If I Were Emma Peel.....

I would look stylish in tweed, even while in hand to hand combat.

Saturday Night Live

Kicks off its 32 season tonight, with Dane Cook as host and musical guests The Killers...both of which should be pleasing.

The bad new for season 32, Seth Meyers taking over for Tina Fey on Weekend Update. Ick. I love Tina Fey and Amy Polar, and a saddenned by the change.

Sketches I hope to see returned this season. The Needlers, The "babe" couple, hilarious, Appalachian Emergency room. Oh and anything including Amy Polar, or Horatio .

I am currently watching out of the corner of my eye, Nebraska vs. Kansas. Nebraska leading by a smidge. Hence why I am watching out of the corner of my eye.



Last night DH and I watched The Avengers, "Cybernauts"

Industrial bigwigs invited to bid on a "new circuit element" are being murdered by what appears to be a karate expert. Steed and Emma eventually discover, however, that the killer is not flesh and blood, but a deadly robot built by a brilliant inventor for the purpose of obtaining exclusive rights to the new electronic product--a product that would allow him to create machines capable of replacing humans.

A great episode, from the 1965 series, and the first episode that aired in the United States.

Emma gets to showcase her judo skills, in a tweed suit at that.

Dear Husband made note of the following line.

As Steed is leaving for Armstrong's plant, he tells Emma,

"If I'm not back by eleven-thirty, I'll stay for breakfast." Emma: "You don't eat breakfast."

How would Emma know?

Lucky Girl

Pink Ninja loves to look "fooofooo". Imagine that. She is usually dressed in a tutu, dress, or some princess costume...

Granny, even purchased Pink Ninja a new lavender tutu while visiting, because these things are really not made to wash and wear on a daily basis. She was beginning to look like the Matchstick Girl.

So while on the nature hike today I asked DH what we were getting her for her 3rd birthday, which is coming soon.

I guess the Moscow Ballet Company will be here performing The Nutcracker. (There is a military discounted ticket price!)

I think she is a lucky girl, with a thoughtful Daddy. I cannot wait to go.

Off To The Mountains

Dear Husband has the day off from work, I cannot recall the last day we spent "together" . Seriously. We are headed to the mountains.

A Picture is worth a thousand words...

One of my biggest complaints about being a military wife, and a Mom is the lack of photos. There are few photos of me, with both of my children. They do not exist, unless I take them at an arms length myself. Photos taken at an arms length are not the most flattering, and someone usually gets an eye, or head cut out somehow.

Well upon finding out "Granny" was coming, I asked her to take plenty of photos of me and "the collective"...

So she did.





It cured me.

Photographs can be hard to look at can't they?

I know, I need to get into the salon and get my roots done ASAP. I also know I need more sleep. I look worn out in all of the photos. Oh, and I promise this is not a plea for any compliments...it is not.

So as hard as it is on the pysche, there is a lot to accept in a photograph . There is aging. Which I should not complain about. There are planty of people around, that will not have the opportunity to age. Some of those exist in the blogosphere for us...there are people fighting for their lives. So I guess, as my DH says...never bitch about growing older, only the alternative.

I need to narrow my focus, and remember it was a cool fall day at the zoo. Dash and Pink Ninja were so gentle and kind when feeding the goats and lambs. They spoke with monkeys. Granny was with and she got to point out wolves, foxes, and monkeys. We all ate icees under a shade tree and watched the alligators smiling in the sun.

Getting older is not half bad...

Granny's visit

Dash and Pink Ninja would have fed the goats all day...Granny has an empty pocketbook to prove it!!

Banned Book Week Continues!!

Here is a list of books I have read and enjoyed. The books on this list have either been banned at some place or some time or challenged. What would we do without great books?



As I Lay Dying (1932)
by William Faulkner

Catcher in the Rye (1951)
by J. D. Salinger

Grapes of Wrath (1939)
by John Steinbeck

Lord of the Flies
by William Golding


The Color Purple
Alice Walker


Heart of Darkness
Joseph Conrad

Naked Lunch
William S. Burroughs


Tropic of Cancer
Henry Miller



A Clockwork Orange
Anthony Burgess


Slaughterhouse Five
Kurt Vonnegut

Of Mice and Men
John Steinbeck



The list goes on and on...

According to ALA, at least 42 of the Radcliffe Publishing Course Top 100 Novels of the 20th Century have been the target of ban attempts.

Go HERE to view!

Banned Book Week

It is banned book week, and I felt it was a good time to throw in some geneology, as well.

When I traveled back to Nebraska in July, I was given the job of "sorting through some things". This led me to find some family geneology, that I had stumbled upon before.

The Taylor/Dobson/Smith, family history.

This would be my Father's, Mother's family...

According to Wikipedia:

ISAAC TAYLOR (1829-1901), English philologist, eldest son of the preceding, was born at Stanford Rivers, 2nd May 1829. He was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, and took the mathematical tripos in 1853. His interests, however, were linguistic rather than mathematical, and his earliest publication was a translation from the German of W. A. Becker's Charicles. Though of Nonconformist stock, Isaac Taylor joined the Church of England, and in 18J7 was ordained to a country curacy. In 1860 he published The Liturgy of the Dissenters, an appeal for the revision of the Book of Common Prayer "on Protestant lines," "as expedient for the material interests of the Church, and as an act of plain justice to the Dissenters." His studies in local etymology bore fruit in Words and Places in Etymological Illustration of History, Ethnology and Geography (1864). Between 1865 and 1869, when he was in charge of a Bethnal Green parish, his philological studies were laid aside, and he published only The Burden of the Poor and The Family Pen, a record of the literary work of his own family, the Taylors of Ongar. In 1869 he became incumbent of a church at Twickenham, and used his comparative leisure to produce his Etruscan Researches (1874), in which he contended for the Ugrian origin of the Etruscan language. In 1875 he was presented to the rectory of Settrington, Yorkshire, and began his systematic researches into the origin of the alphabet. His Greeks and Goths; a Study on the Runes (1879), in which he suggested that the runes were of Greek origin, led to a good deal of controversy. His most important work is The Alphabet, an Account of the Origin and Development of Letters (1883; new and revised edition 1899). Taylor points out that alphabetical changes are the result of evolution taking place in accordance with fixed laws. "Epigraphy and palaeography may claim, no less than philology or biology, to be ranked among the inductive sciences."

Comforting

It is going to be a long day here at Casa De Dust. There have already been tears, and tears about Granny being gone. Tears, about almost EVERYTHING that has not gone right this morning. I know, it is not about the "stuff".

Heartbreaking, to be 2 1/2 and 4 1/2 and see your most favorite person on the planet go away, and you do not know why.

So, it has been a long morning, despite my best attempts at "replacing" her. It just cannot be done. I cannot be Grandma.

