Well, getting back to work this week was every bit as hard as I expected it to be! As much as I enjoyed my time off (and believe me, I DID enjoy every second of it!) I don't know if I'd take two whole weeks off again anytime soon. It's just too darn hard to get back into the routine of things.
I came home on Thursday evening (I had Friday off this week) and was tucked into bed by 8:00 p.m. I slept until 9:30 Friday morning, with only the usual bio (bathroom) wake-ups. I can't remember the last time I slept so long, straight through. Exhausted, I tell you. How I'm going to get through 5 whole days this week, I don't know.
I've decided on only one New Year's resolution. I'm not eating at any more company "pot-lucks." Except for my own food, of course. An odd resolution, you say? Well, not really. We were having one of the many "holiday pot-lucks" at work not long ago and one of my co-workers wanted me to taste the casserole she brought.
"I think it might be too salty," she said. So I tasted.
"It's great. Not too salty at all," I said.
And then, ladies and gentlemen, she took the spoon from me and put it BACK into the casserole dish.AFTER it had been in my mouth. That did it for me. (I slipped back to the kitchen and got a clean spoon and replaced it when her back was turned, in case you're wondering. I didn't leave it there.)
Only a day or two earlier, this same person had found it necessary, for some reason, to inform me that she doesn't feel it's necessary to bathe more than once every two or three days. I honestly didn't know what to say to that.
It was only coincidence (really, I didn't go searching) that a few days after all of the above, I stumbled onto a blog where a woman was discussing this very thing - bathing habits. She too, didn't feel a shower or a bath every day was necessary. She too was teaching her children the same thing. And lots of people left comments agreeing with her.
Maybe I'm just a little bit innocent here but when my kids were little, a daily bath (later showers when they were older) was as much a part of their daily routine as brushing their teeth and hair. They grew up taking it for granted that every day bathing was just the way things were done. Even when I'm not going out anywhere, I shower or bathe. Every. Day. I dunno. Often in the summer, twice a day. Maybe it's me. Can you be too clean, do you think?
Okay, I gotta go put some Philly Cheese Steak sandwiches together for the son. I'm having some beef stew that I made yesterday. And yes, I've already had a bath today.
Question for comments...do you bathe or shower every day? I'm really curious. I won't judge you if you don't. Much.
Smooches...
Editing to add: I realize that there are people who have skin conditions which would make it a bad idea to bathe every day. Obviously, I am NOT talking about those people. I totally sympathize with that situation.
Well now. It's certainly been awhile, hasn't it? When Alice starts nagging, I know it's been too long since I had anything at all to say. (Just kidding with you, Alice. I appreciate your concern - I really do!) I don't know. I seem to have developed a reluctance to post here. Blogging can be...hummm...never mind. I'll try and do better in the New Year. Emphasis on TRY.
Let's see...Thanksgiving went great at our house. The turkey wasn't too dry and the guests seemed to enjoy themselves immensely. I know I did. For those of you who didn't make it over, you missed a really good time - although I'm sure you had fun doing your own thing too. I missed you though. You know who you are. I hope.
And now Christmas is just a few days away and I'm not quite ready. Are you? I have managed to put my little tree up, and finish (I think) my shopping so that's all good. I still have stuff to wrap and I hate wrapping. But I'll soldier on and get it done. I've planned my Christmas dinner menu and I hope there will be enough people here to eat everything I'm cooking. If not, leftovers for a week. - YAY! Either way, I can deal. I want Christmas cookies but lack the energy or motivation to actually bake any.
For the first time in over ten years, I have two weeks off work at Christmas. My last day was Friday and I go back on January 5th. This leaves me wanting to never go to work again - oh, how I love being off work - but there's nothing new about that.
