Two more sleeps. Hard to believe that I have been off work for 10 days. It's even harder to believe that I haven't even wondered what's been going on at the store for almost the entire time! I guess that really speaks to how much I don't like my job, doesn't it?

The storms have rolled in and it's dark and rainy outside, with thunder and lightening peppering the morning's soundtrack. I have no plans for the day except for picking up where I left off yesterday on my journey through Tim Holtz's new book of techniques. Oh yeah, and maybe a nap!

Thanks for stopping by!

SHRIMP CREOLE
Serves: 6

2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup diced green bell peppers
1/2 cup diced onions
1/2 cup diced celery
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 14-ounce can Ro-tel tomatoes w/ green chilis
1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
1 tablespoon worchestershire sauce
1 tablespoon hot pepper sauce
1 teaspoon sugar
Salt and pepper to taste
1 1/2 pounds peeled and deveined shrimp
Chopped green onions for garnish

Preheat crockpot on high. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and then add peppers, onions and celery. Cook until softened. Add chili powder and saute' until caramelized.

Remove from heat and pour into crockpot. Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, hot sauce, Worcestershire, sugar, salt and pepper.

Cook for 3 hours. Add shrimp and cook for about 3 minutes.

Serve over rice; top with chopped green onions.

Crazy-delicious! Enjoy!

Got up early this morning because I had to run into work for a meeting. Yes, even while I'm on vacation I get stuck traipsing into that place! While I was there, I checked my email really quick and I'm glad I did because it looks like I'll be travelling to Rockford for a meeting next Tuesday. Have I mentioned that I absolutely HATE travelling for this job? In any event, I left in a hurry, not wanting to spend any more time there than absolutely necessary.

Then, I had the dreaded doctor's appointment. As I suspected, not great news. My blood sugars are about the same; blood pressure, cholesterol, etc. all good, BUT I've gained about 20 pounds since last summer. Totally disappointing, totally disheartening. I stopped myself from running to Panera Bread and drowning my sorrows in a sweet, sugary treat.

So, I came home and tried to get crafty. My heart wasn't really in it today, but I felt if I did absolutely nothing I would be wasting a valuable day of freedom. So, I got out the paints and painted some Grungeboard embellishments to be used later - even Halloween stuff didn't cheer me up, but here's some of what I did:

That's it for today! Thanks for stopping by!

Well, wow. I've had long bouts of 'no blogging' before, but I think I'm at a new record of about six weeks. So, "What's been goin' on?", you ask. Well, life in general. Two jobs, errands, end of the year school stuff with the kids, more work and in general, overall lack of motivation to do just about anything else. Haven't been eating right and my body says so. I know I've gained about 10 pounds - can't wait to hear what the doctor has to say about that! I'm on vacation this week, so maybe I can find the creative mojo to do some crafting and the overall motivation to get off my butt and move!