New recipe and such!

Finally I have a day off to relax and... blog! Yesterday I finished my finals and on average, I think I did pretty well for my first semester back to school in quite a while. My grades should be posted online within the next few days so I am just patiently waiting to see the results of my hard work!

Here's a little update on me.

Last weekend (or was it two weekends ago? Time is flying.) I was really wanting some good Christmas fettuccine. And what goes better with fettuccine then alfredo?! I have tried almost all of the bottled alfredo that you can buy next to the marinara at the grocery store, and it all SUCKS! It has this really gross fake cheese flavor that I just cannot stomach. Anyway, I went online to my favorite recipe site and found a really simple recipe. I ran to the store before dinner and picked up a few of the supplies that I didn't have in the house (I don't normally keep heavy whipping cream in the fridge). When I got home the recipe was so easy to follow and I had homemade alfredo sauce ready to go even before the water was boiling for the noodles! Justin and I both agreed that it was the best alfredo sauce we had ever eaten! (even better than Olive Garden, which in our book is pretty hard to beat haha)

Anyway, Christmas is the best time for some warm, homemade pasta! I've pasted the link below! The only thing I changed about the recipe was that I didn't use Nutmeg at all and I also added Pepper to taste as well. Enjoy!

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Alfredo-Sauce/Detail.aspx

I am currently reading Half the Sky by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. I don't know if any of you watch Oprah but I recently saw a show centered around this book and it really touched me. The book is about "turning oppression into opportunity for women worldwide". It is a really eye opening series of short stories and information that Nicholas and Sheryl have received through numerous organizations around the world that they work with and from journeys they have taken. It's hard to go into detail about the book since I am only on page 50, but I can already tell that this is a book I will forever think about. Here are two of the praise written about the book from people you may have heard of...

"I think it's impossible to stand by and do nothing after reading Half the Sky. It does what we need most: it bears witness to the sheer cruelty that mankind can do to mankind."
- George Clooney

" Half the Sky is a passionate and persuasive plea to all of us to rise up and say 'No more!' to the seventeenth- century abuses to girls and women in the twenty- first- century world. This is a book that will pierce your heart and arouse your conscience. - Tom Brokaw

If you can, take the time to read this book. I have only had it for two days and already are well through the first few chapters, which have been excellent.

I leave for Cali in one week exactly! I can't wait to get home and spend some time with my family and play around in my hometown for a few weeks. Justin joins me on the 22nd and we are thinking we may get a chance to head up to Lake Tahoe for the day on the 23rd. He is so excited to get to experience Northern California and I can't wait for my family to finally meet him.

Although I am SUPER excited to go home, I always get a sad feeling have to leave my Rocky for ELEVEN days :( it is so long to be without him, but Justin's Mom will watch him after Justin flies out to the west coast and I know he will have so much fun up at the lake with her and Joe!



Here's a picture of our little pilgrim and I at the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning this year-- J, Rocky and I all had a blast at the Trot and definitely plan on making it a yearly tradition!

That's all for now... back to finishing up some laundry and back to my reading Half the Sky as well :)

Happy Holidays to everyone!

brain dump

Here are other things I've been thinking about lately:

- I wish Texas had more of a Fall. It's been chilly and rainy here for the past two weeks-- Justin is sick of it but I just LOVE the change in the seasons and am always SO ready for rain at the end of summer. This weekend it is back to 80 degrees and sunny. Very good for golf carting... but I just wish it was cold already! Miss that Nor Cal weather...

- Speaking of Nor Cal, I really hope my sister, Jen makes it up to Apple Hill this year with her camera and posts on it! If anyone knows of a place in Texas like this I want to know about it! http://applehill.com/

- Who has plans for Halloween? I think this year is going to be pretty low key for us. We haven't heard of anything going on and I'm pretty sure I have to work that weekend. On that note, can someone PLEASE dress up as Jon Gosselin this year?? Ed Hardy sweatshirt, slicked back hair, diamond earrings. Funniest Halloween Costume of '09

- Is it me or is EVERYONE pregnant right now?! I now know of 7 people that are prego! Between March and June there are going to be some serious babies born! Saweeet!

