It's all finally coming together. The ceiling was sprayed on March 10th, so James began to prime it today. He is also priming the walls for paint. We are waiting right now for the guy to come measure the floor. Still no shower. It is expected to be put in on Tuesday of next week. So, we decided to go ahead and get the walls primed and painted and the ceiling primed and painted. I have this vision for this bathroom, but it may not turn out as I want it to...LOL. Nothing ever does. James is nervous as he is standing in the tub to prime the walls. Our contractor told us that dropping shampoo bottles or just standing (like he is in the tub) is enough to crack the acrylic. Believe me when I say these little cracks add up to big money.
Landon at the district 3 office in Iva. This is his award for scoring Advanced in all areas of PACT.
The floor. Why did we pick white?
Time for grilling out and here is a great recipe for baked potatoes. Got this from Food Network's Guy Fiere.
Bomb Bakers
In large mixing bowl dissolve 1 cup kosher salt in 8 cups of water. Add potatoes. Insure that all potatoes are submerged, and brine for 2 to 8 hours.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
Remove the potatoes from brine and liberally coat with the remaining kosher salt, garlic salt, seasoned salt, and pepper.
Place the potatoes on a wire rack in the center of the oven and bake for 45 minutes. Do not puncture skin with tongs, fork, or tooth picks. Potatoes will be soft to the touch when done.
Let potatoes rest 5 minutes before cutting.
This past Wednesday night, James and Logan attended the Motley Crue, Hinder, and Theory of a Deadman concert a the Bi Lo center. This was their first ever rock concert. James ended up loving it, which surprised me. Of course Logan loved it. He payed 35 bucks for a Crue t-shirt even though he loved Hinder more. They got home around midnight (I know, a school night) and they told me everything. I was proud of Logan because he told me all the groups were good, but the Crue, had some parts that made him uncomfortable and that if he ever went again, it would not be to see them. I was proud of him. People have asked how could I allow for him to go see this type of concert. It's easy. He is a good kid and he now has had the experience. He came away from it with a different look. Point made.
Because those two guys were gone out, Landon and I decided to go out on a date. He wanted to go to Osaka and then to church. We didn't make it to church because we had company and got a late start on going to eat. That should have been our first clue the night was going to turn out as we had hoped. We went to Osaka and sat with this woman who thought everything in the world was funny. We could have shown a movie of starving children in Africa and she would have laughed. Anyway, I found her rude. She wanted this particular chef because she thought he was so funny. Well, her sense of humor should have told me that this was not gonna be good. He comes to the table and calls Landy a girl. Continually. Landy gets his feelings hurt, and I get pissed. He does that whole bit of acting like he is going to spray you with ketchup, I was in the middle of reading a e-mail from my friend (who just found out that she has breast cancer) and he about causes me to drop my blackberry in my soup. He is rapidly decreasing his tip. Then he tries to scare Landy. The woman is laughing and me and Landon just look at her. The other couple there was celebrating a birthday with the guy's parents. This cook made the comment to the guy's date (she looked asian) about where she was from. Then he went on to say she shouldn't be with that guy because he is white. Then he made some sexual remarks to the guy about the girl. Meanwhile the lady with the stupid humor is laughing. The girl is dying and the boy is embarrassed and upset. He tries to smooth it over by flipping shrimp into the boys mouth, but he isn't into it. He does this to Landy as well. landon catches his shrimp but is still not happy with the guy. Finally, the chef, getting the picture that he is really upsetting everyone but this lady decides to be nice. He asks me if me and Landy are ok. I calmly say we are fine. Landon says it was said with the blank look on my face that means I am upset. He was proud that I didn't say something else to the man. Landon and I ate and then asked for our bill. Landon was really upset about how the guy acted (taking God's name in vain as well) and left the table a couple of times (I think he was about to cry). I told him I would speak to the manager and Landon said no, just let it go. He said the man knew we were upset and that was enough. We paid our bill, no tip. When we got in the car, Landon reached over and grabbed my hand and told me he was sorry our date didn't go well. But it did. I have such an amazing little man. He didn't give in to his anger and that made me proud. I told him all dates with him were awesome, even if people around us weren't the best.
Ok, here goes another fantabulous recipe and this one is for dessert; I think is the best part of any meal...:). Try it out and if you like it or love it, leave me a comment.
Better Than Sex Cake
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Prepare yellow cake mix as directed using a greased 13 by 9 by 2-inch pan and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. While cake is baking, combine the pineapple and 1 cup of sugar in a saucepan, and bring to a boil over medium heat stirring constantly. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
Remove cake from oven and using a fork, pierce holes into cake. Pour pineapple mixture over hot cake and set aside.
Prepare pudding according to package directions. Spread pudding over cake and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled. Whip heavy cream and remaining sugar until stiff. Cover top of cake with whipped cream and sprinkle toasted coconut on top.
Noah Christian Bersaglia (our great nephew)
Mom and Dad- Malorie Israel Bersaglia and Scott Bersaglia
Little brother to Jackson Bersaglia
Noah was born on January 29th, 2008 and weighed in at 9 pounds. He is so cute as you can tell.
James finally got his truck back. It is good as new. The insurance for the 15 year old who hit us probably is not though. There was 3700 dollars worth of damage to the truck.
Landon and I have been working diligently on his science fair project. Just in case you are interested. If you buy loose popcorn (not the ones in the microwaveable bag) store it in the fridge. You get more kernals popped.
