"eagle crest"

Sunset on one of our walks. Girls goofing around at dinner at Niblicks.

Nicole, Tyler, Cassandra.

Tyler at the teddy bear suite. A room full of hundreds of bears that need homes. Of course we buy some every year so they aren't orphans.

Me and LeRoy on one of our many walks.

"classy and fabulous"

This is so my style.

Went to Macy's in Bend yesterday and bought myself a few things on major clearance. You can look fabulous on a budget.

Purse I am carrying right now is very similar to this one. LOVE.

Bought a very classic black sweater that is very figure flattering. (kam, I am wearing it to Celebrations of Trees next week).

Got some sexy new jeans. Calvin Klein to be exacty. Regular price = $80.00. Missy's bargain $14.90. I am a kick-ass bargain shopper. Pun was intended and yes this is my ass. (in my dreams)

Got some gorgeous patent-leather short boots. Also going to wear next week with the sweater.

Now I just need to find some fabulous jewels.

"Creamy Mexican Turkey Soup"

If anyone is wondering what to do with all that leftover turkey. Here is a recipie to try. I found in on Recipe Girl. Sounds delish.

Creamy Mexican Turkey Soup

Great for leftover turkey...

1 Tbs vegetable oil
1 large carrot, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 cup chopped yellow onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 cups chicken or turkey stock or broth
1 can diced green chilies, drained
2 cups 1% milk
¼ cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp chili powder
½ tsp ground cumin
2 cups shredded turkey
¾ cup corn, fresh or frozen
3 Tbs chopped fresh cilantro
1 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese

In a large stockpot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add vegetables and garlic and sauté for 5 minutes. Add broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, for about 10 minutes. Add chiles.
In a bowl, whisk together milk, flour, salt, chili powder and cumin. Increase heat to high and whisk milk mixture into soup. Stir until thick and bubbly, about five minutes. Reduce heat to low. Add turkey, corn, cilantro and cheese; stir until cheese is melted and soup is hot, 5 to 10 minutes.

Servings: 6

"black friday"

I will NOT be among the 147 million people shopping. I loathe this day for shopping. Ironic, I know since I do LOVE to shop. Just not at 4 a.m. with half of the population of America. Looked thru the ads and found nothing I couldn't live without. Twilight Movie Review:
Took the girls to Redmond Theater. Not too many people there.
Movie was good. Book was WAY better. Movie should have been extended to at least 3 hours. So much of the good stuff was left out of the movie. Edward should have been more hansome. I am glad I read the book so I knew what was going on.
Would definatley recommend reading the book 1st. Can't wait to start the next one "New Moon". it's waiting for me at home.
Bff, have a story to tell you about today but can't blog it. Or email. I will try and call you tomorrow night since you are among the shopping elite tomorrow :)

"happy turkey day"

I was going to write this thoughtful, meaningful post about how we should be grateful for everything in our lives. (as we should).

But right now my kids are fighting and my husband is yelling at them. I probably should have waited until this all settled down before I posted. So I could have had a "perfect" little post about how great life is (really, I do have it pretty good), but this is real life and real families and the way it goes.

On a good note. We had Thanksgiving catered this year. Who does that? The restaurant was offering to have a complete dinner made and delivered for 8 people for $95.

Score.

We got turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry relish, sweet potatoes, rolls, green been casserole and a whole pie. We couldn't have made dinner for $95 and we had NO prep. I even went to Walmart and bought Chinet paper plates so we don't have dishes either. Very NON-TRADITIONAL. But my reality this year. I am very ok with that.

After dinner I am taking the girls into Redmond to see Twilight the movie. I finished the book last night. I was ssssssooooooooooooooo good. I read in in less that 3 days. Can't wait to get home to start the next one.

Hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving. Yes, I am grateful for family (even thought right now they are driving me crazy), friends and our health. And not having to cook today. And that the sun is shining. And that I am still on vacation. And that I get to to watch Twilight. And I miss my best friend (hi homey), and my blog friends. Have a great day. gobble gobble.

I am definately making cosmo's tonight.

