Stupor Bowl

Over the last few years, the Super Bowl Frenzy has died down in our household. I attribute this observation to the fact that none of "my" teams have made it to the Ultimate Play-off in the last few years. There are other reasons. One that comes to mind s that the friends with whom we might have celebrated are no longer living nearby. None of our families live here, and when my Dad passed on a couple of years ago, there really wasn't anyone with whom I still loved to share or swap a football story with any longer. We used to talk at half-time on the phone about the game. I miss that.

That, and the Super Bowl just seems just so, so, so commercialized. Yet, for this fan, it seems so frivolous.

We don't have one of those nifty Big Screen TVs, so I won't embarrass the family by attempting to have a Super Bowl Party at the house. None of our close friends are football fans - unless you're talking about Soccer. Even if they were, we'd find it hard to root for Pittsburgh or Arizona.

All that being said, the family is still gonna watch it today. We'll have some chips and dip and pick a team to twist and shout for. I'm going for Arizona, the True Underdogs. Kandy is going for Pittsburgh, god knows why.

I used to be a Pittsburgh fan of the late 70's and early 80's - back when the rivalry with Dallas was the best that there ever has been in football. Man, those teams really knew how to manage the clock. The quarterbacks called the plays. That was really good football. In my most humble opinion, today's football is fraught with individuals and managers. It's a game of numbers and not of heart. It's been a while since I've seen a heart like Joe Montana displayed.

So, pardon me while I go make some guacamole and get the chips into some bowls. At least we can eat good, and watch the commercials.

Getting the Hang of the Weekend Kitchen

I spent yesterday in the kitchen. Spent the first hour or so cleaning it. Cleaning! It is remarkable to me how little time it takes a family of four to make a mess of the counters and kitchen table over night. I could have sworn it was clean when I went to bed...

In an effort to save money on store-bought snacks, I wanted to use things we had on hand to make something everyone would enjoy. A couple weeks ago a friend dropped off a half-dozen of home-grown lemons. Having used 4 of them over that time (I love a wedge in my Diet Coke - yum!) for various things - like baked fish one evening - we still have 2. So, thumbing through our various recipe books, I found a simple and quick Lemon Bread with Poppy Seeds. It was incredibly easy to make - but, sadly, it was so easy I didn't even need to use my new mixer. Sadness was all around, but passed quickly. Here's what it looked like (after the family decimated half of it!):


Next I turned my creative juices to thinking about dinner. We haven't had my Chicken Enchilada Verde in a long time. I really enjoy making this simple dish. On a chilly day it's truly a comfort meal. It's easiest when using left-over chicken from a previous meal. But, when you don't have left-overs, it's easy enough to bake a couple of oregano peppered chicken breasts until cooked through (about 30 minutes at 350°F), then cool and shred. I use onion, garlic and green chilies, Monterey jack cheese, corn tortillas and a Verde enchilada sauce. This time around I decided to try putting the enchiladas on a bed of rice before topping everything with the sauce and some of the cheese.

Turned out great. Sorry, no picture. It disappeared!

Have You Ever Noticed...?

That when everyone is in meeting (except you), the email traffic plummets to near readable levels?

That they're probably piling work on you just because you're not there?

That long-awaited phone call comes, not when it was supposed to, no. It comes when you finally can't stand it any longer and run off to the bathroom.

You work your ass off doing everything they want you to do, and then decide they didn't want it done that way? (It was the way they specified, dammit!)

That when you throw the software over the wall, it just comes - splat! - back at you?

That you turn your cell phone off before going into a meeting, and everyone in the world wants you and you needed to know that?

:sigh:

Got any more?

One Last Fling...

Tomorrow is a work day. Bah-Humbug! We've been home-bodies for nearly the entire holiday and now we were itching to get out and about. Kandy was making noises about driving to the coast - but at this time of year its not pleasant to get out of the car and walk the beach, what with the strong winds and rain. Brrr. I rather like my beach excursions to be more pleasant. Then, I thought Yosemite might be a good drive - but the snow could be a problem.

I was online chatting with a friend when I realized they were in Sacramento. We had never done anything fun in Sacramento in a while, so off we went...!


