Amazing Chicken!
Mood:  happy
Topic: family

So yesterday a.m. I grabbed the package of boneless, skinless chicken thighs out of the freezer to thaw for supper.  All day long I kept wondering how I was going to fix it.  One family can eat only so much chicken before we're all clucking & acting like we're going to lay an egg.  Grabbed my cooking magazines.  Out of cooking for 2 (no, I do NOT EVER cook for two - but I digress) - I found a recipe called "Oregano Chicken".  Looked easy enough - & pretty fast.  Let me tell you - there was absolutely NOTHING left!  I sort of went with the recipe - but this is how I fixed it:

6 thighs (boneless, skinless)
several dobs of minced garlic (I used the refrigerated, in a jar kind)
Lemon Pepper
Oregano
Olive Oil

Coat (or rub) garlic over chicken, then sprinkle (according to how much you like) with lemon pepper & oregano on both sides.  Heat olive oil in skillet & brown chicken both sides for about 5 minutes.  Put chicken in shallow pan or baking dish & put in 400 degree oven for 30 minutes - uncovered.  I turned the chicken once about 10 minutes before it was done.  Chicken is done when juices run clear.

Let me tell you - this chicken was amazing!  So tender & full of flavor!  Of course if you don't like either garlic, lemon pepper or oregano - you're just out of luck!

If you make this, let me know if you altered the recipe and/or how your family liked it!

Monday, monday . . .
Mood:  cheeky
Topic: home

"Monday Monday, so good to me,
Monday Monday, it was all I hoped it would be
Oh Monday morning, Monday morning couldn't guarantee
That Monday evening you would still be here with me."
The Mamas & The Papas

Remember that song?  Yeah, but do you recall the next verse?

"Monday Monday, can't trust that day,
Monday Monday, sometimes it just turns out that way
Oh Monday morning, you gave me no warning of what was to be
Oh Monday Monday, how yould cou leave and not take me."

Not exactly correct now - but Monday's are sort of changeable.  Sometimes the day starts out just perfect & gets weirder or just plain goes wrong somewhere in the middle - or - they start off bad/rushed/lousy and get better halfway through.  Then there's time the day is just "there".

I usually find that I try to cram too much into a Monday. Beginning of the week & try to get things done that hadn't been done all weekend.  Today I already have my list (sometimes I make one, most times not!). Need to get some printer ink as well as food for breakfast.  Think there are 2 or 3 "mini" boxes of cereal left & some frozen pancakes. That about sums it up.  At least I did remember to buy milk yesterday!

Plus it's newsletter week at work so today will be spent getting that all composed & ready for copying tomorrow as well as the normal Monday stuff I need to do there.

This week "Lost" returns (finally!).  I'm glad now that the producers or whoever it is waited.  With the writer's strike going into its third decade eighth week (?), we're running low on new shows.  At least this time they won't be competing with American Idol (except for this week when they air the recap of "Lost" on Wednesday.  In a couple weeks "Jericho" returns (YAY!).  Unfortunately I think putting it on Tuesdays is really going to kill it (as they tried to do by yanking it off the air after the first season).  Idol is going to wipe the floor with "Jericho".  Just saying.

No, my life is not all about what's on television.  I do however, enjoy a little entertainment that takes me out of the joys/stresses/work of everyday life.  And I enjoy it more when its not just endless reruns or dumbing down reality shows.

Tune in tomorrow for more!

Me, Myself & I (forwarded quiz)
Mood:  happy
Topic: home

Got the following quiz forwarded to me from a friend who lives out of state.  Instead of forwarding my responses to folks, figured I'd post here so people can choose to either read or not!

1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
Not that I know of.  My sister actually named me.

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
At a friend's memorial service a couple weeks ago.

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING
Yes, I do.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
processed - olive loaf & bologna
deli - shaved cajun turkey

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
yes - 4.  Three adult children & one that is 2 months away from being 18.

6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Sure!

7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
More than I should!

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
No - had surgery at age 3 to remove them.

9.    WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
NO!  I hate to dream about falling let alone do it in real life!

