The Soup Diva

Why I haven't posted in so long............

2009-11-10T13:33:00.001-08:00

I apologize for not keeping up with my soup blogs.

I have been very sick for quite a while,

and it looks like that is going to continue for another month or so.

I love fall, the leaves transforming into beautiful hues of color.

It's time for warm pots of soup, stews and comfort food that warms us

from the inside out.

I'll be posting a new fall pumpkin soup recipe in a few days, so check back.

Also, I have a yummy beef barley soup I promise you will love.

I am going to deviate from soups and share my veggie noodle casserole,

which is my daughter's favorite. If you aren't a vegetarian, feel free to

add some chicken to the dish. I'm hoping it will be kid friendly and you

won't get any crinkled noses or ewww gross, when you dish up their plates.

Come back and visit, I'll be busy cooking this next week and post as many recipes

as I can before I have surgery on the 18th.

I don't want to go into too much detail, as this is a food blog and my physical

problems aren't food friendly. I'll just say that when I wake up from surgery,

I will be in full menopause. It's a little more complicated, and I may or may not

need extra medical care following it, but I'm not borrowing trouble.

I'm just going to deal with each step, one at a time.

Tonight is meatloaf, I will post it, even though it's really not soup at all.

My hubby loves this recipe, and I make my own bread crumbs,

which is part of the recipe. I'll post it later tonight or tomorrow morning.

My immune system is working overtime, so I tire easily.

Thanks for being patient.

My newest love.............

2009-09-10T23:00:00.000-07:00

We went and picked up the sweetest horse ever.

It was love at first sight.

We had an instant connection.

She's bigger than a Clydesdale.

Her hoof is larger than my head.

She actually weighs a ton, no exaggeration.

Her name is Mattie.

She is getting used to being a normal horse after living as a PMU mare.

Technically, she belongs to our rescue.

But I have pretty much staked claim to her, so in my mind,

she is just on loan to them for a couple years, then she's all mine.

I can't wait to get her saddle broke!!!!!

I'm about to go public

2009-09-01T01:25:00.000-07:00

I wrote a letter a few days ago to a state politician.

If momentum continues, you'll be reading it in a newspaper soon.

If I can get a tv interview, I will not turn it down.

The message means too much to me. It's personal.

I won't publish the letter here.

I will just simply paraphrase my message.

HATE IS NOT A FAMILY VALUE.

SIGN THE HARVEY MILK DAY BILL GOVERNOR,

IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

GIVE THEM HOPE.

GIVE US ALL HOPE.

GIVE HARVEY THE RESPECT HE EARNED AND RIGHTLY DESERVES

FOR HIS DEDICATION AND SACRIFICE TO THE FIGHT FOR EQUALITY.

IT'S NOT A LOCAL ISSUE.

EQUALITY IS UNIVERSAL.

Happy Birthday little one!

2009-08-13T09:52:00.000-07:00

Today is the 13th.

Some people find it unlucky.

But not me.

The 13th is the day God blessed me with the lifelong gift of being a Mom.

I was young and very inexperienced when she was born.

Neither of those two factors ever took away from the

HUGE responsibility I had been given to care for this tiny little life

and my duty to raise a healthy child who would grow to be

a young woman who knows the following truths:

LIFE IS NEVER FAIR

THE WORLD OWES YOU NOTHING

YOU MUST EARN YOUR OWN WAY

TRUST IS EASILY BROKEN AND SOMETIMES IMPOSSIBLE TO EARN BACK

ANY BOYFRIEND WHO ASKS YOU TO COMPROMISE YOUR MORALS IS UNWORTHY OF

YOU AND SHOULD BE DISCARDED IMMEDIATELY

NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES YOU GET KNOCKED DOWN GET BACK UP

AND DON'T GIVE UP

GOD LOVES YOU

AND SO DO YOUR DADDY AND I

I wrote her a poem for her birthday, rather than buy her a card.

I found out 3 days before her birthday that the reason I have had 4 miscarriages

is because it is genetically impossible for me to carry a baby past week 10.

For years I have harbored deep sorrow for the loss of those 4 babies.

I needed a HUGE reality check.

I was looking at my cup only 1/5th full.

My cup is OVERFLOWING WITH BLESSING.

18 years ago today I was given the biggest miracle ever and as so many do

take for granted that the next time will be just as easy.

I didn't KNOW THEN that she was a genetic miracle baby.

So my daughter is proof that miracles do sometimes happen.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAYLA ANN

Exactly 18 years ago

On this very day

I held my breath

As I heard them say

It’s a little girl

You must be thrilled

And in that moment

The tears that spilled

Then I began to count

Ten fingers, Ten toes

Two rosy little cheeks

One perfect button nose

I cherished every moment

Each day was something new

Baby Bop and Barney

Best friends when you were two

I loved to pick you up from school

And you'd tell me about your day

Then we'd rush to do your homework

So you could go and play

You've cheered and danced in Vegas

Fished in Alaska with your Dad

Picked potatoes with your Grandpa

All the adventures you have had!

Tomorrow begins your first big step

Towards being an adult

A path that's sometimes not so clear

So in case you lose your way,

Your map is in the bible

And I'm only a phone call away.

Happy 18^th Birthday

Kayla

Love forever,

Mom

Yummy dessert and why I haven't posted for so long.

2009-07-23T00:42:00.000-07:00

I actually enjoy blogging almost as much as I love cooking.

But what I love most on this earth is my little girl.

It's summer now, and I have been enjoying the last few months

of my daughter's childhood with her.

I will have more time on my hands to blog all I want soon enough.

For now, I just want to relax by the pool, giggle, shop and

get her packed up for college.

We went recycle shopping (trading in clothes for store credit to buy new clothes)

in Haight Ashbury, visited the Human Rights Campaign Store and even

took a 2 week trip to the college for class registration and financial aid without Dad.

I am proud of her that HALF of her college bill will be paid by academic scholarships.

I am so excited to see her taking her first steps as an adult.

It's kind of like when they first learn to walk.

They let go of the coffee table and you walk behind them with both arms

poised to catch them if they fall. They are so focused on trying to walk

they don't notice you are there behind them ready to catch them if they fall.

That's me right now. I'm amazed at how she has started out.

Cautious, but with just the right amount of confidence.

She went alone to the registration office.

She had clearly made wise choices in the meeting

(I tried to appear calm while drinking a vanilla latte,

because I was not allowed to help her with registration)

which she had clearly thought through.

I am going to miss her here. I will miss her mumbling under her breath

as she heads off to clean her room or wash some dishes.

I have been doing some cookin' in the kitchen and backyard grill,

I just haven't wanted to take away from spending time with her.

We leave the day after her 18th birthday. She will only be an adult for

3 days when we leave her at school.

Take this advice from me. Enjoy your time with your kids. Ignore the phone calls,

the dirty laundry, all of it. DON'T BLINK. If you do, they will have grown up

and your entire relationship with them will have to be redefined.

Last night we made JOY THE BAKER'S giant vanilla bean sugar cookies.

(Have I ever mentioned how much I love her blog and recipes?

If by chance you read this Joy, know I am very fond of you.)

topped them with fresh sliced peaches from the local farmer's market and

put a yummy blob of homemade whipped cream on top. YUM.

Don't let the crappy photo I took affect your decision to try this at home.

We sat there at 11pm, enjoying our creation and the fact that the rest of the

people in our house were completely unaware of the goodies we had just made.

It was our secret and we didn't want to share it with anyone, at least until

morning.............

Not so neighborly........

2009-05-18T23:50:00.000-07:00

I pick up my daughter from school each day

and drive her boyfriend home too.

As I awkwardly waited for them to say their goodbyes,

I amused/distracted myself by watching

a cute little dog in the yard nearby.

I have been inspired by Jessica's Iphone Granny pics

so I grabbed my iphone and couldn't help laughing as I

snapped the picture.

The funniest part of all was that when the dog was

finished,

it happily went back to it's own yard NEXT DOOR!

Hair

2009-05-16T21:59:00.000-07:00

I spent most of yesterday watching my daughter

go from black hair to blonde.

It's a really long and boring yet complicated process

where you reach a certain point of no return and

just hope for the best.

What's the worst that can happen?

Well, her hair could fall out and she'd be bald at graduation.

She loves her new hairstyle and I am happy to have it return

to the color God gave her.

I am just glad she is happy, self confident

and feels loved by her family every day.

Mother's Day

2009-05-09T00:14:00.001-07:00

It's Mother's Day and I thought I'd celebrate

by posting a pic of my mom in her saucy

Old Navy clothes from last year.

Isn't she cute?

Growing up in a home full of love but low on money,

Mom gave up any idea of eyebrow waxing, pedicures

or even a pair of undies without holes.

It brings me a lot of pleasure to treat her to simple luxuries she

had to deny herself to make ends meet.

So now when she visits, she is treated to new outfits, always a pedicure

and lunch at her fave Olive Garden.

She was so frugal her underwear had the biggest tears in them I have

ever witnessed. We used to tease her, but now I realize she went

without so that we could afford to go out to pizza once in a while or a movie.

She sacrificed for her kids. I love her more knowing the extent of it. I was blind

to it as a kid.

Without her, I wouldn't have known that being a mom is not a popularity contest.

I learned that I can't be my child's friend, because it contradicts my job as parent.

I learned that I was an obnoxious, arrogant know it all during my teen years,

and my mom still loved me anyway. (sorry mom)

I learned that no matter what, family comes first.

So here's to you mom, I tip my giant martini glass to you and hope you have a fantastic day!

Prom

2009-05-06T00:46:00.000-07:00

Senior Prom last weekend.

Hours spent on hair and makeup, manicures and pedicures.

Elegant and classy yet edgy, bold and confident.

Worth every penny spent on it all.

Every teen girl's vision of what prom SHOULD be.

Just 2 weeks left of high school.

One chapter ends, a new chapter begins.

I wish I could get her picture taken with Adam Lambert from American Idol.

We love him, and she wishes he was her twin brother.

Strawberry Soup

2009-04-25T14:45:00.000-07:00

STRAWBERRY SOUP

2 lb., 8 oz. strawberries (frozen variety, thawed with juice)***
16 oz. heavy cream
2 oz. sour cream
3 oz. plain yogurt
8 oz. fresh strawberries

Sweeten with splenda or sugar to taste.

1. Mix first four ingredients in a food processor.
2. Beat slowly until well mixed and a smooth consistency.
3. Add Sweetener to taste, then chill; shake well before serving.
4. Add fresh strawberries and mint sprigs as garnish.

***It's currently strawberry season here, so use fresh

instead of frozen whenever possible!!!!!! Just allow for

longer chilling time in fridge before serving. It tastes WAY

better with fresh grown.

**this recipe was provided to me by the Staff of Carnival Destiny**

*****For those of you who emailed me requesting the recipe. PLEASE accept my sincerest apology for not following through earlier. My first time making it, the soup turned out a bit tart, so I added splenda to it. Add sugar/splenda in small quantities and adjust to your preference. Garnish with sliced fresh strawberries, and sprigs of fresh mint. I have an herb garden and we prefer chocolate mint for it's rich aroma and dark green leaves. It is an aggressive plant, so if you want to grow your own, learn from my error and plant it in a container. Letting it loose in your flower bed could lead to the mint choking out all other plants around it. It will die in the winter, but will come back stronger in the spring.

Goodbye facebook and myspace! Hello twitter!

2009-04-21T12:14:00.000-07:00

To quote Stephen Colbert, a popular political commentator spoke of his experience in a recent tv interview........ "I have officially twatted."

I found out that I hate facebook.

It's too creepy.

People you don't want to talk to from your past find you

through mutual friends or by looking you up.

I have people who are out of my life for valid reasons.

At first I used a pretend name with my real email address,

and somehow it connected me to a bunch of people who didn't recognize

my alias.

Then I switched to my first name and another alias,

but I found it still too intrusive.

My myspace is going away also.

I like twitter.

I like it so much that I am going to get my daughter started on it, so she can

tweet me from college.

I'm moving!

2009-04-07T22:33:00.000-07:00

It's been a long wait, but finally.........

I was given the good news today that the web address

I've been patiently waiting to purchase for over a year has become available!

Soon I'll be moving to www.soupdiva.com!!!!!!!!!!!!!

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My favorite time of year

2009-04-07T12:13:00.000-07:00

I love spring.

I love cleaning house when the weather is about 70ish

with all the windows open.

I light candles that smell like fresh linen

putting them all over the house so every room

smells clean and fresh as I enter.

I also love our yard.

It took 4 years to complete.

We took our time, making sure each step completed was perfect.

It's finished and it's beautiful.

Life has been hectic and it's always good to stop and smell the roses

every so often.

HAVE A BALL !!

2009-03-30T15:45:00.000-07:00

Yes, you heard correctly.

Come to Oakdale and have a ball.

Not a bouncy ball.

Not a basketball or football.

Not the kind that you get dressed up for and dance the night away.

It's the 28th annual Oakdale Testicle Festival.

It's apparently $50 a plate.

It's a fundraiser for the rotary club.

How many cow balls are they frying up you ask?

400 pounds of cow nuts.

I can promise you that we won't be attending the festivities.

Apparently, cow balls are so great tasting that folks just mosy on into town

from all over.

I don't want to even try to think what cow balls soup would taste like.

YUCK!

Kleenex and canned soup

2009-03-28T23:24:00.000-07:00

I've got a massive sinus headache.

Sore throat, with tickly sensation that forces me

to cough violently every 3 minutes.

I'm living on hot tea, kleenex and canned chicken rice soup.

I'm the healer in the family.

I'm the one tucking in the sick ones, making them soup and bringing them

comfort.

I was running a temp of 103.5 when my husband arrived home from work.

He was tired, just wanted to change his clothes, eat dinner and relax.

Except there was me. Shivering under blankets in my pj's and bathrobe

on the couch. He's not a nurturer. He's a fixer. He wanted to just

hand me a glass of water and some pills and spray disinfectant on the couch

so he wouldn't get my germs.

My comfort food when I am sick is either Lipton's little chicken noodle soup

or Campbell's chicken and rice. Lot's of sprite, ice water and hot tea.

It's looking like I'm headed for my 4th lung infection since November.

I'm already on one inhaler. I don't smoke.

It appears as though I will be taking another round of antibiotics.

This crap always drops into my chest, the sinus pressure will go away

and I'll be left with oddly spiking fevers and a serious chest cold that won't

go away.

I'm frustrated, tired, my nose is red and sore.

And I'm really whiny.

Reality check

2009-03-27T09:40:00.000-07:00

I know this has nothing whatsoever to do with soup but I can't keep silent.

The murderer of the four slain police officers is not a hero.

His DNA has been matched to the rape of a 12 yr old.

Many ignorant citizens of Oakland disagree and believe that Mixon is a hero.

Mixon was a thug on parole who should have never been let out of jail.

He is not a hero.

