What Ought To Be: September

 I can not believe that we are winding down in the year. Thankfully, this will be the last month were I have to do 4 meals in a month! Next month I only have to do three, which could not be soon enough, because I am literally busy every single weekend in the month of October that it's gonna be hared keeping up with all of this anyway! 

So, let's bring up the list!

1. Closer in Faith: I have been keeping up with my Bile reading. The prayer I am having a hard time with. I feel like it's because I'm scared of something. I have been praying. I feel like this month I have talked with God more in just like stressing in some moments at work, or money, or the future. I have been talking to Him though my day. Which I was not doing in the last few months. I really need to get out of bed when I get up and do my prayer time. I have been getting my sleep schedule back on track but it I know I have something I need to deal with and don't want to. I now God is going to help me but I am having a hard time taking that step.

2. Lose 50 Pounds: So, I am not going to loose that much weight this year. However, I have been doing way better in working out. I actually hit my goal of 10 days at the gym for the month. Mom and I have been going when we said we were going to go and we have plans to do other things that just the treadmill starting next month. We are gonna try and get out of our comfort zone. If I can just kick my pepsi habit again I would be doing way better. 

3. Cook Better:  I have cut back on eating out a ton this month. I have been packing my lunch for most of the month, and I have only bought food, instead of cooking what I have planned, like three times this month. That's a massive improvement for me! I think that my next problem is that I don't have many easy, and good meals in my repertoire. Like I have the same four meals that I like but I know there is more out there I just don't know how to find it. It's also very hard to just cook for one person. So, it's really just a weird time for me. I need to look as some websites that we will like give me options of meals to make, instead of a database for me to look through. Like I want a dating app for dinner meals. to make at home. 

4. Dress for Success: I am telling you getting my sleep schedule on track helps. I have also learned a very important lesson. That a good night routine is just as important as a morning one. Having to make my meals, pick out my outfit, take my melatonin, it's become clear that I need to have a set night routine. The problem is that is so hard! I get home between 4:30 and 5, and depending on what I have on the schedule, I have to start my stuff like an hour to an hour and half before bed. If I plan on being in bed by 9, that's only like 3ish hours for me to do everything before I have to be ready for bed. I know that I have to make the time, or find a way to get the stuff done before bed. I know that doing it is just another habit that I have to form, but it's so hard. I know that once I do it and can be accountable for it to be done that I am going to be much happier and more organized. I just dislike the time it takes to get to that point. 

5. Speak up: So, this one I am very happy about this month because I have gotten to do some very special stuff. I offered to help with a shower for my friend Kayla at the church and I got put in charge of decorations. I got to buy them and set them up and it's so great! I am so happy that I got to help out in such a way! I have also been asked to help out at the Tennessee Theatre in the next few weeks, and I went and bought tickets at the Theatre and got the courage to ask about when some of their stuff was coming back in stock. I found that they are redesigning their merch and I am so happy because I really want to own what they have and I'm excited for the new stuff. 

7. Look People in the eye more: So, this one it doing very well. I have actually had a lot more conversations with people at work because I feel like I am connecting more. I have had a few longer conversations with people at work and I have been having a good old time.

9. Style: 

So, I really love plaid, but I hate it on me. I always think that it makes me look fat. I also hate high neck shirts because I think that it make my double chin stand out. However, I got so many compliments on this outfit. That is what has been happening all this year all of the shirts I wear that I have hated I have gotten so much good feedback on. The shirt for next month is really out of my comfort zone and I am dreading having to wear it.

10. Creativity: So, I have gotten my blanket worked on some and I have also read some this month. The reason I even picked up a blanket again is because my church this month started a new get together for the Women. We are doing a craft night. So, once a month we are all gonna get together with whatever we are working on and just bring it in and talk and work on our stuff, or teach everyone how to work on new stuff. We only had three people this month, being the first month and all, and I'm very excited to have a place to focus on stuff like his and then also, get to hang out with people I love more. 

