Thursday, January 29, 2009

Crazy Weather

OMG, Tuesday was crazy with the weather here. Now that it has cleared up, it is almost like it never happened.....

Anyway, recap of the day. Kurt and I both had to drive to work, as we had court hearings in Detroit and Ann Arbor. Kurt had court at 830 in Detroit, I had court at 1000 in Ann Arbor. We left the house super early in order to try to get to the office by 800. The roads were HORRIBLE. It was like none of the cities plowed roads. Even I-75 was not salted or plowed. Then, there were multi-accidents on the highway, cars galore off the side of the road. Stopped traffic. We finally got to the office at like 850 or so. Kurt left immediately, and I called all the courts to tell them Kurt would be late (which they understood with the roads). Jessica got to the office and was coming with me, so we left around 900. It usually take me about 30 minutes to get to Ann Arbor. We got there at 1010. My clients were not there, but neither was the trustee. Normally, a 1000 bankruptcy hearing means I will be out of there by, at the latest, 1030. We left there at like 1140 because the trustee was so late. In the meantime, I found out that kurt did not get to Detroit until 950 (slightly late for his 830 hearing, LOL). Jessica and I left and went to get on the highway. To stopped traffic. A guy came up to our car and told us he had been sitting there for 2.5 hours already. So, Jessica and I backed up the ramp. Yea, first I have ever done that. We ended up using her GPS to find another highway, and get back to the office. At like 150. What a day. Kurt finally got back to the office at like 210. The weather and roads were just insane. I am glad to have that day over with, for driving anyway. I almost got into an accident like 10 times.

Went and got a massage on Monday night. My back has been KILLING me, as I think I pinched a nerve or muscle or something. She worked on me and I feel slightly better, but I am really screwed up and need more than one session, I think. She said that basically, in between my ribs, my muscles are all knotted up in a TON of knots. Nice. I have no idea how I did that. My body gets so screwed up from stress, AARGH.

My Sephora order came today! Yay! And Kory put our mailbox up, so no more fighting with the stupid post office.

Filed a ton of bankruptcies today, which was nice. When I started filing, I got one of our fav trustees, so I just kept filing. Yay!

Weirdly, we have worked so much this week, I don't really remember if anything elses exciting has happened!

Today is my Grama's 83rd bday though! Happy Birthday grama! We are going to dinner on Saturday night to celebrate........

Monday, January 26, 2009

9 Layers

I copyied this from Sarah. :). Fill it out and put it on YOUR blog now. :).

LAYER ONE:
-- Name: Lori
-- Birth date: May 17
-- Birthplace: Alma, MI
-- Current Location: newport, MI, on my couch
-- Eye Color: Green
-- Hair Color: Blonde with blonde and strawberry blonde highlights
-- Height: 5'8
-- Righty or Lefty: Righty
-- Zodiac Sign: Taurus

LAYER TWO:
-- Your heritage: mostly polish and german
-- Your weakness: beauty products
-- Your fears: death
-- Your perfect pizza: cheese and crab, cajun crust
-- Goal you'd like to achieve: retirement soon

LAYER THREE:
-- Your first waking thoughts: Ugh, don't wanna get up....
-- Your best physical feature: Smile.
-- Your most missed memory: summers with my family at the lake

LAYER FOUR:
-- Pepsi or Coke: Coke. if specfic, Diet Cherry Coke.
-- McDonald's or Burger King: McDonald's.
-- Single or group dates: Single
-- Adidas or Nike: Adidas
-- Lipton Ice Tea or Nestea: Neither, I tea is yucky
-- Chocolate or vanilla: Vanilla
-- Cappuccino or coffee: Cappuccino

LAYER FIVE:
-- Smoke: never
-- Cuss: sometimes
-- Sing: I love to!
-- Take a shower everyday: Yeppers.
-- Do you think you've been in love: Yeppers
-- Want to go to college: Heck no.
-- Liked high school: Loved it.
-- Want to get married: I am, and love it.
-- Believe in yourself: Yeppers
-- Get motion sickness: Nope
-- Think you're attractive: Sure
-- Think you're a health freak: not really
-- Get along with your parent(s): Yes. I love them both.
-- Like thunderstorms: Love them when I am at home watching.
-- Play an instrument: I can, but have not in some time.

LAYER SIX:
In the past month...
-- Drank alcohol: Hmm. Let me think....I dont think so
-- Smoked: No.
-- Done a drug: Nope.
-- Made Out: If you want to call it that....
-- Gone on a date: yeppers
-- Gone to the mall?: Yep.
-- Eaten an entire box of Oreos?: No.
-- Eaten sushi: Yes. Yum.
-- Been on stage: Nope.
-- Been dumped: Nope.
-- Gone skating: No.
-- Made homemade cookies: Yes. I made peanut butter cookies for Britton. LOL.
-- Gone skinny dipping: No.
-- Dyed your hair: Yep, just this past weekend.
-- Stolen Anything: Nope.

