Astros, Absenteeism (probably not a word) and a little bit of slacking.

So, I haven't written anything in about a week, really bad for me, and you, because this is likely to be a long post!

Since last week, we've been to an Astro's Game....Great seats, free parking, all courtesy of my aunt's fiance who got them from work and couldn't use them, so much fun!

 Beautiful Park!

 BEST SIGN EVER!!

My only excuse for my lack of posting, would be work. I seriously worked all but one day out of each of teh last three weeks.  I'm loving it though!  The job is going great, mostly great people, not bad hours, 5-6 hour shifts only between 9am and 7pm, and I've already been offered a lead sales position!!  Normally you have to be with the company for 6 months, well, I've only been there 2, so I have to test out of their "Management Aptitude" test to officially get the position, but it's been offered.  I take the test over the weekend and find out Monday, so I'm a bit anxious about that.  It would mean a 22% raise and an average of 30 hours instead of 20, which I wouldn't mind at all, and I'd still be able to have 2 evenings a week off to start booking lessons, if those ever show up.  It would be great, all around, so I'm hoping the test is pretty basic. I've been in management before, but in smaller companies without so many manuals (I wrote one company's!) and never had to take a test to get there.


Running wise, I got in 10 miles last week, barely, because of time issues.  I've discovered I just plain get bored running after about a half an hour, so it's really hard to run much more than 2 1/2 to 3 miles at a time.  Today was the first I ran this week, and I got in 2 miles before I got bored.  10 miles might be a stretch this week, especially since I don't really care to run before work on early mornings. Work usually involves heels and heels after running just doesn't work for me. I may have to start running in the afternoons/evenings next week, we'll see. I made my inches, so if I back off a little I'm just hoping they don't come back. I'm officially my wedding day measurements, so that's a huge deal for me!

Working at noon today, still need to put away 4 loads of laundry and figure out what to wear and what to eat, so I'm going to run. Miss you guys! I'm reading, even if I'm not posting or doing much commenting.

Prayers

Josh was a friend of my husband's in highschool.  They Bible quizzed against each other, spent summers atcamp up at the area where my in-laws cottage still is, and kept in touch through their mutual ministry contacts in college.  The first trip my husband and I took when we were first dating was to a Michael W Smith concert near where Josh lived and we spent the weekend with his family.

Sunday night Josh crashed a recently donated plane while testing it for the Steve Saint Ministry.  He had worked as an airplane mechanic and pilot for 3-4 years before joining the ministry, and apparently realized something was wrong just after taking off, but could not make it back to the runway safely.

Prayers for Josh's family would be appreciated.

Article

Weekend Workout Recap and some Food Related Ramblings

So, this thing has been my best friend this week it seems. 2 hours worth of running later, I'm proud to say I made my goal of 10 miles and then some! 10.4 miles to be exact!  On average, that makes for an 11.54 minute mile, though I know those numbers are off because my best run was 3.3 in 30 minutes.  I'm not necessarily worried about the speed, but I'm keep track for the sake of knowing my consistency. I'm thinking I may try to get out on the road in a couple of weeks and see what difference it makes.  5k's down here will not be happening for me during the summer months, which start in mid May, but come next fall, the idea is tempting.

Measurements wise, I'm already down to my goal in the hips thighs and butt areas, but my waist just doesn't want to come.  I kept with the crunches last week and actually went up, so the crunches have to go!  The middle of my abs are actually protruding further than before because of a little bit of definition, so, maybe on Monday I'll go figure out how to use one of the ab machines, if not, I may just have to run even more than the 12 planned miles, either that or eat less, and that's not high on my list!

I'm very much an "everything in moderation" kind of girl. I like my butter, bacon, red meat, bread, chocolate, and my theory is as long as nothing is in excess, it's okay. I'd rather eat smaller portions of natural, full fat foods than bigger portions of chemically altered to be lower in fat or sugar foods.  Just my logic, and what my body likes, as I've discovered Splenda and I just don't get along, I can't get sugar free things to sit well on my stomach, so real sugar it is! Raw sugar in my coffee, but standard granulated sugar for baking, mostly for budget reasons, they tend to make it difficult to buy healthy on a budget, so I just moderate how much we use.

