The Yellow Brick Road...

Who does this blog belong to?

2011-11-07T04:31:00.001-08:00

Boy it has been forever!!!! The only reason I even popped over here is to try an app on my iPad. lol maybe I'll start posting again...maybe.

Boilers, radiators and oil...oh my!

2011-01-31T00:14:00.000-08:00

Four days without heat now. When I type that it doesn't seem like that big a deal but knowing I have been cold...no make that frozen since Friday I know it is a huge deal!

I'm an Arizona girl so I don't know about things like cold weather, snow, boilers or radiators! Okay, yes I did live in Spokane Washington for a few years but that was a long time ago and I have long since forgotten what cold felt like. I moved to England from Florida so I thought cold was 70 degrees. In Florida if the weather got down to 70 you broke out your only coat and perhaps a long pair of pants that were waaaay back in the closet for emergencies.

Boilers and radiators? To be honest I thought a radiator was a thing-a-ma-jig under the hood of a car, and boilers...I thought those were just things from scary movies like Nightmare on Elm Street. Like, the boiler room where Freddie would chase you...it was hot and had lots of steam in it. I even thought it was one of those big giant steel box things that people would throw coal in to stoke the fire. (think maybe that is an incenerator?) Yea sure laugh it up...I know it sounds awfully stupid that a woman my age could not know what these things are but like I said I grew up in the desert...Tempe, Arizona or also known as "The Valley of the Sun!"

Last Friday we woke up to a very cold house, come to think of it now it was really Thursday night sometime that the heat stopped flowing thru our pipes. It was Friday morning however, that we figured it out. COLD water in the shower and cold radiators on the walls. And the blood in my veins turned to ice when it hit me...we must be out of oil!!!!

I don't know if it is all of England that heats their home and water this way or just the older houses, but without oil in our tank out back there is no heat! Everything else in the house runs on electricity but the hot water and heating. We filled up our oil tank when we moved into this house back in September. At that time I think we needed 500 liters as it was already about half full. Our tank I believe will hold over 900 liters of oil (not totally sure). Oil is a bit pricey and depending on when you fill it, the price can vary...like gasoline I suppose. So when we filled it we paid about 400 pounds and that would equal out to somewhere around 635.00 depending on the currency exchange rate at the time. So yea...it isn't something you just decide one day you want to fill up, it's a good chunk of money and keep in mind that was for only half a tank of oil.

Two weeks prior to our oil outage I started to get a nagging feeling that we should check the oil level. I told the husband several times..."We should check the oil honey" but he put it on the back burner and it didn't get done. I did go and look at the gauge several times and it showed the oil level was still half full, but each time the gauge showed the same amount. Now I'm a girl and don't know about these things so I thought either the gauge is wrong or...I'm a girl that doesn't know about these things.

Friday morning after two cold showers hubby and I went out to the tank together to check it. We beamed a flashlight down into the tank and guess what...NO OIL! Checked the gauge on the side of the tank and it read half full. Now it was time to panic! It was early Friday so I was hopeful someone from the oil company could just run us out a few hundred liters. I called before they opened at 7:30 and finally spoke to someone live around 11. While they were very nice I was told the first time I could expect someone would be in a week. WHAT?! ONE WEEK??? The man on the phone must have felt sorry for this silly American girl and he said he would get it to me by Tuesday at the latest and not charge us an emergency fee. I hung up the phone and actually felt lucky we only had to wait 5 days and then I checked the weather forecast. Ahhhh no biggie...so it would be 25 degrees that night, we will just have to bundle up...right?

It is by far probably the most miserable I have ever been. I went to bed that first night with my long johns on, two pairs of sweat pants, two t-shirts, a sweater, sweatshirt and two pairs of socks. All while sleeping under two sheets a blanket and a very thick comforter. It sounds ridiculous but I was barely comfortable in all that!

We have one fire place in this big house and it is electric at that. It is in the living room so when we have been home we are for the most part... living in the living room. We also have one space heater...we thought about going out and buying a couple more but they aren't cheap and with the oil bill coming we decided to buck up and get by with the one. During the day we keep it in the living room, that with the fireplace on non-stop has been enough to keep the room warm...it doesn't get hot just barely warm. We have a lot of very large windows in that room and the installation is very bad in this old house. Also to give you and idea of the size of the room, we have three large radiators that are normally running just to heat that room and normally we still have the fireplace on with that.

No hot water has meant sponge baths! I do not like sponge baths, I think if Brad Pitt himself was sponging me off I still wouldn't like them. I've been heating water on the stove in my largest stock pot which by the way isn't that large but it's all I have. Once the water is hot enough I run it upstairs, set it in the shower and then use it to sponge off. It's an ordeal. I also have to boil hot water to wash dishes in the sink. I feel like I have fallen off the time machine and any minute the Morlocks are going to crawl out of a well and capture me...and like the Eloi I'd probably go willingly thinking at least I would be warm underground with them. (until they ate me and then I wouldn't have to worry at all about being cold)

It's a miracle!!!! The fuel truck just pulled up outside!!!!! Gotta run...I'm going outside to give him a big kiss!!

If I were at home right now I would...

2011-01-26T09:39:00.000-08:00

I was just sitting here at my computer reading friends status updates on FB. Some of them are already at work waiting for lunch to roll around (while us here in England just had dinner) some are heading to the store to pick up a few things, etc.

It got me to thinking...if I was at home right now what would I do. Did you catch that? "if I were at HOME right now..." "Where is home... Where are you from?" That is always a interesting question to ask a military person. You probably think of my home as being Tempe, Arizona. That is, after all where I was born and where I grew up. I used to be able to say I lived in Arizona my whole life, even a year after we moved away I would say that. Sometimes it still feels like I just left but when I sit down and do the math I realize I left a long long time ago. My daughter was a year old when we left and she is now 15! How is it possible I have been away from home that long. Ooops there it is again, the word home.

I do think of Arizona as home but only as "one" of my homes. Right now, if someone asked me what would I do if I was back at home I would naturally think they were referring to Florida....my last home. So I ask myself...why does my brain think of Florida as home. Sure it was one of many and it was my most recent place of residence but I wasn't born and raised there.

I did love Florida. I would have never left Florida had my husband not gotten orders. I could have lived the rest of my life and been buried in Florida too. But I think technically it isn't really my home, is it? I've called New Mexico home, Washington, Texas, California, military base hotel rooms and even our 27 foot travel trailer...home. So what is it about all these places that make me think at the time it was home? Is it cause my husband and daughter were there? Is it because it was the place I laid my head at night? Places we ate our meals together, prayed together. laughed and cried together? I'm not sure. Maybe it isn't one thing but many things that make a place a home.

I always stumble over my words when someone asks me where I am from. Well...I came here from Florida but I was born in Arizona. I also lived in ....you get the picture. You really get more than you ask for when you ask a military person or family member where they are from. What's really funny is if the three of us are together talking to someone and they ask us...instantly all three of us blurt out a different answer. Michael claims Texas of course, I claim Arizona but then say where I lived most recently as well and Gabby...she claims both Texas and Arizona. Now figure that one out...she was born in Arizona but she says since she lived in Texas the longest she feels Texas is her real home.

It's a loaded question no doubt. I can also see how it would boggle the mind of someone who has lived in the same city their whole life. Grown up with the same kids and even have family buried nearby. So my next thought is...how long will it be before I think of England as home. Will I ever claim England? I'm not really sure I will and I think because it isn't in the United States for one and the other is because it is soooooo very far from home. LOL which home? All of them! No matter how you break it up on a map England is very, very far from all of my previous homes!

They say "Home is Where the Heart Is" or "Home is Where the Military Sends You." I think Home is ...I don't know really, maybe my home is a place I haven't lived yet but I know one day I will be called to. All the homes before were just houses, places to make memories, to grow and to prepare me for the real home, the home where all my neighbors and friends will be my family. One great big giant family.

Where are you from?

A place you can go and feel you are home...

2011-01-18T06:16:00.000-08:00

I have a small beef...actually a quarter pound one. As you know we are now living in the UK. Lots of BIG and small changes for this American girl living abroad. Some things we expected and some we didn't. I knew we would be driving on the opposite side of the road. I knew I wouldn't have my glorious discount stores like Walmart and Target. But what I didn't know was that McDonald's would be different. I googled McDonald's prior to leaving the United States just to make sure they had them over here and they do...but it isn't McDonald's like you and I know. Oh noooooooo!

It must have been about a week or maybe even two after arriving in England before I ever saw a McDonald's. By that time I was in serious need of a fix...an ice coffee fix. I had dreams of myself sitting in a corner hunched over my McCafe beverage. Like a homeless schizophrenic guarding my crack. So when we finally saw a McDonald's I gasped out loud and pointed! So shocked I couldn't even form words, I reverted back to cave man speak and just grunted uh uh uh.

Hubby being the special man he is patted me on the back and said "wait here and I'll go get you one." We were shopping in a local village with new friends and I think he was afraid I might start running for the doors like an animal so he offered to go get it. I did my best to contain my enthusiasm...the friend I was with said she wanted a Starbucks so I went along with her to get one. I know what you're thinking, why would I want McDonald's coffee if Starbucks was right there? Because McDonald's is better and cheaper. I am convinced McDonald's puts some addictive chemical in their ice coffee...perhaps the same magical dust the sprinkle on their fries too.

I casually glanced back to see where my ice coffee was and saw my husband coming back towards me EMPTY HANDED!!! OH MY GOSH! I couldn't believe they could possibly be out of ice coffee on the very day I was there needing one! He approached me slowly, and as he got closer I could see from the look on his face it wasn't just a case of an inventory snafu. That was when I learned not all McDonald's are created equal! The McDonald's in the UK do NOT have a McCafe menu and do not make ice coffee of any kind. In fact I think the entire country would be perfectly happy without iced anything. They don't even have ice tea!!! WHAT THE *&@!!

Since that dreadful day, a day I now refer to as the "Mc incident" I have learned even more about McDonald's. Their menu is very limited. I would imagine it is about as basic a menu as when McDonald's first opened in the 1940's. Hamburgers, cheeseburgers, milkshakes and fries. To be honest they do carry a few more items than that like chicken nuggets and wraps but the things they do not sell far out weigh they items they do sell. Some things I have noticed not on the menu are...Ice Coffee, ice tea, Sausage biscuits, Egg Mc Muffin, McGriddle, Hot Fudge Sundae, Hash browns, Hot cakes, Breakfast burritos, and so on...things I have seen on the menu that I'd never seen on any American McDonald's meu...cheese sticks, minced pie, donuts and onion rings!

I don't even bother to eat at McDonald's here. I think their beef tastes different (and it could just be me) they don't carry the dipping sauced for the nuggets that I like and why get fries if you can have it with a good old fashion McD burger. One night while sitting and watching the family eat their burgers it hit me...McDonald's should be the same everywhere. I can understand introducing an item that would be a local favorite like rice in Japan or cheese sticks in England but other than that, the menu should be the same. I think McDonald's should adopt the slogan that no matter where you travel in the world there is always one place you can go for a taste of home...McDonald's. Whether your home be in Arkansas, California, Korea, Germany or even England...when you're tired of trying new foods on your travels and just want a bite to eat of something you know and can count on to be good come to McDonald's.

You can have it or eat it but not both...

2010-12-28T06:19:00.000-08:00

I often look at my life and think I am blessed. We aren't rich but we have more than we need. I feel blessed with the knowledge that my family is all in good health. That most of my family members live to a very ripe old age. I have one Grandma who is in her 90's and the other in her 80's...that's old in my book.

I feel blessed that through our "military life" we have been able to travel and live in 7 different states and now find ourselves making a home in England. I feel blessed that my husband has a great job and makes enough money I am able to stay home and play housewife.

I've made friends all over the world, most I've met in person and some online. I sometimes have to giggle when I think of friends I have...their ages vary so greatly, one of my favorite friends in Florida just turned 21! Can you imagine a woman my age 43 (and closing in on 44) could have a friend she adores who is 20 plus years younger than her? It doesn't always make sense and if I think about it too hard it seems weird. What could a 20 year old possibly find interesting about a geezer like me?

With travel comes new foods and cultures. Different traditions and customs...all very interesting for me. I love tasting something new and finding out it is now my FAVORITE food. Recently we learned about a Christmas tradition here in England, "crackers." No, not saltines! A cracker consists of a cardboard tube wrapped in a brightly decorated twist of paper, making it resemble an oversized sweet-wrapper. The cracker is pulled by two people, and, much in the manner of a wishbone, the cracker splits unevenly. The split is accompanied by a small bang produced by the effect of friction on a chemically impregnated card strip (similar to that used in a cap gun).

In one version of the tradition the person with the larger portion of cracker empties the contents from the tube and keeps them. In another each person will have their own cracker and will keep its contents regardless of whose end they were in. Typically these contents are a coloured paper hat or crown; a small toy or other trinket and a motto, a joke or piece of trivia on a small strip of paper. Crackers are often pulled before or after Christmas dinners or at parties. Thanks Wikipedia for that description.

