A balanced Monday

Starting the week off right

With the windows cracked and a little room fan on, we slept like the dead. Oh and when the 7am alarm went off we moaned and groaned. Both of us didn't want to get up. Yay for Monday.

I got up just after 7:30, dressed and made my way downstairs to feed Sampson his nasty wet food. I'm having trouble adjusting to a schedule. I've always had the babies graze when they were hungry from the big feeder. This wet food business will be a hassle when we are out of town. I got bacon in the oven and then made fried eggs. I toasted the no carb bread (no carb because I used a zero carb protein powder in the recipe) and it was much better. It's a nice addition of texture to the meal but certainly isn't needed.

Shake with bird holding ice bag costume  ties

I did a smidge of work and then freed up to work on the Zumba Halloween costumes. With the paint coming off my first ice bags I re-made both today using blue duct tape, which is a total pain in my arse, and paint pens. Man I haven't used paint pens since high school! I used to paint names, you know with the balls on the ends, and fill the containers with candy. Paint pens are so fun! When done I ran a couple errands and then got home and did the small loop walk with Dany. Lunch was a chocolate peanut butter shake and a little Cedar Cove before doing more work.

I finished around 4 for the day and procrastinated in the grueling task of filling out my early voter ballot. I do not want to stand in lines in Nov and the ballot drop off is just a block away. Friends have mentioned that it took them quite a while to read through amendment details. It took us an hour to finish it and afterwards I made a batch of stuffed burgers for dinner. It was the fastest batch ever, finishing in 20 minutes. Kev was going to watch the Broncos/Texans game at a brewery with David and I wanted his help with the T-Rex before he left. He got the burgers on, headed out, and I scooped them off after an hour of cooking at 300 degrees. I devoured two while watching last night's Poldark and then The Voice.

Swan Lake Sunday

Late breakfast

Sleep was much better. I did get up at 1:30 for the usual bathroom break but back to sleep until almost 6. Another bathroom break and back to sleep until almost 8.

I showered and dressed in my comfies and went down to the kitchen. Made coffee for the Kev, got bacon in the oven and decided to try a new bread recipe. It's a different take on the one I usually make as this one uses sour cream instead of cream cheese and I used 1/2 cup zero carb protein powder. The texture is so much closer to regular bread and I'm excited to try it with a burger or turkey sandwich. I didn't have time to toast it since the eggs cooked too fast but it was still very tasty. I'll make it again for sure.

Steak and Cauli

We got our new art mask hung in it's new place and soon it was time to change and hit the road to Denver. We had 2PM ballet tickets for Swan Lake. I've always wanted to see it but tickets were either sold out or I forgot about it. This was Kev's very first classical ballet and he really enjoyed it. I'm sure we'll go to more. It was so so lovely. I love watching the graceful dancers move. I had half of a protein bar during the first intermission to hold me over to some dinner.

We got home around 5:15 and I got a couple ribeyes thawing. I also cut up a cauliflower and got it boiling, made cheese sauce and put it all in the oven for 20 minutes. Perfect meal. We finished out the night with Scandal.

Flaky and Lost then found

Steak and Eggs

OK sleep last night. My mind was much calmer but I woke at 2:30 and had to get up to check the T-Rex, which had a pork shoulder on it overnight. I sometimes think it's on fire and need to take a peek. It was good. I hit the bathroom before getting back in bed and then my nose started running. Got back up for a Kleenex, back in bed and wide awake. It was likely around 4:30 before I was back to sleep. This meant I didn't get up until almost 9.

I took my hormone pill, scooped the litter and fed the downstairs fish, my usual Saturday morning things. I cut up the leftover sirloin and browned it in some butter and then made us fried eggs to go with it. The funny thing is...I wasn't in the mood for it but needed to eat. I swear my food moods have been driving me a bit mad lately. Not much sounds good. Once I was full I dressed and went into the garage to pick up my two Halloween ice bags that I painted yesterday. I shook one to get the grass clippings and dirt off and, holy crap, the paint flaked right off onto the ground. I almost had a heart attack. I'd have to redo both.

