So Angry

Urrrggggg!!!! I just typed a really long update here and I went to go post it and boom it was gone, so fustrating!
So to steal a phrase from my brother "So Angry!"

Now to decide if everything I just typed is really worth retyping........

Craft Project and Cookies

I got one of my craft projects done. I got the idea from a magazine called Craft'n Things. I took the idea and twicked it a bit for my liking and to make it a bit cheaper. Their instructions said to use chip board for the hearts and letters, but that was more expensive than I wanted, so I used form board and cut it with an knife- with no cuts to my fingers. I really like how it turned out and have it hanging on the mirror above the fireplace.

Yesterday in looking for recipe ideas for this week's menu I came across a cookie recipe that I haven't made in about a year so I thought I would make it again. I originally got this recipe at Starbuck's Cafe. I made them this evening and they were as yummy as I remembered so I thought I would share.

Outrageous Oatmeal Cookie

1 1/2 cup old fashioned rolled oats (not quick cooking)

1/2 cup all purpose flour

1/4 cup dark raisins

1/4 cup golden raisins

1/4 cup dried cranberries

1/4 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

6 tbsp unsalted butter, room temp

1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar (I just use what I have on hand)

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 large egg

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

4 tbsp dark raisins for topping (I skip this part)

4 tbsp golden raisins for topping (I skip this part)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Blend together oats, flour, raisins, cranberries, baking powder, baking soda and salt, set aside. Beat butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Add egg, cinnamon and vanilla; beat until combined. Gradually add oat mixture; beat until combined. Combine raisins for topping in seperate bowl and set aside. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls, 2 inches apart, onto two baking sheets. Place 1 mounded teaspoon of raisins on top of dough. Bake until cookies are golden brown but still soft, 12 to 16 minutes. Cool 5 minutes on sheets; transfer cookies to wire rack to cool completely.

Enjoy!

Let me know if you try the cookies and what you think! Back to enjoying the superbowl commercials :).

work

I have completed two weeks of training at work. I know a lot of information about accidental death and dismemberment insurance and how to help the credit union members who have it when they call in, well at least I hope I do. I have felt like I was back in school. I think I understand what I am doing and one of the other girls in my class said she thought I knew what I was doing. We found out that we will start taking a few calls from actual members who need help, not just practice calls. I knew we would be out on the floor on February 14, so it came as a shock for Wednesday, I guess I am ready. I know that the first few will be nerve wrecking but I think I can do it. I am just really praying that this turns into a permanent job. I really don't want to have to go back to searching for a job in June ( I'm there till then).
I have been coming home tired in the evenings- mental- and by last night I was fried. I didn't want to even make dinner- it sounded like too much work. I would have loved ordering a pizza or even getting subs from sub city. That is not what happened however, we had dinner at home, I however had a ton of help from Ruben. It was a teaching opportunity. He made dinner and I told/showed him how to do it. It worked out well.
I don't know if I have a ton of energy today, there are several things that I would like to do today/this weekend. I am beginning to think that my list is too grand. I would like to get a haircut, work on the Christmas tree skirt, work on my model (yes, I said model. I started it last Friday night, its a 33' Ford. Russ and Ruben looked like they were having fun doing theirs that I wanted to try it.) and I want to do my valentine project- I got everthing for it, just need to do it, plus I need to go grocery shopping and make a menu for next week.
I guess I should get started :-)

Saturday Morning

This is the last weekend of "vacation." I get to start work on Monday. I am looking forward to it actually, while it would be nice to be a stay at home wife, I'd rather work now so when the day comes (not yet) I can stay home with my babies. To celebrate my new job I am going to buy a new lunch bag- you know like you do at the beginning of the school year. I can't tell you when the last time I actually had a lunch box. I used a gift bag for a long time so I think it is needed.

I have been working out. Today is my day off- basically because I would have to get up way too early to have alone time with the tv. I absolutely hate having people watch me work out. So one day off isn't going to hurt me. I am beginning to see a small difference. I will continue to workout and get in shape.



I am excited for this evening. Russ is taking me out on a date. It has been a very long time since we have gone on a date. I am not sure where we are going to eat or what we are going to do. But I am sure we are going to have a good time.



I am still working on Ruben's Christmas tree skirt and plan to work on it today. I am ready to be done with it and start a new project. Soon, hopefully soon.



