First weekend since the vaca. I'm so ready for it! Made homemade pizza tonight, which is probably one of my specialties. I like to use the best ingredients I can afford. Nothing like a pipping hot bubbly cheese covered disc of crispy dough fresh out of the oven! I love to cook and bake. Despise cleaning up after it. And loooooove eating it! A bit too much I'm afraid. But you know what they say...never trust a skinny cook!
Baby tomatoes are popping out! So much fun to watch the progressing growth with anticipation! Looking forward to the harvest and producing my own pizza sauce. As it is now, I use the store-brand organic jarred sauce, which actually isn't too bad. Fresh mozzarella is the best! I also like to use a sharp cheddar and some fresh-grated Parmesan...mmmm. And fresh basil will be amazing on top as well! My mouth is watering again! Isn't yours?
Trying to decide when to take my next vacation. I know it's bad, since I just had one last week, but it was so relaxing and so great. I still have 9 days of vacation time left, but I kind of like to save it as I'm sure there will come a time when I truly feel I need it!
So, my latest fascination is this app I downloaded to my iPhone. It's called Pocket Frogs! I lose track of time when I play it. So much fun to breed frogs, sell them, race them and put them into habitats. I know it probably sounds weird, but it is addicting. I wish it was available on the Android phones so that my boyfriend and I could play together! He is so jealous! Haha! I don't know why I get so wrapped up in these things. I seem to go through phases and I thought only kids do that, but I've been through so many in the past 10 years. I went through my figure skating phase, where I went to as many events, got as many pictures and autographs as I could. I still enjoy watching it. And if you've never seen it done live by the athletes themselves, I highly recommend it. It's unbelievable what they can do on that tiny blade of metal! I've been to several competitions and shows alike and it still amazes me. After that I was on to my rock music phase. I got really into this local band who made it big, Breaking Benjamin. I became a member on their website and met tons of awesome people who I will share tons of memories with for the rest of my life. Both of those phases lasted a couple years each. After that, I had less-intense phases until here I am in the Pocket Frog phase. I pour myself into something totally. Now, if only I could do the same with writing. I would totally have it made! Oh well, it's been a long week and I'm ready to relax!
Friday, July 15, 2011
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Mary, Mary, Quite Contrary...
So, I mentioned the deck garden once before. This morning when I got up, I went out to the garden to see how we are progressing. I think we may be a little behind others because we used seeds and I just started things as time went along. So our harvest is going to be all over the place. Anyhow, this past week, little yellow flowers started to bloom on the Roma tomato plant! The Heirloom tomato plant has not looked too healthy, but we are trying to nurse it along. Today, when I arrived home from work, I noticed we have several little green tomatoes on the Roma plant! How exciting! My boyfriend already harvested his radishes, which he said were better than last year's. I have also planted 2 heads of cabbage. I know, interesting choice for a deck garden. Spinach is coming along nicely. The green pepper plant needs some thinning. Basil is looking so healthy! Can't wait to try and make some sauce of my own! The scallions just don't seem to be progressing much. I figured they would be quick growers but so far, no dice. I look forward to making homemade pizza with the tomatoes, basil and peppers.
Now, I have to say that every time I get on here to type up my blog, I think about that show Doogie Howser, M.D. All that's missing is the blue computer screen with the white MS-DOS type on it. Come on, you know you watched it...more than a few times...maybe you thought NPH was cute even. My, how far we have come since those days! For those of you interested in a bit of nostalgia, or those with insomnia, you can catch Doogie on "the Hub" channel on the weekends and I think some weeknights too around 2AM. Sometimes it's even preceded by The Wonder Years. Who knew that Doogie Howser would someday play a womanizing cad on "How I Met Your Mother?" Or that he would be the toast of Broadway, hosting the Tony Awards!
Speaking of insomnia, I have been having the worst time trying to get to sleep at night. I am sure it is because during my vacation I stayed up all hours of the night. Once I was on the computer and looked over at the clock (why, I don't know since the time is right at the top of my computer) but it was nearly 5AM! I haven't gotten to bed before midnight at all this week. And I pay for it every morning, hitting the snooze pretty hard. I need to get back to my routine. Usually I get up a little earlier than I need to and do either Zumba or Gold's Gym Boxing on the Wii. I did it Monday but not yesterday or today. Baby steps, I guess.
Looking back at this blog entry I realize it is a bit all over the place. I guess that makes sense, since my head has been the same lately. Some things could change drastically relatively soon and my thoughts are really all over the place! It's both exciting and nerve-wracking all at the same time. I have also decided to try and write something. Not just this blog. Like a story, a book, something. I've started so many times and I get so far and either I can't figure out how to end it or don't think it's deserving of a finish. This time, I need to follow through the whole way to the end. Wish me luck! ...and to all a good night!
