Pan Cooked Rib Eye

I marinated a rib eye steak for Tony overnight using a KC Masterpiece chipotle lime marinade. We always grill steak but since it was raining we had to pan fry it. I never did this before with steak and was a bit nervous how it would turn out. Over medium low heat I added garlic infused olive oil to the pan and one chopped garlic clove. On the steak I sprinkled Tastefully Simple's Every Day Grilling Seasoning, salt, and pepper. I cooked it for five minutes on each side for medium rare. Tony LOVE it. Huge hit for him. Even better was this organic rib eye was only $5 down from $17. A deal my local organic grocery store was doing. I did not do any thing special for the side dish. Just bacon ranch suddenly salad mix. For myself I made veggie corn dogs while Tony enjoyed his steak.

Garage Sale Fun

Who would have thought preparing for a garage sale could be so much fun. Friday night Tony and I were preparing for our garage sale when our neighbors decided to join us in the fun. Later my friend Leigh came over with her items along with a bottle of wine and the fun began. By the time the evening was over with I think we went through two cases of beer, three bottles of wine, and a bottle of whiskey. Leigh and I still had the sale at 7 AM and we think we both were still a little drunk. Tony passed out on our bedroom floor and did not wake up until 4 PM. That is what happens when you run out of beer for beer pong and use whiskey instead. I have not had that many drinks in one night since a crazy night on vacation in Curacao. But we all had fun! I still made $150 from the sale that will go to our Aruba fun money. Now up to over $500 from selling stuff this year.



Me trying on some of Misty's old pageant clothes



The kids dressing Tony up



Tonya decided to be Mrs. Claus



Whose idea was it to do beer pong? Notice all the garage sale items in the back.



Sophia concentrating in beer pong. Jim later put on a bikini top since he lost.

Leigh & Me...going to regret this the next morning.

Thank You Genetics

Yesterday I had my yearly physical done. The last six months I really have been eating healthy. I always have my fruits and vegetables but this go around I started cutting out more processed foods and about a year ago really stopped eating red meat except for the rare occasion. Last year my cholesterol was 298 and that was without fasting. So this year I really was hoping for under 250 with my diet changes and since I was fasting. I also had not eaten meat in two days. High cholesterol is in both sides of my family. Both my grandmothers had bypass surgery, my grandpa died at 61 from a heart attack and most of my relatives have high cholesterol. The results came back the same day. Total cholesterol….272. Well since there really is nothing more I can do to change my diet and exercise I enjoyed a nice juicy steak for dinner. Cheers to genetics.

What is Marriage Really?

What is Marriage?
Marriage simply defined is a union between two people. But ever since we are children we are taught you fall in love, get married, and have kids. You are not taught what it actually means to be a married couple – just the expectations and that number one expectation being children.

Early years child discussions
When Tony and I got engaged 11 years ago we both wanted a family. We both had dreams of a house with two children. After we married that perspective on life began to change. I was still in college when we got married and continued in college for another seven years – something we never expected when we married. Throughout college we both knew children was not an option given I was also working full-time. It was stressful on our marriage since Tony really wanted a family and I wanted advanced education and a career. It did not help the case there was enormous pressure from his family for us to have children right away. It seemed like every week for the first two years of our marriage we were asked when we were having kids.

Tragedy and opportunity has me rethinking children
In 2005 after my brother died I did go through a phase when I thought I really wanted kids but soon realized what I wanted was a replacement for my brother. In 2008 when I finished college Tony and I put kids into our plans. We were looking for a bigger house, getting our finances in order, and then in 2009 I received the phone call for a job working on the largest bank merger in history. Tony and I talked and we knew this was an opportunity I could not turn down. So our plans for children went on hold while I worked on the merger for the next year.

After the merger was complete and I was unemployed, children still seemed to be the last thing on our mind. Some more background is my health. Even if Tony and I wanted children I have issues that would cause it to be difficult. Given what I know about my health I never wanted to get hung up on having a family for fear of a great disappointment if it did not happen.

Somewhere in 2009 and 2010 both Tony and I realized we are perfectly happy without children and the pressure of a family has been lifted. We are able to enjoy nice vacations. We can come and go as we please. We have nothing holding us back from the plans we make as a couple.

