Sunday, August 31, 2008

Yum-O

I found this meme on Trisha's Blog. I usually stay out of these but this one was interesting. Feel free to play along.

1) Copy this list into your blog or journal, including these instructions.
2) Bold all the items you’ve eaten.
3) Cross out any items that you would never consider eating.
4) Optional extra: Post a comment at www.verygoodtaste.co.uk linking to your results.

The VGT Omnivore’s Hundred:

1. Venison
2. Nettle tea
3. Huevos rancheros
4. Steak tartare
5. Crocodile
6. Black pudding
7. Cheese fondue
8. Carp
9. Borscht
10. Baba ghanoush
11. Calamari
12. Pho
13. PB&J sandwich
14. Aloo gobi
15. Hot dog from a street cart
16. Epoisses
17. Black truffle
18. Fruit wine made from something other than grapes
19. Steamed pork buns
20. Pistachio ice cream
21. Heirloom tomatoes
22. Fresh wild berries
23. Foie gras
24. Rice and beans
25. Brawn, or head cheese
26. Raw Scotch Bonnet pepper NOT A CHANCE!
27. Dulce de leche
28. Oysters
29. Baklava
30. Bagna cauda
31. Wasabi peas
32. Clam chowder in a sourdough bowl
33. Salted lassi
34. Sauerkraut
35. Root beer float
36. Cognac with a fat cigar Not that I wouldn't try the cognac, but I wouldn't have any cigars
37. Clotted cream tea
38. Vodka jelly
39. Gumbo
40. Oxtail
41. Curried goat -I've eaten goat before, but it wasn't curried
42. Whole insects
43. Phaal
44. Goat’s milk
45. Malt whisky from a bottle worth £60/$120 or more
46. Fugu
47. Chicken tikka masala
48. Eel
49. Krispy Kreme original glazed doughnut
50. Sea urchin
51. Prickly pear
52. Umeboshi
53. Abalone
54. Paneer
55. McDonald’s Big Mac Meal
56. Spaetzle
57. Dirty gin martini
58. Beer above 8% ABV
59. Poutine
60. Carob chips
61. S’mores
62. Sweetbreads
63. Kaolin
64. Currywurst
65. Durian
66. Frogs’ legs
67. Beignets, churros, elephant ears or funnel cake
68. Haggis
69. Fried plantain
70. Chitterlings, or andouillette
71. Gazpacho
72. Caviar and blini
73. Louche absinthe
74. Gjetost, or brunost
75. Roadkill
76. Baijiu
77. Hostess Fruit Pie
78. Snail
79. Lapsang souchong
80. Bellini
81. Tom yum
82. Eggs Benedict
83. Pocky
84. Tasting menu at a three-Michelin-star restaurant.
85. Kobe beef
86. Hare
87. Goulash
88. Flowers(Mrs. Hightower once gave me rose jelly)
89. Horse
90. Criollo chocolate
91. Spam
92. Soft shell crab
93. Rose harissa- I might try this if it isn't TOO spicy
94. Catfish
95. Mole poblano I actually ate this, but I still think the idea of chocolate tacos is strange
96. Bagel and lox
97. Lobster Thermidor
98. Polenta
99. Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee
100. Snake

If I left alone anything, it's because I'd try if it came up. However, I won't be in a hurry to go try many of them anytime soon. Alcohol drinks I left because I'd try them, but since I am not much of a drinker, I probably never will. I had to Google a lot of these to see what they were.

Saturday, August 30, 2008

My Side of the Mountain


I finished My Side of the Mountain it’s about a boy who runs to the forest. I liked this book it was a good book. I like the part when Sam gets a falcon and calls her Frightful. Also when Sam has a Halloween party and all the squirrels mess up his stump. He made clothes with skins of animals and the needle is a bone. Sam’s house is in a tree. He burns the tree stump and the room is big. Sam runs away from New York so he loves the more roomier space. I don’t think I could live in the forest because I would be too sad to kill the animals.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Thursday 13- Edition 22



I actually wrote this one early in the week so I would have it ready. Then I forgot so here I am late. Oh well, better late than never.

