Our Weekend

This past weekend was pretty good. Friday night we helped some friends move. It was SO hot, even after the sun went down....but they lured us with free pizza and beer so we couldn't pass up the opportunity to help them :)

Saturday I worked at my second job. I got out a little early so that was a nice surprise.

Saturday night we went to a friend's welcome home party. He spent the last 2.5 years in the Peace Corp in Bolivia. I had only met him once before, at a Halloween party when I came down to visit Tom during his first year, but we hang out with his brother a lot. It was a pool party at his parents house in Mountain Brook, one of America's "nicest" communities per Wikipedia.

Sunday was a day full of errands and typical prep for the week (laundry, cooking, etc).

All in all it was a pretty good weekend :) And it's a good thing I'm finished with this blog because the kitchen timer is dinging (which means my chocolate chip quick bread is ready.......yummmmmmmm)

Engagement at work!

So yesterday at the end of the day, I was sitting at the 4 West nurses station, trying to force my pen to write up an eval from earlier in the day. But really I was talking to Molly (another therapist) about her soon-to-be new baby grandson and how my day had kind of sucked. (FYI - my days "sucking" = death and/or dying).

So we were sitting and talking and I was already in an emotionally frail state from previous happenings of the day, when a nurse's boyfriend came up to the desk and gave her this beautiful boquet of red roses. We were all like "Awwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!!" "That's so sweet!" etc, etc. Then, just as we were about to go back to our conversations.....er....I mean documentation........he GETS DOWN ON ONE KNEE and proposes to her! Everyone was freaking out and I just started crying (see part about my pre-existing "frail emotional state"!) I think she was in shock because she just kept saying "What are you doing?!" but then she said "Yes" :) And the ring was gorgeous. It kinda looked like this.

My Monday Night

So, Tom was supposed to prepare a journal article review and present it at his lab meeting this morning..........but he forgot. So his lab has punished him by making him bring some kind of food item tomorrow for the lab to share :) (Although, I have to admit that the lab has a win/win situation here......lab meeting instantly shortens and they get free yummy treats the next day.....I wonder if they made this whole thing up....Hmmmmmmmmmmm)

So anyways, like a good wife, I'm making a deliciously awesome cake tonight for him to bring into lab tomorrow. It's really no big deal. After Gossip Girl is over, I don't have any other tv shows on Monday nights (except I do have Jon & Kate plus 8 on in the background and laugh histerically at some of the things those kids say :D.....my favorite "Froggy's raisiny")

I decided to make a variation of this cake. I've made it before (slightly) different recipe and it turned out amazing. This time I had to substitute quite a few things, but I'm still confident it's going to be awesome. (I just hope they save me some!) Here's the recipe and a pic from the last version I made.

Ingredients

1 box chocolate cake mix - can use triple chocolate

1 bag chocolate chips

1 jar caramel sauce

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 tub cool whip

1 bag heath bar bits

Directions

1. Prepare cake mix as directed on box.

2. Add half the bag of chocolate chips, pour in cake pan and top with remaining chocolate chips.

3. Bake as direction on the box.

4. Mix the caramel and the condensed milk together in a bowl. When the cake comes out of the oven, poke holes in the cake with a straw and then pour the caramel mix over the top and let sit until cool. Top with coolwhip and the candy pieces.

5. Chill before serving.

Weddings....Round 2 *ding ding*

Two years ago, (around the time Tom and I got married) seemed to be a very busy time in our lives for weddings. It was literally "Round 1" of the weddings in our lives. We have already begun "Round 1" of the babies, and are now on to "Round 2" of the weddings, offically starting today.

A friend of Tom's (from his lab) got married today and we went to her wedding this afternoon. It was pretty fun. A nice ceremony and a brief, but fun reception. Here are a couple pics.

Birthday month continues

With the arrival of packages from my brother and my parents, I declare birthday week is now extended to Birthday Month! Matt sent me some awesome smelling coffee from Hawaii. I can't wait to try it. I also got some Dunkin Donuts coffee from my parents. Oh how I miss DD.

Yeah, we're ready for football!

This is what happens when you have people from all over the country gathered in one place anxiously awaiting football season! (I'm not sure who drew the "lion" but it's awful....I'm sorry ;)

This past weekend was pretty good. I worked on Saturday at my second job. Saturday night we went over to a friends for her birthday. We ate some yummy food, drank some yummy drinks, and swam in the pool. Also, we took pictures of the dogs (this was not posed, I promise!)

Sunday was a much needed very relaxing day. We went to the pool for a little bit and just hung out all day. I definitely needed that! In addition to being super stressful, work has been super depressing lately. Some things never, ever get any easier, no matter how many times you see it happen. Kids shouldn't be allowed to die, and parents shouldn't have to make all of the decisions that goes along with it. If anything, I'm just reminded yet again how wondeful my life is and how lucky I am that I get to wake up and go to work every day. Sorry this post turned out to be pretty depressing. Count your blessings everyone, I know I don't count mine enough.

