MIA!

So, life has been... umm busy.

I've been keeping busy with work (still waiting on round II of interviews for a promotion - fingers crossed!!)

I leave for a two week assignment in Plano, TX on Monday. I am looking forward to it, as its a good church in a very nice area (Jerry Jones' hood!)

Photography, a few sessions this week, maternity!! Babies soon to follow!

I had the pleasure of having lunch with a great great gal pal. She is going thru some uber exciting changes, and I am so genuinely happy for her! You know who you are! Eeeek!

Today has been a lazy day, I cleaned, weve been working on getting the business taxes in order, were meeting with Amanda (our accountant tomorrow). We have YET to start our personal taxes, but those should be pretty easy peasy.

Oh and backtracking.. the hubster is bored with his car. Which might I add, we bought (yes bought FML) last March. It's a 2010 VW Passat. It's just too daddy'ish for him. So, beings that he works at a car dealer he sees all these fun cool cars (so I totally get it). Anyways, he wants a Mercedes C 300 Sport. I cant say I dont, because afterall, that was my first car I bought on my own. :) STUNNNA baby.

So, Thursday eve we went and test drove the car, they appraised our car, and were $3700 in the hole. WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT! Keep in mind, we have 0% financing. Ugh. So, the lease special would be around $420 a month, went to $517. Ugh. Damn car. I am annoyed because I will "eat" some of the loss, but darnit Jon is kinda a big deal, cant they take a little loss... I mean do they want to piss off the IT guy, who can shut their internet/email and so on off in a heartbeat ;) HAHA. I know Jon is a little annoyed too, especially since the response time today from the VW store was well.. yeah nothing. Anyways... so I told Jon if its meant to be, it will be but I feel bad because I know he wants a new car thats "cool".

So... thats the update of my exciting... err boring life!

I will update next from DALLAS~ Any suggestions for things to see/do while I am in the Dallas (PLANO) area?

Valentines Cookies! :)

I wanted to post this to hopefully inspire some of you...

This afternoon I am going to make Valentines cookies! I personally think my Sugar Cookie recipe is the bomb. Here it is!

Sugar Cookies1 1/2 C powdered sugar
1 c butter
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp almond extract
2 1/2 C flour
1 tsp baking soda

Mix powdered sugar, butter, egg, vanilla and almond extract. Add flour and baking soda. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours. Roll each half to 3/16 in thick on lightly floured board. Cut into shapes. Place on lightly greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375* until the edges are light brown, 7-8 min.

Royal Icing
4 Tablespoons Meringue Powder (I use Wilton Brand)
4 cups powdered sugar
6 Tablespoons warm water


Beat all ingredients until stiff peaks form.
*Make sure all bowls and utensils are totally grease-free or your icing will never reach proper consistency.
Spoon some of the thick white icing into individual bowls and add coloring

For each color of icing, you will want a piping bag of thick icing and one in the same color of thinned icing. Once you color a bowl of icing, scoop about 1/2 of it into a piping bag and then thin the remaining icing in that bowl to create a thinned version of the exact same color. To thin icing add 1 teaspoon of water at a time and stir, continue adding water by 1/2 teaspoons until desired consistency is reached.

"Thick icing", this is the consistency before adding extra water, and should be about the consistency of toothpaste. When I say "thinned icing", it should be icing that has been thinned to about the consistency of thick syrup (like corn syrup).

Once you have your icing colored, and in piping bags (and/or squeeze bottles) you're ready to get started.


I will be sure to update photos of the completed cookies! :)

Writing this post, made things click. Workout & Motivation

I've been in a slump lately.

This week was pretty brutal for me (on the work front). I was working at Our Lady of Guadalupe. They didnt communicate that I'd be there... and working with clients was miserable. With the snow, I spent most of the days negotiating with kids! Ahhh.

Thankfully, its Saturday and a new week is upon us! Speaking of work, I applied for a "promotion" to be a sales coach. I'd be responsible for traning new employees, and follow up training with existing employees in need of a little attention. Its right up my alley. There would be some travel, so things in our personal life may be put on hold (delay) if I was the selected canidate. I have a phone interview on Tuesday (my corp office is in Milwaukee) so this is phase one, and sometimes the way they hire in general (for existing employees). So, if its meant to be... it will be.

Ive really been "down" lately. I cant put my finger on it - other than maybe the weather?? I think work has been stressing me lately, and that has added to it. Photography is in its slow season, maybe I am missing that?

Working out - Ive been slacking here (from above) duh, this is why I am down. Ive been pondering joining Urban Active with Sarah, but I do have a NICE in home gym, and lots of workout DVDS. I just lack motivation.

Speaking of motivation, I keep thinking that I need to "give up" using facebook, tv shows ect until i have worked out for the day. I just need to pull the trigger... :)

What do you do to keep motivated? Im very schedule and planning oriented, and as I am typing this I am realizing that is what I am missing. Wow - again this is why I blog.

On a non-debbie-downer topic... Jon and I will be babysitting our gorgeous little niece tonight, I am SOOOOO excited. This is our first time, she is a month and a half now! Yay.

motivational quote!

Quote

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Try Something New Tuesday: Hip Hop Abs

Thanks to my SIL, we are borrowing Hip Hop Abs with Shawn T (Insanity). Its pretty fun and ranges from 30-40 min! Good work out! Check it out!