Basting Babble

Okay so cooking with the oven on a warm day wasn't the brightest of ideas. But how else are we supposed to eat good grub without buying it from some other place? Admittedly, we Californians have a weak idea of what's hot or cold... If it isn't perfect beach weather we tend to whine. We're kinda babies that way....

Anywho, I cooked cornish hens and a wild rice mix and some mixed vege bits. I'm a pretty okay cook, though some may be shocked to hear it. Probably because I complain about cooking. It's over a hot stove/oven. It's messy. And it requires following directions... I'm not ALWAYS good at that. I actually screwed up Minute Rice once...

Thanks to Dru's tip last time, I did remember to baste the hens often, as I'm told they're dry birds. Only I guess today I musta thought I was dry as I managed to baste myself. That is I squeezed the baster toooo close to the bird and it all squirted back at me, the stove, and the floor. Live and learn. Wish this mess had taken place the other day when I accidently got dishwashing liquid in the dishwasher.... Suddy mess is all I can say. Funny suddy mess, but a mess nonetheless... Well at least that mess was "clean".

Okay.. That's enough babble... Not what I was gonna blog about earlier, but I lost that train of thought already.

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Comment(s):

I love cooking!!! :D

Posted by Melissa Tian on June 28, 2007 - Thursday - 11:07 PM

:(

Last week, a friend of mine lost a child. We weren't all that close... Or rather we haven't known each other all that long. But what I've gotten to know about her, I have come to love. She role plays a character in my vampire game. And through her RPs I grew to love her character... through our IM sessions and her OOC blogs, I've come to love her as a real friend.

All that said, when I found out about the loss, I was shocked and saddened... for her and her family. When she talks about her kids and the things she does with or for them... I can't help but think of how my Mom was with me. Her relationship with her kids reminds me soo much of how my parents were and are with me. As much as my parents love me, I can imagine how much she loves her kids... That of course is why I think it is just so sad that she had to lose her child.

I wish there was something I could do for her. I've kept her and her whole family in my prayers... and I've asked God to let her know that all of us in cyberspace who know and love her are here for her... wishing we all could be there to ease her pain and offer any other comfort.

Friends are starting to put up candles and words of wisdom and poems or quotes on their blogs. I've never really lit a candle for something like this. And the only words/quote I could think of was a verse I memorize years ago:

Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.
Matthew 5:4 (New King James Version)

Apart from praying, my only other impulse is to offer her a hug.

Well I'm sorry for my babbling... I just had to share with someone other than my own head. A few days after I first found out Mom told me not to dwell... But how could I not think about it. There are some people I meet online that right away I like and care very much for... And here we go again with the babbling and not making much sense.

Anyway, Susan, if for some strange reason you're reading this... You and your family are in my prayers. I know through love and comfort for each other you all will make it through this. ~hugs~

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Comment(s):

*hugs* It came as a shock to us all... But by God's grace, Susan and her family will pull through, and emerge stronger than before.

Posted by Melissa Tian on June 9, 2007 - Saturday - 3:32 AM


Thank you..and many hugs to you ... we are taking it one hour at a time.. take turns having major meltdowns... lots of tears and hugs and prayers..

I miss him.. plain and simple.

I think he made a huge mistake and did something impulsive.. and in that he totally screwed us all up.

But.. we are trying.. like I said.. one hour at a time.

*hugs*

Susan

Posted by susan;) on June 13, 2007 - Wednesday - 10:53 PM

Mumblings of March

What did I do last month... Well we saw four movies all thanks to a gift card from finding an apartment through an online site. Another kudos to me for finding the place. Sarah came for a visit. I had a chance hangout with Chrissi. A couple visits with family... And I/we went to Kohl's FOUR times last month!!!! Craziness I tell ya!

So yeah, I broke in the rewards card ($100 from rent.com) by treating Mom and myself to two movies. Mom really needed the outing. Lots and lots of studying and stress for her. We saw Bridge to Terabithia and Wildhogs. Both were pretty cool. Wildhogs had us laughing soooo hard. As for Bridge... I wish I had their imagination!!! I mean I've always had a pretty active imagination, but nothing ever seemed real. It was always more like acting for me.

My scheduled day with Sarah on her weekend visit down here was switched to Friday the 9th... How rude, huh. Just kidding, Sarah. I love ya! That week Mom was driving me nuts and I've totally forgotten why now (sooooo shoulda blogged a few weeks ago like I planned). Anywho, she was my possible ride to Sarah or to pick up Sarah... But as I was mad at her I decided I'd screw it and just figure out the bus system...

