Top 5 favorite movies- Comedies

Some time back I wrote down my top 5 Romantic Comedies - you can check it out here.

1. National Lampoon's Van Wilder

Umm hello, Ryan Reynolds.  I adore this movie, and not just because of Ryan Reynolds.  Okay, partly because of Ryan Reynolds.  But who doesn't love a hot guy who's smart but doesn't want to apply himself?  I pee myself every time the scene with the pastries is on (I'm aware that this is just a bit more information than you wanted to know about me, but hey, I thought we were being honest?).

2. Dumb and Dumber

 
I'm not even sure this movie needs my commentary for you to agree, but just in case, "I desperately want to make love to a school boy".  Are you in?

3. Caddyshack

This is an oldie, but a goodie.  The cast, the old-school scenes, the golf.  Well, I don't much care for the golf, but you know, the hubs...anyways, here are some lyrics to a beautiful song:

I was born to love you
I was born to lick your face
I was born to rub you
But you were born to rub me first

4. Hangover

If you haven't seen this movie, you might be the last person on earth.  Or a chimpanzee.  Or maybe a hippo.  Anyways, I'll give you some of my favorite moments to get you in the mood:

I always wondered why they were called roofies, 'cause you're more likely to end up on the floor than the roof. They should call 'em floories.Or rapies.

Remember, what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Except for herpes. That shit'll come back with you. 

5.National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation

Okay, so apparently Jon and I really like National Lampoon movies, but who doesn't?  This is one of our Christmas traditions.  Every Christmas all of Jon's siblings get together, nowadays with some beers and wine, and watch this movie.  Sometimes twice.  Then Jon watches it again for the next couple of months.  And a bunch of times before Christmas.  He really likes this movie.

She falls down a well, her eyes go cross. She gets kicked by a mule. They go back. I don't know.

Drama queen

In Russia pretty much every kid was pushed into gymnastics.  When I was old enough, my parents signed me up and I loved it and hated it, depending on what day it was.

Some days I couldn't wait to get to class.  I loved learning hand stands and cartwheels.  I loved getting the extra energy out after school; and boy did I have extra energy and then some.  Then there were the days that the instructors would force us just a little bit farther than my stubborn self was willing to go.  On those days I would throw a huge fit and storm out.  I was so dramatic.  I would tell everyone that I was there by choice and that they couldn't make me do anything I didn't want to do.  I threw my little hands up in the air and swore that I would never come back.   Then I would run outside and sit on the curb, huffing and puffing, until my mom would pick me up.

The following week my parents would drop me off at gymnastics again and I would walk in, my head low.  My instructors would just smile their snarky little smiles to themselves and go on with their days.   This happened at least once a month.

But that's got nothing to do with this picture.  This picture is about my sister and me.  See, in gymnastics I learned how to do a back bend.  I was very proud.  My parents would ask me to do it as entertainment for their friends.  My sister always watched me and, the copy cat that she was, she tried to do it too.  But she wasn't in gymnastics yet and so she didn't actually know how.  But it was a good try.  And a pretty good indication of much she adored me.  And I adore her.  To this day.

Are you a blogger?

I love reading blogs.  Wait, hold on, that didn't come out right.  What I meant to say is that I LOVE LOVE LOVE reading blogs.  Something about reading someone's blog makes me feel like I am invited to share a part of their lives.  Granted when it's someone like Ree from the Pioneer Woman or Katie from Confessions of a Young Married Couple, I'm just a tiny little spec in their hardcore line of followers, but I still feel pretty special.

There is nothing like finding a really great blog and taking a weekend to read their past entries.  I love discovering about their every day lives, happiness and struggles.  Most of the time it makes me feel like I'm not alone in something I am dealing with or, in the very least, it keeps me entertained while Jon is watching golf on TV (gag me).  When I read back, I feel like I am getting to know this person behind the keys.  It's a special bond.

What I guess I'm getting at is that I often follow lots of blogs, but don't really know everyone who reads mine.  If you're a blogger, let me know!  I'd love to check out your blog and get to know you a little better.  If you're not, but have an awesome blog that you love, pass it on for all of us to read.

Walking challenge

Our company has put together a walking challenge.  In case you don't know me, this is right up my alley!  They went ahead and purchased each participating employee a pedometer and joined an online step tracking community that allows us to compete against one another as well as aim for the same goals.  It's pretty amazing and I applaud my company for doing this.

Our company joined an online community on www.walkingspree.com.  Basically, it's a website that allows you to sync your pedometer and track your steps online.  As a company, we are all in competition with one another as well as in competition with other offices.  Check it out:

Our pedometers

My Walking Clubs

The competition is fierce!

Our challenges

We all just started and everyone got their pedometers at different times, but the challenge began on Friday and you can see that peeps are stepping up!

Top 5 reason this is great (as usual, in no particular order):

1. It promotes health!  We're all aiming for those 10,000 steps a day!
2. Company insurance rates may go down as a result of reason #1.
3. It creates healthy competition in the workplace.  And since our workplace is made up of pretty competitive folks, this works great!
4. It creates a bond among employees.  We are all in the competition and enjoy talking to one another about our steps and activities that promote the extra steps.  It gives everyone who participates a great topic to discuss that does not have a direct tie to our work.
5. Prizes.  Okay, this might be a selfish one, but who doesn't love prizes?!

Does you company have anything like this in place?

Even if your company doesn't do something like this, you can always purchase a pedometer and track your own!


If you want more information regarding the Walking Spree, feel free to leave a comment and I'll e-mail you some info.

Steak Salad

This afternoon Jon and I decided to take a walk with the doggers because it was a gorgeous sunny day.  On the way back I got a crazy craving for a steak salad - one of my favorite summer dinners.  Something about the fresh veggies topped with a warm steak just makes my insides crawl with delight.

This is so quick and easy to make that it's no big deal to throw it all together last minute.

Start with a bed of fresh lettuce

Then throw some cucumbers on top

I love cherry tomatoes, which I cut in half for easier forking.  Yes, forking is a word.  It means to stab with a fork.  At least in my own personal crazy little world.

Top it with some onions

And my favorite salad veggie ever, avocado

If you're feeling daring, throw some cheese of your choosing to complete the salad

Now, for the best part - the steak.  I think flank steak is best on a summer steak salad, but it's completely up to you.  Usually I just end up getting something that's not too thick and is on sale.  If you're craving one of these in the winter time (and I often do), you can make the steak on a cast iron skillet which goes in the stove at about 500 degrees. 

I have one with ridges because it makes grill marks in the steak as if I grilled it outside, but this will do as well.















However, because today was a beautiful day, I sent the hubs outside with the steak, some tongs, and a beer to grill the steaks on the real grill.  I don't think he minded too much.  Something about men and grilling while grunting, chugging beers, and burping.  I personally don't get it, but whatever makes him happy and gets me a delicious steak, right?

Once you've cooked the steak to your liking (about 3-4 minutes on each side for medium rare, which is how I like it), slice it nice and thin and put it on top of that mound of fresh veggies

Then, if you're adventurous you can make a pretty quick delicious salad dressing using balsamic, oil, and some lemon juice, but I had some dressing laying around that needs to be consumed before it expires.

There. 

Now doesn't that just spell out "It's summer, come and get me"?  It sure does to me.