So the trip to the dentist ended out eventful. Diagnosis: I need two teeth pulled and the rest are in serious need of a deep cleaning. Considering the mess I got into the last time I had a tooth pulled, I am not in a big hurry to have that done. In fact, I suggested July, I didn't tell the dentist, I am thinking possibly July of 2015, or 2016.....no, I will have it done. Honestly, one of them has bugged me forever. It had a filling that ran down the side of my tooth, the filling has a hook on it and I catch my dental floss on it all the time. My periodontist tried to get my then dentist to redo the filling, and my then dentist would say there was nothing wrong with it. My new dentist thinks the filling is lying just right so it is contributing to the bone loss that goes along with the periodontal disease. Oh, and then they wanted to know if I wanted to see about an implant for that tooth......it would just be $2400 for MY PART--AFTER the insurance, uh no, I will live just as long and die just as happy without that particular tooth in my mouth. Ok, now here's the deal, maybe $2400 isn't really, really crazy for a tooth, but let's think about this. If I have one implant, what happens when the day comes that they say, "the bone is too far gone, it's time to pull them", which in my case, is likely to happen. I have 25 other teeth---see where I am going with this.....25x $2400, no way. So......the other part of the visit was setting up a time for a root planing. Valentine's Day, happy day. Yep, instead of roses I am getting my gums dug out. Thrill a minute. But wait.....there's more!
Andrew calls me this afternoon, he has been to the doctor, he has an umbilical hernia. Now, this is where I totally loose the "Wife of the Year" award. He came to me several weeks ago and said he thought he had a problem. His belly button had went from being an "inny" to an "outty". Andrew has put on a few pounds and I thought it was just weight redistribution. I was wrong so now, we are heading for surgery.
What a day, what a day........
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Dread day
I'm going to the dentist. I haven't been to the dentist in over a year. The last time I went, I had a tooth pulled. The ordeal didn't end until I had an incision cut in the side of my mouth to remove a blood clot. I haven't wanted ANYONE looking in my mouth since and just thinking about it, I run my tongue repeatedly over the scar from the surgery. Going back to Heartland Dental though, they are the ones that fixed the blood clot. Say a little prayer for me today if you have a chance!
Sunday, January 29, 2012
The Craft Room......FINALLY!
Just remember, it IS an unfinished basement but I love it!
This is my work area.
and my storage area...
This is my view of the tv, which is great. As you can see, we have a small "living room" too. I didn't want to get rid of the comfort zone completely because there are times that it's just nice to have another good place to watch tv. It is also great when it storms.....although DISH is usually the first thing to go in a storm. (Pay no attention to the stack behind the TV. This is going to be Andrew's woodworking shop and he isn't as far on his project as I am on mine.....the first thing he is going to do is build a wall there behind the tv, complete with a door so I don't have sawdust all over the house.)
I started to get rid of the kitchen area too. But then I decided it would be great if I were making candles or soaps of if I just want to heat up my coffee.
I love the huge basement, we have an exercise area as well as my laundry room down here too.....not to mention the "grocery store" from my couponing trips.....that's another post though.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
My latest Read
Slow Cooker Sweet and Sour Pork
This is a family favorite, and once again, it comes from the Kraft website (link below). I buy frozen egg rolls as my side and you have a great meal and didn't have to dirty up the kitchen after it has had its Saturday cleaning.
One word of warning, you MUST use Kraft Sweet and Sour Sauce. I tried another brand one time and threw the whole thing out.
http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/slow-cooker-sweet-sour-pork-65878.aspx
Yummy EASY Cherry Danish
The recipe came from the Kraft Website and can be found here:
http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/philadelphia-cherry-danish-dessert-70427.aspx
Birthday Centerpiece
I used the "From My Kitchen" Cartridge to do the cupcake and Plantain Schoolhouse with a Cricut pen to do the lettering.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
The week of unexpected
2:18 Sunday morning, the phone rang. I knew immediately it was my mom. She says I didn't even say hello, I picked up the phone and said, "Mom, I am on my way". She had been having problems with pain. Her neck and most of her body had been hurting for a few weeks. On Saturday after Andrew and I returned from Louisville, I took her to Effingham to look for some bigger shoes because her feet were hurting and swollen so bad she couldn't wear what she had. The pain had escalated last week. On Thursday evening, it went to her head and she just about called me, then it went away, all of it, completely and she was fine. I truly thought it was too good to be true and it was. It came back with a vengeance on Sunday morning.
We made it to the hospital around 3:30, we could have gotten there sooner but she needed me to drive slow as every bump we hit was excruciating. We were in the ER until 8:00 when they decided to admit her because her White Blood Cell Count was very high. The ER docs were stumped as to what was causing the pain.
Her regular doctor was in her room by 8:30. When she started explaining what was going on, he started shaking his head yes, and said he knew exactly what the problem was. He would almost bet money that one inflammation test would come back extremely elevated. If it did, it would prove him right, she had PMR. Polymyalgia Rheumatica. I was stunned he was so quick to diagnose but after googling it, I totally agreed. It was even a textbook case of it. High doses of steroids would relieve the pain. Unfortunately, Mom has been a Type 1, insulin-dependent diabetic most of her life. Steroids and a pancreas that does not work at all do not mix well. She would have to be in the hospital to have the steroids. Tuesday morning, she was feeling much, much better and was released to come home. Not before Dr. Houston informed her that she also had a lot of arthritis in her neck, something she is probably going to have to learn to live with.
Wednesday, we started our first normal day of the week--yeah for normal!
She is still having some pain in her neck but she says as long as she stays busy, she doesn't notice it. My mom doesn't spend much time NOT being busy, so I guess that is a good thing.
