Eric's Birthday

April 2nd was Eric's birthday! (We are still in the month of April, so I can totally still post about this, especially with the whole iPhone-not-being-waterproof issue. Apple really needs to work on that because I am not getting any less clumsy.)

We didn't go to Metro on Eric's birthday. It was actually a couple days before his birthday. This picture was just to show you I wasn't kidding about the Tabasco problem my husband has...poor little meatball sandwich didn't know what hit it. I still haven't found a therapist specializing in this. Maybe I will find a Tabasco recovery therapist when I find one to help me with my dexterity issues.

Well, my faithful Tabasco-loving husband worked on his birthday. Bless his heart. When he came home I had decorated a little and made a cake (my first, thankyouverymuch).

These pans were the highlight of making the cake. They were Eric's mom's. Can you see the little tabs at the bottom? Those little hunnies swing around and loosen the cake from the bottom of the pan. Sah-weet. Of course, my super-graceful self still somehow disassembled these two perfect rounds prior to and during the frosting stages. Practice, practice, practice.

Speaking of frosting, Eric likes really rich frosting. And, no. I don't mean buttercream frosting and heaven help you if it has "whipped" or "light and fluffy" in the title. So I found a recipe for Grocery Store Frosting. 

Along with shortening, butter, and vanilla, it also has sugar. Just one pound of sugar? Ha. Surely you jest.

Yes. It had two pounds of powdered sugar. Yes, it is meant for just one cake. Yes, I am sure my blood sugar was 12,000 mg/dL after I licked the beaters.

I always get the beaters when Eric isn't around. I know he would share, but I like the look on his face when I give them to him. Totally worth giving up my beater.

OK, it's not the prettiest cake, but I made it. And it tasted awesome.

Here it is lit up.

Awwww. Happy Birthday Honey. :)

I'm not done. We also went out to dinner at Todd's. Definitely one of our favorites, and definitely a treat because it's a little expensive-ish.

It's one of those places that changes the menu every day.

My halibut. Served with teriyaki over coconut rice and baby bok choy.

Eric's short rib (one of their signatures). Served with jalapeno mashed potatoes and a gravy that makes you want to lick the plate.

Great dinner and of course we had cake for dessert.

OK. I'm done now. :)

iPhoneRepairsVegas.com

Being so distraught over the malfunctioning of my iPhone, I googled a repair service earlier today.

I mean, I can't go on vacay and not have my phone working properly, right?

I found iPhoneRepairsVegas.com. I was a little sketchy about clicking on the link because it sounded so corny, but I just couldn't help myself when I saw "SAME DAY REPAIR". Score.

So I told the husband about it, and he said let's go.

It was a little place in Chinatown (Eric and I still think it is hilar that Las Vegas has a Chinatown) called Wireless Avenue.

The repair guy's name is "K". Or "Cay". Or "Que". I didn't get a spelling.

And can I just say that this was a GREAT experience.

It took about a 1/2 hour, we walked in without an appointment. It cost $60. And my phone is proper now.

And to top off the afternoon?

Not sure why it is upside down. But I need a nap after that pizza and don't have enough energy to fix it. Or to care.

:)

This Little Light of Mine

Well, I have been wanting to post pictures from Eric's birthday last Saturday, but guess who got water on their brand new iPhone?

Right.

That would be me. Brandee.

How long have I had it? Oh, just since the end of December. In some ways, I am surprised it has taken me this long to cause some sort of damage to an electronic device seeing as I can barely feed myself without using a Tide pen or walk without tripping.

It basically still works. But the high-def camera takes fuzzy pictures. And the light won't turn off. Irritating. It's like E.T.'s finger has been revived and someone stuffed it in my bag, or pocket, or wherever I store my glowPhone. And, of course, everytime I see my phone, I cannot help but start humming the tune to "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine..."

I've had it buried in a bag of rice to see if that will completely dry it out. So, once I turn it back on, and dare to upload, I will post pictures.

On a brighter note, I am transferring to a different unit at work, NICU. (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.) I am VERY excited, but somewhat nervous. There is so much to learn! I start April 24th. :)

Garden!

Eric is getting our little garden going! So far, he has planted cherry tomatoes, zucchini, and lemon thyme.

Oh! And red pepper, spring lettuce and broccoli! (I forgot some of what he planted, so I FaceTimed him to find out. Mmm-hmm sure did...and he was all of 20 feet away.)

Here's what it looks like so far...

Spring Lettuce

 

Broccoli

I know it's little, but can you see it in the middle of the plant?

