Today was a really good day. The weather was beautiful and the sun was shining. Perfect day to go take care of shopping for an item that for some women, while not quite a nightmare (some say that designation is reserved for bathing suits), certainly can be a chore. I'm talking about shopping for bras.
It's been quite a while since I was last measured and about that long since I bought any new bras. And, trust me, they were needed. So I went to Lane Bryant. Since I am a plus-size woman I knew I would find the most variety in sizes and styles there.
First I got measured. Lo and behold my bra size had changed. Which, if you think about it, makes sense. Our bodies go through all sorts of changes - we gain weight, we lose weight, we gain or lose some more. We have children, we go through menopause, we get older. I had the most helpful clerk, I told her I prefer cotton so she pulled several cotton bras and talked me into trying on one that wasn't cotton.
WOW!!!! The new size made such a difference. The girls were situated where they belong and lookin' good! The only downside was the price. While Lane Bryant is currently having a 'Buy Two - Get One Free' promotion they were still a bit out of my price range today. But, not all was lost - there was a rack with all the bras priced at $16.99. The clerk went through the rack and found several in my size. AND, they were part of the promotion! So I got three bras for the price of one! SCORE!!! Next month I will go back and buy the two styles I originally tried on - they will be having a 'BOGO' sales on all their bras in October.
The moral of this story is - go get measured every couple of years and TRY EVERYTHING ON! It
is worth the little extra time and effort. And in the end you will save time and money and you will look fantastic!
As for the rest of the day......
We had Mahi Mahi for dinner. I dredged it in a little flour and added Chef Paul Prudhomme's Magic Blackened Redfish Seasoning to it. Cooked it in olive oil. Delicious. Also tried a new product. Minute Rice has come out with a Multi-Grain product. It has brown rice, Thai red rice, wild rice, and quinoa. It was very good - has a slight nutty flavor, I didn't add any seasoning - next time I will add.....something. But it is definitely a keeper in our pantry. Tribe Hummus has a new "limited" flavor - it 's called 'Everything' inspired by Everything Bagels. Since I like hummus and I like everything bagels - it's a no brainier. Had it with some cut up carrots at lunch. Another keeper.
So that was my Saturday. As I said earlier, it was a good day. Hope y'all had a good day as well and I hope all of your favorite football teams win tomorrow!!!
Saturday, September 7, 2013
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Random Thoughts
I wanted to add some of these yesterday, but being random thoughts they hadn't been corralled.
First, I was just very bad. After paying off "D's" Macy's card, which he lets me use (you can see where this is going), the boots I have been lusting after were back in stock in my size. Yes, I ordered them....sigh.... But my rule is buying something new means getting rid of something I already have. There's a local consignment shop where I take things, so if the boots fit and I keep them, I have at least two pairs of shoes that I will take there. The boots are Steve Madden Rawling Boots. The colour is grayish.
Yesterday while in Target I found the perfect desk. I have been looking since we moved here. The desk I was using in our condo in Gaithersburg is sitting in our garage. It has never been in good shape and it's really not worth fixing up. Plus it has always smelled musty. So I get by with a lap desk upon which I put the laptop. When I saw this desk yesterday I literally stopped in my tracks and just stared. Hopefully it wlll be in stock for a while. I know, I buy boots that I don't necessarily need and can't buy a desk. The desk is called the Threshold Campaign Desk and while it comes in different colours the red is just perfect.
So far this seems to be about things I love instead of random thoughts that wander around in my brain.
Here's one - why is it so difficult for "D" to understand the concept of stacking plates and bowls in order of size. As long as we have lived together he has put them in the cabinets in random order. I've come to the conclusion that he takes a certain glee in doing this because he knows it annoys me.
A while back I saw an ad for Williams-Sonoma showing a wooden crate planter. I was so taken with the image that I thought, I could do that. I have a planter that is approximately the same size that I could plant herbs in to keep in the kitchen. Have I done it? I think you know the answer. All I need is seeds and dirt. I see it in my mind's eye and know how delightful it would be. So, now that I've talked about it here I will shame myself into doing it. With luck pictures will follow soon! In the meantime here's the planter picture that started it all. It's the Wooden Agrarian Crate.
That's all for now. I've been goofing off all morning and I need to at least pretend to do something!
