Seriously Cool Giveaway

John Deere Mom has an awesome giveaway going on -
but I'm going to win so don't bother! :)

A favorite

This is the absolute BEST tator tot casserole EVER! Brody and I both love it, and I've made it for a few guests before and it's always a hit. Super easy and super delicious!

The original recipe for this came from eithe Kraft Food and Family or All You magazine. I don't remember which, but I've been making it on the regular for at least 2 years now.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups milk
3 eggs
1 1/2 cups shredded cheese *
6 oz. cooked, cubed ham
1 bag frozen veggies *
1 bag frozen tator tots

*I usually use monterey jack, or a mix of that and cheddar. I also usually use a country blend of veggies, with broccoli, carrots, etc. in it. This time I actually used a stir fry mix with asparagus and mushrooms in it. It was heavenly. I think the original receipe called for cheddar and a bag of corn.

Spray a large baking dish with cooking spray and preheat oven to 450 degrees.
Whisk together the milk and eggs in a large mixing bowl.
Add 1 cup of cheese and ham. Mix.
Add veggies and tator tots. Mix well and pour into baking dish.
Top with remaining cheese.
Bake for 45 minutes or until golden brown (and not cold in the middle).

Seriously, this is the best out of the freezer meal that everyone will love!

I love coupons

Yesterday was just one of those days while shopping that everything went my way.  I have become a huge coupon cutter.  I have become obsessed to the point that when I want to buy anything, I search the net first looking for a coupon.  

First, Brody turns 4 next month.  So I have decided to buy him a Leapster 2 for his birthday.  I am still not sure how much he'll be able to use it right away (ages are 4-8, so hopefully he picks it up pretty quick.)  I found a $10 off coupon for this, and was headed to Target, because I also had a 15% off entire purchase coupon to use.  It was supposed to ring up at $59 before the coupon, but it RUNG UP WRONG! AT $40 INSTEAD! So, I ended up getting it way cheaper than I thought.  

I also went to Card and Party Outlet to look for invites and stuff, again with my 15% coupon.  He said he wanted Spiderman.  But while looking I noticed on the end aisle all the IRONMAN stuff on clearance.  So IRONMAN it is!  He is way cooler anyways.  Hopefully finding a cake won't be a hassle now.  And the rest of his birthday present is easy now too, he told me he wants a Ironman costume so he can really BE Ironman.  They sell those at walmart, so winner winner chicken dinner.

Then off the Kohls, with another 15% off coupon.  Plus, I got in on the early bird bonus buys.  I ended up getting a nike outfit, a 3 piece pajama set, 2 pairs of shorts, a pair of windpants, 2 tshirts, a polo shirt,  and a pair of shoes all for Brody, plus a super cute pair each of white Apt. 9 capris and jean shorts, and two shirts for me!  Plus a few household items/gifts all for $136. PLUS I earned $30 in Kohls cash (which means I have to go shopping again next weekend; :)

Then I went to walmart for a few essentials, and ended up saving $16.75 in coupon savings.  

I'd say it was a pretty good day of shopping!  And I don't even have any pictures to share ~ I think this is the only picture I have taken all week!

Another Weekend Wedding

My best friend since grade school got married this weekend! It was a beautiful, fabulous time. Everything went smoothly, and on time. It rained, but we had cute hot pink umbrellas, so we didn't really care. The groom is a weatherman, and at the ceremony he got a lot of grief about how beautiful it was all week, until the day of wedding came around and it rained ALL DAY!! But the bride was smiling.

Here we are doing the finishing touches. Zoey, the cute little flower girl is giving Aunt Tia a big hug.


and here is the bride and I, right before she walked down the aisle to leave me in singledom!


at the ceremony, me and my Brody monster. He and the flower girl were the same age and were so cute together all night.

and late in the night, tearing it up on the dance floor with the flower girls mom. We both had to go to the wedding dateless. Her man was working and mine was in the field. Go figure! We always have a great time together though, so it was fun.


I feel like I haven't written in so long! Here's a little rundown of what is going on.

I got Brody signed up for preschool. It sort of makes me sad, but excited for him at the same time.

My brother is now "officially" engaged. They have actually been planning the wedding and had the ring bought since last October, but the stone wasn't set yet, and she wasn't wearing the ring, but now she is! Which means, another wedding (but not until June 2010). I should become a professional bridesmaid.

I am pretty sure Brody has a food allergy or reaction to pizza bagels. Everytime he eats them at daycare, he throws up. He doesn't have any other food allergies, and is a really good eater, so this is baffling to me.

Adam knows he has some decisions to make, and soon. He doesn't want me with anyone else, and I don't him either, but he is still so scared to commit. It's ridiculous, because really what is the difference?? It's almost comical to me at this point. he can't stay away and he knows it. He'll listen to his mom eventually. She loves me.
:)

I feel like I need another vacation. Maybe Vegas again, maybe North Carolina to visit Heather? Maybe just the Omaha Zoo?

Easter, in reverse.

These pictures loaded backwards, and I'm too lazy to fix them.  Here's a few of our weekend.  I've been swamped lately and have NO TIME for my computer!  I'm going through blogger and facebook withdraw!

Here's Brody after 2 chocolate bunnies, 4 pixie sticks, 3 peanut butter eggs, and a package of FunDip.  So much for my idea of not much candy, thanks grandma.

