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Who Has Time

Wednesday, February 8th, 2012

I’m a practical gal. I try to manage my time accordingly. I always have. I’m uptight, remember? I love pampering myself. Only I don’t usually do much pampering. I’m too busy! I remember a friend from a long time ago who said, “Women who wear polish on their toes are women that care about HOW they look!”.

I thought he was crazy at the time. But now that I’m getting up there in years (hehe) I see how easy it is to neglect taking care of myself. I suppose it happens to every woman. Life steals time and energy so we do what we can just to survive. Or maybe that’s just me. 😉

Last night, my youngest daughter (she’s 17) spent the entire evening in the bathroom. I mean, 7:00pm until after 11:30pm. What was she doing? Primping, painting, showering, plucking, shaving….everything a girl needs to do on a regular basis. I had to step over her and her polish station a few times just to use the T-let! I thought she was crazy.

I’m rethinking it though.

Ladies, we should be primping! Maybe not all night long…..but at least slap some polish on and shape up the eyebrows. Right? I’m happy to say that I took just a few minutes and painted on a light coat of nail polish today.

AND I FEEL BEAUTIFUL!!

Try to do something JUST FOR YOU today! It’s invigorating!

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Book Snob

Tuesday, February 7th, 2012

I’ve been in a book funk. Since I finished reading several really good books last month—I’ve been on a search to keep the momentum up. It’s all part of my crazy book snobbery! I admit it, I only read certain genres. I’ve never been a good chic lit kind of reader. I’m also not fond of most fantasy or fiction.

I know…I’m missing out. My friends tell me all the time. My brain just can’t enjoy it. I love truth and if I’m going to invest hours of my time, I want to learn something. That’s just who I am.

So, after trolling the entire internet looking for a new read you’ll be surprised to see my final selection would be FICTION! I know, I drive me crazy too.

I couldn’t help it…the reviews sucked me in and the author actually wrote the story based on a case that took place in her own life. I guess you could call it a based on a true story book. Anyway, I bought it for 99 cents and if it stinks I can just put it down and walk away. Right?

My book choice? TAKEN by Debra Lee

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Pretty cover, huh? I love the snowy back road scene and I’m excited to get started. Now I just need a good snow day to snuggle up and read.

Oh I kid. Snow? It skipped Indiana this winter! And I’m NOT complaining.

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Dog Sitting Super Bowl

Monday, February 6th, 2012

I’ve had a great weekend, what about you? I did a bunch of nothing mixed in with a lot of puppy duty! It’s only fair that the grandparents get a little time with their grand-dog right? Gavin has a life (who knew) outside of caring for his new pet, Gracie! That’s the way it is with college kids. When opportunities arise to party–they take em!

It wasn’t that big of a deal except for the fact that my very kind neighbor cleaned out her fridge and threw all the rotten food outside into her front yard. Nice, huh? Of course the new puppy ran right over to feast upon its goodness and then barfed it all over my kitchen floor. Even nicer! This was the start of our very guarded dog-sitting duty! We spent the rest of the weekend screaming our heads off if Gracie even looked in that direction. Also, watching as every single dog in our neighborhood came over for some yum-tum stomach destroyer!

Ahh, neighbors! I love em! 😉

I can’t complain about much more (believe it or not) because the NEW YORK GIANTS came to town and beat the Patriots! It was a close game and at the end….my stomach started to hurt as if I’d sampled the neighbors yard buffet myself! It was nerve wracking! Oh, but they pulled it off. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again….if #18 couldn’t play at least his baby brother could!

That was my weekend. I didn’t even put on a swipe of makeup the entire time. I wore sweats, cooked good food, chased that dang dog and cleaned the kitchen 67 times. It was perfect!

I’m ready to do it again….only it’s Monday!

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I N D I A N A P O L I S

Friday, February 3rd, 2012

I was missing yesterday. Not really, I was wandering all over one of the greatest cities in the world. Indianapolis! It’s no secret that the city is buzzin’ with excitement for this weekend’s BIG GAME! When I say it’s buzzing…..I mean it is on fire with WOW!!

I can only say good things about the city, the throngs of people and the activities going on there. Everything is top notch! If you’ve never experienced such an event–you must! It’s fantastic! The state of Indiana has so much to be proud of but this week of Super Bowl festivities will go down in history. Just wait and see.

My kids won tickets to the Jimmy Fallon show and the theatre is right down on Monument Circle. This is the backdrop (which is drawing huge crowds of people) we snapped a quick picture after standing in line for a little over an hour to pick up their tickets. Gates decided to dress “cute” which means half nekked so after freezing her toesies off we made a quick dash into the mall for REAL SHOES with SOCKS!!!

