Here we go Steelers, Here we go!

I am so excited for the Super Bowl on Sunday!!! I can't wait to watch the Steelers to smash the Cardinals. I guess maybe I shouldn't be too cocky about it though and jinx them. Today was black and gold day at the school, at the office, and I'm sure just about everywhere else in Steeler Nation!

So, in honor of the the Steelers, here's a video of some awesome Pittsburgh area children rocking out to their own Steelers Song - the Pop Rock Six!


Also, check out this video called "Don't Disrespect the Terrible Towel" by Randy Baumann from the DVE Morning Show (102.5 FM, Pittsburgh).


And finally, the official 2008-2009 Here We Go Song with a video



Yes, it's true, I had nothing better to do with my time tonight than watch YouTube Videos on the Steelers. We're having a party on Sunday for the game, so I'm just trying to get myself pumped. Here's the menu for Sunday:

• Buffalo Wing Dip
• Nachos with Cheese
• Meat & Cheese Platter
• Coco-Crispy Footballs
  
• Black & Gold Cake (yellow cake with chocolate icing, decorated with Steelers stuff)
• BBQ Mini Weenies
• Hot Sausage Patties
• Halushki
• Some kind of cheesy potatoes
• Veggies and Dip
• Pepperoni Rolls

I'm not making everything, Bobby's mom, sisters and our friend is bringing some of it! I'm pumped!!!

HERE WE GO STEELERS, HERE WE GO!!!!

Progress!

Yesterday and today, Bobby and I worked on getting things organized around the house. We got my crates up for my crafting area, hung up our shoe storage bags, got another coat rack hung up, and got the kegerator working perfectly, last night. Tonight, we got the new bathroom cabinets hung, our awesome mirror from Aunt Connie and the shot glass curios put up in the dining room, and I put up my big Beatles painting!

The house is coming together nicely...after being here for a month (yesterday). I think the fact that we're having family over for the Super Bowl is making Bobby get his butt in gear. I have been continually working at getting things put away...he's been slow to help, typical of him though. Oh well, I'm excited that he's helping me now :)

I think I'll take pictures tomorrow of the rooms now that they're close to being finished. Maybe...there's lots of tools and stuff in the dining room...he'll have to put those away first.

Tomorrow and Friday I'm subbing at Westmont. I hate the 45 minute drive, but the money is good and it's paying my bills. I hope I don't have a really busy day tomorrow, I know Friday won't be bad at all since it's a half day.

Well, I have to get up early...so I'm headed to bed now. Night!

More jewelry!

I made another bracelet tonight. Green, black, white, & silver. I don't know if I have anything to wear it with, but I like it!

And I just finished these earrings...maybe 5 minutes ago. I'll hopefully get a chance to make a necklace later this week...depending on what kind of work week I'll have.

Crafty

I love to craft. I especially like to scrapbook, but it's soooooo time consuming. While we were in Arizona, Noelle, Fran and I learned to make jewelry and it's a lot of fun. It's a lot easier than scrapbooking, and is rewarding because it doesn't take nearly as long to complete and you can wear it!

I made my mom a bracelet for Christmas, but it was too hard for her to put on because of the arthritis in her hands, so I changed the clasp. Here it is!Noelle, Fran, and I went to Michaels today and picked up some new stuff. I came home to get the rest of my beads and to get Maverick...but the roads were slick, so I stayed home instead of going back to Fran's. Bobby, Bob, Derek, and a few other guys are on their way home from a gun raffle now, so hopefully we'll get some dinner when he gets here!

Now I'm watching The DaVinci Code. I never saw it before...it started at 5, and I need to pay more attention to it. Maybe I'll make something else tonight...I could use a new bracelet, we'll see.

Subbing again tomorrow, and working at the office after I get back into town.

Looooooooong day.

Today I spent my day with fourteen 5 and 6 year-olds, teaching kindergarten. Wow. I love those kids. They are so trusting and untainted by most things in this world. I never really thought about their age in comparison to mine before today. Most of those kids were born in 2003 or 2004. I was in my sophomore year of college when they were born.

One little boy, Domminic, (who I love, love, love!) was telling me that his dad was coming home today from Iraq. He was so excited that his dad was coming home. He doesn't even know why his dad is in Iraq, he wasn't even alive at the start of this war to be able to comprehend why his dad is away from him, fighting for our freedom. Thank you Domminic's dad for what you do for us, we are so fortunate to have others, like you, willing to fight for us. God bless you.

As I sat at my desk tooday, watching the kids play during recess, I thought to myself that I really do want to have kids. These kids were just so heart warming. They randomly hugged me and surprised me all day at how smart and sweet they are. Don't get my wrong, they all have their moments when they test your patience. There were a few kids that are obviously an only child or an older sibling because they take control of things, or some kids that have problems following directs because they are easily distracted. But they are actually good kids when you can get them under control. I don't know how anyone could not want kids if they spent the day with the 14 kids I had in my room today.

