TOP 4

A) Four places that I go to over and over: Wal-Mart, Ultra Food, Target,....the bank

B) Four people who e-mail me (regularly) Facebook, Dell (I can't seem to get rid of them), and the rest would consist of the parents of my students...regularly

C) Four of my favorite places to eat: Grandma's, Subway, Chili's, Chipotle
D) Four places I would rather be right now: Riviera Maya Mexico, on a date with my husband, chilling in the hot tub, with all my friends scattered across the country (Ambs-MO, Danielle-Nebraska, Maddie-WI)
E) Four people I talk to everyday: Sharon, Bethany, Rosie, Kim

F) Four TV shows I watch: Grey's Anatomy, the Hills, Desperate Housewives, Biggest Loser

I am an American

I did the American deed...I voted today! The first election I was eligible to vote in was the re-election of Bush....unfortunately I never received an absentee ballot and was not registered to vote yet in Missouri, where I was attending school, and therefore did not get to exercise my vital American right! (I got a lot of scrutiny for that). I can finally re-claim my American identity because I proudly cast my ballot. It took all of 10 minutes and was conveniently located 5 minutes from my work. Early voting is a must!!!!! It's no surprise who I voted for....let's just say I didn't support a man who's name rhymes with..."full of drama!" The rest of the ballot looked foreign to me...full of names I've never heard of. I tried to stay on top of those running, aside from presidential candidates, but I just went with who I identify myself with. I have to say however, I was quite tempted to roll with the Green party for president...at least they don't have media drama!


My mornings, although monotonous, always begin with a chipper tone. On those days that my husband has to get up and leave before I wake up, he climbs back in bed for a hug and kiss and whispers, "I love you beautiful," before leaving. (I don't always recall this happening as i'm still in a sleep trance). His other tradition is the leave me a short note to make me smile. Today's note was the most romantic that I have ever received. It was short, simple, and sincere:

"Beautiful,
I have found out one very important thing in the last few months...

I can't live without you."

Love,
Husband

This melts my heart. I love this man...and baby, the feeling mutual!

Why I love Kids

A few pictures that remind me of why kids can be "adorable?"



A few years into the future: My 3 nephews watering Mimi and Pop-pops flowers



Present day: Kent searching for a snack.(current events at Auntie J's house)


What I believe my sisters probably did to me as a baby.



Already flirting....early start!



He waited all day to do that....getting back at daddy....a favor for Mommy

Biggest Loser

JP and I have really gotten into the show "Biggest Loser" this season. I believe it's for two different reasons.

1. There's isn't much on on Tuesday nights.

2. It gives one's own body image a boost.

*Guest which one was my excuse?

We ashamedly found ourselves screaming at the tv as "hefty" Heba (As we like to call her) had created a terrible tragedy out of the game. Her actions annoyed me. Needless to say something good did come out of tonight's episode. A man sent home, returned to his wife with a ring and flowers at the place he first proposed 20 years ago, and surprised her with a renewal of their vows upon his homecoming. It was the sweetest thing to see his hands shake as he asked her for her hand in marriage...again! I only want to be that happy in 20 years, and that in love...and that blessed with a still thoughtful husband. (I'm not too afraid...I know I've got a great catch!)

On another note, I have been trying recipes for under $7 and 300 calories, from the biggest loser. Last night was

Grilled Chicken with Warm Mango Salsa
SO YUMMY!

-mango
-small jalepeno
-fresh cilantro
-medium red onion
-medium tomato
-2 limes (zest & juice)
-chicken

-Cook strips of chicken or cut chicken breast or thighs into strips after cooked. (spray both sides of chicken with PAM before cookin)

-Spray onions with PAM and cook until tender
-Mix jalepeno, mango, tomato into onions and cook until warm through

-Top salsa with cilantro (2/3 cup) and juice and zest from 2 limes
-Serve chicken with warm mango salsa!!!!! YUM!

Envy

Lately I've been in a state of envy. I haven't necessarily envied what people have, rather that what they have seems to be so perfect, seamless, picturesque. The current state of my friends' relationships with their significant others, their exciting lifestyles, numerous friendhsips, their future plans, their current financial status, or job they hold, often make me jealous of all they have.

Don't get me wrong. There is nothing I love more than my current state with my husband, time with my family, and being in my classroom, but no matter where we are, the devil always seems to make us think someone else has it better...that we aren't blessed enough.

Oddly enough, in the last week, I've talked to all of these close friends that I seem to envy in some way or another, only to hear that pieces of their life are crumbling. Some are at odds with future in-laws, others are broke, one is broken from the lack of substance in frienships, and another from the loneliness and helplessness felt in their current occupation. It's as if Christ is trying to open my eyes to not only my blessings, but to the fact that if we allow it, the devil can always create a state of discontent of where we are at. If we allow him to creep in, we will never be satisfied with where we are....always wishing we had a piece of the past back. This is not only the nature of humankind, but also the reason I am thankful for a God that grants peace beyond all understanding.

