Family Update/Gustav Evacuations

Many of you know from previous posts that I grew up south of New Orleans on "the bayou"....and some of you have inquired about my family in Louisiana. (I appreciate your concern!)

My parents and sister evacuated on Saturday to Shreveport and are staying with friends. I have several cousins who evacuated to a hotel in the Houston area. And another aunt went over to Panama City. As you can imagine, I am GLUED to the TV or internet, watching Gustav.

I feel particularly horrible for my best friend's sister, whom had a baby on Tuesday, got home from the hospital on Thursday, and had to pack up her family (3 other children plus this new baby and hubby) to leave. I could not imagine getting on the road with a four day old baby!!!--and then wondering if your home will be there when you get back!

But being from Louisiana, and now living in Florida, I know that everyone is safe now. Their lives are what are important, not the belongings. Thanks for asking--and please pray for everyone on the Gulf Coast.

My 1960s photo

I was blog-hopping this evening and came across this link: http://www.yearbookyourself.com/. You load up a current photo of yourself and it shows what you would have looked at from 1950 to 2000. Here's what I could have looked like in 1960! Funny stuff. (I want to see your photo too so let me know if you post it!)

Kenny was A-W-E-S-O-M-E!

Thanks again Allyson for my ticket! I had a great time...

Of course, we started with a drink :) They were super huge! We got a margarita and strawberry swirl. Yummy!

Kenny was so awesome!
2008 Poets & Pirates Tour

My two favorite loves in one weekend...

Kenny concert tonight... College football kicksoff on Saturday...

GEAUX TIGERS!
Can you handle it!?

Check this out Foodies...

Y'all know how much I love to cook shrimp creole, shrimp etoufee, shrimp gumbo, even fried shrimp --I could go on and on--you get the gist. (In fact, my husband laughs that he gained thirty pounds when we got married due to all my good Cajun cooking! And I especially like to cook at this time of year--football season! Nothing goes better with a cold beer than a shrimp po-boy!)

The 2008 Great American Seafood contest is underway, and man oh man, is this year's competition tough. There are five wonderful seafood recipes and you get to help pick the winner of this great cook off at http://www.greatamericanseafoodcookoff.com/. Unfortunately, I am biased and voted for Louisiana's Chef Brian Landry and his Shrimp and Andouille Cassoulet recipe. (Brian is a chef at one of my favorite eateries, Galatoire's. There is a location in New Orleans and another in Baton Rouge. YUM!)

I plan to try his amazing recipe next week, but I will probably use smoked sausage instead of andouille sausage (since that's not an easy thing to find in Florida--and I don't have any in the freezer right now! Dad, you hear that!?)

While on the subject of seafood, let me add this comment....Now y'all know a Louisiana girl like me loves to cook shrimp, crawfish, and crabs on a regular basis. I tell you, I only use domestic seafood. You can really taste the difference--much freshier! I try to buy fresh seafood whenever possible and always ask "where is it from".

So, okay, now it's your turn-- enter to win a trip to New Orleans by voting in this year's contest. Imagine a few days drinking on Bourbon Street, visiting the awesome Zoo, eating good seafood, breakfast at the Court of Two Sisters! So enter now...and good luck!

A Prayer During Hurricane Season...

A Prayer During Hurricane Season

Father, all the elements of nature obey your command. Calm the storms and hurricanes that threaten us and turn our fear of your power into praise of your goodness. Protect us and our homes from all disasters of nature. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

I found "me" today...

I really didn't know I was so far gone. Until today, when I found me again. I had lots of black days. Not much life or color around me lately. But I'm back....and you'll never believe where I found myself again...

(scroll down)...

at the ANN TAYLOR and LOFT OUTLETS--wahoo!

Look at all the goodies I got (7 pieces of clothes & 3 earrings)for $175ish!

($49, $19, $7, $9, $14, $19, $15)

Ear rings at $5 each!This is my favorite find. It is the perfect little dress for the Holidays (it's shiny and soft!--silver black and blues)

MRS OCD HERE...

...cleaned out her closet at 7:30am, before heading to work! Yup, I really did. It was the only time I have both kids and hubby out of my way to do these kind of projets.

I am on this "I have nothing to wear" kick. (You know what I mean, right!?)

