Dessert Anyone??

My mom is a great cook. Sadly, The Husband has discovered that the cooking gene skips a generation. I'm pretty sure that Pastor Jack mentioned cooking in our vows, so The Husband is stuck with me. Sucks to be you, dude!

Whenever I visit my parents, or they come down, there's always an exchange of goodies. The exchange is one-sided, of course. Mom brings baked goods. Dad brings canned goods. Surprisingly, the man who couldn't boil water when I was a kid is now into cooking and canning. He makes awesome pickles and mustard beans!

The most recent exchange included Apple Spice Loaf. Mmmmmm! Thanks Mom!!

Whenever we get a loaf of banana bread or apple spice, we eat it the same way:

Cut a thick slice of loaf for each person.
Butter both sides of the slice.
Fry the loaf in butter until browned and crispy.

(Paula Deen would be proud!)
Sprinkle with powdered sugar.
Serve with ice cream or whip cream (or both!)

We've been eating this every night for the last three nights.
Our rationale is that since there are no preservatives, we have to eat it quickly before it goes bad.
What?!
It's a good argument!

Now doesn't that look divine?!!

My Nora Obsession

You may have noticed my new blog ... Photography 3460. When you read the first post, you'll understand the concept. I'll be using this blog to expand on some of my posts there.

Today's expansion blog ... Nora Roberts.

I love Nora Roberts. I'm particularly addicted to her trilogies. The problem I have is that I cannot bring myself to buy a trilogy until she has published all three books. I read on the train to and from work. So it doesn't take me long to go through a book. And I simply don't have the patience to wait for her to catch up with me and publish the next book.

So I wait.

Just before we went to Mexico in December, I purchased her most recent trilogy -- The Sign of Seven Trilogy. Spent the entire vacation reading it.

And I wasn't the only one.

At the airport in Toronto, I saw at least six other women reading Nora novels. At the resort, I saw another eight fans. Some of them men! Which I realize shouldn't matter, but these are categorized as romance novels so I'm a little surprised. Although this trilogy is with male protagonists, and there is a little blood and gore, it's still a little weird to see men reading Nora novels.

Then the other day, I saw a man on the GO Train reading Blood Brothers.

Maybe Nora has a new fan base.

Gee ... d'ya think the guys will pick up some romance tips??

Things that make you go hmmmm ...

M'licious sent me this email. It goes around every once in a while, and I'm sure ya'll have read it before, but it always makes me laugh. And I could use a laugh right now. Maybe some of you do too.

I picked my faves to post ...

1. How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered?
2. How is it that we put man on the moon before we figured out it would be a good idea to put wheels on luggage?
3. Why is 'bra' singular and 'panties' plural?
4. If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a stupid song about him?
5. If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, what is baby oil made from?
6. Do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same tune?
7. Why did you just try singing the two songs above?
8. Why do banks charge a fee on 'insufficient funds' when they know there isn't enough money?
9. Why do they use sterilized needles for death by lethal injection?
10. Why do Kamikaze pilots wear helmets?
11. Whose idea was it to put an 'S' in the word 'lisp'?
12. Is there ever a day that mattresses are not on sale?

And my FAVOURITE......

The statistics on sanity is that one out of every four persons are suffering from some sort of mental illness.
Think of your three best friends.
If they're okay, then it's you.

The Day After

Needless to say, Spa Day was absolutely fantastic!

The highlight of the day was, without a doubt, the massage therapists. Believe me when I say that these were three VERY fine specimens of the male gender. We were all just a little giddy when we were checking out of the spa. Alex immediately texted her husband to ask if she could bring her therapist home. He replied that as long as he cooked and cleaned, it was alright.

Lucky girl!

The Queen behind the check out desk was laughing at us and asked who we had as therapists. I said I couldn't remember his name (he had a name???), but was sure it was Hamana-Hamana-Hamana.

Unfortunately I couldn't get any pictures ... can't have cameras in a spa or locker room, donchya know. You'll just have to take my word for it that it was a fabulous day!

I'm a little sad that the girls have gone home. I miss my sisters already! I had a wonderful time with them. We don't get together often enough. I suppose that makes our time together even more special.

I love you both!

The Big Dilemma

As ya'll know, it's Spa Weekend.

I keep rubbing that in, don't I?

Sorry.

Pfff ... not really!


Alex is with me now. We've done the sister bonding thing today. Unfortunately, BJ couldn't join us. What with the kid and all. Clearly she doesn't have her priorities straight!

