Braving the weather and wind

It was 26 degrees outside yesterday... this does NOT include the wind chill.
In a moment of slight.... well poor decision making. Some friends and myself tried to tough it outside for family Christmas pictures.

We immediately regretted our decision! Before we made the walk of shame back inside we did happen to get a couple really cute pictures! They were great sports!

Once we got back inside, we went for round 2 of pictures. We were able to get some more cute pictures without freezing our toes and fingers off!

I think we will be saving the outside pictures from now on to warmer days!

Here is to 2009

Well I'm back home, I'm back to work.
Being home was good and I suppose bad in some ways.

The good part was I got the much needed break from here.
I love it here, but not necessarily my situation here.
The other good part was I got to see my family and friends.


The bad part was everything was consumed by wedding planning and wedding thoughts.
I did good, better then I thought I would to be honest.
After the rehearsal dinner I had had enough and went out. I got so drunk, and then so so sick.
Was it worth it? Yes, I needed some kind of a release.
The annoying part was then dealing with family and wedding when I was hung over.
Sorry but you don't understand some things, and I wanted an escape.
My escape just happened to be in liquid form. If you don't like it, I don't care.

The wedding was nice, it really was.
I am glad I was able to be a part of it.
I was even nice during my speech.
I kept it short, sweet and funny.
Don't ask me what was really said during the ceremony, I zoned out. I had to just let the words go in one ear and out the other. This method worked well for me.
I hope they make things work, and I hope they are happy.

Another realization I had while being home.... I don't want to live there. Ever again.
Its nice to visit, but I prefer a much different crowd these days.
When I go to the bar, I want to hear good music. Not all hip hop.
I want to be able to dance, really dance. Not drunken rubbing on random people.
When I look at guys I want them to be rough, rugged and preferably a cowboy. Not this pretty pretty dude with clean hands, nicer clothes then me and a fake tan.

I can only handle that dumb crap for a certain amount of time.

My new years resolution is a couple things.
And these things are all for me.
1. To workout again... consistently. I want to feel good about myself again.
2. To be nice again, this one I'm afraid will take me a while, if I ever can be nice again.
3. To really and honestly let go. I've been holding on to him for way too long, and it's time to move on.
4. For now I want to spend the year single. I was never really alone, and I need to take the time to be okay with myself and to really work through all my feelings and let go.
I think this will help me move on.
5. The last and I think most important is to make MYSELF happy again.

So lets raise our glass to 2009. It's been a long, hard year and I'm so glad it's over.
Here is to a new start, a new life and a new beginning.
May our glasses and our hearts always be full.
Here is to the New Year.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!


I hope everyone has a wonderful Holiday Season.

If I had a house...

(which I don't) I would decorate it. I love to decorate.
Without decorations it doesn't FEEL like Christmas to me.
To get the ol Christmas Spirit Rocking I would need:

1 Christmas Tree

1 pinch and 1 dash of festive decorations

1 pretty picture to hang above the fireplace

1 cowboy to love & to keep me warm at night

Lots of Babies with said Cowboy

Okay so the last 3 are things I would love to have year round...

With those 3 things I could be happy again.

That time already?

Oh boy.
Sunday I was out running some errands.
These errands brought me to Pier One. I love that place.
If I had enough control to not blow all my paychecks there, I would work there!

That's not my point....
My point is they already have Christmas stuff out.
Already.

It's not even Thanksgiving yet.
Hunting Season isn't even over yet.
Speaking of hunting season, I need to get out and fill my tags.

I spent about an hour just walking around looking at all the pretty reds and green's.
All Christmas decorations make me drool. I love to decorate for Christmas!
Then another thought? Do I know what I'm getting people for Christmas yet?
I've started my list. I've checked it twice.
Now I'm saving my money.
The theme this year is.... BUDGET!!

So are you ready?

Shopping list

For those who know me, your probably thinking shopping list for myself personally.
If it was that kind of list you also know Shoes would be at the top of the list.
(Don't worry my pretties, I'm saving my money for Billings! Oh yes, I will splurge and I will buy shoes.)

But for today, for this weekend my list is for food.
Boring for some but for me exciting. I love trying out new recipes.

