Food, TV, and Me!

In my last post, I gave a much deserved nod to the casserole. I think its one of those under-appreciated meals that is often rather tasty. Yeah, sometimes, a dud comes along - but, all in all - a one dish dinner is a family best friend. Throw whatever you have together, sprinkle with cheese and bake - VOILA! Dinner is served!
Of course, I like to cook other things too, and my friends and family say that I'm really good at it.
Heck, my eldest son even tells me that I should try out for "Hell's Kitchen" or "Top Chef". My husband and I joke that even though I could run circles around some of the "Hells Kitchen" contestants - I wouldn't do well against Sensei Ramsey...I couldn't stand all of the yelling and would ROAST him (believe it or not, I can have a bit of an attitude problem). If you were to ask my husband - a better show for us would be: "The Biggest Loser". He claims that my cooking has made him fat.
Over the years, however, I have made consistent efforts to eliminate the sauces and limit the cheese (which isn't easy in this day of modern convenience). I have succesfully reduced our fat and carb intake tremendously, and believe strongly that his waistline has more to do with other things! I have learned 755,000 different ways to make turkey breast, steamed broccoli, and stopped buying bread....
Maybe, "Survivor" would be a better show for us? Imagine what beans, rice and a lot of nothing would do for the wasteline?????
I must confess though, with returning back into the "real" world (working outside of the home), cooking has become more of a chore than a hobby. The race to cook something fast and nutritious can become daunting (which again, makes the art of baking a casserole so appealing). I mean really - you can only eat so much boneless / skinless chicken breast before you need to call in Bobby Flay! Besides - I like to be creative - and sometimes, it takes time to be creative. Much more time than what is allowed in a typical evening meal (which is where my husband says that I would have difficulties on "Top Chef").
Enter: The "Iron Chef"....secret ingredient: chicken! Throw in some cooked Rice A Roni (any flavor), some sauteed boneless / skinless chicken breast (cubed), sauteed onions and garlic, and some frozen peas (sauteed mushrooms optional), sprinkle with cheese and bake for 10 minutes....and there you go: CASSEROLE!
Okay, so at home the Iron Chef gig doesn't really work - 'cause you only have yourself to battle. So we (the collective "we", meaning me) took it on the road! Last year during our annual camping trip, we hosted a Iron Chef Campfire Battle. We were surprised by the quality of our dishes - even though many of us wound up cooking in the dark! We had Battle Appetizer, Battle Side Dish, Battle Main Dish, and Battle Dessert. There I learned, that my husband can also be rather creative! He came up with an amazing salmon quesadilla that the family still raves about!
Hmmm! I think that the next time my hubby complains about his waste line, I will send him to the kitchen...so that he can create the "casserole" - while I put my feet up and see how fast I can scroll through the channels on TV. Hey, it's an idea that just might work!
Move over Alton Brown, Betty Crocker, and Paula Deen - it's hubby's turn! Okay, so, maybe then we would also need a little help from Oprah and Dr. Phil...and then we can create our own show...The Biggest Loser Chef Survivor, Gladiator Style!

The Proof Is In The ...Casserole?

Sorry that I haven't written for a while - I have been busier than a one-armed wallpaper hanger!
I started work at my new job (the one outside the home). I'm working on organizing my eldest daughter's May Bridal Shower and June Wedding. Trying to keep up with the never-ending load of housework and chores (Aaaargh!). Trying to spend time with my family (There is never enough time for this). Trying to be supportive of my son's middle-school track endeavors, and prepare for his graduation. I'm organizing Mothers Day, Planning Fathers Day, and the Twins Birthday. I still don't know if we are losing the house or not and if that wasn't enough - I now have the flu (but at least the kids don't)! and there is always the and so on...and so on, and so on...
One thing is for sure - being a mom, the work never ends and you eventually become a multi-tasking wizard. Being a "Working" Mom, however, means that the work never ends, no matter how creative you are (or aren't) - creativity becomes your friend, and YOU ARE a multi-tasking genious! Don't believe me? Just who do you think invented the casserole? Yeah, sure the casserole goes back to the old caveman days - but it was still a busy woman who threw it all in the pot! (I'm kind of in one of those feminist moods...now that I'm bringing home some bacon!)
For fun, if you really want to learn more about casseroles, check out this site: http://www.foodtimeline.org/foodfaq.html#casseroles. Got any yummy casserole recipes to share? Let me know!
Anyhow, there is so much that I want to write about - so much to say...But instead of turning this babble rant into a book...I will go off - individually! And I will begin with...

When Life Hands You Lemons Award and More!

Yay Me!

I am proud to accept my

"When Life Hands You Lemons"

Blog Award from Minka at

http://stirringmythoughts.blogspot.com/

(Minka's Top 10 are great sites to visit

and read too - check them out!)

