Way Too Early!

Agh! I can't believe I am up this early doing a post. I am waiting for my pants in the dryer. I have to be at work by 5:30, so I thought I would do a quick post this morning. I feel like Jamie this morning! I wonder if I will get this post up before hers? She always has a post first thing in the morning. I know one thing is for sure, I can't type today.

Well, I have a walk-thru today, meeting tomorrow, and Friday I am off to Omaha for the weekend. I can't wait to get out of town.

I'll try posting more later...

Morning. Thought I would do a quick post before I dash off to work. Last night was great. I cooked comfort food: baked chicken tenders, garlic mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, and slices of garlic bread. It was really good to sit down at the table again.

Lots to do today, but I should be able to get it all done fairly early if I hustle. I'll try and check in later...

What Have We Been Up To?

It has been such a busy week. Wednesday was a big day at work. We had lots of cleaning, organizing, and setting up to do on the new side of the store. Yesterday, we went to a different store and merchandised them for a zone walk-thru for next Wednesday. We started at 5:30 am and were done by 3 pm. It was an exhausting day.

When I got home from work yesterday, I took an hour nap. The kid came up with an idea to have "Fun Night" once a week. On this particular night, we pick something fun to do as a family. So, it started off with having breakfast for dinner. We had biscuits, bacon and scrambled eggs. After dinner, we baked chocolate chip cookies and peanut butter cookies. We also played Phase 10 and Texas Hold'Em. It was a great night of competitive fun with milk and cookies.

I have today off. We got up around 8 and ate a small breakfast. We left the house around 10 so I could go by the bank. We headed to HobbyTown USA where the kid picked up some more stuff for his train set. After that, we headed over to our favorite Chinese place for lunch. Now we are home and I can get caught up on blogging and emails.

Well, I have filled you in on what has happened since my last post. It doesn't even feel like the time has passed by so quickly. Anyway, catch you later...

I'm So Tired!

I am pretty tired this morning. It was a long day yesterday. We are doing another store remodel. I get so sick of doing these. We are on the south side of town now.

Anyway, I am thinking about dinner and a movie tonight with friends, but I haven't really decided.

Well, gotta get going. Have an awesome day!

Dinner - Hold On To Your Bellies

Well, I certainly outdid myself this evening. The pork rested on the cutting board for 20 minutes after slow cooking for 5 1/2 hours. I shredded the pork with two forks and it fell apart to the touch. I emptied the crock pot of all juices and fat and added the BBQ sauce. I added the pork back in and let it simmer for another half hour.

The coleslaw was prepared and was rather wetter than usual. That's okay. The beans were heated up and the meal was about complete. I got out the Sara Lee corn meal dusted kaiser buns and heaped it with the mouthwatering succulent pork. The smell was incredible. Then, a heaping spoon of baked beans and coleslaw hit the deck. One bite of that sandwich sent me to hog heaven, literally! The coleslaw was a little runny, but that's okay because the juice was sopped up by the bread on the sandwich. The smoky flavor of the beans mixed with the crunchiness of the slaw played a wonderful melody of tastes and flavors in my mouth.

Yes, it was such a good meal. Who's the best mommy in the whole world?

Thank You

It never fails. I know if I am having a bad day, I have all of you to cheer me up. THANK YOU for all of the comments and kind words. It helps get through it all.

I'm just working a couple of hours today. I am making pulled pork, so the pork just got seasoned. It will go into the crock pot around noon. I like cooking my pork in the crock pot because it makes the meat so juicy and tender. I am also going to make homemade Cole slaw and we are having baked beans from a local restaurant. They put pieces of brisket in their beans and they are so yummy!

Well, I better get to my work stuff so I can get to my home stuff. Have a great Sunday!

It was an exhausting day, even though I didn't do a whole lot. Lots of emotions. Just one of those days when you reflect on your life and question the whys. Ever have those days?

Well, it's a half day tomorrow. I am getting caught up with blogs tonight. Have a great night!

What's up people? Hope everyone is having a great Saturday! I have lots to do today, so I won't have much time on the computer. Have a good one!

Good morning. Not much going on this morning. I am getting ready for work. We have another store project we are working on. Lovely. This one is going to be very nice. Well, I hear my coffee calling. Catch you all later today...

A Day At the Zoo

Hey everyone. I am home on my lunch break, so I thought I would do a quick post. Yesterday was such a great day. We went out for brunch and enjoyed some delicious pancakes and sausage. I was able to enjoy a couple of great cups of coffee. After brunch, we headed to the Zoo. It was so much fun! We ended up doing the walk from end to beginning. We went to each "country" and enjoyed watching the wild life. My favorite exhibit is the gorilla exhibit, especially when the gorillas are inside playing. Yesterday was a treat because the gorillas were extra playful and we were in air conditioning! It was one hot mamma yesterday!

We walked throughout the zoo and ended up at the penguin exhibit just in time for them to feed. It was sooo cool! The penguin exhibit is one we haven't seen yet, so it was nice to watch them swimming around and waddling to get there food.