So my plans for the weekend? Trying some new foods and new recipes. And roasting Marshmallows, and laying outside, maybe some fireworks if I have time....


SHOPPING LIST:

8 ears of Corn
Heavy Cream
Butter (salted)
Olives
Chopped Jalapenos
Cream Cheese
Artichoke Hearts
Milk
Chocolate Pudding
Cool Whip
Blackberries (4 pints)
Hamburger Buns
Mayo
Mustard
Tortilla's
Ice Cream (Vanilla)
Watermelon
Chocolate Bars
Graham Crackers
Marshmallows

What this will make:
Blackberry Cobbler
Cream of Corn Casserole
New Potato Salad
Tortilla Rolls
Smore's

I'm outta here until Monday!
Have a great Fourth of July weekend eat plenty, soak in some fun and sun.
Don't catch yourself or any of your loved one's on fire with fireworks!

Goodbye forever.

or you know until Monday.

Get your Green on.

Have you ever been speechless?

The actions or words that come from someone that just shocking the words or actions right out of your body? And all you do is stand there and just stare.

Yeah it happens to me a lot.

Happens at home, at work, at practice. Everywhere.


(Off Topic here... Happy Saint Patrick's Day! Are you wearing green?)

GREEN, GREEN GREEN, GREEN Have you ever noticed when you write a color over an over it begins to look weird. That's so weird.



Anyways, when the words are shocked out of me, I'm left standing there with a dumb founded look on my face. I always wonder what people think about me when I'm just blankly staring at them.

In the spirit of St. Patty's day what should I make for dinner? I hate corned beef and cabbage.

Maybe I'll make green pancakes and beer? Sounds healthy no?

That would shock the actions or words right out of Ryan.
I'm almost tempted to try it just to get that blank stare.

Sorry this is so random, but again that's how my brain functions.

Valentines Smalentines.

It's Tuesday!
You know what that means right?

oh, no?

Me either. (That's a song by Brad Paisley. I love Brad, but I hate that song) You know that song... "I was wondering if you want to dance??..... Me Either!"
ugh, it sends shivers down my back. In a bad bad way.

Anyways, the whole point for me writing twice today is I forgot something. Plum forgot to tell you about my Valentine's day.

Valentines Day:
I slept (weird) but was woken up when I got my card from my husband.
The card was colorful, Ryan was so proud. The card deserves to be explained.
On the front:
a picture of a cow that just pooped.
The steam from the poop creates a heart.
On the inside it says:
"Thanks for putting up with all my crap." "I will love you for heifer."
I thought it was very fitting in more ways then one.
Then I realized it's a sad day when we use bovine creatures to profess our love and thanks.

I also received a box of chocolates. In which I ate all the carmel one's right away. Cause you know Ryan would want me to have the best ones. Well that's what I told myself as I ate them.

Then for the rest of the week, we have been eating on the cake I made. Red Velvet.... not bad. I think I like it. Except it turns everything red, we look like Hannibal's.
And slowly but surely I'm finishing my chocolates.
Well, the good ones at least. The bad ones, like orange cream and strawberry are gross and I don't like them.

Those ones, I take a bite out of it, and if I don't like it then I put it back. (Don't act like you haven't done it!)
I think to myself "Oh, I'll save that one for Ryan. He'll eat it"

Ryan hates when I do that. (I secretly love it and find it hilarious)
But I tell him, honey I've taken the guessing out for you. Now you know which chocolate is which. You really should thank me. I'm SO unappreciated around here.

I'm in LOVE

Being as it is also that time of the year... February is right around the corner and with it comes Valentine's Day.
The day where all people show how much they love each other and spend money lavishly on chocolates and cards and other lovey dovey things.

But that's not what I'm talking about right now. That is not why I'm in love.

This love is deeper, lasting longer then just the one day!

I love This Place and all they create and carry.

It's a wonderful place. And I pink puffy heart it.

I love it as much as I love This Place and This Place.

Oh, wait a minute.... I just had a fleeting thought.
For Valentines Day, maybe, just maybe those that love me will bestow gifts upon me from my favorite lovey places??




Well a girl can dream!




*Please take notice, not ONE mention of Food, or eating at all in this post. Cause Chocolate doesn't count, it's my life's blood. Thank you and good night.

