Saturday, May 30, 2009

MoleAsses Cookie Recipe

Ok... So anytime my mom cooked with molasses, she would have to tell us some stupid joke about a family of moles. I really dont remember the story. Maybe they went out for a while, leaving dinner or cookies or something. So when they came back and walked into their hole, one of the family members said, MMM smells good. And the reply was.... "Well it smells like a bunch of MoleAsses to me." Anyway, writing up this recipe made me think of it. Ill have to ask my mom the real version of the story when she gets back into town.

MoleAsses Cookie Recipe (Soft and Reduced Fat Version)

3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 C molasses
1/2 C low-fat buttermilk (Isn't that an oxymoron?)
1/4 C vegetable oil
2 C flour
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 C sugar (I added this in cause I didnt want the cookies to be too bitter, but I dont think it really needed it.)

1. Preheat oven to 375.
2. Dissolve baking soda in molasses in a large bowl.
3. Combine buttermilk with oil; stir into molasses mixture.
4. Combine flour, ginger, sugar and salt.
5. Add flour mixture into the molasses mixture.
6. Coat hand with cooking spray. (I just used water)
7. Shape dough into little balls and place 2 in apart. (FYI: The "dough" has a consistancy closer to cake batter. So don't be surprised if its sticky. Thus the cooking spray.)
8. Bake @ 375 for 10 min.

Glaze:
Combine in a zip-loc baggie:
1 C powdered sugar
1 T water
1/2 tsp vanilla
I noticed that the glaze was super thick and I didn't like it. I added 2 T water the second time and it was too watery. So I think its just a play it by ear thing on the water depending on how thick or thin you want your glaze to be.

Cut the corner of your zip-loc baggie and squirt glaze over top of cookies.
MMMM. ENJOY.

I suggest making these while watching Lonesome Dove or Open Range. That way you almost feel like you were a part of all the fun back then.

FYI

For anyone that saw James' temper tantrum on Facebook before I was able to remove it, Im sorry. I realize now its probably not a good idea for him to have access as a friend. It has been corrected.

Reeds morning

I cant wait til nap time. Reed has been especially fun this morning. He squirted his juicebox all over my bed. I usually limit his juicebox time by drinking half of it before I give it to him, but I was in a hurry to get in the shower so I just put the straw in and handed it to him. He LOVES juiceboxes because the become Old Faithful with just a squeeze. (And Old Faithful is right, cause without fail, if Im not watching him, he squirts it everywhere.)

The other big Reed fun this morning was that he discovered eggs. He gets into the fridge all the time, but this was the first time he actually took out the eggs, opened them up and decided that they looked like balls. AND THREW THEM. When I walked out of the bathroom from doing my hair...which takes about 10 min, he launched one right at me. I walked forward to the open fridge door and found half a dozen more broken on the ground. He had a big smile on his face and started playing in the yolk of one. I was supposed to be proud I guess.

I should have taken pics, I guess. Except I wasn't especially proud of the dirty floor underneath that would have been captured.

So for now I count down til nap time and then I can actually start my cleaning day without new messes to clean up.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Adenoid land

For Katie: Everyone give Katie and Derek (Marley) congrats on the arrival of baby boy #2, Weston.

I told Katie that I would give her a little more detail about Reed's surgery so it wont hurt my feelings if you just ignore this post from here on.

I listened to Reed snore from the time he was like a month old. It got progressively worse and was especially horrible if he had a cold. He would get mid-snore and then either stop breathing or make this horrible "water draining from the tub" sound. It was almost like the snore got stuck and he was trying to force it through. Eventually, he would gasp and kinda wake up. It freaked me out. The pediatrician gave us a prescription for Flonaise and I was supposed to squirt it up his nose at night. It was supposed to help shrink the size of his adenoids I guess. Well, that was a HUGE joke because IF I was lucky enough get it squirted up his nose, he went ballistic. All the crying just made him even stuffier and defeated the purpose of the Flonaise in the first place.

I relayed this to the Dr, who sent us to a pediatric ENT. He was fantastic (Too bad you aren't here in AZ, Id tell you to go to him). They took X-rays and verified that Yes, his adenoids were bigger than usual. Thus the surgery.

