I need a nice rack!

A spice rack, that is. Mike and I were talking about chicken over the phone while I was at work this weekend and he was telling me some marinades that he saw at Wal-Mart. He mentioned lemon pepper and I told him we had the seasoning. Then it got me to thinking how over the summer we love grilling chicken and steaks (although we can’t afford it lately). Both of us love trying new marinades, sauces and seasonings.

I LOVE to cook. In case you didn’t know. He loves to grill.

I could really use a nice little organized spice rack to put all of my lovely spices in oh so neatly on my kitchen counter. It would make room for more cans in my cabinet and it would be neat. I could have even more of a selection as well, to look at while I’m not grilling the expensive steaks and chicken we won’t be cooking up anytime soon.

Nothing would make me happier right now, just to have it. My birthday is coming up on September 2nd if anyone is feeling generous!!

I’d love a Williams-Sonoma one:

I’d even settle for a Wal-Mart one:

or:

It’s always something.

Why me? Why us?

So if you read my blog regularly then you’ll know all of the problems we’ve endured – and still are enduring – with our house and other high cost repairs.

And you may remember the problem I mentioned about the rats migrating from the neighbors abandoned home. Well….they’re back. I’m guessing they never left. Maybe they moved back over to the house since no one likes living there but the rats.

Mike was going to grill us some hamburgers tonight. His mother gave us their nice ass, big ass grill since they’re selling their home. well, we’ve cooked on it once or twice.

Mike was getting it heated up and smelled something funny. After further inspection, he discovered rat shit down in the bottom of the grill. They ate all of the leftover sauce that was on the actual grill itself.

FUCKING A!! Can’t we get a damn break?!

So now our grill is unusable. And Aidan’s rug. And we have a fucking cat in the house; that’s supposed to keep critters like that away, but apparently Shadow does no good.

I’m ready to move.

yum yum

I made my first pot of chili, ever, tonight. Hunts has a garlic flavored tomato sauce and of course, being the garlic freak that I am, bought that. It was muy delicious!! Next time I know to add a little more sauce….and less beans. lol

Yesterday I received my light reflector (for photo shoots) and can not wait to use it!!! Monday I have a shoot with Sorayah for one of her last sessions as a preggo woman. We are doing an alternative style shoot this time. Guess you’ll have to stick around if you want to know what it’s going to be!!!!

I was contacted today by another new momma who is interested in some baby portraits. I love photographing babies!! I hope that she decides to hire me. Extra money is nice.

I put together all of my Halloween goody bags for all of the neighborhood kids who decide to trick-or-treat this year. I love giving out toys instead of candy. They are age appropriate of course. I may have a little bit of cand as well.

I think we’re just going to get Aidan dressed up for the families who come to our door instead of going out AND handing out treats.

I’m going to go get in my new, soft PJ pants and go to bed!! Hasta luego!!

Cooking like a madwoman

This past week I had the incredible urge to find an awesome new recipe and make it! I went to B.A.M. and browsed through the discount book section….the cookbooks, especially. I found 3 great books. One was a 3 recipe book, one was recipes in 30 minutes and the other was cooking with chicken. The chicken one I was most interested in, however, I didn’t buy it.

I had already spent money that we consider “extra” and didn’t want to get too crazy. I will get it though! Maybe it will be even cheaper then.

Right now I just finished making brownies for a dessert my friend Jennifer at work told me about. It’s soo good! I’ll tell you the recipe:

• Make some brownies (cake-like)
• Make some chocolate pudding (2 small boxes)
• Grab about 6 Heath bars (normal size)
• Get a tub of cool whip

Bake the brownies according to the instructions on the box. Then break them up into pieces and put in the bottom of a large dish. Pour the pudding on top of this and then sprinkle the broken Heath bar over this. Then cover with Cool Whip, cool in fridge and serve!!

It’s my anniversary…

No, not my marriage…my work anniversary!!

I wanted to make it to at least 5 years and I made it! Actually the 14th was my date, but I was dead tired yesterday and did not feel like blogging. Of course, I’m tired as hell tonight after going back to Knoxville again. What a drive! It’s not that bad, just sucks to do it back and forth three times in 3 days.

I went up today to attend training at work from 1-3pm. First I met up with my mother and we had lunch. I left Aidan and my car with her and drove her car to work. Vrrrooom! Little speedster!

She came over to work to show off Aidan with me to all of my co-workers. They haven’t seen him since he was 2 months old and they were all excited to see him! And he was excited to see them. I think he recognized Messer – she used to talk to my belly. He didn’t mind when Tice, Messer, Branson and Drum held him! He’s so sweet!

After all that showing off and flirting, we left and headed to the mall to wait for my sister. We stopped in Williams-Sonoma and browsed. WS is my FAVORITE kitchen/cooking store. They have such nice stuff, but it’s SO expensive!! They had a vintage style stove that was $8000!!!!!! I also found their Halloween and pumpkin themed stuff. They had an oven mitt that was black with a skeleton hand on it. Now I regret not getting it! Maybe I’ll wait until after Halloween and get it at discount price. They have a matching apron. If they have the spatulas, I may get those too – probably the ghost one! Or maybe the bat:

If you want to see the others, go to Williams-Sonoma. Don’t these just look so wickedly delicious!

After we went to WS, we checked out panties at Victoria’s Secret. They had renovated and relocated their shop in West Town Mall and it now has more of their clothing line in it. I found some cute stuff, but refuse to pay $5 per panty. Whatev.

Hot Topic had some cute Nightmare Before Christmas stuff, but that store has just gotten so lame.

OHOHOH!!!! At first we stopped in Journey’s and found some knee high Converse!! Holy shit!!! I want those so bad!! They’re $70!!!! I also found Aidan some Cons, but they’re low-tops. He’s gotta match mommy and have high-tops.

I had a really good day. Now I’m tired…..Aidan is asleep and my hubby’s home. Hasta luego!