For Sean

My husband is constantly making fun of me for blogging! Any stupid thing that happens throughout the day Sean will say, "Why don't you blog about it?"*


For example:

Me: Ouch! I just stubbed my toe!

Sean: Why don't you blog about it?


or,


Me: Ooh, this cookie is so good!

Sean: Why don't you blog about it?



Ooooh, such a smart ass!



The other night we were out to dinner at Del Friscos with some of his family (getting extremely spoiled!!) and Sean ordered this huge steak- 12 ounce, bone-in, fillet minion- rare! I think it cost $65 or something ridiculous (which is why, of course, Sean ordered it) and it was practically still mooing!

Anyway, it comes to our table and Sean says, "JoDee, why don't you take a picture of my steak and blog about it!"

So, here it is.

It doesn't look quite as big now that I see it in this picture, but believe me it was huge, and Sean ate the whole thing. Then washed it down with a huge piece of cheesecake.**

*I actually blogged about something Sean told me to. Pathetic.

**Time for a New Year's Resolution to eat less maybe?

A Very Thankful Tuesday 10

What a great Tuesday! I just spent the most relaxing and renewing day with three great girlfriends having lunch and doing lots of shopping at the Galleria. It was just what I needed. We laughed, we talked, we ate some really yummy food, and came home with some cute new clothes!

As you saw in my last post... I had been feeling pretty down lately. Thank you SO much for all your comments (those posted, and those passed on in person). It is amazing what loving words from friends can do for you.

Sean and I talked quite a bit yesterday about all my conception fears, and that was needed and helpful. But, in all honesty, hearing what other women have to say on the subject was much more helpful and I can't say how much I appreciate all of you!

I think I need to take a minute to count my blessings today, so here are 10 things I'm thankful for.


1. My husband.
Y'all I know I complain about him all the time, but I'm just so darn good at it I can't stop now! He makes me laugh everyday, and is without a doubt, my best friend. He supports me in all my wacky endeavors (albeit making fun of me the entire time). I just need him around. He makes me a better person.


2. My school.
Without taking a chance and moving to the new school this year, I wouldn't have met my new teammates. God definitely had a big hand in this! Now I'm surrounded by the most loving and supportive team that I can imagine. They're so much more than teammates- they're dear friends.


3. My parents.
Teaching these past five years has made me realize what awesome parents I have. As Randy Pauche (author of The Last Lecture) put it, "I won the parent lottery!"


4. Old friends.
There is something about seeing a friend who's known you since you were 12, and hearing her say that "everything is going to be fine." I can tell myself the same thing over and over... but hearing it from Michelle always makes more sense! I'm feeling so much more at peace now. She's like xanax, but much prettier!


5. My family.
Brother, sisters, aunts, uncles, grandparents... they're the best! I am so blessed to have them.


6. My home.
At a time when so many are struggling, I have it so easy. I know I'm lucky to have my job, my home, and all the possessions which make my life pretty cush.


7. My neighbors.
I really have the best neighbors! They help us out in so many ways... I can't even count how many times I've called with a dog emergency! When Jet was a puppy, Sandy would come over everyday and feed him lunch and take him out- and of course, play with him! Now, for any little thing, they will bend over backwards to help us out. Jason fixed my leaky kitchen sink when Sean was offshore! Sandy takes Jet to the vet for us all the time! Bob compliments my cooking! I could just go on and on!


8. My dog.
Jet's the first dog I've ever had, and I just can't believe how much I love him! He is so much fun, and I really do believe that pets are good for you (you know, reduce stress, make you live longer, etc.) because he makes me so happy! Not a day goes by where I don't laugh out loud because of something he does!


9. My health.


10. YOU!
Thanks for reading my blog! It's so nice to feel like I'm being heard. Your comments have meant so much to me. Thank you!

Oh wow... I'm now either on the verge of tears from all that I have to be thankful for or on the verge of vomiting from all the sugary sweetness!

Debbie Downer (or whatever the hell her name is...)

OK, team, this isn't going to be a pretty one. I'm feeling pretty angry today. And yesterday. Why, you ask? Oh, no reason really. Just mad at the world because it's pregnant. Everyone in the flipping world is pregnant. Or, they have a baby. There are babies EVERYWHERE! Have you been to church lately- chalk full of babies! People are out there expecting twins and triplets, their second, their third, fourth, or eighteenth child! People are expecting babies they have no business having for that matter. Can you say teenage pregnancy?

