Monday, September 15, 2008
Blog Friends
If any of you are reading my blog and have not read the blogs I list in the right hand column of my site - please give them a look. I can guarantee an Elvis sighting and a deeper understanding of your personal view of politics.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Maple Almond Salad
I learned this from Joylaine's aunt in BC.
Brown some sliced almonds in a pan with nothing else. When you are done throw some maple syrup in the pan and let it cook onto the nuts. Set aside.
In a large salad bowl mix butter leaf lettuce, blueberries and sliced apples. Put the almonds on top. Use Olive Oil & Balsamic Dressing (we prefer the safeway select brand).
This salad rocks!
Brown some sliced almonds in a pan with nothing else. When you are done throw some maple syrup in the pan and let it cook onto the nuts. Set aside.
In a large salad bowl mix butter leaf lettuce, blueberries and sliced apples. Put the almonds on top. Use Olive Oil & Balsamic Dressing (we prefer the safeway select brand).
This salad rocks!
Friday, September 12, 2008
Life Lessons From A Stay At Home Mom
5: A crabby toddler is only cute for the 1st 30 seconds - anything beyond that will drive you insane.
4. Never assume your child knows not to pee on the floor
3. When you are the parent you are always right - even if your children spend the day telling you how incredibly wrong you are.
2. Little girls are sugar and spice but not necessarily all things nice.
1. Cheese buns and bath tubs don't mix
4. Never assume your child knows not to pee on the floor
3. When you are the parent you are always right - even if your children spend the day telling you how incredibly wrong you are.
2. Little girls are sugar and spice but not necessarily all things nice.
1. Cheese buns and bath tubs don't mix
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Quote of The Week
Vincent: Want some bacon?
Jules: No man, I don't eat pork.
Vincent: Are you Jewish?
Jules: Nah, I ain't Jewish, I just don't dig on swine, that's all.
Vincent: Why not?
Jules: Pigs are filthy animals. I don't eat filthy animals.
Vincent: Bacon tastes gooood. Pork chops taste gooood.
Jules: Hey, sewer rat may taste like pumpkin pie, but I'd never know 'cause I wouldn't eat the filthy *&#%^^*@^. Pigs sleep and root in @#%*. That's a filthy animal. I ain't eat nothin' that ain't got enough sense enough to disregard its own feces.
Name That Movie
Jules: No man, I don't eat pork.
Vincent: Are you Jewish?
Jules: Nah, I ain't Jewish, I just don't dig on swine, that's all.
Vincent: Why not?
Jules: Pigs are filthy animals. I don't eat filthy animals.
Vincent: Bacon tastes gooood. Pork chops taste gooood.
Jules: Hey, sewer rat may taste like pumpkin pie, but I'd never know 'cause I wouldn't eat the filthy *&#%^^*@^. Pigs sleep and root in @#%*. That's a filthy animal. I ain't eat nothin' that ain't got enough sense enough to disregard its own feces.
Name That Movie
Friday, August 22, 2008
Twilight Series
Unless you have been living in a cave you must have heard of the craze concerning the Twilight series of books written by S. Meyer.
Yes I am aware it is targeted for adolescent girls and I am far from that age group but this book series took over a few weeks of my life. Lest you think I am a typical reader of this type of book I will list the book I read before this series and the book after – 1984 by Orwell and the classic Jane Eyre by Bronte. My non-classic favorites of the summer were the Glass Castle by Walls and Me Talk Pretty One Day by Sedaris.
This book series, contrary to the target audience assumed by bookstores/marketers, is for any reader that enjoys action, mixed with romance, mixed with suspense and more.
You will find many websites claiming these are the best books ever and an equal amount saying they are the worst and that anyone that enjoys them is an idiot.
Is it the best book series ever written? No
Is it terrible writing? No
(To clarify the writing quality is not poor enough to distract the reader and conversely it is also not well enough written to bother underlining beautiful sentences and sentiments.)
Is it fun? Yes
Does it have surprises along the way? Yes
Is it worth the read? Definitely – even by self-professed booksnobs like myself
Will guys like it? Yes – what’s not to like when there are vampires, fast cars, sexual attraction and adventure?
This is the ultimate summer read of 2008 – it isn’t the most complicated to read but it is fun. Trust me fellow book snobs – sometimes it is ok just to have some fun.
Yes I am aware it is targeted for adolescent girls and I am far from that age group but this book series took over a few weeks of my life. Lest you think I am a typical reader of this type of book I will list the book I read before this series and the book after – 1984 by Orwell and the classic Jane Eyre by Bronte. My non-classic favorites of the summer were the Glass Castle by Walls and Me Talk Pretty One Day by Sedaris.
This book series, contrary to the target audience assumed by bookstores/marketers, is for any reader that enjoys action, mixed with romance, mixed with suspense and more.
You will find many websites claiming these are the best books ever and an equal amount saying they are the worst and that anyone that enjoys them is an idiot.
Is it the best book series ever written? No
Is it terrible writing? No
(To clarify the writing quality is not poor enough to distract the reader and conversely it is also not well enough written to bother underlining beautiful sentences and sentiments.)
