So, Liz pulled me out by tagging me in a meme.
Here ya go:
(I just noticed some misspellings - not rewriting sorry!)
Monday, June 21
For Liz
I know, I haven't written in forever. I just haven't had it in me. There are a gajillion projects around the house that need my attention, school was bogging me down, and I just wasn't feeling like writing.
So, Liz pulled me out by tagging me in a meme.
Here ya go:
(I just noticed some misspellings - not rewriting sorry!)
So, Liz pulled me out by tagging me in a meme.
Here ya go:
(I just noticed some misspellings - not rewriting sorry!)
Monday, December 28
Monday, November 9
Keep on keepin' on....
Life in Hawaii is great. We're a little tired of this minuscule rental house, but it's not for much longer. We should be signing on the house on the 11th of January and then we get the keys on the 15th. We are going to spend a few days painting and then take delivery of our household goods the following week sometime.
I am back in school at Chaminade University at Honolulu. It's a private, Catholic school. I'm in the accelerated bachelor program, even though I am still just working on pre-requisites for the PharmD program at Creighton University. Hopefully I can apply for that program in '10, but I'm not sure yet. My math is sort of behind so I might not be able to get into the program until '11.
Tom is waiting with bated breath for the selection list. He is eligible for CWO5, which is a big ole deal. It will be the last feather in his cap and kind of be the punctuation point on his career. He's working here in Hawaii at a position he appears to really enjoy. We're hoping he can stretch that out for a few years and then later take the CWO5 position that is up at Camp Smith so we can stay here 6ish years. That should be enough time for me to finish school and it will put Tom right around 30 years of service (75% retirement woot!). He should be able to fully retire at that point. No working. We've tossed about the idea of him taking a position somewhere in Europe for a few years so we can travel throughout Eurasia. Who knows. Anyway, keep your fingers crossed for Tom. The selections have already been made, we're just waiting for the list to come out!
Last time we had a "Wet Down & Birthday" party for his promotion. This time it will be "Wet-down, birthday and house-warming!"
Here's a picture of the house as of last week. It's just waiting for flooring!
I am back in school at Chaminade University at Honolulu. It's a private, Catholic school. I'm in the accelerated bachelor program, even though I am still just working on pre-requisites for the PharmD program at Creighton University. Hopefully I can apply for that program in '10, but I'm not sure yet. My math is sort of behind so I might not be able to get into the program until '11.
Tom is waiting with bated breath for the selection list. He is eligible for CWO5, which is a big ole deal. It will be the last feather in his cap and kind of be the punctuation point on his career. He's working here in Hawaii at a position he appears to really enjoy. We're hoping he can stretch that out for a few years and then later take the CWO5 position that is up at Camp Smith so we can stay here 6ish years. That should be enough time for me to finish school and it will put Tom right around 30 years of service (75% retirement woot!). He should be able to fully retire at that point. No working. We've tossed about the idea of him taking a position somewhere in Europe for a few years so we can travel throughout Eurasia. Who knows. Anyway, keep your fingers crossed for Tom. The selections have already been made, we're just waiting for the list to come out!
Last time we had a "Wet Down & Birthday" party for his promotion. This time it will be "Wet-down, birthday and house-warming!"
Here's a picture of the house as of last week. It's just waiting for flooring!
Saturday, October 3
Coming along nicely!
Here's the house as of Thursday Sept 30:
Eventually I will write an in depth update about things that have been going on. However, most of it is deeply emotional and I am just not there yet. So, know that things are going well and growing.
Eventually I will write an in depth update about things that have been going on. However, most of it is deeply emotional and I am just not there yet. So, know that things are going well and growing.
Tuesday, August 11
Housing Update
So we spent a lot of time driving around Oahu in the last ten days. It was a rollercoaster of emotion for me. I loved a place online and it was horrid in person. I saw what was readily available and worried that we were going to have a project house. I wouldn't mind a project house, but since we're here a short time and not looking toward this being our forever home, it just didn't make too much sense (or cents).
So we looked at a couple of new developments. They are the only ones that aren't short-sales and those are touchy with VA lending. We found a place that we really loved. It was a bit more than we wanted to spend, but an awesome house. Look here at the second house down called Marina. The pictures really don't do it justice. It is a weird house (two separate one car garages) but we loved it. A lot.