I've been reading Ecclesiastes this week and in the first chapter I ran across a message that talked about all things being beneath Christ's foot. That he has conquered it all; lonliness, sadness, discontent. I feel I ran across this at the perfect time- to be a ministry to my friends who I seemed to envy. Sadly, in their hard times, I find myself blessed for not only what I have, but for friendships full of trust and compassion in all circumstances.

God is good, God is big....God has conquered it all!

I thank God for my wonderful, unconditionally loving, wonderfully weird family; my adorable, patient, genuine, loveable husband; and the amazing, God-timing opportunities I have been blessed with over the course of the last year! May I wish to be in no other part of my past or future...rather right here in the present!

A Fool

Don't let that previous post persuade or fool you to think that I am by any means a good cook. I should have bought the entire "Cooking for Dummies" collection.

For example: Today I tried to make Grandma's meatballs *using turkey meat*. The ended up being flat square fried pieces of meat. That's my second attempt. I had a little melt down and accidentally burned my husband with hot oil when I put water in the pan.


I officially can't cook!

Yummy in My Tummy

This is for Bethany Pat-rice. Seeing as my husband and I are new to the world of family grocery shopping and cooking for two....rather I'm new to cooking, in general; I am getting the hang of experimentation. I admit, there have been many attempts gone bad (ex: Spinach/Blueberry Oatmeal bars- sources say "nope!"). However, I have come to understand the art of cooking with minimal ingredients on a tight budget.

Last week I made chicken chili. So yummy! We buy grilled chicken strips for tacos, and with those that I had left over, I cut them in cubes and cooked them with "white chicken chili seasoning (like 99 cents), and a can of white beans. You can add a can of diced tomatoes, onion, and anything else you'd like in your chili. The two simple ingredients were amazing, to the point that my husband asked for a repeat.

Also a hit are the chicken breasts in a bag. Buy the seasoning that comes with a bag, fill with fresh veggies and cook. Nothing better, nothing easier!
Another great hit are the simple baked egg puffs. It's from the "Deceptively Delicious" cookbook and is made with an added ingredient of yellow squash, which I opt to leave out. With 2 large eggs, 4 eggs whites (I just toss in the whites from some eggs), 2 Tbs shredded low-fat cheddar cheese, 2 Tbs flour, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp salt...you mix them together and pour them into either 4 souffles cups (which I don't have) or coffee cups that are 1/2 greased. Bake them on 400 for 15 minutes and you have a great meal! You can even add sausage or bacon already cooked! This past week I doubled the recipe to make 6 coffee cups because JP loves them so much! Can't say I blame him!

Finally, JPs favorite is turkey sloppy joes. (really its just grilled turkey and barbeque sauce and onions). He always asks for leftovers to bring to work! It's also a leaner choice than ground beef.

I have to say, I appreciate my husband's patience as I experiment, his kind words for my chunky pudding, and quick help when my recipe is drowning. He may eat for 4 (all the more reason to find cheap and easy recipes for a family of 4)....but he's never picky!

You Know You Grew Up in the 80's If...

*Sharon found this for Bethany's party, so we copied it and put it at each seat. It's so true...you know it!

You Know You Grow Up in the 80’s & 90’s if:

1. You have ever ended a sentence with the word SIKE.

2. You can sing the rap to the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and can do “The Carlton.”

3. You know that “WOAH” comes from Joey on Blossom.

4. If you ever watched “Fraggle Rock.”

5. It was actually getting up early on Saturday to watch cartoons.

6. You wore a ponytail on the side of your head.

7. You got super-excited when it was Oregon Trail day in computer class at school.

8. You made your mom buy one of those clips that held your shirt in a knot on the side.

9. You played the game “MASH” (Mansion, Apartment, Shelter, House).

10. You wore stonewashed Jordache jean jackets and were proud of it.

11. You know the profound meaning of “WAX ON, WAX OFF.”

12. You wanted to be a Goonie.

13. You ever wore florescent clothing. (some of us…head-to-toe)

14. You can remember what Michael Jackson looked like before his nose fell off.

15. You have ever pondered why Smurfette was the only female smurf.

16. You took lunch boxes to school…and traded Garbage Pailkids in the schoolyard.

17. You remember the CRAZE, then the BANNING of slap bracelets.

18. You still get the urge to say “NOT” after every sentence.

19. You remember singing “2 LEGIT 2 QUIT” along with MC Hammer.

20. You thought your childhood friends would never leave because you exchanged friendship bracelets.

21. You owned Pokemon cards but didn’t play.

22. You ever owned a pair of Jelly-Shoes.

23. After you saw “Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure” you kept saying, “I know you are but what am I?”

24. You remember, “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.”

25. You ever played with a Skip-It.

26. You remember boom boxes and walking around with one on your shoulder like you were all that.

27. You remember watching both Gremlin movies.

28. You remember going to skating rinks before there were inline skates.

29. You thought Doogie Howser/Samantha Micelli was hot.

30. You remember Alf, the furry brown alien from Melmac.

31. You remember the New Kids on the Block when they were cool…and don’t even flinch when people refer to them as “NKOTB”.

