This weekend I broke out the Weight Watchers cookbook I bought at the Planned Parenthood booksale last fall. Paul and I made a tomato chicken soup - it's quite delicious! I purchased all the ingredients yesterday at Fareway. I think planning meals is really the toughest part of healthy eating!
Paul's my chopper guy. He's my Mack the Knife. I organized the reciped and got the pans ready with olive oil whilst Chef Pablo was slicing and dicing. I needed to saute carrots, shallots. In the other pan I had chicken breasts cooking. Once the stuff then I added diced tomatoes, chix broth plus 2 potatoes diced and several herbs and spices. Brought that all to a boil. Through it all into the crockpot for a few hours along with the chicken and some funky beans that were drained and rinsed. Delish!
Today I'm marinating center cut chops with a honey/dijon mustard/red wine vinegar mix that I cooked for tomorrow night's supper. I'm banking on this snow to keep me home tomorrow. (I messed up, not realizing the stuff needed to marinate overnight). Paul's got chili cooking for today.
I did have pizza at A&G on Friday night - 1.5 pieces. But I deserved the hell out of it, despite my unhealthy eating ways of my week due to traveling. (lil hint - don't select the vegetarian ravioli at Olive Garden - it's a whopping freakin' 17 Weight Watchers points!) And that's not counting the nice lemondrop martini I had along with it.
I bought some darling little Clementines yesterday - you know those tiny oranges. 0 points. This is exactly why I'm trying out this WWatchers thing - to encourage the self-discipline it takes to eat better. Much easier at my house than in DSM. I'll keep working at it!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
Fried
I arrived home in Creston today fried to a crackly crunch. I mean toasted. I have not been in need of a weekend this badly in the two years since taking the DNR job. Whew!
The two days of auditing in Davenport and Dubuque were very wearing. The twelve hour days - between traveling and talking, questioning the auditees constantly during the audit. I'm not used to the constant "on" position. Tough on this old broad!
Day one we were in Davenport until 4:30 or so - in a cold room and touring facilities in and outside. The agency there has a delightful young energetic staff. I really like them! We headed to Dubuque, stopping in my college roomie, Vicki's hometown of DeWitt to gas up. Lucky for me Jeff took over driving duties. Pulled into the Fairfield Inn about 6:15 PM and at at Olive Garden next door. I had a nice Lemondrop that night. Slept lousy. Missed my bed (or my Joan bed).
Got lost trying to find the Public Works office in Dubuque - stress right away Thursday a.m. Another tough morning of constant talking. I get sick of hearing myself talk! After lunch we headed to the landfill on the west side of town, another cold visit to facilities. Long drive back with much discussion - I should have held me tongue more. Self flagellation later. We arrived in DSM about 6:30 - I had to gas up the car and arrived back at Joan's about 7:15 - decided not to head to Creston as last time I drove home late on a Thursday I ended up with car damage...
Went to bed exhausted before 9 PM. Woke up at 2:30 AM with my fretter all jacked up. Worrying about writing up the audits. Decided to read a bit to take my mind off of work stuff. Slept in until 6 AM and discovered snowy roads for my commute. Yuck! Headache popped up at work and didn't get rid of it all day. A bit slick on my drive home to Crestonia but my trusty Subaru got me here safely - left work about noon. Glad to be home! Still hurting head and quesy stomach - pizza at A&G with McKims - Ryan and Megan are visiting, and McFees. Pop another Frova and drink pop. Finally feel better. YAY. My weekend is here!
The two days of auditing in Davenport and Dubuque were very wearing. The twelve hour days - between traveling and talking, questioning the auditees constantly during the audit. I'm not used to the constant "on" position. Tough on this old broad!
Day one we were in Davenport until 4:30 or so - in a cold room and touring facilities in and outside. The agency there has a delightful young energetic staff. I really like them! We headed to Dubuque, stopping in my college roomie, Vicki's hometown of DeWitt to gas up. Lucky for me Jeff took over driving duties. Pulled into the Fairfield Inn about 6:15 PM and at at Olive Garden next door. I had a nice Lemondrop that night. Slept lousy. Missed my bed (or my Joan bed).
