crapper

So I'm supposed to do a photoshoot on Friday and I look like someone punched me in the mouth. F*$%!

Opening Weekend

So it came and went, the weekend that I have been looking for since it came around last year. Opening day of Shotgun Season for the Whitetail Deer.

The season starts off by me going straight from work to my parent’s house. Unloading my overnight gear and getting my clothes, gun, and accessories ready for my 5:45am call time. After that I chat with my mom and dad and this time we talked about their trip to Italy. Lucky is all I can say. It’s their second time there and I am no more jealous than I was the first time they went, last year. After that I head out to the party. It was at the Cross’s house this year and even though Jr.’s an asshole and Sr. & Steve were drunk as skunks it was still a good time. We, me my brother and his friends, took off to Crocker’s and had some more beer then we all passed out for the morning.

I have to say it was freaking windy!! Two trees fell down and I thought I was going to fly away, but it was a nice quiet morning besides that. We pushed some woods, had lunch and then sat for the afternoon. Well everyone sat around 2:30 and I plopped down in my spot at 1pm to take a nice little nap. When everyone was almost in position, or just getting out of their trucks, I woke up. Just in time too, because when Bob walked into the woods a nice little 7 point came right at me and I am happy to say I shot my first deer running through the woods.

With me shooting my brother realized he wasn’t in position yet and started running to the woods and got himself a very nice 9 pt. All because I was antsy and shot a deer. He said he had to relearn how to shoot a running deer. Now I love my brother and he hunts a lot more than me, but I seem to have a lot better shot than he does. We always say he will get a deer with 15 bullets instead of just 1.

After that we tracked some more bucks because we ruined the evening sit for everyone else in our group. To no avail we didn’t find them.

The next day started off the same as the first, sitting in the woods, freaking cold out, watching some bucks does and fawns being chased by a freaking coyote. If it was closer I would have shot it, as my dad now calls me trigger happy.

After that we went to push Frost’s woods. It is this horrible woods that I always get stuck going through. It is viney full of thicket and trees and I always fall, get stuck, and get my hair caught in trees. This time was no exception, sadly after all my stress in the woods nothing decent came out.

We ended up pushing the west bank and Evan shot a very nice 8pt with the help of Bob and with that point I called it an end to my opening weekend.

I ate lunch with the guys and headed for home, bruised, tired, but happy.

This is same thing every year, and I am so happy to be a part of the tradition. Now I just need muzzleloader season to open so I can bag me another big one!

<3 Mrs. D

Twix Bars

So this past weekend I found this amazing recipe on Cupcakes and Cashmere. It was for homemade Twix bars. How could I resist?? I love Twix Bars! So I attempted it. The recipe is linked and there are photos of my baking progression, in case anyone wants to give it a whirl.

I have never made caramel before so first I had to get a candy thermometer, which only lasted me 3 hours as I dropped it in the caramel and it no longer works. But I have to say it wasn’t that difficult. When is says to watch it and pour carefully LISTEN as it completely bubbles up, and quickly at that.

So I made the crust, went bought a thermometer then made the caramel. Waited 2 hours and made the chocolate. I ran out of bittersweet so I had to make my own, thank goodness for cocoa, and it still tasted delish!

So after it was all said and done and in the fridge for 3 hours I tried to cut it. Let’s just say I had to let it sit over night for it to fully cool.

The review..amazing. The office loved them, both mine and Mr. D’s. I have learned that they have to stay cool or I have to wrap them individually in wax paper to keep them from melting and sticking together. All in all I think it was a success. I want to make some more…maybe next week.

If anyone out there has any odd/fantastic/delicious dessert recipes let me know. I love to bake and cook, but I am at my best when I am making cookies and cheesecakes.

<3 Mrs. D
http://notwithoutsalt.com/2010/10/12/homemade-twix-bars/?sms_ss=email&at_xt=4cdc644859e7b4a1,0

Christmas Already?

So I broke down this weekend and bought my Christmas cards for this year. I know that everyone is rushing Christmas more and more as the years go by, but last year I waited and I got a crummy selection so this year I bought them early. The hubby and I like to get the sparkly ones so everyone will open the card and have a giant mess on their tables. It makes us smile.

Besides the cards I also went to Target and bought two light decorations for the inside of my kitchen windows and garland. Why the lights, because living in our townhouse I have realized we have no outside plugs which means I do not get to put those awesome blow up decorations on my yard, or even lights on my bushes. It's very upsetting because I love to decorate. I also needed more garland because my lovely cat destroyed my last 10' of it during the past Christmas season.

