Clue

Spring 2005

Winter 2007

And, I'm back.

I just thought about all of you and decided it was time for an update. The rotten thing is that I've only 5 minutes left before I must scurry off campus to do other things! Yippee! There goes 2 minutes of your time; I was celebrating. I paid for last semester today...yikes! $1,252.00.
I do have to say, I am loving college. I still need a job, though.
So what's new in life? Well...and, um...I guess that's all. Hehehee.
I have a secret and, no, I'm not pregnant. I'm not telling anyone what it is. There are people who know, (Cilla's not one of them) but they don't know it's a secret so don't bother running around asking what my secret is. I'll tell you all in a few months. Months?! Yes. I'm that mean. And put your fangs away. They don't suit you in public.

Chicken Fever

I bought a package of chicken breasteses the other day and, since then, we've had chicken most every night. Now, as some of you know, I'm not usually a huge fan of chicken. Particularly fried chicken. There is only so much I can handle before I'm ready for a steak, you know? But this chicken breast stuff is growing on me. I like it. maybe it's because I chop it up into smaller pieces and I'm not having to eat this huge chunk of chicken after every bite of whatever else I'm having. Whatever the case, I'm liking it and so is Kendle. So, it started with fried rice...


Chicken Fried Rice for Two
1Chicken Breast
cooked rice
veggies*
1egg
teriyaki or soy sauce
So, I just cook the rice(1cup uncooked = 3cups cooked) and the chicken. Remove chicken from pan. Put rice in frying pan on med-low heat. Add veggies then egg, then teriyaki sauce. Meanwhile, chop chicken into med-small pieces and then add to rice mixture.
*I actually picked a few carrots, peas, and corn from a can of veg-all and diced the carrots a little. I put the remaining veg-all in a bowl for use the next day in (what I planned to be) a pot pie. Turned our that I made chicken and dumplings instead. So easy and so good.


Deborah's Dumplings
Soup
1can cream of mushroom soup*
1can cream of chicken soup*
1Chicken breast, cooked, chopped
1Can Veg-all
1Can corn
Milk to right thickness**
Dumplings***
1cup Bisquick
1/3 cup milk
pepper(opt.)
parsley(opt.)

* feel free to use both mushroom or both chicken soup...it all tastes good.
**Maybe 1 1/2 cups? I don't measure it. Just remember that the soup will thicken even more after you put dumplings in it.
***I make a double batch of this for extra dumplingness.

Bring soup to a boil, stirring often. Reduce heat and immediately drop dumplings on top of soup with a teaspoon. (you'll want the blobs to be 1-1 1/2 inches in diameter....they grow) Do not just stir them in(esp in first 5 minutes), but make sure you don't scorch the bottom of the pan either. Cook on low for 10-12 minutes. Serve. Mmmmm...
note: these are original recipes. I did not get them out of books or on-line. I also made up the names all on my own. Thank you. ;)

So...This is it...I'm in finals week and I am ready for the break!
*happy dance*

5 More days...

Until the finals officially begin! Aaaak! For some of us, they began Monday of this week with one big, whopping Chemistry test. Really, it shouldn't be all that hard. The only one I'm thinking about at all the American Government test. The rest should be really low-stress. My computer class is simply going to be our final unit exam, just like the rest of all the tests we've taken throughout the semester. My Chemistry test is a comprehensive, take-home test. Crazy, right? Ok...and I found out today that my psychology final is not going to be what we were originally told it would be. It will be 85 questions pulled from all of our tests throughout the semester (she told us this a few weeks back) and we were going to get our previous tests back today to study. We got to class only to discover that she would not be returning our tests to us as a study guide. Instead she has decided to allow us to use our books on the exam!
So have any of you seen "Saving Sarah Cain"? It's a movie based on a book by Beverley Lewis. I got it on my Netflix this week. It was actually a good movie. It's about a girl who's sister was Amish and passed away leaving her as the legal guardian of 5 children. It's very family-appropriate and is also a neat story.
So...that's my day and a few of the things on my mind this week.
Oh, I forgot to mention money...whew-eee...Christmas is not good to be in December. Vewy, vewy bad montf to spend ze money...hehe...

The turkey runned away!

So...this year I didn't cook a turkey. I got in trouble for it, too. ;)
I think Phil (my father-in-law) was pretty upset about it. Hehehe...I actually knew it would get a reation out of someone, but I didn't expect it to be him. I kinda felt bad, but it's not like I just have a million extra bucks floating around to spend on a turkey that I'm not even gonna be around to munch on. Nor did I have a lot of extra time. As it was I got behind on the pies and showed up late to lunch.
Speaking of pies...ugh! Two of them turned out just fine. They were great, though I say so myself. The third? Horrible! I used a generic brand of pumpkin *cough*bestchoice*cough* and it was disgusting! So I learned what I already knew, but (apparently) didn't trust: Libby's pumpkin makes the best pie. Pay the extra dollar per can. It's worth it. End of story.

