Pampered Chef Can Be Dangerous to Your Pocketbook

It's pretty funny that a girl with no kitchen has this many new kitchen gadgets! Man, I can't wait to break out all my pretty red kitchen stuff again. I miss my stuff:( But, not as much as I miss my husband!

Silly Pup

Kojak loves his brush time. Especially when we get to the belly:)

Kisses for Mommy. He's such a loverboy.

Camera Love

I've been learning the in's and out's of my new Nikon D90. I am so spoiled to this camera now. The quality of the pictures is amazing! It doesn't hurt when you have such a purdy subject either:)

Our Handome Fella

I can't believe my little puppy is 30 pounds now! He had his first professional grooming Wednesday. He came out smelling so good, and his fur is so much thinner and softer. They said he was wonderful for his grooming. He is such a tolerant dog, it didn't surprise me. I've never met a dog so patient. Teeth cleaning, baths, brushing. I really got lucky with him. Now if I could just get him to stop jumping on anyone and everyone! Little Kojak also got to reunite with his brother, T-Beau on Friday night. My great aunt and uncle are his owners, and they are up visiting. The two brothers haven't seen each other since we got them. I was anxious to see how they would be, but after a few sniffs, it was as if it had only been a day since their last meeting. They were so excited. It was good fun.

To My Darling Sister

Ashwee, today you are 24. I can't believe we've grown up so fast. We've been through alot together, and I've always taken comfort in the fact that I've had you right by my side through thick and thin, highs and lows, to call me out when I needed it, encourage me when I was down, hold me up when I couldn't stand, and celebrate life's joys. I am so blessed to have my best friends as my family. Family is so important, and we have the best. I am a pretty lucky big sister to have you and Alaina as my little sissies.

You have become a beautiful young woman, and a wonderful Mommy and wife. I am so proud of you. You have taken me in at one of the hardest times of my life without a second thought. You have such a big heart, and you have never, ever hesitated to help your loved ones whenever we've needed it. I love you so much, and I wish you a very Happy Birthday.

Happy Easter! I hope everyone has a blessed day, and yummy food, and time spent with loved ones. I know that's what we will be doing!

A Look Into The Life Part 1

Jason driving a Humvee on a convoy:

Some of the guys in Baghdad, Jason is in the middle:

My handsome man, I am so proud of you!



Living Quarters:

The bunks...yes, the messy one is my Jason's.


Their "wall lockers":

They doubled their beds up so they could have a "living room".

I figured y'all might like a preview of what Jason is living right now. Yes, it's true that things have gotten much better over the years over there, but it's still nothing like home. J and his roomate (his name is Vince) have tried to set their room up to be a little more comfy. As you can see with the rugs, tv, and such. They went in together to buy some extras from the group leaving when they arrived. The guys leaving "recycle" their stuff which is how they get things like tv's for dirt cheap. Jason also took a PS2 and his roomate brought his XBox, so they can still game it up. The Baghdad pictures are from when he and the other guys went over to fix some equipment. That is not where he is stationed. I will be posting more of his surroundings next time.

End Of The Week Recap

1. Alaina and I took Kojak to the vet for his post-op check Wednesday. He hadn't been feeling well and he had been kinda pukey, so they also took his temperature. He isn't sick, and he is healing well. He remembered the vet from the last visit and since the last visit hurt, he was super anxious. When the picked him up and put him on the table, he peed a little, lol. Poor baby was so nervous. He also got started on heart worm prevention and flea prevention. Fun, fun. Better to prevent now than to treat later. I'm quoting the vet.

2. Our Pampered Chef party went very well Tuesday. We had the California Club Pizza, it has a guacamole type topping. It was a big hit, even with Laura's 6 year old daughter. I will have to post the recipe if anyone is interested! My hostess benefits earned me about 180 dollars worth of stuff for about 90. That made me happy!

3. I got my hair done last week. I went lighter. She did a root lifter and then major high lighting. It's very blonde, and I like it:)

4. Jason sent me recent pictures. Finally! He also sent me some work out pictures. He's getting big. Really big. I'm going to have to step it up. I've lost 22 lbs. as of this morning, but I still have a ways to go.

5. Laura brought Allyson to the Pampered Chef party Wednesday. She was a big help with the preparation, and she kept Alaina occupied too;o)

6. I am such a sucker for dog toys. We went for a check up and he came home with 3 new toys. I guess I need to get him a basket and teach him to pick up after himself. His brother, T-beau (my aunt's dog) has learned how to, so it is possible!

