Little twig, big problems

Here it is folks...the story of a tree. Look at this little, innocent branch. It doesn't look like much. But wait, what's that dark spot? That's where it caught fire. Obviously not a big fire, so how much trouble could it cause?

First the fire truck came...

Then the neighbor kids showed up to watch...

Then the fireman put up a nice yellow caution tape around the tree (to keep the kids out)...

And then came the tree trimmer. Doesn't look too bad, does it?
Wait, there's the rest of the tree (acutally, that's the chipper...and more neighbors)
Then Matt grabbed is safety glasses and ear protection and he joined in on the fun...

This is what was originally left...about 1/3 of the tree gone. But then we got the call that the tree would just continue to be a problem. So...
Ta-da! Look - there's a house back there! And a window...do you see that window?
Midgie sees it now. All of that warm sunlight gives her a nice new place to warm up on a brisk 70 degree July day.
And that's the story of my tree. The wood should be gone soon, as the neighbors want to burn it in their stove. Then I'll have a nice clean yard.

The end.

In honor of my home...

...here's to the cherry capitol of the world! (But exercise caution...too many cherries give you cherry-tummy, and that can be uncomfortable to people around you).

Keep Your Yucky Tomato-Brains

I want to be healthy, I really do, but I can't stand tomato-brains.

You know what they are, I know you do. Every time you bite into a cherry tomato and the soggy skull pops and spills the slimy, gooey brains onto your tongue. Yuck! There has got to be a better way!

So I tried the Roma tomatoes. They're too big to pop in one bite, so I sliced one up and jabbed it with a fork. The rind stuck, but not those little seeds. Those gelatinous tomato fetuses, sliding all over the place, wrapped in a red amniotic fluid. Tiny tomato babies, never to be born.

Tomatoes have got to be the world's grossest food. It's either brains or babies - how can that be healthy?? I'm not sure, but with some salt and a clothes pin I can manage to eat the oyster wannabe. Ick.

In defense of, well...me

I'm just putting it out there so you can't blame me.

A week ago this HUGE branch on the tree in front of our house cracked away from the trunk (for further details please read the "Hammock" post). The branch will eventually need to come down, but we don't have the time right now. Matt is working 70 hrs/wk and I'm not comfortable enough with the chainsaw to start whacking away at it.

In the meantime the highest portion of the branch is leaning against the wires outside (I assume they are electrical). And I do mean they are leaning. You can see the strain on the wires. I called Consumers and let them know. I called them Wednesday. They said someone would be out in 24-36 hours. The branch is still pressing on the wires.

So I just want to let you know that I did my part. If we get a storm and the branch falls and the power goes out, not my fault. If the wind blows and a live wire falls to the ground in the midst of this highly child-populated neighborhood, I'm not to blame. I did what I could.

I have to admit that I'm not a fan of the reactive attitude of people these days. Here's a chance to be proactive and prevent a mess from happening. Sigh. I guess it doesn't really matter until someone is inconvenienced or hurt. Bummer.

Yahoo! and the American Dental Association

Is it just me, or does anyone else here have to look at nasty ads for teeth whiteners on their Yahoo! email page? It's gross!!

Day after day I log into my writing account and ICK! Close-ups of people's mouths - sick.

There has got to be a better way to advertise teeth whitening systems. In the meantime, Yahoo! will hear from me. My stomach can only handle so much.

"By Darkness Hid" by Jill Williamson

A while ago I volunteered to be an "influencer" on Jill's book "By Darkness Hid". I had forgotten about it until the book arrived in the mail. Then I dawdled because I was in a chick-lit mood and wasn't ready to jump into speculative fiction (you never know how well someone will describe their worlds, and sometimes it just gets confusing).

I'M GLAD I FINALLY PICKED IT UP!

I loved Jill's book! Here's the blurb I've been posting around the net:

"This is a fabulous speculative fiction book. Williamson quickly pulls the reader into her world and into the lives of Achan and Vrell. Though the characters are young (teens) and the setting is unfamiliar (Er'Rets), Williamson's creativity and style so fully captivate the reader that you forget any preconceived idea's about "fantasy" or "young adult" literature. Instead, you find yourself wrapped up in the lives of Achan and Vrell, afraid for, crying with, and cheering for them along the way."

If you've ever considered picking up a spec-fic book (especially if you have a young one who likes Harry Potter) give this a whirl. Not only is it fun and compelling, but Jill weaves Christian faith into the plot (she says it shows up more in the latter books of the trilogy, but you get a glimpse of it now).

You can read more about Jill here, and you can check out her publisher, Marcher Lord Press, here.

Enjoy!

I'm a sissy, I know it.

My house is constantly crawling with spiders (ick!). I'm not a fan. But this morning was really gross. This one spider was hanging out with a little sack...balled up bug? Pack of eggs?

Ick, ook, and double yuck!!

I grabbed a big paper towel and gardening gloves. Yes, I wore gardening gloves to kill a Daddy Long Legs. (gag) I'm a sissy. I'm okay with that.

My poor, poor hammock

After only one full summer of suspended slumber I am sad to announce that my hammock tree cracked. Literally. The big branch that held the ropes? Apparently the wind, rain, and gravity proved too much and that sucker cracked at the joint where it connects to the trunk!

It's sad, yes, but it's also a new burden. Upon closer inspection it looks like some of the branches are now resting on the utility lines - yikes! It should be okay for now, but we might be getting a storm this weekend. It's bad enough when the rains come in and knock out your power, but I might freak out if I lost power because there were live wires hopping around in my front yard.

So tomorrow I'm calling the electric company (I'm assuming those are their lines). I'm not sure about the gray lines, though. Anyone know who those belong to? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

It was a good hammock branch. I'll miss it. Matt's trying to find me another branch that might work. We'll have to see about that. I'm not entirely convinced just yet.

Even though this is a sad day it could have been worse - I could have lost the branch that holds up my redneck clothes line. Now that would be a truly sad day.

My Hubby, My Hero

(DISCLAIMER: This is not intended to rag on Matt's employer. We love them and all that they've provided for us. We recognize what a blessing they are - yeah, American Waste!)

Despite the craziness of the job market Matt works for a growing company. They aren't without problems, however.

Matt works for a garbage company - when it comes to paying monthly bills a lot of people are choosing to ignore the garbage bill (let's face it - the electricity is much more important than having you trash collected). Between that and the gas prices (last summer really hurt them) the company isn't making a whole lot of extra money, even though they're gaining new customers each month.

Even though things aren't going perfectly, the owners are taking care of their employees: no lay-offs. Instead they're cutting as much as they can to make it possible to keep everyone working (and paid!).

