What's for dinner?

Everyone who knows me knows I'm obsessed with Rachel Ray. I used watch her cooking show all the time on the food network. I love to cook her dishes. In college I couldn't cook. I struggled adding the proper amount of water to easy mac. If it was something other than grilled cheese or scrambled eggs, I couldn't make it. I'm wondering where this cooking transformation took place...was it when we lived in Scranton? I don't really remember cooking so much there. Was it when we moved into the apartment? I'm not sure because the apartment had sucky counter space. Perhaps it was when I developed my interest in "grown up" entertaining.
Now, if you visit my house, you will find on my calendar, alongside of doctors appointments, social engagements and vacations, an assignment of what my family will be having for dinner that evening. I love to try new recipes...sometimes they suck (the thai chicken and sesame noodles from last week for example) and sometimes they are awesome. I have branched out a bit with my recipes; I also like Martha and Real Simple, and sometimes even Giada or Dave L, but I would really like to send a shout out to Rachel, crediting her for my cooking skills, and thanking her for the motivation to cook yummy meals for the fam!

research

In keeping with the start of school, today (instead of doing one of my many pressing tasks at work) I "researched" items that make for a successful, easy to get dressed in the morning sort of wardrobe. Strangely enough, I have many of the basics. The article I read calls for things like black and white t-shirts both long a short sleeved...I have most of that covered. I see the need for their suggestion of a great pair of khakis and jeans, and check! I have both of those. I have the black turtleneck, but there are a few things (according to my research) that I need to complete the basics: a black tank and a denim jacket.

Moving towards the staples (not sure of the difference between a basic and a staple, I'm thinking they mean about the same thing when thinking about "fashion"), I have the wool skirt (its just a matter of my fitting into it), the black suit and the fitted jacket (man do I have a great one of those), but I seem to be missing a pin striped oxford, a black dress that fits me, a silk blouse, grey trousers and a work appropriate camisole. Added to the list ;)

I really don't have any of the items from the "statement" category or the "evening standard category". Perhaps this is where most of my college attire falls short. According to the article, I am in need of a printed dress, a patterened jacket, a bold blouse, a graphic sweater, and tweed pants (i guess I do have the tweed pants though). To go out, I will need a velvet jacket, a ruffled shirt, a cocktail shirt (i'm not quite sure what that is) , a sparkling top, and (to top it all off) velvet pants.

So the question is: if I'm missing all of these wardrobe essentials, what exactly is in my closet taking up all of the room???

I guess I should credit Real Simple's website for my research since I've "cited" it a number of times in my blog. To compare your wardrobe to their suggested wardrobe check out: http://www.realsimple.com/realsimple/package/0,21861,1645137-1645205,00.html.

school and clothes

School has officially started (well yesterday). The campus is buzzing and my building is filled with college students again. The busy-ness gives me a feeling of motivation to get things done in my office, which is great because I have a bunch of stuff that needs getting done. My classes started yesterday as well, and I already have assignments! One of my classes seems really interesting, the other I will have to keep you posted on. Blackboard seems to be acting a little bit strange as well, so hopefully that gets worked out soon as well. Delaney, Alison and I are headed to our first TU happy hour of the school year tonight, and I'm very excited that Cirucci is coming as well (as Bri's date of course). It will be fun and a little different to see her around the office gatherings!

In other news, Wen is engaged!!! I'm super excited for her, but also because I am the matron of honor, and Ciruc is the maid of honor. It will be so fun to help Wen plan her big day. She's thinking of next October and hopefully that will get me out of an admissions open house ;)

Finally, along a more selfish line, I am thinking that I need to revamp my wardrobe. I have been looking at pics of some of my friends, and they are wonderful at pulling looks together. I am not so much. I went right from college to working in a professional office and picked up pieces here and there as I could afford them, but I am still trying to mesh them with some of my college-wear (or gasp...some things even older). In the next year or so, I am going to make a serious effort to update my look and phase out some of these older and transition clothes. You know what they say "dress for the job you want, not for the job you have". And of course, perhaps new clothes will help my achieve my goal of being a MILF ;)

"it's all very baywatch"

So I finally went out the other night to check out my hubbys new work truck...big white pickup with "lifeguard" printed on the back. His dream has come true, he's a professional lifeguard and as I said last night, "it's all very baywatch". "Reach out, take hold of my hand, you've got to reach out, til you're safe on dry land..."
Anyway, I'm starting bookclub again and I'm really psyched about it. I'm hopeful people will come and that the bookclub will grow and take off this time. I love having "girltime" and now that I have more help with the girls, I think I will be able to handle reading an additional book each month. I'm so excited that I'm going over to the library today to borrow the books for Cirucci and I...
I'm looking forward to the weekend. I'm going to my parents for crabs on Saturday, and to the Fair with Ciruc and the girls on Sunday.

