So many books, so little time

In 2013 I joined the Goodreads Reading Challenge.  My goal was to read 50 books and unfortunately I only made it to 43.  November and December threw me off target.  Between a cold I had for more than a month and holiday preparations I just couldn't hack it.  2014 will be my year (hopefully in more ways than just 50 books).

Last year I read 14,052 pages, which was 3,320 pages more than 2012.  Fourteen books were eBooks from the Library, Amazon Prime's Lending Library (limited to one per month) or free books I've downloaded.  I've listened to five books on CD or playaways (love this format!).  The rest were normal (old-fashioned) books from the library.

I seem to prefer series.  I guess it's easier for me to read faster when I already know and am invested in the characters.  It's also easier for me to decide what to read next.  I get somewhat paralyzed when I have to pick a new book to read.  There are just too many choices. Without further ado, here are the choices I made for 2013.

Books I Read in 2013

The Hangman's Daughter series  kept popping up in the Kindle Lending Library.  I read some reviews that were positive, so I dove in.  The hardest part was waiting for the month to end so I could check out the next book in the series.  

This series is set in the 1600's based on a real family.  The central characters are the town's Hangman, Jakob Kusil, and his daughter, Magdalena.  A hangman and his family are considered untouchable, the lowest class citizens in a town.  But Jakob and his daughter are clever and have extensive knowledge about herbs, anatomy and medicine.  Jakob and Magdalena always seem to find shifty practices, deceit or corruption and have to solve the mystery before they get into (or find a way out of) dire trouble.

The next series of 2013 was the last half of the Sookie Stackhouse books.  These books are the foundation for the television show True Blood.  It is about a young woman who can read thoughts in a world where supernatural beings exist and are mainstreaming into society.  Sookies friends, family and lovers include vampires, were(wolves, panthers, tigers), shapeshifters, faeries ... I think I have them all.  The books are full of politics, betrayal, love, lust and war. Sookie grows up a little in each novel.  When we meet her in book one she is a small town hick who cares about nothing but sunbathing and waitressing in a bar.  She is thrown into an exciting and dangerous new world many people are not privy too and loses herself without realizing it.  She drifts from her friends, jumps into a relationship with nearly every man she meets and does other unsavory deeds.  Finally she matures and understands loss, painful decisions and being guided by duty and responsibility.  

At times Sookie frustrated me with her blind trust, simple nature and weakness when it came to men.  Sometimes it seems like the editing or writing is missing plot points, and more often than once the book has abruptly ended, just barely tying together the various complicated loose ends.  The books aren't all bad though.  I can read them in two days. Sookie is a likeable character.  She's simple,  but caring and kind-hearted.  In the end, she learns from her experiences and makes decisions that are right for her, and not just right in the moment.

My next series from 2013 were also quick reads and somewhat frustrating.  The numbered series from Janet Evanovich feature the bounty hunter Stephanie Plum.  Stephanie does her best, but her best effort usually includes a lot of luck ... sometimes bad luck.  Stephanie usually gets her skip - while uncovering a bigger mystery.  She's in an on-again off-again romance with the hot Detective Joe Morrelli and is in lust with the dark and mysterious former-bounty hunter Ranger.  These books have the same type of formula as Sookie -- Stephanie uncovers a mystery, fights with Morrelli, gets into trouble, is rescued by Ranger ... and just when things are heating up the book ends.  

The only heat in the Diane Mott Davidson books involves the oven.  These are culinary mysteries featuring caterer and amateur detective Goldy Bear Schultz.  Goldy's latest catering job always puts her in the path of a mysterious murder that somehow connects to her family or friends, so she feels compelled to get involved.  She's married to the town's premiere detective who is usually working the same case.  He tells her to stay out of trouble, and she usually is falling into one mess after another.

The remaining books of 2013 contain five series: You Suck and Bloodsucking Fiends by Christopher Moore (comedic vampire books), Son of a Witch (sequel to Wicked), Whiskey Sour featuring detective Jack Daniels, Opal Fire, a Stacy Justice (who is a witch) mystery and Inferno, the latest Dan Brown novel following the adventures of Professor Robert Langdon.

