Syrup, How I Love Thee

I've been craving pancakes and waffles for a while now. All that's stopped me I think is the fact I have no maple syrup at home now.

So tonight at m neighborhood Publix market I finally remembered I needed some.

I pulled my cart up to the shelves with the syrup on them. And I did the unthinkable.

I read the back of a Mrs. Butterworth bottle. And then the back of every brand up there.

You know there's not one ounce of maple syrup in any of them? Lots of high fructose corn syrup and things I can't pronounce and won't attempt to spell. And the ones that are pure maple syrup? 210 calories a serving with more than 50 grams of sugar. I put the last bottle down and walked away. I just couldn't buy one. There was no choice for me. Either it was a chemical concoction that wants to be maple syrup or it's straight sugar. So I need to search for an alternative to put on my flapjacks and waffles. Any suggestions?

I am in mourning for my beloved syrup. A moment of silence please.

Goofey Pictures of Laura

While going through the pictures on my computer I began to notice a theme. I seem to have a good number of really silly faces from my younger sister Laura. And I know there are many of them from years gone by in photo albums too. So I wonder, what is it about a camera that makes my sister do silly things? Her zaney side really does seem to come to the forefront. And I know it's not always alcohol, although the first photo below - that is allll alcohol. She's trying to forget she was about to be 30. (Her party was before the actual birthday.)



Then here she is with my mom on the cruise.

And finally, with her husband on the way to Turtle Cove in St. Thomas.

Don't know - but I do know that she seems to always be having fun...hmmm.. maybe there's something to this high-level goofeyness?

A Furry Fan

Ok, I know the Super Bowl was like 2 weeks ago. BUT I was sent this - once again by my Aunt Pat from Indiana. And since it has been really cold up there recently I'm sure all squirrels have been wearing little hats - but I imagine they might also have scarfs.

But in Indy - it's still all about the Colts.

I know it's Daytona 500 day - and I live in the South - but when I think of the 500 - I think of the Indianapolis 500.

Next? It's almost March Madness Bayybee!

Four!?!

Golf clubs $200

Golf net $40

Practice balls $6

Having an outlet for husbands stress and letting him play golf more often? Priceless!

So we have no grass or plants in our backyard, but now we have a golf net. We could charge a weeds fee to those who come over to use it.

It is really cool though and Hubby - he couldn't be happier. I may never see him in the day light hours though now...I could become the latest golf widow

;-)

Ooo this morning it froze at my house. Our weather station said it was 32.5 at one time last night. Brrrr! But hey - now it's like 61 and sunny. I love Florida!

V-Day

So tomorrow's Valentine's Day. I've been thinking a lot about the day recently. And no, it's not what I should buy my husband. It's the idea that a nice little holiday once again has been corrupted by retailers and the media. The innocence of the day is gone. Even the kids are in on it. Now there's customer valentines and specialty candies instead of handmade cards and the hard candies shown above. For the adult kid - it's diamonds and watches.

I don't get it.

Believe me, I'm not a grumpy person. I love the idea of a day set aside for to highlight love. With all the negative things flying around we need a lot more of the stuff. But I do think a re-evaluation is needed. It's not about spending money, but about spending time. It's about the little things. Remembering the things that your loves love. Being there for them. Saying "I love you," just because or bringing home a gift when society doesn't mandate it but because you thought of that person.

So tomorrow, as every morning, I will tell my husband I love him. And at the end of the day too. Not because it's that holiday, but because I do and it's good to hear and say. And that's what you do when you love someone. You try to make as many days as you can set aside to love.

Happy Valentine's Day.

The Almost Flu Haiku

Headache, aches and pains.
Small fever, was exhausted.
Feeling better now.

My flu scare yesterday is turning out better than I thought. After sleeping more than 13 hours out of 24 I seem to be on the mend. (Knocking hard on wood!) There are some fierce bugs going around and I thought for sure I was doomed to spend the weekend in bed.

Instead there was laundry and some light weeding. Not too bad.

A Little Joke

My Aunt Pat sent this joke to me. And since she lives in Indiana it is not suprising..and I like it..

