Tuesday, March 31, 2009

taxes why must you mock me

Have you ever watched The Lion King?
You know the part where the hyena's are all goofing off and the one hyena says "MUFASA" and the other's shudder in fright.
"MUFASA, MUFASA, MUFASA" shudder shhuuuddeer Shhhhhuuuuuuddddddeerrr.

That's how my body reacts when you say "Taxes"
I get goose bumps, I get a headache, and then I shudder.

I will always have this reaction, it will never ever change.

The problem I have with taxes is, the IRS made them so complicated no one can understand them. (And if you do understand them why in the world aren't you sharing your wealth of information with me???)
If you think something is wrong, who do you ask? Your parents, your husband?
Chances are they will be just as stumped as you.
I think the IRS does this on purpose.
"Hey lets create a system that makes no sense and just randomly change things and deduct more here and none there. Then at the end of the season when you have to file your taxes you will be forced to pay. You of course will know this is wrong or there is some mistake but can never hope to prove anything because they created a system that is bizarre, kooky, crooked and by definition blows.

Monday, March 30, 2009

Brownie SUCCESS

I made the brownies and all I have to say is "OH my LORD"
This is a recipe that will be thrown into my go to "I'm having a sweet tooth craving and if I don't intake chocolate NOW, I will go crazy."

They are so good, I literally sat on the couch all day and ate them. I could eat them like I eat Ramen noodles. My personal life necessities are ramen noodles and these brownies without them I will surely perish.

These brownies will change your life, they will make your neighbors happy, your mail man will love you. They will make your significant other unload the dishwasher for days.

Now lets get down to the description.
They are technically "Sheet Cookies" But I call them brownies, special sweet brownies.

They have 3 layers.
The first layer is shortbread cookie-ish
The second layer is Carmel, decadent yummy delish Carmel.
The third and final layer is sinfully wonderful melted chocolate.

Then you throw it in the fridge to set and then cut those babies up and serve them.

Do you want the recipe?
Well, it will have to wait for another day, cause I forgot to bring it with me to work.... sorry.
Don't hate me, I'm giving you the wonderful mouth watering experience of anticipation.
Your welcome in advance!

Friday, March 27, 2009

Rollin Rollin Rollin

Today doesn't feel like Friday to me. Feels like Thursday. This week has be Rollin by.
Yesterday I had the day off, so I took that time to sit on the couch and go through all my cookbooks looking for the PERFECT desert.

I found several yummy brownie recipes that called for "Golden superfine sugar" WHAT?? What is the world is that?? I'm stumped, I've never seen or heard of such a thing. Maybe if I found it, it could change my life. Sugar has that affect on people.

I also took the time to make a wonderful dinner. Home made bread (okay, the pre-made bread dough that you buy frozen) and BBQ Beef. We had BBQ Sandwiches, they were so delectable, so delicious. I was looking forward to coveted left overs.
Unfortunately Ryan ate it all, the coveted leftovers never had a chance to be.

As for the wonderful brownie recipe I wanted to try.
The farthest I got was taking out butter and a pan. Eh, I'll give it another go tonight! Maybe tonight, I'll get the pan greased and the first layer cooked....
Once I create this masterpiece I will share the recipe.

The girls have another basketball game tonight (away) and tomorrow (home).
McDonald's Hot Fudge Sunday here I come!
(just because I'm looking forward to it now, will prob. go to Arby's or Burger King....)

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

I should have called in Sick.

This morning started out pretty good.
And by pretty good I mean it wasn't all that great.

Ryan woke me up at 5:20 AM. (enough said)
Then proceeded to try to keep me up.... (could have killed him)
Then acted mad when I didn't wake up and instead told him to stick it where the sun doesn't shine, I said it in a different way using different words however. (When I'm tired or sleeping I really really really don't sugar coat things)

Other then that, my morning was okay. I got out of the house early (headed to the Chiropractor) the weather seemed pretty decent. Not hot, not a blizzard out there either.

I go to town, make a couple stops, go to my appointment and head out of town.

I get to work, and here's where it all goes downhill.

The sky opens up and begins pouring (Yes pouring) out hail, then it switches to snow and the flakes just keep getting bigger. and bigger.

Then I get a call from the boss man to cancel a truck I have scheduled and to re-schedule for next week. But to keep the other truck I have scheduled on and to get a cheaper price.... right.
First thing I do, cancel the correct trucks and orders and begin talking prices with trucking companies. The trucking company isn't happy to be canceled on such short notice.

