Recent Adventures with Edna

Meet Edna.

Well, that isn't exactly Edna, but it does hold her hostage.  I have one of those cool, modern phones, that no one over 12 can operate half the time.  Inside this phone is a GPS program.  Or as the cool people call it, a GPS App. 

The first time I met Edna, I had a dentist appointment, and wasn't familiar with exactly where I was going, so I plugged the address into the GPS and this pleasant female voice guided me right to my location.  I'm pretty sure that was just to get me hooked.  Then the pleasant person who guided me the first time was replaced by some grump, with a really sucky sense of direction.  Meet Edna.

I'm not sure why I named her Edna, she is slightly nasal, and she sure whines a lot.  If you have to stop at a stop light, she gets all pissed off and announces repeatedly that she is "adjusting" arrival time, since you are a moron who is stopped in the middle of the road.  And I'm pretty sure that the more she has to "adjust" the more she develops an attitude and gets really pissy, because apparently she doesn't believe in stopping for any reason.

She also gives you bad directions, and then is pissed, when there isn't a road going through the middle of a house, or a bank in order to get you to the location you so desire.  Then she starts her whole re-routing speech.  That's pretty much the straw that broke the camel's back in Edna's world.  She becomes short, and terse, and you can almost hear what she is thinking, "This moron can't drive, first she has to stop at intersections, I mean seriously, who does that?  Now, she is all pissed off because there isn't some road here.  Hello?!?  She drives a truck, hasn't she heard of off-roading?!?!  What a moron!  I guess I'll re-route the bimbo, because obviously she doesn't know how to drive, and she thinks that she has to keep her precious truck on the road.  I mean, c'mon, where is her sense of adventure?"

By this point, Edna isn't the only one is perturbed.  I have usually given her the #1 driver award several times, as well as called her names, that I'm only slightly ashamed of.  So Edna, although reluctantly, does give me an alternate direction, she doesn't like it, and she voices her displeasure with her clipped words, and sighs.

So this Christmas I'm on the lookout for a new person to man my GPS App.  I'm thinking Goofy, or perhaps Donald Duck, because surely they wouldn't get mad at you for stopping at stop lights and not driving through buildings, would they?

Thanks to the Parade of Homes Tour, Edna and I aren't currently on speaking terms.  So any comments for her will have to be directed to her attention, because I'm still pissed at her for wanting me to drive through 2 brand new houses, instead of around the block.  Then she has the gall to tell me that I'm not on a marked road.  Yet, she had already directed me down that particular road twice today.

Adventures in Black Friday Shopping

Each year as September draws near, I usually manage to finish up my Christmas shopping.  I know, I'm weird.

The stores are always so crowded the closer it gets to Thanksgiving and Christmas, and patience is always stretched so very thin. So I try to avoid all last minute shopping, just to save my sanity, and to avoid my name on the chalk board for too many curse words.

Unfortunately, I have gone Black Friday shopping, but only for myself and my husband.  One  year we bought a Nintendo DS.  Best investment I ever made.  It comes in handy when you are expected to wait, or when you are stuck at home sick, and are tired of watching TV.  Another year I bought a TV and DVD player for our bedroom.  Last year I bought a camera, but thankfully I didn't get up in the middle of the night to do that.  And this year.  Well, I went hunting for a TV.  We still had the "old" TV's, not flat panel type, until September, then in an effort to eliminate some clutter, we sold our 2 TV's on Craigslist.  We found an amazing deal on a 37" for our bedroom and have already replaced it.  So in preparation for when we move out and live on our own again, we decided to take advantage and purchase a new TV.  There was a local retail store that had a 42" TV for less than my truck payment.  So I opted to get up at 3am in order to stand in line in 19* weather for a cheap TV. 

I'm pretty sure that was my 2nd mistake.  My first was ever deciding that we really needed a 2nd TV.  I mean, you would think after almost 11 years of marriage my husband would just sit in the corner and let me watch what I want on TV and not complain, but Ohhhhh Noooooooo, he can't do that.  He wants to watch wrestling, and football, and (shudders) baseball.  So we really need 2 TV's, otherwise one of us might be in a lot of trouble with the other.

I'm pretty sure that I temporarily lost my mind, temporarily insane, crazy, not in my right mind.  I'm not really sure, but I shouldn't be allowed out of bed before noon, let alone at 3am.  I'm pretty sure some old lady grabbed my butt, hoping to startle me into dropping my purchases.  I just kicked her walker to the end of the aisle, and she gave me the finger, so I'm guessing we are even now, and that was just the beginning.  I got to see two grown women tugging on a video game console, screaming "Mine!", "No, Mine!". 

I got out of a nice warm bed for this?  Is 3am to early for a margarita?

There are always great deals to be had, but next year, I'm pretty sure that I'm just going to stay in bed and avoid the crazy people.  That's the best deal out there.  Cheaper too!

5 Question Friday

I went shopping with the rest of the people in West Texas at Midnight last night.  It was a unique experience.  One I hope I never have to do again.  My husband and I are exhausted, but today we are going back for more.  But not much, some of today's activities involve errands.  Yuck!

Enjoy Today's Thanksgiving Theme!

1. What is your favorite part of a Thanksgiving meal?


I don't really have a favorite part.  My grandmother usually cooks and she does an amazing job.  She is an amazing cook year round.  I think that the best part, is just spending the day with my family.  Some of whom we don't see as often as I would like too.

2. Are you a host or a guest for Thanksgiving this year?

Always a guest.  My grandmother does Thanksgiving, and on any typical year there are 16-25 people in her house.  My mom and I usually offer to make something, and I usually make cookies.  But this year I skipped out, I have just been so busy with work and school that I didn't want to add to the stress.  Or our waistlines by making thousands of cookies.

3. When you think of one Thanksgiving tradition, what comes to mind?

I don't guess that we really have any die-hard traditions for the day.  Usually after lunch the "boys" go out to the farm and target practice and talk guns.  This year some of the family skipped out on the festivities and went to a Dallas Cowboy's football game.  But we still love them.  Even though they went.  And they didn't even invite me.  But it's OK.  I'll try to keep that in mind when I buy their lumps of coal Christmas presents.

