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Wargod
Moderator
07-16-2001
| Wednesday, October 21, 2009 - 1:35 pm
Ha! Guess I'm trying to speed this week up some, lol. Same chores, different day. Was back at my aunts, will be back there tomorrow (we are moving some furniture around,) and just getting home now. Woo hoo on finishing the bathroom! Doesn't matter if anyone else can tell, you can.
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Wargod
Moderator
07-16-2001
| Wednesday, October 21, 2009 - 11:39 pm
The For Real Thursday Mission Ya know I'll be convinced all day tomorrow is Friday, lol. Good thing it's not a drama club day, I'd probably forget and pick the kids up late! Finished minor cleaning around my house and took the girls to practice. Since they won both games this past Saturday, they had a scrimage game instead of practice...usually that means they are done early, but they finished the first game so quick they chose new teams and played a second game and finished late. Tomorrow I'll probably take the cans over (been trying not to collect too many bags) and then do a more thourough cleaning here. I'm supposed to go back to my aunts but I also have an appointment tomorrow so it's going to be a matter of how fast I can get everything else done and get through with the appointment.
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Biscottiii
Member
05-29-2004
| Thursday, October 22, 2009 - 1:56 am
Hey WooHoo Dipo! Congrats on finishing that grout sealing in the bathroom!
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Mindeegap
Member
07-20-2009
| Thursday, October 22, 2009 - 6:25 am
I'm thinking about doing the "gift in a jar" for family and friends this year for Christmas. Have to say my desire comes as much from wanting to do something homemade and from the heart as it does from saving money and not getting caught up in all the commercialism this holiday season. I just want to turn on the jazz, stand at the kitchen counter and pour my heart into gifts this year, instead of driving around parking lots, standing in lines and feeling like I spent too much on things that won't be remembered. Does anyone have any good ideas to share for the jars? Cocoa or cookie recipes? Decorating the jars? Ideas on jar types and gift tags? I'm getting in the spirit just thinking about it!
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Dipo
Member
04-23-2002
| Thursday, October 22, 2009 - 9:40 am
thanks Biscottiii, I am happy. Mindeegap, I will have to give that some thought - one thing that I really enjoy is a friend gives me homemade strawberry jam every year, I love it and miss it if she doesn't do it, LOL Wargod, one Sunday morning I got up and was sure it was Monday, was very upset that the morning news wasn't on, took me about 5 minutes for my brain to connect the lack of news, etc to the fact it was actually Sunday. I wasn't feeling too hot last night, so I went to bed when I got home, took some asprin, monitored my temp, I have been coughing and sneezing, so maybe it is just a cold and I got ahead of it last night. Feel fine this morning, oh, maybe it is just getting old, LOL.
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Wargod
Moderator
07-16-2001
| Thursday, October 22, 2009 - 10:25 am
Ick Dipo, I hope you aren't getting sick! Mindee, that's a great idea. We've already decided we're cutting back here...besides everyone being real cautious with how they're spending money, we've got several family members laid off and others who have been hit very hard with the current economy. Homemades the word this year and has been for the last year or so. I do the beaded jewelry, bookmarks, etc, sometimes bake (though rarely from scratch so no recipes) but I know sis was thinking about doing pies and little adopted sis cookies. We've got another friend who bakes breads (pumpkin and bannana) and muffins. I love that type of stuff, its so thoughtful and full of love. An idea for decorating the jar (cuz I'm a beader, lol) pick up a couple packs/strands of pretty beads, lay out a pattern and then string them. You don't really even need any tools or experience to string them and tie a knot. I've seen some really pretty things done with larger beads and ribbon too.
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Mindeegap
Member
07-20-2009
| Thursday, October 22, 2009 - 10:48 am
Thanks for your input, Dipo and Wargod. I found a site that had some good ideas so I thought I would share it in case anyone else is looking for similar ideas. They even have printable tags to go with your jars. Wargod, I love the idea of the beads. I had thought of fabric and ribbon, beads would really jazz up the decor! Here is the link for gift in a jar ideas. http://blog.kidsmartliving.net/2008/12/05/homemade-giftinajar-recipes-add-a-thoughtful-tasty-and-economical-twist-to-holiday-giftgiving.aspx
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Wargod
Moderator
07-16-2001
| Thursday, October 22, 2009 - 12:14 pm
Oh those are good Mindee! I like the hot chocolate one. Oriental Trading Company has some cute christmas beads that are reasonably priced. They're pretty quick to ship too. Michaels also carries some (haven't been in lately to see if they have their christmas beads out yet though) but they're a bit more.