John Madden, the sports announcer, was in Buffalo to announce a football
game one weekend when he noticed a special telephone near the Bills bench. He
asked Drew Bledsoe what it was used for and was told it was a hotline to God.
John asked if he could use it. Drew told him, "Sure, but it will cost you $200."
John scratched his head, then thought, what the heck, I could use some help
picking games. He pulled out his wallet and paid $200. John's picks were perfect
that week.
The next week John was in Foxboro at Gillette Stadium when he
noticed that same kind of phone on the Patriot's bench. He asked what the
telephone was for and Tom Brady told him, "It's a hotline to God. If you want to
use it, it will cost you $500." Recalling last week, John pulled out his wallet
and made the call. John's picks were perfect again that week.
The next
weekend John was in Indianapolis when he noticed the same kind of telephone by
the Colts bench. He asked Peyton Manning , "Is that the hotline to God?"
Peyton said, "Yes, and if you want to use it, it will cost you 35 cents."
John looked incredulously at Peyton and said, "Wait a second, I just paid
$200 in Buffalo and $500 in New England to use the same phone to God! Why do the
Colts only charge 35 cents?"
Peyton looked at John and replied, "Because in
Indianapolis, it's a local call."

Da' Colts

I was born in Indiana. Granted I haven't lived there since 1979. But I still want the Colts to win the big game today. Plus I respect Tony Dungey greatly. So here's my shout out to them.

Go COLTS!!!

Cruisin'.....

Welcome to my cruise in review blog entry. It won't cost you $30 like the DVD they try to sell you, but I also won't make you watch ads....we had a great time...here's some photos.


Meet Wayne Henry. Our personal bartender - he was buying our group drinks at the end of the week. These are the fabulous chocolate martini's he made for us on the last night. Isn't this a lovely sight? He was awesome!



This is Laszlo and I at the top of Lottery Farm's mountain. Our excursion was a walk through the rain forest...well it was a trek up a mountain, over large boulders and up to the top. But the view was awesome. And we all did it. Heck my parents kicked my butt in the process.

Laszlo took a load off here a Coco Cay - the cruise line's private island. It was lovely and we had a great location - at the hamocks and next to the place making Coco Loco's - the wonderful frozen drinkies that were their specialty. Yum!

This is the ship we were on - the Mariner of the Seas as seen on our return trip from Coco Cay. I'd go there again.

This is some of our group. As you can see my sister, Mom and Dad already figured out where at least one bar was.

2006 In Review

2006 was an interesting year. Here's a brief photo review.

Karen and Joe got married Feb. 18 in Jacksonville.

We celebrated 5 years of marriage with champaign and a super chocolatly desert!

We went to Savannah for the day with Greg and Laura.

I saw the Grand Canyon for the first time. Wow.

Saw the lights of Vegas for the first time. A different Wow.

Laura, my sister turned the BIG 30. Don't ask her too much about it, she only remembers parts of it. ;-)

This is my BEAUTIFUL Christmas cactus. I didn't kill it! And more amazing? I left it out all summer and it still did this!

And finally - Laszlo and I get dressed up for Christmas mass. Yes folks, my husband wore a sports coat.

I want to wish everyone a very Happy New Year. May your new year be filled with love, joy, family and friends and lots of laughter!

Love,
Sarah

My own song for Christmas...

Sarah, Sarah,
Sarah, Sarah.

The First Noel
from the Christmas Song Generator.

http://thesurrealist.co.uk/christmas.php" method="get">Get your own song :

So Ok, this song generator is strange...some are just wrong. But I am still trying to get in the Christmas mood. Here's another:

Hark, the herald angels sing,
Christ is born in Sarah.

Hark the Herald Angels Sing
from the Christmas Song Generator.

http://thesurrealist.co.uk/christmas.php" method="get">Get your own song :

I don't even know what to say about that one.

How about....

O Sarah of wonder, Sarah of might,
Sarah of royal beauty bright.

We Three Kings Of Orient Are
from the Christmas Song Generator.

http://thesurrealist.co.uk/christmas.php" method="get">Get your own song :

I do like that one... :-)

Christmas in Florida..

I can't believe Monday is Christmas. It just hasn't been that Christmasy to me. Besides Grandma passing away, and being incredibly busy at work it's been warm here. To the tune of 80 degrees daily. I know, the people snowed in out west would be saying awww...poor baby! Seriously though, it's hard to deck the halls when you're sweating. My neighbors on both sides of me have their air conditioning on. Wimps!

Anyways. I'm trying hard to get myself in the mood. I've worn all my Christmas pins, Christmas socks, listended to Christmas CDs and tried to sing-along to songs on the radio. But it's not working. Maybe now that I'm officially on vacation for the next 11 days that I'll get there.