Oh and I can't forget to mention that half of my Christmas shopping is done already! I do most of it online and when I find free shipping or major discounts I jump on the chance to get it taken care of.

So there you have it. It's not even Thanksgiving yet and I have already jumped on the Christmas band wagon. I don't like rushing holidays, I honestly love to enjoy them and the sights and sounds that go with them, but I needed to get some things out of the way before they became sold out.

Oh and let me not forget Christmas music. I hate it! So that can stay away all the way up to Christmas morning. There is only one song I like and that is the Ringing of the Bells played at my church on Christmas Eve. Besides that song, they can all be turned down or the channel changed on the radio when they come on.

<3 Mrs. D

Scattered Weekend

So this past Friday I decided that I was going to start doing a photo blog, and show people more of my life. Well here was my weekend. It was filled with tasty drinks and an expensive bottle of booze. I hung up my husband’s new painting in his office and had cereal for dinner on Saturday. I decided that I wanted to take photos of things that made me happy and smile, like my cat or my husband…before he got sick Sunday night.

Anyone Wanna Shoot?

So I feel like I haven’t done anything lately, but I really have. I’ve just been so busy that this slight slowdown makes me feel like I’m moving backwards. What I’ve done lately:
Fashion show in Hornell
Calendar for 2011
Photo shoot with Calico
Photo shoot with Ben Miller
Breast Cancer Fashion Show
Shoot with Ken Noble
Four Bar & Liquor tastings

And that’s all within the past 3 weeks. So I think I’ve been pretty busy. I don’t really have anything lined up though. So I think that’s why I’m kind of feeling slow. I have two tastings coming in the next month, and I’m shooting a boudoir shoot with MKB Images, but besides that nothing really.

Yea I have put in for a runway show in Buffalo, and for the Lillypad Creations show in Syracuse. I have responded two 2 calls, one for makeup headshots and the other for an “era” of clothing style shoot. I responded to a couple of magazine shoot castings and have gotten in touch with a bunch of new photographers, and all have said they want to work with me on one thing or another. Will they ever come to fruition? That is what I don’t know.

There are things I want to do, like a hunting shoot, where I’m in my boots, my camo under armor and my long johns with my gun, with little makeup and rough hair. I want to something to show my roots. I want to do a formal dress shoot in the show and my actual wedding dress in a field. I want to do a jumping and action shot, and one of where it’s all sepia and me on the farm in the calf barn.

Besides those ideas, I’m not sure what else I want to do. Do I want to do commercial work for a designer or shop? Yes of course. Do I want to do more runway work and calendar work, definitely! But for photo shoots, I’m not sure what I want. I have an extensive portfolio, where I have to update my book with prints, but my mind is blank with ideas.

We’ll see. The boudoir shoot is for my husband and for advertising for MKB, I will need new headshots after the weekend since I’m highlighting my hair, but if I could get more paid work, more advertising or commercial work, that would be fantastic.

<3 Mrs. D

Idle Hands = Idle Minds

This week is Mixing 101. We have 15 Sales Representatives from all over North America here doing basic training on our products and sizing tools. Mixing 101 is held every other year for those who are new to the industry. It’s good, but it throws a massive kink in our daily wrench.

Why the kink? All PSE’s and AE’s need to present on what they are best at, mine was E-Sales and a lab tour. Some others have more complicated talks, like solid suspension, and others talk about entry services or warranty. But no matter what we all have to break up our day and our weeks prior to give our talks.

Then at night we can go out to eat, and for me that’s what I like to do. Monday night was the dinner and drinks on the Distillery and last night was dinner and drinks at Sunrise. Let me just say I am not looking forward to Dinosaur on Friday night. I need a break from restaurant food. I’m stuffed, and bloated, and just yucky feeling. Plus my husband wants a home cooked meal like Rochester needs the sun to shine.

So that’s my week. I’m swamped with reps, meetings, talks, funerals, haircuts and a dentist appointment in there too….and it’s not even the end of Wednesday yet!!

<3 Mrs. D

Good-bye Aaron

I have had no time to write. Which is good, I like being busy. But being already Wednesday in the week I figured I needed to write something.