Then the next day, we were out looking and the agent took us to this other development. When they showed us the brochure, there were a few places within our budget and we were surprised. So we went marching through the model homes. There were two we liked, but, unfortunately, one had a weird upstairs and one had a weird downstairs. We were torn. We made an appointment to come back the next day so that she could show us the facilities. Essentially she wanted to show us the country club and marina that adjoin the property. The map linked shows you the overhead (if you choose the satellite option on google maps) of the area. It is WAAAAAAAAAAAAY more advanced now, but the project is not complete.
So, back to the house. Later we found out that the house with the weird upstairs could be changed much more to our liking. It wouldn't be perfect but better. The community is currently being built, and like most new communities, they don't put all the houses up at once. The developer builds some, sells some, builds some, sells some.
We have pretty much decided to buy this house. It won't be ready until December, but we are ok with that. Since we're staying in this little rental house, we can sock some money away. Unfortunately, we are going to close too late for the first time buyer's credit (8k) unless they extend it to 2010, but we're spending about 40k less than we had budgeted, so I guess it's a wash...
This picture is from a house just down the street (note the service flag in the window). It is NOT our house, but it is just like ours will be. We are not sure what exterior colors we will get just yet, though.
Oh and that deck you see on the front of the house, that's right off the master suite and at the proposed Flach house, that deck will be facing the south with a dog park right across the street. We should get some nice sunset views.
So we looked at a couple of new developments. They are the only ones that aren't short-sales and those are touchy with VA lending. We found a place that we really loved. It was a bit more than we wanted to spend, but an awesome house. Look here at the second house down called Marina. The pictures really don't do it justice. It is a weird house (two separate one car garages) but we loved it. A lot.
Then the next day, we were out looking and the agent took us to this other development. When they showed us the brochure, there were a few places within our budget and we were surprised. So we went marching through the model homes. There were two we liked, but, unfortunately, one had a weird upstairs and one had a weird downstairs. We were torn. We made an appointment to come back the next day so that she could show us the facilities. Essentially she wanted to show us the country club and marina that adjoin the property. The map linked shows you the overhead (if you choose the satellite option on google maps) of the area. It is WAAAAAAAAAAAAY more advanced now, but the project is not complete.
So, back to the house. Later we found out that the house with the weird upstairs could be changed much more to our liking. It wouldn't be perfect but better. The community is currently being built, and like most new communities, they don't put all the houses up at once. The developer builds some, sells some, builds some, sells some.
We have pretty much decided to buy this house. It won't be ready until December, but we are ok with that. Since we're staying in this little rental house, we can sock some money away. Unfortunately, we are going to close too late for the first time buyer's credit (8k) unless they extend it to 2010, but we're spending about 40k less than we had budgeted, so I guess it's a wash...
This picture is from a house just down the street (note the service flag in the window). It is NOT our house, but it is just like ours will be. We are not sure what exterior colors we will get just yet, though.
Oh and that deck you see on the front of the house, that's right off the master suite and at the proposed Flach house, that deck will be facing the south with a dog park right across the street. We should get some nice sunset views.
Thursday, August 6
Life so far...
So, as prompted by one of my dear friends, I have not done much more than just post one line updates on Facebook. I should tell yall some more, eh?
OK, so this is only our 5th day here. The first two days were spent exploring the Leeward side of the island. We had thought we wanted to live in the area called Ewa Beach. After driving around down there, we were a bit discouraged. There are some nice houses but they are almost all stacked RIGHT ON TOP of each other. I mean you could stand between the two houses and touch each one. It was a let down.
The next day, we decided to head out to another little community called Kapolei. It's near Barber's Point which is a Naval Air Station that is being re-utilized. So, there is a commissary out there. We thought that was a plus. Tom pointed out a neighborhood on the hill that looked waaaaaaaaaaaaay out of our price range. I finally caved and we drove through it. Well there were a few (less than 10) houses for sale in the neighborhood and they should almost all have SPECTACULAR views of the ocean. They are south facing, so not much of a sunset view, but still! So we looked up some basics on our phones and wrote down a lot of addresses.