But she sent me an email just to keep in touch.



BJ: Whachu guys doin? Is it Saturday yet??????

Me: Watching Will and Grace waiting for The Husband to make dinner. You?

BJ: Well, Martha Stewart is on tv so I'm considering building a craft room, refolding all my towels, painting a mural on the wall over the bed and creating my own stationery. Or maybe I'll just surf TMZ. Not sure ...

Queen for a Day

Saturday is Spa Day!!

At least once a year Alex, BJ and I get together and pamper ourselves with a Spa Day. As I mentioned before, the girls were getting a little anxious to go. We usually have Spa Day in the Summer to celebrate our birthdays together, but this year they just couldn't wait. Like I'm going to argue! Pfff! Any excuse for Spa Day!!

This year, we're going to the Nouvelle Maria Spa at the King Edward Hotel. We've been before, but this is a particular favourite of mine. We're booked for an hour and a half massage, reflexology, facials, manicures and pedicures.

I'm especially looking forward to the facial. Not just because I desperately need one right now, but because of the previous experience. If you've never had a facial, there's a point where the esthetician sets a steamer over your face to open up your pores. She usually leaves you in the dark for a while to relax with cool compresses on your eyes. Last time, someone quietly came into the room, gently folded back the sheet and massaged my just-pedicured feet for a blissful 15 minutes.

I'm pretty sure I drooled a little.

A Conversation

You have tested me often.
There are times I've wanted to give up.
Too many times I've asked myself Why?
I've asked You the same question.

I've never questioned why You don't answer.
I'm sure You have.
I just can't hear You.
Or perhaps I'm not listening.

I was told as a child
You would always be there.
I still believe that.
And I've noticed something ...

When the weight is too heavy,
It is lightened.
When I lose my way,
You send a light.

I may not hear You,
But I see the light.
I will follow it,
And give thanks.


Update: This piece was submitted at Pictures, Poetry & Prose. Although not a winner, it did receive some nice comments.

Dad's Bribery

I remember when I was four years old.
I was playing in the backyard and got a sliver in my finger.
It hurt!!

My dad sat me on the kitchen counter and attempted to take it out.
I yanked my finger back.
It hurt!!
I was crying and my voice hitched with every word.
I was bordering on hysteria.

I noticed he was eating celery and Cheez Whiz.
"Whats hic that hic?" I asked.

Grasping at the moment, he says: "It's good! You wanna try it?"
I nodded. hic
He gives me a little nibble.
Mmmmm!

"You want some more?" he asks.
I nodded. hic
"You won't be able to hold onto it with your sore finger.
Let me fix your finger then I'll make you a celery."

I slowly handed my finger over for extraction.

To this day, I can't eat celery and Cheez Whiz without remembering that.

It's about time!

Clippy Mat wrote a comment on my last blog. She said I picked a good one, in reference to The Husband.

The fact is, I didn't pick him. I know it sounds corny, but I really think we were meant to find each other. He agrees.

It turns out my aunt and uncle live around the corner from his parents. When we visited Auntie Rose and Uncle Moe, I remember playing hide-and-seek with the neighbourhood kids. Always with my kid brother in tow. The Husband will tell you that he remembers a little black-haired girl playing with him and his friends. All he knew was she was visiting family and she always had her little brother with her.

We each planned to attend Carlton University in Ottawa, but plans changed and neither of us went.

When I began working in Funeral Service, I worked for a man who was well known in the business. The Husband came by the office one day to interview him for a paper he was writing for school. I remember thinking he was cute. He says he remembers the cute secretary.

About a year later, my boss is wooed by another funeral home and takes me with him. And who is working at that funeral home? You guessed it.

We became friends instantly, then ... well, you get the picture.

I think there are two very tired Guardian Angels who are quite pleased that we finally got together.

Modern Technology

The Husband is stuck in the 50s.
Not that he's old fashioned.
Just that he likes a simple life.
He hates computers.
Actually has a paper calendar.
Not even a daytimer but those cheap monthly pocket calendars.
Has a cell phone but rarely uses it.

He has only recently begun texting.
And only because The Boy has moved to Calgary,
and The Girl has gone off to college.
This is their way of communicating.
Quick messages to their father to say I love you, send money.

Me ... I'm the exact opposite.
I'm all about the gadgets.
He who has the most toys wins!

He finally caved and bought a computer just before Christmas.
I'm in Heaven!

