A weekend in Las Vegas with one of my brothers and my cuzbro Ronnie and his wife Pam has been in the works for a while. I told them a couple of weeks ago that I would not be able to join them. I know it will be a great time because each one of them is fun and a blast to be around, but as a group, think laughing headaches.
Tomorrow marks my six week mark of not smoking! Six weeks already. 42 days. I am afraid if I go to Vegas with two people who smoke and all who drink, that I will be drinking and smoking within minutes of being with them. I would be upset to mess up for a night or two, but that would not be the end of the world. What the real problem would be, is that I would begin all over again. I would think that I smoked for a day or two, I may as well smoke for a few more days and then start all over. It could be a very long time before I go six weeks without smoking again. So, I will stay home and miss the fun. As hard as that is, I think it is the best option for me right now.
On another subject, I just heard on NPR that students in North San Diego County have begun waving American flags, wearing red white and blue clothing and make-up. They are making their statement about the border issue. They seem uneducated to me and should remain in class. Where do these students think our ancestors came from? Some families may have been escorted off the Mayflower, but they still didn't originate here. I highly suspect that a huge percentage of them are not Native Americans.
There is a local organization that goes to the day labor sites and photographs people who hire the workers. They then put the photos on their website, to try and shame them. Not all of the day laborers are illegal. Even if they are, so what? They want to work and will stay there all day, day after day, to get a job. I don't see Americans hanging out in the hot sun waiting for somebody to pick them up. Americans do not want the jobs these people are willing to take. So, what is all the fuss? Leave them alone and allow them to feed their families without being a drain on our government.
I think the Latino and Latina students have made their point. Leaving school and protesting in mass has been noted and now is just an excuse to get out of class. I applaud their attempts to get the government to do the humane thing and let these people work here. All I see is hard working people who want a better life. That is supposed to be what America stands for right? The American Dream and all that!
Friday, March 31, 2006
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Rain, It really rained!
We were down about five inches from our normal rainfall amount. That was cut in half yesterday. We actually had more than two inches here. I had the pleasure of driving into the spring storm for several hours and then driving out of the storm as it made its way down here to our area.
We drove to the valley, north of LA. Yes, that valley. Gag with me a spoon, valley girl speak valley. I like it up there. Even with all the rain, it was a nice day. Driving back home through Laguna Canyon was so pretty and green and it will be for a few more months.
It took us more than two hours to get up the manager's office. Watching cars go in and out of the car pool lane, illegally crossing the double yellow lines and not waiting until they got to the legal entrances. Even on a dry day, this is a dangerous practice. It is not expected and may cause accidents. Although it should be expected because it happens so often. I saw a Prius cross the lines into the carpool lane and thought, well they are driving a hybrid, perhaps they are above the law cuz they cause less pollution. That sounded a bit nasty didn't it? Sorry. I just think rules make things safer on the road and people should follow them. Slow down in the rain! Don't cross the lines that are there for a reason. Keep the blow up dolls for other uses and not in your back seat so you can use the car pool lane. Those kind of rules....
I also came to the conclusion that some people just know we will not hit them while cutting us off. We may want to and on a bad day, road rage could rear its ugly head, but for the most part, we slam on the brakes, let the person in and call them a bad name. Well, I do!
Happy hump day.....
We drove to the valley, north of LA. Yes, that valley. Gag with me a spoon, valley girl speak valley. I like it up there. Even with all the rain, it was a nice day. Driving back home through Laguna Canyon was so pretty and green and it will be for a few more months.
It took us more than two hours to get up the manager's office. Watching cars go in and out of the car pool lane, illegally crossing the double yellow lines and not waiting until they got to the legal entrances. Even on a dry day, this is a dangerous practice. It is not expected and may cause accidents. Although it should be expected because it happens so often. I saw a Prius cross the lines into the carpool lane and thought, well they are driving a hybrid, perhaps they are above the law cuz they cause less pollution. That sounded a bit nasty didn't it? Sorry. I just think rules make things safer on the road and people should follow them. Slow down in the rain! Don't cross the lines that are there for a reason. Keep the blow up dolls for other uses and not in your back seat so you can use the car pool lane. Those kind of rules....
I also came to the conclusion that some people just know we will not hit them while cutting us off. We may want to and on a bad day, road rage could rear its ugly head, but for the most part, we slam on the brakes, let the person in and call them a bad name. Well, I do!
Happy hump day.....
Sunday, March 26, 2006
Katharine
Here are three of the 70 plus shots that were taken of Katharine last Wednesday. I don't think we have the best ones scanned yet, but we don't have time right now to scan them all. I do think the photographer did a fine job.
I don't care for the outfit that was chosen for this photo, but the colors do show off her eyes.
We see Katharine's manager on Tuesday and she will help us pick out a final head shot for Katharine.
It will be a marathon trip to Studio City probably, we are expecting rain and in California, people do not slow down.
This one is darker than the originals for some reason, probably me.
This shirt was a hand me down and a last minute choice to take. We put it thru the dryer before we left home to get rid of the wrinkles. There are some darling shots of her in this outfit. Some look like gap jean ads, even though I don't think the jeans were gap!
I don't care for the outfit that was chosen for this photo, but the colors do show off her eyes.
We see Katharine's manager on Tuesday and she will help us pick out a final head shot for Katharine.
It will be a marathon trip to Studio City probably, we are expecting rain and in California, people do not slow down.