I also read The Help and Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close.  Both were good.

The other most notable book in this list was JK Rowling's Casual Vacancy.  If you're looking for anything similar to Harry Potter - don't even think of reading this book.  

This book had a lot of characters that were hard to keep track of and had a dark theme throughout ... with a lukewarm ending.  It wasn't a waste of time, but I wouldn't call it good.

As you can see, I generally prefer mysteries and light-hearted chick lit.  I enjoy more serious reads, but they take me so much longer to finish.

How do you choose what books you're going to read?  And what's your favorite series or book that I should read in 2014?

Does DIY Matte Nail Polish Work?

Pinterest is a great source for beautiful nail art designs and inspiration for the latest color trends.  I must admit, through browsing Pinterest I've fallen in love with and bought more nail polish in the past year than the past five years combined.

My nail polish hiatus is primarily because .... I simply didn't need it.  I have more than a generous supply.  Reds, pinks, purples, metallics - from the nude to jet black.  But with so much inspiration, I couldn't help but break out the colors and get creative.

There have been a fair number of new trends in nail art lately - swirled designs achieved by magnets and special polish, ombre (that you have to create yourself with patience), stickers (including the whole nail) and jewelry appliances.  The one that struck my interest was matte nails.  Remember back to middle school when you were bored in a certain class and colored on your nails with markers or highlighters   Matte polish creates a similar effect.

I wasn't finding any matte polish in the stores so this pin to create your own caught my eye.

Make Your Own Matte - Pinned from inthiscrazylife-bethany.blogspot.com.

This pin on the original web site came from a collection of tips, and this particular tip was found on a different site all together.  In order to make your own matte nail polish, you simply mix clear nail polish with powder eye shadow.  Just like that - any shade without an extra expense.  Talk about coordinating!  This tip worked - by mixing eye shadow and clear polish/top coat together the result was a matte polish.

However, I wouldn't recommend it.  First, to test it I initially mixed on a paper plate.  After I discovered it worked, for my second shade, I used an old eye shadow container lid. Storage is in issue.  I suppose if you're doing one color as a one shot deal there's no problem.  Come Thursday I had I chip and I wanted to keep the color the same, so I had to remix. I just wasn't properly stocked to store the polish - even enough for re-touches for any length of time.

Second, It takes a lot of clear polish to mix properly and it dries quickly --- and this wasn't even a speedy dry formula!  I never really mastered the ratio and I always had excess, wasting both the clear polish and the shadow.  I even tried mixing the shadow directly in the bottle of clear polish.  This just glopped up the brush and made it hard as cement.

After several tries I gave up, the technique works beautifully, but just wasn't the savvy savings tip I had hoped it could be.

Months later I came across a pin suggesting that I could create matte top coat using cornstarch and clear nail polish. Matte Clear Finish - (Credit: indulgy.com)
  

This technique, I would argue, did not work as expected.  I had  all the same problems with rations, gloppy brushes and sticky receptacles.  Initially it gave the undercoat a matte finish, but as it dried it gained a slight gloss.  I've since bought a matte top coat, which works well, and it leaves nails with a satin finish that is much more matte than the semi-gloss of the cornstarch trick.

My recommendation is if you have patience and don't mind wasting product, go for DIY.  Otherwise just buy matte from the bottle and skip the eye shadow, cornstarch and whatever trick they come up with next.

How could I have ever passed you by?

Back again to the 30 Day Song Challenge.  I swear I'll finish before I turn 31 (I hope).

It's Day 28 - A Song that Makes You Feel Guilty.