I took my camera, but found out that the battery was dead. I was only able to snap a few shots, but I won't be posting them. I just don't feel comfortable showing pictures of my kid on the Internet. Yes, I am a weirdo protective mother.

Anyway, after the visit to the zoo, we headed home to relax. I took a nap while Josh and the kid played a video game and cards. We decided not to cook dinner and went to Old Chicago to grab a pizza. After that, we went for ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery.

It was such a great day. I was able to hang out with my boys and relax. Today, it's back to the daily grind. I won't have another day off until Tuesday. Well, I better get back at it. Later...

Day Off

Good morning. Josh and I have the day off together. We are spending some down time with the kid today. Not sure what we are going to do, but it should be good whatever we decide.


I have been watching Big Brother 10. This season is already getting crazy. I have a feeling the manipulation is going to be the worst yet.


Josh says hello to everyone. Oh wait, never mind, he doesn't want to say hello. He now says he's just kidding. He wants to know why I am writing it all down. Can't help myself dude!


I think we might try and go to the zoo today. Anyway, I better get around here. Catch you all later today.

Arby's Was the Chef's Choice

To make it easy on us this evening, I picked up some Arby's Beef N' Cheddars. Yumm-O! They hit the spot.

Well, I am off to watch Big Brother. Have a great evening!

I've got an hour for lunch, then it's another meeting from noon to 4 pm. That one is going to hurt. I hope I can sit still that long.

We are having leftover spaghetti for lunch. Not sure what I am cooking tonight for dinner. Any ideas out there for me?

I hate eating dinner late, but I just got home from work about an hour a go. I made spaghetti with meat sauce and we are waiting for the crescent rolls to get done. It was a quick and easy meal and will fill up the kid and Josh's tummies.

After dinner, I plan to watch my shows I recorded on DVR and read blogs. I have a meeting at 7 am, so I may not have a chance to post in the morning. I might be able to sneak one in at lunch.

Hope you had a great Monday.

When I Grow Up

I got a little "homework" last night from my good blogging friend, Norrbu. I am to write about what I want to do when "I grow up".

When I grow up, I want to be able to travel Europe, particularly the countries of Italy, Greece, Germany, Sweden and Spain. I also want to travel to some of the Asian countries of Korea, Japan, and Thailand. And while I am on the subject, New Zealand and Canada are on the list as well. What shall I do while traveling? Well, I want to learn about the food and cultures. Maybe not go as hard core as Anthony Bourdain, but close to it.

When I grow up, I want to have a nice vegetable and flower garden. One thing I remembered as a child were the beautiful flower gardens my grandfather had every year. The vegetable garden was one to remember, as it was usually half an acre. He would have fresh Ohio sweet corn, tomatoes, okra, snap beans, peppers of all kinds, peas, potatoes, all squashes, cantaloupe, and the list goes on and on. When my grandfather died, I knew I wanted to continue what he had done all of his life.

When I grow up, I want to be happy. I want there to be a good roof over my head, my family healthy and safe, my friends full of life.

I can't wait to grow up.

Dinner tonight consists of smothered fried pork chops with homemade gravy over steamed rice with a side of green beans. I am waiting for the rice to rest, then it will be dinner time. I have some homework to do tonight, thanks to my friend Norrbu. I will update later this evening.

It's A Half Day

Good morning. It's going to be a short day at work, as it's Sunday. Usually if I work on Sunday, it's only for about six hours.

Dinner was great last night. I am needing a cup of coffee this morning though. I am really tired! I didn't get to bed until midnight. I stayed up watching Intervention. I like watching shows like that. I also like Deadliest Catch. I was watching some of the earliest reruns of that as well, when it was called Deadliest Season.

Well, I better get going. Hope you all have a restful Sunday.

Dinner At 6:30

I am munching on a pre-dinner appetizer of Spanish Manchego cheese with quince paste. Yumm-O! I am making oven fried chicken breasts, garlic mashed potatoes, and a vegetable medley saute. Another Yumm-O!

There is a slight cool front here and it is a mild 68 degrees out. It feels sooo nice! My kind of weather! I have always been the kind of girl who liked to live where it is cold. Kansas is about as hot as I like to get. I love the weather in the north-eastern states. Hard winters, warm summers, and the spring and fall are the best! You can actually see the seasons changing in those states.

The kid spent his time today at the YMCA. He really likes to go. It's better than being stuck at home. He has to go to his dad's house tonight. Bummer. I know he doesn't want to go, but he really doesn't have a choice. Poor guy. I will get him back on Monday evening. I can hardly wait!

Well, I better get the potatoes off the stove and start mashing. Dinner will be served in half an hour. Would you like to come over for dinner?

Slow Start

It's a rainy morning. I am off to a slow start today. Good thing I make out my own schedule. Did I tell you I won a new I-Pod Touch? Yep, I sure did. And I have no idea how to use it. I will need to sit down and read the directions.

I am in the mood to cook a nice dinner this evening. I haven't had much time to prepare a good meal lately.

Thanks to everyone on the nice comments yesterday. I really appreciate it so much. It gives a person a lift when they are feeling down, and I needed that. Thank you.

