We Are Family I've Got All My Sister(wives) With Me

In less than 12 hours, the SGG will be together again. 

Candance's petite SGG is auditioning for The Voice and if there’s a reason for all of us to get together, come Hell or high water we’re going to do whatever’s necessary to make it happen.  Christy will be there with her petite SGG, as well as Michelle and her petites.  The SGG In Training, Katiebug, will also be there. 

Not only will there be an exorbitant amount of hairspray, mascara and Skinny Tea (for the adults…because not only is it against the law for minors to imbibe but also we don’t share well with others) sure to be utilized, I anticipate there will be at least 84,000 times we simultaneously reach for our phones.  You know the saying “Great minds think alike”?  Well, we’ve proved it to be true because we all completely by coincidence have the same ringtone – Miranda Lambert’s Only Prettier.  For you see, when you’ve been blessed by the Grace of Southern Charm you want to make sure that your phone announces it to the world.  Or at least to anyone within hearing distance.  

OK, y’all have a great weekend.  I’m off to make sure I’ve got everything packed and count the hours until Katiebug gets off work.  Then, it’s on the road again.

Watch out Houston – the girls are back in town!

What do you mean I’m weird?

If you ask Katiebug, she thinks I’m morbid because I like to go online and read the obituaries from my hometown.  I also visit the websites of the funeral homes in the area and read those obits.  I may or may not also watch the keepsake videos.  She thinks that is the weirdest thing ever.  I just think she hasn’t learned to appreciate a good, Southern-style obituary. 

Lest you think I’m the only one who loves a good obit, you’d be oh so wrong.  Fellow Southern Girl Gang member, Candance, is also a fan of a well-worded written legacy about one’s dearly departed. She’s even been generous enough to email me the ones that speak loudest to her.  Gosh, I love that girl!

One thing you need to know about here in the South – People don’t die…they “go on to their Enteral Glory”, are “placed into the bosom of his Redeemer”, or become the “newest member of Heaven’s angel choir.” 

So yes, I love me a good obituary and am quite particular about what I believe constitutes a good one.  Number One: Let’s talk about the substance of an obituary.  Don’t be vague.  There are a lot of us out there who do not appreciate the fact most obituaries don’t list the cause of death anymore.  As most of you know, I’m currently unemployed and looking for work but I’ve not been successful thus far.  I love the specificity in this one but thankfully I haven’t reached this poor soul’s level of despair…

Columbus Daily Enquirer (Georgia)
17 December 1896, Pg. 3

Claus Meyer, of Jacksonville, Takes His Own Life.
Jacksonville, Fla., Dec. 16. -- Claus Meyer, a highly respected citizen of Jacksonville, committed suicide this afternoon as a result of discouraged business affairs. The deed was done in an outhouse occupied by the servant. He placed the pistol to his right temple and fired, the bullet lodging in his brain.

The cook was the first to discover the dead man and found him lying on her bed, with his feet tied to the headboard. The tragedy was a terrible surprise to his family and friends. He had been in a morbid frame of mind since an assignment which he made a few days ago. (source: here)

Now, how’s THAT for the last thing people remember about you?  Another thing I tend to remark on that causes my offspring to shake her head is the pictures the family chooses for their late, loved ones.  If you’re born in 1920 but die in 2013, surely you have at least one recent picture that could be used instead of one like this:

I’m sure these were all lovely and memorable women, but I know I wouldn’t want one of my high school pictures to be used as a final reminder of me much less one with a 40+ year old hairstyle.  My other pet peeve is one of the newest member of Heaven’s  choir in a wheelchair, barely able to sit without support.  Really?  Your mama cooked, did your laundry, put Band-Aids on your boo boos and that’s how you repay her kindness? Do you like being haunted?  If that’s the only picture you have of your mama, then I grant you permission to use an older one of her.  Especially if you’re lucky enough to find one like this:

 Miss Mildred…I wonder what other secrets she had? 

So, please tell me some of you appreciate a good final send-off like I do.  Cheer up a sad gal, won’t you?  Please tell me you have a good obit you can share with me.  Pretty please? 

Frankly my dear…

 

Today would have been Mr. Clark Gable’s 112th birthday.  In case you didn’t know, Gone With The Wind is my most favorite movie of all time.  So much so, that a certain young lady in my life was named after Katie Scarlett O’Hara. 

