It Is What It Is

That's All I'm Sayin'

Alright, who has it bad?  Bad as in if we really do have 6 more weeks of winter it may mean the death of something or someone? 

So-let's do something about our Cabin Fever together, shall we?  Let's all play along....

It's called the Random Game- just whatever pops into your head- blurt it out....(for you playing along at home, that means please leave a comment.) 

Let's begin-

Is it just me or is Facebook making you crazy?  It seems to me that most of the time it should be called "FAKE-BOOK."  Mostly because it seems that everyone is being overly sweet and nice with their posts about how their lives are all sunshine, rainbow and lollipops.  As a matter of fact, there is a new psychological phenomenon now called the Facebook Effect.  Folks are being pushed into dark depressions thinking that everyone else's lives are so freaking fantastic and theirs actually sucks. 

I say for every "My child is a prodigy post" you have to post two "I woke up this morning to the sound of the dog puking next to my bed posts."  That should balance things out quite nicely. 

And on the same subject- people, Facebook is not the place to post that your wife left you for the guy she met while having internet affairs...(true post on Beloved's wall- can you say AWKWARD?)  Seriously, I'm all about sharing- but do all 349 of your Facebook friends need to know this?  Need to know basis, is all I'm saying.

I miss my cute shoes.  I'm tired of wearing  boots and heavy clogs to trudge through the snow.  I want to wear a a pair of cute, peep-toe wedges.  It broke my heart today while in a shoe store looking at all the sandals and other spring shoes.  It's cruel, that's all I'm saying.

I love my new Droid (most of the time) however, sometimes it  does crazy things like- switches the contact I'm calling, emailing or texting- unbeknown to me until after the fact.  Listen to today's mess up. 

I'm texting back and forth with a friend just, fun watcha doin' stuff.  We get on the subject of Paczki's (for those who don't know, a paczki is a fruit or cream filled donut type pastry made with lots of lard and sugar.)  In a word- delicious and only available right before the Season of Lent and a huge part of Fat Tuesday celebrating among these parts.  My friend has been craving them and I texted her that I just saw our local bakery had the sign up that the Paczki's are in....We celebrate and then begin to discuss our favorite flavors.

Here's the text I sent back-

I LIKE PRUNE.  WEIRD I KNOW.

 Only it didn't go to my friend- for some reason that damn touch screen pulled a fast one- and I ended up texting a person that I know through business.  I've known her for several years, but we are more professional acquaintances not-personal.  So, once I discovered my error, I was totally embarrassed.  Instead of just ignoring it and letting it go....oh  know....I couldn't do that...I began a diatribe to explain my mistake, and please don't think it's weird and this is why I"m discussing prunes and not because I need to be more regular...and so on and so on. 

Literally, somebody stop me.  I'm texting and I can't stop....I made it 100x more embarrassing.  Oh well, it's my new saying now- I'm just going to own it....I LIKE PRUNE.  WEIRD I KNOW...

Will you be celebrating Valentine's Day this weekend?  OR are you a traditionalist and will wait until the actual date?  I have no plans nor do I think Beloved's cooked up anything.  He was vacuuming the whole house when I came home from work today- that's just about the best Valentine's Day present I could ask for....

If you're feeling like you could use a little romance or just want to read some romance- check out my other blog- Undercover with Deb and Beth and download our new podcast or go to iTunes (keyword Deb and Beth) to download.  We're discussing Contemporary Romance Authors this month. 

Join the fun, that's all I'm sayin'....

 

 

Who Knew?

Well, it's the day after the storm of the century.  It's still snowing as I write these words.  Beloved and Middle One have just come in from shoveling and snow-blowing galore.   I'm working from home today, catching up on all things administrative.

  Last night before heading home from work, I stopped at my local Super Walmart for some provisions.  (You can't survive a snowstorm without frozen fried cheese sticks and ice cream.)  I'm always entertained by the notion of folks running to the store before a snowstorm to stock up on bread and milk, because Lordy, Lordy, who knows when we'll be able to get out among the living again....Decades earlier that might of been the case, (unless of course you live in the country....) but by and large, most of us can get to a grocery or convenience store within a short amount of time.

