Coming in 2013

A garden....

In 2013 my New Year's resolution is to start and maintain a vegetable garden. I'm hoping my garden will look similar to the one in the picture. However, I'm not making any promises. I'm going to be honest, I have a hard time keeping flowers alive so a vegetable garden is going to be hard work.

Stayed tune for updates on the garden.

It's the end of the world as we know it.

Due to the world ending tomorrow, I thought I'd highlight a few things I did not accomplish on my Bucket List. Before we get into the list, you should know I've only had this bucket list for 5-6 years. Obviously, that is not enough time to tackle some of these things. Ok with that said on to my list....

1. Correctly fold a fitted sheet
Why is folding a fitted sheet so dang difficult? If I could correctly fold the stupid sheet, it would help with my sheet cabinet. Instead, I have a cabinet full of rolled up fitted sheets. I had high hopes for my sheet cabinet. I wanted it to be organized and easily accessible. Sadly, it will never happen.

2. Make my first millions from the stock market
The world will end with me being poor. Suck. I really thought I'd go out with a bang.

3. Meet Paula Deen
Paula and I were going to be BFFs. We were going to create tasty treats in her fancy kitchen. Of course when I say we I really mean her. Let's face it, I'll just sit on a bar stool and watch her add butter to everything.

4. Attend OU/TX football game
I wanted to be part of the crowd, eat a corn dog at the TX State Fair, and run around yelling TX sucks.

5. Have a pantry like Pioneer Woman

Who wouldn't want a pantry with a ladder? Seriously?

Blogger World, I'm afraid it's time to conclude this post. Good luck to everyone!   

Over and Out

The dumb dog

Merry Christmas from Pepper.

Let the Good Times Roll

This weekend Sister #1 and I ran our race for the month of December.

As always, it was a very fun race. I know I say this for many races, but this race is one of my favorites. Here's why...

I love it! You never know what crazy costume you will see at this race. By the way, the gingerbread man finished in full costume. Even more impressive, they only finished 5 minutes after me.

Folks, do you realize next month Sister #1 and I will have completed our goal of running a race each month for a year? It's true. I'm so proud of us; especially Sister #1. This past year, she's taken up running and I'm  thankful for her new habit. If it weren't for her, I might be running alone.

Four Things Friday

Four Things I'm Eating This Week:

1. Tassimo Chai
I love seeing my morning friends at Starbucks. HOWEVER, I cannot afford a daily Starbucks habit. This is  why my Tassimo machine and I are such good friends.

2. Chicken
I've eaten chicken every night this week. It's easy, tasty, and cheap.

3. Jello Chocolate Pudding 
Tuesday night I made myself a batch of pudding. Normally, I'm not a huge chocolate pudding fan but Tuesday night it sounded great.

4. Greek Yogurt
Folks, I'm a yogurt eating machine. I eat yogurt everyday. I'm not being dramatic. It's packed in my lunch everyday.

My friend Teresa

Blogger World, have you met my friend Teresa? Well, it's high time you did!

Meet Teresa...

Everyone should have a friend like Teresa. She's beautiful, thoughtful, patient, wise, funny, great walking buddy, and even better email buddy. Yes, everyone should have a Teresa in their life.

Earlier this week I was feeling a bit blue, and Teresa came to my rescue. 

Yesterday, I received a cheerful bouquet of flowers from my dear friend.  

Don't these flowers just make you smile? By the way, ignore all the crap in the background of this picture.

The important thing is to focus on the flowers. These flowers made me smiled for the rest of the day.

From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank Teresa for my cheerful bouquet of flowers. 

And you my friend.... mean the world to me.   

The five things you should know...

1. Jessica Simpson is pregnant again. 

2. Powerball jackpot is up to $500 million.

3. Don't bother buying a ticket because you will not win. According to CNN, your chances are 1 and 175,223,510.

4. It's reported that no one was shot, stabbed, or slashed in NYC on Monday.

5. I have a crockpot that needs to be scrubbed. Any takers?

Thankful List

Currently, we are in the middle of the holiday season.

