Gourmet? hehehe

Alright, so we've had 2 successful nights with Rachel Ray! Seriously, I love that cookbook! The pizza-dilla on Wednesday nite got raving reviews (in fact kj ate up what was suppose to be his lunch for the next day) so we gave it an A+. Last nite I made Leeky Chicken with Couscous. I've never used leeks (had to look up on-line what part we were actually suppose to be eating... the stem... if you ever get in the same situation) and I've heard of couscous but don't think that I've ever had it. I gave the recipe a strong B, but KJ gave it an A and finished off my plate. I love couscous (kind of reminds me of grits...), but I don't think that I'd seasoned the chicken well enough. Don't blame Rachel, I take full responsibility for that. ;-)
Here's our A+ dinner (and so help me if all of you who came out of the woodworks for Kj's bbq chicken don't so much as type a yum for my little creation, I WILL find you... hehehe)



In other news: It's getting cool enough for me to wear this:


Yea! Only thing is that I didn't actually wear that shirt in particular b.c it was wayyyy too tight on my arms. I like to think that it's my muscles that caused that shirt to be tossed in the give away pile, but I digress. Anyway, out come the long sleeved shirts! I believe there's hope for FL yet.

Lastly, this is a little lesson I would like to pass on: This morn as I was rushing out the door, I realized that I hadn't put on any perfume (I love perfume... I think I got the smell good trait from my mom and dad... seriously, we're all junkies), so instead of running back to the bathroom I grabbed the clean linen room spray off the counter (A wonderful house smell if you're looking for something. Smells like clean laundry... one of my favorite "life" scents) and gave myself a couple of sprays. Yep, didn't think that all the way thru. I love the smell, but heeeelllloooo, one spritz leaves a whole room smelling good for atleast an hour, so you can only imagine how potent it is! So I'm pretty sure that I'll have given myself a headache before lunch, but the upside is that anyone within 5ft of me is sure to think I got trapped in the dryer for a couple of hours and I can think of worst smells...
:-)

Happy Friday!

lots of lovin!

So much to tell!

Okay, so I've been on a little bloggin hiatus and now I've got several random things to tell to bring everyone up to speed.

This past weekend Trice, Colleen, Liz and myself decided to meet up for some seriously needed Girl Time. Talk about a wonderful weekend! I talked myself into a sore throat and laughed off 5 pounds (hopefully ;-) )! Husbands and boyfriends are great, don't get me wrong, but there's no replacing the dynamic you have with your girls, ya know? I think we needed to reassure each other that life is really good and that in the rough spots, we're not alone and that we're not crazy in action or deed (like the boys try to make us seem). Hehehe, and if we are crazy, then we've got company b/c we each would have said or done something similar in life's situations. We really just bummed around Memphis (the murder capital of the world my husband told me over, and over, and over again) and I'm proud to report that we had a fantastic time and none of us fell prevy to the city's murder statistics. ;-) It probably helped that we were snug in the hotel by 9. Funny how I can remember just getting started for a night out at 11pm with each of them, when we were in school... yep, we're old foggies now and loving it!

Here's a montage of pics from the weekend:


On Monday KJ and I went to our nephew and neice's first football game. D., playing football and T., cheering. Talk about hilarious. T., is soooo much like her momma and has all this girl-energy. She shook her hips with the best of them, and I'm not sure if she's the head cheerleader, but if she's not, someone may want to let her know. ;-) Regardless she asked for a V-I-C-T-O-R-Y better than any little girl out there, but hey, I admit I'm a little biased. ;-)

We were all a little surprised when D. said he wanted to play tackle football. Seriously, he's nine and I didn't even think you should be allowed to hurl your body at another person until you had more bone densisty... but what do I know. :-) Anywho, when he signed up he had a wall of family support behind him! I don't know if he knew that his mom and uncle would be connected to his hip on the side-line, but... hehehe that poor little man! Everytime I looked up to take a pic KJ was in his ear: "stay low", "run fast", "hit 'em back", etc. At one point the actual team coach was trying to tell D. something, but he was watching his mom and uncle over the coache's shoulder for his "real" instructions. Hehehe. Seriously, I think I must go to the games not only for support, but to take pictures and hold KJ and his sister down to the bleachers. ;-) Oh, I've got my moments too: At one point this little boy from the other team (#84) grabbed D around the neck and wouldn't let go, so I instinctively yelled "#84 get off of him! Get off of him! He doesn't even have the ball!" I'm sure D. was throughly embarrassed, and KJ had to remind me that #84 was someone's child and they might come looking for me after the game. Whatever (said with lips tooted up to the side)! So D's team lost (28 to 0), but they played hard. I just hope he'll stick with it. At first it looked a little skeptical, but after he sacked this little boy for the first time, he got up with a whole 'nother strut in his walk. ;-) I'll keep you posted.

