A Whirlwind Weekend!

Jeff and I are usually busy on the weekends. I don't know about him, but I LOVE IT! He seems to enjoy himself. He doesn't complain at least! haha

Friday night we had a double date night with Jodi and Brett. We went to Broad Ripple to eat and to Crackers comedy club. It was a lot of fun. Jeff and I found out how horrible we play pool and how good Jodi and Brett are! While at dinner Jode and I had to pull out our new glasses! Afterwards we were supposed to find Kyla and her crew out celebrating her 22nd birthday. It was midnight. Us old folk needed our rest!

Saturday morning Jeff and I headed down to Bloomington to pick up Lily and Sofie! Caroline had a night out with the girls planned but no babysitter. Aunt Janelle and Jeff to the rescue! We had a picnic, did some hiking and lots and lots of swimming! The hotel was in Brown County State Park. I don't know if you have seen this place, but if you have young kids.. CHECK IT OUT! They have an indoor water park. It is amazing!

We did some Hiking too. Sofie found a gourd. I was cracking up when her and Jeff came back with that. She was really proud of it.

They are such great kids! We definitely had a load of fun this weekend with them! Since I live 3 hours away, it is hard to get a lot of "aunt time" with them. I cherish these little things I can do here and there. Caroline said they were beside themselves with excitement for the weekend. I was probably just as excited as they were!

Jeff had a great time too. I was really glad to have him around. I am not used to juggling more than what I need, much less two little children. He definitely went above and beyond! I am really lucky to have him!

Jeff also had a chance to meet 'tired giggly Janelle.' When I get over tired the littlest things just crack me up! (I am kinda even giggling just thinking about it) there was a part of the pool that was a little deeper for the girls. We noticed they were getting a little tired, so when we headed to that section we suggested life jackets. Lily's fit well, but Sofie was having a hard time. If you know Sofie, you know that girl is the QUEEN of hilarious faces. I put the jacket on her and put her in the pool. The jacket went well above her head leaving her floating like a little bobber. She throws her head back and gives a 'WHYYYY ME' look. I busted out laughing. I was still laughing like 20min later. I unfortunately didn't get a picture of that. We did however, get this amazing picture of Lily exiting the slide. BAHAHA

(sorry I can't flip it for some reason. It is worth turning your head though!)

All in all we had a super weekend! I was in great need of a nap yesterday for sure. Next weekend we are off to Mariah Hill, IN and Columbia, MO for Thanksgiving festivities!

Over and out!

The Cooking Adventures of Team Double J

Jeff and I do not know how to cook. This is a plain and simple fact. We have fooled ourselves into thinking we are anything more than mere toast connoisseures. I will prove my point in the following post.

Yesterday we headed off to the grocery store to buy the fixin's for dinner this evening. We were in the store deciding between baked potatoes, or 'creek fries'. I made Jeff decide. Baked Potatoes it is!

Tonight we fire up the grill and Jeff points to the potatoes. I look at him, he looks at me. We are clueless. It was at this point were the realization sets in. We both assumed the other knew how to make a baked potato. YUP... We don't know how to make one. *Pauses for eye rolls* Jeff said we needed foil (which he doesn't have) I knew something about poking holes with a fork. These two things combined just wasn't enough information to make a baked potato.

We then decided to start a new tradition. Trying to 'wing' it at cooking. (no pun intended) haha We cut the potatoes into chuncks. We each got to chose a sesasoning. Jeff decided on Italian Seasoning. I decided on Seasoned Salt.

As I cut the potatoes into chunks, Jeff was busy dipping the chunks in oil and putting them on the cookie sheet. We covered half with his seasoning and half with mine. At this point Jeff says "These can either turn out really good, or horrible!" This thought will linger in our minds the next 20 nail biting minutes while they are baking.

The Chicken is grilled and the potatoes are done. We take a quick picture of our creation and get ready to eat...

Survey Says... drum roll.... SUCCESS!!! We have succeeded at our first winging it cooking night!

