Really, there are "Do Not Call" Lists that appear to work fairly well (I don't get too many telemarketer calls anymore, just folks looking for donations). However, what about "Do Not Email"? I know, with just a click of a button it's easily erased. But I get irritated having to erase so much spam.
Recently, it's not just the spam that's irritating to me. It's the political crap. Don't get me wrong, I like to be "in the know." But, I don't like to be bombarded. I especially don't like to be bombarded by candidates who I can't even vote for.
So, to the Senator from Arkansas who I will not name but have not ever voted for and do not intend to vote for (especially now that it would be illegal as I am registered to vote in a different state): I do not know how you got my email address, nor do I understand why you are addressing me as "Milton" - this is my father's name, but his name has nothing to do with my email address "ebeth", nor is he a fan of yours either. Kindly cease mailing me your political propaganda.
I have written your office now three times saying I moved out of your state. My last email was even quite rude itemizing why I have not ever supported you/do not ever intend to support you. However, it apparently was not read by your staff. So consider this an open letter to you, your staff and any supporter you may have who knows me (yes, I will still claim them as friends and forgive their poor judgement in political views. This is America afterall.) to remove me from your list. It shouldn't be that hard! Just a click of a button. Surely the minions in your office can handle that task. If they can't, then I would suggest you look into replacing them with more efficient staff who would not be wasting my tax dollars.
Thank you.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Having a Hard Time Planning a Menu
This rarely happens, food is a specialty of mine, I love to cook and plan parties/meals. However, I have to admit that I'm having a hard time figuring out what's on the menu for Easter. You see, this will be our first Easter just the four of us.
Typically, Easter (as any major holiday) is spent with my side of the family at my parents house. Picture a scene from "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" and you have a scene from my family. Even though there were only three children, we're loud and everyone's into everyone's business. Sunday dinners are a big deal, and holiday dinners are especially a big deal.
We got through Christmas just fine... we had the hubs' family here. So it wasn't so glaring that we were alone. This weekend is shaping up to be another story. First, there's the obvious - less family. Now, when you are used to helping plan a family meal for about 15 hearty eaters and suddenly you're downsizing that to 4 it makes things interesting. Next, there's the delimia of what do you eat, exactly? All the sides and trimmings you're used to having on the table just seems like overkill when it's for so few people. And of course there's the debate of what will the main entree be? Traditionally we've had ham in my house, but this year lamb has been suggested. hmmm.....
So, I'm at a complete and total loss. I'm opening it up to suggestions. What are your Easter traditions? Apparently we're going to have to make some new ones here, so I'd like to steal from you if you're willing to share!
Typically, Easter (as any major holiday) is spent with my side of the family at my parents house. Picture a scene from "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" and you have a scene from my family. Even though there were only three children, we're loud and everyone's into everyone's business. Sunday dinners are a big deal, and holiday dinners are especially a big deal.
We got through Christmas just fine... we had the hubs' family here. So it wasn't so glaring that we were alone. This weekend is shaping up to be another story. First, there's the obvious - less family. Now, when you are used to helping plan a family meal for about 15 hearty eaters and suddenly you're downsizing that to 4 it makes things interesting. Next, there's the delimia of what do you eat, exactly? All the sides and trimmings you're used to having on the table just seems like overkill when it's for so few people. And of course there's the debate of what will the main entree be? Traditionally we've had ham in my house, but this year lamb has been suggested. hmmm.....
So, I'm at a complete and total loss. I'm opening it up to suggestions. What are your Easter traditions? Apparently we're going to have to make some new ones here, so I'd like to steal from you if you're willing to share!
Monday, March 29, 2010
My Weekend in Review
This weekend flew by. I'm thinking I need a vacation just to recover! It started simple enough, just a couple movies and the couch.
