Weekend Update

A weekend update actually on a Monday?  I'm just as shocked as you are, really.  I've been slacking on the blog front, but it's one of my May goals to start posting more regularly.  You all trust me on that, right?

Anyway, this weekend was pretty busy.  Busy in mostly a good way, fortunately.  Can I first give a shout-out to my Indiana Pacers for advancing to the next round of the Playoffs?  Holla!

This weekend, my cat was in rare form.  He was super clingy (which happens often to Joel, but not me) and was laying in all sorts of contorted positions.  Case in point?  How in the world can he be comfortable?!  I can't even make out what body part is where here!!

We had our first showing of our house, and our first rejection.  Nothing we could change (they said the bedrooms were too small), but still a let down.  The weekend was gorgeous, though, so we took advantage of the free time and took the dogs to our local dog park.  Can you tell someone was excited??  I mean, look at that tongue!

Sunday was Joel and I's fourth wedding anniversary.  Normally I'd get pretty sappy, and I was pretty nostalgic yesterday, but it was pretty low-key, so it didn't really seem like a big deal.  I am so in love with Joel, and he was so sweet, but I don't think we'll go all out unless it's a big anniversary.  And, surprisingly, I'm kind of ok with that.

We always do the traditional/modern gifts for each year, and this year was no exception.  Sometimes we're pretty creative, but I think with how busy we've been, we both went easy.  Joel got fruit, I got flowers, and Joel also got a waffle maker (appliance) that he's been talking about.

Yes, those are cinnamon rolls in the waffle maker.  And, yes...they are as delicious as they look/sounds.  And, if you hadn't realized yet, Joel and I got married on the nerdiest day of the year.  Make the connection yet?  Joel swears he didn't know, but I'm calling shenanigans on that one.

For dinner, we had a Groupon for a steakhouse called The Tenderloin Room, which is a beautiful little place in the Chase Park Plaza hotel.  The hotel itself is pretty swanky, and is in the Central West End, my favorite part of town.  The also have a cute little movie theater in the hotel, so we caught the move The Other Woman.  It was good.  Predictable, but very funny.

It was such a beautiful day, we decided to stop and have a drink on the sidewalk before dinner.  We stopped at the Drunken Fish, where I had a martini and Joel had the house Saki.  It was lovely, and I really wish that we had picked to eat outside somewhere, too.  The weather was just perfect.

Once at the Steakhouse, we ordered wine and an entree, which came with the Groupon.  We also got a salad, which we thought came with the entree, and were unpleasantly surprised to find out that they didn't.  No Caesar Salad is worth $11, I'm sorry.  I ordered the Riesling, which was pretty unexpectedly citrus-y.  I am not a fan om lemon-y wines, and was pretty disappointed.  I ordered the filet, which was cooked to perfection on the inside, but had an almost burnt taste on the outside.  Joel liked his steak that way, but I didn't.  I ordered it medium for a reason.  I was glad we tried the place on a Groupon, because I would definitely not be back.

We were in too good of a mood to let our sub-par dining experience get us down, and were acting like newlyweds on the drive home.  We ended the night with some Boston Cream Pie we got at our local grocery store, and an episode of Game of Thrones.  Low key and fabulous.

4 Weeks Fit Challenge: The Goals

Two posts in one day.  Say whaaaaaaaaaa?  Oh yes, folks.  It's that important.  Erin and Kristin (I totally spelled that with an "e" the first time) are holding a challenge that I intend to be a part of.  It's no secret that I've been straight up failing at the weight loss and exercise game lately.  I'm hoping this is just what I need to get back on track.

So, goal check?  I never thought you'd ask...

1.  Workout at least three times a week.  With my in-laws visiting, graduation, and a weekend getaway coming up soon, that makes this challenge extra tough.  But, it needs to be done, and I am determined to try my best.

2.  No after dinner snacking at home.  Another hard one for me.  I successfully gave up dessert for Lent (holla!), but I still did the occasional snack.  So, this is one upping that.  No popcorn, chips, cheese...nada.  Doubly hard with all that is mentioned above.

Can I do this?  I sure hope so.  It's so nice to have all of these fabulous virtual ladies in this with me.  What do you say?  Do you have faith in me?  Want to join along???

Taking Stock

So, I saw Michelle from Mish Lovin Life post a taking stock survey that she found over on Pip's blog and it looked fun, so I decided to play along.

