CATCHING UP AND PUSHING FORWARD


Wow it's been a bit since I've blogged any up dates as to the happenings in the Perdew world. It's funny how in a matter of just a couple months things can change so much. There was a sad happening at my husbands work place back in early October. He went to work like any regular night and was told that they were holding a meeting in the break room before work. While sitting with the other employees a supervisor came in and escorted James to another room only to inform him that all the other men sitting in the break room were going to be permanently laid off in that meeting and that only he and another man were going to be kept. I knew something was wrong when he called just by the tone of his voice. He felt so bad about being able to stay while others were being sent home. On the other hand he felt blessed that we were going to be o.k. or at least for the time being. We walked on egg shells for about a month. Although he lost all over time and his hours were cut to 36 hours a week we were going to be o.k.. Some of those men had dedicated 20 or so years to that company only to be told they were no longer needed. I'll never understand how any person with a heart can make a life changing decision like that.

  I on the other hand had my own drama going on. I had a blow out with my sister in law (if it were categorized like an earthquake it would easily have been an 9). To me I believe it had been a long time coming. So many times it seemed like we tried to make a situation work but more times than not it didn't. Every time we got to the point that we could talk to one another some how it got turned upside down and I guess you could say we were both defending our own forts. It all started with my innocently posting a picture of her children (my niece and nephew) on here on my link up with 10 day you challenge  They were one of my 9 loves. I mean I stated from get go that I take and post pictures all the time, I had her permission at first till she suddenly decided to change her mind after what I believe was she realized that with me posting pictures of her kids people could put  2 and 2 together and find out we were related. So she made a big fuss and all of a sudden threatened that if I posted another picture of one of her children I would never be able to see them again.  anywhoo it started a train wreck that went way out of  control. She said things, I said things and now there is nothing at all being said. I had tried to get her to talk to me long before this, to try to figure out what was going on but that just never happened. Small blow ups would happen, then it would fester down but never resolve. Finally I guess I got her at the right time or said what needed to be said to push her to the limit to finally spill what was really on her mind. WOW!! it was an email that I can only describe as long, vicious and very dramatic. I'm honestly glad she was able to get it all off her chest and hope that in a way she may now be able to put it behind her but I really felt bad after reading it all because I found out that almost the whole majority of hatred towards me came from lies. I wrote her a reply explaining what had really happened in those incidents or what had really been going on. Only to have her husband come to our house mad because she had shown him my reply but not what she had sent.  I guess I fell for that one hook, line, and sinker. Now the holidays are rapidly approaching..... and well thats how that chapter ends......


On to other things... After our incident I myself started feeling better I finally got the troll off my back (not saying she is a troll) speaking metaphorically, saying the burden of the whole situation was gone. I felt free of of it all, it was time for me to get my butt in gear and make some changes. I started out remodeling our living room, which is still a work in 
progress. we have the old 70s style paneling walls so I'm filling in the groves so that our walls will be smooth. YAY. So far I am almost half way done. Who know doing all the sanding by hand would take this long.

Our next project was our FALL BUCKET LIST which was a hit. I have a separate post showing all the fun we had completing our list and we are
now working on a WINTER BUCKET LIST to enjoy as a family. It's a lot of fun when everyone gets involved. 

VINNY
Football season is over and it's on to wrestling. They didn't have the best year but they did win the game that counted the most "The Apple Bowl" The Bulldogs brought the trophy home to West at the seasons last game. I think my boy has discovered that wrestling is his favorite sport. Not only did he win his first match (season just started) but the Bulldogs mauled the Wildcats. GO BULLDOGS and GO VINNY!!!!!!

SANTANA
My birthday girl has sure grown a lot this year. After starting middle school she really stepped up her game. She no longer has to be watched over while she does her homework, she was playing the flute in band (was) but she decided that she didn't like the flute after all and wanted to follow her brothers steps and take on percussion. Which she seems to be enjoying. She's getting more involved in the kitchen...YAY!! that really excites me cause I love working in the kitchen with my daughter and lastly she is working hard at softball so that she will be able to play well next year in 7th grade. THATS MY GIRL :)

NICK 
And then we have my little man who loves nothing more than to enjoy life. He's still my little snuggle buddy. That is when he's not out wrestling, jumping, shooting hoops, cutting up, making others laugh, or trying to avoid homework. My Buddy :)

All fur babies are still living the high life getting spoiled to their hearts content.


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WORDLESS WEDNESDAY










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TUESDAY TOPICS


Tuesday Topics: Blog Identity


                             

What is your blog about?

