Our nephew, Dustin Lowe has sent this to me as an e-mail, but I thought I would include this
in my blog. Maybe you can pass it along to your friends this way. Dustin is a police officer and
knows of what he speaks.
The man that sent this information is a computer tech. He spends a lot of time clearing the junk off computers for people and listens to complaints about speed. All forwards are not bad, just some. Be sure you read the very last paragraph.
*****
He wrote:
By now, I suspect everyone is familiar with snopes.com and/or truthorfiction.com * for determining
whether information received via email is just that: true/false or fact/fiction. Both are
excellent sites. *(Note from Donna--I also use FactCheck.)
*****
Advice from snopes.com VERY IMPORTANT!!
1. Any time you see an email that says "forward this on to '10' (or however many) of your friends", "sign this petition", or "you'll get bad luck" or "you'll get good luck" or "you'll see something funny on your screen after you send it" or whatever---it almost always has an email
tracker program attached that tracks the cookies and emails of those folks you forward to.
The host sender is getting a copy each time it gets forwarded and then is able to get lists of 'active'
email addresses to use in SPAM emails or sell to other spammers. Even when you get emails that demand you send email on if you're not ashamed of God/Jesus---that is email tracking, and they are playing on your conscience. These people don't care how they get your email addresses--just as long as they get them. Also, emails that talk about a missing child or a child with an incurable disease "how would you feel if that was your child"--email tracking. Ignore them and don't participate!
2. Almost all emails that ask you to add your name and forward on to others are similar to that mass letter years ago that asked people to send business cards to the little kid in Florida who wanted to break the Guinness Book of Records for the most cards.
All it was, and all any of this type of email is, is a way to get names and 'cookie' tracking information for telemarketers and spammers--to validate active email accounts for their own profitable purposes.
You can do your friends and family members a GREAT favor by sending this information to them. You will be providing a service to your friends. And you will be rewarded by not getting thousands of spam emails in the future!
Do yourself a favor and STOP adding your name(s) to those types of listings regardless how
inviting they might sound! Or make you feel guilty if you don't. It's all about getting email addresses and nothing more.
You may think you are supporting a GREAT cause, but you are NOT! Instead, you will be getting tons of junk mail later and very possibly a virus attached! Plus, we are helping the spammers
get rich! Let's not make it easy for them!
ALSO: Email petitions are NOT acceptable to congress or any other organization - i.e. social security, etc. To be acceptable. petitions must have a "signed signature" and full address of the person signing the petition, so this is a waste of time and you are helping the email trackers.
Tips for Handling Telemarketers: Three Little words that Work!!
1. The three little words are: 'Hold On, Please....'
Saying this, while putting down your phone and walking off (instead of hanging-up immediately) would make each telemarketing call so much more time-consuming that boiler room sales would grind to a halt.
Then when you eventually hear the phone company's 'beep-beep-beep' tone, you know it's time to go back and hang up your handset, which has efficiently completed its task. Those three
little words will help eliminate telephone soliciting..
2. Do you ever get those annoying phone calls with no one on the other end?
This is a telemarketing technique where a machine makes phone calls and records the time of day when a person answers the phone.
This technique is used to determine the best time of day for a 'real' sales person to get someone at home.
What you can do after answering, if you notice no one is there, is to immediately start hitting you # button on the phone, 6 or 7 times as quickly as possible. This confuses the machine that dialed the call, and it kicks your number out of their system. Gosh, what a shame not to have your name in their system any longer!!
3. Junk Mail Help: When you get 'ads' enclosed with your phone or utility bill, return these 'ads' with your payment. Let the sending companies throw their own juk mail away.
When you get those 'pre-approved' letters in the mail for everything from credit cards to 2nd
mortgages and similar type junk, do not throw away the return envelope. Most of these come with post-paid return envelopes, right? It costs them more than the regular 44 cents postage,
if and when they receive them back,
It costs them nothing if you throw them away! The postage was around 50 cents before the last increase and it is according to the weight. In that case, why not get rid of some of your other junk mail and put it in these cool little, postage-paid return envelopes.
One of Andy Rooney's 60 Minutes Ideas:
Send an ad for your local chimney cleaner to American Express. Send a pizza coupon to Citibank. If you don't get anything else that day, then just send them their blank application back. If you want to remain anonymous, just make sure your name isn't on anything you send them.
The banks and credit card companies are currently getting a lot of their own junk mail back in the mail, but folks, we need to OVERWHELM them. Let's let them know what it's like to get lots of junk mail, and best of all they're paying for it--Twice.
Let's keep our postal service busy since they are saying that email is cutting into their business profits, and that's why they need to increase postage costs again. You get the idea!
If enough people follow these tips, it will work--I have been doing this for years, and I get very little junk mail anymore.
Monday, January 31, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Kaboom.
For two weeks in a row, I trudged through the snow to go to my weekly beauty shop appointment (yeah, I know--but Sam does try so hard!) and on the third week, I decided I
couldn't go through it again, so called and cancelled.
Yesterday, was the best day of several days, so I had optimistic hopes and when I arrived
at the beauty shop, was happy to see the sidewalk was cleaned off--except for about a 2-inch
wide skiff of frozen snow!
I thought that would be easy to negotiate with my cane--but I was wrong. I fell KABOOM! trying to step
over that little bit of snow. There's nothing more interesting than when an arthritic body
hits the ground--hard. I have to say, though, that Scott Wooley's glasses are tough. My face ended up in the snow and I heard a crunch, and was so afraid I had broken my glasses, but when we got the
snow cleaned off of them--they were fine.
As the evening wore on and new day passed, I have sore spots where I didn't even know I had spots.
The real miracle is that I was not seriously hurt--except for my ego--when Jim had to come and get me (with Sam's help) up off of the concrete.
All I can say is that my guardian angel must be one tough broad as she tried to cushion this body of mine. Jim has been trying to get me to go with a walker--and that time may have come!
I'm so thankful there were no broken bones!
couldn't go through it again, so called and cancelled.
Yesterday, was the best day of several days, so I had optimistic hopes and when I arrived
at the beauty shop, was happy to see the sidewalk was cleaned off--except for about a 2-inch
wide skiff of frozen snow!
I thought that would be easy to negotiate with my cane--but I was wrong. I fell KABOOM! trying to step
over that little bit of snow. There's nothing more interesting than when an arthritic body
hits the ground--hard. I have to say, though, that Scott Wooley's glasses are tough. My face ended up in the snow and I heard a crunch, and was so afraid I had broken my glasses, but when we got the
snow cleaned off of them--they were fine.
As the evening wore on and new day passed, I have sore spots where I didn't even know I had spots.
The real miracle is that I was not seriously hurt--except for my ego--when Jim had to come and get me (with Sam's help) up off of the concrete.
All I can say is that my guardian angel must be one tough broad as she tried to cushion this body of mine. Jim has been trying to get me to go with a walker--and that time may have come!
I'm so thankful there were no broken bones!
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Car Show
I notice the Car Show is being held in St. Louis. This is an annual winter tradition and Jim and
I have attended more car shows than I care to count. Jim loves, loves, loves cars and at first I was excited (kind of) about accompanying him until I realized how much walking was required and how many nearly naked ladies (models) were there showing off the cars, as well as
showing off their wares, if you know what I mean.
Those shows are huge and there are hundreds of cars and Jim wouldn't just casually walk by and
admire the new cars, he really looked them over. I soon found out that after we had walked all around the car show, we still weren't done looking--he would go around the second time. B-O-R-I-N-G!!
I'll never forget one particular car show there in St. Louis, though. That has been several years ago, but I was already having difficulty in walking, so Jim suggested that he let me out at the
front door, and he would then drive to the parking area, and ride the shuttle back to the show.
It sounded reasonable enough to me. I started out just standing by the front door, where I had
been dropped, but it seemed that the simple ride back on the shuttle bus was taking an awfully long time, and as the minutes changed into half hours, I began pacing.
Did I understand correctly that he would arrive back at the front door, where he dropped me?
I began to saunter toward the other doors in the building, but still no Jim. An hour had passed
by this time and I know you will be surprised to hear this about me--but paranoia began to
set in.
Oh, my gosh! My loving husband of many, many years had brought me to the BIG city to dump
me. I never carry any money with me, and this point was causing me much stress. I always
have to have a Plan B, so my mind was racing--I could (in an emergency--and this was fast becoming one) hire a taxi to take me back to Flora, but would a taxi cab take a credit card?
After about an hour and a half, Jim finally straggled in the front door. I couldn't make up my mind whether to kiss him or kill him!
It turns out the shuttle bus had become involved in an accident at the parking lot, and although
it wasn't serious, Jim said he could tell that lots and lots of paperwork was going to have to be
done, so finally he took off on foot to get back to the show. Soon after that, we solved the car show problem. He took our son with him to those car shows, and I stayed at home, where I belonged!
I've often wondered how much it would have cost to have a taxi bring me home--and would he have taken
my credit card?
I have attended more car shows than I care to count. Jim loves, loves, loves cars and at first I was excited (kind of) about accompanying him until I realized how much walking was required and how many nearly naked ladies (models) were there showing off the cars, as well as
showing off their wares, if you know what I mean.
Those shows are huge and there are hundreds of cars and Jim wouldn't just casually walk by and
admire the new cars, he really looked them over. I soon found out that after we had walked all around the car show, we still weren't done looking--he would go around the second time. B-O-R-I-N-G!!
I'll never forget one particular car show there in St. Louis, though. That has been several years ago, but I was already having difficulty in walking, so Jim suggested that he let me out at the
front door, and he would then drive to the parking area, and ride the shuttle back to the show.
It sounded reasonable enough to me. I started out just standing by the front door, where I had
been dropped, but it seemed that the simple ride back on the shuttle bus was taking an awfully long time, and as the minutes changed into half hours, I began pacing.
Did I understand correctly that he would arrive back at the front door, where he dropped me?
I began to saunter toward the other doors in the building, but still no Jim. An hour had passed
by this time and I know you will be surprised to hear this about me--but paranoia began to
set in.
