My Wish List

Santa, I’ve been a really good girl this year. Actually, I’ve been good for quite a few years, yet I haven’t seen hide nor hair of you. How about making up for lost time with a few items from my Wish List?

 

Two words. Alexander McQueen. Hello! Check out this clutch with built-in rings. Oh, Santa baby, I’d be the happiest kid on the block if you’d stuff this lil’ gem in my stocking.

 

I know this seems like an odd request, but please place Animatronic Elvis under my tree. Something about his battery-operated head makes me quiver. Does he have a “hum” setting? Oh, don’t forget the 8 D batteries!

 

Santa, I can hear you now. “What a greedy bi…”, but wait! You can satisfy my sweet tooth for around twenty dollars with Vosges’ Caramel Toffee Marshmallows. Pick up a 4-pack for yourself. They will melt in your jolly mouth, my good man.

 

If you still think ill of me, well so be it. Get your point across with Dirty Dishtowels (preferably not one I have to explain to the kids).

 

I think I’m letting you off easy, but a few of my naughty and nice friends have some special requests.

• What’s on your wish list?

Big $avings

Tis the season to save money whenever possible. Actually that never goes out of style. Here are some ways I’ve recently saved dollars.

Shared Work Program
This program may be available in your state, and is offered through the Department of Economic Security (DES). Business owners can apply, and if approved, will have up to 40% of their employee payroll paid by the state. It is basically partial unemployment. A full-time (40 hour/week) employee would work reduced hours (24 hour/week) and claim 2 days/week of unemployment. Employees do not have to look for work elsewhere, and aside from the initial sign-up form, do not have to complete weekly unemployment reports.

American Express
Turn your Blue Sky points into gift cards. Two $50 gift cards are heading my way, and all it cost me were points. Earn 1 point for every dollar you spend. $25 gift cards available starting at 3,250 points.

Google Shopping
Find the best price for gifts. To access Google Shopping, go to http://www.google.com/products. Type in the gift you are looking for, press enter, and the results return immediately. You can refine your search by price or ratings.

Automatic Renewal
Pay attention to automatic renewal notices. If you no longer want/need the product, cancel your membership. While on the American Express site, I noticed a $79.00 fee from Amazon had been applied to my account. It was for their Premier Shipping, a program I signed up for two Christmases ago. While it suited my needs in the past, it doesn’t suit them now. The fee was 100% refundable. I also contacted Proactiv and Consumer Reports and canceled those automatic renewals.

Mac
Apple is offering 12-months interest free financing on new Macs, plus $100 rebate when you purchase a Mac and a printer. Printers start at $99.95. Qualify for the rebate through January 18, 2010. Rumor has it Apple will be offering huge discounts on Black Friday.

Coupon Codes
Before finalizing your online shopping orders, search for coupon codes. Google the name of the E-tailer plus the word coupon. Using this technique, I received free shipping from Snapfish, a savings of $6.11.

• Do you have a money-saving tip to share?
• Have you started Christmas shopping?
• How will you spend Black Friday?

Special thanks to my friend Marian for informing me of the free-printer offer.

How To: Raise Hams

“Come on, Tom. It’ll be fun!”, I pleaded. “It’s just you and me. I’ll set up my camera, and you grab your meat, all nine pounds of it.”

Fits of laughter.

“Ok, I’ll take my big cannon and show you who’s boss.” Tom cajoled.

More laughter and innuendo.

The buzz of the evening wore off, but the playful conversation lingered in my head. Was he ready for his close up? Yes, actually he was. While I set up the tripod, he cleared the counter and set up an array of spices and secret ingredients for we were making an instructional video. Not the type Carrie Prejean would record but an honest to goodness How To video for making jerky.

I should call him One Take Tom for he could expound on the subject without missing a beat. It was hard to decide what should fall to the cutting room floor, or be deleted via iMovie. He’s my husband, and I felt a bit guilty omitting recorded episodes of meat grinding, salt sprinkling, and the tearing open of hot pepper packets. But cut I did, and replaced with photos overlaid with text. Even with all the snips, the video runs nearly seven minutes long. I’ll post the YouTube link below for those interested in jerking their meat.