7. I'm proud of Kojak, he now knows sit, lay down, stand, drop it, leave it, wait, and is getting better and better at heel, no jumping, and come. Shake just isn't in his vocabulary for some reason. We'll get it sometime.

8. We have just discovered that the YMCA offers free membership for "relocated spouses" of deployed military members. I'm excited!

9. I have pink eye. Joy. I am so tired of wearing glasses and no eye make up. If you know me, you know that for me not to wear eye make up is killing me. Even when I go to the gym, I at least have to have mascara on.

10. My grandmother's birthday dinner is tonight. She isn't very keen on driving after dark, so I am going to get her and drop her off. It is her birthday after all.

11. What do you get a woman who has everything for her birthday. And what she doesn't have, she goes and gets herself. Ashley and I decided that we will just take her out for lunch this week.

12. I am loving the sunshine, but the wind the past two days is killing it for me. Then there is talk of a high of only 49 on Tuesday. Poo. That's NC for ya! I'm ready for sunshine, tan lines, flip flops, and days by the pool! Not to mention fresh fruit and veggies. That totally makes staying on a diet easier. Does anyone else notice how much easier diets are in the summer time?

13. Alaina had her homeschool group talent show on Thursday. She sang twice, and I was so proud of her, I could burst. She is growing into a beautiful young lady right before our eyes.

14. Mom is done with jury duty, and we are all so glad to have her back home. You sometimes don't realize how much someone does until they aren't present for a few days! She is exhausted from iron deficient anemia again, and had another transfusion on top of jury duty this week. If you don't mind saying a prayer for her quick recovery, we would all really appreciate it!

15. Dad and Austin came down with nasty colds/flus this week. Ashley had/has a little touch of it. While the guys are on the mend, Ashley is still fighting it. Mainly with an icky cough. We're hoping it clears out for good after this round.

16. Well, that is a wrap up of our week. Next week is looking to be a little slower. And I'm welcoming that with open arms!

Happy Birthday Momma!

I know it's a little late in the day to be posting this, but we have been busy, busy today! We love you so very much. I could never ask for a better mother, and best friend. You deserve all the happiness in the world and I can only hope we have made your week (and day) special, because you are worth it! You have given us so many happy memories, and have shown us what it is to be a wonderful wife and mother. Happy Birthday Momma!

Love this picture!

My Poor Baby

Kojak was neutered today. I felt like such a bad puppy mom as I left him this morning. As my sweetie says, I can't believe you robbed my dog of his manhood. Haha! After saying my goodbyes and handing him over, he looked at me like I had become the ultimate betrayer. It broke my heart:( Austin, Alaina, and I went to pick him up this afternoon, and before we went back to the vet part, we shopped in the PetSmart part and got him a big bag of food, new treats, and a new tug of war rope toy since he and Austin looove to play tug of war (for when he's feeling better). We then went back to get him and he came bounding out the door, so excited to see me. It was like that was it for all of his energy though. Since then, he's been laying around (and laying on me), kinda whiny, and a little nauseous from the anesthesia. He threw up a little water. The vet told me to feed him about 1/3 of what he normally gets. He's already a puker, so no food 'til morning! Lots of water, that's about it for tonight. He has this terrible "e-collar". It was the saddest thing ever. It's like instant the second it goes on. He puts the opening to the floor and just sits there with his face inside the cone staring at the ground. I couldn't do it, so I am constantly yelling "Hey! No!" to keep him from messing with his sutures. I feel bad yelling at him because I know he doesn't feel good, but I'm trying to scare him enough so he won't mess. Tonight should be interesting. I think I will have to use the torture collar if I have any hope of sleep.

Oh, and Renea...I have Oakley's paper work from today, and I can mail it to you if you just send me your address in a comment and I won't post it. Just let me know!

50 questions...or is it?

A little questionnaire I snatched over at Renea's to beat the rainy Monday blues:)

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
Nope, totally an original.

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
This morning. Deployments are rough.

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
Usually.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
Turkey or Chicken

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
I have my furbaby, Kojak. Hopefully we will be having some of the human kind once Jason gets back.

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Absolutely. I'm a fun girl:)

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM?
Often.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
They are still residing in my body, actually.

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
Not in a million years. Terrified of heights and falling from heights and I'm pretty sure that's what bungee jumping is all about.

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
Cheerios, Honey Bunches of Oats, Cracklin' Oat Bran

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
Not usually. Jason always gets on to me for it too.

I think 12 has disappeared.....

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
Breyer's Cookies 'n Cream

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
Honestly, it's probably their hair.

