Operation 365

3:40 PM by Laura

#1: I'm no Master Chef... but I LOVE to cook

11:12 PM by Laura

I may not be a wiz in the kitchen - I always burn the alfredo sauce, I sometimes overcook roasts and I occasionally dry out the chicken. But I LOVE to cook things.

While I wish I was able to juts throw a few ingredients in a pan and call it a masterpiece, the reality is I'm juts a standard "wifey" type cook. I can follow a recipe and I sometimes add a little twist. But I try to experiment with food too. No, sicko, not like that. I mean, I'll put a dash of teryaki in my BBQ or some vinaigrette on the couscous.

But more than just cooking the food, I love the way that my boyfriend appreciates my food. Even my bad food. It doesn't matter what I make, he always thanks me for making it. And so I'm inspired to get up the next day and do it all over again.

Tonight, I made stuffed zucchini (zucchini guts, bread crumbs, parmesan cheese and garlic) and stuffed tomatoes (couscous with left over zucchini guts, celery, lemon juice, spices and parsley). I was more excited about the presentation than I was to eat it. LOL.

Bringing Blogging Back!

8:35 AM by Laura

Ok ok ok... so it's been FOR-EVER since I wrote a blog!!! I did go 32 days strong with the operation 365 though... which is a big deal for me. It was probably the longest blogging streak I've ever had.

But I found out recently that 95% of blogs will go inactive and become abandoned rather early on in their lives, and I thought about my own blogs.

I've got three: One was a fundraiser, so yeah, ok, fine, that one "technically" doesn't count. The other is a baking blog, and yes, I DO need to step my game up there. I've got so much baking experience under my belt so far and I should share some of that cool stuff with all of you.

Truth is, I really haven't seen the motivation to blog.

I mean, are people really reading this? I have one follower (Thanks Paul). After 32 days of posting this blog to my facebook and twitter and only one person found it interesting enough to follow me? So I thought, "Wow. I must be boring."

And on top of that, it takes me a long time to sit down and write something out. I gotta think about what photo I wanna share with you, write up some witty little piece that WON'T bore you to death and then post it, preview it and fix all the freaking typos that somehow show up.

But it dawned on me. In the middle of all my self bitching. I'm blogging for me, so that I can look back on my year and think... wow... I remember that! Not because I'm obligated, or because someone told me to do so. And by the way, Susie and Tracy, you are my biggest fans on Facebook and often push me to post - so I applaud you, and DO consider you my followers too. I should have mentioned that before.

So on that note, I decided that I'm bringing blogging back. But I DO hope that some of you will follow me and at least make me feel like it's not for nothing. :)

#32: I'm a Bit of a Geocacher

2:55 PM by Laura

Photo number thirty-two of Operation 365: I'm a bit of a geocacher.

If you've never heard of Geocaching don't worry. Up until two weeks ago, I hadn't either. But it's actually quite fun!

Geocaching is like a world wide scavenger hunt. People hide little tubes, tupperwares or ziplocks known as "cache" in various geographical points all over the globe. Inside, there is a log - that you sign upon finding. There can also be goodies or trackable items that you have to carry on to another cache.

So any way, you find these cache and log them online. There's no prize or anything, but it IS quite satisfying to find that little log.

Today, I went geocaching on my lunch break. Last weekend we visited "The Sloth, one of Seven deadly Sins".

Here's the description: One of Seven to be placed. Easy to get to. Maybe not so easy to find. Great Location for learning. This is one of my favorite places to take the kids or see a lazer light show at night. No bushwacking at all.

Hint: If you had a time machine and went back in time. You would not want to run into this. Related to the Armadilos family.

So, we realized that it was the big dinosaur next to the museum off US1.

But we searched for 30 minutes and came up short. Today, we went back with another strong clue and wouldn't you know within 3 minutes, we found it. Great find. Lots of fun.

I planted a cache at my job along with my geocaching crew, "D@be$tgeocachers" and hope to put one up around my neighborhood to.

Hope it inspires you to try. It's so much fun! But get a really good compass or download the app on your phone. Otherwise it's a mission. LOL

#31: I'm addicted to Cirque Du Soleil

9:32 PM by Laura

Photo number thirty-one of Operation 365: I'm addicted to Cirque Du Soleil.

For my birthday this year, my mom gave me and my boyfriend tickets to see Kooza - a performance by Cirque Du Soleil.

It was the most amazing experience of my life.