10.  WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
Honey Nut Cheerios followed by a close 2nd of Cocoa Krispies
But normally if it's not cheerios I eat now, it's hot flavored oatmeal.

11.  DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
If I'm wearing my normal tennis/athletic shoes - no. But when I have my Vans on, yes.

12.  DO YOU THINK YOU’RE STRONG?
Probably more so emotionally & mentally than physically.

13.  WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
Blue Bell Dutch Chocolate

14.  WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
Their eyes.

15.    RED OR PINK?
as a favorite color neither - but if I had to choose it would be red.  If it's wine - definitely pink.  My favorite color is purple.

16.  WHAT IS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
I'm a little too bossy & I probably interrupt people way more than I should (shouldn't do it anyway I guess!)  And I lack patience.

17.  WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
My grandparents & brother.  Those who live too far for me to see often would be my parents, in-laws & kids.

18.  DO YOU WANT EVERYONE TO SEND THIS BACK TO YOU?
Since I'm not emailing it to anyone - no.  PLEASE DO NOT email it back to me - just post it on your blog & let me know where to find it!

19.  WHAT COLOR PANTS AND SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
Green sweats & my white athletic shoes!

20.  WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
Spaghetti for supper last night.

21.  WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
my clack-clacking on the keyboard & the dog's "jingle jingle" from stuff on her colloar as she walks around.

22.  IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
Is this like Barbara Walter's "what kind of tree" question she asked of Katherine Hepburn?  Why in the world would I want to be a crayon? (remember question #7?)

23.  FAVORITE SMELLS?
People grilling steak!  Fresh cut grass on a spring day.  Garlic when it's being cooked in sauces or on meat.  Fresh flowers.  The way a baby smells just after being bathed. 

24.  WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?
John - one of our friends.

25.  DO YOU LIKE THE PERSON WHO SENT THIS TO YOU?
yes - wish I could see her more often!

26.  FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
Football - NFL not college unless it's Ohio vs Michigan or Ohio playing in a bowl game.

27.  HAIR COLOR?
Naturally dark brown with some gray - but since I don't like the gray or the dark, today it's a light golden brown which gives my hair a little more bronze/golden red color.

27.  HAIR EYE COLOR? Ok, all you people - did you NOT read this right the first time or did you not want to tell me that I screwed up - should be EYE color not Hair color. And if you know me - you do know my hair color is DEFINITELY NOT blue!
Blue!

29.  DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
yes

30. FAVORITE FOOD?
Pizza followed by Italian

31.  SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
Generally if it has a real ending I'm happy!  Pretty much an uplifting or happy ending.  I'd rather watch psychological suspense/thriller mysteries that I can't figure out until the end!

32.  LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
Shrek 3 but that's only because 1st grader wanted to watch it.  The last movie in a theater I saw was Pirates of the Carribean 3 last summer.  Last movie I really wanted to watch on DVD that I sat through was the Bourne Ultimatum.

33.  WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
Green

34.  SUMMER OR WINTER?
Actually spring!  But since it's 30 or below here (in Texas) now, I'd prefer summer.  But summer in Texas with over 100 degree temps & over 50% humidity is when I change my mind!

35.  HUGS OR KISSES?
Kisses from my husband.  Hugs from anyone else!
Candy - I prefer Hershey kisses to Hershey Hugs!

36.  FAVORITE DESSERT?
Devil's food cake with my mom's homemade chocolate icing!

37.  MOST LIKELY TO RESPOND?
No clue!

38.  LEAST LIKELY TO RESPOND
Again - no clue!

39.  WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
Just finished "Hollywood Tough" by Stephen Cannell.  I have a couple more that I haven't started yet & need to read.

40.  WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
The old ToughLove International logo & info.

41.  WHAT DID YOU WATCH ON TV LAST NIGHT?
American Idol, Criminal Minds & CSI:NY

42.  FAVORITE SOUND (S)
Train whistle, the sound of laughter, my husband's voice

43.  ROLLING STONES OR BEATLES?
The Beatles - as I can sing along (ok - I know I can not carry a tune but at least I get the words right!) with their songs.
The Stones if it's certain songs + they are still together!

