51 and still young!

Can you even believe it!?   Stuey is officially 51 years today and it's just unbelieveable to me.  Just wanted to say happy birthday to the best dad I could have ever asked for.  So, here's to my daddio, a hard workin man

that never misses an opportunity to snuggle a baby

that always takes part in the VESTivities

 that calls his tape measure a ruler 

You make me proud everyday and I am so fortunate that you take the time that you do to help us, to teach us and to love us.  Happy birthday dad!

A bushel and a peck

I recently wrote about how crazy the rain has been and I wrote once about my garden.  What I didn't tell you is that I keep a small garden at my house too.  The reason for this you ask?  Well, it had rained and rained so much that I couldn't seem to get my big garden tilled....and my plants looked so sad being out of the ground.  I just couldn't resist.  I planted a big orange pot full of herbs and gave the other to Zac to plant whatever he wanted in.  He, of course, chose peppers.  All kinds of peppers.  He put one big plant in the middle and six small plants surround it.  I told him it was a bad idea, that there were way too many plants in the pot.  He told me we had plenty left over so it didn't matter if they all died.  I was wrong.  The didn't die.  In fact, they are the best looking plants we've got.  They. Are. Huge.  I took this picture a week ago and it's gotten even bigger since then.  Plus, it's puttin on peppers like it's goin outta style.

Wow..

And in the bottom is a little jalapeno guy...isn't he cute!

And for some perspective

The only problem with this crazy abundance of peppers is that neither of us remember what kinds we planted, so we don't know if these turn red, or if we are ok to go ahead and harvest.  Anyway, if you are a pepper connoisseur please let me know cause they are looking quite delicious!

Sass much?

For all of you out there that are sweet and nice and kind all the time.  For those that never have bad words to say about anyone else, your time has come....

Sassy Tarts are in the house and they want Sweet Tarts to know, they will cut a bitch.  

(hahahahaha! I crack myself up!)

Rain, rain, stay away!

The weather in central IL is crazy.  There is no better word, just crazy.  It's been crazy rainy, crazy hot and crazy humid.  This week has been no exception.  I really think it's been Florida weather.  Hot hot hot then a rain.  

On Tuesday I left home and it was already hot out.  I got about halfway to work and the sky was just black and lightening and it was just 8:15.  Personally, I think all lightening and thunder should be reserved for evening hours personally, but what's a girl to do?  I had already gotten a message from my office manager, Connie, to say she'd be late because there were bad storms and she was without power, and there were a lot of downed trees. By the time I pulled into my office parking lot it was pouring and I had officially driven into the strom.  I decided to sit in my car til it died down...not like the phones are ringing of the hook that early anyway.  I sat for 15 minutes.  The wind was blowing so hard it was rocking my car.  In that short time, the rain went from heavy to flash flood and the water was up to the bottom of my rims.  I decided to back up and park right next to the door of the office and wait it out inside just incase.  By the time Connie got there, you couldn't see the yellow parking lines and this was what the lot looked like. 

Isn't that crazy!?  She told me I should go check out 1st Street and I was shocked to find this...

I actually had to take steps back after that semi went by cause it created a wake.  A freakin wake, in central Illinois.  What's amazing is that 2 hours later, all this was gone, AND the ground was dry.  It was about 90 degrees, and it was all gone.  Another hour passes, huge rains again.  This was what Tuesday was like.  I heard it pouring again shortly after Zac and I went to bed last night and I'm sure there's more to come in the forecast.  Luckily, it's bright and sunny and only about 80 degrees which is FANTASTIC!  I'm not even really dreading my run tonight :)

Cornflower blue

As most of you know, my sisters and I had another show for our business, Ethel Edith.  We got all set up on Saturday then did a little shopping for ourselves and found some great loot.  On Sunday, we headed up to our booth early, got everything set up and then did another lap around the market.  Entrance started at 8am, but we were pretty far into the market.  We knew it would take awhile for everyone to filter back to us and it felt like forever.  We waited and waited and waited, then waited some more.  Finally, things started to move.  We sold quite a few of our big pieces, but I had been discouraged up to that point.  Around 3 we started loading up our trailer and we were on the road at 4.  On the drive home I was talking to Zac and told him about how disappointed I had been initially been and how glad I was that we had sold what we did, but of course, I wished we had sold a couple more tables, etc.  (which I'm sure I would have said anyway, regardless of how good we had done).  He, being the sweetheart that he is, tried to console me after the fact.  He told me we did great and that as long as we had fun it was all worth it.  He followed up by saying that our style is not for everyone, it is bold and lots of people don't know how to work with color.
He said, "you have to keep in mind that most people decorate with browns and tans and cauliflower blues, not bright stuff."
To which I replied, "you mean cornflower blue?"
"Yeah, cornflower.  But, there is blue cauliflower.  I saw it on Iron Chef."
He is just the best!

