Thursday, October 30, 2008

Think About It Thursday - Some Friends...

Some friends....
Current mood: blessed

It's crazy how you can know a person, be friends with a person for sooooo many years, almost half of your life in fact, be in their wedding and have them in yours, then lose touch for a few years here and there, only keeping in touch periodically over the years and yet when you do meet up, it's like you have never been apart at all! You can just pick right up where you left off and catch up over coffee with all the goings on in each others lives. It is so nice to be able to talk to someone who knows you so well, and you in turn know equally as well so that when you sit down, the conversation just flows freely with no awkward pauses or silences. If there is silence, it is a comfortable one. To offer encouragement, support and advice and know that you are getting the same honesty in return. It is so nice to be able to be yourself around this person and know you aren't being judged by your actions--past or present. To know that even through all the years, there is that special bond, a place in each other's hearts, that this person will always hold, no matter the time or distance that may part you.

I am so blessed by the amazing special friends that I have in my life! I love each and every one of them!

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

2-Point Weight Watcher Taco Soup

I literally "stole" this recipe from my neighbor, Mel a month or so ago when she was organizing her recipes!!! I have been dying to try it so yesterday, I finally got around to making it (with a few minor changes)! And it was YUMMY! The best part, it's only 2 points for ONE CUP of soup! And left overs can be frozen to zap in the microwave for a quick lunch or dinner later on! Woohoo!

What You Need:

1 lb ground turkey, ground sirloin, or lean ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
1 clove minced garlic
1 (1oz) envelope Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix, dry
1 (1oz) envelope Taco Seasoning mix (hot or mild), dry
1 (16oz) can pinto beans
1 (16oz) can chili beans (hot or regular)
1 (16oz) can whole kernel corn
1 (8oz) can diced Mexican-style tomatoes
1 (8oz) can diced tomatoes
1 (4oz) diced green chillies (mild or hot)

**Note, I subbed a can of Hunts Tomato Sauce for the tomatoes since D wont eat the things**

1. Brown meat with onions and garlic and drain.
2. Mix ranch dressing and taco seasoning into meat.
3. Without draining, add all of the other ingredients
4. Simmer 1 hour or in crock pot on low as desired, stirring occasionally.

Serve with sour cream, shredded cheese, chopped black olives, and crackers or Fritos!

Monday, October 27, 2008

Meal Plan Monday ~ October 27th

Photobucket

Okay ya'll, tryin' to get "back in the saddle"! =) Here's what's cookin' in my kitchen this week!

Monday - Taco Soup
Tuesday - Steaks, salad, and baked potato
Wednesday - Spaghetti
Thursday - Girls Night In! Drinks and Spooky Snacks will be served at my Cookie Lee Jewelry Party!
Friday - Halloween - I am makin' chili!

For more Meal Plan Monday ideas, click here

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Halloween Costume

This year I am doing something different for Halloween...I have decided to MAKE my own costume!!! =) A) because the costume I wanted was only available online, and I couldn't bring myself to spent $50+s&h on something that I hadn't tried on, and B) because I couldn't see SPENDING $50+s&h on something that I will more than likely only wear ONE TIME! In the not so recent past, $50 was nothing, a drop in the hat, but these days, times are harder, things are tighter, and now instead of just myself to think of, there is my daughter. So here will be my attempt at "craftiness", which I am sadly lacking, unless it has to do with writing, because I really don't think I have a talented bone in my body! :P

This is what I am hoping my costume will resemble. Stay tuned for more pics on my progress!

Deviant Housewife

Thursday Thirteen

I haven't participated in a loooooooong time on Thursday Thirteen, but this week I am going to post Thirteen things that I am thankful for AND Thirteen not-quite-New Years-Resolutions!!! =)

1. I am thankful to be blessed with such an amazing and beautiful little baby girl! She is my world.
2. I am thankful for the family that I have. Madison. My Dad. My mom. My brother and Steph. They are all my Rocks and I could not imagine life without them.
3. I am thankful for D. Because he is an amazing daddy, a hard worker and provider, friend, confidant, and lover.
4. I am thankful for the TRUE friends that I have in my life. And so very blessed to have them.
5. I am thankful for my job, which allows me to work from home most days.
6. I am thankful for Doyle's job---and promotion---which has made our financial situation much more bearable.
7. I am thankful for my house, that I have a beautiful home and a roof over my head...even if the $2000/month house payment sucks!! I still have a place of my own.
8. I am thankful for the internet, which makes it possible to 'telecommute'.
9. I am thankful for text messaging and my BlackBerry...because it's really my lifeline!
10. I am thankful for my car. That it is brand new and gets much better gas mileage than my truck did!
11. I am thankful that my parents raised me with good values and morals, and that I hope to do the same with my own daughter.
12. I am thankful for the rocky roads I have traveled in life, to lead me to where I am today.
13. I am thankful for the good health of myself, my daughter, D, family, and friends.