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Wargod
Moderator
07-16-2001
| Thursday, October 22, 2009 - 11:47 pm
Friday's Mission I didn't make it to aunts today. Woman I had a meeting with called and told me she was leaving her house around 10:30, while our appt was for later in the day, I thought she meant she was coming here at 10:30. Er, took me an hour and a half to figure out she was just calling to give me her cell phone number in case something came up and she didn't get here til right after 2, lol. It was my union rep, had some forms for me to fill out to update my info and discuss some of the changes the state is making for home health care workers. Besides fingerprinting and criminal background check, we also have to be certified and up to date on cpr/first aid, and take classes on how to do home health care and working with the elderly/disabled. This was all stuff I had to do while working at the retirement home and I was rather surprised when I started working 2 years ago none of this was required by the state. I'll be starting classes in Jan/Feb, somewhere around then. Realized after she left and I sat down to read some paperwork that hte classes are over a 15 week period, five hours on one day a week, which is gonna suck, but I know from the retirement home exactly whats in store for me and I actually kind of find that type of stuff slightly interesting. LOL, despite having a couple nurses in the family, I've never had a desire to do that type of work. Blood? People in pain or sick? Not for me. But, these courses will cover things like different diets (low cholesterol, diabetic, etc,) different illnesses (alzheimers, strokes, etc,) state laws, all kinds of stuff like that. There will be some more gross things, though not sure I'll have to go through those because I don't do the nurse type care. I do find the first stuff though interesting, how diet effects a person, what certain illnesses mean and how to deal with them. Heh, that was my afternoon. This morning was spent cleaning and preparing dinner (I cooked some beans all day to make refried beans.) I did get a giggle though when I realized I'd unintentionally followed a tip for having people to your house. Decided to make pumpkin bread before the kids got home (then I could freeze most of it without them knowing it's cooked!) and when the union rep came the first thing she said was, "Your house smells terrific!" Seems I always see bake something yummy as a tip for when you have company coming and without even thinking about it or planning it, it worked out well for me, lol. Tomorrow...my aunts definetly. Been putting that off (not on purpose) since Tuesday. Maybe some laundry and sweeping the driveway. The girls also have practice and I need to pack up the ice chest for Saturdays games (they're early again this week.) I'm watching my nieces Saturday, sis and bil have an annual Halloween party they attend and since the host has kids himself, party is always not on Halloween. Works for me since our anniversary is coming up next week and at some point (probably weekend after) sis will watch my kids.
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Biscottiii
Member
05-29-2004
| Friday, October 23, 2009 - 1:53 am
How funny War! I see you have become an old hand at refried beans Remember how, once upon a time, your Sister was making and you didn't know the recipe? I told you that all you had to do was egg beater the heck out of them. Good Job Grasshopper. hehehe Funny too about her smelling your pumpkin bread. I thought that was supposed to be a BIG tip when trying to show/sell the house. Put an apple pie (even a frozen one) or frozen bread dough in the oven before prospective buyers come. Supposed to be a big selling point to make them see their comfort zones. Pumpkin bread sounds seriously good right now, I've got the munchies and don't even have any in the freezer to thaw, dang it!! Mindee, I've got some ideas (my family was very creative) but frankly I'm tired tonight. That link you provided looks seriously exciting! Think I want to place those ideas/stuff, though, in the Holiday thread when I post tomorrow. There's a LOT of us in the same situation, more traffic wanting/needing holiday present ideas there. **But, I will say, check 2nd hand shops for the jars. Especially since canning season is pretty much over. Much cheaper than buying new, you can buy just the rings/sealingtops new pretty cheap by themselves in the grocery canning section.
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Wargod
Moderator
07-16-2001
| Friday, October 23, 2009 - 2:01 am
LOL Bisc, it did surprise me how easy the beans were to make. Now that's what I do instead of buying them...I just have to remember to take them out and soak them the night before! I can understand why baking something yummy is a big tip for selling a house! I hadn't even noticed the smell til she said that and then I got to giggling because the only thing intentional about baking the bread then was to have it done before the kids got home so I could freeze most of it. Costco has the pack of pumpkin bread mix. 2 cans of pumpkins, 2 bags of the dry ingredients, all you do is add water, eggs and oil and mix it all together. Makes 4 regular size loaves or a bunch of muffins. I actually used my brownie pan this time so I got six smaller loaves out of it. Plenty for several days of desserts and quite a few days as breakfast food. Plus its totally awesome! You have one piece and have to fight yourself not to go back for more.