***

The terms and conditions set out for this award:

1) Put the logo on your blog or post.

2) Nominate at least 10 blogs that show great attitude or gratitude.

3) Link to your nominees within your post.

4) Let the nominees know that they have received

this award by commenting on their blog.

5) Share the love and link to the person

from who you received your award.

...And these are my 10 nominees -

ten authors that I enjoyed reading!
Some made me smile, some made me sigh,

most I simply enjoyed reading.
All with vivid pictures, ideas,

and just great things to share!
Take a peek!

Angle and point of view
Unfortunately, I do not speak the language of this site, but the
photographs are amazing...and they alone speak a thousand words!

As Seen On TV - Should You ...
I liked this site, because it is informative (in a comical way)

on all of those absolute, wonderful products that

you've just got to buy from TV -

It's like trying without buying!

Be-More-Effective
Sure this author is a salesman, but much of his motivational writings
translate into everyday home and business life. Pretty uplifting....

bella's grace
This writer is a very clever momma for sure!
You've got to check out the bumble bee cupcakes!

eulogeo
Religion comes in many forms and perceptions...and although,

this author is very spiritual, their writings are comforting

and their pictures are breathtaking!
Very uplifting site!

Regardless of your religious point of view.

Homecooking
Food - Glorious Food!
This site has some pretty amazing recipes and ideas.
Surely there is something for everyone here

My Photos
The photos are great, the comments correspond in a great way!
When you visit this site, you will understand...

Nush Designs
Art and design come together here in a wonderful way.

Lots to see and experience!

Ten Four
Another fun cooking site...this one shares recipes, thoughts,

and ideas for feeding a family nutritiously -

against the odds of the economy. Great concept!

the small joys: it's all ab...
This site has a little of everything about anything!
Very eclectic - but certainly there is something here to please everyone...

Okay, I am fairly new to Blogspot and didn't have a pre-planned

attack on my selection of great sites....

I scoured Blogspot for "My" top 10, for a long time.

It was harder than I thought it would be.

There are a lot of sites out there that are beyond my realm of

understanding, and many from around the globe

(I couldn't understand the language)...bummer!

Anyhow, I did find my "10" and more -
since I couldn't narrow it down, I thought I would share my top 11...
The ten above, and the one just for fun bonus site below!

The Custom Wallpaper Blog
Maybe it is my generation -

I've never been a huge fan of "wallpaper",

I can't get the 1970's and 1980's patterns out of my head...

that was until this author breathed a new perspective on an old idea.

This site has great pics and great commentary!

Each of these sites have something amazing to offer,

I hope that you visit them and can find what I was able

to appreciate in each of them! Enjoy!

When life hands you lemons...make lemonade!

Moving, Moving, Moving....no you're NOT!

As a seasoned adult, I have learned over time, that one of the most dishonest businesses out there are in the moving / relocation industry. I'm not saying that all movers are dishonest or that all companies are not reputable - just that there are an awful lot of them out there that are rather...crooked.
Over the years, through my own experience and through hearing the horror stories of others, I have learned that when it comes to hiring a moving company (renting trucks, especially) you must dot every "I" and cross every "T". Read the contract and if it "smells" funny - don't be afraid to just walk away.
So, when my daughter planned to relocate and searched for a moving truck, I did what any mom would do...reminded her to read the contract. Reminded her to check the truck over - check the gas levels and mileage. I advised her to purchase their insurance (or they WILL blame every bump & bruise on you). I thought she would be okay. She has a good head on her shoulders.
Thankfully she does, or perhaps, she would have been taken a lot worse than she was.
When she arrived at a Budget Rental location in California, she quickly learned that the terms that she was quoted on the phone were different than what they stated over the phone. Uh oh - the bait and switch. She argued with them for the rate she was quoted and was told that she would have to contact the corporate office - that there was nothing they could do. She needed a truck and moved forward. She looked over the truck and thought that she had everything covered. Then she left the lot to go fill the empty tank. It was here at the gas station, after she filled the tank - when a passerby informed her that her tail lights were not working. Well this seemed rather dangerous - more so, since she would be travelling a great distance at night. So she went back to the Budget lot and asked them if they could change the bulbs. They told her they could not, that she would have to take the truck as is. This is were my daughters level head comes in...she argued back with them that it was not safe and that she wanted her money back and she wanted to be reimbursed for the gas. Again, they told her that they could not - she was stuck with the truck. She was told if she had issues: contact the corporate office. Finally, after challenging the legality and safety of driving a truck with no tail lights, they agreed to give her a different truck. Again, the gas tank was on empty, but now they had to reprocess paperwork and this is where it was discovered that they charged her card an additional $150. They assured her that it was returned to her account - it has yet to be (& they have told her that they wont even look into it until she forwards her bank statement to them!).
So my daughter completes her move and tries to return the truck to the location that she was told to take it to. Big surprise! It does not exist! My daughter locates another Budget location and returns the truck there and complains about the other branch. This location seems sympathetic - but doesn't help.
Upon returning home, this is where she learns that not only did Budget not return her $150, but that now someone is using her card fraudulently. They stole her card information and are making charges all over town!
My daughter starts the process of cancelling the card and the beginning stages of filing for fraud. Would you believe that even when she went into her bank (Wells Fargo), they told her they could not help her: that she would have to call their customer service number!
This is just the beginning of cleaning up this mess - but I want to know...What the heck is wrong with people? Why is it "okay" within a persons conscience, within a persons soul - to screw over someone else? Why is it that moving companies have a reputation of being slimy and no one does anything about it? Why is it okay to steal a persons identity? Where did this entitlement come from? What is going on with our society? And people wonder why businesses fail?
So okay, we wont solve the worlds problems today, my daughters bank account and moving issues wont be resolved today, but goodness - we can all certainly do our part to make this world a better place - couldn't we? Heck, customer service is NOT spelled with the Big F-U! Why do we accept this?

