IUI ALERT: It unfortunately arrived again

My monthly came in the eve of the 17th day -- the day of the hapai test. I am so sad because we were so sure the procedure worked this time. I know I keep saying that but I was feeling so positive about it. Oh well, we have one more try left. Unfortunately I feel so sick and heartbroken to feel encouraged for another round. Maybe I'll feel better on Wednesday.

I do have to say that Aaron's been a real help these last two tries -- taking care of business at home and allowing me to relax and sleep a lot. Yes, I'll be encouraged once again for him.

TCF Challenge: Shepherd's Pie

I wanted to make it in February so I got up earlier than usual, with the help of Ikaika pawing me to get out of bed, and actually cooked!

Yes that's frozen peas in the cup and the zucchini is in plastic apart from the onions and mushrooms
All was going well with prepping the ingredients until I realized we didn't have meat in the freezer after all! So I had to make a meat run to Walmart and back. Back on track!

The filling
Or I thought I was on track. As I got to the end I discovered the potatoes weren't cooked all the way through and had a hard time mashing them. Time to micro the taters! And I'm running out of time!

Kind of looks like an enchilada casserole -- wish I had more time to make more mash potatoes for the top
Great, not enough potatoes to seal the top of my pie. Mmm, but it smells real good! And wow it's very tasty! Must be all that pepper the recipe called for. I can't wait for dinnertime!

Ground beef, mushrooms, carrots, peas, zucchini and onions in a tasty sauce covered with a mashed potato Parmesan cheese crust

Oh, oh, my tummy hurts... Aaron rating = ? of 5 Lisa rating = 4 of 5

There's a storm a brewing

I had a scary drive home tonight. The rain wasn't heavy but there was a thick fog that you couldn't see 50 yards in front of you. It was so deceiving because it would look like snow furling around. And don't forget the lightning. I thought I'd either hydroplane off the road, hit a deer crossing the road, or skid on a patch of ice into a ditch. Or get hit by lightning. Oh what a paranoid mind can weave! I'm glad to be home and just in the nick of time too! The rain is falling hard now and the thunder and lightning is right over us.

Time to snuggle under the covers with a good book...

MOVIE ALERT: Rango

I finally got to go to a pre-screening! And luckily Aaron agreed to take me! We had a nice dinner at Brown Bag Burgers before driving to Shaker Heights. Because of my amazing navigational skills, we got lost only once. But we managed to find our way there and in good time.

The story was funny and Johnny D was hilarious. Some of the jokes were geared towards adults but I'm sure the kids enjoyed the funny animals too. After a walk around the square we headed back home. What an enjoyable date night out!

IUI ALERT: Hot, cold, hot, cold

Back ache, sinuses, fever, the chills... I feel like crap! I think I'll stay home today.

Pray for Hawaii sun...

because the crappy Ohio weather is back! Not really snow, not really rain, not really ice. Just a slush of all. I had sheets of ice flying off my SUV on my way home. Scary!

MOVIE ALERT: Just Go With It

The Sandler is back! With two hot girls and Hawaii as the background in the end. What's not to love? A fun date movie although I went to see it myself. I caught it before picking up the hubby from work. You'll see what you can do with a coconut!

Meet Aaron's new toy -- the Ridley

It's a cyclocross, not a mountain or road bike. OK my hubby looks like a spy who's going to climb up a tall building, or one of his Black Ops soldiers on PS3. Watch out!

GIRLIE UPDATE: Superman on the mag

Can you tell I'm excited?

GIRLIE UPDATE: How To Train Your Dragon 2 announcement

The Butler has signed up for the next HTTYD flick! And I am so excited! You all know that HTTYD was my favorite movie of 2010, right? Well we'll have to wait until 2013 for this one.

GB as Stoick the Vast

TCF Challenge: Shrimp Garlic Noodles

Spaghettini, fresh asparagus, mushrooms, oven-roasted tomatoes with shrimp and Peccorino Romano in a delicious garlic sauce. Happy Valentine's midnight dinner!

Aaron rating = 5 of 5 Lisa rating = 5 of 5

MOVIE ALERT: The Eagle

We double dated with Mikey and Tina again. The movie was not like I imagined but the story was good. Not as much fighting that I wanted. What I do for my sister, watching her favorite actor's movies. Loyalty and honor!

