Date: October 23, 2010 Location: Our House Tuscaloosa, AL
My Handyman
Remember those front porch lights I wanted so badly? We bought them and finally installed them by ourselves!
The first light took a little longer to install than the second. The first one was a learning experience; by the time we got to the second, Justin was a pro.
For our next electrical job, we'll replace the kitchen lights.
Date: October 22, 2010 Location: Our House Tuscaloosa, AL
More proof that I'm old
8:47 p.m. Friday night. And I am going to bed.
I remember the days when I didn't get off work until 9:30 and I would go home, shower, and get dressed to go out. My friends and I would watch movies and play cards for hours. I was lucky to make it to bed by 2 a.m. back then.
I reminisce about all of this, but I wouldn't change it for the world.The difference in now and then is drastic, but the transition happened so slowly that it seemed to not happen at all.
Date: October 21, 2010 Location: Wild Cat Stadium Northport, AL
Go Panthers!
Last game of the season!
The Panthers played for third place in the championship games. It was a good game; each team fighting hard for the lead. The Panthers pulled through in the end to win another one!
Date: October 18, 2010 Location: Our House Tuscaloosa, AL
House, MD
Although he's harsh and abrasive, you can't help but love him. This is Dr. House, played by British actor Hugh Laurie.
House and his team work with special diagnosis; they almost always let their patient die before House's "ah-ha" moment in which he finally finds the answer.
He is terribly blunt; therefore, he has no bedside manner. His social interactions suffer because of this as well.
With his team's help, House is able to diagnose the toughest cases, yet they are unable to diagnose him.
Date: October 17, 2010 Location: Our House Tuscaloosa, AL
Privacy, please
Tonight we installed enclosed blinds on our carport door. Key words: we installed!
I enjoy our mini home improvement projects. There is something empowering about dragging out the power tools and assisting Justin while he figures it out.
Now, let me define assisting. To read the instruction booklet, answer all questions with a seemingly good answer, and hand-off various tools. Although my role is small, I absolutely enjoy it.
Date: October 16, 2010 Location: Tuscaloosa Regional Airport Tuscaloosa, AL
Saban's Seat
With the same group from last night, Justin and I went to the local airport to tour the UA plane. Although the tour was brief (we arrived late), it was fun. And I got a picture!
According to our tour guide, the pilot, Justin is sitting in Coach Saban's seat.
Date: October 15, 2010 Location: Innisfree Tuscaloosa, AL
Late Night with Friends
After our dinner at the Henderson's, we met some friends at Innisfree. Last time I featured the place, I went for happy hour. This time I was out late, with those "that used to be me" type.
Wow! I am thankful things have changed.
We had a great time. We hung out with old friends and met some interesting people.
Date: October 14, 2010 Location: Our House Tuscaloosa, AL
Sweet Green Bean Bundles
I am doing something a little different today; I want to post a recipe. I made my famous green beans for a dinner we are attending tomorrow night.
The Recipe:
3 (14.5 ounce) cans whole green beans, drained 1 pound bacon, cut in half 1/2 cup butter 1 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup water 1 teaspoon garlic salt
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 9x13 inch baking dish. 2. Lightly brown bacon; do not crisp. 3. Wrap 7 green beans with bacon and place in prepared dish. Repeat, using all the green beans and bacon. 4. In a saucepan over low heat, combine butter, water, and brown sugar. Pour over green bean bundles and sprinkle with garlic salt. 5. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
Date: October 13, 2010 Location: My House Tuscaloosa, AL
My Real Birthday
The day started with early morning phone calls to wish me a happy 26th birthday. At work, the girls brought me donuts from Krispy Kreme and caramel coffee from Starbucks. Throughout the day, my loyal Facebook friends kept my wall full of good wishes.
Things got better as the day progressed. At home, Justin grilled steaks (he started marinating them Tuesday morning), cooked potatoes, made a pretty salad, and baked my favorite wheat dinner rolls.
Date: October 12, 2010 Location: Memaw's House Northport, AL
Let the birthdays begin!
Justin's family loves birthdays. They also love a birthday pizza party.
We celebrated my day with his family at Memaw's with pizza, salad, and a caramel cake for dessert. And with all the cash I was gifted, I got to buy the gift I really wanted: new front porch lights.
Date: October 9, 2010 Location: My House/Kobe Tuscaloosa, AL
To have your cake...
Today, I give you two pictures.
Mom came to Tuscaloosa to celebrate my birthday with a ladies day out. We went shopping and out to lunch. She made me a pound cake. It was a good day.
And eat it, too. Lunch was mom's treat. She let me choose; I wanted Kobe. We sat directly in front of the tv, so we did get to watch the Bama game.I got to introduce yet another person to sushi. I wanted to start her out with something mild so I chose the California Roll. She loved it; in fact, she said it was "wonderful."Success!