Plowing through time, and snow drifts

It's a New Year!
A time to re-cap last year, and a time to make plans for the new one.

But before all that, you must celebrate the New Year. What do you normally do?
Because we are in a new place for the New Year, we didn't do what we usually would.
We stayed home, had some friends over and played Cranium!

Have you ever played? It's a fun game, and will change your life.
Of course it gets better as everyone drinks more, people let their pride go and sing like Whitney Houston, or act like a beaver with courage and no inhibitions. (it's at this point in time, I usually pick the most embarrassing card and laugh until tears roll down my face.)

It doesn't get better when a manly, quiet cowboy gets up and sings "Happy Birthday Mr. President" while he crosses his legs pretending to hold down a dress from the wind.
If only I had it on Video, I could be rich.
That's how we brought in the New Year!

Anyways back to the re-cap of last year, 2008:
We moved to Belt (Windy, snow drifting America) Montana
I was jobless for a while, so I was constantly in the Kitchen creating wonderful deserts.
I decided it was a good idea to paint our whole house.
I realized I hated painting.
I got a Volleyball Coaching job in Belt.
I realized I love coaching.
We had our one year anniversary, both survived unscathed.
We both turned one year older.
I had a series of unfortunate events.
Then I had another series of unfortunate events.
Then Christmas, then the New Year.

What I want to accomplish in 2009:
Finish painting my whole house.
Save enough money to purchase 3 big things: camera, grill guard, gun.
Read 5 books.
Find time to read books.
Put my foot down more at work
Maybe cut my hair (sorry Dad)
Dye my hair when I chicken out about cutting my hair.
Settle for highlights when I chicken out yet again.
Win the lottery
Ride my horse more.
Find time to ride my horse.
Finish the Volleyball Season just as good this year or better.
Visit my friends.
Go visit my friends in their hometown.
Buy jeans.
Buy a plow to plow my snow drifting drive way. I've gotten stuck in it twice... in one day.
I almost didn't make it out today, but I have my truck back so we made it!

I think I should explain these snow drifts better. They have a life of their own, their goal in life is to keep me in the house. I'm serious, I'm a prisoner, they are very good goal achievers.

They are in cohorts with the wind. Either you sink or get stuck in a drift or the wind blows snow, dirt and lord know what else in your face. There is no winning. ever.

Have I got a story for you

First off, I hope everyone had a wonderful, warm Christmas!
I had a hard time getting into the Christmas spirit, you just can't smile when things fall apart...

Okay, now take lunch and enjoy my story. Oh and before I start, I would like to say that the following event is true. I can't make this stuff up.

Monday December 22, 2008
I had a Chiropractor appointment much like I do every Monday.
So I head in to town for my appointment. Things are good and I'm in and out. I dash to the grocery store to get a couple things.
Now I'm heading out of town, enjoying a bagel on my way to work.
Then Bam it happens, out of now where, I mean I didn't see it coming.
What, WHAT? you ask.
Well my friends I hit a deer. (Hey we live in MT it happens)
To be exact I hit a buck, a mule deer buck.
I was in the middle of town when I hit the SOB deer.
I wasn't driving fast, obviously because the SOB deer, ran off. There was no blood, no broken bones. The only piece of the SOB deer I had were 6 strands of hair/ fur.
Oh but don't forget my parting gift.
Broken grill guard
Broken Head light
Dented Fender
The list goes on. In fact it goes on so far my cost to fix my truck (which by the way is still a baby she's only 3 months old) is 3200.00 dollars.
Thank GOD I have insurance.

But I'm getting ahead of myself.
After I hit the SOB deer, I'm in shock, I can't believe it. Is this really happening?
I pull onto some street in town, and blindly pull into some parking lot that isn't marked. Hey maybe I'll get robbed too.
I get out and assess the damage.
Kindly the lady behind me who was witness to everything got out as well to ask if I was okay.
That's when I start to cry. I say I'm fine, this sucks and some other choice words. Thank the lady and off she goes. (I don't even ask her name, birthday, licence plate, ideal date, nothing.)