No one wanted to eat a regular breakfast this morning. Pink Ninja requested the only prepackaged, prepared food in the house. Good old Kraft macaroni and cheese, and I went ahead and made it. Comfort food I suppose. I am not gonna fight some things this morning. I just cannot.

Grandmothers are a good reminder to we Moms. They really are. Grandmothers remind us to slow things down a bit, remind us that the house cleaning will always be there, that smiling children are happy children.

They deserve to have someone in life that thinks they can do NO wrong, and that they are the most beautiful, and smartest children on the planet. They deserve to have someone, that thinks they are the moon, and that is "Granny" in this case. I love that for them, because it is something I grew up without. I couldn't have hand picked a better person for the job.

SO Granny is gone, and we have no idea when we will have the pleasure of seeing her again......

ugghhhhh

it is going to be a loooooooong day. Now, where is that Boston Cream Pie?

Painting the town light orange...

We had a big breakfast here at Casa De Dust, and then we headed out To Hot Springs.

The area now known as "Hot Springs National Park" first became United States territory in 1803 as part of the Louisiana Purchase. The first permanent settlers to reach the Hot Springs area in 1807 were quick to realize the springs' potential as a health resort. By the 1830s, log cabins and a store had been built to meet the needs (albeit in a rudimentary way) of visitors to the springs.


To protect this unique national resource and preserve it for the use of the public, the Arkansas Territorial Legislature requested in 1820 that the springs and adjoining mountains be set aside as a federal reservation (not to be confused with the Indian reservations being established around the same time). On April 20, 1832, President Andrew Jackson signed legislation to set aside "...four sections of land including said (hot) springs, reserved for the future disposal of the United States (which) shall not be entered, located, or appropriated, for any other purpose whatsoever." This makes Hot Springs National Park the oldest national park among current N. P. S. Parks, predating Yellowstone National Park by forty years.

So I gave "Granny" the fast tour. Yes folks that is right, "The Collective" have taken to calling Grandmother, "Granny". The good news is, "Granny" does not seem to mind one bit. So. I gave Granny, the fast tour. Hot Springs "gambling" and "gangster" history.

The most famous visitor down through the ages was probably Al Capone. During the Prohibition Era, Capone came from Chicago to strike deals with bootleggers in Hot Springs to stock his clubs in Chicago with alcohol. Hot Springs was a remote town located in the middle of the Ouachita mountains, and the forest provided "cover" for the moonshine stills year round. Capone would ship his bootleg liquor in railroad cars, and for protection, he had the words "Mountain Valley Water" painted on the side of the railcars.

In Chicago, Detroit, New York - when the FBI and police were after criminals because of a robbery or murder, the gangsters knew where to come to relax in safety. Hot Springs was a sanctuary from both prosecution and enemies. Gangsters could enjoy the entertainment of gambling, and be pampered with the hot mineral baths and massages.

Hot Springs, also has quite a history of prostitution, of which I haven't read much about. However, upon moving to Arkansas about 5 years ago, I had read Stephen Hunters book Hot Springs, and was introduced to the topic.

The history of Hot Springs acknowledges Maxine Temple Jones as the Brothel Queen. She was once touted as the richest madam in Arkansas, grossing $5,000 per night. From 1945 through 1962, Maxine hosted high-rollers from Dallas, Chicago, and Little Rock. In her book, Call Me Madam, Jones recalls that period of time, known as the Spa's hey-day, as being all about "gambling, girls, and whiskey."

I took a few photos, we had Ecuadorianan food for lunch, it was delicious. Mortomorrowow.

"Granny" leaves in the morning, and I will be sad. We all miss her SOOOO, Dash and Pink Ninja, are going to have to rough itomorrowow.

Damn.

Happy Dance!!

Today I tried to fit in my size 8 jeans, and guess what they zipped!! Hoooo freaking RAY!! Now, I will add here, it was NOT a beautiful sight, nope, there was some "extra" stuff going on around the waist. But I wore a loose fitting long sleeved t-shirt, and no one was the wiser. I was not "comfortable" for about 5 hours of the day, but I did not care. I AWTM, is finally in a size eight, however uncomfortable it was, I saw some metaphorical light at the end of the tunnel!!

All of the walking, and yoga, and pilates, and walking, and not eating in the evenings is paying off.

I celebrated with a hot fudge sundae, and a 5 mile walk.

TA-Dah, I have no idea how much I weigh, and I am curious, but I promised myself, I would not do so. Now, I need to find my cream 3/4 sleeve jacket with the rhinestone buttons, and the black knee length tiered skirt. It has to fit now, and I deserve the opportunity to wear it.

Now, my goal, keep doing what I am doing, until my size 8 jeans are actually comfortable!!

Is It Tuesday already?

Last night DH and I managed a motorcycle ride. Brrrrr...I am unsure what the temperatures were, but brrr. Probably only 60 or so, but when you are going 60 mph, that can feel chilly. I had my leather jacket, and gloves on, but I do think I will have to break out the chaps now. My legs were chilly. I am a wuss.

I have been enjoying my Mother-In-Law. It is wonderful to have company here, particularly with a recent turn of events, which had called my DH away for DAYS. Very disappointing for my Husband and his Mother who had been planning this trip for months.

There is a lot to tell, and photos to take, and share.

We are headed to the zoo today, the three top requested animals. The giraffe, zebra, and lion. Me, I am a fan of monkeys. Imagine that.

DH will have to go to work tonight, AGAIN...damn. I miss him, he is kinda cute.

I would suggest going over to SpouseBuzz today. Looks like we are going to be taking SpouseBuzz on the road!! We would LOVE to see you there!

Family Day

A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children, ™ a national effort to promote family dinners as an effective way to reduce substance abuse among children and teens. Family Day is celebrated September 25th, 2006.

Tammi, had told me about Family Day a couple of weeks ago. Note here, Tammi is single, and has no children, but she wanted me to know how important this day was to her.

I need to add here, that I do believe meal time is a great time for all in the family to look at one another, catch up, talk, and eat. My kitchen table is the heart of my home. My kitchen is vital to my family. We not only eat at the kitchen table, I write out bills there. "The Collective" and I color at the table, we craft, talk, make play doh cookies, play Chutes and Ladders, write letters to Grandparents, we even ask blessings over the table. There have been many decisions made around a kitchen table all across the World.

I grew up in a family that ate dinner ALMOST every night as a family, unless of course, there were church, or school activities that did not allow it. I grew up knowing this was an important time for families to reconnect. We felt free to ask questions about politics, religion, and our future.

I grew up in a civilian household, third generation of German farm immigrants who like to cook. I come from a long line of women who love the kitchen.