I got started back to work yesterday. Making plans to go to New Orleans in June for the National Energy Assistance Directors Conference. One of my favorites. I always come back so full of new ideas to help fight poverty. Looking forward to this one already. Also starting to work on the next set of Computer classes. I don't know if we will actually have a class but I want to be prepared if we do. So, switching gears but still busy.
I have a couple more posts for the blog, probably get them in on Saturday, another recipe to share and another book to read. Thank the Lord for my nook, I read almost an entire book while Mom was resting Monday. Love the fact that if I get done with one, all I have to do is download another one and I am good to go.
So, not many projects done this week, but getting Mom back to better was a good one. Andrew and I are starting to make plans to refinish the wood floors. I am looking at that to be a March thing. We have a spot right at the front door that was damaged years ago by ants. We are looking at laying a tile entry way. If we do, we will need to change out the tile in front of the fireplace as well but I think that would be great. I would love marble tile and in that small of a space, it would be affordable but I am afraid it would be too much for the house so we shall see.
Craft room should be ready for pictures by this Saturday---yea!
Happy Thursday!
We made it to the hospital around 3:30, we could have gotten there sooner but she needed me to drive slow as every bump we hit was excruciating. We were in the ER until 8:00 when they decided to admit her because her White Blood Cell Count was very high. The ER docs were stumped as to what was causing the pain.
Her regular doctor was in her room by 8:30. When she started explaining what was going on, he started shaking his head yes, and said he knew exactly what the problem was. He would almost bet money that one inflammation test would come back extremely elevated. If it did, it would prove him right, she had PMR. Polymyalgia Rheumatica. I was stunned he was so quick to diagnose but after googling it, I totally agreed. It was even a textbook case of it. High doses of steroids would relieve the pain. Unfortunately, Mom has been a Type 1, insulin-dependent diabetic most of her life. Steroids and a pancreas that does not work at all do not mix well. She would have to be in the hospital to have the steroids. Tuesday morning, she was feeling much, much better and was released to come home. Not before Dr. Houston informed her that she also had a lot of arthritis in her neck, something she is probably going to have to learn to live with.
Wednesday, we started our first normal day of the week--yeah for normal!
She is still having some pain in her neck but she says as long as she stays busy, she doesn't notice it. My mom doesn't spend much time NOT being busy, so I guess that is a good thing.
I got started back to work yesterday. Making plans to go to New Orleans in June for the National Energy Assistance Directors Conference. One of my favorites. I always come back so full of new ideas to help fight poverty. Looking forward to this one already. Also starting to work on the next set of Computer classes. I don't know if we will actually have a class but I want to be prepared if we do. So, switching gears but still busy.
I have a couple more posts for the blog, probably get them in on Saturday, another recipe to share and another book to read. Thank the Lord for my nook, I read almost an entire book while Mom was resting Monday. Love the fact that if I get done with one, all I have to do is download another one and I am good to go.
So, not many projects done this week, but getting Mom back to better was a good one. Andrew and I are starting to make plans to refinish the wood floors. I am looking at that to be a March thing. We have a spot right at the front door that was damaged years ago by ants. We are looking at laying a tile entry way. If we do, we will need to change out the tile in front of the fireplace as well but I think that would be great. I would love marble tile and in that small of a space, it would be affordable but I am afraid it would be too much for the house so we shall see.
Craft room should be ready for pictures by this Saturday---yea!
Happy Thursday!
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Just finished another GREAT book
She has me totally hooked on Christian Chick lit but I think she is going to have to write faster!
Sunday, January 15, 2012
What will this week bring?
Oh the excitement of another beginning. The beginning of the week that is. Seems like the more I think I don't have as much to do as I used to, the more I prove myself wrong.
I was telling a friend on Friday that I hadn't had a cold since I had been taking Vitamin C. I also take zinc anytime anything seems slightly off kilter. Well, I woke up yesterday morning with my throat hurting. I have laid on the zinc, as well as the contact and I have no other symptoms, but it is annoying to say the least because truly, there is way too many things going on to be sick.
I made a list a mile long of things I want to get done tomorrow, on my extra day off (Happy Birthday MLK Jr.) Today is "Simple Blessings" day at church. We started this three years ago this month. We have a lady from church who is in an assisted living facility in Casey. We go once a month and sing. We also stop by a few other peoples houses who can't get out and sing to them too. It is a fun day but a busy one. Andrew has to work, Robert and I will go to Mom's for lunch then Robert has to go clean the bowling alley and be back by 3. Of course, we make our rounds and are back at church at 6.
Some of you know this, some don't. Robert backed into car on Friday, so part of tomorrow will entail him having an estimate to replace his bumper. He was really aggravated because he said had it been in the summer, the bumper probably wouldn't have cracked, but because it was about 20 degrees outside, it did.
I have about 4 craft projects that need worked on tomorrow, as well as continuing to work on my craft room itself. Still on target to have it pretty well the way I want it by the end of January.
I have some excitement going on this week at work too. I have mentioned the PIPP program numerous times on the blog. This week, one of the ladies from the state is coming down to see how I do part of the program. She wants to use me and two other people in the state as examples to show the rest of the agencies how to do this part. I am honored and nervous all at the same time.
Of course, Wednesday night is AWANA. Robert has a ballgame AGAIN, which means I have to do his computer jobs at AWANA, no biggie, just changes in normal.
I was supposed to go to see Joyful Noise with Kelley Friday night, but she caught a bug and we didn't get to go. Hopefully we will go Saturday. Maybe the crowds will be calmed down by then anyway. Still looking forward to seeing the movie as well as Kelley.
I did get my new desk put in my family room last Sunday night, Robert and I put it up in about an hour and a half---and I love it! I will probably post pics of it when I am ready to post the pics of the craft room.
Busy week...what's new?
Happiness always thrives in very full and active lives.....guess I am VERY happy!
Happy Sunday.
