Thursday, May 21, 2009

Meatloaf!

So I decided to share this meatloaf recipe...I enjoyed it! Also I figured if I lost the recipe while I'm home I can always find it again on here...so here it is!

1 1/2 lbs. ground beef
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1 sm onion
1/4 tsp ground ginger
3/4 cup finely crushed saltine cracker crumbs (or bread crumbs)

Glaze:
1/2 (+/-) cup brown sugar (enough to cover meat)
1/2 cup ketchup
1 tbsp Worcestershire

Preaheat oven to 350*. Lightly grease 5x9 loaf pan.
Mix ingredients and shape in loaf pan
Press brown sugar and ketchup over meat
Bake 1hr or until juices are clear
Makes 8 servings

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

It's all about MONEY

I miss the days where the only thing that mattered is that we ate and got to play outside with our friends! The days before the worries of the world hit. Before we understood the whole concept of money, and why we needed it. And how come before you get to college it doesn't seem like you'll really be getting yourself into too much debt, and then you start realizing just how much money you need? I'm sick of getting nagged on about not having enough money, I don't want to spend all of my teenage life working! Isn't this supposed to be the time where I have fun!? Aren't I supposed to be a little immature and go into debt, spend my money on gas and movies? How come I feel so much pressure NOT to go out and have fun? But I don't want to "waste" my summer away working, it's not fun. I want school to be magically paid for, I want money to fall into my hands! I want all interest to go away! I want a job to magically land in my lap. I don't want to have to search in every nook and cranny of this town just to find a 2nd job! I want scholarships, an internship for next summer, but most of all, I want to have nothing to worry about! Yes, college students are poor, I've always known that, but I never realized they were more than poor! They can't afford that candy bar as they check out the groceries they already can't afford. They are spending hundreds of dollars on books, that shouldn't cost that much! Tuition..that's another thing blown out of proportion! Yes, I understand the professors need money, the college wants a profit...but have you seen the cost of tuition for a state university!?!? I'm grateful to be attending BYU-I where tithing has helped lower the cost of tuition, but seriously I'm going crazy inside about how I'm going to pay for this, yet the outside of me wants to just stop, take a break and say hey, don't stress, enjoy this time you have cuz you'll never have anything like it again! I mean, seriously, once I'm done with school life will be about work! Work so you can pay for groceries, rent, occasional hang out with friends, plus social involvment in church (not saying work, but how busy you become), then you get married and you are taking care of two people, then you get pregnant..oh dear! I mean seriously I just want to be able to pay for my tuition...I'm jealous sometimes of those kids whose parents pay for everything, yet on the otherside I pity them, they don't understand what it means to have to work for a living! I don't know, pretty much I'm rambling and complaining about money and how it should grow on trees...Well, I'm still searching for another job...oh and if you know of any scholarships I could use those too! haha, I hope you are feeling brighter about your finances than I am mine...good luck :)

Thursday, May 7, 2009

Home Sweet Home?

From the moment Sam and I drove into Charleston Illinois, everything seemed, well perfect! It felt like it could become home! I haven't met many people, and I don't get out much...I'm just here! However I believe I like it here...aside from the shopping selection! My family and I are SUPER! close! Oh and I'm not talking about like friendly close! I mean I walk in the 2 bedroom APARTMENT and my choices are, kitchen, living room, mom and dads room, laundry room, bathroom 1, bathroom 2, OR my room..oh yeah and all of my siblings as well! It's weird going from taking care of myself, doing what I want, etc. and going to a small. apt (well, it's bigger than the one I just moved from...but different) and having mom cook for you and take care of you! I am definitely not complaining about home cooked meals, but it's different. I have nothing to do. This seems to be my schedule thus far: Wake up @ 7, eat breakfast, lounge around (or fall back to sleep), get in the shower, take my time getting ready, hanging out with mom, pick up kids from school with mom, come home, watch Gilmore Girls, get on the computer because the second Gilmore Girls is over Sam takes over the TV with the Wii. Then I am bored until dinner time, at which time we eat, then I am bored again, get on the computer talk to friends and go to sleep (eventually). Sounds exciting, right? I just need things to do, people to hang out with. HOWEVER! I have a job interview at County Market tomorrow morning (it's the local grocery store) so, hopefully I'll start working soon! We found out dad's job is permanent, and we will be closing on a house next month! We all like it and will be redoing the main floor flooring before moving in, and tearing off wallpaper! We are putting hardwood floors in the entry and kitchen area, and carpet in the dining room (which will be an office) and the living room! We are all pretty excited! (I'm excited for some space and some alone time!) It's funny cuz when I get frustrated or upset it's because I'm alone, but not alone. So yeah. I need to start working. I have only applied at 3 places...but I'm being picky! I don't want a job that will make me hate my summer life! haha, well I think that is all my life consists of as of right now! We are hoping to make charleston our home until Shaelyn graduates, however I do not think I will be returning next summer...I'm thinking about going to Lincoln and getting an internship. We shall see :) Ok, I'm done talking! Have a GREAT summer :D