Chili Beans, Corn Bread and 16 Pumpkins
So as the tradition goes, the day before Halloween, we all bring our pumpkins to my parents house, I make copies of the Pumpkin Masters Designs and we all set out carving. I keep binders of old patterns, so we easily have over 50 to choose from. My mom always makes a big pot of chili beans and corn bread. A nice way to warm you up on the inside since you'll be sitting outside for the next four hours in the cool air carving pumpkins.
A new fun toy I found on sale was the Pumpkin Master power carver. Oh yes, it is battery operated and makes carving all the big chunks out a breeze. This little joyous creation also allowed me to get through 3 pumpkins, pretty easily.
This year, 16 pumpkins would be staying at my parents house and there was 7 of us carving. Friends came over as well, carving their own pumpkins to take back home with them, so I think overall we had 21 pumpkins. It's such a fun tradition as each person starts finishing them and holding a flashlight to show off their pumpkin.
Lots of smiles and also a lot of heavy sighs and misc. words of utter disgust when the tip of tower breaks or a spiders leg doesn't come out right. My new idea to fix things? Use a toothpick to prop it up, we saved a castle tower, a pumpkin and a couple other pieces from falling off.
All in all, it was a great night and I look forward to that almost as much as the next night. I love spending time with family and in my parents house, if you walk through the door, you are family. It's really a special and wonderful place to have grown up.
Monday, October 31, 2005
Never try anything new in the morning till you are able to commit to reading the label...
Monday morning after Daylight Savings proves to be a difficult one. Sleep. Such a small word that is the beginning of all days and things yet to come. The foundation of new memories to make. I woke up an hour early and had trouble falling a sleep the night before since I was so excited about Halloween.
In need of some energy, I decided to try this new Apple Pie flavored bar. Sounds great, huh? When I think of Apple Pie, I think of a light flaky crust and some carmalized apples. I open this little mystery bar to find what looks like a bar shaped piece of plywood. Not that it looked bad but there were a lot of little pieces compressed in there.
So to a person who has allergies, this might typically send some kind of alarm that "hey, you may want to look at the ingredient list." However, in my half-asleep state all I had ensured was I had some water there because I know these bars can get dry kinda fast. I take the first, very small, bite and begin to chew. A little strange but good, has a nice flavor to it. So I'm thinking what a great breakfast to have... (about this time, I'm half way through it) and then it happens. All of the sudden my tongue is swelling, my throat and ears are itching to no end! I grab the wrapper and read the ingredients to find there are walnuts and almonds as main ingredients! I just start lapping down water and scratching at my throat like I was clawing through wrapping paper.
The nice thing about my allergy, is it will go away on its own but it sure is uncomfortable for 15-20 minutes. So lesson learned, no eating new things without reading labels or early in the morning.
If it had given me a splotchy red face and arms, this could have worked to my advantage being Halloween and all. Oh well, I'll settle for the bar mask with hooded robe to scare kids.
Note: In no way am I making light of people with truly bad allergic reactions, so get over it and shut up. Thank you and good day.
Monday morning after Daylight Savings proves to be a difficult one. Sleep. Such a small word that is the beginning of all days and things yet to come. The foundation of new memories to make. I woke up an hour early and had trouble falling a sleep the night before since I was so excited about Halloween.
In need of some energy, I decided to try this new Apple Pie flavored bar. Sounds great, huh? When I think of Apple Pie, I think of a light flaky crust and some carmalized apples. I open this little mystery bar to find what looks like a bar shaped piece of plywood. Not that it looked bad but there were a lot of little pieces compressed in there.
So to a person who has allergies, this might typically send some kind of alarm that "hey, you may want to look at the ingredient list." However, in my half-asleep state all I had ensured was I had some water there because I know these bars can get dry kinda fast. I take the first, very small, bite and begin to chew. A little strange but good, has a nice flavor to it. So I'm thinking what a great breakfast to have... (about this time, I'm half way through it) and then it happens. All of the sudden my tongue is swelling, my throat and ears are itching to no end! I grab the wrapper and read the ingredients to find there are walnuts and almonds as main ingredients! I just start lapping down water and scratching at my throat like I was clawing through wrapping paper.
