Photos of Chayce

It's been a few weeks...

Chayce Aiden: 3 years, 7 Months Old

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S.O.O.C: No Editing

S.O.O.C: No editing

He got mad at the book and threw it down.

Made for a great photo though!

If you know me, you know I HATE "posed" photos.

He did this on his own though, so I snapped away. ;)

Reading to Daddy...

Reading to Mommy...

**Had to come back and edit this entry when I realized I'd forgotten to add my FAVORITE photo of the day!!!**

Gimme my money, Feds!

Taxes

Filed my taxes today. This is my 2nd largest tax return EVER

(my largest was the year I gave birth).

Now, I can BREATHE and wait for that cash to hit the bank!

Then I get to spend a chunk of that for a downpayment on a new SUV! Yay! :)

Eye Doctor, Here I Come!

So, I had perfect vision until I was a teenager. It was still "ok", but by no means "horrible". Yet, since I've had Chayce, my vision has gradually become worse and worse. Now it's to the point I can't read street signs, can't read what's on the TV... It's pathetic.

So I just called and made an appointment for the Eye Doctor. My first trip in about 10 years.

All I know is, my eyes SUCK. And I'm desperate to get them 'fixed'. I've had vision insurance for 3 years and never used it, I brought up the website with my benefits on it and am kicking myself as to why I've never taken advantage of it sooner! My coverage is amazing. A $15 co-pay and everything else is included. They even pay for my contacts! So that's very nice to know.

Just curious to see just how BAD they really are...

I shall find out in a few weeks!

R-E-C-Y-C-L-E

We called a few months ago to request Recycle bins.

I felt guilty we don't recycle.

Apparantly there was a wicked long waiting list, and FINALLY today I walked out to find a green recycling bin by my front door.

So now I can take part in this aspect of helping the environment!

Damn It....

Someone hacked my Myspace account.

Aggghhhhhhh....

Sorry if any of you guys got stupid messages, comments or saw bulletins posted as "me".

Superbowl Re-Cap

Congrats to the Steelers for breaking a record and being the ONLY team in the NFL with 6 Superbowl wins!

What an amazing accomplishment!

It was, by far, the most boring Superbowl I've ever watched.

(And everyone that was at my house watching thought so too, LOL!!!)

BUT... the last 3 minutes of the game were the best!

And i'm still confused by that last play.

Either way, that wraps up this football season.

Can't wait til next season!

When my Pack goes all the way....

(hahaha)

The end of a Journey

Carrabba's Italian Grill.

If you've been there, your mouth is already drooling just thinking about it. I was proud to work for the restaurant back in high school (one of my favorite jobs EVER, I might add). There's just something about their food that I just can't get enough of. It's authentic Italian food, and super fresh. One specific thing I found myself indulging in is their Spicy Marinara sauce. If you haven't tried it.... GET SOME! It's so unbelievably delicious. By far, the best mariniara sauce I've EVER eaten.

Anyways, for about the past 4 years I've been trying my hardest to get my hands on their recipe for the spicy marinara. And I've been unsuccessful. People I worked with don't remember the exact recipe (and they no longer work there), of COURSE the company doesn't give out recipes, and you can't find it anywhere online.

Why? Because it's THAT GOOD!

Moving on... for my birthday my dad got me a gift card to Carrabba's and this weekend Jon, Chayce and I had a nice family lunch there. The entire meal, I spooned some marinara and was trying to pick it apart, 1 ingredient at a time, writing down everything I tasted. Then, I got creative and thought I'd ask for a small side order of marinara to take home with me. I did just that, and today I brought out the ramekin and let the imitating begin.

I threw in everything just as I tasted and saw it in the sauce I brought home with me, and on my VERY FIRST ATTEMPT, I must brag... I NAILED this! I cloned this marinara sauce like nothing I've ever done before.

Tonight i'm putting Jon up for a blind taste-test. I'm making him taste both, and tell me how accurate they are in comparison to each other, then try and pick out which is Carrabba's and which is my clone.

FINALLY, my search for this sauce is OVER. I wrote down everything I put into it and it's going into my little vault.

I'd like to share it. But that would be breaking the Carrabba's tradition. Mwahaha. As soon as I spill the beans, it's all over the internet. I love that I figured it out by myself. Just me and my palate! So I won't post it, but if you want some... Let me know! I can ship some out ;) And you that know me, know I WILL!

WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!