Happy Memorial Day!

My first Memorial Day off in 15 years.  As I drove home from work last night I stopped at SuperValu to see if Drew wanted to stop at Wild Dog for a drink after he got out of work.  I parked in the lot and stared at Kirby House.  It was all dark.  A sad sight from the three decades of lights, activity, people coming and going - ALIVE!  As hard as I tried I couldn't get sentimental about it.  It was as if I really wanted to cry.  I stared and thought of the 15 years of living there...trying to get a tear, but I couldn't.  Maybe because I had so many fantastic memories of living there how could I be sad about it.  It was a wonderful time in my life, and it was time to move on.  I wish it was under different circumstances.  It was Ray and my goal to sell it at some point...make some money (ha ha!) and retired.  Leaving the old "Painted Lady" in good hands.  Alas, that didn't happen.  How I/we wanted it to happen didn't come about - but it was time for me to move on. 

I prayed and prayed to God that business would come back to what it was, allowing me to hold on until I could sell it.  Then I realized that I was praying for what "I" wanted and that wasn't God's plan.  I started to pray for God's will.  I would take walks and pray as I walked.  I would tell God what "I" wanted but then said to him "...although this is what I want I must trust that you may have other plans for me, so I pray for your will and ask for your strength and guidance through it."  I am believing to this day that my circumstances must be part of God's plan for my future.  I still have big things to get through and I worry about things still.  I'm believing this life situation right now will give me the strenght for God's future plans for me.  Working out is not fun (for most of us), the dread of going to the gym, the pain, the sweat, the aches afterwards, but that is what makes us strong.  (Although most people feel this way, some LOVE the paid, sweat and aches...not me!)  So, here I am wondering...just wondering, what does God have in store for me?  I am in that hallway between two doors...my past and my future.  I know I am NOT where God intends me to be, but I'm walking the long hallway ready to open that new door. 

I have the day off today.  Drew is working.  I am enjoying the peace and quiet alone time!  Even Jesus needed to be alone.  When he was being demanded upon by his disciples and the crowds he left for the dessert to be alone.  We all that time to just be along, no one needing us.  Time to reflect.  It's nice to do that today.

I think Ray would be proud of me.  Having the strength to move on.  Being able to actually cook real food.  My performance at my new job!  By the way (yes, to brag) I am #3 of the top five on my team of 30 people for customer satisfaction.  (This is from a survey emailed to guests/customers after I have handled a situation for them.  The only reason I am not #1 is because two people weren't satisfied with the outcome...something I had no control over.)  My performance is 7.9, which a 5.5 is the required minimum.  I like to challenge myself to be the best I can in anything I do.  Being "average" is not me!

One of the best feelings I have in my new life is that when I am off of work...I am truly off of work.  No calls at home, no late check-ins, and I don't have to be "ON" 24/7. I also love my new hours.  No having to get up early!

Well, those are my thoughts for today!  Happy Memorial Day! - Jimmy

Enjoy!

Wow, time flies.  I can't believe it's been this long since I've blogged.  I've been so busy with work and the "new home."  In fact, yesterday I cut the lawn for the first time.  The weather this year has been awesome for May.  The best in years.  This must have been the perfect winter, everything is blooming just perfectly!  The colors of the blooms on the trees are amazing!

A couple years ago I had a guest stay at the Kirby House with a friend.  They were enjoying wine and appetizers on the front porch.  They invited Drew and me to partake.  One of the dips they had was delicious.  It was a "Salmon Mousse."  Now I am NOT a big fan of salmon, let alone canned salmon, but this stuff was to die for.  She share the recipe and everyone who has tried it has loved it.  This is one of those perfect appetizers you can make that is so easy and people will think you are a true "foodie."

Salmon Mousse

• 1 can Alaskan pink salmon
• 1 jar Kraft® Old English Cheese (located by the Velveeta)
• 1 8oz block cream cheese, softened
• Blue Cheese Crumbles (to your taste-optional)

Debone Salmon, mix all ingredients together real well. Chill

I'm also not a fan of Blue Cheese as well.  But if you put just a little bit in it does work.

Well, I'm off to make this recipe for dinner tonight.  Enjoy! - Jimmy

So Here It Is

It's Sunday afternoon.  2:00 p.m.  I took Drew to work at 9:00 a.m. and came home and went right back to bed.  Other than getting up here and there, I have been in bed until now.  It's nice to get an actual "day of rest."

The other morning I ran some errands before work.  It felt "odd but liberating."  When running the Kirby House I ALWAYS had the business on the back of my mind.  Constant planning, organizing, keeping my mind on who was checking in and who was checking out.  I always felt that if I was out running errands I had to get back to make sure everything was "ok" at the house.  Now I was out and about and didn't have to think about anything else except what I had to do.  Work is work now.  When I am gone it is all MY time.  I still have my worries about the bills I owe, the guest's I have to give refunds to yet.  Where will my money come from?  That I have to take a day at a time. 

Tonight Friedl is having Drew, Tom, Mary Philp, and me over for dinner.  I am making a corn bread casserole recipe from Paul Dean.  It is super easy to make, check and DELICIOUS!  I brought a pan of it to work on Friday.  We had a potluck for our "zone" and everyone brought a dish.  This got rave reveiws.  So here it is.

Corn Casserole

Ingredients

• 1 (15 1/4-ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
• 1 (14 3/4-ounce) can cream-style corn
• 1 (8-ounce) package corn muffin mix (recommended: Jiffy)
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/2 stick butter, melted
• 1 to 1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a large bowl, stir together the 2 cans of corn, corn muffin mix, sour cream, and melted butter. Pour into a greased 9 by 13-inch casserole dish. Bake for 45 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove from oven and top with Cheddar. Return to oven for 5 to 10 minutes, or until cheese is melted. Let stand for at least 5 minutes and then serve warm.