No punishment is severe enough

Here in the North Georgia area we've been struggling to come to terms with the murder of a young woman by the name of Meredith Emerson. She was abducted from a trail in the Blood Mountain area, held for several days, and bludgeoned to death. She was then decapitated after her death. Area authorities have arrested a man they believe to be her killer, Gary Michael Hilton.

Hilton is also being sought after in the deaths of two North Carolina hikers, John and Irene Bryant (79 and 84 yrs old respectively). They went missing on October 20, 2007 - Irene was found bludgeoned to death and John's body has never been found.

Another death in Florida is possibly being linked to him as well.

If he committed these crimes, there is no punishment out there that is severe enough for him.

I struggle with how someone could be so disconnected emotionally to commit crimes such as murder. I cannot even begin to imagine what her family must be going through. I was talking about this with my podmate at work yesterday about this story and we were both amazed that Meredith's father had the self control to keep from physically harming Hilton when he appeared in court. I know the only time I ever saw my father scary-mad was when someone had hurt me. You don't mess with Daddy's girl. *smile*

I keep Meredith's family and friends in my prayers as I am sure they need God's peace and understanding now more than ever.

Internet Irritation

Okay...I don't know why this bothers me like it does...but I absolutely cannot stand the internet add for lowermybills.com. They have that stupid avatar doing that stupid dance and for some reason it seriously creeps me out. Maybe it's because it moves it's limbs in completely unnatural ways or because it just looks plain bizaare. Regardless, it's creepy - I wish it would go away.

Just call me a fish out of water...

I will start by stating this....I am truly a girlie girl. I love pink. If it's pink, I want it. See, here are the shoes I wore today.

So, today Shooter finally got me to agree to going to one of his steel matches. It's about as non-girlie as you can get. It's reeks of so much testosterone it's highly unnerving. So, if you're not as well versed in pistol shooting competitions as me, then I will explain. See, a bunches of folks convene at a specified time.

They then walk all over creation with their guns, and coolers, and carts.

They stop every so often at stations where they try to shoot these little metal plates as fast as they can.

Personally, I chose to focus on the object of all my affection. Shooter.

*sigh* Isn't he handsome.

What a grin he has.

He's so sexy when he's engrossed in something he loves to do.

Oh...and he made the mistake of letting me shoot his gun at the last station....I did pretty well. So next time I'm going with him - provided it's not raining or freezing cold. My plan is to beat him, not that I'm competitive or anything. I'm a girlie girl, so I need to go and get me some pink muffs and shooting glasses.

The party is over....

*ugh*

I sit at home, with my pups, wallowing in a mountain of self pity and laundry. Today is my last day of vacation. I go back t owork tomorrow. I have been on vacation since December 20th. That's two whole weeks. It makes it VERY difficult to think of going back to the office. However, should anyone come and try to take me away earlier than scheduled, I have my watchdogs in place.

They'll eagerly jump on you and lick you to death if you try to come and take me away. I promise it...so don't come if you're allergic to doggie slobber. Really, they're mean, very mean, they'll bite your toes off. Well, okay, maybe not...but they'll tear your socks off and run away with them.

They're really excellent watchdogs. Really, REALLY good....

Well, okay, I'm off to finish my laundry and somehow mentally prepare myself to be an adult and go back to work and earn an honest living. Who am I kidding....an adult...pshaw!

Peanut Butter Cookies - Round 2

On Sunday morning, after Shooter and I decided to sleep in and be backsliding heathens and not go to church....and after my parents had headed back to Tennessee....I decided to try the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Cookies again. Not sure why, other than I had peanut butter and chocolate chips leftover from making them before Christmas - and I was convinced I could make them better than I did the first time. Boy howdy was I right. They turned out great....which is probably a really bad thing since I've decided I'm going to try to eat right and workout more this year. Oh well....what can you do....

This time I didn't beat the stuffin' out of everything. I also only had dark brown sugar...so I used that. They were delicious....unbelievably good, delicious, soft, chewy and heavenly. Here are some new pictures that I'm definitely proud of.

Hmmm...look at that gorgeous texture, would ya?

Trust me, kids, you NEED a glass of milk with these cookies. They also make a mean ice cream sandwich.

Peanut Butter Cookies

Courtesy of Smitten Kitchen and adapted from the Magnolia Bakery Cookbook

The brilliance of these cookies is that they have include two different formats for peanuts–three if you use chunky peanut butter. They’re crisp on the outside, and almost cakey on the inside. Bake a batch and then hide the results in the furthest and most forgettable reaches of your kitchen. You’ll thank me later.

1¼ cups all-purpose flour

¾ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon baking powder

¼ teaspoon salt

½ cup unsalted butter, softened

1 cup peanut butter at room temperature (smooth is what we used, but I am pretty sure they use chunky at the bakery)

¾ cup plus 1 tablespoon (for sprinkling) sugar

½ cup firmly packed light brown sugar

1 large egg, at room temperature

1 tablespoon milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ cup peanut butter chips

½ cup chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large bowl, combine the flour, the baking soda, the baking powder, and the salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, beat the butter and the peanut butter together until fluffy. Add the sugars and beat until smooth. Add the egg and mix well. Add the milk and the vanilla extract. Add the flour mixture and beat thoroughly. Stir in the peanut butter chips. Place sprinkling sugar on a plate. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls into the sugar, then onto ungreased cookie sheets, leaving several inches between for expansion. Using a fork, lightly indent with a crissscross pattern but do not overly flatten cookies. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Do not overbake. Cookies may appear to be underdone, but they are not.
Cool the cookies on the sheets for 1 minute, then remove to a rack to cool completely.

Dude!?!

Okay....somehow I've become fascinated by the Bud Light "Dude" commercials. In watching the Georgia/Hawaii Sugar Bowl Game, I saw several versions of the commercial and couldn't help but laugh out loud at them. I don't know why but I find them so funny. I guess it's because I and so sensitive to inflection usage when speaking that I can completely understand each and every situation and use. Anyway...if you haven't seen the commercials....here are some links:



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBmzWP-yBA0&feature=related



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUPvFAjpsVE&feature=related

Dude, you gotta go see these now. Duuuude, forget about work and do it now! Deeeewwwwwde, I understand, best to read my blog from home then.

Happy New Year!

I promised that I wouldn't make resolutions this year. Resolutions are rather stupid in my opinion. They're usually goals that are incredibly too lofty (and thus we're discouraged with ourselves on January 4th and give up) or they're ideas given to us from those marketing products that prey on our insecurities (notice all the Bally Fitness commercials this time of year). Personally, I have just thought about some things I'd like to change or accomplish this coming year.

I hope to blog more and grow my site and viewership. I hope that I can get my butt in gear and get to the gym like I should. I hope that I can learn to appreciate those around me more and stay in touch with those far away from me. I will definitely try to get out Christmas cards next year. I will continue to tithe as I should and save like I should. I look forward to continuing the redecorating wave that has hit our house - look out master bath, here we come! I hope that we'll have a new addition to our family this year. I hope that I can get my butt in gear and clear out the clutter in our house. I really hope that I can find a Wii before next Christmas.

Okay....so there are some of my not-a-resolution hopes for 2008. I hope you have a good list of hopes and wishes and dreams for this year....

And...I leave you with this oh so cute photo....as I know we all hope for Whirled Peas....can't we all just get along?