Book Review, Halloween Photogs and Holiday Overeating

Saturday really was a great day! Loved that I got to go walking with Teresa- good times – and then we chilled out and watched football under blankets in her cozy den. Before we knew it, it was time to get ready, finish getting the food ready, etc. – the party started at 7! We had a blast getting to know more of her and Forrest’s friends, playing Rock Band, hanging out with Reuben and seeing him with all of the other puppers, etc. Also GREAT to get to see Jimmy/Mary (our friends who had baby Emma) and Kelly/Ryan (our friends getting married in December). And of course, Teresa/Forrest – always a good time! Here’s some pics! (totally out of order - forgive me!)

Austin bumped into an old friend from Auburn who was partying across the street - so random!

Austin and his boys!

Teresa & Monica

Me, Mary and T!

The puppers!

Me and Austin rockin' it out

A new friend, Emitt! Reuben and Daisy loved him!

Who doesn't love Rock Band?

And Jell-O shots in syringes

Teresa made so much AWESOME food - and cute little signs

yum - ate lots of M&Ms

Most of the spread - tons!

Trying to get puppers to get it together

hehe costume time

Tried to get a good one of Reuben - it was hard!

T made this 'witch's brew!'

Me and baby Reuben!

See - he just wasn't cooperating!

Another attempt - love that it looks like he's wearing leggings!

My baby pumpkin!! He went classic th is year fo sho.

Me and Austin -not as good as homecookedem's pics but we were happy!

Teresa and Forrest went ALL OUT with the costumes!

This is just a small sampling - they did SO much!

Group shot of me and Austin with 3 of our favorite couples!

T, me, Kelly D and Mary!

So yes, I overate. I was just still kinda tired/still kinda feeling crappy and just let myself snack a lot even though I wasn’t hungry. All of the yummy chips and dips couldn’t be resisisted! So my calorie count was pretty high, ending up at 2,530 calories, 208 carbs, 79 fat grams and 108 protein grams. Halloween is once a year though, right? It’s all good – I’m back on track and honestly, am glad I had those snacks. How often do you get to have Velveeta rotel?! Never! Haha Here’s what I ate.

I mentioned I finished Karin Slaugter’s Faithless (the 5^th in the series). While it ended up being SO good, it took a while for it to get going. It was very ebb and flow and was one of the longest books of hers (530 pages). I dunno – I kept getting in and out and while I definitely was impressed with the twists and turns (first and last 100 pages rocked), the middle was muddy. Me and Stacy were talking and it’s like her first and second were AMAZING, then the 3^rd was meh, then the 4^th was AMAZING and now the 5^th was a little meh. I give it a 3/5 but definitely recommend if you read the series to read this because there was definitely some movement in their personal lives outside of the mystery!

This morning I got up earlier than the group, so I stayed in bed and started my book club book, Sue Miller’s While I was Gone. It’s great so far, but I only got 30 pages in. I definitely won’t be reading this on the treadmill – tiny font – so I’m going to start reading one of your recommendations! Sarah’s Key, The Lost Symbol, The Host, Happens Every Day and Julie and Julia are all GREAT ideas. I also love the Time Traveler’s Wife and Twilight suggestions, but I’ve read those (loved them all!). I think I’m going to go with the Host, mostly because it involves no effort – my awesome mom will bring it over Tuesday – woo! Then I’m thinking of putting these up for book club – Sarah’s Key and Happens Every Day especially sound like book club material. Thanks again! If you have any other book recs please send them over – love it!

So I’m taking a personal day tomorrow – woo! I don’t even know what I’m going to do yet. I know it will definitely involve reading, a library, a gym and some home organization though. We shall see!! I hope you all had wonderful weekends:

1. Did you have a happy Halloween?
2. Did you overeat like me?!

Happy Halloween, Mini Rant, Book Review and 18.5 miles

Happy Halloween! Don't judge, this is Reuben's Halloween '08 photo. I PROMISE i'm going to be a good fur baby mom and take pics of him tonight!!

Anywho, backing up: Wednesday wasn’t a bad day at all, but I definitely didn’t get to do everything I wanted to which makes me sad because I’m a big whine baby like that. Basically work was crazy. Notice the theme lately? My job is very feast or family and right now it’s feast which is good because who doesn’t want to be relevant right now but bad because, well, it’s a little stressful trying to get it all done right now. Anywhoodle. I worked, walked 4 miles at lunch, had a guy approach me and say “you’re in pretty good shape – you don’t just do treadmill huh?.” Um, this is a company gym – weird. And um, what’s wrong with just treadmill. I laughed and was all bahahaha, no, I do strength training too and more cardio after work if I can. And he was like oh yeah, I figured, walking just won’t cut it. What? Who are these people? Well this person is a runner. I see him running and clearly judging me for not running. Boo on him. Do you find that some people poo poo on your exercise? I do. Losers.