Oh, my gosh! My loving husband of many, many years had brought me to the BIG city to dump
me. I never carry any money with me, and this point was causing me much stress. I always
have to have a Plan B, so my mind was racing--I could (in an emergency--and this was fast becoming one) hire a taxi to take me back to Flora, but would a taxi cab take a credit card?
After about an hour and a half, Jim finally straggled in the front door. I couldn't make up my mind whether to kiss him or kill him!
It turns out the shuttle bus had become involved in an accident at the parking lot, and although
it wasn't serious, Jim said he could tell that lots and lots of paperwork was going to have to be
done, so finally he took off on foot to get back to the show. Soon after that, we solved the car show problem. He took our son with him to those car shows, and I stayed at home, where I belonged!
I've often wondered how much it would have cost to have a taxi bring me home--and would he have taken
my credit card?
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
EXTREME CALL WAITING.
I read about some new trends in funeral and burial services in a newspaper article recently. I had no idea how things were progressing on the burial front. The newspaper story said that items near and dear to the deceased are being placed in the coffin with the body. It claimed that caskets now have pockets built in so that personal items can be added.
Needless to say, this has caused some bizarre items to be tossed in the coffin. A can of beer, a big cigar and a lighter were placed with one gentleman. In another case, a fishing pole was placed alongside the dearly departed. Sports memorabilia are among the most popular items to be added to the casket. I guess if you are a sports enthusiast, you want to Rah-Rah to the end.
Lots of people go to their reward dressed in clothing depicting their favorite ball team. That's what you call being a fan to the end!
One of the strangest things the paper described in the article was the placement of a cell phone, turned on and in the suit pocket of the deceased. Members of the family would call the cell phone number and leave messages from time to time. Wouldn't they have been surprised if he had answered!
During the funeral service for this man, the cell phone did ring, and needless to say, this was kind of unsettling to the minister who was handling the service, as well as to those people attending the last rites.
The family defended their decision to send the cell phone to the grave with the man, saying that everyone who knew him was aware of his love for his cell phone.
This made me think I should be making arrangements for Jim and for me. There is no doubt in my mind, Jim would like to be buried with a Lexus he once owned, but I don't think I can afford a plot that big. To be honest with you, I never did like that car, and as far as I am concerned, that would be a good place for it--six feet under!
The one thing I have always said I would send into eternity with Jim would be the remote control. There is no doubt in my mind that if he passes on at home, he will be clutching the remote in his cold, lifeless hand. Since he likes to listen to music WHILE he watches TV sometimes he holds two remote controls, but personally I think throwing two remote controls in the coffin would be tacky, don't you?
I'll bet at this point, you are DYING to know what I want placed in my casket. I would like a cookbook and a cake pan. Now, these choices should not surprise you, since you know I love to cook and love to eat, and besides, haven't you ever heard of angel food cake?
Needless to say, this has caused some bizarre items to be tossed in the coffin. A can of beer, a big cigar and a lighter were placed with one gentleman. In another case, a fishing pole was placed alongside the dearly departed. Sports memorabilia are among the most popular items to be added to the casket. I guess if you are a sports enthusiast, you want to Rah-Rah to the end.
Lots of people go to their reward dressed in clothing depicting their favorite ball team. That's what you call being a fan to the end!
One of the strangest things the paper described in the article was the placement of a cell phone, turned on and in the suit pocket of the deceased. Members of the family would call the cell phone number and leave messages from time to time. Wouldn't they have been surprised if he had answered!
During the funeral service for this man, the cell phone did ring, and needless to say, this was kind of unsettling to the minister who was handling the service, as well as to those people attending the last rites.
The family defended their decision to send the cell phone to the grave with the man, saying that everyone who knew him was aware of his love for his cell phone.
This made me think I should be making arrangements for Jim and for me. There is no doubt in my mind, Jim would like to be buried with a Lexus he once owned, but I don't think I can afford a plot that big. To be honest with you, I never did like that car, and as far as I am concerned, that would be a good place for it--six feet under!
The one thing I have always said I would send into eternity with Jim would be the remote control. There is no doubt in my mind that if he passes on at home, he will be clutching the remote in his cold, lifeless hand. Since he likes to listen to music WHILE he watches TV sometimes he holds two remote controls, but personally I think throwing two remote controls in the coffin would be tacky, don't you?
I'll bet at this point, you are DYING to know what I want placed in my casket. I would like a cookbook and a cake pan. Now, these choices should not surprise you, since you know I love to cook and love to eat, and besides, haven't you ever heard of angel food cake?
Monday, January 24, 2011
I forgot to include the most interesting tidbit about the Lt. Robert E. Lee (senior moment!).
It was a replica of the famous Robert E. Lee steamboat, made famous in the race in June of 1870 from New Orleans to St. Louis between the Natchez VI and the Lee.
Captain John Cannon of the Lee stripped the Robert E. Lee of excess weight and even refused to carry passengers or cargo. The Capt. of the Natchez, however, refused to lighten his load and
the Robert E. Lee beat the Natchez by several hours. The Lee made the trip in 3 days, 21 hours
and 58 minutes.
There has to be a life lesson in there somewhere--maybe--lighten your load and win, or,
strip down to the basics and succeed--or choose your own proverb!
And my brother, Robert E Lee was named after that famous boat!!!
It was a replica of the famous Robert E. Lee steamboat, made famous in the race in June of 1870 from New Orleans to St. Louis between the Natchez VI and the Lee.
Captain John Cannon of the Lee stripped the Robert E. Lee of excess weight and even refused to carry passengers or cargo. The Capt. of the Natchez, however, refused to lighten his load and
the Robert E. Lee beat the Natchez by several hours. The Lee made the trip in 3 days, 21 hours
and 58 minutes.
There has to be a life lesson in there somewhere--maybe--lighten your load and win, or,
strip down to the basics and succeed--or choose your own proverb!
And my brother, Robert E Lee was named after that famous boat!!!
What happened to the Robert E. Lee?
After posting about the Admiral the last time, and as an after thought, the Robert E. Lee, I
decided I had to know what happened to the Lee.
The Lt. Robert E. Lee was built in the late 1960's using an old U.S. Army Corps of Engineers boat. She came from Greenville to the St. Louis waterfront in Feb. 1970 and opened as a
restaurant two months later.
Although she never was a real boat, she was Fred Leyhe's dream of a perfect steamboat. Fred was the son of Capt. Buck Leyhe, who was one of the owners of the famous Packet Co. who ran many famous steamboats on waterways all around the country.
The Lt. Robert E. Lee was (naturally) named for the confederate general who served with the Army Corps of Engineers in St. Louis (1837-1841). The Lee had a hard time making it as a restaurant and was sold to the President Casinos and was severly damaged in the Great Flood of 1993.
In 1997, 4 local businessmen bought her and renovated her. All of the wooden structure was replaced by steel and a new paddlewheel was added. She reopened as a restaurant called Mesquite Charlie's Steaks on the Lt. Robert E. Lee (that name alone would have been enough to sink her) on Oct. 10, 2001. The restaurant closed on Jan. 2002, after the economic downturn following 9/11.
In 2004 she was moved to Kimmswick, MO, where she operated as a floating restaurant until being closed again. In 2008, the Lt. Robert E. Lee was auctioned and supposed to start a new life at St. Charles, MO. She caught fire and burnt on March 21. 2010 at St. Louis.
We had heard that the Lee was in Kimmswick, MO and one day drove there. We wanted to
check out the boat, but we also wanted to eat at the famous Blue Owl Restaurant. It was
closed the day we went there, but we did board the Robert E. Lee, but didn't eat on it and
neither of us can remember why. I did, however, get a nice cookbook from the Blue Owl.
decided I had to know what happened to the Lee.
The Lt. Robert E. Lee was built in the late 1960's using an old U.S. Army Corps of Engineers boat. She came from Greenville to the St. Louis waterfront in Feb. 1970 and opened as a
restaurant two months later.
Although she never was a real boat, she was Fred Leyhe's dream of a perfect steamboat. Fred was the son of Capt. Buck Leyhe, who was one of the owners of the famous Packet Co. who ran many famous steamboats on waterways all around the country.
The Lt. Robert E. Lee was (naturally) named for the confederate general who served with the Army Corps of Engineers in St. Louis (1837-1841). The Lee had a hard time making it as a restaurant and was sold to the President Casinos and was severly damaged in the Great Flood of 1993.
In 1997, 4 local businessmen bought her and renovated her. All of the wooden structure was replaced by steel and a new paddlewheel was added. She reopened as a restaurant called Mesquite Charlie's Steaks on the Lt. Robert E. Lee (that name alone would have been enough to sink her) on Oct. 10, 2001. The restaurant closed on Jan. 2002, after the economic downturn following 9/11.
In 2004 she was moved to Kimmswick, MO, where she operated as a floating restaurant until being closed again. In 2008, the Lt. Robert E. Lee was auctioned and supposed to start a new life at St. Charles, MO. She caught fire and burnt on March 21. 2010 at St. Louis.
We had heard that the Lee was in Kimmswick, MO and one day drove there. We wanted to
check out the boat, but we also wanted to eat at the famous Blue Owl Restaurant. It was
closed the day we went there, but we did board the Robert E. Lee, but didn't eat on it and
neither of us can remember why. I did, however, get a nice cookbook from the Blue Owl.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Cruising Down The River...
Last night on the St. Louis TV station (Channel 5), they commented that the Admiral riverboat
had caught fire. I guess you really can't call it a "riverboat", since it has been setting empty
since the casino on it closed.
I don't think the fire was serious, and I feel like they are probably dismantling the old boat.
The Admiral was built in 1938 and it was the first steamboat on the Mississippi River that
was fully air-conditioned.
Our family enjoyed taking cruises on the Admiral and it was really neat. Jim and I figured we
did that two or three times. It wasn't an easy adventure--to get three kids ready, drive to St.
Louis and then set sail, but what fun when we took off.