Got lost trying to find the Public Works office in Dubuque - stress right away Thursday a.m. Another tough morning of constant talking. I get sick of hearing myself talk! After lunch we headed to the landfill on the west side of town, another cold visit to facilities. Long drive back with much discussion - I should have held me tongue more. Self flagellation later. We arrived in DSM about 6:30 - I had to gas up the car and arrived back at Joan's about 7:15 - decided not to head to Creston as last time I drove home late on a Thursday I ended up with car damage...
Went to bed exhausted before 9 PM. Woke up at 2:30 AM with my fretter all jacked up. Worrying about writing up the audits. Decided to read a bit to take my mind off of work stuff. Slept in until 6 AM and discovered snowy roads for my commute. Yuck! Headache popped up at work and didn't get rid of it all day. A bit slick on my drive home to Crestonia but my trusty Subaru got me here safely - left work about noon. Glad to be home! Still hurting head and quesy stomach - pizza at A&G with McKims - Ryan and Megan are visiting, and McFees. Pop another Frova and drink pop. Finally feel better. YAY. My weekend is here!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
On the road
I'm on the road again. Hit the road at 5:30 a.m. today - picked up my supe and another colleague. We headed to Davenport for an Environmental Management System audit. It was more fun than it sounds. We meet with people from the local recycling facilities and landfill. We get to ask them questions about what they do.
You prolly know by now I am interested about that stuff. I AM the trash lady after all! So I like talking trash.
After our long day, Jeff, Jen and I drove to Dubuque and checked into the Fairfield Inn. We ate at the Olive Garden nearby (I had a nice cocktail) and now I'm relaxing before I hit the hay.
Tomorrow we hit the audit trail again at the Dubuque Solid Waste Agency. I hope we cruise through it and get back to Des Moines at a decent time - like 6 PM. Today sucked for a Weight Watchers participant!
You prolly know by now I am interested about that stuff. I AM the trash lady after all! So I like talking trash.
After our long day, Jeff, Jen and I drove to Dubuque and checked into the Fairfield Inn. We ate at the Olive Garden nearby (I had a nice cocktail) and now I'm relaxing before I hit the hay.
Tomorrow we hit the audit trail again at the Dubuque Solid Waste Agency. I hope we cruise through it and get back to Des Moines at a decent time - like 6 PM. Today sucked for a Weight Watchers participant!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
It's a Christmas Miracle...at New Years...
Joan's basement is cleaned out of all the stacks of clothing that have been there - on the couch since...forever! She's had some of the clothes for 13 years - since before she moved to Kansas City and back. A few still had tags attached. I'd like to claim responsibility for getting her to recycle said threads. I've been threatening to take matters into my own hands. But no.
Twas her sis, and the threat of an upcoming party she was throwing! Ah nothing like throwing a party to get one motivated to clean house! It gets me motivated to deep clean too. Joan said she and her sis Jeanne were up until 4 a.m. Friday sorting and spiffing. They put up shelves and stuffed the apparel into some seven trash bags - bound for a women's shelter and Goodwill. Yay for Joan!
And I thought I was doing good by cleaning out old food from my cupboards! I'm motivated to look through her Tupperware (translate - all things plastic) cupboard next. She's got lots of bottoms and lots of tops but you can't find one to match the other!
Twas her sis, and the threat of an upcoming party she was throwing! Ah nothing like throwing a party to get one motivated to clean house! It gets me motivated to deep clean too. Joan said she and her sis Jeanne were up until 4 a.m. Friday sorting and spiffing. They put up shelves and stuffed the apparel into some seven trash bags - bound for a women's shelter and Goodwill. Yay for Joan!
And I thought I was doing good by cleaning out old food from my cupboards! I'm motivated to look through her Tupperware (translate - all things plastic) cupboard next. She's got lots of bottoms and lots of tops but you can't find one to match the other!