When we got home, I explored a bit online and the houses we liked were a bit more expensive than we had planned on spending, but they were not unattainable. Then Tom started doing a bit of research on the area. It's really kind of fascinating. It is 16 miles from downtown Honolulu, but it is part of Honolulu and all of the city/county government is moving out there. There is already a decent infrastructure in place and once they improve the freeway out there, it will be good to grow for a while. There is a Marriott resort out there and Disney is building a resort, too. So, theoretically, it should be a good place to invest. It's also a much nicer area than Ewa. So, we asked for more money and we're going to go hunt tomorrow.
Tom is still off work and will probably not report until September first. Austen is liking it thus far and the animals are all content here. Hershey ate a bug the other night and his lips became swollen to twice their normal size. The boys are going off to the groomer today. We have learned that with all wood floors, their nails have to be MUCH shorter or you have to listen to clickety clackety all night long.
So, that is about it. Love exploring thus far. It's nice having vacation first and having the time to get used to an area before choosing where we want to be.
OK, so this is only our 5th day here. The first two days were spent exploring the Leeward side of the island. We had thought we wanted to live in the area called Ewa Beach. After driving around down there, we were a bit discouraged. There are some nice houses but they are almost all stacked RIGHT ON TOP of each other. I mean you could stand between the two houses and touch each one. It was a let down.
The next day, we decided to head out to another little community called Kapolei. It's near Barber's Point which is a Naval Air Station that is being re-utilized. So, there is a commissary out there. We thought that was a plus. Tom pointed out a neighborhood on the hill that looked waaaaaaaaaaaaay out of our price range. I finally caved and we drove through it. Well there were a few (less than 10) houses for sale in the neighborhood and they should almost all have SPECTACULAR views of the ocean. They are south facing, so not much of a sunset view, but still! So we looked up some basics on our phones and wrote down a lot of addresses.
When we got home, I explored a bit online and the houses we liked were a bit more expensive than we had planned on spending, but they were not unattainable. Then Tom started doing a bit of research on the area. It's really kind of fascinating. It is 16 miles from downtown Honolulu, but it is part of Honolulu and all of the city/county government is moving out there. There is already a decent infrastructure in place and once they improve the freeway out there, it will be good to grow for a while. There is a Marriott resort out there and Disney is building a resort, too. So, theoretically, it should be a good place to invest. It's also a much nicer area than Ewa. So, we asked for more money and we're going to go hunt tomorrow.
Tom is still off work and will probably not report until September first. Austen is liking it thus far and the animals are all content here. Hershey ate a bug the other night and his lips became swollen to twice their normal size. The boys are going off to the groomer today. We have learned that with all wood floors, their nails have to be MUCH shorter or you have to listen to clickety clackety all night long.
So, that is about it. Love exploring thus far. It's nice having vacation first and having the time to get used to an area before choosing where we want to be.
Wednesday, August 5
Our First Tropical Adventure in Food
Ok, well actually it was our second. Last night we ordered the 'house special' pho which was full of things we could not identify. One was some sort of cephalopod. One was some sort of organ meat. Then there was some veal, that was easy to recognize. The other thing though... umm... I think it was jelly fish. I really do.
Anyway, onto today's adventure: Dragon Fruit
This is the outside of the fruit. It's pretty, huh?
and a couple of the inside:
The pink is so vibrant. I guess it also comes in white. So, onto the review. Texture like kiwi fruit but no flavor. None, really. It was quite a let down, but it sure is neat to look at!
Anyway, onto today's adventure: Dragon Fruit
This is the outside of the fruit. It's pretty, huh?
and a couple of the inside:
The pink is so vibrant. I guess it also comes in white. So, onto the review. Texture like kiwi fruit but no flavor. None, really. It was quite a let down, but it sure is neat to look at!
Friday, July 24
Monday, July 13
Sunday, July 12
ACK! Everything is so close I can taste it!
So, Tom comes home FRIDAY! OMG OMG OMG I can hardly believe that this crap is finally over. 19 months, folks. That's a long mudderfrakkin time.
After he gets home we buff the house and then the movers come for our express shipment on the 23rd and then our household goods on the 27th. Austen and I fly out on the 1st and Tom flies out on the 2nd (pet issues mean we have to fly separately).
