Please, God, Just a Few More Hours in the Day.....

Random thoughts and happenings

• Did you guys see the men's gymnastics team last night? They ended up with a Bronze but what a great Olympics they had considering their circumstances.
• Huntsville's own Margaret Hoelzer took Bronze last night in her 'other' event
  
• Russia is pulling out of Georgia. Great news! I wonder if Medvedev is doing this at the behest or in spite of Putin's wishes. I do not like Russia too much.
• We lost our tennis match last night. We had some close matches but didn't pull any of them out. We are now 3-1 (1-1 against this team). We have got to pull out some victories against them. I would really like to win.
• Lucas isn't going out of town this week! (At least we don't think so.) That means he is teaching tennis this afternoon and I don't have to! I have a work event I'm going to after work but it should be fun.
• I slept on clean sheets last night. Aaaaah!!!
• I set my alarm early to work out but I didn't. I am bad. I might do it tomorrow but I have a tennis match tomorrow night so we'll see.
• Rafa was quite energetic and a bit ferocious this morning. It is time for a little snip, snip and obedience training.
• We found out the dates for the Cabo trip! Yay! February 26th- March 3rd! And Lucas may actually go with me! This is going to be a crazy year. Colombia for Christmas and New Years. Cabo at the end of February, first of March. And Spain, France, and possibly others in July! It seems a bit surreal to think of myself as such a world traveler. Does this count as a world traveler? I'm classifying myself as such.
• My parents booked our condo in Gulf Shores for Thanksgiving. Yay! Midnight madness shopping at the outlet malls? I'm in!
• I signed myself up for the Mixed State so I may actually go with my team to Dothan. I thought I would stay with Debbie at her sisters but now she isn't staying there so I'll have to get a hotel room. Sigh..... tennis is expensive.
• Brandon is staying with us several nights a week. His house is almost finished and then he'll be out. I think I'll kind of miss having someone else to cook for (even though I didn't do much last night.... sorry, Brandon)! (Last night was cesar salad and the guys had some leftover pasta.)
  

Was Everyone Else Watching This?

Wow! Incredible!

Lucas and I were already in bed but were watching the last few Olympic events of the night. The race started off good but we thought it was over when France was almost a body length ahead with only 50m left. Then out of nowhere in the last 10-20m, Lezak turned it on. Wow! I can't believe he swam that fast. Phelps better give him a huge hug! Phelps is still in contention for his 8 gold medals! Go USA!

I love the Olympics!

Saturday was crazy busy. I had to work an event during the day on Saturday, then off to a tennis match (which we won, go team!), then over to Amy's for a grill out. We had fun. Dan got drunk... I mean really drunk! C'est la vie!

Sunday I played tennis again then went home and got lots of loads of laundry done. Doesn't it feel so great to know that every article of clothing in your house is clean (at least for a few fleeting moments)?

I'm Very Disappointed in You, John

Just when I thought Paris Hilton was the most interesting political story, John Edwards becomes an adulterer and baby daddy all in one day. Oh, John. How could you?

Takin' It to the Really Old White Haired Dude

Every time I hear about this I laugh so hard but always forget to mention it. I was just thinking about how it had been some time since I've written about politics (which I am sure most of you appreciate). Here is a light-hearted 'attack' ad from Paris Hilton. And you know what? I actually really like her now. This was a great move on her (or her publicist's) part.



P.S. I especially love the images of the crypt keeper. Priceless.

Thursday's Picnic in the Park - Week 2

Last week, Lucas and I decided to start having our Picnic in the Park every Thursday. This week, Mother Nature was not on our side.

So Picnic in the Park was turned in to Picnic in the Office. The scenery isn't nearly as nice but at least I got to spend lunch with the husband. I have missed him while he has been away the last few days. Last night on his way home he stopped at the Mellow Mushroom in Nashville. So today, we had leftover pizza! Sooo good. Thank you, Lucas!

Pasta Makes Everything Better

We have the nicest couple living next to us. They travel a lot for a few days at a time and when they do we watch Kiwi, their little mini dachshund. Pat, the husband, had hip replacement surgery on Monday, putting their traveling to a halt for a little while. He was supposed to come home from the hospital today but was doing better than expected so went home yesterday.

I thought it would be nice to fix them dinner one night. So last night, I made lasagna (only the second time ever, first time wasn't a huge success). I hate cooking new things for other people to eat without prior testing but I always seem to do it. Oh, well. I made two lasagnas: one for them and one for us.

(Not a good photo. I want a fancy, shmancy camera.)

I didn't try any but Brandon came over later and was hungry so I tested it out on him. He said it was really good! I couldn't resist so I had a little slice myself. But we still have lots of lasagna left for dinner tonight and the next 3 nights I guess.

I am taking our neighbors their lasagna after work today. I hope they like it! And I hope Pat has a speedy recovery!

Want the recipe? I'm afraid it is too simple to reveal. Here ya go:
I cooked some ground beef with onions and seasoned with several different Italian spices then mixed in some regular old spaghetti sauce. Meanwhile, I boiled the lasagna noodles (put a little oil in the water to keep the noodles from sticking together). I mixed mozzarella and an Italian blend of cheeses together (couldn't find ricotta anywhere). Layer sauce, noodles, sauce, cheese, noodles, pasta sauce. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350 for about 50 minutes. Take off the aluminum foil, add another layer of cheese, sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese, and bake for another 10 minutes or so.

I know there are very fancy, elegant, gourmet recipes for lasagna but I like this simple, easy, and delicious recipe the best. No hassle cooking is much more fun!

Because I'm Craving Mexican Right Now....

I made these delicious nachos last week! I just put some foil in a pan, tossed in some chips, then sprinkled them with shredded cheese. I then topped with some ground beef and some onions, peppers, and tomatoes that I had cooked in the skillet for just a few minutes. Another layer of cheese and into the oven for just a few minutes and... VOILA! My homemade nachos fajitas! So good! I'm hoping for another Mexican date with my husband tonight. I usually get a special treat when he leaves me for work. Wednesday nights are buy one get one free entrees at Guadalajara, just across the main street from us! So we may even get a margarita!!

**Update: The husband isn't coming back tonight. Big surprise.

****Another Update: The husband is coming home but won't make it back for Mexican and margaritas. Oh, well. There's always next week.