Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Day 24: Just beat it!

It is 1 a.m. on Wednesday morning, and instead of sleeping I am typing up a blog! I am actually enjoying staying up and listening to the rain though. It'll probably lull me off to sleep and I'll end up with my face on the keyboard. My blog post would then probably consist of a random sequence of letters and numbers followed by one long string of the same letter.



1.) Monday's cookbook blog is way behind because I keep forgetting the cookbook to copy down the recipe. I plan to have it up sometime today. You'd think after my third attempt I'd remember it.

2.) I've decided I want an iPhone! For those of  you who know me well, you know that I shun most technology. So in other words, I'm cheap. However, I think I am ready to take the leap! I might have to think about it for another month. I'll let you know about the ongoing battle of frugality versus the 21st century.


I have no idea what day I'm on! I think it is 24. You'd think I'd be able to keep up with something this simple. But anyways...I LOVE today's topic. I get to put my iTunes on shuffle and share with you the magic of my music library. The first 10 songs are....

1. Midnight Train to Memphis - Kid Rock
2. A Long December - Counting Crows
3. Kill a Man - Rage Against the Machine
4. Beat It - Michael Jackson
5. Big River - Johnny Cash
6. Two Pina Coladas - Garth Brooks
7. She Likes Me for Me - Third Eye Blind
8. Funky Cold Medina - Tone Loc

9. Meet in the Middle - Diamond Rio
10. Wasted Whiskey - Rodney Atkins


I know...it's random! And that's just 10 songs!

And that's the way the cookie crumbles!

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Day 24: Mock-ing bird, yeah!

Hello, Readers! It's my Friday at work...finally. This week seemed to drag on and on..and on and on and on and on. Unfortunately my two days off will not be in a row this week. I am working Tuesday, but I will be off on Wednesday. But I know you probably could care less so let's move on to the daily list of random...

1.) ROTW, Meredith Davenport, has used her bonus votes towards the oatmeal cookies. That gives them 5 votes thus making them the winner. She also requested raisins in the cookies as well. I myself do not like oatmeal cookies or raisins so I will not be partaking in the taste testing. If I have any volunteers please let me know and I will somehow get them to you.

2.) I was challenged to a race the other night. A Mitsubishi Eclipse with an obnoxiously loud muffler pulled up beside me at McDonald's and revved his engine. What's funny is that I was parked in a parking spot at the time. The driver looked MAYBE 17 at the most. He even did the "let's do this" head nod. He was ignored.
What he actually was driving






















What he thought he was driving

3.) I am blogger illiterate! I just spent 15 minutes trying to get those pictures right! Now I'm irritated and do not want to finish the blog. Along the same lines...how do I make my layout like a 5 year old didn't do it? Anyone who helps me will be nominated for Reader of the Week.



Day 24 is supposed to be about something I have learned. What kind of topic is that? I'm almost 23-years-old! I've learned a lot. 2+2 = 4, in 1492 Columbus sailed the ocean blue, and don't play with matches near a gas can.

I think they mean what is something insightful or meaningful that you have learned. So I am going to share with you a lesson I have recently learned, thanks to my best friend Cory.

NOT EVERYONE IS GOING TO LOVE YOU!

"I'm cute. I'm cuddly. I'm nice. What do you mean not everyone is going to love me? They have to. People always love me." Yes at the ripe old age of 21, I was under the impression that I had to make friends with everyone I came into contact with.


I am the bunny in this picture. I am seen approaching a mockingbird. 1) Bunnies and birds are not friends. 2) Mockingbirds are the meanest bird ever. See where I'm getting at? I would try to befriend people who didn't want to be my friend. Then I would be like





It was then pointed out to me that not everyone is going to love me. It was like a revelation! Something so simple had never occurred to me. I was under the impression everyone had to like me all the time. Do you know how hard that is to keep up? That means you have to make everyone happy that you come into contact with. Once I realized that the mockingbirds didn't care whether I was their friend or not it made my life a whole lot easier! Thanks Cory!


Sorry I rambled a little bit. I hope you understood my bunny/mockingbird analogy. 

And that's the way the cookie crumbles.

Friday, March 25, 2011

Day 23ish: Who needs that much Hamburger Helper??

Hellllo, Readers! Yesterday was Thursday, today is Friday, tomorrow is Saturday, and Sunday comes afterwards! Oh Rebecca Black, you have provided me with so much entertainment since I discovered you. Here is the daily list of randomness for you on this cloudy, gloomy day.

