I love a house full of music. Tonight Ryker and I are watching a show about the top hits of the 70's. In the last hour I have said, "I remember dancing with my Mom to that song", and "I remember my Mom singing that song", countless times. As a child the radio was always on, and Mom was always singing. Unless she was behind the wheel, she was usually dancing as well. I specifically remember learning to do the Jitter Bug to Blackwater by the Doobie Brothers. All that music made for very happy days. The memory of it is very sweet.
I am glad that I married into a musical family. I've been in awe of Carl's guitar playing for years. When he had his band, our house was always rockin', it was awesome! I wish I had recordings of them. Now that Ryker plays, there is hardly a day without some sort of live music in our house. Most recently it's been the ukulele for Ryker.
I am what every musician needs - an appreciative audience.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Thursday, March 19, 2009
On the Road Again
Today was my first full day back on the road. Car troubles are resolved - Woo Hoo!!!!
It is a very disconcerting feeling to be without transportation. It feels akin to claustrophobia to me. I think the common element is the loss of control over your environment. Without transportation I feel trapped and limited, unable to respond to life in the usual manor. We lived for many years with only one car. It was fine then. But now, it doesn't work so well. We are all going in different directions at different times of the day and night. Life is quick and unpredictable.
I am so grateful have the Camero fully functional, licensed, etc. Without Carl I would still be stuck. He did all the fixing and replacing of broken parts. He did all the hard, dirty, crappy work. I just did a lot of standing in line and sitting in the waiting room at Goodyear. Thanks to Carl I have my freedom and sanity back!
It is a very disconcerting feeling to be without transportation. It feels akin to claustrophobia to me. I think the common element is the loss of control over your environment. Without transportation I feel trapped and limited, unable to respond to life in the usual manor. We lived for many years with only one car. It was fine then. But now, it doesn't work so well. We are all going in different directions at different times of the day and night. Life is quick and unpredictable.
I am so grateful have the Camero fully functional, licensed, etc. Without Carl I would still be stuck. He did all the fixing and replacing of broken parts. He did all the hard, dirty, crappy work. I just did a lot of standing in line and sitting in the waiting room at Goodyear. Thanks to Carl I have my freedom and sanity back!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Antique Frosting Recipes
My Grandma Teusink baked and cooked lots of yummy things. I have many fond memories of Grandma and food. I LOVE her canned tomato sauce/juice! Especially made into goulash. She grew those tomatoes, canned them, and than cooked them up with ground beef and noodles. I am afraid that I will never taste that again.
In an effort to rescue these memories and share them with future generations I have asked my Mom to scan all the recipes she has from Grandma. A few weeks ago a large envelope arrived with photo copies of many of these recipes. I love it that they are in Grandma's hand writing. I want to create a something with color scans of them so they are preserved in a digital format.
Today Quincie made a chocolate cake. She frosted it with Grandma's White Frosting. It tastes just like I remember - like fluffy marshmallow! It is a great frosting, and so easy. Grandma gives credit to Yvonne Domogalski for this recipe. I have transcribed the recipe exactly as it is on the hand written card.
White Frosting
In an effort to rescue these memories and share them with future generations I have asked my Mom to scan all the recipes she has from Grandma. A few weeks ago a large envelope arrived with photo copies of many of these recipes. I love it that they are in Grandma's hand writing. I want to create a something with color scans of them so they are preserved in a digital format.
Today Quincie made a chocolate cake. She frosted it with Grandma's White Frosting. It tastes just like I remember - like fluffy marshmallow! It is a great frosting, and so easy. Grandma gives credit to Yvonne Domogalski for this recipe. I have transcribed the recipe exactly as it is on the hand written card.
White Frosting
1 unbeaten egg white
3/4 cup white sugar
1/4 tsp. cream of tarter
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 cup boiling hot water
Mix well with electric mixer til stiff.
Makes a big batch.
(tastes like 7 minute frosting)
A couple weeks ago I made a yellow cake and frosted it with Grandma's chocolate frosting. It was so great! It made me feel like I was a kid again, sitting in Grandma's kitchen, licking a beater.
3/4 cup white sugar
1/4 tsp. cream of tarter
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 cup boiling hot water
Mix well with electric mixer til stiff.
Makes a big batch.