I was trying to figure what year (years) we took those cruises, and since all three kids were born
in the 60's, I figured it might have been the late 60's, but in googling the "Bob Kuban Band",
it states Kuban "stepped on board the Admiral" in 1973. He stated it had the largest inland dance
floor in the world. Bob Kuban still performs some in the St. Louis area.
The thing that stands out in my mind about the Admiral was its calliope. I still get chills up
my spine when I think about the calliope playing "Cruising Down the River On a Sunday Afternoon."
I think liking calliope music is probably an acquired taste but I have always loved that tinny
sound. I think the Admiral has been sold a dozen or so times and believe the owners of the casino tried hard to keep it open but it just wasn't to be.
We also liked to go to St. Louis and eat on the Robert E. Lee. It was docked right on the waterfront and had a seafood restaurant on the top floor; and featured regular food on the bottom.
If the Robert E. Lee was ever a cruise boat, I have forgotten that fact.
Did you ever take a cruise on the Admiral--or eat on the Robert E. Lee?
had caught fire. I guess you really can't call it a "riverboat", since it has been setting empty
since the casino on it closed.
I don't think the fire was serious, and I feel like they are probably dismantling the old boat.
The Admiral was built in 1938 and it was the first steamboat on the Mississippi River that
was fully air-conditioned.
Our family enjoyed taking cruises on the Admiral and it was really neat. Jim and I figured we
did that two or three times. It wasn't an easy adventure--to get three kids ready, drive to St.
Louis and then set sail, but what fun when we took off.
I was trying to figure what year (years) we took those cruises, and since all three kids were born
in the 60's, I figured it might have been the late 60's, but in googling the "Bob Kuban Band",
it states Kuban "stepped on board the Admiral" in 1973. He stated it had the largest inland dance
floor in the world. Bob Kuban still performs some in the St. Louis area.
The thing that stands out in my mind about the Admiral was its calliope. I still get chills up
my spine when I think about the calliope playing "Cruising Down the River On a Sunday Afternoon."
I think liking calliope music is probably an acquired taste but I have always loved that tinny
sound. I think the Admiral has been sold a dozen or so times and believe the owners of the casino tried hard to keep it open but it just wasn't to be.
We also liked to go to St. Louis and eat on the Robert E. Lee. It was docked right on the waterfront and had a seafood restaurant on the top floor; and featured regular food on the bottom.
If the Robert E. Lee was ever a cruise boat, I have forgotten that fact.
Did you ever take a cruise on the Admiral--or eat on the Robert E. Lee?
Thursday, January 20, 2011
The Secret's in the Mail
This was originally published in the Hometown Journal on 2/22/06; repeated on 3/23/10 and
then used in one of Uebinger's Furniture Company's monthly e-mail newsletters, so some of
you may be sick and tired of this--but for the ones who have never read it--I hope you enjoy it!
My new year started off well. I received the new Victoria's Secret catalog in the mail. My mail carrier can vouch for the fact that I receive dozens and dozens of catalogs every month, but I do not recall ever receiving a VS!
At first I thought the address label probably said, "Occupant," but when I checked, my name was written right there--where everyone could see it. That means they must feel I am worthy of perusing those hallowed pages. This kind of confuses me, though, because I tend to blush at the Victoria's Secret TV commercials, and here those women are up close and personal.
One item that caught my eye in the catalog was something called a "VS Uplift." Now, I am always interested in anything that lifts body parts up. It assured me that there is a built-in back panel in some of their jeans that lifts from the inside, yet is completely invisible from the outside and the carefully engineered seams contour and shape. It would certainly take more than a
"built-in back panel" to lift my derriere, but it is a nice thought.
I then turned to the lingerie section and the first thing I spied was something called a "sheer & lacy babydoll" (blush, blush!) Then I found the Very Sexy Push-up Bra Section (their words--not mine.) Ah, yes, they certainly do push up and some of them apparently push up without padding! Now, isn't that a kicker? (blush, blush, blush!) The panty portion of the catalog came up next. They had something called an "extreme bikini," an "extreme string bikini," and an
"extreme v-string panty. (Extreme blush!)
Do you remember in the old cowboy western movies where the cowboys would saunter around with their thumbs hooked in the waist of their pants? Well, some of the models in this book had their thumbs hooked in the waist of thse panties, and believe me, the thumbs were wider than the panties!
This was certainly an enlightening experience for me, but I must hurry and hide this catalog before Jim sees it. That old guy's ticker might kick into overdrive, and frankly I don't think he can handle that!
One thing that surprised me was the lack of leather goods in the Victoria's Secret apparel. I guess since they like the "peeky boo" aspect, it would be hard to peek, or boo either for that matter, in leather togs.
And speaking of leather, my brother, Bob, sent me ths via e-mail:
When a woman wears leather clothing...
A man's heart beats quicker
His throat gets dry.
He goes weak in the knees.
And he begins to think irrationally.
Ever wonder why?
BECAUSE SHE SMELLS LIKE A NEW TRUCK!
then used in one of Uebinger's Furniture Company's monthly e-mail newsletters, so some of
you may be sick and tired of this--but for the ones who have never read it--I hope you enjoy it!
My new year started off well. I received the new Victoria's Secret catalog in the mail. My mail carrier can vouch for the fact that I receive dozens and dozens of catalogs every month, but I do not recall ever receiving a VS!
At first I thought the address label probably said, "Occupant," but when I checked, my name was written right there--where everyone could see it. That means they must feel I am worthy of perusing those hallowed pages. This kind of confuses me, though, because I tend to blush at the Victoria's Secret TV commercials, and here those women are up close and personal.
One item that caught my eye in the catalog was something called a "VS Uplift." Now, I am always interested in anything that lifts body parts up. It assured me that there is a built-in back panel in some of their jeans that lifts from the inside, yet is completely invisible from the outside and the carefully engineered seams contour and shape. It would certainly take more than a
"built-in back panel" to lift my derriere, but it is a nice thought.
I then turned to the lingerie section and the first thing I spied was something called a "sheer & lacy babydoll" (blush, blush!) Then I found the Very Sexy Push-up Bra Section (their words--not mine.) Ah, yes, they certainly do push up and some of them apparently push up without padding! Now, isn't that a kicker? (blush, blush, blush!) The panty portion of the catalog came up next. They had something called an "extreme bikini," an "extreme string bikini," and an
"extreme v-string panty. (Extreme blush!)
Do you remember in the old cowboy western movies where the cowboys would saunter around with their thumbs hooked in the waist of their pants? Well, some of the models in this book had their thumbs hooked in the waist of thse panties, and believe me, the thumbs were wider than the panties!
This was certainly an enlightening experience for me, but I must hurry and hide this catalog before Jim sees it. That old guy's ticker might kick into overdrive, and frankly I don't think he can handle that!
One thing that surprised me was the lack of leather goods in the Victoria's Secret apparel. I guess since they like the "peeky boo" aspect, it would be hard to peek, or boo either for that matter, in leather togs.
And speaking of leather, my brother, Bob, sent me ths via e-mail:
When a woman wears leather clothing...
A man's heart beats quicker
His throat gets dry.
He goes weak in the knees.
And he begins to think irrationally.
Ever wonder why?
BECAUSE SHE SMELLS LIKE A NEW TRUCK!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Life Happens To All Of Us!
Over the years, Jim and I have spent a lot of time in Biloxi, M-i-s-s-i-s-s-i-p-p-i (I just love
to spell that word--it reminds me when I was in grade school and learned to spell it for the first
time).
For years, we attended the furniture market at Tupelo, which was only a skip, hop and a jump (well, o.k.--a long skip, hop and a jump) from Biloxi. We fell in love with the region because
of the beautiful white sand beaches and the laid-back lifestyle of the people who lived there.
In later years, we found a campground just across the highway from the lovely Gulf waters
and that made it even more special. Then, on August 28, 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf of Mexico as a Category 5 storm, with winds estimated to be at 175 mph.
The winter after Katrina, we didn't even try to go to Biloxi, as we saw on TV stories about all
of the damage. We went to Gulf Shores, AL instead, but did drive over there one day. We were
in shock at what we saw. The beautiful old southern homes facing the Gulf were mostly gone.
The storm had actually rolled up part of the highway running along the Gulf. One of the
casinos, which had been setting on the water, was picked up and dumped right in the middle
of a street. Two bridges were demolished--one leading into Biloxi and one going into Bay St. Louis. For several days no one could even get to Bay St. Louis to check on the residents except
by boat.
Each year after the hurricane had hit, we would drive over to Biloxi to see the rebuilding
that was taking place, and to tell you the truth, it was maddeningly slow.
Then, in January, 2008, another catastrophe occurred in the area of Biloxi. Lam Luong,
a 37-year old father, confessed to throwing his 4 children 100 feet into the water under the Dauphin Island bridge. Searches continued for several days without any rescue or recovery of
the bodies of the children. Finally, all 4 bodies were found and laid to rest. Luong had had a
fight with his wife and wanted to punish her by throwing his children into the water.
A judge has upheld a jury's recommendation that Lam Luong be sentenced to death by lethal injection and an unusual edict was also handed down by the judge--that Luong must be shown pictures of his children every day for the rest of his life.
Biloxi is finally beginning serious rebuilding and you get a sense of renewed hope in the
residents. When Jim and I criticized the fact that the casinos were rebuilt rapidly, the people
from Biloxi pointed out that it was necessary to get the casinos up and running, in order to receive the much-needed revenue from them to help with the rebuilding process.
We spent two weeks in Biloxi before Christmas and will return early in February for a
month. We still have to really search to find where the campground was that we stayed in
for so many years, as it was completely destroyed. You can still see concrete
slabs where houses and businesses--and even whole shopping centers--had been located
and not rebuilt. And we don't pass the Dauphin Island exit without thinking of those four
beautiful children, and we realize that there in Mississippi, we can still feel the aftermath
of two catastrophes--one caused by Mother Nature and the other at the hands of a sick father.
to spell that word--it reminds me when I was in grade school and learned to spell it for the first
time).