Remember when I said the company is growing? Well, it's not just growing - it's multiplying. Matt works at the recycle center (where they sort and bale recyclables to ship out to recycling companies). The building was built with the idea that they would produce "X" amount of bales to ship out each year. But with the new green movement, the fact that free recycling bins help cut garbage costs for individuals, and the company continually buying out/picking up new business each month the original estimate is kinda of low. In fact, if I heard Matt correctly, they now bale/ship FOUR TIMES the original "X" amount of bales!

What does this mean for Matt? When he started there in 2006 he worked 45-55 hour weeks during the summer (the busy season). In 2007 it was 50-60 hours. Last year he was recovering from surgery and was only allowed to work up to 50 hours, but the other guys ran a consistent 60 with a few weeks over that. And this summer? I think the last six weeks Matt has put in 70 hours per week. SEVENTY!

The hardest thing about his schedule is what it does to his social life. He has to get up at 4:15 every morning so Matt has to choose: friends or sleep. When he was fighting the cancer it was no question - sleep always won. Not so much anymore.

I know it's not easy for him. I know he's tired, which makes him crabby. And then he misses events which makes him crabbier still. It's a no-win right now. I've tried to be patient and as helpful as possible because I know this is hard for him. At least, I thought I knew how hard it was for him. I didn't really. Not until this morning.

Last night Matt wanted to sacrifice the sleep to hangout with friends and watch a baseball game (we had free tickets). No problem. We did. And then this morning I drove him to work so that I can pick him after and drive straight to my parents'. By the time we got home and got to bed it was 11:30 last night. The alarm went of at 3:50 this morning (they started work early).

Matt dressed, got some breakfast, and headed out. I struggled. My eyes burned. My lids drooped. Nothing in my brain wanted to get up. I couldn't wait to get home and crawl back into bed.

Then it hit me...Matt does this six days a week.

There are a few nights when he's lucky enough to get seven hours of sleep (eight hours every couple of weeks) but most nights he catches five to six hours. Then he works 10-12 hour days of physical, dirty labor.

I got to come back home and go to sleep...Matt never has that option. He gets up and goes to work so we can eat...so we can buy a house...so we can live debt free. Sometimes he complains about it, but not often. He just does what he has to do: he provides for our household, regardless of how much sleep he gets.

I couldn't do that. I wouldn't even want to try. This morning I got the faintest glimpse of what Matt sacrifices for us. I am in awe of him, and so proud of what he does. He's my hero.

Thank you Captain Obvious

This whole "learning-to-be-a-writer" thing has ruined books and magazines for me. I see and read everything differently. And I notice the stupid things that people print on magazine covers:

"Kate's Private Hell": Um...how can anything be 'private' if it's a headline?

(Commenting on her divorce) "I Feel Like I Failed": Um...you're getting a divorce. Marriage? Failed!

There were a few others today (as I waited in line at Meijer...forever) but those are the two that jumped out. I might not have noticed them a month ago...now my brain has been branded.

Good-bye Winter Blues

Finally, finally it's summer!

The thermometer has pushed past 70 degrees. The sun shines. The breeze keeps perspiration at bay. And I can finally pack up my hats and boots.

This past summer nearly killed me. Not physically, but emotionally and mentally. I don't think it's typical for husbands to hug their wives and TELL THEM to leave the state. I was so miserable that I could stop crying, which made me angry, which made me yell, which led to more crying...I was a wreck.

Thank God for sisters with frequent flyer miles.

But now, finally I'm comfortable in flip-flops! I'm wearing a sundress! I can leave the house with less than four layers of clothing and not worry about my hands freezing to the steering wheel - woo hoo!!

I've waited five longs months for this day.

And now that it's here, I'm stuck at my computer?? I don't think so! I have a few more things to type up, but then I'm outta here!! I've got a back full of books and a bottle of water...there's a beach with my name on it folks!

Happy, happy summer!!!!

The Newest Addiction

Canada Dry Ginger Ale with Green Tea - whew!

My sister picked some of this up on sale the when I was visiting. It didn't last long. It's not too sweet and the tea gives it a truly refreshing zing. Ah!

I've been telling Matt about it for a while and it was finally on sale today! We bought a 5 qt. pail of vanilla ice cream last week for root beer floats and he decided today to buy some ginger ale for floats too. I convinced him to pick up some with green tea and we went home. He had a ginger ale float. I had a baby one with green tea (4 oz, tops).

Fast forward five hours and I returned from the baseball game. I'm running around the kitchen and pick up the two liters to move them. Over HALF of the GA with GT is gone!! I looked a Matt.

His eyes turned into saucers. "I think you're gonna need to buy some more of that this week."

Another convert.

On a similar (but different) note, we also tried the Pepsi Throwback - made with sugar (not high fructose corn syrup). Another round of thumbs up. Once again, it's not as sweet at the regular Pepsi. Granted we don't drink a whole lot of soda anyway, but when we do Matt and I usually have to split a can (yes, a can) because it's too sweet to handle.

So there you have it folks: two sweet, but not too sweet, soda alternatives.

Enjoy!

Civic Duty Served

Hey y'all! I'm back from the court house. What an interesting couple of days!

I didn't really want to be on the jury. Who wants to say 'yes, you're guilty' or 'sorry, this isn't the person who violated you, please try again'? Okay, fine...it didn't really bother me to say that. But it is intimidating to know that you will directly effect someone's future. I mean, what if both sides presented their cases and I still didn't know? What if I was the person who hung the jury? That's a lot of pressure.

On the other side of the coin, however, was my desire to know how it really works. To read most of my observations, please go here. Most of my curiosity stems from being a writer and wanted to someday be able to accurately represent what happens in a court room. Let's be honest, we know that TV shows are just that - they're shows. But even though we know real people don't look like those actors, and even though we know the actors have scripts are are performing, people still believe a court runs like Law & Order and we get evidence the way they do on CSI.

Sorry folks. Didn't happen.

But I like knowing that! I like knowing that someday I can write a story about a young court reporter who falls in love with the handsome court officer (no bailiff), or catches the eye of Juror #8 (in the front row). I like knowing that I can tell the story of the cramped jury room with the tall windows and gourmet donuts (Potters...yummy). I have a whole new arsenal of info here, folks!

And most importantly I played my part. Though I try to be sympathetic to most people (I'm not always good at that), I have no place for uninvolved whiners who complain without ever taking action (if you didn't vote, I'm pointing at you). Now I could have come up with excuses to get off the jury. I could have said any number of true things that might have dismissed me (I'm a Christian), but I also could have lied. Certain things would have gotten me booted. But would I want that on a jury if I ever had to go to trial? Would I want to know that an intelligent, educated, mostly-sane (though overly dramatic) woman just didn't want to be bothered? That's not really fair to the defendant or the plaintiff, so I stuck it out.

I'm not sure how long my name stays in the pool now. And I'm not sure what this means for my future. You see my hubby has never even received the questionnaire to fill out, and I've gotten it four times since I turned eighteen. And then our jury consisted of two people who had already each served on two juries - this was their third! Kinda seems like someone people get it and others don't.

