Ugh, it's another Seattle-type-of-day here! Well I'm not sure it's so COLD there! It's been like this all day... and the forecast is saying it's going to be this way for awhile. What happened to April showers!? It's not April here fellas! Wine. Wine is such a refreshing invigorating beverage! Definitely my drink of choice! Has been for years. I love how you can add to it and make it just what you are feeling for that day! This past weekend I definitely needed some fruity, smooth but strong wine! Sangria was the first thing that came to my mind! This is the easiest sangria to make and it's just too good! I made a mental list and off to the store I was!
Here is what you will need: (this makes 2 pitchers (Mr. Coffee Tea maker size pitchers)
1Orange 1Pear 1 Tangerine 1 small container of Blackberries About 5 Strawberries 1 Mango 2 Kiwi's 1 small cluster of grapes 1 sweet but crispy apple 1 Large gallon of Chablis wine 1 bottle of peach schnapps 2 Pitchers 1 Bowl
Directions:
1. Cut up all the fruit and put it in a bowl. 2. Once all the fruit is cut up in the bowl, pour the wine and the schnapps in the bowl and let it soak over night.
This is the wine I used
For best results let the fruit soak over night in the wine and schnapps, then add remaining the next day!
Ugh, it's Monday morning and it's pretty blah looking here in IL. I get a little confused if I live in Seattle or IL at times, it's always muggy and raining here lately! But as a friend reminded me today, It may be Monday and blah, but take it as a "fresh start". It's a new beginning! So on that note, here's to a new beginning Monday! So I wanted to make some changes in my life and see how much money I can save in a set amount of time.... I'm debating on the time frame? 6 months? A year? I started searching through all the things that you buy on a regular basis and how you could save money on those items! One thing I thought of that I HATE buying is laundry soap! So let the searching begin how to make your own and save! I'm stoked, not only is it cheaper but it last forever! Well based off doing about 10 loads a week, it lasts about 11 months! It's very strong and it only takes a tablespoon per load!
Here is the recipe I found: 1. 1 x 4lb box of Borax (sold at Walmart) 2. 1 x 4lb box of Arm & Hammer Baking Soda 3. 1 x 4lb box of Arm & Hammer Washing Soda 4. 3 x bars of Fels-naptha soap (or 1-2 large bars of Zote soap!) 5. 2 x small containers of oxyclean (sold at the dollar store!)
Directions: 1. Use a cheese grater and grate your soap just like you would cheese. You can use a food processor if you don't have a grater.
2. Toss all of the ingredients into a 5 gallon bucket or box lined with a plastic garbage bag (this makes your house smell good too!)
*Once your laundry detergent is all mixed, store it however you like! I made this container and bought a measuring spoon from the dollar store!
So it's been a crazy week! Not only did I find out we have to move again soon, our dog also had puppies! They were born Monday evening starting at about 5pm until about 3am. She delivered 9 puppies. The runt didn't make it =( I think he was just too little and was too weak. I set my alarm every hour for the duration of the night last night to try everything I had to make it a survivor. It just wasn't enough. Maybe he's better off; Not in pain or living a less than great life b/c his organs didn't develop correctly. Sad. But we have 8 healthy very energetic <already> pups! They were born on Oct 31st-Nov 1st so they will be due to be let go to their new homes on Christmas Eve! How perfect! I hope that we can get a cute Christmas picture with all of them before we send them on their ways to their new homes! Today, November 3rd, I am taking them in to get their dew claws extracted and their tails docked. They say the sooner you can get them in to get them done, the better, since they are so young they don't have feeling yet so the procedures won't hurt them. That's good to know! I am searching for a way to color coat them so the new owners will be able to view our puppy cam and watch their puppy as it grows! I wish I had that option when I got my boxer! My dog is the male/the father. We got him a little over a year ago (Oct 15th to be exact) for my 29th birthday. We drove near Springfield IL to pick him out. I was first interested in the reverse brindle. I really wanted an all black boxer, I wanted a rarity! Sure enough, I ended up with a rarity! An all white boxer! Who ended up being the perfect fit! Just a few months ago the two (Gabi (the mother) and Wynsten (the father)) began to show interest in each other.... and what do you know, 9 weeks later the puppies are here! They are in great health and will be taken the best care of by us! Guaranteed!
