One Very Hot Pan+Cooking Wine=No Good For Shorty:0

Last night, I was cooking my usual italian chicken , I dip the chicken in italian spices and after the chicken is cooked almost all the way through I pour some white wine over it to make a nummy sauce...well this time around, I almost burnt our entire kitchen to the ground!! yes my first kitchen fire:( I didn't realize the pan/stove was soooo hot and as the wine went into the pan... the flames went up!! kinda like, ok exactly like when you see on the cooking shows how the pan flames up when they add wine to it, only my flame kept going and going. so I quickly pulled the pan from the stove and the fire in the air kept going...and yes LUCKILY it died out and no damage was done to the kitchen, except for the poor door that hangs above microwave...just "slightly" singed on the bottom of the door...

Fun Picking Apples

I visited the Apple Orchard a few times this month, once on a trip with my sister,and the other time was with the in-laws. I do have to say there is a story to tell in the picture with me in the tree but ... lets just say I don't think we were suppose to be picking from that tree!!! I do wish though we had a longer fall this year, and luckily we were able to enjoy the few days we did have of it. I made a few apple pies with the apples we picked, and attempted to make apple butter, but if you ask me, it tastes like applesauce. Oh well, here is to the few days of Fall that we actaully had here in Minnesota...

2nd Hand Smoke

Frustrated, Upset, Sad, Scared, Not Understanding, Compassion, Forgiveness.

These are feelings I have been going through this week with the finding of my grandma being diagnosed with lung cancer yet she has never smoked a day in her life. I want to be frustrated and upset with my family for continuely smoking in her house for years and years, and wonder does it even phase them that they were a factor in my grandma (their mom) getting this disease? Sad to know that this had to happen to her, scared in wondering or knowing this could happen to me even. How long does she have to live, How much suffering will she have to go through before it completely takes over her? Not to be able to be there for her and hear about how much pain she is in, and how sad she is about all of this. Finding forgiveness towards my aunts, uncles who didn't have a care in the world where they lit up.

You see those commercials about second hand smoke and how it can take one's life so easily, but it doesn't truly set in on what they are talking about it until it happens to someone so close to you. I love you grandma, and I pray that God will give you peace and fill you with His comfort during this time.

FuelPerks

Ok, I just have to say how much of a fan I am of the Rainbow Foods Fuel Perks deal they have going on...I just saved over .50cents a gallon on gas last night!! I was pretty excited about that, only having to pay $2.06 for gas. I know alot of us drive around family cars so they can take a pretty penny on filling up, but if you are dorky like me and after swiping your rewards card to see how much they are taking off the price, filling up my Acadia isn't so bad after all:)

Our 1 Year!

"The One I laugh With, Live For, Dream With, love."

-author unknown

Wow, we made it to the big ONE Year mark of our marriage. I honestly have to say it has been one of the funnest years. I know you hear "the first year is always the hardest" and for some it might be, but we must've been blessed cause this last year was pretty fun and exciting! Exciting in the fact to see how God continues to mold us to be the husband and wife that he designed us to be for each other. It has been fun in the sense of learning every little thing about each other, whether is what discovering new habits, working with each other on house projects, being lazy on a Saturday morning having our coffee and playing the Wii ever so often(Mario Kart is our favorite so far), and getting into the word and discussing the meaning of verses and learning from each other. I have to admit, we continue to learn how to push each others buttons a time or two or three or maybe quite a few times:)...but those were the times that we grew that much closer to one another, learning quite quickly not to push that particular button again:) but always remembering to say "I am sorry" and then to let the other know "I forgive you."

Over all this has been a good year, and look foward to the many years that are to come. Thank you to all of our friends and family who we have to look to for encouragment, you all are a true blessing to us.

2 miles and Still nothing

my husband and I have been on this running kick for over a month now...we are running up to 2 miles every day, along with a tummy crunches, and I still haven't seen one inkling of a pound drop off!! I don't get it...we have even changed our diets to be on the more nutritious side, eating more fruits, vegies, salads, etc. Grrrr...I mean I know the weight just doesn't drop like that, but you would think I would start to see some type of results. It is just so hard to continue to work out when no results are in sight...maybe I need to do something more than run my 2 miles and 3 sets of crunches...who knows!! any ideas out there my fellow bloggers?

A Little Dessert in the Morning

I haven't really been one to drink black coffee, I have always been the "fufu" type drinker, like a medium latte with 3 pumps vanilla/3 pumps hazelnut with a little cinnamon sprinkled on top(mmmmm, that first sip tastes like heaven) but then my husband introduced me to flavored creamer! So I thought ok, I'll give it a try....and I love it(not all the flavors but a there are a few)!! The flavor is called Chocolate Eau Claire, just poor a little or a lot of it into your coffee and sip away, it truly tastes devine!

8 Things (past due)

So I started this a few weeks ago and finally had some time to finish:) I know I am a procrastinator!! Enjoy:)


8 things I am looking forward to:

1. going to New York to visit my sister

2. building our new deck.

3. hosting a house warming party.

4. being able to eat the yummy vegitabels from my garden.