Is it fun? Yes
Does it have surprises along the way? Yes
Is it worth the read? Definitely – even by self-professed booksnobs like myself
Will guys like it? Yes – what’s not to like when there are vampires, fast cars, sexual attraction and adventure?
This is the ultimate summer read of 2008 – it isn’t the most complicated to read but it is fun. Trust me fellow book snobs – sometimes it is ok just to have some fun.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
The Ballerina Incident
Before I begin I would like to say that my dentist is a lovely man that means well – as are, I assume, most dentists – and I in no way mean this blog as an attack against dentists and other dental professionals as a whole.
And now we begin the “ballerina incident”. . .
I have a fear of the dental chair that goes back to my earliest memories. Due to a genetic deficiency of not having the proper enamel on my teeth, I was a regular in “the chair”. In the 70s most of you will know that the fillings were the Amalgam Fillings and not the beautiful composites of today (http://www.ada.org/public/topics/fillings.asp#amalgam) and the entire process was undertaken in a no-nonsense fashion.
After many incidents of pain and stress in the dental chair my parents finally found me a dentist that offered laughing gas as a means of relaxing me. This was a HUGE improvement for me and gave me a few years of less traumatic dental work.
So, what does this have to do with ballerinas? A few years ago I needed to find a new dentist and my friend Carrie suggested hers. He was nice, intelligent and had a reputation as being a good dentist for children which would make him ideal for our family. The problem? No laughing gas and thus ANXIETY. He offered me a prescription for Percocet to take the edge off, so I popped the magical pills before I went to the dentist.
I will admit the anxiety was not crippling and therefore the Percocet had done its job. I sat smugly in “the chair” listening to Bono on my headphones thinking I would finally have a relaxing visit to the dentist without the use of laughing gas.
That is we SHE showed up – yep you guessed it, it was a ballerina. I happened to glance at the wall across from me and there she sat – an adult sized ballerina dressed in full ballerina garb except she wasn’t very lady-like. She looked like a “hard living” ballerina. In other words, her make-up was smeared, she looked dirty and disheveled, she had one leg straight in front of her and one leg bent at the knee with a dirty cigarette hanging out of her mouth. She just sat there smoking and looking at me with her creepy eyes.
The dentist and his assistant entered my room and they didn’t even see her – not for one moment. Not a single person cared that there was a ballerina in my room. It turns out she was my first true hallucination and it was brought on by Percocet. So where does that leave me for tomorrow morning as I head in for more dental work? Do I take a Percocet and hope to avoid anxiety but run the risk of a hallucination (and let’s face it, hallucinations can be much scarier than a silent ballerina) or do I just march into the dentist office with my anxiety in tow?
For the record I am well aware of how ridiculous my fear of dental work is. My 7 year old daughter had a cavity treated just last night with no Percocet, laughing gas, or even numbing shots. She sailed through just fine with no complaints.
And now we begin the “ballerina incident”. . .
I have a fear of the dental chair that goes back to my earliest memories. Due to a genetic deficiency of not having the proper enamel on my teeth, I was a regular in “the chair”. In the 70s most of you will know that the fillings were the Amalgam Fillings and not the beautiful composites of today (http://www.ada.org/public/topics/fillings.asp#amalgam) and the entire process was undertaken in a no-nonsense fashion.
After many incidents of pain and stress in the dental chair my parents finally found me a dentist that offered laughing gas as a means of relaxing me. This was a HUGE improvement for me and gave me a few years of less traumatic dental work.
So, what does this have to do with ballerinas? A few years ago I needed to find a new dentist and my friend Carrie suggested hers. He was nice, intelligent and had a reputation as being a good dentist for children which would make him ideal for our family. The problem? No laughing gas and thus ANXIETY. He offered me a prescription for Percocet to take the edge off, so I popped the magical pills before I went to the dentist.
I will admit the anxiety was not crippling and therefore the Percocet had done its job. I sat smugly in “the chair” listening to Bono on my headphones thinking I would finally have a relaxing visit to the dentist without the use of laughing gas.
That is we SHE showed up – yep you guessed it, it was a ballerina. I happened to glance at the wall across from me and there she sat – an adult sized ballerina dressed in full ballerina garb except she wasn’t very lady-like. She looked like a “hard living” ballerina. In other words, her make-up was smeared, she looked dirty and disheveled, she had one leg straight in front of her and one leg bent at the knee with a dirty cigarette hanging out of her mouth. She just sat there smoking and looking at me with her creepy eyes.
The dentist and his assistant entered my room and they didn’t even see her – not for one moment. Not a single person cared that there was a ballerina in my room. It turns out she was my first true hallucination and it was brought on by Percocet. So where does that leave me for tomorrow morning as I head in for more dental work? Do I take a Percocet and hope to avoid anxiety but run the risk of a hallucination (and let’s face it, hallucinations can be much scarier than a silent ballerina) or do I just march into the dentist office with my anxiety in tow?
