Ash Wednesday

Brett and I woke up early this morning so that we could make it to mass before work rather than wait until late tonight and not make it to the gym. What a wonderful way to start the day! For some reason, I have always really liked Lent even though it involves (or should involve) great sacrifice. I guess it is a lovely way of looking forward to Spring and new beginnings. This year, as I have for the past several, I will be giving up coffee. I have also decided that there are a few things I want to "work on" during Lent, those being - going to church on a regular basis, going to Confession, and not swearing. Brett is giving up alcohol! I know! So, I think we are both on the right track, although I am sure we will have our slip ups, what a great way to make a small sacrifice to God, who has blessed us with so many wonderful people and things!

Funny story: we listened to the gospel this morning from Matthew who spoke of silent almsgivings, not letting the right hand know what the left is doing, praying in silent and not having to broadcast it, and basically doing good for the sake of good and not for the reward. Brett leaned over with his big black ash cross and said "Doesn't this cross on my forehead make it difficult to not tell people I went to church this morning?":-)

Girls Night: Dinner and Theater Edition

A few weeks ago, I told the girls I needed something to do this weekend as Brett is out of town until Saturday night. So we got tickets to see Miss Saigon at the Drury Lane Theater. What a wonderful, inexpensive night in the 'burbs! For a little over $50 we got tickets to the show (and there is truly not a bad seat in the theater) and we got dinner. Drinks were not included but we were more than willing to pay a little extra for a few glasses of wine. Well, dinner was delicious and the show was amazing. What talent! Thanks girls for an awesome night!

Before the show, Sam and I did a little shopping at Oakbrook, mainly because I needed more help with my iPod Sport Kit ( I took everything in, including my shoe) - Hopefully it finally fixed. We spent almost the whole time in Coach and were even asked by the associates if we had ever worked for them. I guess we know a thing or two! Hahaha! Anyway, I have fallen in love....

Marissa meet Penelope and all her beautiful handbags and accessories!

Surprise!!!

What a great weekend I had surprising my little brothers. I flew home on Friday and neither of them knew. It was in part to surprise Scotty for his 16th birthday and in part because I had a long weekend. Both Ben and Scott were super surprised. I called Scott when we got home from the airport and talked to him until I got to the door, then knocked. He was shocked when he got to the door. Then I sat in Ben's dark room when he got home and the look on his face was priceless. It really was a wonderful weekend. It was relaxing and didn't fly by like it usually does when I am home.

Friday night, I helped the boys shop for Valentine goodies for the lady friends in their life. On Saturday, Ben and I shopped 'til we dropped at the Outlets and then both boys were off on their dates.

Scott and Stephanie went Swing dancing! and Ben and Shannon went to Sarris' Chocolate and then McDonald's.

Dad had to cook at the restaurant so Mom and I stayed home and enjoyed chocolate martini's, chocolate covered strawberries, and a good chic flick, No Reservations with Catherine Zeta Jones.

Sunday we had some family and friends over to celebrate Scotty's big day. This led to the highlight of the weekend:

Back up to Friday when Ben, Scott and I went to Sam's. We spotted a double layer cookie cake with frosting in the middle and on top. We were drooling. Fast forward back to Sunday, Ben and I are standing in the kitchen discussing the cake Mom bought and Ben says again how good the cookie cakes sounds. So, we swindle $20 and a Sam's Club card from Dad and Ben and Shannon ran and bought the cake. Ben, Shannon, Stephanie, Scott, and I hid in Ben's room and we surprised Scotty with a cookie cake. The only thing was I made them swear they would still eat dinner and eat the cake mom bought. So, there is still a bit of cookie cake hidden under Ben's bed. Hi Mom! :-)

Monday was a bit sad as usual. Ben went to school and Scott went for a half a day. While Mom got ready, Scotty and I went to my fav restaurant (other than the South Side) in PA, Eat 'n' Park, for my favorite dessert - Grilled Stickies A La Mode! After that we picked up mom and headed to the South Side for lunch with Dad and Aunt Sondra.