Shrug. That's okay with me. I'd rather go and let my sugar daddy take care of the bacon for me. I can take the time off (oh wait! I'm on summer vaca...that's right).

Okay, I've rambled enough.

In case any of you are curious we had to decide two matters: Utter & Publishing and Larceny in a Building. We found her guilty on the U&P and not guilty on the larceny.

Dude...I'm famous!

Check me out here.

I look good in green, dontcha think?

The Golden Child

There is a benefit to being the only VB daughter still within driving distance of my parents. I got to go to my dad's retirement party this week. Apparently everyone was completely fascinated by me and my hubby - they couldn't wait to tell my parents.

Although, it's not TOO surprising. I mean, I did tell everyone that Cam and Shell weren't there because they don't love my dad as much as I do. Do you think that mattered? ;)

Does being young make you better?

Okay, there's a 66 year-old pregnant woman. There's controversy. She's too old. She can't do it. Blah, blah, blah.

Have you noticed that you're a 30-something who can't run a mile, but there are 70-somethings running 10K races?

Why is AGE the issue - it should be health! Are you HEALTHY enough to have children. It angers me that a 20 year-old who eats Doritos and drinks Mountain Dew can have a baby because she's young enough, but if a 60 year-old who exercises, eats well, and is financially secure gets pregnant SHE'S the irresponsible one? What?!?!

Yes, that mother won't get to see her grandchildren, but she'll get to raise a child. But what about the 24 year-old single mother living on welfare and raising her three kids by three different daddies. Who's live will be better? The kid who's mom dies when he's in his early twenties, but has a good, safe home and a college education, or the kid lived in a two-bedroom apartment with his sibs, mom, and "uncles" and will have to go to work after high school because college is too expensive and he has to get job to help raise his sibs.

Yes, I used extremes here to make my point. Not ALL 60 year-old women are like that; neither are all 24 year-old mothers. But THAT is my point. You can't tell ANYTHING about a person by their age - other than when they were born.

And I'm just going to point out THIS sexual inequality - how old was Larry King when his last child was born? If we're going to tell women they can't have babies past a certain age then we damn well better give every man a vasectomy at the same time...we wouldn't want them to grow up without a father.

Let's stop being so superficial folks. Granted I don't want to have a kid when I'm that old, and I'm not really promoting or encouraging it, but just pointing out that saying you're a WOMAN and you're OLD are two really bad reasons to say you aren't qualified to have kids.

Okay, I'm done.

Bubble Butt: Take Two

I did it again...signed up for Weight Watchers. Why? Because I'm an emotional eater and I can't do this alone.

I did great last summer, then I blew it. I stopped exercising and ate whatever I wanted. Now I feel awful, I look just as bad, and I'm frustrated with myself.

Perhaps the most frustrating thing is the fact that I don't even realize what I'm eating. There are times when I KNOW I'm being bad (hello...pizza and ice cream, it doesn't take a genius). But then there are times when I don't even realize what I'm puting in my mouth. I think, "I did GREAT today", but then I think about everything that I ate: the handful of M&M's at school, the cookie from the bank, popcorn made my hubby (which was cooked in oil and covered it butter). Without even thinking about it I'm shoving that into my face.

This is a real frustration for me. I don't have energy and my clothes are tight. I'm sick of watching my waistline reflect my mood. I really can't keep this up for the rest of my life...it's too frustrating. But I also know that I can't run five times a week an hour each time because that's not realistic for me.

I don't know why I put this up here. I just did. I needed to vent. Sorry.

My Husband's New Obsession

Beer.

For most of you, this doesn't seem like a big deal, but for anyone who really knows Matt (I'm thinking Jamie here) you'll understand why this is kinda funny.

You see Matt is NOT a drinker. He didn't have the "traditional" college experience. He started his own business when he was 16 yrs. old and worked at that until he closed shop in 2005. When he has free time he grabs a backpack and tent and heads to the woods. Alcohol has never been a temptation or desire.

Then he met me.

If you knew me pre-2001, then you know I used throw down a 6-pack without blinking. Not so much anymore. However, I still enjoy adult beverages. I like to buy a bottle of wine or some beer and finish it over the course of a few months ;) I mean, really - what's a fresh grilled burger without a cold beer, right?

Now that Matt works at the recycle center he sees dozens of kinds of beer bottles/cans every day, and his curiosity is high. We've had some beer before, but usually because I pick it up for some reason. Well that has changed.

A couple of weeks ago Michelob ran a special: buy (4) 6-packs, get a $15 rebate. Matt nearly burst with excitement! We bought all four and sent in for the rebate. The NEXT WEEK he wanted to try another brand...and he's got some ideas for what else he wants to try.

Here's why this doesn't work very well: Matt is a super light-weight. Plus he's not quite used to the beer taste yet, so he drinks about 6 oz. at a time. You heard that right...if he had some beer every night it would take him almost two weeks to kill a 6-pack. And that's IF he has a beer every night...which he doesn't.

So right now I'm holding him at bay and INSISTING that we finish at least 1/2 of the beer that we have before we start getting more. He's chompin' at the bit, but still drinking vveeerrryyy slowwwwwllyyy. I'm not sure what flavor we'll try next, but at this rate we should be ready it sometime toward the end of June.

Would YOU Believe It?

Catherine Zeta-Jones wants to play Susan Boyle in a movie about Boyle's life. Yeah, cuz when I look at Zeta-Jones I think, "She knows what it's like to be under-appreciated because of her looks. SHE can relate."

[Serious eye-roll here]

K-mart, how I love thee

Two words: Double coupons.

Saving over 60% on items...stocking up...buying extras to donate. And the best part? Over $56 worth of cat food - $13. Midgie and Bucket are happy kitties :)

Too Many Stupid People

I've been reading about illegal guns to/from Mexico. Miss California/Perez Hilton. American Idol. The housing market.

In the past few months I've been making a lot of comments about the things going on in our country, but I've decided to stop. Why?

Because there are too many stupid people getting too much attention.

I'd have to devote my LIFE to sitting here responding to them all. I can't keep up. And if I can't comment on everything I don't want to just comment on a few things. The fact of the matter is that I care about EVERYTHING that happens in my country, but trying to be a voice of reason amongst the hip/cool/stupid is too time consuming. I'd rather enjoy my life then spend it hating and slandering others.

Besides, there's only so much I can do. Being frustrated with that won't help. Doing what I can and then moving on...that's the best I can do.

