So I've Got A Planner

I do a lot of book tours these days. And keeping a spreadsheet was just not working for me, so I bought myself a cheap day planner at Dollar General to see if I can make this work.

Mostly its for writing down the book tours that I take part of, over on my other blog.

I imagine now I'll also use it for my work schedule too.

I can't believe how much fancy planners cost.

Its essentially a fancy calendar with stickers.

I just don't have a life that ever needed planning. I'm still not sure that I do, but hey, it makes me feel a little bit important.

Oh and I might start to remember birthdays!

I Am Mad At Mommy

Is it wrong of me to be mad at my mother, even though she's been gone almost two months now?

I'm mad because I'm going to be working two jobs, not because I want to, but because I have to.

I've said before, I would never have changed what I did for her, daddy or grandma. I love them all with every fiber of my being. There weren't opportunities at the time that would have taken me away from them, and truth be told, I didn't go looking.

I am mad that we didn't start trying to get more stuff in order before it came to this. That I didn't have the chance to get on the budget plan for my gas bill.

I guess this is just beating a dead horse, and lordy that sounds awful considering, but I would have liked to have been better prepared for what I'm dealing with right now.

I'm doing my best to make a go of it on my own, but its scary and I don't have many people I can turn to for help.

Memories

A Facebook post about a Christmas children's book got me thinking of my childhood and books and forts.

Yeah forts.

When I was little, I was always building things with books. My Little Golden Books made many a castle in our living room.

Now don't worry, I still read them. In fact, I've done my best to hunt down copies of some of my more loved books. I refused to give them away to anyone, especially my Richard Scarry books. Those were always my favorite.

I didn't always build things out of books though. I remember one of the years when my mom was a Girl Scout leader and all the boxes of cookies were in the living room.

Oh yes, I arranged them into a castle.

I hated when they had to be broken down and the cookies distributed, because that castle was a great place to hide.

I wish I could build one now and hide from the world.

Those were simpler times

They Are Both Gone

Now I know most of you will think I'm crazy when I say this, but I don't care. I have always felt my father's presence in my home.

I would be down in the basement and I'd swear I'd hear someone calling me. Or I would be in the kitchen, cooking supper or hunting down food.

Or something wouldn't be working and all of a sudden, it was back to normal. (I'm looking at you bathtub drain)

Since mommy passed, that feeling that Daddy was in my home watching over me is mostly gone. He stayed a little bit, or maybe he popped back to check on me once or twice very early on, but it doesn't feel like he's there anymore.

Mama left and she took daddy with her. Wherever they are, I know they are both together, and she had waited 4 long years to have him again.

I know as much as my mama wanted to stay with all of us, she missed daddy more than anything. Whenever the song "I Know I'll Never Find Another You" by The Searchers would come on The Ed Sullivan Show or on Pandora, she would cry, because she knew there was only daddy for her. Yes, she had loves in her life before she met him, but Daddy was her one true love. A love that romance novels were made of.  60 + years of marriage.  Ups and downs always along the way, but always love.  Love that most of us can't dream of having, because people just aren't programmed the way they were in the time they grew up.

I wish I could feel them both one more time and know that they were there, in my house...my house, that I bought to keep my mama safe and warm, when I couldn't do that in our old home, the home I grew up in and loved, even though it was falling apart. I wish I could feel their comforting presence.

Yes, I believe in ghosts, maybe not in the way you see on TV or in books. I know Daddy went to heaven, but I also know he was with mommy every step of the way, until she could be back with him.

I hope they are waiting for me.

Making It Through The Weekend

This past weekend was hard.

Friday would have been mom's 85th birthday. I made her, her favorite pineapple angel food cake, because I just didn't know what to do..

My brother was home to help with the house a bit. We got the furniture cleaned and I did some scrubbing work on the bathtub. Never ever use a brown shower mat in a white tub. I finally have a mostly white tub again. YAY!

I did some retail therapy yesterday because saying at home was too much for me.

I bought this cute little bird with glasses. I've named him Simon and some tree ornaments, though lord knows I really don't need them. I just needed to do something. I did get some grocery shopping done with things for Christmas bought...like candy, flour and sugar etc for cookies. I also got a few tops at Goodwill. I wish I could find pants somewhere on the cheap. I hate being short and dumpy. I also hate it being cold, so that exercise is just not fun in the outdoors, which is where I like to exercise. I like walking..but anyway..thanks to my brother and some retail therapy. I survived. I still miss mommy desperately, but I survived

Recapping 2018

This year is full of suck.

I'm trying to look back at good things that happened this year, but when your mom dies in Oct that kind of washes away any nice things that occurred in the months prior.

Still I want to remember some good things.

1. Watching Ed Sullivan reruns with mom and discovering a new love for classic pop, like Petula Clark, who I saw in concert about 10 days after her passing.

2. Discovering new music on Pandora and I 💗 Radio . I fell in love with more Celtic bands like The High Kings and Port Isaac's Fisherman's Friends. I have to admit that right now I can't listen to them much because they make me sad.

3. Critter Country Animal Park is always high on my list of favorite places to visit and I did get there once this summer, before mom got too sick.

4. Kennywood's Holiday Lights made me very happy this past weekend

5. I loved playing with my nephew's sweet little dog Zoey at his holiday party

6. Getting my new Nook!

7. Birthday dinner at Eat N' Park, though now I wish I could have spent the whole day with my mom.

I can't think of much more that would be good highlights. I've had some nasty crap happen..from the bathroom wall issues...roof issues...Mokey issues that actually started on Christmas Eve 2017.  Like all years, there's good and bad. I still say this year was more bad than good.

Parties and Holiday Lights At Kennywood

My last weekend was exhausting. My nephew had a Ugly Sweater Party on Saturday and I was dragged out of the house for that.

I felt kind of out of place in a land of twentysomethings, but thanks to a few party games like Cards Against Humanity, I had a great time.

Sunday we were off to Kennywood and though the first part of the day was a bit of a cluster-f-k, I am so glad I went. The lights were amazing and though we didn't ride anything I got to see the park for the first time in many many years. I felt very festive by the end of the day.

