Saturday Insights

Just a short post about what I've learned already this weekend.

1. We are bad luck for getting deliveries. My new oven did not get in on Friday because the range hood I ordered was out of stock. Maybe next week.

2. New grocery store in town, Sprouts, has some great produce and deals on good meat. I had the best baked sweet potato today and Whitney is raving on the grapes. The chicken breast were almost a pound EACh. They were humongous. I bought two whole chickens and four breasts. I will definitely be going back there for my weekly veggies.

3. My newly installed back door is already sticking so we have to call lowes to come back out and fix it.

I'm going to church tonight to attend and one to serve then serve tomorrow morning at my regular time. Last year 1800 attended the biggest service and they expect that again this year. Yikes.

Friday Fragments

Another Friday...another Fragments. Great way to end the week with Mrs. 4444.



Stupid criminal of the week is a woman in Pennsylvania. She was released from jail and went home for a party in her honor for being out of jail. She got mad at her grandmother who gave away her dog while she was in jail. So she beat up her grandmother. Needless to say she went back to jail. I don't think grandma will be throwing her any more get out of jail parties.

The back door is installed! Although I'm not sure we got the right sill/hinges. They seem almost black and we paid for bronze. Maybe I just don't know what bronze looks like?

Whitney has two interviews for internships today. One of them is in town which would be so good to save on driving. The other one could be in town but she might have to go into OKC for some training first. Plus she is going to take one summer course at a community college so she stays on track for her degree.

Planning on making ham, scalloped corn, broccoli for Easter lunch. One of our all time favorite meals.

We have a new grocery store that opened in town...Sprouts. Looking forward to going there and seeing all their products. It is a combination natural grocer/local marketplace. Some of the deals in their sales ad are phenomenal. It is a farther from my house than my normal stops, but I'm willing to go a little farther if I can get super fresh produce at a good price.

I have six posts ready for next month's A-Z Challenge. I got the hard one done already (X)!

Hodgepodge - Hoppy Easter!

Joining with Joyce for this week's Hodgepodge questions. She will be taking next week off so everyone needs to join in this week.

1. What are your plans for Easter? Are you cooking a big lunch or dinner? Dyeing eggs? Attending a sun rise service? Eating too much chocolate?

I will be ushering at two services at church (one Saturday night and one Sunday morning) then enjoying a service with Whitney. Who has decided to come home for the whole weekend even after being home last week for spring break. She must like us still.

2. What is something you feel too young to do?

Retire. Although I have started the countdown clock (6 years!) for my current job. One of the best perks of working at the same place my entire adult life.

3. "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud...it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs..."
Of the characteristics mentioned in the biblical definition of love which do you find most difficult to live out and why?

Keeps no record of wrong - I seem to keep tallies in my mind of many things even though I'm trying not too.

4. What's a springtime flower you associate with your childhood?

Tulips. I remember planting the bulbs in the fall and then hoping they would bloom in the spring.

5. Ever sung karaoke? If so, what's your go-to song? If not and you're given the opportunity, would you?

Years ago we bought Whitney a karaoke machine for Christmas and got 15 CD's worth of songs. I would try and do Kryptonite and These Boots are Made for Walking. I was horrible and was told to never do it again. I've never tried to do it in public.

6. What is something you keep in a basket?

Wii games are in a basket near the tv in the living room.




7. When was the last time you felt foolish?

I don't know if I've felt foolish, certainly nothing that I remember.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Whitney is participating in Relay for Life next week. She actually is running the social media for the race at her school. She has increased her fundraising goal twice and hopes to raise more. She has been super creative with her fundraising including selling things she owned and didn't need anymore. If anyone would like to help her out, I'm sure she would appreciate it. You can go directly to her page here.

Relay for Life

Friday Fragments

I'm joining Mrs. 4444 for today's fragments.



The door installation got postponed again. We had ten minutes of rain right when it was supposed to happen so the guy cancelled and rescheduled for next week. So it sits i my garage taking up space. I've already made one payment. I would like to get it installed before I make another payment.

Whitney and I did a craft today that looks like it is going to be a winner. Definitely blog worthy when done.