I do what anyone would do.
I call my Husband, he doesn't answer.
I call my Mom and cry. The only thing I was thinking is "What else can happen?" This is a bad nightmare, I've had nothing but bad luck for 3 months now....
"I don't have the money for this!" "I just bought this truck, just bought the insurance"
"Mom, what do I do?" "Mom, why does this keep happening?"
My Mom asks me, "Where are you?"
I say, "I don't know, in town somewhere"

She told me to call the Sheriff so I can report it so I can then turn it into my insurance.
I call the Sheriff and give them horrible directions to where I am. "Um, I'm by the vet across the street from the tractor store"
Needless to say, she wanted to laugh at me, I know she did. But nicely asked if there were any signs around me. There was thankfully. So she was sending someone on their way.

I sit in this parking lot for half an hour, it starts to snow. I just got a hold of Ryan when the Sheriff pulled up.
I get all my info and into his van we go to do paperwork!
That is all finished, I ask him what I should do. He said go to the shop and get it checked out!
So I call Ryan back, fill him in. And he said he will come get me. In the mean time, I call my insurance and give them all the info re: my SOB deer parting gift. (Stupid deer, I wish I could run him over again, I guaran damn tee he would not RUN away and there would be blood lots of blood) ANYWAYS
1 hour later Ryan gets there. The roads suck, it's cold and I feel like life is out to get me.... no seriously.
On the way to the body shop I pass a cop car, what does the cop car do? He rubber necks my truck and flips a U-y. HA, great!

So I get pulled over.
He asks if I'm aware of my Headlight. Me.... uh YEAH. I hit a deer this morning, about oh an hour ago and I'm on my way to the body shop.
Oh really? Licence and registration please.

Sure why not. Do you want my finger prints too, maybe a DNA test.
I'm still thinking "Anything else we can fit into today?"

So he checks things out and weirdly my story pans out. He apologizes about the damages and sends me on my way.

Finally we get to the shop. They look at my truck, take pictures and give me the estimate.

3200.00 dollars.
WHAT? I didn't even kill the deer. I want to, but I didn't.
I thought Ryan would fall over from heart failure.
Thankfully I have insurance, thank you GOD.

The insurance approved the estimate, and sent a check. I just have to pay the deductible.
Tomorrow hopefully I will be able to go pick up my truck. Hopefully it's like new again.
My next investment will be a grill guard with spikes sticking out the front so anything dares to run in front of me again, it'll practically be suicide by impalement!
I can laugh now, but then I was so upset and mad and Mad and upset.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Years!

Oh Man

So if you know me well, you know that I'm not connected to the wonderful world of Internet at home.
So this post is coming to you from work.
If you read my post yesterday, you know this isn't good.

If you didn't read it, I wanted today off so I could run some errands.
The fact that I'm here is poopy, I was denied my day off.

Oh well that's the way the cookie crumbles sometimes.
At least I will get more of the green on pay day.
I hate money.
But I love it.
But I hate it so much.
But still I love it.
No, no I hate it.

It can't buy you happiness but if you don't have a lot of it, you are often stressed out and unhappy. It's a cycle, a really bad cycle.
Just thinking about it is tiring. Makes me want to pack my bags and run away.
There is one good thing about today.... all you 8-5 er's M-F say it with me. Thank God it's Friday!

What are your plans for the weekend?
I was going to go grocery shopping today so I could make Christmas Cookies and 25 different types of Molasses Cookies all weekend, for 2 days straight....
But my plans have changed. (I really hate when that happens)

Now I don't know what I'm doing. I feel lost, confused, wondering if I can ever get back on track, hopeless.

Okay okay, I'll stop being so dramatic, it's not really in my genetic makeup.... I don't think anyways. (DON'T ANSWER THAT)
Well one thing is for sure, I'll be enjoying lots of hot chocolate. Why? Cause the weather outside is really frightful! Hey... isn't that a song?

Fruit loops

I'm cranky today.
And there is now way around it.

Have you ever just been fed up with it.
It = everything

work
money
food
cooking
pets
work
work

Yeah I'm there.

I'm going to take tomorrow off, cause I need too. I have other crap I need to do and I can't get it done because I'm always at work.
I can't do it Saturday because I have a basketball tournament.
Besides the banks aren't open on Saturday's... Why?
Well some banks are, but most aren't. That is stupid.

