Well, we are 3 months into (ok not quite but close) living in Bahrain. I am happy to report, I am adjusting! I wish I would have written more and posted more in the last 3(ish) months because I have been up and down and then some in the middle.
We took a trip to Turkey that was amazing. Amazing isn't even a strong enough word, it was (hold please, let me google a good synonym...) spectacular, magnificent, phenomenal, you get the point! I love traveling, it fills my cup and this trip was no different! Also, I was so proud of the kids on this trip. I am not saying there was no whining or fighting, there was, but ya'll, they powered through A LOT like champs. The only day they really feel apart was in Ephesus and it was so hot there were times I wondered if I was going to make it.
Anyhow, I am settling in. I know some people's names (BAM! I even call a few of them friends), I can get to the grocery store and back without using GPS, I know that you don't actually stop at the Ministry of the Interior checkpoints regardless of the signs saying otherwise, I am getting the hang of it. There have been some wonderful people who have helped me out along the way (shout out to the guy that helped me get out of the parking lot when someone Bahrain-parked {read illegally-parked} right behind me and I had a concrete wall in front of me, I would NEVER have gotten out without you!! You da real MVP!). It's still as hot as the 7th level of hell, but they claim this will change. For now I am just taking what I can get!
Sunday, September 23, 2018
Tuesday, July 10, 2018
Riding The Struggle Bus
Y'all, I want SO SO badly to have a good outlook on life right now. I want so much to be taking in every second of this adventure and just squeezing the heck out of it. Living in the moment, laughing at each crazy turn, so on and so forth, but it's just not happening. I am struggling to find moments in a day to "carpe" and I sure as heck am not carpe-ing a whole entire diem.
So here is the truth:
Right now, this SUCKS! I know that I won't feel that way for forever and for that I am grateful but right now finding joy is an all out battle. It's hot here, like miserable hot. It's ironic, because ATX got hit with a heat wave about the time we got out here (2 weeks ago). The temps back in Texas were pretty much the same as they were here in Bahrain, but there are 2 huge differences. The first is, electricity does not cost in Texas nearly what it does in Bahrain. If we still lived in Texas, we would have kept our AC pumping and just not spent as much time outside. NBD. Here in Bahrain, electricity is CRAZY expensive. We hear stories of people who spend so much on AC trying to keep the house cool that it would have been cheaper for them to leave and go on vacation. CRA-CRA! I am scared to see what our first electric bill is going to be. One of the big reasons I agreed to come here was all the travel opportunities, but we can't travel if we don't have money left after paying our electric bill. So, it's barely cool in our house, it's tolerable, that's it. I would be curious to know what temperature other people keep their houses. If there was a way to check how much our electric bill was 10 days into the month of July (our first full month) that would make me feel better (or cause an all out panic attack, it could go either way), it would give me something to go off of but to my knowledge, they are not that organized here so instead I have a constant battle in my head; would I rather be cool and comfortable and risk paying a fortune or would I rather sweat it out a little and hopefully save some money (maybe even enough for 1 plane ticket, a round-trip ticket to Turkey right now is about $350, just saying). The second difference is in ATX the temperature will go back down, here in Bahrain we are just getting started. This week in ATX the temps are back in the 90s, still hot but cool enough that the kids can go play outside in the evenings. Here in Bahrain it's not even noon yet and it's 100, feels like 108. The low today is in the high 90s. It's even hot swimming in the cooled pool. We have been told June, July and August are the worst. It's July 10th, I hate wishing away time, it feels like a waste in this one short, precious life but come on September, you can't get here fast enough. I have all the blinds in the house pull down trying to keep the sun out and the cool in. I feel like we are alone, secluded in this hot foreign country.
Upon arrival we found out that just as we were coming, most expats were leaving. People who live here from America and the UK generally leave and go home during the summers (because it's hot and it's cheaper than staying here and paying your electric bill). Mostly, I feel bad for my kids. There are not many kids around right now, they are bored and lonely. This will not be a fun summer for them, not the best introduction to their new country. We went to the pool every day that first week and did not meet a single kid their age. When we asked on our housing community Facebook page we were told that most people consider it too hot to go to the pool. Too hot to go to the pool. That's my reality right now.
I remember when we we tried to look at cost of living calculators for Bahrain, it seemed like over all it would be a little cheaper than Austin, TX. That my friends is a lie. It's so freaking expensive out here! Moving on from the cost of electricity, let's talk anything entertainment wise. All the indoor jump parks, arcades, whatever else for kids are not cheap. You could go broke here in a hot second trying to keep your kids entertained during a hot summer.
I could go on, but I won't. You get the idea.
There you have it. That's the honest truth of where I am at. I am laughing, don't get me wrong. I laughed at myself for buying Arabic coffee and trying to make it in my French Press. I laughed (internally) at my poor husband when we tried to go get our CPR cards and they would not let him in the building because he was wearing shorts. (When going to government buildings in Bahrain, wear long pants. Tip from an insider.) But I am also crying (ok, not really, but internally maybe), and wishing for the United States where they charge everyone the same amount for electricity and I can wear tank tops.
