Month: December 2011

Tuesday Randomness

Posted on by Amy

Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat! Oops, sorry, totally singing a Christmas song which reminds me, there are just a few more holiday movies I need to watch by Saturday. . .until then, let’s throw some randomness out with some holiday cheer and a bit of jeer.

  • Bird has lived in the same house for how many years now? Um, yeah, I still can’t get her address right. Your card will be hand delivered since I am incapable of keeping your address in a phone or address book.
  • I am beginning to think Dad might be a little crazy. . . mom told me about the “new, bright light” that he was trying to find the other weekend. That would be the moon, in all of it’s glory that seemed to stump my dad.
  • It’s a short work week this week and the next two weeks, hells yeah! Can’t we just go to a four day work week at the same pay?
  • My work laptop decided to get sick and was repaired yesterday. I came in from lunch all excited to see it only to realize they have lost every last one of my emails since I started their in 2006.
  • I file all my emails so I always have a backup of what I have requested or sent. Please let there be another Christmas miracle and the tech guy gets that file back.
  • Since receiving three of the OPI Muppet collection polishes I have managed to paint my fingernails with all three (separate occasions). While it looks like a three year old painted them, this is the longest I have managed to keep them painted.
  • Working out during the holidays is for the birds. . . this is the time to be merry and stuff your face.
  • Oh wait, that is how I got to this point! Nevermind, I will stick with going to the gym.
  • Where is the cold weather? Where is the snow?
  • Wookie can tell that Santa is coming soon, little man has taken to trying to get the magnets off the fridge as well as jumping up on the table to see if there is anything for him there. . .

I am hoping for a girls night with Bird this week, possibly to overindulge at The Melting Pot, just roll me out of there if that does happen. Between the cheese, the meat and the chocolate I don’t have to eat for another week! Although I will say I think I prefer the cheese over the chocolate! My how things have changed!

But Wait! There’s More!

Posted on by Amy

As Seen on TV products and infomercials drive me batty but here is the horrible confession, I CAN’T.LOOK.AWAY! Yes folks, the spoiled princess who has had naturally expensive taste since I could walk can’t get enough of these commercials. I need help.

So here is a list of some of the products that apparently if I had the money and space, I would get.

  • Magic Bullet~people, I have been hooked on this stupid mini food processor/blender since I first saw the infomercial a few years ago. I am thinking this has to do more with the “actors” on the infomercial than anything else. The real kicker? I have my Kitchen Aid products that do all of this and more, that stupid program just got to me and now I stare at it wistfully every time I see it.
  • Pajama Jeans~okay, I scoff every time I see this commercial because really? If I want to run around town in my pajama pants I will, no need to dress it up into something it’s not. I have no shame! But Lindsay over at She’s Still Got It and Suburban Turmoil just did a piece on the new, too good to be true, updated Pajama Jeans for (drumroll please!) men! Yes, your man can now roll around town in fake jammy jeans for only $12.95 (plus shipping). They even have a pair for the men who like to keep their jeans around their knees
  • Forever Lazy~I should really start thinking up crap to sell because this is just all kinds of sad. First we had to settle for blankets when we were cold, then Snuggies became the rage and now neither will do! Get your, um, blanket/Snuggie/oversized workout clothes so you too can be warm while talking on the phone, watching the game, hanging out with friends. . .
  • Swivel Store~for you cooks out there, are you tired of falling spices, can’t seem to find the Cream of Tartar? Well look no further! You too can have a plastic tray that swivels like a lazy susan and it saves space! Me? I think I will stick to throwing them all in the drawer and calling it a day.
  • Potty Patch~for our pet lovers out there, throw this piece of, um plastic resembling grass down and let your puppies go to town! I will admit, it has been years since I have owned a dog, but is it wise to train your pup to potty indoors?
  • Easy Feet~okay, I will admit, I got suckered in and bought the Pedi Egg a few years ago but this? Even I have lines I will not cross (at least not yet) but while I can still manage to get into the shower and still have some money around for pedis, I think I will pass on this little contraption. I have enough issues with cleaning my shower and I would think you would need to clean these little shoes often to keep the germs away. . .