11. Spoiling: So, I have bought stuff but it's been weird stuff. Like I have gotten earrings that I have been needing, and a plate frame for my car. However, the one thing I got was a noise machine. I have no idea why the small noises that I hear from my neighbors is keeping my awake. They aren't loud, my brain just can't not focus on the small things. So I bought this white noise machine to hopefully get my brain to concentrate on that. We will see if it was a good investment of not. 

12. Peace: I feel so much more like me this month. Like I feel better, less stressed, and just happier. I feel healthier and really do feel more peaceful. Not just in like getting life together but like in where I am in my life. I tend to overthink the future, where I am, and I know God has a plan but this month it's been way better about trusting God with what I am supposed to be doing. I feel like God has placed me in a long period of waiting, for lots of different things. I know that some of these things are really going to be taking of here super soon but it's been frustrating. I know I can trust God and it's gonna be worth it but it's hard. Waiting will be worth the wait I just have to remember that. 

The forgotten members of the wedding guests! When Anna Kendrick comes to the wedding of her Bff, the sister of her Ex-boyfriend and the Best man of the groom, she is unsure if she should be there, and knows that the group she got stuck with at her table are the ones that if they said no they would would not have been missed. Once the table learns of this they decide to make the best of it. They go on adventures, and learn about themselves and what is for them in the future. 

This move was kind of blah. Like I get it's was supposed to be funny but it was ok. The ending was sweet there was a lot of stuff that was just ok. The movie was overall ok. I don't think it would be one I would recommend much.

The first adventure of 007 saving the world. 

Look, It was ok. It didn't really hold my attention. I now that's crazy, it should have but it really didn't. That doesn't mean that other ones won't in the future but it was just meh. I now that it's the start of one of the biggest movie franchises of all time. The dinner was surprisingly good! 

 The meal, is stuff that I would not usually eat. It was Vesper Martini, Jerk Shrimp Skewers and Over-Roasted Plantains and Mango Dipping Sauce. I have never made shrimp. I have eaten, and it's ok I have to be really in the mood for me to eat it. I was not sure about any of this. It was all really good. The plantains were amazing, the dipping sauce was delicious. The shrimp was great! The only problem that I did was I didn't get raw shrimp, I bought pre-cooked. So, I would change that the next time. The dipping sauce had too much of a greek yogurt taste to it. So, I would use less of that next time other than that everything else was so good! The drink was very strong but I can see why people love it so much. If I wasn't such a light weight when it comes to it I would have loved it!

 

The Graduate is about a young man who is trying to figure out his life during his college years. IN the process of trying to figure out what he wants he is being seduced by and older woman.

Look, wen I was doing the Best Picture Challenge, this was the time where movie started to drag. Everything was very bland, and boring and slow movie. We are getting into the area again in this book. The reason is because that it's going in release year order. So, we are getting some hard to watch movies again. I was most distracted during this movie. I was expecting better because this movie is such a hit, and much talked about. However, it's just a let down to me. I was just not impressed. I will be happier when we get back out of this era of movies.

The dinner was fine.

The "drink" was Pimm's Popsicles, and the meal was Teriyaki Salmon Bowls. Now, the popsicles will never happen again. They clearly didn't freeze (they was alcohol how were they supposed to freeze) and they quick taste of had of them in their most frozen form was not great. The Salmon did not end up in bowls. The reason way is because they wanted me to cook the salmon skin side up. I have never heard of it being cooked that way. I have also never made salmon before so I was scared that I didn't cook it right. It was pulling about but not as easy I had hoped. The skin did come off easy. I didn't finish it because I was really scared that I was going to give myself food poisoning. The Teriyaki sauce was so good! I will give this meal a change again later. I will cook it skin side down that time and see if I can do it. However, I will be using the sauce recipe for other things. It was so good that I want to try other things in it!  

The movie of Funny Girl is the life of Fanny Brice. One of the most talented comedians to ever grace the stage. 

I have grown to love this movie so much. Barbera Streisand is one of those actresses that I wasn't fond of the first time I saw her but this movie has really sold me. I find that she if very talented and funny in this role. In order to get Fanny Brice in the way you need too you have to have an actress that can he funny like her. She does a wonderful job. This is a must see movie in my opinion.