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Biscottiii
Member
05-29-2004
| Friday, October 23, 2009 - 2:17 am
Speaking from my childhood in Phx (most of our neighbors were Hispanic, now some folks might consider them illegal) but what a happy wonderful neighborhood we had then. I THINK the idea of "refried" came from when they went to recook, they pulled out the old cast iron skillet (like everybody did for everything in those days). Revereware hadn't yet been invented. I still have my Mom's old cast iron skillet. ETA: But, yes! Refried beans made from dried beans (& freezing) is shockingly cheaper than buying from the can. I'll check for the pumpkin bread kit at Sam's Club. Thx for the tip.
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Biscottiii
Member
05-29-2004
| Friday, October 23, 2009 - 2:51 am
While I'm on a roll. Another tip: I personally love Garbanzo beans on my salad. Adds protein & gives an oomph. They too freeze nicely. But I'm single and won't use a whole can before it spoils. In the Mexican Food section in many grocery stores they sell the bigger cans (29oz) versus the 16oz cans sold in the bean section - for about 10cents a can more. The Hispanics use it for Menudo(soup) which I'm not fond of, but Garbanzos are so much cheaper in the Ethnic Section buying the larger can. I divvy into smaller sandwich bags, freeze them & thaw out when I'm in the mood for salads for a few days.
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Wargod
Moderator
07-16-2001
| Friday, October 23, 2009 - 10:29 am
I had no idea you could freeze canned garbanzos! Darren and I love them but hte kids hate them so we never finish a full can. It's weird. I grew up in a neighborhood that was mostly Hispanic and African American with lots of friends who's moms or grandmas or aunts did a lot of cooking and baking from scratch. Bils family is Italian and everybody cooks that way too. Lots of big dinners for family and friends. But, I never really learned to cook that way, except for bils mother teaching me how to make tomato sauces. Can't say I'll ever truly enjoy spending hours in the kitchen, but there's something oddly comforting about it. I can save a little money, cook ahead and freeze foods for later, but more importantly I know exactly what's going into whatever I'm cooking. Hehehe, there's also the good point of the yummy smells throughout the house when you cook from scratch!
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Dipo
Member
04-23-2002
| Friday, October 23, 2009 - 11:04 am
Biscottiii, thanks for that tip on the garbanzos, I like them in my salad too and didn't realize they would freeze well. I wonder if kidney beans will do the same I use both in salads. Today's mission works out well for me, although I will do it tomorrow, LOL. Tonight I am doing laundry (which includes the mattress pad) so I will be ready to change everything tomorrow morning. Last night I swept my balcony, the leaves are coming down a lot now, put all the cushions back on the furniture,took out some recycling, cleaned up the kitchen, changed out the litter locker and cleaned up the hallway where I had stuck the litter box while the bathroom floor was worked on. This weekend should be quiet, I am thinking of working on the shelves in my master closet, maybe get rid of some jewelry and I have some mending I need to do.
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Biscottiii
Member
05-29-2004
| Friday, October 23, 2009 - 10:24 pm
Dipo, I would expect that kidney beans would freeze well too. But it might be worth a can to experiment. With the garbanzo beans, I can't even tell that they were frozen, just as crispy. But if the kidney beans didn't freeze well, and give the same consistency, you could just toss them into a pot of chili where it probably wouldn't make a difference and they wouldn't get wasted. I've just never gone for kidney beans on salad, odd huh?
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Biscottiii
Member
05-29-2004
| Friday, October 23, 2009 - 10:57 pm
Something really strange here happened today. Today would have been my Dad's 85th birthday. I described yesterday in the Community Corner, Caregivers thread about when we lost him last year. Okay, so I went to retrieve my garbage can from out in front this afternoon. At the park across the street this year & last we haven't seen the crows like we used to. Even when I toss my stale crackers or peanuts, there's only 3-4 crows scarfing them down when they used to be cawing for all their pals to come join the banquet. So I go out front today, and there were thousands of crows, from one end of the block long park to the other. Others frantically flying in, everyone pecking at the ground, some sitting on the electric/phone wires. So intense and it looked like that Hitchcock movie "The Birds", but not the ominous feeling. Came in to check from my balcony and saw even more crows. With all the orange & yellow leaves on the ground, it was a sight, but I was too shocked to think of grabbing the camera. We see crows year round, so I don't think they migrate. 20 minutes later, looking from my balcony, they were GONE. Not a crow to be seen. So I took that as a sign that I need to just stop working, give myself a little time to grieve and reflect on memories and happier times. And that's all I did today & maybe tomorrow. At least I brought in the garbage can.
