I am a FAILURE at blogging

Welp, Haven't blogged in a coons age.

On the 8th we had this super shitty snow storm which led my job to closing early! Woop
Well, with the extra hour off of work, Joe & I decided to drive to Texas Roadhouse for dinner.
OmG. The food was FANTASTIC.
We ordered these cheesy potato skins for an appetizer.
And then got the rib and pulled pork combo for dinner.
Mouth watering just thinking about it.

I decided to make a copy cat recipe of the potatoes.
So, here is what I did.

Ingredients:
Russet Potatoes
Vegetable oil
Cheddar Cheese
Center Cut Bacon.
All Seasoning

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. 
2. Place center cut bacon on cookie sheet & bake for 20 minutes. (This is the easiest & cleanest way to cook bacon & get it super crispy)
3. While bacon is cooking, scrub potatoes and microwave for 5-7 minutes. (You can skip microwaving potatoes if you let them cook for a full over in a 400 degree oven for an hour- but Ain't Nobody Got Time for Dat). 
4. Coat potatoes with vegetable oil. 
5. Place potatoes in over and cook for about 30 minutes. 
6. Remove bacon after 20 minutes of cooking and let it cool. Then pull a bunch of the bacon apart into chunks! 
7. Once potatoes are cooked all the way through, remove from oven & cut in half & let cool before handling. 
8. Oh & bump up your oven temp to 450 now. 
9. Remove all but a 1/4 inch from the potato's (save the inside guts of the tater for a snack or dinner side for the next day- or throw the shit out, I don't care). 
10. Sprinkle a tad of all seasoning (just Google that- i basically threw salt, sugar, cumin, curry, pepper, paprika  garlic and onion powder together. No measuring. Just threw it together) 
11. Place potato skins on baking sheet & bake on one side for 10 minutes, flip, then bake on the other side for another 10 minutes (this is what really gets the CRISPY!) 
12. Remove from oven, FILL GENEROUSLY with cheese & top with bacon. 
13. Place back in oven until cheese melts completely & you're done! Yeehaw!

Don't these shits look bomb. 

Over the next few days Joe & I were slaves to wedding planning. 

We finally mailed out invitations. 

Woo. And yesterday (the 14th) we got out first round of response cards in! We made them fun, so hopefully that will get people to actually mail those things back. 

I really don't want to call stragglers the week AFTER they're due begging them to send the damn things in! 

The 13th was a rough day. 

It's been one year since my sister in law passed away. 

I never got the chance to get to know her. 

I met her once before her cancer diagnosis and because she lived out of state the one time was the only memory I have of her healthy. 

I know Joe had a rough day too. 

I tried to be thoughtful & I found this really pretty picture of his mother and sister from when his sister was young. 

I blew it up, put it in a nice frame & added it to our mantel. I like it a lot. Hope he does too. 

Valentines day was any other day. He went to work. I sat home on my ass. 

However, I did manage to run outside for the first time. 

It was SO much more enjoyable than running on the DREADmill but it was way too cold out for me. 

After about a mile, I couldn't maintain my breathing. It was so cold I felt like I was gasping for air. 

And then I got a horrible side cramp. 

I wanted to tough it out & do my mile and a half in under 15 (& I was on pace to do just that), but that cold air got the best of me. 

Oh well, come spring time I will own that shit. 

Then I got home & did a work out from Bender Fitness. If you haven't checked out this woman's website, I suggest you do. 

It was hard & I am def sore today! 

Afterwards, I blew my work out to shit by going to our usual place, Carrabbas. 

It was fun. 

I made fun of Joe for being on his phone during dinner. 

Happy Valentines Day! 

Today when I came into work I saw the most purdy flowers on my desk!
My co-worker Jan got me these

as a parting gift. I start my new job on Monday & she wants me to plant these in my garden. 

That way I will think of her from time to time! How sweet! 

Not to mention, they're pink, and gorgeous! 

So there, now you're all caught up (not that you probably care). 

Until next time. 

Normal CT scans and Broski Joining the Army

I haven't written in a couple days because I have been under the weather. Sort of.

For a few days I was/sort of still am having stomach pains in my lower right abdomen. Which, working in an Urgent Care setting causes me to be a hypochondriac. Naturally, my first thought was, "Oh shit, my appendix is about to rupture causing me to vomit to DEATH!" And then, panic set in. Nausea set in. Anxiety set in.
My next step was to call the doctor on for the day and run my symptoms by him. Which, according to WebMD, I was not having acute appendicitis. WebMD informed me that in fact, I was probably suffering from ovarian cysts.
Either one can be diagnosed with a simple CT scan.
So, that's what we decided would be best. With a tender and painful abdomen, something surely has to be wrong with me. Right?

