dad and I are watching the OU/OSU game alone at our respective houses. we were both too lazy to drive the 20 minutes to watch it together :) anyway, we are kind of watching it together, via text messages. yes, it's ridiculous!
LB: Yes!
DD: Go Pokes!
LB: Cowboys better shape up soon
DD: Yes game slipping away
LB: Glad Bradford didn't break his neck. But only a little bit :) (NOTE: TOTALLY KIDDING)
DD: Ou getting all the lucky breaks
LB: It's because We're not watching it together :)
DD: Still not over
LB: I know! I'm still hoping.
LB: Go for two?
DD: Yeah
LB: Who called it?
DD: Lada beta (His nickname for me)
LB: HOLDING! BAD!
DD: !
LB: !!
DD: On defense
LB: They stink!
LB: Oh well
DD: JT will be happy
LB: He sure will be
on a separate note, JT is watching the game at a friend's house. they waited until after his soccer game to watch it, so they're probably somewhere in the second quarter right now. he called me and my favorite baby friend was on the phone! I'm excited about seeing my favorite little one tomorrow!
also, I really want some white cheddar rice cakes!
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008
so thankful!
this year, I am thankful for:
1) Providence: Grace from the Lord and that He has given me everything I need!
2) Family:
a) My brothers
b) My parents, who celebrate year 25 of marriage this year!
c) My new family
3) My husband, for loving me no matter what!
4) The promise of great things to come! I'm so excited to see what the future has in store!
1) Providence: Grace from the Lord and that He has given me everything I need!
2) Family:
a) My brothers
b) My parents, who celebrate year 25 of marriage this year!
c) My new family
3) My husband, for loving me no matter what!
4) The promise of great things to come! I'm so excited to see what the future has in store!
Saturday, November 15, 2008
enjoy!
after a wonderful date night last night (TeKei's orange chicken, sushi, breadpudding and Bond, James Bond), we're laying low today. I cleaned out my food cabinets, watched my Longhorns kill some Jayhawks, and JT is off to play soccer with some friends.
but the true reason I posted today is to let you in on a great discovery:
but the true reason I posted today is to let you in on a great discovery:
PUPPY CAM!
one puppy just awakened his sleeping brother by dragging him across the pillow by the tail. SO CUTE!
enjoy!
enjoy!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
today has the makings of a great day...
Not only is it vegetable beef soup day at work, but my handsome husband said I could go visit my BFF LJ an hour away in Arkansas. We plan to watch the Office, eat some Subway, and veg before I drive back tonight. I'm so excited!
Saturday, November 8, 2008
major breakthrough today:
First dinner from scratch with no recipe.
Good for two reasons:
1) it tasted great!
2) it was soup!
Now I have to post the method to my madness or else I'm afraid I might not be able to replicate it!
I started with organic chicken stock -- the biggest plastic carton they have. My pot was filled about halfway. Trimmed, browned and shredded a package of boneless/skinless chicken thighs, chopped carrots, celery, a whole onion, and added a drained can of stewed tomatoes. Oh, and you know those little plastic cartons of locally grown herbs? I chopped up a carton of basil (removed stems) and put the ENTIRE carton in my soup -- probably about a cup and a half! I boiled this mix and added a little cilantro powder, a bit more garlic powder, and sea salt and cracked black pepper to taste. That simmered for about twenty minutes and then I brought it up to a boil again and added half a bag of egg noodles for five minutes before I brought it back down to a simmer and served a few minutes later. We have been heating it up watching football all day today!
This gives me hope that I may be a little bit more than an average chemist in the kitchen!
Yes, I realize I'm basically setting myself up for failure, but at least you will enjoy reading about my mishaps in upcoming posts!
Good for two reasons:
1) it tasted great!
2) it was soup!
Now I have to post the method to my madness or else I'm afraid I might not be able to replicate it!
I started with organic chicken stock -- the biggest plastic carton they have. My pot was filled about halfway. Trimmed, browned and shredded a package of boneless/skinless chicken thighs, chopped carrots, celery, a whole onion, and added a drained can of stewed tomatoes. Oh, and you know those little plastic cartons of locally grown herbs? I chopped up a carton of basil (removed stems) and put the ENTIRE carton in my soup -- probably about a cup and a half! I boiled this mix and added a little cilantro powder, a bit more garlic powder, and sea salt and cracked black pepper to taste. That simmered for about twenty minutes and then I brought it up to a boil again and added half a bag of egg noodles for five minutes before I brought it back down to a simmer and served a few minutes later. We have been heating it up watching football all day today!
