A Friendly Little Guest.

Warning: What follows below in this post may not be suitable content for all readers. Those easily frightened or uncomfortable with nature are dually warned. Readers and viewers should proceed with caution.  Sitting on the patio at one of the coffee shops in my city qualifies as a really good moment in my book.
Sitting on the patio at one of the coffee shops in my city with my handsome man is completely idyllic in my world. 
Sitting on the patio at one of the coffee shops in my city with my handsome husband and a cute little animal was fabulously entertaining and flat-out enjoyable on a Saturday afternoon recently.
See what I mean?

 It seems that the little mouse is a big fan of fancy coffee. Or at least of some quality pastry.  

 I'm here. And I'm still writing,  

The Battle That Continuously Wages And Is All The More Steady Now.

I'm engaged in a mini-battle right now. Not with my husband. Or with my mom. Or with any friends.

But with the clock on the wall and my stomach.

We all already know how much I like food. And we know how in the past some odd months, I've been posting recipes and talking about cooking. And writing about how excited I am about new dishes.

It's quite the wonderful hobby necessity to enjoy,  as it combines my love for something delicious with the art of being creative ! And its building a character trait: for once I started learning to plan ahead!

But right now. We are busy. And I'm tired. Handsome has a LOT going on at work. He is busy and is dealing with stress and his life is filled to the brim. And I. Well, I'm supposed to be studying and I am. And I'm working out.  And we have other obligations on certain nights of the week. And then we took that little mini-vacay. And things like laundry, and a dirty house, and fixing my hair happen. And by the end of the day, and actually at the beginning of the other, the food stuff just isn't happening.

I'd like to think I could keep it all together. Study. Work out. Wash hair. Dress cute. Start a load of laundry. Drop things off at the mailbox and run other errands. Study. Fix dinner. Study. Talk to Handsome. Go to bed. Get up. Repeat.

But that one part in the midst of Study and Study doesn't happen. (Okay, the dress cute and other stuff doesn't happen either but they are really secondary to nourishment). The "fix dinner" portion has started to become a very bit thorn in my side. Actually, not just "fix dinner", but more like all things food. Lunch, snack, and breakfast don't always happen . And I have a feeling its not going to get any better in the next five-ish weeks while my studying increases.

But food must happen in some form. Because 1. We can't eat out every meal. It's too expensive, it is even more time consuming than cooking, and honestly! it doesn't even taste that great! Once in a while is nice, but I need good food at home. I'd like it to be easily accessible, ready to go (sort of), and I want to be filled up

It's not that much to ask for right?

So this is my issue: what are some easy ways to get healthy-ish food ready quickly?

Even the "quick-fix" recipes I find take something like an hour when you add in clean-up and prep. Maybe I'm just a real slow cooker, but the point is that these quick and easy meals aren't working for me right now.

And I'm hungry. Cold cereal and a banana just won't do for each and every meal. While I have good ideas about easy snacks... (hummus and veggies, pb and apples, strawberries and chocolate pudding)  I'm just not sure how to consistently make meals that satisfy those other requirements with all of the busy-ness that is the summer of 2010.

Any ideas?

Thanks!

I'm here. And I'm still writing (hungry though I may be),

Two Disconnected Trains of Thought.

Every time I re-pack my heavy blanket away, it gets cold enough the next night to pull it back out again.
It is a funny thing that its cold enough at night to need the blanket but hot enough in the day to blast the AC. 
Even so, studying inside is over-rated.  But apparently only men sit on the patio at the coffee shop. 

Sunscreen is a lovely smell.
Tan lines establish the fact of a good summer.
Hiking was a new favorite last summer. Maybe we should do that again.
But really, nothing beats swimming laps in an outdoor pool.
..................
I'm not into "chick lit" as they call it.
I'm reading FR Her Mother's Hope as slooowy as possible to savor it longer.
I don't like stories or books to end because I get so attached to the characters. 
A good character has to live through ups and downs just like we do. 
When I was a very young child, I wondered if we were just characters that someone moved around. 
Pretty sure my Mom helped me out of that idea. 
I think it would be fun to name my children after characters. 
Actually, I would rather name the animals that way since I have ideas about all of our children's names already.
Assuming at some point we are blessed with children.
Not time for that yet.
.....................
I'm here. (And now that you have seen inside of my brain) I'm still writing...

