Tuna-Pasta Salad

If there's one thing I enjoy, it's trying to cook from the weird stuff I have left in my house when a grocery trip is due. I made a version of this recipe, minus the pickle juice or milk... and, oh yeah, I didn't measure anything. I just guessed. So my delicious tuna-pasta salad is chilling in the fridge, and should be delicious for my lunch tomorrow.

A Week In Review

So here's my catch-up post. The last week has been filled with parties, work, crab pickin' and work. But seriously, these are just the highlights. More photos on FB.

Some of Katie's friends had a "second birthday" for her - much like the Hobbits' second breakfast. I only stayed for awhile, but it was a lovely night and one of the first nights that Della Rose's had their outside bar open. Gorgeous!

Here are just Corie, Katie and I.

I also spent time at Gina's brother's house for his birthday party. Lots of flip cup was played, but I'm not very good at it, so I'm not sure how much I helped. We were also lucky enough to get a crazy Baltimore Police Helicopter fly-by since our birthday boy is a member of the police department. It was the coolest! The helicopter first circled the house very low so that it was nearly 90 degrees, then he did a CRAZY low fly-over. Loved it. We ended the evening in Tony's basement watching Toto and Hall & Oates in concert on the big screen. So fun!

Here are just the girls - at least those of us still there at the end of the night.

Lastly... I picked crabs. It was super-hard to document because your fingers get so dirty, but I picked three crabs by myself with CJ's detailed instructions. I couldn't have had a better teacher - she was so patient. I still think lungs and mustard are disgusting, but I learned to pick around it.

Here's me all blotchy - that's the international Charissa sign of stress and anxiety (check out the crab body in my hand).

Here's me all done! Dirty hands and everything. Woot!

Exercise

Just a quick note about this new exercise regime I am starting. I started with Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred, and I am starting P90x on Monday. I will be tracking my weight using this cool little Google tool - "The Google 15." My goal is about ten pounds, but if the muscle starts building that could change. I need to lose the FAT!

So good luck to you all - let's all do it together. Wanna walk? Call me! Wanna hike? Lets go! It's time to get in shape!

Blanket Update

With bonus sleeping Antonio...

No Pain, No Gain

I hurt. I've started Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred to jump start the weight loss. It's 30 minutes, but it is brutal if you're like me and not used to it. A friend is sending me a copy of P90x tomorrow - so my discomfort will only get worse... and quickly.

All this is good. I need to tone up. So tonight post-workout, I am treating myself to Bell Pepper Nachos. Not as fabulous as the chips and drippy cheese kind, but a nice, healthier alternative. Mangia!

The New Blanket

Antonio is a fan... comfy.

Over-Ambitious?

So it's not like I don't have enough on my plate, but I've decided to start a neighborhood block watch. As many of you know, my car was rummaged through last week - possibly twice, and I just heard that two cars one street over were broken into last night. I won't stand for it. The last thing I'll stand for is to be taken advantage of at home where it's supposed to be 'safe,' so I have done my research this morning, made up a flyer, and I'll pass them out this afternoon to the twenty or so houses on my block. It's a small start, but manageable, I think.

Suggestions welcome.

Publishing

Does anyone know anything about 'small time' publishing? I wrote a poem/children's book - one that I really believe in - and I'm contemplating getting it published. I'm open to considering a small run to see how it goes, but I'm just not sure what the process is, or the 'easiest way' to go about it. The poem will fail or succeed on its own merit; I'm fine with being small time. :)

Anyway, suggestions welcome. I'm looking for someone who knows about this process, because web sites on the subject are intimidating and complicated. Thanks in advance. (And thanks, mom, for the support.)

Food Prep

Tomorrow is a coworker's last day at my company. She hasn't been with us too long, but we will most assuredly miss her. To send her off - we are throwing a pot luck lunch! So in preparation, I am doing double duty cooking for both tomorrow and for Sunday's cookout at the barn. At this point in the evening, I'm happy to report that #1 of 2 is completed!

Spicy Bean Salsa!

And now #2 of 2 is done... Creamy Dill Cucumber Salad!

