Shopping Spree and a Recipe

I generously received some money for a Christmas present this year and since I'm seriously lacking in winter clothing, I decided to treat myself with some new clothes. (Next month I'm going online shopping at Sephora. That could be disastorous)

Anyway, my goal was to get as much as possible with the money I had. I decided to forgo well-made pieces and decided instead on Old Navy. Nothing against Old Navy, but I don't think that anything I bought yesterday will be around ten years from now in my closet.

Here are a few items I picked up:



I'm a huge fan of green and I think if this litle number is long enough I can pair it with some cute leggings. Otherwise I think it'll look cute with pants and boots.



I'm seriously hurting for some cardigans. I love the detailing on this and decided to take a chance on it.



A comfy Henley shirt. Can we say heaven? I loved this style so much that I got it in two different colors.



Last, but not least. How cute are these sneakers? I love the color and I think they'll be super cute with some jeans and a t-shirt.

Oh, and I was asked about my Mexican Pinwheel recipe the other day. It's delish! Serve with salsa if you like.

8oz sour cream
8oz cream cheese
1/2 chopped green onions
1 sm can chopped green chilies
1 sm can chopped black olives
1 cup shredded cheese
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp seasoned salt

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl, spread evenly on five 10 inch flour tortillas. Roll each roll in plastic wrap, chill overnight. Cut in 3/4 inch pieces.

Also, when you spread the stuff on the tortillas, make it into a square sort of shape where you don't go all the way to each edge (horizontally).

Forgive and Forget

I have to admit that I have difficulty with forgiving and forgetting. Not so much with the forgiveness part, but with forgetting.

I was alone with my thoughts last night and a few situations that I've dealt with this past year just kind of overwhelmed me and the waterworks started. I think I actually scared Boomer because I was crying so hard. I realized that although I had forgiven this person for what they had done to me, that I still haven't forgotten it. Believe me, I have tried many, many times. It's almost as if the situation is burned into my memory banks. It crosses my mind at least once a day if not more.

That's not healthy and I realize this. After that good, cleansing cry last night I realized something. I HAVE to forget this or I'm never truly going to be happy again. Scary thought right? So after a quick prayer that I can begin to forget these situations I felt better.

I know it's not going to be easy, but I'm really going to try my hardest to deal with this and get it out of my mind. Please wish me luck on this! I can use your support.

I went to the PX last night and bought some new make-up. I was watching Carmandie on What Not to Wear do a makeover and it inspired me. I got some new waterproof mascara, few new eyeshadows, some new brushes and a new lipstick. It's sort of a peach shade and it looks really good on me. I have a tough time choosing lipsticks. Usually it either turns out too dark or too pink. I like something in between that's flattering. I also bought that Harajuku Baby perfume that I mentioned a few days ago. I just love the bottle! I eagerly sprayed it on this morning when I was getting ready and I'm already enjoying smelling it.

One more thing I bought was a sampler Yankee candle of Christmas Wreath. Oh my goodness...if you love the smell of Christmas trees then this is the candle for you! I can already tell I'm going to have to go back and buy a big candle.

I actually heard from Sean this morning on my way to turn in my Visa paperwork. I didn't recognize the number, but I guess he had borrowed a phone from a friend. He asked me where I was going, evidently they were on-post to stop by the shoppette and their van passed me. He said they might be home tomorrow, but realistically it was going to be Sunday night before they got home. It was just a quick conversation, but it was good to hear from him.

Since I didn't really have time for breakfast this morning at the house I stopped by Sonic to grab something. (Not helping with my weight loss I know) I got the french toast sticks with milk and they are so good! Not healthy for you, but very good!

Since it's casual day at the office I'm wearing my new clogs for the first time and boy are they comfy!



Mine are a little lighter brown than the ones in the picture, but they are super cute with jeans. Did I mention they were comfy?

Oh and before I forget, go check out Life in Germany's awesome giveaway. She's giving away the cutest German ornaments. Go check her out!

So what's everyones weekend plans?

