I mentioned before how much she makes me crazy. However, after finding this, I can finally make through the whole half hour. I must say, some of her recipes seem pretty tasty. I'm tempted to try them.
Anyway, I have a problem. One of many, I know. In lots of her cooking, there is wine. It's in a lot of recipes I think sound yummy.
I've heard several times now, "Never use a wine you wouldn't drink."
I don't drink wine! I don't like wine. I don't really care for alcohol. I've actually only tried wine with one and it wasn't bad but I wouldn't miss the taste/flavor. So, should I continue what I've been doing and just omitting the wine in recipes? Or should I get some wine to have on hand to cook with? What kind of wine is "good" (inexpensive) wine? How long can I keep wine in the fridge?
Seriously.
When we moved to Virginia, LMK and I decided to only bring one car. Basically, we didn't see the need for his car and we were hoping to sell it and make a little money. Long story short, we didn't bring it nor did we sell it. It's still in Ohio. My parents have used it when they've been in a bind and I'm glad it's been there for them to use.
We really like his car for the most part. It gets great gas mileage and it was the perfect car for him when he was putting 50 miles a day on it. We just don't need it right now.
Now, it's just another expense. Both of our cars are getting older (I have a 2000, he has a 2001) and we're going to need to start thinking about new cars. However, for several months, I have excitedly paid the car payments and exclaimed to LMK - "11 payments left! 10 payments!" We currently have 7 payments left in the book. I was thrilled. Thrilled! We're about 6 months ahead and the end is in sight! We're finally going to OWN our car.
Hahahaha. Or so we thought.
We're trying to sell the car through a friend of the family who does this type of thing for a living. However, in order to sell the car, we have to have the title (or something like that). So my parents offered to front the cost and basically get reimbursed when the car sells. Great idea! One less bill for us! Win-win! Hooray! So today, we called the loan company to get our remaining balance. Instead of being a little over $1,000 it's closer to $2,000.
Evidently, we're on a 66 month loan, not a 60 month loan like I thought. Of course, our payment book goes up to 60 payments, so why would I think that was it? Silly me. Who the hell publishes a book and leaves out 6 payments!? It's simply wasteful and sneaky.
Razzafrazzin' car dealerships. It's a frickin' racket. We have a year of payments left. It's just about the most depressing thing I've ever heard.
Boo.
Every day, I come to post and I can't think of anything. Don't you hate posts that start out that way? So, just so I feel better, a bulleted list:
- The squirrel that sat on the power lines watching the bird feeder as we mounted it to the deck has succeeded in emptying the feeder. Razzafrazzin squirrel! Not to worry though, Socks has made it his mission to watch that squirrel. As we speak, he sitting in front of the sliding glass door staring at him.
- Soccer season has begun. Husband? What husband? They've got a record number of girls signed up this year. 33! Last year they had 14. I would hope LMK is part of the huge sign up. However, in those 33 there are girls that want to play on the US National team someday as well as girls that have never touched a soccer ball before. This ought to be a great learning experience for LMK. This is not college where all that matters is winning. Boy, is that a relief.
- My ankle is still sore, but it's getting a little better every day. I'm hoping by next week to be able to resume my indoor walking. Heck, if it continues to warm up, I may grab LMK and do a lap around the block. Once the weather improves, I'm hoping to do more walking. Even with the huge hill we'd have to walk up/down things are within walking distance. I'd love to be able to walk into town and see a movie. They just have to get half decent movies!
- LMK and I saw Because I Said So two weeks ago. It was really enjoyable! Our first movie since...geez, since I saw The Devil Wears Prada with Twin. We really need to start going to the movies more often. I love movies.
- I'm trying to get the office somewhat organized. Right now, I'm sorting through old bills. I'm thinking I can get rid of all our old bills from Ohio, right? I might save one copy of each, just in case we move back someday. Ok...I'll hold on to them for a few more years, then pitch them, too.
- I am dog sitting in April! Dog sitting is my third favorite type of sitting, right behind baby and cat. One of the other teacher's is going away for the weekend and all the teachers have parent-teacher conferences. So, I volunteered! I'm very excited as I miss Lucy. I need some puppy love. Her dog is a black lab/Great Dane mix. Holy moses, I'm horse sitting!