Shelter from the Storm

I took these pics a couple of days ago when a storm was coming. Ironically, the dark clouds kind of sum up my week so far. Hopefully the bright ones will come soon.

Sunday Night Dinner

Several months ago our group of friends started a monthly sunday night dinner tradition. We rotate between houses and always have a different theme for dinner. Everyone brings something different but stays within the general theme. Some previous themes have been Asian food, Greek food, salads, comfort food, and Kosher food. Tom and I hosted "Appetizer Night." It was quite yummy (and I'm sure quite not-healthy). Here's a couple pics of some of the treats.

I'm looking forward to one of our upcoming themes "Sh*t I Shot" hosted by Wes and Tara. Since I don't shoot anything, Tom and I will probably bring some good ol' fashion PBR to that dinner.

My Saturday

This morning I volunteered at a Trauma Prevention Program at Children's Hospital. They have them approximately every other month and teen drivers with repeat speeding ticket offenses are sentenced to attend. There were about 15-16 kids there today. First they have them take a pre-test assessing their knowledge about car accidents and MVA related injuries. Then they have them go through the ED and talk about what happens when a child comes in from a wreck. Then they brought them up to the PT/OT department (that's where we come in!) and we talk to them a little bit about therapy and assign them each an "impairment." Some of them have to wear knee immobilizers and arm slings, some have to be on crutches, some on walkers, some in wheelchairs but only able to use one side of their body, some in neck braces, helmets, etc, etc. They go through the rest of their morning with their "impairment" which consists of a visit to the PICU and listening to former trauma victims (or parents of trauma victims) talk to them.

So, they are teenagers, so a lot of them were trying to "cheat" with their impairment or were talking about "how all they did was run a stop sign, why did they have to be here?" etc. It was really a good experience and if we got through to at least one of the kids, I'll be happy.

This evening we went out to a local Mexican restaurant, La Paz for some drinks with co-workers. The purpose of the outing was to celebrate the End of Wednesday (Wednesday was a rough day!) It was pretty fun. Tomorrow we're hosting Sunday night dinner at our house. I'll post about it soon!

Happy 1 year anniversary of keeping track of working out :)

So, sports and/or exercise has always been a part of my life for as long as I can remember (except for when I was like 9 or 10 and my dad gave me a baseball glove for Christmas and I was so mad I threw it across the room)! (Whoops! Sorry Dad!)



But there have been plenty of times when I would inconsistently work out in the past several years. The motivation seems to be constantly changing and finding new motivation can be difficult. In college it was to look good for spring break. In grad school it was to keep from going absolutely insane. After grad school it was to look good for the wedding. After the wedding it was to train for a marathon. And after the marathon????????? Well, let's just say I didn't (and still don't) plan on training for another marathon anytime soon (and by "soon" I mean the next 50 years or so ;)



So one year ago today (technically yesterday), I made up a little chart on MS word that had 100 little check boxes in it and thought it would be fun to keep track of how often I worked out/ran/lifted weights/went to the gym and see how long it took me to get to 100. After I got to 100, I figured "Why stop now?" So I made another little chart and kept going and have checked off every single time I worked out in the past year. 168 times. Not quite every other day but more often than every 3 days. Not bad if I say so myself.



So now what's my motivation? Checking off my chart :) Although, I imagine that by the time I have 5 or so charts I'll probably be bored and need to find some new motivation. Another reason I like to exercise on a regular basis is because I have the potential to get very irritable if I haven't worked out in a few days. Just ask Tom :) Here's a pic of my little motivational chart with the past year's workouts recorded on it. Hopefully this is becoming a good habit that sticks with me forever..........here's to wishful thinking!

The end of Birthday Week

Birthday week has come and gone, yet again. But what a fun one it was :) My actual birthday was Wednesday (see previous blog) and although I had to work, Tom and I enjoyed some Coronas and a nice home cooked dinner after work. One of my favorite bday presents this year from Tom was this dessert cookbook. Don't let the name fool you. These awesome looking treats can be made year round :)



Tom and I both worked on the 4th of July, but both of us were able to finish up a little early and head to Matt & Kendall's house for our 2nd annual July 4th cookout/Pool party.



There was plenty of yummy food

Everyone hanging out and eating after cooling off in the pool

An after-dinner game of "500" (during which one person throws the ball in the air, calls out a number, and everyone tries to catch the ball. First person to 500 wins!)

And OF COURSE there was some late-night flip cup!

Yesterday I went on my "budget-friendly" mini-shopping spree. And I did quite well if I do say so myself. My best purchase of the day was a pair of jeans and a shirt from Express. I paid $17 and they retailed for $95. Go me :) Then Tom and I went to dinner at Cajun Steamer's for my birthday dinner. I had grilled Tilapia topped with crawfish etouffee and fried green tomatoes and Tom had the Bourbon Street Fettuccine. Very yum.

Overall a very fun birthday week. Only 51 more weeks until the next one!!

Happy Birthday to me!!!!