- I am going to step out on a limb and say that I like tights. I have never worn them in my adult life (although when my Mom was still choosing my outfits she was obsessed-- see below) but I think I would like to venture there again... how do you wear tights? under a dress?


("tights" circa 1997)

- I got an 83% on my Psych test today!!!! I know that doesn't seem impressive enough to warrant all those exclamation points but 100 questions on Neuroscience and Biological Relationships isn't that fun.

- Was I not the cutest, fattest bunny you have ever seen?! This is probably my favorite picture of myself as a baby-- taken my first Halloween. I just love the pure joy on both of our faces.




- I'm obsessed with sour candy lately. Here are my top 3 favorites-- Sour Patch Kids and Watermelons, Starburst Sour GummiBursts and Watermelon Sour straws-- I feel like a 2nd grader buying them at 7-11, but I don't care, they're delicious!

- Rocky has been going to the dog park almost every other day! We found a really cute park about a mile from our house and there are always such cute, fun dogs for Rocky to play with! It's a great way for him to burn all that energy and he just loves to play with all the other dogs. The only downfall is he has to get a quick bath when we get home-- the mud is sick!

- Justin's birthday is in 13 days and I have no ideas...

Tomorrow J and I are headed to the Texas State Fair! I can't wait to see the baby pigs in the nursery and get a corndog (weird correlation there) and J is excited for the car show!-- such a boy. Pictures to follow soon!

-- kb

all dogs go to heaven

I have been a terrible blogger lately. We've had a lot going on and I just haven't been in the mood to sit down and explain it all.

We had to put Sunny, our precious new pup to sleep on Thursday, October 8th. She got really, really sick really fast and there was nothing we go do to help her at that point. She was showing signs of Distemper about a month ago, with a pretty bad case of Kennal Cough-- but we managed, with a few different types of anti-biotics to relieve her of that. She was doing a lot better for about 2 weeks and then we noticed she started to act a little different. She just wasn't acting her normal crazy self-- very lethargic, so I knew it was time to take her to the vet once again (at this point she has been to the vet over 5 times since we adopted her Sept. 9th-- we're on a first name basis with these people)-- her being tired and weak wasn't anything the vet could give us meds for, but we just wanted to make sure that we were doing everything we could. We continued with the high calorie food and letting her rest as much as possible but it just progressed from there-- she started to become weaker and weaker by the day and by the time I called the vet on Thursday we knew what would have to happen. It was honestly one of the most terrible, heart-wrenching things I have ever had to do. J and I were both really torn up over it. Even though we knew it was what had to be done, we still miss her everyday.

We have briefly talked about getting another dog but have decided that for right now, we are going to take a breather and relax and try and enjoy the holiday season. Maybe after the New Year we'll think about adopting again.

we love rainy weekends

This weekend is very stormy in the North Texas area-- flash flood warnings and all that good stuff! It's nice to be able to stay in our PJ's all day, doing little projects around the house and relaxing... with college football on at all times, of course. Here are a few shots of the pups.







Sunny had another follow up appointment this morning. Without getting into too much detail-- things have pretty much stayed the same in the last week. She isn't getting worse, but hasn't shown much progress either. We are keeping her on the Azithromicin for another week and she also gave her 4 cans of HIGH calorie wet food for her to be eating for the next week or so. She hasn't gained any weight in the last 3 weeks, but she has been eating quite a bit, so that means all of her calories are going to try and fight this virus... hopefully this high calorie, low fat diet will help her along a litte bit and give her the nutrients to fight this off! We'll take her back in another week or so to see how things are progressing and get more x-rays of her lungs. We're keeping our fingers crossed for a week of good progression!

Stay dry!

-- kb

Happy Anniversary to us!

Our real anniversary was yesterday (1 year!), but I was so crazy busy with school (a history test that was so stressful!) and planning for our night together that I didn't have any time to blog about it! We ended up going out to a nice little steak and seafood restaurant named Trulucks (for those of you not in the area) and J totally wined and dined me :) It was so much fun to talk about the last year and laugh about it all and make new goals for this next week. It hasn't rained here in awhile but last night we had a really cool thunder and lightning storm-- one of my most favorite things about living in the South!