Making: Plans for when my in-laws come to visit in one week!  While most would run and hide, I really enjoy mine, so I a, looking forward to the company.
Cooking: Turkey burgers on the grill and corn on the cub.  Oh, and I also made a kick butt cobbler yesterday.
Drinking: This fabulous new Strawberry Hard Cider I discovered from Crown Valley Brewery. 
Reading: Insurgent, the second book of the Divergent Series.  Even though the movie was sub par, I loved the book.
Wanting: PCS (military moving) orders somewhere different.  I'm looking at you, Denver, England, or Germany.
Looking: like a hot mess due to the lack of sleep from my cough and Gomez waking up in the middle of the night now and barking.  What's up with that??
Playing: Bingo on my phone.  Dobbing those numbers is addicting!
Wasting: my life away right now.  See below.
Wishing: for a purpose.  Or the sign to my purpose.  Screw that, no sign.  Someone just tell me what my purpose is!!
Enjoying: the spring weather we have been having.  Finally!
Waiting: for our house to sell.  It officially went on the market today.
Liking: how cuddly the pups have been lately.  Pug cuddles are the best!
Wondering: if/when I am going to get the all clear for our move to Korea.
Loving: that my four year anniversary is this weekend.  Things have been clicking pretty well with Joel lately, and I am more in love than ever.
Hoping: that we will magically receive orders somewhere else (are you sensing the tren here?!).
Marveling: at how the only thing constant is change.
Needing: to find a job in Korea so I don't go crazy.
Smelling: my new strawberry picnic candle from B&BW.
Wearing: my boring work clothes.  Whomp, whomp...
Following: more people on twitter and instagram to combat my late night boredom.  Wanna follow me? Twitter or Instagram - Let me know and I'll follow back!
Noticing: that there are finally flowers growing in our little garden that we planted last fall.
Knowing: that in about a month my stress level will hit the roof.  Thanks, Air Force.  I am not amused.
Thinking: that I should be more grateful for the blessing in my life versus complaining about the bad.  There's a lot of good going on, too.  Venting is just a stress release for me.
Feeling: overwhelmed.  The next house we buy better be our last... 
Bookmarking: travel spots that will be easily accessible to us in Korea.  Embrace the suck, right?
Opening: another box of K-Cups.  Coffee is the secret to life.
Giggling: at cute animal videos on Vine.
Feeling: happy that I am back to blogging more regularly.

Easy Pear Cobbler

So, food blogger I am definitely not, but I do occasionally try to turn on my domestic skills at home.  I have been under so much stress lately, and I just wanted some comfort food to ease the pain.

I ate at this Southern Style cafeteria in STL, and they had the most phenomenal pear cobbler that I
have ever had.  Well, it was the only pear cobbler, but I love pears, and it was amazing.  So, I decided to give it a try.  I consulted Southern Food and found a recipe by Diana Rattray.

The ingredients are:

- 2 to 2 1/2 cups sliced fresh pears (I used four)

- 2 cups sugar, divided (fancy way of saying in separate cups)
- 4 ounces butter (or one stick)
- 3/4 cup flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1 egg

Just remember, I told you I'm no food blogger, so the pictures are going to be fairly sub par.  The directions:

- Mix pears with 1 cup sugar and let stand.
- Put butter in 2-quart casserole and place in 325° oven until melted. (I just microwaved in dish, and it was fine)
- Combine all dry ingredients, including the remaining 1 cup of sugar. Mix well.
- Whisk together the milk and egg; slowly combine with dry ingredients to make a batter. Pour over melted butter. Do not stir.
- Spoon pears over the batter. Do not stir. Bake at 325° for 50 to 60 minutes, or until nicely browned and pears are tender.

The verdict?  It wasn't exactly cobbler per se, but it was tasty.  it came out softer, almost like pear cake, and I admit I'd prefer the crunchy cobbler taste.  I would also recommend using less sugar on the pears.  They were super sweet!  But, overall I will count this as a baking success.  Joel even liked it so much he didn't want to share it with the guys at work, like we normally do.

Weekend Update

I feel like this is becoming quite the Tuesday tradition.  I do have a valid excuse this week, though.  I swear!  Joel and I took the day off yesterday to finish up the house to get ready to put it on the market today.  The realtor will be by after work for us to take pictures and to get everything ready for the listing.  To say I am nervous is an understatement.  The market hasn't really rebounded in this area, and we haven't owned the house long to get much equity into it.  Fingers crossed for a quick sale!

Last week, I forgot to mention that Joel and I say Il Divo in concert.  Don't know who they are?  Well, if you are a lover of musical theater, Google them.  I don't have enough great things to say.  We had total nosebleed seats, but the music was beautiful.  We also stopped by Hard Rock on the way there, and I discover that they had margarita flights.  The food was sub par, but the drinks?  Worth the trip back.

I also had the chance to finally get a picture with an STL Birthday Cake.  There are 250 all around the city, and while I have seen plenty, this is the first one I've snagged a picture with.  How fun!

