Christmas Shopping

I used to love shopping. It used to be the thing I enjoyed the most in life

At some time I became a responsible adult and now it is probably my most hated thing I have to do.

Christmas shopping is something I do mostly online, though I have to say, I found a lot of nifty gifts at KMart.

Why does the holiday have to be so much about gimmie gimmie gimmie?

I'm sick of going broke and working myself to death for people that don't care. I'm broke enough as it is!

I'll be cooking for people that don't give a crap..and now I'm buying presents for them?

This isn't right.

Grrrrr

And this is why so many people hate the holiday season.

Waiting For Good TV

I think Christmas is the only day when I might find a show that's enjoyable to watch. (Well besides The Librarians on Sunday night)

I've given up on Big Bang Theory, which jumped that proverbial shark a few seasons ago. Its getting less and less funny with each episode.

I'm not a huge cop drama fan or a med show fan either, so there's just nothing on for me anymore.

I'm waiting on Doctor Who and Sherlock.

On a plus there is the Hairspray live special on tomorrow. That may be worth watching, because I love that musical, and there's actually a pretty good cast for this one. (Heck even Ariana Grande is pretty good..and Martin Short is downright awesome)

But I miss having a show or two that I really MUST WATCH and right now, there's just nothing. I can take or leave just about everything that's on.

There's just nothing quirky enough for me anymore. Everything I loved in the last few years got the ax in the first season or less, Forever, Selfie, Super Fun Night.

I'm left watching reruns of The Jeffersons, All In The Family and Barney Miller.

~sigh~

Comfort Food

These days after Thanksgiving I've been enjoying the left over turkey. Since I've been in charge of Thanksgiving dinner for the last few years, I've come up with some recipes that help get rid of all that extra bird.

This year..I just stuck with my stuffed shells..and there still was a gallon freezer bag full.

I did remember one thing that I enjoyed when I was younger.

Turkey sandwiches.

Nothing fancy...none of that stuff you see on food network or the morning talk shows.

My perfect sandwich is a slice of white bread, turkey with a touch of salt and Miracle Whip folded in half.

That is pure turkey perfection in my book.

I haven't had Miracle Whip in ages. I'm used to using mayo in the shells recipe and that's the main ingredient in all my favorite dips, so there was no reason to buy it lately.

I'm glad I did.

Good food memories and good food.

I still have a YUGE amount of turkey leftover.

Random Photo Post

I'm quite surprised at the quality of photos my cell phone takes some time. These shots were taken a few weeks ago, when I was stuck doing my laundry in Monongahela. While I waited for everything to dry, I took a short walk. It was early morning and I was really awestruck by the steeple at the Methodist church.

The early morning light really made it look beautiful.

The Joys of Thanksgiving

This is what a stress free Thanksgiving looks like.

Happy Thanksgiving

I wish all my blogging friends in the US a wonderful holiday.

May your day be filled with good food, fun and very few political arguments.

The hardest thing I've ever done

A little over 2 months ago, I gave up soda.

I quit cold turkey.

I thought by now the cravings would have gone away.

I've actually had dreams about drinking a coke? How sad is that?

Of course, I've also had a dream where I hugged Hillary Clinton too...so my dreams are a little odd. (I'd rather hug President Obama and Vice President Biden)

I don't know how much longer I can go without a can of soda...it is hurting....even my flavored sparkling water isn't helping.

How will I ever survive?

Christmas Cookie?

A friend shared this recipe on Facebook..and really...I didn't want to lose it because I may make them for Christmas if I have a working stove.

Cos right now my oven is tripping the breaker and I don't know whether to call an electrician or someone to come and look at the oven.

BUCKEYE BROWNIE COOKIES

Print
makes 24 cookies
INGREDIENTS
• 1 box (18-19 oz) Brownie mix
• ¼ cup butter, melted
• ½ cup cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 egg
• ¾ cup peanut butter
• ¾ cup powdered sugar
• ¾ cup chocolate frosting
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 350°
2. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. In a medium bowl combine brownie mix, butter, cream cheese and egg. Stir until dough comes together, it will be very thick and sticky. I used my hands.
4. Form rounded tablespoons sized portions of dough into balls, placing on baking sheet about 2 inches apart, making an indentation with your thumb in the center of each.
5. In another bowl stir together peanut butter and powdered sugar. Form peanut butter into teaspoon sized balls and press into the indentations in the brownie cookies.
6. Press peanut butter down slightly because the peanut butter won't spread and you don't want the cookies to be too tall.
7. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges are set.
8. Transfer to wire rack to cool.
9. When cooled top each cookie with about a tablespoon of chocolate frosting.
NOTES
Use a fudge frosting....or a can of frosting also works......