1.) We all know what the day before Saturday means...that's right! It's Reader of the Week time! This week's ROTW is...*drum roll*....Meredith Davenport! Meredith always makes sure to show me love on my blogs. Plus her birthday was Tuesday! Congratulations Meredith for being picked as this week's Reader of the Week. You have won two extra votes in the Cookbook Monday poll! You're welcome.

2.) Couponing is stupid. That's right. You heard me! I want one box of cereal. I do not want to save a dollar on four boxes of cereal. Along the same line of thinking...I usually only eat one box of Hamburger Helper every few months. I do not want to save seventy-five cents on three boxes. I would like to save fifty cents on one box. Where is that coupon? Riddle me that, couponers!

3.) Why is it that I crave things that are not good for me? I don't just suddenly feel like eating an apple! I don't just get the urge to go buy celery. BUT, I will go purchase a chocolate milkshake at 11:30 p.m. Right now for instance, I am drinking a Coke because I just HAD to have one. Why can't I be that way with water? Mysteries of life...


Today I am supposed to tell you about my favorite vacation but I kinda already did that yesterday. So I looked up another blog challenge, and I've decided to show you a picture of what I looked like last year at this time!


Well, this is me in March of last year. Physically speaking I have not changed a whole lot. I still look 12. At this time last year though, I was still in school and working 3rd shift. So really all that has changed in a year is that I'm blond and a college graduate. Oh well!

Oh and by the way that is my nephew, Levi. He has changed a whole lot in year, but this is about me :-)


And that's the way the cookie crumbles!

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Dary 22ish: I got the diabeetus!

Good afternoon, readers. Well it might not be afternoon when you are reading this, but it was afternoon when I wrote it! Here is the daily list of random.

1.) I cannot accurately describe in words what happened to Tennessee's weather in the past two days. Here is a picture instead. It's sunny, it's raining, it's windy, it's a.....
TORNABOW!
                                                      

2.) I am going to set up a table at a community thingy at Verizon on Saturday. I decided to test out the new temporary tattoos we ordered. I'm glad I didn't have anywhere important to go today because I think they lied on the temporary part!


3. Behold my survival kit for work!

Yes, I will probably have the diabeetus after this. And yes, Wilford Brimley is probably going to start stalking me with his diabetic medical testing supplies, but I don't care!

I know, Wilford. I know.

I feel like today's post and tomorrow's post are going to be redundant. This is due to the fact that I already posted something similar. I'll do today's and make up something else for tomorrow. Day 22ish is about my favorite city. I had to think long and hard about this because I had it narrowed down to two cities, but I decided to choose....

Veracruz, Mexico!

I went to Mexico for a week to visit my sister when she was studying down there. I had just turned 16, and it was my first time out of the states. We visited a few places, but I fell in love with this city. The beauty of the town is not describable in words! I wish I could find the pictures we took. Here are a few I found on the web.

I walked in that court yard! It was so beautiful.

I loved all the architecture.

The beach was so clean and they sold the neatest things.
For a country girl from Lebanon, it was a lot to take in all at once. The locals loved us though. Veracruz is not a popular American tourist destination so we were novelties and everyone was extremely helpful. Oh oh oh, and we also ate the best Mexican food I've ever had at a beautiful restaurant in that court yard. I have never been able to find what I ate there that day here in the States :-(   I hope to go back there one day because I feel like there was so much more I could have seen and done!


I'm all done for today! Stay tuned for tomorrow to see if I lived through my sugar coma.


That's the way the cookie crumbles.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

They're sending me to Vietnam...it's this whole other country.

I skipped yesterday because I was way too excited to sit down and write! So now I have A LOT to tell you today. I am going to skip the challenge and devote the entire blog to the daily list of randomness. Let's begin...

1.) I am finally the proud new owner of a 2003 Mach 1 Mustang! This is 1 of roughly 2300 that Ford produced in azure blue. I absolutely LOVE it. I don't think I have ever been this excited about owning a vehicle. I've already put 150 miles on it just driving around!




2.) I had a scare on my Meals on Wheels route today. Every Wednesday I deliver food to this adorable little lady. Her front door is always closed and locked when I get there. If she is not home or doesn't feel well that day she leaves me a note saying she won't be coming to the door. It has been this way the past 5 times I have seen her. This Wednesday; however, her door was wide open! Plus there was no note. She wouldn't answer when I called her name or anything! She had told me previously she was ready for Jesus to call her home. Well, I was convinced Jesus had done just that! After 15 minutes of me searching, I called in a posse of three police officers and two worried neighbors who had heard me calling her name. Turns out she had decided to go for a walk! I told her I was afraid Jesus had called her home and her response was, "He said he wasn't ready for me yet!"

