Last night, I went down to Winterset to spend a night in Jason’s shoes working on the farm. He took me for a ride in the tractor, we picked some beans in the combine, and took a load of grain into town. I can’t believe he learned how to do all of this in a day or two! I am really proud of him!
Then, we came home and battled each other in a game of Wii bowling! Of course, I won!!! 180-135!!!!
I started my new job at GeoLearning last Monday and I am totally loving it! Everyone here is really cool and the atmosphere is so laid back! My neighbor, Luke, came over and introduced himself and asked if I was easily offended…now, after listening to his constant F-bomb dropping, I understand why. Ha. My new cubicle rocks… I actually have some privacy and room to put all my crap! It needs some work, but here is what it looks like as of now…
Jason has also started a new job. He is working as a farm hand down in Winterset! He has been begging me to come down and ride in the tractor with him…he keeps saying “babe, it has heat and a CD player” SO I decided to cave and go down after work today. He doesn’t know that while we pick corn, we are going to be rocking out to Needtobreathe. Hehe.
Thursday night I made the long treck up to Minneapolis to see Needtobreathe play at the Varsity Theatre! The show was breathtaking and only fueled my sick obsession with Bear Rinehart. They closed with an acoustic version of “Something Beautiful” that brought tears to my eyes. I have a video, which I plan on uploading at a later date, but for now…here are some of my favorite pics!
Wow. Just wow.
So, Jason and I moved into our house out in the country with 3 acres of land back in February. Initially, I was a little worried about being out in the middle of nowhere, but it has actually been total bliss…the closest house to us is across the highway, which has led to my total disregard for closing the curtains at night while I dance around in my panties singing “I Got That Boom Boom Pow” using my hairbrush as a microphone. We also have two hunting dogs who enjoy having such a large yard to run around in and Jason can shoot his Bow and Mussleloader without breaking any laws because we are outside city limits. Basically, we can do what we want. So there.
But, a couple of months ago, we noticed that a house was going up down in the valley behind our property. I know what you’re thinking…”OK…no biggie.”
Well, as I was driving back from my shopping excursion on Saturday coming down the highway, I almost drove straight into the ditch after jumping off my seat because I saw the most hideous thing my eyes have landed on since witnessing Amy Winehouse in a bikini in US Weekly.
This atrocity is sitting on the hill behind my house!!! I suspected the lady building the house behind us was a tad bit crazy because her “house” looks more like a retail store, but now THIS! I immediately called the neighbors across the street to ask if they had seen it and they told me “yes” and that the story actually gets better! O really?…Great for me! Apparently, this crazy tepee lady rents, her lease is up at the end of October and she plans on LIVING IN THE TEPEE UNTIL HER HOUSE IS FINISHED! Did I really just hear that correctly? Rumor has it she thinks she is some American Indian warrior and takes part in vibrational healings, pounding away on her drums til wee hours of the morning!
Now I have to deal with the fear that if my dogs are off their chains, they will run up to her tepee and be roasted over an open flame. And this is definitely going to interfere with my nakedness since we don’t have curtains on the windows in the back of our house. My bliss just packed its bags and headed out the front door. Seriously.
Because I was feeling a little lonely and neglected this weekend due to Jason’s hunting obsession, I thought a little retail therapy would help my mood. I am also starting a new job on Monday where I can wear JEANS (woot woot) and I am absolutely thrilled because that definitely broadens my wardrobe. Here are a few things I picked up this weekend while browsing around Forever 21 and Kohls. Some people complain about the quality of their clothes, but if I can pay $10 for a shirt and it falls apart after 3 wears, who really cares? I say I spent my money wisely ; )
Hey Ya’ll! How was everyone’s weekend? Jason and I had a pretty fun-filled time! Friday night, our friends from the softball team through a year end party at their house in Granger. We played the best game in the entire world until the wee hours of the morning…Apples to Apples and watched Josh play the air guitar to oldies. I don’t know what it is about that game, but it makes me giggle like a silly school girl. I just about fell off my chair when the card “enchanting” got layed out and Mel, ever so politely, threw her ”The KKK” card down on the table. Ha. I am still in a food coma from Friday night as well, but it was a great escape.
HAPPY FRIDAY!
What is everyone up to this weekend?
I have about a thousand things I would like to do this weekend, but Jason says I only get to pick two. I think I’m going to go with the World Food Festival and seeing the new Vince Vaughn movie, “Couples Retreat!” Of course this is all contingent on if Jason shoots his trophy buck or not and if the weather cooperates and doesn’t drop snow on us?!?! I’ll keep you posted. Until then, here is a goody of a pic from last summer. It makes me happy thinking about boating and warm weather!
For some strange reason, I always forget about pork chops when I go to the grocery store. I love pork…especially BBQ pulled pork sandwiches, but for the past two years or so pig had not been on the menu at my house. Yesterday, I had a revelation about this and decided to cook up some pork chops last night for dinner! I found an awesome recipe on www.delish.com for Boneless Pork Chops with Mushrooms and decided to give it a whirl. They turned out tasting absolutely fantastical!
Ingredients:
2 5 ounce boneless center cut pork loin chops
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 tsp olive oil
1 medium shallot (basically the same thing as an onion)
1 1/2 cups sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup dry vermouth (i couldn’t find any vermouth so i used white wine instead)
1 tsp dijon mustard
1 tsp chopped fresh thyme (i couldn’t find fresh so i went with Tones)
Directions:
1. Sprinkle pork chops with salt and pepper. Coat large skillet with cooking spray and place over meduim heat. Cook chops until browned on both sides. Transfer to plate.
2. Swirl oil into pan, add shallot and cook, stirring, until soft for 30 seconds or so. Add mushrooms and cook. Add vermouth and cook 15 seconds. Stir in mustard, thyme and any juices that accumulated. Cook until sauce is thickened.
3. Spoon over pork chops.
ANNNND……WAHHHH LAAAAA…………………………………………
1. 7 a.m. is considered sleeping in
2. my free time consists of reading a book or doing laundry
3. my boss’s cell number is on speed dial
4. if i’m not in bed by 9:30, i wake up looking like Anneliese Michel from the Exorcist
5. the floors in my house are covered in my hair that is falling out at rapid speed
6. “going out” now consists of boardgames at a neighbor’s house
7. i no longer feel like i fit in when I’m shopping at Forever 21
8. i unbutton my pants on the ride home after going out to eat
9. i can live without sex, but not caffeine
10. i know what the word equity means
11. i actually watch the WeatherChannel
12. my grocery lists no longer solely consist of ramen noodles and Boones Farm
13. farting in front of people no longer embarrasses me
14. i have 2 drinks and spend the next day violently puking my brains out
15. every hour, on the hour, i think to myself “damn, i wish i was still in college”
16. sometimes i don’t shave my legs for a week and i don’t even feel bad about it
17. when i try to do a cart wheel, pain shoots through my entire body like an electrical current
18. i threw away my little black book years ago
19. i’m excited about buying a recipe box
20. the thought of having kids doesn’t freak me out anymore
After reading through this list, I realize I’m OK with getting old…these things don’t seem so bad after all. I just beg my friends and family to never let me become the old lady who takes a metal detector to the beach in socks with sandals on.
Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
