I can't believe it's already Thursday! Time flies when you're at the beach! Tuesday night we went to the Angels game, which was a lot of fun. Third row on the third base line. Can't beat those seats. Too bad they lost. It's been a relatively low-drama week thus far. But, the week is not over. Who knows what will conspire. We ate at Ruby's yesterday...delish. And Kura Sushi the day before. Now all that's left to hit up is BJ's and I think we've fulfilled our meal checklist. Tonite we're headed up to Valencia for Eric and Kim's rehearsal dinner. Should be pretty good. Too bad we have to leave at like 2 to get there at 4 to wait around for 2 hours all in the name of avoiding socal traffic. Yuck.
My tan is progressing nicely, and I haven't burned yet. It's awesome. I know you're jealous of my latin blood and easily tanned complexion.
My new pink glove has gotten lots of use. I love it.
I watch at least 2 episode of The O.C. every night before I go to bed.
Natural Cheetos are addicting. So are Cactus Coolers.
Earplugs really are the saving grace of this trip.
Tomorrow's the last night here...come on down if you're in the area...906 E. Oceanfront. The more the merrier! Marigold, Silvs, I'm looking at you!
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Monday, June 25, 2007
P.U.
Well, we made it to the beach. The weather is beautiful today, and I just ran to the other pier and back...and stopped by the library to check my email and catch up on blogs. I am pretty sure I absolutely REEK and the people on either side of me are holding their breath. Sorry kids!
Yesterday we went to the Orange County Swap meet, where we got the usual deoderants and shampoo and razors, and I finally found a watch, so now I know what time it is again.
The rest of the day is panning out to look like: lay on beach. eat. lay on beach. shower. eat. play games. eat. Whew, that can wear a girl out!
I started watching The O.C. on the plane to LA. So far I've watched the first 5 episodes. I was addicted before the first one was even over. I had no idea that Adam Brody plays an outcastish type character. Still, love him. He's adorable. So hot. Want to touch the hiney!
Later folks!
Yesterday we went to the Orange County Swap meet, where we got the usual deoderants and shampoo and razors, and I finally found a watch, so now I know what time it is again.
The rest of the day is panning out to look like: lay on beach. eat. lay on beach. shower. eat. play games. eat. Whew, that can wear a girl out!
I started watching The O.C. on the plane to LA. So far I've watched the first 5 episodes. I was addicted before the first one was even over. I had no idea that Adam Brody plays an outcastish type character. Still, love him. He's adorable. So hot. Want to touch the hiney!
Later folks!
Friday, June 22, 2007
Hasta la Pasta!
Farewell, folks! My next post shall probably hail from the sandy shores of the Newport Beach Public Library!
Oh, and in case you're wondering, Derrick wound up getting home at midnight last night. Whew.
Oh, and in case you're wondering, Derrick wound up getting home at midnight last night. Whew.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Flight woes
Derrick was supposed to come home tonite from New York. His flight was scheduled to leave at 5:30 EDT. Well, he just called me, 9:15 EDT, so say his flight hasn't left yet. They have been on the tarmac in a huge rainstorm waiting for it to pass. Then the plan was to wait for the 50 or so planes ahead of them to take off, and they'd be next. Well, he just called and said that they pulled back into the gate to refuel. They are not allowed to leave the plane, if they do, they won't be allowed back on. I'm sure he's starving, and doesn't pack snacks like I do. Apparently the pilot only has like 30 minutes of flight time left so they may not even be flying back tonite at all. Yikes. The morning flights are starting to fill up, which means if he doesn't get home tonite, or tomorrow morning, I may be flying to LA myself. Double yikes. That means I'd have to pack for him, which mean I have to fit all my crap in one suitcase, and I'm leaving the golf clubs here b/c I sure as heck ain't paying 75 bucks to bring 3 pieces of luggage. He better make it!!!
Morning rain
I just woke up to the sound of rain outside. Lots of rain. I stayed in bed as long as possible b/c I didn't want to have to go out in it. I hit the snooze button twice, and finally got out of bed, if only for sheer hunger. Really, I was starving. So I get up, pour a bowl of cereal, and take a peek outside. Bone dry. What the heck? Am I losing my mind? Either that, or my dreams are becoming waaaay too lifelike.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
It's working! It's working!
Everything time I hear those words, I think of a certain movie. It's somewhat of a modern classic, and those lines were said by a boy. If you can name the movie, I will send you a prize of my choosing.
My internet is currently working, but it is being fickle. We'll see how long it lasts.
I'm watching SYTYCD, (aren't you proud Chris?) and wondering if one of the criteria to be on the show is to have an obscure name. Really...where are the Elizabeths and Matts and Johns and Emilys? Emilies?? Faina, Hok, Sabra...weird. With a name like that, I guess you have to be artsy fartsy. I do like this show...I watched the end last season. Mostly because Derrick's cousin's family, the Kettleys, are best friends with Heidi's family (and her cousin Benji) were on it. I would like the show more if it weren't for that annoying chick judge. She is waaaay more annoying than Paula ever was. And she needs to open her mouth when she talks. She bugs.
So I went to Target today to exchange my glove. I really did want the tan one, not the black one, but my instant gratification self bought the black one anyway. The Target by our place had the one I want so I went and switched them up. Bonus: it's 5 bucks cheaper. Anyway, I'm tossing a ball up in the air and catching it, trying to see which one I like better, catching it most of the time, when this little boy walks by and watches me. He said, "Here, can I throw to you?" I toss him the ball, and start praying that I can catch it and not look like an idiot in front of this 8 year old. He tosses it, my heart starts to beat a little faster, and I watch the neon yellow ball head straight at me. I put my glove up and pray. I caught it. Whew. He says, "Nice catch!"
Me: "Thanks! Nice throw!"
My new buddy: "Really?? Thanks! See ya!"
Sometimes I'm more concerned about how kids perceive me than adults. Am I the only one that does this???
I started messing around with Photobooth on Josie's computer....it was hilarious. Here are some rather unflattering shots of me.
You want me fluff pillow?
Don't get it twisted!
Why the long face?
I've got my eye on you!!
Feed me!!
What a blockhead.
That last one cracks me up. Can you imagine if I really looked like that? I would have no friends. And you know that's the truth. NO ONE would be looking for any inner beauty with a face like that.
My internet is currently working, but it is being fickle. We'll see how long it lasts.
I'm watching SYTYCD, (aren't you proud Chris?) and wondering if one of the criteria to be on the show is to have an obscure name. Really...where are the Elizabeths and Matts and Johns and Emilys? Emilies?? Faina, Hok, Sabra...weird. With a name like that, I guess you have to be artsy fartsy. I do like this show...I watched the end last season. Mostly because Derrick's cousin's family, the Kettleys, are best friends with Heidi's family (and her cousin Benji) were on it. I would like the show more if it weren't for that annoying chick judge. She is waaaay more annoying than Paula ever was. And she needs to open her mouth when she talks. She bugs.
So I went to Target today to exchange my glove. I really did want the tan one, not the black one, but my instant gratification self bought the black one anyway. The Target by our place had the one I want so I went and switched them up. Bonus: it's 5 bucks cheaper. Anyway, I'm tossing a ball up in the air and catching it, trying to see which one I like better, catching it most of the time, when this little boy walks by and watches me. He said, "Here, can I throw to you?" I toss him the ball, and start praying that I can catch it and not look like an idiot in front of this 8 year old. He tosses it, my heart starts to beat a little faster, and I watch the neon yellow ball head straight at me. I put my glove up and pray. I caught it. Whew. He says, "Nice catch!"
Me: "Thanks! Nice throw!"
My new buddy: "Really?? Thanks! See ya!"
Sometimes I'm more concerned about how kids perceive me than adults. Am I the only one that does this???
I started messing around with Photobooth on Josie's computer....it was hilarious. Here are some rather unflattering shots of me.
