Dump-cook Bakes

Those of you who know me well know that I don't bake. (Well technically, I do but only when forced.) Here are the reasons: too many bowls, dishes and measuring messes; and I don't like using recipes. (However, I adore recipe books, go figure.) I like to dump-cook and I have always heard that when baking you need to be exact.
Wrong-O! Yesterday I was looking in my pantry and I had purchased several baking items for a Christmas dinner party but as our holiday got away from us, there they were staring at me. So I grabbed out a few different items, a cake mix, a can of pumpkin and a can of Sweetened condensed milk. I decided to try dumping no recipe allowed and let the chips fall where they may.
Yum-O! (I have been watching too much Rachael Ray.)
I have proven a myth buster...you don't need a recipe to bake. Try dumping you just might be the next Pillsbury Bake Off winner!
Shannon loved it & Dave thought it was delicious he called right after he ate it to tell me.

Oh lonesome me

Last night was my first night without my husband. He is safely back in MN but what a void he left. When you have been married as long as I have (34 1/2 years) and your partner isn't around nothing feels right. I took the dog with me to drop him at the airport and she cried all the way home. Then last night she kept looking for him. She misses the warm lap and long legs to lay on. I miss our morning chat over coffee and the quiet comfort of company at night while we watch our favorite TV shows. He has it much worse, crazy work days, income taxes, cooking and the lonesomes! (Sorry honey, you didn't marry very well!)
To keep busy I will get started on all my projects that I haven't even looked at since I got here.

Just when I thought customer service (in Florida) was dead...these three little words changed all that...
Rick Case Honda.
Now they give customer service with a capital C!
On Saturday my car wouldn't start. We tried everything humanly possible(Dave helped) but in the end we had the vehicle towed to Rick Case Honda. Now those folks know how to treat people. From the receptionist, to the parts department, to the service team, to the guy who picked me up in the courtesy car, to the boy who brought my vehicle to me...what treatment. I felt like a Queen. So many smiles, each person knows your name, they all try to please you, it is amazing. I am still riding high. I might drive out tomorrow and have a free coffee or hot chocolate or maybe a pop and popcorn with my knew friends! I hardly noticed I had to drop a cool $360.00 on them for the repair.
If you have never had the pleasure of being treated like you've always wanted to be treated...go get your oil changed at Rick Case Honda!

Shoot out at the OK Corral-off Oakland Park Blvd

In Florida nobody gives a shit--have you noticed? I called property management (thanks Carol) but sadly they don't give a shit.
Last year I called and told them about my neighbors who have pigeons roosting in their awning. They were going to come right out and get rid of them. Still here.
"I told them the pool looks like green pond scum and that a rat was in front of our building". The girl said, "humm". I asked what she was going to do about it? She answered, "I don't have a clue". I said, "you might want to start by sending out the pool man who hasn't showed up in over a month & also sending out the exterminators that obviously aren't doing their job either". She said, "I will pass on those ideas." I said, "Thank you very much and while you're at it could you ask the head of your department to call me!"
I guess if you want something done in Florida you have to do it your self. Calling all guys with guns..........I am throwing a "free bullets & prey" party at my place-beer and snacks provided.

Flurrie of Fobias

Chicken shit--that's me. I am afraid of the ocean...I won't go on it or fly over it, due to fear of the unknown and sharks. I am afraid to fly, period (but I do-out of necessity) I'm afraid of bugs, mice (worse yet rats, basically anything that scurries or buzzes. So today when I saw a RAT at our complex I was terrified! And as luck would have it the rat ran right into the bushes by my door! I have had John out there three times with a broom making sure it has left the area. I was inside the house-door locked- watching him shake the bushes I couldn't help but think of "Cool Hand Luke"--shaking it up here boss!
What next? A crocodile? A shark in the pool? I'm not so sure that I shouldn't pack up and go home with him on Tuesday. I don't think I am cut out for Florida.

Bucket List

I watched an Oprah show about a year ago and she said to make a list of all the things you want to do before you die. I tried, but because I'm so freaking boring, I couldn't think of anything I wanted to do. Yesterday, when chatting with an old high school friend, I thought of some things I wanted to do in my retirement.

So here's the beginning of my bucket list:
- travel along the world's longest yardsale buying this and that
- visit Graceland and Dollywood
- take in an Oprah show (preferably on the day of her My Favorite Things show!)
- buy an RV and camp in every state in the union
- write a book
- put all the photos I have in scrapbooks
- also take more photos (and actually print them)
- buy a pontoon to fish Agate Lake

That's a long list...I better get started!!

Happy New Year!

I haven’t had much time to blog of late…well, if truth be told I haven’t had anything to blog about. John and I have been spending some time just relaxing, we also have spent some time with Shannon. Mostly we have been lazy, but it has felt so dang good.
We have done a few fun things since Christmas:
Some MN friends, Nina and Bill Caddy stayed with us a couple nights. We mostly just ate…except when I asked poor Bill to help John hang a ceiling fan for me and what a job that turned out to be, six hours, two men, a lot of the three S’s-sweat-swearing & sloshing (down beer that is). But thanks to Bill’s-need to succeed-they did it!
Saw two movies, PS I LOVE YOU (too sad) and Ella Enchanted (too cutesy).
A New Years Eve party at the Froyd’s; Partying with the young crowd was fun and I actually saw midnight! (A feat I usually never achieve.) Even though we left a little before midnight we rang in the new year at home. At the party there was food, booze and plenty of laughter. The stories were the most embarrassing moments of 2007, kind of thing. But the best part was the fireworks the boys shot off. Lots and lots of “ooo aah” fireworks. That display would make most small towns proud. (My favorites were the crackling kind…I love sparkle!)

Now for those darn resolutions…to chill out and forget about good intentions! (Yes! Now that I can do.)
So to all of you…Hope your last couple of weeks were wonderful and your new year…a happy healthy one! We'll talk again soon...Cheers!