Leek Soup

Leek Soup

Peel, wash, and chop 5 russet potatoes into chunks

Wash and chop 3 large leeks (white part only) into chunks

Wash and chop 3 stalks celery into chunks

Chop 1 small onion

1 teaspoon chopped garlic

Finely chop 2 teaspoons fresh thyme

1 bay leaf

 The above mentioned ingredients ready to go!

 Heat 9 cups chicken broth. I used this instead. 

(It's 9 cups water + 9 tsp of paste)

 Add your ingredients to the chicken broth. Season with salt 

and pepper. Boil on high for 20 minutes.

 This is what it looks like after the 20 minutes. Remove the bay leaf.

 After the soup is no longer steaming (as it in the above picture) 

mix in food processor. If you an immersion blender go for it.

 All smooth after mixing.

 So lovely!

Now stir in 1 cup heavy cream. Reheat and serve hot! 

 Yummy!

Costco

Saturday-Karina and I went to Costco for some household items. We were able to avoid all of those ever so tempting samples that seemed to be tempting us! Due to my super tiny apartment I was only able to get a few items and luckily Karina and I were able to split some packages between us.

After Costco we went shopping at the outlet mall where I was able to use my gift certificate (from the last day party) and get two bras, a pair of running shoes, and a silicone brush for cooking.

Later in the day I went to see my friend, Bonnie, and drop off some things she had been asking me for. It was nice to chat and visit for a bit too! I call Bonnie my second Mom... she basically is!

What is your favorite thing(s) to get at Costco?

Last day

Friday-Today was my last day and it was bittersweet. There was a nice potluck (healthy food, yay!), a sweet card and nice gift certificate! It was weird to be wrapping up everything. It felt like I was leaving on vacation but that I would be back but now I realize I won't be. It's a weird feeling for sure. I have had a lovely time these past few years and I've learned a lot but in order for me to move on forward I needed to move on. I guess it's all about growing up. After work I met Rhett, Brittany, Vicky and the Henry's (Diana, Randy and Cole) for dinner. We had a great time laughing and sharing stories. I'm thankful for the support I've received during this transition. Wish me luck!

L to R: Cole, Rhett, Diana, Vicky, Me, and Brittany

Blessed

Thursday-The joy of waking up in my own bed is one of my favorite things! It was nice to be home once again! I did however have a rough morning in that I had been dry heaving due to my horrible nervousness toads to the dentist. 

An hour or so into my work day I had to leave to head over to dealership to pick up my car. The loaner car I had was fun but it wasn't my 'Robin'-yes I've named my car! Driving to dealership I was uncertain as to what I had to pay. I knew the battery itself was free but I didn't know if I was going have to pay for labor or the diagnostic test, which could have been easily a few hundred dollars. Once I got to the dealership I was happily surprised to find that I didn't have to pay anything but I was told that I had killed the battery based  on my driving abilities... apparently I drive like a grandma! GASP! I need to drive it faster and further in order to help maintain the hybrid battery. Lesson learned! 

Then I headed to the dentist for my two fillings and fluoride treatment. I have unfortunately many cavities in my life and every single numbing shot I have had I have felt until now! Dr. Stones did a wonderful job with numbing my mouth! The procedure went well except for one of my fillings that he was replacing had cracked and slightly exposed the the nerve! He numbed me even more and was able to continue. After he was done he told me he had placed a small medicated patch over the exposed nerve and that hopefully it would work but if not then I would a root canal. CRAP! It's my own fault for delaying my dental care but if I do have to root canal, I'm confident in his abilities. I was also pleasantly surprised to find out that the bill was less than I had anticipated. Yeah!

After work Karina and I went to Panera for dinner... OMG! Panera is amazing! I restrained myself and got a salad, fruit and soup. It was delicious! After dinner we headed to Target to get some running shoes for me. While in the store Karina told me I should wait to buy them. I was unsure why in the world she would want me to delay getting them as we were supposed to go running that night. She finally had to spill beans and tell me that on Friday I would be getting something. Yay!

We then headed to the track and ran 2.5 miles! It felt great. It sucks during but the endorphins that come afterwards are AMAZING! When I got home it was 845 pm and I had my eyes shut at 9pm.... long day but a very blessed day!

