Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving meals have been spread throughout the week. I cooked a turkey on Monday. I baked breads and pies on Thanksgiving day so Noel and I had a small meal. We had an official meal at Joseph and Kim's on Saturday. By Sunday I added dressing to our leftovers. Maybe I'll get to the jello next weekend.

So here's how the week long sporatic Thanksgiving preparation went

Noel said he didn't want to pick a turkey. I thought he meant he didn't want to pick one out at the grocery store. No, he didn't want to pick the meat of the turkey bone. That's getting pretty darn lazy if you ask me. This has been he and Kim's assignment for years because I didn't like the job. Did I say lazy? This year I solved this problem and bought a turkey breast. Upon closer look I realized I purchased a para paraplegic turkey, no legs, with a turkey breast still on the bone. So I did the deed.

On my way home from work Wed. I stopped at Wal-mart to buy canned milk to make pumpkin pies. Staring at my hungry face were pre-made pies. I purchased the milk and succumbed to the 3.00 Wal-mart special which I do not recommend. The generic pie tasted like squash, probably similar the true, original American pumpkin pie. Isn't this what what the pilgrims and Little House of the Prairie folks ate? When I eat pumpkin pie, it shouldn't taste like a vegetable, I want something that tastes like dessert with sugar and spices. So Thursday I mixed traditional crustless pies with all the spices.

This tradition came about because of my laziness and dislike for making crusts. The best part of the pie is the pumpkin filling not the crust. Save consumed calories of crust by eating more filling.



This tradition worked fine until the Joseph married and I had a daughter- in law to impress. I didn't want Kim to think I was some slouch so I bought pre-made crust for the pie. She and Joseph arrived Wed evening before Thanksgiving as I was just about to pour the filling in the crust. Kim announced "I don't like crust."

"Hallelujah, and welcome to our family. "Well, then why am I pouring filling into this crust?" Because there's a crust.

Back to the present:

Since cooking disaster is listed in my title page I must report on one occasionally.
I started to mix bread and couldn't find the yeast which I swear I just opened the previous seek. I searched in all the obvious and odd places \where I might have placed the newly opened yeast. Couldn't find the yeast so I opened a new package. By then the bread dough was cold so the loaves never rose to a decent height.



Trying to fulfill my assignment for Kim and Joseph's thanksgiving dinner I decided to Make Parker House rolls which have always been successful using mother's recipe. Whoa, I didn't have shortening. So I researched several recipes on the Internet which called for butter. The mixed dough turned into unleavened rolls. More yeast problems.If we hadn't eaten them we would still be waiting for them to raise. Rule number one in our house, We eat all mistakes. great flavor, just a flat look.



Saturday we drove to Ogden to Kim and Joseph's for a decent meal. I was in charge of carbohydrates, mashed potatoes, and rolls. That's why I was trying to make them in the first place. The potatoes turned out great and I summoned my courage to try again a new batch of rolls using a different Parker House Roll recipe. I could tell they weren't going to rise either. I headed to the craft fair with instructions to Noel. "If I"m not home by 11:30 bake those rolls no matter what they look like."

Upon my return I was pleasantly surprised to see the baked rolls had risen somewhat. Noel did a great job. First he turned up the heat in the house, then he turned on the oven and warmed those babies up so they would rise half mast. I didn't get a picture because Noel ate them so quickly.

We took store bought rolls to Joseph and Kim's since the half mast rolls didn't look light and fluffy, but they were an improvement over the un-leavened ones. Next time I going back to mother's recipe and turn up the thermostat.

What's Happening?

What's Happening on campus?

Clubs
USU has over a hundred clubs; It seems like they have a club for every interest. There's posters advertising activities and fund raisers. Every week a different club sets up a table in the hall to recruit or sell tickets to fund raise. The Statesman ran an editorial about "Clubs out of Control." "It seems like anyone can create a club. Shouldn't organizations serve meaningful purposes?"

But what about the Aggie Nap club. It's mission statement was to Provide students with the opportunity to take a well deserved nap.

Then there's the Fort Night Club. It proved a students a with a study night during Finals Week where people can build blanket forts. Also listed was a Hacky Sack Club.

"Let's quite trying to be the school with the most creative clubs and get involved in stuff that matters."

One week I saw the Nap Club members out in the hall trying to recruit. They had a list of all the fun activities they want to do. I asked "Where can I get a good nap?' They couldn't answer.

Since school has started, I've notice the couches in the TSC lounges are always taken when I want a nap after work. The pictures shows hoe empty they were in the summer.



Love seats in the institute are a little scrunchy. So I had to walk five minutes to the library to find a decent, empty couch for my nap.

I think the nap club is extreme. I showed the (nap) student the editorial in the paper, which he hadn't read.