As requested:

INGREDIENTS
1 cup fat-free milk
1/2 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream
1 (1 ounce) package ranch salad dressing mix
2 tablespoons dill weed
1/8 teaspoon celery seed
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 large cucumber, peeled and sliced
2/3 cup sliced red onion, separated into rings

In a small bowl, combine the milk, mayonnaise, sour cream, dressing mix, dill, celery seed and pepper. Stir in the cucumbers and onion. Serve with a slotted spoon. Better when refrigerated overnight.

Welcoming a New Chapter

Yes, it's true... I've turned the last page, and I'm onto a new chapter in life: the chapter where there are no more books about dear, dear Kingsbridge. Oh, how I LOVED Pillars of the Earth! An amazing book! To even think that World Without End would compete was ridiculous... but it did. Boy, it did! It took Ken Follett 18 years to write World after Pillars, and I have an ache in my heart thinking that there won't be a third.

I'll miss Kingsbridge... dear, dear Kingsbridge. Those books have been gifts to my soul. Thanks, CA, for recommending them in the first place.

BARCS Fundraiser

So this is it... my entire back seat is filled with towels and sheets for BARCS. There are so many back there that I honestly have no clue how many I have. It will be interesting to unload them... and, of course, present the towels and sheets with the check from Della Rosa's Tavern who also decided to support our little project. I've proud of you, friends! You came through! Woo-hoo!

Happy Birthday, Katie!

So the photos are finally in... on Saturday we did a Luau Pub Crawl for Katie's 30th. A little too much drink was drunk, a little booty was shook, and a lot of fun was had by all. Happy 30th, my friend. You looked gorgeous and we all had such a good time!!

HEART - Live in Baltimore

More photos to come of Katie's Birthday on Saturday once all of the photos are in from all of her friends, but here's a shot of us girls before the Heart concert at Pier 6 last night. Cameras were not allowed, so we snapped this one before heading in.

With the exception of Heart not singing What about Love? or All I Wanna Do is Make Love to You, and possibly singing a very slow version of Alone, it was a great show. I certainly have a new found respect for Barracuda. Thanks, girls, for the experience. I loved it.

BARCS Fundraiser

Major success last night collecting towels and sheets for BARCS Animal Shelter.  And what's better - there's still more coming because a number of people couldn't make it.  Thank you to everyone for making the night both fun and productive.  This city has a lot of stray and surrendered animals to take care of, and you should feel good that we're doing our part.

Note: If anyone has any donations, let me know ASAP, and I'll come pickup.

Tiffany and I - so good to see you!!

Casey and I

My BFFs - Jill and Rob

A whole backseat full of towels and sheets! So far, so good!

Gina's Birthday!

The Ladies - Nicole, Gina and me!

Copying Jacqui's "Circle of Friends" theme - this is Nicole, Landry and I.

My fav - Me and Nicole like Thelma and Louise. Love it.

The 32 Project

I'm still at a loss on the last three... but I've been making progress overall.

1. Finish watching the Top 100 movies. 60 down, 40 to go.
2. Charity: April 17th Formal Wear Happy Hour DONE! 45 dresses collected!
3. Charity: April 19th March for the Animals DONE! $343k raised!
4. Learn how to drive stick shift. This one is on Casey.
5. Lose the weight. Four pounds down.
6. Volunteering: Habitat for Humanity Waitlisted for two dates.
7. Charity: Tree Planting/Trash Pick Up. DONE! 8 trees!
8. Volunteering: Pets on Wheels w/ Antonio?
9. Visit NYC/Have Jodi visit. Working on dates.
10. Meet Joey Mac. June 23rd Tickets obtained!
11. Try making crab bisque.
12. Organize an Ohio reunion. Email sent.
13. Go somewhere other than OH and NYC.
14. Read at least four books. Page 382 of 1014 in 'A World Without End' now.
15. Digi scrapbook something.
16. Buy fishnets (long story).
17. Try Yoga with my BFF.
18. See 'HEART' Live in Bmore! May 17th Tickets purchased!
19. Go through the stuff in my storage unit and SIMPLIFY. Flea market scheduled!
20. Go to an amusement park. Cedar Point, anyone?
21. Find somewhere to take voice lessons. Email back from one voice teacher with info on private lessons. $50 an hour. Yikes.
22. Choose an Armed Forces charity. DONE! My ABCs... fundraising happy hours to come.
23. Start hiking. This one is on Katie.
24. Visit Marie (and get the Taylors to come here)!
25. See the Orioles! One game for work in the works ~ June 17th.
26. Eat in Greektown. Recommendations? Volunteers? Jill?
27. Pick crabs! Six years in Bawlmer - it's about time I try. This one is on CJ.
28. Make more blankets! Of course, in progress!
29. Plan a Star Trek movie night! May 8th! DONE!
30. tbd?
31. tbd?
32. tbd?