Whew! Life is crazy hu? You never know what is going to change, when or how? Or how you are going to adjust for that matter! SO many changes have been happening lately! Some good, some stressful, some life changing! One of the good changes that has happened is, I found a coffee I love, that makes you feel better and it's not 1,000! I just recently discovered it, but have already felt a difference. Everyone should try it! It has so many health benefits! It has over 150 antioxidants in it and it's all natural! It's originated out of Malaysia. The first day I drank it, even though it has the equivalent of a normal cup of coffee's caffeine, I got a buzz! The second I noticed I slept a little better that night. The third day I was feeling all over pretty good. The days went on and I felt more energetic with out the crash or "hang over" I would get when drinking normal coffee. I was hooked! I haven't had Starbucks in weeks!! And I don't miss it! I'm feeling so much better. Sometimes you don't really realize how "bad" you feel until you feel that much better! I am going to Chicago this weekend and plan on sharing it with friends! Until then....
I don't know what it is lately... I've been so inspired! I've had an overwhelming feeling of happiness and passion and the drive to live out my dreams. It's such a great feeling to dwell in. Yesterday I just couldn't get my mind off of all the things that I want to do in and with my life. I had a moment of realization... You can make this/your life ANYTHING you want it to be! You CAN do ANYTHING you WANT to do. It was almost a sigh of relief. I have been surrounded by people and attitudes of regret or just a "blah" about life. How do these people miss it? How can they not see that if they are not happy, they CAN change it! They don't have to live a mediocre life! You don't have to settle for "whatever life brings you". Get up, shake that attitude/mind set and LIVE! I know it's not easy... I have been depressed.... really depressed... devastated in fact. The hardest part of recovery is the mind set. Get with yourself, have a little meeting, get your mind right and pull yourself up with your boot straps. Look for those who know you and believe in you for inspiration. My life has been anything but a piece of cake! However through all the things I have realized; I can either 1. dwell on the things that hurt/upset and almost destroyed me or I can 2. let the past fade! Let the past be the past. Live for the future! Make your "Bucket List"!! MOVE ON!! This is a song by One Republic (which I have a new found love and respect for!) and I think it should be a theme song!! Live so you can love life!
It's Monday!! I was off work Friday so it doesn't quite feel like a Monday for me; However the weather here is so blah it's the same feeling as a Monday... you want to stay in bed! I'm glad I opted out of that though!
This past weekend was fun, low stress and productive! Just my style! I think I cleaned for 8hrs yesterday! It's crazy to think I had that much cleaning to do!! I still had some boxes stashed away from moving that I needed to get to (and still have some! eeek) and I had piles of laundry to catch up on... and I had to unpack from our little trip to Chi Friday!
We, as in me and Mitch (and Wynsten!), went to Chi to surprise my bff for her Birthday.... even though it's not until tomorrow, it was the closest weekend to it! She had NO idea! It was great!
We went to the farmers market Saturday. That was my first time going to a farmers market in Chicago; Although I'm sure there are TONS since the city is so big!
It was a chill-type-of-day! Started off with Starbucks! Their internal pos system was down so they set up outside and gave away free coffee! If that isn't a great way to start out the weekend, I'm not sure what is!
They had herb gardens! Love.It.! All kinds of flavored/colored cheeses from WI. (of course) and other various locations. And my favorite.... flowers! They had some really neat flowers I had never seen before!
And then for a great Saturday evening! IL FOOTBALL! I love football! This was a great game!! IL takes the W.I.N.! Yah! I really hope that this sets the season off and we have many more games like this!
We had great seats!
Picture take By: Mitch
Friday, September 9, 2011
I'm feeling over whelmed today.... Not sure why. It's been a pretty chill day; I just have a lot running through my mind.... changes at work... to getting school done.... to publishing my book... to what I think I want to make for dinner. I'm glad it's Friday! This week has been kind of hectic. Partially b/c I've been recovering from being sick and partially b/c I have been trying to get everything in it's order and my life situated! I have so much to do.... I really need to get my school done!
