JANUARY 2009 - New year, new resolve!

Ellen · 01-14-2009, 09:40 AM

Morning! Just finished my espresso and a Larabar. I have a friend coming over for lunch and I am making Massaman chicken for her. I will go easy on the rice.

I fired the kiln yesterday so I need to go unload it and glaze today. My friend will probably want to work some, as she is an artist(sculptor) and likes to work with clay and doesn't have a place to work. The kiln is full of teapots, so I am anxious to see how they turned out.

I still need to clean house and am procrastinating very creatively. sigh.

Will be back later!

Toni48 · 01-14-2009, 10:42 AM

Good morning all. Just having my first cup of coffee. And it tastes sooooo good. Slept like a rock last night and didn't want to get up. But in awhile I have a hair cut appointment finally and will need to get around. This will be our only warm day this week. So I need to take advantage of it. My corned beef turned out wonderful last night. The left overs make good sandwiches for Steve.

candoit- I'm glad you made it through the day. Hope today is good for you to.

meowee- Sorry you're not feeling great and you have sucky weather. It will turn cold later this afternoon. I think tomorrow is 0.

Talitha- Oh boy this baby just doesn't want to come out. You sound so miserable. Surely by the week end you'll have your new Eden. I sure hope so and you don't have to have a C section.

Ellen- Have a great day today and forget about the housework.....

Off for more coffee.....

Solly · 01-14-2009, 12:51 PM

Hi ladies,

Sorry I didn't get back yesterday. I am so busy plus trying to get everything done before I go on vacation too.

I slept horribly last night. Went to bed at 10:00, got up at 11:00 and watched TV, went back to bed, took a sleeping pill and was still awake at 2:00. Needless to say, I did not get up and go to the gym. Probably should have, I was awake anyway. Hope tonight is better.

Ellen, we are flying through Atanta. I have never flown our of there. I hear it is large and crazy. I hope we have enought time to catch our connecting flight. RA is so-so. Still have terrible numbness in my hands. Don't know if it is the RA or my herniated discs in my neck.

Toni, I got my hair cut Saturday, and it is way too short. She said my hair was fried so she had to cut it shorter. It will grow. Yes, I try to go at least 5 mornings each week.

Meowee, feel better.

Talitha, hope baby Eden comes soon.

Tech, I thought you said if you closed your shop, Derrick was making you get a job anyway. If that is the case, you should keep the shop. You are not a failure. You at least attempted your dream and it didn't work for reasons not under your control. So many people never attempt their dreams. You are a strong and wonderful person.

Crystal. Hope your day is going great.

Mary: Glad your back is better.

Got to run eat lunch. I am starving. Probably won't be on too much the rest of the week, other than a pop in. We leave Saturday morning for St. M

CountryMom4Him · 01-14-2009, 02:30 PM

Good afternoon ya'll. Yesterday was a crazy busy day but things are back to normal (what ever that is..

)today. The chili turned out really well. I added a few pickled jalapeños into the mix. For my serving I also added some chiptole flavored tabasco sauce. I served it over a little brown rice to add texture. The boys left out the rice and had crackers.

Toni your corned beef sounds delicious. I haven't had it in years because of cost, but I do love it. If I were the only one eating it I could get away with it but Robert has a BIG appetite.

Solly...I can't wait for you to get back and tell us all about your trip. Sorry you haven't been sleeping well. Praying that you get sweet sleep tonight and wake refreshed in the morning.

Candoit..awesome that your back is holding up and you were able to stretch.

Mary..I'd love to share recipes with you. Mine are simple..now Ellen, she can cook.

Ellen...what is massaman chicken? I think having your own kiln is so cool.

Tech...((hugzz)) I worked for a season when my guys were much younger and it caused them so much stress because they were used to me being a home. I chose to quit the job and go back to a stay at home mom. I've never regretted it. There have been times when I've wondered because of financial woes but it always boiled down to being the right thing. You know you and yours and what will work best. It doesn't matter what mean things people might say. Hold your head high and know that you are a great mom.