Here's the pic. montage from the game. As you can see, G. was his usual comical self. He told us that next year he's going to play football and wear one of those costumes (to which KJ quickly said "Boy, that's a uniform, don't call it a costume!!!")Ahhh...my family...


Lastly, I must commend my husband on this:


When we got home from all of our weekend excursions, there was a present for me that said "to my wife... for being my wife"
Yep, he's sweet like that. So, I'm on a mission to cook every recipe in this book. We're broading our taste buds... wish me luck. ;-) Tonite: Inside-out Pizza-dilla Margeritas. Man I love Rachel Ray!

Happy Wednesday! I pray all is well on your end!
Lots of lovin!

Monopoly by candlelight...

sounds romantic doesn't it?
Taaaa-heee! Not when you're playing with Hannibal himself!

Let me back up to the beginning: KJ had to chauffeur me around b/c my car was in the shop, so after my dentist appt (no cavities for roz!!!) we got home earlier than I'm used to. Well, the power was out and Lord only knows how long our whole neighborhood had been in the dark. So we thought we'd drive into the neighboring city to go see a movie, but when we got to the end of the street, those lights were on so we figured it wouldn't be long before they got to our subdivision. Sooooo, we did the unthinkable...we went to Walmart to walk around until we felt like our power would be back on. (the most country thing in the world, i know, i know, shame!!!)

Anywho, after about an hour we headed home. Still no power. So out came the Monopoly board and the candles. Ooooo, I was soooo kicking his butt in the beginning. I owned several good places like Park Place (the dark blue) and New York (the orange corner by Free Parking), and out of nowhere... this man not only owned more property, but had put hotels on most of them (making me mortgage off my 2 or 3 houses in the process)! Yep, it was all downhill from there. And with $10 and a few properties, I landed on some crappy spot that required a $1000+ rent... I just let go. My light of hope had slowly been dying so I just let it go. Let me just add that my husband is NOT a gracious winner and that it took all I had not to set that board ablaze with our "romantic" candlelight. Seriously. ;-)

I took pictures, but after telling the story I'm glad I left my camera a home. Some accidents are blessings in disguise ya know... I think seeing those pictures now might make me vow off Monopoly for a while... it was just such a brutal massacre
:-D... (9.26.06 - I'm over the pain now, here's a pic I like to call the Monopoly Massacre. ;-) )



So, here is a pic of my favorite stamps (my favorite before these were the peppers collection) to add some color to this post. It's the Gee's Bend quilt collection (I had a professor in college OBSESSED with quilts. He used to give us our assignment and go in his office to bid on ebay for the rest of the period... I wonder whatever happened to Professor Furr???? He would love these stamps.)

Happy Tuesday all!

What I'm watching

Whooo-hoooo! It's premier week for tv which means I can let go of my mindless, uninspiring tv (seriously, I've seen the Design Star finale on HGTV a million times) and pick back up on my sit on the couch and laugh hysterically or cry quietly (so that kj won't bust in and say, "Girl it's JUST a tv show!") quality tv shows!!!! YEA!!!!!
Here's what I'll be watching: (In order of new shows to premier)
America's Next Top Model: I think it's hilarious how complex the modeling industry is. Plus those girls never cease to put on a good show in the name of glitter and sequins.
Grey's Anatomy: Seriously, need I say anything. I think the whole world is hooked by now! Liz, how ya doin with those season 2 DVDs???
One Tree Hill: Yes, it's a teenage/highschool drama, but it's soooo good. Those kids have some real grown up stuff going on...
Girl Friends: Okay, we all saw how Joan had gone plum over the edge in the season finalle, I'm anxious to see how it's all going to play out... And did you all notice Toni missing from the photo on that site... hummm.....