Date: October 7, 2010 Location: Our House Tuscaloosa, AL
As keen as mustard
Much like the Q-tip, I am very attached to French's mustard. It just has a certain flavor that can't be replicated in the store brands. It's tangy, but not too strong; it's bitter, but just enough.And it stings the palate just right. Maybe I'm a creature of habit, or maybe my taste buds are more keen than average.Either way, you'll find French's in my house.
Date: October 6, 2010 Location: My Car Tuscaloosa, AL
Low Fuel
My goodness, is it time to get gas again? Didn't I just do that... six weeks ago? Why, yes I did!
I live exactly one mile from work. That means I put four miles a day on my car (and that is going home for lunch). On average, I fill up once every six weeks.
Date: October 5, 2010 Location: Our Back Patio Tuscaloosa, AL
Fire Up the Grill
Fall means dinners on the back patio. I love this weather, and this is just one of the reasons. Tonight we had kielbasa sausage and Southwestern rice. Simple, but very flavorful!
Date: October 4, 2010 Location: Our House Tuscaloosa, AL
Friendship Bread
It's that time of year again! I get the sudden urge to make bread. One of my favorites is Friendship Bread. You know, the kind you feed for ten days then share with your friends. It's great and I can't wait until it's time to bake it.
Date: October 3, 2010 Location: Big Daddy and Big Mama's House Jackson, AL
Great Grandmother
This is my Big Mama and her first great grandchild, Kerri Rose. Today was Kerri's baby dedication at Jackson First Assembly of God. This precious child has lots of people to love her, and many of them attended her dedication.
Date: October 2, 2010 Location: Star Nails Bay Minette, AL
Mani/Pedi
Lynn treated us to a morning at the nail shop. She first suggested a spa pedicure for all of us. But I can't stand for anyone to touch my feet; I don't want to touch anyone's feet, either. I am one of those people.So I went with my usual manicure and added an eyebrow wax. This is a picture of Lynn, Chelsey, and Courtney in the spa chairs. We had a great time being pampered.
Date: September 30, 2010 Location: Our House Tuscaloosa, AL
Just Desserts
Justin asked me to make a dessert for him to take to school for First Friday. He requested that I make Nanny's Mousse. I did, with my own twist.
The original recipe calls for jello pudding and cool whip. I made mousse from scratch and fresh whipped cream. I still used the boxed brownies, though. You really can't beat them.
Date: September 29, 2010 Location: Our House Tuscaloosa, AL
ANTM
You wanna be on top?
Reality TV has become really popular. And somehow I got sucked in.
Those who know me well are surprised I like shows such as America's Next Top Model, Teen Mom, and Project Runway. Honestly, it surprises me, too.
Regardless, I watch week after week, hoping my favorites don't go home. This season on ANTM, I had an instant favorite: Kendal from Northport, AL!!! Best of luck to her!
Date: September 27, 2010 Location: Our House Tuscaloosa, AL
Payback
I love to get money in the mail, but especially love getting money in the mail from my grandmother.
This particular check is for the groceries I bought my cousin who moved to town. Yeah, the money is nice, but my favorite part is always the notes she writes on the stub. This time, she wrote a novella. And numbered the sections to let me know in which order I should read them. Love my Big Mama!
Date: September 26, 2010 Location: Our House Tuscaloosa, AL
Soup and Sandwich... from the microwave
Frozen meals are not my favorite. Usually they aren't even an option.
Buuuut, I was tired when we went grocery shopping, and I certainly didn't feel like cooking once we got home, unloaded the trunk, and put up the groceries. Ugh.
So Justin spotted these in the freezer aisle. They were good; a pleasant surprise. I thought that maybe I was just tired and hungry (in which case anything would have been good) so we tried them again. Still good. In case you're interested, they are Stouffer's Corner Bistro Stuffed Melts and Soups®. We've found three varieties.
Date: September 24, 2010 Location: Our House Tuscaloosa, AL
There's no substitition
Store brands are fine, most of the time. Buuuut, there are some items that just cannot be substituted. One of these items is the Q-tip.
The Q-tip has the perfect amount of cotton, and it's wound just tight enough around its slightly flexible wand. This way, the cotton tip does not fall off inside the ear. Who wants that? Not me.
Date: September 23, 2010 Location: The Condo Northport, AL
Grocery Surprise
My grandmother, Big Mama, called me to tell memy cousin would be moving to Tuscaloosa from Arkansas. She wouldn't be able to welcome him to his new home personally, so she asked me to go grocery shopping for him.
I had a blast! These are just the non-perishable items. The fridge and freezer are stocked, too.
It feels a little strange to see my old place with a new resident.I hope Trey enjoys it as much as I did.
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