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Dipo
Member
04-23-2002
| Saturday, October 24, 2009 - 4:32 pm
Weird about the crows, maybe that was why they came so you would be amazed to see such a site and stop to take a little time to reflect and be quiet. I did some laundry, bought a new kitty litter box with high sides, so maybe Blackie won't be able to hit the wall with his pee, LOL, ran the dishwasher and have it unloaded, cleared some stuff off my desk, watched some tapes and cleaned up the bathroom.
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Biscottiii
Member
05-29-2004
| Sunday, October 25, 2009 - 2:43 am
Dipo, "stop to take a little time to reflect and be quiet." You are so right (worried it might have sounded a little weird), it helped tremendously and I had happy dreams last night! Haven't seen a crow at the park since. Today, I went downstairs to tackle a project I've been avoiding (well, actually because I couldn't figure out how to put those fool wire shelves back together before. They just kept collapsing.) Shoe shelves for my Sister's bedroom closet. Dang, I DID it, sturdier than ever!! Had torn it all out to make way for the shampoo guy to clean the closet while he did the whole downstairs carpets some months ago. Also sorted out all her shoes, snow boots, fishing boots. Found matches to everything (had expected, like socks, something would come up missing) & placed them so nicely on my fixed shelves. Finished lining the last of the drawers in her bedroom (Christmas paper with holly leaves makes such great lining), and tucked away all her Grandkids' games. Sis was my Dad's best "playmate", taking him out to Bingo etc. It was a good day, she can come up on vacation anytime now.
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Biscottiii
Member
05-29-2004
| Sunday, October 25, 2009 - 3:06 am
Here's a picture of the park last year from my upstairs living rm balcony, so you can get an idea of what a sight it was. The tree should be turning red again soon, it always looks like a bonfire. I've already seen a couple of leaves turning.
Actually, that's only the south end of the park, can't find a pic of the other end of the block.
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Wargod
Moderator
07-16-2001
| Sunday, October 25, 2009 - 10:41 pm
Monday's Mission Very cool about the birds, Bisc. This weekend was productive. Did a little bit of shopping for my aunt and bought her two blankets for winter. Went over last night and dropped her off dinner. Back today to put the new blankets on her bed, drop off the groceries, and chat a bit. I need to go back tomorrow and do a bit of cleaning, give her a shower, and write some checks. She also wants me to call and check on rather the dr has the flu shots yet. Her appt is Tuesday, since the shots are the only reason we're going, she wants to know before hand. I also need to take her oxy tanks over and get full ones and some tubes. Other than that, little bit of cleaning around my house. Maybe clean my car out and wash the windows if I have time.
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Dipo
Member
04-23-2002
| Monday, October 26, 2009 - 10:05 am
Lets see, I did most of my chores on Friday night and Saturday. Took Sunday off, just read the paper, watched some tapes, oh I did clean up some stuff on the balcony. Guess I need to get some stuff done tonight.
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Wargod
Moderator
07-16-2001
| Monday, October 26, 2009 - 10:13 am
Sounds like a nice day Dipo! We should schedule a day of doing nothing (work/housework related) and make each other do it. So far this morning, took a shower and called aunts drs office about the flu shot. Receptionist answer, "Oh yeah, we should have the flu shots tomorrow....unless we run out again." Well gee, that's just so helpful, lol! I've got to finish getting ready then I'm heading to her house to get some stuff done. Not sure what I'll be doing when I get back home.
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Wargod
Moderator
07-16-2001
| Monday, October 26, 2009 - 12:46 pm
Showers done and I got a few things done around the house, including grabbing her oxy tanks (which I almost forgot, lol.) I need to run an errand and come back and have lunch, don't think I'm going to get much done here before Darren and the kids get home.
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Landileigh
Member
07-29-2002
| Monday, October 26, 2009 - 1:28 pm
i've gathered up trash and put the cans to the curb, did the cat box, 2 loads of laundry (so far), scrubbed the kitchen tile under the coffee maker, and a bunch of other miscellaneous things. i'm on a mission to get things done from when we moved in almost a year ago. it's PUT AWAY, GIVE AWAY, THROW AWAY! i don't need to do today's mission as the living room is clean and organized.
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