Monday, June 30, 2008

New Hampshire

Nascar not your thing? Check out Angie's pretty purse. She's talking about, well, purses.





I missed the race. Big pup's T-ball party was yesterday and they all got individual trophies even though they didn't win a game all season. I know there's a lot of grumblings these days about awarding all the kids so no one feels left out. I get the point but, darnit, I sure did like seeing these boys' eyes light up when they got their trophies! Big pup was very happy!


By the time we got home, the race had ended. Apparently, Elliott Sadler didn't have a very good car to start out with. Big adjustments were made during lap 67s green flag pit stops. He continued to fall as far back as 32nd. But then he got the lucky dog on a yellow and started to work his way back up. And then towards the end of the race a caution came out. And the leaders hit the pits while many others took a chance and stayed out. I think Sadler stayed out which turned out to be a great call because shortly after that rain started to fall, the red flag came out, and then the officials called the race with approximately 20 laps to go.


So the top 5 turned out to be an out of the ordinary group:
1. Kurt Busch
2. Michael Waltrip (yay!)
3 J.J. Yeley
4. Martin Truex Jr.
5. ELLIOTT SADLER!


I was hoping that a 5th place finish would bump him up in the standings but he remains unchanged in 25th.


Kurt Busch gets the win, A.J. Allmendinger gets the red lantern, and we're under the lights Saturday night in Daytona.

Stumble Upon Toolbar

Saturday, June 28, 2008

Share The Love Award

Look what I got! Thanks Tollesons4him!

This award was created to raise awareness of the importance of organ donation.

Backstory: Crystal (Memoirs of a mommy) has a son named Noah. He had a heart transplant when he was a newborn. He is now 1 year old! So she created this award in honor of the donor that saved Noah's life.

I'm an organ donor. Are you? Share the love, y'all!

Stumble Upon Toolbar

Friday, June 27, 2008

My Kingdom For A Yellow Cord! Not Blue!

Do you know what yesterday was? It was the day my internet died. If anyone emailed their condolences, I didn't get them. I had no internet. None. All day.

The last time our internet went out I made The Call and a customer service guy got snippy with me for not knowing where the dsl filter is located. So I refused to make The Call again and waited for WD to get home from work so he could deal with it. And he did. And nobody got snippy with him--probably because the term 'dsl filter' doesn't send him into hysterics like it does me.

So our internet is up and working and I've got over 50 posts on my google reader to read. And I'm suffering withdrawals from typeracer. So if you're a mom of an 8th grade girl, please enjoy this poem. If you're not, please head over to typeracer and get addicted too.

The Month of June: 13 1/2 by SharonOlds

Stumble Upon Toolbar

Thursday, June 26, 2008

But...What About Snakes?

Rebecca over at Musings Of A Mum Of 4 recently posted her list of 'nevers' so I thought I'd give it a shot. But apparently I'm pretty open minded because I actually had a hard time coming up with 20 things!

  1. I will never like snakes.
  2. I will never wear a bikini.
  3. I will never eat octopus.
  4. I will never understand why people don't recycle.
  5. I will never like snakes.
  6. I will never learn how to drive a stick.
  7. I will never be the perfect wife and mother.
  8. I will never stop trying to be the perfect wife and mother.
  9. I will never trust politicians.
  10. I will never like snakes.
  11. I will never again watch The Grudge 2 when I'm home alone at night.
  12. I will never be able to turn back time.
  13. I will never write the great American novel.
  14. I will never understand why people litter.
  15. I will never like snakes.
  16. I will never get why people don't return their shopping carts to the cart corral.
  17. I will never get used to my husband's snoring.
  18. I will never be a waitress again.
  19. I will never win one of Pioneer Woman's giveaways.
  20. I WILL NEVER LIKE SNAKES!