Monday, January 3, 2011
My Gertrude Stein
One of my very fave Christmas gifts of all time was one from my Aunt Marty - my Gertrude Stein. Of course I'd never heard of her at the time I received the mug. Alice is so ugly she's cute - and her little lover Alice B. Toklas sits on her handle.
Gertrude was an American thinker and writer known for the art studio she put together with her brother Leo. The stein sits in a place of honor in our house - on the blanket press Paul built in the living room for all to see.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
My long weekend
Look how much I love my sissies! I love that TV too - I wonder if that's the one I used to watch Captain Kangaroo on?
I think Chris Deardorff (the red head) had ADD - she can't even pay attention to the camera. Yet Robyn (big smile front row) is hamming it up even then. Let's hope she wasn't "airing out her bottom" that day - going commando. I wish I could see what the necklace was that I have on. Is it something I won? Or some fabulous jewel? Lee - the birthday girl - blondie on the left - looks ready for everyone to just leave!
I like seeing what our house looked like. My goodness we had a lot of stuff around. I am reading right now with the lamp behind Betso. And I had the chair Mom is on for years, even got it re-covered once, but the springs just sprung too badly after 50 or so years of use. Our kitchen was so cool - with a bar sink right behind Mom. 
This fireplace was in our basement right at the bottom of the stairs. In the winter, Dad used to grill on it and we'd have barbeque night - we'd eat down there. I remember Betsy sitting in her little "high" chair - it was a portable one low to the ground. But in this pic, she wasn't around yet. We had a sitter named Mrs. Wise, who didn't keep a good enough eye on me one New Years Eve. I managed to drink the charcoal lighter kept by this fireplace.
So the whole fam damily had to truck down to old Atlantic Hospital as I had my stomach pumped. Susi relates that she had to come home from Marci Cochrons - a social faux pax. All my fault. Luckily I had no ill effects from that episode. I imagine it had a large part in me ending up working to bring safe disposal of household hazardous waste to Iowans. Burp!
Blog continued:
My weekend is nearly at an end. I really could do one more day without being totally bored. Alas I must get back to work. Today was quiet - church at 9 a.m. was the most excitement. Yes, not to worry - I prayed for all you heathens.
McFees and Higgins came over yesterday afternoon to watch some bowl games. Good to see everyone after Christmas. Hadn't seen Sharon and Al since, welp, for a long while! I feel so bad for her - her dad Bill is getting up there in years and her mom Viv has been gone for a couple years now.
Sharon's carried the load looking after Bill, making sure he's eating and taking meds etc. But he's had some health setbacks in the past few months and things aren't getting better. He's not a good patient. I can see it wearing on her - remember how it felt to "be the ball" when Dad was at Allen House but insisted he was going home. Thank God for Kay Harris! So I'm glad Higgins were able to get out and have a couple drinks. Plus we got to catch up with Bobbie, Jeff and Kimmy.
I walked down memory lane and scanned old photos today. Sure takes me back! From college to the kid's youthful years. I worried about both children of course- both were on the road. Amy traveling back up to Beaver Creek in snowy weather to work at Beano's. She's not going back until tomorrow a.m. so I'll continue to fret until she's back in Denver safe and sound. And Jud and Kara drove to Owatonna MN to meet her family. Gulp! I texted him asking if they were as wierd as we are. He got right back to me saying "Nope your weirder" Geez doesn't anybody in today's generation now the diff between you're and your? One is possessive! But I texted back and said "good!"
I want to be weird and interesting!
McFees and Higgins came over yesterday afternoon to watch some bowl games. Good to see everyone after Christmas. Hadn't seen Sharon and Al since, welp, for a long while! I feel so bad for her - her dad Bill is getting up there in years and her mom Viv has been gone for a couple years now.
Sharon's carried the load looking after Bill, making sure he's eating and taking meds etc. But he's had some health setbacks in the past few months and things aren't getting better. He's not a good patient. I can see it wearing on her - remember how it felt to "be the ball" when Dad was at Allen House but insisted he was going home. Thank God for Kay Harris! So I'm glad Higgins were able to get out and have a couple drinks. Plus we got to catch up with Bobbie, Jeff and Kimmy.
