Not Exactly How We Planned It.

We had been planning our long Easter Weekend camping trip for a good few weeks now. Knowing the hubbs was leaving for a while right after, we knew this would be a great little get away for us. Back up about 3 weeks. We took the Westy out for a drive and on our way home it started making this awfully loud beeping noise. We both looked at each other with this "what in the world, is going on" look. We pulled over in a parking lot and let it cool down for a minutes and the beeping stopped. But we knew something wasn't right. We continued home, not far down the road it stated up again. "This is not happening" I though to myself. Knowing the Westy is well over 20 years old and it was going to come with its problems at some point or another but the timing could not have been worse. The hubbs added some water to the anti-freeze compartment. Crossing our fingers we headed home. Stopping to grab lunch on the way. Just out side our sub-division the beeping started again. Just let us make it into the garage we said. Sure enough it was leaking pretty bad from under the engine compartment. Blah!!!! Total bummer. After a little research we where able to determine the problem. We ordered the part to fix it with and crossed our fingers that all would be done in time for our get away. Skip ahead a week, the evening we received parts in the mail the hubbs got right to it. Maybe 30-45 minutes into it and he called it quits. Turns out simply just getting the old parts off was harder than he though it was going to be. As he said it "I'm not going to loose sleep over this." You could tell he was getting frustrated with it. We called U-haul to see what time they closed, rushed down and picked up a flat bed trailer to load her up on and take her into the shop the next morning. Thankfully prior to ordering the parts the hubbs had found a local shop here that could do the repairs but he was pretty sure we could save money doing it himself. Sadly it didn't work out that way. 

We loaded her up with the help of our neighbors. Let me say that was a scary scary ordeal. I started out in the driver seat and then the hubbs quickly kicked me out. E hopped in and took control as the hubbs pushed her out of the garage. Then it as up to the two of us and C to push her up on the flat bed. They must have determined that another man would do better at pushing so E and I switched. I was in charge of the break, making sure she didn't slide back or go over the front right into the bed of our truck. Talk about a huge responsibility. No pressure, none at all lol. 

The hubbs dropped off the Westy the next morning but we didn't get a call back on a it for two days since they were busy. We still had high hopes that she'd be done and ready for our trip over the weekend, We scheduled our check in for Friday evening just to give a little extra time. Friday afternoon rolled around and we'd just returned from our bike ride. We received the call, it wasn't happening. They had found another leak and needed to order parts to fix it. I was heart broken. We did a little shopping that morning for our trip, but stuff that we needed, for the van its self. Thankfully we held off on food shopping till we knew fore-sure. 

We made the most of our weekend now that we didn't have any plans. The hubbs sprung a trip to Bowling Green, KY on me that afternoon. It's about a hour an a half to two hours away. Why not. We made a afternoon of it, came back to town and had dinner out. Saturday we spent the day down in Nashville and then Sunday we went out to LBL - Land Between the Lakes and did a bit of exploring. I was totally bummed our trip was cancelled but we still had a great time on our long weekend together.

Wednesday afternoon we finally received a call that the Westy was finished and ready to be picked up. The hubbs wasn't able to pick it up till the next day but coming home that evening and opening the garage door and finally seeing it back was such a exciting time. It was the first of sadly I'm sure not the last time she'll be in the shop. Thankfully going into this when we first bought Westy we set up a Westy Fund, incase something like this were to come up. I'm forever grateful we did to, because that would have def. hurt our account had we not. 

Plans are set for a weekend camping trip when the hubbs returns. It'll be the perfect way to celebrate both of our birthdays. :) 

24 + 2 hours

Over the weekend my mom and her new husband Chuck came in town to visit. A quick visit that is. Their able to fly for free via Stand By thanks to their work at American Airlines. They were set to arrive just before noon on Saturday so the hubbs and I headed down to Nashville early to do a little window shopping. We spent the morning checking out some of our go to stores before heading to the airport. We had plans to have lunch at one of our all time favorite eateries, Loveless Cafe. Oh my mouth was already watering before we even got their. We ended up having to wait about a hour for our table. Fine by me, as long as it meant I'd be getting some of those mouth watering biscuits at some point or another. I love the little shops around the property that your able to walk through and check out while you wait. It helps pass the time. After a bit of shopping we found and picnic table outside where we sat, relaxed and caught up a bit while we waited.