Off to the radiologist I went. I got there early, hoping I could start drinking my nasty order of contrast so that way when my appointment time came I would be ready to go back. The thing with contrast is after you drink that nasty shit, you have to sit for about an hour. Then drink another glass and THEN you can get pictures of your rotting gut taken.

Well, going early was pointless. No one brought out my contrast until my appointment time of 12:45. I chugged the contrast. It tasted like flat, poisoned Mountain Dew. And I hate Mountain Dew. Probably the WORST soda known to man-kind.

Poisonous Mountain Dew contrast

Heads up: Contrast can make you incredibly sick. No one warned me of this. I have stomach issues as is, and after pounding that gross hunk of garbage I probably had to run to the bathroom a dozen times throughout the rest of the appointment. And this is the PG version.

As if drinking contrast wasn't enough, once you get on the table they shove and IV in your arm and pump some more in real quick. My arm started burning and then I felt like I pissed my pants. No joke. Thank God they warned me I would get that sensation, but seriously, I was convinced I peed all over their CT scanner. So embarrassing.

After the scan, they sent me to this little room and I walked in and found this little gem. AWKWARD.

Of course, after my bitching about pain, the scan came back completely normal. Minus the fact that I have slight follicles growing on my ovaries. Which I guess is very normal in most women.

I went home. That's it. Didn't need surgery to have my appendix ripped from my body. Didn't need any meds for my follicle growing ovaries. I am just a huge baby. All in all, I tortured myself on my day off. And then due to ingesting so much contrast had to take the next day off of work because I couldn't stop running to the bathroom.

Lovely.

And on a much more chipper note, my brother made a decision in his career path. He has decided to enlist in the Army. He has been talking about serving this great country for many months now and was just trying to decide what branch would be best for him.

On 2-4-13 he went to Syracuse to complete his MEPS and take his physical. It's a 2 day process. And yesterday he was sworn in.

He will leave August 6th for basic and then he will find out where he will be stationed after that. He asked to be as close to NY as possible, but we all know wherever the Army needs him, that's where he will end up.
I am incredibly proud to say that my brother will be serving our country. It takes a lot of courage to step up and be a man in this degree. Not everyone can go out and fight the fight.

I would be lying if I didn't say I was beyond scared too. He is my baby brother. He is the same kid that loved to watch Rosie O'Donnell with my mom as a kid (and posed as Tom Cruise), he is the same kid that beat up a boy in my neighborhood for not being nice to his big sister (mind you, he was probably 6 and the guy was 12), he is the same brother that drove his tricycle off the front porch and cut his head, he is the same brother  that over the years I have become very protective of. And to know, that I can't protect him when he is serving is gut wrenching. I've cried, multiple times. I know he will do great and he will be fine, but just thinking of him growing up and being an adult is so overwhelming. I just want him to be safe & I want the best for him.

 So, that's been my weekend. Toodles, bitches.

The National Anthem is not just a song....

A friend of mine posted the following status this evening...

" Why do ppl cry when someone sings the national anthem?"

My response was, "Because America is great."

And their reponse, "Not really... it's just a song."

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion & I guess I could see why some may think this way. However, it made me want to write about the song and what this country means to me. I am not big on the Super Bowl, or other sporting events, but when I hear our national anthem being sang or played, I stand up, remove any hats, and put my hand over my heart & Thank God to be an American. I am so blessed to be a citizen of this amazing country.

To me, the national anthem is NOT just a song. It's a tribute to our service men and women- past, present, and future. It's a tribute to the wars we fought - civil and foreign. It's a tribute to the American citizens themselves. What makes this country so great is our foundation. And the National Anthem is a huge part of our foundation. I may not always get teary eyed, but for the few minutes that the song is sang and played, I take a moment to reflect on how great life is. It's a reminder that I should not be selfish in life. Someone out there may not have it as easy as I. It's a reminder that their are great men and women serving for my freedoms.

I may not always agree or love my government, but I can assure you, the love for my country is unwavering and true. I may not serve in the military but I defend my country on a day to day basis. I make my opinions known. I stand by my constitution (as we all well know my thoughts on the 2nd Amendment & the recent infringements upon it).

O say can you see by the dawn's early light,

What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming,

Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,

O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming?

And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,

Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there;

O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave,

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

I am a big FAT cheater!!!

