Official Seal

That's it folks!  I deserve it!

In my previous post I had listed numerous things I had wanted to accomplish over the weekend, and well I did it!

Here is a list of some of the things I did:

Got caught up and had the pleasure to visit a lot of new followers from various blog hops.  Thank you for following!

Purged, purged and purged some more.  I am pretty much done with the main part of the house, the basement storage will have to be for another weekend.

Yes, these are all my clothes that I don't wear or don't know why I even purchased.  I also took a large amount of pans, small appliances and other various items I haven't used in quite a while.

Finally rearranged my living room and pulled out a lot of decor that has been in storage.

Please don't mind the dog Frisbee on the floor and Snoopy staring out the window.  He dreams of chasing all the birds  and squirrels in our front yard.  

Made some fabric wall art:

I plan on moving these downstairs to a light colored wall and making a new decoration to put in its place, will keep you updated.

Here is the closeup of the large fabric wall art I made.

These are all from my camera phone, I think I need to invest in a nice camera. 

I also made a skirt and two aprons.  Baked a delicious and healthy banana bread and homemade chicken pot pie.  I also found a super delish green tea smoothie, just in time for spring/summer.  Recipes and pics to come in a later post!

Tonight is a perfect end to the weekend, thunderstorm outside, just had some of the homemade chicken pot pie and the banana bread is cooling (calling my name).  

All in all a very good (busy) weekend.  I hope you all had a great weekend!!!

Spring Fever?

It's almost March and I thought Spring was on it's way.  We have had 50's here in the Midwest, until yesterday.  Rain, sleet and snow, Oh My!

I had about a 1/2 inch of slushy ice/snow on my car when I left work today and ended up getting about 3 inches at my house when it was all said and done.  FYI ice under snow does not make for good times.

Don't get me wrong, I love winter, but I think my body and mind are ready for spring.  Mostly because I have been having the urge to organize and clean like a mad woman.

Here are a few of the things I have done and are planning to do.

I have rearranged my living room, and now all that is missing is a gorgeous rug.  I'm thinking something along these lines.

I reorganized my kitchen and am thinking about painting it. The fun part is picking out a new color! Then off to the guest room.  Which quite frankly has turned into the "I don't know what to do with all this extra stuff (junk), so I will put it in this room, room." Oh Lordy it is time to purge!

I am also wanting to create some "fabric art", like this:

I am also still needing to organize my closet, I have cleaned and weeded out clothes/purses/shoes I don't wear or wonder how I ever thought were cute.  I am in love with this closet and hope that I can install something similar soon!

 These past few weeks at work have been, well, stressful.  Unfortunately due to my own fault, so this is going to be a great outlet for me to get my brain and sanity back on track.

Now, I have it in my head that all this is going down this weekend, we shall see how far I get.  Although if I do complete my "to do" list, I will award myself with this:

Awesome isn't it? Made it here - www.says-it.com.

Biggest Loser - Puppy Edition

We are in full swing with the Biggest Loser at work.  After a few slow weeks, K-Lish (tying out a new nickname) is now down 9lbs.  That's right folks, I have lost a toy poodle.

Inspired and invigorated, I am starting my love Snoopy on his own weight loss journey. 

That's right folks, the dog to your right.  Well, due to the comfortable life he leads, he has packed on quite a few pounds.  Being an old man (7) and being "husky" is not a good combo.  We need to get him down to George Clooney level, stat!  We are aiming for 10lb. loss for Snoops.

I started his new food regimen today and he very clearly made it known he was not happy.  Standing by his bowl howling for about a good hour, and well, there he goes again.

Aroooo!Aroooo! Translated to human speech is "Get off that laptop and feed me woman!"

So, I will keep you updated not only on my contest and weight loss, but his progress and well.

Sigh...

Wish me luck...

I Love Us

Today made me realize how happy I am with husband. 

We have been together for a while now.  Married 8 years this April and been together almost 13 years. 

Ok, so obviously not us.  But, I really do feel that old.  Really. 

Being with someone that long you get to know them pretty darn well.  All their little quirks and habits no one else witnesses except you.  Some cute and make you smile, some, well...

Today I asked husband a question over gchat and this is pretty much how it went:

Me: Hey, what is that thing that you can scan that square thing and it brings up something?  You know what I'm talking about?

Husband: You mean qr code?

Me: Yes! I'm so glad you understand Karenism.  :)

Yes, people husband is fluent in Karenism.  That makes me smile!  :)

I love us.

It's The Little Things

I have been struggling with this issue for my whole life.  It happens every week, sometimes twice a week.  It has been the bain of my existence.

Shopping carts.

Yes.  Shopping carts.

This little girl feels my pain.

Everytime I walk into the grocery store, I have a moment of panic and hope.  Panic of how many wheels will be off center.  How loud will this one be.  Will it shake so bad that I should have worn a sports bra?  Then hope, maybe today will be the day I get a regular working cart.

Ladies and Gentlemen,  I have lived with this fear ever since I have been going to the grocery store.  Today was a new day.  Today, I picked a cart that drove smoothly, never made noise and never stopped mid stroll.

My faith in humanity has been restored and I again live with the hope that each time I grab a cart, it will work correctly.

Ah yes, the little things.

It Hurts!

The pain.

Went to a core class last Friday and I am still so sore.  Very very very sore.  Sore.

My core is not at all the strongest part of my body, unfortunately, it is the weakest.  I can run, spin and ZUMBA like crazy.  Put me on a balance ball and I am done!  It hurts so much it burns!  I guess that means it's working right?  Right?!?!?!

Yes, we did this move.  It sucks. 

