Yummo! ( to quote the oft-hated Rachel Ray)
1 bag salad greens w/ carrots
1/2 cup cheddar cheese
1/2 cup Chow Mein noodles
1/2 cup dried cranberries (I used cran-raisins)
1 jar Asian Sesame Ginger dressing
Mix and serve immediately: ** I served it with BBQ Chicken, Baked Beans and Steamed broccoli
It's that time of year again. No more ugly feet, ladies. Just follow these simple steps for summer friendly feet!
1. Use cotton or gauze to remove old nail polish.
2. File nails straight across to avoid hangnails.
3. Soak feet for 10 minutes in a tub of warm water, adding your favorite soak or milk.
4. Towel dry feet, and then use a skin file. This will help you smooth out those cracked heels. For a little extra help, use a pumice stone. These two tools will help you smooth over all of the rough edges of your feet.
5. Gently push back cuticles with an orange stick
6. File and buff away ridges and discoloration
7. Polish:
** Use a base coat. A base coat will fortify and protect the nail itself.
** Choose a fun and bright color for your polish. Choose one that matches your skin tone.
**You can separate overlapping toes with a cotton ball.
**For really fun toenails, take a toothpick and dip it into another color of polish. Gently dabble the toothpick on your toe nail, leaving round dot. You can continue this dotted pattern to create a flower – use a different color for the center of the flower.
**Use a clear protective coat to finish.
Recipes for the footbath/scrub:
**A milk and honey combination smoothes and moisturizes tired feet.
**Skin softening bath: Add a generous dollop of honey to foot bath water for a fragrant, silky soak.
**Foaming vanilla honey bath: Mix one cup of sweet almond oil with 1/2 cup of honey, 1/2 cup of liquid soap, and one tablespoon of vanilla extract. Carefully stir the honey, liquid soap and vanilla extract into the oil until fully blended. Pour into a clean plastic bottle with a tight-fitting stopper or lid. Shake gently before using. Pour a dollop into your hand-soak bowl or foot bath then add warm water.
Foot scrub!
**Mix one tablespoon of honey with two tablespoons of finely ground almonds and 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice. Rub gently on the feet, then rinse with warm water.
Moisturize!
**Moisture mask: Mix four tablespoons of honey and three tablespoons of milk. Smooth over feet. Leave on 10 minutes, then rinse with warm water and pat dry.
**Rose oil & honey mask: Mix two tablespoons of honey with two tablespoons sweet almond oil and five drops of rose essential oil. Massage onto clean feet, relax for 15 minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water Gently pat dry.
After all this work you will be able to slip into a gorgeous pair of sandals just like these:
or these:
(shoes available at Newport-news.com)
"It was a different life
When we were boys and girls
Not just a different time
It was a different world"---Bucky Covington
I heard this on the radio today, and it struck me how true it is. The actual song shows the changes that have occured in American society.
Do you remember being able to go out and play in the summer, from dawn till dusk without having to check in or having to stay in your own yard? Do you remember being able to ride your bike all over the neighborhood, and being able to go into your friends houses with out worrying your parents? I remember walking to the store with a friend at 7, and going to the "exchange" alone at 10, not to mention walking to school everyday alone.
I wish my kids lived in a world where this was still possible. I live in the middle of Nebraska, yet I am still leary of sending my kids out the back door to play alone. I would love for my kids to be able to ride their bikes all over our neighborhood, but I am afraid they won't come home. My kids ask all the time if they can walk to school alone, but it's too scary for me.
I miss what it was like when I was still playing outside...and that was only 15 years ago, it's amazing how things change.
Have you seen the new Entree Salads by Hillshire Farm? OMG, they are awesome. In a little plastic bucket, you get almost everything to make a complete salad entree, they are available in four different varieties including: Chicken Caesar, Turkey & Ham Chef, Chicken & Bacon Club and Turkey & Cranberries with Ham Julienne, the packages include the meat, cheese, dressing and toppings, so that all you need to do is add lettuce to complete the meal!
Let me tell you how much time this saves....now instead of having to wash/cut up everything that I want in my salad, I can just grab this out of the fridge, add a baggie of lettuce and I am on my way.
