My Stepford Life

Business Begins!

2009-05-24T13:40:00.003-04:00

I put out a few notices yesterday that I will start selling cakes and other confections, and I already have a wedding cake order! I am so excited. :) Hopefully this is the start of something beautiful. I am calling my business Stepford Sweets.

We have new neighbors. I plan on making some cake bites for them early this week to welcome them to the neighborhood. :)

As much as I hate summer due to the heat, it's a truly magical time for me, always. All of the best things always happen in the summer.

May 25th-29th

2009-05-21T22:11:00.003-04:00

I don't really use this blog anymore. I think I am going to start using it as a weekly planner so I have somewhere to keep my thoughts and schedule.

MEALS
-Bacon-wrapped chicken with bacon roasted potatoes and asparagus
-Meatloaf with potatoes and green beans
-Asian stir-fry
-Tacos
-Buffalo chicken sandwiches

CHORES
-Clean bathrooms
-Vacuum
-Clean pet cage
-Laundry (T, Th)
-Dishes
-Cake bites for new neighbors

SOCIAL ENGAGEMENTS
-Shopping with mother and sister on Wednesday
-Relay for Life--hometown--Saturday, May 30 through Sunday, May 31--Prepare sugar cookies and/or strawberry lemonade cupcakes. One batch of each?

Worst Week

2009-05-01T14:16:00.002-04:00

Emotionally, this week has been fine. Good, even. Physically, it has been awful. It has rained all week, and my bones feel like they're on fire every day. My house STILL isn't clean, even though I've been trying, and I just want to sleep (especially after going to a midnight movie last night with Walter and some co-workers). Alas, there is too much to be done.

Tomorrow one of Walter's co-workers is having a party, and I am baking some themed sugar cookies later today. I am also making a recipe from Jessica Seinfeld's Deceptively Delicious. My sister gave me the book for Christmas last year, but I have yet to use it. From what I understand, there is some controversy surrounding the book, but I am not interested in that. I will blog the recipe in my food blog tonight and let you know the results.

Monetary Gain

2009-04-14T16:47:00.003-04:00

I am so excited! A woman my mother works with wants me to make a cake for her daughter's birthday in June, and she is going to pay me for it! It is possible that this won't happen, as the daughter wants the cake to be in the shape of a cheetah, and I do not think I am good enough to do that quite yet. I told my mother to talk to her about it and see if a cake with cheetahs on it would be acceptable, and that I would be charging fifty dollars for it. This would be my first paid cake, and I hope it happens!

I have also added ads to my food blog. I get paid by the click (3-5 cents per click, generally), and so far I have made ten dollars. This is not much, but Walter says that if you make money at it, you are a professional. I suppose this makes me a professional food blogger. ;)

All else is going well. My sister and are doing fabulously now. Her shower is April 26. My last therapy appointment is the following day. The therapist has already said that I can quit, but I wanted to go a few more times, just to make sure things were running smoothly. Walter and I are doing well. Everything is fabulous. :)

Amateur

2009-03-25T17:12:00.002-04:00

Today, I did my weekly baking for Walter's office. I burned my stomach, dropped one batch of cookies on the floor, and one batch came out flat. Ugh. But most of them turned out okay and are ready to be sent to work tomorrow.

My house feels like a mess. Everyone keeps telling me that it is clean, but I feel like I have been falling dreadfully behind. My sister is coming over on Saturday, so I will be baking her a cake . I will also be covering it with homemade fondant, a first for me, so we shall see how things work out.

I just feel so...behind. Unprofessional. Ugh.

Lackluster

2009-03-19T16:39:00.002-04:00

I realize that I have little desire to keep this blog going anymore. I usually have to force myself to write entries. So, I will not be updating regularly anymore...just if there is something super housewifey and important that I want to share. Fear not, though. My food blog will still be updated once or twice a week, as usual. And I am not giving up on this blog. I am merely going to cease in writing boring entries about the laundry. If I make something fantastic or find a great deal somewhere, I'll post about it. Do not miss me much. :)

I started therapy today. I think it will be a good thing.

Getting Better

2009-03-14T18:57:00.002-04:00

Thursday's visit with my brother and his girlfriend was fantastic. They enjoyed my food (bacon-wrapped chicken, green beans, potatoes), and a good time was had by all. I am glad he is with someone who is so good to and for him.

Friday I went to the doctor about my panic attacks. She gave me the numbers of a couple of therapists. I called one, but she was out of the office. I will call her again on Monday.

Tomorrow I am going to dip some more cake balls if they haven't dried out too much. If they have, I will make those darned Rice Krispie treats! Either way, Walter will have something to take to the office. Of course, I may be lazy tomorrow and make them Monday instead. Either way works for us!

My house is nice and clean and fabulous right now. I am quite pleased with this. It was a disaster for far too long.

Next weekend, we are going to my father-in-law's 50th birthday party. We were told that we didn't have to bring anything, but I am considering baking a small cake (maybe a 6-inch) for him. If not, I will make some cookies or something of the sort--I cannot show up empty-handed!

Solutions

2009-03-11T21:54:00.004-04:00

Today, I was supposed to clean the house, make some cake balls, make Rice Krispie treats, and get everything ready for my brother's arrival tomorrow.

Instead, I talked to Bobbie until 1pm. Then, I started working on the cake balls (I had most of them rolled already, just not dipped). Halfway through dipping them, I had a panic attack. This is the second one I've had in a week. They leave me quite fatigued, so I could do nothing else for a few hours. I called the doctor. I have an appointment on Friday at 1:15. I have only had one panic attack before these two in the last nine months, and that was during the crisis with my parents in late December. I know these are brought on by my lack of a relationship with my sister, but I think it is time to get a professional involved. I think I have helped myself alone as much as I can.

So, I managed to drizzle the cake balls I dipped...some of them are pretty, but most are sort of blah-looking. Walter says that his co-workers will not care, so he is taking them to the office tomorrow. Perhaps I will dip the other half this weekend and send them to work with him next week, if it all goes well. As for cleaning and Rice Krispie treats, well...I will get up when Walter leaves for work tomorrow (no excuses) and take care of all of these things then, before my brother and his girlfriend arrive.

I am frustrated with myself for not getting things done, and for allowing the cake balls to turn out so sloppily, but that is okay. They do taste good, and there is not much to be done about it. I will get my chores done before my guests arrive tomorrow, and hopefully everything will be running smoothly again soon.
I

Hecticity

2009-03-09T12:08:00.002-04:00

Is that a word? Perhaps not. Anyway...

I spent the weekend making the castle cake for my mother's best friend's daughter. It turned out rather nice. The kitchen has still not been cleaned (well, the crumbs have been vacuumed, a little), and I was planning on doing that today, as well as making some cake balls with the leftover cake and some Rice Krispie treats for Walter's office.

I cannot get out of bed.

We have a miniature refrigerator in the bedroom now. At the moment it is stocked with nothing but some oranges, but that is better than nothing. If my condition does not improve by lunch, I will have something to tie me over. I need to mail some bills, but that will have to wait. I will have Walter drop them in the box this evening. Oh, I hate that I will be leaving the house a mess for another day.

Rave Reviews

2009-03-04T18:21:00.002-05:00

Walter called me at lunch today to tell me that my cookies were already gone. Apparently they didn't make it through the 10AM break! He was quite popular today, with people telling him thank you and how much they enjoyed the cookies. It was requested that I make more next week, as well. I am glad they went over so well! Hopefully next week's recipe will be every bit as popular!

Popularity

2009-03-03T12:26:00.002-05:00

The next few weeks are going to be quite enjoyable, I think. Today, I am baking some butter pecan cookies for the office. Thursday, my mother is coming for a visit. This weekend, I am decorating the cake for my mother's best friend's daughter. Next Thursday, my "brother" (my sister's ex-husband, of course) and his girlfriend are coming over for dinner. A friend may be visiting on her way to Texas around the 16th, and my sister-in-law (Walter's sister) called me this morning to invite me to go shopping with her and her aunts on April 2nd. And shortly after that, I will be decorating a cake for my young cousins for Easter. Goodness, I am popular right now, aren't I? I am so fantastically pleased to be so busy with so many wonderful things. :)

Cookies and Visitors

2009-02-28T12:17:00.004-05:00

I am on such a cookie kick right now! I baked the cranberry oatmeal raisin ones last week for Bobbie (and kept leftovers for Walter--only one left now!), and I baked chocolate chip ones for my cousin later in the week (which were also delicious...if only I could have kept those as well!). A co-worker of Walter's requested some cookies, so I believe I will start baking a new batch weekly for him to bring to the office (although, sometimes I may bake cupcakes as well).

Another of my cousins (I am sure it sounds as if I have a million--really, I only have five that I regularly communicate with, and only two that I regularly spend time with) is coming over this afternoon for some shopping. I have not seen her since Christmas, so it will be a fun day. Too bad it is only 30 degrees today instead of the 70 we had on Wednesday! Consistent warm weather would be fantastic.

Walter's father stopped by this morning. He brought Walter's miniature refrigerator from college so we can place it upstairs. That way, on days when I am too sore to walk, I will have a way to obtain lunch. We had a lovely chat with him before he left.

Next weekend I will be baking and decorating the cake for my mother's best friend's daughter. Her party is on Sunday. We will not be staying for the party, but we will deliver the cake and a small gift of Play-Doh. I will be sure to blog about the cake when it is done. I hope it turns out better than the last. This one will be shaped like a castle. I am considering using fondant now that I have found some recipes for tasty kinds, but I think I will do simple buttercream this time and fondant for the next cake I bake (which will be for my sister's baby shower).

So much baking is in my future! Hooray!