Adapted from Pillsbury

Let's Talk About Climate Change

OK, some of you don't believe that climate change is real.

I feel sorry for you.

The climate of the earth has been changing...

Dinosaurs are gone...we've had an ice age.

Sure with some there was an meteor or something that caused the changes to the planet, but what about what's going on now.

Why are the ice caps melting?

I think what people really don't understand is that in the last 200 years we've had more developments that caused us to use our natural resources. Coal and other fossil fuels send gases into our environment. Not to mention what we do when we drill.

I wasn't the best student when it comes to science, but I understand that there have been changes in the weather where I live in the 42 years that I've been alive.

I remember there would be days at a time when it would rain. I can't really remember when we had all day rains for any amount of time.

Our changing weather patterns alone should make people wonder.

How much of this is man made?

Heck if its even a small percentage, why don't we want to do something so that we don't speed it along. After all, this is the planet we hope our children and grandchildren etc will make their home.

Why do we want to waste money on coal when we could be researching clean energy. Why aren't there more wind farms?
\
Seriously, why would you want your husband, father, brother, child working in a coal mine?

Yes, we need more blue collar jobs, because not everyone is suited for college, but couldn't they be in industries that aren't sending our planet to hell.

Granted if you are like me and keep a tin foil hat in the closet you might think, "Hey, Mars might have had life and look at it now."

Maybe I'll just wait for the aliens to come and take us somewhere else.

Coping With The Election Results

Once again...I just feel like we've been screwed.

I can't feel any amount of optimism in this election, only sadness.

I want to do something, but I don't know what.

Our country is broken.

When an election is literally split down the middle and one candidate wins the popular vote and another wins the electoral college (bullshit). This is something that happened only 5 times in our nation's history and one of those times was 16 years ago.

I don't know which of Trump's possible policies scare me the most. His total lack of belief in climate change?

His treatment of women and care for their issues?

His disregard for LGBT rights?

All of this because people think he's going to bring back the Steel Industry?

I just don't see how that can happen.

Why can't we create jobs in renewable energy?

Oh and that wall? Yeah there's no way that is going to happen.

My poor country

I Feel No Better Today

I'm sorry, I can't feel any better about what's going to happen to our country.

Our environment is going to be forgotten...so screw the planet.

I want to feel good about my country.

I realize we need jobs, but why can't they be in industries that make the world better, and possibly inhabitable for thousands of more years.

When we have a leader whose children are into big game hunting, I'm not only saddened, I'm sickened.

I hate killing animals for sport.

I'm totally disgusted by everything that involves this man.

Someone posted this poem in a facebook group I'm in...

First They Came - By Pastor Martin Niemoller
When the Nazis came for the communists,
I remained silent;
I was not a communist.
When they locked up the social democrats,
I remained silent;
I was not a social democrat.
When they came for the trade unionists,
I did not speak out;
I was not a trade unionist.
When they came for the Jews,
I remained silent;
I wasn't a Jew.
When they came for me,
there was no one left to speak out.

What Has Become Of My Country

I will always be liberal.

Why?

I care what happens to people. Not all poor people are lazy. Not all people were meant for college.

I care what happens to the environment. Yes, the earth is changing...call it what you will, but remember we've made so many advances in the last 200 years, that it is really likely our intelligence is hurting the planet. I find it hard to believe people can't see past their own lifespan.

I believe in a woman's right to choose. I don't believe abortion should be a form of birth control. I actually believe condoms should be passed out like candy. I think our children need to be better educated about their bodies and how difficult it is to raise a child in this world.

I believe that everyone should be able to have health care. (Mind you I don't agree with the part of the law that penalizes you if you don't)

I do believe in the 2nd Amendment but I also believe their are people (That may in fact be law abiding citizens most of the time) that shouldn't own a gun. I also don't believe that more guns is the answer to everything.

However, the country has spoken.

I am sad for our country, but I pray that the candidate elected is different than what we've seen in 2 years of campaigning.

I pray to whatever higher power might be listening that we get through this and maybe he won't be as bad as he seems.

Happy Election Day

I will be so glad when today is over.

I'm sick of all the Hillary bashing. she may not be the most perfect candidate but she has a brain. I'm also sick of people berating President Obama.

