Things that make you go YUMMY

FG told me of a show coming on tonight which was showcasing American food.. its a show about food, and tonight was going to tempt me like no other...

http://www.sbs.com.au/food/foodsafaricuisine/index/cp/440/section/recipes/n/USA

I was salivating during the show, remembering the days when I could go anywhere, to anyones house, and nab the possibility of SOUTHERN FRIED CHICKEN, CORN BREAD, GRITS, BBQ RIBS... oh I can almost smell it. You must check out the site for the BBQ Ribs recipe, I am thinking I am going to have to make it.. but heres a sneak at the Corn Bread recipe...

Corn Bread

Ingredients
½ cup polenta
1½ cup self raising flour
½ cup castor sugar
Pinch of salt
½ cup melted butter
3 eggs
1 cup of creamed corn
1 cup full cream milk

Preparation
Mix polenta and self-raising flour, salt, melted butter and eggs.
Add creamed corn and milk. Mix until you get a nice creamy consistency.
Spoon the mixture into a greased muffin tray and bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown in color.
Remove muffin tray from the oven and let them cool until they are ready to be remove from the tray.


It got me wondering... what foods make you think back to special occasions, or remind you of certain people in your life, or make you feel "at home"?

All these foods tonight on the show brought back memories for me. Memories of a time past, with people who have past, and all the goodness that came with it.

Now if only I could find that recipe my special friend made: Fried Corn.... southern style.. damn that was good!

Australia Day

Tomorrow we celebrate AUSTRALIA DAY! Its a great day off where eveyone seems to get together and have a BBQ, go for a swim,

watch the parade, attend a thong throwing contest (aka flip flop throwing contest), the dunny races (aka portable potties), awards go out for the volunteer of the year, etc.....

and then theres the cane toad race:

This year our local contendersare:

Nimble Phil

Skinny Dipper

Fearless Fiona

Bob the Bruiser

Vivacious Vivienne

Somlyay's Surprise

Elmer Thud

Desperate Deborah

Waffling Warren

Big Mac

Grand Garry

Beefcake Brian

Marauding Mavis

Cyclone Shirl

The IGA Sanction

King Benny

Cow Cockey

The Northshore Hippie

Gentleman George

Durrie Dunker

Some of the names are based on local town councillors or "celebrities" of the area. As much as I would love to say I can tell you who the winner will be, I wont be attending the race- I see enough cane toads jumping thru Ma & Pa Kettles backyard on any given day. Just kidding, I see them in my driveway as well!

On a funny note: You know what the green tree frog looks like right? Well, Firestick J is HIGHLY scared of the green frogs. She doesnt mind the cane toad tho... yuck... i would rather see a green frog than a cane toad (he can make a dog froth at the mouth if eaten!). Ah the phobias... now snakes and spiders are my phobias... totally justifiable!

My life in the hands of idiots?

Work is slow.

Extremely slow.

I can not even begin to tell you the frustration I am having with work.

I have just written a letter for a meeting at NOON today to discuss our "options".

Our options dont look good.

Our options are being left up to people who DIDNT graduate, cant spell, can get the dole (welfare) can get another job.

My life is in the hands of people whose biggest goal for the week is to have money for beer.

How do I not cry while at work? Why am I the only one who sees that this situation is serious?

I am sorry, I just want to curl up in the fetal position and have the rain wash over me right now. I would like to know that I can have confidence in the people who are impacting my life.

I dont have it.

The centerpiece of a community

I was saddened to learn of a death today. Mr Jimmy has passed away. In the town were I grew up, everyone knew Mr Jimmy.. he always wandered the streets. Day or night, you could find Mr Jimmy chatting away to himself. He was a kindered soul. He never meant to hurt anyone, and most times he just wanted to ramble away and see how your day was.

He use to carry around a tape recorder and record some of the conversations he had. Often he would play them back to other people. He always ventured out and about and made everyone feel very welcome in town.

He was the centerpiece of the town. If you were a frequent visitor in town, Mr Jimmy got to know you and what you were doing in town, where you were from, etc. He loved the town just as much as the town loved him.

And then.. some days/weeks all Mr Jimmy would do is mumble away... and other days/weeks he would tell stories of his past.

We will miss you Mr Jimmy... may you continue to "sparkle the magic" along the way.