LAYER SEVEN:
Ever...
-- Played a game that required removal of clothing: yeppers
-- Been trashed or extremely intoxicated: yeppers
-- Been caught "doing something": depends on what something is.
-- Been called a tease: I dont think so.
-- Gotten beaten up: Nope.
-- Shoplifted: I plead the fifth.
-- Changed who you were to fit in: a little bit, but never would now.

LAYER EIGHT:
-- Age you hope to be married: i was 24
-- Numbers and Names of Children: No idea. Right now, I like the names Elle and Luke. But this changes yearly.
-- Describe your Dream Wedding: Borneo. at a monkey sanctuary.
-- How do you want to die: In my sleep.
-- Where you want to go to college: I don't.
-- What do you want to be when you grow up: Retired
-- What country would you most like to visit: Lots. Tops are Borneo, Africa.

LAYER NINE:
-- Number of illegal drugs taken: 0
-- Number of people I could trust with my life: prob about 7
-- Number of CDs that I own: geez, no idea.
-- Number of piercings: 2, but in the past, I had four more.
-- Number of tattoos: 0.
-- Number of times my name has appeared in the newspaper?: Gosh no clue. A lot.
-- Number of scars on my body: no idea.
-- Number of things in my past that I regret: not very many

Sunday, January 25, 2009

The Post Office Is Evil

Started finally typing out some info for the firm website we are putting together. I have to draft info for the front page, atty page, staff page, areas of law page, etc. I never have time to even think about stuff like that, so I made myself tonight. I am not using it as a means to get more clients, although I won't complain if it results in that. It is more just to have a presence in the web for our current clients to see. I need to take pics of everyone at the office for the site as well, so hopefully I remember my camera tomorrow.

Worked most of the day today, which while evil, was necessary. Kurt had to work on some tax stuff, and I got a bunch of family law and bankruptcy stuff drafted.

Had leftover ziti tonight, YUM, and I made an apple cake that I got from Tastefully Simple a while back. It was pretty good, but now that I am cooking more from scratch, boxed stuff is not impressing me as much (see Rachael, I am being spoiled with home cooking, you were right).

BTW, I got so pissed the other day at the post office. A snow plow hit our mailbox a little while back, so the post office has had to hold our office. This happens every year to us. Either a drunk driver, someone sliding on the ice, a plow, etc. Anyway, kory has been stopping to pick up our mail, and they are rude to him every time he goes in there. They harass him about when we will be putting our mailbox back up, and so on. Which is ridiculous since it has not been above like 18 degrees and has been as low as negative 15 since the plow knocked it over. Of course, they are not annoyed with the city, they are annoyed with us. Like I asked for my mailbox to be knocked over. The ground is FROZEN. No idea how they expect us to fix that, but they do. So Friday, I went in to get the mail. The lady immediately says "Can we start delivery again?" To which I say "No, we do not have our box set up again yet". To which she states "You need to get that done..." To which I state "well, when it's not 5 degrees outside, I will, thanks." She then goes to get the mail and tells me that 30 days are up on 1-29. Apparently, there is a 30 day limit on this without additional permission by the post office. I tell her I was not aware of that, but will do something by then. She continues lecturing me, talking down to be, acting all condescending like. I finally say "Look. You should be mad at the city not at me. I really don't appreciate being harassed every time my family comes in here." She keeps lecturing. Finally, I can't take it anymore and say "You know, my tax dollars pay your salary and as a government employee, you are supposed to be nice to me." I then proceed to walk out the door and she is YELLING after me "You don't pay my salary! No you don't!" Duh lady. Of course I do. Federal government jobs are paid for by tax dollars. Is she stupid? I plan on making a complaint about this to the post office in DC, but have not had time to call yet. Kurt used to be a federal employee and that was one of the main things they were taught in training, they had to be nice to everyone, no matter what. I am not saying govvernment employees always are, but there is no need to be a condescending bitch because of my mail being held. It is not hurting her having it there, seriously. It's a very small office, so I imagine she is on a power trip being one of the only employees there.

Ugh.

I am so thankful my massage therapist moved my appointment to tomorrow for me. The pinched nerve in my back is getting worse and worse, and I need some help! Thanks, Crystal!!!

Saturday, January 24, 2009

Getting my Hair Did

It's nights like Thursday night that remind me why I wanted to be on the school board in the first place. We had our meeting at the high school Thursday. There was a basketball game going on, and at half time, there was a ceremony to honor a girl, who graduated in 1993, who was on the basketball team. She is battling breast cancer. I don't know the entire story, but from everyone's emotions, I think it is pretty advanced cancer. Before the game, the school hosted a spaghetti dinner to raise money for this girl and 550 people. That is insane. 550 people. I live in a small town. Everyone here is so dedicated to this school district and town and supports everyone so much. The ceremony was beautiful anad tearful, and what made it even more kewl was the fact that almost all of her basketball team was there to support her. Many of them live really far away and came. The gym was full, the entire school board was there. Anyway, it was really nice. We had a really nice meeting too. January is "board appreciation month", so Thursday before the meeting, we had a dinner, and were presented with kewl framed certificates from the governor, sweatshirts from the NJROTC, cookies from the pre-school, a gift card from the PTO and some other stuff. I always feel badly getting this stuff, because I don't want anyone to get me anything. I am on the board because I want to give back to the community and don't expect anything, but the stuff was very thoughful just the same.