Stumble Upon Toolbar

Wednesday, June 25, 2008

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

I Heart UPS

I think my UPS man likes me. Look at all the goodies he brought me last week! Since I only average one book per month, this stack of brain food should last me through the year. I'm just not sure which one I should start on first:


Snow Flower and the Secret Fan--Lisa See
Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China-- Jung Chang
Free Food for Millionaires--Min Jin Lee
Then We Came to the End--Joshua Ferris
A Thousand Splendid Suns--Khaled Hosseini
Water For Elephants--Sara Gruen
Animal, Vegetable, Miracle--Barbara Kingsolver
She Got Up Off the Couch--Haven Kimmel


You know who else likes me? The DHL man. He should be bringing me a coffee maker later on this week. I was reading Toni's Blog the other day and she provided a link for a free Senseo coffeemaker--you just fill out a survey "correctly" and pay $15 for shipping. While I'm an espresso junkie, WD is the coffee drinker of the house and he's really looking forward to having a coffee maker again--Little pup broke ours a few years ago (apparently a glass carafe and a 1 year old don't mix).

Okay, Fed Ex, your turn.

Stumble Upon Toolbar

Monday, June 23, 2008

Infineon

Angie is reviewing Sand and Sable perfume today. Check it out!



I feel for these Nascar drivers this week. Well, the guys that drive their haulers, anyway. They were in California yesterday at Infineon Raceway and have to travel clear across the country to New Hampshire for next Sunday's race. That's a lot of miles. Wouldn't it make more sense to put Chicago's race in there, then move on the New Hampshire? Mike Helton, I'm looking at you....

While I wait for a response from Mr. Helton, did anyone check out the planes that flew over during Nikki Blonsky's rendition of the Star Spangled Banner? They were A-10's. That's right. A-10's from the 188th Arkansas Air National Guard. We were barely able to contain our excitement here at the home of the lazy dog. Apparently, it doesn't take much to excite us.


By the way, did anyone realize that Elliott Sadler is a pretty good road course racer? He is. He started sixth and consistently ran in the top ten all day. It even looked like he had a shot at winning towards the end when he was in fourth place with 3 laps to go. But for an Elliott Sadler fan, that is too good to be true. His tire started going flat and he started losing positions. He managed to finish but as soon as he crossed the finish line his tire gave out and he hit the wall. He was okay. He ended up in 19th place and gained 1 spot in the standings at 25--we need top 12 to make the Chase.


Kyle Busch gets the win, Brian Simo gets the red lantern, and we're in New Hampshire next Sunday. Unless Mike Helton takes my advice, then we're in Chicago.

Stumble Upon Toolbar

Friday, June 20, 2008

Shimmy

Okay, I need to add one more random thing about me to yesterdays meme: I LOVE that show Shimmy. Have you ever seen it? It's not really a show but an instructional belly dancing series on Fit TV. It's completely mesmerizing and I'm so envious of the dancers. WD hates it when he catches me watching it because I'll wonder aloud "why can't I look like that?" and he has the misfortune of pointing out the empty package of Oreos that's right beside me on the couch.

Belly Dancer by Diane Wakoski

Stumble Upon Toolbar

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Arte Y Pico Award

Hey, look what I got! It's an Art and Creativity Award. Kristen over at La Dolce Vita gave it to me. But really, she's the artsy one. Check out her gorgeous jewelry. I love her 'Initial' necklaces and especially her 'I Love You More' necklace because it reminds me so much of Little pup.

Thanks Kristen!

Stumble Upon Toolbar

A Meme! A Meme!

I saw this on a blog somewhere but for the life of me I can't remember which one. Probably several as it is a popular meme, but still, I wish I could give a shout out. Oh, and I'm not tagging anyone but if anyone needs an idea for a post this is a good one!

6 Random Things About Me

1. Whenever I forget to put out the trash on trash day--I get really mad at myself. I feel like I'm throwing away money by paying for trash service and then not giving them the trash to pick up.

