La tech and first 5k

I have no pics from my first 5k this past weekend, as soon as my sister emails them to me ill post. I finished, thought i died somewhere in the middle, but i finished. And, in less than 40 minutes, barely! So glad I got that out of the way!

The La Tech Bulldogs are not impressng me this year thus far. Fun times are had, but seriously, do they practice??

These are the guys at the tailgate, no other good pics. sorry...

My husband really did put together a great tailgate. A bit redneck, but fun. We had a TV strapped to a tree, an antenna, and grill. Of coure, the tech rug had to be bought...without my knowing how much it cost I might add!

Ruston Tractor hosts the beef up your taigate each week. I need a good beef recipe! Please send some tailgate friendly beef things that will knock the socks off the judges!

This week

Sorry its been a few days to you few but faithful readers. Here is a rundown

this past weekend was the first tech home game. I went, we lost... The first pic is the "annual" (weve only done it a few years) family pic. My mom quit going to the games years ago, so she misses out every year! Love you mom (if your reading).

The second pic is me and two best friends a girl could ever have. Love yall.

Sunday was my anniversary, see previous post. I studied all day for a test the next day. Then got Johns gift ready (read: took trailer to Lowes and picked up two really heavy and big boxes that contained a new tool chest for his shop). Left them on the trailer, didnt know what else to do with them. Went to church that evening. Came home and fought with John because he didnt think I needed to spend the money. So, I tried to take them back and he wouldnt let me. MEN! We wont talk about my gift (read: there was none). Because we didnt talk about gifts apparently meant he was off the hook...He feels bad. But I tried to tell him its not about the stupid gifts, I got him something he's been wanting for a really long time. Oh well, my bday is in November, ill be 30. Itll be BIG!

Monday took my test, passed with a B after the curve. Oh well, Ill take my B and run! FAST!

Working hard and studying harder. Lifes good. Cant wait for this saturday.

Its my dads first 5k, Im walking/running it, and my hubby and sister are running it also. Its a family affair.

Anniversary

Well, my 3 year anniversary is Sunday. Had hoped for a great dinner or something. We had such a big weekend planned (not really, but some fun things). He calls me two days ago and asks (tells) me that he was invited on a hunting trip in south Texas...

So, this weekend and all our fun plans are mine by myself! I do have my first test Monday, so Im sure Ill get some great studying in. However, I will not miss the Tech home game. Its the first one of the season. Got some great plans with some great people and cant wait!

Is it bad that Im just a little pissed at him???? He left today saying, "just tell me to have a great trip." The nerve of him! He needs to tell me to have a great anniversary (by myself). So honey, have a GREAT trip (insert sarcasm).

If anyone is going to be in town, hollar at me! would love lunch and dinner dates...

disclaimer-i really do love my husband, i dont love that he left me on such an important weekend, tech, anniversary, my first test...would have been nice to have some spousal support. Ive vented, i feel better...

Disappointment

So, if you know me very well, Ive been attempting the couch to 5k program, and "loosely" following weight watchers to attempt to get to 130 before my 30th bday (nov 18). I started out at a whopping 147! 2 weeks ago I was 141 and 1/2. My runs are getting longer (hence slower!) and I went to weigh tonight and was down to ...

wait for it...

are you rady???

141! Thats it.

I know I say Im loosely following weight watchers, but in reality, my eating has gotten a ton better. lean protein, veggies, fiber, etc...

What is wrong. I know I work a lot of nights, but I take my food, I have completely cut out diet coke, I only drink water and tea, and occasionaly a gatorade.

I try to run 3 days a week, but my schedule of flip flopping back and forth between nights and days, in no particular order, I know does not help. I truly only get to do it about 2 days a week.

I guess from now on, when I set my alarm for 5 am and snooze until 518 am, I will instead get up and do my p90x ab video. Maybe that will set in motion some weight loss.

I will also have to cut out (or down) my wine intake. I dont have near as much as I used to, but when we go out to eat, I love a glass (or 2) of red wine. Mel, no more porch nights unless we are drinking water!!! ha!

