The Kitchen is A Bitchin

So these days are busy. I'm subbing alot... long story that I need to revisit soon. My classes are doubled up. I'm cooking up a storm. I'm still 24 lbs up from quitting smoking, cause dayum I cook all the fucking time! Urgh. But speaking of cooking.... I've gotten on the coop wagon. We live in the middle of nowhere and I do mean nowhere but somehow somebody got a coop set up here so we get baskets of yummy goodness every week. Oh and let me tell you, for $15 freaking dollars a basket, I get a crap ton of stuff. This week I bought two baskets; I got parsnips, brussel sprouts, tomatoes, strawberries, apples, oranges, grapefruit, celery, and can I just tell you that we LUV some fresh food up in this house. Dave kicked out breakfast this morning with little plates of boiled eggs, cheese, apples, grapefruit and oranges. Delicious. Simple. Fresh. Now, he gets into cooking with me more now because literally all over my kitchen is fresh food just sitting around on the counters and in baskets. You can't escape it. (We'll not mention that last night when it was pickup time, it was -9 degrees outside and half my celery froze on the ride home in the back of his truck.... it's a 3 mile ride but my man totally went and got it since I was cold... he loves me) So I'm trying some new brussel sprout recipes this week: think, bacon and maple syrup and nutmeg. I can't wait to see this shake out and get the kids' response. Nice! I have been experimenting and cooking up a storm. I've made from scratch lemon pound cake, which was amazing. I've made french toast casserole, outstanding (although that was with gluten regular white bread for the fam so I couldn't eat it.... they reviewed so until I nail that with a GF bread, it don't count) I've nailed sweet potato mash and I have an awesome recipe for strawberry tarts that I'm trying tomorrow. I so enjoy working in the kitchen and putting yummy healthier options in front of my peeps. Except, I gotta up my game at the damn gym. Bastard gym. Bitch gym from hell. Sigh. I gotta go scrub some carrots for braising....

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Armed and trained

My kids are troopers. Seriously, I'm preparing them for a very long and safe life if I can help it.
Seriously it's been a goal of ours to raise our kids to enjoy shooting and to beable to properly protect themselves. They are great girls. Both are left eye dominate but only one is an actual leftie. So they make it pretty interesting to set them up. But we work at it. But good lord, since we moved to Montana shit is getting real up in this muther. Holy crap. So seems that we have landed in the middle of the wild ole west.
Not only did both girls get custom shotguns for their Christmas presents (which they LOVED) they also got color coordinated accessories (such a thoughtful daddy) but we have started actual training. Sundays find Princess only at small bore rifle training, she is preparing for a competitive team. She leaves there and has 30 minutes before they both go to their competitive BB Gun meetings/practice. Then they have that again Tuesday night while I go to the opposite side of town for ladies night at the gun range. Small town Montana living has a shit ton of options if your fun involves weapons. :) Which obviously we do.....

Our life is good. Simple. But good. And frankly, I'll take that any day of the week. Oh and for the naysayers, my babies also take weekly piano lessons, Prin has begun weekly softball practices even though they are inside here since they don't actually play any games until May, and Duchess is working on dance lessons..... they do have some typically girlie crap going on. ;)

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Bangs

Cause im bored and its cold as hell.... and yeah I got nothing. Lol.....

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I heart him, but for realz

I'm exhausted. I had school due tonight.... two classes worth. But as I got so rudely woke up and compromised this morning by my dearest man.... he suggested that we jump in the truck and run to see his new potential office. It's an hour and half away. Yeah, he's opening another location of his branch here. So he's gonna be so dang busy but he's thrilled. It's a Dave thing. He cracks me up. Anyway, he found a location and met with the peeps yesterday but forgot to take pics for the board so we were off to see it again. What should have been a wham bam was instead an all damn day trip. Bless his heart. I'm exhausted. But his new place has a ton of parking room for his equipment and guys and a nicer office than the one he is in now. So it works and he is looking forward to getting it going.

And since we were in a town that has HELLO... Walmart and a tiny little excuse for a mall (four stores, wah!) I took the kids shopping. Ok, Dave drove us and I was on wrangle duty, lol. Duchess got her some toys... Monster High toys and Petshops. Princess got some phone accessories. I looked for some boots but all that was left was size 10. Craptastic luck. But this is also why I have an obsession with my Amazon Prime account. (I may or may not have ordered an even better pair when I got home) and the whole time, Dave was fielding work calls and we swung by to drop off burgers to some of his guys working in the area. All in all, it was a nice LONG day. Good lord but that man makes me laugh. We really had a good time and the kids were fun. I can't believe how fast they are growing.