I guess you could say my blog is about

 me. I share my interest, my family,

 recipes  pictures, secrets, or just what

 ever I feel like sharing when I have the

 time.


Why did you start blogging?

Well honestly This was not my first blog.

 I started blogging to get feelings and

 emotions out that I felt were holding me

 back from being able to heal and go on.

 After a short while I felt as though I 

was dwelling on to many negative 

thoughts so I decided to make a more

 positive blog and boy I have to say it 

has really been great!



What's something your readers know 

about you?

That I love taking pictures just about 

as much as I love my family.


What can't you live without? 

Thats very simple. My wonderful

 supportive husband and my even

 more wonderful children.


What inspires your blog posts? 

My posts are mostly inspired by what

 I'm doing or whats going on around

 the perdew house. I love to post

 recipes that the family raves over as

 well as activities that I'm sure others 

may like to do.


What do you do when you feel 

uncreative?

Facebook!! check out my followers

 blog and see what everyone is up to

 and I also love my pinterest 



How has blogging changed you?

All the positive comments I have 

gotten make me very happy. I've 

 opened up a bit as where before I  

started blogging I was one to just sit  

 and read  with out participating in

 conversations due to being shy. I  

 Have actually chatted with some 

wonderful new people.


What advice do you have for new 

bloggers?


I still consider myself to be new at the

 blogging thing and have self taught

 myself of everything my page has. To

 new bloggers I say if you have 

questions google it or check youtube

 and don't get discouraged it will all

 work out and most importantly it's

 fun.




Last but not least! What blogs inspire you? 

  • http://mrsmelissabaker.blogspot.comau/

  • http://www.lifelovelauren.com/

  • http://www.funnypregnantlady.blogpot.com/

  • http://frozenojsconcentratedlife.blogpot.com/

  • http://thegreekhousewife.blogspot.com/

And many more. All these ladies are 

great!





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PECAN PIE BARS



1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

  • 3 Cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 Cup white sugar
  • 1/3 Cup Brown sugar
  • 1 Cup Butter
  • 1/2 tsp salt
2. In a large bowl combine the flour, sugars, butter, and salt until the mixture becomes crumbly. 

3. press crust mixture into the bottom of a greased 9X13 inch pan and bake for 20 minutes.



  • 1 stick (1/2 Cup) unsalted butter
  • 1 Cup light brown sugar, packed
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 2 TBSP heavy cream
  • 2 cups pecans, chopped


4.
combine the butter, brown sugar, honey and heavy cream in sauce pan and stir over medium heat. Simmer for about 1 minute and add in pecans.



5. remove crust from oven and pour pecan mixture on top. making sure to smooth over entire surface.

6. return to oven and bake for 2o additional minutes.

7. remove bars from oven and allow to cool before removing from pan.




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FUDGEY PECAN PIE



1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees

  • 1/3 Cup butter
  • 2/3 Cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup Hershey's cocoa
2. Melt butter in sauce pan over low heat, add sugar and cocoa. Stir until well blended and set aside to cool

  • 3 eggs
  • 1 Cup light corn syrup 
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1 Cup chopped pecans
  • 1 unbaked 9 inch pastry crust
3. Beat eggs slightly in medium bowl. stir in corn syrup and salt. Add cocoa mixture and mix well. Stir in pecans.

4. Pour into crust and bake for 45 to 50 minutes or until set.

5. remove from oven and cool. let set about 8 hours before serving.

** Garnish with whipped cream and pecan halves**

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PUMPKIN PECAN PIE



Since Thanksgiving is right around the corner I thought I may add some super yummy recipes that fit right just for the holiday.

Pumpkin Pecan Pie

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees

  • 1 can (15oz) packed solid pumpkin
  • 1 can (14oz) sweetened condensed milk
  • 1/4 C butter, softened
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1tsp Vanilla
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg 
  • 1/4 tsp salt
2. Combine all above ingredients above into large bowl

3. pour into 9 inch graham cracker crust and bake for 20 minutes
  • 1 egg
  • 2 TBSP  packed brown sugar
  • 2 TBSP dark corn syrup
  • 1 TBSP butter, melted
  • 1/2 tsp maple flavoring
  • 1 Cup chopped pecans
4. Beat above ingredients in medium bowl with mixer set to medium speed until blended well. stir in pecans

5. remove pie from oven, top with pecan mixture.

6. reduce oven temp to 350 and bake for 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.


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