Thirteen Things I Remember About The 2008 Summer Olympic Games


1. Michael Phelps’ 8 Gold Medals
2. Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh winning the second consecutive gold medal in woman’s beach volleyball.
3. Nastia Liukin winning the all around gold medal in women’s gymnastics and Shawn Johnson grabbing silver.
4. Shawn Johnson winning the gold on the balance beam.
5. The unfair way Nastia Liukin got the silver on the uneven bars. That was ridiculous.
6. The Visa commercials with the voice overs by Morgan Freeman.
7. Just how old were those Chinese gymnasts?
8. Usain Bolt of Jamaica breaks Michael Johnson’s world record in the mens 200 meter.
9. US Women’s sabre (fencing) sweep the medals in their sport to win the USA’s first gold, silver, and bronze of the games.
10. The opening ceremonies. Those costumes were so cool and the show was fabulous.
11. The US Woman’s softball team losing the gold to Japan.
12. The USA Men’s basketball winning the gold.
13. The closing ceremonies were cool too.

Now just four more years until we do it again in London. Woo Hoo!

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Wordless Wednesday




Even Elvis likes a hot dog at the ball game.
Maverick Stadium, Adelanto, California
August 9, 2008

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

Class To Do List

Take out homework folder
Put away new homework
Do some kind of paper
Lunch
Teacher reads to us
Do some kind of paper
Recess
P.E.(only on Wednesdays and Fridays)
Clean up
Play a game
Go home

Monday, August 25, 2008

Mining


One day my mom and I were going to mine.My mom had a special mining suit.She asked me if I packed my lunch,I said yes.Then we were done packing,so we left.I was so excited.

Once we got there, I tripped over something and we brushed it off. It was pure gold! My mom told me I could keep it. It was so beautiful! When we had to leave my mom asked me if I still had my gold, I did. Then we left.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

In The Beginning…

Tomorrow I start my part time job at Patty’s Critters. It is going to be fun. I had to pick up a handful of crickets to get this job. It was like Fear Factor. I have been getting bored sitting around here doing nothing. Tomorrow I also am starting some college classes. David is starting some too. I finished my AA, and Victor Valley College does not offer any more classes in my major area, so I am taking an art history class and a health class. This will be David’s first entry into college. David already got a part time job at McDonald’s. It is so part time in fact, that in two weeks he has only worked about 10 hours. He is still looking for better job opportunity. He has applied to about a million places or something. I have faith that something will come along soon. (Of course, I have been saying that for two months now.)

Carolynn made the cross-country team at her school. She has been practicing hard after school. Catherine’s school had a luau on Thursday. It was very fun and she and David had a good time. (I was taking Carolynn to her baton class.)

August is almost over and things are looking up. Tomorrow I begin my fabulous new job at a pet shop and two new classes. Right now though, I am off to the Laundromat. Woo!

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Puppies In The Park

Today has been an exciting day. First, I took Catherine to Lowe's where she built a truck. Then we came home and picked up David and Carolynn and the dog. We headed off to the Town Of Apple Valley Pet Fair. We had a good time. We got plenty of free loot... frisbees, dog treats, dog food, cat food, cat toys, dog toys, teeshirt, key chain... plenty of stuff. They had a lot of cute pets and fun stuff to do. I didn't have very many pictures, not enough for a video, but I made you all this fabulous slideshow of my top ten pictures. Enjoy!

Click to play Apple Valley Pet Fair
Create your own slideshow - Powered by Smilebox
Make a Smilebox slideshow

Thursday, August 21, 2008

Thursday 13- Edition 21



Thirteen Of The Worst Movies I Have Ever Seen

1. Team America
2. Monty Python’s Life Of Brian
3. Rent (I’m sorry, but I just didn’t like this movie and I love musicals.)
4. Corpse Bride (I saw this one in the theater too.
5. X-3 (I liked the first two)
6. Ghost Ship
7. Joe Vs. The Volcano
8. The Waterboy
9. Drop Dead Fred
10. Hello Again!
11. Me, Myself and Irene
12. Scooby Doo
13. Boogie Nights

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Good Ol' Uncle Jeb

Your Uncle Jeb has invited you to spend a few days working with him on his farm. Tell what happens from the moment you get there until you say goodbye.

The moment I got there, I hugged my Uncle Jeb and ran to the cows. I pet them for awhile until Uncle Jeb asked me if I wanted to ride a horse. I definitely said yes. It was a little hard at first, but I got the hang of it. It was so fun. I got to feed the chickens and the pigs. Once it was lunch time, I gobbled up some chips, pizza and pudding like I hadn't ate anything all day. Next I ran outside to grow a tomato plant. Then I milked a cow and fed the goat. Finally it was time to go. I said goodbye and left.