Protein shake shake shake

I changed and settled my mind into the work I'd have to redo and hit the road. First stop was Target and they didn't have the PlayDoh so I got Pirate's Booty packets, mini slime containers, Finger bubbles (bubbles in a spooky plastic finger container), and glow bracelets. Michael's was next to get blue and white tape and paint pens for the ice bags, since paint wasn't sticking to the plastic bags.  I walked over to Ulta and stopped at our local grocery on the way home. Got into the house and went to grab my phone and nope, nowhere. It wasn't showing on the find my iPhone radar either, which meant it was in the grocery somewhere. I went up there and asked customer service, the checkout girl and walked the few isles I was on. I checked the parking lot and nothing. I marked it lost so we'll see what happens. I'm not ready to get a new one just yet after all. Hopefully once the store gets less crowded someone will spot it. I needed a chocolate peanut butter protein shake after that.

Pizza and a Movie night

I started watching Cedar Cove with the headphones on when the game started. David came over to watch with Kev and partake of the pulled pork so I went over to Dany's. I saw their new cabinets and then we chatted on the couch and I browsed Pinterest. I went home when the game was done and me and Kev made a run up to the store to check on my phone. And YAY! someone had turned it in. Got home and I made our favorite crust and then pizza (ground beef, pepperoni, black olives). We watched Mockingjay Part 2 and devoured that thing.

Friday feeding

Breakfast

I was finally able to sleep through the night and not be freaked out about the alarm going off. Someone said that I could have a touch of PTSD after that horrible experience and I think they could be on to something. I did get up just before 5 to pee but back to sleep until 7:30.

I tidied up in the kitchen, fed Sampson his wet food, which he gobbled up, and couldn't decided, again, what I wanted to eat for breakfast. I started watching Cedar Cove while doing a little work from the couch and finally opted for the leftover skirt steak and the rest of the Brussels.

I got my first bit of work done by noon, Kev got home from work just after noon and because it was such a pretty day we did the medium loop walk with Dany. It trumped dance, which is rare.

Protein shake with new art mask

I made burgers for the Kev to grill but didn't want any myself. I just wasn't in the mood, which is odd. I really haven't wanted burgers lately. In fact my tastes have changed a bit. I wonder if it's a phase. And speaking of different, out of the blue I wanted a protein shake for lunch. I have some of the super good beef protein powder left up in the cabinet and had to have it. Into the blender went one cup of unsweetened almond milk, one scoop of the protein powder, one tablespoon of peanut butter, one cup of ice and two sweetener packets. And it was the best thing in my world today.

Costume in action

My order of a million giant 65 gallon clear plastic bags came today. I only used 5 total, getting the arm and leg and neck holes cut properly. Two will be used for Zumba Halloween next Thursday and I did the painting on them in the afternoon. Yes I am going to be a bag of ice. But so is Sherri. Since a lot of gals in class love the song Ice Ice Baby (salsa mix) to dance to we are honoring it by mimicking this couple. I couldn't find those bags so ours will be tied at the bottom between the legs. We also have a baby doll from one of Sherri's kids.

Unsatisfying dinner

We rand a couple errands after 6, one was to Costco to look for the mini Play Doh containers to give out instead of candy on Halloween. Kids love them and we don't contribute to the sugar/crack epidemic. Plus they'll get plenty at other houses. But they didn't have them. So we got meat and cheese and some nuts and I'll look around later for the Doh. We got home and I put some cauli rice in the oven to roast. I had a feeling it wouldn't be great but it had to be cooked. We served it with burgers left from lunch, which I didn't want but had anyway, and we both didn't eat the cauli. It was not good roasted and had a totally gross texture. I choked down the meat and it did the trick but then had a few bites of sugar free orange Jello afterwards to clear the taste. I was excited to get back to Scandal to finish the night.

A favorite dinner

Beef and Brussels

Another not so good sleep night. Got up at 12:30 and then 2:30 and then 4 and then 7:30. I crawled out of bed around 8 as Sampson meowed and stared. He wanted some food.

I got dressed and flopped down the stairs, waking up slowly. Got kitty baby his half can of turkey dinner in gravy and then thought about my own breakfast. I pulled out the leftover bit of ground meat I had browned from pizza night and tossed it in the skillet. Next I tossed in some of last night's Brussels and let them heat. I cracked two eggs that I was going to fry up to put on top but then opted for just the meat and sprouts. I sprinkled a little mozzarella on and man it was some good!

Lunch after a lunch outing

I changed and got to dance, picking up my friend Sheila on the way. I was so excited to have a friend join! And she had just the right attitude and spirit going in, just have fun and enjoy moving and the music. And she did great. I dropped her home after class and had a quick shower before heading back out to meet the girls at Walnut Cafe for an early lunch. I wasn't really that hungry so I ordered a cup of cream of broccoli soup, which they ended up not having so I had a slice of bacon from a friend's plate and water. Perfect. Got home at 12:30, heated the last leftover stuffed burger and watched Younger.