With Mommy and Daddy making videos, it seemed natural when my seven year old asked to record her recipe for a soda drink. She wrote down her ingredients, sending Tom to the store for more Diet Coke. She had plenty of Pepsis which are on hand for guests. Her little sister was her lovely assistant, nodding her head and chiming in at just the right moment. I think my girls had a lot of presence for seven and four. Who else but a child would combine the two powerhouses of cola?

done

• Coke or Pepsi?
• Carrie Prejean, Donald Trump, or Perez Hilton?
• Behind the camera or in front of it?

Tom’s YouTube debut! How To: Make Elk Jerky

1 Word Tag

I was tagged by two terrific bloggers, Leese and Sweetiegirlz to answer the following questions with just one word. Since I was double-tagged, can I use two words?

1. Where is your cell phone? Hmmm

2. Your hair? Fabulous

3. Your mother? Hermit

4. Your father? Gregarious

5. Your favorite food? Pizza

6. Your dream last night? Forgotten

7. Your favorite drink? Diet Coke

8. Your dream/goal? Now

9. What room are you in? Living

10. Your hobby? Blogging

11. Your fear? Sharks

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Party

13. Where were you last night? Jacuzzi

14. Something that you aren’t? Bitchy

15. Muffins? No

16. Wish list item? Vacation

17. Where did you grow up? California

18. Last thing you did? Stirred

19. What are you wearing? Jeans

20. Your TV? BIG

21. Your pets? Persistent

22. Friends? Old

23. Your life? Heavenly

24. Your mood? Joyful

25. Missing someone? No

26. Vehicle? Magnum

27. Something you’re not wearing? Shoes

28. Your favorite store? Target

29. Your favorite color? Red

30. When was the last time you laughed? Morning

31. Last time you cried? Years

32. Your best friend? Hubby

33. One place that I go to over and over? Vegas

34. One person who emails me regularly? Mom

35. Favorite place to eat? CasaSerrano

If you haven’t been tagged, and want to do this one, consider yourself tagged.

How To: Make a Mayflower Martini

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose…. Oh, hi! I’m just getting in the mood for the holidays! Do you know what always puts me in the mood this time of year? Martinis! Yes, that’s right. Martinis.

Here’s a recipe for the Mayflower Martini. It’s easy & tasty.

done

Ingredients:
• 1 tsp. Vermouth
• 1 part gin
• 2 parts white cranberry juice
• ice

Directions:
1. Add 1 tsp. Vermouth to martini glass. Swirl to coat. Pour out excess.
2. Add ice to martini shaker.
3. Pour 1 part gin and 2 parts white cranberry juice into shaker.
4. With cap in place, shake the shaker.
5. Remove tip of shaker. Pour/strain cocktail into martini glass.
6. Cheers!

This recipe comes from Sandra Lee of the Food Network. She makes meals that are “almost” homemade. Her Thanksgiving menu really caught my eye a few years back. Let’s see if I can find the link and add. Ah, here it is! Semi-Homemade Thanksgiving. Wait! Even for semi-homemade, that looks like a lot of work. You know who really nailed down a fast Thanksgiving dinner? Rachel Ray. Seriously. Here’s a link to her recipes for Thanksgiving in 60 [minutes]. You’re welcome.

• Can I make you a martini? I promise I won’t spill your cranberry juice.
• Have you tried any of Sandra or Rachel’s recipes?
• What is on your Thanksgiving menu?

Fun with Wikipedia

Today’s mission, if you choose to accept it, is to visit Wikipedia, enter your high school name, and see which notable alumni attended your school.

Did you know Dawn Wells, Mary Ann of Gilligan’s Island, went to Reno High School? Neither did I! And I went to Reno High! We should have had her face plastered on all the walls, and a special monument erected to her. We could have been the Castaways instead of the Huskies.