Wordless Wednesday




A Dog-Gone Good Birthday For The Dog

I am not sure when this picture was taken, but, by the looks of the other pictures that came with this one, I'd say it was the late 90's. My mom took this picture. The dog is named Buffy and belongs to my aunt.

Adelanto, CA

Monday, August 18, 2008

Cow Gold

Once upon a time in the snow a grown cow found gold. It was stuck in a rock. He pulled and pulled but it wouldn't come out. He wrote to his friend and he came to help. Then they pulled and pulled and still it wouldn't come out. So he called his friend that built stuff and he came with his tools. They used the tools and broke it out. This odd situation was solved. Then they took their flight back to the coast.

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Thursday 13- Edition 20



Thirteen Olympic Events I Like To Watch

1. Gymnastics
2. Synchronized Diving
3. Diving
4. Beach Volleyball
5. Swimming
6. Basketball
7. Rhythmic Gymnastics
8. Trampoline
9. Synchronized Swimming
10. Track and Field
11. Tennis
12. Triathlon
13. Rowing

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Things To Do On Tuesday

Today I did many things. First, I went to see my dad. He was having some computer trouble. I do not know who the Jepsen’s are, but their network was interfering with his. I met their housekeeper Linda, who is very nice. She cleans along with her headphones on and does a great job. Grandpa and Joe had gone golfing this morning, but they returned quickly after a mix up at one golf course and a crowd at another. I took Grandpa out to run his errands and Joe bought us lunch at Taco Bell. After lunch, Joe and I hung out with our dad until the dryer delivery people came. Then we went home. Joe is hoping for a boy too. Nephew sounds good to me.

This afternoon they finally decided to give David some hours at McDonald’s. They hired him over a week ago, sent him to training, gave him a uniform and he got his food handlers card. Then no hours. So tomorrow, he actually starts working. I have no news on my job hunt today. I got back my scores on a county test I took so maybe they will be hiring soon.

Tomorrow is Carolynn’s school open house. It will be fun to check out her classes with her and meet her friends and teachers.

I did not make it over to the track today so Carolynn and I walked about ¾ mile around the neighborhood. I took my 3lb weights, but I think they are too light. I think I will switch to my 5lb weights tomorrow.

My mom called to inform me that she was planning a trip to Mandalay Bay Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas this September. She invited the girls and me to tag along. If I am available, I would love to go. If not, the girls can go and they can have a fun adventure.

Monday, August 11, 2008

A Small Addition



My brother has today informed me that he and his girlfriend, Nicole, are expecting a little bundle of joy! I am going to be an Auntie. The small fry in the picture is Allison. She is Nicole's daughter from a previous relationship, but she is already one of the family. This will be Joe and Nicole's first kid together. They recently bought a house and now they are adding on an addition.

Saturday, August 09, 2008

Active

Yep, that is me. I am active. I have been so busy lately. I have appointments, interviews, and kid stuff almost everyday. Last Saturday I took Catherine to Home Depot for their kid’s workshop. She made an Olympic Flag holder. Today I took her to her first kid’s workshop at Lowe’s. She got a Lowe’s apron, a hammer and goggles. She got a certificate and a patch to sew on her apron. Home Depot gave her an apron, they give pins instead of patches, and they give her certificates too. At Lowe’s she built a locker. Then we walked over to the garden center to look around. Our yard needs help. However, it will have to wait. We are still working on the weeds, the lawn, the hedges, and the immense amount of pickers. Once we get that done (and I have a job to pay for stuff), we can add new bushes and plants. I did allow Catherine to get some clearance hummingbird feeder and a little wind chime to hang on the back porch. I told her if she can keep the back porch swept up and clean, maybe she could get a little plant in a pot to put out there. She always liked outdoor activities. She grew tomatoes on the porch at our old apartment.

Carolynn started her baton class this week. There were only two other girls in the class. Neither was Carolynn’s age. Both were much younger. She is signed up for four classes. She says she still wants to go. If no more girls ever come, she does not have to do it again. She is in the band at school. Her saxophone playing sounds like an elephant mating call, but she is working on it. She learned a note.

The girls have just finished their first week of school. They have made some new friends. They can get to the bus and home. Catherine has already lost her lunch box. They have nice teachers and nice schools. They are so much better than their last schools.

Today I did 30 minutes on my Wii Fit and I walked about a mile with 3lb weights. Tonight, the girls and I are going to see a ballgame. Go Mavericks!

