Water Update

Thank you for all of your suggestions and encouragement on my water challenge. I haven't gotten off to a very good start. As a reminder, my goal was to drink 4-20 oz bottles of water per day for a month. So far, here are my totals:

Day 1 - 5 bottles (not too shabby) +1 for my goal
Day 2 - 0 bottles (terrible) -3 for my goal
Day 3 - 1 bottle (still terrible) -6 for my goal
Day 4 - 1/2 bottle (you guessed it...terrible) -9.5 for my goal
Day 5 - 1 bottle (haven't given up yet) -12.5 for my goal

Today is Day 6. I am determined to drink at least 4 bottles before I leave work. Hopefully I can start chipping away at the 12.5 bottles I'm behind as well.

Hi, My name is Carissa...

and I hate drinking water. Really...any liquids for that matter. As a result, I need some accountability. My skin is incredibly dry and it's amazing I'm not dehydrated to the point of needing to go to the hospital. Before today, I couldn't tell you the last time I drank water. It has probably been months and that's not an exaggeration.

So...I'm going to set a goal of drinking at least 4, 20 oz bottles of water a day for a month. The one pictured below is in my office and I am planning on washing and refilling it each day. I'm going to report my results as often as possible. Wish me luck!!

Do You Hate Junk Mail?

If so, check out this website. By clicking on the icon below and filling in a few pieces of information, a document will be created. The document requests your removal from 9 different junk-mail lists. I'm going to try it, if for no other reason than to help save a few trees.

Camp Wolfgang - Urgent Request

A German Shepherd rescue group called Camp Wolfgang , in Ennis, Texas is closing down on October 31st. They have nearly 200 dogs that must find a foster home or be adopted before then or they will have no choice but to euthanize them all. All the dogs are vetted, spayed/neutered, micro-chipped, well cared-for and many have training. If you cannot help by fostering or adopting...YOU CAN STILL HELP!!!

Please forward this information to everyone you know! They do not need or want donations, they simply MUST place all of the dogs. Adoption fees are $75.00, free to verifiable rescue groups.

Current dogs: (approximation) 120 German Shepherds; 2 Akitas; 1 Anatolian/Great Pyrenees; 4 Purebred Rottweilers; 1 Great Dane/Lab; 1 Boxer/Mastiff; 1 St. Bernard/Akita; 1 WolfDog; 45 Other mixed breeds.

Time is of the essence!! If you know anyone who can adopt, accept a dog into their rescue, or help in any way, contact Neisha Livengood, Kennel Master at Camp Wolfgang .

Neisha Livengood
windigo1966@yahoo.com
wally@campwolfgang.com
campwolfgang@yahoo.com
phone: 214-755-1627

Camp Wolfgang
6234 FM 879
Ennis, Texas 75119
www.campwolfgang.petfinder.com

Neiman Marcus Chicken Salad

I made Neiman Marcus' Chicken Salad for a shower I helped host this weekend. This was my first time to make it and I must say, it was delicious. I followed the recipe below, however, I used Tyson's White Canned Chicken instead of chicken breasts. I also added more almonds than the reciped required and less celery and grapes. Enjoy!

2 1/4 diced cold white meat chicken (approx. 4 breasts)
1 c. finely chopped celery1 c. halved green seedless grapes
1/2 c. slivered toasted almonds
2 tbsp. parsley
1 tsp. salt, optional
1 c. mayonnaise (not salad dressing)
1/2 c. whipping cream (whipped stiff)

Combine all ingredients and serve. Serves 6-8.

Monkey Bread

Shared by Natalie Wier

For as long as I can remember, Monkey Bread was present at Wier sleepovers. Thanks to Natalie, I finally have the recipe.

It is designed to be made in a bundt pan. In the picture, however, it was made in an angel food pan because that was all my grandmother had. Forgive the powdered sugar blobs. I took the picture before I smoothed them. Enjoy!

3 cans cheap biscuits
1 stick margaine
2 T. cinnamon
1/4c. sugar
3/4c. sugar
1/2 box powdered sugar ( or 2c)
1t. vanilla
milk

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350. Mix cinnamon and 1.4c sugar together in bowl.
2. Open biscuits, separate, and cut into fourths. Roll biscuits in cinnamon and sugar. Place in a greased bundt pan.
3. Melt butter.
4. Add extra sugar to remaining cinnamon and sugar mixture until you have 3/4c of mixture.
5. Pour melted butter over mixture.
6. Stir and pour over biscuits.
7. Bake at 350 for 30 min.