We have rented a condo for two months. Hopefully our house hunting will be productive and we can get a contract and close within that time frame. If we can't well... we might just beach it.. hahahahaha
I am so dang nervous!
After he gets home we buff the house and then the movers come for our express shipment on the 23rd and then our household goods on the 27th. Austen and I fly out on the 1st and Tom flies out on the 2nd (pet issues mean we have to fly separately).
We have rented a condo for two months. Hopefully our house hunting will be productive and we can get a contract and close within that time frame. If we can't well... we might just beach it.. hahahahaha
I am so dang nervous!
Tuesday, July 7
Wednesday, July 1
Leave it to me...
To arrive in San Francisco on the afternoon of PRIDE! and take a wrong turn, into the Castro.
It was awesome though. The sheer acceptance was palpable. I love that about this city, oh and the architecture.
It was awesome though. The sheer acceptance was palpable. I love that about this city, oh and the architecture.
Sunday, June 21
Quiche
This the recipe for the quiche that Michelle and I were talking about on FB:
Asparagus and Leek Quiche
1 9" pie crust (I make my own, but you surely can use a frozen type)
1 egg white
1 (ish) tblsp butter
2 leeks (white and light green parts washed well and very thinly sliced)
1 bundle asparagus (I guess that's about a pound? I just buy the normal bundle and use that) snap off the woody ends and then cut on the diagonal into pieces about 1/2" long or shorter.
I usually add about 1.5 cups chopped ham to this (in my family meat is a necessary ugh! but you could use turkey that's very yummy or fish smoked salmon would be good or could just add more veggies a spinach or broccoli rabe or broccoli etc. etc. in there would be good or just not add anything and you will have a quiche with a bit more egg to it).
4 large eggs
1 1/4 cups half and half (you CAN use the fat free kind it works fine)
1 tblsp cornstarch
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/4 (ish) tsp freshly ground nutmeg (I grind it into my hand and use about a dime to quarter size)
salt to taste (I use sea or kosher salt almost exclusively and it's usually about 1/4 tsp of either of those would be less table salt)
1 cup shredded cheese - I use Monterrey jack or mozzarella (whatever I have on hand) but this would be best with a swiss, I think. My kids loathe swiss cheese though... sad for me!
Oven to 375
Rack in lowest position
put crust in pan, brush bottom with egg white and bake for 10 minutes
In large skillet, melt butter and add leeks, asparagus and any meat or other filling ingredient you may use and season with fresh ground pepper. Let the asparagus get bright green and barely tender. Then allow to cool - doesn't have to be totally cool though.
Mix eggs, half and half, more ground pepper, nutmeg, cornstarch and salt with a whisk.
Put cheese on the bottom of the pre-baked crust then top with asparagus mixture and spread it evenly over crust. Top this with the egg mixture.
Bake for 45-50 minutes until center of the quiche is just set. Remove and let stand for 15 minutes before slicing.
Asparagus and Leek Quiche
1 9" pie crust (I make my own, but you surely can use a frozen type)
1 egg white
1 (ish) tblsp butter
2 leeks (white and light green parts washed well and very thinly sliced)
1 bundle asparagus (I guess that's about a pound? I just buy the normal bundle and use that) snap off the woody ends and then cut on the diagonal into pieces about 1/2" long or shorter.
I usually add about 1.5 cups chopped ham to this (in my family meat is a necessary ugh! but you could use turkey that's very yummy or fish smoked salmon would be good or could just add more veggies a spinach or broccoli rabe or broccoli etc. etc. in there would be good or just not add anything and you will have a quiche with a bit more egg to it).
4 large eggs
1 1/4 cups half and half (you CAN use the fat free kind it works fine)
1 tblsp cornstarch
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/4 (ish) tsp freshly ground nutmeg (I grind it into my hand and use about a dime to quarter size)
salt to taste (I use sea or kosher salt almost exclusively and it's usually about 1/4 tsp of either of those would be less table salt)
1 cup shredded cheese - I use Monterrey jack or mozzarella (whatever I have on hand) but this would be best with a swiss, I think. My kids loathe swiss cheese though... sad for me!
Oven to 375
Rack in lowest position
put crust in pan, brush bottom with egg white and bake for 10 minutes
In large skillet, melt butter and add leeks, asparagus and any meat or other filling ingredient you may use and season with fresh ground pepper. Let the asparagus get bright green and barely tender. Then allow to cool - doesn't have to be totally cool though.
