Thursday, January 29, 2009

100 Reasons to Get Rid of It!

Like we really need more reasons to get rid of extra things that we don't use than they just take up space but this has some great ideas!

http://www.marthastewart.com/article/100-reasons-to-get-rid-of-it?xsc=eml_org_2009_01_28

Living the single life

For the next two weeks, I'll be leading the single life since Chris is training at Camp Lejeune (a Marine base in NC). Most of his Squadron leaves to go to Lejeune on Friday but he was part of the Advon (advanced) party to get equipment set up which left on Tuesday. Luckily, I will have plenty to keep me busy with Max, studying for my first grad school exam and finishing up the training for MB! I also had book club last night (The Secret Life of Bees) and Grey's TV night with some girls....I never lack for things to do!

Monday, January 26, 2009

Goodbye to Great Grandma Lafontaine

Chris's Great Grandma Lafontaine passed away last week. Below is the write up from the local paper. Unfortunately, we aren't able to make it home for the funeral.

Emma Margaret Lafontaine, 99, of New Riegel, passed away at 8:40 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22, 2009, at St. Francis Home, Tiffin, with her family at her side.

Emma was born Jan. 9, 1910, in Alvada, to John and Anna (Hoffbauer) Bugner. She married Florian C. Lafontaine July 17, 1934, at St. Peter Catholic Church, Alvada, and he died Jan. 19, 1984.

Surviving are a son, Richard J. (Alice) LaFontaine of Findlay; five daughters, Nancy (Herman) Kimmet and Carol A. Wiswasser, both of New Riegel, Phyllis J. Clouse of Alvada, Helen E. (Ernest) Escobedo of Federal Way, Wash., and Betty J. (Kenneth) Scherger of Jupiter, Fla.; 26 grandchildren; 61 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchilden; and three sisters, Clara Michels of Illinois, Estella Logsdon of Alvada and Rosina (Gerald) Might of Georgia.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; a son, Robert S. LaFontaine; five brothers, Joseph, Albert, Frank, Ray and Julius Bugner; and a great-grandchild.

Emma was the head cook for New Riegel School system for 15 years, and she also had worked for Riegel Provisions. She was a member of All Saints Catholic Church, New Riegel, and its Rosary Altar Society. She had been a 4-H advisor for more than 25 years, a member of Catholic Order of Foresters; American Legion Auxiliary, New Riegel; and a 50-year member of Women of the Moose, New Riegel.

Visitation is 2-5 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. Monday, Jan. 26, 2009, at Hoening Funeral Home, 242 W. Tiffin St., Fostoria, where a Christian wake is at 4:45 p.m.

Visitation also is 9:30-10:15 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2009, at the church.

A Mass of Christian burial is 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at All Saints, New Riegel, with the Rev. Randy Giesige presiding. The rosary is to be prayed at 10:15 a.m. at the church.

Burial is to follow at St. Boniface Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to New Riegel Right to Life or in the form of Mass intentions to All Saints.

Online expressions of sympathy may be made by visiting www.hoeningfuneralhome.com.

Sunday, January 25, 2009

12 miles in 30 degree weather

Today I did my longest run before the 1/2 marathon on Valentine's Day. It was about 30 degrees when I left our apartment for my 12 miler. Thankfully, yesterday I had treated myself to new Perfect Fit pants and long sleeved Dry Fit top. Nike workout clothes are an investment (luckily, I was able to purchase them on Ft. Bragg and saved about 15%), but I was really happy to have them today to keep me warm and dry! I also wore my awesome fleece jacket Chris got me for Christmas and some running gloves for the first couple of miles until I warmed up enough to take them off. Now, I'm not saying that name-brand is the way to go but having the right equipment can make it much easier. One gadget that I can't image running without is my trusty Ipod nano. Chris gave it to me when I decided to start running back in 2005 and it has been my constant companion since. I also carry my cell phone, Gatorade, Cliff Blocks (for energy) and chap stick. It took me 2 hours to complete my 12 miles so my pace is around a 10 minute mile, which is fine with me!

Friday, January 23, 2009

Chili Rubbed Steak Tacos

I wanted to share this recipe from our progressive dinner...the steak rub is awesome!

1 tablespoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon salt
Pinch of cayenne pepper


Stir these ingredients together and rub on both sides of 1 1/4 lb top sirloin steak (cut 1 inch thick). Grill or broil steak for 5-6 minutes per side, or until med-rare. Remove meat and let rest for 10-15 minutes. Carve into thin slices.

Serve with:
12 small tortillas
3 cups red cabbage, shredded
1/2 cup cilantro leaves, chopped
1 lime, cut into wedges
salsa

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Snow Day!






Today both Chris and I are home from work due to snow...that's right, snow in North Carolina. When I got up to work out at 4:45am there was snow on the ground and it was coming down, and it hasn't stopped. At this point, we have several inches on the ground. Chris made breakfast around 8am and I'm making cookies now. We are having lunch with some of our friends in the aparment complex and maybe some board games. I plan to spend some time studying and working on resume building. Chris is playing XBox and I'm sure he will be content to stay there all day. It's nice to have an unexpected day home and we plan to enjoy it!

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Preserve Progressive Dinner







On Saturday night, we participated in a progressive dinner with some of our friends in our apartment complex. We had five courses at five different apartments and we all had a great time! One of the guys joked that it should have been labeled a pub crawl instead of progressive dinner since we had drinks at each house and the margaritas from the first course even traveled with us for the rest of the night.

Friday, January 16, 2009

Back to school




This week we had something changed in our lives; I started school again! I was a little apprehensive about getting back into the learning mindset and the discipline needed for class work (especially since I’m completing a web based MBA program) but so far it’s going well! I’m taking one class, management, and am enjoying it. I spend about 1-2 hours a night working on my coursework and I’m really trying to stay on top of things. Originally, I was going to take accounting as well but decided that one class would be enough for now. Each class is said to require 15 hours of work per week and I wasn’t sure I could work 40 hours, have 30 hours of class work and still have time to spend with Chris and Max…not to mention seeing friends or working out/training for the ½ marathon in February. Not to mention, we may or may not be moving in the near or far future…sometimes I just love the military (being sarcastic here!) Luckily, I am blessed with a wonderful husband who is very supportive of my choice to go back to school and has been extra helpful around home as I adjust to being a student again.

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Max!





And of course, a few new photos of Max.

Seven Springs





A few photos from our after-Christmas ski trip in Seven Springs with my family.

Christmas in Ohio






Here are a few photos of our trip to Ohio for Christmas. We had a great time at home, as always! Chris and I enjoyed spending time with our families and being in "Christmas Weather". Like normal, we shove a lot of stuff into a short amount of time but we have fun.

New 'Do





I got my haircut today for the first time since Tim and Danielle's wedding (the reason I was growing it out) so of course, I went shorter! Here is a before and after. I can still put it back to go running...which is important to me!

Friday, January 2, 2009

Happy New Year!

I don’t know what it is about the trip from Ohio to North Carolina but the last two trips I’ve had a cold which doesn’t make it very fun for me or for Chris (because he has to drive the whole way and listen to me sniffle). This in turn didn’t make for a good New Year either…I was in bed by 10pm. Chris woke me up at midnight for a New Year’s kiss and then back to sleep. Sick or not, I’m excited to see what 2009 brings us. As always, our lives are full of new and exciting things!