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Should I have added my blog to my facebook profile? Probably not. I was okay with those of you near and dear to me in recent years seeing my ramblings. I think most of my long lost friends remember that I have a penchant for sarcasm and drama. Hopefully, they make the connection that, while my life isn't 24/7 bliss, I am a happy person with a great family. Military life is challenging. Moving is stressful. Making friends takes time. I know these things but that doesn't make a funny blog.

I wanted to give a fuzzy update to why I pick up stray cats. I only do this when I think of it, when the weather is good (rain ruins cats), and if I plan to shop at Winn Dixie rather than the base commissary. A couple of weeks ago I found several $10/$75 cats. The next week, when I went shopping, I had a lot of fun walking up and down the check outs, glancing at people's totals, and essentially, giving them $10. It was one of my good deeds for the holidays.

musing, grumbling, embarassment and a revelation...

...but they have nothing to do with each other.

Really

Any

Just

Even

I really use these words too much. It doesn't make any sense. I just wish I could quit using them. I don't even know how I got to be this way. Now the big kid is using them. Ugh. We're working on it together. She corrects me, which is as cute as it is obnoxious.

Do you consider pesticide and blank digital video tapes exotic? I've gone to the base store only 2 times in the past 6 months because they consistently don't have what I'm looking for. It's very close but not at all convenient. I am beyond frustrated. I want dead bugs and video of our kids at Christmas. Guess that's too much to ask. Bah humbug.

My debit card didn't work today at Winn Dixie. I was that lady, babbling, "I don't know why it isn't working," while trying not to look pathetic. It's payday. What the hell? I've been lazy and have used my debit card more than usual. Apparently checking won't pull from savings if checking is completely empty. This is why, normally, I only use cash. I use the debit card so infrequently, I don't even know the rules.

Why have I spent the last three years putting a flat sheet on the big kid's bed? She never uses it. By morning it has been kicked to the end of the bed where it dangles, inches from the floor. Today, I finally realized I don't have to put one on there at all! Duh! Let's see how long before I go crazy because the bed is incomplete.

fun finds at the library book sale

In The Clinic, by Eleanor Kay, R.N., you get an interesting peek into the 1970's view of health care. The chapter, Clinics of Tomorrow, predicts amazing facilities with, "...whole rooms, that can be lifted in and out of the building..." Wow! I can hardly wait! Lodged in the middle of this gem was a Scholastic Book order form from 1980.



Who wouldn't want to learn all about Farrah's beauty secrets in her unauthorized biography?? Want to know Travolta's dreams and desires? Don't delay! Order his illustrated biography now! You can get both for the low, low price of $1.25. It's a steal.



What the heck is this all about? Scholastic sold soft porn in the 80's?

snow? seriously?

I like moderate weather. California really is my kind of place. If not for the traffic, crime, high cost of living, traffic and traffic; I'd be chomping at the bit to move back. I became an adult there. My own place. My own bills. I met the Baron, fell in love, and got married. It's more hip and cool than my southern experience, for sure. They have mountains and ocean. I'll stop there with the comparisons. I don't want to anger any of those who feel a deep love for a specific region.

There is a roaring wave of nostalgia that overtakes me when I smell wood burning. Bonfires, fireplaces, and even brush piles being burned in fall; all make me homesick. Hot cocoa, chapstick, slippers, and fuzzy blankets are something I want in my life.

However, you can keep your 6+ inches of snow. It's nice to look at. The occasional snowman would be lovely. I think sledding is grand. I just don't want to drive in it. Black ice, sleet, tractor-trailers flipped on their sides on the morning news, and scraping ice are not for me. I enjoyed the flurries for two minutes yesterday. No more, please.

And yet, I want to move to Colorado. Also, did you notice I'm into lists today?

guessing game

We have a few vintage Little Golden Books from the Baron's youth. Frosty the Snowman, The Twelve Days of Christmas, etc. They sit in a pile of other Christmas themed books we put out every year for our reading enjoyment.

What does the wee one chant while jumping and pointing at the stack of books?

A) Tawny Scrawny Lion

B) "Rawr"

C) Mooze It

I am picky about movies. I prefer the kids watch "G" rated films. I find "PG" movies to have too much potty humor. They also tend to be laced with sassy comments and rude behavior. However, while the Baron was gone a few weeks ago I took them to see Madagascar 2. I thought ONE time, at the theater, wouldn't corrupt them for life, right?

Back to the game, if you answered "C" you'd be correct. Why does she chant Mooze It, you ask? Isn't it obvious?? Madagascar 2 has a lion character. The lion character and his friends dance to "I Like to Move It." Therefore, lions and zebras are Mooze It. She doesn't ask to see Big Bird. She doesn't care about Mickey. She just wants to look at the lion.