Thanks Hillshire Farm (GO MEAT!!) (http://gomeat.com)
Chicken Enchilada's
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 1/2 pounds skinless boneless chicken breast
Salt and pepper
2 teaspoons cumin powder
2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon Mexican Spice Blend
1 red onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup frozen corn, thawed
5 canned whole green chiles, seeded and coarsely chopped
4 canned chipotle chiles, seeded and minced
1 (28-ounce) can stewed tomatoes
1/2 teaspoon all-purpose flour
16 corn tortillas
1 1/2 cups enchilada sauce, canned
1 cup shredded Cheddar and Jack cheeses
Garnish: chopped cilantro leaves, chopped scallions, sour cream, chopped tomatoes.
Coat large saute pan with oil. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Brown chicken over medium heat, allow 7 minutes each side or until no longer pink. Sprinkle chicken with cumin, garlic powder and Mexican spices before turning. Remove chicken to a platter, allow to cool.
Saute onion and garlic in chicken drippings until tender. Add corn and chiles. Stir well to combine. Add canned tomatoes, saute 1 minute.
Pull chicken breasts apart by hand into shredded strips. Add shredded chicken to saute pan, combine with vegetables. Dust the mixture with flour to help set.Microwave tortillas on high for 30 seconds. This softens them and makes them more pliable. Coat the bottom of 2 (13 by 9-inch) pans with a ladle of enchilada sauce. Using a large shallow bowl, dip each tortilla in enchilada sauce to lightly coat. Spoon 1/4 cup chicken mixture in each tortilla. Fold over filling, place 8 enchiladas in each pan with seam side down. Top with remaining enchilada sauce and cheese.Bake for 15 minutes in a preheated 350 degree F oven until cheese melts. Garnish with cilantro, scallion, sour cream and chopped tomatoes before serving.
Serve with Spanish rice and beans.
*****I suck at making Enchilada's...ask anyone. I have yet to find a recipe that works for me. I have even attempted to have hispanic friends teach me, and walk me thru step by step and it always fails. I have no idea why. Hopefully this recipe will be the turning point, because Jason LOVES enchiladas.***
***As soon as I make this (probably this weekend?) I will post a picture of what mine looked like.
Sexy is looking over across the basement and seeing your husband standing there with his shirt rolled up under his pecs , showing off his belly button.
Love is not laughing hysterically.
Pretty neat name, no? It sounds like a cleaning product, but they are actually a pretty damn good cover band. I got to hear them on Friday night at The Arena in Omaha. They had some technical sound problems, but the actual sound was pretty true to the songs that they were doing...minus the Michael Jackson. 5 white guys from Omaha should not attempt "Billie Jean". It just doesn't work. They also shouldn't attempt Prince...that wasn't so good either. Oh, and also do not butcher "Save a horse, Ride a cowboy", it pisses people off. Other than that...they were great. :)
I was invited to this little "soirée" by my friend Kallie and her co-worker Ashley (along with a few additional girls). We actually had a pretty good time. I am not one for dancing or drinking *much*, in general so this was a little out of my comfort zone. Kallie was adorable! She made me promise not to blog about her dancing.... **You were great, Kal...I promise** All I have to say is " Call me Mack Daddy, yo!"
On to the funny parts-- There was this "lady", and I use the term loosely there. She was a classic study in what not to wear when you are drunk..or what not to wear in general. She had the tiniest skirt on...and I was afraid she was going to move and the entire Arena pub would be treated to a view of her "hoo-ha". The shoes that she wore were the highlight of the outfit. See picture below. Now, you have to keep in mind that this "lady" was already nearly 6 feet tall. Her idea of dancing, was to skip across the floor and occasionally bounce up and down. I bet 10 to 1 that she was a "dancing" girl,(nothing wrong with it...) Either that or she was a drag queen--the group was 50/50 on it.
Then there was this guy. He danced the same way to every song, and even I (as a non-dancer) know you can't do that! He did a bunch of arm waving, and kneeling and moving like he was in a mosh-pit. He attempted to dance with every lady that was out on the dance floor, and some of the "rebuff" moves that the girls did were hilarious. The only one he didn't attempt to dance with was the "Stripper-lady". They would have been a good pair. I may have paid to see that. Maybe.