Mix eggs, half and half, more ground pepper, nutmeg, cornstarch and salt with a whisk.
Put cheese on the bottom of the pre-baked crust then top with asparagus mixture and spread it evenly over crust. Top this with the egg mixture.
Bake for 45-50 minutes until center of the quiche is just set. Remove and let stand for 15 minutes before slicing.
Wednesday, June 17
Teenagers
What do you do with them?
My daughter is making some huge choices and I wish to whatever god may be that I could help her see the reality of what she's choosing.
Does anyone know of a documentary type film that depicts life as a single mother? I was really hoping to find something that would depict life as a teen mother, but I cannot find anything.
I don't know if prayer works or if you can really send positive energy to someone, but if you have it in ya, please send all you have to Tori. She needs strength and clarity right now and has neither.
My daughter is making some huge choices and I wish to whatever god may be that I could help her see the reality of what she's choosing.
Does anyone know of a documentary type film that depicts life as a single mother? I was really hoping to find something that would depict life as a teen mother, but I cannot find anything.
I don't know if prayer works or if you can really send positive energy to someone, but if you have it in ya, please send all you have to Tori. She needs strength and clarity right now and has neither.
Sunday, May 31
Food Stuff
First, Liz, the pasta/rabe/sausage was fabulous. I think next time I will add a little 'zing' to it with something. I used mild sausage because Tori doesn't eat anything spicy. Maybe that is why it seemed a little bland? I am thinking more garlic, a healthy dose of reggiano and maybe just a wee bit o' Tony's Chachere's.
On to tonight's dinner:
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon curry powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
6 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup chicken broth (may use bouillon)
2 carrots, sliced thin
3 celery ribs, sliced thin
Leek sliced thin
1/3 cup half-and-half cream
3 cups hot cooked rice
1 avocado, peeled and sliced in thin strips (wait until the last minute so avocado doesn't turn brown)
1/3 cup slivered almond
Directions
1 Using a large heavy skillet, heat the oil over medium heat.
2 Add the ginger, cinnamon, paprika, curry, salt and pepper to the oil.
3 Stir and cook the spices in the oil for 2 minutes.
4 Add the chicken pieces and cook over medium heat on each side for approximately 5 minutes or till lightly browned.
5 Remove chicken from pan.
6 Pour off any excess oil from the skillet.
7 Add wine to the skillet and deglaze for about 1 minute.
8 Add broth, carrots and celery and return chicken to the skillet, bringing all to a boil.
9 Reduce heat to low.
10 Cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until chicken pieces are tender.
11 Remove chicken from skillet; keep warm.
12 Add half and half to skillet, stirring until incorporated, over low heat.
13 Place rice on platter and distribute chicken pieces on top of rice.
14 Place avocado slices on top then pour sauce mixture over all.
15 Sprinkle top with slivered almonds.
I didn't have the almonds so I skipped those, but they would be good on it.
I would double the sauce next time. I only used 3 chicken breasts instead of 6 and it was just enough sauce.
I also used heavy cream instead of 1/2 & 1/2 because it's what I had. I think next time I will try coconut milk instead.
I would also add more veggies to the sauce. You could put ALL sorts of yummy veggies in there and hide them from the kidlets!
The kids gobbled it down faster than they could shovel it onto their plates. I served some sauteed asparagus with it that went very well. It would go well with any mild veggie...
I also think that next time I will chop the chicken after the first cooking so that it is more a part of the sauce.
Oh and I used a Viognier for the wine. YUM YUM YUM!!!