2. My husband and I have had some rocky times in our marriage. At one point, I didn't wear my wedding ring for a year. That man can make me spit nails sometimes.

3. I have a crush on Tom Berenger. I think I've seen the movie Platoon 4,361 times.

4. My fingernail on my middle finger on my left hand is the worst fingernail in the world. It constantly splits right in the middle.

5. I find it quite enjoyable to type the words 'although' and 'decided'.

6. My college diploma says that I minored in Secondary Education but guess what? There's no such thing. When I filled out my paperwork to have the diploma printed up, I couldn't think of the correct term 'Teacher Education' so I put down Secondary Ed instead. I kind of thought that UALR would correct it. They didn't. If I had known that I could've written down anything, I would have written that I had minored in Occupational Superhero Skills. And then showed up in a Wonder Wonder costume.

Stumble Upon Toolbar

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Sour Cream Coconut Cake

The last time I had made this cake was for WD's birthday a couple of years ago. I've really been craving it lately so Father's Day was the perfect excuse to make it again. This cake needs to be prepared a couple of days in advance. That way, the sour cream has time to mellow out and not taste so 'sour creamy'. Which means, if you have a 4 year old like I do, you get to hear "I want cake! I want cake!" for 2 days straight.



Sour Cream Coconut Cake


1 box white cake mix (plus ingredients on back of box)
2 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 (16 oz) container sour cream
1 (8 oz) container extra creamy cool whip
3 cups coconut, divided use


Bake cake according to package instructions using 2 (9 inch) cake pans; cool.
In a bowl, mix by hand powdered sugar, vanilla, sour cream and cool whip. Save a small amount of coconut for sprinkling on top of cake. Stir remaining coconut into icing. Spread between cake layers. Sprinkle reserved coconut on top. Cover and place in refrigerator overnight.

Stumble Upon Toolbar

Monday, June 16, 2008

Michigan

Angie is reviewing the Ped Egg today. Check it out!


I hope everyone had a great Father's Day! WD's dad and stepmom drove up from Pine Bluff and I fixed way too much food but at least it was enough for both lunch and dinner.

And just in case you missed it, THIS IS JEFF GORDON'S FIRST FATHER'S DAY AS A DAD! TNT really wants you to know that.

So after Bill Engvall delivered the command: "My four favorite words are...gentlemen, start your engines!" We loaded up the 4 wheelers and went for a ride through the Ouachita National Forest. Although we had a lot of fun, we missed the race. But as I was reading the race recap last night, it said: Lap 136--Elliott Sadler is running ninth and having a solid day. I should say so. He started 27th and did end up finishing 9th--his third best finish this year. This moves him up to 26th in the standings. Top 12 makes the Chase.

Dale Earnhardt's son gets the win, Ashley Judd's husband gets the red lantern, and we're at Infineon Raceway for next Sunday's road race.

Stumble Upon Toolbar

Friday, June 13, 2008

A Manly Poem

I braved the greeting card aisle at Walmart yesterday. I browsed through all the manly cards decorated with sailboats and golfing paraphernalia. My Dad and my husband aren't interested in either one. And although they both love fishing, I don't think they've ever used a fishing creel in their lives. So those cards were out of the question, too. I finally decided on a simple, contemporary designed card for Dad and then let the boys make their own cards for WD. It turned out to be a lot of fun. Happy Father's Day to all the Dads out there!

Men At Forty by Donald Justice

Stumble Upon Toolbar

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Elinor The Lazy Dog?

I am Elinor Dashwood!

Take the Quiz here!

I have a confession to make. Forgive me fellow English majors, I have sinned. I have never read Sense and Sensibility. I have no idea how Jane Austen slipped by me but she did. I was visiting Sylvia's blog the other day and noticed she had a Jane Austen quiz on her sidebar. I took the quiz and guess what? I'm most like Elinor Dashwood. So I've picked up a copy of Sense and Sensibility to find out what Ms. Dashwood and I have in common. Is she pragmatic? Is she naturally cautious?Does she occasionally eat a whole box of pop tarts? I'm looking forward to finding out!