I was telling a friend on Friday that I hadn't had a cold since I had been taking Vitamin C. I also take zinc anytime anything seems slightly off kilter. Well, I woke up yesterday morning with my throat hurting. I have laid on the zinc, as well as the contact and I have no other symptoms, but it is annoying to say the least because truly, there is way too many things going on to be sick.
I made a list a mile long of things I want to get done tomorrow, on my extra day off (Happy Birthday MLK Jr.) Today is "Simple Blessings" day at church. We started this three years ago this month. We have a lady from church who is in an assisted living facility in Casey. We go once a month and sing. We also stop by a few other peoples houses who can't get out and sing to them too. It is a fun day but a busy one. Andrew has to work, Robert and I will go to Mom's for lunch then Robert has to go clean the bowling alley and be back by 3. Of course, we make our rounds and are back at church at 6.
Some of you know this, some don't. Robert backed into car on Friday, so part of tomorrow will entail him having an estimate to replace his bumper. He was really aggravated because he said had it been in the summer, the bumper probably wouldn't have cracked, but because it was about 20 degrees outside, it did.
I have about 4 craft projects that need worked on tomorrow, as well as continuing to work on my craft room itself. Still on target to have it pretty well the way I want it by the end of January.
I have some excitement going on this week at work too. I have mentioned the PIPP program numerous times on the blog. This week, one of the ladies from the state is coming down to see how I do part of the program. She wants to use me and two other people in the state as examples to show the rest of the agencies how to do this part. I am honored and nervous all at the same time.
Of course, Wednesday night is AWANA. Robert has a ballgame AGAIN, which means I have to do his computer jobs at AWANA, no biggie, just changes in normal.
I was supposed to go to see Joyful Noise with Kelley Friday night, but she caught a bug and we didn't get to go. Hopefully we will go Saturday. Maybe the crowds will be calmed down by then anyway. Still looking forward to seeing the movie as well as Kelley.
I did get my new desk put in my family room last Sunday night, Robert and I put it up in about an hour and a half---and I love it! I will probably post pics of it when I am ready to post the pics of the craft room.
Busy week...what's new?
Happiness always thrives in very full and active lives.....guess I am VERY happy!
Happy Sunday.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Pork Chops and Rice
One of my favorite recipes growing up turned into one of Andrew's favorite recipes after we got married, and Robert grew up loving it too. It is a family favorite and I kicking myself for not taking pictures. It takes a little longer than most of my recipes---1 hour total, but it is worth it!
Pork Chops and Rice
1 lb pork chops 1/2 c flour
salt and pepper 1/4oil
1 1/2 c regular rice 1 pkg. onion soup mix
1 can mushrooms 1 can cream of mushroom soup
water
Spray a 9"x13" glass baking dish with Pam, put rice, onion soup mix (reserve about 1 1/2 TBSP), and mushroom soup in glass dish. Drain mushrooms, reserving liquid in a 3 cup measuring cup. Add mushrooms to rice mixture. Fill the cup with the mushroom liquid to 3 cups with water, stir into mixture, stir well.
Coat chops with the flour, salt and pepper, brown in the 1/4 cup oil. When browned on both sides, arrange chops on top of rice mixture. Sprinkle remaining soup mix on top of chops and gentle press them down into the water to let the tops get a bit wet. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.
This is such a classy looking meal, the pork chops get so tender and the rice has a wonderful flavor. I have been known to leave out the soup when trying to lower calories, it still works well and has a good flavor. My mom always put peas in it too, probably about a cup, love them in it but Andrew has diverticulitus so I don't add them anymore.
Pork Chops and Rice
1 lb pork chops 1/2 c flour
salt and pepper 1/4oil
1 1/2 c regular rice 1 pkg. onion soup mix
1 can mushrooms 1 can cream of mushroom soup
water
Spray a 9"x13" glass baking dish with Pam, put rice, onion soup mix (reserve about 1 1/2 TBSP), and mushroom soup in glass dish. Drain mushrooms, reserving liquid in a 3 cup measuring cup. Add mushrooms to rice mixture. Fill the cup with the mushroom liquid to 3 cups with water, stir into mixture, stir well.
Coat chops with the flour, salt and pepper, brown in the 1/4 cup oil. When browned on both sides, arrange chops on top of rice mixture. Sprinkle remaining soup mix on top of chops and gentle press them down into the water to let the tops get a bit wet. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.
This is such a classy looking meal, the pork chops get so tender and the rice has a wonderful flavor. I have been known to leave out the soup when trying to lower calories, it still works well and has a good flavor. My mom always put peas in it too, probably about a cup, love them in it but Andrew has diverticulitus so I don't add them anymore.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Good Morning World!
Another Wednesday, been back at work two days now, slowly but surely getting caught up for my time away. It has been hectic but it was really good to get back. Still thank God daily for my job. I had the pleasure of sharing what I do with a family friend this week who is in college, she is trying to decide exactly what she is supposed to be doing with her life.....I hope I helped.
On health notes, I am down to 30 mg of prednizone again. So far, so good. I walked for a little over 20 minutes on the treadmill yesterday morning. I had walked a few times in November, but never made it past the 20 minute mark. I had sweat yesterday, felt really good. I got my Wii fit out Monday, it had been 300 days since I had been on it. That was when the doctor said no because he didn't want me twisting my severely inflamed bowels. I will try not to take exercise for granted ever again. It's like I told my doctor, I know I'm fat but believe it or not, I do like to exercise. He laughed....he would.
Coming off the prednizone, I officially started the counting calories and dieting thing on Sunday. I have lost a pound. Honestly pretty amazing with the dose I am on. Doc said I probably would see any movement until I was around 20. Lose weight just like you eat an elephant, one bite at a time, or in this case one pound at a time. I have no delusions of ever being a twiggy, just striving everyday to be healthier.
