Trying a New Thing or Two

I've been trying some new things lately and am thinking about trying even more new things in the future.  I thought I would share some of that here.

The new things I've tried so far are mostly cooking related. In my efforts to occupy my time/ help keep my husband sane during his hard work schedule/ enjoy my temporary housewifery (housewifeness? housewifemanship? Whatever.) I have been trying out a lot of new recipes. I'll share a few of those with you today and might continue to do so later if you like/ if I feel like it. :P

A couple of my recent dinners have come from the blog of Mama Laughlin because I'm kind of obsessed with her. She lost weight the healthy way and is straight out hilarious and fun.

Two of our (our being The Hubs and me) favorites were:

Mama Laughlin's Skinnier Chicken Spaghetti
This is super easy and turned out pretty delicious. Clearly you can see from the name that the recipe calls for Spaghetti (duh!) but I used rotini because, well, that's what we had. You gotta use what you've got (I believe I've said that before). I actually think it would have been a little better with the spaghetti, texture-wise. But it was definitely yummy. I'm not going to go through the whole recipe here because if you're too l-a-z-y to click the link, you're probably never going to make it anyway.
So, I think I would give this dish a 7.5 out of 10. It was easy to prepare and yummy, but not something we'll put on the weekly schedule.

Second was: Mama Laughlin's Cowboy Casserole
Whoa, boy. Let me tell you...This. Was. AWESOME. First of all, this was the easiest dinner I have made since regularly making heating Spaghetti Os and Meatballs in college (who am I kidding though, I still love me some of that orange, noodley, meatbally goodness). For this casserole, as with most great casseroles, you just throw ingredients together and bake. That, right there is a cooking method I can get behind (BTW, I'm a cleaner, not a cooker...have I mentioned that yet?). But beyond being easier than pie (see what I did there, wink-wink), this was one of the more tasty and satisfying meals I've had in a long time. Cheesy, potatoey, deliciousness. Seriously, you'll just have to try it.
However, I'm going to go out on a pretty sturdy limb here and say that it is not the most low-cal of recipes. Worth it. So worth it. Again, click on the link. As a bonus, you'll get to experience Mama Laughlin...she's way more fun to read than me.
I would say this is a definite keeper in my house. 9 or 9.5 out of 10. This will probably be a go-to meal since it is so easy and yummy. Also this gets a really high Husband Rating. His exact words were "Oh my God, this is fantastic."  I casually replied, "I'm glad you like it." But inside I was all...

Thanks Mama Laughlin

While we're on the topic of food, I'll share with you one of my favorite go-to snacks.

Mmmm Cheesy

Low-Fat Cottage Cheese with a sprinkle of shredded cheese and a dash of salt. If I'm craving something salty, this usually does the trick and keeps me from eating a pound of popcorn or whatever.


I also made some cookies out of bananas today. Yep, that's right bananas.

They were somewhere between decent and pretty good. Good enough to curb a sweets craving, but not something I would make for a bake sale or anything. But if you need something to try out to keep yourself from eating a whole tub of cookie dough, this is worth a shot. If you like banana bread and also like oatmeal cookies, you will probably like these. They're (you guessed it) really easy.
It is all over Pinterest and the internet but here's the recipe I used: Skinny Banana Cookies
It is from Six Sister's Stuff, another of my blog favorites. A few notes on these if you want to try them:
1) I added a tsp on vanilla and 2 tsps of honey to mine. Just because.
2) I needed to bake mine for longer than the recipe calls for. Be that because of my additions, differences in ovens or altitude, I do not know. However, I have seen other sites with this recipe that bake it on a higher temp (450 degrees) for the same amount of time (12-15minutes). I will likely try this next time.


Ok, enough with the food.

New thing number 2: Any men reading this, skip this next bit....


I have been running/trying to run lately. I'm to the point where I can run 1/4-1/2 Kilometer at a time, walk a 1/2K then run again. My goal is to work up to the point where I can actually run a 5K in October. I'll tell you more about my plans for that in another post.

Anyone have any good Sports Bra suggestions? I need it to be affordable and able to accommodate DDs, because, this is what one of my current ones is doing to me:

Sorry for the shoulder nudity. I am clothed from the armpits down, it just doesn't show. promise.

Holy moly, that hurt. My skin is still raw from that biatch rubbing on me. Bye, bye purple bra. You are way too tight. So, suggestions on comfortable, supportive sports bra brands/styles would be appreciated. Again, I'm not rich, let's keep that in mind. Thanks.


