It's Ok Thursday

It's finally Thursday, which means tomorrow is Friday, which means it's almost the weekend!! Today, I'm linking up with Amber and Neely for It's  Ok Thursdays!

So, this week...
IT'S OK...
...that I miss my husband, who has been gone all week for work, therefore I want to "koala" him when he gets home (refer to below video from Ellen if you don't know what that means, and NO, it is not inappropriate)

...that I'm definitely ready for spring to come with warmer weather
...that I get excited because it's starting to be lighter out on my drive to work in the mornings
...that I can't wait for a lazy weekend with Ryan which includes no plans
...that I'm very happy about getting some new followers and discovering some new blog friends
...that my better eating and more exercise plan isn't going the greatest, therefore the scale and I are not getting along
...that today is the last day in February, bring on March
...that I had this awesome idea to start a home organization binder, but I didn't get very far on it yet, although I did buy the supplies and print a couple things (any advice on this one??)
...that I love this wonderful linkup, thanks Amber and Neely! (so if you haven't already, go check out their blogs and give them some love)

Warm Bodies & Giveaway Winner

Last night, my brother and I went to a movie and out to eat since Ryan is gone all week for work! We had some good sibling bonding time and I was glad I didn't have to spend the night sitting by myself in my apartment.

Source: alichatsramble.wordpress.com via Chloe on Pinterest

We went to see the movie Warm Bodies...and it was okay. It's not that it was a bad movie, it's just not what I expected. The theater website said it was a comedy, and there were some funny parts, but not as many as I thought there would be. Overall, the movie had a good story, but I don't think it's one I will be buying for myself.

I would call it more of a romantic comedy, or as my brother put it, "We might as well have gone to see Safe Haven, this was like a Zombie love story." He said this because I really wanted to see Safe Haven, but didn't want to make him see a chick flick, and since I already saw Identity Thief, we decided on Warm Bodies.

Anyone else see this one?? What did you think?


Also...to announce the winner from my 50 Followers Giveaway:

Congrats to Jessica! She is a loyal reader and the lucky winner of the scarf. Thanks to all who entered!

I Didn't Watch the Oscars...but this is hilarious!

So, I feel like after checking Facebook and Twitter Sunday night and yesterday, that I'm the only one who didn't watch the Oscars.  I'm sure it was a great show with good awards, great speeches, gorgeous dresses and spiffy tuxes, I just wasn't home to watch them and wasn't interested enough to set my DVR to record them.

But...I did see this video floating around on Facebook, and just had to share, it's pretty funny! I love Jennifer Lawrence and she was great in The Hunger Games (I haven't seen Silver Linings Playbook yet)!

Also, if you haven't yet, go check out this awesome giveaway by a group of wonderful blog ladies. If you want to enter, click here!

Weekend Shenanigans + Giveaway

Time to report my weekend shenanigans and linkup with Sami!

My weekend consisted mostly of working at the hospital, saving lives!! Okay, I really didn't personally save any lives, but I did help alot of people by taking their xrays.

On Saturday morning, my friend Sarah from work and I participated in the Trek Up the Tower for the second year. I'm not really sure why we keep doing it, because it's really hard, but I do feel satisfied after finishing. Trek Up the Tower is a run up the stairs of Omaha's tallest building, the First National Bank Building. So I ran 40 floors = 870 Steps. I beat my time from last year, so I was happy!

Since I usually don't feel like doing much when I get home from work, I was able to catch up on some of my Ellen Show episodes! They always give me a good laugh!

Finally, my weekend was great because I hit 50 followers on my blog last week so I'm doing a giveaway!! Be sure to go check out that post by clicking below so you can:

Giveaway goes until Monday night at 8 pm central time!!

My 50 Followers Giveaway

Yeah! I made it to 50 followers, thanks to all of you! I really appreciate all of you for following and reading my blog! So, for helping me make it to 50, I'm doing my first ever giveaway!

Here's what you're going to get if you win, this super cute scarf from the lovely Elise's Dream Closet!

In order to be entered into the drawing for the giveaway, you have to be a follower of my blog and I want you to leave a comment on this post! And if you want another entry to the giveaway, go "like" Elise's Dream Closet on facebook here!

 The giveaway will be open until Monday night at 8:00 pm central time.

The winner will be announced on Tuesday! May the odds be ever in your favor!! :)

It's Ok Thursday

It's Thursday, and that means it's time for another linkup with Amber and Neely!

