Random end of July thoughts...

1. Wow, do we really only have 5 more months in this year?
2. Wow, has Natalie STILL not moved her stuff out of my house? How is she living without all her junk/clothes/makeup/etc.?
3. Wow, am I still feeding, loving, and taking care of Natalie's cat, Ellie? Still???
4. Wow, it's been 2.5 days after I got back from camping, and I'm STILL not unpacked yet!
5. Wow, have me and Jason really been dating 11 months already? Crazy!!!
6. Wow, did I really wait until today to FINALLY get Jason his camera for his birthday present (which was in the beginning of May!)? I got him this really cool digital camera, regularly $250 but on sale for only $170! (I know people!)
7. Wow, am I really getting a Kitchen Aid mixer for my birthday present from Jason? Awesome! (again, we know people...)!

Well, I guess that's all for now... as you all can tell, not much going on, but I figure I'd catch you all up!

Camping rocks! (revised with pictures!)

We got back from the camping trip today and I am absolutely exhausted. The primitive camping trip I imagined was actually quite modernized. We had our own camp ground for all 40 or so of us and it was perfect!
The main campground across the street about a quarter mile away had bathrooms, showers, volleyball/basketball, a small store, and a mini petting zoo complete with two does, two bucks, chickens/roosters, a goat, some kind of foreign squirrel, and a bunny rabbit.
Our fellow campers surprised me quite a bit with their ways of modernizing our camping experience...
We had two golf carts to tote us around the site, go the bathroom or showers, get ice, or joy ride at 3 in the morning (like we did last night, and got us scared out of our wits!)
We also had grills, a full size refrigerator, and a home-built shower full with a wooden floor, a bench, and hot water!
This weekend was just full of fun times. Setting up camp, chilling out, making and eating food, feeding the animals at the petting zoo, playing games at "Club Jay's" (Jay's 'pimp my campsite' setup with stringing lights all over, a stereo, and a table for games). We also played this fun game where you have to throw bean bags and try to make it in the hole (3 points) or at least on the board (1 point) and make it to 21... My team always lost, but I still love the game!We also went canoeing and kayaking in the river for about 8 hours (and I forgot to put on sunscreen and take off my shirt, so I got shirt and swimsuit burn lines... ) in the 50-something degree water, praying that we don't tip, as many of our friends did! But Jason and I were a good team (especially Jason, because my back was hurting and I suck at canoeing so he didn't want me to help, and he was stuck steering for about 3/4, well, maybe it was more like 7/8's of the trip! Poor thing!)
This morning came all too quick but on the way back, Jason and I realized that there's no question about next year!

This is a sign that was in the local grocery/pharmacy/shotgun store... If you can't read it, it says,

"Notice to Thieves and Shoplifters

We can's watch you every minute but we take comfort in the fact

THAT THE LORD DOES!

Please do not let HIM

strike you dead here!

(We'd have to clean up the Mess!)"

I just had to take the picture... WAY too funny!

Camping, we're going camping, I love the trees... I love the grass... wait a minute, why is it so much work before we even leave? And so much money?!

You all must be wondering why it's been so long for me to write something, right? (Maybe not, I need to get more readers, huh? HA-HA).
So, two things...
1. I'm getting quite close to my 100th post (didn't realize it was supposed to be scary until Rachael wrote about hers...).
2. I've been busy putting together camping stuff for our trip!

This last week I've been quite busy putting together all this stuff for our camping trip starting this Thursday. A three night and four day trip up north where we're going to be "ruffing" it (I'll come back to this...) and canoeing for hours.

"Ruffing" it sounded scary and challenging and I was ready to take the challenge, until my friend Missy told me that there would be electricity and that she was bringing a microwave to 'cook' food like "Easy Mac 'n' Cheese"! A MICROWAVE!?! Wait a minute, what happened to cooking on the fire and in the coals and using a dutch oven and other exciting things?

I had decided (before I found out about all this electricity stuff) that I would research online to find out what I should pack, and plan a menu, and get all the required camping items together, either bought or borrowed. I was pretty lucky, too, and found many friends and family with all the items that are too expensive to just buy for one trip.