Do You Have to Have Kids to Be in a Marriage?
Now that Tony and I made the decision to forgo children it seems even in our current society not having children is taboo. Search childless marriages online and you will pull up loads of articles about people wondering what is wrong with couples that decide not to have children. Childless marriages are frequently referred to as selfish. How is having 10 children or even 1 child you cannot afford any more selfish than not having any? Even worse is I find articles that speculate not having children will send you to divorce court more than having children will. Really? So having children and staying together in an unhappy marriage is better?

Does being married mean you HAVE to have children? The state of Washington seems to think so. In 2006 in an effort to ban same sex marriages (which I support) they denied gays the right to marry because such unions do not further the purpose of procreation. So does this mean Tony and I should not be married because we choose not to procreate? I love that the gay rights groups retaliated by collecting signatures proposing marriage only be allowed in the state of Washington to those that procreate within three years. If not, their marriage will be annulled. Of course this part was only a joke but provides a valid point to gay rights and marriage is more than just having children.

There are a few things I learned over the years with mine and Tony’s decision over children.

1. Never ask people when they plan on having children. It is none of your business. They will tell you if they want you to know.

2. People that choose to be child free are not selfish.

3. Do not pressure your friends to have kids just because you found happiness in it.

4. Be conscious of your facial expressions when someone tells you they do not want kids. I can see that look of disgust or questioning what is wrong with me.

5. Children can be a painful discussion for some. Many childless marriages may have started out wanting children but their bodies fought against it.

6. Don’t be so judgmental. I can easily judge you for contributing to our over populated world as you can judge me for not having kids.

7. The primary reason to marry should be because you love the person you are with. Not because your biological clock is ticking.


So what is marriage really?
Marriage is just simple; the partnership between two people that love each other and want to spend the rest of their lives together. Children are not in the definition of a marriage. Marriage is not black and white. It is colorful filled with different types of people, different expectations, and different goals. No one's marriage is the standard template all others must follow. Enjoy what you have with who you are with and do not let any one else tell you different.

Job Status

The announcement was made today about the bank I work for being sold off. It is very nerve racking but after a conversation I had today with a manager there I feel much better. I have five years experience working directly on merger activities and offered up my expertise. He was very happy to hear and right now I feel safe. We do not become the other bank until March next year. Tony and I still are going to be very cautious with our money and save as much as we can if that day does come where I find myself unemployed.

Bank Reunion

Saturday night I had a few people over from my last job. We all found new jobs so we decided to celebrate. We had a great time eating dinner, drinking, and playing corn hole. My awesome friends Greg and Alison stopped over too during the night.

Me, Selena, Cory, and Carol

For dinner I prepared the Greek Turkey Burgers which were a huge hit, salad, dried tomato and garlic pesto with beer bread and baguette slices. Carol brought cheese and crackers. Dessert I made Tastefully Simple's Chocolate Pound Cake. I used applesauce instead of butter to make it low fat but then I added in more chocolate chips. :) I topped if off with Pampered Chef Chocolate Raspberry Sauce, Carol's homemade berry sauce, strawberries, and blue berries.

Steamed Lobster

Earth Fare had lobster tails 2 for $5. I never made lobster before. I checked online and all you have to do is place the lobsters in a pan, add olive oil and bit of water, steam for 8 minutes. I added lemon juice to the pan as well. For the butter I added lemon juice and garlic salt. Super easy and for only costing $5 even better. Tony loved this meal. We had left over pesto with bread and salad with our meal. Of course me not eating seafood I had a left over Greek turkey burger.

Updates

I have not been writing much lately. I know I am slacking. Things are just scary now at work and even more scary from a recent announcement today. Still nothing confirmed but will be soon. I still am doing my no spend challenge and but failed this weekend. I bought new running shorts and a cheap dress from Ross. I know I should have but it was probably my depressive state that drove me to do it. No more going forward....except for the $25 off I have at Ann Taylor Loft.

Last week Tony and I ate dinner at home Friday night. Our local Earth Fare has free wine testing every other Friday night on the patio with live music. We stopped off for the wine tasting after dinner and then headed out to a movie. With my Visa signature card we get one free movie ticket in June and July when we buy one. I talked Tony into seeing Bridesmaids. It was so funny.