Wow. Mini rant. Back on track. After working out I was in meetings all afternoon and had a lot of candy. A lot. Blah. Then I came straight home after work (had to work late), baked pre-made pita pizzas and went back to work until 10 p.m. Grrr. I DID have a glass of wine though – yums – and got to do a little bit of chill time (reading). Overall I’m just ready for the weekend and more free time.

So, review of James Patterson's Sail!


I LOVED it. I thought the main character, the mom, was hilarious, and I liked hearing about her family dynamic and was interested as family secrets were revealed. Ultimately though, the story had lots of twists – my favorite. I will say that it was a little slow going and they revealed the conspirator early on so at first I was like DANG, it’s going to be all about how this person did it… but it wasn’t. It was much more then that, had a huge side plot, and had 3 surprise endings. I enjoyed and recommend it wholeheartedly! Maybe not on audio though, much like the Notebook it’s slightly uncomfortable listening to sex scenes at 7:30 a.m. in traffic. Just sayin’. I do however give it a 4.5 out of 5. What would have made it better was quicker get up and go/less build up (although later you do realize that some of that build up actually mattered; but to me not enough to make it worthwhile). Okay – I’ll stop now! I ended up at 1,771 calories, 230 carbs, 47 fat grams and 80 protein grams. Here’s what I ate.

So Thursday was a little hectic. I had work (obvi) but lots of exercise I wanted to get to. And I REALLY wanted to:

Finish Karin Slaughter’s Faithless (didn’t happen)

Finish cleaning out my closet for donations DONE

Develop a new meal plan for next week DONE

Make the rest of the weeks’ meals (needed 2 more!)

Go grocery shopping for next week DONE

Get pregnant belly DONE

Get Austin to get his shorts DONE (he wasn’t willing to sport the short length that homecookedem’s husband was! Chicken!)

As far as exercise, I was only able to get in 4.5 miles cardio (mostly walking/some running - HRM burn: 292). Grrr. Instead of working out during lunch I had to pick up pupper from the vet! He had lots of shots, but did well and rested all afternoon! Me and Austin had yummy quinoa with veggies and chicken for dinner, then an evening of Halloween music and wine outside. Good times. :) I ended up at 1,966 calories, 213 carbs, 45 fat grams and 108 protein grams. Here’s what I ate.

Friday I woke up exhausted. It was like it all crept up on me and I was so tired and felt sick again. Blah. I went to work and got lots done, walked 4 miles during lunch, worked more, and then walked 2 more after work.(HRM burn total: 335). Then I headed home, packed up, had dinner and got on the road. I was a zombie. Like I slept on the way to Auburn. I got here and walked in and everyone could just tell I felt awful. Instead of going out as planned I got in my PJ’s and watched Grey’s Anatomy with Teresa and Lauren! I enjoyed it. Then I went to bed and slept SOUND. I ended up at 1,940 calories, 251 carbs, 51 fat grams and 84 protein grams. Here’s what I ate.

Now it’s Saturday. I feel a little better but still really congested. Boo – I can’t get rid of this cold! Me and T went for a 4-mile walk around 11 – that was nice and made me feel better! My HRM said I burned 225 calories. Now I’m cozied up on the couch blogging – love it! And I finished Faithless – SO good. I’ll post my book review of that tomorrow.

I’m sorry this post got so long! The week just really got away from me! I’m off to read blogs now – woo! I’ve missed you guys! TTYL!

New Breakfast Recipe, Lots of Clothing Pics, The Fabulous Sash, Recipe Fail and Twilight!!

Yesterday I had a hard time getting motivated. I didn’t sleep well – kept tossing and turning. Dang Sunday nights! I got in, got settled and ate a new breakfast we cooked yesterday, Real Mom Kitchen’s Country Breakfast Scramble. Here’s the recipe for FOUR servings:

This is one serving - fab!!

