Happy New Year

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! 

As I write this, I am reflecting back on 2010 and am so ready for 2011 to start.  Not that 2010 was a bad year, but it certainly was not stellar.  I am looking forward to the possibilities that a new year brings.  I certainly hope that it comes with a new job for me, or a way to become independently wealthy (I'll leave it up to a higher power to decide which).  I also hope that 2011 is a year of good health and prosperity. 

I am not one that make concrete resolutions for the year.  My intentions for 2011 are to be a good mother, remain healthy and work towards a more healthy lifestyle and to build wealth for the future.  I think I did a pretty good job at working towards those goals in 2010 and expect to work towards them again in the future. 

As I reflect on my goals, I would like to express thanks to all my readers and hope that I can expand this blog to larger audience in 2011.  If anyone has any particular topics they would like me to tackle, feel free to suggest.  Also, I would like to express a general thanks that my life is pretty great. I have a great family, good friends, good health and a whole future to explore.  So, like I said, I am looking forward to a fantastic new year. 

Review: Jane Austen Book Club

I watched the movie "Jane Austen Book Club"  tonight.  Of course I had to watch it alone because John just was not going there.  So, I took my glass of wine and retreated to my bedroom and watched my chick flick. 

As I was watching the movie, I must admit that I was not so sure what to make of it.  All the characters in the movie are quite quirky and bizarre.  I was really too busy looking for someone who was normal to enjoy the movie for what it was.  But then of course it dawned on me, what is normal anyway?  The movie reflects real life with all of its strangeness more than I wanted to admit. Each character had their own twisted view of the world but at the same time, they are all correct.  The world is a strange place.  I think that I could pull some trait that I share with each character in the movie, so maybe that hit home a little to closely.  It reminded me of my own strange ways which I like to keep hidden away. 

I think that I may have gotten more out of the movie if I was a big Jane Austen fan, but the movie was fascinating all the same and I would definitely watch it again.  In fact, I think that it may be one of those movies where you will see different nuances each time you watch it.  Overall it was a though provoking terrific movie. 

Took My Dog to the Vet

My dog still is not eating, so I took him into the vet this morning.  The good news is that the vet was not all that concerned.  Of course, my dog, just like a child, started acting more alert as soon as we got to the vet's office.  Isn't that the way it always goes.  Anyway, my dog received a shot to stop the vomiting and nausea.  We are hoping that this will be enough to get him back on track.  We will be watching him to see if he improves and starts eating again.  If he does not get better in the next 48 hours, we will be taking him back to the vet. 

I must say that I really like my dogs new vet.  The vet that he has been going to for years retired and sold his practice to a couple who are both vets.  Today was the first time that I have visited the office since the new vets took over and I really like them.

A picture of my doggie is above.  I will have to get around to getting some better pics since I got a new camera for Christmas.

Worried About my Dog

I am worried about my dog today.  He has been throwing up the last couple of days.  I realize that dogs get upset stomachs just like people, but he just seems "off"  too.  He is moving slow and is not social at all right now.  He will come when he is called, but very reluctantly.  So, I am just plain worried about him.  He doesn't have any obvious symptoms other than the throwing up that I could really explain to a vet, so I am waiting and observing for the time being.  Unfortunately, my dog is over 9 years old, so he is up in the years.  I am hoping that he holds on until the kids get back from visiting their dad.  In the meantime, I will be praying for him. 

Bowling

The kids went to their dad's yesterday, so John and I are trying to keep busy.  Today, we decided to go bowling.  I have no been bowling in years, so needless to say, it was quite comical.  Before the kids got involved in sports, I used to bowl in rec leagues.  I was never good enough for a competitive league considering my average was about 120, but I do enjoy bowling.

I had never even considered bowling until I was dating my ex.  While he and I were dating, he bowled his first 300 and I did not see what the big deal was since I had never bowled.  After we got married we joined bowling leagues and I liked it since it was something out of the house and a great way to meet people.  I continued bowling until my son started football when he was in 4th grade.  By then I was a single mom and I could not pull off getting the kids to sports and bowling too. 

I guess someday, I will want to get back on leagues, but I have to wait for the kids to get older since I am still the taxi of the family.  I am hoping John will want to join a league with me when that day comes, though I am not so sure since his back is hurting today after we bowled.  Oh to be young again...lol. 

