It Is What It Is

Worldless Wednesday

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Embrace Your Inner Bird

While I was talking to my good friend, B the other day, I discovered that she was embarking on a journey of the Virgin Bird territory.  It was hard to believe that after almost 20 years of marriage she had never prepared a Thanksgiving turkey.  She's an accomplished cook and fabulous baker, so I just assumed that cooking a turkey for her was old hat.  Truth be told, she's never had to prepare the Thanksgiving bird.  She's always gone to a relatives or friends for Thanksgiving dinner.

  When I thought about it, I realized that I just started cooking the "Bird" a few years ago.  I too, was in the family Thanksgiving boat.  (And I don't mean gravy..) we would alternate our Thanksgiving dinners at either parent's homes.  It wasn't until about six years ago that I decided I wanted to attempt the bird thing on my own.  I then started my day after Thanksgiving turkey dinner tradition.  Regardless of where we celebrated Thanksgiving, I would prepare another, (albeit smaller version) of Thanksgiving dinner on the Friday after.  Last year was my first ever (after 19 years of marriage) of hosting a Thanksgiving dinner.  

The reason for this gluttony?  Basically to prove to myself that I could master the task.  Cook the turkey, make the gravy, cranberry sauce, stuffing, etc...on my own, all homemade without the help of Mom or others.  It was my own challenge.  I wanted to be able to create my Thanksgiving memories for my kids and future grandkids.  I didn't want to be 50 years old and never having mastered this Holiday meal. 

Jump ahead several years, and I feel pretty good that I've got this meal down.  I've fine tuned  different side dishes, so we have our regular must haves- and not just the ones from the grandmothers.  It's nice to have these traditions.  This of course can be spilled over into the Christmas holidays. 

Thinking about the upcoming holiday season right now- is enough to give me a stomach ache.  I have so much stuff going on right now, I can't even begin to process how in all that's holy am I going to get everything done for Christmas?  We celebrate Christmas with Beloved's side one week from this Saturday!  It's making me cranky and want to take a permanent union break and not do anything.  Part of me wants to introduce "Christmas Light" this year.  Thinking that way goes against my previous paragraphs, me wanting to create these perfect memories for my family.  So in honor of Thanksgiving- I'm going to allow myself a change in thinking. 

I'm going to get a grip and realize what's important- my family and friend's health and well being.  It's not about creating the perfect memory- but about creating the memories as they happen.  It doesn't have to be about setting the perfect holiday scene- but about making sure those you surround yourself with are comfortable.  The food and drink don't have to be award winning- just fulfilling and nourishing.  The gifts I give don't have to be the best- just thoughtful and heartfelt. 

Ok- that's my mantra for the next 4 weeks.  I wish that for all of you too- enjoy what's meant to be enjoyed and don't sweat the small stuff.

That being said- I'm still preparing a turkey on Friday- and I'm brining that bird, baby!  IMO- the best way to cook a turkey!  Enjoy!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

I've Been Twilighted...and there is no cure

I did it- I broke and and read Twilight.  I wasn't going to and then I was- and then I didn't just because. I've had the book for way over a year.  Then- I found it on CD...and checked it out and I was immediately hooked.  I've whipped through New Moon and am about to embark on Eclipse...I'm as giddy as a teenager about to go on her first date thinking about the movie being released this weekend.  What is wrong with me?! 

I"m pleading temporary insanity.  If you don't hear from me for the next week or so- you'll know why.  Send out the search party...

"To all the Blogs I've Loved Before.."

First, I want to set the mood for your reading pleasure.  Close your eyes, and think of the Willie Nelson song, "To all the girls I've loved before.."  Can you hear it?  That's the kind of mood I'm in folks.  I'm trying not to be a hater.  Hater of myself and the procrastinating that has invaded my life.  But first before I write about that, I must go watch" Curb Your Enthusiasm"....I'll be right back, I promise.

