Chai Latte - Again

Only this time better. I found the electric hand mixer that was mom's and I heated up the milk (steamed milk) and then I frothed up the milk. When we get our building maybe I'll open up a little coffee/tea shop up in the front. Along with the second hand junk store. Filled with all the "junk" we get from houses. Jan I still have a package I need to re-box and get in the mail to you.
Get this: Jeff (the ex-boss man) had the nerve to call me yesterday and ask me if I remembered his password for a website. Geesh! Then today he called and said he'd like to send me some e-mail about some plan he has. I said, "uh-hem" did we ever get the contract finalized yet?" Then he mumbled something about he would go and check and get right back with me. Unbelievable.

Happy Birthday Walter

My nephew Paul. He let me call him Walter, or Wally. He would've been 30 years old today. God took him home at the early age of 13. He was a great kid. I can't even imagine him being 30! He would be one of the good guys.

Anyway, he is in my heart for always and ever.

Chai Tea Latte

I made my own. I bought Chai Tea bags by TAZO. I added a bit of honey and some organic 1/2 and 1/2. I sound like my sister Marlene. The traditional masala chai is a bracing, strongly spiced beverage brewed with so-called "warm" spices. Black tea and then most masala chai incorporates one or more of the following: cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, star anise, peppercorn, and cloves. I haven't figured out how to make the "latte" part yet. It's pretty yummy.

Yesterday we had a deliciouso ham dinner at Mike & Chris's. It was the holiday ham I never got. Thank you Chris! Today we are all back to work.

Took A Trip to IKEA

First time. Wow is it ever huge. You could never see it all in one trip. Bought some stuff for the office and some stuff for the kitchen and a new comforter for Niki. Oh, and some freshly made right out of the oven cinnamon rolls. The girl was not even going to sell them to us because they were too hot. We said we weren't going to eat them until Sunday, so she gave them to us. ha

It was really fun, but tiring. So much to look at. We stopped for an early dinner at Bahama Breeze. We had a gift card. We sat on the enclosed porch with fireplace. If you didn't look outside you almost thought you were in FL. We had some yummy Caribbean dishes. Blue crab sauteed in garlic butter and, a crab, shrimp, avocado and mango salsa stack. For starters, some coconut coated onion rings that were the size of small tractor tires! Brought some of those home. Then for desert, we had a chocolate island. One of the runners brought it out to us. It was so funny. Our waiter thought we never had our dessert so he brought us out another one. We got to take that one home, for free!

Hi, Hi, Hi

Just watched the Academy nominations and I could care less.
Been kind of busy doing this, that, and the other. Trying to catch up on the endless paperwork. Katie and I reorganized the office on Tuesday. I haven't even cooked this week. Renee's been here learning the photo uploading and updating of the business. She's doing great and it's really helping out. Everything needs to be caught up before we leave for Florida. So, I'll be glued to this chair for the next few weeks. I also need to start learning my lines, I know the first. "I knew you'd just love every little bit of it."

Apparently Today is my 1/2 Birthday

Thanks to Lisa for reminding me that I'm getting older. You can read her tribute on her blog:

http://glsrak.blogspot.com/

The pictures are of me holding Brady at the baby shower.

Cha Cha Cha Chia.......Garden

Well, something like that. Couldn't find it. So I bought a starter herb/plant mini greenhouse. I've been craving fresh herbs. I'll be planting basil, parsley, cilantro (of course) and rosemary.

Yesterday was niece Karen's baby shower. Of course, another snow squall. He was one week old yesterday. I held him, he is really cute. He was very alert the whole time I was holding him. And, he barely made a peep. The picture is the Diaper Cake that neighbor Renee made for me.

Isn't it cute? The winner of the awesome gift of the shower however, was my sister Jan's gift of blankets with buttons from our grandma's button collection sewn onto them.

Helen

So, I'll be playing the part of Helen in the play. She is a realtor. How funny. Now I know how to act, just like Betsy. ha ha Can't say any more, don't want to ruin it for anyone who will be going to the play. It's so much fun. Wait til you see my outfit.
Can't stand this cold. Don't want to go out. I feel sorry for Sarah and the crews. They had triple layer clothes on yesterday and today. I can't even imagine!

