In Other News

Pioneer Woman is a liar.

This lasagna was rated "easy".   $38.42 worth of ingredients is not "easy". 

 

Who the F knows how to make lasagna noodles al dente? Did you know there is an actual method to that?  Here's how it goes:

-Put water, olive oil & salt in water - Boil water
-Place 12inch noodles in pot - Wonder how they are going to cook when only 1/3 of them is covered in water.  Realize you have no idea. Keep wondering.
-Watch as the noodles slowly sink into the water - Wonder if the bottom part will be "done" & the top part will be al dente.  Decide not to care.
-Google "how do you know what noodles are al dente"  - Watch youtube video.  Decide you still aren't sure. 
-Try checking the center of the noodles to see if they have "lost their color" (per the instruction of the youtube video).
-Use fork to take noodles out of water.  Try & keep noodles in one piece.  Disregard all ripped pieces in the sink drain so you aren't sad about your failure.  Wonder if you should have used tongs.
-Place noodles in a container full of ice water til your sauce is bubbling out of the pan cool
-Take out of cold water.
-Finally realize the reason they said to put oil in the water in the beginning was so the noodles dont stick together.  Those geniuses.

Ok, after this you have to assemble the actual lasagna, but that's a whole nother saga of its own.

Take it from me.  Pioneer Woman lies. Or is superwoman.  If you are too, then maybe you can relate.  Next time I'm using the 5 ingredient recipe.

XOXO,

KG

Little Things

Sometimes it really is the little things that are most important.  Leaving the break room today & a co-worker simply says, "Have a good day".  I guess I usually say the same if I'm in that situation, but for some reason today it made me stop & think.  Because it sounded genuine.  He actually wished for me to have a good day & he told me.  I appreciate that. 

Sometimes you hear exactly what you didn't know you need to.  Today was that day. 

Feeling lifted.

Other things making me smile this week:

This cutie all dressed up from his Home Builders Association meeting. hehe, I took it without him knowing.  & isn't it hilarious he's in front of the fridge?  Kinda like a first day of school picture.

 

 Also, when this little monster isn't making my angry, she's usually making me feel loved, making me laugh, or making me smile. Pets are neat like that.

 



 

 

XOXO,

KG

BEAN

This bean makes me smile.

These 2 boys are pretty alright also.

Such a fun time.

I love Chicago.



 

 

 

XOXO,

 

KG

 

I left my heart in Chicagoooooo..

Get me outta here! I can't wait for a little Husker roadtrip with the besties to one of my favorite cities!!!

 

 

Heading to the airport in a few (hours, ugh) - Just can't wait to get out of work & GO!!!!!!!

#1 - Pick up mini hairspray, shampoo, conditioner & lotion  No way I am checking a bag.  I like that thing at my side constantly so I know it makes it to the destination.  Plus, who really needs that much "product" anyway? Not me.....

 

#2 - Travel snacks. Yes I have these. Sweety & Salty peanuts with a coating on the outside. I dont know how to explain their awesome-ness, but they go with me on every roadtrip.  Gas stations get deemed "unstoppable" if they dont carry them.  & not unstoppable in a good way.  I'll try & get a picture or a brand for you so you can all experience the greatness.  They usually travel with me up Hwy 77, but today they are hitting the AIR.

 

#3 - Change into travel clothes. Of course. See yaaaaaaaa Tuesday pantyhose. Wont miss you.

 

#4 - Get my booty through security. Purchase a delicious coffee. Its Friday, I'm on vacation, I deserve it.  (You have been warned that I might use this justification a few times this upcoming weekend. Chicago deep dish pizza anyone?)

 

#5 - GET TO CHI-TOWN......YES YES YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

#6 - Check into ghetto hotel. Hang out with besties.  Wait for Husker game.

 

Photos of our other roadtrips below. Can't wait.

 

 

 

See ya Tuesday -

 

XOXO,

 

KG





Torn

I want to blog about something nice, but right now I'm frustrated with my position at work & frustrated that I dont know how to fix it.  Every problem has a solution right?  Well I can't think of the solution to this one & I dont like to sit around & not doing anything about it.  I need to be making more money to support the life that I am living.  I am paying for my necessities now, but know I could be doing better/making more/providing more to my life.  I'm not talking alot, but I would be able to pay a $300 doctor bill without checking which week it is so I know if I have enough money. 