However with all this moving around and experiencing new places, people and things something always has to get left behind. How simple it would be if it were just an old couch or a plant we don't have room for at the next house. But it isn't ...it's my family and friends. They are tucked away in a safe place when we leave. In my heart, I keep them all nicely folded away next to my most special memories and feelings. It's a safe place but they often get restless there. When they try and push their way out it brings tears to my eyes, a lump in my throat and sharp pains inside me. Sometimes it hurts so badly it will bring me to my knees and put me into bed for days with sadness, and other times it's just a few tears while I relive a happy moment I had with one of them.

I hate that in order to have all "this" I have to give up what probably means the most to me of all...time with them, with you. I miss out watching my Nephew grow up, hearing his first words, taking his first steps. I can't pick up the phone and call my folks over for dinner. I don't witness the slow decline of elderly relatives, instead I am hit with it all at once when I walk in the door once a year for a holiday. The grandma who used to stand tall is now hunched over using a walker. The Great Aunt whose mind was sharp as a pin now can't remember that her daughter is passed or that the glass of water she just set down on the table is hers. The cherished family friend who always made me feel like the only person in the world when they sat and talked with me is now gone. When I fly home for a funeral I feel like I don't even have the right to be there...I wasn't there to hold their hand when they were sick maybe I don't have the right to be there when it's time to say goodbye.

It's a heavy load to haul at times. I know my "adventures" have come at a price, I just hope and pray that those I have hurt because of it can forgive me. That decisions I've made are decisions I thought were best for my family...my daughter and my husband. It isn't easy this military life but somebody has to do it. Of course I'd like to have my cake and eat it too, but as I have learned now, that I am an adult that isn't possible. Took me years to fully understand that statement, "You can't have your cake and eat it too."

Almost Christmas in England...

2010-12-23T04:53:00.000-08:00

I can't believe it is almost Christmas and even more I can't believe I am having it in England. I don't think I ever imagined I would live anywhere outside of the United States.

It has been bitterly cold as they say here and I find myself NOT liking it. Oh I do hate being cold! I also hate being hot so I guess that means I have yet to find the perfect place to live. I am hoping by next winter I will be a little more used to it. When I go outside now it feels as though Jack Frost himself is reaching right thru me and squeezing every bit of warmth out of me.

The snow on the other hand is gorgeous. I had forgotten how pretty it can be. One of my favorite parts of living here are the tree lined roads, they were spectacular when the leaves turned red, brown and yellow and now just as beautiful frosty white with ice covering the branches. I can hardly wait to see what spring brings.

I've gone crazy in the kitchen this year. I LOVE my English kitchen and big windows looking out into the garden. It might just be my favorite room in the house. I also think it has a lot to do with my wanting to be in there baking and cooking. I made 93+ cookies for my cookie exchange, 4 different kinds of candy, a birthday cake, appetizers, salsa, guacamole and loads of meals in just this month. I am off the hook for Christmas Eve as we have been invited to a friends house for a "Real New England" Christmas dinner. I can hardly wait! Christmas day though I will be back in the kitchen to make our traditional chicken enchiladas, rice and a chocolate cream pie (Great Grandma's pie recipe and all from scratch...even the crust)

I think everyone will be happy with their gifts. It's a lot different shopping for a daughter who is now a teenager. No longer does she want toys, barbies or games. It's clothes, make-up, music and expensive electronics. LOL A part of me misses going down the toy row in the store, our days with her are coming to an end and the next four years will be so precious. I want to hold onto each minute I have with her before she leaves the nest.

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas, the old fashion kind that makes the simplest of things the best of things....and maybe it won't be the "things" at all that make this year your best one ever. Much love from my COLD English home to yours. Warm hugs, kisses and wishes to you...

Yesterday, today and the days in between...

2010-12-15T07:24:00.000-08:00

Ooops looks like I neglected my blog! Let me catch you up! I got so wrapped up in the cookie party I forgot to write. December does have a way of doing that too you, you have a list a mile long of things that need to get done and before you know it the month is near over.

The cookie exchange was a hit. I myself had a load of fun and was happy to hear friends saying "can't wait to do this again next year, Robin." I met friends for the first time in person on that day and introduced strangers to each other. I am proud of myself for only being here 4 months and feeling like I had made enough friends I felt like I could have them over for a party. Usually it takes me up to a year to feel like I have become established with a group of friends so I'm not sure what happened this time...I blame a lot of it on Facebook! 7 of the 9 ladies who came I had a facebook connection with first...how funny is that? And I invited 11 ladies...two couldn't make it (and one not pictured) but they were also facebook connections.

I really feel like I've bonded in a special way with each of the gals. They are all sooooo different. Different ages, backgrounds and interests. They span in ages from their 20's to their 60's! A very unique bunch and yet we all had something in common...me! LOL

Everything I know about throwing a party I learned from my Mom. I could never pull any of this off without her showing me the way all the years I lived at home. I watched her throw party after party and it gave me a warm fuzzy feeling having her in my heart and mind the whole time I was preparing for this cookie exchange.

I can remember how exhausted my Mom would be after one of her big events, I think most people would shut off the kitchen light, lock up the house and go to bed...leaving the mess for the next day. But my Mom never did...she closed the door saying goodbye to the last guest and then went into Cinderella mode cleaning the house. Not just the dishes and putting away the left over food, but she would vacuum, mop, break down tables and it wasn't until you heard the hum and swish of the dish washer you knew she was finally sitting down with her feet up.

Usually this would be the first chance she had to eat as well...a small plate in her lap with bites of this and that, there she would be with her fluffy slippers on and one eye already closed. I miss my Mom when I have events like this, I always wish we lived in the same state (or even country!) so she could see the influence she had on me. Sure I send her pictures so she can see the results but I often wonder how she would feel seeing me in action...being the hostess with the mostess, the one she raised me to be.

I did all the cleaning up after my party and when I finally collapsed into my chair I picked up the phone and called her. When she answered I thanked her for all the wonderful parties she had thrown for me over the years, the birthday's, showers, my wedding and all the ones she has done for everyone else. I really think unless you have done it yourself you have no idea what really goes on behind the scenes. She giggled when I told her how tired I was and for about the next 60 minutes we laughed and reminisced over parties from the past.

So...cookie party has come and gone. Shortly after that we had a potluck Christmas party to go to...which I was again cooking for. I should keep my grocery receipts next year just to see how much more money we spend in December on food compared to the other months. I made a huge batch of "party potatoes" (also knows as funeral potatoes) and quadrupled my recipe so there would be enough. It was a work party of Michael's and some of those young single guys can eat so I had to be sure I had plenty, also took a chocolate cake.

I've completed my Christmas shopping in what could be considered a whirl wind shopping trip in one day! It was a mad dash to get it all done and I did. I am glad to have that taken care of, however, now I am mentally preparing for Michael's 41st birthday! Yeah...it just doesn't end this month...on top of Christmas we have hubby's birthday. I always try to make his birthday extra special, growing up he recalls his birthdays pretty much non-events. I think a lot of December babies get ripped off. He was usually told "pick one of the presents from under the tree and that can be your birthday present." Breaks my heart to know he was just clumped in there with no special hoopla. I know Gabby and I treasure the day he was born and we make sure he knows it.

I suppose in two weeks time things will go back to normal. The house will go back to normal decor, the spending will slow down and I will start throwing out hints for what I want for MY BIRTHDAY in February. AND for the record I am NOT cooking on my birthday. :)

Recipe for party potatoes AKA Funeral Potatoes

Ingredients

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32 oz bag of frozen shredded hash browns shopping list

2 (10 3/4 oz) cans cream of chicken soup shopping list

2 cups sour cream shopping list

1 1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese (I like to use sharp cheddar cheese) shopping list

1/2 cup melted butter or margarine shopping list

1/2 c. chopped onion shopping list

2 cups finely crushed corn flakes shopping list

2 Tbs butter or margarine melted shopping list

How to make it

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Grease 9x13 baking dish and preheat oven to 350

In large bowl combine soups, sour cream, cheese, onions, and the 1/2 cup of melted butter.

Gently fold hash browns into mixture.

Pour mixture into pan.

Combine crushed corn flakes and the 2 Tbs. of melted butter and sprinkle on top of potato mixture.

Bake for 30 minutes.

*If wanting to, you can use cubed potatoes instead of hash browns but you will need to increase baking time to 55 mins.

Protect the point!

2010-12-02T03:01:00.000-08:00

I was making these cookies last night and while unwrapping dozens of Hershey Kisses I wondered why they don't protect the point?! You see the tip of the kisses above isn't pointy, every time I unwrapped a kiss the point would break off. Sure...nobody else will even notice before they pop one of these goodies in their mouth but I noticed. I also wondered why they don't come in a bag already unwrapped for the bakers. I hate having to sit there and unwrap these little morsels.

Perhaps during the holidays Hershey could come out with a separate package of unwrapped ones and keep it on the baking shelf of the grocery store. It might even save them some money. And now that I'm thinking about it I need those little caramels we use for caramel apples to come unwrapped too. Why am I the only one to think of these things? LOL Clearly I have too much time on my hands.

Get out the good toilet paper, company's coming!

2010-11-30T23:35:00.000-08:00

I'm having a party on Sunday and as I am preparing the house for guest it got me to thinking. Why do we save the good stuff for everyone but ourselves?

I'll be pulling out the good 2 ply quilted toilet paper for my friends...but save the "on sale" 1 ply almost sandpaper tissue for my family. My fancy wedding china will be dusted off and used, brand new hand towels to wipe hands on and I am even considering polishing the silver. I hesitate on the silver cause I'm not sure I can trust all these ladies and would hate to count it all before they leave. LOL! Joke!

But why don't we spoil ourselves with the good stuff every day? Why wait for special occasions? I think for one reason the "good stuff" is more expensive. And things like my China I know I can't just run to Walmart and replace should Michael drop a plate on the floor. And we really don't need all that quilting on our bums so the cheap tissue works just fine. I think the other reason is the "good stuff" wouldn't seem as special if we used it every day and when I have friends over my main objective ...besides having fun is to make sure they feel special and know that I went all out for them.

Chances are pretty high that they would never notice what kind of toilet tissue I had in the bathroom but I always notice. LOL! I always comment to my Mom when I am home visiting how she has the best toilet paper, she thinks its funny but I bet she gets it just for me. Nah...actually I know she uses the good stuff every day, maybe I should too I mean we only go around once in this life, unless you had some bad Mexican food for lunch and then you may be going a LOT.

Now where is that fancy soap?

With rank comes...old age?

2010-11-29T05:13:00.000-08:00

Michael's new stripe has given us a lot to think about. Of course we are thrilled and at times even look at his new patches and say "Can you believe it?!" I think I can believe it more than he can...I know how dedicated he is, and I know how hard he has worked to get to where he is now. Would you believe in all his years (14) he has never called in sick?! No, never!

Gabby can be the first one to tell you how dedicated he is cause she knows first hand just how many birthday's and special holidays he has missed...and even a solid year when he went to Korea. However, we all know a price has to be paid when it comes to his job and we accept that. It just makes things like getting another stripe all the more wonderful. It's like given a reward when you weren't looking for one.

Today while Michael and I were having lunch together, I was thinking about when he first joined the Air Force as a A1C. I remember looking at the stripes on the shirts of his superiors and thinking "man...one day that will be us." I thought they were so old and mature, keep in mind we weren't spring chickens at that time either cause Michael joined late but still "they" seemed so much older, wiser and established. It seemed like it would be sooooo far down the road in Michael's career that it was almost hard to imagine it. BUT, I always knew he was destined for greatness.

Never have I known anyone who loves his job more. I know lots of other military people that enjoy what they do but this man I am married too...he loves it. He gets excited just talking about it, his love for his country and those who have come before him. If anyones blood is red, white and blue it is his. He puts on his uniform with pride and honestly feels it is an honored privilege to wear it each day.

It's funny to sit back sometimes and look at how far you have come in life. We started out so young and naive...no money in the bank we lived paycheck to paycheck. We didn't care because we knew love was all we needed. I laugh now and say boy was that dumb! LOL Some how though it worked and we made it to where we are now. I kinda feel guilty saying "we" as Michael has been the main money maker over the years. I have had little jobs here and there and even the luxury of not working...I don't always feel as though I contribute as much as he does but I do know we are a team and money aside it took both of us to make it work.

I hope the young military couples in our life look at us now and think, "man one day that will be us, and we'll be old, mature and established just like Michael and Robin." Just remember with rank comes old age. LOL Enjoy the journey, we sure have and we aren't done yet...Michael will retire as Chief! :)

Let it snow!

2010-11-23T01:27:00.000-08:00

Let it snow, let it snow, let it SNOW!

It's been 10 years since we lived in a "snowy" climate! Our last time living where it snows was Fairchild AFB in Spokane Washington. We loved living there, Gabby was only 3 when we moved there so snow was a huge deal for her. Snowmen, sledding, hot chocolate and LOADS of warm winter layers put on before stepping out the front door.

I look back now and remember it all so fondly. Some of our best friendships were formed at Fairchild AFB and my dearest friend in the entire world I met there. Of all the bases we have been too since then it is the one I would go back to in a heartbeat. Of course it would be different the second time around because the people I love so much there have moved on as well. But I would still go back, it was a great place to live and there was so much to do...I often find myself missing Spokane.

The weather lady here in England on my favorite morning news show (Daybreak) has been forecasting snow for our area. Looks like near the end of the week we could have a sprinkling of the white stuff. I am so excited it's crazy, especially if you know how much I HATE being cold! It's true...I hate being cold, I hate being hot too but that I am used to. I guess growing up in the desert I just never could deal with really cold weather, I do however LOVE snow! So go figure...it's like the kid who loves ketchup but hates tomatoes, it just makes no sense at all.

