Unbelievable

I haven't blogged in awhile but this was so unbelievable I had to say something. Today, the verdict in the Casey Anthony trial came back as not guilty. I wasn't an avid follower of the case, but what amazed me most were the descriptions of Anthony's cavalier attitude. I know women who lost children, and one in particular whose child drowned in a swimming pool at the age of three. She didn't run out to the club, get some tattoos, lie to the police, or hide any bodies. She called the paramedics, did what she could to resuscitate her child, and when she couldn't, she wept. She mourned, she blamed God, she buried the pain. But the immense loss resurfaces, year after year after year, and each year she thinks about her toddler and the life truncated. And she's done the same thing for almost 40 years. I know everyone grieves differently, but I don't comprehend how Casey Anthony could have the time of her life: hitting the clubs, getting tattoos, acting like life is great, knowing her child is gone. And despite the improbable verdict, that is what bothers me the most. I'm praying for those that will grieve for Caylee Anthony for years to come. If they can't find justice, may God grant them peace.

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How to Refinish Furniture

These posts are "How To's" that were recently removed from a popular site due to discontinuation of their writer compensation program.  I believe my work is worth more than the paltry buyout they offered, so I'm posting them here.  Please feel free to comment!

How to refinish laminate furniture

Summer is peak time for garage sales and great finds.  If you peruse Freecycle or dumpster dive for hidden gems, refinishing can be the perfect way to add your personal touch to a find.  This article is for refinishing a laminated item only.  

Can’t tell if you have a laminated item? The easiest way is to check the weight.  A lot of  newer (post 1970s) furniture is a laminate veneer applied over a lightweight plywood or mdf board.  If your piece is held together by staples or glue, it's probably a laminate veneer.  If you have a solid wood piece, DO NOT use these instructions.

As with any other project, the outcome is only as successful as your tools.  Depending on the size of the piece of furniture, you will need:

·         Phillips or flat head screwdriver,

·         (1) small or medium-sized plastic container (preferably with lid)

·         (1 -2) sheets 100 grit sandpaper,

·         assorted paint brushes (often sold in packs of 1-1/2”, 2”, & 3” sets),

·         (1) 3” roller with at least (1) refill

·         (1) gallon primer (depending on size of project)

·         (1) gallon paint (depending on size of project)

·         Several paint stir sticks

·         Painting tape (optional)

·         Cloth rags or paper towels

·         Cleaning supplies (optional)

·         Paint tray & disposable liner (optional)

Begin your project by thoroughly cleaning your item to remove any dust, dirt, or other soils.  As you are working with a laminate piece, prolonged exposure to water will harm the finish and is not recommended.  If you must clean with water, wipe off immediately with a dry cloth.   Remove all knobs, fasteners, hinges, and other hardware with the appropriate screwdriver.  After removed, insert screws about halfway inside the hardware to prevent misplacement.  Place all removed hardware inside of plastic container for reuse.

Use your 100 grit sandpaper to gently scuff the entire laminate surface.  This will make it easier for the primer to adhere to the piece of furniture.  Use a damp cloth to wipe off any residual dust and let dry.  Note:  If you skip this step, your paint may peel away from the laminate surface.

Open your primer (a flat head screwdriver will pry the top off) & stir thoroughly with a paint stick.  Pour a small amount into your paint tray, creating a shallow pool at the bottom.  Using your 3” roller, dip into paint, rolling the excess off in paint tray.  Apply to scuffed surface in thin, even coats.  Let dry.  Apply another coat and allow to dry again.
Once the primer is completely dry, apply the first coat of finish paint on top.  Allow to dry, then apply a second coat.  Use a third if necessary.
When you piece is finished drying, reattach the hardware you saved in the plastic container.

Enjoy your handiwork!   

How to Act at a Networking Event

Sometimes, the old adage is true:  getting where you want to be isn’t always about WHAT you know, but WHO you know.  And there’s no better way to expand your professional circle than attending a networking event.  In one well-attended gathering, you can connect with more people in 2 hours than you could in a month.  Not the social butterfly?  Here are some tips when you find yourself outside of your comfort zone.

You will need:
Willingness to meet new people

Business cards

Mints or gum

Business-friendly attire

Self-confidence

• Be prepared.  Business cards, contact information, and some form of PDA are excellent ways to give and collect information.   As a back-up, bring pen and paper just in case you need them. 
• Be confident.  Practice your "elevator speech" - a 45 second to 1 minute blurb about yourself and what you do in case you find yourself chatting with a prospective employer or someone you want to impress.
• Be professional.  While networking events are often in bars, bowling alleys, or other laid-back settings, remember why you’re there.  Your off-work appearance reflects as much on your professionalism as anything else.  Dress for the occasion, but keep in mind your motive is expanding your professional network, not necessarily your dating circle. 
• Not comfortable around new people?  Bring a friend to talk to.  Chances are they can help you gain the confidence to speak to someone else, or would be willing to be your ice breaker in meeting others.
• Attend multiple events.  Networking is often not a one-time thing.  Go to more events until you feel familiar with the format and comfortable around other people.   Just like a game, practice will help you be ready to wow the people you want to impress.
• Approach the unapproachable.  If you see someone by themselves or seemingly distant, walk up and introduce yourself.  Instead of being in a foul mood, they may be just as uncomfortable in an unfamiliar setting as you.  Even if they are intimidating, the simple act of surviving the encounter will give you assurance to try to talk to others.
• Try to pinpoint a reason to speak.  Whether it be a nice purse, interesting hairdo, or great pair of shoes, compliment them on it and use that as an opening to a dialogue.  A simple conversation could open the door to furthering your career. 
• Although networking events can be fun, be sure not to cross the line between professional and party.  A bad way to be remembered is for out-of-control behavior at an event.  While it’s fun to have a good time, you are still representing yourself.  You’ve done a lot to cultivate an image, don’t do anything to ruin a good first impression.
• Follow up.  After you’ve made good connections, send a follow up email within a few days expressing your pleasure to meet them.  Mention any memorable part of the conversation, and show your enthusiasm for the opportunity to speak with them.  Consider inviting them to your professional network or add a tasteful plug for yourself if they expressed interest in your work. 
• Be realistic.  Networking is a great way to meet people, but don’t expect instant miracles.  It may take more than one event to feel like you’ve made good connections.  Keep going, and in time, you’ll be networking like a pro.

Pen and paper are also good tools to jot down notes about opportunities you hear directly or indirectly for follow up later.
Leave the skimpy outfits, torn jeans, and wife-beater T-shirts at home.  General rule of thumb: if you have to ask yourself, “Is this professional?” it probably isn't.
Don't oversell or push.  While you met a lot of interesting people, you didn't make any instant best friends.  Even if you are thrilled, keep a cool exterior until any prospect comes to fruition.

