Sure, we have a picture of that....

So I'm on my SECOND set of theft documents that I'm having to fill out for the insurance companies. (They have YET to send someone to come fix our door by the way. I just LOOOOVE knowing that there is someone out there who knows mine and my husband's schedules better than we do and ALSO knows what I look like from all of our pictures.)

I'm going through all of these receipts, instruction manuals, warranties, etc., trying to locate proper documents for the insurance companies. If we don't have documents (as in if the items were a gift), then we are asked to supply pictures. (Sure Insurance man, I have a picture of my husband holding his gun up and pointing at it saying "Here is the gun my uncle gave me.") Sure, NOW we have taken a camera around our home and have taken pictures of every valuable, serial number, etc., etc.

Looking through pictures/receipts/warranties has made this process that much more painful. I finding things like the receipt for my class ring. That reminded of when Dad gave me my class ring at a basketball game. I also came across my sorority pledge pictures knowing I no longer have my sorority badge that holds so much significance. I'm finding pictures of my high school graduation where I wore my pearl necklace to. (THAT also makes me think of EVERY SINGLE BIRTHDAY AND CHRISTMAS where I received these little pearls in pouches that were used to build this pearl necklace that I would one day receive.) Then there are the pictures of my visit to new york where my Mom and I purchased a necklace from Tiffany's. That's just a small amount of what was lost. I could spend days writing about all the memories these thieves took when they thought they were just stealing THINGS.

The thing I've been dealing with the most lately is knowing I won't have these items to hand down to children and grandchildren one day. Sure, there are certain items I can one day be able to financially replace. (For instance, my sorority badge will cost $132 plus shipping - - which is doable.) However, it's not the same. Jonathan and I aren't going to be having kids for a few years, but this thought has been haunting me this week. Every day brings a new emotion and new memory, but this is what I have been dealing with this week. It makes me tear up every time.

I'm aggravated that someone I don't know had their hands all over my clothes, precious items, doorknobs, furniture. I can't get the place clean enough. I'm still finding places where I have to wipe off the police fingerprinting dust. I definitely told them to finger print whatever they needed to and to not worry about the mess. (My priority is to catch these people!) It just burns me up thinking about that night when I find a new place to wipe off.

Most people have been really sympathetic and supportive. It really hurts my feelings when every blue moon I hear someone play down the idea of getting robbed. Some don't understand the feeling of being so violated. On top of that, your heart hurts because of the emotional significance of what you lost. There isn't enough insurance money make you feel better about that.

So now we have pictures of all valuables we still have (and of their serial numbers). We've also added insurance riders to protect anything else of value not traditionally covered in a homeowners policy. One day, we'll also have not ONE but TWO safes for our items. But the fact still remains, this was our home someone broke into. We had the right to have a laptop out in our own home and not have to worry about locking it in a safe just as much as we have a right to walk around in our underwear at home. You shouldn't have to live like you're afraid someone is going to grab your valuables every time you leave for work. It amazes me at the level of evil that can exist in some stranger lurking in our neighborhood.

Eventually, I look forward to blogging about more positive things. Soon.

OK, MARCH...you win.

I'm ready for a break. My husband is ready for a break. Heck, even my CATS are ready for a break.

Apparently, this has not been my best month and only two weeks in, I'm ready for April. You know the saying..."When it rains. It pours." Dear, flood....please give me a break. I can multitask a lot of things. However, I'd really like some joy right now. I'm hoping for an extra dose of good things to come. Health and wealth...come on down. We're ready for you. There are much worse things that happen in this world and I DO realize that my husband and I are beyond blessed with health, life, love, etc. Very much so. Even typing this vent below helps me feel better....much better.

Exhibit A - For the last two weeks, I've been struggling around town wearing an old prescription pair of glasses. Why? Because I have eye infections in both eyes and my left cornea is scratched. They can't give me new pair of glasses until everything calms down and they can get a more accurate read on my prescription. Don't even think about contact lenses right now...

Exhibit B - My little girl kitty has a ring worm on her face. Keep in mind, both cats are inside only. How we managed to drag in a ring worm only tells me that my husband and I are simply talented. It bothers me any time one of my little guys is under the weather because well...they're my precious furbabies! Now, it's nowhere near life threatening and will go away in at least 4-6 weeks. Needless to say she and I are on a coordinated medication schedule. Twice a day, in the morning and at night, I give her the kitty medicine and then I take a series of eye drops for myself.

Exhibit C - (Saved the best for last..and that is obvious sarcasm) An intruder decided to break into our home and steal our valuables. You'd think all the crying I have been doing lately would help the dryness in my eyes...but no. To the intruder, I'd like to note a few things:

1. Yes, the economy is bad. Does that give you an excuse to turn rooms in my house inside/out, go through my underwear drawer (!!!!!!), and steal precious belongings of my husband and I? no. Let me tell you something....people worth their weight make the best of a situation and they thrive. They cut where they need to and they make do to provide for their families. THOSE people are leaders and the pride of this country. They don't make excuses or compromise their integrity in these trying times. You...are simply a coward and a statistic.

