Need Some Help...

I've been cooking up a little surprise for everyone...(and it's not food).

Hoping to get it finished up within the next couple of weeks and ready for the 1st of September.

I'll give you a little clue on what it is because I think I need a little bit of public opinion...

I'm changing my signature. Here are the options:

#1

#2 (would make smaller)

#3 

Please comment on which one you like best.

Thanks,

Over and out,

A Engineer in the Kitchen

Wordless Wednesday: You Know You're A Redneck When...

 

When you use screwdrivers to keep the doors closed on not one but two doors (I have a kind of decent excuse.)

Over and out,
A Engineer in The Need for Door Knobs

Waterfowl Festival

Went to the Waterfowl Festival that is just down the road from me. Got to listen to duck/goose calls for 4 hours...yep lets say I no longer want to work for the guys on Duck Dynasty (okay I probably still would). 

Anyways, I took the pup because they were having a retrieve competition...which we ended up not entering in because we showed up after it started...opps. 

 

Took him down to the beach...I think he forgives me for not getting him in the competition. 

 

I live 5 minutes from the beach and this is the first time he wasn't a little nervous about doing into the lake...he actually went in willing waiting for me to throw the stick. 

 

Waiting patiently... 

Oh and there was a drawing contest... 

 

I won third place. I'm quite impressed with my drawing skills. Not like I had a whining pup that was over the whole sitting still thing after about 2 minutes. 

Over and out,
A Engineer in the Kitchen

Entry Way Update...

Yesterday I posted all about my excuses for not doing anything in the house recently...well since I had posted it at work and looked the list of things that I still needed to get done I decided that I had to finish off one of those things before I could go to sleep.

So I decided to paint the entry way/ hall way whatever you want to call it.

Here is a little before and after (because every one loves before and after pictures).



Lovely paneling and art work on the wall.

 

Hall closet, with hole in the ceiling of it.

 

 

Look how pretty now...no more icky wood paneling, fresh drywall and paint! (I took the vent down so I could clean it...don't worry all ceilings are hole free!)

 

No more toddler art work the walls.

 

I felt quite accomplished before I went to sleep and all I did was paint the walls.

 

Over and out,

A Engineer in the Kitchen

Excuses, Excuses, Excuses...

Yep basically being 136 days away from graduation and taking Spring/Summer classes means a busy life. And when I say Spring/Summer classes, really if I fail this class I don't get to graduate in December so lets just say its been my life for the last couple of months...

This is what I have been doing the last couple of weeks.

Work, school, come home sleep, work on project, throw frisbee/balls for Hank while doing whatever I am doing, maybe eat food, sleep some more and repeat.

Seriously guys it took over a month for me to mow my back yard that's how busy I was with everything else, plus my neighbors frown upon me mowing my lawn at my convenience even though when they are mowing theirs I'm trying to sleep. UGH I HATE WORKING SWING SHIFTS!!!

However, this week I finally decided enough was enough and I was going to finish mudding the walls in the living room (got one corner left and the ceiling to do), sand the dining room (half done), remove the old hooks up for the washer and dryer (haven't started), mud the laundry room (first coat on), and paint the hallway (bought the paint).

It's getting there, Hank doesn't make it any easier on me, since he thinks that throwing his whatever he decides to bring me is way more important than what I am doing but I love him so I play with him and work at the same time which means projects take FOREVER!

I also went to the Faster Horses Festival, which was basically a Woodstock for Country music and OMG was it fun. I spent basically 4 days drunk and got to listen to some great music and artist that I love. Oh and there was a huge water slide...

Here are some pictures that have summed up the last couple of weeks of my life...

I worked hard on the 4th of July...I may or may not have gone up on the roof to watch the fireworks.

Made a new fleece tie blanket...someone claimed it as his.

Giant water slide at Faster Horses...

View from the top, I love my LifeProof phone case.

Drank a lot of this...

The most important stuff of the Faster Horses weekend...

"Mom, stop with the pictures and throw the ball!"

I love this picture of my boy, he seriously had that spiderweb and leaf on his nose for 2 hours before I brushed it off. 

Love the InstaWeater app!!! 

He surely does love his tree house.

I promise to try and not be away for so long again.

Over and out,

An Engineer in the Kitchen

One Nation Under God

I pledge Allegiance to the flag
of the United States of America
and to the Republic for which it stands,
one nation under God, indivisible,
with Liberty and Justice for all.

Happy 4th of July everybody. Please remember all those that have fought and fallen for the United States of America while you're enjoying your family and friends, barbeques and parties, and the fireworks.