So, with a spouse in the military, I had some adjustments to make. When I married at 20,one of the first things I had to learn was military time. My Dear Husband would call a little after lunch, and tell me what time I could expect him home. So I quickly had to learn what time 1800 was. There was also learning how to eat alone, and enjoy it on all of those nights he would be away at PLDC, or other training. Not easy to do at all.

However, a dinner table with no Father or Mother present is pretty common around those who serve our country now, and I think it is important for those of us who remain waiting, to continue to take care of ourselves. My Husband has been deployed 3 separate occassions now, all adding to at least 33 months. I do know how hard it can be to enjoy Sunday dinners, Holiday dinners. Heck who am I kidding, daily dinners can be hard to survive for that matter. I think the kitchen table is a good way to start. I do not think it matters if it treating yourslef to take out, or preparing a meal from scratch...eating together creates opportunity. An Opportunity to reconnect.

Some of my fondest memories have occurred around a kitchen table. So I hope you participate in Family Day 2006. It is a good reminder to all of us, to take care of oursleves.

Cross-Posted at SpouseBuzz

Sunday Sermon.....

Air Force Sister, and Ala..
are both talking about the Preacher, that is giving the "Christians should be having hotter sex than anyone" sermon!!

I guess, the Preacher also runs Marriage Enrichment Classes

Can I hear an Amen!!

5 Songs that make me INSANE....

I did a similar post back in March 2005...

I am going to re-post that, and then add 5 more songs. I do recall after posting this, about 6 of my 10 readers were pissed off at me.

Music I can't stand......
Blogging will be light, because of my hostessing duties. They are paramount to my social standing. Not really, I just like hanging out with Dear Husbands "Step-Dad.

Here is a great question for you.

Who is your least favorite recording artist?

I cannot stand George Thourogood, or Bob Segar, even if I am drunk off my ass, and with the coolest people, in the coolest bar. I just can't stand to hear either of them screeching and grunting. Makes my skin crawl to think of it. I really tried to pick one, but can't.
I can't stand both.

Ok I still hate those artists, and EVERY song they have sang, but since I have a new meme, I get to...

Pick 5 songs that DRIVE me up a friggin wall. (let me grab a puke bucket)

1) Susudio, or whatever by Phil collins blech

2) What a Fool Believes, by Michael McDonald

3) "Whoomp there it is", by whoever cares...

4) Octopus's Garden, the Beatles..ick

5) We Built This City on rock and Roll, by Jefferson Starship

and I could go on and on, and on

but hell what do I know. Instead of pimping this Meme out, I really want to hear what song DRIVES you batty, leave it in the comments section. I need something entertaining to read, and I could use the traffic.

Time Machine

"That techo-rock you guys listen to is gutless."

~Randy (Nicholas Cage) in Valley Girl

A day late, a dollar short.

Nothing New.

So I got a Meme from Blog Momma Tammi, it is long, so I have decided to screw it up, break it into different bits.

So todays music question is....

AWTM,

Four songs that you could listen to over and over?

Tammi

Ok, this is a hard one, because it depends on the mood. However...since I HAVE to choose. Here goes.

Today's mood....melancholy perhaps. I also realize, the choice of music here dates me. I am 36. Like DH always says, never bitch about aging, only the alternative to it.

Oh and go see Tesco, for all things music...and make sure and offer him a Belated Happy Birthday...He provides a needed service.

~Feel free to click on the musical links, they take you to Tesco's for a listen.

1) The Smiths: How soon is Now


2) The Psycodelic Furs: The Ghost In You

3) Echo and The Bunnymen: Lips Like Sugar

4) Mazzy Star: Fade Into You

5) Peter Murphy: Strange Kind of Love


Oh and tommorow, "songs that drive me up the fucking wall"....

-gee only 5?

I am tagging Ellison , because he always is listening to something.

Anticipation.....

I have been blogging now for about 19 months, and I am currently awaiting my 100,000 visitor. Not a lot, I know. More than I ever thought in the beginning. I think I will put up my very first post, since I only had MAYBE 10 readers that read it at the time.

Harley Momma?
Reunion after deployment is a tricky thing, especially after 18 months. I put on the best "good wife" face, highest heels, best levis.....and smile. I waited by the hotel elevator, with the 2 toddlers. Trying to look beautiful, and dreamy after a 7 hour drive. The 3 year old bouncing off of the hallways walls, and the 16 month old, not understanding this at all. He gets off and the 3 year old...is jumping and saying "I love you " and " I missed you so much" "I missed you so long". A heartbreaking scene for sure, but he is so damn cute, I can't cry. I will save it for later.....because I know it is coming.
We enter the hotel room, and kiss and hug.....and I don't want to let go. I am afraid this is a dream and he will vanish into thin air, just like the all of the dreams.
After all of the kissing and hugging, and thanking God.....it justs seems so fucking awkward. He has a few gifts he has gotten us, a beautiful silver and gold and silver bangle for me, books, stuffed animals for the children.
What am I supposed to say now, what I am I supposed to ask?
He then says this........"I was going to surprise you for our anniversary in April, but I have to tell you.....I ordered us a Harley".
I smile and act excited.....in my head I am thinking..."What in the Fuck?"...don't get me wrong...I LOVE HARLEYS...always wanted one, but I can't even manage finding a sitter so I can go to yoga or get my hair done. Not to mention the $22,000 in question.
So I smile, and keep on my "good wife face".....and act excited and pleased.........wonder how long I can keep this up?

99,035 hits later...and you get this.

Me begging for traffic this week.

Now that is weak.

Yes, we still have the bike, and I do think the bike has 15,000 miles on it.



So hurry up 100,000 get here, I might even think of a prize, or something. However, could you help me get there fast...I cannot wait a week for this.

Been there, done that?

Well then

Get the T-shirt!

Hubba Hubba

I am watching Hud tonight...

If I was 30 years older and a Democrat...

Thrown out of my own house?

That is right, my Mother In Law threw me out of the house AGAIN today. Ya gotta love this lady right?

When I returned with groceries, she helped unpack them, and had ALL of my laundry DONE.

I may ask her to move in TODAY!!

I did go see the little man down the road, I bought tomatoes, apples, and a cabbage.

I made 2 apple pies today.

I have made 3 pies this week, which means, I better get my butt to the surburban hills round here.

I also had a "fiesta" tonight complete with margaritas!! Delicious!

Tommorow is the Memorial Bike Run for the 39th Infantry Brigade's Fallen. MIL, is riding with DH. Let us hope the weather clears, as they are both looking forward to paying respect to those fallen men.

It is so nice having female company here at Casa De Dust!!

Dash and Pink have been peaches for her...

Mother's Day Out

Well today was the big day...

First off, note time flew.


I did manage to get a few chapters read out of a collection of short stories by Amy Hempel.