Baking

2009-02-23T15:13:00.003-05:00

I am baking Bobbie's cookies as I write this (I could not walk yesterday, so it got pushed to today). On Wednesday, I will be baking my cousin's cookies. Baking makes me so content with the world, like everything is perfect. It makes my house smell good, it makes my husband happy...there is really nothing wrong with baking.

I am addicted to Animal Crossing on the DS. It is hard for me to focus on my chores, but I have already gotten them all done! I am quite pleased with myself.

Perfect Days

2009-02-20T14:58:00.002-05:00

I love days when everything seems right. I woke up feeling lonely and hormonal, but after talking to Bobbie online and my mother on the phone, that went away (it was a residual feeling from a dream I had). When Bobbie went to bed (we have a fifteen hour time difference) and my mother got off the phone, I got out of bed (I do love having wireless) and did my chores. Vacuuming, laundry, and dishes are all done now. The kitchen is clean, the living room is organized, and the bed is made. Everything is in perfect working order, and it feels me with a sense of inner peace.

No weekend plans. We cancelled our weekly gaming session about a month ago because we have been so busy, so I do not have to worry about that. On Sunday, I will bake Bobbie's cookies so I can mail them on Monday. I do hope they arrive mostly fresh. Next week I am baking some chocolate chip cookies for my cousin, as he requested them. Bobbie and I are also doing a photo scavenger hunt that I should get started on, as it ends Friday. Another cousin is visiting next Saturday, and the weekend after that will be spent making my mother's best friend's daughter's birthday cake.

On top of all of today's wonderfulness, the weather is quite delightful. Chilly, but no wind, so it is fantastic. I can feel spring in the air.

Deals!

2009-02-19T17:14:00.002-05:00

I went shopping with my mother today. In addition to licensing Walter's car, I purchased:

Two cordless hand vacuums--one for 18 dollars and one for 20 dollars. The 20 dollar one is wet-and-dry, and is for the kitchen. The 18 dollar one is for the pet cage. I had one for them, but they chewed through the charging cord.

A collapsable measuring cup that measures 1/4 cup to 1 cup. My traditional ones were taking too much drawer space.

AND

A new non-stick frying pan for ten dollars!

Overall, I got a lot of things I needed for pretty good prices. Tonight, I am making honey mustard chicken. Prepare for a food blog update!

Routines

2009-02-17T13:05:00.003-05:00

I have not yet gotten back into my routine. Walter was home from work yesterday, and then he took a sick day today. My joints are incredibly sore today, so I have yet to get out of bed. I have laundry to do, and dishes, and I need to de-clutter the living room and kitchen. But with Walter being home, I am not sure how much of that will actually get done. I will do my best, but I find if difficult to motivate myself when he is sitting in the living room playing video games.

I believe my mother is coming for her weekly visit tomorrow. I have to get Walter's car licensed. It is supposed to rain/snow tomorrow, so I hope my bones are doing better than they are today.

Valentine's Day

2009-02-15T12:11:00.002-05:00

Valentine's Day was wonderful! Here is a recap of most of the day's events.

I made Walter heart-shaped blueberry pancakes for breakfast. He bought me a box of 72 Airheads (the taffy-like candies) because I can't eat chocolate. He took me to dinner at a Chinese place where we used to go a lot while dating (it is near the town we grew up and has the best lo mein). Then, he drove me to an old schoolhouse about five miles from my parents' house, and we got out of the car and danced to a song that could probably be considered "ours."

This schoolhouse is rather important to us. When Walter and I had been dating casually for about a month, we stopped there on the way home from a movie to dance in the rain. When we got there, the rain turned to snow, but it was an incredibly important moment because it was the moment we both decided we wanted to be together, in a real relationship, instead of whatever it was we were doing beforehand. So, him bringing me back there five years later was pretty special.

Then we stopped at Wal-Mart to get some Febreeze Noticible refills because the Wal-Mart at home was out when I went shopping on Thursday. Overall, it was a pretty fantastic day. I hope everyone else had a great one too!

New Laptop!

2009-02-13T22:32:00.003-05:00

I used some of our tax refund to buy a new laptop! I am so excited to have wireless again, so I can type from bed if I want to! I am so excited by this, and it was so cheap!

I also won a giveaway on Audrey's blog. I will be receiving a Swiffer starter kit! Oh, tonight is a grand night, and tomorrow shall be fantastic as well!

Shopping and Valentines

2009-02-12T13:03:00.003-05:00

I am going grocery shopping today, since Walter and I have not had time to do it on the weekends. I also have a few final details to smooth out for my part of Valentine's Day. There will be a blog update about it when it is all done (both blogs).

Yesterday I woke up and was quite pleased to find it was laundry day. I also got my kitchen in order, although the floor is still in quite a disarray. The dishes need to be done as well, but they can wait until I return home from shopping. I am excited to go out today, for some reason. Perhaps it is because I know that Valentine's Day, my favorite holiday (tied with Halloween), is in two days!

Walter and I went on our first date on Valentine's Day, 2004. We drove around town and laughed and talked, and then we ate dinner at Sonic. Not particularly romantic, maybe, but it was the start of something wonderful. So, in addition to being the day of love, this Valentine's Day is the 5-year anniversary of our first date, as well. I feel that with an anniversary such as that, I cannot be one of the people who hates the holiday. Besides, a little romance every now and then doesn't hurt. :)

Taxes

2009-02-06T14:53:00.002-05:00

I never did receive my W-2 (odds are, it has ended up in the hands of the sex offender living in our old apartment--fantastic. I shall be checking my credit report for a while), but I called my old employers and managed to get it online, so I filed and found we will be getting a pretty nice refund! I am pretty pleased by this, because I was afraid we would have to pay.

Tonight I will be baking the cakes and decorating a little. Most of the decorating will be done tomorrow at my mother's house. My throat is sore again today, but just on one side, and the rest of my symptoms are not here, so I will probably be fine, and I feel well enough to bake (I just haven't yet). Tacos for dinner tonight. I know I haven't updated my food blog in forever, but I have not made anything new. After this weekend, you will get an update about the cake.

Cakes and Laundry

2009-02-05T13:26:00.002-05:00

Lots of laundry must be done today. I haven't folded it for over a week due to being sick--we have been living out of baskets (I suppose Walter could have folded it for me, but I so hate asking him to do things. He works hard every day and took such good care of me when I was sick, anyway, that I couldn't bear to make him do more). So, I have to fold all of that, but it will not take horribly long, and folding laundry is one chore I adore.

Tomorrow I have to bake the cake for my sister's boyfriend's daughter, and Saturday I will be decorating it. I finally decided on the recipe for both the cake and the icing, so I will be able to get to work tomorrow. Hopefully it turns out as lovely as it is in my head...

I still have not received my W-2. Walter has his, but we cannot file until I get mine (I worked for a few months at the beginning of 2008). It is horribly frustrating, but I am sure I will get it soon. If not, I will call whomever is in charge and get it figured out.

Apple Juice and Nightmares

2009-02-03T17:55:00.002-05:00

I have never liked apple juice, but I am loving it at the moment. It is great for my throat. Of course, my throat is very nearly healed, and my dizziness only comes about if I stand for too long. I am getting so much better, and for this I am grateful.

My mother is coming over tomorrow to help me get my house back in order. Of course, I could do this myself, but she was insistent. We will also go into the city and do a bit of shopping, of course, so I am not concerned. And Walter has not been coming home for lunch recently--he brings leftovers to the office instead. I don't mind this because it is easier for him, saves on gas, and helps move the leftovers (especially when I am not in a lunch-eating mood), but I admit that it does make the day a bit lonelier. However, I am sure I will get used to it.

Had some dreadful dreams last night that have left me quite shaken today. Hopefully I improve tonight.

On the Mend

2009-02-02T13:18:00.002-05:00

I am feeling considerably better now. My throat is still frightfully sore, but I am no longer exceedingly dizzy. Tonight, I shall clean the pet cages (and if I am too weak, I will instruct Walter to do it. It has been a week and a half, and the poor critters are not living in sanitary conditions at the moment). Right now I am doing laundry, and perhaps soon, I will do the dishes as well. There is also vacuuming and de-cluttering to do, but I do not want to over-exert myself, so I shall wait on that until tomorrow.

I am quite glad to be feeling better, though. Being sick is absolutely horrible.

My Goodness.

2009-02-01T11:16:00.003-05:00

Goodness, I am sorry I haven't updated. I have been absolutely, horridly sick since Thursday. On Wednesday I went to visit my parents for a while. They are currently renovating their home and wanted some help/opinions. They have put brick paneling in one corner of the entry room, and it looks absolutely fabulous. I woke up Thursday morning with a sore throat, and by 12:30, the headache, dizzyness, and fatigue hit me as well, and has been here since then. I have allergies to most medications, but we tried a couple that I thought were safe--no dice, and I had to induce vomiting so as not to have a possibly lethal allergic reaction. I am merely taking ibuprofen to reduce the swelling and pain of my throat. It works better than nothing.

The house, I fear, is in complete disarray. Walter did the dishes for me, bless him, but the pet cage needs cleaned, and the floors vacuumed, and the laundry folded. And I have still not decided which recipe to use for the cake I am baking next weekend, or the recipe for the frosting. I have also not drawn out my plan for what I am going to do, although it is in my head perfectly. I am horribly behind. I also have to do the bulk of the decorating at my mother's house, which is frustrating because her kitchen is not nearly big enough for me. But I am making the hour and a half trip on my own, and I do not think the cake would make it there unharmed were it completely decorated. If Walter were going, I could hold the cake and make sure it did not tip and destroy itself, but I cannot make such promises alone. So, I have to do the baking on Friday, drive to my mother's on Saturday to decorate, and then ride with my mother to my sister's house with the decorated cake on Sunday. So, hopefully I am feeling better by then. But if I am not, well, I have more issues, as I would be sick for over a week!