So, I went to Macy's yesterday, looked for one hour, and found nothing!! I am not into the Babydoll tops that are popular right now (hell I wore them for the last 2 or 3 years while pregnant!). I found some great tops at Ann Taylor on clearance but there were none left in my size. SO I went home quite sad.

Today, I think I will hit the Ann Taylor and Banana Republic outlet stores. (Gawd, so happy hubby doesn't read this blog--ha!) Wish me luck!

P.S. Did you notice NO WEEKLY WEIGH IN THIS WEEK!? I don't even want to know what the scale says this week as I am sure I gained back one pound of the six lost! We had pizza twice last week and I made chocolate chip cookies with the kids yesterday afternoon.

Watch out mom & dad!

Ironic this would head to NOLA on Katrina's anniversary, uh?

Oh how I just hate storm season!

Free Chick-Fil-A on Labor Day

I just received an email from Chick-Fil-A. It reads, "This Labor Day, 10:30 a.m. to close, wear any football team logo or collegiate logo for a free three-count of Chick-n-Strips. " Yay! Check it out here: http://www.cheerforchicken.com/

Slow Cooker BBQ Pulled Pork

Ya'll know how much I love my crock pot. And I love barbecue, too.

Well, this is the easiest --and tastiest -- slow cooker recipe ever.

http://www.mccormick.com/productdetail.cfm?id=11718

I'm Bobby Brady!?!

Copying this one from The Mrs. Click on the link below to play along! :)

You Are Bobby Brady

Ultra competitive, you will do almost anything to win. From pull ups to pool sharking, you're very talented. And while everyone is aware of your victories, they still (affectionately) consider you to be a little brat!

What Brady Are You?

Tell me it ain't so!

Slower Cooker Chicken & Dumplings

With all this rain, I have been wanting good ol' home cooking so today plan to make Chicken and Dumplings in the Crockpot! YUMMY!

INGREDIENTS:
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
2 tablespoons butter
2 cans condensed cream of chicken soup
1/2 cup of water (or chicken broth)
1 onion, finely diced (or 1 Tbsp. minced dried onion)
Pinch of Black Pepper
Handful of frozen peas (optional--I try to sneak them in for the kids)
1 cup Egg Wide Noodles or Dumplings (I use the No Yolk Brand)

DIRECTIONS
Place all ingredients except the noodles in a slow cooker. Cover, and cook for 6 to 7 hours on LOW. About 30 minutes before serving, turn cooker up to HIGH, and throw in one cup of Wide Egg Noodles or Dumplings. Enjoy!

Friday Foto

More Wine Please did a post on Halloween this week (her kids are adorable, aren't they!?) So I decided to giveyou all a sneak peek of our 2008 Halloween costumes:

I found the Jo-Jo costume on sale a few months back at DisneyStore.com. And the lion costume, I got for $5 at Old Navy last November. (I told you guys that I bargain shop!) So we are going as Jo Jo and Goliath from Playhouse Disney!

UPDATE: I just received an email from DisneyStore.com. They are doing free shipping on Halloween items if you enter the promo code TREATS. This weekend only.

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What is Worse than a Tropical Storm?

A tropical storm is no fun. A flat tire during a tropical storm is REALLY no fun. But fortunately, it happened blocks away from a fire station (near my home!) and two firemen were nice enough to bare the elements and put on the spare for me! Princess Mimi thought it was fun (they gave her a play hat) and Tom-Tom slept through the excitement. I plan to bring them treats on Sunday (their next shift).

FYI: This storm will not go away! In fact, the schools in my county were closed Tuesday and Wednesday; open today (Thursday) but will close again tomorrow (Friday). The winds tonight are the highes they have been in 3 days--gusts around 46 to 50.

Fay, Day 3

Here's Princes Mimi bundled up in her Minnie Mouse raincoat this morning

(The kids are heading to the sitter's home; I am going to work despite the nonstop rain!):

Annoying Phone Calls

Does anyone else get frequent phone calls from "Working Families Win"? I seem to get them often; and they don't just call when the same message once, but 2 or 3 times. (And usually to complain about a congressman that I LIKE!)

Caller ID always says "unknown" so I looked up the group online yesterday; and I sent an email via their web site to ask them to remove me from their phone list. I hope it helps.

To make it worst, they always seem to call during the children's afternoon nap!!