I walked down memory lane and scanned old photos today. Sure takes me back! From college to the kid's youthful years. I worried about both children of course- both were on the road. Amy traveling back up to Beaver Creek in snowy weather to work at Beano's. She's not going back until tomorrow a.m. so I'll continue to fret until she's back in Denver safe and sound. And Jud and Kara drove to Owatonna MN to meet her family. Gulp! I texted him asking if they were as wierd as we are. He got right back to me saying "Nope your weirder" Geez doesn't anybody in today's generation now the diff between you're and your? One is possessive! But I texted back and said "good!"
I want to be weird and interesting!
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Day 1 2011
2011 - I remember when we were going to party like "it's 1999". I'm watching all the year end TV shows and the prognostications looking ahead. Gloom and doom. Gas prices, food prices, crappy weather. In my experience, worrying about that stuff has been worse than actually living through it!
2010 was a pretty good year, I must say! Paul and I certainly enjoy having adult children. Not to say we didn't like having little ones - it was great while we were there, and I do get nostalgic for some parts of that. I'm also remembering my more youthful looks fondly - a face that didn't contain so many lines. (have you ever caught sight of yourself in the side mirror of the car - ey yie yie. they aren't kidding when they say objects are larger - the craters in my face! all the way out to Colorado I looked at them...)
I'd like to live with my honey each and every day. It's like a little divorce each Monday when I leave - we each have to steel ourselves to life without each other, except for that nightly phone call. But it's not looking like that's going to happen any day soon. So we'll keep on carrying on this way. The good news is - we love our friends and our home.
We had some great trips in 2011 - not starting with the one on 1/1/2010. That was when we drove home from Phoenix - the fun Christmas/ISU Bowlgame trip. Oh the trip was all fun (Christmas with my fam, bowl game - McKims, Conovers), but the drive home was pretty wretched - just because it was so f'in long. I think we laid low after that until our Marco Island, FL trip with Cindo - fab as usual and so relaxing. By the time we got back, it was spring!
Then our travel schedule really got hopping. The bestest part of all our trips was the people. We know some swell folks! Whether family or friends we are blessed with the best! (I know - kinda sugary sweet for me. Please don't let it rot your teeth right outta your head..)
2010 was a pretty good year, I must say! Paul and I certainly enjoy having adult children. Not to say we didn't like having little ones - it was great while we were there, and I do get nostalgic for some parts of that. I'm also remembering my more youthful looks fondly - a face that didn't contain so many lines. (have you ever caught sight of yourself in the side mirror of the car - ey yie yie. they aren't kidding when they say objects are larger - the craters in my face! all the way out to Colorado I looked at them...)
I'd like to live with my honey each and every day. It's like a little divorce each Monday when I leave - we each have to steel ourselves to life without each other, except for that nightly phone call. But it's not looking like that's going to happen any day soon. So we'll keep on carrying on this way. The good news is - we love our friends and our home.
We had some great trips in 2011 - not starting with the one on 1/1/2010. That was when we drove home from Phoenix - the fun Christmas/ISU Bowlgame trip. Oh the trip was all fun (Christmas with my fam, bowl game - McKims, Conovers), but the drive home was pretty wretched - just because it was so f'in long. I think we laid low after that until our Marco Island, FL trip with Cindo - fab as usual and so relaxing. By the time we got back, it was spring!
Then our travel schedule really got hopping. The bestest part of all our trips was the people. We know some swell folks! Whether family or friends we are blessed with the best! (I know - kinda sugary sweet for me. Please don't let it rot your teeth right outta your head..)
All in the same general time period: Taste of Chicago with Behrs and Wilts - a college buddy gathering. Stopped to see Juddy at his internship at J. Deere in Moline along our way. Memorial Day in Colorado at Cindo's and with Amy and the historical tour and retro concert at Red Rock. Gorgeous weather. Fun with our daughter. The McFee wedding. Independence Day was a rain out but we had fun drinking with the McFee clan and newlyweds Caleb and Krissy.