For the record I am well aware of how ridiculous my fear of dental work is. My 7 year old daughter had a cavity treated just last night with no Percocet, laughing gas, or even numbing shots. She sailed through just fine with no complaints.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
Book Of The Month / Choose One Thing
The Glass Castle: A Memoir
J. Walls
A friend of mine recommended this ages ago and I finally read it. This book is real, raw and exposed.
In the spirit of the novel . . .
If you were a child and your parents told you that you were leaving your home and could only bring one non-essential thing what would you bring? (p.s. to play this game properly you must know that you are very poor and will likely be living in a home that should be condemned – therefore no Guitar Hero)
J. Walls
A friend of mine recommended this ages ago and I finally read it. This book is real, raw and exposed.
In the spirit of the novel . . .
If you were a child and your parents told you that you were leaving your home and could only bring one non-essential thing what would you bring? (p.s. to play this game properly you must know that you are very poor and will likely be living in a home that should be condemned – therefore no Guitar Hero)
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Bizarre
Tonight I found myself saying the craziest thing I’ve ever said and I meant it seriously, there was no intention of a joke.
"Chris, can you throw down the wet monkey? You should see it on the stove."
If you remember saying anything bizarre you never thought you would say please post it for all to see.
"Chris, can you throw down the wet monkey? You should see it on the stove."
If you remember saying anything bizarre you never thought you would say please post it for all to see.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
“What all the ads and all the whoreoscopes seemed to imply was that if only you were narcissistic enough, if only you took proper care of your smells, your hair, your boobs, your eyelashes, your armpits . . .you would meet a beautiful, powerful, potent, and rich man who would satisfy every longing . . .make your heart skip a beat (or stand still), make you misty, and fly you to the moon (preferably on gossamer wings), where you would live totally satisfied forever.
And the crazy part of it was that even if you were clever, even if you spent your adolescence reading John Donne and Shaw, even if you studied history or zoology or physics and hoped to spend your life pursuing some difficult and challenging career – you still had a mind full of all the soupy longings that every high-school girl was awash in."
Fear of Flying – Erica Jong
The world my daughters are growing up in is full of princess stories, Barbie Dolls and dreams of future romance – and they don’t even know what romance is. They are however being taught that love is important and romantic love a dream to wish for. This is everywhere –not just in toys and movies but on the covers of magazines on the grocery shelves, in the newspaper, on bus ads, even watching mommy and daddy kiss and flirt while making dinner.
What is this fascination with love? Above it feels like a marketing ploy designed to make us desire to spend money changing ourselves but what instinct are we following that makes the idea of love so powerful? Why do people crave love, acceptance and connection? It isn’t always easy and it doesn’t always work out but we are undeniably attracted to the idea of romance.
The quote at the top was written in 1973. Has the world changed at all in all these years?
And the crazy part of it was that even if you were clever, even if you spent your adolescence reading John Donne and Shaw, even if you studied history or zoology or physics and hoped to spend your life pursuing some difficult and challenging career – you still had a mind full of all the soupy longings that every high-school girl was awash in."
Fear of Flying – Erica Jong
The world my daughters are growing up in is full of princess stories, Barbie Dolls and dreams of future romance – and they don’t even know what romance is. They are however being taught that love is important and romantic love a dream to wish for. This is everywhere –not just in toys and movies but on the covers of magazines on the grocery shelves, in the newspaper, on bus ads, even watching mommy and daddy kiss and flirt while making dinner.
What is this fascination with love? Above it feels like a marketing ploy designed to make us desire to spend money changing ourselves but what instinct are we following that makes the idea of love so powerful? Why do people crave love, acceptance and connection? It isn’t always easy and it doesn’t always work out but we are undeniably attracted to the idea of romance.
The quote at the top was written in 1973. Has the world changed at all in all these years?
Monday, June 16, 2008
Mmmmm . . . Nachos!
It is golfing season in Calgary and I have learned my new favorite math equation:
Golf Lessons + Great Friends + Nachos = Best Day Of The Week.
Sure, not everyone is taking golf lessons and maybe you are at home without any friends at the moment but you can likely make yourself a plate of nachos that are YUMMY!
First you must buy the red El Molino tortilla chips from the deli section of Safeway (special thanks to Leona for that fantastic tip). Spread your chips on a baking sheet and spray them liberally with cooking spray. Don’t skip this step, it will help make the flavor stick. Turn on your oven so it can begin to pre-heat. In a small bowl mix chili powder with finely ground sea salt (if you don’t have any in the house you can use table salt). Mix this up and sprinkle it on your chips but not too heavily because trust me there can be too much. Now you are ready to bake your chips.
While the chips are warming prepare your cheese. If you need to shred it, do that now. If you bought pre-shredded cheese, now is a great time to get your drink ready.
When your chips are warm, pull them out and cover them with your cheese. Now all you need to do is bake them until they look ready and top them however you like.
Golf Lessons + Great Friends + Nachos = Best Day Of The Week.
Sure, not everyone is taking golf lessons and maybe you are at home without any friends at the moment but you can likely make yourself a plate of nachos that are YUMMY!