Yea..it's rambling and I'm getting tired.
.
I just got invited to do a test shoot for a Bridal catalog here in Omaha. Scary! I am really excited, and my girl K. says she'll come with so that helps a little. I'm nervous that I won't be what they want, and that it will be all for nothing, yanno?
I love to have my picture taken (J. says he's never seen anyone like to do it as much as I do, lol) and I love weddings and brides and all that, so it's a good combo. Just nerve-racking!
I am from books new and old, from Maxwell House coffee and bad reality TV.
I am from the post, the base, the naval air station with gate and locks and closures and incongruent welcoming arms.
I am from the bluebells of Texas, the waterfalls of Iceland and the corn of Nebraska and the smell of earthworms after the rain.
I am from seven kinds of fish on Christmas and bad eyesight, from Cathy and David and Donna. I am from the spenders-of-money and the constant huggers.
From no matter what you do, we will always love you and Eat it, it will put hair on your chest.
I am from Protestant-ism. Searching and seeking for something that rings with truth.
I'm from New Hampshire, from seafood and Schnitzel.
From the broken glo-sticks all over the bedroom in Texas, the trips to see new babies and the wisdom that comes with age.
I am from the plastic box with the scrapbooks and loose photos, stored carefully in the basement, the yearbooks and journals opened and read with fond memories .
***********
Get the template at http://www.swva.net/fred1st/wif.htm
The challenge:
For your 55th birthday, your significant puts together a magnificent Hawaiian luau bash. Your dream, as a couple, was always to go there but life piled up in front of you and, alas, you never made it. The bash winds down around 1 am after much heavy partying. You wake up, can’t find your significant anywhere, walk into the kitchen, and find this note taped to the coffee maker:
*************************
“Gone for batteries, be back in a bit, love —me”
I shake my head at his ability to function at this late hour. *He’s always been a night owl* I think as I turn back towards the cabinet to put the coffee mug away, and see his wallet lying on the counter where it always is. *Odd…oh well, he’ll be back for it*, and I head back to bed falling back to sleep quickly.***
I sit up with a jolt, reaching out towards his side of the bed, it’s cold and unwrinkled. Pulling my robe around me, I tiptoe out towards the office, hoping to find him in front of the computer. He’s not there.
“Jason?” , I ask, walking into the living room, expecting to see him asleep on the couch. Nothing. No answer, no sleeping husband. *Where the hell is he*, I mutter to myself as I push aside the curtains to look outside. His truck is still sitting in the drive, dwarfing my car as usual. *He’s got to be here somewhere*, I think to myself as I head towards the basement, hoping that maybe he’s tinkering around down there.
The lights in the basement are off, I reach to flick them on and nothing happens. I flick the switch on and off rapidly, calling out into the darkened area.
“Babe...you down there?” No answer. I move back in to the kitchen and grab a flashlight from the junk drawer and flick it on. Just then, I notice the red on my fingers…
***
Hmm, where to go now?
How people can see directly in my soul and write the words that it is afraid to speak. Poetry astounds me. There are so many people out there who know how to capture the essence of a feeling and make the resulting words say exactly what some one needs to hear. I came across this poem in the last few minutes and it spoke to me. It will speak to you as well.
I had dinner with a girlfriend and a friend of hers this past Friday. We talked about husbands and babies and married life in general. As we talked, I couldn't help but be thankful for my 9+ years of marriage. Jason and I don't always get along, we don't always like each other, and we have had our rough times (my fault!) But, I am so happy and thankful that he is here and we are still together.
He truly is an amazing husband. He overlooks my faults (plentiful as they may be) and helps me to realize and see my strengths. He supports me, even when he knows I will quit or give up. He loves me not in spite of who I am, but because of it.
He is the best father any one could ask for. He is patient, and kind. When I saw him hold our oldest for the first time, and saw how big his hands were compared to our teeny tiny baby, I fell in love with him all over again. When I see him take the time to play with our daughter in some decidely un-manly game--When he says how proud he is of our boys when they are doing well in school and takes the time to show them, I fall in love again.