I vow to myself never to get fat again! I am going to lose these last 11 pounds if it kills me!

any doc friend (who I seriously doubt is reading this) want to write me some addipex??????

Hope every one has a great weekend, Im goin to munch on some carrots...

Weight Watchers

So im loosely following WW to try and get to my "fighting" weight before the big 3-0. I made a really good supper tonight, who knew WW had such good food!

6 whole wheat tortillas
1 pound cooked chicken breasts diced
1.5 cups fat free sour cream (you cant tell its fat free after its cooked!)
1 can black beans rinsed and drained
1 can rotel drained (or not, however you like it)
4 oz can green chilles
some taco seasoning, how ever much you like
cumin, salt, pepper (how ever much you like)
1 cup low fat cheese

lay 3 tortillas in the bottom of casserole dish
mix everything else together
put half of it on top of tortillas and put three more tortillas on top of that
put the rest of the "mixture" on top of that and top with a little more cheese
bake at 350 for 30-45 min covered with foil until hot and bubbly

eat

it was really good. the real recipe served 12, so i halved it. you could even add whatever else you like

I served with guac and salsa. (the wholey guacamole brand makes 100 cal packs that are really good). also added garden salad with ff catalina dressing.

6 points per serving

i know we eat early, always have, always will...

John even liked it...

Busy Busy

Ive been super busy lately. It seems all i do is work, school, and study. I guess thats my life now. I did manage to squeeze in a glass of wine the other night and last night...and it was good!

Rachel at the Peek-a-bootique is having a giveaway through stephanie and there are several ways to enter! Go check it out! her stuff is amazing!

No pics...I did take some of my studying, but lets just say I burned them. I dont dress up to study! HA! Yall have a good rest of the week and have fun at the Tech/Grambling game if your going, Ill be working...

just so yall understand...

the GRAVITY of my situation! I am posting pics of my "favorite" reads for the next 21 months... Truly inspiring I assure you, but oh so overwhelming at the same time. The first class it self wasnt bad, Im scared for what is to come.

Yea, its really that thick!

And this is actually page 2754, not including apendices or index! This is why i cry every night!

OVERWHELMED

Im completely in over my head with this whole NP thing! So much to learn...so much to do...today was day 1, and I feel like Im never gonna make it... with that said, I get to come home to these two, they make my day sometimes, and others I want to give them away!

Weekend happenings

Friday night John convinced me to not go see a movie ive been dying to see, but instead to go eat at Outback. We havent been there in years and it was still just as good as I remember. However, now im counting points (weight watchers) so I could not have my favorites! I guess my waistline is more important than my taste buds right now!

Last night we celebrated with some friends who are moving to Sweeden for 3 months. Carla is doing a residency in Optometry and Chad is "tagging along". We had a great time with them, as always...

Me and John

Derek and HeatherDerek and Derek (D Buz and BoBo)John and Chad

Today, me and D Love went to see Eat Pray Love. I read the book several years ago and this was an awesome show. A little slow maybe compared to action thrillers, but nonetheless, inspiring to find ones self.

I start my Masters program tomorrow, Im excited and scared all at the same time! I hope I do well and make many new friends, and learn to care for people independantly! Maybe I will prove myself to some of yall (all three readers) and you will come see me! HA! I have the "night before school starts" jitters. Wondering what to wear, if I know people (although I know Iwill since ive worked with more than half my class), and if I am smart enough for this...I need a therapist!

Camera Dump

Just trying to clean off my camera to make room for new stuff....

in this august heat, this was delicious, my husband however, didnt think so!

Shreveport

Superior Bar and Grill

My dogs have such hard lives!

1 week left

Its official, I have one week left until school starts. I will be going to GSU every monday from 8-5 with clincial hours to do the rest of the week. Oh, lest I forget, I will be working 2 days a week too... All of this for the next 21 months in order to better myself. Im working on my masters in nursing, to hopefully become a Nurse Practitioner.

