Financial security...almost

I just paid off my car and one of my student loans ... Hoorrraayyyy!! E-filing your taxes is the way to go, because you get the money super fast. It would be nice if I could pay off the other student loan bill, but it's still a big number.

On another note, I haven't posted much about food lately. Here are a few of my new favorite healthy foods.

http://www.nakedjuice.com/
http://www.bolthouse.com/html/cs_berryboost_n.html
These Web sites are smart, and they don't let you save their images to your computer.
They're fun though, so you should check them out.


This is WAY better than the regular Quaker Oatmeal. It's a bit more expensive but so is all the other healthy food..

Movie marathon

My schedule doesn't seem to work out with the the few friends I have here, so I broke down and went to see a movie by myself today. I'm glad I went to a matinee, because a night movie is $9. I guess that's what I get for moving to a bigger city. The theater was packed out. It had the usual bright and festive carpet with some hot pink lighting. I could have done without that. Two things I did like were a neon clock on the wall (so you don't have to pull out your cell phone annoying the other moviegoers) and the curtains that lift when the previews are starting. It made the experience seem more regal. I chose to see Juno, which was SO hilarious! The dialogue was a bit raucous at times, but that's what made it more real. Ellen Page did an excellent job as the smart and eccentric pregnant teen. And Jason Bateman....well he's just great (and cute). I recommend you see it. I would have even paid $9 to see it. :-)

I also rented Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married. I expected this to be funny, but it was intense. It made me cry. He is such a good writer. He addresses tough topics in a way that's palatable. I was impressed with Janet Jackson's acting. She was very believable. It's another good flick.

Abby turns 3...

well, technically not until Valentine's Day. I drove up to Wamego to celebrate with most of my brother-in-law's family and some family and friends from my side. Abby wasn't too interested in me. She was like a whirlwind running around and tackling her cousins. In fact, she gave me several dirty looks when I asked her questions. She did finally snuggle up next to me and let me read one of her new books. It was about a grumpy boy. It was so cute when she kept saying, "He's sad."

On my way back, I stopped off in Manhattan (home of K-State) and bought some new Wildcat wear. It was so eerie to be back. I have so many memories from college. It seems like ages ago!

Here are some pics from the party...

The shared birthday cake


Celebrating her birthday with Uncle Brian and Aunt Katy


Some new jewels from grandma and grandpa


Feeding baby Ariel

My new hair

I got it chopped off!

Super Tuesday

As I sit here waiting for primary and caucus results to come in, I wonder if the November election will ever arrive. Part of me doesn't want it to, because I have no idea who I'd vote for! I am SO tired of looking for photos of candidates, and making sure those photos are the same sizes. For those who think journalists or biased, you should know we try very hard to be fair during election years. It makes designing dynamic pages difficult. Hillary almost always has a goofy face and extreme closeups are not flattering. Obama pictures tend to involve a microphone. McCain usually has weird hand gestures and cheesy smiles. Huckabee pictures are not too bad. Romney is hit and miss. I guess I shouldn't complain...at least I can guarantee there will be some art with the story.