Angels Among Us

I have been having a hard time at work lately. There have been complaints from certain individuals, (whom I have no idea who) who have been complaining that I do not answer the phones quickly enough and that I am not doing my job adaquetly. Not to mention many fingers being pointed at me lately outside of work. Well I know that I am doing my best, the best that I can when there are up to 4 calls coming in at a time to answer as many as I can. And doing my best at going above and beyond of what is asked of me. Its sad that there are some people in this world that just have to complain about something to fulfill there day, and end up taking it out on someone that doesnt deserve it. Well, there is a sweet young gentlemen with Down Syndrome that works here that helps out with cleaning around the building, and well lets just say he made my day. There were multiple calls coming in at once, and I was making sure they got where they needed to go, and upon finally getting off the phone, he walks by and simply says, "Your doing a good job" with a smile on his face. He has been my little angel for the day.

Ok, I lied...

...so I said I was going to take a break. I get in these moods where I feel compelled to distance myself from the world. I feel its better for me to just maintain my distance in hopes not to implode on everyone around me. But as it turns out, I just cant stay away, theres just too much to write about! Plus, Im over my moodiness. Im done being female, as James would put it.

Ok, so what is it that I have to write about so badly to go against my word of staying away? Her name is Ree Drumond. Ive written about her several times, as far as her recipes go. But what I havent shared is that she is a remarkable writer who radiates joy and happiness. She shares her everyday life in her blog/website which you can find located in the top right hand corner of my blog, titled The Pioneer Woman. Even reading her recipes you cant help but laugh at the way she shares them, theres a story in everything she writes about!

Well the one thing that I have enjoyed the most reading on her website is her story about how her and Marlboro Man (her nickname for her husband) met, fell in love and eventually marry. It has been quite the journey, reading it has really been such a joy. I have been so looking forward to knowing exactly how it ends, cause we all know they obviously got hitched, its the journey on how they got there thats so interesting. Well I finally read the final contribution to her "Black Heels to Tractor Wheels" today, and I cant help but feel touched, truly affected but what she wrote. I cant really explain why or how, but it moved me. We all have stuggles in our life, and for me, they just keep on piling up and I have a hard time of sorting through them and figuring out the best way of managing them to not "stink" up my life. And then you come upon certain readings that help lighten the load, put some perspective on your life, and make you realize that your not alone. Make you remember what brought you to where you are and that it is a good thing. I just love those moments. So thank you Ree Drumond, the Pioneer Woman. From the bottom of my heart. I encourage you to go read it here.

Excuse Me

I need another break. Excuse me for a bit. Sorry.

I need a minute...

My poor little pup is sick with puppy diarrhea. I woke up at 3 to let him out, and then woke me up again at 5, but ignored the poor little thing to fulfill my selfish desire to sleep. Well upon waking up at my regular scheduled time, I realize why he needed up again: the reason was on my living room floor. I immediately felt horrible for ignoring him earlier that morning, poor thing was just sick! Well, I, emphasis on the I, clean up the mess before I have to head to work. Then I come home for lunch and as soon as I walk in I smell what I thought was the remains of what I cleaned up that morning, to find out upon letting Doc out of his crate that he had made a mess in it and was completely covered in his new remains. UGH. But before I could feel grossed out I immediately felt sorry for him, poor thing had to go and couldn't wait! It wasnt until giving him a bath and washing it off that the grossness settled in. But still felt bad. So I bathe and dry him, take care of the mess and when James gets home do I get a "thanks for taking care of that"? No. Instead I get a "your going to be late getting back to work" instead. Thanks. Thats just what I needed to hear. I don't now if this is what I get to look forward to when having kids or if this is something I have a right to be upset about, but either way, Im gonna need a minute...

Who'll Stop the Rain...

"Long as I remember the rain been comin down.

Clouds of mystry pourin confusion on the ground.

Good men through the ages, tryin to find the sun;

And I wonder, still I wonder, who'll stop the rain."

-CCR

Oh the truth to those words...when is it going to end?!! It has been raining here for 2 1/2 weeks straight! I don't understand, I thought we moved to the desert? So much for that, it's turning into the wettest of marshlands here. But, there is a light at the end of the tunnel: weather.com says we are in the clear starting Monday! 70 degree weather with clear skies and 0% chance of rain!! I can hardly wait!! I can see it now: sandals, shorts, riding my new bike, walks again with Doc, rides on the motorcycle. Ahhh...I can hardly wait. So heres to the sun! We love you sun, please come back out play soon, we really do miss you:)

Finally, some recipes...and more!

Once again, I have no good excuse for disappearing other than I'm lazy and forgetful. I get home from work and all I wanna do is cook, eat, clean and relax. Enough of my excuses, lets get on with some of the recipes I promised!

Island Pitas (a.k.a. Grilled Chicken Teriyaki Pineapple Pitas...better, huh?)
2 boneless chicken breasts
Lawrys Teriyaki marinade
1/4 C. Mayo
Pineapple slices
Lettuce
Pitas

1. Marinade chicken for desired length of time. Mix mayo with 1 tsp. marinade, or to desired taste. Grill chicken and pineapple slices while basting pineapple with marinade. Cut chicken into strips, then slather on some of the mayo mixture on pitas then stuff with chicken, pineapple and lettuce. Enjoy!!


Next, Pioneer Woman, Ree Drumond's: Mexican Lasagna

Just follow the link and I promise you will love what you find! James and I both loved it, though I will warn you it makes a ton! Those of you with big families will appreciate it, while those of you with smaller families, I would definitely cut it in half. We were eating leftovers for quite some time. It was really okay though, I savored every bite of it:)
(My pictures aren't as pretty as hers, but I enjoy myself capturing photos of my creations!)


As for James and I, we are loving Idaho, James is doing good in school and I am enjoying my job.
James on his first day of school:)
We love our ward and I am loving being back in Relief Society. Having been in Young Women's for the past two years, I have grown to miss the Relief Society, so I am enjoying it while it lasts before we get callings. We especially are enjoying having friends. James has become good friends with my friend Nicole's husband Chad. He is a car guy like James, so they have bonded quite well while I have very much enjoyed Nicoles company! Speaking of cars, James has found himself a new project. He is bringing back to life a 91 Acura Integra. I was more willing to go along with it since he bought the car for a mere $300. He is having fun stripping it apart and making it almost new again. I will have to post pictures as it comes along.

And as for Doc, well he is still my baby and we enjoy him every day! He is so much fun and love to play with him every minute we can. He actually is a year old this month! We dont know the exact day in June he was born, so I am making June 30th is Birthday, that way he is a "full" year old. Im a little OCD like that:)
Well, I think that is it for now. TTFN.Oh yeah, I cut my hair:)

Doc and I take walks along the green belt in Idaho Falls. Its so pretty, we both love it.

How cute is this?! He loves the wind blosing in his face, had to capture it:)