I don’t often go sifting through Wikipedia nor high school memories, but a friend of mine uploaded her prom picture to Facebook. Being an 80’s New Waver, I didn’t have boys knocking down my door. This was the Preppy era. Through a Speech & Debate Tournament in Carson City, Nevada I met my senior boyfriend/senior prom date. Where is he now? Wikipedia says he is Grammy nominated music producer, remixer, and DJ.

This would be a good time to insert my prom picture, but I can’t locate it. I’ve searched through a few boxes, but have only come up with a stuffed stingray for Pearl and a photo of me and the Eck (Dennis Eckersley, relief pitcher for the Oakland A’s).

Here’s my hand: 1 missing prom photo with a DJ, 1 Gilligan’s Island alumni, and an Eck high card. Beat that!

Wedding Day Blunders

On Sunday December 21st 2003, Tom and I were married in our home, standing near our Christmas tree, with bare minimum of friends & family as our witnesses. One thing we didn’t count on was for the Reverend to be so hurried that he made a couple of mistakes. For one, he asked if I would take Rick. My husband’s name is Tom. Secondly, and probably the greater offense, the Rev. performed the dreaded White Rose ceremony.

Forgive me if you are a fan of the White Rose ceremony. Hubby and I did not request it, and couldn’t believe our eyes when those artificial flowers appeared. Two bogus, long-stemmed roses which must remain together as symbols of our love. If either of us were angry with the other, we were to remove one rose from the vase. Hold up! Vase? These plastic perennials were not getting their own vase! But I digress. Our partner would surely notice the single rose and clear the air.

Over the years the roses have endured much abuse in the hands of our two daughters. The girls have devised their own sport. Fencing with flowers. Invariably each night I mend the flowers and place them atop my dresser mirror.

Somehow the flowers have weaseled their way into my heart, and as strange as it may seem, I am comforted when I see them together. Perhaps they do represent our life. Exhausted and abused by our children daily, finding refuge in our bedroom each night.

Haha! The White Roses made it into this picture!

• What happened at your wedding that you didn’t foresee?
• Are you a fan of fake foliage?
• How do you know your partner is miffed?

Delicious Diet Foods + bonus

Psssst! Come here. Yes, you. Let me let you in on a little secret. I don’t like to diet. Diet foods taste awful! It’s my self-appointed mission to find delicious healthy foods. They’ve got to be out there. This week I’m 2 lbs. lighter and giving 2 thumbs up to:
 

Yoplait Delights in Creme Caramel. I AM delighted! These delicious parfaits have only 100 calories per serving. Come to mama!
 
 
 
Slim-Fast Blueberry Muffin Bar. Full of flavor and only 140 calories. Is that oatmeal? Are those blueberries? Sign me up!

 
 
 
Dole’s Hearty Italian Salad Kit. Knock me over with a feather. This isn’t your typical bag o’salad. This mix has leafy greens, garlic croutons, cracked peppercorn, chunks of aged parmesan, diced salami, and a Chianti vinaigrette. ::: slurp! ::: Fava beans not included. A slimming 180 calories per flavorful serving.
 
 
 
Just so I don’t completely bore those of you not dieting, here’s a blast from my past. My Dad made my big noggin out of a punch ball and paper mache. Crafty guy, huh?
 
 
 
• What are you eating that’s surprisingly delicious and low-cal?
• When’s the last time you paper mache’d?
• Are you ready for Halloween?

A Haunting @ Chuck E Cheese

Tuesday night while flipping through channels I stopped on Discovery’s Ghost Lab. I haven’t seen many ghost hunter documentaries, but those I have are all hype and zero evidence. Ghost Lab was different. Maybe it was their specialized equipment, or perhaps these two fellows have a real knack for enticing ghosts out of hiding. Yes, they had evidence, but I was still left scratching my head, wondering if it was all a hoax.

Friday rolled around and I had the (ahem) privilege of taking my daughters to a Chuck E Cheese birthday party. It was a long trek across state lines giving me plenty of time to think.

  
Welcome to Ghost Lab. On tonight’s episode, Brad and Barry Klinge investigate a haunted Chuck E. Cheese.