Still getting many projects accomplished, that feels great too. I have been getting several homemade cards made for upcoming birthdays, weddings, etc. cut out a pattern for Robert a new vest last night. I haven't sewn in years and with my new room, I can. I used to sew everything when Robert was little. I even made Andrew a wool overcoat, it was beautiful, he outgrew it. Robert wears it once in a while now though.
So, I have to say 2012 has started out great for us.
Tonight is AWANA night so it is "not much time at home" night. Robert has a ball game and work and since the jeep gets worse gas mileage than the van, I decided I might as well come home and get Andrew for AWANA. I normally just work over on Wednesdays, it's nice to be there without the hustle and bustle of the regular hours. I posted a recipe last week, should have posted my Pork Chops and Rice recipe last night, but didn't get pictures taken, I may post the recipe anyway, it is one handed down from my mom and a family favorite. Maybe tomorrow.
Andrew decided yesterday he was going to get the fitness bug too, he is downstairs exercising and it is just barely 5:30 a.m. An amazing feat since he tells me his body only recognizes one 5:00 a day.
Looking forward to the weekend, hopefully getting to go see Joyful Noise with a friend of mine. When I asked Andrew if it would be okay if I went to see that with someone else, his answer was, "That would be great, when I saw the trailer, I thought 'Mindy will drag me to that' ". It's gonna work out for all of us. One of my goals for 2012 (remember I don't make resolutions) was to spend more time with my friends. I got to have lunch with Amy and Vaneta last Friday, hopefully going to the movies with Kelley this weekend and the 27th I am going to a Scrapbooking night with Christina. I didn't get all my friends in there but it was an improvement. Should be a good month.
Robert's big news of the week--he kinda got in trouble for talking too much at work. Hard lessons learned, been there, done that. It's hard when talking is second nature. This is something I have had to work on a lot over the years and now he is to the point where he does too.
Life in a nutshell, not quite as adventurous as I think it used to be, but still a great ride, nonetheless.
Happy Wednesday my friends!
On health notes, I am down to 30 mg of prednizone again. So far, so good. I walked for a little over 20 minutes on the treadmill yesterday morning. I had walked a few times in November, but never made it past the 20 minute mark. I had sweat yesterday, felt really good. I got my Wii fit out Monday, it had been 300 days since I had been on it. That was when the doctor said no because he didn't want me twisting my severely inflamed bowels. I will try not to take exercise for granted ever again. It's like I told my doctor, I know I'm fat but believe it or not, I do like to exercise. He laughed....he would.
Coming off the prednizone, I officially started the counting calories and dieting thing on Sunday. I have lost a pound. Honestly pretty amazing with the dose I am on. Doc said I probably would see any movement until I was around 20. Lose weight just like you eat an elephant, one bite at a time, or in this case one pound at a time. I have no delusions of ever being a twiggy, just striving everyday to be healthier.
Still getting many projects accomplished, that feels great too. I have been getting several homemade cards made for upcoming birthdays, weddings, etc. cut out a pattern for Robert a new vest last night. I haven't sewn in years and with my new room, I can. I used to sew everything when Robert was little. I even made Andrew a wool overcoat, it was beautiful, he outgrew it. Robert wears it once in a while now though.
So, I have to say 2012 has started out great for us.
Tonight is AWANA night so it is "not much time at home" night. Robert has a ball game and work and since the jeep gets worse gas mileage than the van, I decided I might as well come home and get Andrew for AWANA. I normally just work over on Wednesdays, it's nice to be there without the hustle and bustle of the regular hours. I posted a recipe last week, should have posted my Pork Chops and Rice recipe last night, but didn't get pictures taken, I may post the recipe anyway, it is one handed down from my mom and a family favorite. Maybe tomorrow.
Andrew decided yesterday he was going to get the fitness bug too, he is downstairs exercising and it is just barely 5:30 a.m. An amazing feat since he tells me his body only recognizes one 5:00 a day.
Looking forward to the weekend, hopefully getting to go see Joyful Noise with a friend of mine. When I asked Andrew if it would be okay if I went to see that with someone else, his answer was, "That would be great, when I saw the trailer, I thought 'Mindy will drag me to that' ". It's gonna work out for all of us. One of my goals for 2012 (remember I don't make resolutions) was to spend more time with my friends. I got to have lunch with Amy and Vaneta last Friday, hopefully going to the movies with Kelley this weekend and the 27th I am going to a Scrapbooking night with Christina. I didn't get all my friends in there but it was an improvement. Should be a good month.
Robert's big news of the week--he kinda got in trouble for talking too much at work. Hard lessons learned, been there, done that. It's hard when talking is second nature. This is something I have had to work on a lot over the years and now he is to the point where he does too.
Life in a nutshell, not quite as adventurous as I think it used to be, but still a great ride, nonetheless.
Happy Wednesday my friends!
Saturday, January 7, 2012
What I'm reading
Mom and I share Max Lucado books, I had never read this one and she brought it to me around Thanksgiving. I usually read part of a chapter before my morning Bible Study. I was doing the Christmas Edition of My Daily Bread before Christmas so I set this aside. Yesterday I picked it up and realized it was a study in Romans. A bit ironic since that is what our in depth study is for our high school group in AWANA. This fits in perfectly and gives me one more aspect for our class.
This is my nook book right now. Lethal Lasagna by Rhonda Gibson. Rhonda went to school with Andrew and is a Christian fiction writer. Thanks to facebook, he found out she was a writer and I looked up some of her books. I read the one below right before Christmas, Rhonda worked with three other authors on it and it was really, really good so I decided to look up some more of her books. Lethal Lasagna is a Christian Murder Mystery, the best of both worlds.