32. You knew all characters names and life stores on “Saved by the Bell,” original class.

33. You know all the words to Bon Jovi- SHOT THROUGH THE HEART.

34. You just sang those words to yourself.

35. You can still sing, “We are the World.”

36. You tight rolled your jeans.

37. You owned a banana clip.

38. You remember, “Where’s the Beef?”

39. You used to (probably still do) say, “What you talkin’ ‘bout Willis?”

40. You’re still singing Shot Through the Heart in your head…aren’t you?!

You know You are Obsesesed with the 80s if...

I'm home sick today from school...and so bored. it's the kind of sick where you can't just lay down and relax...which means I'd rather be at work. It's hard to relax knowing someone else has my kindergarteners for the day....will they fit everything in that needs to be done, will they take care of the room....will they go INSANE?!

I thought I'd take this opportunity to comment on the AMAZING 30th birthday party sharon and I threw Bethany. It was an 80s murder mystery, in lieu of her infatuation with the infamous decade. She was so surprised...which was the point...and so difficult to do considering she can be pushy and organized to the "T." She pulled up the "paparazzi" yelling her character's name "Debbie Gribson" and was shocked.




"Wee Pee" Vermon and I

Here are some special moments and costumes (which you will hopefully never see in style again), caught on camera:

Alligator Dundee

Everyone (all the characters) before Bethany arrived

Jessica Bunny, Debbie Gribson, and Fadonna

The premier of "Debbie Gribson's" new album and fragrance: ECLECTIC YOUTH

Bethany (Debbie Gribson) being interviewed before we made her change

Home for...the weekend

I am so glad to have my baby brother home (by baby I mean he's going to be 20 in a month!). I haven't seen him since he left for school in August. I miss him so much. I realize that I miss him because I worry about him...like any big sister would do. I used to be so protective of him when we attended school together. I always vowed I'd beat any one up who hurt his feelings. Now, he is the one doing the protecting! We ran to Target and made a pizza before playing Wii. It was just a realization to me that just as I have gained a "friendship" with my older sisters (rather than playing the whining little sister role), so my little bro and I have grown from sharing a room as toddlers, to spitting and biting wars, to cool vs uncool rivals, to "friends." It is the best feeling in the world and I think my brother is "da bomb!" I can't wait to see what God has in store for him. I see so much potential in his down to earth demeanor and his above average "business sense."

Near Death by Salami

Today, while preparing dinner for my husband, I quickly began to eat some salami...the good, cut it yourself stuff. I began to choke and thought I could cough it up. I was wrong. I could feel it dangling both in the front and in the back. I ran and tried my best to open the door from the apartment to the upstairs. I had to crawl up the stairs. I began to hit the wall and grunt, hoping my parents would hear me coming. By the time I got up the stairs my parents were asking what was wrong. I was too shaken up to even get my hands up to reveal the "choking sign" but just kept gagging. They both jumped out of their seats. My dad kept whacking me in the back, while my mom attempted the Heimlich. This team effort was not in vain. I finally swallowed what was left and trudged to the sink to spit it out. It was more dramatic than it sounds. While crawling upstairs I remember wondering what would happen if my parents weren't home, or if the maneuver malfunctioned and didn't work. After telling JP the story his response was this: "I could have come home with you dead on the floor!" (This was sincere and caring, I understand, but not what I expected, granted I understand the reaction).

If you know Rosie, I'm sure she ran through her phone tree and already came across your number, either leaving a message or speaking with you, to share the dramatic occurence and her bravery and knowledge on the Heimlich Maneauver. I'm literally reminiscing at the moment, of a similar situation when I was 5 years old, when I choked on a carrot while chasing my brother through the kitchen. When the ambulance arrived, I was so terrified, being so young, that my soothing mother allowed the emergency team to strap my body to hers, together on the stretcher. What a Mom! What parents!

But in all honesty, it's so funny that I knew what to do if I were along (thrust against a surface), but was too shaken up and scared to remember. God's timing is impeccable and his plans are greater. Even small situations like this are reminders of why our present situation may exist (i.e. living with my parentals).

All in all....I've sworn off salami....OBVIOUSLY!

Ouch!

Last night I ran into a chair while doing an interpretive dance/human video to, "Everything I DO," for JP (nothing of the sexual sort, by far!). I woke up this morning with a swollen knee...way to go. In JP's words..."O, you are so wonderfully weird."

God Rest Their Souls

With a statistic like 24 out of 27 teams not succeeding towards the World Series who lose their first games in the playoffs...it doesn't look good for the Cubs. Their performance was pathetic! As soon as Zimbrano came out throwing strikes all too smoothly in the first inning...I knew it couldn't be right. I can just hear Ron Santo saying, "O, this is embarassing!"

When will that stupid goat just die! Enough with the teasing!

Life or Death

My computer is about to fall to pieces....as well as my car. Please please please live one more year....one more year!