That's my vent for the day. Thanks for listening!

Here's a Freebie...

Get a free chicken sandwich or biscuit from McDonald's here http://www.facetheglory.com/. (Must print using a color printer.) Enjoy!

Fay Update

Schools were closed yesterday so the kids missed their "first day". Since they only go 1 or 2 days a week, we have to wait until next week to start. (I love that I paid an entire month's tuiton for Tom-Tom, and he will only attend one day in August--ha!--oh well.)

Actually, schools should have been opened yesterday and closed today in my area, but it's just the opposite. I bet school officials are second guessing their decision. Too late now. (Okay even crazier, I live on the border of two counties. If I leave my neighborhood and go left today, schools are closed. If I leave my neighborhood and turn right, schools are open.)

I shouldn't complain though. I am very glad that Fay turned out to be less of a threat than they thought. I am glad we were prepared. It was a good exercise for the next one.

No Weekly Weigh-In

I haven't been able to get to Publix this week (due to rain and kids at home). However, I did jump on a scale at the preschool on Monday and it was 131, so I didn't gain or lose!! Not surprising, since hubby and I ate out a lot this weekend And I haven't been on the treadmill but once this week due to an inner ear infection (which caused dizziness!).

Renuzit TriScents Transform Your Home

Recently I received a free Renuzit TriScents kit to try out at home. I'll be honest, I am not one who likes many scented things. (In fact, I usually chose unscented if I can, in things like deodorant, dryer sheets, and cleaning products). So when I noticed the TriScents had three different scents in one kit, I was nervous...but I soon fell in love.

Now you have probably heard me say this before, but I am a dog lover, not a cat lover. So when I married hubby, I made sure he knew I was never to change the litter or take care of his cat. I have requested over and over that he change the litter daily, but sometimes in the morning rush he forgets, and then I am left to deal with the smell the rest of the day. I will try spraying Lysol but it doesn't always mask the smell.

So when I received my Renuzit TriScents Transform Your Home kit, I knew exactly where I was going to test it--yup, near the cat litter box. And let me tell you, I was amazed!!! In fact, I thanked hubby for cleaning the litter box everyday that week, and he laughed & admitted that he had not been doing it daily. He's also sold on the TriScents.

Next time you are at the store, you really have to try this product. It's available in two fragrances, Seaside Breeze and Morning Meadow. (The starter kit is about $10.00, with refills under $5.)

First photo of Fay's damages

Needless to say, this storm has been over-hyped. I have seen afternoon thunderstorms cause more rain and wind than Fay! (This is not a picture I took but an email joke I just received. Pretty funny, eh?) Let's hope the day continues to be this calm. I hate Hurricane season!

See you later in the week...

I won't be online much the next 2 or 3 days (due to Fay). I know I owe many of you a "visit" so be patient with me please, and I'll check in soon!

I have many new posts below to keep you busy! :))

Prepping for the storm...

DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I HATE HURRICANE SEASON!?!

We got some gas in both vehicles, but it's starting to run out at some stations: Plenty of snacks (incase we lose electricity):
As well as drinking water (and juice). The Wal-Mart by my home was out of water this morning, so I am thankful I got some yesterday:

Thinking about Christmas (already!)..

Taking family photos on Saturday started me thinking about the Holidays!!! More specifically, Christmas outfits.

Last year, I purchased matching outfits for the kids. I enjoyed the look, but no one else really noticed it.....afterall, I couldn't get them to pose together for one photo (our card ended up with two separate photos), and we skipped Church on Christmas (yes, bad Catholics!).

Christmas 2007 Outfits

So I am thinking this year, the kids will not have matching outfits for the Holidays.

(Especially since we did matching outfits for our family church photo on Saturday.)

So here are the kiddos' Christmas 2008 Outfits...

Actually, at the begining of the year, I found this super cute 3-piece outfit on clearance for Tom-Tom (at Dillard's for $7.50). And my SIL had purchased this cute winter dress for Mimi last year (and it was too big at that time) so I will make it her Christmas dress this year.

Evacuation Time...

...no not us (well yet!)...but Little People. (Not sure what Princess Mimi was doing with her Little People but maybe she heard a hurricane is coming to Florida!)...

Portraits Today...