I also found some really yummy sounding desserts like a hot banana cream pie: place a sliced banana on a square of tin foil and pile stuff on top like marshmallows, a spoon of peanut butter, a few chocolate chips, or whatever's around, and then wrap it up and stick in on coals for a few minutes. Sounds awesome, huh?

I then decided to continue my research and figure out a practical menu (without having to cheat and use the microwave). So, we decided to get as much produce from our family farmers as we can (hopefully some corn, tomatoes, and whatever else is still in season...) and then have shish-kabobs. We then bought stuff for PBJ's, grilled cheese, burgers, hot dogs, baked potatoes (yum!), and other stuff. I'm super excited! Oh, and did you know that block ice keeps longer than ice cubes? Not me, but I'll be using block ice on this trip! (Hey, Jason, Missy, and Jimmy didn't know that either, so it's okay it you didn't, too!)

Some things I didn't even think about taking or packing until talking to more experienced campers, like my boss.
-take individual tea-like packets of coffee for the morning
-bring a small cooler to place inside the canoe to keep things cold for 3 or 4 hours (and make sure to take a bungee cord to tie around it in case we tip!)
-take large body size trash bags to double as ponchos just in case it rains
-prepare food items as much as possible and place in double Ziploc's so no water can get through and so there's less preparation to be done in the wild!

As a daughter of a "pack-everything-but-the-kitchen-sink-but-bring-that-too" mom, I decided I better research on packing items and what clothes I should bring. Will it be super hot? Rain? Snow? Will the night's be freezing? So, after figuring out the weather, it may rain on Thursday, but be nice and sunny and on the cold side at night. But then again, how many times are weather people wrong, huh? So, I'll have to bring clothes to layer with, just in case. That's one of the only things I really remember about one of my teacher's in high school. "Layer, Layer, Layer" she'd say before we left for Senior Survival, the annual week trip senior's took into the wild and slept under man made plastic bag tents and learned that grasshopper's on your tongue were not only a guaranteed picture in the yearbook, but also a great source of protein!

I also learned, during my camping research online, that there are many ways to keep warm at night, including going to the bathroom. Apparently, your body uses up heat to keep your urine warm, so by going to the bathroom, your body can then even out the heat! Interesting! Now, I wonder who brought the bed pan!

Wish us luck!

I'm a little apprehensive

So, this Thursday is the big day for me... and I'm a little scared! I was super excited about being 26 last year. It was my golden birthday and I was looking forward to a new year of life and a new year of changes, but as I'm on the verge of changing this golden year to something I'm not so sure about, I'm scared!
On being 26:
1. I met Jason about a week and half after I turned 26 (August 6, 2006) and we've been together ever since.
2. I got to go to two Notre Dame college football games!!! Go Irish!
3. I became assistant manager at the place I work at.
4. Lori, my sister, got pregnant.
5. Rachael, my sister, adopted a cute little Katya from Russia.
6. Natalie, my sister, (yes, another one) got married (and I was the maid of honor!)
7. Betsy, my best friend, got married.
8. Chicago Bears made it to the super bowl!
9. I found out I can hit softballs!
10. I tried out for American Idol!
11. I went to a "Heart" concert (and Kelly Clarkson, but I can't remember if it was before or after my b-day!)
12. Along with Jason in my life, I now have a huge second family, and enjoy spending time with all Jason's family!

I'm sure there's more, but basically, I've had an incredible year as a 26-year-old and while I'm scared of this coming year, I know things happen for a reason and pray that I'm blessed, yet one more year!

When you're sick

I enjoyed getting up this morning and hanging out with Rachael, Lori, and the kids. We all went to Venetian Festival down by the beach and I was able to take Ben around to all these random rides, including a ride on a "Front loader" (Ben had said it was a "Back loader" but the guy running the ride informed him that when there's a scooper thing in the back and the shovel thing in the back, then it's a "front loader"). Wow, learn something everyday, huh?
We also took a couple tries on the bumper cars and tried hitting as many other cars as possible! He loved that one! Then he was able to take a few more rides, including a jet ski, and an airplane!
We all decided to go get some fattening food, and that's when the food smell started making me queasy! I had to leave and go home... I hate being sick, but I really hate throwing up in a porta-potty, and refuse to do so!
So, I've been at home and in bed since 1 p.m. or so today... a few trips to the bathroom, a bubble bath, a super long nap, and Jason even came over and brought me crackers and 7Up, got me a blanket and made me feel so much better!
Although I've been in bed all day, and did get to watch "The next food network star" marathon, and now that it's 9 p.m. it's the finale! I sure hope that I feel better, even though I haven't done laundry, I didn't have time to clean the cake mess I made yesterday, I still have my old table laying on its side in my living room (because there's no room, yet, for it to be in my new Craft Room until Natalie moves her stuff out)!
So, for my readers, please pray that I get better real soon!