Were you aware?

Oh ok, just making sure.

Thanksgiving is the time of year when people reflect and share their blessings. In the past I've dedicated a post to all my blessings. These post usually consist of the same things...my parents, The Sisters, my running shoes, Delta Airlines, Starbucks, Judy Jazzercise, Monday Night TV, and Little Shuffle.

However this year I have something new to add to my blessings list.

Blogger World, this is a picture of the dessert cart at the Thunder games.

I am thankful for the dessert cart at the Thunder games.

There I said it.

Hello?

I'm happy to see that my absence has worried no one! Good grief, I thought we were better friends. I mean for all you know, I've been lost in NYC or surfing in Hawaii. You never know with me! In fact, part of my absence is due to being on a trip. Yes, I went on a trip. I spent 5 days in the woods. Well not necessarily the woods, more like a cow pasture. But that's not important. What is important is....

I slept in this for 5 days...

I learned how to cook out of this...

I also learned how to set a hog trap and make bullets. However, I'll save those stories for another time. I feel the first two points are enough for now.

The 5 things you should know

Here are the 5 things you should know about November 1st.

1. Gingerbread syrup is back at Starbucks! Also, the cute holiday red cups are back!

2. Today is my friend KC's birthday.

The above picture isn't the best picture of us. Actually, it's a horrible picture of me! We took this picture while in Philly, after we'd consumed three desserts. Let me see if I can do better....

Yes, that is a better picture.

3. Happy Day of the Dead! Today, the Mexican holiday is celebrated. If you are in Mexico right now, I should warn you all banks are closed.  

4. According to some random website, one of the most popular treats given out on Halloween (2012) was Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.  

5. 20 days until Thanksgiving!

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween Blogger World!

I hurt!

Move over Sister #1, your 15 minutes of fame is over! Calm down, I'm kidding. I'm still very proud of Sister #1!!! But we need to move on...

This morning I woke up sore. Every part of my body hurts! I mean EVERY part!

Last week I contacted a good friend, who happens to be a personal trainer, to help me eliminate some extra jiggle. Lately, I've noticed more jiggles when I walk, and this is not ok with me. Oh spare me the...your beautiful because of your personality pep talk. The fact is no one likes to buy new clothes because they've put on a few pounds. No one.

Monday was our second time to meet. And like I said, I'm still sore. I have a feeling these moves are to blame...

Truth be told, feeling sore is a good feeling because it means I've worked hard. Before you know it my jiggle will be gone!!!

Give it up for Sister #1

Last week I mentioned Sister #1 was going to San Fransisco for Nike Women's Marathon. I'm proud to announce Sister #1 completed another half marathon, and she received her Tiffany & Co necklace. 

 

Today, I raise my Nonfat Chai to Sister #1. Way to go Sister #1!!!!

Blogger World, I believe she's hooked on running.

Equation for a perfect Saturday

Good food

Plus good company

 

Minus two rain delays

 

Equals one happy girl...

Arkansas Razorback

Woooooooo. Pig. Sooie! Woooooooo. Pig. Sooie!

Woooooooo. Pig. Sooie!

Razorbacks!

There's nothing better than watching an Arkansas Razorback football game on a Saturday night.

Ramblings

It is time for one of my favorite post, Ramblings. Enjoy!

 Last week I set a new goal for myself; to cook/bake a new recipe each week. Tonight, I'm trying two new recipes. I guess you could say I'm an overachiever. The recipes are Pumpkin Quesadillas and Apple/Carrot Salad. I'll keep you posted on this goal.

Recently, I read an article about Lady Gaga receiving a peace prize from Yoko Ono. Why is Yoko Ono giving out peace prizes? A better question, what did Lady Gaga do to win the peace prize? The article explains that Lady Gaga is being rewarded due to combining stardom with activism and changing "the mental map" of the world. Huh?

