Guest Blogging: September '09 Edition

I am proud and excited to announce that Mer, from The Mer Show, will be guest blogging right here on my little bloggy! We've been talking about doing a blog 'flip' and I will post something on her blog and vice versa. We just thought we'd shake things up a bit! :)

A little about Mer:
Meredith and I grew up in the same suburb north of Houston and graduated in the same class. We knew each other but didn't really hang out...you must understand our class alone had about 700+ people! Mer was pretty, smart and popular and was involved in cheerleading and gymnastics. When I say involved I mean SERIOUS. This gal was competitive, athletic and strong (and she still has a fab body because of all those years of hard work!). After high school, Mer went on to graduate from the University of Texas (insert Sooner comment here) and begin a career in Technical Recruiting. She spent some time in California and last year fell in love with Sheridan and got hitched. This past January they had little Patrick!! Now Mer and family are back in Texas--Austin to be exact--and living a great life.

Mer and I reconnected last year on Facebook and I quickly became a fan of her and her blog. We have a 15-year high school reunion coming up in October and I'm really looking forward to seeing her, meeting Sheridan and keeping in touch.

Here is a pic of Mer, Sheridan and baby Patrick...stay tuned!

My Friend, my Hero, my Dad

I’ll bet you didn’t know you were my hero
I don’t think I’ve told you until now.
But you were the one who shaped my future
And I’d like to tell you how.

Everything you did was good for me
Nothing was ever for your own gain
You took the time to teach me and to love me
Without you, I wouldn’t be the same.

I don’t know how I was given such a blessing
You were everything I needed you to be.
Someone to watch over me always
And Dad, you’ll always be a hero to me.

Oklahoma Girl

Yep, that's me! If you ever need proof of my Okie-ness, just stand outside my bathroom window while I'm in the shower (I'll be singing this song at the top of my lungs).

A Friday Lovesong

There is no video...but this song is amazing. I love Paul Carrack. Enjoy!




Artist: Paul Carrack
Title: I Don't Want Your Love (I Need Your Love)
Album: I Know That Name

Better than Bueno

And by that, I mean better than Taco Bueno! I've really been a health kick lately, logging miles of running and eating balanced meals. But I still have 'one of those days' every now and then and yesterday was a perfect example. Severe thunderstorms had kept me up the night before and I was like a zombie at work. Last week I over-trained and have been on the verge of a hamstring strain, plus I worked out my abs to the core and by yesterday I was feeling like I had been pummeled with a baseball bat. On days like that it's easy to leave work and just think "I'll swing by Taco Bueno and pick up dinner" (on the way home, literally around the corner). Well, I instead decided to go straight home and make my own healthier version of Mexican food. This meal has become a staple in my house and it's so easy, quick and low in fat.

Cheesy Chile Enchiladas

3-4 servings (1 enchilada)
6-8 oz of cooked chicken (last time I used Morningstar Farms soy crumbles and it worked great--last night I had some leftover baked chicken and just cut it up to use)
1/2 c lite sour cream
1/2 c salsa
3/4 - 1 c reduced fat Mexican cheese or sharp cheddar
4 oz can of diced green chiles
3-4 whole wheat tortillas (I have also used corn tortillas)
1 can enchilada sauce (1-1 1/2 c)

Preheat oven to 350. Combine the sour cream and salsa. Coat the bottom of a small casserole dish with enchilada sauce (since it's just for me, I use a dish that holds 4 corn enchiladas or 3 larger whole wheat tortillas, but 8x8 should work fine). To assemble the enchiladas, lay out each tortilla and spoon 2 T of the sour cream mixture down the middle, add about 2-3 oz of the chicken (substitute any meat or non-meat here--beef, beans, soy, tempeh, etc). Sprinkle on some chiles and 1 to 2 T of the cheese. Roll up as tight as possible and arrange in the dish. Once you've assembled all of the enchiladas, top with remaining enchilada sauce, the remaining chiles and the remaining cheese. Cover in foil and bake for 20 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes.
Edited to add: Recently added pico de gallo to the recipe...MUY BUENO!!

Upcoming events!

I can't believe Fall is almost here! I've got a lot going on the next few months...and it's my favorite time of year.

September 5th
OU Football season opener against BYU

October 10th
Komen OKC Race for the Cure 5K
I've exceeded my donation goal--yay!


October 17th
My high school 15 year reunion
I've planned a vacation around it--can't wait to see old friends and family!


October 24th
I'll be 34 years young!

Is that all there is?

Is this what life is like when you get older??

Finish up the workday on Friday, meet the family for (a superb) dinner, pick up some groceries for the weekend (i.e. wine and catfood), finish the laundry I started on Tuesday, have a glass of said wine (or two, or three...), soak in the tub while listening to Bach (very loudly), relax on the couch (with Charli the cat) to watch a scary movie, then end up in bed, asleep by 11:00 pm????


Because if that's all there is, believe it or not, this girl is pretty damn satisfied.

One month to kickoff...

Let the countdown commence...Saturday, September 5, 2009
Cowboys Stadium
One Legends Way
Arlington, Texas 76011
6:00 PM

Blogiversary Year One

Happy blogiversary to me!! On this date in 2008 I decided to join the blog world and it's been a fun and interesting ride. Life just keeps getting more and more exciting so stay tuned!!

An oldie but goodie

One of my all-time favorite songs...always makes me think of dancing with my future husband on my wedding day. :)

Lenny Welch - Since I Fell For You (1963)