Cha..Cha. Cha.. Changes.......

The last 2 weeks of my life have been absolutely fabulous. You know why? Because I made a huge change. I quit my job as a pharmaceutical rep and took on a job with a incredible non-for-profit organization as their marketing coordinator. This change is something that I have been praying about for the last year. I have had a couple of job offers but the pay cut was so severe we didn't know if we could swing it. Out of nowhere this one came available and all of the benefits are more than what I had hoped for. I am reminded once again, that everything will work out in the end! I know I had some skeptics who thought I was crazy for leaving my previous job. I can't even describe how different my life is. I am HAPPY all the time!! I'm not worried, stressed, or physically ill anymore! The best part about my new job is that in our new Administration building we have a brother and sister living with us. Their names are Shadow and Salem. Yes, they are cats. While interviewing for this position, I noticed cat toys laying around the building. As soon as I was told they had cats I was sold. Also, having to say goodbye to my free company car for the past 3 years we had to buy a new one! We traded in our SUV and went green with a Hybrid. I didn't know how I would like it at first but after 2 weeks of driving it and not having to gas up yet, I love it!!!! So that's whats going on around here. Lots of changes but all for the good. I'm sooo happy and I am looking forward to starting this new aspect of my career.

I was at my desk in my office trying to read. They had other plans.

This was on my first day. I was in the board

room looking over my paperwork and looked up

and saw this. I guess he was waiting for the meeting to start.

I'm at it again!!!

I saw these "Black Apple" Dolls (originally from Etsy) online last night on one of my favorite craft blogs and I figured that they couldn't be that hard. Painting the face was my least favorite. You have all seen my painting talents from last fall's painting class. My most favorite was sewing her bow on and naming her. Everyone that does these comments on how much fun it is to name them because after you've spent 8 hours making them (8 hours for me, 2 hours for everyone else) they do take on a life of their own. So everyone meet Isabelle. Isabelle, my blog family. This as always is just my test dummy. I hope to make several more with different hairstyles, clothes, and fancy accessories. I am finally wraping up my craft weekend. It was fun and relaxing. But boy do I have a mess to clean up!

Big SITC News!!!

Straight from Perez's mouth! I am sooo excited for this sequel. I WILL be there at midnight for the opening night!

It really only makes sense, you know, if the ladies of SATC are, well, having sex in the city, that there might be babies!
The man behind "Big," Chris Noth, wouldn't reveal any baby plans, but teased about the film sequel, "[Producers] are probably thinking about that, but I don't know."
Potential on-screen mother, Sarah Jessica Parker, was tight-lipped on Carrie Bradshaw's uterus as well, saying. "In a million years I'm not going to give you an indication. I want someone to show up that first weekend."

I'm So There!! Who's coming with me?

I just found this on Mo Willems's website. They are having a Pigeon Party! I love love love this author for so many reasons. Girl's you'll have to loan me your kids for the day. I'm not going by myself, people will think I'm there to steal kids or something werido like that. Then again, perhaps it is a little strange that a 28 yr old woman (with no kids) loves this Pigeon as much as I do.

It will tour USA and Canada during 2009 and 2010.
Check back for updates and tour schedule.

Here is info about the tour!

Mo Willem's Pigeon is back and ready to party! Squeezing all the fun of the first three Pigeon books into one raucous production, this lively show for children 3 and up is full of fun, feathers, laughter and excitement and features original music and lots of audience participation. Can you stop Pigeon driving the bus? Will he share the hot-dog? And after all that it’s time for bed, the Bus Driver wants Pigeon to go to bed, all his friends want him to go to bed, but the question is will you let him stay up late???

There is someone else who loves this Pigeon as much I do. Although he won't be able to come with me I know he's probably already seen this and much funnier shows in heaven.

A Crafty Weekend........

The creative bug bit me this weekend. It started off Thursday night baking Chocolate chocolate chip cookies. I intended on sending them all with Ryan Friday morning for his office. The cookies instead were sent to my thighs and stomach. I need to forget how to bake. I then started making some new baby gifts for a couple of friends of mine. I made two sets of burp cloths, in my most favorite fabric and a onsie to complete each set. I then made a couple of onsies with some cute animal appliques. I finished off the weekend with a new necklace and bracelet with some great springy green beads. I plan to rest tomorrow. Yeah right! Hope you all are having a fantastic weekend!!!

What did I ever do without this machine!

The finished product

2 super cute onsies! These are my test dummies. I'm still working out some kinks!

A set of 3 burp cloths and a cute little onsie that matches!

My apple green 4 strand necklace and matching bracelet.