Now, I have to say that every time I get on here to type up my blog, I think about that show Doogie Howser, M.D. All that's missing is the blue computer screen with the white MS-DOS type on it. Come on, you know you watched it...more than a few times...maybe you thought NPH was cute even. My, how far we have come since those days! For those of you interested in a bit of nostalgia, or those with insomnia, you can catch Doogie on "the Hub" channel on the weekends and I think some weeknights too around 2AM. Sometimes it's even preceded by The Wonder Years. Who knew that Doogie Howser would someday play a womanizing cad on "How I Met Your Mother?" Or that he would be the toast of Broadway, hosting the Tony Awards!
Speaking of insomnia, I have been having the worst time trying to get to sleep at night. I am sure it is because during my vacation I stayed up all hours of the night. Once I was on the computer and looked over at the clock (why, I don't know since the time is right at the top of my computer) but it was nearly 5AM! I haven't gotten to bed before midnight at all this week. And I pay for it every morning, hitting the snooze pretty hard. I need to get back to my routine. Usually I get up a little earlier than I need to and do either Zumba or Gold's Gym Boxing on the Wii. I did it Monday but not yesterday or today. Baby steps, I guess.
Looking back at this blog entry I realize it is a bit all over the place. I guess that makes sense, since my head has been the same lately. Some things could change drastically relatively soon and my thoughts are really all over the place! It's both exciting and nerve-wracking all at the same time. I have also decided to try and write something. Not just this blog. Like a story, a book, something. I've started so many times and I get so far and either I can't figure out how to end it or don't think it's deserving of a finish. This time, I need to follow through the whole way to the end. Wish me luck! ...and to all a good night!
Monday, July 11, 2011
First Day Back...
Why are people so annoying on the first day back to work? I walk through the door and get "So how was your vacation?" It was great, I say (and in my head continue) not having to hear your wretched voice for 11 days was amazing! I guess we all feel that way, I think?
Vacation was so carefree and relaxing. I was dreading going back so much that I waited in the car until the last possible moment. And as soon as I walked through that door, I felt the life being sucked out of me. My boss asked me if I had printed out a certain list lately. Hmmm, I just walked through the door of death 15 minutes ago after being off 11 days, no, I just haven't had a chance quite yet. It's a good thing people can't hear what I say in my head. I think they'd get a totally different opinion of me. Many might even hate me. In my position, which shall remain nameless, it is required that I listen to many co-workers issues and try to help get them solved, so it's best if I keep my comments to myself. Though there are days-and it's becoming more and more often that I'd LOVE to blurt out what I'm thinking. But instead, I just bite my lip and fake smile as I give advice on the situation. And 8 hours later, I'm out the door in a flash, no looking back, burning rubber! It's a paycheck, that's about it. Sad. I used to kinda like it there. Things change.
I wish I knew what my calling was. What would make me happy and what it is I'm good at. Until then, I'll just continue to keep my comments to myself and fake smile and collect that check...
Vacation was so carefree and relaxing. I was dreading going back so much that I waited in the car until the last possible moment. And as soon as I walked through that door, I felt the life being sucked out of me. My boss asked me if I had printed out a certain list lately. Hmmm, I just walked through the door of death 15 minutes ago after being off 11 days, no, I just haven't had a chance quite yet. It's a good thing people can't hear what I say in my head. I think they'd get a totally different opinion of me. Many might even hate me. In my position, which shall remain nameless, it is required that I listen to many co-workers issues and try to help get them solved, so it's best if I keep my comments to myself. Though there are days-and it's becoming more and more often that I'd LOVE to blurt out what I'm thinking. But instead, I just bite my lip and fake smile as I give advice on the situation. And 8 hours later, I'm out the door in a flash, no looking back, burning rubber! It's a paycheck, that's about it. Sad. I used to kinda like it there. Things change.
I wish I knew what my calling was. What would make me happy and what it is I'm good at. Until then, I'll just continue to keep my comments to myself and fake smile and collect that check...
Sunday, July 10, 2011
The Last Day!
The last day of vacation is always the hardest. Perhaps it is time for a career change? Not the best of times to be thinking such things with the unemployment rate through the roof. I just can't help thinking how much happier I could be doing something else, though I'm not 100% sure what that something else is!
I didn't really accomplish anything on this "staycation." I just really took it easy and relaxed, played it by ear and really enjoyed myself. I find myself thinking that life would be so much better if I could function in regular everyday life like I do on vacation. But seriously, how does one achieve such happiness and equilibrium?
