The Hampton House

The Joy of Cooking

2008-07-13T17:36:00.000-07:00

I made fried rice for the first time tonight. Randy grilled up a bunch of shrimp that we got at Dixon's yesterday and I was responsible for the side. I would NORMALLY just make regular plain old white rice - which I love, but Randy was very disappointed with my plain-ness and challenged me to come up with something better. I just like my food plain. I like a hot dog with nothing on it. I like cheeseburgers with just cheese. I like white rice with just salt and pepper. But, I felt matronly pressure so I busted out with one of my new cookbooks we have gotten in the last year or so since the wedding. Who knew....we even owned a wok. I had no clue. To say the least, it was delicious. I put eggs, corn, peas, and carrots in it and mixed it all together. It really wasn't that hard. The chow met MY standards and Randy seemed impressed at my creativity as well.

Easy like Sunday Morning.

2008-07-13T10:32:00.001-07:00

Good morning Good morning Good morning....it's time to rise and shine! It is beautiful out today and it isn't too hot...I love it. Randy and I stayed in last night and watched The Natural. I remember when it was on TV when I was like 10 or 12. Basically, it was like watching it for the first time. Beautiful movie. But we went to bed early and got a fantastic night of sleep. I started having some issues with my neck and back the first week of July. It hurt so bad that I broke down and went to a chiropractor. He adjusted me, but I still hurt the next day so he did it again. I felt pretty good over the weekend, but I felt I should go again since he had adjusted his schedule to fit me in, and I should at least spend some time talking about my xrays. Long story short - of course he wants me to come in like 3 days a week for a while and basically make about a $1000 investment in my back just thru the rest of the summer. First of all, that's a lot of money. Second of all, I don't really hurt anymore. In fact I went on Monday and again on Friday, and the only time I was in pain was 2 hours after he adjusted me. I've been thinking about it over the weekend, and as much as I agree with preventative maintenance (I am good at taking care of my truck) I don't feel I should go to the Dr. if I am not hurting. It doesn't make sense to me. If it is to improve my health, I should use the money to join a gym for crying out loud, not go to someone who cracks the hell out of my neck and back. I know it is the job, but I don't exactly like people touching me, and to go thru that seems a little invasive. ANYWAY - I'm going to eat some lunch with Randal. He just made little pizzas. Yum.

Fertilizer........

2008-06-24T21:35:00.001-07:00

So Randy has become obsessed with watering our little lawn. And, doggone it, he has sprinklers set up and everything. He also planted flowers in our front flower bed. You can see here that our front porch is jacked up, but at least the flowers are pretty. He started putting fertilizer on it every day for the last 4 days, and seriously....those suckers have totally sprouted. He's planning to do a new front porch next year.

Heading back to Bloomington tomorrow

2008-06-22T20:44:00.000-07:00

I have been back in Peoria for the last couple months. It has been fantastic because I am one who is usually on the road traveling all over the state and my poor truck finally got a break. Plus, I was actually able to be home by 7PM. I have to say that the gas crisis hasn't affected me too terribly bad, because my company pays for all of my gas expenses. But - for crying out loud. It's like almost $100 to fill up my gas tank. I have to start looking at purchasing a car and then park the Tahoe. Getting any trade in on it is a joke. I am heading back to Bloomington tomorrow to start training a new manager. I really don't mind driving to Bloomington, but with these gas prices, I think that I will only be going a couple days a week.

Alright, its time for bed. I'm really going to try to do more of this blogging. So keep your eyes peeled.

I know I haven't written......

2008-04-19T15:41:00.001-07:00

I'm sorry. I know that I should have been keeping up with this better. But hey, every day is a new one. FIRSTLY, let me wish a very happy tax day and belated birthday to Shammy Wettstein. She is usually so good at sending birthday greetings and I didn't COMPLETELY forget. PLUS, I don't want to get kicked off of her birthday list. :)

Secondly, tomorrow is Randy's birthday. We'll go to the airshow to watch the blue angels. I hope it doesn't rain. Tonight we'll be eating sushi for his birthday dinner. bleh.

I had my remaining wisdom teeth yanked out on Thursday. I'm glad that's over with. I got slightly disgusted when I heard the ripping sound of flesh as they tore the teeth out of my mouth. Grody.

I know I sent an invite to people on facebook for http://www.myxertones.com/, but seriously - what a COOL application. You can download ringtones for free. And if you can't find the one you want, you can make a song very easily using the music off of your computer.

You should see how fat my cat is. Seriously, she's a 22 pounder. I'll never have kids if I can't get

my cat to lose weight.

Weapons of Mass Discussion: Mark's Remarks: Has Eureka Lost Its "Moment of Discovery?"

2008-04-16T14:21:00.000-07:00

Weapons of Mass Discussion: Mark's Remarks: Has Eureka Lost Its "Moment of Discovery?"

Check this out!

A Good Day For Lily.......

2007-06-10T20:16:00.000-07:00

Here is Randy's mom having her shirt autographed by her favorite Top Fuel Funny Car Driver, Ron Capps. (Oh and for those of you who are wondering....yes, that is a Margarita!) Yesterday we all went to Route 66 in Joliet to watch the National Drag Races.

What a great day. We had awesome seats, there was a golf cart that drove us back and forth to our truck (which I loved!) and the "Nitro was awesome." That is a direct quote from Randy. He says that nothing on the planet out accelerates a Top Fuel Dragster. "Feels like a gorilla standing on your chest."

I can't really explain it. It was powerful and I will admit that I was impressed. I didn't really know what to expect, but I think I have a new sport to watch.

Randy's Here

2007-06-08T15:21:00.000-07:00

Hi everybody - Randy is looking over my shoulder like I'm a complete nerd for doing this, but it is kind of fun! He has been working on the new Junction City Store in Peoria, and it's almost done! Come check out our new store! We'll be open on tuesday.

Hanging out at Eastland Mall

2007-06-06T17:40:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone. I decided to try one of these things out because it seems like a lot of people have them, and I love getting the updates on everyone's lives. I am so sure that if I love hearing about all of you - I KNOW you'll love hearing about me and Randalino and what we have been up to. At this VERY MOMENT I am working at Eastland Mall in a 8X8 Kiosk in the middle of the mall....Are any of you jealous? I am working late tonight, as I have been every night....and I am anxious to get home. There are a lot of benefits to working in the mall. Unfortunately I am very distanced from the food court so my food selection consists of Pretzel dogs and Mrs. Fields. It's amazing to see the variations of flavors you can use with Pretzels....and you all must try the new lemon cookie by Mrs. Fields - tasty.

I hope you all know I am totally joking. It's pretty miserable.