Here are just a couple of my favorite pictures of J and I from the last year... here's to many more!

Up at the lake house-- relaxing in the texas sun and having a blast :)

Always supporting the beloved Cowboys

Margarita Ball 2009

J's graduation in December!-- SO proud of him

Tacky Christmas sweater party!

-kb

I got a J-O-B

I finally found a job! I interviewed for this position on Tuesday afternoon. It is at a country club in Carrollton(about 20 minutes from our house). I will be the latest and greatest "Cart Girl"-- basically riding around the course on a little buggy giving everyone there drinks and snacks while enjoying their golf game. I am excited because I can actually work mornings and afternoons instead of having to waitress at night and never seeing J-- AND I'll be able to work outside a little bit! I start this coming Monday, where I'll be completing all of my new- hire paperwork and then assisting in a banquet that they have going on that night! Talk about sink or swim!? I think it'll be fun though. I'm excited to meet the people I'll be working with and am sure this will be a new challenge-- I have heard that sometimes people at country clubs can be difficult, no? :)

The rest of the day I'll be studying for a Psych test that I am taking Monday morning and finishing up some laundry! Hope everyone has a safe and fun weekend!

-kb

backpeddling

We took Sunny to the vet on Saturday for another check up. Things didn't go as well as we expected them to... the vet wasn't happy with her progress, even though her cough/ breathing was a tiny bit better it wasn't anywhere where it should be after being on strong anti-biotics for 14 days. So, we had to get chest x-rays done (expensive!)-- they showed some fluid like stuff in the upper part of the lungs (As you can tell I have no idea about medical verbage)- which isn't a good sign. Also, since she's so little the anti-biotics threw her PH levels off (or something like that) so she had a YEAST INFECTION OF THE EARS! Seriously! It was sad, but I told her that she is never going to live that down in this house. Haha-- Anyway, that is easily treatable with ear drops for the next week or two. So, this is day 3 of her new meds. Her mood seems a little lighter- and this morning/ afternoon seemed MUCH more playful, chasing after Rocky and picking up and throwing cigarette butts around outside of the apartment (classy)... J made a joke in the vets office after her chest x-rays about how she needed to stop smoking all those cigarettes... doc wasn't really impressed. I laughed.

We're really trying to stay positive in the Sabel- WIlson household. We go back on Saturday for another follow up exam and to see where we go from here... there aren't any stronger antibiotics for her current condition, so we'd have to go on to something else... some form of lung therapy or flush something or other... really hoping we don't have to go down that road...

On a positive note, we were at the Jacobs wedding all weekend (Non-rehearsal rehearsal dinner on Saturday- which meant Billy Bobs and lots of booze- and the nuptials on Sunday) . It was absolutely BEAUTIFUL and so well thought out down to the tiniest details. Me being always so prepared and all, remembered to bring my camera, but forgot the battery charger at home, so sadly the only two pictures I got were of the two cakes-- they were completely iPhone worthy of capturing though... Once other peoples pictures start trickling onto Facebook I'll try and post a few. Congrats to Allie and Mark who are in Canada on their Honeymoon right now. Luuuucky!

Anyway, let's get back to the glass being half empty ok? Thursday, I have my first TWO tests at school in History and Psych. Both HUGE as far as points go, so I'll be glued to my computer/ books/ notes/ etc. until then... I swear I won't be procrastinating with Blogging or anything...

Oh, and Happy Labor Day to all! In celebration, I will be starting a new section on the blog entitled "White pants (and such) after Labor Day"-- I saw TWO at lovely Brookhaven College today, and although I wish I was joking, I think one was even a linen material of sorts (go back to miami guy!) Do you think people are that completely clueless or just purposely trying to rebel? Stay tuned.

-kb

the cutest thing you have ever seen

I walked into the bedroom last night to find my two little peanuts snuggled up together on a pile of clean sheets/ comforter. Such little blessings, these two!

back to school...