IT'S OK...
...that I'm almost to 50 followers, which I'm super excited about!!
...that I'm going to do my first giveaway when I get to 50 followers (so spread the news and tell your friends about my blog)
...that I'm not excited about this huge snowstorm we're going to get today and tomorrow
...that I loved going to visit my mom's school and play teacher for a couple days
...that I am dreading cleaning our apartment today, but it needs to be done
...that I can't wait to watch Biggest Loser from this week, it has been pretty intense lately
...to wish the snow would have started already so my husband could have a snow day with me
Thanks for reading what has been ok with me this week!
Remember to come back and check for my 50 followers giveaway soon!

You Have to Read This!!

I recently finished reading a 5 book series, and it was really good, so I want to share it with all of you! I am always looking for a good book or series to read, and I love getting suggestions from other people on what to read!

The 5 book series is written by Chelsea Cain, you can check out her website here. It's a thriller, serial killer, murder mystery series with so many twists! It's hard to describe, but I loved all five of the books! They are all so hard to put down (I read them all in less than 2 weeks)! If you are a fan of these types of books, this series is for you! They are even talking about making a TV show out of the books.

Here are the books in order:

Have any of you read these? Any other good book suggestions for me?

Also...To thank all of my lovely readers, I'm going to be doing a giveaway soon...

once I reach 50 followers!! So stay tuned for that and share the news with some of your blog friends so I can get to 50!!!

Weekend Shenanigans...Extended Version

Linking up with Sami (loving her new button)!

You're all getting the loonnnngggg weekend update from me, since I've been absent for a few days! Here's what I've been up to since last Wednesday, not particularly in order...

* Valentine's date with my hubby at Texas Roadhouse and went to see Identity Thief in theaters, which was hilarious

* Mass for Ash Wednesday, meaning Lent started, meaning taking 40 days to give up something since Jesus gave his life for us

* Spending some time with my sister-in-law and adorable 2 1/2 year old nephew

* Watching my brother-in-law coach at state wrestling and supporting our hometown Jaguar wrestlers

* Winning some money playing slots and blackjack at the casino...yeah!!

* Fun times with some friends at the hotel after wrestling

* Relaxing run on Sunday to continue my half marathon training

* After my run, lazy day on the couch with my hubby catching up on shows from our DVR

It was a very good weekend with some wonderful people! I hope you all have a great week and I promise to be a better blogger and blog reader this coming week!

Happy Mardi Gras

Happy Mardi Gras Everyone! And Happy Fat Tuesday! Since I can't be in New Orleans celebrating, I'll do my best to pretend I'm there through pictures and video on my blog!

Mardi Gras is a very fun day for my family and I. We have relatives that live in New Orleans, and so we know all about this holiday! Ever since I was little, I always remember my aunt and uncle bringing beads to Nebraska for us from the parades!

When I was in sixth grade, I was lucky enough to get to go to Mardi Gras with some of my aunts, uncles and cousins! It was so much fun and I really want to go back soon! Now that I am older, I would love to get the full experience, including downtown and Bourbon Street during this crazy celebration!

Can't have Mardi Gras without King Cake! The tradition is that whoever gets the piece with the baby in it has to host the next Mardi Gras party!

Parades means beads, beads, and more beads, along with so much more that gets thrown out from the floats, including cups, stuffed animals, swords, hats, moon pies, sunglasses, balls, and lots more!

A pictures courtesy of my aunt Nancy of my cousins who are currently at Mardi Gras right now! Showing off just a few of their beads!

Video courtesy of my cousin who is there showing the longest float this year! The young blond cuties on the shoulders in the video happen to be my little cousins celebrating their first Mardi Gras!

Do any of you celebrate Mardi Gras? Have any of you been there to experience the real thing?

Weekend Update

Well, my weekend was pretty low key due to work, but that's ok. I worked all day Saturday and Sunday, but did get to see some friends in between.

 Friday night, my group of girls from work got together with one of our former coworkers who moved. It was great to catch up and have a fun girls night! We ate some delicious food at Sinful Burger!

This is the burger I got, called the Envy, it was amazing!

Saturday night after work we went to try our luck at the casino with a couple friends! We came out ahead on the night, which is always a good thing! I had fun playing some slots and Ryan made most of the money on his blackjack skills!

Nothing else too exciting for the weekend. I am in a bit of minor depression that my beloved Kansas Jayhawks are on a 3 game losing streak, I hope they get back to it tonight when they play Kansas State!

Photo courtesy of: www.sbrforum.com 

Have a wonderful week and thanks for stopping by!

