Something New 2009

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!