"...back to school, back to school, to prove to Dad that I'm not a fool..." (name that movie!)

Here is a picture of my first day back to school! I was rushing out the door, but thankfully J made me turn around and head back to pose in front of the entertainment center (it would have to do, as we don't currently have a fireplace- ha). The first day of classes was pretty fun-- going back to school when you are a few years older gives you a completely different prospective on things. We had to present a little 'About Me' on our creative process for writing papers in my English class and I couldn't believe how embarassed and nervous people were... they'll grow out of that. Yesterday, was my 3rd class session so now we are starting to get into the serious assignments along with the serious homework. I finally received my textbooks in the mail so today will be spent playing catch up on some reading and also TRYING TO FIND A JOB! Anyone know of anyone that is hiring part- time? I hate job searching.

Update on Sunny: She is doing MUCH better-- thanks so much for all the prayers and positive energy! She is almost finished with her second round of meds and although she still has a little weez, her cough isn't nearly as bad. They weighed her again at her last vet visit and she weighs 5.7 pounds now-- she is slowly but surely growing, and anyone who knows me well knows I like two fat things in this world-- babies and puppies, so I am trying everything to get her to chunk up a bit!

Rocky-- already protective over his sister-- or maybe just trying to steal the show? (Seriously, check out Sunny's face in this one-- she is clearly on some meds)

Happy Girl!

Next up: This weekend, J and I are headed to Fort Worth for a wedding of a good friend! ... that reminds me, I still need to find a dress!!! So much to do, so little time!

love, kb

TODAY

TODAY
August 26, 2009
I am thankful for... my boy. He bought me a brand new mini- laptop last night (pictures soon!) so that I could do my homework at home and stop stressing about my poo laptop that hasn't worked correctly in months. and he also did the dishes tonight. Love him
From the kitchen... I just threw together some dinner! Boneless, skinless chicken breasts- dredged in egg and breaded with smashed tortilla chips. After I cooked it in the oven, I topped it with guac and sour cream with spanish rice on the side mmmm
I am wearing... sweats... and socks for the first time in months! Cozy
I am creating... not so much creating, but definitely trying to organize myself for this semester-- have many new school supplies to help with that (folders, pencils, notebooks, markers-- love school supplies!) and can't wait to use them all!
I am going... to bed soon! 6:00 AM comes EARLY on Tues. /Thurs.
I am reading... Girl, Interrupted. Never saw the movie for some reason, but the book was on sale for $3 so I thought I would check it out. Pretty good so far.
I am hoping... to be able to lay out by the pool sometime this weekend! I need to soak up the sun for as long as I can before Fall rolls in... although I received a catalog today with pumpkins on the front and I have to admit I squeeled with delight!
I am hearing... the a/c rattling in our apt-- and the slight sound of basball coming from the living room-- if the rangers are playing, our tv is always tuned to that... ugh
Around the house... the pups have finally calmed down and i think J might be passed out as well...
One of my favorite things... is seeing someone do something nice for a complete stranger, without any obligation or hidden agenda. warms my heart
A few plans for the rest of the week... second day of school tomorrow-- shopping with J on Friday for some house stuff-- and finding a dress for the mitchell- jacobs wedding next weekend- very excited for that!

meet the family

man, i love these people.

* more pictures to come of my trip home...

Oh supercalifragilisticexpialidocious...

MARY POPPINS the musical is coming to Dallas!!! I love love love musicals and am so excited to see this one! My Texas Mother and her family saw it on Broadway in New York City a few weeks ago and said that it was an amazing show! Tickets are fairly priced (and available at ticketmaster.com) and if you live in the Dallas area, you should totally check it out-- or better yet, come with me!

I will add this into my manila folder labeled "Things That Bother Me"

It really bothers me when I see someone riding a motorcycle without a helmet. They should be put on suicide watch.