I've put out a request to my local friends, if they spot snow falling before I do they have to text me so I can run to the window to see it. I don't care what time of day or night it is I wanna see it. It's funny cause when I know snow is expected I will wake up all hours of the night to look out the window to see if I've missed it falling while asleep. If by chance I did, and there is snow on the ground I WILL wake up everyone in the house and make them go look too. I am nice enough that I might not make them go outside in it until the are fully awake but I will make them go out as soon as humanly possible, I mean I do need an updated picture of Gabby in the snow...last one I have she was just a wee thing.

I love snow.

Snood I or not?

2010-11-18T02:04:00.000-08:00

I bought my first "Snood" yesterday! I tell ya there is a lot to learn about winter weather clothing! Who knew there was life beyond flip flops and sunscreen? Not me, I was certain I was hip just knowing what a sarong was...

I would LOVE nothing more than some of my yarn savvy friends to knit, crochet...pearl one or whatever it is they do to make me one of these in every color of the rainbow! I LOVE my Snood! I got it in black knowing it would go with anything and I have three pairs of black boots so it would match them for sure. After wearing it all day yesterday though, it is pretty clear I will need more. More colors, more variety of lengths and textures too.

What a snood? It's a scarf-hood hybrid and from what I have seen and read...it is the MUST HAVE accessory here in England and I would imagine all cold weather places. I'm not sure it would be a huge hit in L.A. or Tampa but they do wear UGGS with their shorts so why not a Snood! What the heck...just get one, I really think you SNOOD!

Rodriguez's in London

2010-11-16T02:21:00.000-08:00

How many Rodriguez's can you fit into one red phone booth in London? Seven...barely. LOL! We finally made our first trip to London! Two Rodriguez families in London at the same time...can they handle us?!

Our trip started out on a coach bus, BUT as it pulled up to the corner we were sure it wasn't ours due to the fact it was about the size of a van! WHAT? That cannot be the luxury coach we paid for to take us all to London...and where is the bathroom. No bathroom on this bus, the seats were the size of the ones in the economy section on Southwest Airlines...the really cheap seats and it was a full ride! We had one seat to spare among probably 50 people give or take. Thank goodness it wasn't too long a ride.

We had 4 teenagers in our group and they quickly took the back row, the four adults sat across from each other. Everyone pretty much "plugged" in once wheels started rolling...that is except for Diane and me. Hey...we're two women with a lot in common so we did what we do best...TALK! It wasn't long before an ear bud was pulled out and the words "I'm hungry and are we there yet" were uttered. Thankfully Diane had a purse full of "Curly Whirlies." I might be wrong with the spelling but it was a long stick of carmel covered chocolate and it was good!

Once in London we unloaded from our "mini-coach" and made our way to Starbucks! Needed to load up on hot coffee before hitting the town. Everyone made a stop into the loo (at the price of 1 pound each which equals to about $1.60! Yes $1.60 for each person to pee...and you couldn't just pay for one and let everyone else sneak in on your coin, nope there are cameras everywhere. Michael took the longest and as he proclaimed when he came out "Sorry I wanted to make sure I got my pound worth! lol)

Coffee's in hand and two new squished penny's for my friend Linda in WA in my pocket we were now ready. I'm not totally sure what I expected of London, but some things surprised me. I was a little surprised at how dirty I thought it was. Maybe it was an off day or maybe that is just what you get in a large city like this. We walked around several splatters of VOMIT on the sidewalk and even one on the ledge of a wall...very gross. There were homeless people sleeping under trees and in underpasses...I don't know why I didn't think we would see that, we saw it all the time in Florida and there just seemed to be a lot of trash laying about.

The buildings were amazing. The people all in a hurry to get to where they were going. Taxi cabs honking and even cursing at each other. Roads and sites of interest (like the palace) were blocked off for the Remembrance day ceremonies...and the rain came down.

We were brave (or maybe dumb) and sat up top of the double decker bus tour...it was the place to be for the best pictures and we wanted good pictures. However, once wet I think we all wished we were down below where it was warm and dry. But it wouldn't have been as much fun it we didn't get to complain about how cold we were, and it was a good excuse for more Starbucks! LOL

I loved the park by Buckingham Palace, loved the leaves so much! They were huge! I'd never seen so many or such large leaves in my whole life. I really just wanted to pick a few up to take home with me. I loved the "Bobbies" in their uniforms and cute hats...I'm sure they never refer to them as cute but I think they are. Loved the pub we ducked into for lunch, good food, good drinks and great company. The black taxi cabs are cute too...even though we had a shady driver that took us the long way to make a few extra pounds. Everything about the day was nice and looking back at the pictures now I think maybe it wasn't that cold and wet...LOL no it WAS. My friend Diane says I just haven't acclimated yet and this time next year it won't feel as cold to me, I hope she is right...I think she is.

We've already made plans to go back in a few weeks. I can't even imagine how neat it will look then with all the Christmas decorations up. I will have to really plan my outfit better to make sure I am WARM and as wet proof as possible which means I may have to break down and wear a hat. Sigh...I'm just not a hat person...maybe a hoodie?

The Milkman always rings twice...or was that the postman?

2010-11-11T23:43:00.000-08:00

I could hardly believe it when Michael told me he saw a milkman delivering milk one morning on his way to work. WHAT?! Are you sure I asked him...he was sure.

I knew I had to investigate and if I found the milk was being delivered in glass jars too I was going to be on the milkman's route ASAP! While on the phone one day with my dear English friend Pat I asked her if they really did still have milkman's here in England. She confirmed this fact by having me listen on the phone while she clinked her glass milk jars together! OH MY I am gonna have milk in jars!

I hung up the phone and went online to set up my account. Okay...so obviously June Cleaver didn't go online to order her old fashion milk in jars but we can't halt all progress. I set up my order to be delivered on Friday and then I had to wait. Two whole days I had to keep this secret from my friends in America and my family. I held out for almost 5 minutes when Michael called home and asked what I was doing.

"Nothing I told him...giggle giggle." He laughed and said "what are you up too now?" I said "I cant tell you its a secret...(short pause) BUT WE ARE GETTING OUR OWN MILKMAN!" Yes just like my Grandpa Wright I cannot keep a secret, especially if it is something fun. I ended up telling Gabby later that day and then held onto my secret until now. I even posted a taunting status update on Facebook letting everyone know I had something special happening today but I could not tell them. I ALMOST broke down and told my friend Rayanna. She moved here to England about the same time we did and I really wanted to tell her but I held tight and didn't spill the beans, er milk in this case.

So....I was pretty sure I heard the milkman come thru my gate this morning near 7 am but I wanted to let Gabby be the one to see the milk first so once she came downstairs 7:05 to head out to the school bus I said "hey would you check and see if our milk is here?" Sure enough she opened the door, I peeked around her and squealed like a kid on her birthday! "WHERE'S MY CAMERA?!!" We both made a dash for camera and Princess sat there in front of the door wide open wondering what all the excitement was.

What can I say? Little things make me happy, I never dreamed in this day and age people still had milkman's or that if they did it still came in glass jars. Truth be known...if it was delivered in cartons I probably wouldn't have ordered it. I always wanted to be June Cleaver in my pearls, high heels, skirt and opening my door to the milkman each week...now if I could just get Michael to give me a lovely strand of pearls at Christmas I am a whole lot closer to that dream.

Got milk...I do.

Are you queing?

2010-10-28T07:35:00.000-07:00

English stranger ~"Are you queuing?"

Me ~ "Bless you."

English stranger ~No...are you in the Que?

Me~ I beg your pardon?

I was perplexed by this word "Que" I kept hearing when we arrived in England. It seemed like everywhere I went that had large amounts of people wanting to pay for something or board something someone would ask me if I was "queuing!" I wasn't sure if this was an insult or a compliment...turns out it's neither!

It was finally the day we went to the H&M clothing store to get Gabby some school clothes that I figured it out! As I was heading to the cash register I saw a sign "Que Here" and people WAITING in LINE! Yes folks we say waiting in line!!!! Here in England we Que! LOL!

It might seem like the oddest thing to my English friends but I feel better about queuing then I do waiting in line. Waiting in line seems like it could take forever...you just don't know do you? You get in a line and it could be a short wait or a very long wait...it's the feeling of possibly never getting to the front of the line that really agitates someone. But queuing is altogether different. It feels more like a strong verb to me...an action word, something that means I am MOVING and not just standing and WAITING.

So from now on I que...God bless you? No...not achoooo, just Que. :)

Autumn in England isn't the only thing we are getting used too...

2010-10-28T02:50:00.000-07:00

It's time for fall here in England...or as they say here "Autumn." We've been here a little over two months now and some days I feel like it's been forever and then others it seems like we still just got here. I am surprised at how much we have gotten done in this time. We have set up house in the hamlet of Brookville...we decided before we got here we would live off base and get the full experience of living in another country. Living on the military base certainly would have been the easier thing to do but I feel we would missed out on having English neighbors, living in an English house, etc...the base provides security and a sense of what is normal. We have rocked the boat when it comes to what is normal and or familiar to us.

The tiny things like being able to plug in a hair dryer or having cable TV are luxuries we didn't have right away. If you've ever traveled abroad you know they outlets in the houses/hotels are different from ours. And something about the power running thru them...I don't know if it is too powerful or what but let me tell you now, I've burned out two flat irons, one small boom box and Michael fried the computer. LOL I have to examine all American appliances before plugging them in and even then I hold my breath and close my eyes waiting for sparks. I've begun the process of replacing my small appliances. Ive gotten new hairdryers, a hand mixer and a toaster. The other things will come in time..oh and a few lamps have been replaced. It's just easier than taking a chance. They are mostly cheap low quality items so when we do go back to the states I can leave them behind for someone else and not have spent too much money on them.

It took almost two months to get our phone line and Internet services hooked up and running and we still have a few kinks to work out with the phone and a lot of background static. I LOVE my English house and wouldn't trade it for the largest house on base. I love the privacy, being stacked up against everyone else is what we did when we lived in Florida and this is much nicer. Not once have I been disturbed by a loud party, or rude neighbors. We are living in the country here...farms all around me. That is also different for this city girl.

It's a learning process. I used to be a good cook til I moved into my English home with an UK oven. I will master this oven if it kills me, in the meantime we eat a lot of burned meals. I'm starting to get the hang of the currency...barely. And the driving is a little better. I don't think much at all when I am driving back and fourth to the base but if I stray from that route I do get a bit nervous.

Things I miss are minor. I do miss my thrift stores in Florida. I do miss the discount stores like Target...I have yet to find a place (close by) that has everything in it like a Target or Walmart. You know when your kid comes to you at 9pm and says Mom I need glitter and construction paper for a project due tomorrow...what do you do? You run to Walmart...not here. I miss my ice coffee from McDonald's, they don't serve that here in the UK.

I'm glad we made the big move across the pond and I'm even starting to think I look good in my winter long johns!

One week in England!

2010-08-15T01:25:00.000-07:00

Here I am...in England and I can still hardly believe it! So far I love it! I love ...

1. Bangers and Mash
2. The cool weather and rain
3. Village markets
4. Fresh from the farm produce
5. Fresh flowers that are cheap!
6. My new house that I will move into next weekend.
7. The people! So friendly!
8. Cadbury chocolate
9. Loads of antiques!

Very few things I don't like but here is my small list of dislikes.

1. The small bumpy roads makes me car sick

LOL yeah that's all for my dislike list and I imagine in time I will get used to the roads. Today I go to my first "car boot" sale which from what I can tell is like a flea market! I can't wait! I'm going with my new friend I met thru FB! Will write more soon!

'ello friends...

2010-05-12T09:27:00.000-07:00

So the big news in our lives is we are moving to ENGLAND!! Can you believe it? I know I still can hardly believe it. Orders came down and we are all thrilled! We will be leaving Florida the end of July. I know what you're thinking "but you love Florida Robin." And I do, I really do love this place but I am dying to experience living abroad. All the history, architecture, pubs, villages, cobblestone streets, fish and chips, pubs, well you get the idea.

We have decided as a family that we would like to live off base once we get there. We really want to get the full European experience by living with the locals. On our way to England we will be stopping in Arizona for a week or so to see the family and friends again. It won't be likely we will make it back to the states this Christmas so this visit will be very important to us.

Also before anyone starts to panic yes, we are taking Princess with us. Our little 4 pound Chihuahua. She is part of the family and there is no way I could leave her behind. It's a lot of work getting a pet into England but she is worth it.

So stay tuned and I promise to try and write more often, thanks for stopping by...Cherrio!

Test

2010-05-11T19:58:00.000-07:00

I wish I could figure out how to blog from my iPhone.

I'm baaaaack!

2010-05-10T20:12:00.000-07:00

Or at least I am gonna try and be back. Now that we are moving to England I thought it might be a good time to jump start my blog again. I hope you will come back and follow us across the pond as we begin the next chapter in our lives!

On being a woman...

