Compoopers, and Why I Stay Away From Them

I am not a fan of computers. Don’t get me wrong: I do enjoy using them (obviously, I’m here!). But the darn things are still a mystery to me, and one that should be respected along the lines of dark matter and voodoo.

Christmas night had us all relaxing after a wonderful day. I was chatting with friends on the laptop, when from upstairs there arose such a clatter. Eldest and Son were locked in a battle of wills over the Monster. That’s what I call Hubby’s computer. I screamed for them to come downstairs and explain what is going on. Eldest tells me Son has been monopolizing Monster all day, and she has to upload photos for Hubby. Son explains he has been “tweaking” the Monster so it can handle a game better.

This is where my heart came to a slow thud and then died.

Me: Do NOT “tweak” anything on that thing!!!

Son: But Mom, I’m just making the computer work faster.

Me: DON’T TOUCH IT!!!

Eldest: (smirking)

Son: Don’t worry, Mom. Dad showed me how–

Me: (Totally panicking) JUST LEAVE IT ALONE!!

Son: Ok, ok…but why?

Me: (so past the freaked out stage that “making sense” is only an album title) Because that thing will end up like SkyNet and come to life!!

Son: (laughing by now) Wow, Mom…

So you see, I have a healthy respect for the things, and would rather leave them alone to their own devices than “tweak” anything on the off chance of bringing the Apocalypse. It is almost 2012, after all.

Santa Baby!

And so, the day after Christmas finds me enjoying a quiet morning. Santa Claus was very kind to me this year. I don’t think I deserved it, but he took the reigns and gifted me a Nook Color Tablet.

The best part? I didn’t have to choose!! WHEEEEEE!!!!

My blogosphere friends were very kind, too! I got Sithy Lewt™!!!

Nicole gifted me the T-shirt and Vader Kitty earrings, and The Queen gifted me a Lego™ LED keychain. Yes, my keys are on it now. Yes, I have been flashing it on the kids. Stop judging me… you would have done the same thing.

Tomorrow I shall wear my Sithy earrings and shirt as I carry my keychain while shopping. The Force™ will definitely be with me 😉

Ice Cream to Eskimos

I worked retail for a long time. Weirdly, I totally enjoyed it, even on bad days when customers would complain about store policies, or when someone tried to shoplift, or even when a complaint was filed against me for being “too friendly”. No, I’m not kidding. Apparently, the customer felt “threatened” and complained that I was shadowing her as if she were a thief. Things like that seldom happened, though. After years of being out of the workforce, I found I still have the gift.

I was shopping at Target™ last week, looking to see if I could find a gift for Son. I am woefully illiterate on videogames, but I can figure out which ones he owns by the cover graphics. I was perusing the whole Assassin’s Creed to the Brotherhood of Infinity Times Chuck Norris, when I noticed a gentleman looking at the e-readers. Now, I’m not an expert, but I have been wanting one for a while, and have been reading up on them so I can FINALLY, ONE DAY come to a decision.

Anyway, he was muttering to himself, indecisive over which to get for his wife’s Christmas present. And being the nosy busybody that I am, I asked him what she uses her computer for. He went on to say what she liked facebook, and watching movies, and TV shows, and reading, etc. So I explained that either the Nook Tablet or the Kindle Fire were his best options, and the pros and cons of each. He thanked me and asked the employee, who had been hovering over us that he would like to take the Nook Tablet, and I skilfully told him to add a cover for it, and an SD card. After the sale, when I walked up to the register with my purchases, the young man thanked me for my help, explaining that the gentleman had been coming in every day for a week, trying to decide, and that he had never seen someone sell like that before. I joked with him hoping he learned something, and walked away smiling.

Until I recalled that I still didn’t have a Nook Tablet or a Kindle Fire.

Apparently, I can sell ice cream to Eskimos, but not to myself 😉

Om Nom Nom….

I am trying to get into the habit of cooking on Sunday evenings. I know that sounds weird, but with finicky kids, I got into the habit of cold dinners or just hot dogs on Sundays. I’ve gotten in the habit of stews and casseroles, and so far they have been met with success, at least by Eldest and any guests I may have over.

I did say my kids are finicky.

Anyway, I happened to be over at Laura’s Sunday morning, and found a new post, which is unreal because she seldom posts on the weekends. She claims to have a life, but I think she is just stalking goats, or George Clooney. Anyway, she posted a recipe that I just had to try. Why? Because tater tots, cheese, sour cream and chicken, that’s why!

