A night of Celebrating and A Day of Remembrancer

What a night!!! Yesterday was the celebration of the United States Marine Corps 235th birthday, which means we were at the Birthday Ball celebrating with fellow Marines and wonderful friends.  I was kind enough to let my husband drink his weight in alcohol (who is still in bed at this moment). Here are some of the better parts of the evening...

As I sit here sipping my coffee remembering the night, my thoughts also travel to the significances of today, Veteran's Day. Today is the day we set aside and celebrate the men and women, past and present, who have served for our country. Whether it is Army, Air Force, Navy, or Marine Corps, we need to celebrate the sacrifices they have made over the years; the wars they fought/fight, the families they have had to leave behind. I am thankful to have my Marine state side and by my side everyday and I know the day is coming when he will have to deploy. I am thankful for the love I am feeling today as people so there pride in their Country.

This video is of the Marines of POM singing the Marine Corps Hymn celebrating 235 years. Ooh Rah! (not the best video quality and nothing to really look at but I Love it and thought I would share)

Test and Trial Friday(Saturday)

I kind of cheated this week and did something extremely easy. My husband and I have me under weather and I did not want to something that required a lot of prep work. I made Cheesy Hot Dog  Crescent. WE enjoyed them with a small side of baked crinkle fries. I think I deserved some french fries after the week I have had. I did two different types of cheese, cheddar for myself and Pepper Jack for the wonderful hubby. I feel like I cheated this week with doing something so simple but at least I can add this recipe to my arsenal of kid friendly foods, whenever babies enter the Orr family.

Photo By Kraft Foods

Cheesy Hot Dog Crescents
One 8 pack of hot dogs
8 single slices of cheese
1 can (8 oz.) refrigerated crescent dinner roll

Prep Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 12 mins Servings: 8
1. Heat oven to 375°F. Cut lengthwise slits in franks to within 1/2 inch of ends; fill with Singles.
2. Wrap crescent triangles around franks. Place, slit-sides up, on baking sheet.
3. Bake 12 min. or until golden brown.

Calories: 300; Fat: 22g; Sat. Fat: 9g; CHOL: 40mg; Sodium: 830mg; Carbs: 14g; Sugar: 3g; Protein: 9g

Tears of Sadness with Hope of Peace

Yesterday a part of my world was rocked. Late yesterday morning I received a phone call from my Dad, from the sound of his voice I knew something was wrong. As he spoke, I could hear the pain in his voice as he struggled to tell me that my Aunt Sharon (His sister) had passed away early that morning. Needless to say I was in shock, we all knew she was sick and had been for a while but I was not expecting to hear this news so soon.

My Aunt Sharon was born July 18, 1953. I hate that I lost contact with her for so many years and when we finally regained contact she was already sick. I know she had Alpha-1 related COPD/emphysema which slowed her down physically, as I remember she was bed ridden and lived her life through the world of Facebook. She called herself "the queen of simplicity; Master of the Mundane; or Champion of the Ordinary," but that was wrong Aunt Sharon was more than ordinary, she had a spirit that could brighten any room to me. Sick as she was she looked to the bright side and found a way to live. Given I know she got in some trouble with online shopping from time to time but I don't know how many smiles I have gotten from the Ecards she has sent me. She has touched so many lives.

I know she was loved by many and loved even more. I will miss her so much and I know that she is with me always. This is short and sweet, I love you Aunt Sharon. Heaven is celebrating having a new angel.

Aunt Sharon with Nick-the-Cat

Read my Lips.

I don't believe it!!!! Stupid Wii board says I gained back every pound I lost last week. I can't take it. I thought that I was doing so good. I kept to my diet, I am religiously working out. I should have lost more weight, NOT GAIN!!!!!

I am so frustrated right now I could put a hole in the wall (if only we weren't renting). And on top of that My online logger for weight, inches, and food diary is saying I don't exist any more so I can't see if I at least lost inches. What could have caused me to suck it up so badly this week.

This post may not make any sense but I can not stand how easily I got flustered by this set back. All well better luck next week...

Test and Trial Friday

This week I let my Husband pick the recipe I would try. Two weeks in a row I did a slow cooker recipe. A tip before I get started, If you have kids do not try to start this when they suddenly have the need to be clingy. Lily suddenly decided that she wanted to be held the entire time I prepped my ingredients. I throughly enjoyed our first ever CHOWDER!!!! next time I will make sure Lily will be down for a nap when I have to do prep work. I only got frustrated when I was finished and looked at my kitchen, talk about a scary scene. Thankfully I have an amazing husband who helped me clean it up since Lily had my hands full all afternoon.

Chicken, Potato, and Double-Corn Chowder
 1 bag (16oz) frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed
     (I chopped my own potatoes about four medium)
1 can (15.25 oz) whole kernel corn, undrained
1 can (14.75 oz) cream-style corn
1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk
1 medium onion , chopped (1/2 cup)
3 cups Cooked Chicken Breast
8 slices of crispy bacon, crisply cooked and crumbled
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon pepper

1.  In a 3 1/2- to 6- quart slower cooker, mix all ingredients except chicken.

2. Cover and cook on low heat for 6 to 8 hours (or on High heat for 3 to 4 hours) to develop Flavors.

3.Stir in 3 ups of Chicken, cover and cook for an additional 15 to 20 minutes.

1 Serving: CAL: 315 (CAL. FROM FAT 70); FAT 8g (SAT. FAT 3g); CHOL 15mg; CARBS. 55g (FIBER 5G); PROTEIN 11g

A year in Monterey

Wow I can't believe that Christopher and I have been in Monterey, California for just over a year. And what a roller coaster of ride has it been. This time last year I was so excited about moving into my apartment and sleeping on a air mattress and freezing very night because I was not use to the weather out here. I was also very sick and dreamed only of going home to Georgia (I was so miserable). Christopher and I were trying to get use to married life and the USMC Life all at once and some time it became just too much for me to handle and I cried myself to sleep. Our Language Program had not started yet and we were struggling to find the balance that now is the strength of our relationship.

Now a year later Christopher and I have finally gotten into our own married life groove. We still fight and have those moments that we just need to separate and breath but we are stronger together and a powerful couple. WE are almost finished with our language program and we have been told to prepare for a second. I don't know if I am excited for another language but I am looking forward to the rest for our lives together and what the USMC has in store for us next. I love my life.

2009

2010

Count Down Update

Alright another week has past and another weigh in has happened, kind of. I was not able to weigh myself this week because my Wii is was stupid so I wasn't able to get an actual weight (Hoping my husband will let be got buy a regular scale so I can avoid this issue every week.) Besides I really think the Wii Board measures me wrong anyways.