Hope that made ya smile.

Mesh shorts

I have a unique husband; he is the single most clothed man I've ever met.  Most guys take their shirts off when it's flaming hot, Zac will just sweat clear through his.  He immediately dresses after shower and never, never, goes without socks.  Likewise, he sleeps fully clothed.  My last boyfriend was not like that, he went without a shirt often and liked to sleep in his underwear, that's all (like most boys I've ever know).  I mean, that's even how my dad sleeps, tighty whiteys and lots of freedom otherwise.  When I started dating Zac I thought it was odd that he slept fully clothed, but I figured he was modest or shy and didn't think anything of it.  I eventually found out he didn't like his feet, or his knees because they look a little different due to Osgood-Schlatters and that was the reason behind him sleeping in a t-shirt, pj pants and socks. 

 The pants thing I get, I personally don't like when my legs touch when I sleep (what's up leggings! you rock to sleep in. my legs don't touch and you don't get twisted up.  nice!), but who sleeps in socks, honestly.  Now, he's started something a little new.  A couple years ago I bought him two pairs of shorts, a cute plaid pair and a pair of camo cargos for a trip to the Virgin Islands.  He wore them while we were there, then went back into refusal to show his legs mode.  About 2 weeks ago, he busted out the cargos as, you guessed it, sleeping shorts.  What?!  Could that be less comfortable?  

I told my sisters, who already find Zac's modesty amusing and Maggie demand I get him a pair of mesh shorts.  That's what her husband does and apparently Annie's too and Zac has just been left out of the loop.  So, I did and they are cute.  I gave them to him for our anniversary along with a few very random presents and he was not so impressed, but he did humor me and wear them.  I even have proof.

He wore these mesh shorts for two nights, then was gone to St. Louis for work.  (Zac works 2 hrs away so he stays with friends 3 nights a week)  When he gets up at the crack of dawn he gets dressed in the living room.  The downside you ask?  He leaves his pj shorts very random places.  The ottoman, the kitchen table, the recliner, ya just never know.  I put his shorts back in his dresser along with all his other pj pants because that's what makes sense.  Three nights later, when he was finally home again, he showered, put on boxers, then busted out the cargos again.

  I gave him the what for and he told me he couldn't find his other pair.  I told him I put them where they belong and he then proceeded to open every drawer in his dresser until he found them.  After he spotted them, he closed up the drawer and put on his cargo shorts.  I was shocked.  I, again, asked why he would do that to which Zac replied, "sometimes I just gotta have a little variety.  Plus, those mesh shorts are really thick."  

Mesh shorts are simply too thick for the man. That's my husband.  Completely illogical, but funny, or, what my family likes to call, stupid in a good way.  

Getting there

My best friend, Courtney, and I have been training our butts off for this 5K.  All is going great, really.  Which suprizes me a little but at the same time makes me proud.  We are half way through now.  I have until July 24th to really get prepped.  We had been doing Podrunner to train (which I think I mentioned before, but if not... it is a free podcast you download from Itunes and you simply run to the beat) and while it really was a good way to get back into or establish a running habit, I'm kinda over it.  I'm to the point now where I just wanna run when I wanna run and walk when I can't breathe and that sorta thing.  Courtney agreed and we abandoned Podrunner.  Sorry Podrunner.

Last Wednesday I realized I could run a mile straight and then Friday I proved it again.  I ran it not all that fast, but straight through.  I decided I wanted to know just how good (or bad) I was at this point so I know how far I have to go.  I made up my mind that last night would be a big run for me, my first 5K trial.  I ran from the high school in my hometown, to our park, around it, and back which is just under 3 miles, so close enough to have an idea.  I am happy to report that the trial took me 31 minutes.  No idea how many seconds.  I am sad to report that I can't run it all and that I'm not great at pacing myself, so I busted out that first 3/4 mile in about 6 and 1/2 minutes and then had to walk the rest which made my first mile 10 minutes....but oh well.  I called Zac to tell him, since he is in St. Louis and he told me that was great, now I just need a goal, which made me laugh cause I thought running a 5K was goal enough.  He said it "kinda is" but said that he thought a goal of 24 minutes was much better.  Oh my.....8 minute miles.  I think I need to be able to run it straight first, but I guess I've got something to shoot for.

