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below 160...

So, over the past month I have tipped the scales at around 163-165. There have been a few days where I have weighed really early in the morning and hit as low as 159, but it doesn't last all day. One evening last week, (see my last post for all the exercise I did) I weighed in at 159. That should have had me jumping for joy, but I thought it would surely be back. Nope. I'm down to 158 yesterday, and I haven't even been eating responsibly for the past three days. That's all changing today. It's back to flounder(yum!), chicken, steamed veggies, and other varieties of healthy, yummy food.. No more chili, cake and icecream, or soda. (I only had one sprite all weekend.)

Speaking of the weekend...Kendle was gone with the youth boys on friday night and all day saturday. Friday night was pretty cold, so I just snagged my blankets, comforter and all, off of the bed and curled up on the couch. Saturday morning, I had a funeral to go to. It was one of mine and Emily's friends from high-school...she was in Emily's grade and exactly the same age...even shared a birthday. (I'm sorry I didn't call you when I woke up that morn, Em. Wish you had been there.)
That afternoon, I rode up to Holdenville (in the snow!) with my in-laws for Braden's birthday party. It seemed really ironic....attending a funeral and a birthday party in one day...

spring break

I had a good spring break. I was able to get outside of my normal routine, which was boring, monotonous, and unhealthy. Now, I have already been trying to buy healthier foods, as most of you know. That helps, but you have to get there first, I'm still not there, but am working towards it quickly. We have added a lot of fish to our diet and have also begun to eat fresh or frozen vegetables more often than canned. Our portion sizes have decreased considerably over the past few months as have our $$ spent eating out. The much lesser, but still measurable decrease has been waist size. I am into a size smaller jeans than on January 1. I'm not satisfied.

The other side of the battle is exercise and healthy activity levels throughout the day. This is where we fail most. As I stated before, this week was unusual. On St. Patty's day, I went out to Seth and Kim's on a whim [they weren't there=.( ] and rode 4wheelers for 3-4 hours with Roxy, Tommy and Drew. I was so sore. I was also bruised on my face(still am).

Between that and watching Ta'lea and Sydney the next day, I got quite a workout. Thursday, Friday and Saturday I stayed active enough, but didn't put out any real effort to go do anything. Saturday afternoon, Ashley came down. Us girls decided to got to Leslies and walk. We walked 2 miles, the first of which we walked 1min, ran 1min. It was so hard. Finally I had to beg out on her and we walked the rest of the way. About two hours later, we wound up playing tennis and did so again the following night.

This week is spring break. It feels more like spring ache. Srsly. I am hurting. Saturday, Kendle and I went and walked his dad's horses for about an hour. They are pretty eventempered, except after a few minutes, Dollar started trying to lead me around instead of the other way around. i coudn't be having that, so each time he started tugging, I'd have to stop, get a really short range on his rope, and start walking again. I guess he just wanted to go a little faster. He really wanted to trott a bit. He lifted his feet as high as they would go. If we were going too slow, he would lean over and snort at me or try to bite my hand. Eventually, he won. We walked as fast as I possibly could without running, though I felt that I almost was. I lost 10 lbs that day. Not really, but I should have.
After the horses were back in their pen, brushed and happy, we helped Papa Nanney air up a tire on his stock trailer. Kendle likes to go a little crazy on the 4wheeler and tried to break my back taking off on our way back to the shop.
Next, we went out and gave the cows a bale of hay(= more 4wheeler-riding for me).
Soon after all of this was done, we got a call to see if I would clean a house. X-hours later, we were done, exhauted, and we headed home. It was really an abnormal day for both of us, which was really refreshing. Anyhow, now I'm paying the price for my activities. I'm still not sure why the back of my leg feels so strained, but it's getting a little better this afternoon. Probably pulling that horse everywhichway coupled with the crazy fourwheeler rides. It was all fun at the time.

Clue

Spring 2005

Winter 2007

And, I'm back.

I just thought about all of you and decided it was time for an update. The rotten thing is that I've only 5 minutes left before I must scurry off campus to do other things! Yippee! There goes 2 minutes of your time; I was celebrating. I paid for last semester today...yikes! $1,252.00.
I do have to say, I am loving college. I still need a job, though.
So what's new in life? Well...and, um...I guess that's all. Hehehee.
I have a secret and, no, I'm not pregnant. I'm not telling anyone what it is. There are people who know, (Cilla's not one of them) but they don't know it's a secret so don't bother running around asking what my secret is. I'll tell you all in a few months. Months?! Yes. I'm that mean. And put your fangs away. They don't suit you in public.

