In Case You Were Wondering.......

Job #2 Won.

So yes, I'm employed at FOUR different places now.

And that's all I'm gonna say about that.

Craft Lovers

This one is for all you CRAFT LOVERS out there.

Click HERE.

Pea Juice

Me: While pointing to some yellowish fluid on the countertop......"Oops! Looks like I got some pea juice on the counter."

David: "Pee juice??"....... along with a puzzled look.

Me: "Pea juice."

David: "You peed on the counter?"

Me: "PEA juice!"

David: "You don't have to say juice. Pee is the juice! But that still doesn't explain why there's pee on the counter."

Me: "No! Pea juice!"....While pulling my plate of PEAS out of the microwave.

Increasing Mileage

I went for a 7 1/2 mile run on Wednesday. Here are a few photos I snapped with the camera on my phone along the journey....

Posing in front in Blackburn Park

I LOVE this park and take Ethan there a lot.

Good times!

Still covered with snow

Running OVER Interstate 44

About to run UNDER Interstate 44

Mickey Mouse greeted me after my run and made me SMILE

Thumbs up for completing 7.5 miles and seeing this adorable mouse.

Mini Food Art

You MUST check out this blog. Her mini food creations are amazing! I love her wide use of colors and .... well, you just have to see this with your own eyes. Enjoy!

Click HERE to be amazed.

Best.Sub.Ever.

This is what happens when a REAL, QUALIFIED, and CERTIFIED Teacher substitutes in the classroom.

Yep, that's ME!

So, I'm taking JOY in the little things these days.

I LOVE Teaching!!!

Movie Day

My wonderful friend, Rachel, gave me a ring on the tele today to see if I wanted to catch a movie with her. Now, you have to know that I'm not normally a movie-goer because I really only care to see comedies or sappy girl movies and that's not what Mr. Med School enjoys, so I just don't go to the movies.

Well, it was my lucky day! Rachel suggested that we check out Valentine's Day. So that's just what we did. We met at the mall early so we could do some light walking around and window shopping. You see, Rachel is my mall-walking buddy, but we haven't been able to do much of that lately because of our schedules. So we had some catching up to do.

I'm looking forward to seeing Sex in the City 2 with Rachel in a few months....

and ALL of my other friends too.

= )

Happy Valentine's Day!

For God so loVed the world,

That He gAve

His onLy

BegottEn

soN

ThaT whosever

Believes In Him

Should Not perish,

But have Everlasting life."

John 3:16

May you know the true and perfect love of Jesus Christ and celebrate it!

A Historical Day!

Today is a day that's going down in history books for me.

For the FIRST TIME EVER I am a NORMAL WEIGHT with a NORMAL BMI!!!!!

HOLY SMOKES!!! I think I'm the happiest gal on the planet today!!!

I will admit that I was craving a bagel from Bread Co. (aka Panera) yesterday while shopping next door at REI, but I did NOT give in to my stupid craving. And after stepping on the scale today I was definitely reminded why I gave up carbohydrates in the first place.

Thank you for all your support, encouragement, and prayers during my long journey!

Gifts of LOVE

I snapped a photo of my Cute Valentine enjoying

his assorted cherry heart-shaped jelly beans.

Don't worry.... that's not all I got him.

He just couldn't wait to try out these little things.

My Valentine spoiled me with some

beautiful orchids! He knows how much I enjoyed seeing the Orchid Show at the

Missouri Botanical Gardens.

They smelled heavenly!

I was so surprised and very happy!

Good job, Dave!

He also got me some yummy sweet treats.

Yes, he knows I've been dieting and will be more than happy to share with him. Maybe that's what he was going for..... just kidding. = )

I have been telling David that I want to experiment with gummies for instant fuel on my long runs. He thought these would be worth a try. Too cute!

Now here's my FUNNY VALENTINE....

60 Years....

YOUNG!

My Dad is 60 years young today.

This photo was taken in 2007... I wasn't quite ready. LOL!

H A P P Y

B I R T H D A Y,

D A D !

Oatmeal Cookies with Dried Fruit

I tried a new Oatmeal Cookie recipe when my parents came to town. We enjoyed some the evening they were here and then I bagged up the rest for care packages.

This isn't my favorite oatmeal cookie recipe, but I still think it's worth sharing. Everyone else seemed to really like them. Enjoy!

Oatmeal Cookies with Dried Fruit

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

freshly ground nutmeg

2 sticks butter, room temperature

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup (packed) light brown sugar

1/4 cup honey

2 large eggs

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

3 cups old-fashioned oats

1/2 cup dried unsweetened blueberries

1/2 cup dried unsweetened cherries

1/2 cup chopped pecans (I like to add a little more)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine the two flours, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, salt, and nutmeg medium bowl. Using an electric mixer, beat butter, sugar, and brown sugar until fluffy. Then add in the honey, eggs, and vanilla.

Remove from the mixer and stir in the flour mixture. Next stir in oats, dried fruit, and pecans. Drop spoonfuls of the batter onto cookie sheets. Flatten cookies slightly.

Bake cookies until golden brown, about

12-15 minutes.

Cool completely.

These pair nicely with a cup of hot tea.

Today's Run.... FAIL

My running path was covered in snow and ice today. I started out walking on the stuff

and then gave running a try.

It was pretty deep in areas and slick.

I gave up after one lap!

So.... Today's RUN = FAIL

Orchids & Such

Last Thursday I met my good friend, Kara, at the Missouri Botanical Gardens to see the 92nd Annual Orchid Show. Kara is lucky enough to have a family pass to the gardens and it allows her to bring a guest. I am always eager and happy to be her guest.

Anyways, I'll quit jabbering and post some photos so you can have a small glimpse of what I experienced in person. Prepare to be amazed..... (by the ORCHIDS, not by my photos.... LOL!)