On to tonight's dinner:
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon curry powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
6 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup chicken broth (may use bouillon)
2 carrots, sliced thin
3 celery ribs, sliced thin
Leek sliced thin
1/3 cup half-and-half cream
3 cups hot cooked rice
1 avocado, peeled and sliced in thin strips (wait until the last minute so avocado doesn't turn brown)
1/3 cup slivered almond
Directions
1 Using a large heavy skillet, heat the oil over medium heat.
2 Add the ginger, cinnamon, paprika, curry, salt and pepper to the oil.
3 Stir and cook the spices in the oil for 2 minutes.
4 Add the chicken pieces and cook over medium heat on each side for approximately 5 minutes or till lightly browned.
5 Remove chicken from pan.
6 Pour off any excess oil from the skillet.
7 Add wine to the skillet and deglaze for about 1 minute.
8 Add broth, carrots and celery and return chicken to the skillet, bringing all to a boil.
9 Reduce heat to low.
10 Cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until chicken pieces are tender.
11 Remove chicken from skillet; keep warm.
12 Add half and half to skillet, stirring until incorporated, over low heat.
13 Place rice on platter and distribute chicken pieces on top of rice.
14 Place avocado slices on top then pour sauce mixture over all.
15 Sprinkle top with slivered almonds.
I didn't have the almonds so I skipped those, but they would be good on it.
I would double the sauce next time. I only used 3 chicken breasts instead of 6 and it was just enough sauce.
I also used heavy cream instead of 1/2 & 1/2 because it's what I had. I think next time I will try coconut milk instead.
I would also add more veggies to the sauce. You could put ALL sorts of yummy veggies in there and hide them from the kidlets!
The kids gobbled it down faster than they could shovel it onto their plates. I served some sauteed asparagus with it that went very well. It would go well with any mild veggie...
I also think that next time I will chop the chicken after the first cooking so that it is more a part of the sauce.
Oh and I used a Viognier for the wine. YUM YUM YUM!!!
Saturday, April 25
Someone read my mind!
I am in love with Magic Erasers. I have been for a long, long time. I think they might be the best thing ever. Really. I've oft thought they should put one on a stick so I don't have to get down on my hands and knees to use them on the floor. Well they did it! It works just as fabulously as I had imagined.
If Magic Erasers are horrible for the environment, going to give me cancer or never going to biodegrade, please don't tell me. I don't want to know. I love them.
If Magic Erasers are horrible for the environment, going to give me cancer or never going to biodegrade, please don't tell me. I don't want to know. I love them.
Friday, April 24
Bacon?
Ya know, I don't really like the thought of bacon. I mean really, that fat and the fact that it's pork (swine are the most ill treated of all our food sources and they're the ones that are smart). It just doesn't seem like it should be so.good.
It turns out that it's some sort of great chemical reaction.
The first link has a silly photo, but nothing bad. It's a girl's rear end in a bikini bottom - in case you don't want your chillrens to see.
Why we love bacon.
Bacon Sandwich Cures Hangover
It turns out that it's some sort of great chemical reaction.
The first link has a silly photo, but nothing bad. It's a girl's rear end in a bikini bottom - in case you don't want your chillrens to see.
Why we love bacon.
Bacon Sandwich Cures Hangover
Wednesday, April 22
Triggers
I sure have a lot lately. I read a news article late last night that brought back a lot of stuff. I tried talking about it this morning with my lady, but I couldn't. I just didn't want to.
Mother Arrested After Kicking Young Daughters Out of Car, Driving Away.
That's the article that threw me into a tail spin.
When I was 14, we were driving home to Eastern Pennsylvania from a friend's home in Scotch Plains, NJ late on a Sunday night. I'm not sure what time it was, but it was after midnight. It was cold, wet and in the middle of nowhere.
I reached over to turn the heat up in the car. That was apparently the wrong thing to do. My father pulled over and told me to get out. He'd been drinking, so I didn't want to push. I knew he'd hurt me if I didn't get out. So, I got out, and he drove away into the night. We were on some freeway. I don't know which one. I looked around me and saw a light a ways off. So, I headed for that. I figured that way, I could at least be in the light. Lucky for me, that light was on a farm and I pounded on the door. The family inside was kind and let me in. They called the police and I was whisked away to the local sheriff's station.
I fell asleep on the waiting room bench. After the sun had risen, my Dad showed up to pick me up. They had called him and called him and called him. He didn't answer the phone. They assumed he was out looking for me. I actually thought he was too. Finally after many hours of not being able to reach him, they asked the local police to go to our house. He was there, asleep. He'd driven off, gotten home and went to bed. They got him up, he picked me up and we went home.
So, yeah, that memory is painful. You know what really hurts though? They arrested that lady. The one who actually tried to retrieve her children. I'm not sure my father was even chastised. That's what gets me. It's like some sort of fucked up envy toward those girls.