I also made a fabulous discovery.  Folks, I have found a new favorite beer.  For those outside of the Midwest, you may just have to take my word for it.  I don't know if you could find it far from this area, as it's made at a local Missouri place.  It's called Crown Valley Brewery (they also have a winery), and it's their seasonal ale.  Run, don't walk, to get yourself some.

Other than that, it was a lot of cleaning and reorganizing.  And I finally got a chance to put down our new rug in the dining room!  Ignore the mess behind the table (that's all clean now), but I couldn't be happier with the rug.  We bought it from Rugs USA online, and I was nervous buying it sight unseen.  I'm a pretty picky person, but I am just so in love with it.  I think it really adds a pop of color to the room.  Don't you think?

Thoughts on a Thursday

 

- Why is it so hard to make friends when you get older, and so devastating when you lose them?  A friend I would have considered a sister five years ago now barely (if it all) remembers I'm alive.  I know distance makes things harder, but a note on Facebook, e-mail, or whatever to just show consideration isn't too much to ask, I don't think.  Could I have tried harder?  Maybe, but at least I tried.  I can't force a friendship.

- Speaking of things that are hard...I also hate job hunting.  There aren't any jobs at the base we are moving to in Korea, but there are some at the army base an hour-ish away.  Since I worked for the Army, I would love to go back to that.  But, I'm not loving the commuting idea, especially in Korea.  It's worth a try though, so I went on an application spree yesterday.  Now it's just playing the waiting game...

- What is wrong with our society that deadlines mean nothing any more?  I coordinated a working lunch for my boss yesterday with some visitors from our HQ, and I asked for the orders by noon yesterday.  I got them at 3pm, and finally got the order on for today.  And then, I got two people this morning asking if it was "too late."  I wish I could say yes, deadlines exist for a reason, but I'm too nice, so I'll make special arrangements because you couldn't follow simple directions.  You're welcome...

- I'm not sure why people get so offended over my choices when they only affect me.  Example, when people find out I don't have kids, they seem horrified and tell me I'm not getting any younger.  Obviously, right?  When I tell them I'd rather Joel get out of the Air Force, even though I support his service, they act like I am crazy for not wanting all the "benefits" of military life.  While the retirement is enticing, there are things I would prefer in a non-military life (my own career, stabilization, choice of where I want to live, etc.).  I just don't understand why other people can't accept that there can be differences of opinions?

- As I get older, I feel more anxious about, I don't know...everything.  I always have a million things racing through my mind, and many nights I lie awake unable to turn my brain off.  I've heard that you tend to not sweat the small stuff when you get older, but I feel like the opposite is true for me.

Weekend Update

Howdy, folks!  I hope everyone had a great weekend.  The weather was fabulous here in the STL, and our Easter celebrations for two were just to really remember the reason for the Easter season, yet enjoy some quality family time together.

Friday was pretty uneventful, and no pictures were really taken.  We went to Good Friday service at our Church, which was really nice.  It was hilarious, though, because I admit that I have never actually kissed the cross on Good Friday.  New experience for me!  It was definitely, different.  But, when in Rome, right?

Saturday was spent de-cluttering the house to get it ready to put on the market.  Taking down our sports stuff (I was told that a potential buyer has been known to not but a house because the owner was a fan of a team they hated), our personal pictures, and some extra furniture.  It was sad, and doesn't feel as "home-y" anymore.  But, if it sells the house, it's a small sacrifice.

The dogs really enjoyed the afternoon, though.  It was warm enough that they were able to hang outside quite a bit without overheating, and so they sunned themselves most of the day.

We then headed out to Easter Vigil service, which in all honesty was hilarious.  We went on base because they had an earlier service, and the Priest said that since people don't come to church for it to last forever (Vigil is usually a good 2 1/2 to 3 hour service), so his goal was to get it under an hour.  Umm...what?  He was close, coming in right at 75 minutes.  I won't go into detail, but quickening the service made some parts quite comical.  It was a great service overall, though.  Even with the quirks.

Sunday was Easter morning, followed by Brunch.  The Melting Pot was offering a great Easter special, so since we gave up desserts for Lent, it seemed like to perfect way to conclude the season.  And, as always, it did not disappoint.  Yum, yum!

Five on Friday

1.  Happy Friday everyone!  And a Happy Good Friday to you, as well.  I am already hungry because of the fast today, but if Jesus can die for my sins then, well...I suppose going hungry today is the least I can do.  This area is pretty traditional, so we have service at 3pm today, and then we will attend vigil tomorrow.  What a solemn time of remembrance, but what an amazing celebration at the conclusion.