This one is darker than the originals for some reason, probably me.
This shirt was a hand me down and a last minute choice to take. We put it thru the dryer before we left home to get rid of the wrinkles. There are some darling shots of her in this outfit. Some look like gap jean ads, even though I don't think the jeans were gap!
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Chili Verde Burrito
I love Mexican food. I have spent years finding my favorite recipes. I was given this recipe years ago and it is out of this world. It can be used with or without cheese. You may add fresh salsa, guacamole and or sour creme. I have added my quick and tasty fresh salsa recipe at the end of this page.
If you don't have the time to roast the tomatillos and jalepenos, you may buy salsa verde in a can. It is not as fresh and has not been grilled, but is pretty tasty. If you are going to buy prepared pork from a Carnaceria, you may as well order the whole thing there and skip this recipe!!! LOL
3 lbs pork roast
1 1/2 lbs tomatillos (looks like green tomato w/husks)
5 jalepeno peppers
1 clove garlic
1/4 c water
salt to taste
Cut pork roast into small bite size chunks.
In skillet, add 1/4 cup water and add pork, salt and crushed garlic.
Cook on medium turning frequently until brown and water is gone.
Set aside when done.
While the pork is cooking, clean husks off tomatillos and wash off sticky residue.
Cut in half and roast on both sides in a pan or on a grill.
Set aside when done. They are done when they get soft.
You may want to use gloves now. If not, DO NOT RUB EYES or other sensitive areas!
Cut off the end of the jalepeno peppers, then cut in half.
Removing seeds will make it less spicy. If you can handle spicy, leave some seeds.
Roast until softened and slightly cooked.
Using a blender or food processor, add tomatillos and jalepenos. Mix until smooth.
Set aside.
With a large flour tortilla (corn will work too), heat by warming in a pan or my way, which is to toss onto fire from the stove and heat both sides.
Add pork mixture to tortilla. Fold up bottom of tortilla and
roll up from left to right. Put burrito into foil, wrap and let sit for a moment. This will seal the tortilla.
Place on plate and add the tomatillo and jalepeno sauce on top and place in oven for five minutes.
It is okay to microwave too, just to heat up.
Serve with Mexican rice and refried beans.
This recipe is from memory and amounts may very a bit. Serves six nicely.
To make refried beans, I generally add some cheese and salsa, cover and nuke for four or five minutes. Stir when done and serve.
To make salsa,
4 tomatoes chopped
1/2 onion chopped
1/2 c cilantro chopped
1 or 2 jalepenos chopped
1 small can of mexican tomato sauce
salt to taste
Mix together and serve with chips.
If you don't have the time to roast the tomatillos and jalepenos, you may buy salsa verde in a can. It is not as fresh and has not been grilled, but is pretty tasty. If you are going to buy prepared pork from a Carnaceria, you may as well order the whole thing there and skip this recipe!!! LOL
3 lbs pork roast
1 1/2 lbs tomatillos (looks like green tomato w/husks)
5 jalepeno peppers
1 clove garlic
1/4 c water
salt to taste
Cut pork roast into small bite size chunks.
In skillet, add 1/4 cup water and add pork, salt and crushed garlic.
Cook on medium turning frequently until brown and water is gone.
Set aside when done.
While the pork is cooking, clean husks off tomatillos and wash off sticky residue.
Cut in half and roast on both sides in a pan or on a grill.
Set aside when done. They are done when they get soft.
You may want to use gloves now. If not, DO NOT RUB EYES or other sensitive areas!
Cut off the end of the jalepeno peppers, then cut in half.
Removing seeds will make it less spicy. If you can handle spicy, leave some seeds.
Roast until softened and slightly cooked.
Using a blender or food processor, add tomatillos and jalepenos. Mix until smooth.
Set aside.
With a large flour tortilla (corn will work too), heat by warming in a pan or my way, which is to toss onto fire from the stove and heat both sides.
Add pork mixture to tortilla. Fold up bottom of tortilla and
roll up from left to right. Put burrito into foil, wrap and let sit for a moment. This will seal the tortilla.
Place on plate and add the tomatillo and jalepeno sauce on top and place in oven for five minutes.
It is okay to microwave too, just to heat up.
Serve with Mexican rice and refried beans.
This recipe is from memory and amounts may very a bit. Serves six nicely.
To make refried beans, I generally add some cheese and salsa, cover and nuke for four or five minutes. Stir when done and serve.
To make salsa,
4 tomatoes chopped
1/2 onion chopped
1/2 c cilantro chopped
1 or 2 jalepenos chopped
1 small can of mexican tomato sauce
salt to taste
Mix together and serve with chips.
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Made Good Time
Made good time is a rare statement when traveling the freeways in southern California. Yesterday, I mapquested the photo studio in West Hollywood and I also did the GPS in my car and they agreed it would take me 1 hour and 17 minutes to get to my destination. It was pretty close because we only hit a slow spot on the 5 freeway for a couple of miles.
The photo shoot was good. Katharine brought about 40 outfits and the photographer said, "Wow, these are all really cute, but we need you to look younger, not nerdy younger, just younger." She chose three outfits. The funny thing was she said that a lot of people throw in one or two things at the last minute and that is what she chooses.
We were in an old warehouse studio. I liked the photographer very much. I have to go back up there on Monday preferably, to pick up the photos and hand deliver them to Katharine's manager. I am just hoping the traffic will be similar to what it was yesterday. I need to snag somebody to go with me so I can ride in the car pool lane too.
