Making It Happen

“I would like to celebrate my birthday by going out to lunch, so I’m organizing my own party….no gifts, of course! And I hope you don’t mind buying your own meal. Can you join me?” That’s how I found two carfuls of women to go to a restaurant for my birthday lunch.

The women I invited to my birthday celebration were delighted to go out. Here at our senior apartment complex, we have become a community.

Yes, I have grown children in the state and I usually have a lovely birthday dinner with them. But I like to get together with friends and celebrate, too. So, I make it happen.

When Holidays Disappoint, Take Matters into Your Own Hands

I learned to “make it happen” years ago, when my children were small and my feelings were hurt by an overlooked Mother’s Day. Rather than cry about it, I decided to be clear about what I wanted and expected.

That meant giving my husband a large paper grocery sack and the recipe for “Chicken in the Chips.” He and the kids had fun crushing the potato chips and then shaking the pieces in the sack before baking them. Of course, I bought the potato chips and chicken pieces, but “Voila.” I wanted to be served dinner and I made it happen.

Reminding Others is Allowed, Too

I shamelessly reminded my children, “Don’t forget your precious mother’s birthday is coming up, and handmade cards will be appreciated.”

Is It Okay to Treat Yourself?

One Mother’s Day, I saw some lovely corsages in the grocery store, and bought myself one. A gentleman complimented me on it at church, and said, “Whoops, I better get one of those.” I just smiled.

If there is something that will make you happy, don’t expect anyone to read your mind. Why feel sad when you can make it happen?

One of my new friends called: “It’s my birthday and I want to go out with some friends, like you did. Want to come?”

You bet.

That Goes for Christmas, Too

And now that Christmas is almost upon us, it just isn’t possible to have a storybook Christmas every year—or any year. Rather than sit home and feel depressed, maybe you can help someone else have a great holiday, or find other friends in the same boat. Make it happen.

Here is the recipe for Chicken in the Chips:

Chicken in the Chips-recipe for kids to make with a little help

Serves 4

1 ¼ sticks butter or margarine 4 to 5 ounces potato chips (approx.)

1 cut-up broiler/fryer chicken

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Wash your hands.

In large frying pan, melt butter. Let cool briefly.

Crush potato chips to corn-flake size, while they are still in the bag. This is not only less messy than other methods, it’s more fun. (Poke a small air-escape hole in bag first; then it will be easy.) Pour crushed chips into a clean paper grocery bag.

Turn one piece of chicken in melted butter, to coat completely. Then drop into the grocery bag of potato chips. Close top well and shake chicken a few seconds. (Shaking the bag is the fun part!) Put chipped piece of chicken in a 13-by-9 inch baking pan. Repeat with other pieces of chicken until all are used.

Drizzle left over butter over chicken.

If you didn’t use up all the chips, you can sprinkle leftover chips over the chicken, or discard them. Do not eat them. (Stuff that has been in contact with raw chicken is not good for you.)

Bake chicken in oven for about one hour. Put chicken on serving plate. Eat up. Wash the dishes.