6' 2" tooth fairy

The big kid lost her first tooth last night. The Baron tried to creep in and do the switch but she woke up. He played it off, asking if her mouth was bleeding. Yeah, good job, freak her out why don't you? He eventually had to carry her and her pillow? to our bed, go back and turn the light on, do the switch, and then carry her back. I know it's cliche, but I can't believe how fast she is growing. The wee one is getting what the big kid is losing.

falling behind

I'm in a rut and can't keep up with things. What kind of rut could I be in, you ask? The kind of rut that makes one lose one's mind. I am in the middle of contemplating homeschooling the big kid. This would mean a lot of changes (all for the better if I can give in to them) in our daily routines.

I shouldn't even be uttering the words "home school" when I've barely scratched the surface. On to other things...

We made church windows. I don't have photos of the finished craft. The piles of delicate, colorful tissue paper make me happy anyway.



I used the mandoline/mandolin/Benriner again. I sort-of kind-of followed this recipe for Yukon Gold Potato Gratin. It was good. It may have been better with a stronger cheese.



This is proof of how very different the wee one is from the big kid. The big kid never differentiated between bread and crust. The wee one is a finicky eater.

doubles, yo

Got a Kmart? Get thee there! They are doubling coupons up to and including 2.00. It's an amazing savings that can even make for FREE items. For example I found Kotex pantiliners for $1.29. I had a .75/1 coupon.

1.29
-.75 coupon
-.54 coupon doubled up to the price of the item
= Free pantiliners

Betty Crocker cookie mix is 10/$10. I had .40/1 coupons. Frosting is 2/$3. I had .50/1 coupons. You automatically get $1.00 off when you buy (WYB) 5 or more items.

1.00 cookie mix
1.00 cookie mix
1.00 cookie mix
1.00 cookie mix
1.50 frosting
-.40 coupon
-.40 coupon
-.40 coupon
-.40 coupon
-.40 coupon doubled
-.40 coupon doubled
-.40 coupon doubled
-.40 coupon doubled
-.50 coupon
-.50 coupon doubled
-1.00 WYB 5 Betty Crocker
= .30 for all of the above

The cookie mix will come in handy for making cookies for school or when the big kid is bored and I'm to lazy to dig out Granny's recipe.

happy thanksgiving

I am thankful for so much. Even if I do live a bland, blah life here, I have been blessed. I hope everyone has a wonderful day.

keeper - only because it's small

I finally got around to using the Benriner today. I picked up a few round-ish sweet potatoes yesterday in anticipation of the experiment. I'm not sure this dusty gadget actually felt loved, more than likely it just feels used.

I am a clutz. I used a hot pad to hold the potatoes initially. Once they were smaller pieces, I switched to the guard.


Here they are, all nice and uniform in thickness.


Ready for a little flavor addition.


The big kid sprinkled them with cinnamon sugar (maybe they did feel the love?)


I had to fight the kids off to take this picture.


They weren't all crispy. Many were chewy. Some were overdone. Usually, baking on stone helps prevent some of these issues. I'll need to dig around and find another recipe. For now, this is going back in the cupboard. Thankfully, it isn't very big. Perhaps it's more of a summer salad and slaw tool, in my kitchen.

rethinking my shopping addiction

With the new year just around the corner, I am doing a self evaluation of my coupon and stockpiling habits. My standard was to buy 4-6 papers. Always an even numbers in case of a buy one get one (BOGO) sale. I mainly focused on drug stores for the health and beauty aids. I would guess my current HBA supply will last me 2 years. At this point, I really could lay off on the CVS and Walgreens deals.

Since my yard sale didn't go as I'd hoped, I think my buy-extra-to-sell strategy is moot. I made approximately $100. It really should go towards the purchase of a chest freezer. That way, I can focus on food stock. I do worry about hurricanes and random power outages, though.

I'll try to get rid of the rest of my excess HBA at the spring yard sale. Until then, I'm going to limit my drug store shopping to money makers only. Frees will be fine if it's something I need.

Last thought on this, I may switch to only purchasing the coupons I need from clipping sites and HCW. There are so few coupons for foods that aren't crap, no point in having 90% of them go unused. Without the drug store coupons, the paper isn't worth the purchase price

fragrance review

That is a laughable title. Anyone who knows me well, knows I am not a fragrance and beauty aficionado. However, I recently made my annual cosmetic purchase from Sephora. I chose the little fragrance samples for my free gifts. Included was Kenzo Amour eau de parfum. I purposely didn't look up the expert desciption. I wanted to post my impression before verifying what the undertones and notes are supposed to be.

My description: A light vanilla scent followed by the pungent aroma of play-dough.

Now, I'm going to look up the real description.



Kenzo Amour

Kenzo introduces a soft, sensual, serene fragrance with a woody, musky scent. Olfactory evocations of travelling through Asia, with memories of India, Indonesia, Japan, Burma, and Thailand. Lovely places, filled with vibrant colors and aromas.

