Christmas Decorations

I can't even begin to think about Christmas/Christmas decorations/Christmas shopping until the day after Thanksgiving. I think it's a crime for retailers to bring out their Christmas wares before Halloween. It may seem strange that I am promoting the link below. Yes...it's Christmas shopping before Turkey day, but unless you order express or overnight shipping - you most likely won't receive it until after Thanksgiving (& I won't write you a ticket if you do).

Rocks in my Dryer has a promotion right now with the Dayspring company. They are offering 25% off their products if you type in the coupon code rocksinmydryer25. There are many cute things but my favorite is the Nativity candle. There are items not only for Christmas but the whole year as well. Check it out!

Fun with Matty & Remy

Matty donned a clown nose tonight and teased Remy with it. The first few bites were gentle, then Remy chomped down.

Listen for my cackle - you'd think it was Halloween all over again.

Thanksgiving Recipe

We are hosting Thanksgiving at our house this year. Today I called my dad and asked him what he & my mom would like to contribute (Omid is cooking the main dish (turkey & cranberry rice) everyone else is supplying the other dishes). My dad and I talked turkey (ha!) and then decided he & my mom would bring broccoli corn crunch for a side dish. This recipe is so good, I can taste it now. Here it is if you would like to try it.

Broccoli-Corn Crunch

1 10 oz package frozen chopped broccoli
1 8 oz can cream corn
1 tsp salt
1/4 melted butter
1.5 cups seasoned croutons
1 egg, beaten
1/4 chopped onion
1/4 tsp pepper

Thaw broccoli and drain well. Combine egg, corn, onion, salt and pepper. In a separate bowl, combine melted butter and croutons; toss to coat evenly. Reserve 1/2 cup for topping. Combine broccoli, egg-corn mix and 1 cup croutons. Spread evenly in greased 1.5 quart casserole. Sprinkle with reserved croutons.
Bake at 350* for 30-35 minutes.
**This recipe doubles & triples nicely for large potluck events.

Yesterday, the kids, Omid's parents and I drove out to the Columbia Gorge Outlet stores. While I was in the Norm Thompson store, I found a bottle of lotion I wanted to buy. I had a 20% off coupon for several stores, but this store wasn't one of them. The sales lady asked me if I was 50 (hello!?!) or a AAA member. I told her NO! to both questions. She said, "well, just tell me you are a AAA member and I will give you a 10% discount." I told her I couldn't do that. I could tell she was surprised. I was honest and she gave me the 10% off anyway.

Flashback to last weekend, I was returning an item for Nas at the Hollister store. The shirt was purchased in Oregon and I returned it in Washington. The clerk gave me the $ plus tax back. I gave the tax back as I didn't pay it in the first place. The manager was standing right next to the clerk and she couldn't believe I was honest about that. She went on and on. To me - it was the right thing to do. I didn't pay the tax - so taking the tax would be dishonest. My kids were with me both times and I am glad they witnessed me doing the right thing.

Remy!

Remy has been a very willing photography subject today. This is with my a low shutter speed (I am using my new vocab word). Remy is moving - you can see his ear is in motion.

Such a cute baby!

Favorite pasttime (going for a ride in the car & barking at anyone who walks by our car).

Sleepy.

Here is another low shutter pix. Look at that tongue! Matty took this one.

Personality Test

Babalu!

While reading The Country Doctor's Wife this morning, she had a link to a personality test (I've tried to link it here, but it won't work. Please go to the CDW blog above to take the test). I took the test and found out I am an ESFJ (extravert, sensing, feeling, judging) personality. Some of the celebrities who share this same personality are Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Eleanor Roosevelt, Desi Arnaz Sr., and Elvis Stojko (the figure skater).

I am most happy about Eleanor Roosevelt. I love her! I recently read a biography on Eleanor. What a woman! Whenever I find a wonderful quote of hers, I write it down. She has so many and was a fascinating, strong woman.