Anyway, say prayers for me, I'm gonna need them as I kick it into high gear.  My plan is to run 2x/week on the street and a 5K/week on the track and work myself up to running it all and then apparently shaving off 6 minutes.  My husband, he is somethin else.

    

"How's that hair goin?"

I am fortunate to be able to work with kids at my job.  They just brighten my day.  On Thursday I got a new baby in for her first adjustment.  She was 1 month old and just so sweet.  She was still a little one, just now breaking the 7lb mark.  She felt tiny since I'm used to Caroline the 20lb chunk.  Check her out in this picture, sleeping hard core on her Uncle Zac.  Anyway, this baby just felt tiny and she was having a few issues, constipation and colic, so it was time to get her worked on a little.  I just am so thankful that  she was brought to see me and I sure hope what I was able to do with her yesterday clears things up. 

Today the massage therapist that rents a room in our office brought in all her girls.  I'm so lucky to have someone to swap services with.  I adjust Gina and all her girls on a regular basis, everything from bladder infections to earaches, headaches, and good old fashioned wipe-outs bring them in to the office and I get a massage in exchange.  Sweet tits that's a good deal! (hahaha, sweet tits, what a ridiculously hilarious saying)  

Gina's got 4 girls ages 9, 7, 4 and 20 months.  They are a handful, but so funny.  The littlest is quite dutchy still, but I make out what she's saying.  Today when she was leaving she proclaimed "doka buyar (dr. ballard)  I dot TWO sutters!"  Apparently she hit the candy bowl pretty hard and ended up with two suckers.  She explained to her mom that she NEEDED two, which cracked me up.  The best thing I think I heard from the girls today was when they first came in though. They were all in one room and I walked in, asked the oldest one, Emily, "so, how's it been goin?"  To which she replied, "Good, how's that hair goin?"  Apparently she had not seen me since I had Maggie colored my hair dark.  It was a big change from this red

 

to this dark brown.

I was taken back a bit, didn't expect a "how's that hair goin"  Crack me up.  Kids say the most random things!

Nothing says Mexican like casserole

I wanted to jump on board with the crEATe Recipe Share being done by Nancy over at the Goat and the Kid.  The idea is simple, just add a recipe that your family loves, so moms everywhere can stop feeding their families the same old thing.  I don't have kids yet, but I do like to cook and try out new recipes from time to time.  This is one that I made, that I loved and so did my husband...and my little sister, and her husband.  

Mexican Casserole

Ingredients:

1lb of ground beef (or turkey, or whatever you prefer)

1 onion

1 packet of taco seasoning (I just season to tasted with salt, pepper, chili powder and cumin)

1 cup of salsa

1 cup of cooked instant white rice (cooked as per package directions)

1 cup of sour cream

1tsp cumin

2 tbsp cilantro

2 cups of cheese

Directions:

Dice up the onion, set half aside, add the other half to the ground beef and brown in a skillet.  After cooking, drain the meat, add seasonings to tasted and stir in the salsa, set aside. 

While the meat is browning, mix the rice, sour cream, cilantro, cumin, and 1/2 cup of cheese together. 

Grease a 9x9 pan and press the rice mixture into the bottom.  Pour the ground beef and salsa mix over the rice and top with remaining cheese.  Place in a preheated 350 degree oven until warmed through and cheeses is melted. 

Now....the disclaimer.  I measure almost nothing when I cook.  In fact, most of those measurements are estimated, so that may be way too much cheese, not really sure (but Zac does love his cheese).  I make enough that it fills up the 9x9 pan, if you are cooking for a bigger family, in say a 9x13 pan, I'd probably double it most of it and fly by the seat of my pants :)  Also, I can't ever leave good enough alone when it comes to food so I add chopped green/red pepper  and a drained can of corn to the hamburger mix.  I probably put in more cilantro than 2 tbsp as my husband and I both love cilantro.  I think it would be delicious with a layer of refried beans in between the rice and the beef, or a layer of flour tortillas.  The rice could probably use a squeeze of lime, and I always sprinkle some cilantro on top, it's all about presentation right?  We ususally warm some tortillas on the skillet and make the casserole into burrito filling, or at least Zac does, either way, it's delicious and easy.  Let me know if you try it and love it!