This weekend Sister #1 is running a half marathon. She's jetting off to San Francisco to run Nike Women's Marathon. The best part of this race is the finish....

Not only are firefighters patiently waiting for you to finish the race; they're waiting with a Tiffany & Co. necklace.

Today's Woot is glow sticks. I don't know why I would need glow sticks, but I feel I need to order the glow sticks.

This year I'm back in Fantasy Football. I'm in charge of my own team. If you remember, last year was my first year to participate in FF and I took second place. This year, I'm in 7th place. There's only 8 teams. Don't worry I'm not giving up. I'm predicting a MAJOR comeback.

Well folks I'm out of Ramblings....

Over and out

Happy Dessert Day

Today, is National Dessert Day! 

Growing up I was never a huge fan of desserts. Sure I'd eat the occasional Girl Scout cookie or brownie, but I was more of a real food girl. I wanted sandwiches, chips, hot dogs, and mac-n-cheese. You know, real processed crap.

As my taste-buds matured, I quickly realized desserts aren't so bad. In fact, they are rather tasty and awesome. Therefore, it should be no surprise to anyone that I will be celebrating National Dessert Day.  The dessert I will be consuming is still under consideration.

I might have a tasty cupcake...

 

or maybe a giant slice of cookie cake...

 

I will probably spend 8 hours thinking of my dessert, but mark my words it will be tasty. 

 

 I hope you have a fantastic National Dessert Day!

Running Boy...

Blogger World, it has been brought to my attention that I have failed to introduce you to one of my oldest and dearest friends. Seriously, this guy means the world to me. I'm lucky to have such a good friend.

Therefore, I'd like to introduce you to Running Boy....

 

Here are a few things you should know about Running Boy.

1. He likes to run, and he's pretty good at running. 

2. Running Boy and I met in college while working on campus. 

3. He once wished for me to get lost in China. True statement! 

4. He can make a killer chocolate cake! 

5. He has a huge heart.

6. When he worked at J. Crew, he let me use his discount.

7. Running Boy is always willing to help a friend. 

8. Running Boy has been attending my Sunday night since the start. 

9. Running Boy and Sister #1 are good friends as well. I introduced them. 

So, today I raise my Starbucks Nonfat Chai to Running Boy! Here's to him and all the fun times we've had together! It's been a fun 11 years, and I look forward to many more years.  

National Name Your Car Day

Yesterday, was National Name Your Car Day. 

Do you name your cars? My family names our cars. Therefore to honor National Name Your Car Day, I thought I'd share some of my favorite car names. 

 

Woody the Wagoneer

When I turned 16 my dad bought me a 1983 Jeep Wagoneer.

The Jeep was not a cool car. I hated this car! Here are some of the things I hated about my first car: it would not go over 55 mph without the stirring wheel starting to shake, the passenger door would only shut if the driver's window was rolled down, I had a gun rack, and there was wood paneling on the outside. Despite my hate for this monstrous vehicle, it's what I had to drive. 

My friend's are the lovely folks who named the Jeep, Woody the Wagoneer. 

* Fun Fact: Woody was the same age as Sister #1, which I would constantly bring up to my parents. *Another Fun Fact: When Sister #2 was 6 years old, she made the bold statement that she would be proud to drive a car the same age as herself.

Betty the Buick

My Sr year of High School my parents bought my grandma's car. It was a 1991 Buick LaSabre.

After driving Woody the Wagoneer for a year, the Buick felt like a convertible.  First of all, it went over 55 mph so I was finally able to drive on the interstate. Also, both doors shut without a problem and there was no wood on this car. I was in heaven!

My friend Keri is the one that named Betty the Buick. I'm not even for sure how she came up with the name. All I know is the nickname stuck and my grandma's car became Betty the Buick. 