For years, we attended the furniture market at Tupelo, which was only a skip, hop and a jump (well, o.k.--a long skip, hop and a jump) from Biloxi. We fell in love with the region because
of the beautiful white sand beaches and the laid-back lifestyle of the people who lived there.
In later years, we found a campground just across the highway from the lovely Gulf waters
and that made it even more special. Then, on August 28, 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf of Mexico as a Category 5 storm, with winds estimated to be at 175 mph.
The winter after Katrina, we didn't even try to go to Biloxi, as we saw on TV stories about all
of the damage. We went to Gulf Shores, AL instead, but did drive over there one day. We were
in shock at what we saw. The beautiful old southern homes facing the Gulf were mostly gone.
The storm had actually rolled up part of the highway running along the Gulf. One of the
casinos, which had been setting on the water, was picked up and dumped right in the middle
of a street. Two bridges were demolished--one leading into Biloxi and one going into Bay St. Louis. For several days no one could even get to Bay St. Louis to check on the residents except
by boat.
Each year after the hurricane had hit, we would drive over to Biloxi to see the rebuilding
that was taking place, and to tell you the truth, it was maddeningly slow.
Then, in January, 2008, another catastrophe occurred in the area of Biloxi. Lam Luong,
a 37-year old father, confessed to throwing his 4 children 100 feet into the water under the Dauphin Island bridge. Searches continued for several days without any rescue or recovery of
the bodies of the children. Finally, all 4 bodies were found and laid to rest. Luong had had a
fight with his wife and wanted to punish her by throwing his children into the water.
A judge has upheld a jury's recommendation that Lam Luong be sentenced to death by lethal injection and an unusual edict was also handed down by the judge--that Luong must be shown pictures of his children every day for the rest of his life.
Biloxi is finally beginning serious rebuilding and you get a sense of renewed hope in the
residents. When Jim and I criticized the fact that the casinos were rebuilt rapidly, the people
from Biloxi pointed out that it was necessary to get the casinos up and running, in order to receive the much-needed revenue from them to help with the rebuilding process.
We spent two weeks in Biloxi before Christmas and will return early in February for a
month. We still have to really search to find where the campground was that we stayed in
for so many years, as it was completely destroyed. You can still see concrete
slabs where houses and businesses--and even whole shopping centers--had been located
and not rebuilt. And we don't pass the Dauphin Island exit without thinking of those four
beautiful children, and we realize that there in Mississippi, we can still feel the aftermath
of two catastrophes--one caused by Mother Nature and the other at the hands of a sick father.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Motorcycle Fantasies.
You may be surprised to learn that I was the second woman in Flora (as far as I know) to get a license to officially ride a motorcycle. I would have been the first, but my kids bragged to our neighbor about my plan, and she hurried to the Driver's License station and took her test first.
I had to take a written test, of course, and the only thing I remember about the riding portion of the test was doing Figure 8's. I guess it wasn't very difficult to pass.
I learned very fast that when you ride a motorcycle, you don't smile or bugs get plastered on your teeth; barking dogs like to chase women on bikes; and if there was a dead shunk anywhere in a five-county area, it would end up on the stretch of road I happened to be riding on at the moment.
Riding that morotcycle was a great tension-buster as I was working part-time, caring for our kids and helping Jim in the new business he had just started. One day, however, it began to drizzle rain, and I simply was not paying attention to what I was doing, I was going too fast and when I tried to put the brakes on, I kept going through the stop sign and ended up doing some rather intricate Figure 8's before I got that machine stopped. I realized then and there, that I had no
business risking life and limb on a motorcycle, since I had a husband and three kids to raise. For the most part, my biking days were over.
Jim has owned many motorcycles, and although he doesn't have one now, he still lusts after every Gold Wing he sees on the road.
We were in Tennessee a while back, and it seemed to be the motorcycle capitol of the world. The weather was exceptionally beautiful, and that brought the bikers out in droves. Jim and I began observing the couples we saw riding. We noticed that the beer-bellied men who looked
rough and mean seemed to attract the cute, little, hot babes. One couple, in particular, caught my attention. Perhaps I had been inhaling too many gasoline fumes, but I could almost imagine being on the back of that bike.
My long, blonde hair was blowing in the wind from beneath my black motorcycle helmet (it matched the bike, you know) and my derriere seemed molded to the back of that bike. I held on for dear life to the bronze-skinned young man in front of me, who had a day's worth of beard on
his face, and rippling muscles peeking out from under his sleeveless tee-shirt!
All at once, the reality bubble burst right in my face, as the couple on that bike pulled into a gas station to get gas, near where we were parked. The sweet, young thing threw her leg up and
over the back of that bike in one, smooth, synchronized movement, as she gave me a sly grin.
Right then, I realized that if I could have hiked my leg up that high in order to get off the bike, it would have undoubtdly have become locked in that position, and that would make getting
back on the motorcycle impossible.
That's too bad, because there for brief moment, I was ready to ride off into the sunset with that Greek God--face stubble and all!
Ah--old people and their fantasies. I tell you, it is a beautiful thing!
I had to take a written test, of course, and the only thing I remember about the riding portion of the test was doing Figure 8's. I guess it wasn't very difficult to pass.
I learned very fast that when you ride a motorcycle, you don't smile or bugs get plastered on your teeth; barking dogs like to chase women on bikes; and if there was a dead shunk anywhere in a five-county area, it would end up on the stretch of road I happened to be riding on at the moment.
Riding that morotcycle was a great tension-buster as I was working part-time, caring for our kids and helping Jim in the new business he had just started. One day, however, it began to drizzle rain, and I simply was not paying attention to what I was doing, I was going too fast and when I tried to put the brakes on, I kept going through the stop sign and ended up doing some rather intricate Figure 8's before I got that machine stopped. I realized then and there, that I had no
business risking life and limb on a motorcycle, since I had a husband and three kids to raise. For the most part, my biking days were over.
Jim has owned many motorcycles, and although he doesn't have one now, he still lusts after every Gold Wing he sees on the road.
We were in Tennessee a while back, and it seemed to be the motorcycle capitol of the world. The weather was exceptionally beautiful, and that brought the bikers out in droves. Jim and I began observing the couples we saw riding. We noticed that the beer-bellied men who looked
rough and mean seemed to attract the cute, little, hot babes. One couple, in particular, caught my attention. Perhaps I had been inhaling too many gasoline fumes, but I could almost imagine being on the back of that bike.
My long, blonde hair was blowing in the wind from beneath my black motorcycle helmet (it matched the bike, you know) and my derriere seemed molded to the back of that bike. I held on for dear life to the bronze-skinned young man in front of me, who had a day's worth of beard on
his face, and rippling muscles peeking out from under his sleeveless tee-shirt!
All at once, the reality bubble burst right in my face, as the couple on that bike pulled into a gas station to get gas, near where we were parked. The sweet, young thing threw her leg up and
over the back of that bike in one, smooth, synchronized movement, as she gave me a sly grin.
Right then, I realized that if I could have hiked my leg up that high in order to get off the bike, it would have undoubtdly have become locked in that position, and that would make getting
back on the motorcycle impossible.
That's too bad, because there for brief moment, I was ready to ride off into the sunset with that Greek God--face stubble and all!
Ah--old people and their fantasies. I tell you, it is a beautiful thing!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Donna's Book Club
I subscribe to the "O" magazine, and as you know, Oprah is really into books. I like to find
books listed in that magazine, which I have never heard of, and order them. Sometimes, I
like them--sometimes I don't.
Some time ago, I heard about the book "Seabiscuit", written by Laura Hillenbrand. Now, I
have to be honest here--I couldn't finish the book. I guess I'm just not into horse books.
Ms. Hillenbrand has now written a new book, called "Unbroken--A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption", and believe me, I couldn't put this book down--but
did have many restless nights as I read it.
It is a true story of Louis Zamperin. You talk about being in the wrong place, at the wrong
time, Mr. Zamperin always seemed to be there. His plane went down, he and his buddies (later
only 1 buddy) set a record for surviving on the sea in a raft that was falling apart only to be
attacked by enemy aircraft.
If you like history and war stories, you'll like this book.
The second book I've read in the past few weeks, made me angry, as a woman. It is called
"The 19th Wife", by David Ebershoff. It is about the Mormans and polygamy. The
"plural wives", as they were called, suffered humiliation and rejection, as the young, prettier
wives moved up in the chain of lust, and the older women dropped lower and lower. The
book points out something I had never thought of--what these multiple marriages did to
the children involved.
The third book was written by a man who lives near us. He is a friend of my friend, Wanda
Gish, and she talked about his book, "Living the Dream", so much I ordered it, and have
begun to read it. His name is Barry Coughlin and this is his first novel. Mr. Coughlin was
diagnosed with ALS in 2001. I think you will like this book. I ordered my copy from
the internet, or I think you can order it directly from Mr. Coughlin's website. Happy reading!
books listed in that magazine, which I have never heard of, and order them. Sometimes, I
like them--sometimes I don't.
Some time ago, I heard about the book "Seabiscuit", written by Laura Hillenbrand. Now, I
have to be honest here--I couldn't finish the book. I guess I'm just not into horse books.
Ms. Hillenbrand has now written a new book, called "Unbroken--A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption", and believe me, I couldn't put this book down--but
did have many restless nights as I read it.
It is a true story of Louis Zamperin. You talk about being in the wrong place, at the wrong
time, Mr. Zamperin always seemed to be there. His plane went down, he and his buddies (later
only 1 buddy) set a record for surviving on the sea in a raft that was falling apart only to be
attacked by enemy aircraft.
If you like history and war stories, you'll like this book.
The second book I've read in the past few weeks, made me angry, as a woman. It is called
"The 19th Wife", by David Ebershoff. It is about the Mormans and polygamy. The
"plural wives", as they were called, suffered humiliation and rejection, as the young, prettier
wives moved up in the chain of lust, and the older women dropped lower and lower. The
book points out something I had never thought of--what these multiple marriages did to
the children involved.