4. You have two pieces of pie in front of you and you HAVE to eat one...do you choose pumpkin or pecan?

PECAN!!!  I'm not a big fan of pumpkin, unless it's the recipe that I make.  But pecan pie.  Oh my.  The oowey, gooey wonderfulness.  And I like mine straight up.  No whipped cream, no nothing.  Just pecans and goo. 

5. Are you a Black Friday Shopper?

Not if I can help it.  I am one of those people who has their Christmas shopping done in July.  But I'm a little behind this year.  I only lack 5 gifts.  Two of which are generic for a party.  So it's not so bad.  The only Black Friday Shopping I do, is usually something my husband and I want for ourselves.  This year, we took care of each other's gifts, although, we are getting them today.  We know what they are, no point in waiting a month while they sit under the tree.  I have bought TVs, DVD players, stereos, computers, and video game accessories.  I have never bought Black Friday Gifts, for someone other than myself or my husband.
 
 
Thanks Mama!  I'm off to do a little more shopping, pick up some fabric for a couple of aprons.  Then I'm staying at home and hibernating until I go back to work on Monday.  Read more about my Black Friday shopping adventures on Monday!
 

Thankful

Thanks a lot Bob Perks.  This wasn't the post that I had planned on for Thanksgiving.  So consider this a bonus.

I decided that I would work on cleaning out my email at work yesterday afternoon.  The phones were quiet, as most other offices had let their employees go home early.  Since I went back to school, I'm not the best about staying on top of the email I receive. I get so many cooking newsletters, crocheting newsletters, cross stitch newsletters, and forwards from friends and family that it's enough to drive a  person to drink.  Yet somehow today was the day that I was going to whittle the number of unread messages in my inbox down into the triple ok maybe double digits.

Over the years, since I have "known" Bob, I have been moved by his messages.  He wrote the message that inspired me to actually get up and go back to school instead of just dreaming about it.  It's also mentioned in the very first post I ever made when I started this blog.  I guess I can think him for the no homework and no life. 

Today's message was especially profound.  I have spent the last 10 days coming up with things that I'm thankful for.  They were all so obvious, and a few not so obvious.  Some required more thought than others, and some were simply a matter of telling you, my readers, what exactly it was that I was and am thankful for.  However, today I want to print a retraction. 

Today, I am simply thankful for nothing.

-I worry about money, yet I have money in the bank.  I have a savings account.  There are so many who don't have a job.
-I worry about my application to TTU.  There are so many kids who would like to go to college, but know that they can't because they have a family to raise.
-I'm thankful for grouchy in-laws.  There are those who are single and long to be in a relationship.
-I'm thankful for the children in my life - there are people who have none, or worse, they are losing their child.
-I'm thankful that my husband spent the night out of town and made it back home safely.  There were those who leave home everyday, and don't make it back. 
-I'm thankful that recent test results showed - nothing.
-I'm thankful for the mess at home, because it means that I want for nothing.

Read Bob's story.  Then find your own nothing to be thankful for.

Today I'm thankful for nothing!

Thanks Bob for reminding me of all that I truly have and to be thankful for the nothings.

Happy Thanksgiving

Today, find something to be thankful for.  The last 10 days I have found things that I am thankful for in my own life.  What's important is to remember that these things should be appreciated each and every day, not just one day a year.  Enjoy today with your family and friends, and remember that even in the worst of times there is a blessing, you just have to see the beauty.

~Thanksgiving Day is a jewel, to set in the hearts of honest men; but be careful that you do not take the day, and leave out the gratitude. ~E.P. Powell

~As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them. ~John Fitzgerald Kennedy

~Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will be expected from us, and that true homage comes from the heart as well as from the lips, and shows itself in deeds. ~Theodore Roosevelt

~God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say "thank you?" ~William A. Ward

~We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude. ~Cynthia Ozick

1 Day of Thanksgiving

Today, I am thankful for my husband.

I'm always thankful that he is my husband, and that he puts up with my sarcasm and odd questions without much complaint.  I'm thankful that he loves to spend time with me, and that he loves to be around me. 

I'm thankful that we have a good marriage, and that I can talk to him about anything.  I'm thankful for his patience with me.  Sometimes I'm grouchy, irritable, annoying, mean, and he manages to not choke me (even though he probably should) 

I'm thankful that he makes any activity fun, even cleaning.  When I have had a day full of "the suck" he holds me and lets me vent, or cry and tells me that it will all work out.  Then he finds out whose ass he needs to kick to make it all work out.  It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

I'm thankful that he goes shopping with me, and doesn't complain, I'm thankful that he doesn't drag me to Academy and Gander Mountain absolutely more than necessary.

I'm thankful that he lays in bed at night and listens to me verbalize how worried or stressed I am about whatever is bothering me.  Even though he has to get up early, he never complains. 

I'm thankful that he is a wonderful person, and that I get to spend the next 100 years with him.  I'm thankful that almost 11 years ago, I married him, and even though we have had our ups and downs, I'm glad that we both wanted this to work out so badly, that we refused to give up on ourselves, or on each other.

I love you.

~I love being married. It's so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life. ~Rita Rudner


~Success in marriage does not come merely through finding the right mate, but through being the right mate. ~Barnett R. Brickner


~For you see, each day I love you more; Today more than yesterday and less than tomorrow.~Rosemonde Gerard

2 Days of Thanksgiving

Today I am thankful that I am almost done writing these posts.  Today, I'm thankful that I can write these posts.

Today I'm thankful for our government and our politicians. 

I'm not saying that I agree with every choice and decision that they make, and I complain frequently about their harebrained schemes.  Thankfully, I live in a country where I can complain, and protest, and write about what a crappy job they are doing on my blog and not worry about persecution. 

I can drive to Starbucks and order my overpriced latte and I don't have to have a man with me, or be completely covered.  I can wear shorts and a sleeveless shirt and I don't have to worry about repercussions, other than sunburn.  I

Yes, our government and politicians need a lot of work.  A complete overhaul.  But, it is better than some places, and today I'm thankful that I live in a country where I can honor those who have fought and died for my freedoms, for my right to wear shorts, and to go to Starbucks for the overpriced latte.  That I have the right to complain and live my life with freedoms that we, as Americans, take for granted.  I often wonder, do we realize how lucky we really are?