I decided to do some perusing of the aisles to see if Walmart was prepared.  Bread aisle, looked pretty good, a few bare spots, but there were loaves to be had.  Milk aisle, fully locked and loaded and even on SALE.  Here's where things got tricky- there was not an egg to be found....

Okay- not the best photo taken with my phone, but that long line on the shelf are not eggs- they are the "Egg Beaters" spread out on the shelf to give the illusion of having egg product available.  I can somewhat understand the horror of not being able to make fried or scrambled eggs during a blizzard, but what I found next is where I was completely flabbergasted.

 
There wasn't a bag of sugar or flour to be found.  (Don't let that lone bag on the bottom shelf fool you- it's some speciality flour flung back in disappointment.)  I never knew that there was a run on Emergency Snowstorm baking...(now the eggs are starting to make a little more sense.)  Clearly, I have missed the boat on this phenomenon. 

What can't you live without during a storm?  What do you immediately run out and stock up on in preparation of a storm?  I'm kind of partial to the fixins' for chili and (cheese sticks, obviously.)

Stay warm out there!  Happy Baking!

 
 

 

Winter Weekend

Sorry for the delay in getting back to the contest winner before now- thanks to all who commented.  Winner of the CSN Gift Certificate is Amanda!  I will forward information to your email. 

Hope you all enjoyed your weekend- I've been hanging out with the family and celebrating my birthday.  The thing about your birthday falling on the weekend definitely works in your favor.  Instead of just having one day- you get to have the whole weekend!  (At least that's what I've done....)  So- thanks to my family for indulging me- I promise to be more on track this week!

Have a great week everyone!

 

 

Letters I need to write

Dear AARP-

I'm curious, why am I on your email list?  I'm still at least about a decade away before I could even pretend to join your organization.  Why are you mocking me?  Please stop sending me weekly letters trying to entice me to join your group.  Frankly, you're just pissing me off.

Kind Regards,

DS

                                                                 

  

Dear Dude at the Car Wash-

You're in the business of washing my car and providing good customer service so that you'll receive a handsome tip at the end of my car washing experience.  I give good tips, especially when it's cold outside because I do appreciate the fact that you're washing my car inside and out - and I'm not.  Enough said, right?  As much as I appreciate the fact that your establishment offers discounts on different days of the week depending on the type of customer you are, (i.e. Ladies Day, Gentleman's Day, Seniors Day) you really need to pay attention to your customer before asking potentially offensive questions. 

I know that I'm not feeling and looking my best as I've been down with a cold, but really, really....do I look like a Senior Citizen?  It's not a good idea to just ask everyone if they are a senior just because it's senior day.  (Not that there is anything wrong with looking like a Senior Citizen, but I don't want to be put in that demographic until I absolutely have to check that age box. )

And when I pull my sunglasses down and ask you if you're kidding, don't be a smart ass and say "well, you never know and I need to ask everyone." Really, cause I bet you're not asking the gents if they're ladies on ladies day, just sayin'....

If I wasn't such a kind and generous soul, I might have not tipped you, but since your other co-workers can't help that you're a ditz-ball, I'm going to overlook your comments today and just bring this matter to your attention so you may adjust your behavior and comments for others who aren't as nice as me.  Stand advised, Dude, you've been warned. 

Kind Regards,

DS

 

 

Dear Tool Who Checks Out the Books that Others Have Reserved at the Library,

Wait your flipping turn!  Request the item yourself and WAIT!  You think you're so clever because the library has self serve checkout and you do not have to face anyone as you checkout the items that others have reserved via the proper channels.  Well, listen up buster you better watch your back because I'm thinking of contacting Dateline and setting up a sting....be advised you never know who's watching you. 

Stick that in your card catalog and suck it!