The Rolling Stones had an incident with Mr Jimmy... and wrote about it in a song:

I saw her today at a reception

A glass of wine in her hand

I knew she would meet her connection

At her feet was her footloose man

No, you can't always get what you want

You can't always get what you want

You can't always get what you want

And if you try sometime you find

You get what you need

I saw her today at the reception

A glass of wine in her hand

I knew she was gonna meet her connection

At her feet was her footloose man

You can't always get what you want

You can't always get what you want

You can't always get what you want

But if you try sometimes you might find

You get what you need

Oh yeah, hey hey hey, oh...

And I went down to the demonstration

To get my fair share of abuse

Singing, "We're gonna vent our frustration

If we don't we're gonna blow a 50-amp fuse"

Sing it to me now...

You can't always get what you want

You can't always get what you want

You can't always get what you want

But if you try sometimes well you just might find

You get what you need

Oh baby, yeah, yeah!

I went down to the Chelsea drugstore

To get your prescription filled

I was standing in line with Mr. Jimmy

And man, did he look pretty ill

We decided that we would have a soda

My favorite flavor, cherry red

I sung my song to Mr. Jimmy

Yeah, and he said one word to me, and that was "dead"

I said to him

You can't always get what you want, no!

You can't always get what you want (tell ya baby)

You can't always get what you want (no)

But if you try sometimes you just might find

You get what you need

Oh yes! Woo!

You get what you need--yeah, oh baby!

Oh yeah!

I saw her today at the reception

In her glass was a bleeding man

She was practiced at the art of deception

Well I could tell by her blood-stained hands

You can't always get what you want

You can't always get what you want

You can't always get what you want

But if you try sometimes you just might find

You just might find

You get what you need

You can't always get what you want (no, no baby)

You can't always get what you want

You can't always get what you want

But if you try sometimes you just might find

You just might find

You get what you need, ah yes...

Its a step for all of us...

Its strange to look at this photo. I can close my eyes and imagine all the excitement, adrenalin, and faith people who are THERE at the Lincoln Memorial must have at the moment they stare and listen to our new President.

A new President always brings hope, faith, excitement, possibilites... so many feelings and thoughts. Some good, some bad... for now, we will just stay on the positive side of things....

So many ideals and promises. An immediate trust in the hope that tomorrow might be a better day.

And for him? Hes probably anxious to be able to take a nap some afternoon, quietly, looking over the lawn of the White House and let the last few months settle in.

Ah.. but one other thing why its strange to look at this photo... ? Its on these steps many years ago when I was proposed to.

Lets hope the nation has better luck than the engagement did.

(You should be smiling and having a little giggle now. If not, please do.)

Princess & Monster Party

What a busy weekend...activities on friday.. great to catch up and see people whom I havent caught up with during the past 6 months! Wow, time flies!

Also attended a Princess & Monster Party... have a look at the photos. It was a great birthday party, although some of kids were scared when the men entered the room as monsters... so some of the monster costumes were worn ONLY for a short time.

I went as a Fairy Princess complete with wings and a wand. My wings had glitter on them, and lets just say the glitter is everywhere! Even Miss Monroe had glitter on her today yet (the phrase, "your ass really sparkles" came true for her today!)

Its always fun to dance, party, laugh, chit-chat, and enjoy the day. I cant believe it but the Princess & Monster party went for over 9 hours! Geez!

Another great weekend, and fightin the urge to realize that tomorrow is Monday... ah sweet sweet Monday. Back to the routine.

Hope all of you had a fantastic weekend as well.

15 Jan 2009

Last night we had tickets to a free movie... and so did EVERYONE else. No seats available. Kindly, the sponsor gave us tickets to a different movie.

We had 2 options: Yesman OR Marley & Me

First answer from our mouths... "not a big Jim Carey fan"

Which helped us decide: Marley & Me

We went to the other theater and sat down. I informed Firestick J that this was a movie about a dog. To this she replied 'your kidding right?' Firestick J isnt exactly an animal lover. She likes animals, but she doesnt adore them like I do.

The movie turned out to be great. I had no plans to see the movie, but with free tickets.. well, hell, anything free really, its a go. I am glad I went, until about 20 minutes to the end of the movie when the tears rolled down my face. Gushing actually.

Firestick J gave me shit about crying.. I always cry in movies. BUT I ESPECIALLY cry when an animal is involved. I wasnt the only one in the theater crying. You could hear the lady behind me trying to hold back, but for a moment there she sounded like a squeaky chair or a whining puppy. Let the tears roll lady!