You want me fluff pillow?
Don't get it twisted!
Why the long face?
I've got my eye on you!!
Feed me!!
What a blockhead.
That last one cracks me up. Can you imagine if I really looked like that? I would have no friends. And you know that's the truth. NO ONE would be looking for any inner beauty with a face like that.
Shorty
My internet is being estupido, so the lovely Josie is letting me use her computer. I bribed her with homemade ice cream that we made for YW's tonite.
Not much to report....work was slow. I read "The Phantom Toolbooth" today. It's pretty short, a kids book, really. But one of my favorite. Lots of plays on words, which I love. Has a good message, too. Check it out. Took me 2 hours tops to read.
Other than that, I got nothin. Just trying to get everything ready before we leave on Friday. Hooray!
Oh, and I got Season One of The O.C. all lined up for the flight. Awwwww yeahhhh.
Not much to report....work was slow. I read "The Phantom Toolbooth" today. It's pretty short, a kids book, really. But one of my favorite. Lots of plays on words, which I love. Has a good message, too. Check it out. Took me 2 hours tops to read.
Other than that, I got nothin. Just trying to get everything ready before we leave on Friday. Hooray!
Oh, and I got Season One of The O.C. all lined up for the flight. Awwwww yeahhhh.
Adam, Adam, Adam
Seriously, how is it I never noticed the hotness that is Adam Brody? I am obsessed now. I've looked at practically every picture online. I think my friend Lindsey has the seasons of The O.C. on DVD....must borrow...watch on the plane...on the way to The O.C.
It's not so much that's he's "hot". (Do people my age even say that??) He is just adorable. He was funny in the movie, which makes him even more likeable. I love him.
It's not so much that's he's "hot". (Do people my age even say that??) He is just adorable. He was funny in the movie, which makes him even more likeable. I love him.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
It's Tuesday
In case you lost sleep wondering, my hair looks ok. Thanks for your concern.
After work today I went to the movies. By myself. Because someone, whose name rhymes with Rosie Clown, bailed on me. I saw In the Land of Women. It was pretty good, worth a buck. I guess I have never really seen Adam Brody in anything, I never watched The O.C., so I never realized how ADORABLE he is. Where were my friends when The O.C. was on and I wasn't watching it??? Time to rent the DVDs. I love him. I couldn't stop looking at Meg Ryan's nasty collagen lips. Gross. Trout pout. Ew.
Take a look at this awesome purchase I made today.
How I've managed to live without a baseball glove since I've been married to Derrick is beyond me. But now I have one of my very own to use at the beach out on the lawn. And of course, it's pink. The best part. You didn't expect anything less, did you???
I'm halway watching "Age of Love," which was on Monday night. I don't think I'll keep watching it. It's kind of lame. Plus, he's not that cute--who's even heard of Mark Philippoussis anyway?
Did I mention I started reading The Grapes of Wrath? I'm only 7 chapters in, but it's sooooo hard to get through. It's written in slang language of the time, and I'm just not feeling it. I hate to give up on a book, but this one might have to retire back to the shelf. My friend lent me "My Sister's Keeper" which I've heard is pretty good, so I think I'll start that.
The doctor's not going into the office tomorrow. Instead, he is going to the baseball game. So that means a long day of nothing. I should take the DVD player and watch some movies. I wish I had that thing that transfers your Tivo'd shows onto a DVD. Since he's not coming in, we're not seeing patients, I'm wearing jeans. Take that.
Well, I have random projects to do, plus watch "On the Lot." Great show. Check it out.
After work today I went to the movies. By myself. Because someone, whose name rhymes with Rosie Clown, bailed on me. I saw In the Land of Women. It was pretty good, worth a buck. I guess I have never really seen Adam Brody in anything, I never watched The O.C., so I never realized how ADORABLE he is. Where were my friends when The O.C. was on and I wasn't watching it??? Time to rent the DVDs. I love him. I couldn't stop looking at Meg Ryan's nasty collagen lips. Gross. Trout pout. Ew.
Take a look at this awesome purchase I made today.
How I've managed to live without a baseball glove since I've been married to Derrick is beyond me. But now I have one of my very own to use at the beach out on the lawn. And of course, it's pink. The best part. You didn't expect anything less, did you???
I'm halway watching "Age of Love," which was on Monday night. I don't think I'll keep watching it. It's kind of lame. Plus, he's not that cute--who's even heard of Mark Philippoussis anyway?
Did I mention I started reading The Grapes of Wrath? I'm only 7 chapters in, but it's sooooo hard to get through. It's written in slang language of the time, and I'm just not feeling it. I hate to give up on a book, but this one might have to retire back to the shelf. My friend lent me "My Sister's Keeper" which I've heard is pretty good, so I think I'll start that.
The doctor's not going into the office tomorrow. Instead, he is going to the baseball game. So that means a long day of nothing. I should take the DVD player and watch some movies. I wish I had that thing that transfers your Tivo'd shows onto a DVD. Since he's not coming in, we're not seeing patients, I'm wearing jeans. Take that.
Well, I have random projects to do, plus watch "On the Lot." Great show. Check it out.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Top 25 most played songs
Quite an interesting mix of music, don't you think?
1. Ruby, Kaiser Chiefs, 43x
2. The Great Escape, Boys like Girls, 42x
3. Hate (I really don't like you), Plain White T's, 42x
4. Chewing Gum (Vocal Mix), Annie, 35x
5. All She Wrote, Ross Copperman, 35x
6. Fergalicious, Fergie, 32x
7. Dashboard, Modest Mouse, 32x
8. Naive, The Kooks, 30x
9. Big Girl (You are beautiful), Mika, 29x
10. Popular Mechanics for Lovers, Buelah, 28x
11. Phantom Limb, The Shins, 28x
12. Move Along, The All-America Rejects, 27x
13. I Believe in a Thing Called Love, The Darkness, 27x
14. Grace Kelly, Mika, 27x
15. Jane Fonda, Mickey Avalon, 26x
16. You Give Me Something, James Morrison, 25x
17. A Public Affair, Jessica Simpson, 25x
18. Lazy Eye, Silversun Pickups, 25x
19. The Adventure, Angels & Airwaves, 24x
20. Over You, Daughtry, 24x
21. Sailed On, Landon Pigg, 24x
22. Forever, Papa Roach, 24x
23. The Price is Right (Remix), Crystal Waters, 23x
24. Rock the Casbah, The Clash, 22x
25. Anna Molly, Incubus, 22x
1. Ruby, Kaiser Chiefs, 43x
2. The Great Escape, Boys like Girls, 42x
3. Hate (I really don't like you), Plain White T's, 42x
4. Chewing Gum (Vocal Mix), Annie, 35x
5. All She Wrote, Ross Copperman, 35x
6. Fergalicious, Fergie, 32x
7. Dashboard, Modest Mouse, 32x
8. Naive, The Kooks, 30x
9. Big Girl (You are beautiful), Mika, 29x
10. Popular Mechanics for Lovers, Buelah, 28x
11. Phantom Limb, The Shins, 28x
12. Move Along, The All-America Rejects, 27x
13. I Believe in a Thing Called Love, The Darkness, 27x
14. Grace Kelly, Mika, 27x
15. Jane Fonda, Mickey Avalon, 26x
16. You Give Me Something, James Morrison, 25x
17. A Public Affair, Jessica Simpson, 25x
18. Lazy Eye, Silversun Pickups, 25x
19. The Adventure, Angels & Airwaves, 24x
20. Over You, Daughtry, 24x
21. Sailed On, Landon Pigg, 24x
22. Forever, Papa Roach, 24x
23. The Price is Right (Remix), Crystal Waters, 23x
24. Rock the Casbah, The Clash, 22x
25. Anna Molly, Incubus, 22x
It's raining, it's pouring, it's scrambling my satellite tv which makes things really boring
We're in the middle of crazy storm, lightning and everything. I love it. Yes, all the channels were out, so it was a good time to catch up on some randmom shows on the TiVo.