I'm going to:
1. Perhaps go to dinner with a friend
2. Work out
3. Watch TV
4. Work on my scrapbook
5. Cheer on my Oklahoma State Cowboys agains the Texas Longhorns. It'd be a longshot for us, but I'm hoping for a win.

What a Weekend!

This weekend was pretty jam-packed with constant action for me.

Thanks goodness I have today off from work (unexpectedly as of Friday) to try to get some more things done around here.

Friday I was off work early and as soon as Sean picked me up we went to rent a carpet cleaner for our home. I also swung by the commissary to pick up some things to make banana pudding.

The banana pudding turned out wonderfully! Just smelling it when it cooked reminded me of my Grandma's house.

The steam cleaning went well, but boy was it a process! We had to clear out every room we did, vaccum extensively and then spot treat it for stains. Only then could we steam clean it. I think it turned out well, but that steam cleaner was a beast to manuever!

Saturday was football day and more steam cleaning. Once that was out of the way I cleaned some around the house and made some chocolate chip cookies. I think this is my best batch yet. Sean grilled us some delish t-bone steaks and I watched my Oklahoma State Cowboys come away with a victory against the Missouri Tigers, now we are ranked #8 in the nation! I cannot ever remember being ranked this high and I am ecstatic. However, Sean is disappointed in his Sooners and their shoddy performance against the Texas Longhorns.

Sunday I was up early to go with my friend Lauren to her husband's redeployment ceremony. She wanted me to take pictures of their homecoming and I was happy to do it, but I have to say it was a little awkward standing among all the re-uniting couples snapping pictures. I got a bit emotional though, the whole thing just got to me. I'll have to post a few pics I took of her and her husband though, maybe tomorrow once I can edit them a bit.

As soon as I got back, Sean and I jumped in the car and headed to Lake Charles. He really needed some new clothes, so that was our main objective. That and eating neverending pasta bowl at Olive Garden. Sean ended up with some great stuff, we both ended up with full tummies and I even got a Jen Lancaster book that I've been dying to read so it was a very fruitful trip.

The only damper on the weekend was Boomer being sick, he had a few bites of my tuna steak on Friday night and I'm not sure if that's what made him sick or if he just had a little bug. At any rate he was a very sick puppy until late Saturday night and I babied him....alot. This is the first time he's been sick since we had him though, so I'm glad we all weathered it ok.

Now back to cleaning the house!

Shopping and Survivor

I think it's going to be a slow day at the office today. Our boss is gone to Texas for a hunting trip, so it's just me and another lady in the office. It's been slow around here lately, really not many lawsuits or claims coming in and I think today we'll probably be on the Internet a lot. Tough job huh?

Last night was pretty much a repeat of the night before. I went to the golf course to walk with Boomer, I watched TV, I cleaned. I think I've lost a little weight since Sean hasn't been around. When I don't have to cook for him I tend to eat less. It's his cooking on the weekend that always gets me. Steak, potatoes, other tasty grilled things. He says he has to feed me like that so I won't lose my butt. I assured him that losing my butt isn't something that will ever happen. I think it's here to stay.

Oh and if you love Target as much as I do, to not miss out on Wandering DC's Target Giveaway! She's giving away a Target gift card, so head on over to her blog to check it out.

I'm in the market for a colored passport cover. I saw some in Oprah's magazine one time and I've wanted them ever since.



I think I want a pink one or a turquoise one. Very cute aren't they?

I'm very excited about this whole moving to Italy thing, but I'm terrified of the plane ride there. There are a couple reasons for this.

A. I haven't been a fan of flying since 9/11, before that I loved it. After that I pretty much get panic attacks before getting on the plane.

B. I've had a long flight from Alaska to Chicago, but never flown to Europe. Visions of TWA Flight 800 dance in my head whenever I think about it. I know there are thousands of flights that nothing happens, but still in the back of my mind I worry.

C. I'm worried about Boomer making the flight. I'm terrified about him getting lost between the US and Italy! If something happened to him I'd be inconsolable!

That's really the only big hang-up I'm having about moving to Italy. Everything else seems like a walk in the park.