Here is Laura’s recipe, slightly modified from the one she posted:

Chicken Tater Tot Casserole

2 lb. bag of tater tots, thawed
1/2 cup chopped finely onion
16 oz. sour cream
1 can of Cream of Chicken Soup
16 oz. sharp cheddar cheese
2 cups French fried onions
1/2 cup melted butter (NOT margarine)
1/4 tsp. salt and pepper
10-12 chicken tenders (or 4-5 boneless-skinless chicken breasts), cubed

Place tater tots in large bowl, and break them up well. Add the rest of the ingredients, except the French fried onions. Scoop half of the mixture into a 9×13 (23x33cm for my foreign readers) baking dish or pan, distributing it evenly. Place the cubed chicken on top, followed by the rest of the mixture. Top with the French fried onions, and bake at 350* F (about 180* C for my foreign readers) for about an hour (about 60 minutes for my foreign readers…).

The casserole was a hit. My hips cringed a bit, but whatever. If I end up needing angioplasty, it will be worth it! 😉

Because It’s So Much Fun to Wait Until the Last Minute

I have a lot to do today. It’s Sunday before Christmas, and though I am almost done with wrapping, I have given up all hope of even going to the post office to mail stuff out. I reconcile myself with the thought that the recipients will be so thrilled to get presents after Christmas so that they can celebrate it again. It’s a weak excuse, but it helps to salve my conscience.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m usually done shopping for Christmas the February before. It’s the boxing up, and addressing, and actually dealing with the post office that’s a big sciatic pain. And having had several bad experiences with damaged items, I am loathe to go. But I will go, once the rush is over.

For now, I have to gather the kidlets and take them to the deserted mall. Afterwards I’ll take myself to the wine cabinet 😉

Sporty Day!

I’m getting quite jazzed about today. Our local High School team is up in Dallas playing for the state championship for the second year in a row! The game will be televised, and I will be looking in the crowd for familiar faces while cheering for our team to crush the opposition into dust while finishing the wrapping of Christmas presents.

Also, the college bowls begin today with the Gildan New Mexico Bowl, featuring Temple versus Wyoming. My money (in truth, just my windbaggery, since I don’t gamble) is on Wyoming. As much as I love owls, they never stand a chance against cowboys. Look, I don’t make the picks based on statistics. I make them based on the colors and names, ok?? It has worked so far!!

There are some games I am not interested in watching due to the teams involved (*cough* Holiday Bowl *cough*), and some that are just so hyped because they are part of the BCS system. But overall, these three weeks will be filled with really good football, unencumbered by politics or grandstanding. Looking at the fiasco that has become the NBA, that’s a Good Thing™!

Friday Funny

I have too much to do today, so I shall leave y’all with a funny:

Thanks to my friend Deb. Y’all have a great day!

All I Want For Christmas

The other day, Hubby and I were chatting through Skype™ when he asked me a most unusual question.

What do you want for Christmas??

I drew a blank.

You see, Hubby stopped shopping for Christmas waaaaaaaay back in 1994. That’s when he married me, see? So since I would do the shopping, most of the time I would also shop for myself. Not always, and he does a good job when he shops for me. But since he is in the middle of a desert, it’s hard for him to actually go shopping, even online. So the fact that he asked me threw me for a loop. I have a gift for quick recovery, though. So, without further ado, here’s my list of Things I Want For Christmas, But Will Probably Not Get™:

1. A Kindle Fire™.
2. Hubby home early.

That’s pretty much it. I can’t think of any other material things that I really want. But Hubby home early would be perfect.

Anyone have Santa’s email address?? 😉

2000th Comment!!

After the 1000th Comment, I decided to acknowledge every thousandth comment instead. It takes up less space and makes it mucho more special that way!

And the winner is…

MRFIXIT!!

 

How fitting that he win again this most coveted title, eh? 😉

ENGLISH!! DO YOU SPEAK IT??

No, I’m not going to quote Samuel L. Jackson in its entirety here. I admit to having a jones when it comes to the English language. I came here not speaking a word of it, and worked hard to learn it. So sometimes I get a bit… frustrated when the kids get sloppy.

Last night at dinner we were discussing family stuff when the subject of my BIL came up. For some reason, Eldest was confused about his role in the Army, and Little One decided to set her straight:

Little One: He just came back from a deployisation!

Me: Deployment!

Little One: That’s what I meant.

Trust me, if it were once in a while it wouldn’t be a big deal. But each kid had an Engrish moment yesterday. It was like the stars colluded with Fate and threw a touchdown homerun. Between using slang and this, I don’t think my ears stand a chance.