This song hit me on the way to work last week.  I was innocently singing along, even though I had only heard it once before, when I started to cry.  I could not believe the heartache and anguish I felt while absorbing the lyrics.  I haven't been able to listen to it since without choking up, but I think it may be my favorite song from the album.

bulletproofAngel, The Goo Goo Dolls, Magnetic, 2013



This song is from the Goo Goo Dolls new CD, just released last week (thank you 2 day delivery Amazon Prime). The first time I listened to this song I really didn't like it.  I'm not quite sure why, but the first impression just didn't do it for me.  But when I actually listened to the lyrics, it completely changed my perspective.

This hits my emotions in so many places.  First, the message I pull is that there are so many people in our world--whether it's your neighborhood, workplace or community--that we don't notice or don't take the time to hear their stories.  There have been plenty of times that I have felt unfairly judged because people don't know me or know my situation.  I certainly know I'm guilty of the same.

The second primary message of this song for me revolves around mental health issues and under-served populations.  Here Johnny spins a woman in poverty (who is probably there because of untreated mental health problems) to an enlightened soul who sees the truth.  It's certainly a romantic view, but it also breaks my heart.  We are so unequipped as a nation to help the masses that struggle.  We don't value the general well-being of the working poor (or even middle class, but that's a blue post for later).  Years ago, when I started in the nonprofit industry, it was generally agreed upon by agencies in my town that most public agencies could not recognize a person afflicted with mental health issues (and no, it's not always as obvious as hearing an invisible choir).  Now, unfortunately due to the economic downturn and rise in gun violence, mental health issues have become a talking point, but little more.

This song makes me feel guilty because I'm happy and healthy and comfortable in my life.  I've worked hard to get where I am, but I know there are so many people around me struggling for so many reasons.

I will never be able to do enough to solve the world's--or even one person's---problems.  And sometimes I simply don't have the emotional energy to listen or try.

Day 29 is A Favorite Song from Your Childhood (no guarantees of when this post will come).

Check out Day 28 or start with Day 1 (A Goo Goo Doll Classic)

A television war between the cynics and the saints

Sometimes, I become disheartened with the world or the people around me.  There are so many things that challenge our morals and beliefs.  There's always those "hot button" issues that have extreme sides.  So few of us, in these issues, can come to the middle and say it's not that I'm right and you're wrong, but maybe we both have valid points.   We grow confident when we are the majority, but some shout even louder when very few stand with them.

Our interconnected always plugged in nature only emphasizes the issues, the arguments and sometimes, the hate.  I have to hold my tongue (or fingers) when it comes to reacting to the opinions of the people around me.

Of course, around election time is nearly unbearable.  At one point, I saw an App that claimed to filter your Facebook friends to Red vs. Blue to determine what posts made it to a news feed.  Let me tell you - I seriously considered signing up for it.  And to be honest, I have unfriended or "unsubscribed" from friends solely because of their opposing political view.  I'm not sorry I did it either.

In my 30 Day Music Challenge, I have been listening to older songs in my collection.  I came across "Affirmation" by Savage Garden, which I have already written about here.

And I'm saddened that so many of the issues set forward in 2000 are still unresolved today.  (But on a lighter note - I'm super glad that bleached hair look went out of style.)

The only thing I can hang on to, to get me through the trying times is positive affirmations ... like this song, inspiring quotes or the positive people around me.  And I hope that one day we can work together create a better place where equality and peace are more important than agendas and greed.

Take a chance and don't ever look back

The original 30 Day Song List Challenge lists Day 27 as a Song You Wish You Could Play, but of course for me, that's any song.  I'm cheating again.  I found a different list so here goes:

Day 27 (Amended): A Song that You Discovered After Everyone Else

So here's my dirty little secret: I don't listen to the radio.  I can't remember when the last time I listened to music on the radio.  When in the car I listen to ESPN Radio.  At work I listen to Pandora or podcasts.  At home I listen to Spotify, my music library or books on tape.  I just get bored with Top 40 radio (and the constant repeating) too quickly.  In other words, I have no idea what the top songs are right now.  The only way I hear these songs is through popular culture: television, commercials, links from friends on social media.