Weekly Update: Sunday, July 22, 2007

I ended up exercising only five days this week instead of all seven, which is unfortunate, but you know, that's five times more that what I've done in a super long time!

I feel that Billy Blanks, Taebo, also helped me remember things like, "Watch the stomach! Always know what your stomach is doing!" Which means, that when you're working out or just going for a walk, keep that stomach flexed and suck it in!
I was not successful, but then again, I was.

And you know what? For something to inspire another person, like Rachael taking Katya and Jack for a walk, or like my mom taking Bob with her for early morning walks... this was very successful!

Thanks for all your support!

My new table!

I just got my new table today and I love it! It's one of those high ones that has a hidden leaf underneath and can make it into a square and it's so cute! I also got six chairs, although I haven't figured out how to rearrange it in my apartment to allow the sixth chair to be actually at the table...

Who wants to come over for dinner?

An Irish Singer?

Mickey, my cousin, called last night to ask me if I would sing in my cousin Emily's band. I guess they want me to sing a couple of Irish folk songs with their band in August for some festival in town... I'm pretty excited, but I'm not sure how I'll do. The only Irish song I know, that I can think of, is the Notre Dame school song! And, they probably won't let me sing that one. Oh, well. I'm going over there tonight to listen to a few songs and we'll see.
Kind of exciting though, huh?
I knew I had to say yes, because Emily said yes to playing for me at Natalie's wedding. What goes around, comes around, right?

Tuesday update

Last night was pretty tough. After completing my exhausting Taebo, I met with Jason and we went to the batting cages and I was sore already, but when I was done, even my hands were killing me!
Then we were going to eat dinner, but he wasn't hungry and I forgot about it until I left at 9 p.m. and realized that I was hungry, my stomach was growling at me, but it was too late, I'm trying not to eat late, so I went home, and tried to stay out of the kitchen and go to bed as soon as possible.
And it helped! When I got up this morning, I weighed myself and I lost THREE POUNDS overnight! Hot Mama, get down! I think I'll sleep off weight as much as possible, now. Ha-ha, just kidding, but cutting dinner really helped!
I then went for a walk this morning. I've been eating a good hot cereal breakfast (grits! Yum!) and not eating between meals (which is really hard to do, but it's a trial run).
Oh, and I think I hate water! Especially when I have to get up at 4 in the morning to go potty and can't get back to sleep until about 5 a.m. Now, that sucks!

-Mom, I read your comment on yesterday's post and I'm proud of you! How long have you been skipping dinner and forcing Bob to wake up before the butt crack of dawn to go walking with you? Very clever! Let me know how it all works for you!

My weekly goals: Tuesday update

(Lori commented that I should make my updates new posts, so here you go!)

Tuesday update: Wow, when my alarm went off this morning at 7 a.m. I knew I just wanted one more hour of sleep, even the cats did, (and I already had 8 hrs, but I'm sick and I felt that getting more sleep would make me heal faster and was a good way to procrastinate...). All day I knew I had to do Taebo, then Jason told me last night that we should go to the batting cages today and so I justified that that would be my exercise for the day... or I just wouldn't have time... BUT... when I got home from work, I knew I still had an hour until Jason got off work, so I really didn't have another excuse or way to procrastinate, so I got the TV and the VCR out of my spare room, moved the table out of the way, got a fan, my water, and went to get the tape and I couldn't find it where I thought it would be... (great! Now, I really have a good excuse!) but no, I realized that it could be in another place, and it was, (oh, great...). So, I put in the tape and started. WOW! I didn't know just how much my body could sweat! I know it's gross, but I was sweating all over! I also had to take a 15 second brake to take a swig of Dayquil, but I made it through the WHOLE thing (Billy Blake is very motivational!) I'm so sore, now. I'm shaking. My cough stopped, too. Now I just want to go to bed, but I still have to go to the batting cages (I don't think my arms can take it!). I need muscle relaxers... Okay, enough complaining, I feel good. I'm on the right track and the best thing??? I'M DOING THIS ALL FOR ME!