By the way, did I mention I am sore?

I am planning on going back this Friday.  Masochist much?  I have also been doing more of the strength exercises on the Wii too.  I am 30, but according to my Wii, I am well, not 30.  We shall meet again Wii,  We shall meet again.  

I need to win the Biggest Loser contest at work.  With $450 smackaroos on the line, I NEED this.  Momma needs a new pair of shoes.  Literally, I need some new work shoes. 

Still sore people.

Well, I will keep you updated, not sure what the weigh in will be this week.  Had a bday party last night for a friend, and well, yeah.  I don't think I need to go into details.

See, fun times.

Sore!!!

GRAMMY BABY!

I love music and my favorite night is here. GRAMMY night!

I love the range of music this year and it seems that most of my favorite artists are nominated! Here is a list of some of the nominations.

Song of the Year

'Beg, Steal or Borrow' -- Ray LaMontagne

'Forget You' -- Cee-Lo

'The House That Built Me' -- Miranda Lambert

'Love the Way You Lie' -- Eminem Feat. Rihanna

'Need You Now' -- Lady Antebellum

Album of the Year

'The Suburbs' -- Arcade Fire

'Recovery' -- Eminem

'Need You Now' -- Lady Antebellum

'The Fame Monster' -- Lady Gaga

'Teenage Dream' -- Katy Perry

Best New Artist

Justin Bieber

Drake

Florence and the Machine

Mumford and Sons

Esperanza Spalding

Record of the Year

'Nothing on You' -- B.o.B. Feat. Bruno Mars

'Love the Way You Lie' -- Eminem Feat. Rihanna

'Forget You' -- Cee-Lo

'Empire State of Mind -- Jay-Z Feat. Alicia Keys

'Need You Now' -- Lady Antebellum

Best Female Pop Vocal Performance

'King of Anything' -- Sara Bareilles

'Halo (Live)' -- Beyoncé

'Chasing Pirates' -- Norah Jones

'Bad Romance' -- Lady Gaga

'Teenage Dream' -- Katy Perry

Best Male Pop Vocal Performance

'Haven't Met You Yet' -- Michael Bublé

'This is It' -- Michael Jackson

'Whataya Want from Me' -- Adam Lambert

'Just the Way You Are' -- Bruno Mars

'Half of My Heart' -- John Mayer

Best Pop Vocal Album

'My World 2.0' -- Justin Bieber

'I Dreamed a Dream' -- Susan Boyle

'The Fame Monster' -- Lady Gaga

'Battle Studies' -- John Mayer

'Teenage Dream' -- Katy Perry

Of course the performances is also a huge part that I love about the Grammys.  Christina Aguilera, along with a string of other artists, are doing a tribute to Aretha Franklin.  Hopefully she can remember the words!  If you don't know what I'm talking about, Google her Super Bowl national anthem. 

Of course the big names, Lady GaGa, Eminem, Rihanna, Katy Perry and Justin Bieber will also be doing performances.  If they are anything like past performances, I can see some envelopes being pushed.   (Oh, by the way, is it wrong that I want to see Justin Bieber's movie?)

Well, it is going to be a great day!  Going to a friends house to watch a movie and some homemade enchiladas! Better do a hardcore workout to make up for some calories!  Then settle in with the puppies and watch some awesome performances and cheer on my favorite artists!

Grammys Baby!

Ladies and Gentlemen, today is the day.

SUPER BOWL XLV!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am a huge fan of football, college or pro, so watching the Super Bowl is a yearly must for me.  Although folks, this year is a very special game, my Green Bay Packers are taking down the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Shout out to my fellow cheeseheads and the Packer Nation!!!!!

I cannot wait!  It is going to be a great day!  Food, friends and football what could be better?!?!?!?!

Oh ya, Lea Michelle, Christina Aguilera and the Black Eyed Peas are performing, and of course GLEE!!!! Yes, GLEE is back with new episodes starting right after the Super Bowl.





I am in heaven and cannot wait! 

Yummyness

I love this recipe!  So easy and yummy!  I got this recipe from Giada and try to make at least once a week.

Ravioli with Brown Butter Sauce

• 1 bag of frozen Ravioli, cheese or beef ( you can use tortellini as well)
• 6 tablespoons of unsalted butter
• 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar
• salt/pepper to taste
• chopped walnuts
• shredded Parmesan cheese

Bring your pot of water to a boil and cook ravioli according to directions.  Drain and set aside.  In a saucepan melt the butter until golden brown, take off heat and add balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper.  Toss with ravioli and top with walnuts and parmesan cheese.

How flippin easy was that?!?  This is one of my go to recipes when I don't feel like cooking a big meal.  I didn't have the walnuts on hand in my picture, it still tastes good, but doesn't have that crunch. 

Enjoy!

Second Coming Armaggedon Blizzard of 2011

Yes people, the Blizzard of 2011 has hit the midwest and moving up towards the northeast.  Meteorologists are saying this could be the worst storm to hit the KC area in 20 years!

The camera on my phone can't capture the snowfall coming down, but you can see how "foggy" it looks from the snow.

Can't even tell where the driveway ends and the street begins!

Some areas are slated to get about 26 inches of snow! Now, I am not gonna lie, I love it.  It feels like I am living in a snow globe.

With all this snow, work has been canceled for husband and I.  Actually, the whole Kansas City area seems to have come to a halt. With being snowed in, here are a few things that I am excited to do.

Baking

 +

Crafting

+

Online "Window Shopping" 

 +

Snuggie + girlie movie + puppy snuggles

Hope everyone stays safe!