But wait! There’s more! Actually, there are several different websites devoted to all these products plus stores if you are so inclined to peruse the merchandise in person. I just wish I had thought of one of these products because you know they are making a pretty penny out of a glorified blanket.

Unicorn Hair, Decorations and Accidents

Posted on by Amy

Well, I finally hit up Fastbreaks for a fitting and new tennis shoes. I cannot say enough wonderful things about the employees and the store but my only complaint? My Fred Flintstone feet, inherited from my father cost me $120! Thanks daddy! I was right about one thing, those shoes do have unicorn hair laces, at least that is what I keep telling myself when I remember how much I paid for them. I have now worked out in them twice and can tell the difference. But I hate my feet!

Yesterday was a big day around here, Bird’s girls came over to stay with me for a few hours. They were thrilled and of course I took complete advantage of them being here by letting them finish decorating my tree. I know, I know. This should have been done several weeks ago but between work, working out and sleeping I just never could get it finished. They loved doing it and I have to say, they did such a great job! They worried about placement, breakables and Wookie and thoroughly enjoyed going through all my ornaments. They have dubbed my tree the Hallmark tree for the many Hallmark ornaments on it.

Maybe this is why some people have kids! Once they get a bit older, all of the sudden they are quite useful! Before the hate comments converge, I am only kidding. I love all of my friends’ kids and while I am quite grateful for the help, if they hadn’t of been interested, I would have been fine doing it myself.

Once the tree was complete (I was in the kitchen making my weekly meal) the three of us piled on the couch to watch The Wizard of Oz. I think it was their first time to see it and hope I didn’t overstep boundaries but a good time was had by all!

And now to the accident portion of my post. . . I think it is safe to say that I can injure myself with the greatest of ease so neither of this incidents should be all that shocking. . .

I was working on gathering my presents to wrap when one of dad’s fell out of the box and landed on the top of my foot. No bruise, no swelling just hurts. I should have known better when I picked that box up but it was late and apparently paying attention isn’t a strong suit of mine. The other accident is a bit more embarrassing. .. I was umm, having “me” time in the bathroom and you know how sometimes you will take something to read in there or your phone or say your Kindle to play a game to pass the time? I was so engrossed (HA!) with the game that I let my left foot and leg go to sleep. Once I got up from my, umm, sitting place, well I got up on the wrong foot. My still sleeping foot turned in a way that is certainly not natural and as I was getting ready to take a dive into my tub head first I grabbed the towel rack. The towel on the rack was not really on there (that will teach me to do things halfway) and I had to grab a second time so I wouldn’t become a statistic in bathroom accidents (HA! Again!).

Luckily my left foot is fine but I stood there for a minute contemplating how exactly I would explain this accident had I gotten hurt to everyone. I am now looking Amy proofing my bathroom.

And yes, I just shared with all of you that when I go to the toilet I have to be entertained. I am my father’s daughter. . .

On that note, I think I am going to finish up laundry and get my bag packed for the gym. I will back with more embarrassing tales from the bathroom. . . excuse me, my life shortly.

Tuesday Randomness

Posted on by Amy

Oh my! I finally am getting back into the grove and am actually posting this ON Tuesday. It is an early Christmas miracle! Or I finally got around to getting some sleep and getting back into a routine. . . what’s on my mind today? Well, wait no further cause here comes the randomness!

  • Not only am I confused as to what I should wear to work due to the ups and downs of the weather lately, the whole coming out of the gym should I wear the sweatshirt or not comes into play after work.
  • I really need to bite the bullet and get fitted for some new shoes. I have been saying this for how long now? I know, I know but parting with that money for the unicorn laced shoes causes me to break out in a sweat.
  • Christmas cards are done and in the mail! It only took a week of lugging them around to finally address them and buy stamps.
  • I still need to pick up a few more items on my Christmas list but after a fruitless search Sunday that included the mall, ATL, World Market and DSW I gave up, empty handed and headed to Publix. At least I know what to get from there.
  • Baking, baking and more baking needs to be done ASAP but the thought of all that sweet stuff kind of makes my stomach turn. Is something wrong with me?
  • I still have to finish decorating the tree. I know, I know it will be over before you know it but I just haven’t been in the mood the past few years to get it all knocked out in one shot.
  • The good news? I have managed to keep up with my laundry and actually put it up shortly after it is dried.
  • The Rainbow Connection was waiting in my mailbox last night! Thank you my Queen for sending it! I do think I am quite overdue for a pedi, so I will be taking this sweet little bottle with me in the next couple of days.
  • On Kindle I am reading Regis Philbin’s autobiography, so far I am enjoying it.
  • Although I am finding myself reading with his inflection, yelling keywords and moving my hands all at the same time.
  • My ringtone is currently The Grinch; I find myself singing that all the time now. . .

