So no real news on the house... kinda in limbo until I hear back on the estimates for mold remidiation... The bank assessor for "mold" in a couple locations in the house, so the bank won't finalize the loan til it is fixed and the selling bank won't do anything to repair a foreclosed home. My choices are to pay for it myself or drop the deal....
Linzy is developing a 'tude' even managing to hit one of our friends when she was trying to play with Linzy. Needless to say "Timeout" is becoming more common. On days when Linzy is being real good at telling us when she has to go potty, she gets to wear big girl underwear over her pull-ups. Provides some good encouragement for her. She really enjoys wearing them.
Ariel is studying hard and will have to take the praxis (spelling?) test for her major so she can "officially" enter the education department.
I've switched over to working four days a week...in preparation to working on the house... so... obviously I have a nice extra day to relax now... while I wait...
Thursday, October 22, 2009
BBQ Meatloaf... kinda.
At least that's what the recipe called it, though I didn't think it tastes enough like BBQ. The ladies at work all enjoyed it, though I though it came out a little dry. It is a crockpot recipe and though I should have cooked it on low overnight, I instead, cooked it on high from the moment I got to the office until lunch time. Cooking on high halves the amount of time you need to cook foods in the crock pot when it calls for say 8-10 hours on low, you really only need 3-4 on high. (ok so not perfect halves) Anywho.....
BBQ Meatloaf (Via crockpot)
Ingredients:
-2-2.5 lbs ground chuck
-1 can tomato soup (divided)
-1 egg, slightly beaten
-1 c. cruched Ritz crackers
-2 tbs honey
-1 tbs plus 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce, divided
-2 tbs dried minced onions
-1/2 tsp salt
-1/4 tsp pepper
-1/2 c water
-2 tsp prepared mustard
-2 tbs brown sugar
Prep: Combine ground chuck with half of the tomato soup, egg, crackers, honey, 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce, onions, salt, and pepper. Mix well and form into a ball. Place a crinkled length of aluminum foil in the slow cooker so that the ends extend an inch outside the pot. Place the meatloaf in the pot (the foil will make it easier to lift the meatloaf out and keep it out of the drippings).
Combine remaining soup, 1 tbs worcestershire sauce, the water, mustard, and brown sugar. Whisk together and pour over the meat loaf. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours. Serves 4-6.
BBQ Meatloaf (Via crockpot)
Ingredients:
-2-2.5 lbs ground chuck
-1 can tomato soup (divided)
-1 egg, slightly beaten
-1 c. cruched Ritz crackers
-2 tbs honey
-1 tbs plus 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce, divided
-2 tbs dried minced onions
-1/2 tsp salt
-1/4 tsp pepper
-1/2 c water
-2 tsp prepared mustard
-2 tbs brown sugar
Prep: Combine ground chuck with half of the tomato soup, egg, crackers, honey, 2 tsp Worcestershire sauce, onions, salt, and pepper. Mix well and form into a ball. Place a crinkled length of aluminum foil in the slow cooker so that the ends extend an inch outside the pot. Place the meatloaf in the pot (the foil will make it easier to lift the meatloaf out and keep it out of the drippings).
Combine remaining soup, 1 tbs worcestershire sauce, the water, mustard, and brown sugar. Whisk together and pour over the meat loaf. Cover and cook on low for 8-10 hours. Serves 4-6.
Monday, October 12, 2009
FallFest is over, Bring on the Harvest
The Fall Festival ended Saturday and while we were sad to see it go, we didn't waste any time moping around the house. Sunday was a beautiful day, so we went apple and pumpkin picking. We got lost going to one orchard, outdated gps maps, where we found that their season ended 2 weeks earlier. So, we drove to another about half an hour away. Linzy got to get herself a nice big pumpkin and we went out and picked about 3 ten pound bags of red and golden delicious apples. Linzy had a ball running about in the orchard though we had to chase her and keep her from going after the squishy ones on the ground.
It took us and hour to fill our 3 bags and it only cost us 16 dollars. We then stopped at the 'shop' on the way out of the orchard and grabbed a gallon of cider. (yay) After Linzy got up from her nap, we proceeded to peel and core some of the apples and cut them up for homade applesauce. Since we didn't have a food processor, we used a potatoe masher and an electric beater. The applesauce came out a bit thicker i think, though not with as small of particulates in it as the store brand. I did find out though that it tastes much better when its hot than cold applesauce does. We got almost 6 pints from 8lbs of apples.
With the rest of the apples we will be making applebutter and apple pie... maybe some more applesauce. Shannon, Ariel's mom, made apple butter with some store bought apples using mom's recipe and discovered that mom must make a double batch because we only got a couple pints from 3 lbs of apples.