Slow Food Movement
In October the paper ran an article about "Slow Food on Campus Chapter" Did you know that a "Slow Food Movement is a nationally recognized and hopes to decelerate the rapid pace of consumerism.

So what is slow food? Does that mean you need to eat slowly, or it takes a long time to prepare? Just the terms "Slow Food Movement" sounds like something done in the bathroom.

The paper goes on to say "Students are the biggest abusers of processed foods, eating whatever is most convenient.""

It's the opposite of Fast Foods. Why don't call a spade a spade? It's a request to return to scratch cooking and eating fruits and vegetables. The article touts a return to support local organic farmers.

What's New

What’s Changed or What’s new at University?

When I arrived this summer at USU and toured the campus I noticed a few changes since my days in college at another campus 38 years ago.



While in the library I saw a coffee / sandwich shop in the front of the
library. How novel combining food with libraries and books. How handy for getting snack.

Further inside I found bookstore vending machine with pencils, paper, etc. What a fresh idea
Students can buy supplies without running to the bookstore. Why hadn't they done that years
ago?



Take a good look and guess what the two most popular selling items are in the vending
machine?





According to my sources. #1 item, test cards in the upper left hand corner
#2. Swedish Fish, amazing, I had no idea fish were so popular.

Compare to this sign I saw in BYU book store



If Chocolate Cinnamon Bears are a tradition at BYU, are they more popular than Swedish Fish? What did you munch on in college?

Anyway back to changes.
I’ve observed how posters have improved, they are four color, with great designs and graphics. Gone are the stenciled hand made signs announcing activities in the OLDEN days.



No, I"m not going to pray for snow.


I thought these were attractive posters.



Ok something new free in the drama department that I haven't seen.




Did you know USU has an escort service? Look at this poster



One day I visited the Aggie Ice cream place when some campus policemen came in and ordered.

“Are you breaking tradition by ordering ice cream? ( referring to donuts?)

“No we still eat donuts too.”

I remembered the poster I had seen. Now which one of these men would I want for an escort?

Last week I saw this sign hanging in the hall?

Last week I saw a sign for "Gender Blender' activity. What's that?



I'll be the first to admit I didn't read the fine print;I always saw it in passing. I kept seeing this poster everywhere.



The campus newspaper, The Statesman answered my question when they ran an article. ....
"It's a party sponsored by, and benefit for Cache Valley Gay-Straight Alliance, where people get to have fun and play around with gender expression.. This has been an annual event for ten years. Typically men dress as women and women dress as men to cross typical gender lines. This year however, the focus is on gender fluidity.”

“It’s a safe place for people to experiment with any aspect of gender identity.” ....It’s like putting everyone in a blender and when we all come out, everyone is the same.”

The Beta Chicks band performed, there was a drag contest and guess what the prize was? A Persian Peacock Gift Certificate.

I tell you things have changed since I was in college. Gender Blender isn’t a drink. Come on give me a break, Everyone should be alike? Why didn't they dress up for the Mascarade ball, which was held weeks ago, or just go drag to the "Halloween Howl"? Why did they need to hold a separate event? I don't think all the liberals are at ISU.

Consumer Report: Dollar Store Brooms

A week ago I promoted the wonderful Rubbermaid Lobby Pro. Since that time the broom broke. What good is a Lobby Pro without a broom. The end of October we started reminding Cherie to buy a broom. Cherie didn't want to carry a broom on the bus. No none will give a second glance at you carrying a broom at Halloween time.

Last week she came through the door with two new brooms. Wow! we only asked for one.






Upon second glance, They are so small, such tiny brooms.

"I could comb my hair with that broom.



"Well, What do you expect from the dollar store?" Cherie asserted.

"I could brush my teeth with that thing."



"Oh come on, just be grateful I bought new brooms."

"My sister would like these brooms. She collects miniatures."

Later after harassing Cherie, I had a chance to try the broom. The hair cut didn't take long but sweeping sure did. I nearly wore myself out.

With all due respect, the broom does a great job in corners and small places.

Birth of Hair Balls

What excitement is going on in the barber shop this week?

Part of the barbershop floor is carpeted so we vacuum with an ancient Kirby. One day Steph
said, “That vacuum really needs to be emptied.” I hadn’t even noticed. Maybre I thought it was
puffed with air, but no It was chuck full of hair.

“How do you empty a Kirby? I wasn’t sure; I thought it was bagless. Amazing that it still sucked hair.



The next time Cherie came in I said, "Cherie, we have a job for your?"

"What's that?"

"The vacuum needs to be emptied."

"I don't know how to empty the vacuum," she disclosed. She claimed it's never been emptied since she owned the shop, 18 months or since Dick quit working five years ago. Hat's off to Kirby machine that can still suck up through five years worth of hair.

Then I didn't dare vacuum for fear of an explosion.

So today Sera and I decided to tackle the task.