Definitely the right fit!

Every other Wednesday evening, for about 2 hours, the ladies from our couples Sunday School class meet here to talk and fellowship-

That should have been my first sign that we'd found the right class. :)

Dinner with new friends

So, we've only been in Houston 2 months now, and we're finally getting to entertain some friends! I'm so excited!  I've been menu planning all week, even before I invited anyone, and now it's finally the big day!

We've got these-

and that amazing pink fruit dip I still have to mix up, as appetizers.

Amber's bringing a salad.














For the main course we're having-

 Barbeque Chicken and Macaroni and Cheese








Followed by this-

for dessert-Boston Creme Cake!

And I made a few of these

to keep on hand for if we visit or play games long enough that anyone gets hungry again. :)

Weekly Workout Recap

I so need to post more often!!!

So, it's been a week, and my workout recap is-

7.4 Miles
250 crunches (I got called in to work one morning)
30 reps each arm (can't find my free weights, think I may not have packed them somewhere I have access to, so missed my first two days looking for them)

Not bad for only the second week of a workout routine.

I'm realizing an inch everywhere wouldn't be a good thing, (I can't afford to lose any on my top half if you know what I mean) but right now, I'm down-
1/2" each thigh
1/2" hips/butt area
1/4" waist

The goal is 1" thighs, hips and butt, 1 1/2" waist.

So, I need some more waist whittling exercises! Tips, advice and links appreciated!

Weekend Recap, also known as "Rambling"

So not sure what all happened this week.  It was kind of a blur.  We're trying to really hard to pay off all of our bills, but more keep appearing out of no where, hours are not great this week for my husband, or at least not very good tips for the hours he works.  He's working as a caddy at a high end country club, and a typical tip is anywhere from $60-$200 dollars per round of golf. Lately, he keeps getting the $60 and $80 tippers, part of him having to earn his place as the new guy, so it kind of stinks.  He is getting asked to do more loops (rounds of golf) and caddy for more special events, which is good, but the veteran guys keep taking all the good loops. One switched with him yesterday, and instead of caddying for five members (guaranteed $100) he got stuck with two guys, who tipped him $50. So, he was in a pretty miserable mood. Pray for encouragement for him right now.  He's kind of feeling inadequate and I'm probably not helping much because I'm really stressed about the money stuff and he sees that and feels like it's his fault.  He's earning decent money, but it's not always consistent, plus, his first bag fees paycheck just paid for his uniform and equipment, so he hasn't brought home a real check yet, so he's hating that.  I keep getting more and more hours at work, which is wonderful, my job just doesn't pay nearly what I made teaching. Finding students would be a huge help about now!

On a plus side, I'm getting in shape again!  I'm discovering I was behind alot more than I thought, so I'm really having to work back into my running.  I did 3 1/2 miles last week, 5 this week, I'm shooting for 7 next week, 10 the week after, 12 the week after that, and then plan on leveling off at around 15 miles a week, split into 3-5 runs depending on my schedule at work.  I used to run 15 miles a week, 3 miles a day, 5 days a week from the time I was 16 to 20, but then work got in the way, so, now I'm trying to get back into it.  After I run, for every mile I run I do 50 crunches.  I need to get new free weights for at home (mine got left in NY) for adding in 10 reps each arm per mile as well, either that, or use the ones at the gym.  Ideally, all this working out will shave an inch off everywhere.  I don't want to drop an entire size, (it's hard to find my little sizes sometimes anyway!) and I'm not worried about the pounds, I expect to actually go up in that area, I just want to tone everything so my clothes fit a bit looser.  I still fit in the same size I did when I got married, some things are just snugger than I'd like them to be and I'm border line going up a size, so I'd like to be on the small end of my size again and stay that way.

I'm planning to log my miles, crunches, and arm reps weekly, I just need to find some form of ticker so I can post it on here, either that, or I'll just do a weekly workout recap on Saturdays.