You may want to stop reading this if you haven't met "real-JoDee" yet, because I'm gonna repulse you. I am going to be a big, fat sack of self-pity. And I just don't care, because this is my blog, so suck it!

I am convinced that I am infertile. Here are my reasons (Sean's reasons why I'm insane will be in parenthesis): we have not used formal birth control for over 2 years with no accidents (I'm a huge stud with massive self-control), we stopped doing anything preventative from July to September (we didn't time anything, and one of those months we didn't try at all because we were getting wishy-washy), we tried hard-core for the last two months with nothing (normal people have only a 20% chance of getting pregnant any given month, and we have really only tried two months. It could take up to a year and still be normal).

OK, so infertile it is. Or, maybe Sean has mutant sperm. One or the other. Holy crap, both! Why am I flipping out- well, I think it's any one of the following reasons (feel free to comment with your answer choice):

A. I have incredible female intuition and can sense that this isn't going to happen.

B. I always envision the worst case scenario, so as not to get my hopes up only to be dumped on later.

C. I read way too many books, magazines, blogs and watch way too many TLC shows that focus on fertility problems and so now have convinced myself that I have one.

or

D. I am a perfectionist at heart and when something doesn't happen for me right away- I give up and conclude that I am a loser. A big, fat, infertile loser.

Well, I think it's E- all of the above. Or F- I'm a super genius and am RIGHT!

I don't want to be the dog lady! I love my dog, but come on! Of course I want a family. And since we've been married for two years and I'm not getting any younger, EVERYONE asks me if we're planning to start a family. I bet I get asked this at least twice a week. You know, in between all the baby shower invitations, pregnancy announcements, and birth announcements I receive- we've got to throw in a few, "So, are you pregnant yet?" or, "When are you going to start trying?" "Don't wait too long!" or, my personal favorite, "Do I need to come in and get the job done for ya, Sean?" (imagine that last one in an Irish accent).

Even my students get in on it! Imagine the first day of school...

Kid: Do you have kids, Mrs. Hale?

Me: No. I don't.

Kids: Well, you're married aren't you?

Me: Yes, I am married.

Kid: Well, that's what married people do. They have kids. Why don't you have kids?



Imagine a couple months later...

Kid 1: Mrs. Hale, are you going to have a baby?

Me: Maybe someday.

Kid 1: Are you going to ask God for a baby?

Me: Good idea...

Kid 2: Are you going to ask God for a boy or a girl?

Me: Haven't thought that far yet- how about we do some math?


I know, they're so cute.

I know everyone has the best of intentions- heck I've said stuff like that to people too! I know everyone means that they love us, and want us to be happy, and are just generally interested in our lives. I get it. It still sucks.

Maybe it will happen on it's own. I know. I need to calm down and just accept whatever God has planned for me. I know it. I love my life. I absolutely love being married to Sean, I love our home and our little family with Jetters and Kit Kat, I love my friends and family and my job. I have no complaints. I don't want to remember the next few years (if that's what it takes) as just "waiting to have a baby." I want to enjoy each day because I know they're limited. Why is it so easy to know exactly what you should do, but still not be able to do it? Humph.

There's just that nagging feeling from deep down somewhere (hormones, animal instinct, what?) that I NEED to have a baby. It's killing me.

Say a prayer for me, will you? If anything, just pray that I'll get over this little pity party and be a grown-up again. I know my husband will appreciate it. He gets to see this side of me a little too often...

A New Sister for Jet?

On Christmas night, we went over to our family friend's house for a visit, and then went back again last night for dinner (which was absolutely delicious! Ribs that melted in your mouth!). Their daughter Keenan was home for Christmas with her husband Tim (who made the amazing ribs), and I almost dog-napped their little black poodle named Saki!

She is absolutely precious! Everywhere she goes her stubby little tail is wagging! She would hop from lap to lap around the living room and would let you pick her up and snuggle her anytime you wanted! I totally fell in love!

Sean's given me the OK to get one of these precious little babies... and for some reason the fact that he's just said, "If you want one, get one," makes me nervous!!! I need to mention it again when we're alone. I don't want to get another dog if he really isn't on board. But if this picure means anything...