The music was beautiful, the make up was stunning, the outfits were incredible and the stunts were phenomenal. I swear my jaw was on the floor the whole time. Amazing. I laughed, I cried, I gasped for breath.

If you haven't seen any of their performances, you should consider checking it out.

So, anyway, the merchandise at these events are outrageously expensive. We searched for a while during intermission, but refused to pay $90 for a shirt. So we grabbed a DVD and headed for checkout.

Then I saw these really cool coffee cups! They were only $5 each! So we snagged the last two and decided that our new "bucket list" would be to start a collection of Cirque Du Soleil cups.

So we plan on going to different shows around the state: Vegas, California and even in Florida. I even got a piggy bank specifically to save up for ticket money. $45 later, I'm almost there!

#30: Cheesecake is my favorite dessert

4:02 PM by Laura

Photo number thirty of Operation 365: Cheesecake is my favorite dessert.

Just say the word cheesecake, and the fat girl inside of me starts to drool.

I love food... in fact I love almost ALL food. But cheesecake is not just regular food. It's the food of the Gods... for real for real.

So it's no surprise that one of my favorite places to go is the Cheesecake Factory. If you are one of my friends, who likes cheesecake and has never been here... we can no longer be friends.

Like Baskin Robbins 30-some-odd flavors, the Cheesecake Factory has a plethora - that's right, a plethora - of cheesecake assortments. I stole them off the menu... which one's your favorite? I personally have a hard time resisting the caramel turtle.

* Original
* Fresh Strawberry
* Reese's Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake
* 30th Anniversary Chocolate Cake
* White Chocolate Raspberry Truffle
* Ultimate Red Velvet Cake
* Godiva Chocolate
* Fresh Banana Creme
* Adam's Peanut Butter Cup
* White Chocolate Caramel Macadamia Nut
* Lemon Raspberry
* Dulce De Leche Caramel
* Chocolate Coconut Creme
* Tiramisu
* Chocolate Mousse
* Vanilla Bean
* Chocolate Tuxedo
* Kahlua Cocoa Coffee
* Pineapple Upside Down
* Chocolate Raspberry Truffle
* Dutch Apple Caramel Streusel
* Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough
* Wild Blueberry White Chocolate
* Low Carb
* Low Carb With Strawberries
* Key Lime
* Caramel Pecan Turtle
* Brownie Sundae
* Snicker's Bar
* Carrot Cake
* Oreo
* Cherry
* Pumpkin and Pumpkin Pecan

Whew... That's a lot of freaking cheesecake. So... how many of you are craving some now. LOL. Sorry!!!

#29: I'm Unbelievably, Absurdly, Inconceivably, Out of Control in Love.

2:02 PM by Laura

Photo number twenty-nine of Operation 365: I'm unbelievably, absurdly, inconceivably, out of control in love.

Yes, yes, I know. Everyone is tired of seeing me posting about how incredible my boyfriend is and how much I love him.

But you know what?

I DON'T CARE!!!

I'm yelling it from the rooftop!!!

It's amazing how every day you can find one more thing about someone that makes you just a hair more insane about them. I'm completely head over heels for this boy.

It's funny, because I finally found someone who is a mirror image of myself. We laugh, we joke, we finish each others sentences. It's 100% meant to be. And to be honest... I can't see me living my life any other way.

This is... the HAPPIEST... I have been... my ENTIRE life.

Thanks babe... I love you so much!

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I'm back!!

11:54 AM by Laura

So after a few facebook stalkers and pokes from friends... the 365 blog has been resurrected.

As promised, since 20+ people liked my status today, I've decided to continue on my blog. I'm not gonna start from one again since I don't want to get rid of the archive... so, I'm continuing where I left off.

I actually feel really good about this, because I feel like my life is on a great path right now. I've got a lot of opportunities ahead of me, and I'd love to share them with everyone.

Hope you all enjoy!

#28: I HAVE to Put My Makeup On in Order

2:15 AM by Laura

Photo number twenty-eight of Operation 365: I have to put my makeup on in order.

It's the funniest thing. I take out every piece of my make up from the bag, before I get it on my face.

Eye shadows, liners, mascara, brushes in one section... primers, concealers and foundations in another... blush, powder, lipstick in the last.

I HAVE to do this. If I don't, I skip something.

And I have no idea where I picked this up form. I've watched my mom do her make up hundreds of times growing up and she doesn't do this. She grabs from the cabinet, puts on and sets back. Like a normal person.