I'm so out of it today, but have so much on mind.... that has been running....all-night-long. I went to bed at 10:30 last night..... only to find myself awake about midnight. I can't remember if I woke up b/c I was too hot, or my dog had to go out.... but for whatever reason I was awake.... wide awake... mind racing... heart racing.... I laid there and waited, thinking surely I would fall back asleep shortly.... 2 hrs later, I was till laying there.... wide awake.... my mind bouncing from moving to what I want to pack... what I want to get rid of... what I want to do with my life... where I want to be... and how in the world am I going to get there!? I just wanted to get up and GET AT IT! I wanted to get everything packed, everything organized THEN I would be able to rest and sleep for sure! I didn't end up getting up and getting anything accomplished (but taking my dog outside multiple times!) but I finally found a peace and fell asleep. No, the nyquil wasn't my peace.. but it definitely put me into a deep sleep.... which in the end back fired on me and I couldn't WAKE UP! I guess any person thinking straight would know not to take nyquil at 3am when you have to wake up early the next day. Not me soo much, at 3am, and I've been awake for several hours, not tired at all, I was desperate! I HAD to sleep! So I dove in! I got my sleep!!! And I got late to work! But I'm here! I'm chuggin along. Mind still stirring... I have so much I want to accomplish. I really feel like I am creeping up a mountain and I am about to reach the top!... and soar! I'm going to be some body! Regardless of my past, or anything that has tried to hold me back since then... not going to let it have a foot hold on me or living my dreams. I have truly been inspired. I feel like one of my purposes in life is to help someone... I really don't know who it is, or how I will meet them, or if I already have met them for that matter! I just know that I try and show people there is a better way to life, you don't have to let your past be a part of your future and YOU CAN live your dreams! I try to love everyone I can, I wish good things to happen to everyone, even the people who have wronged me. I know not a lot of people know much about my past, how I grew up, or heart ache I have been through; Some from choices I have made and some from choices others have made. Growing up I never thought I would ever go through some of things that I have... including divorce. (I will blog more on this some day...) How do you handle going through something you don't believe in?? It really strains you and what you believe in and how you view things and people. It literally broke my heart. I remember the day that I found out my husband didn't want to be married anymore... it was a spring day in April... my whole world stopped.... I didn't sleep at all that night... I laid awake thinking of so many things... "what happened" I kept thinking and saying over and over. I went to church the next day. There were so many people that reached out to me. And in the midst of all my pain and confusion I had a <such a little> comfort in knowing the people who surrounded me had been through the same thing... they cried with me. I look back, years later, and am *so* thankful for those people!!! I hope some day some day I can be that "help" to someone going through one of life's devastations. ----I'm working my way up to write my story----
I'm trying to conclude my writing on the book I have been writing for almost 2yrs now(!!!) and I am going to continue in my writing by <I think> writing my biography! I think it would be a healing process for me but also would help someone get through some of the things that I have gotten through with *hope* that you can get through all things! You have to believe in yourself and press on! Embrace change, it defines your character!
Friday!!! It's *finally* Friday! Just being able to say that is a sigh of relief for me! This week has been challenging.... not just to get through, but to keep my cool! It seems like it's been one thing after another. On top of changing my hours... I DON'T wake up early in the morning, but here I am an hour earlier every day into work! Yikes! I had car problems.... flat tire... lost lug nut key... THANKS Tires Plus!! (but I do have to appreciate that they made it up to me and replaced it and are working on my car as we speak). It's the little things this week that have helped to keep me sane! Everyone has been asking me about this $100 pop cycle maker I decided to purchase online one day while I was at work.... So let me tell you all about it!....
Zoku! It's a Zoku pop cycle maker! It's A-mazing! I was a little skeptical at first.. I mean, really a $106 <to be exact> pop cycle maker!? It better be worth it!!! I'm glad to report, it's totally worth it! I got a recipe book and a "tool kit" also! There are so many varieties and so much room for creativity! It's a blast!
I'm a HUGE fan of anything Mint Chocolate Chip Cookie anything! So the first ones I decided to make were none other than Mint Chocolate chip! It was super easy! A lot of the recipes use Coconut Oil. I don't have much experience with coconut oil, however after this I will definitely use it more often! Any time melting chocolate just through a little bit of coconut oil in it! Not only does it keep it melted longer, but it also gives you a shiny finish after the chocolate has set/froze! It's great! These were a hit!