Derrick left this morning. Suuuper early. If I were a good wife I'd get up with him and help him get ready and make him breakfast. But I'm not, and I slept, and rolled over and kissed him goodbye before he left. Sorry, Derrick. Maybe next time.
Work was less than exciting. Midday I decided to schedule a haircut. So I got it cut after work, and she didn't dry it fully, just diffused it, and when I went outside IN THE RAIN it frizzed up instantaneously. So I still as of this moment have no idea how it really looks. Guess we'll see tomorrow.
I made an amazingly delicious angel food cake yesterday. Betcha can't guess whose recipe I used. Of course, Alton. It's sooooooo much better than boxed, seriously. You gotta try it.
Angel Food Cake
1 3/4 cups sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup cake flour, sifted
12 egg whites (the closer to room temperature the better)
1/3 cup warm water
1 teaspoon orange extract, or extract of your choice
1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a food processor spin sugar about 2 minutes until it is superfine. Sift half of the sugar with the salt the cake flour, setting the remaining sugar aside.
In a large bowl, use a balloon whisk to thoroughly combine egg whites, water, orange extract, and cream of tartar. After 2 minutes, switch to a hand mixer. Slowly sift the reserved sugar, beating continuously at medium speed. Once you have achieved medium peaks, sift enough of the flour mixture in to dust the top of the foam. Using a spatula fold in gently. Continue until all of the flour mixture is incorporated.
Carefully spoon mixture into an ungreased tube pan. Bake for 35 minutes before checking for doneness with a wooden skewer. (When inserted halfway between the inner and outer wall, the skewer should come out dry).
Cool upside down on cooling rack for at least an hour before removing from pan.
Cook's Note: Since they're easier to separate use the freshest eggs you can get.
Yummy yum yum!
Derrick left this morning. Suuuper early. If I were a good wife I'd get up with him and help him get ready and make him breakfast. But I'm not, and I slept, and rolled over and kissed him goodbye before he left. Sorry, Derrick. Maybe next time.
Work was less than exciting. Midday I decided to schedule a haircut. So I got it cut after work, and she didn't dry it fully, just diffused it, and when I went outside IN THE RAIN it frizzed up instantaneously. So I still as of this moment have no idea how it really looks. Guess we'll see tomorrow.
I made an amazingly delicious angel food cake yesterday. Betcha can't guess whose recipe I used. Of course, Alton. It's sooooooo much better than boxed, seriously. You gotta try it.
Angel Food Cake
1 3/4 cups sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup cake flour, sifted
12 egg whites (the closer to room temperature the better)
1/3 cup warm water
1 teaspoon orange extract, or extract of your choice
1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a food processor spin sugar about 2 minutes until it is superfine. Sift half of the sugar with the salt the cake flour, setting the remaining sugar aside.
In a large bowl, use a balloon whisk to thoroughly combine egg whites, water, orange extract, and cream of tartar. After 2 minutes, switch to a hand mixer. Slowly sift the reserved sugar, beating continuously at medium speed. Once you have achieved medium peaks, sift enough of the flour mixture in to dust the top of the foam. Using a spatula fold in gently. Continue until all of the flour mixture is incorporated.
Carefully spoon mixture into an ungreased tube pan. Bake for 35 minutes before checking for doneness with a wooden skewer. (When inserted halfway between the inner and outer wall, the skewer should come out dry).
Cool upside down on cooling rack for at least an hour before removing from pan.
Cook's Note: Since they're easier to separate use the freshest eggs you can get.
Yummy yum yum!
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Actually, it's NOT okay
I've noticed something within the past few days. Something that I know is said out of common courtesy, but is usually most always a lie. At least, with me it is. The phrase? "It's okay," or, "Don't worry about it," or, "No problem." Usually said after someone apologizes for keeping you waiting, or stepping on your foot, or flaking out on you. Maybe people only do those things to me, but I always wind up saying, "Oh, it's okay!" like I'm some really nice, ever forgiving person, when deep down I'm like, "I hate you for being late" or "It's totally lame that you flaked out on me at the last minute" or "My toe is KILLING me and you don't even care." In the long run, it really doesn't matter, but in the moment, I really am bothered by it, but it's instinctual to just brush it off like it's no biggie. I don't really have a solution to this, although I'm sure Dear Abby would tell me something along the lines of: "Next time your friend is late to meet you, approach her and say, 'I don't appreciate your being late all the time. I feel like you don't value my time or my friendship. If you are going to be late next time, I please call and let me know." Or something lame like that. I don't see that happening anytime soon. Anyway, just something I wanted to gripe about.
Today was spent swimming, getting sun, napping, and a trip to the temple. It was actually pretty neat to go down to Chicago b/c we got to hear the cicadas, which are making their every-17th-year appearance. What was weird though, was that they were crazy loud before we went into the temple, and when we came out, they weren't to be heard at all. Sam....any explanations??
I have crazy allergy-head right now, so I think I'll head to bed. In the meantime, Derrick will be in NYC this coming week, and I'll be a singleton. Anyone want to go see In the Land of Women (are movies italicized?? I have no idea) at the dollar theater with me this week??? I'll go alone, no problems there, but hey, always nice to have a buddy.
Today was spent swimming, getting sun, napping, and a trip to the temple. It was actually pretty neat to go down to Chicago b/c we got to hear the cicadas, which are making their every-17th-year appearance. What was weird though, was that they were crazy loud before we went into the temple, and when we came out, they weren't to be heard at all. Sam....any explanations??
I have crazy allergy-head right now, so I think I'll head to bed. In the meantime, Derrick will be in NYC this coming week, and I'll be a singleton. Anyone want to go see In the Land of Women (are movies italicized?? I have no idea) at the dollar theater with me this week??? I'll go alone, no problems there, but hey, always nice to have a buddy.
Friday, June 15, 2007
Did you miss me? I missed me.
I've had blogging withdrawals. No seizures, but definitely mild shakes. Not having internet access at work is killing me. Although I do have to admit I get a lot done. Ha.
Let's see....
Wednesday I went to Blockbuster and rented Fast Food Nation. I watched it that night. It was interesting to see how they turned it into a movie. It was pretty good, lots of stars in it. I liked it. For some reason this whole FFN experience has made me feel like I am faced with two decisions: eat meat, or don't eat meat. I don't really know why my mind has interpreted it as such. But it has. And I was rather perplexed by this. After watching the movie, and actually seeing cattle go through the whole butchering process, I can't say I really agree with it. But dangit, I just love steak so much! So I've come to a compromise in my mind: when faced with the option, I will try to buy organic and/or cruelty-free (well, as cruelty-free as possible) products. I am not going to do anything radical like refuse to eat at restaurants or buy from certain stores. In fact, I didn't think about it once while I ate my Butterburger at Culver's tonite. How easily I forget...haha. Still, I'll feel like I'm doing my part by supporting industries that actually care about the land and the animals.
Thursday I had visiting teaching appointments, which inevitably take up a huge chunk of the night. For some reason, visits take an exceptionally long time here in Wisconsin compared to other places I've lived. Maybe it's because the only other place I've actually done VT is in Provo, and who wants to spend long amounts of time in other poor married couple's ghetto apartment, when you can spend time in your own ghetto apartment? I don't really mind going, because I like the people I see (for the most part. Luckily I have Amy on my route, so it's just like going to hang out with a friend). When it comes to churchy things, I have to be careful what I say. You know what I mean. And our ward has a large number of bloggers, and I'm sure word gets around. Anyway, my problem with PM VT is I don't get to eat until like 9:30 at night, so instead of thinking of ways I can inspire and be a friend to the ladies, I'm thinking of when I get to put something edible in my mouth. When I'm hungry, that's all I can think about. I get pretty grouchy, and my only thoughts are how I'm going to eat. That's why I always have snacks in my purse. Granola bar, fruit snacks, baggies of cheerios. Ok, just kidding about the cheerios. A gal can't be too prepared.