This too shall pass.
Right?!
So here is the truth:
Right now, this SUCKS! I know that I won't feel that way for forever and for that I am grateful but right now finding joy is an all out battle. It's hot here, like miserable hot. It's ironic, because ATX got hit with a heat wave about the time we got out here (2 weeks ago). The temps back in Texas were pretty much the same as they were here in Bahrain, but there are 2 huge differences. The first is, electricity does not cost in Texas nearly what it does in Bahrain. If we still lived in Texas, we would have kept our AC pumping and just not spent as much time outside. NBD. Here in Bahrain, electricity is CRAZY expensive. We hear stories of people who spend so much on AC trying to keep the house cool that it would have been cheaper for them to leave and go on vacation. CRA-CRA! I am scared to see what our first electric bill is going to be. One of the big reasons I agreed to come here was all the travel opportunities, but we can't travel if we don't have money left after paying our electric bill. So, it's barely cool in our house, it's tolerable, that's it. I would be curious to know what temperature other people keep their houses. If there was a way to check how much our electric bill was 10 days into the month of July (our first full month) that would make me feel better (or cause an all out panic attack, it could go either way), it would give me something to go off of but to my knowledge, they are not that organized here so instead I have a constant battle in my head; would I rather be cool and comfortable and risk paying a fortune or would I rather sweat it out a little and hopefully save some money (maybe even enough for 1 plane ticket, a round-trip ticket to Turkey right now is about $350, just saying). The second difference is in ATX the temperature will go back down, here in Bahrain we are just getting started. This week in ATX the temps are back in the 90s, still hot but cool enough that the kids can go play outside in the evenings. Here in Bahrain it's not even noon yet and it's 100, feels like 108. The low today is in the high 90s. It's even hot swimming in the cooled pool. We have been told June, July and August are the worst. It's July 10th, I hate wishing away time, it feels like a waste in this one short, precious life but come on September, you can't get here fast enough. I have all the blinds in the house pull down trying to keep the sun out and the cool in. I feel like we are alone, secluded in this hot foreign country.
Upon arrival we found out that just as we were coming, most expats were leaving. People who live here from America and the UK generally leave and go home during the summers (because it's hot and it's cheaper than staying here and paying your electric bill). Mostly, I feel bad for my kids. There are not many kids around right now, they are bored and lonely. This will not be a fun summer for them, not the best introduction to their new country. We went to the pool every day that first week and did not meet a single kid their age. When we asked on our housing community Facebook page we were told that most people consider it too hot to go to the pool. Too hot to go to the pool. That's my reality right now.
I remember when we we tried to look at cost of living calculators for Bahrain, it seemed like over all it would be a little cheaper than Austin, TX. That my friends is a lie. It's so freaking expensive out here! Moving on from the cost of electricity, let's talk anything entertainment wise. All the indoor jump parks, arcades, whatever else for kids are not cheap. You could go broke here in a hot second trying to keep your kids entertained during a hot summer.
I could go on, but I won't. You get the idea.
There you have it. That's the honest truth of where I am at. I am laughing, don't get me wrong. I laughed at myself for buying Arabic coffee and trying to make it in my French Press. I laughed (internally) at my poor husband when we tried to go get our CPR cards and they would not let him in the building because he was wearing shorts. (When going to government buildings in Bahrain, wear long pants. Tip from an insider.) But I am also crying (ok, not really, but internally maybe), and wishing for the United States where they charge everyone the same amount for electricity and I can wear tank tops.
This too shall pass.
Right?!
Thursday, July 5, 2018
A Story of 500 lbs
First, a little back ground:
When we were moving out here we were told that it would take our stuff 2-3 months to arrive because it was going in a container ship over the sea. Obviously, we were a little worried what we would do for those 2-3 months having only the things that we could pack in our suitcases. It was at that point we found out that we would also get a 10X10X10 container that we could put 500 lbs worth of stuff in that they would fly out and we would get in 4-6 weeks. Packing that is when I realized how much stuff we have in general and how much of our stuff I really don't care THAT much about (and yet, I can't let go of... go figure). Anyhow, when word arrived that our air shipment had arrived in Bahrain we got excited. When we found out it had made it though customs we were stoked and when it arrived at our home: Pure. Joy.
As we packed it, I realized I had no idea how much 500 lbs was, I thought I would put a ton of clothes and shoes along with some basic cooking items in and that would be it. It turns out that we maybe hit 300 lbs of stuff and that was with me throwing in all sorts of random things at the end. I am grateful I added a folding table and chairs, but I so wish I would have put the kids Lego's (or at least some of them) in there. We have an empty house, they have read the books I brought a few times, we could use some Lego's!