Then the big trip - Pasedena (this as I watch the Rose Bowl Parade - cooler now that I've been there), via LA, Santa Monica and Hollywood. For niece Leslie's wedding - with most of my beloved fam along for the big event. Not enough time to sufficiently talk to them all of course. We'll never forget making friends with Jorge the shuttle driver (we were with Cindo and Bolder - B makes friends wherever he goes) at the Best Western in SM - hugs all around when it was time to leave! Watching the Rose Bowl parade today as I write this - means a bit more now that I've been there! Jud, Paul and Bold liked the sports bar with a gazillion beers.
Paul and I did a combo work/Goldsmith fam trip to NW Iowa in August. Hauled the kayaks along while we visited first my old workplace Fox River and my friend Karla Smith in Osage. Then the nearby landfill and on to Decorah where we stayed at a cool restored hotel. Kayaked the Upper Iowa river on our way to the Goldsmith fam reunion in Preston, MN. Paul was STRIPPED of the green jacket at the golf tourney (what a relief). Stayed at the Jailhouse Bed & Breakfast - lovely place.
The very next weekend it was off to Osage Beach, MO - yes we are well traveled folks hitting all the Midwest states! Al and Sharon Higgins were kind enough to invite us once again to their lovely home on the lake there. This year they even got to stay (last year Sharon's aunt passed away). McFees and McKims also sweated away the weekend with us. Seriously hot - so we floated lots (yet my ice never melted...thanks Tervis Tumbler). And sipped, while under attack by some flying little fish. I had great concern one might fly into Sharon's cleavage...(I wasn't as obvious a target..)
It was very sad the next week to learn of Diana McKim's mom Betty's sudden death in a car accident. She was such a nice lady - we missed her tailgating this fall. I feel badly for Jim, going it alone now. Reminds me of Dad after mom passed away - like a rudderless ship. I hope 2011 is a healing time for the Brown family.
Of course September kicked off football season. It kinda dominates our lives! But in a good way. This year we went to KC in September for the KSU game. Headed out from the Elms Club and partied right through the night. Pretty good for old folks! Ran into Jud and buddies there - I don't know which group was having more fun?!? The piano bar at the Power and Light district (and the blue stuff we drank there) was the best! Tailgating was fun too - met the guy in the gold double-knit sansabelt pants who knew Creston gals.
Had some good tailgates in Ames too - as usual. Having the McKim RV makes all the difference. Don and Diana just keep improving the '92 Vista Cruiser (okay I might have made that title up). Don put new flooring in this year and a sound system. Pimpin'! We all got Cyclone Snuggies at the Texas Tech game - and they were good luck! We have such a good group to hang with - Jud and roomies loved us (something about the food, beer and flatscreen).
Amy was back for the Utah game (good to see her college roomie Chelle and we got to meet Jud's GF Kara. Deb and Larry were there (in their Utes costumes) too. That night we old folks even went to the compustown bars. And the Nebraska game was a Big 4 Plus More reunion - bringing together my college roomies, Hauser, Julia and Paul's buddies Mike and Tom. It was almost too much - like getting married - too many people to talk to!
The next weekend Diana and I decided we had to go to the Colorado game in Boulder. We got rooms at the Millenium that were $150, but included $100 coupons for food/drinks. We were up to the challenge. Unfortunately the Clones weren't... But we got to see Amy briefly and the Cyclone tailgate before the game was lots of fun.
The Goldsmith Christmas gathering Thanksgiving weekend in Earlville was special this year as we had a surprise 70th birthday party for Carol on Saturday. So Tom and Terry Meyer were there with fams along with Barb. Good to see everyone as usual! Those Goldschmidts are a great group. Love 'em.
Finishing up with our Christmas trip to Colorado. See my past couple blogs - so luck Lefebrvres let us horn in on their Christmas.