~Politicians are like diapers. They both need changing regularly and for the same reason. ~Author Unknown



~I think it's about time we voted for senators with breasts.  After all, we've been voting for boobs long enough.  ~Clarie Sargent  
 
~George Washington is the only president who didn't blame the previous administration for his troubles. ~Author Unknown



~ Nothing is more difficult, and therefore more precious, than to be able to decide. ~Napoleon Bonaparte


~Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom, must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it. ~Thomas Paine

3 Days of Thanksgiving

Today I am thankful for my nieces and nephews. 

I have two nieces, 10 and 7, and three nephews, 14, 10 (almost 11), and 7.  Yeah the last two were apparently busy years for babies. 

And now let's take a moment to pause for my husband, who is just now realizing what I did, when I was typing this. I was unaware that the oldest niece and the middle nephew were the same age.  The brain can only handle so much.  (EEK!!  I'm getting old!)

They bring so much joy and happiness to my life.  They let me spoil them, and send them home, just like any Aunt should.  They are always excited to see me, and they all love me.  I'm great, what can I say. 

There innocence provides hours of endless entertainment.  They are all funny, and they all have their own unique personalities.  I look forward to seeing what kind of amazing adults that they will all turn out to be.

~Children need love, especially when they do not deserve it. ~Harold Hulbert


~In the United States today, there is a pervasive tendency to treat children as adults, and adults as children. The options of children are thus steadily expanded, while those of adults are progressively constricted. The result is unruly children and childish adults. ~Thomas Szasz


~While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about. ~Angela Schwindt

4 Days of Thanksgiving

Today I am thankful for the gift that I have been given in the form of my current (and past few years) living arrangements.

My husband and I live with his grandfather.  It was just supposed to be a temporary thing, yet almost 3 years later, we are still there.  While, I often complain about the expectations that his grandfather has on John and I; I do appreciate the gift that we have.  We don't have to worry about having the money to pay the bills and put food on the table, and frankly it's nice to not have to worry about that.  This arrangement has allowed us to do several things that 4 years ago, we would have never dreamed of as possible. 

I still want my own space, and I will always want that, but right now, I'm going to be thankful that his grandfather is selfless enough to allow us to have this arrangement with him.  I'm thankful that this arrangement has allowed us to witness the importance of preparing for the future, for retirement, and given us the opportunity to get our own financial needs in order.

I'm thankful for this opportunity, and the peace of mind that this arrangement gives me, especially when I'm waiting on college applications and other things to fall into place.

~Family is just accident.... They don't mean to get on your nerves. They don't even mean to be your family, they just are. ~Marsha Norman


~He is the happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds peace in his home. ~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

5 Days of Thanksgiving

Today I am thankful for my husband's extended family.

He has Aunts, Uncles, cousins, who are all relatively close in age.  They have grown up together, and his family is just amazing.

I was really worried when I met some of the cousins, for fear that they had been told how "evil" I was.  Instead, they have all been very welcoming, and have taken the time to get to know me, instead of assuming things about me.  They have accepted me as "family" and they allow me to spoil their children as if I had always been a part of the family.  I have really gotten to know several of them, we "chat" on facebook often, and I'm thankful that they see me as family instead of as the wife of family.

I'm thankful that I married someone who has a large family, and that his extended family is as wonderful as they are.  I would love for them all to live in the same city as I do, and get to seem them on a more regular basis than we have.  I'm thankful that the time we do share with them is precious and valued by all of us, and allows us to make great memories, and goofy pictures.

~Families are like fudge - mostly sweet with a few nuts. ~Author Unknown



~When you look at your life, the greatest happinesses are family happinesses. ~Joyce Brothers



~You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them. ~Desmond Tutu



~The great gift of family life is to be intimately acquainted with people you might never even introduce yourself to, had life not done it for you.  ~Kendall Hailey

Blogger Award

Thank you so much to CJ at Mustard Cut for awarding me the Stylish Blogger award! I'm really thrilled! I have groupies!!  Thanks again CJ!

Rules for accepting this award are:

1. Thank & link back to the person who awarded you this.

2. Share 7 things about yourself.

3. Pay it forward to 15 recently discovered great bloggers.

4. Contact those bloggers and tell them about their Blog Award!



Okay so here are seven things about me:


1. I'm a perfectionist, which is why I blog anonymously.  I don't have the guts to put my name on this blog because I'm too afraid of public failure.  Private failure is so much more awesome.
2. I list sarcastic as a skill on my resume.
3. I hate coffee.  I love the way it smells, but I hate the way it tastes.
4. I met my husband when I was dating his best friend.  Brandon was completely and totally wrong for me and we had nothing in common.  Brandon drug John on every date we had, so it was bound to happen. 
5. I love to cook, and I actually have a cooking blog at Gourmet Chef in Training.  It needs a lot of work until it is in the shape I want it to be in. 
6. I think that the fuzzy boots that everyone thinks are so cool are in fact seriously ugly, and I always point out the people who are wearing them and make fun of them.

7. I have an active imagination, and if I were to ever decide to become an author, I would want to write children's books, or murder mysteries.  I don't want to have to write in much romance either, just lots of dead bodies.


Here are some of the great blogs that I read, and some that I have passed on a Stylish Blog Award too.  I'm sorry that there aren't the required 15, but I just don't read that many blogs.  I have to do homework and sleep somewhere in there. 

http://mustardcut.blogspot.com/
http://yarn-pixie.blogspot.com/
http://365dayswiththe330poundwoman.blogspot.com/
http://morethandogchildren.blogspot.com/
http://cazwa.blogspot.com/
http://wwwbloggercomevrydayfish.blogspot.com/

Thanks again CJ, and enjoy your awards you guys!



5 Question Friday

The last few weeks have been crazy busy, and apparently they aren't going to be slowing down any time soon.  Got a lot planned this weekend.  Hoping to go furniture shopping as a store here will be closing soon, and I love cheap - good quality furniture!  Going to a little town outside my hometown, where they just happen to be filming an episode of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.  Then a Parade of Home Tour to look at some houses that have been recently built that the builders are desperate to get rid of.  Plus the usual grocery shopping and gearing up for Thanksgiving! 

Without further ado, here is this weeks installment of 5 Question Friday!