It's very cold here today (think 20 something degrees - that's downright bone chilling to us Southerners) and I really have to go to the bank, although the last thing I want to do is leave the house. Somehow or another, I've lost my re-order card for checks and I'm almost OUT. My creditors will not be happy if that happens. Of course, they might not be happy anyway if I don't figure out a way to supplement my income a bit. Even though (thank the good Lord) gas has come way down (for now), the grocery bill is at an all time high. I'm in the market for cheap meals right now. Anybody got any recipes for cheap, relatively healthy and filling foodstuff?
Anyway, everything is mostly fine in Sassy Land. Most of you know this is sort of a tough time of year for me but I'm doing okay.
I hope everyone has a very happy and safe holiday. Watch out for fat men in red suits and flying reindeer! Love you all...
Thanks to Morning Glory for giving me the Superior Scribbler Award! It's cute and very sweet of MG to give it to me! Lunch this week, MG?
I realized this morning, while drinking my coffee and trying to become coherent, that I'd said I would write a review of the book, "The Shack"and I haven't done that. But I don't think I can. I feel inadequate to review this particular book. All I can really say is that I thought the overall story was pretty good and that as a parent who has lost a child, there was a great deal of comfort in "The Shack." And personally, I think that's good enough reason to read it.
I didn't find the theology offensive in the least, although I know some Christians will object to God appearing as a large, laughing black woman (called Papa) and the Holy Spirit appearing (when you can see her) as a small, Asian woman. Didn't bother me a bit though. In my mind, God can appear to a person in any way He/She (yes, I know God has no gender) sees fit. But that's just me. Oh, and Jesus appears as a Middle Eastern man, which he was. You can read more about the author here. Their are tons of reviews out there at both of those links. If you're interested in finding out more, click on over.
I'm tired this morning, y'all. Nothing new about that though. I had a bad night's sleep - what little sleep there was - and I feel like going back to bed now. I won't - but that's what I feel like doing.
Today's dinner is beef with noodles. Here's how I make it: (If I've posted this before, my apologies and just skip it. I don't feel like trying to look it up.)
Stewing Beef (however much you want or need to feed your family) 1 medium onion, chopped 1 can beef broth 1-2 cans cream of mushroom soup (depending on how much beef stew you're making) water salt, pepper
Wide, preferably EXTRA wide, egg noodles (or you can use mashed or boiled potatoes or rice. It's all good!)
Put The stewing beef, onion, salt and pepper in the crockpot. Add the can of beef broth and enough water to cover. Turn the crockpot on high and let it cook for four or five hours. Add the cream of mushroom soup and stir well. Cover the crockpot again and cook another hour or two.
When the beef is falling apart tender, cook the egg noodles on top of the stove according to package directions.
Put noodles in big bowl. Add lots of gravy from the crockpot to keep the noodles from sticking together. Serve noodles topped with the beef stew. Along with that, I'm cooking baby butter beans, and biscuits. Umm ummm good - and EASY!
Catch y'all later...after the election is over...YAYYYYYYYYYY! (I've got election fatigue, along with most other people I know!)
Alice is nagging me again so I figured I'd better throw something up here. (Thanks for the push, Alice! By the way, is it possible to make the font on your blog bigger? I simply cannot read the tiny print any longer!)
Seriously, not much is going on around here except work, work and more work. House renovations are coming along slowly but surely - as Eric gets the money and the time to do more and more. I'm hopeful that the boxes will be unpacked and the house will be in semi-good shape for the holidays. We'll see. Eric operates in his own time zone so when he says he'll be through with such-and-such by such-and-such time, in my head, I add an extra couple of weeks. But he's done a heck of a lot, especially considering that he has his own (paying) work to do.
Since I updated last, I had a really lovely birthday. Lots of good wishes from friends and family. Time spent with my boys and their girlfriends - which I enjoyed immensely. Cards and gifts and phone calls - all of which I appreciate more than I can say. There were a couple of people I hoped to hear from but I didn't. I guess some friendships just come to an end. I'm sad about it but that's life, I guess.