Then I get a call from the boss man and he says to reschedule the trucking company that I. JUST. CANCELLED. Um, what?? NO. (have you ever just wanted to tell the boss man "NO") That urge happens almost daily. (I'm working on it)

So I then continue on making calls that make this business and me seem like a big huge hairy butt. And really who wants to play with one of those?

Now, my stomach hurts. From what? The stress, yeah maybe? The donut I had earlier, ugh it's a long shot.
WAIT, nope I know what it's from. The bus stopped at McDonald's. AGAIN. After this basketball season I'm going to have to Detox.
But I can't lie, I love me some hot fudge sundays!
And the girls won both games again. Still undefeated!

Oh.... wait. Please hold. The phone is ringing and it's the BOSS MAN. (I'm not even joking. I wish I was.)

Maybe my stomach hurts from a stress ulcer caused from a stressful work environment? Fits no?

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Close call

This morning, I got up earlier then usual.
I was making a pot roast for dinner and had to get everything cut up, seared and into the pot before I jumped in the shower.

My normal routine in the mornings is:
Roll out of bed, put on my slippers (our floors are cold)
Let the Dog out
Feed the Cat's
Feed the Dog
Pour myself a cup of coffee
Sit on the couch and fully wake up
Pull myself from the couch
Get dressed and off to work.

This morning however was a little different.
First I did all my normal things except sit on the couch.
I went into the laundry room to feed the dog when I heard our freezer making a strange noise.
I looked and the door was opened a crack, and had been like for a while.
How do I know, well we were leaking water onto the floor.
So I begin to clean up the mess.
By this time Ryan comes in and sees what I'm doing.
He decides he better just get in there himself and clean it correctly (knock yourself out buddy)
Everything is cleaned up and the strange noise is gone.
The problem now is there is no noise coming from the freezer.
As you can imagine Ryan is getting mad and beginning to curse having to buy another freezer.

I tell him, "Well just unplug it and give it a sec. Then plug her back in"

You know what happened? It worked! You could hear that magical noise that let people rest easy at night knowing their freezer was in fact still working.
Thank goodness, or else we would have to had a huge BBQ and feed all the people of Belt.

And it's just NOT BBQ weather right now.

Unrelated Basketball update:
We went to another open gym last night. I'm still sore.
There is a game tonight and we are on the road. I so do not want to eat at McDonald's again.

Monday, March 23, 2009

Weekend Recap

This weekend was pretty busy. Not to much time to just sit on the couch and contemplate eating ice cream with or without chocolate syrup.

Friday I had the day off.
The ranch was branding, so I helped make the food.
Then it was off to the school to catch the bus for the Basketball games.
The girls won both games! (we beat them pretty bad. 47 to 4)
On the ride back home the girls and boys were Starving.
So we stopped at McDonald's.... WHY? OH WHY? (It's impossible for Middle School boys and girls to eat quickly and quietly)
So approximately 1 1/2 hours later we are heading home.

Saturday, we had more basketball games.
Which I'm happy to report both my girls team's won.
(We are currently undefeated! And I personally would love to keep it that way)
After the games, I decided to come home and sit on the couch....
But once I got home I realized I really really needed to clean the cat box, take out the trash and unload the dishwasher and let the chickens out. (It was SUCH a nice day)
Once that was done what I really wanted to do was take a nap. I was woken up by Ryan and a friend shooting their new toys. A 22 (pistol like) with a scope, yep the exact formula for disaster.
I decided I was up and sat outside, let the cats outside as well.
I get so much personal entertainment from this it's sad.
But just imagine it. Kitty meet the outside, meet the mud and dirt, oh and meet the chickens.
Only if animals could talk....

Last but not least Sunday
Ryan and I went to file our taxes... Oh joy, oh elation!
Instead of a big tax rebate like we were hoping we actually have to pay the IRS. I'm trying to cope with it. But seriously I think they have enough money and really don't need anymore of mine.
To end the day on a better note, we went to the gym to play a little basketball.
4 hours, 1 pulled muscle, 3 blisters, one broken toenail, 6 bruises and 150 sore muscles later we decided to call it a night.

You can say that I was a little sore this morning.

And that was my weekend!
Now it's back to the everyday same ol routine.
Oh and you know what we had to brighten our Monday morning?? SNOW!

I remember way back in the day when I was a wee little one and we used to have this phenomenon called "Sprig, or no Srang.... NO no I remember it was called SPRING!"

