Toni tagged me

Well, I've been tagged by Toni. I'm supposed to post a picture and tag people to do this too...
Here are the rules:
1. Go to where you store your digital photos and open the 4th folder.
2. Post the 4th picture in that folder.
3. Explain the picture.
4. Tag 4 people.

And the picture is.....

This is my "baby," Maverick. He's our almost 3-year old Black Lab. I have a ton of pictures of him on my computer. He looks so happy here! I almost never get a good shot of him because he hates to have his picture taken.

I don't really know who to tag...so I'll tag Teri, Steph, Ben, and that's it....because I don't think anyone else reads my blog that has one. Other than Toni, who tagged me. How sad.

There isn't really much else going on in our happy little lives right now. My office is moving locations this weekend. We're moving because when our building was sold to the town asshole who owns half of the buildings down town, he raised our rent by 3 times the amount we were paying previously. So now we're moving to Homer City into a much smaller building, that looks like a house. It's a little bit of a farther drive for me, but I think it'll be good for everyone!

Well...that's it. Peace out girl scout

Warm weather

Well, it was absolutely gorgeous today. It was sunny and 64 degrees! When I got home from work today, I put on some sweats and took Maverick for a walk. I think we both needed it. He's completely exhausted now, poor thing. Well, at least I got a walk in today...because now that it's dark, the sky is getting cloudy and the winds are getting stronger. They're calling for thunderstorms, which is completely awesome because I LOVE thunderstorms.

Last night's dinner was a hit. I made Sloppy Hot Wing Joes. It's a Rachel Ray recipe. Fran got me her newest cookbook for Christmas - "Big Orange Book" or "BOB" as Rachel Ray calls it...I don't particularly care for her...but I love the food she makes.

Here's the recipe. (I cut everything in half since it was for the two of us.)
SLOPPY HOT WING JOES
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 pounds ground chicken or turkey breast
1 carrot, peeled and chopped or grated
2 stalks celery, chopped
1 yellow onion, finely chopped
2 to 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 to 1/3 cup hot sauce >>>I would go on the heavy side with the hot sauce, it cuts down on the sweetness and I like hot food<<<
1 cup tomato sauce
1 cup chicken stock
6 good quality burger rolls, split and toasted
1 cup blue cheese crumbles
2 large dill pickles, chopped

Heat a large skillet with extra-virgin olive oil over medium-high heat. Add meat and break it up with wooden spoon, cook 5 to 6 minutes. Add in carrots, celery, onions and garlic, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper, cook 7 to 8 minutes more. In a bowl combine the vinegar, sugar, Worcestershire, hot sauce, tomato sauce and stock. Pour into the pan and stir to combine. Simmer a few minutes more. Pile sloppy Buffalo filling onto buns and top with blue cheese and chopped pickles.

Now, we don't like blue cheese, so we omitted that and used our own cheese. We also didn't put pickles on it, just didn't sound good to me. I made homefries with it and some green beans. It was a definite hit. I'll be making it again.

Tonight, I'm making a taco salad. I guess I better go get started before the storms start and we lose power!!! Peace-out girlscout!

Octuplets

We're watching Entertainment Tonight right now and they were just showing a story about the Octuplets that were born in California. They are so tiny and all so weak. It makes me want to cry when I see them. The doctors aren't even sure that they will all live. How could that woman bring all of those children into the world when she has 6 kids at home and not work??? They asked her how she would be able to provide for them...and she said she'll find a way. Yeah...she'll be on welfare and sucking up government money that could be going someone else...SHE NEEDS TO GET A JOB!! I'm not saying that these children don't deserve the assistance, I'm just upset with the woman and the doctor putting these children's lives at risk.

I understand that the doctor should not have implanted all 8 of the fertilized embryos and it isn't entirely the mother's fault. But...there are people in this world that can't have children and would love to have one of those babies who are fighting for their lives.
I would love to have one of those beautiful babies and provide them with an uncrowded home where I could provide them with food and clothing and a safe place to be.

In other news...DANCING WITH THE STARS starts in a month. They announced all of the new stars last night. I can't believe that Steve-o is going to be on it. He can't possibly take it seriously. I guess we'll see.

OH! And did you see Paula Abdul's dress last night?? If not...here it is, in all of it's hidiousness!