Word of The Day

Word of the Day for Wednesday, January 14, 2009
jettison \JET-uh-suhn, JET-uh-zuhn\, verb:
1. to throw goods overboard to lighten a ship or aircraft in distress2. the act of throwing goods overboard when a craft is in distress; also, the goods thrown overboard3. (figurative) to throw away; discard
If I were still teaching I would have "word of the day" on the board each day! I hope this enlightens you.
I just heard that Bishop Airport reported a new record low of -19 degrees sometime over the night-time period. Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

You Can Say You Knew Me When

So, I guess I got a part in the play. Don't know what character yet. I was invited back for the "first read" on Thursday. The director asked, "have you ever done this before?" I replied, "no, not really." She then said, "wow, you actually did quite good." Renee says that's because I practice every day playing with Syd. We play "make believe" alot. I went on the stage, saw the costume room and the tech room. The play will be March 28 & 29th. It's a dinner theatre. Luckily there is no singing! Stay tuned...

Exit The Body

Tonight I am trying something I always wanted to do. I am auditioning for a play! It's called, "Exit The Body". The S.C. Community Ed. is putting it on. So, wish me luck. When I was little and someone asked me what I wanted to do when I grow up, I would always say, A clown. Ha I think because they make people happy. Well, when I got a little older I decided I would really like to be an actress. tsk tsk, my Sunday School teacher from the Schoolcraft Gospel Hall didn't like that. But, remember when I used to play Mrs. Gerrard at all the Plymouth Rd. functions. Well, no one reading this blog probably remembers, cept Laura. Anyways, they always said I was good. So here goes nothing.

Lisa, reading all those "religious" books? I listened to your blog music all day while working today, I really love your selection. P.s. I miss you!! We really must do lunch.

Brady Paul Fisher

My neice Karen finally birthed her big baby boy yesterday. He is 8 lb 11 oz and 21 inches long. She went into the hospital around 4:30 a.m. on Saturday in the middle of the snowstorm. He was born at 3:22 in the afternoon. Isn't he a cutie?

For those of you keeping track, no I didn't receive my contract from Flint Schools. Crazy. Apparently they think I want to work for free. They are still "finalizing" the contract. I haven't been doing so good on eating the 8 best foods either. Time to get back on track. My sister (Jan) even sent me a recipe for spinach stuffed meatloaf. Good way to include the spinach.

I finally read, The Shack. An excellent read. Very deep. Very thought provoking. Very action provoking. I recommend it highly. A funny story about the book. I took it to the Doctor's office on Tues. when Niki had her 3 hour glucose test. I guess I left the book there. (Sorry Marlene) I called the next day and they said it wasn't there. So, maybe somebody picked it up. That would be ok I guess. So I bought a new book and finished it last night. Now I need to get the book back to Marlene. I think she gave it to me in the summer. Oops. Can't wait to discuss the book with Don!

Quick Update For The Fans

Went to new restaurant called Mezza on Sunday w/Mar & Don. Mediterranean. Pretty good. Busy working on year end tax stuff. Going to Flint Schools. Apparently they finally signed the contract. I'm gonna see what's up. I only want to work from home. So if they agree, I'll do that part time. 2:00 p.m. today. Eating leftovers for lunch. Oh yeah, I'm going to be offically on the KNS payroll now. Real job.
Later

The Day Before The New Holiday

My sister Marlene proclaimed tomorrow a new holiday, "The Official End of the Holidays." Hooray. In honor of, we cleaned the house, took down the Christmas cards off the door, put all the decorations away. Whew, I'm tired. The trifle was so easy to make by the way. AND it includes one of the 8 best foods to eat; blueberries. At 4:00 we're going south to meet Mar & Don to take them out to dinner as thanks for the "reef." Can't wait to see it. We are trying a new restaurant, I don't even know what it is, but Chef Donaldo says he read good things about it. I trust him.