I am working on making me a working "reading list", I have several non-fiction books I am wanting to tackle too.....
if only there were more time.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Winding Down Vacation
I started out Monday morning armed with a list of things to get done this week. Though I have a couple that are not 100% yet, I am really proud of what I have gotten done.
Those who know me well know I am an organizational freak, I bought a P-touch labeler on black Friday and am in the process of labeling everything I can think of. My first project of the week was the dog closet which is really a shoe organizer hung on the door to the attic. It is a great space though because I can fit all their toys, medicines, sweaters, hairbows, etc, in each individual pocket. The pockets now all have labels.
The next thing on my list was to clean out my kitchen cabinets; done.
I always wait until after New Year's to take down the Christmas decorations--they are down, with the exception of my nativity set, which belonged to my grandmother. I leave it on the fireplace mantel until Easter. It is one of my most treasured possessions and I feel it deserves more time than just a month before Christmas.
My coupons are cleaned out and organized, menus done for January, grocery list done for January and notebook set up to keep track of all of the above.
I have made three thank you notes, and am half way finished with a birthday card--those all accomplished in my new craft room.
I still have some work to do on the craft room before I post pictures. I am actually waiting right now to hear from a craigslist seller about a desk. I moved a smaller desk upstairs to replace the one I took downstairs but I just don't care for it like I thought I would. It just so happened I found an identical desk to mine on craigslist this morning, now I am just praying it is still available. If it is, Andrew and I will be taking a road trip.
So, I have two things on my list that MIGHT not be completely finished before Monday--straightening up my garage and getting the craft room completed. If we get to go the desk, they probably won't get done, if we don't, they will.
I am still very excited about the start to my year......and I hate to say it, but I am starting to having withdrawal from work too.
Love vacation but love the fact that I have a job that I WANT to go back to.
The next thing on my list was to clean out my kitchen cabinets; done.
I always wait until after New Year's to take down the Christmas decorations--they are down, with the exception of my nativity set, which belonged to my grandmother. I leave it on the fireplace mantel until Easter. It is one of my most treasured possessions and I feel it deserves more time than just a month before Christmas.
My coupons are cleaned out and organized, menus done for January, grocery list done for January and notebook set up to keep track of all of the above.
I have made three thank you notes, and am half way finished with a birthday card--those all accomplished in my new craft room.
I still have some work to do on the craft room before I post pictures. I am actually waiting right now to hear from a craigslist seller about a desk. I moved a smaller desk upstairs to replace the one I took downstairs but I just don't care for it like I thought I would. It just so happened I found an identical desk to mine on craigslist this morning, now I am just praying it is still available. If it is, Andrew and I will be taking a road trip.
So, I have two things on my list that MIGHT not be completely finished before Monday--straightening up my garage and getting the craft room completed. If we get to go the desk, they probably won't get done, if we don't, they will.
I am still very excited about the start to my year......and I hate to say it, but I am starting to having withdrawal from work too.
Love vacation but love the fact that I have a job that I WANT to go back to.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
First project of the year-DONE!
and it isn't even MY project!
We have been working on a few "combined" projects that will end up with one big one done....getting the shop ready for Robert to use to work on cars this summer.
A few years ago, we brought the old coal burning stove that was in my house when I was a baby. The guys put it in the garage and it was super. The drawbacks though, were it was huge, took up a lot of space and had a crack in it that spit out hot embers--not a good combination when you have a gasoline-powered vehicle in close proximity.
The guys decided they wanted a new box wood stove. With Christmas money in hand, they purchased one on Tuesday and got it installed yesterday. I love the fact that it also gives us security should an ice storm hit. We have a gas fireplace that we could use but it doesn't put out a lot of heat. We also have two kerosene heaters for the basement, but the wood stove in the garage is even fixed so we can cook on it. Just a nice comforting thought should the lights go out.
I made the list mentioned a couple of posts back---Andrew says it sounds like we are in for a busy year. I really think it is easy compared to some of the last lists though. Most are small projects, not huge undertakings. A few things here and there. New paint and border in one room, a floor refinished in another, counter tops, just "here and there" stuff instead of gutting anything and starting over. Looking forward to all our little improvements though.
I am working fervently on my craft room this week. Our basement is unfinished so it isn't going to be "beautiful" but functional is what I am aiming for, hopefully by Saturday I can post pictures of it. I am super-excited at the possibilities. To top it off, I have it set up to where I can work on scrapbooking and see a tv---one that is NOT showing football, or hockey, or nascar, that in itself will be a plus (sorry guys).
We have been working on a few "combined" projects that will end up with one big one done....getting the shop ready for Robert to use to work on cars this summer.
A few years ago, we brought the old coal burning stove that was in my house when I was a baby. The guys put it in the garage and it was super. The drawbacks though, were it was huge, took up a lot of space and had a crack in it that spit out hot embers--not a good combination when you have a gasoline-powered vehicle in close proximity.
I made the list mentioned a couple of posts back---Andrew says it sounds like we are in for a busy year. I really think it is easy compared to some of the last lists though. Most are small projects, not huge undertakings. A few things here and there. New paint and border in one room, a floor refinished in another, counter tops, just "here and there" stuff instead of gutting anything and starting over. Looking forward to all our little improvements though.
I am working fervently on my craft room this week. Our basement is unfinished so it isn't going to be "beautiful" but functional is what I am aiming for, hopefully by Saturday I can post pictures of it. I am super-excited at the possibilities. To top it off, I have it set up to where I can work on scrapbooking and see a tv---one that is NOT showing football, or hockey, or nascar, that in itself will be a plus (sorry guys).
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Super Simple Alfredo
One of my all time favorite recipes and really simple.
I found the sauce recipe in a Philadelphia Cream Cheese cookbook years ago and it has been a staple ever since. I add different things to make it different meals, shrimp, crab meat, Italian veggies; my menu tonight called for blackened chicken.