The third book was written by a man who lives near us. He is a friend of my friend, Wanda
Gish, and she talked about his book, "Living the Dream", so much I ordered it, and have
begun to read it. His name is Barry Coughlin and this is his first novel. Mr. Coughlin was
diagnosed with ALS in 2001. I think you will like this book. I ordered my copy from
the internet, or I think you can order it directly from Mr. Coughlin's website. Happy reading!
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Answers to the Baby boomer era test
Yes, I know, I should have put the answers at the END of the test, but....
1. D
2. G
3. B
4. A
5. G
6. D
7. C
8. F
9. C
10.E
11.D
12.C
13.G
14.G
15.B
16.G
17.D
18.B
19.A
20.F
So, how many did you get right?
1. D
2. G
3. B
4. A
5. G
6. D
7. C
8. F
9. C
10.E
11.D
12.C
13.G
14.G
15.B
16.G
17.D
18.B
19.A
20.F
So, how many did you get right?
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Baby Boomer era test
I got this from a friend via e-mail and thought it was neat. See how well you do.
1. What builds strong bodies 12 ways?
a. Flintstones vitamins
b. The Buttmaster
c. Spaghetti
d. Wonder Bread
e. Orange juice
f. Milk
g. Cod Liver oil
2. Before he was Muhammed Ali, he was ____?
a. Sugar Ray Robinson
b. Roy Orbison
c. Gene Autry
d. Rudolph Valentino
e. Fabian
f. Mickey Mantle
g. Cassius Clay
3. Pogo, the comic strip character said, "We have met the enemy and ....?
a. It's you
b. He is us
c. It's the Grinch
d. He's really me and you
f. We quit
g. He surrendered
4. Good night, David--
a. Good night, Chet
b. Sleep well
c. Good night, Irene
d. Good night, Gracie
e. See you later, alligator
f. Until tomorrow
g. Good night, Steve
5. You'll wonder where the yellow went...
a. When you use Tide
b. When you lose your crayons
c. When you clean your tub
d. If you paint the room blue
e. If you buy a soft water tank
f. When you use Lady Clairol
g. When you brush your teeth with Pepsodent
6. Before he was the Skipper's Little Buddy, Bob Denver was Dobie's friend...
a. Stuart Whitman
b. Randolph Scott
c. Steve Reeves
d. Maynard G. Krebs
e. Corky B. Dork
f. Dave the Whale
g. Zippy Zoo
7. Liar, liar...
a. You're a liar
b. Your nose is growing
c. Pants on fire
d. Join the choir
e. Jump up higher
f. On the wire
g. I'm telling Mom
8. Meanwhile, back in Metropolis, Superman fights a never ending battle for truth, justice and...
a. Wheaties
b. Lois Lane
c. TV ratings
d. World peace
e. Red tights
f. The American way
g. News headlines
9. Hey kids! What time is it?
a. It's time for Yogi Bear
b. It's time to do your homework
c. It's Howdy Doody Time
d. It's time for Romper Room
e. It's bedtime
f. The Mighty Mouse Hour
g. Scoopy Doo Time
10. Lion and tigers and bears...
a. Yikes
b. Oh, No
c. Gee whiz
d. I'm scared
e. Oh my
f. Help! Help!
g. Let's run
11. Bob Dylan advised us never to trust anyone..
a. Over 40
b. Wearing a uniform
c. Carrying a briefcase
d. Over 30
e. You don't know
f. Who says, "Trust me"
g. Who eats tofu
12. NFL quarterback who appeared in a television commercial wearing women's stockings...
a. Troy Aikman
b. Kenny Stabler
c. Joe Namath
d. Roger Staubach
e. Joe Montana
f. Steve Young
g. John Elway
13. Brylcream...
a. Smear it on
b. You'll smell great
c. Tame that cowlick
d. Grease ball heaven
e. It's a dream
f. We're your team
g. A little dab'll do ya
14. I found my thrill...
a. In blueberry muffins
b. With my man, Bill
c. Down at the mill
d. Over the windowsill
e. With thyme and dill
f. Too late to enjoy
g. On Blueberry Hill
15. Before Robin Williams, Peter Pan was played by....
a. Clark Gable
b. Mary Martin
c. Doris Day
d. Errol Flynn
e. Sally Fields
f. Jim Carrey
g. Jay Leno
16. Name the Beatles:
a. John, Steve, George, Ringo
b. John, Paul, George, Roscoe
c. John, Paul, Stacey, Ringo
d. Jay, Paul, George, Ringo
e. Lewis, Peter, George, Ringo
f. Jason, Betty, Skipper, Hazel
g. John, Paul, George, Ringo
17. I wonder. wonder, who..
a. Who ate the leftovers?
b. Who did the laundry?
c. Was it you?
d. Who wrote the book of love?
e. Who I am?
f. Passed the test?
g. Knocked on the door?
18. I'm strong to the finish...
a. Cause I eats my broccoli
b. Cause I eats me spinach
c. Cause I lift weights
d. Cause I'm the hero
e. And don't you forget it
f. Cause Olive Oyl loves me
g. To outlast Bruto
19. When it's least expected, you're elected, you're the star today.
a. Smile, you're on Candid Camera
b. Smile, you're on Star Search
c. Smile, you won the lottery
d. Smile, we're watching you
e. Smile, the world sees you
f. Smile, you're a hit
g. Smile, you're on TV
20. What do M & M's do?
a. Make your tummy happy
b. Melt in your mouth, not in your pocket
c. Make you fat
d. Melt your heart
e. Make you popular
f. Melt in your mouth, not in your hand
g. Come in colors.
Answers tomorrow.
1. What builds strong bodies 12 ways?
a. Flintstones vitamins
b. The Buttmaster
c. Spaghetti
d. Wonder Bread
e. Orange juice
f. Milk
g. Cod Liver oil
2. Before he was Muhammed Ali, he was ____?
a. Sugar Ray Robinson
b. Roy Orbison
c. Gene Autry
d. Rudolph Valentino
e. Fabian
f. Mickey Mantle
g. Cassius Clay
3. Pogo, the comic strip character said, "We have met the enemy and ....?
a. It's you
b. He is us
c. It's the Grinch
d. He's really me and you
f. We quit
g. He surrendered
4. Good night, David--
a. Good night, Chet
b. Sleep well
c. Good night, Irene
d. Good night, Gracie
e. See you later, alligator
f. Until tomorrow
g. Good night, Steve
5. You'll wonder where the yellow went...
a. When you use Tide
b. When you lose your crayons
c. When you clean your tub
d. If you paint the room blue
e. If you buy a soft water tank
f. When you use Lady Clairol
g. When you brush your teeth with Pepsodent
6. Before he was the Skipper's Little Buddy, Bob Denver was Dobie's friend...
a. Stuart Whitman
b. Randolph Scott
c. Steve Reeves
d. Maynard G. Krebs
e. Corky B. Dork
f. Dave the Whale
g. Zippy Zoo
7. Liar, liar...
a. You're a liar
b. Your nose is growing
c. Pants on fire
d. Join the choir
e. Jump up higher
f. On the wire
g. I'm telling Mom
8. Meanwhile, back in Metropolis, Superman fights a never ending battle for truth, justice and...
a. Wheaties
b. Lois Lane
c. TV ratings
d. World peace
e. Red tights
f. The American way
g. News headlines
9. Hey kids! What time is it?
a. It's time for Yogi Bear
b. It's time to do your homework
c. It's Howdy Doody Time
d. It's time for Romper Room
e. It's bedtime
f. The Mighty Mouse Hour
g. Scoopy Doo Time
10. Lion and tigers and bears...
a. Yikes
b. Oh, No
c. Gee whiz
d. I'm scared
e. Oh my
f. Help! Help!
g. Let's run
11. Bob Dylan advised us never to trust anyone..
a. Over 40
b. Wearing a uniform
c. Carrying a briefcase
d. Over 30
e. You don't know
f. Who says, "Trust me"
g. Who eats tofu
12. NFL quarterback who appeared in a television commercial wearing women's stockings...
a. Troy Aikman
b. Kenny Stabler
c. Joe Namath
d. Roger Staubach
e. Joe Montana
f. Steve Young
g. John Elway
13. Brylcream...
a. Smear it on
b. You'll smell great
c. Tame that cowlick
d. Grease ball heaven
e. It's a dream
f. We're your team
g. A little dab'll do ya
14. I found my thrill...
a. In blueberry muffins
b. With my man, Bill
c. Down at the mill
d. Over the windowsill
e. With thyme and dill
f. Too late to enjoy
g. On Blueberry Hill
15. Before Robin Williams, Peter Pan was played by....
a. Clark Gable
b. Mary Martin
c. Doris Day
d. Errol Flynn
e. Sally Fields
f. Jim Carrey
g. Jay Leno
16. Name the Beatles:
a. John, Steve, George, Ringo
b. John, Paul, George, Roscoe
c. John, Paul, Stacey, Ringo
d. Jay, Paul, George, Ringo
e. Lewis, Peter, George, Ringo
f. Jason, Betty, Skipper, Hazel
g. John, Paul, George, Ringo
17. I wonder. wonder, who..
a. Who ate the leftovers?
b. Who did the laundry?
c. Was it you?
d. Who wrote the book of love?
e. Who I am?
f. Passed the test?
g. Knocked on the door?
18. I'm strong to the finish...
a. Cause I eats my broccoli
b. Cause I eats me spinach
c. Cause I lift weights
d. Cause I'm the hero
e. And don't you forget it
f. Cause Olive Oyl loves me
g. To outlast Bruto
19. When it's least expected, you're elected, you're the star today.
a. Smile, you're on Candid Camera
b. Smile, you're on Star Search
c. Smile, you won the lottery
d. Smile, we're watching you
e. Smile, the world sees you
f. Smile, you're a hit
g. Smile, you're on TV
20. What do M & M's do?
a. Make your tummy happy
b. Melt in your mouth, not in your pocket
c. Make you fat
d. Melt your heart
e. Make you popular
f. Melt in your mouth, not in your hand
g. Come in colors.
Answers tomorrow.