Popping a mint or gum is appreciated by all around, but kindly offering it to others can serve as an ice breaker. 

The Art of Regifting

Nowadays, broke no longer seems like a temporary condition, but a permanent description.  Despite our lack of finances, life keeps rolling on.  The invites to baby showers, weddings, graduations, birthday parties, housewarmings and holiday get-togethers arrive in a steady pace; our seemingly eternal broke-ness makes us dread these gatherings instead of celebrating them.  Parties mean gifts (and, in case you didn’t know, gifts = money).   But don’t fret yet; there is a way to attend any festivity AND bring the appropriate gift.  In the spirit of recycling and “going green”, what better way to save the environment (and your wallet) than to regift?

The re-gift is typically seen as taboo – albeit not quite as taboo as not giving anything.  I’m not talking about shining up a pair of old shoes and calling them new.  The true re-gift is an art form, carefully selected and reworked into a brand-new experience for the recipient.  A few rules do apply:

1.  NEVER re-gift an item to someone who originally bought it for you.
2. When in doubt, find something else to give.

Your home is a treasure-trove of regifting opportunities, you just have to learn the correct techniques to spruce it up and give it that like-new shine.

Regifting criteria:

• Find something as close to new as possible.  Items with tags on them (a new pair of earrings, an unworn kid’s outfit, a new book) are the easiest to pass along.  Remember to rip off the price tag that may belie how long the item has been in your home (a gift from a now defunct store is a sure giveaway).
• Remove any packaging that is ruined, stained, or otherwise broken.  New boxes are cheaply found at your local craft store.  Buying an inexpensive gift bag from a discount store is a great way around this problem , if no boxes suit your needs.
• Personalize the gift.  Picture frames are excellent items to reuse.  Inserting a picture of recipient, or a one-of-a-kind item that they would really appreciate.  Thinking of how to please a recent grad?  Consider framing their graduation announcement and their commencement program.
• Unused gift, gas, or prepaid cards are great to pass on as new.  If you decide to regift one of these items, make sure you call and verify the balance.

Follow these tips and you're guaranteed to bring joy without breaking the bank.

Weddings: Depressing or Joyful?

No April rain
No May flowers bloom
No wedding Saturdays within the month of June...

'Tis the season for weddings and love, but for those who don't have it, weddings can suck.  I wrote this article a few years ago not long after I got married.  Check it out.  Your feedback is appreciated!

If I were single, I would have thrown myself off a bridge the other night.  As much as weddings are meant to celebrate the bonds of unity and oneness, they are also depressing as hell for anyone who doesn’t have someone to share those bonds with.  All the songs about love and finding love and losing love and being in love; had I not had the double band on my 3^rd finger (not including the thumb), I would have been airborne off the Big Mac.

I’ve never been the traditional woman attending a wedding; the kind that comes home, kicks off her wedding-appropriate stilettos, points at her man, the clock, and then the door.  Weddings never jump-started my biological ticker, beginning a silent countdown for “he better propose or else.”  Nope, I was always the big hold-out.  I never had the dreams of the big beautiful wedding with me in the princess dress and the tiara, walking amongst a floral wonderland of roses and calla lilies, waving to all of my adoring family and friends as I walked toward the groom.  The groom of course, would be standing in white, smiling ready to receive me and all of my perfection with open arms, holding a diamond rock of Gibraltar with a band attached to it, waiting for the right moment to slide it on my left hand.  That was never my fantasy.  In fact, weddings evoked the opposite in me…fear.  I embraced the stereotypical male reaction: come home, hurry up and turn on the TV, and hope SportsCenter would distract him from talking about it.  He was ready.  I was petrified.  I hated the thought of being a wife and morphing into someone I didn’t recognize.  I didn’t want to lose myself.

My revelation came at my friend’s reception.  She was the quintessential bachelorette, the life of the party, the epitome of all the clichés about being single and loving it.  But standing before me was this woman, stunning in her ivory dress, radiating happiness.  She hadn’t altered, her personality was just as bubbly as before; the major transformation would be in her last name.  And in that moment, I knew I’d be the same moody, opinionated, loveable person I was before the addition of the title “Mrs.”

On our wedding day, as I stood there in my princess dress and my tiara, my groom in white, holding a non-Gibraltar rock which suited my appendages perfectly, I realized although I’d never dreamt it, I was living my fantasy.  I just hoped all of my unmarried family and friends would be too happy for us to notice the depressing music.      

More Good Hair

In this post, I want to talk about the perception of good vs bad hair.  The African American community typically defines "good hair" as wavy or straight, easy to comb, and long.  But what people don't realize is:

1. just because your hair is wavy or straight, it doesn't mean it's more manageable
2. easy to comb may also mean potential problems holding a style
3. long does not equal "good

Here's a clip from Spike Lee's movie School Daze that summarizes the struggle between good and bad hair.

Good Hair

There's been a lot of talk about natural hair.  One disturbing trend I've seen is people saying they can't go natural (hair sans chemicals) because they don't have "good hair".  So, like Chris Rock, I decided to investigate the myth of good vs bad hair.  Instead of making a movie about it (because we all know that's an option), I opted to dedicate a blog or two to the topic.  Let's start by defining Good or Bad hair for those who don't know anything about the controversy.

Bad Hair:  Bald.  Not there.  Missing.

Good hair:  Hair that grows freely out of your head; in more than spots or sections sparsely spread across your scalp.  If you have any question about if your hair is "good", talk to a chemo patient, or someone with alopecia, or someone who is involuntarily rocking the Sherman Helmsley.

Now that we've defined good vs bad hair, let's delve into hair psychology.  Unfortunately, many people who use relaxer or other chemicals to tame their hair are used to seeing themselves a certain way.  And most of the time, if they are using relaxer or other chemicals, it's because their hair doesn't grow out of their scalp like that.  So what we're left with is this inability to imagine ourselves without processed hair, thinking somehow our original texture is now "bad" because it's not bone straight and manageable.  It's all mental.  People always want what they don't have.  If your hair is curly, you want straight; if it's straight, you admire a body of curls.  We're always going to critique our God-given appearance, pick it apart, and find all the flaws.  Once you appreciate your natural look, it will be a lot easier to stop living in the relaxer past.

We'll get into perceptions in the next post.

Gone Fishing

We stayed in a hotel with a nice koi pond. There were all types of fish, most of them huge. They must be used to getting fed by patrons because they swarmed me while I took these pics. But it made me think - when a fish goes belly up, who gets the great job of cleaning it out of the pond? Does someone from front desk call housekeeping and tell them to bring the big net? My friend and I figured there's some company contracted to water the plants, do the landscaping, and scoop out dead fish. If you have the fantastic job of being a fish cleaner, feel free to comment!