So if you're not busy on any of these nites, then watch with me and let's discuss via blog. hehehe

Happy Monday!

No longer...

displaced. In college I did a painting called Displaced (inspired by where I was in life and the Azure Ray song that I still love). The painting is still one of my favorites to this day, but as I was driving into work this morning I realized how at peace I am with where I am in life at this very moment.

I've got a wonderful husband with whom I can be candid with and him with me and still laugh. Our relationship is no-holds-bar. We love good and hard and each day I'm reminded how God plopped the only man who could make this "life thing" better, right down in my path.

My family are all in good places. My parents are able to do as they please and have the joys of an "empty nest". My sister is almost 21 and I think still a little overwhelmed by taking life by the horns, but she knows she's got us and I can tell that makes a difference. I've even done better with keeping in touch with extended family (aunts, uncles, cousins, grandmother (a future project here)), and it feels good to just talk and check in to say love you. We have grown up conversations and I'm glad that we've all been able to do great things and not great things to share as learning advice for one another.

My core circle of friends, the ones who have seen me cry, scream, laugh til I almost pee in my pants, are all wonderful women. And I do mean superbly wonderful! For the most part, we hit life's landmarks (slowed down metabolism, career highs and lows, husband/boyfriend wows and non-wows) all around the same time. It's nice to have that everpresent support system.

My church family back home still keeps in touch and claims to miss me ;-), which selfishly makes me feel like I've made a difference and left my mark (to return to it at some later point Lord willing).

My current church fam is growing. We're a small group, but for the most part very persistent in keeping God's love visible and tangible. I'll start teaching Sunday school in two weeks and I'm proud to say that the kids still come hug me after service even when I don't have candy to give. ;-)

I've come a long way in my career. I've gone from too little pay and too little respect to decent pay and being able to command the respect that I know I deserve. It's nice to be able to speak up for yourself professionally and let pep know, "this is what I do and I'm good at it dog-gone-it!"

I'm no longer displaced. In fact, I never was. I've always been right where God needed and wanted me to be. I guess I'm just really appreciating that now. It's comforting to know that on such a mysterious journey, my road map and tour guide are ever present, even when I slight using them as I should... (I'm working on this aspect daily)

Strangely, I started this long train of thought yesterday. Inspired by the local love-bug swarm. Really. They're bugs, and apparently very in season b/c when you walk outside they're EVERYWHERE. Funny thing is that they are always in pairs (granted that they're mating, doing the nasty, getting busy, but when you take that knowledge away it's less gross and kind of sweet). When I found out that they don't bite then I'm all the more intrigued to watch them for a moment. They're always with another love-bug (even on my car grill when I get home and noticed that I've killed the love) and I think I'm in a love-bug state of life. We're never alone, God's always there, but it's also nice to realize that I'm not displaced, and that I'm paired up with just the right people... always.

Happy Love-Bug Friday!

Borrowed Subject...

On Tuesdays, several of the blogs I check do their Ten on Tuesdays (just a random list of things on your mind) and on Wednesdays, Tasha does her inspirational list, sooooo....
I've come up with today's post as a combo from their subject matter and I'm calling it....

My Smile Moments (a better title pending)

1. I woke up at 1am to finish some freelance stuff and KJ had plugged the internet cord back into my computer! (This is a smile moment b/c even though he's showed me how to unhook the playstation and rehook the router, unplug the cable, and discombobulate the thingy-majiggy, I can NEVER get my internet to work after all of the rewiring...sadly, I'm not that tech savvy)

2. I've got a good bit of freelance work coming in so even though I'm scrambling at random hours to knock it out, I really enjoy having that extra $ to knock out some debt. ;-)

3. It's been rainy and cool here for the past couple of days. I'm on a mission to find some high heel galoshes and a bell umbrella.

4. My sister called to ask my opinion on something the other day. Those moments make me think that I'm not soooo bad at this big sister thing. ;-)

5. I've got what I believe to be the beginning of a cavity (no smile for this), but this threat has enabled me to fight the sweet tooth more than any weight issue ever has. (Dentist appt. on Monday)

6. My Liz now drives to work around the same time that I do, so we're able to talk most mornings. This has done WONDERS for my psyche.

