So.....I Won the Lottery

Hi there!  It's been something like a month and a half since I've blogged.  For shame, T.  For shame :(

Things have been really, really busy/exciting/hectic around here lately. 

There are no typical days for me.  They are all packed with exercise, lunch with friends, organizing events, happy hour with friends & cocktail parties.  Sounds pretty divine, right?  Of course, there is that ever present knowledge that soon enough one must find a job.  Because I did win the lottery my friends, but it wasn't ENOUGH unfortunately. 

I was sitting outside, enjoying lunch on the market with two friends.  We've all been job searching (some harder than others), and they announced that they had both found a job.  I congratulated them, of course (secretly cursed them)...and then proclaimed.... 

"Well, that's it!  I'm so sorry for you both!  Yes, you have both found a job....so that must mean that I am going to win the lottery tonight!  Cheerio!"

I left shortly after that, and was fully confident I would win.  It was a sign, no?

TEN and I have a habit of pooling our money (we're talking like $5 total) to buy lottery tickets.  We get the numbers all on the same ticket so that we have no knowledge of whose numbers are whose.  That way, we HAVE to split the winnings.  Pretty clever, huh?  So we had a ticket, and Saturday morning TEN checked it on his phone.  And we won.  And we screeched.  I actually asked the lady at the Shell Station if she would like to take our photograph.  She just stared at me blankly.  Mind you, that could have had something to do with the fact that TEN and I were fully decked out for the Caddy Shack Themed Cocktail Crawl we were headed to? 

Anyway, she didn't want our picture.  We took our winnings and we promptly spent all $7 on two shots at the bar.  We felt that was an appropriate use of our winnings :)

Don't let the BIG lottery win fool you though!  I'm the same person I've always been.  (tehehe...)

(BFF, Suz, Barbie, TRHoC, me, Marilyn Monroe & T)

(Suz, me & Marilyn Monroe)

(a Mardi Gras celebration of sorts)

 

(a formal event as part of The Ginger's birthday festivities)

(Marilyn Monroe's birthday celebration found us at a local dive listening to The Drummer's punk band :-o )

(Girl's Night Out!  CC was leaving to head back to Vero beach, so it was a perfect send off for her!  TEN went to Raleigh, NC with the boys.  What, oh what to do?  Have a girl's night of course...)

So, you see, life has pretty much been moving along at a leisurely pace.  Tonight I'm hosting an event for the local Republican Committee.  We hope to bring some new members into the fold, and our Republican Mayoral Candidate will be attending.  I'm so very excited!!

I'm going to start blogging again.  It may not be EVERY day, but I hope it is :)  I'll let you know how everything goes tonight.


Smooches,

T & Louis Wellington

Cupcake Wars! Cupcake - 3 / T - 1

Valentine's Day was amazing!  A week prior, TEN and I joined some friends for dinner at a relatively new local restaurant.  They had Dr. Pepper Glazed Pork on the menu.  It was delish.  So, TEN decided that he was going to try to make it at home.  Please look at this presh menu that he put together:

When I arrived the dining room table was set, menus were on the table, flowers in a vase and in the kitchen he had some wine and cheese waiting...

We chatted while he cooked, and then we enjoyed a fantastically delicious meal.

I was completely spoiled, and loved every minute of it ;)  All of TEN's efforts made my card & gummy hearts seem a bit underwhelming.  BUT...I just found something in my spare bedroom that I ordered for him months ago for Valentine's Day!  I can't believe I forgot about it.  I can't wait to give it to him when he gets back from his trip!

Friday night was the Murder Mystery Dinner I told you about.  My character was called Jasmine, and played a jazz violin in a band. TEN's character was called Shaun, and he played an instrument in the same band.  Our instructions told us to wear "modern black clothes", and to carry instruments.  We borrowed violin cases from a friend, and got some bright sunglasses.  Please note the colored hair that I clipped into my black wig.  TEN wore a moustache, thinking that made him look very "aloof and artsy".  Neither of us wear a lot of black (or are very artsy), so we just did our best!

Saturday night was TEN's birthday celebration.  So many friends joined us for dinner & drinks, and TEN said he had a wonderful time! 

Some of you may remember that 3 years ago I attempted to bake a cupcake cake for TEN's birthday.  I actually attempted to do so 3 times.  All 3 were total failures, and the final product was the best of the 3.  Yes, friends.....THIS was my best effort:

I threw a party at TEN's downtown apartment, and invited all of our friends.  They were kind, but I could see it written all over their faces.  "poor, poor T.  she really is a horrible cupcake cake maker."

Well, let me just tell you that I made that damn cake again this year.  Yep.  Sure did.  And guess what?  Well, here, I'll just show you....

WAAAAAHHHHHOOOOOOOO!!!!!!  Success :)  That cake looks like a cupcake, wouldn't you say?   And I did it on the first try.

