Wednesday, March 5, 2008

A Bit of This and That

While reading journals this evening I overheard Eler Beth and her friend, B, discussing what a juke box is.

B was pretty sure that it's a machine you put a quarter in and a cd plays.

Eler Beth disagreed.  "It was a machine way back in the olden days and you put in a quarter and the radio played."

I think I insulted both of them when I burst out laughing!

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I made shellbeal4's porcupine meatballs last night, (see her comment from my Food Blahs entry) and they went over very, very well!  Yummy!  Served them on mashed potatoes with corn on the cob and hot, fluffy dinner rolls.  Then I had tirimisu for dessert.  Can we say "Mascarpone cheese"???  Mmmmmm.  Yes, I know, I'm trying to lose weight, but my weight-loss plan does NOT include not eating what I want to eat.  So there!  (I'll just walk an extra mile tomorrow!)

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In a related note, our Girl Scout Cookies came yesterday.  Can we say "Samoas"??? Mmmmm.

Monday, March 3, 2008

Virtual Walk

I recently joined a group started by Monica and Martha under the journal name The Best I Can Be.  There are several members, and each of us has some goal we're reaching toward -- better health, losing weight, quitting smoking, etc.  The purpose of the journal is to provide each of us with some sense of being accountab to the others for working toward our goals and also for each of us to give encouragement to the others.

I am trying to lose 23 pounds by June 20, and so far I have lost 5.   One of the group recently suggested a virtual walk, and I really liked the sound of it.  Having a definite destination to reach, and being able to tick off each mile on the way there seemed like a neat way to give myself incentive to get out there and walk.  Two members of the group are virtually walking toward one another and meeting at mid-point.  Another is virtually walking to see her granddaughters.  One of the fun things about doing this is getting to talk about what you "see" on your walk.

I am walking to my mother's house, and have made it through five of the 76 miles I'll need to go.  If you'd like to read about what I've seen during my first 5 miles, you can do that here.

Oh yes, there are also some great recipes being shared in that journal!!

More Looks That Haunt (lol)

It is raining here now, pretty steadily, but for most of the day it was bright, warm, and very, very breezy.  We may get some t'storms tonight, and as warm as it is, I guess we may have to watch for tornados.  I let Eler Beth spend the afternoon in the yard playing with the dogs.  They needed the attention, and she needed the sunshine and exercise.

I piddled around on the computer and did a little housework and made a really tasty dinner. 

I had to run out for something I was out of, so Eler Beth and I went to a local small grocery.  We were in line behind a gentleman who wore very dark glasses and spoke of his granddaughter, although he really didn't look that old.  I figured he was probably on social security and possibly some time of disability or pension program.  He paid with a debit card and when it didn't cover the amount of his purchase he seemed surprised and said he'd called the bank just before he'd left home and was told his balance was $184.00.

His purchases rung up to about $150.00, so he told the cashier what to take off to bring his total down to the $129.00 the computer was telling her was in his account.  I didn't mind waiting.  He was very apologetic and obviously embarrassed, and he kept saying to me and Eler Beth, "I'm so sorry, ladies."  We assured him it was okay.  A manager had to be called to take the items off, and there were problems with that so it did take several minutes.

There was an elderly gentleman behind me with his cart of groceries.  Just as the cashier and the man in front of me had finished getting his purchases sorted out, the old man behind me said, "Yes, if we could hurry it along a little bit!  I'd like to get out of here!"

Eler Beth actually gasped, and she and I both looked at him.  I gave him a very level, frowning look, and he looked away first.  Then after I gave my attention back to the cashier, and while the man in front of me was apologising once again and putting his bags in his cart, the old man behind me growled, "Some of us have g..d.... places we need to go and don't have all g..d.... day!"

So I gave him another look and frown and said, "Please don't use that language in front of my daughter, sir."  And again he looked away first, but he never apologised.   I assured the man in front of me that we were fine, and not to worry about it.

Eler Beth was livid.  She talked about it all the way home.  "I'm glad you said something, Mom, and gave him a look!"

I asked her, "Did I give him a look that would haunt him forever?"

I think I did!

Recipe Journal -- J-land Kitchen

Many of you probably know Yasmin from her journal, Isn't She Great.  After my plea for recipes last week she was inspired to start a shared recipe journal.  I've just been by to check it out, and have already earmarked a few to try soon.  She invites anyone to contribute a favorite recipe, so please check it out and put it on your alerts.

By the way, tonight I fixed a chicken and pepper stir fry with rice.  I revved it up a bit with chunk pineapple and pineapple juice, and it was oh so good!  After people sent me recipes I started thinking of things on my own that I'd not made in a while and that I knew the family liked, so I guess I just had to get some help with breaking that block in my head (no, not my block-head!)  I have contributions from just about everyone who sent me something on the menu for this week or next.  I'll let you know how they turn out.


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WEEKLY SENTENCE with Val #5

This week's letters:  APSTMS

My submission:  Apple Pie Should Taste Most Scrumptious

To play along, click the graphic above.

Saturday, March 1, 2008

First of the Month Reminders

Please don't forget to schedule your yearly mammogram, as well as other regular tests you may have been putting off, pap smear, testicular tests (if you're male), etc.  Early detection is key.

March Came in Like a Lamb

   Thank you Donna for the lovely graphics.

Today is a gorgeous day!  There is a brisk wind blowing, but the sun is having a wonderful time shining on us, and the temps are topping off in the 50s.  Eler Beth, who is feeling much better today, and I have taken a nice walk through the neighborhood, and I even have some clothes drying on the line.

I want to thank everyone who took the time to send me a recipe or a suggestion, and also those who sympathised and said they were in the same boat!  I got some really good recipes from you that I'm going to be trying.   What I really like about the ideas that were given to me is that they are all simple and basic things, just with a different twist on them -- different to me, that is! And that's just what I was looking for.  Of course, I'm still ready and willing to receive more ... {hint, hint} 

I really enjoyed my walk with my girl.  All along our route, dogs in their yards would run up to their fences, wagging their tails and grinning at Eler Beth.  She'd go over to them, pat their heads, reach in the pocket of her jacket and pull out a piece of a dog treat!  I love it!  I knew she carried dog treats with her, but I had no idea just how widely popular she'd become!  At one house, a cat, sunning itself on its porch, jumped down to run to Eler Beth and twine around her legs.  She was able to tell me the cat's name and age, all about the other cat that lived there and about the owners -- who had told her to stop and play with their cats anytime she wanted!

We passed a couple of people who were out walking their dogs, and they greeted Eler Beth by name (the people, not the dogs), and the dogs obviously knew her and expected a treat as well.  I am always very entertained when I walk through the neighborhood with Eler Beth.

I have a window open to hopefully blow away some of the winter germs, winter blahs, and winter blues.  Can you tell I'm feeling good today?!

P. S. Now we need to spend a little time this afternoon with our own dogs!