We started out watching Taking Chance. This movie was more than I expected it to be. Kevin Bacon is a colonel in the Marine Corps. He's an analyst who is starting to double guess what exactly he's doing with his life. As he reviews the list of casulaties he runs across the name of a young man who's enlisted from his hometown in Colorado. Bacon volunteers to transport him home for the funeral. What ensues is a heart wrentching true story following the next week of his life. I'm glad I watched it in the dark, because the tears were freely flowing pretty much throughout the movie. I would definitely recommend it as a must see. It wasn't a movie in theatres, rather an HBO movie so it didn't get a lot of recognition. For once I'm happy I listened to what Netflix recommended.
We followed that up with Have You Heard About the Morgans? Funny movie. Not great, but just what I have come to expect from Hugh Grant.
The rest of the weekend was pretty much work. Saturday, phase one of our home make-over started. We repainted the kitchen. It went from the awful red color that was there to a nice, warm "rusty nail." No, seriously, that is the name of the color. It's like a deep terracotta. The room now feels warmer and more welcoming than it did in the hideous shade previously there.
After painting and running errands all day Saturday we had the neighbors (and good friends) over for pizza and a movie. I was the only one who'd seen The Blind Side. And, I'm hoping it lived up to everyone's expectation after I raved about it!
We started out watching Taking Chance. This movie was more than I expected it to be. Kevin Bacon is a colonel in the Marine Corps. He's an analyst who is starting to double guess what exactly he's doing with his life. As he reviews the list of casulaties he runs across the name of a young man who's enlisted from his hometown in Colorado. Bacon volunteers to transport him home for the funeral. What ensues is a heart wrentching true story following the next week of his life. I'm glad I watched it in the dark, because the tears were freely flowing pretty much throughout the movie. I would definitely recommend it as a must see. It wasn't a movie in theatres, rather an HBO movie so it didn't get a lot of recognition. For once I'm happy I listened to what Netflix recommended.
We followed that up with Have You Heard About the Morgans? Funny movie. Not great, but just what I have come to expect from Hugh Grant.
The rest of the weekend was pretty much work. Saturday, phase one of our home make-over started. We repainted the kitchen. It went from the awful red color that was there to a nice, warm "rusty nail." No, seriously, that is the name of the color. It's like a deep terracotta. The room now feels warmer and more welcoming than it did in the hideous shade previously there.
After painting and running errands all day Saturday we had the neighbors (and good friends) over for pizza and a movie. I was the only one who'd seen The Blind Side. And, I'm hoping it lived up to everyone's expectation after I raved about it!
(my caption option apparently isn't working - old kitchen on top, new on bottom)
The kitchen was the easy part. Sunday we tackled the living room and stairwell. I am sore in places I didn't know existed on my body! The hideous red is now replaced by a warm beige (a.k.a. "bush whacking" - where do they come up with these names?!) and the mantle is highlighted in a cream. Suddenly my house feels light and airy, instead of like a dungeon in one of the inner sanctions of hell (yes, the red was that bad).
(again with the caption keys! Dungeon living room top, new paint bottom- excuse the mess the baby has taken over the living room with his toys)
So that completes phase one. Next phase, new floors. That should be interesting!
Friday, March 26, 2010
My $0.02 on the Preschooler in Boulder
Recently, a big brew-ha-ha was made over a Catholic school here in Colorado kicking out a preschooler because the parents were a same-sex couple. The school said this went against their principals and they could not allow the child to attend. There was a swarm of fanfare and media coverage, people picketed.
I haven't heard the end result, but I'm fairly certain the child is still not allowed to return next year. My response to this? Good for the Church! I don't mean that rudely. Yes, I am Catholic. But, no I am not biased against same sex couples. I feel it is the institution's right and priviledge to allow whomever they chose into their doors. Just as it is anyone's right and priviledge to choose whether or not to support said institution.
Let me give you a personal history lesson.... I went to a small, private, Christian college in Arkansas. We had to sign a "Code of Conduct" before being admitted. It was college, we did not have uniforms. However, among the very long list of regulations we had to abide by were the following: we were not allowed to wear shorts before 3 p.m. (and never to class), boys could not have hair over their collars or any visible piercings (if they did they could not wear them on campus), drinking was strictly prohibited - even off campus - regardless of your age, couples could not have "relationships". A violation of the sex, drugs/alcohol clauses would subsequently get you kicked out of school and no tuition refund would be available. It was not a cheap school. The rules were strictly enforced.