I tilted the vacuum and pushed while she pulled and three giants hairballs this size were born. Look at the mass of that hairball.



Cough , cough, sputter, sneeze, hair and dust were flying everywhere.



Thank you Sera for doing the dirty end of the job.I guess we won't have to empty it for another few years.

Consumer Report / Cash For Clunkers

When Cash for Clunkers came out we decided to take advantage of government program.. It made sense to trade in our biggest gas hog, the 15 passenger 79 Dodge Van but we learned it didn’t qualify. I wasn’t psyched to give up my Lincoln Continental.

Lament, Ode
I’m the first to admit I get attached to material things. I really had withdrawal pains giving up my Lincoln..True, the radio hadn't worked for six years, unless I hit a bump. The arm rest scratched my arm with the torn vinyl and leather seats were cracked. The glove compartment hung open since the latch broke.



The clear coating over the paint had started peeling two years ago.




We had replaced the transmission, I had just finished paying for two new tires and a new 300.00 muffler system was repaired last winter. A most comfortable car, the gas mileage and age definitely qualified it for the Clunker status. Deciding factor were the mounting medical bills on our credit card for three old cars.

This Regal, Presidential Car had had it’s day.



My husband researched all the details, stats, mileage, price and boring stuff and decided on a Hyundai. I chose the color and co signed the papers. I eliminated white, grey and silver and chose deep blue with sparkles which can be seen close up.





While test diving the Hyundai the salesman asked, "How does it ride?" Dryly, "I drive a Lincoln." which silenced him.

But yes the bouncy little car drove well, it had tight steering and tight brakes which grabbed at the slightest touch.

We had never purchased a foreign car before and I felt guilty.. Then someone informed me the Korean cars were made in the US so I felt better

The Salesmen tried to made me feel better. He said that someone else had traded Lincoln in with perfect leather seats and a beautiful paint job


Notice differences, Notice other small cars
Ever since I traded in my 1989 Lincoln for a Hyundai Elantra I've noticed small cars. There's an abundance of Altimas, Tercels and Corollas parked close to USU campus. They all look alike so I have to pay close attention to differentiate the brands. Gone are the days when you could tell a Ford from a Chevy, let alone Honda from a Hyundai..

Once the proud owner, I started noticing differences in compact cars. Where had I been all these years.My car, like other economic vehicles, had no front bumper. It appeared like a piece of plastic wrapped around the car. The light weight doors seemed flimsy and had plastic handles.

This little wonder was so low to the ground it could drive under a truck. Our first extended trip to Provo my husband scraped the wrap around bumper on a cement parking block which my Lincoln Continental could have easily graced over. (first scrape.) Not visible

Now I knew why this little wonder had six air bags; I was driving Captain Crunch. My position on the playing field had changed from offense to defensive driver. I had been driving a tank.

Memory
Everyday I passed the Hyundai dealership on my way to work and saw my Lincoln sitting in the field of clunkers. Just seeing my old car sent me down memory lane.

I Recalled when we first bought the Lincoln. I felt unworthy to drive the luxurious California garage car. It didn't fit the neighborhood or our home. I parked a Cadillac car with a Volkswagen house. Surprising how fast I grew accustomed and slide into comfort of luxury car.

Soon after the purchase of Lincoln my husband summoned me to the front room, "Come see this." The news reported a wreck between a Lincoln and another vehicle. The Lincoln driver was unharmed while the driver of the other car had been killed. That‘s when I felt safe in the armored tank.

Advantages Learning to like new car
Yes, I loved the ease of parking, flipping a U-ie, and I loved the sound system. Satellite radio station which came free for three months with the sticker price. I could listen to opera Broadway, classical, Comedy once I learned how to program the presets

The Hyundai is fun to drive and I feel like newly licensed teenager. On weekend I jump at any chance there is to drive the car. I willingly shop for groceries.

I loved the keypad entry on my Lincoln which meant I could leave the keys in the car. But I quickly fell in love with the keyless entry on the Elantra. In fact I still don't know how to use the door locks on the inside..,

Scratches
Later my husband noticed a scratch on the lower door and issued forth warnings to me about parking away from the crowd.Let's see, I don't have any control over other drivers no matter where I park. That's the problem with new cars, one can hyperventilate over every scratch.With my peeling paint Lincoln and muti-scratches and dings, I could relax and not worry about such things.

Field of Clunkers, Bid Thee Farewell
For two weeks my Lincoln was last in the of Clunkers.





Then the number of clunkers grew. My car became embedded two rows deep into the Field of Clunkers.

Click on photo to you see the Lincoln?

A month later, while passing by on bus, I thought I noticed my Lincoln was missing. What? out of all those cars, they chose to smash my car first? Or did they sell it? I Kept a vigil and noticed many more spots opened up as clunkers were hauled away to meet their fate

Moving on with life, I’m trying to get over the fact no one in Preston recognizes or waves at me anymore. They don’t know me in the new car. I’ll miss conversations at the gas pump when total strangers comment.“How do you like your Lincoln? I had a car like that once and they sure don’t make them like they used to.”