I Was Offered A PT Job

Part of me is nervous about working 2 jobs another part of me is excited about starting a new chapter in my life. I also have 2 other interviews this week, because parts of my life don't feel quite stable right now, and that is more than just the huge hole my mother left.

I know financial security is not a guarantee anywhere, but I'm looking for it, or something close to it.

I want to not feel like I have to be worried 24/7 and that's how my life has been for the last 2 months.

As of Dec 15, I'll be training at Lowe's as a customer service rep.

Any little bit helps right now, and the pay is close to what I make in my FT job, plus I have the opportunity to get dental insurance after awhile, so that's a great thing.

So fingers crossed for me. Life may be looking up. It can't look brighter, because without mommy, the world will never be as bright again.

Things I Got From My Mother

Its nearly Thanksgiving and though I'd be more thankful if I had my mother with me for this day, I am thankful for the things she gave me over the years.

I'm thankful for all the love she gave me, even when I probably didn't deserve it.

I am thankful for all the help she gave me when I fucked up royally and I did that often, even if helping me fucked up her life too.

I am thankful for her giving me her love of cooking.

I am thankful for her giving me her love of beauty, like the flowers at Phipps Conservatory and Longwood Gardens.

I am even thankful I got her "worry" gene, because that means I care deeply about things.

I am thankful that she taught me that family is important, and that you need them, even if you have to bite your tongue sometimes.

I am thankful she taught me the love of holidays, even those summer ones that I hate cooking for.

The only thing she didn't give me was the ability to live without her, and I really don't know how to do that.

I miss her so much.

Trying to Exist

Since mom has been gone, it seems like everything in my life is going haywire.

Take this for example.

And then everything behind the mortar went screwy..and yeah...

Nothing is going right at the moment.

I don't know where to start because Dad was the fixit man, and well...he's been gone 4 years..and I just don't know who to ask for help or how to find someone.

I want to paint the tub eventually, though that's not important. The important thing is getting the shower back up and running.

This is a real case of life delivering more lemons than I can handle right now.

I've Been Away

I think most people close to me know why I haven't been blogging.

On Wednesday, Oct 24 around about 1 o'clock, my world collapsed.

My mother passed away.

There is nothing that can be done to make me feel any better or make me want to go on with my life. I don't know how to live without her. I've spent my life with her, 44 years, just 20 shy of how long she was married to my father.

She was my life.

I took care of her and daddy and grandma, and now I have no one and it isn't easy. Everything, and I do mean everything makes me sad.

And like when my father passed away, she was taken from us close to the holidays. It will be 4 years since my dad died on Nov 16. Though I know she wanted to be with him, none of us were ready for this, even though we knew it was coming.

All I can say is that my heart is shattered.

Friends That Have Gone

I had a friend from college that passed away at the beginning of 2016. She was only 5 years older than myself.

At the time, we hadn't been speaking in several years. We didn't share the same political views and things got very nasty a few times.

I have always felt bad about this situation, because the break in our friendship came from a lot of, I don't want to say misunderstanding, but rather of not understanding.

It was at the time my dad was starting to get sick, which was after my grandmother had passed away. I couldn't go out a lot and I had to do most of the cooking then, as my mother's sight was failing. She didn't understand. Also, I hate Kings, which seemed to be her restaurant of choice for meetups.

I made a political post on Facebook one day, and she blew up on me, and said I hated her mother and then she deleted her account and was never heard from again, by me.

I was totally befuddled.

I found out her mother passed away in 2013, but I didn't learn that until much latter. I didn't learn Mary had passed until last year.

Every time I drive by Monongahela Cemetery I think of her. I wonder what happened because I don't have contact with any of her family members.

It is so sad that our friendship had to end the way it did.

I can only hope wherever she is now, that she's at peace.

Missing My Dewey

Its been one year since my Dewey crossed the rainbow bridge. I miss this cat every day. She was my little girl and I loved her so much.

Will Someone Explain This To Me

Since the Grand Jury report has been released there has been so much said about the Catholic Church and the sexual abuse by priests that was covered up for years.

This is what I need explained.

How did parents not notify authorities. I mean who did they go to that allowed the hierarchy in the church to sent priests to rehab. WTF rehab for pedophilia? Is this really a thing?

Did our police not go after these guys?

I just don't understand.

I grew up Catholic.

Two of my parish priests were on that list.

I'm angry at a lot of things involving this. I'm angry with the church for the culture that allowed this to happen. Seriously, priests need to be able to marry. It would foster normal relationships with clergy.  How can you take marriage advice etc from a man that's never been married?

I'm angry that someone justice wasn't served for decades...probably more than that.

I just don't understand. If my child was harmed, I'd go kicking and screaming after them.

Murphy's Law When Company's Coming

We're all familiar with Murphy's Law, right?

Anything that can go wrong will?

Well my brother is coming for a short visit tomorrow, which I'm all for, because it means I get to go to the Covered Bridge Festival for a little bit.

However, it means I really have to clean my house, cos well, he's persnickety.

So how does Murphy's Law fit in?

It means the cats will puke on the carpet every chance they get.

Dust will appear where everywhere.

Clutter will appear everywhere.

Most of the stuff I need to do couldn't be done in advance because well..the kitties. So tonight I'll be scrambling and I'll be tired as hell when I wake up tomorrow.

Sharing Recipes

Sometimes I feel really sad that I have no one in my family to share recipes with. I didn't start cooking until I was in my 30s, because my mom didn't like anyone touching her old Tappan range. (Oh how I loved that big ole monster)

I quickly inherited her love for cooking. (Though I have a strong hatred for cleanup) But there are no family members to pass down recipes to anymore.

Its just like holiday cookies.

When my father was alive, cookies brought him so much joy. In his last year of life, if I couldn't bake them, I had to buy them. It didn't matter what kind they were, he wanted cookies!

Now that he's gone, a batch of cookies don't seem to get eaten.

I have no motivation for cookies.

I have no one that will say, I love what you made, can I have the recipe. I really does make me sad sometimes, especially as I love trying new things.

The World Is Too Connected

I'm pretty sure when current events and lifestyles become a part of history, it will say that we were too connected, but not connected enough.

We have social media that allows us to see things from all over the world in real time. We can spread our views in seconds.

We can share the good and the bad and the downright awful.