IUI ALERT: We're on our way to Beachwood

for our fourth IUI attempt! New location and protocol! I'm excited! Wish us luck!

Party at Spin Lakewood

Aaron was invited to a VIP party from his favorite bike shop. We brought Mikey and Tina along. I finally got to meet some of his biking buddies. And Aaron got to check out the sales on bikes and accessories. I'm proud to announce that Aaron finally bought a cyclocross bike -- the Ridley bike he's been wanting for over year now. I guess my hubby's going to start a new type of sport which is part mountain biking and part obstacle course races. It sounds right up his alley!

Since the boys was taking to long, Tina and I walked down the block to Players on Madison and hung out at the bar with drinks (heavy loaded Sprites) and appetizers. After we had a late dinner in Crocker Park. Since we all have an early morning, we postponed our plans to see a movie for tomorrow. Because tomorrow...

GIRLIE UPDATE: Mavericks announcement

What a surprise! The Butler is making another movie and it's about surfing! I wonder if that's what prompted him to go to Hawaii lately? Will he go back for more lessons? I hope so!

Oh you don't need a wetsuit in Hawaii, Handsome!

IUI ALERT: Here we go again

I started my pee tests. We should be doing another IUI this weekend... wish us luck!

Me and my book club

I'm feeling good about the progress I'm making with my books! Kelly inspired me to continue reading The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, despite the slow road to a plot! I started reading during my breaks this week, hoping I'll make a dent in the book. I finally hit page 100 so I'm hoping the plot will reveal itself. I guess thinking about Mr. Craig playing his character in my mind helps me get through it.

Michael suggested our next book, Squirrel seeks Chipmunk by David Sedaris. Its my first bestiary -- where animals take on human actions and emotions. Its an easy read. I'm reading a story a day during dinner and should be done with it by next week.

What's exciting is I'm also reading my fluff romances before going to sleep each night! I made a goal to read 120 books this year and I'm going for it!

GIRLIE UPDATE: Hawaii Five-O: E Malama

Did you watch tonight's episode? Thank God for On Demand!

Got to love a Seal!

Superbowl XLV Let's go Steelers!

Steelers 25 vs. Packers 31

I guess this wasn't our year

GIRLIE UPDATE: Cowboys & Aliens trailer

Did everybody see the trailer for Mr. Craig's next movie during the Superbowl? I can't wait to see it in July!

We are back on the road

My first attempt to hire worked! No rearranging the schedule! And just a little moving around of the training sessions! Now I can enjoy the weekend!

One bites the dust

We got our first "I quit" attendant today. He didn't even start work yet! Back to the drawing board! Hopefully there is one applicant of the 20 we interviewed that can fill the open shifts. Cross fingers for me!

[Well it didn't take me long to figure out a plan. I found two applicants who could cover all the open shifts, granted they didn't add/drop classes since the interviews. And there were three applicants how could cover if I moved shifts around. I started with our best pick applicant. I hope she's still interested and available. I'll give her a day to reply. If not, I'm working down the line. Hopefully I can hire someone in time to make next week's training sessions!]

GIRLIE UPDATE: Butler's getting some Aloha

And I'm not home to run into him! LOL I hope he's having a great time. I want him to know that Hawai'i is just as or better than India. Well we do have Hawai'ian girls!

What's SUP!

Concert alert... Less Than Jake

Aaron and I braved the weather and drove to Cleveland for the concert. We had dinner at the House of Blues before the concert hall opened. I might have had the best seat in the house! We sat through the three opening acts -- indie, punk and ska -- before Less Than Jake took center stage. Those guys were hilarious! I enjoyed the Supervillians, a great ska band from Florida too.

The weather was calm and the roads were nicely plowed and salted by the time we left. No horrible weather! Now I'm tired.

Everybody loves snow days!

I got ready, drove through the strong winds and freezing rain, only to get to work on time to close! The college is closing down before the horrible weather strikes again. My street is all iced over. I was sliding all over the road!

I wonder if the concert Aaron and I had planned to go to will be canceled? Not a great night to drive through traffic. At times like these I love my Trailblazer!