So, this weeks log-

Miles- 5
Crunches- 250
Arm Reps- 0 (need to figure out a system for weights)

We have a wedding to go to June 19th, so I'm shooting for a June 1st of being down an inch all the way around.

I'd post my measurements, but I think that's a bit personal, so I'll just post when I lose 1/2 inches.

I guess that's it for now, back to laundry, then the grocery store, then maybe some tanning before work this afternoon.

What's the point?

So this morning I colored my hair, went to the gym, ran 2 miles on the elliptical, then did  60 crunches at home, took a shower and ran some errands with my dad.  Fairly productive, right?

Then, we stopped at Cinnabon on the way home, and I ate one of these-

For lunch.

Then when my husband got home he wanted this-

For his lunch, which of course I had to have a bite of.


Then for dinner I made this-

Back to the Gym in the morning I go! Normally it's every other day, this week, I'm going to need a few extra days, from today's eating alone! Especially since today was 81, and I laid out tanning in the back yard (inside the privacy fence of course) and felt like I needed to suck in my stomach the entire time, just for my own peace of mind.  Tomorrow will be a better day!

Sunday thoughts

The Blue Sky and Sunshine out our Den Window

Two quotes from church this morning....

From Sunday School/Lifegroup-

"Forgiveness is giving up my right to hurt you for hurting me"

Sermon-

"The cross shouldn't just be a symbol of a religion, but of a relationship"

Now I'm off to find something to do outside on this beautiful sunny, Sunday afternoon. :)

Whine Warning

So I'm probably going to start making people mad at me, but I don't have enough stuff to do, literally.

I'm only working about 18 hours a week.  We don't have our own place, so I only have two rooms and a bathroom I have to take care of.  I only have to cook once or twice a week because other nights everyone's working or my mom cooks for everyone.  I'm meeting with one new student tonight, but as of right now, that's all I have.  We got involved in a couples Sunday school class, but outside of class they only really have every other week to monthly social things.  My husband is just starting to get on the schedule for work, so he's home 4 days a week and bored out of his mind.  Because of the lack of work, there's a major lack of funds, so I can't really pick up a new hobby, or go shopping, or do much.  Because of the nice yellow coating of pollen torturing the area I'm finding it difficult to work out, even indoors, as sneezing while doing almost any form of exercise makes it impossible to breathe, not to mention makes you feel like you're going faceplant while running on an incline!

I need more to do. More work, more housework, more ministry, just more.....

Contentment seems to be the lesson of the month, I just seem to be a slow learner.

Yes, today I'm in a whiny mood of discontentment, I'm working on it, but rather than make my husband feel bad about everything he wants more of too, I'm whining on here, instead of to him, sorry, but I don't have to live with my readers, if you're annoyed it's not so painful.

What do you think?

Is it a good thing when your new boss, of 2 1/2 weeks, keeps giving you extra hours and switching you with other people so you're there when they have the most people in the store?

Of course since I have to buy at least one dress by tomorrow night, as we're focusing on dresses in the store for the next week and I can't just wear the same two over and over again, for 6 shifts (could, but won't) the extra hours are quite helpful!

Happy Birthday to me

So today is my birthday, not that I want any hype made of it, because seriously, I don't, I hate making a big deal of it, but it is a somewhat big one.  I hit my quarter century today.....

We celebrated by opening a new checking account, paying bills, running errands, and so forth.... Don't you just love being a responsible adult?

My husband got me one of my favorite old classic movies....

 

And we got my mom to take a few new pictures of us. I'm still a little nervous about posting pictures of us after my last blog, but I really want to share, because I like the way they came out, but still, okay, maybe one, shrunk really tiny....

And now we're going out to dinner at a Texas Steakhouse, so I've got to run, and enjoy, and get over my online stalker freak phobias someday.