Favorite dinner

After lunch I did a little work and then walked the small loop with Dany. It was a blue sky day in the 50s, perfection, and I actually got a little sweat on in the sun. I turned on Cedar Cove when we got back, had a teaspoon of peanut butter and chilled the rest of the afternoon.

 I lit the grill around 6 and grilled up some balsamic mustard skirt steaks before it got dark. I devoured three pieces and have one leftover for tomorrow after dance. Or for breakfast if I can't wait that long. These were some of the best yet. I watched Love & Friendship, which JUST came out on Amazon video today and I've been waiting for it. And it wasn't one that I really got into. The era was great but the storyline fell short for me. I went up to read Outlander after it was over.

Sprout season begins

Soup for breakfast

I took two Bayer PMs and went slap to sleep just after 10. I really wanted to read but when I crawled under the covers, the tiredness hit and I remember staring off into space for some time until sleep took me away. And boy did I welcome it.

I did get up at 2:30 to pee but it took no time to get back to sleep. I got up around 8. I cooked bacon and thought I was going to have my typical eggs and bacon but like yesterday, changed my mind. Instead I heated leftover hamburger cheese soup and crumbled three slices of the fresh bacon on top.

Perfect dinner

I changed and met Miss M at a trailhead for a nice long walk, in the lovely 50 degree fall day, getting home around 11:15. I'd guess we got at least 4 miles in. I refilled my water tumbler and went right upstairs to work.

I didn't get hungry until almost 4pm. And in this case I had a teaspoon of peanut butter and decided to wait it out for dinner, which I started cooking at 5:30. Tonight was Brussels Sprouts with bacon and broiled sirloins. And it all could not finish fast enough. Yes I'm still craving cabbage and these are the next best things, if not better. Oh my tummy was so happy as I ate and watched Cedar Cove.

Ick in the tank

Meaty yummy leftover lunch

I got a little bit better sleep, but not much. I still woke every hour or two but surprisingly wasn't too tired during the day, and again, slept better once it started getting light out. I got up around 8:15. I gathered the trash and got it to the curb and it was quickly time to change and get to dance. I wasn't hungry for breakfast today.

I got home and showered and then was hungry around 11:30. I hated two stuffed burger to get my fill of meat and it totally did the trick. I watched Jane the Virgin, which just started back up it's new season, as I ate.

I only had a smidge of work to do today and it was done quickly. Around 1 I went to get my nails taken care of. They had grown like talons and were driving me crazy, mainly with gunk getting stuck under them (like ground meat). I got the gel polish taken off and didn't add it back. I figure I'll use it for travel, when I need it nice for longer.

Cauli rice leftover dinner

I took a short nap in the later afternoon, once the fish tank was taken care of. I've been adding in some water treatment tablets for a few of the fish with ick. I changed into some warmer clothes and went to in yoga from 6:15-7:45ish. Oh I so needed to stretch and left feeling much better. I got home and was ready for some food. I heated the rest of the chicken bacon rice and watched The Voice. I then watched some of West Side Story on the classic channel then hit the bed to read some Outlander.

Windy Monday

Non-traditional Breakfast

As expected, I didn't get much sleep at all. Once it was dark, and the curtains and blinds were closed tight, I turned on the night light down the hall and crawled into bed. I read until 11 and turned the lamp off. I dozed in and out and woke every hour. I got up at 2:30 to pee, at around 6 to pee and once it started getting light out I finally slept. And didn't get up until 8:45.

I was hungry and had a few raspberries while deciding what I wanted to eat. Not that there are tons of options but because I was in between eggs and bacon and Chicken Bacon Rice bowl. I browned two stripes of bacon in the pan and could have dumped in the eggs but opted for the chicken cauli. I needed it.  I heated a bowl and put the fresh bacon on top along with avocado. It was exactly right. I finished an episode of Cedar Cove as I ate.

Leftover lunch

After the kitchen was cleaned I headed on up to the office for the day. I had a good bit to get done. The wind picked up right around 11:30, as the news predicted, and sure enough we had some serious gusts, they were saying around 50mph. This meant that I had to close the windows because the blinds were clanking so loud. I started getting hungry around 2:15 and took a late lunch break to heat a leftover stuffed burger. I watched half of Grey's Anatomy while I ate and then back up to work.