I learn about most of the Top 40 songs way past when they are first aired or even after they've become hits. For the most part I don't think I'm missing out on anything.  I do get into music ruts here and there, but that's not anything that the likes of Justin Bieber or Lady Gaga could fix anyway.

According to Wikipedia,  Katy Perry released "Teenage Dream" August 2010.  I listened to The Rescue's cover ... some time after that.

Teenage Dream, The Rescues, Single - Katy Perry Cover, 2010

I heard this cover before I heard Katy Perry's version   And I love this cover so much more than Katy Perry's.  I have this thing when I listen to music, I like to pick out the harmonies and zone in on the individual instruments.  Our local Ear Nose and Throat specialist told me it's because of my sonic hearing.  This song is great for that, they have beautiful harmonies and unique sound.  I dig the artsy black and white video, and every time I watch it, I notice something new.

I have never listened to The Rescues before this song, but after this single I tuned into their music.  This winter I saw one of the members, AG, live - she's a very awesome solo artist as well.

Tune in for Day 28: A Song that Makes You Feel Guilty

Eternity is so beautifully cold, I wonder if angels ever feel old

I'm going to cheat on Day 26 of the 30 Day Song Challenge.  My original list called for a song that I can play.  However, I am very musically inept   I'm more interested in the flow of the words or the cover art than how to actually play the music.  I even screwed up "Hot Cross Buns" on the recorder in grade school.

Originally when I had started this (eh-hem two years ago), I was able to find another list that had a different option for Day 26.

Amended Day 26 - A Great Song You Just Discovered

The song I keep coming back to in my collection that I most recently discovered is:

Until the End, Quietdrive, Self-titled, 2010

I saw this band about a month ago live.  To tell the truth, I really didn't want to go to the concert.  I was having a really busy week and just wanted a night at home.  I had added their music and the music of the other musician who was performing to my playlist to see if they were any good.  I thought they were like background music, I totally tuned out and really couldn't pick out anything I liked. (Turns out I don't think I actually listened to their music, I must have had it set to random).

Then the day before the show I read in a newspaper article that they were a punk group, so I decided to go. This was a nice change of pace.  I found myself sort of melting into the songs, listening to the lyrics, enjoying picking out the individual instruments, especially since they were playing acoustically.  The sound was a mix between The Killers, Panic at the Disco and Fall Out Boy. The lyrics are clever and fast-paced.  I vaguely remember "Until the End" at the concert and it was okay, the lyric "until the end, there and back" reminds me of "The Hobbit" and "Lord of the Rings" (A Hobbit's Tale: There and Back Again).

I bought their Self-titled CD (even though I had just said I wasn't going to), and it has a lot of great songs, but I always have to skip to "Until the End" and listen to it at least twice whenever I listen to their music.


Next ... Day 27: A Song You Discovered After Everyone Else

Hear the voices in my head I swear to God it sounds like they're snoring

I was mulling around a couple of different options for Day 25: A Song that Makes You Laugh.

That's a pretty odd category for songs.  Songs that make me laugh don't really make it into my favorite rotation.  They are the weird songs that come around and are popular for two or three months but then you can't even remember them the next year.  And if you do, you're embarrassed you enjoyed it as much as you did.

This song is a little more significant to me than those fad songs.  Although, I would wager it was a fad song in it's time.  It has a special place in my music library because it was one of the first punk songs that caught my ear.  It has all the key elements of what makes a good song in my head:  distinct beat that sticks with you, clever lyrics, not all one tone - it's fast and slow, loud and quiet (I hate songs that sound the same all the way through), it's a little bit naughty.

Flagpole Sitta, Harvey Danger, Where Have All the Merrymakers Gone?, 1998

1998?  I was a Freshman in high school, this may have been my first punk song, predating Blink 182.

This is another song I'd like to sing at the top of my lungs when all alone in the wee hours of the morning.  I know I have it on a mixed cd somewhere in my collection.

Day 26: A Song You Can Play on an Instrument

Check out Day 25 or start from the beginning with Day 1.