If you figure it out, let me know, I'll be the one back at work.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Things My Mother Told Me...
How many times, as a teen, did I roll my eyes at the advice or words of wisdom uttered by my Mom? Inconceivably too many to count, I'm sure. Some of the things she said seemed so lame at the time, but today, especially in these trying times when things are not as easy as they were a short time ago. People out of work, rising prices of everything and it seems everyone is looking for a cost-cutting way around things.
She did some pretty crazy things as well and I'm sure she still does some of them to this day. I'm realizing instead of rolling my eyes and discounting what she said as insanity, I should have listened a little closer. My memory may have faded a bit but I will try to do her proud and remember and put to use some of her frugalities, if I may.
-Wash and reuse plastic ziploc bags, those things are too expensive to just use once and throw out!
-Wear heavy clothes like jeans and sweaters twice before washing if possible, save water and electricity!
-Use cold water and fill up the machine when doing laundry, same as above!
-Clip and use coupons.
-Plan your errands in one round-trip to avoid several trips and save gas.
-One hour of TV per day during summer break, this forces you to stay active and find other things to do.
-Look for sales! Buy items like bread and butter on sale and freeze them until needed.
-Make things from scratch! It may take longer, but it's most often cheaper and tastes better.
-Save the cardboard roll from paper towels and stuff all the emptied out bread bags and produce bags into it for storage. Those bags can be reused for odds and ends like freezing items or take along when walking the dog. The cardboard roll acts as a space saver and enables you to find those bags in a flash.
-Save the ties from the bread, never know when those things may come in handy.
-Save the rubber bands from the newspaper delivery and return to the delivery person, they will reuse them.
-Hang up or fold your clothes as soon as they are done in the dryer. Less ironing needed.
And on and on it goes. The thing is, with all of these many great tips, the one thing that keeps circling around in my noggin is the one bit of advice I wish I hadn't followed. Or maybe I'm glad I did? I guess it could be considered a blessing on the one hand and a curse on the other. I feel like one of those old sitcom characters with the angel on one shoulder and the devil on the other, hoping the best man wins and I get what is best for me and everyone involved. That one bit of advice, I'm sure was a tiny bit on the selfish side to keep her feeling better and younger, perhaps. But in following that advice, I've possibly denied myself of something that I need to make myself feel a whole person and a viable member of humanity. I'm not blaming her, that is not my intention here. In fact, I blame myself. I've made many mistakes and I'll probably make many more. I understand there are other options and in time, it may come to taking a look at those other options. For now, I'm holding onto hope.
What did she say that stuck with me? "Don't have kids until you almost cant!" Angel and devil, begin your battle. Time's running out, how about a happy ending?
She did some pretty crazy things as well and I'm sure she still does some of them to this day. I'm realizing instead of rolling my eyes and discounting what she said as insanity, I should have listened a little closer. My memory may have faded a bit but I will try to do her proud and remember and put to use some of her frugalities, if I may.
-Wash and reuse plastic ziploc bags, those things are too expensive to just use once and throw out!
-Wear heavy clothes like jeans and sweaters twice before washing if possible, save water and electricity!
-Use cold water and fill up the machine when doing laundry, same as above!
-Clip and use coupons.
-Plan your errands in one round-trip to avoid several trips and save gas.
-One hour of TV per day during summer break, this forces you to stay active and find other things to do.
-Look for sales! Buy items like bread and butter on sale and freeze them until needed.
-Make things from scratch! It may take longer, but it's most often cheaper and tastes better.
-Save the cardboard roll from paper towels and stuff all the emptied out bread bags and produce bags into it for storage. Those bags can be reused for odds and ends like freezing items or take along when walking the dog. The cardboard roll acts as a space saver and enables you to find those bags in a flash.
-Save the ties from the bread, never know when those things may come in handy.
-Save the rubber bands from the newspaper delivery and return to the delivery person, they will reuse them.
-Hang up or fold your clothes as soon as they are done in the dryer. Less ironing needed.
And on and on it goes. The thing is, with all of these many great tips, the one thing that keeps circling around in my noggin is the one bit of advice I wish I hadn't followed. Or maybe I'm glad I did? I guess it could be considered a blessing on the one hand and a curse on the other. I feel like one of those old sitcom characters with the angel on one shoulder and the devil on the other, hoping the best man wins and I get what is best for me and everyone involved. That one bit of advice, I'm sure was a tiny bit on the selfish side to keep her feeling better and younger, perhaps. But in following that advice, I've possibly denied myself of something that I need to make myself feel a whole person and a viable member of humanity. I'm not blaming her, that is not my intention here. In fact, I blame myself. I've made many mistakes and I'll probably make many more. I understand there are other options and in time, it may come to taking a look at those other options. For now, I'm holding onto hope.