Hopefully I can get back into the swing of things soon. Ugh.

Hooray!

2009-01-27T22:16:00.002-05:00

I talked to my sister's ex-husband, and his girlfriend is going to have a baby in August! I am going to be an aunt twice in two months! I am very happy, and I am glad to talk to him. It sounds like everything is going great for him, and I am so happy that things have worked out for him.

That is all I have to say. Everything else is good. I don't have much else to discuss right now. Cake decorating next week!

Money

2009-01-26T15:30:00.002-05:00

I broke my glasses last week. Not sure I mentioned it. I went to the eye doctor to get new ones today. The insurance didn't cover my lenses because I needed particular ones, so it ended up being three hundred dollars. Luckily, we have been making a profit every paycheck, so we had the money, but it was a bit frustrating. At least they will last me for a while.

It is cold, and we are expecting snow. I am not pleased by this, but I do not have anywhere else to go this week, so it will not be too horrible. I just hope it won't be hard for Walter to get to work tomorrow.

This weekend is fairly low-key, and next weekend I have my sister's boyfriend's daughter's birthday party, which means cake decorating galore. Hooray!

Restless

2009-01-23T15:41:00.002-05:00

I have felt restless all week. I am not sure why, but I just have not wanted to be at home all day. I think that it comes from the fact that we are so busy over the next couple of months and I am anticipating those events.

Today I have done the dishes and am doing laundry, and I cleaned the kitchen (it badly needed it). The range direly needed a cleaning, so I am soaking the burner catches at the moment. After the kitchen is in shape, I will fold the laundry. Tonight I will clean the pet cages (I was too tired to do so yesterday), and on Monday I will vacuum. Despite feeling restless, I do feel motivated and proud of myself for accomplishing so much around the house.

I bought a dress yesterday (it was clearanced to twenty dollars at Dillard's!) to wear to the employee appreciation party tomorrow. It is teal, which compliments me well, and it fits like a dream. I am quite pleased with it.

Walter has received his W-2. We are just waiting on mine from when I worked part-time a few months last year, and then I can do our taxes. It seems that we will get a pretty hefty refund, but I could be wrong. I am hoping we do not have to pay, but it is always a possibility. We shall see.

Next week, I plan to make Bobbie's cookies and mail them. Hopefully they are still fresh when "she" receives them. It will probably take about two weeks for them to make it there, so I am hoping it works out. I still need to pick up some ingredients. My brown sugar has solidified, as it does, and I have no dried cranberries...

Back on Track

2009-01-21T12:06:00.002-05:00

Feeling much better today, so laundry is going right now. The kitchen is a disaster, and dishes need to be done, but I have plenty of time. Cleaning the kitchen rarely takes me any time at all.

Making spaghetti pie for dinner tonight, so expect a blog update. :)

My mother is coming over tomorrow for a visit. I need to pick up some more cake decorating supplies. I hope she does not get tired of going to Michaels every week.

Under the Weather

2009-01-20T09:20:00.000-05:00

I collapsed last night after my shower, completely devoid of energy. I had to cut my nightly conversation with Bobbie short and go to bed early. This morning my entire body aches. I cannot decide if it is due to arthritis or sickness, but I think it is the latter (or perhaps a mix), as I am also both cold and hot, dizzy, and nauseous. So, the dishes and laundry so direly needing done will have to wait. Perhaps I can convince Walter to help out. Oh, what a bad housewife I am...I will not ask him to do dishes, as his germophobia makes him awful at them, but perhaps I can convince him to do some laundry for me.

Ugh. I loathe being ill, as it means I do not get the work done that I had planned to do. I suppose I willl spend the day reading and watching bad TV.

Socialite

2009-01-19T12:38:00.002-05:00

My, what a weekend. And it is still technically the weekend for me, as Walter is home from work today. Tomorrow I will get back to my regular schedule, but today, I get to lounge around and watch him play video games.

Friday night was spent with a couple we don't see very often. They are delightful company, and a good time was had by all. Saturday night we went to a birthday party for a co-worker of Walter's. It was a very low-key affair and was a lot of fun. I am starting to know many of his co-workers now. Yesterday, Walter's father came to fix my car, which he did in no time at all.

This upcoming Saturday we have an employee appreciation dinner for Walter. My, we are certainly busy people!

My Surprise

2009-01-16T00:38:00.002-05:00

I forgot that I promised to show you something I bought earlier, so here it is:

It is a small cake cookbook produced by Swans Down Cake Flour. It is copyrighted 1931. I found it at a flea market for four dollars! I may never use it, but it is a fun thing to have.

I made lots of muffins today. They came out great, and I am quite pleased with them! We have some friends coming over tomorrow evening, hopefully they will enjoy them as well.

Freezing

2009-01-15T12:06:00.002-05:00

The high today is supposed to be eleven degrees. With the wind chill, it is supposed to be negative ten. Fahrenheit. Needless to say, my bones do not enjoy this. I am not thrilled by this, as I have a lot to do today. I have to do the dishes and laundry (including the bed linens), organize the kitchen and living room, and make blueberry muffins to send with Walter to his co-worker's house tonight. Then, tonight, I have to clean the pet cages. I took some pills, so perhaps I will be able to do all of this soon.

I bought something exciting yesterday, but you will have to wait to see what it is.

More Requests

2009-01-13T18:50:00.003-05:00

I spent two hours on dinner today. I made mini-meat turnovers, and rolling out 40 biscuits, filling them with meat and cheese, sealing them, and baking them takes some time. Time well spent, though.

My sister called today and wants me to make a cake for her boyfriend's daughter's birthday. I am excited to be making one for someone. I hope it turns out well.

Sore and Swollen

2009-01-12T12:44:00.002-05:00

I just took my arthritis medication, so it has not had time to kick in. My hands and feet are sore and puffy. Today is not a horribly full day--I have dishes and laundry to do, and I have to organize the kitchen (the weekend is not kind to my kitchen) and maybe mop the floor, but other than that, I am free to do nothing all day. My father did not manage to fix my car, and then he mistakenly went home with my keys, so I am not able to go anywhere. However, I do not know where I would go anyway.

I bought some old issues of Taste of Home yesterday at a flea market. I have already found a couple of recipes in one that I want to try. I am considering subscribing to Taste of Home, but I am already subscribed to five or six magazines as it is...we shall see.

I need to bake cookies for Bobbie this week, but I have no dried cranberries, and "she" wants them in "her" cookies. And so, I will have to either have Walter pick some up or wait until next week.

Finally!

2009-01-09T16:25:00.002-05:00

After nearly a month, I FINALLY got my vacuuming done. The whole house looks so much better now! I also cleaned the bathrooms, and some chicken is marinading for dinner. I am feeling so successful and fulfilled. My housework had not been up to snuff over the holidays and the following events, but now that things are going smoothly, I am back in the groove.

I also talked to my mother on the phone for over two hours today, which was nice. Her best friend's daughter is turning four (she was a miracle baby) at the beginning of March, and they wanted to know if I would make a cake for them. I am excited! When the daughter was asked what kind of cake she wanted, the answer was "pink," so I will have to work with that. She loves princesses and Dora the Explorer, so I do have some things to go on. I hope I do a good job!

Tomorrow night, our weekly gaming and entertaining begins again, but next weekend, Walter and I have plans.

Better

2009-01-08T16:20:00.003-05:00

Today was much better. I did the dishes and the laundry. I will clean the pet cage tonight. Tomorrow I will vacuum the floors, clean the bathrooms, and do more laundry if it is needed. I am back into my routine and feeling much better because of it. I do not mind pressure--I work well under it--and I can handle chaos and problems when they are presented. That very quality is why I am the one handling the things that are occurring now. I do it because I can, because I am good at it. But I need a set schedule so I can feel like there is a bit of structure in my life.

Tonight I am making waffles for dinner. My parents bought me a waffle maker for Christmas, and I have not had a chance to break it in yet.

My car is not starting. It is believed that the fuel filter needs replaced. My parents are coming over this weekend to fix it. I rarely drive, maybe once a week at the most, and even less often if my mother is visiting weekly. However, it is nice to have in case of an emergency.

I actually feel somewhat tired today, still. I woke up earlier than I planned. I may take a nap before Walter gets home.

Draining

2009-01-07T22:55:00.002-05:00

I spent last night at my parents' house. I finished the laundry that I started yesterday when I got home tonight. Still haven't vacuumed. I hope to do it tomorrow, although I might just put it off until Friday since I am cleaning the pet cage tomorrow night anyway.

I am just so emotionally and physically drained. I need to sleep forever, but I have so much to do. I want to drop off the face of the earth and just bake, bake, bake.

I apologize for a lack of substantial entries lately. I have not had much time to be a housewife. I hope Walter does not feel neglected.

Sore Again

2009-01-06T13:58:00.003-05:00

My joints ache a tremendous amount today, which is unfortunate because I was going to do the vacuuming. Perhaps after my arthitis medication kicks in. I did not do it yesterday because my mother was here.

Does anyone, by chance, know how much it would cost to ship about 18 cookies to South Korea?

Back to Normalcy

2009-01-04T15:58:00.003-05:00

Tomorrow, I go back to my normal routine. Walter will return to work (and is feeling much better), and I will clean this mess of a house. I have laundry, dishes, and vacuuming to do tomorrow, among other, smaller things. My mother is coming for a visit sometime this week as well.