Off to the airport for a tearful good bye but sweet memories of another wonderful trip home.
I was greeted at the door by puppies and hubby and we went to Chipotle for a V Day dinner! Brett bought me the Mamma Mia soundtrack - he really loves me!

Sundays...it doesn't get any better than this!

Sundays are our favorite day of the week. Whether it is getting ready for a day of football, working out in the yard or just enjoying each others company, Sundays have always meant something to us. I think it has something to do with when we were living 8 hours apart and Sunday was always the last day we head before heading our separate ways. Yesterday we had the most pleasant day. We slept in a bit and then ate breakfast. One thing I love about out house is the way the morning light shines through the big window upstairs right into the dining room. It sets the perfect tone for sipping coffee and reading the paper. We lingered for a little too long and laughed at the dogs sitting our laps and in their own chairs. Brett left and went to Lowe's and I did some grocery shopping. Ironically we pulled back into the driveway at the exact same time. After working a bit around the house, we had a snack (healthy of course), and took the dogs for along walk. Everything is still melted and mess! Needless to say we ended up bathing both dogs together in the bathtub. We ate a wonderful dinner of pot roast, carrots and potatoes and finished the night doing out taxes. May sound dull, but it was one of the best days I have had in while.

Perhaps this should be a different post, but I am associating my wonderful Sunday with Brett with the reading I did at church on Saturday evening. It was form the book of Job and our priest said the most wonderful homily. He spoke of the story of Job and related it to people living right now and struggling with the economy. So often we ask "Why Me?" when something bad happens. Job asks God this question but he does not answer. Eventually Job realized he needs to have faith in God because God has a plan. Brett and I have been struggling with talks of selling our house and ways to save money, etc. I get bogged done by what we don't have and what we want, but on Sunday I managed for an entire day, to step back and be so thankful for what I have in my life and it turned out to be the perfect day!

Family Game Night

Saturday night, Natalie, Sam and I (and our respective significant others) got together for a little board game action. What a blast! Sam totally outdid herself making way too much food (which was not good for the Get Fit participants!) and some very tasty margaritas. Really? She made homemade white castles! We started the night by playing Balderdash and quickly found out that our group of friends is quite full of BS and that Brett provides an excellent description of German sausages. He and Natalie ultimately tied and decided they would share the title. After we played Scattegories and Natalie became the Scattegorie Nazi! I seriously cannot remember a night where I have laughed so hard. Thanks for the good times!!!

The Clancys

VS.

The Billings

VS.

The Christoffs

Natalie insisted on adding more tequila...

What else would you use to break up frozen margaritas?

Get Fit For Spring

Warning: I am about to become bitter, hateful and downright mean!!! I have (again) entered Get Fit For Spring.

This is a competition held at my school to promote a healthy lifestyle. You pick teams and then get daily points for stuff like exercising, drinking water, eating good foods, eating your Daily 5 of fruits and veggies, losing weight, etc. It runs for 7 weeks and at the end there is a (small and not worth it) monetary prize. Last year, my team won so we have a title to defend. So, the past week I have eaten more calories than anyone should trying to be at my "peak" for my weigh in the morning. I really don't have a lot of weight to lose, just a few straggler pounds. While Brett is not officially on the team, he is doing it too because he also would like to lose a few pounds. Now we started living a little better at the start of the new year but when I found out we were doing the competition again, I put things on hold so I could enjoy life for a bit before having to buckle down.

At approx. 6:30 am this morning, the Clancy family had their weigh in, Lucy (23.6; Fatty weighs way more than that!) and Tucker (16) included. I wish I had the camera when Brett got the dogs to "stand" on the scale. Maybe next Friday when we see if they have lost any weight. So, wish us luck, we have lots of water to drink, veggies to eat and miles to run!

Happy Weekend!!!

Proud to be a Steelers Fan!!!

We had a Super Bowl party yesterday with just a few friends. I wanted to keep it small so I could watch the game. It was a little disheartening that the only thing with Steelers on it that I could find were balloons, but the party was great anyway. We had lots of fun with great friends and the best part of it all...

The Steelers won the Super Bowl!!!!

It really was a GREAT game though and Tucker was so into it and nervous that the Steelers were going to lose, he could only watch with one eye...