Friday, we took Vito into work. He is so funny at the office. We call him the Office Greeter. Clients LOVE him. He was going into appointments with kurt, sitting on his lap, and woul fall asleep with head on the desk, and snore. He would also sit in the waiting area with the clients. At one point, Kurt walked into the reception area and a client had Vito on her chest and lap, was petting and kissing him, and reading her Judgment of Divorce. He had a burger for lunch, and was all around wonderful to have there. I wish I couldd bring him every day. Friday night, we had dinner at PFChang's in Dearborn (newly opened) with Tammy and Tom. We were celebrating Tom's new job (he was laid off from his old job). He was really lucky to find another job in his field with the way the economy is. Yay for him! Had a fabulous time, with awesome food. What sucked though was we had to go back to work after that to finish some bankruptcy filings that were due by midnight, that we had no time to do that day. We were at the office until about 1120 p.m. UGH. Got everything done though.

Today, I finally got to go to a hair appointment. I have moved it THREE TIMES. The first was scheduled for right before our trip, and I had to work. The second was moved because we were interviewing candidates for the office, and I had to be there. The third was moved because the roads were HORRIBLE here and in Ohio (where the salon is). Finally, a month late (I usually go every 3 months), I got there. WOO HOO. Got my brows waxed, hair colored and hair trimmed up. Had her put in more red highlights this time, although Kurt claims he still can't see the red. I notice though and like it. Got about an inch and a half cut off. Bought a new shampoo and conditioner as well, a new product at the salon called Aquage. I got the shampoo and conditioner.

Decided to make dinner tonight, and it turned out AWESOME. I was in the mood for Italian, so I looked up some recipes for baked ziti. The one I found was by Mario Batali, and it was easy and very yummy. I modified it slightly by using a bowtie pasta instead of ziti pasta. Also, I had no idea what "parmigiano reggiano" (now I am seeing it is simply parmesean) was, so I just used a mix I found at the grocery store of parmesean, romano and asiago. Could not find balsamella at the grocery store either, so I made my own! yes, you read that right, I made the sauce from scratch. I have seriously lost my mind. But, I actually enjoyed making my own sauce, and it tasted awesome combined with the tomato sauce in the recipe. The balsamella sauce I found was by Emeril. Anyway, it all turned out awesome. And even with Kory eating some, there is a ton of leftovers for another night. They said four servings, but I would say it's more like 6 or 8. A lot of food.

Went on Sephora's website this morning because I got an email that some products were way marked down, a sale. Which Sephora rarely has. So, of course, I ended up placing an order for things I don't need, but will use....here is what I got:

Stila Shine On Gift Of Glaze (I have always wanted to try Stila lip glosses, one of my nieces swears by their products...I love sets like this where to can sample products before buying full size ones)

DKNY Be Delicious Charmingly Delicious (have been wanting to try this scent forever, and now it's on clearance)

Sephora Body Wash Sampler Gift Set
Also, got free samples of Phyto Phytojoba Intense Hydrating Shampoo , Kenzo KenzoPower Eau de Toilette, Canali Canali Eau de Toilette, and Phyto Phytolisse Finishing Serum.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Fault

Everything is.

Breathe

Wow. Today was insanely busy. Busy to the point that I barely had time to BREATHE. So much going on, all at once. Kurt had court all morning. I had appointments all morning, with random people stopping in as well to just chat or to sign documents. Then, our computer guy stopped in to fix some things, so I had to talk to him too. All afternoon was pure insanity too, and that was with both Kurt and I there.

Had a personnel committe meeting tonight with the school board. It went well. I got there early, and the meeting was at the high school, so I stopped in to watch high school wrestling. There was a meet. I don't think I have ever seen wrestling live like that. It was interesting. I was thinking while there that I should learn that sport, it looks like a great way to let off some steam, LOL. I think the outfits are kinda ugly though.......:).

EVERYTHING is finally set up at the office. For the most part. I still want to get a new sign for the entry way, but the guy I contacted has not called back yet. Service people drive me bonkers. I have the two new guest chairs in my office, two new ones in Kurt's office, the new table in Jessica's office.......All computers hooked up and networking properly. Whoot.

Nothing much else going on. :). Hope everyone else is less busy and stressed than I am! :).

