Stuck

Since moving to Galveston, there are days when I get the feeling I am stuck. Stuck in a waiting game. Waiting for Chad to finish school so our "real" life can begin. Due to my job and Chad's time constraints, we haven't been able to form a good community of friends and people. And on certain days, the absence of all that hits me. On those days, I like to bake. So today, I baked my comfort muffin- Strawberry Nut Bread.

Strawberry Nut Bread is super easy and taste very moist and yummy!

As you can tell, the recipe card has been used often.

Before moving to Galveston, Chad and I both just knew that everything would work out smoothly. It had too- God wanted us here! I knew I would get a teaching job that would provide plenty of money for us. We figured the CofC down here would be full of other UTMB students, so making friends and forming a network would be easy. Might just take some time.

Smooth sailing!

Everything did work out- after a couple of lumps were beat out.

I didn't get a teaching job, instead a nanny job. I love my job, knowing now that it is exactly what Chad and I needed for our marriage and his stressful school schedule. But it was and is hard to put my dream of teaching on hold for a while. The church in Galveston is super small with only 1 other young couple there. After going there for several months, we knew we needed to find another church that had more young people. We need friends- I need a friend! So now, we go to church in Friendswood, a 45 minute drive one way. We really love the church but Chad can only commit to going Sunday mornings. Plus, I know driving long amounts of time isn't a big deal down here but for Chad and I it is. We grew up with church 15 minutes away. It's been a struggle to go. For me, it's been a challenge to go by myself. I wish I was one of those fiercely independent women that could speed down I-45 and march into church by herself bubbling over with friendliness, but alas I'm not. I feel incomplete without Chad by my side. I know that's not excuse and all these changes take time to adjust too. Also, friendships take time.

Everything is working out- in it's own time. I know there is a season for everything in Chad's and I life. Our island adventure will soon be over- this is only a small period of our lives. We need to enjoy the moment, where God has put us. Grow where your planted, right?

So while I am waiting/growing in this season of my life, I am going to enjoy some comfort muffins! Mmmm, they are good!

-Blessings-

My Weekly Doings

Here are the things I have been doing this week.

Reading

There is just something nice about having a good book to come home to.

I have started reading this book and it is really enjoyable. It is about a family of Baptist missionaries in the Congo. The family basically does everything you are not suppose to do as missionaries. It is a really good read so far and I love reading about the family's perception of Africa. It makes me laugh as I think of my two trips to Africa and it makes me miss Africa.

Cooking!

I think it have been 4 weeks, 8 hours, and 2 minutes, 38 seconds since we have eaten out last. I love eating out...I blame my father for instilling that into me. But vet appointments, car inspections, and school fees means a tight budget for the Pacs. Translation: cut all unnecessary cost, especially eating out. It has been challenging having to cook every night, especially since I am a horrible grocery shopper and forget to get all the ingredients sometimes. Opps! But I have been cooking and (this is a really big step for me) eating all of our left overs. Chad loves left overs (gross!) and once even ate a whole 9X13 pasta dish that was an utter failure of my newlywed cooking abilities. I would like to say I have gotten better at cooking since now I am eating the leftovers too.

Enjoying my flowers!

Flowers from my boss! She hated to see all the flowers from Valentines go to waste at the store so she bought some and gave me a dozen roses. Chad hardly ever buys me flowers because although they are pretty, they die which makes them a waste of money. (We could of used that money to go out to eat!) But these flowers have been a nice treat. It makes me happy to walk into the kitchen every day and see these beautiful flowers smiling at me!

Discovered the best thing...Gummy Vitamins!

For those who know me well, I hate swallowing pills. I blame it on my bad gag reflex that I was born with. I have to do a whole embarrassing process to swallow pills, that Chad finds very amusing. So naturally, when I saw these Chewable Gummy Vitamins at Target I bought them immediately and have enjoyed chewing them everyday!

Mailed in our taxes!

Taxes for us means a small amount of money back- woop woop!

Chad has done his usual- study, study, and study.

He saw his second patient on Friday. It went a lot better than his first.