Tonight's Dinner - Can't Wait

Salmon burgers, pre-made from Sam's
Coleslaw
Sweet Potato Fries
Marlene's Trifle which I am going to make in a few minutes.
Chris and Trenton are the Guinea Pigs ha ha
Oh yeah, bought the "Eat This Not That - Supermarket Survival Guide" at Sam's.

Organized and Arranged

Spent some bucks at good ole Home Depot getting shelving, tool boxes, tools etc.. The garage is getting quite messy with all the work stuff. It's amazing how much stuff having 2 vehicles out on the road makes. Robbie (Code) and Sarah are planning to clean it all & set up tomorrow. Good Luck! As long as I can still park in the garage.
Today's 8 Great for me include: oats, bokchoy (sub. for spinach), tomatoes, carrots. pistachios & peas. wow! You really need to get the book, because of the substitutes. Too much room to list them all.
The next (5) on the Worst Foods List:
Krispy Kreme Caramel Kreme Crunch; 21 fat g.
Dunkin doughnuts Sausage, Egg & Cheese Croissant; 630 cal., 45 fat g.
Hostess Cherry Fruit Pie; 480 cal., 33 sugar g.
Cinnabon Classic Cinnamon Roll; 813 cal. 117 carb
Burger King TRIPLE Whopper; 2,220 cal., 2590 mg. sodium - that is disgusting!

Party Animals!

Shrimp, stuffed mushrooms, chips-n-salsa, cheese ball, pizza, pop.

Wii, Sing Star, Pary favors, Rockin Eve, and lots of laughing.

Katie, Richie, Robbie & Caytee, Bailey & Phoebe.

Sparkling juice that we forgot to open.

= A Fun New Year's Eve with the Old Farts, Kahki & Sasa.

Now is the Capital One Bowl ( Go STATE) followed by a dinner of King Krab Legs, Rice and Fresh Steamed Veggies.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009!

December 31, 2008, Last Day in the Year

Can you believe we are 8 years past the millennium? Do you remember all that Y2K hype? Doesn't seem that long ago. Ok, good start to the day, I've already had 2 of the 8 foods, I had oats & tomatoes. (not together)
Here are 5 of the twenty Worst Foods in America:

Chicken Selects from Mickey Dee's - 1,710 calories, 55 fat grams

Jamba Juiced Chocolate Moo'd Power Smoothie - 900 calories, 183 carbs (wow!)

Pepperidge Farm Roasted Chicken Pot Pie - 1,020 calories, 64 fat grams

Ruby Tuesday Bella Turkey Burger - 1,145 calories, 71 fat grams

Venti Strawberry & Creme Frappuchino from Starbucks - 750 calories, 120 sugar grams (more sugar than 3 cans of soda!)

Oh that is so gross! This is from the book "Eat This Not That" by David Zinczenko.

"Paint" on the Package

Tried to mail a package today but the (mystery) recipient will have to wait. The box was used for paint previously and the USPS won't sent a box if the word "paint" is on the outside. I will have to re-box the stuff.
Updates:
My sister (Marlene has been without power for 3 days. Yuck! Is it starting to be an adventure?
Karen (my niece) is due to have her baby boy any minute.
We are getting snow again tonight - 2 to 5 inches. Oh boy!
We will have Phoebe (Bailey's sistopher) for new years eve - PARTAY!



Carrots & yogurt. Maybe I will have some blueberries, later. 3 out of 8. better. (See yesterday's post)

8 Foods You Should Eat Every Day

Spinach
Yogurt
Tomatoes
Carrots
Blueberries
Black Beans
Walnuts
Oats
How many of these did you eat today? I had yogurt & walnuts. 2 out of 8, not so good I guess. Can you imagine eating spinach or black beans every day?
Here is a great recipe using black beans tomatoes:
dice 4 tomatoes, 1 onion, 3 cloves garlic, 1 yellow pepper, and 1 mango. Mix in a can of black beans and garnish with 1/2 chop chopped cilantro & juice from a lime.
I have all the above mentioned ingredients, I just may make some of that tomorrow.