Lunch was absolutely fabulous, there's just no other way to put it. I had the Pork BBQ Plate with a side of Fried Okra and Green Beans. I normally go for the Chicken N Waffles but decided to step out of my box and try something different. It didn't disappoint either.

After lunch we headed to the Grand Ole Opry, we'd driven by several times but never gotten out and actually walked around or toured it. The Grand Ole Opry was the one thing Chuck wanted to see while he was here. Who am I to interject, I'd never been either so it was a win win for both of us. We eventually started to make our way back to town, it was only around 4pm but it had already been a long long day.

We drove them through Downtown Clarksville on our way home, when they suddenly asked if there was a spot close by they could get a picture with the state sign. DONE, we said. They where able to mark TN and KY off their list. Perks of living so close to the state boards I suppose.

For dinner I had plans to make some tasty Pizza and Salad. I already cut up all the veggies and prepped them the night before along with making the pizza dough crust. Everything just had to put together and baked. On the menu was a BBQ Chicken Pizza and a Supreme. We had a friend stop by so he joined us for dinner and everyone seemed to love the pizza's. This is the second time recently that we have made pizza at home and I forget how much fun it is.

We followed dinner up with a trip in the Westy up to Berry Bear for some Frozen Yogurt. Oh so yummy. Shortly later we called it a night, after all the hubbs and I had been up and on the go since 6am that morning.

Oh the breakfast menu for this morning as nothing other than some tasty Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Icing. Working ahead to save time this morning I made up the Roll's last night so they simply just had to be baked this morning. Since I had double the recipe it took a bit longer to cook but let me tell you they didn't disappoint at all. These are our Go To Cinnamon Roll's we'll never buy store bought canned or frozen ever again. We've made these a good few times now, so I've pretty much got it down to a science. They where a Win and Guest approved.

After breakfast the hubbs had to head into work for a few hours, total bummer. Mom, Chuck and I took the pups for a walk around the block, and then relaxed watching a movie before heading to Miss Lucille's to do a little shopping. Unfortunately after our little Antiquing journey it was time to head to the airport to drop them off. They had a flight out at 2:20 that afternoon. Like I said it was a SHORT visit. But it was really good to see them. I really wish they could have stayed longer but any time is better than none I suppose right. Hopefully they'll be able to come back out again soon.

I didn't take many pictures at all while they where here. Things seemed so busy that I didn't even pull my phone out most of the time.    

Gone In The Blink of a Eye

It seems like forever since I've last blogged and well if we're being honest it really has been forever. I feel like we've done so much since the New Year started and I haven't had the chance or taken the time to sit down and document it. I want to keep up with this here blog of mine for my own personal self. Being able to look back years from now and read through our journey's is something I know I'll enjoy. Sometimes I feel like we just get caught up living in the moment and enjoying life that the last thing I want to do is sit down in front of the computer. Even more so now that I'm taking 3 classes, 2 of which are online, so that tends to consume a bit of my time.

Over the last few weeks we've enjoyed a few outings around town and into Kentucky. We went up to BowlingGreen, KY and toured the Lost River Cave which was really neat. We did a little shopping around town and grabbed lunch at Chuy's Mexican Restaurant before heading back home. We really did enjoy ourselves and it was so nice to get away and explore a city we hadn't yet been to.

The hubbs had a week where he was working some late nights for awhile. These guys really missed him and would sit at the entry way just waiting for him to walk through the door. Poor puppies miss their daddy.

Oh the Snow, the first winter I was here it was pretty and I enjoyed it. Now I'm just over it. Although I am not very comfortable driving in it I have managed to get around and make it to work on the day's we where open. I think the pups are still a little unsure of it. Sometimes they seem to not mind it and then other times they seem to hate it and won't even go off the back porch when we let them outside. We took them out for a walk and they just wanted to lick it and try to eat it the whole way. I'm ready for Spring, Warm Weather and FLIP FLOPS please!!!

One snowy afternoon the hubbs decided it would be a great idea to make homemade pizza for dinner. Sounded delicious to me, however we didn't really have anything at home to make pizza with. I told him if he drove we could go to the store and get what we needed, so that we did and this was here was created. Let me tell you it as simply fabulous. I can't believe we don't do homemade (crust included might I add) more often. It's so fun and tasty.

The following morning we had big plans for breakfast, a biscuit, sausage and gravy bake. I came across this recipe on pinterest a while back and had been itching to try it. So of course being snowed in, this seemed like the perfect time. And since I had all the time in the world I figured I'd try my hand at homemade biscuits. There's first for everything right. OMG they came out so so good. I was in heaven. And it was so easy. All this time it seemed so daunting so I never tried making them. I don't know that I'll ever buy store biscuits again or even a mix.