Ice storm
It seems to me that we have had more snow than normal in this winter of 2010-11, but don't hold me to that statement, as my memory is only about 5 minutes long these days. There is one
particular storm that has stayed in my mind for many years, though.
It was the winter of 1974. It started out as a blizzard; then, if I remember correctly, it
warmed up a bit and then we had freezing rain--and an ice storm. It was a wide-spread storm
and we lost our electricity almost immediately, but not all areas did. Some regions never did
lost their power. We lived on new highway 50 east of Flora in a modular home. Thankfully, we had built a
big family room, which was attached to the double-wide. In this family room we built a
beautiful fireplace. This turned out to be very lucky for us as it was our only source of heat during the storm. We were getting ready to switch from selling RV's to selling furniture, but the furniture store
did not open until July of '75.
We only lived two houses from the electric substation, so we were smug in the knowledge that we wouldn't be without electricity too long. That turned out to be wrong. When the power
companies (and they even called in crews from all over the area) began to get the electricity up
and running, they started at the other end of the electric grid and worked their way BACK
to the substation.
The fireplace worked fairly well in keeping us warm and at night we all piled into the family
room and slept on furniture and eventually, we even pulled mattresses into that room to sleep
on. Snow had to be melted in order to flush the toilets. Food preparation was interesting,
as everything had to be prepared in the fireplace. The fireplace had no special equipment
to allow me to cook in it properly, though. I finally did get some cookies baked, but they
had scorched bottoms. None of us will ever forget that all of the food had a strange, woodsy,
smoked taste. Yuck! I had fixed a big dish of noodles before the storm hit, but none of
us could stand to eat those smoky noodles.
It was the middle of the 4th day before our electricity came back on, and what a celebration we had!
Jim vowed we would never go through that again, as he would pile us into the car and drive until we found a town with electricity and check into a motel until things returned to normal.
That experience taught us we would have been terrible pioneers.
particular storm that has stayed in my mind for many years, though.
It was the winter of 1974. It started out as a blizzard; then, if I remember correctly, it
warmed up a bit and then we had freezing rain--and an ice storm. It was a wide-spread storm
and we lost our electricity almost immediately, but not all areas did. Some regions never did
lost their power. We lived on new highway 50 east of Flora in a modular home. Thankfully, we had built a
big family room, which was attached to the double-wide. In this family room we built a
beautiful fireplace. This turned out to be very lucky for us as it was our only source of heat during the storm. We were getting ready to switch from selling RV's to selling furniture, but the furniture store
did not open until July of '75.
We only lived two houses from the electric substation, so we were smug in the knowledge that we wouldn't be without electricity too long. That turned out to be wrong. When the power
companies (and they even called in crews from all over the area) began to get the electricity up
and running, they started at the other end of the electric grid and worked their way BACK
to the substation.
The fireplace worked fairly well in keeping us warm and at night we all piled into the family
room and slept on furniture and eventually, we even pulled mattresses into that room to sleep
on. Snow had to be melted in order to flush the toilets. Food preparation was interesting,
as everything had to be prepared in the fireplace. The fireplace had no special equipment
to allow me to cook in it properly, though. I finally did get some cookies baked, but they
had scorched bottoms. None of us will ever forget that all of the food had a strange, woodsy,
smoked taste. Yuck! I had fixed a big dish of noodles before the storm hit, but none of
us could stand to eat those smoky noodles.
It was the middle of the 4th day before our electricity came back on, and what a celebration we had!
Jim vowed we would never go through that again, as he would pile us into the car and drive until we found a town with electricity and check into a motel until things returned to normal.
That experience taught us we would have been terrible pioneers.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Life Happens when you're playing around with computers
The other day, as I was working on the computer, and then tried to print something, I realized that I was not only talking to the printer--I was talking OUT LOUD to the printer.
In fact, I was talking rather impolitely to said printer.
I don't feel too bad about doing that, though, as Jim talks to the lady on the GPS--or
rather argues with her--as to where her directions are leading us. Maybe that is a senior
citizen thing--talking to inanimate objects.
I would never have become involved with computers, because they are clear out of
my league, except when we owned the furniture store, our inventory got so large that the
only way we could track it was by computer. The first one we bought soon proved to be inadequate, so we had to upgrade.The new one was so sophicated that I had an awful time using it. Besides, I don't think it liked me. It seemed that when I logged on, weird things began to happen.
One day as I got ready to enter some things on the computer, it wouldn't do a thing. It
was like it was dead. I handled that problem in my usual laid-back manner by screaming, "What's the matter with this stupid computer? It won't even let me log on." As usual, Shari
had to step in and save the day.
"It's o.k., Mom. The computer is just in sleep mode," she said. "Sleep mode--sleep mode",
I yelled. "If anyone or anything is going to sleep around here, it's going to be me--not my computer." After awhile, just as she said, it woke up or whatever computers do after being
in sleep mode, and we eventually got it programmed to sleep at night, when the
store was closed, like good little computers are supposed to do.
My computer expert has always been our grandson, Trenton, so after giving him a nice Christmas brunch, I dragged him into the computer room to help me get this new blog set up.
I happened to mention to him, that from time to time I had trouble with the printer. I told him that when it was out of paper and I put in a new stash of paper, it took it several minutes before it acknowledged the paper was in there. I said, "It looks to me like that printer should be able
to figure out that I had replaced the paper immediately."
Trenton said, rather calmly, I thought, "Grandma, that printer can't think. It can only react
to you pushing the proper buttons."
I said, "Oh, I get it. I should be able to handle that because that's the way your Grandpa
works. The problem is knowing when to push those buttons!"
In fact, I was talking rather impolitely to said printer.
I don't feel too bad about doing that, though, as Jim talks to the lady on the GPS--or
rather argues with her--as to where her directions are leading us. Maybe that is a senior
citizen thing--talking to inanimate objects.
I would never have become involved with computers, because they are clear out of
my league, except when we owned the furniture store, our inventory got so large that the
only way we could track it was by computer. The first one we bought soon proved to be inadequate, so we had to upgrade.The new one was so sophicated that I had an awful time using it. Besides, I don't think it liked me. It seemed that when I logged on, weird things began to happen.
One day as I got ready to enter some things on the computer, it wouldn't do a thing. It
was like it was dead. I handled that problem in my usual laid-back manner by screaming, "What's the matter with this stupid computer? It won't even let me log on." As usual, Shari
had to step in and save the day.
"It's o.k., Mom. The computer is just in sleep mode," she said. "Sleep mode--sleep mode",
I yelled. "If anyone or anything is going to sleep around here, it's going to be me--not my computer." After awhile, just as she said, it woke up or whatever computers do after being
in sleep mode, and we eventually got it programmed to sleep at night, when the
store was closed, like good little computers are supposed to do.
My computer expert has always been our grandson, Trenton, so after giving him a nice Christmas brunch, I dragged him into the computer room to help me get this new blog set up.
I happened to mention to him, that from time to time I had trouble with the printer. I told him that when it was out of paper and I put in a new stash of paper, it took it several minutes before it acknowledged the paper was in there. I said, "It looks to me like that printer should be able
to figure out that I had replaced the paper immediately."
Trenton said, rather calmly, I thought, "Grandma, that printer can't think. It can only react
to you pushing the proper buttons."
I said, "Oh, I get it. I should be able to handle that because that's the way your Grandpa
works. The problem is knowing when to push those buttons!"
Friday, January 7, 2011
What I've Learned
I ran across this the other day mixed in with some of my old columns. I think I probably got
it off the internet, but it's still pertinent, I think. I hope you enjoy it.
I'VE LEARNED that we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.
I'VE LEARNED that money doesn't buy class.
I'VE LEARNED that all play and no work makes Jack a very poor boy.
I'VE LEARNED that men gossip more than women do--and it's usually about women.
I'VE LEARNED that it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.
I'VE LEARNED that there is a fine line between genius and insanity.
I'VE LEARNED that with all of the medical specialists these days, we are sadly lacking in doctors who can treat your whole body.
I'VE LEARNED that we senior citizens would probably be healthier if we didn't have medicare paying the bills. After all, at our advanced age, if you run enough tests, you
are certain to find something wrong.
I'VE LEARNED that the people you care most about in life are taken from you too soon, and all the less important ones just never go away, and the real pains-in-the-butt are permanent.
I'VE LEARNED that if, when you meet someone for the first time and the hairs on the back
of your neck stand at attention--your neck is usually right.
I'VE LEARNED that I don't suffer from insanity--I enjoy it.
I'VE LEARNED that we are responsible for what we do, unless we are celebrities.
I'VE LEARNED that artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.
I'VE LEARNED to not sweat the petty things, and not pet the sweaty things.
I'VE LEARNED age is a very high price to pay for maturity.
I'VE LEARNED that depression is merely anger without enthusiam.
I'VE LEARNED that it is not what you wear; it is how you take it off.
I'VE LEARNED that to ignore the facts, does not change the facts.
I'VE LEARNED that under everyone's hard shell, is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.
I'VE LEARNED that the Lord didn't do it all in one day and what makes me think I can?
I'VE LEARNED that it takes years to build up trust, and it only takes suspicion, not proof, to destroy it.
I'VE LEARNED that whatever hits the fan will not be evenly distributed.
I'VE LEARNED that if you're lucky, a really good friendship will last a lifetime.
I'VE LEARNED that you shouldn't compare yourself to others--they are more screwed up
than you think.
I'VE LEARNED that age spots can be rather attractive if you take an ink pen and make a dot-to-dot drawing on your limb(s),
AND LAST, I'VE LEARNED that life is like a roll of toilet paper. the closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes!
it off the internet, but it's still pertinent, I think. I hope you enjoy it.
I'VE LEARNED that we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.
I'VE LEARNED that money doesn't buy class.
I'VE LEARNED that all play and no work makes Jack a very poor boy.
I'VE LEARNED that men gossip more than women do--and it's usually about women.
I'VE LEARNED that it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.
I'VE LEARNED that there is a fine line between genius and insanity.
