Greetings Earthlings!!

Okay, if I said that aliens had uploaded/downloaded information into and out of my brain, everyone would think I'm batshit crazy and my husband would probably take me to Terrell. Sammy Hagar says it and he's going to sell tons of books and make millions of dollars. WTF is wrong with this picture?!?!?!?!?!

Every time I hear the song "Crazy" by Gnarls Barkley, I think of Paige. She is fascinated with being crazy. Thing is...she equates crazy to silly/funny....not, you know...crazy! She loves to tell me how fun it is to be crazy. How she was "born to be crazy." One day when she's old enough to understand, I'll have to tell her how "crazy" runs in the family and oh by the way, here's the warning signs. We had our joint dentist appointments this morning and she's got one more bad tooth to take care of. Unfortunately, I have to take her back to the pediatric dentist who has the worst front desk in the universe. The dentist is wonderful - her front desk people suck ass. I begged our regular dentist to please, please, please do this last crown, but he said, "hell no!" I guess I'll call the other place here in a bit. I'm wired on coffee this morning. I feel like the redheaded kid in Talladega Nights when he says, "I'm all jacked up on Mountain Dew." I'm all jacked up on caffeine!! I should probably eat something soon....my stomach is starting to boil from no food and copious amounts of caffeine....

Speaking of food....I'm sort of burned out on cooking. WHAT???? Yeah...I'm kind of not feeling like making dinner every swingin night of the week! I made tuna salad last night and we made sandwiches out of it and I'm really not sure what I'll feed my husband and child tonight. I am, however, trying out a new cheese enchilada recipe tomorrow night that looks like it will be the cheese enchiladas to end all cheese enchiladas!!!! mmmmmm.....Messican food.....I love it. I'm ready for the weather to figure out what it's going to do; I'd like to start cooking outside in my dutch oven!

Fred and Wyatt are out to get one another. They keep barking at each other through the fence at the house. I guess Wyatt wants to exact revenge on Fred. Gary secured the fence and gate yesterday and we're going to lay concrete and/or brick so that Fred can't continue digging to get to Wyatt. WTF is up with my animals? I mean, seriously? I guess they both need to go on anti-depressants. Jesus.....

On the other end of the dog spectrum...you know...the Lov-ah side....no word yet on whether or not Eddie spread his seed. He was really, really worn out after his tryst with Molly. He slept for like, two days! He and Waylon are back at it again, humping uncontrollably no matter where they are or who might be in the house. They have no couth whatsoever. I was trying to put them out Saturday morning and it took, like, five minutes or something to get them out because Waylon rode Eddie all the way from the bedroom to the kitchen. Lord help us. They were soooo happy to see their Daddy, though. Eddie's such a little princess. He slept on Gary's pillow...cried for him....disgusting....but hey, it's our damn fault, we spoil them!!

This was Gary and Eddie's reunion. What this picture doesn't show is that Gary is actually asleep, not only with Eddie in his lap, but an empty wine glass in his hand. Classy.....(yeah, yeah, I know...but I don't have any pics of me passed out with a wine glass in my hand....LOL)



Our truck driver is back at the shop now. I hope it's because it's raining and the landfills are closed. That would make my day. I hate landfills. They're money sucking rackets. I equate them to TXU....or trashbags...stuff you have to have, they know it, so they rape you.

I guess I'll go for now. I'm waiting on my CPA to check my work before I can proceed. As soon as she does that, the difficult portion of my job is over and that just gets me one step closer to being out of here and operating Mild Bill's Spices!!!

Be sure and check out our Facebook page and Twitter. I sent page suggestions out to a bunch of people today...so be kind and "like" our page....and follow us on Twitter. I promise to be nice :)

Spreading my own special brand of joy and happiness to the masses......

Kelly

Monday, Monday.....

I'm enacting my special force field in hopes that the stupidity and ignorance of Mondays will bounce off of me as it gets close :)

Congrats to all of the chili winners this weekend! Joe Trigo is our new Men's State Champion! Gary got 13th and Mark got 19th - I'm proud of both of them for making final table out of 144 chilis!

