It's a Woo-Saaa Kind of Day

Wow. 

*exhale*

So that was intense! Yes, the vote ended favorably for the museum, and we received all but $12,500 in funding. Not bad, not bad at all. 

There are many more hurdles, but I will cross that bridge when I come to it.

I'm on Day 4 of a 9 day vacation. Almost 1/2 way done. 

I've decompressed and feel pretty darn good, considering how keyed up and stressed out I was. 

Even though I was super tired and anxious, Friday night I joined my friends Angel (and her boyfriend,) out at Historic Luther Williams Field for an outdoor movie. The Parks & Rec Department with the city puts on Friday night flicks. Basically, you bring a lawn chair, blanket, snacks and enjoy the show. We watched "Armageddon," sipped margaritas, and snacks on small sandwiches and chips. 

Saturday morning my roomie and I headed to the pool. We brought all of the essentials - magazines, snacks, (more margaritas,) and just soaked up the sun. Luckily, no one else was there. We talked about all of the stress and pending bills and just life in general. I think between the water therapy, the tequila therapy, and the chatter, we sort of talked each other "off the ledge" so to speak. We got so much accomplished that morning - we resigned our lease. (Yes, I have committed to Macon one more year.) I was thrilled to do a little grocery shopping, simply because I am back to cooking. I made a delicious Cheesy Chicken Casserole that afternoon, and so far, I have gotten 7 meals out of it, and you guys know how I hate leftovers. I simply can't get enough of this stuff. It was so simple, I have to share the recipe with you. (At the end of this post.) Later that night, we both went into our separate "caves" - She watched "Orange is the New Black" and I watched a little more of "Lost."

Sunday was another fantastic day. Spent almost four hours out by the pool, most of it in the pool. Again - no one was there! We chatted, snacked, and tried to put some color on our white bodies. lol Let's just say I got a LOT of sun. Oops. After a delicious, long nap, a guy I know called and we went on a dinner date. I was home by 9:30 and all was well. 

Yesterday was an incredible day of cleaning. I organized my pantry, scrubbed the kitchen floors, organized the linen closet, the storage/coat closet, cleaned the balcony, washed my car, and even managed to get my hair colored! It is amazing how relaxed I am and focused. Today I hope to spend a little time at the pool, and organize/clean my bathroom/bedroom/closet. Then I can just breathe the rest of the week. My niece is coming over this afternoon, and as always, I am sure she will either make me laugh or drive me insane, heck, maybe both!

So yes - I'm woosaaing all over the place. Focusing, breathing, and enjoying the journey. I have to tell you, I had one of those "Come to Jesus" meetings with .. well.. Jesus. I prayed Monday morning; It was one of those prayers where you just lay it all out on the line. One of the biggest pieces I was able to release was the fear. Fear of failure. Fear of being alone. Fear of how tomorrow will look. I've replaced it with trust and faith - only through the grace of God that's for sure. 

Getting through to the next day is not where I am anymore. Savoring this very day - that's what I needed, and that's what I am experiencing.

Now.. about that recipe:

Nicole's Cheesy Chicken Casserole

Ingredients:

1 rotisserie chicken

1 (10 3/4 oz) can chicken & mushroom soup

1 (8 oz) container of sour cream

1/4 tsp pepper

1 (8 oz) pkg shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, divided

25 round butter crackers, coarsely crushed

Directions: 

1. Preheat oven to 350 f. Remove chicken from bones; discard bones and skin. Shred chicken. Stir together chicken, soup, sour cream, pepper, and 1 1/2 cups cheese; spoon mix into a lightly greased 2-qt baking dish.

2. Combine remaining 1/2 cup cheese and cracker crumbs; sprinkle evenly over the top.

3. Bake casserole at 350 for 30 minutes or until bubbly. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.