3.) I had an awkward run-in with a Vietnam veteran today. (I know, that sounds odd already.) He wasn't like a Forrest Gump veteran though. He was more of a Lt. Dan!


 I was at the library looking up a book on the computer, just minding my own business. This guy with long gray hair, army fatigue shirt, and sweat pants is standing beside me also looking up a book. This is the awkward conversation that ensued...

Army guy: Do you hear that barking dog?
Me: I think that is the kid over there.
Army guy: Sounds like a dog.
Me: No, it's that little girl over there barking like a dog.
Army guy: I don't know anything about kids.
Me: Hmmm...
Army guy: School must be out. Is school out.
Me: I don't know. I guess so.
Army guy: *weird look* You don't know if it is?
Me: I think it is spring break.
Army guy: So where do you go to school?
Me: I don't.
Army guy: *Mumbling*
Me: *nodding*
Army guy: So where do you go to school?
Me: I already graduated college.
(I am going to start paraphrasing now because he started to ramble)
Army guy: Then you've probably heard about this thing they are doing to welcome back Vietnam vets. *ranting, ranting, ranting* They should have welcomed us home when we actually got home. *ranting, ranting, ranting* I'm writing a book about our struggles! *ranting, ranting, ranting* I WAS CALLED A BABY KILLER!
Me: Well, I found my book! Good luck with your research! 

It was at this point that I actually ran in the library. They frown on that by the way.  

And that's the way the cookie crumbles. 



Monday, March 21, 2011

Day 21ish: If someone stole my wallet they would give it back

I'm skipping any introduction whatsoever and jumping straight to the good part...

1.) I SOLD MY JEEP! I hope to have the Mustang either tomorrow or Wednesday. Unfortunately, yours truly is naive and entirely too trusting. I took a personal check from the guy and then let him drive off with the title. The error of my ways was pointed out to me several times today. The bank called his bank and confirmed the money is in his account but they still have to hold my check for 2 business days. Yes I know...I'm stupid
                                       

2.) Moving on from my stupidity...I saw the best movie tonight! I really suggest that you go see Lincoln Lawyer. Matthew McConaughey did such a great job.

3.) I'm losing readers. Upon stalking my own page on the newly discovered "stats" tab, I discovered my readership has dropped 50% from my first blog. Since my self-esteem is in direct coorelation with my readership you see where I am going with this. Where did I go wrong? Where?! Why are you people not posting my blog on your own pages? Do you hate me? Do you? Is that it? I knew it.

                                   
                  

Today's challenge is even more lame than the others. I'm supposed to show you a picture of myself. I've decided to forge my own path on this one. I'm going to tell you what is in my wallet. I would tell you what is in my purse but that would take forever. And I'm afraid to stick my hand all the way down in there. Here we go...

Driver's license
Hand-gun carrying permit
Work i.d.
Cumberland University i.d. (I keep it to get discounts...shhh)
Debit card
Old Navy credit card
Best Buy credit card
Best Buy Reward Zone card
2 cancelled credit cards
Mapco gift card
Walgreens gift card
Buckle Primo card
Free drink and chip at Which Wich card
Legends Bar and Grille punch card
Roxy Theater punch card
2 insurance cards
"I can save your life" card
Voter registration card
"I can't see out of my right eye because I have an intraocular lens" card
"Associate member of a certain work related association" card
"One reason I'm single" card (Library card)
9 receipts
Garth Brooks ticket (Yes, I am that pathetic)

So, what does your wallet say about you? Mine says I'm poor and enjoy punch cards. It also says if I inadvertantly shoot you I can also keep you alive until the paramedics get there.

And that's the way the cookie crumbles.

Cookbook Mondays: Apple Cake

I know, I am extremely late! I had a crazy day today! Check my daily blog challenge to hear more about that.

Today's creation was Apple Cake! I had never heard of such a thing before. Apple pie, apple fritter, apple butter, but not apple cake. I had a tough time with this one. Once again, I didn't read the recipe thoroughly enough, and it was not until I dived right in did I realize the recipe was lacking a few important steps. I think I did pretty well filling in the blanks though! I don't have a picture this time. The poor lighting in the kitchen made the cake look quite disgusting, but I promise it tastes great! Here is the recipe in it's original form, I'll tell you what's missing after...

