Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving.
This year I am thankful for so many things. It's been a rough year but I am surviving. I feel very lucky. I'm thankful for friends and family. I'm thankful that I am employed. I'm thankful that I have a roof over my head and food on my table. I'm thankful for the beautiful Arizona weather.
Here's wishing everyone a Happy Happy Thanksgiving.

Beautiful Obit

When I sit down on Sundays to read the paper I usually take a look at the obituaries. I have not lived in this are a long enough to know too many people so the chances of me reading about someone I know are slim.

I like the obits with photos. I like the obits that have two photos, a young and old version of the deceased.

Today there was an obit for a woman named Dora. She was a rancher. She was an Aunt, like me. There was no mention of children (like me). Here's a bit of her life that was shared in the obit:

She spent most of her life on the Ranch. At the ranch, she supervised nieces and nephews; milked cows; jerked beef; rode; fed chickens; killed snakes; opened and closed gates; dug out the spring; scraped out the water tanks; watered the trees; picked fruit; peeled figs; chopped seasoned juniper & mesquite; filled the wood box; started the fire in the stove; ground corn; made enchiladas, tortillas, cakes and pie crusts; dressed in layers; took pictures; read; kept a diary; wrote letters; watched the night sky and bats; the butchering, barbecuing, and branding; and repaired the dirt road as required by her car. When visiting, Dora arrived serendipitously & left when she tired of company. She played marbles to win. Tia Dora could grab and twist an ear, pulling it & the disobedient child along behind her. She was a favorite aunt.

I've often wondered what my obituary would sound like. I don't think it would be nearly as interesting as Dora's. Her obit makes me think I need to get a move on and do something more interesting than just working in an office everyday and then coming home and going to bed.

Today I raise a glass to Dora, a woman I never met and just read about. You sound like my kind of woman. Rest in peace girl.

Behind the White Door

Thank goodness for doors. Doors are my co-conspirator for hiding messes. Doors and drawers are my friends.

Yesterday I tackled the mess that is my pantry. I'm embarrassed to say how much expired foods I tossed yesterday.

My pantry has never been a tidy place. It is so easy to just stuff my dried goods in behind the door after grocery shopping.

I found many "gift" foods that have been given but never eaten. I also found that I have 5 bottles of vinegar. I rarely use vinegar. Evidently whenever a recipe called for vinegar I just went out and bought another bottle. I have a lot of Karo syrup too. I think this is left over popcorn ball fests from holidays gone by.

So yesterday I decided to make a soup with what was on hand. Since I had all of the dry goods on the counter I could actually see what I had. I made a delicious soup with white beans (that I did not know I had), Dried mushrooms (that I did not know I had) some frozen sausage, potatoes and spices. I threw in some vinegar just to feel good about using it (since I had 5 bottles).

So in a nutshell, two accomplishments in one day - clean cupboards - delicious soup!

Vacation Aftermath

I miss vacation.

A little down time

As I write this I am sitting out on a deck in the mountains of Cedar Crest, New Mexico. I am visiting my dear friend Martini MarySue. We have known eachother for 28 years. We sure look different than we did 28 years ago but our hearts are still the same.

I'm here for a little R&R.

Martini MarySue is an animal lover and has 3 dogs and 2 cats. I had to share these photos because I think her dogs like me. Either that or the bacon perfume I have been wearing is really paying off.

I am so covered in dog hair that I have become an honorary dog.

A fun week with good friends. You can't beat it.

Truths - True

A friend sent the following list to me and I thought it was one of those I had to share. #7 resonates with me quite a bid as I am a MapQuest-a-holic. Also #12.

Simple truths for mature adults -


1. I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.

2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.

3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.

4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.

5. Really, how ARE you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

6. Was learning cursive really necessary?

7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on # 5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

10. Bad decisions make good stories.

11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.

12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.

13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to.

14. I hate when I just miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello? Crap!), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voice mail.
What
did you do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone and run away?

15. I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.

16. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.

17. I disagree with Kay Jewelers, I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Miller Lite than Kay.

18. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

19. The only time I look forward to a red light is when I'm trying to finish a text. (just kidding Oprah)

20. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.

21. How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said?

22. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!

23. Is it just me or do high school kids get dumber & dumber every year?

24. There's no worse feeling than that millisecond you're sure you are going to die after leaning your chair back a little too far.

25. Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.

26. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey - but I'll bet everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time!

What else I did not buy this week...