I am taking a digital photography class through the district. Our first class was last night. I thought it was going to be about how to take better pictures and have lots of fun PhotoShop moments. Wrong!

Instead, we had to learn how to program our camera's aperture & shutter speed last night. Little did I know I was supposed to bring along the camera manual. The upside was, the instructor sat down and showed me how to do it in plain English. This saved me time and frustration of trying to figure out the technical English in the manual.

At our next class, I hope he will give us some photo 'pointers.' I am famous for cropping off heads or having too much unnecessary background in my photos.

I found a recipe this morning for Golden Winter Soup on the Kisses of Sunshine blog I read occasionally. It sounded so good, I ran out to purchase the ingredients. Not only was it delicious, it was super simple to make. It's a basic butternut squash/potato soup and you won't be disappointed if you make it. I may add a dash of curry to the leftovers for curried soup tomorrow.

The kids and I decided to try Ice Cream Renaissance this afternoon. It was a good respite from the rain (plus I had a "buy one-get one free" coupon).

I chose the ice cream sampler. Peach sorbet, cinnamon mocha ice cream and honey vanilla ice cream. The sorbet was the best.

Matty chose 'Dr. Chocolate.' He said it was "deee-lish."

Nas chose the Botticelli brownie sundae.

Matty thoroughly enjoying his snack.

Dirty dishes.

All in all, this was a cute little place. I will try their milkshakes next time. The best part of this experience was when we left, the sun was shining.

Twilight

I have been hearing about this book for quite a while. Naseem has been on the waiting list for months. Monday, she received an email saying it was her turn to read it. I stopped off at the library after work and picked it up. While I was waiting for Nas after school, I decided to read a few pages to see what all the hype was about.

Oh my goodness - I have had to force myself to put it down. It's great! Naseem tried to read it Monday night, but I told her she would have to wait for me to finish it first (I'm 1/2 way through so far).

Now I finally undestand what all the Facebook flair is about. I think I love Edward too.

No Strike

Our PSE Union met last night to vote on a new contract. We voted 148 to 32 to accept it. We will not strike (good!). I need my paycheck.

Now...if I could just get back my hours that were cut so I could do my job (& afford what I want to do for my 40th bday).

Have a bad day?

It was history either way: the oldest man elected President with the first female VP or an African American as President. One thing is for sure: no matter who won last night...the president is going to need our support & prayers. So...now that we have our new leader....we need to come together and support him.

Who are the real winners in this election? Barack's daughters of course. Barack promised them a dog if he won. Pay up, buddy! I for one am waiting with bated breath to see which breed the girls choose. It could have been worse....he could have promised them a cat. ;)

Here is Remy wearing Nas' Halloween costume. Isn't he cute? I think so!

This post is about what happens when you get so caught up in other people's lives and forget to take care of your own life/tasks. Don't follow my example!

Because I have been so busy lately - like an IDIOT - I (me alone - I take full responsibility here) FORGOT to pay our property taxes. I saw the bill and told myself I would pay it on Friday because I didn't want to give the government any $ before they actually needed it. So...Friday came and went. Saturday night, Omid casually asked if I paid the property taxes. Immediate panic on my part. YIKES! NO! Please note: This is the first time I have ever forgotten to pay the taxes. Unfortunately, there is a first time for everything.

So....today, we were granted a one hour lunch. I rush over to the bank and try to pay my taxes. No can do. This bank only accepts tax $ up to the date it's due. I have to run downtown and pay in person at the Treasurer's Office. So, I run downtown and wait with all the other slackers. My one hour lunch comes and goes. I am still waiting. It's finally my turn, I hand over my check. The clerk announces there is also a $20 late fee. I ask her if she accepts debit because I only brought the one check (which I already filled out). She smiles sweetly and says "No."

Great! So now, I am on the verge of tears. This little mistake has cost me time off work, wasted gas and lots of frustration. I decide to take sick leave for the rest of the day and go home and pay the property tax online.

Moral of this story: Learn to say no to requests outside my own life (& pay property taxes early).