I had a pumpkin spice latte.

I tried on a $300 blouse, wondering if I had $300 dollars "to spend on a blouse", would I spend it on a blouse?

I had a medium rare -- beef filet sandwich , complete with a lovely array of fruit, and cheese, and a bloody mary for lunch. It really was a delicious sandwich.

I watched a group of 10 year old mathelites at Starbucks working on CRAZY math problems, with big smiles on they're faces, laughing, and enjoying math. I felt like I was on another planet.

The cell phone will always ring, when you are putting your bra back on.

I am tired!! I hope you had a good day!!

"That" conversation

Jack Army is deployed, so think about him, and his family...offer some prayers, so I was over checking on him tonight, and I red something, that ALMOST got me...

Tonight (morning for her) we had a talk we hadn't had before. I don't know why, but it never came up. She knows that I'm proud to be here in Iraq and that I have wanted to come here for a long time and do my part. I think every Soldier thinks that way. We don't enlist to sit at home and watch CNN. We made that commitment because we feel a strong desire to contribute to the greatness of our country and our time.

Go HERE to read the conversation between Jack and Jill Army...

The Avengers TV intro (1965)

What is on TV tonight at Casa De Dust. All are exhausted and in bed. DH and I are watching 1965 episodes of The Avengers.
Gravediggers...

The conversation keeps leading to the "were they sleeping with one another debate?"

Steed, and "Mrs." Peel...

Not at "the ritz caarrrrhlton" Pirate Convention


I need to host this next year in Aaarrrrkansas

Project Family....

Oh and Tammi, my Blog-Mama has a PROJECT, an important PROJECT. For all of us to work on this week.

Monday, September 25th is Family Day.

Which means CELEBRATE your family!! Oh and share it on your own blog, or in Tammi's comments.

I am glad my Mother-In-Law will be here for this important day, but guess what I am taking this a step further, and we are having Family Week!!

Lite Blogging....

First off I woke to NO POWER this morning. AGAIN!! Hey Entergy, when I pay $200 bills all summer long, I really do expect you to provide service. I really do. thank You...but 3 outages in one morning. Come on people.

On a positive NOTE!! My Mother-In-Law arrives today, which is lovely. She is so excited to see "The Collective", I think she might be able to power the plane. with her smile and anticipation!!

She will visiting for a little over a WEEK!! This is needed for all of us....I miss her, DH misses her. WE have catching up to do!!

So blogging will be lighter than my "usual".

The Collective are counting the minutes until they see Grandma get off the plane.

On a side note: Tommorow, DH and MIL, are giving me the wonderful gift of Mothers Day Out!!! Which means, I am going out and about, to shop ALONE!! I have an important trip coming up, and need to do some serious shopping. I also would like to sit and drink a coffee out of doors, and read a book, like you "hipsters" do.

I also am planning on getting back to yoga this week, after my long illness, and infection. One of my instructors hasopened a new studio to try!


SO come on in, tell me what you would do with 8 hours free time..?

first 30 minutes, we are not divorced

I am sitting here being lazy, and reading blogs, and giving DH advice about hooking up the dishwasher...

He just went into the garage and I heard, clatter, crash, clatter, jumble, boom, clatter.

He re-entered kitchen

"look who has electrical connectors, and antioxidant compound?"

"I guess I am middle aged."


Crap, I guess that means I am married to a middle aged guy, who knew?

Bed Time Story

Tonight, after dinner, shower, bathing, and lotioning, and powdering, and running loose, it was story time.

Three books every night, and today we made a special trip to the library to pick up books about Grandmas. Because Grammie is coming for a visit, and she will arrive tommorow afternoon!!

I made one selection besides the Grandma books...Yeah Walter The Farting Dog...

So tonight hearing DH read Walter The Farting Dog, and watching The Collective sitting so intently listening, I was like a 10 year old, laughing and laughing every time the fart word was said...

Just when I think I am sophisticated.

Tonight, we install the dishwasher!! I wish I had the equipment for a podcast, it should be interesting to be sure. I am also sure there is grossness under the current dishwasher!!

So I better put my mopping shoes on.

Shiver Me Timbers

A'vast Ye Landlubbers

"Talk Like A Pirate Day" is here again, ARGGHHH

So grab your eye patch, and kick yourself in the Dungbie.

What are the Dishwasher delivery men going to think?

The skies parted...

and I swear I heard music


Hallelujah...

I may have heard a harp or two

It is delivered tommorow

I ended up with the GE Profile, which normally I would not look at, due to price. But I found one at the wholesaler down the road. Some wife down the road ordered black, and they opened the box, and it was white....

so it is now mine for a lovely price.


Key Features
° One-Piece Color Wrap Contour Door — Provides a rich contemporary look in any kitchen
° Bright annealed stainless steel interior — A lustrous finish and lasting beauty that resists stains and corrosion!
° Giant Tub with Maximum Capacity Nylon Racking — Holds tall and oversized items; washes 16 place settings at once
° Four-Position Adjustable/Removable Upper Rack — Pulls out completely or moves up, down and diagonally for maximum loading flexibility
° Countdown display with 1-9 hour Delay Start — Signals remaining cycle time and makes it easier than ever to wash dishes at any hour, taking advantage of reduced energy rates or washing dishes even when the family is asleep
° QuietPower™ V sound package — Ensures the kitchen stays incredibly quiet with an enhanced sound deadening system
° Light-Touch Electronic controls with 6 Status Lights — Provide a smooth sleek surface and requires only a gentle touch to operate

It happenned just in time, my nails and hands look much worse than normal...

The BUZZ is out of the bag...

It is a very exciting day here at Casa De Dust. My friend, fellow mil-spouse, and blogger Andi of Andi's World has done it again. After taking on the First Annual Mil-Blogging Conference, she has created ....

SpouseBUZZ

SpouseBUZZ is your virtual Family Support Group, where we can celebrate and embrace the tie that binds us all -- military service. This blog exists because of you. We have authors and contributors to keep the conversation going here, but we need you to become an active participant. Submit your comments, questions and suggestions for topics you would like to see our authors address. SpouseBUZZ will make you think, make you laugh and make you cry. Most of all, we hope you feel instantly connected to the thousands of other spouses with whom you share a common experience.

I will add here, that I do KNOW how important the mil-blogs, and mil-spouses have been to me. Particularly being in a town of about 15,000 with 2 other military families.

The mil-spouse blogs, have been my life preserver often.

SpouseBUZZ is being hosted by Military.com, which can be a great resource of information.

So I encourage my regular readers to go over this morning, and wish us well. I think Andi, has given birth to another GREAT idea.

When I started my blog, it was essentially as therapy for me, and it has served that purpose. I also always kept in mind that another military wife might find my words helpful, funny, or make her feel less alone.