Oh how I miss the days of my child hood where we actually had a season named spring.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

On the Hunt

Currently I'm searching the wide vastness of the Internets.
What am I looking for?

Volleyball gear.
I want to get the girls some team traveling gear.
I also want to get my little girls a team shirt or sweatshirt...

I thought this would be fairly easy.

However I was wrong.
Holy cow have prices gone up.

It's depressing.

So on top of hunting the web. I'm also thinking of fund raisers....

Lord help me, I'm beginning to act and talk like a coach.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Well, I did it. I let them out.

Let the chicken celebration begin.
That's right, I let the chickens out this morning, they ran out the door like they were captives.
I did feel bad keeping them locked in the coop but, it has been cold. Really cold and really windy. If they didn't freeze then they would have blown away. So by keeping them locked up it was really in their best interests.

Did you know when a chicken gets cold it will not go back inside under the heat lamp it will stay outside in one spot until it freezes to death.
So to discourage this behavior I just locked them up.
Also I had a bad dream that Ryan's dog killed another one.
So basically I fear for my chicken's lives all the time. I'm afraid this fear has also contributed to the poor dears being locked up longer.

Today however that all changed. It was nice this morning, the sun was shinning the wind was fairly calm.
I feel refreshed, like I've turned over a new leaf. I feel like I've let my chickens leave the nest.

Well until it gets cold again that is.

Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Get your Green on.

Have you ever been speechless?

The actions or words that come from someone that just shocking the words or actions right out of your body? And all you do is stand there and just stare.

Yeah it happens to me a lot.

Happens at home, at work, at practice. Everywhere.


(Off Topic here... Happy Saint Patrick's Day! Are you wearing green?)

GREEN, GREEN GREEN, GREEN Have you ever noticed when you write a color over an over it begins to look weird. That's so weird.



Anyways, when the words are shocked out of me, I'm left standing there with a dumb founded look on my face. I always wonder what people think about me when I'm just blankly staring at them.

In the spirit of St. Patty's day what should I make for dinner? I hate corned beef and cabbage.

Maybe I'll make green pancakes and beer? Sounds healthy no?

That would shock the actions or words right out of Ryan.
I'm almost tempted to try it just to get that blank stare.

Sorry this is so random, but again that's how my brain functions.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Weekend Recap

My parents came a visiting this weekend. It was good to see them, along for the ride came my dog. Oh how I miss that precious pooch.

They came each night to the gym to cheer on my girls (we had our first games of the season)
I'm happy to report the girls won, both teams and both nights. It's going to be a good season.

On Sunday they headed back to the valley. It's always sad to see them go.

We had horrible winds, worse then usual. Anything that wasn't tied down or attached to the grown was taken away and gone forever.

Up on the agenda for this week/ weekend.
Work, practice, games and if the weather permits Branding on Saturday.

I've always liked branding, the sounds, smells (most the smells) the baby calves. And I like getting right in the middle and getting down and dirty.

Maybe this year I'll take my camera and take pictures.

OH, how I'm still LONGING for that "ONE" camera.

(Mom, did you catch that? Please take note!)

P.S. I can't wait for Easter, I have wonderful baking idea's brewing.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Tis the season

You know cold season...

Anymore though, it seems like this season is always around.

While coaching the Middle School Girls Basketball I have to spend time with them and be around them. I don't have a problem with this at all. I like coaching them, it's the fun part of my day.

The not so fun part. Schools/ kids are germ carriers.
I have yet to walk into the Gym two times in a row and come out cold free.

For the past few days I have been suffering through on of the many cold's I will catch this basketball season.
Taking airborne religiously, trying to get sleep, trying to eat well.
Taking Tylenol PM every night.
Although, I don't fall asleep as soon as I'd like, but eh I'll take what I can get.

You know it's bad when you walk in the gym and the girls and other coach who are across the gym say.... or rather yell "Wow, you look like you don't feel good."

Yeah, I know. I'm not a glamours person when I'm sick.
I'm still working on that.

On another note, the weather has reached above the negatives! What a heat wave....
I could almost leave the house without my long johns. I'm so sick of the cold weather.

Summer are you there? Summer please come back I miss you! I NEED you! Summer? SUMMER????

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

oy

Today at work, I'm actually working.