Treadmills, Taco Dip, Tanning and the Remains of a Raspberry Bundt Cake

So this morning I actually got to run in a fun way! The last few times I've gone to the gym the track (1/8 mile indoor) is always full of really old people walking, in groups, two and three across and sometimes using walkers.  Do you know how hard it is to keep any kind of decent or even pace when you're weaving in and out around 80 year olds? Not fun! So, last week I tried the treadmill, kind of, (and by kind of, I mean massively!) hated it! I ran for what felt like 4 hours, looked down at the counter thing and discovered it had only been 14 minutes.  I used to take hour runs all the time (7 years ago) and 30 minute runs have never been a problem, I usually stop there due to lack of time, not energy and motivation.  So, basically, treadmills are out, two runs like that and I gave up, pathetic I know.  So, Tuesday I went to the gym and tried an elliptical instead, as all the treadmills were taken and the walker trio (what I refer to the three little old ladies who always come together) were on the track.

Let's just say, it was amazing!  I started the resistance kind of low and did one song on my Ipod with the forward motion, one song backwards, and repeated to 2 miles.  It was amazing! I went back today and the results were the same. I'm so doing that from now on, maybe only every two or three days though as I can already feel the tops of my thighs from the backwards, but, if it can burn that much 2 hours later it must be doing something.  The nice thing was, my heart rate didn't even get up all that high for me, like 135, which I don't really feel that much.

So, I rewarded myself with some of this...

(Taco Dip)

For lunch today.  And then I'm going to go lay out in this....

And get some sun.


And maybe, if I decide to treat myself, I'll eat some of this....

(Raspberry Bundt Cake)

Before work tonight as a reward.  Don't worry, that's not my piece, that's all that's left from making it Wednesday night.

Taco Dip Recipe-
1 Block 1/3 Fat or Fat Free Cream Cheese
1 Can Hormel Fat Free Turkey Chili with Beans
1 8oz Bag Shredded Taco/Mexican Blend Cheese

Soften Cream Cheese in Microwave for one minute in the bottom of a glass pie pan.  Spread evenly. Cover in can of Chili and Shredded Cheese. Microwave another 4-5 minutes or until cheese is bubbling.  Serve with Tortilla Chips.

Raspberry Bundt Cake Recipe-
1 Box Yellow Cake Mix
1 Stick Softened Butter
3 Eggs
1/2 Cup Vanilla Coffee Creamer
1/2 Cup Milk
1/3 Brown Sugar
Dash of Cinnamon
Dash of Nutmeg
2 Containers (little plastic, half pints?) Raspberries.

Preheat Oven to 350. Generously grease and flour Bundt cake pan.
Beat first five ingredients.  Fold in Sugar and Spices.  Fold in half of the raspberries.  Pour into greased pan.  Cover batter with remaining raspberries and push into batter with spatula.  Bake 40-45 minutes, or until it passed the "toothpick test".  Let cool 10 minutes, flip out of pan and let cool on plate or wire rack for an hour to drizzle with frosting, or sprinkle with powdered sugar immediately.

Enjoy!

While my

Duke Blue Devils are #1 in their region for the NCAA March Madness Tournament

The 

North Carolina Tarheels didn't even make the big tournament!

And I couldn't be happier!!!

Anyone who wants in on my husband and mine's brackets this year just shoot me an email or leave a comment in the next 24 hours, brackets have to be done by end of tomorrow.

Seriously?

So, in my first three shifts, I've met my share of interesting people. Technically this was my fourth shift, but one was in the stock room, so that hardly counts.

Anyways, my interesting stories....

First "solo sales" day; little old lady comes into the store carrying a black and white skirt. I asked her if I could help her find something to go with it, and she said it was for a funeral, but she didn't want all black.  I offered my apologies about the occasion and began pulling a few pieces while she looked around.  I met her back in the fitting room and she explained that it was for her husband's funeral, but he wasn't dead yet, but would be soon because he was on his 4th round of cancer and in hospice, but he was happy to die and the skirt we were matching too was his favorite thing in her closet.  She also had me get her a more supportive undergarment as she'd just had a mastectomy and was battling her 3rd round of breast cancer and was hoping that she could be buried in whatever I helped her with that day.  Fun day of shopping huh? I can't imagine going through that with a smile and being excited to find the perfect outfit for my husband's and my own deaths. 