You're out!

-just to brag a bit about my boyfriend...

Jason's league, Papa John's team, plays every Monday evening, including tonight and I aim to go and be supportive most Monday's... this Monday was no exception.

The last time Papa John's played this other team they won 17 to 2 and so Jason and his buddies expected the same turn-out, although the other team had obviously decided to not let that happen again.

We were up 7 to 2 but there were two other innings left, then they made it up to 6, then we came back with two, then they got it to one over us... and we had one more chance to hit the balls and hopefully make the win.

The first guy got up and the pitcher balled him to first, but with this league, if you ball a male and there's a female up next, then the male gets to second and the female doesn't have to hit at all, but go to first. Then another guy was up and hit enough to get to first. Bases loaded.
When the fourth guy got up to bat, he hit it, they caught it, and then got the female on second out. So, now, we had two on bases, two outs, and Jason was up...

Just to back up a bit, Jason had been hitting really far into outfield, but each time, he'd pop it up and some guy would be there to catch it, so this, I'm sure, was really stressful on him, while the team piped up, "no pressure, Jay!"

Okay, so there he was, posed and ready to hit the ball as hard as he could... he fouled. Ready again, and he hit the ball! Up and up and out to the SAME GUY in the outfield that had been catching all his previous ones... he made it to first, one guy made it home (now we're tied), but then when the guy got the ball in his mitt, HE DROPPED IT!!! We were all on our feet now! And the second guy made it home!
WE WON!!!

I was so excited for Jason, he seemed kind of upset during the entire game... but I told him at the end, "you know, of all the hits that you made, this was the one that really counted!"
I was so proud of him!

My weekly goals

I've been making weekly goals, lately.
As you all may know, the first weekly goal was no soda/pop for one week. And I made it!
This last weekly goal was no fast food for a week, and it was pretty easy and I made it too (and no, I'm not going to go get Taco Bell at midnight...
So, I've been thinking about what I should make as my goal this week...
I could not go out to eat for any meal all week...
I could work out every day this week...
I could get up early and go for a walk every morning before work...
I could not eat between meals...
I'm still thinking about it, so if any of you have time to read this before I make up my mind, give me your ideas!

Update: well, no one has said something yet, so I think I will make my weekly goal this: To exercise everyday this week (whether it be getting up to walk every morning or doing a Taebo tape every day, most likely I'll go every other day...)
So, I'll keep you all updated on my success/failures...

Monday Update:
I really wanted to sleep in this morning, when my alarm went off at 7 a.m., I even gave myself 10 extra minutes and was about to talk myself into sleeping in and then doing taebo later... but no, the cats were both meowing at me, as alarm clocks themselves, acting like I better get up and feed them (even when I know good and well that they already have food and water) so, I got up... put on my cropped stretchy pants, socks, shoes, and my "play like a champion today" shirt (go Irish!) and left my apartment, even with those sleepy things still in my eyes...
Half asleep, I started forward, I've gotta start somewhere, and I'm not exactly sure how far I went, but I did have a pretty good route, and I'll measure it later, but it took me about 35 minutes or so (I'm a slow one) but I've gotta pick up the pace...
Well, gotta get ready for work, now!
(I measured my distance at lunch time and it was about 1.9 miles! I'm sore, 'no pain, no gain', but I think I'll listen to Lori, lowering my food intake, not eat past 8 p.m. or so, and continuing my progress. I also had a pretty productive day today, continued my water drinking, and may either get up early tomorrow and walk or do Taebo sometime tomorrow... I guess if Jason works until 7 p.m. then I can work out after work, I don't know... I'll keep y'all posted!)

Tuesday update: moved to it's own post.

Is softball for me?

