Trouble Breathing, Homework & Happy 22 Months Colin & Sarah!!!

First of all, Happy 22month Anniversary to me and Colin! 22 months and kickin'! We are better now than we've ever been; not perfect, not worry-free, but just happy, settled and content with who we are as people, and where we are as a couple! So, Happy Anniversary, baby! And thanks for sittin' up with me in the middle of this night this morning when I had that asthma attack and couldn't breathe--you are exceptional in the way you handle me! Lord knows I'm not easy, but totally worth it, right, babe? :)

So, today is also Colin's cousin's Anniversary, Kylie & Paul have been MARRIED four years today, so Happy Wedding Anniversary to them. Everyone on the Hunter side of the family gets married on the 15th, we were going to as well, but we decided we wanted to be a bit different and so that's why we decided on the 7th. It's a number we both like, and a number of luck for most everyone! In fact, we were reading an almanac the other day and it says that as Capricorns (we both are), our lucky day is Saturday, our lucky numbers are 3 & 7, and then we realized that we're getting married on Saturday, 3/7. How cool is that?! We didn't even plan on that!

Anyhow, my trouble breathing today is really making me nervous. I went to the Dr. on Friday and she put me on anti-biotics, and steroids....they seemed to be working, but I just didn't rest enough this weekend and my lungs hurt this morning. It sucks. I feel like I can't really catch my breath and that's just scary. I've taken a breathing treatment and lots of puffs of Albuterol, but, it looks like it's gonna be a struggle today....oh well, that's my life sometimes, it is what it is and I'm home, comfy (as comfy as one can be not being able to breathe properly) and that's that. I am going to tell my professor tonight, though, at the begining of WMST class, in case I really can't breathe and do have to leave. I hope I don't, but I might have to, I have to listen to my body and be realistic. And I have to STAY STILL today. And very even-tempered....not too much excitement or drama, you know. Please pray my breathing improves; of all the things I deal with, not breathing well scares/affects me the most!

So, because of the anitibitocs and steroids, my skin is really super-clear right now. So clear it's amazing! In fact, last night Colin stroked my cheek and said "you really do look goergeous tonight." Best part about it? I was in PJ's and absolutely NO make up, not ONE single stitch of it was on my face! I feel so beautiful when my skin is clear and SO damn ugly when it's not. It was nice to hear my man tell me I looked georgeous, always has been, always will be! You kwow what I mean, ladies! Yeah, you do! Just for the record, he's NEVER said I was ugly, and even when I have really broken out skin, he still tells me I'm pretty. And I know I am, but clear skin makes all the difference in the world for me. Everybody has something they don't like about themselves, for me, it's my skin when it's broke out....but right now, it's clean & clear and yes, goorgeous!

I made homemade macaroni and cheese yesterday, and I actually did pretty well. I've tried to make homemade mac & cheese for years, and it never worked until yesterday! I got up and watched Guy Fierri and his new show "Off the Hook," and he made mac & cheese, and it sounded good! So, after making a quick run to the grocery store to pick up a few items, I came home and made some mac & cheese. It was fun! It's a long tedious process, a "food of love," thing as Emeril Lagasse would call it. But, it was worth it! It's definately a Sunday kind of meal. But I thoroughly enjoyed it. I made a HUGE mess and spilled some of my infused milk/cream mixture, but oh well, I got it all cleaned up eventually! :) Colin really liked it too, and I gave some to my mom and she couldn't get enough, so that's a good sign, right? I combined Guy's recipe, along with Tyler Florence's "Ultimate Mac & Cheese," and a little of my own insticts. And I measured EVERYTHING--which I RARELY do! So that's probably why I thought it was more tedious than the average recipes I cook. I'm not really into measuring, it's one of the reasons I don't bake a lot. However, if I had a stand mixer, I'd bake a lot more...that's why one is going on my registry for sure! Whether or not I get it is another story, but anyway.....I wanted to hang out in my kitchen; by myself, in the quitness of my empty house (Colin was at work) and just COOK! The happiest times in my life that aren't centered around someone else like family, friends, or my man, are when I'm in my kitchen; cooking, creating new recipies, trying new techniques and just piddling around with food. Sometimes I like to do that in the quiet, like yesterday, and sometimes I like to do that with blaring, loud music! It's SO much FUN for me! Cooking is becoming a more expensive hobby (it seems pretty much everything is expensive now a days), but it's so worth it and so great! It's a creative outlet and plus, nine times out of ten, it yields really good, yummy results! :) I was thinking the other day, look back on my life, of when I the HAPPIEST...like, aside from now...my happiest moments (not the happiest TIMES of my life [that'd be right now], but the happiest moments) when I felt most at home, like myself, doing something creative and it's when I'm in my kitchen, by myself, cookin' up a storm! That and writing something fabulous or spending hours browsing in a book store or the library! Okay, so I'm 24 years old and those are my favorite things to do; not too terribly exciting to most, but lots of fun for me! I was so happy that everyone like the mac & cheese and I have to admit, it is pretty good. But I won't make it again for a while, it took a long time! :) I did like Guy Fierri's new show though, it's definately "Emeril Live" Part 2. And I definately think that Guy and Emeril had a disucssion about how to do a live cooking show; Guy, like Emeril, is very high energy, funny and engaging. I really enjoyed the show and I hope it makes it! I also adore Guy's show "Diners, Drive Ins & Dives," oh that show makes me want to travel the country and just eat! Such yummy food on that show! I know I drive Colin crazy with my obsession with food and the Food Network; but it's clean, wholesome TV that's not too stressful and for me, it's inspiring! In fact, the items I'm enjoying picking out the most for our wedding registry are the items for the kitchen! I want to cook for family & friends and even Colin's work and perhaps mine; have people over, entertain! Not too incredibly often, of course, but I want our home to be the home people WANT to come to; where they can count on good times and GREAT food! And to acheive that, we've got to have a well-equipped kitchen! :)

So, anyway, I think that's about all I have to say for now. I really need to go take a breathing treatment and do homework.

Thank you Lord for this lovely day, please help me with my breathing and give me the strength to overcome it! Thank you for the inspiration to make the mac & cheese, for 22 months with Colin and everything else good and wonderful in my life! Please continue to watch over my friend, Debbie, and her entire family; they're all facing some pretty tough times rihgt now and they need You, Lord, in a really big way! And please help Melanie, also, with her missing her boyfriend. Please keep all of us safe and sound and HEALTHY! And thanks for everything!

In Light N' Love,

-Sarah Liz :)