Something New 2009

I have, really. No, really I have. I have new recipes to share. A new concert I went to. New games I invented ( the 'Not-So Newlywed game!) But, alas time has gotten away from me. I promise I will discuss these things later but for now you will have to be satisfied with my list of strange things................. Ohh, Ahh............

We all have quirky things about ourselves but I am wondering if I have more that the average person. Off the top of my head:

• I will only drink milk out of glass glasses, no plastic. I just think it tastes better.
• When I get something out of a vending machine I try and make a work out so the number letter combination makes a word. For example, B4 or EZ. Sometimes it doesn't work. I want a snickers and it's in L7. But if possible its my goal.
• I have multi colored plates at my house. I won't eat on the brown ones.
• I have an aversion to food items that you don't chew. Pudding, applesauce, ice cream and the like - I don't know why.........
• I love , Love, black licorice. Not super weird but I seem to be in a major minority around here.
• If I have my choice I will always choose crushed ice over cubes.

So there you have it. I am sure I can come up with more but this list will have to do for now.

I have to wonder what possesses someone to do this. http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/crime/bal-md.briefs213apr21,0,1915669.story

What depths of dispair do you have to be in to follow through with this type of horrendous act.

She was a blogger and her last post breaks my heart. http://whatamisupposedtodonow.blogspot.com/

#16

So this is definitely something new. It all started with wanting to replace the light fixtures (nasty old track lights that seem to eat light bulbs!)

I found the fixtures I wanted.

Bought them.

Then thought, well, we really will need to repaint the ceiling or there will be marks from where the old fixtures were. Plus, we had a leak a while back the hubby fixed it and, well, let's just say the ceiling repair should not be on his list of potential job replacements. Then I thought - Stupid Popcorn Ceilings! I hate them.

As I looked to find a contractor that would come and repair them I bumped in to one of their wives. She said, " Oh no- you don't need him to do that. Just scrape off the popcorn and then paint it with the thickest primer you can find and then paint. It won't be totally smooth but will have a very light texture to it"

So we did.

Have you ever scraped popcorn off a ceiling. Don't.

The dust and mess we created rivals any other home project we have ever done! But we did look very stylish in out stocking caps ( so the popcorn did not get in our hair - duh!), protective goggles, and dust masks. Sexy!

Oh and by the way, I decided that this would be the time to paint the walls and freshen them up as well. Yeah - great idea.

We have yet to finish it all but I will tell you that the ceiling looks great. MUCH better than the nasty old popcorn. I can't wait until tomorrow to put the new light fixtures up!

Oh yeah - and my in laws are coming for a week starting Sunday........................ Nice time to start a project.

Well, it's the last day of March and I had better throw something up so I don't get totally out of the loop.

Hummmm, Something new......

Well,

#14 - Went to the state AAU Wrestling tournament in Des Moines this weekend to watch my 6th grader wrestle. That was something new I tell ya! 1200 boys ranging from 3rd grade to 8th grade (now there's a swing in development!) What a sight. Max did well going 5 rounds before getting bumped - not bad for his first state tourney. His best buddy also wrestled an walked away with the #2 spot - very impressive!

#15 - While we were in Des Moines we stayed at the Sheraton in West Des Moines. Never stayed at that particular hotel so I get to count it - right?

I really need to become more creative with my 'new things' I thought this would be fun and easy but now I feel stress. I'm sure the spring weather will bring new and interesting inspirations. ( Yeah, that's been the problem the gross, yucky, still hanging n there winter weather!)

Stay tuned new and exciting this coming your way!

So as you can tell from such an exciting title I have some more items to report. Sorry, they're not nearly as titillating as the last one!

#12 - I went to lunch with one of my co-workers. I know this sounds lame, but K. and I have worked in offices side by side for 5 years now and never gone to lunch - just the two of us. We have gone out as all of the office staff. Oh, and we have gone out after work for a snack and drink! But never lunch with just the two of us. Boring - I know, but new!

As for #13 - it's not really something I did as much as it is something I watched. My son competed in a youth district wrestling tourney this past weekend and placed 2nd. Yeah - now the fact that he placed 2nd was not a surprise. He has come in second to the same kid 7 times this winter - oh yeah, and it's his best friend. He is pretty excited and we now will travel to Des Moines for the state meet in two weeks. Yet again something new...............

Stay tuned!

I want to shop. Not only do I want to shop , but I want to shop for lots of stuff. clothes, stuff for the house, stuff for outside (yeah - I gots me the spring fever!) etc.

This is what is a bummer about living in a small town. don't get me wrong, I don't want to raise my kids anywhere else, but??

I'm a good 60 minutes from the nearest Menards, Hobby Lobby, Kohls, Wal-Mart for gods sake! Online shopping usually suffices but I want to browse, and touch things, and try them on...

Let alone any other specialty shops I may want to patronize. Oh well. I will consider this my savings plan.

Wow do I have some news. My husband and I just did something new #11 this weekend. Now, for those of you who may feel this is too much information you may want to look away. No, seriously, look away.

No takers? Alright you asked for it.