Chicken Fever

I bought a package of chicken breasteses the other day and, since then, we've had chicken most every night. Now, as some of you know, I'm not usually a huge fan of chicken. Particularly fried chicken. There is only so much I can handle before I'm ready for a steak, you know? But this chicken breast stuff is growing on me. I like it. maybe it's because I chop it up into smaller pieces and I'm not having to eat this huge chunk of chicken after every bite of whatever else I'm having. Whatever the case, I'm liking it and so is Kendle. So, it started with fried rice...


Chicken Fried Rice for Two
1Chicken Breast
cooked rice
veggies*
1egg
teriyaki or soy sauce
So, I just cook the rice(1cup uncooked = 3cups cooked) and the chicken. Remove chicken from pan. Put rice in frying pan on med-low heat. Add veggies then egg, then teriyaki sauce. Meanwhile, chop chicken into med-small pieces and then add to rice mixture.
*I actually picked a few carrots, peas, and corn from a can of veg-all and diced the carrots a little. I put the remaining veg-all in a bowl for use the next day in (what I planned to be) a pot pie. Turned our that I made chicken and dumplings instead. So easy and so good.


Deborah's Dumplings
Soup
1can cream of mushroom soup*
1can cream of chicken soup*
1Chicken breast, cooked, chopped
1Can Veg-all
1Can corn
Milk to right thickness**
Dumplings***
1cup Bisquick
1/3 cup milk
pepper(opt.)
parsley(opt.)

* feel free to use both mushroom or both chicken soup...it all tastes good.
**Maybe 1 1/2 cups? I don't measure it. Just remember that the soup will thicken even more after you put dumplings in it.
***I make a double batch of this for extra dumplingness.

Bring soup to a boil, stirring often. Reduce heat and immediately drop dumplings on top of soup with a teaspoon. (you'll want the blobs to be 1-1 1/2 inches in diameter....they grow) Do not just stir them in(esp in first 5 minutes), but make sure you don't scorch the bottom of the pan either. Cook on low for 10-12 minutes. Serve. Mmmmm...
note: these are original recipes. I did not get them out of books or on-line. I also made up the names all on my own. Thank you. ;)

So...This is it...I'm in finals week and I am ready for the break!
*happy dance*

5 More days...

Until the finals officially begin! Aaaak! For some of us, they began Monday of this week with one big, whopping Chemistry test. Really, it shouldn't be all that hard. The only one I'm thinking about at all the American Government test. The rest should be really low-stress. My computer class is simply going to be our final unit exam, just like the rest of all the tests we've taken throughout the semester. My Chemistry test is a comprehensive, take-home test. Crazy, right? Ok...and I found out today that my psychology final is not going to be what we were originally told it would be. It will be 85 questions pulled from all of our tests throughout the semester (she told us this a few weeks back) and we were going to get our previous tests back today to study. We got to class only to discover that she would not be returning our tests to us as a study guide. Instead she has decided to allow us to use our books on the exam!
So have any of you seen "Saving Sarah Cain"? It's a movie based on a book by Beverley Lewis. I got it on my Netflix this week. It was actually a good movie. It's about a girl who's sister was Amish and passed away leaving her as the legal guardian of 5 children. It's very family-appropriate and is also a neat story.
So...that's my day and a few of the things on my mind this week.
Oh, I forgot to mention money...whew-eee...Christmas is not good to be in December. Vewy, vewy bad montf to spend ze money...hehe...

The turkey runned away!

So...this year I didn't cook a turkey. I got in trouble for it, too. ;)
I think Phil (my father-in-law) was pretty upset about it. Hehehe...I actually knew it would get a reation out of someone, but I didn't expect it to be him. I kinda felt bad, but it's not like I just have a million extra bucks floating around to spend on a turkey that I'm not even gonna be around to munch on. Nor did I have a lot of extra time. As it was I got behind on the pies and showed up late to lunch.
Speaking of pies...ugh! Two of them turned out just fine. They were great, though I say so myself. The third? Horrible! I used a generic brand of pumpkin *cough*bestchoice*cough* and it was disgusting! So I learned what I already knew, but (apparently) didn't trust: Libby's pumpkin makes the best pie. Pay the extra dollar per can. It's worth it. End of story.