I found the cutest stuff at CATO yesterday. I don't often shop there, but I heard they have some cute jewelry so I had to investigate. Cute jewelry indeed! I'm always looking for some colorful stuff to punch up my wardrobe and I found a red beaded necklace and a turqoise braclet on clearance, as well as the cutest black purse!

It looks similar to this, but more simple.



The other day I found some cute shoes at Payless, although I haven't bought them yet and thought they looked familiar.



It's because they look very similiar to these J.Crew shoes that I had seen on another blog.



Survivor is on tonight! I missed it last week somehow between the vice-presidential debate and other things, but I'm not missing it tonight. I'm wondering what time Sean will be home though.....

Well, I hope everyone has a great Thursday! Only a couple more days until the weekend!

My Shopping Extravaganza!

As I mentioned yesterday I went shopping after I got off work yesterday.

I got to Alexandria yesterday around 6:00p.m. and started off at Hobby Lobby since I knew they'd be closing earlier than the mall. I was a woman posessed at Hobby Lobby! There were so many cute fall decorations! Don't even get me started on all the Christmas things I wanted to buy. In the first ten minutes there, my basket was almost full.

I also helped myself in the scrapbook department (they were having a great clearance sale) and I honestly did need some essentials like paper for my college scrapbook if I'm ever going to get that finished.

Forty-five minutes later I walk out with 4 heaving bags and less than a hundred dollars gone from my account. You gotta love Hobby Lobby! I'll post pics of the decorations once I get them up.

On to the mall and Forever 21! I spent about an hour in Forever 21. I love the place, but it's a beast to shop in. For one, at least at this store, they have everything crammed in so tight it's hard to really get a look at things. I found some really good things on sale and also found several items that I'd come there to buy. However I didn't find a really cute sweater that I had seen online, so I'll just have to see if it's still in-stock online.

Remember this hat?


Yeah....a couple of problems with it.

A. They only had it in black, not in blue like I wanted
B. It didn't fit my big head! Curses for having a big head!

Why can't I look like this in hats?


Wait..I know why! She was most likely blessed with a smaller cranium than I!

Remember the red coat I lusted after?



Got it! It's beyond cute!

I also got some sweaters, one similiar to this:



And I couldn't pass up this necklace:


I also got the cutest lace dress that was black and gold and it was on sale. SCORE!

I also hit up The Limited and got two new pairs of nice pants. I LOVE the Drew fit they have there and they actually had two pairs in short this time! How I love pants that fit exactly right.

I'm rockin' a new outfit today. Black pants, cream colored sweater and a new black and white plaid headband. Too cute! I just love new clothes.

Sean was amazed when I told him I didn't buy any shoes, but that doesn't mean I didn't find a pair that I didn't love and will mostly likely buy at a later date.



Those boots I found at Payless and are made by Airwalk. They are beyond comfy and look super cute with jeans!

All of this marathon shopping was done in 2 hours. That's exactly why on trips like that I don't take people.

I couldn't leave Alexandria without stopping at Taco Bueno though. It's the only one in the state that I know of (believe me, I've checked this out) and Sean had requested I bring some food home for him, so I got myself a beef combo platter. So delicious! How I miss having a Taco Bueno within close proximity. It's probably better for my thighs that I don't have one in close proximity though. Hmm....

My boss informed me this morning in the breakroom we are leaving at 3:00 today because of a parade going on in our street and I'm jazzed about that. Maybe that will give me enough time to swing by Hallmark and look for that chocolate cupcake candle I'm wanting.

Forgetful Wife, Handbags Galore and a question.

I officially feel as if I'm a bad wife. Sean asked me this morning if I would mind ironing his OG's for work this morning. No problem I said, I do this nearly every morning. Somehow though between eating my peanut butter toast and primping I completely forgot to iron them for him.

I didn't even remember until he sent me a text while I was at work.

Him: "Forget something this morning?"

Me: "What?"

I'm sitting there racking my brain. Did I not turn off the curling iron? Forget to feed the dog? Then it came to me. I forgot to iron his OG's!

I felt bad and apologized, but there wasn't a lot I could do about it since I was already at work.