I'm back...seriously, I have the worse case of procrastination EVER!  I've been able to accomplish only those things that need taken care in the most immediate of ways.  For instance, today was a beautiful day.  I didn't have any place to be- so I could in theory get caught up.  I did take care of a few things that I needed to-BUT the things that have been hanging over my head for way too long- didn't get touched.  So because of that, I'm going to tell you about all the blogs I wish I would have written in the last few weeks in hopes of actually getting them written-

1.  Desk Redo Bloggy Style- UPDATE - In this post, I show all the progress I've made on my desk- actually showing the finished product.

2.  Volleyball- A Love Story to replace A Love Story- Football

3.  A Season of Cheer- In this post I tell all about my adventures in cheerleading coaching 19 ten year old girls- (I can almost hear you laughing as you read this...)

4.  DIPS- Revisited- This is my cooking mini-tutorial where I photograph and make the dips submitted by  two of my faithful commenter's.

5.  DIPS- for Book clubs- this had to be postponed because the dip party was postponed- so I guess I'm not procrastinating on this one...

6.  Decorating for fall- Because I actually did so little it wasn't worth the effort.

7.  How to Parent an 18 Year Old- If anyone has any advice on this- I could use your help.

8.  My new favorite author- Jen Lancaster!

9.  "Twilight"- I'm behind the curve...

10.  My New fall Favorite TV Must Watches...

11.  I have a New Boss- Oh mY!

Hopefully, I've peaked your interest.  I know I've peaked mine.  Lets hope I can kick this procrastinating cloud that has been hanging over my head and get to writing!  Are you procrastinating anything?  Tell me what it is so I can feel better about myself!  Thanks for sharing!

Public Service Announcement

Tomorrow is election day.  I don't care about your politics.  I won't tell you mine.  But I will say- it's your duty, right and obligation as a citizen of this country to go out and exercise your right to vote!  It may not change what's happening today, but it will effect tomorrow. 

P.S.  I'm telling you a day early as a reminder- so there should be no excuses! 

Don't Knock It til You Try It

I have to admit I think most products that are sold on TV as the "seen on TV" infomercial are pretty silly and lame.  Case in Point- the Snuggie.  I readily agree that I thought the idea of the snuggie as kind of silly and a waste.  It's a blanket with sleeves for goodness sakes.  My husband thought the idea of the snuggie was a good one and thought it had merit. 

I told him under no circumstances was he even to consider purchasing a snuggie.  Well friends, snuggie came out with a collegiate version.  My husband is a sucker for anything Michigan.  He purchased the snuggie and put it on the back of my chair in our reading room.  I told him to move it.  There is no way I'm using a snuggie. 

 Have I mentioned that it's turned rather chilly and we keep the house rather cool?  Yesterday morning I put the snuggie over my feet.  It kept them toasty.   A blanket would have done the same thing, but the snuggie was conveniently located so I used it. 

This morning was a little chillier and I admit that I actually put my arms in the sleeves of the snuggie...and I kind of  got into it.  Beloved walked into the room and said- "Ah-ha...I caught you.  You like it, don't you?" 

Yes, but don't tell anyone. 

Yearbook Yourself

I go in phases with this whole Facebook thing.  Lately, I have found a plethora of "friends" from high school.  It's so fun to catch up with these folks.  Seeing what they look like now- (27 years later!!)  Oh my goodness.  Mostly everyone looks the same.  I still see their sweet, young faces from high school.  I've never been able to attend a high school reunion- so this is the next best thing.  The really cool thing is that one friend leads to another and so on.  Truth be told, I don't have a very good memory for these names- I need to dig out my yearbook and do some matching up! 

So for fun- I thought I'd share some dated photos of myself-

 

Me- circa 1964

 

Circa 1980.

 

1982- my high school graduation year.

 

Finally,me, 1992.

Go on over to www.yearbookself.com and have some fun!

Riddle Me This

Q- What do you get when you have 3 previous roofs removed off of your house built in 1927?

A- A big, fat, f %*&%$#@#$% mess! 

