monday was one of those days

via pinterest

 1. yesterday was one of those days that i needed to let it go but couldn't.

2. like how mike spends $174.50 on bar tabs last week.

3. or how he can always manage to get off work early to visit a bar yet can't come home early when i actually have something to do past 6pm.

4. or how my neighbors told me that i DON'T want an rv/camper or a smaller house? [i don't? i thought i just said that i did]

5. or that i haven't lost any weight and my clothes that were too tight are still too tight.

6. and that i have no friends. i must be really boring.

7. but today is a new day and i talked myself into going to zumba.

8. and the weekend was pretty good.

9. kaylee and i baked mini apple pie cookies and mini banana bread muffins.

10. ham complained because we made them mini size yet he managed to eat and/or take it all with him.

[friday] uncool/cool

random photo booth photo of kaylee and ollie 

UNCOOL:

1. they killed deputy zack shelby aka eye candy on bates motel. 

2. girls who are mean to nice people.

3. feeling tired all/most of the time.

4. not losing even a pound after all these workouts i've been doing.

5. duck dynasty season finale. [meaning i have to wait for a new season to start]

COOL:

1. they still have norman's brother on bates motel aka other eye candy.

2. duck dynasty's season finale was super funny.

3. buying tea thats suppose to help detox and give me energy. [felt the energy today]

4. getting a haircut AND color for $50. haircut alone usually cost me close to $50.

5. ham coming home even if it is for the night. he has lots of homework and finals to study for.

what she wore so i bought it and the old ladies field trip

1. i loved this top that lindsay posted last week on her what i wore series.

2. so i went and got it then wore it today for the lady bugs outing except i wore a long sleeve grey/black shirt under it with a black jacket since it was a little chilly.

3. i love her outfits and that she posts where i can find them and they're usually good priced.

4. the outing was a good time. we visited an organic farm and got to taste some of their wonderful food that they make with most of the ingredients that they grow. they even had a little shop where i bought homemade soap, sugar scrub, tea tree oil, tea and cilantro humus.

5. i heard and been told that tea tree oil will help get rid of my heat rash that i have AGAIN under my arm. [same area as last time] so while i smell like medicine, i think its helping.

6. and at the mall the other day, one of sales person used a scrub on one arm and nothing on the other and i saw and felt a major difference in my skin so i got the sugar scrub to help with that.

7.  after visiting the farm, we headed to Vintage Garden Tea House for lunch.

8. i almost got up and did the jiggy because they had chicken pot pie! just the other day, i said to myself [because i have no friends]  i wish there was a place that made homemade chicken pot pie. it was even more delicious than i had imagined!

9. after lunch we got to walk around a bit and shop. i finally bought myself a cloche hat.  it went really well with my outfit today.

10. and after spending some time with the ladybugs, i think its given me the motivation to start cleaning and organizing the house again. just in case someone stops by unannounced.

dreaming...

hawaii 2011

1. i wish that was my view everyday.

2. with mike's work, we have a lot of different opportunities ahead of us- like moving overseas or if he decides to work off shore, we could move to hawaii since he wouldn't have an office to report too.

3. so you better believe i've been looking for houses in hawaii. [man are they expensive!]

4. my dreams have always been to live in a beach cottage and having my kids be surfers.

5. i also dreamed of having 4 kids. [funny, kaylee asked me today if a baby was out of the question. i told her it was. she said she didn't realize that factory was closed.]

6. we had a fun early dismissal day on monday.

7. went to schlotsky's for lunch then headed to the woodlands mall where she got 2 new books, a few tops and a cardigan from abercrombie. [i weaseled my way out of justice]

8. we went into the fossil store and they had a cute sales person there. even kaylee agreed that he was good-looking. [she usually tells me no or ehh]

9. since i have an outing with my old lady's club tomorrow, i switched my workout day with andre to today. he's working on getting my shoulders stronger since they've been damaged by all that swimming i use to do. 

10. after my workout, i got a massage and pedi. during the massage, i was in pain because she was getting all the knots out but i feel soo much better now.

WWWHHHHAAATTTTTT??? donut burgers and uncle si on the same day?!

1. saturday morning i got an email from world market informing me that art work was 40% off so i got the painting i wanted for the entry way.

2. then we went to the texas crawfish and music festival right when they opened up. it was nice because it wasn't too crowded yet.

 3. we tried one of these donut burgers on the way out. it was soooo delicious! can't beat two krispy kreme donuts as the bun!

 4. i didn't get to meet uncle si but i did get a few photos of him. he had just come out on stage and made a little speech on how its not a gun problem but a sin problem. too much sinning going on in the world today. i agree uncle si, i agree.

5. right before he got on stage, they placed a huge jug of tea on the table, thats how we knew he was on his way out. i love that i got this photo of him drinking his tea.