She only had 8 more hours of walking outside to go! So, it was worth it! Plus, boots were on sale and she needed a pair that were just hers. Sweet tactic Lucky girl! 😉

This is the beautiful Hilbert Circle Theatre where JF taped his shows. It was such an exciting night for our kids. We DVR’d it but we couldn’t wait to watch and stayed up too late giggling at all the funny skits.

Here’s ME! Notice I’m standing on barracade debris? Yea, I’m short.

I bet you’ve heard about the Zipline down in the Super Bowl Village. It is a crazy success! It’s constantly sold out and the lines are FOREVER! For $10….it’s a great bargain and so much fun to watch!

With 100,000’s of people walking the streets, we ran into our own crew several times. It was crowded but the good kind of crowded.

See what I mean? Again, we bump into our kids having dinner at PF Changs. We were upstairs looking for dessert and they happened to be right under us. Fun times!

The city is wrapped up. Buildings, parking garages…anywhere there’s big open space you will find it wrapped with the Super Bowl logo. It looks so cool! I really wanted to get a picture of the hotel that lights up with XLVI but I was surrounded by tall buildings. 🙂

I’ll be honest, THIS IS THE TEAM I’m rooting for! I just can’t turn my back on a good old Manning boy. It was pretty clear who the Hoosiers around town were cheering for as well. Everywhere I went it was heavily coated in NY Giants gear.

I’m ready for Sunday, are you? Have fun, friends!

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It Can Happen To You Too

Wednesday, February 1st, 2012

I’m not too proud to reveal my flaws! I figure why try to hide what is blatantly obvious anyway. Right? That’s why I’m sharing my old lady face this morning with THIS mark of evil —>

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Count em! Not one….but two booming kapowing pimples! Do they hurt? Why, yes they do! But my pride more than anything is what’s suffering!

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I took it as a challenge! I went to war and tried to camouflage it them as best as I could! Who wants to look at an old lady blasted by pimple warfare? Nobody, that’s who! 😉

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The moral of my story? If it can happen to 45 year old me, it can happen to you too! BEWARE OF THE HORMONES, Y’ALL!

PS–how’d you like the strategic placement of those suckers? Between the eyes and the end of my nose. There’s no hiding them! Thankyouverymuch dudes!

How about a welcome to the new month. February is officially here! Make sure you’re sharing the love. <3

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Where I Come From

Tuesday, January 31st, 2012

…It’s cornbread & collard greens! I hear your groans from here. These are not your average boiled up greens! I mean it! These are special! Like knock your socks off good!

Here’s a peek–>

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This is before they cooked down and turned dark green. I can’t even describe the yummy smell. It’s like going to Grandma’s! Okay, a southern Grannie! No lie.

Before you write me off here…let me convince you to at least give them a try. Someday, mm’k?

It will be life changing. You might even want to become full-time southern bumpkin! WE WEAR SHOES! 😉

C O L L A R D G R E E N S & H A M H O C K S
Ingredients

1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup bleached all-purpose flour
2 cups thinly sliced yellow onions (I used less)
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne (I left this out)
4 bay leaves
2 tablespoons chopped garlic
8 cups chicken stock
3 pounds ham hocks (about 4 medium-sized hocks)
2 bunches (about 2 1/4 pounds) each of collards and mustard greens, thoroughly washed, picked over for blemished leaves, and tough stems removed
1 cup water

Directions

STOCKING TIP: A roux is a mixture of oil and flour that, after being slowly cooked, is used to thicken mixtures such as soups and sauces. A blond roux is cooked until it is a pale golden color.

1. Combine the oil and flour in an 8-quart pot over medium heat and stir with a wooden spoon until smooth. Cook the mixture, stirring constantly, to make a blond roux, about 8 minutes.

2. Add the onions, celery, salt, cayenne, bay leaves, garlic, stock and ham hocks. Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, until the hocks are very tender, about 2 hours.

3. Add the greens, by the handful, until all of them are combined in the mixture. They will wilt. Add the water. Simmer until the greens are very tender and the mixture is thick, about 45 minutes.

4. Remove the bay leaves and serve warm. (I left mine in)

Makes 8 to 10 servings.
Recipe kuddos to [Emeril Legasse]

Do not be intimidated by making the roux. I’m not kidding when I say, these are so easy to prepare (first I typed “fix” because that’s what we call it when we cook something). We fix it! See, I told you….bumpkin.

My Sunday night meal was one of the best I’ve fed my family in a long time. If you make this recipe be sure to bake up a pan of cornbread. They clearly go hand-n-hand.

Let me know if you decide to make a pot. I’ll be out on the porch fannin’ flies. Teehee!

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