The Turkeys are Coming!

Growing up in a large family, there were few things that were sure to happen on a schedule. Plans were made and cancelled time and again. One thing remained true each year: we were going to have a turkey dinner on Thanksgiving and our parents were going to eat at the table with us. It was the most traditional holiday meal you could ask for and it was good down to the last bite of turkey sandwich three days later. We spent at least all day cooking and had the best evening meal of the year knowing through the whole thing that we better think what we were thankful for cause the question would come up in a few minutes and we wanted to have a good one.



Last year was the first time since I've been married that we actually had a turkey for thanksgiving at the Powell's. Sad, I know. Well...to me it is. They didn't think so, I guess. They've always just had ham with "hen" dressing ("hen" being chicken). I guess Southern traditions are so different from what I grew up with. I kind of like it. It's funny to me, though. And I miss my turkey.


So what changed last year? Me. I bought and cooked a turkey. Simple as that. I don't know if I will this year or not. We'll just have to see...and I guess I have today to make that decision if I want it to be thawed in time for cooking.

I do know that I'll have to be baking a few pumpkin pies and buying, or perhaps making, some good, old-fashioned eggnog. Either how, I'll be going to see the little bean boy very soon.

~Happy Thanksgiving to all~

Be sure that even if your turkey is non-traditional, you at least keep the tradition and have a trukey!

Ethan!

My newest nephew!!!

http://babyhafer.blogspot.com/2008/11/ethan-joseph.html

He's so beautiful!...Err...handsome!

I did it.

www.debdprecious.blogspot.com

what, you ask, is that? Sweet Nothings. My new blog. It's gonna be full of neat ideas for the casa. I think you'll like it. I do... =)

Fear Drives Us

My greatest fear when I started college came true today. No, I haven't failed all of my classes, or jumped off of the Administration Building, nor have I lost my mind. It's much worse. I locked my keys in my car. I called Kendle and he is on his way over here. That is what upsets me the most. He just left work and didn't say anything about it. Of course, he'll probably tease the crap out of me tonight at church in front of as many people as what he can, but that's ok. My knight came to rescue me and that's what matters! I hope he doesn't read this. hahaha ;) Oh, and I think I just realized something. wow. I walked into the bookstore a few minutes ago and asked the little chattering group of workers and students if anyone had a slim-jim. Some shook their head "no" and all of them looked at me a little weird. One of the clerks said, "I get several up here from time to time, but I don't have one right now." I thanked her and left. I've kinda kept that in the back of my mind until this moment. I had been hoping someone would have one in their car, but why would a bookstore clerk "occasionally" have one, much less "some?!"
now I have to laugh, though. They must've all thought that I was talking about slim-jim beef sticks! Oh, I feel so stupid! But, they should feel the same. If I were to go back and tell them again what I was talking about, they'd laugh themselves to scorn. Nobody, obviously in distress, walks into a bookstore and asks hopingly for a BEEF STICK! Well, if you ask them, one strange girl does...
Oh, what a day.
:)

To build or what to build, that is the dilema

So last night I as Kendle and I were talking about our house [future] plans, I realized that there are so many things I see that I would love to do. They pop up all the time along with a load of "insteads" (instead of using[item, color, shape] we could do ...) and there I am trying to describe what I see, which was a peice of what I saw...ugh...let's just say it's not easy for either of us to communicate what we're imagining. Thus, my plan. I will start collecting images of those things that really catch my eye. Be it a room theme, color, or an item that I would like to one day incorporate into my modern chic design. I'm trying to figure a plan where I can have sort of a collection of both web images on my computer--sidenote...my laptop is broken. The screen won't display anything and I think I need a videocard for it...end sidenote--and some magazine images that I can stuff away in my filing cabinet for when I want to dream. I know it may sound stupid, but somehow, I always know what I want until I need to tell someone, usually Kendle, and I think it would help if we could both see what we're talking about. BTW, feel free to shre anything with me that you think I might like, or that you think is neat. You never know who may wind up searching for their true love in my glorious jumble.

Daddy, can we keep 'im?

So....is it bad luck if your black cat has her kittens on Halloween night???
Hehehehe...
Yes, and there are five of them.
I will take pictures and then you can take your pick!
*!~grin~!*

Food, wonderful food!...

[the vultures' song on IceAgeII...nevermind...]
There is a point to that, though...

