It Is What It Is

Hey Y'all

Here's some stuff I've been thinking about and actually doing-

1.  Writing a new post for this dang blog site.

2.  Read the Fifty Shades of Grey Trilogy- twice.

3.  (Wanting) to lounge by the pool and read other novels that I've had to back shelf due to time constraints.

4.  Getting totally addicted to the HBO show- "Girls" by watching their 10 espisode marathon.

5.  Getting tired of all the "Real Housewives of..." and not really watching at all.

6.  Excited to have Sirius radio in my car once again and can listen to the Catholic Guy- Lino Rulli.

7.  Glad that another season of Dance and Lacrosse have come to an end.

8.  In love with- shaved brussel sprouts- roasted in the oven...seriously- if you have never like brussel sprouts- you will be a convert....

9.  Visiting college campuses with my official Senior boy.

10.  Hold on to your hat- I've converted to McDonald's Sweet Tea from Sonic.  (Sonic still has the best ice.)

11.  Loving that 2 of my children are employed.

12.  Took a new job in January and my life ceased to be my own. 

13.  Gave up reading almost all other blogs- have pretty much given up this one. 

14.  Wondering what the next steps are?

15.  Not ready to say good bye.

16.  Loving that music I would have picked for a Saturday Soundtrack become hits after I pick them but don't actually post. 

17.  Sunday nights are awesome for TV- but not so much for the next day it all begins again.

18.  Going to Vegas, Baby with my husband for a work conference and staying on to visit with some friends and hit the strip.

19.  Officially registered for my 30th High School Reunion.  (eeks!)

 

 

Dear Blog,

I'm sorry that I have been neglecting you.  It's not you, it's me.  You see, I started a new job and frankly, it's taking up most of my time, literally, I'm not kidding.  Ultimately, it's a very good thing, but in the short run, certain things have taken a back seat.  Like, cleaning my house, grocery shopping, reading for pleasure and  updating you, dear, Blog.  This frantic pace won't be forever, so, I hope you will be patient and forgiving with me.  I really do care about you, I just can't be that into you right now. 

Love,

Deb

*Cue the Mary Tyler Moore Show Theme song.... 

Soup it Up

I think that soup never goes out of style. I could eat soup for lunch and dinner every day- and not need any other side dishes, except for maybe some crackers or a piece of bread. My family disagrees. They think of soup as an appetizer or if we have it as a meal, they expect to see some sort of sandwich or meat and potato accoutrement. I am bound and determined to change their way of thinking. I started with soup boot-camp this week. I've made a different soup every day. They are ready to revolt.

Here's what I've made.

1. Chicken & Noodles. Simple, simple. Good, old-fashioned, comfort food.

2. Chili. Well, technically not a soup- it is soup like and can be found with the soups on a restaurant menu. This did get a good response since we could fancy it up with toppings like, diced onions and cheese. Usually I make corn bread to accompany it, but this time, good ole saltine crackers.

3. Sausage, Potato and Kale Soup. This is my new favorite. I found this recipe at the Pioneer Woman Website, Tasty Kitchen. It's supposedly the recipe from the Olive Garden version. I don't know about that, as I've never had this soup at the Olive Garden, but I can tell you it's DELICIOUS! This soup wins rave reviews from Beloved and Youngest. I've never cooked with kale before, frankly I've only ever seen it used as a garnish in deli cases and salad bars. The kale is our favorite part of this soup! Two thumbs up...

4. Aztec Chowder. This recipe does actually come from one of my favorite restaurants in Columbus, Ohio. It's a spin on chicken tortilla soup. It's spicy, thick and creamy. It gets its thickness from pureed navy beans. Yummy, yum. Well, while making this soup tonight, I had a revolt on my hands and had to make a side dish of spaghetti with an Italian sausage meat sauce. (Yes, I know the flavors don't really compliment one another, but I was working under pressure and had to come up with something quick in order to avoid a total meltdown, primarily from the husband.)

And now a fitting way to end a post on soup- a clip remembering "The Soup Nazi." Go to this link to view the Best of the Soup Nazi... http://youtu.be/M2lfZg-apSA. What's your favorite soup or soup story?

