Chomp Chomp Grrr

When we first brought Isaboo home I would bring her to work and pretty much any where I could. I wanted her to get used to being around people. She was so shy and timid those first few days that she spent most of her time in the crook of my arm. I heard a lot of "Aww! She's so cute!" and "Look how little and scared she is!" I would then pick up her top lip and say, "No she's mean see? Grrr." One day Troy was playing with her and she made her "mean" face that I taught her and chomped her teeth at him. We laughed at her! Even now, almost 3 years later she does it. Tonight she was bored and Bear wouldn't play with her so I got down and the floor and we played. She barked and Grr-ed and was having a really good time time. Over and over again she would chomp and me. She tries to look mean, but she's too cute to be mean. After playing she settled down with her treat toy and curled up on the couch with me. After a little while she had enough and asked to go to bed. Now she's settled in her kennel for the night getting her sleep so she's rested up to play some more tomorrow.

Going Offline

Sometimes I feel like my life is run by technology. If I'm not getting a text message, I'm on Facebook. If I'm not on Facebook I'm playing a game or surfing the web or just doing something on the computer. I decided that the rest of tonight I am unplugging. No computer, not phone. Just quiet. Maybe a movie or a book. So if you need me, it will have to wait until tomorrow. If it's an emergency, you know something is on fire or someone is dying I might answer a text message or voicemail.

Only in Minnesota

All winter long we grill. This winter is a little different. The snow is so deep next to the grill that even I have to bend over to use it. But that won't stop us from grilling in the winter. You can only eat stuff that's been cooked on the stove or in the oven so much. Some times you have to have a burger that's been grilled or a steak! We don't grill nearly as often in the winter as we do the summer, but we still grill. I laugh when I hear people from warmer states get excited in the spring because they can grill again!

Growing Herbs

I've always wanted to grow fresh herbs for cooking. I just don't really have a sunny spot to do it in. Target had this kit on clearance. I was pretty and only $5. I figured if nothing grows I'm only out $5 and I can use the stand for something else!

Little Miss Thing

Oh my goodness does this dog have character! I can not believe some of the sounds and facial expressions she makes. And she yells! I'm telling you, she has this one bark that it sounds like she's yelling at you when she wants something. Tonight I was out with Troy's mom and Isaboo kept giving Troy her treat toy. He told her she had to wait until I got home. I walked in the door and she came running to the kitchen to give me her toy! She's not stupid! She knows how to get out of trouble and how to get what she wants!

20 Days Until Valentine's Day

That was my friend Amy's Facebook status today. "20 days until Valentine's Day! Are you ready?" She was getting responses from people saying, it's just another day, it's too commercialized... but to me Valentine's Day is another day to remind us to tell those people in our lives how much we love them and they mean to us. If I have the extra money I try to send flowers to my Mom. Why should she only get them for Mother's Day or her birthday?! Without my Mom I wouldn't be who I am, which means I wouldn't be a wife, a lover, a friend to Troy! So I try to knowledge the important people in my life that day and every day!


So to My Amy: celebrate Valentine's Day how you want to and remind the loved ones in your life how much they mean to them! Even if it is with candied hearts!

It's a Monday!

Today was one of those days where I felt busy but I don't think I really got anything done! I was interrupted multiple times and no one seemed to realize that I was in the middle of doing something when they came in to ask me about whatever it was that they felt was more important at the time! by 2:30 I realized that all I had eaten all day was a banana walnut muffin with my coffee this morning and a banana around noon. I was about to get up to grab my salad that I had packed for lunch and yet again was interrupted. By the time I looked at the clock I realized it was 4:30 and I still hadn't eaten lunch! At this point it was pointless, I was leaving in 30 minutes to go home and make dinner. On the way out the door I found out Troy hadn't eaten lunch either. So instead of coming home and reheating the leftover lasagna we stopped by Applebees for some instant gratification. This of course for me included a pomegranate perfect margarita! Yum!

Minnesota Winter

I know I've mentioned it before, but I love winter. I love snow! I'm not a huge fan of the sub zero temperatures, but you won't hear me whining about them. I might mention, "Brr! It's cold out there!" But you won't hear me say, "Why do I live here?" Every year in January I laugh at the Facebook posts of people who have lived here their whole lives who sound surprised that it got cold out! Do you forget from one winter to another that in January your guaranteed to get some days below zero? When I was in elementary, middle and high school for some weird reason our spring break was in mid-February. I never did understand why, but we'd have a whole week off and our chances of it being below zero all week was pretty good. That didn't stop us from running around outside and going sledding! The funny part of me loving winter, I hate wearing a jacket! For those trips that I'm going to the house, to the car, to the store and back to the car I'm in a sweatshirt and no jacket. I've always been this way, but it's seemed to become more frequent after I broke my leg. After spending a winter of not wearing a jacket because it was easier to maneuver with the crutches without the added bulk of a jacket. So if you see me running around without my jacket, don't worry it's in the backseat. Just in case something goes wrong with the car!