44.  WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
Victoria, British Columbia when I was just a little girl

45.  DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
I think I'm creative when it comes to graphic design & scrapbooking

46.  WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Wright Patterson Air Force Base hospital

47.  WHOSE ANSWERS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING BACK?
I'm looking forward to everyone telling me where they've posted these so I can go read!

I'm tapping ALL OF YOU - yes those few people who read this blog - to post this on your blog & answer them (& please let me know!)

More later . . .

Mom Needs Sleep . . . or Something!
Mood:  spacey
Topic: home

Spent most of the night on the couch - sitting up - drinking hot tea waiting for the medicine to kick in & relieve me of this horrific toothache.  I hope I'm not having "sympathy" toothache as Photographer daughter has had one for a few weeks.  So even tho my regular dental appt is in a couple weeks, I've gotta call today to see if they can work me in before then to figure out what the deal is.  Right now I wouldn't care if they pulled every single one out of my mouth - no, I guess I would care.  For one, bridges & "old people" false teeth (ha ha!) are too expensive & I just don't think I could sit with that gunky stuff in my mouth for impressions.  All my energy is being sapped trying to be relaxed & not focus on this shooting pain.  Fortunately. I've birthed 4 children - 3 without any painkillers or epidurals or anything so I know a little about the whole breating thru the pain thing.  Unfortunately, it's been almost 18 years since I gave birth - and over 22 years since I gave birth with no meds.  Took yesterday off work to stay home with kids on the MLK holiday.  Rethinking that decision this morning.  Ugh! Stay tuned to find out if

1) the pain goes away

2) I'm able to see the dentist sometime real soon

3) whether I'm awake past 1 p.m.!

A Celebration!
Mood:  happy
Topic: work
So yesterday my church honored me with a cake, flowers & card for being the admin. assist. for 10 years!  It was very touching and sweet.  I felt a little like Sally Field when she won her Oscars - "You like me! You really like me!"  There were folks who told me that I was the first person they met when they walked in the church doors & that I was so welcoming & warm to them, they continued to come back.  My reply - "And you're still here! I didn't run you off!"  Since I live (for the most part) quite a distance from family (or have most of the time I've been a member at the church - almost 17 years) - these people are like family.  I find that I genuinely care about each one of them. I've hurt for them. I've grieved with them when they've lost someone close to them. I rejoice with them. I can honestly say that this has been the perfect job for me.  Actually it's hard for me to consider it "work".  It's a real joy going into the office. I feel more like I'm serving than working.  And I get paid for doing what I love!  After working in the corporate world many years ago, I do not miss the politics that go along with it or the constant back-biting, gossip or rumors.  My schedule can be pretty flexible if I need it to be.  I wish I could thank each person who has contributed to making my "job" so easy and so much fun.  Thank you all!

No Snow, Sleet or even Freezing Rain
Mood:  chillin'
Topic: home

So the Channel 5 (& 4, 8 & 11) weather folks were either wrong or a last minute air pocket or something pushed this stuff away from us, or around us or made it stop mid-freeze.  That's not to say it's not cold - it is cold!  This is the type of cold I braved many months out of the year growing up in Southwestern Ohio - along with the snow that came with it.  In fact if I remember correctly, the day the '78 blizzard hit & school was cancelled, it was colder than it is now & by 6 p.m. I had cabin fever so bad that I called my friend who lived 5 blocks away & decided to "hang" at her house.  And I walked those 5 blocks - all bundled up with a hat, gloves & scarf - but didn't complain about the cold. For one - we got out of school & the other - by the time I was 16, I was used to the cold in winter time.  Now I think of creative ways NOT to have to go out in the cold!

1st grader really wants it to snow so he can make a snowman!  Thank goodness we got him gloves for Christmas!  But I just don't see the snow thing happening for awhlie.  Generally it's been late January through mid-February when we've seen the type of freezing rain/ice that closes schools, makes everyone stay inside, and ties of the local news ALL DAY.  It's like no one has ever seen winter weather before.  Last year on our "ice & snow" day, the local news covered it from early morning clear through the mid-day news.  It was the same story over & over again. They showed the same footage of cars sliding on overpasses or fender benders.  I want the news to get out in the neighborhoods to show what the road conditions are like down Main St.  I knew a co-worker many, many years ago who didn't come to work when it had snowed because they couldn't get out of their driveway or street.  Didn't matter that the main roads were all clear & sanded.  The boss, of course, was less than sympathetic as all the roads he traveled were clear. 