I did not cook the meal that was in the book

  The meal that was supposed to be made was this movie was Chicken Liver Pate with the Works. I have cooked many, many, many, MANY, things for this project this year. I am sorry, I am not cooking chicken livers. I have done enough! So, I made my favorite steak meal with a loaded baked potato. Now, I love this meal I will be making it again. The drink was from the book and it was the Bijou Cocktail. That was really good. I didn't think I was going to like that but I have enjoyed it. Forgive me I changed the rule but I just could not do it!

When a con goes wrong turns into the con of a lifetime you know that everyone is gonna want to get in on this! With very elaborate schemes, codes, and strategic back stabbing this movie is lots of fun to watch. I will be watching it again, and you can't go wrong with Paul Newman!

This pizza was really good. I think that if I make it again I will make a few smaller pizza instead of the larger one. The dough didn't get cooked all the way through, and by the time I realized it I couldn't really stick it back in the over (lots of stuff was happening at once). The drink was not my thing. I knew going into this that I really knew that I really only like super sugary and sweet drinks. This doesn't seen to be changing at all. 

Let The Joyous News Be Spread: September

 I am so glad that this month's celebration was chill! I really needed a chill night! So, let's just jump in.

The story of the start of an epic summer. Two groups of middle school girls compete for the "cool lunch spot" when they go into high school next year. The night takes that one some questionable acts of theft, sneaking into bars, and driving without a license. In a "coming of age" story that really leaves you with way more questions than answers. 

So, I used to love this movie when I was way younger. Now that I have been out of school for over a decade it's so questionable on how they got away with any of it. It's fun to watch because you have to stop and talking about how insane it all is, but it's a good movie to mock when you need one. 

So, September 22nd was National Girls Night In! Alaina and I had a wonderful time hanging out!

 When I told her what the celebration day was she was excited. I told her we were not going to work hard at this at all. I said we are ordering pizza, getting good dessert, and we are watching a Rom-Com.. When I asked her what she thought about rom-coms what was the first one that came to her head, she told me How to Loose A Guy In 10 Days. I told her that was the movie that comes to mind first for me too. So, got ordered Pizza Hut, got Cheesecake and Ham and Goodies Chocolate Chip cookies, and roasted the movie. We talked a lot too, but that wasn't serious conversations. It was a lot of jokes and just talking about what we are doing for our friendaversary in November. The other thing was did was watch a lot of Smosh on youtube. We love that channel so much! We have so much fun just laughing at their craziness and just had a wonderful chill night. 

To be honest I don't really know what I am doing next month. I had a plan but it's not going to work. Wish me luck! 

Follow The Yellow Brick Road: August

 So, this month has been a wild ride when it comes to learning about Knoxville. I was also so busy this month that I really did myself a favor and took a very short tour of South Knoxville. However, let's first talk about  David Keith in An Officer and a Gentleman.

David Keith was born in Knoxville, Tennessee in 1954. He Graduated from the University of Tennessee and is still a very avid Vols fan and tries to get to the games when he can. He is an actor and director, and has been in the business since 1978. His breakout role was in 1982, for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe, An Officer and a Gentleman. 

Zach Mayo has the dream of becoming a Navel Aviation Officer. A bit of loaner, and always out for himself, he learns quickly that you need people to help you in the Navy, and in lie. You're only in training for a matter of month but in that time, he learns, your whole life can change.

I am not sure what I think of this film. It's slow for most of the film, and then it get very intense and then it slows back down again. I think it was a fine movie but I don't think it would be one the I would recommend. I understand why this is David Keith's break out role because his role is what make the movie. 

South Knoxville is a place that I find myself going through more and more lately. I have a friend of mine that like not far from there and I have had to leave work to go down through South Knox to get to his place. It's beautiful! There is also a lot of stuff around there that I have never noticed going that way. 