Today was my cousin Aaron’s funeral. He turned 30 seven months ago. What he thought was a stomach ache was late stage Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. It’s very sad but he lived his life without knowing he was sick and without having to go through rigorous treatment. The questions we have are, is it hereditary and could it have been preventable? Growing up as farmers we’re exposed to multiple chemicals and products that normal kids and teenagers don’t.

So that’s my day. After seeing my church that I grew up in Leroy filled to the brim with “Steins” and our friends we said good-bye to an amazing person.

Aaron Phelps was a great human being and everyone who ran into him knew that. RIP

<3 Mrs. D

- I know I should write more on this, but if I do I'll start crying at work. So that is why it is short. -

Weekend Recap

So this Friday was a fabulous runway show in Hornell. I had fun, rocked the runway, and made an awesome new friend Amy Marie. I do wish they had more vendors but that’s beside the point. Friday was also hell night at Alfred State College. It was great having dinner with the sisters and finally talking with Mica. I didn’t stay for the whole thing, just the beginning, but from what I was told is that it will never be the same.

Saturday was my husband’s birthday celebration with his family. So I made him breakfast and we went to see my mom and get his card and I did her hair. She’s leaving for Italy tomorrow with my dad so she has to look nice. Geneseo was fun. The terrible twosome were there and that made for a screaming experience of two young toddler girls. It was also Fillipo’s birthday party which I didn’t know, and I felt bad for Mr. D, but he didn’t care. The Mr. got a bunch of gift cards and cash. I gave him a monster man cave beer fridge which is super full now of Highlife and PBR and a coupon book for “special things”.

We went out to the bar on Saturday night and drank a bit. The husband had his birthday shots and we had a good time. We got invited to Dinosaur on Friday with Joe Kim & Joe’s cousin from Detroit.

Sunday we did nothing. Well we cleaned and had Pellegrino’s for lunch but that was it. It was a nice relaxing Sunday, which I am always thankful for.


This weekend is packed with presentations, dinners, dentist, a very sad funeral, and just loads of stuff besides work. I hope I can keep it all straight.

<3 Mrs. D

Busy Friday!

Today is a super busy day and I can’t let my mind wander but it is. I am trying to bust my butt at work and get as much done as I possibly can. Next week is Mixing 101 so I will have 16 sales reps to give presentations too, wine and dine, and I’ll be pretty much tied up most of the week. So there’s that. Today I am also leaving at 2:30, why, because I can. Ha. Not a good answer.

Tonight is the Robyn Baty Fashion Show in Hornell to supper LGS. It’s a great cause and everyone in attendance needs to wear black and/or white and I guess it gets a huge turnout. Tonight I am walking in the show for Legz and Kegz Design. Craig Randall designs his own apparel and it’s kind of biker-ish, rowdy, rock and roll, and just fun. So that is one thing I am definitely looking forward to. The only two models wearing his apparel are me and Amy Marie who is stunning and super nice and just plain awesome.

Besides the fashion show it’s Hell Night!!! Woot, we have 3 fabulous pledges that will hopefully make it through the night and become Alpha Sigma Sisters tomorrow morning. I am going down to Alfred for dinner with some of my favorite alum’s and then heading out to the show right after the “Bell Tower”, or our starting point.

So from here to Geneseo to get ready then to Alfred and off to Hornell….then finally back home for my husbands’ birthday weekend. Let me just tell you tonight is going to be crazy busy but totally fabulous!

<3 Mrs. D

Moody Blues

I hate people. I’ve been on the verge of crying this week and whether it’s my emotions because of PMS or just because everyone sucks right now I can’t tell. Today was supposed to be awesome, and it is. I’m just so freaking down its disgusting.

The worst part is I used to take all of my aggression and feelings out in kickboxing and I can’t even do that. I can only walk, or do the Wii fit aerobics, nothing stressful on my hip or knee. It bites. I’ve always been an aggressive person and I needed the kickboxing.

So there it is. My feelings. I just want to tell everyone to fuck off, go do a shot of Tullamore Due and smoke a Camel Light and be happy as I can be.

<3 Mrs. D

Calendars/Runways Oh My

So this week has been flying by…NOT! Anyways I’m in a horrible mood. I have been since Monday night. This Friday night is the Robyn Baty fashion show and I’m participating. My friend was supposed to come with me and take photos and I was going to go to her house after work on Friday to do my hair and makeup. Well she bailed and after saying repeatedly to me, you’re not going to bail right, we’re still on right, yes we’ve been on since September, she bails. It’s just upsetting and depressed and I realize that I’m running out of people to turn to for help and I am in dire need of new friends.