We can share knowledge and stupidity at record speeds.

We show the world our best and ultimately our worst.

Social media causes depression, because well...the grass is always greener and when we see those greener pastures everyday and our pastures look a bit brown, well, it isn't all that fun.

It allows for bullying 24/7....or in the case of our current POS POTUS at least at 3 am.

And while we're at it, so much of everything has to be about making money. Now don't get me wrong, I still dream of the day one of my cats finally goes viral and gets fame and fortune, so that they can buy their own kibble.

But god when your blog is so bogged down with ads that you can't find the content it becomes maddening.

Case in point the food blog where I found this recipe for Pumpkin Cream Cheese Swirl Muffins

INGREDIENTS

MUFFIN:

• 1 tablespoon pumpkin spice
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 (15 oz) can pumpkin (pure pumpkin puree)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 3/4 cups all purpose flour
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

CREAM CHEESE SWIRL:

• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg yolk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Place paper baking cups into muffin pan. Set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk flour, pumpkin spice, baking soda and salt until well combined. Set aside.
3. In large bowl, whisk together pumpkin, sugar and brown sugar.
4. Beat in eggs, vegetable oil and vanilla extract. Slowly whisk in the flour mixture, until there are no lumps. Fill muffin tins 3/4 full.
5. In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add in sugar, egg yolk and vanilla extract and beat until well combined.
6. Top each muffin with about 1 tablespoon of cream cheese mixture and use a toothpick to swirl it into the batter. This will not look smooth, but it will bake up much prettier. (You can see exactly how I did this in the video above.)
7. Bake muffins for 18-20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
8. I liked these best at room temperature or even slightly chilled! Store in an airtight container in the fridge.

The Weekend From Hell

OK, its not been to awful, but when the bad shit happens, it really happens.

I went to Critter Country for the first time, but they closed early cos the mama wolf decided to sneak out of her enclosure. Not to worry, there was a double enclosure, but mama was apparently bored and didn't want to go back in.

Watched Doctor Strange. I found a lot of similarities with this character and Doctor Who, at least in the story and in the special effects. Also Benedict Cumberbatch is still fabulous. Also Doctor Strange and Sherlock seem to be very similar characters, just in different worlds

Oh I chipped my back molar on popcorn while watching the movie. Yeah. This is how Murphy's Law gets me, especially after I spent some money on clothes, which I really needed. I can't afford an implant, root canal or anything like that. I don't have dental insurance, just medical.

Was making spaghetti sauce to freeze out of the bazillion tomatoes and I spilled half a pot of water on the floor, uh twice.

My floor is clean.

I am a walking disaster today. I should have stayed in bed.

I swear I'm never leaving my house

Yesterday I went outside to pull some weeds.

Big mistake.

I mentioned on Facebook that I think every bug on Shady Ave bit me in that short span of 5 minutes.

Today I think it might have been every bug in Charleroi.

Seriously, I have about 7 bites and I'm monitoring on because the last time I got a spider bite, I ended up at Med Express with Cellulitis and was on antibiotics for 2 weeks.

Not fun.

So suffice to say, today I want to lock myself in a building, far away from biting insects.

Friday Is My Funday

I'm taking a vacation day on Friday, which also coincides with my sister having the day off. (hopefully)

If that's the case, I get to go somewhere fun on Friday.

I don't care were it is. I just want to go somewhere, that isn't Belle Vernon or a random grocery store, cos I'm sick of grocery shopping, because its so darn hot I don't want to cook.

Actually, I don't want to do much of anything right now, except find someplace with really good air conditioning and maybe hibernate until fall. The heat is making me absolutely miserable and when it isn't hot its storming.

GRRR

Things That Make You Feel Old

There's enough focus on youth in this country that I started to feel old when I hit 30. I'm 44 now and I really feel like an old crone.

Most of the shows I grew up watching are now being aired on stations like Antenna TV and Me TV.

My favorite bands are being played on oldies stations. Yes, yesterday I heard Duran Duran on The Pickle and then The Human League and Blondie.

One of my high school friends has a child in his senior year of high school and another a junior.

ARGH!

Romance novel heroines are usually only 26 years old.

Current music starts to sound like noise.

None of your favorite bands are really recording new music, they are just touring to play their greatest hits.

Staying up to watch the news or late night talk shows makes you really tired in the morning.

I am now going to go take my multi vitamin.

OK so I Watched Infinity Wars

Its funny, I've only been watching Marvel movies these days. There haven't been any pixar movies that have interested me lately.

So, I rented Infinity Wars yesterday and watched it late last night.

First of all, so much prettiness in one movie. I think anyone can watch this movie and have someone to drool over.

First of all...

Ironman/Dr. Strange = OMG awesomeness.

Not enough Groot for me.

I loved the idea of having all the Marvel Universe in the film, but truth be told it took a lot away from the movie because for me it just moved all over the place

And the ending...

Meh.

I don't like cliffhangers in books, I like them even less in movies.

So the movie is full of action.

It is full of eye candy for everyone.

But it is also lacking, because of all the other good stuff.

Grrr, is all I can say

Time's Been Getting Away From Me

It's been 2 weeks since I blogged last. Yikes!

With all the stuff going on with my mom and her Doctor I've been more than a bit aggravated.

Last week, I spent 4 days back and forth trying to get her insulin prescription filled, which is absolutely nuts. It took about 8 cancelled scripts before they got it correct.

That doesn't speak well for that office. However I at least know that when all is said and done. I'm not the crazy one and neither is the pharmacy.

Oye vey.

This week isn't much better, but I'm hanging in there.

I started a book last week. Right there that should tell you there is something wrong. Its a 371 page book. That's something that may take me a few days to read.

I'm still not finished.

Its a spoof on gothic novels with a touch of romance, vampires and time travel.  Its well written, but for some reason for me, it is dragging. Really really dragging.

There's nothing worse than being bogged down by a book that you aren't sure you like, but you've invested so much time in that you have to finish it.

 Seriously, this book has drained my kindle battery so much it is nuts.

Thank god for paper books because I've had to put that one down so many times.

head desk

Doctor's Piss Me Off

My mother had her blood work done last week, which is all well and good. Well, Thursday the doctor's office called and asked for me, even though mom answered the phone.

