Friday, April 25, 2008

STAY TUNED......


lots of pictures of my home improvements projects are forthcoming! I cannot believe how much got done this week - I love my FIL!!!

As of today, I have a new bathroom and a redecorated family room (finally, I've only been waiting ten years to do it!). My FIL wants to paint another room before he heads back home, but I can't decide which one of the boys' room to tackle. They are both a wreck (they are teenagers, enough said).

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Weeks 12 & 13







I fell a little behind in posting my weekly Scripture challenge card, so here for your viewing pleasure are weeks 12 & 13.

Week 15 - JOY




















The word of the week was Joy.

The first verse I thought of was "The joy of the LORD is my strength," but I wanted pick something a little less ordinary. So, after some searching, I came across Ps. 16:11 - I can have JOY in this world because God has given me the JOY of His presence. Just knowing He is with me through whatever might come to pass is a great comfort to me; it is also a source of JOY. I can rejoice in the fact that one day I will be with Him forever.










Friday, April 18, 2008

UGH....I'm sick

It finally hit me. I have thus far managed to escape all the crud out there making people sick. It's been through my house quite a few times since the beginning of the year, but never once did I get afllicted. Until now. It appears that the cruddies have found me. I wish they hadn't.


The one good thing? It isn't strep, which boy #1 had last week and I managed to stay healthy throughout the entire 14 weeks of my online course. Ok, that's two good things. And in case anyone's wondering, yes, I have thanked Him that I am sick NOW, at the completion of the course rather than during. I don't think I could have finished the last assignment with as foggy a brain as I have right now. God is good.


Now, I'm off to pray for a speedy recovery. I am FINALLY getting a vacation AND my in-laws are visiting. I would much prefer to not have to spend my much anticipated time off from work being sick.


Achoo.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Coast to Coast


My inlaws fly in from Victorville, CA today! I'm looking forward to their visit, all 16 days of it. My in-laws are really great people and my FIL has a sense of humor that I can totally relate to.

They will be here during our kids' spring break, which is a real treat for all of us. We are planning a birthday party for all three kids for next weekend in part because their grandparents are here and in part because we are so anxious to get out in the sunshine after such a dreary winter.

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

WOOHOOOOO!!




I'm done! I have completed my Paralegal Certificate program and will "officially" be a paralegal in two weeks (once grades are finalized and mailed). I can hardly believe it! I have wanted to do this for so many years, but never had the courage to do it - I had lots of excuses- no time, no money, I'm too old, etc.



I am so thrilled to have had this opportunity, and while I'm glad it's done, I'm kind of sad, too. I will miss checking in with my classmates every day. I will miss the challenge of researching and writing and doing my homework. Yep, I'm a geek - I enjoy homework. I will even miss stressing about quizzes, tests, and deadlines. Even though I do all this at work on a daily basis, it's different somehow (no quizzes or tests LOL). I enjoyed "talking" to my classmates about tough legal issues. It's totally different than brainstorming and discussing cases with my boss - I already know what he thinks LOL


But, now that it's done, I can say that I have completed my education and should the need ever arise for me to find another job, I can add my certificate to my experience and with God's help end up right where He wants me to be. That's the best place to be, regardless of credentials, education, or hard work. God gave me the job I have now, and has orchestrated the events of my life to bring me to this point; God gave me this opportunity; God helped me to do well; God will take care of the rest of it from here.


So, even though I say "I" finished the program, what I mean is that because of God, I was able to take this opportunity and totally enjoy it. With His help, I finished and I finished well. Thank you, Lord.


AND, to my sweet husband who lovingly pushed me to "just do it" and assured me that somehow, some way we would find the means to pay for it and make time for me to study, THANK YOU!!!! I love you so very much, for so many reasons. And now I can add your support and encouragement of me through these past 14 weeks to those reasons. You put up with my rantings and concern about my grades, my assignments, whether I was doing enough or too much; the list goes on. You were my voice of reason in the midst of it all. Thank you for following God's leading in encouraging me to do this.


ILYM

Monday, April 14, 2008

Warming Up For My Happy Dance

Well, I did it! I submitted my final assignment on my final module for my Paralegal Certificate. It was pretty complex, but at least I understand litigation. I hope the grades post quickly!

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Week 14 - Comfort















Now that the corporate module is over, I can get back to being creative. It feels good to play with all my paper and stuff again! This week's Scripture Challenge word was "Comfort."

I really felt the benefits of this word last week. Between everyone's encouragement, my husband's confidence in me, and the peace I ultimately felt while waiting for my grade was definitely God's way of giving me comfort through that situation.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

FINALLY!!!!

the grades are in. I got a "B" and I am thrilled! Normally, I get "A", but in this case, a "B" is just as good if not better.

Phew! That's over.

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Nothing Yet............

and the natives are restless. Word from BU is that the grades have not even been entered yet, and that "technically" the instructor has 72 full hours to post the grades, which gives him until midnight tonight. Never mind that every other instructor so far has managed to get the grades posted by midday on Wednesday, but that is not the case here. Being the stinker that he seems to be, my guess is that grades will be released at 11:59 p.m. tonight.

The students are in a frenzy and I fear a cyber-riot. I'll keep you posted!

Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Countdown

Only 36.5 hours (hopefully) until grades are posted for Corporate Law. Patience is a virtue; patience is a virtue; patience is a virtue; patience is a virtue.....