(Idiot)

In other news... Sunny is a sick girl. We noticed a little cough on Wednesday and by Thursday night it had gotten so bad that she did nothing but sleep on the couch the entire night... she even let Rocky play with her squeaky chicken without attacking him. I took her to the vet Friday morning... the diagnosis was exactly what I thought: Kennal cough/ lower respiratory infection. She is now on 3 different meds. and let me tell you! Those are a joy to give... think wrapping a pinky nail sized pill in peaunut butter and shoving it down a 5lbs puppies throat. Does anyone have a better way to get a puppy to take a pill? I've tried sneaking it into her wet food but the hound in her smells it out everytime! I can't get anything past the girl!



(These two are quite the pair so far)

Happy weekend!

Welcome Sunny!

J and I adopted Miss Sunny girl into our family on Sunday, August 9, 2009! She was 2 months and 4 days old as of today and is as sweet as can be (aside from the fact that she managed to climb over her 3 foot baby gate today, while we were at work and tear apart a magazine, 2 pairs of undies and a few other misc. items).

Any who, we have been wanting to get Rocky a little sister friend for a few months now, and with me going back to school we figured it was just about the perfect time to do so. Since Sunny is a rescue, the vets on site really don’t know exactly what bread she is. Her chart said she was a pointer/ hound mix… but her paws are so little, I think she is Beagle and something else… her little floppy ears are the cutest.

Rocky is unsure of her right now… he’s not sure why she doesn’t know that pee’ing in the house is bad, or why she feels the need to bite at his beard constantly, or how come she whines in the middle of the night when he is trying to get his beauty rest?! Both of these pups have a lot of spunk and plenty of personality and I know that pretty soon they will be the funniest little best friends.

We can already tell she is going to keep us on our toes (or dead on our feet?) for the next couple of months while we work on potty training, obedience training and every other kind of training… either way, we are so glad to have her!


... pictures to come soon!

Brain Dump::

Here is a list of what is running through my head right now. I will call her brain dump.

The summer humidity in Texas sucks. I feel like I’m living in a terrarium. And for the record, I hate reptiles.

I have decided I need to begin a new hobby when I return to school in a couple of weeks. I know I won’t have a lot of time to lally-gag, but after perusing the isles of JoAnn’s last week with my sisters I’m feeling a teeny bit inspired. Here are the requirements:
Inexpensive, fun, involves slight creativity, needs little assistance from others or much prep and has a finished product I can be proud of. Any ideas?

Yes, I am back to school August 25th!!!! Only two more weeks of full-time paychecks is a scary thought…

J and I just adopted a little girl puppy for from Operation Kindness [link] in Carrolton, TX. It’s the oldest and largest no- kill shelter in North Texas and it sure seemed like a wonderful place for animals that don’t have families yet. I may even try and volunteer there in the near future… More on our new addition soon…

I’ve only slept 12 hours in the last 72 hours. Not my idea of a good time.

Have you guys been to allrecipes.com? I go there every time I want to cook almost anything now… I love to read all of the posted comments (where people can change up the original recipe a little bit), and have found some seriously awesome recipes. Thanks, Mom!

I have hundreds of pictures on my laptop that need to be printed and hung up (and transfered to a zip drive for that matter)… for some reason it keeps slipping lower on the To- Do list as my list keeps growing longer and longer...

I was listening to my usual talk radio this morning on my way to work when I heard one of the DJ’s going ON and ON about how EVERYONE loves the circus and how could anyone NOT like the circus- the animals are so cute and funny! and she is so excited to go and take her child! blah blah blah... She obviously has never read anything about animal cruelty or seen ANY articles about how Barnum & Bailey treats their animals and how they get them to do those “cute and funny” tricks. Some people just need to take there head out of the clouds (or pull it out of somewhere else). I vowed long ago never to support that nauseating form of entertainment. End rant.

Can anyone tell me how to post a link on here? Like, for instance, if I wanted to post a link to Google- I could attach the link to the word Google, so you could just click and browse? Please help. I'm new at this... and not completely computer savvy.

I found something special (that I have been looking for, for awhile now) and can’t wait to purchase it! Although I’m having a personal battle with which “state” I want to rep—maybe I’ll just buy both and wear whichever one I’m more into that day. California girl or Texas gal…

I STILL cannot think of a cute title for this blog. Help