They proceeded to tell me that most of her numbers were good, but her renal numbers were up and had the doctor talk to us about dialysis.

Now this upset me, but it was the doctor that my mother doesn't see that read her blood work and we were told mom's doctor would call on Monday.

Well no call came yesterday.

Also I found her paper work from her June blood work and the numbers weren't much different. She has also been on an antibiotic for a month for oral thrush..which can affect creatinine and BUN numbers.

I'd like to take that doctor and beat her with a stick, because she gave mom palpitations all weekend.

I'm Done With Summer

I'm sick of hearing the word "vacation."

I haven't had one since well before my father got sick and he'll be gone 4 years this Nov. I'm sick of other people whining that they can't go on vacation.

Look, I know I can't go. I have responsibilities to my mom and to my kitties. I also don't have any money or anyone to share the expenses of even a weekend trip.

I also have shingles that fell off my roof.

Sometimes you have to just suck it up and deal with it.

I've been dealing with it.

Its making me a little bit bitter, but I'm dealing with it. As long as I get a coffee or so from Perked Up Cafe or Starbucks, I'm ok.

I can always look at pictures of Cape May or Atlantic City or Boldt Castle or Put In Bay...or even Erie.

It won't make it better, but it will remind me that its out there.

Blooms in my yard

Stress, I Have It

I mentioned last week that Friday the 13th bit me in the butt. Well it didn't give up on Monday. I had a chunk of shingles come off my roof and they are hanging out in my drain right now.

So I'm waiting to see how much this is going to cost me.

I'm trying desperately to get bills paid off right now.

The whole Mokey situation from the beginning of the year has thrown my finances off.

I had plans to get a new storm door and dining set this year.

Oh well, that isn't happening. Probably not

Now I'm waiting to see when the guy can come and look at the roof.

Like Tom Petty said, the waiting is the hardest part.

Friday The 13th Bit Me In The Butt

We usually joke about bad things happening on Friday the 13th.

Nothing usually happens though.

Not so today.

A normal work day was disrupted by having to run to the bank in the middle of the day for my boss, and rushing back so that I could take our driver to the garage so that he could pick up one of the tractor trailers that was finished being serviced.

GAH!

Then no end of the day banking that usually shortens my work day by 15 minutes.

Oh and when I went to do laundry, my machine crapped out on me. I had to rewash my clothes, and submit a ticket for a refund, making it take over 2 hours to get everything done.

Oh and one of the cats decided to pull half a roll of paper towel on the floor to use as bedding.

Its been a long day and now all I want to do is sleep or at least curl up with a book and forget about the world around me for awhile.

My New Bucket List Place

Ok, so I've been reading Beverly Lewis' The Ebb Tide, which is a sweet little work of Amish fiction, and the vast majority of the book is set in Cape May, NJ.

I've not been a huge traveler in my life, but there are several places I'd love to see someday, Boldt Castle in the Thousand Islands in NY is one of them. After reading this book, I'm adding Cape May to my list.

I started Googling Cape May last night and I started drooling. I have to admit, I love what I've seen of the Jersey Shore. I've been to Atlantic City a few times for Moody Blues concerts, and anyone that knows me, knows my love for that city, but Cape May! OMG so beautiful!

Lighthouses and Victorian architecture! Absolutely stunning.

I just want to go and take loads of pictures, and sit in the sand and stare at the ocean. Oh and I probably want to drink some pretty girly cocktails!

Its about twenty minutes south of Atlantic City and very near to Stone Harbor.

~sigh~

Now I'm thinking of the Stone Harbor Grill which keeps on popping up in my Facebook feed with photos of their gorgeous food.

Now I have something new to dream about.

Behold My Mug Collection

I have to admit. I love crazy mugs. I seem to be picking them up wherever I go these days.

Marvin is an old favorite. I've had him for years, as he's one of my favorite cartoon characters.

I have to say that takes me back to the 90s when the Disney Stores and the WB stores where in all the cool malls.

Are there any cool malls left?

The donut mug came from Big Lots. The 2 coffee time mugs are recent acquisitions from the Dollar Tree and Rite Aid's dollar section.

Yeah. I love mugs.

A Lot!

Greek Frappe

I used to read a mystery series with a Greek wanna be PI, who was very similar to Stephanie Plum for those of you that read Janet Evanovich.

Sofie always drank Frappes in these books and today I found a recipe for this coffee drink.

Its not like the stuff at Starbucks!

Its made with instant coffee!

I did not know this!

That is until the author posted a video with the recipe for the frappe, done by a very hunky Greek dude.

Eye candy and coffee. Really, you can't get much better than that.

If you're interested in how to make them, click this linky

Now I have to get some Nescafe stat, because this is the perfect drink for this kind of weather, right up there with using the keurig and brewing over ice cream!

Another Year Older

So I turned 44 yesterday in what was probably the most uneventful birthday of my life.

I learned a few things yesterday.

1. I'm old

2. Dining out is no longer my thing.

I'm dealing with #1 but #2 really saddens me. I used to love going to restaurants. I went to Eat N' Park for dinner yesterday. BY MYSELF. OK, so that made me feel like a bit loser, but it was nice to not be "dining with cats."

However, I have been watching my weight for the last year. I lost about 20 lbs but I've been at a plateau for months, mostly because I hate exercise and I haven't been able to walk because of either extreme heat or rain.

I ate way too much yesterday and that's not something I'm used to doing and now I'm miserable.

The only good thing was the food. Spicy pepper pasta was in fact, YUM.

But for now on, I'm cooking and if I'm eating out, I'll stick with sandwiches.

My Keurig Will Be The Death Of Me

My brother gave me a keurig awhile back and I absolutely love it, even though it makes coffee drinking more expensive.

But hey, what isn't more expensive at this point?

Before I had the keurig, Walmart and most of the stores around me had pods of all sorts. Now its just the same old same old, and I have to admit, I love me some flavored coffee. If its raspberry, then I'm probably going to do the happy dance.

They used to make the pods for iced coffee, now nope? And any flavors you have to buy online.

I hate ordering everything online dammit. Sometimes I want instant gratification.

Thank god they have some good flavors at Big Lots, because otherwise I'd have to get my Angelino's pods shipped more often than I want too.