My brain is a clusterfuck.
Mother Arrested After Kicking Young Daughters Out of Car, Driving Away.
That's the article that threw me into a tail spin.
When I was 14, we were driving home to Eastern Pennsylvania from a friend's home in Scotch Plains, NJ late on a Sunday night. I'm not sure what time it was, but it was after midnight. It was cold, wet and in the middle of nowhere.
I reached over to turn the heat up in the car. That was apparently the wrong thing to do. My father pulled over and told me to get out. He'd been drinking, so I didn't want to push. I knew he'd hurt me if I didn't get out. So, I got out, and he drove away into the night. We were on some freeway. I don't know which one. I looked around me and saw a light a ways off. So, I headed for that. I figured that way, I could at least be in the light. Lucky for me, that light was on a farm and I pounded on the door. The family inside was kind and let me in. They called the police and I was whisked away to the local sheriff's station.
I fell asleep on the waiting room bench. After the sun had risen, my Dad showed up to pick me up. They had called him and called him and called him. He didn't answer the phone. They assumed he was out looking for me. I actually thought he was too. Finally after many hours of not being able to reach him, they asked the local police to go to our house. He was there, asleep. He'd driven off, gotten home and went to bed. They got him up, he picked me up and we went home.
So, yeah, that memory is painful. You know what really hurts though? They arrested that lady. The one who actually tried to retrieve her children. I'm not sure my father was even chastised. That's what gets me. It's like some sort of fucked up envy toward those girls.
My brain is a clusterfuck.
Monday, April 20
Vegetables
I'm on a quest to try them all. So, here's my list. I am going to italicize the ones I've not heretofore tried. If you have a recipe, send it on! This list isn't that great. There are a few things missing, but the things I know are missing are things I've tried.
Bulb Vegetables
Chives
Garlic
Leeks
Onions
Scallions
Shallots
Water chestnuts
Fruit Vegetables
Avocados
Chayote
Cucumbers
Eggplant
Okra
Olives
Peppers
Squash
Tomatoes
Tomatillos
Inflorescent Vegetables
Artichokes
Broccoli
Broccoli rabe
Cauliflower
Leaf Vegetables
Arugula
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Chicory
Chinese cabbage
Collards
Cress
Dandelion nettles
Endive
Lamb's lettuce
Lettuce
Nasturtium
Purslane
Radicchio
Savoy
Sea kale
Sorrel
Spinach
Root Vegetables
Beets
Burdock
Carrots
Celeriac
Malanga
Parsnips
Radishes
Rutabaga
Salsify
Turnips
Stalk Vegetable
Asparagus
Bamboo
Cardoon
Celery
Chard
Fiddlehead
Fennel
Kohlrabi
Tuber Vegetable
Cassava
Crosne
Jerusalem artichoke (I've had pastas made from Jerusalem Artichoke flour, but not used the straight veggie)
Jicama
Potato
Sweet potato
Taro
Yam
Bulb Vegetables
Chives
Garlic
Leeks
Onions
Scallions
Shallots
Water chestnuts
Fruit Vegetables
Avocados
Chayote
Cucumbers
Eggplant
Okra
Olives
Peppers
Squash
Tomatoes
Tomatillos
Inflorescent Vegetables
Artichokes
Broccoli
Broccoli rabe
Cauliflower
Leaf Vegetables
Arugula
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Chicory
Chinese cabbage
Collards
Cress
Dandelion nettles
Endive
Lamb's lettuce
Lettuce
Nasturtium
Purslane
Radicchio
Savoy
Sea kale
Sorrel
Spinach
Root Vegetables
Beets
Burdock
Carrots
Celeriac
Malanga
Parsnips
Radishes
Rutabaga
Salsify
Turnips
Stalk Vegetable
Asparagus
Bamboo
Cardoon
Celery
Chard
Fiddlehead
Fennel
Kohlrabi
Tuber Vegetable
Cassava
Crosne
Jerusalem artichoke (I've had pastas made from Jerusalem Artichoke flour, but not used the straight veggie)
Jicama
Potato
Sweet potato
Taro
Yam
Friday, April 17
Very freaking cool...
Two of my favorite performers. Lifted this off a forum I belong to. Very, very cool.
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