...he may be ready for Jet to have a little sister too! How could he resist!!

Tuesday (Friday) 10

Has it really been over a week since I've been on this computer! Wow! Time flies when you're eating way too much and enjoying a few too many glasses of wine! Luckily I've been taking lots of pictures with my new Christmas present and so this (very, very late) Tuesday 10 will be... 10 (or more) of my favorite pictures from the holiday season!

10. Me and Ed

Because I'm the biggest flipping nerd ever! This is Edward (for those of you who are not obsessed with teenage vampire books) and he's the hottest non-dead guy out there! This picture is from my book club meeting... we had WAY too much fun with this cardboard cutout

9. Jeff, or Indy?

This was taken on my in-law's back porch. Cracks me up!

8. My sweet Jet!

Happy Birthday, Jet! Today Jet turns two!

This is Jet's favorite thing to do... because EVERYTHING is his favorite thing to do! He's just so darn precious!! In a couple of days we're taking him to Dallas for his first show. Then he'll be going to Florida in a big bus with a professional handler to hopefully get some points towards a Champion title. He'll be gone for three weeks. I'm already missing him!

7. A few from the Christmas Party

My dad was the paparazzi during the party- which is why I have any pictures at all because I was running around like crazy the whole time! We had so much fun!! Afterwards as we were laying in bed, trying to fall asleep, Sean says, "We had some attractive people over at our house tonight. I think I was the ugliest person at our party." Ha!!! We do have some pretty friends!

6. And now a few for my aunt, Stephie!

Steph is always asking me to send her pictures of our house and the Christmas decorations, so before the party I took some pictures of the living and dining rooms and the pack patio. We've done a lot to the house since she was here about 2 years ago! Hope you like them, Steph!!

5. The "Hale-Joy" Band

Sean made a special trip back to our house to bring all the rock band "stuff" over to my parent's house yesterday. My baby sister and Sean are the two die-hard rock-banders and after everyone else played for about an hour they kept playing until we basically ripped them away because we'd heard enough!

4. Mom and boys

I love this picture of Sean, Jeff, and Cindy. She's so proud of her boys! And doesn't Sean have a cute smile!

3. Gotta have one with the hubby!

2. A Sweet Family Christmas Picture

1. And, of course, a not so sweet one. Can you tell the difference??

Tuesday 10

I'm so excited to begin "The Tuesday 10!" Thanks to Kristin and Cara for letting me steal this great idea... :) I had a request (ha! I laughed too!) to list some of my favorite books, so here goes! It was much harder than I thought to narrow this down to only ten. The more I thought about books I've read, the more I remembered that I loved!

10. The Davinci Code, Dan Brown

So suspenceful! It was really easy to suspend reality and get hooked on this one! I just bought right into it and loved it!

9. The Glass Castle, Jeannette Walls

Nonfiction. A little heavier than some of my other favorites. Really an enthralling read. It gives you a completely different view on so many of the world's issues and family dynamics.

8. Anything Jodi Picoult

Reliably a good read, Jodi Picoult's books are full of suspence and drama. Best to spread them out among other authors. Plain Truth was my first, and favorite. Others I love are Keeping Faith, Salem Falls, and My Sister's Keeper.

7. The Giver, Lois Lowry

A fantastic children's book! I guess you could say it's a 1984 equivalent for kids. This novel really makes you think- and it's a quick and delicious read.

6. Wuthering Heights, Emily Bronte

This is a hard novel to read. The language is difficult and the story can be a little hard to follow. I cheated and listened to this one on tape. It's nice to hear it read aloud- bridges the gap. I found myself crying at the end and wanting to go right back to the beginning and listen again! Compelling. I can see why it's a classic!

5. Marley and Me, John Grogan

Any animal lover would be remiss to skip over this book! Read it before you see the movie (if you do!), please! You'll experience every emotion possible with this one. A jem!

4. Libba Bray Trilogy

Accidentally found this one at a school book fair. In an attempt to quicky answer a student's question, "What book do you want, Mrs. Hale?" I pointed to this one, A Great and Terrible Beauty. Well, the sweet boy bought it for me and I started reading one day while bored. At first I found myself chuckling while thinking- am I really reading this? Really? But before long I was hooked, and then devastated when I realized that it wasn't going to end, and I had to get to Barnes and Noble right away to get the next in the series Rebel Angels, and A Sweet Far Thing! It's actually a young adult series; equally strange and addicting! Must love fantasy.

