It still hurts so much

Destiny and I a year ago

When will it not hurt so much anymore? When will the tears stop flowing when I’m wide awake late at night? When will I be able to come home and not feel the extreme hurt when she’s not there to greet me, with the other dogs? 

She was so much more than a dog. She was a major part of our family. I remember the day we got her, just as vividly as I remember the births of my human babies.  

I also remember the feel of that tumor, the sounds she made when breathing, the way she had such a hard time moving around….

I remember everything.  I still hear the noises she made, from time to time.

It’s hard to feel this much sadness, all the time. Often trying to hide just how sad I feel. Saying goodbye to her was one of the hardest goodbyes I’ve ever been through, and I’m still trying to get through it. I’m just not doing a very good job of it yet I guess.

Shredded Italian Chicken Recipe

This is a recipe that is so good, works for many things, and once cooked - it freezes extremely well too! You have to plan in advance for this one, and possibly wake up early to get it started – depending on how early your day starts regularly. The day this is made, we always have it on buns as sandwiches. Leftovers get used in various ways – including more sandwiches! And of course, freeze some of those leftovers for another day down the road, since it does make soooo much!

Shredded Italian Chicken

·         3c chicken broth

·         1t salt

·         1t ground black pepper

·         1t dried oregano

·         1t dried basil

·         1t onion salt

·         1t dried parsley

·         1t garlic powder

·         1 bay leaf

·         1 (.7oz) pkg Dry Italian-style salad dressing mix (or use homemade version)

·         5lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts

Combine chicken broth with all the seasonings (including dressing mix) in a saucepan. Stir well, and bring to a boil.

Place chicken in slow cooker, and pour salad dressing mixture over the meat.

Cover, and cook on low for 10-12hrs.

When meat is cooked through, remove bay leaf. Shred meat with forks or mixer (I prefer using my hand mixer over using forks! Much quicker!)

Pesto Ranch Chicken Recipe

Time for another freezer meal recipe! This one is so simple and good!

Pesto Ranch Chicken

·         8 boneless skinless chicken thighs

·         6oz pesto (homemade, jarred, whatever you want)

·         1pkg ranch dressing mix (or homemade!)

·         1/2c chicken broth

Put all ingredients in a labeled gallon size freezer bag, lay flat to freeze. Store upright.

Pull out of freezer the night before you want to cook it, to allow it to thaw.

Cook in slow cooker on high for 3-4 hrs or low for 6-8hrs. Goes well with mashed potatoes and a salad.

Jobs jobs jobs!

Sorry I haven’t been able to post as regularly as I was! I had gotten a job and that completely threw me off. I’ve since left that job.  However I’ve started a new one! One that I know well, since I’ve worked for this company before doing the exact job I was just hired to do. 

As to why I quit the other one? It was a horrible fit for me. I don’t “fit” well with fast food. Some do, and that’s awesome. But me?  Nope! That incredible fast pace is too fast for me. And since I was working lunch rush almost every day – it was very little down time.

With my new job, I’m able to work at a pace that is more comfortable for me.  This is a job I know I can stick with long term. The only reason I didn’t stick with them before was because there was that opportunity that made it so I could stay home with my kids when we moved a year ago.  Now my stay at home mom days are done, but that’s okay! I’m willing to do what it takes to help make sure we survive. If that means I work, then that’s what I’ll do!

More posts will be coming, with recipes and other stuff! Be on the look out!

Saying goodbye

This past Saturday we had to do something that was incredibly hard. We had to say goodbye to Destiny, our Black Lab/Irish Setter mix. She was such a good girl! We finally decided a week ago it was time. So we called the vet and set the appointment for Saturday. Giving us time to say goodbye.

She was battling cancer, and the cancer was winning. She had a large inoperable tumor on her throat.

Now she’s gone, but never ever forgotten.