Oh, I just finished Isabel Allende's The House of the Spirits and my "review" is here.

Stumble Upon Toolbar

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Hillary Clinton's Chocolate Chip Cookies



Remember 1992? End of the Road by Boys II Men was #1 on the radio, Aladdin was the top grossing movie of the year, Jay Leno replaced Johnny Carson as host of the Tonight Show, and a little show called The Real World made its debut. It was also the year I moved away to college and had pancakes for dinner every night. But let's not dwell on that.

1992 was also the year that Hillary Clinton (in)famously said, "I've done the best I can to lead my life. I suppose I could have stayed home and baked cookies and had teas." Well, the Republicans jumped on that quote like me on a pancake and accused her of belittling stay-at-home-moms. So in order to make amends, Hillary agreed to a chocolate chip cookie bake off between her and Barbara Bush. And, unlike her bid for the democratic presidential nomination, Hillary won. Here's her winning recipe:

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup shortening
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 eggs
2 cups rolled oats
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray baking sheets lightly with cooking spray.
Combine flour, salt and baking soda and set aside.
Beat together shortening, sugars and vanilla in large bowl with electric mixer until creamy.
Add eggs and beat until light and fluffy.
Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in oats and then chocolate chips.
Drop batter by rounded teaspoonfuls onto baking sheets. Bake for 8-10 minutes or till golden. Cool cookies on sheets for 2 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool completely.

VERDICT: We loved them! Although they were thin, they were very chewy and ooey and gooey. I left out the oats because I didn't have any on hand. The next time I make these I probably won't add any either. Very yummy and dare I say, better than the peanut butter chocolate chip cookies I posted a few weeks ago!
Edited to add: The next time I made these, I used half butter and half shortening. Much better!

Stumble Upon Toolbar

Monday, June 9, 2008

Pocono

Got oily skin? My sister does. Check out what she uses to make the shine go away over at her pretty purse blog.


A couple of weeks ago I mentioned that Elliott Sadler needed top 10 finishes here on out to make the Chase. NOT top 40.

He had another disappointing race yesterday at Pocono Raceway. He finished 34th and is holding steady in the points standings at 28th. From lap 86 to lap 109 I was a very happy camper, though. Elliott led the race during those laps, giving him an extra 5 points. And did you notice how he and Tony Stewart were running first and second for a while and Tony "escaped" unscathed? Yeah, that's because Elliott has accidently got into Tony only twice in the history of Nascar. Whatever. Tony will manage to find something else to complain about.


And here's a strange little tidbit for you. Big pup has become a Jeff Gordon fan. You see, Big pup LOVES Thomas the Tank Engine and his favorite train is Gordon sooooooooo.....he's decided to root for Jeff Gordon from now on. Strange.


Kasey Kahne gets the win, wonderboy Kyle Busch gets the red lantern, and we're in Michigan next Sunday for Father's Day.

Stumble Upon Toolbar

Friday, June 6, 2008

200th Post!

Is it really my 200th post!? Wow, I need a vacation. And a life. Away from the computer!

So today we are not only celebrating my 200th post but also the end of T-ball season! Big pup's team played their last game Tuesday. I'm so glad it's over. With 2 practices each week and at least one game a week, I wasn't the only one getting a little burnt out on baseball. I think all the kids were ready for the season to end, too. Big pup had fun, though, and now he wants to play soccer in the fall. Oh, joy.

Hey, know what else happened this past Tuesday? Only the 120 year anniversary of the poem Casey at the Bat. It was first published in the San Francisco Examiner on June 3, 1888 by Ernest L. Thayer. It didn't become famous until a couple of months later when it was performed by a comedian in New York with NY and Chicago baseball players in attendance.