Regards,

DS

 

 

 Dear Local Weathermen,

Please don't start hyping a storm three days in advance only to disappoint me.  Nothing is worse than decent weather when you're expecting a storm.  Please, I'd rather have you predict a dusting and get a foot than expect a foot and get a dusting.

Thank you,

DS

 

 

 

Dear Fruit of my Loins and Beloved,

I wanted to let you know that an alarm will not sound if you open the dishwasher  door to see if the dishes are clean or dirty.  It's okay to check.  It's also okay to put your dirty dishes in the dishwasher.  I will not be upset with any of you in  the least little bit should you decide to take care of that little tidbit. 

Although I live to serve all of you, I am willing to take one for the good of the entire family and allow you to enjoy the fulfillment that I do when the sink is not full of dirty dishes. 

Love,

Mom

The Apron

I love me a good apron.  I have a handful that I wear and depending on the situation, I use a certain apron.  I have a holiday apron, I have my "chicken" apron that I wear whenever working the Chicken BBQ at church, I have my "funeral volunteer" apron and I have aprons to share should anyone require an apron while at my home or away (I always bring extra.)  And to be perfectly honest, I don't always wear an apron when cooking.  I should, because I can make a mess like no ones business but nonetheless, I have aprons available should the need arise. 

 

A close family friend gave me this apron for Christmas.  A neighbor friend of hers makes these aprons and they are just about adorable.  The apron came with this clever little sheet giving the history of the apron and it reminded me of my great grandmothers who always wore an apron over their clothes.  I'm going to share it with you.  I wish I could give the appropriate credit for this information, but suffice if to say, we probably could all picture a loved one in our head using their apron for one of these purposes.  (Unless, of course you're really young and don't have any apron memories as they fell out of style for a few decades.)  I for one, am glad they're back.

 

The History of Aprons

Remember making an apron in Home Ec?  I don't think our kids know what an apron is....

The  principle use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath, because she only had a few, it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and they used less material, but along with that, it served as potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.

It was wonderful for drying children's tears and on occasion was even used for cleaning dirty ears...

From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks and sometimes half hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.

When company came, those aprons were ideal for hiding shy kids.

And when the weather was cold, Grandma wrapped it around her arms.

Those giant  old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow bent over the hot wooden stove...

Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.

From the garden it carried all sorts of vegetables.  After the peas had been shelled it carried out the hulls.

In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.

When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron and the menfolk knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.

It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that "old-time apron" that served so many purposes. 

They would go crazy now trying to figure how many germs were on that apron.  I never caught anything but love from that apron!

Do you have any apron memories, photos or uses?   Share them with us!  

Random Photo of the Day

Haven't done this in a  good long while....I'm going to the file of photos, I'm spinning the mouse- wonder oh wonder where will it land?

 

A Wedding in December....

Very random....We were attending the wedding of one our good friend's son last December.  In attendance were many past acquaintances from Beloved's old work place- (otherwise known as before our business.)  It was a beautiful, holiday themed affair.  A very fancy and grown up shindig. 

 

The Reason Why

None of my poor pumpkins made it to the carving table....

 

What you can't see is the back of the pumpkin that has been eaten through and hollowed out.  Those pesky squirrels threw all the seeds right on the front stoop.  Didn't care one bit about the mess they were making!

I might also add, that this is the last of four large pumpkins that the squirrels had  made into their own personal buffet line. 

Also- do you see the pumpkin bit behind the large pumpkin?  That is all that remains of my super cute white pumpkin!  Damn Squirrels!   

 

P.S.  Photo taken with my cracked screen Blackberry! 

On Deck

Well, this past weekend was the LAST football game of the season- which means the last time this little group of cheerleaders will gather in SPIRIT to show spirit.  Fun season- but glad to see it wrap up.  Time to move on to other adventures.

p.s. The team won their version of the Super Bowl! Yeah team!

A new podcast will be released this week- will keep you all posted.  I know you're waiting with your iPods in hand.