I have some words of advice for the supporters of

Mixon and those like him. The next time the rival gang does a drive by in your

neighborhood, don't call 911. When your house is robbed, don't call 911. You

blame the officers who have sworn to give their lives to protect you.

Don't call them. I mean it. Don't dial 911 ever again. You spit on the graves of

heroes, whose fellow officers would still come to your rescue if you called them.

They would not think twice about risking their own safety to help you.

Help that you don't deserve or respect. You have no honor.

My heart aches for the families of the officers.

I hope they find some comfort in knowing that every officer across this nation

and their families are praying for them.

They will forever be remembered and honored as heroes.

If I had to wear their shoes...... I can't try them on. It's too painful.

What could possibly comfort a mother, wife or children who just lost

their beloved son, husband and dad.

It's personal to me.

Having to hug your loved one goodbye in the morning, knowing that today could be THE

last day. You push the thoughts aside, go about your everyday routine.

Until it happens.

Not to you, but it happens to another family.

Reality slaps you in the face and makes you sit up and take notice.

So for all you supporters of cop killers and child rapists,

all you thugs hiding behind signs,

the next time you need help, don't call 911.

You disgust me and I am sickened by

the fact that I have to share the same planet with you.

Minestrone Soup

2009-02-14T22:41:00.000-08:00

INGREDIENTS:

2 32 ounce cartons of low sodium vegetable stock
4 Cups water
½ Cup red wine (pick your favorite)
5 Ounces fresh spinach leaves chopped
8 Ounces small sea shell uncooked pasta
2 Carrots, peeled, ends trimmed and sliced into circles
3 TBSP fresh, finely chopped italian parsely
1 TBSP dried marjoram
3 Cloves of garlic, crushed
2 Zucchini, cut into bite size pieces
1 Small head of cabbage, core removed and discarded, then chopped to
into bite size pieces
1 16 ounce can of red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 6 oz can of tomato paste
1 12 ounce can of diced tomatoes (optional)

salt and pepper to taste

sprinkle with parmesan cheese before serving

DIRECTIONS:

This is the easy part. I have found that chopping up all my veggies in advance makes the process quicker and I do less running around. Simply dump all the ingredients into the pot. Heat over medium heat stirring frequently for about 10 to 15 minutes. Then let simmer for about an hour, stirring occasionally. Do not let the soup boil, keep it at a simmer. Once the veggies and pasta are cooked thoroughly, serve hot with your favorite bread and/or salad.

Back to business

2009-02-14T15:37:00.000-08:00

I'm back to posting soup recipes

Tomorrow enjoy my version of Minestrone

This traditionally vegetarian dish is so full

of flavor you won't miss any meat.

It's also healthy, so if you are paying more attention

to your waistline, as I am, you have permission to

indulge a little.

Normally I would serve with some hot and crusty french bread,

but I am foregoing the bread due to my lower calorie diet.

This soup is great as a main course, served with any salad and some

fresh Parmesan cheese, even picky eaters should enjoy this.

I'm serving it for dinner tonight, so pictures and the recipe will

be posted tomorrow.

Hope you are all enjoying your Valentines Day. We are kind of low key here.

Hubby and I chose Thursday night to celebrate, to avoid the crowds. I owe

another blogger a HUGE thank you for making our breakfast the best!!!!!!!

Go visit JOY THE BAKER

I made her Carrot Cake pancakes for everyone this morning, and they were AMAZING!

Her talent and creativity combined with a really professional

and entertaining presentation make her one of my favorite blogs to read.

It's not going to help me lose weight if I continue to use her recipes, but for

now I read and dream of the day I can enjoy a bite of her fantastic creations.

Go check her out, she's awesome!

My daughter's fundraiser is growing quickly and I'll post the link to her achievement award from PETA at the end of the month. They'll also be featuring her shirts for their Friday giveaway!

I'm still a mom, so I'm posting the link to her cafepress store again.

END DISSECTION IN SCHOOLS

See ya back here tomorrow for Sunday Soup!

Go buy a shirt and a bag..............

2009-02-09T21:28:00.000-08:00

My daughter designed a logo and created a store at cafepress.

Each year her school district spends THOUSANDS of dollars on dead

cats, frogs, etc. for science labs in the junior high and high school.

Her passion for science is equaled by her passion for animals.

She drew her bunny Boo Boo and came up with the idea of selling shirts

and bags to completely fund her school district's science departments

with 3D computer dissection software and high quality plastic models, thus

ending the need to purchase dead kitties and frogs each year.

100 % of the profits will go directly to her school.

She is using this campaign to also apply for a college scholarship

which inspires the applicant to DO SOMETHING positive in his/her community.

With the high tech supplies her school would no longer need to waste

THOUSANDS of dollars on dead animals and can put that

extra money to use to fund other academic programs.

She has several shirt choices for both men and women(including plus sizes)

there is also a really cute tote bag!

I want her to be successful. So I'm going to give away 1 tote bag to a lucky

visitor to my site. Here's the rules:

1. One entry per person
2. You must go to her website, pick a favorite, then post your comments here.
3. Contest ends at midnight on February 28th.
4. For every 100 people who enter, there will be an additional name drawn(100 names =1 bag/winner, 200 names= 2 bags/2 winners). So the more people who enter, the more bags I give away!!!! Go tell all your friends, enemies, neighbors, co workers, etc.

Put some morning romance in your Valentine's Day

2009-02-05T09:59:00.000-08:00

Let's just be honest..........
We aren't all married to a romantic and eating out and/or sending flowers is expensive. Valentines Day for many women has become a bit predictable and can sometimes be downright disappointing. You know he'll forget, so you drop little hints, or maybe he does remember, on his way home from work he'll pick up the last card left on the shelf and if you're lucky, some flowers from the grocery store. So rather than spend money on flowers that will wilt in a few days guys, why not surprise your special someone with breakfast in bed? Why is breakfast in bed usually reserved for Mother's Day? While very cute to be served cold soggy cereal and burnt toast by your adorable children once a year, I've got a really simple recipe that will bring a little magic and some unpredictable and thoughtful romance back to this over commercialized holiday.

This year Valentines Day is on Saturday. Your special someone will be anticipating dinner, some candy and possibly flowers. But you can count on the fact that at minimum, a card is necessary. The less you spend on a gift, the sappier the card must be. So, this year guys, deliver the card with breakfast. Prepare the recipe Friday night, after she has gone to sleep. The recipe is easy to prepare, and you bake it in the morning while she is still sleeping. Deliver it with some fresh OJ, coffee, your card and if you're really trying to score some points, add her favorite flower to a small vase.

EASY BREAKFAST CASSEROLE

6 eggs
1/2 tsp. dry mustard
1 cup milk
1/4 cup green onions, finely chopped
l lb. of ground sausage
1/2 tsp. original Mrs. Dash (optional)
3 oz. Monterey jack cheese, grated
2 drops hot sauce (tabasco or Franks red hot)
3 oz. sharp cheddar cheese, grated
Pinch seasoning salt
Frozen shredded hash browns

Brown sausage and onion until sausage is cooked and crumbled. Add Mrs. Dash(optional) and seasoning salt. Line the bottom of an 8x8 in. glass baking dish or individual ramekins(fancy word for small round baking dish) with frozen hash browns (about 1 in. thick). Sprinkle hash browns with drained sausage mixture. Mix together eggs, milk, mustard, and hot sauce and pour over meat and hash browns. Top with cheeses. Best refrigerated overnight. Cook at 350 degrees 45 min. to l hour or until golden and egg is completely cooked. The last 4 words of this recipe are critical to it's success. Use a knife to check for doneness. If the egg is jiggly, it isn't done. Serves 4.

And the winner is.........................................

2009-01-31T10:56:00.000-08:00

NAVITA!

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!
Navita, you will be receiving an email from me in a few moments, please reply as soon as possible with your name and mailing address. Your apron will be shipped as soon as your info is received.

A great big thanks to www.carolynskitchenonline.com

for her kindness, support and creating a fantastic product!

For those that didn't win, I will have the contest again next January, but if you can't wait a year, go visit Carolyn's Kitchen not only will you get a great apron, she provides excellent customer service! Thanks again Carolyn!

Thank you to all who entered the contest, for passing the word on to your

friends and for all the link love from my blogger buddies!

Check back tomorrow for Sunday Soup this week's feature is Chicken Tortilla Soup!

The reason I rushed back to my cabin every evening....................

2009-01-30T01:37:00.000-08:00

Our room steward was adorable. Friendly, gracious, helpful, and a talented creator of towel animals. Every night after the 8pm concert, I could not wait to get back to our cabin to see what Teem had left for us (besides the chocolate on my pillow). My favorite was the hanging monkey, which we left up for the rest of the cruise. We had a balcony and it's amazing how small you can feel when you are staring at an endless deep blue blanket of water as far as your eyes can see and the white foam from the wake of the boat floating away behind us. If I had to pick the highlight of the cruise, it would be the really quiet moments spent alone with a cup of tea, sitting on my balcony staring off into the horizon. I've never been a big fan of quiet reflection. I just don't schedule it into my daily routine. Do you schedule quiet time for yourself? I always found it over rated and much preferred to be entertained rather than sit alone with my thoughts.

Home from the cruise........ and don't miss this Sunday's Soup recipe!

2009-01-28T00:17:00.000-08:00

I just got home tonight from our trip on the KLOVE cruise.

Mandisa was the highlight of the whole trip.

Her performance and vocal talent are more amazing in person than my words

can give her credit for. She actually made me cry my makeup off.

I had to go reapply it before we headed to the next concert.

The cruise had so many great pieces to it. I can't share them all tonight.

I will most likely have a blog post here in the next day or so with some pictures.

This Sunday February 1st, will feature two amazing recipes.......

Chilled Mango Soup-perfect starter for a light lunch paired with a healthy salad and a cup of your favorite tea. Warning about the soup. It won't disappoint, it's amazing. My new spring favorite.

Chicken Tortilla Soup- Great family friendly recipe that let's the diner choose what ingredients to throw into their bowl. Tons of fun for picky kids and/or husbands.

Don't forget................ I am announcing the winner of the apron contest February 1st, so get your entries in ASAP if you haven't already! Trust me, these aprons are adorable!

Vacation, Inauguration and no blog posts for a week.......

2009-01-20T19:06:00.000-08:00

I'll be absent from the blog until the 28th.

I tried to figure out how to blog from the cruise ship,

but it is too expensive and I really am not sure

how much downtime I'm going to have.

I've never been to Miami and it's our first time on a cruise.

I will not be able to post a soup recipe on the 26th, but please check back

because I will be posting 2 recipes on February 1st.

That is also the day I will announce the winner of the apron,

and let me just say that I received it in the mail and it's adorable,

don't miss out on an opportunity to win one free.

If your not the lucky winner, I promise you they are worth every penny.

I don't have anything personally invested in promoting the aprons.

I can only tell you from having one of my very own that they

are well made and more adorable in person than the pictures online.

I am uploading a picture of the one I now own.

Tell your friends about the giveaway and of course about the recipes!

I love when I get comments from readers who have tried my recipes.

I just want to say one quick tidbit about our new President.

I was in tears as he gave his first speech.

I felt proud to be an American.

Proud of my President.

It was fitting that he take his oath on Abraham Lincoln's bible.

It made the moment even more meaningful.

I'll throw in here at the end that I am still a registered republican.

I voted for President Obama.

Regardless of party, we are all Americans first.

Today we let our true spirit show to the world

that we are strong, determined and value freedom.

I am grateful to President Bush for his service to our country.

Grateful to his family for the sacrifices they too made for our country.

He is fallible, he made errors and there were successes,

but regardless of where we agreed or disagreed,

he stood by his convictions. It's what we ask of each President who takes office.

Today, I'm just a proud American.

See ya on the 28th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sunday Soup

2009-01-18T00:52:00.000-08:00

HEARTY BEEF STEW
By Soup Diva

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 2.5 hours

INGREDIENTS:
2 ½ to 3 lbs beef stew meat
3 TBSP extra virgin olive oil
4 Carrots, peeled and cut into bite size pieces
2 LBS potatoes cut into bite size pieces***** see note at bottom of recipe
1 can Campbell's condensed tomato soup
1 can Campbell's condensed beef broth
3 TSP Marjoram
1 TSP sea salt ( I prefer using sea salt, but any will work fine)
1 TSP ground black pepper
4 TBSP flour
2 cans (21 ounces of water)

INSTRUCTIONS:

PREHEAT OVEN TO 425º

In cast iron pot (or other oven safe pot with lid) heat oil, add meat, flour, salt pepper and marjoram. Stir to coat the flour and seasoning with the meat until the outside is browned. Add all remaining ingredients and stir to incorporate, except do not add the carrots or potatoes.
Cover pot with oven safe lid and bake for 90 minutes.
Remove pot from oven and add the potatoes and carrots, stirring to coat the veggies with the sauce. Cover and return to oven to continue baking for 60 minutes, or when potatoes and carrots are fork tender. Let cool without lid for a few minutes before serving.

**** Potatoes- I prefer to use small white creamer potatoes, cut in half, but you can use regular russet potatoes. If using russet, I highly recommend peeling them first, as the skins tend to fall apart during the cooking process.

National Soup Month ! 2009 Contest

2009-01-13T08:12:00.000-08:00

In my attempt to stick with the actual reason

I created my blog to begin with........

It's National Soup Month!

I had never noticed my favorite comfort food

had it's very own month!

I wonder when National Cheesecake month is?

So I am having the first ever contest on my blog...

The winner will be picked randomly.

The prize? An adorable apron valued at $39.95 (gloves and garter not included in contest)

With all the gloomy economic stuff happening, we could all use a little fun in our domestic life!

Go check out all the cute aprons they have!

>http://www.carolynskitchenonline.com/Apron1.html

To Enter:

Post a comment about the aprons, what's your favorite, etc. Make sure to include your email address. The deadline for entry is January 31st with the winner being announced on February 1st!!!

Please let all your other blogger and non blogger friends know about the contest and to come check it out and enter as well!
My goal is to increase readership and comment participation here, so please be sure to tell your friends!!!!!!!!!

BE SURE TO EMAIL ME @ THESOUPDIVA@AOL.COM

Broccoli Cheese Soup

2009-01-11T02:43:00.000-08:00

Broccoli Cheese Soup
By SoupDiva

What you will need:

6 Broccoli Crowns partially separated
2 14 ounce cans of chicken broth
1 pint of heavy whipping cream
1 half gallon of milk
2 TBSP cornstarch
1 pinch of nutmeg
5 ounces of shredded carrots
16 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese
Seasoning Salt to taste
Pepper to taste

In very large pot add broccoli and chicken broth. Cover with lid and cook until broccoli is just tender. Use a hand mixer to grind up the broccoli making sure not to over mix, but leave in bite size pieces. Add the whipping cream, milk, cornstarch, nutmeg, shredded carrots and seasoning salt and pepper to taste.