Brett was awesome and went to the store that morning and got us all 3D glasses to watch the 3D commercials in. Too bad I don't have a picture of everyone in the room staring at the TV with paper glasses on...very funny!

The Billings Family... Tux at his first Super Bowl-he was way more interested in the toys. The "Chatty Cathy" table for those less interested in the game...

A battle of red and white and black and gold.... Lucy in her permanent spot-by the snack table!
Thanks everyone for a great day! Way to go Steelers!!!

Culinary accomplishment of the week

I cooked dinner on Monday night to celebrate Chinese New Year. Here I am beaming with pride at my fried rice and General Tso's Chicken. Brett looked at the rice and asked if all of China was coming for dinner.

To the wonderful man in my life...

I would like to take a moment to embarrass Brett a bit. He is obviously the more private one of us as I seem to enjoy sharing all aspects of our life to anyone in the blogosphere willing to read. However he deserves a little public recognition...

Today was Brett's yearly review at work. He was a little nervous but as it turns out, it went very well. As those of you that know Brett and I personally, we have had a rocky 8 months. Brett's mom passed away very suddenly and we were thrown into survival mode. In the past 8 months Brett has managed to handle what God has handed to him with grace and humility. He has managed to remain a loyal and hardworking employee, an incredible husband and a wonderful father to the four legged kind. Brett is the kind of person that makes me step back and look at him with awe. He has certainly had his moments and his days and he is not perfect but he is the kind of man that I look up to. And, so without further embarrassment I say to him, "Congratulations!" I love you Brett! You are my rock and my very best friend!

He even fixes sinks!

Where do the weekends go?

Happy Monday! It seems as though there are double digits in our future...I'm talking weather. Thank goodness because we just braved another frigid weekend!

Thanks to all my well wisher who helped me get over my weird touch of the stomach flu I had. And a special thanks to Mama Kate for prescribing the BRAT (bananas, applesauce, rice and toast diet) and for sending me to Target for some special pills. After canceling plans on Friday, I spent the night on the couch while Brett worked out. Way to go buddy!!! He has been very dedicated and has already dropped a few pounds.

Saturday was spent busying ourselves around the house. I was way behind on my domestic goddess duties and Brett's office was crying for some attention. So we were quite productive (Brett worked out on his own again since I had no energy because there was NOTHING in my stomach). Saturday night we got to see a high school friend of Brett's and his wife, Greg and Amy Adam of the Adam Family Blog who were in town for a Pom competition. They were exhausted when they finally got to our house so we had a nice quick dinner at our new favorite place, The Genghis Grill.

Ahhhh, Sunday - our favorite day of the week. We grocery shopped and then worked out and then I made a DELICIOUS dinner - Chicken and Vegetable Pot Pie. The recipe came from Real Simple Magazine, but Natalie recommended it last week after she successfully made it. She is becoming quite the little housewife!

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 onions, chopped
4 carrots, diced
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 cup dry white wine
2 cups 1 percent milk
1 10-ounce package frozen peas
1 tablespoon fresh thyme
Kosher salt and pepper
1 9-inch store-bought piecrust, thawed if frozen

Heat oven to 400° F. Cook the chicken in a pot of simmering water until cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes; let cool, then shred.Meanwhile, heat the oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions and carrots and cook, stirring, until they begin to soften, 6 to 8 minutes (do not let them darken). Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.Add the wine and cook until evaporated, about 5 minutes. Add the milk and simmer until the sauce thickens, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in the chicken, peas, thyme, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Transfer to a shallow 1 1/2- to 2-quart baking dish.Lay the crust on top, pressing to seal. Cut several vents in the crust. Place the pot pie on a baking sheet and bake until bubbling and the crust is golden, 30 to 35 minutes.Yield: Makes 6 servings

{My changes: I added a cubed potato, partially cooked, when I added the milk. I also substituted chicken broth for the wine and added some poultry seasoning in with the thyme.}

After dinner, Brett and I settled on the couch and started watching The Last Templar, a 2 part movie on NBC. What a way to close out the weekend...a cheesy movie, gingerbread cake, and two bottles of wine...