Philly Alfredo
1/2 cup butter
1 8 oz. package cream cheese
1/2 cup milk
3/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
Cut butter and cream cheese into chunks, cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until smooth, add milk and cheese, continue stirring until smooth.
That's it, takes about 15 minutes. Serve over cooked pasta. I used Penne tonight. Robert doesn't like fettuccine or spaghetti so I normally do shorter pastas, but that's a personal thing. You can also use light cream cheese as well as light margarine and Parmesan, I have done this when I am dieting hard and it is still good, not as good as using all regular, but good and really, the sauce is so rich a little goes a long way. (Serves 4-6)
My blackened chicken was a cheater thing tonight (hey, I AM on vacation). I normally buy bags of chicken breasts when they are on sale and cook one bag off the bat and cut them up and freeze them so they are quick, but I also buy the precooked chicken strips when I have coupons and I did a month or so ago so I had a bag of these in the freezer. I spiced them up with a little Cajun seasoning and threw them in a hot skillet for a few minutes. Then, to get the "TGIFriday's" effect, I chopped tomatoes for the edge, little parsley on top, pop a piece of garlic bread on the side and we have supper.
I found the sauce recipe in a Philadelphia Cream Cheese cookbook years ago and it has been a staple ever since. I add different things to make it different meals, shrimp, crab meat, Italian veggies; my menu tonight called for blackened chicken.
Philly Alfredo
1/2 cup butter
1 8 oz. package cream cheese
1/2 cup milk
3/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
Cut butter and cream cheese into chunks, cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until smooth, add milk and cheese, continue stirring until smooth.
That's it, takes about 15 minutes. Serve over cooked pasta. I used Penne tonight. Robert doesn't like fettuccine or spaghetti so I normally do shorter pastas, but that's a personal thing. You can also use light cream cheese as well as light margarine and Parmesan, I have done this when I am dieting hard and it is still good, not as good as using all regular, but good and really, the sauce is so rich a little goes a long way. (Serves 4-6)
My blackened chicken was a cheater thing tonight (hey, I AM on vacation). I normally buy bags of chicken breasts when they are on sale and cook one bag off the bat and cut them up and freeze them so they are quick, but I also buy the precooked chicken strips when I have coupons and I did a month or so ago so I had a bag of these in the freezer. I spiced them up with a little Cajun seasoning and threw them in a hot skillet for a few minutes. Then, to get the "TGIFriday's" effect, I chopped tomatoes for the edge, little parsley on top, pop a piece of garlic bread on the side and we have supper.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Home!
Andrew and I ended our journey with a trip to the Kentucky Flea Market. Quite an experience, reminded me of Covered Bridge, it was huge. Bought a new purse, socks, and a calendar--I was living dangerously, huh?
We got home yesterday evening around 6:30, when Robert got home we took him out to Bdubs. I have to say, I was impressed with the looks of my house when I got home and the dishes were in the dishwasher and had already been washed....yep, he didn't disappoint and yes, he WILL make someone a great hubby one of these days.
So, today is the start of my vacation. I have vowed to stay away from work as the last time I was on vacation, I spent most of my day hours on the phone for conference calls. I went so far as to delete my email account off of my cell so things don't just pop up for me to worry about. I have a lot of projects planned for this week so it would be good to concentrate on home this week.
And then there is the fact that it is New Years.....Resolutions....I don't make them. I do set goals for myself and for things for our family. I love writing down what we want to accomplish and being able to look back and see we did what we set out to do. The back bath project was one that wasn't finished last January and it is gorgeous now. Robert wanted a job and a better vehicle, and he has both. So, part of today (since it is the LEGAL holiday--my disclaimer for not doing this yesterday) will be spent writing down what we want to get done this year. I know one is work on the porch and another is to get my craft room done. The craft room hopefully will be done by the end of this month though.
Of course, I HAVE to watch the parade---it's a special one since it is on the 2nd. We actually marched on the 2nd when we were there. The coolest thing about that was we got to go to the Disneyland New Year's eve party which most of the time, the band's didn't get to do because they had to be lined up at 5 a.m. I will never forget that trip and I sit and cry through the parade because I am so darned proud of the fact that we still have young people out there willing to work their tails off to get to do this. There is always hard work not only in the preparation for the parade but in the raising the money to get there. People, this instills that work ethic at a young age that employers want for the rest of their lives. It makes you realize things worth having are worth working for. And the things that you work for are so much sweeter than the ones that are handed to you. I washed a heck of a lot of windows and cars, raked tons of leaves, and cleaned plenty of houses to get there but we did it, even when things were tough at our house.......and of course, there were a few special people who would put money in a birthday card and say, "Just think Roses until January". I didn't mean to get on this but the day we found out we were going, I called my mom, I could hear the worry in her voice of how we would pay for it. I promised her I would do everything in my power to raise my money and I did. Anyway, I think that was the first time I really saw what I could do if I set my mind to it and as I said above, it was a life lesson that has served me well.
So, Happy 2012 everyone. One of my goals is to blog more. I have had several people tell me they want me to share some of my organizational secrets, money-saving tips, and craft ideas. I am still trying to figure out if I want to do that or not. Yes, I like the fact that I do my menus a month at a time, use coupons for everything I can (I saved $13 on our trip because of coupons), and love when I come out of the grocery store with a full trunk and have spent less than $50 but I don't know that it is everyone else's cup of tea.
Happy Monday everybody!
We got home yesterday evening around 6:30, when Robert got home we took him out to Bdubs. I have to say, I was impressed with the looks of my house when I got home and the dishes were in the dishwasher and had already been washed....yep, he didn't disappoint and yes, he WILL make someone a great hubby one of these days.