The breakfast casserole turned out simply fabulous and we even had it for left over's the next day.

There was about a two week period just recently where the hubbs was gone for training. Here but gone. I had a much needed girls day with two of my favorite people here. We met up for pedicure, followed by Chinese for dinner. From there we went to Hobby Lobby and picked up a craft to work on while we Skyped and watched a movie with Amy's Mom and Sister that live in Utah. It was so much fun. We had yummy snacks, lots of laughs and all managed to work on our cross stitch that we picked out a bit. I don't know that any of us really paid much attention to the movie although I was totally fine with that. It was just what I needed. I didn't get home that night till almost 1am and yet I was still wide awake the next morning at like 6:30-7:00am. Thankfully with the hubbs being away and needing to work on school work I had a lazy day to myself with the pups.

Taco Monday: sure it would have sounded more catchy being Taco Tuesday but it was a Monday night. I went and had our taxes done and the hubbs cooked up the chicken for me so I could get dinner going quickly when I got home. Another one we haven't had in a good long while. These where Oven Baked Cheesy Tacos and let's just say, they where so good. I could have stuffed my face with one more. But I chose not to and saved it for my lunch the next day and it was just as good then to. Now the rice on the other hand, not really sure what went wrong there but it wasn't all that great. I'm a huge fan of rice to, so I was a bit disappointed. Thankfully the taco's made up for it.

Thursday night we had a Hail and Farewell at The Blackhorse downtown. It's always nice to get out with the hubbs and enjoy a evening together. I still don't know many wives in his company and this was a Battalion level event so there was quite a few people I didn't even recognize. It was only Platoon SGT's and up which made it a small quant gathering.

I had originally made cookies for a few of the girls at work and well long story short my annoying very very bad dogs some home managed to get the entire tray of 4 dozen cookies off the kitchen counter while I work and ate the entire thing. You can bet they got sick and threw up and I didn't feel the least bit sorry for them. I was so mad. So after the Hail and Farewell I decided to make some homemade brownies to take instead. I needed something easy and quick that I could pull out of the oven and cover to let it cool. Of course they couldn't be just any old brownies. I had to fancy them up a bit. I made up some peanut butter cookie dough and dropped spoonful's in the brownie mixture and topped them with sprinkles. Boy let me say they turned out great. I was still mad about the cookies but I think this ended up being just a tad bit better than what the cookies would've been.

Friday at work the kiddo's had their Valentines Exchange and Party. They had so much fun and defiantly loaded up on some tasty treats and cute cards. I made these cute little Gold Fish Valentines for them and I love the way they came out. So simply yet so cute.

Wrapping up 2015

Of course it wouldn't seem right if I didn't do one last "dump" post before the year was over would it now. I've had a few pictures and drafts waiting for a place on this here blog of mine for a good minute and well I just haven't had the time or energy to sit down and put the words together. So here you go, the last little bit of 2015 and how we spent it.

*Early December we went to the Hubbs Battalion Ball down in Nashville. We ended up staying the night down there and had a great evening out with friends.

*The morning after the ball we went to breakfast at Biscuit Love. I'd been wanting to try it for a while now and well it was tasty, I have to say its not some where I'd rush back to.

*While the hubbs was at a match I took advantage and tagged along. After dropping him off I headed into town to check out the Franklin Factory and Market. I picked up some tasty 100 layer donuts and some Bison for our Christmas Dinner.

*I'm in love with our new fire place mantel picture. I had originally planned to put it over out bed but I just love it here.

*It just wouldn't be a complete holiday with out some freshly made Gingerbread loads and a Candy Cookie Cake for our work New Years Eve Pot Luck.

* I hadn't been to a match with the hubbs recently so I decided to tag along this particular day. Bonus we had lunch in Nashville and did a bit of window shopping.

*Our first ever date way back in 2006 was to "Ice" at the Gaylord in Texas. When I found out last year that they did it here at the Opryland Hotel & Resort I told the hubbs we had to go. We enjoyed it and had such a great time.

*My childhood puppy I had before moving to Hawaii was adopted by my best friend Ang. we found out late on Sunday night that she ended up having to be put to sleep. She had, had so many problems of the years but lived a long long life!!!