I'm really craving sushi today. I actually have been for the past week or so, but I keep putting off the craving. I think today is the day I'm going to go get some. I'm thinking about an Alaska roll and maybe some soup. I'm not sure what I'm going to do when I'm pregnant and can't eat sushi!

Speaking of pregnancy, I've been having the most vivid pregnancy dreams the last few months. When I'm dreaming I can actually feel myself pregnant and look down and see my expanding abdomen. It's really freaky honestly.

When I looked up what pregnancy dreams mean it said you are growing personally, towards some goal, ambition, etc. Personally? I think it means I think about having a baby a lot. Even though I'm not ready to yet, I still think about it everyday.

Ok, so Sean and I have been having a disagreement about the dishwasher. Please tell me your opinions on this. See, Sean believes everything should be pretty much sparkling clean before it is put in the dishwasher. I think things should be rinsed off or caked on stuff should come off, but I don't agree with everything being spotless before it goes in the dishwasher. Besides sanitizing what do I really need the dishwasher for then? So what do you do? Are the dishes sparkling clean before you put them in? Or are you like me and just mostly rinse them?

Yesterday I was commenting on a friend's MySpace page about us going to Italy (she's already there) and how I couldn't wait to see her, etc. Then I read her blog and find out she and her husband are separating and she's going back to California. This is the second time in a month I've stuck my foot in my mouth commenting on some one's page! I quickly deleted the comment and prayed she hadn't read it yet. So much for knowing anyone in Italy though! I was excited to get to hang out with her and I feel bad that she and her husband are having these problems.

I first saw this on Megan's blog, but I wanted to share it with y'all. Go to Handbag Planet! They are having a grand opening on Oct. 15th and are giving away 24 purses in 24 hours. Some of the purses are beyond cute! I myself, want the Burberryesque bag.



(As seen on Handbag Planet)

Seeing all the cute purses on there has me jazzed about going shopping tonight. One of my co-workers asked me yesterday if I was going by myself and why wasn't I taking anyone? Honestly? There are only a few people I like going shopping with and none of them happen to live here. Plus, when I want to do some marathon shopping, as I plan on doing tonight, then I don't really want anyone with me. Make sense? Am I the only woman out there like that?

Have a fab Wednesday everyone!

Riding the Storm Out

Well, all is well here at Fort Polk. I say that and the tornado sirens just went off a few minutes ago. ::rolls eyes::

Actually, the tornado sirens have gone off 3 times since last night. 4:00 in the morning and waking up to sirens is not my idea of a good night, but after Sean checking the radar on TV and seeing no meteorologist in sight we went back to sleep and amazingly weren't blown away.

Let me just say this. As a native Oklahoman I've experienced my fair share of storms and tornadoes. I've been very, very scared in many situations and when I was about 12, after a particularly bad storm season, I was convinced I was going to die in a tornado. I'm no rookie when it comes to bad weather. No offense to all Louisiana people, but the tornado watch/warning system in this state sucks. I don't think tornado warnings here and tornado warnings back home mean the same thing. Thus, I've pretty much begun to ignore the sirens around here.

I'm sure hurricanes are much worst in the coastal areas. I never want to experience a hurricane while living on the coast, but honestly? Up here the effects haven't been that bad and I've seen worse storms in Oklahoma. I guess I'm just used to a different type of storm. Again, not knocking hurricanes, I know they cause destruction and damage, but I think tornadoes back home have me a bit more scared than these hurricanes.

We weren't completely unscathed from the storm. Our electricity went out this morning and stayed off about an hour and then went off again later in the day and finally came back on about an hour ago. There are some limbs down and the Fort Polk website says there were some electric poles down, but otherwise it looks like we escaped so far with minimal damage.

I elected not to go to Alexandria today and decided instead to wait until the end of the month and the next payday. Hobby Lobby wouldn't have done too much damage on my account, but I know Forever 21 and the Limited would have. Instead I'm typing up some recipes on MRE's: Not for Me and catching up on some reading. Later tonight for supper Sean is going to make pancakes, sausage, hash browns and eggs. I'm more than ready! Breakfast for supper is one of my favorite things!

I hope all my fellow Louisiana people are all right and I hope the rest of you have a great weekend!