6. we didn't try any of the crawfish but mike got a spicy sausage sandwich while i ate some fresh potato chip nachos and kaylee and i split a funnel cake.

7. the festival is only happening on the weekends so we're thinking about going back next friday night to see the toadies. they sing this and this.

8. the book i read was called summerland by elin hilderbrand. it was good but and an easy read. kinda confusing at first- too many characters introduced. i read her other book, the island, which was also a good and easy read.

9. i've been watching the trailer for catching fire and can't wait for it to come out! i'm borrowing the neighbors teen age kids to go to the movies with.

10. and i'm off to get kaylee for an early dismissal so we can do a girls day out.

[friday] UNCOOL/COOL

new table and chairs in breakfast knook area

UNCOOL:

1. texas and its bi-polar weather. it will be close to 90 one week then goes back down to the 50's.

2. not getting tickets for uncle si's meet and greet for this saturday. 

3. mike saying he's going to be home late so i will miss my gno with the old ladies club, then telling me his meeting got canceled after i had just canceled my rsvp.

4. buying a book and finishing it the same day.

5. canvas people offering a free 8X10 or discounted canvas but not being able to remember what i wanted to have printed for ham's room. [ i know i had something specific in mind!]

COOL:

1. ham researching and finding a sister a+m university overseas in case we move. [meaning, he will move with us]

2. beating mike by 17,000(+) steps.

3. finding cinnamon bear gummies. [though i like the mini ones better]

4. ham might be coming home again for the weekend. [with everything thats been happening in the world, nothing like having my family together]

5. getting a belated birthday card from my parents and finding money in it!

ollie and his secret identities and some other random stuff

1. ollie, the maltese,  looking like a sheepdog, looking like a chihuahua. its hard to believe how long his legs and neck are under all that hair.

2. did i ever mention that my college friend de-friended me after i got him because he came from a breeder rather than the shelter?!

3. yup, she said she was disappointed in me and i haven't heard from her since and we've had ollie for over a year now.

4. today was one of those days that i did not want to go workout but i'm always glad i went afterwards.

5. i think this video was pretty neat.

6. i can not wait for this movie.

7. while i love my house, i've decided that i want to retire in a beach cottage style home. they're always my favorite.

8. and not to be ungrateful but i wish mike had given me a weekend away for my birthday. i'm desperately needing a change of scenery.

9. on one of my walks over the weekend, i told a lady i loved her flowers. while her yard is a full mess of them, they sure are pretty. i guess the hoa tried to sue her over it but she won. its her yard.

10. she was nice enough to give me some bulbs to plant. [she doesn't seem to care for the ladybug garden club]

tuesday's brain dump

1. i stole our change jar and turned it into a mommy escape fund. somedays i wish there was enough in there for a one way ticket to scotland. [hi christine! i miss you so so so much!]

2. i would say hawaii but my family would definitely search for me there.

3. with the news of a school threat in the elkhart area [my hometown] and the boston marathon yesterday, i was so sad. i tried to stop being sad and start being awesome but it didn't happen. mama bear wanted to come out and take my family and hide.

4. the weekend was a little boring. did help with the ladybug's garage sale and it ended up being fun. i sold tons of plants.

5. then we tried benihana's for my birthday dinner saturday night. besides the half hour wait even with reservations, the food was super delicious. hani yori's from back home is still our favorite but that doesn't mean we won't be back.

6. it's already 72 degrees here in texas and i'm already sweating. debating if i should do zumba today or try a different class.

7. i'm so proud of kaylee. she tried hummus again yesterday and actually liked it this time around. so i packed some for her lunch today. i even snuck some snap peas with her cucumbers. we'll see if she says anything.

8. my in-laws are coming for a visit in may. my m.i.l didn't want to out welcome herself and asked for my permission because this will be like the 6th time she's visited in the year and 8 months that we've lived here.

9. at least someone wants to visit us. [my parents came once for 2 days]

10. we are back on being on a budget which kinda sucks because all i want to do is go shopping. for what? not sure because i have nothing in mind that i am wanting or needing.  i really need to channel that shopping urge to painting again.

[friday] uncool/cool

what she wore today

uncool:

1. texas drivers. i'm afraid i'm going to get sideswiped one day. knock on wood it never happens.

2. that i weigh only 15 lbs. less than ham. he's 5'10 and a dude!

3. ollie's new do and his $200+ vet/grooming bill.

4. not going to see barry manilow. he's in our area two days after the dave matthews concert.

5. that i have to get up very early tomorrow morning to help with the lady bugs club annual garage sale.

cool:
1. kaylee's outfit. she's rock'n that bowtie and i love it!

2. i got DEPECHE MODE TICKETS!!

3. that i'm much stronger than i use to be 3 months ago. i'm killing it now during my workouts!