Talitha...praying that your little one will come without having to be induced or c-sectioned.

Meowee...I'm cold just reading about your weather.

Hey BOB! ((hugzz)) Are you having a very busy week or are you hiding?

((Everybody)) Hang in there and know you are worth the effort.

God bless,
Crystle

Talitha · 01-14-2009, 05:03 PM

Ellen, what do you put in your Masaman curry?

no baby yet but I have a gut feeling that it will be tomorrow or friday. Hoping!!! I feel excited. Went to the grocery store and stocked up like a good girl so now there's food in the house. Not sure what I'm going to make for dinner. Why can't kids feed themselves for once...

techwife · 01-14-2009, 05:35 PM

Frustration!

I went to work today and had absolutely NO customers. I've had a grand total of one customer in two days. BUT, I got my tax figures figured out, reworked my chapter one of the novel I have time to write now at the shop with no customers and started chapter two.

I was supposed to get my blazer inspected last night, but they cancelled because of the violent snow we were having. So, I'm getting that done tomorrow night instead. I drove to work in the truck and parked on the main street in front of the shop and when I went to get in the truck...nothing. The lights and everything work fine...I think its the starter. Meanwhile, my civic is in my driveway with an expired inspection AND brakes that are horrible and grinding like crazy. I haven't taken my cars to be inspected because we cannot afford the mechanics fees. So, my husband says he'll do all these things in the garage

. So, now he's telling me, "I don't know why you didn't take the cars in to Watertown to get inspected sooner." >( So, my friend, Marianne's, husband is a mechanic that does work on the side and he told us a month ago that he can do inspections at his buddy's shop. I took it to him three weeks ago and here we are...with my big bright red 2008 inspection sticker in my car that is broken down on main street. Tony (Marianne's husband) gets home at 7 and is going to help me get it off the street because there is no overnight parking in town in winter so the plows can do their job or I'll get a ticket. At this rate, one for the inspection and one for being in the road. THis is what happens when you have no money...it all spirals downhill and ends up costing you more because you're trying to save a buck. Anyhow, my husband thinks it needs a new starter...which the part alone will cost us what little grocery money we have to spend for the next two weeks. And my $8 I made in the last two days is not going to help at ALL. In fact, I have to put it towards the inspection that is taking three weeks. I have had bad luck with taking my car to be inspected because they always seem to find some stupid thing that may cause some emission and it will cost a ton of money to have it fixed...money we do not have at all. So, this is why we're doing the inspection on the sly. And I don't want to get the honda fixed because if we really go bankrupt, they'll just take it because the honda is the main reason we need to file for bankruptcy.

In the meantime, Shelley has a game tonight and she ended up getting a ride with the neighbors that are on the team, but this is three games in a row I've missed because I'm working or having car problems. I'm getting so friggen sick of this!!

Oh, and its exactly two degrees below zero and I'm TOO FAT FOR MY SNOW PANTS! I think my appendages are all going to freeze and snap off!!

And...Derek's in Buffalo. And yelling at me, I'm sure, out of frustration because he can't be here to help me. Which is understandable, but not helpful.

Okay...I'm too upset to eat dinner. TTFN!!

techwife · 01-14-2009, 05:41 PM

Oh, and it was 22 degrees below zero this morning. I love snow...but I really hate this north pole stuff.

ATSBeautiful · 01-14-2009, 07:33 PM

Hi Everyone

We had really nice weather today....Cold,Crisp,Clean air with temps around 40 degrees. The Sun was so bright & all I could think of was God is soooo Amazing? It really made me appreciate how fortunate my life is as an American. Counting Blessings.

We are having Mexican stuffed shells tonight for dinner. Super simple to prepare & Heavenly to eat. Not that I'm Supposed to have them !!! I seriously need to prepare myself for my Candida Cleanse but.... I bought the Rena Greenberg Cds praying that hypnosis will work.

Techwife: Sorry you are going through such a low time in your life. Please don't get discouraged...it will get better. Sending you Hugs.

Talithia: I hope little Eden comes soon. If she takes after you she'll be gorgeous.

