#15 - Cook a home meal weekly (11/143)

On Superbowl Sunday I decided that I needed to go grocery shopping and made a huge list.  Lately my fridge has looked like that of a bachelors....EMPTY!   I planned out 5 different meals for the week...maybe I'm being a little overzealous...but I was in a cooking mood.    After 1.5 hours at the store I finally was able to check out of HEB and head home and unpack.  It's so nice to open the fridge and see fresh food, fruit, milk, etc just ready and waiting to be devoured. 

Tuesday night I made meatloaf and mashed potatoes along with salad & tomatoes and fresh bread.  I also opened a bottle of Riesling to complete the meal.   There's just something about comfort food that's.....comforting.  ;-)

Next up....either Sunday Football Chili or Broccoli and Cheese soup (from scratch).

I've been tagged!

Monica has tagged me!

Share 6 random things about yourself. And then tag at least 6 other people. Since all my friends have already been tagged I'm skipping that part.

1.   I break out in hives when snow touches my skin...apparently I'm allergic to the cold (last time this happened was when I was a child though...).  Its true!  Ask my mom.

2. Recently a friend clued me in on the fact that I love shoes and am always noticing peoples shoes. I've also been trying to build up my own collection over the past couple of years.

3.  I love to eat herring in wine sauce.  Yummy!

4.  I randomly break out in song and dance moves (yes, I'm unique like that)    Ask my cube mates at work about my humming skills.  I've even been caught dancing when there's no music playing (guess the music is in my head).

5. Ever since I was 4yrs old I've had 'timelines' for accomplishing things (when to tie my shoelaces, take off training wheels, etc...).  Though I think I have finally broken this habit and realized that things will happen when they are meant to happen.  You can't force it.

6. I love jumping on trampolines.

#43 - Make new friends outside of my normal circles (IP)

I have a very close group of girlfriends whom I've known forever.  We have always taken the effort to spend time with each other.  Over the past couple years, however, I've made some amazing, interesting and fun new friends.  You never know when you'll run into someone who can make a difference in your life.  People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.  Even though I'm marking this off my list, extending my circle of friends is a daily practice.

Here's a shout out to a few of them!
Emily
Brandy
Monica
Jennifer W
Tina
Amanda V
Jennifer B
Tammy
Erika
Nate
Doug
Ephraim
Brent
JK & Travis
Keith (who I've known for about 5 yrs or so but wanted to add as well)

#44 & #45 - working out and weight management

Gold stars all around!  I'm doing really well on working out 3x's a week.  In fact this week I kicked it into high gear!  Not to mention I'm below my [private] weight.  Woohoo!  Work it girl! :D

Mon - Cardio step
Wed - Cardio step and softball game
Thurs - Ran 3.1 miles
Fri - Dancing
Sat - Mardi Gras 5K race

#25 - Join a co-ed sports team

A few weeks ago an old co-worker of mine asked me to sub on his softball team since they were short on girls.  I played two games as a sub and was picked up to play on a different team as a regular for next season.  This past Wednesday was the start of the new season.  The team I'm on calls themselves the Dirty Martini's and we're sponsored by Merkaba.  Now the first game I had subbed in I played very well (I had some awesome hits)...the 2nd game I played I pulled my leg muscles and couldn't run and was stuck at catcher...so for the new season I was determined to stretch and warm up and have some fun!  Unfortunately it was just not my night!    I struck out 2 or 3 times (very embarrassing) and misjudged a ball hit to right field, but at least I didn't pull any muscles.  I think before the next game I should visit the batting cages and practice.  Apparently I wasn't the only one having issues with the pitcher, guess it was a bad night for everyone.  Perhaps softball is not my sport and I should stick with volleyball.  :-P

#15 - Cook at least one home meal(s) a week (10/143)

This past Tuesday I decided to have a GNI (girls night in) at my new home.  As hostess I prepared the main entree, cheesy jambalaya!  It's a healthy meal to boot.    The girls arrived around 6:30pm and I gave everyone a tour of the house.  The great thing about GNI is that everyone contributes!  Amanda brought bread, Jenn brought a tomato mozzarella and basil appetizer as well as salad, Jenn B brought a chickpea salad and Brandy, Charlotte and Renee brought the desserts.  What a wonderful spread of delicious foods and a variety of wines to savor.  It was a fun evening and the company was excellent.  We'll have to do it again!  Maybe I can turn this into #103 on my list.

Recap

Wow it's been a busy week!  Lets see if I can recap everything.

Mon 1/21 - Cleaned house for 2-3 hrs.  I realized that I have to vacuum at least 2-3 times a week due to dog hair.  Since I have mostly tile and wood floors, it only takes a couple days before I have tumbleweed made out of dog hair scurrying across my floors.    Worked out during lunch, I just love that cardio class!
Tues 1/22 - Ate dinner at Chuy's!  Mmmmm love the chica chica bom bom!  Then I proceeded to get squashed in bowling.    Usually I win best 2 out of 3, etc...so it was actually a nice change to be challenged. 
Wed 1/23 - Take out Chinese for dinner and watched a DVD.  It's good to veg out every now and then.  Skipped out on my cardio class....bad Christina!
Thurs 1/24 - Con-calls in the evening...ate left over Chinese.  Looks like I'm failing #15.
Fri 1/25 - TGIF!  Danced my tail-feathers off with a great dance partner.  Doug even taught me some new moves!  I count this as part of #44 - working out. 
Sat 1/26 - Lunch with JK & Travis!  They were in town for the day and we had a lovely time catching up.  Then I went to the UT vs Tx Tech MBB game!  I haven't been to a game in probably two years.  I'm not up on all the players but quickly figured out DJ Augustin and AJ Abrams are the favorites.  Pittman also had a great dunk!  I thought he was going to break the backboard.  Wouldn't that have been crazy?!?
Sun 1/27 - Lunch w/ Mills, ran some errands, went to several different car washes to wash my new VW Rabbit (some car washers were broken or the lines were way too long), took the dogs to the dog park and watched Chuck and Larry.   Ooooh!  I think I can count the dog park as part of #44!  Saved! :D

All in all a GREAT week/end.  Of course I failed on #15.  However this Tues I'm making Jambalaya!  Gotta get back on track with the cooking.