After a lovely dinner, and a cocktail or two, some of us felt compelled to play Rock Band.  So, off we went...  I will admit that with my new found confidence where the cake was concerned, I decided that perhaps I should sing.  Bad idea.  But the cake was still a success ;)

OUR Rock Band...

We had a rather large snow here in Smalltown, VA on Sunday.  I had two trees break and fall over in my back yard :(  Thank goodness Marilyn Monroe's husband, the drummer, has a chain saw.  On of the trees is so large I haven't a hope of moving it without cutting it up.

Then, I went to Big City, VA to visit my mother for a few days earlier this week.  We had a lovely visit, and ate at an amazing Indian restaurant!  It never ceases to amaze me that I spent the whole first part of my life not experimenting with food.  I can only imagine what I missed out on!  Thank goodness I saw the light ;)

So there you have it.  I'm still job searching.  I applied for 5 jobs today, and two of them actually seem quite interesting.  I'm giving myself until the end of this month to find something inspiring.  If I don't have an offer that has me dancing on the ceiling by then, I guess I'll come back down to reality and apply for something I'm actually qualified for.  haha...

Life is so good I have no worries.  I know that everything is going to be A-OK :)

I am still playing the lottery.  Just for fun....

T

Babies + Exercise + Murder = Happiness :)

Hi there!  Me again :)  Just popping in to say Happy Valentine's Day, and to give you a little update.  

BABY

For those of you who don't know, mrs.mfc gave birth to a beautiful baby boy on Tuesday, February 7.  Both mrs.mfc and baby Reid are home and settled in.   I had the chance to visit with both of them yesterday, and let me just tell you....that sweet baby captured my heart <3

(please notice how Reid has placed his head on his hand while having a little rest :)

I know mrs.mfc will have lots to share about the new addition to she and B's life, but I wanted to let you all know that they are healthy, happy and home safe and sound!

PUPPY
Louis and I have become a bit co-dependent.  It's terribly unhealthy, and I realize that.  Feel free to make fun.  It's okay.  Really. 

He cannot be further than 1 foot from me at any given moment.  I woke up to this little face this morning.....

I think I need to take him to doggy daycare more often so that he remembers what it's like to not have me there all of the time.  We have started to communicate through looks & sounds.  Seriously.  It's a bit creepy.

(TEN attempting to dance with Louis.  hmmm...perhaps I'm not the only one who's off their rocker lately?)

 WORK
I continue to apply to for jobs that I am completely unqualified for, but that intrigue me.  Jobs that I would feel honored to have.  A career that I would throw myself into, 100%.  I know that it is possible to have such a thing, because I once did.  And then things changed. 

Currently I'm doing a bit of consulting/event planning/helping for a local organization, and I'm loving it!  I researched a potential opportunity for said organization just last week, and it felt great to be planning something "fun" again :)  I'm going to be working very PT for this organization in another role in the near future as well.  I see no reason why I shouldn't gain a little bit of experience, and a little bit of a paycheck, while I'm deciding what I want to be when I grow up!

I'm also working to help plan a fundraising dinner for our local Republican Committee.   And I'm giving friends rides to and fro when needed.  And I'm re-organizing my house. 

(Louis helping me "work" from home)

Basically, I'm giving myself another month to find something that falls into the category of "dream job".  If I don't find it, I'll go back to applying for those jobs that I'm quite sure I'll get.  Because they fall into the category of exactly what I've been doing.  For ages.



HAPPINESS
Friends, I cannot tell you how blissfully happy I am.  I am so very thankful that I had the opportunity to walk away from such unhappiness.  For the last year or so I've been terribly scattered.  I've not really been "present" when spending time with friends.  Or family.  I've just been "getting by".  Going from one event to the next.  One day to the next. 

(me thoroughly enjoying PJ Brunch Club on Super Bowl Sunday.  don't you just ADORE my westie/scottie PJs?  one of my loves gave them to me for Christmas!)

I was so terribly tired all of the time.  I thought that perhaps I was just getting older, and more tired?  WRONG.  I was very unhappy, and stressed and felt trapped.  It's just that.....well....I didn't realize it.  How is that possible? 

I feel like myself again :)  I listen when people talk.  My mind doesn't wander.  I am living in the moment.  Enjoying the present.  Not worrying about the future one bit.  This is the way life should be.  Don't you agree?  Now, if only I could win the lottery.....


EXERCISE
Every morning.  Well, maybe not EVERY morning.  I think I've skipped one or two.  BUT...I've also exercised twice in one day.  Mmmm-huh.  True fact.  I'm getting F-I-T.

