FUN, FUN, AND MORE FUN!!!

Last night our Branch mission leader held a dance at our gym. It was so much fun. There was not a lot of people there, but the ones that showed were ready to dance the night away. It felt so good, to get out and have a good time. Mark and I were also blessed to have an answer to our prayer as we invited our non-member neighbours to come, and they showed up. They said they had a lot of fun and we could invite them to any other activities we do.

BUFFALO CHICKEN MEATBALLS

Well another new recipe learned. They were pretty good. I think next time I will try and use a different sauce, as hot sauce is not my absolute fav. Maybe a sweet and sour one next time.

here is the recipe:

• 1 pound ground all-white-meat chicken
• 1/2 small onion, grated
• 2 cloves garlic, grated
• 1/2 cup parsley, chopped
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), for drizzling
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 cup hot sauce, such as Frank's brand

Pre-heat the oven to 400ºF.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground chicken with the onion, garlic and parsley and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Flatten out the meat in the bowl and score it into four portions using the side of your hand. Shape each portion into four balls – you should have sixteen meatballs in total.

Wash your hands after handling the raw poultry.

Arrange the meatballs on a nonstick sheet pan and drizzle them with EVOO. Place in the oven and bake until the meatballs are cooked through and golden brown, about 10-12 minutes.

While the meatballs are baking, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the hot sauce and whisk to combine. Toss the baked meatballs in the hot sauce to coat.

THIEVES ARE SO GAY!!!!

This is a quote from my still frustrated husband to his still insanely frustrated wife. Last night Mark had young men's so I decided to go in and swim some laps at the swimming pool. I usually lock my stuff up or share with a friend unfortunately not last night. Last night the women's change room was closed so I went into the family one I threw my bag in a hallway locker. I did not have a loonie or a locker to lock my stuff up but I thought my stuff was safe as I was only going for 30 minutes. Well I was foolish as it only takes about 5 seconds to steal a bag, they had ample amount of time to make off with my Visa, Debit Card, Driver's License, Running shoes, Cell Phone, my favorite work out top, bra and shorts, a fairly new expensive addidas sweater, and of course the bag itself. Lesson learned ALWAYS LOCK YOUR STUFF UP!!!!!!

Are you for real!!

Could you imagine having arms, legs, a stomach that was this buff. I can't even imagine what her butt looks like. I can't even fathom how disciplined you would have to be. You would have to exercise I swear 5 hours everyday and everything you put in your mouth would have to be healthy. I have thought about trying to work towards having a figure that looked like this but honestly I don't even now how it would be enjoyable. I am however dreaming of maybe having a small little six pack. I don't even begin to know how to get there but it will hopefully be fun trying. I have kind of gotten into a rut or my body has decided unless you do something drastic that extra 15 pounds you want to loose will not come off. I am happy for the most part with the look and health of my body right now, I count my blessing as it could be worse and there are those less fortunate that don't have the ability to exercise or the money to eat healthy. However I think it would be a great confidence builder to look at some abs and say "Hey I worked hard and ate healthy to get there, it was not easy but it is so worth it" I know this might be lame, and also vain posting about this and if my attempts at doing this is a success or a failure but I find writing things down motivates me better.

MADE MY DAY!!!

Some people can just make your day. Tonight at work, a gentleman came in and started up one of the most interesting conversations I have ever had. It went a little something like this.

Man: excuse me but where are your glasses that are covered under Indian Affairs.

Kalinda: we'll sir we actually don't have a set selection of frames to choose from, I can figure out what you are covered for and then we can select a frame that best suites you and is covered.

Man: oh man that would be wonderful, I like that idea, I want one of those one's that has nothing there.

Kalinda in her head: nothing there, hum what is this man talking about.

Man: You know the kind that has that wire or something in the bottom.

Kalinda: ah a semi-rimless frame, yeah we have lots like that.

Man: oh good let's go look at some, you know what I am running for chief counselor next year, and I think I am going to get it, do you know what chief counselor is.

Kalinda: No, I am sorry I don't.

Man: oh that is to bad.

The gentlemen then proceeded to try on some glasses, but decided instead of a semi-rimless look he wanted a buddy holly look.

Man: So do you have any buddy holly looks, with running for Chief Counselor I need to look smart, and sophisticated.

Kalinda: Yeah we have a couple frames that give you that buddy holly look. Here try these one's on. Oh and this pair is also a nice semi rimless pair give this one a try as well.

Man: oh yeah I like this one, set these aside for me and I will come tomorrow and get them, and maybe I will get two pairs, but I will look for the other pair tomorrow.

Kalinda: Great I can do that for you. I hope you have a great day sir and thanks for stopping in.

The gentlemen then proceeds to sit in one of the chairs

Man: This is the best CD ever man, do you know this CD.

Kalinda: No I don't who is it?

Man: it is Eminem, best CD ever, I carry it around in my pocket so I can listen to it whenever I want.

Kalinda: oh yeah, I have heard lots of his songs.

Man: yeah it has that one of him with Rhianna on it, man she is hot!!! Hey look what else I got here.

The man then proceeds to show me a toque that has the Ottawa senators symbol on the front.

Kalinda: oh ah Ottawa senators toque, very nice.

Man: yeah most people think I am crazy, because it is not an oilers hat, but screw the oilers, Ottawa Senators rock. Although Oilers have a good young team right now, they will be good again soon. Yeah I know a lot of famous people, I have meet many hockey players, you know that Jarome Iginla's father is a lawyer in Edmonton.