The nice thing about my allergy, is it will go away on its own but it sure is uncomfortable for 15-20 minutes. So lesson learned, no eating new things without reading labels or early in the morning.
If it had given me a splotchy red face and arms, this could have worked to my advantage being Halloween and all. Oh well, I'll settle for the bar mask with hooded robe to scare kids.
Note: In no way am I making light of people with truly bad allergic reactions, so get over it and shut up. Thank you and good day.
Sunday, October 30, 2005
Another one come and gone... and I still can't capture a flag.
So my full Saturday contained many elements: softball, hot flashes, gaming, a nap and more gaming with cookies. I started out my normal Saturday with pitching lessons, good job by all, watching the girls work hard and wanting more makes me feel like I'm finally getting somewhere. I look forward to the upcoming season which is quickly approaching.
Then as that finished up, a video gaming tournament was held at the high school to see who was the all time bestest Madden player. Some of the kids played board games on the side or when they were disqualified from the Madden game. A couple of the teachers that were participating were just as into those games as the kids, that was fun to watch.
We packed up and headed home, I was hungry but decided a sprinkle of sleepy dust was the only therapy I needed if I planned on hanging in "adult play time." So I got the hour pick me up and got ready to game, this envolves picking up cookies, a very important element in gaming.
We played Shadows over Camelot, RoboRally and another game I can't remember the name of but it envolved blowing up an island and dumping people off the land into the water to be eaten by sharks.
With 7 people involved on defending Camelot, there was bound to be a traitor, but who could it be? The game is very difficult to beat so the traitor has very little work to do in the beginning, not till towards the end does it become (sometimes) a little more obvious. Poor Sally, she just wanted to destroy Camelot and continually adding siege engines made her a quick person to target the accusation. Rich made the call and we had our trader! We shortly won our last quest and won the game! All hail the knights of the round table!
RoboRally is always a challenge for me. I always make that one wrong turn which gets me pushed off the board or into a pit. Erin won this game and didn't have to power down once, I guess her math background and awesome starting point contributed to this heavy metal win. I enjoy sliding on conveyer belts and turning on gears but I guess I'm not one to follow the crowd and actually make it onto a flag. I guess I should be able to make one but making 3? I don't think my robot is that lucky. Oh well, I guess it could be worse, my robot could have a lisp or limp...
???(game I can't remember the title), give me a break it was 11:00p.m. and I just came off a very sad loss of RoboRally. The object was to get your people from the middle island to any of the 4 islands on four corners by boats, swimming or dolphins helping you along. There were sea monters, sharks and whales to detour your voyage. It was a very cute Milton Bradley game from like 20 years ago (I saw on the box it was printed in 1982). Kurt beat me by two points. I always enjoy a close game by numbers.
We attempted to get taco bell afterwards but the line of 14 cars detoured me home instead to have a cheese link in a bun with mustard. Good stuff but its no bean burrito with sour cream, no onions... maybe I'll get it later today.
So my full Saturday contained many elements: softball, hot flashes, gaming, a nap and more gaming with cookies. I started out my normal Saturday with pitching lessons, good job by all, watching the girls work hard and wanting more makes me feel like I'm finally getting somewhere. I look forward to the upcoming season which is quickly approaching.
Then as that finished up, a video gaming tournament was held at the high school to see who was the all time bestest Madden player. Some of the kids played board games on the side or when they were disqualified from the Madden game. A couple of the teachers that were participating were just as into those games as the kids, that was fun to watch.
We packed up and headed home, I was hungry but decided a sprinkle of sleepy dust was the only therapy I needed if I planned on hanging in "adult play time." So I got the hour pick me up and got ready to game, this envolves picking up cookies, a very important element in gaming.