I had a fantastic weekend. I sold two of my trailers, I had a wonderful time relaxing at One Fine Day and I enjoyed delicious sushi Saturday night. I even squeezed in a little retail therapy this weekend, too! I didn't get around to cleaning Paige's room, but I at least got what I needed to load up movies and toys and reorganize her room. She had a great time at Gammy's....of course! She made sopapilla cheesecake squares for Daddy for his birthday. We also bought him a red velvet cake. We were all so tired last night so after dinner, we got in bed and watched a little TV and were asleep by 8:30. Actually, Paige and I were tired....Lord Brignon was hungover :)

I've always wanted to try Pasta Carbonara...the tradition Italian comfort food dish. Because of my egg allergy, I've stayed away from it because I didn't want to have the asthma attack from hell. Well, I bit the bullet and made it last night and while I had to take two Benadryl, I was sooo not impressed with the dish! I made it according to the recipe (which was a good one), but I just didn't care for it at all. Gary loved it, but I wasn't feeling it. I don't know if I'm going to try it again, maybe use a different recipe, or modify it a little...but I was so disappointed. I wanted to love it. Damnit......

I bought shrimp last night (I was going to add it to the Carbonara, but forget), so I'm going to do something with it tonight for dinner. Not sure what I'll come up with, but I hope it's better than last night's meal!!

Have a great day. I'm going to finish up on some things for our tax return and try and survive Monday. Good luck with that, right?!?!?

Kelly

Hurray for Friday!!!!

Good Morning! Thank God for Friday, right? I'm so over this week. Gary and the boys are on the road to Johnson City this morning. After announcements tomorrow, they'll head to Luckenbach to see Charlie Robison. How about that for a Happy Birthday! Gary turns 39 tomorrow :) He doesn't look a day over sexy...right?!?!?!?!?! Okay, okay....don't vomit in your mouth.

My weekend is going to consist of a massage, facial and hair appointment. Then I'll go get sushi. Upon my return home, the boys and I will have lots of couch time as I'll be watching a marathon of Kelly approved movies!! Paige will be with Gammy this weekend, so I'm going to take it easy tomorrow and then work on her room Sunday before she comes home. She has a ton of movies and toys that we need to take to the school for use up there. Right now they're just taking up space in her room - space she could use!

Jeannie isn't here this morning, so I've got to get up and make coffee. I don't mean that as a spoiled brat....I'm just not a good coffee maker. No matter how careful I am, the filter always falls over and the coffee grounds end up in the coffee. Gary normally makes the coffee at home. I guess I just sort of suck at it!

One thing I don't suck at - making Spicy Tuna Salad and Breakfast Casseroles :) I hooked the boys up with both for their weekend excursion! They're going to need something to soak up all that alcohol....nice.....LOL!!

Have a WONDERFUL weekend!!! I'll be back on Monday spreading my own special brand of kindness, joy and passive aggressiveness since Gary won't let me be just plain aggressive anymore ;0)!! I'm kind of worried....apparently Burger King is moving down the street from McDonalds in Irving. Huh....I wonder if they'll be enough people in Irving to eat at both???? I wonder if McDonalds sent them a letter????

Kelly

Conversations with Paige.....

Good Evening,

I'm not sure if these qualify as actual conversations or just Paige being Paige at the most inopportune times. You be the judge!!

We went inside the bank this afternoon and when we were finished, I took her to the bathroom. You walk by the safety deposit room and vault to go to the bathroom and she noticed it on the way out. While we are walking through the lobby, (it was almost closing time, so a few of the girls were by the door to lock it behind us) Paige says, loudly:

"Mommy, that was the money vault. That's where I'd lock people up if I was going to rob our bank."

I swear to God...that came out of my seven year old's mouth. I was MORTIFIED!!! I looked at one of the tellers I know fairly well and I just shook my head and apologized. Thankfully she was laughing pretty hard, so at least I don't have to worry about the FBI showing up at my house later. Jesus!!

