For the past twelve plus years; I've worked for a technology company that builds travel sales websites. My job of course, has NOTHING to do with technology; since it is something that I have very little understanding of. Instead, I work in the accounting department (which is something that I never would have expected to hear myself saying 20 years ago; but nonetheless, it's true;) collections to be exact. I'm telling you this so that you'll understand that even though my company builds the websites; they are also involved in sales and they are constantly trying to find ways to increase our business.
Granted; my schedule is usually PRETTY busy; but today was one for the record books; at least mine. Having two daughters with birthday's this time of year, in addition to the holiday parties at school, and the holidays themselves; makes for quite a lot to do; so I thought I would take a couple of hours off from work today, to try and accomplish some of the many errands that I had on my to do list.
I worked from 5am to 7am and then again from 8 to 10. I went to Payless, Old Navy, Target AND Super Wal-mart, all within an hour and a half. One of the items that I needed was on sale at Target, but it wasn't in stock at the location that I went to; so I headed to Wal-mart since they price match. I was able to get what I needed for the price that I wanted; as well as cookies for Nicky's class, donut holes for Lyndzi's and cookies for Saturday, for Lyndzi's soccer team; however, the Wal-mart item that I needed, wasn't available at the store I was at. I was off to the mall, because I needed to go to the Disney store and Claire's, but Mari called and she had to meet up with me to give me some fabric that she had cut for the girls craft project; so we went for a quick bite.
I left Mari, then stopped at my house to pick up the cupcakes that I needed to bring to Lyndzi's class to celebrate her birthday (which is not until Saturday.) I had a few minutes to spare, so I returned a call to the man that I'd been trying to coordinate our end of season, soccer tournament with. I headed out the door, cupcakes in hand; and arrived at Lyndzi's class, exactly as scheduled. After saying goodbye, I went back home, and resumed my soccer tournament negotiations.
I picked the kids up from school at 3, and took Lyndzi to the Orthodontist. I called Luis and asked him if he could put up the pot roast that I'd defrosted; if I gave him directions. Luis agreed, and so I talked him through my no fail pot roast recipe.
Disclaimer: You can find this EXACT recipe IN the Reynold's oven bag box; but for the sake of (say it with me;) "The greater good;" I wanted to bring it to your intention in case you weren't aware of it.
You'll need: Reynold's large oven bags, 13x9x2 inch or larger baking pan, at least two inches deep. 3 to 3 1/2lb boneless beef chuck roast, Lipton onion soup mix, 1/4 cup flour, 2/3 cup water, potatoes, onion, carrots, mushrooms, celery and parsnips are all OPTIONAL; but highly recommended (by me;) except maybe the celery.
Preheat the oven to 325
Shake the flour into the bag, and then add the water and soup mix to the bag. Squeeze the bag to blend the flour. Add the roast to the bag. Turn the bag to coat the roast with sauce. Place any veggies in bag, around the roast.
Close oven bag with the nylon tie that's provided. Cut six 1/2 inch slits in top. Tuck end of bag under roast in pan.
Bake 2 1/2 to 3 hours or until the roast is tender; and I promise you that this will be absolutely perfect.
Immediately after Lyndzi's Orthodontist appointment, I ran home and exchanged Lyndzi for Nicky as WE had some errands to run. I took Nicky to Quick Trip to get a gift card for the Student Council advisor that he'd drawn for their secret Santa. Went to Kohl's to pay my bill, and the dollar store to buy elf hats for the kids spirit week at school; as well as a white elephant gift that Nicky could bring to class. I was driving in the direction of the Super Wal-mart near my house; (as opposed to the one that I'd been to earlier,) but decided that I didn't really have time to go in, because I had to make it home and feed the kids before my 7pm soccer board meeting.
I stopped at Wendy's and picked up three baked potatoes for the kids; to accompany the No fail pot roast that Luis was cooking. The roast had about 40 minutes to go, so I prepared Nicky's white elephant gift, wrote out cards for all three of the kids teachers and the secret Santa recipient. I fed the kids and managed to take a couple of bites of Pot roast myself; before my friend Jenny arrived to go to our meeting.
I attended our soccer board meeting for about an hour or so, and once I arrived home, I FINALLY got to sit down for a few minutes, before writing my blog. Now don't get me wrong; I am NOT complaining. As crazy busy as I am right now; I am so grateful for the reasons that I'm busy and I'd gladly do all of this and more; for those that I love. It is my pleasure to make things special for them in every way that I can.