We played Shadows over Camelot, RoboRally and another game I can't remember the name of but it envolved blowing up an island and dumping people off the land into the water to be eaten by sharks.
With 7 people involved on defending Camelot, there was bound to be a traitor, but who could it be? The game is very difficult to beat so the traitor has very little work to do in the beginning, not till towards the end does it become (sometimes) a little more obvious. Poor Sally, she just wanted to destroy Camelot and continually adding siege engines made her a quick person to target the accusation. Rich made the call and we had our trader! We shortly won our last quest and won the game! All hail the knights of the round table!
RoboRally is always a challenge for me. I always make that one wrong turn which gets me pushed off the board or into a pit. Erin won this game and didn't have to power down once, I guess her math background and awesome starting point contributed to this heavy metal win. I enjoy sliding on conveyer belts and turning on gears but I guess I'm not one to follow the crowd and actually make it onto a flag. I guess I should be able to make one but making 3? I don't think my robot is that lucky. Oh well, I guess it could be worse, my robot could have a lisp or limp...
???(game I can't remember the title), give me a break it was 11:00p.m. and I just came off a very sad loss of RoboRally. The object was to get your people from the middle island to any of the 4 islands on four corners by boats, swimming or dolphins helping you along. There were sea monters, sharks and whales to detour your voyage. It was a very cute Milton Bradley game from like 20 years ago (I saw on the box it was printed in 1982). Kurt beat me by two points. I always enjoy a close game by numbers.
We attempted to get taco bell afterwards but the line of 14 cars detoured me home instead to have a cheese link in a bun with mustard. Good stuff but its no bean burrito with sour cream, no onions... maybe I'll get it later today.
Friday, October 28, 2005
Scary Pisces, Deeper Thinking and Math Says Confusion = Challenge.
Speaking with a friend this morning, I was confronted with the task of listening and lending some light assistance. Two things I never mind doing for anyone in true need. I was challenged with some good, dark, points. Thinking quickly, like the pisces I am (swimming fiercely but gently), I answered from within my soul and past experiences. To which I was told "Pisces scare me."
Well that wasn't my intention but I guess my boldness can sometimes be taken that way. I also realized when speaking with the many different natured souls that I do, each person allows me to draw something special from within myself. I enjoy each person who has come onto my path in life, good or bad, I've taken something with me from them to travel forward. My ability to use a deeper thought process has come back to life lately and it's pretty enjoyable and sometimes "scary." I like the thought of my soul becoming a little more unlocked. I thank you for that.
Confusion was presented to me this morning, not for myself but as a problem in ones life. My answer was simply stated. "I see being confused as a challenge." With that I mean, you must embrace it and let it take its course, there isn't anything wrong with being confused but don't let it rule your self. We all need challenge and change, after all, they are inevitable.
"Standing at a locked door, I know the key is on the other side but how will I get to it?"
Speaking with a friend this morning, I was confronted with the task of listening and lending some light assistance. Two things I never mind doing for anyone in true need. I was challenged with some good, dark, points. Thinking quickly, like the pisces I am (swimming fiercely but gently), I answered from within my soul and past experiences. To which I was told "Pisces scare me."
Well that wasn't my intention but I guess my boldness can sometimes be taken that way. I also realized when speaking with the many different natured souls that I do, each person allows me to draw something special from within myself. I enjoy each person who has come onto my path in life, good or bad, I've taken something with me from them to travel forward. My ability to use a deeper thought process has come back to life lately and it's pretty enjoyable and sometimes "scary." I like the thought of my soul becoming a little more unlocked. I thank you for that.
Confusion was presented to me this morning, not for myself but as a problem in ones life. My answer was simply stated. "I see being confused as a challenge." With that I mean, you must embrace it and let it take its course, there isn't anything wrong with being confused but don't let it rule your self. We all need challenge and change, after all, they are inevitable.
