A boy from way-back-when

I have lots of boys-from-way-back-when. Don't you? Essentially, these are boys who never made it to true "boyfriend" status but who still meant something to me and shared a piece of my life.

I dreamt of one such boy last night. Let's call him T. T was a little younger than I and we worked together at a grocery store when we were in high school. I knew T had a crush on me and, being the flirt that I am, I did little to discourage it. Okay, maybe I even encouraged it. T even asked me to my senior prom. At first I turned him down because I truly had no desire to go. The Sunday night before prom, I watched Pretty In Pink. The part where Annie Potts was talking about her prom and telling Molly Ringwald she would regret not going hit home. The next day I called T and accepted his invitation to escort me to my senior prom. I am going to have to save the rest of that story for another post.

Throughout the summer, T and I hung out but I kept him at arm's length. Before long, he got the hint and began dating another girl. That fall, said girl went away to college leaving T to endure his senior year all by his lonesome in the Arizona desert. Being the good friend that I am, I consoled T with games of pool and rounds of flirtation. I should have known it would back-fire.

NOTE: Stop reading now if you think I'm an angel and want to continue with that (erroneous) assumption.

T and I started dating. Behind his girlfriend's back. Now, I do not condone my behavior, nor will I defend it except to say this: I was 18 and very selfish. He wasn't married, engaged, or otherwise committed to this girl. I've since grown up and would never consider dating anyone who was already dating another person. Just the way I am. Now. Not then, though.

Moving on. T was one of the few boys/guys/men in my past who showed me true affection. The look in his eyes when he would look at me spoke volumes. I knew he cared for me (maybe even loved me) deeply and accepted me and adored me just the way I was. No excuses; no explanations. And anyone who remembers me at 17 and 18 will understand why that was such a big deal.

To this day I'm not sure what happened with T and I. One of the last times we were together, his entire family caught us holding hands and kissing, knowing he had a girlfriend away at college. After that we just drifted apart. I've often thought about him over the years and wondered how he was doing. I've even dreamt about him several times.

Last night was much the same dream as always. We meet again after all these years. I realize that he truly loves, adores and accepts me. I fall in love with him. We end up together.

I always feel the same way on mornings after these dreams: wistful and melancholy. Not that I think T was THE ONE, but because I long for someone to look at me again with such adoration and acceptance and to think I hung the moon.

The Whirlwind of Life

It was a busy weekend and it's going to be an even busier week. I have a book to read, a report to write and a final PowerPoint presentation to create. I have a dentist, appointment, a hair appointment and a three-hour employee meeting. My house is a mess, my laundry is piled a the end of the bed and I've no food in the house.

Add to all this the appointment I have at the Design Studio on Saturday to pick out the design elements in the new house and I'm freaking out a bit.

Does life have a pause button?

The Small Things

Sometimes, it's the small things that really make life worthwhile. Last night I was talking to a good friend (Hi Jamie!) and we were discussing the new house and how I, being the dork I am, went and used a recently received Target gift card to buy new dish clothes and towels that I will pack away to be used for the first time in the new house. We then both discovered we had kept boxes of brand-new flatware unopened just waiting for the perfect occasion to unveil it. (I have a second box of my current flatware tucked away in my kitchen cupboard that will also be unveiled in the house.) Pretty clothes and stylish shoes are nice, but give me home decor any day and I'm a happy girl. I'm a nester, what can I say?

The Floor Plan

Not the best representation, but here is the floor plan of my (still potential until it's all signed in July) future home. It's incredibly open and light- see all those windows? The kitchen has tons of cupboard and counter space and a walk-in pantry. The only area of concern is the master closet. I'm definitely going to need to re-engineering it to maximize space.

I am going to make this the ULTIMATE bachelorette pad. So, what do I need? I'm already planning on buying a 48" HD TV before the end of the year. What else? Come on, Nikki, I know you have some suggestions. ;)

Changing My Mind

It's a women's prerogative to change her mind, right? Well, that is exactly what I have done. Friday of last week I was close to purchasing a three bedroom, two bath house in Queen Creek. This evening, I will be signing the paperwork to purchase a two bedroom, two bath new construction townhouse in East Mesa.

