HIJACK THIS THREAD!
Comments
-
Marin..I go incognito as Fluffy on another discussion board! Turns out that is nosurrender's cat's name!
I love soup! I make it all the time in the winter. I'm with you on the weather, marin...our cold days here is when it's in the 50's. I freeze my butt off then and I grew up in Chicago! LOL
-
I know they're destructive, and my brother-in-law jumps through firey hoops to protect his yard from them, but I love seeing deer when I'm in NY. They're so graceful and beautiful.
They also have skunks...rarely seen but often smelled. Yuck...what an awful odor! About a year ago, my nephew was leaving for work...came back in saying there was a skunk in the driveway with a yogurt container stuck on his nose. :-) That's what he gets for going through the garbage can. He kept running around in circles trying to get the thing off; the police were called, and my sister said it was hysterical...these two guys trying to knock the cup off the skunk's nose with lacrosse sticks and then running when the tail went up. :-) Finally knocked the thing off and the skunk ran away.
Wish I'd been there...I get a great mental picture.
Stirfry with shrimp for me tonight...trying to stave off weight gain from tamoxifen. I'm having a glass of merlot since I saved a few calories at dinner. :-) One step forward, two back.
Lynn
-
Okay, I couldn't find where I had the recipe written down but I think I remember it pretty well, so here goes:
Hashbrown Potato Soup
1 pkg of frozen hashbrowns (the 32 - 36 oz pkg)
4 cans of chicken broth
1 pkg of Pioneer Biscuit Gravy Mix
Simmer the hashbrowns (whole pkg) in the 4 cans of chicken broth until it is slightly mushy and then add the biscuit mix to thicken up if needed. Add seasoning to suit your taste.
-
Oh how funny about the skunk Lynn, that is one of those priceless moments that should have been caught on camera!!!!
I live in a rural area near a creek so see lots of wildlife but so far havent had issues with the deer eating my roses yet....have had issues with skunks thinking the are cats and sitting on the front porch!!!!
Yum, shrimp stirfry.....now I will have to make that one night this weekend...I love stirfry!!!! and I love seafood!!!!!
-
My tree is still up, but last year I used a very efficient way of storing the lights. Took each strand as they came off, folded them up and put each in individual ziploc bags. I was thrilled this year and putting them up was so simple....what wasn't simple was keeping my cat, Sasha, from swinging on them and pulling them clear off the tree!
Here is my very favorite recipe for Split Pea Barley Soup. It doesn't call for a ham bone (I try to eat vegetarian for the most part), but you can certainly use one to start with!
Split Pea and Barley Soup
1 pound green split peas
Water
3 tablespoons butter or cooking oil
1 cup chopped onion
½ cup chopped celery
½ cup chopped carrot
2 bay leaves
½ cup medium pearled barley
Juice of 1 lemon
1/3 cup minced fresh dill
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Sour cream or plain yogurt (optional)
- Pick over the split peas. Rinse, drain and place them in a saucepan. Cover with water to the depth of one inch, bring to a boil and cook for two minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to soften for one hour.
- Melt butter or oil in a large, heavy kettle. Add onion, celery and carrot and sauté over medium heat until soft and just barely beginning to color. Drain and rinse the peas and add them. Add 10 cups of water and the bay leaves.
- Bring to a boil, lower heat to simmer and cook for one hour. Add the barley and continue cooking one hour longer.
- Stir the soup, add lemon juice and dill. Season to taste with salt (don't be surprised if you need quite a bit) and pepper. Serve topped with a dollop of sour cream or yogurt if you wish.
Yield: 8 to 10 servings.
Note: This soup is likely to thicken as it stands. You will probably have to add more water and re-season it when you reheat it.
ENJOY!!!!
~Marin
-
This is a great just talk about whatever thread...fun!!!!
I'm liking the idea of a country song. We've got good bones here.