Muffins

I was at the store today. I walked past the bakery and was looking at the muffins. I didn't want to spend $3.99 for 4 muffins. So I decided to make my own. I made banana walnut for me and cinnamon strussle for Troy.

Games

I was told about this game on the iphone and I had to try it. It's Smurfs' Village. It's similar to Farmville on Facebook. You build a garden, houses, a bakery, everything that a Smurf Village needs. There's a story line about Gargamel and everything. Basically it's a time suck. I'm a slave to my crops and my little smurfs. I was up to level 10. I got the notification that my crops were ready and when I signed in to harvest them and my game reset to level 1! Some people would have given up, not me! I started over! I love my little smurfs!

Water

I really don't drink enough water. I know I don't. I have some really good days and then I have days that at 11pm I realize that I haven't drank any water all day! A few times a year I vow to give up pop and switch to only water. Then I crave the pop and give in and I end up skimping on the water again. I couple weeks ago we were at Target and I found this cute water bottle and I just had to have it! "I'll drink more water if I have this water bottle!" Yea right! I kept it with me and I was drinking water all day for about 4 days. Then I forgot it in the bedroom for a few days and that was it. I was back to drinking pop! Amy and I walked tonight and I pulled the water bottle out again, hopefully I can keep up the water for a little longer this time!

Full Moon

What is it about a full moon that makes people crazy? When I worked in retail when there was a full moon is when people came in demanding things, expecting things to be done that were impossible. They forget how to drive. You could always tell that there was a full moon by the mood of the customers.

A House of Night Novel

A couple years ago my friend Tanya sent me this book in the mail. I read the whole thing in one day and I was hooked! At the end I found out there was a book two. It was a series! I'll admit it's a young adult series, but it's a good easy read. Something you can pick up and get lost in for a few hours. I lent my books out to Courtney and got her hooked. Right now she's waiting for me to finish book 8 so she can read it. I am sure once she's done Sophia will want it!

Wench

According to http://www.yourdictionary.com the definition of wench is this:

"wench (wenc̸h)

noun

1. a girl or young woman: now a derogatory or jocular term
2. Archaic
   1. a country girl
   2. a female servant
   3. a sexually loose and immoral woman"

Usually is someone calls me a wench I say "Thank You." Because honestly I don't find it offensive. I have been attending the Minnesota Renaissance Festival for almost 20 years. I got married at the Renaissance Festival and when I dress up my main persona is a wench. Back then a wench was more of a peasant, a servant. To me, if I were to have lived back then that's what I would have wanted to be! I don't think I would have wanted to be Royalty. There's too much responsibility, too many people watching what you're doing. But if you were of a lower class no one paid any attention to you! So to all of my "wench friends" out there.. God Save the King! And let's go to the pub!

Chow Mein

1 - 1 1/2 Pounds Chicken Breast cut into bite size pieces
1 - 1 1/2 Pounds Ground Pork1/2 - 1 package of celery (depends on your personal taste) chopped
1/2 red bell pepper chopped
1/2 cup shredded carrot
1 6oz can of water chestnuts
1 6oz can of bamboo shoots
1 10oz can of bean sprouts
1 small or 1/2 of a large onion finely chopped
1 clove garlic grated
1inch of ginger grated
about 2 cups Chicken Stock
bay leaf
1 - 2 tbsp Soy Sauce (start with 1 add more to taste)
2 tbsp corn starch
1 tbsp Kitchen Bouquet Seasoning
in a 6qt stock pot add about 1 -2 tbsp of olive oil or vegetable oil cook chicken, add ground pork, garlic and ginger. Once the pork is cooked through add the onion, celery and canned veggies and add the soy sauce. Cover with the Chicken stock and add the bay leaf. Put a lid on the pot and let Simmer until celery is tender. Approx 20 Minutes. Mix the corn starch with chicken stock or water, add to pot to thicken sauce. Add Kitchen Bouquet Seasoning mostly to make it look more appealing. Remove the bay leaf. Serve with rice and Chow Mein Noodles.