The first couple hours after the surgery were tough. He fussed and was pretty pissed coming out of the anesthesia. (Which the Dr said was normal for kids) Pretty quick though he started to get back to his old self. He hated the IV and kept trying to pull it out. But he ate better than he ever has for me at home. Originally, we were told he was so young we would have to stay in the hospital overnight, but at 6pm he was doing so well, the Dr let us go. Thank heavens.
He was prescribed antibiotics and pain killer. Which was difficult cause I had to try to find a way to hide it in his food or juice. (He wont take it alone)

About 2 days after the surgery the poor kid had meat breath. It was horrible. Most the time I was checking his diaper cause I thought he was pooey. No, it was his breath. It kinda had the smell of raw chicken that has been outside in the trashcan too long. YUCK. For a while, I had to turn away so he wasn't breathing directly at me. That lasted about 2 weeks.

There weren't any complications, it was a quick surgery, and there aren't any sutures or anything. And it seems to be very successful.

Every once in a while I hear him buzzing lightly, but any snoring (more of a hum really) is a full breath in and out. It doesn't get "stuck". I dont worry about him not being able to breathe at night. I dont stay up at night listening to him thinking, "I have to stay awake and listen or he will die in his sleep." Also, he doesn't breathe out of his mouth as much. So he looks a little less cromagnon than he did before. I think it is definately worth talking to the pediatrician about. If you have any more questions, let me know or even better email them to me so you dont have to go through the blog. blueyedmle@msn.com

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Lion King

Lion King is playing in our waiting room today. As Scar was singing his little "be prepared" song, all I could think of was Obama.

Caution: Graphic images.

I needed a good different sweet snack today, so I bought Cinnamon Bears at Sprouts. MMMM. These Cinnamon Bears look exactly like the kind Gracie and I used to get in the waiting area at the hospital in Billings. We used to have play bear conversations and I remember some bears kissing at one point. We may have not liked each other much, but we did have fun at times. Memories.... Anyway, in scooping them out I accidentally semi-decapitated one of the poor little bears.

Monday, May 25, 2009

Another lesson from the fire-- Perspective

I realize the original thought that inspired the last blog entry was completely forgotten when I sat down to write the other day. So I will add it now.

As a was cleaning the soot off the wall, I looked up and noticed a huge spider web up in the corner. It was blackened like everything else. I looked around and found two other webs throughout the room, also dark with soot.

I always thought I was pretty good about cleaning up the corners of cobwebs, but the smoke from the fire had a way of really bringing to light some of the cobwebs that had been missed.

Hard times in life, like the fire, have a way of bringing out some of the little things that need attention. The little parts of our life like our character flaws or little bad habits, little idiosyncracies if youwill, that need cleaning or fine tuning can be magnified or highlighted during these times. And usually we do a couple of different things: We can either get discouraged and beat ourselves up for it, we can ignore that they were ever brought to our attention, or we can turn the trial into a learning experience and take the opportunity to correct our flaws.

With just a little effort, my sooty cobowebs were cleared away. Unfortunately, many of the metaphorical cobwebs require a little more time. But Im grateful for the subtle, kind reminder that there is still work to be done.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

What we gained in the fire.

So I never saw that movie: What we lost in the fire. But I will put a spin on it.
What I gained in the fire:

1. Angels surround us. This could have been huge. I wasn't in my apartment. This could have easily been the whole house. I kinda freak out if I think about it much. 25 years gone in an instant. We are watched over.

2. The Lord's promptings are exactly what they need to be, not what we think they should be. You would think I would have heard a prompting like, "somethings wrong, go out to the apartment." Instead, the thought was, "Send Millie out to get the leftovers from last night." Not conventional, but it got the job done. ** Notice mine was about FOOD.**

3. Be prepared. I need to put new batteries in the smoke alarm. I never paid attention to it, til it didn't work when I needed it to... NOT GOOD. (Ironic considering I organize the fire inspection and drill info for all of our PT centers at work...) But how many things in life do we NOT think of til we really need it? Prayer? Food Storage? A full gas tank? For a long time, the idea of a 72 hr kit has been nagging at me, I putter around with it now and then, but I think its time to really get it together.