The days are coming when it will get worse. I'm not being a gloom/doom gal, just pointing out what most Christians should have a suspicion of. Don't get me wrong - I am NOT trying to prophesy or anticipate any coming day or event. I'm just stating a fact - things will get worse until they get horrid. And then...it'll be heaven :)

In the meantime I'll briefly step into the choleric shoes that I infrequently wear and get it all off my chest:

DO YOU REALLY THINK I'M THAT STUPID? I KNOW THAT -4+-4 DOES NOT EQUAL 8, SO DON'T TRY TO TELL ME DEBIT WILL MAKE ME RICH!

DISAGREEING WITH YOUR OPINION DOES NOT MEAN I AM SCARED OR HATE WHAT YOU LIKE - IT JUST MEANS I DISAGREE WITH YOU!

GO AHEAD AND SWEAR - PEOPLE USE SWEAR WORDS BECAUSE THEY'RE TOO STUPID TO USE A DICTIONARY AND FIND A REAL WORD.

I DON'T THINK YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO TELL ME WHAT TO THINK JUST BECAUSE YOU WERE IN A MOVIE! THAT DOESN'T MAKE YOU ANY SMARTER THAN LASSIE!

JUST BECAUSE MY OPINION IS DIFFERENT THAT YOURS DOESN'T MAKE ME AN EXTREMIST! ACTUALLY, THE FACT THAT YOU'D CALL ME AN EXTREMIST JUST BECAUSE WE DISAGREE MAKES YOU THE EXTREMIST...NOT ME!

Is there anything else? Any other recent hot topic that I didn't mention? Oh, yeah...

CFL'S SUCK! WHY ARE WE IN SUCH A HURRY TO PUT TOXIC SUBSTANCES IN ALL OF OUR HOMES?? I'D LIKE TO KNOW HOW MANY CONGRESSMEN OWN STOCK IN PHARMACEUTICALS...THAT MIGHT EXPLAIN IT.

Okay, I'm done now. No more political comments. They tire me.

I need donuts...

I got it! Check it out...

...I finally have a theme for my writing blog!

I know, I know...it sounds like it already has a theme (uh...writing), but that is VERY vague. I was never sure if I should offer helpful hints, questions, problems, ideas, samples...there's just SO much involved that I was never sure where to go.

Now I have it.

My writing blog is going to be my on-line journal capturing the madness of my attempt to get a novel published. It could go on for years. Or I could get lucky and end it in 12 months. adkvnowvnovnwejvno (Sorry, I was laughing so hard that I just kind of fell on the keys).

Anyway - that's the plan!

To know how I feel, what I'm thinking, and see how the process works, check it out :) I'd love to have you stop by...

We have BUDS!!!!

The trees are budding...THE TREES ARE BUDDING!!!

Finding Spaghetti in a Cookbook

As some of you may know, I'm a writer. Right now I do some freelance work for a small, weekly newspaper. It's not much, but it's a start.

My dream, however, is to publish novels. I've already written a few (which I'm still working on), but I want to see them in print.

As part of this journey, I started attending conferences and submitting to publishers and contests. I also do research on the various publishing houses, just so I know what people want. I mean, I don't want to waste any one's time by sending an 83,000 word novel to a publisher that only prints 10,000 non-fiction.

It was during this research that I found it - one of the most confusing titles I've ever seen: Finding God in "The Shack".

Um...are you serious?

For those of you unfamiliar with The Shack by Wm. Paul Young, it is an amazing story about God, where He is during the hard times in our lives, and His amazing love for us. It would take too long to tell you what a positive effect it had on me, but I'll say this - if you want to believe what the Bible says about God, but you struggle with understanding how there can be evil in the world, pick this up. No book can replace the Bible in it's truth and wisdom, but The Shack can help you relate to it better.

With that said, there is NOTHING about this book that makes God hard to find. The back cover tells you - Mack gets a note, apparently from God. It only takes a couple of chapters for God to appear. I don't want to give anything away, but you'd have to be BLIND to miss God in this book!

And yet some wrote a book on finding God in The Shack? And then someone published it??

What's next? Finding God in The Bible. Finding Spaghetti in a Cookbook. Finding Words in a Book.

Duh. Seriously, I want to published as much as the next person, but I have my limits. Please know that you will never find a book published by me that could have been entitled:

Captain Obvious does it again!

That's Customer Service for You

I'm not the type of person who stays quiet when things happen. If I see something I like, I make it known. When I experience something not-so-hot, I say something, usually to try to fix it. I'm a firm believer that the squeaky wheel gets the oil. Besides, if I did something for someone and they didn't like it, I'd want to know, because chances are good that I was trying to do something nice.

Have I lost you yet? Let me explain.

I've had some problems with the post office. The first was because of a postage situation. I wrote a letter explaining the situation and agreeing to pay for more postage, but the post master took care of it. My packages were mailed and I didn't have to pay extra. Three cheers for the postal dude!

That was pretty easy. This is a small community. People get to know each other, so you can talk to the post master when you need to. I like that about where I live. But what do you do when it's a bigger problem? What if it's not MY post office, but the post office in general? How do you figure out the problem?

Simple - go to the website and contact them (there's a place to express concerns).

Okay, so I'm trying to print postage for a package I want to send. I follow the procedures, but the last two times nothing happens. It just doesn't print anything. Granted I'm not charged for the lack of postage, but there's obviously something wrong. I send a message to the trouble shooters and wait.

Pop quiz: how do you get people to leave you alone? Make communication with you the most annoying thing in the world.

I got an email back from the USPS tech people. Excited, I opened it. POOF. That's the air escaping my lungs as I read the email: [paraphrased for dramatic effect]

We're sorry this isn't working, but I can't help you until you give me the following info:
- what were you trying to print?
- what kind of printer do you have?
- is it a color printer?
- what kind of computer do you have?
- what system do you use?
- how old is your system?
- are you using the factory installed drivers, or did you install your own?
- what color was your paper?
- did you plug the printer into the computer?

Seriously - they sent me about ten questions that needed to be answered about my system before they could help me. But didn't I tell them that I've been able to print postage before? This is a new development, and none of the hardware on my end has changed?

Since I pretty sure my computer ISN'T the problem, and since I'm pretty sure some geeky guy in a cubicle in Virgina doesn't care about my printing problems, I ignored it.

Then came my magazines. I only have two subscriptions. I finally got them in the mail - both of them had the backs ripped off (one had the entire back HALF ripped off). Since they came across country I contacted local and national postal people.

Local post master - concerned, caring. Spoke to me and looked into it for me.

National computer center - [again, paraphrased]

Sorry about your mail. In order to figure out what happened, please give us the following info:
- when was the magazine sent?
- where did it come from?
- how long did it take you to get it?
- what does the label say?
- what's the code on the label?
- is the label white or pink?
- was there enough postage on it?
- did you buy the magazine, or was it a gift?

Once again, I don't think they even read my message. If they did, then they missed the part where the cover was ripped off. You know, the cover - the part with the labels and postage and codes on it??