6 to 7 (medium sized) new red potatoes, cubed (29 ounces)
8 eggs
1/3 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
4 tbsp chopped green onions, sliced
4 slices turkey bacon (butterball)
½ cup fat-free cheddar cheese
2 tsp olive oil

Heat one inch water to boiling in 2-quart saucepan. Cut potatoes into cube and add to water. Cover and heat to boiling; reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and cook 12 to 15 minutes or until potatoes are tender; drain. Beat eggs, milk, salt and pepper with fork. In a large skillet (or microwave!), cook bacon until crispy and remove from skillet. Add olive oil to skillet, then top with potatoes. Cook potatoes 3 to 5 minutes, turning occasionally, until light brown. Stir in green onions. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Pour egg mixture into skillet. As mixture begins to set at bottom and side, gently lift cooked portions with spatula so that thin, uncooked portion can flow to bottom. Avoid constant stirring. Cook 3 to 4 minutes or until eggs are thickened throughout but still moist. Dice up cooked bacon. Sprinkle with bacon and cheese. Divide into four servings and serve. Nutritional Information: 374 calories, 37 carbs, 14 fat grams and 23 protein grams.

We loved it! Super hearty and filling. If anything I may reduce potatoes by 4 ounces (total) to add in another bacon strip or two but honestly, I could eat it just like this and be happy! You could also cut the portions into 6 instead of 4 and serve with toast or yogurt or whateva. Love! Thanks, Real Mom Kitchen!

Then I worked, had a yogurt, had a dove chocolate… then I ditched the plan to walk 4 miles. I still felt kind of weak. :( I decided instead to shop more, hitting up Nordstrom and American Apparel! (sales; cheap stuff as per usual). I ended up with 4 Nordstrom dresses ($80 total!) and a skirt, outfit for Reuben, socks for Austin and a belt for me at American Apparel – fabulous! My friend Sue went with me and get this – when you spend $40 at Nordstrom you get an advanced ticket to see Twilight 2 at Phipps- random! So I got that… but I don’t want to go alone! Haha


Love the lanyard... so official. haha I gave Austin the Twilight branded chocolate!


I got back to work and had lunch, a new recipe… meh. It was Crock Pot Oriental chicken and I won’t be making it again. Bleh. Recipe FAIL. So no recipe for that one! I finished up work and headed straight home to a night of TV watching, hanging with the family, and pre-cooking per my meal plan – woo! I ended the night at 1,573 calories, 212 carbs, 36 fat grams and 83 protein grams. Here’s what I ate.

And here’s some of the clothes I picked up Sunday & Monday!

Austin's "Bleeker" socks. (american apparel)

The fabulous American Apparel sash. NO, I didn't get 5. But YES, I did get one black one and it can be tied a gagillion different ways. Below are some of my favorite ways to tie it. Please note: they also have ways to tie it as a tourbon, neck tie and even as a top - I KID YOU NOT! Thanks, Crystal, for telling me about this - you ROCK!


Some of the clothes I got! (click to make larger)
A few things are off: I got the top left dress in black not gray, and I got the top right sweater in black and gray (not cream!). I got both pairs of tights in gray and black, I didn't get the funny looking dog but DID get the solid black tee for Reuben, the things on the right are long fingerless gloves (if you can't tell!)



not pictured: purple/pink/blue knee socks for under pants (forever 21) and 3 black forever 21 tops: one long sleeved, one short sleeve with floral accents and one like a tee-shirt with a cut out upper back. Should also note: the green/striped dress is TOTALLY spring, but it's by one of my favorite brands, Scrapbook, and it was on sale for - hold the phone - $9!!!!!!

That's all folks! I'm this close to being done with my fall/winter shopping - woo!

So... I still need to post Halloween pics! (on hold as my pregnant-belly-maker is still a work in progress, Austin needs one more thing for his costume and Reuben is refusing photos until after his grooming appointment on Friday. What a diva).

What are you guys going to be for Halloween?
What are your babies/fur babies going to be?!

TTYT! I’m blog reading tonight whilst watching Gossip Girl and One Tree Hill from last night – tis the life – yay!!

Bloggie Meet Up, Chicken Burrito Recipe, Successful Shopping Day and Halloween Costumes are (almost) Solved!

Oh Saturday. I continued lying around watching Friday Night Lights, then I showered, ate dinner, watched Mystery Science Theater 3000 with AustinAustin ordered pizza for dinner. Yes, we had other meals planned/cooked/in the fridge. But he wanted pizza. And I wanted comfort food. And it was GOOD. :) I tried not to overdo it, and it was fabulous. Then we watched Auburn get stomped by LSU. Lovely. Then I was off to bed early with baby Reuben. I ended up at 1,699 calories, 216 carbs, 68 fat grams and 78 protein grams. Not amazing, but not awful. Here’s what I ate.