We got back in time for Katharine to change into her dance clothes and back down the hill to her hip hop class. I went to the grocery store and then to the high school to pick up Zoe after her journalism class. She was not there. We got her a cell phone for this purpose. I called it and she didn't answer. I had no idea if she took the bus, somebody else picked her up or if she was still in class. As I pulled away to circle the school, Zoe called and said she was still in class. I asked her for how long and she said she didn't know, but that she would call me and I could come back down and get her. I know it was not her fault, but I was tired and pissed.
I got home, unpacked the groceries and put them away and Zoe called, she was ready for me to pick her up. To her credit, she did apologize and explained that the paper was being printed last night. I passed Katharine and her friend going down the hill and then up the hill. The actually stopped and asked if Zoe needed a ride, but she told them I was coming down and she didn't not want to be there when I arrived! Needless to say, it was a very long day.
The freaking TV has been off for days now. It is really broken now. I doubt it will ever turn back on again, at least in this house. A red light blinks at us constantly and it annoys me further. I am not sure what we are going to do about this yet. I awoke this morning with a wild hair to clean the piles of junk that had accumulated in the kitchen. It is clean now and at least that makes me feel better!
I will save most of my disgust for another post, but have any of you seen the ridiculous new program called The Real Housewives of Orange County? If you haven't, good for you! It you have, let me just say it misrepresents of the majority of us here. It is like the show Laguna Beach, where they pick a handful of spoiled kids and go with it. Same thing here. Trust me, it is trash and frankly, I find it highly insulting to think that people think of us this way and that this crap actually made it to the air! Seriously, I could go on!
Off to read blogs!
The photo shoot was good. Katharine brought about 40 outfits and the photographer said, "Wow, these are all really cute, but we need you to look younger, not nerdy younger, just younger." She chose three outfits. The funny thing was she said that a lot of people throw in one or two things at the last minute and that is what she chooses.
We were in an old warehouse studio. I liked the photographer very much. I have to go back up there on Monday preferably, to pick up the photos and hand deliver them to Katharine's manager. I am just hoping the traffic will be similar to what it was yesterday. I need to snag somebody to go with me so I can ride in the car pool lane too.
We got back in time for Katharine to change into her dance clothes and back down the hill to her hip hop class. I went to the grocery store and then to the high school to pick up Zoe after her journalism class. She was not there. We got her a cell phone for this purpose. I called it and she didn't answer. I had no idea if she took the bus, somebody else picked her up or if she was still in class. As I pulled away to circle the school, Zoe called and said she was still in class. I asked her for how long and she said she didn't know, but that she would call me and I could come back down and get her. I know it was not her fault, but I was tired and pissed.
I got home, unpacked the groceries and put them away and Zoe called, she was ready for me to pick her up. To her credit, she did apologize and explained that the paper was being printed last night. I passed Katharine and her friend going down the hill and then up the hill. The actually stopped and asked if Zoe needed a ride, but she told them I was coming down and she didn't not want to be there when I arrived! Needless to say, it was a very long day.
The freaking TV has been off for days now. It is really broken now. I doubt it will ever turn back on again, at least in this house. A red light blinks at us constantly and it annoys me further. I am not sure what we are going to do about this yet. I awoke this morning with a wild hair to clean the piles of junk that had accumulated in the kitchen. It is clean now and at least that makes me feel better!
I will save most of my disgust for another post, but have any of you seen the ridiculous new program called The Real Housewives of Orange County? If you haven't, good for you! It you have, let me just say it misrepresents of the majority of us here. It is like the show Laguna Beach, where they pick a handful of spoiled kids and go with it. Same thing here. Trust me, it is trash and frankly, I find it highly insulting to think that people think of us this way and that this crap actually made it to the air! Seriously, I could go on!
Off to read blogs!
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
NO MORE COOKIES
Friday is the official end of selling this year's Girl Scout cookies. Our troop is done and I turned in the paperwork yesterday. DONE. I don't care to see another cookie for a year. Unfortunately, there are still stragglers out there who want to exchange cookies or buy some still. We have bombarded this town for the past three weeks. Very few people in town want to see another Girl Scout as long as they live! It is such a small town that there are very few places the troops haven't blanketed. On the other hand, it was a good sale.
Today I have to take Katharine to West Hollywood to get her photos taken. She is bringing no less than forty tops of all colors and styles, with a few skirts, jeans and jackets. We have waited over six weeks to get in with this photographer. From the work I have seen, she does great stuff. Katharine is beyond excited. I was going to send her to school for a couple of classes until about 10:00 last night it occurred to me that we will need the time to pack up all the clothing she is bringing and she will need to eat before the shoot. Depending on traffic, it could take two or more hours to get up there. Better to leave some extra time and not get stressed by the traffic that there is bound to be.
I have been very busy with scouts and other things and have not been visiting blogs as often as I should. I will be taking care of that tomorrow. At least until Katharine starts going on auditions and I get busy again. Again, I may not be around as often as I like, but I think of so many of you very often. Plus, think of all the new material I will have, cuz lately, I have been boring myself!!!
Happy Hump Day!
