pizza & a movie!

Today was a really great day! It started out nice...I slept in. Then I made myself some of my favorite pancakes! (yes, with peanut butter!!) Then I sat in a oversized green chair that is in our family room with a cup of coffee and a blanket and I read....and read...and read. I'm not sure how long I read, but now I'm almost finished with The Good Thief. I really love it so far!! Its almost like reading an old classic novel. Its a lot like Oliver Twist, Great Expectations, and Tom Sawyer. I can't wait to finish!

After that, Jesse's sister, Mary stopped by with her 3 kids. Jaiden, her youngest and only son, needed a hair cut and Jesse has been buzzing it lately with his clippers. So, they did that...and I sat on my bed with Braylan and Amiya and read some books to them.

After they left we went to Walmart to get a few things and a DVD from the redbox. When we got home I worked out. I did another Jari Love video, this time it was Ripped: To The Core.


I really gave my shoulders a GOOD workout today. I'll probably be sore tomorrow.

After working out I cooked dinner. Jesse said he wanted one of my homemade pizzas again, so I made that. We just had one on Tuesday night, but.... hey, they are tasty!!

After dinner we watched the DVD we got earlier. It was Obsessed. It was a pretty decent movie. I can't say that Beyonce was the best actress I've ever seen, but she wasn't terrible and she got to kick a little booty...which I think Jesse enjoyed. hahaha.



Tomorrow...church and then heading to my Mom and Dad's house as always :)

halloween party w/ 6th graders pooped me out

Well, my first week of teaching in the same place went very well! I really like the kids. The teachers are ok. The days just seem to fly by!





I had to plan a Halloween party on Friday afternoon with my homeroom. I don't really do Halloween, but.... it was really just a stuff-your-face party. Only one kid spilled his Mountain Dew so I thought it was a success. They had rootbeer, Dr. Pepper, Mountain Dew, candy, chocolate & white cupcakes, chips, dip, and 2 kinds of Doritos. I even let myself eat a cupcake and some chips and dip.





Last night I did Level 3 of my Jillian video,which I hadn't done in a while. After that (and a shower of course) Jesse and I watched Fools Gold. It was pretty good..unbelievable, but cute.




Today Jesse and I went to Walmart early. We double teamed it and got outta there in about 30 minutes! I wish he'd go with me all the time!



When we got home I tried a new recipe for lunch. It was pretty darn good.... I used tilapia to make fish tacos with a spicy chipotle lime sauce. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it was delicious! I used this recipe from allrecipes.com but I changed it a little. Jesse hates cilantro so I didn't use that..and I used lettuce instead of cabbage. Also I cooked the fish in a saute pan with the marinade. I've got a ton of the sauce left though, so.....you know what that means. I'll have to make it again soon! :)
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Grilled-Fish-Tacos-with-Chipotle-Lime-Dressing/Detail.aspx

Just a little bit ago, I went for a short jog around Hurricane...only about 4 miles today. I think I'm going to make a pumpkin dessert tonight, maybe do a little crafty-stuff and just relax.

I can't believe I haven't blogged for 2 days!!

I'm slacking! I haven't even been busy. oh well, I know you all aren't dying to hear from me or anything.

On Wednesday and Thursday I went to Cracker Barrel...and we were actually kinda busy. I'm not sure why but it might be because the weather cooled down a touch and because Wednesday was the first day that school was out. So anyway... I was glad we were busy because the time went by quickly.


On Wednesday night Jesse and I watched Juno. I loved it and laughed my butt off.

Nothing else of any interest has happened....

Today Brian visited us... He and Jesse went to play basketball and tennis while I ran on the treadmill. I ran 5.2 miles. I had got sick of running but now I'm getting into it again. I have been running at 7 mph or higher and I've been running further.

After Brian left Jesse and I went to the pool for a bit..and then we went to Cracker Barrel and had an early dinner.

I needed a "free day" A free day is what Jesse and I call it when we are dieting and for one day we can eat whatever we want. Typically I don't have any problem pigging out....but today I had to tell myself over and over that it was OK to eat what I wanted...just for one meal. I still had a really hard time letting go. We had a "gold card" from Cracker Barrel. (a "gold card" gets you 2 free drinks, 2 free meals, and 2 free desserts...so of course, to eat all that...you HAVE to pig out)

I ordered a bowl of chicken tortilla soup for a starter....a grilled chicken fiesta salad with extra salsa and no salsa-ranch (the buttermilk ranch at CB has 29 grams of fat in 2 tbsp!!)....a slice of strawberry icebox pie....and I washed it all down with a real Coke!! Ironically..now I'm wishing I would have ordered a Diet! haha!