P.S.  Sorry for the complete absence of pictures....I was unprepared even though I knew in advance. 

Our First Anniversary

Zac and I celebrated our 1 year anniversary this past Sunday.  Following tradition, I wanted to have a nice dinner and follow up with the top tier of our wedding cake....wasn't possible.  That's because we didn't have a top tier.  We made sheet cakes for our wedding, Zac's mom's recipe.  I decided to make one, even though it is my foe.  I kinda messed up the icing...again, but it's still delicious!

We made plans to head to St. Louis.  We figured we'd spend the day there, get a sweet lunch in the city, kill some time, then head to a ball game.  Unfortunately, I had a patient to see Sunday morning, but we did that early, then got on the road.  

Us on anniversary #1

First things first, lunch.  Zac can't deal with being hungry and I'm not always so great either.  Especially when all we had for breakfast was wedding cake :)  Zac love barbeque and has been to Pappy's Smokehouse multiple times.  

He insisted that it was the best in STL and that I would love it.  Having watched The Best Thing I Ever Ate: Barbeque on Food Network the night before, I was up for it.  Zac got the ribs and it looked delicious!

  

It was so good, he couodn't take the time to pose for a picture, so this is what I got. (notice the line of people waiting to the right)

Zac was right, it was faboo!  From there we went to Euclid Records to check out some vinyl.  

We both wandered, found a new record and then decided to head to the mall to kill a little time and have some Ben and Jerry's.  We headed to St. Louis too early really.  By 3:30 we were both ready to sit down and chill out for awhile.  Our solution, Boarders.  We both read few a couple magazines, a book of house plans, and felt not nearly as tired by the time a hour had passed.  Our reason for heading to St. Louis (aside from great food) was to go to see a Gateway Grizzlies game.  The stadium was really quite nice, as were our seats. 

We got front row seats, right behind the home dugout for $10 each.  This was our view.  Not bad eh?  Plus, we had cupholders attached to the dugout in front of us and plenty of leg room.  The sun was at our backs and there was a nice breeze.  It was just perfect, beautiful weather.

The game was fun, a record night for the Grizzlies who won 25-1.  Amazing right!  And the food was delicious.  Man vs. Food just had a show which featured one of their burgers.  It's a regular old buger, but the bun is a Krispy Kreme donut.  Of course we had to have one, and the philly cheesesteak nachos. The other great thing, the stadium had fun little events, like these two guys, who were in a race to unroll and put on a frozen t-shirt.  It cracked me up!

And they had a three legged race of sorts, except it was 4 little kids and they were inside a pair of gigantic underwear.  Too funny.  They also have giant blow-up bouncy houses and the such for the kiddos, so it was very family friendly.  Zac and I stayed for 5 innings and headed home.  We made it back about 9:30, so not too late.  Unfortunatley still early enough that I made myself go run, but the weather was so perfect yesterday I coudn't justify not running.  

All-in-all, it was a perfect day.  Now for next year, we just have to plan in an afternoon nap and there will be no way to top it!

1 year ago

I married a great guy, the best guy really.  For a long time now he's been my best friend, the one that makes me laugh and the one that brightens my day and the one that isn't afraid just to be himself.  When I married Zac I got a family man,

a man that can sew his own stocking (I was impressed),

and can squeeze into a small Christmas sweater.

(look how tight it was on his neck, i had to help him pull the thing off.  the man usually wears an XL)

A man that will fight it out, silly string style

that can shoot a birdie

that wears many hats.

A man that towers above most others

that is never too old for a Happy Birthday ice cream cake

Or balloons and birthday cone hats.

A man that tries to play like a kid, even when he's too big

 

that is a guitar hero

that has a big appetite. 

A guy that told me he would turn one of his t-shirts into a hankey for me when I was sick, and first did me the favor of cutting out the pit stains (hahahaha!).

A man that embraces Carharts and my family's farm life

and is prepared for ending up fat and happy.  

A man that looks good in a suit, and as an Amish man. 

One year ago I married the man I will spend the rest of my life with, and if the last year was an indication of what it will be like, I have a lot to look forward to.