2019 · Bariatric Surgery - My Story · Couple Time · Disney · Empty Nest · kids · Uncategorized

Disney Without Kids

Okay…as most of you know…our kids are older–26 and 22–and both live out of our home.

Carmen (the 26 year old) has been to Disney with me the most often (lastly at the February Disney Princess 5k). She was not happy when David and I decided to go by ourselves.

We had a ball….really.When we got our magic bands verified (have had issues in the past), the attendant asked if we were celebrating anything. We looked at each other and said “Disney WITHOUT the kids!!” So we ended up getting buttons to say just that.  Cast members throughout the Parks (Walt Disney World) not only got excited for us but most of them gave us high fives! Ha!

But part of the experience, for me anyway, was the Star Wars part of Hollywood Studios. David met his favorite, Chewbacca, and we rode the newer Star Tours. We took our time and did what we wanted…no agenda…no kids getting upset that they didn’t get to do everything they wanted to do.I love this picture…me and my sass.

The photographers don’t tell you what they are placing in the photo…they just ask you to make a certain expression and look a direction. France EPCOT with Chip! Love it.

And met Edna Mode!! 💗💗💗 She was precious! I also have no memory of what was so funny.  

 Selfies, we took lots of them. We just loved being able to spend time together…playing at Disney.

Blessings.

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2019 · Besties · Carmen · Couple Time · family · Progress · Random Stuff · Random Thoughts · thankful

Traveling

I completely forgot to post something this morning.

We are traveling back from a wonderful couples weekend in Tallahassee. I so love these people.

We also helped Carmen unload more of her apartment.

Will post more tomorrow.

Blessings.

2019 · Besties · Couple Time · friends · Random Stuff · Random Thoughts · Uncategorized · Weekend Trips

Defense

This weekend I am able to spend some time with my Besties.

Work has been crazy, good crazy, and I am ready to spend time with friends.

Hubby’s are going as well, and we are in Tallahassee. Not sure what we are doing, but I know it will be a good weekend.

What kind of adventure would the above picture say about you? Do you have people you can be crazy with? Or feel they bring out your best?

Blessings!

Couple Time · Date Night · family · Random Stuff · Uncategorized

Date Night

Friday night date night….love spending time with this guy.Crazy wind (surfers were loving the waves) and hair, but I love our beach.He hates the beach, and I love it. We compromise by going to dinner at the beach and not touching the sand! Ha!  (We took this picture on the Boardwalk–not on the sand.)

Blessings.

Bariatric Surgery - My Story · Couple Time · cruise · family · Random Stuff · Random Thoughts · Uncategorized · WLS

Cruise…

Just some other cruise days and pictures…

Silly…img_4079Formal night with the familyDavid and I in front of the Rhapsody of the Seas (Royal Caribbean) in Cozumel, Mexico.Second Formal night…and I wasn’t feeling the dress, but loved the shoes. ha.And, my ABSOLUTELY favorite picture of the cruise…no filter…pure sun and camera direction.  Love this man, and how he makes me feel.   Blessings.

Bariatric Surgery - My Story · Couple Time · cruise · Royal Caribbean · Uncategorized · WLS

Cruise – Key West

David and I just returned from a wonderful week cruise, and day one was at  Key West.  I so loved being there again.  David and I had a do over so to speak as the last time we were there Stephen was very sick (both ends sick), and we were not able to do anything that day.

So we were able to go to the Southern Most point.We also ate at the Hard Rock Cafe.We had a ball.  We walked a lot, and got a lot of sun.

Blessings.

Bariatric Surgery - My Story · casseroles · Couple Time · Recipes · Uncategorized · WLS

Chicken Enchilada Casserole

I found this recipe at Dinner at the Zoo.

We had our couples weekend, and this was our night to cook.

Ingredients

  • 8 small tortillas cut into halves, corn or flour
  • 2 cups of cooked shredded chicken breast
  • 2 cups of shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1 15-ounce can of pinto beans rinsed and drained
  • 2 cups red enchilada sauce
  • cooking spray
  • optional garnishes: olives, sour cream, red onions, cilantro, green onions, avocado, tomato

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Coat an 8 or 9 inch square baking pan or 2 quart baking dish with cooking spray.
  2. Spread 1/4 cup of sauce over the bottom of the baking dish. Layer 4 halves of tortilla over the sauce so that the bottom of the pan is covered.
  3. Layer 1/3 of the chicken, 1/3 of the beans, 1/2 cup of the cheese and 1/3 cup of enchilada sauce over the tortillas.
  4. Place a second layer of tortillas on top and layer 1/3 of the chicken, 1/3 of the beans, 1/2 cup of the cheese and 1/3 cup enchilada sauce over the tortillas.
  5. Repeat this process one more time for the third layer. Place the remaining tortilla halves over the top and spread the remaining enchilada sauce over the tortillas.
  6. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup cheese over the top.
  7. Cover with foil that’s been sprayed with cooking spray and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes or until cheese is melted and browned.
  8. Let sit for 5 minutes to firm up, then top with garnishes and serve.