So, today is the start of my vacation. I have vowed to stay away from work as the last time I was on vacation, I spent most of my day hours on the phone for conference calls. I went so far as to delete my email account off of my cell so things don't just pop up for me to worry about. I have a lot of projects planned for this week so it would be good to concentrate on home this week.
And then there is the fact that it is New Years.....Resolutions....I don't make them. I do set goals for myself and for things for our family. I love writing down what we want to accomplish and being able to look back and see we did what we set out to do. The back bath project was one that wasn't finished last January and it is gorgeous now. Robert wanted a job and a better vehicle, and he has both. So, part of today (since it is the LEGAL holiday--my disclaimer for not doing this yesterday) will be spent writing down what we want to get done this year. I know one is work on the porch and another is to get my craft room done. The craft room hopefully will be done by the end of this month though.
Of course, I HAVE to watch the parade---it's a special one since it is on the 2nd. We actually marched on the 2nd when we were there. The coolest thing about that was we got to go to the Disneyland New Year's eve party which most of the time, the band's didn't get to do because they had to be lined up at 5 a.m. I will never forget that trip and I sit and cry through the parade because I am so darned proud of the fact that we still have young people out there willing to work their tails off to get to do this. There is always hard work not only in the preparation for the parade but in the raising the money to get there. People, this instills that work ethic at a young age that employers want for the rest of their lives. It makes you realize things worth having are worth working for. And the things that you work for are so much sweeter than the ones that are handed to you. I washed a heck of a lot of windows and cars, raked tons of leaves, and cleaned plenty of houses to get there but we did it, even when things were tough at our house.......and of course, there were a few special people who would put money in a birthday card and say, "Just think Roses until January". I didn't mean to get on this but the day we found out we were going, I called my mom, I could hear the worry in her voice of how we would pay for it. I promised her I would do everything in my power to raise my money and I did. Anyway, I think that was the first time I really saw what I could do if I set my mind to it and as I said above, it was a life lesson that has served me well.
So, Happy 2012 everyone. One of my goals is to blog more. I have had several people tell me they want me to share some of my organizational secrets, money-saving tips, and craft ideas. I am still trying to figure out if I want to do that or not. Yes, I like the fact that I do my menus a month at a time, use coupons for everything I can (I saved $13 on our trip because of coupons), and love when I come out of the grocery store with a full trunk and have spent less than $50 but I don't know that it is everyone else's cup of tea.
Happy Monday everybody!
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Great Escape 2011-- Day 2
Today started with a trip to the Zachary Taylor National Cemetery. Andrew is a big history buff so when I found this, I knew we had to stop by. There is nothing more humbling than seeing a national cemetery. It reminds us very quickly that freedom is not free:
The next stop was Muth's Candies, I had seen it on the food channel and thought we should stop in, it has been in business, ran by the same family for 90 years. I took pictures but never got a picture of the grandson, in his late 50's or early 60's and very eager to talk about his business--as well as constantly running to the back to bring us samples of about everything in the store. We walked out with homemade dark chocolate covered marshmallows for me and homemade licorice carmels for Andrew.
Our next stop was the Fraizer Weapons Museum. I did not take pictures...I was afraid to on some places and didn't think of it on others. It is a really nice museum and looks at weapons and war from England through the Civil War. My favorite part was a special photography exhibit (that had nothing to do with War) that was shot in Kentucky by three photographers who split up the state and took pictures in every county from 1975 through 1977 as a part of the Nation's bicentennial celebration. Those pictures were fascinating. It amazes me to look at someone who, in our standards, have so little but yet see that in reality, their simplicity of life makes them very rich.
We got there at 11 and left at 1:30 so we kinda missed lunch. I didn't want to spoil our dinner plans so we did make a little detour off of the "no chains" weekend and hit one of our all time favorite regional chains for a snack. We have such a history with Skyline Chili that I don't think it could be considered cheating on our vows to not eat at chains this weekend. After all, it is still something not available to us at home. We were introduced to Skyline Chili in the spring after we were married, when Andrew was working at a Walmart outside of Cincinnati (the HOME of Skyline chili) and I went to visit.
We headed back to our hotel to rest a bit. The coolest thing happened when we got to our Drury yesterday. I LOVE Drury Inns and part of that stems from experiences in Fairview Heights. We go there and are treated like royalty. We have stayed at the Drury Plaza in downtown St. Louis and although it is nice, there is just something about walking into a hotel and the receptionist knowing you when you walk in the door. That is why we go to Fairview Heights, there is a girl there that I won't be surprised if one day she isn't running the company. We walked into our Drury here in Louisville yesterday and low and behold, there was Rachel....how odd was that and of course, she knew us. I thought for a second there was some weird cloning, robot thing going on, but no, she had been asked if she would like to cover a shortage here and said sure, she would love the travel. I had originally just gotten us a King deluxe room so it was just one room but with a couch in it. She asked if we would like to upgrade to a suite for $15 more. We decided sure and when it all was said and done, she pulled it off and it only cost me $9 more--total. I think they must work 12 hour shifts but she is always up, excited and raring to go. As we came back in this evening, she was heading up the elevator with a vacuum cleaner because someone had an accident. Anyway, that just added to the "perfectness" of this weekend.
SOOO....After our rest, we headed back downtown for our Dinner Cruise on the Spirit of Jefferson. I loved this! I am not ever going to be a big fan of going on a big cruise, I don't like the idea of being someplace I can't get away from. I honestly have NO desire to go on a cruise---Andrew doesn't either so we are a good pair but a two hour excursion down the river and back, while eating fantastic food--that we can handle.
The next stop was Muth's Candies, I had seen it on the food channel and thought we should stop in, it has been in business, ran by the same family for 90 years. I took pictures but never got a picture of the grandson, in his late 50's or early 60's and very eager to talk about his business--as well as constantly running to the back to bring us samples of about everything in the store. We walked out with homemade dark chocolate covered marshmallows for me and homemade licorice carmels for Andrew.