"Standing at a locked door, I know the key is on the other side but how will I get to it?"
Thursday, October 27, 2005
The Email & The Dead Microwave
The non-functioning microwave in the Staff Lounge will be laid to rest on Wednesday, October 19th. It was a good microwave and unfortunately passed away sometime in the late 20th century. The reasons why the microwave came to spend its remaining days at Arvin High School will be chronicled in the forthcoming book: My Life with Hank: The Story Of The Microwave That Could and The Rat That Came To Die Inside It, available at at Borders near you, and the maloFILMS© documentary: Hank.
Services will be held fifth period.
The non-functioning microwave in the Staff Lounge will be laid to rest on Wednesday, October 19th. It was a good microwave and unfortunately passed away sometime in the late 20th century. The reasons why the microwave came to spend its remaining days at Arvin High School will be chronicled in the forthcoming book: My Life with Hank: The Story Of The Microwave That Could and The Rat That Came To Die Inside It, available at at Borders near you, and the maloFILMS© documentary: Hank.
Services will be held fifth period.
Much bereaved,
John Ab***
I received this in my inbox today, I felt it must be shared with the rest of the world. A good lesson, we should all appreciate our appliances in such a deep way.
The Sleeping Fairy Hates Me
Just when I thought, "I'm so tired, I'm going to sleep like a log." (and don't get me started on how logs sleep, I think it's ridiculous as well) I open my eyes in the dark abyss of my room to roll over and read the clock that says 1:20a.m. I roll back over and think once again, it's going to be a LONG night. This wonderful story continues on at 2:45a.m., 3:40a.m. and 4:50a.m. It could be worse I guess, I could have woke up at 3:00a.m. and smelled something burning in the house... lol.
I have been sleeping so well the past 2 weeks, I forgot just how horrible it was to wake up 4-5 times a night. I think it was a fluke though, I have a lot of creavtive ideas flowing right now so I think my brain is having trouble settling down. I'm not too worried about it.
I don't think the sleeping fairy really hates me but her cousin the sandman is quite the joker... *yawns*
Just when I thought, "I'm so tired, I'm going to sleep like a log." (and don't get me started on how logs sleep, I think it's ridiculous as well) I open my eyes in the dark abyss of my room to roll over and read the clock that says 1:20a.m. I roll back over and think once again, it's going to be a LONG night. This wonderful story continues on at 2:45a.m., 3:40a.m. and 4:50a.m. It could be worse I guess, I could have woke up at 3:00a.m. and smelled something burning in the house... lol.
I have been sleeping so well the past 2 weeks, I forgot just how horrible it was to wake up 4-5 times a night. I think it was a fluke though, I have a lot of creavtive ideas flowing right now so I think my brain is having trouble settling down. I'm not too worried about it.
I don't think the sleeping fairy really hates me but her cousin the sandman is quite the joker... *yawns*
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
Counting down to positive energy & being rejuvenated.
So it's now 3 days till we game. Game nights serve a few purposes for me. Not only do I get to play the best type of games ever invented (check out my link to European Board Games) but I get to socialize with some of the best people ever.
As we move through my life you find out just how busy I am. So for the hours we play, I forget about the test I need to study for, the work piling up at my job, the cleaning I need to be doing, the pitching lessons I need to lay out, the words I need to get out of my head and onto that damn sheet of paper that taunts me daily... you get my point.
Gaming is equal to coffee for you "normal" people. It wakes my body up form the inside out but instead of just for a few hours, this lasts for days and I feel clear headed and ready to run toward my tasks instead of away from them. I love how much positive energy I get from my friends.
"Surround yourself with goodness to find your inner strength..."
So it's now 3 days till we game. Game nights serve a few purposes for me. Not only do I get to play the best type of games ever invented (check out my link to European Board Games) but I get to socialize with some of the best people ever.