Fat Cats & Furloughs

In President Albrecht’s speech he announced an additional 13 million budget cuts. High income staff will take five days of furlough and low income staff will take two day furlough over a 12 month period starting 2010. I had to laugh isn’t furlough a fancy name for taking the day off. When have I ever been paid to take a day off. These guys are spoiled. Every time the University closes, I get a day off without pay. I verbalized my thoughts to a USU employee, wheelchair rider on the bus. He agreed,“We’re a bunch of Fat Cats.” which made me laugh.

Dr. Charles
I have referred to this man before as Einstein. He came in June way over grown white beard and hair; I cut his hair and he said he would be back August 14. True to his word that's about when he came in again. During the summer I’ve seen him many times walking along 5th north and we have talked becoming friends. I learned he has a Dr. degree He has a dry sense of humor and pokes fun at his title. “It does me a lot of good, like when I want to get a seat in a restaurant. “

Last Tuesday I saw him again and asked him if listened to the President’s State of the University speech.

“Well they didn’t broadcast it on the golf course.”

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Always be prepared
The transit bus broke down in Smithfield, but not without warning. Three irritable buzzing warnings sounded alarm and the driver stopped the bus twice, went around and checked and could find nothing wrong. The third time the alarm sounded he turned it off and ignored if. Then the bus quit altogether. We waited patiently for 10 - 15 minutes for a replacement bus. Thank goodness I had something to occupy my time. I journaled, read the USU paper and had a good book to settle into.

Consumer Report/ Lobby Pro

I have found a most handy tool which is called Rubbermaid Lobby Pro. THE Universal Dustpan, "Work Smarter" is embedded on the label.


Well I certainly agree with that. I used to hate sweeping up hair. Why? because I had to continually stoop over. Is that lazy? ( When we get older we don't squat, we bend or lean or stoop) now it's getting hard to bend over, blood rushes to my head, and in the barbering business who wants a dizzy barber? Sweeping is an all day process, never ending.



With this handy dandy dustpan, I don't mind sweeping a hundred times a day. Not only does this smart dust pan help keep the barber shop cleaner, I've gained four months of practice in the art of sweeping. Lobby Pro experience will look great on my resume. I'm highly qualified to apply at Disneyland, Lagoon or at the movie theater. Not only do I give professional haircuts but I sweep professionally with the LOBBY PRO.

Thank You for your time.

Are You Smarter Than a Scanner?

I bought a new Canon 5600F scanner and paid extra bucks to have the capability to scan slides and negatives in addition to photos. It was much bigger than expected


I read the manual and loaded the program yea, learned how to scan photos yea. But how in the heck am I supposed to scan slides. I tried several times and figured out how to place slide on the holder, but basically took a photo of a slide with no image being projected. Couldn't get Lincoln up here to help me. Noel climbed the stairs, looked at two pages of the instructions, gave up and announced. "It's not a MAC I don't know what to do."

My friend Laura came to visit Saturday. I happened to mention my new scanner. This gal knows computers and graphics etc. So she played around with it while I cut a head of hair. Walla I, (she) we made progress. Guess what?




Laura showed me that I needed to remove the white protective sheet, which was Step No 1. on the instruction sheet. How could I miss that? Why didn't Noel find my error? Thank you very much Laura.

Removing while protective sheet to expose light on the lid to the slide. No wonder they were black.

So now I've been going down memory lane scanning old slides. So far I've done a few mission photos and Israel trip. Look on Facebook for photos of Ison property 1977

Wedding Present to the Rescue

The other day in a panic I placed a hot pan on the plastic cutting board which warped it like the rolling hills of Riverdale. The scotch in me said it' rocks like a baby but it's still useful. Several days later I found the molten edifice in the garbage My husband must have tired of chasing rolling onions and carrots while preparing soup.

Tempted to rescue the discarded ..wavy waffle board, I felt separation pangs. This wedding gift had faithfully served me for thirty years. But I pushed on and walked past the garbage can because I knew somewhere in the house I had stored back up wedding presents for such emergency situations.

I headed to the back storage room where I perused the conglomeration of Christmas box decorations, paintbrushes sleeping bags sitting on grey utility shelves. I’m sure I stored un used wedding somewhere in here.

Ah ah, in the corner I spied a fruit painted cutting board which rested under a dusty old Melmac set which sat next to a never opened box of Pyrex Bowl set Yes, thirty years later wedding presents still came to the rescue. I've been saving the Melmac set for my daughter but it's gone out of style. I wonder who gave us this gift. I should sit down and write them a thank you note. Thank you very much for the cutting board

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