And figure it out I did! I was anxious/nervous and probably running on the previous night's emotions, so I almost didn't want to go. It'd been well over two years since I'd gone by bus or anywhere really on my own. But like as soon as I found my bus stop and got on, I was totally okay again. It was unbelievably normal for me again. It was like a rush of the old me came back. Confidence... Independence... A hint of those feelings of "I can do this on my own" had returned on that ride. I got all excited whenever I passed a recognizable place and more so when I was back on OCTA busses.

I met Sarah and off we went to BJ's for our traditional weird pizzas and Pizzookie!!!!! I took pics which I wanted to put here, but I don't feel like it now (cuz I can sense lots more babbling ahead). After that we went walking around the shopping area and I pretended to be a photographer (so I could post something more on http://relaya.deviantart.com/ ). They were purdy to me. Somewhere in there we went to Kohl's, for the first time that month for me..... And all I gotta say is Kohl's is crazy. They cancel people! Poor people... And shoes get calls! None of the dresses spoke to Sarah though so we moved on from that weird place. We took a bus towards her Grandmother's place and then walked the rest of the way. And oh the sites we saw.... Like kumquat sightings that we couldn't reach and steps that led up to a seemingly gateless fence. No visit with Sarah would be complete without a full day of adventure and fun!

I'll admit... I was hoping Mom would rescue me from having to bus home. Only cuz I was tired and didn't feel like bussing two hours home and not cuz I was scared or anything. But alas, she did not get my clearly toooo subtle hints. Ah well. Tehe... I got on bus one, and apparently I look like a good listener. Clearly the woman who was talking to me had had a LOOOONNNGGG day, cuz she was babbling worse than I ever did. Ah but she was entertaining. I got off the bus and ran across the street to my next stop, and in the process I missed a call....

Chrissi called again, thankfully. And the coolest thing happened. She saw me running across the street! She was with her parents and could swear she recognized my shirt and my hair flip thing I do. Believing it to be me (cuz it was), she called. They made a turn around and came to get me there. I called Mom to let her know about the delay.... she sounded reeeeaaaaallly sleeepy. We hung out while, Issi hunted for a camcorder for school. It was just cool to have an unplanned outing. Then we headed to dinner before dropping me off. We were off to the Elephant Bar when Mom started messaging me. Apparently she didn't remember the phone call AT ALL! It was the source of much laughter amongst the four of us. Anywho, we had a fun dinner I thought, well apart from the plastic whatever in Issi's salad... All and all, it was a totally awesome day!

Visited Nana a times... Couple of those times we went to Kohl's where again they announced shoes getting calls... I still think of poor cancelled Lisa or whomever. Lisa's the name that stuck by the third visit to Kohl's though. We got new comfy pjs! Yay for pjs! Last weekend we actually had to go back though cuz something Mom got (from Nana) still had a security tag on it. We also went to my Aunt Ophelia's... The day actually started out like one of those days ya just wanna crawl back under the covers. Poor Mom had spilled her shake ALL over the place. Got herself dirty, some of the goods Aunt O was selling in her garage sale, and me when I went out to see what happened. She dropped and chipped her compact too.... Yep, time to go back home and under the covers. I didn't wanna be there at all, so I woulda jumped at the chance! Anywho, the day ended okay...

Weekend before that, I used up the last (almost) of my rewards card to treat Mom, Josh, and myself to two movies. We saw TMNT and the Last Mimzy. I KNEW Josh'd want to see that.... I'm 26 til the 22nd, and he's only a year and two days younger... But we're both just big kids! But I guess the days of playing Ninja Turtles (with one of my Barbies playing the role of April) and watching the cartoon everyday made Josh a loyal fan. I miss the pizza thrower we used to play with. Okay, so my favorite turtles were always Donnie and Rafe. And I gotta say it was hilarious to see Donnie working as a Tech customer service guy. Rafe had more tude than I liked, but I still liked that he was still out kickin' ass. I went in thinking, "ah, I don't need to see this movie." But it was fun to watch all the same (and now I know what to get Josh for Christmas).

Mimzy was a cute movie. It's amazing how kids wise and trusting kids can be... Anywho, we went to drop Josh off and ended up hanging out. I forget why we initially lingered, but it was fun. Dad came home, and we were watching a movie and eating dinner. Ah ha, and we rented from Dad's Movie Rental Library. Te he... Dad, if you're reading this, you'll be glad to know we finished watching the movies we "rented" and started in on the others. We're ready to rent some more though. Te he....

So that was the craziness of March... I'll save April mumblings for my next blog... which hopefully won't be so far away and end up like a full length novel by the time I finish writing... I'ma shut up now.