I've given this decision a lot of thought and realized that location is truly the most important thing for me right now. I'll only be three miles southeast from my current location. Plus, I won't have to worry about a yard (I haven't had a yard for 6 years, I'm not going to miss it now). I'll have only a one-car garage, instead of two, but with plenty of extra storage space in the garage and the rest of the house. It's a two-story house but all my living space is on the second floor. This house is 1000 square feet smaller than QC house but the rooms are bigger. And I get a walk in kitchen pantry and an honest-to-goodness linen closet.

The best part? I get to go to the design studio and pick out EVERYTHING: cabinets, counter tops, carpet, flooring, light fixtures, faucets, appliances...it is all going to be to my taste. I am nervous that I'll get carried away, so I will take along trusted advisers who will reel me in if I get too out of control.

When I move in in mid-August, the home will be brand-spanking new (and smell like it) with no one else's "funk" (that expression courtesy of my realtor- and I love it) to spoil the atmosphere. Right now, it almost seems to good to be true, but I know it's not.

Finally, something that is going to be all mine.

I'm Alive

Barely. I don't think I moved from my couch and/or bed for more than an hour in the past three days. I've existed on soup, Otter pops and Reece's peanut butter eggs (thanks Easter Bunny!). And yet, I still feel like h-e-double-hockey-sticks warmed over. (Where did that expression come from? Don't know but I like it.)

The upside? I got to watch all 12 hours of the Anne of Green Gables saga. The downside? I only have the saga on video tape and the rewinding was annoying.

And I will seriously beat the next person who says "Don't breathe on me!" People, I don't make it a habit of breathing on someone when I'm well. I'm sure as a heck not going to do it when I'm sick. Unless, of course, you are the sorry soul who said the above phrase to me. Then I will not only breathe on you, I will sneak into your cubicle when you are away and lick the rim of your water bottle/coffee cup/glass. You know, just to make sure you get this crap that I have.

You are welcome.

(Note: I really wouldn't lick someone else's water bottle/coffee cup/glass. Cause, um, gross.)

Etsy Love

Have you been to Etsy? If not, you sooooo need to go visit. It's a magical land full of all the things a girl loves. Such as:

Handtooled leather purses.

With matching guitar straps.

And leather cuff bracelets. With stars. STARS!

Plus cute Amy Butler pin cushions...which I just bought. (I'm really loving Amy Butler fabrics right now.)

Cowgirl Up license plate sign

And writing file journal notebooks. (If you know me, you know I adore this.)

There are plenty of other amazing items on Etsy...go adopt some! (Just not the stuff I want...leave that for me, please.)

The Beat Goes On

Either the sickeness that is going around or the abnormal AZ wind has caused my throat be to become sore and dry, my nasal (not naval...as I called it this morning to a co-worker) cavity to burn and my head to ache. Some days you're the windshield...some days you're the bug. It is definitely a bug kind of day.

Still haven't heard back on the house offer. Keeping my fingers crossed as I REALLY want a house. I want a "studio" where I can make cute cards and gift tags and projects (without having to stress because my supplies are strewn across the kitchen table). I want a kitchen I can really move around in. I want a home for all my books where they are not piled two deep and in boxes and in every available nook and cranny. I want a porch to sit on and watch summer thunder storms. My wishes are all very simple.

It's going to be a lonely Easter. Mom and Dad are in Wyoming and all my friends are out of town visiting their families. It will be a sad day without the family. :(

Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas

Last night I tried a honey lime chicken enchilada recipe I found on Good Things Utah. The verdict? Delicious! I made a couple of the modifications to the recipe, including:

* Used fat-free 1/2 and 1/2 instead of heavy cream

* Used reduced-fat Mexican blend cheese

* Definitely use fresh lime juice and garlic...the freshness give the enchilada a fantastic taste

Enjoy!