With all of this said I want to make sure you know that I'm not anti-post office. I like dealing with the locals. I know them. They understand that my two magazines are important to me. I live in TC...it's still snowing here. There's nothing else to do if you don't have your magazines.

But those folks in Virgina...they don't seem to care. And they've made their point. I won't be dealing with them anymore. I will only talk with my local post master. He gets me. He's nice. He really does care about making a good impression, because he lives here, too.

Great big national organizations - they're really losing their appeal.

March 27th, 2009

I don't really have a topic today. In fact, there's no reason at all for me to write. I just feel like it. It's been a few days since I've posted, so why not.

Spring Break started today. I know that I don't teach full-time, but I'm really looking forward to this week off. I just want to write and work on selling some more articles. I'm determined to make more money as a writer. I just need to get myself going. You know how it is, when there's SO MUCH to do that you just don't know where to start? That's how freelancing has been for me. I've been content with my two little by-lines, but they don't pay the bills...they barely pay for the postage. I need to put some time into it.

I don't have the entire break to myself, though. Tomorrow morning I'm leaving town WAY too early on a Saturday to go to Warsaw, IN for a worship concert. I'm staying the night, going to church Sunday morning, then hiking back up to Michigan.

Monday will be a fun day :) A friend of mine is starting a job as a make-up artist at a local salon. She has to go through some training and needs to bring a model. Ta-da! Karin on Spring Break = available face for make-up training. I can handle sitting around and being made pretty for an afternoon. Just hoping it include a little brow tweezing ;) hee, hee

Other than that, I can't really think of anything that I HAVE to do for the week. That works for me. I'm at the library right now and realizing how much I miss it. I really do accomplish a lot when I'm at the library. Maybe it's the no-food policy, or the shushing librarians. Whatever it is, there aren't a lot of distractions and I usually do well here.

That's pretty much it. Did I forget anything? I don't think so. Oh! Props to the older sis and b-i-l and their new pad. I'm jealous. They spent two days looking, offered, and are now closing on a condo. Matt and I started looking last spring. Oy. We don't agree on much. But that's a long story best saved for another three posts.

Okay folks - enjoy the weekend! (Gotta go pee)

I couldn't help myself...

As a registered voter and one of the millions of people who elect others to represent me in Washington D.C., I often email my reps to express my opinions on various bills/issues. Because I've done this I also get updates from time to time. I got the email today. I couldn't help it...I sent off a speedy response (posted below):

Dear Mrs. Beery:

I thought you might be interested in the speech I gave in the Senate yesterday regarding the outrageous bonuses given to executives at American International Group (AIG).As has been widely reported, AIG chose to dole out sizeable performance and retention bonuses last week to executives of the very financial services division that was responsible for creating many of the exotic securities that brought the company to its knees.

This tone-deaf decision represents not only an egregious misuse of taxpayer funds, but highlights just one of the many double standards that have been applied to companies receiving federal assistance.

It was only four months ago that our nation’s struggling domestic auto-makers asked for government loans that amount to a small fraction of the money we have given to Wall Street. Hardworking Americans, who put in an honest day’s work building automobiles, were summarily criticized for making a living wage as executives at financial services companies receiving billions of taxpayer dollars rewarded themselves with obscene bonuses.

Unlike the autoworkers, A.I.G.’s executives didn’t step up to the plate. I felt compelled to highlight this shameful double standard when I spoke yesterday on the floor of the United States Senate.You can view my full statement by clicking on the following link: [http://www.levin.senate.gov/newsroom/release.cfm?id=310035]

Sincerely,Carl Levin

Thank you for the notice about your opposition to the AIG bonuses. However, I wonder if you read the stimulus bill before you signed it. Sen. Dodd ADMITS that he wrote in a loop hole ALLOWING the execs at AIG to get bonuses.

It leaves me to believe one of two things:
1 - you didn't read the bill and are now trying to cover your butt
2 - you DID read the bill and are now being called on the carpet by the same people who didn't want you to sign the bill in the first place.

Your attempt to destroy consumer confidence in businesses is noted, but so is your irresponsible voting and bill-making.

Let's think about it...

I am truly saddened by the death of Natash Richardson. I enjoyed her work (what I've seen), but that's not what really grieves me. It's her two sons, 12 and 13 yrs. old, who will miss her. It's a sad, sad situation.

What's got me thinking, however, is the responses that I have heard, thus far, about the prevention of her death: Wear a Helmet.

Um...yeah. That might have helped. But let's consider this: You're not a doctor - go see one.

There was apparently an ambulance at the ski lodge waiting to take Richardson to the hospital. She felt fine, so she didn't want to go. Now, if it's a known fact that ski falls can result in head trauma (which is why the use of helmets is encouraged), why wouldn't you go have your head examined? While I don't know this for a fact, I feel confident in the assumption that Richardson could have afforded to go to the hospital.

The reason I bring this up is that two months ago a read an article in a women's magazine about a lady who had been in a car accident. She was sore, but thought she'd be okay. She had the insurance, but didn't want to miss work. Instead, she went about her life.

Two years later she is broke and in constant pain because of the injuries that she couldn't see that she didn't treat. She ended up missing work because she was in pain. She was gone for so many days that she lost her job.

It took her almost six weeks before she went to see her first doctor. By that time the damage was done, and some if it became permenant.

So this is what I'VE been thinking about...if you have the opportunity and the resourses SEE A DOCTOR!! I'm not sure why we as a people think we know more than doctors. Fifteen years of "ER" doesn't make up for years of medical school.

Maybe it would help to understand that by the time we feel sick, something is already wrong. A check-up can never hurt...ESPECIALLY if you have the insurance/money to get help!

That's what's going on in my head today. I'm not one to visit the doctor for every runny nose (I know how to treat that), but when someone serious happens, I have the time and resources to get a second opinion. The worst that can happen is being told you're fine. The best? Living to see another day.

Please folks...wear your helmet. And see a doctor!!

Creative Cooking

As you may know, Matt and I are really getting into cooking these days. We've even made some casseroles together (and they were yummy). Last week we made up some of our own recipes. They're a bit off kilter, but we like 'em!

While suffering uncontrollable cravings (cyclical in nature, not prenatal) I NEEDED something salty...and sweet...and chewy...and hot. I created:

WURSTLOAF (or Bratloaf)
1 lb. brats, remove casings
Oatmeal (I just dumped it in - 1/3-1/2 c. I guess)
1 egg
Brown Sugar (again, I dumped - 1/4 c?)

Mix all ingredients together. Put in a small, greased loaf pan. Bake at 350 for 40 minutes. HEAVEN!!

Later in the week we wanted popcorn. We LOVE popcorn (the real stuff, not microwave). Matt is very creative with his spices, using anything from the cabinet that suits his fancy. Last week it was taco seasoning. We had emptied a spice jar, so he cleaned it out and dumped in a few packages of taco mix. We sprinkled it on our popcorn and, VIOLA! Yumminess.