3. Harry Potter series, J.K. Rowling

My favorite in the series is book 4, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. I'm sure I'll have a new favorite when I finish books 6 and 7. I think one of my students may have spoiled the ending of the series for me... oh the precious little brat! Just for those of you nerdy enough to care- I was sorted into the Sytherin house! I didn't believe it, so I took the online test three times- Sytherin every time! Shoot! I must think way too highly of myself!!

2. Twilight, Stephanie Meyer


I read on Stephanie Meyer's website that she came up with the idea for this book from a dream she had. It made total sense. This book is one of those dreams that seems totally real and when you wake up and you just can't decide if it actually happened or not. I was completely sucked into this story, and loved every minute of it! I am now in love with a fictional, teenaged vampire! How can anyone read this book and not end up in love with Edward! Sigh!

1. The Adultry Club, Tess Stimson

Classy title, right? Morals aside- you will not be able to put this one down! It is sexy, alluring, frightening, sickening, and addicting all at the same time. It tells the story of an affair from all three view points: husband, wife, and mistress. This would be a great one for a book club- SO much you'll want to talk about!!

Christmas Card Headaches!

So I wake up at 6:30 this morning and can't sleep at all. I decide to get up and get our Christmas card made and ordered. I know I've waited too long and should have ordered these, like a month ago. Well... I search online and after about 3o minutes I find a really cute, reasonably priced card that I love! I spend forever making it just right with our pictures (which are nowhere near as cute as the three precious child models that were shown in the sample) and then realize as I'm checking out that they will not be ready until way after Christmas. Poop.

So, the search begins again! I find a really nice site that sells (of course) a little higher priced cards than the other site, but they guarantee delivery by the 18th. I choose a card, personalize it and then... the internet craps out! Grrrrr!!! I spend about 30 minutes messing with it, and trying to reach my hunting husband for help.

When Sean gets home, he fixes it and I get back to work, and finally order the cards!! Now, as I sit annoyed with the whole experience, I realize that I just spent way too much time and money on silly cards with pictures of my dog on them. People are going to get this card and say, "Oh, it's those crazy dog people. They need to have kids already." Yes, we know.

I know that posting this is a total Christmas card spoiler for those of you who are going to recieve one in 8-10 days, but I spent so much time on this, I just have to get as much use out of it as possible! Merry Christmas, y'all!

Don'tcha just love Christmas!!

I've just had such a great day! Found an old friend on Facebook (You know! The sweet friend who lived down the street when you were in elementary school? The girl you had countless sleepovers with? The girl who gave you the most embarrassing nickname and who you spent hours laughing with? That's the one!!) who is now married with two beautiful kids! So much fun! Isn't it funny how many people you bump into on Facebook?

It's my partner's birthday today, and we went out for drinks after school. She is so much fun! I feel very, very blessed to have such a great team at work! They are such amazing teachers, and absolutely great friends! This is really one of those days that you sit back and think, "I have such a great life!" I know I work with great people when I would, without a doubt, have my child in any one of their classes!

And, to top it all off- Christmas is coming! I am a true kid when it comes to Christmas. I love it! I love everything about it- the lights, the gifts, the cookies, the smells, the sounds, the family get-togethers, the white elephant gift exchanges, the movies, the music, the stockings, the decorations! You name it!

Sean and I went to lunch and then out to pick a Christmas tree with his grandmother last weekend. What a great day! Nee Nee is a character! She always has funny stories for us... we found out about how Uncle Johnny came to be! It turns out her husband and a friend were having a oyster eating contest down in Galveston one night, and after several drinks she decided she'd eat one too! Well... you know what they say about oysters! Now she calls Johnny "her little pearl!"

When we got home, I started making chocolate-covered cherries! They're my Aunt Nina's specialty, and she gave me the recipe last year. I felt so special since she gave me the recipe and all her tips; I have to make her proud! The cherries are so labor intensive- but incredible delicious! I made over 160!! I like to have plenty for our Christmas party, Christmas Eve and Day at both our family gatherings, and gifts for co-workers, etc. I think it took me around five and a half hours to finish... you know they're good!

Here's a few of the finished cherries. Pretty, right? I may have to go do another taste test... :)

Early Christmas Gifts!!