4. Nothing in coincidental. Last year, while working at our Tempe office, the Rural Metro guy came to inspect the fire extinguishers. One was not up to code for a commercial area so he replaced it with a new one and told me I could have the old one. Not thinking much of it, I said, Ok, I guess... A few months back when straightening up, I got frustrated that the stupid thing was taking up space (as it is so limited in my apartment) I almost got rid of it, but I figured Id just keep it out by my washer/dryer instead of in the apartment. Just in case. This was a lifesaver. Thank you Rural Metro.

5. If you are prepared you wont be afraid. When I rushed out to the apartment, I knew exactly where I had my fire extinguisher. I looked into the smoke filled kitchen, saw it was the range, quickly turned off the burner and went outside to grab my fire extinguisher. Now, I had never used one, it was a bit intimidating, but because of fire drills at work, I had a basic understanding. My heart was pounding, but I wasn't afraid.

After my firefighter experience was over, I came back in to the house to let Millie know everything was ok. Her train of thought was the same as mine. It could have been so much worse. It hit home when she realized that her room backs up to my kitchen. My response was, "We were so lucky." She, being much wiser (even if she is 15 years younger) said, "No Emily, We are blessed." Yup. Humbled by my bratty teenager sister. OUCH. And of course she was right.

Hells Kitchen

I set my kitchen on fire. OOPS. So this one's for you Jeanne. I was just getting back from the grocery store. Had a handful of groceries and a grouchy kid. Sent my sister w/said grouchy kid into my parents house. I went the the apartment w/groceries. I dropped purse and groceries that didn't need to be refrigerated onto floor next to my oven, put the eggs, milk and cheese into the fridge. Walked outside and into parents house. Said to my little sis, hey go get the leftovers from last night out of my apartment. I start a bath for Reed. She did, next thing I know, she comes running into the house to tell me my kitchen is on fire. I tell her to stay with Reed, run to the apartment find my range on fire, lots of black smoke, smell of burning plastic as I was draining clean sippy cups in my dish rack on top of said range.

Turns out, when dopping groceries and purse next to stove, my purse strap got caught on the back burner knob of my range. It turned on. I was in and then out so didn't notice anything. Because Millie went right out to get dinner from my room, she was able to catch it in time. She didn't know what to do, so she came and got me who just happened to have a fire extinguisher that was given to me by the Rural Metro Fire guy that inspects our fire extinguishers at work. Coincidental... I think not. Millie going out to my apartment to get me something, just after I came in? Happenstance?... nope. (Although, I end up making the girls do this all the time the poor things.) Me being calm enough to actually figure out how to make the fire extinguisher work... MIRACLE.

So the only damage consists of:

1. My back burner needs to be replaced as it is now covered in melted sippy cups.
2. The brand new sippy cups I just bought are melted to above mentioned burner.
3. A flame kissed pine shelf above the range. (I think it adds personality actually)
4. A wall that after being washed down, still has black residue in corners.

Tomorrow....Ill explain:

What was "gained" in the fire.....

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Sweet Ride

I want a mustang, Shelby preferrably, and I want the license plate to read: DRTYPNY

I also want a Honda Element 0r one of the original Scions, I want to paint it bright yellow and I want the license plate to read: SHRTBUS.

Friday, May 22, 2009

Name that movie part 2

So the movie lines were such fun I think I may have to do it again. I thought So I Married An Axe Murderer would be difficult, but obviously you guys have no life and watch too many movies just like me. I think there will be no more hints. So with that said: My favorite movie of all times.

"Dinosaur world is the only place a boy like me can be truely happy!"

"Haaaaaaaa. A hankering for CHOCOLATE. I need it badly."

'They told me about things they did on their motorcycles, some of them were fun, but some of them were scary!"

"They tried to touch me in my no-no special place."

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Name that movie

Quote #1:
...Because he puts a highly addictive chemical in it that makes you crave it nightly, smart ass....

Hint: Say it with a Scottish accent.

Still need help?

Quote #2:
She smelled like Beef Vegetable Soup.

Hint: No accent for this one.

Quote #3:
He'll be crying himself to sleep on his HUGE pilla...

Hint: This one has the Scottish accent.


