Just when you think you've got it all under control...

It's been one of those days. First I got a phone call from Ricky that layoffs are happening. They only laid off two people, and they were bottom of the totem pole people. He shouldn't be in any jeopardy for a while, but nobody knows how many more cuts they'll have to make, if any. Obviously, that's a little scary.

We've also been searching for a chair for the living room. I found one I loved (this will be "my" chair) but it's the only one left because it's been discontinued and it has a scratch in it. The company is not willing to come down on their price anymore than they already have, and we're not willing to pay their price for a damaged piece of furniture, so we're at an impasse. Since we couldn't come to an agreement, we walked. Now, I'm all for looking around and being patient, but the problem is I've already found the chair I want. Finding it a second time at a price we're comfortable with could be difficult!

And to top it all off, the garbage disposal quit working tonight when I was making dinner. Awesome!

The good news is Ricky has Thursday and Friday off, so he can take a look at the disposal and maybe fix it. And, if I really want to do the glass half full thing, at least a garbage disposal isn't a necessity. A wonderful luxury, and something I've only had to do without for a year in college, but not a necessity none the less.

Here's to a good night's sleep and a better tomorrow!

16 Things About Me

Alex tagged me in a meme on facebook, so I'm going to answer here as well as there. I'm just supposed to share 16 "random things, facts, habits, or goals about you."

1 - I am 28 years old as of Sunday.

2 - I still sleep with my baby blanket.

3 - I have never had to wear a true cast. The only things that have come close were my bootie after toe surgery and my brace after knee surgery.

4 - I did not go to my Junior prom.

5 - I do not like oranges.

6 - My senior year of high school I spent most of my time in band doing homework. My band teacher didn't care; he just told me to use his desk so it wasn't so obvious to everyone else that I was slacking.

7 - I prefer Diet Pepsi over Diet Coke, but Coke over Pepsi.

8 - Every time I ride a plane I'm sure we're going to crash and I'm going to die.

9 - I abhor being called "Laurie."

10 - I have not read any of the Harry Potter books.

11 - I have a major girl crush on Judi Dench. I don't care how bad a movie is supposed to be; if she's in it, I will watch it.

12 - I'm pretty sure I love my dog more than most people love their children.

13 - I would happily be a professional student if we could afford it.

14 - I should have majored in napping. Mmmm, naps. They do a body good!

15 - A while back I saw a picture of me before I started coloring my hair. I had no idea my hair was that dark! It's been so long that I honestly had completely forgotten what color it used to be. While I was looking at the picture Ricky walked by and said, "who's that?" My own husband didn't recognize me with my hair in its natural state.

16 - I love all things retro. I'm pretty sure I was born in the wrong decade.

Soliciting book recs

If I'm going to read 52 books this year, I need some recommendations!

I'm in the middle of a book right now, and I've got two more lined up, but that's not going to get me far. Any suggestions? I enjoy historical fiction, autobiographies (especially of sports figures), plays...well, pretty much anything, to be honest! I especially liked the Dan Brown books and devoured the Twilight series.

So if you've got some ideas, toss them my way! I need to start building my list - and my reservation queue at the library!

Whatever happened to survival of the fittest?

I don't even want to get into the evolution debate, because the stance Ricky and I choose to take is very different from what most Christians choose. In fact, I will never forget when we had the great Evolution vs Creationism debate in Mr Vassen's junior year Biology class and Matt Gruhler and I stood in the middle, saying we believed God used evolution to create the world. Remember that, Matty?!

But really, as my husband says, why do we have to legislate stupid out of the world? Shouldn't we be allowed to eliminate those people from the gene pool?

The latest is the government's decision that no second-hand kids' clothing or toys can be sold without "proof" that it is lead paint or pthalate free. What? Do you know how many people rely on secondhand places, garage sales, and Craigslist to clothe and entertain their children? And really, when a kid only wears something for a month before outgrowing it, it makes sense. Buy it used, use it for a month, then pass it on to someone else who can use it. And if you're stupid enough to allow your child to play with something that has been recalled due to lead paint, well...survival of the fittest, my friends.

I'm definitely not an anarchist, but really, this is going too far.

Recimapes

Two recipes to share today - Meatloaf and Spaghetti Squash Supreme. The meatloaf came from a relative of Ricky's (whom I've actually never met) and the the SSS is from Taste of Home magazine.

Meatloaf

1-1.5 lbs ground meat (I use turkey, you could certainly use beef)
4 slices bread
12 oz can evaporated milk*
1 packet onion soup mix
1/2c ketchup
1/4c worcestershire sauce

Mix meat, bread and half of the milk together until the mixture forms a batter. If it seems to dry, add more milk. Add the rest of the ingredients, mix well. Pat into pan, spread top with more ketchup if desired. Bake at 350F for 60-90 minutes.

*I generally just use a 5 oz can so I don't waste 6 oz of evap. milk


Spaghetti Squash Supreme

3-6 pounds spaghetti squash
4-6 pieces bacon (I use turkey bacon), torn into bite size pieces
1-4 T brown sugar
3-4 T butter
Salt and pepper to taste
Swiss cheese to taste, grated

Cut the squash in half and scoop out seeds. Heat one side at a time until fork-tender. Scoop squash into bowl; it will string into spaghetti like pieces as you remove it from the rind. Set aside.

Cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon from pan*. Add butter, brown sugar, and salt and pepper to bacon grease; stir well. Add squash and bacon to pan, stir well and heat through. Add swiss cheese; mix thoroughly and serve.

*I never remove the bacon, just scootch it to the side and then stir it back in. Turns out fine.

Bah Humbug

Why am I feeling down today? Could it be because all the excitement is over? Because my break is almost over? Because Grandma's visit is almost over? It's probably a mixture of all of the above, with the realization that I got next to nothing done on this break that I wanted to do (normal Laura behavior). Not to mention, I'm hungry - that could be part of my problem! I also need to get in the shower and get ready to take off for the afternoon/evening and I just don't want to. It's too much work!

Just feeling kind of Bah Humbug-ish, if that's possible to do once the holiday season is over.

Resolutions

I'm not big on resolutions. I'm really really really good at making them, but I suck at sticking to them, so usually I just say screw it. And of course, I tend to do the same ones every year:

• Exercise more
• Lose weight
• Keep a cleaner house

But you know what? Those are no fun. I'm actually really happy with where I am in life. Are things perfect? No. Could I stand to excercise more, lose weight, and keep a cleaner house? Of course - couldn't we all? But I'm tired of those being my resolutions. Putting those on the list feels like an obligation, rather than a goal I'd really like to reach. Instead, I've come up with a couple more fun ones:

1. Read 52 books this year
2. Try 52 new recipes
3. Write 52 letters/cards and send through USPS

Yup, that means every week I'll be reading a book, trying a recipe and sending someone I love - or not - a card or letter to tell them how much they do - or don't - mean to me. Ambitious? Certainly, but also attainable, I think.