Casey at the Bat by Ernest L. Thayer

The outlook wasn't brilliant for the Mudville nine that day:
The score stood four to two, with but one inning more to play,
And then when Cooney died at first, and Barrows did the same,
A pall-like silence fell upon the patrons of the game.


A straggling few got up to go in deep despair. The rest
Clung to the hope which springs eternal in the human breast;
They thought, "If only Casey could but get a whack at that--
We'd put up even money now, with Casey at the bat."

But Flynn preceded Casey, as did also Jimmy Blake,
And the former was a hoodoo, while the latter was a cake;
So upon that stricken multitude grim melancholy sat,
For there seemed but little chance of Casey getting to the bat.

But Flynn let drive a single, to the wonderment of all,
And Blake, the much despisèd, tore the cover off the ball;
And when the dust had lifted, and men saw what had occurred,
There was Jimmy safe at second and Flynn a-hugging third.

Then from five thousand throats and more there rose a lusty yell;
It rumbled through the valley, it rattled in the dell;
It pounded on the mountain and recoiled upon the flat,
For Casey, mighty Casey, was advancing to the bat.

There was ease in Casey's manner as he stepped into his place;
There was pride in Casey's bearing and a smile lit Casey's face.
And when, responding to the cheers, he lightly doffed his hat,
No stranger in the crowd could doubt 'twas Casey at the bat.

Ten thousand eyes were on him as he rubbed his hands with dirt;
Five thousand tongues applauded when he wiped them on his shirt;
Then while the writhing pitcher ground the ball into his hip,
Defiance flashed in Casey's eye, a sneer curled Casey's lip.

And now the leather-covered sphere came hurtling through the air,
And Casey stood a-watching it in haughty grandeur there.
Close by the sturdy batsman the ball unheeded sped--
"That ain't my style," said Casey. "Strike one!" the umpire said.

From the benches, black with people, there went up a muffled roar,
Like the beating of the storm-waves on a stern and distant shore;
"Kill him! Kill the umpire!" shouted someone on the stand;
And it's likely they'd have killed him had not Casey raised his hand.

With a smile of Christian charity great Casey's visage shone;
He stilled the rising tumult; he bade the game go on;
He signaled to the pitcher, and once more the dun sphere flew;
But Casey still ignored it and the umpire said, "Strike two!"

"Fraud!" cried the maddened thousands, and echo answered "Fraud!"
But one scornful look from Casey and the audience was awed.
They saw his face grow stern and cold, they saw his muscles strain,
And they knew that Casey wouldn't let that ball go by again.

The sneer is gone from Casey's lip, his teeth are clenched in hate,
He pounds with cruel violence his bat upon the plate;
And now the pitcher holds the ball, and now he lets it go,
And now the air is shattered by the force of Casey's blow.

Oh, somewhere in this favored land the sun is shining bright,
The band is playing somewhere, and somewhere hearts are light;
And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout,
But there is no joy in Mudville--mighty Casey has struck out.

Stumble Upon Toolbar

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Traveling Money

I few years ago when we were still living in Benton (AR), I had stopped at Sonic to get...something...who knows. It was a long time ago. Although, it would be a safe bet to say it was a Frito Chili Pie Wrap and a Cherry Dr. Pepper. As part of my change, I got back a one dollar bill with the words http://www.wheresgeorge.com/ written on it. I had heard about this website before. It was started back in 1998 and tracks dollar bills as they travel throughout the country.

Well, I meant to register it with the site but never got around to it so I tucked it in the back of my pocketbook for safekeeping. So 3 years and many chili pie wraps later, I dragged out that dollar and signed up on the website. Turns out my bill was from Mayflower, Arkansas, which really isn't that far from Benton.

So to give it more of a push, WD and I drove to Fort Smith this past weekend and I gave it to a waitress at The Olive Garden. Because she gave me Chicken Gnocchi. And because she didn't get too mad when we switched tables halfway through the meal. And because it wasn't her fault that the condensation from the air conditioning vent was dripping on me. And because she gave us extra Andes mints. I love those mints.

