Over the past 4 days...

Riley and I have been hanging out a lot due to school closings in Stamford (where I work). The storm over the weekend caused many power outages, fallen trees, etc. and the crews have been working to restore the power. It has been an unexpected, but nice break with some gorgeous days to enjoy!

Monday was still a yucky day, so we mostly hung around the house and cleaned up a bit. I hung some pictures in Riley's room because it was looking a bit plain. A little bit of scrapbooking paper in frames was just the thing to add some color to the room.

Tuesday, we finally used the Perfect Brownie Pan...which by the way I love! Follow the directions (i.e.- spray down each part of the pan) and you will have perfectly cooked and cut brownies! (see picture below) I also met up with Kim and the kids at Starbucks for a little bit of catch up since we haven't seen each other in a while!
Wednesday, I got a much needed oil change in the AM and then Riley and I headed to the local dog park. Well...it was in Southbury, but it's the closest one to us. Unfortunately it is not fenced in, which made me nervous, but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by Riley. She actually listened when I called her name and told her to come. Of course, cheese was on hand because that is her treat for coming to us (yes, we still need to use this bribe). She wanted nothing to do with the water! She put her front paws in and then truned around to go back up to the play area. We stayed for probably 45 minutes or so and then headed home. It was enough for her first time there.

Today there was more playing with her ball (like everyday) and we headed to Norwalk to walked with Shana on her lunch break and Cranbury Park. It's a very nice park and dogs can be off leash (we kept Riley on leash). We walked the trails and tried to play ball, but Riley wasn't interested in the ball. She wanted to play with the dogs instead! All in all, this has been a great week! It was definitely unexpected, but definitely a break that was needed in this month of March that seems to always drag on so slowly!

3 years

March 13th, 2007 this world lost an amazing person, one that was an important person throughout my college years and beyond. It's hard to believe that it's been 3 years already! Khalda Logan was my college dance team coach at WCSU and made a big impact in my life. She was always there for us when we needed her whether it be to choreograph an amazing danced or if we needed advice in our lives. She was tough on us, but only because she cared about us. Khalda made us want to be better dancers, better people in our everyday lives. Everyone who came in contact with her is truely blessed! We love you Khalda!

Some extra time on my hands...

...since school was canceled today due to power outages from the storm, I have some time to update the blog since it's been almost a month! Below are some pictures from our weekend. Saturday I had to take the Praxis 2 test in Special Education so that I can get my cross endorsement. So everyone needs to keep their fingers crossed that I passed it! :-) After that, Richie and I went to visit his family. First stop was his brother's house where we got to see our niece and nephew and spend a bit of quality time. Then it was off to his parent's house for dinner; antonisadas (a fried ham and cheese tortilla), chicken, and salad, as well as some pictures with Tatiana and her birthday cake since her birthday is Tuesday (the 16th).

Sunday, my parents, sister, and grandmother came up for dinner; oven roasted chicken, stuffing, veggies, potatoes (sweet and white), and of course a St. Patty's day dessert.

I had the pleasure of cleaning my first chicken (nasty!)

My St. Patty's day dessert. Here's the recipe if you care to make it:
2 packages of vanilla pudding, 3 1/2 cups of milk, 1 tsp of green food coloring, 1 tub of cool whip, and crushed oreo cookies (bananas optional).
First, mix the milk, food coloring, and 2 packages of pudding until well blended (about 2-3 minutes on medium speed). Let sit for 5 minutes. Next, crush the oreos either in a food processor or in a ziplock bag and crush with your hand. Once the pudding has sit for 5 minutes, carefully fold in the cool whip. In a clear bowl (2-2.5 quarts), start with the crushed oreos and begin layering oreos then pudding mixture. Make sure that you end with the oreos on top. Put in refridgerator for 1 hour or until ready to be served. Enjoy!

The PERFECT brownie pan! Thank you mom! :-)
I haven't used it yet, but I will let you know how it works!

Riley and I

3.14.10

Shana and I

Mom, Moie, and I

Riley resting with her Gampie

Dad and Riley

Unfortunately, Richie does not like to have his picture taken, but I'll get one of him one of these days!

Red Hot Fireplace

Yeah I know it took awhile and to be completely honest, I forgot that I didn't put the picture of the finished product up! Sorry about that! Here is what the fireplace looks like now!