Today I have to take Katharine to West Hollywood to get her photos taken. She is bringing no less than forty tops of all colors and styles, with a few skirts, jeans and jackets. We have waited over six weeks to get in with this photographer. From the work I have seen, she does great stuff. Katharine is beyond excited. I was going to send her to school for a couple of classes until about 10:00 last night it occurred to me that we will need the time to pack up all the clothing she is bringing and she will need to eat before the shoot. Depending on traffic, it could take two or more hours to get up there. Better to leave some extra time and not get stressed by the traffic that there is bound to be.
I have been very busy with scouts and other things and have not been visiting blogs as often as I should. I will be taking care of that tomorrow. At least until Katharine starts going on auditions and I get busy again. Again, I may not be around as often as I like, but I think of so many of you very often. Plus, think of all the new material I will have, cuz lately, I have been boring myself!!!
Happy Hump Day!
Sunday, March 19, 2006
In Nine Months
It will be Christmas again...Thought there would be something else going on in nine months, like say a baby? Been there, done that. Maybe for somebody else, but not for me!
I cannot believe that we are only three months til school is out again. It means I will have a sophomore and an eight grader. When your kids are young and people tell you to start the college fund, do it. It flies by, even though it seems like it will be a very long time.
I was thinking I should start Christmas shopping now to make it easier on the pocketbook when the rush is on. It is hard to think of what to buy people for Christmas so early in the year. A lot of savings to be had though, if we can do it. Instead of a Christmas club, just buy the gifts now, for those who stay the same size, have liked the same things forever, collect things, still would like another years subscription to a magazine, who actually use gift certificates and if you can figure out this year's most popular gifts this far in advance. Maybe something that is not even on the market yet...I always find sweaters are safe, if the person doesn't weigh significantly more or less in the next nine months.
Anyhow, that was what was on my mind this morning. When what I really should be thinking about is getting shorts for Zoe. The stores have finally started stocking shorts and I will be happy to see Zoe get some new shorts. Note to self...Buy shorts before they leave the store for the winter. Get them on clearance before they disappear. Make sure Zoe has several pairs to get her thru the winter.
David got the girls razr cell phones Friday night. Katharine's 3 year old phone has seen better days, but hey, she got it when she was 10 and she still has it!!! Zoe didn't want a phone. She finally agreed to have one so she can call me when she needs a ride. These phones do everything but, well, you can insert your own words there. They are very thin, have great sound and take pretty good pictures. Zoe and I got out the manual so she would know what to do. She caught on very quickly. Katharine learned the new stuff that her old phone didn't do very quickly. I caught her gazing lovingly at it a couple of times yesterday. David upgraded from his antiquated phone as well. He spent a good deal of time updating info as well. Me, I got a new phone about a year ago and I have still not input all the old phone numbers from my old phone. I really need to do that. One great thing about the razr phones is that they have built in speakers and can be used if the phone is open or closed. No ear bud required, hands free, even though neither of the girls drive...yet.
A brief lesson. David got two razrs in a special from Verizon. Buy one get one free. But, he had to pay extra for the pink phone for Katharine. Cingular, who we have had forever, has an ad today for razrs for $50 each. Works out to buy one get one free, except they do not charge for the color phones! I still have cingular and the rest of my family have switched to Verizon for the next year or so. I never get use near my limit of 400 minutes anyhow. No big deal.
We did the St. Patrick's Day sing along at the neighbors and we had shalalies to drink. Yummy. It was a fun night.
Have a great Sunday!
I cannot believe that we are only three months til school is out again. It means I will have a sophomore and an eight grader. When your kids are young and people tell you to start the college fund, do it. It flies by, even though it seems like it will be a very long time.
I was thinking I should start Christmas shopping now to make it easier on the pocketbook when the rush is on. It is hard to think of what to buy people for Christmas so early in the year. A lot of savings to be had though, if we can do it. Instead of a Christmas club, just buy the gifts now, for those who stay the same size, have liked the same things forever, collect things, still would like another years subscription to a magazine, who actually use gift certificates and if you can figure out this year's most popular gifts this far in advance. Maybe something that is not even on the market yet...I always find sweaters are safe, if the person doesn't weigh significantly more or less in the next nine months.
Anyhow, that was what was on my mind this morning. When what I really should be thinking about is getting shorts for Zoe. The stores have finally started stocking shorts and I will be happy to see Zoe get some new shorts. Note to self...Buy shorts before they leave the store for the winter. Get them on clearance before they disappear. Make sure Zoe has several pairs to get her thru the winter.
David got the girls razr cell phones Friday night. Katharine's 3 year old phone has seen better days, but hey, she got it when she was 10 and she still has it!!! Zoe didn't want a phone. She finally agreed to have one so she can call me when she needs a ride. These phones do everything but, well, you can insert your own words there. They are very thin, have great sound and take pretty good pictures. Zoe and I got out the manual so she would know what to do. She caught on very quickly. Katharine learned the new stuff that her old phone didn't do very quickly. I caught her gazing lovingly at it a couple of times yesterday. David upgraded from his antiquated phone as well. He spent a good deal of time updating info as well. Me, I got a new phone about a year ago and I have still not input all the old phone numbers from my old phone. I really need to do that. One great thing about the razr phones is that they have built in speakers and can be used if the phone is open or closed. No ear bud required, hands free, even though neither of the girls drive...yet.
A brief lesson. David got two razrs in a special from Verizon. Buy one get one free. But, he had to pay extra for the pink phone for Katharine. Cingular, who we have had forever, has an ad today for razrs for $50 each. Works out to buy one get one free, except they do not charge for the color phones! I still have cingular and the rest of my family have switched to Verizon for the next year or so. I never get use near my limit of 400 minutes anyhow. No big deal.