Sleeping has been a problem for quite awhile now. Man. I hate waking up at 2:00 a.m. (or earlier) and not being able to get back to sleep. It's not so bad on the weekend (naps are my friend) but it sure is tough during the work week. Last week, I took Sominex several nights and actually SLEPT for around 8 hours, only getting up to visit the bathroom - but falling back asleep fairly easily. I hate taking that stuff - it leaves me feeling "hung over" in the morning but I have to sleep. Any sleeping suggestions out there? Anyone else have this problem?
I'm making Lasagna today. Here's an easy, fast recipe. Amount of sauce is approximate. I don't boil the noodles first - there's no need to do that. You just add an extra cup or so of sauce and the noodles will cook right in the pan. My family likes to go easy on the cheese and have lots of sauce so adjust to your own preference. Here you go...
Fast and Easy Lasagna
9 -12 Lasagna noodles, approximate (uncooked) 1 lb ground beef 3 - 4 cups pasta sauce (I use Ragu, tomato and garlic - you can make your own if you're not as lazy as I am) 1/2 tsp. oregano 1/2 tsp. basil 2 cups ricotta or small curd cottage cheese (you'll never know it's cottage cheese and it makes a lighter tasting lasagna) 2 cups shredded mozzarella or Italian style cheese 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese (Kraft is fine) 2 eggs 3 T. fresh parsley 1 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. pepper
1. Preheat oven to 350°F. In large saucepan, cook meat until done. Drain, add sauce, oregano, basil and bring to a boil. Set aside.
2. In a bowl, mix together ricotta or cottage cheese, half of the mozzarella, parmesan, eggs, parsley, salt and pepper.
3. Spread 1 cup sauce over the bottom of 13X9X2" baking dish. Arrange 3 - 4 uncooked lasagna noodles lengthwise over sauce. Spread one-half cheese filling over lasagna, then 1 cup sauce. Repeat layers of lasagna, cheese filling, and sauce. Place last pieces of lasagna, remaining sauce and the mozzarella on top.
4. Cover tightly with foil. Bake 45 minutes. Remove foil. Turn up heat to 375. Bake additional 15 minutes. (Turn the oven on broil for a few minutes if the top is not as golden and crusty as you'd like.) Remove from oven. Let stand 30 minutes before cutting.
Good Sunday morning to you! How was your week? Mine was pretty good. Busy, but pretty good. (MG, I couldn't get away for lunch last week - maybe this week - I'll call you if I can.)
I had to run to Target last week to pick up some things for work and I happened to see "The Shack" for sale. I decided not to wait for the library - it's a paperback and only a few dollars. I bought it and am reading it now. I'll let you know what I think when I finish it.
I saw this idea/exercise somewhere and decided to write my own version of "Where I Am From." (I could easily write several more - and it was fun to do.)
Here you go...where are YOU from?
I am from fresh plowed dirt, rows of cotton and corn, as far as the eye can see tobacco stalks higher than my head from vegetable gardens, carefully tended, producing food for the family every day and for canning and freezing to survive during long, winter months
I am from red clay roads and narrow lanes, open spaces, thick woods and glorious freedom From red school houses with twenty or less farm children in each grade, the same teachers year after year who knew us all and our brothers and sisters too and sometimes taught our parents before us
I am from the Baptist Church and sweet Sunday School teachers, pictures of Jesus on little cards, Bible verses below him, from Amazing Grace and Just As I Am, while the preacher wipes his brow and the repentant walk down the aisle to kneel at the altar and ask forgiveness for their sins and failures or to praise the Lord for His wondrous mercies
I am from dew soaked grass on my bare feet before dawn, piling cured tobacco on sticks in the back of the truck and going to home to country sausage, biscuits and hot coffee, before going out in the fields and the barns to do it all over again I am from fans blowing in the window, stirring the blistering air And huddling around the oil stove on freezing cold mornings
I am from "y'all come in and set awhile," and "ain't no need to rush off" from generations of independent, hard headed, tough women and from men who had strong ideas and opinions and to whom "give up" was not a part of their thoughts or vocabulary I am from leaving and coming home, leaving and coming home, and I think I am still trying to find my way home
Where are you from? If you try this exercise on your own blog, be sure to leave me a link in the comments. I'd love to read it. Or leave yours in the comments if you'd like.