Next weekend is camping at Lake Rudolph, the weekend after that is Baby O's birthday party (Linzy has been praticing singing), and then Halloween weekend, 1st weekend of Nov we have a birthday party in Nashiville TN to go to, and then the holidays approach...I'm going to need a vacation...
It took us and hour to fill our 3 bags and it only cost us 16 dollars. We then stopped at the 'shop' on the way out of the orchard and grabbed a gallon of cider. (yay) After Linzy got up from her nap, we proceeded to peel and core some of the apples and cut them up for homade applesauce. Since we didn't have a food processor, we used a potatoe masher and an electric beater. The applesauce came out a bit thicker i think, though not with as small of particulates in it as the store brand. I did find out though that it tastes much better when its hot than cold applesauce does. We got almost 6 pints from 8lbs of apples.
With the rest of the apples we will be making applebutter and apple pie... maybe some more applesauce. Shannon, Ariel's mom, made apple butter with some store bought apples using mom's recipe and discovered that mom must make a double batch because we only got a couple pints from 3 lbs of apples.
Next weekend is camping at Lake Rudolph, the weekend after that is Baby O's birthday party (Linzy has been praticing singing), and then Halloween weekend, 1st weekend of Nov we have a birthday party in Nashiville TN to go to, and then the holidays approach...I'm going to need a vacation...
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Fun Fun for everyone.
Many many to-dos lately. First, I am in the process of buying a house, no doubt mom filled you in already. I had the 'luxury' of showing mom, dad, glen, des, and a few members of ariel's family the house. (I warned them it kinda stank but they went anyway.) Yesterday, I had the inspection done on it, no real surprises there. I knew most of the things needing done already. It is a foreclosed home and it really needs a lot of TLC... a LOT of TLC. The bank listed it for 47500 and I got it for 35000. It is a 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath ranch stlye brick home with an attatched 1 car garage. The paperwork on the deal is now with the bank, they are in the process of appraisal and title work. Once that comes back, and I get a final approval on the loan, we can close and I can begin renovating. I hope to move in by January.
Linzy's 2nd birthday party was Saturday the 3rd, she really enjoyed her day in the spotlight. Along with some friends and Ariel's family, Mom and dad came and Glen and Des came with Gwen and Gavin. Linzy got a slide for her birthday, which currently is located in the family room at Ariel's parents, and she slid with the other kids quite a bit. She also got some much needed clothes for her wardrobe and a few toys. She's really getting into playing with her uncle's matchbox cars and has begun putting her dolls to bed. Anywho, her party was of course, Mickey mouse club house themed. and Ariel made linzy a small cake with a fondant Minnie on top... linzy loves fondant...I try to keep her away from too much sugar... because well... she kinda goes nuts. She's energetic as it is, but when you add sugar, she's ... kinda bouncing off the walls. Not that we ever were like that as kids. >.>
We did commit a terrible parenting sin that day, that will haunt us for a long time to come... we didn't get any pictures... none at all... zero... zilch... nada... goose eggs... With all that was going on and trying to make sure we saw everyone and that everything was going alright, we forgot all about getting the camera out and taking pictures.
The 88th Annual Fall Festival is this week in Evansville. It is the second largest street festival in the US, short of Mardi Gras. It comprises mostly of food booths, but has rides, games, talent shows, a couple parades, and some exhibits/contests. Ariel goes out there daily and so far I have gotten her to knowingly and willingly try alligator jerky and bison burger. Tonight I will indroduce her to elk meat. Linzy loved the Alligator jerky oddly enough.
This weekend we go apple and pumpkin picking, will take the camera, and my cousin Joe is coming out for the weekend, so it should be a fun time.
Linzy's 2nd birthday party was Saturday the 3rd, she really enjoyed her day in the spotlight. Along with some friends and Ariel's family, Mom and dad came and Glen and Des came with Gwen and Gavin. Linzy got a slide for her birthday, which currently is located in the family room at Ariel's parents, and she slid with the other kids quite a bit. She also got some much needed clothes for her wardrobe and a few toys. She's really getting into playing with her uncle's matchbox cars and has begun putting her dolls to bed. Anywho, her party was of course, Mickey mouse club house themed. and Ariel made linzy a small cake with a fondant Minnie on top... linzy loves fondant...I try to keep her away from too much sugar... because well... she kinda goes nuts. She's energetic as it is, but when you add sugar, she's ... kinda bouncing off the walls. Not that we ever were like that as kids. >.>
We did commit a terrible parenting sin that day, that will haunt us for a long time to come... we didn't get any pictures... none at all... zero... zilch... nada... goose eggs... With all that was going on and trying to make sure we saw everyone and that everything was going alright, we forgot all about getting the camera out and taking pictures.