I've been COOKING! Like...every dish in my house is dirty, cooking. I plan to remedy that this evening. I just wish we could come up with a vaccination for that, you know? It could be called the ''anti-dirtydishariitis'' vaccine. Once again...nevermind... =)
Seriously, though...it has been cooking madness at my house.
Everything from Nachos, Chinese somethingimadeup with burger/rice, etc., to Pumpkin Pies and Custards. Oh yes. You heard me. I always knew that I liked baking. I even knew at one point that I liked cooking in general (thus my thoughts to go to culinary school...didn't last, but I thought about it.) but I haven't thought about it for a looong time! Why? Lack of time. Nothing more. We have been so busy, and sometimes we were just busy making ourselves busy, that we grew accustomed to eating out. I got to a point where I didn't really miss homemade food. Or at least, I didn't know that I missed it. I guess your tastebuds adjust after a while. Here's the deal, though. They don't. They get used to bland, restaurant flavors. I discovered that they are easily re-awakened to real, fresh, vibrant flavors. I made some alfredo on Tuesday. I wish I had gotten a picture of it. It was heavenly. I'm not talking I bought a jar of Bertolli Sauce and poured it over my noodles. NO! I'm talking homemade from cream and a touch of milk(I think half-and-half would've worked, too) with parmesian cheese and butter. PERFECT! I need to go buy some chicken and do it again. I've never had better alfredo. And I eat the stuff every chance I get, so I know the difference.
Anyhow, I guess I'll get back to my school work now, and maybe I'll start sharing a recipe with you occasionally. I'm a really great cook! =)
toot toot!

The Chritmas gift...

...that keeps on giving!!!

Cliche?

NO!!!

It's FINALLY true!!!

But don't just take my word for it; see for yourself!

Years of fun for your loved one!

And the best part? It's free!!!

just leave me a comment with your email or web address...

These precious kitties will be ready just in time for you to make Christmas wishes come true!

[more pictures coming soon]

Oh, Summer, Where Art Thou?

I woke up COLD this morning.

And jobless.

It got me thinking...

It got me to thinking just how much everything has changed! All of the beautiful, hot summer days are waving goodbye and bidding farewell. They're off to Cabo for the winter. =)
With those days go many memories. A few of them were captured by photographs.
Darrell...it's the short game that counts...
Cilla..they say you're supposed to swing a club like you would a water hose...and she does.

Oh, and the little one in the background is taking lessons...

Hole in one! [maybe, maybe not...it just souds like a good caption]
Maddison...she's such a pro...we're boring her...
The Man Himself...need I say more...?

So long, Summer Days, we'll all miss you...

Oh, and this has nothing to do with this blog, but I have to throw it out anyhow... I think my cat is a who'...if you know what I mean... I think she's pregnant.

I could kick her out. I SHOULD kick her out!!! But I'm too nice...I do have an idea...but that's for another blog. =)

Snapshots

Andrea was talking about things that she wished she had a snapshot of and suggested that we share our snapshot memories. I have a few myself, so I'll share them.


Watching Valerie walk into the office yester-morning with all the chatter sort of drifting in her direction as she passed by, laughing.

The faces and voices of my co-workers as we sat together as such for the last time having lunch.

My eyes well up with tears, but those buggers don't escape. Not yet.

This one is more of a video than a snapshot. Alanna and I were leaving Mazzio's and there was a lady walking her dog through the parking lot. She had one of those retractable leashes and was carrying a plastic bag and trying to control the length of the leash, but wasn't fairing too well. We got in the car and as we started to back out Alanna said, "Well that's a really cute outfit, but that face ruins it." She'd kill me if she knew I'd told you that! We laughed as we started backing up. The woman did look like she could be homeless and was acting sort of weird. Then we noticed what the woman had in her bag. It was a miniature wooden rocking chair with a mirror in the back of it. She stopped a couple of high-school girls on their way out of the store, and we thought she was trying to sell it to them. This made us only laugh harder. I thought we we're in Mexico for a minute. She set the chair, legs sticking out of holes in the sides of the bag, on the curb, handed the dog leash to one of the girls and walked into the store to, we assumed, get her food. The girls looked so stunned and then started laughing, obviously wondering what was going on. Just before we pulled out onto the highway, we saw the woman come back out of the store with a new bag for her chair. All that drama just for a bag. Those couple of moments made my day!


Please share your "wish I could've captured it" moments with me! I want to know...

Today, for the last time, I walked to the kitchen at work for a moring cup of coffee. It's kind of sad. I discovered yesterday that it's also a little bit...liberating. I won't know that again until next week. Possibly Tuesday.

I also just talked to Kendle on the phone. He said that his mom called and that his mom's uncle may have just passed away. We're waiting to hear back from his mom for the final report on that. I really don't like funerals, given a choice. Unfortunately, we don't always have a choice, do we?
[update] The funeral will be a private, graveside ceremony with only the wife and children/gradchildren. Say a prayer for them...today is his grandson's 13th b-day. I don't have to say anything more about that.

Maintain composure at all costs.