I'VE LEARNED that with all of the medical specialists these days, we are sadly lacking in doctors who can treat your whole body.
I'VE LEARNED that we senior citizens would probably be healthier if we didn't have medicare paying the bills. After all, at our advanced age, if you run enough tests, you
are certain to find something wrong.
I'VE LEARNED that the people you care most about in life are taken from you too soon, and all the less important ones just never go away, and the real pains-in-the-butt are permanent.
I'VE LEARNED that if, when you meet someone for the first time and the hairs on the back
of your neck stand at attention--your neck is usually right.
I'VE LEARNED that I don't suffer from insanity--I enjoy it.
I'VE LEARNED that we are responsible for what we do, unless we are celebrities.
I'VE LEARNED that artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity.
I'VE LEARNED to not sweat the petty things, and not pet the sweaty things.
I'VE LEARNED age is a very high price to pay for maturity.
I'VE LEARNED that depression is merely anger without enthusiam.
I'VE LEARNED that it is not what you wear; it is how you take it off.
I'VE LEARNED that to ignore the facts, does not change the facts.
I'VE LEARNED that under everyone's hard shell, is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.
I'VE LEARNED that the Lord didn't do it all in one day and what makes me think I can?
I'VE LEARNED that it takes years to build up trust, and it only takes suspicion, not proof, to destroy it.
I'VE LEARNED that whatever hits the fan will not be evenly distributed.
I'VE LEARNED that if you're lucky, a really good friendship will last a lifetime.
I'VE LEARNED that you shouldn't compare yourself to others--they are more screwed up
than you think.
I'VE LEARNED that age spots can be rather attractive if you take an ink pen and make a dot-to-dot drawing on your limb(s),
AND LAST, I'VE LEARNED that life is like a roll of toilet paper. the closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes!
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Recipes--I warned you there might be recipes.
Besides writing columns for the two local newspapers over the years, I also wrote cooking columns for both, until I gave up "Aunt Jean's Kitchen", which appeared in The Hometown Journal, a few months ago. I had always collected cookbooks for years and even gave most of
them away last Christmas to family and friends, except for my very favorite recipe books.
Party mix must have been "invented' when I was a teen-ager (so very long ago) because I remember the first time I sampled some of it, it was love at first taste--and I still love it, although the strange thing is, I really don't like cereal and rarely eat it for breakfast. Weird,
huh?
I have my own recipe for party mix that I have tweaked over the years, but when I saw this
recipe in the Guideposts magazine, it interested me because it made such a huge batch.
The family who came up with the recipe for it calls it "Clutter Snack Mix", and it is as follows:
3 cups Rice Chex
3 cups Wheat Chex
3 cups Corn Chex
3 cups Kix
3 cups Cheerios
3 cups thin pretzels
1 pound mixed nuts (about 3 cups)
1/2 pound party peanuts (about 1 2/3 cups)
1/2 cup canola oil
1/2 cup bacon fat
1/2 cup butter (1 stick), melted
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon allspice
1 teaspoon celery salt
1 tablespoon Accent flavor enhancer (optional)
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon red pepper (optional)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place all dry ingredients in a large roasting pan. Mix oils, Worcestershire sauce and spices, pour over dry ingredients, basting every 20 minutes. Serves several dozen.
And this recipe I got from my friend, Bill Atwood--it is Velvetta Fudge:
1/2 lbs. margarine (or butter)
1/2 lbs. Velvetta cheese
1/2 cup cocoa
2 lbs. powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup chopped nuts
Melt margarine (or butter) and cheese over low heat (double boiler) or microwave. In large bowl, mix powdered sugar and cocoa together. Pour hot margarine and cheese mixture over the sugar and cocoa mixture. Mix thoroughly. Add vanilla and nuts. Press into a 9x13" pan. Put in refrigerator 15 minutes before cutting.
I made a batch last night. Very tasty.
To me a perfect evening would be a good helping of party mix, followed by some Velvetta
cheese fudge!!
them away last Christmas to family and friends, except for my very favorite recipe books.
Party mix must have been "invented' when I was a teen-ager (so very long ago) because I remember the first time I sampled some of it, it was love at first taste--and I still love it, although the strange thing is, I really don't like cereal and rarely eat it for breakfast. Weird,
huh?
I have my own recipe for party mix that I have tweaked over the years, but when I saw this
recipe in the Guideposts magazine, it interested me because it made such a huge batch.
The family who came up with the recipe for it calls it "Clutter Snack Mix", and it is as follows:
3 cups Rice Chex
3 cups Wheat Chex
3 cups Corn Chex
3 cups Kix
3 cups Cheerios
3 cups thin pretzels
1 pound mixed nuts (about 3 cups)
1/2 pound party peanuts (about 1 2/3 cups)
1/2 cup canola oil
1/2 cup bacon fat
1/2 cup butter (1 stick), melted
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon allspice
1 teaspoon celery salt
1 tablespoon Accent flavor enhancer (optional)
1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon red pepper (optional)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place all dry ingredients in a large roasting pan. Mix oils, Worcestershire sauce and spices, pour over dry ingredients, basting every 20 minutes. Serves several dozen.
And this recipe I got from my friend, Bill Atwood--it is Velvetta Fudge:
1/2 lbs. margarine (or butter)
1/2 lbs. Velvetta cheese
1/2 cup cocoa
2 lbs. powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
3/4 cup chopped nuts
Melt margarine (or butter) and cheese over low heat (double boiler) or microwave. In large bowl, mix powdered sugar and cocoa together. Pour hot margarine and cheese mixture over the sugar and cocoa mixture. Mix thoroughly. Add vanilla and nuts. Press into a 9x13" pan. Put in refrigerator 15 minutes before cutting.
I made a batch last night. Very tasty.
To me a perfect evening would be a good helping of party mix, followed by some Velvetta
cheese fudge!!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
The Button Jar
As promised, The Button Jar, published in The Hometown Journal on Aug. 24, 2005:
"I got ready to hem some pants the other day and in looking for some thread to match the fabric, I ran across The Button Jar.
Of course, this is really not my Button Jar. The collection was started by my Mom. At one time, it had every type of button imaginable--from small pearl-like buttons to the big metal types. It also had fancy buttons for ladies' blouses and sturdy non-descript ones for men's shirts.
The reason Mom had a Button jar was because when I was growing up, things were tough in the Lee household, and my Mom's mantra was "waste not--want not" so our clothes were worn until they were definitely well-used. Even then, at that point, Mom would salvage enough from each item of clothing to make quilt blocks.
She was an excellent quilter--known for her tiny, straight stitches, and relatives who lived out of town yearned for one of her quilts, but Mom made her quilts for her kids and grandkids,
and occasionally, for a friend.
Back in those times, a whole card of small pearl buttons probably only cost one dime, but she removed buttons from the garments, and also zippers and anything else that might be used on another piece of clothng, and then the fabric was cut up.
I was the only one of her kids living in town at the time of Mom's death, and somehow I ended up with The Button Jar, although I really don't remember how it came to my house.
As the kids were growing up, it seemed that one of us was always in need of a replacement button, and it certainly came in handy.
Of course, I'll pass this tradition on to my kids, but it won't be as impressive as it was when I took the jar to my home, as Mom always kept the jar filled, but I'm afraid I deplete the supply, rather than add new buttons to it.
For many years after Mom's death, I was careful to cut buttons off of clothing I was going to throw away, to put in the jar, but somehow, I got out of the habit.
My Mom has been gone many years, but I still miss her and, oh! what I would give to see Mom's hands reach for the old Button Jar once again."
Note: After stirring up all of these memories, I hunted up The Button Jar and gave it
to Shari--so now the third generation is in charge of it--and hopefully Shari will pass it on to Brandi and Brandi on to her daughter (as yet unborn--due in April). Ah, traditions. Aren't they great?
"I got ready to hem some pants the other day and in looking for some thread to match the fabric, I ran across The Button Jar.
Of course, this is really not my Button Jar. The collection was started by my Mom. At one time, it had every type of button imaginable--from small pearl-like buttons to the big metal types. It also had fancy buttons for ladies' blouses and sturdy non-descript ones for men's shirts.
The reason Mom had a Button jar was because when I was growing up, things were tough in the Lee household, and my Mom's mantra was "waste not--want not" so our clothes were worn until they were definitely well-used. Even then, at that point, Mom would salvage enough from each item of clothing to make quilt blocks.
She was an excellent quilter--known for her tiny, straight stitches, and relatives who lived out of town yearned for one of her quilts, but Mom made her quilts for her kids and grandkids,
and occasionally, for a friend.
Back in those times, a whole card of small pearl buttons probably only cost one dime, but she removed buttons from the garments, and also zippers and anything else that might be used on another piece of clothng, and then the fabric was cut up.
I was the only one of her kids living in town at the time of Mom's death, and somehow I ended up with The Button Jar, although I really don't remember how it came to my house.
As the kids were growing up, it seemed that one of us was always in need of a replacement button, and it certainly came in handy.
Of course, I'll pass this tradition on to my kids, but it won't be as impressive as it was when I took the jar to my home, as Mom always kept the jar filled, but I'm afraid I deplete the supply, rather than add new buttons to it.
For many years after Mom's death, I was careful to cut buttons off of clothing I was going to throw away, to put in the jar, but somehow, I got out of the habit.
My Mom has been gone many years, but I still miss her and, oh! what I would give to see Mom's hands reach for the old Button Jar once again."
Note: After stirring up all of these memories, I hunted up The Button Jar and gave it
to Shari--so now the third generation is in charge of it--and hopefully Shari will pass it on to Brandi and Brandi on to her daughter (as yet unborn--due in April). Ah, traditions. Aren't they great?
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Memories!
Writing about my Mom yesterday, stirred up a lot of memories, so I guess you can call this
"Lelia Lee, Part 2".
Even when our lives improved enough that using a dozen eggs in a cake wasn't that much of
a problem, Mom had to think long and hard about doing so. I have always told people, Mom
could get more meals out of one chicken than anyone I ever saw. She used up leftovers until
they worked down to a tablespoon full, and then would toss all of those tablespoons full into
a pot and make vegetable soup.