Backed up septic tanks and people falling into septic holes
Cats lost and never to be seen again, cats high on catnip, cats who don't understand vacation means sleeping in, and cats on a Christmas tree trapeze
Gentle sweet Bullmastiff's, an old grouchy deaf dog caring for kittens, and the reunion of the family's dogs at the ranch, noses pressed against the window.
Potato soup and a coffee martini.
Don't think we need a shot gun for this diddy Always Hope...but the train whistle and momma all need to be added. I live where I can hear the train whistle several times a day...I love that sound.
It's cold here...and it's going to rain today. I don't care...I'm wrapped up in the blanket the librarian at my school made for me -pink and white fleece- with the money from the office gals and administrators. They told me whenever I wrap myself up in it, to know they're hugging me. Isn't that the sweetest thing?
I wrote 50 thank you cards (still have about 16 to go, but ran out of cards) and reorganized my wrapping box-it was a mess after the holiday. That did me in yesterday. Amazing how little things tire you out...but I must remind myself my body is using lots of energy to heal itself after my bilat surgery 12/6.
I'll see what I can come up with for our Country Western Song...
Your SIS (Sister In Survival)
Kimberly -
OK, I'm back!
My Septic is Erupting
Good afternoon my dears, and welcome to my tale (alas I’m not a Country Western Song writer) woven together with all the bits and pieces of life shared here:
It is quiet here on the eve before the New Year,
and I vividly imagine that all around the Earth,
people are waiting anxiously the stroke of midnight,
and the much anticipated Twenty-08’s birth.
Out on the ranch, I hear the train’s whistle hail its arrival,
and am delighted by the glistening blanket of dazzling white.
I am content as I take stock of the season, but unaware,
oblivious,and in the dark about our poor septic tank’s plight.
All the children, now gone, had come home as they do every year,
each with their significant others and ‘kids’ in tow,
a motley crew of canines, quite a sight to behold,
happily romping and chasing one another in newly fallen snow.
Our sweet ole deaf pup, who can be grumpy and pee indoors sometimes,
mothered the newest batch of kittens with the greatest of ease,
and from her warm bed, watched a death-defying circus act
featuring Momma Cat and her siblings on the Christmas tree trapeze.
I toast to the experiences, which have made me who I am,
but instead of champagne, I drink momma’s recipe for a coffee martini,
which I try to rationalize should keep me awake to greet 2008,
when I will once again emphatically resolve to fit into my bikini.
Simmering slowly all day,the potato soup makes my tummy growl, and
this simple meal reminds me to meet each day with gratitude,
not having what I want, but loving what I have,
like being alive and loved, and nurturing a positive attitude.
Although still on vacation, the cat has not let me sleep in,
and before the magic hour, my sleepy eyelids begin to droop,
but just at the stroke of midnight there is a deep rumbling outside;
the septic tank has erupted, and my yard smells like…well… POOP.
Well, Happy New Year to us all, I laugh,
the saying, Shit Happens, has never been truer.
I’m thankful I can call my septic guy
to clean up this smelly sewer.
I do believe we’ve come full circle ladies…and it all started with the thought of who would want to do such a yucky job! TaDa!!!
Your SIS(Sister In Survival)
Kimberly -
ROFL! Well done!
-
Laughing my socks off Kimberly!
Bless our plumbers and septic guys
-
Kimberly....absolutely marvelous!! You show some definite talent there, girl!
So now someone should start an entirely different, random topic and, after some time, our Kimberly (or of course anyone who would like to test her mettle) will weave another ditty out of it.....
This could go on forever.....
~Marin
-
Hi Ladies,
since this thread is about anything and everything----here goes the tail of my day---my DH left this
morning to take our van for an oil change & lube job @ 9:00---I got a call from him about 11:30. He said
"bad news" van has broken tie rod end, and bad wheel bearing---12:30--van needs breaks & rotors--oil
change is now costing $ 600.00 !!! But wait----it gets better !! 2:30 van needs new gas tank-now its over
$ 800.00 !!!!! I'm not answering the phone anymore, I'm hoping he just shows up with a new car. -
Hahahaha...Kimberley, you are truly talented. Thank you for that.
