A Visitor Put to Work

My nephew (Brent's sisters oldest son) is visiting us from Colorado this week. He actually flew down to WORK at Brent's office for the week. He's almost 16 years old and wanted some experience working outside the house. Well, he personally didn't want the experience....he just wanted the $$$$. Plus, his parents wanted him to experience "reality out in the work place." So Brent was more than willing to offer that to him (we've done the same with Nick)

I have to give my nephew credit. Nick and Kate are not here during his stay (heck, they aren't even in TOWN during his stay) So all he has, cousin-wise, is Ashlan. He's been very patient with all her cuddling and invading of personal space, hence the picture below...



But there are some times when he has to tell her to 'back off a bit'.... (check out his hand pushing her away...I was cracking up!)


He's had lots of fun with Brent's 3D Television, watching movies and playing video games...



But like I mentioned above, he is here to work this week. He's been working from about 8:45-4:30 every day (with a 30 minute lunch break) Some days are more busy than others. He spends most of his time shredding, filing, making new patient charts, organizing Xrays, stuffing envelopes, etc... It's boring work for him, as I often hear him say "I'm bored." But it's good for him. We didn't expect this job to be entertaining for him, nor is it entertaining for Nick when he works there.
Here is a picture of Theron sorting and organizing dozens and dozens of patient Xrays


And the one job everyone dislikes - shredding. Theron shredded about three trash bags worth of confidential papers. (notice two full bags of shredding behind him) As you can tell from the picture, this wasn't his cup of tea. He started sinking in his chair and propped his feet up on the wall. Now he was doing this in a room where patients pass by and can see him. So Brent did what he would do to any employee, and told him to 'sit up and get your feet off the wall. That's a good way to lose a job"


I think it's been a good experience for him. I know he isn't necessarily having 'fun' on the job. It's work. And boring work at that. But in order to make money, you have to work for it. I know this isn't a job Theron or Nick would want for themselves (filing papers, shredding, etc...)..... So if anything, they've learned that SCHOOL is important. Challenge and push yourself to make the grades so you can get into a good college and study what YOU want to study. Then you can (hopefully) spend your future making money doing something you ENJOY and chose to do!

'Texas Cavier'

The other night I made tacos for dinner. I wanted a mexican appetizer to snack on before dinner, but wasn't craving the usual 7 layer dip, queso, etc type items. I wanted something different, something I'd never made before. And after some online researching (almost always on allrecipes.com), I found a recipe for Spicy Bean Salsa, aka 'Texas Cavier'. Sounded yummy, healthy, and Brent would like the spicy part - so the deal was sealed. I was going to make this salsa.

And I did make it. Only problem was - you've got to let it sit overnight in the fridge so the flavors blend. I couldn't wait that long, so I just made the dip and served it as an appetizer minutes later. It was good, sure. But the recipe wasn't misleading you when it said to let it sit in the fridge overnight. Man, that next day it was like a completely different dip. Soooo yummy!



Spicy Bean Salsa
1 (15 ounce) can black-eyed peas
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15 ounce) can whole kernel corn, drained
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
1 (4 ounce) can diced jalapeno peppers
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
1 cup Italian-style salad dressing
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
Directions

In a medium bowl, combine black-eyed peas, black beans, corn, onion, green bell pepper, jalapeno peppers and tomatoes. Season with Italian-style salad dressing and garlic salt; mix well. Cover, and refrigerate overnight to blend flavors.

A Simple Treat

I've said it before and I'll say it again: One of my FAVORITE things about summer is eating watermelon. I love watermelon that has just come out of the refrigerator, cold and juicy! I'm salivating and craving it as I type this!

So anyways, it shouldn't surprise you that when I saw this ribbon I HAD to have it!


I wasn't sure what I was actually going to do with this ribbon. All I knew was that I wanted it.

Then once I got it home and started brainstorming about how to use it, the lightbulb turned on! Why not just buy a watermelon, cover it with clear wrap, tie the watermelon ribbon around it, and ba-bom - you've got yourself a nice treat to give someone this summer!



I think it turned out quite cute, in fact!

Brent's Idea

Brent sat me down the other night because he had an exciting idea he wanted to share with me. Wow! What could it be? I was on the edge of my seat!

Well, let's just say, in the end, it was an exciting idea for HIM....not so much for me (but I acted excited anyways..hehe)

After watching the World Cup religiously, he is even more addicted to soccer now. So here was his idea:

"Angie, let's pick an English soccer team to follow for the next season. We will just randomly pick one. We will not only record and watch every single game they play, but we will also buy the team jersey for each of us to wear for every game day. It'll be fun and exciting. It'll be like cheering for an NFL team that we've been fans of for a long time. So let's decide on a random English team, buy their jerseys to wear, watch every game they play and cheer them on throughout the entire season."

*Just for the record - one of my LEAST favorite sports to watch is soccer*

Anyways, we decided to go with Team Chelsea! It's a London based team!





So, at this point, we have ordered our jersey's..... The season begins on August 15th. Before then, I better come up with a desire to watch soccer or this could be very painful for me.

And for the record again --- "I am a darn good wife, I think!"

Fourth of July

We spent the 4th of July at the lake this year! What a fun time with family! We haven't had Nick or Kate for the 4th of July in years (because we usually ask for them the second half of the summer - this year, we took them the first half) I am so glad we did! Brent's parents, Brent's sister and family, and his niece from W.Virginia all joined us at the lake for the weekend! Lots of sun, swimming, cooking, laughing, and all around - a great time was had by all!!!!

Unfortunately, I don't have many pictures to share. I completely regret not taking more. And I am so mad at myself for not snapping ONE picture of Brent's sister and her family! I'll never make that mistake again!

Here's Ash with the biggest brisket Brent has ever smoked!

Brent, Kate, and Grandma Morgan

Grandma and Grandpa with Brent and the kids! Love this picture! I'm framing it!