(tastes like 7 minute frosting)
One Minute Frosting
1 cup white sugar
1 stick oleo
1/4 cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla
2 Tablesp. cocoa
Put all ingredients together in pan, bring to boil. (stirring constantly). Boil over med. heat for one minute. Remove from heat - cool to lukewarm. Beat until stiff enough to spread.
I didn't have any "oleo" on hand, so I used real butter. It tasted great, but I think the texture would have been more like Grandma's if I had used oleo. The taste is very similar to fudge. Just awesome!
1 stick oleo
1/4 cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla
2 Tablesp. cocoa
Put all ingredients together in pan, bring to boil. (stirring constantly). Boil over med. heat for one minute. Remove from heat - cool to lukewarm. Beat until stiff enough to spread.
I didn't have any "oleo" on hand, so I used real butter. It tasted great, but I think the texture would have been more like Grandma's if I had used oleo. The taste is very similar to fudge. Just awesome!
Security
Since then several tools have been stolen from the back of Carl's truck while parked in our carport. One day last week, Ryker noticed a tool laying on the trash can, with the power cord stuck under something heavy in the back of the truck. This happened sometime between 6:30am and 11:00am in the middle of the week.
Chester is a great dog, and growing rapidly. He was 31 pounds last week, probably a few more by now. But.... he is not a guard dog. He is little, and cute and sleeps in a warm bed with Ryker all night. He might be a good guard dog one day, but in the meantime, all the good stuff is disappearing from our yard and Carl's truck.
So ..... we are now a 2 dog family. On Friday we were talking about solutions to this problem. Ryker started looking on Craigslist for dogs needing a new home. We found Kai(that name is under review. We are leaning towards Charlie or Clyde), an 18 month old lab/pit bull mix. He was living in a studio apartment in Waikiki and needed to find a new home. He is a great dog!
He loves Carl's truck! He has slept there the last few nights and is happy as can be. Right now he can roam around, but is sitting happily in the back of the truck.Last night I slept well. I feel very safe with him right out side the door. I don't think anything else will go missing, except maybe the arm of the next idiot that sticks his hand in the back of Carl's truck!
Monday, March 9, 2009
Kimberly is calling
I drove by Kimberly's house again today. I didn't realize where I was until I saw it out of the corner of my eye. I didn't mean to go down that street, certainly wasn't ready for that just yet. It was the traffic, and old habits, that took me there. I just can't stand to sit at a red light. Dang my impatience! It's always causing me grief. Today was no different.
The empty green chair was sitting there, slightly rocking in the breeze. The gently movement is what first caught my eye. The way the light was coming through the leaves of the willow tree, and the slight rocking of the chair, it's as if she were there, like old times, rocking and laughing, long blond hair flowing like the delicate branches of the tree. The tinkling of the wind chimes could have been her laughter .....
"What kind of idiot are you?" screamed the lady behind me as her horn so rudely tossed me from my pleasant dream back to the harsh reality of loneliness. "The dumbest sort there is Ma'am", I replied. Boy, isn't that the truth! Dumb for turning down this street, dumb for leaving the office right at 5pm, dumb for letting her go, dumb for so many, many things. This traffic mishap was the least of my recent stupidity.
--
I have started, and shared, a few fictional stories. It has been months since I have felt like writing, and I wasn't sure if I would ever finish them. I know I want to write stories, but I thought maybe these first ideas and characters were duds and that I should start over someday, with new ideas. Lately I keep thinking about them. It sounds weird, and a bit cliche, but it's like the characters are my friends. I care about them and want to work out their stories. I want to know what happens to Kimberly as she figures out the mystery of the dead Kirby guy. Since I am the one that invented the quandary, I need to figure out how the rest of the story unfolds.
I keep thinking about that house, the one with the red bricks and concrete. I see the green chair on the porch, and the people laughing and talking. I can feel the texture of the concrete, and the imprint it leaves on my hands from sitting there. There is a story there. I started it months ago, and posted it as "Cracks in the Concrete". What I wrote above sort of describes another one of the scenes in my mind. It needs more work, but I want to write as the thoughts come, rather than waiting for them to be perfect. This new hobby is certainly a work in progress.
To answer Tif's question, I think that maybe my entire brain was missing in action as it flopped from left to right, or something like that.
The empty green chair was sitting there, slightly rocking in the breeze. The gently movement is what first caught my eye. The way the light was coming through the leaves of the willow tree, and the slight rocking of the chair, it's as if she were there, like old times, rocking and laughing, long blond hair flowing like the delicate branches of the tree. The tinkling of the wind chimes could have been her laughter .....