The 88th Annual Fall Festival is this week in Evansville. It is the second largest street festival in the US, short of Mardi Gras. It comprises mostly of food booths, but has rides, games, talent shows, a couple parades, and some exhibits/contests. Ariel goes out there daily and so far I have gotten her to knowingly and willingly try alligator jerky and bison burger. Tonight I will indroduce her to elk meat. Linzy loved the Alligator jerky oddly enough.
This weekend we go apple and pumpkin picking, will take the camera, and my cousin Joe is coming out for the weekend, so it should be a fun time.
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Such is life...
Conversation on the phone today:
Lady: "yes, I have been getting sick from my water. It has a bleachy smell and a bad taste."
Me: "Are you on city water or well water?"
Lady: "I don't know"
Me: "Well, do you recieve a water bill?"
Lady: "yes."
At this point I slap my forehead and want to ask her if she believes that a well can write/mail a bill.
Lady: "yes, I have been getting sick from my water. It has a bleachy smell and a bad taste."
Me: "Are you on city water or well water?"
Lady: "I don't know"
Me: "Well, do you recieve a water bill?"
Lady: "yes."
At this point I slap my forehead and want to ask her if she believes that a well can write/mail a bill.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Restless...
Title says it all, I'm restless. I work out 3 times a week and I read books. I go to Ariel's almost daily and play with Linzy and visit. It is not enough though, I still feel restless. I don't know if its because I'm in an apartment or that I grew up on a farm. I wake up during the night for no reason and just lay there, trying to get back to sleep. Work has gotten incredibly slow, I'm a month ahead on my scheduled work. I now hope to focus all this restlessness on studying for my RS certification test and to find a project to work on. I decided that since I'm looking for a house anyway, I should look for a 'project' house or as they say a house that is in need of some 'TLC' Whatever happens, I hope that I can find some way of getting a feeling that I'm accomplishing something, something to make me feel more content.... or maybe just working with my hands will tide my restlessness.
We are attempting to wean Linzy off her pacifiers. Ariel and I have cut off the tips of them and believe me, she noticed. She still demands them when she goes to bed, but they no longer stay in her mouth when she sleeps. Most of the time now, she takes them out of her mouth before she falls asleep. The down side though is that this seems to bring out her "terrible two" fits more and she seems to be more of a drama queen. Last few days I'm told she wakes up in the middle of the night and cries out for someone to come get her. Used to be we'd give her a pacifier and she'd go back to bed, but now that don't work and Ariel's parents have taken to putting her into Ariel's bed... Seems like they're kinda going backwards on that aspect.
Ariel is back in class, she's got 18 credit hours this semester and believe me, its bad timing with Linzy entering her terrible twos. Ariel has to do her homework between classes and before she goes to pick Linzy up from daycare, and then after Linzy goes to bed. This is because Linzy is going through some pretty bad withdrawls from not getting to be with her mom all the time like she did all summer. She literally demands all Ariel's attention while she's awake and sometimes will try to stay up to see her more.
I'll keep you updated.
We are attempting to wean Linzy off her pacifiers. Ariel and I have cut off the tips of them and believe me, she noticed. She still demands them when she goes to bed, but they no longer stay in her mouth when she sleeps. Most of the time now, she takes them out of her mouth before she falls asleep. The down side though is that this seems to bring out her "terrible two" fits more and she seems to be more of a drama queen. Last few days I'm told she wakes up in the middle of the night and cries out for someone to come get her. Used to be we'd give her a pacifier and she'd go back to bed, but now that don't work and Ariel's parents have taken to putting her into Ariel's bed... Seems like they're kinda going backwards on that aspect.
Ariel is back in class, she's got 18 credit hours this semester and believe me, its bad timing with Linzy entering her terrible twos. Ariel has to do her homework between classes and before she goes to pick Linzy up from daycare, and then after Linzy goes to bed. This is because Linzy is going through some pretty bad withdrawls from not getting to be with her mom all the time like she did all summer. She literally demands all Ariel's attention while she's awake and sometimes will try to stay up to see her more.
I'll keep you updated.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Newsworthy...kinda
One of the gals at work made the crockpot recipe that I brought the other day. She tried it with some beef roast she had instead of pork to see how it would turn out.... It was good.
Ariel and I are planning to move into a verizon family plan together when I get my upgrade in september.
I got approved for a mortgage, but no luck finding a suitable house...did I not mention I was looking?
Linzy has gotten too attached to her pacifiers, so Ariel has poked holes into them all with a needle to reduce their appeal.
About does it...
Ariel and I are planning to move into a verizon family plan together when I get my upgrade in september.
I got approved for a mortgage, but no luck finding a suitable house...did I not mention I was looking?
Linzy has gotten too attached to her pacifiers, so Ariel has poked holes into them all with a needle to reduce their appeal.
About does it...
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