HAPPY BIRTHDAY< JIMMY!!!

This is us when JImmy was just 16 and I was 14!

Can you believe that was 20 years ago?????

New Goal- I need y'all to push me!

So- Jimmy got me the Nike+ipod doohickie for my shoes and ipod- I LOVE IT! You put the pedometer thing in your shoe, the sensor in your ipod, and start moving! You all know that I have to make life into a game and adding a GADGET to the game just about sucks me in forever. I have just finished my second logged run of a 3K in 14 minutes at a 6.42 pace (whatever that means!) I need you guys to push me though! I want to go 40 miles in 4 weeks which is just 10 miles a week which is 3 runs of just under 4 runs a week! Make me do it!
love you guys!!

JImmy's happy Yard/Project Day

Just a few pics of the new deck layout. We closed in the small entry and made a central large opening that flows into the yard. Now the table has a "room" feel and more space. Jimmy actually built steps! I'm very impressed!

Drive Through Church- FUNNY but very good point!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbUHE7jyeuw

Our big night out- CATS

WOW! I have to say that my kids NEVER cease to amaze me! Last night was our big night- the kids were introduced to non-animated, non-Pixar or Disney and non-PAUSABLE theater! I cannot get over how cool it was to see them enjoying the show. For 3 hours they sat up, leaned forward, laughed, cried and clapped to a really awesome show. That's right- Abby actually cried when Grizabella was finally befriended by the cats. On the way home she said, "Mom, you know when you're happy but crying and your eyes are all wet but you're smiling and it feels kinds weird? That's how I was." It was an awesome night.



We also ate at The Melting Pot! WOW! That was pretty cool, too. It's in Old Town Knoxville which is a pretty neat place that we haven't explored much. Cobbled streets, old fashioned General stores, art galleries and the like- my Mom would LOVE it!!

Random- Funniest show I have seen in a LONG time- Three Sheets! It's on MOJO.

Why I love it- ok it is always funny to watch someone get drunk. Call me immature, stupid or bad- but you KNOW that I am right. This guy is HYSTERICAL, will drink anything at all but also teaches quite a lot. For example- I now know the difference between bourbon and whiskey. Apparently all Bourbon is whiskey but not all whiskey is Bourbon. The best bourbon comes from Kentucky and the only whiskey that is also bourbon is Tennessee whiskey! By the way--- did you know that Jack Daniels which is made in Tennessee is made in a DRY town??? That is interesting to me!


Also random- John Adams on HBO is also quite good- how's that for a difference in taste! Jimmy and I are completely into this thing. It is FUNNY and so accurate and very, very educational! Plus- the book it is based on would take you a YEAR to read (good point, Lisa!) Also very cool- John Adam's wife's name was ABIGAIL and she was VERY smart and a very important person in his life. Of course- I also like the Thomas Jefferson- so far- has not been THE man that UVa a**holes like to make him out to be! Jimmy said that if he had learned history through a movie like this one he would have had a better appreciation of it. Check it out! It's on HBO.

HERE'S CHARLEY

This is my parents new baby- and by baby I mean it is SOOOO funny to watch my mom and dad run after a puppy and talk to each other in "parent" talk. You know- discussing the "child's" most recent meal, poop or pee. Also fun is to see them RUN after him when he has something he shouldn't! Aside from that- the dog is CUTE and ADORABLE which is always good for a puppy to be because there is all that teaching to do!! Charley is a Westie rescue and will be a very good fit for our family. He and Hokie made friends and he ended up hurtling her! He is small enough to walk under her with about a foot to spare!

What I'm cooking today

My parents are on their way down to visit me today! I am So excited to see them and their NEW PUPPY! So- since my family is ALL about food I am making a special dinner. Last weekend Jimmy and I went to a Sunday school social and right beside the bar was this wonderful soup. When I asked for the recipe I did not get any amounts but here is what I put in:

Spicy Gumbo-like soup that is really yummy and will clear your sinuses

a few chicken breasts cut into cubes
hot sausage- about a pound
about a pound of smallish shrimp
a large can of diced tomatoes plus a regular can of diced tomatoes
about 2 cups of rice
chicken broth
Cayenne pepper- allot
cilantro

OK- cut the chicken up and cook it in a large soup pot with the sausage til meat is cooked
add the chicken broth- you will need a good bit- I used 6 small cans and then added some water and then added a bit more stock- the rice sucks up a bit
add tomatoes
bring to a boil
add the rice- bring back to boil and then cover and simmer for the rice to do its thing
(add the cayenne pepper at stages along the way- keep tasting as you go to get the level you like)
add the shrimp- I used peeled and pre-cooked small shrimp so I added them later so they wouldn't get mushy- go with your gut
after about a half hour add the cilantro (earlier if its dried- later if it's fresh)
it's done when your ready- I think! :-)

For my first blog I give you:

Things that I "really, really don't like today;" (I'm not allowed to say hate since my kids can't say it!):

1- strep throat- Alex has it AGAIN
2- allergies- apparently, I have them now as well as Abby and Jimmy
3- cold, early Easters
4- egg hunts on rainy days
5- waiting around the house for people to come fix things

OK- adult perspective-

Things that I love today:

1- The sound of birds chirping
2- watching trees bud
3- pretty Easter dresses (and sweaters)
4- having a day with just Alex
5- smelling spring- though it is getting cold again tonight!

First entry

I am just writing this to see what it will look like!