Monday, January 19, 2009

First Day

Read here

Martin Luther King Day--At Work


Worked a long day today, did not get home until like 745, UGH. Anyway, once I got home, for some reason, I felt like making dinner for Kurt, so I made two new recipes that I found online that were simple, but looked tasty.

Made these Cheddar Cheese Mashed Potaotes with a Bean and Cheese Burrito. I modified both recipes slightly. The potatoes I used a mexican blend of shredded cheese instead of the American/Cheddar suggested. I also accidedntally put in 3 TBSP of butter instead of 2. For the burrito, I used mexi cheese as well.

Anyway, Kurt loved both things, so they were a hit! :). Made myself some black bean burgers, and we are now chillin with I Survived on TV.

Day was crazy busy at the office. Jessica started today, and we were just really busy on top of starting to train her. We had a LOT of appoinments (with no court because of the holiday), and Kurt had a doctor's appointment, and Mondays are always crazy, so.....I was glad to stay a little bit late and make return phone calls. I just took the call list and went crazy. Practically nobody answered their phones, LOL, but at least I left messages and they can call me back tomorrow.

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Office Updates

So, the week stayed completely crazy busy, with me going to court 4 of 5 days, which is insane. I am usually in the office far more than I was this week. I actually kinda liked getting out of the office, but it is not good having both Kurt and I in court, because we come back to chaos in the office with the amount of mail, faxes and calls to go through. We are going into work tomorrow to try to catch up on some of that though.

So, since we have a new employee starting, we needed to prepare an office for her arrival. haha, it sounds like we are having a baby or something. Anyway, we bought paint on Friday. "Smokey Blue" is the name of it. Jessica told me her fav color is blue, and Kurt did not want the color to be the same as his office, which is kinda a dark blue, so I picked out a kinda gray-blue color. It turned out amazing. Love it. Fabulous color. Kory painted on Friday and it only took two coats, which rocks. We already had a desk in there, but that was about it after we cleared the entire room out. We had been using it as Kory's office/storage area. We moved all the file cabinets to the conference room, the frig to the conference room, and everything else that was in there, differnet odds and ends. So, our conference room (which we rarely actually use as a conference room) is now a conference room/file room.

So, Saturday, we finished up her office. We moved three pieces of art from the conference room and my office to her office. One is a kewl oil painting of the White House that I bought at an auction, one is a photograph taken that I bought at an art fair of the pillars at the Supreme Court, and another is a pic I bought online of the Supreme Court pillars that we had framed a while back. We left a spot for her degree. We then moved in a chair for her desk, and two chairs for clients to sit in. We moved these from my office and decided to buy me new stuff and give her mine. Whoot! I heart new stuff. We also moved the fake tree I had in my office into her office. We had a kewl burgundy chaise at the office that Kory has been using in his room to store junk on, so we took that from kory and brought it to the office and put it in Jessica's office. Bought her a computer today at Best Buy, and set that up. We bought a table (we only bought the one desk part in the linked pic) for her office at Art Van as well, for kinda behind where she sits, I guess like a credenza? I use the one in my office all the time for files. Oh, we also moved a bookcase from Kurt's office into her office, and filled it with books. I think that's about it. I should have taken before and after pics though, because the transformation is AMAZING. It looks incredible.

Then, we bought me a new chair for my desk, and well as two chairs for clients to sit in. The chair I bought for me is pretty kewl, as it is burgundy instead of black, and super comfy. The chairs for clients I found in the clearance room at Art Van, and we can't pick up until Tuesday. Once Kurt saw the deal I found, he decided that he wanted new client chairs too, so we found two for Kurt and bought those too. So now, we are giving Jessica's the chairs that were in Kurt's office and throwing away the other ones, as don't really like them. Bought a new computer for Kurt today too. His is old and SOOO slow and our computer guy basically said it would prob cost as much to bring Kurt's up to speed as it would to buy a new one, so I said screw it, we will just buy a new one. We have to pick that computer up tomorrow though, as it was the floor model (another good deal), and they had to take all their Best Buy software stuff off of it. Stopped at Michael's too, and picked up a picture frame for this kewl picture I bought of the Supreme Court justices a while back. Kurt put all that together and we hung it in my office. Love it. Stopped at a greenhouse as well, and bought a Peace Lily to take the place of the fake tree that had been in my office. We put it on a little table thing that had been in the conference room before. The clear mat near my desk that my chair was on had cracked some, so we bought a new one for me, as well as one for Kurt and jessica.

Now everything is about done. Kurt and I were really getting sick of shopping by the end of the day. The roads were bad, and it was kinda hard fitting this stuff in the Jeep that we were buying. During one ride, Kurt had to climb into the back of thte Jeep, and I could not see most of the windows and could barely shift. Which is SOOO safe with bad roads, let me tell you.

Glad to finally have all that done though. Even if we did not have a new employee starting, I am glad to have that office all done and professional looking. It needed it. We only have a few small things left to do in the office to having it up to where we want it. There are things we have been wanting to do for sooo long, and never have time to do so. We still don't have time, we are just being forced into it because someone new is starting, LOL.