Tower of Carisa's Babble

Hurray! Mom passed this huge test today! She's been studying since she started the job a couple weeks ago. It was really important and she coulda lost her job if she failed twice... But she passed! I knew she would, but she had doubts. For the first time in weeks, she didn't have to come home and study. I hope she's getting a really good sleep right now.

Jacob came to visit the other day. I was relieve to see him even though I wondered why he was crying for food again. He came for two meals and some treats the lil bugger. He's supposed to be with his owner, so I dunno why he was out. Haven't seen him again, so I'm hoping he's home again. I'm not worried this time though.

I created a deviantART account last week. I love hunting for potential role play pics and some of 'em you can only see if you're a member. So I said, what the hey... But then I couldn't just leave it empty. I put up the only two landscape shots I took with the digital camera that I have. The others were taken with the film camera and so I couldn't put them up. I also added an old monologue I wrote... I think I posted it here already, so if ya read it no need to rush to see it. I think I'd like a scanner. Maybe I could scan the old pics I'd taken and maybe some of the stuff I drew too. Anywho, I hope to take more pics and write more so if you'd like to see, here I am: http://relaya.deviantart.com/

I've been reading again. Not in the past few days, but last week I was reading alot and I'm hooked on the story again. So, maaaaaybe by the middle of next month I can finish the book (and finally give it back to you, Dad ). I'm already trying to think of which book I'd like to read next. And I'm torn between picking up a loved auther's book or reading books I've borrowed so I can return them.

Mom and I were being silly online this weekend. We made ourselves into M&M's at Planet M&M's. OMG! We were laughing for over an hour. You can make a movie and everything! So see if you can tell which one is Mom and which is me:

It's survey season... Beware... Every now and then, I just can't resist the urge to fill out those cheesy surveys and post them to you all even though you probably all know that stuff by heart now. I dunno why I like answering them.... I reckon, I'm just a big ol' dork.

Okay, it's late and I've babbled long enough. Not too mention stalled long enough. I can only put off mopping and putting up a water bottle so long.

He's Home Finally

How rude.... Someone threw the blanket I'd left for Jacob in the trash. Luckily it was right on top in the laundry room trash can, so I fished it out and put it back. Not that it mattered, cuz I hadn't seen Jacob for a couple days. I was getting kinda worried about him. Not wanting the blanket tossed again, I posted a sign above it.

I haven't actually seen Jacob since my last blog. The blanket got tossed a couple days after that... Then after I left the note, someone actually folded the blanket and left it. :P That was nice, but I'm sure they like to snuggle in them. Blanket got tossed once and for all Friday I think. Mom suggested I ask the manager about him. I should have, cuz I worried about him all weekend. Kept looking around the bushes for him.

And I swear my cat is telling the neighborhood strays to come to my place... I can just hear Oreo... "Hey, come to my place. My pet humans are suckers and like to feed you guys if you beg right." Yeah, some other cat came calling for a few days... Dunno if it's owned or not, but we fed it for a few days only cuz he/she was so LOUD. We figured it was the only way to shut it up.

I finally checked with the manager. Jacob's owner came home a couple days ago. No clue where or how he lived between Tuesday and when the owner came home. I just hope that bastard came home before it rained the other day. At any rate, I can stop worrying. I actually had a bad dream about Jacob... He'd been taken to a shelter and put to sleep... Which I'd actually have preferred if no one could take care of him... Better that then suffer alone and unloved.

Anyway... I can finally stop worrying. I can finally stop looking for him. He's hopefully safe and happy with his owner who will hopefully be more careful with his pet.

Jacob

No we didn't get a new cat. We just happen to live in a pet friendly apartment complex. This guy is Jacob. He's been meowing for days and days in our part of the apartments, especially at the apartment above us. At first we thouhgt it may have belonged to them or the previous renters. He's loud and sounds just horrible when he cries.

The neighbor up and across from us comes out and talks to him just as I do. Jacob's a friendly bugger. Walks right up to you. The neighbor and I started feeding him in hopes of quieting him. Even the ones above us gave him some people food. Lisa, the neighbor up and across from us), and I gave him cat food. It's so sad, cuz we know he wants inside somewhere. He follows anyone who'll talk to him, me most of all.

Finally, out of concern, Lisa and I both ended up asking the manager about him. That's when we found out his name. And I found out his asshole owner was on vacation. He followed me all the way to the rental office when I asked if the manager could call and see if a neighbor was caring for it while the owner was on vacation. It's just so sad. And it's breaking Mom and I's hearts to hear him outside crying.