2009-09-09T11:50:00.000-07:00

Men always say "boy am I glad I'm not a woman!" No kidding, right? We women really do go thru a lot when it comes to out bodies. Hormones, annual exams, labor, child birth, etc...the best of course it bringing life into this world. I know most if not all women who have experienced giving birth will say all the ouches of being a woman are worth that moment when you introduce a baby into the world. Being able to give life is what sets us a part from men...sure other things too but it's like our special gift. Ya know?

I found out yesterday I will be having surgery on October 8th. I am having one ovary and one rather large cyst inside of it removed. The doctor asked me "you weren't planning on having anymore children were you?" Gosh...I wasn't planning on having any more kids but I liked the idea of knowing if I wanted to I probably could. Half of my ability to give life will be gone. I will still have one ovary but it would be much more difficult I guess to conceive. I'm not sure how I feel about it, part of me is kind sad, but part of me is also creeped out knowing I have this growth in me that shouldn't be there.

I'm not the first to have an ovary removed, heck I could have both removed and be done with it. LOL. That's another procedure though. I will also be having an additional procedure done called "endometrial ablation" too much information? So here I am...two years living in Florida and on my way to having my third surgical procedure! Maybe Florida isn't good for me? Nah! I love Florida.

I won't be staying over night in the hospital this time, darn! I was looking forward to being hooked up to morphine all night. Michael and Gabby will be my nurses for a few days and then hopefully I will be back to normal or back to better than normal. While I was sitting here last night mentally preparing for this surgery I got to thinking...hey, afterwards I am gonna be lopsided! Women have an ovary on each side...does this mean I will walk with a lean now?

Thanks for all your concerns, emails and prayers. It will all work out and I know everything will be fine. It's just part of being a woman I guess. Oh...and if you ever have the chance to have an endometrial biopsy I highly recommend it! NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Had to have that yesterday too, my second in my lifetime. Oh my gosh, I'd rather have my tongue tattooed! There is no way a man could go thru with that...going deep inside of you and SNIPPING tissue from your uterus (which is WAY up there) without anything to numb the pain is awful! I actually felt sick afterwards, not to mention the cramps and labor like pain most of the night. There must be a special reward in heaven for women!

8th Grade...

2009-08-25T06:38:00.000-07:00

Gabby's first day of 8th grade! Where have the years gone?

Winner!!!!

2009-08-08T19:18:00.000-07:00

We had a blast at the chili cook off! It was with friends but they really did it up "professional!" They had judges, each dish was numbered so nobody would know who made what and they gave out prizes!

There were ten of us who enter their chili and only three categories you could win under, "Most Original", "Hottest" and "Overall most liked." When I found out there was a most original category I thought I had a very good chance of winning since mine was the only "white" chili there.

I peeked thru the window when I saw the judges get to my chili. LOL! It was like being on "Iron Chef" I was so nervous. I tried to read their lips, I saw one say "hey this is pretty good." They all looked at it funny, I was certain none of them had ever seen white chili.

Obviously if this had been a real chili cook-off I wouldn't have taken the white chili cause it really isn't what serious chili lovers would consider chili. I think for a real contest it has to be in a red sauce and I have even heard in real chili cook-off you cannot add beans. But this was with friends so anything goes.

When it was time to announce the winners they called mine first!!!! "And the winner for the most original chili is.... ROBIN!" I had to go up in front of everyone (there were about 40 people there) and accept my prize, I won a 25 dollar gift card to....Chili's Restaurant!" How cool is that.

After the winners were announced we all sat around drinking beer, laughing, eating and having fun. It was a great night, Michael, Gabby and I giggled all the way home. I still can't believe we won and now I have a new memory with my old crock-pot!

Now for the recipe...

"Creamy White Chili"

Ingredients:
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
1 medium onion, chopped
1-1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon canola oil
2 cans (15-1/2 ounces each) great northern beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) chicken broth
2 cans (4 ounces each) chopped green chilies
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

Directions: In a large saucepan, saute the chicken, onion and garlic powder in oil until chicken is no longer pink. Add the beans, broth, chilies and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in sour cream and cream. Yield: 7 servings.

(I doubled this recipe for tonight as I knew there would be a lot of people to feed)

This Old...Crock Pot.

2009-08-08T12:28:00.000-07:00

We have been invited to a friends house tonight. They are hosting a "chili cook-off" and Michael was quick to jump on entering me and my "White Chili Recipe." He has bragged for days now, confident we will at least take home one prize. Yes there will be prizes! :)

Now, I know my recipe is a winner, I didn't create it but I have seen it win contests before and everyone loves it. So I'm not worried about Chili...I am worried about my crock-pot. Don't get me wrong, it works just fine. It does what it is supposed to do but...it's old. And maybe not so much old as it is ugly. LOL.

When Michael and I got married (15 years ago) we received THREE crock-pots as wedding gifts. I think that is a popular gift. We of course kept one and returned the others and at the time I was very much into country decor. My colors (cringe) were country blue and mauve. Man did I rock country blue and mauve. It was so popular then every time I turned around I found a new nick knack or dish towel with ducks or flowers that were country blue and or mauve. Nobody had a more country house than me. lol

So the crock pot...it's country blue and has mauve flowers. Well, most of the flowers are scratched off now, in fact there are a lot of scratches and stains from recipes bubbling over. I clean it and clean it but nothing is going to make it look pretty again. When I am in a store that has an appliance row I go down and look at the pretty new crock pots. Shiny stainless steel and black. Red, Orange, Green...all new updated styles and designs. I touch them, turn their knobs and look at prices but alas....I walk away from them each time. Why? Cause mine still works! How can I justify getting a new one when the one I have isn't broken? It would just be wrong.

Two days ago I went and looked at crock pots again. I even looked at casserole type deep dish that sits on a rack and you light a candle under it to keep the food warm. I thought...HEY I could use that and put my chili in it to take to the party. Won't I look cool with my special pretty, new dish. But again...I walked away. Not really the time to be buying that kind of stuff with school clothes needing to be purchased and what not.

So...today while I was making my chili and looking at my equally worn cookbook it dawned on me. This old crock pot has fed my family. Brought smiles to their faces, nourished their bodies and brought us together around the kitchen table. It's been to parties, baby showers and funerals... I have put new recipes in it and old family recipes that have been passed down and passed down again.

This old crock pot was there when I first got married and could barely cook. There to prepare the meal while I rushed out the door to work in the morning. There again when I got home and walked thru the door to it's wonderful smells. This old crock pot is a keeper and even though it may be the unsightliest one on the table tonight I can smile knowing that it is mine and holds a lot of special memories and even some secret recipes! Silly?

Is there a doctor in the house?

2009-08-02T12:35:00.000-07:00

Why yes, actually there is! Remember when you were a kid and you played house, doctor, cowboys and Indians? Those were good times...imaginations running wild, you could be anything you wanted to be.

Well, today Gabby was the doctor...an eye doctor, an ear doctor and even threw in some bio feedback work. LOL!

I was laying down trying to take a nap when she came in and insisted I put her ear buds in...what? Just do it Mom! I put the ear buds in and she tells me when I hear a sound to click the button on her itouch. What button? That button Mom! Where? MOM THE BIG HUGE BUTTON THAT SAYS TOUCH HERE! Hmmmm that's when I heard her mumble something about an eye test next. LOL!

I played along for about 10 minutes while it beeped and buzzed at all different pitches in each ear. Come to find out when it was done...I have mild to moderate hearing loss. I believe it... Next the eye test...yep I need glasses! And then finally I complained my head hurt from all this testing so she put the buds back in my ears and told me not to take them out until it was over.

The next thing that happened was some weird humming beat like noises in each ear. It got loud and soft...I swear I think she was hypnotising me! Some kind of osmosis on my brain! LOL! She came in and checked on me 10 minutes later, took out the buds and asked if my headache was better. It was sorta...and then she told me "That will be 50 bucks for your wellness check!" HA HA HA HA HA HA! Guess the osmosis didn't work!

Boy I tell ya, the kind of things you can do with these iphones and itouch thingys is cool! Gotta go I think I heard the phone ring, or maybe it was the doorbell...

We cheated!!!!

2009-07-29T23:27:00.001-07:00

We were supposed to wait at least 7 days even better 10-12 days at the directions said but today one jar of pickles was screaming at us! TASTE ME! So....we did! I gotta say I was pleased! They are goooooooood! Gabby thinks they are great and Michael has yet to try one...he says he is waiting the full time. LOL! I believe I will taste another one, right now!

He brings me flowers...

2009-07-29T19:45:00.000-07:00

I got back some test results today from the doctor and some things showed up we weren't expecting. Kinda put a scare into me, Michael, my friends and family...Michael was scheduled to fly today so I couldn't discuss in length what the tests showed as he was getting ready for take off. He was so worried he stopped and got me flowers on the way home. He is so sweet...

Any way...I won't know much more until I see the specialist but they found some cysts on my ovaries and one in particular is very large, large enough they need to investigate and see if we need to remove it or what. Had more blood work today...looking for traces of the "C" word and other than that I just sit and wait for referrals to go thru.

I have been instructed to get to an ER if things change (I wont go into details) and if it gets to be more painful. I love being a woman! LOL

For my Linda S.

2009-07-27T11:34:00.000-07:00

Mini Mmmmmmmm.....

Chicken Satay...it's what's for dinner!

2009-07-26T15:36:00.001-07:00

Chicken Satay with peanut sauce, jasmine rice and egg rolls!

Sadly I don't have an exact recipe I follow...I just wing it. I use a peanut sauce for the base of my marinade. I added some ground red pepper, sesame seed, soy sauce, sesame oil, and curry powder to the peanut sauce mixed it up real well and let the chicken marinade for about 2 hours.
Put the chicken on wet skewers and grill. Before serving I drizzle a little more peanut sauce over the tops lay on a nice lettuce leaf and serve. This time I used jasmine rice...we love jasmine rice and I also made egg rolls! It is pretty simple and very good!

If you feel you need an exact recipe just google "Chicken Satay." If you give it a try let me know how you liked it! Enjoy!

Beautiful day on Treasure Island...

2009-07-25T18:36:00.000-07:00

There are always lots of shells on the beach but I love it when I find one that is still whole!

Pickle for your thoughts....

2009-07-23T17:27:00.000-07:00

Gabby and I tried our hand at canning pickles tonight! It seemed easy enough...we used the "Duggar Family" recipe we found online. The recipe says they have to sit now for 10-12 days but if we absolutely cannot wait it should be okay to "sample" them after a week. I can't wait!!!!

GARLIC DILL PICKLES

3/4 c. salt (this is to salty for some; may be reduced to 1/2 c.)

4-5 cups white vinegar

8 c. water cucumbers (enough to fill 6- 1quart jars.)

18 cloves garlic, peeled 6 T. dill seed (not weed.)

Wash cucumbers, cut into spears, and pack in jars.

Add 3 cloves garlic & 1 T. dill seed per jar.

Place jars on baking sheet (or pan.) in oven at 250. (this keeps jars hot so they’ll seal when you add vinegar.)

Boil vinegar, salt, and water, pour boiling mixture into hot jars, and immediately put hot bans & lids onto jars. (keep lids & bands hot by boiling them first.)

Let cool on counter. (they should seal while cooling.)

Let sit 10-12 days before using (this is the hard part! If you can’t stand it, only wait a week!)(Our favorite dill pickles!) makes 6 qts.

You gonna eat your tots?

2009-07-23T15:17:00.000-07:00

I have always enjoyed cooking and baking...and I love sharing my recipes with my friends and family. Tonight I made a very simple dish called "Tater Tot Casserole." I've had this recipe for a long time...one of my very first military friends gave it to me. (Thanks Susan) I think this recipe is a good base for all kinds of variations. You could make it a "Mexican Tater Tot casserole" simply by changing up some of the ingredients. Use your imagination...I don't think you can mess it up.

Here it is, now keep in mind it's nothing fancy but the kids will love it!

1 lb ground chuck ground beef
1 can cream of mushroom soup

2-3 cups cheddar cheese (to your liking)
Tater tots to cover top
salt and pepper to taste

Chopped onion (however much you like)
Chopped bell pepper (however much you like)

Directions

Brown meat add onion, bell pepper and soup, mix together and let simmer about 10 minutes.

Spoon meat mixture in bottom of glass casserole dish.
Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Sprinkle cheese over all and
top with the tater tots.

About 5 minutes before it is done sprinkle more cheese on top til bubbly.
Bake at 350 for 50-60 minutes.

I think this would be good spicy too. We love spicy food. I added some jalapenos to half of ours for Michael and we all put a little "Texas Pete" hot sauce on top of ours. One variation might be to brown the meat with taco seasoning and instead of soup add salsa. Could also be topped with sour cream when served. I think it would be really yummy if you did half ground beef and half jimmy dean sausage too! The possibilities are really endless.

Chicken Pot Pie

2009-07-22T14:53:00.000-07:00

I made my first chicken pot pie from scratch tonight and it is GOOOOOOD! Here's the recipe and pics...

Ingredients:

1 package (15 ounces) refrigerated pie crust (2 crusts)1 can (10 1/2 ounces) Campbell's® Chicken Gravy 3 cups cooked cut-up vegetables *2 cans (4.5 ounces each) Swanson® Premium White Chunk Chicken Breast in Water, drained

Directions:
Let the pie crusts stand at room temperature for 15 minutes or until they're easy to handle. Place 1 pie crust into a 9-inch pie plate.

