In a worrisome, troubled world, people took comfort when President Hinckley said, in his fatherly, assuring way, "It isn't as bad as you sometimes think it is. It all works out."

Saturday, November 29, 2008

GO TIGERS !!!

PAW POWER FOREVER !!!

Clemson is bowl game bound!


We hung the big Clemson flag outside, the little flag inside, the Clemson quilt on Bryan's recliner, and a Clemson fleece on each couch.
Bryan was wearing his lucky shirt, hat, and his Clemson watch.
We had recorded the game so we could skip the commercials.
Are we fanatics?
YES WE ARE.
We bleed orange blood.
I think Bryan may be getting to old for this kind of stress. I had to remind him several time about the house rule "NO kicking or hitting furniture" after a bad play or a bad call by the referee.
Tomorrow he will wear his orange tie to church. He does that when Clemson wins. When they loose, well we just pretend they didn't play that week.
This was a super important game.
First it was against our rivals, the University of South Carolina gamecocks.
Second if Clemson won they went to a bowl game, if they lost the season was over.
We have an interim coach, Dabo Sweeney, who is hoping to nail the job permanently. He may have after today.
In case anyone was out shopping today Clemson won 31-14.
GO TIGERS !!!

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Ready, Set, Cook

OK, so I usually overdo it with making a holiday meal and this year is no exception. I take a few short cuts, but most things are "made from scratch".

Sunday was clean out the fridge day. I threw out all the packets of fast food sauces etc. Why do i save those things. Next to go were the "mystery" leftovers and then anything past its expiration date. My fridge was now ready to be filled with yummy things.

Monday was shop, shop, shop. Ingredients were bought and loaded into the "Blue Goose" (For anyone who doesn't know that is the name of my mini van.) The guy who loaded my van was so careful about not squishing anything and keeping cold things together. I was feeling thankful for so many things that I tipped him. He was grateful and I felt good. Bryan unloaded the van and piled everything on the dining room table. I started to wonder why I hadn't just ordered a complete meal from K&W Cafeteria.

This is my menu:

Turkey - This is one of my cheats. We are buying a fried turkey from Bojangles which is better than worrying about the guys playing with a pot of hot boiling oil in the yard

Cornbread dressing - One of my recipes that everyone insists be made from scratch with no shortcuts.

Maccaroni and Cheese - Again my from scratch recipe

Mashed potatoes with LOTS of butter

Greenbean casserole

Sweet potatoes

Corn

Cranberry sauce

Watergate salad - I think Bryan may be the only one who likes this

Deviled eggs

Yeast rolls from scratch

Gravy

Desserts: Apple pie, Pecan pie (bought from the bakery)


Today is cook, cook, cook. Anything that can be made ahead of time.

Tomorrow is a bit more coking, but mainly clean the house.

Thursday is finish cooking and watch the Macy's parade on TV.
Then most important EAT EAT EAT.
Next we check the sale ads and plan our attack strategy for Friday's shopping frenzy. Then we finish the day with a movie. This year we are going to see the new James Bond movie.

Friday is shopping.

Saturday is clean the kitchen from all the cooking etc.

Sunday is church.

Monday is collapse and recover.

OK, I have to get back to my kitchen.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone

Friday, November 21, 2008

SNOW

OK everyone knows I like Fall best and second best is winter. I also love snow. If I had to deal with it on a regular basis it might be different, but since we rarely see much of the fluffy white stuff here in the south it seems almost magical. Today we had flurries for the second time this week!! When the snow started on Tuesday morning, my neighbor called and said "Sherrie, quick look out the window before it stops" She loves snow almost as much as I do. The flurry on Tuesday only lasted about ten minutes. This morning the snow was a little heavier and lasted for over an hour. It was too warm for any to stick, but it was fun to watch. Now the sun is shinning. Oh well it was fun while it lasted.

My theory is that since we had flurries twice an it isn't even Thanksgiving (we don't usually have even a chance of snow until January) that we will have lots of snow this winter. At least that is what I am hoping for.
THINK SNOW !!!

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Basically Healthy

One of my "pet peeves" is people who assume that overweight people are a ticking time bomb health wise. Regular people with this attitude are bad enough, but health care professionals are worse. Some doctors assume that everything from a hangnail to a head cold is because of your weight. I wish they would consider the possibility that my weight is maybe a result of something other that laziness. I'll be the first to admit that I am not just over weight I am what those oh so caring health care professionals call "morbidly obese." There are things that are more difficult for me, but I am Not a lazy couch potato. I do my own shopping and house work. I lead two women's groups at church, I edit and print our Sunday bulletin etc.