I love the rain

It has been raining for a few days now and I love it. It has also been chilly and it the weather is making me excited for fall. The girlies are wearing long sleeves, long pants and socks today, and just look so comfy and cozy that I was tempted to take off work to lay around with them today (although with toddlers, there's never much laying around). At the grocery store on Sunday, they had the pumpkin pie creamer, so I know fall must be getting close! I love the seasonal creamers (I'm such a dork).
In other news, someone we don't know gave our number on their credit applications and they have evidently not paid, so creditors keep calling my house for them, which is awesome.
I'm pretty psyched to see Becky for dinner tomorrow night, and we are having pizza! I love pizza and so do the girls. Hopefully Cirucci will be able to make it out!

High School Musical

My High School Musical party was lots of fun. We drank cosmos and made s'mores and just chatted while Troy and Gabriella worked everything out. It was nice just to have some time to share with my girlfriends.
Saturday we partied at the Kleins. The weather was beautiful and the girls had a wonderful time playing with balls and baseball bats(the little kid padded kind) and just running around outside! On our way home, we made a trip to Toys R Us to pick up some outdoor stuff to help Santa out. The girls each were able to choose one small toy for now- Mr. Potato Head and playdough won out....
Sunday I spent lounging in my pjs. The girls played with their new Mr. Potato Heads and play-dough (two wonderful toys that keep my children occupied and playing nicely for long periods of time) and during an early nap-time, Carl and I watched Batman Begins (I LOVE Christian Bale). The movie was great! At 2:30 pm (that's right, well into the afternoon), we got everyone dressed and headed out to the grocery store. After dinner and bedtime, before the Ravens game, we attempted to watch The Last Kiss, but I thought it kind of depressing and sucky so I turned it off...anyway, I think everyone needs a do nothing day every now and again.

Thankful

Reading the paper this morning I noticed another mortgage company went bankrupt, laying of thousands of people. I am thankful that Carl was able to find a new job in a different industry. A few weeks ago, he reassured me that his company was doing fine, but it is difficult to relax when you read the paper and see things like this happening in the industry. This past week I have just been so excited to see more of him, overlooking how truly lucky he is to have gotten out while still "ahead". I'm very glad that in the end that he did choose to wait to find the "perfect" fit for him.

Bad Taste?

First of all I have to admit that I am loving this whole family dinner during the week thing that we've got going on. Granted Carl will be working more hours next week until labor day, but still, for now, its nice.

Second, I need to talk about my taste in television shows. Back in the day I was a big fan of the tv shows that "everyone" watched. I loved Punky Brewster, ALF, Full House and Cosby, and even up into my teens and early twenties I was a fan of the Real World, 90210 and Friends. (Actually, if you know me well, you know I still watch all of the late teen early 20's shows;)) Recently it seems as though all of the shows I get into get cancelled. Granted I'm obsessed with How I Met Your Mother, but The Class and What About Brian have both been cancelled. (What about Brian has been cancelled twice!!!!) And then, just this week, they cancelled my newest addiction: John from Cincinnati! So now, again, I'm back to reruns, my MTV guilty pleasures, HIMYM and CSI. What's with my taste in tv shows? I guess this is all for the better because I really shouldn't be watching too much tv (especially with my 90210 study still going on), but I really hope they don't cancel any new shows I might become obessed with this season!

good/bad and old/new

So Carl got the new job (woohoo!!!!). He is actually resigning from the old one as I write this (I know he's a little nervous, but very excited). Unfortunately, my girlies have a staph infection, probably from when I visited my Grandmother :(. Alison seems to be doing really well, but Delaney is really struggling and I'm hoping her anti-biotic will help her kick this thing soon.

This weekend we went to Jess, a friend from high schools wedding. I ran into another REALLY old friend, back from the skating days. It was so nice to see her (I haven't seen her in years). I gave her my email and I hope that we will be able to catch up soon. She's living in DC now, and is a lawyer. I'm having a High School Musical Party on Friday, and I'm super excited about that (I know, I 'm a giant tool).

Did I mention?

That I'm bad at waiting? I am the most impatient person I know (other than Wen that is). I'm not good with uncertainty and try my hardest to avoid putting myself in a position of uncertainty. So here we are again, waiting to hear about Carl's job. The issue continuously running through my head: this is the perfect job for Carl. If he's not chosen for this, how will he ever find a new job??? Not so nice since I'm trying to be a supportive wife I know, but I'm really stressing out about this..so much so that every minute I'm waiting for a call from Carl, hoping for some good news. I feel like I can't work, can't sit still, can't do anything until I hear one way or the other. That way I can either be preparing for the change or letting things go back to normal. It's the unanswered feeling of hope that I think I have the most trouble with. I think I'm obsessed! Hope that this place calls (again) and that Carl gets the job....

ugh!