In fact, I am told that a lot

I had a hard week.  A couple of reasons that are unavoidable ... weather, the calendar, etc., etc.  I realized that I miss writing for fun.  I don't write as much anymore because it's what I do (in part) for a living.  My brain is so damn tired when I get home that the last thing I want to do is think (and things I don't want to do at night when I get home is a very long list!)

So, I thought I would pick up on the 30 day song challenge that I failed miserably at ... I stalled at Day 24 because life got in the way.  I got a new job and my grandfather died ... but with nearly two years past, I think it's okay that I pick it back up for a "mindless" writing session.

With out further ado:  30 Day Song Challenge - Day 24: A Song that You Want Played at Your Funeral

The song I'm choosing for Day 24 is a sweet, yet melancholy song.  

I don't know what it means that I had to wrack my brain for most of these songs, but I instantly knew the song I wanted played at my funeral.

The Luckiest,  Ben Folds, Rockin the Suburbs, 2001

I go back and forth with this song ... sometimes it feels like a love song, other times it feels like one last gasp from a deathbed.  I suppose, it can be both at the same time.

The rhythm is slow and contemplative   The piano is lonely and hopeful.  This song is a reflection on the good memories and missed opportunities that make up a life of moments that are meant to be.

This song is a lesson that it's the people around you that make a life special, not possessions  accomplishments or money.  Love, family and friends are the things that span all time and space.

Rockin the Suburbs (also a great song you should check out) was released on September 11, 2001.  Wow, way to not be relevant.  But I would contend it makes "The Luckiest" even more meaningful.

Catch up ... Day 23 is here or if you'd like to start from the beginning, try Day 1.

Watch that cinnamon swirl, it's devious

I decided to review this Pin next because I've seen at least three friends post it on Facebook.  Cinnamon Roll pancakes sound divine.  The picture is enticing but if you give it a closer look, you will see this recipe's fatal flaw.  You are topping these pancakes with sugar, which melts when it gets hot.  On a cake in the oven, there's not a problem, but on a griddle or frying pan ... You're up a creek.

Cinnamon Roll Pancakes - Repinned 16 weeks ago from Number-2-Pencil.

The swirl of cinnamon sugar, no matter how diligently you protect the non-stick coating, acts like glue when you flip the pancakes.  The blogger tells you to flip it quickly so that the sugar doesn't stick on your spatula.  This is good advice.  But unless you're a pancake flipping ninja, I don't know how it's going to work.  Even if your spatula makes it through without the cement of sugar on it's edge you will still have the griddle to deal with.

I thought I could outsmart the mess by placing more batter on top of the swirled sugar before I flipped it and it melted.  My theory was that if there were a layer of pancake between the molten sugar and my griddle i could ease it off the surface when the pancakes were cooked through.  While in theory this sounds like a solution, it really didn't help.  Somehow the sugar moved it's way out.  Not only does the sugar stay on the griddle, it leaves a void of where the sugar was.  Look again at that photo -- you can see that swirl is indented.

These pancakes are delicious. They truly taste like cinnamon rolls -- but the mess is just not worth it.  If I would make these again, I would put the cinnamon in the pancake and forgo the swirl -- even though it's what makes the pancake so visually appealing. Top these cinnamon pancakes with the frosting and I think the taste will be the same without all the frustration.

Tie a bow on it - this Pin is a keeper!

I love collecting things, in extreme cases this is called hoarding.  On the internet, it's become Pinterest.  For those who are unaware (and there are a few, you can tell by the "I'm not sure what that word was that you just used was ... but I'll nod my head anyway" looks people give when you refer to it), Pinterest is an online visual bulletin board where you can save, or pin, interesting web pages.

It's essentially your internet bookmark folder for the visual and social world.  Let's face it - Pinterest isn't just fun, it's addicting ... hence the hoarding similarities, I suppose.  The best of Pinterest is finding and collecting useful tips, recipes, pictures and everything else under the sun that you probably would have never found otherwise.  The worst of Pinterest is those same tips, recipes, pictures, etc. that either sit on your boards as a collage rather than a jumping off point or simply don't work.