The Turkeys are Coming!

Growing up in a large family, there were few things that were sure to happen on a schedule. Plans were made and cancelled time and again. One thing remained true each year: we were going to have a turkey dinner on Thanksgiving and our parents were going to eat at the table with us. It was the most traditional holiday meal you could ask for and it was good down to the last bite of turkey sandwich three days later. We spent at least all day cooking and had the best evening meal of the year knowing through the whole thing that we better think what we were thankful for cause the question would come up in a few minutes and we wanted to have a good one.



Last year was the first time since I've been married that we actually had a turkey for thanksgiving at the Powell's. Sad, I know. Well...to me it is. They didn't think so, I guess. They've always just had ham with "hen" dressing ("hen" being chicken). I guess Southern traditions are so different from what I grew up with. I kind of like it. It's funny to me, though. And I miss my turkey.


So what changed last year? Me. I bought and cooked a turkey. Simple as that. I don't know if I will this year or not. We'll just have to see...and I guess I have today to make that decision if I want it to be thawed in time for cooking.

I do know that I'll have to be baking a few pumpkin pies and buying, or perhaps making, some good, old-fashioned eggnog. Either how, I'll be going to see the little bean boy very soon.

~Happy Thanksgiving to all~

Be sure that even if your turkey is non-traditional, you at least keep the tradition and have a trukey!

Ethan!

My newest nephew!!!

http://babyhafer.blogspot.com/2008/11/ethan-joseph.html

He's so beautiful!...Err...handsome!

I did it.

www.debdprecious.blogspot.com

what, you ask, is that? Sweet Nothings. My new blog. It's gonna be full of neat ideas for the casa. I think you'll like it. I do... =)

Fear Drives Us

My greatest fear when I started college came true today. No, I haven't failed all of my classes, or jumped off of the Administration Building, nor have I lost my mind. It's much worse. I locked my keys in my car. I called Kendle and he is on his way over here. That is what upsets me the most. He just left work and didn't say anything about it. Of course, he'll probably tease the crap out of me tonight at church in front of as many people as what he can, but that's ok. My knight came to rescue me and that's what matters! I hope he doesn't read this. hahaha ;) Oh, and I think I just realized something. wow. I walked into the bookstore a few minutes ago and asked the little chattering group of workers and students if anyone had a slim-jim. Some shook their head "no" and all of them looked at me a little weird. One of the clerks said, "I get several up here from time to time, but I don't have one right now." I thanked her and left. I've kinda kept that in the back of my mind until this moment. I had been hoping someone would have one in their car, but why would a bookstore clerk "occasionally" have one, much less "some?!"
now I have to laugh, though. They must've all thought that I was talking about slim-jim beef sticks! Oh, I feel so stupid! But, they should feel the same. If I were to go back and tell them again what I was talking about, they'd laugh themselves to scorn. Nobody, obviously in distress, walks into a bookstore and asks hopingly for a BEEF STICK! Well, if you ask them, one strange girl does...
Oh, what a day.
:)

To build or what to build, that is the dilema

So last night I as Kendle and I were talking about our house [future] plans, I realized that there are so many things I see that I would love to do. They pop up all the time along with a load of "insteads" (instead of using[item, color, shape] we could do ...) and there I am trying to describe what I see, which was a peice of what I saw...ugh...let's just say it's not easy for either of us to communicate what we're imagining. Thus, my plan. I will start collecting images of those things that really catch my eye. Be it a room theme, color, or an item that I would like to one day incorporate into my modern chic design. I'm trying to figure a plan where I can have sort of a collection of both web images on my computer--sidenote...my laptop is broken. The screen won't display anything and I think I need a videocard for it...end sidenote--and some magazine images that I can stuff away in my filing cabinet for when I want to dream. I know it may sound stupid, but somehow, I always know what I want until I need to tell someone, usually Kendle, and I think it would help if we could both see what we're talking about. BTW, feel free to shre anything with me that you think I might like, or that you think is neat. You never know who may wind up searching for their true love in my glorious jumble.

Daddy, can we keep 'im?

So....is it bad luck if your black cat has her kittens on Halloween night???
Hehehehe...
Yes, and there are five of them.
I will take pictures and then you can take your pick!
*!~grin~!*

Food, wonderful food!...

[the vultures' song on IceAgeII...nevermind...]
There is a point to that, though...