Grrr.

Why can't I just get the good stuff in the stores I normally shop? Huh? HUH!

I Ate The World Today, Oh Boy!

Let's just say that Charleroi's Community Days are a detriment to my diet.

Why?

Food trucks and other random food vendors.

OMG!

I think we ate everything.

BBQ chicken kabobs, mac and cheese, onion blossoms, funnel cake, burritos, haluski and halupki.

You name it, we ate it today.

Granted we brought all of that home and we all shared.

Seriously, the chicken kabob was so big that three people could get plenty from it.

The only problem with most festival food are the prices.

Yikes!

Very pricey, but oh so good.

I'm just glad that this sort of thing only happens once a year.

My Life In Music

Around my birthday I find that I always start thinking about songs and the music that shaped my life. For the most part, I still love the same music, I just add on new favorites.

If its from the 60s, chances are I'll love it, or at least like it, especially if its in the pop category. The Beatles, The Monkees, Herman's Hermits, Gary Puckett and the Union Gap..the list goes on and on.

The 70s for me are all about Gordon Lightfoot and David Bowie.

The 80s were my growing up decade, Madonna, XTC, Roxette, Erasure, Duran Duran, (those two I didn't pick up on until 92 for serious love) Cyndi Lauper, Wham!, Def Leppard, Poison...gah so much to love for me in the 80s.

Considering that I was born in 1974, I didn't go for the music I should have and even the stuff that was current growing up, wasn't my favorite. I always went for the lesser known artists. I was never a huge Michael Jackson fan, even though everyone else was.

I picked up on Elvis Costello when he worked with Paul McCartney in the late 80s, but didn't really start to appreciate his music again for another twelve years. That goes for The Moody Blues too.

Now I've picked up on Irish music again. I've always had a fondness for Enya and Clanaad, but now I like the Irish boyband Celtic Thunder. I know they aren't a real boy band, but they are a prefab bunch of hotties that can really sing. I love Keith Harkin, Ryan Kelly and Neil Byrne.

I miss making my mix cds for my birthday but I have no place to play them, as I haven't had a CD player in years.

Sigh

Don't Mind Me

This has been a slow month.

Between political outrage at what the USA is becoming and just trying to keep my head above water, I'm doing little else but reading and cleaning my house.

I find it very hard to be lighthearted right now when the country is turning into a dystopian novel.

Probably the only joy I've found came from being awakened one morning by my mom to watch Jack Benny.

Why?

Because the song we were trying to find now for over a year, was finally on. This was a weird episode with Carol Burnett, but not the one where she sang The Trolley Song. (Oh and sorry Judy Garland, but Carol sings that one so much better)

The song I'm talking about is The Moonshiner or I'm a Rambler, I'm a Gambler (the title depends on who sings it...go figure). It's an Irish drinking song. We heard it once and mom and I both remarked that it was a silly song we could imagine Daddy singing. My daddy was weird like that, bless him.

Dennis Day did a great rendition. Look it up on You Tube, you'll get a chuckle. It might be the only thing that will make you laugh for a long time.

Music Apps Will Be The Death Of Me

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Let me tell you, there are strange songs coming out of our TV when I get home from work. She's found all the music she listened to as a young girl at the canteens and then she listens to the Irish station, usually Celtic Thunder.

Thanks to the Celtic Thunder station I've discovered a band called The High Kings. If you like Celtic Thunder before they really jumped the shark a few years ago, you will love The High Kings. I recommend checking out "The Irish Pub Song." It will have you laughing and singing. It will probably stick in your head too.

I'm kind of peeved that these apps don't have the new Celtic Thunder album streaming yet.  X has a few songs I really liked from their last special on it. They finally got around to doing a version of The Wild Rover. It is nowhere near as good as The Dubliners, but its such a fun song. Plus anything that gives Ryan Kelly some extra singing time, always makes me happy. I kind of crush on that little Irish cutie.

Yesterday I came home to The Monkees station which amused me. That wasn't what I was expecting. My nephew seems to prefer the Peter, Paul & Mary station when he has to chose for her. Myself, I enjoy the Gordon Lightfoot channel, because you get a nice mix of folk music, along with Gord's great tunes.

I wonder what the Elvis Costello channel will play, besides Elvis Costello.

Why Am I Reading Slower

When I was in high school and even junior high, I would blow through Harlequins in a few hours. For that matter when I was reading my bodice ripper historical romances, as I tried to get my summer tan.

These weren't long books. The longest Harlequins usually topped 300 pages. The shorter ones, the Romance, Desire, Regency line were only about 180.

Why does it take me so long to read these now?

Its driving me nuts, because I have books piling up all over the place. They seem to multiply like rabbits in my house.

I blame it on ereaders.

I don't know what it is about them, but they have slowed down my reading.

OK, and maybe because I don't get to sit out in the sun and read as much as I did all those years ago too.

I seriously need some beach or porch or some kind of not in my house reading time ASAP

Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs

For years, I've had lousy luck making hard boiled eggs. I've followed just about every tip out there to get perfect eggs, and usually I failed.

I have to say that the way to get the best eggs is to make them ahead of time.

Don't plan on using the eggs right away.

I usually make mine the night before.

Why?

Refrigeration!

I follow the basic cooking rule. Eggs in  a pot of water until they boil then cover and remove from heat for about 10 - 12 minutes.

After that I rinse them in cold water for a few minutes, but rather than do the ice water bath, I stick them in the fridge for at least an hour, but overnight is best. Then when I peel them, most turn out perfect.

My Car Hates Me

So I was leaving work on Monday, and I walked around the back of my car. Not a normal thing for me to do, but for some reason I did.

My muffler is kinda just hanging there.

This does not thrill me, as my 2006 Focus has some pricey exhaust parts.

I zoom to the bank for my boss and over to Mr. Tire so they can have a look at it.

Well, said muffler was split in half.  Uh thank you Monessen and the wonderful freaky construction on Donner Ave.

The part costs a whopping $298.00 and there's labor included. Please kill me.

This is not what I need right now. I still have about $1500 to pay off on Mokey's hospital stays in Dec and Feb and I need to get the little guy his shots and a urinalysis to see how the prescription food is working. My regular credit card has more on it than I've had on them in years.