So now I have a place to do it, with 11 other spouse's. WE even have a MAN on board. GASP!!!

The e-mail dialogue for the past month or so, has been interesting, there has a been a birth, the injury of a fellow bloggers dear friend, and introductions to new friends.

This should be an exciting endeavour for me, and I am proud again to be in such great company.

You will also note some of the folks at SpouseBUZZ are already on your blogroll"

Andi's World

AirForce Wife

HomeFront Six

Most Certainly Not

An Army Wife's Life

Trying to Grok

We are joined by new bloggers too, so please go over and welcome them, and if you would not mind help me get the word out!

SOS

Andrea, thank you for updating me...


Fundraiser
I read this with a very heavy heart over at A Storm in Afghanistan....

Please, let us pull together, and lighten this load...

I will do what little I can at the moment..

From personal experience I can testify as a nurse, and as a family member, that the medical cost at keeping a loved one at home is tremendous. Which is part of the reason I took care of my Mother in her home. Hospice care was not covered "in home", only in an extended care facility. I would love to see Reid keep his wife at home....


Reid writes, of his wife Ellicia, who currently has a diagnosis of breast cancer (for the second time) , she has recently undergone surgery for the breast cancer. She also has 11 metastatic tumors in her brain, and multiple tumors of the lung. Reid has returned from a tour over in Afghanistan...and the couple has children.

Upon this mornings visit to the blog I read this...

Ok, we have finally received word back from the military. Hospice care is not covered. Which means, any home care we provide Ellicia here will be out of our own pocket.

This is going to be expensive. So, reluctantly, and humbly, we'd like to ask those of you who stop by...

Please help. Anything will be appreciated. Ellicia will likely need home care as her mind shuts down. And she wants to be at home, not in a hospital... home, surrounded by our children.

For more information or questions you may have, please contact me through the blog.

Thank you

Here is the address...

Ellicia Stanley
CMR 416 Box 1441
APO, AE 09140-1441

Please send Ellicia a note of warm wishes and support.

bead head

My natural hair color is dark brown I think. It used to be almost blonde as a child. Every year I spend on this planet, it grows darker. After my pregnancy with Pink Ninja, my hair turned almost black. I really have no idea, what the true color of my hair is any longer. Although, my roots are screaming "we are darker than whatever color you are trying to color us.

My hair is also naturally wavy, fine, and thin. Which is great if I am planning on going into some 1980's tribute band.



I woke up this morning looking like David Lee Roth, and Bananarama spent the night together.




When the flat iron trend showed up, I about died. My hair is thin and fine and if I flatten it. It is cute for about 5 hours, and then I look like a drowning rat. The 5 hairs on my head. Well they look like 5 hairs.



My hair will never be blonde, or straight, so why have I spent so much time and money trying to accompliosh some sort of hair nirvana.

I keep reading the new trend is BIG....Bardot had great hair.




but hell, even Bardot was naturally a brunette.






One of the most famous redheads was actually a brunette




Even Marilyn Monroe, probably the most famous blonde of our time was a true brunette.

Various myths exist to explaining the terrifying aspect of Medusa. The most famous and widely know is the one related to Athena. "She had once been a maiden whose hair was her chief glory, but as she dared to vie in beauty with Minerva, the goddess deprived her of her charms and changed her ringlets into hissing serpents. She became a monster of so frightful an aspect that no living thing could behold her without being turned into stone"

"Every lock of her golden hair had been changed into a venomous snake. Her eyes, that had once been the cradles of love, were turned into love's stony tombs. Her rosy cheeks were now of Death's own livid hue. Her smile, which drew the hearts of lovers from their bosoms, had become a hideous thing. A grinning mask looked on the world, and to the world her gaping mouth and protruding tongue meant a horror before which the world stood terrified, dumb"

The transformation was to be a punishment for Medusa's crime of hubri (excessive pride) against a god, according to some myths.

So, I guess I m off to tame these limp locks into snakes of one sort or another. Even if it means they are strangled with some sort of clip.

Sunday Morning...

I think I could listen to him all day....

You really must listen...a wonderful duet..

Go here to check and see if he will be near you...

Just when I thought I was going to bore you....

Miss FBL, HUGE thank you lady!!

The CNN video of "Major E", and his wife is up over at YouTube!
Stellar job, both of you, and congratulations are in order. It seems as if a baby is on the way!!

Thrillsville

Call me the Mayor of Thrillsville. Which could be a great blog name. Yes, my friends, those are tomatoes and peaches frozen by yours truly. Filed neatly in my freezer. I froze them flat, and have "filed" them.


That is how it is here in Thrillsville baby, blanching peaches, and tomatoes by the bushel, only to "file them"


Now where is the photo of that toilet I have been scrubbing.....?

You know, the possibilities are endless, unless one of you people send me a plane ticket to some sort of tropical paradise.

It is a race now, to see if I can be any more boring than this.

I know I can.

If I Were Emma Peel.....

I would do a better job of "balancing"

The White Rabbit...

Hear Ye Hear Ye, MY Beloved Mother-in-LAw is soon to arrive...

I have 4 short days to prepare for her arrival...

I'm late I 'm late for a very important date....





Hoooray!! I miss her sooo, and the babies cannot wait to see her!!
Time flies huh?

SOooo, there are things that needs to be done ASAP.


I am thinking of this white rabbit, and wondering why a rabbit, would signify running late..?

Oh of course the old pregnancy rabbit test?



Well that can't happen snip snip....



I do recall reading somewhere that the white rabbit, signified Alice's own Father?


But the rabbit, perhaps it signifies the birth of something?


There is the hole.



Or is the rabbit simply a symbol for impulses, something that gets tempered as we age? We certainly do not go chasing everything curious, do we? What appears to be so engaging and tempting can prove to be menacing...


I guess I should read it again. I have not read it in quite some time.

I have a special copy of the book. It was my Great Aunt Ellen's book. I am unsure if she read it.

Well I am sure she read it, maybe just not that copy of it.

Cheshire-Puss," she began, rather timidly, as she did not at all know whether it would like the name: however, it only grinned a little wider. "Come, it's pleased so far," thought Alice, and she went on. "Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?"
"That depends a good deal on where you want to get to," said the Cat.
"I don't much care where-" said Alice.
"Then it doesn't matter which way you go," said the Cat.
"-so long as I get somewhere," Alice added as an explanation.
"Oh, you're sure to do that," said the Cat, "if you only walk long enough."

A boxed set the 1946 special edition, with the Tenniel illustrations.


Well I can't read that copy of it, for God's sake


It will certainly get wet while you read in the bath.


Well than do not read it in the tub.



(~This is what I get looking for a cute picure of the white rabbit, with a watch.)