Fitness Friday

Happy Friday Everyone! Today I'm linking up with Noel for Fitness Friday!

I've had a really good week of working out this week! Since it is the beginning of February, it is less than 3 months until my half marathon on May 5th!! Which means I am officially in training mode!
Thankfully, the weather cooperated this week and it was very nice on Tuesday, so I got a great 5 mile run in outside. It felt really good to run outside and my pace wasn't too bad for one of my first couple runs in the elements. 
I'm hoping the temperatures continue to warm up and can't wait to be able to get together with some of my running buddies! Running together makes long runs so much easier! Until then, I will have to find some good tunes on my ipod to keep me going!

It's Ok!

It's time for It's Ok Thursday with Amber and Neely!

And as the Little Rascals would say...here's what's "otay" with me this week...
...that I'm enjoying this warmer weather we are getting this week in Nebraska
...that I'm still in withdrawal my sister is now living 6 hours away from me
...that I'm loving Francesca Battistelli's new song called Strangely Dim
...that I'm upset our volleyball team played horrible last night and lost our game
...that I'm happy my husband has actually been home this week instead of out of town for work
...that I'm super jealous of my cousins, aunts and uncles who are traveling to Mardi Gras this weekend
...that I'm excited to do some baking today on my day off from work
...that I'm slowly getting caught up on my DVR shows
Have a wonderful weekend!!

Husband Approved Recipe...Check!

Last night for supper, I made a new recipe off Pinterest called Bang Bang Chicken, the recipe can be found here! My friend Jenna made it a couple weeks ago and said it was a good one, so I decided to try it for myself! And, it's just really fun to say...Bang Bang Chicken!!

Here's what you need:

Chicken
- 4 chicken breasts
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 3/4 cup flour
- 1/2 cup cornstarch
- 1 egg
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 tbsp hot sauce
- salt and pepper (to taste)
- Panko breadcrumbs
- oil (for frying)

Sauce
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup sweet chili sauce
- 1 tbsp hot sauce
- 2 tbsp honey

Instructions

1. In a medium bowl, mix flour, cornstarch, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt and pepper. To the bowl add the hot sauce, egg, and buttermilk and whisk until you have a smooth batter. Add the chicken pieces to the bowl, toss to make sure each piece is coated in the batter and set aside.
2. In another bowl add about a cup of Panko breadcrumbs.
3. Mix all ingredients for the sauce together and refrigerate until ready for serving.
4. Heat the oil in a large skillet.
5. Coat each piece of chicken with breadcrumbs, add more breadcrumbs as needed, and fry on both sides for 3 to 5 minutes until chicken is cooked through. Place on paper napkins to soak up some of the oil. Repeat with all chicken pieces. Only add a few pieces of chicken to the skillet at a time, so the chicken turns out crispy.
6. Drizzle chicken with sauce and serve.

Batter ready for dipping

Coating the chicken in the bread crumbs

Frying the chicken in the oil

On the pan to bake (I baked mine for about 20 minutes just to make sure the chicken was fully cooked and to get it extra crispy)

Sauce ready for drizzling and dipping

Final product!

It turned out great and was a delicious meal!!

Weekend Update

I'm on day 4 of my four day weekend, and I have a lot on my to-do list after being gone all weekend, so I better get through this post and get to work!

Thursday
Thursday night I went with my sister and friend Ash to watch our former high school girls basketball team in their conference tournament and they won! Then we visited one of our friends and got to see her adorable little baby girl!

Friday
Friday I subbed at my mom's school, got a haircut and spent Friday night watching Footloose and having a couple drinks with my friends Meagan and Samantha from 3 Oh 1 Grace St.!

Saturday/Sunday
Saturday morning we left for Minnesota to move my sister there! She starts her new job in a week! We got her all moved in, and then met my cousin and her boyfriend for supper. They also joined us for mass and breakfast on Sunday. Her apartment is nice and she is only about a half hour away from Minneapolis. I survived the 6 hour drive, not too bad of a drive. I will miss having her close but I know she will do well there!

Where we spent most of the weekend...on the road

New in Town anyone?? (great movie)

For breakfast, we ate at this Dutch restaurant, it was delicious! I got a chocolate, whip cream, and banana flavored Pannekoeken (an oven baked pancake).

Outside my sister's apartment.

Sunday night, I got to come home and see my husband for the first time in a week, yeah! We watched the Super Bowl and relaxed on the couch.

Have a wonderful week, thanks for reading about my weekend!