My Zen Day

I went for a massage this morning. Poor Steph! My back was pretty bad! After I got home Troy and I ran a few errands. He was trying to keep me in a zen mood all day. I've stayed that way pretty much all day. Steph did an awesome job today. I've been in pain for a week and a half. It was nice to feel some relief. While we were out the muscle spasms started again. So Troy helped me make dinner and I decided to camp out on the couch and catch up on dvr. No worries tho! I'm still in a zen mood!

Car starter

I love my car starter! Troy bought it for me for Christmas the first year I had my car. I use it in the winter to warm up and car and melt snow. I use it in the summer to cool the car down. In 2007/2008 when I had my broken leg when it would snow while I was at work I would start my car like 30 minutes before I left so the snow would be melted when it was time to go. I can not imagine a car without a car starter now.

Bear

I have told the story of how we got Bear so many times that today I need to tell a different story. Bear is my boy! He will protect me to no end. He's very emotional and reacts to my emotions. He's my cuddlier when I need someone to cuddle with. He's my furnace when I need to be warmed up. He loves to fetch, swim, chase a ball, chew on sticks and will eat anything! Bear doesn't like his little sister all of the time, but will tolerate her when he has to. I am kind of hoping that kind of like his relationship with his kennel he'll eventually just give in and realize she's not so bad. When he is scared he hides in the bathtub. He is loyal and loving and he's my boy!

Frog One & Frog Two

After we moved to the new office and the building manager wouldn't let me bring Isaboo to work any more I bought a betta fish. I named him Blue Fish. Rick decided that I need some real pets in the office and bought me two frogs. Keeping with the Dr Suess theme I named them Frog One and Frog Two. I brought them home over the holiday week since I wasn't going to be there for 10 days. I meant to change their water while I had them here. I finally remembered to do that tonight! I went back to work on the 3rd! Hopefully I remember to bring them back to work tomorrow!

Dogs Live Here

We don't have children.
We have dogs.
If you come to visit expect to see treats and toys.
Don't wear white, our dog is black.
Don't wear black, our other dog is white.
Please don't ask me to lock up my dogs,
I don't ask you to lock up your children.
Do not kick or hit my dog,
She is only sniffing your butt because that's how she says hi.
We don't have children, our dogs are our kids.

The best dog toy we ever bought

Last Christmas we bought Isaboo a treat toy. You could put treats in it or they sell a squeeze cheese for it. I realized one day that you could put peanut butter in it. This is when we realized we found the perfect toy! This thing keeps Isaboo busy for at least a half hour. The first one we bought she chewed up and we had to go buy a new one. Since we bought the new one she hasn't chewed on it at all. She loves this thing. She carries it around with her and if you walk into the kitchen she'll bring it in to you and give it to you to fill. If she's bored she'll throw the thing up in the air and just play with it. BEST PRESENT EVER! If she's being a pest and we want her to settle down we ask her, "Isaboo where is your saucer?" She'll go find it and bring it to you to fill for her. This year one of Isaboo's presents was a jar of peanut butter.

I love my jetstream!

Back when Troy was working at Lifecore he learned about this awesome cooking device called the Jetstream. It is made by American Harvest. You can cook ANYTHING in this thing! I guess if I had to compare it to a cooking device I guess I would say it's similar to a confection oven. It cooks with air and it cooks things quickly. Do you know if any other way to roast a 15lb turkey in 2 hours? Today I am make a beef roast. It will take about 45 minutes for a 2.5lb roast that is still frozen. I will admit that it is kind of clunky and takes up counter space but it's so worth it! Turkey comes out moist and juicy. It's the only way I have been able to cook a roast and it doesn't come out dry! Yep! I'd say it's one of the best purchases we've ever made! We keep looking at them online because ours is ready to be replaced! I don't know what I'd do without it! Even this past week I've used it twice! Last weekend I made a ham it it and now I am waiting for my roast to finish cooking! It smells so good in here!

Lazy day

Today consisted of a lot of tv watching. That was after sleeping until noon! I never even made coffee. Maybe tomorrow my back will let me do more than lay around and watch tv!

Dinner

So I wasn't feeling the whole cooking thing tonight and Troy suggested Red Lobster. He had a gift card. While we waited the 30 minutes to get seated I went to go check out the lobsters. There was one all by himself and then a whole bunch gathered on the other side of the tank. makes you wonder if he smelt funny or something!

The World's Most Difficult Way to Blog!