Did you hear that Mr. Wizard died? So sad. I remember watching him before I had to catch the bus for school. What is even sadder is that when I told this to Derrick, he said, "Mr. Who???" Poor, deprived child. Honestly, sometimes I wonder what they did growing up.
We went to our stake's summer play production tonite, The King and I. Our friend Cassidy played the lead, Anna, and was fabulous. She has a great voice, and in all honestly, made the play. Everything else was....a church play. There was an orchestra, which I was sad not to be a part of, until I heard them. Then I was glad I was not a part of it. Dude, I am so rude. Oh well. It was still fun to watch though, especially the kids, who would look out into the audience and make faces.
Confession: I cried a little when Bob Barker said his farewell today, which was his last episode of The Price is Right. Really, you never think it will ever end, but it does. It will never, ever be the same, and really, they should just end the show altogether. End it on a good note. Just my two cents.
I'm hungry. Can't blog anymore.
Let's see....
Wednesday I went to Blockbuster and rented Fast Food Nation. I watched it that night. It was interesting to see how they turned it into a movie. It was pretty good, lots of stars in it. I liked it. For some reason this whole FFN experience has made me feel like I am faced with two decisions: eat meat, or don't eat meat. I don't really know why my mind has interpreted it as such. But it has. And I was rather perplexed by this. After watching the movie, and actually seeing cattle go through the whole butchering process, I can't say I really agree with it. But dangit, I just love steak so much! So I've come to a compromise in my mind: when faced with the option, I will try to buy organic and/or cruelty-free (well, as cruelty-free as possible) products. I am not going to do anything radical like refuse to eat at restaurants or buy from certain stores. In fact, I didn't think about it once while I ate my Butterburger at Culver's tonite. How easily I forget...haha. Still, I'll feel like I'm doing my part by supporting industries that actually care about the land and the animals.
Thursday I had visiting teaching appointments, which inevitably take up a huge chunk of the night. For some reason, visits take an exceptionally long time here in Wisconsin compared to other places I've lived. Maybe it's because the only other place I've actually done VT is in Provo, and who wants to spend long amounts of time in other poor married couple's ghetto apartment, when you can spend time in your own ghetto apartment? I don't really mind going, because I like the people I see (for the most part. Luckily I have Amy on my route, so it's just like going to hang out with a friend). When it comes to churchy things, I have to be careful what I say. You know what I mean. And our ward has a large number of bloggers, and I'm sure word gets around. Anyway, my problem with PM VT is I don't get to eat until like 9:30 at night, so instead of thinking of ways I can inspire and be a friend to the ladies, I'm thinking of when I get to put something edible in my mouth. When I'm hungry, that's all I can think about. I get pretty grouchy, and my only thoughts are how I'm going to eat. That's why I always have snacks in my purse. Granola bar, fruit snacks, baggies of cheerios. Ok, just kidding about the cheerios. A gal can't be too prepared.
Did you hear that Mr. Wizard died? So sad. I remember watching him before I had to catch the bus for school. What is even sadder is that when I told this to Derrick, he said, "Mr. Who???" Poor, deprived child. Honestly, sometimes I wonder what they did growing up.
We went to our stake's summer play production tonite, The King and I. Our friend Cassidy played the lead, Anna, and was fabulous. She has a great voice, and in all honestly, made the play. Everything else was....a church play. There was an orchestra, which I was sad not to be a part of, until I heard them. Then I was glad I was not a part of it. Dude, I am so rude. Oh well. It was still fun to watch though, especially the kids, who would look out into the audience and make faces.
Confession: I cried a little when Bob Barker said his farewell today, which was his last episode of The Price is Right. Really, you never think it will ever end, but it does. It will never, ever be the same, and really, they should just end the show altogether. End it on a good note. Just my two cents.
I'm hungry. Can't blog anymore.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Finished!
My current job, receptionist at a psychiatrist's office, is truly the best job ever. I answer the phone, I transcribe dictations, I schedule appointments, and I file and fax random things. These events usually do not take up much time. For instance, today I went in at 9 AM. I had a big report to type up and edit, and do other random things, and then from 12-4 I read. The phone didn't even ring. Except for the Dr. to tell me he wasn't coming in at all today. Tomorrow he has one eval to do, and that takes abot 5 hours, so again, I'll have essentially nothing to do.
Since I had so much time today, I was able to finish Fast Food Nation. I really have no idea why, but for some reason I am fascinated with the meatpacking industry. Isn't that odd??? I LOVED The Jungle. And in FFN he goes into great detail about workers in meatpacking plants and the horrible conditions they must endure. I would really really like to tour a plant. Reading some of the things in the book, I feel compelled to be a vegetarian, or swear off fast food entirely. But I know I could never really do that. Do I lack conviction? Am I weak? Do I not have the courage to stand up for things in which I believe? I don't know. I do know that I love a good steak and a double cheeseburger without the mustand and with extra pickles from Mickey D's every once in awhile. Although after what I've read today, who really knows exactly what's in the beef I'm eating. Still, it's very bizarre to me that I'm so interested in it. Like, I can imagine myself later in life becoming an advocate for better beef handling procedures, taking Washington by storm with my go-getter attitude. Ha. Ok, so I exaggerate. But I feel like I should be doing something. But I don't know what. I do know that McDonald's wields an extreme amount of power, and they do have the ability to change how meatpackers are treated. But they don't. I don't think I've quite sorted out all of my opinions yet, as I'm sure you can tell. Anyway, it's a very interesting book. I recommend it.
Next up? I have no idea. I think I've read every book on our wee bookshelf. There may be a copy of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn that my mom gave me last year. I started it, but I didn't get very far. Didn't grab my attention for some reason. I should give it another shot. If I can't find it, I think I'll try and read through the Conference Ensign. Should count for some Personal Progress, right??? Our YW are the in the middle of a PP Olympics, leaders included. So I gotta get crankin!
Website find of the day, courtesy of Scott(who does not blog as often as he ought):
Hot chicks with doucebags. Thanks, Scoot!
I'm out!
Since I had so much time today, I was able to finish Fast Food Nation. I really have no idea why, but for some reason I am fascinated with the meatpacking industry. Isn't that odd??? I LOVED The Jungle. And in FFN he goes into great detail about workers in meatpacking plants and the horrible conditions they must endure. I would really really like to tour a plant. Reading some of the things in the book, I feel compelled to be a vegetarian, or swear off fast food entirely. But I know I could never really do that. Do I lack conviction? Am I weak? Do I not have the courage to stand up for things in which I believe? I don't know. I do know that I love a good steak and a double cheeseburger without the mustand and with extra pickles from Mickey D's every once in awhile. Although after what I've read today, who really knows exactly what's in the beef I'm eating. Still, it's very bizarre to me that I'm so interested in it. Like, I can imagine myself later in life becoming an advocate for better beef handling procedures, taking Washington by storm with my go-getter attitude. Ha. Ok, so I exaggerate. But I feel like I should be doing something. But I don't know what. I do know that McDonald's wields an extreme amount of power, and they do have the ability to change how meatpackers are treated. But they don't. I don't think I've quite sorted out all of my opinions yet, as I'm sure you can tell. Anyway, it's a very interesting book. I recommend it.
Next up? I have no idea. I think I've read every book on our wee bookshelf. There may be a copy of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn that my mom gave me last year. I started it, but I didn't get very far. Didn't grab my attention for some reason. I should give it another shot. If I can't find it, I think I'll try and read through the Conference Ensign. Should count for some Personal Progress, right??? Our YW are the in the middle of a PP Olympics, leaders included. So I gotta get crankin!