-
I'm so glad to see this thread back! Thanks, Jas, for starting it again. I'm also glad you posted the recipe for the potato soup. You had given it to me before and I left it at school in a bunch of papers. My filing system isn't very good.
Fun stuff, nice distraction!
-
OK...I have a funny septic tank story. We moved back to Alaska and built a new house almost 5 years ago. Since we live in the boonies, we needed a septic tank. We called the guy who was doing it and ordered a BIG tank....everyone always says we are full of shit, so we didn't want the silly thing backing up.
ANYWAY...when they were putting in the drain field my dad came down to observe the days work and was incredulous that we actually bought a tank. He said that around these parts people just go to the junk yard and by the biggest junked Subaru or Bronco they can find. Then they take a rifle and shoot holes in the doors and trunk; yank out all the seats and bury it for a septic tank! I kid you not....people really do this! Dad said the only real trick is to make sure you don't break any of the windows when you are covering it with dirt. I thought for sure he was pulling my leg, but I actually know 3 different folks who have done exactly that....and saved the cost of the tank! Oh...and they don't pump them. Just use them until they are not "perking" anymore and then dig a new hole for a new car in a different direction from the house....toooo funny.....
Loved the song, by the way
Deb C
-
Barb1953...ignorance can sometimes be bliss...not answering the phone will no doubt make the repair bill disappear (wink wink), and I've heard that in the land of OZ, just by clicking your heels three times and turning around saying, "There are no new repairs...there are no new repairs...there are no new repairs..." that everyone, or in your case everything, finds what's been missing, and it will be like having a brand new van materialize in your driveway. OK everyone, get ready to click your heels and send positive "There are no new repairs" vibes out into the universe for Barb.
Thanks Always Hope, Sahalie, Marin and Twink for letting me know I've made you all smile...that makes my heart swell. I'm thinking, Marin...poor Barb1953 may need the van repair mantra above.
Hey Sheri...I miss my students and all those papers...OK, maybe not all of their papers...130+ essays at a time can be a bit overwhelming...but my guest teacher is in charge now while I concentrate on my well being and doing a fine job I'm sure.
Sleep tight all,
I'm off to feed the family spaghetti squash with organic sauce and ground organic buffalo.
Your SIS (Sister In Survival)
KImberly -
Buffalo???? Holy cow!
-
Nope...Holy Buffalo!
-
ROFLMAO!
-
There's a buffalo farm about a mile and a half from me. My Christmas company finally left today. Sad to see them go, but yet happy at the same time. I think dinner tomorrow will be homemade sourdough bread and chili.
-
I still have my company and I love it. Hmm..dinner tomorrow.... I hope somebody else is cooking because I'm feeling totally uninspired.
-
Yes, I use the packets. since they come in 3's I put 2 in the tank that gets the most use.
I believe the yeast works to help degrade the stuff or "eats" the junk to keep it from building up.
When we moved here, I'd never had a septic tank and knew nothing. I was told to use the yeast and (fingers crossed) so far, so good.
I flush it down the commode closest to the tank. And then I flush again to make sure it goes all the way out.
-
Kimberly..great song!
Marin..love the soup recipe. Thanks!
-
Deb, that is just too funny about the cars as septic tanks. I would never have thought of anything like that.
-
Kimberly-the song is absolutely hilarious!!! I didnt realize I could laugh that hard this early in the morning on a Saturday to boot!!!!!