At any rate, the first week we were here, it was just us and the clothes we had packed in our suitcases, along with a few essential things we bought, but then... the 500 lbs (ok 300ish) Air Shipment arrived! It is always like Christmas unpacking your things in a new house and this my friends, this was even better! When you get everything at once, it's great but it's overwhelming. There are boxes EVERYWHERE and unpacking them all takes up so much time. I have to make rules for myself like "you have to unpack 1 box for every sip of coffee" or "you have to unpack 5 boxes before you check you phone...unless it rings, because #reality" but when you just get a small amount at a time, it's Christmas. Nothing overwhelming, just a couple things that remind you that you are still you and make life better. I had everything put away more or less that day. It. Was. Awesome.
...and the twinados made a mini box fort so, winning, all around!
Monday, July 2, 2018
I'm BACK!!!
Well, I am resurrecting this puppy because: We moved! Overseas! To Bahrain! Where is Bahrain you ask? (Fear not, I had to google it too.) It's in the middle east. (Do you capitalize The Middle East? I don't know.) It's this tiny island (and I do mean tiny, it's not even big enough to make it on a lot of world maps) in the Persian Gulf, off the coast of Saudi Arabia.
I want to write this for me (and maybe my family) to some day look back and remember this part of life with a little more clarity. It's one heck of an undertaking and a crazy adventure. We have been here a little less than a week so far and I have had approximately a gazillion emotions/thoughts run through my head. Ranging from "I am so happy, this is such a neat, once in a life time experience!" to "This is was dumbest idea ever, I hate this stupid country and I have one been here a few days, how am I going to get through years in this terrible place?". It's HOT here right now, and I don't mean normal HOT (and keep in mind I lived in Phoenix, AZ). It's like that level in Super Mario 3 where the sun tries to kill you. It's that kinda HOT here. Currently, it's July, I hear August is worse. In fact, shortly after arriving, we found out that most expats are leaving. They get the heck out of here in the summer because it's too hot. (That possibly was the first indication that I made a mistake. We maybe should have spent July and even a week or two of August in the USofA with grandparents. Eh, live and learn!)
Facebook and Insta will have a lot more pictures but I can blabber on a lot more on here! It was my sweet and wise Mother in Law's (do you capitalize that?) idea to write a blog about this crazy trip/s around the sun and I am glad she brought it up. One day I hope to look back and smile (or laugh, maybe cry, we shall find out). So, if you are willing to read through a lot of grammar and punctuation errors, feel free to join me!
For now... Hey-Ho from Bahrain! We are living in the middle/southern part of the country, a small town called Riffa. The twins are 10 years old, (How in the world did that happen?! Huge.Crocodile.Tears.) and going into 5th grade next year. Jonathan is out of the Army (for a while now) and works for Amazon. As it turns out we have moved just as much with Amazon as we ever did with the Army and Amazon is taking us crazy, exciting places like Bahrain. The Army took us to slightly ghetto places like Fort Benning, GA (I mean, Go Army, Home of the Infantry, HOO-AH! Right?!), go figure. At any rate, in case you thought (like I did) that this would mean I could still ORDER stuff from Amazon because they are in Bahrain, you are sadly mistaken! Amazon Web Services (AWS) is in Bahrain, and thus, we are too, but regular, order anything you can think of under the sun, Amazon, not so much friends. At least not yet. Back to Bahrain, the twinados will be going to Riffa Views International School, which is possibly the thing I am most excited about, it seems like a great school. I will be trying to figure out what to do with my life, again. After the kids started pre-school (we were living in Chesterfield, VA at the time) I went to work at the gym I was working out at as a personal trainer. Super awesome and rewarding job! When we moved to Texas I started working for Gold's Gym as a Group Fitness Instructor and eventually ended up as the Gold's Studio Head Coach! I can't say how much I LOVED my job. The members were fantastic and made waking up at 4:00AM every day totally worth it (Ok, at least 9 times out of 10, that 1 I was usually just SUPER tired!) and my co-workers were the best. After I get everything and everyone settled out here I will try and figure out what's next for me!
That (kinda) brings us up to now, we got WiFi a couple days ago (game changer) so here we are just waiting for our first installment of stuff. AKA: the 500 pound (though not in our case because I had no idea what to pack) Air Shipment. The rest is coming by sea and will not be her for another month (if all goes well). Right now we have a nice house full of only the stuff we brought in our suitcase or have bought since we have arrived. For example, we are sleeping on the neck pillows we had on the airplane:
Come on 500lbs Air Shipment. Mama needs her french press and a real pillow!