My parents bought me a stand mixer. It was totally unnecessary but welcomed. It is not a Kitchenaid (which is for the best, as I would have felt uncomfortable accepting such an expensive gift), but a Sunbeam. I have not used it yet, but I am sure it will make my baking much easier and even more enjoyable. I plan to bake some cookies soon and ship them to dear Bobbie across the world soon. Hopefully they arrive there fresh and intact.

in a few months I will be throwing my sister a baby shower. I procured a cake decorating book (and some cupcake books) last week, and it has some lovely ideas that I will put to use. I am excited about this. I have been toying lately with a catering/baking business of some sort, just a small, home-based thing. I am not sure how to go about it yet, however, or if it is truly something I would be interested in. Perhaps sometime in the future.

New Layouts

2009-01-02T18:05:00.002-05:00

I have been playing around with the layouts for both of my blogs today. I think I have finally decided on what I want, at least for now. What do my readers think?

Improving

2009-01-02T17:30:00.003-05:00

I woke up this morning (much closer to afternoon, actually) feeling much better. I think that instead of catching what Walter had, I was just emotionally and physically drained from everything that occurred this week. I am still dealing with that.

In other news, I managed to start on the closet a bit today. I bagged all of the clothes I no longer wear to donate. I also have a separate bag of clothes I will not wear but cannot bear to part with for sentimental reasons. It consists of mostly black t-shirts, many of them from concerts I went to when I was a teenager. I think I may make throw pillows or something of the sort with them to display in our game room when we buy a house. Either that, or I will make a quilt with them. My mother did that once, years ago. We shall see, but for now, I will keep them. I was surprised to see that I actually wear a majority of the clothing in my closet. I did not tackle Walter's side today, as he is still not feeling fantastic, but I feel like I have made a bit of progress.

I am making spaghetti for dinner tonight. Not a spectacular thing, but I have been meaning to make it all week.

Crash and Burn

2009-01-01T18:02:00.002-05:00

Walter's illness finally caught up to me. He is feeling better, but I am completely incapacitated. I am glad I did my housework yesterday while my parents were out at lunch.

They went home this morning with the promise that everything will be okay, which I wholeheartedly believe. If nothing else, this has made me more confident in my own marriage.

I slept all day today. Feeling dizzy whilst lying down is not an enjoyable thing.

Recovery

2008-12-31T15:25:00.003-05:00

Things are going much better now than the last time I updated, and certainly better than when everything started on Sunday. My mother is going home tomorrow, and everything will work out.

Today I did the dishes and the laundry. I wanted to clean out the closet while Walter was home for these two weeks, but he has been so sick that it will have to wait. Hopefully he is well on Monday when he returns to work.

I taught my mother to make some fantastic banana bread yesterday. The addition of my aunt's pear butter makes it absolutely fabulous.

I have started a new medicine for my arthritis, and it works very well. I am feeling pretty good, and I like it.

Chaosity

2008-12-29T11:15:00.002-05:00

Things are...up in the air at the moment. I got a phonecall at 1:15 Sunday morning, and since then, I am not sure what has been going on. A lot has transpired since then, and things are considerably better than they were, but I still do not know exactly what is happening. All I know is that after this, I had better win the daughter of the year award.

Cleaning has been put on hold until my mother goes home, for the most part. She is staying until at least Wednesday. Tonight I am making the recipe for the WC Nesties slow cooker exchange. Hopefully it is tasty.

Behind

2008-12-27T23:20:00.002-05:00

My house is a disaster. I meant to clean it today, but the storm that came through left me too sore, so perhaps another day. Tomorrow I am supposed to meet my parents in the city for some shopping and lunch. Walter is to come as well, but he does not feel well. If his condition is not improved, I will go alone. He doesn't have a fever, but he is definitely under the weather. I would make him some soup to help make him feel better, but he will not eat soup. Hopefully he recovers quickly.

Post-Storm Calm

2008-12-26T13:04:00.003-05:00

Christmas and its festivities have come to a close, of which I am glad. Everything went splendidly, but it is time for a break. My house is in total disarray, and I need to put it back together.

All of my baking went over quite well. I even managed to have a very small piece of the peppermint cake without getting sick, despite the large amounts of lactose in it. The only leftovers we have are three of the chocolate mint cookies. Everyone was in a good mood, there were no squabbles (which, given the current state of my relationship with my sister, surprised me greatly), and it was, quite possibly, the best Christmas I have had in years. My sister's soon-to-be ex-husband even sent me a Christmas message, and it was great to hear from him.

Walter and I managed to obtain a large sum of cash from the holidays, which is incredibly fantastic, as well as a number of delightful gifts. Walter received nearly 200 comic books that a coworker of my father's found, as well as some other gifts that were perfect for him. I received a cookbook from my sister, and my mother gave me some of her old cookbooks as well as a glass pie plate, three casserole dishes, some wire cooling racks, and some Shamwow cloths (which, despite the commercial being scam-like, actually are some of the most fantastic towels in existence). Everyone was quite pleased with the gifts we got them, as well. All in all, it was a great holiday season. We plan on saving most of the money we received, but I do plan to buy a cheap bookcase for the kitchen, as I am running out of room for my cookbooks.

The only downside to everything was that after coming home last night, I slipped on the stairs and hurt my foot. It is still swollen and will not support weight, but I am pretty sure it is not broken. When it happened, I immediately thought of Marzipan. I was planning to clean the bedroom closet today, but it will have to wait until my foot holds me up a bit better.

I hope everyone else's holidays were as great as mine!

EDIT: I forgot to mention, my aunt gave us some homemade salsa, pear butter, apple pear sauce, and blackberry jam. It is fantastic!

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-24T13:03:00.000-05:00

I know I'm a day early, but I am leaving for relatives' houses soon, so I am wishing all of my readers a safe and merry Christmas! Hope everyone has a happy holiday! :)

Exhausted but Successful

2008-12-23T18:41:00.003-05:00

I ended up making five dessert recipes for the holidays (six if you count the orange cookies). Of those, only two failed. Like I said, one of every three recipes...

Today I made the chocolate mint cookies, some Oreo truffles (because the chocolate cheesecake I made started slipping off of the plate as I put it in the fridge, and I instinctively put my hand on it to save it...and put my hand through it), and a peppermint cake. All of these are shown in my food blog. Now, the kitchen is clean, the dishes are going, and Walter is home with McDonald's for dinner (I offered to make spaghetti, but he knew that my back was killing me). Tomorrow afternoon, we will depart for our Christmas festivities, not coming home until late Christmas night. And then, I will be able to rest.

Baking

2008-12-22T23:27:00.003-05:00

I am not a cooking and baking guru like my blog might imply. I have only been cooking and baking for about six months, overall (before, I knew the basics but never did anything particularly daring). I very rarely botch cooking a meal. I find I have a natural talent for knowing what flavors to combine and when to remove/replace certain things. However, I am not as great a baker. I ruin about one in every three baking endeavors I take on. Usually it is because I do not pay attention--like when I forgot to add the marshmallow creme to my pumpkin fudge. Tonight, it was because I did not realize there is a difference between cook-and-serve pudding and instant pudding. Yes, you are more than welcome to laugh at me. But I hardly ever had pudding as a child (I did not like it much), and when I did, it was usually from those little cups (I am already a better baker than my mother, bless her heart). So, the lemon fudge I was making did not turn out well. However, I found a recipe for some chocolate cookies with mint icing, and the dough is chilling now. I VERY rarely botch cookies or cakes. I just have an issue with candies. I suppose I just have to practice.

Tomorrow I have to make a cheesecake and a peppermint layer cake as well as finish my cookies. Hopefully I don't get stressed out, and hopefully nothing gets botched this time. Fingers crossed.

Newness

2008-12-21T17:04:00.003-05:00

Our new washer is installed now, so I am getting caught up on my laundry. I am quite pleased with this. The new washer is much nicer than the old one was. Bigger and quieter.

I also got new brake pads on my car, so I can go places again. Too bad I have to spend time baking instead!

TGIF

2008-12-19T15:06:00.002-05:00

I feel ill today, nauseous. I made the pigs in blankets regardless, they are in the oven right now. Tomorrow I must make Rotel before we leave. The weather is possibly going to be bad tomorrow afternoon, so we could be stranded at my parents' house. I certainly hope not.

Ugh, you can tell I am ill today. I put the sausages into the oven on waxed paper instead of parchment paper. I realized my mistake in time to save about half of them, but it is considerably less than I planned on bringing. Still, with the cookies (Walter's office dinner was cancelled) and the Rotel, it will be enough. My family is not particularly large. I am still upset with myself, but it will be okay.

It seems to me that I make some sort of baking mistake every time I cook something for an event other than Walter's office. Maybe I should just bake for his office all of the time. Ugh.

Happy-Go-Lucky

2008-12-18T15:06:00.002-05:00

My cookies have been dipped in chocolate and are cooling on the counter right now. Oh, they are so fantastic! And they were so fun. I love when things I bake turn out well.

I need to do the dishes, but I like to break things up. Makes the day seem fuller. I am actually WANTING to do laundry. I wish our washing machine was here! Laundry has always been the chore I enjoyed doing the most, so not being able to do it is driving me nuts. Especially since I know it needs done! If a chore is undoable, why can't it be the dishes? I loathe the dishes.

Tonight I have to clean the pet cages, and tomorrow I have to vacuum and cook for the Christmas dinner on Saturday. Then, shopping on Sunday, baking on Monday and Tuesday, and then it is Christmas Eve! After Thursday, I will have all of the free time I want. I don't know if this is good or bad.