For those who lived on campus (which about 90% did because you had to get school permission to live off campus - and even then you had to live within a certain mileage proximity, with an immediate family member and/or be over a certain age in your mid-twenties with no opposite sex roommates allowed) curfew was also strictly enforced.
Needless to say, I irked through - but I knew several who mysteriously went home for part of a semester and returned the following year. The particular religion of this school was also engrained upon it's students through required chapel and bible class attendance. You knew all these things going in. If you didn't agree with them, you didn't sign the contract and you didn't attend the school.
Was it always easy? No. Were there times when I wanted to tell the Administration they were full of it? Yes. Am I a better person for having the experience of such a rigorous education. YOU BETCHA! And, I'd do it all over again if I could go back in time. Sure, the rules made me angry at times. And, sure there were quite a few that I broke - although my "shroud of secrecy" will never be broken and I will not publicly admit to breaking any of them. I will pull a Bill Clinton, and demand to know the full definition of the question before answering. Then I will politically position myself to be teflon.
But, I digress. The point to that rambling message was that we knew before I stepped foot on campus what I was getting into. My children have attended private Catholic schools. Similiar contracts were required of them - they will attend mass and be exposed to the faith, they will wear uniforms, the school expects a certain standard followed by the parents. If the parents knew they didn't meet those standards why enroll the child? The Catholic church is one of the oldest religions in the world. Does one couple actually think they are going to change their view? Sure, you're in Boulder. Sure, it's one of the most liberal cities. That doesn't mean the Church is going to follow suit.
I say live your life as you wish to live it, but do not subject your child - who is an innocent in all of this - to become fodder for your own policital agenda. Growing up is hard enough without being turned into a pawn for your parents' views. Public institutions have to take everyone. The beauty of private institutions is they do not. I'm not saying they are always 100% correct, but they are free to make the rules as they see fit. There are plenty of non-denominational private schools out there who do not care what your orientation is; however, they have very strict admissions and cirriculum policies. Nobody is picketing them. Leave the private institutions alone, and let them have the dignity to operate as they have for centuries.
I haven't heard the end result, but I'm fairly certain the child is still not allowed to return next year. My response to this? Good for the Church! I don't mean that rudely. Yes, I am Catholic. But, no I am not biased against same sex couples. I feel it is the institution's right and priviledge to allow whomever they chose into their doors. Just as it is anyone's right and priviledge to choose whether or not to support said institution.
Let me give you a personal history lesson.... I went to a small, private, Christian college in Arkansas. We had to sign a "Code of Conduct" before being admitted. It was college, we did not have uniforms. However, among the very long list of regulations we had to abide by were the following: we were not allowed to wear shorts before 3 p.m. (and never to class), boys could not have hair over their collars or any visible piercings (if they did they could not wear them on campus), drinking was strictly prohibited - even off campus - regardless of your age, couples could not have "relationships". A violation of the sex, drugs/alcohol clauses would subsequently get you kicked out of school and no tuition refund would be available. It was not a cheap school. The rules were strictly enforced.
For those who lived on campus (which about 90% did because you had to get school permission to live off campus - and even then you had to live within a certain mileage proximity, with an immediate family member and/or be over a certain age in your mid-twenties with no opposite sex roommates allowed) curfew was also strictly enforced.
Needless to say, I irked through - but I knew several who mysteriously went home for part of a semester and returned the following year. The particular religion of this school was also engrained upon it's students through required chapel and bible class attendance. You knew all these things going in. If you didn't agree with them, you didn't sign the contract and you didn't attend the school.
