Not a Baby Anymore

It breaks and warms my heart to see my baby evolving into a toddler. At least when she's sleeping so angelically I can pretend she is still my baby...





- Posted from my iPhone

I am... OK

No baby news for me yet. Though every month that goes by I hear of another lucky cousin or friend.

At least I am starting to feel happy for them. Mostly. Sort of.

My Doctor is going to start fertility testing in two months if we haven't gotten pregnant by then. Funny that. The month I was due will be the month they begin looking in to why we are having such a hard time.


In other news, Todd might be getting an internship in another state this semester. This is good news, but we aren't sure how to proceed either way. He only has one semester left, and we just want to get. out. of. Idaho. So we don't know what to do... leave and then come back? Ew... Finish first then begin the hunt? It will be interesting to see how things pan out.


I am on day 5 of my fifth Master Cleanse. It has been my hardest so far and I don't know why. I want to eat EVERYTHING. Right now I am drooling for THIS. It will be on the menu for next week. Probably Monday. Yes. I have decided. Monkey, good thing you like avocados and garlic!


Our truck overheated while we were down in Utah last weekend. I have to take this Friday off just so we can be down there when a mechanic is available. Two things I want to know: how are we going to pay for this and why don't mechanics work on Saturdays???


I wrote a list of the things that I am not currently happy about. I also wrote an action plan on what I could do about each of those items. I like lists. It's what I do. I have started implementing some of my plan. It's two steps forward, and one step back.


We still can't pay rent next month, and I still don't know how things are going to work out. But they will. Somehow.


So, I am OK. For now. I need to just breathe and get through these next five days.

'Cause you can't jump the track, we're like cars on a cable
And life's like an hourglass, glued to the table
No one can find the rewind button, girl.
So cradle your head in your hands
And breathe... just breathe,
Oh breathe, just breathe.

Bowtie Chicken Pasta Salad

I am sorry I don’t have a picture of this, we ate it too quickly! This is a wonderful light summer meal or side dish and is full of color (yellow, red, green, white, orange) and is a good combination of textures (soft and crunchy). This makes a LOT of salad, so either make it for a gathering or cut every amount in half.

1 bag bowtie pasta
1 can water chestnuts, drained
1 bag Craisins
1 bag frozen corn, uncooked
1 bag whole cashews
3-4 stalks washed and sliced celery
2 cans (10 oz.) chunk chicken, drained
2 cans mandarin oranges, drained
2-3 cups mayonnaise and more as needed

1. Cook and drain pasta, do not rinse! Set in LARGE mixing bowl (with lid preferably).

2. Add in all ingredients except oranges and chicken. Mix well, adding mayonnaise until everything is “sticky” and has a nice coating of mayo.

3. Add chicken, making sure the chunks get separated before mixing well. Add mayo as needed until coated. Put the lid on and shake to mix well.

4. Add the oranges and mix just until blended. They will break apart otherwise.

5. Chill overnight or for several hours before serving for best results. It is still good right away, but BEST once cold and the flavors meld.

6. You will NEED to add more mayo before serving as most of it will be absorbed while chilling. Again, add until everything is “sticky” and has a nice coating.

Enjoy! We loooooooove this salad and even those that don’t like the ingredients separately like them together. My friend didn’t like the hard cashews in the “fresh” batch, but once it had chilled they softened and she kept going back for more!


- Posted from my iPhone