I'm hungry too. Anyone have any cereal?
When I'm really hungry I always crave Fruit Loops and I usually HATE fruit loops.
Why do I do that?

Um so when do I get off for Christmas? The 23rd? Yep sounds good to me! I wonder if I will get a Christmas bonus? Probably not, but it would be nice.

Can you tell I'm cranky?

It's not my fault I'm hungry.

Hungry people really can't be held responsible for what they do or say.

Christmas Time = Baking & weight gain!

Forgive me for yesterday. Will you please? If it was you in my spot I'm sure you would have complained about your darn tire too.

I got the tired fixed and all is right once again.
Now back to the regular scheduled programing.
But I don't really have a schedule... oh nevermind.

Molasses, Moalazzes, Muhlesses
You ever do that with a word? Oh, I know you do don't lie.

Anyways, the other day I was having a craving for something sweet and well I went overboard.

I made chocolate chip cookies and rice crispie treats. Crispy, Crispee, Chrispee.
They were delish, wanna know how I know. They were gone the next day. Ryan had a healthy breakfast of coffee and rise chrispee treats!

The chocolate chip cookies didn't stand a chance either.

Now, I'm on a mission to try out 3 different Molasses cookies recipes. Yes 3.
It's okay Molasses is okay in moderation right? RIGHT?
Well I will report back to you and let you know how it goes.
Also once I get the family recipe from my Mom I will be making the best sugar cookies EVA. NO SERIOUSLY they are awesome. They could save the world.

Sadly I won't share that recipe, it's a family secret. So that means I will make them and rub it in your face at how wonderful they are.
Then you'll laugh and call me fat cause I've been eating too many treats.
Then I'll go home and cry and eat some more.
Then I go to counseling and be miserable.
And it will all be your fault for laughing at me and calling me fat.
All over sugar cookies.

See I told you they are powerful.

Right on Schedule

For once I have finished Christmas shopping before Christmas Eve.
(I'm usually the one who is getting last minute gifts at... well the last minute)

But I'm here to report that for once in my life I have finished ALL of my Christmas shopping long before Christmas Eve!

Of course now I'm broke, but that's another story for another time.

So here's to us Non-procrastinators! I do believe I will celebrate with wine tonight. (I hope that is what non-procrastinators do, I'm new to this club and I don't know the rules)

I'm cold and hungry.

"Please sur may eh have anuthur?"
What movie is that off of?

So are you in the Christmas spirit? Are you done shopping? The lord knows I'm NOT!
I don't even have a tree yet! I will purchase on on Saturday, that is my vow, I think.

There are a couple new recipes I want to try out, and they are all for sweets and deserts!
Those are my favorite kind.

Oh, and I made stuffed pork chops with stuffing and broccoli and cauliflower! It was a good meal, and it deserved to be on the cover of some magazine. It was pretty to look at!

Have you ever made anything like that? It's too pretty you don't want to eat it?
One time, I made a pie for July 4th. This sucker was awesome! It was a mixed berry pie, but I separated all the berries into red and blue portions.

I made a flag, it was awesome. And I was so proud.
No one touched it. It sat on the counter, then the fridge and eventually grew mold. Then it was TOSSED! I was so mad. I never made anything like it again.

Now to the topic on hand, well at least at the top of my post.
I'm cold (it's a whopping 4 degrees out) and I'm hungry (my only meal will be dinner tonight. I never bring lunch and I don't get up early enough to eat breakfast)

I suck and the food chain hates me.

Wiped Out!

Ugh, have you ever been mentally and physically exhausted? Yeah I'm there.

And the thought of Christmas shopping, decorating, baking doesn't help. Makes me want to hide under the covers.

I just can't seem to kick the feeling of being tired.

Totally Necessary

I was having Random thoughts the other morning, last night and again this morning re: Christmas shopping.

I've decided to get people things that are only necessary.
Then I decided to go one further and ask for things that are only necessary for myself.
I want to de-clutter my life, and my house. Who really needs all those things that just are, they really don't have a purpose do they?

Well I started thinking what to buy people, what they really needed and what was really necessary to them.
Does my Sister REALLY need another pair of shoes?
Does my Dad REALLY care if he gets more socks?
Does my Mom REALLY need this or that?