First you must buy the red El Molino tortilla chips from the deli section of Safeway (special thanks to Leona for that fantastic tip). Spread your chips on a baking sheet and spray them liberally with cooking spray. Don’t skip this step, it will help make the flavor stick. Turn on your oven so it can begin to pre-heat. In a small bowl mix chili powder with finely ground sea salt (if you don’t have any in the house you can use table salt). Mix this up and sprinkle it on your chips but not too heavily because trust me there can be too much. Now you are ready to bake your chips.
While the chips are warming prepare your cheese. If you need to shred it, do that now. If you bought pre-shredded cheese, now is a great time to get your drink ready.
When your chips are warm, pull them out and cover them with your cheese. Now all you need to do is bake them until they look ready and top them however you like.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Time To Plan For Christmas
We have been trying to plan our blogger Soup & Sandwich Contest. There are 5 couples that I am trying to bring together for one night – or lunch – in order to have the contest. After many emails we still have not chosen a date. Getting the couples together is proving impossible. Just wait until I try to coordinate with the 3 official coaches and then we will truly have problems.
So, how does this affect you dear reader? Simple . . . if you want to host any event with 5 specific couples or more you need to book 3 months ahead. Are you daydreaming of Christmas and New Years plans? Book them now! Back to school BBQ’s? Make sure everyone marks their calendars today. Getaway weekend for next summer? Seriously, you should book now. Planning a Stampede social – good luck, I suggest you skip this year and book for 2009
Who is the hardest to book? Christian parents!!!!!!!! If you have school events, church events, work events, extra curricular activities like soccer and also family commitments, you have no time left over to be social. The only way to balance is to plan now.
So, how does Spring Break 2009 look on your calendar?
So, how does this affect you dear reader? Simple . . . if you want to host any event with 5 specific couples or more you need to book 3 months ahead. Are you daydreaming of Christmas and New Years plans? Book them now! Back to school BBQ’s? Make sure everyone marks their calendars today. Getaway weekend for next summer? Seriously, you should book now. Planning a Stampede social – good luck, I suggest you skip this year and book for 2009
Who is the hardest to book? Christian parents!!!!!!!! If you have school events, church events, work events, extra curricular activities like soccer and also family commitments, you have no time left over to be social. The only way to balance is to plan now.
So, how does Spring Break 2009 look on your calendar?
Friday, June 6, 2008
Drink Of The Week
Non-Alcoholic
Extra Large Low Fat Chocolate Chiller with Whipcream (Second Cup)
Alcoholic
Any Pinot Grigio
Extra Large Low Fat Chocolate Chiller with Whipcream (Second Cup)
Alcoholic
Any Pinot Grigio
Do Something Nice For Someone Day . . .
It is Friday afternoon and I am declaring this Do Something Nice For Someone Day. You can bake bannana bread for someone, organize somebody's socks, whatever- just do something. Because it is after noon you have until Sunday morning to complete your fun task. After you do it, let us know through my blog what you did.
I can't wait to hear about you good deeds!
I can't wait to hear about you good deeds!
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Catch The Wind
“This is how you catch the wind - you run!”
When I heard Claire say those words this afternoon it was like poetry. She was teaching someone how to fly a kite but teaching me much more.
I think when you “grow up” you TYPICALLY become more responsible (no surprise there). Your world becomes more about your duties and role in your family/community/society rather than your passions and wants.
Please read the comic below to see what I mean (special thanks to the good friend that shared it with me this morning).
If you are unable to read the small words please visithttp://community.livejournal.com/pearlswine/361105.html
When you are feeling attacked by the tiny Routinees you forget how to catch the wind (in the cartoon you even forget how to stand up).
Children rarely forget how to catch the wind. They dream big, they run, they try, they do. Just because we have Routinees in our life doesn’t mean we can’t catch the wind. We need to decide we want to catch the wind and make a run for it. This will be hard - very hard - but isn't it comforting that we can still try?
As grown-ups we could take a lesson from Claire.
“This is how you catch the wind - you run!”
When I heard Claire say those words this afternoon it was like poetry. She was teaching someone how to fly a kite but teaching me much more.
I think when you “grow up” you TYPICALLY become more responsible (no surprise there). Your world becomes more about your duties and role in your family/community/society rather than your passions and wants.
Please read the comic below to see what I mean (special thanks to the good friend that shared it with me this morning).
If you are unable to read the small words please visithttp://community.livejournal.com/pearlswine/361105.html
When you are feeling attacked by the tiny Routinees you forget how to catch the wind (in the cartoon you even forget how to stand up).
Children rarely forget how to catch the wind. They dream big, they run, they try, they do. Just because we have Routinees in our life doesn’t mean we can’t catch the wind. We need to decide we want to catch the wind and make a run for it. This will be hard - very hard - but isn't it comforting that we can still try?
As grown-ups we could take a lesson from Claire.
“This is how you catch the wind - you run!”
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Quote of the Week
"You wanted to know. Don't turn over rocks if you don't want to see the pale creatures who live under them."