Jason had softball practice tonight for tomorrow's game and so I went there after dinner to check on things... There were only about six people there and they were taking turns hitting the ball into the outfield and so I asked them if I could try hitting a few.

Let's backup a bit... they are on a league where there has to be at least two or three females on each team and currently, two of the teams females, suck! First, they can't hit, second, if they actually do hit the ball, they don't aim for running fast enough to make it to first, and third, when they are on defense, neither one actually moves to get the ball when it's hit their way...

So, after one of the females was done hitting, I got up to the plate, in my sandals, and got ready to hit. AND I DID PRETTY DARN GOOD! I missed about three pitches, but hit about 10 or more while four or five of those got passed the guys! I was pretty excited and nervous too. All Jason's friends were like, "Jay, where have you been hiding her? and Why hasn't she been playing all summer?" Pretty exciting, huh?

So, I figure, why not? I should start working hard and get into shape for next year and try out. I'm also kind of excited about getting on a team and getting into some kind of sports, anyway!

Oh, yeah, I forgot to tell you guys... when the guys in the outfield asked me when the last time it was that I played, I told them the truth...
my freshman year in high school!!! Pretty cool, huh?

Update: Jason just called to say goodnight and complimented me on my hitting! He said, "You made some really good contact, honey!"
What a way to make my day!

Love. vs. Logic

I have the not-so-fun position of being friends with two people that have chosen love over logic.
Don't get me wrong, I feel that love and logic go hand-in-hand when it comes to relationships, but when someone chooses love over logic and makes life changing decisions for the worse...
Here's the scoop:

Friend #1:
#1 is dating a man, who fulfills her needs of being loved and needed, what most people want in a man. This man has then added on other feelings for #1... she now has a low self-esteem, doesn't do her hair or make-up anymore, and feels that she must be at his beck and call when he needs something... anything.

Friend #2:
#2 is dating a man from Chicago, who currently has 5 children, is an illegal immigrant, and is working in this country under another name. #2 just quit her job today, to move from here and in with this man with her own 1 year old child.

Without more information, do I really need to explain how love was chosen over logic, here?
I'm not saying that I've made poor decisions, when dating in the past, but when it came to the decision of choosing love vs. logic, I chose logic.
Why is it so hard for females to get it in their head that they are smart, they don't HAVE to be with a man to be a person, they don't have to be with someone to make them feel beautiful, they don't have to be a couple with someone, they don't have to choose love over logic. CHOOSE LOVE AND LOGIC!!!
With love and logic working hand-in-hand, one can have those special things like being loved and feeling needed while at the same time not giving up who they are and what THEY want out of life or out of relationships.

Want some nu*t ball*s?

(I put the stars in the title so that no pcycho can find my post under those words...)
Anyway, why is it that whenever you tell a non-vegetarian what's for dinner and n-b's are what you tell them, they think it's gross?
I just made n-b's tonight, for dinner, and I'm enjoying the nuts, the onions, the garlic, all all the other stuff! It's so yummy!
But, I invited my friend over for dinner and she asked what I was having for dinner, and I told her... "ewe!" "What's that?" "That sounds gross!"
BUT IT'S NOT! IT'S SO YUMMY DELICIOUS!
So, to all my vegetarian friends, I will be enjoying a totally yummy dinner all by myself tonight...
Maybe, if Rachael or Lori invite me over, I'll make some at their houses, I'm sure they'll love it...
Oh, the life of a vegetarian...

Life with Soda/Pop, again...

Ever since Monday morning at 12 a.m., I've noticed changes, now that I have soda/pop back in my life...
1. I didn't quite realize how good I slept at night without it until I went to bed... I woke up 2 or 3 times and kept tossing and turning; whereas, during the week without s/p I slept really deep (kind of like a 'wholesome' sleep, if that makes sense to anyone...).
2. I now have a cold. I'm not sure if it's related or not, but so far, I only had that one Diet Dr. Pepper on Monday and I haven't even felt like one today... kind of a turn off!
3. I've been super thirsty! Drinking so much water has curbed my appetite and forced me to crave that yummy flavor of water! I think my body is also used to going potty (yes, POTTY, Lori, I don't care if you make fun of me for using that work! :)) a lot... It's healthy, I'm sure...
4. Oh, yeah, I almost forgot... I do NOT miss all the burbs that come with s/p either!