Website find of the day, courtesy of Scott(who does not blog as often as he ought):
Hot chicks with doucebags. Thanks, Scoot!
I'm out!
Monday, June 11, 2007
Let them eat cake!
A few months ago I went to a dessert night with ladies from church. We went to The Cheesecake Factory, quite possibly one of the best restaurants in the free world. I rarely go without Derrick, which means we never get to branch out in the dessert department. It's always cheesecake, and 95% of the time, one of his choosing. Sure, I'll get to pick, but he always puts up a fight and always says it's not as good as one he would have picked. So I just give up and get Dulce de Leche, which is quite good, one of the best in my opinion, and I don't mind getting it. But this night, since I was flying solo, I decided to try Craig's Carrot Cake. I hated it. Gasp! Shock! The horror! Rarely to I order anything from the CCF that I do not like. Everything is good. (With the exception of Evelyn's Favorite Pasta, which is downright disgusting. Probably b/c there's no meat in it anywhere.) Still, I didn't really like it. And it was a huge piece. It was a little dry, and the carrot chunks too big. Josie and Amy tried it, and they thought it was fine. Then I started to wonder if my taste buds had regressed to the point of only liking Betty Crocker BOXED carrot cake. Yikes. That would indeed be a tragedy. So I decided I needed to make one from scratch on my own and see if I really did hate carrot cake made with real carrots. And what other recipe to use than Alton's?? It came out incredible. Loved it. Delicious. When has Alton ever failed me? Um...never. My mom sent me some other carrot cake recipes, so I'm going to try them, and find a favorite. In the meantime, I present to you the cake recipe:
Unsalted butter, for the pan
12 ounces, approximately 2 1/2 cups, all-purpose flour, plus extra for pan
12 ounces grated carrots, medium grate, approximately 6 medium
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
10 ounces sugar, approximately 1 1/3 cups
2 ounces dark brown sugar, approximately 1/4 cup firmly packed
3 large eggs
6 ounces plain yogurt
6 ounces vegetable oil
Cream Cheese Frosting, recipe follows
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Butter and flour a 9-inch round and 3-inch deep cake pan. Line the bottom with parchment paper. Set aside.
Put the carrots into a large mixing bowl and set aside.
Put the flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt in the bowl of a food processor and process for 5 seconds. Add this mixture to the carrots and toss until they are well-coated with the flour.
In the bowl of the food processor combine the sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and yogurt.
With the processor still running drizzle in the vegetable oil. Pour this mixture into the carrot mixture and stir until just combined. Pour into the prepared cake pan and bake on the middle rack of the oven for 45 minutes. Reduce the heat to 325 degrees F and bake for another 20 minutes or until the cake reaches 205 to 210 degrees F in the center.
Remove the pan from the oven and allow cake to cool 15 minutes in the pan. After 15 minutes, turn the cake out onto a rack and allow cake to cool completely. Frost with cream cheese frosting after cake has cooled completely.
Cream Cheese Frosting:
8 ounces cream cheese
2 ounces unsalted butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
9 ounces powdered sugar, sifted, approximately 2 cups
In the bowl of a stand mixer with paddle attachment, combine the cream cheese and butter on medium just until blended. Add the vanilla and beat until combined. With the speed on low, add the powdered sugar in 4 batches and beat until smooth between each addition.
Place the frosting in the refrigerator for 5 to 10 minutes before using.
Yield: approximately 2 cups
Unsalted butter, for the pan
12 ounces, approximately 2 1/2 cups, all-purpose flour, plus extra for pan
12 ounces grated carrots, medium grate, approximately 6 medium
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
10 ounces sugar, approximately 1 1/3 cups
2 ounces dark brown sugar, approximately 1/4 cup firmly packed
3 large eggs
6 ounces plain yogurt
6 ounces vegetable oil
Cream Cheese Frosting, recipe follows
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Butter and flour a 9-inch round and 3-inch deep cake pan. Line the bottom with parchment paper. Set aside.
Put the carrots into a large mixing bowl and set aside.
Put the flour, baking powder, baking soda, spices, and salt in the bowl of a food processor and process for 5 seconds. Add this mixture to the carrots and toss until they are well-coated with the flour.
In the bowl of the food processor combine the sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and yogurt.
With the processor still running drizzle in the vegetable oil. Pour this mixture into the carrot mixture and stir until just combined. Pour into the prepared cake pan and bake on the middle rack of the oven for 45 minutes. Reduce the heat to 325 degrees F and bake for another 20 minutes or until the cake reaches 205 to 210 degrees F in the center.
Remove the pan from the oven and allow cake to cool 15 minutes in the pan. After 15 minutes, turn the cake out onto a rack and allow cake to cool completely. Frost with cream cheese frosting after cake has cooled completely.
Cream Cheese Frosting:
8 ounces cream cheese
2 ounces unsalted butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
9 ounces powdered sugar, sifted, approximately 2 cups
In the bowl of a stand mixer with paddle attachment, combine the cream cheese and butter on medium just until blended. Add the vanilla and beat until combined. With the speed on low, add the powdered sugar in 4 batches and beat until smooth between each addition.
Place the frosting in the refrigerator for 5 to 10 minutes before using.
Yield: approximately 2 cups
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Decisions, decisions
Summerfest is the "World's Largest Music Festival" and it's held in Milwaukee every year. You pay 12 bucks to get into the grounds, and then there's like 10 stages scattered throughout with concerts aaalllll daaaay loooong. AWESOME! We usually go once during the 10 day long affair--hanging out with 10,000 drunks gets kind of old after awhile....although quite comical at times. Most of the stages are poorly designed, so no one gets a good view, but it's still sweet to see lots of bands on the cheap. In the past we've seen Jimmy Eat World, Brett Michaels from Poison (ha!), O.A.R., Ben Folds (well, the top of his head anyway), and other random bands. When should we go this year????
I didn't list every band that plays, just the ones that were interesting to me. I've seen some of them before, so that obviously plays into the decision. I have my preferences, but I want to see what you guys think.
VOTE!
I didn't list every band that plays, just the ones that were interesting to me. I've seen some of them before, so that obviously plays into the decision. I have my preferences, but I want to see what you guys think.
VOTE!
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Baby ahoy!
Nope, not mine! Congrats to Alexis and Jimmy on the birth of their 1st baby, Catherine Elena! Alexis was my roommate for awhile at BYU, and her husband Jimmy is my other roommate Maria's brother. Let's raise a glass in their honor to no more sleep! (see Josie's post)
Friday, June 08, 2007
Wild Ride
Did you hear about this guy? He was crossing the street in his wheelchair and a semi truck hit him but didn't know it and drove with him stuck to the front for a few minutes, getting up to like 50 mph. Finally someone called 911 and the cops stopped him. The best part? The guys shirt. We would def be friends.
You son of a beeeeeach!
The other day I was flipping through the channels, looking for something to watch and I ran across "How It's Made" on the Discovery Channel. It's essentially 30 minutes of what I thought was the best part of Mr. Roger's Neighborhood--where they went to factories and showed how they makes crayons, or I-beams, or whatnot. I know you know what I'm talking about. Anyway, I set a season's pass for it, even though there are like 30 upcoming episodes, and will no doubt cause Mr. TiVo to crash and delete other, more important things, like Justin Timberlake SNLs. I skip the boring segments, like horse-drawn carriages, and only watch the cool things, like glass eyes and gold chains. Very cool. I can't wait until they air the one about how they make flutes. I've played the freaking thing for 15 years and I have never seen one made. Sacreligeous.
Paris is back in jail. Apparently she went kicking and screaming. She's supposed to finish the rest of her sentence, 40 days. I'll believe that when I see it.