So since I'm trolling on homework this evening, my sweet studly man makes dinner grilling some steaks. Princess passed me in the hall and says "he's doing it again mom, being weird" so cause I speak teen, I grabbed my phone and stuck my head outside. On the main deck of the house, he's grilling in the dark, since the porch light is at his back and he can't see the meat..... he has a miner's light on his head. I did. I really did. I put that picture on the facebook. I adore that man.

And he's the sweet thing that came over to me and took my remote to change the channel from "You've got mail" which I freaking heart to some wilderness man movie that he can quote along with. Just freaking disappointing..... sigh......

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He Adores Me

So I lost my keys. This morning was fun as I realized he had the spare set and I had notta. Luckily my workout partner picked me up and dropped my kids off at school. I spent the entire day looking. I rearranged rooms,  looking. I emptied totes,  looking. Notta. Then I had a horrible thought. My kid grabbed them last and went outside,  in the snow. He melted alot of snow and cleared our sidewalks of ice with his torch thingy but alas no keys.

He sits down in recliner to eat dinner and remembers losing his keys out of his pocket into the recliner.... yeah sticks his hand down there and surprise.

All that effort I put out today gets me a drink tonight. Good grief. But I luv that he brought home a torch to search my yard.

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Been Busy

Oh boy do I have some wind in my sails! It's a good day to be me baby. We are moving right along. I have gotten the very last fucking load of our stuff from the tiny house. Thank you Dave, you stud. The second of only two days that this man has completely taken off in the last month and he has spent both days moving us into the new house. Honestly my guy couldn't be any cooler than he is. I adore him. That is another post though. So it'll probably take me the next three weeks to fully unpack and settle in but I've started. The peeps go back to school tomorrow and I haven't taken on any subbing assignments until the house is done so I should be good. Tomorrow morning, the hospital auxiliary resale shop is open after their holiday break. I'm so thankful. The garage is PACKED with clothing and crap that we are donating. Love it and love it and love it. I love the idea that we can help someone else.

However can I note that I am holding back my skinny clothes because I'm trying hard to lose the bubble gut. Going so far as to partner with the Connie Poo Poo and get this shit done. For realz. I'm gonna be a runner one day.... or as Mae once said.... I'm be a fast walker with a slight jog one day, lol.

So I've been setting things up. My new nifty "recliner end tables" have come in. I was a little disappointed in that they didn't come already put together (yeah, I really was and Dave got a good laugh at my expense on that one... turd). But these things are the best and they are well built and so purty! If you are curious check Amazon for Pierce Espresso Chairside Table. I got them bad boys on super duper sale and they are well worth the price. So since I saved some money there, I went ahead and ordered the matching tv trays. (yeah the house has no real dining room and our dining room table is now in the downstairs kitchen for kids to have as game table and/or homework table. So we eat in the livingroom, fun times.... we take turns picking dinner movies)

So while I have a ton of house stuff to finish, I also started some of the painting I wanted. The landlord replaced everything but didn't have enough money to repaint everything so here I am.... The kitchen had a great grey and cream tight wove carpet so I went with two grey walls for the kitchen (washable to cover grease stains from stove) and then I'll do the other two in heavy cream. Nice. So I got me a red and cream colored rug for the kitchen and a red tea kettle. Eventually I'll get to new curtains and redoing my bench. I'll keep you posted on the kitchen.

Now I have gotten a little creative cooking wise too. I tell you, I'm baaaaack baby. Today I cooked up my yuumy black eyed peas (screw the greens or the cabbage cause I hate that stanky shite). I'm working on some new recipes to eventually get my kids back on taking their lunches cause frankly the new Mrs. Obama's lunch program isn't really feeding my kids the way they should. Yes, please someone send my regards to her ass. So my goal is to feed my family yummy healthy breakfasts each morning (while helping myself on my weight program!!!!) Tomorrow's breakfast is already cooked and resting on the counter waiting to be wrapped in the fridge for morning reheating. Yummy little bacon and scrambled egg muffins. A complete self contained breakfast. Perfect. My little secret touch is always always always add some parsley flakes to the eggs cause it just enhances the flavor SO much. Trust me. Delicious.

So yeah, I'm finding ways to make Montana work for me. Maybe it's the new house, maybe it's seeing my momma.... but man oh man... I'm finally pulling my head out of my arse. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to get cracking on cleaning up my closet and helping Dave set up his man cave. Cause he has taken over the fourth bedroom as the ulitimate man retreat.... I'm beting that soon he'll be up in there reloading ammo and man stuff. I love him.