Then, to my amazement, I look over at Firestick J to see her eyes filled,.... yes, FILLED with tears. I couldnt help but shout out " Holy Shit!" and point. I would have put money on the fact that she would not have cried. She would have been the last one to cry over a DOG MOVIE.

Thank goodness i didnt bet. All we could do is laugh (and it was a serious part in the movie as well). She had been sprung, but I think she amazed herself even.

So, after all that crying and sadness whats a girl to do? Well, you run straight to hungry jacks (aka Burger King in the USA) for dinner, beg the underage worker for 2 crowns, and laugh and the locals eating there. Then, you drive around town looking for the new diggs of our old neighbor. We couldnt find her place. Didnt want to call, we were really just being nosy people.

Good times. Great movie: highly recommend it- but beware, bring tissues!

ah...

so if you search the blog for "slidell" you will see we have a new comment on the blog.. Nathaniel is very touchy about the topic, but great for a bit of excitement. Had to bring it to your attention.

Sympathy vs. Manners

I had a few things to pick up today from the grocery store. When I was done shopping and putting my bags in my car, I noticed the trolley boy lugging the row of shopping trolleys towards me. I am ALWAYS one of those people who puts the trolley/cart away when I am done but I do realize many people do not, and its irritating. Anyway, so the trolley boy, who looks to be just a fresh 17, Ipod screaming thru his brain, walks up to me and starts handing me my groceries... bag by bag.

I was dumbfounded. Was this boy here to help as he wanted my trolley? Did he have manners? Was he thinking I was old and fragile and needed help with the kitty litter bag?

Honestly speechless.

Im going to bank on that his family brought him up with manners, and thats why he was helping me. And the fact he wanted my cart. I was really touched that a young boy showed me what a young man could do. I havent seen that in a while. It was nice to see. Kudos to you and your family.

It was only when I was leaving the parking lot that I thought:" Oh Gawd, I hope he didnt think I was OLD and thats why he was helping me!"

HA!

You cant soar with the eagles if you run with the ducks.

From MPD to DID? What ?

So I watched a doco yesterday about a girl in the UK, ok well, shes my age... but she use to have Multiple Personality Disorders, and now, she has Dissociative Identity Disorder... no idea why its been changed from one disorder to the other, but the government in the UK has changed it. They are also shelling out about $500,000 pounds a year for this person to be "cared" for.

At all times she has MINIMUM 2 people looking after her.

She has 5 personalities.

She lives in a house. By herself. Full time carer staff.

She has access to a government vehicle to get her around.

Now, I am all for people getting the help they deserve and need, but why is she singled out from the others and not in a group home like so many others with MPD / DID ? Why is she so special? Well, the doco said that she was neglected as a child and went from foster home to foster home. Uh?

There is also an order by the High Court that NOTHING can be published about her life, but somehow this doco crept in... I dont know, seems a bit weird, but there must be more to this story.

Im just not sure how the government in the UK can justify $500,000 pounds a year to care for this INDIVIDUAL. In fact, I am curious as to how much money they spend per year on the Mental Health System, and what that breakdown is per person.

Being Pamela... if you get a chance to see the doco, do... its "interesting" if nothing else.

Between drinks, BBQ's, french toast (a first for Firestick J) swims in the pool... gawd, how does one motivate themselves to get back to work...

I think French Toast on the BBQ will now be listed in the brochure for the complex... its taken off and become quite popular for brekkie around here!

I have learned sunscreen doesnt taste all that fantastic, but does need to be reapplied!

My feet have all sorts of knicks and cuts... damn pool floor! Or is it that I have been in the pool too much lately and my skin is just too soft?

I am not liking having to do the banking and mail crap for work while on holidays. Why is it that my job is the only one in the company that doesnt stop when I am on holidays? Ugh.

I am off tonight for a family thing. Lithuanian feast from a friend... should be yummy!

Tomorrow sees ANOTHER farewell BBQ, and then a special trip for Ms Smurfette before she heads off as well...

Busy Busy Busy!

As for now, I think I might need a remedy of Aloe Vera before heading out tonight.

Yesterday was Tildas bday, and the day before was a friend of ours bday as well. Her actual name is Milda, and Tilda was granted her nickname decades before we even knew Milda... so, I made them both a cake....

Its Tilda's Birthday

Happy Birthday to Tilda.. love you mom! This morning we had breakfast at a resort, and it was lovely being with mom. We actually went out on Friday and hung out for the day, so I kinda cheated and had some time with her before!

Best birthday wishes mom.. love you to bits!