Shred!

Today I came home, took the puppies out, then walked over to check my little garden like I do every day. But today...today...all the jalapenos off my plant were EATEN! Yes, some kind of creature (which I'm pretty sure was a squirrel) ate every one of them...but left one with his tiny tooth marks on the deck.

I can only imagine the heartburn that little bastard has. I hope it's bad. I hope he regrets his decision. Stupid tree rat.

As for my other plants, everything is doing fine except for the tomatoes. There are tomatoes growing, but the leaves are yellow. I think it's dying. Oh well...even if it does, I got further than last year.

Also today, I didn't run outside because of an impending storm (Fun Fact about me: I have an irrational fear of being struck by lightening.) Instead, I decided to check out what we had On Demand for exercising. I came across Jillian Michael's Shred and I decided to go for it. WOW! Definitely worked me out. I was cursing her as I was doing it, but I felt good afterwards. Perhaps this could be something else to add to my fitness regimen.

Finally...for those of you that have wondered why I haven't posted about Spinning recently...it's because I haven't gone. I have this theory that it's making my behind and thighs larger instead of smaller, because I'm building muscle. We'll see if I'm right with a few weeks off.

It's Been a Day

Today I finally took my running outside, instead of the treadmill. Turns out, it's way harder to run outside than on the treadmill. I would have thought the opposite. So, I'm a bit frustrated with my lack of ability to run for very long today. I'm hoping that tomorrow will be better. I talked to some hard-core runners this weekend and they were all telling me that it's mind over matter. Which is easier said than done when my legs feel like they're going to fall off.

In other news, hubs and I started the first leg of our long distance love affair today. The first stretch is about 3 weeks, so it will be a nice little test run. However, if one more person tells me that absence makes the heart grow fonder...I might punch them. Luckily, my first weekend away from him, I'll be in a narcotic-induced haze. Yes, that's right, the Wisdom teeth come out on Friday morning. Thank God for my mother. She's heading down to drive me around and nurse me back to health. If she didn't come, who knows what state my house and the dogs would be in.

I'm already starting to have anxiety about Friday. The other night, I had a terrifying nightmare about the whole process. It involved dentists with handsaws, blood covered aprons, and long hair...and they were European. It was very much like a scene out of the movie Hostel. If you've seen it, you'll understand my terror. If you haven't, I advise that you never, ever, watch it, unless you enjoy endless gore and a completely messed up and twisted plot.

Anyway, that's neither here nor there. I'm being the biggest baby, and I totally embrace that. However, anything that anyone says, including WebMD will not make me feel better until I wake up Friday morning after these bitches have been removed.

Until then, I'll just worry needlessly. Nothing new, really.

Rosemary Ranch Chicken and Onion Potatoes and Mushrooms

I've been trying to find ways to use my herbs because, believe it or not, they are healthy and growing like weeds! 

This is what I made for dinner tonight, and it was delicious. For the potatoes, I used fresh parsley and chives, but it's not necessary. Enjoy!

Rosemary Ranch Chicken

2 tbsp fresh rosemary
1/2 cup ranch dressing
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tbsp white wine vinegar
3 tbsp worchestershire sauce
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp sugar
5 boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into chunks
Salt and pepper

Combine all the above ingredients in a bowl, add chicken and marinate for 5-24 hours. Put chicken on skewers and grill.

Onion Potatoes and Mushrooms

1 pound baby red skin potatoes, cut into chunks
1 package white mushroom caps
1 packet onion soup mix
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tbsp chopped fresh chives
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Preheat oven to 400. Combine all ingredients and roast for 25-30 minutes.

Baby Shower for Junior!

Some of you may know that my sister-in-law, Vicky, is pregnant with her first baby. Nile and I couldn't be more thrilled to have a new little one so close to us! 


Today was Vicky's baby shower. She's from Ireland and apparently bridal and baby showers are not something that the Irish do, however I can imagine if they did there would be whiskey and Guinness involved. 


I love listening to Vicky talk about baby stuff, because the terminology for most things is so different in Ireland. Such as:

• A diaper is a "nappy"
• A pacifier is a "dummy tit"
• A stroller is a "buggy or carriage"

Plus, everything baby that she refers to is "wee". Hehe :) It's a "wee pair of socks"or a "wee onesie". Small is not a part of her vocabulary, and I love it! 

So, we don't know the sex of the baby. I guess in Ireland, most people don't find out because it's bad luck. In turn, we've been referring to baby as "Junior". 