And now I have another book to put on my list.



oh and bedding to wash!!

Rock A bye a baby

Radiohead at night time to sleep to?
Say it isn't so....

or listen to the ORIGINAL

I got nothing...

Woke up this morning, nothing to say.

Who me, the talker? Yeah me. Nothing.

Got a call from some bloggers last night, damn druken bloggers, roaming the city of Washington D.C., headed to a dive bar, with some sort of kareoke list? What in the hell? Just when you think you know people. I asked to be called if anyone sang. I didn't hear back. Which I am guessing means no one sang. Thank God.

I have managed a few 4 miles walks this week, it is cool enough out of doors. I am in love with my walks, but knowing that right out my door lies a hill I must climb right away, takes a little kicking myself in the hind quarters.

I am beginning to feel up to going back to yoga and pilates, but I do realize the walking is probably better right now. My private yoga teacher, has just opened a studio, this excites me, she does strictly, yoga..no pilates. I do need to add here, the pilates was helping with my tummy.

I have lost 5 pounds since being ill, with no real exercise regime, that could be muscle loss....damn.

The leaves are falling and changing, it is still 90 degrees at some point of the day.

I have to run a few errands today, I am not thrilled, they are tedious errands.

Nothing to say....

Heavy

I recall carrying the collective, as a collective. Not any longer. No way. To heavy.

My sink

This morning I was looking at photos, and noted my 4 1.2 year old used to fit in the sink...


WOW!

Happy Birthday Harvey

Harvey wanted something Blue...



Go wish him a Happy Birthday...

Back Seat Driver

Dash is currently fascinated with my driving. He sits in his 5 point restraint booster seat in the back, and pretends to drive. He reads signs like caution, merge left, fines double, he offers advice. You get the idea. Can I tell you, it can get old. Especially if in a traffic jam, or a really busy or confusing area of traffic arises. The kind of traffic, where silence is the best. He just wants to give me all sorts of advice about changing lanes, and speed limits, and which cars I should pass.

Pink Ninja, sits in the back singing sweetly, or naps. (She only will nap in a moving vehicle) Oh and these "naps" usually take place 5 minutes away from your destination.

Anyway, so I pull into the library about 2 days ago, and the parking lot is small, and it is full of large SUV's. Normally I can just shoot into parking places, with little trouble. But this lot is sooo small, and Suburban housewives are not exactly "known" for parking SUV's in a tight spot. SO I want to be "the wife" that parks correctly.

I pull in, and then back up and try and straighten the wheels and center the thing. Dash, is talking the whole time, and I have no idea what he is saying, because I am concentrating, and singing with Pink Ninja.

I unload The collective and we head into the library, when Dash says to me....

Dash: "Mom, you really need to work on your parking."

AWTM: "Excuse me?"

Dash: "You really need to slow down in reverse, turn the wheel, and use the mirror."

AWTM: "Oh really?"

Dash: (serious as a heart attack ) "Yeah, you really need to work on it."

I promise you this conversation was not lost on me, the air conditioning and heating repairmen got a real kick out of it, as did 2 other women. There was snickering.

Can I tell you something, I was a little offended. I can park my truck like no ones business.

I hired a new Vagina Whisperer.....

drum roll....

My first male gynocologist, he is also over 65. Odd. But, can I tell you he sat and listened, and took charts out, let "the Collective" play with flashlights in the dark....

He offerred a list of possible things we need to try before we go removing organs. I am relieved.

It appears that my "ovarian cyst rupture": was likely the cause of me being in terrible pain and discomfort, and ill for 20-30 days. And although the Dr. does not know at this point, because I appear to be on the mend...he is guessing it was serious...

It may have been.....

Rupture of an ovarian cyst may be asymptomatic or associated with the sudden onset of unilateral, lower abdominal pain . The onset of pain often occurs during strenuous activities, such as exercise or sexual intercourse. Light vaginal bleeding may also occur due to a drop in ovarian hormone levels.

Bleeding from the rupture site may seep into the ovary, which can cause pain from stretching of the ovarian cortex, or flow into the abdomen, which has an irritant effect on the peritoneum. The abdomen will become distended if rupture is associated with severe hemorrhage. Very large amounts of blood may be present in the abdomen, however, with no signs of rebound or rigidity and no nausea and vomiting. Anticoagulants increase the risk and magnitude of bleeding associated with hemorrhagic ovarian cysts.

Rarely rupture of dermoid cysts with spillage of sebaceous material into the abdominal cavity may occur. The sebaceous material causes a marked granulomatous reaction and chemical peritonitis, which is painful. Serous or mucinous fluid released upon cyst rupture is much less irritating, and the patient may remain asymptomatic despite accumulation of large volumes of intraperitoneal fluid.

He also thinks I could be having polycystic ovarian syndrome.

He was very empathetic, and explained things wonderfully.

*besides the fact that I feel I can trust this guy which is #1.

*I have permission to call and be seen on the day of complaint!

*office staff was BEYOND FRIENDLY!!

*WE DID NOT SIT NEGLECTED!!

*NO PAPER GOWNS!!

Energy

I need to figure out where the fountain of youth is, I do...

Here is a partial example of a photo session from Casa De Dust. There are 15 equally bad photos. Call it practice for the annual Christmas card.

Looks like I better start shopping for matching family outfits.

Project 2,996, what it can mean....

It is late and I am sitting here by the light of my computer screen. Amazed again.

Sometimes technology can be used in amazing ways...

When I first heard of project 2,996, I was very unsure if I wanted to participate. I was scared to try and memorialize an individual I did not know. Because whatever I would write, it was not ENOUGH. I also, did not loose anyone I "knew", but felt that profound sense of loss that most Americans feel. I really was trying to protect myself from losing another person.

A friend talked me into it, and I talked myself into it. I asked myself, if I lost my Husband, or Brother or Sister, would I want someone to think about them for a day, would I want someone to write about them? I really would....

So I researched Ramzi Doany and tried to do my best. Can I tell you, after I was finished, and I posted it, I did not feel loss. I felt, as if I had been lucky enough to meet him. I felt blessed in some strange way...

Tonight, I sat here by the light of my computer, checking my e-mail, when I note an e-mail from Ramzi's sister.

She was gracious, and was very pleased to hear of the 2,996 project. She was glad that his life has not been forgotten, and she thanked my Husband for his military service.

Rescue and Recovery and what it means...

On the eve of 9-11, I recall lying in bed and watching the news, and rethinking the timing of this pregnancy. DH and I had waited 10 years to become pregnant. 10 years, and now there are men flying airplanes into buildings.