We did the St. Patrick's Day sing along at the neighbors and we had shalalies to drink. Yummy. It was a fun night.
Have a great Sunday!
Thursday, March 16, 2006
This, That and That
It was a rough few days for Zoe and the flu. Her temp was 103 for three days. Poor thing. She is better now and back to normal, but it took a couple of days after the fever went away for her to regain her energy.
David's eldest daughter has been with us all week. She has two boys and a hubby, is a teacher and lives in Houston. For Spring Break, they were all going in different directions and Daniela chose to come here for a few days. It has been very laid back and fun with her here. She spent the night in LA the other night and it took her several hours to get back to OC. LOL She got caught in traffic from one of LA's infamous car chases! Luckily, she was not near the driver who was sideswiping cars and knocking their doors off. I believe he was a murder suspect. Anyhow, she accomplished what she wanted and got back safely. She is leaving this afternoon. It will be sad to see her go so soon.
I watched The Apprentice this week and I have to say, I don't like many of the contestants this time around. I particularly find Brent repugnant. At first I was not happy with the director or editor who felt the need to show Brent eating several times. Had he been skinny, I am sure they would have passed on showing that. I have never seen them obsess about what anybody else has eaten. Anyhow, I also felt he got a raw deal from his team the first week. The woman he supposedly "scared" was not scared, she just didn't like him. By the end of Monday's show and seeing the clip of next week's show, only one word came to mind about him, repugnant. He will not last on the show and I hope he gets fired this week so we can think of something other than the spoiled fat guy and how everybody hates him.
Watched Idol last night and there was no surprise there. Watched Bones for the first time, like it too. Watched the new show after call Loop. It had good moments, but mostly juvenile and dumb. Bones is Daniela's favorite show. I didn't realize that one of the scientists is referred to as Bones. And I didn't know it was a drama. Daniela has introduced us to shows before. Seinfeld being one. She was visiting one time during the second season and told us we had to watch it. We did and of course we know everything there is to know about the show, along with most of America. She also showed me Ali G (sp) who does rap and other strange things. He is English and acts a lot like Father Guido Sarducci! Quite amusing, I will admit.
Saturday is week four of no smoking! I am pretty happy about this. I read that to change a habit it takes 28 days. That will be Saturday. So, I should be able to go out to the table on the deck with my computer and not want to pick up a smoke. I went out the other day to talk on the phone and I didn't want a smoke. That is one of the hardest things about not smoking, I always talked on the phone with a smoke....No more of that though.
In case I don't post tomorrow, Y'all have a happy St. Patrick's Day!!! We are going next door to our neighbors for a sing a long. It is another annual holiday they do up right and we all sing our hearts out. Fun, fun , fun!
David's eldest daughter has been with us all week. She has two boys and a hubby, is a teacher and lives in Houston. For Spring Break, they were all going in different directions and Daniela chose to come here for a few days. It has been very laid back and fun with her here. She spent the night in LA the other night and it took her several hours to get back to OC. LOL She got caught in traffic from one of LA's infamous car chases! Luckily, she was not near the driver who was sideswiping cars and knocking their doors off. I believe he was a murder suspect. Anyhow, she accomplished what she wanted and got back safely. She is leaving this afternoon. It will be sad to see her go so soon.
I watched The Apprentice this week and I have to say, I don't like many of the contestants this time around. I particularly find Brent repugnant. At first I was not happy with the director or editor who felt the need to show Brent eating several times. Had he been skinny, I am sure they would have passed on showing that. I have never seen them obsess about what anybody else has eaten. Anyhow, I also felt he got a raw deal from his team the first week. The woman he supposedly "scared" was not scared, she just didn't like him. By the end of Monday's show and seeing the clip of next week's show, only one word came to mind about him, repugnant. He will not last on the show and I hope he gets fired this week so we can think of something other than the spoiled fat guy and how everybody hates him.
Watched Idol last night and there was no surprise there. Watched Bones for the first time, like it too. Watched the new show after call Loop. It had good moments, but mostly juvenile and dumb. Bones is Daniela's favorite show. I didn't realize that one of the scientists is referred to as Bones. And I didn't know it was a drama. Daniela has introduced us to shows before. Seinfeld being one. She was visiting one time during the second season and told us we had to watch it. We did and of course we know everything there is to know about the show, along with most of America. She also showed me Ali G (sp) who does rap and other strange things. He is English and acts a lot like Father Guido Sarducci! Quite amusing, I will admit.
Saturday is week four of no smoking! I am pretty happy about this. I read that to change a habit it takes 28 days. That will be Saturday. So, I should be able to go out to the table on the deck with my computer and not want to pick up a smoke. I went out the other day to talk on the phone and I didn't want a smoke. That is one of the hardest things about not smoking, I always talked on the phone with a smoke....No more of that though.
In case I don't post tomorrow, Y'all have a happy St. Patrick's Day!!! We are going next door to our neighbors for a sing a long. It is another annual holiday they do up right and we all sing our hearts out. Fun, fun , fun!
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Blue Cheese Scalloped Potatoes
Let me start by saying, the turkey I made the other day didn't make Zoe sick! She has the flu complete with 103 temp! Poor baby and poor me and my fear of fevers. On to the recipe......My first recipe Saturday!