I'll let you know if any other fabulous creations leave our kitchen, but I don't guarantee they'll be "normal" :)

Burial

These things never load the way I want them to, dang it. Oh well.

Below is the video experience of my snow day. The video on the bottom goes first...then the top. (Opposite order from loading pictures, I guess)

It was a fabulous experience. I loved it. It made me tired.

Snap, Crackle, Pop - YUCK!

I finally did it - I bought a whole chicken (on sale) and cooked it. I've been out of my parents' house for nine years now...I figured it was time.

Why the wait, you ask? Because I can't STAND to eat chicken off a bone. Even as I type this entry I have goosebumps and am dry-heaving. Excuse me...

Hu-WAH!

Okay, I'm back, and I'm getting to the point.

A few months ago Matt and I bought part of a cow (fabulous!). And over the summer, Meijer has GREAT deals on frozen fish. But chicken...that fine piece of white meat stays just out of my price range. Sure, it goes on sale, but we eat it so quickly because we haven't had it in such a long time. That's because I would only buy the boneless, skinless variety. That has changed.

The local grocery chain had whole chickens on sale (not a HUGE markdown, but on sale). I decided to pick some up. As I generally don't like to hover in the kitchen, I found a nice crock pot recipe. I got all of the veggies and spices ready to go. Then I picked up the chicken. The slimy, slippery, wiggles-like-a-cold-dead-baby chicken. EH! I put it in the pot.

Several hours later - viola! A chicken. I decided to make some risotto to go with it, so I enlisted the hubby to slice the bird. Since neither of us knows how to cut a chicken, and since we don't care about presentation, I told him to just pull the thing apart and grab what he wanted.

Snap (ick), pop (ooph), crack (Ahhh!!)

He ripped the thing apart - it was great! Matt got his dark meat, I got my white meat, and the rest of the chicken was ready for sandwiches/soup/etc.

Now you know that I cooked the bird...but how did it turn out?

I served the chicken with the veggies from the pot (carrots, celery, onion) and with an alfredo risotto. I also decided to make gravy (my 2nd attempt) by pouring the chicken water into a pan and adding flour. Woo hoo!! It WORKED! (Disclaimer: I suffer from a genetic disorder that doesn't make good gravy...after the first attempt I thought it had me, but I have overcome!)

I served up the meal and am happy to report that Matt loved it SO much that he got a spoon to make sure he got all of the sauces off of the plate :)

Now that I know Matt will draw and quarter the carcass, I'm going to look for more recipes!

How Bad Is It?

[Sorry, don't know where this came from. Just wanted to put it out there.]

Our economy is in a sorry state. People can't afford to heat their homes. Children go with out medicine because it's too expensive. Families skip meals to make the foot last.

I roll my eyes.

Am I heartless? Cruel? Ignorant?

No, I'm observant.

While many struggle to pay their heating bills, they're still partying in New Orleans. They say the Mardi Gras celebration this year is as good as it's been in the past. And that kid who's parents can't afford the meds for his ADHD? Yeah...he got a Wii for Christmas. Oh, don't forget the hungry family who has to visit the food bank. They can't afford the food because they just bought a brand new flat screen TV for their bedroom.

I'm NOT making this up. I KNOW these people. This isn't some story I read on-line. I can take you through my city and show you who these people are because they've admitted it to me.

And that's why I have a problem with the blanket excuses. I understand that there are people out there who have done things right and are getting the short end of the stick. But I also saw a woman in line at Meijer the other day who was using WIC to get her groceries while she talked on her Bluetooth and looked at pictures on a cell phone that's way more expensive than mine.

I'm not about giving my money/food to an organization that will just give it to anyone who comes in with a sob story. There are people who NEED help in America...but until people disconnect their cable, take the cell phones away from the kids, and cut back the unnecessary expenses, don't come crying to me.

Do you realize that my husband had to take almost 10 months off of work? On top of that, we had his medical bills (most of which were covered by insurance, thankfully). But that left us tight. How did we do it?

I cut coupons and use them on sale merchandise (my average payment, not counting produce, is 45% off the regular price...EVERY TIME I grocery shop!). I moved out of my parents' house eight years ago...I had cable for about six months when my roommate ordered it. I've never paid for it, and I don't miss it. I used the internet at the library (we just got our own a few months ago). I collect popcans. If I DO go the movies, I go to matinees on Tuesday, when the popcorn is $0.50 a bucket. I only eat out if I have a BOGO coupon...and I fill up on the salad, bring everything else home, and give the leftovers to my husband for lunches for a week. I've never paid more than $0.99 for my phone (whenever I renew my contract).

With that said, if things got worse for us, I can still cut costs. We can get rid of the cell phones and put in a land line; get rid of the internet (the library still works); we can get sell our cars for older ones, or drop the coverage to the basic. We STILL have options to make it work.

And that's why I don't donate my groceries or my food to generic organizations anymore. There are too many entitled people out there. Too many uneducated, untrained, unwilling to sacrifice people who think they deserve the same life-style as those people who gave up the time and money to earn a degree or get the training needed to make a career and provide for themselves.

So what about those people who DO need the help? The ones who lost their jobs, got sick without insurance, and are scraping by with barely anything? I'm happy to help...I'm happy to give what I can to help how I can.

Some people really are doing everything right and it's just not working. It's time to stop assuming that everyone who says they "need" falls into that category. There's a difference between 'need' and 'want'. If we can figure that out, we'll do alright.

House Sitting - Good for the House Hunt

For two weeks I'll be house sitting for friends of mine. I've been here for a few days, and it's nice. Sort of. It's been an eye opener, that's for sure. I also think it'll help me when Matt and I start looking for a house. Here's why...

I used to want to live in town. I mean, now nice to live within walking distance of the library and grocery story, plus the gym, animal feed, and gun supplies! Okay, so I wouldn't need ALL of it, but the thought was nice. But then you have neighbors...close neighbors. And traffic. And noise.

I like where I live now - I'm about 15 minutes from TC, so I'm not by all of the shopping (and the people) but I can still walk to the grocery store and Kmart. Between the two, I can usually find whatever I need. There are a few other houses around and I know my neighbors, but there's not the traffic and flow of strangers zooming by. I really like it. That made me think that I wanted to live in the country. I'd like to have a few acres (my goal is to have a veggie garden!) and some space, but still be a close enough drive to TC for my needs.

I am currently house sitting in the country. I'm about 20 min. from TC (which seemed okay for a while). It's a big, warm house with lots of comfy couches and very few distractions to keep me from my writing [to check up on that, visit here]. It was fun...for about four hours. After the honeymoon phase I started to understand what it REALLY is that I want.

A small town.