Productive

2008-12-17T14:22:00.003-05:00

I wake up at 7am every morning to feed the pets and see Walter off to work. Then I go back to sleep for another two to three hours (I have always been a late riser). However, in the winter, this means that I am not functional physically until twelve or one in the afternoon. Today, I was up and ready by 10:30 (although I didn't really do anything until 11:30. I watched The Price Is Right the first half of The Martha Stewart Show). It is now 1:20 (my blog is on Stepford, Connecticut, time. The real Joanna Eberhart is on Missouri time), and the dishes are done, the floor has been swept and scrubbed, the laundry has been folded, the living room has been organized, the bed linens has been aired and then the bed made, and I am soon going to clean out the pantry and season some potatoes for dinner. I tend to be a late riser because the day isn't so long (I get lonely around 3pm if I get up early, and then I practially pounce on Walter for company at 5), but this is the first day I feel that I have actually gotten any work done in a week. Fantastic.

Tonight I will make the dough for my cookies. Walter says he may not need them for work now, but I will bring them to the Christmas dinner on Saturday if he does not. Either way, they will be made!

Hungry

2008-12-17T09:24:00.000-05:00

I couldn't fall back to sleep after Walter left for work, so here I am up much earlier than usual. I wonder if leftover penne is an acceptable breakfast...

When my bones and I start agreeing, I have dishes to do today. I also have laundry, but as we have no washing machine, that will have to wait. Tonight I have to prepare the dough for the chocolate-dipped orange cookies so it can chill overnight. Meatloaf for dinner tonight.

And now to get some of that penne...

End in Sight?

2008-12-16T12:44:00.000-05:00

I have had to stay in bed for two or three hours after waking every morning for almost a week. I did manage to get to the mailbox this morning, but it is still frozen shut, so Walter will have to mail the phone bill in the city. It is mot due until Friday anyway.

We found a good, cheap washing machine to replace ours, but when Walter called his father, we learned that Walter's aunt is getting a new one herself and immediately offered her old one to us for no cost. So, that dilemma remedied itself quickly and easily. Until the replacement is delivered, I am holding off on laundry, but it won't be more than a week.

Walter and I have decided not to move this year. After doing some looking, it will be nearly impossible to find a place in the city that is big enough, nice enouh, cheap enough, and on the right side of town, so we have decided to wait until next year. Walter will get a raise in June, so we should be able to afford a rent increase in 2010.

Hopefully my joints start working soon. The kitchen floor needs mopped.

Frustrations

2008-12-15T19:40:00.002-05:00

UGH! Our washing machine is not functioning. The first load of laundry went as normal, but the second did not drain, and now the washer won't work at all. It makes a sort of noise like it WANTS to spin, but it does nothing--except occasionally add more water. It seems to be a motor problem, but as neither Walter nor I are particularly fluent in the workings of a washing machine, we are calling his father lately, hoping to find an answer. It is looking like a new washing machine is in our future, however. At least the dryer still works.

The good news is that dinner was nice, and Marzipan has not deleted her blog, but merely moved it. So, there are some bright patches. And we can find a "new" washing machine for fairly cheap, as well. All will be well.

Blustery

2008-12-15T14:42:00.002-05:00

Another day that I spend a majority of in bed. I use my DS Browser to motivate me to get up, sometimes, if I feel well enough. It is slow enough internet that I can only really check Blogger, and often when I do, something important has happened that causes me to need a real computer downstairs. Today, I found that Marzipan had deleted her 50s blog. I only got the first paragraph of the entry explaining it, so I am sort of in the dark. I am disappointed by this, but if the project was causing issue for her, I understand.

So, I am in a considerable amount of pain, but I have managed to start laundry (it probably will not be folded until tomorrow), and I plan on making burger patties for dinner soon. I am generally feeling well enough by the evening to cook, so it should not be a big issue. I can always sit in a chair while I cook the hamburgers, if necessary.

This week, I have to make the orange cookies for Walter's office and the miniature pigs in blankets for my maternal Christmas dinner, which is on Saturday. I hope I feel better then. The high today is only nineteen degrees (Fahrenheit, even), so it is no wonder that I hurt. Hopefully the rest of the week is better.

Changes

2008-12-13T18:53:00.002-05:00

The party went well and was not nearly as fancy as the invitation made it sound. In fact, I may have been the only person there who was not wearing jeans (but I was by no means dressed up--just black slacks and a casual blouse). However, no other guests brought anything for the dinner, so I did not feel out of place with no cookies. It was a nice party, and we were among the last to leave.

Today we received a check in the mail for fifty dollars from the electric company, which was a nice surprise.

Walter and I were talking with a co-worker and his wife last night, and we may move back into the city this summer when our lease is up. We are living in this suburb because we are spending 100 to 200 dollars less a month on rent, but if I do enough looking, I may be able to find us a place that is as nice as this one and relatively the same in price. I have found one place that I am interested in, which is actually fifty dollars cheaper a month, but I definitely want to see it in person before I make any decisions. I really do like the place we have now, but the commute is something we just do not enjoy. We'll see how things work out.

Fitting In

2008-12-11T18:55:00.003-05:00

Judging by tomorrow night's itenerary, my cookies will not only be unnecessary, but they might be somewhat unwelcomed as well. It is sounding like everything is going to be catered, and there is a strict schedule for things to be served. I would hate to impose...I might feel a little like a housewifery failure by not bringing anything, but I think it would be best if I did not. Besides, the office is having a potluck next Friday, so I will bake the cookies for that.

Walter read the address of the party tomorrow night, and it is in a very...rich...part of town. Walter and I grew up poor and still live quite modestly. I have never been to a "dinner party," you know the type, and I am a bit nervous that I won't behave properly. I am also, at twenty, significantly younger than a number of the others who will be in attendance (at least by three years, as I know Walter is one of the youngest in the company). I have never had particular issues making conversation with people older than me (in fact, I have more problems with my own peers), but what if I do something to embarrass us? Oh, I will allow my anxiety to eat me alive tonight and tomorrow, until it is time for the party and everything goes smoothly and my fears are unwarranted (as usual)...

Sluggish

2008-12-11T13:59:00.003-05:00

I ran to the market today to pick up some bittersweet chocolate (all I had was semisweet and milk, and the cookies call for bittersweet), stopped for lunch at the Chinese place on the way home, and now I am watching bad TV as the laundry goes. I feel like I have been incredibly lazy this week, but I know that isn't true. The house is clean, and has been for most of the week. I have done my chores every day that it was necessary. Dinner has been made every night. Walter has seemed quite happy with the state of things. So why do I feel so lazy?

Tonight I am planning on Swiss Steak, but I admit that I AM being lazy about that. The meat is thawing now, though, so maybe things will start going somewhere soon. I am not dragging as badly today--I didn't wake up as many times last night as the night before--so maybe things will be okay. Tonight I have to bake for Walter's boss's Christmas party tomorrow night. Well, no, I do not have to bake. The dough calls to be chilled for 4 hours, so I am going to prepare the dough tonight and bake tomorrow. I also have to clean the pet cage tonight. But for now, perhaps a nap.

Gifts!

2008-12-09T15:41:00.004-05:00

The local market did not have any orange extract. They had the extracts of everything else you could imagine, but not orange. I will have to ask Walter to pick some up for me in the city later this week. I did, however, get tags and ribbon for the gift wrapping. I must say, the gifts turned out far nicer this year than they ever have before. I even took a picture of my finished product:

And I have to share the lovely tags I found at Dollar General, of all places (that is actually where I found the wrapping paper and the ribbon as well). The ones below are the ones I have left for next year:

Aren't they adorable?

The dishes have been done, and the laundry is drying. I need to start looking into dinner, but I think a rest is in order first.

Chores for Today

2008-12-09T12:48:00.002-05:00

Today, I have to:

Do the laundry (first load is washing right now).
Do the dishes (ugh. My least favorite chore).
Wrap presents (but we have no bows or tags! Perhaps a trip to the store?)
Go to the store to get bows and tags.
Pick up some orange extract as well, for Friday's cookies.
Prepare dinner.

So, overall, it is a fairly light day. Wrapping gifts is an extra chore, but it is one I don't generally do, so I feel as if it's less work and more of a treat. Although, I am horrid at wrapping presents. Luckily, most people are receiving rectangular gifts this year. Those, I can manage.

Tonight, buffalo chicken for dinner, so expect a blog update.

Completion

2008-12-08T17:57:00.002-05:00

I completed my Christmas shopping today, which was nice. Now I just have to wrap gifts and be done.

I plan on making some sugar cookies for Walter's boss's Christmas party on Friday. I have a recipe for some dip cookies that I need to prepare soon, though, so maybe I will do those instead. I don't want to do anything too fancy, so as not to look like I'm trying to overshadow the hostess, but perhaps the dip cookies will be good anyway. I think I even have all of the ingredients except the orange extract, which I can get at the grocery store fairly quickly.

The rest of the week, other than Friday, is fairly open. Fantastic.

Time to make dinner.

Ugh.

2008-12-07T13:36:00.002-05:00

There is snow in the forecast. Whether it will actually snow or not does not particularly matter to my joints. It feels it in the atmosphere regardless, and so, here I am. Unfortunate. Luckily, the house remains clean from Friday. Tomorrow, I am to go Christmas shopping with my mother. Hopefully I am well enough to do so.

Surprise

2008-12-05T18:01:00.002-05:00

A friend of mine who is away at college (we went to high school together) is stopping here on his way home tonight. This is a treat, as I have not seen him since Halloween! It motivated me to finish my chores for today (and then some--the bathrooms smell delightfully like bleach, and my dresser top is organized for once!), and I am excited for tonight. He is coming after dinner, which is a relief because we were planning on leftovers because I forgot to buy more food for the week. We had enough for four meals instead of five. I suppose we always could have eaten out, but I digress. I considered whipping up some sort of baked good as well, but I decided against it. There are still cookies from Thanksgiving (although they are, admittedly, nearing their last leg).

So, I did a lot of chores today, and I worked out, and I found a new domestic goddess to worship (how was I ever afraid of her?). What a rewarding day.