Needless to say, texting is not something I often do with him.
But last night, I was on my way home from work.
We had plans to go to the RV Show.
I tried to call him and let him know which train I was on.
No answer at home. No answer on his cell.
Hmmmm ...

Then I get a text message:

U on way hom?

He's getting pretty good with the short forms. I was impressed. But since I type for a living, I have a hard time short forming. I replied:

Yup. On 510. Wanna pick me up from station go from there?

He replied:

K. Wkd ppy. call/txt frm pk

Now I'm really impressed. And for those who are wondering, pk is Pickering, the station before my stop. Our deal is that I call when we get to Pickering which is the perfect timing for him to leave the house and drive to the Ajax station. So I want to give him kudos, because I sincerely think he deserves it. Embracing technology is not easy for the guy!

wil cal. ur trng in2 txt gk! lv u!

His response???

kismyas!


[sigh] I've created a monster.

Alex's L List

Cousin Alex wanted to play along with the Word Game. She doesn't blog, so she sent me an email, which I've posted below.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Perfect pick on my letter Mo, you know me well. This list made me feel great.

"L"

1. Love. I'm very fortunate to have a man that truly loves me. I think we've been through every Wedding vow (sickness, health, etc...) and he's still there for me 120%. I also have an amazing family. My boys are the best (honestly that's not too biased - just ask their Aunt Mo.) And it totally goes without saying my sisters are the best. I'm extremely blessed with tons of Love.
2. Life. I truly enjoy my life. This is another year for my life to blossom more. My hubby and I have many things going on that are all about us and I'm so looking forward to every day of my life.
3. Laugh. I absolutely love to laugh. It heals the soul right down to your toes. There is no other medicine like it and I enjoy doing it often (even if it causes tears and panty wetness!).
4. Lust. I'm proud to say I still lust after my man after 18 years of marriage, and I know he does for me too. (I won't go into detail but Mo is jealous of my marathon man!)
5. Lazy Days. Who doesn't enjoy a lazy day! From sunup to sundown in pj's reading a great book. I don't get them often so I take advantage of it when I do.
6. Learning. As a kid I hated it but now I love learning new things. Whether it's growing more spiritually or educationally from my kids it's all wonderful. For example ... Did you know that it costs 50 cents to make a phone call from a payphone now?! I found out when I threw a quarter at my son when he was bugging me and told him to call someone who cares. I thought I was being clever because he doesn't have a cell phone yet but it totally lost it's effect when he told me it wasn't enough money! Learning saves embarrassments in life.
7. Lists. I love making lists and checking things off as they get done. It's a great feeling. Of course, my favourite is the 'Honey Do' list!
8. Lottery. It doesn't matter if it's a scratch, 649, Super 7, or break open tickets. I play and win often and I know it's going to be a big win soon!!

I wish everyone an "L" day!

Alex

Metallica

I have a phobia.
Not the normal "I hate spiders" phobia.
Although I DO hate spiders.
shudder!
Don't get me started!

I have a "thing" about metal scraping against metal.
It's like nails on a chalkboard to me.
No ... worse.

Knives and forks rubbing together.
Knife sharpening.
You get the idea.

The sound makes me involuntarily convulse.
I don't know why.
I've had this issue since I can remember.

The Husband used to think I made this up.
Thought I was over-reacting.

Until ...

He used to have a set of dinnerware that had a floral motif on it.
If you rubbed your fork or knife across the motif ...
OMG!
I can't even continue that sentence.
It sets my teeth on edge.
The hair on my arms stands straight up.
My limbs flail in strange ways.
I have a slight gag reflex.

I fell asleep watching tv.
He was enjoying a bowl of ice cream.
He began to purposely scrape the bowl with his spoon!
He said I was twitching like an epileptic in my sleep.
And he laughed.
Evil man!

Needless to day, The Husband sharpens the knives.
I hand him the knife and the sharpener.
He waits until I put my fingers in my ears.
The entire time he's dragging the blade through the sharpener (UGH!) ...
I'm shouting ...
and I mean SHOUTING ...
LA! LA! LA! LA! LA! LA! LA! LA! LA!
Just to drown out the sound.
It seems to work.

There's an Indian restaurant that we frequent.
They have a great dessert.
Homemade Mango Ice Cream.
It's to die for.
It comes in a lovely metal bowl.
That you eat with a metal spoon.

