Headed back to the gym today. It felt great! I have missed it, but I didn't realize how much until I went back. There were only 3 familiar faces! I guess alot can change in a year. I am at 118 now and my lifting weights have gone down more than 35 pounds. I stood and looked at myself in the mirror before we left. My shoulders had shrank sooo much and my traps were invisible.
I looked terrible. Burnout is a brutal thing.
Full speed ahead though! I look forward to being the only female in the gym who wishes for the scales to go UP and who doesn't think of the gym as a social gathering. Hello? Remember why you're here? Your @$$ won't get smaller because you flapped your jaws for 2 hours...
Well, there's my rant.
I am settling down with a cup of coffee and my dog (who is wrapped in his blanket) trying to forget that I have to get up at 5 A tomorrow. Again.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Blood, Sweat & AC/DC
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Holocaust Survivors Reunite with Vet
Yahoo News:
HUDSON FALLS, N.Y. - Carrol "Red" Walsh didn't know what to expect when his patrol came across a train stopped along a hillside during the U.S. Army's dash across northern Germany in the final, chaotic days of World War II.
In and around the abandoned line of freight cars milled some 2,500 emaciated and ragged Jewish prisoners from the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. There were scores of children.
"They were just jammed, crammed in there," said Walsh, a 24-year-old tank commander in April 1945.
On Friday, the now 86-year-old retired state Supreme Court judge reunited with three of the survivors of the Nazi death train his unit found near Magdeburg, about 50 miles southwest of Berlin. The train was on its way to another concentration camp.
The veteran and the survivors were to take part in a daylong program hosted at the high school in this Hudson River village north of Albany.
The reunion has its roots in a class project launched by Matthew Rozell, a history teacher at Hudson Falls High School. In the early 1990s, he created an elective course for seniors to collect stories from local veterans and post them on a Web site.
One of Rozell's students was Walsh's grandson, who told the teacher about his grandfather's wartime service. Several years ago, Rozell interviewed Walsh and George Gross, a fellow tank commander from Spring Valley, Calif.
Their account of the train liberation was posted on the project's Web site, along with black-and-white photographs taken that day by the major leading their patrol.
That's where some of the child survivors of the Nazi train, now in their 60s and 70s, found their story.
"All of this to a large degree came out of a high school project. This to me is fascinating," said survivor Micha Tomkiewicz, a Polish Jew from Warsaw who was 6 when he and his mother and uncle were liberated.
Tomkiewicz had an earlier reunion with Gross and his family. He said he's looking forward to meeting Walsh, and he credited Rozell for the reunions.
"It's pretty humbling," Rozell said.
Tomkiewicz was to be joined by fellow survivors Peter Lantos, a neurologist from London, and Fred Spiegel, an author from Howell, N.J.
Friday's program includes a viewing of "A Train Near Magdeburg," a 10-minute DVD produced by two of Rozell's students, followed by talks from each of the three survivors.
For Walsh, it will be his first face-to-face meeting with anyone from the train since he came upon them on what turned out to be their lucky day — Friday the 13th, April, 1945.
"I had almost forgotten about the incident itself, really, over the years," Walsh said. "It was almost like another day in combat. Nothing surprised me by then."
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Glad That's Over
I just finished my dinner of chicken nuggets from Schmukdonalds. I eat there because it's convenient when I have to work overtime and I regret it afterwards. A good cup of coffee always settles my tummy and I feel alright again.
Oh yeah, I had a good hair day. Even though it's been rainy and cool here all day. I think I'll try on of these hot drinks and relax.
Apple Toddy
Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz. Apple Brandy
Hot Apple Cider
Directions:
Pour cider over brandy & garnish with a cinnamon stick.
In a crockpot, heat cider and cranberry juice cocktail on low just until hot for 2 hours (do not let boil). Just before serving, turn on high for 10 minutes and stir in tequila and liqueur. Serve toddy in mugs, garnished with lime and lemon slices. Makes 6 servings.
Squirrrrelllll!