Monday, April 7, 2008

Uniform Commercial Code or UCC as it is "un" affectionately called



I have just completed two of the most difficult weeks in my educational life to date. I am so glad it's over, though I am still stressing about my grade, which will not be revealed until midweek.



To the right, you can see the UCC in all its hardbound glory. Yep, all those books for one "Code" covering business entities, securities, and secured transactions. Everything from creating a security interest (buy now, no payments for 24 months), collateral, liens on bank accounts secondary to a financing statement, defaults, PMSIs, blah, blah, blah, etc.

These past two weeks, I have been studying a portion of Article 9 of the UCC for my paralegal class. Can I just reiterate how relieved I am it's over? I have never been so confused by legal jargon in my entire career. The class was HARD. There is just so much to learn and only two weeks to learn it. Now, mind you, this class covered only one section of Article 9 - the typical UCC course takes a law student at least six months to cover and sometimes a year, depending on the law school. My brain is confused.

The grading for the class is based on two quizzes, which I did miserably on, BTW. The professor stated that he will also take into account our participation in the discussions. That's all nice and fine, but there was very little discussion because all of us were so overwhelmed we couldn't discuss anything! Seriously, most of the discussions revolved around how confused and overwhelmed we were and could someone please explain the text in English????

I cannot believe how difficult this class was for me. I have been working in the legal field for 21 years and it threw me for a loop. Granted, I don't work in corporate law, but I have dabbled in it a bit. Apparently, it was nowhere near enough dabbling.

At least it's done. I've done my best. I'm praying that I get a passing grade, or else the past 12 weeks have been for nothing as BU requires at least a C in every course to earn the certificate. Time will tell.... only 57.5 hours until grades are posted.

Sunday, April 6, 2008

Can You Say "Food Of The Gods?"


I have a household of picky eaters, some more picky than others. Boy #2 calls himself a breadetarian (sort of like a vegetarian, but because he doesn't eat meat or vegetables, he created another name to accurately define his eating preferences).

Said Boy is very, very picky. There are only a few things he will eat: pizza, pasta with sauce (no meat or meatballs unless said meat or meatballs comes from a can and is made by Chef Boy R Dee), bread (no butter, mayo, peanut butter, jelly or other condiment typically placed thereon), mashed potatoes (instant not real), macaroni and cheese (from the box, not homemade), any sort of dessert product so long as it contains chocolate, breadsticks dipped in marinara, PLAIN potato chips, and occasionally chicken nuggets or breaded chicken patty (only on a good day). He also likes ice cream, but it has to be vanilla or cake batter. Nothing with stuff in it. He will eat peanuts and cashews, but only if they are dry roasted and lightly salted. Apples, peeled. Eggs, over-medium or scrambled and pancakes (plain or chocolate chip). That's it. No steak, hamburger, pork, or fish. No veggies, except maybe corn if he's feeling benevolent toward food. No grapes, peaches, strawberries (or any berry for that matter), or oranges.

As you can well imagine, mealtime at my house is quite an adventure, not to mention a huge undertaking, what with trying to create meals that everyone will at least taste. If they actually eat it, it's a plus!


Well, I have FINALLY come across a recipe that EVERYONE, including picky Son #2 will eat. I had to tell you about Son #2 lack of culinary adventure so that you all could appreciate the following recipe. The child who doesn't eat anything and inspects every morsel of food he puts in his mouth, actually asked for seconds today. I nearly fell over!

So, for all you moms with picky eaters, RUN to the store and pick up these ingredients because your child(ren) will eat this. If Son #2 deemed it not only worth of eating, but worthy of a second serving, ANYONE will eat this.

So, without further adieu, the recipe:

CHICKEN WITH 40 CLOVES OF GARLIC:
Copyright 2004, Barefoot in Paris, All Rights Reserved
Show: Barefoot Contessa
Episode: Dinner and a Movie


3 whole heads garlic, about 40 cloves
2 (3 1/2-pound) chickens, cut into eighths
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
2 tablespoons good olive oil
3 tablespoons Cognac, divided
1 1/2 cups dry white wine
1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons heavy cream
Separate the cloves of garlic and drop them into a pot of boiling water for 60 seconds. Drain the garlic and peel. Set aside.

Dry the chicken with paper towels. Season liberally with salt and pepper on both sides. Heat the butter and oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. In batches, saute the chicken in the fat, skin side down first, until nicely browned, about 3 to 5 minutes on each side. Turn with tongs or a spatula; you don't want to pierce the skin with a fork. If the fat is burning, turn the heat down to medium. When a batch is done, transfer it to a plate and continue to saute all the chicken in batches. Remove the last chicken to the plate and add all of the garlic to the pot. Lower the heat and saute for 5 to 10 minutes, turning often, until evenly browned. Add 2 tablespoons of the Cognac and the wine, return to a boil, and scrape the brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Return the chicken to the pot with the juices and sprinkle with the thyme leaves. Cover and simmer over the lowest heat for about 30 minutes, until all the chicken is done.

Remove the chicken to a platter and cover with aluminum foil to keep warm. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup of the sauce and the flour and then whisk it back into the sauce in the pot. Raise the heat, add the remaining tablespoon of Cognac and the cream, and boil for 3 minutes. Add salt and pepper, to taste; it should be very flavorful because chicken tends to be bland. Pour the sauce and the garlic over the chicken and serve hot.


My child, who will not eat anything that is not boxed, processed, or stripped of fiber and nutrients, loved this dish and asked is he could have some more for supper tonight.

This recipe is the food of the gods..... go ahead and try it and let me know what you think!