Cracked the screen on my Blackberry and the little do-hickey thing that houses the mouse is cracked too.  Just barely working.  According to Verizon....to take advantage of the insurance we have with our service- you can pay the $89.95 deductible and they'll send me a new phone OR surprise- I'm eligible for an upgrade phone.  Here's my dilemma- do I stay with the Blackberry- maybe go to a different model or go to the Droid (touchscreen or keyboard?) or do I wait for the fabled iPhone to make it's appearance in 2011 on the Verizon network? 

Decisions, decisions. 

Should I decorate for Christmas for Thanksgiving since we will be celebrating both Holidays in one day with my side of the family?  What would you do? 

I'm happy to report I have not watched a single, complete episode of the Real Housewives of Beverly HIlls.  Not quite sure why that should be noteworthy, other than that group of women are just so not real at all to me....

Got a lovely note from my little sister today.  It made me cry.  I love the unexpected pleasure of receiving an honest to goodness letter. 

A good friend from college called to tell me she was getting married next year!  She's been divorced for a couple of years and has had stories like you wouldn't believe about the dating world and on-line dating services.  Totally happy for you, S! 

Here's to a great week- we are experiencing Indian Summer weather.  Simply gorgeous! 

 

Notes on Halloween

I purchased 3 different Halloween accouterments for 3 kids- and not a single thing purchased was used, worn or dabbled with- all for a variety of reasons.  Anyone have any ideas on the best way to store a "Mullet Wig" for use on a Halloween to be named later?

I did stop by a Halloween bash- didn't really want to get into the whole "costume thing" so thought I'd be timely and creative and use those "reading headlights" Beloved bought for me for reading in bed.  My girlfriend and I both went with the headlights on and called ourselves- "Chilean Miners."  Actually got a great response from the crowd.  The best part was when another guest showed up who actually put a lot of thought into his "Chilean Miner" costume, even going as far as to not shave for a week to add to his look. 

He walked in ready for the crowd response to his creativity and timeliness- and boo-yah!  We had already stolen his thunder....we made him feel better when we told him we would play the "Chilean Miner's Wife and Mistress to his Miner."  That seemed to perk him up a bit....Seriously though, I thought he was going to cry...

Note to parents/guardians- if you have to carry your baby around to collect candy- perhaps your time would be better spent going to the store to buy a bag of candy and staying at home with the baby.  Just a thought...who needs candy that bad?  Baby certainly doesn't know the difference....Just saying....

Don't you think Halloween candy should be on sale when you choose to buy it 1 hour before the trick or treating begins?  I mean selection is slightly limited at that point.

Hope your Hallo-weening was spooktaculicar! 

 

I've Been a Slacker-but not on purpose

Yeah, yeah, I know I've been a little lame here this week-stuff going on...not anything major, but just lots of little stuff that actually adds up to being major-because I feel like a Mexican Jumping Bean going from this to that to what the heck to you've  got to be kidding me...

So- DEEP Breaths everyone.  Let's get centered and get back to business.  Here's some food for thought.  I give absolute and total credit to my Pastor for this particular share-

In this week's church bulletin he shares the story of Danish Philosopher, Soren Kierkegaard.  It's the story of a duck who while in flight discovers chickens eating on the ground.  The duck joins the chickens and enjoys the meal so much, he decides to stay with the chickens through the winter.  Come Spring, he sees his fellow ducks flying overhead and longs to join them.  Alas, due to his gluttonous behavior over the winter, he's unable to take flight.

The moral of the story- Be careful and pay attention to how you fill yourself. 

My pastor then posed the question- What prevents you from soaring?  Is something filling you up so much- that it actually is weighing you down?  What has you grounded?

 

 
(image courtesy of treehugger.com)

 

Well folks, that was some powerful stuff for me to think about and "digest."  As I've said before, Fall is the perfect time for renewal and resolutions and this my friends is the kick in the butt I needed to put my words into action. 

What's weighing you down?  Feel free to rant right here or just let me know if you too feel the weight and are ready to take action. 

Have a great week!