His spring break is 2 weeks away and he can't wait- neither can I for that matter. My family is coming down and then Chad and I are going camping. (Anyone know of any good camping spots around the Houston area?)

That sums up our week.

Hope you have a wonderful Saturday!

Same old...

Another week gone by...

This week was filled with the same old stuff. Work for me. School and studying for Chad. We did get to catch up on our sleep this weekend- always a good thing. I did the usually wife-y chores of dishes, house pick up, and laundry.

Oh how I hate doing laundry! What's worse is we now a laundry table- bad idea. You know...the table that all the clean clothes get thrown on with the good intention of folding them later. Well, we have one and basically nothing gets folded now. I need to get rid of it but I love it too much. So I did the laundry today and now...it's nicely stacked on our laundry table :)

Chad and I did go to our first Mardi Gras event today, the children's parade. Chad was told by his professor that the adult parades are a bit wild so we chose to stay away. Plus, my little booger bear was in the parade. My pictures didn't turn out well- sorry. Just imagine a lot of beads, people, and crazy costumes. The parade was on Seawall, right next to the beach, so we just walked from our house. It was fun to go and gave Chad a break from studying. Usually his breaks includes playing hockey with Georgia in the living room (He loves our wood floors.) I was glad for the change- Georgia practically has a nervous break down every time Chad shoots!

We did find out some exciting news this week. Chad's family is coming in June! We are thrilled. We didn't realize how lucky we were in Lubbock to have both our families no more than a couple hours away. Now, we are going through family withdraws. But they are coming for a week- yeah! I'm already planning what we will do. I love having people come visit us. If any of you want to come, please do! Our house is always open!

Well, that about sums up our life right now. I hope you all have a wonderful week!

Where would you go?

The other day I was daydreaming about all the places I would travel if I could. The list is long but I decided to share my top 8. There is just something about traveling that makes me feel alive. The new smells, taste, and faces make all my senses ignite. I love feeling completely out of my comfort zone yet totally energized, full of life. There is just nothing more exciting than traveling, experiencing a culture so much bigger than yourself. Without further adieu, my top 8 places in no particular...

1. New Zealand

Lord of the Rings was filmed there...do I need to say more? It is just so beautiful. Every time when the movie would show the Shire I would feel calm and at peace looking at the different greens and majestic mountains in the background. (Mordor excluded a course)

2.Japan

Sushi. I absolutely love sushi. I don’t really know how much sushi is actually served in Japan but in this day dream we will say a lot. I became hooked when Chad took me to a small sushi joint in Wichita Falls. Sushi, raw fish, in Wichita Falls? Yes, let’s not even go into how fresh sushi could be in a place like Wichita Falls, TX but it was delicious. If you haven’t tried it please do. My mom is even addicted and that is saying something. Ok, my mouth is watering...moving on. Besides sushi, I am drawn to Japan because of it’s culture. I think it would be fascinating to discover in depth!

3. England

I have been to England before- for only a couple of days so I didn't do it justice. I put it on my list because I would like to discover England with Chad. The history is intriguing. It was such an unique experience to stand in Shakespeare's town and to see the Tower of London, imaging all the people and stories that had come before me! Added bonus to visiting England, they speak English! Mind the Gap!

4. South America to see Mayan ruins

Since they predicted the world was going to end this year I feel its important to pay them a visit. The history would be amazing. Just thinking of the culture makes me excited. I love imagining how life was back then. So different from our own.

5.Holy Land

I have learned so much about the Holy Land. Many stories about my faith took place there. I feel it would be a life changing experience to walk where my Biblical hero’s walked before me.

6.Alaska

Chad is one who sparked this flame. I can just see us in a log cabin, fire burning, books piled on the side tables, our beautiful Husky lounging by my feet. Plus, the landscape is breath taking...downside - there are bears. This is one place that might actually be possible for us to go to. I’m thinking when Chad graduates from PA school we should take an Alaskan Cruise. Now...how to find a couple thousand bucks!