MIA No More.

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Oh helloooooo!

I'm here.  Way down here!!

 Thanks for checking back in on me.

I haven't posted in a week, because life has completely filled our days to the max! And boy was it fun!

I had a slight computer dilemma that occupied my mind for about thirty-six hours at the end of last week, but fear not. It is completely solved now thanks to some generous family members. And once that was resolved... the good times started happening.

My favorite, and not just because he is my only, husband and I  took a little trip to Hometown to enjoy our families for Father's day. It was lovely. And getting in this....

for four days in a row was quiet wonderful as well. 

Thank goodness for distractions. Because, as you may recall, I'm in the midst of studying. I have that little licensing exam approaching in a few short weeks. I'm trying to continuously motivate, but when productivity waned, Handsome and I both thought a little jaunt out of town, a mini-vacay as you might call it, could benefit us both.

You see, he has been overloaded at work too and we had barely seen each other for weeks. No days, but days that felt like weeks.

And while I had intentions on studying on our getaway, my best attempts did not yield major results. It was a little difficult in Hometown with amazing tacos and salsa,  good bar-b-que , many family members, and this little guy distracting me...

That is my parents dog Gus if you haven't been here long. 

I love him like he is my own. 

But it was all so worth it!

Now that we are back to our city, and life as usual... I'm back to blogging too as I no longer have the excuse of not being able to blog from my post as pool supervisor, so as to protect the laptop from the incessant splashing that is known to Handsome as FUN.

And you can bet your pretty smiling faces that the posts will be coming because blogger is oh, so good a distraction from the rigors of video lectures and online problems. 

So...

I'm here. And I'm still writing,

Resolving A Marriage Dilemna

Disclaimer for the Sake of the Marriage: Handsome is actually a very considerate sports and television watcher as he is married to one with very sensitive ears. He always turns it down when I ask and this is written with a sense of hyperbole.   So I had a post stewing about something that sounds like a swarm of mosquitos. About an incessant drone that has been permeating our house at random hours of the day since June 11.
I was going to complain about the headaches its caused. Talk to you about how I can fund my PTSD therapy through better blogging. And where I can get some of those television-watching headphones that women buy for their husbands on the fly. 
I  tried to talk to the Mr. about what was distressing me, and his only answer was that "its tradition. It's part of the culture. Part of the atmosphere." Like I should have already known. And why on earthy would I be asking?  I honestly think he believes it is fabulous and essential.
Out of desperation, I even took my question and concern to my fellow Softball-watching wives the other evening to see if they could give me some insight as to what it was and how to deal. No one knew. No one could answer. No one, apparently, suffers through cheers and gets another beer when their husband is watching television, because they didn't even know what I was talking about. They hadn't been subjected to it!
But then, during one of the regular television bonding sessions, all of my questions were answered thanks to the super adorable, Michelle Beadle, Who by the way, sounds so much like Andi Anderson, Kate Hudson's character in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, that I like her all the more! It finally had a name. It is called a vuvuzela and I'm behind the curve by only blogging about it now.  Even Prince William has gotten in on the fun.  (post script in the middle of the post: La, I'm sure I should have just emailed you! I hope you will still be my friend even though I can't listen to the traditional horn).    And by golly, something like 64% of America was on my side! (even though I can't find that exact poll and percentage right now). But the point is that, more people agreed with me that Vuvuzela's are too loud and should be banned than with Handsome that they are totally essential to the culture and atmosphere of the game. As Handsome just sat there mouth wide-open, with only the words: "I can hit mute next time I watch" I reaffirmed my commitment to television bonding in the form of ESPN (at least every once in a while).    Thus, my questions, my curiosity, my little mini-mute button battle with the Mr. was taken care of by my favorite Sports TV personality! 
I'm here. And I'm still writing,

Stuffed. In A Really Good Way.

Some of these 

 

Stuffed with a little of this

And arranged like so

Makes for a happy, delicious weeknight meal. 

Mmmm. 

