Dinner

One of my goals for 2010 (not a resolution necessarily, but something I'm taking small steps toward accomplishing) is to become a better cook.  Matt's a great cook, not the kind that needs recipes either.  He can whip something up just by looking in the fridge and checking out what we have to offer. 

This is a skill that I definitely do not possess.  I need recipes.  I don't like using them, but I need them.  I run into trouble when I'm following one and it isn't turning out well because I have no clue what I'm supposed to do to fix it.  Add more cheese, that will make it taste better.  Turns out that statement is not always correct and I have definitely learned that the hard way on more than one occasion.  So I've been trying to find new recipes on-line and in cookbooks to find out what works, what tastes good, and hopefully eventually be able to do it on my own.  Last week, I made panko bread coated chicken strips with spinach/broccoli macaroni and cheese.

 

It actually turned out pretty good, although it took a lot longer to make than I had anticipated!  Plus I got to use my individual crocks that I bought last year from World Market and haven't had a chance to use yet.  Yes, I buy cookware because of how cute I think it is and think about what I will use it for later.  

My only complaint about the meal was that I got both recipes from 30 Minute Meals, and Rachael Ray can kiss my ass because I have no idea how she made them in 30 minutes.  It might be that she has someone else prep everything so she doesn't have to do all that work, or it might be that she has more space/tools than I do.  Whatever it is, I am not thrilled to admit that it took me a little over two hours to do.

Most things that we try at my house feed way more than three, so if anyone ever wants to stop by for dinner let us know!

Mac and Cheese  

Parmagiano and Chicken Breast Tenders

Incompetence

Nothing stings quite like being told that you're incompetent at your job.  I should know, I was told that today.  And I cried.  I hate admitting that, but it happened.  Luckily it wasn't my boss, or her boss, or anyone else that matters that said these awful words, but none the less it stung. 

Long story short, it was an angry little man who didn't like my explanation of what happened (which by the way was his fault) so he felt the need to tell me that instead of paying for this error (which by the way was a very small amount) he would rather tell me how horrible I am at my job and go above my head. 

I don't know if it was the fact that I was hungry, or that I'm totally stressed about the wedding and money, or maybe just the fact that I'm a girl and unfortunately at points we get emotional, but it really pissed me off.  I had to go into my boss's office and tell her the situation, and I definitely started crying and immediately wanted to die.  I think there is nothing worse than crying at work, especially over something like this.

The worst part was that when he did go above my head, their response was why not just give him the money.  Nothing like being cut off at the knees.  Now this guy is definitely never going to listen to me again and I sound like a big, fat idiot.  Whatever happened to backing up your employees' decisions?  Is that too much to ask for?

Short Term Goals

With the wedding and everything else going on I don't have much time for anything else, so I decided that I'm just going to start making short term goals.  Hopefully these small steps will help me reach some of my larger goals, without adding too much time/stress.  One of my biggest goals before the wedding is to lose weight, a lot of weight.  My goal is fifteen pounds, although twenty would be nice.  I decided this week my goal is to use my wii fit at least twice, since the weather is so bad the chances of doing anything outside are pretty slim. 

Today I used my wii fit for the first time in, well I'm not going to mention how long it has been but lets just say there was dust accumulating.  Quite a bit of dust.  Anyway, I woke up today and decided that since Matt and Kristen are both at work all day long it would be the perfect day to dust it off, suck it up, and do something. 

It did not start off well.  It weighed me and checked my BMI, which I haven't done in months, and it told me that I'm overweight.  Nothing beats having a video game call you fat.  I guess its just more motivation in the end, so bring it on!  I did almost an hour of yoga, strength training and even some games.  I figure if I can do it at least twice a week, thats a step.  A smell step, but I'm still moving forward.  So half of this week's goal is done, now on to next week....

Let it snow, let it snow... you know the rest

So in honor of it snowing, again, I decided to share what happens when you combine a prissy dog who doesn't like snow and an attempt to get him to play in it.

This is Baxter hiding behind Kristen, as he refused to go out into the snow until Kristen had cleared off the deck so that he had a path to walk through.  After the deck was sufficiently cleared, Kristen decided to go do some snow angels in the yard and wanted Baxter to come with her.

 

He decided he wanted to run far, far away and very quickly.  Eventually he decided that it wasn't so bad, and he might want to investigate what was going on.

 

Being the smart man that he is, Baxter figured out a way to enjoy being outside and stay away from the snow!

How Do I love thee?

Let me count the ways.  I am, of course, referring to chocolate.  I love it, all kinds.  I don't discriminate.  Chances are if there is chocolate involved I will not only eat it, I will love it.  This intense love brings me to my current situation: I'm giving up chocolate for Lent.

 

Look at those beauties.

 

I haven't been big on Lent in several years.  Who am I kidding, I haven't been big on religion in general for several years.  Matt and I are currently attending RCIA classes so that he can become Catholic before we get married so I'm slowly coming around.  He's actually enjoying these classes and I'm really enjoying getting to spend more time with him.  And the classes aren't bad either.  

 

Trying to be a good example for him I decided this year I'm going to give up something hard for Lent to see if I can handle it.  So I picked chocolate.  He picked pop.  We actually made a bet to see who can make it all forty days.  This couldn't have come at a worse time too, my house is full of chocolates left over from Valentine's day.  Hopefully we can handle this, I think it will make us better people.  And who doesn't love a little friendly competition?    