We leave in 2 weeks for sunnier pastures, for a full 9 days. Every year Derrick's family rents 3 beach houses on Newport Beach (the same beach houses every year, for the past 30 some odd years). It has certainly been the highlight of Derrick's year since he was born. It took me a few years to get into the groove of "The Beach", but I have it down pat now, and it's an ideal vacation for me. I sleep as late as I want, with the help of earplugs. See, we share a house with Grandma, and "Grandma's Club" meets here every morning bright and early, bursting with song and screams. The earplugs are my saving grace. After breakfast, or lunch, depending on when I get up, I wait for the smog to burn off (my #1 complaint about California beaches. I have many, others being that the water is freezing, the waves are too big to hang out in the water if you could anyway, there are sharks...). Then I head out to the beach and bake for awhile, keeping my face fully covered. I am well aware that when I am seventy, my face will (hopefully) look 50, but the rest of my body will look 90. Oh well. Then it's in for a shower and dinner, and then we head to the Fun Zone, an area of ancient arcade games and carnival rides. The goal of the evening is to get as many tickets as possible, so that at the end of the week, you can buy things to throw away later, such as stuffed animals, chinese finger traps, or extremely large playing cards. Or spend them more wisely, and buy Fun Dip and Airheads. Or, do the adult thing, and give them to your nieces and nephews. (But that's really hard for me to do still, since I like to buy things with them. I'm an oversized kid, really.) We head back to the house and put the kids to bed, and sometimes the adults will play games, but that's not a given. Although I hear in past years it used to be. Now, usually someone is mad at someone else, so not everyone gets together. The beach week is never without it's fair share of family drama. This year will no doubt be no different, and I'm am determined to stay out of every ounce of it. Innocent opinons can't really be shared in this family, b/c they will come back to bite you in the ass. Choose your words wisely, grasshopper.
But that wasn't the point of me bringing up the beach. My point is that, every year, we anxiously wait for the beach to come, and then WHOOSH! In a flash it's gone. For some reason the beach has quickly snuck up on me, and I really haven't even given it a single thought. Maybe it's because the beach is usually the trip to start all summer trips, the kickstart of summer. We've already been to Florida and Texas, and now going to LA is just a trip somewhere in the middle. Either way, it's a weird thing. Weird that I haven't been looking forward to it, in the sense of meticulously counting down days. But awesome that it's already 2 weeks away! It's always a great time, no matter what. This year will be slightly different as we'll be away from the beach more than usual. We're headed to an Angels game on Tuesday and then a wedding rehearsal dinner on Thursday. I'm sooooo looking forward to all that So Cal traffic.
Was that boring? Sorry.
Someone is rocking "Sweet Emotion" outside, really loud, and it just made my day. Who doesn't love Aerosmith? That officialy just started my weekend. Awesome.
Paris is back in jail. Apparently she went kicking and screaming. She's supposed to finish the rest of her sentence, 40 days. I'll believe that when I see it.
We leave in 2 weeks for sunnier pastures, for a full 9 days. Every year Derrick's family rents 3 beach houses on Newport Beach (the same beach houses every year, for the past 30 some odd years). It has certainly been the highlight of Derrick's year since he was born. It took me a few years to get into the groove of "The Beach", but I have it down pat now, and it's an ideal vacation for me. I sleep as late as I want, with the help of earplugs. See, we share a house with Grandma, and "Grandma's Club" meets here every morning bright and early, bursting with song and screams. The earplugs are my saving grace. After breakfast, or lunch, depending on when I get up, I wait for the smog to burn off (my #1 complaint about California beaches. I have many, others being that the water is freezing, the waves are too big to hang out in the water if you could anyway, there are sharks...). Then I head out to the beach and bake for awhile, keeping my face fully covered. I am well aware that when I am seventy, my face will (hopefully) look 50, but the rest of my body will look 90. Oh well. Then it's in for a shower and dinner, and then we head to the Fun Zone, an area of ancient arcade games and carnival rides. The goal of the evening is to get as many tickets as possible, so that at the end of the week, you can buy things to throw away later, such as stuffed animals, chinese finger traps, or extremely large playing cards. Or spend them more wisely, and buy Fun Dip and Airheads. Or, do the adult thing, and give them to your nieces and nephews. (But that's really hard for me to do still, since I like to buy things with them. I'm an oversized kid, really.) We head back to the house and put the kids to bed, and sometimes the adults will play games, but that's not a given. Although I hear in past years it used to be. Now, usually someone is mad at someone else, so not everyone gets together. The beach week is never without it's fair share of family drama. This year will no doubt be no different, and I'm am determined to stay out of every ounce of it. Innocent opinons can't really be shared in this family, b/c they will come back to bite you in the ass. Choose your words wisely, grasshopper.
But that wasn't the point of me bringing up the beach. My point is that, every year, we anxiously wait for the beach to come, and then WHOOSH! In a flash it's gone. For some reason the beach has quickly snuck up on me, and I really haven't even given it a single thought. Maybe it's because the beach is usually the trip to start all summer trips, the kickstart of summer. We've already been to Florida and Texas, and now going to LA is just a trip somewhere in the middle. Either way, it's a weird thing. Weird that I haven't been looking forward to it, in the sense of meticulously counting down days. But awesome that it's already 2 weeks away! It's always a great time, no matter what. This year will be slightly different as we'll be away from the beach more than usual. We're headed to an Angels game on Tuesday and then a wedding rehearsal dinner on Thursday. I'm sooooo looking forward to all that So Cal traffic.
Was that boring? Sorry.
Someone is rocking "Sweet Emotion" outside, really loud, and it just made my day. Who doesn't love Aerosmith? That officialy just started my weekend. Awesome.
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Stormy weather
We have crazy tornado watches and t-storm warnings until 5 am. It's starting to lightning quite a bit. I like storms like these, especially at night, and most especially if I don't have to go out in them. It was super hot and suuuuper windy today. I hate wind. I've probably mentioned this before, but wind probably goes at the very top of my short list of things I absolutely hate. Really, nothing good about wind, unless you're a sailor or a kite-flyer. Of which I am neither.
Somehow I got sucked into watching First Daughter on TV tonite. I don't know why I'd never seen it before. It was your typical cheesy presidential family movie, but I liked it. It was vintage Katie Holmes, before she got all crazified by Tom. So sad.
Tomorrow's Friday! Hope everyone has a good day!
Somehow I got sucked into watching First Daughter on TV tonite. I don't know why I'd never seen it before. It was your typical cheesy presidential family movie, but I liked it. It was vintage Katie Holmes, before she got all crazified by Tom. So sad.
Tomorrow's Friday! Hope everyone has a good day!
Paris
I'm not much of a Paris Hilton fan, although I do love the song "Stars are Blind". Well, I'm sure you all know she got out of jail today after a mere 3 days. Lame. Whatever. Anyway, here's a little vid for your enjoyment. Or detestment.
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Things I love about summer:
In no particular order,
Barbecues
Corn on the cob
Otter pops
The sun
Festivals
The beach
Tans
Shorts
Summer movies
Watermelon
Traveling
Too bad it was in the 50's today. It's June, folks. Except tomorrow it will be in the 90's. Wisconsin is bipolar, I'm sure of it.
Barbecues
Corn on the cob
Otter pops
The sun
Festivals
The beach
Tans
Shorts
Summer movies
Watermelon
Traveling
Too bad it was in the 50's today. It's June, folks. Except tomorrow it will be in the 90's. Wisconsin is bipolar, I'm sure of it.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
No contest, your honor
What a day.