2.  I know that I never re-capped my birthday festivities, but they were pretty awesome.  We saw Once at the Fabulous Fox Theater in STL.  I have a love affair with this theater anyways, but I am continually excited to see a show there.  There was no orchestra, so we actually splurged for my big day and bought seats that were where the orchestra normally is.  We were fourth row!  They had a working bar on stage, and at intermission we got up and got a drink.  How fun is that?

3.  Also, this is how cool my boss is.  When I came into work, this was the state of my office.

4.  Spring has finally sprung in the Midwest!  Which I guess is appropriate, since we have to de-clutter our house to sell and do some spring cleaning.  The temperatures have been pleasant, and this weekend looks to be fantastic for it!  And look how pretty my tree is!!

5.  As mentioned above, we are putting our house on the market.  I don't know how I ever convinced to by a house while still in the military life.  I love our little house and have loved living there, but the market has been stagnant, and we could stand to lose more than I am comfortable with if the buyers are too stingy.  I just pray that it all works out, but I never realized how expensive and stressful it could be!  Buying a home was a breeze compared to selling.  Oy...

Thirty

 

I don't know about you, but I'm feeling thirty...  Wait, that's not right.  But, I am indeed thirty now.  A new decade.  When I thought about where I'd be at thirty, I pictured a much different life.  I pictured a fast-paced career, married with one or two children, and living in a big city.  Well, one of those is correct.  I am married.  But, due to my husband's military service, none of the rest have come to fruition.

No fast paced career, because it's suffered due to the constant moves and not getting to choose where I'm living.  And that big city?  Once again, I don't get to choose where I get to live.  I always pictured working in politics in D.C. (thanks for nothing, political science degree) or working in the legal field in Chicago (but, alas Law School wasn't practical).  So, I'm settling for a civil servant in a small military base (although, admittedly I like what I do fine, but it's not challenging or making a difference).  I can't even use my teaching degree (that I thought would be more practical) because we are moving so soon and to a place where there is little opportunity (my license is in special education).  Kids became much less of a priority because Joel is gone so much, and I really don't want to do it alone.  And what if he was gone during the pregnancy/birth?  No, thank you.

But, this is the life I live and the life that I chose.  What didn't I picture at thirty?  I had absolutely no idea that I would have visited 28 countries and five continents.  I had no idea that I would be moving to actually live in my third continent.  I had no idea that I would fall in love with being abroad so much.  I had no idea that I was to become conversational in three languages, and hopefully fluent in those someday (and about to learn my fourth).  I also had no idea how great marriage could be.  I didn't exactly have the greatest example set for me, and even though life can get difficult and stressful, I know I can always lean on my best friend, my husband.  He is my biggest supporter, and would do anything that I asked of him, even though I rarely ever ask for his sacrifice.  Just knowing he would give up his whole world because of me makes me feel loved enough that I would never ask him to.

I didn't intend on this post getting so serious.  It's just kind of crazy for me to look back at how I envisioned my life to see it so different now.  Sometimes I am so hard on myself for not accomplishing the things that I thought I would, but then I see this whole different person that I never imagined.  Is one better than the other?  I don't know, I've only had the chance to lead one life.  I figure that God has a plan for me (for all of us), and I'm just trying to do the bets with the choices I've made.  I have a big year coming up.  We are selling my house and my car, I have to leave my job with no serious prospects for another, and we are moving to Korea.  KOREA!!  I don't even know what things are going to look like six months from now, but I know it will be an adventure.  Cheers to the thirties!!

Five on Friday

1.  Oh my goodness you guys...this is my last weekend in my 20s.  Eek!  I turn 30 next week.  Another decade.  I am getting so OLD!  I am totally taking my birthday off of work to mourn...

2.  I love where I work, I really do.  The work isn't too demanding, I have great hours, and a fabulous boss.  But, I work with nearly all men, and geeky computer engineers at that.  Most of them don't have basic manners, and they have been grinding on me lately.  Like for example: today, I microwaved my food in the microwave right next to my office.  The diner went off, I got up to get it, and someone was taking my food out of the microwave to put his in.  It hadn't even been three seconds.  Don't touch my food, nasty man!!

3.  I have such a fun filled weekend, but I still have this horrible cough.  I have a concert, two dinners, and a musical to attend.  I need to feel better ASAP!

4.  I just want to say I think it's ridiculous how much graduation regalia costs.  My cap, gown, and 25 announcements, with shipping, cost over $150.  That's insane!!!  Luckily I'm not piled up with debt after graduating.  I see now why so many people skip it, but I want to be "hooded" (I was so jealous of the graduate students when I got my Bachelor's), so it's a necessary expense...

5.  We are meeting with a realtor this afternoon to see about listing our house.  This makes me super sad.  I love our little home, and hate to let it go.