Back later! I gotta go plan some after school snacks for my people.

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New year resolutions

1. Lose the 24 lbs that quitting smoking brought me.
2. Finish my MBA in May and walk in grad.
3. Spoil my hubby.
4. More one on one time with my spawn
5. Visit my momma mo

Otherwise, why screw with a good thing. Happy new year! !!!!

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Guns Bitches, Alot of Guns

So I'm sitting here in my chair looking online, shocker! But I'm listening to Dave as he sits in his recliner across from me on the phone. This morning I woke up in our new house, in my big as hell king sized bed with the crispy ivory sheets and beautiful comforter surrounded by guns. Dave is cleaning out the safe and opening an insurance rider for each and every one. It's apparently an all day thing. Now I knew we had a shitton of guns but heaven help me I had no idea that we had that fucking many. I really should go get a picture of that hot mess. Anyway, sweetness is sitting here going through each and every customization on these guns for the insurance guy (a former Marine who is digging this I'm sure).

But the only thing I can think of as I'm listening to all of this is.... if money is tight when the kids go to college.... I'm looking at their tuition laying out on my bed yo. DAYUM. I can't wait to see how much the monthly fee for this rider is gonna be.

So besides that, we got a repair guy coming to put the new dishwasher in. Sweet! So the new house cause a new fridge, new stove and now new dishwasher. The old one burnt up night before last. But after living without a dishwasher for six months, I'm all about the damn thing. So yes, please.... lets get that bad boy tuned up and turned on. I have dishpan hands. Unacceptable.

Off to gaze at the guns.

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Cynical Funnies

I scroll facebook sometimes, well just because..... and by scroll I mean, I sit there and laugh at the sheer stupidity that is there.... some of these people have lost their damn minds. I love the idea that "my life is perfect and fabu and Ima put it all out there for everyone to see" when in reality the truth slips through. The occassional drunken posts that mysteriously disappear the next day.... those are the most hysterical.

Then there is the post in disguise, which is the most common. Very passive agressive of some but they put up this long post about how disappointed, sad, frustrated, pissed off, lonely, and etc and then they sit back and wait for someone to "oh no, what's wrong" and then it's like shit, grab a glass of Cupcake wine and sit back cause this shit is gonna get interesting.

Seriously people, just come out and be all "Sandy (and be sure to tag her ass), I hate you because I heard from Julie that you were talking shit about me at lunch which I wasn't invited to, you hag bastard and I hope everyone finds out that you have herpes!" Now that would have a million replies and get some serious facebook post traffic, lol. I'd be all about promoting that and sharing it with all my friends.

Passive agressive hags.

Grow a pair.

And on that note, I've started cleaning out my stupid facebook based on the levels of stupidity shown by people I'd rather not have clog my day.

And I'll take this moment to honor that passive agressiveness with a little of my own.... there was once a few passive agressive people in my life, well they are irratating someone else these days :)

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Smartasses....

So tonight I started my promise to myself.... back to yoga. Oh boy was it a stretch, lol. I managed to only go about twenty minutes before I had to stop and oh the burn. So the girls thought it'd be fun to join me. So we shove the couch back and toss the socks and somebody passed a windy (cause I'm just keeping it real honest up in here) and we got started. Did I mention that Dave got on the floor next to me and began to join along? Yeah, the sweetness bless his heart.

Except for some grunting and some under the breath cursing, which the rest of them ignored cause they know their momma..... we were really getting into it. Downward facing dog feels freaking good and since I was close enough to whisper something obscene about it to Dave without the kids overhearing, I did ;) But then coming into warrior pose from dog, my nose started tingling and I took off for the bathroom.

I come back with some toliet tissue discreetly shoved in my nose and jump back into position. Looking for some attention, I tell Dave about my nose....

Smartass replies, "obviously cause yoga is a contact sport"

I hope he gets stuck in a downward facing dog.

Turdbait.

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He Melts Me

I was busy today. Duchess has the crud and I managed to grab her a doc appt so to kill some time in the -8 degree freaking weather, I let her sit happily doing the DS thing in the truck while I did a quick patch up job on some painting at the tiny house. We have yet to move EVERYTHING over so there is still little stuff to move and a few big things like the bunk bed, freezer and a bookshelf. But there were a few dings in the lovely vibrant purple livingroom paint that I wanted to touch up so they'd have a couple days to dry in this balmy weather. So there I am, bundled up and painting when Princess sticks her head in and says its dad on my phone for you. huh?