My hubby cracks me up! He absolutely cannot keep a secret! The other day he came home and told me that he had a present for me. I (naturally) didn't really believe it was anything good- perhaps a free t-shirt he got from work, or some sort of fast-food drink? But, it was something good! He gave me a digital camera and speakers for my ipod! The two things I asked for Christmas! Yea!!

Of course, I could have waited until Christmas, but Sean couldn't! It's the same every year- as soon as he gets me a gift he has to give it to me! He can't help himself! For the last ten years (can you belive it, ten years!!) I've gotten nearly all of my Christmas and birthday gifts early!

Here's one of my first pictures with the new camera! My boys are so cute!!

Even though I just got spoiled rotten, I talked Sean into another gift! I need a gift to open on Christmas Day, right?

Good for a Laugh!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

More Getting Healthy

I am very lucky to work at the school that I do, because not only do I have a friend there who is helping me to workout more (Getting Healthy), my sweet partner, Beth, is now motivating me to start eating better too!

Last week I let my workout plan slide due to Thanksgiving. Logged a total of 0 minutes on my Holland Hustler goal sheet last week. Yikes! I got back from a jog not long ago and feel good about getting back on track with that. Jet was by my side as usual! He really is the best jogging partner. He's always ready to go when I am. He never wants to stop early. He lets me listen to my ipod and doesn't want to talk the whole way. He absolutely loves every minute of it! The only downside is the occasional potty stop, but sometimes I'm happy for those since I get to stop and rest a minute. (He was so cute today! There were Christmas lights up and he was really wary of them! He'd get really close to me and watch those lights! Ha!)

Next step- eating better. I used to be very, very disciplined with what I ate, and have now totally let it go (blame it on getting married). Two years and fifteen pounds later, I'm ready to make some changes. I'm feeling motivated to pick back up those healthy eating habits due to Beth. She really is the best partner! We get along so well we sometimes do more talking than working during our planning time! We both have realized that work is a terrible place for trying to take care of yourself! You work long hours, you can't go to the bathroom whenever you want so you end up not drinking enough water, there's always junk food, birthday cupcakes, and other terrible things to eat all around you- OH! - the wonderful tray lunch is always there! We agreed to help each other stay on track while we're at work. It's SO nice to have a buddy!

I'll let you know my progress! I don't anticipate losing 15 pounds, but I would like to wake up in the morning and feel energized! I would love to feel great in my clothes again. I think I will!

Going back to work stinks!

My day was SO long. Here goes:


5:00 am Alarm goes off, press snooze


5:30 am Hubby gets up, not sure what he does other than turn on and then off every light in house


6:00 am Should be peacefully waking up when hubby is missing something and needs to ask several questions about where I might have put it.


7:15 am Finally driving to work. Get stuck behind two HUGE dump trucks? Whatever they were, they were very slow.


8:10 am 22 very energetic 9-year-olds enter the room, and there is no running away.


12:50 pm Lunch. Finally. Take a ovulation test... positive? Think so.


1:20 pm Lunch is over. Pick 22 extremely loud 9-year-olds from the cafeteria.


3:30 pm Dismissal!!!!! I'm already totally exhausted at this point- taught two introductory lessons today now know exactly how little they know about fractions. Proceed to make a grocery list.


4:00 pm Leave work and drive straight to the grocery store with list of healthy foods to start our new "healthy eating plan."


5:00 pm Starving, I finagle my way around a crowded grocery store, try to make choices that are healthful and budget friendly while surrounded by delicious, not so healthy choices that smell amazing!


5:30 pm Leave grocery store and fight traffic home.


5:45 pm Realize I forgot TP and frozen blueberries.


6:00 pm Stop at Randall's before going home to get the TP and blueberries.


6:30 pm Finally start dinner after cleaning out frige and putting groceries away.


7:30 pm Eat dinner with Sean and his friend Kent who came over to watch football. Listen to hubby complain about the salad. I wonder how long this "healthy eating plan" will be our plan, and when it will turn into "JoDee's forcing veggies down her husband's throat while he whines like a 5 year old" plan?


8:15 pm Finally finish packing lunches for tomorrow and cleaning dishes.


8:16 pm Sit. Could be the first time today. Am completely spent. Think back to that ovulation test... let the baby-making begin?

I'm it!

