Wow, I thought I was without internet access at home for 2 wks, but it's just been one week. My monitor died and I got another one, so I'm catching up on email and hope to be back in the groove soon.
Man, this thing is my lifeline. Especially with Robin. She's been deaf since 17 and can't use the phone, so we've corresponded through email and IM since 1999. And I couldn't get online at work because of a training class we were doing and I was in another department. Speaking of which, they've cut back hours on many people and have laid off some middle management folks. I feel lucky to be working 4 days a week. But keeping my eye on something else to open up.
Skyler and her friend Jess are going to some type of party tonight that's hosted by Pinhead, so she says. Not sure, but I think he's a character from some Halloween-type movie.
So. That's what's new with me these past few days. Will try to visit everyone real soon and see how you're doing. HAPPY HALLOWEEN.
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
COUNTRY COOKING 101
One of my favorite dishes is beans and cornbread. My mother is an outstanding cook, but she never did fix it for us growing up, but I could always get it at my grandmother's house. She'd always make it for me on my birthday. I'd come over for lunch from work and I believe she enjoyed fixing it for me as much as I enjoyed eating it.
Her cornbread is very crunchy on the bottom, which comes from pouring your batter directly into a piping hot iron skillet. It rises nicely until the top stretches and bursts open, leaving just the right amount of golden, cracked open cornbread. Then it's cut into slices and a pat of butter goes into the middle of each piece while the bread's still hot. (450� preheated oven for 20 minutes--ovens may vary)
The beans are dried beans in a plastic bag. Pinto beans, Mixed beans or October beans work fine. You soak them overnight and pour off the water in the morning and add new. Add to the pot a piece of fatback, or strickalean. This is what bacon is before it's sliced up. Cook on low in a Dutch oven for 4 or 5 hours or until beans are tender. Salt to taste.
Skyler doesn't care much for it, but hubby and I still love it. And wonder of wonders, so does my dog, Buddy.
One of my favorite dishes is beans and cornbread. My mother is an outstanding cook, but she never did fix it for us growing up, but I could always get it at my grandmother's house. She'd always make it for me on my birthday. I'd come over for lunch from work and I believe she enjoyed fixing it for me as much as I enjoyed eating it.
Her cornbread is very crunchy on the bottom, which comes from pouring your batter directly into a piping hot iron skillet. It rises nicely until the top stretches and bursts open, leaving just the right amount of golden, cracked open cornbread. Then it's cut into slices and a pat of butter goes into the middle of each piece while the bread's still hot. (450� preheated oven for 20 minutes--ovens may vary)
The beans are dried beans in a plastic bag. Pinto beans, Mixed beans or October beans work fine. You soak them overnight and pour off the water in the morning and add new. Add to the pot a piece of fatback, or strickalean. This is what bacon is before it's sliced up. Cook on low in a Dutch oven for 4 or 5 hours or until beans are tender. Salt to taste.
Skyler doesn't care much for it, but hubby and I still love it. And wonder of wonders, so does my dog, Buddy.
Monday, October 24, 2005
Seen at Shirl's and I'm still thinking about those results. heh heh
What Your Sleeping Position Says |
You are confident and ready to tackle life. You are pretty vain and happy with your physical appearance. You are born to be the center of attention, and you're unhappy on the sidelines. You're always up for trying something new - in and out of bed! |
Sunday, October 23, 2005
Please keep dear Karen in your thoughts and prayers. She went for surgery and had some complications. But she'll make it alright. Her website is being updated so that's been helpful.
My dear sainted Mother is 83 years old. She was older than most my friends mothers, but she's always been full of life; a very handsome woman with a nice shape and is just five feet tall.
Besides having a slower gait and being somewhat frail, as I notice with every hug, she's pretty much the same Mother I've always known. She's still sarcastic and sassy and warm and witty. Oh, and sarcastic. Did I mention sarcastic? Ha!
I got my love of music from her. I also got my biting sarcasm from her. Which hasn't always served me well.