I forgot to mention the squirrels yesterday when I was walking! They were hysterical. Chasing each other round and round trees, screaming at each other at the top of trees, stopping right on the path puffing their back up at you wanting food. They will stare you down for a peanut!
They eat anything they can find in the trash cans. Once we saw one fall face first into the trash after a morsel.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Random
It was nice walking in the park this evening. The weather was perfect! I got some exercise and some thinking done. Walking by yourself you have to think instead of talk so other people don't leave. I made plans for tomorrow's work day. I had to! I left in a rush without finishing something that has to be ready for court by 8:30 in the morning. I get there at 8:15. Yeah.
I'm listening to Cannonball Adderley on my Last.FM music player. There's a lot of good jazz on there. They have a huge selection for all the different genres.
We had chinese for dinner tonight. dd was begging for it, but I didn't really want it. I ended up having salad and a few things from the buffet. Mostly shrimp. Which was oversalted so I will be drinking all night. Only water, though. This time.
Random
It's COLD outside this morning! COLD! I have to repeat it to myself to believe it! Finally! No more 110 degrees! No more 95 degrees in the middle of the night! I don't remember ever being so glad to see fall.
On another note, apparently we should have been eating tangerine peel all along. Click the link to read the article. We have a certain deficiency that they provide that fights cancers.
I can't get anyone up this morning. I think it might be because it's cooled off enough to actually be able to sleep comfortably. I got up late myself, but not late enough to cause a problem. I made sure that my daughter went to bed on time and I know my husband did too, but they won't budge! My dog gets up before everyone. How does he do it? Maybe I should feed them dog treats.
We live for our coffee around here, which is why when something stands between us and our cup of joe, we take action. We ran out of coffee filters. Hmmm. We have paper towels! Press one into the filter holder, fill with coffee grounds, slam that sucker into place and full speed ahead. It worked! The coffee tastes a little cardboardy, but who cares! We got coffee!
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Fall Recipes
NEW ENGLAND MAPLE-APPLE CRISP
This dessert recipe features two of New England's best ingredients--apples and maple syrup. It's wonderful topped with fresh whipped cream or a little scoop of vanilla ice cream. Or, enjoy the warm, crunchy taste without the adornments (and added calories!).
Serves 6-8 people.
You'll Need:
Two Mixing Bowls
9" x 13" Baking Dish
Aluminum Foil
INGREDIENTS:
4 large, peeled, thinly sliced McIntosh apples
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup real New England maple syrup
Topping Ingredients:
1 cup uncooked rolled oats
1/3 cup flour
1/2 cup sliced almonds
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 tablespoons real New England maple syrup
1 teaspoon almond extract
PREPARATION:
Mix sliced apples, lemon juice, cinnamon and syrup in a large mixing bowl. Mix topping ingredients in a separate bowl and set aside.
Grease a 9" x 13" baking dish, and spread the apple mixture across the bottom of the pan.
Cover with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes or until the apples are tender. Spread the topping evenly over the apples and return the pan to the oven. Bake an additional 20 to 30 minutes uncovered at 350 degrees until topping is crisp.
Note: Top with fresh whipped cream or vanilla ice cream if you'd like.
APPLE AND CRANBERRY PUFF PANCAKES
Ingredients Batter:
3 eggs at room temperature
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup milk
2 Tablespoons butter
Filling:
2 Tablespoons butter
2 Granny Smith apples, coarsely sliced (or 1 Rome and 1 Granny Smith)
1/2 cup cranberries, chopped
1 Tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
lemon juice (optional)
powdered sugar
Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In a medium bowl, thoroughly whisk eggs. Slowly add the flour, whisking all the while to prevent lumps. Gradually add the milk and whisk to form a smooth batter. Set aside.
In a medium skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter, then add the sliced apples, cranberries, cinnamon, and sugar. Cook over medium heat until fork tender, about 15 minutes.
In a 9-inch oven-safe pie plate, melt 2 tablespoons of butter, taking care to not burn it (or spray pan with a non-stick cooking spray). Fill the plate with the cooked apple mixture and top with the prepared batter. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until puffed and golden.