Rachael Ray...

Either way, Rachael Ray just made a super yummy looking summer salad with corn, peppers, onions and much much more, so I'm just going to have to look up the recipe and try it out!!
Oh, wait, now she's making a "portobella mushroom sort-of-Caesar salad" YUM!

Update: Wow, she just rubbed garlic on the inside of a bowl to add flavor, but not have the chunks! Pretty smart!
And she also said that EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) adds flavor but not clog your arteries... (didn't know that) but that's probably why she uses it all the time!

Another day with Rachael Ray... I'm going to add one of her recipes from today's show to the top right section of my blog... I haven't tried it yet, but it looks super yummy!

"Can I come over?"

So, Rachael came over today to get some of my zucchini bread/muffins... but what's going through my mind? Oh, crap! Is my house clean?
But she liked it!!!
She's never seen my new place before and said she liked a lot of my stuff, so that definitely made me feel good...
Anyways, she must have liked my muffins because she ate two, while she was here, and then took a container home for "later"...

19 more minutes to go!

I bought a Diet Dr. Pepper for my celebratory drink at midnight! I'm telling you, I didn't think I could do it (okay, well when I made the bet, I thought I could do it)!
I'm really proud of myself (hey, remember Dolly Parton said, "you have to toot your own horn sometimes!")
Either way, I've decided no fast food for the next week (which normally isn't too hard, but I've been really addicted to those Crunchwrap's lately). I'll let you all know how that turns out...

Okay, I've got 10 more minutes, now...

Three minutes now...

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, Oh YEAH!!!
The fizz of the bubbles, the pop of the cap breaking loose from the security seal and that yummy goodness back in my mouth... WOW! I missed you DDP...!!!

Homemade, YUM!

What's with the word "home-made"?
Does is make you lame? Cool? Sweet? Like, "Aww, that's so cool!!"
Well, I love cooking (can't say much for cleaning the kitchen and doing dishes, though).
I made really yummy home-made zucchini bread/muffins this afternoon and I just feel good about it! It's a small accomplishment to be able to get down and dirty with all those measuring cups, getting flour on your black shirt (which ALWAYS happens), and aiming (although not really getting it to work) for cleaning while you cook... hmmm...
But, wow, these muffins are awesome! I used mom's recipe and used antique muffins tins (I just can't remember the name, but they are freakin' heavy!) and it really made the outside of the muffin a nice and crispy while allowing the inside to be super moist and absolutely addicting to eat!
PLEASE! SOMEBODY! COME AND EAT SOME!

Update: Thanks, Lori, for your help on the cast iron word...

Update: Hey, does anyone know how to properly clean a cast iron thing???

A day of shopping...

My friend, Rachael (yep, the same spelling as my sister), needed to go shop for new bedroom furniture and asked if I would go with her and help her pick it out... Sure, why not?
So, she picked out a bed, desk, TV stand, a huge 4ft by 8ft mirror (super cute, too) and a lamp for her new place...
Then, of course, I decided to get a kitchen table! It's a darker wood, and high, with 6 chairs to go with it. It also can be pulled out and has a hidden leaf inside to make the table square! It's so cute! Don't worry, I'll take pictures when I get it on the 19th.
I also love bargains and got this really pretty blue vase for $12 and 6 white/wavy/diamond-like plates that were usually $10 and I got them for $3 each!
We then went over to Hobby Lobby (mom's favorite store in the world) and I got tons of cute scrapbook paper for the scrapbook I'm making for Brenda (Jason's mom) and I think I've decided to do an ABC Scrapbook for her... I think that will make it real cute and unique (remember when we did those years ago, Lori??)
Then we headed over to Bed, Bath, and Beyond (because I had 4 20% off coupons!) As I was looking around, I noticed end tables that had $80 on them, then discounted to $60, then had a 50% off sticker (and with my 20% off coupon) made each table about $24 each! I bought two.
They're really cute too, block wood with a drawer and very simple but super cute!
We topped it off with TGI Friday's, and I got a Portobella Mushroom and Angel Hair Pasta, that was incredible and I recommend it to anyone!
I had a lot of fun, that's for sure!