I seriously need to fall into some money pretty soon, though I don't know how that's going to happen. I hate debt. I dug myself out of it once and I hate having to do it again.

Also, because I need to bitch, I really wanted to get a new dining room table set this year, but thanks to all this crap, that isn't happening.

Why I Didn't Give A Fig About The Royal Wedding

I admit, I loved Princess Diana. She was what every little girl dreamed of being when she grew up. Married to a prince. (Note I didn't say a handsome one) Super glamorous. Oh and loved by all.

sigh

And though we look back at her dress and think it was just too much, it was a fairy tale gown, straight out of Disney film.

The outcome of that marriage and her death cast a shade on the weddings of her two children.

I had interest in Will and Kate's marriage, just because he will one day be king.

Harry and Meghan? Well they are a Hollywood couple. I love Harry, but he is the wild child and even some of the things I read about at the wedding spoke of being a bit much.

The problem with these weddings being televised all over the world, in my eyes, is that so many girls and women are going to think that their wedding should be that way.

Life isn't like this.

And you can't tell me that some of those things weren't done especially for show. Yeah, I'm sorry the girl is an actress and Harry is his mother's son. I don't doubt that they love each other, because I think that after seeing their own parent's marriages that they would want something better for themselves, but I think that there was a little bit of acting involved to make it more fairy tale like.

Meh.

There's no fairy tales for the rest of mortals

And It All Blows Up

I've been noticeably absent again.

Things have been going mostly ok.

Busy and boring and much of the sameness.

Yesterday was actually nice until right before supper.

I was getting ready to clean up the pans I used for dinner when the sink decided it was having none of it. The plastic connector for the two pipes below the sink gave way.

Yeah, water everywhere.

This shouldn't be a hard fix, except there's no one around that knows how to fix it and my plumber isn't one I can contact on a Saturday night.

So lets just say for the next day or so, its paper plates and plastic utensils that can be tossed in the garbage. Yeah not very environmental, but washing dishes in the stationary sink in the basement.

Why does everything happen on the weekend?

People Need To Give A Damn

I was taking my afternoon walk through my small town of Charleroi On Mon and I've come to the conclusion that the poorer you get, the less likely you are to care about how your home looks.

My town's median income is below the poverty line...go ahead google us.

The rental properties all look like hell. The lawns are full of toys and are just messy. The curtains and blinds look like they've seen better days, if in fact they have them, and not just a blanket or something hung over the window to keep out the light. WTF people.

If not for my mother I wouldn't have much, but I still take pride in my home. I don't want to live in a hovel. I like my things to look nice. I may not be able to have expensive things, but I want to be proud of what I have.

I truly can't understand why anyone would want to live in filth.

There are places where you can get curtains or any decorations to pretty up a place cheap. Seriously, Big Lots, Dollar General, Family Dollar...I could go on.

If you don't have any pride in your living area, how can you have any pride in yourself. Which makes it hard for anyone to pull themselves up out of poverty.

You have to care.

It sucks to be poor, but there's no excuse for living in a pigsty. Cleaning products are sold at Dollar Stores.

It really isn't hard to clean up after yourself and make your space in the universe look decent.

New Required Reading

I have been a fan of historical fiction since I was in junior high. Jean Plaidy's novels about the aristocracy of Europe as well as the Kings and Queens always topped my list of must read books.

I think in the age where history is being so distorted, more historical novels should be read in schools. Novels that make the reader want to learn the history of the countries in this world.

I say this because I am reading My Dear Hamilton right now.  I've not had the chance to see the musical and likely I never will, because those tickets will be a hot commodity for years, even as the show starts to tour.

My Dear Hamilton focuses on his life, but is told through the eyes of his wife. The book is written by Stephanie Dray and Laura Kamoie who also wrote America's First Daughter, a novel about Patsy Jefferson.

I've found that books like this have given me a new appreciation for history, and it also shows us that the crazy political world that we live in, hasn't changed. It has been this way from the very start of our nation.

My Dear Hamilton focuses a lot on the politics of the time. It also paints a picture of the founding fathers in a way that you don't really learn in school. You learn the presidents and what not, but reading this book, you got the clue that these men that shaped our nation were often at war between themselves and that getting our constitution ratified wasn't as easy as history books make it out to be.

I think these are the kind of books that inspire people to think and learn more. I also think that some of them are more important reads than those by the authors of the classics, which can definitely come across as dry and boring to many readers.

I dream of a world where books become truly important again.

Before Starbucks Was Cool

Back in the 90s when I was a mall working mall rat, there was a coffee chain called Gloria Jean's. These shops weren't everywhere, like Starbucks is today.  Go to any city, and I dare you not to find one, every few blocks.

Heck, on the PA turnpike, all the travel stop plazas have a Starbucks.

That wasn't the case in the 90s.

Back then, at the cool malls, Gloria Jeans ruled the roost.

At least for me.

If you like Frappachinos, there is a thing called a Chiller there. They still make them, if you can find a store.

When I worked at Kaufmann's from 1996 - 1998 I lived for the times that I could get a Coco Loco.
Dear God, that was one heavenly cup of sugar!

It really is a wonder that I have any teeth left.

Talk about a caffeinated sugar rush!

I didn't even know the shops were still around until I saw a recipe ad from Keurig that used Gloria Jean's coffee, which made me wonder if the stores were still around. To my great delight, two of our local malls still have a shop.

Now I need to go to the mall.

A Few Of My Favorite Things: Foodie Edition

I have a love for simple sandwich salads. If you are ever in the Mon Valley and can get to Cox Market or to Finleyville to Trax Farms, you will find the best chicken and turkey salads you'll ever taste. Trax's turkey salad has dill and it is just fabulous on a good cracker. Cox's chicken salad is made with shredded chicken and I've been making wraps for the last few days for lunch. Yum!

I don't like a lot of fancy stuff in any of my sandwich salads. My own egg salad is just egg, mayo and dijon mustard, sometimes a little dollop of a good relish, and a shake of pepper.

That's why I really love the chicken salad. It's chicken, mayo and celery. I occasionally like a southwest chicken salad, but I'm never one for fruit or nuts in my salad, especially if its going on a bun, croissant or in a wrap.