- Anyone know of a good program to "test" paint colors? Since we live in school housing, the President has to approve most cosmetic changes and additions. I want to demonstrate what the rooms will look like when finished. I had planned to just used the fill function in Paint Shop, but the colors are too cartoony. They scare even me.
- I'm an M&M!
Since Socks has taken up other canine tendencies (sleeping in front of the fire, etc) we've decided he needs to start training right away to be just like Chuck over at Dooce.
I think he could pull it off. We're starting small with 50% off Reese's peanut butter cups. He was not amused, but he sat still, which is more than I can say for his brothers.
Socks is always a good sport. I'm sure the cat puke in the kitchen this morning was just a coincidence.
It's freezing frickin' cold, but it's still warmer than Ohio.
Our driveway still hasn't melted and yesterday we got about another inch of snow on top of the ice. Ah ha! Traction!
Speaking of traction, LMK and I went to the store to purchase a bath mat for our shower. Why?
Basically, I'll sum the whole situation up with - contrary to what I thought, our shower floor gets incredibly slippery. I had an exciting shower this morning as I slipped turning to rinse the conditioner out of my hair.
You would think in a bathroom as tiny as ours that I could have found SOMETHING to grab onto as I was falling. Nope! My hands slid across the wall of the shower to the door, which wasn't completely shut and flew open. Cats were skidding every which way as I struggled to find something to grab onto. I had no luck. So far, the only damage is a sore ankle and what I am expecting to be a bruise where I hit my abdomen on the tub. Generally, I just hurt!
Have a warm and SAFE President's Day everyone.
I have the best cousins ever.
Molly, my cousin-in-law, is one of my very best friends. She's taking online classes to get a business degree. I definitely miss seeing her on a daily basis. I have no one to get into trouble with here!
Mo Mom is also taking online education classes to get her associate's degree. Both LMK and I have been helping her when she needs it since online learning can be really tricky. She's also got three little girls to keep track of so she's juggling a lot of balls. They're in Missouri, so we don't get to see them too often.
Anyway, today I received the following in the mail:
I admit, I got a little misty at the thought of finally getting to use these in my classroom. Of course, I can't actually use them. I must save them. Mo Mom has ordered me to use them so that someday I can get new ones. I have one word for her:
Laminator
They're just so neat! How could I use them!?
Shamelessly stolen from Sleeping Mommy.
Marriage Meme
1. Where/how did you meet?
LMK and I met on the internet. We met in a chatroom at the old Geocities site (before it was Yahoo! Geocities). All their chat rooms where HTML based, not Java like the chat rooms today. I still prefer that kind of chatroom. Anyway, I had been chatting there for several months and one day I entered and overheard...overead him talking about getting shot. (!!!!) I struck up a converstation from there and the rest, as they say, is history.
2. How long have you known each other?
This year will make 10 years. Wow...10 years.
3. How long after you met did you start dating?
This is all so tricky. Technically, we did the long distance relationship for about a year after we met. We actually met in person on his 20th birthday. We finally got to be together every day when I went to Tech in the fall of 1998. So...you decide when the "official" dating began.4. How long did you date before you were engaged?
We got engaged in September of my sophmore year at Tech. He proposed here:
Someday I am going to get a painting of it framed and hung in our house. I love the duck pond gazebo.
5. How long was your engagement?
A little over a year.
6. How long have you been married?
We just celebrated our 6th anniversary this December.7. What is your anniversary?
December 30th
8. How many people came to your wedding reception?
We expected about 150, but it was snowy so less showed up. Everyone was there that I wanted to be there.9. What kind of cake did you serve?
Cake-y cake. It was white cake with butter cream frosting. Very pretty and very simple.10. Where was your wedding?
The wedding was at my church. I love the decorations they have for Christmas so we didn't need to do much decorating. All we did was add poinsettias.11. What did you serve for your meal?
Some lemon chicken thing, rigatoni, salad, green beans, hashbrown casserole, and I forget what else. The place where we had the reception had wonderful food and they included decorating. It was beautiful.12. How many people were their in your bridal party?
