...am I too old for trick or treat?
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Happy Halloween!!!
When I was a little girl, a verrrrrrrrry long time ago, I loved Halloween. I was noticing at a store yesterday all of the people shopping for costumes and all the little kids excited about what they were going to be. We did not have full costumes to choose from but got a mask every year, a plastic thing with a rubber band in the back so it would cover your face. My mom usually made us a costume to go with the mask. Nothing fancy or expensive but made certainly with a ton of love. We took our grocery store sacks and went to every house in our little town. We'd normally get about 2 sacks full and have candy til Valentines Day. That was our advantage...not as much in the costume department but we didn't have to worry about what what were given. We had a carnival at school, a Halloween carnival with all kinds of fun games and the coolest thing, the opportunity to pay money and have your teacher put in the jail. They had to find someone to bail them out. It was way cool. Now they have 'Fall Fesivals' because 'Halloween Carnivals' are way un-PC. I guess it's kinda the same. Anyway, Happy Halloween to anyone who's reading this and I hope you get a great sugar rush!!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Sad, sad situation...RIP Paul
Yesterday at work, a co-worker had a heart attack and was taken to the hospital. Later in the day, he had another attack and died. He was 56. We weren't close. We were friendly at work but frankly I knew little about him. He left behind a daughter in college and a son in high school. I saw him every morning and he did not look well. I hope he's at peace and am very sad for his children.
The other thing that freaks me out is that I don't want my office to be my last stop. Dying practically at your desk sucks big time, no doubt.
The other thing that freaks me out is that I don't want my office to be my last stop. Dying practically at your desk sucks big time, no doubt.
UT Week
Ok, we are all football obsessed, no doubt about it. Our best team ever. And Saturday is the biggest game ever. The UT game is always big but this one is BIG!!! Students have been camping out all week. The game is sold out as are all the hotel rooms. The tv stations have kickoff down to hours that tick off. ESPN game day is coming. And Texas is number 1 in the country and we are number 6. And I believe this team can win. In the past I have dreaded the big, tv games but not this time. I have faith in this team and their ability to win. This team is different. I have faith.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Tech Wins Again
Whiny Texas Aggies Message Board
My favorite parts are always the 'moral victory' posts....they have a lousy football team but Tech is overrated and classless. They have band smack posts for goodness sake!! I too am not sure we are a top 5 team but when it comes to A&M we own their butts. Moral victories are all they have. Maybe Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree can send them post cards from our bowl game.
2008 TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS 7-0
My favorite parts are always the 'moral victory' posts....they have a lousy football team but Tech is overrated and classless. They have band smack posts for goodness sake!! I too am not sure we are a top 5 team but when it comes to A&M we own their butts. Moral victories are all they have. Maybe Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree can send them post cards from our bowl game.
2008 TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS 7-0
Friday, October 17, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Loving the Movies
Tonight my niece is here with her 2 kids and they'd never seen a drive-in before so tonight they went to see 'Beverly Hills Chihuahua' at the drive in.
When I was a little girl, drive-ins were all we had. It was only open in the summertime and they only showed Disney and Elvis movies where we lived. We would be in our PJ's and we'd get to go on Friday night with Mom and sometimes even Daddy. We'd pull up and put the little speaker thingy on our window and the person on the speaker side would get blasted because the rest of us could not hear too well. We tried to get there early to get snacks because we did not want to miss any of the movie. And we hated, hated, hated the bathroom, possibly the original place we all learned to hover. But, dang, it was a good time!!
Later in life, I'd get to go to my sister Cathy's house in Flagstaff and I'd get to go to the indoor theater. I remember seeing 'Dumbo' and an Elvis movie where he was an Indian, something like 'Navajo Joe'. She never went with me, she'd just drop me off and pick me up. Those movies were the highlight of my summer.
Even now I love to go to the theater. A few years ago, there was a movie called 'The Majestic' with Jim Carrey in it. I don't remember all of it but remember Martin Landau playing his father who owned a old movie theater (the Majestic) and he had a line that asked "Why would people want to stay home watching a box when they can come here?". The theater experience is certainly not the days of old. We now have overpriced tickets, overpriced snacks, people who think it's appropriate to bring 3 year olds to R rated movies, cell phones, gabbers & commercials. But I still love it when the lights go down and the previews start. It still has a little magic.
When I was a little girl, drive-ins were all we had. It was only open in the summertime and they only showed Disney and Elvis movies where we lived. We would be in our PJ's and we'd get to go on Friday night with Mom and sometimes even Daddy. We'd pull up and put the little speaker thingy on our window and the person on the speaker side would get blasted because the rest of us could not hear too well. We tried to get there early to get snacks because we did not want to miss any of the movie. And we hated, hated, hated the bathroom, possibly the original place we all learned to hover. But, dang, it was a good time!!