As soon as its ready, flip it over and add glaze.

For Glaze:
Mix powdered sugar and vanilla together. Add just enough milk to make it thick. Spoon glaze over top.

Baked Spaghetti


Thanks to a recipe on this blog I made Baked Spaghetti last night. It was delicious if I may say so myself and also really easy to make. I took pictures, however my camera isn't working properly.


BAKED SPAGHETTI


16 oz spaghetti
26 oz spaghetti sauce
1 ½ lbs. ground beef
1 egg
8 oz sour cream
1 stick margarine/butter
2-3 cups grated cheddar cheese


DIRECTIONS: While spaghetti is cooking, brown ground beef, drain excess fat and add the sauce. Drain pasta and add the sour cream and margarine. When the pasta has cooled a bit, add the egg. Place pasta mixture in the bottom of a greased 13x9 casserole dish. Top pasta with the ground beef mixture. Then cover with cheddar. Bake at 375 for 30-40 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly.

Rocky

This weekend was spent eating, selling, eating, shopping, and more eating thanks to Antique Alley. On Thursday, my Aunt and I set up our estate sale. We sold the last of my grandma's things that had been in storage since February. The only problem is I ended up taking home a carload full of stuff. How could I let someone buy Mr. and Mrs. Claus that had been a part of every Christmas I'd ever had? Unfortunately the rain got the best of us on Thursday. It had rained Wednesday night and everything was soaked. It also rained on us most of the day. Although it was frustrating at times, it was nice not to have to put on makeup or do my hair! We ate dinner at R & K Cafe and I had a grilled cheese with bacon. Talk about a heart attack in a sandwich. But...it was delicious. On Friday, the rain held off and everything went well. On Saturday, my friends Diana and Shannon joined me to do some shopping and sampling of food. We ate barbecue sandwiches, homemade kettle corn, homemade fried pies, etc. We were in food heaven! While we were walking around, we saw a house that had Shih-Tzu puppies for sale. They also had a kitten pouncing around the yard. Donny's been wanting a playmate for Zoe and agreed I could get a kitten rather than getting a puppy. So...I asked the lady if she would be willing to sell the kitten. She actually said I could have it. It was a stray that she found wedged between the screen door and front door during all the rain. I bought a gerbil cage to put him in ( I couldn't find anything else) and away we went. His name was supposed to be Rowdy but I kept calling him Rocky. So...Rocky it is. I was nervous to introduce him to Zoe because she has never been around cats. Plus, she's 70 lbs. and he is barely 1 lb. Zoe got really excited and tried to jump in order to reach Rocky. He did not appreciate that gesture. He hissed and swung at her. Slowly but surely they warmed up to each other. They're still not best friends, but they're working on it. I've included some cute pictures of them 'playing.'

'Maybe if I hide here she can't see me!'

Rocky playing with his mouse

Zoe looks hungry.

Prayers

I've known Mike, Sharon, and Kimberly Conrad since I was in 3rd grade. I never got to meet Kimberly's older brother,Brian, but the article below is about him and his family. They were brutally slain in 2005. The only person that survived was his 10 year old daughter. Please be in prayer for the daughter, as well as Mike, Sharon, and Kimberly, as they go through this trial.

Missouri Man Pleads Guilty to Killing Pregnant Woman, 2 Others in Texas Farmhouse
Thursday, September 03, 2009

LUBBOCK, Texas — A Missouri man pleaded guilty Thursday to capital murder for killing a pregnant woman, her husband and son at a Texas Panhandle farmhouse in 2005. Levi King, 26, entered his plea in Lubbock and then prosecutors began the punishment phase. The state is seeking the death penalty. King pleaded guilty to killing Michell Conrad, 35, her husband Brian Conrad, 31, and her 14-year-old son, Zach Doan. They were found slain in their remote farmhouse. Michell Conrad was six months pregnant. Her 10-year-old daughter survived and called 911. Texas law enforcement officials did not released the 911 tape, any details about how the girl survived or what she might have seen. It was not clear whether she would testify. Authorities have never released a motive for the slayings. Earlier this year, the judge in the case issued a gag order.