Friday, August 08, 2008

Motivated

I am dressed like Sporty Spice. My whole self is achy. Yesterday I did 30 minutes of yoga and strength exercise. Then I ran walked for a while. Today I have done 40 minutes of strength training and aerobics. I have every intention to run today too. (Really, I mean it.)

At Target, I have purchased 3lb and 5lb weights. Oh sure, that will make it easier. But I am determined.

I feel like I am starving. I have eaten but my body thinks Ho-Ho’s would be good. The brownies my mother so lovingly purchased from Winco baked, are staring at me from the counter. They say, “Come on fatty, take a bite!” I want to shove down chips and drown that in soda. Instead, I made fish and peas. I have water or iced tea to drink. The brownies are my enemy.

Vitamins I purchased a few months ago have been located and came out of retirement. Women’s One A Day, Calcium, and Vitamin C will now have to be an every day occurrence. Nasty, but true.

Some of the worry has dissipated. I feel confident I will soon be employed. The bills have been cleverly taken care of and soon I will have a house full of food, healthy food, thanks to more help from the world out there. David has been employed by the McDonald’s and is sure to get something even better soon. I am sure. I have to be.

That is really all I have to say today. My fish is done and I need to eat. Then later I will run. I can do anything I want to do. I will do this. While I do my yoga and such, I can see a small candle that says “Mom, You Are Marvelous.” One of the girls gave me that for Christmas one year. I do this for them. And for me. I will rock.

Thursday, August 07, 2008

Thursday 13- Edition 19



Thirteen Places I Wish I Could Go

1. London, England
2. Paris, France
3. Moscow, Russia
4. Tokyo, Japan
5. Egypt- I want to see the pyramids
6. Rome, Italy
7. China- Anywhere would be awesome
8. New York City, New York
9. Florida Keys- I want to go snorkeling and see cool fishies
10. Orlando, Florida
11. Alaska- Anywhere, as long as it’s summer
12. Washington, D.C.
13. Athens, Greece

Wednesday, August 06, 2008

In The Good Old Summertime

A Poem

Swing music in the park
Using a blanket
Meeting Grandma
Mom making a movie
Every Thursday it's
Really Cool.

Wordless Wednesday





Federal Correctional Complex
Victorville, CA
(Pictures from the Federal Bureau of Prisons website www.bop.gov)

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

On A Jazzy Note

Carolynn joined the band at school this year. I couldn't afford to buy her an instrument, so she had to play whatever the school had available to loan. She really wanted a saxophone, but she was told yesterday that there were more saxophone hopefuls than available saxophones. She was hopeful. Today, as I was walking over to meet her from the bus, she comes carrying a large bag. I asked, "Carolynn what's in your luggage?" She just grinned.





The Worst Of Customer Service

The following is a list of places I personally have received bad customer service.

1. Food 4 Less- Bear Valley Rd Location Victorville, CA
2. Food 4 Less- 52nd Street Location- Kenosha, WI (I am pretty sure this location closed though.)
3. SBC… Which is now AT&T
4. Charter Communications- Victorville, CA
5. The County of San Bernardino, California
6. Lake County, Illinois
7. California State EDD
8. Victorville Motors- Victorville, CA
9. The UPS Store- Hwy 18 and Dale Evans Parkway- Apple Valley, CA
10. Union Bank Of California
11. Bank Of America
12. Wells Fargo

That is all I can think of right off hand. The Victorville Motors happened today and I will never go back. They are the only Chrysler dealer in the whole area, but I would rather drive out of the area and get better service. I almost added Washington Mutual to my list, because they also made me mad today, but that was the first time and hopefully the last time. The other three banks on the list made me mad numerous times. The UPS Store also made the list just today. I paid them to fax some papers for me on Wednesday. They gave me a confirmation and I paid them. Today I found out that the papers never arrived at the destination. (It turned out not to be a life or death matter, as I can take them in person tomorrow. It was the principle. I am not made of money, even if it was “only $6”.)

If anyone else has some bad customer service stories to add, feel free. But I will never switch to AT&T. I never shop at any Food 4 Less. I do not bank at those listed banks. I will never return to Victorville Motors.

Monday, August 04, 2008

Back To School

The kids start school this morning. Catherine will be in the fourth grade and Carolynn will be joining the 7th grade. Here are some pictures of them in their new school clothes.

Carolynn's 7th grade outfit.


Let's get going.


Catherine in her back to school outfit



Catherine is ready for 4th grade.