I feel like my life has good direction for the future & finances, but all those bases are not in place currently.  & I can't speed up that situation either. 

I feel like I'm doing what I can, but what I can isn't cutting it.  Solution: come my way PLEASE.  I'm trying to stay positive here! I'll work my butt off - I promise.

(Yes that was me talking to the hypothetical solution I want to come my way - perhaps this position has really made me lose it? or its close to 4 & I need to peace out immediately.....or both.)

XOXO,

KG

Sorry for no pretty pictures!

Breakdown

Had a mini breakdown when I had to make this selection.

I am now more closely associated with 34 year olds than 18 year olds. I'm just letting that sink in for a second. 

You're sure I'm not 16?

 

F.

 

 

XOXO,

 

KG

Username/Password

Its been so long that I almost forgot my username/password.  Good thing I'm bad at life & have the same one for everything (naughty, naughty) so it comes back easily enough.

First things first - This salad was epic. Deliciously epic.

 

I look at alot of food blogs daily for different ideas & inspiration to get my booty to the gym.  One of the girls posted a twist on this salad (using ground turkey instead, yummmm) but I made do with what I had in the fridge.  A MOUND of spinach (seriously that was a good hunk I ripped off), chicken, nonfat greek yogurt, red bell peppers, lemon juice, a little cayenne pepper (just because I like spices on things & I didn't know what to put) & a bit of spicy mustard. 

 

SO good. I was expecting good, but something about the way the lemon interacted with the greek yogurt made then both less tart & more delicous. I wanted another one right after I finished this. YUM. Make one please & your taste buds will thank you.

 

 

Also, WHEN did this start happening? Have I been visiting the wrong locations? I NEED THIS DIVIDER.  Does anyone else want a little chocolate/dessert type fro-yo, but also want some fruity/strawberry/fresh type too?  Of course my fat-kid dessert type always wins, but this is like the best of both worlds........... Is it Ok to put the peanut butter sauce on both sides?  Dont answer that. I'm doing it.

 

 





I know this is the most random post ever. But anyway, I'm over-the-top obsessed with pumpkin. I know, I know - "everyone is this time of year" - Blah. I bet "everyone" didn't make a pumpkin pie & a pumpkin cake in the same weekend.  Then make this pumpkin roll with cream cheese "frosting" now did they? Nope, didnt think so. I win the most obsessed with pumpkin award. I have even been eating it in my oatmeal & green smoothies.  & putting Pumpkin Pie Spice & cinammon on everything. That Pumpkin Pie Spice is like $4.59 (more than I budget for salsa or almond butter!!!!!!) so I'm using the crap out of it for eternity.

 

 

Apparently my cat is MUFASA! Dont lie, she totally looks like it.

 

 

 

She also really wants to get her real estate license.....just like her momma.

 

 

Can I just say, THANK YOU LORD that studying for that is over?  I was 100% confident that I was NOT going to pass that thing!  I have always been good at school & studying & I was just not feeling this. I took two weeks to dedicate to it - spent them in coffee shops... scorching my tongue on hot tea...& chewing 25 packs of cinammon gum.  In the midst of that, apparently some knowledge got absorbed because when I took the test last weekend I PASSED.  On the first try.  (I'm taking a bow right now).  Now I dont have to pout about "no one else having to study" & "I'm too old for this"  & "I'm not smart anymore"  -- I actually still think its acceptable that I buy myself a cake to celebrate. I'll do that tonight.

 

 

YES.

 

Other than that, I've been hanging out with this one again & couldn't be happier. Who knew life was so weird. Here we are at Legally Blonde the musical.  If that's not true love, I dont know what is.

 

 

& here we are FINALLY tailgating! I love wearing red ---- I mean.......the Huskers!! GBR

 

 

 

 

Off to Chicago in a few weeks for a game!

 

 

Had enough of me yet? :)

 

XOXO,

 

KG