White Oleander, Janet Fitch
White Oleander, Janet Fitch
Books & A Challenge
A family member asked me for book suggestions and I thought it would be fun to post my reccomendations. Let me know what you have read below and enjoyed (or disliked) and what books you love.
Books That Are Awesome (in no particular order)
Love in the Time Of Cholera
Fear of Flying
The Other Boleyn Girl
The Road
Blindness
The Time Traveller's Wife
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
The Red Tent
Bel Canto
Middlesex
Life of Pi
Gone With The Wind
The Eyre Affair
A Farewell To Arms
Books You Likely Have Not Heard of But They Are Great
The Book of Lost Things
The Shadow of The Wind
Short Stories I Like
The Yellow Wallpaper (Gilman)
The Long Walk and The Mist (S. King)
Teddy, Franny, and a Perfect Day For Bannana Fish (J.D. Salinger)
a
Summer Challenge:
I challenge any of you (in Calgary) to read ALL of the following books that relate to women's issues this summer and then come together to discuss. If you are going to attempt this challenge please let me know so I can re-read them as well.
The Yellow Wallpaper
Fear of Flying
The Dance of the Dissident Daughter
The Red Tent
Happy Reading
Books That Are Awesome (in no particular order)
Love in the Time Of Cholera
Fear of Flying
The Other Boleyn Girl
The Road
Blindness
The Time Traveller's Wife
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close
The Red Tent
Bel Canto
Middlesex
Life of Pi
Gone With The Wind
The Eyre Affair
A Farewell To Arms
Books You Likely Have Not Heard of But They Are Great
The Book of Lost Things
The Shadow of The Wind
Short Stories I Like
The Yellow Wallpaper (Gilman)
The Long Walk and The Mist (S. King)
Teddy, Franny, and a Perfect Day For Bannana Fish (J.D. Salinger)
a
Summer Challenge:
I challenge any of you (in Calgary) to read ALL of the following books that relate to women's issues this summer and then come together to discuss. If you are going to attempt this challenge please let me know so I can re-read them as well.
The Yellow Wallpaper
Fear of Flying
The Dance of the Dissident Daughter
The Red Tent
Happy Reading
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Finding Your Voice
When my 3rd daughter was around 1 year old she would chit-chat non-stop. The fact she knew no words meant nothing to her because she had a lot to say. I was jokingly complaining to my mother-in-law about the constant chatter when she said “She’s finding her voice”. I loved the way she said that! Finding your voice not only implies the sound your body can make but the capacity to let your thoughts and feelings be known, to express yourself fully.
Most adults reading this have found their physical voice. You can make noises verbalize thoughts but have you truly found your ‘voice’? In order to find your voice I think you first need to realize who you are and who you want to be. Let that marinate for a minute. If you are a Christian that also involves thinking of whom God created you to be.
Let me give you an example: one person may decide to attend every function they are invited to in order to show the person that invites them that they are valued. Another person may decide it is ok to say no to functions in order to have a balance of quiet nights also. Neither method is right or wrong, but the point here is the intentional thought process of making your decisions. Figuring out who you are involves looking at your priorities and making decisions accordingly rather than just making the decision that will make others around you happy or making decisions according to what is easiest at the moment.
Once you figure out your path ‘finding your voice’ begins to include vocalizing who you are. You will decide how you will treat others verbally, how you will communicate your decisions and how you will verbalize your thoughts.
Sure you might be talking today but have you found your voice? Are you speaking intentionally? Do you know why you make the decisions you do and do you have the courage to voice your true self?
Most adults reading this have found their physical voice. You can make noises verbalize thoughts but have you truly found your ‘voice’? In order to find your voice I think you first need to realize who you are and who you want to be. Let that marinate for a minute. If you are a Christian that also involves thinking of whom God created you to be.
Let me give you an example: one person may decide to attend every function they are invited to in order to show the person that invites them that they are valued. Another person may decide it is ok to say no to functions in order to have a balance of quiet nights also. Neither method is right or wrong, but the point here is the intentional thought process of making your decisions. Figuring out who you are involves looking at your priorities and making decisions accordingly rather than just making the decision that will make others around you happy or making decisions according to what is easiest at the moment.
Once you figure out your path ‘finding your voice’ begins to include vocalizing who you are. You will decide how you will treat others verbally, how you will communicate your decisions and how you will verbalize your thoughts.
Sure you might be talking today but have you found your voice? Are you speaking intentionally? Do you know why you make the decisions you do and do you have the courage to voice your true self?
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
TV show of the Week
TV show of the Week
Battlestar Galactic (the re-imagined version)
Frack - It's good!
I don't think any other tv show has felt as much like a movie as this one
Special thanks to Patrick who loaned us his disks. We've been enjoying them for weeks.
http://www.battlestargalactica.com/newbat.htm
Battlestar Galactic (the re-imagined version)
Frack - It's good!
I don't think any other tv show has felt as much like a movie as this one
Special thanks to Patrick who loaned us his disks. We've been enjoying them for weeks.
http://www.battlestargalactica.com/newbat.htm
SEARS sucks
Last year Chris & I bought a new washing machine from Sears. Within less than a month the computer that runs it completely crashed and they gave us the option of taking a floor model to replace it. So we did. I've never loved the machine, it had a few minor hitches but I had run out of options and figured it would last me at least a few years.
