Date Night Friday

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Tonight is the post's 4th of July festival. Don't ask me why they picked today...it's Georgia; it's not supposed to make sense, lol! But I'm sure there will be cotton candy, so we're going!

TGIF!!!! Yay!

Bella reading yesterday.

She's reading at just above a first grade level, and improving daily!

And FINALLY, an S+ today!!!!

Thomas has today off so we may have a Date Day. Or I may go back to bed. I dunno....we'll wind up doing something or other!!!

Date Night Friday

Date Night was with the girls tonight and I am no longer a Bunco Virgin!! Wooo Hooo!!! It's mostly a ton of fun except for everyone screaming at the same time and having to do math in your head quickly. So yeah, I mostly sucked at it, lol!! BUT...if you suck the most you get a really cool prize. And I didn't suck the worst, so I didn't. I didn't get a single bunco, that's three of a kind when you are actually trying for that number. (I think) I'm a little bit foggy on some of the rules but it's ok though. There's always someone to calmly instruct you if you mess up. OK make that loudly scream at you. But I can hang!! I can be as dice-greedy as the next wench, ya know?!?!? I did have the fuzzy pink die three or four times but it doesn't matter unless you FINISH while holding it. I knew I should have stuck that sucker in my bra.....*sigh*, live and learn!!
This is a pretty good shot of how I looked all night, lol! It's hard to roll (whatever) when you have a hard time remembering what you're rolling for. You also have to move around so it's sort of musical chairs with dice. Which is a good time to grab more chocolate goodies and see if you can be the first one to grab the dice at the new table. Whoever has the dice rolls first. Rolling first makes me happy. Even if I'm clueless I want to be first. Always!

Thanks Rachel for inviting me, and thanks to our Hostess Tricia!! I'll be sure to practice adding before next month's round!!!!

Date Night Friday

Today was a girls Date Day. I love those and I love the girls I hang out with. We're all Army wives and we are all so proud of our soldiers. We're wives and moms and even though we're all so very different in some ways, we're very much alike in the ways that count. {{Group Hug!}}

I did not pick this movie. When I saw the previews on tv, I told Thomas there was no way I was going to see this movie. Why on earth would I pay money to see a movie I've lived - three times at that! That's right, three times. Thomas has deployed three times to Iraq (OIF I, OIF III, and OIF IV) and that would be for eight months, twelve months and fifteen months each, or 35 months total, which equals 1,065 days and sleepless nights. Away from me. In harm's way. At war. So no, I didn't want to hear about a love story between a soldier and a girl, through letters back and forth. I've lived it, thank you very much.

But Kindra picked the movie. She's sweet and gorgeous and we're going to forgive her, because it's the Christian thing to do and we love her. But this movie really bit it!!!!

I was totally sucked in because I'm a hopeless romantic. I want them to just ride off into the sunset and live happily ever after. Is that too much to freakin' ask for Hollywood??? Seriously, is it??? So they fall in love. And he deploys. And they send beautiful letters back and forth. Hand me the tissues already. Because I'm sucked in and I'm crying. And I mostly don't even care that Kindra, Michelle and Rachel are all laughing at me. I'm in. And then the letters stop coming. And we see that utterly, totally hot-assed soldier hurting. Alot. But he keeps the faith. And holds on. And waits. And waits. And then it happens.

THAT FREAKIN' BUG-EYED, HATEFUL BITCH SENDS HIM A DEAR JOHN LETTER!!!!

What was intuitively obvious to just about everyone but me, happened. I really and truly did not see it coming. At all. At first I just gasped, because seriously, I didn't see it coming. For real. So I did the only possible thing I could do. I actually said out loud, "That hateful bitch!!!". Did I mention I said it outloud?? Yeah. Oh well. And yes, the girls laughed at me.

That dirty, rotten, no good, bug-eyed bitch dumped her soldier while he was at war!!!!! Now if anything deserves capital punishment, that does. And guess what? He gets shot, twice, on his next mission. And I cried. Because he was already wounded before he was ever shot.