Was it always easy? No. Were there times when I wanted to tell the Administration they were full of it? Yes. Am I a better person for having the experience of such a rigorous education. YOU BETCHA! And, I'd do it all over again if I could go back in time. Sure, the rules made me angry at times. And, sure there were quite a few that I broke - although my "shroud of secrecy" will never be broken and I will not publicly admit to breaking any of them. I will pull a Bill Clinton, and demand to know the full definition of the question before answering. Then I will politically position myself to be teflon.
But, I digress. The point to that rambling message was that we knew before I stepped foot on campus what I was getting into. My children have attended private Catholic schools. Similiar contracts were required of them - they will attend mass and be exposed to the faith, they will wear uniforms, the school expects a certain standard followed by the parents. If the parents knew they didn't meet those standards why enroll the child? The Catholic church is one of the oldest religions in the world. Does one couple actually think they are going to change their view? Sure, you're in Boulder. Sure, it's one of the most liberal cities. That doesn't mean the Church is going to follow suit.
I say live your life as you wish to live it, but do not subject your child - who is an innocent in all of this - to become fodder for your own policital agenda. Growing up is hard enough without being turned into a pawn for your parents' views. Public institutions have to take everyone. The beauty of private institutions is they do not. I'm not saying they are always 100% correct, but they are free to make the rules as they see fit. There are plenty of non-denominational private schools out there who do not care what your orientation is; however, they have very strict admissions and cirriculum policies. Nobody is picketing them. Leave the private institutions alone, and let them have the dignity to operate as they have for centuries.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
My Take on The Blind Side
What an amazing story! I purposely did not see this in the theatre because I knew it would make me cry. It takes a lot to draw a tear to my eye, but this had me crying within minutes of the opening credits, and off and on until the very end of the closing credits.
Leigh Anne Tuohy is an amazing woman, and Sandra Bullock's depiction of her is awesome. I'm also glad I watched this alone, so I know what to expect when watching it with the hubs later on. He tends to make fun of me when I cry at movies. Of course his "they aren't real people" line wouldn't apply to this, because they are.
My husband is a football fan, I'm sure he knows who Michael Oher is. Before the previews of this story, I did not. Neither of us knew Oher's background. I saw in an "HBO Behind the Scenes Look" of the movie that while some liberties were taken (as with all movies) this is very true to life. The real Leigh Anne Tuohy was on set during much of the filming to make sure of it. She's a spunky woman, she wouldn't let those hollywood types get her story too far off base. It was touching as well to see her in the audience at the Oscars to see Sandra win her award.
It is amazing how they caught on film the things we go through for those we love. And her determination to help this boy - there just aren't words! I have a new hero.
My two favorite scene had to be she confronted a gang-banger about messing with Michael, "You mess with my son, you mess with me" and she goes on to tell him how she's a card toting member of the NRA, and always "packin". He wants to know what she's carrying, if it's a "Saturday night special" and she says not only that, but it works just fine all the other days, too. He's left speechless. But it's such a true moment. What wouldn't we do for the ones we love? We'd risk it all, even if it meant putting ourselves in harms way.
Anyway, the point to today's blog isn't really a movie review, but rather a reflection on this story. This woman didn't ask questions, she knew what had to be done to help this young man. She jumped in feet first and did it. I don't know what he's like in real life, but I know he ended up getting an education and making something of himself. Michael went from cleaning up the bleachers after sporting events so he could get the discarded bags of popcorn and have something to eat to a multi-million dollar contract in the NFL. Leigh Anne realized a young man needed help, and that nobody else was going to give it to him. Her family didn't think it odd that they take him on as a big brother or older son.
We could all be so lucky to know such a bond.
Leigh Anne Tuohy is an amazing woman, and Sandra Bullock's depiction of her is awesome. I'm also glad I watched this alone, so I know what to expect when watching it with the hubs later on. He tends to make fun of me when I cry at movies. Of course his "they aren't real people" line wouldn't apply to this, because they are.