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to everyone.  Having a low key Christmas Day here.  We opened all our presents yesterday so that I could have all the new clothes washed for the kids to take to their dad's house today.  The kids will be gone until after the new year, so I will miss them.  Went to John's sisters house for Christmas Eve for lamb dinner.  It was fabulous.  I hope everyone enjoys their holiday. 

Everyone is Home

Everyone is home now.  My daughter got home last night from her ski trip with her grandpa.  She had a good time, though the conditions were not the best since Utah is getting a ton of snow and ice.  She has determined that snow and cold weather are good to visit but she would not like to live there.  My son on the other hand, totally likes the cold and snow and has already warned me that he may move north as an adult.  I of course advised him that I am only in Florida right now because I do not want to uproot the kids and cannot take them out of the state because their dad is here.  Once they both are in college, I will be free to look for a job in another state if I so choose, so I may not stay here either.  Only time will tell where I will end up. 

Tonight we are hosting dinner for 11.  That should be fun.  Luckily it is warm enough that I can put the kids on the porch to eat if there is not enough room in the house...lol.  I have advised the kids that they can open their gifts early on Christmas Eve so that they have some time to enjoy them before they go to their Dad's for a week.  So, right now, I am trying to enjoy that everyone is home.

I Am Not Going to Get Anything Done at This Rate

I had my interview with the placement agency today in Orlando.  The drive was 1.5 hours each way.  The interview went really well, now they need to get me an interview with the actual company that has the job available.  The job sounds perfect for me and is in the town next to me, so hopefully I will hear something soon.

Then, on the drive back from Orlando I receive a call from another company that wants me to interview tomorrow.  Why is it I have been looking for a job since the end of October, but here it is the week of Christmas and all the sudden I am getting interviews?  Amazing.  Good thing I have all my Christmas shopping done.  In fact with 2 interviews in 2 days and the fact that I have to pick up my daughter in Orlando tomorrow, I am not able to get much done.  I really need to clean the house too because we are having dinner for 11 on Thursday.  It should be interesting to say the least. 

Interview with Placement Agency

I have an interview with a placement agency tomorrow.  I am excited because they are trying to place for a job in my field near me, but nervous because it is a placement agency.  I have dealt with a temp agency in the past, but I would rather get hired directly.  I am happy to have the interview though since the employment rate here right now is at 12.6% which is terrible. 

Have you ever dealt with a placement agency?  If so, which one and how did it go?  Are there things I need to look out for? If anyone has advice, feel free to give it. 

I have a Lunch Date Tomorrow

I have to say I am excited.  I have a lunch date tomorrow.  No, it is not some hot guy or anything (my boyfriend would not approve at all), it is my son.  My daughter is out of town and I wanted to spend the day with my son, so we are going to go to lunch and catch an early movie.  I am not sure what movie he will want to see, but I am looking forward to the time with him. 

I rarely get to spend any alone time with my son.  When he is home, he tries to do the teenage thing and play on the Xbox or we just spend time as a family.  I go shopping quite a bit with my daughter, so I get alone time with her, which I love, but I miss spending time with my son.  So, I will be happy as a clam tomorrow having my lunch date.  BTW, I do know we are going to Olive Garden for their soup, salad and bread sticks...yum. 

The Kids are on Christmas Break: Time for the Spoiling to Begin

I just got home from picking up my son from school.  They were done before noon.  My daughter should be getting out about now (she is walking home).  Christmas break has officially begun for them. 

The kids have an action filled Christmas ahead of them.  Their grandpa picks them up tonight.  He will be dropping my son off at my ex's house, but he is taking my daughter to Utah for 4 days of skiing.  He takes a grand kid every year and this year is my daughter's turn.  My daughter is really looking forward to it.  She has never seen a lot of snow, so it will be interesting to hear what she thinks of it. 

Tomorrow my son has a paintball birthday party to go to.  He comes back to me on Sunday afternoon.  My daughter comes back home on Wednesday.  We are going to a family get together on Christmas Eve and then Christmas day the kids go back to their dad's house until after the New Year.  The kids get to go on a cruise with their dad and his wife's family during that time. 

Needless to say, my kids are spoiled.  Not only do they get two Christmas's (one at my house and one at their dad's), they also have a multitude of grandparents.  They get either money and/or gifts from my parents, my boyfriend's mom, their grandpa on their dad's side, their grandma on their dad's side, their stepmother's parents and a set of great grandparents.  I kinda think they made out when we got divorced. 