I want to write this for me (and maybe my family) to some day look back and remember this part of life with a little more clarity. It's one heck of an undertaking and a crazy adventure. We have been here a little less than a week so far and I have had approximately a gazillion emotions/thoughts run through my head. Ranging from "I am so happy, this is such a neat, once in a life time experience!" to "This is was dumbest idea ever, I hate this stupid country and I have one been here a few days, how am I going to get through years in this terrible place?". It's HOT here right now, and I don't mean normal HOT (and keep in mind I lived in Phoenix, AZ). It's like that level in Super Mario 3 where the sun tries to kill you. It's that kinda HOT here. Currently, it's July, I hear August is worse. In fact, shortly after arriving, we found out that most expats are leaving. They get the heck out of here in the summer because it's too hot. (That possibly was the first indication that I made a mistake. We maybe should have spent July and even a week or two of August in the USofA with grandparents. Eh, live and learn!)
Facebook and Insta will have a lot more pictures but I can blabber on a lot more on here! It was my sweet and wise Mother in Law's (do you capitalize that?) idea to write a blog about this crazy trip/s around the sun and I am glad she brought it up. One day I hope to look back and smile (or laugh, maybe cry, we shall find out). So, if you are willing to read through a lot of grammar and punctuation errors, feel free to join me!
For now... Hey-Ho from Bahrain! We are living in the middle/southern part of the country, a small town called Riffa. The twins are 10 years old, (How in the world did that happen?! Huge.Crocodile.Tears.) and going into 5th grade next year. Jonathan is out of the Army (for a while now) and works for Amazon. As it turns out we have moved just as much with Amazon as we ever did with the Army and Amazon is taking us crazy, exciting places like Bahrain. The Army took us to slightly ghetto places like Fort Benning, GA (I mean, Go Army, Home of the Infantry, HOO-AH! Right?!), go figure. At any rate, in case you thought (like I did) that this would mean I could still ORDER stuff from Amazon because they are in Bahrain, you are sadly mistaken! Amazon Web Services (AWS) is in Bahrain, and thus, we are too, but regular, order anything you can think of under the sun, Amazon, not so much friends. At least not yet. Back to Bahrain, the twinados will be going to Riffa Views International School, which is possibly the thing I am most excited about, it seems like a great school. I will be trying to figure out what to do with my life, again. After the kids started pre-school (we were living in Chesterfield, VA at the time) I went to work at the gym I was working out at as a personal trainer. Super awesome and rewarding job! When we moved to Texas I started working for Gold's Gym as a Group Fitness Instructor and eventually ended up as the Gold's Studio Head Coach! I can't say how much I LOVED my job. The members were fantastic and made waking up at 4:00AM every day totally worth it (Ok, at least 9 times out of 10, that 1 I was usually just SUPER tired!) and my co-workers were the best. After I get everything and everyone settled out here I will try and figure out what's next for me!
That (kinda) brings us up to now, we got WiFi a couple days ago (game changer) so here we are just waiting for our first installment of stuff. AKA: the 500 pound (though not in our case because I had no idea what to pack) Air Shipment. The rest is coming by sea and will not be her for another month (if all goes well). Right now we have a nice house full of only the stuff we brought in our suitcase or have bought since we have arrived. For example, we are sleeping on the neck pillows we had on the airplane:
Come on 500lbs Air Shipment. Mama needs her french press and a real pillow!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Stories From the Trenches
Here are some more funny facebook status updates concerning the twinados:
Jonathan first -
Dec 10, 2010 -
It turns out that after emptying the contents of the entire tall dresser we had in the closet he had somehow scaled the thing, emptied the contents from the top shelf of the closet (where we put stuff because it was "impossible" for the kids to get to it), and was perched up there stuck because he didn't know how to get down...
Jan 16, 2011 -
Jonathan first -
Dec 10, 2010 -
It turns out that after emptying the contents of the entire tall dresser we had in the closet he had somehow scaled the thing, emptied the contents from the top shelf of the closet (where we put stuff because it was "impossible" for the kids to get to it), and was perched up there stuck because he didn't know how to get down...
Jan 16, 2011 -
Friday, February 18, 2011
The Fluffy Muffin Of Love Is In The HOUSE!
Jonathan's mom has been out here hanging with us in Phoenix and today she decided to buy a dog! I make that sound like a spur of the moment decision, but she has been researching for a while now. Anyhow...today The Fluffy Muffin of Love came into our lives. The Fluffy Muffin of Love (who will hopefully be given a shorter name in the near future) is a tiny little poodle. SUPER CUTE. Austin and Lanna are in love. Chaos is on the prowl for a snack. I kid, I kid! Chaos has been good with The Fluffy Muffin of Love, the only problem is that he is roughly 11 million times it's size. Chaos and The Fluffy Muffin of Love were playing tonight and it was all well and good until Chaos would trip over the tiny fluff ball at his feet, but they would both shake it off and go right back to playing.
The Fluffy Muffin of Love getting owned
not really, I just snapped a picture at an awkward moment...
Look, they are already sharing...maybe they could teach the twinados a thing or two...
The Fluffy Muffin of Love getting owned
not really, I just snapped a picture at an awkward moment...
Look, they are already sharing...maybe they could teach the twinados a thing or two...