Blah

2008-12-05T12:38:00.000-05:00

I expected to feel better today than yesterday, but my hands are swollen and my legs are weak. I still intend to do dishes and laundry and run the vacuum. But until the weakness subsides a bit (and it will--rheumatoid arthritis is worst upon waking), I am in bed watching The Martha Stewart Show.

Allow me to talk a bit about my relationship with Martha. As a teenager, I was terrified of her. I actually had a legitimate phobia of her. I don't know why, but I think it was the vast amount of power that, in my adolescent mind, was achieved by doing exactly nothing. Now, that power amazes me. Even a stay in prison did not harm her empire. In fact, it quite possibly helped it. She has always been somewhat of a goddess to housewives, ranking with the likes of Julia Child and Donna Reed, but someone I have always avoided. But today, her guest made these adorable acorn lamps to compliment some toadstools from a previous show. And then she announced that next week is cookie week! And like that, the phobia was gone, and the altar to Martha was immediately erected next to my vacuum and hot glue gun.

And now Desperate Housewives is on. Will I ever get any work done?

Winter

2008-12-04T13:01:00.002-05:00

I knew last night that today would not be a great day for my joints, so I put a number of library cookbooks by my bed to scan for recipes. Well, I do hurt, but not as much as anticipated--I came downstairs and prepared dinner (I love slow-cooker recipes, as I am always more motivated to work in the mornings), and now I am here. I do not feel well enough to do anything else, however, as it all requires standing. So, I will probably lounge in bed and copy recipes after all.

I am making spicy sloppy joes for dinner tonight, and I hope the recipe goes well. It called for tomato juice, but I mistakenly purchased tomato sauce, so it might be a little thick. But it called for 6 ounces of the juice, and I used 8 ounces of sauce, so maybe it will work out okay. It also called for hot tomato juice, which I couldn't find (although, now that I think about it, it might have been because I was looking at sauce instead of juice), so I added a chipotle pepper to give it the spice it was promising. Hopefully it is spicy enough for Walter, but not so spicy that I cannot eat it.

This week has gone rather swimmingly. Next week, I expect, will be much of the same, but perhaps a bit busier. I have to do Christmas shopping, and Walter's boss is having a dinner on Friday that we may attend (but we are not sure yet. Walter wants to find out if any of his co-workers are attending first), which I may or may not have to bake something for. And then, there will be Christmas. December 20th is our first Christmas dinner, to which I am bringing miniature pigs-in-blankets and Rotel. Walter is off work from December 20th through January 4th, which will be nice (especially since it is a paid vacation). It is hard to believe that the year is almost over!

Back in Action

2008-12-03T12:56:00.002-05:00

Today I feel much better than yesterday, so I am taking care of the house. Laundry is going, and the kitchen has been cleaned as thoroughly as it has been needing. I have been so busy lately that I have been neglecting it. I still need to sweep and scrub the floors (yes, I almost always scrub the tile on my hands and knees. I have a mop, but I feel like it just doesn't do a good enough job), wipe down the microwave, clean the refrigerator (in dire need, as usual), and do the dishes, but that can wait until after lunch (although, Walter just called to let me know that he is not coming home for lunch, so I will probably work through the hour). I also need to declutter the living room (this is a perpetual chore, as the clutter is never really dispersed) and POSSIBLY tackle the upstairs (the pet room is a disaster, as usual, and my dresser and nightstand are seriously cluttered). It might wait for another day, however.

I found a recipe for some chicken on the back of my cilantro container, so I decided to make it tonight instead of the marinade chicken I was planning, so expect a blog update.

Bedrest

2008-12-02T17:57:00.002-05:00

The weekend is finally over, and Thanksgiving is done, and I get to rest for a week or so before I start preparing for Christmas. Yesterday, I did laundry and the dishes, which were both very necessary. Today, I cannot walk, so I have done nothing but make a list of Christmas gifts I still need to purchase. The living room is still a mess, and I know I should do something about it, but I cannot. It kills me.

The rest of the week is more of nothing but small housework--I need a break from entertaining and the like. Expect a blog update later this week, but only the one for dinner. Other than that, it is going to be a pretty slow week.

Burnt Out

2008-11-27T15:29:00.002-05:00

What a busy last couple of days.

Monday, my mother and I went shopping. I managed to get much of my Christmas shopping out of the way, and it was a lot of fun.

Tuesday, I cleaned. Cleaned, cleaned, cleaned.

Yesterday, I went to the movies with my cousin and had a lot of fun. Came home and wasn't feeling well, so I took a short nap. Then I prepared dinner (fried rice and teriyaki chicken) and made the pumpkin fudge that was for tonight's dinner. Took care of the pets, took a shower, and went to bed, hoping to feel better today.

I felt mostly better when I woke up this morning, other than some stiff joints (which is normal). I got up and came downstairs to cut my pumpkin fudge, and it was still soft. For some reason, it didn't set up this time, even though I did everything right. So, I panicked for a moment, then remembered that I had until late afternoon to bake something. Then, of course, I realized that I was out of sugar, flour, and brown sugar. How did I let this happen?! Quick run to the store (that was closing minutes after I left), and I managed to make some cranberry oatmeal raisin cookies. The last batch is in the oven now, and they've turned out great. I wanted to relax this morning, but alas...So I am leaving in an hour for a dinner with Walter's paternal family, and all is well.

The dishes are piling up. I will do them tomorrow, and make some cheesecakes. Oh, does the work never end?

Busy Busy

2008-11-22T13:10:00.004-05:00

Last night's entertaining was fantastic. They truly are a wonderful couple, and I am glad we are getting to know them. They will be departing to graduate school (probably across the country) in the fall, however, so the entertaining will be short-lived. Alas, we will enjoy it while we can.

The food turned out splendidly. It was spicy but sweet, a combination I am always fond of. It had a very Cajun feel to it, which I appreciated. My pumpkin fudge also went well at the office, apparently, as there is very little left. Hopefully our friends will finish that off tonight.

I have a very busy week ahead of me. Here it is, all broken down:

Today: A cousin is coming into town in an hour so we can catch up on each other's busy lives, and this evening we have our weekly gaming crew coming over.
Tomorrow: Grocery shopping and hopefully eating at the Mongolian restaurant.
Monday: My mother is coming into town. I need to buy a springform pan to make a couple cheesecakes.
Tuesday: It is my only free day, so I will spend it cleaning.
Wednesday: Another cousin and I are going to a movie, and I have to make pumpkin fudge for the following day.
Thursday: Walter's paternal Thanksgiving, and my maternal. We must skip my maternal since they are at the same time and an hour apart, and we heard of his first.
Friday: I have to make a chocolate turtle cheesecake for Saturday and a white chocolate pumpkin one for Sunday.
Saturday: Walter's maternal Thanksgiving.
Sunday: My paternal Thanksgiving and possibly grocery shopping.

What a busy week! I am already tired, just looking at the schedule.

I must go now and do the dishes before my cousin arrives.

Friday

2008-11-21T14:42:00.003-05:00

The pumpkin fudge did end up turning out okay, so I brought it to Walter's office for lunch today. I do not know if it was received well, as I had no dessert myself and thus did not check the table, but I will know how well it did when Walter returns home, depending on the amount of leftovers he has with him.

This was my first time seeing his office. It's a very warm atmosphere.

We have some friends coming for dinner tonight, so I am making Mexithailian (Mexican/Thai/Italian) penne with sausage. It started out just being Mexitalian, but I am adding garlic chili sauce to the mix as well, thus the Thai. Hopefully it is well-received.

Botch?

2008-11-20T16:21:00.002-05:00

Well, it seems that pumpkin pie fudge and I just do not get along. This time, I remembered the marshmallow creme, but I forgot to add the butter until after I had removed it from heat and was stirring in everything else. I went ahead and added it then (it was to be added melted anyway), hoping it would still work out...I also misread the recipe and added two and a half tablespoons of pumpkin pie spice instead of two and a half teaspoons, but I have tasted it, and it tastes fine to me (maybe even better, as it is more cinnamon-y). I finished it roughly 20 minutes ago. It is in the fridge setting at the moment, so I will know in a couple of hours if I was successful. If not, I will have to make it again tonight, as Walter's office's dinner is tomorrow. I am crossing my fingers. If it were regular cooking, I would not be concerned, but with baking and candy-making, things always have to be so PRECISE that I am wondering if it will be okay. Only time will tell...

Exciting

2008-11-19T15:37:00.004-05:00

I weighed myself a moment ago, and I have gained enough weight to be in the normal BMI category again! I am so pleased by this! Now I just have to maintain.

An old friend called me today, and we talked for nearly an hour as I did my chores. It was lovely to hear from him. Another friend called a few minutes ago and asked to get together this afternoon, but as I will be starting preparations for dinner in about an hour, I do not have time, and I am busy cooking for the rest of the week.

Garlic chicken for dinner, although it is really garlic turkey. The market was out of chicken breasts, so I purchased turkey instead. Walter's employers are having a Thanksgiving dinner on Friday, to which I am bringing pumpkin fudge, so I will prepare that tomorrow evening and update my food blog with it, and on Friday I will update with the Mexitalian Penne with Sausage.

Even More Good News

2008-11-18T20:02:00.001-05:00

I decided to get my car licensed today instead of tomorrow. Today my father's company's strike ended, so he will be going back to work tomorrow. That is great news for my parents.

Walter's employers are throwing a Thanksgiving dinner on Friday, and I will be bringing pumpkin fudge. That is exciting.

I purchased some new shoes today. They are lovely.

Missing

2008-11-17T15:42:00.003-05:00

The good news is, I found our tax papers. The bad news is, the property tax receipt was not with them. I might still dig through the pay stubs and bill receipts we have, because it might be with them. If not, I will have to get a replacement at the courthouse. Not a big deal, but another thing I would have to do. At least Walter's aunt works at the courthouse back home, so I wouldn't have to do the run-around quite as much.