Busy

Why does such a thing as 5 am even have to exist? I guess some people enjoy being up that early. I most certainly do not for the record. Remember yesterday how I was saying I had so much get done today? Well I did! I woke up and began to shut down Zoey and Chica's house. When I say shut down what I'm referring to is washing sheets, tidying up, and getting my stuff ready to go home. Now that you are on the same page as me let's move on.

So, with coffee in hand I began the process and then before I knew it I had to head to the dealership to drop off my car for the new hybrid battery. The dealership needs to keep my car overnight to get the battery installed so I was given a loaner car. I arrived at the dealership fifteen minutes before they opened and the folks working there were kind enough to help me right away. 

I made it to work in time and the day started off on a fun note because Theresa, one of my co-workers, was cracking jokes with everyone first thing. I will miss her. At lunch I headed back to Zoey and Chica's house to finish shutting everything down. I had enough time to play an epic game of fetch with Zoey with Chica occasionally jumping in on the action. After lunch it was back to work. I was able to help go over some of my current job process and show a few others how it's done. 

After work was over I again went to Zoey and Chica's house where I packed up my stuff and played with the dogs. I made to give each one a big smooch before I left! 

Once I was back home I realized that my kitchen was bare so I made a quick trip to the store to re-stock my fridge and pantry. Back at home I was able to put myself back together again, well almost! 

I'm having mixed emotions about the new position/leaving my current one but at the moment all I'm freaking about right now is my dentist appointment tomorrow.... I HATE THE DENTIST!!! I had major jaw surgery in high school so since then my fear has slowly grown out of control. Cleanings are fine but any cavities and I'm losing it! Tomorrow I have to have TWO fillings. They happen to be on top row on opposite sides. So, I won't be able to talk very well. Awesome. Once the dentist is over and I have my car back I will feel like I will be able to cope with this huge change. 

Please think good things/pray that I can handle the dentist appointment tomorrow. Thank you.

No more dollhouse

I woke up this morning with Zoey on the bed. Just so you know she isn't allowed on the bed. As soon as our eyes met she jumped off of the bed. Little stinker!

There were several little stresses at work that were just driving me nuts. Karina and I made plans to work out later in the evening so I knew there was an outlet for the stress. 

At lunch time I went to check on Zoey and Chica. To my surprise Zoey had eaten/destroyed most of one of her little human's dollhouses! I thought for sure that Chica had gotten herself out of her kennel but nope it was all Zoey! I put both dogs outside while I picked the pieces and vacuumed up the mess. 

The carnage: 

 Close up:

I went back to work where the little things were slowly turning into big things. Again the idea of working was sounding more and more appealing. 

After work it was back to Zoey and Chica's house. As soon as the dogs went outside Zoey threw up pieces from the dog house and then Chica decided she should eat the vomit! GROSS! So, I spent forever tending to the dogs! I called Karina and had to cancel our work out because of the run around I was having with the dogs!

Sheesh! When it rains, it pours! I have no idea what made Zoey act up in such a bad way! 

I have a terribly early and busy day tomorrow as I need to shut down Chica and Zoey house, take my car to the dealership and go to work. Coffee will be my friend tomorrow! Here's to hoping for a better day tomorrow!

Young and Beauitful

I had to wake WAY too early this morning to get the dealership first thing. Once at the dealership I got the GOOD news that my hybrid battery was in fact needing to be replaced. I know normally this would not be good news for most people but for me it was because it was covered under warranty! Yay! Now, I'm waiting for the new battery to arrive this week so it can be replaced. It will take the dealership a few days as the entire back seat and side panels have to be removed to reach the hybrid part of the car. 

Work was whirlwind! Brittany and I were scheduled for most of the day together which was nice because she listens to my suggestions and treats me very nice! It was bittersweet as this was the last time I will ever work with her! :( Work was also physically exhausting with so many transfers that I'm certain Jillian would understand why I didn't work out. 

After work I went to Chica and Zoey's house to feed them dinner and let them outside. Then I headed out to dinner with Brittany to the local Mexican restaurant. It was so nice to catch up with Brittany and I swear just talking to her is like therapy. I will miss her! After dinner it was back to Chica and Zoey's. I played with the dogs for awhile until Zoey put herself in her kennel as if to say I'm done! 

So, it was a weird Monday but no a bad one. It's crazy to think that I will be leaving this position soon. I had my mind all made up a few weeks ago and now I'm feeling like I will be leaving friends and I will never see them again... I know I will but it's just weird. 

Music Monday was selected because I'm currently obsessed with the new Great Gatsby soundtrack! Here it is.