I really make an effort to routinely look through my pins and try them out.  Now, there are many Pin Fail sites out there, and they are hilarious.  But beyond that you are really taking a stab in the dark if your pin is going to turn into something useful.  So, I decided to start reviewing my pins - and in an effort to be organized, remove them from their original board (as appropriate) and move them to my review board (also to save "offline" rather than forget and repin the same thing a couple of times).

My first review: 25 Ways to Tie a Scarf, pinned 49 weeks ago (this was my first non-repinned pin) from Jezebel.com.

This is a cute video that demonstrates how to artistically tie your decorative (not winter) scarf.  The model is super cute and the video is quirky and fun with great transitions.   The demonstrations are easy to follow and it has great methods.  It's also easy to scroll through the video to find a method you like or to rewind to see the technique again.

In the real world - I would love to know the dimensions of the scarfs she shows.  They seem to be much longer and lighter weight than any I own.  So when I tie my scarves they tend to be bulky around my neck or I simply can't pull it off because I run out of material to do the intricate folds and loops.  My favorite method is The Magic Trick, and I have used around five other ways as well.

I've often come back to this pin to try a new style. And re-watching I want to go out and buy even more scarves to try out the more intricate techniques.  This Pin is a keeper!
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It's the best day of the year

I am a bad Packer fan.  I'm disappointed but relieved when the Packers lose in the playoffs.  That means I can watch the Super Bowl without being nervous.  No matter who wins it will be a good day. You see, for the past 15 years the best day of the year is Super Bowl Sunday.

The Super Bowl is not as much fun overall when the Packers are in it.  It's a great day if they're in,  but horrible if they lose.  I hated John Elway and the Broncos for Years after the Super Bowl XXXII Loss.

Now I heart Aaron Rodgers.  He's great.  And Clay and the crew.  But the pack was just too inconsistent this year to go all the way.  They didn't deserve to be there. (That doesn't mean I'm routing for the 49ers. I have my pride after all).

I was sort of hoping for another Peyton Manning win.  I'm not sure if I should wish for an Harbargh bowl or Falcons and the Texans.  AT this point I'm cheering for the better story or better game.

As much as I'm sad the Packers season is over,  I love the NFL and can't wait until Super Bowl Sunday.

I may have crossed a line ...

So ... Target had pet apparel in their dollar section.

 

And I couldn't resist.  This one is too small, but still cute.

I may have went a little overboard ...    Herc needs to work on his modeling skills.

But to my defense, I got one for my mom's cat too.  Here Herc is getting into it.

And of course, we have to remember those cold winter nights.

Now he's hamming it up!

Sonic hearing

I've never really admitted this to anyone before.  But I hate going to the doctor ... and I try to avoid it at all costs.  There are some superficial reasons like I'm overweight and embarrassed to step on the scale.  Also,  for a long time, like many Americans, I either didn't have health insurance or it wouldn't be fiscally feasible or budget-friendly to go.

But the issue goes deeper.  Four years ago I was miserably sick and the doctor told me it was all in my head ... basically telling me that I was making it up.  It took four months, four different medications that either did nothing at all or made me feel worse before I was diagnosed.

My father has a long running history of hospital visits.  I've written about his kidney transplant before, but we've also had multiple hip replacements, knee replacements and extended stays with battling infections.

I do what I can to stay away from the examining rooms in our local facilities.

This summer I really felt I had no other option.  I've had a sinus headache pretty much since June.  That in itself, other than inconvenient and annoying, is something I'm relatively used to.  Summer time = allergies.  One morning I woke up to nausea and vertigo and had what may be my first sick day of working life.  I tried to tough it out ... after all I didn't have a fever or any other issues.  After the symptoms subsided a bit I noticed a pressure in my ear. The symptoms came and went: nausea, vertigo, hot and cold flashes and fogginess. I self diagnosed maybe a sinus infection or ear infection and figured with a little rest it would go away by itself.