Hopefully someone won't wait 3 years to submit it online like I did.

Stumble Upon Toolbar

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Reason #92

If I wake him up he'll be cranky, the temperature is in the low 80's, there's a nice breeze, I could leave the doors open, he really needs a nap, he's just in the driveway, if I wake him up he'll be cranky, I undid the safety harness on his carseat, he can get out whenever he wakes up, we don't live in the suburbs, there's nobody around, I can see him from the living room and the dining room, if I wake him up he'll be cranky, hmmmm...what to do?...what. to. do?

Stumble Upon Toolbar

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

Triple-Crust Peach Cobbler

When this recipe from Betty Crocker popped up on my igoogle homepage, I had to try it. After all, what is the best part of a pie or cobbler? The crust--that's what! Below are the directions just as Betty has them but I will tell you right now that I cheated and used pre-made pie crusts. And I'll do it again, dadgummit.

3 packages (11 ounces each) Betty Crocker® pie crust mix
1 cup cold water
1 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 teaspoons lemon extract
2 cans (29 ounces each) sliced peaches in syrup, undrained

1. Heat oven to 350ºF. Stir 1 package pie crust mix and 1/3 cup of the cold water until mixture forms a ball. Flatten ball; roll into rectangle, 11x8 inches. Cut into 4 strips, 11x2 inches each. Place strips on ungreased cookie sheet; bake 18 minutes. Set aside.

2. Stir 1 package pie crust mix and 1/3 cup of the cold water until mixture forms a ball. Flatten ball; roll to fit bottom and sides of ungreased rectangular baking dish, 13x9x2 inches. Place in dish; set aside.

3. Stir together sugar, butter, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, lemon extract and peaches in large bowl. Pour half of mixture in baking dish. Arrange the 4 pastry strips on top. Pour remaining half of peach mixture on top.

4. Stir 1 package pie crust mix and remaining 1/3 cup cold water until mixture forms a ball. Flatten ball; roll to fit on top of mixture in baking dish. Cut several holes or slits in crust. Place crust on top of mixture in baking dish; seal to edges of dish.

5. Bake about 1 hour or until crust is golden brown. Store covered in refrigerator.

It turned out great except next time I'm definitely going to drain the peaches. There was way too much liquid in the finished product. I'd say this was a keeper. Behold, the crust:

Stumble Upon Toolbar

Monday, June 2, 2008

The Monster Mile

Elliott Sadler and Nascar doesn't float your boat? The perfect no smudge lipstick does? Click here to see what my sister's favorite lipstick is.



Do I really have to do a Nascar report today? As an Elliott Sadler fan, I really don't want to do a report today. Because he really didn't do so good yesterday. Really.


Okay. Here it goes. On lap 17 (!) he came down on David Gilliland and caused a huge wreck that collected 10 other cars. One of those 10 was Tony Stewart and he was not happy. And definitely not in a good way either. Stewart was so passive-aggressive in his interview that it just solidified my negative opinion of him even more.


Here's what Stewart said: "I take 100% responsibility--it's my fault for being anywhere close to Elliott. If I'm within half a lap of him, I expect that to happen. It's my fault--I'm the one that hit him. When I hit him it caused all the guys behind us to wreck, so it's my fault."


Whatever.


Elliott finished 42nd, dropping him to 28th in the standings. This finishes up the FOX portion of the season. Next week, TNT will carry some races, then ESPN will get a turn, then ABC.


By the way, Elliott's auctioning off the hood of his car from this race benefitting autism awareness. It's actually in pretty good shape considering it being in a wreck that sent him to the garage for good. The current bid is $1800.


Kyle Busch gets the win, Denny Hamlin gets the red lantern, and we're in Pocono next Sunday.

Stumble Upon Toolbar