"What kind of idiot are you?" screamed the lady behind me as her horn so rudely tossed me from my pleasant dream back to the harsh reality of loneliness. "The dumbest sort there is Ma'am", I replied. Boy, isn't that the truth! Dumb for turning down this street, dumb for leaving the office right at 5pm, dumb for letting her go, dumb for so many, many things. This traffic mishap was the least of my recent stupidity.
--
I have started, and shared, a few fictional stories. It has been months since I have felt like writing, and I wasn't sure if I would ever finish them. I know I want to write stories, but I thought maybe these first ideas and characters were duds and that I should start over someday, with new ideas. Lately I keep thinking about them. It sounds weird, and a bit cliche, but it's like the characters are my friends. I care about them and want to work out their stories. I want to know what happens to Kimberly as she figures out the mystery of the dead Kirby guy. Since I am the one that invented the quandary, I need to figure out how the rest of the story unfolds.
I keep thinking about that house, the one with the red bricks and concrete. I see the green chair on the porch, and the people laughing and talking. I can feel the texture of the concrete, and the imprint it leaves on my hands from sitting there. There is a story there. I started it months ago, and posted it as "Cracks in the Concrete". What I wrote above sort of describes another one of the scenes in my mind. It needs more work, but I want to write as the thoughts come, rather than waiting for them to be perfect. This new hobby is certainly a work in progress.
To answer Tif's question, I think that maybe my entire brain was missing in action as it flopped from left to right, or something like that.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Brain Hemisphere
A friend sent me a brain hemisphere quiz yesterday. You might have seen it, the one with the dancer spinning. There is some controversy regarding the accuracy of this particular test. Intrigued, I googled the subject and took a few more tests, all with the same result. Apparently, my quest for a more scientific test also indicates my left brain dominance.
Here is a quick test. Fold your hands together, with your fingers interlaced. Which thumb is on top? According to some experts, if your right thumb is on top, you are predominately right brained, and vice versa. For a quiz that requires you to think, click on the link at the very bottom of this post.
So, what does it mean to be a left brain dominate person? It means that I make lists, am pretty good at solving problems using logic, and you should ask someone else to draw you a pretty picture. All things that I knew before getting dizzy, or taking any quiz.
Here is a quick test. Fold your hands together, with your fingers interlaced. Which thumb is on top? According to some experts, if your right thumb is on top, you are predominately right brained, and vice versa. For a quiz that requires you to think, click on the link at the very bottom of this post.
So, what does it mean to be a left brain dominate person? It means that I make lists, am pretty good at solving problems using logic, and you should ask someone else to draw you a pretty picture. All things that I knew before getting dizzy, or taking any quiz.
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(14)Monday, February 23, 2009
An Analogy
My closet mirrors my life. First off, I share a closet with my daughter. It is sort of divided in half, but not really. We wear each other's clothes, and some of them hang in the middle because they are not totally mine, or totally hers. Secondly, there are no doors on the closet. The underwear and stuff like that go in drawers, but the majority are hanging there, visible to all.
Some pieces I chose carefully. Others were thoughtful gifts from those that know and love me. Some items were cast offs that someone else no longer wanted. Quite a few were selected in a hurry, out of necessity. Many were great deals found on the clearance rack or at a thrift store. Some I like, some I love, and some I would be happy to get rid of.
What would my closet look like if I thoughtfully and carefully chose every item? Well, those pants that have snaps on the legs that rattle when I walk wouldn't be there! They were obviously purchased in a hurry. If I had tried them on, I would not own them. They drive me nuts! The shoes that pinch (cast off), the dress that makes me feel claustrophobic (clearance rack), and skirt that fits funky (thrift store), would ALL be gone.
I would keep the crisp blue wrap around blouse and paisley skirt that I fell in love with the first time I saw it. I didn't need them, just wanted them, and loved them. I would keep the Calvin Klein jeans I bought at Costco. They fit perfectly and were a deal. The skirt I bought with a gift card from my step dad years ago is a keeper. So is the velvety red bathrobe that was a Christmas present from my Mom. Every time I wear it I think of her. It's sorta like my daily Mom hug. Corny I know, but true!
So, how is your life like your closet? Do you share it with someone you love? Are your doors off and open for the world to know what's inside? Are your private things safely tucked away out of public view?