I was ready to go home about then, because I really didn't want to see any more. But it got more sad, and then more sad, and then sadder still. And I don't want to EVER see another movie that bug-eyed bitch is ever in again. Ever!! Never, ever, ever!!!!!!

I'm really glad we had lunch first (which was delish by the way!!), because I wouldn't have had an appetite afterwards. Yes, I really do know it's a movie. But you know what? I've seen it happen in real life. And it's real. And it's really sad. And regardless of what problems you might be having in your relationship, you DO NOT DITCH your soldier when he's out there fighting a war for his country!!!!! Isn't that right, Lisa??

You see Lisa was the bug-eyed, hateful bitch in real life (even though she didn't really have bug eyes, she was however a hateful bitch), that I slapped so hard across the face that my bruised hand throbbed for a week. She was cheating on her husband while he was deployed and was bragging about the vicious "Dear John" letter she had sent him. I'm really not a violent person. But knowing the cruelty she had done, it just overtook me. She's not on my Christmas card list anymore either. Go figure.

Being a military wife isn't always fun. Many times are really tough, and not fun at all. It's hard to worry about your soldier, day after day, not knowing where he is, or what he's doing, or what hardships he's facing, or if he's ok. Day after day. The not knowing is always the hardest. But you do it, faithfully and honorably, because you are privileged enough to love and be loved by the most honorable of men. A man willing to fight to the death, for you. You do not strip him of his most protective armor, your love and support, because you selfishly decide you can't handle it any more. You might as well send him off to war without a weapon!! They have to know, to their core, that you are home, safe, and waiting for them. You have to be their rock. So they can do their job and complete their mission. That's just the way it is.

I will be the one picking out the movie next time. Oh yes, you can bet the farm on that one!!! And you can also bet the farm that my soldier will be supremely appreciated tonight too!!! Rachel close your eyes...and yes I'm talkin' about sex, lol!

Date Night Friday

Yay!! It's Friday already - wow! Thomas has the day off from work, but Bella has school....so we're makin' the most of it!! Not exactly sure what our entire plans are, but know they include lunch at Atlanta Bread Co. and some shopping at Hobby Lobby, lol! I know, I'm soooo predictable, lol!

If you need some yummy dinner ideas, I just picked these up from Kraft Foods. They sound easy, cheap and delicious!!!! Make it a Fabulous Friday everyone!!!

Fresh Broccoli & Chicken Pasta Toss

What you need:

2-1/2 cups multi-grain penne pasta, uncooked

3 cups fresh broccoli florets

1/4 cup Light House Italian Dressing

1/2 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size pieces

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 cups tomato-basil spaghetti sauce

1 cup 2% Milk Shredded Mozzarella Cheese

COOK pasta in large saucepan as directed on package, adding broccoli to the boiling water the last 3 min.

MEANWHILE, heat dressing in large nonstick skillet on medium heat. Add chicken and garlic; cook 5 min. or until chicken is no longer pink, stirring occasionally. Stir in spaghetti sauce; cook 5 min. or until chicken is done, stirring occasionally. DRAIN pasta mixture; return to pan. Add chicken mixture; mix lightly. Top with cheese.

BBQ Beef -Filled Biscuits

What you need:

1/2 lb. extra-lean ground beef

1 small green pepper, finely chopped

1 small red pepper, finely chopped

1/3 cup KRAFT Original Barbecue Sauce

1 can (7.5 oz.) refrigerated buttermilk biscuits

1/2 cup KRAFT Mexican Style 2% Milk Finely Shredded Cheddar Jack Cheese

HEAT oven to 375ºF.

BROWN meat with peppers in medium skillet. Remove from heat. Stir in barbecue sauce.

SEPARATE biscuits. Press 1 biscuit onto bottom and up side of each of 8 muffin cups.