It didn't and I gave in.  I was terrified that they would tell me there was nothing wrong with me.

I didn't have any infections and my diagnosis was pretty lame, but at least it gave credence to what I was feeling and didn't brush me off.  I guess that's the difference between a good doctor and someone who shouldn't be in a field where they need to interact with people.

All the allergies and sinus pressure were putting pressure on my inner ear.  They tested my ears/hearing and found I have highly sensitive hearing -- the doctor literally told me I have sonic hearing, one level below what dogs can hear and better than 90 percent of other people.

(As an aside .... I may have found my superhuman powers from my tick bite: Sonic Hearing!)

My treatment: be more religious about taking my allergy pills before I feel sick and use my neti pot more often.  But I'm back on their radar again and I may have to overcome my fears and insecurities and start going to the doctor regularly.

Unravel and Unwind

I had a long and somewhat stressful day.  But there were two things that kept me going ...

My sparkly necklace and pretty nails (that match my outfit perfectly!)

(Ignore my short, ugly fingers)

And then I got home and saw ...

Wahoo!

Yay, pretty wedges!

And of course, as always, there's a little furry friend who makes me smile and melts my stress!

Hercules

Sparkly, pretty, furry and cuddly... that's what matters in life, right?

No Kitty, that's my water bottle!

No, Hercules, I don't care that it's Valentine's Day.  You CAN'T put your paw in my water bottle!

You'll hold the ranch and you'll like it!

I had an interesting experience at that one sandwich shop today.

First it was probably a 20 minute wait, with people looped around in line.  It was a pleasant wait, a couple of cute young guys (gee whiz, they do exist) and one friendly one to chat with.

Fast forward to the veggie and sauce part of the line and I say no sauce/dressing,  Sure, I ordered a bacon, chicken ranch  ... but I didn't want the ranch,

Guy behind the counter was shocked.  Really, dude?  If that's the strangest request you received, you need to go answer phone calls for a human service nonprofit agency for a month.

Then we'll compare our "strange" notes.

Foodie Fumbles - Crock Pot Lasagna

I love food.  Discovering new flavors, making new recipes and enjoying new treats with friends.  I also love reading food blogs and magazines and watching food shows.  Folks, I think I'm a foodie.

I'm your average foodie -- when I try new things, sometimes the recipes are mind-blowing fantastic that they are saved, printed and filed for future use. Sometimes .... I fumble.  Good recipes go bad .... or there are indeed, just bad recipes.

Last week I made crock pot lasagna.  It was a spur of the moment thing, I had intended to make a beef roast, and thought I had taken out a leftover half roast, and it turned out to be a leftover pound of hamburger.

Foodie Fumble #1: Label your leftovers well -- especially those vacationing in the freezer.

I didn't follow the recipe carefully use a recipe.  I looked up the basic ingredients and flew with it.  Pasta, stewed tomatoes, onions, browned hamburger, garlic, oregano, basil, tomato paste ...   And boom! Four hours later, bland tomato-hamburger mush.  I'm not quite sure what went wrong -- it tasted great before I put the cover on to slow cook.

So I had to either freeze, throw away or find a use for my bland hamburger mush.  

My first attempts to doctor that night were not successful.  It tasted better the next day, but the lack of texture was still a problem.  So I converted a lazy meal stand by to fit my dilemma.  I topped a baked potato with my mush, a little steak sauce and broccoli (usually made with pulled pork or bbq.  Yummy!

My second meal was mush with bbq sauce over rice with veggies.

Tonight I finish my mush by transforming it into Shepard's Pie with gravy, veggies and seasoned mashed potatoes.

So until next time my foodie friends - keep cooking and don't let a bland meal go to waste.

Transition, Goo Goo Dolls and Belly Rubs

2011 brought many new things into my life.