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And the Blog Must Suffer

Hubby and I made an impromptu weekend getaway in honor of father's day and our anniversary. Needless to say, my mind hasn't been on my blog. I did see a few things I felt were worthy of posting, like this picture here. We rolled up on a surprise car show. It was a surprise to us anyway...earlier we were at an ordinary half price books and after hours there was a parking lot full of cars and Street Fighter on the building façade. Either way, it was a great way for my hubby, the car guy, to start out his fathers day.

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Tupac lives!

And his 40th birthday was yesterday, June 16, 2011. In honor, I am posting my favorite song. He'll live in our memories forever (or at least until we forget). Look for me!

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The Blog Police Are Coming!

Ok, seeing I'm at day 3 or 4 since I've blogged, I figure I'd better say something before the blog police come.

This picture is of an accident I saw recently. Amazing how a truck jack knifing can mess up traffic. I'm glad the driver was ok and nobody else was hurt.

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No Kids, part Deux

I wish I could say I miss my babies, but after Day 1, my hubby and I are loving the peace and quiet!  We don't know what to do with ourselves.  We're like Doug and Carrie from the King of Queens...

Not quite jumping on the couch naked, but definitely not in the same old routine of coming home, cooking dinner, and getting ready for bed!  I'm going to enjoy the rest of my night doing absolutely nothing.

Silence is Golden

I wish I could post a clip of how quiet it is in my house right now.  This is the first time in - well, ever - that hubby and I've had the house to ourselves for an extended period of time.  The kids are gone for a fortnight, and I bowed out of watching the NBA Finals at my in-laws.  I am officially alone.  To mark this occasion, I'm enjoying a virgin screwdriver (also known as orange juice), watching The Kingpin, and basking in the sweet sounds of silence.  Ahhh.  I'll miss my kids in a day or two, but not just yet.

Italianfest!

One weekend out of the year, several local restaurants swarm on the banks of the Ohio River for Italianfest. They specialize in Italian cuisine that is usually featured on the Sopranos (cannolis, etc). It's not huge, but worth a quick drive over the bridge. These are some shots of the festival Newport on the Levee in full swing.

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World's Greatest

My Facebook friend Butch Gibson posted something interesting today. "What do you think is the greatest invention of your lifetime?" I read through the responses; they were varied but a lot dealt with computers and the internet. Those are great inventions (hey, I'm using one right now), but I think my response ranks right up near the top of the list. Indoor plumbing. Apparently, other people aren't as fond of having their toilets indoors as I am because I ended up in a 15 minute debate about whether indoor plumbing deserved to be considered a great invention. My friend was in favor of the transistor, which is the basis for modern day technology. Yes, I'm glad we can screen for cancer cells, and use telephones as computers, and have OnStar call us when we accidentally hit the button on the steering wheel. But even without all that, I'm happier that I can sit on my commode inside my home instead of squatting behind my bushes hoping the neighbors don't see. I'm aware outhouses don't work like that, but thankfully, I don't know exactly how they work because my bathroom is inside of my house. See what I'm getting at? I told my buddy to try this: I'd go without inventions with transistors if he would go without indoor plumbing. No showers, no washing hands, no peeing indoors, none of that. He didn't accept my challenge. And right now, as I sit in the dark from a power outage, I can blog on my transistor-assisted phone, but I could still shower and use my facilities if my battery was dead. And that is the beauty of indoor plumbing. It's tops in my book.

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Chicken Burgers!

I got this recipe from The Food Network.

Ingredients

• 1 pound ground white meat chicken
• 2 cups coarse to fine fresh bread crumbs, divided (not canned)
• 1/2 cup low-fat milk (I'm using 2%)
• 3 tablespoons grated sweet onion (or finely, finely minced)
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper 
• 3/4 teaspoon coarse grained salt (I'm using seasoned salt)
• Cracked black pepper
• 1 teaspoon olive oil

Directions

For this recipe, I'm using Perdue prepackaged ground chicken.  They make an all-breast meat version as well.

The Food Network recommends using fresh bread crumbs. Here are their steps to making them:  Remove crusts from good bread or don't remove the crusts, tear into chunks and pulse in a mini chopper or food processor. Make a giant batch and freeze them so next time you can skip this step.

I am using a mix of croutons and toasted bread for my burgers.

Place chicken in a mixing bowl. Using a large spoon, fold in milk, 1/2 cup bread crumbs, onion, cayenne, salt and pepper. The mixture will be very wet. Place remaining 1-1/2 cups bread crumbs on a dinner plate.  Divide chicken meat into 4 or 5 patties and using your hands, shape into patties. Coat each patty with bread crumbs. Heat olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium heat and fry until golden and cooked through.  

Down N' Out

Nappy Roots pretty much sums up my mood for today.  Hopefully tomorrow (and tomorrow's post) will be better.

The TV C-o-n-spir-a-cy!

I think summertime and regular TV are in cahoots to get kids outside.  I'm sure I mentioned our current streamlined existence without cable/satellite/dish/etc.  Let me tell you, it's torture.  No Style Channel, no HGTV, no TLC, no basketball games because our house doesn't get the local channel broadcasting it.  We have about 10 channels that come in clearly, and over half of them are Public Broadcasting Stations.  There's nothing wrong with PBS, but some days I'd like to watch something other than British sitcoms or the history of pocket lint.  I think I'm going through withdrawal; I lived the first 22 years of my life with no problems only watching regular TV.  Apparently I became bourgeois, since the handful of free channels doesn't do it for me anymore.  I suppose this is my sign to turn off the boob tube and do something productive.   Good thing I still have my wi-fi hotspot...

Brownout

I'm at my desk, doing some actual work, when our power goes out. It's relatively quick, then we're back up and running...or so we thought. The electricity lasted just long enough to get the computers on when we were plunged into darkness again. Well, as dark as you can be in the middle of a bright sunny day, but I digress. Apparently the brownout was caused by some equipment malfunction with an epicenter not far from the job. And not unlike an earthquake, the after effects (server problems, computer problems, etc) are still slowing us down. So until the IT man sees the computer signal in the air and comes to the rescue, I suppose today's work is done. Good thing I've still got a signal on my phone :)

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Confidence

Here's my message to everyone who has to build up the confidence to tackle a big task.  Take a lesson from Mr. Ricky Bobby, who has no problem with his self esteem:

If you're not first, you're last.  Trademark of Ricky Bobby.

Tennis!(?)

It's interesting what a little time sans the multitude of channels on cable can have you watching.  Hubby and I have never been avid tennis watchers, but we got into the drama of the French Open over the weekend.  I watched as Na Li garnered the first singles title for the Chinese on Saturday; he gave me the blow by blow on Sunday's Federer/Nadal match up.  We even had a chat about the style and serve of some other notable players, including Gael Monfils, one of the few formidable black male tennis players I've heard of since Arthur Ashe.  I probably won't run right out and get tickets for Cincinnati's annual Western & Southern Open, but I learned that watching large scale ping-pong isn't so bad either.