Today I woke up (after having slept in) and felt SO much better. My appetite was back (I was actually craving food – the other days were more like oh…. I need to eat) and I was ready to get out of the house!! We had leftover pizza for breakfast (while making the planned breakfast. Hehe). And I heard from a fellow blogger! The lovely homecookedem had posted her past Halloween costumes. Hilarious! I was truly inspired by her Juno/Bleeker costumes and told her so, of course! She responded and said I should do it and could totally borrow Bleeker if I was in her area. And guess what? I was! She might live 2 miles from me! What are the odds?! Love it! We made plans to meet up at 7 p.m. at a Starbuck’s that was 5 minutes from each of our houses – how exciting!

I mean come on - who doesn't want to totally copy their costumes?!

Picture from homecookedem

In the meantime, I got to work on my Juno costume, and got it all together, but still needed a plaid skirt (to wear over my jeans) and a pregnant belly. Hmmm. I got ready and headed out to Forever 21, H&M, Macy’s, Hallmark, Halloween Store, TJ Maxx and Target. I came home with the following:

H&M: 2 Sweaters and 1 pair of cool long fingerless mittens
Forever 21: 2 pairs of patterned tights, 1 dress, 2 pairs of pants, 4 tops/cardigans, 1 hoodie, 3 pairs of socks and 1 recylable bag
Hallmark: 2 books of stamps
Target: 1 Halloween costume for Reuben, skirt for Juno costume, ball for Juno belly, umbrella, box of envelopes, sleeve of tennis balls and a laundry basket.

VERY successful day with lots of sales. I mean, the H&M sweaters were buy one get one FREE – are you kidding me?! I’ll take pics of clothes tomorrow – so excited! Anywho, raced home and had the Slow Cooker Chicken burritos – LOVE! Here’s the recipe for FOUR servings– a definite keeper for us:



1 pound chicken, boneless/skinless
1 14.5-oz. can diced tomatoes with green chiles
1 envelope taco seasoning
Other: 8 mission carb balance tortillas, 4 tbsp fat-free sour cream, 4 tbsp salsa and 4 tsp canola oil.

Place non-cooked chicken in slow cooker. Mix tomatoes and taco seasoning. Pour over chicken. Cover. Cook on low 6 hours. Remove lid and turn off heat. Shred chicken with two forks. Measure out four servings. Divide each serving onto two tortillas.Seal. Heat pan over medium heat with 1 tsp canola oil. Spread oil to cover bottom of pan. Once hot, add two burritos seam side down. Cook for 2 minutes, then flip and cook for 1-2 more minutes until brown. Remove, and repeat with other burritos (add 1 tsp canola; add 2 burritos). Then top each burrito with ½ tbsp sour cream and ½ tbsp salsa. Nutritional Information (2 burritos per serving; 1 tbsp ff sour cream; 1 tbsp ff salsa; 1 tsp canola oil): 450 calories, 48 carbs, 11 fat grams and 37 protein grams.

Hope you try and like it! After tacos, I tried on my Juno costume and realized my ball was too big. Dang! Back to square one on preggo belly. I hung out with the fam and then it was time to meet Homecookedem! She was SO sweet! We had yummy tea and talked and talked about everything from our our weddings, to weight, to cooking, exercise, families – you name it. I so enjoyed her company! By the time we got up to leave we realized we had been there for 2.5 hours – it was 9:30! Wonderful bloggie meet up – so appreciate her offering to lend us the Bleeker costume and so good to meet her! I headed home, threw together a quick Thai Kitchen single serving and am now watching a West Wing and blogging – woo! I ended the day at 1,690 calories, 243 carbs, 52 fat grams and 69 protein grams. Here’s what I ate.The pizza got me again…. Imagine that!

Well I hope you guys all had wonderful Sundays! I really appreciate you hanging in there with me through my blah/sick weekend!! Tomorrow I plan to post:

• Halloween costumes (mine/Austin’s/Reuben’s!)
• 2 Recipes: Country Egg Scramble (tomorrow’s breakfast) and Oriental Chicken (tomorrow’s lunch)
• New clothes – yay! I’m excited about my inexpensive finds – I’m loving the new season (as per usual!)

K – I’m out – ttyt!