Random Updates

Things have been quite busy around these parts lately.  So, I'll just give you some bullet point random updates:

-We're re-doing the deck.  Or shall I say Mark is redoing the deck.  He has replaced nearly every piece of wood and just has to finish the railing and then we're done.  I really do wish the deck here was bigger, but it's insane all of the things you have to get inspected by the city and approved by the HOA.  It's just too much to fool with.  

-I bought a treadmill.  I have a terrible track history of buying lot of expensive exercise equipment and then just letting it sit and gather dust.  So, Mark was less than thrilled that I had purchased this.  But, to my credit I bought it for just $100 from a friend.  It's got all of the bells and whistles, but at a fraction of the price!  It's upstairs in the bonus room where I can watch television while exercising, and nobody has to look at it.  I agreed to Mark that if I don't regularly use it within the next 3 months, I'll give it away on Craigslist.

-I am hosting dinner club next Saturday.  Pork tenderloin and chicken rotel are what's on the menu.

-We need to buy a grill.  I had thought that we'd just get one of the lower end stainless steel grills at Lowes for around $200 and then after a few years just throw it out once it's half broken.  At least that's what we've done in the past.  But since we're in the market for a grill, we've been paying more attention to what our friends own.  Mostly Weber grills.  They've had them for several years and get this:  the ignitor hasn't gone out!!!  The life span of the ignitor seems to be about 1-2 years on the more basic grills.  They have been so happy with Weber.  So, that's what we've decided to go with.

-I have just discovered GoGurt.  I thought this stuff wasn't real yogurt and was some bad for you kid's snack.  But it's not!  It's real yogurt that you can freeze and take with you and then eat it later.  It's awesome!!  The only down side is that except for strawberry, the flavors are very weird.  Things that kids would like such as cotton candy and "bikini bottom berry"---which seems a tad questionable as to where on earth they came up with that one for a kids snack.  I'd much prefer vanilla.  Guess that's not so popular with the juvenile crowd.

-Also, I have learned to make my own hummus.  People, we have been WAY overpaying for this for years.  This stuff comes in a 80 cent can as chick peas and you just put in in the blender (or food processor) with a little S&P, cumin, and garlic powder.  It is THAT easy.  No need to go pay $4 for a tiny container like we've been doing.

-On the television front, I have started watching Police Women of Memphis.  Yes, we enjoy this program thoroughly.  Especially recognizing most of the areas they're going to in and around Midtown Memphis. Sad, really.  But the show is quite hilarious.

Mark is asleep at 4:30 p.m. on a Saturday afternoon in the chair next to me while I'm watching "Ice Road Truckers" or whatever it's called.  Pretty good show.  Its been soooo hot today.  Aside from my morning trip to the grocery store,  I've stayed inside and cleaned and done dishes, laundry and cooked.  Now, I'm off to eat some of that carrot souffle.  Have a good weekend!