Go ahead. You know you want some!   I'm here. And I'm still writing, 

Solace on a Saturday. And Other Thoughts.

 I absolutely love a quiet, peaceful Saturday morning. I like the mornings when I wake up before Handsome and can sit in the quiet of my living room. Today is one of those mornings, but Handsome is not actually here. Though you wouldn't have known it last night, the mornings when he goes golfing early, are just as much (if not more) my favorite because I know the house will be quiet for a good amount of time. "In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait quietly in expectation."Psalm 5:3 I don't know what it is about human alone-ness in the morning, but I like it. It feels fresh. New. There is room for that "expectation". I feel like the mornings are when I most feel peace in my soul. And some days. I just absolutely need it.  Today, the blinds are cracked and the birds are chirping. We live on a relatively busy side street and while usually cars strive steadily past us, it takes many hours for that to be normal on a Saturday. Only a handful of people leave there house on Saturday mornings and 

 I'm sitting on my couch, blanket on my lap, computer propped open and I just turned on the Food Network in the background. It is on silent  The only thing missing is some coffee with a good dollop of Belgian chocolate creamer.  Cancel that last sentence. I just got the coffee and that just bettered the whole situation.  I don't want this moment to pass. Today I ought to take advantage of the quiet and get to studying. And I likely will. But I have a lot of other ideas that sound more appealing to me, because we all know the morning only lasts for a while.
Today I would like to: 1. Make Cake Pops or Bananaberry muffins or Chocolate chip cookies because I want to.  Baked goods sounds so delectable right now.  2. I am in desperate need of a hair trim as the ends are beading and I have a nasty habit of picking at them all day. I want to call my hairdresser but his was due to become a daddy two weeks ago, so I'm not sure how much he is working or if he would even be able to get me in at such late notice.  3. Take a refreshing glass of iced water and wander Target before the crowds make their way out of the house. We have a few things we need and I don't have time lately during the week. 4. Start and finish up laundry. Because its a nice thing to start and finish on a Saturday. 5. Upload dinner photos and write a post about one of the delicious meals we savored this past week.  6. Exercise. Any form would do. 

 Maybe I can study for an hour and a half or so and then indulge in my better-sounding plans. Actually, I could probably wash some clothes while I do some of my studying. Sometimes it messes with my concentration, but today I am relaxed and think I might be able to handle it. Then after that maybe I can indulge in some of those other plans.  *************  In another thought, if someone is having a bar b que and invites you and tells your husband that you all don't need to bring anything, do you believe them? Some of Handsome's golfing and soccer buddies (whom I have yet to meet) are having a little bar b que tonight. We are planning to go but I'm just not sure  if we should bring something in spite of the mandate not to. What would you do?
*************

I'm here. And I'm still writing,  

Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone.

I don't get pedicures that often. I'd say I average about four in a given year, so when I get one I usually go with something safe.  Red, pink, coral. You know, the colors that toes should be. The colors that I won't mind three weeks after I've been living with it. The colors that look good if I wear khakis or jeans, white shirts or black shirts, and if my shoes are brown or green. 
I rarely get the "flower" that is offered even though I think its awfully cute. 
So it was much to my own surprise when I gave in to my impulse to try something new.  And when I didn't ask the girl to change it after she started painting.  See Exhibit 1.   

Do you see it? My toenails are purple! A shiny, shimmery purple! What's that? You need a closer look? 
See Exhibit 2. 

Talk about an adventure!  I'm not sure I'll be doing it again, or that I'll leave it on for a month, but I'm finding it kind of fun for a few days!

Variations on a Theme: Fitness.

So I know I wrote recently and said I was all about getting up early and going running (so I could force myself back into running)... but things haven't quite worked out that way.  Now, I have been actively doing things, but it just hasn't been the jogging lately.

Let me give you a workout re-cap from the week:

last Saturday: I went for a walk. I thought I would go for a jog, but when the opportunity presented itself, I wasn't quite correctly attired for the jog, so the walk had to do.

last Sunday: golfed nine holes with hubby and with the new walking golf bag! It was fun and I actually got tired around hole six and sat, umm walked? that one out. Meaning I didn't hit my ball that hole and just followed Handsome around while he chased his.