Not me... I need order. LOL

And I love makeup, so I have a ton of stuff too. Every color eye shadow, dozens of lip sticks and brushes. I swear it takes more time to actually take everything out and organize than it does to put the make up on. LOL

#25: I Love Fishing and Catching Some Rays...

1:57 AM by Laura

Photo number twenty-five of Operation 365: I love fishing and catching some rays.

Put me on a boat, on a dock, on a beach, anywhere that I can fish and I'm happy. I love to kick back and chill with a cold drink in one hand, a pole in the other and catch a nice tan while fishing.

I went to Sanibel for the Labor Day weekend and it was the best little spot I've been to so far. A little lake-house style motel on the corner of the water. Wow. It was beautiful.

I woke up every morning, threw the pole in the water and fished all day.

I never caught anything... except a sweet little tan.

#27: I Love Trash Magazines... They Make My Life Look Normal

1:39 AM by Laura

Photo number twenty-seven of Operation 365: I love trash magazines, because they make my life look normal.

So Jen has been stealing Brad away from Angelina for like 10 years now. Kristie Alley still battles weight issues and Heidi is getting another nose job. I live for this.

I have no idea why, but for some reason I LOVE gossip magazines. I cannot go on a trip without one.

I read them in line at the supermarket, I flip through them at the hair salon, and I realized... I'm not alone.

Everyone loves gossip - be it personal, friends, celebs. They love to get the scoop on all the drama and analyze it in their own way.

That's why half of America watches Jersey Shore. So that we can watch Ronnie and Sammi fight and make our judgments as to whether or not they should stay together.

Hey, consider this my guilty pleasure...

#26: I Prefer the Sunset...

1:15 AM by Laura

Photo number twenty-six of Operation 365: I prefer the sunset.

It's probably because I'm not a morning person. I hate waking up early, even if it's to do something fun. But night time... totally different.

I love to watch the sun set across the water. There's just something so peaceful about it. Like the landscape is tucking it in for the night while the moon gets his chance to shine.

I love watching the sunset on the East coast, as it passes through buildings. But nothing compares to the west coast. TOTALLY different colors and everything.

Sunsets in San Fransisco are my favorite. For now though, Sanibel sunsets are suiting me pretty well.

#24: I'm a SUPER nerd

12:25 PM by Laura

Photo number twenty-four of Operation 365: I'm a SUPER nerd.

I will admit it. There are times when I nerd out, and sometimes to the point where even I know it's bad. But I can't help it! I think life is WAY too short to be serious all the time.

I goof around and make funny faces and funny sounds and I really don't care if people look at me crazy. In fact, I find it pretty funny when they do.

I originally bought these glasses for our Where's Waldo photo shoot.... we'll talk about that some other time... but I thought it would be hilarious to wear them around random places.

The glass in the center is clear, and no, doesn't distort your vision. But they are so flippin hilarious!

Wonder where I'll wear them today. LOL

Oh, C'mon, you know they are sexy....

#23: I LOVE pizza.... with no cheese

6:19 PM by Laura

Photo number twenty-three of Operation 365: I LOVE pizza.... with no cheese.

I know, I know. You order pizza, you expect the cheese. In fact, some people add extra cheese. Me? I pull it off.

It's not that I don't like cheese, I actually really love cheese. But I prefer to taste the sauce on the pizza. Cheese steals the sauces thunder.

My favorite pizza in the whole world, is Villa Rose. I've been going there since I was just *this* big. Thin, crispy, fresh... GOOD!

I used to just peel it off each slice - since I share with everyone who likes cheese on their pizza. Now, I just order it with a third of the pizza missing cheese.

I;m not the only one in my family who likes it this way either. My father likes it with no cheese, and his dad liked it with no cheese.

And now, every time someone gives me the "stink eye" for skipping the cheese, I make them try it.

And guess what?

They like it!

#22: I'm so Bad About Writing Thank You Notes

9:27 PM by Laura

Photo number twenty-two of Operation 365: I'm so bad at writing thank you notes.

I'm a firm believer that when someone gives you a gift, or donates to your cause you should send them a thank you note.

Yet... I always seem to have trouble remembering to write them.

I've been meaning to send out thank you notes for my upcoming fundraiser - the 160 mile bike trek.

So many of my friends and family have been generous to donate, and I feel SUPER guilty for not being gracious enough to write.

So, tonight, following my blog, I will write them out.