First, I was just very bad. After paying off "D's" Macy's card, which he lets me use (you can see where this is going), the boots I have been lusting after were back in stock in my size. Yes, I ordered them....sigh.... But my rule is buying something new means getting rid of something I already have. There's a local consignment shop where I take things, so if the boots fit and I keep them, I have at least two pairs of shoes that I will take there. The boots are Steve Madden Rawling Boots. The colour is grayish.
Yesterday while in Target I found the perfect desk. I have been looking since we moved here. The desk I was using in our condo in Gaithersburg is sitting in our garage. It has never been in good shape and it's really not worth fixing up. Plus it has always smelled musty. So I get by with a lap desk upon which I put the laptop. When I saw this desk yesterday I literally stopped in my tracks and just stared. Hopefully it wlll be in stock for a while. I know, I buy boots that I don't necessarily need and can't buy a desk. The desk is called the Threshold Campaign Desk and while it comes in different colours the red is just perfect.
So far this seems to be about things I love instead of random thoughts that wander around in my brain.
Here's one - why is it so difficult for "D" to understand the concept of stacking plates and bowls in order of size. As long as we have lived together he has put them in the cabinets in random order. I've come to the conclusion that he takes a certain glee in doing this because he knows it annoys me.
A while back I saw an ad for Williams-Sonoma showing a wooden crate planter. I was so taken with the image that I thought, I could do that. I have a planter that is approximately the same size that I could plant herbs in to keep in the kitchen. Have I done it? I think you know the answer. All I need is seeds and dirt. I see it in my mind's eye and know how delightful it would be. So, now that I've talked about it here I will shame myself into doing it. With luck pictures will follow soon! In the meantime here's the planter picture that started it all. It's the Wooden Agrarian Crate.
That's all for now. I've been goofing off all morning and I need to at least pretend to do something!
Monday, September 2, 2013
Staying Alive
Yeah, I know. John Travolta, disco, and polyester.
I haven't written in a long time. And I'm changing direction from what I had been writing. Instead of trying to be clever or pithy, I'm going to write about my adventures (better than struggles) in trying to survive on about $900.00 a month. I live in a lovely house with "D", we have lived together in various relationship stages since 1997. He's a good guy. It's a quiet and relatively uneventful life and that's just fine with me.
I hope to share recipes and my forays into sewing and knitting. I will also mention products I like and good deals I find. I don't have binders full of coupons to buy lots of products I don't need. Nor do I go from store to store depending on the ads. To me, it's a waste of time, money, and gas. And occasionally I will talk about things that are important to me - like "Doctor Who".
On to the good stuff.
My best deal - Target has Glad Press and Seal Plastic Wrap for $2.50 each. I bought two, and didn't have any coupons. I don't use it a lot so the two rolls should last quite a while.
Today I made pulled pork in the crockpot. So easy and, modestly speaking, delicious.
Thinly slice two onions and put in the bottom of the crockpot. I used sweet onions, I like their flavor. Add garlic (I use dehydrated garlic I get at the warehouse store. I know all the food purists are aghast. But again, it's a money saver. ). Add one cup of chicken broth - I used the store brand low sodium.
Make a rub. I put in brown sugar, cinnamon, cumin, red pepper, salt and pepper. I don't measure - the term season to taste comes to mind here. Pat the pork roast dry (I had an approximate 3.5 lb pork shoulder roast). Put the rub over the entire roast and place in crockpot. I cooked it on the eight hour setting. Remove the meat at the end of the cooking time, it will be falling apart. Shred using two forks removing all the fat and, of course, the bone. Drain the liquid and onions into a colander and put the onions and meat back into the crockpot. I actually didn't drain all the liquid, reserving a bit on the bottom of the crockpot. Add barbecue sauce, again to taste. I don't like pulled pork that has so much sauce you end up wearing it.
Serve and enjoy!
These are photos I took of the process. We had cole slaw and some bread with the pulled pork. The pineapple wasnt a part of the menu.
I haven't written in a long time. And I'm changing direction from what I had been writing. Instead of trying to be clever or pithy, I'm going to write about my adventures (better than struggles) in trying to survive on about $900.00 a month. I live in a lovely house with "D", we have lived together in various relationship stages since 1997. He's a good guy. It's a quiet and relatively uneventful life and that's just fine with me.