So ten minutes before leaving the house, it started to rain--and I mean RAIN! So my hair was starting to get a little frizzy (but not so bad ) and we had to figure out how to get the kids in the parish hall without getting too wet. Luckily, there was a covered drop off area.

So all and all, the pictures came out okay. (It was a lot of work and planning for just average looking pictures. I really wanted a GOOD family picture to hang in my house and I didn't get "that" shot.)

Tom-Tom did NOT want to cooperate. (afterall he is only 17 month olds!). He was running all over the place and when I tried to hold him in my lap, he was not happy. The photographer made the mistake of giving him a rubber duck to keep him quiet--thinking she could pull it away at the last minute--but of course that just pissed him off, so rubber ducky is now part of the family.

Anyhow, there was one that was pretty decent good (although Princess Mimi has her chin up high) so I ordered it in a 8x10... And converted to B&W so ducky is not noticeable. It will take 3 weeks to arrive, but when it does I'll scan and post.

Enjoy your weekend...

Uh oh...

God love my sweet girl; she is getting my OCDwonderful organization skills...<laughing>...I caught her color separating her yo-gos yesterday at snack time.

Tomorrow...

...is our picture appointment. WISH ME LUCK! I hope both kids cooperate. I am super excited about our first family portrait!! (It's like Christmas--getting new shoes for the kids, hairbow & tights for Mimi--whew!). Here are the kids Pottery Barn Kids outfits...

Super cute dress...

I found this super cute dress this morning in the new fall collection from Ann Taylor Loft. It is so me (the design) but I am not sure about the color...

One Dish Tex-Mex Chicken & Rice

I like this recipe because it is super easy--and it bakes in one dish--plus has lots of flavor! Enjoy!...

Ingredients:

• 3 or 4 chicken breasts
• 3/4 cup rice
• 1 cup salsa
• 3/4 cup water
• 1/2 packet of taco seasoning
• Cilantro (optional)
• 2 cups of Mexican blend shredded cheese

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x11 casserole dish with nonstick spray.

In a large bowl, combine rice, salsa, water, cilantro, and 1-1/2 cups of shredded cheese. Mix well and then spread evenly into your casserole dish.

Lay the chicken breasts on top of the rice mixture. Sprinkle entire dish with taco season. Spinkle remaining cheese on top of chicken breasts.

Cover tightly with foil and bake for one hour. YUM!

Counting Calories (fast food)

I found something cool today. I really wanted to eat more than a protein bar for lunch so was considering a grilled chicken sandwich from Wendy's. I went to their web site and found the standard calorie/nutrional info in a PDF file (as most fast food restaurants have today).

BUT then I also discovered this cool feature on the Wendy's web site--you can personalize your sandwich to get the exact calories & fat info (based on ingredients and toppings!).

For example, look at the grilled chicken page: http://www.wendys.com/food/Product.jsp?family=2&product=117 and hit "personalize it". I took off the honey mustard sauce --hit "recalculate it" ... and saved 3.5 fat grams!

Pretty neat, uh?
Update: I just learned you can do the same on McDonald's web site. Try it here: http://nutrition.mcdonalds.com/bagamcmeal/itemDetailInfo.do

Cool products!

Thank you Dena for telling me about Vista Print! They offer tons of free products and discounted items for home and office (sticky notes, note cards, rubber stamps, business cards). Please check it out here (my referral link): http://www.vistaprint.com/frf?frf=457748429141

Killing the Music

Although I love to have music to my site, I am aware that many of you are "peaking" at my blog from work, so I am going to remove my Playlists to save your ass job. hehe :) Happy Tuesday everyone!

(Official) Weekly Weigh-In

My starting weight was 136.5.

Week 1: 134 (lost 2.5 lbs)

Week 2: 132 (lost 2 lbs)

Week 3 (today): I am 131 (lost 1 lb).

Total: 5.5 pounds (or 6 pounds left to go!)

I know I should be glad I am still losing weight (and I am!), but I am a little disappointed that the weight loss is slowing down. I will say that my tummy feels some what trimmer, and I have so much more energy.

And this is why I don't own a scale...

So you all laughed at me recently for not owning a scale!

Let me tell you why...I hate the darn things. They drive me nuts.

I swore I would weigh in weekly--and only once a week (each Tuesday).