*Right in the mist of preparing dinner one evening after work our power went out. We decided to take the pups on a walk to give it time to come back on but no such luck. Out to dinner we went and ruffly two ours later when we returned there was still no power. I decided it was the perfect time to watch a movie on my computer.

Christmas Weekend 2015

We had a wonderful relaxing low key Christmas weekend this year. We stayed home through the Holiday. We didn't have any family come to visit, it was just the two of us. Plus of course the furry mutts. But it was just perfect. It was nice not to have to worry with the hustle of trying to get from one families home to another. Staying home we where able to do our own thing and simply enjoy each other. I unfortunately had to work up until the day before Christmas Eve, which I suppose wasn't that bad. Other that the fact that I would have much rather been at home with the hubbs. I ended work late Wednesday night due to us having our Preschool Christmas Spectacular Concert. It went off great and everyone really seemed to enjoy it.

Christmas Eve Morning we woke up and went for a bike ride on post. I really enjoying riding together. It's become something I look forward to doing on the weekends. After our morning ride we went home and I made some delicious GingerBread Pancakes for breakfast.

The hubbs had plans to go shooting with a buddy of his early afternoon which left me home alone. I took full advantage of the day and cleaned the house top to bottom. I even straighten up the garage and took the pups for a walk. It's such a wonderful feeling so have a spic and span home. 

We lounged around the rest of the day and watched Christmas movies. For dinner we carried on a Family Tradition having Sandwiches for dinner. We enjoyed some tasty Turkey, Ham, Bacon and Cheese Croissant Melts with a side of Sweet Potato Puffs. One of my favorites :). Followed by more Christmas Movies.

Christmas Morning we managed to sleep in a little bit, which was nice and much needed. We agreed to wait and exchange gifts till after I got breakfast in the oven. At his request, Homemade Cinnamon Rolls. Don't mind if I do, I absolutely love them. With breakfast in the oven, the hubbs gave the pups their gift, a large bone each. They seemed to really enjoy it. We too turns opening gifts from each other as well as my Nene. Generally each year it seems like I end up going with a theme for his gifts and this year was no different. It was all about it bike. He received clip on peddles, a bike maintenance book, a bike maintenance rack and clip on shoes. Of course there where a few other odds and ends added in there as well. I received lots of kitchen ware, a oldie but most defiantly a goodies. A new complete set of tubberware (seeings the hubbs has managed to loose not one, two but three sets since he's been home, don't even get me started), a waffle maker, a electric pancake griddle (both of which I'd been wanting). The hubbs also gave me a new Garmin Fitness watch which I'm still learning and playing around with. We of course did get each other a few things for the Westy. Christmas wouldn't have been complete if we hadn't.

We spent the day lounging around doing absolutely nothing, we stayed in our pjs all day and just relaxed. Something we never do and let me tell you it was so nice. For dinner we went a non-traditional route, Kabobs. Our menu included: Seared Bison topped with sautéed Mushrooms and Feta, Grilled Chicken and Veggies with a Plain Baked Sweet Potato. It was just perfect and tasted fabulous.

Saturday, I decided to go with the hubbs to his match,  this way we could go down into Nashville afterwards and do a little shopping. After grabbing some lunch we headed back home to de-christmas the house. I absolutely love the Holiday's and the way our home looks when its decorated but I was ready to get it back to normal. We managed to get everything down, packed away, the tree and loads of boxes that had been piling up loaded in the truck and off to the dump. It was a great feelings to have all of that done and behind us.

Sunday, we went on a ride, came home busted out the new waffle maker for breakfast and made Belgian Waffles. The rest of the day was just kinda hanging out. We ran a few earns but nothing to fancy. It was a bit rainy and ugly out so we took advantage and chill-axed at home.

All in All it was a great weekend, just the two of us and I really wouldn't have had it any other way. I hope you and yours had a wonderful Holiday. Merry Christmas!!

Our 1st LBL Camping Adventure

We took the Westy out for our first Camping Adventure this past weekend at LBL also known as Land Between the Lakes. Its a pretty huge recreational area that sits going through TN and KY and yes you guessed it, its surrounded by water. Although just driving through at first you wouldn't know that. There's so so much to do at LBL, this was only our second time out there. The first time was last fall before the hubbs deployed and then we just made a day trip out of it and drove around checking out different areas and what there was to do and see.