7. Prince Edward Island

Anne of Green Gables set this desire within me. I have longed to wonder the hills, picturing Matthew and Marilla waving at me from the porch. Also the fact that all my family went without me this past summer has really made me feel left out. Oh well, I did go to Africa :)

8. Last but not least- Hogwarts!

I feel I would just love being there. I think I would be in Ravenclaw...Chad’s says Hufflepuff. He thinks he would be like Harry and choose Gryffindor. I can’t tell you how many times I have wanted a wand to wave the dishes, laundry, and dust away. And let’s just be honest, we have all wanted to apparate at one time or another. Platform 9 3/4 here I come!

Chad’s list is similar to mine. His top 8 are:

New Zealand

Japan

Germany

England

Italy

Alaska

Mayan’s

China

Holy Land

Ah, I just love day dreaming about traveling! I really think I could just explore cultures the rest of my life.

There is just so much world out there...

Where would you go if you could?

Happy Valentines Day!

Happy Valentines DAY!!!

I know I already posted about valentines day but it's such a fun day!

I just had to wish everyone a happy v-day on February 14th!

And can I say once again how happy I am to have my valentine forever?!

Hope your day is full of love!

XOXO

That's Amore...

Oh...when the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie...that's amore!!!

Valentine's Day is here which means candy, chocolate, and love- all of my favorite things!

Our Valentine's Dessert- Mississippi Mud Cake

I got this recipe from the cooks at Fun Valley RV park. Chad and I worked there 1 summer and this was my favorite dessert. I love it!

-Melt 2 sticks butter and 1/3 C cocoa together

-Pour into bowl of 4 eggs, 1 1/2 C flour, 2 C sugar, and a pinch of salt

-Mix and add 1 1/2 C pecans (which I do not because I feel nuts ruin the goodness of chocolate)

-Bake in greased and flour oblong pan for 30 min at 350

-Place min. marshmallows at full coverage over the hot cake

-Return to oven for around 5 min until marshmallows are toasted

Let cool then drizzle chocolate syrup over top (You can use Hershey's syrup but it doesn't taste as good as the homemade syrup. I did use Hershey's this time because I didn't want to make the syrup.)

Syrup

Melt 1/2 stick butter and 1/3 C cocoa, add 1 tsp vanilla, 1 lb powdered sugar and 1/2 C milk. Drizzle over cool cake!

YUM!

You should of seen Chad's face when he walked in to find the cake...

"You made Mississippi Mud Cake!?! YES!"

Chad and I did cheat and opened our gifts early, a couple of weeks early. :) What can I say? I am really bad at keeping secrets and was practically busting at the seams to open my gifts and tell Chad about his!

He gave me new shoes, a strainer, apple peeler, and juicer.

Isn't he so sweet?

To make gift giving easier, we have started a list on the frig of all the things we want, no matter the price. It's so easy now because we just look at the list to decided what to get each other that's in the correct price range. No long conversations of "What do you want?" "I don't know. I can't think of anything right now." and so on.

Chad's gifts!

I gave him Stars coasters for his office, his favorite tea (It's taste very similar to the tea we had in Africa- it can be found at Target), iTunes gift card, and candy (some of which I have eaten-opps).

Another part of my gift is Chad is going to become Chef Pacanowski and make homemade pizza for dinner on Valentine's Day. Yeah! I love not having to cook. Plus, I love watching Chad cook. There is just something about men cooking. Once, Chad had to call his Granddad to ask what a beaten egg was! haha!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Bells will ring...ting-a-ling-a-ling, ting-a-ling-a-ling...

THAT'S AMORE!

A Day In My Shoes

In celebration of my new shoes Chad got me, I thought I would do "A Day in my Shoes" theme to tell you about our week.

6:15 a.m.

Leaving for work! Thank goodness for coffee or I would be a zombi when I got to work. I was always a morning person growing up but college changed me. I love sleeping in now!

At work..."N" for nanny!

