Blog Every Day in May {Day 21}

Day 21, Tuesday: A list of links to your favorite posts in your archives

{1}-May 24, 2011  http://jamiffer.blogspot.com/2011/05/sad-news-changes-picking-up-pieces.html

Although this post was about a sad time in my life (my long distance relationship break up), I love it because it was one of several times that I felt the power of the blog community. So many people reached out to me, and shared their stories. And it helped. Big time. It made me realize how special the blogging community is.

{2} Nov. 28, 2011  http://jamiffer.blogspot.com/2011/11/meet-parentsand-family.html

I love going back to this post, and find myself doing it every now and again. It's a recap of when MG's family threw him a 30th birthday party up in PA which also happened to be when I met the rest of his family. And it's also the weekend that MG told me that he loved me. I still get a smile on my face whenever I read this post. Brings me back to that weekend :)

{3}Oct. 9, 2012 http://jamiffer.blogspot.com/2012/10/tasty-tuesday-spinach-and-artichoke.html

This was one of the first posts where I started to really try out recipes I saw on Pinterest. And this one was so good, it inspired me to try more. Which is the reason why you see a recipe almost every week (or close to it) on here. It's made me want to expand the meals I can make, and share the yummy recipes that I find!

{4} April 17, 2012 http://jamiffer.blogspot.com/2012/04/letter-to-my-roommate.html

Although this was from a horrible time in my life (living with the crappiest roommate/person I've ever met), the letter makes me laugh now. And, again, the response from others made me feel "heard" and understood. And that always helps.

That and having your boyfriend's place to escape to at the time :)

{5} Feb 18, 2012 http://jamiffer.blogspot.com/2013/02/mexico-recap-days-3-and-4_18.html

The recap of MG's and my Mexico trip with his sisters and brothers-in-law is great. The last two days of our trip were so much fun, and I can look back at the pictures in this post and smile/laugh at what a great time we had. I think it was also the only time that MG's sisters and I got to hang out, without kids around, and it was just awesome. It really made me feel what it's like to have sisters (and brothers-in-law). We all still talk about this trip. Hopefully one day soon we'll be able to do it again!

I love so many of my posts for different reasons, but I love that you guys like them, too. These are just a few of my favorites!

Blog Every Day in May {Day 20}

Day 20, Monday: Get real. Share something you're struggling with right now.

I'm not struggling with a whole lot right now (and no, God, that's not an invitation to give me something!) I have a lot of good things going in my life.

But I guess something I've never been good at, and continue to "struggle" with is waiting.

I'm excited for the things that are coming up in my life. So excited, that I just want them to happen NOW (immediate gratification!!) haha. Even though I know things happen when they're supposed to and yadda yadda yadda (I get it)....I still find myself eagerly anticipating (that's putting it nicely) the next steps.

Engagement.

Wedding.

Kids.

Those being the top three at the moment! haha

I know that MG and I are on the same page and that he wants what I want. Which is nice that for the first time in my life (because it's finally right), I'm not sitting here worrying about whether he loves me, wants a future with me, etc. Not for a second have I worried about that.

And since we both know that, I just want it to happen. Everyone around us is getting engaged or married (given, they have all dated much longer than we have), which makes me that much MORE excited for it since I'm surrounded by the planning and excitement talk a lot, you know?

But, you know what I think is a big thing that I think about, and contributes to me wanting it to happen sooner rather than later (other than me being 30)?

I want my Dad to be healthy enough to walk me down the aisle. Or even be at my wedding. And see the kids that I'll hopefully have one day. It scares me to even write those things, as if they might not happen, but it's a possible reality. Since my dad's heart attack he's gotten better, but he's not back to his every-day self, and I don't think he ever will be.

My dad is also older. Much much older. So he didn't "bounce back" from the heart attack like someone in their 50s or 60's might.

With everyone getting engaged, I'm realizing just how long it takes to plan a wedding. And then having a baby takes a good amount of time too (you gotta make sure that baby cooks!). And I just want my daddy to be around for those moments in my life.

Now that life is good and I have so much to look forward to, I want it. And I want my parents to be there to see it, too. 

