Back in the saddle...

I've been slackin. Well, not really slackin just not giving a flying F. I'm at my goal weight, passed my APFT, and yep been feeling a little lazy.

All done with that. Hittin the gym today. Gonna drop off the hellions and spend at least 2 hours smokin myself. Can't wait to get a good run in and sweat out some of yesterday's OH SO AWESOME BBQ (thanks honey - I love the ribs).

Alright... that is all I've got for the day. Now, I just have to find my flippin iPod, and wait for Kadee Baby to wake up from her beauty nap.

Oh Lord, forgive me.

This morning started like most of the American Easters in the past. Children up, running around to hunt the pastel eggs hidden by a giant rabbit. Mine came on down the stairs around 7:30 which is actually pretty late for them.

They ran through the house, collected their eggs and after doing a triple check that there were no eggs remaining the insanity pursued.

I remember ripping through my Easter basket shoving as much chocolaty, sugary, marshmallow filled goodness into my mouth as I could before my mom shoved me into some pastel colored, flower covered ruffled monstrosity.

Not my kids... (((as I hang my head in shame)))

Kadee went upstairs to play with her toys, the boys however sat down to sort the Easter eggs they'd found. Once the Easter Eggs had been sorted by color, they were then counted and inventoried for contents.

Once the contents had been removed from their original eggs they were sorted according to wrapper color and candy type (i.e. gummy bunnies by color, mini snickers by wrapper color).

Following this step the candies were reassigned to their new egg chosen, of course, to coordinate the correct candy color within. Blue gummy bunnies go in light blue Easter eggs - mini snickers inside blue wrappers are housed in dark blue eggs.

When Lukey had the audacity to SAMPLE some of the candy Byron Duke reminded him, "Luke, it is not time for eating we have to get organized first"

I'm starting to think Murphy stuck a GPS tracker up his...

How does the vast universe know the moment my husband walks out the door? I spent 8 weeks in a dirty germ infested building with 46 other people - didn't get sick.

The day we fly home I catch the freaking swine flu's cousin and bring it home with me. Rock out a fever for 3 days, contimplate buying a bottle of whiskey just for me, myself and I... then realize its thrusday and I only have 2 days to go.

Pull into the driveway... Hmm. What is does that little light on my dash mean? ((looks it up)) Hmm. Low tire pressure. LOW!!! HOW ABOUT FLAT AS A PANCAKE JACKASS! I take a deep breath, at least I am at home and I have half a gallon of milk left.

Neighbor (thanks Gene) comes over to save the day. He changes the tire in the dark. I am good to go get groceries the next day.

Yep... get all three kids ready, walk out to start the car. Nothing. Nada. Not even a click. The battery is dead 'cause my dumbass left the intertior lights on.

Soooo, now that I have gotten a jump and groceries. I'd just like to say, Murphy go bug someone else he'll be home before you know it and I'm sure you'll want to save up your energy for next time.

I hate you Murphy.

I'm Baaaack!

from Drill Sergeant School!

Well, I did it. I set my mind to something 7 years ago, and on March 20th I accomplished my goal. I had a great time at school - and faced some frustrating moments as well.

I'd say one of the most amazing things I saw was the transformation in my roommate SSG V. During our first day she was quiet and lacked confidence in her run times. By the conclusion of the school she was marching the entire class and smoked me in the run by a full minute.

Our platoon, while not always happy with each other, saw two of our members graduate with the highest honors in the class (Dist. Honor Grad and Honor Grad) and one of our three Drill Sgt. Leaders be selected as the DSL of the cycle.

I was asked to return as a Drill Sgt. Leader Candidate once I do some time on the trail. I was honored at the request and hope to fulfill it at some point in my career. ~~ That all depends on the NAVY as you know ~~

My handsome husband and my father attended graduation. Byron had to leave the next day for a short training mission, but it was hard to see him go. The kids and I are getting back in the swing of things... well except for the flat tire, dead battery and plethora of other Murphy moments.

My new hat looks pretty sweet with my cape.

Unintended Consequence

In the Army we learn about "Unintended Consequences". The Army Field Manual (FM 22-100)which explains our Leadership doctrine tells the story about a time change and the resulting scheduling hardships on a Soldier's family. Something the command didn't take into consideration - an unintended consequence.

How does this relate to Mommy Land? Well, I have a habit of turning everything my kids do into a song of some type. Dancey Dancey dancey dancey! I make all of their names into a tune same melody just different lyrics. Baby B my little baby B or Kadee Baby Kadee Kadee Baby and Lukey Lukey Lukey Bazookey!

So where does this lead? To bathtime. It was hard to get all of the kids ready for a bath - so I made up a little song. Forgive me but it goes like this... GeeeeTTT Naked Get Naked Get Ghe Ghe Ghe Ghe Get NAKED! Iiiiiiit's Bathtime it's Bathtime its Ba Ba Ba Ba Ba Bathtime! (repeat until all three are ready for the bath and headed for the tub)

Well, this was all fine enough when the kids couldn't talk or undress themselves. Fast Forward 'til today. Byron Duke and Luke without missing a beat will drop their shorts, sing the song and dance their naked little bodies all over the house. Kadee follows suit by attempting to remove her diaper while shaking her little toosh to the rhythm of the song.

Today it dawned on me -- Have I turned my babies into little strippers? definitely an Unintended Consequence.

I married a Sailor MAN... I married a Sailor MAN...

he's strong to the finish cause he eats his spinach I married a sailor man!!


The sad part is I am not kidding. I married a Sailor and he loves his spinach. I usually keep about 4-8 cans of Popeye's Spinach in the pantry just incase he gets a craving.

Now, I like spinach too, but there is only so much of it I can take just warmed and thrown on a plate. So lately I've been looking for ways to make his favorite veggie a little more interesting.

A couple of days ago I came up with a recipe for a spinach side dish. I used a recipe for Stuffed Mushrooms and broke it down or "deconstruced" its ingrediants to create my own twist. So here is the recipe for that one.

Deconstructed Stuffed Mushrooms with Spinach and Cheese:
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 (4 ounce) can portabellla mushrooms (chunky)
1 (8 ounce) can mushroom stems and pieces
1 (10 ounce) package frozen spinach (cooked or drained)
4 garlic cloves (minced)
1 onion, diced (small)
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 cup sour cream
1/2 cup monterey jack cheese (shredded)

Directions
1. grease a 1qt baking dish set aside; preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. drain mushrooms and give a rough chop.
3. Heat a pan place oil in it and when hot -- add stems, onions, cook 5 minutes or until onion is translusent.
4. Add spinach, salt, pepper, minced garlic and pepper flakes, cook 3 minutes.
5. remove from heat; stir in cheese and sour cream until incorperated.
6. place mixture in baking dish and place in preheated oven for 10 minutes.
7. Enjoy!

and for you dining pleasure a great recipe for Spinach Quiche (this baby has BACON!)

off with the cape...

and on with the Apron!

So, I tried my hand at scalloped potatoes and after further research went with a different recipe. This one is located in "The New Cookbook" from Better Homes and Gardens for their Scalloped Potatoes one of the "best loved" recipes.

The potatoes turned out wonderful! I cooked them a little longer and added cheddar cheese to the recipe. YUM!

I skipped making the bread because the potatoes are enough carbs/starch for one meal.

Tonight we are having smoked chicken, left over potatoes and deconstructed stuffed mushrooms. Here is the orginal recipe for the stuffed mushrooms. I only have canned mushrooms on hand so I'll be breaking this down to a side dish instead of appitizer.

Here I go... off to the kitchen to battle Hunger!