So the past couple of days my lower back has been sore. Tuesday it was achy, yesterday the muscle spasms started and today I can hardly move. I've been trying to stretch it out, I've tired laying flat on the floor, nothing I'm doing seems to help. Today's blog is being typed while I am laying on my back with my legs up on the couch, an ice pack under my lower back and the laptop balanced on my knees. It's not the easiest way to type! It's been a while since my back has done this. I think maybe my body is trying to tell me it's time to go see Steph! I also know that Steph is going to read this and shake her head and tell me it's time to come in to see her. But you see time is my enemy lately. Which may also be a contributing factor to my problem! I should know better with my body. It usually does this type of thing when I am doing too much and am constantly on the go. I think this weekend I need some ME time!

Fun times with Lori

Lori invited me to go to Acme with her tonight! It was SO MUCH FUN! Lori and I both needed a night out. The two comedians were funny! The featured comedian was funnier than the headliner I think. We need to get out more and do that more often. Troy and I used to go every few months. We haven't been there in a long time! What's great about Acme is that they have Insider night that is free! Yep! We're going to have to do some date nights there!

Mmmm

Troy makes the best hot chocolate! I've tried to make it but his always tastes better than mine! There isn't any secret recipe. It's just Swiss Miss and milk, but he knows the perfect combination!
Tonight was a perfect night for hot chocolate! It is currently 7 degrees outside and that isn't including the windchill. Unfortunately it is suppose to get colder the rest of the week. I love winter because of the snow but I do not like the cold! However, I do prefer to be cold over hot. I rather curl up under a blanket or put on another layer to get warm instead of trying to cool down in the summer. But, I hate wearing a jacket! If I could run around all winter in just a sweatshirt I'd be happy! Hopefully this week is the only week this winter that it gets this cold!

Saving

Troy and I stopped at the grocery store on the way home tonight. Yesterday I made up my January menu, made a grocery list, printed out coupons and scoped out the best deals between Rainbow and Cub. Rainbow won out this week, except for a few items I need to run to Cub for. So for the most part I have groceries for the month! For those of you who don't know my meal planning strategy here it is. I go through the cupboard, pantry, fridge and freezers to figure out what I have. I then sit down with a blank calendar and plan meals with what I have on hand. Then I fill in the rest of the month with other meal ideas. I try not to repeat anything throughout the month and I try to find at least one new recipe that we've never had. Once I have my month filled in I make a grocery list. If your an iphone user my favorite grocery app is by Ontomni (http://www.ontomni.com). It tracks prices for me, I can add coupons and sale prices and if I really wanted to I could break my list down by aisle number! Once I have my list made I go to my favorite online coupon and manufacture sites and find coupons for as many of my items I need to by. I find by doing it this way I am not clipping coupons just because, "Oh that product looks good and there's a 50 cent coupon for it!" I am only clipping coupons for the items I am buying. Then it's off to Cub.com and Rainbow.com to see who has what on sale. Oh yea! Did I mention that I can separate my grocery list with my app by store?! Then off to the store(s) I go! Today's savings was $40.99!

SNOW!!

I love snow! Troy says that I'm happy with the snow because I'm not the one who has to clean it up but to me snow seems magical. I love how quiet it is when it falls. I love how clean and bright everything looks with a fresh layer of snow on it. I love that no two snow flakes are the same. I remember in kindergarten, Mrs. Zimba giving us magnifying glasses and black paper during a snow fall so that we could look at the snow flakes to see the difference.

Since I've been on vacation I haven't really watched the news to see the weather this week. Earlier today I met up with Lori and Alysa for coffee and I had to wear my sunglasses because the sun was out. A couple hours after I got home I looked outside and it was snowing! I couple hours ago one of the dogs asked to go out. I flipped on the outside light and the snow was big fluffy flakes. It was so pretty!

Christmas is over and it's time to go back to work tomorrow, but hopefully that doesn't mean that we won't get more snow. I'm not ready for winter to be over!

Welcome to 2011!

Last March I tried to start this project. I got part way through May and gave up. It wasn't so much that I wasn't enjoying doing this project but in the back of my mind I kept thinking, "I didn't start until March, it doesn't make sense to do this from March to March." So I stopped. I didn't stop taking pictures, oh no! That wouldn't happen! I just wasn't taking them everyday and posting them. I promised myself that I would restart in January. All day today I have been thinking about what I wanted to post for today. I have also been thinking about the changes I want to make this year.. so here in no particular order are a few of the changes I want to make for 2011:

• Take a picture everyday and blog it.
• Get healthy. Notice that this does not say, "lose weight". If I get healthy I will lose weight, but weight isn't everything. I need to be healthier both physically and mentally and I will do that this year .
• Save money.