At the beginning of the week the hubbs mentioned going camping, kinda out of know where. I though it was kinda odd since we agreed we'd wait till we got the upholstery redone on the inside in a week or so. But hey, I didn't have school that weekend and we didn't really have any other plans so I mean why not. We booked a camp sight not really knowing where it was located and went with it.

Friday since the hubbs was off work he picked up a few things we needed to our little adventure. Also trying to see if could get the stove in the Westy looked at. It runs off propane and we are 100% sure it works and well frankly we don't want to cause any damage trying to start / light it. Not having any luck with the local shops here we decided we'd just get a little camping stove to take along with us. We'd planned on buying one at some point any how, so it worked out. He spent the rest of the afternoon loading up the Westy and getting everything ready, so when I got home I just had to change and we could head out.

On our way there it was raining, it had been raining the whole afternoon but I had hopes that since our camp ground location was on the opposite end of LBL that we'd be fine and that we where it had cleared out just shortly before we arrived. Although since it was the first time driving her out in the rain we did notice a leak in the sky light / sunroof on the top. It wasn't horrible but something we need to add to our todo list for sure.

Once we arrived and set up "camp" we started up a fire and made some dinner. Chicken Noodle Soup it was. We bought on of those packets that you simply add boiling water to and let it cook in the bag for so long and TADA its done!!! We enjoyed our first meal in the Westy followed by Hot Chocolate and S'mores over a nice little camp fire. I set up the inside bed while the hubbs and pups relaxed and took in the night stars. It was absolutely beautiful out there, so calm and peaceful. It was so nice to be away. We had no cell phone reception which was nice because we where able to disconnect from the world and really spend time with each other.

I'm the mean on between the two of us, I wouldn't let the pups sleep with us that night. I mean come on the bed is pretty much the size of a full size bed and when you have a 115lb dog and a 45lb dog plus the two of us that's quite a bit on one bed. We turned the passenger seat around and Dingo slept up there and I brought a old blanket and Bailey slept on the floor. Everyone made out fine and they didn't seem to butt hurt. Plus I really wasn't wanting them on our brand new bedding we had just bought. The hubbs took the night shift in letting them out to potty, because you know they just had to go. So, I kindly got kicked out of bed for the morning shift to take them out, and boy was it chilly. Lucky for him I had to use the restroom myself so other wise I would have not gotten my butt up outta bed.

We spent the morning making breakfast over our little camp stove and enjoyed the crisp fall air. Shortly after breakfast we decided to take the pups on a little walk about the camp grounds and explore the area some more. It was such a beautiful place, and the views of the lake at some of the camp sites where amazing. We definitely made note on a few sites we'd like to book in the future. After our walk we lounged around a bit, the hubbs rode his bike up to local store to check it out and over heard one of the workers about a walking trail. So we decided to leash up the pups again and take them for a walk. They did really good and lucky for them got in lots of extra exercise through out the day. Once we got back to our campsite I decided to fix lunch, Guacamole Shredded Chicken in Pita Bread with a Apple / Grape Salad. It was so tasty!!!! The hubbs decided he was going to be lazy and take a nap so I went for a nice little bike ride around the camp grounds, checking out the other side that we hadn't walked. 45 minutes later I finally made my way back. That's when the hubbs decided he was gonna go for a ride. We could have gone together but We really didn't wanna leave the pups alone in the Westy. I took advantage of the bed to myself and took a little nap. It was the best, I just laid there with the door open and even let the pups lay on the bed with me. Shocker I know!! When he got back he had the wild idea to go get ice cream at the general store up the road. We made it a family outing and the pups walked up with us, I had brought with us some special treats for them so I took a couple with us so they could enjoy something while we where eating our ice cream.

We lounged around a bit more that afternoon, played with a wooden airplane the hubbs had bought and decided we head back that evening, instead of early in the morning as planned. (hubbs had to be in Nashville super early Sunday morning) Not before dinner over our campfire, Chili Hot Dogs. I couldn't even tell you the last time I ate a hotdog, let alone a Chili Hotdog. Not my thing but there's something about camping that brings them out and makes it ok to eat. Of course since we had a fire going we had to make up some S'mores. It's not a camping trip without stuffing your with the yummy goodness of chocolate and marshmallows smushed and melted between two graham crackers.

It was the perfect way to end our much needed relaxing little get away.

We even took a different way home that evening so we were able to see a new to us part of KY and it was such a beautiful drive. I can't wait to go back out camping and for all the fun adventure we have ahead of us in our Westy!!!!