1. What Christmas song do you loathe?


Actually I love Christmas music.  Yeah there are a few songs that I could live without, but it's been so long (like last year) since I have heard them that I can't remember.  I actually listen to some Christmas music all year round.  I just can't live without my dose of "All I want for Christmas is a real good tan" by Kenny Chesney, because let's face it, I could use a good tan all year long.  Do the words pasty white mean anything to you?

2. Do you and your significant other cuddle at night or sleep on opposite sides of the bed?

Both.  We cuddle and talk for a little bit, then when we are ready to call it quits, he usually throws an arm over me and off we go.  We have a queen size bed, so we are in close proximity all night long. Mostly because my husband is 6'7" tall.  We used to have a king size bed, and actually hated it, they take up so much room, and I like sleeping fairly close to him, because it's like having your own heat generator in bed with you.  It works out fabulously.  He gets all the bed space he needs, and I get the rest of the house, it works for me.

3. Have you ever had surgery?

Thankfully nothing major.  I had oral surgery when I was 13 to uncover two teeth that had developed in the roof of my mouth.  They were all covered up by bone and skin, and they cut them "open" and then moved them into place.  I can say that was the most horrific painful experience I have ever had.  You can't eat, you can't sleep, you can't sneeze.  It was the longest 18 months of my life.  Then they got them into place and had to turn them around, because they were backwards.  Yeah, if I knew now what I knew then, I would have told them to give me some falsies. 

I had my wisdom teeth taken out when I was 20, 2 weeks after I got married.  We hadn't originally planned on getting married in December, and the appointment was already scheduled, so I kept it.  That wasn't too bad, I got dry sockets, but once they were fixed up, it was smooth sailing.
4. When do you typically have your holiday shopping done?

Most years, I'm one of those people everyone hates.  I try to have things wrapped up by my birthday in September.  Every now and then it's later, but I'm typically not still shopping after Halloween at the latest.  This year, has been the exception.

School has taken so much of my time that I haven't put forth much effort this year to get it all done.  Thankfully, I am close to being finished, and I'm planning on knocking out a few more people this weekend.  So that I'm only left with 1-2 to finish up after Thanksgiving.  The later in the year I wait, the more money I end up spending, and the "cheaper" the gifts are.  Usually I watch for stuff on clearance and sales year round, because you can pick up great gifts for so much less than you can when the holidays hit.  I try not to spend more than $200 for my entire family, and I often succeed, and they get really nice stuff.  Clearance racks are my bff when it comes to Christmas shopping and not breaking the bank.

5. If money were not an issue (and you HAD to pick something), what would your ultimate luxury item be?


A house.

I'm not big into fancy cars or clothes, but if money were no object, I would totally have my dream house built. 

I don't want big, yet I do.  I want an awesome kitchen with tons of cabinets and even more counter space, and a walk in pantry that would make most peoples walk in closets look tiny.  I like things neat and organized and I don't like having to "stack" dishes so that I have room for everything.  I want an island.  I want a glass cook top 6 large burners with a pot filler hose, and double commercial size ovens.  I want a commercial refrigerator.  Because let's face it, if I had my dream house, every family gathering would be held there, because my kitchen would be so full of awesome that everyone would want to hang out there.

I want 3 bedrooms, and 2 baths, and a 2 car garage.  I want an indoor swimming pool, because, I'm pretty sure I'm part fish.  Then I want a shop for my husband that's more like a guest house.  Heating, air, room for all his woodworking tools and lawnmower and other "guy" stuff.

Maybe I should buy a lottery ticket.  You know, just in case.

6 Days of Thanksgiving

Today I am thankful for my in-laws.

Let me pause here while my husband re-reads that statement several times.

My husband's family and I have never gotten along.  I have always thought that was because they thought John could do so much better than me.  I'm perfect, I don't know why they would think that.

Our relationship has always been rocky and "on" and "off".  This week they love me, next week they hate me.  They pretty much just put up with me, because they have figured that John isn't getting rid of me.

On one hand I'm sad, because I always wanted to have a good relationship with his family.  One that at least allowed me to not feel uncomfortable at family gatherings because I'm the "evil" one.  After almost 11 years, I'm not sure that I'll ever have the kind of relationship with them that I want. 

And I think that is the point.  They make me realize how important and what an impact my actions and words have on those around me.  They make me realize that how one sentence, one comment said in a moment of anger, can never be forgotten and how important it is to not always judge someone based on a first impression.  They also remind me to have hope in people.  That there is the possiblity of change, and that I'm not perfect.

I will always be grateful for the wonderful man that they raised John to be.  I'm also thankful that he isn't selfish or hurtful in the ways that his family often is, not only to myself, but to their own children.  I'm sad that the type of relationship that I have with his parents, brother's family and sister makes John's life more difficult.  It puts him in an awkward position of often having to choose me over them, and I never wanted things to be that way.  I honestly wish that things could be different, and that they had been different the past 11 years..

It's important to remember the kinds of impressions that these actions make on our family.  Perhaps we all need to sit down and take a good look at the legacy we are leaving behind.


~The problem with children is that you have to put up with their parents. ~Charles DeLint



~Each day of our lives we make deposits in the memory banks of our children.  ~Charles R. Swindoll
 
~Whenever I held my newborn baby in my arms, I used to think that what I said and did to him could have an influence not only on him but on all whom he met, not only for a day or a month or a year, but for all eternity - a very challenging and exciting thought for a mother. ~Rose Kennedy

7 Days of Thanksgiving

Today I am thankful for my parents.

I have a decent relationship with my parents.  Sure, they get on my nerves from time to time, but isn't that what parents are supposed to do?  I know that if I genuinely needed them that they would be there. 

Sometimes I wish that I had a couple of brothers and sisters that they could annoy as well.  I mean, why should I get to have all the fun.  I love you mom, please don't send my Christmas presents back. 

I really do love my parents.  They are considerate, they are always telling me how proud of me that they are, and not just with school.  They heap praise on my cooking, on school, and even on this blog. 

They provide me with insight and more sarcastic thoughts to make my day complete.  I'm not really sure what I would do without them.  I'm not really sure how they put up with me.

~Don't worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you. ~Robert Fulghum


~If there is anything that we wish to change in the child, we should first examine it and see whether it is not something that could better be changed in ourselves.  ~C.G. Jung

Wordless Wednesday

I have been cooking like a crazy woman.  Check out some of my latest and greatest finds.  Keep checking back for the recipe and my review on some of these!