A Dog's Memory

So I've been trying to get Scout on a routine, getting her used to how things will go for the day.  I've also been trying to talk to her as much as possible, which sounds weird considering she's a dog, but I think the more that I say words when we're doing things, the more she recognizes those words later. 

For example, every time I let them out, we say outside.  Every time we feed her, its eat.  And unfortunately for her, every time she goes in her kennel, we say that too. 

I realized yesterday that I think she really understands most of these words.  Yesterday morning when she came back inside, I said kennel and she ran and hid in her bed.  Today was even better. 

I brought her in and said kennel.  She walked over to the room where her kennel is, and was going to actually get in it when I saw her just staring at the wall.  I went to go see what she was doing, and remembered that last night Matt re-organized the little room and her kennel was on the opposite side (behind her).  She just kept staring at the wall where her kennel should have been, and then looked at me like, "is this some weird trick?"  I pointed her in the right direction and left for work. 

It got me thinking, dogs are so simple that sometimes its refreshing. 

Clean Bill of Health!

The vet called today, and for the first time since we got her Scout officially has a clean bill of health!  While this might seem like something small, considering we've had her on medication for three different things in the four weeks we've had her this was a huge accomplishment.  She is growing and learning every day, we've even already got sit down.  While I get irritated when she has accidents, Kristen reminds me that she's actually doing really well. 

 

Look at that face!  How can you not love her???

Nothing Beats a Free Meal

Matt, Kristen and I decided to go out to dinner tonight.  Actually Kristen decided and Matt and I just went along with it.  So we're deciding where to go, and like always have no idea.  Matt suggests Los Cabos, the new restaurant owned by the company he works for.  Kristen suggests Dos Reales, mostly because it is close and we're lazy.  Plus, she has a coupon.  Gotta love the free queso.  I'm down with the free queso plan, when Matt reminds us that he gets a discount at Los Cabos too.  And he really, really wants to go.

So we go.  After we get there, Matt runs into some guy who's name I don't remember and who's title I don't remember, but who's words I will never forget.  "I hope you guys like the food.  Order what you want, try a little of everything.  It's all on me." 

Sweeter words have never been spoken to someone who loves food as much as I do.  And we did try a little of a lot of things.  And it was actually really good.  Really, really good.  Plus, whoever this guy was he must have been kind of a big deal because our server was constantly checking on us, many of the employees came over to talk to us and one of them even made us some of his own "special" blends of salsa.

They had like ten different kinds of salsa you can try, and although I stuck with the very mild (which was awesome btw), Gammy seemed to enjoy the others.  The tortillas were fresh, and our fajitas were served in bowls made of lava rock which kept them hot throughout our entire meal.  Plus, they looked cool.  We even got dessert, which combined two of my favorites things: cheesecake and fried foods.  Enough said.

Needless to say, although I was sad we couldn't use our free queso coupon, I think we came out on top in this deal.

Los Cabos, I give you four and a half out of five. 

You Know You're Getting Older When...

Considering I've been feeling old lately, I have a feeling that this might be a regular topic....

Anyway, my reason for today is my birthday present.  This year for my birthday, I did not ask for jewelry.  I did not ask for electronics.  What is this elusive present that I have been yearning for?  A new freezer.  Living in an older home, it shocked me how quickly our freezer would fill up.  Then came the biggest problem: Costco.  Costco is a frozen food lover's (aka me) dream.  Why wouldn't you need a box of 32 mini frozen pizzas?  Every trip to Costco turned into a debate in the frozen food section because we knew we could only fit maybe one item in our current freezer.  Maybe.  A pleasant trip to our favorite bulk food store would turn into a war over whether we were getting pizzas or hot pockets, chicken or beef, ice cream or cheesecake.  Now my friends we can have it all.  And then some.

 

We got this little beauty from Sears for what I consider to be a very reasonable sum, especially since it makes our trips to Costco that much more pleasant.  Look at all that space!!

 

 

I would fully recommend this little life saver.  It has proved to be very useful, although every time I see it I am reminded of my advancing stage in life.

Our First Big Commitment

A month ago next week, Matt and I adopted a new puppy.  I know what you're thinking, who gets a new puppy in January with two feet of snow on the ground?  People who have lost their damn mind, thats who.  

I've wanted a new dog for a couple of years now, but the time never seemed right.  I've always had roommates, or lived in small apartments, and have never really felt that I had the time to take care of another living thing.  Moving to our new home last year with our big fenced in yard definitely made me re-visit the topic again.  I went back and forth, flip flopping on the topic for months.  One day I knew it was time to add to our family.  The next day Baxter (Kristen's dog) would poop on my hairdryer and I would change my mind.

And then I got engaged.  For months it was weddings day in and day out, with no time to think about anything else.  Then Matt dropped the b word: babies.  And I almost had a panic attack.  Don't get me wrong, I love babies.  My nieces are fantastic.  But they get to go home with mom at the end of the day.  And I get to hand them off when they cry, or pee, or do anything else that might irritate me.  I'm not positive, because as far as I'm aware I don't have any children, but I'm pretty sure when they're your own you don't get to hand them off.

So, we find ourselves in our current situation.  New puppy check, baby conversation shelved.  At least for now.  We named her Scout.  I'm not sure why, there's no cool story.  Gammy thought of it, and she seemed like a Scout.  We're doing very well with potty training and for the first time since we got her she is very healthy.  So I'm enjoying my evenings and weekends with my two kids, and for now I'm happy to leave it that way.