SPOON meat mixture into biscuit cups; press into cups with back of spoon. (Filling will be mounded.)

BAKE 10 min. or until biscuits are lightly browned. Top with cheese; bake 3 to 4 min. or until melted.

Date Night Friday

Actually, I had two dates. I had a day date with the girls (Rachel, Michelle & Kendra - love yas!!) where we lunched at Atlanta Bread Company (YUMMY!!!!) and then went to see this:

AWESOME!!

Predictable?, yes. Super funny and delicious anyway?, YES!! I don't think Amy Adams is capable of making a bad movie - seriously!! So.Much.Fun. And then, because we didn't have to to rush right back home for a change, we decided to check out the newly opened Hobby Lobby right next door.

I had never been to one before so my excitement was almost nil. I figured, whatever prolongs coming home and doing some housework is good. But really, that was it for me. Until I walked inside. And then...Oh.My.God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It was simply amazing!!! I was just dazed and overwhelmed, and the four of us were like, "OH!!! Come look at this!!!" - constantly! Just lovely stuff - everywhere!! AND PRACTICALLY EVERYTHING WAS 50% OFF TOO!!!! It was almost enough to make you hyperventilate in sheer shopping joy!!!

But I was so good! I didn't go crazy at all. Which is amazing in itself, lol! I got a lovely picture for the livingroom (I'll show ya laterz), and just a couple of crafting goodies for Bella's Valentine cards. I didn't go nutz!!!

Then later....I had a night date with Thomas. Rachel really wanted Bella to come over and play with Jilli and said for me and Thomas to go out. We had already had dinner (breaded tilapia and fresh pasta salad - fabulous!!), so we weren't sure what to do. We didn't want to go to the movies either..........so........I said, "Hey, wanna go check out Hobby Lobby for yourself???" And that is exactly what we did, lol!! I found some really pretty things to jazz up my crafting room (pics laterz), and Thomas got a model ship kit. And yes, I did get some more crafting goodies but not too much. OK, well,... I didn't buy one of everything anyway, lol! I have a real problem with 50% off sales, lol! I think we might go back for a lamp today though for the livingroom. It's soooo pretty and normally way expensive. Today is the last day of the sale.

Well great. They've sucked me in!!!

Date Night Friday

As I'm sure you're already aware, setting special time alone with your Sweetie is really important for keeping that spark alive. Otherwise you may find yourself not out on the town but home yet another Friday night watching World's Most Violent Police Chases 5 on the G4 channel again. Ahem.

So you've scraped yourselves off the couch for once, and have actually compromised on something you want to do - together! Yahooo!!!! Now to find something to wear....
...and that means scrounging around in your closet, looking for that outfit that will say "Date Night", and not scream, "Mommy who spends too much time on the recliner". Looking for that imaginary pair of pants that really DOESN'T make your ass look too big. Because although you are a Wife and/or Mommy, you are still a woman. A sexy woman. Really! Why are you laughing, dammit?!?!? Oh...laughing with me....gotcha!

So you just need that one special outfit, that one special accessory, that something-something that says....I'M ALL WOMAN AND I AM READY TO PAR-TAY!!!!! You need....
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THIS!!!!!

We don't stop laughing because we grow old;
we grow old when we stop laughing!

Date Night Friday

The Bellaboo and I have a "date" tonight to go Trunk or Treating at Rachel's church!! I'm also going to be on the lookout for some nice sized pumpkins too. I haven't seen any anywhere - how crazy is that?? Tonight will be a trial run on her costume too. It's so much colder and more windy than last year so we're going to have to get creative.

These are pictures from Monday, the day of Thomas' surgery. I had to leave to feed Bella and get her to bed, but he had quite a few visitors after I left.

As always, the clown!

Sneaking in unapproved food!!!

Morphine button

He's FAKING!!!
He's doing much better now, although like any man, he's milking it for all it's worth. (Don't be mad Thomas, you know it's true!!!)