We leave the bank and head home. Paige requests Chicken Express for her snack and I figured what the hell. We're in line and Paige asks me if her daddy is at home. I told her no, that he was at work. I then asked her why she was asking and she replies:

"Well, I just wanted to know if I was going to go home and find him passed out in my floor and snoring like I did when I woke up this morning."

I laughed....and laughed....and laughed. Apparently, Gary had a little too much wine last night and when he went in to check on Paige and talk to Gilbert (uh yeah, I don't get that, either), he decided that the floor looked pretty good. So, this morning when Gary's alarm went off at 4 am and woke me up, I couldn't find him. Anywhere. Imagine my amusement when I found him sprawled out on Paige's floor snoring. Just think people, my kid is going to be in therapy one of these days and one of her most vivid memories will be the morning she woke up for school and had to step over her snoring, passed out daddy to get to her closet. Fun times, people, fun times. I look at it like this; a certain therapist is going to be in business for a loooooong time :)

I had BBQ Chicken on the agenda for tonight's meal. So far, I'm on a laundry mission and I don't really see that happening. Paige ate, and I have stuff to snack on. Lord Brignon may be on his own this evening.

Have a wonderful Wednesday...we're getting closer to the weekend. I've got a gift certificate for a massage, so I thought that would be a great excuse to get not only a massage, but also a facial and my hair done on Saturday. I plan on spending most of my day at One Fine Day in Waxahachie....and I don't feel the least bit guilty. People, I was crying and having a nervous breakdown on the side of I20 yesterday. If that isn't grounds for a day at the spa, I don't know what is!!

Kelly

Cadillac Cowgirl Tilapia in Green Chile Sauce

This was DELICIOUS! It took about 30 minutes to make and that made me even happier! Below is the recipe:

Cadillac Cowgirl Tilapia in Green Chile Sauce

4 Tilapia Filets (I used small ones...but you can use any size)
1 Can Hatch Roasted Garlic Green Chile Sauce
1/4 Cup Sour Cream
1/2 Cup Grated Monterrey Jack Cheese, divided
2 Tbsp Butter
6 Oz Peeled and Deveined Shrimp (I used the salad size and thawed out what I needed)
Crumbled Cotija or Queso Fresco Cheese
Salt and Pepper to taste

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Rinse the Tilapia filets and pat dry. Salt and pepper the Tilapia filets; you can also season them with onion, garlic and/or lemon pepper as well. (I used onion and garlic granules...from Mild Bill's of course!) Melt the butter in a large non stick skillet and when bubbling, add the Tilapia. Brown on each side for 2-3 minutes over medium high heat. (You're going to finish these in the oven, so don't be concerned if they aren't completely done.) Set aside in a baking dish large enough for all four filets. In a saucepan, combine the green chile sauce, sour cream, 1/4 cup of the Monterrey cheese and shrimp over medium heat. Once heated through, pour over the fish in the baking dish, add the rest of the Monterrey Jack cheese and bake for 15-20 minutes until bubbly and the cheese is melted. Top with crumbled Cotija or Queso Fresco Cheese. I served this with refried black beans and sliced avocados. A Jicama slaw would also be delicious with the Tilapia!

My goal today is to make it the entire day without popping a Xanax. I'll let you know how I do....or don't do :)

Spreading joy and kindness in all that I do.....

Kelly

Xanax Tuesday......

Yeah...I'm serious. It's already been one of those days. I've already popped a Xanax and I think I may pop another one before the day is over.

On a brighter note, Bluebonnets are already coming up! Gary and I took the back way home last night from my sister's house and they are already blooming on FM 660 between Bristol and Crisp. We also stopped at The Bristol General Store and met the famous Mr. and Mrs. Han that so many people have been telling us about. From what we hear, they make incredible sushi! I know! Sushi from Bristol?!?!?!?! Well, we're going back Thursday evening and trying it out. We took one of their menus and they have a great selection of rolls. I'm kind of excited. I can't believe it. I'm just days away from finding Sushi literally five minutes from my house in the thriving metropolis of Crisp, Texas. Hell Yeah!