5 years ago today , I was working 12 hour shifts at a Nursing home as an LPN and Unit Coordinator. I was about 4 1/2 months pregnant. I was standing behind my medicine cart, wheeling it down the hallways greeting everyone, giving insulin injections, injecting medications by gastric tubes, greeting my staff with a coffee cup in one hand and a standing sideways so all could see my growing belly. All of this while watching images of smoke rising into the sky on television out of the corner of my eye. It was the beginning of we Americans were hoping to be a rescue effort...


After I passed my medications, I called my Mother who was 2 days out of hip replacement surgery, 12 hours away. The chemotherapy, and massive doses of steroids to treat her colon cancer and metastatic brain tumors, had made her bones brittle,and she had walking on a broken hip for weeks. (She had even just attended a game at War Memorial Stadium and climbed about 100 stairs, and endured the pain to watch her Nebraska Cornhuskers play Notre Dame.) The nurse passed me through to my Mothers room, and she complained of some thigh pain, and redness on the post operative hip. So I told her to make sure she had put on her anti-embolism stockings and tell her nurse. I ended that phone call with an "I love you, have a good breakfast, and tell your nurse OK?" My Mother replied with an "I love you too".

After that phone call , I went to the residential dining area, and assisted some of the residents with breakfast, passed trays, and then gave the medications that must wait until after a meal. After breakfast, I put my medicine cart away and sat down, ready to make a list of priorities for the day.

I went back to my desk, and felt the need to call my Mother again. So I dialed the number, and when the unit secretary answered, there was no putting me through to my Mother's room. The unit secretary, was flustered, and confused.

It seems that while physical therapy was walking my Mother back to her room after she had finished her breakfast. My Mother fell into respiratory arrest, stopped breathing, and had collapsed. Victim of a pulmonary embolism, which means she had a post surgical blood clot, that essentially was thrown into her lung. This can kill the healthiest of people... My Mother's chart had a green dot on its spine, which meant. Resuscitate.

My Sister works in the dietary department at the hospital, and just happened to be collecting meal carts, when she heard the code blue called. She walked onto the 4th floor and saw my mother clothes torn open nurses performing CPR in the hallway.

I was excused from work, went home and packed. Dear Husband, came home from work and helped me. I had to go home yet again. I was not sure if this visit, would be my final goodbye, or if she would recover. We had been lucky to be recipient of at least 2 medical miracles over the last 2 years.

There had been the colon cancer, that was supposed to kill her, then she recovered. Then there was the metastatic brain tumors, that almost took her life, then after radiation therapy...All WERE gone. She had outlived her initial prognosis of "2 1/2 months, if she is lucky"...She was a bonifide walking miracle, 2 years later

So we arrive "back home", to find my Mother on a ventilator in the ICU. Which threw me into a state of surreal existence of sorts. I had at this point worked in hospitals, and hospitals, and hospices, since the age of 15....I can do death, and illness. At the age of 15, I had my first patient die, and was left to prepare the body for family to visit. His cause of death, was colon cancer....Since that time I have seen a lot of people die....I am a pro at death and illness.

~when I was 6 and took swimming lessons, I recall the swim teacher teaching me how to float at a vertical, with my only face looking up at the sky, the rest of my body verticle under the water...And I excelled, I was the best floater in the class. I could float for hours if I needed to, and I was great at it. My swim teacher, told me I would survive almost anything

Can, I tell you to see my own Mother on a ventilator, restless, with IV's oximeters, drugged lying almost lifeless in bed, was too much. I of course kissed her, and combed her thinning hair, swabbed her mouth, applied lubricant to her lips...

This is not my Mother, this is a patient

Of course, I compartmentalized.

So we took turns, holding her hand...

and that was the hard part for me.

If I was bathing, or putting compresses on her forehead, or brushing her mouth out, or turning her, or helping the nurses change her...I was ok.

But the minute I was left alone with her, and held her hand, and looked at her familiar hand, or face. When she fought and twisted the ventilator...I had to get up and leave. I could not sit and be.

I would look up to see the monitor
B/P 132/80
pulse 82
O2 92%

and I would have to leave, because I could not cry....

because I would not stop.....

.......

I would have to go into the waiting room and I would see my family there, all exhausted, and older, and scared. And the television would show images of The World Trade Center, and The Pentagon, and Shanksville...

I keep hearing, there are few survivors

People are working so hard, and there are few survivors

And I am praying they find survivors, and I am praying my Mom survives...

In New York Minutes

Some Soldiers Mom, was there.

Michele, was there as well.

September 11 tribute....

2,996 A Tribute

On September 11, 2006, 2,996 volunteer bloggers
will join together for a tribute to the victims of 9/11.
Each person will pay tribute to a single victim.

We will honor them by remembering their lives,
and not by remembering their murderers.

In Memory of Ramzi Doany

On The morning of of September 11th, Ramzi Doany, 35, arrived on the 100th floor of North Tower of The World Trade Center. Ramzi, worked for Marsh and Mclennon as an auditor. We know, Ramzi logged into his computer that morning, and had sent a couple of e-mails out announcing his return to his office after being away on business....

We also know, he called his Mother , upon his return to his home in Bayonne, New Jersey the night before....




What I have learned about Ramzi Doany, through the written accounts of his life, I have certainly enjoyed.

Ramzi Doany, was born to Palestinian parents in Amman, Jordan. His Mother reports, him being a likeable and popular kid. When she would pick him up from school, he would be surrounded by a group of his peers, and he would be, telling them stories and making them laugh.

His Sister told the following story in an interview with a Jordanian news publication.

“As a child, Ramzi once dug a hole in our backyard for a terrible report card he had received and placed a headstone on top,”

“When our parents asked for the report card, Ramzi explained to them that, “it was dead and buried!”

Ramzi Doany , attended high school in a London boarding school before coming to Milwaukee as an international student at age 19. With the goal of a career in international business, and earned a bachelor's degree in accounting at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1992. After working in a local accounting firm he moved on to a firm in Philadelphia. That firm was purchased by Marsh & McLennan, and Doany was assigned to their New York office.

His family and friends also give several accounts of his kind and generous spirit.

Ramzi, amassed friends. He amassed them with acts of kindness, like tutoring a woman with lupus, two children and no husband, to get her though college, or letting his college roommate and the roommate's wife live in his condo for two years so they could save money for a down payment on a home.

His Sister says, her brother never had trouble making friends.

“One conversation with our next door neighbors and Ramzi was instantly at ease,” she noted.






Ramzi Doany, loved family events and would take her children to play golf and soccer. "He also loved to cook for us whenever he came for a visit,” his Sister added. "He loved cooking for family, and even took to cooking Thanksgiving turkeys and had great pride in preparation, (even if they were a bit dry)."

Ramzi, also loved reading, and particularly enjoyed the works of Charles Dickens.

In one interview with his Sister, she reports Ramzi, was an adventurist, and Ramzi had put a down payment on a Harley-Davidson motorcycle.