I'm a fan of simple foods and casseroles and depression era fare.

My mother used to make a macaroni dish that was basically just elbow mac, ketchup, ez melt cheese or some other good melting cheese and then buttered breadcrumbs. Its absolutely fabulous. Another favorite casserole is ground meat with rice and cream of mushroom soup and chicken noodle.

So, I'm not a gourmet, though I like good food, but I'm really a no frills kind of girl.

Oh and best thing ever...Cheesy egg toast ...easy, yummy breakfast..

Now I'm hungry!

I Need To Stay Off Facebook

There was a photo on a group page that I follow that showed children on crosses, blaming certain groups for abuses caused to them. The last photo showed a child on a Ronald McDonald cross, blaming fast food for childhood obesity.

So yeah, the anger in me grew and I had to comment. (And I found that stupidity lurks on both sides of the political spectrum)

Shall we blame restaurants for our kids being fat, while not placing any blame on computers, video games and phones that keep our kids on their butts, instead of out doing stuff.

I grew up when McDonald's had all the characters and the cool Happy Meal toys. I also grew up in the sugary cereal era. YUM.

I played outside. I was inside with Barbie's and my books.

My parents knew better than to feed us McDonald's on a daily basis, no matter how much I wanted the happy meal toy, or the cool glass, or whatever.

To blame a company for childhood obesity is insane. Its there business to get people in their restaurants to eat.

I don't recall seeing a Happy Meal commercial any time soon. Hell, I don't remember seeing a cereal commercial for anything tasty or even a toy commercial in ages on tv?

McDonald's doesn't grab your kid and pull them in and force the food down their throat. It is the parent's decision to take them there.

So if your kid if obese, do something about it, but don't place blame.

Fun Times

Let's see, what's been going on in my life...

Sunday we had some strong winds that tore a chunk of my shingles off the house. Thankfully, my boss' son fixed it for us, because it was a small repair and my home owner's deductible is $750. That was something I didn't need, on a roof that is only about 10 years old.

There's also the Easter preparations. I don't look forward to holidays. Family gathering in my house usually means I'm going to want to leave my house within an hour or so.

Why?

My sister and her youngest son together are not a good mix. Not in a "they don't get along" way, but more they play off of each other in a way that brings about a lot of tension. Add the nephew's girlfriend to the mix and it just gets more fun.

I've reached a plateau in my weight loss, which is no fun, since the recent weather hasn't made it easy to get out an exercise much. I really would like to see another 10 lbs gone in the next month or so. That's not looking like the case though.

Can I also just add, yogurt has to be the most disgusting food that came from milk? I know its a good for you thing, and I found a brand I like, as far as yogurt is concerned, but really, I'd rather eat something, almost anything, else.

The "I Had A Dream" chuck roast

My dinner on Monday was care of my mother dreaming of putting green pepper in the crockpot with a chuck roast.

Let me tell you, that was the best idea for a roast.

It was about a 2 lb roast, maybe a little closer to two and a quarter lbs. I seasoned with Nature's Seasoning and dumped in a can of French onion soup, a couple of splashes of Worcestershire sauce and some soy. (I would have used more soy, but we didn't have any low sodium and I didn't want to kill mom with sodium).  In the last hour or so, tossed in a few chopped up green peppers and a can of mushrooms.

I served it over rice.

Delish.

Even more delish were the shredded beef sandwiches I made today with the leftovers. Added a little more Worcestershire sauce and then melted some Swiss over it.

Up until now, the Mississippi roast was my favorite..this one has usurped it.

I Hate Cell Phones

I've had my little Moto from Virgin Mobile for 2 years. Well its slowly dying. My flashlight no longer works, which also screws up my camera.

Grrr.

I am never going to be one of those Samsung Galaxy or iphone people, because I don't have that much money to throw away on a phone, plus I don't go the sheepish route of having the coolest phone around.

I don't do much with my phone, except maybe facebook and instagram and email. The stuff that keeps me from being too bored when I'm stuck in certain places.

The question now is how much do I want to spend and do I even want to stay with Virgin Mobile since they are not really supporting Android phones. I'm thinking of going with Cricket, just because at this point I want something different that will save me some money.

Grrrr

I Just Don't Understand

Politics hurts my head these days.

I can't understand what is happening in this country. That a leader can talk the way he does and everyone is OK with that.

Bullying and insulting candidates is ok?

What have we become.

I understand that the two parties have never really seen eye to eye, especially in the recent past, but I see each side becoming more polarized and that isn't going to get things done.

Also talking like a low life doesn't work either.

I used to enjoy watching shows like The Daily Show, but now, they just make me sad, because there is nothing about the current administration that can be construed as funny. Terrifying, yes. Funny, no way.

I understand the need and desire to get away from career politicians, but I seriously think our elected officials should have at least 2 brain cells to rub together in order to serve.

Also the "I am the greatest" mentality only worked for Ali, just saying.

Also, you can be a strong individual and still project yourself with dignity.

Mokey Mokey Mokey

Saturday Mokey had another episode of parading.

This cat terrifies me. I love him, but I can't afford him.

I moved him upstairs, along with his Feliway diffuser. The cat has no access to normal cat food. He gets 3 cans of Royal Canin SO a day. He could probably eat more than that, but he's breaking the bank.

He took his Prazosin too again.

Thankfully within 24 hours he was peeing up a storm again. Crisis adverted and no trip to the ER vet necessary. And our vet is going to allow refills on the Prazosin too. Yay! Except that bottle is $40.00

And how can you not love this little face?

Now if only things can calm down and I can start getting his vet bills paid down.

Why is this an argument?

Here's another reason why I should stay off of social media: The Kindle/E-reader argument. I am so sick of people arguing the book over ereader thing.

I have a house full of books. I also have an ereader full of books.

Why do we have to argue about this?

It burns me up.

Everyone should read the way they want to read. If you have limited space, an ereader allows you to have as many books as you want, without taking up space.

Every reading group I belong to on Facebook has a post about this at least once every day or so. I think people just like to argue and it makes no sense.

People should read, whether it is a book, or an ereader, or if it is on a tablet or phone.

Thrift Books Will Be The Death Of Me

I found an online, used bookstore that is incredible.