My dieting has been HORRIBLE these last couple of days.
I have pretty much eaten whatever I felt like. I mean, I haven't gone crazy or anything.
But I would be lying if I said I didn't eat a couple of double stuffed EL Fudge cookies at my sisters yesterday.
I also ate PF Changs for lunch. I mean, I had vegetable lo mein... so, that has to give me some credit of trying.
Then Joe & I went to Grinnells last night. I had a drink. Well, a drink and a half. And they were STRONG. I couldn't drive myself home. I think Mr. Grinnell asked them to make them potent to make up for not realizing who I was. I had a beer battered fish fry with french fries for dinner. FRIED FRIED & MORE FRIED.

I know everyone falls off the beaten path. But jesus.
And, to make matters worse, the gym closes @ 9 on the weekends and I work until 8pm. So, I can only get a quick 10-15 minute run in before I have to head out. And that's IF I even get out of work on time.

So basically, I suck. Oh well.
I will get more serious again come Monday.

My fur kid got his teeth cleaned. I feel so bad for him. That breathing tube ruined his throat. He can't stop coughing. Poor guy. But otherwise, he is all cleaned up and healthy. They didn't have to pull any teefers!!! woo!

And I think that's about it.

BYEEE!

Mamas got a brand new job!!

This post is about to be all over the place.

I'll start with my most exciting news. Last Monday, minutes before my job interview I was sitting in my car, panicking. Normally, I have this attitude before an interview that's all like "I'm too good for this job, I am just headed here to see if it's right for me." Yep. I am that cocky asshole. And to be honest, over the years, that attitude of walking in there, confident in what I can bring to the table has never once failed me. 

But for some reason, maybe it was the fact that our job market sucks donkey dick, or that I haven't had to interview in 3+ years, I was flipping nervous. Whateve. Still went in there & did my best. Didn't hear anything for a week and thought for sure I probably wouldn't hear anything at all. Until I found out they were doing a background check. Who does a background check if they're not interested? So, I was hopeful but still not sure. 

Me, minutes before my interview. NERVES. 

& yesterday I got the job. So I start in 2 weeks and I hope I like it. Word spread really fast at my current job so I am glad I told management first. Otherwise, I am sure they would have heard it elsewhere. And everyone seems to think I quit. I didn't quit my current job. I just dropped down to per-diem. The money here is great & I have worked with a lot of these people for 5+ years. No way was I ready to give up this job. At least not yet. Maybe when I start poppin' out mini me's or something. 

Me, after I got the job. STELLAR. 

Workouts have been fun. I am enjoying the gym more and more everyday. Yesterday I saw these really cute bikini bottoms online & I ordered them. My ass has to be in pristine shape to wear them, so hopefully all those stairs on the stair master will sculpt my precious bum to look like Adriana Lima's. Yah get me??? 

Also purchased the UP from Jawbone to assist my ass into reminding me to MOVE my body. Not just at the gym but throughout the day. It's a glorified pedometer and then some. It tracks your sleep patterns, your workouts and movement and you can also log your food intake. Currently, I have been calorie counting, so it's helpful. The battery last 10 days, which is insane. Thus far, I think the $130 I spent on it was worth it. I'll let yah know if I change my mind. 

And now, I am going to spend my work day flipping through a jewelry catalog to pick out stones and such for my wedding jewels. My Dad's fiance, Lisa, will be making the wedding day jewelry. And this book is at least 1,000 pages. OMG. 

Mmk. Have a nice day, friends! 

The Stair Master is my BITCH

I had a day off today from work, which was nice. But, I hardly had any errands to run. This makes sticking to eating clean incredibly difficult. 

Do you know what it's like to sit at home, watching Snooki & JWoww and Teen Mom 2 reruns with NO SNACKING?! It's pretty much harder than climbing a mountain. All I want to do is eat chips. Or something else that is salty and crunchy. Mmmm. 

I ate cashews. Just a 1/4 cup. I controlled myself. But it was hard. 

I left the house around 2 to make it to the vet in time. Charley is terrified of the vet. Probably because that's the place that lopped his balls off. Poor guy. The minute we pull in he gets the shakes. He looks like he is having a seizure when we walk in and everyone does the "Aweeeee, poor baby" line. & today was just like any other visit. He crapped himself when the doctor tried to touch him. He also tried to bite him this time while he was trimming his nails. Luckily for me, this time, my body missed his claws & I left the vet with no scratches or battle wounds. 