Notes:
Frangipani Blossoms from Bali or Borobudur, Cherry Blossoms from Japan, Tanakha Wood, Incense, Thai Rice Steam, Vanilla of La Réunion, White Tea from China.

Style:
Soft. Sensual. Feminine.

Hmmm, no mention of play-dough. Know what's funny? I really like it! The play-dough smell goes away once it's on my body.

slow today, better luck tomorrow

We made $65 today. I hope to make twice as much tomorrow, at the least. Here's my mascot, the creepy toy guy I found half buried, face first in the yard, when we moved in. He normally sits on the kitchen windowsill. He's enjoying the setting sun shining through shampoo and body wash bottles.



Things that sold:

kid themed band-aids
razors
olay body wash

Stuff nobody wanted:

Pert
Stayfree pads

toothpaste and razors and pert, oh my!

Tomorrow is the big yard sale around these parts. I have a lot of health and beauty stuff I'm putting out. I'll try to get a picture in the morning. I'm hoping to make enough to get new phones for Christmas. If not, I'll dump the money in Paypal to fund my coupon/insert habit.

I would love the chance to look around for kid's clothes, too. I've been to some local resale shops and Goodwill but they are relatively expensive. Especially the resale shop. I can buy stuff on sale combined with % off coupons NEW for less than they want for used.

I'm doing terrible with my kitchen challenge and nobody else has jumped in either. :(

truly a blah day

Don't know why, it just is. We went to a fundraiser dinner for the big kid's school last night. That was nice. We had conversation with other adults. Before dinner we drove a short way along the coast and stopped at a "closed beach" because I was itching to see the sunset. They've been so pretty lately. This is totally manipulated by increasing the contrast using the color curves in PSE6. I promise I did it only to make it look as it did in person. It's amazing how someplace that makes me so miserable can have such beauty.



I'm working on my recipes for the kitchen challenge. How about you?

challenge: love your kitchen gadget(s)

After some thought, I am going to pick only one item to pamper this week. We are having a garage sale this weekend and I need to resist the urge to toss a bunch of things in the pile. I've done it before. Then I ask the Baron where my M&M shaped cookie jar* went, forgetting we sacrificed it the year before.

I am going to make a point of using my mandolin. It was a much appreciated gift from a friend but I've found it cumbersome to clean. I'm a bit of a clutz, too, and washing it makes me nervous. I like having 10 fingers.

I am first going to read about my lovely Beriner mandolin. Then I'm going to hunt for recipes.

So, what are you going to dig out of your cupboards this week? Any plans for how you'll use it? Please post in your own blog and link back in the comments section. I hope we have a good turn out for this little challenge as I'd like to make it a regular thing.

*I do not, nor have I ever, owned an M&M shaped cookie jar.

heard it on the news

Walmart's sales are up because Americans can't afford to shop anywhere else. First, ::barf:: and second, it's just not true! I'll admit it's easier to shop at Walmart and not deal with coupons or looking at sales in other stores. It's not always cheaper. One of the things I've loved, since I started clipping coupons and paying better attention, is that I rarely shop at Walmart anymore. That place is nauseating. It makes me feel like I'm drowning in light and noise. Even the wee one "oooh's and ahhh's" when we enter the plastic palace. She's familiar with the quaint, cozy surroundings at our favorite Walgreen's or Winn Dixie.

If the general public wants to believe Walmart is the best and cheapest option, okay with me. It gives me better odds of stalking the deals around town.

i want this

Reusable Bags has some great stuff and a lot of it is on sale!

little oatmeal date bites

I had three bags of dates (now I have two) that will expire this month. I got them (of course!) on sale for .99 and couldn't pass them up. They were too dry to eat out of hand. Nothing like the dates I used to buy in bulk at Down To Earth.

I went searching the WWW for recipes with dates and banans (I got a giant bunch for .39 because they were speckled.) I found this recipe for Healthy Banana Cookies. I read some of the reviews, made a few adjustments, and was very pleased. They get the wee one's approval.

I baked them on my Pampered Chef stone, in case you are wondering why my pan is so dirty.

My adjustments:

1/4 cup (measured whole) ground flax seeds

1/4 cup honey

1/2 cup applesauce in place of oil

want a challenge?

There must be somebody reading this because I see some of you have opted to follow my boring blog. I am proposing a kitchen challenge unlike most others.

In doing my regular Thursday kitchen cleaning, I've come across little treasures. Poor, neglected gadgets and novelties, covered in dust, live among my beautiful Fiesta. I want to make them feel loved. I already know which THREE items I am going to liberate next week. I challenge you to find at least one, maximum of three, of your own unattended cooking do-dahs and give them life. I'd love pictures, but a simple explanation in the form of a comment will work.

I'll post a reminder on Monday, which is when I am starting the challenge (and so are YOU.) I'll take snaps of mine, sitting sad and alone, as well as in use. I'm issuing a BOLO for fondue pots, bread machines, pasta makers and the like! Please, be my friend and participate.