Really Busy

It is amazing how I am so busy lately considering that I am not currently employed.  Tuesday I spent most of the morning at a Job Fair and then had to take my daughter to the doctor for a check up in the afternoon.  So, Tuesday was completely shot as far as getting anything else finished. 

Wednesday, I had an appointment concerning my unemployment.  The staffing specialist referred me for 3 jobs and advised some ways to update my resume.  In addition I had to take a training class yesterday afternoon.  Another day shot. 

So, here I am on Thursday and I am behind on everything.  I have floors that need to be mopped.  Christmas decorations that have to be put up and boxes put away.  I have been keeping up with the laundry, so that is a plus.  Meanwhile, I still have to update my resume and send it off to the 3 jobs I was referred to.  Did I mention that I don't feel all that well today?   Well, thanks for listening to my whining, I guess I had better get to it. 

On a better note, it is supposed to warm up here today...woohoo!!! 

Letter To Jack Frost

Dear Jack,

I realize that you may feel like you need a vacation every now and then, and Florida is a great place to visit,   but let me explain something...YOU ARE NOT WELCOME HERE!!!  People do not move to Florida for you to visit.  You are scaring away the tourists that we so desperately need right now, and you may even destroy our crops.  That would be terrible.  I am sure everybody does not want the prices for fruits and vegetables to skyrocket because you thought it would be neat to visit Florida.  Last year you killed numerous manatees and sea turtles, so you should banned from the state.  I know, I know, they are sick of you up north too, but really, who blames them.  You dumped them with a ton of snow, literally.  Really not nice.  You need to work on trying to please people and quit destroying things.  You should probably see a therapist or something.  Well, I gotta go make sure I have a faucet dripping so my pipes don't freeze since it is going to be in the 20's tonight.  Oh, and in case you didn't know, you suck! 

Michelle

Idiots in Customer Service

I am trying to figure out how in a recession where people really need work, there are still idiots in customer service.  I was hoping that as competition increased for jobs that those that did not know what they are doing would be replaced, but that does not seem to be the case in many cases.  It seems that I often still deal with unhelpful, rude and condescending people that are in customer service positions.  For example, I just got off the phone with a pizza delivery company and advised them that I had a particular coupon and the girl on the phone practically argued with me that she had never heard of that coupon.  She eventually asked her manager who verified the coupon was valid.  Besides that, before I even mentioned the coupon, she sounded like talking on a phone was the last thing she wanted to be doing.  I know there are people out there who would be glad to have her job, but there she is, being rude to customers.  Makes no sense at all.  And then there are a couple of retail stores where I try not to ever ask for help because I know that they employees will not have a clue.  In one particular store, I have often picked check-out lanes based on who the cashier is, because I know some take forever, or try to pry into your life, or touch every single product you buy like they are fondling it. OMG...sometimes I just want to scream. 

Is this a problem in this area only, or is customer service bad in your area too? 

Container Gardening

Have you tried container gardening?  We switched all our landscape plants in the front of our house a couple of years ago and we are so happy that we did.  If you live in Florida, you know what a pain it is to keep up landscaping.  We can grow a lot of beautiful plants that cannot be grown in other parts of the country, but if you leave your flower beds for any length of time, they will be overrun with weeds.  And I am not talking about wimpy weeds like you find up north.  These weeds have jungle origins and grow inches in a day.  In a matter of a month, you would not recognize an untended garden.  Of course, with the high weeds come the ant mounds and snakes.  So, when you decide to tackle the weeding, you practically need armor to fight the sticker burrs, insects and wildlife. 

Well, our containers changed all that.  We put down a rock mulch, which will never break down, so will not have to be replenished or replaced, and put our plants in the containers.  Now, all I have to do is weed the pots.  And, if I get weeds in the mulch, I can use weed killer without killing my plants.  The same goes with insecticide.  I simply put insecticide around the base of the pot when I see ants start to move in.  I know, I know, weed killer and insecticide are bad for the environment.  But with the pots, I do not use much at all.  Also, when I fertilize my plants I am using less because I know exactly where the roots of my plants are, in the pot.  So, in reality I am using less chemicals in my yard now that I have the pots than before. 

