The Best $100 Ever Spent

I know we all think occasionally "that was the best $ (insert dollar amount) I ever spent". Well today I got home and noticed Chuy had a little accident, a case of IBS (I don't think he realized eating his squeaky toy would do that).

I immediately grabbed one paper towel picked up what I could and then went to my closet and grabbed my Bissell Little Green Machine and went to work. The mess was gone and my carpet spotless in under 5 minutes (had to let it soak for a minute or two).

As I was cleaning I thought "This is the best $100 I ever spent." I laughed a little; I am only 23 (almost 24!) and already I am loving deep steam cleaners (and kitchen appliances).

This little baby has cleaned every little spot the boys have made on the carpets, cleaned the slightly used couches I got from craigslist (you never know, so I clean to be safe), and the seats of my dinning room chairs. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! Its so easy and quick. I can only imagine how nice it will be when I have to clean up the messes my future children will make.

So whats the best thing you ever bought for $100(or whatever amount)?? I am curious to see what other things makes someone's life better. Let me know.

Chicken and Rice Stuffed Peppers

I have decided to start cooking more outside my realm. I tend to learn a few good recipes and then stick to them. Today I stumbled across this recipe and made it tonight for dinner. I LOVED IT! I improvised a little but it still turned out excellent. I have also come to the conclusion that I really only eat red meat at restaurants and don't really eat it at all now. The vegetarians are rubbing off on me. I need to be careful!



It is super easy and doesn't take too much time! Also, the filling is delicious one could even just make it and serve for dinner; then it would really be a quick easy meal.

Ingredients

* 1 tablespoon margarine or butter
* 1/2 cup finely chopped celery
* 1 10-3/4-ounce can reduced-fat and reduced-sodium condensed cream of mushroom soup
* 1 cup water or chicken broth
* 1 single-serving-size envelope instant onion soup mix (about 1 tablespoon)
* 4 cups cubed cooked chicken
* 3 cups hot cooked rice
* 5 large green sweet peppers (about 8 ounces each)
* 1 teaspoon lemon-pepper seasoning
* 1-1/4 cups shredded cheddar cheese (5 ounces)
* 1/3 cup chopped pimiento

Directions

1. Melt margarine or butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add celery and cook about 5 minutes or until tender.
2. Stir in condensed mushroom soup, water or broth, and onion soup mix. Heat until bubbly. Stir in chicken, heat through. Stir in rice' remove from heat.
3. To assemble, halve peppers lengthwise; remove stems, seeds, and membranes. Place pepper halves, cut sides up, in a large shallow baking or roasting pan. Divide chicken mixture among the pepper halves. Sprinkle with lemon-pepper seasoning.
4. Bake peppers, loosely covered with foil, in a 350 degree F oven about 45 minutes or until heated through. Top with cheese and pimiento. Bake, uncovered, about 5 minutes more or until cheese is just melted. Makes 10 servings.

HERE is the link to the website I found this on.

Father's Day

I often forget some of the smaller holidays since I am living on my own on the other side of the country. It is weird to have a father's day without your father around. This is the 2nd year I have not been home on this glorious day.

I like to look through pictures on days like this. I am reminded of the great times and fun things. I am also reminded how many pictures my mother takes and how much we all enjoy it, especially my father. I have noticed he is not in many. I even discovered that I do not have my favorite one of my father and me (us playing tea party when I was young); however I did find a few I could post.



Graduation from W&J 2008

He always use to let us wrestle with him. My mother would freak out and worry he would hurt us. As a grampy he lets the kids do the same thing (and my mom still freaks out)!

He use to always play this one song on the piano as fast as he could. We loved it and always danced like nutballs.

Summer 2004, cooking breakfast in a cabin we were staying at.

I almost went and played basketball at the college he did. I still wish I would have.


Although my father and I never quite got a long while I lived at home we have really become close in the past few years. He has taught me many things that I am grateful for. Thank you dad!

He is now retired and I am trying to convince him to take a long vacation in Maryland. I have been trying to persuade him for months now. I hope he decides to come out here and spend some time on the east coast. I am looking forward to it.

Super Freakonomics

This was a great book. It answered many intriguing questions and brought many new and interesting facts to my attention. I absolutely loved the chapter pertaining to global warming, I have definitely changed my feelings. If you haven't read the first book (Freakonomics) you MUST and then you HAVE to read this one!