Facebook Fixation

Umm. So after recieving a few invites to join facebook, I finally did. I know, I know, Im so behind in the times. In a matter of about 5 minutes I was reintroduced to people I haven't seen since high school. It was crazy. It was way more user friendly than MySpace and super crazy how it interconnects you with others and I was just scratching the surface. I haven't even gotten started on special interst groups. Add to that the comments that come piling in, its like blogspot on crack. And one just cant help but keep checking to see what is happening next.
And while I am completely fascinated by how many people have already added me as a friend or requested being my friend because I was added to someone else, or written on my wall... (I believe that is illegal in some states...) I cant help being a little frightened of it. BIG BROTHER and all. Especially lately. So the jury is out. The big downer of being on Facebook is I have limited time I can be on Facebook. I get all these request and cant do anything about it at work. And the draw to "put my two cents in" as I get emails about whats going on is intense. So I guess we will see...

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Desperado

HAHA I wrote the other entry too soon. My musical day has come full circle. I will have to stop listening now cause Desperado, (The Clint Black version) came on. ENOUGH already. No more of those memories.
So I will just pretend it was the Don Henley version as it has much happier memories connected to it. A few years back, Margie and I just happened to be on the recieving end of some Eagles tickets. It was fabulous! And of course they saved Desperado for the very last song of the concert about 10 encores into it. The funny part was, from the first encore, this stupid kid kept yelling, 'Play Desperado' over and over again, like they could hear him and like they were going to NOT play it and like they didn't have a play list, even for the encores. Needless to say, we laugh frequently when one randomly yells out "play Desperado!"

Gone Country

So I have been at work exactly one hour and 40 minutes. Today, Justin the PT here in Gilbert, decided it was country day. I haven't listened to country in years. For a very good reason. Country was the soundtrack for my life just after my mission. A wonderful, carefree, all the world is beautiful time in my life. I was in LOVE. I know, I know, all this unfiltered bliss? No sarcasm, no cynicism, no complaints? Thats not the Emily we know!!! Well it didn't last and I turned the station after it all disappeared. And hadn't listened since. Til today. I kid you not, every song that could drudge up my memories of that time in my life has played. In the last one hour and now 45 minutes. Of course, there is no escaping Tim McGraw when listening to country, Im not dilusional. But come on.... Nitty Gritty Dirt Band??? Fishing in the dark? Darrell Worley...I miss my friend. DAMMIT. Pray I survive today without falling over crying or doing something really stalkerishly stupid.

And just for the record, Im not a cynic. Im a Disappointed Idealist. There is a huge-o difference.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Going gun shopping

So a few days back, My Montana passed a law that if they wanted to manufacture guns in Montana and sell them in Montana to people that would reside in Montana, then they did not need to use the National system for registering said guns. A big shout out to My Montanan's out there for telling the feds where they can shove it and reaffirming their sovergnty.

So this is where things get grey. I dont live in Montana. I wish I did... is that close enough? Cause... I want one of those non registered guns. Just to say I have one. I want it to have printed across it (as required by Montana's new law) Made in Montana. I want one just to say, "F U Obama", more than for any practical reasons. Truth is, Montana's major gun manufacturers pretty much only produce .22's, high end specialty guns and historical reproductions. Not much of a big draw for all those crooks that want to get past the feds background checks. But this is fixing up to be quite the brawl in the courts.

In the mean time, I want in on it. So I fight back and forth with myself about contacting some old friends in Montana to see just how easy it would be to get my hands on my Made in Montana gun. (Most likely a .22) Would that make me a weapons smuggler? Or would I have to use this as an excuse to return to My Montana for good?

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Dinnertime donts

So I was just reading my cousins blog and she mentioned that if you want good chinese you need to go visit Yum Yum Chinese (or something like that) at the Tempe Marketplace. She said it was better than my usual choice of Panda Express. Funny how yesterday, while speaking to a coworker, I was told NOT to eat at Panda, as his wife went to school with someone that worked there and advised against it. Bad news is I didn't get a reason why. But this is not the first time I have heard this.

I figured this would be a fun blog to open up to comments or to use as a tag, where you dont eat and why....

For Example: I do not eat at Waldo's BBQ anymore. A few years back I got a mixed dinner that included ribs. Yummy right? Yeah, yummy until I saw that attached to one of the ribs was the little piggy esophagus, GAG! I have never been back.


