My beef with baggers

I, Kathryn Renee Mueller, got beef with baggers. I bet you do, too, if you think about it....

It seems like common sense, right? Put similar purchases in the same bag and avoid putting canned-goods with fruits and vegetables; try using as few bags as possible, and for the sake of Mother Earth, NEVER put a single item in one bag because that is just plain wasteful [granted I could fix that problem if I was a better citizen who remembered to bring reusable bags to the grocery store...but that's not the point here]. 

So, what really happens when one goes to the grocery store? Let's take today for example: I was shopping at Walmart because I had to buy a few non-food items. As always, I stood in line and began placing items on the belt, grouping things that I thought should be bagged together - all things in boxes go together, all fruits and vegetables go together, canned and bottled goods together...etc. - it made perfect sense to me. In my estimation, it should have taken about 4 plastic bags. I ended up with about 10.

The question burning the biggest hole in my mind is this: why is it a crime to put non-food items with food items?? I really don't care if my box of tampons is in the same bag as my box of cereal! It most certainly doesn't need it's own bag, and I highly doubt my Mini Wheats are at risk of catching the plague by associating with feminine products. And do you care if your deodorant is in the same bag as your mustard?? I don't. But for some perplexing reason, baggers do....

Oh, the mysteries of life.

Oh, hey 'der. Long time, no blog!

Holy moly, it's been a while since my last blog! A lot has happened during those 10 months of silence. Just to name a few.....

I was blessed to receive an Air Force scholarship for PA school. Just call me Lt. :)

I started dating the love of my life in February, got engaged in April and married in July - my favorite fairytale :)

In the past 7 months, I have lived in 4 different homes, in 3 different states. Holy hell, am I ever ready to be done moving! Yet, I'm guaranteed two more moves before the end of 2013....settling down has never sounded so appealing....

I started rotations. I'm currently in Internal Medicine and loving it! If I wasn't in the AF....I'd be hired! :)

We adopted pup #2 - Bruno. What a doofy blessing he has been. I have yet to introduce him to anyone who didn't fall in love with him.

We also got 2 new rides! Vehicle #1 resulted from an accident where I was rear-ended and the G6 was totaled:

Notice the "Just Married" stickers....

My pretty replacement

And the second vehicle.....a product of having 2 large dogs:

Well, I think that about covers my major life happenings so I'll end with a joke: 

Why did the cookie go to the doctor...?

...because he was feeling crummy!

Haha, who doesn't love a cheesy joke :)

Later gators!

For Valentine's Day

Sorry. I couldn't resist :)

Let's take a poll because I'm indecisive

I should totally be studying right now. But, as usual, I'm finding more fun ways to occupy my time.....like bathing suit shopping for spring break, for example. It's been three years since I bought my last suit (from Walmart), so I think I can justify splurging on something nice.

(This is the part where you enthusiastically nod your head and say: "Yes, Kate, you're totally right. You buy that Victoria's Secret bathing suit!"...and then I will respond by saying: "Okay, good friend, I will!")

Okay, so now that we've cleared that up, I need your help. Should I buy....

...bathing suit A:

Pros: 

• Adorable beading 
• Triangle tops are supposedly the best for unfortunate women like me who are stuck in Tanner Stage 3 (for my non-medical friends....that essentially means small-chested)
• It's orange. I fell in love with the cutest orange bathing suit 6 years ago that I still think about. (Why, oh why did it have to cost $130?!)

Cons:

• I won't look nearly as sexy as Alessandra Ambrosio while wearing it
• Triangle tan lines

.....or bathing suit B:

Pros:

• According to the bathing suit specialists supplied by my google search, bandeau tops are supposedly the best for "boy-type" bodies. Pretty sure I fall in that category...
• That color is AMAZING
• It has a removable strap....aka fewer tan lines
• Cheaper than bathing suit A

Cons:

• A little plain

And the polls are open! Send in your votes!

Skinny love

Surprisingly, I was first introduced to Bon Iver when I was in Uganda. Not surprisingly, the introducers were hipster boys from California. I specifically remember that "Skinny Love" was the first song I heard. And even though the only distinguishable lyrics to me at that point were "come on, skinny love something something here...," I found that I couldn't get it out of my head! And now, three and a half years later, I still can't get it out of my head! I just love it!

I cannot, however, say the same for the best roommate in the world, Amy Luke, who expressed her annoyance at hearing it every time I got a text message. But in my defense, I would like to argue that anyone who has "Save Tonight" as their ringer for 4 years has no room to complain....just sayin' ;)

So anyway, I would like to dedicate this to my dearest Amy. It's been far too long since you've unwillingly listened to this song....

(ps. I love you!)

Oh, and while I'm on the topic of Bon Iver....I'm obsessed with his cover of "I can't make you love me." Check it out:

My greatest invention!

As lunchtime was drawing nearer and nearer, my mind began to wander (surprise, surprise) on what I was going to make for lunch today. I took a mental inventory of the ingredients in my nearly-bare cupbord....tuna, spinach, bell peppers, celery, tortilla shells and a few other odds and ends. So I had the idea....what about a tuna burrito?! "Genius idea, Kate!" I said to myself. But I knew I didn't want the classic tuna...relish, mustard, mayo....boring. So here's what I came up with (measurements are not exact...I just dumped):

3 oz tuna

2-3 tbs mayo

celery

raisins

curry powder

1/4 tsp. ginger

1/4 tsp. minced garlic

dash of cinnamon

dash of ground cloves

splash of lemon juice

Mix it up, slap it on a tortilla and top with cheese, wrap into a burrito and bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes and VOILA! Pure deliciousness! Best experiment, ever! Try it!

[I ate it too fast to take a picture. So, maybe next time...]

BIG news!

Starting with the lesser of the two major life changes...

...I discovered the awesomeness that is the ALDI grocery store!

Oh my goodness! How have I lived for 24 years and not known about it's greatness?! And similarly....how does everyone not shop there?! Granted their selection is a bit limited, but seriously, avocados for $1.00!?!?! Bell peppers for $2.00!?! They even have those fancy schmancy scales that tell you your body fat and everything for like $15.00! I'm pretty sure the most expensive item is no more than $30.00. I bought a fantastic 9x13" ceramic baking dish for $6.00!! Are you hearing me, people?! ALDI ROCKS! Who cares if you have to make a second stop at Walmart or Kroger to pick up a few odds and ends. It's totally worth cutting your grocery costs in half! For real, my friends....get on it.

And secondly....

...I WAS ACCEPTED INTO THE AIR FORCE HEALTH PROFESSIONS SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM!!! 

WOOOOOOOOOOO!! I'M GOING TO BE A 2nd LIEUTENANT LIKE AMY LUKE!!! AND! Hopefully she will be the one to commission me! How awesome is that?! I feel so incredibly blessed to have received such an amazing gift. I can't wait to begin this new adventure! Praise God! :)