Blue Cheese Scalloped Potatoes
3 baking potatoes (can use red too)
1 cube butter (cut into small squares)
3/4 cup flour
3 tsp salt
3 tsp white pepper (black is fine too)
8 oz blue cheese (other cheese okay too)
Milk to cover mixture when complete
In a baking pan spray with Pam. Mix salt and pepper together with flour. Peel and slice potatoes. Preheat oven to 350.
Add a layer of thinly sliced potatoes. Add dolops of butter to the corners and around the center. Sprinkle blue cheese crumbles all over. Add some flour, salt and pepper.
Repeat this process three or four layers thick.
Cover entirely with milk and put foil on top. Cook for about an hour with the foil on and about 15 minutes with the foil off, until golden brown. Let rest 15 minutes and serve. Be careful putting it into the oven with the milk being so close to the top of the pan. The potatoes will thicken before serving as well.
This is very basic and other spices, onion and/or garlic may be added. With small kids, this works well and is quite good.
This recipe goes very nicely with apple stuffed pork chops. Or on its own! All measurements are in my head and may be adjusted to your own taste.
Friday, March 10, 2006
I thought I was so smart!
Back in November I bought an extra turkey while the prices were so low, which I thought was pretty smart! I put it into the freezer as soon as I got home from the store. I took out the turkey on Monday and popped it into the fridge to defrost. When I took it out and opened it yesterday it smelled funny. I didn't put a slit in the wrapper as it thawed. My second mistake was telling David that I thought it smelled funny and that I was going to toss it in the trash.
He came home to drop off Zoe and I told him after the turkey aired out for a bit, it smelled fine. He didn't seem convinced that it was okay. I told him I would never cook a spoiled turkey! It is like when the milk smells funny. Once you ask somebody if it smells funny to them, it may as well be bad, cuz the seed has been planted.
We had the turkey dinner and it was quite delicious. An hour or so later, Zoe told me she had an upset stomach. I was thinking it was psychosomatic. She asked if the turkey was okay and I assured her it was. Anyhow, I immediately felt bad. I wondered why Katharine and I didn't feel bad. Then David came home and said thanks for the plate I had out for him. I suggested he eat something else, cuz Zoe was not feeling well and it could possibly be the turkey. He agreed that once the question of quality was raised, the turkey didn't sound very good.
So, Zoe got sick a few times last night. Said her tummy still hurts. She is on the couch and is staying home today. Did I give my child food poisoning? I don't think so. I still think it is psychosomatic....Although, I do feel bad. Needless to say the turkey is not in the trash.
She is lying on the couch in front of the TV I never want to turn off again! It is a Plasma TV that was very expensive when they first came out. There is a short in the on/off switch. I am just sick about it cuz I would love to fix it myself. Just a matter of soldering a circuit that my father could have fixed in a heart beat! However, he died almost eight years ago. So, I had to call around to TV repair places.
The first guy was very honest and I have used him before. He told me it could not be fixed in the home. Since it is only 4 inches wide, they would have to remove layers and layers of circuit boards to find the right one to fix. He suggested I get a new TV set cuz this was going to cost no less than $650.
I called another place and they wanted $95 for a service call, $500 labor and he didn't know how much the parts would be yet. And, the labor fee could increase, that was the minimum cost of fixing the plasma TV. They only cost a couple grand now, much cheaper that four or five years ago. We checked around at pricing. I still want to get ours fixed. The stupid thing would not turn on and it was Academy Awards Night. Later it worked. Then the other day it wouldn't turn on again! I can tell when it is not going to work. The red light blinks rapidly. Hours later, it stops blinking so rapidly and the TV will go on. Now, I am afraid to turn it off for fear it will not come back on!
I really don't want another TV and to have to reconfigure all the wires with the theater system, cable box, Tivo, and TV. It gives me a headache that I may have to do that again! I can do it though. I just get a bit crazed and used to take many smoke breaks! Can't do that anymore. I have never gotten a new TV where it was wired the same was as the current one that I had. Ever! So, I don't expect it to happen this time either. All is well if I just leave it on until the next thing goes wrong with the TV. It doesn't take very much electricity. Lots less than the older versions did. In a perfect world, it would just work and come back on each and every time I clicked the button.....
He came home to drop off Zoe and I told him after the turkey aired out for a bit, it smelled fine. He didn't seem convinced that it was okay. I told him I would never cook a spoiled turkey! It is like when the milk smells funny. Once you ask somebody if it smells funny to them, it may as well be bad, cuz the seed has been planted.
We had the turkey dinner and it was quite delicious. An hour or so later, Zoe told me she had an upset stomach. I was thinking it was psychosomatic. She asked if the turkey was okay and I assured her it was. Anyhow, I immediately felt bad. I wondered why Katharine and I didn't feel bad. Then David came home and said thanks for the plate I had out for him. I suggested he eat something else, cuz Zoe was not feeling well and it could possibly be the turkey. He agreed that once the question of quality was raised, the turkey didn't sound very good.
So, Zoe got sick a few times last night. Said her tummy still hurts. She is on the couch and is staying home today. Did I give my child food poisoning? I don't think so. I still think it is psychosomatic....Although, I do feel bad. Needless to say the turkey is not in the trash.
She is lying on the couch in front of the TV I never want to turn off again! It is a Plasma TV that was very expensive when they first came out. There is a short in the on/off switch. I am just sick about it cuz I would love to fix it myself. Just a matter of soldering a circuit that my father could have fixed in a heart beat! However, he died almost eight years ago. So, I had to call around to TV repair places.