How the hell could he have accomplished much when Congress won't do their job.

It must be nice to have a job that pays in many instances 6 figures and assholes like Marco Rubio who doesn't even show up, keep running...and if he wins..so help me God, we have proof that their is something in the water in Florida that affects the brain cells.

We want change but when we have someone that might bring it about without causing WWIII we pick on him.

Let's hope when we wake up tomorrow there's a new president and its one we can live with

Book Recommendation

I usually only recommend books on my book blog, but this book definitely is worth mentioning.

It is the story of Victoria Woodhull, who was the first woman to run for President of the United States.

Its a work of historical fiction, but its really a well researched novel and one I had a hard time putting down.

I don't usually read 400 page novels in a day, but that is pretty much what happened with this book.

Victoria's life is a rags to riches story, Her father was an abusive drunk who used his daughters to make money.  Yes, in that way too. Victoria and her sister Tenny are also spiritualists.

So there's a lot of crazy stuff involving this family.

If you like novels involving history, this is a great one to try.

My review will be up at my book blog tomorrow

Everyone Needs To Chill Out

I've come to the conclusion that when it comes to the holidays Americans if not the world, need to chill the fuck out.

We make everything to damn hard and we make ourselves crazy for a few days that end much too quickly. It usually leaves us depressed too.

Our expectations are high and the outcome is very seldom what we want.

We all need to stop worrying about stuff.

Here are some things to think about.

Thanksgiving is just another dinner.

No one needs thousands of dollars worth of presents.

2 days shouldn't make you crazy or broke.

Chill out. Make turkey, your potato of choice, stuffing and a veggie and enjoy your meal.

Buy nice gifts that you can afford.

Chill out.

Oh and if a store clerk says Happy Holidays and not Merry Christmas..

REALLY CHILL THE FUCK OUT!

Christ can still be in Christmas without the world ramming him down everyone's throats.

CHILL OUT

Going From Bad To Worse

Allow me to share the things that have gone on in my week.

~ Furnace decided to have issues this week. Thankfully it was a reasonable fix.

~ Nephew dropped a small salad fork down the drain in the kitchen, thus allowing us to get the new faucet there that we've been wanting for over a year. That was $180.00

~ I get home today and the stove isn't working. Twice it tripped the breaker. Everything is working find now, but that was beyond scary.

I just want some uneventful days that don't cause me grief.

I think I deserve it.

Make This Election Be Over

I can't watch tv anymore.

The political ads are wrecking my blood pressure.

I hate our two candidates for senator in PA. Both suck.

I hate Donald Trump with a passion that cannot be described.

I am resorting to watching channels like Antenna TV and Me TV because they don't show as many of those ads. They prefer to show ads about suing drug companies for killing us or giving us cancer

The only new show I'm really enjoying is The Durrells of Corfu on Masterpiece.

All I want to do is sleep and ignore the world, cos its way too crazy. Wake me to vote on Nov 8 and then again on Nov 9, if its safe to stay in the country.

The Truest Thing I Ever Found On Facebook

Are We In A Freefall?

OK,  I'm supporting Hillary Clinton. (I'd rather be supporting Bernie Sanders, but that wasn't to be.)

Not because I like her 100%, the lady has a lot of baggage, but as a politician, I think she has more political know how than The Donald.

What scares me is that now that Trump's run is going down, what is the rest of the world thinking of us, for letting this kind of man come this far. And more so, why did it take these types of comments, as opposed to the other nasty shit that's come out of his mouth, to get the GOP to distance themselves from this scumbag?

What scares me, is there are things going on with Russia, and it isn't making the news, because of  The Donald and the fact that everyone is campaigning.

I shake my head at our country.

Dear NRA and all your sheep

I am totally sick of all the commercials saying that the Democrats and Hillary Clinton are going to take away the right to own guns.

Each commercial features a woman who would otherwise be killed without her weapon.

FYI, it would take a constitutional AMENDMENT to get rid of the right to keep and bear arms.

It also takes 7 years to amend the constitution, and that depends on how hard its fought, and we all know this would be fought.

Guess what people.

That means it will never happen. Not even with the most liberal government.

So these ads are nothing but scare tactics.

And with a do nothing congress, regulation can't even happen, so your right to arm yourself as well as the US military isn't going to happen, not matter how many people are killed by mentally unstable people or terrorists.

Sincerely,

Someone that's sick of all the damn lies.