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
neglect
My poor neglected blog...starting to wonder if I would ever again grace it with more pointless ramblings of my life. But here I am! Many times I have had fleeting thoughts about updating my blog, but they are always quickly drowned out with high pitch screaming. Some of the more experienced moms I talk to tell me that "toddlerhood" is filled with phases. It's frustrating because once you get a handle on one phase, they are two steps ahead of you and well into the next phase that you did not even see coming! We are currently in a screaming phase. Screaming at the top of their lungs seems to be the default reaction to everything. If one or the other (or both) gets mad, they scream, if they are happy, they scream, scared...scream, bored...they scream for the heck of it. I am not entirely sure what's holding the neighbors back on the whole calling social services thing, maybe they are giving us a grace period, we did just move in and all.
All screaming aside and boundary testing, I am really loving this stage. Now, not only can we do things with them, but they remember parts of it and understand more of what is going on. It's so amazing to see their worlds expand as they learn about things around them.
looking at the Condors
checking out the tiger
checking out the fishies:
So, if anyone has any recommendations of things to do it Phoenix that is toddler appropriate, let me know!
All screaming aside and boundary testing, I am really loving this stage. Now, not only can we do things with them, but they remember parts of it and understand more of what is going on. It's so amazing to see their worlds expand as they learn about things around them.
looking at the Condors
checking out the tiger
checking out the fishies:
So, if anyone has any recommendations of things to do it Phoenix that is toddler appropriate, let me know!
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Living With Toddlers
Someone shared this with me and I thought it was too funny/true not to share with you all! From http://www.suburbansnapshots.com/2010/06/10-reasons-having-toddler-is-like-being.html
Why Having A Toddler Is Like Being At A Frat Party
10. There are half-full, brightly-colored plastic cups on the floor in every room. Three are in the bathtub.
9. There's always that one girl, bawling her eyes out in a corner.
8. It's best not to assume that the person closest to you has any control over their digestive function.
7. You sneak off to the bathroom knowing that as soon as you sit down, someone's going to start banging on the door.
6. Probably 80% of the stains on the furniture contain DNA.
5. You've got someone in your face at 3 a.m. looking for a drink.
4. There's definitely going to be a fight.
3. You're not sure whether anything you're doing is right, you just hope it won't get you arrested.
2. There are crumpled-up underpants everywhere.
1. You wake up wondering exactly how and when the person in bed with you got there.
There were also some funny additions in the comment section! Jewels like: -At least one person is lying on the floor, either face up or face down, singing at the top of their lungs. -Your one goal is to get someone in bed and, when you're finally successful, you're so tired all you want to do is go to sleep. -All around you there is babbling and drooling, and at some point, someone will be drinking from the dog's bowl. -Every time you turn around someone has taken off another article of clothing. -There is always someone coming out of the closet wearing a boa and plastic heels. -Someone is telling jokes that don't make sense and everyone is laughing hysterically anyway. -You can't understand anything anyone is actually saying so you interpret wild gestures and intensity of screaming. -If you sit down, chances are that someone will try to sit on your lap. -There's always that one person who's just begging to be picked up.
In other news, I recently went to the gym for the first time since we lived in Georgia. It's always a little awkward, your first time back in the gym if it's been a while, and it's even worse when it's a new gym. When I have not been to the gym for a while I can't for the life of me remember, even ball park figure, what weight I have been lifting on machines or free weights so half the time I don't put on enough weight and end up stepping it up little by little and feeling kind silly or I put on way too much and can't even budge the darn thing with is even worse because inevitably someone happens to be looking my way and gives me that "you seriously thought you could lift that?" look! And being that it's a new gym, I can't find the machines I want and end up wandering around after using each machine looking for the next one I want and there is always that one guy who thinks the reason I am walking past him for the billionth time is I am checking him out and not that I am hopelessly lost twin mama just trying to look descent in a bath suit come summer!
That's all I got for now. Besides, I am much too sore from thinking I could work out like I did back in the day to type too much more!
Adios from AZ :)
Why Having A Toddler Is Like Being At A Frat Party
10. There are half-full, brightly-colored plastic cups on the floor in every room. Three are in the bathtub.
9. There's always that one girl, bawling her eyes out in a corner.
8. It's best not to assume that the person closest to you has any control over their digestive function.
7. You sneak off to the bathroom knowing that as soon as you sit down, someone's going to start banging on the door.
6. Probably 80% of the stains on the furniture contain DNA.
5. You've got someone in your face at 3 a.m. looking for a drink.
4. There's definitely going to be a fight.
3. You're not sure whether anything you're doing is right, you just hope it won't get you arrested.
2. There are crumpled-up underpants everywhere.
1. You wake up wondering exactly how and when the person in bed with you got there.
There were also some funny additions in the comment section! Jewels like: -At least one person is lying on the floor, either face up or face down, singing at the top of their lungs. -Your one goal is to get someone in bed and, when you're finally successful, you're so tired all you want to do is go to sleep. -All around you there is babbling and drooling, and at some point, someone will be drinking from the dog's bowl. -Every time you turn around someone has taken off another article of clothing. -There is always someone coming out of the closet wearing a boa and plastic heels. -Someone is telling jokes that don't make sense and everyone is laughing hysterically anyway. -You can't understand anything anyone is actually saying so you interpret wild gestures and intensity of screaming. -If you sit down, chances are that someone will try to sit on your lap. -There's always that one person who's just begging to be picked up.