She's a retired RN, registered nurse, and worked her way up from floor supervisor to Nursing Supervisor over the whole hospital and can still speak intelligently on all things medical. I was always proud of her being a working Mother and expert homemaker and knew that'd be a hard act to imitate. Growing up I hounded her relentlessly about the Bridge Club and Country Club, etc. It was the Sixties.
She calls the neighborhood convenience store "Tiffany's" because of their high prices, wouldn't dream of missing her weekly salon appointment and talks smack to the baseball players on the television. She probably knows more about baseball than most players and she's never missed an Atlanta Braves game. Ever. If they're not on, she'll watch someone else, but if you wanted to talk to her growing up and a game was on, you either waited until commercials or learned baseball, too.
These qualities my Mother still have are very comforting to me now when they haven't always been. She's at an age where I worry so much about her, but as soon as I can hear her voice, I know she's doing just fine.
Edited to add: My sweet Mommy just called and I was worred because it wasn't time for her to be back from church yet and I was afraid of bad news. It wasn't, but she did say that Robin is in a lot of pain and can't get around much at all. Sigh...
Shirl, you once asked if we could do cards or emails or something. I'll list both addresses for Robin here should anyone get the chance to send a note to her to cheer her up.
Robin's Email - We can use her Yahoo email which is mzdobber@yahoo.com
Home Address
Robin Swinks
501 Golf Course Drive
Elizabethton, TN 37643
Besides having a slower gait and being somewhat frail, as I notice with every hug, she's pretty much the same Mother I've always known. She's still sarcastic and sassy and warm and witty. Oh, and sarcastic. Did I mention sarcastic? Ha!
I got my love of music from her. I also got my biting sarcasm from her. Which hasn't always served me well.
She's a retired RN, registered nurse, and worked her way up from floor supervisor to Nursing Supervisor over the whole hospital and can still speak intelligently on all things medical. I was always proud of her being a working Mother and expert homemaker and knew that'd be a hard act to imitate. Growing up I hounded her relentlessly about the Bridge Club and Country Club, etc. It was the Sixties.
She calls the neighborhood convenience store "Tiffany's" because of their high prices, wouldn't dream of missing her weekly salon appointment and talks smack to the baseball players on the television. She probably knows more about baseball than most players and she's never missed an Atlanta Braves game. Ever. If they're not on, she'll watch someone else, but if you wanted to talk to her growing up and a game was on, you either waited until commercials or learned baseball, too.
These qualities my Mother still have are very comforting to me now when they haven't always been. She's at an age where I worry so much about her, but as soon as I can hear her voice, I know she's doing just fine.
Edited to add: My sweet Mommy just called and I was worred because it wasn't time for her to be back from church yet and I was afraid of bad news. It wasn't, but she did say that Robin is in a lot of pain and can't get around much at all. Sigh...
Shirl, you once asked if we could do cards or emails or something. I'll list both addresses for Robin here should anyone get the chance to send a note to her to cheer her up.
Robin's Email - We can use her Yahoo email which is mzdobber@yahoo.com
Home Address
Robin Swinks
501 Golf Course Drive
Elizabethton, TN 37643
Saturday, October 22, 2005
Household Hints
I swiped this post from Lynn. I was trying to think of a good place to keep these tips and decided that here would be good and also quick to do.
Did You Know That Drinking two glasses of Gatorade can relieve headache pain almost immediately without the unpleasant side effects caused by traditional pain relievers.
Did you know That Colgate toothpaste makes an excellent salve for burns.
Before you head to the drugstore for a high-priced inhaler filled with mysterious chemicals, try chewing on a couple of curiously strong Altoids peppermints. They'll clear up your stuffed nose.
Achy muscles from a bout of the flu? Mix 1 Tablespoon of horseradish in 1 cup of olive oil. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes, then apply it as a massage oil, for instant relief for aching muscles.
Sore throat? Just mix 1/4 cup of vinegar with 1/4 cup of honey and take 1 tablespoon six times a day. The vinegar kills the bacteria.
Cure urinary tract infections with Alka-Seltzer . Just dissolve two tablets in a glass of water and drink it at the onset of the symptoms. Alka-Seltzer begins eliminating urinary tract infections almost instantly --even though the product was never been advertised for this use. (Note: Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold Medicine is not the same... and contains aspirin, which can cause stomach bleeding if you have ulcers.)