I don't always show my love or my respect for him in the best ways, and I know I have a long way to go, before he can see how much I truly love and appreciate him.
My love, I am thankful that you are here with me, and that you love me. You are truly my heart and soul.
"There are people who put their dreams in a little box and say, "Yes, I've got dreams, of course I've got dreams." Then they put the box away and bring it out once in awhile to look in it, and yep, they're still there. These are great dreams, but they never even get out of the box. It takes an uncommon amount of guts to put your dreams on the line, to hold them up and say, "How good or how bad am I?" That's where courage comes in." --Erma Louise Bombeck
I will admit that I am guilty as charged. I have things that I want to do, but I don't have the courage to actually do them. I start, then stop if something goes wrong. A few months ago I started making jewelry... I sold a bunch of pieces through work/friends, but when I put them up on e-Bay nothing much sold...so I stopped. I really enjoyed doing it, but I don't anymore because I am scared that nothing will sell. A few years ago, I started a book...I wrote the first chapter, and let the husband read it...he added a funny comment at the end (and it was funny) and I stopped. Multiple times, I have started and stopped an exercise program because the results weren't coming as quick as I wanted or I plateaud.
How does one get the courage to put themselves out there? How do you deal with the rejections, or the nay-sayers? How do you put up with disappointment?
I heard my 2ND grader say something yesterday, that no mother/parent should ever have to hear.
"Mom, a man came in to my school and was going to shoot me"
How do you respond to that? When I heard him say that, in his clear little boy voice-- with absolutely no fear, no worry, off-handed like he would tell me that the car next to us was green--my heart felt like it was going to explode.
Why should my "little" 7 year old have to know about these things? Why can't he tell me about Ninja turtles and soccer or a million other things? Why does he have to know that people can get into schools and hurt children just like him? Why does he have to know that OTHER kids can bring things to school that can hurt him/other kids. Why does he have to live in a world where people take out their anger in a physical way? Why does he have to live in a world where parents have to worry about sending their kids (little or otherwise) to school knowing that they might not come home?
This is rambling, I know..but it's hard to make sense of it. I don't want my kids to live in fear of the world and everyone in it, but I don't want them "fearless" either. How do you strike the right balance?
Dear lady who was sitting across from me in this mornings Project Management meeting:
I totally loved your outfit, the black and white print skirt was really cute and the black wrap top set it off perfectly. I loved your shoes--Maryjane heels are so adorable. I truly appreciate the fact that you didn't go out of the house ala Britney or Lindsey (sans drawers) believe me, however, I didn't appreciate the fact that no matter where I looked, your crotch was staring me in the face. Please, please, please, if you are going to wear a skirt to these meeting in the future (and you know you will) learn how to sit in a skirt so that your hoo-ha (covered or not) isn't hanging out.
Thank you,
Fashionista
My girl Jael was eliminated from ANTM.....I loved her! She was an original and she would have done great.
"Get the Sheriff on the phone
Lord have mercy, how'd she even get them britches on, That honky tonk badonkadonk"
I saw a lady today, and instantly these lyrics came to mind, especially this very line. Dear lady, if you have a huge ass with a little bitty-teeny tiny top half...please please please don't wear tight leggings. Ever. (unless you want people to instantly associate you with this song--and not in a good way--in which case, go for it.)
The things people wear out of the house constantly amazes me. I can't help it. I think Stacy and Clinton (if you don't know who they are...you may need help) have infected my brain.
I was farting around myspace yesterday (gah--My name is Becky G. and I am a myspace addict) and came across an old friend (on myspace--who knew??). Turns out she is currently living, not only in Nebraska...but in Omaha.
For some people this wouldn't be surprising news. For us though, it is. You see, we are "Army Brats" (hu-ah!) and graduated a long time ago, in a galaxy far far away (ok, Vilseck, Germany). Not only have I not seen more than 1 person I graduated with in the last 10 (OMG!!) years, those that I have run across online; live in far flung places that I will almost never have the chance to get to.
I guess the point of the story is: it is a "small world after all" (Cue annoying Disney canned music).
Ten rounds with Jose Cuervo (Tracy Byrd) came on, and I was transported back by the lyrics.