I'm still here- I just have a lot going on.....work/life balance is hard...

Thanks for stopping by- keep coming back- I'll be back soon and more frequent.  I promise.  
 

Thoughts to Ponder- and Oh Yeah....

It's been all over the Facebook and in the news and on the Twitter and so on and so forth...I will perpetuate this but with my own twist...

My alma mater, Ohio University took back the title of #1 Party School in the United States.  Personally, I think all colleges and universities are party schools- (just some more than others.)  My dad used to give me grief over that same title more than 25 years ago.  That being said-there are a number of reasons a prospective student would want to choose this fine university.  Here's one of them....

  

The Ohio University Marching 110!  Simply awesome...(I might add, Beloved was in the 110, back in the day...)

Go Bobcats!

Next up- as I'm sure you've heard as well-

MTV is celebrating it's 30th Anniversary.  In this day and age, it's not really known for it's music television programming, but back in my day it was the rage.  I remember sitting in homeroom listening to kids talk about it and I was mesmerized by the thought of it.  My favorite songs put to video.  Kind of like watching American Bandstand  when your favorite band was on- only better.  It took my parents several months later to convince them to get cable tv, so I was forced to watch at friends' houses or live vicariously through others.

So, on the heals of Beloved's class reunion and MTV's anniversary- (and also because a fellow classmate put the idea in my head...)  LISTEN UP CLASS OF 1982- WE ARE ABOUT TO START OUR SENIOR YEAR!    Woo-Hoo!  Party on- Wayne!  What a great year we have in front of us.... 

What are your favorite MTV moments?  Favorite videos or VeeJays?  (I loved Alan Hunter.)

 
I have so many videos that I remember from that time period- but this one sums up the cheese factor of some of the videos from that time...

 

Why did he wear an eye patch for part of this video?  It always bothered me.

 

Share your memories with me and even if you aren't  going to be a Super Senior from the Class of 1982- I'd still like to know your favorites too!

Because it bears worth repeating

Friday, June 17 is National Flip Flop Day sponsored by Tropical Smoothie Cafe.  If you want to know all about this great event click on the link. 

 
(Doesn't this image just scream SUMMER TIME and the BEACH!!)

All that being said, I do have a couple of funny little tidbits to share with you.

Remember a few weeks ago I chose the "Lazy Song" by Bruno Mars as one of my Saturday Soundtracks?  I mentioned that the song did have a one lyric that was a bit cheeky and in my opinion kind of ruined the song for me.  Last night I was driving in the car with Youngest and a couple of her friends.  The radio was on and that song came on and the girls all started singing it.  (Really- the song is quite catchy and you can't help but want to sing along...)  Well, I temporarily forgot about that one part and remembered just as it was coming up and reacted by singing over the lyrics...."lalalalalalalal."  However, the girls surprised me and said, "Don't worry we have are own lyrics for that part." 

"Oh, and what that might be?"

"We say...."(instead of "have some really nice sex")   "Send a really nice text."

It reminded me of the times when in college and we would be in bars and the Billy Idol version of the song, "Mony, Mony" would come on and we would change the lyrics.  Remember the part where folks would shout out "Get L#%$   Get F%^&*#!"  ?  Well- my nerdy friends and I would chant at that part- "Get a job, Go to Church!" 

Next up, a friend and I were discussing a mutual acquaintance who  is probably the most unique thinking individual we both know.  This person is very single minded in her quest to create a world solely dedicated to her wants and desires.  Her way is always the right way and she is unabashedly not afraid to exhibit hypocritical opinions. 

Case in point, this person is hyper-critical of other folks parenting styles.  She's extremely over protective of her kids and I've witnessed her over the top behavior on more than one occasion.  Which is why this particular bit is so hysterical and such a dichotomy.  This is how it went down...Her son was planning a sleepover with  my other friend's son.  At the last minute plans had to be changed and she asked if her son could just come over to their house to  have a play date instead.  "Sure come on over," my friend invited.  When they arrived, this gal hands a bag to my friend's husband and says- "Here, I brought this for the kids to play with." 