Honey remedy for skin blemishes-- Cover the blemish with a dab of honey and place a Band-Aid over it. Honey kills the bacteria, keeps the skin sterile, and speeds healing. Works overnight.
Listerine therapy for toenail fungus - Get rid of unsightly toenail fungus by soaking your toes in Listerine mouthwash. The powerful antiseptic leaves your toenails looking healthy again.
Easy eyeglass protection - To prevent the screws in eyeglasses from loosening, apply a small drop of Maybelline Crystal Clear nail polish to the threads of the screws before tightening them.
Coca-Cola cure for rust - Forget those expensive rust removers. Just saturate an abrasive sponge with Coca Cola and scrub the rust stain. The phosphoric acid in the coke is what gets the job done.
Cleaning liquid that doubles as bug killer-- If menacing bees, wasps, hornets, or yellow jackets get in your home and you can't find the insecticide, try a spray of Formula 409. Insects drop to the ground instantly.
Smart splinter remover-- just pour a drop of Elmer's Glue-All over the splinter, let dry, and peel the dried glue off the skin. The splinter sticks to the dried glue.
Hunt's tomato paste boil cure-- Cover the boil with Hunt's tomato paste as a compress. The acids from the tomatoes soothe the pain and bring the boil to a head.
Balm for broken blisters-- To disinfect a broken blister, dab on a few drops of Listerine, a powerful antiseptic.
Heinz vinegar to heal bruises-- Soak a cotton ball in white vinegar and apply it to the bruise for 1 hour. The vinegar reduces the blueness and speeds up the healing process.
Kills fleas instantly. Dawn dish washing liquid does the trick. Add a few drops to your dog's bath and shampoo the animal thoroughly. Rinse well to avoid skin irritations. Goodbye fleas.
Rainy day cure for dog odor-- Next time your dog comes in from the rain, simply wipe down the animal with Bounce or any dryer sheet, instantly making your dog smell springtime fresh.
Eliminate ear mites-- All it takes is a few drops of Wesson corn oil in your cat's ear. Massage it in, then clean with a cotton ball. Repeat daily for 3 days. The oil soothes the cat's skin, smothers the mites, and accelerates healing.
Quaker Oats for fast pain relief-- It's not for breakfast anymore! Mix 2 cups of Quaker Oats and 1 cup of water in a bowl and warm in the microwave for 1 minute, cool slightly, and apply the mixture to your hands for soothing relief from arthritis pain.
Did You Know That Drinking two glasses of Gatorade can relieve headache pain almost immediately without the unpleasant side effects caused by traditional pain relievers.
Did you know That Colgate toothpaste makes an excellent salve for burns.
Before you head to the drugstore for a high-priced inhaler filled with mysterious chemicals, try chewing on a couple of curiously strong Altoids peppermints. They'll clear up your stuffed nose.
Achy muscles from a bout of the flu? Mix 1 Tablespoon of horseradish in 1 cup of olive oil. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes, then apply it as a massage oil, for instant relief for aching muscles.
Sore throat? Just mix 1/4 cup of vinegar with 1/4 cup of honey and take 1 tablespoon six times a day. The vinegar kills the bacteria.
Cure urinary tract infections with Alka-Seltzer . Just dissolve two tablets in a glass of water and drink it at the onset of the symptoms. Alka-Seltzer begins eliminating urinary tract infections almost instantly --even though the product was never been advertised for this use. (Note: Alka-Seltzer Plus Cold Medicine is not the same... and contains aspirin, which can cause stomach bleeding if you have ulcers.)
Honey remedy for skin blemishes-- Cover the blemish with a dab of honey and place a Band-Aid over it. Honey kills the bacteria, keeps the skin sterile, and speeds healing. Works overnight.
Listerine therapy for toenail fungus - Get rid of unsightly toenail fungus by soaking your toes in Listerine mouthwash. The powerful antiseptic leaves your toenails looking healthy again.
Easy eyeglass protection - To prevent the screws in eyeglasses from loosening, apply a small drop of Maybelline Crystal Clear nail polish to the threads of the screws before tightening them.