Example Number 2: Back in the foggy days, James' roommate was a prep cook at Pei Wei. Now most people think Pei Wei is a little higher end than your typical restaurant. (Chili's and such) Dont be fooled by the giant horsie statue outside. If you saw this cooks hygiene habits you wouldn't step foot in the place. Add to this an incident that I was made aware of. One night he got stinking drunk. Nasty stinking drunk (I think it was his birthday) Anyway, he got sick, didn't make it to the bathroom and instead Yacked in the corner of his room. Come the next morning, he got up just in time to leave for work, realized his work clothes (dirty from the day before anyway) just happened to be in the corner that he had yacked in the night before. NO big deal.... he shook them off, put them on and left for work. He was not sent home to change.

Example Number 3: When I went to St George one time, James and I stopped went to eat at Dave's BBQ. We were promptly seated and then promptly ignored for 30 minutes. Nothing. No one came to take a drink order, nothing. We left and Ive never been back to any of the Dave's BBQs because of it.

See Im really awful about restaurants. Once you have grossed me out or pissed me off, I will not ever go back. So if you have any suggestions for good alternatives Local or Not (ya never know when I may be in your neck of the woods) or have any other gross out stories (local or not) let me know.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Second rate goods

So yesterday I begged Ella to watch Reed for me so I could take a nap as I was feeling a bit under the weather and completely exhaused from the ordeal the day before..... I tried so hard, but couldn't fall asleep. Instead this is what ran through my mind.


Back when I was a kid, 12 or so, I used to watch a movie a lot. One of the lines referred to girls that marry really young as, "Second rate goods that had to be sold in a hurry". If you can name the movie, you get the prize.

Anyway, I laughed and continued down this train of thought.

If this is true, then does that make me.....

An impluse buy that was later returned w/o being opened, that was then bought by someone else when it was on super clearance, then used, and then returned to the store?

You know, like once, I bought a DVD player when visiting my little sister in Thatcher so we could watch some movies we rented. But I knew I wasn't gonna keep the DVD player so we kept all the packaging and repacked it and returned it to the local Walmart. EXCEPT we forgot to take out the DVD that we had RENTED and had to go back to the return lady at Walmart and ask her to get the DVD back out of the DVD player. So much for being all smooth and crafty about "deciding we just didn't want that type of DVD player". I think we told the return lady that my "husband said no, that he wanted a name brand and he made me bring it back." Im not very good at lying, especially considering the rented copy of Moulin Rogue still inside.

But would I even be considered "bought"? Like was I put on Layaway but then never picked up so I was put on Super Clearance, BUT just got lifted cause even the super clearance price was too much, then I was used, and then returned to the store for store credit? So the crook made money in the process?


See this is why I cant ever get a nap.

OH WELL....
"I don't want sunbursts or marble halls", I just want get bought one of these days.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Reed

I realized I didn't tell ya'll what they did to my poor little boy. He had an adenoidectomy. (He has his adenoids removed.) He snored like an old man/grizzly bear and had sleep apnea. I just cant imagine who he inherited that from? Because he was so young, they take sleep apnea pretty serious. Thus the surgery. Funny, after the surgery, while still coming out of the anesthesia, he was snoring just as loud as usual. The nurse laughed and said it wasn't an instant fix because of the swelling.

Surgery day








This had to be the most miserable day ever. Waiting around in the hospital 4 hours with a not whining, but screaming, kid. Hungry cause he couldn't eat, tired cause it was nap time and mad cause there was a big plastic id chafing his little kankle. It was horrible.

Thank heavens, he recouped fast and while we had to stay til 6, the Dr didn't make us stay the night as originally planned. These pics are all post op as we tried to amuse ourselves til they gave us the go ahead to leave. I had to get really creative in entertainment cause otherwise he was trying to pull out the IV and pick off the monitor stuck to his big toe.
On a side note, the surgeon said he was a trooper and would be a linebacker in the near future. He said I must have my hands full. He fought the nurse all the way down the hall and into the operating room. I wanted to say, "yeah, thats why I told the nurses station that trying to wrestle him for 4 hours prior to his surgery was 'bullshit and that I was loosing it fast'." (Those were my exact words by the way.) Instead, I just smiled and agreed.