As we move through my life you find out just how busy I am. So for the hours we play, I forget about the test I need to study for, the work piling up at my job, the cleaning I need to be doing, the pitching lessons I need to lay out, the words I need to get out of my head and onto that damn sheet of paper that taunts me daily... you get my point.
Gaming is equal to coffee for you "normal" people. It wakes my body up form the inside out but instead of just for a few hours, this lasts for days and I feel clear headed and ready to run toward my tasks instead of away from them. I love how much positive energy I get from my friends.
"Surround yourself with goodness to find your inner strength..."
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
Take your vitamins or turn into a sloth.
So I was taking my nutrition test last night and we all know how "they" usually throw in a wacky answer to make you smile when all you really want to do is snap the pencil in half and throw it at the person in front of you who is the "tapper."
Anyway, I'm going off on a tangent. My point is the wacky answer. This section of the class was about vitamins, the foods that contain each one and deficiencies if you don't consume what you should daily, weekly, etc. So this particular question got me thinking:
If you are Vitamin A deficient and this shape you are more suseptable to have a stroke or heart disease?
a) pear
b) apple
c) orange
d) sloth
The last one made me giggle and then I thought, "If people were going to take on a "sloth" form if they became vitamin deficient, I think people would take vitamin intake a lot more serious."
The moral of the story: "Take your vitamins by consuming good for you foods or become some oversized hideous creature who no one wants to socialize with and who will have a bad heart." :)
So I was taking my nutrition test last night and we all know how "they" usually throw in a wacky answer to make you smile when all you really want to do is snap the pencil in half and throw it at the person in front of you who is the "tapper."
Anyway, I'm going off on a tangent. My point is the wacky answer. This section of the class was about vitamins, the foods that contain each one and deficiencies if you don't consume what you should daily, weekly, etc. So this particular question got me thinking:
If you are Vitamin A deficient and this shape you are more suseptable to have a stroke or heart disease?
a) pear
b) apple
c) orange
d) sloth
The last one made me giggle and then I thought, "If people were going to take on a "sloth" form if they became vitamin deficient, I think people would take vitamin intake a lot more serious."
The moral of the story: "Take your vitamins by consuming good for you foods or become some oversized hideous creature who no one wants to socialize with and who will have a bad heart." :)
Monday, October 24, 2005
The love/hate relationship...
A particular woman has entered my radio, she is the wife of a very good friend, and I can't stand her! I'm always listening for her to bad mouth my friend so I can be the first one on the phone to tell her she should appreciate what she has been given in her life. She drives me insane, but yet, I can't shut her off? I've had problems like this before where something completely drives me insane but I can't get enough of it... it's maddening really. I know I'm not the only one who goes through this. I can't be... can I? No. Well? No, I'm not, stop it. Oh I have to go, she's back on... shhhh.
A particular woman has entered my radio, she is the wife of a very good friend, and I can't stand her! I'm always listening for her to bad mouth my friend so I can be the first one on the phone to tell her she should appreciate what she has been given in her life. She drives me insane, but yet, I can't shut her off? I've had problems like this before where something completely drives me insane but I can't get enough of it... it's maddening really. I know I'm not the only one who goes through this. I can't be... can I? No. Well? No, I'm not, stop it. Oh I have to go, she's back on... shhhh.
My first time.
So as my first post, let me say "welcome and hello." I hope I can be half as entertaining as some of my other friends who own blogs. Comment at will. I'm excited to try this newest step in my online lifestyle. I'm many things as you will find. I do enjoy the act of free will and free thinking. So if you finish a post and your eyebrows are raised, I can walk away from my keyboard with a smile. So enjoy your day, I know I will.
So as my first post, let me say "welcome and hello." I hope I can be half as entertaining as some of my other friends who own blogs. Comment at will. I'm excited to try this newest step in my online lifestyle. I'm many things as you will find. I do enjoy the act of free will and free thinking. So if you finish a post and your eyebrows are raised, I can walk away from my keyboard with a smile. So enjoy your day, I know I will.
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