Yay! It's my birthday :) No big plans for tonight but this weekend we're going to go out to dinner at a new restaurant I've been wanting to try and Tom's going to go with me on a "budget friendly" mini shopping excursion :)

It's Birthday Week!!!!

With the arrival of a birthday package from Jackie and a birthday card from my friend Matt, I officially declare it the start of Birthday Week!

A little history: There are several reasons why I decided to celebrate "Birthday Week" instead of just my birthday:

1) It's more fun that way :)

2) Growing up I always had to have a "fake" birthday day during the school year since my birthday was in the summer. Also, being so close to the 4th, there were times not everyone could come to my birthday parties because of family vacations, etc. so we would get to celebrate on another day.

3) When I worked random summer jobs in high school and college, people would always celebrate birthday type things with me throughout the week (again, because of the whole 4th thing) extending my birthday celebration

4) In grad school a bunch of us had birthdays within ~1 week of each other, and we would all pick a night and go out for our Annual Birthday Extravaganza (which usually consisted of just about our entire PT class being hungover the next day in class!) Why on earth did we always go out on week nights?!

ANYWAYS! In celebration of Birthday Week, I decided to post a couple of my favorite Bday cards from the past few years. Enjoy!

And now for my favorite...............

My basil plant

Last year I got my first basil plant. It was my first of any kind of plant.....well, I lied. I had a plant in Philly that my mom brought back from North Carolina. ANYWAYS. My basil plant was my first plant that we could actually eat what it was growing. But then we went home for 9 days in August and it died.

So this year I bought another one (Tom told me if I let this one die I'm not allowed to get another one ;) and so far it's doing pretty well. It's been flourishing and we've been eating a lot of pesto and tomato and basil soup. Email me (alb245@yahoo.com) if you have any good suggestions of additional things I can make with all of my basil! Otherwise I'm just going to make a bunch of pesto and freeze it.

P.S. Sorry all of my blogs lately are about food!

Second job and Sad blogs

I got to work today! At my second job! I had been cancelled 3 times in a row (and on the 3rd time I called to politely ask Why?!) So needless to say they didn't cancel me today. But I hadn't worked in 2 months! Which was a drastic change after working ~2x/month since January. So it took a little extra motivation to get back in the swing of things today. Anyways........

So if you haven't noticed I added a couple of blogs under a special "links" section on my website. I've been reading them for a while now, and I feel like I need to warn you that they are terribly sad and will probably make you cry (if you are anything like me) but definitely worth the read. And you will get addicted. They definitely put things into perspective!

P.S. I still haven't made anything with my jalepeno's!! :x Tomorrow is the day!

What to make with Jalapenos????

A coworker brought in a giant bag full of jalapeno peppers today. (Not my photo, I stole it from the internet. I'm too lazy to take a picture with my camera, hook it up to my computer, download it, and then upload it to here. Shhhhh. Don't tell the blogger gods).

Anyways.............I'm not quite sure what to do with them! I've found some yummy looking recipes on my favorite recipe site. Most likely it will be some kind of warm dip involving cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, possibly tomatoes, and possibly 1 or 2 other key ingredients.

I don't even think I like jalapenos but they look like they'll be fun to cook :) Wish me luck!

Best Dessert Ever

This is easily my new favorite summer dessert! Here's a link to the original recipe. I would definitely recommend doubling the oreos for the crust.

Baby shower # 6 (???) and some other fun stuff

Yesterday we went to yet another baby shower. Except this was one of the good ones (no games). It was a brunch shower so there was plenty of yummy food and some super strong coffee........of which I had too much of. I spent the rest of the day with the jitters and feeling like my heart was trying to jump out of my chest. NOT fun.

A couple of weeks ago was Tom's birthday. The weekend before his birthday I made him all kinds of yummy foods. A few of the highlights were:

1) Buffalo chicken wings

2) Bake Sale Lemon Bars

3) Homemade Tortilla chips





4) And a trifle we shared with some friends

Magic City Brewfest II

This weekend was the fabulous second annual Magic City Brewfest! As you all know, Tom and I love beer, so of course we were excited for a chance to sample hundreds of yummy beers. Usually, we arrive on time or slightly late to social events, but for the beer festival, we were 50 minutes early :) And thank goodness too because friends of ours waited in line for over an hour to get in (after the beer sampling had already begun!) With no further ado, Let the picture story telling begin!

Sloss Furnaces...Home to the Brewfest...and also some other historical stuff

They (finally) opened the gates! Run! Get Beer!

Brewfest

Birmingham has a brewery?! WHAT? When was someone planning on telling me this???

Me and Thomas enjoying our beers

Beer tents

Our beer sampling glasses

I ate alligator! I think that officially qualifies me as a "Southerner!" The bottom things are alligator tail. Tasted like chicken! I actually would have thought they were chicken if I didn't hear the guy serving them say what they were! And of course, there is a yummy fried green tomato above the alligator tails!

View of some of the beer tents from across the water spraying things.

View at night