Moving to Columbia

Jace flew in Wednesday afternoon to help me move and to see me again (I don't think he can stay away). Wednesday night we grabbed a pizza, got ready, and then headed over to the Benedum to see Miss Saigon. It is one of Jace's favorites and I had never seen it. I did not look into the story prior to seeing it so that I would not know the ending. I was so surprised that she shot herself, but I loved it!

Thursday we woke up, got the truck, and started packing! We packed absolutely everything I owned. I had all my stuff in boxes downstairs waiting for him to help make it easier. I had some minor things to pack up that day, but overall I think he was surprised that most of it was ready to go. We even moved all my plants and two beta fish!

Thursday afternoon we went to Red Robin, bottomless fries after a long day of packing seemed to be the best idea! To kill time between dinner and the movie we walked along the river down by the Waterfront. It was a nice sunny day and I enjoyed it more than ever. We just walked and talked as well as "discussed" some heated issues (abortion and gay rights...always fun topics). We went to see the movie Killers, not that great. The best part was I thought it was the Gerard Butler/Jennifer Aniston movie; but it was the Ashton Kutcher movie. Jace HATES him, I thought we were going to have to leave but I begged him to stay (he did).

Friday morning we woke up bright and early (well not so bright I am not sure the sun was even out) and started making our way to Columbia, MD. After we arrived we got to work unloading, putting furniture together, and unpacking boxes. In one day I had most everything done. We were exhausted so we rented two movies and ordered in.

Saturday morning consisted of minor unpacking, Comcast guy, and the building (and rebuilding) of my new bookshelf. After that I let Jace watch a movie and nap for a while, he deserved it. BUT NOT FOR TOO LONG!

We went to the temple and watch the Joseph Smith movie, listen to a music performance (one singer had played Cosette in Les Miserable), and we walked around the temple. That night I wanted to cook him dinner; I wanted the first meal I made at the apartment to be for the both of us. It was fun and he even helped clean up!

I took him to the airport this morning and was so sad to see him go. I love him and will miss him!

So the funny thing is...I didn't take one picture of us this entire weekend. I am a horrible girlfriend! So below are some pictures of my new apartment (taken today) as well as a few I snapped with my phone while at the temple.

Farewell Pittsburgh

The last week or so I was in Pittsburgh I was busy packing and getting ready for my move; however I found time to say goodbye to everyone and get one last meal in at El Campesino and Hemingway's.

At El Camp they surprised me with a sombrero and song (feliz cumpleanos, since they did not have a goodbye song). I was tempted to walk out with it but I think they would have noticed. After a huge mexican fiesta we went home to play Quelf (one of my new favorite board games).

At Hems I was able to see the ISPM group (along with others) one last time for some cloggin' fries (fries covered in cheese, bacon, honey mustard, and ketchup). MY FAV!

Thank you everyone for such a great time and I will miss you terribly!

Doggy Heimlich

These two boys have definitely been my test run to prepare me for children (somewhat). If it isn't one thing with them it is another.

Today the boys were playing outside as I made lunch. After they came in the house and went around the corner they were extremely quiet. As I called for them Walter came in making the most disturbing noise and pawing at his face with his mouth open. I was freaked out! I realized there was something stuck in his mouth/throat and he was having difficulty getting it out. I picked him up and started pounding on his back since I wasn't sure where it was stuck or whether he could breathe or not. He continued to paw at his face so I frantically stuck my fingers down his throat and pulled out a stick.

After I quit shaking I looked up how to do the Heimlich for your dog as well as where the nearest animal hospital is. I will have to do the same when we move to our new house. This has taught me to be prepared for anything and know where the nearest hospital is!



A side note: My mother called me the other day and asked me questions about my (nonexistent) 72 hour kit. She also said that I should have one for the boys since they will need food, water, and bones in an emergency. I love her! She is just as crazy as I am.

I think after the move my main focus will be preparation, something my mother has bothered me about since I first moved away from home 6 years ago. (I will need help mom when you come out to visit, FYI)

Stressful!

I will blog more about my move and starting my new job as soon as it all happens. But let me tell you, just preparing to move and start a new job is SO STRESSFUL and requires mass amounts of phone calls, emails, paperwork, physical work, and money. Thank goodness Jace will be coming in about a week to help me with my move.

Just one more week in Pittsburgh and then I will be in Columbia, MD. Wish me luck!