This gives me hope that I may be a little bit more than an average chemist in the kitchen!
Yes, I realize I'm basically setting myself up for failure, but at least you will enjoy reading about my mishaps in upcoming posts!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
i am convinced that...
...I'm obsessed with soup right now. Good thing fall is coming, huh? Pureed corn. French onion. Turkey chili. Chicken noodle. And best of all! Thursdays are Vegetable Beef soup days at the little cafe in my office building. It's the only lunch I look forward to all week! Anyway, at this point in my life, I don't think I could live without soup.
...it's the little things in life that help us get by. I went to the store today and bought a beautiful pomegranate in season. I can't wait to sink my teeth into it.
...it's better to laugh than be embarrassed. A coworker made a double chocolate cake with sprinkles. I took the last piece to my brother. Problem: a torrent of wind picked up the cake and it flew straight up into the air when I stepped into the parking lot. When I swiped it out of the air like a cat, a skinny girl looked at me sideways. I think she was just jealous that she didn't get any cake. All I could do was laugh.
...Iron Chef America is my new favorite show.
...conservatives really need to be graceful post-election and respect the president-elect as an authority no matter what. Everyone wins. We can only hope he will prove himself. Romans 13:1= "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established." That is all I will say about the election.
...my husband really does love my interpretive dance serenades!
...sometimes I get into these uber productive modes. Tonight I worked, went to the store twice, made dinner and cookies, and cleaned the whole kitchen. JT ate his whole serving of chicken cassoulet: white beans, chicken, turkey kielbasa, garlic, onions, toasted breadcrumbs, and some water and wine cooked out. No pictures because it wasn't pretty. I had to soak and scrub the pan three times because there was a thick crust of white bean paste stuck to the pan. Skark didn't even get to help.
...turkey kielbasa, where have you been all my life? Seriously. Try it sometime. It's in the sausage section. If you aren't calorie conscious, the butcher told me that the German kielbasa is better than the Polish (Polaska). Just FYI!
...I am almost finished with Wicked after nearly three years. During college, I read the first 1/3rd of the book twice but had to put it off because of projects and whatnot, and then I'd pick it up again and have to start from the beginning. It's very worldly content, lots of allusions to politics and religion, but amazing writing! I'm getting excited about seeing the musical when it comes to town this summer!
...gas prices are bomb right now!
...it's almost time for bed!
If you want to look at Fall pictures, click here.
...it's the little things in life that help us get by. I went to the store today and bought a beautiful pomegranate in season. I can't wait to sink my teeth into it.
...it's better to laugh than be embarrassed. A coworker made a double chocolate cake with sprinkles. I took the last piece to my brother. Problem: a torrent of wind picked up the cake and it flew straight up into the air when I stepped into the parking lot. When I swiped it out of the air like a cat, a skinny girl looked at me sideways. I think she was just jealous that she didn't get any cake. All I could do was laugh.
...Iron Chef America is my new favorite show.
...conservatives really need to be graceful post-election and respect the president-elect as an authority no matter what. Everyone wins. We can only hope he will prove himself. Romans 13:1= "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established." That is all I will say about the election.
...my husband really does love my interpretive dance serenades!
...sometimes I get into these uber productive modes. Tonight I worked, went to the store twice, made dinner and cookies, and cleaned the whole kitchen. JT ate his whole serving of chicken cassoulet: white beans, chicken, turkey kielbasa, garlic, onions, toasted breadcrumbs, and some water and wine cooked out. No pictures because it wasn't pretty. I had to soak and scrub the pan three times because there was a thick crust of white bean paste stuck to the pan. Skark didn't even get to help.
...turkey kielbasa, where have you been all my life? Seriously. Try it sometime. It's in the sausage section. If you aren't calorie conscious, the butcher told me that the German kielbasa is better than the Polish (Polaska). Just FYI!
...I am almost finished with Wicked after nearly three years. During college, I read the first 1/3rd of the book twice but had to put it off because of projects and whatnot, and then I'd pick it up again and have to start from the beginning. It's very worldly content, lots of allusions to politics and religion, but amazing writing! I'm getting excited about seeing the musical when it comes to town this summer!
...gas prices are bomb right now!