If you are curious about the bike trek, check it out: http://www.trektrainingtales.blogspot.com/

You can see my donationg here too: www.firstgiving.com/trektrainingtales

#21: I'm addicted to Angry Birds

11:15 AM by Laura

Photo number twenty-one of Operation 365: I'm addicted to Angry Birds.

First of all, if you've never played the game, don't pass judgment. Spend the whopping $.99 and see what I mean.

If you have ever played this game.... you'll know exactly what I'm talking about.

Angry Birds is an app for the iPhone, iTouch or iPad. It's a mind puzzling game of sling-shotting birds (all of which have different "breaking" powers) into am onslaught of ice, wood and metal to try and defeat the pigs that are laughing at you.

It sounds stupid... but it's actually really hilarious. Especially when the birds are screaming and the pigs are laughing at you.

I literally dream about this game. I am currently in a friendly competition with my boyfriend to see who can beat the game with the most stars... and it's driving me crazy that he's winning!

So now that I have to step my game up, I'm finding myself playing all the time - eating dinner, taking a bath, at work, in the middle of the night. Ahhh!!!

BUT... the hard work is paying off. I'm so close to catching up!! Ha ha...

Watch out baby... I'm coming!

In all seriousness, the creator of angry birds is a genius! I looked up a brief statistic on it, and since it's birth, 6.5 million copies have been sold. WOw... Rollin in dough.

Now why can't I find an app to build like that?

#20: I love art

9:04 PM by Laura

Photo number twenty of Operation 365: I love art.

There's something so intriguing about art for me. Maybe it's because in many cases I can replicate the work and it annoys me that these people are making thousands of dollars doing it.

For example: This painting on my wall is worth $600. Seriously? I can paint it myself for less. And yet, there's something I actually really love about it.

It really looks like Miami. It's Key Biscayne from the water side.

I actually didn't buy this painting. I did, however, consider it.

It's from an auction we had for the organization I work for... the Alpha-1 Foundation. All proceeds went to finding a cure for a very rare, genetic condition that causes lung/liver disease in people of all ages.

But even though it was for a good cause, I still couldn't see paying that much for a painting. So my wonderful boss let me put it in my office to at least enjoy while I'm at work.

Pretty cool, eh?

#19: The Green Thumb Gene Skipped Me

6:23 PM by Laura

Photo number nineteen of Operation 365: The green thumb gene skipped me.

Everyone in my family can grow plants, trees, fruit, vegetables. Not me.

If you look in the photo, I bet you can pick out which one of these plants is ACTUALLY mine. Yup... the stick on the bottom right. It should look like the other two trees...

I'm so bad at the whole remembering to water my plants thing, that I killed a bamboo tree... that's right... a BAMBOO.

The bamboo is one of the most durable plants there is. That's why so many people have them in their offices. They don't need any light, just water.

How hard is it to remember water?

Apparently... really hard.

#18: I love to shop... Especially at Sur La Table

8:35 PM by Laura

Photo number eighteen of Operation 365: I love to shop, especially at Sur la Table.

I love to bake. I love to cook. I love food. Period.

So it's only natural that the kitchen is one of my favorite places in the house. And what's more fun than being in a kitchen full of gadgets?

I love the little Garlic Zooms and chop and scoops, the bullet, toaster tongs, silicone baking cups... man the list goes on.

Sur la Table has everything you can ever want for your kitchen. It's got appliances, utensils, cookware, spices, books, etc. It's like heaven!!!

My mom and I can spend hours in that store! Today we didn't get much though... just some cute citronella candles shaped like beer glasses for my dad. LOL

#17: I Collect McDonald's Happy Meal Toys

5:56 PM by Laura

Photo number seventeen of Operation 365: I collect McDonald's happy meal toys.

It's true. Earlier in this blog I admitted to eating the happy meal. Now, I'm coming out of the toy chest...

My office is literally decorated in tiny figurines - cars, dolls, characters, projectiles. Everyone in the office knows I like them... and in many cases, they bring me some!!

I have no idea why I keep them. They serve no purpose. They take up space. They're made in China. And I'm pretty sure that my Pinocchio doll tried to kill me once.

But other than that I seem to have developed a strange addiction to collecting them. In fact, I haven't had fast food in three weeks now, and I actually miss them. Well, the toy and those cookies (which I swear have crack in them).

Sigh... looks like I gotta kick the habit. Be strong.... be strong.... be strong.....