Top the pancake with a sprinkling of lemon juice, if desired, and finish off with a liberal dusting of powdered sugar. Slice into portions and serve immediately.
Serves: 2
Yaaaaawn
I am having to prepare my paperwork for court on Thursday so I am swamped with that as well as the things I already have going. Once Thursday is behind me, though, things will be back to normal until the next date.
My pretty scented candle has burned down to a nub now. It was Oak and Cedar Moss scent. I liked that, but I try to get a new scent each time. I want a cinnamon one this time. I am glad the hot weather has passed and cinnamon reminds me of fall. Aromatherapy to keep a smile on my face when my mind is saying "I WANNA GO HOME!"
Pizza @ Bedtime
I did it again and it happened again.
Leftover pizza at bedtime causes crazy dreams. I know my dog can't talk, but he did last night. He told me he was joining the National Guard. I was impressed. :/ One of his buddies was joining so he was going too. I put the date on my calendar in red marker and everything (in the dream, not for real). Next time I get hungry at bedtime, I will go for oatmeal.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Injustice Served?
This is just nuts. They are sending the burger to a CRIME LAB. Haven't you always heard spilling the salt is bad luck? Maybe she should have thrown some salt over her shoulder...
UNION CITY, Ga. - A McDonald's employee spent a night in jail and is facing criminal charges because a police officer's burger was too salty, so salty that he says it made him sick.
Kendra Bull was arrested Friday, charged with misdemeanor reckless conduct and freed on $1,000 bail.
Bull, 20, said she accidentally spilled salt on hamburger meat and told her supervisor and a co-worker, who "tried to thump the salt off."
On her break, she ate a burger made with the salty meat. "It didn't make me sick," Bull told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
But then Police Officer Wendell Adams got a burger made with the oversalted meat, and he returned a short time later and told the manager it made him sick.
Bull admitted spilling salt on the meat, and Adams took her outside and questioned her, she said.
"If it was too salty, why did (Adams) not take one bite and throw it away?" said Bull, who has worked at the restaurant for five months. She said she didn't know a police officer got one of the salty burgers because she couldn't see the drive-through window from her work area.
Police said samples of the burger were sent to the state crime lab for tests.
City public information officer George Louth said Bull was charged because she served the burger "without regards to the well-being of anyone who might consume it."
Injero Bread
I found this in my almanac and thought it sounded really easy:
3 c. warm water
2 c. self rising flour
3 tbsp club soda
1. Add warm water slowly to the flour, stirring to make a thick batter (about pancake batter consistency). Add the club soda.
2. Cook half the batter a time in a non-stick pan. The bread is done when bubbles are on the surface and it is no longer wet. Turn it over for a brief searing when almost dry. Remove it to a plate and keep the breads separated with kitchen towels. Can be made up to three hours ahead and freezes well.
Sunday, September 9, 2007
House Plants You Can't Kill
The following 6 houseplants pretty much grow themselves. In fact, your biggest problem my be what to do with all the baby plants they’ll produce. All 6 can be grown in the indirect light from a window and like the same indoor temperatures as most people (55 - 75 degrees F.)
1. Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior) Earned its name by growing under the worst of conditions, even outdoors in deep shade Prefers low lights. Grows in a clump. Leaves are sword-like, pointed, about 4" wide & 2' long. Occasionally flowers indoors. A variegated version is available with white stripes. (USDA Zones 7 - 9)
2. Christmas Cactus (Zygocactus or Schlumbergera) A trailing member of the cactus family that produces deep pink / red flowers in early winter. Seems to do its best when ignored. Can handle low light, but you’ll get more flowers in bright light. Pruning after blooming with keep the plant bushy.