I can sense that some of you out there who do know how to cook more than butternoodles, are thinking. DUH.. These are both normal things to put on potatoes. You can certainaly keep those thoughts to yourself. We are going to hold on to this win of a cooking experience, and won't let anyone let us think differently! haha

That is about all for now from the Jster cooking team.

OVER AND OUT!

Things I wish I would have put on my top 25

Facebook recently had this list going around to list 25 random things about yourself and tag people. I obviously did that, but after my list was posted, I thought of all these other ones that I wish I would have put... Hence the new list! Enjoy

1. When buying a gallon of milk I have to rub my hand along the bottom. I am not quite sure what I am looking for, but that is what my mom does.

2. People know I quote movies all the time, but I don't know if you realize how many movie/tv quotes go through my head on a given day

3. If I could chose to be on one game show it would be Wheel of Fortune, BUT I would have to take my Grandma (aka g'ma-izzle)

4. My cousin Stephen and I made up a card game one Thanksgiving called "Shitnanigans" and I honestly believe it is one of the best games ever.

5. When I pay my bills, I have to check those boxes on the back of the envelope just to make sure I have enclosed EVERYTHING necessary.

6. I wish I could make up the stories in Mad Libs for a living

7. I have a hard time not being the last person to speak on a text message. (and I usually always respond) I don't want the person to think I am mad at them for some weird reason.

8. When I meet famous people I completely clam up. I would honestly rather just pretend I have met them. It would be easier for me.

9. When I see old black and white pictures of people like my g'ma etc. I automatically feel they are way more distinguished and intelligent than I am.

10. I could tell you EXACTLY where I was and how I was sitting during the series finale of both Full House and FRIENDS

11. The song "It's all coming back to me now" by Celine Dion reminds me of my 7th grade class camping trip and HATING the dance

12. McDonalds have the best Diet Coke BY FAR

13. I had a poster of this guy holding a Corona in college that I named "Greg." I still get sad every once in awhile when I think about how I just threw him away.

14. When I get to church, the first thing I do is look through the book and see what songs we are singing that day. Sometimes I will pre-judge mass because of them.

15. I once had to participate in Gym wearing cowboy boots because I forgot my tennis shoes

16. When I was younger I had an imaginary friend, but only talked to them when I was in the bathroom.

17. I sang a solo in 6th grade in front of the whole school and can still remember the words.

Gosh that was fun... I am sure the list will keep going, but those are the ones that were weighing on my mind. haha

(I am not really sure how many people really read this blog anymore... but I will keep writing haha)

My Love/Hate Relationship

Everyday, I have this love/hate relationship with my UPS man. Who doesn't love getting something in the mail? The lady that lives directly below us gets something from the UPS man seriously everyday. (She might be involved in a bet or something. I am looking into it.) Every time that ugly brown truck pulls up my stomach turns! How I long to see that man with brown shorts, tall brown socks and black shoes at my door. Even if I am not expecting something, I hope he knocks on my door. On the rare occasion I get that.. knock on the door my heart skips a beat and I practically (who am I kidding.. I do) run to the door. The other days I am not as lucky, I am actually upset with him. He didn't do anything, but I automatically blame him for not receiving something in the mail.

I love how your excitement from a child changes. As a kid I couldn't sleep before Christmas morning, now I can't sleep waiting for the UPS. I am currently expecting 4 different packages to come to my house. I am so excited I can hardly contain myself!

OH HOW I HOPE TO SEE THIS MAN WAVING HELLO TO ME SOON!

ARRRG MATEY

I had the best experience today. Shutterfly sure knows what they are doing. I have literally told everyone about what happened. AMAZING! Here is how it went down.

