Crockpot chicken changed my life

Ok - so maybe this is common sense to some people... but I have just recently been introduced to crockpot chicken. In case you don't know, I detest boiling and cubing chicken so badly that I have been known to resort to canned chicken. I don't like the way it smells, looks, or how badly I always burn myself in an attempt to shred the chicken just the way that I like it. (Not that canned chicken is any better than this). I especially don't like the white film that is created when the chicken is boiling.

So the other day my friend Whitney says to me, "You know you can cook chicken in a crockpot with a little bit of water and it will shred just like your chicken tacos. Don't you?" NO! I never thought of that. So I tried it the other day. Before I left for work I put 2 large chicken breasts in the crockpot with about 1/2 cup of water and set the timer for 5 hours. I couldn't wait to get home and see if this genius idea would really work. As I run through the door I can smell the chicken. I open the lid to take the chicken out and...it was so tender that it was falling apart each time I "forked" it. I transferred it into a bowl and began to shred all of it together thinking to myself the entire time.."This is going to change my life forever!" I can now eat real chicken, nicely shredded, with no burns, or yucky white film.

Which leads me to the title of my entry "Crockpot chicken changed my life." It is the small things in life that make me so happy. I hope if you have never tried this trick that it will change your life too! Thanks Whit!

Common Courtesy?

Is it just me or is courteous behavior becoming a thing of the past? Now granted, living in the south there are a fair share of people that display courteous behavior. However, there is also a fair share of people that do not. Let me share a few examples of things that drive me crazy. (And yes I have considered that I sound crazy for writing this :)

1. There is a no smoking policy in all TN restaurants (unless it is a 21 or over facility). Do the smokers have to stand right at the entrance/exit door so that everyone who walks by has to walk through their clouds of smoke? Common courtesy: Move over 10 feet.

2. When entering or exiting a building: If someone is a step or two behind you, wait an extra second to extend the door to them rather than letting it slam right in their face.

3. Gum throwers: If you are going to spit your gum out please put it in a place where someone is not going to step on it.

4. When driving on the interstate and you know there is about to be a group of cars who need to merge...get out of the right lane. It is already hard enough to merge without having to speed up or slam on the brakes to avoid someone.

5. Also when driving: If someone lets you over, or goes out of their way to help your driving situation...give them a little wave.

6. Smile at people. It is amazing what a thank you, hello, or smile will do for other people's attitude.

7. Cell phones: Learn where the vibrate or silent button is. Also- when encountering another human being (like checking out at the store), tell the other person to hang on a second and at least say hello to the person checking you out.

I could continue to go on, but I am sure that I have made my point. The bottom line is: a key part of common courtesy is looking beyond yourself and acknowledging that someone else might need help. (Even if it is just a simple smile and acknowledging their existence.) Some people may not even notice your effort, or even return the gestures, but you can take heart in the fact that you are creating the kind of world you want to live in with your actions. Plus isn't that what Jesus would do?

School Daze

The summer has come to an end, and another school year has begun. I am 6 days into my 5th year of teaching and already I am "dazed." This year has started off with more of a bang than ever before. After 6 days we have had 3 schedule changes, switched students from one team/class to the other, lost a teacher on our team, gone from five 60 minute classes to four 80 minute classes, and to top off the day today...someone wet their pants!! Don't be confused by this...I still teach 6th grade.

I have worked every night since school started and even on Saturday and Sunday! It has been busy and stressful..and I haven't been able to talk about it without crying. But, finally things seem to be getting worked out.

So far it seems like I have pretty good students (minus the few "pain in the rear end" kids that you have every year). And, I am REALLY excited that I am only teaching Math this year instead of Math and Social Studies.

So, here's to another year.... 6 days down and 174 to go.

My first nephew...

As most of you know, we have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of my sister Stephanie and her husband Michael's first child. I have been praying for months that Carter Jackson Pigg would arrive before I started school. Finally, (after being 5 days late) he was born on Friday! I have to say I think he is the most beautiful baby EVER and I am sure he is going to be spoiled rotten by his 3 aunts, 1 uncle, 1 brother-in-law, and of course Grammie and Papa. Here are a few pictures that I took over the weekend.

Carter Jackson Pigg

Born July 31st

6 lbs. 9.8 oz.

19 inches

Carter in his first outfit!

The Pigg family.

Proud Aunt Sara

Uncle Ben aka Iceman even held Carter.

Congratulations Stephanie and Michael! You both are going to be amazing parents!