You can force your Christmas cactus to bloom in December by keeping it in complete darkness for 12 hours a night, beginning in about mid-October, until buds appear. An even easier method is to subject it to cool temperatures (50 - 55 degrees F.) starting in November. Just leave it on a windowsill at home while the heat is off, because you’re at work. (USDA Zones 9 - 11)
3. Dragon tree (Dracaena marginata) & Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena sanderian) Dracaena have long been the centerpiece of contain
er plantings. Street plantings in towns across America feature 1 spiky dracaena stuck in the center of red blooming geraniums in a half whisky barrel. But there is actually a good amount of variety in dracaena and most make excellent, easy care houseplants. In particular, Dragon Tree (Dracaena marginata) which resembles a small palm tree and can reach heights of 10 ft. and Lucky Bamboo, which isn’t bamboo at all. Both have stems that can be trained to bend or spiral hin stems are topped by clusters of slender arching leaves with narrow purple margins. They grow best in bright light and if allowed to dry out between waterings. Even if allowed to wilt, dracaena will spring back after watering, although the leaf tips may turn brown. Will tolerate low light. Lucky bamboo is often grown in water, but once substantial roots have formed, it is happier planted in soil. (USDA Zones 10 - 11)
4. Mother-in-law's tongue or Snake plant or Bird's-nest plant (Sansevieria) Called Mother-in-law’s tongue because of its long, sharp, pointed leaves and because it never leaves. These are long-lived, easy care houseplants. Very tolerant of low light. Water sparingly or it will rot. Only 1 or 2 waterings are necessary indoors during the winter, depending on the humidity. Variegated forms need more light and can be more difficult to grow. There is also a dwarf variety, Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Hahnii’, called Bird’s Nest. (USDA Zones 10+)
5. Pothos (Epipremnum) One
of the easiest houseplants to grow; almost impossible to kill. Trailing plants that just keep on growing, 10+ feet. Pruning the plants will keep them fuller at the base and each cutting can be rooted in water to create more plants. Pothos like to dry out between waterings, but if left dry too long, leaves with wilt and eventually dry and fall. Very tolerant of all types of light conditions, even artificial office lights. You can let them trail down or secure them to a support or trellis. There are many variegated and golden varieties available. (USDA Zones 11+)
6. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) Spider plants just keep on giving. You almost never see a spider plant that doesn’t have babies attached. Often grown in hanging baskets, spider plants will get 2 to 2½’ wide and 2 to 3' long. Their roots tend to fill a pot, so repotting may be necessary every couple of years. When dangling babies start to form roots, they can be cut off and planted on their own. (USDA Zones 9 - 11)
Some More Easy Care Houseplants Worth a Try :
African Violet (Saintpaulia)
Aloe (Aloe)
Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema commutatum)
Croton (Codiaeum variegatum)
Dumb cane (Dieffenbachia)
Jade plant
Parlor palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Prayer plant (Maranta)
Rubber plant or Rubber tree (Ficus elastica)
- - - about.com
From the Farmer's Market
Bow Ties with Roasted Vegetables and Mozzarella
Serving: 8
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients:
1 large red bell pepper, cut into 3/4-inch dice
1 large yellow bell pepper, cut into 3/4-inch dice
1 fennel bulb, trimmed, halved, cored, thinly sliced
1/2 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 medium zucchini, halved lengthwise and sliced
3/4 pound farfalle (bow ties)
1/2 cup sun-dried tomato pesto
1/4 pound part-skim mozzarella cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
Directions:1. Heat oven to 450 degrees F. In a large bowl, toss bell peppers, fennel, tomatoes, oil, salt, and pepper. Spread in a jelly roll pan or on a baking sheet. Roast for 10 minutes. Stir in zucchini and roast for 10 minutes, or until vegetables are tender.2. Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, 10 to 12 minutes. Drain.3. In a large bowl, toss pasta and pesto until pasta is coated. Add roasted vegetables and mozzarella and toss.
Nutritional Information:Based on individual serving.
Calories: 380
Total Fat: 13 grams
Saturated Fat: 3 grams
Cholesterol: 10 mg
Sodium: 280 mg
Carbohydrates: 51 grams
Fiber: 6 grams
Protein: 14 grams