The first guy was very honest and I have used him before. He told me it could not be fixed in the home. Since it is only 4 inches wide, they would have to remove layers and layers of circuit boards to find the right one to fix. He suggested I get a new TV set cuz this was going to cost no less than $650.
I called another place and they wanted $95 for a service call, $500 labor and he didn't know how much the parts would be yet. And, the labor fee could increase, that was the minimum cost of fixing the plasma TV. They only cost a couple grand now, much cheaper that four or five years ago. We checked around at pricing. I still want to get ours fixed. The stupid thing would not turn on and it was Academy Awards Night. Later it worked. Then the other day it wouldn't turn on again! I can tell when it is not going to work. The red light blinks rapidly. Hours later, it stops blinking so rapidly and the TV will go on. Now, I am afraid to turn it off for fear it will not come back on!
I really don't want another TV and to have to reconfigure all the wires with the theater system, cable box, Tivo, and TV. It gives me a headache that I may have to do that again! I can do it though. I just get a bit crazed and used to take many smoke breaks! Can't do that anymore. I have never gotten a new TV where it was wired the same was as the current one that I had. Ever! So, I don't expect it to happen this time either. All is well if I just leave it on until the next thing goes wrong with the TV. It doesn't take very much electricity. Lots less than the older versions did. In a perfect world, it would just work and come back on each and every time I clicked the button.....
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Day Eighteen
Today is day eighteen. Eighteen days since I have had a cigarette. A nasty habit that I have hidden from several people over the years. My family knew and my friends as well. I didn't smoke in front of a lot of the girl's friends or their mothers though. I was embarrassed and didn't want to embarrass my girls either.
I quit years ago, back in the early eighties. It wasn't cool to smoke anymore and I just quit. Cold turkey. Before patches. I didn't smoke for many years and one day my best friend and I went to the bar where we worked. I had the key and the owner/friend was out of town. My friend and I went in and locked the door. We turned on all the TVs and music and had ourselves a day at the bar. It was an official holiday and the bar was closed, but not to my friend and me. She smoked and I started again that day. I am not the type who can have just one or smoke for the day and then stop the next.
A couple of years later, I quit. I got pregnant. My girls are sixteen months apart and I didn't smoke during the pregnancies or nursing either girl for thirteen months each. Then I began again. I never smoked in the house. I always went outside to smoke.
I did the same thing here. Always out on the deck with my computer and smokes. I haven't been out on my deck much in the last eighteen days. I have been out there maybe three times for a little while at a time, trying to break the habit that I needed a smoke in the ashtray as I typed.
My friend quit more than four months ago and we have been a support system for each other. Plus the websites that tell the benefits of not smoking and how things change from 8 hours after the last cigarette to years after. It has been surprisingly helpful. My friend has been too. She knew I was getting myself in quitting mode and she didn't preach. She knew it would only work when I was ready.
It has been a very difficult thing to do. I don't think I will ever smoke again. I am feeling better and having less cravings every day. I still want to smoke a cigarette at times, however, I can feel that I am done and that I don't want to start over after making it for a whopping eighteen days. I am proud of myself for finally quitting. Hopefully for life.
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
GM vs Bill Gates
I received this from David's Aunt Lucille and I liked it so much, I decided to make it today's post.
BTW, I have a Mac.
General Motors vs Bill Gates
For all of us who feel only the deepest love and affection for the way
computers have enhanced our lives, read on.
At a recent computer expo (COMDEX), Bill Gates reportedly compared the
computer industry with the auto industry and stated, "If GM had kept up with
technology like the computer industry has, we would all be driving $25.00
cars that got 1,000 miles to the gallon."
In response to Bill's comments, General Motors issued a press release
stating: If GM had developed technology like Microsoft, we would all be
driving cars with the following characteristics (and I just love this part):
1. For no reason whatsoever, your car would crash twice a day.
2. Every time they repainted the lines in the road, you would have to buy a
new car.
3. Occasionally your car would die on the street for no reason. You would
have to pull to the side of the road, close all of the windows, shut off the
car, restart it, and reopen the windows before you could continue. For some
reason you would simply accept this.
4. Occasionally, executing a maneuver such as a left turn would cause your
car to shut down and refuse to restart, in which case you would have to
reinstall the engine.
5. Macintosh would make a car that was powered by the sun, was reliable,
five times as fast and twice as easy to drive - but would run on only five
percent of the roads.
6. The oil, water temperature, and alternator warning lights would all be
replaced by a single "This Car Has Performed an Illegal Operation" warning
light. The airbag system would ask, "Are you sure?" before deploying.
8. Occasionally, for no reason whatsoever, your car would lock you out and
refuse to let you in until you simultaneously lifted the door handle, turned
the key and grabbed hold of the radio antenna.
9. Every time a new car was introduced, car buyers would have to learn how
to drive all over again because none of the controls would operate in the
same manner as the old car.
10. You'd have to press the "Start" button to turn the engine off.
BTW, I have a Mac.
General Motors vs Bill Gates
For all of us who feel only the deepest love and affection for the way
computers have enhanced our lives, read on.
At a recent computer expo (COMDEX), Bill Gates reportedly compared the
computer industry with the auto industry and stated, "If GM had kept up with
technology like the computer industry has, we would all be driving $25.00
cars that got 1,000 miles to the gallon."