Thriftbooks.com

I got 3 cookbooks and a novel for $17.00

Oh and free shipping!!

Yeah, I predict this site is going to be a very bad thing for me.

Social Media Makes Me Scream

There are way too many ways to be connected these days...Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

GAH

Way too may for me.

I have to admit that besides blogger, I rather like Instagram, cos well, cat pictures. Cat pictures make me happy.

So if you want to see my cat pictures, and well, my book pictures, cos I'm trying to be a bookstagramer as well, go here https://www.instagram.com/achickwhoreads/

But really, how do you decide which social media you want to deal with.

I have to admit, one of the reasons why Instagram is more to my liking is the lack of politics on my feed there.

No politics = no stupid comments by stupid people.

There are way too many mean, stupid, hateful people on Facebook. I haven't found them yet on Instagram. I think that's mostly because I only follow cats and book lovers there.

I need an internet safe place.

I Love IPSY

A few months ago I started getting a beauty box. Its a once a month thing that allows me to try some new trial size skin products and some different makeup.

Its a fun thing to treat the girly girl in me to every four weeks.

I have to admit I'm a sucker for skin care stuff. I always have been

This last months little bag of goodies had Brazilian Bum Bum Cream.

Yeah, you read that right, Bum Bum Cream

I wonder who was the marketing genius that came up with that name?

But all kidding aside Sol de Janeiro's Bum Bum Cream smells so good! And if you use it after showering, your jammies will smell pretty for days.

There is one problem.

The price.

That little jar costs a whopping $45.00

Which is why I'll cry when my little trial size is gone, because guarana extract obviously makes you smell like a coconut cake or something similar. Hey, what girl doesn't want to smell sweet?

That's about the only issue I've had with the stuff I've received from Ipsy. If I like it, I most likely won't be able to afford it again.

But it is nice to have a few days of luxury. A girl deserves some special treatment every now and then.

Mokey Update and other cat things

I would just like to say that the last 12 months have not been good for me and my furbabies.

We won't discuss the amount of money I've spent on 2 cats in particular. One of which is no longer with me.

Mokey is..and on Feb 10 he decided to get another urinary blockage.

Oye vey.

I could have had a down payment on a new car for what he's cost me.

And they wanted to do a surgery that would make a women out of him, so to speak or rather a eunuch.

Thankfully, since that first night home, when I thought he was dying, he's improved greatly and he's eating his prescription food like a trooper. I would love to know what is in those tiny cans of food that makes them cost about $1.25 a can? I never did understand why most big cans of food are more costly than the small one...like Friskies over Fancy Feast. Its nuts.

But back to Mokey. I can't even begin to consider what to do if the surgery becomes a necessity, because I don't have that kind of money.

Then last night Midnight had something stuck in his tooth...and I thought he was about to kick it over. Twenty minutes later he's back to normal..and this morning he was eating and drinking like his regular self.

Ahhh!

I hope I have 9 nine lives...because in the last few weeks, my kitties have taken a few of mine.

Feeling A Little Lighter

In October I set a weight loss goal of 10 lbs to get me under a really ugly number that I had reached. My grandmother's death in 2008 and the failing health of both of my parents caused me some serious weight gain.

It was hard to get to the gym and hard to find time to do any exercise. Food was my friend.

Right around Thanksgiving, I found that a few lbs finally started to slip away.

It is February and that first goal of 10 lbs is met. I did this without being able to get out and walk like I do in the summer months.

I'm setting another goal for 10 more.

Baby steps.

I've made a lot of changes in my diet.

I've cut a lot processed food out.  That's not to say I don't enjoy a potato chip or a cheese curl now and then, but I don't keep them around.

I started sipping bone broth.

I drink mostly sparkling water. I haven't had soda since mid-Oct.

I made a promise to myself. When the weight comes off to an acceptable level, I am treating myself to an outfit from Coldwater Creek or Appleseeds.

Wish me luck.

Book Blogging Has Taken Over

Its strange that I'm seldom posting here.

I'm not sure why either.

I do have time, more than I usually do, but I do mismanage it quite a bit.

I just seem to spend more time with my book blog or trying to be an active bookstagrammer.

Yeah, weird.

Of course, the state of the world kinda freaks me out too. I'm trying to avoid politics because it angers and saddens me all at the same time.

Then there's music.

I'm still trying to figure out how I'm going to get my music on my new computer. On a plus I did find a copy of Peter Noone's One of the Glory Boys on my mp3 player, so that rarity isn't totally lost. And that album was so good, I hated to think I'd never hear it again.

Aw Paddington

I finally got around to watching the first Paddington movie last night. I don't know what made me stop at the Redbox and grab that movie...ok..I do..Peter Capaldi was in it.

Either way the movie was super cute.

Hugh Bonneville is just great as a normal dad...and the hippie biker scene...OMG so funny. Its hard to see him in rolls other than Lord Grantham though.

Nicole Kidman pulls off evil pretty well too.

Then there's Peter Capaldi's Mr. Curry.  Aw.....especially when he falls for Millicent. I saw a lot of the 12th Doctor in Mr. Curry. A bit of a curmudgeon, a little silly, a little geeky, but oddly lovable.

The animated Paddington was superb. He looked almost real. Well, if real bears wore hats and coats.

I liked that for the most part the movie was light hearted. I'm not a fan of too much drama in family films like this.

There's always a sad bit, but it wasn't too traumatizing. (You know, like UP!)

This was just a good movie for anyone to watch..and now I want to see the sequel.

An Eventful 2 Weeks

Well, there's been a lot going on in the last few week and it all involves Mokey.

The little stinker ended up back at the vet. He still won't eat what he's supposed to,which makes it hard for those crystals to dissolve and dear god, I can't afford for him to get blocked again.

Last Friday he seemed a bit better...and he got to chewing on the Christmas tree.

Yeah.

Remember National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation?

Thankfully he didn't hurt himself, but while we tried to disengage him from the Christmas tree lights, he BIT ME!

My mild mannered, slightly deranged cat, BIT ME!

I had to go to the vet the next day for his meds and then off to Medexpress

At least today my hand more resembles a hand, which is a good thing.

Here's hoping Mokey stays out of trouble for awhile.