My income tax refund has arrived and I have to take care of some maintainence problems. The ache in my upper back is unbearable so I'll be heading up to Rebecka Vauhgn this week-end.
And there is a grinding noise in my trusty Buick when I apply the brakes. This is not good. It just started but I know from previous experience this means new drums.
My nest egg will have to wait, because I'm not forgoing new bras!
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
The Test of Time
There are movies that I remember with great fondness from my youth and a few, when seen in my adult years, fall terribly short. Oh, Billy Jack (head bowed, fist in the air)you were my hero then, today...not so much. And the tears I cried watching Love Story, today I laugh at the corny dialog.
Is Animal House still funny? Yes! Is What's Up Doc? Maybe?
I went to Target after work yesterday with a list that included a yoga DVD. I've done yoga before and enjoyed the benefits, so I decided I needed to put it back into my routine. Of course, I made the mistake of looking in the DVD section, but there were none. They were with the exercise equipment.
But in the DVDs was a section labeled "Girls Night" and the movies were wrapped in pink. Lots of romantic comedies. But there, by it's lonesome, was one of those movies from my youth that I had truly loved. I stood there humming the theme song just looking at it, and I swear it's been 25 years since I last saw it.
Ice Castles.
It immediately went into my basket. And with the Olympics beginning tomorrow, what better time to watch it? I curled up on the couch, cat in my lap, wrapped in a warm throw, and watched Robbie Benson in all of his blue eyed beauty. And Tom Skerritt, full beard and all, looked amazing! Colleen Dewhurst!
I've never liked Jennifer Warren, and I can't help but wonder if it is because of her role in Ice Castles. Or is it just because she always played a cold hearted witch?
The only part that I found different now was the love affair between Lexie and the reporter. It creeped me out. I don't remember feeling that in my teens, but he had to be at least 30 to her 16! Yuck! And I couldn't help but wonder why her dad didn't plow him? I guess this movie was meant to appeal to teen-aged girls and they don't think about things like statuatory rape.
Am I glad I bought it? To quote Sarah Palin, "You betcha!"
Please, don't let this feeling end...
Is Animal House still funny? Yes! Is What's Up Doc? Maybe?
I went to Target after work yesterday with a list that included a yoga DVD. I've done yoga before and enjoyed the benefits, so I decided I needed to put it back into my routine. Of course, I made the mistake of looking in the DVD section, but there were none. They were with the exercise equipment.
But in the DVDs was a section labeled "Girls Night" and the movies were wrapped in pink. Lots of romantic comedies. But there, by it's lonesome, was one of those movies from my youth that I had truly loved. I stood there humming the theme song just looking at it, and I swear it's been 25 years since I last saw it.
Ice Castles.
It immediately went into my basket. And with the Olympics beginning tomorrow, what better time to watch it? I curled up on the couch, cat in my lap, wrapped in a warm throw, and watched Robbie Benson in all of his blue eyed beauty. And Tom Skerritt, full beard and all, looked amazing! Colleen Dewhurst!
I've never liked Jennifer Warren, and I can't help but wonder if it is because of her role in Ice Castles. Or is it just because she always played a cold hearted witch?
The only part that I found different now was the love affair between Lexie and the reporter. It creeped me out. I don't remember feeling that in my teens, but he had to be at least 30 to her 16! Yuck! And I couldn't help but wonder why her dad didn't plow him? I guess this movie was meant to appeal to teen-aged girls and they don't think about things like statuatory rape.
Am I glad I bought it? To quote Sarah Palin, "You betcha!"
Please, don't let this feeling end...
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Ina, You Let Me Down
Saturday night was movie night and, as always, we were standing around ogling the massive amounts of food we seemed to have for a few people. My friend Karen mentioned that she had made Ina Garten's Coconut Cake that day for her mother's birthday.
It planted a seed, mainly because I had purchased way too much coconut for a cookie recipe, so I pulled out my copy of Barefoot Contessa At Home and read through the recipe. I had everything I needed...5 sticks of butter and 1 lb of cream cheese. Oh, Ina, you are my hero.
I mixed up the batter and placed my two 9" pans in the oven at 350 as per the recipe. The recipe said to bake for 45 to 50 minutes, so I set the timer for 45 minutes. About 23 minutes into the baking, I began to smell the cake. And while it smelled wonderful, I've always followed the rule of thumb that if you smell it, it's done. I did not trust my instincts, however, and let it continue to bake.
I finally gave up and checked at the 30 minute mark and sure enough, the cake was no longer that lovely golden brown one likes to see on a cake, it was brown. The color of a vanilla wafer. I let it cool and iced it and took it to work yesterday. It was eaten but the small sample I tasted was very dry. Delicious, but dry.
Research of other coconut cake recipes show a baking time of 25 to 30 minutes. Oops! I suppose everyone is entitled to a mistake, but Ina, your pedestal is beginning to look a little shaky.
It planted a seed, mainly because I had purchased way too much coconut for a cookie recipe, so I pulled out my copy of Barefoot Contessa At Home and read through the recipe. I had everything I needed...5 sticks of butter and 1 lb of cream cheese. Oh, Ina, you are my hero.
I mixed up the batter and placed my two 9" pans in the oven at 350 as per the recipe. The recipe said to bake for 45 to 50 minutes, so I set the timer for 45 minutes. About 23 minutes into the baking, I began to smell the cake. And while it smelled wonderful, I've always followed the rule of thumb that if you smell it, it's done. I did not trust my instincts, however, and let it continue to bake.
I finally gave up and checked at the 30 minute mark and sure enough, the cake was no longer that lovely golden brown one likes to see on a cake, it was brown. The color of a vanilla wafer. I let it cool and iced it and took it to work yesterday. It was eaten but the small sample I tasted was very dry. Delicious, but dry.