Ijams Nature Center 

This wonderful Nature Center, for whom I have volunteered for many times over the years, is a beautiful getaway not far from Downtown. It's has miles of walking trails, both paved and unpaved, and has hundreds of activities every year. The center itself hold lots of animals that can not longer live in the wild, but they are used to teach all sorts of people that come to visit. They are a great organization and they use all the resources they can to teach everyone about preserving nature. 

Island Home Baptist Church

Not far from the nature center is the Island Home Baptist Church. It's most well known person that is buried here is Paul Y Anderson, a Pulitzer-Winning Reporter. 

Knox County Museum of Education

Ok, so this is not my picture that I took. I did go to the building but there is nothing on the outside that tells you that a museum is in there. There were also a lot of people that were coming out of the building so I didn't take a pic or go in. However, this museum holds records and yearbooks the many years that the Knoxville City School have been around. Some records go as far back as the 1820s. 

Fort Stanley

What I have learned a lot this year is just how much of the Civil War was fought in and around Knoxville. I have no idea that so much fighting did happen here, or that how many people were always defending that place. One of the several Forts in Knoxville is Fort Stanley. However, most of what is left of the fort is actually on private land. I was not able to visit. There are few places that are open to the public but I was not able to find those places. 

Fort Dickerson

Now Fort Dickerson on the other hand is a very different story. I have passed the beautiful column that lead you into, then up to, the Fort several times and never realized that I was looking at. There are tones of sitting areas, and places to walk around. There are replica cannon's and great plaques that give you lots of information about what the Fort looked like and why it was built there. It was never assaulted but it did trade fire with the Confederates at the start of the Siege of Knoxville. 

Woodlawn Cemetery

  This is an absolutely beautiful Cemetery. It's also huge! I am not sure if there is a way to find people in here without just a lot of searching, and a bit of luck. However, there are some very interesting people laid to rest here. Cas Walker, who help to start Dolly Parton's career, is buried here. A St. Louis Cardinal/Red pitcher turned Major League Umpire, Ken Burkhart, is also buried here. 

Mary Vestal Park

 This lovely park was named after the Mother of the two brother's of the Vestal Lumber Co.. 

Mount Oliver Cemetery

I was a little nervous to enter into this resting place. The design of the layout is unique and beautiful. I didn't even have to search very hard to find what I was looking for. Pictured above is a marble slab filled with the names of 400 Tennesseans who died in one of the worst navel catastrophes in history. The Sultana was a steam boat that was taking 1100 people back home. Most of the being Union Soldiers that were recently released from Confederate prison camps in 1865. Hundreds were heading back to East Tennessee. The boilers exploded about 7 miles north of Memphis. The slab was created to honor those who served our countries and lost their lives on their way back to freedom. 

Fort Higley/ High Ground Park

This park was not very well known to the public until about 2013. There was a threat that the Fort was going to destroyed because of Apartment Complexes that wanted to be built there. The land was saved and lots of historic markers have been placed around the wonderful paved pathways.  

Marble Springs

Marble Springs the the home to Tennessee's first Governor John Sevier. Although it has been know for some time that the logs here are not the ones that John, and his wife, would have touched the building is a great example of how they would have lived. This property that the house is on is actually the property of were they lived. The Sevier's are people who have a lot of interesting stories. They fought Indians, and they both became legends from that. 

Going on this tour of South Knoxville took way longer than I thought but it's really the fist time that I go to learn more about stuff I wasn't really familiar with. There is lots about Downtown that I have learned over the years, and there is more to learn, but honestly learning about what happened before what Downtown came to be was a lot of fun. I know that this next month is going to be a bit of a challenge to complete but I know it's going to teach me lots of things about the city that I love.  

What Ought To Be: August

1. Closer in Faith: I have been back and forth this month. Like I have been trying really hard to get back on a schedule. I have been way better about it this month. It's not all together, and I have changed some things around to make it easier. Creating the habit is so hard! It's hard to be consistent. I am hoping that in the coming month that I will be able to have the habit down and will feel better because I will have everything all balanced out.