Made tuna tacos for dinner today. YUM. Last night, Kurt, kory and I went to Pete's for dinner, and I felt like I have not been there in forever. It wasa fun. Had a tuna melt. Really good.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend! :).

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Alive

So, I did not want anyone to think I had died after my miserable post on Monday, so I am quickly dropping in tonight.

We have worked late, and gotten to work early, every single night this week. Ugh. I am exhausted. But, after the day of feeling miserable on Monday, I felt OK since. Something feels kinda off, but I am much better than Monday, thankfully. I am trying to figure out myself what is wrong with me. I think I might have heartburn. Lately, I have been waking up in the middle of the night with a burning sensation in my stomach that is HORRIBLE. I also read up a little bit on heartburn and some of the symptoms mirror things going on with me. So, a while back, I had a coupon for a free box of Prilosec, and I got it and never used it. I am now going to try it and see if it works. Also, I noticed that caffeine is an issue with heartburn, so I am going to try and cut that out too, although I need to wean myself off of it so I don't end up with migraines.

So, we started to work on the office this week and getting it ready for the new attorney. We totally cleaned out the back office, which Kory has been using. We moved all the file cabinets out of there and into the conference room. We then set up an area in there for Kory. We are going to paint the back office, and then decorate it. I have been wanting new seating for the reception area for a while. We decided to stop at Art Van and scour the clearance center hoping to get lucky, which I rarely do in there. I really had an idea of what I wanted and lo and behold, it was there! And cheaper than what I was finding online! Whoot! Bought a couch and a loveseat, as well as a mirror for my bedroom. I guess I scored in the clearance department. The stuff is going to be there tomorrow and Kurt and Kory will go back andd pick it up. Whoot.

Because I am falling asleep, I am going to sign off...........

Monday, January 12, 2009

Today Was Miserable

I have not felt well ALL DAY. Which sucks. I am almost afraid to eat, as my stomach starts hurting, but I don't want to get a headache from not eating. So, I ate really limited food. Of course, had no choice but to go to court today. We had 6 hearings at two different courts, so I had no choice. The hearings I did were pretty low key though, so it's OK and I was glad to not be running like Kurt was....He did 4, I did 2. He knew I felt horrible................

I was hoping to feel better as the day went on, but alas, different symptoms came. I felt kinda lightheaded and tired and had a slight headache. AARGH.

Still don't feel well, but I laid low tonight. I skipped the workout, and kinda sat on the couch and chilled with kurt and the pugs, watched TV, surfed the net.

I am exhausted, so I think I am going to head to bed....nothing exciting to post about today....BLAH.

Get well me!

Sunday, January 11, 2009

Shocker

Wow.

Busy Bee

So, I have been super busy this week. Work, combined with the interview process, has really worn me out. We worked late pretty much every day this week, including Friday night, which we never normally work late on. Ugh.

Had a massage on Wednesday night, which was nice and needed. I think my back and neck were screwed up even more than usual because of all the plane rides for our December trip.

Snowstorms started here on Friday, which screwed up some of my weekend plans. I had a hair appointment on Saturday, which was moved to Sunday, and I then moved totally to a new weekend because the roads are bad here and I have to drive to Toledo. Also had dinner plans on Saturday night to do sushi, and had to move those because of the roads here. So, on Saturday night, I made dinner at home, and made cookies. Britton wanted peanut butter cookies, after I started talking about them, so I made this recipe, which came out pretty good. :). Used the trusty Kitchenaid mixer, so the cookies took very little time to put together. Also, I made a new potato recipe for dinner for Kurt, which I served to him with sandwiches. The potatoes were yummy (I tried a bite, but was not hungry, so I did not eat very much of them and may have some leftover tonight). Anyway, this is going to sound odd, but making these potatoes was the first time ever that I peeled potatoes and mashed them! :). It is so easy to buy readymade or boxed potatoes, I have never wasted time peeling, boiling, mashing in the past. Well, I can see why people do it, because these were so much more yummy then boxed stuff. I made this recipe, for Baked Mashed Potatoes with Parmesan Cheese and Bread Crumbs, by Giada. Kory and Britton tell me that giada is "hot", but I do not watch any of the those cooking shows, so I will just take their word. They also think porn stars are hot though, so they may not have the best judgment in the world........Anyway, the recipe took a little bit of time, but moreso because of the potato peeling part. The Kitchenaid Mixer was AMAZING for mashing the potatoes well. I don't like lumpy potatoes, and it did an amazing job. I really wonder why I have not used this mixer up until this point. It rocks! I substituted cheddar cheese for the mozzarella (since I had no mozz), and used skim milk instead of whole milk. I also halved the recipe, and used yukon potatoes instead of russet (because that is what I had in the house). Anyway, really yummy recipe. It's an interesting variety for potatoes, and super yummy.