Finally, I'm thinking about trying some furniture repurposing type stuff. I see so many cute things on blogs and I'd love to try to do something like that myself.
Check out this thing I found a yard sale.

I didn't buy it. Which is good, I guess, because when I got home and showed this picture to The Hubs, he reacted with disgust and basically refused to let me buy it/bring it in the house.
Anyway...here was my fantasy on this one--- Wouldn't it be cute if it was taken off those little wheels and repainted? Maybe white, or a bright pastel? The hardware could be updated and a cute fabric cushion added to the middle part. I thought it would be nice in an entryway, a little seat to take off shoes with some storage for those things you want to drop when you get through the door.
But alas, it was not meant to be.  There will be other cool finds that I can re-do. Hopefully that are more appealing to my husband, or at least easier to convince him of the potential.


So what do you think? Any thoughts on the recipes or running for the first time? How do you feel about fixing up thrift finds? Are you up to anything new recently? New is fun, challenging, scary and exciting all at once.

Chicken Dinner

Not a lot to update on this week, so I thought I would share a recipe that the hubs and I enjoyed last week. I would highly recommend it.

I got the recipe out of an old Weight Watchers book and modified it to our tastes/needs. The original recipe was 5 points (this was before the points plus system).

Chicken Parmigiana

It is yummy! I promise.

2 large, skinless, boneless chicken breasts, halved.

1 egg white, lightly beaten

2 tbsp breadcrumbs

2 tsp herb seasonings (I used herbs de provence, italian or your own mixture will work just as well)

1/2 tsp grated parmesan cheese 

1/2 tsp olive oil

1 small can tomato sauce

Shredded mozzarella cheese (or provolone if you prefer)

Fresh vegetables of your choice (I used tomato, red bell pepper and celery but I think mushrooms, Zucchini or squash would go well but the Hubs doesn't like any of those, lol.  I didn't have any green bell pepper on hand but that would have added some nice color.)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix breadcrumbs, herbs, and parmesan cheese well in a bowl.

Brush egg whites onto your chicken pieces then coat in the breadcrumb mixture.

Warm olive oil in skillet. Add chicken and cook until lightly browned.

Pour half the can of tomato sauce into a baking dish. Place chicken on top. Pour the rest of the tomato sauce on top of the chicken.

Sprinkle cheese on top of the chicken then add your vegetables to the dish. 

Bake for about 15 minutes or until sauce and cheese starts to bubble slightly. 

There's my serving. It was delicious. As you can see, I served it with salad, but I would have preferred some grilled zucchini or eggplant. You make use of what you have, you know?

Anyway if you try this (this way or add your own style to it), let me know what you think.

So, aside from that here's my life update for all who are wondering.

Still applying for jobs. No interviews just yet but it has only been a few weeks and I hear this process can take a while, plus some of the jobs I've applied for are accepting applications until mid September, so I'm not going to freak out if they don't call right away.  I guess right now I feel like I'm doing everything I can on this front so I don't like talking about it too much. It just adds pressure, you know? So the fewer "any interviews yet?"/"how's the job search?" questions I get, the better. I appreciate the care and concern and I promise to keep you informed. 

I'm trying to make good use of this time at home while I have it, too. Taking care of the house, dinners, laundry, etc and savoring this break. I took classes during almost every break in college and grad school and I had a job in between, so this is the first time in a long time and probably the last that I have time to be home and take care of me and my husband. I hope the job comes soon, but I'm trying to remember that this time off is a nice thing in some ways. Gotta look for the positive. 

The Hubs is working the long hours still, but it should be a little better next month. We're hoping to take a couple days and get away once he finally gets two days off in a row. No idea when that will be but it is so nice to have something to look forward to. No idea where we will go but maybe there will be a good Living Social offer going on or something. Any cheap, fun get away ideas?

I went to visit my grandmother. I feel so deeply for her as she is grieving the loss of her best friend and husband of 62 years. I miss him so much, but my heart just breaks for her. 

I am still working on dieting and working out. I'm down 7 pounds total at this point. Maybe down a size...? Its a work in progress.

Today I got together with a friend of the Hubs' from high school. She's really great and I'm so happy we had lunch. Her husband is a doctor too, so we can relate there and it is awesome that we're in the same area. Hopefully more lunch hangouts or shopping trips in the future.