Stir the gravy, vegetables and chicken in a medium bowl. Spoon the chicken mixture into the pie plate. Place the remaining pie crust over the filling. Press the edges to seal. Cut several slits in the top crust.

Bake at 400°F. for 45 minutes or until the crust is golden brown.
*Use a combination of sliced carrots, peas and cubed potatoes.

Squish Me Luck!

2009-06-29T18:37:00.000-07:00

At 10 am tomorrow I will become one of the newest members of the "Squeeze a Boob, Save a Life" club. Yessssssssssssssss my FIRST mammogram! I'm not really worried about it, I don't fear pain it's just one of those things that you'd rather put off. My family doc says I have put it off long enough, apparently she had my membership card ready two years ago when I turned 40 and I never picked it up. LOL.

Tonight I was grumbling about going in tomorrow and my 13 year old daughter says... "Mom, just pretend it is Dad squeezing your boobs!" And then she bursts into laughter...hmmmmmph! I went over my "instruction sheet" no perfume, no lotions, no jewelry, no deodorants, bla bla bla... I also looked online for some helpful tips on getting thru this procedure and found a very helpful list. I am posting it below for anyone else who may be preparing for their own mammogram.

PREPARING FOR THE MAMMOGRAM

Many women fear their first mammogram, and even if they you had them before, there is the fear. But, there is no need to worry. By taking a few minutes each day for a week preceding the exam and doing the following practice exercises, you will be totally prepared for the test, and best of all, you can do these simple practice exercises in the privacy of your home.

EXERCISE 1: Open your refrigerator door, and insert one breast between the door and the main box. Have one of your strongest friends slam the door shut as hard as possible and lean on the door for good measure.Hold that position for five seconds.Repeat in case the first time wasn't effective.

EXERCISE 2: Visit your garage at 3 a.m. when the temperature of the cement floor is just perfect. Take off all your clothes and lie comfortably on the floor sideways with one breast wedged under the rear tire of the car. Ask a friend to slowly back the car up until your breast is sufficiently flattened and chilled. Switch sides, and repeat for the other breast.

EXERCISE 3: Freeze two metal bookends overnight. Strip to the waist. Invite a stranger into the room. Have the stranger press the bookends against either side of one of your breasts and smash the bookends together as hard as he/she can. Set an appointment with the stranger to meet next year to do it again.

You are now properly prepared!

Also, notice ladies:
MENtal illness
MENstrual cramps
MENtal breakdown
MENopause

Ever notice how all of women's problems start with men?

Squish me luck for tomorrow!!!! Oh and I am walking in wearing my new pink tshirt that says "My Boobs are NOT SQUEEZE TOYS!"

Chocolate Malted Crunch...

2009-06-25T18:24:00.000-07:00

and make that three scoops please! Where is a Thrifty drug store when you need some cheap ice cream? Ahhhhhh Thrifty's! Ring a bell? Were you one of the lucky kids who grew up with Thrifty's ice cream?

Tonight I wanted to take Gabby for an ice cream. We don't have a Dairy Queen near by, the Cold Stone Creamery closed down so we drove to McDonald's. We got there and guess what...ice cream machine was broken!

I found another McDonald's...thank goodness there is one of every corner but it's just not the same. When I was a kid my Dad would ALWAYS take us to Thrifty for an ice cream, he never said no. Now I know as an ice cream connoisseur that Thrifty isn't high quality ice cream but we were kids so we didn't care and back then it was 10 cents a scoop! That's right TEN CENTS! If Mom wasn't there we could get away with three scoops and one scoop had to be "Chocolate Malted Crunch!" It was by far the best flavor and the most fun to say!

The scoops themselves were quite unique. Thrifty had a special scooper that sorta made each scoop look like a hockey puck, cylinder in shape. I remember as a little girl thinking it would be my dream job to work the Thrifty Drug store ice cream counter...I never got to live out that dream. I think they are all closed up now. I don't even know when the last time I had one was...I think I was about 20 and there was one still open in Phoenix. It was a bad area but my boyfriend would take me and we would get in and out and go eat the ice cream somewhere else.

It's too bad we don't have a Thrifty's anymore, I think the world would be a happier place if everyone had a ten cent ice cream cone.

A day spent back in time...

2009-06-14T09:49:00.000-07:00

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Just some stuff...

2009-06-09T20:15:00.001-07:00

First on my list of things to say is....MY LINDA IS COMING HOME!!! Well not to my home but to her home in WA! I am glad she got to get away and we still chatted, emailed and text each other but I like it when she is home. LOL! I'm such a baby! WELCOME HOME LINDA!

Next is an update on our Princess. I think I mentioned that our Chihuahua has been having seizures. We had some tests done and the Vet feels pretty strongly that it is epilepsy. Apparently there is no test for epilepsy, you just have to test for everything else and by a process of elimination you rule out the other possibilities.

We started her on medication, I am gonna butcher the spelling of it but it is "phenobarbital?" It cost 35.00 an OUNCE! But she is so worth it. I give it to her twice a day...it's liquid thank goodness. Getting a pill down her twice a day would be a nightmare. And she seems to like it...it is chicken flavored. LOL

At first it seemed to really knock her out. I back her dosage off just a smidgen and she does better. After about 2 hours she gets a little sleepy, but she sleeps a lot any way. The good thing she hasn't had any seizures this past week and she was having two to three a day before.

Gabby and I are in full summer vacation mode! Sleeping late, shopping, hitting the mall and going to lunch! We went to Michael's craft store and got a ton of craft projects, we were there at the right time cause the clearance row was stocked so we got a lot of stuff real cheap! Gotta love it. Almost feel guilty seeing Michael go to work every day. But no worries...I'm takin care of him.

That's it for now...oh yea one more thing! I almost forgot... WELCOME HOME LINDA!!!!!!

2009-05-23T19:58:00.000-07:00

Silent revenge!

2009-05-19T11:45:00.000-07:00

I try not to get my feather's ruffled. I don't like getting into it with people and I don't like it when I lose control...after all I am a lady and ladies are expected to act a certain way. HOWEVER....lady or not a person can only take so much, which brings me to the reason for this entry.

I cannot stand rude people. It is the one thing sure to get under my skin every single time. Usually I let it go, bite my lip and just ignore it. But sometimes I get revenge.

Today I was in Marshall's...one of those stores with department brands at discount prices. The kind where you can actually push a grocery cart thru the store and load up on your designer goods...you won't see anyone at Macy's pushing a grocery cart but at Marshall's it's cool.

I found two shirts I really liked and decided to try them on, just to make sure they fit right. As I was making my way to the dressing room another woman was coming out. We both would have to pass the dressing room clerk in order to get to where we wanted to go. Me going in....she going out. I got to the clerk first and the clerk asked me how many items I had. Mid sentence this other woman pushed passed us, and literally stepped right in my path...almost stepping on my toes. No excuse me, NOTHING!

The clerk looked at me and I looked at her....giving each other that look that said we both noticed the rude woman. I just rolled my eyes and thought "whatever" and proceeded down the hall to a room to change in. Well wouldn't you know they rude woman was back and making her way down the hall too and again she (tried to) pushed right past me but this time she said EXCUSE ME! But she didn't say it nicely, it was a snotty excuse me, like get out of my way excuse me.

Hmmmmmph! That was it! I was miffed...so I didn't move to the side so she could pass me. She would just have to wait until I stepped into a dressing room to get past me. As I was trying on the shirt I realized she was in a room and talking with another woman. And that was when I decided to get silent revenge!

Out of the corner of my eye I had seen a cart she put her items in when she shoved past me the first time. So....I quickly changed back into my clothes and went out to the store area. I found her cart and grabbed about 5 items that she had placed in there and took off with them!!!!! LOL! LOL!

It was absolutely priceless to see her face when she came out and noticed her once full cart had been robbed of half it's stuff!!! I was way on the other side of the store watching it all go down! She asked the clerk if she took it and threw a fit with her friend. I stashed it all in the bedding department and then sashayed my butt passed her smiling real big and hit the check out counter! Sweet!!!

Sometimes you gotta watch out for those sweet lady like gals!

Goodbye?

2009-05-15T20:13:00.000-07:00

I'm considering ditching my blogs over here on blogger. I have just totally lost interest in them...Facebook seems to consume most of my "internet" time these days and I have so much fun over there I just forget about blogger... I'll let you know for sure but haven't completely decided yet.

Look me up on Facebook if you are over there. :)

Here he is!!!!

2009-05-03T17:58:00.000-07:00

My new Nephew...

Grandpa and his little "Sun Devil!"

Snug as a bug...

Vote for Gabby's School!

2009-04-28T16:24:00.000-07:00

Gabby's school is having a contest and needs your help to win! If you want to help out just click the link below to our local FOX news station and cast your vote for "Madison" middle school. It is on the middle of the page under "Poll!" Thanks and feel free to post the link and info on your blog too! I will let you know if they win...I believe the deadline is this Thursday!! Thank you...

http://myfoxtampabay.varsitynetworks.com/

And the word of the day boys and girls is....

2009-04-27T20:03:00.001-07:00

PANDEMIC!

A pandemic (from Greek παν pan all + δήμος demos people) is an epidemic of infectious disease that spreads through populations across a large region; for instance a continent, or even worldwide.

How many times did you hear that word today? Oh and am I the only one who saw Michael Jackson in Mexico today?

It's a boy!!!!!

2009-04-27T19:30:00.000-07:00

I'm an Aunt...again and yet for the first time!!!!!!

I am happy to say my little brother and his wife had their first baby today! Little "Michael James Murphy" came into this world at 7 pounds 14 ounces and 19 1/2 inches long! I can't wait to see him!

Up till now Gabby has been the only Grandchild in our family...we've waited a long time for this!!!!

I love Captain Jack Sparrow but....

2009-04-16T06:32:00.000-07:00

that's just a movie! I think all these pirate attacks should be stopped. What is the answer? What do you think should be done? I heard Donald Trump in an interview say "I'll tell you how we can stop this....GUNS!" Shoot them. It does sound totally absurd to think of a little blow up boat with a motor coming and taking over these huge ships! Even if they did have rocket launcher thingys can a whole in the side of one of these ships sink it? I think if they are fired upon or threatened they then have the right to blow these idiots out of the water and into space. Hmmmmph! That's just one blond chick's opinion.

Happy Passover

2009-04-09T07:23:00.001-07:00

I watched this on the 700 Club this morning and thought it was just amazing. If for some reason the video doesn't work here I will include the link below.

http://www.cbn.com/media/index.aspx?s=/vod/SS12

Cold, wet and windy day at the beach...

2009-04-06T12:34:00.000-07:00

I took Gabby and her friend down to the beach on base this morning. A storm was rolling in so we couldn't stay long. But we were there long enough to get wet and find a few neat things on the shore...

What a cute little puppy!

2009-03-27T17:23:00.000-07:00

I saw this guy in the parking lot today when I was at the store. He was HUGE and a big sweet lunk! I think his neck chain was bigger than my belt!

Good day

2009-03-26T17:36:00.001-07:00

When your day starts with Starbucks you know it's going to be a good day! Mine started with a green tea frap!

I headed on down the road with my frap and stopped at my favorite thrift store! Goodwill!

Here we are...

I picked up some tubes to add to "Jasper's" cage....he still hasn't figured out one side is now open and he can crawl up it. I got some neat greeting cards with horses on them for my sister in law, she loves horses.

I loved this "Amore" sign! It's going in our bedroom.

Then there is this little lamp I got as well. It looks so pretty lit up.

Princess does not like all the noise Japser makes and she hates it that she can't totally see into his cage!

More greeting cards. These are like do it yourself cards...homemade only simpler.

And a bracelet and some moistuizer. I also got a grab bag of Mary Kay products and samples.

We're back in business!

2009-03-25T17:48:00.000-07:00

Got my McDonald's iced coffee this morning and I am happy to say it was the usual size! Hmmmph! Guess I got ripped off yesterday. Probably had it coming to me since one time they accidentally gave me a large and I paid for the medium and didn't tell them. And the funny thing was...this morning I didn't really feel like a coffee but I couldn't get over not knowing what the deal was so I stopped and got one anyway. Had a few sips and put it in the fridge, in fact it is still there now. Guess I will have some now and get hyped up for the evening! :)

Don't mess with my coffee Mickey D!

2009-03-24T07:27:00.001-07:00

Three or four times a week I grab an iced coffee from McDonald's. I admit I am addicted to them. I get the regular flavor (no fru fru syrups added) sugar free in the medium size. It's so much an addiction that the people working there KNOW ME! I get extra friendly service...and it does kinda scare me that I feel like I am best buds with "Marcus" in the drive thru! LOL But it's one of my few vices and I won't give up my iced coffee.

So this morning...I didn't get Marcus...I got another gal. I've had her before and she is real sweet too. But as I drove away I noticed my coffee was smaller! Hmmmmmm....did she make a mistake or are they trying to get charge the same amount for less product? And they thought I wouldn't notice!

I know this is happening more and more all over the place. My friend and I were talking about it...the package looks the same in most cases but less product is going into it. Girl Scout cookies were smaller and fewer this year. My friend said her peanut butter jar now has a big dent in the bottom of the jar that takes up space so it looks the same but way less peanut butter in it. I think this is wrong!