15. RED OR PINK?
Red kitchen, Pink clothes!

16. WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
My weight, but I'm working on it!!! 16 lbs. and counting!

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
JASON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

18. Do YOU HAVE A NICKNAME?
Ashwee calls me Chris, as well as most of my friends, and Jason calls me Babe, Chris, and a ton of other nicknames. He thinks it's fun to come up with new nicknames on a regular basis. My Daddy usually calls me sweetie or just Christie, and Momma calls me hon and Christie Belle. It's a wonder I know what to respond to, hehe.

19. WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
Black gym shorts, no shoes.

20 must have run away with 12???

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
George Lopez on Nick at Nite.

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
Teal or Fuchsia.

23. FAVORITE SMELL?
Jason, Christmas trees, Yankee Candles, Momma's kitchen, mountain air, the beach, Victoria's Secret PINK and Love Spell.

24. WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
Momma

25. FAVORITE FLOWER?
Gerber Daisies

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
Football

27. HAIR COLOR?
Blonde

28. EYE COLOR?
Green

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
Contacts and glasses, depends on the day.

30. FAVORITE FOOD?
Chocolate, HA! As for real food, probably my Momma's fried chicken, but that's not in the cards for a while. "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels"-Weight Watchers. I remind myself of that one alot.

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
Both

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
Burgundy

34. SUMMER OR WINTER?
I like 'em both.

35. HUGS OR KISSES?
Both are wonderful!

36. FAVORITE DESSERT?
Chocolate Cake!

37. LAST THING YOU ATE?
A Granny Smith apple

38. WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE NUMBER?
7

39. WHERE'S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO BE?
Well right now, I would love to be in "our" house with my sweetie home.

40. HOW MANY JOBS HAVE YOU HAD?
8

41. WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT?
Nothing, we watched a movie. Ash has been catching me up on the Harry Potter movies.

42. WHAT WERE YOU DOING BEFORE THIS?
Brushing my teeth and taking my contacts out.

43. DOGS OR CATS?
Doggies

44. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
To the other side of the US. California.

45. DREAM VACATION?
One of those tropical places where you stay in a little hut in the middle of the water. But, I have to get over my fear of flying to do that. Maybe I'll start with a baby flight to the next state over.

46. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
NC

47. ARE YOU A MORNING OR NIGHT PERSON?
Night

48. HOW DID YOU MEET YOUR SPOUSE/SIGNIFICANT OTHER?
Long story:) But cute!

49. IS THE CUP HALF FULL OR HALF EMPTY?
I try to see it half full, but sometimes, the worry gets the best of me.

50. IF YOU COULD WISH FOR 3 THINGS WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Jason's safe return, Good health for me and my loved ones, and to win the lottery:)

Weekly Recap

Remember this? That version was not very health friendly. The gobs of the "full of fat" cheese on top was enough to make you actually feel your arteries closing, plus hamburger isn't the healthiest meat out there. Then you have the mashed potatoes, made with cream and butter. Sooo, I set out to make one of my favorite dishes more health conscious. I replaced the cheese with the 2% version, which, when melted, tastes the same, without so much grease. Instead of the hamburger meat, I now use ground turkey, which also has much of the same taste without the fat, especially when mixed with the brown gravy. Then lastly, I replaced the homemade, made with cream and butter, potatoes, with instant potatoes. I make the instant potatoes with low fat milk and margarine. Personally, I love homemade potatoes better, but in the casserole, you can't tell:) It greatly decreases the fat and grease, is easier on the tummy, and you still get all the great taste. I like it!

Now, on to more serious things. Jason made it safely to his destination. They went by convoy:( At least he's there, now I just have to worry about him getting back! They are supposed to be flying back tomorrow (Saturday). Thank you for your prayers, please pray for safe travels back. I haven't gotten to talk to him but once, letting me know he made it there. Probably won't hear from him until he gets back.

Also, please pray for my Ashwee. She has suffered three migraines this week alone. We think it was the medicine the doctor put her on. Pray that it leaves her system and she can get back to normal. Having had my fair share of migraines, I totally feel for her. They are completely terrible.

Back to a lighter note, it's mine and Austin's night to sleepover at "Mimi and Bubbah's". We usually go over on Friday nights to have dinner, usually a movie, and a sleepover. This gives Ash and Matt a night to relax together without an extra person in their house, and a little quiet time without the millions of inquisitive questions from a very curious four year old;o)

Kojak is doing very well with the sit, and down commands:) He's a pro now. Down is "lay down". He's getting better at the no jumping thing, we're still working on it. It takes a time or two of getting ignored, and then he remembers. I'm proud of the little fella.