“It was to have been delivered in April or May of this year,” his sister said.






Ramzi, was one of the persons killed in the attacks on September 11th.

His body was never recovered.


In a interview with a journalist, Ramzi's Mother stated....“He always kept in touch,” she said. “If a week went by without a call from him I would always worry, I'm going to miss that presence and energy”.

Friends and family remembered Ramzi Doany in two separate services of Memorial.

One at Milwaukee's St. George Melkite Catholic Church, and another at Al Fadi Anglican Church in Amman.


Ramzi, May you rest in peace, and may your family find comfort in the sweet memories of you....


A note to the Family. I am sure if you are looking for a tribute, or memory of your Son at some time, you might find this site. I truly wanted to honor your Son, and Brother. If there is information that is not correct, or inaccurate, please let me know, and I will change it. If you would like the photos removed, or would like to add photos, I will oblige. If there is any other information you would like for us to know about Ramzi, let me know. I will certainly add it. I am so sorry for your loss...

jones.rachelle@gmail.com






Thank You to the following sites, and memorial sites for providing me with information, and quotes.

The Jordan Times

Scholarhip in Ramzi Doany's name

Jordanian television

Milwaukee Journal

Remembering September 11th site

Brothers?

Last night DH and I got all caught up in the excitement that is called suburbia. DH had been gone for a couple of days, and was simply exhausted. I...just exhausted. So we found oursleves caught up in some sort of Metalmentary, on VH1 of all places. Ok, I know a few metal bands and enjoy them. However, back in the day I was not hardcore. Most musicians I knew liked metal. I just have never gotten it. I like punk, some metal...but seriously, most metal I do not like. I can stand it in short bursts.

So DH, and I watched this metalmentary

However I about choked when DH saw Ronnie James Dio and shouted "Willow"....

On The Night Stand

However not for long. I will finish this probably tommorow. How can Mr. Palahniuk, make everything so absurdly funny. Perspective, I suppose.

Weekend Warriors

I keep checking in over at A Storm in Afghanistan, to check on this family, that need our prayers. I went again today and noted several posts. S.C. Eagle does update us, and it looks as though, he is trying to rest, which he will need...

"Anyway, we went there and checked in. Doc sat us down and we briefed back and forth. He looked absolutely resigned and defeated. Spoke optimistically.

Surgery is Tuesday. It'll be the whole breast, and anything else they see while they're in there.

The biopsy came back positive for the breast tumors, but we pretty much knew that already."

I am going to ask you all to continue praying, and sending positive notes to this family.

It is the weekend, some of us will be going to church, some of us not, some of us will say grace over a meal. So please try and include this family.

There is a surgery scheduled this Tuesday, and this is important.....

Thank You,

AWTM

What I am doing....

I am currently reading Stranger Than Fiction, by Chuck Palahniuck. I would suggest any diarist go get this book. Interesting, but only leaves you wishing you could write like Chuck or Amy Hempel.

“The unreal is more powerful than the real, because nothing is as perfect as you can imagine it. because its only intangible ideas, concepts, beliefs, fantasies that last. stone crumbles. wood rots. people, well, they die. but things as fragile as a thought, a dream, a legend, they can go on and on.”


There are at least 25 cover versions of God Only Knows, by The Beach Boys. 25, at least. So I am listening to them.

Of course there is the original.

The Beach Boys: The wonderful original

Langley School Music Project: A very sweet version.....

Elvis Costello: an orchestral version

Petra Haden: A fantastic accoustical version

So take a listen...

Battle of the Brisket

*brisket after a 20 hour marinade

Take that Contagion!

So for Labor Day, Contagion and I had a battle of the briskets.

Firstly. I do not LOVE brisket. It is a fatty and tough piece of meat. Odd combination.

Second, I think we bought the brisket in thoughts that our Memphis in May, award winning friend would smoke it for us.

So, knowing full well, that the four of us would never eat a million pound brisket...

I did gill it over Labor Day, as we had compnay over for the holiday.

I rinsed the brisket under water, then rubbed it with olive oil, course ground black pepper, salt, and garlic.

I then mixed 2 cans of beer with....the following ingredients
("Beer is a tenderizer because the alcohol denatures protein" )

1 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup rice vinegar
4 tbsp of lemon juice
4 tbsp of lime juice
2 tbsp of minced garlic
1 tsp liquid smoke
1 tsp red pepper
1/4 cup ground pepper
2 tbsp of paprika
1 tbsp of curry powder

I mixed the above ingredients, and allowed the brisket to marinate for 20 hours....

The brisket hit the grill at a hot heat about 400 degrees breifly, and then heat was turned to 180 degrees, for 4-5 hours.

While brisket was on the grill, I made a mop sauce out of brown sugar, and rice vinegar. The brisket was mopped about one time per hour on all sides.

Here is a photo of the brisket at half way.




Unfortunately, I did not get photos of the finished product.

Our company came, and i felt like a dork taking photos of the meat on the grill.


However, in the center it was medium rare, and ends well done. Cooked just about perfectly. It was not tough, and turned out to be delicious, I was glad to serve company a delicious dinner!


I will add here. The brisket was so ginourmous, it fed an armory full of men- lunch the following day.

Ode the the tomato

Tight bright skin covers
Red sweet flesh, I am saving
For my winter mouth


I stopped at my little man down the road yesturday, trying to catch the last of the season's peaches, and tomatoes.

Only, 2 half falts of peaches. I bought one. Very small ripe peaches, which we have eaten like candy. They are so juicy, we should be eating them out of doors.

I bought 28 pounds of tomatoes. Which I plan to blanche, dice and freeze.

I bought 2 vidallia onions.

I also bought about 2 pounds of small yellow crook necked squash.

Can I tell you I am going to miss buying my veggies from the roadside. I think I have a couple more weeks until he closes shop.

Rockstar

Pink Ninja, is 2 3/4. She is wirey, and 37 1/2 inches tall, not quite 30 pounds despite eating contstantly. She wears a size 9 shoe already. We are guessing she is gonna be a tall drink of water.

She is almost always full of JOY, JOY...unless of course she is tired. Then she is fussy. But most of the time, she has a big grin on her face. She is like having the Sun with you. Honestly.

She almost always has a tutu on, or a costume, at least one pair of sunglasses on. She likes carrying a stuffed animal with her. However, she does not have a favorite one.

She really is diplomatic, and will adopt one of her animals for about a week at a time. She makes sure they each get a ride, a trip to the store, to the park or library.

She is charming, and soooo easy to Mother. She enjoys being fussed over (gee I wonder where she gets that?)

Nature Trail

* heading out, please note Pink Ninja stick. (For killing bugs)




*half mile break




*learning about Wetlands