He looks inside and sees an assortment of fireworks.  (I might mention at this point that the sale of fireworks is illegal in our state.  However, you can drive right over the border  and buy them.  We live on the state border.)  Friend's husband says, "Oh- thanks, but I don't think this is such a good idea."

Gal says- "Why?  I only bought fireworks that were age appropriate."

Is that like saying, "Here, go play with these matches kids, they are more age appropriate than this lighter."  Or, "hey, go play with daddy's guns, but don't touch the ones that aren't age appropriate."  Or maybe, "Go ahead and play in the street kids as long as you wear that reflective vest." 

I know I'm being a bit on the sarcastic side, but I can't help it.  The idea that there is such an idea of 'age appropriate fireworks struck our funny bone.  We couldn't stop laughing. 

 

Do you have any funny song lyrics stories?  Or any age appropriate stories to share?  Would love to hear them all!   

 

Potluck

Whoever thought that summer vacation got a whole lot less complicated once school let out- didn't have a clue or didn't have kids!

Life is just as crazy busy- just without having to take kids to and from school.

What's keeping me busy- well I know it's hard to believe, but DANCE RECITAL.  I've had some additional duties  added to my plate and it's making me a little twitchy as I try to get it done.   On top of those duties-we have an end of year Lacrosse Banquet that I'm working on as well.  Once these events are completed, I'll be in full swing getting ready for new product training and a national sales meeting for work. 

We are supposed to take a family vacation in July.  I'm desperately hoping against hope that it happens.  Beloved gets a little twitchy himself thinking about leaving his business with a babysitter for a week-but as I tell him....BALANCE in all things!  It's necessary.  We haven't been on an honest to goodness family vacation in about five years.  We've done the weekend getaway thing but it's just not the same. 

Eldest goes to take her State Board Licensing examine this week,  so she can be licensed cosmetologist and then hopefully become gainfully employed at a salon.  Send her good thoughts, won't you? 

Youngest and I witnessed a car hitting a young man on a bike this evening.  I actually didn't see the actual impact, but the after effect of the hit.  Youngest did see the entire thing and was pretty shaken up by it.  I called 911 and waited with another woman who was in the car behind me to see if we could help the guy on the bike.  His leg did not look good.  The sad part about this whole thing is that the guy who was driving obviously had some sort of disability.  (Truthfully, I'm not sure what, but definitely did have something.)  He was a young guy as well, and was driving a car full of teenagers.  The driver was very upset by this accident and the boys in the car with him were doing nothing to help or support him.  I felt like they thought this whole thing was entertaining and were basically driving around with this guy because he had a car and they didn't.  I know I'm taking a lot of liberties in my assessment of the situation, but I'm just stating what I observed.  It's going to be a bad scene all around.  Once the police and medical attention arrived and we gave our statements, we were free to leave.  I have no idea how this is going to turn out.  I'm assuming not good for either party.

If you want or need a good laugh, check out this blog.  It's called, "Wave at the Bus."  This guy dressed in a different costume every day to wave his son off to the school bus each day for the entire school year.  He documented his fun.  I give him a lot of creativity points for the costumes he came up with (and he spent no more than $50 for everything!)  and for the determination and energy to keep this endeavor going.  Not to mention fantastic sense of humor of Dad and son alike!

And finally, actually, I have no finally...it just went straight out of my head and frankly, I don't have the energy to go and find it.  Until then- tell me what you've all been up to?  How's your summer vacation starting out? 

Whatever....Wednesday

  What is it about Wednesday's that lend themselves to me wanting to put a tag on it?  Words of Wisdom Wednesday, Wordless Wednesday and NOW- it's WHATEVER....Wednesday.  Mainly because that's exactly how I feel....whatever.....

I'm not actually grouchy, though...

Here's what I have been thinking about...

1.  I have only one more day of lunches to pack!  Good thing because I'm scraping the bottom of the what's acceptable for lunch barrel.   I just haven't been feeling it lately- so, sorry kids.