King pleaded guilty last year in the shooting deaths of Orlie McCool, 70, and his 47-year-old daughter-in-law, Dawn McCool. Their bodies were found by a relative in a rural Pineville, Mo., home on Sept. 30, 2005 — the same day authorities in the Texas Panhandle discovered the bodies in the Conrads' home. Missouri authorities said King drove Orlie McCool's pickup truck from Missouri to the Conrads' home in Texas. King was caught the same night trying to re-enter the U.S. at the Mexican border in El Paso, Texas. Shortly after investigators brought the truck back to Missouri from El Paso, a name tag with Brian Conrad's name was found in the vehicle. Investigators said ballistics tests linked one of four guns found in the truck to the Texas killings. King was sentenced to two consecutive life terms without parole for the Missouri killings. The Texas punishment would take precedence under an agreement with Missouri.

How Do They Do It?

How do people combine coupons and pay $3.00 for groceries that should cost $50 to $100? Do you use coupons? Do you combine them even when it says you can't?

Austin and Ivy

Donny and I went to Austin this weekend. His grandpa is 92 and decided to travel from Ohio (with Donny's mom) to see his grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. We had a great time getting to visit with everyone. His grandpa brought all of the letters Donny sent to him as a child. In all of them Donny talked about bunnies and the weather. Apparently his grandparents always had bunnies in their backyard and the weather was so different in Ohio than in Texas, it was always a topic of conversation.

We took some pictures before we left, then went to the school to play basketball, soccer, golf, etc. While we were playing basketball, I decided to take off my jewelry. I sat it down within reach of Donny's 2-year-old niece. Unfortunately, the charm that meant the most to me went missing. Donny had it engraved and sent it to me for Valentine's Day. So...we dug through thick ivy, roaches, and lizards for two hours, but never found it. I was/am extremely sad.

Me with Tatum and Jordan

Donny with Tatum and Jordan

Donny tickling Tatum

4 Generations: Tatum, Bobby (Donny's brother),

Grandpa, Donny, Sharon (Donny's mom), and Jordan

Grandpa with Jordan and Tatum

Us with Grandpa

Us with Donny's mom and Grandpa

Sharon and the boys



"Help Uncle Dee Dee" (She made the basket by the way!)

The missing charm. It said "Love Always Donny" on the back.

Guess Who's 21 Today

My 'Little' Sister...

Happy Birthday Brette!

Unlikely Angel

For those of you that don't know my brother, Corey, he is a songwriter in Nashville. One of the songs he wrote, Unlikely Angel, was released on iTunes today!! The artist is Jason Jones who is a part of the Warner Brothers label.

I am SO excited for Corey! If you happen to purchase this song, will you please let me know so that I can tell him?

Another song he wrote, Heroes and Angels, will kick off the Annual Conference of the Veterans of WWII Convention in Las Vegas where he'll also get to meet President Obama.

CONGRATULATIONS COREY!

Update

During Memorial Day weekend I went to visit my first college roommate, Carrie (Peter) Watts. Her parents only live an hour away from Donny, so I spent all day on Saturday with Carrie and her family. Her dad is a farmer who grows sweet corn. Every Memorial Day Weekend, her family sells the corn at Prasek's. It was great to see Carrie's family, many of whom I had not seen since her wedding, 6 years ago. The best part was getting to meet Carrie and Clint's new daughter, M. M's story is an amazing one. One day at church, a lady approached them and said her niece wanted to give up her 5 month old for adoption. She asked if they would be interested in adopting M. 24 hours later, Clint and Carrie were parents!

Here's the precious little girl!

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Also...I am VERY excited to announce that Donny got a coaching job at North Crowley High School. He is moving to Fort Worth around August 1st and is looking for a place to rent. If you know of anyone in the South Fort Worth/North Crowley area that has a place to rent (that is reasonably affordable for one person - $850 or less), please let me know. I can't wait to FINALLY be in the same town after 3 years of a long-distance relationship.

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My dad also accepted a new coaching position and will be the Head Baseball Coach of the East Hickman Eagles in Lyles, Tennessee.

London Andrew

My cousin, Joy, and her husband, Philip, had their first child on May 5th. Joy and Philip met in London while they were studying abroad. They decided to name their first-born London since the country was so special to them.

Meeting London for the 1st time - Forgive my shiny face. They were keeping the room warm, not to mention I bought foundation for dry skin and apparently it made my face REALLY oily.

London Andrew - 9lbs, 3 oz and 23 inches long!