Time for me to hop in the shower and then get the chicken ready to roast for Sunday dinner. Y'all come on over and set awhile now, okay?
So. It’s been awhile, huh? What can I say? I’m been busy with work, among other things. Busy, busy little bee at work. And when not at work, I’m usually just exhausted, y’all. Really, really tired. And not feeling very well. Not that being tired and feeling lousy is anything new. I just haven’t felt like writing here for awhile and so I haven’t. I figure nobody wants to hear about my aches and pains and poor health.
I’m still thinking of moving the blog but I can’t seem to figure out exactly what – if anything – I want to do with that idea. Still thinking about it. Suggestions anyone?
I’m really sorry to say that nothing much has been happening in my world except the same ole, same ole and that’s nothing to write home (or here – ha!) about. Still. Since a couple of people have emailed me and wondered if I am still alive, I decided I'd better post *something* whether I really had anything to say or not. And Alice, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you feel sad by not updating. I really didn't.
Fall has finally fallen (sort of) and we’ve been enjoying cooler days and nights. We've had a few mornings that were downright chilly. It seems great to have neither the air conditioners nor the heaters going. At least THIS month, my electric bill should (please, God) be lower. Of course, in another month or so, I'll be complaining about being cold. Just human nature, I guess. I'm never satisfied for long.
With the price of everything going up and salaries staying the same, I’m sure I’m not the only one out there just trying hard to make financial ends meet. I went out to buy gas yesterday and the gas station that I usually frequent was all out of Regular and Plus. Completely OUT. I bought Premium while cursing under my breath. I HAD to have gas to get to work next week.
I think I’m just going to quit paying my bills – surely the government will step in and bail ME out, right? I mean, it wouldn’t cost them NEARLY as much as AIG, Fannie and Freddie, et al, right? What with the #@#@#@ do-nothing Congress, corrupt politicians, self serving public “servants...” And that’s all I’m going to say about all of that because my blood pressure goes through the roof every time I hear about yet another way the government is going to spend some more of my (and your) money on absolute cr@p. Might as well build a bonfire and throw the money on that – damnit. Enough.
I HAVE read a few really good books lately. The one I just finished is brand new, by a brand new author, Amy MacKinnon. “Tethered” is a book that I continue to think about long after reading the last page. It’s one of those books where I found myself slowing down about 2/3 of the way through because I didn’t want it to end. The plot is fairly simple, although I didn’t guess the answer to the mystery until nearly the end, but that’s not unusual for me!
The writing is beautiful and the characters very real and easy to identify with. I loved the heroine, Clara Marsh, an undertaker who doesn’t believe in God but who does believe in honoring those people whom she loving prepares for their final earthly contact. Add the mixture of a troubled past, murdered children, child abuse, a pornography ring and an attractive police detective, along with an assortment of “good guys” and what more could you want? Highly recommended. Click on the link to read some reviews.
How about you? Read any good books lately?
Sister T mentioned reading "The Shack" and I looked it up online. Might be interesting. I put a "Hold" on it at the Library. I am number 488 in line for the book. Apparently a LOT of people are interested in it. We'll see...sometimes I like inspirational books and sometimes they're too "preachy" for me. If I ever get to read it, I'll let you know what I thought. If I don't forget.
Well...I guess that's it for now. Anybody have any suggestions for cheering me up, let me know. Yes, I KNOW it could always be worse. I tell myself that about a hundred times a day. Some days, that thought is about all that keeps me getting out of bed. Bah.
Doug passed away this morning. He was a great man and will never be forgotten.
Please remember his wife and family in your thoughts and prayers. Doug loved many people - but his family was always first and foremost in his life and his heart.
Good-bye, dear friend. I'll see you on the other side.
Thank you all who offered (and are still offering) prayers and best thoughts.