Saturday I made steak, garlic and rosemary potatoes, and blueberry cheese cake cups. Earth Fare had their Fillet Mignon on sale 50% off. If you are not familiar with Earth Fare they are our local organic food store. This meat was fresh right from the butcher. Probably slaughtered the cow that morning. It is originally $25 a pound. This was a treat for me since I have not eaten red meat in probably six months. This steak really was the best we ever had. I went back Sunday to pick up six more cuts to freeze. I did not take pictures of the steak but did of the potatoes and cheese cake. I will add pictures later.

Garlic and Rosemary Potatoes

Ingredients:

About 2 pounds red potatoes

3 cloves are garlic crushed

2 tablespoons rosemary

Salt

Pepper

2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Cut the potatoes into quarters. Spray a 8 1/2 x 11 baking dish with cooking spray. Add potatoes. Stir in olive oil, garlic cloves, and rosemary. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Cook for about 45 minutes to an hour. Check at the 45 minute mark by putting a fork into the potatoes. If it is soft they are done. Cook time will depend on how big your potatoes are.

Garlic Rosemary Potatoes

For the blueberry cheese cake cup cakes I used a recipe from Gina's Skinny Taste. She used Blackberries in her recipe but I love blueberries. http://www.skinnytaste.com/2011/05/lemon-cheesecake-yogurt-cups.html

Blueberry Cheese Cake Cups

Sunday I made the Ole Chicken and Black Bean Enchiladas. Part of the reason why I have not been posting new recipes if I really like some of recent ones I tried out. This weekend I will be making the Greek Turkey burgers for my friends.

Thought for the Day

How does Anderson Cooper keep a straight face when saying "headline from today, Wiener lets it all hang out."

No Spend Challenge Is Back....

....Only this time it is NOT a challenge; it is a requirement.

Those of you that know where I work and listen to the news know about the possible rumors. I am not stating any more than what you can read online. If this does happen it will be my 4th merger. I pray to God it does not go through but I am doing the steps I need to prepare myself.

Until I know what is going on all spending is halted. It is just too bad Tony and I did not know this before our trip to Savannah. I do not want to find myself in the unemployment line just after having blown money on things we do not need. Sorry everyone...this also includes gifts. I just cannot afford to take that risk now and every $25 I would have spent on the next so many gifts is going to mean a lot to my budget if I am not working.

This may even mean Tastefully Simple goes as well. I love being a consultant and getting the discount but with the expenses it takes to be a consultant I just barely break even.

I really, really love my job but I have to be realistic if this does happen. Best case scenario if my job is eliminated is I will be put on the merger team. With 5 years of experience working on back merger activities it would be stupid if I did not get that opportunity. Truth is I am terrified of ending back up in the unemployment line. While I did enjoy the three months off I had last year it is also a scary and stressful time. I really wanted this company to be the one I retire from and I hope it still is. Even with everything that is going on I still am very happy I left the last job I was at.

I look back at how hard I worked through college and where I am today. Never in my life did I think with a master's degree I would be facing the same job cuts and hardship as people with no degree. Then adding to the sting is now being over qualified for most of the jobs out there. Right now I am going to bust my butt in my job and hope to ride out the storm. Cross your fingers for me.

On a brighter note: today's weigh in 129.6.

Where Target is Failing

A recent article in the Wall Street Journal discusses problems Target is having with their brand identity. Are they a cheap retailer or are they a chic low cost store? How about they ask the consumer to explain what they have done wrong.

I used to love to go into Target and look around. But last year when I was unemployed I did some price comparisons and found they are not very good on prices.

Groceries: Target was anywhere from 5 to 25% higher on their prices compared to Walmart. I did not just spot check a few items. My list was over 150 items long and compared prices to Walmart, BJ’s, and Lowes’ Foods. Walmart beat out each retailer on just about every item except for the items I can buy in bulk at BJ’s. Bulk is a more expensive upfront cost but the unit price is cheaper. I also had enough information to know if using a coupon at Walmart was still cheaper than using the same coupon at Lowes’ where it is doubled. Another problem I found at the Target where I use in Brier Creek is many of the items on the shelf are expired! Yogurt is their worst offender.

Health and Beauty Items: Target still was more expensive with their health and beauty items but they do have a few Target brand items I like. The Target brand eye make up remover is very good compared to the Neutrogena. I tried the Walmart version in the past and it stung my eyes. Both for about the same price give or take a few pennies. Target brand make up remover cloths are very nice too. Again Walmart failed in this area. I also found with the Target brand multi-vitamins they are they only brand that do not make me vomit.