Apple Cake

Serve it warm or cold with topping of whipped cream or vanilla ice cream

1/2 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup milk
grated rind of one lemon
2 cups chopped apples

Cream shortening. Add gradually. Creaming all the time. Beat in eggs one at a time. Add sifted dry ingredients alternately with milk. Stir in lemon rind and chopped apples. Pour batter into greased and floured 9 x 12 inch pan. Cover cake with mixture.

1/3 cup butter
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup moist coconut
1/2 cup pecans chopped or whole

Bake in preheated 375 degrees about 45 minutes or until done.

Do you see what I mean? A) She forgot to write down flour. I took a guess and put in 2 1/2 cups because that is what her other cakes called for. B) She says add gradually. What was I supposed to add gradually? I am still lost on that. C) What kind of apples? Red? Yellow? Green? I only had red so that is what I went with. D) Does that mixture go on the cake before or after it is baked? I assumed after. E) What is a 9 x 12 inch pan? I used a 9 x 13 inch pan.

*sigh* Even after all that, I think it turned out pretty well! I don't like lemon so I left that out and replaced it with cinnamon. I also don't like coconut or pecans so my newly created topping just has butter, brown sugar, and more cinnamon. I hate that I couldn't follow her recipe exactly, but I really like my version!

Oh and if you want to try this at home, DO NOT keep that cake in there 45 mintues! 25 is perfectly fine.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Day 20ish: Arn't you glad I don't like bridges?

Hello, Readers! I plan to get back on track today with my blog challenge. First, here is the daily list of randomness.

1.) Never go to Steak N' Shake by yourself. Whatever self-esteem you might have had will be ripped from your grasp and trodden under the feet of your server. I walked in and she asked how many, I mumbled "one", and she asked very loudly, "JUST ONE YOU SAID?" I nod. She then led me to the biggest, widest booth near the front door. I asked to be moved to a smaller booth, and I ended up sitting in a dark corner. Then she continued to ask me every 5 minutes if I needed anything else. I finished my milkshake, left my confidence and self-esteem in my dark corner booth, and fled the building vowing to never eat alone again.



2.) Here is another bit of advise, don't eat Italian food without first taking heartburn medication if you normally suffer from acid reflux. For some reason lately I have felt like Superman and have decided I no longer need my Prilosec. However, that is not the case. I am pretty sure my heart is not functioning properly. I am hoping it is heart burn.



Or I could  be having a heart attack. I'll let you know.

*********15 minutes later***********

3.) This just in, it is not a heart attack. I drank a few cups of water and ate some Junior Mints, and I feel much better now. Thank you for your concern.


Okay, I have totally lost track of the days since I messed up, plus I skipped yesterday. I am thinking we are at Day 21 now? Sound good to you? Great. Today's topic is "nicknames". I think you will enjoy this.

I've been called several names other than my own over the years. Some were mean, some were nice, others were strange. I am going to share with you a brief history of those nicknames.

From 1993 to 2000 I was plagued with the nickname of Four-Eyes. I had glasses, which in itself is no big deal, but it didn't just stop there. I had bifocals AND I had a lazy eye. That is just a wedgie waiting to happen.


Mercifully, the Lord corrected my inward turning eye, and I was able to ditch the glasses. And by ditch I mean burn. However, I didn't grow any in height from the time I was five til I was thirteen. So that is is when I adopted the nickname of Shortney in 2001. My basketball coach gave me that little gem. Adults can be so cruel.

In 2002, I had grew an inch from the previous year and became more scrappy on the basketball court. Shortney then became Mighty Mouse. I felt a little better about that one. Still a shot at my height but I was okay with that.


I think I made it all the way through high school without any nicknames. I can't remember any if there were some. Once I got to college though it was a whole different story. In 2007, I adopted two nicknames that only a few people still call me. One is Captain. There is a long back story to this one but it is WAY too embarrassing to share. I am also called Chutney by that same small group of people. This back story involves a mildly mentally handicapped man with a speech impediment so I'll just leave that alone too.


And finally, the last nickname I picked up was in 2009. It hung around for a little bit but didn't stick. Only one person calls me Tiny Tyke now. Again, another shot at my height, but he is 6'6 so I guess him calling me that is okay.

I know what you are thinking, "Why didn't she fling herself off a bridge when she was 11?" Well, as I was writing this I wondered the very same thing. Other than the fact that I am scared of bridges, I think God knew that one day I'd be using my sad, sad past to provide humor to the masses via my blog.

And that, my dear friends, is the way the cookie crumbles.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

One ticket to Loserville, please!