I'm not looking for a nice country setting (trust me - the place that I'm at is about as nice as it gets) because it's too isolated for me. I'm sure its nice for the people who live here - it's a family of five and the kids are home schooled, so no one is home alone all day. But for me? When I focus more on my writing, I'm going to be home a LOT...by myself...all day. It's only taken me one day to figure out that I'll go stir-crazy!

But not in a small town. Even though I currently live in a small subdivision, it really is its own little community. I can be home by myself all day, but I don't feel alone. I watch people walk/run/bike by my house. I can skip up to the store and grab a few things, just to get out of the house and breathe for a minute. I can be "alone" without being COMPLETELY alone.

Does that make sense? Maybe not, but it does to me. I need people! Not a lot (too many and I get jittery), but I need someone.

And so now I have a better idea of what to look for, what I personally need in a house. Now I just hope Matt feels the same way :)

32 Things About Us

This is kind of like the 25 things-except there are pre-decided questions and it's about you and your spouse, not just you. Come on, play along - inquiring minds want to know! :-)

1. What are your middle names?
Verner and Victoria

2. How long have you been together?
We met March 2005 - almost 4 years!

3. How long did you know each other before you started dating?
Matt wouldn't call it "dating" for about a month (but we dated from March 2005)

4. Who asked who out?
Matt pursued me actively

5. How old are each of you?
I'm 31...he's 30.

6. Who's the funny one?
Publicly - I am. Privately - he cracks me up!

7. Do you have any children together?
Ah, no

8. What about pets?
Our first baby was Roo (gone since Oct. 2006). Now we have Bucket and Midgie, our black and white cats.

9. Which situation is the hardest on you as a couple?
Dealing with stuff (actual, physical stuff - books, tools, toys - we have a lot of it)

10. Did you go to the same school?
Nope

11. Are you from the same home town?
Nope

12. Who is the smartest?
I can be taught anything; Matt can teach himself anything (that makes me jealous)

13. Who is the most sensitive?
He is

14. Where do you eat out most as a couple?
I like to keep things different, but we eat at North Peak a lot.

15. Where is the furthest you two have traveled together as a couple?
Las Vegas

16. What do you do on favorite date nights?
Let someone else cook, hang out at Borders, then cuddle up at home

17. Who has the worst temper?
Um, me

18. Who does the cooking?
Um, me - but it's Matt's new passion! Hopefully he'll have the time to cook!

19. Who is the more social?
Me!!

20. Who is the neat-freak?
I am by NO means a neat-freak, but compared to Matt I am.

21. Who is the more stubborn?
I am

22. Who hogs the bed?
The cats. How can something so little require SO much space!

23. Who wakes up earlier?
Naturally - me. For work - Matt (4:30 in the summer!! Shoot me!)

24. Where was your first date?
Officially?? I don't know. Our first time hanging out was at Tim & Nancy's house watching MSU in the Final 4 with our friend Jess.

25.Who usually drives when you are out together?
I hate to drive. When Matt was too sick to go to my high school reunion, I gave Shaina gas money to drive me. I only drive Matt to the hospital (and those days are over!)

26. Do you get flowers often?
Nah. I'd rather have the money for something else.

27. How do you spend the holidays?
In Scottville or Traverse City: crazy-busy in Scottville, and laid-back in TC

28. Who is more jealous?
Don't know.

29. How long did it take to get serious?
We had the RDT (relationship defining talk) five days after our first "date" (with Jess)

30. Who eats more?
We can both pack it away...but I'm going with Matt

31. Who does/did the laundry?
Me (it's part of our arrangement - I work part-time outside of the house and do the chores)

32. Who's better with the computer?
We're both pretty good, but he tries to fix things himself. I call professionals.

Happy Birthday, Baby

Well folks - the baby is finally 30...my parents are OLD!!

Anyway, she had a 30th birthday party...here are some shots.

M and her cake (made with love by C)



M's friend Yates enjoying her FIRST s'more!!! (Yes, we made them in the fireplace in the background)


Fun with games!! We played LRC, Spoons, Charades (with Play-do), and this was us playing Apples to Apples - Speed Version.



The morning after... (she's gonna kill me for this picture)


Close-ups of that cake...wait'll ya see it!!!


Wow!

My Super Bowl

Welcome to my 2009 Super Bowl Experience!!! You'll see my lovely party-attendees here, as well as my Super Bowl dancer/singer, and some footage of "Bo" watching his first game (yes, I know his video is crooked...if you know how to rotate footage, please let me know).

Enjoy!

Sis and Bro


Mommy and Daughter


Daddy and Little Man


The Gabel kids in action...

Phil

It's been snowing at my house since November 14th. Six more weeks of winter?!?!

Someone shoot the groundhog.

Super Bowl Commercials? Hardly.

I actually watch the Super Bowl for the game - I enjoy football. This year's game was great (even though I wanted the Cards to win). I do realize, however, that many people watch the game for the commercials. I usually enjoy them. This year was different.

Sadly there have been games in the past when I would rate the commercials as better than the game. There might be a few games I rated better than the commercials. This year we had a surprise entry - movie trailers.

I LIKE movies based on video games and toys from my childhood. I ENJOY movies that have high energy, lots of action, and good looking guys never hurt. This year's Super Bowl did NOT disappoint me!!

Since I don't have TV reception at home I don't get to see trailers. I was THRILLED to see some much-anticipated trailers!!

1. GI Joe (cuz knowing is half the battle)
2. Fast and Furious (fast cars and cute men? sign me up)
3. Star Trek (fast space ships and cute men? need I say more?)
4. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (I've seen Transformers 50 times...)
5. Up (this doesn't actually fall into any of my previous categories...but it's Pixar)

I'm pretty sure there were more, but it doesn't matter right now. Those five movies have me stoked!! I'm so excited for the coming movie season!

And thank you advertising executives for putting these trailers in there for me to see. You have my gratitude :)

[I'm MUCH more excited than this post lets on - I just can't put into words the jumping, pointing, and squealing that happened when I saw the GI Joe trailer]

Off the beaten path...

In the midst of my vacation publications, I just want to vent.

I can't stand hypocrites. Nothing gets me as riled up as hypocrites.

I KNOW there are crooked people in the world. I KNOW you can't trust everyone. I KNOW that there is evil in the world, just as I know there is good.

What I DON'T need is for you to tell me who is evil and why they're evil. Do you know why I don't need that? Because Michael Moore - hater of all things capitalist - owns stock in Halliburton. Bruce Springsteen - defender of workers' rights - sells a CD exclusively at Wal-Mart (if you can find it, I'd like to know how much money he made on that deal).

As far as I'm concerned, Moore and Springsteen can kiss it. While you might hate the oil barons, at least you know what they're doing - they're trying to make money! M & S want you to think they're above that...they're too good for that...they're hypocrites.