My only two health problems are fibromyalgia and arthritis, both of which I would have no matter what my weight.

This year I have had my yearly eye exam, my twice yearly dental check up, my mammogram and my gynecological visit and a colonoscopy. All were completely normal.

This week I had a complete physical and blood work.
My cholesterol was 174. Normal should be below 200.
My good cholesterol was high and my bad was low.
My blood sugar was 86. Normal is 65-99.
My thyroid, red and white blood cell count, calcium and everything else you can think of was great.
My doctor was impressed.

So when you see someone who is not exactly "normal" size, don't judge.
We may be more healthy than you.

OK, enough of my rant.
Everyone have a god day.

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

New Friend

My new friend arrived Sunday from China and will be staying with us indefinitely.
Bryan is completely OK with this new arrangement and even paid the airfare. My friend is totally awesome; fast, dependable, there when needed, and patient with me learning to speak this new language. I see a long, happy relationship ahead for us.He is taking me places I have never been before and showing me things I have only dreamed about.This friend is there for me day or night.

My new friend's name is Lenny.
He is a Lenovo ThinkPad computer. Lenny has 3 GB RAM and a 2 Duo CPU @ 2.40 GHz. Totally amazing.Lenny's touchpad is taking some getting used to. I am used to a trakball and Lenny is very touch sensitive.It will take me while to get all my old programs installed, but I am trying to be patient.

A BIG thank you to Brandon and Lisa for helping me acquire Lenny and to Bryan for footing the bill.

Friday, November 14, 2008

Christmas is Coming

Christmas is coming!!!
It is only 41 days (six weeks) until Christmas.
I have started making my "To Do" lists. I am much better at making the list than I am at actually accomplishing the things on the list. I think my good intentions should count as something. But I have made a pretty good start.

Every year we give plates of cookies to friends and neighbors. Of course I can't just let it be a plain plate of cookies.I add a small ornament to the plate to dress it up and so they have something after the cookies are gone. One neighbor actually has saved the ornaments and puts them on her family tree every year.

This year I made Yo Yo angels. OK before you mind goes to "How can she possibly make an angel out of a child's toy yo yo" I'll explain. The Yo Yo is made out of a small fabric circle. I have tried these before, but they were pretty time consuming.
I found an amazing gadget at Michael's that makes it so much easier. I can turn out my yo yo so fast while I'm watching TV at night that I had a pile of the little cuties before I knew it. It takes such a tiny piece of fabric that I am able to use all my scraps that I couldn't bear to part with. I knew I was right not to throw them away. Sometimes being a Pack Rat pays off. It takes three yo yo to make an angel. So far I have made 18 angels. They are pretty cute if I do say so myself.
I also printed a card with a poem to be attached. Yes I know, I know don't know when to stop.
Yo Yo making is addictive so I'm looking for more project to use them.
Someone told me about their Grandmother making a quilt with them.
I don't think I am that ambitious. Anyway here are some pictures of my cuties.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

In Memory of "Unc"

On Thursday, October 30 my Unc (Richard Tumbleson) died.
He had been on dialysis for a while, but this was so sudden and unexpected.
It caught us all by surprise. He was one of those people who you never think about losing. I know it sounds like a cliche, but he was so full of life.
Unc was an MP Sergent in the Army for twenty years.
He served in the Korean and Vietnam wars.
After the Army he drove a Krisy Cream truck for many years.
My family is addicted to Krisy Cream donuts because of him.
Unc's nickname was "Tumbleweed" probably because his last name was Tumbleson and he grew up in Texas and Oklahoma where there are lots of tumbleweeds.
Unc was married to Mama's sister, Louise so he was technically my Mama and Papa's brother-in-law but he was always just their "brother". He and Papa called each other "Bubba". Their are NO "in-laws" in our family. Family is family.
The only way to describe Unc was that he was a fun loving character.
He always had a least one new joke to tell every time he saw you.
It was usually a bit "off color" but for some reason it never seemed offensive when he told it. It was just Unc's personality.
Some how you always knew he loved you.
I know he missed Aunt Louise very much and is excited to be with her again.
She is probably giving him a hard time about taking so long to join her.

Unc, we love you and miss you.
We will be waiting to hear a whole new batch of jokes when we are all together as a family again.