Cook soup on medium heat, stirring very frequently until carrots are tender and the soup is hot but NOT boiling. (approximately 15 minutes)DO NOT LET IT COME TO A BOIL.

Once the soup has been heated through, add the shredded cheese and begin to constantly stir until all the cheese has completely melted and is not sticking to the bottom of the pot.

Serve immediately.

It's one of our favorite things to eat in the winter.

I stayed up way too late and will post the recipe after we return

from church/goodbye lunch for our friends heading off to serve in

Africa as missionaries.

I'ts a soup/salad lunch. Guess what I'll be bringing!

I plan to take lost of pictures and snag some great recipes also for

future posts!

Sunday Soup

2009-01-07T21:20:00.000-08:00

Every Sunday I will be posting a new Soup recipe.

Pictures and shopping list will be included.

My goal is to get the website to print different size recipe cards

as well as a printable grocery list.

This may take some trial and error, so pardon the dust while I get the new

look and features adjusted!

There should eventually be something for everyone.

If you are looking for a specific recipe, shoot me an email and I'll do my

best to include it in one of my posts.

Tennis !

2009-01-07T00:13:00.000-08:00

Hubby and I played tennis tonight.

I still sucked, but he sucked a little more

so I felt pretty good about it....

Is that wrong?

I can't tell you how fun it is to be able

to chase down tennis balls and not limp.

I'm still not fast enough to cover the whole court

yet, but I will get there. Baby steps.

I can't wait to do it again! YAY!

It's all my fault

2009-01-06T15:28:00.000-08:00

When I went to get into my car today

I noticed the driver's side door ajar.

I had a gut feeling I knew what was next.

Yup. Dead battery.

Feeling like a giant dork,

I borrowed the neighbor's car

then called and confessed my mishap

to my husband. I thought for sure

he would be mad. This isn't the first time

I've drained a car battery.

I used to drive a Pontiac Grand Am

that required the driver to remember

to turn the headlights off.

I would forget and by the end of the work day,

my battery had died.

I think we were both grateful when our next car

had an automatic shut off for the headlights,

and it was impossible to lock keys in the car

because you had to have the remote to lock it.

YAY! They really do make cars for dingbats

like me!

New Year's Resolutions

2009-01-02T22:44:00.000-08:00

We've all made them.

Have we kept them going?

I am not promising myself to lose weight, eat healthier, spend more time with the family....... etc.

I've never kept up with any resolution I've made.

Sure, they all sound noble and attainable

when you're bragging to your friends and relatives

about how great your resolution is and this year WILL BE DIFFERENT!

I could afford to drop a few pounds, I already eat healthy, and could exercise more.

I went through months of serious pain last year to give myself a gift.

The gift is the ability to experience all the things I've been missing out on.

I have always wanted to snowboard. I am going the beginning of February.

I would go now, but my husband wants to wait until

after the cruise just in case I break something(I'm not joking, that's his reason)

Here are the things I intend to reward myself with this year:

1. When hands are empty, always run up or down the stairs (just because I finally can!)

2. Learn to snowboard (I was given all the gear for Christmas!) Thanks Sis!

3. Learn to play tennis and NOT suck at it.

(got a racket, already playing, but really suck.)

4. Go to the Ellen Degeneres show and Drag Queen Bingo in L.A.

with hubby's in the closet gay coworker.

5. Join and/or create a women's softball team.

I call dibs on 2nd base! ( I have missed softball for 20 years

6. Take belly dancing lessons with my daughter (we start in 2 weeks)

Build self confidence, tone the abs and have fun!

7. Take my dog for walks/runs. I can run again!!!!!!!!

8. Horseback riding/camping through Yosemite for a week.

9. Drive my daughter to WSU to begin the next phase of her life.

I'll stop here with 9. I think my goal for 2009 and beyond is to not focus on the scale, size of my jeans or how organized my closets are. I am ready to go and do all the things I've been missing out on. I'm tired of sitting on the sidelines cheering while I watch everyone else having a blast. I have nothing holding me back. My leg is healed, and I have no reason to stay seated while life whizzes past me. I want to be the blur whizzing past with a smile in every picture my husband takes of me. We are leaving on January 20th for a cruise. I cannot wait. My first cruise, we are going to drive sand rails on dunes in Grand Turk!! I tried snorkeling in Thailand, and while the scenery was amazing, I still think it feels like those damn x-ray bite wings from the dentist when I put the mouthpiece in. I gag. Almost instantly. It's not my favorite activity.
I am excited about the possibilities this year will hold. I have always been a proud Republican, but I voted for Obama this year. I wasn't sure I could actually follow through with it until the very last second in the voting booth, but I did vote democrat. He reminds me of Reagan in the sense that they both chose to focus on the greatness inside us, the core of what our country stands for. Reagan referred to us as the shining city on the hill. He gave us hope, possibility, and he inspired us to work harder, reach further and he cheered us on the whole way. He stood up to injustice, called it out and challenged it, and the wall came down. President Obama focused on the same message of hope, and I am actually excited about the next 4 years. Sorry for rambling on there!

I just know that at age 38, I spent way too much time limping and icing my knee and not nearly enough time out enjoying life. I plan to have tons to blog about, and I'll throw in some soup recipes along the way.

By the way, the Cioppino on New Years Day was fantastic. I remembered to take a picture after it was gone, so no photos this time. The recipe is simple, with simple ingredients, San Francisco style the way it was invented. The secret to perfect cioppino is always use fresh seafood and a really good bottle of red wine. Not the cheap crap they label for cooking, I mean the expensive stuff you save for special occasions. It's even better to finish off the rest of the bottle while watching the stew simmer, which is exactly what I did!

Happy 2009 everyone! I plan on packing it full of lots of fun! What do you have planned for 2009?

2008 was a bumpy ride..............

2009-01-02T10:18:00.001-08:00

I'm putting away Christmas decorations today. While enjoying my morning cup of coffee, I started to ponder what 2008 had been like, and frankly, it sucked mostly. Surgery, recovery, physical therapy, mother in law moving in, driving me to the brink of insanity, helping lay the foundation of my husband's business, senior year for my daughter ( not the sucky part). There are many things I plan to do and many things I've done, some I'm not proud of, but it's fun to look back at what I've done, not necessarily just in 2008, and what is still left to be experienced.

Happy New Year!

What I've done is in bold

1. Started your own blog.

2. Slept under the stars

3. Played in a rock band. In high school.

4. Went to Thailand for 3 weeks

5. Watched a meteor shower! WOW!

6. Given more than you can afford to charity.
Many times
7. Been to Disneyland, about 8 times both as a child and adult.

8. Climbed a mountain. Not a big mountain, but big enough.

9. Held a new born puppy.

10. Sang a solo. It was supposed to be a duet of amazing grace, but my sister couldn't hold it together and so I did it solo. It is on my list of things I'll never do again. NEVER sing a song at the funeral of someone you deeply loved. Ever.

11. Bungee jumped. NOPE! And don't hold your breath, I have no intention of ever doing it.

12. Visited Hong Kong for 2 hours, Singapore 3 hours, South Korea 9 months. Visited Canada every summer for 2 weeks as a child.

13. Watched a lightning storm in Georgia.

14. Taught yourself an art from scratch. I can play a little guitar, but can play everything from the Beatles to Beethoven on piano.

15. Adopted a child. My husband adopted my daughter. Does that count?

16. Had food poisoning for DAYS. I'm deathly alergic to sturgeon. If somoene wanted me dead, feeding me that fish could cause a stroke or death next time.

17. Ran away from home for a week at age 15 in San Francisco.

18. Grown your own vegetables. Tomatoes, carrots, green onions. Also, strawberries, satsuma mandarin oranges, pears, plums, various organic herbs, such as bay leaves, rosemary, thyme, orgeano, basil, lavender, echinacea, etc.

19. Got married in Reno.

20. Took a greyhound bus from the east coast to California. I don't recommend it. It sucked.

21. Had a pillow fight.

22. Hitch hiked.

23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill.

24. Built a snow fort.

25. Held a lamb.

26. Gone skinny dipping.

27. Run a Marathon.

28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice.

29. Seen a total eclipse.

30. Watched a sunrise or sunset. The best sunset memories are in Fort Bragg, breathtaking.

31. Hit a home run.

32. Been on a cruise. Not yet, but going in 3 weeks!!!

33. Been to Yosemite and wondered if I had the balls to climb Half Dome.

34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors.

35. Seen an Amish community.

36. Taught yourself a new language. Thai

37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied.

38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person.

39. Gone rock climbing.

40. Seen Michelangelo’s David.

41. Sung Karaoke. Badly, I might add.

42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt.

43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant.

44. Visited Africa.

45. Walked on a beach by moonlight. And skinny dipped too...

46. Been transported in an ambulance.

47. Had your portrait painted drawn.

48. Gone deep sea fishing.

49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person.

50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling. Snorkeling off the shore of the Similan Islands, Thailand

52. Kissed in the rain.

53. Played in the mud.

54. Gone to a drive-in theater.

55. Been in a movie.

56. Visited the Great Wall of China.

57. Started a business. 50% partner in my husband's side business

58. Taken a martial arts class. Age 14, it's how I originally hurt my knee

59. Visited Russia.

60. Served at a soup kitchen.

61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies.

62. Gone whale watching.

63. Slept on the floor in an airport.

64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma.

65. Gone sky diving.

66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp. Not yet, but I intend to.

67. Bounced a check.

68. Flown in a helicopter.

70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial.

71. Eaten Caviar.

72. Pieced a quilt.

73. Eaten escargot

74. Toured the Everglades.

75. Been fired from a job.

76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London.

77. Broken a bone.

78. Been on a speeding motorcycle.

79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person.

80. Published a book.

81. Visited the Vatican.

82. Bought a brand new car.

83. Walked in Jerusalem.

84. Had your picture in the newspaper.

85. Read the entire Bible.

86. Visited the White House.

87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating.

88. Had chickenpox.

89. Saved someone’s life.

90. Sat on a jury.

91. Met someone famous.

92. Joined a book club.

93. Lost a loved one.

94. Had a baby.

95. Seen the Alamo in person.

96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake.

97. Been involved in a law suit.

98. Owned a cell phone.

99. Been stung by a bee.

100. Read an entire book in one day. Many times!

Well, there you have it. Entirely self reflective, but kind of fun

Awkward...........

2008-12-28T20:28:00.000-08:00

How do YOU handle opening a gift from someone you care about

and realizing as you rip open the paper that you don't know

what the hell the gift does?

We've all experienced a moment or two like that.

Luckily for me, this year the person giving me the gift was

only on the telephone rather than in the room seeing my

expression as I desperately tried to figure out what the hell

it was to say thank you for receiving!

My parents live in a small town, that frankly has no access to

any real shopping outside of Rite Aid and Longs.

They mostly shop infomercials on the tele.

Yes, I received an exciting sort of dumpling making machine

that Paula Deen used on a commercial/show/I'm just not sure.

It kind of resembles the shape of a turnover, yet makes some

sort of meat dumplings.

Last year hubby received the most wonderful assortment of really

authentic looking medieval sword pens. Yes. His Mom

really thought he would enjoy using them at work.

I guess considering he is in law enforcement, having a plastic sword/pen

in an interrogation room might be handy. He could challenge them to a duel

of some sort.

Some of the things we get we are just too embarrassed to regift. The pens

went straight to the thrift store. I am not sure what I'll do yet with my dumplin'

maker. I'll try recipe or two, and see if it's worth keeping.

We had a lovely Christmas day. Lot's of food, a few naps and almost everyone

was able to relax and just enjoy the day.

I say almost, because I did all the prep, cooking and cleanup. I prefer not having

guests wash my china. I don't want the awkwardness of someone accidentally

chipping or breaking a piece and feeling badly, so I do it myself.

It was void of grumpiness and bad attitudes all day long. It was almost like

I was at someone else's house!

Hope your holiday celebrations were as wonderful as ours! Have a great New Year

and I'll see ya in 2009!

Fattimand and holiday traditions

2008-12-17T22:56:00.000-08:00

I spent 5 hours today making Christmas cookies.

Not a complaint. Simply stating fact.

A very old family tradition.

Passed from my Grandma to me.

Passed from her Grandma to her.

Comfort food they made after immigrating from Norway.

My sister is free from the ER and still has an appendix.

My feet are REALLY sore and I'm only half way done

with the cookies. 8 separate batches. 4 down, 4 to go.

Our holiday traditions are always attending a candlelight communion service

Christmas eve. Then coming home and snacking on fattening food, drinking coffee

spiked with Bailey's and opening gifts.

The fattimand christmas cookies I have made since 2000, the official keeper of the

longest running tradition on the Frogner family tree.

Our newest tradition is a gift from Buddy the Elf in our Christmas socks. Something

wacky, last year I ordered lots of fun things from the official SPAM museum.

They make an assortment of items. Fly swatters, coin banks, pens, etc.

This year I can't tell yet, in case my relatives find my blog.

So those are some of my traditions. What are some of yours? Please comment, I

love this time of year and hearing all the fun things other families do.

I will post my chili recipe as soon as I get the Christmas cards mailed.

Hopefully BEFORE Christmas! I am running out of time!

Was life this crazy for my mom?

2008-12-17T13:22:00.000-08:00

I remember all the fun the holidays were when I was a kid.

Baking cookies, shopping, decorating the house.

It all seemed so fun and magical.

I think the magic was my mother working her a** off

while I blindly meandered through December with

visions of sugarplums, christmas carols and santa hats.

The holidays have turned into a festive nightmare.

I have moments where I can't fathom being able to

accomplish my entire list of to do's.

This is finals week at school for my daughter. So any help with baking

is limited. My sister just called that she is at the ER

waiting to see if she has to have an emergency appendectomy.

My daughter is in the local newspaper today being honored as scholar

of the week. She has been accepted to university and has a huge

academic scholarship award. She also has 3 additional essays to write for more

scholarship applications, plus a ton of extra credit assignments to do to.

We also have a few friends dropping by for visits sprinkled into all

the craziness. Trying to keep the house presentable at all times, while

juggling all these other things is getting to me.

I did clean up the pile of crap in my office and manage to write up a

few Christmas cards. I haven't finished them, so they are not mailed.

I have never been this late mailing them out. I hope they arrive before

Christmas is over.

Are you having holiday stress? Did our Mom's go through all this crap

and just make it look effortless? Was I really THAT self centered that I

never noticed my mom frazzled, with sore feet and in a state of exhaustion?

So my one and only reader...........

Are you stressed out with too many things to accomplish before the 24th?

Do you think our mom's had the same stress? Or were things simpler then?

creative procrastination

2008-12-11T00:24:00.000-08:00

The chili was average.

Nothing exciting.

I am too lazy to post a picture or give you the recipe tonight.

Behind me lies a mound of crap that has been sitting for over 2 weeks.

It has to be sorted through and either thrown out or put where it belongs.