2.  I'm being sucked into the vortex of the the worst reality tv programming on earth...I can't help myself.  It's like the train wreck of TV- I can't not look.  Case in point- check out these two winners...

Tracey and Olivia from Jerseylicious from the Style Network.  I'm in love with these two gals and all their shenanigans.

This next one is a new show and frankly- there really are no words.  One must watch and learn to really appreciate all that it is...

My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding on the TLC network.  This photo doesn't even begin to scratch the service.

 
3.  Summer has not even officially begun and already I'm stressing about how fast it's going.  I know, I know that doesn't even make sense.  But our June is BOOKED and it will be after the July 4th holiday before things let up and everyone knows once it's the 4th of July- summer is almost over....

4.  I will start exercising on a regular basis.  I will start exercising on a regular basis.  I will start exercising on a regular basis.  (I'm hoping it sinks in....)

5.  I talked about this briefly on my last podcast- but it bears mentioning again....

NEW FLAVORS from Ben & Jerry's .  My Top 3 picks are- Bonnar Buzz, Clusterfluff and Late Night Snack.  Check out their website for all the flavorful details.

6.  Dining Room Redo is almost done...will be sharing soon. 

And finally- on the tail of Memorial Day this video is worth sharing....

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Week At A Glance

This week is Spring Break for Youngest.  Next week is Spring Break for Middle One.  Last week was the lost week for me- here's why...

 

Dance- mixed in with more dance and then for good measure we'll add some more dance. 
 
 

Lacrosse games.  Peppered with more lacrosse games.  Don't forget to be cold and windy, because that's when I really like attending Lacrosse games.  The colder, the better.
 

Stations of the cross.  This is a happy bunch of "weeping women."  Can you see the "image" that "Veronica" is holding up?

 
 

 

Painting of the dining room.  The dining room redo is in full swing.  Fabric has been chosen!  Painting is complete!

 

Friday night Fish Fry....note to self, do not wear your coat again when working the church fish fry.  Regardless of weather, don't wear a coat unless you're willing to go straight to the dry cleaners.  Yummy, though.

 

Yes- that's right, the Virus that attacks the Virus Protection Software came back with a vengeance.  This really was the chink in my armor and what prohibited me from posting most of last week. 

Whew- I need a Spring Break too!  

Promise to be more on top of it this week...
 

When It's a Virus an Antiobiotic Won't Help

Don't you hate hearing those words from your doctor?  "I'm sorry, it's viral.  Take some blah, de blah, de blah and give it a couple of days...."  Well, my computer came down with a virus.  It was a terrible virus.  This virus actually ate my virus protection and then hid that it ate my virus protection making it virtually impossible to know I was unprotected or that terrible things were happening to my computer.  It started out with little things.  The kind of things that make you question yourself - where eventually, you start to think that maybe you're the only crazy one.  Like, where did that application go?  Why can't I download photos anymore?  Where did all my favorites go?  Why will my email not open up- ever?  It just keeps spinning and spinning and spinning?  Why can't I ever save a blog post?  Why does it just keep spinning and spinning and spinning? 

Luckily, Beloved figured it out after a week of asking him to please check into the issues my computer was having.  He went to run a diagnostic check and low and behold - NO Virus Protection.....among other ugly viral things.

Off to the computer repair shop we went and finally- I'm back.  So to answer my friend and loyal reader if I gave up blogging for Lent?  No, I've just had a virus.  Hopefully, we'll be running at top speed soon.  Thanks for sticking around...

On another and completely random note- did anyone catch the Series Finale of "Big Love?"  Really, HBO, that was the ending?  After all the years of following the trials and tribulations of the Hendrickson family, I'm at a complete and utter loss as to what to say about this.  How do you feel about Series Finales?  What have been your favorites?  What do you feel were the worst endings - ever?  "Big Love" is moving to top of my list - right behind the "Seinfeld" finale. 

Well, since we're still in recovery mode, I'm going to take two Tylenols and call it a day...  We'll be back in the saddle this week- PROMISE.