And I do. Most times. I also owe you all an apology. I don't want to talk about it. Yes, you deserve to know. That still doesn't make me want to talk about it. Oh, and to top everything off, I lost my cellphone sometime on Saturday. I was certain that I had it on our way to Sherman, but it's nowhere in the car and I didn't take it in anywhere we went cuz I knew it was dying. Yes, I went ahead and called all of the places, but with no luck. =( It makes everything worse somehow. But, back to the original subject. I've held onto this since Tuesday, not knowing how to say it. I also didn't want to have to say it. I've only told three people (it's looking as if that problem will soon be resolved...) and Kendle told the church staff in their meeting on Wednesday. Other than that, nobody knows.You see? I'm letting you in on a little secret. I hope you feel special!
I've been "let go" from my job. I like can handle that term a little better than "fired" when it's me we're talking about.
I cried, ok? Not uncontrollably, nor for very long, but I cried. I told myself I wouldn't. I just didn't plan for Denise being the one to tell me. I guess I just had it in my head that it would be different. I had daydreamed of someone else getting flustered and telling me to pack up and go. I knew it wouldn't be legit that way. My little way of escaping reality. Ha. Yes...that works every time, right? So what's the story? I could tell you, but you already know that I don't want to talk about it. Ok, ok! You're hurting my arm.
Tuesday evening Denise dropped by my office and asked if she could talk to me for a minute before I left for the day. I finished up my stuff, shut down my computer, and then made my way to her office. I knew. I really knew. But I pushed that though almost completely aside. Defensive strategy, you know? If you expect the best, you won't be all nervous and you'll take even the worst with more dignity.
But that doesn't stop the tears. Not when you've invested two years of your life in something that you love. It's a bit of a personal insult to me. I knew I wouldn't be the very last, but I also knew thought that I'd be somewhere in the middle. But, first? Yes, I understand that I'm going to college and am only here part-time. But if you're looking to cut costs, wouldn't that help you? I know there was more than downsizing going on. It's not needed this soon. I'm not saying that arrogantly, either. I just know a lot about how the hens have been playing since the rooster has been out of the house.
I'll let you know more about all of this as it pans out. I have talked to a few other people about jobs and I know that I'll get the one that God has in store for me. I guess my last day will be sometime between Wednesday and Friday. Like I said, I'll let you know.

In reply to Nichola's bloggery...which was a reply to elsewho's bloggery...

Thank YOU! THANK YOU!!! Now, go read this:

http://peachfarmerswife.blogspot.com/2008/09/excuse-me.html

I get so sick of "How's the sex life coming along?" Ok, they never say that, but I still think that sums it up pretty well. In my personal situation, I got married at, yes, a very young age. At the time we were "too young to get married," and yet it only took about 4 months for those doom and gloom people to start asking if I had gotten pregnant on my honeymoon. Again, a (this time only slight) paraphrase. Who's logic are they using? If I'm too young to begin building a lifelong relationship/commitment with a man, then how in this world am I ready to raise a child with him? Or at all, for that matter? If I am incapable of having a relationship, what are the reasons? Is it immaturity? Undeniably, yes. If this is so, then how am I going to raise a child up and teach h(im/er) maturity? It's not possible. Oh, and yes, I know what comes next. "Well, you can't wait until you're ready. You'll never be ready." Really? Cuz I could argue that, too. For the sake of time, though, I'll stay on subject and simply argue that you're taking what I said completely out of context. I didn't say, "When everything's perfect and when we're mature enough, we'll have children." I don't think that. Not at all. I simply asked why people think that they know what you should do, when you should do it, and even how, if you catch my drift. My point is the same as Nichola's. Mind your own beeswax! Let people make their own lives unique. Your misfortune may make someone else's life heavenly. Likewise, your fortune may be their hell on earth. Oh, and just one more tidbit...I know people who are having trouble getting pregnant. No, I'm not talking about Kendle and I. I saw that look on your face. But here's the deal, pressure from family and friends is very hurtful. Imagine every time you get a cold people are teasing you about being pregnant. It happens to me, yes. I laugh it off. But some wish they were and you're hurting their feelings. Lay off a bit. Let people have sex (or not, if they prefer) without you sticking your head around the corner to see what's going on. (see, I didn't say anything mean there, but I really thought about it.) If I'm being too graphic forgive me. It's my blog. Bug off! Feel free to comment. By the time I read your comment my steamy mood will be long gone and I won't tear you to shreads. Promise.

"...you've got Biden, who's all 'Bideny' there."

So...Seth's blog question was answered by a long, long comment from Deborar. When I was ending it, I remembered about this little video that I saw a couple days ago. I thought I'd share it with you. Stick with it even though it's a tad long. It's worth one or two laughs and might spur your pea-brain to think a tad. Yes, I can say that. It's my blog for Pete's sakes! Ok. Watch this and let me know what you think.*




*Feel free to call me crazy only after you watch the entire video.