I've had a handsome boy move in with me.   I'm the one bringing home the bacon, filling the food dish and cleaning the house.  But I love my morning cuddles, hugs when I get home from work and snuggles at bed time.  (I <3 my cat Hercules)

I also closed a chapter in my life, after six years with one job, I moved on to another.  I don't know how some people can move or change jobs every year.  It's stressful and familiarity makes me feel more comfortable and confident.  I love my new job though and look forward to many, many years there.

I've fulfilled a couple of life goals, even though I don't have the "official" list any more. (It's on the HD of my old computer, too lazy to take it to computer people to retrieve data.)  Those goals include seeing the Goo Goo Dolls live in concert (be still my heart) and making/decorating my own gingerbread house.  So fun!

2011 by me:

3 words: transition, music, belly rubs

Favorites:

TV Show: Big Bang Theory

Song: Unravel, Unwind, The Spring Standards

Movie: I may have only seen one movie in the theatres ... Water for Elephants.  the best pairing of the book and screen.

Book:  I read it twice ... The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

Football player: Aaron Rodgers ... that is ... b....who?  :-p

Wine: Angelique, Sparkling Wine from Stone's Throw Winery in Door County - almond flavored!

Gift Given:  Scentsy pot for Erika, I love her reaction to the gift!

Web site: Google Reader.  I have 1000 + posts to read and I know I'll never get to them all, but I can never say I'm bored!

~ * ~ * ~

Overrated:  Planting cacti, there's a reason they're picky, they shouldn't be touched.  Ouch.

Disappointed:  Missing fantasy football .... just could prepare without normal preseason coverage and job transition

I need to work on: sticking to a daily routine   -- This was my goal for 2011, I failed miserably!

Overrated Part 2: NFL Lockout, nearly broke my heart

~  * ~ * ~

Grateful for: good friends and supportive coworkers

Travel: Door County, Baraboo and Madison  AND Dubuque, IA to visit my friend Breanna & her hubby and going to my first Goo Goo Doll Concert!!!

I miss:  not second guessing everything

Somewhat obsessed:  twitter, google reader & you tube subscriptions

Here's to 2012 and all the inspiration, opportunity and possibilities it brings!

Today, was a good day

My emotions have heightened since moving to a new job.  With a four months in, I'm having lots of ups and downs.

I have really fantastic invigorating, mind-blowing days that I learn and create and walk away with such inspiration.  I feel so fulfilled and at home.  This, this is what I've been looking for!

But there are days when I feel so beaten down, frustrated and doubtful about my own abilities.  I want to hide in my office so they don't come banging down my door because the powers that be realized they made a mistake.  Pulled down and behind on deadline, fending off and cleaning up mistake after mistake.

What the fuck was I thinking?!  Sure, I wasn't being paid or couldn't go to the doctor, but at least I knew what the hell I was doing, and considered (somewhat) good at it!

Regardless of the day, I go home to Hercules who greets me with a tilt of the head which means he will be catapulting himself across the floor for a belly rub.

And I'm thankful for my dear friends who remind me I felt similar (and more stressed out) when I started my first job six years ago.  It will get better. It will be more familiar.  And soon, there will be more good days than bad.

Today, was a good day.

This is Halloween

I love Halloween, it used to be my favorite holiday and I'm starting to feel that rekindled spirit.

I think Halloween gives you the most room to be creative.  I enjoy decorating, planning the perfect design for a carved pumpkin, dreaming up and creating fantastic costumes and bringing them to life.  Horror movies give me a thrill and I'm always hunting for the next one that will leave me looking over my shoulder and dashing to get out dark places for fear of things that go bump in the night.

At sixth grade my mom put an end to my trick or treating, and then everything lost it's wonder.  In that age range society tells you to choose more mature ways to celebrate holidays.  I chose to celebrate football Sundays instead.  Oh well.

Recently, I've been going to an annual costume party and it's bringing back all those creative juices.  I carved a starry night pumpkin and created a Mad Hatter costume.  I don't really decorate much ... time, money and a energetic little kitty who would have it all tore down before it was complete holds me back.

Happy all Hallows Eve to all the ghosts and goblins young and old!