In other news, I recently went to the gym for the first time since we lived in Georgia. It's always a little awkward, your first time back in the gym if it's been a while, and it's even worse when it's a new gym. When I have not been to the gym for a while I can't for the life of me remember, even ball park figure, what weight I have been lifting on machines or free weights so half the time I don't put on enough weight and end up stepping it up little by little and feeling kind silly or I put on way too much and can't even budge the darn thing with is even worse because inevitably someone happens to be looking my way and gives me that "you seriously thought you could lift that?" look! And being that it's a new gym, I can't find the machines I want and end up wandering around after using each machine looking for the next one I want and there is always that one guy who thinks the reason I am walking past him for the billionth time is I am checking him out and not that I am hopelessly lost twin mama just trying to look descent in a bath suit come summer!
That's all I got for now. Besides, I am much too sore from thinking I could work out like I did back in the day to type too much more!
Adios from AZ :)
Monday, January 24, 2011
2 Recipes
I can't tell you how many times I have started a blog but not been able to finish it. A kid starts crying and I don't make it back to the computer until I have totally forgotten what I was going to blog about and then I just end up deleting what I have. But there are a few recipes that I want to put in here before I manage to lose them! The first one is from a college friend who, in our house, is called Jet Li (her name is actually Li Jett, I am sure she currently has no idea she has this nickname and that her pasta is well love in this house)! Anyhow, here it is, with no real measured proportions but maybe some day I will try and figure out how much I use...I am big into "eye-balling" it.
Place chicken breasts on a baking sheet. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until chicken is done. Use two forks to shred chicken. Set aside.
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a pot over medium high heat. Add onions, red pepper, green pepper, and minced garlic. Stir and begin cooking, then add the rest of the spice mix. Stir to combine, then add shredded chicken and stir.
Pour in Rotel, chicken stock, tomato paste, water, and black beans. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer for 45 minutes, uncovered.
Mix cornmeal with a small amount of water. Pour into the soup, then simmer for an additional 30 minutes. Check seasonings, adding more if needed—add more chili powder if it needs more spice, and be sure not to undersalt. Turn off heat and allow to sit for 15 to 20 minutes before serving. Five minutes before serving, gently stir in tortilla strips.
Ladle into bowls, then top with sour cream, diced red onion, diced avocado, pico de gallo, and grated cheese, if you have it! (The garnishes really make the soup delicious.)
I added extra chicken because we are big meat people and I thought I had cornmeal and did not so I skipped that! I am also not into soggy tortillas so I skipped it, but I did have tortilla chips available in case Jonathan wanted them.
-Saute a generous amount of butter and a teaspoon of minced garlic.
-Toss in mushrooms (u can use canned or fresh) and fresh spinach.
-Saute until the spinach "welts".
...-Then throw in shrimp.. garlic salt, salt, pepper to taste. (Don't cook the shrimp long, they will get rubbery)
-then pour in the jar (I don't make Alfredo from scratch) of Alfredo. I use the Bertolli kind... its the best.
-Pour the sauce on top of noodles and top with fresh diced Roma tomatoes
(U can add jalapenos to the saute pan if u want it spicer)
-Toss in mushrooms (u can use canned or fresh) and fresh spinach.
-Saute until the spinach "welts".
...-Then throw in shrimp.. garlic salt, salt, pepper to taste. (Don't cook the shrimp long, they will get rubbery)
-then pour in the jar (I don't make Alfredo from scratch) of Alfredo. I use the Bertolli kind... its the best.
-Pour the sauce on top of noodles and top with fresh diced Roma tomatoes
(U can add jalapenos to the saute pan if u want it spicer)
That's how Li gave it to me, she also mentioned you could sub marinara sauce for Alfredo and use olive oil instead of butter which is how I have fixed it so far....my waist line can currently not afford the Alfredo but once it can I am totally trying that!
I also recently made The Pioneer Woman's Chicken Tortilla Soup! Here is her recipe:
- 2 whole Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1-½ teaspoon Cumin
- 1 teaspoon Chili Powder
- ½ teaspoons Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoons Salt
- 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
- 1 cup Diced Onion
- ¼ cups Diced Green Bell Pepper
- ¼ cups Red Bell Pepper
- 3 cloves Garlic, Minced
- 1 can Rotel Tomatoes And Green Chilies
- 32 ounces, fluid Low Sodium Chicken Stock
- 3 Tablespoons Tomato Paste
- 4 cups Hot Water
- 2 cans Black Beans, Drained
- 3 Tablespoons Cornmeal Or Masa
- 5 whole Corn Tortillas, Cut Into Uniform Strips Around 2 To 3 Inches
- Garnishes:
- Sour Cream
- Diced Avocado
- Diced Red Onion
- Salsa Or Pico De Gallo
- Grated Monterey Jack Cheese
- Cilantro
Place chicken breasts on a baking sheet. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until chicken is done. Use two forks to shred chicken. Set aside.
Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a pot over medium high heat. Add onions, red pepper, green pepper, and minced garlic. Stir and begin cooking, then add the rest of the spice mix. Stir to combine, then add shredded chicken and stir.
Pour in Rotel, chicken stock, tomato paste, water, and black beans. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer for 45 minutes, uncovered.
Mix cornmeal with a small amount of water. Pour into the soup, then simmer for an additional 30 minutes. Check seasonings, adding more if needed—add more chili powder if it needs more spice, and be sure not to undersalt. Turn off heat and allow to sit for 15 to 20 minutes before serving. Five minutes before serving, gently stir in tortilla strips.
Ladle into bowls, then top with sour cream, diced red onion, diced avocado, pico de gallo, and grated cheese, if you have it! (The garnishes really make the soup delicious.)
I added extra chicken because we are big meat people and I thought I had cornmeal and did not so I skipped that! I am also not into soggy tortillas so I skipped it, but I did have tortilla chips available in case Jonathan wanted them.
Ok, going to post this for now and try and get around to posting more happenings and pictures later!
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Congratulations Short Stuff
My little brother Devin is currently home for his 2 week R&R. Timing worked out and he was able to make it back on time for his birthday and (drum roll please) he is engaged! He asked his girlfriend Leslie to marry him and she said yes!
Here is a picture of them that I stole from Leslie's facebook page:
Congratulations Short Stuff! I love you!
Here is a picture of them that I stole from Leslie's facebook page:
Congratulations Short Stuff! I love you!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
The Beginnings of My New Years Goals
I am sure I will be rambling about goals for the New Year will into February, but I guess you just have to start with what you have and go from there.
This year I want to say the encouraging/positive things that go through my head to the woman around me. So often I see the lady checking out my groceries at the store and think things like "wow, that shirt looks great on her" or "I love her hair style" but I walk away without saying a thing. It's so great to get a random compliment, so why not verbalize those things to other people? As women we seem to struggle with self confidence and self esteem so much and maybe this can make a small dent in combating it in the lives of women who cross my path. So there you have it, go look in the mirror and tell yourself you are fabulous because you are fearfully and wonderfully made and then go tell someone else!
Another New Year goal? Eat better, I have almost no self control when it comes to what I put in my mouth. It's a good thing I have twins and don't have much time to eat or I am sure things would not be pretty. But I do want to take better care of my body and start throwing it a bone (a healthy one, like a salmon one, or chicken, not one made of solid sugar) more consistently, like maybe 3 solid times a day. But along those lines, I also want to learn not to beat myself up so much about the unhealthy stuff I do eat. It's not like all I eat is unhealthy, while I want to improve, I also don't want to obsess and make myself feel guilty when I do indulge! Sounds like two opposing goals? Maybe, but I think I can make it work!
Well there is a start, but be prepared to hear more ;)
This year I want to say the encouraging/positive things that go through my head to the woman around me. So often I see the lady checking out my groceries at the store and think things like "wow, that shirt looks great on her" or "I love her hair style" but I walk away without saying a thing. It's so great to get a random compliment, so why not verbalize those things to other people? As women we seem to struggle with self confidence and self esteem so much and maybe this can make a small dent in combating it in the lives of women who cross my path. So there you have it, go look in the mirror and tell yourself you are fabulous because you are fearfully and wonderfully made and then go tell someone else!
Another New Year goal? Eat better, I have almost no self control when it comes to what I put in my mouth. It's a good thing I have twins and don't have much time to eat or I am sure things would not be pretty. But I do want to take better care of my body and start throwing it a bone (a healthy one, like a salmon one, or chicken, not one made of solid sugar) more consistently, like maybe 3 solid times a day. But along those lines, I also want to learn not to beat myself up so much about the unhealthy stuff I do eat. It's not like all I eat is unhealthy, while I want to improve, I also don't want to obsess and make myself feel guilty when I do indulge! Sounds like two opposing goals? Maybe, but I think I can make it work!
Well there is a start, but be prepared to hear more ;)
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Stolen and Crashed
I have not written a blog post in a while partly due to the holidays but mostly because my hard drive crashed. And while it was going down it too my pictures. Really it took everything from January 2009 to present. Where is everything before January 2009 you ask? On a laptop that was stolen. If I knew where it was there would be a seriously butt kicking going on right about now. Anyhow, there is still some small hope of recovering the pictures on my crashed hard drive, so I have not lost all hope yet.
