Rants, Recipes, and Running

In just one month...many great things are occuring! I just have to think of how fast a month goes, and this makes me grin ear-to-ear! In exactly one month today:..... Our family will be here! Holy buckets, do I ever miss family! - And I'm so excited for them to come out here! They haven't been here since we've lived in this house, so am looking forward to this. (Wish we could be in a different house....that is owned by us......but that will be coming in the next year. We have to be patient! One life-landmark at a time!) We will be having our graduation party. This will be an excellent fiesta! I am making Mexican food since it's great to make for the masses, I can whip up some killer salsa and shredded chicken (I must say), and it Gluten Free for one of my special guests ! (my sister) May 15 marks a very special day in our life........ 2 years ago, May 15, 2008; our U-Haul truck pulled into Tucson, AZ to start our lives in the southwest! I cannot believe how f...

Happy Tuesday!! 1. What book, movie or song has made you want to travel to a particular place? (eg. I went to Prince Edward Island because I was such a Anne of Green Gables fan) -I would love to travel to Peru after reading "The Sunflower". I am inspired to do a big hiking expedition up Macchu Picchu some day!  -I was also inspired to climb Macchu Picchu from a song. Back in high school, at All-State Band, we played a song that was written about the discovery of Macchu Picchu. The song was very mystical and I will never forget it! I wish I could post the song...but, it was just a high school band so it's probably not on the internet anywhere! 2. Aside from your significant other, who would you want to take with you on a dream trip? My Mom & Dad! 3. Where would said dream trip be to? I was going to say Rome.....but then my sister said Rome in her blog! So I will say San Diego. I'm in a San-Diego-y mood since our trip! It's so beautiful there - and I...

I have blogged in the past about my neighbor, and my constant battle of annoyance. Through all this, I have had many instances of avoiding him/ignoring him/pretending I don't "see him".........but yesterday - I stepped outside of my "nice box". I was pushed beyond the point of civil. As I've mentioned in the past...he is a smoker. Now, (I am sorry to anyone reading this that may smoke), but I have a strong adversity to smokers. They smell bad. If you are a smoker, and your saying, "Oh...not me! Haha. I smell great" You don't smell great. You've actually killed your olfactory sense. You smell like an ashtray. But if he wants to smoke, if he wants to slowly cause COPD/emphysema/lung cancer/heart disease and the long, listing-cocktail of co-morbidities involved in smoking. Fine. Go for it! BUT!...... I am NOT OKAY with cigarette butts being thrown in our yard. We started noticing in our back yard a year ago (when we moved to t...