So it has been awhile.......

So it has been a while since my last post.......a whole year almost.  I did not live up to my commitment  of blogging as much as I should.  Life got in the way.....I know lame excuse.  This is for a good reason though.......

Over this past year I have started taking photography classes via New York Institute of Photography.  The classes are only and they are very informative.  I have acquired a real professional camera with the help of my parents (they gifted it to me for my bday); which I love and I am still learning on how to use it.  I love my parent so much and the faith they have for me.  I am dedicated to my classes and I graduate in 2020.  I will also get my Professional Photographer's Certificate.  So wish me luck.

I also got a part time job to go with my full time job.  I will keep the company's name safe for right now but this part time job helped me focus on my passion of photograph.  My full time job is also great and I will tell you why within this post.

My year was pretty boring but I have seen many Marvel movies and continued to work on my diet.  In June I went to see my parents for a mini vacation with Scott and Princess Leia (my puppy).  We had a great time and enjoyed some time with my parents.

In July, my uncle passed away and my father and I went to New Jersey to be with my family.  Even though  it was a sad event; I am glad I went to be there for my dad and my aunt.  I will try to keep in contact with my aunt more then before.  Family is an important thing.

In August, I suffered an accident with my shoulder.  Not going to go into details on what happen, but I can tell you my shoulder got disconnected in my sleep.  It did go back into place but it tore my rotator cuff slightly, tore the upper bicep tendon, and my shoulder alignment was slightly off. I was out of both jobs for a week and received a shot of cortisone.  I thought the problem was solved.....I was wrong and the problem continued.   I did not complain too much but I did not listen to my doctor when he put me wanted me out from August to October 5th.  I went to work at my full time job during that time with a sling.

In September, I had my birthday and turn 40.  I will write about my feelings about being the big 4-0 in a future blog.  I will try and keep this blog thing going.  I promise.

In October, I went back to the doctor and he told me I had to make a decision about my shoulder.  I can take another Cortisone shot or have surgery.  I took the shot but started to have a bad allergic reaction.  Mind you....I have been on steroids since August......and now this is October.  My sugar level went through the roof along with my blood pressure.  I started to have rage.....in which Scott started calling "B**chy Marie".  I decided to have surgery....I could no longer take any more steroid medication and stop taking the steroids all together.  This was after a doctor's visit to my primary care physician.  I had decided to have my surgery November 14th.  Enough time to put any paperwork in my full time job and get my stuff in order best that I can.

At the end of October my father was in the hospital.  I will not state the issue but rest assure he is fine.  I had to take off and travel up to help out.  I was happy to do so and thank God that my job was kind enough to allow me to go. I do work at the best place of employment and everyone is so kind.  Both jobs are great......and I thank God for my blessings.  Anyway, I stayed up in Gatlinburg to help my mom and dad out.  Once I got back from Gatlinburg;  I focused on working non-stop till November 13th (the day before my surgery).

On November 14th, I had my shoulder surgery.  It took about an hour and a half to fix everything.  I woke up forgetting that I was in the hospital and dreaming about ice cream.  I am out of work till January 2019.....basically six weeks.    Part of the healing process has me going to physical therapy.  I go two times a week for an hour; along with doing at home exercises.  To be honest the surgery was not so bad but the physical therapy is a beast. I am doing my best to do the exercises and staying positive.  I know this is a day by day process and it is not easy. 

So basically this is a catch up summary of my 2018 year.  I may touch upon things in details in later blogs but till then this is a summary.  In whole......I can not wait till 2018 is over and look forward to blogging more and for 2019. 

Whomever is reading this I hope you are blessed and well.

No 7 Facial Set

I received this facial set from my boyfriend's mom.  Just wanted to share it and let anyone who reads this know that his is a good product.  Not sure where she got it but I love it. 

The set is made up of the following:

• 1 x 1 Oz No7 Beautiful Skin Cleansing Water
• 1 x .5 Oz No7 Beautiful Skin Radiance Exfoliator
• 1 x 3.3 Oz No7 Beautiful Skin Hydration Mask
• 1 x .84 Oz No7 Beautiful Skin Day Cream Normal/Dry
• 1 x .84 Oz No7 Beautiful Skin Night Cream Normal/Dry

My face feels soft, radiant, and renewed.  Figured I would pass this along in case someone is looking for a facial set.

My Mom's Chilli Recipe

I made my mom's chili recipe yesterday and it was great.  I needed a high fiber meal that is warm and filling.  I am not much of a person who makes things from scratch but this crock pot recipe was worth every bite.  

Here it is:

1 pound of meat  (I used turkey. Which for me is good because of the protein in it).
3 cans of Bushes Chili Beans Mild.
2 cans Demonte Diced tomatoes. Get the cans with the oregano, garlic, and basil.
1 can of tomato soup.
1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder.  
1/2 teaspoon of onion powder.
1/2 teaspoon of paprika.
1 teaspoon of chili powder.
Salt and pepper.

Put the meat in a skillet and brown.  This will take about ten minutes.  Drain the meat and throw it in the crock pot. Add the three cans of beans, 2 cans of diced tomatoes, and tomato soup.  Stir.  Then add the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and the chili powder.  Stir.  I cooked mine from 11 am to about 4:40 pm on high.  So about 5 hours is fine.  I also topped mine off with shredded sharp cheese or toping of your choice.

I know the next time I make the chili; I am going to add corn and red kidney beans for color.  Hope whoever makes this enjoys it.