In the mean time I have been thinking a lot about what I want for this coming New Year. I have never been one to make New Year's Resolutions and start off with a bang January 1st, but I like to kinda spend some time thinking about what I want to accomplish in this New Year and slowly start making changes. I have recently decided I want to come up with a bucket list of sorts. There are tons of places I WANT to visit but I really want to put thought into it and come up with things that are really important to me that I do, not just all the millions of places I want to travel because that list could go on forever!
Anyhow, that's all I got for now! I would love to hear other people's goals and dreams are for 2011 because they always inspire me. Happy 2011 to everyone out there!
In the mean time I have been thinking a lot about what I want for this coming New Year. I have never been one to make New Year's Resolutions and start off with a bang January 1st, but I like to kinda spend some time thinking about what I want to accomplish in this New Year and slowly start making changes. I have recently decided I want to come up with a bucket list of sorts. There are tons of places I WANT to visit but I really want to put thought into it and come up with things that are really important to me that I do, not just all the millions of places I want to travel because that list could go on forever!
Anyhow, that's all I got for now! I would love to hear other people's goals and dreams are for 2011 because they always inspire me. Happy 2011 to everyone out there!
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Hello Blog, I have missed you!
I have been terrible about keeping my blog updated lately, and really it's not like I am just super busy beyond the normal level of craziness! I am so far behind on Christmas shopping it's not even funny. So I guess I will have to be VERY busy soon. I have been feeling guilty about not sending out Christmas cards this year, there was just no way that was going to happen, maybe next year! :) But here I am, finally doing a little blog catch up!
My mom flew into town for Christmas and it's WONDERFUL having her here! Austin and Lanna are enjoying have their Grammie around and have been a lot less fussy since her arrival. :)
The kids latest obsession is "horsey-back rides" and Jonathan has perfected it. Well kinda ;)
I believe he was begging for help here ;)
The twins have also discovered the joy of dragging as many toys as possible into random places, like the bathroom, before I can stop them.
can you say EWWW! We use a lot of Clorox in this house...
They also love helping me bake/cook. It is hard for me to let them help because I want everything done just so, but I am working on it. Anyhow, you would not believe the kind of time I devote to trying to think of ways I can let them help me when I am cooking or baking. I have been wanting to make sugar cookies in cool Christmas shapes and let them decorate but I don't have any cookie cutters and every time I have remembered to check at the grocery store they are sold out! Maybe next grocery trip :) In the mean time we made Chex Mix.
Since mom is here and we have a live in babysitter, Jonathan and I took advantage and these puppies got dug out of a box and dusted off
How can a girl not take advantage of a chance to put a little extra effort into appearance and hold her sexy man's arm while out on the town? ;)
Please ignore the toys and books scattered around, we do have two toddlers ya know ;)
I have been trying and trying to get a picture of Austin and Lanna in front of the Christmas tree while they are wearing something that could be considered festive, but I have gotten a lot of this:
or this
or something that is really close but someone had to put a car up by her mouth ;)
I will get one though, I can feel it!
In the mean time we are relaxing with Grammie and trying not to think about all the Christmas shopping that still needs to be done. And Jonathan came up with the latest bath time craze
Once an Army brat, I guess it always effects your life ;)
My mom flew into town for Christmas and it's WONDERFUL having her here! Austin and Lanna are enjoying have their Grammie around and have been a lot less fussy since her arrival. :)
The kids latest obsession is "horsey-back rides" and Jonathan has perfected it. Well kinda ;)
I believe he was begging for help here ;)
The twins have also discovered the joy of dragging as many toys as possible into random places, like the bathroom, before I can stop them.
can you say EWWW! We use a lot of Clorox in this house...
They also love helping me bake/cook. It is hard for me to let them help because I want everything done just so, but I am working on it. Anyhow, you would not believe the kind of time I devote to trying to think of ways I can let them help me when I am cooking or baking. I have been wanting to make sugar cookies in cool Christmas shapes and let them decorate but I don't have any cookie cutters and every time I have remembered to check at the grocery store they are sold out! Maybe next grocery trip :) In the mean time we made Chex Mix.
Since mom is here and we have a live in babysitter, Jonathan and I took advantage and these puppies got dug out of a box and dusted off
How can a girl not take advantage of a chance to put a little extra effort into appearance and hold her sexy man's arm while out on the town? ;)
Please ignore the toys and books scattered around, we do have two toddlers ya know ;)
I have been trying and trying to get a picture of Austin and Lanna in front of the Christmas tree while they are wearing something that could be considered festive, but I have gotten a lot of this:
or this
or something that is really close but someone had to put a car up by her mouth ;)
I will get one though, I can feel it!
In the mean time we are relaxing with Grammie and trying not to think about all the Christmas shopping that still needs to be done. And Jonathan came up with the latest bath time craze
Once an Army brat, I guess it always effects your life ;)
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