I've been COOKING! Like...every dish in my house is dirty, cooking. I plan to remedy that this evening. I just wish we could come up with a vaccination for that, you know? It could be called the ''anti-dirtydishariitis'' vaccine. Once again...nevermind... =)
Seriously, though...it has been cooking madness at my house.
Everything from Nachos, Chinese somethingimadeup with burger/rice, etc., to Pumpkin Pies and Custards. Oh yes. You heard me. I always knew that I liked baking. I even knew at one point that I liked cooking in general (thus my thoughts to go to culinary school...didn't last, but I thought about it.) but I haven't thought about it for a looong time! Why? Lack of time. Nothing more. We have been so busy, and sometimes we were just busy making ourselves busy, that we grew accustomed to eating out. I got to a point where I didn't really miss homemade food. Or at least, I didn't know that I missed it. I guess your tastebuds adjust after a while. Here's the deal, though. They don't. They get used to bland, restaurant flavors. I discovered that they are easily re-awakened to real, fresh, vibrant flavors. I made some alfredo on Tuesday. I wish I had gotten a picture of it. It was heavenly. I'm not talking I bought a jar of Bertolli Sauce and poured it over my noodles. NO! I'm talking homemade from cream and a touch of milk(I think half-and-half would've worked, too) with parmesian cheese and butter. PERFECT! I need to go buy some chicken and do it again. I've never had better alfredo. And I eat the stuff every chance I get, so I know the difference.
Anyhow, I guess I'll get back to my school work now, and maybe I'll start sharing a recipe with you occasionally. I'm a really great cook! =)
toot toot!

The Chritmas gift...

...that keeps on giving!!!

Cliche?

NO!!!

It's FINALLY true!!!

But don't just take my word for it; see for yourself!

Years of fun for your loved one!

And the best part? It's free!!!

just leave me a comment with your email or web address...

These precious kitties will be ready just in time for you to make Christmas wishes come true!

[more pictures coming soon]

Oh, Summer, Where Art Thou?

I woke up COLD this morning.

And jobless.

It got me thinking...

It got me to thinking just how much everything has changed! All of the beautiful, hot summer days are waving goodbye and bidding farewell. They're off to Cabo for the winter. =)
With those days go many memories. A few of them were captured by photographs.
Darrell...it's the short game that counts...
Cilla..they say you're supposed to swing a club like you would a water hose...and she does.

Oh, and the little one in the background is taking lessons...

Hole in one! [maybe, maybe not...it just souds like a good caption]
Maddison...she's such a pro...we're boring her...
The Man Himself...need I say more...?

So long, Summer Days, we'll all miss you...

Oh, and this has nothing to do with this blog, but I have to throw it out anyhow... I think my cat is a who'...if you know what I mean... I think she's pregnant.

I could kick her out. I SHOULD kick her out!!! But I'm too nice...I do have an idea...but that's for another blog. =)

Snapshots

Andrea was talking about things that she wished she had a snapshot of and suggested that we share our snapshot memories. I have a few myself, so I'll share them.


Watching Valerie walk into the office yester-morning with all the chatter sort of drifting in her direction as she passed by, laughing.

The faces and voices of my co-workers as we sat together as such for the last time having lunch.

My eyes well up with tears, but those buggers don't escape. Not yet.

This one is more of a video than a snapshot. Alanna and I were leaving Mazzio's and there was a lady walking her dog through the parking lot. She had one of those retractable leashes and was carrying a plastic bag and trying to control the length of the leash, but wasn't fairing too well. We got in the car and as we started to back out Alanna said, "Well that's a really cute outfit, but that face ruins it." She'd kill me if she knew I'd told you that! We laughed as we started backing up. The woman did look like she could be homeless and was acting sort of weird. Then we noticed what the woman had in her bag. It was a miniature wooden rocking chair with a mirror in the back of it. She stopped a couple of high-school girls on their way out of the store, and we thought she was trying to sell it to them. This made us only laugh harder. I thought we we're in Mexico for a minute. She set the chair, legs sticking out of holes in the sides of the bag, on the curb, handed the dog leash to one of the girls and walked into the store to, we assumed, get her food. The girls looked so stunned and then started laughing, obviously wondering what was going on. Just before we pulled out onto the highway, we saw the woman come back out of the store with a new bag for her chair. All that drama just for a bag. Those couple of moments made my day!


Please share your "wish I could've captured it" moments with me! I want to know...