In response to Bill's comments, General Motors issued a press release
stating: If GM had developed technology like Microsoft, we would all be
driving cars with the following characteristics (and I just love this part):
1. For no reason whatsoever, your car would crash twice a day.
2. Every time they repainted the lines in the road, you would have to buy a
new car.
3. Occasionally your car would die on the street for no reason. You would
have to pull to the side of the road, close all of the windows, shut off the
car, restart it, and reopen the windows before you could continue. For some
reason you would simply accept this.
4. Occasionally, executing a maneuver such as a left turn would cause your
car to shut down and refuse to restart, in which case you would have to
reinstall the engine.
5. Macintosh would make a car that was powered by the sun, was reliable,
five times as fast and twice as easy to drive - but would run on only five
percent of the roads.
6. The oil, water temperature, and alternator warning lights would all be
replaced by a single "This Car Has Performed an Illegal Operation" warning
light. The airbag system would ask, "Are you sure?" before deploying.
8. Occasionally, for no reason whatsoever, your car would lock you out and
refuse to let you in until you simultaneously lifted the door handle, turned
the key and grabbed hold of the radio antenna.
9. Every time a new car was introduced, car buyers would have to learn how
to drive all over again because none of the controls would operate in the
same manner as the old car.
10. You'd have to press the "Start" button to turn the engine off.
Sunday, March 05, 2006
Patriot's Day Parade
Friday after school, we set up a booth sale for GS cookies. We sold 96 boxes in less than two hours. Not very much foot traffic for some reason. Back again in less than two hours for another booth sale downtown.
Yesterday was the Patriot's Day Parade and a dozen of us sat inside a restaurant to watch the parade. This was the third year we have done this. The quantity of people increases yearly. It is so much fun though. Even without bloody marys, mamosas and margaritas! When we were done about eight friends came in and we let them sit with us and we left, purposely leaving the big table to them. They got the table without going thru the front, so it was kind of sneaky, but worked out very well. Trevor, our waiter was not the least bit upset. Maybe because he was happy to see seven 12, 13 and 14 year olds leave! Actually, I think he enjoyed waiting on all the girls, who were having a blast, we just paid the bill.
One of our local theater companies in town does a lot of tongue in cheek and out and out jokes about things that happen in town. Our town didn't allow the Minutemen into the parade which made big news here. They have been protesting the local labor area in the canyon too. I don't see any American's out there day in and day out, in all types of weather looking for work. Anyhow, the No Square Theater made fun of the incident by dressing silly, as always, and singing a song about the Minutemen and handing out green cards, with the theater info on the other side.
This was the first year one or both of our daughters were not in the parade. They could have been, with many different shops in town or the girl scouts as well. It was kind of nice to sit without having to go retrieve a child. It was also so cute to see all the little kids who are now walking with the band, chorus, theaters, scouts, Hobie, boys and girls club, etc., they were sooo little. I miss when I had little tiny girls, but then I remember how much I love and enjoy them now as teenagers too. The time goes so fast, as it was told to us over and over again. Only to really realize it once it has gone by. Slow down, take the time to enjoy the NOW.
Yesterday was the Patriot's Day Parade and a dozen of us sat inside a restaurant to watch the parade. This was the third year we have done this. The quantity of people increases yearly. It is so much fun though. Even without bloody marys, mamosas and margaritas! When we were done about eight friends came in and we let them sit with us and we left, purposely leaving the big table to them. They got the table without going thru the front, so it was kind of sneaky, but worked out very well. Trevor, our waiter was not the least bit upset. Maybe because he was happy to see seven 12, 13 and 14 year olds leave! Actually, I think he enjoyed waiting on all the girls, who were having a blast, we just paid the bill.
One of our local theater companies in town does a lot of tongue in cheek and out and out jokes about things that happen in town. Our town didn't allow the Minutemen into the parade which made big news here. They have been protesting the local labor area in the canyon too. I don't see any American's out there day in and day out, in all types of weather looking for work. Anyhow, the No Square Theater made fun of the incident by dressing silly, as always, and singing a song about the Minutemen and handing out green cards, with the theater info on the other side.
This was the first year one or both of our daughters were not in the parade. They could have been, with many different shops in town or the girl scouts as well. It was kind of nice to sit without having to go retrieve a child. It was also so cute to see all the little kids who are now walking with the band, chorus, theaters, scouts, Hobie, boys and girls club, etc., they were sooo little. I miss when I had little tiny girls, but then I remember how much I love and enjoy them now as teenagers too. The time goes so fast, as it was told to us over and over again. Only to really realize it once it has gone by. Slow down, take the time to enjoy the NOW.
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Spoiler
I hate spoilers! I don't read the last page of a book to see who did it. I play by the rules and think others should as well! Especially when it is for a TV show, movie or book, I don't want to know how it ends until the end.
I was told yesterday that one of the final two of the new Apprentice was at a friend's restaurant and mentioned that they are in the final two. That is just wrong if it is true. They must sign some confidentiality agreement, right? UGH
In other news my friend sent me a link to this website that I thought was fun. I am not very good at it though.
Get Certifiied
Happy March!
I was told yesterday that one of the final two of the new Apprentice was at a friend's restaurant and mentioned that they are in the final two. That is just wrong if it is true. They must sign some confidentiality agreement, right? UGH
In other news my friend sent me a link to this website that I thought was fun. I am not very good at it though.
Get Certifiied
Happy March!
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