This is what the machine looks like. Prior to hitting the "submit order" button, I did a lot of research and every picture that I saw, made me think that this machine is pretty good in size. It's really smaller than it appears! (even in this pic). It's really small/compact, fits right in your freezer! You leave it in the freezer, then take it out when you are ready to make your pops! Their claim to fame is "Pop cycles in 7mins!" It's true! It's super fast and easy! I'm so glad I bought a Zoku! Can't wait to have pop cycle parties this summer! I may or may not be booking parties!?
I haven't been writing much... blogging or on my book; I need to change that. Life is too short to not have at least ONE big accomplishment! My mind is stirring a lot lately. I have been "under going" a lot of stress lately. I'm not the best one to deal with stress; who is though? right? I'm a very head strong person but my body does not take stress well, at all. Not sure if I should thank my mom or my dad for that one!
Isn't is crazy how life can change so quick?! One little.. or big thing, can change everything! You never know when that thing will happen.... I ask myself "what is it that you really want?". What IS it that you want? What do you want out of life? Have you made choices that have forced you into a corner? Choices that have forever effected another person? Have you made your life what you really want it to be? Are you happy? Are you truly happy? Are there things that you think about on a regular basis? Or you think "if I could just get/do.... I would have... or I would do....?"
The phrase "life is too short" keeps coming back to me! It's so true! I remember like it was yesterday graduating from high school and how sad I was that I was moving on to the next stage of my life... and that was over 10yrs ago! 10yrs have passed by like a blink of an eye! I have a sister who will be 26 this year!!! 26!!! *I* have a 26yr old sister!! I remember like it was yesterday how we used to play school after we got home from school! (who exactly wants to leave all day of school.... to come home to do more school?! Leave it to us Miller girls!!! lol. We're kind of known for making everything fun!)
Life really is too short... Especially too short not to be HAPPY. Tread through water.... Struggle financially for a while, but make your life what you really want! Make changes so you're happy! There is nothing better than the feeling of real happiness!
It was 5am when I woke up today.... Have I ever mentioned how I'm not so much a morning person? I haven't been up this early in.... I can't even remember how long! I thought stopping at Starbucks and getting an extra shot would fix this lack of sleep! Coffee is gone, and I'm still dragging. I'm finding no amount of coffee can replace sleep!
With that being said, I'm actually feeling pretty motivated today. I have lots of work to do, but my mind is wondering to my life... all the craziness... and where I want to be. The thought that I am almost 30 keeps coming back to me. I will be 30 in a little over 3 months! I always have that thought "when I get older....", I am older now!! It's time to start living! No more waiting, putting things off, it's time to make it happen!
Sarah Palin's daughter Bristol was recently on Good Morning America for her biography!; "Not afraid of life". I only got to read a few lines from it, I think I will have to buy it! It got me excited! It really brought me back to my book... and finishing it! I'm really thinking of a day that I can take off and just go some where relaxing and just write. I have to reach my goal!!!!
Transformation! The word means-- A thorough or dramatic change in form or appearance. Transformation is what is what my life is undergoing this week. I need to revamp and refocus. It's so easy to get distracted from your goals sometimes. I want to take this week to really seek after my goals and the things that make me happy. I am kind of disappointed in myself; I was looking over my goals for 2011 since we are at the middle mark! (crazy this year has is already half over, right?!) and I am not where I wanted to be. I wanted to have more school finished for one. I feel like my life is so busy and I'm nonstop running, but that's no excuse. You have to realize what your priorities are and MAKE time! So this is my oath to myself for this week. I am going to MAKE TIME to do study and I'm going to finish school this year!!! No matter what I have to give up, I'm going to do this!!!
AH! Today is Wednesday already! In some ways it seems like it should be Monday and others I'm wondering where the week has gone. I feel like I've gotten a lot done lately. It's a great feeling, even though you feel tired!
Me and bf bought a camper recently. (2 weeks ago to be exact!) It's so much fun! We got a great deal on it, and plates were only $16! Whoo hoo! What now days, is cheap!? We took it out this past weekend (over Memorial Day) for the first time to try it out! We went to D & W Lake and RV Park here in North Champaign. I think I had been there one time before, maybe when I was younger, but didn't have a clear remembrance of anything, but anyway, it was a really nice place to go! It was a great place to try it out before we take for a real trip out of state! Yah! I love to go fishing but I find myself fishing like once every few years! I really hope with having such a love for the outdoors and camping, and now that we bought a camper that I will be able to do that more! It's fun! I caught a fish!! I think we caught 10+! Mitch decided to leave his pole and chair out ALL night and was excited to see he caught a fish while sleeping! haha! I really want to research catfish bait and also how to prepare them! I think it would be so cool to be able to prepare and eat a fish I caught! <check> added to my "bucket list"!