Am trying to do laundry right now because Kurt and I both don't have much to wear! Ugh. I hate laundry, especially putting it away. Need to head back there right now though.....

Oh, and I am super jealous of Rebecca right now! She flew to Miami today to board her cruise and nice weather. Yea, I pretty much do not like her right now! Bitch. haha. Have fun, Rebecca! I will forgive you assuming you take lots of pics for me.

Weekend Interviews

Check out the remainder of the interviews

and

The Chosen One

Friday, January 09, 2009

Thursday, January 08, 2009

Tuesday, January 06, 2009

Help Needed

Click here if you wanna help.

Back to the Grind

Wow. Monday was sooo hard for me! It is kinda, I guess, our first day back at the office for an entire work day, and then some since we worked late, since, hmmm.............12/12? We worked some half days after we got back from vacay, but that was about it. I think we are officially becoming lazy.....

Got home from work and was exhausted. Made Kurt and I dinner (leftovers for both of us), and proceeded to, after checking my email and stuff, fall asleep on the couch until bedtime. I guess I was tired? :). Did not workout, but whatever. Need a night off once in a while, and I figure, I should not work out if I am half asleep, it could be dangerous. Right?

I decided to donate some money, after returning from the Galapagos, to the Galapagos Research and Conservancy efforts. It's amazing what they are doing there to bring back species and the like that humans and global warming have messed up, and I want to help out with that. I have decided that I need to start finding charities that really "mean" something to me to donate to. I already donate to the local schools, but international things mean a lot to me too, since I plan on leaving the country one day.

Ordered some storage containers on eBay last night. I realize, with cooking more often, when we have leftovers, I have very few containers to put them in, with lids. I end up using mixing bowls and putting tin foil over the top, which is annoying and a waste. So, 100 piece set coming my way! Hopefully, the stuff is OK, but it's for storage, I don't need to spend a lot of money.

I just realized, in doing my year recap, that I have not posted a "Hot Topic" posting in a long time! I need to think some new ones up and post. I love reading everyone's responses to controversial topics. Any ideas for new ones?

Anyway, need to get back to work, but since I fell asleep before blogging last night.......

Sunday, January 04, 2009

Errands with my Boy

Kurt ran errands with me today! Hell has officially frozen over! haha, kidding, but normally, he does not run errands, and normally, I would rather run them myself because I like to browse at stores, and he is kinda an "in and out" shopper.

We ended up running quite few planned and unplanned errands. First stop, the tanning salon in Newport. Kurt has a really uneven tan, and wanted to even it out before court tomorrow. Cutting it close, but he went one time while I talked on the phone to my Aunt. He bought a one month package....They asked me if I wanted to tan too. Thanks, but no thanks. Headed to Taylor after that to Bed Bath and Beyond. I had a coupon that expires tomorrow that I wanted to use. I bought a garlic press, a mini food processor, a food scale, and a garlic storage container for the frig. I looked EVERYWHERE for a cheese knife, to no avail. I will continue to look. Went to Borders after that because Kurt wanted some books on Forex trading. He bought this and this. Of course, I ended up browsing the travel section (my obsession) and bought an Africa travel book, a book on the parks of Montana and Wyoming, and I found the unauthorized biography of Tom Cruise on a clearance rack so I decided to buy more smut and purchased it. Stopped at Kroger's for groceries afterwards and impressed Kurt with my mad coupon skillz, then headed home for the night.

Made ahi tuna tacos again, and a new chili cheese dip recipe. I kinda took this recipe and added my own twist to it. Used cheese, chili (vegetarian), diced jalapenos, garlic, and onion. Yummy! While cooking, I used all my new stuff too, and like it all. The garlic press worked well, the food processor is awesome and easy to clean, and the scale is awesome for measuring things out. Woo hoo!

Kurt spent the morning writing out his goals for the year, personal and financial. They are lofty, but I think we can make a lot of it happen. Or at least I hope so. I will elaborate more later......................

Saturday, January 03, 2009

Hunted

And, they strike again...

Happy New Year!

New Years Eve was perfect.

We closed the office at 1 p.m. That in itself made the day wonderful, LOL. Headed to Pier One to buy Kurt's Mom's Xmas gifts. Yes, I put off shopping until I am forced to purchase. Oddly, these were my first purchased Xmas gifts of the season! Bought her the softest red blanket I have ever felt, and a really kewl amber colored glass candle holder that is about 3-4 feet tall, then bought a matching candle to put on top of it. Got great deals on everything. Stopped at a Lazy Boy store that was going out of business to check out the deals, and yea, there were not any deals. Ended up buying a piece of artwork for the wall at the office. I would explain it, but it's too difficult. I will post a pic once we figure out where it is going. It was 50% off! Whoot.