Monday: went for a bit of a bike ride.

Tuesday: went for another bit of a bike ride. My legs were sore at this point so I didn't go that far, but still got myself out and about.

Wednesday: returned to Jillian. I did the Shred Level 1 with my heavier hand weights. It was great! Actually, it was terrible, but I felt good to have done that after I finished.

Thursday: I took the day off. My arms were sore from the Shred and

Friday: Umm, oops! Friday got away from me. I didn't intentionally not work-out, but the only real physical activity I got was walking from my car into and out of my Uncle's office building and from my car into and out of the school, and from Handsome's truck into and out of and around a lunch venue, a softball complex and an athletics goods store.

Saturday: Handsome and I headed out for another bike ride. This time we hit one of the trails in our area and rode for about an hour. 

I've really enjoyed the variety because nothing was super easy, but I still felt like many muscles were used and actually, I feel like my clothes are fitting a little better already.

I still want to run and want to get back into decent running shape, but more so, I'd just like to feel fit and active. And able to go for a ride with my dad or golfing with my man when the opportunity presents itself.

Here's to nice weather and plenty of opportunities to get and stay fit!

I'm here. And I'm still writing,

Happy Half-Birthday!

hi Mom, 
I hope you're having a fabulous Sunday. I'm thinking of you and wishing we were hanging out. 
Thanks for teaching me how to sew.

 

And thanks for teaching me why I shouldn't mix dry ingredients with wet ingredients until they have each been mixed with all the ingredients from each category.

 

You're the only person with whom I like to watch "Say Yes to the Dress." And really, the only person I could trust when picking out my own wedding dress.

 

You are one of only a few people I call almost every single day. 

 

 Thanks for taking me to all of those artsy classes when my buddy and me were only kids.  

And for reading us those stories and encouraging our imagination.

Love you,

You Know You Miss Your Husband When...

you turn on Sports Center, because you know that is what he would be watching if he were home.

You know you are tired when... the idea of driving to the nail salon to get a fresh pedi sounds exhausting.

You know your brain isn't functioning properly when ... you are typing a text message and want to write "You know what blah blah blah" and you forget to finish the text and when you return to read it later it says "You no what blah blah blah."

You know you're sort of stressed when ... the piece and half of flourless chocolate cake you devoured earlier did nothing to stop you desire to make double chocolate chocolate chip cookie dough to try and quench the craving.



I'm here. And I'm still writing,

Just Because?

Gosh honey! I love you, too. 

I just had to brag on my man a bit. These gorgeous hybrid lillies showed up at my house last week.  They are still filling our home with color and cheer.

I'm here. And I'm still writing.

Limited (Technically).

I'm in the middle of trying to read reviews and sort through information about a certain technological device that we are thinking about getting.
But I am just not that into it.

I lack the patience. I lack the required interest and thus, I get bored. 
I can't quite determine what information is reliable. 
Or what information is actually important and necessary in making the decision.  I'd rather just buy what looks good and see if I like it. I figure, when using it I probably won't know enough about it to determine if don't like it anyway, so what difference does it make. A television is a television is a television. If I can find the Food Network or HGTV, I'll be okay. I don't need to be able to play my ipod on it or have it record a lot of shows. A camera is a camera is a camera, especially with my lack of picture skills. If it documents the occasion, but comes nowhere close to being accepted by National Geographic, it will be good enough for me.
A cell phone is a cell phone is a cell phone. If I can get ahold of my Mom, send texts to my Dad, pic messages to my husband, and get by without charging it every night, I'll be happy. Oh, I guess I'd like to have service along most highways, just in case I have a reason to call AAA. 
A computer is a computer is a computer. Ha, not quite. A Mac is a Mac is a Mac. If I can access a text editing program, store and organize a few non-National Geographic-worthy photos and read my email, I'll be okay. I know this makes me less domesticated, money-savvy, and technologically advanced than many of others, but its my natural state of mind and sometimes, our abilities only stretch so far.
Reading and comparing reviews when acquiring techonological devices is not in my skill set. 
And I'm totally fine with this limitation.

I'm here. And I'm still writing,