I *do* love my husband.

   "I love my husband; I love my husband; I love my husband; I love my husband O.o"

    ^ That was my cousin's Facebook status this morning, and I giggled at it for more than one reason.  First of all I was picturing her satirically witty husband following her around as she tries to get ready for work, poking her in the tummy just to bother her.  Then when she finally loses her temper, he says something like, "You need to quit this childish behavior; I'm getting so tired of being the only adult around here."   I also found it amusing, because I've had to remind myself of the same thing quite recently.

   Before I start let me just say that I do love my husband very much, so before anyone grabs their torches and pitchforks, shut up and listen.

   As I've mentioned before homecoming is right around the corner, but as the day draws closer, I find myself becoming more and more reluctant to have him home.  I've missed him like crazy, and I want him here with me and our daughter, but at the same time the thought petrifies me.  I have basically been on my own with our daughter since she was six months old.  He'd come visit whenever he could during training, which was usually one week every 3-4 months.  The longest we were ever in the same house was one month.  Now he's coming home for a year!  A whole year of his opinions, his point of view, his ideas, and his way of doing things. (All of which are the polar opposite of mine.)  I don't know if I'm ready for that.

  I want him here, but at the same time I don't know if I'm ready to relinquish the control over my life.  When I wake up, the bed gets made.  There are no dirty socks on my floor.  No one leaves cups half filled with juice all over the house (not even Monkey, because she does not waste good juice).  I mop every Monday.  I clean the bathrooms on Tuesday. I vacuum on Wednesday.  Thursday is dusting day, and on Friday I bathe the mutt.  If there is a mess, I clean it.  If there is a bill, I pay it.  It works for me, and I'm in total freak-out mode right now that it's all going to get shaken up.

  I do love my husband.  I do love my husband.  I do love my husband.  And he's not going to come in here a mess up my nicely and neatly ordered world.....I hope.

  One thing I am looking forward to, however, is having someone to cook for again.  And, yes, that brings me to a recipe. (Am I becoming predictable?)  I made these last night, and I didn't take any pictures, so go check these out on the original poster's page.  Oh, and once again, I got these from Taste and Tell.

Baked Creamy Chicken Taquitos
1/3 cup (3 oz) cream cheese
1/4 green salsa
1 TBS fresh lime juice
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder
3 TBS chopped cilantro
2 TBS sliced green onions
2 cups shredded, cooked chicken
1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
10-12 (6 inch) tortillas
2 TBS vegetable oil
non-stick cooking spray
kosher salt

Heat oven to 425F.  Line baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray it lightly with cooking spray.  Heat cream cheese in microwave 20-30 seconds so it's soft and easy to stir.  Add salsa, lime juice, cumin, chili powder, onion powder, and garlic powder.  Stir to combine.  Add cilantro, green onions, chicken and pepper jack cheese.  Wrap 3-4 tortillas in damp paper towels and microwave for 20-30 seconds so they are soft and pliable.  Place 2-3 TBS of chicken mix on the lower third of each tortilla, then roll. Place seam-side down on the baking sheet in a single layer.  Brush tops with oil, sprinkle salt over the tops.   Place the pan in the oven, and bake for 15-20 minutes or until crisp, and the ends start to turn golden brown.

Creamy Cilantro- Lime Ranch Dressing
1 cup mayo
1/2 cup milk or buttermilk
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup of green salsa
1 lime, juiced
1 pkg dry Ranch dressing mix
1/2 cup roughly chopped cilantro
hot sauce to taste

Combine mayo, milk, lime juice, and Ranch mix in a blender or food processor.  Add garlic, cilantro, and green salsa, and blend until thoroughly mixed.  Season with hot sauce.  Refrigerate for several hours to allow it to thicken.

*I couldn't find green salsa, so I used regular salsa, and it was still yummy.*