So now I have to find out...did a mistake happen this morning or is Mickey D's ripping me off now as well? Hmmmmmm

SomeBUNNY wants to know...

2009-03-19T18:00:00.000-07:00

If you had a choice of what kind a bunny is in your Easter basket this year which one would you pick?

1. A real bunny...they are so cute and soft.

2. A solid chocolate bunny...it's a holiday I'm not skimping on my sweet tooth!

3. A hollow chocolate bunny...their cheaper and I gotta watch my calories!

4. Chocolate? Blecht! I prefer white chocolate over milk chocolate.

5. Do they come in scotch? (yes I put this one here just for Jimmy!)

6. Chocolate filled with smooth creamy peanut butter!

7. No bunnies, I'm a vegetarian but I will take some eggs or jellybeans!

Chicks!

2009-03-18T13:23:00.000-07:00

Hey looky here...it's looking a bit like EASTER on my blog! I have been on the search for chicks, bunnies, eggs and all things spring for my blog. I also went over to the thrift store to see what kind of Easter decorations they had that I absolutely had to add to my collection! Ahhhhh Spring is in the air...oh wait, it's always in the air in Florida unless it is June, July and August. :)

Find a penny pick it up....

2009-03-12T17:34:00.001-07:00

BUT if it is two shiny quarters look away and leave them be!!!! Yes folks the phrase that best describes what happened to me today is.... "I GOT COINED!"

Michael and I were walking back to the car from the beach...just walking along talking and enjoying the warm sunny day. I tend to look down a lot when I walk and this time was no exception. As we were approaching the fire station (which is close to where we parked) I looked down and right there in front of me was TWO shiny quarters!!!! Not a penny, not a dime and not just ONE quarter but TWO!

Instantly I got excited! WOW fifty cents! AND I was going to grab it before Michael had a chance...it was MINE all MINE I TELL YA! Quickly I leaned over and reached for one...hmmmm it didn't budge! Just then several things hit my brain all at once.

First I noticed a gray goo around the edge of one...I thought "gum?" Then I heard laughter from the firehouse and then from Michael! I HAD BEEN DUPED! I look up without even trying for the other one and I see half a dozen firemen all standing by the fire trucks laughing their butts off!

And my dear sweet hubby...what does he do? Come to my aide and tell me not to worry he was going to pick them up too? NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He busts out laughing too, yells at the guys and says "OH YOU GOT HER GOOD!!!!! (points to me) and adds "SUCKER!" More gut busting laughter!!!

I cannot believe I fell for it! I have seen this prank on tv before and I too laughed and laughed and thought...what a dumb a$$ falling for that trick. Guess who wasn't laughing today?! Actually I did laugh and I am still giggling over it...now I want to pull that prank on someone else! I just hope I don't end up on youtube now! LOL

The moral of the story as I see it "See a penny pick it up cause it probably is safe but if it's quarters leave it alone...nobody drops two quarters and just leaves them there!" LOL

Lunch at the beach!

2009-03-12T12:00:00.000-07:00

Michael took the day off from work so we could spend some time together...his next deployment is staring us in the face again. :( So we grabbed our phones, put on shorts and sandals and went to Clearwater beach for some sun, fun and lunch!

It was a perfectly gorgeous day! We ate at a little spot right on the beach called "Frenchy's." The hostess asked "Would you like to sit inside or outside?" I couldn't believe anyone in their right mind would want to sit inside...we picked outside and as luck would have it we got a "rail table" that is a table on the outside deck right next to the rail...all you see is sand and water from those seats...and of course beach goers. People wait on the list for a "rail table" it was our lucky day!

Michael had a jerk chicken sandwich with onion strings, I had....a piece of key lime pie! And I nibbled on his onion strings. It was nice, romantic and soooooo peaceful. After lunch we walked in the sand and along the water. It was COLD at first...another beach goer told us the water temp was 69 degrees.

Michael likes to walk and look at people (boobs and butts I'm sure) as where I am walking with my head down looking for the next seashell! I keep stopping "OH LOOK AT THIS ONE" and he says "OH LOOK AT THAT LADY OR THAT MAN" we saw some serious tanners! Whoa, looking at their baked skin made mine hurt...they were soooooo brown it was almost like red mud. Yikes.

I picked up one shell that was still perfect, and it was one that I don't see often on the beach fully intact and I picked up some pretty stuff...I think it looks like it is from the inside of a shell...all rainbow colored.

As we walked along the beach Michael said "Can you believe we live here? That we can just jump in the car and come to the beach for lunch in just minutes?" It does still seem unreal at times...we so love Florida.

Good news!

2009-03-10T05:39:00.001-07:00

Well the sports physical drama is over! Michael was flying with a doc yesterday and got to talking...he got Gabby in the back door this morning at 7am! He assured Gabby it would be very simple...nothing to worry about (knowing her fear of male docs) it worked out great and she liked him a lot. We were in and out in less than 10 minutes!

We all went to breakfast and then took her to school. Michael wanted to stop by and "chat" with the principal to make sure she was going to be allowed to play since the deadline for getting the physicals in had passed. No problem said the principal. Sometimes it frustrates me how easily a man can get things done! He was in uniform which almost automatically gains respect (even Gabby knows this...when she needs something done she will say "and Dad can you come in your uniform"?) and... he's a man. Rarely does anyone ever give Michael crap or the run around...me on the other hand, I have to work my charms, bat my eyes and hope my boobs are big enough if I am trying to get special favors. And Lord help me if I need some kind of repair done on the car...they see me AND my wallet coming for miles.

It was nice to have the man here to handle this mess, he isn't always available for these things with his deployments and all. So I am very thankful for today, it's a load off my mind. Now Gabby better just prove to be the best player they've ever had! LOL

Link to Linda's blog...

2009-03-06T08:20:00.001-08:00

Sorry I forgot to post the link to her blog!

http://lindasworld-lindasworld.blogspot.com/

I think she just wanted a sponge bath!

2009-03-06T07:25:00.000-08:00

Hi!

I just got off the phone with our "Linda in WA" she was laughing and telling me all about her HOT doctor...actually her exact words were "he is quite the stud muffin!" It made me think...I bet she was faking it the whole time and just wanted a cute, young MD to sponge her down! LOL

All joking aside she is doing better. Linda said she was just washing dishes when she felt her heart start pounding. She pulled out her blood pressure machine and found it was thru the roof! For two hours she tried to sit it out to see if it would go down but it didn't so she had her friend Bob take her to the hospital.

They are treating her well and taking all the necessary tests to make sure she did not have a heart attack and at this point she said it is looking good. They haven't concluded to exactly what happened and why but she still has a few more tests to take this morning.

She mentioned that she was starving...always a good sign and as we were talking breakfast AND the newspaper were brought in to her...I'm telling ya she just wanted someone to wait on her and pamper her a little bit. :) I was so relieved to hear her sweet voice and laugh!

Bob volunteered to take care of Miss Gabi last night and he doesn't even like Gabi! I told Linda I didn't know who I felt more sorry for...Bob or Gabi. I think both will be glad when she is back home and taking over duties as Gabi's servant and main caregiver. LOL!

So all the bases are covered. Her son was there, Bob is there and taking care of Gabi...as best he can and we are all here praying and waiting for her to jump back online and tell us more about the hot doctor...who I forgot to mention she is on a first name basis with! LOL! Thanks from Linda for caring and praying!

Our Friend Linda in Wa...

2009-03-05T18:51:00.000-08:00

I received a text message from our dear friend Linda in WA tonight...she is in the hospital. It must have been pretty sudden cause we had been chatting off and on today when the chatting stopped... I figured she had gone about her day...no big deal.

Tonight she tells me she is in the hospital for cardiac related issues. As text messages go the information is vague and short. She has said she doesn't think it was a heart attack but they are running tests and keeping her over night to be sure.

Her friend Bob is with her and son is on the way. She's been there going on six hours now and is waiting for a room. As you can imagine she is pretty worried and is asking for prayers. Linda is always there for me as I know she is for many of you as well. I assured her I would be praying and that I would let her blogger friends know what was going on.

I promise to update as I get more information. For now I am just praying everything will be okay and she can get some rest tonight.

Health care is a big ole green pile of malarky!

2009-03-05T06:18:00.000-08:00

Ugh! Can I just say I hate our health care system? I hate it! I don't know what can be done to make things better but something has got to give!

My frustration comes this morning from trying to make Gabby and appointment. She needs a sports physical to play volleyball this season. Last year when she had her physical it took maybe 10 minutes...if even that long! How hard is it to squeeze in a kid for a wannabe physical?

When I worked in the dental field we squeezed people into our schedule all day long! We missed lunches, worked late and got behind schedule every day because people had emergencies or situations that needed to be seen. Come on! You can't schedule a toothache, or the flu!

Sure a physical isn't an emergency...but I don't understand why they can't get her in until APRIL! YES! I said April!!!!! My first problem is Gabby will only see a female...she had a bad experience with a male some time ago and now has a major fear...she will only see female docs, dentists...etc. I don't blame her and I will not force the issue with her. I have a preference when it comes to doctors too and I think that is her right. It is her body and she has a right to see the kind of doctor she wants too.

Second problem... only two female docs on base in the clinic we are assigned too. I still don't think having to wait a month and a half...is acceptable! Now she risks the chance of not being allowed to play on the team this year. How unfair is that? We have health insurance and can't use it...besides the fact that we have this insurance and she is probably the one member of the family who sees a doctor maybe once a year!!!! Oh and if I did opt to have her see a male doc they still can't see her until the end of March.

Who's Your Paddy?

2009-03-03T17:24:00.000-08:00

Kiss me I'm Irish...I really am!!!

I got my new St. Patrick's day shirt! I get one every year and when I saw this one I knew I just had to have it! It reads "Who's Your Paddy?" I love it!

2009-02-27T06:30:00.001-08:00

I'm alive but I am sad...my all time favorite month of the year is almost over...I know many of you are letting out a sigh of relief! It's been a lot of fun, who would think getting older could make a person so happy?

Time to start decorating for St. Patrick's day...you did know I was IRISH didn't you? Yep and more than a wee bit too!

Only my husband can call me "Old Lady!"

2009-02-22T16:53:00.001-08:00

How do you like that? Yes...he calls me his old lady! Michael has actually called me his old lady since we were dating, then I thought it was cute cause I was young...I always insisted he stop calling me that when I hit 30...well here I am 42 and he is still calling me his Old Lady!

Michael says it is a term of endearment...hmmmmm. I guess I will let it slide since he is so stinkin cute...I shouldn't though since he is ALSO 3 1/2 years YOUNGER than me! But after all this time I am used to it so I let him have his fun...he better watch out when he turns 40 though...I'm gonna let him have it! LOL

It has been a GREAT birthday! I have lots more to tell and pics to post but right now I gotta go enjoy what is left of my cake. Thank you all for the wonderful birthday wishes! You kept me smiling all day long!!!

I'm ready!

2009-02-18T06:56:00.000-08:00

I'm ready for my cake!

I'm ready for my ice cream!

I'm ready for my presents!

I'm ready for MY day!

I'm ready to be................42!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Are you ready for my birthday to be over already?!!! LOL!!! Well only four more days and then we can stop reading about it....maybe!

iLove my iPhone!

2009-02-16T07:50:00.000-08:00

Michael got me an iPhone for our anniversary! I am totally addicted to it! I love it so much that I haven't logged on to my laptop in two days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have done all my online stuff from the iPhone since I got it...the only thing I have found I can't do is blog...but I am sure in time I will figure out a way to do that as well!

We had a great anniversary, Valentine's day and weekend! One more special day coming up this month and I can't wait!!!! SIX more days til my birthday!!!!

He danced into my life 15 years ago...

2009-02-11T22:39:00.001-08:00

Happy Anniversary baby...I love you more today than I did yesterday. Forever yours...

13 more days!!!!

2009-02-09T16:42:00.000-08:00

Pets

2009-02-05T19:19:00.000-08:00

I always wanted to be the kind of Mom that allowed lots of pets in the home. Actually I just love animals and if we had the space it would like a zoo or farm in our house.

As a kid I guess we had our share of pets but it doesn't really seem the same. Our childhood pets weren't really a part of the family the way our "Princess" is. I mean...we go on vacation if and when we can take our dog with us...we have only left her ONCE and had a friend feed her and check on her...and I was a nervous wreck the whole time we were gone.

I had a poodle when I was a little girl, her name was Gigi. She was a toy poodle, white and I loved her. But she wasn't spoiled. She slept outside, never in the house and when she died she was just gone one day. I still don't know what they did with her body.

Then my brother had a parakeet, fish and once a gerbil. That was about the sum of it. Looking back now I guess that was a lot for my Mom to let in the house, she doesn't really get into animals. For her I think they are mostly messy, stinky and a hassle.

So when Gabby asks if she can bring home the class pet mouse I'm gonna say yes almost every time. The only thing that would keep me from saying yes is if we were moving or it wasn't allowed where we live and even then I might sneak it in. LOL

When we see puppies for sale in a cardboard box it is all I can do to walk away from them. They call out to me! TAKE ME HOME! The pet store is torture...I want one of everything and we have had just about one of them all. From hermit crabs to dwarf African frogs. From hamsters to turtles! Adding "Jasper" to the mix just seemed natural, especially since right now all we have it Princess. Hmmmmm I think maybe we should get some fish too!