If nothing else...I can do my part and advise you to dot your "I's" and cross your "T's", especially when dealing with moving companies! If you ever find yourself needing to rent a truck, you must not go in thinking that they are going to take care of you, that you can trust them. Because they wont and you cant. You must go in with your eyes wide open and look for the ways that they are trying to take advantage of you and never be afraid to just walk away from the deal when you feel that "something" just isn't right. Afterall, if it quacks like a duck - chances are it probably is! So for me, my Golden Enema Award goes to: Budget Rental Company! Way to go!

Going Back to the "Real World"

The "Real" world...isn't that what they call it when you go back to work? You know, "joining the real world"... Getting up early in the morning to get showered and dressed, only to go spend 10 hours of the day with a bunch of people that are there for the same reason that you are (the money)...you know - the "real" world.

I was lucky, I was able to leave the "real" world for about four years. I started my own home-based business, battled an illness, became pregnant - with twins, brought them into toddlerdom, and now - now, it is time to strip myself of the baby food stained shirts, kick off the flip flops and get back into business. Yep, it's time to dust off the cape and return to my life as SUPER MOM!

Hmmm, but how will this be different? At home, I balanced the check book and made sure that all of the creditors were paid on-time. I was a creative accountant. I managed all of the vendors, bringing them in when work was to be done and got my hands dirty when I needed to. I was a fantastic project manager. I counselled my teenagers through broken hearts and bad friendships - I was an awesome therapist. I organized the birthdays, the proms, and now a wedding - I am the best party planner in town! I bandaged boo-boos, froze bumps, and reduced fevers. I am a talented nurse and doctor. I created clever and tasty meals - Chef DuJour! I cleaned floors, dishes, laundry, floors, dishes, and laundry, and MORE floors, dishes, and laundry - I am a hard working custodian! I took one to track, the other to the movies, got groceries and put them away, changed diapers, made dinner all in a timely manner - I am an advanced multi-tasker and creative organizer. I am an avid photographer, a nimble seamstress, a coupon clipper, and damn good on the computer! I have held yard sales, organized fundraisers, and donated my time - I have given of myself and oh, so much more. So - how will the "real" world be different than this? The "real" world almost seems more of a break - a vacation...at least you get to go home at the end of the day! AND, and you get paid for it! Do you realize that is 30-40 diapers a week that I wont have to change!

So I have cleaned up my resume, and sent it on its way. Sure there were a few "I'm sorry, but your not qualified" responses...perhaps, I should have listed "parent" as my ongoing position - or maybe if they met with me, they would have learned that there is more to me than a few words on paper? c'est la vie - their loss. So I have mailed, and e-mailed, and waited. Finally - right during a battle with big green dinosaurs, I got the call. Am I ready? One moment please (as I turn the volume to "Happy Feet" down) yes, I would be happy to meet with you!

Going back to the "real" world this time, seems different. The outside work seems so simple. It's very similar to managing a family - only there are more relatives that "live" with you. My outlook is different too...it's not just the journey, but the destination. There are so many ways that you can make a difference in this world - at home, at work - at play. I think that I will be okay. Oh, I'll miss screaming down the hallways in a mad race for the finish - but, I'm sure I'll get to play the adult version of that in the "real" world.

The real hard part of this is leaving the kids. Will the nanny know that purple snot is indicative of a blueberry up the nose? Will she know how to easily get it out? Will she know how to perk up the teenager when he gets home from school? Will she know where the tickle-bees live and how to contact them?????

I know we'll all be okay. I won't be gone forever, just a few hours. I'm just going back to the "real" world. I'm dusting off my cape and will power through my day and then I'll return home to kill dinner, bathe the fishes, and stain-remove the laundry. But, I'm not going alone! I'm tucking the dinosaurs into my briefcase, just in case I need them! Watch out world! Here comes Momma!