Today, it fell apart - litterally. The giant rubber piece you see when you open the inside broke right off along with some metal rings. Also, my laundry twisted all around it and I'm not certain yet if any of it was ruined.
The machine is ONE MONTH AND 13 DAYS past it's warranty. We bought a SEARS appliance because we figured it would be a quality appliance and if we ever needed to have it fixed the service people would probably be great. Never again. The lady on the customer service line just told me it was "bad luck" that it broke because this never happens. Interesting eh? The part supposedly should have lasted 8 years and for us it lasted one year, one month and 13 days. I don't think I can trust Kenmore appliances any more.
This is just a rant and a note of warning. Avoid SEARS appliances or you might have "bad luck" also.
Today, it fell apart - litterally. The giant rubber piece you see when you open the inside broke right off along with some metal rings. Also, my laundry twisted all around it and I'm not certain yet if any of it was ruined.
The machine is ONE MONTH AND 13 DAYS past it's warranty. We bought a SEARS appliance because we figured it would be a quality appliance and if we ever needed to have it fixed the service people would probably be great. Never again. The lady on the customer service line just told me it was "bad luck" that it broke because this never happens. Interesting eh? The part supposedly should have lasted 8 years and for us it lasted one year, one month and 13 days. I don't think I can trust Kenmore appliances any more.
This is just a rant and a note of warning. Avoid SEARS appliances or you might have "bad luck" also.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Let's Talk Turkey . . .
Soup & Sandwich Contest – Sandwich Qualifications
Let’s talk turkey or steak or whatever meat you are planning to include. We should have some general consistency as to what we agree a sandwich is.
Wikipedia Definition
A sandwich is a food item made of two or more slices of leavened bread with one or more layers of filling: typically meat, or cheese with the addition of vegetables or salad. The bread can be used as is, or it can be coated with butter, oil, mustard or other condiments to enhance flavor and texture. In North American usage, sandwich may also refer to what is more commonly referred to in the rest of the world as a hamburger.
Missy’s Definition:
A sandwich includes
Bread – or a bread like item. For instance, it can be a bun, pita, etc. as long as it is starchy and can be held in your hands
Meat – Sorry but seafood and pork has been eliminated. Also, hamburgers are not included in my definition. You can however use grilled meats, pot-roasted meats etc.. You can even go as far as serving sloppy joes because I think they would fit in the category.
Cheese – I think cheese is going to be essential if you want to go for the win. If however you think the best sandwich does not have it well, that can be your choice.
Condiments – This is where you can have tons of fun. Go for it. This section is really up to you.
Let’s talk turkey or steak or whatever meat you are planning to include. We should have some general consistency as to what we agree a sandwich is.
Wikipedia Definition
A sandwich is a food item made of two or more slices of leavened bread with one or more layers of filling: typically meat, or cheese with the addition of vegetables or salad. The bread can be used as is, or it can be coated with butter, oil, mustard or other condiments to enhance flavor and texture. In North American usage, sandwich may also refer to what is more commonly referred to in the rest of the world as a hamburger.
Missy’s Definition:
A sandwich includes
Bread – or a bread like item. For instance, it can be a bun, pita, etc. as long as it is starchy and can be held in your hands
Meat – Sorry but seafood and pork has been eliminated. Also, hamburgers are not included in my definition. You can however use grilled meats, pot-roasted meats etc.. You can even go as far as serving sloppy joes because I think they would fit in the category.
Cheese – I think cheese is going to be essential if you want to go for the win. If however you think the best sandwich does not have it well, that can be your choice.
Condiments – This is where you can have tons of fun. Go for it. This section is really up to you.
Preperation:
- You must make your own sandwich. No fair going to Earl’s for take out.
- You must make enough for the judges to sufficiently try the sandwich and for all the spouses of contestants and judges to have a taste.
- You can prepare things ahead of time. For instance if you want to make it a chicken salad sandwich it would be silly to make it all at my house but your spouse must verify that you in fact personally made it (with no help from your spouse).
- Soups are completely free-style except of course for the meat restrictions.
You better start practicing! See you at the contest!
Also, let me know if you have any food allergies we must be sensitive to.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Under The Sun
"Everything Is Meaningless Under The Sun"
I (along with everyone reading Alex’s site) was challenged with the idea of a new human and how they would discover their purpose on earth. To see my original answer on his site please check out this link.
https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5535536712276271103&postID=1801650307102979362
While typing my original response I was struck by a similarity to Ecclesiastes in the bible. Ecclesiastes is my number one all time favorite book of the bible. I encourage all of you to read it today (it is after all not very long). If you don’t want to bother please at least read the intro in you NIV student bible. I really can’t answer Alex’s challenge better than Ecclesiastes does or trust me, I’d try.
It probably feels like I'm giving all of you homework but it's like reading poetry.