Meet Jasper

2009-02-05T14:23:00.000-08:00

Gabby's Science teacher offered to let her have one of the class mice! Some how I got talked into it...I can never say no to a furry critter!

So here is Jasper....we don't know if Jasper is a boy or girl yet but that is the name she picked. It is from the Twilight book...Jasper is a Vampire. LOL

I gotta admit he/she is pretty cute.

Counting down!

2009-02-05T10:27:00.001-08:00

Many of you know this is my all time favorite month!!! FEBRUARY! As I look at the calendar now I see that there are 7 more days til my wedding anniversary...9 more days til Valentine's day and 17 more days til my BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

I'm in love with a Vampire...

2009-02-04T14:42:00.000-08:00

I admit it, I am in love with Edward Cullen...one of the sexy vampires in the Twilight book series. I am on book 3 and can't put it down. When I am not reading I am dreaming about it or daydreaming about what might be happening in my book while it lay by my bedside!

Sure Edward is only 17 in human years but in Vampire years he is way old enough for me! And if he would bite me today I would stop aging and we could live together forever! LOL!

Have you been bitten by the Twilight craze?

We're famous! LOL

2009-01-28T04:53:00.000-08:00

Here we all are at the pirate parade! One of the floats that went by us was from the FOX news station and they took our picture...they took LOTS of pictures and posted them to their website. We just happened to be in one of the 1000's that snapped that day. Can you spot us?

Here's a hint...Gabby is standing on the fence with the yellow truck behind here with her friends...and I am closer to the front end of the truck holding my camera and standing next to my friend Jen.

Gasparilla 2009

2009-01-25T20:06:00.001-08:00

FOOD FRIDAY

2009-01-23T08:25:00.000-08:00

This is an old recipe from the 70's! My mom used to routinely make it on Friday nights after the high school football games. The recipe was found by mom in a "free" recipe booklet the grocery store was giving out one week...if you bought a certain item the booklet was free. She still has the booklet which has now been put into a three-ring binder cause it is falling apart and she still uses recipes from it...the Sheppard's pie recipe I posted last week was from the same cookbook. Sometimes the old recipes are the best!

Pizza by the Yard

1 pound lean ground beef

2 teaspoons canola oil

1 6-ounce can tomato paste

1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 cup sliced green onions

1/4 cup sliced kalamata olives

1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning

3/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1 loaf French bread, sliced in half lengthwise

5 slices Cheddar, American or mozzarella cheese

2 tomatoes, sliced1 green bell pepper, sliced

Heat oven to 400 degrees.

Remove ground beef from package and pat dry. Heat frying pan, add oil and drop in ground beef. Break up with wooden spoon. Cook over medium-high heat until browned.
Drain beef on paper towels and return it to frying pan. Add tomato paste, Parmesan, green onion, olives, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Place French bread halves on large baking sheet lined with foil. Spread beef mixture evenly across both halves. Top with sliced cheese, tomatoes and bell pepper.

Bake about 10 minutes, until cheese melts and turns golden brown.
Makes 4 servings.

It's almost that time...

2009-01-23T06:47:00.001-08:00

Tampa's version of Mardi Gras...GASPARILLA! This weekend is the kick off to Gasparilla...the Pirate festival. It runs two weekends in a row...but with the Super Bowl next weekend the second half of Gasparilla...the actual pirate invasion when the pirate ships invade our bay will be held February 7th.

But this weekend is the kids weekend. Family friendly! Parade, food, fun, and lots of beads!!! That will be our main objective on Saturday! Catch as many beads as possible. It cracks me up how people will act over a 10 cent string of plastic beads! But when you get in the middle of it all bead fever takes over!!!

Gabby is having a friend go with us, and our neighbor friends are also going with us...should be a good group and I will of course be snapping pictures! ARGH...wish me lots of booty! LOL

Good times!

2009-01-17T05:42:00.000-08:00

Last night we had some very, very special visitors!!!! Some old military friends were visiting from Puerto Rico and stopped by to see us!!! It was wonderful, fantastic, fun...and my heart is just bursting this morning from being so happy to see them.

Michael met Raulie (Raul) back in basic training at Lackland AFB, TX and then they got sent to Sheppard AFB, TX for tech school... together again. It was there Michael met Raulie's wife...Ana and as luck would have it when they graduated from tech school we got sent to the same base together in Clovis, NM.

We were instant buddies! Our Gabby was just 2 years old then... Ana and Raulie adored her and she them. Many years have passed since, roads taken different turns to different cities and countries! Ana and Raulie now have two children of their own and live in Raulie's "hometown" in Puerto Rico. We saw them once when we lived in WA, Gabby was about 6 then and then we saw Ana in TX when Gabby was about 8...

We keep in touch over the net...phone calls here and there, face book, text messages, etc...but when we heard they would be in town yesterday we could hardly contain our joy! When Michael opened the door to them last night it was as if no time had ever passed between our last visit. Seeing them was liking going home....ya know? There's just something to be said about old, good friends...people who know you and love you anyway. LOL. It's like family without all the drama! Ha ha!

Too cold for Tampa!

2009-01-16T20:07:00.000-08:00

Poor puppy...okay she isn't exactly a puppy she was a full grown German Sheppard. I noticed her in the neighborhood this afternoon just laying in someones yard. She has a collar with tags and looks well groomed so I am sure she belongs to someone. I figured she belonged to someone at the house I saw her by...then later tonight I was walking with Gabby and I saw her again, she came running right up to me! Now most people would probably freak out over a big German Sheppard heading toward them at full speed but I stayed calm and she was very friendly, she nudged my leg and walked with us for a bit.

I feel just awful for her cause it is so darn cold tonight! Michael told me she would be okay with her fur coat but I still think it is too cold. If we didn't have princess I would have brought her in the house tonight. I was too nervous to try and read her dog tags...wasn't sure she would let me and I didn't want risk getting my hand torn off...so I put a HUGE heavy blanket on my front porch and smooshed it up into a nest like mess...as I was putting it out she was in the street and I called her over to it...she sniffed it a bit and then left. I hope she is okay tonight...we do have a night watchman in our neighborhood maybe he will see her and call someone.

OH and we are still without heat! The fix it man came today and spent about 4 hours working on the heater which was located in the ATTIC! I had no idea the heating unit was in the attic! Needless to say he has to order a special part...so you know what that means? No heat for a long time! I am not expecting anything to get done til Friday...I think the landlord should do something more about this situation...I think I should go buy a space heater and ask if he will deduct that amount from our rent. Any ideas? It's gonna be 37 tonight...I may have that German Sheppard come in and keep ME warm!

Food Friday

2009-01-16T04:33:00.000-08:00

We call this "Hamburger Pie" but it is a lot like Sheppard's Pie...minus the lamb. Very tasty on a cold winter day!

1 lb ground beef

1/2 c chopped onion

1/2 tsp salt, dash pepper

1 16oz can cut green beans drained (I use the mixed veggie can with corn, carrots)

1 10 3/4 oz condensed tomato soup

1 c shredded cheddar cheese

Mashed potatoes (I cheat and use the already made kind in the fridge section...I just warm them up and mix in an egg)

Cook meat and onion til lightly browned, add salt pepper, veggies and soup. Pour into greased 1 1/2 quart casserole dish...sprinkle cheese on top and bake at 350 degrees for 25-20 min. Enjoy

It's what's for dinner!

2009-01-12T12:02:00.000-08:00

Chicken: Creamy White Chili

Creamy White Chili Recipe : 2nd place winner in Taste of Home magazine!

Preparation Method

1 lb. boneless -- skinless chicken breasts, cut into cubes
1 medium onion -- chopped
1 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1 Tbl. vegetable oil
2 cans great northern beans -- (15 1/2 oz. each) rinsed well and drained
1 can chicken broth -- (14 1/2 oz.)
2 cans chopped green chilies -- (4 oz. each)
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. fresh ground black pepper
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 cup sour cream -- (8 oz.)
1/2 cup whipping cream

In a large pot, saute chicken, onion, and garlic powder in oil until chicken is no longer pink. Add beans, broth, chilies, and seasonings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Remove from the heat (or just turn the burner off); stir in sour cream and cream. Serve immediately.

Serving Ideas : Serve with warmed flour tortillas.

Our Guitar Hero Band!

2009-01-09T04:46:00.001-08:00

Introducing for the first time ever...a up and coming rock band... "MURPHY'S MAYHEM!"

It aint real rock-n-roll if you don't bust up a few guitars!!!!! Boy did we have a blast with the Wii in Arizona! The hit games were of course guitar hero, american idol and my new wii fit game! I don't remember when we laughed harder! It was a toss up between my Dad doing the hoola hoop or my Mom singing on American Idol! Good times...and just for protection I have them all making fools of themselves on video tape! It could come in handy one day!

Home!

2009-01-06T21:52:00.000-08:00

Oh my gosh we are finally home! I have so much to tell you but it will have to wait until tomorrow!!!! Stay tuned!

Snow Day!

2009-01-01T17:21:00.001-08:00

I feel like I am so out of touch with everyone here in blog land...we are still in Arizona but you wouldn't know it by the looks of these pics!

One of Gabby's c-mas presents was a "snow day" from Grandma and Grandpa. An all expenses paid trip to Northern Arizona that just had a good "dumping" of snow!

We headed up to Flag on the 29th of December. It was so neat to be there while it was still December cause they were still decorated for Christmas! The little "forest" behind us was lite up like a winter wonderland...it was magical and wonderful.

It has been 7 years since Gabby has gotten to play in the snow! She made up for it big time! She played and played and played...made snowballs and went sledding one day too!

Such a good girl...all snowballs were directed at Daddy only! Heh heh! I didn't want to get wet....I know party pooper.

Holy cow look at these icicle's!

Me and Michael outside the Riordan mansion.

This little gingerbread like cottage was right outside our bedroom balcony.

Oh no! Here comes a big one! Run Daddy, run!

Me and my snuggle bun! We had NO winter clothes with us...duh, we live in Florida! So we had to beg, borrow and steal what we could to stay warm. We might be mis-matched and the sizes wrong but we didn't freeze to death!

My snow angel!

I promise to load more pics soon. I just talked my folks into getting wi-fi so now I have a connection! More to follow...hope you had a wonderful Christmas and a safe New Year celebration!

MADE IT!

2008-12-23T11:11:00.000-08:00

We made it all the way to ARizona! We pulled in last night around 8:30 and BOY was I happy to be home. It was a LONG three days!

We tried to avoid fast food along the way so I prepared lots of snacks, sandwiches and stuff for along the way. Here are some pics of one of our "road" picnics!

As all road trips go for us it didn't happen without it's mishaps and "Murphy's Law" sort of things. That's what Michael gets for marrying a "Murphy!"

I will write more soon, just wanted you to know we made it safe and sound!

And then he was born....

2008-12-19T14:00:00.000-08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Today is my Michael's 39th bday! He is just a young pup, I really scored getting me a younger man. LOL! I love you Michael and I cherish the day you were born!! xoxo forever...

Gift cards...

2008-12-16T06:14:00.000-08:00

Michael got a Christmas letter in the mail yesterday, it was from one of his bosses. Inside was a gift card to Walmart. Last year he got one for Starbucks...it was about five bucks, not much but enough for a coffee. I thought that was pretty nice. This year the card to Walmart is for 5 bucks also. We laughed! FIVE bucks? They shouldn't even make 5 dollar gift cards...unless it is for McDonald's, Starbucks, places like that...where you could get lunch or a coffee but what can you get at Walmart for 5 bucks?

Now I don't want to sound snotty but a 5 dollar gift card from his boss is CHEAP! Sure the boss doesn't have to give out anything but boy did we have a big laugh over it. You know what will end up happening to the 5 dollar gift card? It will get lost no doubt.

So last night Michael and I had the funniest conversation and it went like this...

Mike - looks over at me from the couch and very seriously says "I think we should just blow the whole gift card!"

Robin - The whole thing?

Mike - Yea, let's just go to Walmart and go crazy! Get whatever we want and have fun, we deserve it!

Robin - Spend the whole thing all at once? In one trip?

Mike - YEP!

Robin - hmmmm I dunno, I was thinking we should save it for an emergency.

Mike - blank stare

Robin - You know, if something comes up and we are short on cash we can use the Walmart card.

Mike - blank stare, blink, you're talking about the 5 dollar gift card right?

Robin - No, I am talking about the 500 dollar gift card.

Mike - blank stare

Robin - stares back

Mike - blink, we don't have a 500 dollar gift card.

Robin - DUH! I was playing along with your game.

Mike - OHHHHHH, you were playing so well you had me confused! I knew we didn't have a 500 gift card!!!!

Robin - LOL LOL LOL LOL

Mike - for a second I thought you were holding out on me.

Robin - I wish!

So what do you think? Any ideas on what we can blow our 5 dollar gift card on? Magazine and some gum? Cheap toilet tissue so we can T.P. the bosses house? Pair of socks?

More white trash...

2008-12-15T16:55:00.001-08:00

Michael loves his white trash!

2008-12-14T15:49:00.000-08:00

Um...I am talking a candy mix, what were you thinking? LOL! I make this every year at Christmas time and give it out to friends and Gab's teachers. It is super easy, way to yummy and everyone always asks for more! If you try it let me know? I like to package it in little Christmas tins but you can do it in baggies with pretty ribbon on it or whatever you want.