After that, went to Kroger to buy supplies for my NYE dinner. Had an awesome dinner. I had ahi tuna tacos, and I made a black bean con queso dip. We bought dessert too, single slices of key line pie and oreo pie. Of course, way too much food. Ended up eating the tacos, but putting away all the dip after trying it. Ate the dessert later that night. Basically, we stayed in, played gin rummy, and did not leave the house. I had a fabulous time. :).

thursday, got up and went to Pinconning to vist kurt's Mom. Took her to lunch, then went to Kurt's sister's house (danielle), and visited with her and Jennah and Alex, our niece and nephew. We have not seen them in forever, so that was really nice. Exchanged gifts with Kurt's Mom, stopped at the cheese store to buy cheese for Aunt Karen and for our house, and headed home. Made the leftover dip for dinner (YUM), with one taco each.....I love my ahi tuna tacos. I did figure out in making the recipe though that I really need a garlic press. Emily recommended one, and when I get time, I will be running out to buy one. I also decided I want a very small food processor. Something low maintenance, and dishwasher safe, but will chop veggies for me easily. I swear, my cooking more, even though cheaper cuz we eat home, is becoming pricey with all the appliances and gadgets I want....haha.

Friday, we went into work, and totally did not want to be there. Suffered through half a day, and since it was fairly quiet, left Amanda there to man the phones and called it quits. Came home, and for the rest of the day, you guessed it. Did nothing. We are getting way too used to this. We need it though.......

Let's see, today is Saturday. I was woken up early to Kurt, telling me to get dressed because, yes, we have hunters on our property again. This is becoming really old, let me tell you. I am going to post more on the secret blog about this and will post a link later. Rest of the day, I did some laundry and chorelike stuff, and we went out for sushi, even though it felt weird going out for sushi on Saturday night, LOL. Wrong night! It was good though.

Happy New Year, everyone! :).

Movies and TV

A lot of bloggers seemed to post their book lists for the year. I have read some books, but nothing substantial, mostly for fun, and frankly, I usually read more on vacation because I simply do not have time during the week with work. (and I read so much at work, I really don't feel like coming home and picking up another book). Thus, I am going to list my TV and Movie list from Netflix! When I work out, running or biking or whatever, I watch movies on the DVD player that Kurt set up for me in the gym.

Here is what I have watched this year!

Gilmore Girls: Season 5: Disc 3
Gilmore Girls: Season 5: Disc 5
Gilmore Girls: Season 5: Disc 2
Gilmore Girls: Season 5: Disc 4
Gilmore Girls: Season 5: Disc 1
Gilmore Girls: Season 4: Disc 6
Gilmore Girls: Season 4: Disc 4
Gilmore Girls: Season 4: Disc 5
Gilmore Girls: Season 4: Disc 3
Gilmore Girls: Season 4: Disc 2
Gilmore Girls: Season 4: Disc 1
The L Word: Season 5: Disc 2
Gilmore Girls: Season 3: Disc 5
Gilmore Girls: Season 3: Disc 6
Gilmore Girls: Season 3: Disc 4
The L Word: Season 5: Disc 1
Gilmore Girls: Season 3: Disc 3
21 Jump Street: Season 4: Disc 4
Gilmore Girls: Season 3: Disc 1
Gilmore Girls: Season 2: Disc 6
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
Gilmore Girls: Season 2: Disc 5
Gilmore Girls: Season 2: Disc 4
Made of Honor
Gilmore Girls: Season 2: Disc 3
Gilmore Girls: Season 2: Disc 2
21
Gilmore Girls: Season 2: Disc 1
Sex and the City: The Movie
21 Jump Street: Season 4: Disc 3
Gilmore Girls: Season 1: Disc 6
Gilmore Girls: Season 1: Disc 5
Gilmore Girls: Season 1: Disc 4
Gilmore Girls: Season 1: Disc 3
Gilmore Girls: Season 1: Disc 2
Gilmore Girls: Season 1: Disc 1
Wedding Daze
21 Jump Street: Season 4: Disc 2
Twin Peaks: Season 1: Disc 1
Bring It On Again
21 Jump Street: Season 4: Disc 1
Cobb
But I'm a Cheerleader
Save the Last Dance 2

21 Jump Street: Season 3: Disc 6
21 Jump Street: Season 3: Disc 5
Definitely, Maybe
Weeds: Season 3: Disc 3
21 Jump Street: Season 3: Disc 4
Weeds: Season 3: Disc 1
Weeds: Season 3: Disc 2
Freeway
21 Jump Street: Season 3: Disc 3
Death of a Cheerleader
21 Jump Street: Season 3: Disc 2
Over Her Dead Body
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
27 Dresses