7. Always makes me smile that My Mom and I are FRIENDS and I talk to her too on most morning drives to work (no worries, I use my ear piece). I remember a time when I was around 14 when I promised myself that I was not going to be a mean mom like mine and that I would raise my children differently. I'm sooo thankful that's not the case and that God saw fit to allow me to grow out of my foolishness. I've already noted several Mom techniques that I'm going to use on future lil minis.

8. Work is going tons better. God's working on me and the new head of my department and I'm not feeling near as hostile.
:-D

9. Today has been declared Peanut Butter and Jelly day at work, so with Strawberry preserve in hand, I'm soooo excited about noon. Doesn't it make you smile?!?! The thought of PB smooshed with jelly and a cold glass of Dairy Ease milk (hello, I'm finally respecting my lactose intolerance) with a side of Jalepeno chips. sigh. must be my inner child rejoicing... ;-)

10. Yesterday a little mini schnauzer ran up to me. I thought it was lost, but then it ran off. Well, it came back and I decided to go to a house across the street to see if it was their dog. It was, he thanked me, and the lil puppy dog went home wet (it was raining), but safe. So, most of you know that I've given up on my ploy to adopt an inside dog, being that KJ has "put his foot down" and said that any pet we have will stay outside. I've decided that now's not the time because we would love a pet differently (me like it's a human and him like it's an animal). Here's the smile moment, I've decided that after we have a lil mini or two then I'll get back to my mission. I'm thinking that it will be harder for him to say no to 2 or 3 sets of big brown eyes then it is to just my one. So smile... there may just be a puppy on the horizon yet. (Or, mom and dad, a home for Spence, since he's taken to running away lately... hummm....) ;-)

11. I almost forgot; iTunes has been doing some great Free Downloads for the past couple of weeks (check on Tuesdays) and I've been able to get some wonderful songs from artists that I've never even heard of. Gotta love expanding your musical boundaries!

Happy Wednesday ALL!

Hey... it's Monday!

Okay so there's about a million things that this post will touch on. That's just what I get for waiting so long between posts. Plus I'm feeling a little chatty today so I'll brief you on everything that's been going on. I'll back it up from today.

Monday: I can't believe that it's been 5 years since our country was attacked. 5 years. I read an article in People that kept up with some of the widows who gave birth to their children shortly after 9/11 and their stories are both heart retching and inspiring. If interested, you can read their stories here
I remember how important God was to everyone on that day. I hate that some feelings and lessons go numb after time, that everyone kind of forgets how important it is to help/love/be kind to random strangers. To show compassion. I think this day is a reminder.

Sunday: Finished watching all of Season 2 of Grey's Anatomy and did some freelance work. Was suppose to go to bed early, but I think saying that is a jinx in itself (why do the "simple" things take way longer than expected??!?!). It was an exhausting weekend so I was drained anyway, but oh well. The bright spot is that I'm all ready and rearing for Season 3 of Grey to start. I love that show! Anytime you can watch the same episode more than once and bawl like the first time you saw it... sigh, Denny oh Denny...sniffle... need I say more? New season starts next Thursday 9.21 at 8:00 cst. (Colleen, I'd tell you to watch and get hooked, the story line is awesome, but it is a show taking place in a hospital and occasionally they'll throw a beating heart inside an open chest cavity on the screen, and I know how you hate that... we'll just fill you in on all the good stuff. ;-) )

Saturday: Our original church (old church just sounds so finished... like we no longer see them from time to time, so I prefer original) before we moved further away and found a church family closer to home, hosted their first Ladies' Day program. It was a HUGE success. A talented sister wrote a 3 person skit and I was Miss Pauline, a free-spirited woman who was taking advantage of God's grace and mercy. Juanita really did a fantastic job with the play, she wrote and acted a part. Sabrina made her role look like she had been a snooty, prejudging, condescending woman all her life (and she's far from that). I on the other hand... well, let's just say acting will never be my day job. My southern drawl kept fading in and out, but I didn't forget any of my lines! They asked us to do an encore and unfortunately, the southern accent didn't redeem itself. ;-) Sorry, you will not be able to catch our performance on local stations or satellite cable, just know that I enjoyed myself immensely!