" One round with Jose Cuervo, I went two rounds, Three rounds..."
It reminded me of 1998. Jason and I were just married, and living in our base housing. We were having a house party some time in July of that year. I sat on the front steps with a good friend and between the two of us, we finished off a few cans of Old E, a 6 pack of some shit or another, and a bottle of peppermint schnaps. We attempted to walk into the house (up TWO stairs, mind you) and had a hell of a time. After we managed to make it in, we played a little game...everytime you wanted a beer out of the cooler/fridge, you had t drink a shot of Jose Cuervo. We ended up finishing off that entire bottle.
Long story short, I have never again been that drunk in my life. (It was awesome)
Anyway, yea. Memories!
I wish I could say that I can't believe this happened, but I can't. It's happened way too often before, and it will continue to happen. What are we doing wrong? Why do people think that this sort of thing is an appropriate course of action? Was there no other way to express your feelings? No other way to get your point across? Were there no people whom Cho Seung-hui could turn to, who he could ask for help?
Virginia Tech, I mourn with you. My thoughts, prayers are with you and all those affected by this senseless tragedy. May you find healing and peace, in this world where such things are rarer than they ought to be.
I've belonged to a group online for the last few years, and have recently begun to feel myself drifting away. Maybe it's that I don't need them as much as I used to, now that I am back in the states and have real friends? Maybe, it's the political and lifestyle differences..I am a very open minded liberal and I am still searching for my "higher" power, where the ladies there are among the most "religious" and "right-wing" people that I have ever met. I don't feel comfortable sharing my views there very often anymore.
In all the ladies that I have "met" there, there are a few that stand out, whom I would count among "real" friends, and would actually be friends with in "real life". They know who they are, and I am honored and thankful that they are in my life.
<span style="color: rgb(204, 51, 204);">Last weekend I saw something at Larry's Pistol & Pawn Shop that sparked my interest. The occasion was our 22nd anniversary and I was looking for a little something extra for my wife Toni. What I came across was a 100,000-volt, pocket/purse-sized taser. The effects of the taser were suppose to be short lived, with no long-term adverse affect on your assailant, allowing her adequate time to retreat to safety.... WAY TOO COOL!
Long story short, I bought the device and brought it home. I loaded two triple-a batteries in the darn thing and pushed the button. Nothing! I was disappointed. I learned, however, that if I pushed the button AND pressed it against a metal surface at the same time; I'd get the blue arch of electricity darting back and forth between the prongs. Awesome!!! Unfortunately, I have yet to explain to Toni what that burn spot is on the face of her microwave.
Okay, so I was home alone with this new toy, thinking to myself that it couldn't be all that bad with only two triple-a batteries,... right?
There I sat in my recliner, my cat Gracie looking on intently (trusting little soul) while I was reading the directions and thinking that I really needed to try this thing out on a flesh & blood moving target. I must admit I thought about zapping Gracie (for a fraction of a second) and thought better of it. She is such a sweet cat. But, if I was going to give this thing to my wife to protect herself against a mugger, I did want some assurance that it would work as advertised. Am I wrong?
So, there I sat in a pair of shorts and a tank top with my reading glasses perched delicately on the bridge of my nose, directions in one hand, taser in another. The directions said that a one-second burst would shock and disorient your assailant; a two-second burst was supposed to cause muscle spasms and a major loss of bodily control; a three-second burst would purportedly make your assailant flop on the ground like a fish out of water. Any burst longer than three seconds would be wasting the batteries.
All the while I'm looking at this little device measuring about 5" long, less than 3/4 inch in circumference; pretty cute really and loaded with two itsy, bitsy triple-a batteries) thinking to myself, "no possible way!"
What happened next is almost beyond description, but I'll do my best.....
I'm sitting there alone, Gracie looking on with her head cocked to one side as to say, "don't do it master," reasoning that a one-second burst from such a tiny little ole thing couldn't hurt all that bad.... I decided to give myself a one-second burst just for the heck of it. I touched the prongs to my naked thigh, pushed the button, and HOLY MOTHER, WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION@!@$$!%!@*!!!
