Things I have Done That I Will NEVER Do Again

I have written about my Things to Do Before I Die List™ before. There are romantic places, some innocuous things like camping, and even looking at fossilized bones. I have a weird personality.

But there are some things I have done that I will never, EVER do again. Frankly, I’m amazed I had the courage (or stupidity) to attempt some of them.

#1– Go scuba diving.

I went once when I was 16 or so with my cousins, and it was amazing. I really enjoyed it. Fast forward to my honeymoon. I tried putting on the mask, and claustrophobia set in. I just can’t do it. It’s sad, because Hubby and our friend The Nomstress and her hubby love to go scuba diving. I guess I’ll just be content sitting on the beach, drinking a daiquiri and being waited on by Paolo.

#2– Dive in a shark cage.

I was not drunk. I was a guinea pig. My uncle wanted to do it, and none of my cousins (cowards) would go into the cage with him. My only thought was, “I’ll show them who’s brave…”, and in I went. The whole experience lasted maybe five minutes. In retrospect, I was not as aware of the danger as I should have been. I was in an area of Puerto Rico where once you go ankle deep in the water, you are an active member of the food chain.

Oh look! Sardines!!

Chalk that one up in the “Stupid Tricks” column.

#3– Dance contest.

And yet, alcohol was not involved. I was asked to be the designated driver for a group of managers who were in town for a district meeting. Being the only one familiar with the DFW area, it made sense for me to drive. Well, my manager friends decided to go to a club downtown, to a club that specialized in dance contests. It was like a sing-along bar, only dancing, not singing. And we all had to participate. The song? Madonna’s Vogue. Did I know what “Vogueing” was?? Nope. But I did win a free soda for being the only sober person dancing. That one goes under “courage”.

Believe me, there are many more. The list is pretty long.

And people wonder why I live a boring life 😉

Feeling Blue, and Loving It!

A few weeks ago, the Lawnmower Man came by to get the lawn ready for spring. He ended up having to actually MOW the lawn, because the weather had been fooling it into growing.

Anyway, he has a new guy on his crew. A new guy that apparently is from another state, or another planet, because he decided that my bluebonnets are weeds and must be eradicated from my flower beds!!!

Me: Holy…. why did you cut down the bluebonnets??

NG: Uh, well…they are weeds, ma’am.

Me: NOT IN TEXAS!

NG: Oh, well, I’m not familiar with that.

Me: Where are you from??

NG: California, ma’am.

Me: (smiling) Well, that explains a lot.

After I calmed down I proceeded to show him where the bluebonnets grow in my yard, and told him they were off limits until they seeded. He apologized and even offered to get new seeds for me, but I declined, thinking this year would be the Year Without Blue. But lo and behold, my bluebonnets came back!!

Pay no attention to the other weeds.

They cannot be beaten!!

I wish the rest of the weeds could be, though 😉

Leaps and Bounds

Well, it’s that day again!!

FEBRUARY 29th!!!!

True, it’s not a national holiday, but it’s fun to have a birthday or anniversary on that date. My neighbor’s son was born on this date, and he is turning 3 today. Well, no, not really. I remember when he proudly told me last Leap Day that it was his birthday, and you could have knocked him over when I told him he shared that birthday with this fellow:

How many kids get to say that??

I admit I’m more of a Batman gal, but I would have loved to share my birthday with Superman. Heck, I would have loved to share my birthday with Superdog!! 😉

Sunday Sithy

Today found me. That means I get to do major cleaning today. You know, the stuff that you never notice? Like the ceiling fan blades? Yeah, and the inside of cabinets, and light fixtures…that sort of thing. So, since I’ll be busy today, I shall leave y’all with a very special Sithy.

HAM SOLO

Yeah, I’m still laughing about it! Have a wonderful Sunday!! 😀

Converse All Stars™ Can Save the World

I used to think I got weird dreams whenever I ate too much, or drank alcohol too close to bedtime. But apparently, that may be a false premise. After all, I have given up alcohol and fats and sweet and pretty much anything I would enjoy for Lent, and still I had a weird dream.

Any of you familiar with Doctor Who will know what a TARDIS is. And what a Dalek is. For those of you that don’t, click here. Anyway, last night I went off to sleep, thinking that my dreams would be about all the chocolate I would eat on Easter Sunday, but no…

I’m off in the middle of nowhere, and suddenly the TARDIS appears and David Tennant gets out, and tells me that he needs me. And I just look at him and tell him that I can’t help him, because I have to stand out here in the field. He asks why, and I tell him because someone said I was outstanding in the field. And he says I can’t stand in the field because he needs me and my Converse All Stars™. And I look at him as he shows me his Converse All Stars™, and he says that we are twins of destiny. And that he needs me to go with him to save an interplanetary cargoship from destruction by the Daleks. To which I ask, aren’t those things trying to kill us all? And he says that the Converse All Stars™ keep us safe from destruction. So I ask him why not just distribute Converse All Stars™ to everyone, and he looks at me and tells me to stop trying to solve problems for him. And with a wave of his screwdriver, he leaves for Footlocker™.

David Tennant was already in the TARDIS. I had left in a huff.

I can’t imagine what my dreams will be like on Easter Sunday.

Getting ready!

Tomorrow is Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday. People gorge and drink and carouse and celebrate because the following day is Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent.

And though I shall remain at home, laughing at the weirdos on TV, I shall celebrate as only an Aggie of my stature can.

I hope y’all take it easy tomorrow during the festivities. Or at least score some pretty beads while you celebrate.

Pearls are optional 😉

Winter, Sorta

This morning finds my corner of the world in freezing temperatures. Ok, it’s 34* Fahrenheit, which is 1* Celsius for my readers in Metriclands. I’m well aware that some of you living up North think I’m whiny about this. And you would be right. But you would whine too, if you had enjoyed the wonderful warm weather we had through January. It was warm enough for me to wash the vehicles. It was warm enough the weeds were coming up, all confused and happy. It was warm enough that the A/C was kicking in.

I guess it’s time for me to get all the cold weather clothing out and put away the t-shirts. At least I get to clean out that part of my wardrobe.

I guess Winter is a woman, and we are always waiting for her here in Texas 😉

Bring on the Apocalypse!!

Sigh….last day of this year. I don’t think I’ll be able to finish everything that I put off this year.

May y’all have a prosperous New Year, filled with good health, happiness, and if the Mayans were right, plenty of ammo 😉

The Best Surprises

Yesterday, UPS came by and delivered a few packages. Weirdly, not at the same time, which made for very happy dogs, and not-so-happy UPS guys. But that’s neither here nor there, because I GOT A PACKAGE FROM MY FRIEND NICOLE!!!

Click to embiggenify the culinary goodness! My tummy was quite happy last night, and this morning. The biscotti are sooooo good with morning coffee. The kids descended on this bounty like a pack of starving wolves. I was glad to share, but I had to put my foot down hard with the fudge and truffles. Those are for Momma only!!

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! 😉