Which makes up for yesterday's Pinterest disaster. Whitney found a mashed cauliflower recipe that was supposed to be like mashed potatoes. Let me tell you it didn't mash to get creamy at all. It sucked actually.

I have my first blog written and scheduled for A-Z blog challenge. I have a few more in my head that I need to write.

Hodgepodge - I'm Back!

I missed last week's hodgepodge questions and my whole blogging rhythm got off. Guess that means I can't miss it anymore!

1. March 20th is the first day of spring...is she a lion or a lamb in your part of the world?
I'd say lamb. But it can change overnight so who knows what it will be tomorrow.

2. What's the most dreaded task on your spring clean to-do list? Do you have a 'plan of attack'?
I really need to get down and clean the carpet right where it meets the walls. You know the line that the vacuum cleaner never can get. I hate doing that. My plan of attack is to do one room at a time. My knees don't like it when I crawl around on the floor.

3. Peas...love 'em or hate 'em? What's a favorite dish you make using peas?
Absolutely HATE them. I've written about this before...and even mentioned the post two weeks ago on best title. So there is no such thing as a good dish with peas.

4. Do you feel under appreciated?
No I don't feel under appreciated. I get quite a bit of recognition at work and my family shows me plenty too.

5. Have you been using Google Reader? If so, what are you switching to now that GR has announced retirement? If not, how do you read your favorite blogs?
I don't use it. I always just go to blogger dashboard and look at the list there.

6. Anne Bradstreet is credited with the following quote~

"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome."

Agree or Disagree? Why?

I would agree. Let's face it...how many of us live in one place and look around and think there is nothing to do. But then you have visitors and they are amazed at what there is to do. I look at Oklahoma and think it is desolate but when we have work visitors they wonder at the open spaces. Familiarity breeds boredom.

7. When did you last 'spring for something'? What was it?
Last week when I was on my trip I bought a bottle of wine at dinner. Granted there were four of us and we would have probably all got a glass of wine, but I never buy a bottle.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
Last week in DC I met one of the Thunder players fathers. That night Whitney won tickets to see a Thunder game. Coincidence? Either way we saw them play the Nuggets Tuesday night.

Friday Fragments - The Short Version

So just a quick few thoughts.

Spent four days out of the office and while I checked my email I am not caught up. Things happen, problems occur and nobody else can do things.

Lots of good stuff from my trip but I think a few of them will wait until next month so I have something for A-Z Challenge. But suffice it to say I tried a bunch of new food and something was so delicious that I can't wait to write about it.

I flew through Chicago and saw a Polish Airways plane parked in the same place both times. I had never seen that airline before. But as I rode by it the second time I realized it was a grounded Boeing Dreamliner. How much money you figure they paid for it and can't use it? How much money do you think they even have?

Installation of the back door has been put off yet again. The installer was late this week on the second appointment so the first rescheduled appointment next week had to be changed already. Whitney won tickets to see the Thunder play so we wouldn't be home when they door was installed. So now it is scheduled for next Thursday. The door is sitting in my garage though so at least it is close by.

Hodgepodge -MIA

I would do this weeks hodgepodge questions but I can't figure out how to copy large sections on my iPad. It is too bad because I liked the questions. So instead I guess I'll just have to eat my way around Washington, D.C. I'm in the Mecca of good restaurants!

Leaving on a Jet Plane

I'm sitting at the airport waiting to fly out. They had extra security lines open ...what's up with that. So I didn't have any wait. Yes I will repeat that...no wait. I did take a picture of where I parked my car so I wouldn't lose it. That happened once when. Got back really late. I knew I was close so I just kept hitting the alarm button until it went off.

Product Review - Garnier Skin Renew Dark Skin Peel

I'm a BzzAgent and this time around I got to try Garnier's Skin Renew Dark Skin Peel. I'm very careful about what I put on my skin. 7 years of dermatologist bills makes me paranoid and being fair skinned with sensitivities makes me cautious.