I got two fabulous awards, but in the chaos that has been my life, I've forgotten who gave them to me or what I was supposed to do for them. SORRY!!! But thank you very much to both of you!

Date Night Friday

Chances are, if you're married or otherwise with a guy, you know that keeping his tummy happy pretty much ensures that he's happy. Men are pretty simple creatures. If they're warm, dry, fed, rested and watching some kind of sports, they are happy campers. (Yes, ok, don't forget hippity-dippity too! If you don't know what I'm talking about, ask your man. He'll be SO HAPPY to explain it to you!!! LOL!)

Anyway...where was I??? Ah yes, food. So maybe you don't have the time, energy or money to whip up a fantastic spread for dinner tonight. But I bet you could make some cupcakes for dessert! With sprinkles! Or brownies! With sprinkles!! EVERYTHING tastes better with sprinkles, right?? Even a bowl of ice cream from the freezer.....anything (with sprinkles!) sweet and fun, to show him he's still the man you'd pick if you had to do it all over again! TGIF peeps!!!

Ain't it the truth???

Date Night Friday

Bella's new favorite - the movie "Enchanted"!

The Bella salute!!
Is this precious or what???

SFC Thomas Kupsh - NCO of the Quarter

HUGE Congratulations Thomas!!! Off to the NCO of the Year board in three months. I know you can do it honey!!!!!

And tonight is the ball....but this Cinderella has to stay home! *pouty sigh* My first chance to go to a military ball, but when we had to buy tickets we didn't know anyone to watch Bella for us. Oh well, next time for sure!! Just wait till you see Thomas with ALL his awards on his dress blues!! He's got more decorations than a designer Christmas tree!!!

Date Night Friday

Pool Party!!!

Actually, it will have to wait a couple of days till her pool gets in from Walmart.com (only $15 with $0.97 shipping!!!) BUT, it's ordered and we're grilling out tonight!!! Celebration time - THE CREEPY FAMILY IS GONE FOR GOOD!!!! Hip Hip Hooray!!!!!! With all the best USDA meat you can handle, lol! I do kinda, sorta feel bad for the Fort Bragg peeps, but I know they will either shape 'em up, or ship 'em out! *giggle* It's going to be a scorching 103* with about 90% humidity today - oy! I can't believe it's hotter here than at Fort Stewart!!!

Make it a great (cool!) day everyone!!!

Date Night Friday - Be A TIGER!!!

The Tiger

A couple was on their honeymoon, lying in bed, about ready to consummate their marriage, when the new bride says to the husband, "I have a confession to make, I'm not a virgin."

The husband replies, "That's no big thing in this day and age."

The wife continues, "Yeah, I've been with one guy."

"Oh yeah? Who was the guy?"

"Tiger Woods."

"Tiger Woods, the golfer?"

"Yeah."

"Well, he's rich, famous and handsome. I can see why you went to bed with him."

The husband and wife then make passionate love.

When they are done, the husband gets up and walks to the telephone.

"What are you doing?" asks the wife.

The husband says, "I'm hungry, I was going to call room service and get something to eat."

"Tiger wouldn't do that."

"Oh yeah? What would Tiger do?"

"He'd come back to bed and do it a second time."

The husband puts down the phone and goes back to bed to make love a second time.

When they finish, he gets up and goes over to the phone. "Now what are you doing?" she asks.

The husband says, "I'm still hungry so I was going to get room service to get something to eat."

"Tiger wouldn't do that."

"Oh yeah? What would Tiger do?"

"He'd come back to bed and do it again."

The guy slams down the phone, goes back to bed, and makes love one more time.

When they finish he's tired and beat. He drags himself over to the phone and starts to dial.

The wife asks, "Are you calling room service?"

"No! I'm calling Tiger Woods, to find out what the par is for this damn hole."

Date Night Friday!

TODAY IS THE DAY!!!!