Four on each side.13. Are you still friends with them all?
Since over half of them were family, yes. Two were my husband's younger cousins, one was my brother, one was my husband's father, and one was my cousin. My husband's best friend and two of my friends rounded out the eight. Out of my two friends, only one is sketchy and that's because we're both busy with out lives and don't get together like we should. I know if I needed her I could call her. Just as I hope she would do if she needed me. The other is Twin.14. Did you or your spouse cry during the ceremony?
Not really. I was too nervous. Although, I did get a little choked up when LMK said his vows. He was so serious. It was nice to know he really meant them.15. Most special moment of your wedding day?
Ummm...marrying LMK? Oh! And dancing with my grandfather, he died the following June.16. Any funny moments?
I would have to say my husband, father-in-law, brother, father, and LMK's cousins doing the YMCA in ridiculous hats was the highlight of my day.17. Any big disasters?
Two days before the wedding my father was "cleaning" and accidentally threw away my veil. It wouldn't have been a big deal but it was my mom's veil from her wedding and I'd spent hours gluing rhinestones and pearls to it. Shut up, I wanted to sparkle! :o)18. Where did you go on your honeymoon?
Disney World!19. How long were you gone?
11 days, we drove so that makes it about 8 days at Disney.20. If you were to do your wedding over, what would you change?
Nothing really. A lot of people still tell my mom that it was the most fun wedding they've ever been to. Plus, it ended up being pretty inexpensive.21. What side of the bed do you sleep on?
My side...which is usually the middle. I don't share well.22. What size is your bed?
Queen23. Greatest strength as a couple?
We've been told by several people that we have a really strong relationship and I agree. I think our honesty and our consideration for each other are definitely strengths. However, our greatest strength is probably our sense of "team". We are a team. Together we can do anything.24. Greatest challenge as a couple?
Definitely my stubborness. Plus all of LMK's health problems...those seem to be in check now, so they don't really count.25. Who literally pays the bills?
Right now, LMK makes the money and I pay the bills. However, this housewife crap is not all it's cracked up to be. I'm bored!26. What is your song?
We don't have a song really. I never understood that "our song" junk. However, our wedding song is what we've decided is our song.27. What did you dance your first dance to?
My Best Friend by Tim McGrawI never had no one
I could count on
I've been let down so many times
I was tired of hurtin'
So tired of searchin'
'til you walked into my life
It was a feelin
I'd never known
And for the first time
I didn't feel alone
You're more than a lover
There could never be another
To make me feel the way you do
Oh we just get closer
I fall in love all over
Everytime I look at you
I don't know where I'd be
Without you here with me
Life with you makes perfect sense
You're my best friend
You're my best friend, oh yeah
You stand by me
And you believe in me
Like nobody ever has
When my world goes crazy
Youre right there to save me
You make me see how much I have
And I still tremble
When we touch
And oh the look in your eyes
When we make love
You're more than a lover
There could never be another
To make me feel the way you do
Oh we just get closer
I fall in love all over
Everytime I look at you
And I don't know where I'd be
Without you here with me
Life with you makes perfect sense
You're my best friend
You're my best friend
You're more than a lover
There could never be another
To make me feel the way you do
Oh we just get closer
I fall in love all over
Everytime I look at you
And I don't know where I'd be
Without you here with me
Life with you makes perfect sense
You're my best friend
You're my best friend (my best friend)
You're my best friend (my best friend)
28. Describe your wedding dress?
I wish I could just put a picture like SM did (good idea). However, I don't have one scanned and all my pictures are in Ohio. Boo. My dress was made for me. Mainly because I liked the sleeves of this dress, the neckline of that dress, the train of this dress, etc. My dress was short sleeved, A-line dress, with a princess neckline. Then we bought beaded lace and put it at the top of the dress (around the neckline) and at the bottom of the train. It was beautiful. Oh, and I also had the dressmaker sew my grandmother's initials into the train of my dress in light blue. Have I mentioned I LOVED my dress. It's a shame I only got to wear it once. I'd love to wear it again and again. But we got it dry cleaned and preserved so I would have it for years to come.29. What kind of flowers did you have at your wedding?