It's All About The Kid

Well, I just got home. Yes, it's very early, but I've got cramps. Girls, don't you just love having that excuse? I would, except, these are kind of painful today.

I found out that enrollment for school takes place the last week in July. I just received the kid's enrollment packet, so we can start getting school supplies as soon as they go on sale. I won't be shopping at the Evil Empire (wal-mart), but will a little of my school supply business to Target. I'll just buy whatever is insanely cheap on the sheet. The rest I will by at one of my stores.

We have decided to wait on the clothes. I think the kid will have another growth spurt before then. He has already grown an inch this summer. He is now 5 ft. 5 1/2 inches. Oh help me. The kid is only 13 and he is in a size 10 shoe. Long and lanky, but can eat like a horse. Where does it all go?

Anyway, the kid is actually wanting to shop for some of his own clothing. Before, it was whatever I wanted as long as it was blue or green. Now, the kid has an opinion. He has told me he would like two pairs of Nike's instead of one, this way he can just switch them for gym class? Does that make any sense? Whatever.... I am obviously out of the loop when it comes to teenage boy clothing and shoes. I mean, are we seeing an era where boys are just as particular about their shoes as girls are? Oh boy!

Okay, so two posts in one day. Well, consider yourselves lucky. I am going to catch a nap. Talk at you later.

Bachmann Train Set

Well, the school shopping didn't happen yesterday. Big surprise. We have plenty of time for it though. Instead, we wandered into a hobby store. The kid went nuts. He started talking about trains and tracks and what he wanted to get. We have never had a train set before, so I was surprised at his interest.

We searched and searched the boxes and the kid found what he was looking for. $200 later with a Bachmann train set in tow, we headed for home, anxious to open the box. It's a beautiful train set. It has two locomotives and some other cars. Of course, the kid told me this. I have been informed that all gifts for birthdays, Christmas, etc. must now include "extras" for this new hobby. I am excited for him.

I am up and at em a bit early today. Got to get some things done at work. I plan on calling it an early day though. Hope you all have a great Friday!

School Shopping Already?

The kid and I are going school shopping today for clothes. He needs more shorts and shirts. He could probably stand to grab a couple more jeans as well. It was his idea. He's growing up. There is also a girl he has been talking to this summer. It's not an everyday phone call, but maybe once every other week. Got to play it cool, you know.

Thanks for all of your kind words. Our move has been postponed due to a custody battle. We are in the middle of it now. Final hearing won't be until the end of October. I don't want to say anything more than that at this time.

Hope you all have a great day!

Looks like we won't be moving anytime soon. I just don't have the energy to talk about it, so please don't ask. It's been a really bad day.

Weekend Full of Food, Fun and Furniture

Good morning. I am getting a very late start to the work day. I am only going to work half a day.

We had a wonderful weekend at my parents' house. We arrived on Friday evening around 6:30, just in time to see my sister's fiance blow up my mom's new grill. The propane tank caught on fire. It worked fine before, but this time around, we didn't have much fun. So, we opted for the charcoal, which was just as good. Our neighbors across the street came over for dinner and to watch our neighborhood light up. We grilled hamburgers and hot dogs. I also made potato salad with green onions, cheese, and bacon. We had baked beans with shredded beef and deviled eggs.

On Saturday, we lounged around in the morning. My sister and my nephew came over for brunch. I made French toast, bacon, sausage, and scrambled eggs. We ate pretty late, so we skipped lunch. Most of us were able to take naps. My brother, boyfriend, and the kid went shopping and bought a badminton set. We played for awhile and I had a lot of fun! It reminded me of when I was younger. For dinner that evening, we cooked beef tenderloin fillets for dinner. My mom couldn't get over how tender the meat was. She kept going on and on, which made Josh feel good. We had crock pot corn, mashed potatoes with onion gravy, leftover potato salad and baked beans. For dessert, we had cheesecake topped with fresh fruit.

Sunday was a day of rest. Boy, did I need it. I got up early to cook breakfast. We had biscuits, bacon, and fruit. Mom made Korean food for lunch. We sat around, watched t.v., and early afternoon started to get ready to leave. We brought Josh's truck because we had to haul back some new furniture from my parents' house. I plan on putting this furniture into the guest bedroom when we move. I was so tired that on the way home, I actually fell asleep. I never fall asleep in the passenger side of Josh's truck, because it is so uncomfortable. I was just tuckered out!

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend. I am scheduled off Thursday, so I have to make a list this week of all the things I need to get done. Lots to do, lots to do!

Good morning. Getting ready to go into work. Catch up with you later.

I'm Back!

I have never gone this long without blogging. Sorry. I have just been so busy. We had our grand opening on Sunday. It's a holiday week, so no days off until July 5. In fact, this is my 20th day in a row with no day off. I work half a day on Friday and I am taking Saturday and Sunday off. We are going to my parents' house. Yay!

It looks like we won't be moving until early August. That's okay. As long as I get up there before school starts, I'm okay.

Well, I have to get going. I will catch up with everyone this evening. Have a good day!