I may start church shopping. I'd also like to paint some of the rooms in our condo. I'll let you know if either of those ventures pan out. I also need to get my craft area set up soon.

So, that's the update folks. Have a great weekend.

New town, new license

I'm sorry it has been so long since I did my first post.
I know, I know...I say I'm starting a blog, tease you with a first post then disappear for like 2 weeks. What can I say, I'm just a tease like that.
Not really, though. I do plan on updating on a more regular basis. The past couple of weeks have been pretty difficult for me. My grandfather passed away (I may do a memorial post about that later, once I'm able) and I've been away from home.
But I'm back now.

Today I was very productive.

I made my first trip to the local post office to send out a resume and cover letter for a job that I would REALLY like. So, fingers crossed on that. The lady at the post office was so nice and so friendly.

Then I went to the local DMV to get a new driver's license with my new last name and new address. Everyone there was so nice too! I went in thinking they would want my updated S.S. card, but they wanted my marriage license, which I thought was at home. But I got to my car and realized it was still in my "Big Red Folder of Important Papers" which I had with me. So I went back and was able to update my license. Both the lady who helped me and the one that had previously told me I didn't have the right document were very sweet and had a laugh with me about coming back so quickly.

However, can we pause a moment and talk about this picture?

This is my "Excuse me, I do not actually look this chubby in real life" face. Honestly. Now, believe me, I am heavier than I used to be and losing weight is definitely a priority for me right now. But cameras refuse to give me a break. Other than that, its a good picture for a license. At least I don't look drugged like I did on my last one. How about letting a girl know when you're going to take a picture so she can smile and not looked zoned out, you know? So this one is better. I guess.

Ok, anyway...silly license stuff is done now.

I went to the bank and asked for my name changed on my cards. So it all should be super duper official. The banker was really nice too. Everyone in this town is just so friendly and nice. I love it!

Oh...and did you see this??

My M.A. certificate(...diploma? what do you call it?....is the paper also called a degree? I don't know, but you know what I'm talking about) came yesterday!  The mailman was my best friend that day. It is such a good feeling to finally have it. To be honest it was starting to feel like maybe it wasn't going to arrive and maybe the last three years were just a terrible, crazy nightmare and I really didn't earn anything from it. But whew, no...I can stop pinching myself because it is really here for real. I AM A MASTER!!! Just kidding. Sort of.

Other than that, there's not a lot of news.

I've been looking for and applying for jobs. Oh, so  exciting. No, really. Please, someone hire me.

The Hubs has been working a lot. Which is fine with me. I like my alone time. But it was hard and I did miss him when he couldn't make it to my grandpa's funeral. And it is hard when people make comments in public...because they don't understand anything but a 9-5. Lucky dogs.
Like when I took his truck in to get serviced, it was a little more expensive than we had hoped and I joked with the cashier that my husband wasn't going to be happy. She said "tell him next time he has to bring it in!" Oh, lady...if only his hours would allow that. But you close at 6 and he will be working for another hour at least after that.
Or when I went to the bank and the lady is talking about all these awesome free events and concerts that I would love to go to. I said "Bummer. That sounds fun. I'd love to go if I had someone to go with." She said "drag your husband out."  I'm sure his bosses and patients would love that.

The thing is, I'm ok with it. Like I said, for the most part, I enjoy being independent. It is just funny to encounter so many people that find the schedule so foreign.  Try to remember everyone lives a different life. Yours may be 9-5, but ours isn't. My sister's husband is a pilot and he is gone for days or a week a time.  And should I even mention all the amazingly strong friends I have who have husbands away in the armed forces? There are lots of different schedules and ways married life works.

That said, I do need to make some friends. That way, on a Friday night when cool stuff is going on, I go out with someone.

I need to get involved in something so that I can have something to do and meet people.

It probably won't solve the "meeting people" thing but as far as occupying my free time, I was thinking about contacting one of the breeders I have been following and seeing if they could use a volunteer to come take care of and play with their Danes. Since the hubs and I can't get one until I'm set in my job and we get a bigger vehicle, it might satiate my need to be a puppy mommy for a while.

Alright, that is far too much for you to read. I apologize. I have nothing else to do on a Friday night ;)

I'll keep you updated on the job search. And weight loss (down 5lbs this week! woo!) And the friend/activity search too.

Have a great night!