Cheeseburger Paradise Soup

Apple Bread

Chili Verde Stew

Cinnamon Bun Pancakes with Maple Icing

8 Days of Thanksgiving

Today I am thankful for my grandparents.  I have one set that is currently residing in heaven, and the other set resides 2 blocks over from my parents.

My maternal grandparents were more like parents, instead of grandparents.  Growing up, they lived, what would have been the equivalent of the house across the street from my house.  It could be walked to in a minute and ran under 30 seconds. 

I had a wonderful relationship with both of them, and I will always be thankful that they were such a big part of my life growing up.  So many of my friends didn't have grandparents close enough to participate in their lives on a daily basis.  My grandfather went to football games, and band practices, and little dribblers games, and as a child, it was always nice to have them in the stands, knowing that they loved me.

I'm thankful for the months that my grandfather lived with us.  I'm thankful that I had him all to myself with no interruptions.  I'm thankful for the stories that he told me about his own childhood, his time in the navy, and the trials of farming and ranching.  Of how he did iron work at Hoover Dam.  I'm eternally thankful for those memories. 

My grandmother and I didn't have the same kind of relationship, but it is through her that I got my love for cooking and cook books.  She taught me to always stand up for myself, and for what I believe in.  I'm pretty sure that she also gave me my stubborn streak, and the need to be right.

My dad's parents haven't been a part of my life since I was a baby.  They came along when I was 17, and they have welcomed me into their family, and they love me.  Even though they came along late to the party, they mean so much to me, and I'm thankful for the relationship that I have with them.  For their thoughtfulness and selflessness that they have both demonstrated through their actions towards me, and when I got married, towards John.  I hope that I am half as wonderful as they think that I am.  Their faith in me, and their support of all that I do means so much to me.

Today, I am thankful that I have such amazing grandparents, and that they have all been as involved in my life as they have.  I'm thankful that they spoil me, and love me.  And my only hope is that they all know how much that they mean to me.

~What children need most are the essentials that grandparents provide in abundance. They give unconditional love, kindness, patience, humor, comfort, lessons in life. And, most importantly, cookies.         -Rudolph Giuliani


~Being grandparents sufficiently removes us from the responsibilities so that we can be friends. -Allan Frome


~The history of our grandparents is remembered not with rose petals but in the laughter and tears of their children and their children's children. It is into us that the lives of grandparents have gone. It is in us that their history becomes a future. ~Charles and Ann Morse


~God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say "thank you?" ~William A. Ward

9 Days of Thanksgiving

Today I'm thankful for my puppies.

I'm a dog person.  I have tried to be a cat person.  I had a cat a few years ago, and it reminded me that I love cats, as long as they are outside, and belong to someone else.

Actually I had a cat growing up.  I rescued her.  I was outside playing one day, and I couldn't have been more than 7 or 8 years old.  I kept seeing her stick her head out of a crack in a door in the barn.  So I raided my grandmother's house for powdered milk and cheese to try to bribe the kitty into being my friend.  It took several attempts and several days before I could get the kitty to come to me, and it was love at first sight for both of us.

She was the only animal that I ever remember having to warm up to my grandfather, instead of loving him on sight.  The best he could tell, was that kitty was a boy.  He couldn't get close enough to pick her up and look.  So for several years, the kitty was Morris.  Then when I was about 13, and the kitty finally warmed up to my grandfather, imagine our surprise when he was actually a SHE!!  So she became known as Morrissa.  She is the only cat that I have ever cared about, and no other cat will ever compare, or be as good.

So back to the puppies.  I have had more dogs in my short life than most people have in a lifetime.  Growing up on a farm was rough where dogs were concerned.  They ran away, they got ran over, or they went to live with the neighbor.

Yet, the two that I have now I absolutely adore.  They make me laugh, they are always happy to see me even if I just went into the laundry room, they give me someone to look forward to going home to when my husband is out of town, and they love me simply because I love them.  They are the best example of unconditional love, and probably a provide us a good example of how we should act towards other people.

I'm thankful that my husband loves dogs, otherwise that would be serious grounds for divorce.  I'm thankful that my babies let me dress them up in costumes, and that they don't bite me, even though I probably deserve it.

I'm thankful when they wiggle their cold little bodies under the covers and snuggle up next to me.  I'm thankful that when they are sick, or I'm feeling down that they just want to lay in my lap and let me love them. 


~The unthankful heart... discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings! ~Henry Ward Beecher


~I think dogs are the most amazing creatures; they give unconditional love. For me they are the role model for being alive. ~Gilda Radner


~My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dog already thinks I am. ~Author Unknown

10 Days of Thanksgiving

There are only 10 days until Thanksgiving.  I know that I am often sarcastic, and a variety of other things, however, since I have a blog I'll post what I want to. 

I'll pause here to give you a minute to sing the words to "It's my party and I'll cry if I want too".  You're Welcome.

Over the next 10 days (weekends included)  I will post something I'm thankful for.  Some days you will have two posts and other days, my thankful post will be your only post.

I'll pause now so you can get your tissues, because I'm sure that you want to cry because you will only be getting one post.  Or you might want to cry because you have to read two posts.  That's completely up to you. 

Today, I am thankful for my job.  Even though there are days when I would rather stay at home in bed, I do love my job.  In the time that I have been here, I have really gotten to know the owner's and our shop foreman.  They are a family in themselves.  Even though they don't pay me near what I am worth, they have been very good to me over the years, and when the time comes, it is going to be very, very hard to leave this place.  I'm also thankful that I have a job, and have kept that job during a time when so many people have lost theirs.

~As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.  -John Fitzgerald Kennedy
~Thanksgiving was never meant to be shut up in a single day. -Robert Caspar

Why I Blog

I started this blog over a year ago, for not reason other than because my father and step sister both had a weird blog, and I wanted to be "normal". 

It wasn't because of any desire to be a writer.  Although, I have always wanted to be able to write.  I'm sure that's clear as mud.  Let me explain.  I have never wanted to write books.  Sure, I love to read, but I like fast paced action.  Anytime that I have started to write fiction, I have found myself hearing the info in my head, but I'm already 12 pages down the road in my head before I got 12 pages ago down on paper.  I have no desire to write a book.  Yes, I think it would be absolutely cool to do, if it never happens, I won't lose any sleep over it.