... to a day-trip to Sacramento. One of our good friends is the Executive Director to the Mental Health Commission, and we rarely see her, so on the road we went. We met up with Sheri and Jules just after noon and took off to the Home and Garden Show a few blocks away. Here's a pic of Katie and Megs - you'd think I had had too much caffeine or something... ?

The show was a bit disappointing - it was about 95% Home and 5% Garden - and I'm being generous to the Garden side. Our shows at the Alameda County Fairgrounds are much better, and cover just about every aspect of H&G. Oh well.

Sheri took us over to the capitol building - I hadn't been there since 1969. OMG, have things really changed. Such modern structures surround the building. But, once inside, we wandered around marveling at the beauty of the old building. Here's a picture of the California Senate Floor (I think). Notice the laptops?















Lastly, we were in the rotunda, just under the dome. One more picture for you viewing pleasure. We then found a Paesano's - Jules and I drank Fat Tire Ale, watched San Diego bumble their way to a win against the Colts.

What did you do on your Holiday Vaca?

Last Day of the Year

On a personal level, it has been a tough year. Getting laid off from a job I thought I would retire from upset my equilibrium. I didn't think I could survive this a second time around. But, as the saying goes, when one door closes, another door opens. That was certainly the fortunate case for me. It was rocky going for a while, but fortunately, my skills are needed, but experience and skills are in very short supply, and that saw us through. The support of our friends has been the key to coming out on the other side. Still, given the hideous economy, I still have a tendency to hold my breath.

My children are well. Katie's Juvenile Inflammatory Arthritis (JIA) may have gone into remission - or may even disappear entirely. We continue to be vigilant and grateful. Megan is happy and thriving.

All the same, it's been a tough year for a LOT of people, and I'm afraid the troubles are no where near subsiding any time soon. The mortgage debacle? Puleeze. For years, as the prices of homes went higher and higher, and they were actually being sold for asking or better, I wondered aloud to Kandy, "How do these people buy a home at these prices? What kind of money are they making that they can afford a $750,000 mortgage on a track home?" Well, I guess we all know now. Unlike the media, I can fault most recipients of those "creative" mortgages. You've got to have your head up your ass not to know that the BIG bill would come due just around the corner. Now many of them are pleading ignorance.

Yes, some people really may have been ignorant. Some may have been led down a winding path, but there are way too many people in this situation to have not known what they were getting into.

Just the same, the lenders are just as much at fault. Not to mention the house of cards within the industry creating and interleaving monies as if tomorrow would never come.

Okay, I just realized I have been ranting. This isn't what I intended for this post. Please forgive me.

I will raise my glass to you and to the New Year, wish you all wellness, love, and happiness. I love reading your blogs, and am sorry I haven't participated much this last year. That will change.

Christmas Day - Now where is the storage space?

Merry Christmas to you, too, Z! And, thanks, T, for the visit and encouragement. I have so much to say, but it stays locked up inside. I am not sure why, nor what has happened. More of that in another post. Blogging used to be easier...

Kandy and I are lying in bed. We're supposed to be watching TV, happily resting after a long day of family togetherness. Instead, the TV is on, but Kan lies next to me softly snoring, and I have my laptop perched on a pillow, while a STTNG Marathon is on in the background.

Megan is out in the living room on the couch, Katie snoozing, snuggled up against her as she plays a video game. Everyone is sated and happy. The house glows with winter lights, the winds have subsided, and there is no more rain for now.

I am the happy owner of a new, bright red Artisan Kitchenaid Mixer. This is something I have wanted for a very long time, but just could not ever lay out the money for it myself. I just couldn't do it. Oh, I'd buy the kids or Kandy this and that, but I could never get around to getting that mixer.

Kandy knew that, she's known it for many, many years - I've always drooled for one. Even told her not to spend the money, we cannot really afford the expense. But, since she has, I am a happy camper.

Tomorrow - bread. After that, the sky is the limit!

Once Upon a Tme in Winter

There is a little Elf named Kandy. She scattered cheer and lights and love wherever she roamed... through the house.



In a cove, or over the door...



And when her work was done, she rested by the Merry Tree. I am so lucky to have such a talented wife.