We began our search for an apartment in our price range and a wonderful church said they are willing to help us move in.

We are asking for help too find a source of transportation with the baby due in August it scares me not having a car now if emergency happens, plus it will be helpful for infant Dr appts etc. I really don't mind the walks we take to the baby doctors for me, its actually healthy.  

Anything will help and thank you for reading our story.

https://www.gofundme.com/a-new-little-family

Chicken courdon bleu casarole. (thoughts for easter)

INGREDIENTS

• 3 cups uncooked penne pasta
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened and cubed
• 1-1/2 cups shredded Swiss cheese, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 3 cups sliced cooked chicken breasts
• 3/4 cup crumbled cooked bacon
• 3/4 cup cubed fully cooked ham
• 3 tablespoons dry bread crumbs

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350°. Cook pasta according to package directions for al dente.

Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, heat cream and cream cheese over medium heat until smooth, stirring occasionally. Stir in 1 cup Swiss cheese, onion powder, garlic salt and pepper until blended.

Drain pasta; stir in chicken, bacon and ham. Add sauce; toss to coat. Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and the bread crumbs. Bake, uncovered, 18-22 minutes or until heated through. Yield: 6 servings.

Originally published as Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta in Taste of Home September/October 2013

Real stuff blabberings

Yes, I am married to my best friend. Yes, I am having a baby (gender soon!) But no, I am not financially stable. And that is starting to bother me so much right now. I want things to be good for the baby, I don't want us to have to struggle. But right now, we are just making bills and it sucks. I have been looking intently for a job for the most part of 1-2 months after I was done with my bout of "I got unemployment and first trimester sucks". I want our own place, with the peace and quiet that contains like we had a few years before. Privacy. Comfort. A home.

I have an interview this week so I'm hoping for good news but it's not exactly what I'm looking for. I generally like the medical field since I trained for that at school. Did nursing home reception for almost a year and home health for the second time around after. The last job I has was a temp agency position at an office for a place that sells tiles and kitchen decor. It wasn't bad, and the work was easy but they were kind of ball busters with attendance and ended the assignment after 3 months since their regular was coming back.

This interview is for a place that schedules people to goto your house and do demolition or mold removals etc, its still a clerical position so basically phones, filing, probably copies etc-- but if its not full time honestly I'm skeptical. I could make at home doing nothing the same as 20 hours a week but be a lot more bored, plus when the pregnancy issues are bothering me it doesn't matter as much if I'm home. I want to be productive but I don't want to struggle for the same amount i'm already getting? To me it makes sense.

Also, to tell them or not to tell them (about being pregnant)? I'm still kind of at that stage where I could be over weight /bloated and people might not be inclined to ask. I am so unsure.

On a side note, we are putting in an application for an apartment this week which is exciting and nerve racking. But I know I can't pull it off for more than a few months without more $$$ in the near future.

Ohai

I'm one of those people, who honestly never thought I'd get married. I really never expected to want a baby either. But here I am. Both. Surprise. I'm currently 34 years old and have been writing for years on and off. Silly anecdotes, life experiences, advice on subjects I prefer, Sometimes even a recipe or two shared. I have also been slightly over weight for most of my 34 years, but I have learned that if I want some change I will gain the inspiration, and most healthy food is pretty awesome and once in a while you just have to eat the damn cupcake. Right now, obviously from my titleing I won't be losing weight for another 5 months or so because I am currently pregnant and although it bothers me to gain- I know it's good for the baby. Also, I have encountered depression many times in my life. So maybe i'll poke a little bit of that in here from time to time.