Green Smoothies and New Car

We've been rather busy in the past few weeks. I went out of town, we had visitors, Jamie started grad school, my work schedule has been up and down...but I'm back and here to share a few updates with pictures with you :)

GREEN SMOOTHIES

I know I've talked about them before. Green smoothies. Smoothies with green stuff in them, like spinach. All you haters out there, don't you knock it until you've tried it! I know several people who have made the jump to making green smoothies and they are very pleased with their conversion! You should try it, too.

A few weeks ago, I was on Pinterest (no surprise there), and I found a recipe for a "Detox Green Smoothie" that I thought looked interesting. Here are the ingredients:

• 1 cup of kale
• 1 cup of spinach
• 1.5 cups of orange juice
• 1 pear
• 1 frozen banana

It sounded delicious! Immediately, I bought all of the ingredients and made it for breakfast.

Here goes nothing:

I mean, when I say green smoothie, I really mean GREEN smoothie:
It truly was delicious:
After that trial run, I've made it several more times, but have added berries for an added sweetness. Fair warning: If you add berries, the color turns into this awful vomit brown. Quite unpleasant to look at, so if you have a cup at home with a lid, use that, because then you can't see what you're drinking.

I encourage you all to try this smoothie! But be aware that pears are one of the most fibrous fruits out there. I learned that the hard way. At work. If you know what I mean.

Moving on.

In case you were wondering, Leia is still precious:
Duh.

SAYING GOODBYE TO THE EXPLODER

For about the past 6 months or so, Jamie and I have been talking about getting a new car for me. It's a 10-year-old Ford Explorer, and I've driven it for 9 years. That thing was my baby. I got it when I was 16 and I'll never forget it. I had just come home from Disney World with my high school choir, and as I was walking to the parking lot, I see these big balloons tied onto this black Explorer, and my friend and her parents were honking the horn and cheering. I was so tired and so confused, and it didn't hit me that the car was mine until I actually got up close and personal with that baby. Best birthday ever! I love that car. It drove to Kanakuk many a time. It drove to Stillwater back and forth. It hauled my friends around in high school and college (because I thought that I was the safest driver of the bunch). It drove to Memphis and Lafayette and all over the place! It's quite the US traveler.

But recently, it's been acting a little funkified. Just doing the thing that 10-year-old cars do. Making noises. Shutting down in the middle of intersections. Not starting. It has made us a bit nervous. So, we started looking at some cars to purchase in the near future. For those of you who have never done that, cars are expensive. Really expensive. And I'm cheap. Really cheap. So I told Jamie that I'm driving "Ozzy" the Exploder until those dang wheels fall off. And then I'll just put more on!

Lo and behold, Jamie's parents are actually trading in their cars for new ones and GRACIOUSLY offered to give me one of their's! Can you believe that?! I have the BEST in-laws in the world! So, I am now the proud owner of a new SUV. (Not telling you what kind of safety reasons), but it is fabulous! I've got butt-warmers/seater-heaters/tushie-toasters (whatever you'd like to call them), 2 sun roofs, and a working radio! It's fabulous! The only place I actually drive to is the grocery store, since I walk everywhere else, but oh boy do I love this baby or what?!?! Thank you so much, Kim and Marty! I could never repay you for your continual generosity!

Last week, Kim and Meme came down to Lafayette to trade cars with me and here are some going away pictures.

"Senior Picture" pose with Ozzy:

I'll miss this beauty:
Last time I'll sit in that seat:
Leia, Me, Jamie and Meme:
And one with Kim:
Thank you both so much for driving down to see us! I'm so glad we got to hang out, eat some Cajun food and Crush froyo! I love you both and look forward to seeing you sooner than later!

Alrighty, it's Sunday morning, and I'm going to finish The Bachelor from last week and then go on a walk outside. By the way, it's like Spring here! I wore a short flowered skirt, sandals and 3/4 length shirt yesterday to work. It was 75*. Ridiculous. Love it!

Love you guys! Happy Sunday!