Yesterday evening it started raining and Jacob was upstairs crying. I couldn't take it anymore. I grabbed an old blanket and led him to the laundry room. They're open all the time here with a light on. I put it in a corner next to the soda machine and put him on it. Pet him for a while and we did a back and forth routine. Staring out at the rain and back at the blanket, he finally got it. Better there than out in the rain.... I even checked on him before locking up tonight. He'd come for food earlier but I hadn't heard him since then. He went back to the laundry room and was sleeping...

It pisses me off that the owner would leave without making proper arrangements for him. A neighbor.. A kennel would be something! It seems he was not the original owner. The other one moved away and this new one took over. Well if he wasn't gonna do it right, he shouldn't have bothered.

Le sigh... Anywho... I hope his owner comes home soon. It's so sad to see him out there. I give him love when he comes crying. I probably shouldn't. But he's not like a stray who will get used to something... He already was used to love and he's homesick!

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Comment(s):

*cries* Send him to meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee :(( .... okay I know he belongs to someone ... but thats just MEAN.... I agree with you .. if they can't take care of him .. then they shoudlnt have him.

*snuffles*

He is a pretty kittycat. :D

You should be commended for taking care of him while his "owner" is on vacation... the laundry room was an excellent idea :D :D :D ...

I think when the owner comes back .. he should have to sleep on a blanket in the laundry room .

>:D<

Posted by susan;) on February 20, 2007 - Tuesday - 11:36 AM

Cobwebs in the Head

I've got too many cobwebs in my head.

I used to read almost everyday. I used to work on my stories or role play all the time. If I wasn't able to write out my stories, I'd act/work them out in my head, around the house, or while out walking. My imagination was ever active. Yep, up until two years ago, I still regularly had my make believe games I'd visualize or act out like a one woman show.

Now... I barely read anything. I carry a book around, but I can't focus on reading it for longer than ten minutes. I remember when I would almost miss bus stops cuz I was too busy reading. The last few minutes before work were minutes I could read another page. Getting to classes early was yet another oppertunity to read.

Writing... Well there's sooo much I want to write and I think I have a combined writers' block and lack of focus that nothing gets written. Shoot, it takes me forever to write a blog sometimes. Even writing role plays for my vampire game takes a lot sometimes. I've got RPs in mind and for some reason I just can't get them out.

Sooooo... It's time to clear the cobwebs out of my head. Dust off the brain. Cuz I'm startin' to miss reading... writing.. and learning.

There's a football team on my head...

Okay not on my head. But definitely noisey walkers or something living upstairs. I've never lived on the first floor. Given the choice, Mom always chose upstairs. I think before Christmas I heard what I thought musta been maintenance fixing up the place. And sometime this month, there's been just lotsa noise. Week 1 I thought, okay someone's moving in. Week 2, they're getting settled still. I did lots of shifting of boxes for a couple weeks... But man, just them walking is loud. It's not Aaaaasss bad, but it still is louder than what I'd expect. So I've decided that we must have an invisible football team living upstairs. Invisible cuz I never see them.

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Comment(s):

Dude, Gwen and I chose to live upstairs thinking we wouldn't be very noisy or bothersome to the people below us, and then we wouldn't have people stomping around above us. Silly Gwen and me. We didn't count on a two-year old living in an entirely linoleum-floored apartment below us. I despise that child.

Posted by Bizabob on January 29, 2007 - Monday - 11:58 PM

Extra! Extra!

Hot off the presses! Read all about it! Crazed candy killer, obsessed kitty, and more!

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Yeah, yeah, yeah. I'm a dork. I know it. But you all love me!!!!

Holiday Newspapers :P

Call it boredome, silliness, or just plain ol' nerdiness. I made my mother a holiday newspaper. There's only been two issues so far... Yes, I intend to make more. But she commented that it was a shame she was the only one to see them. Soooo, here they are folks. All two of them! It should also be noted, these were both made like after midnight.

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So, tada! More to come later. And since I'll be making 'em for you all to see, they may even be bigger, too.

The "W" in Christmas

It's things like these that put a little perspective on the holidays. I, myself, know I put far too much emphasis on the trimmings of the season. But I like to think I still keep the true meaning of Christmas at heart.

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The "W" in Christmas

Each December, I vowed to make Christmas a calm and peaceful experience. I had cut back on nonessential obligations - extensive card writing, endless baking, decorating, and even overspending. Yet still, I found myself exhausted, unable to appreciate the precious family moments, and of course, the true meaning of Christmas.