So many bloggers out there write blogs because they want to write books, and currently this is their only outlet.  Some started a blog simply to keep friends and family updated on their lives and their children, and ended up with something else.  They ended up with people following them and reading their posts and becoming a part of their life. 

I follow and read quite a few blogs.  There is a wide variety of cooking, mommy, fitness, and weird blogs.  Most of these people have kids, so I live vicariously, until someone has a "not my child" moment, and then I'm thankful that I don't have children who can talk back.  Could some of those blogs write a book?  Absolutely, in fact a few of them have.  That doesn't make their blog more valuable or them a better writer than the rest of us.  It just means that they have something to offer the current market that the rest of us don't.

It you want to write, write.  If you want to paint, paint.  If you want to cook, then you better go to the grocery store, because milk isn't supposed to be a solid.

My point with all of this - do what makes you happy.  If that means you just blog, then you just blog.  If that means that you write a jillion books and sell them to the masses, then do that too.  Because trust me, when blogging quits being fun, and starts to become work, I'll find something else to do.

5 Question Friday

I'm so glad that this week is over. It has been a long few days and I'm ready for a couple of days of down time before I get to do it all over again next week. 

I have some exciting stuff planned for December, stay tuned for details!

And now, without further ado.

1. What is the most physically painful thing that has ever happened to you?


Hmmm.  This is actually a tough one.  I'm not really accident prone.  I have broken my arm once, when a little boy in 3rd grade pushed me down.  I have had a ton of dental work done, braces, surgeries, you name it.

I guess I would have to say the dental work.  When I was 11 or so I had two teeth that were in the roof of my mouth, nicely covered up by skin and bones.  The evil dentist thought I needed those teeth, so they "uncovered" them.  Oh my goodness!! The packing and stitches that they put in were a nightmare.  I remember sneezing and then bursting into tears because apparently there is a LOT of pressure in your mouth during a sneeze. 

So I say dental work has to hit pretty high on the pain factor scale.

2. How much sleep do you get at night?

Sleep? What's that?!?  I aim for at least 7, but my body likes 8-9.  If I go for a few days in high gear, and skimp on the sleep, I physically get sick.  I usually wake up one morning and start barfing.  I guess that's my body's way of getting my attention, since I ignore the physical exhaustion symptoms.  I make sure that I sleep in on the weekends and "catch up".

I say sleep in like it's some great and fabulous thing.  Instead of getting up at 7, I usually manage to wait until 8.  I know...let's get excited.  I want to be a dog in my next life, so I can lounge around and sleep 20 hours a day.



3. How long did you believe in Santa Claus? How did you find out that he does not exist?

WARNING: Be prepared for a rant.

This question SERIOUSLY pisses me off.  SERIOUSLY. 

Yes, Santa does exist.  Period. 

No, the one who sneaks in and fills your stockings and eats your cookies and milk, does not exist.

Santa Claus was an actual person.

Saint Nicholas of Myra is the primary inspiration for the Christian figure of Santa Claus. He was a 4th century Greek Christian bishop of Myra (now Demre) in Lycia. Nicholas was famous for his generous gifts to the poor, in particular presenting the three impoverished daughters of a pious Christian with dowries so that they would not have to become prostitutes. 
Obviously we have "marketed" Santa Claus into what he is today.  I don't believe that he comes down the chimney.

When I reached the age (not sure when) when I began to believe that Santa Claus, in fact did not exist, I remember my grandfather telling me that he did.  That in every good thing I did for someone who didn't have has much as I did, that I was doing Santa's work.  It was the first, and only time in my life, that I remember my grandfather ever mentioning God. 

There is so much around us that we can't see or touch, does that mean it doesn't exist?  We can't touch the wind or see the wind itself, but we can feel it blow our hair, and move the leaves on a tree.  Do we doubt it's existence too?  What about God?  We can't see him, or touch him, yet without a doubt in my heart he is real.

Perhaps the problem isn't that Santa doesn't exist, perhaps it's the fact that as we age, our faith becomes less childlike, that we have to rationalize everything and categorize into something for "kids" and something for adults.  Perhaps we should focus more on teaching our kids about the true meaning of Christmas, and remember Saint Nicholas' generous gifts to the pour and teach our children THAT version of Santa Claus.


4. What was the last movie you saw in a theater?

Life as We Know It.

It was a really good movie.  Funny, sad, sweet.  I wouldn't complain if I had to watch it again.  It's a good date movie, but definitely a chick flick.

5. What do you wear to bed?


Anything that you would find in a sleazy lingerie magazine.

Ok, not really.

Pajamas.  My husband is part Eskimo and likes it to be frigid in our house.  We have like 4 blankets on our bed all year long, just so I don't get frost bite.  And during the winter I make him throw another blanket on top when he gets up, otherwise I wake up freezing. 

During the summer, it's usually shorts and sleeveless shirts or tshirts and capris.  During the winter, it is pants and tshirts or on really cold nights long sleeves.  I don't like heavy pajamas, so that makes it hard.  Most of my stuff is cotton and fairly light weight and soft.  I'm big on texture.  I want soft, nothing scratchy.

I can't sleep in socks though.  I can go to bed with them on, but sometime in the middle of the night, I pull them off my feet using the toes on my other foot.  Once my feet start to get hot, the socks have to come off, or it wakes me up.  Weird I know.

Veteran's Day

Today, please take a moment to stop and honor our veterans, both retired and current military personnel. 

They make so many sacrifices so that you can read this blog, so that I can write this blog without fear of persecution, so that you can drive to Starbucks for your overpriced cup of coffee without fear of people shooting at you.

They sacrifice their time, their own safety and their lives, so that you don't have to.

Thank a veteran.

Then turn around and thank their family.

~God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today.  Have you used one to say "thank you"? -William A. Ward

~It is easy to take liberty for granted, when you have never had it taken from you.  -Author unknown

Cold Medicine - The Legal Drug

WARNING: Read at your own risk. I have taken large quantities of "day" cold medicine that is not supposed to make you drowsy or goofy, and apparently they lie.

But writing a blog post sure beats writing a paper on ethics. Especially if you don't have many. Papers that is, not ethics. I'm pretty sure I have ethics, but the cold medicine is making me do weird things, so I can't really vouch for anything right now. Except that I'm still sarcastic, apparently you can't get rid of that.

