Somebody pinch me!

I’ve not been blogging in quite a while.  But, having the opportunity meet P-Dub was so exciting, that I had to share it with everyone I could, and it’s too dang cold to shout from the rooftops!

Ree was in Austin last night at Book People for a 7p signing.  I went straight from work and arrived at 3:30 to find people already there!  The crowd was still very manageable, though.  We all waited in line for our wristbands, and then they announced that Ree would be able to do a 6p signing before her talk, and still do another signing after her talk to ease the crowds.

While waiting in line for The BFF, I met a couple nice ladies (and I suck, and failed to get her name – but she drove from pretty far away to come see Ree).

Life and This Site are

under construction … I’ll be MIA for a bit.  I am pretty busy and have lots I could share, but, I am not feeling super creative.

I’ll lurk on y’all.  Miss me.

I wish they made it able for me to swim …

GOTTA LOVE LITTLE BOYS

Two young boys walked into a pharmacy one day, picked out a box of tampons, and proceeded to the checkout counter.

The man at the counter asked the older boy, ‘Son, how old are you?’

Eight,’ the boy replied.

The man continued, ‘Do you know what these are used for?’

The boy replied, ‘Not exactly, but they aren’t for me.  They’re for him.  He’s my brother.  He’s four.  We saw on TV that if you use these you will be able to swim, ride a bike, and play tennis.  Right now, he can’t do any of them.’

You’re Invited!

to my itty bitty pity party.  It’s just me and the sad panda playing the world’s smallest violin for me.

I am a numbers gal.  My readership has increased like 500%, yet comments have decreased.   This is quite unexplainable.  I initially started this blog to keep in touch with my Mom and Dad – who have never been here because it’s “too confusing to find”,  (um, click a link and bookmark it).  But, since they have not been here, I like the community feel to blogs and chatting.

I don’t WANT to be a whiny butt, but, I am.  I’m sorry.  I’m not begging for forced comments.  I am just a smidge confused and had to share my confusion with you all.

Thanks for listening!

Friday Five

In the past year, I have learned a lot.  And some of it?  I wish I never had to learn!

1. Our legal system sucks: Good people and great parents lay their whole life out to a judge who with a whoosh of their hand and some sour milk strips it all away.  Absolute malarky!  What about 9 years?  What about reality?  What about fairness?
2. Sometimes you have to walk away: There comes a time in life when you need to realize that you are not all powerful (well, me at least) and you just have to support someone or something because you can’t fix the world or the people in it.
3. People are selfish: Along with #1 and #2.
4. No matter how much you plan, there is always something that can tip the balance:  This is a good thing in many cases.  And, can be even at the times you think it sucks butt.  You know why?  You use this to build and challenge yourself to maintain your strength, views, ideas.  Don’t let anyone break you down! I still wish that plans could be plans could be plans.
5. More jobs are being outsourced overseas . . . This is the suckiest one of them all.  Because no matter how good someone might be at heart, it seems that they are most often led by their bank account.

What have you learned?  Good or bad?

An Apple a Day

If you are lucky enough to have an Apple store near you and an 8-12 year old child … you should check this out.

Friday Fun!

Not sure what you all consider a Friday night full of fun, but, I will have my behind firmly planted in our big brown chair on Friday Night!

Season starter of So You Think You Can Dance, baby!  The show that introduced us to one of the most versatile and talented dancers I have ever seen, Neil Haskell.  I hope they bring him back for something this season … !

Noodle Knowledge

Last night when we were rushing around getting ready for tumbling, The Noodle says “e=mc^2 “.  Mag and I both look at her quizzically.  WTH?  She the goes on to explain what the formula means, the formal name, and the scientist behind the formula.  We were pretty impressed!

It’s always nice to see TN learning and excited about it!

Mii and the Wii

… well, not the Wii.

I have a step, and I aim to use it.  The Wii is kind of a beast to set up on our archaic TV and then if I want to exercise, I have an audience just watching me and my Mii.  Not so fun.  I decided that I might start using the step while we watch TV.  So far, so good.  I did 15 min on Sunday and 20 min last night.  I got hot.  I got sweaty.  I raised my heart rate.  I felt it in my lower butt muscles.  Wahoo.

TT: Sausage and Bean Soup

I am a huge fan of garbanzo beans, and Mag?  Not-so-much.  He thinks that this would be better with maybe a black bean, kidney bean, etc.  Personally?  I love the different texture of the garbanzo and cannelli beans.

Sausage and Bean Soup

Ingredients

• 2 Tbs Olive Oil
• 1 Medium Onion Diced
• 1 Bell Pepper Diced
• 1 Tbs Minced Garlic
• 8-10 Grape Tomatoes
• 1 Tbs Cumin
• 4 links of Sausage – sliced
• 1 can garbanzo bean
• 1 can cannelli bean
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 Tbs worsterchire sauce
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• generous toss of kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Heat a large pot over a medium flame.
2. Add the olive oil, onion, pepper and garlic.
3. Stir until the veggies are soft.
4. Pop the tomatoes and drop them into the pot with the cumin.
5. Simmer the veggies together for about 6-8 minutes and then add your sliced sausage. I placed the lid on the pot and left it alone while I checked on my garden … about 15 minutes.
6. Add the remainder of your ingredients.
7. Bring this to a boil, and then simmer for 25-30 minutes.

This can be spiced up by your use of sausage.  I liked using the grape tomatoes – it added a bit of zing, meaning I did not need to add lemon or vingar.

Enjoy!