I have been told more than once that I should be on the next bachelor/bachelorette show. While I'd rather shove flame toothpicks up my fingernails than live with 24 other females, I decided to fill out an application to appease my friends/family. Here it is. 


THE BACHELOR / BACHELORETTE

GIRL QUESTIONNAIRE
Today’s Date: March 19, 2011

Name: Courtney Marie Sellars

Address: My house in the middle of my street

Do you have a valid passport? yes

How did you hear about our search:
Radio
Television
Magazine
Other, explain

Are you currently:
_X__Working Full Time ___Unemployed
___Working Part Time ___Student

Occupation: I have two full time jobs. One is being a total bada$$ and the other is Communication's Officer.

Annual salary: Not a lot, that's why I'm going on the show

Cell # 615-867-5309

Work # 9-1-1


Birthdate: June 13, 1988

Height: 5'3 on a good day

Weight: 120

Home # 1-900-MIXALOT

Fax #

Age: 22

Hair Color: blondish, brownish

Eye Color: hazel

Page 2 of 5

What is your highest level of education? 4 year Bachelor's degree

Degree(s): BA in Criminal Justice

School(s) Attended: Cumberland University

Are you a legal resident of the United States? yes

Where did you grow up? Lebanon, TN
 
Have you ever been arrested, charged or convicted of a crime of any type? You have to get caught to be arrested, charged or convicted..so, my answer is no

If so, please give details and dates:

Have you ever had a temporary restraining order issued against you? it was a misunderstanding, I had listened to too many Taylor Swift songs. I thought guys wanted you to stand on their back porch and sing love songs in the pouring down rain.

If so, please give details and dates: the past is the past

Have you ever filed for bankruptcy or chapter 11? not yet

If yes, please explain.

Have you ever been a performer, participant or contestant on television, radio or in film? yes

If yes, please explain. My mom recorded my performance as a fish in the Little Mermaid

Page 3 of 5

Do you drink alcoholic beverages? no

Have you ever been married? yes

If yes, how many times? 4, but three of them don't count

If you have been married, why are you no longer together? Wait, do we have to be divorced before I can go on this show?

How long have such marriage(s) been legally dissolved? Uhhhh....

Do you have any children? yes

If yes, please list their ages and whether they live with you or not. Joey is 10, Mikey is 8, Sarah is 7, Patrick is 5, Tom is 3, and Beth is on the way.

Are you genuinely looking to get married? Not at the moment but if the paycheck timing is right, I would entertain the idea

Why would you want to find your spouse on our TV show? Yes, why else would I waste my time?

Please describe your ideal mate in terms of physical attraction and in terms of personality attraction.

If I were to paint you a picture of my ideal man this is what you would see: A muscular fireman/police officer playing country music on the guitar while we float around on a lake and eat pizza.

So basically, I am attracted to a physically fit male with a public service occupation who enjoys country music, being outdoors, and pizza.

Extreme emphasis on occupation.

How many serious relationships have you been in? 1

What happened to end those relationships? We grew apart. And by apart I mean "up" and by we I mean "me".

Page 4 of 5

What are your hobbies? I wish I had something to put here

What is the unique talent of which you are most proud? Is being extremely awesome a unique talent?

List the 3 adjectives that best describe you: stunning, awesome, and humble

Do you have any tattoos? If yes, what are they? And where are they located on your body? I have a tattoo of myself on my lower back that way even when I'm walking away you can see me

What accomplishment are you most proud of? Gaining 9 followers for my blog

Why haven’t you found the man of your dreams? The real question here is...why hasn't he found me

Friday, March 18, 2011

Day 20: Friday...yeah, who cares

Thank God it's Friday night, and I just just just.....got paid! Okay I actually hate Fridays but it is nice to get paid! Today's daily list of randomness is mingled with good and bad news. Let's begin!

1.) This week's Reader of the Week is...*drum roll*....Brooke Mueller! Brooke read my blog about my favorite restaurants and she noticed I did not have a picture for Gondola. She graciously sent me one! Brooke, that makes you, the Reader of the Week. I have 10 followers, but one is you, so now 9 people are familiar with your name. You're welcome.


Thank you, Brooke!


2.) That guy didn't buy the Jeep. He came dangerously close to pushing the big, red, DO NOT PUSH button. He wasted my entire day! However, I got a call shortly after that and someone wants to buy it Monday. I am definitely not getting my hopes up, but it was the silver lining to my day.

3.) I ended up also bruising both of my elbows yesterday! One was slammed in the car door and the other bruise occurred after I ran into something...I know, shocking! This was all after I tackled the vacuum. I spent most of yesterday like this....