Research of other coconut cake recipes show a baking time of 25 to 30 minutes. Oops! I suppose everyone is entitled to a mistake, but Ina, your pedestal is beginning to look a little shaky.
Friday, February 5, 2010
New Year's Resolution
Yes, we are already into the second month of the year, but I hate to announce that I'm going to do something and then fail the first week. The year 2010 is, for me, the year I accessorize.
This may seem small, but for someone who barely uses make-up, it's huge. I've pulled out my old jewelry and been through it, pulling out pieces I should be wearing. I've pulled out scarves, but put them back...my neck is too short and fat.
I bought a watch. I'm wearing it today. I haven't looked at it, but I'm wearing it. I'm also wearing a bracelet on my right wrist.
How and why did I decide to post this now? Well, let me explain the process. I was reading something on http://www.emailsfromcrazypeople.com by a graduate of the University of Alabama. This made me think of my brother-in-law's sister, Sonja (she's not crazy, but she is a UofA grad).
Sonja is one of those women that I think of when I think of "women in sales". Perfectly coiffed hair, perfect make-up, deep tan, fabulous wardrobe. And always great accessories.
I'd like to be more like her, but concealer, base, and powder is about as far as I go these days unless for make-up. I haven't had a tan in 30 years. My hair doesn't muss, I have that going for me. But I always look like a slept in my clothes. I iron them, steam them, whatever, then put them on...and they rumple. It's a family trait, my sister has the same problem.
But I decided that I could look more put together. I'm working on it. I'm trying. Ask me in a few months how it's going.
This may seem small, but for someone who barely uses make-up, it's huge. I've pulled out my old jewelry and been through it, pulling out pieces I should be wearing. I've pulled out scarves, but put them back...my neck is too short and fat.
I bought a watch. I'm wearing it today. I haven't looked at it, but I'm wearing it. I'm also wearing a bracelet on my right wrist.
How and why did I decide to post this now? Well, let me explain the process. I was reading something on http://www.emailsfromcrazypeople.com by a graduate of the University of Alabama. This made me think of my brother-in-law's sister, Sonja (she's not crazy, but she is a UofA grad).
Sonja is one of those women that I think of when I think of "women in sales". Perfectly coiffed hair, perfect make-up, deep tan, fabulous wardrobe. And always great accessories.
I'd like to be more like her, but concealer, base, and powder is about as far as I go these days unless for make-up. I haven't had a tan in 30 years. My hair doesn't muss, I have that going for me. But I always look like a slept in my clothes. I iron them, steam them, whatever, then put them on...and they rumple. It's a family trait, my sister has the same problem.
But I decided that I could look more put together. I'm working on it. I'm trying. Ask me in a few months how it's going.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Snow, Ice, and Really Weird Dreams
It started snowing about 10:45 Friday morning and my usual 15 minute drive took 90 minutes Friday afternoon. The highway was littered with vehicles, including a mail truck. We had 6" by the time I got home and was up to the undercarriage of my car by about seven that evening. Then came the sleet. Then more snow. Then more sleet. Then a little more snow. You could, in some places, not leave any footprints, just stand atop the frozen, icy snow.
Yesterday, the sun came out and melted a bit of the snow and ice, but not all. Then the temps dropped back into the teens last night, making the short trip onto the main highway and adventure. I skated through two stop signs, luckily there was no traffic.
My small city, population 30,000 has three snow plows. IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SOUTH! It amazed me that the larger cities don't have plows, but we do. Snow piled on the side of the road so high you can't tell if someone is coming.
I made a pecan pie. Not so good. I made chili. Excellent. I ate PB&J sandwiches and drank chocolate milk. I read a couple of books, watched a couple of movies. I had a great week-end.
And then last night I had a truly weird dream. I was trying to get to work and the roads were flooded. I was stuck in some sub-division and could not move, so I parked my car and grabbed my cat and the dog that was with us (still wondering why I was taking my cat and a strange dog to work with me) and began walking. I passed a house with huge, beautiful watermelons on the car port. I picked up empty water bottles that were strown around the street. I wound up at Martha Stewart's house. She was napping on the couch when I came in, but woke up in time to chastise me for the water bottles when I asked to put them in her recycling bin. I tried to explain that they weren't mine, but she didn't seem to want to hear. Then her daughter Alexis came in with a broom. I left soon after and made my way back to my car.
Is there anyone out there who can interperate dreams? I would love to know the meaning of that one.
Yesterday, the sun came out and melted a bit of the snow and ice, but not all. Then the temps dropped back into the teens last night, making the short trip onto the main highway and adventure. I skated through two stop signs, luckily there was no traffic.
My small city, population 30,000 has three snow plows. IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SOUTH! It amazed me that the larger cities don't have plows, but we do. Snow piled on the side of the road so high you can't tell if someone is coming.
I made a pecan pie. Not so good. I made chili. Excellent. I ate PB&J sandwiches and drank chocolate milk. I read a couple of books, watched a couple of movies. I had a great week-end.
And then last night I had a truly weird dream. I was trying to get to work and the roads were flooded. I was stuck in some sub-division and could not move, so I parked my car and grabbed my cat and the dog that was with us (still wondering why I was taking my cat and a strange dog to work with me) and began walking. I passed a house with huge, beautiful watermelons on the car port. I picked up empty water bottles that were strown around the street. I wound up at Martha Stewart's house. She was napping on the couch when I came in, but woke up in time to chastise me for the water bottles when I asked to put them in her recycling bin. I tried to explain that they weren't mine, but she didn't seem to want to hear. Then her daughter Alexis came in with a broom. I left soon after and made my way back to my car.
Is there anyone out there who can interperate dreams? I would love to know the meaning of that one.
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