So Carl went on his "second interview" today. The owner of the company discussed potentially not giving him the opportunity to give 2 weeks notice...and I feel like that's super sketchy, especially since they haven't offered him the job yet. Of course Carl feels the need to defend, I guess because this is a job he really wants, but I feel as though they are yanking him around. They said they'll let him know in a "couple of days". Here at TU, I always give the time frame in dates and times, not generalizations. That way, people know what to expect. So I guess we'll wait and see...again. Not to be negative, but I'm not holding my breath on this one.

semi update

so, Carl called the job this morning and he's going in on Weds to meet with the head guy. The woman said her current obstacle is determining his territory....umm does that mean that he's getting the job? So confusing! I guess more to come on Wednesday, we need to stop analyzing before then!

Musikfest and more

My much needed long weekend was a nice mix of relaxation and action. Friday off was lots of fun and although we didn't do much during the day (we went to Sams), it was great to see Barb and Brooke for dinner. It's always so fun to watch the kiddos play together and to see how big they have gotten! I wish Barb still lived in the area.
Saturday we headed first to the Peachfest. Alison loved the area with all of the animals, she was especially excited about the chickens! Both girls played the duck game and won monkey finger puppets. Carl and I enjoyed pit turkey sandwiches...yum-o! We wait for the "fests" every year, just for the pit turkey ;) After the Peachfest we headed to Quakertown, PA to visit Andy and Pam. It was the first time we have visited their new house (although not so new anymore) and it is really nice. I think Carl envies the astro-turf in Andy's "man-room". We all loved their dog Phil, especially Delaney and Alison. I think Phil likes them a lot too, Laney felt as though he needed to eat some of her animal crackers. After hanging out at their house for a few hours, we all headed to Bethlehem for Musikfest. Carl and Andy had beers, I had a soda and a frozen chocolate dipped banana, Pam had this very yummy looking corn, a chicken wrap and some iced tea, and the girls had french fries. We walked around historic Bethlehem and listened to the music for the afternoon. I had a great time talking with Pam. It was wonderful!
Traffic home was not so wonderful, so we spent most of Sunday sleeping or lying on the couch watching movies (I LOVE HBO). I received an early am call from Wen, who was in the airport on her way to Bermuda for a couple of weeks. I will miss her :(
We all took a walk to Target for some rolls and deodorant, and stopped by Babies R Us on our way back. We were able to find some great deals on summer clothes for next year (we are totally those people). I also found red shirts to make the halloween costumes, so I was pretty psyched about that. I love living within walking distance of so many stores. It makes for wonderful weekend walks. We had an early dinner, and then more couch time before bed last night. No workout this morning as I'm still recovering from my very long Saturday!

Check out some new pics of our summer on webshots: http://community.webshots.com/user/hbsmile99

is no news good news?

So its Friday at 5:30 and no call from Carl's interview (eventhough they said they'd call by "the end of the week"). Is no news good news? I would feel better about things if other companies that interviewed him who said they'd call actually called. But they never did, so now I'm convinced that no news is bad news....oh well, back to the applications:(

In other news, Barb is in town so the fam is headed over to Brooke's for a cookout...have a great weekend all!

I'm such a bad wait-er

I'm very psyched for the weekend! I took tomorrow off to spend with Carl and the girls. Carl's hours suck, and so I always find myself wishing the day away on Fridays so that I can run home to be with the fam. Who knows what we're doing tomorrow, but it will be so nice to get an extra day to spend together. Seeing your husband for 2 days a week is super sucky, especially when he lives with you. It's almost like having a little tease...haha he's here, but too bad because you only get to see him for 10 minutes before you go to work.

Carl went on a job interview yesterday for what seemingly appears to be his "dream job". It involves both management and pools, his two professional loves. The best part of this job: the hours, during the winter, spring and fall he would generally only work 9-4! I would have a husband back and I wouldn't feel like a single mom!!! So the tough part is waiting to hear if he gets it. This is the part that I'm sucky at. I catch myself sitting at my desk dreaming of what it would be like to have a family dinner on gasp, a Wednesday night or how much I would love to be able to come home some nights and just be able to relax knowing that someone else is home to make dinner. Most of all, I think about how much I would love to have someone there to talk to when I get home from work (instead of saving a days worth of thoughts until 9:40 when Carl gets home). But then I catch myself. He hasn't been offered the job, and he's been on lots of interviews recently where he hasn't been offered the job. As the time is ticking by ever so slowly, and I'm waiting and waiting and waiting to hear, my hopes are getting smaller and smaller and smaller. Almost 4 years of spending 4 long nights a week alone are really starting to drain me, and I just want something new, for Carl and me.

Gosh, I hope this works out and I have good news to share, both about the weekend and the job on Monday!