My son, Nicholas, was in kindergarten that year. It was an exciting season for a six year old. For weeks, he'd been memorizing songs for his school's "Winter Pageant." I didn't have the heart to tell him I'd be working the night of the production. Unwilling to miss his shining moment, I spoke with his teacher. She assured me there'd be a dress rehearsal the morning of the presentation. All parents unable to attend that evening were welcome to come then. Fortunately, Nicholas seemed happy with the compromise.

So, the morning of the dress rehearsal, I filed in ten minutes early, found a spot on the cafeteria floor and sat down. Around the room, I saw several other parents quietly scampering to their seats. As I waited, the students were led into the room. Each class, accompanied by their teacher, sat cross-legged on the floor. Then, each group, one by one, rose to perform their song.

Because the public school system had long stopped referring to the holiday as "Christmas," I didn't expect anything other than fun, commercial entertainment - songs of reindeer, Santa Claus, snowflakes and good cheer. So, when my son's class rose to sing, "Christmas Love," I was slightly taken aback by it's bold title.

Nicholas was aglow, as were all of his classmates, adorned in fuzzy mittens, red sweaters, and bright snow caps upon their heads. Those in the front row- center stage - held up large letters, one by one, to spell out the title of the song. As the class would sing "C is for Christmas," a child would hold up the letter C. Then, "H is for Happy," and on and on, until each child holding up his portion had presented the complete message, "Christmas Love."

The performance was going smoothly, until suddenly, we noticed her; a small, quiet, girl in the front row holding the letter "M" upside down - totally unaware her letter "M" appeared as a "W". The audience of 1st through 6th graders snickered at this little one's mistake. But she had no idea they were laughing at her, so she stood tall, proudly holding her "W".

Although many teachers tried to shush the children, the laughter continued until the last letter was raised, and we all saw it together. A hush came over the audience and eyes began to widen. In that instant, we understood the reason we were there, why we celebrated the holiday in the first place, why even in the chaos, there was a purpose for our festivities. For when the last letter was held high, the message read loud and clear: "CHRISTWAS LOVE" And, I believe, He still is. Amen.

And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.

Mark 10:16 (New King James Version)

Christmas Babblings

I totally blame Susan for the following babblings as her blog got me thinking about this and so much more.....

Anyone that knows me, knows I love Christmas. I love everything about it. The decorating and the light hanging, even if I grumble while doing it... Sending out Christmas cards (which I have yet to finish, think it's too late?). Christmas songs, almost all of them! And for that I'm blessed to live in California with the KOST playing non stop Christmas from Thanksgiving to Christmas day! Christmas carols, I'll sing as many as I can remember whenever I'm in need of Christmas cheer. The Christmas tree. Mom's baking. Christmas movies, just about any I can catch. I even like the shopping, so long as I am able to get gifts for loved ones.

I've gotten a little obsessive over the years. I used to be just the Christmas Elf (on speed) and now I've become the Christmas Nazis, so says my Mother. Decorating has got to go just so. Lights are always properly tested. There's a system to Christmas cards. Searches are done to ensure we don't miss a favorite Christmas movie. On the flip side, I have fun decorating everything I can manage to hang tinsel or some other holiday decoration on! This year even the fan and the water bottle cooler got decorated.

I'm the girl you'd hear before seeing. I'm rarely without a bell around my neck and matching bell earrings when I'm out and about. And once you do see me, see if you can't smile at my red antler head band or ridiculously long Santa hat. And as it's my favorite time of year, I'm most often smiling when out there and singing Christmas Carols to myself. I love it. The kids look up and smile and it's the one time of year I don't wish they were locked up someplace. The adults get a kick out of it too. Imagine I used to go to work like that too. Co-workers loved it and expected it every year.

I used to be in chorus as a kid and since then I've loved singing. So when I got a copy of Christmas Carols from my mother one year, I carried it everywhere so I could memorize those songs. I wore those papers out so bad I had to retype them up! My last year at the bookstore, I was offered a chance to go out carolling, sorta. We were making specific stops to our bosses' places. It was still fun.

Though gifts were never the most important thing, there were fun moments throughout the years. The year Josh was so anxious to open gifts, he and I were waiting out in a dark living room waiting for Mom to wake. And when that took too long, his constant attempts to quietly wake her. She gave in, a little, and let us each open a gift without her. The years I was able to surprise my Mom with a big or special gift that led to "how'd you hide this from me?" for the big gifts and "when'd you even go out shopping?" for the others. The year my brother gave me a laptop. I was in shock that year. First time since I was a kid that a gift actually surprised me. Everyone said I was looking at it like I didn't know what it was. I think it was disbelief. Last year was awesome too. I got me my Firefly and Farscape. But mostly it was nice, cuz we spent the morning at my Dad's. So it was just a nice casual little family moment.