I ordered a calendar a month ago and it still hasn't arrived. This has happened before and they just won't change my address from longwoods circle! ANYWAY, I was a little annoyed, but I had to call them today. I got on the phone and was listening to all of my options. Press 1 if you want to check on the status of your order. Press 2 if there is a problem with the website. I am one of those anal people who has to listen to EVERY option incase there is a better one. INDEED THERE WAS! It finally got to 6. "Press 6 if you would like a pirate to repeat these options." (Typing this I am cracking up) Well, I have a great love for pirates, so OF COURSE I pressed 6. The man's voice changes..."ARGGG if you feel like you are walking the plank and can't find what you want online press 3." on and on. I was literally crying at my desk because it was so funny. the end said... "If you are too rum soaked to pick an option stay on the line and we will help you out." By the time the operator came on, I had completely changed my mood! I was no longer mad at them for having the wrong address.

Everything worked out. They are sending me a new calendar tomorrow. This afternoon I needed another pick me up so I decided to venture out and call the number again. I highly suggest doing the same!

Here is the number! (888) 225-7159

Before you call you might want to fill your belly with ARRRRRRRBYS! BAHAHAHA

Tip Toeing Through Life...

I have truly started caring about recycling a lot more lately. Why you ask? I recently found out that after 2 years of dedicated recycling at our apartment complex, they have been throwing everything in the trash!!! Talk about a hit to the heart! I am currently looking for a place to recycle. I have some stipulations though. 1.) they actually RECYCLE the stuff 2.) it isn't 5 hours away... is that too hard? Well judging by the trunk FULL of plastics 1-5 and glass it is.

The other day Lindsey and I stopped into Borders and I was looking through a book about conservation. I got a website out of the book to figure out my carbon footprint. If you aren't familiar with that, it basically gives you a score and shows you how much you are impacting the earth with your day to day activities. If anyone is interested in figuring out their score, here is the website... www.earthlab.com/carbonprofile they range from 150-I want to say in the 700's but I am not for sure. The lower score you have, the least you are negatively impacting the world. I received a 270. I was really excited because I found out the majority of people in my area score 400! (Hence the tip toe title hehehe)

So yesterday was an amazing day! Talk about a moving presentation by our new President! I am quite impressed. As if he had to prove anything to me... I have been supporting him since before he ran for office. HAHA I am also excited to see a young family in office. I wonder where that puppy is he promised them!?! =)

I have some fun and interesting things going on this weekend! Mel and I are thinking about attending the Mayor's annual Luau at the speedway track on Saturday afternoon. It sounds interesting! Saturday night I am going to try my hand at Polka... That's right folks... POLKA! I am extremely excited to go. I love trying fun and new things. Zac and Lindsey went last year and said it was a blast. I will have to let you know how well I do.

I guess that is about all for now. Sorry all of you faithful readers. I have been busy, but that shouldn't be an excuse. I should be delivering great posts at all times. HAHAHA

If this gives you any proof.... It is Wednesday evening and I haven't watched this week's Bachelor! (Ryan you understand.. haha)

Best If Used By...

As most of you know I have had this persistent cough since Christmas. I am usually ok, but some nights it just attacks me in my sleep and I wake up coughing and I can't stop! Well every time this happens, I get up get a drink of water and put a cough drop in my mouth. This usually doesn't work, so I have been REALLY frustrated. The other day I went over to Lindsey's and she had some cough drops so I just popped one in my mouth. I was complaining how much I hated it, and how mine tasted so much better. Last night the coughing fit happened again. I got up to get a cough drop. DIDN'T HELP! So... I decide to check the expiration date. The package read as followed... Best if used by January 15, 2007. 2007!!!!!!! No wonder! I was cracking up... I couldn't hardly get back to sleep.

Christmas has come and gone for yet another year. I truly enjoyed my break! Christmas eve was fun at Donna's. Here is a picture of my handsome God Son =)

Speaking of which.. he got a ROCKIN' Guitar for Christmas. Everyone was jealous of that... and my purse! hahaha just kidding.. I think I am too obsessed about my purse!

New Years was a good time. We went to Bud's and rung in the new year with none other than Mugsy himself. Mel and her sister stopped by. Mel and I signed up to sing Hold On by Wilson Philipps but they left before... sooooooooo I had to sing by myself! I don't like doing that, but it was still fun! haha