There are also many different variations of this recipe, this one is the one I use but you can change it up to make it your own by adding chex cereal instead or m&m's...the possibilites are endless!

WHITE TRASH (CANDY)

20 oz. pkg. white chocolate
1 c. pecans
12 oz. can mixed nuts
14 oz. box Honey Comb cereal
12 oz. pkg. Pretzel sticks

Combine all dry ingredients in mixing bowl. Melt chocolate and pour over mixture. Mix well. Spread this on waxed paper to air dry.

Guess what I have been up too?

2008-12-10T10:08:00.000-08:00

Oh holly jolly jingle bells! Wanna know why I haven't posted lately? I gave into peer pressure!!! That's right I joined "Facebook!" Oh lordy...I am totally addicted!

I told my friends I didn't want to do it, that I would never do it and hear I am doing it! I swore up and down that there wasn't a soul from High School that I wanted to be in touch with...guess what? I was wrong. Tee hee!

So I have been hanging out there and neglecting blogger land. I promise to get back soon! Hey...how do you like my new side bar photo? I took this the other night and Bethe over at "Palm Harbor" prettied it up for me!

We are doing our "Christmas" card photo this weekend. Should be an adventure! Gabby will moan and groan the whole time that she is bored and this is dumb and Michael will complain about me taking too many shots but the end result will be worth it. I can't wait to show you what I've got up my sleeve! I can hardly wait to get them mailed out!!!!!!

Fun, fun, fun!

2008-12-05T04:56:00.001-08:00

Okay here we are!!! Robin (me), Bethe and Carol! I arrived in "Dunedin" before Bethe and Carol. I sat in my truck waiting for them, I was listening to my Christmas music when all of a sudden I heard a tap, tap, tap on my window.

I look over and there they are the two of them... and Bethe holding up a sign that said "HI ROBIN!" It was so funny! I hopped out of the truck and we all hugged, it was just like we had been meeting like this for years.

I had so much fun and I was so caught up in enjoying the moments I forgot to take my camera out until lunch time. I didn't get many pics but that is okay...there is always next time! We started out shopping, walking the cobblestone streets of this cute little town (town? city? not sure). It was all decorated for Christmas...lights, trees, santas, etc...just adorable.

Every shop was a dream come true! I could have spent HOURS in each one. One of my favs was a typical "Tacky Florida Souvenir" shop but even more than that! It had something for EVERYONE in there and it was LOADED with stuff, you could hardly move without knocking into something hanging from the ceiling, I loved it!

I think the store that brought the most giggles was the one with the free wine tasting! LOL do I even need to explain? Carol was so patient while Bethe and I proceeded to get snockered at 10 am with the store owner! She was a hoot...one small sample for Bethe, one small sample for Robin and oh what the heck...one small sample for her! And we saw her do it with the other customers too!!! I tasted the most fabulous wine of my life yesterday and I dropped a small fortune on several bottles to take home...my first thought was oh these would make great gifts, then as I was drinking that changed to "well, I'll give one bottle away and keep the other three for me and Michael" to then "hell I am hiding these ALL when I get home and not sharing a single drop with anyone!" LMAO

Lunch was at a fun hip spot, for the life of me I cannot tell you what it was called cause we sat there the whole time thinking it was called "The Black Honkey!" It wasn't until our food came that we figured out that was the name of a band playing there. LOL

Carol had some kind of roast beef wrap, it looks sooooo good!

Bethe got the burger...who wouldn't love a burger with a jalapeno smile on it? I think it was the cook's way of flirting with Bethe. LOL

I got the sweet potato jalapeno soup! It was delicious but it certainly lacked in presentation.

After lunch we walked Carol to her hair appointment and Bethe took me to see "Honeymoon" island. Bethe looked for a sand dollar for Gabby but all we found were shells. Wow, was it really beautiful there. I took a few quick pictures before Bethe and I had to say goodbye. I had to race back over to Tampa to pick Gabby up from school. I must have smiled and giggled the whole way back home. All the while going over the fun few hours we had together.

I have to add this second shot of us cause Carol had her eyes closed in the first one but I really don't like how I look in this one. This was so much fun, I cannot wait to meet up with these sweet ladies again, I hope they feel the same!

Lunch

2008-12-03T19:30:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow I am meeting two gals from Jland! We all live in Florida...fairly close to each other. I'm on one side of the bay and they are on the other! We are meeting up for some lunch and shopping! I can't wait!

See you tomorrow Bethe and Carol! I hope my hair turns out okay cause I am bringing the camera!!!! LOL

Our lists...

2008-12-03T13:38:00.001-08:00

All she wants for Christmas...

All I want for Christmas...

All he wants for Christmas...

2008-11-27T18:30:00.001-08:00

Our Thanksgiving dinner was a FEAST! It was just our small little family this year but it was cozy and nice. Everything turned out just right, the food, the weather, the COWBOYS game, etc...while watching the Cowboys play I decided I was really thankful for TIGHT football pants. LOL! We really have a lot to be thankful for and one of the biggest things is having Michael home for Thanksgiving, he certainly has missed several in the past so it is always nice when he is home with us. Wishes to you and your loved ones for a fabulous day! Get lots of rest tonight, the big sales are starting early! xoxo

2008-11-25T16:33:00.000-08:00

I've gone over my menu a dozen times, double checked the pantry and I think I am ready for Thanksgiving dinner!

I hate that feeling that I might have forgotten an item and might have to send Michael to the store last minute...how about you? Are you ready?

All I need now is some time to get caught up on blogs!

SCRUMPTIOUS!

2008-11-20T18:46:00.000-08:00

Paula Deen's Pumpkin Butter Gooey Cake! Gabby made this in school and brought me a piece home today! Words cannot describe how flippin good it is!!! I may never make pumpkin "pie" again!

I totally, completely, 100% recommend this desert! I haven't made it myself yet, I am going to for Thanksgiving. I have seen Paula make it and versions of it on her show several times and it always looks wonderful!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Pumpkin Butter Gooey Cake
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1 18.25-ounce box yellow cake mix 1 egg 1/2 cup (1 stick) melted butter
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For the filling: 1 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened 1 15 ounce can pumpkin pie filling 3 eggs 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1 16-ounce box confectioners? sugar 1/2 cup (1 stick) melted butter Yields: 20-24 small squares Preparation
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Preheat oven to 350?F.

Lightly grease a 13 x 9 x 2 inch baking pan.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine cake mix, egg and butter, and mix well. Pour into the bottom of prepared pan and set aside.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In the mixer, beat cream cheese until smooth; add pumpkin pie filling, eggs and vanilla. Dump in confectioners sugar and beat well. Reduce speed of mixer and slowly pour in butter. Mix well. Pour filling on top of cake mixture and spread evenly.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Bake 40-50 minutes (You want the center to be a little gooey; so don?t bake past that point!). Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before cutting into squares.

Something to think about...

2008-11-20T07:26:00.001-08:00

Maxine is a GENIUS!

2008-11-19T05:31:00.000-08:00

Thanks Carol!

I do not like them

2008-11-16T16:21:00.000-08:00

There will be no green bean casserole at our Thanksgiving table! ICK! ACK! EWW! YUCKY! I do not like green beans, I do not like them in a can, I do not like them from farmer Dan. I do not like them warm or cold I do not like them ala casserole!

I don't think there is a ding darn thing you can do to a green bean to make it taste good. Whoooo getting goosebumps just thinking about them. If you gotta have your green beans for Thanksgiving then our house is not the place to stop over for your feast...we will be having a ton of other yummy things though!

Is there a Thanksgiving dish that is tradition in your house that you just don't like and would rather not put out? Let me know and please don't be offended when I pass on the beans. :)

Praise the Lord and CASH THE CHECK!

2008-11-15T07:07:00.001-08:00

Here's the story...I started driving the family car instead of the truck to save money. Little car gets much better gas mileage than big truck and I do the bulk of the driving so it only made sense for me to swallow my pride and drive the ugly little escort. It really isn't ugly...just plain.

No automatic windows or door locks, no satellite radio, no vanity mirror...well it has one but one our road trip to Florida from California it kept falling open while I was driving and being the resourceful kind of gal I am I used my bubble gum to stick it shut and well...it stays shut now. LOL

Back to my story...I've been driving the car without satellite radio so I have had to find a local station I like to listen too. I found one that plays mostly 80's music! I'm an 80's girl so it was perfect for me. Every day on my way to and from school Gabby and I listen to it. Several times I had heard about their radio contest. It seemed simple enough but the only problem was I rarely listen to the radio except for when I am in the car.

Every time I heard an advertisement for their contest a little voice in my head said "YOU SHOULD PLAY!" I like to think of that little voice as God...but that's just me. Friday last week Michael and I sat down to discuss finances...it's tight, very tight. Driving all the way to Arizona for Christmas might not happen AGAIN this year. Anyone who knows me or has been reading my blog for a while knows how much I love my folks and how much we all love being together for Christmas. Last year was my first year ever to not be with my parents for Christmas and it was awful.

I was in and out of the car all day that day and kept hearing the radio talk about the contest. You have to be the 101 caller when they play the song of the day. If you call in and are the 101 caller you have a chance at two prizes....CASH prizes. The first is $1000 dollars! The second is ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND dollars!

When I picked up Gabby at 4 that afternoon I heard that the daily song still hadn't been played and there was still a chance to win...they have to play it some time before 7pm. That's it! That voice kept telling me we needed to play so we were gonna play!!! I called home and told Michael to turn the radio on in the house to station 101.3 and listen for the 80's song "99 Red Balloons." He thought I was nuts!

We pulled in the driveway and ran inside making sure not to miss the music on the radio. I told everyone to grab their cell phones and the house phone. We dialed in the radio phone number so when it did come on we could just start hitting redial. The radio was on...I started to make dinner. We sat down to dinner and Michael said grace like he does every night only that night he was a little bit of a smart ass when he asked God to "please let Robin win the radio contest so we could go to AZ for Christmas." Michael and Gabby both giggled...I said "we'll see who is laughing when we win!"

Music still on and no song yet...it was getting close to 7pm now and I was getting more anxious for that song. I even called once during the wrong song cause I thought it sounded like the right one. LOL. Dishes now cleaned up and we all sat around the living room with phones in hand. I had two...my cell and the house phone, Gabby had her cell and Michael had his. I felt like I was about to have a shoot out with us all sitting in a circle and guns loaded and in hand!

And then it happened! THE SONG CAME ON! DIAL! DIAL! DIAL! My heart was racing...I could see Michael had absolutely no hope that we would win and Gabby was totally put out that she had to sit there with us and dial. The DJ would come on every once in a while and say which number caller he was on....caller 35, caller 75....by 75 even I started to lose hope. I mean we hadn't even gotten thru one time to be a wrong number caller.

I instructed everyone to KEEP DIALING until he announced the winner! I even barked at Gabby cause she looked like she wasn't redialing fast enough. And then I started praying in my head.... Oh Lord please let us win, please, please, please. And then Gabby shouted "mine is ringing!!!!!!!!!!!!" She quickly handed the phone to me (she is too young to be a winner) I took the phone, put it to my ear and heard the DJ come on.

OMG! I was dying, my heart was really beating now. He didn't say I won...he said hi, who is this, are you having a good day...did you vote to today, bla bla bla....OMG AM I A WINNER or what? I played along...dying inside. Yes I had a good day I told him, he said well....how about I make it a better day and give you $1000 dollars cause you are the 101 caller!!!!!!!!!!

SCREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!

We won! We won! GABBY WON!!! Michael and Gabby were giggling and I was dancing around the house! We heard the play back of me on the radio and cracked up! Boy can I scream! I decided not to tell everyone until I had the check in hand and well yesterday I picked up the check! We're rich! Not really rich but we have just enough to get us to AZ for Christmas and maybe buy a few presents. We will be on the road about 3 or 4 days so we will use that money for hotels and gas...thank goodness gas is going down.

I tell you winning was a total miracle! I really believe that~! I got to thinking if I played a radio show every month with a different station and won I wouldn't need a job! LOL

p.s. to win the one hundred thousand dollars they ask you for 4 random numbers, if your numbers match there's you win the big money...mine didn't match.

Recipe

2008-11-14T18:15:00.000-08:00

A couple of you asked for my pumpkin chocolate chip bread recipe so here it is...

A fellow Air Force wife and friend gave this recipe to me when we lived in Spokane, Washington. She called it "pumpkin chip cake" and made it in an angel food cake pan...I have found I like to make it into loaves of bread and that way I can share it with friends or neighbors. Either way it tastes the same and it super yummy!

"Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread/Cake"

3 1/2 Cups flour
2 Cups sugar
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
4 eggs
1 Cup oil
1 Cup walnuts (optional)
2 Cups pumpkin (16 oz)
1 Bag milk chocolate chips (I use semi-sweet)

Mix all together by hand. Pour into greased angel food cake pan or loaf pans and bake on lower rack @ 350 degrees for 1 hour and 15 mins. Enjoy and let me know if you try this!!!

Pelican Whisperer

2008-11-13T08:52:00.000-08:00

And you thought he was just good looking! He can tame a pelican to stand right in the palm of his hand...he has many other tricks but this is the only one I am allowed to share with you. LOL