...it's almost time for bed!
If you want to look at Fall pictures, click here.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
superstar
we are such models! our photog chose images from our wedding to advertise events at the museum!Monday, November 3, 2008
my political leanings
NOTE: this is simply FYI. I am not about to get into it with anyone on this blog. That's not how I roll.
When the primaries were happening, my outlook was "Anybody but Hillary." I was rooting for Obama over Hillary and wasn't too concerned with the Republican camp because nobody stood out too much and I was determined not to swing to the Republican tag just because my parents traditionally vote conservatively. At the first look, I was interested and somewhat mesmerized by this unknown Illinois senator, but I think that was escalated by the fact that I absolutely did not want Hillary sworn in.
Then McCain won the primaries and I studied his history a little. I was impressed with his military record and noticed he had a stubborn charisma. I was more concerned with Obama because he gave the impression of a moderate liberal and interested me since he was different from the status quo old, white politician. I guess I also thought that there wasn't much of a difference between a "liberal Republican" and a "conservative Democrat." As I watched and studied Obama, I noticed that he changed his story a lot. He claimed to support certain platforms that he'd voted against countless times during his Senate tenure. Still, I remained neutral because I thought that the media could be tainting the story. When Reverend Wright came to the forefront, my doubts increased. I can remember watching MSNBC from a hotel on my honeymoon when this story surfaced, watching clips of Reverend Wright repeatedly bash America and patriotism. Obama claimed he barely knew the man and didn't place any clout on what he said. Well, either way, Obama allowed a man to marry him and his wife and baptize his two daughters OR his claims on devout Christianity are another twist of the truth. I'm not saying you can't be a believer without listening to what your pastor says in church, but it's a little fishy. Also, I am mostly against abortion and especially partial-birth abortion and couldn't believe what I heard him say from an Illinois senate footage. My standpoint then became, "Vote for McCain because he's the lesser of two evils."
Then McCain announced that Sarah Palin would be running with him and that changed my political leanings completely in his favor. Not only was she different than the typical politician, but she was a bold and brave political move on McCain's part. It let me know that he's a fighter. Palin could be my best friend's mom or the lady across the street. She represents the political and social ideals and integrity that I trust and believe. She is poised and balances the Republican ticket by bringing a different experience onboard.
As far as social and political platforms go, I'm mostly conservative. I believe partial-birth abortion should be outlawed completely and that women should be properly educated about their options because I can't believe that any woman would kill a baby with toenails and eyelashes and a beating heart. I especially can't believe that Obama or any father would deny the vitality of failed abortion babies, who can breathe and move and blink and cry on their own.
While that may seem emotional, my economic stance is very practical. I think government handouts are too easy to obtain and I certainly don't think the middle class need any more. If the wealth becomes "redistributed," what's to keep me from quitting my job and living from the pockets of the wealthy. What message does that communicate for the value of hard work? What message does it communicate to the American Dream? If you are going to give people tax cuts, the percentage should be the same for everyone regardless of how full their pockets are.
As someone who works for a small business that serves other small businesses, I can predict what will happen until Obama's plan. Not only will we have to adjust budgets and payrolls, but our small company clients will adjust their budgets and payrolls and possibly eliminate our services. If jobs are eliminated from our company, I can imagine other small businesses will be affected similarly. The unemployment rate will skyrocket.
Under Obama's healthcare plan, we may not see the detriments during his 4-8 years in the Oval Office, but it will definitely place us on the path to universal healthcare like Canada. While there are some benefits to that system, I know that the quality of healthcare will decline with the workers' salary, and we may have to wait longer in pain for doctors whose practices are regulated and whose schedules are full like my Canadian friend who waited seven months for gallbladder surgery. I think that McCain's idea of a $5000 tax credit toward healthcare will improve the quality of the system and take some financial burden off of people, especially if he lobbies on the behalf of people with pre-existing conditions like he promises to do.
Both candidates' clean coal initiative proposals aren't too much different in my novice eyes, but I like the idea of drilling on the home front to see what kind of natural resources American soil can come up with. And I knew I was forgetting one! Education! Free education is a time bomb waiting to explode. If they do offer free education, they should set standards or increase the standards at colleges and universities. Imagine what will happen to the workforce if a diploma is universal. That's something to watch, though I do believe that more magnet or specialty schools should be funded by the government.