I hope to share recipes and my forays into sewing and knitting. I will also mention products I like and good deals I find. I don't have binders full of coupons to buy lots of products I don't need. Nor do I go from store to store depending on the ads. To me, it's a waste of time, money, and gas. And occasionally I will talk about things that are important to me - like "Doctor Who".
On to the good stuff.
My best deal - Target has Glad Press and Seal Plastic Wrap for $2.50 each. I bought two, and didn't have any coupons. I don't use it a lot so the two rolls should last quite a while.
Today I made pulled pork in the crockpot. So easy and, modestly speaking, delicious.
Thinly slice two onions and put in the bottom of the crockpot. I used sweet onions, I like their flavor. Add garlic (I use dehydrated garlic I get at the warehouse store. I know all the food purists are aghast. But again, it's a money saver. ). Add one cup of chicken broth - I used the store brand low sodium.
Make a rub. I put in brown sugar, cinnamon, cumin, red pepper, salt and pepper. I don't measure - the term season to taste comes to mind here. Pat the pork roast dry (I had an approximate 3.5 lb pork shoulder roast). Put the rub over the entire roast and place in crockpot. I cooked it on the eight hour setting. Remove the meat at the end of the cooking time, it will be falling apart. Shred using two forks removing all the fat and, of course, the bone. Drain the liquid and onions into a colander and put the onions and meat back into the crockpot. I actually didn't drain all the liquid, reserving a bit on the bottom of the crockpot. Add barbecue sauce, again to taste. I don't like pulled pork that has so much sauce you end up wearing it.
Serve and enjoy!
These are photos I took of the process. We had cole slaw and some bread with the pulled pork. The pineapple wasnt a part of the menu.
Monday, December 19, 2011
Christmas Baking
Why is it that this year I felt the overwhelming urge to pull out cookbooks and search for recipes to dazzle my family? For the past decade or longer I've gotten away with making a single mince (no meat) pie. Now granted the mince is homemade and sits, spiked with rum, for at least a month before I bake the pie. I still am making the mince pie; the mince is not homemade, but it is from a small local company, is all fruit and no preservatives and I will be spiking it with brandy. BUT, the pie crust will be homemade instead of made by the Pillsbury Dough Boy although I will miss his happy little giggle.
Then there's the Springerle. These cookies are a favorite in my family and are hard to find. Off and on over the years I have made them - it is about a three day process. This year I decided to make them again, but my Springerle rolling pin was no where to be found. I did however, find an item I had searched for back in June, so I figure I'll find the rolling pin next summer. In the meantime, I bought a new one which is actually better than the old one. My old recipe says to beat the eggs and sugar for a half hour - what!? When I made these in the past I was using a hand held mixer, I know I would not be standing holding that darned thing for 30 MINUTES. That's just nuts. So, using the new stand mixer, (Santa came early) I compromised, and the cookies are now drying on cookies sheets coated with anise seeds.
All that's left is the gingerbread, peppermint meringues, and brandy-soaked chocolate covered cherries. I think by the time I start on the candy I'll be using some of the brandy for "medicinal" purposes. Will I bake a lot next year and complain about it - of course. I wouldn't have it any other way.
Merry Christmas
Happy Hanukkah
Good Yule
And I wish everyone a safe and prosperous New Year!!!!!
Then there's the Springerle. These cookies are a favorite in my family and are hard to find. Off and on over the years I have made them - it is about a three day process. This year I decided to make them again, but my Springerle rolling pin was no where to be found. I did however, find an item I had searched for back in June, so I figure I'll find the rolling pin next summer. In the meantime, I bought a new one which is actually better than the old one. My old recipe says to beat the eggs and sugar for a half hour - what!? When I made these in the past I was using a hand held mixer, I know I would not be standing holding that darned thing for 30 MINUTES. That's just nuts. So, using the new stand mixer, (Santa came early) I compromised, and the cookies are now drying on cookies sheets coated with anise seeds.
All that's left is the gingerbread, peppermint meringues, and brandy-soaked chocolate covered cherries. I think by the time I start on the candy I'll be using some of the brandy for "medicinal" purposes. Will I bake a lot next year and complain about it - of course. I wouldn't have it any other way.
Merry Christmas
Happy Hanukkah
Good Yule
And I wish everyone a safe and prosperous New Year!!!!!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Fountain of Youth?
I am a vain woman.