Before CB all I had to eat was a large peach and a bowl (.75 cup) of Strawberry Yogurt Burst Cheerios in (1/2 C.) 1% milk..... After CB I haven't had anything to eat.

In my best estimation, using www.my-calorie-counter.com, I ate between 1700 and 1900 calories today.... Not too bad really. I usually try to eat between 1200 and 1500 calories a day. Its just crazy that all but 256 of my calories came from one meal! That just goes to show you how unhealthy eating out really is!! Scary... cause all I had was soup and salad with no dressing! (well...and a dessert and a coke..hahaha) But... there are SO many people who eat like that all the time and think they are doing ok.

ok ok ok... I know I'm driving you all crazy with all this calorie talk...but it is what occupies my brain about 75% of the time. I have a sickness!! ha!

I love the smell of books...

I realized that love the smell of books today. Even the old and musty ones. Books make me happy and the smell of them brings back nice memories. Does anyone else feel that way?

I realized this a little while ago when I was laying in a warm bath reading The Guardian by Nicholas Sparks. I finished The Rescue this morning. Yes, I cried a little.

Today we woke up...I made french toast...we went to Target...and the Dollar Tree. Then we went back to that garden and green house (The Reynolda House Gardens) that we went to a few months ago with my parents and Flat Stanley. Holli wanted to take pictures of flowers. It was a really nice day for it. That place was crawling with Grandma's.

When we got home Jesse and I watched a movie called The Brave One. It has Jodi Foster and Terrence Howard in it. I really like him...and I think he's attractive. It was a good movie. Neither of us had even heard of the movie before.

After that I worked out, doing weights until my legs, abs, and arms were jello. After that is when I took a bath and read that book.

It was a pretty relaxing day....I hope tomorrow is the same.

just watched 27 Dresses...

and it was really cute. I liked it a lot.





Holli and Lester just left a few minutes ago. They brought Blackberry Cobbler and ice cream....yummmm!





Today I worked at Cracker Barrel. When I got there it was really strange because I saw my name on the floorplan, but when I tried to clock in, the computer system said that I wasn't scheduled. What the heck? haha... I think they suspected that I might call in again, or just never come back!! hahaha....... I was in the smoking section too. They must love me. (<---sarcasm)Then when next week's schedules came out, I was only scheduled 2 days!





oh well, I'll just get to sub more! YAY!! I love subbing! I get paid to sit and read books and magazines. :)



I ran on the treadmill today. I walked a half mile..and then I ran (at 6.0 mph) for 3.5 miles straight w/o stopping!! yay! I think that's my new record. I don't ever remember running that much before. I think it took me about 43 minutes to go 4 miles. That's an average of 5.58 mph.





OK, so I know that everyone may not be interested in my exercise routine and stuff...but I like to keep a record of it..and seriously, I consider my blog to be a diary of my life anywho. So really...its all for me. I just let you read it.

back 2 the barrel

It was back to Cracker Barrel today. I trained a lady named Suzanne. She is really sweet and is divorced with 4 kids, ranging in age from 7 to 14. It was really really slow. I only made 36 bucks from 9 to 2:30. This substitute thing is looking better and better!

I just gotta get through tomorrow and then Jesse and I will be on our way back to WV for the weekend! YAY!

After I got home from work today.. I didn't really feel up to running so I kept putting it off. Eventually I made myself get on the treadmill and walk a bit. I ended up walking 1.25 miles before I felt good enough to run. I went 4 miles all together and I was very pleased with that. Not bad for not feeling like running.

I love these new New Balance commercials. They really explain what it feels like to run....

After running...we had dinner...took a shower...watched Survivor. In the middle of Survivor we decided that we wanted something sweet so we went to McDonald's and got 2 ice cream cones..we were back in less than 20 minutes. Speaking of Survivor, I was so sad that Ozzy didn't play his immunity idol. I like Ozzy and I wanted him to win. Now I'm voting for Eric or Amanda to win.

After Survivor, we watched I Am Legend with Will Smith. Wow, I was impressed. I didn't think I was going to like it, but it was really good. It was so terribly heart wrenching that I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to keep watching...but I did and I'm glad. It does have a slightly strange abrupt ending, but its still good.

Now I've gotta finish packing up my stuff for the weekend.....

another good sub day

Today... I got to sleep in. It was wonderful :)





I only did a half day of subbing today...I didn't have to be there until 11:20 am. I went to Lewisville Elementary and it was wonderful. It was a REALLY good school and the kids were great! There was an aide in the room which made things even easier.





I got there... they worked on a math worksheet...we went to lunch...they worked on another math worksheet....they watched a 2 movies about African & North American animals (they went to the zoo yesterday) ...then they packed up their stuff...they had recess...and they left. I had to do bus duty which kinda stunk cause one of the buses was late...so I didn't get to leave until 3 and school was really over at 2:24. But I spent the time talking to a lady and she ended up asking for my "sub card".. like a business card with my sub ID# so they can request me. She said that her mom was best buds with the Art teacher there...so I was happy!