5. going camping.

6. drinking Cherry Limeades all summer long.

7. floating out on the water with friends.

8. my one year anniversary this year



8 things I did yesterday:

1. had the Best Cherry Limeade with cheddar bites of course

2. went running with my husband.

3. cleaned the house

4. worked

5. sat by the garden and enjoyed the weather.

6. watered the flowers and yard.

7. texted my sister.

8. watched the begining of the NBA finals...is Kobe Bryant really that cool??



8 things I wish I could do:

1. Learn how to brew my own beer/wine.

2. attend a wine stomping event.

3. be on the Amazing Race.

4. travel across the world.

5. read my boss's mind

6. be able to name a song and who sang it at the same time:)

7. never have to work again.

8. be able to support my "entire" family in these hard times.



8 shows I watch:

1. House

2. CSI-New York

3. Ugle Betty

4. 24

5. Lost

6. Here Comes the Newley Wes

7. Wipe Out

8. The Mentalist



8 favorite fruits:

1. Strawberries

2. Blueberries

3. Raspberries

4. Kiwi

5. Cherries

6. Watermelon

7. Bananas

8. Pineapple(I really could list more)



8 places I'd like to travel to:

1. Spain

2. Upper East Side of the US

3. England

4. Germany

5. Italy (again!)

6. Ireland

7. Greece

8. all of Upper MI



8 places I've lived:

1. Oklahoma

2. Georgia

3. California

4. Wisconsin

5. Missouri

6. Apple Lane

7. Turquoise Trail

8. Blackhawk Rd.



8 people I'm tagging: not sure how to Tag people, but if I could it would be:
Holly/Becky/Jessica(1)/Jackie/Sherri/John/Jessica(2)/Lisa

Timberrrrrr

It is officially the start of Summer Projects to begin! First on the list take down trees in back yard:) I have posted a little video for your entertainment! We still have one more to go, but it was a start. I must say watching your husband up a really tall tree while it is swaying in the end all the while trying to cut it down is just a bit nerve racking. Boyz will be boyz!

We also got our sliding glass door put in a few weeks ago, it makes the dining room look soooo much bigger, it is nice:)

Next on the list is buidling a deck, plant the garden, redo the drive, paint MORE trim for the inside of the house, and replace the steps infront of the house:) Let the Good Times Roll!!

"Can You Keep a Secret"

Secrets from her boyfriend:

I've always thought Connor looks alot like Ken. As in Ken and Barbie.

Secrets she wouldn't share with anyone in the world:

I have no idea what NATO stands for. Or even what it is.

Until she spills them to a handsome stranger on the plane.

At least, she thought he was a stranger....

I won't tell you anymore, but this book is absolutely hillarious!!! This book is by the author Sophie Kinsella, she also wrote the "Confessions of a Shopaholic" Series. I find myself laughing out loud at the coffee shop not realizing where I am while reading this book. If you need a good summer read I would check this out.

I have been doing pretty good lately about getting back into reading books. I have come accross a few that had way toooo much drama, the series "Something Borrowed/Something Blue/Baby Proof", I wouldn't suggest them really, I found myself more irriatated than anything after reading them. But I am the type of reader that wants to knows what happens, so this time I just skipped to the last chapter and found out what happens. I couldn't handle all the drama:)

Don't worry I am not becoming a book critic or anything, so I wont be filling my blogs with book commentaries:) just thought I would share this book with you all!!

Moving Up to 4 Doors...

Well, we did it!! Rich and I purchased our first vehicle together:) with 4 doors!! We have been looking for few months now going back and forth over vehicles and after endless hours of researching and going to different dealerships for test drives, it all came down to a new Silver Green Metalic AWD Acadia(I know the picture shows a sliver vehicle, but it is the only one I could find). I have to say its not often you run into a really good salesman. He was very honest with us and helped us find a vehicle within our budget, all the while making sure it had the things we wanted in a vehicle. He also made sure we got every possible rebate and incentive to making the vehicle worth our money.
This will be the first 4 door vehicle either one of us will have owned, we are very excited for it and can't wait to go pick it up tonite!!

Greetings From the Future

I finally got to see what the huge big round golf ball looking like thing was at Epcot last week. It was a lot of fun, oh to be a kig again:)

T-2 days and Counting

In two days I will be laying out on the beaches of Florida:) I have never vacationed there before so I am super excited. There is even a shuttle launch the night we get in, that will be fun to see. I think I am more excited to be in the warm sun and leaving this cold weather behind!! I will post pictures of the trip when I return. Stay warm my friends, and I will be thinking of you all!!