The Devil in Red....

As you know I have given up soda totally. I have ditched Diet Coke forever but now this evil creature has moved into my life in the past month. This showed up on my counter today and begged for me to drink it. I won't tell you how many of his buddies also showed up today. I'm ashamed. AHHHH..... I have to get back onto the straight and narrow tomorrow.

Have you been in search of a REAL ALPACA WEASEL FUR coat??

We'll if you have, I have found this one for you. It is being sold on Ebay for the low price of $17,000.00. Serious as a heart attack. Please tell me what animal you would skin in order to produce an Alpaca weasel fur coat? In a $17,000 dollar coat I'd have a smile 10 miles wide on my face and I'd been skipping. This lady looks like her pet just died. Perhaps it was her Alpaca Weasel they skinned?

Vacation Pictures

Click on the picture of Ry and I on the left hand side to view our vacation photos! I have more to post. I'll post more tomorrow! Goodnight.

Home from our 7 days in paradise!

We came home from our vacation last night at 2 a.m. I am loading our pictures and trying to decide which ones to post. Let me just tell you that this vacation was the most amazing vacation I have ever been on! I'm soooo happy we decided last minute to go. Pictures will come soon!

Happy Birthday Sista!

My sister's and I at Sami's 22nd birthday party!

Vacation... A word I thought I would never hear!

The Farleys are jetting off on a well needed vacation to the Cayman Islands and some other stops! Katie and Bronson, from the Parrish Family Blog, are coming too! Thank you to my husband for agreeing to this crazy last minute getaway. I just thought I would share with you a picture of Ryan and I in our vacation swimwear. Ha!!

Loving this book....................

My sister loaned me this book to read. I have been reading it at night before going to bed. It is very insightful and I have read excerpts to Ryan and we both agree this book is right on. Basically is it a book that describes how to better communicate in all aspects of your relationship. Pick it up at B&N if your interested!

Congratulations to the Richerts!

Ry and I attended a wedding at the Randell Gallery in downtown St. Louis this weekend. Robin, I learned was Ryan's first date back in first grade. They went to the drive-in with her parents and watched "Overboard". Ryan recalled that they sat on top of her parents car and watched it. Pretty cute story I thought. It was such a wonderful wedding! We had so much fun, we were sad to leave. Robin and Sebastion had a Mardi Gras/French Quarter themed wedding. It was so unique. Our tables were all named after the streets of New Orleans, our favors were personalized beads with our names and the wedding date, even the bridesmaids had emerald green and purple dresses! Although my diet was forgotten this weekend, we danced for 4 straight hours. So I guess that's cross cancelation right? It was a lot of fun. Congratualtions Richerts!

Robin and Sebastian

Ryan and his classmates of 1999

Leslie, Shelly, Jaime, & Miranda

Me and my favorite artist, Matt.A shot of the basement of the gallery. Ryan looks

like he might be enjoying some flavored beverages.

Ry and IMe & Mindy. This is the shot where I say, "Wow, I'm really, really, white".

Cake, oh how I love thee. I really, really, really, love cake. Really.

Ryan took this "after" picture of me. 17lbs and counting..... Yeaaa me!

Speaking of, I ate Sbarro Pizza, Sonic onion rings, Krispy Kreme doughnuts & a coke this weekend. Literally diet suicide. I loved every minute of it!!!!!!

Mardi Gras in the Lou

We went up to St. Louis this weekend for a wedding. That Saturday morning we went to St. Louis's version of Mardi Gras with some friends. It was COLD! We were frozen and had windburn for the rest of the day! I have to say, I've had my share of Mardi Gras. I kept saying, "Didn't your mother teach you anything?", over and over in my head the whole day!

Ryan in his version of a Mardi Gras hat

Freezing. We weren't smiling, our faces were just stuck this way....

Even dogs got beads.... This dog was wearing more clothes than some of the girls we saw.

Listen to this!!!

MARCH 20!!!! This is the first day of Spring! We are so close. Don't get too bogged down by this gloomy weather. The end is near!!!

Valentines Day Massacre

Talk about a massacre! My kitchen looks like FEMA could be stopping by any day now. This is what it looks like when I am baking 4 different recipes! Ahhhh.......

It's a lovely night.........

Wine, Chocolate, and Charlie Brown, my night couldn't get any better!!

Another Baking Project...

I actually used Martha's Cookie Cutter recipe today. I really liked it. I made cherry jam cookies dressed up with fancy sugar glitter (Renee that was just for you). The recipe made about 40 cookies. I don't know how these taste yet. I'll update that later. I feel like my system is in sugar shock since I've been at this all day long. Happy Sunday evening everyone. It seems like spring doesn't?