I've also realized the farther north you live (in this D/FW Metroplex) - the worse the weather can be.  It can be freezing rain & black ice north of the airport but go south a little bit & the sun is out.  Go figure!

So what are your plans on this cold, chilly - still dry - day?

Back in Black!
Mood:  vegas lucky
Topic: Television

JOHN BLACK IS BACK!!!

Ok, ok, yes, I'm referring to "Days of Our Lives".  For those living in a sealed cave for the past few months or have never, I mean NEVER, seen any daytime television or watched any NBC shows in the last several months, John Black is a major character on the soap.  Drake Hogestyn, the actor who portrays Black, was presumably fired last fall after playing the character for over 20 years.  The outcry & outrage from fans was heard 'round the internet.  Either because of the fans or because this was a major ratings ploy, Drake is now back on the canvas as the very popular, hard to keep down, John Black.  Viewers first saw John's face on Tuesday when his lifelong enemy's son pulled back the sheet of the table John was lying on for the reveal.  Fans, however, are a lot smarter than that - we've had a feeling for at least a month that the mysterious "houseguest" was indeed, "that's a fact", John Black.  Hopefully this storyline will play out well and not make a mockery of what could be a very intriguing, well told story.  Tune in, stay tuned, for more!

What a New Year Brings!
Mood:  not sure
Topic: home

So I've been helping with the financial end of things where I work for the last few months.  And if you know me, you're shaking your head - I know, I did too!  Me, someone who absolutely hated math in school.  Who thinks accounting is for other, smarter people.  But I think in a round-about way, it's actually helped me!  I also really liked the accounting software program I was using.  And all that got me to thinking the other day - wouldn't it be wonderful if I can keep all our personal financial stuff as organized as the work finances?  I've been using a very archaic, outdated accounting software program at home for many years so I thought "what better way to get organized than to get new software".  Armed with some gift cards for my local discount store, I went on Thursday and returned with the new purchase.  Spent most of the day backing up the old, making sure I had everything I needed of the old on a disk (just in case) and installing the new software.  Voila!  It's almost too complicated right now!  I really do like it & what it can do for us.  Track investments!  Track mortgage stuff!  Gives me a calendar that shows spending on each day - wow!  One thing off my list of things I really needed to do is now taken care of!

 

Tree is Now Put Away
Mood:  celebratory
Topic: holidays

So yesterday was the "Dismantling" of Christmas at our house.  The tree is now officially put up - well, not really. It's in a box out in our garage.  The decorations are down - ok, the wreath is still on the door & the Christmas cards received are still in a basket on our end table.  So we're not officially done yet - but better than we were!

And the temp outside is in the 60s!  ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! It's January - but it is Texas.  A few years ago on New Years Day we were over at Photographer Daughter's house - standing around outside in shorts & T-shirts while Son-in-Law grilled our New Year's Dinner & it was at least 70 or above!  Last year we had a big ice/snow storm after Christmas & the year before it came on Valentine's Day.  So I take all this "spring" weather with a grain of salt because ultimately it will go back to feeling like "winter" at any moment. 

What's your forecast?

Moving . . . sorta
Mood:  quizzical
Topic: Blogging

So I got a wild hair the other day & decided to check out Wordpress.com - & I sorta liked what I saw on there.  I don't think I'm actually moving my blog there, but I would like to get more creative in blogging about scrapbooking - so I think that's where I'm going to start hanging out - scrap-wise.  I'm so not ready to go "live" at Wordpress just yet & will let you know when I arrive there. 

Do any of you out there - YEAH I'M TALKING TO YOU! - use Wordpress?  and if so . . . do you like it?  Is it comparable to other blogging sites?  Looks like I can upload more info - flickr, links, photos, etc.  What do you think?