This week involved painting, tents, Moody Gardens, library story time, Rainforest Cafe luncheon with Galveston Mommy Group, and lots of reading. Mardi Gras has started here on the island which means everywhere we go people are giving out beads. So my little man has been looking like a gangster with all his beads on. There is also a carnival that we can see from our backyard and there is going to be a Mardi Gras parade next weekend. Kinda fun. It has still been rainy and chilly here. I am so ready for the weather to be nice again so we can play outside, go to the park, and take walks. I have been getting cabin fever staying inside! I usually leave work around 4 ish.

Home now...cooking.

I have always cooked a lot but we would also occasionally go out to eat. Well, these past few weeks I have been cooking all the time to save money. It has been hard. I have definitely tried to sweet talk Chad into our favorite place here, Shrimp & Stuff (It's just so good) but thankfully he has resisted my womanly charm. So I have been cooking. You might ask why do you have needle nose pliers? Ah, the joy of an old rent house! About a month after moving into our house, the oven knob broke off. Our landlord tried ordering us a new one, but the oven is SO old the company no longer makes that oven knob. We tried several other places in Houston but there was no match. Our land lord wasn't going to buy us a new oven just because of the knob missing. So every time I turn on our oven, I use pliers and another knob that has the degrees to make an educated guess on the temperature. At least we have an oven, right?

Chad comes home- our family is complete!

On Friday, Chad saw his first patient, hence the dress shoes. He did a physical exam, history, and write-up for practice. (He practiced on me the night before and I'm happy to report I have normal reflexes and my eyes, nose, and ears look good.) He was at the hospital for 6 hours! It went well but was very stressful and draining. It made him realize how far he has come but how much farer he still has to do. We find out his rotations for clinicals in mid March. Clinicals start in July. Please pray he gets to stay in the Galveston/Houston area. I don't know what I would do if he was sent somewhere else for several months.

Georgia is doing good. She is still doing her typical things-laying around all day, ripping up my rug, and looking out our living room window for potential threats to bark at (Her favorite is the UPS man).

End of the day!

Relaxation here I come!

Hope you liked a typical day in my shoes and may your shoes be as comfortable as mine!

Have a fantastic weekend :)

A Trip Down Memory Lane...

This weekend was Master Follies at LCU. A fun time where the social clubs compete in song and dance. Your family comes to cheer you on and it is just a great experience. This year my family, Chad's family, and our best friends all went without us. I did throw a little pity party for myself but soon was cheered up because I talked Chad into letting us open our Valentines Day gifts early. (I know- I'm bad. I just needed a little chocolate pick-me-up and plus I have really been wanting to wear the new shoes Chad got me.) So as the phone calls came in about their wonderful weekend, I couldn't help but remember how many wonderful memories I have that took place at LCU.

I remember meeting our best friends for the first time. Courtney was so different from what I thought. She was wearing a black polka-dot shirt and told me about her missionary grandma in Haiti. We then had a math class together. I remember leaving that math class and walking towards the CDC one day. She said I should think and pray about going to Haiti with her and some other people. I said, "I will and I think I know a guy...my really good friend (Chad) who would like to go as well." Now, we have been on 3 over seas mission trips together and several fun camping trips, one in which I got engaged.

I remember exactly what my roommate was wearing as I met her for the first time outside KR dorm. She was an answer to prayers! Since we chose to do potluck, we were both relieved to find out we were both semi normal (She would probably same I tilt more to the weird side than normal) We became inseparable. We went to the cafe together, church, softball practice, social club, and did all things fun together. We played campus golf together, rearranged our room at 2 a.m. together (that was after a caffeine overdose), stole each other's shower towel, and so much more. This is a picture of us when we were sophomores as Resident Assistant's sliding down the stairs on a mattress!

We always had fun!

I remember meeting Chad for the first time, thinking he was so funny! I also remember introducing him to my parents for the first time on Master Follies weekend. I met his parents that weekend as well. I remember him washing my feet during pledge week, that was before I even had an inkling I would be the Mrs. I remember him asking me out for the first time next to KR and me giving him the whole "lets me friend" speel and then running into the dorms to tell Kelsey all the details. "Guess what Chad just ask me?!?" (What was I thinking telling him no!?) I love the memories I have as Chad and I planned the mission trip to Portland, OR together. And then the very special memory when he ask me out on a date again in the library at our favorite study table and I said, "yes!" LCU better not get rid of that table!