I got tagged and received my first blog award from Kristin!! Most of the time I would be totally annoyed to have to fill out one of these quizzes, but since it came with an award, I'm feeling pretty special today! :)

8 TV Shows You Watch:
Project Runway

The Real Housewives (of any city- hilarious! Especially loved Atlanta!!)
Barefoot Contessa

Dancing with the Stars

John and Kate Plus Eight

The Office

Tori and Dean Home Sweet Hollywood (I love them too, Kristin!)

CBS Sunday Morning News (reminds me of Dad!)

8 Favorite Restaurants:
Guadalajara

Taiko

This little place in Flushear with the best lattes ever- wish I could remember the name...

Los Cucos

Sandy Magee's

Cheesecake Factory

Anything Papa's

Ooh La La Dessert Boutique (not a restaurant I guess- but their cupcakes are to die for!)

8 Things That Happened This Weekend: (This Week)
Thanksgiving Dinner at Nee Nee's! Yum!

Put up Christmas decorations.

Did a puzzle with my mom and sister.

Found out one of my friends is having TWINS!! (can't say who yet and it's killing me... if you're reading this mommy-to-be I PROMISE I haven't told anyone who you are!! I hope you're not mad right now...)

Slept in- it was glorious!

Baked some home-made bread. Soooo good!

Snuggled with my hubby!
Snuggled with my puppy!

8 Things I Look Forward To:
Being done filling out this quiz- coming up with eight things sounds easy, but it's taking forever!

Reading more from New Moon- the second book in the Twilight series (yes, I'm one of those girls!)

Seeing all the Christmas lights up in my neighborhood.

Our Christmas hayride!

Making Nina's chocolate covered cherries tomorrow... I hope they turn out as good as hers!

Making Christmas cookies!

Parking in the garage again... sigh.

Starting a family with Sean.

8 THINGS ON MY WISH LIST: (OK this part was easy!)

Digital Camera
More of my favorite perfume

A new rug in the dining room

A maid, or at least someone to do my laundry and clean the bathrooms

A personal grading assistant

A winning lottery ticket

A new car!!

Oooh- and a new puppy! I want a little boy pug!

And here's my blog award with questions...
1. Where is your cell phone? In my purse.

2. Where is your significant other? With me, at the kitchen table, eating pancakes!

3. Your hair color? Blonde.
4. Your mother? At home.

5. Your father? With mom.
6. Your favorite thing? A lazy day.
7. Your dream last night? Running from vampires (too much Twilight for me!)

8. Your dream/goal? To enjoy life- no matter what is brings.
9. The room you’re in? Kitchen.
10. Your hobby? Reading, crochet, cooking, baking bread, sewing, playing with my dog.
11. Your fear? Picking out something to wear to a social situation (stupid, right?)
12. Where do you want to be in six years? I'm not sure! Surprise me!

13. Where were you last night? At mom and dad's.

14. What you’re not? Decisive.
15. One of your wish list items? A positive pregnancy test.

16. Where you grew up? Wisconsin and Texas

17. The last thing you did? Made hubby some pancakes.
18. What are you wearing? Pajama pants and a shirt
19. Your TV? On ESPN (Sean :))
20. Your pet? Laying on the floor next to Sean with his bone.
21. Your computer? On my makeshift desk at the kitchen table.
22. Your mood? Great!
23. Missing someone? All my out-of-town family and friends.
24. Your car? Camry.
25. Something you’re not wearing? Jewelry.
26. Favorite store? J Crew. (the Houston galleria gives 15% off to teachers!)
27. Your Summer? I will NOT be teaching summer school (I've said that the last four summers... poo!)
28. Love someone? Lots of someones.
29. Your favorite color? Green.
30. When is the last time you laughed? My last really good laugh was yesterday with my sister and mom!
31. Last time you cried? A couple of days ago.

OK now I tag Amanda!!! Sorry...but you're it! =)

Really, venison!

So, hubby's a hunter as we've already established, and we end up with a freezer full at the end of the season. The duck I just can't do. I've tried it at least a couple of times but I just can't get over what I'm eating. That shouldn't be weird, I know it's only meat, but it just is.