4. that i'm only 6700 steps behind my trainer and he started a day or two before me.

5. ham is home for the weekend- thats always, always cool.

i picked up a hitch hiker

1. this little hitch hiker sneaked up on me wednesday morning. good thing he decided to show himself when i was at a red light. he held on till i got to the gym. not sure what happened to him after that.

2. decided to try a different class today. instead of zumba, i did step. it was hard, fun and made me super sweaty which means it was a good workout.

3. still mad that i haven't lost any weight. guess it means i need to stop eating.

4. andre, my trainer, is doing a step challenge between his clients. whoever has the most steps in a month wins a prize. the contest hasn't started yet but i've been using it.

5. of course, the day after i get my fitbit, mike's work announces they too will be having a million step challenge and is giving away free fitbits for those who sign up. its worth 500 points if you do a million steps.

6. his company decided that we have to get 2000 [family] points in order to get benefits for next year and additional 2000 [family] points to get any perks like those gift cards. [this is new. last year, we only needed 2000 points. stink'n tight wads]

7. mike ruined another night for me. he came home late without giving me warning. he went out for drinks afterwards. i would like to know if he's going to be late so i know what to do for dinner.

8. another thing added to my list: don't wait for mike for dinner.

9. ham's decided that he wants to live in a studio apartment next year. i would rather him live with roommates for another year but he needs to do what he thinks is best plus its a cool place to live.

10. every time ham goes back to school, kaylee asks him to take her with him or if she can stay the night. having his own place would allow for him to do that. how cute would that be?

today is the day...

that i get presents!

 from mike, ham and kaylee

my very own duck dynasty duck call!

1. i came up with "the day that i get presents" a few years back because i didn't want to celebrate my birthday because i was getting old.

2. this is the 13th time i have turned 29. [kaylee tells everyone that i'm 29- smart girl]

3. today started out normal- got kaylee off to school, dropped ollie off to the vet/ groomers and then went to workout.

4. after working out, i didn't know what to do because i already went shopping on friday. so i went to target to get shoelaces for kaylee's sperry's because the laces they have on them do not stay tied.

5. felt kinda depressed, wishing i had some sex in the city girlfriends. they do girls night outs, weekends away...sigh. where are my 3 weird-o friends to do things with???

6. my in laws sent me some cash and a starbucks gift card.

7. once mike got home, kaylee was all excited to give me my gifts. i got spoiled with roses, a spa day on the day of the dave matthews band concert in may.  since i don't really like dave matthews, i'm getting tickets to see depeche mode in september- hopefully.

8. then the ups man dropped off the awesome duck call that only my friend, michelle, would think of. she's funny like that. did i tell you that she got me depends for my birthday last year? i haven't had to use them yet but have come pretty close or wish i had them with me.

9. ham even remembered to call and wish me a happy birthday. [i'm sure mike told him too before he left for school. either way, it made me happy happy happy]

10. then we went to pf changs for dinner. we'll go someplace else this weekend so we can celebrate with ham. 

and that sums up the day i get presents.

tuesday's brain dump

i thought this was a cute photo of kaylee and her nanny taken over spring break

1. had a great mommy's day last friday. got a dress, a pair of capri's and a top. oh and the fossil purse. it was on sale plus another 25% off. [after seeing my legs in shorts, capri's is the way to go]

2. i also treated myself to a nestle ice cream sandwich. let me just say it was gone in 2 bites because it was the tiniest thing ever. i had forgotten my lactaid pills in the car and didn't want to experience an "episode".

3. ham came home for the weekend which was a total surprise. found out he was sick last week, which made me sad because i wasn't there to take care of him. 

4. he's coming home again this weekend for a dentist appointment and haircut.

5. i tried some new recipes over the weekend, they didn't turn out as good as those shrimp sandwiches.

6. watched dancing with the stars last night. that zendaya is amazing. you can watch her here, here, here and here. [this is fun to watch too with shawn johnson]

7. saturday, i convinced mike to go up to the woodlands by suggesting we get the pool chairs we wanted and pizza for lunch. [offer him food and he's usually game]

8. on the way home, we were passing our favorite furniture store and decided to take the plunge and get that table and chairs set we've had our eye on because we would of been super mad if we didn't get it.

9. thinking about taking a short road trip back to indiana over the summer. it won't be as long because its indiana and i'm not going out of my way to see people like i did last year. if there's time then there's time.

10. this time we're debating on going up to traverse city/mackinac island or going to wisconsin dells before heading home. i think wisconsin dells is winning.

[thursday edition] I LOVE...

1. duck dynasty harlem shake video. i didn't know what a harlem shake was till ham showed me.

2. after my workout tomorrow, i get a real mommy day where i don't have to worry about picking up the little nugget. mike took the day off because she asked him to join her for field day.