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING
On November 19, I received the following request from my friend Judy, on Facebook: The Rules: Don't take too long to think about it. Fifteen authors (poets included) who have influenced you and will always stick with you. List the first 15 you can recall in no more than 15 minutes, and they don't have to be listed in order of relevance to you.
Now even though I don't fulfill every request I receive on Facebook; this one sounded interesting to me; but up until now, I couldn't find the time. However; tonight, faced with nothing particular to write about, I remembered Judy's "Authors" request, and thought I'd take a stab at it. Now Judy's request just called for me to list the authors; but I just wouldn't be me if I didn't add my two sense as well. So as the instructions state; in no particular order; here's my list:
1. Meg Cabot - "The Queen of Babble" series is my favorite; but I've read all of her adult works as well. She is also quite well known for "The Princess Diaries."
2. Jennifer Weiner - I would have to say that of all of her books, I enjoyed "Good In Bed" the most; and her sequel "Certain Girls," moved me to tears. I've read almost everything that she's written, and you'd probably know her best, for "In Her Shoes," which was made into a movie with Shirley MacLaine, Cameron Diaz and Toni Collette.
3. Dr. Seuss - Need I say more? But If I must... "Oh The Places You'll Go."
4. Judy Blume - I was a total addict as a kid; and I must have read ALL of her books; including "Forever" which was quite controversial at the time; (at least in my house.)
5. Wally Lamb - "She's Come Undone" is still one of my all time favorites. I read it 14 years ago and it has a special place in my heart. I was so impressed that a man could write a woman character as well as Mr. Lamb did; and I could honestly say that I would read this book again.
6. Maeve Binchy - I read "Circle of Friends" AFTER seeing the movie; and immediately fell in love with Maeve Binchy. With the exception of her most recent book; I have read all of her works and I am always so excited to see that she's come out with something new.
7. A.A. Milne - Author of my beloved "Winnie The Pooh."
8. Helen Keller - Although I've only recently become acquainted with Ms. Keller's work; I find her words to be profound and true to my heart.
9. Louis May Alcott - I adored "Little Women" when I was growing up, and even though I own the DVD, I can never pass up watching it when it's on TV. The story is timeless. I love the setting, the time period, the characters; and I can't wait until my girls are old enough to be introduced to this wonderful book.
10. Candace Bushnell - I hadn't read one of her books until "The Carrie Diaries;" which I tore through. Oh how can we ever thank her enough for the joy that is "Sex And The City."
11. Sophie Kinsella - While waiting for "Confessions Of A Shopaholic" to become available at the library, I read "Undomestic Goddess," which was a delightful romp. Once I finally had the opportunity to read "Shopaholic," I thought that it was well worth the wait. I'm STILL waiting to read the remainder of the series; so if anyone local has them on hand; PLEASE loan them my way.
12. Frances Hodgson Burnett - How I cherished "A Little Princess." I read it multiple times; and in the summer of 88' I was DELIGHTED to have the attic room of our bayside rental, because it reminded me of Sarah's room at Ms. Minchin's.
13. Jane Austen - Now I won't lie, and pretend that I read "Emma," or "Sense And Sensibility;" but I did love both movies; and both stories are on my list of books to read.
14. Erma Bombeck - Her wit and intelligence are what I aspire to.
15. Cathy Kelly - Now I already told you how much I enjoy Maeve Binchy, and my pursuit to read all that she'd written, lead me to "Irish Girls about Town," which is a collection of short stories by female, Irish authors. My favorite story was by Cathy Kelly, and so I went on to read another of her books; and will continue to do so.
I can only hope that one day, my name will appear on someone's list of 15 authors that have influenced them.
Till next time...
Queen of EVERYTHING
For the past twelve plus years; I've worked for a technology company that builds travel sales websites. My job of course, has NOTHING to do with technology; since it is something that I have very little understanding of. Instead, I work in the accounting department (which is something that I never would have expected to hear myself saying 20 years ago; but nonetheless, it's true;) collections to be exact. I'm telling you this so that you'll understand that even though my company builds the websites; they are also involved in sales and they are constantly trying to find ways to increase our business.