My aunt and uncle are in town for a little over a week. I always love when they come to visit. They are the owners of Kojak's brother, T.Beau. It will be neat to see him this week. I haven't seen him since we got them in Jan.

I'm glad we didn't get the predicted freezing rain last night. I don't like being house bound against my will. We will supposedly be back up in the 60's by Monday:)

Mom and I went to a Pampered Chef party last night. I love kitchen gadgets. You can never have enough. This prompted us to have a party of our own. March 31 if anyone is interested in coming! The more the merrier!

Tomorrow night we will be celebrating Matt's birthday at Momma and Daddy's. Birthday dinners are always fun:)

We are planning on going to see "Race to Witch Mountain" and taking Alaina next week. I think it will be a neat movie. I'll let ya know!

Well, time to get going. Have a great weekend!

What's New

After skipping a week at the gym, I felt like it was the first day all over again. After 10 minutes, I was seriously thinking about taking a nap on the thigh machine. It is the one most like a recliner. I don't think I will miss a week again.

♥

I'm loving this warmer weather. I wore capris and flip flops 2 days in a row. It's not strange for NC that I will be pulling my winter coat out again on Thursday. But I'm still kinda annoyed, I want it to stay spring. Spring is the last season before summer, and Jason comes home for R&R in summer:)

♥

Austin and I are having a sleepover:) He is laying on the bed watching cartoons. It's after midnight. If we don't get in bed soon, I think we might get a knock on the door from his Mommy!

♥

Austin is my shopping buddy. I think it's just because I'm his aunt and he knows he can always talk me in to buying something extra for him that we didn't intend on going for. He came out with a new toy car, 2 pairs of swim shorts, and new flip flops. I'm such a sucker!

♥

Matt is not used to having a dog loose in the house. He keeps leaving the bathroom door open and the toilet lid up. This is not a good combination for a puppy with no self control. I think I'm going to make a sign and put it on the toilet to remind him. Puppy pee pee clean up is not on my to do list, especially when he's potty trained. It seems to all go out the window when he drinks his weight in toilet water:(

♥

We have week two of puppy training class tomorrow night. Kojak is doing well. He is very food motivated. I think he would do about anything for a treat. This works very much in my favor. Now if I can just get him to walk with his new lead on. Every other step, he stops to paw at his nose. I almost always trip over him. Not a good thing for someone who is already an extreme klutz. I'm just hoping it doesn't happen in front of the whole class.

♥

Austin is in extreme "boy mode". It's the 4 year old thing too, I think. He loves to tell everyone to "Shmell my feet". I still crack up...that's probably not good to encourage him.

♥

Jason is being sent to a new location, probably as I type. This makes me extremely nervous. I hate when he's traveling. It will only be for a few days to fix some equipment at another place. He and another guy are being flown by the air force, so that's better than a convoy or helicopter. But still pray for safety. I'll be a nervous wreck the rest of the week.

♥

I've lost 13 lbs. since I came home with Weight Watchers and by going to the gym:) I'm extremely happy about that! I am feeling so much better. My blood sugar levels are coming down, and I have more energy. I'm wondering what took me so long to get on board. It was the evil sofa and TV. I think they were conspiring against me.

♥

I think I'm a bit more motivated to get healthier too, because Jason has been hitting the gym since he got to Iraq. From what I'm hearing, he's getting pretty pumped up. He's acquired the nickname "Moose". I laughed hysterically when I heard this. Probably not the reaction he was wanting;o)

♥

Kojak is getting the "snip snip" next Friday. Poor little guy. He's gonna be mad at me. I'm just gonna be glad that it will hopefully settle him down a bit. I swear, he's part kangaroo.

♥

I'm going to a Pampered Chef party Thursday night. This is never good for my checking account.

♥

My dear friend, Laura, has asked me to help her with her daughter, Allyson's, birthday party. Al is an extreme girly girl, and Laura, well, Laura is so not. Al wants a girly princess type party, where she and her friends get "makeovers" and have their fingers and toes painted. Laura says I'm the girliest girl she's ever met, so it was just natural that I help. I think it will be fun:) It will be in 2 1/2 weeks. I will take pictures.

♥

Ok, we've so got to get to bed, Kojak will be waking us up to go pee way earlier than I would like, I'm sure. Plus, I have a smallish fear of my sister kicking my tail if I don't get Austin in bed.

Remodeling

A little room re-arranging. To accommodate the puppy crate. He now sleeps in my room, at the foot of my bed. He's no longer waking me up barking at the butt crack of dawn. I think he has separation anxiety. He's fine as long as I'm in sight. Whatever works!?

I Absolutely LOVE This Picture!

My Kojak...he's one happy puppy!