Source

Even though it garnered him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, Mr. Gable was reluctant to play the role of Rhett Butler so great thanks to his wife, Carole Lombard, for convincing him to take the part.  He is best known for this role and his last line of the movie, “Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn,” is one of the most famous lines in movie history.  It’s also pretty much been my attitude lately.  Not really giving a damn.  I mean I do, but being out of work can do that to a girl.  I’ve been applying like crazy but the only place I’ve heard back from is for a job that doesn’t start until the end of February.  Too bad rent and bills don’t align with this timeframe.   

When I feel like I can’t take one more disappointment, I ask myself W.W.S.D. – What Would Scarlett Do? -  and then I remember what Scarlett would do; she wouldn’t let horrible, lying, heartless people get her down:

“As God is my witness, they're not going to lick me. I'm going to live through this…” 

But sometimes it is too much to handle and then I have to remember what else Scarlett would do:

“I can't think about that right now. If I do, I'll go crazy. I'll think about that tomorrow.” 

After all…tomorrow is another day. 

It’s Taco(soup) Tuesday!

What?  Two posts in two days?  Everybody grab the ice skates.  Hell must surely have frozen over!

Speaking of cold (nice segue, eh?), I tried a new soup recipe today.  Since Katiebug’s living with me these next few months, I’m trying to cook the things she requires on her eating plan as opposed to my plan which can vary from an apple with almond butter to a bowl of roasted sweet potatoes to a can of sliced peaches.  Her eating plan focuses on protein and lower carbs, with little to no grains.  In fact, the more grams of protein she eats, the better results she experiences with her weight loss.  A typical day for her consists of a minimum of 60 grams of protein.  She’s supposed to eat 60 to 80 grams a day.

I knew That Girl – That Man’s oldest - had posted on the Facebook about a taco soup she made not too long ago.  I texted her requesting the recipe and she obliged. 

Now, y’all should know me well enough by now to understand I’m going to tweak a recipe to make it my own.  Today was no different. 

Here are the ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef, browned & drained
• 1 lb beef chorizo, browned & drained
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 cup green onion tops, chopped
• 1 pkg. taco seasoning mix
• 1 pkg. ranch dressing salad dressing mix
• 2 cups water
• 1 4 oz. can diced green chiles
• 2 14.5 oz. cans tomatoes with green chiles (Rotel)
• 1 15 oz. can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 15 oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup frozen whole kernel corn (or 15 oz. can, drained)
• Sour Cream, for garnish

Brown the ground beef and remove from pot with slotted spoon.  In the fat remaining in the pot, saute the diced onion until transparent.  Add the onion tops and chorizo; brown until thoroughly cooked.  Add the cooked ground beef back into the pot along with the taco seasoning, ranch dressing mix and water stirring until mixed.  Add the beans, corn, tomatoes, green chiles and corn.  Simmer uncovered for 20 minutes. Serve with a dollop of sour cream and more green onions.  If you’re eating grains, add a few corn chips on the side and dig in! 

Looks good, huh?  Now that I’ve whet your appetite, I need to ask a favor.  I  have friend from high school that shared a story of a family friend whose 6-year old daughter is in Texas Children’s Hospital and more than likely will not be going home.  Here is the message she posted:

“I'm asking for another request from all of my FB family & friends. Texas Children's offers a way for anyone to send a short greeting card to their little patients. I didn't know this until I witnessed a 6 year olds eyes light up today when a message was delivered to her room especially for her from a member of her family. This is one of my daughter’s little friends that is in the hospital suffering from MERRF disease & has congenitive heart failure & may not come home. My daughter is not able to visit her friend and tonight we used this message system as a way to send Ashley Fountain a card in my little one’s heartfelt words. Please take a moment to send Ashley Fountain a card to let her know she has a wide family praying for her to get better. She doesn't have to know you but she does need to know that she's in your prayers. Thx for your healing words.”

I can’t begin to imagine what this family is going through.  Ashley’s momma called her friend crying saying this precious little punkin got more than 20 cards today.  She said “each time they brought them to the room, Ashley made her read them twice and smiled so big each time.”  Do you think you could perform a random act of kindness today and brighten a little 6-year old girl’s day?  If so, just go here, fill out the form and send little ASHLEY FOUNTAIN some love.  We all know how the blogosphere can come together and help – in fact, some of us have experienced it ourselves.  Can we do the same for this family?  

Ok, I’m off to pick up Katiebug from work and then back home to send a message to little Ashley. 

Hugs y’all!