Logan is just being Logan. Had his cell phone and his Ipod taken away from him as punishment for leaving youth at church and crossing the 4 lane. I know he isn't 5, but the 4 lane is dangerous and he shouldn't be leaving church. (he only went to the store to get a drink and then back to the church) James implemented the punishment and has no plans to give back the said items for awhile. It's been almost 10 days.
As for me, nothing really to tell. I have lost 10 pounds on my new healthy lifestyle mandated by Michelin. I don't know how much James has lost mandated by the fact if he doesn't cut it out he will die of a heart attack or have diabetes. He is doing well with the program we are doing.
The boys are even taking part.
I have been steadily reading my Bible. I am already in 1 Chronicles. I have to take a lot of notes to remember everything, but I am loving it. Reading it straight through has been so much easier. My new schedule at work has worked out too. It allows for me to go to church at least 3 times a month on Sunday night. I love that. We are doing a study of Revelations and it is so interesting. Plus we do a small study of a book in the Bible on Wednesday night during the prayer meeting.
Boston is still his sweet self. He and James actually love each other. He actually got so excited that James was playing with him before they went to sleep Saturday night, he peed on James' pillow. It wasn't on purpose. It was one of those "so excited I peed"moments, not the usual "James makes me mad so I will pee on his pillow!" I say we are making progress.
Cleo is still losing weight and being snobbish sometimes. I know she is grieving for Chloe, we all miss her, but she has to suck it up and get on with her life and eat her food. She doesn't want anything to do with anybody but Logan. He about has to stand there with her to make her eat. Hopefully she will be back to her fun self before long. I wonder if there is pet counseling because that will have to be the next step.
Well, the new president was sworn in yesterday. To say that I had any interest in it whatsoever would be a huge lie. Even though it was a historical day, I didn't watch it. Both of the boys were required to watch it at school and they, like me, just wasn't in to it. I don't understand why everyone keeps saying that it is historical in the fact that he is our first african american president. He isn't 100% black. Call him what he is a mulato. Do I think that he is going to be a good president, well, that is to be determined. I don't think he will be able to deliver on his many promises. Because of that, I highly doubt that he will be re-elected in 2012. He does have a lot of mess to clean up. Am I saying that I am against our new president? Not in the least. I just would have preferred someone else. Because he is our chosen leader (and God did allow for him to gain office) I will support him and be in prayer (as we should be) for his leadership.
Chicken Fajita Soup
1-1.5 pounds of chicken tenders chopped
1 green bell pepper chopped
1 red bell pepper chopped
1 large onion chopped
1 tbsp cumin
1 tbsp of thyme
1-1.5 tbsp of coriander
2 14 oz cans of fire roasted tomatoes
1 quart of chicken broth
1 chopped jalepeno (optional)
In a heavy saucepan, brown your chicken in olive oil. While they are working, add the chopped onions and peppers. Add the spices. Let cook for about 10 minutes and then add the rest of your ingredients. Simmer over low heat for about 20 minutes. Spoon over crushed tortilla chips. We had hot jalepeno chedder cheese and sour cream as garnish.
Camp Stew
1 pound ground beef browned and drained
1 small onion chopped and sauteed with ground beef
1 can of chicken drained
2 14 oz cans of stewed tomatoes
2 potatoes peeled and diced
1 14 oz can whole kernal corn drained
1 14 oz can creamed corn
1 cup of ketchup
1 cup of water
2 tbsp worteshire sauce
2-4 tsp of lemon juice
1 small bag of frozen speckled butter beans
1 small can of english peas
1 can of okra
In your crockpot, layer the potatoes, then the frozen butter beans. Then add the beef and onion mixture followed by your chicken. Creamed corn comes next and then you add all of the remaining ingredients. Salt and pepper to taste. Cook on low in your crockpot for 8 hours.
The one thing that I want to do this year besides all of the other stuff I wrote in the other post is volunteer. There is so much that we can all do to make differences in others lives. My friend Debra and I hosted a party this past Christmas. We had a wonderful turnout, good Christian fellowship, but I want to take that further. I want us to be able to use our friends and our desire for fellowship to reach others. I have been praying that God will show us a way to do that. Even if it means just getting up a food drive. I want it to be a group effort. I am lucky that I have sensational christian friends. These women are truly blessings to me.
If you want to be a part of this, let me know. The more the better.
I usually don't make New Year's Resolutions because I tend to not follow thru. This year I have decided that since my life has changed in so many positive ways, that I would make resolutions and I will follow thru (hopefully). So, I guess my first resolution is some will power. LOL.
My resolutions are in no particular order. I have many as you will see.
1. To read my Bible all the way thru.
2. To dedicate myself to read at least 4-5 chapters a day in my Bible.
3. To love more, worry less.
4. To laugh instead of cry when I feel like crying.
5. To work out diligently at the Y. Got the all clear from my doctor concerning my heart, so I have no excuse. (Ok, Tanya, there it is...hold me to it!)
6. To blog because it really is theraputic.
7. Not to stress over little things, this should be a given since that is what caused my heart event.
8. To experiment more with my cooking so that one day I may actually be able to cater.
9. Have dates with my husband.
10. Enjoy life.
I have found in the past year that it is much better to be blessed than bitter. Bitterness gets you NOWHERE and only causes you stress. I have found that God really does take care of things, if you give it to Him. I have found that friends can be your family. You don't have to have the same bloodline.
What is your resolution? Just post it here. Don't worry about signing in, just post and sign your name at the end of your comment.
Hope you all have a blessed and joyous New Year!