If you think about it, her name was Eja, she sounded Scandinavian, and she was very sweet, I don't think she'd mind a few prayers.

Today, on shift number four, with only 45 minutes to go on my shift, a very frantic looking woman with an eight year old boy came in, desperate for something for a rehearsal dinner and bridesmaids luncheon for a wedding she's going to be in this weekend out of town.  She had me find a place for her son to sit then proceeded to pull up her facebook on her phone and show me a picture of her highschool sweetheart who she just found out is her "corresponding groomsman", and he's recently divorced and she's currently separated, but her son doesn't know she's checking out her ex at the wedding, so she needed a "hot" outfit without him knowing that's what she was shopping for so he didn't tell his dad.

Yeah, fun stuff....

I seem to be a magnet for people who want to share their interesting lives with me through their clothing purchases.

More Deep Thoughts

So, two more Sundays in an amazing Sunday School class, and my mind is wandering in deep directions again.....

So, in Sunday School and Service we've been studying alot about responsibility and  how cause and effect is very much a spiritual thing.

When we feel defeated it's because we didn't trust God to get us through some disappointment.

When someone wrongs us, it's because we made a poor relationship decision.

When we're broke or in debt it's because we weren't responsible enough with our money.

When we feel like we're undervalued it's because we did not act in a way that God says is noteworthy.


All of the consequences we get hit with are based on the behaviors we exhibit.

What consequences would you like to get rid of?  Just a thought, you don't have to answer publicly, but I will pray for things if you email.

I'm a working girl!

So, it's just retail, but it's fun retail! And I get major job perks, like 50% off full prices, 20% off sale, bonuses for signing up credit cards or helping make months, and the fun of wearing nice clothing and working with all women.  I honestly didn't know if that part would be fun, but so far it is, besides the one lady who started two days before me and acts all experienced while asking me how to do stuff on the computer and kept asking how I was married, how old are my kids, was this my first job, etc....some people just assume because you're young, you're messed up.....

But, other than her it's great, my manager is a Christian, as are two of the other girls I work with, one of whom I may start teaching piano to soon, as she's a singer on her church worship team and has always wanted to be able to sing and play at the same time.

Anyways, lots more on my mind, and I'm off tomorrow, so I'll try to put stuff into words then.

I'm employed!

And, at a store with amazing clothes and major discounts!  This will be fun, and the fun starts Monday!  Yay!!!

Brownie Recipe!

So, dinner did not end up being Crockpot Chicken and Rice Soup and Scratch Biscuits because it was nearly 70 and sunny here, and seriously, that's not a soup night for a northern girl!

So I turned the leftover chicken into Quesadillas, but made the frosted brownies this afternoon anyways.

Here's the recipe-

Brownie Batter-
Ingredients-
4oz. Unsweetened Chocolate
2/3 C Butter
4 Eggs
2 C Sugar
2 Ts Vanilla
1 1/3 C Flour
1 Ts Baking Powder

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 9x13" pan.

Melt Chocolate for one minute in microwaveable dish, add Butter, melt one more minute, stir, set aside.

In medium mixing bowl, beat Eggs and Sugar. 
Add Chocolate Mixture and Vanilla.
Stir in Flour and Baking Powder.

Bake 25 minutes.

Frosting-
1/3 C Softened Butter  *(leave out remaining 1/3 Cup to soften when making batter)*
Roughly 2 C Confectioners Sugar
2 TBS Milk Chocolate Instant Jello Mix
1 Ts Vanilla
Enough Milk to make it spreadable.

Beat all ingredients together, gradually adding milk until it reaches the desired consistency.

Spread on cooled brownies.

ENJOY!

And no, I did not get back to them with my camera until after they had been dug into. :) Of course I did some of the digging to pay off the guy who helped us unload the cube two weeks ago.

Banana Bread

I have a strange feeling this recipe already made it to my old blog, but since it is no more, I'll start reposting alot of my recipes as I bake again.

And yes, this is how I keep recipes and follow them, I'm so not a detail oriented cook!