My Dog Ate My Computer

Ok, so my dog didn't really eat my computer.  Actually, I don't even have a dog, truth be told.  But, I do have two little troublemakers around the house... All right, it wasn't their faults, either.  I don't know what happened, other than my laptop is now over 5.5 yrs old.  It went pop! and now it no longer turns on.  My nephew mentioned something about something liquifying...you get the picture.

So...I went online and purchased another laptop.  Not the Apple I originally wanted, but another Toshiba because that's what my old one was and let's face it:  people avoid change if it can be helped.  On the upside, I customized it & got a terrific Mother's Day discount of $265 (plus another discount of $150), so I hope I like what I get!  Actually, I couldn't get a Mac b/c they don't work with Quickbooks Payroll yet, according to the Apple Store Techies, and I need that function for Hub's business. 

Long story short, it might be another week or two before I really get started blogging again.  I had all these great catch-up blog post plans, that simply must be postponed. 

In the mean time, maybe I'll get around to--you know--cleaning my house? 

Funny Road Signs

I've been meaning to post these photos for weeks...almost months now.  They have cracked me up repeatedly on my drive to school/work every day.  Oh...and while taking these photos, I've realized just how important a law against "driver photography" is...

Southern Indiana...Home of the LOUISVILLE Cardinals

Yes, I'm a Cardinal because I attend the university.  However, U of L appears to be laying claim on all of S. Indiana now.  So, can we all claim random areas of the country to be our "second," "third," or "forth" home?

Maybe the lack of sleep was catching up with me, but I couldn't stop laughing at this.  No, not becaue the front side is so funny...

Scroll a little further...

 

It's because the back side looks like she is losing her brains :)  Was this planned by competing hospitals? 

I know, not the most exciting, but that's how I roll.  Really. 

Oh, and I made it over to the Knit Nook today.  I spent $28, but I got a lot of supplies.  I don't know if I need/will need what I got, but I figured it was all 80%, so why not get it, just in case?  ;-) 

Oh, and now that I've broken out the wallet at the knitting store, I have the sudden urge to do other shopping.  I want to go shoe shopping, so I'd like to head to Zappo's soon.  I've never been there, but I've been wanting to go for years and years now.  Did I mention I'm an "all or nothing" kinda gal?  Once I start spending $, it becomes increasingly difficult to stop.  It's about time that phone rings with a job offer and a good paycheck :D

So are you "all or nothing" or "anything/everything in between"?

And I Have Returned

Hello, hello!  I know--it's been a while!  I am ecstatic to report that I have finished all of the classes for my Master's of English, and I only have my culminating project to complete this summer.  (Is it wrong to admit I had this sudden urge to say, "Forget the project!" and just give up?--Weird, I know!) 

Anyway, I spent yesterday cleaning.  And cleaning.  Lesson learned for this week:  don't let an entire semester go by without cleaning your daughters' room.  I never actually got around to dusting; I just spent three hours digging out toys, trash, and dirty laundry.  I now know my children are the actual Sock Monsters. 

To start the first blog of freedom, I'm going to post my meal plans for the week (well, probably next week, but I'm going to the grocery store today):

Chicken Rollatini w/ Spinach all Parmigiana

Thai Coconut Curry Shrimp

(look how daring I am--never had Thai food before!)

Turkey Chili Taco Soup 

Of course, this is only if the store has the right ingredients.  I don't have time to make it over to Whole Foods today, but I plan on going next week.  I think it's been 4-5 months since I was able to walk leasurely through the store and sample delectible bites...mmmm

Other plans for this Derby week/end: 

• Clean my house while Lovely has a friend over to play today
• Finish a "fact-checking" side job (on a manuscript for publication)
• Attend a Mother's Day tea at Lovely's school, where we are to dress "fancy" and be introduced to the rest of the class.
• Hit up the Knit Nook for their inventory blowout sale
• Possibly go to an end-of-the semester party at a co-worker's (although I usually leave really early, so we're only talking 1-2 hours)
• Visit the mothers for Mother's Day.  Hope my girls remember I'm a mother, too.

What are your plans?

If I don't write again soon, Happy Mother's Day!

I'll Be Back, I Promise

Hello, fellow craft/cooking/educating/mothering enthusiasts!  I'm sorry I've been away for so long, and I'm sorry this is going to be such a boring post, but I have until May 2 to submit all of my papers for my final four courses of my college career (and some are due on the 28th & 29th).  Needless to say, I'm STRESSED.  Like, super stressed.  I can't make sense of my thoughts, and every time I think I do, they slip through my fingers and I'm left with new thoughts.  I can't believe my favorite paper from the semester is the first one I wrote--am I regressing in school instead of progressing? 