The town I live in has a bbq buffalo feed every year in Sept and it is a really good meat.....use to be a farm/ranch about a 100 miles from here that raised them but the last time I was through there I didnt see any...have recently heard that the ranch is no longer buffalo but cows
....this ranch is out in the boonies (as Deb says) and it use to be fun to see the buffalo roaming as the terrian in that area fits the cowboy/indian days!!!!Barb-Im hoping you took the opportunity to suggest a new car!!!! Although Im sure the payment on a new one compared to the old is pennies in a pot!!!! My truck started making a strange noise a couple of months ago, but like with everything else in life.....all the men I had listen to it said "I dont hear anything"...I got stories of everything from your tires are making the sound to the rearend going out....Alot they knew...I have always said that I think it is something in the transmission but OH NO!!! thats not the right noise for that!!!!....Well, please tell me if no one but me hears the noise how the heck can it not be the right noise?.....so as the story goes I finally took it to a shop and $2600.00 later the transmission in my truck is bad!!!!!
Deb-I think I have the solution for you!!!!. Please, Please tell your neighbor or whomever you know that is needing a new septic tank to come get the piece of junk blazer from my back yard!!!! My son has had it since high school and is hesitant to part with it....although it needs repairs and he hasnt driven it for 5 yrs or more!!!!! Its free for the taking and I will take the heat from the kid!!!!!
Dotti-when I was little my grandmothers home had electric and running water but no indoor plumbing.....she use to put yeast down hole in the outhouse and I remember her saying that their outhouse seemed to outlast the same spot for lots longer than anyone else....What a claim to fame, huh!!!!!!
I find it hard to believe that we can all have such stories about septic tanks and outhouses but here's another:
A few years ago I met this guy in the town that I work...I kept running into him at the stores, resturants and such...finally we started talking then eventually dating, but he never really told me what he did for work, well not anything more than he worked for the city there and he had a "shitty" job.....took me a few months to figure it out.....his vehicle was in shop so I told him I would pick him up from work and drop him off to get it....well, I drove to the city shop to pick him up....(all this time he thought I had figured out his job)...when I walked in and asked for him they said he wasnt there so I figured he must have gotten a lift from someone else and forgot to call so I drove on home....about 1/2 hr after I got home the phone rang and it was him wondering why I hadnt come to get him.....I told him what happened and he laughed his tail off...He was the manager of the city sewer plant!!!!!! I had gone to the wrong place!!!!
Hmmmmm, din din tonight? I have no idea. The navy bean & ham soup is long gone
....I swear to God that my youngest brother and his son (single dad) can smell their favorites cooking at my house from 100 miles away!!!! Maybe I will tell him its his turn to cook....he makes a killer spagetti.....Kimberly, see what ya did!!!! Now poor little brother is going to have to cook....I love this thread and Im sure we will find something else silly for Kimberly to weave us another song from
Jule
-
So, my DH got himself a media computer for his birthday 12/23 and Christmas. The first song he downloaded this morning and blasted loudly was " You are the woman that I've always dreamed of..." I love that man of mine.
Jule, I am so giddy that I made your Sat. morning. There is no better way to start the day than laughter...OK, good sex isn't bad either. Speaking of which, I'm cracking up at you dating the manager of the city sewer plant a few years ago...I take it the relationship eventually went down the toilet? :-)
How sad the buffalo no longer roam on the ranch near you. Cows are cheaper to feed and make a profit from. Buffalo need grass-they aren't corn lovers...don't even get me started on how man has screwed up a perfectly good solar machine that was born to eat grass (the cow) and turned it into a petroleum machine... all in order to eat the corn that is fertalized by petroleum to support the corn farmer, which causes our dear cows to suffer terribly and need hormones and antibiotics to help it digest the corn. If you haven't read, The Omnivores Dilema, it's a fascinating read about how corn is literally in everything. Poor corn farmers were duped and are now stuck in a viscious cycle of planting more corn to survive...even though we don't need more corn- huge surpluses. Even other countries are suffering as farmers plant corn instead of other more difficult to deal with crops like wheat. The cost of wheat has caused large price hikes for pasta and bread in Italy, for example.
Speaking of pasta, how was your spaghetti? Were you successful getting your little brother to cook? If you've never tried it with spaghetti squash...do. It's delicious, and since it's a veggie, it's so much better for you calorie wise.