If you don't know what I'm talkin' about, go HERE! So anyway, FedEx is delivering this baby TODAY between 1-3pm!! It's not on a regular truck; nope, it's an 18 wheeler!!! 450 pounds of a small forest, all cut down for moi! Thomas has a long weekend (four days) so we'll see how many of those days it takes to put this monstrosity together. The company says it takes 2-2 1/2 hours to put together. For professionals, maybe. For us??? Well....I'll have to get back to ya on that one. All I know is that the electric screwdriver is plugged in and there are numerous nose prints on the front window from looking outside. It should be one hellufva Date Night anyway!!! (prayers for easy assembly and no fighting gratefully accepted!!!!)

Date Night Friday

I have no clue what our plans are for this evening.....but it might include these lil beauties. These are Domino's new pasta bread bowls and they are FAB.U.LOUS!!! Really, really tasty people! If you order online (www.dominos.com) you will save a dollar on each one and they start at $5.99!! Yay! I'm not a fan of their pizza, but they soooo have it goin' on with these bread bowls!

This is the one I get. Chicken, bacon, penne pasta and mushrooms, with a light, lovely, creamy sauce - ahhhhhh! I have them skip the onions.
This is what Thomas gets. He really likes it, and that they are one of the few places that deliver on post, lol! So maybe this is something to make YOUR date night that much better!!! Have a great one!

Date Night Friday

Actually, I should have titled this post "Date DAY Friday". Because I have a date.....with my vacuum cleaner!! Blah! You can only put off so much for so long, ya know? Normally I am pretty good about being right on top of housework, but this week was Spring Break (yes, we're weird like that!) and The Bella was up my asscrack like a bad thong home with me all week. AND it's spring in Georgia, which means one thing.........tons & tons, and gobs & gobs of lime green pollen from the depths of Hell. Inside, outside - it's everywhere. And I'm allergic to it. Too bad there's no good, constructive use for snot because every spring I make GALLONS of it!! TMI? Sorry 'bout that. Anywho....so yeah, right....housework. Alex is coming up tomorrow so it is a good excuse to finally get some stuff done. I realize it won't look like I killed myself today after she's home for five minutes, but WE will know it was clean, right?? Right!

I'd like to think I look like this....
...when in reality it's more like this!
Can I get an AMEN????

I hope to get everything done FAST, because I want to make some cards!! I am a Spirit Jumper and I have three cards to make for that. And oh yeah, make some stuff for my store which will open....eventually, lol!! Make it a FABULOUS day everyone!!!

Date Night Friday!

Wooo Hooo TGIF!!!! And this week I'm actually HAVING a Date Night!!! Alex is driving up to pick up The Bella for the weekend (14 years difference in age and they are still as close as two peas in a pod!), so Thomas and I will be A-L-O-N-E all weekend!! Bring on the SEX!!! Ooops, sorry, that just slipped out. My bad.
I'm not quite sure what we'll be doing (besides, you know, the sex), but I DO KNOW that it will include eating HERE tonight!! I love Outback!!! Their blooming onion is pure heaven to me!!!! Diet?? Yeah, Monday. Fer sure. Honest! I haven't had much Thomas attention in the past almost month because he's been super busy with the Army school he's been attending, plus doing his college work too. And he's had to work every weekend too!! So......some quality time together, having a real conversation, eating a meal I don't have to prepare or clean up after........ahhhhhh! Now that's what I'm talkin' about!!

And then, because he loves me so much, we will probably wind up at Michael's and/or Jo-ann's. Because he knows that I like to "look" so much. Because they might have something that I need/want/must have to make my cards better. Or because it's sparkly. Whatever. He knows watching my giddy delight is fun, and he'll get his later. It's all good. *grin*

So what are you guys doing tonight and/or this weekend?? I want to thank you all SO MUCH for all the support and encouragement!!!! I have alot to do in one week to get ready, so if I don't pop in to visit as much as before, please know that it's just temporary, ok? I have a store with nothing to sell, lol! Let me get some things on there and I'll be back as usual! Make it a fabulous weekend everyone!!!