New thing #11. My beloved , by the book, follow the rules all the time, church going, God fearing husband.......................



Got a SPEEDING ticket on the way home from a wrestling meet on Saturday. HA! Yeah, Yeah, the car in front of us was not using his cruise control (What's up with that anyway??) and so when he decided to pass, guess who was coming? Yup, a beautiful gold car sponsored but the Clay county Sheriffs department.

What were the repercussions of this event - well. a $94.00 gift to Clay county courtesy of our house. You may not think this should be something new since it was not initiated by me - but hey - it's my game and I get to make the rules.
So there.

Wow - so much pressure. I know I said I would do something new every week but the pressure to post about it is crazy. "I would like to take this opportunity to apologize to all of my fans for the lack of attention to this blog." So there you go - all two (OK maybe three) of you.

Anyway - on to number 10.

#10 - Went to Cedar Falls and saw Jeff Dunham. Wicked funny. However, I have to say that some parents are super dumb! This was by no means was a kids show. Yeah, Yeah, I know he uses puppets, but he's a ventriloquist, not Howdy Doody! Come on people - any show that starts (and that's the opening act) at 8:00 pm is not appropriate for the under 18 sect.

The next night my sister and I went to see "He's just not that into you" I liked it. I know it didn't get the best reviews and some people said it drug on, but I thought it was very entertaining. Now, admittedly, I don't get out much so that may be the problem. But I thought it was well worth my 8 bucks (wait, my sisters 8 bucks she paid... BTW - Thanks Biz)

Well it is Friday so I will try and do something big this weekend to share with you all - just don't hold your breath.........................

So at lunch today I shared a story that had my lunchmates (is that a word? - Is now) busting a gut - so I'll share.

I go to the same convenient store on a regular basis to get a fountain Dt. Mountain Dew ( O.K. , like every day) The same clerk is always in there and we have developed a casual get-to-know-it-ness ( Wow another new one!)

As I was checking out yesterday she causally asked if I had graduated from High school with her brother. I replied, "I graduated from Alvirne High School in Hudson, NH in 1985" to which she replied "OH, never mind!" Well, I do have a younger sister in that graduated in this town - and I thought well gee, she is not that much younger so..... I said "My sister graduated from Algona High in 1992?" and she replied - "Oh, No, no no!" Now I am curious - much to my later dismay!

"When did your brother graduate?" "Well, I,m not really sure." "Well, then how old is he now?" (No Julie don't do it, why did you have to go there!!!!) "Oh, I'm not sure around 50"

WHAT!!!!!!

ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!

"I'm 41 years old!" "That's all?- I thought you were older" She is now back pedaling like mad. "Well, how old do you think I am?" "I don't know, 46, 47?" "Close, I'm 48"

Well goody, goody for you!

I weep.

Well, it's over - for now. We settled on the new washing machine - only. So now I have a different washer and dryer - and it's not driving me crazy at all that doesn't' match!!! I really need to get doors on the laundry area now. Not that I haven't been trying for some for the last 3 years.................

On a new note - I have done nothing new. I need help. I am glad that I vetoed my original plan of something new every day - Holy Crap - there is no way I am that creative. So Help. What are some new things I can do? Whenever I think of new things they tend to revolve around food - go figure. Try a new restaurant, a new recipe, etc. Whatever.

We are going out of town this weekend to Minneapolis to go skiing (not this mama - the kids and dad!) So I should have lots of opportunities for new places to go and shop - right?

Come on people - live vicariously through me - give me some goals - there has to be some liquor concoctions I haven't tried yet................

#9.
4-6 Minute steaks
One can of Italian diced tomato's
One package of Dry Onion Soup Mix
One soup can (or more) of water

Throw in the crock pot and cook on high for 5 hours or low for 8.

These were GREAT. Both my boys ate them - and that's saying something. We had with plain pasta and used some of the tomato mixture on top. (not the boys - ewww, tomato's!)

East and Yummy!

So, today I realized that I had forgotten to pay my car registration - from NOVEMBER! Yep - that's right I had to pay the penalty - great, there's and extra $20.00 bucks I won't get back just because I was an airhead and forgot!!

Then, this weekend our washer quit working (in the middle of a load no less). We called the repair people on Monday morning (they were at the house less that two weeks ago when it quit and couldn't find anything wrong - but said the drum was going bad.....) and were told that it would cost around $400.00 to fix (replace the drum) and they wouldn't invest that much in a 12 year old washer. Great.

So now the question is - get a new washer? What kind? Get a new Dryer? They should match right? But the Dryer works fine. But they wouldn't match. ARGHHHH!

Any advice anyone????????????

P.S. - I brought the one load that the washer quit on to work today and did it there. Ha - helps to work at a facility that has a washer and dryer. I told my boss that I would just bring one load a day and then I wouldn't need to buy a new one. He laughed - but I'm not really kidding...........

For the first time I am feeling inspired to help change the world! Maybe it's my age or the fact that I am finally paying attention but I feel like we just might have a chance!