Another favorite part of camping is definitely FOOD! I would have to say that I eat WAY MORE food when we are camping than I do any other day... plus some! I love to cook anyway... and I have to say that Mitch definitely is an amazing cook (which I LOVE about him)! He takes the *craziest* things and throws them together as if he KNOWS it will just work and taste awesome! I can't think of a time, the whole time I have known him, that he has thrown anything random together and it's tasted bad!!! (I might hate him a little bit for this lol) We made kabobs! They were good! Scallops, steak, onions, peppers, zucchini and squash...grilled... YUM!
Ugh.... It's Monday..... and I'm sick..... double negative! I guess that's all the more reason that this week HAS TO get better, right?! Had a great, long weekend! I left for Chicago Friday night. I stayed with my bff. Had a great time! Went to a friends Bridal shower and Bachlorette Party Saturday! That was one of the nicest showers I have ever been to! Literally! It was hosted by a family friend of the brides, and she went all out for us! It was amazing! And sent us on our way with Starbucks gc! Um.. she doesn't know this but she is my new bff! haha.
I got to experience a lot of amazing food this weekend! One of my favorites was dinner Saturday night! We went to Blue 13. It was so good! It was a little upscale/pricey (our bill was over $400 lol) but it was amazing! Here is their "doughnuts and coffee". (pictured right) They were like little "beads" of jelly almost. You put them on the plate and break them and dip the doughnuts in them! A-mazing! The service was great! It's a rather small place and we were quite the group coming in, but they accommodated us well and set the tone for our evening that ended well! I would suggest this restaurant to anyone going to be in Chicago area! I'm glad the weekend is over, I'm trying to get better. It felt so good coming home! My puppy was so excited to see me he was literally leaping in the air! It was the cutest thing, ever! It was so cute! Made me feel good he was *that* excited! I've never left him over night before. Don't see how I'm ever going to go to Italy with out him either... hm... air line tickets for dogs!? Yes please! lol
Here it is.... a week later since I last blogged! Time goes by so fast! I feel like it's been so long since I last blogged and so much has happened, but yet it's only been a week! This past weekend we went camping with some friends! It was a blast... well minus the tornado warnings that pretty much shut down the camp site for well over an hour... and me... yah, I got back in the jeep! haha. Other than that 2hr hold over, camping was a blast! I love to just get away from life and let loose and not deal with every day stuff. My dog got sick last week. I think it started Wednesday. I'm not sure exactly what happened, but oh my gooosh! NOT fun! I was up cleaning up after him and doing laundry all hours of the night! I took him to the vet. (Country View) They were great! So helpful and so nice! They did everything they could to help me! I would recommended them to any and everyone! They are located on Springfield in Champaign right next to El Toro! Click Here (and make sure you mention I sent you! I want the free coffee mug!! lol) I think I got a feel for what it's like to have a sick child through this whole process, but you love em.. so in the end all the extra work and lack of sleep doesn't really bother you so much! I'm upset with my life! Really! I feel like I have NO TIME to do anything. I'm *always* on the go. I'm wore out all the time! And then I get all stressed out... and then it's just down hill from there! I really want to take dance classes and get involved with yoga.... I can't even think of a time through out the week I could make that work! *sigh* I hope this all comes to the surface for me and I can make it work soon! About the forgiveness thing.... I'm still working that out!