I made him an appointment to get his teeth cleaned next Friday on my day off. I have to drop him off. Then he will be put to sleep so they can clean all the tartar off his teeth. I never knew doggie dental hygiene was so important until I was reading an AKC magazine. So, I immediately had the vet look at his teeth. He said they're ok but they should be cleaned and then kept up on. So, what baby needs/wants, baby gets. 

Afterwards, I ran to the dry cleaners & to the Vitamin Shop to get some Quest protein bars. I only like ONE flavor. Chocolate brownie. Seeing how REAL Betty Crocker brownies are a no no right now, these are actually a great substitute. I'll take it. 

Hung out at my Mom's after that until Joey got out of work. 

We went to the gym afterwards & I got a great cardio work out in. This was the first day I enjoyed sweating. Normally, I am repulsed by sweating. Today I felt like I was accomplishing something. Maybe it's because I haven't gone the last two days. I also made the stair master my bitch. The first time I did this thing, I got to 15 floors and I was about to DIE. I seriously was out of breath and it was just ugly. Today I did 37 floors in 10 minutes and I probably could have kept going but my goal was to burn 100 calories. So when I hit 100 calories I stopped. Don't get me wrong, I was pooped but I could have made it to at least 40. Next time! 

The Stair Master of Death

After the gym I ran to Wegmans and grabbed some sushi. California Rolls. I am not a Sushi eater. I actually went to get asparagus but decided I didn't REALLY want to wait the 25 minutes it takes to oven roast it. My eyes met the sushi and also realized it was only 200 calories for that whole thing & decided I would give it a shot. I loved it. Couldn't finish it, but yum. And it's good for you. I think. 

& to end the night, I got my mail & my new 1st Freedoms magazine from the NRA came today. Can't wait to read through it & read all the articles about these bullshit regulations that just were put in place. 

Merp. The End. Nighty Night. 

Sunday Funday & Wedding Stuff

I had today off, finally, with Joey. We don't get many days off together. My schedule is all over the place. 

We woke up & picked up the house. Sort of. 

Then I laid in bed, while we worked at our wedding budget, ordered wedding favors (which are cute, but I dont want to share because I don't want our guest to read this & see what we did), and played some potential wedding songs. 

See a lot of couples have songs from when they were dating that has always reminded them of their S.O. Well, mine & Joe's "song" isn't really acceptable for our first dance at our wedding. 

You see, the problem with our song is that it's not a nice song. It's Phil Collins In the Air Tonight. 

Have you ever  googled those lyrics? 

Here's a snippet. 

Well if you told me you were drowning, I would not lend a hand 
I've seen your face before my friend, but I don't know if you know who I am 
Well I was there and I saw what you did, I saw it with my own two eyes 
So you can wipe off that grin, I know where you've been 
It's all been a pack of lies 

They're not your ideal lyrics for lovey dovey first dance tunes. Fail. 

Joe thought he was being sweet one day by telling me every time he heard that song, he thought of me. 

It sounds like a great song. But no no no. It's not. 

He would really like to dance to that song because in reality it is our song & it makes us laugh thinking about the time he was being cute & romantical but didn't understand that the song actually all about how this chick is a liar and a horrible person. haha. 

So the hunt is still on to find the perfect first dance song. Something that I hope to dance with him to every year on April 6th. 

We have 2 months to find one. 

Hopefully we come up with something. 

Then we met our wedding officiant. She was fan-freakin-tastic. She brought several examples of ceremonies, along with a whole binder full of bits and pieces that we could select from to "build" the ceremony tailored to what Joe and I would like. We were with her for just shy of 2 hours. She asked us several questions to get to know us. I know, you're probably reading & thinking "2 hours to talk to a Revrand." But, in all honesty, she was great. I feel like she needed to ask all those things, hear our love story in order to give a great ceremony for us. She made me feel completely comfortable & I am sure Joe felt that same. 

Afterwards, we headed to the gym. I sucked balls with the running today. I had half a sandwich at Panera this evening and I felt like barfing it up, multiple times during my measly one mile run. I kept cramping. Which I can only assume was due to the fact that I probably didn't hydrate myself enough. Afterwards, I did a leg work out. Feeling pretty sore. I feel good. 

Now Joe & I are relaxing while rooting for the Patriots to win. I could care less about football but my baby brother LOVES the Pats, so by default my teams are the Bills and the Patriots! This is one time I dont have my own opinion. haha. We'll let that slide. 

Until next time. Maybe tomorrow I will have some good news to share. If not, hopefully soon!