And now I must get back to painting ornaments, decorating the tree and possibly watching The Nutcracker. Wook was supposed to help with the tree but made a fair point, he gets in trouble when he gets near the tree. You win Wook, go get comfy on the couch and I will deal with the tree.

Show Us Your Life: Holiday Recipes

Posted on by Amy

Kelly from Kelly’s Korner is doing a link up for this week’s SUYL discussing holiday recipes. I love to cook, bake, well anything that has to do with the kitchen I LOVE, so here are a few holiday recipes that I hope you enjoy!

Red Velvet Cake

I made this cake for the first time my senior year of high school! We were challenged to understand the importance of following directions! While the frosting was a bit tricky; the cake was divine! I now use cream cheese frosting and leave off the marzipan decorations . . .

1 box German chocolate cake mix (Pillsbury is the one I use)
1 cup water
1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3 eggs
1bottle (1 oz) red food color
Bake as directed, I used to make this as a layer cake but found that guests at my Christmas dinner party enjoy this cake as cupcakes.
I also use the whipped cream cheese frosting to make it extra fluffy.
The marzipan (if you would like to use it) is divided in half and colored with green and red food coloring. Make into holly leaves and berries to make a wreath on top of the layer cake.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls
This is the recipe that I keep wishing would just disappear! A favorite of many of my friends, it is simple to put together but it takes time and patience. I don’t have the latter!
3/4 jar creamy peanut butter
1 large bag of confectioner’s sugar
1 stick of butter
1 tsp of vanilla
Melt butter and combine with the vanilla and peanut butter (I use my stand mixer for this) and then slowly add the confectioners sugar into the mix. I usually do not end up using the whole bag, it depends on the thickness/consistency as you are working it into the peanut butter. Chill for about 30 minutes and then start rolling it into balls. Place on large cookie sheet (I normally lay down parchment or wax paper on the sheet for less mess), place in fridge for at least an hour but I like to keep them in there overnight.
Chocolate Coating
2 bags of semisweet chocolate chips (I like to use three bags but the recipe calls for two)
3/4 bar of paraffin wax
In double boiler, melt the chips and wax and then take off of the burner. Dip each ball into the chocolate and place back on the cookie sheet. I have tried every which way to come up with the easiest way to do this. My friend Sherry just uses a fork and dips them. For some reason I don’t like to do it this way because then I am left with fork holes after dipping them. I will throw a few into the pot and fish them out with spoons but I know there must be a better way!
I normally store them in the fridge until I am ready to give them out to friends.
Sweet Potato Casserole
Up until a few years ago I did not eat sweet potatoes but this little confection converted me and now I will eat them! Beware, this is a very yummy side dish and can be addicting to make!
1 can (large) sweet potatoes (I actually use sweet potatoes, bake them and then the peel comes right off, if you do this, generally three to four large sweet potatoes will do)
1 can (small) condensed milk
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 tsp vanilla
Mix together and place into lightly buttered casserole dish
Pecan Topping
1/3 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/3 flour
1 cup chopped pecans
I normally go a bit heavy on the topping, so I will make more but fair warning, it is really sweet!
Bake at 350* for 45 minutes to an hour
I hope you all enjoy the recipes! I love each of them although my waistline does not! Merry Christmas and I can’t wait to see what the others have shared.

Tuesday Randomness

Posted on by Amy

Apparently I seriously need to relearn the days of the week. I realized this morning that it was Wednesday and that I completely forgot to write last night. Oh and um, the dog ate my homework. I also completely forgot to watch A Charlie Brown Christmas on Monday. This has been a scatter brain kind of week. Lucky for me I head is still attached to my body so at least I won’t lose that!