I've only got three fulls days. I better get to work.

Happy Holidays folks.

Remembering Grandma

My paternal Grandmother died yesterday from cancer. It's a strange feeling hearing those words that a loved one is now permanently gone from your life. Even though we knew it would be soon. And when I saw my parents phone number on the caller-id at work I knew that's what the call was going to be about.

Grandma was a tough lady. She lived with great gusto. And even though I didn't always get along with her I knew that she loved her family greatly. I was/am honored to be her granddaughter.

So as I head north to Ohio this weekend I remember all the Christmas holidays she spent here in Florida with us. Her spaghetti and meatballs that no one could replicate. Her driving every winter, alone until a few years ago to come down here. Her desire to live and to see her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren grow.

I'll miss you Grandma. You're finally free of the cancer, the pain. Your home. God speed.

Google Envy

I saw a story in the paper last week that Google stock had hit above $500 a share. I had a flashback to my days at the paper when I had a conversation with a customer if he thought the IPO of around $100 or so was overpriced and such. I actually said - "Sir, that stock is overpriced. It's gotta fall. It's only hype." As all Google stock owners are laughing all the way to the bank and I'm not. I hope he didn't listen to me....and bought it rather than Yahoo.

Those were the days...

HAPPY

THANKSGIVING!

Randomness

So Hubby and I were watching a little TV the other night and saw one of the Fruit of the Loom commericals. We were watching the normal purple and white grapes and apple sing. And then there was this leafy thing to which both of us at each other and said..."what the heck kind of a fruit is that?"

So off I went to the company's web site and found out the leafy dude is just that "Leaf" and according to his bio - while he's not technically a fruit, because he is ATTACHED to a fruit he can be a fruit guy. Right.....

What was wrong with a banana? or even a pear? But a leaf? Why aren't the left out fruit pissed at being dissed by a wanna-be fruit?

Anyways...just a thought.

Giving Thanks

I have been thinking on Thanksgiving more these days. And it's not just because I love cranberry's and pie (and believe me, I do!), but because I'm finally really understanding it. And I think it's an overlooked holiday. It's gotten sandwiched between an over-commercialized Halloween and Christmas. And all most are focusing on is a big dinner.

It's called THANKS giving not Turkey Day. I am seeing more and more that I have much to be thankful for. I have more than many in this world ever will. I own a home, I've found true love, I have a challenging but fun job with people I enjoy spending time with, a great family, I can see, walk, and even jog for short distances, I have friends, faith and food in my fridge. Man, I am blessed. It's time I start acting that way more often. Thankful of all that I do have instead of griping about what I think I should have. I think many Americans have lost their way in this regard. And I'm sorry it took me so long to get this Thanksgiving stuff.

Do you get it?

It's Beginning to Look a lot like !Christmas!!?

When I came back from lunch Monday afternoon I noticed they were putting Christmas wreaths on the building where I work. Not that they weren't lovely - they actually were. But I'm just not ready for it yet. I can't think Christmas until the turkey and pumpkin pie have passed my lips. I just can't. It seems wrong. But every year it seems people are decking the halls earlier and earlier. It's not that I don't love the holidays, I do. I love all that stuff that comes with it too. But I don't need it for 2 straight months. I think it takes some of the specialness (is that a word?) out of the holidays. Holidays are special because it's different from the norm. Soon decorations and carols will be the norm. I just don't get it. I know what it all is coming down to is the almighty dollar that the merchants are trying to make. And that's just sad in my mind.

Any ways...I'm just getting used to the idea that Thanksgiving is this coming week. I'm not ready for Christmas.

Chicken Soup For My Hubby's Soul

So I made homemade chicken soup tonight for dinner, for the first time. OK, so I used store bought chicken stock, but hey - who has time to make homemade chicken stock on a work night?

I have to say I am very proud of myself. It was darn good. And how do I know? My husband, the soup connissour, said it was great. Coming from a man who grew up with soup all the time that was a huge compliment. And what was really cool is that when he came home he was kinda down in the dumps and grumpy and by dinners end - he was smiling.

I think there is more soup making in my future.

Happy Birthday to Youuuu!!!

Happy Birthday to yoouuu!
Happy Birthday to You!
Happy Birthday dear Dad.
Happy Birthday to youuu!!

Tuesday is my Dad's birthday and I wanted to be the first to wish him the best. Looking forward to a nice dinner tomorrow night and lots of fun this weekend.

Love,
Sarah