I know everything will come in good time. And I'm super glad that I have such awesome things to look forward to, with such amazing people in my life.
The bottom line is, I'm lucky. So if I have to wait, I will, because I know it's worth waiting for.

Blog Every Day in May {Day 19}

Day 19, Sunday: Five of your favorite blogs and what you love about them

1) Casey @ Poodleism: I love this girl's humor. She's sarcastic, funny, real...and I feel like if I met her in real life, we'd get along SO well. And so would our mini-poodles! Also, after reading her blog, I was inspired to start my own blog. So, you all have Casey to thank for this little blogspace of mine! 


2)P!nky @p!nkpers!stence: p!nky is one of my blog-to-real-life friends, and before meeting her IRL, I loved her upbeat personality, fun posts, and just general outlook on things. She's fun, funny, and super sweet on her blog. And after meeting and knowing her, she's that person through and through!

3) Jessica@ {The Newly...} Jessica is a SUPER sweetheart, and I love how she writes. She has a heart of gold and I like reading her blog, especially recently as she was going through pregnancy (she just gave birth to her son last week!)...she's keeping me informed of what to expect when that day comes. She is always so kind and sweet, leaves me nice comments regularly, and I just wish she lived closer so we could hang all the time!


4)Whitney @ I Wore Yoga Pants to Work I love this chick's personality. She tells it like it is, I'm almost always laughing or smirking while I read her posts, and she seems like a fun chick who just embraces all the great things in life. I'm a sucker for a blogger that makes me laugh, and Whitney hits that mark, every time for me.


5)Meg @ Life of Meg: I started following Meg for Mingle Mondays, but kept gravitating back towards her blog because she is SO upbeat. I love her positive outlook on things, and even when she's going through something frustrating (like losing the memory card that had pics from her honeymoon), she was still positive about things (whereas I would be freaking the eff out!! haha). She leaves some sweet comments on my blog, and she's helped keep me inspired to work out more to stay in shape. I'm glad that we've become Instagram/blog friends over the last few months! 

If you haven't already, you definitely need to check these girls out. They're a part of my daily dose of blogs!

Blog Every Day in May {Day 18}

Day 18, Saturday: Tell a story from your childhood. Dig deep and try to be descriptive about what you remember and how you felt.

I remember when I was starting the 1st grade. It was my first year at the elementary school down the street from my parents' house (I had been in private preschool and Kindergarten before that). I was excited but scared, too. Probably more scared than excited since I didn't "know" anyone at school.

Then I remember one night before school started, getting a phone call from my grandma and she sounded upset. My dad took the phone because my mom was at work. And I remember feeling like something bad had happened.

My mom got home later that day and she sat down with me and told me that my Aunt Diane had died. She was only 44. She said that she had slipped in the bathtub and got hurt.

I remember being sad, but also not really understanding what that meant. I'd never had a family member die before, and my Aunt Diane was such a cool and fun aunt. And she had the cutest dog, Muffy, who I used to play with when we would visit.

The part that registered with me was that my mom was going to have to go to Iowa for the funeral, and she was going to miss my first day of school. I was so upset, and worried even more about my first day at the new school (I was a worry wart even then! haha)

I remember taking my mom to the airport, and along the way back, my dad and I stopped at one of the scenic overlooks along the way to the airport (every time I drive past these on my way to see my parents, I remember these stops we would take). And it made me feel a little better.

And then the morning I woke up for my first day of first grade, my dad gave me a present that my mom had left for me. A cute little stuffed mouse that had HUGE ears, that I had fallen in love with when I saw it at the grocery store the week before or so. She had left it for me to have something to be happy about, and maybe not miss her as much. I still have that little mouse to this day, Mousey (I was creative with my stuffed animal names, what can I say?).

I literally had my mom find this stuffed animal and take a picture of it
for this post haha

It's probably going to be one of a few stuffed animals I keep and give to my kiddos whenever I have babies.