Amongst other things, i have been enjoying my time before I have to buckle down and get to studying. Had a great weekend; friday night helped my sister with a garage sale, sat am sold at the garage sale, sat evening went to shreveport with some great friends. Came home sunday and....

ended up with the stomach bug. Puked my guts up. whole nine yards. Ended up having to call into work...something I never do! So today its all about washing sheets and clothes so my wonderful hubby doesnt get sick!

Im feeling much better today and am hoping to be able to run this evening since I couldnt yesterday. Ill let yall know how I do, im finishing up week 2, getting ready for week 3.

I cant imagine being a mom with a kid that is sick. they dont get up and go to the bathroom, at least I do that so there is less mess to clean up....

Have a great week!

Date night and such...

I guess part of being married means becoming complacent with life. I never really think that John and I go on "dates" because we generally just meet up with friends at a bar (I know, im still being dragged into adult hood!). Last week we had a really big fight because I dont ever feel "noticed" and he just assumed that by us going out wih friends all the time meant I was having a good time. WRONG! Dont get me wrong here, I LOVE going out with my friends, and his, but there comes a time when I want my hubby to myself. Is that wrong? Anyway, last night was officially a date night. We went to eat, had some Maggie Moos, saw Salt at the theater, then, at 10 pm, went for a run.

As for this run, at 10 pm it was still 96 degrees and felt like 100% humidity. But I had to do it. I have signed up for a 5k in december and am following the couch to 5k program. I AM NOT A RUNNER! Let me repeat I AM NOT A RUNNER! And I thought I died last night. But, week 2 day 1 is now complete.

Thanks for the date and the run honey! Love you!

If anyone is interested www.c25k.com is the program im following...

I am not 18 anymore...

But I continually (and most recently two nights in a row) act as if I am. Maybe im trying to "get it all out of my system" before school starts, or maybe Im dreading the BIG 3-0 in a few short months (where has this year gone?). I dont know, but my head still hurts.....

However, my sis, my bff, my other bff, my significant other, and another had a great time last night (or at least I think we did!)

There is this new place in town, not exactly a laid back atmosphere, but loud music and funny people and a large selection of tap beer always make for a good time. I hope everyone else had fun!

And by the way, drunk facebooking and drunk dialing are one in the same! (HA HA HA HA). We are no longer youngens, I think Im gonna grow up now. Im going into adult hood kicking and screaming....

Thoughts for Friday

Several things are running through my brain right now...some good, some miserable! Maybe if yall give me a few minutes to rant, ill feel better!

1. Incompetetance on a college campus is a NO! But I have dealt with said incompetance for several weeks now. Im going back for my masters in Nursing but in order to do so, I need financial aid so I dont have to work full time while I do it. Dealing with the financial aid at this school is just obsurd! Every week I go and every week im told, check back next week! Summer session ended last week and I still dont have my refund! Obsurdity I tell you!

2. Lunch with hubby and great friend today yeilded great conversation! So much fun!

3. I have to work tomorrow, UGH!

4. Im attempting to run the st jude 5k with my dad while my hubby and sister run the half marathon. I have successfully completed week 1 of couch to 5k. It was rough, but i can do this. Right???

5. still laughing about conversation today at lunch!

John, emily, jackie, and rett at the half marathon last year! Ill never do that, but a 5k isnt to far out of reach..

Tomato gravy

After speaking with the MIL, here is her version of tomato gravy, compete without actual measurements...

cover the bottom of a skillet/pan with plain oil (crisco), not olive oil.

Add flour as to make a roux (but not really). Just enough to be pasty (like elmers glue) and not lumpy.

Cook constantly stirring until lightly brown. Not really really brown, (b/c ultimately it will be red and taste has no factor at this point unless you burn it!) But just cook till lightly brown.

have some hot water ready and just add a little till it looks like gravy. (you decide what gavy is supposed to look like i guess!).

then a can of tomato sauce and a can of tomatos. You can add more, just make sure you add more oil and flour at the beginning.

season like you want too. (salt and pepper). just let cook till ready to eat.

Cook biscuits from can (or homemade if your that good) and spoon on top of biscuit.