The Twist Out

I've been all "naptural" for over a year now.  I rock a twist out, which is simply a two strand twist that is pulled apart to create a curly afro.  I have gotten positive feedback about my hairstyle and I figured this is as good a place as any to explain how I do it for anyone else who might want to give it a shot.
You'll need:
setting lotion or wrapping foam
lock/twist gel or a light to medium hold gel
curl rods sized to the length of your hair (shorter hair use smaller rods, longer hair use larger ones)
a light grease for dry scalp
oil or gloss for shine when finished
blow dryer (hood or hand)
comb
3-4 large alligator clips

After washing and conditioning the hair, pat dry with a towel.  While hair is still damp, section off a row at the base of the neck.  This will become your first row of twists.  You will make the row as wide as you want the twists (for smaller twists make a skinnier row, for thicker make a larger one).  Use the alligator clips to hold the hair above your parted row.  Comb through the row, then apply a moderate amount of gel to the entire row.  You should have enough gel to cover the hair without saturating it.  Start at one side of the row and section off a piece of hair.  For small twists, use less; for larger ones, use more.  Split the sectioned hair into two pieces and using firm pressure, twist them together.  Use a curl rod to loosely roll the end (about 1/3 way up the twist) and keep the twist from unraveling.  Repeat for the entire row.  If you don't have many curl rods, you can combine 3 or 4 twists on one rod.  Use this method for the entire head.  While the twisted hair is set on rods, grease the scalp.  Dry the hair with the hood or hand dryer, or let it air dry.  After it's dry, remove the rods and pull the twists apart at the middle.  Use the oil or gloss to add sheen.  Rock it and go!

*NOTE*  The image above is not me nor did I take the photo.  The hairstyle is representative of the finished look of a twist out.  Click here for the website I got the image.

Free Stuff

I'm always on the lookout for a bargain.  Here are a few things to do in Cincinnati that are fun and (almost) completely free.

1. Free Fridays @ Union Terminal.  Select Fridays throughout the summer are free from 4-8pm.  Three museums are included, but parking and the Omnimax theater are extra.
2. KidsFest Cincinnati.  Tons of free, kids-themed activities on the river.  Last year my son caught three catfish, which we promptly gave away (I like my fish fileted BEFORE I get it).
3. Cincinnati Fatherhood Celebration.  Sunday, June 19th - free activities for dads and kids on Sawyer Point.
4. Cincinnati Art Museum.  It's free admission daily; you may possibly pay a small fee for parking.  Visit the gift shop for some tasteful, artful jewelry.

For a list of other Free events, check out the Cincinnati USA website.

June 3rd, 2011

I've been falling behind on my blogs so I'll try to catch up.  I am feeling some kind of way right now...not sure how to describe the emotion.  Maybe it's easier to sum it up in one word. Old.  I feel old.  My eldest niece graduated from high school last night.  My husband and I reminisced about when she was two and loved to watch Bill Nye the Science Guy; when she got older and first got her braces; how excited she was when she got them taken off to reveal a bright and beautiful smile.  She's not the first youngster in my life to don her cap and gown and move on up to the collegiate world, but for some reason hers hit home.  Hard.  It could be because I distinctly remember her at two, running around the house, pigtails and hairballs swinging with every happy step.  This is a child I'd see often; a kid that seemed to morph into an adult overnight.  And now I look at my own children, sprouting up like weeds on Miracle Gro, and I feel so very old.  When did I grow up?  When did I become this somewhat responsible adult?  When did I lose track of time? I need time to slow down a bit.  Yes, my kids drive me nuts, but I will miss these days when they graduate and leave the nest as my niece is about to do.

Sharing Sucks

I hate to share.  I am fine with giving, or volunteering, or donating, but I can't stand having to share something that is unequivocally mine.  My car, my clothes, my computer - I'm not fond of taking turns with any of it.  I guess my attitude comes from never having anything to truly call "mine".  Growing up, my family was pretty solidly middle class, so it was never a matter of money...more like a matter of logic.  I have an older sister and a handful of female cousins who always grew quicker than I did.  So, my new clothes and shoes were hand-me-downs, as well as my toys, roller skates, and bikes.  I didn't care as long as they still fit/worked/rolled.  I used them proudly and sent them on to their next owner.  But as I got older my desire for non-previously owned merchandise grew, and I began to save my money.  My first real purchase was a $99 white metal daybed; I was so proud to plunk down a wad of cash made from my allowances, Christmas and birthday presents, and rewards from a school year of straight As.  My bed was mine.  I could honestly appreciate the fruits of my labor.  It shouldn't be a surprise when you fast forward to today and I'm holding onto my car keys and my computer password with the kung-fu grip.  I can't stand sharing, but I'm not a complete hard ass.  My kids have their own username on my computer; my husband has a key to my car.  I simply don't like to give up my things without a fight or at least a promise in blood that they'll come back relatively close to the way they left my possession.  I don't think that's a horrible thing to ask.  Do you?

30-minute meal #2

Tuna Casserole

It's not top choice cuisine, but it's simple, cheap, and will keep you from starving to death.  And it tastes pretty good too.

You need:
2 cans of tuna (drained)
1/2 bag of wide noodles (I use the wheat ones)
1/2 family-sized bag of frozen mixed veggies
1 can cream of chicken soup (mushroom or celery work well also)
milk (enough to fill the soup can)
8-10 crackers, crumbled
seasoned salt
black pepper
paprika
garlic powder

Boil a large pot of water and add frozen veggies and noodles.  Bring to a boil again and let cook on high until the noodles are done.  Turn off the heat and drain the noodle/veggie mix.  Add in tuna, soup, and milk.  Combine and season to taste.  Pour the mixture into a microwave safe dish with a lid.  Spread evenly in dish and spread cracker crumbs on top.  Sprinkle paprika on the casserole and cook in microwave on high for 5 minutes.  Let rest for 5 minutes, then serve and enjoy.

Got Gas?

I was putting some petro in the tank when I witnessed a common occurrence at the pump. A guy was doing the double drive up maneuver - you know the one where you forget which side of the car the tank is on so you have to back up and try again. Well my aunt taught me a trick to avoid the double drive and check. There's an arrow next to or under the gas gauge which points to the side the tank is on. So instead of hanging your head out the window to search for it, you can simply look at the dashboard. But beware: not all cars have an arrow. And I'm not quite sure how the system works if the tank is accessed below the trunk. I guess it's not a foolproof system, but it can keep at least some of us from looking like fools.

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30-minute meal #1

Yesterday I posted a list of meals that could me made in 30 minutes or less.  Here is recipe #1.