Then I started thinking about myself... (Yeah it happens occasionally)
What do I need that is totally necessary. I tried, I mean I really tried to think of only necessary things and here is what my logic is:
Well, it's TOTALLY NECESSARY for me to have that new camera. I might DIE without it.
Then I also realized, it's TOTALLY NECESSARY for me to get a new coaching bag. I might PERISH without it.
BUT, what about that north face vest, and shoes? I might FREEZE and DIE without them.

So, as you can see. I can't really split the difference from what is necessary and what I just want.
So why should I expect those around me to do the same thing? It's not fair of me to do that and really I'm a very fair and understanding person. Everyone wants what they think is TOTALLY NECESSARY for themselves and where they are in life..... well kinda.

Oh well, I can always try to convince myself again next year.

Happy Halloween!

Yay, for Halloween falling on a Friday!! WOOHOO!!
However, I do not believe I will be enjoying the festivities. I fear I'm too old and if I knock on a door asking for candy while being dressed up. The poor soul will think I'm crazy and have me carted off to a crazy institution!

So instead, I decided to celebrate Halloween tonight, with a big glass of wine and a bowl of chocolates! The chocolates of course have a duel purpose, to give away if we have any trick or treator's and for myself. I need to eat something! It's never a good idea to drink on an empty stomach. (I learned that in college)

And, I just decided right here and now, I will by a pumpkin today at the grocery store and I'll carve it. I'm telling you I'm still a kid at heart. Growing up is for the birds.

I think it will be a good night. As long as I'm not drunk while carving the pumpkin. Can you imagine it... "Mommy why is that pumpkin so bloody?"
"Well sonny, I think the crazy bat who carved it is completely sodded!"

HEY.... For Halloween I'll be that crazy drunk lady. PERFECT!!
I'm such a smarty pants!

I hope everyone has a very safe, fun and Happy Halloween!!!

Christmas Wish List's ALREADY??

This morning all in all was wonderful. Why....? I got to sleep in until 7:15 am!! WHOOHOOO!
No morning practice today, aahhh I love it when I get to sleep longer then 4-5 hours a night!


Anyways, back to the topic on hand.
While drinking my coffee and willing my brain and body to begin it's normal activity and functions. Ryan begins a conversation with me and this is how it starts:
Ryan: "What do you want for Christmas?"
Me: "I don't know, I haven't really thought about it."
(Now I'm creating in my mind MY wish list for Christmas, so far I have 4-5 really good things!)
Ryan: "Oh, well I was thinking of something I wanted for Christmas."
AHH-HAAA the "catch 22"
Me: I give him a look like okay, let's here it. "Oh, what would that be?"
Ryan: "Well, I need another pair of good riding boots."
Ryan: "And I was thinking you do too, so we could get each other new boots!"
(He was so proud of this thinking ahead, but I quickly shot down his present for me. In a nice way, I'm not that mean.)
Me: "I have boots, I don't need anymore" (I know you are all shocked I said no, but just wait)
Ryan: "Well what do you want?"
Me: "A North Face Vest!"
Ryan: "NO, I'm not buying you another vest, you have like 10 already."
(He sits there and thinks for a sec, then adds)
Ryan: "Okay, then I want 2 wool rich sweaters that are pull over but have a little zippy on them"
Me: "Um, what? You just said you wanted boots, you can't change your mind."
Ryan: "Well that was before, and now I realize I want the sweaters"
(Please note, the sweaters Ryan has decided to now want, are kinda well no, the are really expensive. There isn't any kinda about it!)
Me: "MMmm" "I'll think about it."
End of conversation!

I no know, I was sucked into a trick with Ryan. He tricked me into thinking about what I wanted, just so he could spill what he really wanted this year.
Dirty dirty move.
Please for the love of our credit, lets just get through Halloween and Thanksgiving. Then we can start thinking about Christmas!

BUT.....
Now that I was thinking of what I wanted for Christmas.
Here is what I have come up with so far:
1. North Face Vest
2. New Camera (Nikon D 27 or 15 something I think...)
3. Coaching bag, to carry all my papers and notes and schedules
4. Gift cards so I can by myself some new jeans, I have holes in every pair now!
5. Tinted windows for the new pretty truck, and speakers and a remote control starter! (OH YEAH)