  • I love the rain, I really do but the past two mornings I have been driving in a torrential downpour that quits just as I am about to hit the garage at work. . .
  • I would have loved for it to lighten up just a bit while I am driving to work, not just when I arrive
  • I finally got around to painting my toe nails with OPI’s Muppet Collection, Divine Swine
  • I also took it up a notch and painted my finger nails
  • I am finding glitter everywhere from the polish. . .but I still love it!
  • I am ready for some snow! Lots and lots of snow!
  • While getting my crafting on this past weekend I managed to cut my pinky on the inside of the glass ornament. Yeah, I can harm myself on just about anything.
  • My upstairs neighbor must have a bowling alley in her apartment, as well as her extended family visiting for going on two months, I am grateful that at least the walls aren’t shaking every five minutes
  • Working out when it is really cold is kind of hard; I would much rather be snuggled up on the couch with the cat when it gets really cold
  • I finally designed my Christmas cards, I really need to work on getting them done earlier in the year
  • While I receive great cards from friends featuring their kids, they get one of my cat and on some of them, me! But Wook is a pretty cool furkid so I have to show him off!
  • I am just itching to make a quick trip to NYC; someday soon I am going back. I need some Lombardi’s pizza!

Now it is time for me to review the days of the week, take a quiz on it and hope that I can keep up next week with this! And this Friday join me when I share some holiday recipes when I link up to Kelly’s Korner for Show Us Your Life. For good measure I just might start working on that post now. . .

The One Where My Jaw is Still on the Floor

Posted on by Amy

Okay, this is a rant and for those wanting to get into a political debate, well, let’s just remember we are all friends k?

This is just plain silly, the current Muppet movie in theaters is being accused of pushing a liberal agenda. . . I googled this because I wanted to read a few different points of view so please feel free to hit this link. . .

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/fox-business-blasts-muppets-brainwashing-america-kids-anti-corporate-liberal-agenda-article-1.987008

or Google Muppets, liberal for yourself.

This is a children’s movie that a good portion of Gen X has or will be hitting the theater to see as well as explain to the youngest generation out there just how awesome the Muppets have always been. The movies have always been about good vs evil, the small guy rising to the top, overcoming the challenges from the big guy. There is no agenda within the movie to “get your kids” to become a liberal.

I am left of center (for fair disclosure) and was raised by two very conservative Republicans. They happened to allow me to question and form my own opinions. We don’t talk politics very often because, well, it is just not pleasant. I did not base my thoughts and ideals on what I saw growing up. I have even managed to not drop an anvil on anyone who might have pissed me off.

Why I have not blown people to bits or jerked the football away when someone was trying to kick it? Hmm, I think it is because I have a brain, understand the difference between make believe and reality and had two parents that made sure that I used my brain.

There was one article from a woman discussing how horrible it was that Kermit spent a good portion of movie with no clothes on and that it was a huge no no for Piggy and Kermit to be in a relationship. I hope that she was being tongue in cheek but I am afraid not.

Seriously, are we as a nation becoming idiots? I even read an article that discussed a faction of people wanting Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer to be pulled from tv because it promotes bullying! Ugh! Did these people not see that in the end of the story that Santa and the whole crew realized that being different is okay and that sometimes it has a use?

Should I ever have a child, he or she will be raised on a steady diet of classics that I was raised on as well as open discussions about the world around us. There will be talk of right and wrong. There will be consequences to actions that are not allowed. And if my child wants to be a conservative Republican, well, I guess I will be okay with it since my parents have been able to handle my choices in terms of politics.

 

I Am in Love

Posted on by Amy

with Jason Segal. . . okay, so this is one of those silly crushes that one gets that is not realistic BUT I have to give him some love. He gave me some of my most favorite childhood memories a dusting off by writing a new Muppets movie. And he did this by showing his love and respect for the Muppets. Every article I have read about the making of this movie, the history of the Muppets and why he wanted to do this matches with probably most Generation X’s love for this genre.

Sure there is no fancy technology but puppetry is an art form that I wish today’s kids could understand. I watched Emmet Otter’s Jug Band Christmas last night on Netflix (OMG, they have a whole holiday section so I can watch all I want without having to change the discs in the DVD player). Sure I saw the cables from time to time but I didn’t care because the magic of the story, the characters and of course my memories of it from my childhood erases those cables faster than some CGI expert.