In twenty minutes, I'd missed one text, one email and three calls from him. Not good. This is the same man that will call once then text once then forget it and move on for hours cause he is busy. Something was wrong and I was hoping it wasn't someone died.

Instead of the "wheres and whys" it was " I love you " and whatcha doing.... ummm okay. Turns out he's been on the phone most of the day with his best friend, advising him and basically just listening to him. He's had a rough go at it since leaving the Navy. Ended up after a six year court battle being a single dad and being the best damn single dad we know. Six months ago he gets to know another single parent through their kids and two months later they marry. Four months have gone by and it's bad. Things are so out of hand and control that my heart hurts for this man. He deserves good things in his life, not this. And as it is after being faced with that level of pain and reality, my man calls me just to hear my voice and tell me he loves me.

I'm so thankful that over the years we have confronted our troubles. We have never shied away from difficult. And let this be a lesson, when we hit our seven year mark..... we had about six months of Christian marriage counceling. Best. Thing. We. Ever. Did. I learned so much in that six months and I met my husband all over again. I learned how to avoid the bad triggers for us both and how to compromise and mainly that love was strong, had faith, tough when it was easy to run, and love was giving! We are far from perfect, far! We love though and I am thankful for that love each and every day.

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Merry CHRISTmas

From my peeps to urs

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Happy birthday duchess

My sweet baby is 10! We didn't realize what we were missing until we got her.



Since the day we found out about her, Duchess has been our little ray of sunshine. She was even kind enough to arrive around 1030am letting mom get some rest before making her appearence, and she came a week early too to avoid having the same birthday as her sister.

There truly aren't words for this child. She is gracious, good hearted, an old soul with a love for those around her. She has her faults.... her focus is quick to shift and that baby can't remember to do something unless you are standing there directing her but her heart is so pure. I thank God daily for her. She brings the purest joy into our lives. Like Princess told her tonight, our family wasn't complete until you got here. And Duchess immediately said, no it was complete when we got Murphy. :) That's my baby.

My baby is ten and frankly I"m okay with it. I can't wait to see the woman she grows up to be.

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Picture update

So lots of news.... we started moving into the new house, my mom came into the big city and we had a girls weekend, the girls are celebrating their birthday and Dave is busy as hell. Life is so very good. Pssssssh, what depression! Here's a sneak peak.

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Baaaaaaaaaaaaack

So we are back baby! I'm super excited..... not only am I back in business but I'm busy as shit. As you can see, our family pics are in. Fun! So check out the fam, chilling and enjoying ourselves out in Montana. Actually, this is Dave's idea for our Christmas card. He kills me. Only my guy has the patience to deal with a house full of phone queens. I adore him.

So I'm subbing and staying busy. I find I like the sixth and seventh grades. So I've been doing the math and science route. I also doubled down on classes and May will find me holding my MBA. Holy smokes. I'm still recruiting on the side too. Oh and I'm working the crisis line for the womens shelter..... that means alot to me and I find there isn't enough I can do there. The kids are finally finding their footing here in our little 1950s Montana town. And there is sweet relief on the horizon. Tonight, my studly husband who has no equal got me a new rental house. A four bedroom house with a garage to keep my truck out of the snow. Four bedrooms so everyone has their own room and we have an office. OMGosh. I couldn't be happier. Seriously. I can't even begin to tell you how much I needed that. lol.

And finally, I'm giddy because..... well I bought my momma a plane ticket. She had three years old and then hello baby! Thursday of this week my momma is meeting me four hours away in the big city!!!! Girls weekend? yes please! More soon.

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Gasp!

I'm sitting here tooling on the internet and watching McLintock on television while I'm suppose to be doing my school work. At one point, I looked at Dave and it went like this: Me: Aren't you glad that you didn't have to fight with someone for my affections. Dave: Yeah, the one time I did... I had to fight three bouncers. Me: what? Dave: funny how you forget these things I adore my cynical man. And frankly that wasn't my fault! I'm digging myself out of my funk! I swear. :) Be back tomorrow with a huge ass update.

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Effffff me, I'm sick

Efffffing Montana, done got my ass sick. Miserable.

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We Alive.....

Prayers..... please. We should have our direction this week. Either we stay the course here or we are heading in another direction. Anxiety levels are off the chart.

In other news, we took family pics today after church. In 18 degree weather, with snow flurries and two sick adults. Fun!!!!!