Over and out,
A Engineer in the Kitchen

186 Days And It's My Birthday

Today there is a 186 days left until I graduate...yeah I'm not counting or anything.

And I definitely did not do anything like this...

Today is also my 23rd birthday...yep no major plans except shooting then drinking.

Over and out,
A Engineer in the Kitchen

Applications...

I feel like I have been filling out a lot of applications in the last week or so...

Starting with this one...

This girl right here applied to graduation!!!! Ceremony is December 13, 2013 at 7:30PM. Is it obvious that I'm ready to graduate....

I then applied for two big girl jobs, I feel accomplished. However, bad news both of these jobs aren't in the state of Michigan...

I have a couple more jobs that I want to apply for just need to get around to doing it. 

Over and out,

A Engineer in the Kitchen

Baby Proofing....

No one get excited, not pregnant. Not even trying to get pregnant. I am good for now without babies.

Then you might say well Lyndsey if you don't have any kids and don't plan on having any time soon, why are you baby proofing your house?

Well let me tell you...someone, won't mention any names **cough Hank cough** figured out how to open the kitchen and bathroom cabinets.

After awkwardly spending like 15 minutes in the baby section of Target, this is what I came home with. I bought the locks that go over the knobs on the cabinets, thinking that it would be so easy but not so much. I think the problem is that the knobs are to far apart about 4.5 inches, even though the distance is within the 4.75 inches that the package states, or maybe it's the fact that I put them on the cabinet that the garbage is in and the fact that I have to take the thing off 800 times a day just pisses me off. The inside cabinet locks are much easier then the ones that were in the cabinets previously, I got the spring loaded ones and it takes very little effort to open the cabinets. 

Now I just have to figure out how to lock the lazy susan cabinet that I have. And the bathroom vanity...yeah someone found out where I hide the toilet paper. 

Hopefully he won't figure out how to open the fridge...don't want him to drink all my beer. (I don't actually have any food in my fridge, it's really just beer and alcohol.)

Over and out,

A Engineer in the Kitchen

A Special Thank You...

I hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day. Hank and I just chilled for most of the day, laid around the house, planted some flowers, and ate some food.

I just wanted to say send out a special thank you to all of the service men and women, that are currently serving, have served and have passed. But I also want to thank all of the families, the wives, the husbands, the sisters and brothers, the mother and fathers.

Many of you may not know this but my big brother, Pat, was in the Marines for eight years (he was honorably discharged in August of 2012).  I know what it feels like to worry about them coming home every single day. My brother spent about 3.5 years out of 5 off US soil, (he did three years of inactive duty after this first five). He's my only brother and even though we fought like every day of lives growing up, he is my best friend enemy. I am very thankful that every time he left he came back safe and sound. There are many men and women that weren't so lucky.

(Stole the picture off his Facebook page).

Like Aaron Ullom. I went to high school with Aaron, he was a year younger then me but he was one of those guys that was friends with everyone. I can't really describe how I felt when I saw that picture pop up on my Facebook news feed, no words can describe it really.

Lastly of all the people that I can't forget to thank is my best friend Mike. He joined that Army last May, after many many many months of me begging him not to, he went off and did it anyways. I am so proud of him.

The military is so tightly wound around me it's not even funny. I know so many people in the armed forces that I would be here all day thanking them. So next time you see a soldier thank them, if not from you from me. I love them all and what they do for us is amazing. This country would not be where it is to with the men and women that are willing to die and the ones that did die for The United States of America.

Over and out,
A Engineer in the Kitchen

A Friendly Reminder...

There was a death in the family this last week...and when I say death it was a uncle's dog that pasted away from eating a pack of gum.

I thought I would post a little reminder because I know a lot of my readers have dogs, that a pack of gum can and will more then likely kill your dog if consumed. This also goes candies and other sugar free foods.

A chemical called, Xylitol, that is used as an artificially sweetener for sugarless gum, candies and food. It can take as much as a TIC-TAC to be lethal. Xylitol causes a dogs sugar level to drop and start seizuring. 

For more information go to petmd.com.

Also I would like to tell you that ONE penny can also kill a dog. The copper causes blood cells to break down.

Over and out,

A Concerned Dog Mama

Bucket List #1: Visit All 50 States

The first item off my Bucket List. The states that are in bold are the states that I have visited. I will try to add post of the places that I have been but no promises.