Anyways besides that, last night was the runway run thru. There are approximately 75 models and it was a blast. We have a super long walk and Amy and I get to strut our stuff. I just pray to God I don’t fall or trip on the steps. But we do this pose thing in the center together which is pretty sweet. We’re wearing t-shirts and boots and ripped jeans and being “bikerish”. It’ll be fun.

I also got to see my photo for the Calendar for Hair Gone Wild. It’s sweet. Amy and I are in a center picture and there are 4 photos of me on one side and 4 of her on the other. It’s “Hair Gone Wild 80’s Style” and pretty sweet. I get 20 calendars and 20 posters to sell, I think, and on November 20th I will be signing them at the release party in Hornell.

Who would have thought that Hornell of all places would have a “Black Tie” fashion show and an awesome calendar? I just got to say that this is doing wonders for me. Hopefully next year I’ll be in the calendar and I’ll get to work with Craig and Amy again!!

<3 Mrs. D

Tough Love

So I’m sorry but I have to say this. I’m tire of your bullshit. Friday night we were out for Mica’s birthday at Plum Garden. There were 9 of us plus Brodie. 7 of us are sorority sisters and we had Andrea and we’re all comfortable with each other and will tell the truth no matter what it is.

Well one of us was being a downer. Like a mega downer and typically she is, but ya know we’re getting sick of it. If you’re so depressed you can’t even smile for a group photo and will only drink water and sit there in silent all night, we don’t want to deal with you.

So today, I’m doing tough love. I’m tired of hearing you bitch and complain about how your life sucks and your love life, which was great on Thursday, blows chunks. When you respond, “ I guess I didn’t try hard enough” I’m going to respond NO YOU DIDN’T. What the Fuck! What’s so horribly wrong. You have an amazing daughter. You have a job. You HAD a boyfriend that you loved but pushed away. You have a roof over your head.

We all have our theories about why you’re so depressed because you used to be the sunshine of the room, the laughter, the life, we used to love to be around you. And we have brought them up to you and you just get pissed. I think it’s true because when I don’t eat I get angry too and pissy to and Ilove food. I just work out a lot to keep what I eat off of me.

So guess what. I’m done, at this point, I can’t give anymore and if my tough love doesn’t work then you need to work on it yourself. Do something and stop being so depressed. Tackle the problem head on. And yak know what all the things we’ve done the online dating the boyfriends the things that you complained about we fixed, but it’s never good enough.

So I’m done helping. You need to figure this hurdle out on your own and stop taking advice from someone who’s 10 years younger than you.

<3 Mrs. D

Weekend Update 10/30

So this weekend was pretty busy but also pretty bitchen’. Friday night I cruised home donned my sparkly sweater dress and my neon pink wig and went out to Plum Garden for some awesome hibachi. Mica had fabulous friends, the 9 of us showed up for her on her 26th birthday and she had a few surprises with Jenn driving up from Olean. After that a few of us went to Starbucks to chat and I headed home. I was planning on taking the Mr. out but he took off with his friends so I, still in my wig, went to Mulconry’s to drink with some friends. After hanging out, chatting and laughing I headed home at midnight. PS Everyone loved the wig.

I was up on Saturday at 8am for my 2nd chiropractor appointment then back to bed I went. The day was filled with a Tuaca tasting at Whitehouse a delicious steak dinner and then a SoCo tasting at Donnelly’s. There were some fabulous costumes out on Saturday night. I was actually pretty sad I didn't get to dress up.

Sunday I slept till 11 and I didn’t care. I cleaned did laundry grocery shopped and then I baked my heart out. Chocolate chip cookies and red velvet cake struck my fancy along with the fact that I found all my old recipes and now I’m dying to bake and cook every weekend until the end of May!! I also decided to do an impromptu photo shoot with Calico, who is fabulous!! It was based on the molecule makeup for “Adrenaline” for her physics and art class. I had a fabulous time with awesome clothes, my own, and great makeup, hers. I can’t wait to see the rest of the photos, one is up on Facebook. Oh and on a good note we had 1 trick or treater, thats 1 more than last year!

There is so much more to tell about the weekend, but I will just do lil snippets here and there. Because I wanted to get this update out quickly to write about some other things.

<3 Mrs. D