1. Spaghetti
You will need:
1/2 pack spaghetti noodles
1 lb ground beef, turkey, or chicken
1 jar spaghetti sauce, flavor of your choice
Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp garlic (powder or chopped)
1-2 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp parsley

Bring a large pot of water to boil and add spaghetti noodles.  Let boil for 8-10 minutes until cooked.  Set aside.
In a medium sized pot, brown ground beef (or turkey, chicken) until completely done.  If using ground beef, rinse and drain before continuing onto the next step.  Once meat is finished, add spaghetti sauce.  Add seasonings, sugar, garlic, and parsley.  Mix well and heat thoroughly.  Drain spaghetti noodles and add sauce to large pot.  Serve with garlic bread (which cooks in less than 10 minutes in the oven) and a tossed salad (bagged varieties take no time at all).  Meal #1 done.

Taste of Cincinnati

Maybe I'm becoming an old curmudgeon, but I'm not feeling these mass events anymore. The family and I went to the Taste of Cincinnati, an annual food festival which consists of booths along a few blocked off streets downtown. I used to love it; I'd stay for hours and sample just about everything Cincinnati had to offer. Today it was more of a chore than anything - elbowing and pushing our way through the throng of people to get to a booth, only to see the line for the vendor wrapped around the corner. Last year was a packed house too, but for some reason the crowd didn't bother me like today. I suppose I just wasn't in the mood for it. Maybe I'll try again before it's over on Monday. Or perhaps I'll just make a trip to Kroger and save myself the trouble and the gas.

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30-minute meals

I had a discussion with my friend yesterday and she was lamenting about how much she eats out weekly. She mentioned she's often too tired to cook when she comes home from a long day at school. I asked her what she makes for dinner, she said something crazy like duck a l'orange. I pointed out her first problem is she's doing too much. Her second was she didn't have any go-to recipes she can make quickly. So here are ten 30-minute or less (includes prep time) meals anyone can make. I'll post individual recipes on the blog in the coming days.
1. Spaghetti. A staple in my household, spaghetti takes about as long to cook as it does to boil the noodles.
2. Tuna casserole. Another go-to meal...usually made when I'm low on time or food in the fridge.
3. Grilled chicken salad. It's as easy as throwing seasoned breasts on the George Foreman, cutting up lettuce (or using bagged), and adding croutons.
4. Jambalaya. The recipe is already on the Stew, but I'll repost later.
5. Tacos. Brown ground chicken or turkey, add seasonings, scoop into a shell, add toppings. Done.
6. Chili. Simple and spicy.
7. Hamburgers and fries. Make this meal healthier by using lean meat on the grill and serving with baked sweet potato fries.
8. Oven fried chicken tenders. These cook relatively quickly and go great with a side of fries.
9. Baked salmon with rice and vegetables. Bake the salmon, boil the rice, heat the veggies.
10. Sausage and potatoes. This is a budget friendly meal and pretty filling as leftovers until next payday.

I'll post recipes for each dish in the upcoming week. Enjoy!

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Stormy Weather

this song suits the atmosphere for the past month or two.  enjoy

Back to the Bull

I'm back in town...I've got a stack of bills, cable that doesn't work, and a list of tasks a mile long waiting to greet us when we walked in the door. Sigh. This is what makes vacationing so hard...coming back home. I'm going to try to hang on to my relaxed mood at least through the night. Wish me luck.

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A Movie Worth Seeing

It began as a simple suggestion to see a movie. Interestingly enough it came from my husband, who can never stay awake long enough for the opening credits to roll. But I guess since we were on vacay he decided to do something out of the ordinary. The challenge came when we had to pick a flick. He'd already seen Fast and Furious Five (another shocker), and was lobbying to see it again. I wasn't interested in Thor or seeing the movie he just saw, so I bought two tickets to Bridesmaids. He fought me tooth and nail, but reluctantly agreed to sit through the chick flick. Lemme tell you, he laughed harder than I did. This movie was great. Think of The Hangover, but with a raunchier female twist. They pulled some stunts I'm still giggling about today. The end was classic romantic comedy, but the ride there was an unexpected trip. So if you have a few hours to spare, check out Bridesmaids. You can even bring your spouse.

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Dub car show

Today's trip was the Dub Car Show at the Reliant Center. I put some pics above of the cars I liked. I guess I have expensive taste...

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Galveston!

So I finally made it to the beach, and this time not specifically to buy fish. Here are some shots of the gulf. Hopefully the world will go on after today because I'd like a chance to enjoy this again.

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I Won The Lottery...And Gave It Back

Can you imagine buying a house and finding $45,000 in the attic, then giving it back?  I read this article on Yahoo! about a family who did just that.  It's nice to know there are still some honest people in the world.  Now if you ask me if I would've done it...let's just say I'm glad it wasn't me making the decision. :)

Margaritaville

Today's activities consisted of a trip to the gym, some shopping, and testing out the margarita machine. Cheers!

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Wayward visitor

So I said I wanted to capture my trip in photography...here's a few images of a turtle that ventured into the yard. Interesting, enough...we saw a rabbit on the other side of the lawn not far from where the turtle was spotted. We checked again and noted the turtle had made it all the way to the other side of the street, where coincidentally, the rabbit was again. I think we inadvertently broke up a tortoise/hare showdown. I wonder who won?

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Ahhh!

It feels great to be on vacation!  I'm loving the sun and the sand and the sea.  A perfect triumvirate of relaxation for my weary soul.  I wanted to do a pictorial capture of our trip here, but I had the phone/camera on the charger so I missed out on today's opportunity.  We visited the fish market at Kemah, distributor of fresh red snapper, salmon, shrimp, blue crab, crawfish, and other gulf swimmers fresh caught in their backyard.  I sat and watched the calming waves roll in, then headed off to explore another part of the city.  I'm still debating coming back home...

Mighty Mississippi

I flew over the Mississippi today and was astonished at the crazy amount of water spilling over the banks. It's a completely different vantage point to see it on TV and to have a bird's eye view of the liquid destruction. It's hard to imagine the same river that has been a longstanding national landmark is drowning fields, homes, and livelihoods. My thoughts and prayers go out to the families dealing with the floods. Above is a pic I took from the plane.

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On the Road Again

I love to travel. The thrill of taking off, the equal excitement of feeling the wheels lock for landing, then venturing off to explore. What I dislike is the prep. It seems like every trip, no matter how far it's planned in advance, always comes with a heap of stress. Did you wash clothes? Where are the TSA approved carry on bottles? Did you remember to ________ (insert task here). And if we're driving, whoo! Along with the stress comes the fights, about everything from pairs of socks to who is driving first. But once the doors close and the wheels roll, it's off to a new place preferably far from any chaos at the cerebralstew household. And that makes it all worth it. Happy travels!