Let me clarify, I'm not egregiously vain but I've always been aware of my assets and have tried to play them up. The fact that I stare at every pore on my face when I get out my magnifying mirror is what constitutes the depth of my vanity. And the fact that I used to buy so much make-up and products for my skin.
But no more. I am no longer seduced by glossy magazine ads or commercials for the latest product claiming to erase fine lines, tighten pores, and make me look at least 10 years younger. Bah! Humbug!! Even if the model is approximately my age she has been airbrushed or shot through pink gels to look youthful and radiant. Now logically I always knew this, but since when does logic play a role in vanity.
So last week I went into my bathroom and threw away almost all of the "age-defying" products on the counter and kept the one or two that I had used for years and like. Then I went through my make-up and did the same thing. Then fact that I hardly ever wear make-up these days helped a lot. Of the products I kept were two that I have found that actually do what they say; Estee Lauder eyelash primer and Aveeno moisturizer with soy extracts.
And what you ask does this have to do with the Fountain of Youth? Recently on the news I was watching a story about a rare condition called Progeria that strikes children, their bodies age rapidly and their life expectancies are only into their teens. A doctor was explaining that they had isolated the gene functions for aging and the hope that they can find a cure for this condition. And the side benefit would be a "fountain of youth", as it were, for the rest of the population. In a way this sounds like science-fiction. Each generation lives longer than previous generations thanks to medical advances, but how far do we want to go with this.
I'm happy with how I look, yes I have some wrinkles and age spots but my skin still breaks out - thank goodness for oily skin. I'd like to creak a little less but that can be helped by diet and exercise. And the gray in my hair - I earned every strand! I don't intend to fight aging 'every step of the way' like the old Oil of Olay commercials used to say.
The best way to have a 'fountain of youth', at least for me, is to live a happy positive life. To surround myself with music and laughter. To remain interested in the world and to always learn. And peace of mind is tremendously important. To quote a line from a song from the musical "Annie", 'you're never fully dressed without a smile'. With that I don't need no stinkin' fountain of youth!
Let me clarify, I'm not egregiously vain but I've always been aware of my assets and have tried to play them up. The fact that I stare at every pore on my face when I get out my magnifying mirror is what constitutes the depth of my vanity. And the fact that I used to buy so much make-up and products for my skin.
But no more. I am no longer seduced by glossy magazine ads or commercials for the latest product claiming to erase fine lines, tighten pores, and make me look at least 10 years younger. Bah! Humbug!! Even if the model is approximately my age she has been airbrushed or shot through pink gels to look youthful and radiant. Now logically I always knew this, but since when does logic play a role in vanity.
So last week I went into my bathroom and threw away almost all of the "age-defying" products on the counter and kept the one or two that I had used for years and like. Then I went through my make-up and did the same thing. Then fact that I hardly ever wear make-up these days helped a lot. Of the products I kept were two that I have found that actually do what they say; Estee Lauder eyelash primer and Aveeno moisturizer with soy extracts.
And what you ask does this have to do with the Fountain of Youth? Recently on the news I was watching a story about a rare condition called Progeria that strikes children, their bodies age rapidly and their life expectancies are only into their teens. A doctor was explaining that they had isolated the gene functions for aging and the hope that they can find a cure for this condition. And the side benefit would be a "fountain of youth", as it were, for the rest of the population. In a way this sounds like science-fiction. Each generation lives longer than previous generations thanks to medical advances, but how far do we want to go with this.
I'm happy with how I look, yes I have some wrinkles and age spots but my skin still breaks out - thank goodness for oily skin. I'd like to creak a little less but that can be helped by diet and exercise. And the gray in my hair - I earned every strand! I don't intend to fight aging 'every step of the way' like the old Oil of Olay commercials used to say.
The best way to have a 'fountain of youth', at least for me, is to live a happy positive life. To surround myself with music and laughter. To remain interested in the world and to always learn. And peace of mind is tremendously important. To quote a line from a song from the musical "Annie", 'you're never fully dressed without a smile'. With that I don't need no stinkin' fountain of youth!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Unanswered Prayers
In early May I went to Ohio to visit family, celebrate Mother's Day, and see my dear friend Daria. She and I drove around the Oregon District, after a wonderful dinner at Coco's, and then we drove to St Anne's Hill where I used to live. I drove down the street where an alcoholic a$$hole I once dated lived. And then we drove to Oakwood where we managed to go around in a circle, coming from different directions, three times (this isn't really germane to my theme, it was just so hysterically funny at the time).