After looking a bit, I found 2006's receipt. 2007 is still missing.

Music

2008-11-17T14:19:00.002-05:00

Today I have to tear apart the closet in the guest room to try and find our tax papers (I am kicking myself for not remembering where they are), so I thought I'd burn a CD to have some music while I do it. It is a 50s compilation CD. Doris Day, Frank Sinatra, Chuck Berry, a few other various artists (and a few songs from the Fallout 3 soundtrack, but in my defense, they are authentic songs from the 50s). Music from this era is so uplifting, even when many topics they sang about were unhappy.

Since our guest didn't leave until yesterday evening, we did not do our grocery shopping. Since Walter enjoys going with me, we do this chore together, so we will do it tonight when he returns from work. We will probably eat fast food for dinner, then. I don't expect to update my food blog until Friday, when I make spicy sausage penne. Everything else on the menu this week is old news--spaghetti, tacos, marinaded chicken. Nothing worth noting at all.

I do need to pull together my menu for the Thanksgiving dinners. I know I am doing desserts, but I have no idea what they will be. I only have a week and a half to decide!

Wrap Up

2008-11-16T19:45:00.003-05:00

This weekend was fantastic. It was great to see my out of town friend again, and we had a lot of fun. I sent most of the leftover cupcakes home with him, and last night we stayed up until 5am watching infomercials. Fantastic.

Tomorrow I need to do the laundry and dishes, and I need to try to find the tax papers. Wednesday I am going to my parents' house and getting my car licensed. Friday, we are having guests over for dinner. What a week. I need to think of a great dinner dish.

Anachronistic

2008-11-14T14:28:00.003-05:00

After watching the 50s cartoons posted by Marzipan on My 50s Year, it occurred to me that I was always drawn to the things much older than myself. I grew up in the late eighties and early nineties, but I was far more interested in cultures of the past. As a child, it was the 50s. As a teenager, it was the 60s and 70s (particularly the music of that time, which I was raised listening to). And now, as a young woman, I find myself drawn again to the 50s (as well as to the 80s).

There are a number of things my family did when I was a child that were characteristic of the 50s more than of the 90s. My mother always made the biscuit-cutout donuts, something that Atomic (of Atomic Living) mentioned being of the 50s. She was a stay at home mother, as well, while many of my friends' mothers worked (my mother did occasionally work part-time, and she went back to work full-time when I, the youngest, started school). And, of course, I was under the impression that everyone was raised this way, especially since Walter was raised similarly as well. It wasn't even that we had old parents. He, the oldest, was born when his parents were 25. I was born when my mother was nearly 24 and my father was 29 (my sister was born when my mother was 19 and my father was 25). We were born to fairly young parents, so why were we still living in decades past?

I think a lot of it comes from the fact that both of our families were living at or slightly below the poverty line. We couldn't afford lots of modern technologies or other things of the sort. And I believe that that is where a lot of my love for past generations comes from.

That is not to say that I don't love today, as well. Video games are one of Walter's and my favorite things. I see the Time Warp Wives and other similar people, and while part of me would love to live like that, I would miss too much of today, as well. That said, I downloaded lots of Frank Sinatra and Doris Day yesterday afternoon.

Today, I vacuumed the floors and am doing laundry. I still need to clean the bathrooms, but other than that, the day is nearly done. Tomorrow, before my guest arrives, I must make some lemon cupcakes, but he is not due until the evening, so there will be plenty of time. I also realized this morning that I will need my property tax receipt to get my car inspected and licensed next week, but I have no idea where any of our tax papers are. I am sure I shoved them away into a closet when we moved and forgot all about them. So, sometime before the end of the week, I will need to locate them.

More Good News

2008-11-13T15:16:00.003-05:00

After my errands (another mini-cupcake pan, mini-cupcake liners, eggs, shredded cheese, C batteries for Walter's new toy) were completed, I got home and opened the letter we received today from the insurance company. I assumed it was just new insurance cards for Walter, so I did not open it initially. Instead, it was alerting us that our monthly premium has gone down! It is now ten dollars cheaper a month! I suppose this occurred because of my birthday. I am no longer in the teenage years, so I am no longer a dangerous driver. Fantastic!

I need to clean and organize the guest room now. Walter has been playing guitar in there lately, so it is not in the best shape, and I must have it in top condition before our guest arrives Saturday.

Wha?

2008-11-13T12:07:00.002-05:00

There are no chores to do. I paid a bill (and it turns out, mail came early, so it won't make it until tomorrow, but it is not due until Saturday), I sorted the mail, and now...I do nothing? I need to make a trip to town, but I will wait a bit for that. And I need to prepare dinner, but that isn't until this afternoon. I suppose I could de-clutter the living room. It doesn't particularly need it, but it is better than doing nothing.

I have a guest coming on from out of town on Saturday. I haven't seen him in a few months, so I am excited. I am baking lemon cupcakes for him, but I have no eggs. Store beckons!

Success

2008-11-11T16:43:00.002-05:00

Well, the pet's surgery went well. She is home and in a small cage so I can monitor her recovery. Just thought I'd update.

I found some shredded rice cheese today at the market, so I made pizzas for dinner. Let's hope it turns out well.

Surgery

2008-11-11T08:39:00.002-05:00

Today I have to take the pet in for surgery. I wish I could offer some tips on how to get a scared, aggressive animal out of her large cage and into the travel cage without any scuffles, but the bandaid on my pinky finger would say that I am not an expert at this. Once she is in the travel cage, she is cuddly and scared and adorable. Alas...

Walter and I have a guest coming in from out of town this weekend. I am making lemon cupcakes (per his request) for his arrival. He is also a vegetarian, so it presents an interesting challenge for the weekend's meals! Luckily, he is not vegan, so I do not have to try to find egg substitutes for the cupcakes.

In addition to taking the pet in for surgery, I also have to do some grocery shopping, fold the laundry, and do the dishes. Didn't I just do the dishes yesterday? It seems like the sink is a bag of holding sometimes.

Getting up this early is something I don't do often enough. I do enjoy it.

Disjointed

2008-11-10T17:25:00.003-05:00

Today is my mother's birthday, so I called her this morning and chatted a bit. My father's company is on strike, which is problematic for them as it cuts his pay to only a bit more than a third of what he was making. My mother's factory recently closed, so my father's income is providing for them solely. Hopefully the strike resolves soon and his plant does not move to Mexico, as my parents fear. Luckily for them, they have few bills or expenses and know quite well how to budget.

Tomorrow I have to take the pet to the vet for her surgery. I am a bit nervous, but it is a fairly simple procedure. There should not be any complications. Regardless, I am a bit nervous about it. I am not letting my anxiety get out of control, however. Many people say I am too hard on myself, and that may be true, but I feel that I have to work hard to keep my emotions from getting out of control. I am a very self-disciplined person.

I am making mini meat turnovers for dinner tonight, so there will be a blog update in a couple of hours. Enjoy!

Weddings

2008-11-09T00:41:00.002-05:00

I was quite ill last night. I had a fever and was hallucinating. It was not enjoyable, and I was afraid I'd be ill again today and miss Walter's grandmother's wedding. However, I felt well when I awoke this morning, so off to the wedding we went.

It was quite lovely, and the food was wonderful. I quite enjoy Walter's family, and the ceremony went well. Walter's grandmother's shoes were absolutely fantastic. They were blue and sparkly and wonderful.

I bought a mini-cupcake pan last week. My mother's birthday is this Monday. I will likely see her on Tuesday, and if not, I will see her later this week. I am considering baking some mini-cupcakes for her, as well.

Tomorrow, grocery shopping.

Busy Bee

2008-11-06T12:36:00.003-05:00

The dishwasher didn't get the dishes clean AGAIN. This is the third time I have washed this particular load. Well, hopefully they get clean this time, because the sink is full, and I really don't want to have to resort to hand-washing them. Laundry is in the washing machine. I have company coming at noon, so I wanted to get everything done before then, but it looks like she will have to watch me wash dishes. I see nothing wrong with this, but she might. Well, the chores must be done. We can always chat while I do them.

Dusty Old Bones

2008-11-05T12:35:00.000-05:00

Today I have to do the dishes and the laundry, and I have to clean the kitchen and scrub the griddle.

This would be considerably easier if I could walk. A cold front moved in in the early morning hours and rendered my joints useless. I cannot walk down the stairs, so how am I to do my chores? I also can't eat lunch or prepare dinner. This is so incredibly frustrating. I am sure that Walter will be more than willing to help when he gets home, but it isn't his job. I feel guilty making him work at home.

In other news, I updated my food blog last night, for anyone interested. I made French toast and bacon, and Walter scrambled some eggs (he makes the best scrambled eggs ever, so light and fluffy). I only blogged the French toast, though. Enjoy!

Perpetual Fatigue

2008-11-04T13:01:00.002-05:00

I have to take the pet to the vet today. I am actually feeling two tumors instead of one, which makes me a little concerned. Does two tumors mean cancer is more likely? Perhaps...I will know after today. I am hoping for the best, but if things do turn out the wrong way, I will move on. Losing two of them so close together would be difficult, but perhaps in a way, it would be easier. I can lump the grief together instead of getting over it, forgetting their mortality, and then facing it again.

I have been experiencing perpetual fatigue since Thursday. Yesterday I felt pretty good, so I thought perhaps whatever bug I faced all weekend was gone, but today I am feeling off again. Perhaps I am merely dealing with anxiety because of the vet visit today. I know I have been getting enough sleep, especially with Daylight Savings Time ending. At the beginning of the year, I plan on getting to the doctor and being checked for hyperthyroidism. I doubt I have it, but I have been tired, anxious, hungry, and losing weight lately, and thyroid problems do run in my family. It wouldn't hurt me to at least have it checked out. I do hate going to the doctor, though.