Kalinda: No I did not.

Man: yeah I know him.

Kalinda: really that is cool, I dont' know anybody famous, I once saw Arnold Schwarzenegger about 10 feet away from me in a Hummer, but that is pretty much the extent of it.

Man: well now you do know somebody famous.

Kalinda: oh really, yourself I take it.

Man: yeah I am famous, or at least I am going to be, that is my plain. You know if I make Chief Counselor I will make $156,000 a year.

Kalinda: wow that would be nice.

Two gentlemen then proceed to walk by who know this man, which makes it even funnier.

Man: you see I am famous already everybody knows who I am.

He then proceeds to show both of the men his ottawa senators toque and tell them the except same speal he just told me.

Kalinda in her head: I don't want to be judgmental but is this guy drunk, or is he like this all the time?

After about ten minutes of talking and me trying not to laugh my head off and make it totally obvious I am listening in on the conversation. The three men start to walk out of my Optical.

Man: Man you guys I am so hung over from last night.

and the Man that loved to boast to everybody about his Ottawa senators toque left it sitting in my Optical, for me to set aside and give to him tomorrow as he comes back and purchase his frame that has "nothing there", and a buddy holly pair that will make him look "smart, and sophisticated" as he runs for Chief Counselor.

What a perfect end to a very boring day.

PICTURE PERFECT!!!

I just finished reading this book by Jodi Picoult, it was honestly not one of my favorite books of hers, I did not have it read in 5 days like most of her books. It was good though and helped me to understand something I have often wondered in life. The book is about a women who meets this famous actor she would be the least likely match for him, or atleast that is what hollywood thinks, but as you get to understand this man you realize he is the perfect match for this women. Throughout there marriage he abuses her over and over again and she keeps going back. Abuse is something I have never understood, I do not understand how someone could be abusive, and I do not understand how someone could stay with someone that is abusive. Reading this book though enlightened me and helped me to understand why it happens and why women stay with there abusers. It makes me even have a little but of sadness for the man that abuses his wife or girlfriend. If you have ever wondered about these things read this book, it will help you to understand.

DANCIN' DANCIN'

This song makes me want to do exactly that. You know those songs that if you are feeling blue all you have to do is play it and your attitude will totally change. We'll this is one of those songs for me. Yesterday I danced around like a maniac in my bedroom with my puppies, well my husband looked at me like a crazy person, but I don't care it was so much fun. Seriously try listening to this song and not dance, or at least bob you head up and down. It is impossible.

SNOWBOARDING!!!

Unfortunately I do not have any pictures, but this past Friday, we had the opportunity to go snowboarding with the Harkers. For the most part it was a beautiful day, the teenagers had that weekend off school, so it was packed with kids, which made me a lot more nervous. The morning started of slow and frustrating. This is only my 3rd time snowboarding, and I will openly admit I am not catching on that quickly. We will see a couple more tries and if I still have harboring feelings I might trade them in for some ski's. However after lunch, Royall and I decided to take a break from snowboarding. They had this awesome hill that you could ride these blown up tubes down, and may I say I could not wipe the smile of my freezing cold face. It without a doubt goes down in my history books as one of my funnest days. I think me and Royall tallied it up and we went down about 10 times, if we had more time on our hands I am sure we would have gone down it even more. So a great fun weekend, I wish I had pictures to show how much fun it was, next time I will for sure. We are hoping to go again in February for Mark's birthday.

MEXICAN LASAGNA!!!

Serves: 6 • Preparation: 20 min. • Cooking: 20 min. 6 DEMPSTER’S® 100% Whole Wheat 7 in. Tortillas, halved 1 lb (500 g) extra-lean ground beef 1 packet taco seasoning 1 cup (250 mL) water 2 cups (500 mL) salsa 1 (19 oz/796 mL) can black beans, drained and rinsed 1 cup (250 mL) corn niblets (frozen or canned) 2 cups (500 mL) shredded cheese ¼ cup (50 mL) chopped green onions

PREHEAT oven to 350°F (180°C).

BROWN beef in skillet. DRAIN. STIR in taco seasoning and water. BRING to a boil, REDUCE heat and SIMMER for 10 min.. STIR in salsa, black beans and corn. REMOVE from heat.

PLACE half of meat mixture in an 8 x 8 inch (2 L) or 9 x 9 inch (2.5 L) baking dish. TOP with half of the tortillas, making a single layer by placing the cut, straight sides against the edges of the pan and overlapping the rounded edges. SPRINKLE with half the cheese. REPEAT layers and SPRINKLE with green onion.

BAKE uncovered in preheated oven until cheese is melted and bubbling, about 15 to 20 min..

TIP
ADD ½ cup (125 mL) chopped fresh cilantro to the meat mixture for extra flavour.

This was delicious, I made it for some friends the other night and I think they all agreed. Quick, easy to make, and yummy.
Just an extra yummy tip I added sour cream and guacamole on the top once I served it on people's plates, just to add that extra Mexican taste.

1 new meal learned for the year 11 more to go!

IT'S OFFICIAL!!!

I have the cutest dogs ever. Last night my house felt like an igloo and no matter what I did I could not get warm, so finally I grabbed two blankets turned on the fireplace, and lied on the floor by the fireplace while I read my book. After 40 minutes of reading I got up to get a drink, go to the bathroom, and send off a couple of quick e-mails. when I came back into the family room this is what my dogs were doing. Honestly how cute is this.