Houdini Cat...

Mickey may have turned into a Houdini Cat. Since this past weekend he has continuously escaped from the backyard that so easily confined him for the past month.

• First, it was as easy as a baby gate to keep him in.
• Then, he figured out he could hop on top of the baby gate and squeeze through the bars.
• Well, I think, I'm way smarter than this cat I'll just put up chicken wire so he can't squeeze through the gate.

Chicken wire worked for a few weeks until boredum set it on this poor kitty and his desire for escape grew...

• I then witnessed Mickey flatten himself into a pancake and wiggle like a snake under the gate...
• Since then all attempt to contain my little furball have failed miserably.

The poor creature is a mess these days as is. His diabetes have left him looking like an unloved, unfed, mangy mut. The collar and tag I bought him have been paid for tenfold in phone calls I've received in the last 2 days about Mickey. They all think he must have been missing for days or weeks by his appearance or maybe he's walked far far from home. He's always within 3 houses of home and comes running toward my voice. So I guess until I can figure out how this little booger is escaping he'll be cooped up in the garage... Sorry Mick, but it's you're own fault and for your own good!

P.S. To all of you that must think I'm stupid to think that a cat can't just simply jump over the fence in the backyard I suppose I should explain that since Mickey was diagnosed with diabetes his ability to jump is limited to how high his paws can reach...

God Thinks You Rock!

God thinks you rock the casbah

I'm feeling very inspired by this blog. Read if you wish, but be prepared to be enlightened!

Good Morning!!!!!!

Well, it's bright and early and I'm not sure if I've ever been so productive so early! 4:30am and I'm writing lesson plans... Please tell me I haven't completely lost my mind... :) **yawn** back to work.

Evaluation Time!!!!

SOOO...the last time I blogged I set 4 goals for myself... How have those worked out for me you may ask? I would say that the only goal that has successfully worked out is the one concerning cooking. That's right 25% success rate...OUCH!

I say this with loaves of zucchini bread fresh out of the oven and a kitchen that is a complete mess, but hey, I've kept ONE WHOLE GOAL! :) I do love to cook. That has never been an issue. The motivation just occasionally escapes me.

Time for some new goals to work on. I wish I could include the workout goals, but due to my new location that'll have to be tweeked a little and I need to get into my routine a little bit better first. Anyways, here goes:

1. Heading off procrastination before it starts...

For example, I will:

• Fold and put away laundry within 1 day of it coming out the dryer.
• Begin school work before 7pm on school nights to make sure that I can still get to bed at a decent hour.
• Put dishes in the dishwasher immediately after use rather than allowing a monster to take over my poor little kitchen.

2. Be 100% committed ;)

That should be enough for now. Those are some pretty hefty goals to take on. I think I've been battling the procrastination bug my whole life. A couple of weekend projects should help to make the transition to doer a little easier (hopefully!)

GOALS!!

So, they say that if you write down your goals and share them with people you are more likely to accomplish them. Here goes:

• Go to workout classes 4 days per week.
• Do an ab workout daily.
  
• Cook at least 3 times per week.
  
• Stop PROCRASTINATING!

So far the first goal is going well. I went to Zumba last Thursday and yesterday and then Turbo Kick on Monday. I'm headed there again tonight!

Zumba!!

If nothing else ZUMBA is just fun to say! As far as actually following the steps...that's not quite as fun, or at least not as easy!! Last Thursday I went to my first Zumba class. It was amazing how many different types of women were there. Most were in decent shape or at least weren't new to working out and they ranged in age from about 16 to 65!! There were about 40 of us in that little room!! Needless to say I was right, I have no rhythm and managed to run into a few people and hit this one lady in the head :) All in all, though, I did have a good time! I'm going back tomorrow night so that hopefully I can make it through the entire class!! (I thought I was going to die 2/3 of the way through the class)

Updates on my progress to come!!

Corn Chowder

I'm obviously on a bit of a cooking kick for now... I was craving corn chowder and also wanted to use up some of the food that I had around the house rather than buying more. This turned out surprisingly well, especially since it was 90% out of my head!

Ingredients (these are rough estimates because I just started throwing things together):

• 2 Tbl butter
• 1/2 bag Ore-Ida potatoes, peppers, and onions (it's a breakfast mix)
• 1/2 cup chopped carrots
  
• flour for thickening
  
• 3 cups of skim milk
• 1 can corn
  
• 1/2 tsp thyme
• garlic salt
  
• pepper

1. Melt the butter.
   
2. Add potatoes and carrots. Cook on medium until potatoes are thawed and carrots are beginning to soften.
3. Sprinkle flour liberally on the mixture and stir until nicely coated.
4. Pour in milk and reduce heat to medium low.
5. Stir in the can of corn including the canning liquid.
   
6. Season to taste. Don't be afraid to use quite a bit of salt/pepper. Taste as you go.
   
7. Heat for about 30 minutes on low-medium low until soup begins to thicken. If it is not thick enough combine more flour and water in a cup and slowly add to the soup while stirring constantly.