4.) This just in.....I just ate Bagel Bites, and I have now made that my silver lining of the day.


I have somehow gotten off track with my blog challenge. I think I did something wrong somewhere along the way. I'll just go with it though. Today is Day 20 (I think) and the topic is "something I miss" (I think). So here we go!

This is something I miss with all my heart. This is my old house I use to live in out on Goshen Road. I stole this picture off of google maps (shhhh!!).


To be honest, I don't know if it is the house I miss, or the way of life that went along with it. I loved growing up in this neighborhood. My best friend live across the street and my great grandfather lived next door. Things were so simple then. We could leave our doors wide open on a hot day or even unlocked  during the day just in case someone needed to drop by. The trees were always beautiful, and my great grandparents had the prettiest yard. The creek was always great for wading in and catching turtles.
  
My grandparents use to love sitting outside and talking

I can't wait to move back into the country one day! I like the convenience of town, but nothing beats being able to sit on your front porch and see every star in the sky. And that is what I miss the most!


Well that is all for today! I hope you have a fantastical weekend. Tune in tomorrow for Day 21(ish). I have no idea what the challenge is!

And that's the way the cookie crumbles!


Thursday, March 17, 2011

Day 19: Magic Middles...why did they take you from me?

Hola, Readers! I hope you are enjoying this gorgeous day! I have some exciting news to include in the daily list of randomness today!

1.) This guy is coming from Camden, TN tomorrow with money to buy the Jeep!! This time Saturday I could be pimpin' around town in Marky!


2.) I almost ran over a kid today. It was totally not my fault either. I was turning right onto my road and there he was, riding his bicycle on my side of the street! He took the ditch and I did too. So I almost ran over him twice! I really hope I didn't ride my bike into on coming traffic when I was that age. Sheesh.

3.) I tackled a vacuum today. I was running behind and I thought I could make up for lost time by running through the house. In my haste, I ran right into the vacuum in my dark laundry room.

Evil vacuum

I attempted to avoid today's topic by looking for another blog challenge but apparently they are all the same. Enough stalling...Day 19 is about something I regret.

I hate the word "regret". It is never fun to think about things you should or shouldn't have done, much less tell the world about it! But I thought about it and I decided to bite the bullet and provide you with a list of things I regret. Here we go...

I regret not stocking up on Mini Mgic Middles before Keebler ripped them from my chubby little hands.


I regret not visiting my grandmother more while she was in the nursing home.

I regret letting a boy influence where I went to college. I ended up making great friends and graduating with good grades from Cumberland University, but I still sometimes wonder how different things would be if I had gone to the University of Tennessee.

I regret letting my mom sell all my Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles memorabelia when I was 8. All I have left now is a lone pillow case :-(


My biggest regret? Not standing up for myself the other day when I should have. In an attempt to avoid conflict I sometimes take the passive route and end up stamping doormat on my forehead. I regret every single time I've done that. It has gotten me nowhere.

Alrighty, I am done for today! I got kinda serious for a minute I hope I didn't lose you. Have a great day, Readers!

And that's the way the cookie crumbles.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Jesus did it, why can't I?

Hello, Readers. I have a different kind of blog for you this time. It is not challenge or cookbook related. I just need to vent for a minute and since it is 12:00 a.m., I don't have an awake person to complain to.

Have you this button before?
This, ladies and gentlemen, is my big, red, DO NOT PUSH button. Now don't get me wrong, the good Lord blessed me with patience. He provided me with numerous buttons that can be pushed, and I still have the ability to stay cool, calm, and collected. However, I also have one big, red, DO NOT PUSH button. All the other buttons have to be pushed before the big, red, DO NOT PUSH button even surfaces. Once the big, red, DO NOT PUSH button is out in the open though it only takes a poke, a prod, a nudge, or a light tap and my once long suffering patience transforms into a Cujo-like rage!

                            

That is an over exaggeration of course. My "angry" is other people's "ticked off". I threw a pen in my latest fit of rage and when I apologized for my actions, I was laughed at! Apparently what I was feeling inside was only coming out as mildly irritated on the outside. This is good I suppose because I really wanted to go all Jesus on my object of anger and start flipping tables!


I said all that to say this....my big, red, DO NOT PUSH button got pushed tonight. Not poked, not prodded, but violently beaten with a sledgehammer. I was going to make another point somewhere along the way but I kinda forgot my anger while ranting. I feel much better now. Thank you for listening.