I (along with everyone reading Alex’s site) was challenged with the idea of a new human and how they would discover their purpose on earth. To see my original answer on his site please check out this link.
https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=5535536712276271103&postID=1801650307102979362
While typing my original response I was struck by a similarity to Ecclesiastes in the bible. Ecclesiastes is my number one all time favorite book of the bible. I encourage all of you to read it today (it is after all not very long). If you don’t want to bother please at least read the intro in you NIV student bible. I really can’t answer Alex’s challenge better than Ecclesiastes does or trust me, I’d try.
It probably feels like I'm giving all of you homework but it's like reading poetry.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Cheese of The Week
We have a tie . . .
Medium Gouda - Dutch Cash & Carry
German Butter - Springbank Cheese
Medium Gouda - Dutch Cash & Carry
German Butter - Springbank Cheese
Friday, May 9, 2008
Blogger Showdown
Oprah’s Sandwich Showdown has inspired me for our first blogger event!
BLOGGER SOUP & SANDWICH SHOWDOWN
I (Miss) challenge every blogger currently listed on Sublimation Blogification:
Matt
the BIG DC
Dan
Alex
To a soup and sandwich showdown.
The event will be held in mid June giving each of you time to perfect your sandwich and soup.
There shall be NO seafood or pork. The one exception is for Alex who began our blogging community – he is allowed to make Clam Chowder if he so chooses.
Three judges – will be chosen by Miss (hey, I make the game, I make the rules). Anyone that asks to be a judge will be instantly disqualified from the opportunity to judge. Gentlemen, email me individually or post a response to let me know if you are in.
See you in the kitchen!
BLOGGER SOUP & SANDWICH SHOWDOWN
I (Miss) challenge every blogger currently listed on Sublimation Blogification:
Matt
the BIG DC
Dan
Alex
To a soup and sandwich showdown.
The event will be held in mid June giving each of you time to perfect your sandwich and soup.
There shall be NO seafood or pork. The one exception is for Alex who began our blogging community – he is allowed to make Clam Chowder if he so chooses.
Three judges – will be chosen by Miss (hey, I make the game, I make the rules). Anyone that asks to be a judge will be instantly disqualified from the opportunity to judge. Gentlemen, email me individually or post a response to let me know if you are in.
See you in the kitchen!
New 'Love'
It began as a friendship. They knew each other for years, spent some time together, had some fun but then friendship was no longer enough.
It became a crush and then she started using the ‘L – word’, not in front of everyone but she was using it. She started enjoying the things he enjoyed, making decisions differently and somewhere along the way she lost herself – not in New Jersey like someone she knew - but she was lost just the same.
Her parents became worried. She is too young! This is too soon! She however was convinced he was the one.
Today she’s glowing, her eyes are sparkling and she can’t wipe the silly grin off her face.
As of today, Claire is under house arrest, I am enrolling her in an all-girl's school and Owen is temporarily banned from our house.
How many more time are Chris & I going to watch Claire fall into what she considers love?
With four daughters how many times total will this process unfold before our eyes?
If any of you have seen the movie DAN IN REAL LIFE, Claire is destined to be much like the second daughter in that movie.
It became a crush and then she started using the ‘L – word’, not in front of everyone but she was using it. She started enjoying the things he enjoyed, making decisions differently and somewhere along the way she lost herself – not in New Jersey like someone she knew - but she was lost just the same.
Her parents became worried. She is too young! This is too soon! She however was convinced he was the one.
Today she’s glowing, her eyes are sparkling and she can’t wipe the silly grin off her face.
As of today, Claire is under house arrest, I am enrolling her in an all-girl's school and Owen is temporarily banned from our house.
How many more time are Chris & I going to watch Claire fall into what she considers love?
With four daughters how many times total will this process unfold before our eyes?
If any of you have seen the movie DAN IN REAL LIFE, Claire is destined to be much like the second daughter in that movie.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Discuss . . .
Alternate Titles: Damaged People Are Dangerous * Or Talk Amongst Yourselves
Some quotes to start a discussion:
. . . And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
BIBLE, Romans 5: 2-5 (NIV)
And a different outlook
Those who are lucky should hide. They should be grateful. They should hope the days of wrath will not visit their home. They should run to protect all that is theirs, and pity their neighbour when the horror strikes. But quietly, and from a distance.
DAMAGE, by Josephine Hart (a non-Christian book)
Some quotes to start a discussion:
. . . And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
BIBLE, Romans 5: 2-5 (NIV)
And a different outlook
Those who are lucky should hide. They should be grateful. They should hope the days of wrath will not visit their home. They should run to protect all that is theirs, and pity their neighbour when the horror strikes. But quietly, and from a distance.
DAMAGE, by Josephine Hart (a non-Christian book)
It is possible not all of my readers are Christian but likely many of you have felt hardship in your life or perhaps you are in that small majority that has never experienced hardship and somewhat wishes for it in order to grow.
From my own experience suffering sometimes pulls you closer to God, sometimes pushes you away but is never enjoyable. Sure you can come out a stronger person on the other end but you change and/or damaged and for most of us change can be scary.