I avoid this area so I don't have to make up stupid excuses why I'm

on the computer and not cleaning up the crap behind me.

I did manage to take my obese dog for a walk( yes obese dog, story for another day)

grocery shop and go to a hair appointment

and made enough excuses that it actually sounded like I was too busy to

sort through the crap.

I'll be up late tonight thinking up more excuses why it's not done tomorrow.

Chili with some boring mixed in.

2008-12-09T18:01:00.000-08:00

Stop by tomorrow.

I'm busy testing chili recipes.

I hate how boring and random my blog is.

I take it personally.

It doesn't reflect my personality.

I am a conservative, yet liberal.

Opinionated always, sometimes obnoxiously.

I am a christian AND I support the fight against prop 8.

I believe we should all spay and neuter our pets.

I am not pro choice on abortion.

I am grateful I grew up dirt poor.

I am grateful I am not dirt poor anymore.

I need a new layout for this place.

I have tons to say.

You should hear my opinion on the whole Oprah/Palin thing.

I'm tired of Oprah. I don't tivo her anymore.

I am sitting her typing this when I should be downstairs cooking.

OK, I'm going..........

Chili (meat optional)

2008-12-09T17:38:00.000-08:00

I am preparing a meatless chili recipe tonight.

With intent on sharing my frugal recipe and ingredients

as a fill in gift for distant relatives who I rarely see

but think more of than just sending a card.

So a gift in a jar will do.

Last year was vegan brownies, which received good reviews.

I'll post the recipe tomorrow, with pics and instructions

for filling the jar, cooking instructions card, etc.

It's a cheap gift, but if you spend a few moments decorating the lid

with fabric and ribbon it turns out nice.

Change

2008-12-06T14:18:00.000-08:00

An actual post about soup.

It's that time of year.

I feel the need to refocus.

Not just the blog.

My life.

I know I said I wouldn't change the layout of my blog.

I feel it's time to move forward.

I'm ready to change it now. It's been a year.

I have no clue how to change it.

I will learn.

I made Broccoli Cheese soup for dinner.

It's foggy and drizzly and cold.

Perfect for a bowl of soup

and steaming hot french bread right from the oven.

I've misplaced my Holiday spirit

2008-12-05T08:06:00.000-08:00

I can't find motivation anywhere.

My downstairs is a maze of plastic bins full of decorations.

I put up a few things here and there, but the tree.......

still not decorated. At least it's up, but I had nothing

to do with that.

I'm supposed to lead carolers through our downtown tonight.

I'm hoping a little holiday spirit will rub off.

It didn't feel like Thanksgiving either.

We had just come home, jet lagged and sunburned from our trip.

It was a tropical paradise. Postcard perfect.

Flying home to fog and cold weather seemed

Stephen Colbert and Jesus

2008-12-04T20:41:00.000-08:00

Crazy day.

It's the 1 year anniversary of my Father in Law's death.

My Mother in Law made it through the day with

Fun in the sun

2008-12-02T07:06:00.000-08:00

It's been downright cold here the last few days.

Just wanted to share how amazing the weather

in Thailand is right now.

I miss the warm ocean water,

but not the bugs.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-27T13:25:00.000-08:00

I slept until 12:30pm

Exhaustion has caught up to me

My parents are here for the week

Mom buzzing around the kitchen

I can't help but be thankful today

Gas prices are below 2 bucks

Our plane left Bangkok before the protesters closed it down

or we would still be in Thailand.

My family is healthy

We have a home

Home safely, and grateful we had an early flight out of Bangkok!

2008-11-26T15:44:00.000-08:00

We arrived back in California Sunday night. I'm having some serious jet lag. Thailand is 15 hours ahead of California, so our nights and days are out of whack. I ache all over, we worked very long hours, with little down time and it has caught up. I am thankful that my Mom has graciously accepted my invitation to be here to do the traditional dinner and also take care of meals, laundry, ironing, etc. so that we can just readjust to life here.
Bangkok airport was taken over by protesters, just a few hours after our plane left for Singapore. If we had a later flight, we'd be stuck in Bangkok. We spent time in Phuket, which is both a testament to the human spirit to rebuild their lives despite the massive loss of life and property that they lived through. They are warm, welcoming people, and I can't wait to go back. I have tons of video footage, I'm also including the video we made while their. The picture is of our hotel in Phuket our first night in Thailand. Beautiful and elegant. We were welcomed to our room by a baby gecko about 1 inch long. I'll share more stories later. I'm just too tired. The video speaks for itself.

I'm back in California, via Hong Kong, Sinagapore, and 3 stops in Thailand.

2008-11-24T01:13:00.000-08:00

It's after 1am here. I heard via a blog message that someone passed away while I was gone. I have never met them in person, just via the internet. Makes coming home eager to share my amazing trip less important tonight. I have many pictures, but I think most I will only find interesting, although, I will share my experience in Phuket, snorkeling at the Similan Islands and how much I realized it reminds me of dental xrays. More fun news before Thanksgiving. I had asked that my mail be kept from my daughter, as her acceptance letter to college would be arriving before us. And I was correct. She not only was accepted to college, but she also has almost a full academic scholarship. Yes, we are the parents who struggled to get through our own college educations, and decided that earning it was much more rewarding than being handed one. She earned her's. She will be the first in our family with a PHD. I made her wait to open the letter. It was just

I couldn't help myself

2008-11-04T10:19:00.000-08:00

I received 3 separate flyers in the mail from the "protect marriage" yes on 8 people. I was really ticked off that my name was in anyway associated with them. I was so irritated by the last one that I called up their office in Sacramento and left them a seething

Freaking out/packing for Thailand

2008-11-03T14:14:00.000-08:00

To say I am freaking out on the inside would be a mild description.

I can't get all of the what if's out of my mind.

I am up past 2am now each night going over trip details

and trying to remember if I wrote out instructions for every possible scenario.

I keep asking myself if I was completely insane when I signed up for this.

I hate flying. It gives me huge panic attacks which require me to be very medicated.

I get insomnia for a week just for an in country flight.

I will be changing planes 4, yes 4 times and the entire trip will take over 26 hrs.

What in the hell was I thinking?

I might die of an overdose of xanax before I even get to Thailand.

I am having to force myself to stay calm on the outside.

I always over pack. I hate the feeling of wishing I had packed an outfit

that was home in my closet.

We went to Target and bought lots of emergency supplies. Mostly toilet paper

and hand sanitizer.

I will not be back until the 23rd, so there will be no posts

from me until at least the 24th.

Keep our team in your prayers and I'll post lots of fun stuff when I get home!

Vote No on Prop 8. The next rights to be taken away could be yours.

2008-10-30T22:21:00.000-07:00

Random thoughts from a bored and spoiled housewife......................

2008-10-17T23:48:00.001-07:00

The pictures are of my hairdresser's brand new 4 week old baby, our dog Mandy (who had $2700 knee surgery), my daughter and her bff in Haight Ashbury clothes shopping at the thrift stores, and my Dad bless his 84 yr old heart, snoozing at the family reunion.

I'm finding that I have too much free time.

I am shopping more often.

The house is extra clean

and I'm finding myself a tad lonely during the day.

There is a group that meets twice a month,

mothers of preschoolers.

They all get a "break" and hang out, make friends and chat about their little ones.

I am kinda needing a mothers of teens group. (no not alanon)

It would be nice to have some other mom's to identify with.

Maybe share a laugh, vent a frustration or a fear.

In my world, having a teen is harder than a preschooler.

I don't have to worry about her running out into traffic anymore.

I have bigger worries now. Drugs, alcohol, sex, college........

It's not a matter of whether or not she'll need to learn some lessons the hard way, it's a matter of when and to what degree.

I was stubborn and headstrong as a teen. I was invincible and knew everything.

I was convinced my mother was an overbearing jerk who only cared about appearances and what the neighbors might think. Which makes no sense to me, except that apparently poor people care just as much as rich people, but for different reasons.

I was mostly right about my mom. She still thinks that way and it does rub me the wrong way pretty often, so we have some conversations that end a little awkward/hostile and wait a few days before phoning again. I find myself lately just keeping things very light and fluffy mostly weather related topics, nothing to controversial. My mother is horrified that I support NO on prop 8 and that I think my daughter's dream date for prom is a gay boy. Yeah, and I'll spring for the limo and his tux if he needs me to. My mom is mortified. Yep. Completely freaked the hell out. My daughter attends the gay straight alliance at school and that REALLY upsets her. Just because I am teaching my daughter to be vocal about her ideas of what is right and wrong, can't mean that the secret perk is that it makes my mom freak out. My mom is a conservative baptist and belongs to a church that has embraced child molesters and shunned the victim. Oh, such a long long story. Not one to be told today. But I do get a little smile and my face lights up a little when I tell her about the no on prop 8 stuff and I can feel her tense up through the phone. I think telling her knowing how freaked out it makes her makes me a bitch, or at the least, a bad daughter. I'm not going to deny I do get some pleasure out of her discomfort with my daughter's opinions and my support of them. Sadistic? Evil? Bitch? hmmmmmmm...... If you knew our history with the "church/cult" she attends and the reference to the registered sex offender they protected, you'd understand a little "rough justice"(a quote from my favorite tv judge) now and then doesn't make me a horrible person.

I'm finding my thoughts drifting to WCS (worst case scenario).

I try to distract myself.

So I took up horseback riding lessons.

I'm leaving for Thailand in a few weeks and I am questioning my decision.

This post is a perfect example of my bitchiness and general feeling of discontent with my current situation.

I hate the term "empty nester". The next person that says it to my face gets told where to stick their nest comment.

My nest will not be empty, it's still got my husband, sister and mother in law in it.

There are days that I would trade one or all of them for a Venti Cinnamon Dolce Latte and some ibuprofen.

My blogs are boring. I feel boring. I don't want to go get a job just yet. I'm having too much fun picking her up at school.

It was homecoming tonight. She went to the game, and spent time with her friends. They won the game.

She lights up the room when she comes in buzzing about who was saying stuff about somebody and then this other guy totally hit on her and her friends Aunt works out the pharmacy we get our prescriptions and is the one I think is fabulous and sent her flowers on her bday. (Yes, I sent the pharmacy clerk flowers for her bday.) She had 20 minutes of juicy gossip and funny stories to share with us.

The fact that she comes home and WANTS to share all the details with us is huge to me.

At her age I made a point not to tell my parents anything.

She drew a cartoon chicken on the dry erase board at school today and was upset that a boy drew a penis and sac on it. Then they laughed at her for touching the penis when she got irritated and erased it.

She is still too naive to know what NOT to tell us. Like the fact that her new bff''s mom lets her daughter go to parties where kids drink and smoke pot. So I said that her friend was allowed to come over anytime and I would be checking for contraband, but she would not be spending the night there, ever. She doesn't even care about the stupid rule I made. She said our house is nicer and she'd rather sleep here. Plus, I stock all her favorite snacks, which makes slumber parties way more fun.

Ok, I'm rambling. I need to finish my cup of tea and go snuggle with my hubby.

He is leaving for 5 days to attend a forensic conference. My sister went to Oregon to see her friends new twin baby boys and I'm secretly hoping she convinces her to rename them more conventional names. What is with people and weird baby names? Suri? Apple? Ryken? Seriously. The only names that were unusual that I actually like is Harlow and Kingston. How do you politely tell someone their babies are adorable and deserve better than to be stuck with a name guaranteeing their being teased at school. Unless all new parents are going for the weirdest names possible, so they'll end up in a class full of cute kids with seriously twisted names. Even the Governor of Alaska has wacko names for her kids.

OK, before I go here's the list of weird names I will use if I ever deliver 6 babies and try to get my own reality show so I can afford their diapers.

Ivy

Fearne

Lily

River

Stone

Barq

Enjoy. It's my contribution to the ecofriendly movement. Only problem is, I can't seem to keep one incubated let alone 6. So my dream of having my own reality show will always be a dream.........................LOL I'm actually joking. I toyed with the idea of wife swap. They called after I applied, but my husband swore he wouldn't let the other mom in the house. So there went that idea!

Sorry reader. Yes, singular. You are the only one who reads my crap regularly besides me. I don't even tell my family this blog exists. If I told them, I couldn't write all the crap about them that I do. I like to vent my feelings publicly, yet in private, because no one visits my damn blog. So technically, it's like having a diary, leaving it out and no one giving a crap about reading it.

I need to focus more on food and less on my boring whiny housewife crap.

Maybe I should just delete all the previous no food blogs and start over.

My husband totally blew off my new website design. Whining about needing to focus on work, blah blah blah something......

Our Trip to Alcatraz

2008-10-15T09:45:00.000-07:00

We spent Sunday in San Francisco

A night tour of Alcatraz

Amazing history lesson.

Our first time on the island.

I guarantee it won't be our last.

Thailand missions trip donations

2008-10-02T03:06:00.000-07:00

We are leaving November 6th. We still have to raise $1500.oo and there are others on our team that haven't met their funding goal either. You can scroll through my blog and find previous posts where I mention the important work we do there. I am attaching a link to our church website, so if you can afford to send a donation, even if all you can spare is a dollar it is greatly appreciated and I promise it goes to good use there. Our money is worth 3 times more than theirs, so every dollar sent is like sending 3! Please pray for our team as we prepare to go and pray for the Thai people, that they will find not only physical nourishment, but also spiritual.

Have a blessed Day!

To send a donation please mail it to and make checks payable to:

River Oak Grace
7712 Rodden Road, Oakdale, CA 95361

attention: Thailand mission team

The link to our church is HERE

Just in case you forgot .....................................

2008-10-02T02:01:00.000-07:00

THE WIDOW’S OFFERING

2008-09-18T15:42:00.000-07:00

Luke 21:1-4

1As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins.^[a] 3"I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."

You may or may not be familiar with these verses

from the New Testament NIV bible.

It's the only way I can describe the gift

I was given the day Art went to live with his

new host family.

I had ordered him a bible in Thai and it was delivered

the same day he was set to leave.

I wrapped it and presented the gift to him after school.

For Thai people, it is considered rude to open a gift

in the presence of the gift giver.

If the recipient is not pleased with it,

this may show on their face and bring hurt and shame

to the giver.

I told him he could open it after he moved into his new house,

I could tell he was unsure what to do.

When the time came for him to be picked up,

we helped him load his things in the car and

said our goodbyes.

I gave him a hug and told him we would see him again soon,

as his birthday is coming up.

He took my hand and laid a plastic sandwich bag

with foil folded neatly inside.

I tried to politely give the gift back to him,

but he insisted.

Inside was 250 baht ( approximately $8 dollars).

The handwritten note read:

"Thank you so much to everyone

In this lovely house...

I feel really comfortable and happy

(the 1st time in USA)

Thank you so much for food

especially "pistachios" thank you for bed

(especially to K...)

sorry that I have to steal your bedroom.

Thank you for let me "the homeless people" be

part of your family ( although it's just a short time.. too short)

May God always bless you all from above...