Sean and I were talking about that at dinner... he asks why wild game freaks me out, and I say because I imagine what it looked like before it died, what it looked like dead, and what it looked like as he hacked into it. He then says, "Well do you think that beef grows in Styrofoam packages wrapped in plastic?" Well, no. Actually, I do know where beef comes from, and I know there are less than humane meat packing plants all over and my beef did not live a free life nor was it handled with as much care as Sean's duck and deer... but I still get grossed out!

I am trying, however. Since the duck is a no-go at this point, I'm giving the venison a shot. Tonight I made my usual turkey meatball recipe with venison. It was actually good. It blew my mind! Even after a couple of delicious bites, I was still expecting the next one to taste really, really bad! Ha! I guess I still have a way to go!

Here's a link to the recipe for all of you with husbands who hunt (it turns out really good with turkey as well if your freezer isn't full of ground venison). The only thing I do differently is instead of using scallions, I saute half a small onion. I also added an extra garlic clove this time because I figured over-powering garlic was better than gamy deer!

My husband, the romantic.

Well, for those of you who know Sean, this will come as no surprise. He's hunting! He came home at about 4:20 Friday morning, played with the dog for about 5 minutes, gave me a hug, then left to duck hunt.
This morning he's already gone, left about 4:00, and is duck hunting again. He'll be staying through the evening so he can try to get another deer tonight.
He has plans to leave tomorrow morning as well.
As my friend Matilde said yesterday, "At least he's consistent." Ha!

Homecoming

Sean is on his way home from Lousianna right now! He's been off-shore for 20 long days and Jet and I are so ready for him to be home! What's weird about being apart from each other is that we go through the same stages every time...

About 2 days before he leaves, we're both sad about him leaving and get into stupid little fights.
For 3-4 days after he leaves, I am a TOTAL mess. Depressed and lonely. Nothing seems to cheer me up and I become a couch potato.
Days 5-8 I'm finally starting to feel a little better, but end up eating total trash and leave the house a mess!
Finally I start to get into my own routine. I don't like it, but I have to basically move on and develop a single-girl lifestyle. So, when he finally comes home it feels weird, like we're getting to know each other again.
Three or four days after he returns we finally feel back to normal! It's exhausting!

I can't wait to see how Jet reacts when Sean walks in the door... it's SO cute! He gets so excited his whole body wags! Sean hates leaving Jet when he has to go out of town. While I know why he's gone and can talk to him on the phone, poor Jetters has no idea why he's not coming home and runs over to the garage door and barks and barks because he thinks he hears him. He'll do that for a couple of days, and then poor Jet has to start a new routine too and seems to forget about listening for the garage door, and just settles into life with mommy.

Sean should be pulling in the driveway at about 3:00 this morning, and plans to leave for the duck lease at 4:00. I guess we know what he missed the most! Poo!

Getting Healthy

Well, first, let me say thank you to Lorie, who has (can't really say inspired... twisted my arm?) convinced me to commit to "30 minutes of level 7-8 aerobic activity at least four times a week."

I was very grumpy about starting this which is probably why I've only achieved 20% of my goal these two weeks. Grumpy enough to earn a nickname- Hustleump. Again, thanks Lorie.

Today I decided that I would have to go for a walk/jog and take my dog since I really had committed to this exercise routine and so far have been an exceptional slacker. To motivate myself I bought a few new songs for my ipod and suited up. Of course the lab was thrilled! He almost ate my socks before I could get them on my feet!

We started down the street, and to my surprise, it wasn't so bad. We started jogging a little, still not too bad. Amazingly Jet was a gentleman and stayed perfectly at heel the whole time (stopped for a potty break, and finally found that missing baby sock- sorry Amanda!)

As we made our way around a loop that I had carefully chosen so as not to go over my 30 minute minimum, I realized that I was really enjoying myself. I just got lost in the music, the cool air, and fell in sync with that big black dog at my side. We got back to our house, and kept on going! Have I earned a new nickname yet- probably not. But it's a start.

Here's the play list- in case you need some motivation today!

Sanctus Real, Whatever You're Doing (Something Heavenly)

Natalie Grant, I Will Not Be Moved

BarlowGirl, I Need You to Love Me

Casting Crowns, East to West

Brooke Fraser, Shadowfeet

Chris Sligh, Empty Me

Addison Road, Hope Now

Robbie Seay Band, Song of Hope (Heaven Come Down)

Casting Crowns, Praise You In This Storm

Brandon Heath, Give Me Your Eyes