My mind is running wild today..... I slept great again last night and I'm feeling G-reat! I've been really emotional lately... just really spending a lot of time thinking and contemplating my life, my dreams, who I really am, and what makes me happy. I've been reading a lot of books and have really had an impression left on me. I have a new drive to really implement changes in my life. I want to make my life the best it can be! I want to seek after the things that make me happy. I am in the works now of making a list of things that I need to change! (I think I just took on a pt job! lol) Forgiveness is a goal of mine. As my title starts.... "If you have the power....."; If you had the power to forget one bad memory, what would it be? What is it that keeps you hanging on to that event in your life? What is the thing from you past that keeps you from being happy today? Why does it keep that lingering feeling inside of you? Why does it still hurt? Do you still see the person that was involved in that event? What if I told you, you DO have the power to forget that event?! You DO! You have the very thing it takes! It's forgiveness! I have a really hard time with this! I don't want to be a person who holds grudges... or allows bad feelings to linger. Forgiveness is really what frees you from all of that, frees you from the bad memories, frees you from wanting to pay that person back for what they did, frees you from the situation. Forgiveness isn't for the person that wronged you, it's for you! I don't know about you, but as a kid I was taught when you hurt someone's feelings to say you're sorry and if you are on the receiving end, you say "I forgive you". This is a great thing to teach your children, don't get me wrong, but maybe since I had so many siblings (and I was a bad kid lol) I heard those words a lot! It almost became just something you say in "that situation". I was taught how to say "I'm sorry", "I forgive you", but I was never taught how to really forgive someone. I was always still mad afterwards....and for days coming. Just recently I have really realized that I'm still mad at a few people in my past/life. I decided to take action about this. I want to let it go, I want to move on, I want to live for the future! I don't want to live with wondering/worrying if I run into these people how sick I will feel or how I will just go blank and not even be able to face them. What a horrible feeling! I started making a list of these situations, people and events that still hold me back. Let me tell you, it's rough! It's hard! I almost, ok so I did start crying just over writing them down! It takes a lot... but just be patient.... it gets better! I had to put the pen down a few times because the emotions that came over me. I had no idea these feelings were so deep. Whenever I would think about any of these people or events I would just push them away and be happy for now... but really that just put more dirt on the casket. Gotta face these people and forgive them. I know this is just a process that I have begun. And I have a lot more to deal with, but I have made the step to forgive them.
Today is going to be great! For no reason other than, I said so! I slept so good last night! I feel great today! I'm feeling better after getting sick Sunday because I ate junk food! Yah, seriously! I have become really "conscious" of what I eat and have made the effort to change my eating habits. Sunday I decided to make an exception! Me and Mitch went to see "The Lincoln Lawyer" with Matthew McConaughey! It was a great movie!! I love Mr. McConaughey, but aside from that, it was a really good movie! I would give it an A!
I had a good Easter this year, even though my family was out of town at my sisters. Me and Mitch went to church with my bff from high school and one of my roommates. It was nice. I also got a really cute Easter Basket! (thanks to Mitch!) I didn't get any eggs but I got some really kewl stuff!!! If any of you haven't heard of Soursop juice, you should definitely look into it! It's so good for you! There have been studies done and it's proven to cure all types of sicknesses including cancer! And it's not very expensive! No one can patent a fruit, so therefore this hasn't made it big money wise, but what a better way to get better than something to easy as eating a fruit/drinking it's juice!? Read Here
It's Wednesday! Hump Day! The week is half way over! More and more I find myself working through each day with the weekend in mind! (Mondays are rough! lol).
You're probably wondering about my subject...... watch/listen to this song!
I love this song!!! Don't think I'm crazy, but I think this is what I want to happen when I die. Just sounds like a great way to go, relaxing and peaceful... I've always thought/said that I don't want to lie a really long life, but a shorter packed full of craziness life! I don't want to be old, walking all hunched over and in pain.... what's the fun in that!? "If I die young bury me in satin, Lay me down on a bed of roses, Sink me in the river at dawn, Send me away with the words of a love song"-- I'm writing my will, this is what I want!
I really wasn't thinking about death and/or dying, I just love this song and the lyrics really caught my attention, I feel like I could have written it!
On another note. I finally caved and went to the doc recently (maybe I HAVE thought about dying lol jk) because I have been in so much pain, I just finally couldn't take it anymore. I was awake the night before in the middle of the night for about 3 + hours. I couldn't spend another night like that. I did a lot of research before I went in. I have a hard time believing doctors, esp ones that just pull out a note pad and start writing out prescriptions for meds! I don't take meds and I want someone to fully understand my symptoms and what's going on before I listen/take meds.
From the research I have done, I narrowed it down to bursitis or fibromyalgia. Either things are not good!! With either things, I won't be held back from anything, maybe just bummed for a day or so? I will be on the track to recovery in no time. Yoga is something that I have been told and read will help a lot!