Thank you so much MR. D and MRS. S and of course MS. k

as I always say....................

'We don't say Goodbye'

These thing...... are not a payback

It's just a gift (and don't try to send it back to me!!)

a gift from someone who have nothing...

I truly believe that this will help you survive

(although you can do it by yourself!!!)

in the country that I proud to call "HOME"

It's not worth your kindness at all........

but it's all I can give and I want to give it to you....

Love,

Art

So there I stood in my kitchen.

Crying lots of tears.

It was the first time anyone had given me a gift

that held so much meaning.

He gave us all of it. Every single ounce of Thai money he had.

Nothing we did for him could equal the magnitude of his gift to us.

My husband and I are in a disagreement over the baht.

I don't want to spend it because of what it represents to me.

He wants to spend it in Thailand because that was the intent of the gift.

I'm just more sentimental I guess.

So, should I spend it or not?

Disfunctional family and wishing I had a 6th bedroom...

2008-09-12T23:28:00.000-07:00

We are driving 4 hours each way

to visit with extended family.

Aunts, Uncles, cousins.

Haven't seen since Grandma died 5 yrs ago.

Guess it's good no one died this time

it's just a bbq.

They all have quirks.

Some are democrats, some republicans.

Some are angry hippies,

and some are devout christians.

A couple are alcoholics

and one is a closet gay.

4 chainsmoke,

2 are gambling addicts but one of them won a car,

so I hope that means they at least broke even.

One cousin had a baby with her stepbrother.

So their daughter only has one set of grandparents.

They refuse to get married.

Don't ask. Long story.

I had to give back the Thai foreign exchange student.

They found him a new family.

I'm blaming pms for my tears.

But I really really liked the feeling of

having more than just one child in the house.

I am still wanting a large family.

It gets to me sometimes.

In the quietness of the day.

4 miscarriages, lots of tears.

I really wanted a large family,

with lots of dirty little fingers to wash

noses to wipe and finger painted art on my fridge.

I have loved being a mom for the last 17 years.

I didn't want her to be an only child.

I am grateful. Some never conceive.

I appreciate fully the blessing

of being a mom.

Enjoy the picture from Art's first night in our home.

My daughter is on the right.

The girl in the middle is their friend from school.

He gave me a gift before he left.

One of the best gifts I have ever received.

I'll share the gift and the note he wrote us with you later on this weekend.

Jai Roon

2008-09-06T08:08:00.001-07:00

Preparing for the mission trip,

I have been studying Thai culture.

They consider it bad to yell anywhere.

(Jai Roon means "hot heart" in Thai.)

But it is extra bad if done in anger and never at home.

K met the foreign exchange student his first day at school.

She said hello to him in Thai

and he has been her friend ever since.

He is a sweet kid. Very kind, quiet and respectful.

I wish all teenagers had his kindness.

He has been confiding in K that his host mom

is a bit mean. OK, she's a royal bitch to him.

But he would never call her that.

She clearly was in it for the monthly check.

She is either yelling at him or giving him the silent treatment.

He speaks english, although somewhat broken.

He told K he felt like he was dying on the inside.

He needs a new host family.

I have met the current host mom, she was clearly trying to

act like she was a caring and loving host mom.

But it was transparent then, before I knew what happened

when strangers were not around.

She apparently thought it would be easy money.

She didn't realize HE'S a HUMAN BEING.

HE HAS FEELINGS, FEARS, AND MISSES HIS FAMILY.

He has enough on his plate just trying to keep up at school.

I spoke with the director of the program that brought him here.

They have a new family lined up, but paperwork takes a few weeks.

So for this weekend, he will be with us.

Everyone needs a soft place to fall at the end of the day.

Here he can eat freely, go swimming, let his guard down,

play the wii and get his homework done.

I have to take him back to the bad family

on Sunday after youth group is over.

At least he gets today and tomorrow to just breathe.

Did I mention I hate yard sales?

2008-08-22T23:15:00.000-07:00

I am a team player.

That's what I keep repeating to myself.

It's the night before the big yard sale.

Fundraising money

Happy Birthday !

2008-08-13T07:37:00.000-07:00

Has it been 17 years already?

Where did the time go?

She wanted fruit instead of cake.

If you haven't had the pleasure of

receiving an Edible Arrangements bouquet,

it's worth the money.

I also lined up 17 cupcakes

each had a candle.

She made a wish.

So did I.

Happy Late Birthday to me

2008-08-05T20:44:00.000-07:00

My new Iphone arrived today.

I already have

Am I the only one who thinks this is wrong?

2008-07-16T23:27:00.000-07:00

We all know who the "other" Hilton is.........

I'm not referring to Paris or Nikki. It's Perez Hilton ,

he mostly makes fun of celebs and has created quite a fan base of his own.

I have to admit I've been a visitor to his website a few times.

He has his own take on celebrities, and at times it's raunchy

but some of it is just plain funny and certain celebs (Andy Dick for example) deserve the mocking

they bring upon themselves by acting like idiots for all the world to see.

He has been posting about a young girl on his blog.

She is a minor, and her parents gave her a webcam, computer and internet access.

A recipe for disaster.

Her parents did not monitor her use of the webcam

nor did they pay enough attention to the websites she

frequented and what she was doing on youtube.

She wants to have friends and enjoys singing and dancing.

What I have the hugest problem with is not whether Perez

or anyone else in the blogosphere thinks she is talented or not.

I don't want to debate the motives behind telling this child

that she has the potential to get a record deal by flashing her

boobs in a video and posting it for millions to view.

Here's where I get pissed off..................................

Her parents have a responsibility to her to make sure she is

using the computer in a responsible manner.

They are responsible for her safety, and should have monitored her

use of the computer to make sure her myspace was set to private,

her real name, age and location were not public, etc.

There is absolutely NO reason any teen needs a webcam.

Her parents were really clueless until the "boob" video appeared?

Why weren't they checking her computer?

What the hell were they thinking giving her BACK the webcam

after the "boob" video incident.

She has a public myspace and youtube page.

She has disclosed to the entire world her name, age, location, etc.

Through her parents neglect of their responsibilities,

they have allowed their daughter to divulge enough personal info

that if a pedophile wanted to, they could just come and pick her up.

I am angry that her parents gave her back internet access, the webcam, etc.

after they and her school became aware of her "boob" video.

Those who tell her to "follow her dreams" and "her talent and singing inspires them"

are either tone deaf themselves or just lying to this poor girl to get her to make

more videos so they can laugh at her behind her back.

Maybe, Perez Hilton is sincere, and really does think it's sweet

that she is brave enough to sing and dance and put it out there for the world.

Maybe........ Perez just wants to exploit her, because she is of the same caliber

as William Hung or Kevin from season 1 of American Idol.

Remember Kevin? He sang "Like a Virgin".

While it may be entertaining to the 17, 000 people who have

befriended this girl on myspace,

I am flabbergasted that her parents haven't got a freakin clue

that their teenage daughter has literally put a giant

target on herself that could get her kidnapped

by a crazy child molester.

Am I just being paranoid?

She seems to me to have some form of developmental disability. ******UPDATE***** NOTE: I originally used the term mental handicap( I don't know the PC way to say it)I was emailed the CORRECT terminology by "anonymous" thanks for correcting me (even if you were too shy to leave your real name. My intent was not to be insensitive, just admitting I was unschooled in the wording.),

but I'm not 100% certain.

I am not going to post a link to her you tube page to prove my point.

Just type in Kristina Chen into google or you tube.

You'll see why I'm so pissed off at her stupid parents.

You going to give YOUR teen a webcam?

More and more employers are googling prospective employees.

Teens by nature cannot predict the consequences of their actions.

In 1o years, when your children are out of college and applying for jobs,

their future employers will google them.

What will they see?

It has cost more than one beauty queen her title.

It may even cost your child their dream job.

Don't we owe it to our kids to protect them from themselves?

Isn't that why we make them wear their bike helmet?

Why we tell them not to talk to strangers?

Shouldn't the don't talk to strangers rule apply to kids on the web too?

Just for a side note. I don't want to debate whether or not she is star material or how well you

think she can sing and dance. I DO want to discuss parental responsibility to their children's

safety on the internet. I welcome your comments.

I have had to start moderating comments, due to a crazy person who posted here a while back.

I won't say who, they know who they are.

Exhaustion has set in

2008-07-15T23:32:00.001-07:00

Off to San Fransisco again today.

School clothes shopping and my daughter was in the best mood ever.

She discovered a place that embraces her sense of style.

She is not your average cookie cutter teen girl.

Sure, she whines a lot, is self centered and has been known to be lazy,

but she is also very driven, sets high goals for herself and is

pretty adventurous.

She was asked to be a cheer coach to the local pee wee girls.

I have to say, I'm secretly elated. But I would never let her know it.

She is typical in that, if I am for something, by definition it must be opposed.

It's normal teen behavior. I am not cool nor am I smart,

at least not for the next year or so.

But she agreed to coach them, and her face lights up when

the subject is brought up.

Because back when she was 5 her eyes were completely crossed,

and she had coke bottle lenses for her glasses.

It made her shy and the other kids didn't want to pick her for

p.e. games, because she had no depth perception.

She lacked confidence. Nothing I did or said would change HER

opinion of herself. Confidence comes from inside.

I had to try to figure out how to inspire a child who was

bright and funny and artistic, but was physically unable

to hit or catch a baseball. And while there are far worse

physical conditions she could have been dealt, I had to find a solution.

I tried gymnastics. Nope. She didn't believe in herself enough yet.

So we went for cheer leading. Yes, I know. The reputation precedes them.

And there were many who fit the stereotype on her squad.

But she could be part of a team. She didn't have to stand alone,

all eyes on her, in her mind, we were all waiting for her to fail.

She needed to ease her way into it. So she stood in the back row

for a few years. Slowly building her confidence and self esteem.

She made friends, and at the end of the halftime routines,

she felt like she belonged and had accomplished a goal.

She cheered for 5 years, taking 2nd place at Nationals in Vegas at age 12.

So for the last 3 years of high school, she hasn't cheered.

But coaching has brought that glimmer back into her eyes.

She spent most of Sunday practicing dance routines to teach

her new little cheerleaders.

She is feeling valued and that she has a place she fits in.

She commented to me that she doesn't dress or act like the

barbie doll clone cheerleaders at high school and wasn't sure

how her squad would react to her.

When one of the little girls we know found out K was her coach,

she ran up and gave her the biggest hug and told her how

excited she was K was coaching her.

My job wasn't to protect her from feeling like a loser by being the last kid

picked for team games at school.

My job was to show her how to pick herself up, dust herself off

and find joy in what she IS good at.

She has come to understand that in order for others to see her value,

she must first value herself.

She may never hit a home run in baseball, but she can do an amazing toe touch.

I couldn't make her have self confidence. She had to find that on her own.

But I felt it was my job as parent to provide opportunities for her to

experience pride in her accomplishments. It was a very slow process.

She expects no free rides. She knows the value of a dollar.

She also knows that she will face adversity.

It's how she handles it that makes all the difference.

I'm down to my last year of teaching her the skills she will need to

navigate through a very big and scary world.

I don't have all the answers, I've made my share of parenting mistakes.

So tonight, I'm exhausted from shopping, driving and trying to throw a dinner

together last minute.

I found out hubby will be gone all next week to L.A. for training.

I wish I could go too. Just to have someone else make my bed and prepare my meals.

But I have too much here that needs to be done.

I have got to stop rambling and go to bed.

I have a feeling come morning, this post will end up edited down to a reasonable

size.

Because at this point, I'm not sure I am making any sense.

A little late.......... but let me explain

2008-07-09T16:16:00.000-07:00

I did say I would post some pics from the Van's warped tour

that my daughter took, but hubby has been non stop at work,

and I am not computer literate enough to pull the pics off her cell

phone and post them.

The REI farting story is a little gross,

but pretty typical of most men in stores.

We had spent our entire day wandering about San Fran,

enjoying the ocean breeze, people watching,

eating great food and doing a bit of shopping.

About 6pm we decided to mosey on over to the concert

and see a huge REI store.

With stars in our eyes and credit cards in hand,

we shopped for clothing to wear on the trip to Thailand.

I am a mosquito magnet, so shirts that repel the damn things

are worth the $60 price tag.

They carry bug repellant, spf, quick drying clothes,

I was ecstatic.

My husband had been shopping in the men's dept,

and came to find me over in women's.

He quietly released the most foul smelling fart I have

ever had the misfortune of smelling.

At first, he warned me that he just farted and started to walk away.

The aroma hadn't drifted towards me yet,

so I was still browsing through the sale rack when it hit me.

It smelled like death. Like something had died and was rotting.

I can't believe that smell came from a live human body.

I looked around and thankfully, no other customers

were nearby, so I gave up on the sale rack

and went to the shoe dept where the air was cleaner.

I try not to be too hard on the guy.

He really can't help it.

But it was a doozy.

We learned at checkout that REI is kinda like Costco.

For $20 you can join,

get discounts, entrance to secret sale items

and 10 % back on all your purchases.

Yes, for $20, they will now send us a check for $80,

on a bunch of clothes we would have bought anyway.

They also have a fabulous return policy,

which is why they end up having deeply discounted special sales

to members.

They have tons of outdoor stuff.

I was pretty impressed with the selection and quality of the brands.

The most important factor for me in a store is

how well the staff are trained in their dept and how easy

I am able to locate one when I have questions.

REI passed the test for me in every dept I went to.

Thanks REI.

2008-07-05T21:49:00.000-07:00

I am totally uninterested in blogging this weekend.

Don't feel like sitting at the computer writing.

I have been indulging in herbal iced tea,

sunbathing, swimming and

Too much poo talk!

2008-06-27T00:29:00.000-07:00

Two in a row,

both about poop.

What kind of soup blog is this?

I wanted to go to bed.

But I couldn't leave the last two posts about poop.

I don't like to end my day on a negative note.

So I will share that I am officially the keyboardist

for our church worship team.

My first Sunday on stage, playing at our outdoor amphitheater

and I get to play with a real band for the

first time in 20 years.

I am so excited I can't even explain it.

We rehearse on Thursday nights.

I am still on a high from it 3 hours later.

I think I am also the oldest member.

My daughter thinks the drummer is hot,

and oddly she isn't embarrassed that I am in the band.

I have always loved music.

Singing, playing, dancing.

I missed that part of me.

I got too busy and let it slip away.

I'm at a place in my life where I can afford the luxury

of doing things I love for the joy of doing them,

not because I have bills to pay.

We still have lots of bills,

but hubby pays them by doing what he loves.

I actually do want to work when K goes to school

full time in August.

I don't even care if I get a paycheck.

I'd work training horses for free.

I love it that much.

So if you know anyone wanting to hire a horse trainer,

I'm affordable.

Hubby would prefer I try to get a paying job.

The breed of horse I want to purchase runs around $15 grand,

and he'd prefer I pick up the tab.