First swim in a big pool











Friday, May 8, 2009

Mother's Day Regrets?

I have a wierd confession. I am old. Wanna know how I know I am officially old? I am a talk radio junkie. Well, not really. I just would rather listen to that then the current and even not so current music alternatives. So if you are to get into my truck at almost any time, you will most likely find it on 92.3 (KTAR, talk radio in AZ.)
Last night, I was driving back from Tempe, and they were talking about Bristol Palin being a spokesperson for abstinance. The commentator was very distainful of this decision. Not because he didn't disagree with abstinance as a preventative measure to combat teen pregnancy, but because she had stated at an earlier time that abstinance was not really a practical solution. I was ready to call in. See, I understand exactly how it is possible to have these thoughts come from the same individual, relatively close together in time.
I understand how hard it is to say, "No I dont regret having my son, I love him dearly. I wouldn't trade him for the world." Even when all the world knows what choices led up to you having him. But I also know what its like to say, "I wish I would have had my son under different circumstances. I know now why a family should have a mother and a father. I now understand why kids should be born to parents committed to each other through marriage vows. Cause I know just how hard it is to do it alone. And while I would never, ever trade my son for anything in the world, I can and do regret the events that led up to his arrival.
When interviewed, it seems the media wanted Bristol to admit that her son, Tripp, was a mistake. She never did. But she expressed many of the same feelings I have felt. I can say "No, my son was not a mistake, but the choices that led up to me having were." There is a big difference. I think instead of the media condeming her and saying she is a hypocrite, I think they should realize that she is using her "name" to be able to say to kids, "Don't make the same mistakes I did." I applaud her for being able to admit her choices were not wise and be willing to use her experience to help other girls make better decisions. As for her original statement that abstinance was an ideal but unreasonable expectation for teens, I see it this way: in this day and age, it certainly is difficult, but I think it mirrors Tripp's father's thinking more than her own and it also works as a baseline to show us just how much she has learned in her short time as a mother. See NO ONE, NO ONE, can begin to explain how life altering a baby is. Especially, if you are a single parent. It is only through actually experiencing it that you realize how much it changes who you are and what you believe, what you can and can't do, and just about every facet of your life.
Because of the circumstances of Reed's conception, my first mother's day was very hard for me. I was back at church, big as a barn already - even though I was not due til July. I just cried all day long. Somehow it didn't count for me. My motherhood was not a celebration for anyone. It was shameful, a big glaring spotlight displaying my bad choices.
Im happy to say my second Mother's day was much different, more a pat on the back for actually living up to what motherhood required and surviving (that far). I was no longer wasting time beating myself up for things I couldn't change. I think I just didn't have the time or was just too tired. Actually, I had begun down the road to repentance and learned that looking back did no good.
This year, who knows? Do I think Im a fabulous mom that deserves a huge celebration. HELL NO. I make do, I make mistakes, I cry lots, but I try to get the job done the best I can and pray the angels help with anything I miss. I supposed that's all any mother can do.

Monday, May 4, 2009

Lil explanation...

I was talking to Nan today and she said that I needed to explain the first pic below. She said it didn't make any sense out of context. So I will explain. On a very very enjoyable roadtrip to my Montana, back before we had responsibilities (namely Brian and Reed) we meandered through Yellowstone, and got lost. Anyway, this was taken there, and at the time it was very funny (as most things are when on roadtrips when punchy from no sleep and too much time in a car.) We stopped here as this "thermal area" was popping and bubbling and making the funniest of noises. Are own "bog of eternal stench" (Yet another reference to Labrynth.... wow) Anyway, it struck us as funny as most fart references are. The pic while triggering memories for me and Nan and making us laugh, unfortunately does not effectively convey the beauty of this moment for any random person. Sorry. But, seriously, it was halarious!!!!

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Here's your sign....








Just a bunch more pics from the past that made me laugh. This last one was on the sight of the Unibombers cabin. I enjoyed the trip down memory lane. Hope you find some humor in it too. Soon this blog is gonna end up like a missionary slide show that never ends.

Saturday, May 2, 2009