I was done for the day at 4:30. I finished up Grey's and showered before it was time to leave for a LuLaRoe party.  I've been hearing about these clothes, especially their leggings with comfy shirts, so thought I'd go. It was at an old coworker's house in Louisville so didn't take long to get there. This was only Halloween leggings so it was a fast trip. I tried on the two sizes that they have, a Tall & Curvy and a One Size. Both fit well. The One Size would be great for Zumba as they are a bit more fitted but a hair shorter. I went with the Tall & Curvy for a little extra wiggle room and a bit longer. I can't wait for the next show on the 28th to try dresses and shirts. I'm ready to try some daring patterns mixing.

Cheesy bacon burger soup

I got home just after 7 and changed into my pajamas, because it's pitch dark already, and guzzled some water from my awesome tumbler. I waited until 8 to start The Voice so I could blast through the commercials. That DVR is worth every cent.

I decided to make this low carb cheesy bacon burger soup for dinner and hopefully leftovers. I've been eyeing this recipe for a while and happened to have all ingredients ready to go. It was late by the time it was done, around 8:30 so I ate while loving on the Voice battles. And wow that recipe is great. It is a great substitute for potato soup and will certainly be a staple this winter.

Oldie and Goodie

Yummy Sunday

I turned a small room fan on last night because it has been so warm. And I refused to turn on the AC. It was 85 degrees today, I think I heard that it broke a record for warmest on this day. We should be getting ready for our first snow but there's none in sight. The winds move in tomorrow to lower the temps but then back up into the 70s next weekend.

We got up and made our bacon and eggs to start the day. I made a cup of butter coffee and sipped about 1/4c. Mr. J stopped by to visit with Kev before he headed off to work and Susan arrived as he was leaving.

An old favorite resurrected

It was n odd but lovely visit. Odd in the sense that I could not decide what to do. I really didn't want to craft or do anything artsy. I made a cup of tea and we began watching Poldark, some of season 1 since Susan isn't caught up. We stopped midway to prepare some lunch and never finished the show. Lunch, however, rocked. We made Chicken Bacon Rice bowls, which I used to make often for me and Kev, and had forgotten about it. I didn't use any onion, but rather onion powder to keep carbs down, and added in less diced tomatoes than called for. Still delicious. Susan riced the cauliflower like a pro.

Good TV watching food

Dany came to join us around 2 and they both left around 4:30. I cleaned up a bit and finished vacuuming upstairs before it was time to start dinner. I made a batch of 6 stuffed burgers in the oven (not as good as on the T-Rex) but doable and settled in for a most fantastic evening of TV. It started with a new Masterpiece called The Durrells in Corfu. A family that up and moves to a small Greek island in the 1930s. Mom called to tell me to watch, not realizing that I've been waiting for months for it to premiere. And it was as good as I thought it would be. I immediately set it to record. Poldark was next and as usual, it rocked. I just adore it so much. After downing two burgers I put away the leftovers, cleaned the kitchen and watched a little news before heading to bed to read some Outlander. I am now at 70% completed with book 6. Woo!

Summer Saturday

Kev's Sat breakfast fixin

We woke at 3:30. Kev first, which woke me up, and then he never really went back to sleep and went downstairs. I slept in spurts and got up around 7:45. I made some butter coffee and sipped as the bacon was cooking. Kev made scrambled eggs to go with it and oh it was so good. We were both pretty hungry, especially after not eating much for dinner last night.

Stuffed potato bowl

We got out and ran errands after kitchen clean up. Drop off an Amazon return box,  fill the fish water jugs for a water change, Home Depot, Halloween store for my wig and then home. Around 12 we were hungry. I browned up some meat and made us stuffed potato bowls (meat seasoned with salt, cayenne, garlic and onion powders, sour cream, cheddar, green onion). I watched a Cedar Cove while he watched some football and then we made a grocery run for more meat.

Pizza night

I got out and mowed in the heat. It was 82 degrees which is stupid for mid October. Me and Kev tag teamed for leaf pickup. I'd mow them up into the mower bag and he'd dump in the leaf bags. It made it go much quicker than going solo. Once done and showered the plan was to make stuffed burgers. But at the last minute I asked Kev whether he wanted those or pizza and without even finishing the word he said "pizza." He grated the cheddar and I whipped up this cheesy awesome crust. When it cooled I spread on about 1/4c pizza sauce, sprinkle of Parmesan, big pepperoni, black olives, jalapenos and mozzarella. Baked for 5 mins at 450 and the yum was on, while watching Scandal.