Since this is my first election to be really involved with, my eyes have been opened to how much -- media biases aside -- people can receive the same information and come to completely different conclusions. I am proud of America and their increasing participation in politics and responsibility for the future of a nation, and I really hope that people will take facts into consideration and look at both candidates' experiences to discern what they can do to shape America regardless of skin color or gender or age or how charismatic they are.
PS: If you didn't know, you get a free cup of coffee from Starbucks if you vote! So go vote!
When the primaries were happening, my outlook was "Anybody but Hillary." I was rooting for Obama over Hillary and wasn't too concerned with the Republican camp because nobody stood out too much and I was determined not to swing to the Republican tag just because my parents traditionally vote conservatively. At the first look, I was interested and somewhat mesmerized by this unknown Illinois senator, but I think that was escalated by the fact that I absolutely did not want Hillary sworn in.
Then McCain won the primaries and I studied his history a little. I was impressed with his military record and noticed he had a stubborn charisma. I was more concerned with Obama because he gave the impression of a moderate liberal and interested me since he was different from the status quo old, white politician. I guess I also thought that there wasn't much of a difference between a "liberal Republican" and a "conservative Democrat." As I watched and studied Obama, I noticed that he changed his story a lot. He claimed to support certain platforms that he'd voted against countless times during his Senate tenure. Still, I remained neutral because I thought that the media could be tainting the story. When Reverend Wright came to the forefront, my doubts increased. I can remember watching MSNBC from a hotel on my honeymoon when this story surfaced, watching clips of Reverend Wright repeatedly bash America and patriotism. Obama claimed he barely knew the man and didn't place any clout on what he said. Well, either way, Obama allowed a man to marry him and his wife and baptize his two daughters OR his claims on devout Christianity are another twist of the truth. I'm not saying you can't be a believer without listening to what your pastor says in church, but it's a little fishy. Also, I am mostly against abortion and especially partial-birth abortion and couldn't believe what I heard him say from an Illinois senate footage. My standpoint then became, "Vote for McCain because he's the lesser of two evils."
Then McCain announced that Sarah Palin would be running with him and that changed my political leanings completely in his favor. Not only was she different than the typical politician, but she was a bold and brave political move on McCain's part. It let me know that he's a fighter. Palin could be my best friend's mom or the lady across the street. She represents the political and social ideals and integrity that I trust and believe. She is poised and balances the Republican ticket by bringing a different experience onboard.
As far as social and political platforms go, I'm mostly conservative. I believe partial-birth abortion should be outlawed completely and that women should be properly educated about their options because I can't believe that any woman would kill a baby with toenails and eyelashes and a beating heart. I especially can't believe that Obama or any father would deny the vitality of failed abortion babies, who can breathe and move and blink and cry on their own.
While that may seem emotional, my economic stance is very practical. I think government handouts are too easy to obtain and I certainly don't think the middle class need any more. If the wealth becomes "redistributed," what's to keep me from quitting my job and living from the pockets of the wealthy. What message does that communicate for the value of hard work? What message does it communicate to the American Dream? If you are going to give people tax cuts, the percentage should be the same for everyone regardless of how full their pockets are.
As someone who works for a small business that serves other small businesses, I can predict what will happen until Obama's plan. Not only will we have to adjust budgets and payrolls, but our small company clients will adjust their budgets and payrolls and possibly eliminate our services. If jobs are eliminated from our company, I can imagine other small businesses will be affected similarly. The unemployment rate will skyrocket.
Under Obama's healthcare plan, we may not see the detriments during his 4-8 years in the Oval Office, but it will definitely place us on the path to universal healthcare like Canada. While there are some benefits to that system, I know that the quality of healthcare will decline with the workers' salary, and we may have to wait longer in pain for doctors whose practices are regulated and whose schedules are full like my Canadian friend who waited seven months for gallbladder surgery. I think that McCain's idea of a $5000 tax credit toward healthcare will improve the quality of the system and take some financial burden off of people, especially if he lobbies on the behalf of people with pre-existing conditions like he promises to do.
Both candidates' clean coal initiative proposals aren't too much different in my novice eyes, but I like the idea of drilling on the home front to see what kind of natural resources American soil can come up with. And I knew I was forgetting one! Education! Free education is a time bomb waiting to explode. If they do offer free education, they should set standards or increase the standards at colleges and universities. Imagine what will happen to the workforce if a diploma is universal. That's something to watch, though I do believe that more magnet or specialty schools should be funded by the government.