I can't believe what just came out of my oven!!!

It's the Martha Stewart reject here reporting that I did NOT fail at this baking attempt. I have been wanting to try out this Banana Crumb Muffin recipe for awhile. I can't believe that I actually baked something that might be my favorite recipe yet! If you love to bake PLEASE try this one out. It is such a quick and easy recipe. It would be perfect for brunch or a baby/wedding shower. They are very flavorful, super moist, and I'm sure sadly loaded with calories. I ask you, why does a girl that is obviously on a diet, sorry, "lifestyle change" need to bake constantly!? The recipe is down below. TRY THIS ONE OUT!!!

Banana Crumb Muffins

INGREDIENTS (Nutrition)
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 bananas, mashed
3/4 cup white sugar
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/3 cup butter, melted
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon butter

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease 10 muffin cups, or line with muffin papers.
In a large bowl, mix together 1 1/2 cups flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, beat together bananas, sugar, egg and melted butter. Stir the banana mixture into the flour mixture just until moistened. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.
In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, 2 tablespoons flour and cinnamon. Cut in 1 tablespoon butter until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. Sprinkle topping over muffins.
Bake in preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean.

Kick off to Valentines Week..................

I made breakfast for Ryan this morning, which is not an everyday occurance. Actually, I never make breakfast, he always does. This morning I got up before he did and made him french toast, sausage, and eggs. Note that all of the prior mentioned items, are all cut into hearts!!! Sausage hearts?? I know, I worked on those for awhile before they were just right. I don't know if he appreciated it as much as I did. I on the other hand ate my usual "low sugar" oatmeal.

As a side note regarding the sugar satan soft drink binge drinking I fell into this week, I've been off of it since Thursday. Baby steps..........

Martha Stewart's - Cookie of the Day

My Second Job............

Today I sold 2 items on Ebay today. Grand total= $72.50!!! I can't believe how easy it is. Now I am looking around my house for things to sell!!! If you have been thinking about doing it, do it! It was so easy to learn!

Weirdo Cat People

We have a cat, Little Kitty, who just loves to be loved. We call him "baby" because thats what he thinks he is. Every night I wrap him up in a blanket or one of Ryan's sweatshirts and we rock in the recliner until he falls asleep. He is just sickening but Ryan and I are smitten. Here's the backgrounder on him. About 3 years ago my parents heard something outside their house. It sounded like a baby crying. They opened the front door and in walks this kitten. He walked straight back to their cat's food, ate a little bit, and then jumped up on the couch and fell asleep. Ryan fell in love with him when he saw him. I wasn't quite as love stricken. One day I came home from work and Ryan told me I had a surprise underneath our bed in our bedroom. I peek underneath the bed and there sat Little Kitty. Since then he has become apart of our family and we are so happy to have him.

In the middle of rocking

After rocking and he is out like a light

Ryan and him are inseparable

My Arch Nemises

I can proudly say that I gave up Diet Soda for 2 months. Coming home from Detroit, Michigan on Wednesday night, (business trip) I was waiting for my connecting flight home as I walked past that evil pretzel stand that is located in Concorse C at the St. L airport. After being on this "lifestyle change" and losing a fair amount of weight I felt helpless against those gooey, salty, doughy, buttery, pretzels. So I gave in and said what the heck, I'll have one. The jerk behind the counter said, "Don't you want to add a drink with that?" Eventhough I had my $6.00 water that I had just purchased in one of the airport stores my eyes were fixated on the damn fountain drink machine. I gave in. I purchased and quickly consumed a 400 calorie cup of Coke. This morning I woke up and Coke was on my brain. At 10:30 a.m. I pulled over at a gas station and purchased one. I swear it could be compared to liquid cocaine. I've fallen off the wagon. I can't let that sugar satan win! Tomorrow it's back to water.

Another Martha Reject project

I have been eyeing this "Mall Pretzel" recipe for awhile. So on Sunday I decided I was going to try it! The recipe had over 560 reviews all giving it a full 5 stars so I knew it was going to be good. After mixing my dough in my Kitchen Aid I left it to sit to rise for an hour. After the hour had passed I anxiously tore the kitchen towel from the bowl to see a flat ball of dough. The dang yeast I used (purchased that day) was bad. I read that if it is good yeast it will foam when you add the warm water to it. So I decided I was going ahead with the pretzels. Look below to see what a masterpiece I made!

My wonderful husband actually ate 2 of these and

said they were wonderful. He is so good to me. I think he fed them to our cats.