Let's take yesterday for example.  Up at 8:00 (after snuggling with Louis in the bed for approximately 20 minutes ;), onto the treadmill for 50 minutes.  Then, into the shower.  Dressed and out the door to visit mrs.mfc & Baby Reid.  Visited for 1.5 hours, then off to another friends to drop something off.  Which turned into an hour visit.  And then dry cleaning, gas fill up, etc.  Oh my!  It's almost 4:30.  I have a 4:30 date with Barbie and her Dance Central Kinect.  We dance for an hour, and then it's time for a cocktail. 

Do you see where I'm coming from?  I don't know about you, but I can't really imagine a life any better than this one I'm living.   Well, the lottery would make it a bit better I suppose :)  A trip to Greece for Valentine's Day?  Or Prague?  Or....  Well, yes.  The lottery would make it a lot better.  But for today, I am so very thankful for what I have.  And for what the future has to offer.  It's exciting isn't it?  The winds of change...... 

Tonight TEN is cooking supper for Valentine's Day.  I'm very excited.  He has informed me that I may want to bring my camera.  Supper is going to be THAT spectacular.  Wow :) 

Friday night my women's wine group, and our dates, are going to a local winery for a Murder Mystery Dinner.  I'm supposed to be called Jasmine, and should wear all black.  I supposedly play the rock violin in a band (~hysterical giggles coming from me at this point~).  TEN is also in said band, and wears all black too.  However, his day job is to work in a musical book store of sorts.

I cannot think of any two characters LESS like TEN and I, but alas....we shall dress in all black (I am also going to wear a black wig) and have a lovely time no doubt!  BFF's husband's character is a snake charmer, and another friend's husband is a jockey.  Definitely not a night to forget the camera.

TEN's birthday is Monday.  We are going to celebrate his birthday Saturday night at a local pub.  Dinner & drinks with friends.  I've purchased him a lovely birthday gift, with the help of a dear friend (thank you dear friend...you know who you are :).

So, there you have it.  That's what has been going on here at Seersucker Central.  I dare say I've been a crap friend to most of you.  Terrible about being in touch, and even a bit shady when it comes to reading your blogs.  I've become a bit self centered in my temporary retirement, perhaps?  Regardless, please know that I adore each and every one of you.  Truly.  And one day I'll be back to my old self.  Gossiping up a storm, and doing so regularly. 

Don't give up on me....

T

Cazones & Cabernet

**I typed this post almost 2 weeks ago.  I then inadvertantly deleted all of the photos.  Which caused me to lose my patience :(  So, I'm just now posting it!**

Last night Daisy came over and we decided to make homemade calzones.  Calzones may be my absolute favorite indulgence EVER.  I'm not a big "pizza sauce" person, so a calzone hits the spot!  I found a Pampered Chef recipe for homemade calzones, but it didn't include ricotta cheese.  It also used swiss chese.  I am a firm believer that ricotta cheese is a MUST in a calzone.  Also, swiss?  I'll take mozzarella please.  So, I printed off a few more recipes, and we merged them all together to make our own variation!

Honestly, this may have been one of the best calzones I've ever eaten.  We opted for ricotta, mozzarella & peperoni, but you can put anything you like in it :)

  

Pepperoni & Cheese Calzone

1 pkg refridgerated pizza crust (regular crust)

13.5 oz ricotta cheese

1.5 cups mozarella cheese

Italian spices, crushed red pepper flakes, any other spices you like (optional)

parmesan cheese

sliced pepperoni

olive oil

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.  Combine ricotta and mozzarella cheese in a mixing bowl.  Add spieces if you choose.

Unroll pizza crust onto baking stone or pizza pan.  Gently stretch and press dough to cover bottom.  Spoon cheese/spice mixture onto one half of the pizza crust.

Fold the dough in half, pinch the seems & press down with a fork on the edges.

Cut 3 slits into the top of the calzone.

Brush with olive oil.

Bake for 14-16 minutes, or until crust is a deep golden brown.  Sprinkle parmesan cheese over the top and allow to melt.

TEN and I bought one roll of the pizza crust over the weekend, and split it into two.  We each made our own smaller calzones, and again...perfection!

T

Peeling Back the Layers

I've started so many posts, but just can't figure out what to say.  I feel like I'm in such a wonderful place right now, with so much opportunity ahead of me.  It's just that everything feels....well.....ahead of me. 

It's as if there is nothing happening today that is interesting enough to talk about.  Wow.  That sounds pitiful.  But seriously, let me explain.  Yesterday I got up bright and early and headed to a local Food Lion.  This particular Food Lion is closing, and everything in store (other than alcohol and tobacco) was 50% off starting yesterday.  I grabbed my coupon bag, and headed out the door. 

