Damn You Gertrude.....

Hellooooooooooo everyone!

How are you doing on this Monday evening?

I've had better days I can assure you, but it hasn't phased me in the least bit!

I'm just as chipper and dandy as ever.

My day in a nutshell.......

I woke up to this creature hovering over me early in the morning purring as loud as a lawn mower.....

Then I found this one crawling all over our kitchen counter top.....

::SIGH::

(They may look innocent.....but they're really back flipping ninjas- tights ripping - peeing in the corner - assholes in disguise.)

After an hour spent dodging our kittens so they wouldn't rip yet another pair of my tights/leggings I had a delicious breakfast with my friends.....

And then came the car troubles.........

Do you ever just have those days where things keep breaking? That's what this weekend was like for me in terms of my car - Gertrude. Poor ol Gertrude can't catch a break.

After a night of drinks this weekend I drove a friend home who lives in the outskirts of the ghetto, and just my luck as I'm driving through the center of the worst part of town in the rain at three in the morning, Gertrudes right front tire popped. My first instinct was to laugh. Because all things considered....it was really funny. Just my luck to have my tire pop at the worst time of night, in inclement weather, in the shadiest area of town. My second instinct was to think of what my parents would tell me to do "Don't stop Jen" was the first thing that came to mind. So I drove (on a flat tire mind you) out of the area I was in, through downtown Dayton, turning down random roads so I wouldn't run into a cop, until I finally made my way to a good parking lot to stop in. There I waited until my wonderful friends came to my rescue. Once I got out of my car to assess the damage I realized Gertrude lost her hub cap. Sigh.

Then poor Gertrude died on me last night, and the same friend that showed me how to change my tire (thanks again Jamie) had to teach me how to jump her. Then I woke up this morning and poor Gertrude was dead again. Then after I jump started her on my own (not to toot my own whistle or anything :toot toot:) I drove her to Autozone and they told me I needed to buy a new battery. So I did. Then I remembered that her windshield wipers were shot, so I had to replace those too.

So not only did I have to buy wipers and a battery but I had to go with my dad to get Gertrude four new tires this evening as well!

::PHEW::

Isn't this the way it always goes? Once one thing breaks or goes wrong a string of things just follow along with it. Lucky for me everything in my life is just dandy. I'm happy as a clam. I'm healthy. I have a stellar job, friends, and family. So why let a little Gertrude trouble ruin my day? The second I start thinking negative thoughs, getting mad, or stressed out is the second I allow negative vibes into my life. I literally can't afford anything else happening to me. So my positivity should ward off any unwanted occurences....I truly believe this to be true. It's the law of attraction people! Not to mention I could have it A LOT worse than I do.

After all....she's just a car.

After a majority of my car troubles were taken care of I stopped by to see my friend Lee Anne this afternoon (who just so happens to be the lady I'm starting a healthy eating/food blog with) to watch her cook and set up our e-mail account and what not for our future joint blog.......

And as always Lee Anne was cooking up something delicious!

Since then I've been spending a quiet evening at my parents house catching up on my shows and hanging out with our beautiful dogs.....

My sisters dog Sasha.....

And of course my baby Marcie :)

Well it's time I bid you all farewell!

I hope each and every one of you have a wonderful day.

As always be sure to treat your body with the utmost respect.

It is the only body you have after all!

Eat healthy foods. Exercise. Be happy. Plain and simple!

xoxo - Jen

Let us begin.....

[[Todays music]]

(1) MAROON 5 - SUNDAY MORNING

I can't be too sure, but I'm almost positive Adam is singing to me and/or about me......

Oh Adam - you could've just named the song "Jenna and I on Sunday Morning"

It wouldn't bother me in the least bit.....

:Swoon:

(2) LAURA MARLING - GHOSTS

[[Todays restaurant]]

THE REDWOODS TREE HOUSE

Dear future/hypothetical/non existent husband/significant other/ lover of mine....

Take me here because I'm awesome and I more than likely deserve it.

Kthanksloveyoubyeeeeeee.

"It's a beautiful, birdcage-like wooden structure that spirals around the tall tree trunk and looks especially striking in nighttime photos, glowing from within through widely spaced vertical slats. Designed byPacific Environments Architects, the restaurant stands nearly 30 feet wide and 40 feet high, and supports a full bar and up to 18 guests. The Yellow Treehouse website has extensive, web-smart documentation of the building process, complete with a reality TV-esque host who enthusiastically chronicles the architectural adventure and engages with interested audience members who stumble upon the eye-catching structure on their trips through the internet. The video of the building process is actually a really nice time-lapse illustration of constructing a sturdy structure through wrapped spirals of wood."

"The Redwoods Treehouse was commissioned as part of a marketing campaign by Yellow in 2008. The result is a striking pod-shaped structure built ten metres high in a Redwood tree near Warkworth, north of Auckland. Access to the Treehouse is provided by an elevated tree - top walkway which was built using Redwood milled on site.

When the campaign was complete the ownership passed to the landowner. The Experience Group has secured the exclusive rights to manage this popular structure and it is now available for use as a private venue.

Redwoods Treehouse is a versatile space as a corporate venue for private functions and events. The pod itself holds 30 guests either at seated tables or casual stand up. Experience Group Travel has a dedicated 32 seat coach available to facilitate transfers to and from the venue. Because of this unique location, coach access to the property is mandatory under the consent given to operate as a venue for hire."

The Redwoods Treehouse

[[Todays kitchen gadget]]

PERFECT BROWNIE - BROWNIE CUTTERS

As ridiculous and lazy as I find this kitchen gadget to be....

I still think it's a little cool lol.

[[Todays random]]

FUTURISTIC/MODERN DAY KITCHEN DESIGNS

I think it's important for people to think outside of the box when it comes to designing their kitchen, and know that they have many options. Plus these designs look really neat.

[[Todays curly head]]

LEONA LEWIS

[[Todays recipe]]

NOTE: Don’t let the extremely simple and small recipe fool you! Each perfect bite is an amazing blend of sweet, salty, crunchy, chocolatey goodness! I’m super excited to share this one! Make these for your next party or family get together, and you’re sure to impress!!!!

SALTY NUM NUMS

::Ingredients::

1 bag Bite size waffle shaped pretzels

(Square pretzels are the ideal, but regular small pretzels will work too)

1 bag M&M’s

1 large bag Hershey Kisses

(Choose your favorite m&m and kiss flavor-I use dark chocolate)

[[You might not use the entire bags…but once you try one- you’ll want to use it all]]

::Directions::

--It would be wise to unwrap all of the hershey kisses you plan on using prior to preheating the oven because (depending on the number of kisses) it can be a lengthy process.

--Now it’s time to preheat the oven to 170 degrees

--Line a baking sheet with parchment paper

(it’s ok if you don’t have parchment paper, but it helps to reduce the chances of making a chocolate mess)

--Place the desired amount of pretzels on top of the baking sheet

(I usually fill the sheet until there isn’t any room left!)

--Top the center of each pretzel with one of the previously unwrapped Hershey kisses

--Bake these off for 4-6 minutes- until the kisses are soft to the touch.

--Remove from the oven and press an m&m atop the center of each kiss.

(I put mine ‘M’ side down)

--Let the pretzel bites sit until the kisses are once again back to their original hard form

(Waiting for the kisses to set takes a lot longer than I originally anticipated- So I put the baking sheet into the freezer for about 5 minutes J No harm in speeding up the process eh? )

If you do freeze the pretzels - Let them unthaw a bit then enjoy!!