The first time it was delivered to our table
The Husband burst out laughing.
"We can ask them to bring you a plastic spoon, dear."
I sighed.
"No. I don't want to look like a freak.
I'll just be careful."
So every spoonful I took was carefully scooped out of the bowl.
So as not to touch the side.
It was agonizing.

I haven't ordered the ice cream since.

Brought to you by the Letter "S"

The Evil Twin's Wife participated in a meme.
She left it open for others to participate if they wanted.
I wanted to.
I was assigned "S".
Not only is it fun, but it gives me an idea for today's blog.

Here's the deal:

1. Leave a comment on this post and I will assign you a letter.
2. Write about ten things you love that begin with said letter.
3. Post the list on your blog.
4. When people comment on your list, you assign a letter, and the game continues.

I will only assign a letter if you request it, so don't hesitate to comment ...
I'm not ashamed to say I love comments!

So, without further ado, I give you my S List, in no particular order.

1. Starbucks. Ask anyone who knows me. I have a serious addiction to Starbucks. My usual is a Tall Skinny Vanilla Latte.
2. Sleep. I have chronic insomnia. Sleep is precious to me.
3. Sewing. For a real explanation on this see my other blog.
4. Shower. I seem to have epiphanies in the shower. Don't ask. It's probably because my brain is allowed to wander since it doesn't have to concentrate on the task at hand. I also have epiphanies when I'm trying to fall asleep (see 2 above). They're usually Contessa related (see 3 above).
5. Summer. I love summer. Spring is ok. Fall is nice too. Hate Winter. HATE. IT. To me, summer equals motorcycle, camping, long days, warm nights. Winter sucks.
6. Salmon. Mmmmmmm, salmon. Just about every time we go out for dinner, I order salmon. The Husband doesn't particularly like salmon, so we don't have it at home. But a friend shared a BBQ recipe with him and he tried it out this summer. It was delish!
7. Sisters. Alex, BJ and I are close. We call each other sisters. I love them dearly.
8. Spa Day. This has become a ritual. At least once a year, my sisters (see 7 above) and I pick a spa and go nuts. This year, we're going to the Nouvelle Maria Spa at the King Edward. Massages, reflexology, facials, manis and pedis. Absolute Heaven!
9. Spouse. What can I say. I'm a lucky girl. I'm married to the best guy ... he cooks, he cleans, he does the laundry, he takes care of the cars and motorcycles ... yup, I'm a lucky girl. I love you, hon!
10. Sundays. The Husband works a lot. So do I for that matter. We don't get to spend a lot of time together. In fact, we only get every second Sunday together. We do get a few evenings each week, but if you're counting entire days to bond, it's only every other Sunday. So I absolutely love Sundays.

So that's my list.

I think what I'll do is expand on each item in future blogs. I know you'll all be waiting with bated breath.

Don't forget to leave your comments ... and let me know if you want to play along!

Sick and Tired

I went home from work early last Wednesday with the nastiest cold.
It started last Sunday and progressively got worse.
By Wednesday I couldn't take it anymore.
I told HR I was taking Thursday and Friday off and went home.
To bed.

My head was pounding.
My ears were plugged up and throwing off my equilibrium.
My nose was runny.
I had laryngitis.

To cap it all off, I woke up Thursday morning with Pink Eye.
Nice.
I dragged my sorry self to the walk-in clinic to get a prescription for eye drops.
Came home and vegged on the couch.

Puppy insisted on coming by and checking on me every hour or so.

SLURP!!
You all right Mummy?
I kiss you and make it better!

Thanks, Puppy.

I'm on the mend, but still not feeling 100%.
My voice is still rough.
I'm told it sounds sexy.
1-900 babish.
Whatever.
It doesn't feel sexy.
And if you come near me, I'll give you my cold!

Did I mention I'm still a little cranky?

Bob's My Uncle

Today is the anniversary of Uncle Bob's death.

I'm not sad about it. He wouldn't want that.

Uncle Bob is Alex's father and my Mom's brother. He was a fun, mischievous and carefree spirit. He lived for the moment, didn't worry about tomorrow and enjoyed a good practical joke. Not only as the giver of one, but he could also laugh when he was the recipient.

Whenever I'm with my family and reminiscing about Uncle Bob, there comes a lull in the conversation when we're all lost in our own memories. Then I'll look at my Mom. She'll grin, then I'll grin. And we both know we're thinking about the same thing.

The Soup Incident.