There Were Chicken Pox on Vulcan

At least as far as I can tell. I saw a chicken pox scar on Spock today when the friends and I went to see Star Trek, which, by the way, was FABULOUS.  Yes, it was amazing.  The characters were near perfect, the designs/stylings/scenery were all modern/future, yet reminiscent of the original series, and it was a great mix of sci-fi action meets classic Star Trek humor to make you laugh. I definitely want to see this again. And soon.  I absolutely loved it.

That said, I also feel that I should provide a brief update on my health since this lucky girl starts blood pressure medicine tomorrow. (I know... I get hotter all of the time.)  In a nutshell: woke up with a headache Thursday and stayed home, had what felt like a heart-attack like incident Thursday afternoon which lasted about twenty minutes (and scared the crap out of me), went to doctor Friday where I passed an EKG fine, got a prescription for blood pressure medication, and scheduled a brain MRI for Monday.  So... I'm okay. Still on edge after the incident on Thursday because it freaked me out, but okay.

So... who wants to distract me with Star Trek again?? Anyone? :)

The New Blanket

This is the blanket I started after I finished the baby blanket. It doesn't have a name yet (ie Blue Blanket, Mom Blanket, Elliott blanket, etc) - I'm entertaining names.  But c'mon... don't you love it?

Love for the Momma

And yes... he was looking up at me. Seriously... so cute.

Strong Charissa #2

So the last few photos came to you today by way of the Jones Falls Watershed Association volunteering in Reservoir Hill today.  Casey, Jason and I planted EIGHT TREES - at least SIX where we dug the holes 100% by ourselves - in pouring rain.  We were miserable and soaked, but it was good for the neighborhood and good for karma.  (And, yes... I worked just as hard as the boys.)

Strong Charissa #1

Boys A-Workin'

Casey's Religion

I a Pickle - Saratoga St Farmer's Market

The 32 Project

This project is still a work in progress, but I'm finding more things to do as my 32nd birthday nears.  Volunteers for activities welcome!

1. Finish watching the Top 100 movies. 60 down, 40 to go.
2. Charity: April 17th Formal Wear Happy Hour DONE! 45 dresses collected!
3. Charity: April 19th March for the Animals DONE!
4. Learn how to drive stick shift. This one is on Casey.
5. Lose the weight.With Jill's help.
6. Volunteering: Habitat for Humanity Waitlisted on two dates.
7. Charity: Tree Planting/Trash Pick Up. Scheduled for tomorrow.
8. Volunteering: Pets on Wheels w/ Antonio?
9. Visit NYC. Working on dates.
10. Meet Joey Mac. June 23rd
11. Try making crab bisque.
12. Organize an Ohio reunion. Email sent.
13. Go somewhere other than OH and NYC.
14. Read at least four books. Reading 'A World Without End' now.
15. Digi scrapbook something.
16. Buy fishnets (long story).
17. Try Yoga with my BFF.
18. See 'HEART' Live in Bmore! May 17th Tickets purchased!
19. Go through the stuff in my storage unit and SIMPLIFY.
20. Go to an amusement park. Cedar Point, anyone?
21. Find somewhere to take voice lessons. Email back from one voice teacher with info on private lessons. $50 an hour. Yikes.
22. Choose an Armed Forces charity. Information packet received and under review.
23. Start hiking. This one is on Katie.
24. Visit Marie (and get the Taylors to come here)!
25. See the Orioles! JJT?
26. Eat in Greektown. Recommendations? Volunteers? Jill?
27. Pick crabs! Six years in Bawlmer - it's about time I try. This one is on CJ.
28. Make more blankets! Of course, in progress!
29. Plan a Star Trek movie night! Facebook event created.
30. tbd
31. tbd
32. tbd

Fat Belly