There are so many more memories. The growth and experiences I have had with God, the long discussions with professors, the many friends and people who impacted me with their words and examples. As I bubble over with these memories, I am confronted with a overwhelming truth: "Whitney Pacanowski, you are blessed!" And for that I am so thankful. I am so happy I have these memories to hold on to, to laugh with Chad about, to share with my family, and my future (distant future) children! I am so thankful for my college experience and pray that my sister and brother-in-law's LCU experience will be even better. They will be well informed on where to find the best cheese sticks in town, which churches give free lunch, and where to go for an awesome cup of coffee.

And now with a happy heart, I will close wishing you many blessings and happy memories!

Book Worm

I love reading! I love escaping into another world, falling in love with characters, and the feeling of anticipation as a book is nearing the end with all the pieces falling into place. As a child, I was the nerd that marked the book fair on my calendar, and start saving my pennies so I could buy umpteen bookmarks. I am a book worm! So I thought I would share some books I have enjoyed reading.

1. A Voice in the Wind

All time favorite book! It is the first book of a series. I have read them several times and love them more each time.

Summary from Amazon:

This first book in the classic best-selling Mark of the Lion series brings readers back to the first century and introduces them to a character they will never forget—Hadassah. Torn by her love for a handsome aristocrat, a young slave girl clings to her faith in the living God for deliverance from the forces of decadent Rome.

2. Marley & Me

If you are a dog lover, you must read this! I didn't care for the movie at all but I absolutely loved the book. I don't usually cry during movies or while reading books but I cried reading Marley & Me. It is wonderful! I am so glad my mother-in-law recommended it.

Amazon Summary:

John and Jenny were just beginning their life together. They were young and in love, with a perfect little house and not a care in the world. Then they brought home Marley, a wiggly yellow furball of a puppy. Life would never be the same.

3. Saving CeeCee Honeycutt

This is heart-warming book about friendship. It reminds me of the movie Steel Magnolias. It has that special southern charm about it. After reading it, I called my best girlfriends!

Amazon summary:

Twelve-year-old CeeCee Honeycutt is in trouble. For years, she has been the caretaker of her psychotic mother, Camille-the tiara-toting, lipstick-smeared laughingstock of an entire town-a woman trapped in her long-ago moment of glory as the 1951 Vidalia Onion Queen. But when Camille is hit by a truck and killed, CeeCee is left to fend for herself. To the rescue comes her previously unknown great-aunt, Tootie Caldwell.

In her vintage Packard convertible, Tootie whisks CeeCee away to Savannah's perfumed world of prosperity and Southern eccentricity, a world that seems to be run entirely by women. From the exotic Miz Thelma Rae Goodpepper, who bathes in her backyard bathtub and uses garden slugs as her secret weapons, to Tootie's all- knowing housekeeper, Oletta Jones, to Violene Hobbs, who entertains a local police officer in her canary-yellow peignoir, the women of Gaston Street keep CeeCee entertained and enthralled for an entire summer.

4. Her Mother's Hope

I love this book. It is the first book of two. It is about 4 generations of mothers and daughters. After I read it, I wanted to find out more about my family history. I find family history so interesting and important. I love knowing where I come from and the stories of past generations. I would recommend this book for any mother or daughter.

Amazon Summary:

Near the turn of the 20th century, fiery Marta leaves Switzerland determined to find life on her own terms. Her journey takes her through Europe and finally lands her with children and husband in tow in the central valley of California. Marta’s experiences convince her that only the strong survive. Hildie, Marta’s oldest daughter, has a heart to serve others, and her calling as a nurse gives her independence, if not the respect of her mother. Amid the drama of WWII, Hildie marries and begins a family of her own. She wants her daughter never to doubt her love—but the challenges of life conspire against her vow. Each woman is forced to confront her faulty but well-meaning desire to help her daughter find her God-given place in the world.