Court time was 8:30 am. I left at 7:40 or so, giving myself plenty time to get downtown, find a parking spot, and find the courtroom. Well, that did not happen. 45 southbound was a parking lot. 40 minutes later, I was at the zoo. That's normally a 10 minute drive, folks. Apparently there were accidents all over, AND some motivation conference (read: schmucks stealing other people's money so they can tell them they're nice and popular) that everyone in Wisconsin was going to. I couldn't find a parking spot anywhere, and since there was this fabulous conference going on, all the lots were jacked up to $10 bucks. No thank you. I was already paying $164.30 to the City of Milwaukee, and I was NOT about to tack on another 10. I found a meter a couple blocks away and shoved some quarters into it. It's now 8:45. I book it to the Municpal Courthouse Building, running up 2 flights of stairs, and falling flat on my face in the process. Luckily, tons of people were coming down the stairs as I was falling up them to witness it. A few of them offered to help and I tried to play it cool. Like I meant to do it. Well, I get to the top and the secrity guard tells me I'm in the wrong building. I need to go back down the cursed stairs and two blocks west, THRU the jail and to the courthouse over there. So I run the two blocks, certain my case has already been called and I'm screwed. I'm running in heeled boots, in a sweater, and I'm dripping sweat like it's nobody's business. Good thing I use Degree. I go through security again, and the guard tells me to go up to the next floor. So I go up and head in the direction of the Courthouse, like the signs point. Certainly not towards the Safety Building, like the other sign points. So I am searching for room 221, with no luck. The rooms stop at 215. I ask the lady in room 215 where 221 is, and she tells me it's in THE SAFETY BUILDING. You're kidding me. So I trudge back through the looooongest corridors ever over to the safety building. I find the right room, and go in and check in with the registrar, or whoever. She asks if I can pay today, which I said I could, which meant I would go near the beginning of the hearings. Whatever. It's now 9:00. The judge comes in. I sit down. Perfect timing, I guess. I ask the guy sitting next to me what the difference is between "guilty" and "no contest" so he tells me, and he doesn't whisper. I hate that. I'm trying to be quiet, especially when there's signs saying that if you're loud or use your cell phone your case will be called last!!! I never should have talked to him, b/c then he talked to me the whooooole time. Finally my case was called and I went up to the stand. The guard asked me to remove my sunglasses. Oops. The judge was nice and reduced my ticket to a parking citation with no points on my record and I just had to pay the fine. Done and done. I had already planned what I'd say to defend myself but he didn't even ask me. Oh well.
Did I mention that I got my new WI license in the mail? I was worried about the picture, since I have a tendency to blink during pictures. Yes, in the 1/1000th of a second it takes to take a picture I find I must blink at that very instant. But, the picture is decent, my eyes are open, and I don't look like a zombie. I'll even show it to you if you want, that's how much I don't hate it. Bonus: Only the middle initial goes on the card, not the whole name. Isn't that weird? Wisconsin is a jacked up state, that's for dang sure.
I think of things all day to blog about, and when it comes down to it, I forget what they were. I'm going to have to start keeping a list, just like the list I keep when I remember something I need to get at Wal-Mart next time I go shopping. I'm pathetic. But I know it, and I love it.
For the sole purpose of hopefully having a fabulous anniversary, take a second and head over to Josie's blog and vote on her poll. If we're lucky, maybe her husband will read it and do something nice for her. :)
Court time was 8:30 am. I left at 7:40 or so, giving myself plenty time to get downtown, find a parking spot, and find the courtroom. Well, that did not happen. 45 southbound was a parking lot. 40 minutes later, I was at the zoo. That's normally a 10 minute drive, folks. Apparently there were accidents all over, AND some motivation conference (read: schmucks stealing other people's money so they can tell them they're nice and popular) that everyone in Wisconsin was going to. I couldn't find a parking spot anywhere, and since there was this fabulous conference going on, all the lots were jacked up to $10 bucks. No thank you. I was already paying $164.30 to the City of Milwaukee, and I was NOT about to tack on another 10. I found a meter a couple blocks away and shoved some quarters into it. It's now 8:45. I book it to the Municpal Courthouse Building, running up 2 flights of stairs, and falling flat on my face in the process. Luckily, tons of people were coming down the stairs as I was falling up them to witness it. A few of them offered to help and I tried to play it cool. Like I meant to do it. Well, I get to the top and the secrity guard tells me I'm in the wrong building. I need to go back down the cursed stairs and two blocks west, THRU the jail and to the courthouse over there. So I run the two blocks, certain my case has already been called and I'm screwed. I'm running in heeled boots, in a sweater, and I'm dripping sweat like it's nobody's business. Good thing I use Degree. I go through security again, and the guard tells me to go up to the next floor. So I go up and head in the direction of the Courthouse, like the signs point. Certainly not towards the Safety Building, like the other sign points. So I am searching for room 221, with no luck. The rooms stop at 215. I ask the lady in room 215 where 221 is, and she tells me it's in THE SAFETY BUILDING. You're kidding me. So I trudge back through the looooongest corridors ever over to the safety building. I find the right room, and go in and check in with the registrar, or whoever. She asks if I can pay today, which I said I could, which meant I would go near the beginning of the hearings. Whatever. It's now 9:00. The judge comes in. I sit down. Perfect timing, I guess. I ask the guy sitting next to me what the difference is between "guilty" and "no contest" so he tells me, and he doesn't whisper. I hate that. I'm trying to be quiet, especially when there's signs saying that if you're loud or use your cell phone your case will be called last!!! I never should have talked to him, b/c then he talked to me the whooooole time. Finally my case was called and I went up to the stand. The guard asked me to remove my sunglasses. Oops. The judge was nice and reduced my ticket to a parking citation with no points on my record and I just had to pay the fine. Done and done. I had already planned what I'd say to defend myself but he didn't even ask me. Oh well.
Did I mention that I got my new WI license in the mail? I was worried about the picture, since I have a tendency to blink during pictures. Yes, in the 1/1000th of a second it takes to take a picture I find I must blink at that very instant. But, the picture is decent, my eyes are open, and I don't look like a zombie. I'll even show it to you if you want, that's how much I don't hate it. Bonus: Only the middle initial goes on the card, not the whole name. Isn't that weird? Wisconsin is a jacked up state, that's for dang sure.
I think of things all day to blog about, and when it comes down to it, I forget what they were. I'm going to have to start keeping a list, just like the list I keep when I remember something I need to get at Wal-Mart next time I go shopping. I'm pathetic. But I know it, and I love it.
For the sole purpose of hopefully having a fabulous anniversary, take a second and head over to Josie's blog and vote on her poll. If we're lucky, maybe her husband will read it and do something nice for her. :)
Monday, June 04, 2007
Insert title here.
Well, tomorrow is The Big Day. Traffic Court Day. I have no idea what I'll say, to be honest. I just hope they take off the points and let me pay the fine. Maybe I'll wear my lowest cut shirt (ok, for us MoMo's, that's to my collar bone) and see what the judge thinks.
First day of work went well. I pretty much read the whole day. I'm almost finished with "A Painted House" by John Grisham. My mom brought it to me awhile ago and I'm just not getting around to reading it. It's pretty good...the end is coming quickly and I'm still waiting for things to resolve. I should probably finish it tomorrow. Then it's on to "Fast Food Nation", which I started at BYU but for some reason never finished it. I'm excited for that one. I remember it being really interesting when I started it.
My wee "garden" is growing. I started with just cilantro and basil plants, but now I have parsley, tomatoes, and green onions. Very exciting. Tonite I made Cilantro Turkey Burgers, one of my favorite summer BBQ recipes, with cilantrol that I grew! Proud mama, I am. And because I like you so much, here's the recipe:
Cilantro Turkey Burgers
1 1/2 lb. ground turkey
1 c. packed cilantro with stems
1/4 c. finely chopped onion
2 tsp. minced garlic
3/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 tbsp. olive oil - for tops of burgers
Grill oil down for 8 minutes, flip 8-10 minutes. Top with Cilantro Orange Mayo.
Cilantro Orange Mayo
1 c. mayo
1 c. packed cilantro
1/2 tsp. grated orange peel
1 tsp. orange juice
(I usually halve the recipe, b/c who really need a whole CUP of this stuff??? Not me. It's good, but it usually goes bad before I can use it all.)
Enjoy!