Juanita- I hear you on the company leaving being a sad and happy time all at once. I loved having my family here, but it was a bit exhausting....not that they weren't all very understanding of my need to nap or just be quiet. We are a very goofy group and crack up all the time, but I admit I was basking in the glory of the silence when the family left on Wednesday. I need quiet to rejuvinate myself...I've always been like that...used to think I was just antisocial-don't like large crowds- but now realize I just can't process that much stimuli all at once...it exhausts me. I wonder if it's because of being born a premie (I'm a twin and we were born two months early) at a time the medical community didn't know much about the development or lack of in premies and their needs while in the hospital. Hmmmm.
Anyway, RavDeb, thanks for the compliment on my tale...I wouldn't call it a song as much as I'd love to be that talented. Your little dog was an inspriring part for sure...I love that she cares for kittens.
Deb, I am absolutely amazed at people's ingenuity....old cars as septic tanks...who knew???? Apparently people in the boonies of Alaska. Glad you liked my little ditty...wish I'd known about the old car as a septic tank, it could have added a whole new level to the septic tank exploding. ;-)
My coffee is cold...I'm off to get a new cup...warm is so much better on a drizzly day.
Love and laughter to all my Jewels,
Your SIS (Sister In Survival)
Kimberly -
Here I go again. Each year in May I swear I won't bother with new year resolutions...but I'm just fooling myself. Come Monday, I'm joining the local community center again and promise to start walking and lose at least 10 pounds. Sigh! How could this be me?? I never had weight issues before.
-
Oh my dog and the kittens..several years back one of the many prostitute cats (that's what we call them since they are with all the male cats all the time!) had her babies but left them to fend for themselves way too early in life. So, Casey, my dog, took it upon herself to take care of a couple of the kittens. We found her sitting on top of them to keep them warm. She wouldn't let us get near her and in fact, she had smothered them (not that they would have lasted too long without nourishment). We were so upset with her. But, she never had babes of her own so this is what she has done. However...since then we just find her sharing her space with the kittens and licking them now and then to keep them clean and safe.
And Deb...you can have my van for your septic tank if you want. I so want to get rid of it!
-
So...hundreds of years from now archeologists will be digging up ruins in Alaska and wondering why we drove around in our septic tanks.
-
Think of it as investing in your health instead of grappling with a weight problem. My PCP reduced my thyroid meds AND prescribed Celexa for my insomnia back in August. Since then, I've been gaining weight and I've even increased the aerobics classes I teach AND the number of miles I do on my treadmill. I got Dr. Oz's book for Christmas though and am feeling very motivated to begin changing some habits. It's really my hope to eat in a different way and to diversify my workouts more. I'm also resolving to drink alot more water and have a new water bottle made from the "right" plastic and in a manageable size to carry everywhere (no excuses!). Also, I'm lining up about a dozen dates (not an option for you married chicas, i know!) to keep me otherwise occupied.
Did you know that every extra 10 pounds you gain puts 45 pounds of additional pressure/weight on your knees? Geez. That's one good reason to get rid of the 10. It's bad enogh to be taking an AI that causes joint pain and bone loss!
I don't know a thing about buffalo or even cows for that matter. I may live in North Carolina now, but I'm from New York!
I do love spaghetti though
~Marin
-
That's a good way to look at it Marin. I did notice when I was walking at the community center last year that my joint aches went away and have stayed away. I know the key is to 'just get moving.' I no longer have knee and hip pain like I used to even though the weight never came off.
Categories
- All Categories
- 679 Advocacy and Fund-Raising
- 289 Advocacy
- 68 I've Donated to Breastcancer.org in honor of....