What are YOU Grateful For?

During a conversation with my husband recently, he shared one of the most tragic stories that I have ever heard. I couldn't help but cry and I can't help but to share this with you now. It sounds too unbelievable to be true - almost like an urban legend. My hope is that by sharing this story with you, like me, you will be able to reflect on your own life and find things in it to be grateful for...
The conversation with my husband began something like "You are not going to believe this..." That day, he learned of one of his co-workers recent woes. The conversation began celebratory - she is pregnant with her first child and was in the unique position of sharing this joy with her brother – whose wife was also pregnant with their first child. They learned that their due dates were only weeks apart and planned how their children would be raised together. The brother and sister were very close and were excited that their children would be raised together.
Recently, however, the brother and his wife went on a weekend get-away - to celebrate Valentines. The baby was going to be born in a couple of months and they were going to get away for one last romantic weekend.
I am unclear on the timeline and am not certain if it was right after the trip, or during the trip, however, the wife became ill. Eventually, her fever became high enough that her husband took her to the hospital. She had MRSA, a super-bug Strep infection. They began treating her and discovered a problem with the infant. They prepared for an emergency c-section. The baby was born, but premature and not doing well.
The very ill momma got to hold the baby for a short time before the baby passed away. The new daddy got to console his wife for a few short hours before she passed away.
For obvious reasons, my husband’s co-worker is now having a hard time being around her brother. She holds remorse and embarrassment for her own pregnancy, something that should bring her so much joy. Her brother has lost so much. Their family has lost so much.
My husband’s co-worker went on to say that it all became really eerie at the funeral. In the church that the couple married in, only a year and a half earlier, they were all seated in the same seats as they were in for the wedding...
How can you not hear that story and not be grateful for having so much – even when your “a lot” is so little??? Life is hard. Lessons are hard. We shall overcome. We just need to be strong, especially when our loved ones can’t be. We need to have faith that everything will be okay - we need to find our silver linings and cling to them. We need to find hope where there seems to be none. This family has lost so much. We have so much to be grateful for...What things are you grateful for?

Floating Down the River of Foreclosure Denial

Recently, I had a conversation with a friend that said it was “admirable” of how my husband and I were able to hold our heads high and smile even though we are facing adversity. I explained that talking about our problems were the only way we were going to overcome that big river of denial we were floating down.
I explained that we are not the only family that we know that has been crunched by these hard times. We are not the only people that have fallen from middle-class to become the working poor. We are not alone. I explained that it is hard to talk about “it”, that we carry a lot of shame – but that the embarrassment will be less if our friends and family are aware of our situation in advance and not caught by surprise when our home is taken over by foreclosure.
I told her that, by sharing, we learned that 90% of our friends and family were in the same boat as us. They too are paddling with one oar, down a waterfall. “Still”, she said, “It is great that you are able to smile through it and joke”. I tried to reassure her that our everyday is not filled with joy – antacids have become dessert of choice (the tropical fruit flavors are great!). We worry, we argue – we are afraid. But we also realize: We have each other and our love, we have our family, we have our friends, and we have our health. These things can not be replaced.
We also know that for a long time we lived in financial gluttony, we are paying the price for our poor choices over money. We are in a position of learning important life lessons. We will never make these mistakes again, should we be fortunate enough to be “up there” again. And no matter what happens – we are role models for our children; the effect on them must be minimal. Their happiness is important. They must be touched minimally by this.
My friend looked down and straightened the bottom of her sweater, and quietly said, “We can’t get past the arguing. It’s hard. We know that we will always be together, but we are afraid of losing our house of losing everything.” This was her first step in admitting publicly that her family is in trouble; like us – they are proud. These are difficult times. What she didn't understand was that we already knew that they were in trouble, it wasn't a secret and she didn't understand that losing the house was not losing EVERYTHING.
We are fortunate to realize, that as bad as things are – we know that the worst is yet to come. This gives us an advantage of perspective. We have made peace with the possibility of losing our home – we have lost about $200k of equity in about 4 months. We can’t afford the upkeep, our bills, or the mortgage – our family has become too large for the home, our bills too large for our wallets. It would almost be a favor to be able to get out from under our house and be able to rent a larger house for a price less than our mortgage. But we are limbo – to keep the house or walk away???? This wasn’t a “flip”, this has been our home for almost 10 years. It is the family house – the place to come home to. It is filled with memories, filled with love – filled with blood, sweat, and tears. But it is not living and breathing – it can move on without knowing any difference. We can move on – we can survive this. We have each other and we have our health, after all….If you were to look at our “problems” with a different eye – a different perspective, you would see that they are really trivial in the grand scheme of things. So, as we float down this river - we will grab an oar and keep paddling! We will not sink - As long as we have eachother...We will not lose it ALL!!!