Huge red and white poinsettias around the church (they were beautiful). Then the bouquets were evergreen and red and white roses. We actually ordered them from the local grocery store. They were really pretty and much cheaper than going to the florist in town. Some of my mom's family is in the flower business (they're pretty big in the flower business actually) so we didn't feel we could do artificial flowers. We ended up getting the poinsettias from my cousin wholesale. Then we donated them to the church for shut-ins. Our bouquets were stuck into paper bags and frozen for a year. They still look pretty darn good!
30. Are your wedding bands engraved? What do they say?
Nope, mine is too thin to be engraved. I wanted to engrave LMK's with "PUT IT BACK ON", but he didn't find the humor in that. Hehehehehe.
and I feel fine.
I've said it before, but I am going to say it again. These people are hilarious!
They're predicting 4 inches of snow and possibly some ice over the next 24 hours. While I would really like to get some more firewood, since we're almost out, it's the only thing we really need. Of course, we don't have anything to load the wood into and I don't want to pay $200 for wood (it's like burning money). So it would seem we're at an impass.
Anyway...according to one of the maintenence guys (the one that was at our house no less than 3 times yesterday), there will be no bread, milk, or toilet paper at the grocery store because everyone is stock piling. Meanwhile, in Ohio they're under a blizzard watch. I can understand those people getting some extra supplies. 18-20 inches of snow in a day is big trouble even in an area where they get a lot of snow each year.
All I know is I sent brownies up for the maintenence guys today since they've been really great about fixing all our house problems. I'm hoping things will stop breaking now so we can quit calling them. I feel like I see them more than LMK. One guy commented yesterday that if he came back again today the neighbors would start to talk. Yes, they would!
It's starting to ice here, so I am going to go get some housework done. Luckily, I don't have to leave in this awful weather. Yay for unemployment! If you need us, Socks and I will be warming ourselves by the fire....until we run out of firewood.
Stay warm, stay safe everyone!
I haven't forgotten about figuring out why skinny people make me nervous, I just don't feel like figuring it out today. So I will meme. I found this on MySpace. Adapted it to the blog.
So these be the rules
1. Put your music player on shuffle.
2. Press forward for each question.
3. Use the song title as the answer to the question even if it doesn't make sense. NO CHEATING!
4. Tag 5 people. (Note: I don't tag.)
5.With the answers, give your own comments on how it relates to the questions. (Comments are in italics)
So here goes!!
1. How are you feeling today?
Leave the Pieces - The Wreckers ~ Hmmm...not really. Melancholy is good though.
2. Will you get far in life?
Always Tomorrow - Princess Diaries soundtrack ~ Ooooo...good choice.
3. How do your friends see you?
Me and My Gang - Rascal Flatts ~ Hehehehehehehe.
4. Will you get married?
Holding on for a Hero - Soundtrack from Footloose ~ "A white knight upon a fiery steed." :o)
5. What is you best friend's theme song?
Hakuna Matata - Soundtrack from the Lion King ~ Nice.
6. What is the story of your life?
My Wish - Rascal Flatts ~ Ooooo, chills.
7. What was/is highschool like?
Crush - Lila McCann ~ Hmmm. Intersting. Somewhat relative.
8. How can you get ahead in life?
We're Not Gonna Take It - Twisted Sister ~ AHAHAHAHAHA!
9. What is the best thing about your friends?
Favorite State of Mind - Josh Gracin ~ "Crazy, happy, laughin' at me, all that and then some."
10. What is in store for this weekend?
Miss You More - BBMak (Princess Diaries Soundtrack) ~ Well...that's enough to depress me.
11. To describe your grandparents?
Just a Few Questions I Have - Clay Walker
12. How is your life going?
Roots and Wings - James Bonamy ~ Love this song.
13. What song will they play at your funeral?
Ready to Run - Dixie Chicks (Runaway Bride Soundtrack) ~ Um...k.
14. How does the world see you?
Poison - Alice Cooper ~
15. Will you have a happy life?
Your Crowning Glory - Julie Andrews, Princess Diaries II soundtrack ~ Otay...still like the song.