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First in 2011

Apparently, black folks are still making notable "firsts" in 2011.  Mr. Bill Lester is now the only black man to have won a Grand-Am Road Racing event.  His achievement is eclipsed only by Wendell Scott, the only black man to win a NASCAR Sprint Cup race.  The first thing that came to mind when I saw the article was really?  Black people are still racking up 'firsts' in 2011?  I guess the mere 148 years after the official end of slavery hasn't been enough time to change everyone's mind about the capabilities of black people.  What else haven't African Americans done yet?  I suppose we'll find out the next time a barrier is broken.  Hopefully it'll be sooner than later.

Less ain't always more

It seems like the weather and fashion trends have an inverse relationship; the hotter it gets, the less clothes people wear. Yes, 'tis the season for leaving nothing to the imagination. If you're in a Victoria Secret runway show, feel free to walk around damn near naked. But if you're like 99% of the population, less isn't necessarily more. I went to a program at my son's school and was...amazed (?) by the sheer amount of clothes missing. Booties and boobies and body parts hanging out all over the place. And some of them had on skirts that were wider than they were long. One woman's skirt was so short she would've turned a G-rated parent conference into a XXX peep show if she'd bent over. It was a complete mess. So for the sake of the innocence of my virgin eyes and everyone else who doesn't want to see what your clothes should be hiding, I'll say these three things:
1) just because they make it in your size doesn't mean you should wear it
2) refer to #1
3) less isn't necessarily more. Now go put some daggone clothes on!

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Apples and Trees

As they say, "the apple don't fall far from the tree." My friend sent me this article about children of hoarders she saw in the NY Times. As someone who didn't live in the cleanest home growing up, I could identify with some of the issues these kids have. I can only recall 2 or 3 times my friends spent the night because our house was always a mess. Even as an adult, I don't like to have people over unless the house is clean, which it never is, so I never have company. It's not very fair to my kids, who I'm sure would love to have a sleepover. That's my goal...to have a sleepover friendly house. I'm not far away, so hopefully by the end of June I can start to break the house embarrassment cycle with my kids. It's going to take some serious work, but breaking bad habits always does, right?

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/12/garden/children-of-hoarders-on-leaving-the-cluttered-nest.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

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i-n-d-e-p-e-n-d-e-n-t...

Do you know what that means?  It's not just lyrics for several songs, but a state of mind.  I was thinking about a former coworker and decided to write this post.  She was in school (she worked with me as a paid intern), had her own apartment, and a decent car.  She was also pushing 40, had her tuition paid by her brother, her rent and bills paid by her sister, and had a serious passion for shoes her paychecks helped to support.  But she would always talk about how independent she felt and how proud she was that she lived on her own with nobody taking care of her.  She completely glossed over the fact she didn't pay her own bills or even know how much tutition was, let alone write the check.  Part of me is hating - hey, who wouldn't want a benefactor to take care of everything so all I have to worry about is the occasional shopping spree - but a bigger part of me is screaming WTH?  How do you get to be 40 years old and still be "remotely dependent"?  My definition of a "remote dependent" is anyone who is over 25, lives in a residence apart from whoever is paying the bills, but still comes to mommy/daddy/rich uncle Lou and gets money for everything from rent and car payments to $20 for beer and pizza.  A remote dependent may have a job, but the majority of their income must be spent on items other than the essentials (food, shelter, transportation).  In case you're wondering, cell phones, cable, internet, eating out, etc. do not count as essentials.  And worst of all, whoever is taking care of the remote dependent can't write them off on their taxes.  Unfortunately, people fall on hard times and need assistance every now and then.  But I'm not talking about the rare hardship loan.  You know if you can be classified as "independent" or "remote dependent".  And if you don't, read this post again and tell me...are you i-n-d-e-p-e-n-d-e-n-t?

Beer Bread

A friend and I were taking earlier and I mentioned I wanted some beer bread. She'd never heard of it, so I told her I'd give her the recipe. I figured if I post it on my blog others could enjoy it, too. It's my mom's recipe, but it isn't considered "classified" so here it is.

12 oz can of beer
1/3 c sugar
4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp salt
3 c flour

Mix all dry ingredients together. Add beer. Let the batter rise 30 minutes. Put into a bread pan and bake at 350° for 50-60 minutes or until golden brown.

Simple and tastes great!

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Do you Google Talk?

When compared to Yahoo Messenger, Google Talk is way behind. While Yahoo is based on being intuitive, you have to do a bit of digging to customize Google Talk. I've been using both for awhile now and I still don't know all the nifty tricks it can do. But, being that it's a Google product, I decided to look it up. Ironically, it was the Bing search engine that came up with the answers. So I'll pass them along to you.

Open up Google Talk and try this in a chat window:

For bold type, use asterisks * around the words you want bold. Place them directly before and after the words, no spaces

For italics, use underscore _ around the type. Again, place directly next to the words with no spaces

For a strikethrough, use hyphens - next to the words. Place the same as with bold and italics.

You can combine them, but do it in sets. For example, to bold and italic a word, you would put it like this: *_word_* or _*word*_
If you mix them together like this: *_word*_
It won't work.

To reduce or enlarge the screen: ctrl - or ctrl +

There's also an add on, which I'm not sure is still valid. I'll post the link when I confirm it.

It's important to note these tricks don't show up on the mobile version.

Happy chatting!

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Ghettonation

I read a book by Cora Daniels a few years ago that explored the concept of "ghetto" in American culture. I thought about it yesterday as I was watching a PBS special on Jewish concentration camps, the original ghettos. There was nothing fun, or cute, or good about the ghetto. They couldn't afford the exorbitant prices for food - people were essentially zombies, wandering in a half-dead stupor until they starved to death. And when they died, all the families could do was set the deceased on the street. Conditions were terrible, disease and starvation were as common as breathing, and if you didn't starve, you froze from a combination of threadbare clothes, no coat, and no heat. These were the images the word "ghetto" conjured up in the minds of our ancestors.

Fast forward to today, where "ghetto" is used to describe anything from an inappropriate outfit to loud car music. In the book, Ms. Daniels makes the point "ghetto" is a state of mind, a mental destitution we embraced and use as am excuse to not be better. In fact, the biggest difference between yesterday's Jewish ghettos and today's "ghetto" is theirs was forced upon them while ours is self inflicted. I'm not saying everyone who lives in the ghetto loves it and stays there of their own accord. My point is often we abandon the drive to do better because we are comfortable being ghetto. Think of something you would deem "ghetto." Now ask yourself if it could have been said or done better but wasn't because ghetto was good enough. That mentality is what the book is about. If you haven't read it, check out Ghettonation by Cora Daniels. Hopefully if we change the mentality, we change our outcomes.