Then I got home... Jesse and I took Kitsy out for a little walk.

After that I got on the treadmill...and I went over 4.25 miles..but I did 3.5 miles without stopping! YAY! Tomorrow I'm going for 4 miles!! Not really, anytime I say that I always wimp out. I think its a mental thing. I do a lot better if I don't put any requirements on myself.





After running and shower, Jesse and I had dinner and then watched We Own the Night. It was good. It wasn't great, but good. I loved Joaquin Phoenix in Walk the Line, but I haven't really liked him in anything else, this movie included.





I just finished watching the American Idol results..and Kristy Lee Cook is gone. Shes not the best...and I'm not surprised shes gone, but I'm a little sad, because I liked her. I would have rather seen Syesha go.





I gotta go to Cracker Barrel tomorrow and I'm supposed to be training someone...fun, fun....

I get a long weekend!

I guess because I asked for last friday off the scheduling manager at Cracker Barrel just pretty much left my schedule the same for this week. So, I'm not scheduled for tomorrow at all. I ain't complainin'


Today was a pretty good day at Cracker Barrel. My trainee, Bronwyn, called in so I didn't have to train her. I'm actually kinda glad that she wasn't there because it was really busy and I had 5 tables.

Maybe I'll train her next week...if she comes back. We'll see.

Jesse and I just watched "The Kite Runner" and I absolutely LOVED it. It has such a good message and a good heart. I thought it was a great story and I'm glad they didn't leave any part of it out. With that being said, it is over 2 hours long. Of course...Jesse was kinda bored and I heard him snore once. I thought it was great though and theres no way I could have fallen asleep! If you are reading this and thinking about watching it, here is a warning. The first hour is almost entirely in an Afghan dialect of Persian called Dari, so there are lots of subtitles.

Here is what Roger Ebert had to say about the film...

"How long has it been since you saw a movie that succeeds as pure
story? That doesn't depend on stars, effects or genres, but simply fascinates
you with how it will turn out? Marc Forster's "The Kite Runner," based on a much-loved novel, is a movie like that. It superimposes human faces and a historical context on the tragic images of war from Afghanistan.

The story begins with boys flying kites. It is the city of
Kabul in 1978, before the Russians, the Taliban, the Americans and the anarchy.
Amir (Zekiria Ebrahimi) joins with countless other boys in filling the sky with
kites; sometimes they dance on the rooftops while dueling, trying to cut other
kite strings with their own. Amir's friend is Hassan (Ahmad Khan Mahmoodzada),
the son of the family's longtime servant Ali, who has been with them for years
and has become like family himself. Hassan is the best kite runner in the
neighborhood, correctly predicting when a kite will return to earth and waiting
there to retrieve it.

The boys live in a healthy, vibrant city, not yet touched by war. Amir's father, Baba (Homayoun Ershadi), is an intellectual and secularist who has no use for the mullahs. Baba, whose kindly eyes are benevolent, loves both boys.

There is a neighborhood bully named Assef, jealous of Amir's kite, his skills and his kite runner. On a day that will shape the course of many lives, he and his gang track down Hassan, attack him and rape him. Amir arrives to see the assault taking place, and to his shame, sneaks away."--You can read more on Roger Ebert's website, but don't read any more if you want to watch the movie!!

That was just the beginning of the story.... the boy actors are incredible! As a matter of fact, I just found out that the boys in the movies were actual Afghans and had to be put into hiding after the movie came out. Here is a link to an article about it. I must have really liked the movie.. It really touched me... because I can't stop thinking about it.

_______________________________________

I ran on the treadmill again today. 4 miles in about 45 minutes again! :) Now my lower back is really sore. I'm not sure why...but maybe just from the impact of running so much in the past 2 days. It feels like a really deep bruise. My knee hurts a bit too.. I think I'm getting old and falling apart.

I have a lot that I want to accomplish this weekend. I probably won't get it all done, but thats ok.

my to do list


[ ] watch "The Last Sin-Eater" (a movie made about a Christian book I once read by Francine Rivers)

[ ] find my paint & craft stuff that I have packed away in my closet.


[ ] go to Wal-mart (yay! we'll actually have food to eat!)


[ ] go to Michael's---I want a peg board thingie that you hang stuff on


[ ] go to Kohl's --- I have another 10 dollar coupon and its burning a hole in my pocket! haha!


[ ] go to the library to return some books

[ ] start thinking about gathering together materials for being a substitute teacher!!

:::fart noise::: thats what I think about Mondays

ick... monday.