It's not about the money for me.

At 17, I worked on a ranch.

Giving trail rides on the beach via horseback to tourists.

I couldn't wait to get to work on the weekends.

They actually paid me to ride horses.

****************************************

Tomorrow, the REI farting story and pictures of the concert we paid for

but didn't go to.

Apparently my daughter met a "manorexic transvestite" who

wears adult onesies and has pink hair.

Exactly why I avoided using my concert ticket.

(no offense to manorexic transvestites with pink hair)

I'm just not into that kind of music.

I also don't like screamo.

I'm more of an old school 80's hair band kinda gal.

Oh, and I'll try and remember the name of the guy from The Academy Is...

who my daughter claims is the person she loves almost as much as Jesus.

AND, who apparently walked right next to her causing her to almost

pee her pants.

Ok, I need to stop. I'm ruining all the fun for tomorrow's post.

I stepped in bird crap and I'm a bitch

2008-06-26T22:59:00.000-07:00

At my mother in law's apartment(which is in my house),

she is lonely(by choice) and needs her birds for companionship.

But she is not the greatest housekeeper

and today I stepped in bird crap.

Only...........................

I walked around with it

on the bottom of my foot

for over an hour

until my daughter says,

"EW GROSS! What is on that on your foot?"

yeah, I started gagging.

How do you tell a lonely depressed person

they are a really shitty housekeeper

and they need to clean up the bird crap

or the birds will not be out of the cage?

I am trying not to be heartless,

but there is bird crap all over my mother in law suite.

Expensive cabinets, floors and appliances,

coated with bird crap.

It's disgusting and has to be addressed.

She doesn't want to get out of her chair.

She fired her counselor

and won't try to interact with anyone but us.

I try to be patient, but it's wearing thinner by the day.

I feel like I am having to drag her through her life.

Does that make sense?

She is too heavy for me to carry any longer.

I need her to start taking her own steps.

I want my life to be centered on my family and my goals and dreams.

Not continually putting our lives on hold so we can coddle

someone who is choosing to stay stuck in an emotional coma.

I feel like a bitch because I have days where I resent her, A LOT.

I want our lives back. She is not trying. I'm tired of carrying her.

The resentful days are becoming more frequent.

I am frustrated. She refuses to drive herself anywhere except

Kmart and to the grocery store.

I spend at least 20 hrs a week driving her to dr appointments.

I want to go get a job just to get the hell out of the house

and have a reason why I can't take her anymore.

I feel like I am being used and manipulated

and it's really starting to piss me off.

Instapoo?

2008-06-25T23:18:00.000-07:00

Thanks ITUNES!

2008-06-05T15:47:00.001-07:00

Well, it didn't even take a few days. In less than 24 hours, ITunes responded to my cry for help and let me download my music I had lost for free. I read their policy late last night, and they are very clear that if you don't backup your purchases, say goodbye to them. After reading that I was expecting a form letter sympathetic to my plight, but firm that I was the idiot who didn't backup my purchases. But that's far from what happened. I received a personally written email with detailed instructions on how to restore my purchases. Thanks ITunes! And a REALLY BIG thanks to Maria, the customer service rep who replied to my email. You made my day!!!

Crap........

2008-06-04T23:30:00.000-07:00

My computer hard drive had a heart attack today. So far I've lost $40 worth of Itunes purchases I was too lazy to sync to my ipod. I guess in a few days customer service will help me figure it out. Until then, no Leona Lewis for me.
I was able to regain my passwords, email, blog etc. That only took 4 hours. My recipe files are gone, document folder, pictures, all my work on my website update. Hours of work, years of recipe creating and collecting just gone. Hubby is going to try to retrieve it at work, but he said it may be lost forever. It was just too far gone. I can't say I'm diligent about backing stuff up. I am married to a computer forensic detective. I completely take it for granted that he is able to fix most anything. Until now.

Tomorrow is our anniversary. He forgot to get me a card, so he says. He "forgets" just to enjoy watching me have a pity party. He's never forgotten, and he always does something sweet and wonderful. He also told me he canceled our cruise in January, just to see if I really cared. He likes to say crap that gets me agitated and then tells me later he was just kidding. You think I'd catch on by now. He used to tell me how he thought Scott Peterson was innocent and that would really set me off on a rant. He could get a rise out of me every single time. I eventually found out by accident that he never thought Peterson was innocent, he knew the detectives who worked the case and it was airtight. He just liked to watch me flip out. Apparently, when I get pissed off enough, it's humorous to watch.

Politics

2008-06-04T23:12:00.000-07:00

Seems like Obama is the guy to take on McCain.

I have mixed feelings about it.

I am relieved that Hillary won't be our next President.

I have many reasons why I dislike her,

getting into them all I will save for another post.

I am a republican. I'm supposed to vote party lines.

But I have reservations about McCain also.

Yes, he's a war hero, served our country proudly,

I believe he is a man of integrity.

I also believe he carries scars from his time as a POW.

Who wouldn't have some scars from that?

I fear he will be too soft on the current detainees at Guantanamo

I believe that we need a President who will make the difficult choices,

not based on personal baggage, but on the real threat that we are facing.

We are at war with an enemy that is a chameleon.

They blend into our society, study our weaknesses, use them against us

and have the patience to wait years to strike.

We need a President who understands the threat, it's real

and we cannot win without REAL leadership.

Does Obama have the balls to stand up to the terrorists? Maybe.

I know that Bill Clinton made his decisions on whatever he thought would

raise his public opinion poll numbers.

We can't afford another Clinton in office.

We can't afford another Bush either.

I'm still on the fence.

Both are men of integrity, strong morals, clear vision for the future of our country.

The elephant in the room.

Is America ready for an African American President?

I have no reservations about Obama's race.

He speaks with an eloquence and conviction that reminds me

of the way Ronald Reagan could inspire the country to

believe in itself. The shining city on the hill................

I will stand up and support either candidate that wins.

Regardless of party.

There are some screwed up people in this country that I believe

will not want an African American to be the President,

I fear for Obama's safety.

This country needs strong leadership and a President who

can unite the people and the congress.

What do you think?

Who did you want to run?

OUCH!

2008-05-30T16:33:00.000-07:00

This morning we held hands as I drove home.

My little girl's wisdom teeth were removed.

She looked like the cutest lil chipmunk.

Puffy cheeks, sad puppy dog eyes.

I could tell she wished she was 5 and could still curl up in my lap.

On the way home we had to stop.

Upset stomach and she panicked

She started to sob and hyperventilate.

She threw up blood.

I know. Graphic, gross. TMI.

I cried right along with her.

I couldn't fix it with a bandaid and a kiss.

She has slept most of the day.

Ice chips, pudding and water with lemon slices

all make her eyes light up when I walk in the room.

She has always had a pleasant demeanor when sick.

Tonight for dinner is pureed white cheddar potato soup

and for dessert, an extra scoop of ice cream.

Bodie Ghost picture?

2008-05-27T16:32:00.001-07:00

Humor me. Look into the window of this church and tell me if you see anyone standing there watching me take the picture. Am I delusional? Crazy? Do you see the girl with the blonde hair? This photo has bothered me for 3 years. I posted a comment at the Bodie website and hope that someone who knows will be able to tell me if I am crazy or they see the girl in the window too. Maybe it's just a reflection of of something, but her head looks proportional to my daughter's. I find it hard to believe that it is a ghost, but if it is a reflection, how can that be if the sun is to my back and the window has a shadow cast over it? To me the girl in the window looks 3 dimensional. Let me know what you see.

For those who are unfamiliar with Bodie, it's a gold mining ghost town in California.

EQUALITY

2008-05-20T23:37:00.000-07:00

I didn't realize it has been almost a month since my last post!!!!

It's on every website and tv station.

California overturns gay marriage ban.

My teenager wanted to discuss it over dinner.

The following isn't a word for word account of our conversation,

but it is the core of what we discussed:

I explained to my daughter that we are all equal.

As a powerless bystander

I watched a loving lesbian relationship destroyed.

One partner devoured by cancer,

her family(parents/children) did not recognize their relationship.

The family denied contact between them

she was too weak to fight it.

She died not saying goodbye to the love of her life.

It was disgusting and heartless how they were treated.

I explained to my daughter that it wasn't that long ago

that she would not be allowed to own property

or be allowed to vote because she was born a woman.

Her dream of being a scientist, would have remained a dream.

That colleges were for men back then.

That there was a time when we enslaved an entire race of people

because of their skin color.

That the Nazi's tried to annihilate an entire race of people

that they deemed to be inferior.

Hatred, bigotry, ignorance.

If not for the women who demanded our right to vote,

would Hillary have ever been afforded the privilege of running for office?

Would a woman be the Speaker of the House or Secretary of State?

If not for the civil war would slavery have ended?

If Hitler had not been stopped, what would the world look like now?

It matters what messages we send our children.

No one deserves to be treated as a second class citizen.

I don't care what excuse is given.

Don't throw the bible verses at me.

I'm a Christian and I have read them.

GOD IS LOVE PEOPLE.

I am sick and tired of "Christians" spewing hatred

towards the gay and lesbians of our nation.

God calls us to love.

It's that simple.

LOVE.

EQUALITY.

RESPECT.

At the end of our conversation

my daughter was in complete agreement

and told me she is going to join the gay/straight alliance

at her high school.

I love being her mom.

It's magical

2008-05-19T22:55:00.000-07:00

It's magical when you meet that special someone....

who knows you so well that very little communication

is needed.

I just plop down in the chair and we chat about whatever

and when we are done chatting, my hair looks amazing

and all seems right with the world.

Until.........

She gets pissed at the salon owner and walks out.

So the next time I call for an appointment I go into a full

blown panic. What the Hell do you mean she no longer works here?

Where the hell did she go? No YOU cannot schedule me

with someone else.

I am in a panic, and the stupid woman will not give me

her phone number.

Once I found her, I made a point to put her personal cell phone number

in a safe place. Just in case.

I did it!

2008-04-29T21:16:00.000-07:00

I took my first steps.

Down the stairs today.

One wobbly step at a time.

Pacing myself.

Holding on to the banister as tight as I could.

Nervous but focused.

Seventeen steps,

seemed like walking down a steep mountain.

I feel like I just won a marathon.

Mother's Day photo Contest

2008-04-26T22:20:00.000-07:00

Well, I just posted one of my favorite pictures of my daughter a few days ago, and am reposting it to enter a contest to win a $1000 Amex gift card courtesy of 5minutesformom.com and eggbeaters. I am reposting the picture I refer to as "Sunshine".

Feeling nostalgic

2008-04-24T00:04:00.001-07:00

Getting ready to take their very first limo ride.

Dad in front of the Giant's dugout

My lovely daughter having fun with gramma snoozing on the ride home.

I'm feeling a bit nostalgic.

It must be time to finish my scrapbook of her childhood.

It's only been sitting here next to me for 3 months.

I think it felt too overwhelming.

Each page represented her growing up and eventually

moving out and becoming her own woman.

I really want more children, I have for years.

I keep having miscarriages. It would be too weird,

One in college and one or two in diapers.

I thought I'd share a photo of her.

I get a little scared posting recent pictures of her on the internet.

Hubby is a cop, so paranoia about security is taken seriously in our house.

These pics are older. And I remember the moments with great fondness.

The picture on the left is her first birthday. One of my favorite outfits.

My Mom bought it in San Diego and it had a toy attached to a string in the pocket.

That little stuffed bear was my life saver on many occasions.

I still have the outfit saved in perfect condition for her.

The rest of the pictures is our trip a few years ago for Father's Day.

My sister and I rented a limo to surprise my parents with a trip to

visit the new Pacbell Ball Park in San Francisco.

We had door to door limo service and it was a 3 hour drive each way.

Dad had NO clue about the limo ride, he thought I was driving.

At 82 years old, he had never sat in one.

I have had the privilege on many occasions and it's not a big deal to me now.

But it made my parents feel like a king and queen for a day.

He was overwhelmed with excitement when they pulled up out front.

The limo was stocked with his favorite snacks and drinks.

He was like a little kid when we explained what the day had

in store for him.

He got to see the park on a guided tour that took him to the dugout.

When he was sitting there, just staring out at the field, He got really quiet.

I think he just wanted to take it all in and really savor the moment.

He was sitting where his favorite ball players of all time had sat

while he cheered them on from his recliner.

He walked the infield. Felt the breeze blow through the dugout.

I had to include a few of the pictures from that day.

It was magical to watch his face light up.

So much of his day was a surprise.

He worked hard his entire life.

One of 10 children born into a poor family.

He never graduated high school.

Worked in a lumber mill for over 40 yrs.

Served during WWII at age 18.

He migrated to California from Oklahoma during the dustbowl.

He has had an amazing life.

He deserved a day of pampering and a little bit of celebrity star treatment.

My sister and I gladly shared the expenses of the tour, limo and dinner for them.

I think the whole day ran about $1500 bucks.

But the expression on his face was priceless all day long.

It was worth every penny.

I know that he loved every second of that day.

He was like a little kid again.

I am so glad we were able to give him a day he could just relax and savor each moment.

Enjoy the pics.

The Limo pulled up on time and the driver rang the doorbell.

My Dad felt like royalty for a whole day.

I wish I could give him more days like that.

He has certainly earned them.

Mother's Day and Father's Day are coming around soon.

I need to get busy on gift planning.

But new razors or a new lawnmower don't seem to measure up

when compared to this gift.

Too bad I don't have any connections to get him some really good seats at a game.

Mother/Daughter moments.............

2008-04-23T23:11:00.000-07:00

When my daughter was 3 she hid inside a circular clothing rack.

I got so freaked out I couldn't find her.

As I panicked, she was quietly giggling.

To her it was a game.

I was looking for a really scary creepy guy running off with my daughter.

The store clerk helped me find her.

She was in the clothing rack that was wiggling, just a little.

If you're not a parent it's hard to describe that kind of panic.

Fast forward 13 years..............

Tonight we are watching My Name is Earl together.

We laughed at all the same spots.

Earl's Mom got stoned by accident and cut all her hair off.

Then she started eating it.

Randy found out why they call it a six pack.

We found out what kind of dish soap Joy uses too.

Also found out a duffel bag full of pot goes for around 2 grand.

I only have a little over a year left with her,

before she leaves for college.

It felt great to relax and just enjoy her company.

She has her SAT test next weekend.

She is almost an adult and that scares the hell out of me.

This time next year will be High School prom and graduation.

It doesn't seem like that long ago I was graduating

Class of 1988.

Every time I think about her moving away to college

I get emotional. Happy for her, sad that my baby is growing up.

I raised her to be so independent.

What if...........

she never needs me anymore....

What if............

she stops coming home in the summertime and /or holidays.......

What if..............

I could write pages of what ifs....

I feel the dynamic in our relationship shifting.

At times I am still the nagging mom, her the complaining teen.

And all seems right with the world.