The ENT Visit

I had my visit with the ENT (ear,nose,throat) doctor yesterday and have to say I was not to impressed! I drove all the was Minneapolis for this ENT doc, waited for him for about 15minutes all for him to tell me "You can either get your tonsils out or keep them in, here is a brochure and the number to call to schedule if you decide to get them out." THE END! I'm thinking "what...I just paid my co pay and took a trip to minnapolis for you to tell me that!!" I don't know about you, but sometimes these doctors baffle me at times. Why would'nt my first doctor tell me what he was going to say and skip right to part of you need to go get your tonsils out, schedule an appointment with them for this. So now I need to decide, to get them out or not too...that is the question:)

Boycott the Valentine's Day madness

I found this article online about boycotting the valentine's day madness today and found it to be logical and a bit amuzing and wanted to share it with all of my fellow blogger friends. I am totally with her about not being against the romance of it all for a day...but admist the economic crisis we are finding ourselves it is hard to understand why we all fall to the Hallmark spending spree for the day to tell the one you love "I Love You"....

Romance is to be savored, sure, but must we spend nearly $15 billion on candy, flowers and other frivolous gifts? There are better (and sexier) ways to show you care.....http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/CollegeAndFamily/LoveAndMoney/boycott-the-valentines-day-madness.aspx

Happy Valentines Day!!! I hope you enjoy the article:)

Tonsillitis & Laringitas

Yes I have managed to take on both of these to throat adventures over the last couple of days...not so fun:( I seem to get the tonsillitis thing more regulary ever since last year!! I would about every 3-4 months, and now I add to it Laringitas. After many strep tests, mono tests, cancer tests, iron tests, you name the test, I have been tested for it, and my doctor is finally sending me to a ENT (ear nose throat) doctor. I have never been to one so I am a little curious as to what will happen, because they are scheduled out until the middle of February. What if I don't have my symtoms then...oh well, this blog is just me whining, I know. Its just when your throat really really hurts, your boss is expecting you to be at work, and you would rather stay home, but you feel like a soar throat shouldn't stop you from doing anything, it is just no fun!! I will keep you posted to see what the ENT doctor says.

Air Popped PopCorn, Cup o HotChocolate and a slice of Carrot Cake!

what more could you ask for on a Sunday night:) We got this new popcorn maker for christmas and we love it. I forgot how good popcorn tasted by making it from the seeds and not the bag in the microwave. It was a fun night, we got in our Pajama's Rich made some hot chocolate with LOTS of marshmallows, I made the popcorn and we rocked out on the Guitar Hero. I am actually becoming very good at this game, maybe I should head up a secret Rock Band:) wanna join!! and for desert we had the HUGE piece of Carrot cake we got from the resturant the other night. You could feed at least 4 off of that slice. But it was good. I love those random Sunday nights:)

LAYOFFS

We here it all around us, Layoff, Layoff, more rounds of Layoffs. You really never think that it will ever happen to you. It is so easy to take for granted the things we do have and I have realized over the last couple weeks how this word has really hit home for me. I have had a close girlfriend of mine make it through 3 rounds of layoffs at her work and I just found out my dad was laid off just this last Friday:(
It truly has been a wake up call for me, I first of all can't imagine the stress and worry it brings on the family of wondering will I have a job tomorrow or how long till I find a new job in this economy. Secondly, I feel like I have been in a little bubble of "the recession thing isn't affecting me" , not worrying about my spending and basically taking for granted what God has blessed me with in my life. Taking for granted my own job, complaining about it and having a bad attitude towards it, I am trying to turn that attitude around but its not an easy thing to do. Going through the rounds of lay offs with my friend and seeing the stress it brings on you and seeing the effects a true lay off has on my own family has truly opened my eyes to what is going on in this world. My heart truly goes out to them and everyone who is going through a layoff. love ya all:)

Winter Fun

Emma and "her" uncle Richy


little Cole climbing all over Rich



Emma put us in Time Out chairs:)

here is the start of our snow man...


he is getting bigger...

ta da!!!

we had a little help getting him together:)

our gingerbread house we made from scratch

HolliDazzle Fun

time of your life girls

Happy New Year Friends

I know I know, I have been a slacker on my blogs...does it count that I think about blogging:):)

well, 2008 ended pretty good, we went home to MI for Christmas and did my family's Christmas the weekend before. My sister from NY was able to come home and hang out with us. MI was fun, the travel out there not so much. we left MOnday night to miss most of the storm that was heading our way and finished the drive on Tuesday. What a MESS!! I think we saw at least 20+ cars in ditch from Janesville, WI to the Illinois boarder (for those of you that don't know thats about a 45min drive) we did make it safely to MI around dinner time.

They had over 2ft of snow when we got there. We built a huge (over 6' tall) snowman the next day with our niece Emma and her parents. (I will post pictures of him when I remember to bring in the camera) well, 2 days later the snowman was gone:( they had a huge rain storm come through and melted all the snow away...crazy so needless to say we didn't get to play in the snow too much. I think the best part of it all was hanging out with little Emma, Cole and Asher:) they are getting to the age where they are playful and want to hang on to you every moment. Emma and I had pj parties at night, and she adored her uncle Rich, if he wasn't in sight she would go looking for him.

On the house front projects, we are kinda at a stand still till the summer, just working on piddly stuff inside the house. When summer comes along we are planning on putting in a sliding glass door and a new deck!! oh ya and we need to redo our driveway. Fun times ahead!!

well my friends, I will try to post pictures soon. take care for now:)