I was at Food Lion for probably 3 hours.  I spent $200.  I saved about $300, thanks to my coupons.  I came home and my housekeeper was here.  Yes, you heard right.  I don't have a job, but I still have a housekeeper.  Shush.  I don't want to hear it.  So my housekeeper and I chatted for about an hour, while I put my groceries away.  It was past lunch time, and so I had a late lunch.  And then little Louis needed some snuggles.  And before you knew it...TEN was leaving work and wanted to know if I wanted to watch a movie. 

You see where I'm coming from, right.  What in the heck am I going to write about that? 

I've been job searching online today.  Looking for something that I think would inspire me.  Something that would make me want to better myself.  Something that would challenge both my mind and my soul.  I started pacing through my house.  Down the main staircase.  Down to the basement.  Back upstairs.  Then I decided to take photographs of the things that made me smile. 

I still don't have any idea what I want to be when I grow up, but here's what I found worth smiling about today....

(my deep freezer!!  definitely the best $75 i've ever spent in my life)

(seeing this sucker packed to the brim, and knowing that I won't go hungry for a long, long, long time...)

(oh yes.  those are breakfast sausage patties that you see.  mmmmm....i'm all about some breakfast these days!)

(part of the personal care section of my stockpile)

(sauces and soups and such...)

(TEN remarked that we needed to find a recipe that would use soy sauce and worcestershire sauce.  because i have even more in another stash :-o)

(paper products)

(laundry supplies under the counter...)

(...and on top of the counter)

(this is my view every morning at 8:30am.  please notice the 3lb hand weights.  my arm muscles are getting out of control.  i'll bee up to 4lb hand weights in no time. hehe..)

(some of my formal gowns.  sometimes, while on my treadmill, i stare at them.  and i remember the balls i wore them to.  and what wonderful things happened.  always good for a smile)

(random montage of old halloween costumes.  another good walk down memory lane)

(rando Russian musical instrument that my dad found and bought.  it has all of this Russian writing inside, and is probably worth a mint.  wonder if pops would mind if I sold it?  hmmm....i'll meditate on that.)

(what i refer to as my "wine cellar".  yes.  i really do call it that.)

(portrait my parents had painted of me once upon a time.  aren't i cute?  i'm pretty sure that had Toddlers & Tiaras existed back then i would have walked away with Ultimate Grand Supreme.  WORK IT TOOTIE!!!)

(this is a photo of my dad.  he was younger than me here.  sometimes this picture makes me smile.  sometimes it makes me cry.  i just wish i could talk to him.  in person.)

(i don't even remember this time in my life.  this is the home in Florida where i grew up.  i didn't realize that we hadn't always had the huge screened in porch, the deck and the pool.  amazing, since i look like i should be old enough to remember that.  dad's rockin the seersucker pants and some mad hair.  this little pup is Piper.  he was my first westie love.)

(dad & i in the hammock.  i have this hammock now.  it hangs in my back yard in the summer.  laying in that hammock is one of the things that makes me happiest in the world.)

(my mother sent me this picture in this year's birthday card.  i can't help but laugh every time i see it.  look how demanding i am!  for a minute i thought i was giving someone the finger, but i'm sure that can't be so.  i'm probably saying "give me that knife so i can cut myself a piece of this damn cake!!")

(the downstairs bathroom where i get ready each morning.  i'm not really sure why i get ready downstairs?  it is definitely cooler in the summer, and i think i feel like i don't use enough of my house?  it has 4BRs and 2 full BRs and it's just me here.  regardless, it's my "get ready room")

(another shot from the downstairs bathroom)

(this is my kitchen, and my most favorite room.  i wish it were bigger, and that i had an island, and newer cabinets...but whatevs.  it's mine.  and it's where everyone congregates.  and where all of my mad cooking skills are put to use.)

(my parents in Europe.  i think this was their honeymoon.  i love my mother's suit!)

(my upstairs bathroom.  my mother's bathroom is all white, and i love it.  so...i copied her!  white shower curtain.  white tile floors.  and blue accents.)

(this little man is the first thing i see every morning when i walk out of my bedroom)

(speaking of my bedroom, this is the "accessory" get ready space)

(here is the "which purse shall I carry?" space)

(belt or no belt today??)

(my home "office".  this doesn't really make me smile, it actually makes me laugh.  hysterically.  for some reason?)

(one of my spare bedrooms.  well, one corner of it anyway...)

(and here's me!  the new me.  the me that doesn't really look a whole lot skinnier, but whose legs feel so much stronger!  and whose arms are starting to have some definition.  someone who isn't sure what the hell she is going to do with her future, but she's pretty darn sure she's looking better and better in her leggins.....)

So there you have it.  I've got Mumford & Sons Little Lion Man on repeat, and I won't get tired of it for a while.  It's a song that I've always liked, but when I listened to it yesterday I realized that it had a different meaning for me these days.  It's empowering somehow?  I was singing it at the top of my lungs a few hours ago when the mail lady came.  I'm pretty sure I scared her half to death......





T