Okay wait, let me rephrase that. I do work everyday. But you know I allow myself to have little breaks when I finish something. During these little breaks I like to serf the internets.
Oh don't act like you don't! Your reading this aren't you? (point proven, ah thank you)

But today of all days, the Bosses (all for of them to be exact) are in the office working on their 2008 files. Which is fine, I get that they want to actually look at the paperwork from their business in 2008.

What really drives me nuts is I'm sitting at the desk trying to get other things I need to have done, finished.
But while in the middle of that, I have to print off old invoices, or hey "Run and grab the old deposits" Or do you have the file on "so and so?"

Fine, that is really all okay. (I think anyways.)
Here comes the part that makes my blood boil.

After they are done with the file or paper, they just toss it aside.
Don't put it back in the right spot and go ahead and mix all the paperwork together. I mean, your right. It didn't take me anytime at all to get this office straightened and in order.
Go ahead, it's not like you don't pay me overtime or anything.

Oh it's fine. Go ahead and put some 2007 documents in with the 2008's, I would too.
Oh and thank you for not putting that file back in it's alphabetical order home.

It's only 3:00 and I'm working late to finish what I still have yet to complete because I'm too busy being asked to do 5 things at once.

Monday, March 9, 2009

Final Basketball Update

Well Class C State Basketball is over. The end results weren't to bad.

1st place: Highwood (I'd be lying if I said I was happy they won)
2nd place: Belt (They played a great game, they were so close. They were short only 3 points)
3rd place: Twin Bridges


I'm glad it's over, now life can get back to normal.
No wait it can't. I'm in the middle of the little girls basketball season.

Belt however, they will get it next year. And by it, I mean they will beat Highwood.

Friday, March 6, 2009

State Basketball Update

Last night we were able to listen to the game over the radio.
The game over the radio was good, I can only imagine what it was like to watch it.

The girls played a great game. Both teams did well.
The entire game it was close. For most of the game Twin Bridges held the lead by 5 to 8 points.
Then Belt would get things tied up but just couldn't get over that tied number.

The game went on like this forever.

Finally with 20 seconds left, the teams were tied, and the Belt girls made a huge 3 pointer from the corner.

The game ended at 50 to 47.
Talk about on the edge of your chair close.

The Twin Bridges Girls play this morning
The Belt girls play tonight at 8:00
Good Luck to both teams.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Spring? Are you there? I've missed you

Well today had potential to be a good day.
I woke up, kinda well rested. But not really
(I won't go into detail about what I witnessed last night in my living room I will tell you it involved a cat and a mouse. It was loud, it was scary and it woke me from my humble slumber) I'm afraid I won't ever be the same.

But I had time to make a lunch to take with me. (Okay so I just grabbed a couple slices of cold pizza and a water bottle) But you have to start somewhere right?

I drive to work, and notice wow it's kinda nice outside (besides the wind, but that's an everyday thing) I'm working away and notice the time.
"Hey it's time to eat lunch!"
And that's when things begin to slowly go down hill.
First off the wind picked up, we had small trees flying across the pasture.
Then it began to snow.
Then the temperature dropped.
That's right that wicked winter isn't over yet.

For the love of Pete, I would like to have one nice Easter in the state of Montana.
No wind.
No cold.
No snow.
I've always pictured being able to wear my spring pastel's and sit outside while enjoying my easter basket.

So to make myself feel better, I've printed off several different recipes that I'm going to try.
One being a 14 layer cake. Yep I said 14 alright.

And tonight I want to make chocolate chip muffins. So I can eat them in the mornings with my coffee.

Because really what gives better comfort then chocolate?

In sports related news:

Middle school girls basketball is going good. Those girls crack me up. We have our first games next weekend.

State tournament is currently taking place.
Belt played Big Sandy today. (I hope Belt won)
The winner of that game is scheduled to play Twin Bridges tonight.
It's single elimination.
Currently I'm rooting for the home team.
Which technically is both teams.
Here's hoping to a good game.
Go Belt!
Go Twin Bridges!

Edited to add:
I was told the tournament was a single elimination. Thankfully it isn't, it's a double elimination tournament.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

This blog feels like a diary to me at times, a friend that I can tell anything to.
Even though, there are still some things that I just can't write down.
Not yet.
Maybe someday I will.
I'm hoping things will get back to how they are supposed to be.
maybe then I will be able to write it down.

Monday, March 2, 2009

life

I don't know if I'm coming or going.
Life changes whether you want it to or not.
If you don't keep up, life will leave you behind in the dust.

Currently I'm chocking on said dust.
Hopefully one day I can take a breath, and catch up once again.