Plans

I just got back from the gym..a place I haven't been to in almost 2 months. My friend Erin just joined so I met her there. We are going tomorrow morning as well and I have a personal training "assesment" on Thursday.

They have a room there called "Lady Gold's" and no men are allowed in, not even staff. I like going there to stretch and go my cardio as well as free weights, abs, and machines. In fact, I've never worked out on the main floor.

If you're looking for a plush squeaking toy that will last, may I suggest this one

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3207086&lmdn=Dog+Toys

It's a squirrel with no stuffing, but a velcro belly, inside that belly is a plush pouch, and inside that pouch is the squeaker. Copper has never been able to get the squeaker out and even if he did, the toy comes with a pack of replaceable squeakers which we've used for other lost squeaking souls such as "hedgie."

Copper and Belvidere battle it out for hedgie all the time. It's a perfect sized plush hedgehog that Copper will show off to you with a boastful prance whenever you enter the house.


My latest project is figuring out what to do with our "Middle Room." The room between Reese and I's room and Chris's. Since we've moved in its been combination of office/dressing room/storage. I've decided to turn it into "My Room." Or at a least a practical working space. Sometimes, I come home and I want to do something..like read or write or draw or look at photo albums or paint my nails.

My bedroom is small, not terribley small, but I'm used to having a larger space where I could fit my desk or a couch, etc. If I want to use the bedroom to do anything, I have to sit on the bed.

The living room has space to sit and work with our table behind the couch, but more often than not it is occupied by the boys. Reese only works at night one shift a week and Chris only works during the days. So, when I get home from my usual night shifts the shared living space has already been pre determined as either "Wii play space", "Football, baseball, hockey, probowl, basketball watching space", or "lets listen to the recording we did at band practice really loud and talk about it space"

I'm not saying I don't enjoy the occasional wii bowling tournament or watching a good game of football. I just need, and maybe we all do as roommates, another place to go rather than living room or bedroom.

So, Reese is aware of this plan and very graciously moved anything he had of his in that room (boxes, cds, pictures, etc.) out yesterday while I was at work. It was very nice of him, however I was sort of using the "well I can't do anything yet with all your crap in there" as an excuse to procrastinate. Today I think I will tackle the clothes that are all folded and ready to be put away. I will also bag up all my giveaway clothes, put my suitcase in the attic and clean out my coffee table.

In the end, I would like to create some sort of sitting area below the window using a chest that reese has in there as a bench with pillows. Then somehow arrange the large clunky desk of Reese's (that he refuses to take to fairfax) So that we both can have a work area for sewing or printmaking, using the computer, etc. and I need to change the curtains.

Since I am trying to eat in more and out less I will also share with you all my cooking creations.

This weekend we made a couple of things.

First was "Chicken Sloppy Joes" from the Crockpot RecipeBook Mom got for Reese. Reese and I had made this before and really enjoyed it. So on Saturday while it snowed Reese made it again! Its really easy and really good! I prefer ground chicken to ground beef I think! you add ground chicken, a whole onion, dry mustard, mustard, one can of coke..and I think thats it. Oh you cook the chicken in the oven first for a little bit, then add it to the crockpot, cook for 4 hours, and done! The flavor is really sweet and we added a little bit of brown mustard and barbeque sauce to our buns..yum yum! We will do this again and again.

Saturday night I cooked sliced onion and red pepper in a pan, got out a Sundried tomato flat wrap, put a small amount of hot and spicey mayo, shredded mozzerella, sliced turkey, lettuce and tomato. Then I added the cooked peppers and onions, wraped it up and put it back on the pan to seal it and to heat the rest of the ingredients. SOOOOOOO good. Hot and spicey mayo is awesome! Got it while looking for this famed "Honey mustard mayo" I keep hearing about, but they didn't have it.

Sunday night I made "easy sole meuniere" from the Barefoot Contessa book I got for Xmas. I substituted Flounder because Kroger doenst have sole and flounder is cheaper. Browned butter in pan, added the filets (after dipping them in seasoned flour,) flipped fillets and poured in lemon juice and zest. 2 min each side. Made Haricot verts, sauteed with garlic, thyme sprigs, salt and pepper, and butter. Ian made mashed potatoes. It was all very good, fish was realllly lemony though, maybe I didn't allow butter to brown more first or maybe too much lemon. Still good though.

Yesterday I didnt make anything. I ate sweet gherkins and yogurt before work and made a repeat of the wraps again after work.

This was a long blog. I am done.