16. What do your friends really think of you?
Dude Looks Like A Lady - Aerosmith ~ Heh.
17. Do people secretly lust after you?
Take Me or Leave Me - Soundtrack from Rent ~ ::snort::
18. How can I make myself happy?
Find Yourself - Brad Paisley
19. What should you do with your life?
Seek and Destroy - Metallica ~ Strange, yet powerful
20. Will you ever have children?
Without You - Soundtrack from Rent ~ "Life goes on, but I'm gone... without you." Hmm...fitting, I suppose.
LMK and I went to the doctor yesterday. Personally, I can breathe a sigh of relief that LMK is finally getting the health care he needs. With a family history of heart attacks and high blood pressure, I worry/worried about him constantly. We're one step closer to getting him healthier.
Me on the other hand. Meh. It's nothing I didn't already know. Must lose weight. Wait, I take that back. I learned that should I get pregnant, this practice won't "deal with me". Huh?
I don't remember most of what the doctor said. All I could hear was a rushing sound in my ears after she said the phrase, "high risk pregnancy."
Still thinking about that and what I am going to do to change things. I'm not a regular viewer of Ty.ra Banks, but I do like her. I just happened to have this show dvr'd. Maybe I should watch it everyday to keep my will power.
It's nice to have someone sticking up for the "fat" chicks. Truth be told, I've really stuck it to the man. I've decided I will never be skinny, so why bother trying. In fact, let's just go to the other extreme. If I can't be the skinniest person I know, well then, by God, I'm going to be the fattest. Mission accomplished.
Sigh.
Tomorrow, by request, I look at why skinny people make me nervous. It's Self Loathing Week here at Casa Lawn Mower. Pull up some issues and enjoy.
I've been up since 6AM.
We have no heat.
The men that know how to fix our heat aren't in yet.
It's 11° outside.
Update (10 A.M.) : We have heat! It's still cold as heck in here, but it's beginning to warm up. We're up to almost 50 in the living room!
Instead of watching the new episodes of Lost, LMK and I decided to watch the USA / Mexico friendlies game. We'll watch Lost on a night when LMK isn't zonked and can enjoy it.
Normally, I would be slightly miffed that we watched SOCCER instead of Lost, but the game was actually really good. It was fun to sit with my husband and watch soccer. We even took a page out of The College's men's team. After a really bad call, I couldn't help myself. "Let's boo at the ref! Booooooooooooooooooo" Heh. Maybe you had to be there.
I laughed when LMK yelled, "Albright, you're killin' me." in the second half. I wonder how many times he's said a variation of that on the sidelines for The College. He correctly called who was going to be subbed and where the new players were going. It's actually fun watching the games with him. He loves the game so much it makes those around him enjoy it too.
Finally, he came through with a funny. Please remember, when I married this man he was incredibly serious. Four years spent around my mother seem to doing him some good.
LMK: "A goalkeeper with Tourette's syndrome?..............How can they tell?"
5:39 A.M. - Silence in the Lawn Mower castle. Save for a lone fan whirring on low.
5:40 A.M. - The lone fan's whirring changes. LMQ awakes with the feeling something isn't quite right.
5:41 A.M. - Loud, consistent snores erupt from LMK in his 'Den of Seclusion' (a.k.a. The Loud Room...far away from The Quiet Room where LMQ is sleeping). LMQ rolls over and tries to go back to sleep.
5:45 A.M. - The soft whirring ceases as all power goes out in the castle.
5:46 A.M. - "Craaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaap," says LMQ. "Did we pay our electric bill?" she thinks. She decides to stay in bed until the downstairs clock chimes six. Then she will get up, wake up LMK, and inform him of the situation. It's his birthday afterall. Let him sleep in.
5:51 A.M. - LMQ tiptoes out of bed and checks the neighboring castles for light. She notices that the village seems unusually dark as well. She tiptoes toward the 'Den
5:52 A.M. - En route to the 'Den of Seclusion' LMQ steps on His Royal Highness Ollie's tail and stumbles.
5:53 A.M. - LMQ continues down the hall cursing HRH Ollie as she goes.