Tonight I made Creamy Ranch Chicken for dinner. It was delicious! Bobby really liked it too. It was so easy...I'll definitely be making it again. In the time it took me to boil the water and cook the pasta, I had everything else done. I would suggest turning the water on right before you start cooking the bacon.
Here's the recipe (from BHG.com):

Ingredients

• 6 slices bacon
• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cut into bite-size pieces
• 2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour
• 2 Tbsp. ranch dry salad dressing mix
• 1-1/4 cups whole milk (I USED SKIM MILK)
• 3 cups dried medium noodles
• 1 Tbsp. finely shredded Parmesan cheese

Directions

1. Cut bacon into narrow strips. In a large skillet cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Drain bacon on paper towels; discard all but 2 tablespoons drippings.

2. In the same skillet cook chicken in reserved drippings until tender and no longer pink, turning to brown evenly. Sprinkle flour and salad dressing mix over the chicken in the skillet; stir well. Stir in milk. Cook and stir until thickened and bubbly. Cook and stir 1 minute more. Stir in bacon. Meanwhile, cook noodles according to package directions. Serve chicken mixture with noodles; sprinkle with Parmesan. Makes: 4 servings

Well...the President's on now...I'll be a good US Citizen and watch him, I guess.

25 Random Things...about me

So this thing is all over Facebook...The idea is that if someone does it, they tag you and make you do it, too. Then you tag someone else. Well, I was tagged 5 times and it took me a week to do it, but I finished it tonight. So I thought I would post it here too...since I haven't posted in nearly a week. Happy reading


1. I dislike the color purple. I refused to wear it, with one exception. And that was for AJ and Brad's wedding, in Hawaii.

2. I'm a substitute teacher for 2 school districts, Westmont Hilltop in Johnstown, and Penns Manor. I love working with the kids, and that I can be with a different group of them everyday if I decide...but I'd rather have my own classroom.

3. When I'm not subbing, I work at AmbCoach...it's an ambulance billing company. Basically, if you take an ambulance we get your insurance information and bill your insurance company. It's pretty boring, but it pays my bills.

4. I want to be a mom in the worst way. Too bad Bobby isn't ready, cause we have a spare room that would make a perfect nursery :)

5. I have the names of my children picked out already. Don't ask me what they are...that's TOP SECRET!

6. I'm worried that I won't be able to have my own kids...my mom wasn't supposed to be able to have children, and her doctor told her it would never happen. Well, obviously that didn't happen...but what if it does to me?!

7. I don't have the best relationship with my parents. I think it's because they both worked so much when we were younger and I didn't get to spend enough time with them...I do try to talk to my mom everyday...even if it's for 2 minutes. At least we're trying.

8. I have a baby brother. We aren't really that close either. I wish I could change that, but we're just totally different people and have busy lives, so it makes things hard.

9. Unlike most people...I get along really well with my mother-in-law. She's awesome!

10. My sisters-in-law are awesome too. I couldn't ever ask for two better sisters or friends.

11. I have a scar on my chin from when I was 2. I fell between two stairs on a sliding board and landed on a platform...chin first. I cracked my chin open and all of my molars were cracked, too. I had most of them pulled and had 10 stitches in my chin.

12. I like to make jewelry. I've made a few pieces after I took a class in Arizona over Thanksgiving. I really enjoy it...and thought maybe I'd try selling some pieces eventually.

13. I like to take pictures. I wish I knew how to better use the settings on my camera to get the image I want.

14. My niece, Taryne, is the coolest kid ever. End of story.

15. I still have a dollar bill that's tied into a knot from the bridal dance at our reception. I found it in the bottom of my purse today. I knew it was there...I only have it because I can't get it untied...and we found it in the couch the week we moved into our new house.

16. I carry a leatherman/multi tool from Cabelas around in my purse. Because you never know when you're gong to need needle nose pliers, a knife, screwdriver, or a flashlight! I used it today to fix the zipper pull on my winter coat.

17. I don't sleep well...it takes me hours to fall asleep every night. Of course, to make up for the fact that I fall asleep around 3 am, I sleep until 10...unless I have to sub in the morning.

18. I'm addicted to blogging. I read them everyday...and yes, I have one. I update it at least once a week.

19. Before I die, I want to go to Spain.

20. I listen to a lot of different genres of music. I thank my parents for that.

21. I like to watch TV. I always watch Food Network, HGTV, pretty much everything on ABC, Don't Forget the Lyrics and CASH CAB! **** And yes, I can't forget Lingo. Thanks Teri ****

22. I LOVE to cook. I like to try new recipes, as long as Bobby will eat whatever it is I make...he's really picky though.

23. When I was in Jr. and Sr. High, I had a crush on Bobby's best friends. I didn't even know him then...but they were all in our wedding.

24. Planning our wedding was super stressful, but I'd do it all over again because it was so much fun. I was actually kinda sad that it was over. I miss having something to plan for.

25. I bite my nails and pick at my cuticles. It's a bad habit, but I can't help it.