Then other times it gets weird.

We seem like friends just hanging out.

I'm not uncool and boring for a few moments in her eyes.

I hope as our relationship grows into a different phase

that we are able to adapt easily.

She is going to be the most amazing genetic scientist.

At least the smartest and most beautiful.

A nerdy science boy's dream girl.

She is opinionated, fiercely independent and extremely smart.

The fastrack program for her PHD is 7 years.

She refuses to accept failure to get into the program.

I never had her passion and dedication at her age.

I am amazed by her ability to recite the chemical structure of

random household products.

She actually memorized the periodic table.

Her Chemistry teacher doubted her. But I didn't.

Her chemistry STAR test today was easy for her.

She is convinced she'll get a 100% on it,

just like English. She aces it every year too.

Part of me wishes she was still a little girl,

the other part is dying to see what she does

with her talent and passion.

There's another chapter of her life to be written and I can't

wait to see it.

I'll keep you posted.

Light at the end of a 3 month long tunnel

2008-04-23T00:22:00.000-07:00

Today I was able to partially bear weight on my left leg. I have been so driven to keep my leg muscles strong over the past 3 months and the hard work has paid off. I have really stayed committed to daily physical therapy, and now can use the exercise bike at the pt office. I pretend I'm racing my daughter and go sa fast as I can for as long as I can. Today was 12 minutes, last week was only 7. But understand, I wasn't leisurely peddling and sipping a glass of wine, I was moving as fast as my legs would go without stopping. It felt great to take deep breaths, feel my heartbeat and I began to sweat. If you aren't breaking a sweat during your workout, you might as well not waste your time. I can put 50 % of my body weight on my recovering leg, and the biggest news for me today!!!!!!!!! I drove myself to my appointment. I know, I was ecstatic. The first time I've driven since February 25th. Amazing. I felt normal again. Tomorrow, I am going to attempt a partial house cleaning. It's making me crazy that the dust is so obvious but I am the only person in the house who even remotely seems to care. I hate being trapped in the house to begin with, but to have it not clean just aggravates me more. I'm almost healed and I think I can tackle the dusting at least, and if that goes well, I am deep cleaning my kitchen. The house just isn't looking the way it's supposed to and it embarrasses me. Everyone around me has either some sort of severe allergy attack or in my sister's case, bronchitis. So I handed them the costco size bottle of hand sanitizer and the lysol spray. I have been downing emergen-c. It's a great vitamin fizzy drink, and available now at most stores, like walmart, target, any drugstore. It is very effective in boosting your immune system and has warded off many colds. This one is no exception. I have had a very minor sore throat, while the rest of my family (too lazy to drink the emergen-c) coughs, hacks has major sinus pain/pressure and sore throats, I just hand them vicks vapor scented kleenex and offer them soup.
I haven't felt any inspiration lately. I've been focusing most of my attention towards preparing for the short term mission we are headed on in November. I am terrified of flying, so 20 hours on an airplane breathing in recycled air ought to be a blast. It's late. I'm finally feeling tired. Hope you have a great week. It's supposed to rain here tomorrow, and I can't wait. We need rain badly, I just planted my tomatoes.

Sunshine

2008-04-21T01:10:00.000-07:00

Nothing really super exciting going on around here at the moment. We are preparing to go to a meeting tonight regarding the mission trip to Thailand. My daughter has STAR testing all week. I'll be up at 6am to make her breakfast. She can't take a test without breakfast. What kind of mom would I be? She'll get blueberry/banana smoothie with a hint of vanilla soymilk, a dose of flax seed oil and organic brown rice fiber powder all jumbled with some crushed ice in the blender. They actually are pretty great tasting, regardless what fruit I use. I guess I'm not traditional with cereal or pancakes. Sometimes I think she wishes I was, but then, there would be nothing for her to complain about to her friends if I were perfect. I came across this picture in my archives and just wanted to post it, because it makes me smile. It's my little girl a couple years ago enjoying her visit with her 2 Auntie's in Canada. Feeding one of many horses they own on their ranch. It really makes me smile every time I see it. To you it's just a girl feeding a horse. To me, it's a masterpiece.

99 Balloons for Eliot

2008-04-14T22:43:00.000-07:00

99 Days of happiness for a new Mommy and Daddy. I can't imagine having to walk a day in their shoes. I was lucky, so far I've spent 6,083 days with my daughter. This video reminds us not to take the gifts we have been given for granted. Don't hit the play button without kleenex. Thanks to Fashion Paramedic for posting this on her blog first. I hope she doesn't mind. I just thought it was so beautiful, it deserved to be posted again. Watch. Reflect. Go hug your kids.

When God answers prayer, be ready for anything!

2008-04-09T10:40:00.001-07:00

For 34 years my husband blamed God

for giving him an abusive, mentally ill family.

For 11 of those years my Mom prayed every day for him.

We met at Starbucks 3 years ago

to discuss the terms of our decision to divorce.

He was too angry and bitter to continue to live with.

Instead of discussing toasters and child support,

we discussed how God has a plan for us,

that I believed he was going to use this moment

for HIS purposes.

I was loving and kind to the man who was breaking my heart.

It was out of character for me.

The real me would have been bitter, angry and vindictive.

But I had been praying for days before our meeting.

God gave me peace and the right words to say,

they definitely were not my words.

After about an hour of my telling him that he needed to

let go of his anger and trust God,

he said he wanted to go talk to my Pastor.

I canceled my appointment with my attorney,

and I watched my husband give his life to God instead.

Fast forward 3 years.

My husband is a living example of what God can do in a life.

He is not the angry bitter man I used to know.

He reads his bible and prays everyday.

He has a kindness in his eyes that wasn't there before.

He told me about a month ago that he felt God

pushing him to the mission field.

Monday we went to the first meeting.

We are going to Thailand for 3 weeks in November.

We will be with a team of about 20 people,

teaching English as a second language,

at the same time we are sharing God's love for them.

In the farthest jungle areas of Thailand,

almost to Cambodia and Laos, in Isaan province.

Why? Because people are so poor there,

they get desperate and sell their daughters and sons

to the sex slave industry for the equivalent of $600-800.

But if they believe their child has value

because they can read and write in english

they might grow up and get a job in Bangkok

and send money to the family.

The children will have more value in the eyes of parents

who have literally nothing but rice to eat most days

and a thatch roof hut with a dirt floor.

Our pastor has been going for 10 years straight.

We work in conjunction with other missionaries.

The children there are hungry to learn anything American.

I have always been terrified of flying in planes,

but deep down my biggest fear is that my husband

will want to go into missions full time.

3 other families from our church are currently in Africa

teaching in a school in Malawi.

I feel guilty and ungrateful that I feel that way.

But if God leads us in that direction,

I'll be blogging from Thailand and posting Thai soup recipes,

because it's my job to support my husband,

and when God answers our prayers,

you're not supposed to complain about the reply.

When you are sad, plant tomatoes

2008-04-07T00:11:00.000-07:00

My Mother in Law's facing the cold realities of cancer.

Her Father has colon, prostate and bone cancer.

He came to see her in December

while her husband was still missing at sea.

Her father is also mentally ill and was a hermit for 15 yrs

until that day.

In that moment her Father let go of his illness

to comfort his daughter.

It is a day she and my hubby will cherish forever.

But the cancer is spreading throughout his entire body.

He is not conscious and his breathing is labored.

Hospice is with him and he is resting.

Angels sent directly from heaven

are caring for his every need.

His days left are very few.

My Mother in Law is too emotionally fragile

She can't go and watch him die.

She is still marking the calendar.

April 4th was the 4 month anniversary

of the day she lost her husband.

Too much loss too soon.

Her last conversation with her Dad,

loving, full of some laughter through the tears.

Saying Goodbye Daddy, I love you

knowing it was for the last time.

I can see the anguish in her face.

She has been hiding in her apartment all day.

She didn't attend church with us this morning.

Hubby and I offer her sunshine and hugs.

She helps us plant all our tomato plants.

She forgot about her grief for a few minutes.

Refocused on a tiny little plant

with so much potential.

Cruising to Grand Turk

2008-04-06T22:48:00.000-07:00

The Good news is we just booked a cruise from Miami to Grand Turk Island.

The bad news?

I have to wait until freakin January of 2009 to go!

I've never been on a cruise ship before.

I was told the cheap rooms can cause claustrophobia.

So I had hubby book the 2nd largest room on the ship.

I feel giddy about it.

Imagining what outfits to bring.

I'm gonna need to go shopping.

I don't want to wear any of the crap I already own.

I may need new luggage too.

Hmmm.

Imagining swimming and sunbathing in January sounds like heaven.

It's nine months until the ship sets sail.

It's like being pregnant except without the hemorrhoids and swollen feet.

Excited and anxious,

not sure what to expect when the big day arrives.

Enjoy the pics of the room and the ship.

I am so freakin excited!

Meat Breathing in Los Angeles

2008-04-03T12:20:00.001-07:00

According to this quiz, there's no such thing as a true vegan in Los Angeles. They are all breathing in high levels of meat particles floating around in the air due to all the fast food restaurants. Who knew? Take the quiz below and read the answer to question 6.

QUIZ LINK

White Nuckles

2008-04-02T17:51:00.000-07:00

We went to the Orthodontist today.

My daughter's retainer was causing her pain.

She has her permit.

A 45 minute drive each way.

From country roads onto busy freeway.

She was quiet.

Not humming to the radio.

I was giving directions slowly and calmly.

Afraid if she sensed my nervousness,

she would lose it completely.

All is well with our sweet old Dentist.

He is short and bald with sweet kind eyes.

I can tell he loves to come to work everyday.

It's probably close to his retirement age.

He still seems to love his job,

and his patients.

We love him back.

Dear blog buddies...........

2008-03-27T17:02:00.000-07:00

Please, I need original recipes to put over at soupdiva.net. I am completely redesigning my website and focusing on soup, from around the globe and our relationship with it. It is looking like mid April roll out date, but I am in need of LOTS of recipes. They do need to be ORIGINAL. By that, I mean something your grandma passed down to you, not something you flipped through the cookbook to find. I would love any stories that you have associated with the recipe as well. You can also submit more than one recipe. Just post them into any comment section here on my blog and I'll get them ready for the new site.
I had no idea what a huge undertaking this all has been. I have to prepare each recipe and include a picture with it. Also working out all the bugs in the new format is challenging. Thank goodness my hubby is such a wiz at this stuff.

Please share your recipes......... I really want the new site to be fun and informative, and above all, easy to navigate through.

So share away blog buddies.. I need your recipes!!

2008-03-27T09:36:00.000-07:00

Possibly the funniest video on YouTube ever. I love you Ross.

I'm confused...............

2008-03-21T07:56:00.000-07:00

OK, this post isn't really about soup. There is a huge and divisive subject that most don't have the dangly male naughty bits to discuss in public. I'm going to throw in my 2 cents and just pose a question out of sheer curiosity. I went to my physical therapy appointment and parked in a stall. A few cars away from mine was an older model vehicle with a couple of harmless bumper stickers on it. Nothing really to talk about except one. It read " WELCOME TO AMERICA. NOW SPEAK ENGLISH OR GO HOME." I live in a small town with a bunch of mostly white people and chocked it up to some ignorant person with really bad taste in cars and bumper stickers, and continued on to my appointment. As we were leaving, I noticed 2 women having a conversation with each other in spanish. I was in my wheelchair not really paying attention to much, as my leg hurt and I was focusing mostly on the fact that we were headed to get an ice cream cone. As I wheeled passed them in the parking lot, I realized they were getting into THAT car. YES. The car that said speak english or go home. They were speaking completely in spanish. I was perplexed. I thought well maybe they just bought the car and can't read english, so they don't know what it says. But seriously. They were clearly latina women, not speaking english and had some stupid oakball bumper sticker. In the words of Tom Hanks, "wha? huh?" Your thoughts?

Ouch!

2008-02-28T09:05:00.000-08:00

I am home from the hospital.

Surgery, pedicures and website makeover

2008-02-19T09:13:00.001-08:00

I am having surgery next week and won't be able to blog or post for a few days. This saturday I will be getting my last pedicure for a while. I can't have knee surgery with my toes looking shabby during surgery. Does that make me vain or just weird? I can't be the only woman getting an operation that feels it necessary to have perfect feet. But when I get home from hospital, I will have so much time on my hands that I will be posting many new recipe creations. Keep your eyes out for my fartless chili recipe. I tried out my new recipe on my family and it was a big hit. It needs a little fine tuning before I post it though. The chili will be meat optional and contains adzuki beans which are fabulous. Also, I am going to be revamping the website so that recipes will be easy to print in different size formats and will include photo's of the finished dish. I want the site to look more professional. Hubby is quite good at this kind of stuff, and hasn't really been too supportive of my online blogging, but I have persuaded him to help me make it more professional and user friendly. My big wish is to create my own little cookbook someday with tons of great recipes and ways to get the kids involved in the process.

Cioppino (Fish Stew)

2008-02-17T16:20:00.000-08:00

1/2 Cup Olive Oil
2-3 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 Cups onions, chopped
1/4 Cup parsley, chopped
2 TBSP Celery, chopped
2 TBSP green bell pepper, chopped
1 Large can diced tomatoes
1 8oz can tomato sauce
1 Cup dry red wine or sherry
1 TSP salt
1/4 TSP white pepper
1/2 TSP paprika
1/2 TSP dried basil

FISH:
1 1/2 LBS shrimp, shelled and cleaned
1 1/2 LBS assorted fish fillets (snapper, bass or halibut)
2 cooked cracked crabs, cleaned
2 dozen clams and/or mussels, cleaned

In a dutch oven or large kettle saute garlic, onions, parsley, celery and green pepper in olive oil. Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, wine and seasonings. Simmer one hour. Prepare seafood while sauce cooks. Cut fish into bite size pieces, clean and crack the crab and scrub the clams/mussels. After sauce is cooked, add the sea food ( except clams/mussels) to the kettle. Cook over low heat until the fish is done (no more than 25 minutes). Add clams/mussels. As soon as the clams/mussels open, serve stew in bowls. Makes 6 servings.

Feel free to add or substitute any shellfish you enjoy. This dish tends to be messy so lots of napkins on hand are helpful. We serve wtih a crusty french bread and salad.

Where's the soup?

2007-12-16T01:24:00.001-08:00

Next week sometime, I will be posting my FIL's cioppino recipe for your culinary enjoyment. I need to refocus my blog back to what I intended it to be.

Saying Goodbye

2007-12-16T00:35:00.000-08:00

The memorial services for my father in law and his friend took place today at Pillar Point Harbor.

I met the daughter of the fisherman who lost his life with my father in law. We hugged and cried together and it was as if we had known each other forever.

