Veggie Tale

I was discussing dinner options with Mk this afternoon, and we agreed to spicy baked chicken strips for our entree tonight.  This was good news to me since I did not want to stop at Kroger.  I announced that I was fairly certain we had a bag of frozen veggies in the freezer that we could eat with our chicken.  

"Like cauliflower?" asked Mk.

"Sure," I said.  "We might have brussel sprouts".

"Great!  I love brussel sprouts!" said Mk.

I laughed at this point, "I'm pleased that you enjoy a vegetable that so many kids would complain about".

"It's because I'm so much more mature, mom", replied Mk.

This made me laugh as well.  

I'm a terrible blogger......

It's been weeks since I've posted anything.  I just haven't taken the time to update this site with any news........ so here is a brief summary of what's been going on in my life.

I guess the biggest news is that my sister Eve had her baby on Christmas day!  Her due date wasn't until mid-January, but he's a healthy boy.  In fact, he weighed over 9lbs when he was born.  He's a sweet little guy, and we've all fallen in love with him already.

Since Eve was in labor, the planned dinner was postponed and we were left looking for food options.  I can honestly say that sushi for Christmas dinner seemed like an unlikely scenario prior to this year, but it was a wonderful meal.  I'm certain that Larkin, Noel, MK and I will always remember our "A Christmas Story" dinner.

Speaking of Mk, she could not have been a happier on Christmas day.  She was thrilled with every gift that she received, and it was fun to watch her face as everyone opened the Santa's Secret Shop gifts that she had purchased with her own money.  I received an "I Love Mom" pin.  She was quick to suggest that it would look good on my winter coat.  I'm really lucky to have such a sweet girl.

New Years Eve was wonderful.  Jtl and I went to see Hayes Carll with some friends at Rev Room.  The show was wonderful, and I can honestly say that it was the best NYE that I've had in quite some time.  2011 seems to be off to a great start.

mk

I gave Mk my old iphone 3g yesterday to use for apps and as an ipod.  It doesn't have phone service, but she clearly explained that it was basically an itouch if it doesn't have phone service.  It was quite entertaining to listen to her explain something I already knew and had in mind.  I asked if she were trying to hint at anything, but she said no.  When I handed her the phone yesterday and she saw what I had done, she grinned from ear to ear.  Today she's emailing.  She's playing Words with Friends.  She has Angry Birds.  She is a very happy girl.  I can hardly wait until Christmas morning when she gets her next big surprise.  It's going to be great! 

Getting back to my roots........

Since getting my hair done on Saturday, I've heard the following comments:
"I love it!"
"It's not as dark as I thought it would be."
"It's very fall-ish"
And my favorite:
"Wow!  It's soooo much darker.  It'll take you a while to get used to it, but you will.  I liked it better blonde, but you can always go back to blonde in a few months."

There have been a lot more "love its" than the vague or negative feedback, but it does kind of leave me wondering what happened to the "if you don't have something nice to say" way of thinking.  

So perhaps I won't have as much fun, but perhaps I won't make as many stupid comments and/or mistakes?  Time will tell. 

My S.E.L.F.

I attended two different management training sessions last week, and other than the books that the speaker promoted (7 Habits of Highly Successful People by Covey topped both lists) they both promoted the S.E.L.F. test.  So..........I took it.  I am an S.

I am actually a bit surprised by the result of this.  Based on what the speaker said on Friday, I was convinced I was an E with a lesser degree of S.  After answering the questions, it seems clear that I'm an S and the only letter that I do not identify with at all is F.  I ranked a 4 on both my directive  and affiliative score, so this made me an S with equal parts E and L.  Totally different from what I thought after leaving the seminar on Friday.

That said, some of the strengths of an S are: competitive, socially skilled and outgoing.  Some of the limitations: pushy, impatient and restless.  I'm sure most of you would agree that it's pretty accurate for me.

I've scanned in the questions and scoring instructions in case any of you are interested in checking your own results.  I would love to hear your results, and see how accurate the test is for you.

Before the ghetto blaster.......

There was the Fisher Price record player.  Yes, we had the "Change a Tune" player when we were toddlers......

The "Change a Tune" was great since all of your favorite tunes were stored in the convenient space on the back of the unit.  It had all of our favorite songs......."Humpty Dumpty" sounds great when picked out in the style of a music box. 

But this isn't the record player that I remember most fondly.  No, I'm talking about the "My Very First Fisher Price Record Player".  This was the real deal.  I think I was about six when we got this record player for Christmas.  Larkin and I had been allowed to listen to mom and dad's records on their stereo in the living room, but I guess they must have gotten tired of listening to "Rock Around the Clock" and "Leader of the Pack" over and over again.

With our new record player, we received two albums.  "The Fox and the Hound" and "Strawberry Shortcake".  These albums told stories and had colorful pictures on each side.  We were in the big time now.  Our very own record player! 

While we loved our storybook albums, they weren't as fun when sped up to 45rpm.  "Rock Around the Clock" sounds so much better when sped up just a little bit.  Eventually we ended up with some of our own albums.  "Bullfrogs and Butterflies" and "Mickey Mouse Disco" were favorites, but I was beginning to prefer songs I was hearing on the radio.  I would have given anything to have had "Elvira" by the Oak Ridge Boys on a 45 to play in my room........

And then my best friend introduced me to Michael Jackson.  I fell in love with the album "Thriller" immediately.  I had to have it, but mom wouldn't buy it for me.  I remember going to the bank in the NWA Mall (I think it might have been a Savings and Loan??) to get money out of my savings account to make my purchase. 

After that, there was no going back to the "Mary Poppins" soundtrack.....No more "Macho Duck" or "Welcome to Rio".  I began buying singles since they were much cheaper than the album.  I think that "You're the Inspiration" might have been the first single I purchased.  In 1984, I taped a penny to an order form and sent off for my membership into the Columbia House record club.  I couldn't wait until my Pat Benetar would arrive, and still can't believe mom sent back "Like A Virgin"! 

And while I enjoyed my record club membership, it wasn't long before I realized that tapes were now the cool thing.  I quickly canceled my membership, taped a penny to another form, and sent off for my 10 free cassettes.  All I needed was my very own tape player........

McRib

For years, I have listened as people I know talked about how delicious the McRib sandwich is. I can honestly say that the appearance in the advertisements was enough to make me cringe. Meat shaped to look like a rack of ribs, covered in sauce, and paired with pickles and onions on a bun? No thank you!

Well, things changed yesterday. Jonathan, Mk and I went to McDonald's and each had one of these "elusive" sandwiches. Mk opted for sauce only on her version, and I skipped the pickles. Jonathan, a true fan, swears that you cannot really enjoy the McRib without the pickles. Again, gag. Pickles ruin more things than they enhance, so I'll always pass on the cucumber's evil alter ego.

The sandwich really isn't that bad. It kind of tastes like their burgers covered in bbq sauce, which is somewhat frightening since it's pork instead of beef. I wonder how long it could sit inside its little cardboard container before it would mold...... would it last eternally as the fries and burgers do in the documentaries? I can't think about this because I do enjoy McDonald's fries, and will continue to eat them despite their scary non-deteriorating ingredients.  

While I did enjoy my dinner last night, I doubt I'll have another McRib before it disappears from McDonald's for an undetermined amount of time.  I'm happy with the standard Quarter Pounder with cheese on those occasions I do head for fast food.  I also prefer my bbq pork smoked, chopped and served with slaw and maybe potato salad.  That said.... the McRib is only served for about 6 weeks each year, so you need to move fast if you're interested in giving it a try.  You can track the McRib online at: http://kleincast.com/maps/mcrib.php.