I'm typically not much of a procrastinator, and I'm really not procrastinating on homework, it's not due until Thursday. So you can tell me I'm procrastinating. Well, you can, but I'm not listening.

Cooking dinner. I get in the mood to cook, which I told my husband the other day was kinda like sex (sorry mom). Sometimes you are in the mood, and sometimes you aren't. When I'm in the mood, I could cook all sorts of stuff, but when I'm not in the mood, making a sandwich is too much cooking for me. Anybody else out there feel like that?

Why do people think if it's alive you can eat it? Snails? Frog? Eel? Octopus? What happened to just sticking with farm animals. If you can't find it in Old McDonald's song, then you probably shouldn't eat it. And a few things like the kitty, and puppy that you shouldn't eat that are in the song. Hmmm...that just took an intersting turn, and reminds me about Chinese food.

Why are there black and blue berries, but Strawberries and Raspberries are not named after colors? We could do red berries and fushia berries. Why are strawberries and raspberries so special that they aren't color named?

See, I'm telling you that cold medicine makes you crazy.  Please don't point out that I'm like this all the time.  You can keep that little tidbit to yourself.

Wordless Wednesday

These are pictures of the deer blind that my granddad built.  Everything was custom made.  The little flaps are the windows, but he has them covered to help prevent scratching and etching with the dirt blows.  The outside opens, as well as the inside.

The door and back or front side, depending on your perspective.

This is the back or front, once again, depending on your perspective.  He actually made two of these, one that is raised up, so that you can see over taller brush, and the other sits on the ground.  My husband and I are going to go out and "sit" in them and watch and hope we can see a deer or 2.  I'll make sure to take my camera and not just a cell phone.

Teamwork

This week I have been busy working on a powerpoint presentation for my Environmental Science class. Can we say YUCK?

With fall quickly approaching, (how did that happen) I have heard the F word a lot. With school starting back and Septemeber beginning it was just unavoidable. You know the F word I'm talking about, the one that renders grown men, and some women to scream at perfectly deaf TV's and referree's about their incompetence. Yeah that F word. Football. Which leads to the T word. Teamwork.

I'm not a football fan, I'm not much of a sports of any kind fan. I will watch football and baseball. But I'm so much better at doing it in person than on TV. You put the TV on football or baseball, and my brain things it's just been given high doses of sleeping pills, because TV sports = naptime. There are weird people walking around at actual sporting events, so I have someone to make fun of when I get bored. It works out pretty good.

This week, in my Environmental Science class I am working on a presentation that is due next week. Our instructor keeps using that T word. How we should all form a team and work together to save the planet; while he probably has a point, I don't think that you can make a team, well work.

I think my husband and I are the perfect example of teamwork. He doesn't have problems, WE have problems. All the good and the bad we share equally. If I have a bad day, he had a bad day too. He lets me vent and sympathizes, offers his opinion, and then we move on.  I do the same for him. 

Like a sport's team, we can't make it through with our marriage intact if we don't work together, as a team.  Sure, we fight and we get mad at each other. But we both know that when it comes right down to it, the other one will be there to help us score the winning goal.

Public Service Announcement

Please stay tuned for a very special Public Service Announcement.

I have a question that I would really like an answer to.  I have, much to the embarrassment of all of the men I know, asked them each this question.  There responses, once they got over the shock, and they just wanted me to shut up, finally answered.

Here is what started this post -

I was driving home from work a few days ago, as I turned the corner I was driving towards a young man, who I guessed to be between 18-23 in age.  He was adjusting, scratching, playing, checking to make sure it hadn't rotten and fallen off his crotch area.  (I'm really hoping that you are getting the picture and don't need more details of the area than crotch.)

After the polling of the unfortunate men in my life, who know avoid looking me in the eyes, the big mystery of the crotch touching disease is.

itching and adjusting

Guess what boys, sometimes my butt itches, but I don't scratch it in public.  Sometimes my bra pokes in a place it shouldn't and I don't fondle them in public either.  Although I'm sure no man would complain.

It's not cute.  It's not appropriate. 

Next time you shake someones hand, think about this little tidbit -

That hand could have just been down their pants "adjusting and or itching" before it was touching your hand. 

Perhaps a good scrubbing and some lotion would help your itchy situation too.

This Public Service Announcement brought to you by Abby Normal. 

5 Question Friday

1. If you could have any talent and turn it into an occupation, what would it be?


Hmmm...this one is a sooo tough.  Let me see, (please note the large amounts of sarcasm).

I would have to say this little blog.  It would be nice to have a following and groupies!  Groupies are so cool.  They know where you live and they follow you around all the time...wait...do dogs count as groupies?  Because mine totally follow me everywhere, they won't even let me pee in peace.

Yeah, I would make this blog famous, so I could be cool.  Or maybe I need to be cool to make this blog famous.

Interesting.



2. Would you rather have a house at the beach or a cabin in the woods?

Definitely the beach.  But beaches have hurricanes.

So maybe the cabin. 

But cabins come with bears, and no internet, and ghosts, and sketchy electricity.  So maybe the beach.

Hurricanes only help you remodel.  It's definitely better than being eaten by a bear.  Sharks wouldn't be a problem, I'm not going into water that I can't see the bottom of, and I'm pretty sure that one won't wander up and knock on my door asking for directions.



3. Is there any meaning or reasoning for the names you chose for your child/children?

Well since I don't have "people" children, let's go with the furry children.

Prancer - we got him as a puppy.  He was a birthday present from my husband.  He was a tiny little white fur-ball.  Yet, he pranced, just like a horse prances.  He raised his front feet up so elegantly.  Thus prancer was born, yet, like a human baby he has a nickname, and we often call him "nana". 

Blaze - we got her as a puppy also.  She was supposed to be more my grandfather's dog, but my husband wanted a dog who was "his".  My entire life my grandfather renamed pets for me.  I would chose a name, and he would come along and redo it.  There were only two dogs, whose name remained unchanged, Ewwie who was an Australian Shepherd, and Poodle who was a German Shepherd.  I don't remember what Blaze was supposed to be.  Her nickname (we weren't real creative) Blazey girl.  I had a friend who called her and Prancer - Salt and Paprika.