"and the winner's are"

Brooke & Derek!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I called it yesterday. I am always so happy when I watch this show. I loved the last 4 couples and thought they all deserved to be there. (look at Brooke's rockin' body). Who looks like that? Only about 6 people on the entire planet and the rest of those bi-othches are victoria secret models). I am not jealous, just in awe. I am TOTALLY obsessed with the Twilight book. Almost done. I am sure I will finish it tonight.
It has almost 500 pages and I started it Monday night.
I layed around today until 2:30 pm (that's right, 2:30 in the afternoon) and read.
I then took a shower and went on a walk with the hubby.
Kids went to game room to play pool, air hockey and ping pong. (I am sure there was a little bit of fighting going on there too) ( with each other) ha.
Came back to blog, say hi to my peeps.
Going to BBQ for dinner, make Cosmopolitans, and finish my book.
Oh, how I am acting like I am on vacation. (it takes me a couple of days to wind down and start enjoying myself). I actually slept in this morning. Earlier in the week I was up and showered by 8:30 am. So by the time vacation is over, i have to get back to reality, work, normal life. blah.
Kids are having a blast. Girls are reading alot like me. The week is flying by..........

OMG. Bff. I found BRAVO last night!!!!!!!!!!! I watched the Atlanta smackdown and OC premier. Two words. HOT MESS.
So much to talk about.
Kim's fake-ass hair. (it scares me)
Ne-ne. Love her.
Sharee. Hoity-toity (not a fan)
DeShawn. Boring.
Lisa. Acts tough, but I think she is a poser.

Orange County.
Where do I start?? Claws are going to come out with the new hot housewife. I kind of liked her, but we will she her true colors as the season goes on.
Very enjoyable. Can't wait to start watching them together again!! Our dirty little secret. Oh, not really, because I just exposed it to the 3 people that read my blog!! tee hee.
Ok, going to stalk everyone's blog. Better be some good stuff!
I will have a cosmo for ya' all..................................

"vacation day 3"

This is one of my favorite places to spend time with my family. This is the 11th year we have been here as a Thanksgiving tradition. Nicole was 2 years old the 1st time we came here. Tyler has been coming since he was 8 weeks old. I LOVE IT HERE! (we missed last year because we went to Mexico instead, I was ok with that) We went on a beautiful walk yesterday and had a gorgeous view of Mt. Jefferson. It's cold 15 degrees at night with highs of 40 during the day. But I love it.

To all of my friends who got a little scared about my comment of moving over here. I have a solution.

If we move we will get a compound for all of us to move. And have a craft wing, gourmet kitchen, workout room, home theater, hair salon (with a personal massage therapist names Sphin), and be one big happy family!! Yeah!

I am so sad that it is Tuesday at 12:30 and I am not with my BFF at Burrito Tuesday :(
I am making homemade tortilla soup for dinner tonight.
Just got back from playing raquetball with Tyler.
The girls just took a class and made tye-dyed shirts.

Now Tyler is putting together a puzzle and the girls and Leroy ran to the store to get soda and lottery tickets. If we win, we are buying the amazing 5 million dollar mansion Leroy sent Kam a link to and will live together.
Yes, this tradition is amazing. Funny how the kids are old enough they are saying "remember when we did.............................." here at Eagle Crest.

They have memories no one can ever take away! Tyler told me the first night we were here. "mom, I love our tradition of eagle crest every year, and I love you." Priceless.
Sorry Maddy is sick. Poor thing. Give her hugs from me :)
Yes, strange that you (BFF) shops the day after Thanksgiving and I loathe that shopping day. That's why you are ying and I am yang :)
We will get back on track with losing weight and exercising. Bitch aunt flo came to visit, so I am not eating anything because my cramps are so bad. I have been active with the kids, so I feel like I am not gaining weight as we speak.
I did watch dancing with the stars last night. I am sad and think Lance and Lacy missed the chance to WOW everyone. I didn't like there routine and they had the potential to bust it out!!!!! I think Brooke will be 1st, Warren 2nd and Lance 3rd :(
I started Twilight last night. OMG. LOVE. Stayed up until 1:00 am reading last night. I will have it finished in a day or two. We might go see the move on Thanksgiving day.
I am going to go blog. Miss you bitches. :)