Later in life, I'd get to go to my sister Cathy's house in Flagstaff and I'd get to go to the indoor theater. I remember seeing 'Dumbo' and an Elvis movie where he was an Indian, something like 'Navajo Joe'. She never went with me, she'd just drop me off and pick me up. Those movies were the highlight of my summer.
Even now I love to go to the theater. A few years ago, there was a movie called 'The Majestic' with Jim Carrey in it. I don't remember all of it but remember Martin Landau playing his father who owned a old movie theater (the Majestic) and he had a line that asked "Why would people want to stay home watching a box when they can come here?". The theater experience is certainly not the days of old. We now have overpriced tickets, overpriced snacks, people who think it's appropriate to bring 3 year olds to R rated movies, cell phones, gabbers & commercials. But I still love it when the lights go down and the previews start. It still has a little magic.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
The changing face of America
NBC is doing a series on their nightly news this week about the changing face of America. Tonight they were saying that the fasting growing segment is the children of immigrants. It showed a young man who was born in the US to parents who spoke limited English so he now has to do everyday things for them like talk to their doctors and deal with service people, a responsibility all of his friends did not have. It was an interesting piece. I talk to people every day who have moved here to pursue their American dream. Some I can communicate with easily and some are not so easy. And lots of them put their teenage kids on the phone to finish up their business. I am a minor part of their day...they have a big responsability.
In January we went to Las Vegas and our cab driver was from Romania. What a nice guy. We were talking about where he was from and how long he'd been here (2 years) and why Las Vegas. I loved his answer. He told me that when he got here his family got off the plane with 2 suitcases each. He chose Las Vegas because it was a place where if you were willing to work hard you could make money. They had enough for a couple months rent and nothing else when they got here. They had to buy furniture, clothes, transportation, kitchen stuff, linens, everything. I cannot imagine starting over like that. He now said his kids--2 teenage boys--are fitting right into American culture....liking American football instead of soccer and they are huge Red Sox fans. His son wanted an ipod for his birthday. This man drove a cab 12 hours a day 6 days a week and his wife had a different job--don't remember what-- that she did the same hours. Both were willing to do this without question so their sons would have opportunities they never had. I was sorry for our ride to end but I liked the man very much. I gave him a big tip. :)
I can't say I don't have any prejudice...like the movie Crash points out, we all do. Everytime I call tech support form my dsl and get Habib it comes out big time. Everytime I have to point at my toes to communicate pedicure at the nail shop i get annoyed. But I fight against it every day and now my nail person knows what I want when I come in so hopefully I will keep trying to become a better person.
On a funny note, on Ugly Betty last week Amanda was saying she always called her credit card company after hours so she'll get someone in India because they are nicer to her. She was telling the guy on the phone if she paid her bill, she couldn't pay her rent and if she could not pay her rent then where would he send her bill?
In January we went to Las Vegas and our cab driver was from Romania. What a nice guy. We were talking about where he was from and how long he'd been here (2 years) and why Las Vegas. I loved his answer. He told me that when he got here his family got off the plane with 2 suitcases each. He chose Las Vegas because it was a place where if you were willing to work hard you could make money. They had enough for a couple months rent and nothing else when they got here. They had to buy furniture, clothes, transportation, kitchen stuff, linens, everything. I cannot imagine starting over like that. He now said his kids--2 teenage boys--are fitting right into American culture....liking American football instead of soccer and they are huge Red Sox fans. His son wanted an ipod for his birthday. This man drove a cab 12 hours a day 6 days a week and his wife had a different job--don't remember what-- that she did the same hours. Both were willing to do this without question so their sons would have opportunities they never had. I was sorry for our ride to end but I liked the man very much. I gave him a big tip. :)
I can't say I don't have any prejudice...like the movie Crash points out, we all do. Everytime I call tech support form my dsl and get Habib it comes out big time. Everytime I have to point at my toes to communicate pedicure at the nail shop i get annoyed. But I fight against it every day and now my nail person knows what I want when I come in so hopefully I will keep trying to become a better person.
On a funny note, on Ugly Betty last week Amanda was saying she always called her credit card company after hours so she'll get someone in India because they are nicer to her. She was telling the guy on the phone if she paid her bill, she couldn't pay her rent and if she could not pay her rent then where would he send her bill?
Monday, October 13, 2008
Iron Chef America, fish and beer
I love Iron Chef America, especially when Bobby Flay is cooking. He always seems to be having a good time. Just to make things clear, I love watching cooking shows but I don't like to cook much and frankly don't recognize most of what they are cooking. The secret ingredient seems to be fish every other week and frankly it looks pretty disgusting. I am admittedly fish illiterate although I've eaten grilled swordfish, salmon & grilled halibut and I like all of those. I think if I had to see them raw I'd probably change my mind.