My starting weight was 136.5. I want to get to 125 pounds.
At week 1 it was 134 (lost 2.5 lbs)
At week 2 it was 132.0 (lost another 2.0 lbs)

Okay, I am so excited about my recent weight loss, so I got on the scale on Thursday (I know It wasn't a Tuesday weigh in) and saw 131--yay! I emailed my best friend, my mom, and hubby. I had lost 5.5 pounds total.

And then today, I ran to the grocery store and jumped back on the scale (yes, third time this week!--I'm telling you I am OCD!) and got 133.5!!! UGH. IT HAS TO BE WRONG, right!? ;)

How could I have GAINED in five days!? I've on the treadmill every single day.

I'm so not happy. I went back to the check out line and bought a 12 pack of light beer. (Come on, it's better than chocolate cake right!?) I will never own a scale, and I swear I am only doing once a week weigh-ins!

(gulp, gulp, gulp--ahhhh!)

Geez, Just say "DUH!?"

OMG, Where has my head been!? I guess watching too much Dora or Mickey Mouse with the kids because I had no clue about three important things...

I had no idea today was 08.08.08 (very cool date!)

Although I knew the Olympics were about to begin, I didn't realize the opening ceremony was tonight.

And I had no idea President Bush would be in attendance (in China!!!).

Guess I need to start making it a priority to watch the news sometimes, uh!?

I'm In, too!

As my freqent readers know, I have a weight loss goal of 12 pounds. In the past 2-1/2 weeks, I have lost 5 lbs (mostly by eating much less and working out on the treadmill), so I have 7 left to go. So today, I joined the new group, OSB. Check it out at: http://operationskinnybitch.blogspot.com/

Is August over yet?

I've decided. August is my least favorite month of the year.

• The heat is unbearable. I feel like the kids and I are stuck in the house. It's even too hot to enjoy the pool or the patio.


• TV is nothing but re-runs or (very bad) reality shows.


• Hubby's ride home is an additional ten minutes due to lost tourists on the Interstate.


• My yard is dried up and the plants looks horrible.


• And we are always wondering if a Hurricane is looming.

I'm ready for September.

• College football is in full action.


• As the temperatures start to drop (slowly, but surely),I can put in new fall plants, & pretty orange and yellow flowers at my mailbox.


• Mimi turns three so I can plan a "Princess" celebration.


• I can light Pumpkin scented candles in my home.


• And, the kids are settled into their school routine.

Oh, I'm counting the days! September, beautiful September. How I long for thee.

Here's another recipe for you to try: Chicken Spinach Alfredo Lasagna

My friend Allyson emailed this recipe to me on Tuesday. (Thanks Allyson!))

Chicken Spinach Alfredo Lasagna

INGREDIENTS:
1 (8 ounce) package lasagna noodles
3 cups heavy cream
2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 large onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, sliced
5 mushrooms, diced
1 roasted chicken, shredded
salt and ground black pepper to taste
1 cup ricotta cheese
1 bunch fresh spinach, rinsed
3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook lasagna noodles for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente. Drain, and rinse with cold water.

In a saucepan over low heat, mix together heavy cream, cream of mushroom soup, Parmesan cheese, and butter. Simmer, stirring frequently, until well blended. Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook and stir the onion in olive oil until tender, then add garlic and mushrooms. Mix in the chicken, and cook until heated through. Season with salt and pepper.

Lightly coat the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish with enough of the cream sauce mixture to coat. Layer with 1/3 of the lasagna noodles, 1/2 cup ricotta, 1/2 of the spinach, 1/2 the chicken mixture, and 1 cup mozzarella. Top with 1/2 the cream sauce mixture, and repeat the layers. Place the remaining noodles on top, and spread with remaining sauce.

Bake 1 hour in the preheated oven, or until brown and bubbly. Top with the remaining mozzarella, and continue baking until cheese is melted and lightly browned.

The Best Part of the Beach...

...is the seafood!

-OGMommy (Jules) are you freakin' jealous -- we went to JB's!!-

4 more weeks...

Four more weeks until the start of college football.

GEAUX TIGERS!!

This is my favorite time of the year! I love watching ESPN college game day and just hanging with my hubby. Here is the SEC schedule: http://www.secfootball.itgo.com/2008schedule.html

Where We Will Be on Sunday...

Some friends have a condo for the week at the beach and have invited us up for the day!