Friday: After play rehearsal, I thought it would be fun if KJ and I went over to the mall and had a "cheap date". I really wanted to play Skee Ball and Air Hockey and I'd been talking smack all day. Upon arriving at the arcade and getting $5 worth of tokens, I realized that we have the MOST bootleg arcade in the world! Everything was taped up with signs reading "Out of Order" and the games that weren't taped up, were wet from the leaking ceiling. KJ must have prayed hard to eliminate the humiliation I was ready to lay down. So we've vowed off all "mall" arcades and decided to only do Dave and Busters (which I've never been to, but hear about it's glory from random pep, so I'm up for it).

I guess that's about it for the weekend. How is it that time speeds up as soon as Friday evening hits? Weekends just go by so fast...

Now to go wayyyyy back.
Here are a few pics from our trip to Miami. If you know my Aunt, you know she's a wonderful hostess and she kept us busy. We never made it to her hot spot Mangoes, but we had a great time and were able to see Miami in all its rainy goodness!

One of Aunt Bettie's after work spots "the River"


Our traveling buddies, Rance and Shea


Me, not doing any of the jetty no-nos


Aunt Bettie and I in the water


Uncle Jim watching us "play" on the jetty


Shaq's House


My KJ tuning up to serenade me with sweet, sweet music. ;-) {no he does not play the guitar, but look at how studdly he is, I'm definitely a groupie!}



Hope you all are doing well and having a wonderful Monday!

I wasn't quick enough...

to post a new post, so I've been tagged by Tricey.

1. If you could build a house anywhere, where would it be? I'd have 2 homes (how greedy is that?) 1 in Alabama and 1 in Seattle, WA ( i know I'd love the constant chilled rainy days...)

2. What's your favorite article of clothing? I've got some terrycloth capri pants that I just may have to be buried in.

3. Favorite physical feature of the opposite sex? Hummm. Kj's got strong hands and a soothing voice. Love them both.

4. What's the last CD that you bought? I went crazy on iTunes. Last phase was the Red Hot Chili Peppers (I'm so random)

5. Where's your favorite place to be? Snuggling on the couch in comfy clothes.

6. Where is your least favorite place to be? The first 5 min of aerobics when my mind's telling me I'm not going to make it. ;-)

7. What's your favorite place to be massaged? Shoulders

8. Strong in mind or strong in body? I'd like to think both.

9. What time do you wake up in the morning? Depends. If I've got work to finish up, 4 but on average 6:07, 6:17. 6:27...gotta get those last 2 minutes

10. What is your favorite kitchen appliance? My electric chopper! Liz, that thing did wonders for my veggie pizza.

11. What makes you really angry? Rudeness

12. If you could play any instrument, what would it be? I've vowed to be able to play the piano by the time I have my first child...

13. Favorite color? This changes constantly, but I think brown is a consistent fav.

14. Which do you prefer...sports car or SUV? SUV, most sports cars are sticks and I can't drive them. Plus pep tend to hit me and I need as much metal framing around me as I can get. ;-)

15. Do you believe in an afterlife? Most definitely.

16. Favorite children's book? Super Fudge, or anything by Judy Blume. I remember loving the feeling of laughing out loud during quiet reading in class. ( I just couldn't help myself)

17. What is your favorite season? WINTER... think we'll get snow in FL this year???

18. What is your least favorite household chore? Folding clothes. I think it dries my hands out.

19. If you could have one super power, what would it be? I'd beam up people I wanted to see or talk to or beam myself to them. My power would be beaming... what a nice thought.

20. If you have a tattoo, what is it? Yep. An 18th bday gift from my dear Colein. My name in Japanese

21. Can you juggle? No more than one ball at a time, but I guess that's just called tossing...

22. The one person from your past that you wish you could go back and talk to? Humm... Sabrina Glenn. 4th grade best friend from when we lived overseas. I don't think I even got a chance to tell her bye.

23. What's your favorite day? Thursday, can't explain it... just love me some Thursday

24. What's in the trunk of your car? A gazillion juvenille products to donate to the church daycare back home.

25. Which do you prefer, sushi or hamburger? Sushi please. I'm on a health kick.

Happy Thursday all! And don't fret, I'll post pics from our Miami weekend next post. ;-)
Oh yeah-
Because Trice tagged almost all of my bloggin friends, I tag a new blog friend...Tasha! Sorry girl, there goes your days of lurking! ;-) I'm checking your blog daily.