I have always wondered what Mom did with the dozen egg yolks on the rare occasion when
she made an angel food cake. Knowing Mom. she probably had that figured out BEFORE she
started preparing the cake. A few years ago I ran across a recipe for an angel food cake, made
from scratch, of course, and right beside it was a recipe for using up the 12 egg yolks. It seems
it was a recipe for a pound cake.
Mom made the best homemade bread I ever tasted, but when things got good enough that
we could actually buy bread--she never made homemade bread again (except for biscuits
and cornbread) and who could blame her.
In yesterday's post, I mentioned Colclasure's Store in downtown Xenia. One time when
we went there to do our trading (as Mom and Dad called it), the folks gave me a nickel
to spend in the store. I was probably 5 or 6 years old and I was so proud of my purchase,
which I had made all by myself. The rest of the family had the biggest laugh over my
purchase of Ex-Lax. I thought it was chocolate candy. To this day, I can only eat milk chocolate--because dark chocolate reminds me of Ex-Lax and my wasted nickel.
I also talked about Mom selling or trading eggs for supplies at Colclasure's store. A
few years ago, one of my least favorite aunts who lived up north, sent me a letter Mom
had written her when she had just discovered she was pregnant with me. Mom wasn't
very happy about the pending bundle of joy because she figured she had her hands full
with three kids already and very few material goods--and no money.
She told my aunt in that letter that she sold her eggs to raise money to pay the interest
on a loan. It seems to me that the interest was $20, which in those depression times, would
have been a lot of money.
When I wrote columns for the Hometown Journal, the one I wrote, called "The Button
Jar" brought more comments than nearly every other column (well, except maybe the one
about Victoria's Secret). In Lelia Lee's household nothing was wasted. Old clothing was
cut up and the fabric used in making quilts, after the buttons were cut off, of course, and
placed in the button jar. I believe I'll hunt up that old column and post it tomorrow.
"Lelia Lee, Part 2".
Even when our lives improved enough that using a dozen eggs in a cake wasn't that much of
a problem, Mom had to think long and hard about doing so. I have always told people, Mom
could get more meals out of one chicken than anyone I ever saw. She used up leftovers until
they worked down to a tablespoon full, and then would toss all of those tablespoons full into
a pot and make vegetable soup.
I have always wondered what Mom did with the dozen egg yolks on the rare occasion when
she made an angel food cake. Knowing Mom. she probably had that figured out BEFORE she
started preparing the cake. A few years ago I ran across a recipe for an angel food cake, made
from scratch, of course, and right beside it was a recipe for using up the 12 egg yolks. It seems
it was a recipe for a pound cake.
Mom made the best homemade bread I ever tasted, but when things got good enough that
we could actually buy bread--she never made homemade bread again (except for biscuits
and cornbread) and who could blame her.
In yesterday's post, I mentioned Colclasure's Store in downtown Xenia. One time when
we went there to do our trading (as Mom and Dad called it), the folks gave me a nickel
to spend in the store. I was probably 5 or 6 years old and I was so proud of my purchase,
which I had made all by myself. The rest of the family had the biggest laugh over my
purchase of Ex-Lax. I thought it was chocolate candy. To this day, I can only eat milk chocolate--because dark chocolate reminds me of Ex-Lax and my wasted nickel.
I also talked about Mom selling or trading eggs for supplies at Colclasure's store. A
few years ago, one of my least favorite aunts who lived up north, sent me a letter Mom
had written her when she had just discovered she was pregnant with me. Mom wasn't
very happy about the pending bundle of joy because she figured she had her hands full
with three kids already and very few material goods--and no money.
She told my aunt in that letter that she sold her eggs to raise money to pay the interest
on a loan. It seems to me that the interest was $20, which in those depression times, would
have been a lot of money.
When I wrote columns for the Hometown Journal, the one I wrote, called "The Button
Jar" brought more comments than nearly every other column (well, except maybe the one
about Victoria's Secret). In Lelia Lee's household nothing was wasted. Old clothing was
cut up and the fabric used in making quilts, after the buttons were cut off, of course, and
placed in the button jar. I believe I'll hunt up that old column and post it tomorrow.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Christmas morning Brunch
For many years, I have prepared a brunch on Christmas morning for our family. Faces around the table are different, as relationships change and people move away, and I keep experimenting with the menu. Basically, though, I try to prepare just about every breakfast dish known to man.
One item that is rather unusual for a breakfast buffet is noodles. Years ago I asked for input
on new things to include on the menu and grandson, Trenton, who was very young at the
time, said "Noodles", so they have been included every year since. For the first time ever,
I had to buy noodles already made from Sanders Bakery, as rolling out and cutting the noodles
is playing havoc with my hands. How sad--but another adjustment I have to make to accommodate Mr. Arthritis, I guess!
I love the Waffle House version of cheesy eggs and have fixed them many times, but sometimes they turn out well, and some times they end up watery, so when I ran across a recipe
for baked cheesy scrambled eggs, I was thrilled.
I was a little hesitant, though, when I realized that the casserole dish took 18 eggs. "Oh, well", I thought. "After all, it's Christmas." Sensing my hesitation over the 18 eggs, made me think of my Mom. When I was a kid, only rarely did she make an angel food cake, even though our family really liked that delicacy. Back then, of course, there were no cake mixes in boxes, but everything had to be made from scratch, and she could hardly bring herself to use 12 (ONE
WHOLE DOZEN OF EGGS). Mom raised chickens--not because she needed a hobby--but
because she needed to sell or "trade" those eggs at the Xenia Mercantile (a/k/a Colclasure's
Store). Eggs were therefore a priceless commodity. Maybe Lelia Lee's genes were coming to the surface when I thought twice about using 18 eggs.
I made the casserole, but was a little late in putting it in the oven. It shouldn't have been a problem, except
the center of the egg dish stayed runny. Since the rest of the food was on the table, and people had begun to eat, I hurried and zapped the egg thingy in the microwave, and then zapped it again and again. The center was finally set, but with all of the nuking of the eggs, they were a little
tough.
People definitely were not in the mood for eggs by this time, so except for a few tablespoons
dipped out of the dish, the rest of the casserole was thrown out.
Looking back, I can see what I did wrong. I made the casserole the night before and put it in the fridge, so should have set it out to come to room temp before baking, and/or, since I had
2 ovens at work, 2 crock-pots, one electric skillet and 2 burners on the cooktop, I might have failed to set the oven at the right temperature.
I am not going to give up on that recipe though, as it came from one of my favorite cookbooks.
If you want to give it a try, when you are serving a crowd, just give it extra time to bake and let it set out at room temperature for awhile before baking.
BREAKFAST CASSEROLE
18 eggs
1 lb. meat (ham, bacon or sausage)
(I used bacon, but less than a pound)
1/4 cup flour
2 cups milk
3/4 cup margarine
1 lb. Velvetta Cheese
Fry meat, drain and crumble. Melt margarine, stir in flour. Add milk and cheese,
cook until thick and smooth. Cool, add meat and eggs. Pour into a 9x13" buttered pan. (Glass works best). Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes. this dish can be prepared the night before, placed in the refrigerator overnight and baked the next morning.
One item that is rather unusual for a breakfast buffet is noodles. Years ago I asked for input
on new things to include on the menu and grandson, Trenton, who was very young at the
time, said "Noodles", so they have been included every year since. For the first time ever,
I had to buy noodles already made from Sanders Bakery, as rolling out and cutting the noodles
is playing havoc with my hands. How sad--but another adjustment I have to make to accommodate Mr. Arthritis, I guess!
I love the Waffle House version of cheesy eggs and have fixed them many times, but sometimes they turn out well, and some times they end up watery, so when I ran across a recipe
for baked cheesy scrambled eggs, I was thrilled.
I was a little hesitant, though, when I realized that the casserole dish took 18 eggs. "Oh, well", I thought. "After all, it's Christmas." Sensing my hesitation over the 18 eggs, made me think of my Mom. When I was a kid, only rarely did she make an angel food cake, even though our family really liked that delicacy. Back then, of course, there were no cake mixes in boxes, but everything had to be made from scratch, and she could hardly bring herself to use 12 (ONE
WHOLE DOZEN OF EGGS). Mom raised chickens--not because she needed a hobby--but
because she needed to sell or "trade" those eggs at the Xenia Mercantile (a/k/a Colclasure's
Store). Eggs were therefore a priceless commodity. Maybe Lelia Lee's genes were coming to the surface when I thought twice about using 18 eggs.
I made the casserole, but was a little late in putting it in the oven. It shouldn't have been a problem, except
the center of the egg dish stayed runny. Since the rest of the food was on the table, and people had begun to eat, I hurried and zapped the egg thingy in the microwave, and then zapped it again and again. The center was finally set, but with all of the nuking of the eggs, they were a little
tough.
People definitely were not in the mood for eggs by this time, so except for a few tablespoons
dipped out of the dish, the rest of the casserole was thrown out.
Looking back, I can see what I did wrong. I made the casserole the night before and put it in the fridge, so should have set it out to come to room temp before baking, and/or, since I had
2 ovens at work, 2 crock-pots, one electric skillet and 2 burners on the cooktop, I might have failed to set the oven at the right temperature.
I am not going to give up on that recipe though, as it came from one of my favorite cookbooks.
If you want to give it a try, when you are serving a crowd, just give it extra time to bake and let it set out at room temperature for awhile before baking.
BREAKFAST CASSEROLE
18 eggs
1 lb. meat (ham, bacon or sausage)
(I used bacon, but less than a pound)
1/4 cup flour
2 cups milk
3/4 cup margarine
1 lb. Velvetta Cheese
Fry meat, drain and crumble. Melt margarine, stir in flour. Add milk and cheese,
cook until thick and smooth. Cool, add meat and eggs. Pour into a 9x13" buttered pan. (Glass works best). Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes. this dish can be prepared the night before, placed in the refrigerator overnight and baked the next morning.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)