It's been a crazy week for me... things have been changing a lot at work, my life... seems like everything! I have been doing a lot of soul searching as well! I was watching the movie "Switch" with Jennifer Aniston and Jason Bateman. Watch the Trailer . It was great! One thing that "Wally" said that really stuck out to me was when he was talking to Sabastion and he said "Getting old sucks because you realize all the things you didn't accomplish" (not sure if that's all of it, need to go back and watch it!) But I don't want to be that person!!! I don't want to look back on my life and be disappointed that I didn't get to do this or that. I'm already making plans to do the things that I've always dreamt about! I'm guilty of procrastination... but not any more!!! It's time to live!!!
Wow, I didn't realize it's been over a week since I last posted! It doesn't seem that long at all! I think there were a few times that I started writing and got caught up in something else and forgot to finish/post. Today is Thursday. It's kind of cloudy and little windy and not so warm out! Tomorrow is supposed to be nicer, can't wait! I need warm weather! They are doing construction at my job (which has been on going for.... about.... a year now!?) Yah, and there is a door that is not installed yet, so every time the wind blows, we feel the coldness! Makes out for a long day! So I'm really excited about American Idol tonight!!!! I kind of fell asleep towards the end of the show last night, oops, apparently I was more wore out than I thought! So I had to get online and go back and watch the ones I missed. I kind of "cheated" and checked up on the online votes that were submitted last night (it's a first), so I guess we will see if it's accurate by any means. It's predicting that Jacob and Lauren had the fewest votes! I agree with Jacob. He is starting to grow on me, but like Hailey they just... don't HAVE IT. They can sing, they have "good voices", but as Steven says, it's the "package deal". I don't think we are all looking for someone that can sing standing next to a piano at an elegant restaurant, but someone that can perform and entertain! I don't believe Lauren is going anywhere. She is too on point and really connects with people, has the personality and the voice to succeed! At any rate, I'm excited to see who leaves tonight! I am proud to say that I have only missed going to the gym once in the last month now I believe it is! They say it takes approximately 21 days to condition! So I'm hoping with all this effort that going to the gym/eating healthier is not just something I'm trying to do, but a rooted habit! I'm feeling better and actually look forward to the gym every day!
I'm trying to mentally get over the hump of having to get up and go to work today! It's so hard after you've had a fun filled weekend though! Which is definitely the case today! My weekend started Friday as SOON as I left work! I met with my work out friend, Kat! We went to Dos Reales-probably my favorite Mexican restaurants! If you have never been, you should for sure try it! I love all Mexican food almost, but theres just something about THIS place that makes it even so much better! So good, I had to eat it again last night! lol. Saturday was a blast! I got up early and took my dog on a walk (I can't wake up early, hence the *walk* not *run*). And then I met up with my sisters mom and grandma and our friend Jamie and went to Clinton, IL. to a "Tea Room" called "La Tea Da" . If you ever have the chance to go, you should! It's a fun little place. It looks like an old house driving by, but inside is a cute little brunch type place and a shop upstairs. I tried a ravioli soup and had passion fruit tea! It was so good! I'm not sure what my obsession with passion fruit is lately, but I want everything in passion fruit flavor! I even went and bought one because I wasn't sure what they looked like or how to eat them. Saturday afternoon we rented wii games and had a cook out with all the kids! Yah, it's a little cold and we had to work at it to get the grill started, but in the end, it was a blast! I also got my "indoor garden" planted! It took forever! I planted thyme, 2 kinds of basil, cilantro, rosemary, asparagus... and I can't remember! I can't wait to have all these herbs to cook with! Excited to make salsa and guacamole! LOVE that stuff!!! And as always when my roommates kids are over, my night ended playing Mancala. It's so fun! A must play board game! Sunday was great! It seemed like it was a really long day! (normally my weekend seem to go by so fast!) Me and Mitch watched "How Do you Know" with Reese Witherspoon and Paul Rudd, and had coffee in bed! It was relaxing. I think I will start doing that every Sunday!! The movie was good. Looking back, I think they could have brought more of the title into the movie. She is kind of going back and forth between 2 guys, but any one who is trying to find out "How do you know", won't really get any good advice/help by watching that movie. But other than that, it was entertaining to watch! Ran errands the rest of the day..... I love the dollar store!! And ended with watching documentaries on Tsunami's and dogs (Both were very interesting!!) and ordering Mexican (DOS REALES!!!!) carry out!! Whew... and that was my weekend!!