Ellie? Or no Ellie?

As I type, I have Ellie laying on my lap, purring...
I wasn't too shocked when Natalie asked me if I wanted to adopt her little girl, Ellie... and she did bring up a good point: Jojo would be lonely without her!
So, do I keep her? or say no and have Natalie take her home?
I already told Nat that she'd have to pay to have Ellie fixed, because I just can't stand having a cat in heat every other week, rubbing against my legs, crying, and sticking her butt in the air, all the time!!!
So, I guess, I just can't give this cat up, now...

Well, apparently, Nat can't give her up either... she told me on Sunday that she'd be taking Ellie, now... well, in two weeks or so.
Now I'm sad, but it's okay, maybe I'll get another one or just have an only child.

Internet!!!

I have Internet at home, now!!!
My colleague, and neighbor, helped me set it up and now I can start blogging at home, and searching stuff online at home, and checking my email at home, and...
I'm so excited!!!
Just had to share!
7 p.m. Update:
Yea... I'm STILL playing on the internet... (what is that, about 2.5 hours now?) Maybe this wasn't such a good idea...

Bennie Pie...

I woke Ben up this afternoon and we went outside and took pictures in the backyard... he was sooooo cute that I just had to share just how cute this little boy is!

Weekend pool party!

This last weekend, I had the joy of hanging out at DeAnn and Mickey's (my cousins) pool while they are on vacation, with Rachael, the kids, and Monica and her kids too...

Fun times!

And, since I haven't added pictures in a while, here you all go!

To my readers...

I've recently started a count as to how many and who are viewing my blog... hoping that it would give me hope and motivation to write more about my random everyday life...

So, I realized that I have readers from all over the country and the world, too!

From New York, Minnesota, and California to Australia, Brazil, and Argentina!

Who are all you guys?

Do I know you?

Leave me a message and tell me a little bit about yourselves!

If you don't have a blog yourself, then send one under anonymous and then give me your name!

Update 07.05.2007:

Wow! So far I've gotten three people to reply! This is awesome! Mom, I didn't know you checked out this blog everyday! That's really cool...

Shannon, I know you read it all the time! Thanks!

Nickie... wow! Had no idea! This rocks! But, I can't go on the 26th, it's my birthday and I'm going camping up north for the weekend... wanna go?

Yummy Broccoli

Last night, I went over to Lori and Todd's, with Brenda, to pick up some fresh farm veggies and Lori gave me some broccoli...
I figured I'd eat it, but in the back of my mind, I also remembered how I bought a whole chunk of it at the grocery store and let it mold in my refrigerator drawer...
She told me that it had to be eaten either that night or today, so I had to force myself to make sure I eat it or cut it off and freeze it. Well, I brought all three chunks to work and cut one of them up and ate if for a snack, right before lunch. WOW, WAS THAT GOOD! I don't think I've ever had fresh broccoli ever! and it was so super yummy, I ate 1/2 of another one too!
Then I made fresh broccoli, potato, onion, and garlic with McKay's chicken seasoning soup for lunch and I used up all the broccoli. WOW, WAS THAT GOOD!
So, if you get the chance to get some from their farm... do it!

She's coming home!

Natalie is finally coming home today! I've been waiting for so long, but she'll be here tonight, a flight from Arizona...
I think she said she was going to her new home though, but I'm hoping we'll see each other and that she gets all her stuff out of my apartment... I have to move on, you know?
07.04.07
Update: we finally were able to see Natalie and Adam for the first time in almost a month today! They came over to take Kristen, Katya, and Jack surfing... (I'm very interested in how that's going to turn out...).

Scrapbooking

On Mother's day, Jason and I went to his mom's to celebrate and Jason and I were able to take a ton of pictures of Jason and his family so I can scan them all for Jason and his dad, that don't have any of them...
I decided, also, to make a scrapbook for his dad for Father's day and completed it just in time!
I don't think there could have been a better gift for him. He was so happy and thankful to have all those memories and I was happy too!
I'll eventually figure out how to scan it on the computer, one of these days.
Anyway, Brenda, Jason's mom and I went through all the pictures and picked out only 51 of them today so that I can make a scrapbook for her too.
(Ron, Jason's dad, was so happy that he told everyone and shows everyone too, which makes the gift even better!)
But I'm going to have Brenda help me with hers, I think she like that too!
Either way, there's just something about pictures that nothing can replace. Mom, if you're reading this, make sure that you bring me my little kid pictures so I can make you one too!

