A note from Patrick

Hello everybody. It's the 28th of November and I am writing you from Baghdad, Iraq. I just want to let everyone know that I am doing very well. I am staying very busy. This deployment so far has been great. I am working on the Squadron staff which is usually just officers. Today I finished my first big project for my unit and it has been received with great remarks. I was promoted to Corporal yesterday and am now officially an NCO. I should pin my Segeants stripes on at the end of Dec. Its complicated why I did not get them this month, I just have to say points and those of you that served know what I mean. I will try to post more often to give updates on how it is over here. It is finally getting cold. I say cold and I mean 40s at night but when you have to walk everywhere you go its chilly. Well I have to get back to it. Thanks for reading our blog.

Patrick

Had to have them!

Yummy. I love chocolate donettes. So much- that I had a dream about them last night. I stopped at the store to get some because I couldn't get them out of my mind. I know my desire is genetic because I remember a time when asking mom to share one of hers. Her response was "No! I only have 4 more!" I didn't share with anyone eaither and they were great- every last one!

Poor Baby!

My poor little Sassy has a hurt leg. Her little knee is partially dislocating when she gets too wild when playing. The vet gave her some medicine that will help it to heal- but the kicker is that I have to keep her quiet for 2 weeks! That's pretty hard considering she loves to play and run around the couch. She is sitting on my lap right now mad that I took away her toys.

Black Friday- not for the amature

Door Bustin' did you go?
Did you get up before dawn to ensure that you were at the opening of the stores so you could get the good delas? Many reports differ on the results of cusumer spending on this day after Thanksgiving. While many reports say that spending was up- there are more that say shoppers were "disintersted" and "disgruntled".
So what happened at the Nashville Banana Republic? Well, we did 30% over last year! Traffic didn't stop all day- but the staff handeled it well. Hopefully this trend will last all season.
Now, a popular misconception is that the Friday after Thanksgiving is the busiest sales day all year- well, let me clear that up. Black Friday is probably the most FRANTIC sales day of the year because of the door buster deals and the crazy early morning hours. The truth is- the Saturdays leading to Christmas are actually the days that all retailers bring in the most money. So- here's a tip: It is better to shop on Black Friday when the stores are fully stocked and running CRAZY good deals than to wait until the next weekend. I know, I know- Black Friday is over- sorry I didn't share this with you yesterday.

Here's a couple links if you would like to read some more about Black Friday:

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/24/business/24shop.html?_r=1&pagewanted=2&oref=slogin
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200711231429DOWJONESDJONLINE000698_FORTUNE5.htm

Love the response!

Thanks everyone! I must say I have another-
6. I'm thankful that people read my blog. It's nice to know my thoughts aren't just sent out into the void and that people actually read and RESPOND! Thanks again! Remember to never sweat the small stuff, but always be thankful for the little things. That's what makes life great!

Five things you're grateful for

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Aside from the normal things we are all grateful for (family, friends, freedom, health etc.) I want to know about the five random things that you are grateful for on this Thanksgiving. Please leave a comment and let me know what you say thanks for everyday.

Me:
So many things to be thankful for- but these are the random things were top of mind:

1. Starbucks. This should not surprise anyone. I don't know how I would exist without my grande' non-fat no foam 1 equal latte everyday. Starbucks is also grateful for me because they get lots of my money.
2. Food Network. I don't watch that much television- but I do love the Food Network. I could watch it all day. Not that I am a great cook or anything- I just have this weird obsession with watching others do it.
3. Heated car seats! The Fusion has them and I love them so much that I will never buy a car without them again. I turn them on even in the summer because they make my back and butt feel all toasty. Everyone loves good toasty buns right?!

4. Multi-colored Sharpie markers- nothing makes me more happy than writing with a fine-tip sharpie marker in lime green. Everything seemes to have a nicer message when written in a rainbow of bright colors. Sometimes I even go crazy and use several colors at once! Whoa.

5. Spray on food- Butter spray, salad dressing spray- Genious! I love it! Why use a knife when you can just SPRAY! So what if it is full of ingredients that you can not say let alone identify. It is spray on food- what is better than that?!

So what are yours?

Sweet Sassy

When I have nothing to say Sassy is always a good post!

Two teams, one winner

Although I have learned to root for the Titans since moving to Tennessee, the Broncos will always have my heart! Hooray for their win yesterday on Monday Nite Football!!!! Keep it up guys... I can see the playoffs in the distance.....

The Fall of Tennessee

This is the best week to be in Tennessee! The leaves are beautiful! God sure is crafty with his paintbrush.

New Season of Project Runway!

I don't watch very many shows other than sports and Food Network, but this is one I LOVE. It takes amature designers and gives them design challenges every week, eliminating one a week until one wins a fashion spread in a magazine and money to start their own line. I love to watch how these people can make amazing garments out of basically nothing and MAKE IT WORK! (Catch phrase from the show) They just started a new season-it comes on Wednesdays on BRAVO. Catch it if you can!

Nap time

Tired from her biting, tugging, chewing and wrestling with Cookie Monster, Sassy deciced they should reconcile and take a nap together.

Can you tell me how to get to Sassyme Street?

Sassy was Big Bird for Halloween- complete with tag-along Cookie Monster. I think the Cookie Monster doll was her favorite part of the whole costume, because she quite enjoyed chewing on and throwing him around. For such a little Big Bird, she sure was cute!
PS- Sorry it took so long for me to get these on- I FINALLY gave up the search and just bought a new camera cord. Now my photos are no longer being held hostage by the camera!

Trick or Treat fun

Sassy had a great time visiting all her friends and showing off her costume.

Mmmm Chili

After sitting in the drive thru for like the 50th time in recent weeks, I decided it was time to get some food in this apartment. I decided to do a little cooking and I came across this chili recipe. For my first attempt at chili I thought it was pretty good. The black beans give it a little something different and all the vegetables make it healthy. I added a can of green beans to mine too so that it would have even more. Next time I make it I will add in some green chilis too- so it has a little extra kick! I encourage you to try it if you are looking for a new spin on chili. PS- its also low fat! : )


INGREDIENTS:
2 tsp canola oil
1 medium yellow onion
1 large red pepper, deseeded and chopped
1 jalapeno chile pepper, deseeded and chopped
1 large carrot, chopped
2 tbsp chili powder
1 tbsp cumin
3/4 pound extra-lean ground beef
1 15-ounce can crushed tomatoes
1 15-ounce can low sodium black beans, drained
2 cups frozen sweet corn

PREPARATION:
Heat oil in a large Dutch oven on medium heat. Add onion, red pepper, jalapeno pepper and carrot. Saute for 5 minutes, until onion has softened. Sprinkle chili powder and cumin over the vegetables and stir for 1 minute.
Crumble in ground beef; cook on medium-high until no longer pink. Add canned tomatoes and black beans. Turn down heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Add sweet corn and cook for a further 5 minutes.

Serve with a dollop of fat free sour cream or a light sprinkling (1-2 tbsp) of reduced fat Jack cheese.

Serves 6-8

Per Serving: Calories 279, Calories from Fat 53, Total Fat 5.7g (sat 1.8g), Cholesterol 35mg, Sodium 304mg, Carbohydrate 37mg, Fiber 9.3g, Protein 19.4g