Clothing: Once in a while I still will surf through the clothing section at Target but maybe buy a handful of things a year. Where Target is failing here is their quality versus the prices is not very good. Their women’s Mossimo t-shirts are the same price as the ones from Ann Taylor Loft’s when they are on sale. Ann Taylor’s quality is far better. Their swimwear is the same price as swimwear in Victoria’s Secret. I cannot compare Walmart’s section because I do not ever visit their clothing area.

When I look for a cheap cute dress Target is the last place I go. My normal stops for clothing are Kohl’s, Ann Taylor Loft, Ross, and Macy’s. For a brand loyal customer like me Target’s prices will have to be incredibly lower or extremely cute for me to even consider buying clothes from Target.

Oh, if you are a Kohl’s shopper and ever pay full price for anything in their store you need to be added to Anderson Cooper ridiculous list. Everything in their store will go on sale at some point in time.

House wares: By far the worst section in Target. Most of their items are rarely ever on sale and you can find the same item at Kohl’s. Kohl’s may have the same item priced higher BUT Kohl’s always puts things on sale and if you are a great customer like I am, I receive coupons all the time for 10-30% off above and beyond the sale price. Kohl’s comes out to be a better deal. Same goes for Kohl’s versus Walmart.

Black Friday: Ever stop into Target on Black Friday? Well don’t bother. While other retailers are offering anywhere from 30-60% off Christmas décor Target is normally only offering 10%.

Pharmacy: The only place I still stop at in Target. The only reason I go to this pharmacy is because once a month Target has a $10 gift card on new prescriptions. I then use that gift card to buy items that are on sale or buy my eye make up remover and facial cloths.

Electronics: Another place I do not even bother with. HH Gregg and Best Buy are only a mile from the Target I shop at. They have better prices, more options, and better quality.

Credit Card: Target offers 5% off all purchases used with their Target credit card. I am not a fan of store credit cards but do have a Kohl’s and Macy’s card because the rewards are so amazing – of course I pay it off every month. Why in the world would I have a Target credit card to only save 5%? Kohl’s goes up to 30% on their cards depending on the timing. My Macy’s card I get 20% off and $20 off a $50 purchase every month! Target is failing with their credit card perks. A 5% savings using their card is not justified when their groceries are 5-25% higher than Walmart.

Bottom line for me: Target used to be a great place to shop. Then, as stated in the article, their strategies started confusing consumers. Prices went up while quality remained neutral, and their savings programs do not even compare to other retailers. My few suggestions for Target: (1) lower their prices to Walmart’s level or even lower, (2) match the quality of the clothing to the price, meaning lower the price of the cloths, (3) bigger sales, and (4) better credit card rewards. Their profits per item may sink but if people buy more because of lower prices their overall profits increase, therefore, putting them back in steady competition with other retailers.

http://finance.yahoo.com/family-home/article/112885/target-retailer-cachet-wsj

More Savannah Pictures

Blogger was being a pain in the butt. Here are more pictures from Savannah.



Whitefield Square



Tybee Island Boggy Boarding

Preparing our to-go drinks for walking

Love the live oak trees that cover the streets

Savannah

This past weekend my original plans were to go camping with the dogs. The dogs love camping but the weather has been unbelievable hot so camping would not work out. Tony and I decided to change our plans and wend to Savannah instead. We took off of work Friday and had a nice three day weekend there. I was our first time visiting Savannah. Every time we went to Charleston we always heard people comparing the two cities as if they are competition. I disagree so much with comparing the two cities. They are completely different.



Outside the famous fountain in Savannah



We arrived on Friday afternoon. After checking into the hotel we went downtown. We took ride on a rickshaw for an hour. Our tour guide showed us around the historic area. It was nice to do that right away so Tony and I knew where to walk to. We had pizza along the river. The buildings on the river are so neat. They are made of cobblestone probably still from the early 1800’s. Friday night around 9 we took a private carriage ride through Savannah. We have done the group carriage rides in Charleston and I have to say the private tour is the way to go. You do pay twice as much but it is so worth it.