After school, I went to the office to work. While there, one of the other ladies I work with was staying late to make up some time. We wound up talking the entire time we were both there, just venting about various things in our lives. I think it was something we both needed, because I left feeling much better about things. I guess I just needed the adult conversation after being with the kids all day.

I got home around 7:45, and Bobby actually cooked dinner for me! I was so excited. Even though it was only spaghetti and deer tenderloin, I didn't have to cook it, so it was great! Now we're both just relaxing for the rest of the night before bed. I need to get some stuff done around the house, but I'm way too tired to even think about dusting or vaccuuming. I just want to relax.
Time to make some hot tea and relax. Night all!

A little bit of life...

It's hard to believe, but we've been married for 6 months as of today. I can't believe how quickly the time has passed. It seems like the wedding was such a long time ago. We've had a lot of change in 6 months, including moving to our new house. I can only imagine that things will get better for us, and hopefully we'll be bringing a child into our lives soon, which will only make things change more.

I had a dream the other night that we had to ask my dad to watch our little girl, Hannah. We were going out for something and we stopped at my parents house and my dad was home, so we left Hannah with him. That's all I remember from the dream. Maybe it was just that my heart and my brain were working together and my wishes were coming true...at least in my dreams. Hannah is the name my dad had picked out for me, but my mom wanted Sarah, so she won. I now like the name Hannah...I just don't want my child to be called "Hannah Montana," EVER!

We're sitting here tonight watching Paranormal State on A&E, and being freaked out by all of these "haunted" places and spirits. Right now they're doing a thing on a haunted piano. I never really used to believe in this stuff, but I think I do now. I'm supposed to be getting ready for bed, since I'm teaching in the morning. But of course, as always, I'm not tired.

So back to dinner on Friday with Sara and Tyson. I made the meatballs and the potatoes with green beans and dinner turned out AWESOME! Sara and Tyson really liked it, and Bobby actually ate it. He seemed to like it and didn't use his "It's not something I would crave" line...which means he might actually eat it again. I can always tell when he doesn't like something that I've made, or someone else made when he says "It's not something I would crave."
Thanks Toni for the "go suck a fart" insult. I loved that and I may be using it sometime soon.

The STEELERS are going to the SUPER BOWL after beating up on the Ravens. Check out Teri's great pictures from the game HERE. She always take such amazing pictures and these are no exception. If she gets to go to the Super Bowl, I'll be incredibly jealous!!

It has snowed here for the past week and a half and I'm tired of it. I wish that it would just warm up, or we could go away to somewhere warm. I was looking at vacation destinations online yesterday but nothing caught my interest. I want just the two of us to go away somewhere warm and sunny. I just want to lay on the beach and get some sun on my pasty white skin. Other than our honeymoon, we've never had a vacation of our own. We went to Hawaii in March, but that was for a friend's wedding. So we weren't on our own. I'd gladly take any suggestions, if anyone has any. I'd like to stay on the East Coast if possible, we don't really have the money to fly anywhere.

So please, if you're reading this, leave me a suggestion as to where we should go on vacation.

Well, I best head to bed. I'm sure the elementary students will be wild tomorrow, so I've gotta get some rest to keep up with them! Goodnight.

It's not been the best day

I'm not feeling the greatest today...not sick, just down in the dumps.

Sara and Tyson are coming for dinner tomorrow night, and to see the new house, which I'm really excited about...but...I cam home with some great ideas for dinner tomorrow night, that I'd really like to try, but Mr. I'm-too-picky-to-try-something-new totally shot me down. I want to make turkey meatballs with a little bit of spinach in them, along with a great cheese sauce, over a bed of pasta, and a potato-green bean salad to go with the meatballs. He said "I'll eat the pasta..." which made me so angry because he won't try anything new.
I'm so frustrated. I can't make something new because he won't eat it. Which means I'm stuck eating spaghetti and meatballs, or alfredo, or pizza because he won't try something even once.
I am almost ready to cry over something as simple as a dinner with friends. Ugh!

I think I'm just going to make it and he'll have to get over it. If he doesn't eat it, it's not my problem. He can just be hungry.

I have to go to the grocery store to pick up a few things...here are the recipes, courtesy of RachelRayMag.com

Super-Size Turkey Meatballs with Spinach and Cheese
Rachael Ray
30-Minute Meals

Serves 4
One 10-ounce box frozen chopped spinach, thawed
2 1/2 to 2 2/3 pounds ground turkey breast
1 medium onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 large egg
1 3/4 cups milk
3/4 cup bread crumbs (3 handfuls)
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese (2 generous handfuls)
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
Extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO), for drizzling
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup chicken broth
One 8-ounce package shredded provolone cheese or Italian cheese blend
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg (eyeball it)
1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley

Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 400°. Wring the spinach dry in a clean kitchen towel. Place the ground turkey in a large bowl and make a well in the middle of the turkey. Add the spinach, half of the onion, the garlic, the egg, 1/4 cup of the milk, the bread crumbs and the Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and season with salt and pepper. Mix until combined, then form the turkey mixture into 12 large balls, arrange on a nonstick baking sheet and drizzle with EVOO. Roast for 25 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, heat a small saucepan over medium heat. Add a drizzle of EVOO and the butter to the pan. Melt the butter, add the remaining onion and cook for 2 minutes, then whisk in the flour. Cook for 1 minute, then whisk in the remaining 1 1/2 cups of milk and the broth. Bring the liquid to a boil, then stir in the provolone. Season the sauce to taste with salt, pepper and the nutmeg.
3. Place 3 turkey meatballs on each of 4 dinner plates and drizzle with the sauce; garnish with the parsley and serve.