Solly: Wishing you a very peaceful & deep sleep. Sweet dreams.

Crystle: Thanks for offering recipe swaps. Hope your day was Lovely. Also, my husband (Ron) eats huge portions and he's not over weight at all. Unfair !!

Toni: Did you make ruebens? They are so yummy. Hope your hair cut is fabulous.

Meowee: Are you staying warm? Wish I could see the snow you are getting.

Ellen: A Kiln sounds great. I love pottery. Do you know of an Artist near Atlanta ....her place is called Bird Creek Pottery. She sold some work @ the Atlanta Koi Show 2 yrs ago.

Sorry if I missed Anyone.

Blessings & Love to you all,
Mary

candoit61 · 01-14-2009, 09:17 PM

Well today was another good day, followed my foodplan, did streching. Had a good supper, new potatoes fried in my Turbo cooker (no oil) lean ham on the George Foreman and egg beaters southwestern (no oil) It really hit the spot.

I am trying to set goals for myself and some chores for when I come home. I don't get home until 6:30, so I can easily cheat or buy supper. I also enjoy 3FC and FitDay calorie counter and not get up and get any chores done

So today I was successful, not to have a few more days in a row

Ellen: Your pottery sounds like so much fun.

Toni: Have a great day and the corned beef still sounds good. Adding that to my grocery list and cabbage.

Sally: praying for a healthy night sleep.

Meowee - sorry the weather has you down. Is the sun shining?

Talitha: have the nesting urge? Eden is resting and waiting for her day!

Mary: Hi

Techwife: So sorry you are so overwhelmed. It sure does seem like once your down, it keeps coming. Don't get angry at your hubby, I am sure he is stressed because he is not there with you, and it is hard to be much help when your far away. Hugs to you

Sure hope I am not going on to much

Sure is good to share.

Touch base again tomorrow night, have to go switch the wash and clean up the kitchen.

Sue

Toni48 · 01-14-2009, 10:22 PM

Good grief am I doing awful...LOL I'm so mad at myself. Instead of making me a nice dinner with veggies and a salad I ate two chili dogs without the bun. That's what I was fixing Steve and before I could even think I had an awful dinner on my plate. I also got on the scale and it showed a 2 1/2 lb. weight gain since I was sick. I shouldn't have weighed when I was sick. I've got to do better and truly I'm trying. Just got to clean up my mistakes. I did make me a big mug of hot cocoa with splenda and skim milk and hershey's cocoa. It was so good and filling. Well tomorrow is a new day and I hope to awake with new vigor!!! A new outlook and not froze.......

Solly-I hope your vacation is just great. I didn't hear where you were going.

Crystle- Your chili sounds so good and comforting. Think I'll make a meat loaf tomorrow and maybe freeze one.

Talitha- Here's praying you have that baby soon....

Tech- Oh man I can't believe the string of bad luck you're having. Things have just got to get better. I'm so pulling for you.......

Mary- No didn't make yummy reubens. Saved the leftovers for Steve to have sandwiches.

Sue- Hope your eating stays good. Its so hard when you work. Do you have a crock pot. They're so good to let things cook away while your at work.

Well we're supposed to get down to 0 so here's hopeing no frozen pipes...

Ellen · 01-15-2009, 12:05 AM

Evening buster buddies! I unloaded the kiln this morning and found only one casualty. A cracked handle on my favorite teapot!

Oh well. This is life when you are a potter! So I glazed a load of stuff and the kiln is on now. It will make the garage nice and warm for the poor kitties when Tom tosses them out into the garage for the night.

For those who asked about the Massaman Chicken: I use a pre-made Massaman paste I found at a local Farmer's market. The ingredients are mainly spices- no MSG or weird funky chemicals. You mix the paste with coconut milk, add meat and simmer. It calls for potatoes in the recipe, and I do use one. It is really an easy recipe and sounds so complex and like I am a good cook or something. Now that my secret is out, you all are going to lose any admiration you had for me and my cooking abilities!