Blog Every Day in May {Day 17}

Day 17, Friday: A favorite photo of yourself and why

This is from 3 years ago exactly. It's on top of the Newseum in DC, and I like this picture of me, because it has so many parts of me in it, even though it might not be the most "glamorous" look for me haha

I'm wearing my Univ. of Maryland zip-up (undergrad), in front of the city that I grew up in (and went to school in for grad school) and love exploring, during my favorite season of the year. I've got a camera in my hand (photo-lover that I am), and I'm happy :)

(Plus, the Newseum is a kick-@$$ place to visit and if you've never been, you need to!)

Runners up:

My first girl-trip with one of my best friends, to the Bahamas

Another of me and pretty DC during the Cherry Blossom festival

Blog Every Day in May {Day 16}

We're over halfway through with this challenge, and still going strong!

Day 16, Thursday: Something difficult about your "lot in life" and how you're working to overcome it

I think I have a great life and I've been able to experience all kinds of things. I'm lucky to have a great family, a great guy in my life, a cute and adorable pup, to have a job and actually enjoy what I'm doing, BUT....

I work for a school system. I have my Master's Degree. And yet, I make a pittance of a salary. We all hear that teachers are underpaid, but I'm here to tell you, it's true. I'm not even a classroom teacher--and let me tell you, those teachers work their BUTTS off. We all do.

I love what I do--I love working with kids, I love helping kids be able to speak better, improve their confidence/self-esteem....those are some of my most favorite days. When a parent cries, because their kid has made such progress--I live for that. 

But, let's be honest. In order to live in the DC area, the only way that I would be able to afford to buy a house is with the help of someone else. I'm 30 and I can't even buy my own place.  It's frustrating to feel like I've got all of this education, I work hard at what I do, and yet, in my personal life, what do I have to show for it? What will I EVER have to show for it? I'm not really sure....

How do I work to overcome this?

I'm careful with my spending (you know, minus some online shopping here and there all over the place), MG and I live together luckily (that's not the reason we live together, but it definitely helps), and I remind myself that in today's times, I'm lucky that I have a job at all, that allows me to pay the bills. And I'm even luckier that I like what I do. Most days :)

Don't forget to check out my other post today: Cajun Shrimp and Rice w/ Veggies recipe!

Cajun Shrimp and Rice with Veggies Recipe

As promised, I have another bowl-licking good recipe for you, courtesy of the geniuses of Pinterest land!

Cajun Shrimp and Rice with Veggies

(Makes 4 servings)

This is a one-skillet meal, super yum, low on sodium and really easy!

What You Need:

-1 lb. peeled, deveined shrimp (mine were frozen and thawed)

-1 microwave pouch of rice (whole-grain brown rice)
-2 tsp. Cajun Seasoning
-1 Tbsp. olive oil
-1 Tbsp. minced garlic from jar
-1/2 large yellow onion, chopped
-2-3 cups frozen stir-fry vegetables, thawed (I used two 12 oz packages, so 3 cups)
-1/2 tsp dry Italian seasoning
-1/2 tsp/ paprika
-1/2 tsp salt
-1/4 tsp ground black pepper
-1 14 oz can stewed tomatoes, no salt added if you can find it, undrained

What You Do:

1. Cook the rice in the microwave according to the directions on the package

You really needed a picture representation of this step, didn't you? :)

2. Coat a large, non-stick skillet with cooking spray. Turn the heat up to medium, add in the shrimp and sprinkle with the cajun seasoning.  Saute until shrimp are cooked, about 4-5 minutes. Then remove from the pan and keep warm (I put mine in a bowl and covered it with another bowl)

3. Add olive oil (1 Tbsp) to the pan, over medium heat. Add in the chopped onion and garlic, mix around and saute for about 30 seconds.

4. Add in the veggies, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Saute for about 3 minutes or until tender.

(Since my veggies were frozen, I heated them up in the microwave about a minute or two under the time for them to be fully "cooked" and it turned out fine)

5. Stir in the cooked rice, shrimp, tomatoes, salt and pepper. Cook another 1-2 minutes to heat through and combine the flavors.

6. Plate it up and enjoy!

Some things to note:

The original recipe called for 1/4 cup chopped green onions. I feel like the dish doesn't need this. And maybe not even the chopped onion. If I were to make the dish again, I might omit the two onions, and add in another can of stewed tomatoes instead.

This was really good as leftovers. And really quick to clean up! My favorite!