I have been on Christmas overload the past couple of days, working on rearranging my furniture, putting the tree up, fighting with Wookie over not chewing on the tree while watching every classic holiday movie that has been produced. I have also gone back to crafting, something that I love to do but have failed to do the past couple of years. I am working on ornaments for friends and family (and a very special Tiffany themed one for myself. . . ) while looking at my tree. Not all the ornaments have made it onto the tree yet, I guess this will be a multi-day kind of project but that is okay because I am enjoying taking my time.

I have things to bake too but that will come a few weeks down the road. . .I just don’t have the time nor energy to stand in the kitchen dealing with that hot mess. But I will make my list, check it twice and then spend quality time with all of my Kitchen Aid appliances. . .I also have some presents to wrap.

But for now I am going to enjoy the mess of ornaments all around me, the twinkling lights and the fact that now I can show the can of black pepper to Wook and he quickly runs from the tree. After many trials and errors of bitter apple spray, water, tabasco sauce on the tree (all of which he likes) black pepper seems to be the only deterrent for little man.

Now who wants to come over and help me get the rest of my ornaments on the tree???? Come on, I will cook for you. And if you are ever so bold, you are more than welcome to dust or vacuum. . . see, Christmas is the season of giving. . .

Tuesday Randomness

Posted on by Amy

I would like to blame this on my days of the week underpants since this is Thursday and not Tuesday but I don’t have any. . . days of the week underpants. I have underpants people. So I will blame this on the aftereffects of too much food at Thanksgiving and running all over Nashville last week.

  • Christmas music is on most of the time at work now, I am sure my coworkers will be looking to disable that feature soon. I hope I keep it at a reasonable level so it doesn’t bother anyone.
  • The 25 Days of Christmas is in full effect in my apartment
  • As is the mess known as decorations that is slowly making it’s way out of the many plastic totes
  • Wookie has taken to trying to open the box the tree is in, I inherited my parents’ tree (again) since my other tree was somewhat destroyed by him during prior Christmases
  • Tomorrow night I will rearrange my furniture, set up the tree and commence with sprinkling black pepper around the tree in hopes of keeping little man away from it
  • Creating Christmas ornaments for gifts, including using glitter which will be found years from now since it never goes away
  • I love Nutcrackers and can’t wait to get my little army out of the totes
  • I was grumbling to the boy about Zumba in an email today, he explained a guilt free way of not doing it. . .
  • It’s called spin class
  • Have I mentioned that he isn’t really that funny?
  • Only four more weeks until I get to go shopping on his dime!
  • The Queen and her Royal Court gathered last week for our annual Thanksgiving dinner, this year we added glittery crowns to our outfits (all thanks to the Queen!)
  • My love continues to grow for Green Hills Mall, hit Macy’s at 7:30am Black Friday, scored some new pillows and drooled over dishes, bake ware and appliances
  • I got my letter to Santa written and in the mailbox at Macy’s
  • Hit up See’s Candy for some chocolate lollies, I LOVE them!
  • Also tried out the cinnamon lolly and wish I had gotten some of them as well
  • Scored some clothes on the cheap at Ann Taylor Loft
  • Had lunch at 6th and Pine at Nordstroms, tried the pastrami on rye for the first time, gotta say, it was good. Also make sure you get one of their cookies for dessert, they bake it as you wait so it is warm and gooey.
  • All that food meant extra time at the gym
  • I ended up losing two pounds even after all of that food
  • Spent some much needed time with my BFF and the cutest little boy ever! Mr. E is going to break hearts one day AND I love his baby legs, too bad leg warmers are not in style. . .
  • After driving (quickly) from Nashville back to Chattanooga, I watched The Muppet Movie with mom, Bird, her girls and husband. My emotions were all over the place, such a wonderful movie and brought back wonderful memories of my childhood
  • Had to explain to one of the girls how puppets work and made a mental note that I will have to school them in all things Muppet very soon
  • Sang along and now need the soundtrack
  • Pick up two of the colors in the OPI collection but still looking for The Rainbow Connection, it must be mine

With that, I must get some sleep and hope that I can get my days straightened back out! Or put on my list to Santa days of the week underpants. . .