Now, my Not-Quite-New Years-Resolutions:
1. Take at least one picture A DAY of Madison
2. Spend more time with my family.
3. Now that the baby weight is gone, TONE TONE TONE and more TONING!!!
4. Get Madison's professional pictures done...before she is ONE! =)
5. Spend more quality time with my TRUE friends, and surround myself with real, honest people.
6. Let go of drama and those who will bring me down.
7. Learn to not sweat the small stuff.
8. Spend every day learning at least one thing from my daughter.
9. Learn to curl my hair...Brookie SAYS I can do it...
10. Spend more time reading.
11. Be a better critique partner.
12. Write. I will never get a blank paged published! ;)
13. Be happy. Life is to short not to be!

For More Thursday Thirteen click here!

Big Girl Bathtime!






Thanks to the suggestion of my friend Melanie I decided to try out our kitchen sink in place of Madison's infant tub, since she is so reluctant to use the bathtub. And lo-and-behold, it worked!!! Yay Maddie!!!!!

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Monday, October 20, 2008

Bathtime Blues



Maddie is 9 months and 10 days old today, and yes, we are STILL giving her baths in the newborn/infant tub that goes in our kitchen sink!!! About 2 months ago, we bought a large inflatable "rubber duckie" tub that fits inside the shower tub (it even quacks when you press its beak!) and tried to give Maddie a bath in it, she FREAKED out!!!!! Literally! She wants NOTHING to do with it!!! We've kept it inflated, inside her bedroom with her toys, and she is still not even interested in going near it. It is getting harder and harder to give her baths in the infant tub, mainly because she is TOO big, loooooves to splash, and practically crawls out of the darn thing! I think this week, I will try just setting her in the sink for a bath, and see how that goes. Anyone else have any suggestions???

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Blondness or Darkness...???











Okay, so I have been "blond" all summer...and have been toying with the idea of going back to dark here really soon...yet I keep getting compliments on my highlights, so I don't know. I love my hair dark and it is soooo much healthier...right now it just feels dry and damaged from the highlighting. Here's some pics, tell me what YOU think! =)

Friday, October 17, 2008

Trivia...because it's been so long!

Who is first under "K" in your contacts in your cell phone?
my cousin Kellie

What are your plans for tomorrow?
hanging out at home, running some errands, then going out for dinner and drinks with my Jennie!

Do you own a digital camera?
sure do

Do you have your baby picture in your room?
there is one in my family room

Where were you at 10pm last Friday night?
home in bed, I think! I know, I am lame!

Have you hugged anyone in the last 72 hours?
Doyle, Maddie, mom and Sharon

What do you currently hear right now?
Doyle SNORING...ugh!

Where did you get the shirt you are wearing?
Hoodie - Target, tank - Old Navy

Do you look more like your mom or your dad?
both, but my daughter is the spitting image of my daddy

Are you flexible?
eh no

How has the week been?
TOO F***ing BUSY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do you dance in the car?
WTF, no!


What is bothering you at the moment?
did I mention Doyle's snoring???

Wheres the last place you went?
Melanie's house


Who was the last person to make you laugh?
Madison

What's the connection between you and the last person you texted?
SHES MY BEST FRIEND



Do you hate the last girl you were talking to?
no way!

Have you held hands with anyone today?
Maddie-boo

Seven days from now will you be in a relationship?
ABSOLUTELY!

Do you like to cuddle?
sometimes, but I actually prefer to snuggle with my cats! LOL =) THEY don't SNORE!



Are you someone's best friend?
YEP!


Is it ok if you kiss people when you're single?
sure, why not

Will you get married?
I will

Does anyone like you?
IM SURE

Are you in a good mood?
eh, a little grumpy cause I wanna go to bed and it's been a looooooong day!


Do you want to have kids?
I have the most amazing little girl EVER!


Miss someone?
naah

Has anyone ever told you they were in love with you?
QUITE A FEW... IM A LOVABLE KINDA GAL

What color are your eyes?
brown

Do you like what you see in the mirror?
sure

What were you doing 46 seconds ago?
UH THIS

What are your plans for this weekend?
not too many plans

Who are your best friends?
Amber, Brooke and Jennie are my besties

How is your room looking?
DISASTEROUS

Asked anything ridiculous lately?
prolly


What were you most looking forward to today?
staying home!!!

