Happy birthday, Peanut!!

It's my favorite nephew's birthday today! I miss my little Peanut like crazy but get to see him and the family for Memorial Day weekend!!!!!!!!

I love you, Brandon Wade!! I'm so proud of you...enjoy the big 1-0!
xoxo
Aunt Jenni

Greetings, Vernal Equinox!

'Tis the first day of spring! Flowers are blooming, birds are chirping, the wind is blowing (well, it never STOPS blowing in Oklahoma). I'm very excited to say I have some beautiful tulips coming up in my yard...pictures to follow when they are in full bloom. I'm very excited. The season of spring breathes fresh air into my life. Good things are up ahead...

Spring also rings the bell for March Madness to begin. And though I'd rather be watching college football, I'm game to share in some wings, beer and basketball! The work gang is headed out for lunch to watch the OSU-Tennesee game at Buffalo Wild Wings here in Edmond. Should be fun (and free, since boss-man is paying!)

:)

Have a fantabulous weekend!

Top of the mornin' to ya!

Be sure to wear green and drink some green beer!

Hello, sunshine!

Happy Monday to you! I am at home taking a "mental health" day and it's wonderful! I slept in, had a healthy breakfast, worked out and threw some stuff in the crockpot for a yummy dinner. I am headed outside to soak up some sun and do some leisure reading (no school for a week!). It is beautiful outside, sunny and close to 70 degrees. Later I may go for a walk around the neighborhood (daffodils are in bloom everywhere), have dinner, answer some emails, watch some TV and then hit the sack! I'm headed back to the office tomorrow.

Life is good.

Happy Pi Day!

The nerd in me loves this day...math rules.

Just had to share

Unfortunately, I left my camera in my office at work, so this picture is terrible! My cell phone camera has it's good days and bad...this was pretty bad. But my dinner was so fantastic that I had to share. Last night, I decided to throw some stuff in the crockpot and I'm so glad I did! I just put in the following:

1 can of Rotel
1 can pinto beans (rinsed & drained)
1 can black beans (rinsed & drained)
1 can no-salt corn (drained)
1/2 c onions
1-2 c water
1 c brown rice
1 t ranch seasoning
1 t taco seasoning

Left it on high for a few hours for the rice to puff up and then put it in the fridge. So, after an awesome treadmill workout tonight (I did speed work) I had a bowl of the 'mixture' with some strawberries and a banana. I am very picky about my bananas and this one was in the perfect phase of ripeness! It was such a filling, healthy dinner and I feel great. It was the perfect end to such a cold day. Again, sorry the picture isn't the best!

Tomorrow is Friday!! I am excited because my gal pal Sunny is hosting a Girlie Game Night! I think we are playing Mexican dominoes or something like that! But I'll eventually get these chicas to play MY game--poker!

Today in history...

Today is Thursday, March 12, the 71st day of 2009. There are 274 days left in the year.

On this day...

In 1912, Juliette Gordon Low of Savannah, Ga., founded the Girl Guides, which later became the Girl Scouts of America.

In 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered the first of his 30 radio "fireside chats," telling Americans what was being done to deal with the nation's economic crisis. (note: maybe Obama should try this method!)

In 1951, "Dennis the Menace," created by cartoonist Hank Ketcham, made its syndicated debut in 16 newspapers.

In 1980, a Chicago jury found John Wayne Gacy Jr. guilty of the murders of 33 men and boys. (The next day, Gacy was sentenced to death; after years on death row, he was executed in May 1994.)

In 1987, the musical play "Les Miserables" opened on Broadway.

Happy Birthday, Susan!

My favorite sis-in-law! Can't wait to see you guys in May!!
xoxo

A complete 180

There are only 180 days until OU Football season kicks off...(sigh)

Lazy Sunday afternoon...

Here is what Charli is thinking: "I am so happy that mommy is lazy and hasn't done the laundry."At first she didn't know I was stalking her with the camera......then she starts to notice. But she doesn't care! She is sunbathing and so happy.
And of course Cleo is perched (upside down--always posing) in her favorite kitty bed!

Pantry Peeking

Here are some items that have made it into the elite group that is my fav-food-finds. I've been hitting the treadmill hard so I have to keep fueling the body with healthy stuff (that doesn't taste like cardboard).

Ok, here are some of my new (and some old) friends:

1) Dannon all natural yogurt--strawberry.
2) Brussel sprouts (an idea from Jenna). Roasted with some evoo and sea salt until they get a little browned...yum!
3) Instant brown rice--these convenient 1 cup servings are perfect for me! I add a little rotel and I've got a healthy and filling spanish rice!
4) Sweet potatoe fries--HELLO?! Delish.
5) Annie's Organic mac 'n cheese--yay! I can still indulge in one of my fav dishes!
6) Campari tomatoes (courtesy of my mommy)--these are bursts of flavor in salads, sammiches, and on their own!
7) La Tortilla factory wraps—a whopping 13 grams of fiber per serving, 'nuf said.
8) Black & pinto beans—I put in salads, soups, or I blend them up for a homemade beandip!

Be happy & healthy!
j.

Happy Birthday, Karen!

I have known Karen for over 20 years...she is one of my oldest and dearest friends. Have a great birthday, Karen Fran! Hope to see you soon.

Love,
Jenni

Not your average diet food [Product Review]

Holy crap this stuff is good! I've been feeling pretty crummy today with 2 ear infections and a fever. I didn't feel like cooking and other than some OJ I basically haven't eaten all day! (I miss having mommy and daddy take care of me 24/7--dad's milkshakes were the best!) I had some frozen dinners in my freezer for a rainy day and, well, that was today for me! This is absolutely my favorite 'diet' food ever! It's really yummy...hit the spot tonight for sure. I also keep a bunch of these in the freezer at work.

Just my $0.02 for the day! I'm off to bed...

Look at this face.

We are mourning the loss of my niece's little turtle. Poor Sydney is heartbroken. She is just like her Aunt Jenni when it comes to being super-sensitive about all creatures great and small. She had gotten 2 mini turtles for Christmas and apparently one of the little guys just tuckered out and passed away. I am sending Sydney lots of hugs and prayers for her loss.

I miss you,
Aunt Jenni

Candy overload and a movie...

My friend Sunny and I went to see "He's Just Not That Into You" this past Saturday. Hmmm...the movie was aw-ight. Too many characters, and too many minutes (over 2 hours). I gotta say, the main character, Gigi, was WAY desperate to find the right guy. Are women out in the dating scene really like that? Ginnifer Goodwin made it look cute, but for the most part I felt she should have been telling most of the guys she talked to to F-off. Sorry, but it's pretty easy to tell if he's not that into you, girlfriend!! I won't go into any more details...I give the movie overall a C+.

On another note, Sunny and I decided to stock up on candy at the 7-eleven before the flick. I went overboard and got Rolos (chocolate, check), Gummi worms (chewy, check), and Hot Tamales (flavor, check). And I proceeded to eat ALL of it during the movie. Well, I had some Hot Tamales leftover but ate those later in the evening.

Later that night I treated myself to some Pei Wei takeout--yum! Hope you had a glorious weekend!!