Random weekly photos......

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Seeping Through My Pores

Stress is literally oozing out my pores right now. So many irons on a fire, so many potential outcomes and I'm trying like hell not to smoke. Mainly because I don't want to deal with irrating superior acting reformed smokers for having a relaspe. Pray for me, just a little prayer if you don't mind. I'm seriously about to lose it but I keep praying and praying that something will break and we will have a clear answer to our path soon. I have no fingernails left and frankly, the voices in my head are reaching a loud agreement that we need a cigarette. Stat.

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Picture of our week

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Duchess the Huntress

So while we are determined to make the most of our time here in Montana, insert hysterical laugh here, Duchess has taken to going once or twice a week with Dave hunting. Princess gets left at home to do schoolwork and hang with her mother (good bonding time, i.e. Project Runway) and Duchess gets all geared up in forty-seven layers (cause it's 7 efffffing degrees outside right now) and off they go. Except, she's quiet challenged. So Dave is training her by patiently reminding her every three seconds that she has to be quiet and walk softly like a church mouse than she'll never kill her first deer. But since this year she isn't carrying a gun, just accompanying Daddy, it's more trail and error.

But, she cleared the woods. As in, she was quietly walking along in her bundled up self following Dave when it happened. Loudly. She farted. And through the forty-seven layers it was apparently very LOUD. Dave said he stood there and watched her try to keep from laughing and then just fall to the ground and laugh long and hysterical loud at herself.

Yep, I'm raising some ladies over here yo!

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I Been a Little Bee

Bitchy that is, but also busy little bee. :) I gots my hair did. We have family photos coming up on the 17th and my goal is to b uber decent. I need lots of help looking good these days. But I'm banging some dark alburn hair baby. Pic later yo. So I've lost three lbs, mainly because I'm avoiding carbs instead feeding it to everyone else and me having an extra helping of protein instead. I loves me some meat! Insert inappropriate Dave joke here. ;)

So moving on..... it's snowing like a mother. In fact, the even named the winter storm that is currently hammering us. So as usual, I'm cooking my way through this storm. I gots me some marinated boneless ribs fixin to go into the broiler. The key is the 24 hours it sat in the rub in the fridge. Yum. Now cause I have time on my hands, I made some new sides. Since I am off the carbies, I made the kids and Dave some mac and cheese gluten style. OMG smells awesome. I took boxed cheapy mac and cheese then I drained liquid and dumped it into bowl with some butter, the cheesy powder, and about 1/3 of a block of colby and jack cheese very thinly sliced into small chunks once it was uber mixed up I added a dash of milk then slapped into a 9x13 buttered dish. Finally I threw some cajun seasonings on top and it still looked a little naked. So I grabbed a handful of the new crackers I bought to serve with cheese and apples for an after school snack for kids. They are italian flavored butter crackers, yeah, I smashed a huge handful and sprinkled on top. Taked till golden brown. It looks amazing and smells, fattening. bahahahahaha and I am not tempted to eat at all since it's equalent to poison for moi! Yes!

The other side.... a little treat that I made up. One can of french style green beans. Three slices of bacon cut into halves and then brown sugar. You wrap some beans in a tiny bit of bacon and heap sugar on top. Then it bake till bubbly. OMG heaven on your tongue. And everyone eats two or three bundles and then your moving on. Tots yummy.

And theres finally the salad with broccoli and cucumbers cause I'm on a green theme tonight.

Tomorrow is more snow, so looks like breakfast will be grits and sausage ragu. Baked grits then crisped up in a pan then smothered in an eggy sausage mixture with cheesy. Bring it on.

I need a hobby that doesn't include snowing or cooking. Help!

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Say Me A Little Prayer

little birds swirling around in my air, I'm hopeful but refuse to get my hopes UP until and only if everything falls into place effortlessly. When it's God's way, it's made easy and clear.....

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Disappointed

Blindly re-electing a man who is flushing out country down the toliet? Very disappointed in the librals tonight. And my favorite part, the quote on my facebook "woohoo a black man re-elected in a racist and biogited country"..... geeeee his skin color isn't my problem, it's his muslim tendencies and politics. Congrats.... I sincerely hope he takes those union pensions and that government pension and flushes it like social security.

Rant over, I'm going to bed. The next four years aren't on me. I voted for the business man. Not the idiot.

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Chugging along.

Life in Montana remains flacid and cold. Yeah I'm not a fan. But Ima huge fan of my peeps.

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