2. Lose 50 Pounds: Creating that habit is also getting into the gym in the morning five times a week again. I am still getting up really early to do my gym and quiet time. However, I switched them so now I am going to the gym after. In doing this my mom and I get to go to the gym at the same time, which makes going to the gym so much better! When you have someone the counts on you to be there you are so much more likely to show up!

3. Cook Better: This one I think that I have improved on the most this month! Now, I was way better about cooking in the days that I didn't already to have plans to eat out. Now, what I need to do better is actually make myself cook that meal that I have planned. There were some nights that I didn't cook what I had planned, and just made other things. So, it's a step up but it's not perfect. We are working on it!

4. Dress for Success: This one has also been better. I'm telling you when I am on a routine I am so much better in all of the areas. My night routine includes me picking out my outfit for work the next day and I actually have time to get ready instead in just rolling out of bed to get there. So, I have not been to work everyday all done up but it's been almost every day. I really think the only few days that I didn't do it was when I was sick.

5. Speak up: I think that I have been saying more in like small group this month. Like we were talking about Joseph and his brothers earlier and I had some stuff to say about that. 

6. Own the Room: I don't know if this counts as this or not but one of the girls that I work with said that I always have style. Like, I always look good when she sees me (I think that I look like a troll most of the time) and I guess that would be a way to gage that right?

7. Look People in the eye more: I think that I have improved of this one much more thus far in the year. I still do this when I am working and that's been way better. 

9. Style: 

I chose this shirt because I hate the flower that I share a name with on stuff. I don't wear stuff with daisies on them. So when I saw it I rolled my eyes. Then I realized that I need to get this shirt. So, it's here. It's not my favorite but I will wear it. 

10. Creativity: So, this month I wasn't able to work on my blanket. I really haven't had time to read but I in other ways I really got to be creative in other areas. Like Alaina and I are getting closer to our 16th year friendavsary. I have been driving myself nuts all month in trying to figure out what I want to do. I got all of the the plan together. I am going to be working out all the other other aspects of it in the coming months. I am very excited. The other thing that I got to work on was what my project for next year are going to be. I am working out the kinks on those still but I have a good overall plan down for those too!

11. Spoiling: 

So, I bought stuff for my car! I have been wanting to get some new stuff for my few car. There are still a few more things that I want to get but I am very excited for the things that I got!

12. Peace: I feel pretty good this month! It's not where I want to be but I think that it's ok. I know that if I get the habits back down most of this stuff works itself out. I know that I will get better. I really need to take it a day at a time. 

This is a story of a boy that is struggling with his past. While dealing with everything that is also happening now, and worried about the future. In high school he doesn't have many friends, and he is trying to find where he belongs. With the helps of some unlikely friends he might survive high school.

I remember when this movie came out that lots of people said how good it was. I see where people liked it. It's wasn't my thing. I liked that the main character really got to get out of his shell. Other than that, had I known the whole story I really won't have watched it. 

An insurance clerk is just trying to live his life. However, his job is really not letting that happen. You see Bud lives in a very nice apartment that the high up in the company like to use in order to have their affairs away from anywhere their wives can find them. However, when Bud meets Fran, he finds that he really wants his own apartment to himself to live a life he wants to live, hopefully with Fran.

Let me tell you, this movie is still not the great to me. I have watched it and reviewed it before. I don't get it, I don't like it, and I really wish it didn't have to deal with it anymore. I don't think I am going to get that wish. It's fine for a drama but when you get Jack Lemmon and Shirley McClain together you really want something that is funnier. 

The meal for this movie was Bild-Your-Own Turkey and Cranberry Club with Roasted Sweet Potato Coins and the drink was a Rum Collins

The Sandwich was really good! I have never really made a Thanksgiving sandwich in my life so I was really surprised by how good it really was. I am not a fancy sandwich person. Give me deli meat and some bread and I am good to go. However, all of the stuff that I had to put on made me nervous cause I thought that it was going to be too much and it really wasn't. I was very surprise. I did try this drink and it wasn't very good. I think it was just too much! 

