Warning: A bunch of rambling.

Up late. Don't really want to go to bed. What do I do? Blog of course.

Let me just tell you how much I enjoy my job. Sure it has it's ups and down, but what job doesn't. Because I work from home sometimes I find it really hard not to stay in my PJ's everyday. I just have to remind myself that it is a requirement to be dressed for company as I have no idea who or when someone will be by. I enjoy being able to be home with my little guy every day.

I have turned into a major football fan. Not NFL football, college football. I blame my husband. I find myself watching the little sports center program on ESPN and I even get mad and talk to the TV when they talk bad about my team or I disagree with their analysis of other teams. Saturdays... I'm not watching movies or doing housework. I'm right there watching football games along side my partner in crime. Of course he thinks it's great and funny when I don't quite understand something and have to ask him. I'm new to this and someday I'll be an expert. :)

We recently received a desk. A desk that wasn't in that great of condition, so we decided to get the family together and do a bonfire. Since we decided to have at my sister's in her fire pit it turned into just a fire. It was a fun evening. It's always an entertaining time when my family gets together, even when it's just half of us.

Well, I better get going to bed. Maybe next time I'll have something good to blog about, maybe I'll give up the whole blogging thing all together, go private or change of blog address.  I don't know, we shall see.

Silly kitty

Joe is a Paleontologist

Pittsburgh

Joe spent 5 days in Pittsburgh for the Society of Vertabrate Paleontology annual meeting. He presented a poster during one of the poster sessions on his research project he's been working on since January. His project is on a Tyrannosaur Metatarsal (in other words a foot).  He's been comparing it with other Tyrannosaurs during that same time period. He may have discovered that there was some kind of land barrier that kept the Tyrannosaurs from the north intermixing with the Tyrannosaurs in the south. That's about all I can say on it without getting some facts wrong. It's pretty neat the things they can tell from just the bones of these prehistoric creatures. He's hoping by the end of the year to have a paper written and get it published in a journal. During the poster session he met a couple of the authors of paper's he referenced on his poster. One of them even told him that he really should publish a paper on it.

SVP was a great experience for Joe. Not only did he present but he was able to meet the professors at the colleges he's been thinking about going for his Master's and start a networking needed to get into a good program.

Of course it wasn't all just meeting stuff. A lot of his friends from school were there too and they had fun at night at dinner and such.

I'm glad we were able to scrounge up enough money at the last min for him to go. Even if it caused some extra stress when my paycheck ended up MIA for a couple of days. Joe almost didn't have a way home because of it. It all worked out and James and I were glad to have him back home again. We miss him a lot when he's gone. Next years meeting is in Las Vegas and we're planning on making it a family trip.

Halloween Video

Check out our Halloween video. Hope you all have a Happy Halloween!

8 Months Today!

8 months old and sitting.

Jazz Scimmage

Last Saturday we went to the Jazz Scrimmage. It was fun to watch them play against each other and see the new talent we have on our team. Since they just recently changed the logo and colors of the Jazz. They unveiled the new floor at the beginning of the scrimmage. We sat pretty close to the floor and I know we'll never be this close during an actual game. Sitting that close you can actually see all the little things they do and hear what they say to each other during the game. It's crazy how tall the players actually are. They don't seem that tall on TV. It is definitely different and better in person. I'm excited for this season and hope our Jazz does well.

Here's a video of the unveiling of the floor:

And here are some Pictures:

Here are the Jazz. Coming out of the tunnel.

Filming a commercial

Still filming a commercial

James is showing his support for the Jazz in his new T-shirt.

Southern Fried Chicken Strips

There's a first for everything and this is the first time I'm sharing a recipe. Exciting huh? I got this from my little sister. I have made it a couple of times and think it's about time I start sharing recipes of some of the yummy things I make.

Southern Fried Chicken Strips

1 egg
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 cup all-purpose flour
1-1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1-1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp paprika
2 lbs chicken tenderloins or chicken breast cut in strips
Oil for Deep-fat Frying
2 Tbsp. Grated Parmesan Cheese (Optional)

In a shallow bowl, whisk egg and buttermilk. In a separate shallow bowl, combine the flour, garlic, powder, pepper, salt and paprika. Dip chicken in egg mixture then flour mixture.

In an electric skillet or frying pan heat oil to 375 degrees. Fry chicken a few pieces at a time for 2-3 minutes on each side or until no longer pink. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with Parmesan Cheese.

Enjoy!