Bailey - the boxer that we rescued.  We were the least creative with him.  I googled cool dog names.  Thus Bailey became.  I liked the meaning, which now I don't remember.  I've done a lot of homework since then.



4. What is your guilty pleasure? (I know we've done this one before, but I'm guessing people's "guilty pleasures" change frequently. At least, mine do!)

Hmmm.  I really don't feel like I have a "guilty" pleasure.  I guess the only one that makes me feel guilty is the cross stitch and crocheting.  They are both expensive little hobbies, and they take up quite a bit of time and space.

Although my husband has never complained.  As long as I'm happy, he is happy.  Plus he benefits from both, so he knows better than to piss me off.  Otherwise his eagles might disappear.



5. Do you live in a house that is deep cleaned or straightened?

D-All of the above.

I used to deep clean twice a year and then "regular" clean once a week.  Back in the good ole days when it was just John, me, and our puppies, our house was always neat and clean.  I wasn't embarrassed if company showed up unexpectedly. 

Now that we live with John's grandfather, things are different, and I hate it.  His grandfather sees me as a maid.  I should be at home keeping up the house instead of working.  He has the barefoot and pregnant mentality.  So he comes along and spills things, and makes messes, and expects that I clean it up with no complaint. 

I was born in 1979.  You have two perfectly good arms and legs, you made a mess, you unmake it.  I have had this conversation with my husband before we got married, that I wasn't a maid.  Thankfully, my husband is wonderful, he helps clean and doesn't mind. 

But for someone, whose a little neurotic, the "mess" (and yes, there are.  Think about 2 dogs (not mine, but the grandfather's) who believe that the living room is their personal toilet.  Think about grumpy old man, expecting me to clean up.  Think about me, not being a maid, and imagine). 

It ain't pretty.

I like clean.  I like neat.  I hate going to my in-laws and sorry mom, even my parents house.  The mess makes me want to clean, and I usually leave both houses with a headache, because I am sitting there stressing about the mess.
 
Thanks Mama for letting me participate! 

Life Trucks On

Well, I would love to have something funny, mildly hilarious, or even slightly thought provoking for you today.  But instead my brain is swimming around with carbohydrates. 

Thanks homework for sabotaging my life, and apparently this blog post too.

How about a few updates then?  It's better than something crazy that I might come up with instead.

-John's grandfather is trucking along.  After more testing he has cancer on a lung as well as his liver.  He has began chemo treatments and seems to be handling them well.  He will continue those for a few weeks before he has more scans and tests to see how the cancer is reacting.

-Bailey.  The boxer that we rescued.  He is still living with us.  A part of us wants to keep him, and a part of us wants to see him go to a home that doesn't have another little mean dog like Blaze.  They get along fine, when no one is looking.  If Blaze catches you looking those kisses that she was just giving him turns into snarls and growls. 

-I still haven't heard anything on my application yet.  They have had it since Monday, surely they have read it and realize how wonderful I am, and they want me to join their campus.  Plus, they could sure use the money.

-I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving, mostly for the days off work.  I'm tired of homework and work.  I just have a case of the blah's.  I would wish for excitement, but it usually isn't the kind that I want.  So we will keep the blah's, thankyouverymuch!

-I'm still not finished with Christmas shopping.  However, I am finishing off my grandfather's gifts this weekend.  Amazingly so I only have 6 people left, and a couple of "extras" in case someone else should pop up that I'm not prepared for.  So, it's not quite as bad as it seems.  Plus, based on circumstances that my niece and nephew are currently facing, I would like to do a little more for them than I have done.

-Debbie and her husband are getting a divorce.  I'm sad for them, and their children.  I'm also thankful that I'm married to a good man, and that after almost 11 years we still have a good, solid relationship.  I'm sad that one or both, depends on who you talk to, had done childish things to "hurt" the other person.  They are forgetting that there are two children whose lives will be forever changed and impacted by the decisions that they make, and by how "adult" like their parents act.

-I've been cooking new recipes again.  I have been taking pictures of the final results.  But not step by step pictures.  Mostly because some of this cooking is taking place at night, and I don't want the pictures coming out "yellow" because I'm not using natural light.  Although twice this week, I took the pictures outside before it got dark. 

-Well, now that I'm not thinking about carbohydrates and the retarded presentation that I have to work on this afternoon, I think I'll go fix my lunch and hope that this afternoon is interruption light, because I have to do my homework and my husbands.

-I'm going to be participating in some other blogs "theme days" for a while.  I'm just so overwhelmed with work and school, that without a little guidance, you will be lucky to get monthly posts.  Look for the first one tomorrow!

~Life is not the way it's supposed to be.  It's the way it is.  The way you cope with it is what makes a difference.  ~Edna Ellison

Terrifying Tuesday

Well, my Tuesday didn't start out exactly like I had expected.

I woke up at 6:12 this morning when the electricity went out.  Our bedroom was eerily quiet, and a passing ambulance was louder than usual.

I knew that my husband had not been up for long, but I wasn't worried about him, he is a man, he can take care of himself in the dark.

My bladder screamed that I get up and make a trip to the bathroom.  Because our landlord pays our electricity, and he is notorious for "forgetting" to pay the bill, I looked outside, trying to determine if the power outage was just our house or the surrounding area. 

I lit a candle, while doing the "pee-pee" dance.  How I didn't manage to burn my fingers, clothes, dog, other parts of my body, and dresser is beyond me.  I walk into the bathroom, and there is my husband.  Taking a shower in complete darkness. 

Um, ok. 

So I went back to bed.  I'm laying there, hoping that the electricity comes back on, because how in the world am I going to put makeup on in the dark?

My husband calls the power company to report the outage, and here is were the hilarity begins.

"Power Company.  Are you calling to report the outage?"
"Nope, I just like to call businesses at random early in the morning to see what kind of words of wisdom they can give me before I start my day,"  my husband says.

Good thing I went to the bathroom with a candle, otherwise I might have wet the bed from laughter. 

To bad, that's what he thought about saying after he hung up. 

I guess he didn't want to piss off the people who held our electrical destiny in their hand. 

Maybe it's a good thing that he isn't a pathological smart-ass.  Although, it would have been fun to have put my makeup on by candle light. 

It's probably a good thing he called and not me.  Otherwise I might not have gotten power back until sometime next week.

Today, will live on forever as the day the power went out.