A free spirited young girl is doing her best to get some money together to support herself, and her brother when he gets out of the army. With a mysterious past, and a questionable way of living her new neighbor is intrigued. He doesn't have the best record of "living right" either and neither judges the other in what they are doing. Over time they get to know all about each other but is it enough to make things work out?

So, this is a movie that I hated the first time I watch it and I have slowing been understanding it over the years. I know that I could look up online what other think or feel about this movie, but I honestly rally didn't get it until I watched it last year. Now I am starting to understand why it's the classic that it has come to be. So, i would recommend this movie and I am glad that I got to watch it again. 

  

The lovely meal that I got to enjoy was Cardamom-Cinnamon Twists and the drink was Soyer Au Champagne with Berries. The twists were delicious and easy to make, and drink was ok. I am not finding that I really don't like brandy. I think if I made the drink again I would make it without the brand and try something else like rum. However, it was refreshing, I mean who doesn't like and excuse to have ice cream? 

Chad just got out of the army and back home to Hawaii! However, what awaits him is not something that he wants. He really wants to spend his time on his surf board and not take over the family business. So, he doesn't tell his parents that he is home. He hangs out at the beach for almost a week to avoid the subject. However, Elvis sings ands dancing his himself in to how he wants to life his life. Not without getting into a little bit of trouble at first. 

How fitting is it that and Elvis movie lands on the same month of his passing at 42 years old. He is 26 in the movie and it just makes me sad. Really it makes me more said because I have watched that new Elvis movie 12 times since it came out in June. So, knowing a little bit more about his career and stuff it makes me sad. However, I have always loved this Elvis movie. I have seen love is terrible Elvis movies because my friend Bradley loves Elvis and the levels of bad movies Elvis is insane. It's sad but true. 

The meal was Coconut Fish Curry with Mai Tais. 

I was really excited about the curry because I love the lamb curry Alaina and I made a while back. I also had a really good curry at the restaurant Alaina and went to not that long ago. However, this one wasn't the great. I am not sure if it was because I did something wrong, or if it was the fish. I am not sure. So, if I made it again I would give the original one more shot to see if it was me or the meal, and then make adjustments from there. The drink was ok. there was this syrup I had to make that I didn't really like and I think next time I will just not make the syrup, or buy one that's already made, and try again. 

The month has been insane so I was not able to get four meals done, I only got the three. So, September I will have four meals and the the rest of the year will be less. I am nervous about some of the meals that are coming up and also bout some of the movies. So, it's gonna be interesting. I very excited to see how this works out. 

Let The Joyous News Be Spread: August

 So, this was a month that I was looking forward to when it came to the celebration. I had a way harder time finding a movie that would work however, I think I got what I needed.

In the Heights is about a neighborhood that was being taken over. However, the neighborhood is not buildings it's people. We learn about all of the dreams that everyone here has. We learn about some the issues too. It's a movie about life in one corner of the world.

So, after the insanely good show that Hamilton was, I was really expecting a lot more from this movie. Now, this is not the first time I have seen this movie. I watched it when it first came to theaters last year. I thought the same thing as I do now. This film was originally a Broadway show, written by Lin-Manuel Miranda. So, it could have been the the whole show on Broadway was all singing, like Hamilton, or it could have not been. I thought that both times in watching this film that there was something that was missing but I really don't know what that would have been. 

August 17th is National Thrift Shop Day. The reason that I was so excited for this celebration is because, any excuse that I can get to buy a new hat... I will take it! 

So, a very good potion of the hats that I own are from this store Four Seasons in Knoxville. They have a ton of stuff there all of the time! I love going but I refrain because I would have no money! However, I now where I was going to go for this day. I bought the tulip hat you see there and I am so excited to wear it! I haven't quite figured out the dress that it's going with yet but I will soon! 

The reason that I picked In The Heights for this month is because one of the characters is designer that wants to rent out a new space and make clothes. She gets all of her inspiration from stuff she finds around her neighborhood. So, I really liked how she used stuff that you wouldn't find beauty in and then make something amazing with it. 

So, nothing to insane to weird for this month but it's been a great time! I am ready to see what I am doing this month!