Cracker Barrel was boring today. Nothing happened worth mentioning at all.


On a happier note, I haven't bitten my fingernails for quite some time now! Jesse said if I went 3 whole months sans nibbling then he would give me $300. Yes, I know...technically it would be $300 of my own money, but it just feels different...like because I have that $300 I have to spend it on myself..frivolously! and that's exciting! I hardly ever spend money on myself. Truthfully, I would probably have a hard time spending it.


Speaking of which... I really need to get my hair highlighted and cut...but I keep putting it off. I'm going to TRY to call someone tomorrow to make an appointment.



Tonight Jesse and I went to Chick-fil-a for dinner...well actually we went through their drive thru and brought it back home. They had sent us a coupon in the mail for two free combo meals. It was delicious. I don't know what they do to their fried chicken to make it taste so good but....its the best! :) I just needed some more pickles...but I'm a huge pickle fan.

I finished my new Nicholas Sparks book this weekend. The Choice, It was pretty good. I'm getting ready to start reading another one that I borrowed from Holli. I think its called The Rescue.

Tonight I watched Atonement. I thought it was really good, but Jesse fell asleep and was snoring through most of the movie. I just let him sleep. We just got The Kite Runner in the mail from Netflix and we'll probably watch it tomorrow.

oh... I almost forgot! I FINALLY am registered to log on the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County school systems substitute teaching job finder! YAY! This means I have to figure out what I'm going to do about Cracker Barrel. I'm thinking that I'll stay at CB a couple days a week...and then try to find Sub jobs on the other days.

watched a good movie today...

Today has been a good day! :) Welll, Cracker Barrel sucked...but other than that. haha...

I got out of CB early today and I was glad to be out of the smoking section. It was super slow today until around 12 when I got about 6 tables all at once.

When I got home from work Jesse and I went to a little park-like place near our apartments. I guess its considered a park but really its just a walking/biking trail. We walked and ran quite a bit and we even ran around a really nice neighborhood too.

After that we came home and had a quick bite of leftovers. Then we watched "Waitress," which I thought was really good. It was very funny and cute. Its chick-power kind of movie, but Jesse liked it too. Keri Russell was REALLY good and Andy Griffith was funny, too! :) It is highly recommended by me!

Tonight I had to pack up my stuff for the weekend in WV. We are leaving tomorrow afternoon after I get home from work.

I took a RealAge test on a website tonight. It said that my Real Age is around 21 (my actual age is 26). Jesse did it and he was 26 ( his actual age is almost 29) Here is the link if you want to take the test yourself. Real Age Test There is a longer version that I am assuming would be more accurate and I think there is a link on that page.

After the movie we cooked some really yummy baked chicken and roasted red potatoes. Now I gotta go get everything ready so we can leave tomorrow. I gotta leave my Kitsy and I'm upset about it. I always miss her when we leave :'o( and I worry about her too :o\

new guestbook thingie....

Today I found a cool guestbook thing that I added to my blog. Its at the bottom of the page...just scroll down. If you are a reader of my blog...OR if you are just reading it today PLEASE take a second and put your name & a pic on there!! I wanna know if you are visiting!! THANKS!


ok, back to my life..........

Today was another day of Cracker Barrel. It was really busy today, of course, because its Good Friday, and people don't have to work....that is, except servers.

It was a good day though. It went by pretty fast and I made good money.

Tonight I am extremely tired... Jesse & I made some dinner (Mediterranean Baked Chicken) and in a few minutes we will probably be watching one of our two movies from Netflix. (If I can get Jesse away from the March Madness!) One is the Number 23 and the other is Rendition.

Gotta go put the dishes in the dishwasher... boooo!

goin' 4 a 3-pete!

Today was another good day.



First I woke up at 6 am and put my corned beef brisket in the crock pot. By 6:05 I was back in the bed. I had to be at work at 10.





I had a really busy day at Cracker Barrel. I had the whole smoking section to myself and I was training that lady, Janice, again. I'm glad she was there to help me because at one time I had 10 tables back there.





After work Jesse and I went to the library and I picked up some books. When we got home I finished up dinner.... boiled potatoes, carrots, onions, and cabbage...put a glaze on the corned beef, and baked a loaf of irish soda bread. The bread was really good. I used a recipe from www.allrecipes.com for it.





After dinner Jesse and I watched Dan In Real Life. Its a really sweet movie..I really liked it!



Then we went upstairs to Holli & Lester's to watch American Idol. I'm hoping that Ramielle goes home this time! But she always seems to do ok....so it will probably be Christy Lee Cook that goes home...but whatever :(



I wasn't thrilled with any of the performances tonight. David Cook was ok...and David Archuletta was pretty good.



Now......I'm beat! Time for bed!