If I open the door to my attic I can see the sky peeking through-please Lord, don't let it rain!  I'm afraid to go up to check out the damage- since I can pick up large chunks of roofing materials on the steps leading up to the attic.  All I can say, it isn't pretty. 

I'll take photos and share later, when I've stopped crying. 

Breaking Up Is Hard To Do

Within the last two days I finished my long, emotional journey with the fine citizens of Kingsbridge, England in World Without End by Ken Follett.  If you remember, I began my journey near the end of July.  Thirty-six discs and 45 hours later, I finished listening to this phenomenal story. 

 

Oh, my word.  What can be said?  If you've read Pillars of the Earth and are trying to decide if you'd like to embark on another 1,000 plus page story, I say you must.  I say this because if you finished Pillars, then surely you fell in love with the story of the building of the Kingsbridge Cathedral.  I didn't think I would love the follow up to that wonderful story.  But I did, and I do.  Actually, I think I loved it more.  Now, this might be because the story is still so fresh in my head and I read Pillars about a year ago.  But friends, this book is everything you could want in a novel and more.  There is intrigue, mystery, politics, religion, history, a plague and finally a love story for the ages all wrapped between the cover of this book. 

Now while listening to World, I started reading-

 The Weight of Heaven by Thrity Umrigar.

This book intrigued me because the central characters of this fictional book are from my area and then move to India after a tragedy.  Lately, I have been extremely interested in Indian authors and books.  Although the subject matter is weighty, (the death of a child and the journey the couple goes through in trying to heal, knowing that one can never heal completely) this book grabbed from the beginning and didn't let go.  It had a dark under being, but there were such beautiful descriptives, that at least for me, it made it possible to go along with these characters and survive the darkness. 

I will forewarn you and tell you that this is one of those books that ends without tying up all the loose ends, which for me is always problematic and perhaps why I'm still thinking about this book. 

Upon finishing this book and completing World, I quickly picked up this-

 Everyone Is Beautiful by Katherine Center.

Another, page turner, I quickly connected with this main character too.  This is a funny look at what happens when a couple becomes parents and have to find out how to be a couple again while still parenting.  There are some laugh out loud moments, especially at the descriptions of those early baby/toddler years when, as mom you think you'll never get to shower again or wear anything but baby food stained t-shirts and sweatpants.  This was an easy read and a nice night cap to the more serious Umrigar novel. 

But now, everything is done.  I feel like I've just passed through a passion filled romance and emotional roller coaster break up and I don't know what to do with myself.  No other books are appealing to me.  I keep reliving these stories in my mind.  Just like a broken relationship that you weren't quite ready to end, I don't want to say goodbye to these characters.  There hasn't been enough time passed to move on to new characters.  What if these characters call and want a re-read?  I need time to heal before I invest in a new relationship.  Maybe I could read an old fall back novel.  Someone I've been involved with before, and now there's no emotional baggage.  We could have a one night read for old time's sake, right? 

No, that doesn't feel right either.  That would feel like cheating.  But it can't be cheating if it's over, right?  Maybe we could still be friends?  I know what you think, that never works out, someone always gets hurt.  But, these authors have other books that I haven't read.  So, maybe we could start fresh, new beginnings and all that...we could try and see how that works, at least for a little while...I'm willing to, if the novels are...I'll keep you posted.

I'm Going On a Journey

Won't you come too?  I'm about to embark on my longest, largest book on CD-

 

Ken Follet's, World Without End.  Now, I will admit I'm a bit intimidated.  It's 36 discs- 45+ hours of listening pleasure.  It's quite an undertaking.  If I hadn't already read/listened to his other epic- Pillars of the Earth, I probably would have ran and hid from this CD. 

Have you read either one?  Pillars was fabulous.  Who knew the building of a cathedral could be so fascinating?  I truly loved this book.  I truly loved listening to this book.  The narrator made the characters come alive for me and I can still hear his voice in my head saying the character's names. 

World Without End begins 200 years later in the same town.  It should be interesting.  I'll keep you posted...Bon Voyage!