London

Look at that hair!

Joy, London and Me at the hospital.

Joy, London and Aunt Marie

Newport Beach, California

April 17th - 20th, 2009

Mike and I at Sharkeez

Seals out in the ocean

Seals out in the ocean

Mike and I at Mutts

Mike and I on the boat

Birdman at Newport Beach

Brette and I on the way to breakfast

Sisters

At the Dory Fishing Fleet

We anchored in the harbor. This was a sailboat behind us.

Fresh Dead Squid (see the sign)?

Brette, Angelina and I on the front of Mike's Boat

Vacation

Tomorrow Brette and I are headed to Newport Beach to visit Mike. In case you don't know who Mike is, he was married to our mom for about 10 years. When they got divorced, he moved back to California. Part of the time he lives on his boat "Gotta Lime" and the other part of the time, he lives in Palm Springs. So...we're flying out there tomorrow and staying on the boat for the weekend. I can't wait!

For Gayle (and anyone else who's curious)

The Valentine's Gift Exchange that I participated in was orchestrated by my friend Jennifer. She had everyone that was interested in participating e-mail her and give her their mailing addresses. After the entry deadline, she paired people up and sent everyone the name and address of their match. We then mailed a Valentine's Day treat to that person that was $10 or less and posted a picture of the gifts on our blogs.

Fun!

What Happens...

when you travel without packing warm clothes? You get to wear the largest thing in your girlfriend's closet, which happens to be a sweatshirt with her name on the back. Poor guy!

Let Your Worries Go

Remember when I posted about Northwestern Mutual's Let Your Worries Go campaign? I'm proud to announce the following results of that campain through an article released by the Northwestern Mutual Foundation:

In first place with more than 42,000 votes was the YMCA. The Northwestern Mutual Foundation will contribute $400,000 to the YMCA to support Healthy Kids Day programming across the country.

Additionally, Habitat for Humanity - New Orleans is receiving $250,000, Susan G. Komen for the Cure is receiving $200,000 and Feeding America is receiving $150,000.

During this time when every dollar counts, the Northwestern Mutual Foundation is proud to utilize this campaign to make a meaningful impact for people who are touched by the outreach of these organizations across the country.

Thank you again.

Northwestern Mutual

Sweet Mema (Updated with Pictures)

My sweet Mema went home to the Lord last Monday morning. She was a beautiful, Godly woman and has now been reunited with my Pepa and her many other friends and family in Heaven. For a couple of weeks before Mema passed away, she had been asking me questions about Donny. Questions such as "Don't you still love him? I know he still loves you. Aren't you going to let him take you to lunch? Aren't you going to go to his basketball game?"

I had already decided I was going to allow him to take me to lunch during Valentine's Day weekend and when I told her, she couldn't have been happier. She called me after he went home just to ask how things went.

It's no secret Mema loved Donny. She always asked about him and would even make him his own pie to take home after the holidays. Here are a couple of pictures to prove it...
Fast forward about a week. Donny asked me to go to the UT/OU basketball game and I agreed to go, until I found out Mema had a stroke. I went to the hospital and was able to talk to her. At that point, she was still coherent and was able to talk and answer questions. My Aunt and Mom told me I still needed to go to Austin, because all I would be doing is sitting at the hospital all weekend. So...I went.

I had already decided I was going to tell Donny before he went home that I wanted to date him again. I had seen a definite change and realized that there was no one I'd rather have by my side during difficult (and great) times. So...I prepared myself to tell him, but wanted to make sure I told him at the right time. Monday morning, Mema passed away and he was the one with me picking up my mom to take her home. He was also the one that vacuumed my aunt's whole house to prepare for visitors (without being asked). He also sat with my aunt at the hospital, waiting for my mom to take a warm shower at my apartment. All of this did NOT go unnoticed by me.

So...right before he left I told him I loved him and wanted to date him again. I also told him that this is what Mema would have wanted. When I said that, he broke down. He then told me that he and Mema had been speaking 4 to 5 times a week. She would call and check on him and make sure he was doing okay. She would also tell him she was praying every night that we were going to get back together because she knew he would take care of me. Several of the things he mentioned, he would have known no other way than if he had talked to her. My aunt later confirmed the existence of those conversations.

Mema was so special to me and I will dearly miss her. The great thing is, I know that I will be carrying out one of her wishes by marrying Donny. And yes, it is my wish too!