There are people who we meet for the first time and instantly click. That was Kim and I. I wish she didn't live 3000 miles away. She is going home tomorrow and I know we will keep in touch and get to know each other better. It was such a comfort to have her there with me at my FIL's memorial service. Her Dad's service was the hour before ours started and her Dad was old school like my grandpa. When he gave his word that he would do something, you could guarantee he would follow through. His word was his bond. A lesson my grandpa modeled through actions, and a lesson he made sure he taught me as a child. A lesson I have passed on to my daughter.

My day didn't start off so great. Hubby and I still weren't really on speaking terms and when we reached the restaurant at the harbor I began by ordering a shot of whiskey at 12pm. By 2pm, the bartender and I had a moment. I said, "I'll have the usual" and he nodded and brought me my rum with a splash of coke and 4 cherries. I went through 4 of those. I was about 2.5 sheets to the wind and realized I hadn't eaten anything and realized that my daughter at age 16 had NEVER witnessed anyone, especially her mom drunk. It freaked her out. She wasn't a big fan of the mostly drunk version of her mom. I do feel bad about that part, but considering I NEVER drink more than a half of a glass of wine with a meal, she will get over it. She's almost an adult and it's good for her to realize I am human and not supermom.

It was a little difficult for hubby, as the family and friends came in asking for me. We hugged and talked and cried together. I felt like I had grown to know my FIL's close friends as if they were family. I have grown to love them all, but especially Dave, Charlie and Mike. They loved my FIL like a brother and I know how much he meant to them. I hope they will find comfort in knowing how much their kind words today meant to me and my MIL.

My hubby was taken back by it all. I know his feelings were a tad hurt that people weren't acknowledging him in the same manner. But that is simply because his personality style is more introverted, and I am definitely a people person, and had spent the previous 10 days consoling people over the phone and who stopped by to visit my MIL. I made them feel safe and they reached out to me during the memorial service. I am a hugger and a crier. He is a logical thinker and a doer. We all have different love languages and equal but different strengths. I know deep down he loves and appreciates me for being there, he just can't express it. It was told to me that while it feels yucky to not really be on the best terms with him right now due to the immense stress we are under, it's actually a compliment to the strength of our relationship that he feels safe enough to behave badly. Said to me while almost finished with my 3rd "usual", it seemed like a stupid crappy excuse for bad behavior, but once I sobered up and it sunk in, I actually have to agree. We tend to release our stress out on those that we are closest to and feel safest with. He knows I love him and our relationship will weather this storm. I know that despite his behavior, he absolutely knows he couldn't have gotten through this without me. He is spending the night with his mom tonight, she needs him more than I do right now. He'll be home tomorrow and said we would have quiet family time. I can't wait.

At my FIL's friend's memorial service the priest related a story that may or may not be true, but will share it with you because I connected with it.

There was a woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live.

So as as she was getting her things "in order," she contacted her pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes.

She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in.

The woman also requested to be buried with her favorite Bible.

Everything was in order and the pastor was preparing to leave when the woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.

"There's one more thing," she excitedly.

"What's that?" came the pastor's reply.

"This is very important," the woman continued. "I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand."

The pastor stood looking at the woman, not knowing quite what to say. "That surprises you, doesn't it?" the woman asked.

"Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the pastor.

The woman explained.

"In all my years of attending church socials and potluck dinners I always remember that when the dishes were cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.'

It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming... like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful and of substance!

So I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder, 'What's with the fork?'

Then I want you to tell them: 'Keep your fork... the best is yet to come.'

The pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the woman goodbye.

He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the woman had a better grasp of heaven that he did. She knew that something better was coming.

At the funeral people were walking by the woman's casket and they saw the pretty dress she was wearing and her favorite Bible and the fork placed in her right hand.

Over and over, the pastor heard the question, "What's with the fork?" And over and over he smiled.

During his message, the pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the woman shortly before she died.

He also told them about the fork and what it symbolized to her.

The pastor told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either.

He was right.

So the next time you reach down for your fork, let it remind you oh so gently, that the best is yet to come.

I just want to state for the record, that while I understand how boring my template is, I will not change it. I am keeping the lighthouse to remember my FIL by. He has left a gaping hole in our hearts that can't be filled. He was funny and kind and simple and would always be there to help you out. He loved to fish, he loved catching them , talking about catching them, and planning how to catch bigger ones next time. He was truly loved by his family and friends. There will be an empty seat at my dining table this year on Christmas Day. He was jewish, but never missed my prime rib dinner, or the expensive brandy I saved just for him each year. I'll miss him taking his shoes off and relaxing on the couch talking about fishing with my hubby and how crab season was going.

I made a plaque with a picture of my FIL on it, underneath the picture of him smiling while out on his boat is this poem:

I pray that I may live to fish

Until my dying day.

And when it comes to my last cast,

I then most humbly pray:

When in the Lord's great landing net

And peacefully asleep

That in his mercy I be judged

Big enough to keep.

Answer to prayer

2007-12-13T10:01:00.000-08:00

The coroner confirmed that the body that was found on the 11th is my father in law. Not the outcome we wanted, but still an answer to prayer. Now my mother in law and his family can have closure and there won't be the awful process of waiting for a death certificate.
Services are on Saturday at Pillar Point Harbor. We are expecting a large crowd, as the fishing community is close knit and he was very much loved by family and many friends. We will be laying flowers in the empty boat slip where the Good Guys should be.
Still waiting to find his crew member, their family is going through the same pain as ours and my heart aches for them also. They are still waiting to find their loved one and bring him home.
My hubby is trying to hold it together, but the stress on him is taking it's toll. He is still snappy with me at times, but at other times he lets me know how much he loves me and appreciates my taking care of his mom. I know he loves me, the stress on both of us to keep his mother safe and reasonably sane is immense. My hubby can't deal with his grief yet, he has to be strong for his mom and has the task of making the arrangements for the funeral as well as handling all the estate issues, since his mom is in no condition to handle it herself. My father in law's two sisters have been a blessing and have been wonderful during this entire ordeal. They are grieving as well and we wouldn't have been able to get through this without them.
I can't believe Christmas is almost here. I haven't felt this awful at the holidays since 1989 when my grandfather passed away.

Thanks for the hugs and prayers Sue, I greatly appreciate them.

I can't stop crying and I'm not sending out christmas cards

2007-12-11T18:07:00.000-08:00

Today is exactly one week since the Good Guys sank.

We just got a phone call stating the coroner has been called to the beach to recover a body.

They confirmed it is definitely either my Father in Law or his friend, but won't say which.

Both families are devastated.

I keep praying they find both of them, so our families can at least have some closure.

Half my prayer has been answered. I just wish I knew right now which half.

I feel guilty that I hope it's my Father in Law.

I have spent so much time this past week being strong for my Mother in Law, I haven't had

any time to process my grief. I spend a couple days with her and try my best to be a comfort to
her. As soon as I leave, I fall apart. I drove home again crying all the way.

This time the tears keep coming in waves, washing over me.

The big lump in my throat hurts when I try to hold the tears back.

I want to stand alone in the forest where no one can hear me and just scream as loud as I can until I get the emotions out.

My husband doesn't understand. He is irritated and short with me. I want to tell him to suck it, but instead came up here to write this and get it off my chest.

Everyone deals with grief differently. I am a take charge kind of gal when I need to be, and when I feel safe and am alone, I let my sadness out.

I am tired, physically and emotionally, so I will not continue the topic of my husband's demeanor towards me.

I'm just sad, and exhausted and wish somebody would offer to hug me for a change.

I'll update you all more when we get word who it is was found today.

It's also the 11th, and I usually have my christmas cards mailed early. I thought about it today, and I don't feel like sending any this year.

I am not feeling very "christmasy". I don't feel like wasting time signing my name to an impersonal card, nor do I possess the strength to say how I really feel this year. I hope that those that love me will understand why their pile of cards is just a little smaller this year.

Good Guy's

2007-12-05T22:46:00.000-08:00

My father in law's boat sank yesterday afternoon off the coast of California.

He named it the Good Guy's.

He IS one of the truly Good Guys.

He is still missing and the Coast Guard has lost hope of finding him or his crew mate alive.

I held in my tears for 24 hours trying to be strong for my mother in law.

I drove home alone tonight.

I let the tears flow.

My heart aches so intensely for all who knew and loved them both, that I can feel it in every muscle in my body.

The news media are all a bunch of vultures.

The Coast Guard were still actively searching for them until 10 pm last night.

The news media wanted a "statement" at 9pm.

Instead they got a front door slammed shut in their face.

They were sent away too politely in my opinion.

Solicitors

2007-11-07T16:36:00.000-08:00

I hate door to door salesmen.

If you are selling girl scout cookies or raising money for your school and knock on my door, you are guaranteed a sale if I am home.

Monday, I was enjoying the weather, windows open, sun shining and not a cloud in the sky. Hubby had a day off and was in his office most of the day, so the day was near perfection.

I have dogs. They bark without restraint at all who enter our porch area, even if it's someone they know.

I paid $15 to have a sign made that clearly states "NO SOLICITING". I proudly put it on my front door 3 years ago thinking this would be the easiest way to stop the insanity. I couldn't have been more wrong.

I am not going to apologize for my resentment of the people who violate my right to privacy.

I don't like phone solicitors either, but I can just hang up on them after telling them they are violating the do not call list and they better make sure they don't call back.

But door to door solicitors who are not blind, can see the sign. They choose to knock or leave the information anyway. This immediately tells me that they don't respect their customers. Why in the hell would I ever buy something from them now?

I had 3 separate salespeople drop their crap on my front door in less than 10 minutes on Monday. Only one left a flyer with a phone number. 2 of the solicitors were neighbors selling their direct sales crap.

I called the jewelry soliciting neighbor and tried to hide my irritation. She was excited to get my call (I'm sure she thought her marketing campaign blitz had paid off), only to hear the disappointment in her voice when I calmly asked her to respect my privacy and please, from one neighbor to another, respect our no soliciting wishes.

Her response? Jewelry neighbor said to me "Oh yes, I remember seeing the sign, that's why I didn't knock on the door and just left the catalogs"

My response? I explained that it was still unwanted and she shouldn't spend hard earned money on catalogs that I will just throw away.

I just want to enjoy my home without being harrassed DAILY by some stupid salesperson. I am getting to the point that I am going to go ahead and order the $1200 security door so I can verbally berate the jerks that ring my doorbell and not worry that they will push the door open and kill me.

Am I overreacting? Am I just getting bitchy in my old age? I just want to be able to go a day without harassment by someone who wants to separate me from my money. Plus my dogs are doing their job by alerting me to strangers at the door, even though the barking is annoying, I don't want them to stop.

Any suggestions? My sign is clearly being ignored. Maybe I need a bigger one. HMMM........

Are you kicking the couch?

2007-10-31T09:58:00.000-07:00

Overheard in my house last night.............

Me: Do you feel that?

Daughter: No, feel what?

Me: Are you kicking the couch? It's moving.

My sister opens her door and starts franticly yelling: " Get in the doorway! Get in the doorway!"

Me: (laughing while getting up to go see why she is freaking out) Must have been an earthquake. Fun. It didn't break anything.

Sister: Put your hand right here (grabbing my hand). I can feel my heart pounding out of my chest. ( she is panting like she's just run a marathon)

Me: (still laughing while sister puts my hand on her chest) I can't feel anything.

Sister: (frantically checking for a pulse) Well I can feel it pounding out of my chest! I think we just had a big earthquake!

Me: I'm going to go upstairs and google it.

That's not an option

2007-10-29T17:01:00.000-07:00

We took my hubby's new 2008 Chevy truck into the dealer to be checked out. It came with tons of options, but the one he thought was the coolest was turning the truck on from inside the house to warm up and on cold days, turn the heat on too. He couldn't figure out how to get the heater going, but the remote did turn the truck on. So I followed him up to the dealer and we spent the day together. We dropped his truck off and I let him drive my car. After my required dose of caffeine at Starbucks, we jumped on the freeway and I had no clue where we were headed. FUN!
He wanted to surprise me, and we ended up in Old Sacramento. He heard me mention months ago that I had never been there, and thought it would be more fun to walk around there, than drive around Stockton all day. YAY! We window shopped and walked by the river, and just took some time to breathe in the air and enjoy each other's company.
Then the dealership called and told my hubby that his truck didn't come with the remote heater turn on option. Hubby wanted it installed, and asked him to find out how much extra it would cost. The dealership called back and informed him it's not an option.

Broken arms and free gifts

2007-10-19T11:35:00.001-07:00

I haven't been posting much lately. Not sure what that is all about. My Mom called me yesterday to say Hi. She was in the ER. Apparently her and my Dad were taking a walk 2 days ago and she fell. She braced herself with her arm and though it was bruised, she figured it would heal. Well, she lost the use of it and had to go get it checked out. She broke it. Not just a normal break, but she shoved the humerus bone into the shoulder and crushed it. She is in her 60's and her bones are brittle. I can't believe she went 2 days without any pain meds. Yesterday morning, she cleaned her house and did 4 loads of laundry, before going to the ER.
She didn't want us (my sister and I) to worry, so she didn't bother to mention falling, or the large black and blue bruise she had on her shoulder. She is the one who has been the caretaker of the family, elderly neighbors, church members who need help, she has a difficult time being the one taken care of. It feels unnatural to her. But she has to have surgery, can't lift, cook or clean, and those that have benefited from her nurturing have stepped up to return the favor. Meals are being provided for her indefinitely and someone will be coming to do the ironing and help with housecleaning. I'll be heading up there soon as well (6 hr drive away) to help take care of Dad while she has surgery and to take care of her when she gets home. She reluctantly is taking her pain meds, but she said she can't just sit on the couch all day and stare at all the things she should be getting done.
Another great Mom is Sue. She's giving away gifts at the end of the month. Go say hello to her here, and if you are one of the first five, you'll get a free gift too!

Happy Birthday Hubby

2007-10-02T21:38:00.000-07:00

We spent a 3 day weekend in Reno. It was a lot of fun. Hubby turned 36 today, but I'm a year older and he never lets me forget it. I went shopping, while hubby played blackjack. Father in law was drunk most of the time we visited with him and decided to sign over his house, rv and suv to my husband. Long story, but the short version is that father in law is literally drinking himself to death and is sure he won't be here much longer. We believe him and think it is very sad to have nothing but keno and alcohol to get up for in the morning. Especially when you have so many people that love you despite all the crappy choices you made. Father in law has a giving heart, but can't put down the bottle.
So despite the sad state of my father in law, my hubby and I had a pretty great time. I spent time here and here. Hubby spent most of his time here. The beds are uncomfortable, but the service is excellent, and the food is pretty great.
So we rested yesterday, recovering from our mini vacation. Today was business as usual. He went to work, and I ran errands, chauffeured my daughter to and from school and cleaned up around the house. I also made my hubby's bday dinner. He wanted lasagna, and we all ate way too much of it.
This can't be interesting reading for anyone but me. But I am glad you stopped by for a visit. I'm feeling a rant coming on so check back soon. Maybe I'll tell you why I deleted my season pass of DR. Phil this season.