Saturday we went to Tybee Island in the morning. I love the beaches of Georgia and South Carolina. The water seems calmer than the North Carolina beaches. I love being able to go out with the boggy board and just float around. Tony however likes the NC beaches better. He likes the waves to ride in with the boggy board. There were box jellyfish everywhere on the beach. They are clear so you cannot spot them in the water and are some of the most venomous jellyfish out there. I am so glad we did not get stung. We also saw a dead horseshoe crab on the beach. The thing was about the size of a basketball!

Saturday afternoon we went back downtown and we realized we can drink in the streets! Savannah must be one of the only cities I have been to where it is legal to have a to-go cup and wonder the streets. Rather than paying bar fees I put a bottle of wine I brought from home in my purse and we filled up along the way. Must have looked funny when I pulled out my bottle and filled up outside the frozen yogurt shop. We just walked the streets on Saturday. It was extremely hot out – around 100 degrees. The wine, meds, and heat made me a bit cranky. We ate dinner at a tapas bar. I am not really a fan of them. You have to order a few items off the menu because they are “sample” size and each item on the menu costs what a regular meal is. Never going to one of those places again.

Sorrel-Weed House

Orb in the bottom right corner

We wondered upon a tour of the most haunted house, Sorrel-Weed house, in Savannah where one woman committed suicide and the other was murdered. There were teenagers on the tour and I wanted to duct tape their mouths shut. It ruined the tour. I did catch some orbs with my camera. The way to distinguish between orbs and dust is dust is see-through and orbs will have a glow and are not see through. After the tour we stopped for drinks at The Pink House in the basement. Very neat atmosphere.



Walking on Bay Street



One of my favorite homes in Savannah

 

These homes did not look like it but they are actually from the 1880's.



Sunday we went back downtown after checking out and drove through the neighborhoods. There are so many neat homes. I love how the streets are filled with the live oak trees. We ate lunch at the Pirate House. A real house pirates hung out at and some even died in there. Food was OK but the building was really neat inside.

Tony outside the Pirate House

Memorial Weekend

I have so much to write about but not a lot of time! I am very busy in my job and that is a good thing. Except today I was very overwhelmed. I have a lot to do before I take off on Friday. I had hardly any time to pee today let alone get all my work done.

Our Memorial weekend was very busy. Friday we were going to do dinner and a movie but Tony did not get home until around 7. He took his motorcycle to work and we had a bad storm. I made grilled chicken salads for us instead and we watched Blue Valentine through Netflix. It was an OK movie.

Saturday we went for a grill out at our friends parent's house. I really wanted to get in on the volley ball in the pool but the water was too cold for me. I will say I was happy to strut my stuff in my bikini since my skinny friends are pregnant. This will be the only time my waist is smaller than theirs and they have the excuse of being pregnant. I will take it though.

Sunday we did a day trip to Carolina Beach. Just after we left our house we were almost hit by a drunk driver that flew into our lane. Tony had to go onto an off ramp to avoid him. We were probably only inches away from colliding. The drunk driver then almost hit two other cars. It was so scary. I am glad Tony was alert or he would have not seen them coming. The beach was pretty packed as we had expected. The water was a little cool but did feel good once you got in. I did a really bad job at applying sun block so I have burnt patches all over.

Monday we took the Harley to a park in Apex for a picnic. I prepared bruchetta, cheese and crackers, Greek olives, grapes, nuts, and wine. It was a great idea but it ended up being about 98 degrees out. There were ticks all over our blanket. I saw more ticks that day than in the 6 years I have been in NC. Once we got home I was so hot I stripped down to nothing and laid under our fan. I was on the verge of heat stroke and started getting nauseated. It was not fun. No more bike rides for me in the heat. The rest of the day Tony and I relaxed.

Forgiveness Update

Last week Tanya and I talked on the phone for over an hour. It seemed like we picked back up where we left off. It was so nice to hear her voice again. A lot has happened this last year in her life. She just accepted a job in Florida and is leaving Wisconsin. When we were still talking last year she was searching for jobs by me so we could be close to each other. I feel like suck a jack ass. I missed out on my friend moving by me. I am happy she is moving to Florida though. After a few years in North Carolina there are days I think I did not move far enough south. I will have to take a long weekend each year to visit her since it is such a short plane ride away. I am so happy to have my friend back.