Alabama	Alaska	Arizona	Arkansas
California	Colorado	Connecticut	Delaware
Florida	Georgia	Hawaii	Idaho
Illinois	Indiana	Iowa	Kansas
Kentucky	Louisiana	Maine	Maryland
Massachusetts	Michigan	Minnesota	Mississippi
Missouri	Montana	Nebraska	Nevada
New Hampshire	New Jersey	New Mexico	New York
North Carolina	North Dakota	Ohio	Oklahoma
Oregon	Pennsylvania	Rhode Island	South Carolina
South Dakota	Tennessee	Texas	Utah
Vermont	Virginia	Washington	West Virginia
Wisconsin	Wyoming

Alabama:

• May 2013 - Clanton. Stopped at a Shell Gas station for gas (I know ironic) on my way to Florida.

Arizona:

• Phoenix - My grandparents lived in Phoenix until I was 15, so I've been to Arizona a lot.
• Grand Canyon
• Sedona

California:

• Los Angeles - I have an Aunt that lives in LA, so I've been to California a lot as well. 
• November 2005 - San Diego. My big brother, Pat, graduated from Marines Boot Camp.

Florida:

• August 2009 - Tampa. I have friends that live in Tampa.
• August 2009 - Gator Land. If you ever get a chance to go to Gator Land it is awesome! 
• May 2013 - Fort Walton Beach. Visited a friend that was stationed at Eglin AFB.
• Disney World. 
• Kennedy Space Center.

Georgia:

• August 2009 - Atlanta. Their airport sucks!

Kentucky:

• May 2013 - Bullitt. Slept at a rest stop on my way to Florida.
• May 2013 - Florence. Stopped at a Speedway gas station on my way to Florida.

Louisiana:

• August 2009 - Monroe. Visited a friend that lives there. 

Michigan:

• Born here and raised in the Great Lakes State.
• July 2012 - Silver Lake Sand Dunes and Hank went too.
• December 2011 - Kawkawlin. Bought first home.
• Mackinac Island. 

Mississippi:

• August 2009 - Vicksburg. Visited the Civil War Battlefield. 

Nevada:

• July 2004 - Las Vegas. It was hot very very very hot...like 125 flippin' degrees hot.
• July 2004 - Hoover Dam. 

Ohio:

• May 2013 - Toledo. Stopped at a Speedway gas station on my way to Florida.
• My Aunt & Uncle lived in Columbus for many years. 

Pennsylvania:

• May 2012 - Austin. Picked up the Hanky Panky up from the breeder. 

Tennessee:

• May 2013 - Columbia. Stopped at a BP Gas station on my way to Florida.
• May 2013 - Goodlettsville. Stopped at a Shell Gas station on my way to Florida.

What states have you been too? Any awesome places that I must go too? 

Over and out,

A Engineer in the Kitchen

Roaming Free

Since the day Hank has come home, he has stayed in his kennel. Well because I am lazy and didn't feel like unpacking his kennel, so I decided to give him a chance out of the kennel.

This is what I came home too...

The bedroom door was closed (he knows how to open the door) and the bed was made. Random goodies weren't on bed.

Bathroom door was closed...bathroom sink was not running. Ball might have been there but food containers definitely weren't. 

See that random bits of something on the floor...it was a candle. 

My counters were "clean"...

I have since made sure that EVERYTHING was picked up and put away, and that there is absolutely nothing on the counters. I have left him alone without being in his kennel and he has done better. I still come home to the bedroom door open and the bed messed up but the "destruction" is less.

Over and out,

A Engineer in the Kitchen

How to Travel with A Dog...

I now consider myself an expert on this subject...I guess after 1064 miles, 6 states and 20 hours in a truck (oh and that was one way). I'm either an expert or crazy. 

I had a great time down in Florida and I would totally do it again. Driving through Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama was just beautiful. 

Here are a couple of tips for traveling with a crazy dog.

• Pet friendly hotels...they are all over the place, make sure you find one. 
• Check for weight limits, yes some say they are pet friendly but only allow pets that weigh up to 20 lbs.
• Bring kennel/crate...its good for safe traveling. Also bring bedding and toys from home as well, it will help keep them calmer with the reminders of home plus keep them entertained. 
• Bring vaccination records, you never know you may need them.
• Remember medication if your dog takes it.
• Make sure identification/microchip information is up to date.
•  I even went as far as put the phone number of my friend that I was visiting on a tag to make sure that if anything was to happen there was another number that could be contacted if I wasn't available. 
• Bring extra dog food. Bring portable water bowl.
• Since I was driving, had the space and keep this food in a storage bin...I took the whole bin. 
• Make stops every couple of hours.
• I stopped every state line and in between as needed. 
• I would recommend don't feed a lot of human food. 
• Hank doesn't get a lot of people food, its limited to fruits, vegetables and meat that I personally have cooked (occasionally he might get crust of bread.)
• Well me not thinking about it, I stopped a couple times at McDonald's and I bought Hank a plain hamburger (just meat and bun). Yeah, he puked later that night...it was disgusting and I learned a little lesson.