Anyway, a few weeks after I got home I reflected back on the time when I was involved with the alcoholic and all the prayers I prayed that he would change his ways (I eventually walked away from the relationship and never looked back). But then I started thinking about all the other times I have prayed for something over and over again and it hasn't come to pass. And I realized the prayers were answered, just not in the way I was hoping for. There is a higher power that knows what I need and won't always answer the prayer for something I want in the way I want.
When I think about various things I've prayed for and they didn't come to pass I am overwhelmed by a sense of thankfulness that God chose to answer the prayer in his way, not mine. My way would have eventually led to chaos and unhappiness and that is certainly not the way to live, not anymore. And it makes me happy to know that God has my back!
Anyway, a few weeks after I got home I reflected back on the time when I was involved with the alcoholic and all the prayers I prayed that he would change his ways (I eventually walked away from the relationship and never looked back). But then I started thinking about all the other times I have prayed for something over and over again and it hasn't come to pass. And I realized the prayers were answered, just not in the way I was hoping for. There is a higher power that knows what I need and won't always answer the prayer for something I want in the way I want.
When I think about various things I've prayed for and they didn't come to pass I am overwhelmed by a sense of thankfulness that God chose to answer the prayer in his way, not mine. My way would have eventually led to chaos and unhappiness and that is certainly not the way to live, not anymore. And it makes me happy to know that God has my back!
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Getting over myself - again
This morning I indulged in what is commonly known as a pity party. I've been building up to it for the past few days and it finally let loose. Bear in mind, this was all in my head, I was home alone and feeling sorry for poor, poor pitiful me. I had started out thinking about planting pansies around our light in the front yard, a nice innocuous thought and then I started thinking about my knee and how hard it would be to kneel down to plant the flowers. Then that thought went into other gardening I want to do as the weather gets warmer. But then I started thinking about money or the lack thereof to do all this gardening. And on and on it goes. Finally I got tired of listening to myself whine, and I gave myself a swift figurative kick in the rear. Seriously, what have I got to complain about? I live in a lovely house with all the modern ameneties. I have plenty of planters and seeds and dirt aren't that expensive. I drive a nice car that gets awesome mileage. I have more clothing, shoes, and purses than any one person would need. I have books to read and a library very nearby. I am relatively healthy, other than the aforementioned knee and some arthritis. I have enough money for my basic needs. So, why was I whining? Then it struck me, I was whining and feeling sorry for myself because that pretentious person I had become while working in DC is starting to fade away - finally. No more shopping sprees to Nordstrom or Tyson's Corner and all the other places I used to go. No more driving a car I couldn't afford that had relatively lousy mileage and used high-test gas. I had fallen into the mind-set of keeping up and surpassing the Joneses, except I had no idea who they are. And I think on top of all of that, I had become boring.
So now here I am, not feeling sorry for myself and figuring out what I do want and need. I need to be creative. I have always enjoyed going to funky little antique or thrift shops and finding the one piece I was looking for that with a little cleaning or fixing would be perfect for an empty corner or shelf. I love clothing and read fashion magazines. I used to make a lot of my clothing that followed current trends but had my own spin on them, so why not start doing that again. I like cooking and trying out new recipes. Being creative is fun. And I think that was behind the whole pity party in the first place. I'm not having a lot of fun, at least not the fun I need to make my life more fulfilling. So, I'm going to get creative and do more with less and enjoy the hell out of every minute. And, I am SOOOOO over myself!!!!!
So now here I am, not feeling sorry for myself and figuring out what I do want and need. I need to be creative. I have always enjoyed going to funky little antique or thrift shops and finding the one piece I was looking for that with a little cleaning or fixing would be perfect for an empty corner or shelf. I love clothing and read fashion magazines. I used to make a lot of my clothing that followed current trends but had my own spin on them, so why not start doing that again. I like cooking and trying out new recipes. Being creative is fun. And I think that was behind the whole pity party in the first place. I'm not having a lot of fun, at least not the fun I need to make my life more fulfilling. So, I'm going to get creative and do more with less and enjoy the hell out of every minute. And, I am SOOOOO over myself!!!!!
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