Date Night Friday

Well! I was really, really looking forward to actually HAVING a Date Night this evening with Thomas.....but.....Alex decided to bring Bella back home this morning instead of Sunday afternoon. Sorta completely obliterated all my weekend plans. *sigh* I have to remember that it was really nice being kid free for almost a week, so I just need to suck it up and slap a smile on my face. Right? (Excuse me while I have just a little temper-tantrum-dance over here in the corner first....)

OK, better now. So because Bella is coming home, we are not going out. Which is probably just as well because I cleaned my house from top to bottom yesterday, 8 hours of non-stop cleaning folks! My house is so deliciously clean and organized!!!! I LOVE IT!! However, my body feels like I've been hit repeatedly by a Mack truck. And Thomas has been to his senior leadership school all week (goes through till the end of April!), and is pretty wiped out as well. So we'll just have a quiet family night instead. I forsee lots of stamping and relaxing!

So now that I'm the lame one this week....what are YOU guys up to? Anything fun and/or unusual? If nothing else...TGIF folks!!!

Date Night Friday!

TGIF!!! And not being superstitious myself, it doesn't matter that it's Friday the 13th! Many times when a Monday is a holiday (next week President's Day), then the Friday before will be a "training holiday" in the military, so Thomas has today off from work! BUT!! Bella still has school today. So that means...

WE HAVE THE WHOLE DAY TO OURSELVES!

WOOO HOOO!!!!!

So we are having Date Day instead! Some shopping (yay!), lunch at Atlanta Bread Company (YAY!), and either a movie or um....something else!! (YAY YAY YAY!!!) I'm so excited!!!! So share your plans for today/tonight, OR one of your bestest dates, OR your dream date. And don't forget that tomorrow is Valentine's Day!! Be sure to get or make something special for those people in your life that mean the most, ok?

Date Night Friday!

Nothing quite says "I love you" like chocolate! Or sex!! How about chocolate AND sex?!?!? Here's a recipe for Chocolate Lava Mini Cakes:
6 oz. bittersweet chocolate
1/3 cup real butter (NOT margarine!)
3 whole eggs
3 egg yolks
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
3/4 cup all purpose flour
vanilla ice cream (optional)
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Preheat oven to 400*. Spray individual bundt pans (6), or muffin tin (12). Coarsely chop up chocolate and combine with butter in bowl. Microwave on high 1-2 minutes until mixture is smooth; stirring after each 30 second interval. Cool 5 mins.

Whish eggs and egg yolks into chocolate mixture. Add sugar and flour and mix just until dry ingredients are incorporated. Divide batter between wells. Bake 13-14 minutes or until outside edges are set and center is still liquid. (cracks will appear wet - do not overbake!)

Place platter over tins and gently invert to remove cake. Serve with ice cream if desired. This IS NOT a diet recipe....but you can work it off (*wink, wink!*)
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Fix one plate with one cake on it. Feed each other warm, chocolately lovin' from the oven!! When the cake is gone.......go work it off!!!!! Have a great Friday everyone!!

Date Night Friday

Well tonight I'm having a "date"....with my girlfriends!! I've been so inspired by some of you crazy mad, talented Stampers (yes YOU Christina!!) and so I'm hosting a Stampin' Up party tonight! I can't wait!!!! I have zero talent but loads of enthusiasm, lol, so we'll see how it goes. I requested we do Valentine's cards but I also asked the rep to pretty much bring everything. I have so many questions! I'm sure she's going to leave my house just exhausted, lol!!! The cool thing is that she lives just down the road from me here on post, and arrived here the same time I did last August. She's awesome and I think she's going to be a really good new friend!! I'll take pics and post them either later tonight or tomorrow. I'm also making a chocolate castle cake for refreshments and that's always a big crowd pleaser. But first, I gotta finish the housework!!


What are your big plans for tonight and/or this weekend??