I consider myself very very lucky that Hank is very good about going for rides. He literally slept the whole way there. On the way home we hit Ann Arbor (about 1.5 hours from home) and he started getting a little bored. 

My faithful watch dog.

Over and out,

A Engineer in the Kitchen

Where is Lyndsey...

I bet many of you have been wondering where I have been...well let me tell you. (And if you haven't been wondering where I have been well that is just rude and you need to show the love a little bit more.)

I just finished up my second to last semester in college. That is right this girl has one more full semester and she will be graduating. With that being said, I have been looking for new jobs, but I'll save the job hunt details for another day.

I snuck a way to Florida for a couple of days to visit an old friend that is in the Army.

Then I came home to work on a few things around the house.

But there is one thing about my that many of you may not know. I actually enjoy working, I enjoy having the routine...now don't get me wrong, I don't really like my job but I do like having somewhere to be and do.

Stay tuned over the next couple of days I have a few things to tell you.

Over and out,
A Engineer in the Kitchen

He's Special....



When I get to the last couple broken pieces of treats I always give the box to Hank with the treats inside and close the box. It keeps him entertained for a few minutes and usually when he gets all the treats out he still plays with the box...

 

 

 

He got his head stuck in the box...

 

Had to take a couple pictures before I saved the boy.

 

"Mom my head is stuck in the box...stop taking pictures and help me."

 

He is my special little boy.

 

 

Over and out,
A Engineer in The Kitchen

Who Needs Fingers Anyways...

Let me tell you a little something about my job. I work for a company that makes steering components for most of the cars in the United States (including some foreign brands). I personally work a lot with the steering columns (the thing your steering wheel attaches to) and I-shafts (intermediate shaft, the thing that connects your steering wheel to the steering gear). The steering gear is essentially what moves your wheels when your turn the steering wheel. Any questions?

Now let me tell you a little something about a steering column. The rake lever (the thing that allows you to move the steering wheel up and down) has very sharp edges that have the potential to cut fingers open. Luckily for you, once the column is installed in a vehicle they put plastic around everything to protect you.

Can you see where I am going with this...?

Sliced my pinky finger on the rake lever yesterday.

Steel stampings are sharp. 

Co-worker are always impressed with how I manage to get hurt doing simple things. 

Did this to my thumb last Friday, when I went to catch a falling steering column. Don't worry I caught the part and sacrificed my thumb in the process but who needs fingers anyways. 

FYI, these aren't my only current injuries...I have a bruise on my triceps from some fixtures, a couple of blood blisters from a I-shaft and a bruise on my hip from a corner of a bench that I walked into.

I'm real safe at work. Anyone else tend to find themselves injured all the time? Please tell me I'm not the only one.

Over and out,

A Engineer in the Kitchen

Sweet BBQ Chicken

One of the nice things about living in a drive through farming is that the local meat markets are flipping amazing! If you follow me on Instragram (and you if you don't you should I'm flipping amazing like that) you might have seen this picture

10 lbs of ground beef and 10 lbs of chicken for under $40. 

I'm happy to be using my grill again. Being able to grill is my favorite thing about summer.

Ingredients:

• 2 chicken breast, cook in half
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 cup vinegar
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1-12oz bottle of Open Bit Original Barbecue sauce

Directions:

1. Mix all of the ingredients together in a Ziploc baggie.
2. Let marinate over night. (I actually put some of these in the freezer and when I pulled them out they tasted just as good.)

Enjoy,

Over and out,

A Engineer in the Kitchen

Dear Mother Nature

Seriously Michigan, this you can't make up your mind if it's going to be winter or if it's going to be spring crap is really starting to piss me off.

It has been raining/snowing all week, there is so much water it has no where to go. The rivers are full, some above flood plains. Three of my roads to civilization are closed...makes trying to get where I want to go kind of difficult when you have to take the really long way and drive about 5 miles out of my way.

Here are some of the pictures that I look on Friday after most of the storm. However, yesterday it rain, snowed, hailed, and the sun even peaked out for a few minutes.

This ditch is down the road from the farm and it is 20 feet deep; normally I can't even see the bottom of the ditch. 

I had to drive way about 5 miles out of my way just to find a road that is almost under water...

This is the river...not a lake.

The other side of the lake river.

Same river, other side of the road...

It suppose to warm up next week, but it's just going to continue to rain.

Hope everyone stays warm and dry.

Over and out,
A Engineer in the Kitchen