Friday, March 25, 2011
Awh! Just when I thought we were past all the cold weather.... I see the forecast and see that it's going to be down in the 20's tonight!? Whhhhhy??? I just started putting all my plants outside! (you will learn I have a great love for plants! It's almost an obsession! I can't stop buying them and regrowing them!) It's actually kind of neat. I have grown many many plants and give their new growths to friends, family... well anyone, a complete stranger! lol.
Speaking of my obsession of buying/growing plants... this is totally off subject of what I was going to write about today, but since it came up.... I actually bought some today!!! I bought passion flower seeds! They are one of the prettiest flowers I think I have ever seen! They have such brilliant colors. They have many different types of passion flowers in a variety of colors. Google it! I LOVE things that are bright and colorful. Makes me happy. Ironic, I don't believe 100% all the hype/talk about Zodiac signs, however I do believe that what time of year you were born has to do with your personality and what season you are most comfortable. My zodiac sign, Libra, states that flowers make us happy... so true, and I am most comfortable in fall season (I was born in October for those of you who don't know me or keep up with Zodiac signs).
I also bought artichokes today! Am I the only one that didn't know this was a "flowering plant"?! I love artichokes! I really wish I had a good artichoke soup recipe! If any one has one, please share! Anyway, they also produce a purple-ish colored flower (see pic). They say it will bud and flower the first year and then artichokes with "sprout" the second year. They grow the best in hot climates (east/west coasts). I love to take on a challenge so I am going to attempt to grow artichokes this year! I will let you know how that works out! Mitch and I bought a lot of herb seeds the other day, that I hope to get planted this weekend (indoors of course! grrr to the 20 degree weather!!!)! I can't wait! I really can't wait until I have my own house! I am positive before my house is decorated just the way I want inside my yard and garden will be set up!! I'm so glad I found someone who has the same love of growing plants and food as I do, and don't forget clothes and shopping! They say you don't realize what you need until it's gone... I think in my situation, I didn't realized what I needed until I found it! It's crazy to me to think that some one else loves clothes, shopping, food and plants like I do!!! I got off work last night, and stuck to my, trying to make it a life-style routine, and went right to the gym! Did my thing, showered and me and Mitch went to Ruby Tuesday! I haven't been there in awhile, but I was actually craving it yesterday because their salad bar is great! So when Mitch asked me, it was a definite yes! Enjoyed the salad bar and a *who knew* Pear Lavender martini!?! It was fan-tastic! It was almost like a Pear sauce (like apple sauce but not as thick) and then they added an Asian style Lavender tea bag. You dip your tea bag in the martini and it turns it purple! It was soo good! I tried to take a picture, but the lighting was low so it didn't show as good as I wanted, but you get the idea. Props to who ever came up with this idea/drink! Add it to my favorite list!
I have to mention American Idol!!!! Did I mention I LOVE that show!? (oh yah, Mitch watched that with me too!!! =) Last night, really shocked me!!!! Casey!?! They tried to say that Casey had the least amount of votes!? NOO WAY!! Is this a prank?? Have you heard this guy sing!?
He's amazing! There are people like Thia Megia that should be going home way before Casey!! He reminds me a lot of Ray Lamontagne! That deep kind of raspy voice! It's great! They had it down to the "bottom three", Thia, Casey and Stefano. They have it set up to call in/get online and vote for who you want to stay on... why can't we vote for who we want to LEAVE!? Haha. Thia is my vote! She has an ok voice but she doesn't belong on the top 10... just sayin! And poor Casey... he almost had a heart attack!!! When you are "kicked off" you get to sing one last time. He started singing and the judges stopped him and used their ONE "save card" on him! GOOD CALL! They said "we don't need to hear anymore, we know who you are, we know you can sing, you belong here!" YAH!
Well needless to say, it was an entertaining night on American Idol. I can't even think of who will end up leaving next week, but it better not be Casey!!
I have a really exciting weekend coming up! I can't wait!!!
2. Once all the fruit is cut up in the bowl, pour the wine and the schnapps in the bowl and let it soak over night. 