3. taking kaylee for a "fivebucks" run after school for a peppermint hot chocolate and a snack. [i've been dealing with allergy issues that has made me become very cranky, i'm hoping she remembers these moments rather than the crankies]

4. craft room is getting cleaned and organized! [slowly but its getting there]

5. drinking lime in water is awesome. [kaylee thought it was the awesomest thing]

6. i think i made a new friend in zumba class.

7. someone else from the zumba class thought i was 27 years old. bless her.

8. made a massage and pedi appointment in two weeks.

9. one of my niece's texting me while on vacation. i think i'm her favorite : )

10. buffalo ranch popcorn- yum!

[recipe] Spicy Shrimp Sandwich with Chipotle Avocado Mayonnaise

photo via pinterest

I found this recipe when I was searching for something else. So glad when that happens. Recipe from damn delicious . 

Spicy Shrimp Sandwich with Chipotle Avocado Mayonnaise (adapted from Life’s Ambrosia):

Yields 3-4 servings

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Chipotle avocado mayonnaise
• 1 baguette, cut it into 3-4 equal pieces, toasted, for serving [I just cut it in half lengthwise and plopped it in the oven as is while the shrimp was cooking]
• Romaine lettuce leaves, for serving
• Sliced avocado, for serving

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, combine shrimp, olive oil, cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, salt and pepper, to taste.

Place shrimp mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Place into oven and roast just until pink, firm and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. 

Serve sandwiches on a baguette with romaine lettuce, avocado, shrimp and chipotle avocado mayonnaise.

For the chipotle avocado mayonnaise (adapted from Life’s Ambrosia):

• 1-3 chipotle peppers, in adobo sauce
• 1 avocado, pitted and chopped
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

To make the chipotle avocado mayonnaise, combine chipotle peppers, avocado, mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lime juice and salt in the bowl of a food processor; set aside. [I think I might have added too many chipotle peppers in mine because my sauce is pinkish but still delicious and spicy!]

a little of this and a little of that

1. last thursday kaylee and i went to her favorite place to eat her favorite lunch- olive garden breadsticks with alfredo sauce. [she was off school]

2. my side of the family is in florida at the moment for spring break. that's the bad part about ours being so early. we have no more breaks till end of may!

3. i made a really yummy sandwich tonight for dinner. i found it while pinteresting panini sandwiches. the new to me blog is awesome and can't wait to try her other recipes.

4. i wasn't going to go to zumba class this morning. i'm feeling a little discouraged because i've been working out for an hour a day x 4 days a week since end of january and i don't see the results that i'm hoping for. [yes, i feel stronger and a little leaner but i want major results!]

5. i decided purse [thinking about getting this one but at the outlets] shopping can wait till after the day i get presents and went to exercise.  i'm glad i went, i feel much better.

6. while i love my dooney and bourke purse, i love the crossbody style for everyday. plus, i want to keep db in great condition and it gets a little heavy for carrying.

7. after shopping at tjmaxx today, some random guy followed me out and told me that i'm really lucky but need to quite thinking so much. i'm not sure as to what he was trying to tell me because i was concentrating on my escape if need be. [my car was on and my hand was on the window button ready to close it]

8. kaylee is doing great with her piano lessons.

9. and ham is doing well in school though he needs to bring up a grade or two. [he's border lining b/c's]

10. found out jane porter's son will being to A+M as well. i'm hoping to "accidentally" run into her from time to time.

easter weekend and we could be moving?

i posted this photo of ollie on facebook and didn't tell anyone that it was taken last year. this year, he looks like a dumpster doggie. and smells like one too.

1. had a great easter. made ribs, "roasted"corn, smashed potatoes and deviled eggs. [of course i had to improvise on the recipes to make them family approved]

2. we had neighbors share birthday cake pops and a strawberry pie for easter.

3. kaylee was horrible looking for easter eggs and was quite disappointed that she didn't get as much stuff as she did last year.

4. this year she got a hello kitty watch, $10 worth of money plus chocolates. ham got chocolates and money though he left the chocolates at home because he said he would eat them all in one sitting. gee- thanks ham!

5. i think i went overboard last year and what we really need to be doing is celebrating the real reason why its easter or not celebrate at all.

6. then i question myself because we don't do the traditional easter stuff like color eggs or get a easter outfit.  is she missing out?

7. mike texted me this morning telling me he got news that they are selling his portion of the business so we could be moving sooner than we thought.

8. i was super worried thinking unemployment and deciding if i really wanted to move and how we're going to lose money on having to sell the house since we've only been here a little over a year...

9. then he calls me and says "April Fools!" after 13 years of being together, he FINALLY got me- bastard!

10. not sure what to do today besides go to petco and buy stock in doggie shampoo/conditioner and eye stain remover. i want to get him semi cleaned up before taking him to the vet. why yes, i do live the rough life, why you ask?