Is your life full of gifts that make you smile? Do you still have the one you fell in love with the first time you laid your eyes upon? Have you found your perfect fit? Do you cherish your daily hugs?
Is it time to say good bye to the things that hurt, annoy, or otherwise, just don't work? It is time to be more deliberate about choices. Everything that is offered, even if free or really, really cheap, is not worthy of closet space.
Some pieces I chose carefully. Others were thoughtful gifts from those that know and love me. Some items were cast offs that someone else no longer wanted. Quite a few were selected in a hurry, out of necessity. Many were great deals found on the clearance rack or at a thrift store. Some I like, some I love, and some I would be happy to get rid of.
What would my closet look like if I thoughtfully and carefully chose every item? Well, those pants that have snaps on the legs that rattle when I walk wouldn't be there! They were obviously purchased in a hurry. If I had tried them on, I would not own them. They drive me nuts! The shoes that pinch (cast off), the dress that makes me feel claustrophobic (clearance rack), and skirt that fits funky (thrift store), would ALL be gone.
I would keep the crisp blue wrap around blouse and paisley skirt that I fell in love with the first time I saw it. I didn't need them, just wanted them, and loved them. I would keep the Calvin Klein jeans I bought at Costco. They fit perfectly and were a deal. The skirt I bought with a gift card from my step dad years ago is a keeper. So is the velvety red bathrobe that was a Christmas present from my Mom. Every time I wear it I think of her. It's sorta like my daily Mom hug. Corny I know, but true!
So, how is your life like your closet? Do you share it with someone you love? Are your doors off and open for the world to know what's inside? Are your private things safely tucked away out of public view?
Is your life full of gifts that make you smile? Do you still have the one you fell in love with the first time you laid your eyes upon? Have you found your perfect fit? Do you cherish your daily hugs?
Is it time to say good bye to the things that hurt, annoy, or otherwise, just don't work? It is time to be more deliberate about choices. Everything that is offered, even if free or really, really cheap, is not worthy of closet space.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
A Little Something You Can Do
If you leave your house, or turn on any form of media, you will be hit with a wave of negativity. The economy is in the tank. That isn't really news to most of us. All the regular people have been experiencing it for awhile now. At least now we don't have to feel like it is something we did personally, now it is just "the economy", not the consequences of our poor decisions, bad luck, or lack of talent. It's nice to have some nebulous entity to blame for our woes. Taking personal responsibility doesn't feel so good. In fact, it is down right depressing. Or is it?
If you accept the media message, then you are powerless, a victim of the whims of the global economy. If it is your fault, that means that you are powerful. All you need to do is start using your power for good, rather than evil. Or for success, rather than failure. You are powerful. You are intelligent, and have the ability to act for yourself. You are not a robot, and you are not a victim. Stand up and do something!
What to do? Well, here are a few small things that pretty much everyone can do.
1. Don't listen to all that negative crap. Turn it off. It isn't news and it doesn't help.
2. Be grateful for what you have. Make a list and think about it often. You might not have everything, but you have something, and I bet what you do have is pretty awesome.
3. Give. Pay your tithing, donate to a worthy cause, give your unused stuff to a thrifty store. Give a smile, a hug, a word of encouragement, to someone everyday.
4. Buy something, preferably from someone you know. If we all became customers of those we know, we would bless the lives of each other. We don't need the government to print more fake money to get the economy moving. Businesses need customers. If you own a business, isn't this what will save you? Isn't this how you pay the bills and make payroll? So, think about who you know that has a product or service that you can use, and become a customer. Here are some of my friends that you can buy something from in case you live in a cave and the only thing you do on the internet is read my blog. :-)
My cousin Amanda sells Avon. I will start with her because her name starts with A and so does her business, so alphabetically speaking, she is the obvious choice. I hadn't used Avon in years, but she took the time to send me an email a few weeks ago so I thought I would take a look. They sell a lot of products that I would normally buy at WalMart. I think WalMart has enough money. Amanda could probably make better use of my few dollars and WalMart would never miss me. They ship for free, even to Hawaii! That is a big deal and I won't soon forget it!! Here is a link to her website.