Our next stop was the Fraizer Weapons Museum. I did not take pictures...I was afraid to on some places and didn't think of it on others. It is a really nice museum and looks at weapons and war from England through the Civil War. My favorite part was a special photography exhibit (that had nothing to do with War) that was shot in Kentucky by three photographers who split up the state and took pictures in every county from 1975 through 1977 as a part of the Nation's bicentennial celebration. Those pictures were fascinating. It amazes me to look at someone who, in our standards, have so little but yet see that in reality, their simplicity of life makes them very rich.
We got there at 11 and left at 1:30 so we kinda missed lunch. I didn't want to spoil our dinner plans so we did make a little detour off of the "no chains" weekend and hit one of our all time favorite regional chains for a snack. We have such a history with Skyline Chili that I don't think it could be considered cheating on our vows to not eat at chains this weekend. After all, it is still something not available to us at home. We were introduced to Skyline Chili in the spring after we were married, when Andrew was working at a Walmart outside of Cincinnati (the HOME of Skyline chili) and I went to visit.
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| My cheesy coney |
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| Andrew and his chili cheese fries |
SOOO....After our rest, we headed back downtown for our Dinner Cruise on the Spirit of Jefferson. I loved this! I am not ever going to be a big fan of going on a big cruise, I don't like the idea of being someplace I can't get away from. I honestly have NO desire to go on a cruise---Andrew doesn't either so we are a good pair but a two hour excursion down the river and back, while eating fantastic food--that we can handle.
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| Just going to add a disclaimer here, someday I will be off the high doses of prednisone and maybe my face will be not quite so round! |
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| setting up the buffet |
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| The dinning room |
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| dining room |
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| our dinner, Chicken Cordon Bleu, Roast Beef and all the trimmings |
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Our boat
Skyline from my seat
All in all, an awesome end to 2011. Yes, we were on the "Early Bird" tour and actually celebrated New Year's at 7 p.m. but not being drinkers, it was perfect for us, more calm than party. We even went out and sat on the deck for a bit, while drinking hot cider and watched the world go by.
Happy 2012!
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The Great Escape 2011--Empty Nest Edition--Day 1
Andrew and I celebrated our 20th annivesary on the 6th of December. We planned a getaway for New Year's weekend to celebrate. In the past, it has always been the "three peas in a pod" tour but Robert wanted to work so Andrew and I sat out on an adventure all on our own. We didn't take a vacation this summer and honestly the only time we had gotten away at all was when my father-in-law's girlfriend passed away so it was high time.
We have had a great time so far, one more day to go.....but highlights so far....
Day 1:
We have had a great time so far, one more day to go.....but highlights so far....
Day 1:
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| Safier Mediterraian Grill |
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Andrew's lunch Kabob and Grape Leaves
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| My lunch Shawarma |
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| and hummos Then, Andrew's main annivesary present: a trip to Ali Center: 
I have to say, I don't think this was what we expected. I honestly believe I like Muhammad Ali more BEFORE we went. There are a lot of things about him I didn't know, or was too young to remember. Hopefully he had became older and wiser but I wouldn't want some of the things displayed about me that was displayed about him. It was interesting, let's put it that way.
For Dinner, I found a native Louisville restaurant that has branched out into multiple places around Louisville. When we saw the food, we understood why.
I didn't take pictures of the appetizers but their specialty is Fried Green Tomatoes---I believe they were the best I ever had.
We then ordered 10 oz Blackened Steaks, what came out on our plates were nothing short of roasts--cooked to perfection and smothered in mushrooms and peppers. Quite honestly the best steak either of us have had for a while:
  We followed that up by a trip to Oxmoor Mall, mainly to walk some of this off and then to Lights Under Louisville. Apparently there are 17 miles of manmade caverns under Louisville, At Christmas, they decorate them. It was amazing and being in a cave, it was around 58 degrees, so eventhough it was cold and rainy outside, we rolled the windows down and had a perfect view:       |
Christmas 2011
Christmas didn't quite go as I had planned this year but it was still good. Due to my recent UC flare, dinner ended up being at Mom's. As much as I hated all of it to happen at the last minute, I have to say it was really nice to just enjoy it.
We opened presents on Christmas eve, since Christmas was on Sunday and so we added going to church in the festivities for Christmas morning. I think everyone was happy with their presents. Andrew and I basically had a list from black Friday so we knew what we were getting. Robert had a list too but had a couple of things thrown in as surprises. It was good.
Sunday evening, we took Nila and Richard to see the house at T-town, that was about it for our big excitement of Christmas. Sometimes, quite and small is just not a bad thing.
I made most of my Christmas presents this year, as well as my Christmas cards. After I had started the cards, I found a million more ideas and have plenty of inspiration for next year. I think making the things for other people is my favorite part of Christmas so as long as my health holds out, I plan to do the same next year.
Here is a sampling of the presents:
We opened presents on Christmas eve, since Christmas was on Sunday and so we added going to church in the festivities for Christmas morning. I think everyone was happy with their presents. Andrew and I basically had a list from black Friday so we knew what we were getting. Robert had a list too but had a couple of things thrown in as surprises. It was good.
Sunday evening, we took Nila and Richard to see the house at T-town, that was about it for our big excitement of Christmas. Sometimes, quite and small is just not a bad thing.
I made most of my Christmas presents this year, as well as my Christmas cards. After I had started the cards, I found a million more ideas and have plenty of inspiration for next year. I think making the things for other people is my favorite part of Christmas so as long as my health holds out, I plan to do the same next year.
Here is a sampling of the presents:
Etching mugs, LOVED how this turned out!
Shadowboxes with jingle bells and vinyl cut with the Cricut.
Mugs, soaps and lip balms for coworkers.
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