Coca-Cola cure for rust - Forget those expensive rust removers. Just saturate an abrasive sponge with Coca Cola and scrub the rust stain. The phosphoric acid in the coke is what gets the job done.
Cleaning liquid that doubles as bug killer-- If menacing bees, wasps, hornets, or yellow jackets get in your home and you can't find the insecticide, try a spray of Formula 409. Insects drop to the ground instantly.
Smart splinter remover-- just pour a drop of Elmer's Glue-All over the splinter, let dry, and peel the dried glue off the skin. The splinter sticks to the dried glue.
Hunt's tomato paste boil cure-- Cover the boil with Hunt's tomato paste as a compress. The acids from the tomatoes soothe the pain and bring the boil to a head.
Balm for broken blisters-- To disinfect a broken blister, dab on a few drops of Listerine, a powerful antiseptic.
Heinz vinegar to heal bruises-- Soak a cotton ball in white vinegar and apply it to the bruise for 1 hour. The vinegar reduces the blueness and speeds up the healing process.
Kills fleas instantly. Dawn dish washing liquid does the trick. Add a few drops to your dog's bath and shampoo the animal thoroughly. Rinse well to avoid skin irritations. Goodbye fleas.
Rainy day cure for dog odor-- Next time your dog comes in from the rain, simply wipe down the animal with Bounce or any dryer sheet, instantly making your dog smell springtime fresh.
Eliminate ear mites-- All it takes is a few drops of Wesson corn oil in your cat's ear. Massage it in, then clean with a cotton ball. Repeat daily for 3 days. The oil soothes the cat's skin, smothers the mites, and accelerates healing.
Quaker Oats for fast pain relief-- It's not for breakfast anymore! Mix 2 cups of Quaker Oats and 1 cup of water in a bowl and warm in the microwave for 1 minute, cool slightly, and apply the mixture to your hands for soothing relief from arthritis pain.
Friday, October 21, 2005
I've been a member of Webshots since 2000, and no telling how long they've been around before that. I don't see anything else that's as good as they are for what they do. They offer free screensavers and wallpaper that's sent in by other online users and is really exceptional. I especially enjoy using it around any holiday, such as Halloween. I set it up to rotate lovely Halloween images on my desktop. Great landscapes and scenery shots, too. The search feature is quite handy. Shirl could look up "barns" and probably find several nice specimens. Do you still dress up your desktop? If so, what do you use? I'm currently using some nice pumpkin and fall backgrounds from Webshots.
Link
Link
Wednesday, October 19, 2005
A Network For Grateful Living
In many different traditions lighting candles is a sacred action. It expresses more than words can express. It has to do with gratefulness. From time immemorial, people have lit candles in sacred places. Why should cyberspace not be sacred?
Light a candle for peace, or for anything else. You can also visit with the Angels of the Hour.
In many different traditions lighting candles is a sacred action. It expresses more than words can express. It has to do with gratefulness. From time immemorial, people have lit candles in sacred places. Why should cyberspace not be sacred?
Light a candle for peace, or for anything else. You can also visit with the Angels of the Hour.
Thursday, October 13, 2005
You cannot imagine how funky one grown man, one teenager and one shedding chow can make a house.
Upon returning from Nashville, my sister, Robin, who's on her way to Atlanta today, walked in with me and I was mortified. Mortified after just taking the first step inside of my house.
When I met my husband about 20 years ago, he lived in a old rundown cabin in the woods, roughing it. Cooking over the fireplace, getting water from the spring. It was a personal challenge and he loved living that way, after having lived in LA, New York and Atlanta all his life.
He used to be a pretty tidy guy, but now he cleans house the way you would an old rustic cabin. Mop or vaccum? He never had to mop when he had sawdust on the floor, so why should he worry with linoleum? Ditto, the carpet.
He can't be bothered to put away groceries. Well hell, he made it to the kitchen with them, why should I be bitching? When he's forced to wash dishes because they're ALL dirty and scattered throughout the house, all he needs is a little dab of water. Just enough to knock the crust off. Ditto, the laundry.