- Test
- 322 Walks, Runs and Fundraising Events for Breastcancer.org
- 5.6K Community Connections
- 282 Middle Age 40-60(ish) Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 53 Australians and New Zealanders Affected by Breast Cancer
- 208 Black Women or Men With Breast Cancer
- 684 Canadians Affected by Breast Cancer
- 1.5K Caring for Someone with Breast cancer
- 455 Caring for Someone with Stage IV or Mets
- 260 High Risk of Recurrence or Second Breast Cancer
- 22 International, Non-English Speakers With Breast Cancer
- 16 Latinas/Hispanics With Breast Cancer
- 189 LGBTQA+ With Breast Cancer
- 152 May Their Memory Live On
- 85 Member Matchup & Virtual Support Meetups
- 375 Members by Location
- 291 Older Than 60 Years Old With Breast Cancer
- 177 Singles With Breast Cancer
- 869 Young With Breast Cancer
- 50.4K Connecting With Others Who Have a Similar Diagnosis
- 204 Breast Cancer with Another Diagnosis or Comorbidity
- 4K DCIS (Ductal Carcinoma In Situ)
- 79 DCIS plus HER2-positive Microinvasion
- 529 Genetic Testing
- 2.2K HER2+ (Positive) Breast Cancer
- 1.5K IBC (Inflammatory Breast Cancer)
- 3.4K IDC (Invasive Ductal Carcinoma)
- 1.5K ILC (Invasive Lobular Carcinoma)
- 999 Just Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastasis
- 652 LCIS (Lobular Carcinoma In Situ)
- 193 Less Common Types of Breast Cancer
- 252 Male Breast Cancer
- 86 Mixed Type Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Not Diagnosed With a Recurrence or Metastases but Concerned
- 189 Palliative Therapy/Hospice Care
- 488 Second or Third Breast Cancer
- 1.2K Stage I Breast Cancer
- 313 Stage II Breast Cancer
- 3.8K Stage III Breast Cancer
- 2.5K Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
- 13.1K Day-to-Day Matters
- 132 All things COVID-19 or coronavirus
- 87 BCO Free-Cycle: Give or Trade Items Related to Breast Cancer
- 5.9K Clinical Trials, Research News, Podcasts, and Study Results
- 86 Coping with Holidays, Special Days and Anniversaries
- 828 Employment, Insurance, and Other Financial Issues
- 101 Family and Family Planning Matters
- Family Issues for Those Who Have Breast Cancer
- 26 Furry friends
- 1.8K Humor and Games
- 1.6K Mental Health: Because Cancer Doesn't Just Affect Your Breasts
- 706 Recipe Swap for Healthy Living
- 704 Recommend Your Resources
- 171 Sex & Relationship Matters
- 9 The Political Corner
- 874 Working on Your Fitness
- 4.5K Moving On & Finding Inspiration After Breast Cancer
- 394 Bonded by Breast Cancer
- 3.1K Life After Breast Cancer
- 806 Prayers and Spiritual Support
- 285 Who or What Inspires You?
- 28.7K Not Diagnosed But Concerned
- 1K Benign Breast Conditions
- 2.3K High Risk for Breast Cancer
- 18K Not Diagnosed But Worried
- 7.4K Waiting for Test Results
- 603 Site News and Announcements
- 560 Comments, Suggestions, Feature Requests
- 39 Mod Announcements, Breastcancer.org News, Blog Entries, Podcasts
- 4 Survey, Interview and Participant Requests: Need your Help!
- 61.9K Tests, Treatments & Side Effects
- 586 Alternative Medicine
- 255 Bone Health and Bone Loss
- 11.4K Breast Reconstruction
- 7.9K Chemotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 2.7K Complementary and Holistic Medicine and Treatment
- 775 Diagnosed and Waiting for Test Results
- 7.8K Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 50 Immunotherapy - Before, During, and After
- 7.4K Just Diagnosed
- 1.4K Living Without Reconstruction After a Mastectomy
- 5.2K Lymphedema
- 3.6K Managing Side Effects of Breast Cancer and Its Treatment
- 591 Pain
- 3.9K Radiation Therapy - Before, During, and After
- 8.4K Surgery - Before, During, and After
- 109 Welcome to Breastcancer.org
- 98 Acknowledging and honoring our Community
- 11 Info & Resources for New Patients & Members From the Team