As of today, do you like anyone?
yep


Do you like your first name?
I do, I'd like to spell it differently

What is one thing you have learned this year?
that my daughter has changed my life!

If you had the chance, would you move to another country?
Nah, I like it here

What time did you get up this morning?
8:42

Eyeliner or mascara?
BOTH ... THOSE ARE MY ESSENTIALS

Do you have siblings?
1 BROTHER

Do you wear jewelry 24/7?
engagement ring

What kind of food is your favorite?
pasta and pizza!

Can you whistle?
nope

Would you ever get a noticeable tattoo?
perhaps, but tastefully done, nothing trashy!

7 months...WOW! Badly needed update!


Madison, 9 months "Helping Momma at work"



Madison 8 months playing with her new toy!



Madison 7 months "First trip to the salon!"



Madison 7 months "Red Robin"



Doyle and I at Jessica's "Dirty 30"


Hello everyone!

Wow, I can't believe that it's been SEVEN MONTHS since my last post!!!! Yikes!!! I have no excuses, other than claiming to be a busy work-at-home mommy! =)

Things are going fabulous here!! Madison turned 9 months old last Friday, and Monday she had her checkup, she is 19.4lbs (60 percentile) , 28-1/2" long (90 percentile), and right on track where she should be with her health and development!!! She is doing FABULOUS!!! She is crawling ALL OVER the house now, and its rare that I can sneak a moment away from her, she always finds me! She is so smart!!! She is pulling herself up on furniture and I know it won't be long now before she starts to walk! She has her two bottom and two top teeth in, and her other four on each side are mostly in, she didn't even get her first tooth 'till 8 months...then it was ALL at once, literally! It was definitely a crazy--and uncomfortable--couple of weeks for all of us!

I am back to work now in the office--2 days a week--and the rest of the time here at home. I am so lucky to be able to do that, my daddy is the most amazing boss EVER! I love my job! I have lost all of my 'post pregnancy baby weight' and am back down to 130---I even put on a good 3-4lbs in the past month (blame that on Papa Murphy's cookie dough and strawberry mochas!!!). I am between a size 2 and 4, which is hard, but am super excited to be where I want to be...now I just need to focus on TONING! My wonderful neighbor, Mel, and I have become great friends, and we have motivated each other to work out---jogging 2 miles and doing my Bow Flex. We've been sorta on a break here these past couple of weeks, but I am hoping to get back to our routine here next week!

Doyle took his test for Commercial Journeyman Plumber in Sept. and passed it with flying colors...which meant promotion AND a raise! Woohoo!!! That has made life easier! He is also working MUCH closer to home now, so gets home at 4 in the afternoon vs. 5 or 7!!! THANK GOD!!!

We are still planning our wedding for summer 2009---although the place is still undecided. Stay tuned for further information!!!

In August, my Tuffy-cat went missing. I put up flyers all around the neighborhood twice, and no luck. He followed Melanie and I jogging one morning and the next morning sleeping on the couch was the last time I saw him. I think he must have ventured a little bit too far. I hope that he found a good new home and did not end up in the belly of some hungry coyote!! Tuffy was a part of my family for 5 years, since he was a kitten, and as much as he was an independent little bugger, he was such special kitty and had a special place in my heart. I will never forget him and I miss him dearly. =(

In May I traded in the ol' Nissan for a 2008 RED Mazda 3 (note the emphasis on the red!!)...I absolutely LOVE this car! It has made life A TON easier with baby!! =)

Also in May, my brother got married to his girlfriend of 5 years, Stephanie. Doyle and I were both in the wedding, it was a beautiful wedding and wonderful day for our family!!! Congrats, Mike and Stephy! I have gained a sister!!!

In June, I took my first ever real girls getaway---to fabulous Las Vegas--with three of my bestest friends ever, Brookie, Jennie, and Anni!!! We had a terrific time and spent the days laying by the pool and soaking up the sun, and our nights out clubbing and partying it up in the city. It was much too short of a weekend, but I was ready to be home, I missed Madison TERRIBLY!

Other than that, not too much else has happened...life here is pretty hectic most of the time! I haven't had any time to focus on my writing, but I have tons of ideas constantly floating around in the back of my mind! I am hoping to one day be able to get back to it. My friend and crit partner, Trish, in Louisiana, has finished her third book in her first series, a short story, and has even started another new series!!! Her work is amazing!! I am reading her second book now, and can't tear myself away from it!! I have it on my laptop so I can sneak into my office here and there and read a tidbit every time I get the chance! She is such a talented writer, I KNOW I will see her name on the New York Times Best Sellers list one of these days! Kudos, Trish!