I'm pretty sure Jessie Ventura ran in through the side door, picked me up in the recliner, then body slammed us both on the carpet, over and over and over again. I vaguely recall waking up on my side in the fetal position, with tears in my eyes, body soaking wet, both nipples on fire, testicles nowhere to be found, with my left arm tucked under my body in the oddest position, and tingling in my legs. The cat was standing over me making meowing sounds I had never heard before, licking my face, undoubtedly thinking to herself, "do it again, do it again!"
Note: If you ever feel compelled to "mug" yourself with a taser, one note of caution: there is no such thing as a one-second burst when you zap yourself. You will not let go of that thing until it is dislodged from your hand by a violent thrashing about on the floor. A three second burst would be considered conservative.
SON-OF-A-.... that hurt like hell!!! A minute or so later (I can't be sure, as time was a relative thing at that point), collected my wits (what little I had left), sat up and surveyed the landscape. My bent reading glasses were on the mantel of the fireplace. How did they up get there??? My triceps, right thigh and both nipples were still twitching. My face felt like it had been shot up with Novocain, and my bottom lip weighed 88 lbs. I'm still looking for my testicles? I'm offering a significant reward for their safe return.
Still in shock,
Tommy
</span>
What not to wear....(all things I have seen at the OFFICE today)
White tights. Even worse? Sheer white hosiery with white shoes. (you end up looking like a Minnie Mouse Wanna Be)
Going without a bra when you are larger than a C cup, or wearing a bra that is so worn out that it looks like you are going without one entirely.
Matching your shoes with your dress. For example, wearing a red dress with red shoes in the exact same color is a no-no!
Wearing so much hair product that you can actually see it.
A wide belt under a big bust.
socks with stilettos.
Heavy lip liner with a different color lip shade inside.
Saggy tights.
Jeans that are so tight they give you a muffin top.
visible panty lines
Long (mid-thigh/knee-length) babydoll/camisole shirts paired with jeans (either wear a dress, or wear jeans, but not both at the same time)
I could go on and on.....
Columbine, Oklahoma City, Branch Davidians, Suicide bomber in Beirut, Tiananmen Square Protests of 1989, Kent State.... and now this:
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/04/16/vtech.shooting/index.html
What the hell?
I spent the day yesterday doing a "photo shoot" for my portfolio. I had the best time. The photographer was awesome, and picked a really great location and came up with some wonderful poses/shots. I took my friend Kallie along for moral support and styling advice. She may have a career in photography ahead of her! She came up with some really great ideas for some shots that I would't have thought of, and I am sure that the photo's will come out wonderfully!
I can't wait to see them.
Check back in a few days for pics!
I did some searching around and found a photographer here in Omaha who is willing to do some free work for me, as long as I let her use some of the photos in her professional portfolio.
We are going to be using Omaha's Old Market area as our locationand down on the waterfront
I will get to do some indoors/outdoors and then some in the alleyways around that area for my "down and dirty" shots.
I am so excited!!
Link to Sunnee Register, the Amazing Photographer (my title for her!)
Sunnee Register
Her Blog
http://www.venusdivamag.com/Pages/plus-size-contests-detail.asp?article-id=205058889
"Venus Diva Magazine Cover Model Contest
Submit yourself AND help us choose our next curvy cover model for the Venus Diva Magazine! What are we looking for in a cover model? It's more than just being beautiful...A Venus Diva is a woman that believes that when she inspires even one person to discover her talent and passion, that she becomes part of the very fabric that encourages us all to thrive. This is what a Venus Diva Cover girl embodies... Beautiful, yes, but beyond her physical gifts, a Venus Diva Cover Model is willing to reach out and support others in their dreams and passion."
I have a bunch of pictures up there, in addition to Musecube and Modelmayhem. It's the first time I have really put myself out there with no guarantee of a positive outcome. It's been a fun ride so far, with lots of postive comments. I even scheduled my first "Photo Shoot" and can't wait until it's time!
Take a look and tell me what you think:
http://modelmayhem.com/member.php?id=371379
Welcome Camren Inari --
9 lbs 11 oz
21 inches long
Head full of hair!!
I will post pics as soon as I can. I am leaving Thursday morning to drive down!