Uncle Bob lived with us for a few months one summer while his house was being built. He had a morning routine of getting up before everyone else. He put the kettle on the stove to boil water for tea. While the water boiled, he'd go downstairs to the washroom and get ready for work. Well, one morning, he set the kettle on the burner that Mom had used the night before.

Mom is a night owl and was in the habit of cooking and baking late at night. She had made a huge pot of soup the night before. The soup had spilled over into the burner. It was late so she thought she'd clean it up in the morning, rather than wake everyone up taking apart the burner to clean it.

Uncle Bob gets up, completely unaware, sets the kettle on the same burner, turns the burner on high and goes downstairs for his morning constitutional. He's there for a while ... reading ... when suddenly the smoke alarm goes off. He gets himself together as fast as he can and runs upstairs to find the burner on fire and smoke filling the kitchen.

Now, when Uncle Bob was around to tell the story, you almost peed yourself laughing listening to him retell it. He would squat down and pretend to be reading the paper and re-enact the whole thing, including the look of horror on his face. It was priceless!

Mom never let him forget that he ruined her favourite kettle!

We miss you, Uncle Bob, but I know that wherever you are, you're having a great time driving everyone crazy with your practical jokes!

When Recipe Books go Bad

Frantastic sent me a link. I think Frantastic has some weird friends. If you are not easily offended, then click here. But before you do, know that I am not easily offended and I'm still freaking out over this.

For once, I'm speechless. Discuss amongst yourselves.


[NOTE: Frantastic wishes to point out that she does not own this recipe book, will not be trying any recipes in said book and does not condone the use of said special ingredient.]

The Hills are Alive

Thanks to Laura Jayne who inspired today's blog.

We visited Tucson last year. What a beautiful city! Never having seen a desert before, I was absolutely awed by the vastness and majesty of this wilderness. It wasn't as barren as I imagined it would be.

One of the things I especially wanted to see were Saguaro (pronounced "sah-WAH-row") cacti. These are the cacti with arms.

We decided to take a hike along one of the trails. And just to make it interesting, we decide we'll take a trail that will take us up Wasson's Peak ... an elevation of 4700 feet!

As we're starting the trail, we see this run-down building.


We can't see any doors -- only the windows. We start wondering about what kind of building this is. The Husband points out that the trail below us is called the Gould Mining Trail. Since we've experienced some of the history in the area, we know that there were Indians and claim jumpers, so people would have protected their land. The Husband begins imagining some miner or cowboy holed up in the building, pointing a gun or rifle out the windows. "Git off my land you varmits!" he bellows.

We detour and hike down to the building for closer inspection ... turns out it was an abandoned latrine!! Crap! No pun intended, of course. So much for our over-active imaginations.

After about four hours of climbing, we finally get to the top. Our reward? The most breathtaking view!



Hiking Boots ... $215
4 Bottles of Water ... $12
Air Fare to Tucson, Arizona ... $428
Being able to say I climbed a mountain ... PRICELESS!!

Gall darn it!

I'm thinking this year is starting out MUCH better than last year.

This time last year, I was sitting in agony in the emergency room with what turned out to be a gall bladder attack. An attack that lasted five ... I repeat FIVE ... days!

I think I have a pretty high pain threshold. I had a hysterectomy and took no drugs after. Never hit the little button, never took any pain meds after. Was up and walking the same day, in fact.

But this ... this was pain!

The hospital took blood and x-rays and found nothing. I could hardly walk, breathing was a chore and every time someone poked me, I yelped in pain. Finally a doctor begrudgingly decides to run an ultrasound. Although she wasn't supposed to, the technician said she could see something there.

The ER doctor confirmed a stone. He said they don't operate immediately anymore. You have to have several attacks before they do anything. But he said they would fax my information to the local gastro doc and he'd take a look. I'd have to call for an appointment to discuss things with him.

I'm thinking, great, I have to potentially go through this a few more times before anything gets done. This is madness!

I went home and called the doctor's office the next day. Their message said they were closed for the holidays and would be opening on Monday. It was Wednesday. *sigh* Fine, I'll call Monday.

But a few hours later, I got a call from the doctor. We received your test results. The doctor would like to see you as soon as possible. Is next week good with you? What?! Holy crap! Uhm ... Ok.

And when I saw him, he tells me my stone is the size of a grape, which is quite large and it should come out sooner than later. We're booking you in for week after next. That good for you? Uhm ... sure.

So just like that, I am now sans gall bladder.

Unfortunately, they wouldn't do the tummy tuck and lipo at the same time.