When I do return to my blog, I have sooo many pictures of kids, food, and who-knows-what-else to share!  It was my birthday last week, Easter this week, and it will be Snugglebug's birthday on Thursday.  I have yet to buy the ingredients for her frog cupcakes--or her present, for that matter.  I feel like such a bad mom, but I know this is almost over and then I'll have loads of time with the girls--or at least, that's the plan.  I do plan on cleaning, too.  I've been in people's houses where I thought, "Ewwww," and my house has far surpassed that "Ewwww" rating to an, "Ughh!  I can't believe humans inhabit this dwelling without contracting some funky neon glow from what is sitting around."  Yes, it's that bad.  I'm admitting it.

See you all after May 2nd, so long as I don't begin glowing in the interim. 

La Rosita...and Blooms

We tried a new restaurant this weekend:  La Rosita on Pearl Street in New Albany.  We are usually pretty hesitant about trying something new because a) our kids are so picky and b) we have kids :-P

To sum up our visit:

Final Grade: B+

Pros:  Easy parking, lots of tables, nice atmosphere (March Madness is happening, you know!), quick service, distinct Mexican flavor

Cons:  Music was a little loud (mariachi sound system), more expensive than other Mexican food we've eaten, husband didn't care for all of the distinct flavors, chips & salsa cost $

However, look at the four choices of salsa you get from your $2.50 (in four squeeze bottles):  from top left, clockwise:  spicey, tomato (more than just tomato paste), mild (smokey chipotle flavor), and guacamole (my favorite!)

I had to try one of their famous HUGE quesadillas.  HUGE isn't a big enough word to cover my steak, chicken, cheese, sour cream, and lettuce quesadilla.  This was vonderful!

Taco kid's meal Snugglebug didn't like because "it SMELLED."  Speaking of Snugglebug, here's the first funny joke she's really told:  Knock-knock.  Who's there?  Piggy.  Piggy who?  Piggy your nose!
She was rolling!

Open floor plan of the restaurant

Ok, I know this is a different subject, but I walked out of work today and saw these blossoms on the tree in front of the library--blossoms that weren't there a week ago.  I couldnt't resist taking a picture.

 

Have you noticed the blossoms yet?

On the Menu

Monday Night Menu: Gina's Pork Chops with Dijon Herb Sauce and Baked Seasoned Fries (and frozen corn on the cob and chocolate pudding)
I used to cook.  I really did.  Promise.  Past posts (very past) will testify to that.  So although I learned I was really out of practice, tonight was a nice cooking experience that reminded me...I secretly enjoy cooking (just not the mess..hint, hint, Hubby Dearest).

With cooking memories in mind, I decided to focus this post on my all-time favorite cooking blog: Ginna's Skinny Recipes. She create the blog for those following the Weight Watcher's points systems (both old and new). The idea was to give powerful flavor to low fat/calorie dishes so people losing weight would actually enjoy their new way of life.


Ok. With that said, I am not on Weight Watchers (although I probably should be), but I still love these recipes! That's how you know a good cooking blog--even when it's diet, it's still super tasty! Hubby likes the recipes as well, and the girls usually do, even though they are extremely picky eaters. (HOW I have a child who doesn't like much cheese or ketchup, I'll NEVER know)



Yummy! The above is my version of the pork chops that really boiled instead of fried, but I was ok with that--they were still tasty and are now one of Snugglebug's favorite dishes! She ate 2.5 pork chops! These are thinner than Gina's, so I reduced cooking time slightly.  I'm also not a fan of the texture of onions, so I scraped mine off onto Hubby's plate :)

Of all things not to have on hand, I was missing oregano! I couldn't believe it. But, I found some pizza seasoning and used that instead. I didn't have the Greek yogurt for the garlic aioli that goes with these, either, so ketchup had to suffice!

What's for dinner at your house?

Beautiful Weekend Glimpses

BeAuTiFuL WeeKeNd gLiMpSeS

Take two.  I wrote this post once, but my internet wants to mess with my mind.  Hey, I think everything wants to mess with my mind lately!



This was a start.  No, it is a start.  Not much, not huge, but I need to get up and move instead of being stuck in front of this computer screen all day. 

I walked into my mom's house yesterday and found huge piles of "stuff" that was my grandmothers.  Knowing I wouldn't be able to deter the immediate urge to rifle through all the things I remember from my childhood.  This old Bible is one of my favorite finds, complete with beautiful black and white drawing of various scenes.

There were a lot of glass pieces in boxes.  I never used to like this style, but I'm diggin' this piece.

Anyone whose known me over the years knows my passion for music boxes and decorated boxes.  This piece immediately caught my attention and my love.

What beautiful glimpses did you have this weekend?