So please - don't send me your emails telling me why one person's hypocrisy is better than another's. Don't defend your flavor of the week just because you don't like mine. In case you weren't aware - I am a college educated, working woman with enough brain cells left to read the stats and compare the data. Save your energy for someone too lazy to do the research (don't worry - according to the JED report there are 63 million of them out there).

Hoover Dam

For my sister's 30th birthday she took me to the Hoover Dam. It was quite spectacular. I took photos of it and off of it. The giant structure in the back ground is a bridge they're building from Nevada to Arizona. That was pretty spiffy, too.

Happy Hair

What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas

The poopy diapers, quarts of spit-up, teeny-tiny toys that you find on the floor with your bare feet.

Yep. None of that at my house.

And I'm off!!

I am once again going to Vegas. It was -4 in TC when I woke up this morning. I'll be 50 in Nevada tomorrow. That's a no brainer.

While I'm there my younger sister will celebrate her 30th birthday (woo hoo)! And I will fly home on my 31st (um...yeah?). Don't cry for me, Argentina - I'm the one who booked the ticket! No biggie.

I plan on taking lots of pictures, a few videos, and maybe even writing a bit! I'd better be writing...

Okay, I'm off to bed. Gotta be up at 5am!!

Lousy, stinking timing

There are two events in the year to which I look forward (and neither is my birthday - that is a CELEBRATION!). I annually anticipate the company Christmas party, and my Super Bowl party.

Since I'm now a freelance writer and substitute teacher, I don't have a Christmas party, but my husband does. It's a grand ole time, filled with good food, chit-chat, and hot tubs (they have it at the Great Wolf Lodge, and it includes water park passes!).

I missed the 2008 Christmas party. I was in Vegas, meeting my new nephew and hanging out with my sisters. I truly enjoyed my time in the desert, but I missed my party.

I also look forward to my Super Bowl party in Elk Rapids. I call it "mine" because my husband and I usually go our separate ways on that night. He has "his" party; I have "mine". I went five years ago with a friend and have been going back ever since. There's good food, good company, and a sweet trophy for the winner of the betting pool (I've contributed many dollars to this pool - I'm expecting it to pay out any year now). I really love my Super Bowl party. It's the only time of year that I see some of these people.

On Feb. 1st, 2009 I will be in Vegas, visiting my sisters.

I love my sisters. They're pretty interesting people...BUT THEY ARE MESSING UP MY SOCIAL LIFE!

Seriously - two nights, that's all I have to look forward to! And now I have to wait until December to experience either thrill again!

Sigh.

I'm sure I'll get over it. I got over the Christmas party thingy. I can get over this. I guess. Maybe.

(DISCLAIMER: There are other days of the years that I look forward to. I am purposefully being dramatic and over-the-top for the humorous effect. If you are unable to digest my sense of humor, I don't want to upset you - please stop reading).

;)

Pizza-in-a-Pot

Anyone who knows me know that I consider pizza it's own food group. It's God's gift to me. It's as close to culinary perfection as one can get. It's finger food, but it's a meal. I have a hard time finding anything I don't like about pizza (thank you Little Caesar's for making sure there is SOMETHING I don't like about it).

Matt is on a casserole kick these days. He picked up the ultimate casserole cookbook at Borders a couple of weeks ago. Then he found a magazine special issue devoted to casseroles. He's been having quite a lot of fun picking out recipes.

Last week he found a recipe we can both get behind: Pizza-in-a-Pot. Simple and delicious (sorry, no pictures - we dug into it too quickly).

3 cups spiral pasta
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium green pepper, chopped
1.5 lbs ground beef
15 oz. can pizza sauce
14 oz. can tomato sauce
2 T. tomato paste
8 oz. shredded mozzarella
1 pkg. pepperoni

1. Cook pasta. Set aside.
2. Cook beef, onion, and green pepper until beef is no longer pink and veggies are tender. Drain.
3. Add sauces and paste to meat mixture.
4. In a 5 qt. crock pot layer pasta, meat mixture, pepperoni, and cheese.
5. Cook on low 3-4 hours, or until heated through.

Matt and I both really liked it, and it was SO easy! Here are some suggestions/options:
1. We bought spicy Italian turkey sausage when it was on sale and used the in place of the beef.
2. Since we had spicy Italian turkey sausage, we nixed the pepperoni.
3. You could add a lot of your favorite pizza toppings and make it work: mushrooms, ham, bacon - they could all be good.
4. We were too hungry to wait, but the notes for this recipe suggest serving it with garlic bread. I wish I had remembered - it would have been yummy!!

A Sad Good-bye

Sigh.

After seven years of devoted service, my poor piano has kicked it. I'm hoping it's just the power cord, but I've already replaced it once and am thinking it might be too much to hope that it's only cord again.

I lost a D# about a year ago. A few weeks ago it started to crackle when I plugged it in. Then it just kept crackling. Finally, last week, I brought it home, plugged it in, and ... nothing. No power. No sound. Nothing.

I don't know what I'll do at home now. I still have my guitar, but it's not the same. I'm hoping something will work out, but I'm also trying to realistic.

Well, I guess ... I'll go practice my guitar.

O Tannenbaum

Here's my 2008 tree - it was great, but it needs more lights...

If Matt had a different job...

Ever wonder what you would do if you weren't doing what you're doing? Matt and I explored his options.

First we tried housekeeping:


He really liked the battery-operated, self-spinning duster, but it the whole job felt "off".


We meandered to the kitchen to try Matt's hand at cooking (notice the lovely apron, made by his sister - thanks, Beth!)


We made a YUMMY mac-n-cheese...

...and hamburger casserole!


"Hey, this might be for me!" thought Matt. Alas...


...it was too much standing in the kitchen. Then, it came to us!


Law enforcement! Short hair, great 'stache - meet Officer Beery!


DISCLAIMER: I made up all of this.

Big Guy, Little Guy

A tribute to Mitch and his little man...

Better late than never...

I still have pictures from Vegas to share, but I got a little busy. Now that things are slowing down, I have time to post some random pictures of my lil' puddin'. I'll narrate:

Here we have Ella modeling a new hat design, courtesy of Aunt Linda. Someone in Linda's house makes these hats, which tend to be long and narrow. To emphasize the length, I unfolded the cap.

Can't you see the excitement in Ella's eyes!! (Hey, she either runs through a picture, or you get this...beggars can't be choosers).


Next, we have Ella on the playground. Because she can move, she smiles!



I always like pictures in front of the picture. Ella, apparently, doesn't care...


...but she did squeeze in some play time with Link. Notice how completely she drapes herself over the cat? This is when she plays nice!


She's nice with Bo, though! As he was being changed, Ella was there to supervise...and give hugs!


And the "Band Ears". They aren't actually from a band trip...or a band concert...or anything really band related, but they are Ella's "Band Ears".