Here's some photos of the shower and the mommy-to-be:

Myself, Vicky and Junior

All the other mommies giving Vicky advice

Gifts from Auntie Heather and Uncle Nile (by the way, that bib says "Early Riser" bwhaha)

There were many frog, monkey and giraffe themed gifts. Vicky loved this froggy onesie.

Awesome gift! The wine is called "Mommy's Time Out" She got a basket full of "mommy only" gifts like chocolate, wine, Starbucks gift card.

There you have it! We can't WAIT to meet Junior and find out whether it's really a Junior or Juniorette! August 5 is the big day, but apparently she's measuring early, so this little one might meet the world in July! It makes me so excited for us to have babies :) Until then, I'll settle on being Auntie Heather. 

Groomsman...or woman

It looks like I'm going to be a grooms(wo)man! Julie and Chris asked me to step in for Nile because he cannot fulfill his duties as a groomsman because of crazy job travel.

Now, you may be asking yourself, "Well doesn't that make you a bridesmaid?"

Negative.

Here's a list of Frequently Asked Questions regarding my position as grooms(wo)man:

1. Do you have to wear a tux?

Although Chris and Nile were definitely advocating for it, I will not be sporting a tux. Instead, I'll be wearing a black dress the same style as the bridesmaids, but with a sash the color of their dresses.

2. Do you stand with the bridesmaids?

Nope. I'm just one of the boys. I'll be hanging out on the groom's side.

3. Do you go to the bachelor party?

Hell no. I'm pretty sure their party will involve naked women and whiskey shots. Instead, I'll be attending the bachlorette party...which I can only hope involves penis paraphenalia and perhaps a gay bar.

4. Do you carry a bouquet?

I have been informed that I will be carrying a bouquet of pretty posies.

5. Do you walk down the aisle with a girl?

This is actually a question that I have also been pondering. Looks like Julie has quite a logistical challenge, although I will willingly walk down the aisle with Chris's sister Stacey. We're even the same height.

It will certainly be a unique and memorable experience and I couldn't be more excited and honored that I'll be a part of the big day!

Running, Running, Running

I'm officially on week 3 of the Couch to 5K training program and so far, so good. Today I ran for 8 minutes, which sounds terribly wimpy when you actually say it, but for me it's a big achievement.

What's even more exciting is that I'll be signing up for my first race...with a partner! Looks like I got my sister in on the action too. She's starting the program on Monday!

We discovered the Free to Breathe 5K run/walk for lung cancer research in Harrisburg in August, so that will be our first race. Right now, we're trying to get a team together to run/walk for Team Nana, since you can run/walk in memory of someone. It's awesome that we'll be able to do this and all the money goes to lung cancer research and education in Pennsylvania!

It also makes it more motivating to know that I have something to work towards. My goal is to finish...not finish first, second or even 20th place. Just finish.

Objection!

I've made it through almost 10 years and 2 states without being called for jury duty. I move to Maryland, and 6 months later...BAM! Summoned.

Everyone I talked to said "Oh yeah, you'll go and sit there for half a day and then you'll be dismissed. No big deal."

Yeah right...not for me! I'm proudly Juror #2 on a jury of 6 (plus 2 alternates). The case isn't over yet...yes, that's right...It's been 5 days and this thing it still going. I wish I could say it's exciting...or even the least bit interesting...but it's not. Obviously, I can't talk about the case, but there are several case-unrelated things I've learned in the past few days.

First, I've come to the conclusion that jury duty is like a distorted social experiment. You put 8 (in my case) strangers in a room and watch them socialize. It's been quite an experience, let me tell ya...

So, let's review other things I've learned so far:

1. Annapolis is a lovely city...I would like to go back again sometime when I don't have jury duty.
2. The bailiffs are all cute little old men that volunteer for the job. My bailiff especially makes my day. He takes such pride in leading "his jury" around the courthouse.
3. All the judges offices are called Chambers...so therefore, I will now be referring to my cubicle as my "chamber."
4. A court recess of 5 minutes is really 20.
5. I've learned all possible scenarios in which an attorney can object to the judge.
6. Court isn't really like what they play on Law and Order...however there have been at least 3 specific instances of yelling and fist-pounding.
7. The courtroom also doesn't look like it does on Law and Order. It's much less daunting.
8. You get paid $15 per diem...which covers lunch...that's it. Maybe not even the tip.
9. Bring a book and/or some form of entertainment. Even if you're on a trial, the amount of waiting you do is ridiculous. If you don't have entertainment, you'll end of staring at the person across from you the whole time...which again, is part of that social experiment I was talking about.

There are so many more things I've learned, but since the case isn't over yet, I'll keep them to myself. In the meantime, I'm back again tomorrow for Day 5.