Since this is my first election to be really involved with, my eyes have been opened to how much -- media biases aside -- people can receive the same information and come to completely different conclusions. I am proud of America and their increasing participation in politics and responsibility for the future of a nation, and I really hope that people will take facts into consideration and look at both candidates' experiences to discern what they can do to shape America regardless of skin color or gender or age or how charismatic they are.
PS: If you didn't know, you get a free cup of coffee from Starbucks if you vote! So go vote!
Sunday, November 2, 2008
highlights from this weekend
I. two conversations:
1) JT and I were riding home from his soccer game. His window was down, my window was up. All of the sudden, we look at each other with looks of disgust on our faces:
JT: Do you smell that?
LB: Yeah, it smells like onions!
JT: (smells his shirt and looks up at me with a sheepish smile)
In his defense, it was one he grabbed from his soccer bag that had been stuffed inside all season.
2) Christian is my two-year-old baby friend from church. We're at a cookout at the town park after church. I went to go check on him because he was on the big kid playground and turned to leave.
Christian: Lolee, don't leeeeave!
We play for awhile and I slide on the big slides with him on my lap (this is just as much fun for me, mind you). When I notice JT signaling to go, I tell Christian that it's time for me to go home.
Christian: I want to go home with you. Do you have a bed?
LB: Yes?
Christian: At your house?
LB: I do!
Christian: Huh! (Note: I have never seen such sophistication from a two-year-old!)
II. one mini-date:
We went to Carabba's because we absolutely love their chicken soup and it's a pretty cheap date for two bowls of soup, free bread, and some wine. Since tonight was such a beautiful night, we decided to sit outside. Before we even got our water, a drunk couple sat next to us for their smoke and didn't leave until our bill had been paid. They were loud, smoked like chimneys, and thoughtfully included us in their conversation. Apparently, they were 52 and 54, from Indiana, and on their way to California, where an $18,000 rent house is theirs for a month. Oh, and they left their 200-lb rottweiler in the car with their pitbull -- they can't just trust their babies with anyone for a month!
III. one heartbreak:
My beloved, undefeated, #1 Longhorns were defeated in pretty much the worst way to lose: a close game clinched in the last few seconds. The other team literally scored the winning touchdown with :01 left. I am crushed, but my spirits are slowly lifting again. It doesn't help to see so many Oklahoma fans rejoicing all around me, including my husband! I don't know what they're so happy about; they have to play our defeaters in five days!
1) JT and I were riding home from his soccer game. His window was down, my window was up. All of the sudden, we look at each other with looks of disgust on our faces:
JT: Do you smell that?
LB: Yeah, it smells like onions!
JT: (smells his shirt and looks up at me with a sheepish smile)
In his defense, it was one he grabbed from his soccer bag that had been stuffed inside all season.
2) Christian is my two-year-old baby friend from church. We're at a cookout at the town park after church. I went to go check on him because he was on the big kid playground and turned to leave.
Christian: Lolee, don't leeeeave!
We play for awhile and I slide on the big slides with him on my lap (this is just as much fun for me, mind you). When I notice JT signaling to go, I tell Christian that it's time for me to go home.
Christian: I want to go home with you. Do you have a bed?
LB: Yes?
Christian: At your house?
LB: I do!
Christian: Huh! (Note: I have never seen such sophistication from a two-year-old!)
II. one mini-date:
We went to Carabba's because we absolutely love their chicken soup and it's a pretty cheap date for two bowls of soup, free bread, and some wine. Since tonight was such a beautiful night, we decided to sit outside. Before we even got our water, a drunk couple sat next to us for their smoke and didn't leave until our bill had been paid. They were loud, smoked like chimneys, and thoughtfully included us in their conversation. Apparently, they were 52 and 54, from Indiana, and on their way to California, where an $18,000 rent house is theirs for a month. Oh, and they left their 200-lb rottweiler in the car with their pitbull -- they can't just trust their babies with anyone for a month!
III. one heartbreak:
My beloved, undefeated, #1 Longhorns were defeated in pretty much the worst way to lose: a close game clinched in the last few seconds. The other team literally scored the winning touchdown with :01 left. I am crushed, but my spirits are slowly lifting again. It doesn't help to see so many Oklahoma fans rejoicing all around me, including my husband! I don't know what they're so happy about; they have to play our defeaters in five days!
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