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Every Mother Counts

It's Mother's Day and a Sunday, which means I'm watching my favorite show, CBS Sunday Morning. Today features several interesting stories, but one stood out in particular. This one highlights former supermodel Christy Turlington Burns' fight to stop delivery room deaths of new mothers across the globe. The numbers are staggering. A woman dies every 90 seconds due to complications in childbirth. And 90% are preventable. It took Christy's personal experience to jump start her advocacy, as she too could've been part of the statistics. Luckily, excellent medical care saved her life; now she is dedicating it to saving others. She traveled the world, created a film, and developed an organization dedicated to mothers everywhere. The organization and film, simply called Every Mother Counts, recently debuted on OWN. Excellent timing, as Mother's Day is a great time to show every mother indeed, does count. If you want to learn more about the cause and find out more information about the film, check out the link below. Happy Mother's Day!

http://www.everymothercounts.org/

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Last Minute Mom's Day?

It's 5 o'clock, most stores are closing soon, and you still have no clue what you're getting your wife/mom/significant other for Mother's Day. Here are some ideas that may spare you the unnecessary stress of coming up empty handed.

1. When in doubt, feel her out. There's no shame in bluntly asking what the mom in your life wants for a gift. You probably shouldn't have waited until the day before, but most likely if she knows you, she expected nothing less.

2. Jewelry. My aunt has a saying that goes something like "an apology is fleeting; a diamond lasts a lifetime." If you can't afford expensive pieces, consider a tasteful charm bracelet or earrings.

3. Get crafty. A quick trip to a craft or hobby store is a great way to find a simple project for mom. One idea is customizing and painting a wood picture frame, which can be done for less than $10. Pop a picture in of her favorite kids and you're done.

4. Say it with a card. A gift card that is. Often misinterpreted as impersonal, gift cards can be the best way to give mom exactly what she wants. Find out her favorite store and give her the gift that keeps on giving.

5. Make the effort. If you don't have money for anything fancy, offer to give her a break. Watch the kids while she enjoys a girls day (on you, of course); cook her dinner; make coupons for the items on the chore or honey-do list.

Remember to keep her in mind and I'm sure she'll love whatever you come up with. It's the thought that counts. You just don't want her to ask, "what were you thinking?!"

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Design Diva

Maybe I missed my calling. I've been enamored with staging/diy/home improvement shows and every time I watch I wonder if I could've done that. Not the work, but the design. I have my BS in interior design; perhaps I should be transforming homes into dazzling dwellings instead of being stuck behind a desk for 9 hours a day. I don't know how well I would mesh with hardheaded homeowners or camera crews following me around, but I'm sure it's nothing a little creative editing couldn't fix. In the meantime, I'll see if I can whip my own house into shape. Maybe I'll post some pics when I'm done.

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Free Android Apps

We all know Angry Birds is a must have, but what about the other excellent apps floating around in the Android market? If you're not sure what to get, here are a few completely free apps I have that you may like:

Spades by bytesequencing - good game play, lots of options, AI partner could be better

Gas Buddy - saw this one on tv; enter in your zip and it loads gas prices close to your location. No need to sign up, search as a guest

Words with Friends by zynga - the smartphone version of Scrabble, play virtually
with a friend, a stranger, or pass n play with someone in your house.

Our Groceries and Kroger apps - Our Groceries lets you enter your own items & stores, add multiple items at once, and choose how you sort your list. You can also email and sync your lists so everything stays updated.
The Kroger app is useful if you shop at Kroger and have a Plus card. I can load coupons onto the card while I'm in the store and they'll show up in my discounts before I check out. Very convenient.

Uninstaller - a quick and simple way to uninstall an app. Just open the installer, scroll to the unwanted app, and hit ok. Done.

And lastly, one of the apps I use the most, Blogger. I can update, view, add video, images, and links right in my phone. And after I post, I can share with a variety of different platforms from one location.

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Half an Egg

Today I got a crazy hankering for a German chocolate cupcake.  A super moist, melts in your mouth chocolate treat accented with a healthy smattering of coconut pecan icing.  The more I thought about it, the more I felt like going to buy the ingredients to make it happen.  So I went and got the mix (you didn't think I'd make it from scratch did you?), but I don't feel like cooking an entire batch of cupcakes.  Since the box calls for an odd number of eggs, I will have to halve an egg.  If you don't know how, here's a nifty trick I saw on a cooking segment.  Take a small container with a lid, like a large baby food jar or a mini-sized plastic container.  Crack the egg inside of the container and put on the lid.  Shake the container really well so the egg is all combined.  Then, just pour out half into your recipe and save the rest until you need it.  Voila!  Half an egg.  And if you'll excuse me...I've got cupcakes to make!

This is why...

I love Clean House! This is the craziest show ever. The sheer amount of crap people pack in their homes is astonishing. And the families' ability to irrationally justify why they haven't cleaned anything never ceases to amaze me. The family on this episode didn't clean their floors so they put another piece of carpet down on top of it!! Are you serious? Who does that? In their defense, it would've been difficult to vacuum around the mountains of stuff in their living room. Sometimes episodes are so disgusting, my husband asks me how I can stand to watch. The answer is simple. For motivation. I tune in, see the results, then get up and start going through all the stuff threatening to take over my house. So today's episode served its purpose. Play time over, time to make things happen.

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Ahhhh Youtube!

I wonder if the inventors of Youtube knew they'd revolutionize the world with their website. Maybe they did - everyone wants their fifteen minutes of fame. And there are uploads for everyone: conspiracy theories for the suspicious, clips of old school movies for the newbs, comedy routines, television shows, kittens sleeping, how to make/do/fix just about anything, drag races, babies dancing, poetry, etc. etc. etc. It's addictive. Electronic crack fed through wireless veins. And just like any addict, sometimes you need to go to rehab. So if you ever happen to notice everything you reference in life is based on something you saw on Youtube, it's time to unplug. You CAN have too much of a good thing!

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Patches and pieces

I've been semi-slacking on the blog posts. I'm forcing myself to do them, but I've definitely hit sort of an impasse going into month number 5. It may be because of all the other stuff I'm trying to do at the same time. Today my trip to the Depot helped me finally patch up our front lawn from an evergreen we cut down 2 years ago. It didn't take long and even though it's wearing a wig of straw, it still looks better than the great bald spot that was there previously. So there ya go. Today's post was patched together similar to my lawn but overall, not bad.

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America's Best Dance Crew

The new season of ABDC started a few weeks ago and I must say, it's been disappointing. Between Lil Mama and her incoherent ramblings, JC and his desperate pleas for levels and using the entire stage, and Mario Lopez' corny one-liners, MTV did little to revamp its trite format. They did add a bright spot to the judging with D-trix from season four's Quest Crew replacing previous judge Shane Sparks.
Unfortunately I can't say the same about the talent, as this year's crop of dance teams is mediocre at best compared to the past competitors. They all seem to be doing high school cheerleading routines instead of complicated choreography (and I should know - I was a cheerleader). Season 6 attempts some feats that hadn't been done, such as introducing a crew of pole dancers and a crew of the youngest contestants ever. Despite the attempt, the show quickly went back to their hip hop dance roots when the pole dancers were promptly kicked off. In fact, they should probably call it America's Best Hip Hop B-boy Dance Crew since those are the groups that win. This season isn't all bad; some crews, like Phunk Phenomenon, have innovative ideas and flawless execution that set them apart from the rest. Maybe MTV will take some cues and make some much needed changes to redeem the show.