In case anyone is wondering, I got sort of chewed out by my husband over my blog yesterday. But - I stand by what I said. I don't think I was being ugly; I wasn't pointing fingers at a particular person and I was just stating my opinion.....which is what he flipped out about. Seriously....I'm wondering if Gray would get so bent out of shape??? :)

So, yeah....I'm being told once again to shut my trap and that just doesn't sit well with me and maybe if I was just going batshit crazy on people, then I'd see his point. And he really did have some valid points - I just don't agree with him. I've certainly learned to stay away from the seriously inflammatory and prickly issues and other than just offering suggestions from time to time, I feel that the criticism that I used to pour on every day has more or less stopped. And why can't I voice any type of suggestions and ideas? People who can't handle alternative views, suggestions and constructive criticism are always going to be on the defensive. I can't help that and I'm certainly not going to shy away from voicing my feelings because of it. I have two kids that cook; that's why I feel the way I do about how junior cooks are treated. I wasn't singling out anyone....I was just stating my opinion about how those divisions are advertised and how I feel that they should be. It's kind of like beverages on the judging table. Beer and/or water. No sodas, no mixed drinks. Beer and water are neutral palate cleansers that don't leave a heavy aftertaste. Sodas, mixed drinks and even wines have a strong taste and they're going to alter your palate. Again....just my opinion. And we all know that if the world ran the way I wanted it to.....LOL.....I'm kidding!

Gary and the Ellis Co. boys are headed to Mens State this weekend. I'm sticking close to home and hanging out with my girl Vicki Sanders Friday night. I think I'm going to perform a Paige Brignon bedroom intervention and go through all of that juicy baby's stuff. She's got so many movies and toys we could take up to school for the pre-k and aftercare kids.

I hope everyone enjoys their day! I am preparing tilapia tonight and I'm really excited about what I'm trying out. I look forward to sharing my recipe tomorrow.

Have a great day...I'll be back tomorrow, spreading my own special brand of kindness and joy!

K

Another Monday, Not Just Conversations, But LIFE with Paige and Other Ramblings

WARNING: THIS POST MAY OFFEND CASI APOLOGISTS....AND MY HUSBAND WHO IS ALWAYS PUCKERING HIS ASS OVER MY BLOG!!!!!

Okay....I was warned...but I just can't help myself. One of the most inflammatory areas of chili cook offs seems to be the Junior division. I love how so many of the ads in the Trails state "CASI Rules Apply" immediately following the advertisement for the Junior cooks. I know this is mainly to stress the importance of the junior cooking his/her own chili, but if you are going to put "CASI Rules Apply" in the ad, then ALL CASI rules must be adhered to...not just the ones the Pod (cause really...how many promoters are going to put that in there) want followed.

So, you know what that means? If you DO NOT advertise an age requirement, then you DO NOT get to enforce it at the cook off. If the juniors must be a certain age to cook, then you DO NOT get to turn away or disqualify chilis from kids that do not fall in the "supposed" age requirement. That sets SUCH a bad example on so many levels. First of all, you really aren't following CASI rules if you are enforcing a requirement you did not advertise. Second of all, how can you in good conscious turn away someone who's brought their 6 year old to cook and didn't know there was an age requirement. And lastly, and really most importantly, THEY'RE FREAKIN KIDS FOR GODS SAKE! Seriously? Is it really that friggin important that these kids not be allowed to cook over a rule they had no idea they had to abide by? If you are going to enforce CASI Rules for junior cooks, then play by all of the CASI rules and go by the advertisement in the Trails. Period.

So, now that I've pissed off a bunch of people, I'll move on to less polarizing subjects, such as my child :)