2. What you took was very valuable. However, mine and my husband's peace of mind is worth TRIPLE the amount of everything you stole. Our stress, fears (of coming home to more shattered glass and me being home alone until my husband gets home OR the fear of you possibly taking a car), are worth much more. TOO BAD, you can't try and pawn THAT.

3. I'm sorry that you may have grown up in a broken home or home of poverty. I was blessed to have had good people and family around me and certain traditions and holidays and birthdays. You took something of mine that stood for all of that. Just because you may not have had those traditions, doesn't give you the right to take MINE. (MINE - - NOT yours!) No amount of insurance money on this earth brings that back to me. Trust me when I say that even the detective on this case has heard me cry.

4. You took our most valuable gun. This gun was a family gift to my husband that he cherished very much because of its significance. Unfortunately, you made a mistake in that you left our other 4 guns at our home. Let me assure you that my husband is not the only "sharp shooter" in this home. God help anyone who tries to come back to our home. I will not mistake an intruder for my exercise machine.

5. When the police, my husband, and I finally found my cats, they were under the bed hiding from you. We couldn't get them out from under the beds until that next morning. I may not have human children right now, but those little guys are my babies. I'm lucky that they were smart enough to run and hide. It broke my heart they were too scared to come out even when I knelt down by the bed and shook their food bowl.

6. I'm a born again Christian and realize I may have to answer for these words one day. I'm asking for forgiveness and for God to help me forgive you and let this anger/hurt subside. I know that with him nothing is impossible and have faith that these things will come to pass. As angry/sad as I am with you right now, I'm told that He loves everyone and that includes you. Maybe one day...you'll find Him too.

***Pity Party Over***

Add another item to the list....

SO on top of everything I do, I have also recently began studying to take my PHR exam. PHR stands for the Professional Human Resources certification. It is something that sets apart human resources professionals and is often required for certain HR jobs in the industry.

The study materials are rather lengthy. It feels like a full-blown college course to me. Needless to say I've been hitting the books on my lunch hour and pulling extra reading hours on the weekends. I take my test early June so I'll definitely be putting in lots of study time in the meantime.

Needless to say I've got one more thing to multitask.

This is a great way to grow both my HR knowledge and become a bigger asset to my company. This is definitely something good to go ahead and accomplish while I am still relatively new to the industry. This will be worth it! ALLLL this studying will be worth it!

Here's Lookin at Ya Kid!

My little nephew has around 9 more weeks till he graces us all with his presence. Below is one of the pictures from his 4-D ultrasound. Everyone swears up and down he looks like my brother. My brother has also started calling him "Mini-Me." How cute is that?! it's CRAZY how much they look a like! On some of the pictures, I do see some resemblance to my sister-in-law though! Regardless, I know he'll have the same appreciation for funny movies as they do and a sweet heart....not to mention some killer dance moves and sweet nun chuck skills=) (OBVIOUS family inside joke on that last one.)

Can't wait to meet you little guy! I think he's adorable already!

Valentine's Day 2011

Well, yesterday was one of my favorite Valentine's Days so far=) After work, I came home to start cooking our Valentine's Day dinner. We had:

* Steak au Poivre
* Crab Cakes
* Roasted Asparagus
* Little "Softhearted Chocolate Cakes" (Recipe and Picture below are from BHG.com)

Ingredients

• 1 cup unsalted butter, cut into pieces (1/2 pound)

• 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped or 1-1/3 cups semisweet chocolate pieces

• 4 eggs

• 4 egg yolks

• 1/2 cup sugar

• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

• 1 teaspoon vanilla

• 1/8 teaspoon teaspoon salt

• Whipped cream (optional)

• Raspberry Sauce (see recipe below) (optional) and/or fresh raspberries

Directions

1. Lightly butter eight 8-ounce ramekins or 1-cup souffle dishes; line bottoms with parchment or wax paper. Place the prepared ramekins on a shallow baking pan or on a large cookie sheet. Set aside.

2. In a heavy-bottomed, medium saucepan, melt butter and chocolate over low heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; cool slightly. (Or, in a mixing bowl, combine the butter and chocolate. Place mixing bowl over a pot of simmering water and melt butter and chocolate, stirring occasionally. Remove bowl from the simmering water pot; set aside to cool slightly.)

3. In a large mixing bowl, beat eggs and egg yolks with an electric mixer on high speed for 5 minutes or until thick and lemon-colored. Mix a large dollop of the beaten eggs into the butter-chocolate mixture. Gently fold until combined. Add butter-chocolate mixture to remaining beaten egg mixture and fold. After a few folds, sprinkle in sugar, flour, vanilla, and salt. Continue to fold until the mixture is combined.