So when I was asked to try this product, I wanted to take it slow. The first time I put it on I just did my forehead. I was worried I would break out in a rash or acne so I figured my bangs would cover any problems. First night was ok. So next day I tried it on my whole face. After two days I started getting my bad acne problems. I took a week off to get my face cleared up. I didn't want to say it was the product because I have been known to have breakout problems. So after I cleared up, I tried it again. For several nights I would put on a thin layer after washing my face and right before I went to bed. It felt a little sticky but that didn't last too long. I had never done a peel so I wasn't sure what was supposed to happen. The guide says that you should notice results overnight (more hydrated skin) and within one week see brighter skin. I've been using the product for over a week now and have noticed ZERO positive change. In fact my dark spots/moles seem darker. Maybe it is because I am pretty fair skinned to start with. Whatever the reason, I'm not going to continue using the product.

I've read lots of glowing reviews on the BzzAgent website, I'm just not one who can say that. I'm glad I didn't spend the money to purchase the product (I was provided a full size one to try out for free) in exchange for my honest opinion.

Sorry Garnier, it just didn't work for me.

Friday Fragments

Friday Fragments time with Mrs. 4444.



Stupid criminal this week is pretty funny. Seems a man called 911 to report a theft. He said a crowbar, a hat and some other stuff were stolen. In reality he had left them at the scene of an attempted robbery. The police put two and two together and arrested the man who called 911 since he basically ratted himself out with the crowbar.

We had an "active shooter" seminar Thursday. I didn't go because I went last year. But this year our drill will be different. "A shelter in place drill was conducted under the scenario of a threat situation on main campus. The upcoming active shooter drill will build upon the 2012 drill and include participation by law enforcement officials with the scenario of an active shooter inside the building. During the active shooter drill, building occupants will have the option to shelter in place or evacuate the building." Doesn't that sound exciting? Not really. I love how they tell you to get into your shelter and not worry about locking the front door (our doors are glass) but when we had the drill we were told that we needed to take the time and lock the door. Not sure what we are going to do this year. Maybe I'll be out of town and not have to worry about it.

And all of the above is because half the building is rented by the federal government and they make them do this kind of stuff. Fun times.

Our work has a cafe...the Flying Cow Cafe. Thursday they had an eating contest for the F5 burrito. 3 flour toritllas, a dozen eggs, bacon, sausage, potatoes, cheese. Six contestants. 3300 calories. The winner finished in under 15 minutes. I was not here to watch it as I was getting my hair done. I'm glad that there wasn't any unfortunate accidents by the contestants...if you know what I mean.

And of course the reason I had to get my hair done is that I'm flying to Washington DC on Monday for a few days of meetings. Of course what they really need me to do is go balance the U.S. budget and slash spending in the right places. I won't do that but it sure would be nice.

Hodgepodge - What's in a Name?

Joining Joyce for this week's questions. You can thank number 3 for this week's title.

1. My (Joyce) real life friends came through with another question this week so thank you real life friends. When you've eaten in a restaurant do you complete their comment card? Do you take online surveys highlighted at the bottom of store receipts?

The comment card I usually skip but I do take online surveys from receipts sometimes. I try to do it if I had exceptional service so they get some of those responses. But I've never won anything from doing it.

2. The (US) ban on women in combat was lifted at the end of January. It will probably be next year before specifics are worked out, but its been reported over 200,000 front line positions will eventually open up to women. Your thoughts?

I'm for anyone serving their country in any way they see fit. The women have to ask to be in one of those positions so no one is going to be forced to do anything.

3. In looking back at all the blog posts you've written, what's your favorite post title?

As of this writing I had 633 posts. That's a lot to go through to find a great title. But I forged on to come up with one from my first year of writing. Jolly Green Giant Terrorizes Youth was written about my dislike of peas. And hardly anyone has ever read it because at the time I wrote it, I had about 10 followers...all relatives. So go ahead, read about my adventures.

4. What's worse-overly permissive parents or overly protective parents? Did your own parents lean more to the permissive or the protective category? If you're a parent where do you fall?

I think overly permissive parents are worse. I would never describe my parents as either and I probably fall under more the overly protective parent. Having only one child that was sort of easy to do.

5. Candlelight-moonlight-firelight-bright lights in the big city...which one's your favorite?

I like firelight. We don't get to light our fire very often.