Here he is "trying on" the underwear that I said were too big for him.  "See mom, my butt fits!"

Seeing his basket of goodies for the first time.

This is the after shot of his haircut.  Blue tips on his spikey hair!

and this was Saturday morning, before his haircut!

Things I love today.

My new hair color. So fresh and ready for SPRING!


Easter weekend. I can't wait for Brody to hunt for eggs. I usually tend to get carried away for holidays. More fun that way!

The nice weather forecast for the weekend! The Easter egg hunt in the park tomorrow should be really fun!

Lady Gaga. Her CD is amazing.




Adam. I can't stay away.

and COFFEE.

(yes, I know I need a manicure. Next week, for the wedding!)

Easter Eggs

At a standstill.

This weekend was...I don't know if I have just one word to sum it up. Tia's party was fabulous. We had the best time. The weather held off and we partied it up as we should have. Here is a pic of us at the hotel happy hour with the groom of a bachelor party that was going on also. We ended up partying with these guys until 4 in the morning. More on that later.

I had Jeff come over Friday night, and I know he's not for me. He is a great guy, but I feel no connection. Pretty sure he does though, and now I feel bad. How do you tell such a wonderful guy that you are just not interested and he just put his good friendship with my ex in jeopardy for nothing? aaahh.

Adam is pissed.

I knew he would be, but I didn't really think I would hurt him this bad. He called me on Sunday night, but I was exhausted and he wanted to come over, so I knew that would be a bad idea. He wanted to talk, and I think I should have done it then and not waited. I tried to talk to him last night, but then of course he was "over it" and doesn't want to talk about it now. So now he'll go into his little shell and shut me out. I hate it. I miss him and I should have never started seeing Jeff. I think I really messed it up this time.

So at our little after party this weekend, I met this guy. Actually, I noticed him right way when we met them at Happy Hour. Do you ever just have a feeling when you see someone, that they are special, and you will have a connection? We made eye contact, and I knew. Then he came over to talk and took a drink and I saw he was MARRIED. Damn. So I put him out of my mind for the rest of the night.

Later, we started talking and it was like we were old friends catching up and giving advice. Turns out he is still married, but he and his wife haven't even kissed for 4 months and he is waiting for her to file so he isn't the ass. (Better than happily married, but still, he is MARRIED.) So then we started talking about me, and honestly, getting advice and insight into your life from a stranger can sometimes be the best advice.

I told him all about Adam, and about how I started seeing his friend. He basically told me what I already know. Seeing Jeff is a BAD idea. And how I am one of those good girls, that you don't want to lose, but you don't want to have until you are ready. Adam just turned 25, has always been the big fun loving party guy, and is just starting to realize this. Which is why he keeps pushing me away every time we get closer. If I love him and really want him, I need to make sure he knows that and stop being sneaky about it.

It was a great conversation and I really am thankful to have had it. and if married guy hadn't had a ring on, he would have been mine! I didn't even give him my number, because really, he's married. Bad idea. I did get just a little goodbye kiss, (harmless). But I'll never forget him!

But now, I feel horrible and depressed and am really not sure where to go from here. Looks like I'll be attending Tia's wedding dateless. Hopefully Adam comes around and forgives me. At least it didn't get too far out of hand.

and now I'm going to go eat some Girl Scout cookies for breakfast.

Here's some eye candy for you - the cutest bartender in Omaha!

Today is NO FUN.

Today is one of those days.

Brody and I both have been battling sore throats all week. They seemed to be getting better, so we haven't been to the doctor yet. We are going today. Last night poor Brody was so miserable. His poor little nose is completely raw on the inside, and on the tip. It looks so sore. I also think his infection is spreading up into his sinus cavities, because he said this morning his face hurt, and it looks like his eye is a little droopy, and it has dark circles under it. Now I feel bad that I didn't take him in sooner.

My throat is still sore too, and once in awhile my ear hurts too, so here comes a big doctor/prescription bill. YAY.

About a week ago, we had a big storm here, and the farm that Brody's daycare is at/my part-time book-keeping job got struck by lightning. All of their phones, farm radios, and computers were fried. Luckily, they were able to save the computer that I do all the book work on, (I haven't backed up in awhile). But it's a really old computer. He had to buy a new router, and new printer/fax to hook up, and now they are not compatible with the old computer. So last night I spent about 3 hours trying to work around this mess. I told him this morning to just buy a new computer. SO, after the doctor today, guess what I'll be doing.

Tonight, Jeff is coming over. He actually wanted me to go to a get together at a friends house with him, but I am not sure yet that I even want to start a relationship with him, let alone debut it to everyone (including Adam). So, I told him to go ahead and go, and come over around 10:30 and we'd watch a movie or something. I just don't know about this.

AND we are getting a huge SNOW storm this weekend. I have to go to Omaha tomorrow for the bachelorette party, and there is about 12 inches of snow coming our way. We all talked last night and decided to stick with the plan, and not cancel. We'll be able to get down there before the snow, and we'll more than likely just end up staying in Omaha all day Sunday, and leave late Sunday night when the roads are cleared. Hopefully it's not too windy. Ugh. But it's the only time to have it, with next weekend being Easter, and the wedding the following. Because really, a bachelorette party after you are married? How NOT fun would that be?

So, send some happy thoughts my way for healthiness, fun with new boys, a computer that works, and a good fun trip to Omaha. Talk to you all next week!