Another advantage of having the plants in containers is that when we have a frost here, we can move the pots into the garage.  Yes, you heard that right, our wimpy landscape plants can't handle a frost.  No wonder they can't compete with the weeds.  Recently we had a couple of nights that frosted.  I watched all my neighbors struggling with blankets, sheets or plastic trying to cover their plants.  Then when it got windy, they would have to go outside and recover them because the sheets would blow off.  And then, they would have to go out in the morning and get any plastic off the plants before it got too hot, so they would not overheat and get killed that way.  Meanwhile, my plants were semi-toasty in our garage.  We left them there for 3 days, and now they are back outside.  I love our containers. 

A Trick to Baking in Florida

I grew up in Kentucky and learned to love baking in high school.  It must be in my genes since my grandpa used to own a bakery.  I moved to Florida to go to college and stayed.  I found however that baking cookies in Florida is different.  I noticed whenever I made cookies, especially Toll House, they would completely flatten out so they were like crisps or brittle.  They still taste good, but looked terrible.  I am not sure what exactly causes it, but I am guessing the humidity or the lack of elevation. 

I started modifying recipes to see if I could get a different outcome.  I tried adding more flour or reducing the liquids, but it was all in vane because either I had the same problem or the cookie would taste different.  So, quite a few years ago, I spent hours and hours researching sites on the internet until, at last, I found the answer.  The secret is bread flour.  Simply use bread flour instead of all-purpose flour.  Self-rising flour makes it rise too much and you end up with little cakes, it has to be bread flour. 

Now my cookies are beautiful.  In fact, I have been accused on more than one occasion of having bought my cookies because they looked that great. A picture of my chocolate chip and snickerdoodles is below. 

  

Beginning my Baking

Today, I will begin my holiday baking.  I will be contributing to a cookie party at my son's school and to a work Christmas party for John's office.  The cookie party is on Thursday and the work party is on Friday, so I will be hopping all week.  For the cookie party I am planning to make oatmeal, snickerdoodle, Nestle Toll House and sugar cookies.  I may also make shortbread cookies if I am feeling inspired.  After this week, I will ask my family what other types of cookies they will want for the holidays.  For the Christmas party, I will be making an Amaretto cake (yum), Nieman Marcus bars, brownies and of course some of the cookies listed above.  If I get really motivated, I may also bake pumpkin bread, banana bread and/or a peppermint cake.  Did I mention that I love to bake? 

So, am I a total nut or do you like to bake too?  What do you bake for the holidays?  Let me know if I am the only baking fiend. 

Making Progress

I am finally making progress.  I am 95% done with my Christmas shopping.  The Christmas tree is up.  About half the gifts are wrapped and the laundry is caught up...wooohooo.  John and I just had dinner.  If you belong to Sam's club, you have to try their stuffed salmon....delish.  I found it in the refrigerated section and you just cook it for 20 minutes.  The salmon is stuffed with a crab mixture that compliments the salmon perfectly.  I sauteed zucchini, a red pepper, onion and mushrooms to go along with it. 

Now I am going to sit down with John, have a glass of wine (the kids are with their dad) and maybe watch a movie.  Life is good. 

Cold in Florida

Well, a cold wave hit Florida last night.  Where I live, it got down to 43 degrees.  You would think that it hit sub-zero though for how everybody is reacting.  There were warnings on the morning news today about how you should wear layers and bundle up the kids going off to school. 

Granted, I get it that this is cold for Florida, but please...it is not the end of the world.  It is amazing though, how I grew up in Kentucky, where it is much colder than Florida, and the cold gets to me now.  You would think that I am a native Floridian for how I have to wear a winter coat in this weather.  The whole theory about how your blood thins out and you cannot tolerate the cold after you live here for awhile may have some merit. 

I refuse to turn on the furnace until it hits freezing though.  I will just have to use my oven more.  The kids do have space heaters in their bedrooms so that they do not freeze to death at night.  And of course, I have my own heater, John, who always runs hot.  I just turned off the air conditioner recently, so I certainly don't want high bills for the furnace already.  Besides, I am thinking that it is cookie baking time. 

December 1st Already

I really cannot believe that it is December 1st already.  Where did the time go?  I know that as you get older, time seems to go faster every year, but goodness, it is just flying by now like a freight train.  I cannot even imagine what time will feel like when I am a decade older.  A year will probably feel like a month. 

Since I am home all the time now, I thought that time would slow for me but it hasn't.  It seems that I must have been bored at work, because now that I am home, time seems to go even faster than when I was working.  Between looking for a job, housework and writing this blog, it seems like there are not enough hours in the day.  I keep thinking that I should be getting more done in the day, but it does not seem to be happening because time is just flying by.  Before I know it, Christmas will be here.