dr. visit January 18, 2010

So today I had a dr. visit, nothing major just needed to get somethings checked out.  Well we changed Doctors in June and I have never been to this new doctor.  Well before you get an appointment you have to jump thru way more hoops than I think is necessary.  You also have to have blood drawn for God only knows what kind of tests.  Well had that done on Thursday last week and  so away I go to my appointment.  Well not sure my feelings about the Dr. but his office staff was very nice.  He is just a bit different so I didn’t hate him but not sure yet if I love him or not. 

He looked at my issue and is referring me to a dermatologist.  So now I have to wait for the referral to arrive and then go from there.  Sure hope my arm and leg don’t fall off in the mean time.

last night December 29, 2009

I worked til 8 and when I got home the kids were going to watch a movie, so I stayed up and watched it with them.  The decided on “The Dark Knight” and I will give the movie a thumbs up, it was good.  However there were parts of it I really didn’t like.  First of all Batman is NOT a bad guy.  For goodness sakes he is a super hero, how can that be bad.  And then there is the no Robin thing, whats up with that????  Christian Bale is hot but he is no Adam West, and what about his vioce why when he was Batman was he all raspy?  Anyway off my soap box now and moving on.

My hannah is leaving today to go back to school and I will miss her tons.

almost the new year December 28, 2009

so I am going to try (and I do say try) to become a better blogger.  This Christmas was one of the best I have had in a very long time.  Not sure the real reason behind it but it just turned out to be great all around. 

A few Sundays ago we were at church selecting cards from the giving tree and one of the cards was to adopt a family and Rick remarked that he would love to do that some year.  Well his wish was granted this year that was our gift to each other.  We adopted a family instead of giving to each other.   And I can honestly say it felt great and I didn’t feel the least bit slighted in the gift department. 

The girls seemed to like everything that they received, and I don’t believe there is much returning to do.

On Sunday we took a trek downtown to see the macy’s windows and then the bean I will post photos later.

Have a great week, and stay warm.

This is my newest project December 4, 2009

and when I got it all done, Rick and decided that this is going to be our new christmas tree.

 

I found this tree at work when we were going thru some old christmas boxes and it just called my name.  Then while at Hobby Lobby I found the square glass ornaments and thought I coud put the 2 togeter.  And with many tries I finally got the right combination of acatate and quickutz that I just love.  It makes the diecuts looke like they are floating in the ornaments.

Snowman picture November 22, 2009

I have been trying to get organized with my cropping stuff.  When the store closed for the summer I had to take all my stuff home and find a spot for it.  And it wasn’t that easy.  There is stuff in our bedroom, the living room and our hallway.  So I have been trying to condense and control it to just one location.  When the store reopened in our new location I did move some of it back, but there is still a ton left.  One of the biggest things is the 5 years of magazines that I have been collecting.  So I decided to create an idea book.  (one of my customers does this and I always thought it was a great idea)  So I had an old notebook that I wasn’t using  and I began going thru the magazines and removing any idea or technique that I liked or thought I would like to try and then pasted them on the pages of my note-book, before I know it the magazine collection was gone and in the recycle bin and what was left was a great little idea book.  Well one of the ideas was this snowman picture in a black frame.  I believe that they had patterns for the snowman, but you know me and my Quickutz I just couldn’t pass up an oppurtunity to use them.  And this is what I came up with. 

 

It’s a 12×12 and then I put it in a black frame that I drilled 2 holes in and ran ribbon thru to hang it.  I love it and can’t wait to hang it up and use it. 

 

dinner 11-21-09 November 22, 2009

Meat and Potato Casserole

 

1 lb lean ground beef, 

1 (2.8oz) can french fried onions

1 (10 3/4 oz) can condensed cream of mushroom soup

1/2 cup milk

1/4 tsp pepper

4 cups frozen country style shredded hash brown potatoes

2 cups frozen cut green beans

Brown meat in large skillet, Drain.  Add half of the onions, soup, milk and pepper; mix well

Spray slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray.  Layer potatoes and green beans in slow cooker.  Top with beef mixture; spread evenly

Cover cook on low setting for 6 to 7 hours  Top with remaining half of onions before serving.

Now I made some changes to this,.  I used ground turkey and instead of green beans I used fresh mushrooms that I cut in half and added to the beef mixture.  And about 5 minutes before serving I added mozzarella cheese to the top.

Yummy good.

slow cooker lasagna October 21, 2009

So here it is the long awaited recipe.  Thanks for being patient.

 

INGREDIENTS

1	lb. lean ground beef
1	(26 to 28-oz.) jar tomato spaghetti sauce
1	(8-oz.) can no-salt-added tomato sauce
1/2	(9-oz.) pkg. (about no-boil lasagna noodles
1	(1-lb.) jar Alfredo pasta sauce
12	oz. (3 cups) shredded mozzarella cheese
1/4	cup grated Parmesan cheese

DIRECTIONS

1.	Brown ground beef in large skillet over medium-high heat until thoroughly cooked, stirring frequently. Drain.
2.	Spray 4 to 5-quart slow cooker with nonstick cooking spray. Spread 3/4 cup of the tomato pasta sauce in bottom of sprayed slow cooker. Stir remaining tomato pasta sauce and tomato sauce into ground beef.
3.	Layer 3 lasagna noodles over sauce in slow cooker, breaking noodles as necessary. Top with 1/3 of the Alfredo pasta sauce, spreading evenly. Sprinkle with 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese. Top with 1/3 of the ground beef mixture, spreading evenly.
4.	Repeat layering twice, using 2 lasagna noodles in last layer. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over top.
5.	Cover; cook on Low setting for 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 hours. If desired, cut into wedges to serve.

so October 6, 2009

today I received a call and we talked it out.  The funny thing is she thought I was mad at her.  So we decided that we would both try a little harder. 

I do understand that she is trying to be on her own and has a wonderful boy that she is trying to spend all her time with.  But I guess when it is all boiled down I miss her and want to be important to her.  (not saying that I’m not) maybe I’m just having a pity party for myself and someone needs to slap me straight.

my goal October 5, 2009

isn’t to air my dirty laundry and if this comes out that way I do apologize to all that it harmed.  And I will remove it if you feel that strongly. 

So for the last several days I feel like my daughter is ignoring me.  Whenever I call or text she never seems to respond.  Perhaps college life has suddenly become very busy for her, or I have done something to make her mad.  Whatever the case I miss her.  I miss hearing her crazy funny stories and just miss talking to her.  I know that one of her complaints is that when she calls I can never talk.  Well my job has changed since we moved into a new store and I just don’t have that luxury to just talk on the phone.  I do try and make time for her or try and pick a time that I can call her back,  but when I call she doesn’t answer.  Not sure what to do at this point but to keep trying. 

So if you read this (and you know who you are) I am not going to give up on you and I will keep calling and texting so just answer sometime.  I LOVE YOU

long time away September 15, 2009

from the blog, and I have no excuse other than just not a priority.  And it sure should be.  Life at the church household has been crazy the last couple of weeks to say the least.  The girls are both back at school and I miss them so much.  Rick is working as much as ever, and I have finally gone back to work.  And I must say it is fantastic. 

The store as relocated to South Elgin, the commute is farther but the location is great for business.  We have started cropping again and I really missed it.  I tried several times to crop at home but I enjoy the group environment,  so look for some layouts to be added in the near future. 

I have to get back to work so I will try and post the layout I did this weekend soon.  Have a great week.