Day 18: Singing angels and child prostitutes

Happy Wednesday, Readers! For most of you your work week is almost over. Mine is just beginning, but I love my job so I guess I can't complain too much. (I hope my boss is reading this.) Here is the always faithful daily list of randomness...

1.) The Hershey pie I made on Monday is magical. I hate to brag, but God personally congratulated me on a job well done. Angels sang when I took my first bite. True story.


2.) I am watching the movie Taxi Driver for the first time. I am extremely disturbed. If you have seen it you know what I mean! Who comes up with this stuff?

3.) I need suggestions for next week's Cookbook Mondays...brownies, cake, cookies, or pie? Readers choice this week!

Alrighty! Day 18's topic is way better than the past two days. I get to tell you about my favorite place to eat! My inner fat kid is about to be unleashed.

Since we all know I love to eat, we all also know I can't just pick one favorite place! So I've broken it down into categories.

Favorite fast food restaurant:

                                                    

Favorite italian restaurant:

I couldn't find a picture of the actual Gondola Restaurant in Lebanon
 (use your imagination)
Favorite seafood restaurant:

                                         

All time favorite restaurant:

                                                

My inner chubby child becomes very happy when I get to eat at these places!

                                    


Have a great day, Readers! (all 10 of you)

And that's the way the cookie crumbles!             

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Day 17: Save the whales

Hello, Readers! That short attention span is back and more full-blown than yesterday. I think I'm just losing interest in these lame blog challenges! I mean you gotta agree that "Dream House" was kind of a weird thing to write about. Today's is a little better I guess. Here is the daily list of random before I start the challenge...

1.) I no longer have a work out partner! You know how I reacted to this? I sat on the couch for an hour in my work out clothes. I considered not going, I considered eating the pie I made last night for breakfast, and I also considered going back to bed. How sad am I? I have absolutely no motivation. I ended up going, staying 25 minutes, then leaving. I gotta find a new work out partner or I'll be telling the National Marine Fisheries Service to leave me alone as they attempt to save the beached whale...a.k.a. me!

I actually made this one, I didn't steal it!

2.) That's all for today. My day has pretty much revolved around my lack of motivation and short attention span.


Today is Day 17 of the blog challenge. The topic is about something I am looking forward to. Well, I am really looking forward to something that is work related. But, I can't talk about work so I'm going to pick something else. Here is a picture...


This is my personal view of summer! The summer is about the lake, friends, and having fun! I can't wait for summer to get here. This winter seems like it has drug on and on.

Well that was another short one! I promise it'll get less lame eventually. Have a great day :-)

And that's the way the cookie crumbles.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Cookbook Mondays: Hershey Pie

I am a little late, but it is now time for Cookbook Mondays!! This week I made Hershey Pie. And, if I may brag, it turned out quite wonderfully! Here are some highlights...

1.) I didn't eat any of the 6 Hershey bars it took to make it! Can you believe that?? Not even one little square.

2.) I learned how to whip cream. I assumed whipping cream was indeed already whipped. But apparently the word whipping indicates that it can be whipped, not that it already is.

3.) I made a friend in the checkout line today at Al's Foodtown. I was using the recipe notebook as a shopping list and the elderly lady behind me asked me what I was going to be baking. I explained what I was doing and she was thrilled. She asked to see the recipe notebook because she wanted to copy down the recipe and make it herself!

This is an extremely easy pie to make! Here is the recipe.

Hershey Pie

6 Hershey bars
1/2 cup milk
18 large marshmallows
1/2 pint whipping cream

In sauce pan, melt chocolate bars, marshmallows, and milk. Let cool. Whip the cream and fold into the chocolate mixture. Pour in a graham cracker crust. Let chill for 6 hours.

I have to admit I cheated a little and bought a premade crust. At the bottom of this recipe she says to use "the graham crack crust I make" but she doesn't explain how to make it.

I would put up a picture, but I kinda already ate some of it! If you make it yourself let me know how it turns out :-)

Day 16: This one is kinda sho...squirrel!!

It's my Friday!! Otherwise known as Monday. I am officially back on track with my blog challenge. Before I start Day 16, here is the daily dose of random...

1.) My attention span is ridiculously short today. I've started this blog about three times which ended shortly after the beginning because things on t.v. keep catching my eye. For example, right now I'm watching Marijuana: A Chronic History on the History Channel. A second ago I was watching some 90s sit-com I can't recall the name of. I'm like Doug from the movie Up!