10 months!

Today, Jason and I have been dating for 10 months now! Two more and it's a year! Crazy! But it seems that we continue to grow more in love with each other and understand each other better and have really become best friends!
I'm thankful that he is in my life and I pray that we continue this journey together...
I love you, Jason!

Pop/Soda

A few years ago, Mom, Rachael, and Lori made a bet to not drink Dr. Coke (or pop) for a specified time...
Starting tomorrow, I made a bet with Brenda, Jason's mom, to do the same for a week. Both of us want to lose a few pounds (or more) and so we have decided that when we want a soda, to drink water.
Do I really know what I'm getting myself into? Am I addicted to soda and don't realize it? Can I keep the bet? Or am I going to have to fork up $5?
I'll keep you posted... but let me tell you, it's going to be a long week!
07.04.07 Update:
I had a major breakdown today... I'm at Rachael's right now, where the Diet Coke flows like milk and honey and it's everywhere! "Rachael, I want one so bad!!" But I knew there just might be a chance that she'd tattle on me, so I stayed strong, drank a cup of water, then a huge cup of flavored water, and I'm fine right now... but let me tell you... IT IS NOT EASY!!!
07.05.07 Update:
I've been soooo tired lately! I feel like I'm dragging everywhere! Just didn't realize how dependent I was on caffeine...
Also, I spoke with Brenda and SHE CHEATED!!! Ha-ha, this means that I won the bet! So, do I start drinking soda right now? Should I try to keep this bet? I don't know... I DO know that I want one right now! But, I'm going to try, just a little bit longer...
07.06.07 Update:
I'm a little tired today, but feeling better... I think I'm over the 'hump' now...
Wish me luck for the next two days!
07.08.07 Update:
Alright... only about 14 more hours until my week is complete!!!
I actually am surprised I was able to hold off this long! I'm proud of myself! Rachael told me on Wednesday that if I cheated, then I won't be able to tell everyone that I made it a week without soda/pop... and now, I'm happy tell everyone that I've ALMOST made it a week without soda/pop... just a few more hours!
You know, this is pretty inspiring... Jason told me last night that starting Monday, he was going to go soda/pop-less too and NO FAST FOOD! Maybe that will be my next "week" idea... who knows?
Hey, for any of my readers, give me ideas!

I met an angel today and his name is Marvin...

I was taking Jason's mom, Brenda home this evening and knew I had to get gas soon... but I know that gas expands when it's hot outside so I was trying to wait until this evening to get it...
As I was driving up a hill, my car started shaking, so I went into 4th gear... then again, to 3rd... and again, to 2nd... until almost to the top of the hill, where I was able to turn did my car finally stop.
I then realized that I had no phone service, whatsoever...
I immediately turned on my flashers and got out and proceeded to push my car up the hill, down the street (away from oncoming traffic) when I heard this voice. This older man was running out of the grocery store and telling me that he was coming to help and that I shouldn't have to do that. So, he proceeded to push my car as I got inside and steered into an empty parking lot.
I was thinking, how embarrassing, he must think I'm so ignorant, he must think I'm sooooooo blond! But he didn't!
He called out to his lady and told her that he'd be right back, he was going to get a gas can and be right back. Then he told me he'd be only 5 minutes, and I told him I'd stay right here!
He came back in three, took a can out of his vehicle, poured the gas, and waited to make sure that my car started... All I had was a $10 bill and I reached out to give it to him, as I thanked him, and he said "don't worry about it, I have a daughter too..." and I understood. I asked his name and he said, "Marvin". "Thanks, Marvin! I'll pay it forward!"
I then went to get gas and filled it up 12.115 gallons full (for a 12 gallon tank). Then I cried. Why do people help others? And do they realize just what they meant for the one needing help?
I met my guardian angel today, and his name is Marvin.