My husband is a football fan, I'm sure he knows who Michael Oher is. Before the previews of this story, I did not. Neither of us knew Oher's background. I saw in an "HBO Behind the Scenes Look" of the movie that while some liberties were taken (as with all movies) this is very true to life. The real Leigh Anne Tuohy was on set during much of the filming to make sure of it. She's a spunky woman, she wouldn't let those hollywood types get her story too far off base. It was touching as well to see her in the audience at the Oscars to see Sandra win her award.
It is amazing how they caught on film the things we go through for those we love. And her determination to help this boy - there just aren't words! I have a new hero.
My two favorite scene had to be she confronted a gang-banger about messing with Michael, "You mess with my son, you mess with me" and she goes on to tell him how she's a card toting member of the NRA, and always "packin". He wants to know what she's carrying, if it's a "Saturday night special" and she says not only that, but it works just fine all the other days, too. He's left speechless. But it's such a true moment. What wouldn't we do for the ones we love? We'd risk it all, even if it meant putting ourselves in harms way.
Anyway, the point to today's blog isn't really a movie review, but rather a reflection on this story. This woman didn't ask questions, she knew what had to be done to help this young man. She jumped in feet first and did it. I don't know what he's like in real life, but I know he ended up getting an education and making something of himself. Michael went from cleaning up the bleachers after sporting events so he could get the discarded bags of popcorn and have something to eat to a multi-million dollar contract in the NFL. Leigh Anne realized a young man needed help, and that nobody else was going to give it to him. Her family didn't think it odd that they take him on as a big brother or older son.
We could all be so lucky to know such a bond.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Wednesday Recipe: Sesame Grilled Salmon with Wasabi Marinade
Last Friday I said I was going to fix a new salmon recipe that was sure to be a disaster. Well, actually it turned out pretty darn good, if I do say so myself. (I know, it's bad form for a chef to compliment themselves, but I never claimed to be a chef - or to follow the etiquette rules all the time).
I'm not a huge salmon fan. I know a lot of people who are, but it's not one of my favorites, I like salmon but it's one of thos dishes that if I have it 3 times a year I've had it a lot. I can't do just grilled salmon, it has to be spiced up with a little extra flavor.
Ingredients:
2 Tbs Olive Oil
Directions:
I'm not a huge salmon fan. I know a lot of people who are, but it's not one of my favorites, I like salmon but it's one of thos dishes that if I have it 3 times a year I've had it a lot. I can't do just grilled salmon, it has to be spiced up with a little extra flavor.
Some friends of ours served this dish as part of a "surf and turf" menu to us right before we moved. Since we had it Friday (which is a non-meat day for us during Lent) and it was just me, the hubs and the minions children I didn't do anything too fancy. We just had salmon, rice and vegetables. It sounds like a time consuming dish, but it really isn't. The tang of the wasabi mixed with the sweetness of the brown sugar makes the marinade really good. Combine that with the density of the Salmon, and I think it actually scores an A. Plus, middle child really liked it and asked for seconds, this tells me it has to be good!
Ingredients:1 Tbs Sesame Seeds
2 Tbs Wasabi Powder
1 Tbs Water
1 Tbs Soy Sauce2 Tbs Olive Oil
2 Tbs Rice Wine Vinegar
1 Tbs Brown Sugar1.5 lbs. Salmon Fillet
1. Toast sesame seeds over medium-high heat in a nonstick skillet until light, golden-brown (approx. 3 minutes). Combine Wasabi powder, water and soy sauce in a small bowl. Add oil, vinegar, brown sugar and sesame seeds. Mix well. Reserve 2 tablespoons marinade for basting later.
2. Cut salmon fillets into 6 serving size pieces. Place salmon and marinade in self-closing plastic bag and seal. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes. Remove salmon from marinade. Discard marinade.
3. Grill or broil over medium heat 8-10 minutes per inch of thickness or until fish flakes easily with a fork. Brush with reserved marinade during last 2 minutes of cooking.