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What About Your Friends?

Friends are interesting people. They lift you up when you're down, believe in your hair-brained schemes, and try not to say "I told you so" when things fall apart. They're also there to give you a swift kick in the butt when you need it, even if you don't want it. So this lost goes out to all the true friends who have listened to our ramblings & complaints, celebrated our accomplishments, cried our tears, and enjoyed being there for all of it. Love you!

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Fiber optics strikes again

Fiber optics have ruined my life. This post may be déjà vu, but this daggone fiber optic cable has me watching all kinds of craziness. Tonight dose of madness was the International Chocolate Championships, which crowns a new Chocolate Master annually. This one was held in Paris in 2009. The contestants, chefs from 19 different countries, competed in various challenges: dessert plate, chocolate hat decoration, cakes, and finally sculptures. And their sculptures were pretty hot; they transformed plain old dark, milk, and white chocolate into Louvre-worthy works of art. The winner's creation was a woman made of white chocolate seated on a platform of mixed white and dark layers wearing a haute couture dress and hat. By the way, he represented Japan. The United States came in second, and Germany took home the bronze. And to think before fiber optics I didn't know there was a Chocolate Master. Here's a link to see some photos from the show. http://www.sogoodmagazine.com/championships/view/world-chocolate-masters

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Awwww

Did you know flowers could drown?  I knew they could drown in the pot, but in the ground?  We've had record rainfall for April, but I never thought it would kill my blooming plants.  Last fall, my daughter and I replanted the flower bed with tulip, daffodil, and hyacinth bulbs after some animals munched on my old ones.   This year they came up great and started to blossom...until April showers set in.  Ground-soaking rains have flooded my driveway, and consequently the runoff killed my fledgling plants.  Did it kill them for good or for the time being?  I don't have the answer to that.  I do know the Mother Nature won't give us our next dry day until Thursday, so all I can do is wait.

SINBAD!!

The other day I watched Sinbad's It's Just Family on the We channel. Oh my goodness! Sinbad by himself is funny, but between him, his wife, and their two adult children, they are hilarious. He breaks his situation down so simply - I made money, I didn't pay my taxes, the IRS took my house, I moved back in my wife's house with my grown kids. They have your typical reality tv feel with relationship drama, power struggles, money problems, etc. but with a twist of humor only Sinbad can provide. Perfect example: they go to buy a car for his son. The salesman has him fill out loan applications and runs his credit. He comes back very grim, breaking to Sinbad the news he has bad credit. Sinbad pulls out this big bag filled with stacks of money and says "here run Mr. Franklin & Mr. Grant's credit" and shoves the forms back to him. A little arrogant yes, but so daggone funny. For anyone who thought he was dead, Sinbad is definitely alive and kicking. You should check out his show some time.

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Breaking the Fast

Happy Easter!  Today marks the official end of my forty day social networking fast.  It was tough at first, mainly because I didn't realize how attached I'd gotten to instant messaging.  Once I got going, it wasn't too bad, but I did have my moments when I felt like relapsing.  I was able to resist temptation though, and I feel like I am better because of it.  Some things I learned during my stint away from social sites:

1. Focus.  I used to lie to myself and say I could "multi-task" with whatever I was doing and IM.  I realized without the constant distraction of random conversation, I was so much more productive.  My goal going forward is to minimize my IM time and concentrate on one thing at a time.
2. There's a difference between a "break" and a distraction.  Like I said in #1, I would multi-task with IM.  Problem was, I didn't realize I was taking a break.  Now I realize the difference.  So if I'm on IM now, it'll be to take a true break.
3. Pulling away is okay.  The world keeps spinning.  I'm not missing out on anything by not being on Facebook, Twitter, IM, or anything else.  If people need me, they know my number, how to text me, email me, or heaven forbid, stop by.  I'll be ok.
4. I was on too daggone much.  I inadvertently cut off my friends' messaging when I went on hiatus.  You know why?  They love me, yes, but  I was one of the only people they could depend on to always be online.  That was a problem.  So I've been able to reconnect with them on a more personal level and leave the IM behind.

So...I think my fast was successful, at least from my perspective.  We'll see what happens in the long run.

A Penny Saved...

I was a little too late for some of the Earth day deals from Friday, but here's a few valid on Saturday, April 23 & Sunday, April 24, 2011.

Lowe's free tree event - part of a million free tree giveaway. Contact your local store to make sure they are participating and to see if there are any purchases necessary. Saturday only.

Old Navy $6 sale - it's not for Earth day, but I can't beat $6 for much needed clothes. Check out your favorite location to see what's on sale. They're also selling polos for six bucks on Saturday only.

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CerebralStew's Day Off

My company was closed today in honor of Easter (or Resurrection Day if you prefer). Much like Ferris Bueller, I rounded up a buddy (well, an indentured servant) and got to the business of my day off. Instead of Ferris' fun filled trips to baseball games and fancy restaurants, I decided I'd sleep until at least 10 then make some progress on my house. I accomplished sleeping late, then it was time to get moving. In 6 hours, we folded, washed & dried, gave away, and disposed of (4) 30 gallon bags, 5 large laundry baskets, and 3 big bins of clothes. We still have 6 or 7 more to go, but not bad for an assembly line of 2 people. Maybe someone will throw us a parade when we're finished, too.

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Extreme Couponing

I love a discount as much as, if not more than, the next person. There's a thrill I get from turning in my coupons and watching extra dollars fall off my transaction. I thought I was a decent Couponer, but after watching this show, I'm nowhere near the ranks of these people. The episode I saw last night focused on two women - different families, different parts of the country, but with the same love and passion for their coupons. These ladies spent 35+ hours a week collecting, sorting, categorizing, mapping the store, drawing up a game plan, and then finally shopping. They were the super bowl coaches of the supermarket. They hauled around 3 or 4 shopping carts, cleared out aisles, disabled check out lines with their thousands of dollars worth of groceries, and ended up with 90% or more in discounts. It was impressive, until you look at what they bought. Over 100 bottles of ketchup and mustard, 93 bags of croutons, 54 bottles of laundry detergent, 115 containers of pm headache medicine. Where is the meat? The produce? The unprocessed, unboxed food? What good is saving money if I'm buying tons of crap I don't need? To their defense, they donate some of their bounty to food pantries and various family members. But really, is my love of a good deal deep enough to have to set up my own warehouse in the basement? No. No, it's not. I'll stick with using my coupons for the things I need and leave the extreme couponing to the pros.

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