I have made some amazing new friends this year, discovered the true meaning of life in my amazing daughter Madison, and am so very blessed to have the family and friends that I do!

I will try to be better about updating this a bit more frequently than every...um...7 months! LOL Sorry ya'll!

Until next time,
xoxo!!

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

$uper $aving$ Wednesday!

So I am borrowing Mel's Super Savings Saturday a few days early because my "super savings" was too good to NOT share!!!

I went to Target today for printer ink (on the business), invitations for my soon-to-be-sister-in-law's Bridal Shower, and a hoodie (so sue me, I'm STILL not yet back into my pre-preggo clothes and I am seriously SICK to death of wearing the same 3-4 hoodies over and over and over again! Besides, mom bought me a shirt for Valentine's Day that I just didn't care for, so I returned it and the hoodie was practically free after that!) and I accidentally stumbled upon a FORMULA $aving$!!! I mean, we're talking HUGE!!! Gigantic! Enormous!!!

They had a 30.8oz cannister (20% more than the regular size!) of our Similac Advance on sale for $18.20. Regularly $26. Costco normally has the 36oz for $29.99. I snagged up two cannisters. So super deal, right?? Well, it gets better!

I happen to have in my Coupon Wallet...5 (yes, FIVE!) coupons for $5.00 off of any purchase of Similac...thanks to signing up on their website before Maddie was born, due to Mel's urging! So I used two of my precious coupons...bringing the total for EACH cannister of 30.8oz formula down to...$13.20!!!! WOO HOO!! So see, I paid $26.40 TOTAL, which is .40 MORE than their regular sized (25.7oz for those who care to know!) almost 62oz of formula!!!! WAAAAAY cheaper even than Costco's 36oz!!!!

So that made my day!!! I don't know if it's just my Target that's got it on clearance but if you have a store near you or need to make a trip to one anyway, you might want to swing by the formula aisle and check it out!

Oh...and be SURE to sign up on the websites for $uper $avings for Similac, Enfamil, Pampers, Huggies, etc. It really does add up and put money INTO your back pocket!!!

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

More Madison pics!










Madison is FINALLY here!!!!

Hi everyone!!! As you will see here in a moment, this is another long past due post!! I apologize for that, however and still adjusting to working from home and being a new mommy!!

On January 10, 2008 at 3:16PM we welcomed Madison Reese into this world! Maddie was born via emergency C-section and weighed 7.0lbs and was 19 3/4" long. She is BEAUTIFUL!

I went into labor early Thursday morning (Jan 10), at 1:48AM. By 3:30 the contractions were steady enough and 10-minutes apart, to call the hospital. They instructed us to come in when the contractions became 5-minutes apart, for one hour. We left home a little after 5AM and arrived at the Hospital around 5:30-5:45 (after checking in at Registration) and were put into the "large" birthing room. My mom and dad showed up almost immediately, followed by Doyle's mom and my "other mom" Sharon, and my brother Mike and sister in law, Steph. The nurses checked me and hooked me up to an IV. I was dilated to a 5. Around 7:30, the anesthesiologist arrived and gave me my Epidural. I felt nothing! Then we all just sat in the room and waited. And waited! We were making bets on what time Little Miss Madison would choose to make her grand entrance into the world! Around 10, we were starting to get bored...and sleepy! And around noon, I was starting to feel the contractions!!! Not good. The Epidural was wearing off and the anesthesiologist was tied up downstairs in the OR with an emergency. We waited about an hour before she finally arrived and was able to "refill" my Epidural. I was dilated to an 8 at that point, and let me tell you, those contractions for that hour were the absolute WORST! Ugh. Dr. Dickson had to break my water, because it hadn't broke yet and I was dilated so far, and once she did that, with every contraction, Madison's heart rate began to drop---at one point it was down to 85 (normal is anywhere between 120-160). Dr. Dickson told us that if we wanted to have a healthy baby, a C-section was the best option at that point. Otherwise, we might run the risk of brain damage. We, of course, opted for the C-section with no hesitation. Within minutes, they were prepping me for surgery and I was being wheeled down to the OR. Doyle, my mom, and his mom, were going to be in the room with me and they were rushed off to "scrub up".

At 3:16PM, Madison was born! Doyle was able to video tape the birth on his digital camera and also cut the cord! He was really excited!! Madison is so beautiful and perfect and we are enjoying every minute of her!

We were discharged from the hospital on Sunday Jan 13th--her actual "due date" and have spent the time since recovering and getting to know our little girl. Both mom and baby are doing great!

New Family!

Her first official hospital pic, minutes after she was born!

So pretty!

In the hospital!