It is time for bed, and I am pretty tired, so I am going to sign off and head to bed. Good night everyone!

Talitha · 01-15-2009, 01:19 PM

I use the same paste. It's fantastic. I add potatoes, onions, peas and carrots, served over brown rice with avacado slices and cashews. No wonder I'm a fatty! LOL We make it ALOT. Like almost once a week.

CountryMom4Him · 01-15-2009, 04:00 PM

Howdy ya'll. Ellen and Talitha, the chicken sounds delicious. I don't know if my hubby would eat it but I know I would.

Toni...I LOVE meatloaf. As soon as enough days have passed I'm gonna make one. I just made one last week so I think I'll have to wait until at least next week.

Mary...I had a great day yesterday. My back was healed enough to walk a slow 20 minutes. The sun was shining and it wasn't too cold, about 58 degrees. Next week it's going to be in the 70's again. I can't wait.

My grand baby is outside blowing bubbles so I think I'm gonna get off of here and try to catch her in action.

The camera just loves her or is it her meemaw just loves her...LOL

God bless,
Crystle

techwife · 01-15-2009, 04:11 PM

Ellen and Talitha: Just knowing what these obscure dishes are makes you guys goddesses of the kitchen to me.

Okay...whine, whine, whine. Today we had a guy come fix our furnace...on the coldest day of the year. Derek came home from Buffalo and slept on the living room floor (he sets himself up nicely...don't feel sorry for him...I think he prefers the floor sometimes) to sleep next to the kerosene heater to keep an eye on it so we didn't all freeze. I tell ya...if its not one thing its another.

I got my truck towed by a chain by my friend, Marianne's husband and brought to his house. So, now I'm back to driving the honda with the horrible brakes and its too cold to have Derek change the pads on it. LIterally...it was minus 25 degrees here yesterday morning and somewhere in the teens below zero this morning. Derek's fingers will snap off! I'm not that into astrology, but I hope whatever planet is making things wrong for us scorpios soon leave us. Just when you feel like you've hit rock bottom, you soon realize it was just a shoal, fall off that and sink further.

I wonder if I can get that Massaman paste from the whole foods store here. I would really like to try that dish.

So, today was day three with one whole customer total for all three days. And at 2:15 today I had a customer call and want to come in tonight or tomorrow. Figures... Shelley has hockey practice tonight and tomorrow is my day off and I don't want to heat up the shop for one person....besides Derek and I have a lunch date (souvlakis!) and we're going to buy brake pads for the honda so that once it 'warms up' to 20 degrees on Saturday, he can change them, then we'll get it inspected. I talked her into a Saturday appointment

Good news is my novel is coming along nicely. I'm on page 9 of chapter two and my heroine is just about to be taken back in time on an antique boat through the 1000 islands to 1910! I can hardly wait to continue on it!

Solly · 01-16-2009, 10:38 AM

Hi Ladies

Thought I would check in qucikly while it is still calm here. Trying to get everything done and anticipate what needs to be done next week. I'm sure at 4:00 it will be crazy when I am trying to get out of here. We haven't packed, but will do it tonight. It was -1 this morning and I was at the store at 6:30 buying suntan lotion. I was loving it.

Toni, we are going to St Maarten for a week with a good friend that has a time share there.

Tech, sweetie, my heart breaks for you. I am sending many prayers your way to help you get out of this hole you are in. Keep your head up, try to keep a positive attitude, it can't hurt. Play the lottery!!!

Crystal, nothing better than a grandbaby blowing bubbles. I hope I get one soon. 70 degrees sounds like heaven. I need to move to Texas.

Talitha, hope today is the day. Good luck.

Ellen, sorry your pot was broken. What is the temp in Atlanta. Trying to figure out what to wear on the plane so I don't freeze when I leaver or burn up when I get there.

Sue, congrats on having a great day. Keep up the good work.

Mary, God is amazing and I will say that tomorrow when I see that beautiful Carribean ocean. 40 sounds so good right now.

OK, got to run. Have a great weekend and a good week. I will talk to you in a week.