6. Dr. Seuss's birthday was celebrated on Saturday. What's a favorite book you remember (Seuss or otherwise) from your own childhood? Did books play an important role in your growing up years? Explain.

I loved Nancy Drew books growing up and the Boxcar Children. I was a voracious reader often reading in bed with a little light after I was supposed to be asleep. I am an extremely fast reader too. I learned to skip all the short words (a, too, the) when I read so I finish a book pretty fast.

7. To quote Dr. Seuss...

"From there to here, and here to there, funny things are everywhere." 

from One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish

Share something funny you've recently read, seen or heard.

I just got an email from a colleague. We are trying to plan a talk next month at a conference. Of course our talk is up against one of the more popular ones about federal funding opportunities. She said she would bring chocolate to bribe people to come to ours. I said we could bring tar and feathers to give to people to take to the other talk (it is the federal government...not our favorites right now). She said it would be "a chicken coup". I had to laugh at that one.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Went to a wine tasting on Monday at a newly renovated and expanded liquor store. The room was huge and they had moved the table that they serve from to the back. So that is really good. Unfortunately they still have the long line problem. It took forever to go through 4 tastes. It is interesting to compare to the clientele at the two different liquor stores that do tastings. This one is in the center of town and it has an older, more affluent group of people. The other one closer to my house is younger and stragglier. Needless to say we usually have more expensive wine at the one in the center of town. But I like the one closer to me.

Weekend Wrapup

So a quick rehash of what happened this weekend.

Taxes are now done and submitted. I figured out that I hadn't entered a couple of numbers (thanks to the checker on the tax program) and ended up with a much bigger refund. And owed the state a small amount. Woohoo! Enough to pay for the new stove/oven we will be getting this month.

And since I finished the taxes, I could submit our financial aid form. I hate that they ask you how much do you have in savings/checking AT THAT MOMENT. I understand what is behind the question but it doesn't take into account a big bill that might be due in a couple of weeks. Anyway I worked it all out.

I got to church and was told that I needed to be in charge of ushers again this week and probably next week. After doing this a few weeks, I realize I like my normal usher job because it is less frenzied. Although with Easter coming up, it will become super hectic. At least church wasn't packed yesterday and we had enough ushers to cover communion.

Saturday I found out that there was going to be a wine tasting RV from a distributor at a local store. I hadn't planned on going but a friend mentioned she might be there. Then she said we could go out for cheesecake afterwards and I was set. Wine was good. Couldn't believe it, but the last bottle was $95. Normally we don't get to taste the expensive stuff. I hate to say it but I liked the $9 bottle better. Probably a good thing for my wallet that I do.

And speaking of my wallet, I am driving Dan nuts with my sales hunting. I'm following a couple of different websites that match coupons to sales and I'm saving money doing it. This week because we are using things we had in the freezer and fridge I only spent $50 for our groceries (and that included some makeup). That's frugality at its finest!

Friday Fragments

Another Friday, another Friday Fragments from Mrs. 4444.



Back after a week's hiatus is the stupid criminal of the week. Seems like a couple of teenagers broke into a Hooters and stole a jukebox. They thought it was an ATM. So they ended up with lots of quarters. My question is why was there a jukebox at Hooters? Not that the teenagers even knew what a jukebox was.

Sonic is bringing back sweet potato tots! Oh my, I cannot stop there too many times or else my pants won't fit for long.

Our door came in and the installers are so backed up it will be another week and a half before it can get put in. While I'm out of town so I won't even get to see it for a few extra days. I hope I'm not disappointed.

I'm really sick of the government not being able to a) pass a budget and b) figure out how to cut costs. Let me at them...I could do it in my sleep. And we would all be a much happier nation because of it.

Top Chef is over and my pick for winner won. I had said in week two that Kristen would win and she did. Even after getting eliminated too early she fought her way back through the online Last Chance Kitchen. Congratulations to her.

So now I have another free evening with that show over. I've taken to watching a few shows that I don't want to waste DVR space on by watching them online during lunch. Anyone else watching Zero Hour? I'm trying to make up my mind. I always did like Anthony Edwards on ER.