Since I made it in March, and it was cold and snowy the evening I made it, I just used the broiler and cooked it indoors. When I was introduced to this dish last summer, they had plank grilled it on a charcoal grill - that was fabulous as well. All the above mentioned flavors saturated with the smokey charcoal flavor, it's a must do in the summertime!
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Uncovering My Home's True Potential
I have an irresistable urge to rip up everything in my house and start over. I'm thinking this isn't a good sign. I do love my house. The hubs did good. He found it and made an offer on it before I ever came out here. It was a bit scary, and our realtor was sweating bullets the day I flew in to see it.
She took me to 11 houses before she brought me here. She told me if I hated it, she could figure out a way to get us out of it - there were plenty of loopholes she could use. I did fall in love with one not too far away, but it had no closets (literally, NONE). I couldn't justify the increase in cost - even if it was a bigger house - when there were no nooks or crannies to hide my clothes in.
When I saw this one I loved it. Even with the disgusting decorations the previous tennants had scattered about (i.e. the jungle growing on the mantle, the mismatched furniture, and the beaded doors circa 1972 pot house) I saw it's potential.
We bought as a short sale, so everything was "as is". The hubs went to work and repainted the inside, but one of the colors didn't quite take like we had wanted it to. Last weekend I bought 6 gallons of paint to finish things up, and hopefully before too long we'll start the flooring process.
But, this has unleashed a monster. Now I have all kinds of ideas. New fixtures in the bathrooms, an island in the kitchen, one day I'd like new countertops. Every frappin' light fixture in the house needs to be changed - which means all the door hinges and handles also will need to be swapped out to match the finish on the lighting fixtures I want. WHERE DOES IT END?!
So, since I obviously don't make enough money to just gut the place and start over, we've decided to babystep it. Phase 1: this spring. Convert kitchen and living room color from crazy red they are now to a warm terracotta in the kitchen and neutral brown for the living. Phase 2: this spring. New floors downstairs and in bathrooms (maybe upstairs as well, just depends on what we find vs. the budget to do this). These are the phases the hubs knows about. ha ha.... in my mind Phase 3: sometime late this year/early 2011 lighting/fixtures update Phase 4: kitchen.
About the time we get all that done, I'll have found a new color I love and either have to repaint or begin to pester the hubs for new furniture. I'm thinking it's time for a new hobby.
She took me to 11 houses before she brought me here. She told me if I hated it, she could figure out a way to get us out of it - there were plenty of loopholes she could use. I did fall in love with one not too far away, but it had no closets (literally, NONE). I couldn't justify the increase in cost - even if it was a bigger house - when there were no nooks or crannies to hide my clothes in.
When I saw this one I loved it. Even with the disgusting decorations the previous tennants had scattered about (i.e. the jungle growing on the mantle, the mismatched furniture, and the beaded doors circa 1972 pot house) I saw it's potential.
We bought as a short sale, so everything was "as is". The hubs went to work and repainted the inside, but one of the colors didn't quite take like we had wanted it to. Last weekend I bought 6 gallons of paint to finish things up, and hopefully before too long we'll start the flooring process.
But, this has unleashed a monster. Now I have all kinds of ideas. New fixtures in the bathrooms, an island in the kitchen, one day I'd like new countertops. Every frappin' light fixture in the house needs to be changed - which means all the door hinges and handles also will need to be swapped out to match the finish on the lighting fixtures I want. WHERE DOES IT END?!
So, since I obviously don't make enough money to just gut the place and start over, we've decided to babystep it. Phase 1: this spring. Convert kitchen and living room color from crazy red they are now to a warm terracotta in the kitchen and neutral brown for the living. Phase 2: this spring. New floors downstairs and in bathrooms (maybe upstairs as well, just depends on what we find vs. the budget to do this). These are the phases the hubs knows about. ha ha.... in my mind Phase 3: sometime late this year/early 2011 lighting/fixtures update Phase 4: kitchen.
About the time we get all that done, I'll have found a new color I love and either have to repaint or begin to pester the hubs for new furniture. I'm thinking it's time for a new hobby.
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