My good friend Tammy Dugaw sells Mary Kay. I have been using a few of their products for years, and again, I would rather buy from a friend. They recently changed their lipstick formula. It no longer tastes/smell like perfume. It is yummy! Here is a link to her website. www.marykay.com/tdugaw
If you are looking for something special, like, say a belated Valentine's day gift, my friend Joella has a TON of beautiful jewelry on her site www.threefoldgifts.com It is very affordable and good quality. Joella is awesome and it would directly benefit a real, American family if you bought something from her. She also does personalized adoption gifts. If you know someone who is adopting, her site is the best place to find a truly unique and thoughtful gift.
Joella is very enterprising, and has another site selling some really cool silk wraps. That site is at www.themagicskirt.com I own a few, and they are beautiful and fun to wear.
If you want to buy a Corvette, or maybe just a Corvette t-shirt, then go to http://www.corvettecenterusa.com/. My brother Rik will treat you right!
Cherie makes the most delicious home made jams, sauces and meat rubs. You can't go wrong with any of her products. Sweet Darling Jams are awesome! She ships anywhere, even to Hawaii! If you want a taste test I might be willing to share :-).
In various states, I know people that are massage therapists, hair stylists, run yoga studios, do photography, and create all kinds of beautiful things. There are opportunities everywhere to be a customer for someone that you know. Buying from our friends is the grass roots way to stimulate the economy. If you have a business, and I didn't include you in this blog, please post all the details in a comment. I want to include everyone. Let's take control of our mutual success and prosperity!
If you accept the media message, then you are powerless, a victim of the whims of the global economy. If it is your fault, that means that you are powerful. All you need to do is start using your power for good, rather than evil. Or for success, rather than failure. You are powerful. You are intelligent, and have the ability to act for yourself. You are not a robot, and you are not a victim. Stand up and do something!
What to do? Well, here are a few small things that pretty much everyone can do.
1. Don't listen to all that negative crap. Turn it off. It isn't news and it doesn't help.
2. Be grateful for what you have. Make a list and think about it often. You might not have everything, but you have something, and I bet what you do have is pretty awesome.
3. Give. Pay your tithing, donate to a worthy cause, give your unused stuff to a thrifty store. Give a smile, a hug, a word of encouragement, to someone everyday.
4. Buy something, preferably from someone you know. If we all became customers of those we know, we would bless the lives of each other. We don't need the government to print more fake money to get the economy moving. Businesses need customers. If you own a business, isn't this what will save you? Isn't this how you pay the bills and make payroll? So, think about who you know that has a product or service that you can use, and become a customer. Here are some of my friends that you can buy something from in case you live in a cave and the only thing you do on the internet is read my blog. :-)
My cousin Amanda sells Avon. I will start with her because her name starts with A and so does her business, so alphabetically speaking, she is the obvious choice. I hadn't used Avon in years, but she took the time to send me an email a few weeks ago so I thought I would take a look. They sell a lot of products that I would normally buy at WalMart. I think WalMart has enough money. Amanda could probably make better use of my few dollars and WalMart would never miss me. They ship for free, even to Hawaii! That is a big deal and I won't soon forget it!! Here is a link to her website.
My good friend Tammy Dugaw sells Mary Kay. I have been using a few of their products for years, and again, I would rather buy from a friend. They recently changed their lipstick formula. It no longer tastes/smell like perfume. It is yummy! Here is a link to her website. www.marykay.com/tdugaw
If you are looking for something special, like, say a belated Valentine's day gift, my friend Joella has a TON of beautiful jewelry on her site www.threefoldgifts.com It is very affordable and good quality. Joella is awesome and it would directly benefit a real, American family if you bought something from her. She also does personalized adoption gifts. If you know someone who is adopting, her site is the best place to find a truly unique and thoughtful gift.
Joella is very enterprising, and has another site selling some really cool silk wraps. That site is at www.themagicskirt.com I own a few, and they are beautiful and fun to wear.
If you want to buy a Corvette, or maybe just a Corvette t-shirt, then go to http://www.corvettecenterusa.com/. My brother Rik will treat you right!
Cherie makes the most delicious home made jams, sauces and meat rubs. You can't go wrong with any of her products. Sweet Darling Jams are awesome! She ships anywhere, even to Hawaii! If you want a taste test I might be willing to share :-).
In various states, I know people that are massage therapists, hair stylists, run yoga studios, do photography, and create all kinds of beautiful things. There are opportunities everywhere to be a customer for someone that you know. Buying from our friends is the grass roots way to stimulate the economy. If you have a business, and I didn't include you in this blog, please post all the details in a comment. I want to include everyone. Let's take control of our mutual success and prosperity!
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