Stinky House

Early yesterday morning while I was at work, Nick called me to let me know he came home from his classes, only to find a smell in the house that caused him to think something had died in the living room. This was not a pleasant thought, to say the least. I could barely keep my mind on work and I left as soon as I could for my lunch hour to inspect this "smell". I was so puzzled, but it did smell like "death". I vaccumed, Fabreezed, moved furniture, dusted, etc., but couldn't find anything. Nick also did all the dishes and cleaned the kitchen (though the smell was clearly in the living room). We later found out that evening that the culprit was actually in our trashcan... outside. Two nights before, I had made chicken. The recipe called for skinless/boneless, but I found it was cheaper to buy a whole kitchen, so I thought I'd buy one and just de-skin and de-bone it myself. It obviously wasn't worth the two dollars of savings. Even after double bagging the remains and putting them in the garbage outside, the smell wafted through the trashbags, through the trashcans, and through the outside wall... right into our living room. It was honestly a huge relief... both Nick and I thought an animal had died in our crawl space and both of us were to grossed out to get under the house with a flashlight and inspect what might be there. I don't think we'll be forgetting the Chicken Incident of '06 anytime soon. It only comes to show that my domestic skills are still in some major need of refining. Note to self: when the recipe calls for boneless/skinless, BUY boneless/skinless!

We both have gotten hit with the American Idol bug this season. Fox happens to be one of the few channels we get, which really excited me because I've only seen one season before in the past. We both have our favorites on the show... And with our FIVE HOURS of airtime this week, we get to plenty of it!

We've also decided it's been long enough... we're going to get a gym membership this next week. Despite the fact I sit down for 8-9 hours a day at work, when I get home, I feel so exhausted (this is so perplexing to me). With Nick's school/studying schedule, he does his fair share of sitting, too. Neither one of us have very active lifestyles. The switch in our diet this past month to almost all all-natural foods and Sunrider products has been a good start... some exercise will really help us get back into shape and have more energy.

This next month, we'll be going up to Kansas City for a musical (Thoroughly Modern Millie). I'm stoked. We were both spoiled with all the culture and fine arts up north. Joplin has better shopping, but lacks the fine arts (you win some, you lose some). I'm really looking forward to some culture in my life! We both also haven't been back home (KC) since Christmas, so we're REALLY looking forward to seeing Julie & Bill. Nick's parents have been doing a huge remodling project on their living room kitchen.... hardwood floors, tearing down a dividing wall, new counters, vaulted ceilings, etc. We're really looking forward to seeing the fruits of their labor. It sounds beautiful.