 We used canned chicken, and used extra sauce, and tortillas.  It turned out super yummy.  It was better the second day.  The last picture is all I could eat.  My eyes were much bigger than my stomach.

Blessings!

Couple Time · family · Uncategorized

Empty Nest

Sunday was a new beginning for Stephen.  We helped him move about 10 minutes away into a tiny room in a house with 4 other boys.  He is twenty. He wants to be independent.


I want to help in every step.  We have done our jobs as parents, and instilled in him good values.  Raised him to be mindful of money.  To be aware of peoples needs.  I want to guide him in placement of stuff.  Make sure he has everything that he needs.  Food. Clothing. His phone charger. Stuff.

I am partly sad about this…scared for him.  Excited for him.  He is close enough to have help if he needs it.  I doubt seriously he will need it.  He is so determined to make it on his own.  But we are here, and have made it clear that he is always welcomed to come home.

I am very happy about David and I being alone.  Alone in the house only able to blame each other for the dirty dishes or not taking out the trash.  We are happy alone together.  We enjoy one another just being in the house.  Just doing chores so to speak.  We encourage one another.  We are grateful for what the other one does.

Empty nest, but excited for our and Stephen’s new journey.  Oh, and I am excited about my future craft room.

Blessings!

Couple Time · friends · The Tini Martini Bar · Uncategorized

The Tini Martini Bar

So I talked about our trip to St. Augustine yesterday.

One of the wonderful highlights of the trip was girl time at The Tini Martini Bar while the boys went to the Fort and Pirate Museum.img_4306We all got a different martini.  B got Salted Caramel Tini (Van Gogh Dutch Caramel Vodka, creme de cocoa, Godiva white chocolate liqueur and a pinch of salt); J got the Cinnamon Bun Tini (Three Olives Vanilla Vodka, Kahlua, RumChoto); and I got the Dark Chocolate Tini (360 Double Chocolate Vodka, Godiva Chocolate Liqueur, and creme de cocoa).
All were good, but all of us really liked B’s the best.  We ended up getting a second round of the Salted Caramel Tini’s.

So much fun, just chatting, people watching, and relaxing.  This is a great place to do all of that while enjoying the sailboats, water and drinks.

What is your favorite thing to do with your girlfriends?

Blessings!

 

Couple Time · friends · thoughts · Uncategorized

Couple Time

David and I enjoy mini trips with two other couples that we travel with really well.  None of us has to have our way.  We are all very gracious with one another.  I really find that is the key.  If someone doesn’t feel well, we all understand.  If someone really wants to do a side adventure, we all go, or just let them go.  Comfortable with one another. Encouraging to one another.We traveled this past weekend to St. Augustine, Florida.  It is a good six hour drive for us. One of the couples lives in Tallahassee, so we “picked” them up on Friday.  Each couple takes turns for our destination, chooses the place to stay (3 bedroom, 3 bath), and tries to accommodate the date with everyone’s work schedules.  A&J were in charge this time, and we ended up staying at Cinnamon Beach on the Palm Coast South of St. Augustine in this beautiful condo on the beach.
We each plan an evening meal or snacks.  I ended up taking Egg Rolls (yes, again), BBQ meatballs, and nut clusters.  A&J brought chicken fajita to cook, and breakfast quiches.  J&B brought homemade chicken salad that I am still waiting on the recipe. We all take a part. Grateful for what each couple contributes.  Help with clean up and trash.

Our evenings are spent just hanging out and enjoying each others company.  Saturday and Sunday we spent driving into St. Augustine.  The boys enjoyed the history, pizza, jail, Fort, and pirate museum.  The girls enjoyed the shopping, Flagger College (Tiffany Stained Glass), the Lions Bridge, city gate, The Tini Martini Bar and people watching. Again, just being able to say “I want to do this” and all of us say “okay” is a huge thing.I love these peeps.  I get to be myself in all times: anxious, panicked, happy, giddy, goofy, gas pains, and just plain happy.  It was a good trip.  I want to go again tomorrow.  But we will wait just a bit for everyone’s budget to recover.

Blessings!