5:54 A.M. - LMQ wakes the snoring LMK. He sits straight up in bed exclaiming, "What? What's wrong?"
5:57 A.M. - After briefing LMK on the situation, LMQ is sent back to bed where it is warm and she won't trip over something.
5:58 A.M. - On her way back to bed, LMQ trips over HRH Ollie yet again. She shakes her fist in his general direction before crawling back into bed. LMK is checking the windows to see if other castles are without power.
5:59 A.M. - LMK proceeds carefully down the slippery steps he slipped down over the weekend, while LMQ holds her breath and waits for the sound of him bouncing down the steps.
6:00 A.M. - LMK locates a working flashlight and brings a lighter back upstairs to LMQ. He lights a candle so she has some light in the bedroom. Then, LMK peers out the window uptoward The School to see if they have power. They may not have snow days, but what will they do with no electricity.
6:03 A.M. - LMK confirms that there are no lights at The School and that he starting to see some flashlights bobbing around.
6:10 A.M. - After several minutes of discussion, LMK decides to attempt to shower and get ready for work. After he is dressed in work attire he will walk up to work and see what is going on. He shall report status back to LMQ.
6:34 A.M. - LMK leaves for work. On his way, he takes out the trash. Good LMK.
6:55 A.M. - LMK returns and reports that it must be a county-wide blackout as colleagues from the country are reporting no electricity too. He decides to get something to read and return to the school to see what is going to happen for the day.
6:57 A.M. - LMQ can't help lying in bed thinking, "If I'm going to be in a house with no heat, I should really just stay in bed where it's warm. However, if it's going to get cold, I should really put the flannel sheets on the bed."
6:58 A.M. - LMQ ponders getting out of bed to change the sheets.
6:59 A.M. - LMQ snorts at the thought of getting out of her warm bed.
7:00 A.M. - LMK gets ready to head back to the school. Before he leaves, LMQ calls him into the bedroom for one last message. "Happy Birthday, honey."
Happy birthday.
NoVA Observations
#8 - Kids love these Heely things.
I had never seen a pair of these shoes until we moved to NoVA. Now, they're everywhere! I'd like to think that we didn't live in the middle of nowhere when we lived in Ohio. I mean, we could be in Cleveland in under an hour and Columbus in under 3.
Is it me, or are these shoes just the epitome of laziness? You're too lazy to WALK so you roll around on roller shoes. Seriously, you've got to be kidding me.
Evidently, I'm not the only one annoyed by these shoes. Signs are also popping up in all the store windows, "For the safety of our customers, please do not use Heely's in our store."
Check out observations #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, and #7.
Long time readers will remember the fuel oil saga from when LMK and I moved into the new house.
After the new year, we went down to the company to get into the system and establish a budget plan. We discussed the situation with the new accounts woman and decided that instead of beginning the budget plan in January (halfway through their year) and having to pay for a year's worth of oil service in 3 months, over $300 a month, we would hold off on oil delivery until their new budget year started and go from there. She said we should be fine for the rest of the winter and to call if we needed more oil. Fine with me.
Imagine our surprise last week, when the school received a bill for a fuel oil delivery at our house. Um...exsqueeze me? Evidently, the company delivered fuel oil on the only weekday all month where I have been out of the house. Doesn't it just figure. After some calling around we discovered that is has something to do with the school and that these monthly deliveries will continue unless the school tell them not to come. Well...goody! Fine, it's a $150 bill we weren't expecting every month, but I won't have to worry about us running out of heat. We'll survive.
Crisis averted.
Hahaha! Fate, you evil bitch, you were just messing with me, weren't you?
Yesterday morning, I went down to check the mail. I saw a piece of paper stuck into our door. "Interesting," I thought as I pulled it out of the door, "I wonder who is selling what."
No one was selling anything. It was a bill. A bill for a fuel oil delivery.
FROM A DIFFERENT COMPANY!
For more than the last bill! After the lightheadedness passed, I started noticing other things. Like they put in almost 15 gallons more than the company that filled it up on the 18th and that the customer name was not mine, nor was the address. We're in the process of getting it handled...but I'm thinking we've got ANOTHER oil bill to pay.
Never a dull moment, `round here. Never.