21 Jump Street: Season 3: Disc 1
Juno
21 Jump Street: Season 2: Disc 6
21 Jump Street: Season 2: Disc 5
21 Jump Street: Season 2: Disc 4
21 Jump Street: Season 2: Disc 3
No One Would Tell
For the Bible Tells Me So
Hate.com
21 Jump Street: Season 2: Disc 2
The Sopranos: Season 6: Part 2: Disc 4
21 Jump Street: Season 2: Disc 1
The Sopranos: Season 6: Part 2: Disc 3
21 Jump Street: Season 1: Disc 4
21 Jump Street: Season 1: Disc 3
The Sopranos: Season 6: Part 2: Disc 2
Promises
21 Jump Street: Season 1: Disc 2
21 Jump Street: Season 1: Disc 1
The Sopranos: Season 6: Part 1: Disc 4
Sex: The Annabel Chong Story
Soldiers in the Army of God

The Sopranos: Season 6: Part 1: Disc 3
Spellbound
Big Love: Season 2: Disc 4
Big Love: Season 2: Disc 3
Deliver Us from Evil
The Sopranos: Season 6: Part 1: Disc 2
Thin
The Sopranos: Season 6: Part 2: Disc 1

As you can see, I finished up The Sopranos this year, and was sad to see it go! :). The best find of the year, hands down, was discovering The Gilmore Girls. I am addicted and love it to pieces. Also, started to watch 21 Jump Street, but kinda put it on hold because of my Gilmore obsession. Finished Big Love, Season 2. Loved it. Watched Weeds, season 3, and loved it. Started Twin Peaks, but am not sold on it yet, and it was also put on hold for my Gilmore obsession. All the movies and documentaries I watched are bolded and italicized. If I had to pick a best for the year, it would be Sex and The City. Documentary, prob the best was Soldiers in the Army of God, but I liked a lot of the doccumentaties.

Any suggestions for my next TV obsession? I may cry when Gilmore Girls is over. Boo.

Friday, January 02, 2009

Year End Highlights with Pics

Inspired by everyone else's year end posts, talking about highlights of the year, here are mine! With pics! :).

January
1. Started my orthodontist journey, which I still feel pretty vain about, but it is going great.
2. My sister, her husband, and her step kids came to visit for a late Xmas celebration.
3. Got my iPhone! And am still thrilled with it today!
4. Found out one of my best friends, Julia, is moving to California with her fiancée.
5. Was asked by a publisher to use my Panama and Belize pics in a travel book that has since been published.
6. Visited Kurt’s Mom in Pinconning.

Smiling Boy

February
1. Baby Nicholas was born to my sister and her husband Jim. By far the biggest blessing of the year.
2. Surprised Kurt with a bday trip to Washington D.C. where we walked a million miles and saw more sites in several days than most people see in a week, LOL. Great trip. Got to meet Angel, Char and Amanda while there.



Kurty and I at Capitol Supreme Court

March
1. Orlando School Board Trip.
2. Heidi and Eric welcomed their baby Lanessa, into the world.



Kurt and I

April
1. Found out Kerry and Max are expecting their third, and spent a nice day with Kerry and her girls…..
2. The start of the end of a close friendship



The Girls

May
1. Bought my baby, the Saab 9-3 Aero Convertible. Love.
2. Was devastated when my friend Jeff lost in the school board election.
3. Found a great massage therapist NOT in spa (Crystal).
4. I turned 31! Happy Birthday Me!
5. Took a bday/Memorial Day trip to Nicaragua.
6. Had pond put in our yard.



IMG_7513

June
1. My Mom and stepDad came to visit!
2. Julia and Tony got married, and both Kurt and I were in the wedding in Simi Valley, outside of LA. So, trip to Cali!
3. Decided to start my Secret Blog, to complement my normal blog.
4. Rebecca turned 30! Awesome party at her house, where Kurt was slightly drunk.



IMG_7866

July
1. Girls’ trip to Manistee with Rebecca! Relaxing trip. Loved it.
2. Ulta opened in our area!
3. Tigers game with Kurty.



Me and my Bestest

Me and kurty

August
1. Def Leppard concert with Rebecca after another person ditched me….Amazing time in awesome seats.
2. Scott (kurt’s bro) visited, and we paid him to put a driveway in at the house.
3. Toledo Mudhens game with the school board where I got to go on the field and take pics!
4. Tigers game with Rebecca, thanks to Dr John!
5. Bought new lens for my camera.
6. Received a copy of the book my Panama pics were published in!
7. Met Katie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
8. Put hardwood floor in the great room.



reflections

September
1. Labor Day trip with Kurt and Kory to the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica. Amazing.
2. Char had her baby, Gabrielle.
3. Hired a new secretary at the office.



Flower Boy

October
1. Rebecca’s Housewarming party
2. Found a new hair salon, closer to home.
3. Started Invisalign.
4. Kurt and my 12 year dating anniversary.



Water Girl

November
1. Obama was elected. Thank God. One of the best days of the year.
2. Kerry and Max had daughter number three, Emma Lynn.
3. Thanksgiving with Kurt’s Mom in Pinconning.



In the Sun

December
1. Galapagos Islands and Quito trip
2. Kurt and my 7 year wedding anniversary.

Kurty and I