This animatronic mouse is not plugged in to any outlet, yet Chucky’s proprietor has heard a man’s voice coming out of the speaker on several occasions. The Klinge Brothers wait until the sun sets, then enter the establishment to have a little chat with the ghost.

Brad: Let’s be very quiet.
Animatronic Mouse: squealllllll!!!!!!
Barry: Did you hear that? Do it again!
Animatronic Mouse: squealllll!!!!!

Later, in the Ghost Lab, the team analyzes the audio track.

squeallll…… inaudible…… crackle….. squeallll…. inaudible…

Let’s play it again, this time with subtitles.

Brad: Let’s be very quiet.
Ghost: Order up!

The crew goes wild! Order up is pizza lingo! That was definitely our ghost!

Day two, the Klinge Bros. meet a direct descendant of the founder of Chuck E. Cheese.

Founder Descendant: I got up early to take a picture of my friend dressed up like an old time pizzeria employee. When I had the film developed, we saw my great, great, not so great uncle in the background! This is not photoshopped. It’s film, and the image is on the negative. My lips are moving, so it must be true.

The Klinge Bros. decide to set up their special “ghost motion detectors” in the kitchen. As added bait, they bring in their lovely assistant. She dares the ghost to touch her arm. No sooner are the words out of her mouth when the detectors alert us to the presence of the ghost! Everyone grabs their cameras and starts snapping pictures while the bells and whistles continue to sound.

Later, in the lab, each frame of film is analyzed. After many tedious hours of scanning the images, the team hits pay dirt! A “shadow person”is visible in one photo.

There is one more room left to inspect. The haunted toilet! The team yucks it up. What kind of ghost would haunt a public restroom? The detecting devices are in place. Again Brad calls for quiet. There is no apparent sign of the ghost until the audio track is analyzed.

Brad: Let’s have a minute of silence.
Ghost: Geez! Can I get a courtesy flush?

Well, that seals it! This Chuck E Cheese is indeed haunted. The Ghost Lab is heading to a town near you.

This story is based on Ghost Lab’s look at haunted Tombstone. Actual ghost voice recordings were heard (or rather, subtitled) to say, “Choose!” and “Right quick.”
 
• Do you believe in ghosts?
• Have you seen Ghost Lab?
• How much credence do you give to recorded ghost voices?

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Update: Here is a scene from Ghost Lab: Portrait of an Apparition. Click Me!

Slim-Fast

I’m getting back on my Slim-Fast wagon. I’d like to lose 7 pounds. This is the game my body plays. I eat healthy and exercise, then relax into my old eating habits. I yoyo between 145 and 152 lbs. Between size 10 and 12. Between “You’ve lost weight!” and “When is your baby due?”

Slim-Fast used to be about drinking 2 shakes and eating a sensible dinner. It has really come a long way! You can actually eat 3 healthy meals plus 3 healthy snacks. This doesn’t come naturally to me. Santa Claus used to bring me fruit once a year. That’s a blog for another day.

Slim-Fast’s interactive website is free. No trial membership. No limited time offer. Just free.

They even have a Vegan meal plan. Seriously. Vegan.

You don’t even have to drink their chalky shakes.

Register and your menu for the entire week (and future weeks) is at your fingertips. You can swap out anything that doesn’t sound appealing and exchange it for another healthy item.

Today I’ve enjoyed a blueberry muffin bar and some vanilla yogurt. Lunch will be a large spinach salad with fresh sliced mushrooms and juicy mandarin orange slices. I’ll snack on dried cranberries before my delicious dinner of Hearty Chili. This is my favorite chili recipe! Even when I’m not dieting, I prepare it.

FYI: Slim-fast doesn’t endorse that dollop of sour cream.

The Slim-Fast site also provides you with activities, tools, support and a community. Did I mention it was free? Yes, all free!

So, wish me luck, and if you are dieting, I wish you luck as well!

• Do you have a favorite weight loss program?
• Does your body yoyo or is it more like a slinky?
• What did Santa stuff in your stocking?