I know alot of you read my blog for "Conversations with Paige" and I can't say I blame you. I love talking to Paige...she's a hoot. There are a several conversations I don't get to share because I forget all the particulars before I can post them; or, they border on CPS inappropriate....LOL!!! The Juicy of Love and Deliciousness was on her game this weekend. She bowled with Daddy and Sissy Friday afternoon, debated the subject of meatless Fridays during Lent with her Daddy and myself Friday evening at Outback. (Yes, we went to Outback for a meatless meal...WTF?) and rode 4 wheelers and the golf cart with her Bubba and his four friends Friday night. She was holding one of their phones as a flashlight because they didn't have lights on the golf cart. Every couple of minutes or so, I'd hear this loud giggling and screaming coming from the back of the compound. She was having so much fun and by the time she came in she was FILTHY! I wouldn't let her go back out and large tears started rolling down her face and cutting through the dirt. That baby was dirty!!! Then she got upset because I wouldn't let her stay with her Bubba and his friends on Saturday. She ended up going to Denton with me. I had to bribe her with a frappaccinno from Starbucks :). So, off we go to Denton and in a matter of minutes, she was inside the Antique store and ticking off items for purchase. She found a vintage pink rotary phone. Cute, huh? Not a cute price....$135.00!!! I told her NO WAY! We were not spending $135 on a phone that I could buy at Target or Wal Mart. She kept wearing me out. Asking me why I didn't have any money (because Daddy always does), and why I couldn't afford a phone for her! WTF?? I told her that I could afford a $135 phone, but I wasn't going to pay for a $135 phone. So we looked around at some other stuff to see if she could find something else to take the place of the phone and she found a dollhouse. It was $60 and had quite a few pieces inside it. She fell in love and told me she wanted the dollhouse instead of the phone, so we shook on it. And then....perfection:



I almost wet my pants and cried tears of joy. I couldn't believe it. A three stone turquoise bracelet so similar to the one I lost that I went batshit crazy in the Antique store. And...at a FANTASTIC price! So in addition to my 2nd place finish, winning the inaugural El Guerrero Renegado trophy and our side bet, I was so excited about my bracelet. What an awesome Saturday! Speaking of 2nd place chili, below are the results from Saturday's cook off:

Denton CCO
23 Chilis

1. Regina Petros
2. Kelly Brignon
3. Tom Dozier
4. Alan Fennell
5. Debbie Longabaugh
6. Susan Spencer
7. Sam Roberts
8. Doodie Johnson
9. Don Walker
10. Jason Clark

Beans
1. Budda Manske
2. Debbie Longabaugh
3. Frances Sullivan

The folks running the cook off, in addition to the CUT Pod, did a great job Saturday. The public came out and we had lots of judges! Congrats to all of the winners!

Paige and I went to get MommyBaby pedicures yesterday to end Spring Break on a "private time" note. I was washing her hair last night and I sat by the bathtub and shot the shit with her while she was soaking in the bubbles when she decided she wanted me to count how long she could stay under water. Well, when she went under water, her butt would go up in the air, so I'd pinch it. Or, I'd tickle her under her arm and distract her. She'd come up for air and just laugh, but the best was when I just put my hand by her face in the water and shook it:

Paige: Aaahhh! Don't do that, it creeps me out!
Me: How does it creep you out?
Paige: It's like when strangers touch me.
Me: (WTF all over my face) When the hell have strangers touched you?
Paige: They haven't, I just think that's what it would be like and I'd be creeped out.
Me: Soo...what you're saying is that you equate me shaking my hand in your face under the water to a stranger touching me?
Paige: Yeah, but you're a stranger I know.....
Me: Thanks....I feel so much better!

I made double stuffed baked potatoes last night. They were bad ass, from what the carb eaters in my home told me. Below is the recipe:

2 Baked Potatoes, cut length wise
1/2 Cup Diced Ham
1/2 Cup Diced Velveeta
1/2 Cup Sour Cream
Milk as needed to make mixture creamy
2 Tbsp Butter
Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Salt and Pepper to taste

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil and spray it with non stick spray. Remove the potato portion out of the baked potatoes leaving the shell intact. Add the ham, Velveeta, sour cream, butter and salt and pepper to taste to the potatoes in a large bowl. Combine and add a little milk at a time in order to mash the potatoes to a creamy consistency. Add the potato mixture back to the shells and sprinkle the cheddar cheese over the top of each one. Bake for 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. These looked and smelled delicious and I will be consuming one as soon as Lent is over with!

Have a great day, everyone. I doubt I will as it is Monday and Mondays historically suck ass for me. I wish that someone in my immediate family would win the lottery and rescue me from T & B Demolition.

Keepin it real.......

K