I have trained my dog Attawolf in a way I am not sure was a good thing. Whenever I take him out to pee or poop when he comes in I give him a treat. Most of his treats are in an old cheese ball tub (the really big one from Sam's) and the tub sits on the floor in the dining room. Yesterday afternoon I took him outside and he didn't do anything except sniff around for squirrels and rabbits. It was very cold so we came in. He went right to his treat tub and sat there looking at it and then me. I preceeded to tell him that he didn't do anything out there why should he get a treat. However you cannot reason with a dog so I ended up giving him a treat. But I have trained him- outside and come in you get a treat. I guess it's not too bad if he actually takes care of business. I do love my puppy and I'll keep him anyways.

Time for coffee and cinnamon rolls.....

2011

I am not one for setting resolutions at the beginning of the year. Resolutions don't usually make it past a couple of weeks, if that long. So as I was thinking about the upcoming year I thought I would set some goals I would like to achieve by this time next year. In thinking about these goals there are some immediate type goals and some that are long range. So here it is......

1. Get in shape and lose 30 pounds. Now I know that this is a typical new years resolution and from all the diet plan commericals most people choose this and it doesn't last long. I started working out this morning and my body is already sore, but in a great way. Yes, I want to lose some weight, but more importantly I want to be in shape, I want to be healthy.
2. Buy our first home. We are in the process of getting ready to start this. Now that we have jobs and have pay checks coming in we will be able to get a mortage. Funny how the bank won't give you money to buy a house without a steady income to pay for it. We have looked a little bit and will continue to look. Praying that at the right time God will bring the right house to us at a price we can afford.
3. Encourage my creative side. I found this really cool magazine at the library last week. I think it was called Craft 'N Things. I brought a few home and got some really good ideas of things I want to create. So I want to do at least one craft project a month. I already now what I am going to be doing in January. ( Right now I am finishing an embroidered Christmas tree skirt for Ruben- it was something Mom had gotten for Ruben and so I am completing it and have enjoyed it. I will try to post a couple of pictures when it is done.) But my idea for January is some valentine's decoration. I will try to post pictures of that too.
4. Cook more- okay it's not that I don't make dinner every night cuz I do. I enjoy cooking and feeding my family, both meals and baking sweets. This goal is more in trying new recipes. I would like to try a new recipe once every two weeks or ideally every week. I have some tried and true favorites, but would love to find some more that will fit that catergory.
5. Read more. I thoroughly enjoy going to the library and getting books to read. I usually find and check out too many than I can read in 2 weeks. Either that or I need to find more time to read.
6. Blog more. It's been a while since my last post- enough said.

That's all I can think of at the moment, it seems like a long enough list for now. I just hope that my readers- like all 2 of you, check up on me and see if I am achieving my goals. I am looking forward to this coming new year and all that God has planned for me.

much needed motivation

I need to start working out, I want to lose some weight and more importantly get in shape. I have great desires and clothes that are waiting for me to be able to wear again, my only problem is a slight lack of motivation. You see over the last couple of years when I have been working out I always had a "reason"- a bridesmaid's dress to look hot in, not to look too fat standing next to my size 0 friends, lookin' smokin' in my own wedding dress. But you see now I do not have any of those motivators, and it is winter so out come the oversized sweaters and sweatshirts- no shorts, swimsuits or tiny clothes.
I need motivation- I have tried motivating myself. I have thought about working out a few times, a thought and a new jillian michaels dvd were as far as that went. I think part of my problem is that I don't really have a routine persay (hopefully that will change with a job.)
Its not that I don't want to work out- yeah it is never really fun and the first couple days are brutal. I am just having a hard time getting started. Maybe once I get started I will continue so that when those spring and summer clothes start coming out I will be ready for them.
I just need that extra push to put my shoes on, push play on the dvd, sweat a bit and being to feel better about myself. I have a goal, I know how much weight I would like to lose, and I know it doesn't come off overnight. But it won't start dropping if I don't start moving.
So maybe this is my plea for that push of motivation....

Going Home Again

Yesterday we came back to Cleveland for a wedding reception for some special friends who got married a little bit after us. When we got off of 80 I had this feeling of being at home. I have come back to the familar, some where that I called home for the last 8 years. I am looking forward to seeing lots of people- I have been thinking about everyone I need to see so that I don't leave anyone out. I am also really looking forward to going to church on Sunday. I have missed Valley View Village Church and the people there.
And while this feels like home that does not mean that I'm moving back- in case you were wondering and/or hoping. My home now is with my husband and we have decided to make Iowa our home.
So the next few days will be very busy seeing lots of people and of course a day of football and I'm sure a couple of late nights playing dutch blitz. I can't wait!!!!!!