Another favorite quote of mine is:
“Damaged people are dangerous. They know they can survive.” – DAMAGE, Josephine Hart*
Someone once said to me “Don’t trust that it will not happen again, but trust that you can handle it if it does.” As a Christian I add ‘with the help of God’.
What are your thoughts on suffering?
Does this topic make you uncomfortable? If so I'll give you an alternate topic:
In the immortal words of Linda Richmond (Mike Myers in the SNL sketch CoffeeTalk)
In the immortal words of Linda Richmond (Mike Myers in the SNL sketch CoffeeTalk)
Talk amongst yourselves. Here’s a topic: The peanut is neither a pea or a nut. Discuss. [she holds it all in] There. I feel better.
If you have no idea what coffee talk is watch this video:
http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/video/play.shtml?mea=2835
Favorite Coffee Talk Topics:
(Taken from Winkipedia)
• "Ralph Fiennes is spelled neither rafe nor fines. Discuss."
• "Rhode Island is neither a road nor is it an island. Discuss."
• "The Thigh Master is neither a thigh nor a master. Discuss."
• "The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is neither Mormon nor a tabernacle nor a choir. Discuss."
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
When the lights went off the accompanist kissed her.
BEL CANTO, Ann Patchett
We have been lost to each other for so long.
THE RED TENT – Anita Diamant
The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed.
The Gunslinger (The Dark Tower), Stephen King
"The women of this family leaned towards extremes."
AWAY Jane Urquhart.
There were 117 psychoanalysts on the Pan Am flight to Vienna
and I’d been treated by at least six of them.
FEAR OF FLYING, Erica Jong
All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.
ANNA KARENINA, Leo Tolstoy
BEL CANTO, Ann Patchett
We have been lost to each other for so long.
THE RED TENT – Anita Diamant
The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed.
The Gunslinger (The Dark Tower), Stephen King
"The women of this family leaned towards extremes."
AWAY Jane Urquhart.
There were 117 psychoanalysts on the Pan Am flight to Vienna
and I’d been treated by at least six of them.
FEAR OF FLYING, Erica Jong
All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.
ANNA KARENINA, Leo Tolstoy
The first sentence of a novel has the opportunity to propel you into a different world. Every novel is a fresh start, a beginning. A first sentence either sweeps you off your feet or causes you to put down the book and move on to the next. Here is a challenge: Write a first sentence to a novel. Don’t be afraid it’s just a sentence. Either make it great or awful. If you are aiming for awful see the site below for guidelines. http://adamcadre.ac/lyttle.html
Not up to the challenge? Then just write a bizarre or interesting one. For example. The pickles bobbed in the jar before her but she didn't have the courage to eat even one more.
Even easier: post your favorite fist sentence of a novel
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Comfortably Numb
“Our sanity depends essentially on a narrowness of vision – the ability to select the elements vital to survival, while ignoring the great truths.”
DAMAGE, Josephine Hart
There is more to the above passage but let’s start there.
What are you narrowly visioning today? What are your elements vital to survival?
For me I am concentrating on feeding the kids - the fish - the frog - the husband, celebrating a loved one’s birthday, enjoying the fact I can wear a favorite sweater of mine because it is a bit chilly and rainy today. That is today’s existence on the surface. Much more lurks beneath (however I am not going to expose all my inner thoughts on my first blog – that would be too much like 3rd base on the first date).
What are WE ignoring?
Now we are getting somewhere.
What are WE going to spend OUR day without giving a single thought to?
For example: are you going to read . . .
Myanmar cyclone death toll exceeds 22,000
http://edition.cnn.com/
or like most people in North America (including me) would you rather read about . . .
Britney Spears & Kevin Federline Arrive in Court
http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20198029,00.html?xid=rss-topheadlines
Life is easier when you let yourself numb out a bit. In April 30th’s Calgary Herald I read: “Thousands of children are being ‘sold like cabbages’ to China’s booming factories as virtual slave labor.” Some of these kids were under 10 and were inspected by having their arms and stomachs patted. I kept this story on my fridge because I have a mushy spot in my heart for mistreated children but am I doing anything about it. Nope.
So, I will spend my day . . .
1) feeding my family better than the Chinese factory children have ever been fed
2) wishing my house was bigger while up to a million people are homeless due to the cyclone
3) reading People.com rather than thinking about the garbage going on in the world.
I have become comfortably numb.
“Hello.
Is there anybody in there?
Just nod if you can hear me.
Is there anyone home?
Come on, now.
I hear you’re feeling down.
Well I can ease your pain,Get you on your feet again.
Relax.
I need some information first.
Just the basic facts:Can you show me where it hurts?"
Pink Floyd
Additional Reading – Anything by J.D. Salinger but especially NINE STORIES. His fictional and highly intellectual GLASS family is unable to become numb to the world around them and this end in tragedy for some. If you have time to read a short story today choose A PERFECT DAY FOR BANNANA FISH or better yet TEDDY – not because they tie in to my blog but because if you have not read them you are missing out.
Let The Games Begin
Hello out there! I was challenged by a close friend to start a blog so here I am. I must admit I feel naked and exposed but hey, here goes . . .
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