4. Quickly divide the batter evenly among prepared ramekins. Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 9 to 10 minutes or till cakes feel firm to the touch on top edges, but still soft in the center when pressed with a fingertip. Remove from oven; set ramekins on a wire rack. Let cakes cool completely in ramekins.

5. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. When cakes are cool, use a small metal spatula to loosen edge of cakes from side of ramekin and unmold onto the parchment-lined baking sheet. The centers of the cakes are supposed to be soft. (If not using immediately, wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate until ready to use.)

6. When ready to serve, place cakes on a microwaveable serving plate. Heat in a microwave oven on 100 percent power for 1-1/2 to 2 minutes or until warm. (Center of cake will slightly pop up.) Serve with whipped cream and garnish with a splash of Raspberry Sauce and/or fresh raspberries, if you like.

Raspberry Sauce: In a blender container or food processor bowl, cover and blend or process one 10-ounce package frozen and thawed red raspberries in syrup until pureed. Use a fine sieve to sieve berry mixture. Cover and refrigerate the sauce till ready to use. Makes 2/3 cup.

**********

In the middle of finishing up cooking, J surprised me with a SWEET Valentine's Day balloon, a dozen GORGEOUS red roses, and the cutest valentine I've ever gotten! He certainly made a gal who loves Valentine's Day feel SUPER special!!!!!

I have an AWESOME Valentine!

We had a great time eating our nice dinner and relaxing. We definitely know that LOVE should be shown all year round and not just on Valentine's Day. We're certainly advocates of that! However, yesterday was SUPER special with my Valentine! I hope you all had a great Valentine's Day!

I LOVE Valentine's Day!

It is my absolute favorite holiday! Don't get me wrong, I'm a happy gal at Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. However, I LOVE LOVE LOVE Valentine's Day.



Here's why:

1. YES, Love is celebrated all year round as it should be. However, I feel like there is a great deal of people out there who go out of their way to make an attempt to really focus on their significant other on this holiday. I've always enjoyed watching others around me celebrate this day even if I didn't have a date on Valentine's Day. True story! I even handed out valentine's (CHEESY ones at that) even when I was WAY too old to do it! I think it is a fun holiday! One suggestion I heard this year is that people need to make Valentine's Day about THEM as a couple and not just do something traditionally Valentine's Day-ish....like a super expensive dinner. If you two like being outdoors, plan something outdoors!

2. My favorite color to wear is black...not because I'm depressed. Black just looks sharp to me. I like the way I feel wearing black. However, my two favorite colors to look at or have around me are red and pink. Everything on Valentine's Day is red and pink. Hence, the second reason I enjoy this holiday so much!

3. I'll admit it, I KNOW this holiday is very commercialized....but I find it very cute for that same reason. I love the cheesy Valentine's Day cards, the chocolates, and the roses. I DO! They're fun! I've always told J he didn't ever have to get me anything expensive on Valentine's Day....just a rose and a card will make the day special=) He's always been really sweet to get me a cute Valentine's Day balloon and some flowers. I love it!

This year, I'm planning a nice dinner at home for us. I'm sure I'll find a super awesome card and a little something for J as well! Happy upcoming Valentine's Day!

Onward and Upward

The competition came and went. I had new experiences and learned new things as I do at all of my competitions. I had some mixed feeling regarding my performance. On one hand, I did challenge myself and do routines at a level I had never done before. My instructor was really happy with my performance. I, on the other hand, didn't feel like I danced to the best of my ability. I placed well. Who can complain with that? Well, I know the technique and I don't feel like I danced up to my ability.

Now, I had a few things floating in my head as to maybe why that happened. But in reality, when I looked at how I placed AND when I recognized that I had not one set of Latin routines but TWO...I feel like I went up against that pressure and still stood tall.

So, I have a whole new set of challenges to overcome and grow with for the next 6 months until my next competition. I'm taking a few weeks to rest my knee and work with my physical therapist. However, I'll be more than ready to step up and face those new challenges when the time comes.

Once my therapy is done, I also will have a new tool in my fitness arsenal. Meet our new Elliptical Trainer. Originally, I had looked into getting a Treadmill. However, at the advice of my physical therapist, we decided an elliptical would be better on my knee in the long run. I was able to purchase it on a payment plan. I plan on paying it off with no interest just like I have done most recent major purchases. I've made the decision to be start making the move to do all of my workouts at home by purchasing the necessary tools and equipment over the next year and a half. I'm fortunate to be one of the lucky ones with the willpower to workout at home. I've really liked my Insanity DVD at-home use and also plan on getting additional DVDs just as intense as those workouts.

So I'm going to be focusing on my knee getting WELL. Then I'll be back up and running....and dancing.