1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup lime juice (about 2 large limes)
2 teaspoons to 1 Tablespoon chili powder
2 large cloves of garlic, finely minced or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 2 large breasts), cooked and shredded
12 corn tortillas
2 cups of Mexican cheese blend, shredded (1 small bag usually is 2 cups)
1 14-oz can of green enchilada sauce (mild or medium, to your taste)
1/2 to 3/4 cup of heavy cream
nonstick cooking spray
1 Tablespoon of chopped cilantro, to garnish

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place the cooked and shredded chicken in a medium sized bowl. Set aside. In a small bowl, place the honey, lime juice, chili powder and minced garlic or garlic powder. Whisk together thoroughly to combine. Pour this mixture over the chicken and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to marinate while you prepare the tortillas, 30 minutes or up to 1 hour, in the refrigerator.

Heat a large griddle till a drop of water skitters across (about 350 degrees F). Spray the surface with non-stick cooking spray or a oil it with a little bit of canola oil in between each round of tortillas. Heat tortillas about 20 seconds on each side till warm and flexible and some golden brown spots have appeared. Remove the tortillas from the griddle and keep them between a couple of paper towels until ready to use.

Spray the sides and bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish lightly with cooking spray. In a medium bowl combine the enchilada sauce and the heavy cream. Spread about 1/2 cup of the mixture in the bottom of the oiled baking dish. Add a large spoonful (about 2 tablespoons) of the chicken mixture to the center of each tortilla in a line. Cover the chicken with a large tablespoon (or big pinch) of cheese, then roll the tortilla up from one side to make a rolled enchilada - it will be more of an over lap on the seam side that rolled tightly. Place the enchilada seam side down in the baking dish starting at one end with the long edge parallel to the longest side of the pan so that you end up with two columns of six enchiladas each.

Repeat with the remaining chicken, cheese and tortillas. You will use about 1 1/2 cups of the cheese for the filling and set the remainder aside for topping the enchiladas in the pan. Add the remaining marinade mixture to the enchilada sauce and cream mixture, if desired. Pour this mixture over the top of all the enchiladas. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese.

Bake the enchiladas for 30 to 35 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly and starting to brown on top. Serve with sour cream, black beans, and rice or a green salad for a great meal.

Serves 4 to 6

Friday Funness

(Is "funness" even a word? It is now. Welcome to Lindsy Language.)

1. I went to the Mesa Easter Pageant last night. It's been several years since I've been and I truly enjoyed it...and the cute guys I was able to flirt with. Because, let's face it, I am an incurable flirt. And I'm good at it. ;)
2. I have finally admitted that I have a crush on Captain Moroni. How could I not? He was a warrior and he penned the Title of Liberty. Gotta love a man who has his priorities straight.


3. My final counter offer has been submitted on the house. Now I just sit back and wait. And look at furniture. And freak out regarding the fact that I could possibly be buying a house. Um, isn't that what adults do? When did I become an adult? Can I undo it? The adult part, I mean.


4. I found a fantastic recipe for honey lime chicken enchiladas and I will be trying them out for Sunday dinner. Wish me luck.

Have a fantastic weekend!

Jumping the Gun

I don't even have an accepted offer on the house yet (but it's looking good) and I'm mentally decorating! I can't help it...I'm a nester by nature and I love home decor. My wish list (on the sidebar) is filling up with new furniture and pots and pans and Dyson vaccums (well, just one) and other odds and ends. Such as:

Vivan Chair from Pier 1

Carmela Jewelry Chest from Pier 1

Photographer's Lamp for Pottery Barn

Dolce Cheval Mirror from Target

Library Media Storage from Target

Tetons

If you've never experienced the Tetons, you are truly missing out on one of the most awesome, spectacular places on Earth (and maybe even in Heaven). There is something about the rugged beauty of these mountains that fills me with peace and bliss and bit of longing. I've seen them in the dead of winter, slumbering under several feet of snow. I've seen them blooming in the spring and trembling with summer storms in July and August; ablaze with reds and oranges in fall. I've seen them waking up in the early morning hours and hunkering down at night. There is nothing, absolutely nothing, like the feeling of approaching the Tetons as my plane descends into Jackson. Despite their rugged peaks, they are welcoming to me. And I know, despite my desert address, this will always be home.