Im trying this tonight and will post what happens! (maybe even with pictures)

Breakfast Foods

So, messy aprons wants to know what the best breakfast foods are...its no secret, im generally not up in time for breakfast, and if i am, im not eating.

So, in the interest of sparing you all the things i eat for "breakfast" that ARE NOT considered breakfast foods, here's what I would like every saturday am

1. tomato gravy and biscuits
I cant tell you how to make tomato gravy b/c i have no idea how! My M-I-L makes it and she gave me the recipe but it was "to taste", im no cook, i need actual doses!

2. eggs, fried, medium
with lots of salt and pepper (tonys)

3. cinnamin (sp) rolls
out of the can, follow directions

4. bacon

Sorry for the lack of recipes, as stated earlier, im no cook, and these are self explanatory!

Happy Birthday Melanie

Today is my best friends birthday. Ofcourse, I dedicated this weekend to her! We always have so much fun when we are out together...we have a great group of girls that love each other unconditionally and i am forever greatful for that! So, friday night me, melanie and two other girls went to supper. Then I became their taxi! I had a paper to finish so after supper I came home to write that and then picked them up from a local place when they called. Thats always fun! Wish I could have been with them!

Saturday night (last night) we cristened the new new place in town. Great selection of beer, etc...I kninda felt like a neurologist had performed a caniotomy on me this am. However, I persevered and made it to church this am! So glad i did, great service!

I dont have and pics from this weekend, so ill leave you with some of me and my bff over the last couple months/years..

Me and Mel summer 2009 Cowboy Mouth Concert

Me and Mel summer 2010, Gulf Shores

Mel and Amy, Gary Allen, summer 2010

Me and Mel, fall 2009, LSU vs Tech

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MELANIE!!!!

Favorite Grilling Recipes

Kelly's Korner is hosting her "show us your life" this week on favorite grilling recipes. I love this, well mainly because John and I grill EVERYTHING. Its what we are good at. I have several recipes that are just awesome.

1. Salmon

we season 2 salmon filets with a chile lime seasoning my mom gave us for christmas and grill. During summer we grill corn as a side and serve with brown rice. During the winter, usually some sort of winter veggie will suffice.

2. Chicken

any way you like it. My fav is from the pioneer woman with her "tequilla lime grilled chicken". in a blender put tequilla, olive oil, lime juice, jalepeno (whole), cilantro, and salt and blend well. Marinate chicken in for few hours and grill. After grilling, top with monterey jack shredded cheese and place under broiler for just long enough to melt cheese. Serve with pico, sour cream, and guac.... awesome.

3. Brats

on a bun with mustard....need i say more

Any kind, may fav is jalepeno cheese...

School Supplies

Make me happy! The tech bookstore had school supplies for 75% off today!!! I racked up! Im just giddy. Nothing makes me happier than to get a new backpack and binders. I have no pics to show my loot so ill leave you with a another one that I love.

This is me in Haiti this past Feb working in a field hospital, we were leaving an orphanage that had turned into a tent city/hospital and heading back to Jimani, Dominican Republic. Im in the green pants if you didnt recognize my fabulousness!

Here we go

So, I started this thing, and even as quickly quit it. I love reading everyone elses so I though I would type my own, maybe someone else is as interested in my life as i am theirs! Stay tuned for ramblings from my life, school, work, and friends. We have a ton going on! The above is from a recent trip to see a slightly famous JIMMY BUFFETT! I love him, almost as much as my husband, but not as much as jenn calvert!

messy aprons

im gonna try to start this again, so much going on...anywho, the messy aprons are wanting everyone to tell their go to recipe-heres mine

(stolen from the pioneer woman-my hero)

marlboro mans' second favorite sandwich (and now mine)

2 chicken breasts
lemon pepper seasoning
peppered bacon
your favorite cheese

cook the bacon (however much 2 people can eat)
throw out the grease
season each side of the chicken breasts with lemon pepper
cook on first side for 4-5 minutes
turn over and cook for 4-5 more minutes
place bacon on top, then cheese (i use colby jack)
place lid on pan and let cheese melt
serve between your favorite bread (i put mustard on mine)

so easy and awesome!