2.) Ever had one of those headaches where it feels like your head is going to split right down the middle? Yeah, I got one of those right now. I think it is my sinuses again. Thankfully my new sexy teeth grinding mouth guard I sleep with has prevented the jaw related headaches.

3.) I tried one more Banquet meal just to make sure I wasn't being too picky. I'm convinced that I'm making a good judgment call on this one.


Day 16 is going to be exceptionally short because I think the challenge is lame. I am supposed to tell you about my dream house. Well,  have you ever seen the movie the Notebook?


It's plantation style, on the lake, has a balcony, and a big front porch. That's my dream house right down to the blue shutters!

Oh, and if Noah lives inside my dream house that would be even better!!

Well, I'm done. The end!

And that's the way the cookie crumbles.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Day 15: Break out the tissues

Okay, I know you have already had your daily dose of randomness today, but I thought of two more things I wanted to tell you.

1.) Spreading peanut butter on bread with a spoon is difficult.

2.) If you felt the temperature drop a few degrees it was because I turned down free pizza. I chose to eat my whole grain reduced fat peanut butter sandwich with baked chips. Am I happy about this? No. Will I be happy about this later when I have no heartburn? Possibly.
Today is Day 15 and it might be a bit of a tear-jerker! I apologize in advance. I am going to tell you about my favorite Bible verse. I knew which verse I would pick as soon as I read what today's challenge was about. Here it is....

  "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."   
 Revelation 21:4

This verse is very near and dear to my heart. I lost my father and the majority of my grandparents at a young age, and this verse gives me the comfort in knowing that even though they are gone, they are in a much better place. I know that one day when I close my eyes in eternal rest I'll be with them again. 



This verse is also very similar to my favorite church song, "No Tears in Heaven".

No tears in heaven, no sorrows given.
All will be glory in that land;
There'll be no sadness, all will be gladness,
When we shall join that happy band.
No tears (in heaven fair)
No tears, no tears up there,
Sorrow and pain will all have flown;
No tears (in heaven fair)
No tears, no tears up there;
No tears in heaven will be known.

 Glory is waiting, waiting up yonder,
Where we shall spend an endless day;
There with our Savior, we'll be forever,
Where no more sorrow can dismay.
  Some morning yonder, we'll cease to ponder
O'er things this life has brought to view;
All will be clearer, loved ones be dearer
In heav'n where all will be made new.

I only teared up twice! Much better than I thought I would do :-)  Tomorrow will be much more peppy! I promise. 

P.S. I clicked on the spell checker and I didn't spell anything wrong. Just thought you should know.

And that's the way the cookie crumbles.

Day 14: 'Course I got Jeopardy! at five o'clock. I watch Jeopardy!

Happy Sunday Readers! Yes, I know. I skipped a day. BUT, I was really busy yesterday! Let's get back on track. Here is the daily list of randomness...

1.) I had two people call me about the Jeep yesterday! I am trying not to get too excited but I am pretty optimistic about one of the offers I got. I have to meet with him next week to hammer out the details. Fingers crossed!

2.) I came to the conclusion this morning that I am very stuck in my ways. Every Sunday morning I wake up at 9:30 without fail. I get in the shower at 9:35 and I'm out 10 minutes later. I then eat my cereal and brush my teeth. However, this Sunday went a little differently and I now feel lost and confused (I added a little exaggeration to keep you interested). My nephew woke me up 8:50, and I had to eat my cereal before my shower because I had to feed him. This in turn threw off my whole morning process!  My friend Cory made a good comparison I think you will enjoy. Unless you haven't seen the movie then you won't get it at all...

This was me after I learned I would have to eat my cereal before my shower.

3. For tomorrow's food blog I am making a Hershey pie! It should be pretty fool-proof cause I don't have to bake it or use a double boiler. Oh, and the butter cake with caramel sauce turned out much better than I thought it would.


Today's blog is going to be pretty short. Day 14 requires me to show you a picture that I love and makes me happy. I am going to assume this means an actual picture and not one I copy and paste from the Internet. So here is my favorite picture...


This is my grandmother and I on some stormy boat trip we took back in 1991 that was much like Gilligan's but not as dramatic. My grandmother who was afraid of water, storms, and being on water in storms was clearly not having a good time. I appear to be basking in my own awesomeness and just taking it all in. I love this picture for several reasons...1) because I love being on the lake, 2) I loved my grandmother dearly, and 3) I think it is a hilarious picture! It makes me remember all the good times we use to have together. Every time I see this picture it makes me smile :-)  <---- see

That's all for today. I kept it short because I have to do Day 15 now!

And that's the way the cookie crumbles.