Why yes, I am a homeowner

Really and truly, we own a home!!
Today is Friday the 13th and we closed on our first home today. Brave souls, aren't we? We get the keys on Monday!! So this weekend will be spent packing and getting things ready, the next few weekends will be spent moving. Wanna help?

I'm getting married for real now!

It's all so real now!
We gave people money, so it is going to happen!
We are getting married in Frankenmuth, with our families with us. I think it will be nice and intimate, I didn't want a huge blow-out affair, not to mention we don't have that kind of money! I am sill in shock at how easy it was to set everything up. We went up yesterday, saw the site and the restaurant, put down deposits and that's it! It's like having a wedding coordinator. Both places will call me the week before to finalize some details but basically all I do is show up and they will make everything else happen! We even picked out napkins and centerpieces, food, everything. We just have to figure out what songs to walk down the aisle to. I don't even have to worry about flowers, they call me and ask colors and do the rest. So really I just have to get myself a wedding dress and Larry has to get a suit, other than that its mostly like just get there, the will get us married!
Best decision we made about the wedding so far! I know we are kind of bummed we cant celebrate with our friends, but that's what our epic housewarming party will be for!!!!!

My Dad retired, I guess I'm getting old

My daddy retired after a long career at General Motors. How do we celebrate such a momentous occasion? Well thats easy, our clan looks for any excuse to have a party!

Here's the man of the hour, accompanied by his "real boss"

Also in attendance, my apparantly narcoleptic Grandmother and myGrandfather
seriously, I took like 3 pictures, eyes shut in all of them. I give up Grandma!

You might recognize these 2 people:

Perhaps we should have a toast to this wonderful occasion, and who better to give it?
it's Eric! My favorite little brother! His speeches are always...well....memorable!
Let's toast!
ok Dad, what you got to match Larry's gigantic beer?
Dad's in heaven with his scotch and soda.

What do we like in this family almost as much as eating?


Presents!!!!!
comedy cd's for the long trip out west


what every retired person needs, a 12 ton air powered hydraulic jack

and the most perfect old man gift of them all....
it's a metal detector! We should have gotten him some tall black socks and sandals too, that would have completed it!

I'm so happy that my Dad got to have all this fun, he worked hard in the icky hot gross plant to give us all a great life. Thanks for all you have done for us Dad!

How to install an exhaust brake

Yes, thats right, I'm going to teach you how to install an exhaust brake on a Silverado 2500HD with the duramax diesel engine. Cause I'm cool like that.

We did this a month or so ago, I just got the pics, they tell the story


First, obtain said truck and a large driveway, jack it up and place dad underneath

Then, obtain the services of a diesel mechanic that will work cheap

good, you are well on your way! Now you will need a seriously expensive exhaust brake after you convince your wife it will be worth it
Great! Now saw off your exhaust. Yes, seriously.
Perfect. Now you should pray. You crazy person, you just sawed off your exhaust! What were you thinking? Or, just have some fun with it all
Yes, I was helping, I was the tool girl
Then, crawl under truck to see whats going on


I got to put that clamp on. I didn't have enough leverage, so I had to brace myself of Larry. Dad said it looked dirty. He actually said much worse but I've put those memories out of my head

Next step, find wife, make her work too
Her job is to connect the air hose
Good job everybody! It works! Let's celebrate!

Wait, where is Kel? Oh wait, there are baby bunnies in a hole in the backyard. I suppose thats where Kel would be
Oh happy day!
Bunnies!

And that my friends, is how to install an exhaust brake!

Lazy Chicken Fajitas

I just made a really yummy dinner that was so good. I tend to do my best cooking when I look online for some inspiration, then I throw away the recipes and just work with what I have. I don't measure, I'm lazy.


If I felt good enough there would be an awesome photo here. Maybe I'll take a pic when the Mr. heats his up

Recipe - kind of:
-a package of boneless skinless chicken breast cut into the size you like, about a pound or so
(extra points if you got them for 99cents/lb like I did!!)
-Season salt, probably 1 tsp or so
-Garlic, chili powder, cumin about 1 tbl
-Black pepper, a few grinds
-About 2 cups of assorted bell peppers, sliced into strips
I use frozen "Melange a Tois" from Trader Joes
-Onion, one small
I use the frozen diced onions found on the top shelf of your favorite grocers frozen veggies aisle
-Oil to grease the pan, grapeseed is my favorite to saute with

How to:
add oil to pan over medium heat, add chicken and season with season salt
cook chicken till no longer pink
add onions, black pepper, cumin, chili powder and garlic.
Cook a minute or two and add peppers
Cook until peppers are of uniform heat
serve with sour cream on soft taco/fajita wraps
For you dairy-phobes like me use Tofutti Better than Sour Cream, its awesome