This is one of those quirky habits you find so damn charming about a spouse before you get married and it later becomes downright irritating. I loved that he could live off the land and grow his food, make furniture and on and on.
I've lived in two different communes so I appreciate a good self reliant man or woman, but you can still learn some housekeeping skills along the way.
I should face facts after 20 years with his endearing quirkiness. My husband is and will probably always be a messy guy.
Upon returning from Nashville, my sister, Robin, who's on her way to Atlanta today, walked in with me and I was mortified. Mortified after just taking the first step inside of my house.
When I met my husband about 20 years ago, he lived in a old rundown cabin in the woods, roughing it. Cooking over the fireplace, getting water from the spring. It was a personal challenge and he loved living that way, after having lived in LA, New York and Atlanta all his life.
He used to be a pretty tidy guy, but now he cleans house the way you would an old rustic cabin. Mop or vaccum? He never had to mop when he had sawdust on the floor, so why should he worry with linoleum? Ditto, the carpet.
He can't be bothered to put away groceries. Well hell, he made it to the kitchen with them, why should I be bitching? When he's forced to wash dishes because they're ALL dirty and scattered throughout the house, all he needs is a little dab of water. Just enough to knock the crust off. Ditto, the laundry.
This is one of those quirky habits you find so damn charming about a spouse before you get married and it later becomes downright irritating. I loved that he could live off the land and grow his food, make furniture and on and on.
I've lived in two different communes so I appreciate a good self reliant man or woman, but you can still learn some housekeeping skills along the way.
I should face facts after 20 years with his endearing quirkiness. My husband is and will probably always be a messy guy.
Sunday, October 9, 2005
Just a quick note to say I'm still in Tennessee taking care of Robin. We came back from Vanderbilt University Medical Center with the diagnosis of liver cancer and it's also in her lymph nodes. Chemo alone won't help much, so she may decide on a surgery in conjunction with chemo. Doesn't look very good and we're all in the middle of just trying to deal with the news. She already had cirrhosis and HepC.
I send love to you all who visit me here at SJ. You are my favorites. I'll try and update and visit soon with you all, but for now just wanted to get this down and send love to you all.
xoxo
I send love to you all who visit me here at SJ. You are my favorites. I'll try and update and visit soon with you all, but for now just wanted to get this down and send love to you all.
xoxo
Wednesday, October 5, 2005
I go to Tennessee tomorrow morning to take Robin to Vanderbilt Medical Center. So I will be out of circulation for a few days. Will try my best to stop by and visit today/tonight.
Now Playing - Coldplay - Fix You. I just love that song so I downloaded it and uploaded it to have--maybe I'll buy the cd this week.
happy birthday to me.....thanks for your well wishes
Now Playing - Coldplay - Fix You. I just love that song so I downloaded it and uploaded it to have--maybe I'll buy the cd this week.
happy birthday to me.....thanks for your well wishes
Monday, October 3, 2005
The new moon in Libra. Solar Eclipse October 3, 2005. Also a 3-minute Moon Ritual and Ask The Oracle.
via Mooncircles
Sunday, October 2, 2005
October is cool. I like the way she looks. With her big fat O in the beginning and the right amount of letters tagging along behind. Like mother O and her babies c,t,o,b,e,r.
October is the best month of all. My Mother and Father and I are all born in October and that alone was cause for the whole month to be celebratory.
October is cramming more outdoor activities into your days and nights before the frost sets in. Football games, hiking, outdoor concerts and cafes and anything else that good friends and a beverage of your choice would compliment nicely. Time to unpack your comfort clothes. Flannel and corduroy, your quilts and sweaters, your gloves, hats and boots.
It's no longer April. June and July are but a memory and now it's time to honor the October of my life.
October is the best month of all. My Mother and Father and I are all born in October and that alone was cause for the whole month to be celebratory.
October is cramming more outdoor activities into your days and nights before the frost sets in. Football games, hiking, outdoor concerts and cafes and anything else that good friends and a beverage of your choice would compliment nicely. Time to unpack your comfort clothes. Flannel and corduroy, your quilts and sweaters, your gloves, hats and boots.
It's no longer April. June and July are but a memory and now it's time to honor the October of my life.
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