Balsamic Potato and Green Bean Salad
Tara Bench
EIGHT SERVINGS
Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 20 min

Ingredients:
1 ½ pounds small new potatoes
Salt
10 ounces green beans, trimmed and halved crosswise
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
½ teaspoon sugar
¼ teaspoon Dijon mustard
¼ teaspoon pepper
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
4 scallions, thinly sliced
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme, plus whole sprigs for garnish

Directions:
1. In a large saucepan, place the potatoes, 2 teaspoons salt and enough water to cover by 1 inch. Bring to a simmer and cook until the potatoes are tender, 12 to 15 minutes. Add the green beans and cook for 3 minutes. Drain and let stand.
2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the vinegar, lemon juice, sugar, mustard, pepper and 1 teaspoon salt. Whisk in the olive oil until combined.
3. Toss the potatoes and beans with the dressing to coat. Using a fork, mash several potatoes. Toss in the scallions and thyme. Season with more salt and pepper to taste and top with thyme sprigs. Serve warm or at room temperature.




Sounds good to me!!!

Off to grocery shop!

High Hopes!

I'm sitting on the couch watching American Idol...some of these people are super scary. Why some of them would think they could sing at all is beyond me, they've all got high expectations and aren't going to get anywhere!


Speaking of High Hopes....I saw the link to this video on my friend Steph's blog. It's called Pittsburgh Steelers: Unstopable.
I thought I'd share it with ya'll. Pittsburgh's going to the Super Bowl, Baby!

I uploaded pictures of the house onto photobucket tonight. For now, you can view them here.
Hopefully this weekend, I'll tackle the spare bedroom. I need to take some pictures of the basement/man room/craft room to share, too.

Just an inch??

They say we're supposed to only get an inch of snow, but I'd say we got at least an inch already, and it's stiiiiillllll snowing!

I was excited when we got a heavy storm over the weekend, but now I'm over the coldness and snow!

Today our friend, who works for Verizon, came to the house to hook up the internet. I'm hoping that when I get home my lap top will work and I can begin to post some pictures of the house - before and after. Bobby said that Maverick actually went down into the basement with him today. After 2.5 weeks, the big baby actually walked down the stairs himself, instead of one of us carrying his big 85 lb pain-in-the-ass down the stairs.
Last night we saw an airplane and a hellicopter take off, basically in our front yard. It was kinda cool. I'm pretty sure it'll be a regular accurance, and we'll get sick of watching it, but for now, it's neat.

Our basement is nearing completion. The pool table is set up, and all of the neons that Bobby got for Christmas, and bought for himself afterward are on the walls. My crafting area should be done soon and then it'll be on to straightening up the storage room, which is a cluttered mess right now. Kinda looks like the spare bedroom, though I did get some of it cleaned up last night. Maybe by the 27th (which will be a month since we moved) We'll have the spare room done!

We still have to get our holliday decorations from the storage space at the apartment, then we're DONE!

Back to work before the ladies get upset. Hopefully I'll post pictures tonight!

Happy (belated) New Year!!

I can't believe it's 2009 already. Since the wedding it seems like time has flown by so quickly. It's hard to believe that we've been married for nearly 6 months. Seems like so much has changed in this short amount of time.

Yesterday, because of the disgusting ice/rain mix we got, our boss sent us home an hour early. I went home and began cleaning the basement. I swept and moped it entirely. It's now ready for the pool table. I also vaccuumed out the D-I-S-G-U-S-T-I-N-G sofa-bed that was left in the house. I found an entire bag, yes bag, of Cheerios in the cushions! And the sheets (which we were told were brand new) had holes in them and were stained. I was going to wash them and re-use them, but they were not salvageable once I took them off the mattress.

I ordered a clock for the livingroom and it'll be here tomorrow! The one we had in the livingroom, which was a mantle clock, caused an argument because it was "blocking the tv." Though the top of it hardly even covered up the bottom left corner of the tv...the only thing you couldn't see was the little tiny black bar around the tv...oh well. I got to use some gift certificates from Bed Bath & Beyond that I've been hording for months.

This is the clock:

I LOVE IT!!!!!!

Well, I suppose I should finish up some work at the office before someone comes along and tells on me. haha.

More later!