* Fun Fact: Betty the Buick was driven by all three girls. Yes, myself, Sister #1, and Sister #2 all drove  Betty the Buick.

*Another Fun Fact: Betty the Buick was the same age as Sister #2.

 

Blogger World, I hope everyone had a great National Name Your Car Day!

I saw the light

This weekend I bought this...

Lately, I've been investigating headlamps. 

In the mornings I see runners wearing headlamps. 

To me, these runners looked hardcore. 

Therefore, I needed a headlamp because I wanted to be a hardcore runner.

This morning I took my first run with my new headlamp. 

 

It was so cool! 

 

Not only did I feel like and look like a hardcore runner, I also had a well lit path. 

What you've missed

Next week is the start of October. Before you know it, Santa Claus will be coming to town!

September was a fun month. It was so fun, that I didn't have time to post all the exciting things I did. Therefore, here are a few things you missed....

I drove a race car.

Truth be told, I didn't drive a race car. Instead, Sister #1 and I changed tires on a race car. 

Consumed lasagna.

You know, it wasn't half bad. I highly recommend it when the world ends.

Watched the sunset.

Picture this... sitting on a rock watching the sunset, with buffalo in the background. Only in Oklahoma is that possible.

 

Another masterpiece was painted.

A creative way to remember my trip to the beach.

September, was a good month! Now on to October, my favorite month of the year.

It's Fall Ya'll

Fall means one thing to me....

I love the stuff. 

Here are a few of my favorite pumpkin recipes. You should try them...

Spiced Pumpkin Muffins

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Scones

Pumpkin Enchiladas

 

The Return of Good TV

I'm back from the beautiful beaches of Alabama. It was a fantastic trip. I've returned feeling like a new woman. Ok not really, but I do have a killer tan.

Normally, when I return from vacation I'm a bit depressed. There's the laundry, bills, yard work, catch up at work, and the fact that you have to get up for work. The whole thing is a real buzz kill.  However, this time I was not depressed when I returned home. I was not sad that my vacation ended. You see, Sunday was the start of new TV! No more reruns or crappy reality TV!

Since I'm an awesome blogger, I took the time to list the shows you should be watching. In my book, they're A+ status.

I understand that this is a rather lengthy list. Also, I understand most everyone has a life and does not have time to watch hours of TV.  But this single girl, with a treadmill in the middle of her living room, has all the time in the world!

Vacation Eve

My computer just informed me that in 16 hours I will be here ...

I cannot wait! 

Not only do I love the beach, I love my travel partners...

Happy Vacation Eve everyone!

A few of my favorite things...

It's that time again, when I list my favorite things. It's kind of like Oprah's list, but without all the free stuff. Ok, so maybe it's not like Oprah's list. Anyway, on to my favorites....

The Great Food Swap

A couple months ago, a few friends and I decided to swap casseroles. Each one of us selected three recipes and made enough for each person in the group. I'm hopeful we'll do this again. It's nice to have frozen meals already prepared.

Steep and Cheap

I am a sucker for a bargain. Steep and Cheap is a website that is constantly showcasing bargains. I love it!

The merchandise that appears on this website is geared more to outdoor activities. It's not uncommon to see brands such as: North Face, Mountain Hardware, Oakley, and Columbia. Great deals for great items.

Netflix

First, I upgraded my cable package. Now, I have Netflix. Folks, I don't even recognize myself anymore. Who am I? I've had Netflix for about two weeks, and I think I'm in love. It's so great! Why didn't you guys tell me I've been missing out?

Fall

This is a reoccurring favorite. Fall is my favorite season. I love everything about the season.

Luna Bar

After Fiber One bars stopped filling me up, I had to find something with more substance. My parents introduced me to Luna bars, and we've been friends ever since. This summer I discovered Peanut Honey Pretzel. It's so tasty. It practically taste like a candy bar. I highly recommend this bar!

Well Blogger World, this concludes my list of favorites. As always... love it or hate it, I really don't care.