5. Half-Broken Horses

This book is a different. It's a granddaughter writing about her grandmothers life. I consider a book to be good if it makes you think. This book made me think. The author also wrote The Glass Castle which is a dark book about a dysfunctional family. I liked that book as well because it was thought provoking and made me appreciate my family.

Amazon summary:

Lily survived tornadoes, droughts, floods, the Great Depression, and the most heartbreaking personal tragedy. She bristled at prejudice of all kinds—against women, Native Americans, and anyone else who didn’t fit the mold. Rosemary Smith Walls always told Jeannette that she was like her grandmother, and in this true-life novel, Jeannette Walls channels that kindred spirit.

6. The Help

If you haven't read this yet, you must! (Before watching the movie) It is wonderful. Interesting, thought provoking, and funny

Amazon Summary:

Twenty-two-year-old Skeeter has just returned home after graduating from Ole Miss. She may have a degree, but it is 1962, Mississippi, and her mother will not be happy till Skeeter has a ring on her finger. Skeeter would normally find solace with her beloved maid Constantine, the woman who raised her, but Constantine has disappeared and no one will tell Skeeter where she has gone.
Aibileen is a black maid, a wise, regal woman raising her seventeenth white child. Something has shifted inside her after the loss of her own son, who died while his bosses looked the other way. She is devoted to the little girl she looks after, though she knows both their hearts may be broken.
Minny, Aibileen’s best friend, is short, fat, and perhaps the sassiest woman in Mississippi. She can cook like nobody’s business, but she can’t mind her tongue, so she’s lost yet another job. Minny finally finds a position working for someone too new to town to know her reputation. But her new boss has secrets of her own.

Seemingly as different from one another as can be, these women will nonetheless come together for a clandestine project that will put them all at risk. And why? Because they are suffocating within the lines that define their town and their times. And sometimes lines are made to be crossed.

Last I will leave a quote from my Aunt Saundie. She always says,

"Reading makes you a more interesting person."

I would have to agree! So go become more interesting...

Please share some of your favorite books! I am always looking for something new to read.

Island Winter

Winter WonderISland

I thought I would share tidbits about winter in Galveston.

1. Instead of snow...we have rain. Lots of rain. We have also been having this cool fog that last all day. You can hardly see across the street. For some reason it makes me think of London and gives me the desire to stay inside all day to read and sip on hot cocoa. Any who, because of the rain we have been...

2. Mowing- in January! What?! Yes! I have had to mow the lawn more in December and January than in the summer months. Thankfully our lawn is small :) I put a picture of Chad mowing our lawn for the first time because we thought it was so neat to have a lawn to mow, so neat that I thought it was picture worthy. What was I thinking?! Now, we both dread mowing.

3. Less Bugs- Hooray! I have been a mad woman with the home defense! During August we did meet some of those "famous" HUGE Houston area cockroaches. Each meeting I happened to see them first, introductions involved screaming from me, and for Chad a very big smash from his shoe. But we haven't met any more since October.

4. No Heating- the weather has been so nice that our heater hasn't run at all. Love it when that bill comes in.

5. No Tourists- yeah! The summer months brought beach bums from far and wide to our island and filled our Wal-mart with bikini wearing grocery shoppers. Really? Grocery shopping in a bikini? Come on! Can I get another "yeah" for no tourists!

Winter has been different from what we are use too! The thick jackets, scarfs, and snow boots have layers of dust on them in our closet. Even though I miss our "usual" winter (My winter attire has always been my favorite) I am very thankful to be here on this foggy little island. I am thankful that Chad is attending UTMB and is accomplishing his dream of becoming a PA. I am thankful for my nanny job that provides for us. I am thankful for family. Chad's brother's were in a bad car wreck this week and I am so thankful they are alive and safe. Last, I am thankful for love. The love of God, my amazing husband, my parents, sisters, brothers, in-laws, friends, and a course the love of our dog.

I hope your winter season has been a great one, hopefully filled with snow and lots of love!