First day of work went well. I pretty much read the whole day. I'm almost finished with "A Painted House" by John Grisham. My mom brought it to me awhile ago and I'm just not getting around to reading it. It's pretty good...the end is coming quickly and I'm still waiting for things to resolve. I should probably finish it tomorrow. Then it's on to "Fast Food Nation", which I started at BYU but for some reason never finished it. I'm excited for that one. I remember it being really interesting when I started it.
My wee "garden" is growing. I started with just cilantro and basil plants, but now I have parsley, tomatoes, and green onions. Very exciting. Tonite I made Cilantro Turkey Burgers, one of my favorite summer BBQ recipes, with cilantrol that I grew! Proud mama, I am. And because I like you so much, here's the recipe:
Cilantro Turkey Burgers
1 1/2 lb. ground turkey
1 c. packed cilantro with stems
1/4 c. finely chopped onion
2 tsp. minced garlic
3/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 tbsp. olive oil - for tops of burgers
Grill oil down for 8 minutes, flip 8-10 minutes. Top with Cilantro Orange Mayo.
Cilantro Orange Mayo
1 c. mayo
1 c. packed cilantro
1/2 tsp. grated orange peel
1 tsp. orange juice
(I usually halve the recipe, b/c who really need a whole CUP of this stuff??? Not me. It's good, but it usually goes bad before I can use it all.)
Enjoy!
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Saturday, June 02, 2007
For all the Milwaukeeans
It's Riversplash this weekend. We were gonna head down last night...but decided not to. And it's a good thing, too, since it rained buckets. Riversplash also corresponds with Dining Week, where you can go to a list of places and eat lunch for $10 and dinner for $20, and each includes an appetizer, entree', and dessert. Pretty sweet deal. Check it out, yo. We'll probably go later today. It sucks to go to those things alone, so if you wanna come with, call a sista up! Fireworks at 10pm!
How could we forget Pirate Fest in Port Washington? If Pirates are your thing, this is apparently the place to be.
The Port Washington Pirate Festival includes an Invasion, a Thieves Marketplace, Musicians, Comedians, a Pirate Ship, A Treasure Hunt, Children's Activities, a Gruel Galley and Much More.
An invasion???? Yikes! Thieves Marketplace? Seems counterproductive, no?
Anyway, plenty to do this weekend, so no complaining! Happy Saturday!
How could we forget Pirate Fest in Port Washington? If Pirates are your thing, this is apparently the place to be.
The Port Washington Pirate Festival includes an Invasion, a Thieves Marketplace, Musicians, Comedians, a Pirate Ship, A Treasure Hunt, Children's Activities, a Gruel Galley and Much More.
An invasion???? Yikes! Thieves Marketplace? Seems counterproductive, no?
Anyway, plenty to do this weekend, so no complaining! Happy Saturday!
Friday, June 01, 2007
Alton
It's no secret that I'm madly in love with Alton Brown, star of Good Eats and Iron Chef America. I love Good Eats, and have a season pass on my TiVo. And when I'm feeling down, all I need to do is play one of the many episodes I have saved and he cheers me up instantly. Whether I'm sad b/c of a bad grade, poopy weather, or gross cookies. So imagine my sheer DELIGHT when my friend has an extra copy of his book and GIVES IT TO ME!!! I promised her dinner and took her some pickles, but deep in my heart I know I shall never repay her. I'm only on page 25, but I've laughed out loud too many times to count, and made Derrick pause whatever he's watching so I can read him the witty little quip that made me bust up laughing. Here's my favorite quote thus far, regarding cast iron skillets and their seasoning process, of which I have particular interesting, having just bought one in Texas.
"Some folks sneer at the maintenance required, but considering that ours is the very culture that nurtured Sea Monkeys, Chia Pets, and Pet Rocks, taking care of an iron skillet shouldn't be a problem."
Love him. One day I shall meet him.
Yesterday I finally watched Music and Lyrics, with Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore. It was soooo adorable. I loved it. It was really funny. It's about an 80's band has-been, which makes it even more awesome. I immediately downloaded the songs that he sings in it, and they make me happy. You should watch it. And when you do, invite me over so I can watch it with you.
Derrick and I went on a date tonite. We went to Culver's. Awesome. Cookies and Cream custard is what sealed the deal. We couldn't decide where we wanted to go, so we had to resort to The Game. The Game was developed while at BYU with the help of Jason and Scott. See, we ate out almost every day, at least once, but usually twice a day. When you eat out that much, you start to run out of places to eat that you don't get sick of. (At one point we went through the Yellow Pages and there were seriously only like 10 places under the "Restaurants" section that one of the four of us had not eaten at.) So The Game. Simple rules. In the event that a consensus cannot be met as to the location of where to eat, each person makes a numbered list, from 5 down to 1. Your top choice goes next to the 5 (earning higest points), your next choice next to 4, and so on down to 1. Entries are confidential. Once everyone has filled out their lists, they are combined and points added up. The restaurant with the highest number of points wins, hands down. No further discussion is allowed. Here's how it played out tonite:
My list:
5-Culver's
4-Arby's
3-Wendy's
2-Noodles
1-McDonald's
Derrick's list:
5-McDonald's
4-Wendy's
3-Culver's
2-Arby's
1-Quizno's
Culver's was the clear winner with 8 points. Wendy's was next with 7 points. It was decided beforehand that we would only choose from fast food places. In other instances, we'll choose other styles of dining. Sometimes it's a free for all. As you can see, we were fairly close in choosing the same places. Guess that's why we're married...we like the same crappy food.
Anyway, it's a highly effective method of choosing meal locations, and I highly recommend it. If you have success stories, I'd love to hear them!
"Some folks sneer at the maintenance required, but considering that ours is the very culture that nurtured Sea Monkeys, Chia Pets, and Pet Rocks, taking care of an iron skillet shouldn't be a problem."
Love him. One day I shall meet him.
Yesterday I finally watched Music and Lyrics, with Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore. It was soooo adorable. I loved it. It was really funny. It's about an 80's band has-been, which makes it even more awesome. I immediately downloaded the songs that he sings in it, and they make me happy. You should watch it. And when you do, invite me over so I can watch it with you.
Derrick and I went on a date tonite. We went to Culver's. Awesome. Cookies and Cream custard is what sealed the deal. We couldn't decide where we wanted to go, so we had to resort to The Game. The Game was developed while at BYU with the help of Jason and Scott. See, we ate out almost every day, at least once, but usually twice a day. When you eat out that much, you start to run out of places to eat that you don't get sick of. (At one point we went through the Yellow Pages and there were seriously only like 10 places under the "Restaurants" section that one of the four of us had not eaten at.) So The Game. Simple rules. In the event that a consensus cannot be met as to the location of where to eat, each person makes a numbered list, from 5 down to 1. Your top choice goes next to the 5 (earning higest points), your next choice next to 4, and so on down to 1. Entries are confidential. Once everyone has filled out their lists, they are combined and points added up. The restaurant with the highest number of points wins, hands down. No further discussion is allowed. Here's how it played out tonite:
My list:
5-Culver's
4-Arby's
3-Wendy's
2-Noodles
1-McDonald's
Derrick's list:
5-McDonald's
4-Wendy's
3-Culver's
2-Arby's
1-Quizno's
Culver's was the clear winner with 8 points. Wendy's was next with 7 points. It was decided beforehand that we would only choose from fast food places. In other instances, we'll choose other styles of dining. Sometimes it's a free for all. As you can see, we were fairly close in choosing the same places. Guess that's why we're married...we like the same crappy food.
Anyway, it's a highly effective method of choosing meal locations, and I highly recommend it. If you have success stories, I'd love to hear them!
Phobias
I start my job at the psychiatric clinic today. I'm not allowed to wear open toed shoes, as a courtesy to those who come in with foot fetishes and/or phobias. But what about those with hairy arm phobias? Shouldn't we be catering to them, too??
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