I'm watching now and the secret ingredient is beer and they are making a lot of stuff with it...fish, of course, chicken, desserts, brats & slaw...I have not seen anything that looks good yet. I don't normally consider myself a picky eater but yuck.
Julie Chen is a guest chef and admits she's not a drinker and has tasted all of the beer and is a little drunk. It's actually pretty amusing.
Bobby Flay is serving really big shrimps with their heads on. Yuck.
I don't like beer much so I'd probably not make a good judge. Yuck.
I'm watching now and the secret ingredient is beer and they are making a lot of stuff with it...fish, of course, chicken, desserts, brats & slaw...I have not seen anything that looks good yet. I don't normally consider myself a picky eater but yuck.
Julie Chen is a guest chef and admits she's not a drinker and has tasted all of the beer and is a little drunk. It's actually pretty amusing.
Bobby Flay is serving really big shrimps with their heads on. Yuck.
I don't like beer much so I'd probably not make a good judge. Yuck.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
I love Blue Bunny
Blue Bunny has sugar free ice cream that is to die for. They have several flavors, including Strawberry, Peanut Butter Fudge and my absolute favorite Caramel Turtle Sundae. When I think the world doesn't have anything good to offer, I eat a cone and life is right again. I'm just saying
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Chocolate Chex Caramel Crunch
We went this week to the Taste of Home Cooking Show and really enjoyed it. A home economist makes several dishes onstage while we follow along and enjoy watching. I do lead the exiting life, no doubt about it. They always give away all the food and a bunch of door prizes though I've been several times over the years and have never won anything. The big prizes this year were a dining room set from Dillards and a $2400 Electrolux stove. It looked extremely cool but sadly went home with someone else. Maybe next year...
But this sounded like the best recipe, which in my eyes is quick, easy and full of chocolate.
8 Cups of Chocolate Chex Cereal
3/4 Cup packed brown sugar
6 Tablespoons of butter
3 Tablespoons of light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup vanilla or white chocolate chips
Place cereal in a large microwave safe bowl and set aside. Line a baking sheet with wax paper.
In a 2 cup microwave safe measuring cup, microwave brown sugar, butter & corn syrup high for 1 minute. Stir and mirowave 30-60 seconds longer, stir til blended. Stir in baking soda til disolved. Pour over cereal and stir til evenly coated.
Microwave on high for 3 minutes, stopping to stir every minute. Spread on baking sheet and cool 10 minutes. Break into pieces.
In a small microwave safe bowl, melt vanilla chips and stir til smooth. Drizzle over cereal mixture. Refrigerate til set and store in airtight container.
This is Billie: I'm thinking a some mixed nuts stirred into the cereal at the beginning sounds good and almond bark is cheaper and smoother and easier to work with for the drizzle. It can be quickly microwaved but it has to be watched because it does not appear to be melting so it needs to be stirred every 30 seconds or so. And I think this sounds darn yummy.
But this sounded like the best recipe, which in my eyes is quick, easy and full of chocolate.
8 Cups of Chocolate Chex Cereal
3/4 Cup packed brown sugar
6 Tablespoons of butter
3 Tablespoons of light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup vanilla or white chocolate chips
Place cereal in a large microwave safe bowl and set aside. Line a baking sheet with wax paper.
In a 2 cup microwave safe measuring cup, microwave brown sugar, butter & corn syrup high for 1 minute. Stir and mirowave 30-60 seconds longer, stir til blended. Stir in baking soda til disolved. Pour over cereal and stir til evenly coated.
Microwave on high for 3 minutes, stopping to stir every minute. Spread on baking sheet and cool 10 minutes. Break into pieces.
In a small microwave safe bowl, melt vanilla chips and stir til smooth. Drizzle over cereal mixture. Refrigerate til set and store in airtight container.
This is Billie: I'm thinking a some mixed nuts stirred into the cereal at the beginning sounds good and almond bark is cheaper and smoother and easier to work with for the drizzle. It can be quickly microwaved but it has to be watched because it does not appear to be melting so it needs to be stirred every 30 seconds or so. And I think this sounds darn yummy.
Harrell- Crabtree Heisman Campaign
HARRELL-CRABTREE PASSORCATCH2008.COM
These are hysterical.
The University has set up with this website to promote Graham Harrell & Michael Crabtree for the Heisman. Both players are extremely talented and it would be great if one of them won. Tech gets no respect for our game, our record, our opponents or anything else frankly so it probably will not happen but I challange anyone else to come up with a campaign that's more fun.
Saturday, October 4, 2008
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