Thursday, June 29, 2006

Sante Fe Chicken Casserole

From time to time, I'll post a recipe that I've tried and really like. Here's my first:

Sante Fe Chicken Casserole

1-2 Tbs oil
3 Large chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 clove fresh garlic, minced
1 can (10-oz) rotel tomatoes & green chilis
2 cups chicken broth
1 1/2 cups rice
2 cups shredded monterrey jack cheese

Seasoning:
1 tsp paprika
1 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp cumin
1/4 - 1/2 tsp chili powder (I usually leave this out)


1. Combine dry spices in a plastic bag. Add raw chicken and shake until chicken is covered.
2. Heat oil in skillet, add chicken and brown.
3. Add onion, bell pepper, and fresh garlic, saute 2 mins or so, stirring frequently.
4. Add rotel and chicken broth, bring to a boil.
5. Stir in rice, return to a boil.
6. Cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer 20 minutes.
7. Turn heat off, sprinkle cheese over the top, recover, and let stand about 5 mins, or until cheese is melted.

Yummy!!!

Diet woes

Ok, so Juan and I have been following Weight Watchers for the past month. I still haven't lost the baby weight...ok, so I really can't blame it on Paul any longer...he is a year old now. ANYWAY!

The first week we were counting points, I lost 4 lbs. I did a little dance. It was great. Then the next week, I gained 2 lbs....no dance, not great. But, Paul's b-day was that weekend, Juan's parents were here, etc, so I kinda expected to gain. Still not pleased, though. So the next week, I stick to my points, and I lose 2 lbs. Back to where I started. No dancing, just happy. So, then last week, I really stuck to the points, no cheating, no fudging, I was really good. The only time I deviated was for one BBQ dinner Saturday night. I get on the scale Monday AM, and guess what?

I GAINED 2 F-ING POUNDS!!! WHAT?!?!?! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?

I hate dieting.



Oh, yeah, Juan? He's lost, like, 10 lbs. He's fitting into clothes he hasn't worn in a year. Not that I'm jealous or anything. Grrrrrr....

Tuesday, June 27, 2006

I ID'd the PERP!

So, the cops came to Ann's house early this evening to talk to Ann. She told him the whole story, and the cop went up to the boy's house to talk to him. He brought him back to the police car and put him in the back seat. Then he rang my doorbell. And asked me if I could tell him if the kid in the back of his car was one of the ones who threw the eggs. I said I would be glad to. And I did. I ID'd the perp. I'm so proud of myself.

In conclusion, the cop gave Ann the choice to either press charges or have the kid wash the cars. She told him he could just wash the cars, and that he was forgiven. I hope he learned his lesson. He probably didn't, but at least he knows that people are watching in this neighborhood.

Oh my God. I've become my mother.

Punk Kids Down the Street...

I saw you, you little punks. I saw you lob those eggs at Ann's car. Ann, the 86-year-old woman who lives across the street. And we called the police, not that they probably care. I'm sure they've got better things to do than go after asshole teenagers throwing eggs, but I hope they will at least come talk to you, maybe scare the shit out of you.

Here's the history on this oh-so-upstanding family that lives down the street:

Grandma came to live with the family (wife's mother). Grandma's name is Jody. She was expected to clean, cook, take care of the kids, and sleep on the couch. She didn't even have a car, so she was stuck in the house all day. About a month ago, Jody's brother, an ex-con, shows up and moves in 2 houses down. This guy asks Ken (Ann's son, who owns a construction business) for a job, and Ken gives him one.

A couple of weeks ago, Jody and her daughter had a screaming, cussing fight out in the middle of the street. Jody's daughter threw her out. So, Jody moved in with her brother 2 houses down.

Apparently (this is 2-hand info), Jody and her brother go to a lovely little establishment called "Boomerz" to drink very often. One night, around 11 PM, they came knocking on Ann's (the 86-year old woman) door to get his daily paycheck. Ken, Ann's son, told him to never come on the property again.

About a week ago, the man Jody and her brother are living with called Jody from a strip club and told her that if he didn't score that night, for her to be 'ready' for him. Nice. So, Jody told her brother, and her brother and the man get in a knock-down, drag-out fight, in the middle of the street again.

It gets worse. So, Jody and her brother go knocking on our next-door neighbor's door at 2 AM. They get her to give them money, and then ask her to take them down town. She tells them no, but that she would take them to the nearest bus stop. So she does.

So, Ken (Ann's son), tell's Jody's brother that if we see them in this neighborhood again, we will be calling the police. So that brings us to the egg throwing incident today. I guess the teenagers heard Ken talked to their great-uncle, and didn't like it.

I'm so glad we're moving. Fucking trashy-ass people living in this neighborhood.

Our new house

Here's our house! Not quite move-in ready yet...

It's my first time...Be gentle




This is my first time to write a blog. I'm not even sure that I have enough to say. I'm certain that very little of it will be interesting to anyone, but what the hell? All my friends are doing it, so I guess I should too.

About us, I'm married to the most wonderful man on the face of the earth, Juan. Granted, he does make me a little crazy here and there, but overall, I'm blessed. We have one son, Paul, who just turned 1. He's a cutie, and a fart, and a total mess, but we're totally in love with him.

We're building a house just south of our current city in a small town. Should be interesting to live in such a small town, maybe that will give me more material for the blog. As of now, our house has walls, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC run, but that's about it. We're very excited about it.

We're members of a mommy's group, for our purposes, I will call it "the playgroup." The playgroup met today at the pool, and by the way, I've apparently given birth to a fish, because Paul LOVES the water. It's unnatural. I think he may grow gills soon. Needless to say, he had a great time, didn't even cry when he slipped and went under the water. Good baby.

Paul's also just started walking. Last Thursday was the momentus day. Now he's walking all over the house, even navigating the step down into our sunroom. He's very proud of himself. Thinks he's total hot shit.

Speaking of Paul, I think he's up from his nap, and anyway, that's probably about enough for my first go. I don't want to blow it all on my first time, now do I? Hope this was even slightly interesting....