Did you see that Michelle Obama brought a gift to Laura Bush for the Presidents coffee? The newscasters were honestly taken aback. I was watching NBC and they said that they have NEVER seen a new first lady bring a gift to the outgoing first lady/family in all their years. Go Michelle!! Setting yet another standard! (Don't most people bring hostess gifts when going to an event? I still usually do - Wow, maybe I am getting really old!!)

BTW - how long before we see the gold sparkly dress and matching long jacket in stores! (I have a black ensemble in that style - no sparkles - does that count??) Maybe I'll wear it to work tomorrow...........

I think that I get to count my newest (and only) follower as something new - don't you? I have not had a follower before - that I know about any way.......... so I am officially counting it!

#7. I have a follower!

Also, I received my box from Amazon.com. Is there anything better than getting packages! Once again my items came WAY over packed. That is somewhat of a pet peeve of mine, that these companies, trying to keep our goods safe, use gross amounts of packing materials to send small amounts of product - but I digress.

What was in the package you ask. Well, I'll tell you - it was number 8! I purchased these cool reusable 'grocery bags'. They fold up into their own little pouches so they should be easy to store in the car and get out when I go into the store. (I was using the excuse that I did not want to purchase those bags from a specific retailer and do their advertising for them. Besides, I would feel like a big ole dork with my Walmart Canvas bags shopping somewhere else.) I do admit that that will be the challenging part - the bringing them into the store part. I purchased 2 packages of 3 each ( maybe a little overkill - but my intentions are good!) Wouldn't you know it, I went to the store after work tonight (before going home and getting the mail) and managed to bring home 9 plastic bags tonight - don't worry Mr. Landfill, from now on you wont be seeing any more of MY plastic bags. In closing..........

#8. Purchased new reusable grocery bags

I was browsing through other peoples blogs trying to get inspired to be creative with mine and lo and behold - I looked to the right - and what did I see -could it possible be true - Oh my god, is this really happening to me - I HAVE A FOLLOWER!! I got a tingle up my spine and thought - I'm somebody (I was channeling Navin Johnson at that particular moment).

Well, hats off to you Biz for being a loyal follower - I have repaid the kindness and hope you feel as euphoric as I for the rest of the day!

#5. Had to travel to Mason City (about 55 mile west) for medical appointment on Friday. Returned home and loaded up the car again and went to Fort Dodge (about 50 miles south) for number 1's wrestling tournament! All told, I put on about 200+ miles on the auto!

#6. Went to Clarion on Saturday for number 2's basketball tournament. On the way there we stopped at the 'Goldfield Cheese Mart' - Yeah you read that right - the 'Cheese Mart'. I have driven by in many, many times but never stopped. Well, I can cross that one off the list. ( I must admit I was a little disappointed)

There is a snow storm supposedly moving into the area tonight. It may present me with some new opportunities!

Can I tell you how much I love being a mom of a pre-teen boy that is working full tilt on puberty already!!! Besides the mood swings, surliness, and acne woes - I get attitude on top!!! Yeah!

But **New Thing**
4. Cooked chicken breast in the crock pot for shredded chicken dishes in the future.

So easy -
1 bag of frozen chicken breasts - they range 6 - 8 in a bag.
2 cups of chicken stock
2 cups water
1 pkg of dry onion soup mix

Put in the crock pot (yes - frozen chicken don't trim or anything!) and cook on high for 5-6 hours (or low for 8-10). When done you can shred with your fingers. We made Quesidillas the first night. I froze 4 cups dry and had another container that I put the broth (skimmed of gunk) and and another 2 cups of chicken in and froze. I plan on some chicken and rice in the future!

That's it!

Wow - who knew being a blogger was going to carry so much responsibility! So I told my sister I was doing this and that one of my posts was that I made crock pot beef stroganoff. She said that I had better have that recipe on the blog because it ticks her off if someone is raving about something and does not share - so this one is for you Biz.

Crock pot Beef Stroganoff
2 lbs of stew meat, round steak or other beef cut into small pieces
2 T. Flour
1T. EVOO (just call me Rachael)
1 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 Can of Golden Mushroom soup
2 t. Worcestershire
1T. Dried Onions
1 Can mushrooms Drained
2 C. Beef Broth
3/4 C. Sour Cream

Toss meat in flour. Put EVOO in the pan and and brown meat. Put into crock pot. Put soups, Worcestershire, mushrooms and beef broth in crock put. Cook on low for 6-8 hours the last 1/2 hour add the sour cream. The longer you cook it the more tender the meat.

Serve over extra wide egg noodles.

YUM!

So finally after being a stalker for many months I decided to jump on the band wagon. More to track my new years resolution than anything else. I know that I have a fair number of blogs I check on a daily basis (No-I'm am not proud - just slightly addicted!) I am not sure if anyone will ever read this but then again I am sure some of my 'regulars' thought the same thing. So - my resolution. I here by resolve to do, try, experience, something brand new, minimally, once a week in 2009. So since we are in the second week of 09 already what have I done?

1. Played Wii rock Band
2. Made Crock Pot Beef Stroganof (YUM!)
3. Started this blog!

I plan on keeping track in this space so look out! New stuff coming your way!