What did she say that stuck with me? "Don't have kids until you almost cant!" Angel and devil, begin your battle. Time's running out, how about a happy ending?
Thursday, July 7, 2011
No, I'm Not A Comedian
I've been considering starting a blog ever since watching Julie & Julia. Actually, I guess I've already blogged if you count that dreary time in my life when I continually hashed and re-hashed over that not-so-good time in my life on Myspace. A time where nothing seemed believable anymore. That was about 3 years ago. Everything fell apart in a big way. I guess I kinda knew it would happen sooner or later. I was just denying myself from honesty. Perhaps that's a story for another day.
Allow me to introduce myself! I am Jenn, from NEPA (or Northeast PA, for those of you outside of this little piece of heaven.) We have mountains and seasons and trees and farms and lakes as well as cities like Wilkes-Barre (Pronounced many different ways, but seems the accepted pronunciation on TV is: Wilks Barry) and Scranton, yes, the Scranton on that TV show, The Office.
I am 39 and holding with clenched fists and sharpened fingernails! My work is very unglamorous and therefore unmentionable. I may discuss non-specific things, but seriously, it's not interesting AT ALL! I live in a 3rd floor, one bedroom apartment, which I rented shortly after my divorce. Best thing I ever did in life! Maybe it's not such a big deal at this point in time, but for me back then, I was scared to death of being on my own. Didn't know if I could make it! But here I am, 6 years later. Still going strong. Of course now I have a boyfriend and not one, but two cats who are complete opposites other than both being female. We have a deck garden where we tried successfully last year growing tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and watermelon. This year we took away the cucumbers and added: spinach, cabbage, scallions and basil. Everything from seeds this year, last year we cheated.
I HATE to clean. I don't think I'm a particularly messy person. I'll admit, it was much easier keeping this place clean without a second person and sometimes I get angry when things get taken for granted, but as one of my friends told me once, "No one ever talked about a deceased person at their funeral by saying what a clean person they were." -If they did, that would be a sad, sad existence!
I enjoy doing things with my hands: cooking, sewing, crafty things, gardening and I have this strange almost perverse need to touch things that look soft. For instance, earlier this week, on the July 4th holiday, there was a car parked in the alley next to our building. It was a classic car, a Chevelle, I believe and it had those fuzzy shag-like seat covers. They were beautiful and white and I soooo wanted to touch them. Weird, I know, but that's just me...speaking of weird...what is with this question thing when you edit your profile? Who cares how I pronounce the G in bologna? (I don't by the way.)
Allow me to introduce myself! I am Jenn, from NEPA (or Northeast PA, for those of you outside of this little piece of heaven.) We have mountains and seasons and trees and farms and lakes as well as cities like Wilkes-Barre (Pronounced many different ways, but seems the accepted pronunciation on TV is: Wilks Barry) and Scranton, yes, the Scranton on that TV show, The Office.
I am 39 and holding with clenched fists and sharpened fingernails! My work is very unglamorous and therefore unmentionable. I may discuss non-specific things, but seriously, it's not interesting AT ALL! I live in a 3rd floor, one bedroom apartment, which I rented shortly after my divorce. Best thing I ever did in life! Maybe it's not such a big deal at this point in time, but for me back then, I was scared to death of being on my own. Didn't know if I could make it! But here I am, 6 years later. Still going strong. Of course now I have a boyfriend and not one, but two cats who are complete opposites other than both being female. We have a deck garden where we tried successfully last year growing tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and watermelon. This year we took away the cucumbers and added: spinach, cabbage, scallions and basil. Everything from seeds this year, last year we cheated.
I HATE to clean. I don't think I'm a particularly messy person. I'll admit, it was much easier keeping this place clean without a second person and sometimes I get angry when things get taken for granted, but as one of my friends told me once, "No one ever talked about a deceased person at their funeral by saying what a clean person they were." -If they did, that would be a sad, sad existence!
I enjoy doing things with my hands: cooking, sewing, crafty things, gardening and I have this strange almost perverse need to touch things that look soft. For instance, earlier this week, on the July 4th holiday, there was a car parked in the alley next to our building. It was a classic car, a Chevelle, I believe and it had those fuzzy shag-like seat covers. They were beautiful and white and I soooo wanted to touch them. Weird, I know, but that's just me...speaking of weird...what is with this question thing when you edit your profile? Who cares how I pronounce the G in bologna? (I don't by the way.)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)