Then the big trip - Pasedena (this as I watch the Rose Bowl Parade - cooler now that I've been there), via LA, Santa Monica and Hollywood. For niece Leslie's wedding - with most of my beloved fam along for the big event. Not enough time to sufficiently talk to them all of course. We'll never forget making friends with Jorge the shuttle driver (we were with Cindo and Bolder - B makes friends wherever he goes) at the Best Western in SM - hugs all around when it was time to leave! Watching the Rose Bowl parade today as I write this - means a bit more now that I've been there! Jud, Paul and Bold liked the sports bar with a gazillion beers.
Paul and I did a combo work/Goldsmith fam trip to NW Iowa in August. Hauled the kayaks along while we visited first my old workplace Fox River and my friend Karla Smith in Osage. Then the nearby landfill and on to Decorah where we stayed at a cool restored hotel. Kayaked the Upper Iowa river on our way to the Goldsmith fam reunion in Preston, MN. Paul was STRIPPED of the green jacket at the golf tourney (what a relief). Stayed at the Jailhouse Bed & Breakfast - lovely place.
The very next weekend it was off to Osage Beach, MO - yes we are well traveled folks hitting all the Midwest states! Al and Sharon Higgins were kind enough to invite us once again to their lovely home on the lake there. This year they even got to stay (last year Sharon's aunt passed away). McFees and McKims also sweated away the weekend with us. Seriously hot - so we floated lots (yet my ice never melted...thanks Tervis Tumbler). And sipped, while under attack by some flying little fish. I had great concern one might fly into Sharon's cleavage...(I wasn't as obvious a target..)
It was very sad the next week to learn of Diana McKim's mom Betty's sudden death in a car accident. She was such a nice lady - we missed her tailgating this fall. I feel badly for Jim, going it alone now. Reminds me of Dad after mom passed away - like a rudderless ship. I hope 2011 is a healing time for the Brown family.
Of course September kicked off football season. It kinda dominates our lives! But in a good way. This year we went to KC in September for the KSU game. Headed out from the Elms Club and partied right through the night. Pretty good for old folks! Ran into Jud and buddies there - I don't know which group was having more fun?!? The piano bar at the Power and Light district (and the blue stuff we drank there) was the best! Tailgating was fun too - met the guy in the gold double-knit sansabelt pants who knew Creston gals.
Had some good tailgates in Ames too - as usual. Having the McKim RV makes all the difference. Don and Diana just keep improving the '92 Vista Cruiser (okay I might have made that title up). Don put new flooring in this year and a sound system. Pimpin'! We all got Cyclone Snuggies at the Texas Tech game - and they were good luck! We have such a good group to hang with - Jud and roomies loved us (something about the food, beer and flatscreen).
Amy was back for the Utah game (good to see her college roomie Chelle and we got to meet Jud's GF Kara. Deb and Larry were there (in their Utes costumes) too. That night we old folks even went to the compustown bars. And the Nebraska game was a Big 4 Plus More reunion - bringing together my college roomies, Hauser, Julia and Paul's buddies Mike and Tom. It was almost too much - like getting married - too many people to talk to!
The next weekend Diana and I decided we had to go to the Colorado game in Boulder. We got rooms at the Millenium that were $150, but included $100 coupons for food/drinks. We were up to the challenge. Unfortunately the Clones weren't... But we got to see Amy briefly and the Cyclone tailgate before the game was lots of fun.
The Goldsmith Christmas gathering Thanksgiving weekend in Earlville was special this year as we had a surprise 70th birthday party for Carol on Saturday. So Tom and Terry Meyer were there with fams along with Barb. Good to see everyone as usual! Those Goldschmidts are a great group. Love 'em.
Finishing up with our Christmas trip to Colorado. See my past couple blogs - so luck Lefebrvres let us horn in on their Christmas.
And all the work and blood, sweat and tears in between all the funn stuff of course. We are two lucky souls! We found each other. We popped out three great kids. One hasn't given us one bit of lip...okay he's in heaven but he has been good! The other two are good citizens - hard workers, thrifty and are loving children. Who could ask for more?
So bring on more in 2011~!
So bring on more in 2011~!
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