I have laundry to fold today. The living room could also stand to be picked up. I might hold off on that, though. I can fold the laundry when I get home this afternoon, and then perhaps I will take a nap. I wish I knew what was wrong with me.

Pet Ailments Galore

2008-11-02T23:08:00.003-05:00

Another of the pets has a benign tumor. At least, I assume it is benign, as they are 98% of the time. However, it means that we have to take her to the vet and get it removed, which is somewhat expensive and quite frustrating. That will be fun, especially since she is the aggressive one.

Oh, things always happen at once. At least our regular veterenarian is back in town. The substitute was nice, but I did not feel nearly as comfortable with her as with the normal one.

Soul-Sucking

2008-11-02T13:47:00.003-05:00

I cooked for eight hours on Friday. I did not feel well, but I cooked. The party turned out great. Everyone enjoyed our food and our entertainment. It was fantastic and wonderful, and I am glad it went smoothly.

I am still ill today, and was all day yesterday. Hopefully I am merely tired from all of the work I have done in the past week. I am sure I will recover soon.

Illness

2008-10-30T15:03:00.002-04:00

Tomorrow is my party, and I will spend a majority of the day baking. Because of this, I wanted to do most of the decorating today and tonight. Well, I had to run to the city to get some cleaning products and a new trash can, and I realized once I stepped into Michaels (we also needed a poster frame) that I am not just "tired" like I believed. I'm all-out sick. Regardless, I finished my errands and came home, still feeling under the weather. Right now I am resting with a glass of juice, hoping it has some medicinal powers that I am unaware of so that I can clean the bathroom, do the dishes (they might wait until after dinner), and start decorating for the party. There is still a lot of cleaning to do before then, too. I think I will be moving the coffee table upstairs so there is more room down here, and there is some clutter I need to take care of...ugh, what a day. I feel horrible. I hope I feel better tomorrow.

I am making Swiss steak for dinner tonight. I believe I mentioned salisbury recently, but I got the recipes mixed up. Our cafeteria in elementary school served them interchangeably, see, so I get confused easily. Regardless, I am making Swiss steak. Prepare to see it in my blog.

This juice really is making me feel a bit better. Oh, the powers of citrus and potassium. Perhaps I will make it after all.

Vacation

2008-10-28T16:59:00.002-04:00

Walter is off work today and tomorrow. He took off so he could play a new video game and because he was sitting on some paid time off that wouldn't roll over, so why not? It has made me somewhat lazy, but I managed to do the dishes and fold the laundry before vegging out. I am pretty heavily medicated at the moment anyway because of my arthritis, so even if I were home alone, I probably wouldn't be accomplishing much. My hand braces are helping with the swelling, and the muscle tone I've recently built in my legs has helped my knees from hurting so badly. Of course, my hips and back are still horrible, and I am not sure how to fix those without a big, cumbersome back brace. So, I have spent the day lounging. Last night when we purchased Walter's game, I purchased Cooking Mama 2 for my Nintendo DS. All sorts of new dishes for me to "cook!" I have been playing that all day and pretending that I'm cooking for real.

I am making Cajun chicken breasts for dinner tonight. Prepare for a blog update. Hopefully a prettier one than last night. Meatloaf may be delicious, but it looks similar to owl pellets.

Shopping

2008-10-26T20:47:00.003-04:00

I purchased most of my Halloween party ingredients today. I was hoping to find a skull bowl of some sort to put the hummus in, as well, but I couldn't find anything that would work well. Perhaps I will find something this week, but if not, I will survive without. It would be cute, but not necessary. I did not find any tahini, so I will have to get some later this week.

I also went to Michaels and found a rotating cake stand for twelve dollars. With my forty percent off coupon, that ended up being eight dollars after taxes! It is not a super high-quality one, but it will do. I am pleased with it.

I also purchased some braces for my wrists and hands. I lose a lot of dexterity in the winter that I want to try to maintain this year.

Weekend Warrior

2008-10-25T13:21:00.002-04:00

I woke up early this morning, which is rare on weekends, and did the dishes, cleaned the kitchen, and paid the bills. I reminded Walter to call his father before next weekend to see if we are to be attending Walter's grandmother's wedding. It is, from what I understand, a small affair, and we were only informed of it a couple of weeks ago, but I would hate to miss it if we are expected to attend. His grandmother is one of the most active seniors I think I have ever seen. Based on looks and activity, I wouldn't even put her close to sixty when she's really quite a bit older than that, even. In fact, I think she is more active than I am!

Tomorrow, I may go to Michaels and take advantage of their Halloween sale. I might wait, however. I have a 15% off coupon that is only good tomorrow, but I also have a 40% off coupon that is good until next Saturday and cannot be stacked with other coupons. I might see if Walter would like to obtain any paints or anything for his miniatures. I will probably use the 40% off coupon for Halloween decorating items.

The Halloween menu has been finalized, by the way! Here it is:

Eyeball cupcakes
Sugar cookie cutouts in fall shapes
Red jalapeno hummus with bat-shaped pita chips for dipping (and probably some vegetables as well)
Sausage mummies with a cheese fondue fountain for dipping
Pumpkin fudge

I will be sure to put it all in my food blog after I have finished. It looks like as many as twenty people will be showing up!

Dinner

2008-10-24T19:23:00.003-04:00

Dinner was...underwhelming. Walter and I found that we did not like the texture of gnocchi, but the sausage and spinach was good. Perhaps I will try again with some other pasta at another time. He did very much enjoy the banana bread, however, so it wasn't a total loss. And I don't feel bad, because I know that the recipe turned out RIGHT, it just wasn't something we liked. I posted it on my food blog regardless, so go ahead and jump over there.

Tomorrow, there is weekly entertaining to be had. Walter's co-worker will be returning, as well as the regular crew. I hope they enjoy the banana bread, but Walter says that he hopes the opposite so he can eat it all himself!

Food Blog!

2008-10-24T17:23:00.001-04:00

I made banana bread this afternoon, and since it turned out so well, I went ahead and posted it on my blog! I will post the gnocchi tonight, as well, but I thought I'd start with the banana bread. Hooray!

Go there and see the bread!

Looking Up

2008-10-24T14:49:00.002-04:00

I figured out what happened to the post I thought I wrote last night. I accidentally published it to my cooking blog. I should pay more attention.

The vet office called this morning to inform me that they were able to refund an additional fifty dollars in vet costs from yesterday's visit, which was a relief. I spent two hundred and fifty dollars that could not be refunded originally, so knocking it down a bit was really nice. The only expenses I am left with now (which I already paid) are the visit itself, x-rays, and the cremation. All of the medicine that I wasn't able to use was refunded.

I am in a much better mood today. The other pets seem to be coping well, other than the one who died's litter mate, but the others are keeping her company and trying to make her feel better. I gave her some extra cuddles last night to help. It is so strange and sad to see only four faces when I go into their room, instead of five, but she was old, and her time was nearly up regardless.

I have done a number of chores today, and once I finish catching up on my Internet business, I will work out and go to the grocery store. I think I will finally make my gnocchi tonight. I am craving it and feeling well enough to cook. After it has been prepared, I can finally begin my cooking blog. I apologize for it being so much later than promised, but sometimes things get in the way.

I have banana bread to prepare either today or tomorrow. I am hesitant because I have never done it before, and the bananas look disgustingly rotten. I know they are not rotten, but when I don't prepare the bread, if a banana makes it to the point that these are at, it gets thrown out. I was planning on making it for our guests tomorrow, but perhaps I will make it for dessert tonight so Walter will have something sweet to end the week on. It will still be fresh enough for the guests tomorrow if I do so.

Devastation

2008-10-23T20:55:00.003-04:00

I was sure I wrote an entry earlier, but it seems to have disappeared...

One of our pets died today. She had pneumonia, but I didn't catch it in time. I didn't feel like cooking, so the gnocchi gets pushed back again because of it. We did get a proper curtain rod, though, and I rather like the curtains.

This week has been horrid. I will be glad when it is over.

Grand Opening

2008-10-22T14:04:00.002-04:00

Since I am just making my garlic chicken for dinner tonight, I will begin my food blog tomorrow night when I make the gnocchi and sausage. The blog can be found here for anyone who is interested. I also linked it on my left menu (Joanna's Kitchen). Hopefully it will get quite a following!

Today is a fairly simple day. Since there was no cooking last night, there are no dishes to do. Laundry is drying at the moment, and the living room is fairly uncluttered. The floors are in need of a vacuum, perhaps, and the bathrooms could stand to be cleaned, but I plan on cleaning the pet cages tomorrow night, meaning that I will vacuum on Friday, and I ache too much today to clean the bathrooms. They are not close to unsanitary, so they can wait a day or two.

My mother called earlier. The factory she worked at recently closed, so she is a housewife at the moment at well, albeit temporarily. It's nice to have someone to talk to during the day.

I am trying to decide on some sort of lunch. We don't have much that doesn't require much effort.

Food Blog?

2008-10-21T18:25:00.002-04:00

So, it turns out that I still don't feel great, so I am going to have to say no to dinner. Walter will be picking up McDonald's--so much for eating healthy--and I can prepare garlic chicken tomorrow. That pushes the gnocchi to Thursday and salisbury steak to Friday, bumping the cajun chicken entirely, but that is okay. My weekly menus are flexible.

I am on thenest.com's cooking board frequently. Many of those girls have their own food blogs, listing recipes and the like. I am considering starting my own. I am a novice compared to many of them, but it is still something I think I would enjoy. Does anyone approve?