Long time no blog!

Am I already considered a blogging SLACKER? I hope not!

This past week wasn't full of anything to provide me with an excuse for not blogging so, I suppose I just didn't get to it? I'm not sure! Nonetheless, I slacked, as usual and am back to fill you in on what I've been up to!

PJ and I have gone what seems like FOREVER without a day off together.  He got changed to a mon.-fri. job and mine is so far from it.  He had drill this weekend, on one of my few weekends that I have entirely off so it seems like I've barely seen him at all.  We are off together this coming weekend and I couldn't be more excited (even if the weather is supposed to be crummy!)

Speaking of weather, is everyone hating this back and forth as much as I do? 80s in February, 50s in May, 3ish tornado warnings (with some local touchdowns) for 2012 already, and RAIN RAIN RAIN! Seriously? I can NOT be the only one who is on the verge of a serious allergy meltdown with a side of temperature shock to the system.  My poor a/c and heat have no idea what is going on!

My beautiful hometown of Okeana, Oh was hit pretty hard from the last tornado that came through town.  Thankfully no one was injured because at the end of the day, that is what counts.  My mom's landscaping, however, became a HOT MESS! By the time I got down there she had already spent 3 days cleaning up and there was still so much to do! She lost several fish from her pond but had 3 little survivors hangin out at the bottom.  The debris up on against the fence is run off from a corn field across the street.  This stuff was HEAVY and hard to move but thankfully the fence bounced back into place.  Several people's home got hit with this stuff even worse, I can not imagine.  Her flowerbeds and drive ways were complete mud and the professional landscaping she had done around her house was all ripped up.  It was sad to see.  Lots of houses flooded, my sister (who lives a few doors down) will be replacing her 3rd furnace.  Mother nature sure can kick ya when you're down.  I'm sure prayers for Okeana and all the other small downs that have big hit with big problems recently would be greatly appreciated.

While I was helping my mom on Friday I was able to go pick my niece up from school at my elementary school that she now attends.  Same office lady.  Same librarian.  She even has the same 2nd grade teacher I did.  Talk about flashbacks.  I snapped this picture of the "ramp" in the main lobby.  So many memories of running up and down playing games and standing in lines, OH the lines! It took me down memory lane of a time where everything seemed like such a big deal and yet life was all about innocence. Ah, the good ol' days.

And finally, Sunday I have a much needed and so appreciated sister day! My sister in law (Linsay) and I were running errands and just hanging out (a normal day, all day, everyday for us) and my sister Cassie decided to bring her 3 babies and my 14 year old sister up to visit me.  This was seriously a treat!! It's so hard making time to visit as much as I'd like to so for them to come here meant the world.  I rarely get to see my little sister so it was great to visit her and just see who she is becoming.  The hardest thing about divorced parents with "half" sisters is missing out on their lives.  I have certainly missed out on my share with Ashley but it was great to see her. ANY excuse to see Cassie and her babies is also welcomed.  I actually didn't snap any pictures of McKinlee which is a serious SHOCK but I did get these two of Markus and Molli who were really excited to play with Uncle PJ's guitar! It was such a nice and unexpected day.  I really hope we don't go nearly as long to have a "just because" kinda day.  Ashley and I both have Kings Island passes this year, so I really hope to get to spend more time with her.  She's growing up so fast and growing into someone I am really proud to call my sister.  I can thank Cassie for that, I'm sure.  She's always been better at making sure she stays close to everyone, and is always willing to reach out and make time for our sisters. She's better at that than I am, priorities I suppose :( not my proudest trait.  While they were here I tried a new crock pot recipe.  Ranch pork chops! 6 boneless pork chops, 1 ranch packet, and 1 can of cream of chicken soup.  In the crock put for 4-6 hours on low (stirring occasionally) I doubled it because of the amount of people but it turned out pretty good.  Markus asked for seconds and Cassie says that's a compliment, so I think they will be made again!

2008 me? I am down 6 lbs. not as much as I'd like to be by this point but it is certainly a start. I can't hate on my results though because this weekend I seriously slacked.  I went to the gym 3 times last week and only once so far this week.  I lost my motivation at some point last week and ate way too much of things I shouldn't have.  Today was my biggest cheat day yet so I am back at it hardcore tomorrow.

In the mean time, I made one of my favorite quick foods tonight and wanted to share.  Somehow Linsay and I got to playing with a recipe we found a few months ago, and came up with a super tasty combo.

Boneless chicken breasts cut into "chunks", rolled in bbq sauce and then rolled in Grippos (MUST be Grippos) BBQ chips.  Baked at 350 for 30(ish) min. SOOO much flavor they are SO good.  Dip them in some light ranch because they can be spicy!

I'm sure we didn't actually "come up" with this because people probably make it all over but I had never seen it anywhere and it instantly became a favorite.  I'm really bad about taking pictures of my food though, well most of the time.  I need to start, especially when I am going to be sharing!

One of my favorites from last week... this AMAZING homemade calzone! It was to DIE for.  I made one bigger one for dinner (PJ wasn't home that evening) and a smaller one for me to take for lunch. Seriously, loved it!!!

Lastly for food, I did fall in love with this recipe for an "ice cream" fix.  It's a cup of mixed fruit, a scoop of protein powder (I have used vanilla and strawberry) and a cup of water. Blended and frozen and then put out in the fridge for about an hour.  It's SOOO good. My friend Jen over at Brand Fitness mentioned it in a blog and it's well worth trying.  I've actually made some of my own versions since then.  Frozen fruit with greek yogurt and protein powder is my fav. of the combos I have made.  They are great to freeze and then put in your lunch box and an awesome source of protein! I am a total ice cream junkie so this is great for me!

Have I mentioned my obsession with the show "THE VOICE"? I have an issue.  I am a HUGE Blake Shelton and Adam Levine fan and although I think Christina Agulara is outdated and rude, I love the whole idea of the coach/contestant experience.  This year I was really rooting for Jamar (even though he wasn't on Team Blake or Team Adam) but after the past few weeks I REALLY hope Tony Lucca wins.  He did an awesome cover of "99 Problems" yesterday and I have listened to it probably 7 times since the performance from itunes.  I also had to snag the Tony and Adam duet of "Yesterday" by the Beatles! They are adorable and WHO doesn't love the Beatles? NO ONE!! The show goes down in a 1/2 hour (after GLEE!!!!) and I can't wait!

I didn't do a whole lot of internet searching this week to find cute things for my fabulous finds, but these two I did fall in love with.  You'll soon find anything dog will make me say "awwww"...

and I'll leave you with a shot of my Mr. Adorable puppy of my own! He thinks he is the neighborhood watch committee!

Thanks for reading! Have a great week!!

<3 JD