Red pepper

A peach!

We have a peach tree, and we have a pomegranate tree. We had a lime tree...

I got a little carried away with the pruning. Poor lime tree.

Next week he will be aerating the yard to plant grass...again...for the two hundredth time or something. But he loves me, so he is doing it again.

It is either that or I am going to have to get rid of every horizontal surface in the house because the dust is killing me. Yes, I know I live in a desert. But we both see all the green stuff growing above...I don't think a little grass is too much to ask for.

I finally finished blending, blowing up and getting Eric's dad's picture hung (his mom's was already done). We had a small wallet size but no 8x10. So, I scanned in the picture, did some editing because the pic had a tear and some debris on it. Then I sent it to Costco to be printed.

I love these pictures. I'm not loving the doorbell cover in the upper right hand corner. Next project.

I made a pretty good dinner the other night. Not really notable, I know. Except that I have not grocery shopped in about a month. So, yes, now THAT is an accomplishment. Prep for dinner kind of went like this:

Me - "Hey, honey, how about we have fish tonight?"
Honey - "Sounds good."

I get the fish out - halibut. Yum.

I like to grill it with onion and peppers...we don't have any.

I like to make sauces to put on it...I don't have anything to make sauces. Just butter. (I always have butter.)

I don't even have premade bottled sauces. Well, I have barbecue sauce. But I usually just like barbecue sauce on chicken.

And I wasn't in a Let's-See-How-Barbecue-Tastes-On-Halibut kind of mood. But I might have to try that.

Ok, so no grilled fish (Eric likes sauce on grilled fish.) I am good with it grilled with oil (or butter), salt and pepper and a side of rice. But Eric says he likes more flay-va. I tell him he would taste more flay-va if he quit bathing everything in Tabasco and scorching off his taste buds.

Back to the fish. I am beginning to feel some pressure because halibut is a bit expensive. So, I don't want to mess it up.

I find two apples. I get 'em out. Have no idea yet what I am going to use them for. More pressure...a little nail and lip biting. (It helps me think.)

I look on top of the fridge and see a gift from a friend - tortilla chips. Yes, my friends buy me food as gifts. They know I love food. (This is future reference for you if you don't know this about me.)

Hmmmm...

I think to myself "All those little crumbs in the bottom would make a great coating and I could fry the fish." In olive oil, of course. You know what a health nut I am.

And the hint of jalapeno would maybe give some flay-va for the husband. Cause I love him I think of that sort of thing. He still put Tabasco on it.

So, here is the finished product. Fried fish, side of sliced apples and a box of scalloped potatoes I found behind the sugar.

Ok, it was really good. I could barely wait for Eric to get through saying grace. At least I can show off one of my new plates.

Random

So, right now I am feeling torn between not having posted in so long but not having any one particular thing to post about.

I've been working.

A lot.

But I feel like I should post something. Not like I feel obligated because there are thousands of people turning on their computers in the morning because they can't wait to read my blog, but because I started something that I want to be (somewhat) consistent with.

So, let's see.

Work has been a hot mess but one of the nurses brought all the fixin's for banana splits today.

Mine looked like this...

Eric is doing better...still not 100%. Even though not feeling all himself, he still showed his romantic side. I worked the night of Feb 13th and when I got home in the morning, this was waiting for me. :)

 Mmm-hmm...that's a poem just for moi

The dogs are a constant source of love for us.

We've booked two sets of plane tickets since I last posted, and we have been seriously considering selling everything and moving to Chile.

Just kidding.

But not really. We watch House Hunters. Another couple did it.

I've made some serious changes to my student blog.

We got new dishes, and not one of them is the same. Loving that.

I've done quite a bit of online shopping. Really loving that. :)

I've made some really good cookies, and now can't find the recipe. Dang. Plus side - Eric wasn't around when I made the last batch, so you know what that means. Yep. I got to lick the beaters.

I also made some really good mac-n-cheese.

I've measured Diesel's foot against mine. She has me beat.

Other randomalities...

I laugh at myself often,
I like Ritz crackers...Open For Fun,

Yes, I have two cookie jars...one is for the dogs,
I don't put bumper stickers on my car,
I have a station just for Adele on Pandora (thanks FR),
I frequently rearrange my furniture and all the items in my closet...and lots of Eric's things too,
I am forgetful (which really frustrates Eric when I move his stuff and neither of us can find it),
and I really love Coke Zero and really don't like all the news I hear about diet drinks and heart problems. I will be in denial a bit longer. I heart you, Coke Zero.