December 23, 2006

Good Taste

The making of the pralines is complete! Three batches and only the last one was a flop---and I didn't need it anyway---got all the gifts covered with two batches. Let the gift wrapping begin!

Quote of the day by FM#1: "Pralines are comfort food."

December 22, 2006

Does someone need a hug?

A few days ago some conversation was going on around here -- probably several conversations at once, but FM#2 asked CeanBounter something to which Cean snapped back with a grumpy response. FM#2 leaned over to me and said in a low tone, "He's an angry elf."

December 16, 2006

Ben Who?

Ben 10 Omnitrix F/X; it's all the rage this year;
For boys who watch the cartoon it's a must-have, I hear.
It's black and green and really cool;
A supply shortage I fear.
Ben 10!

The stores are sold out, only ones are waiting on Ebay,
For three times the retail price you can own one today.
Remember PS2 and Elmo,
Hurry, don't delay!
Ben 10!

UPDATE: HolyChow and my algebra buddy (nephew) found one! Score!

December 14, 2006

Pu-khan' or Pee'-can?

Today's the day. Can't you hear Rod Stewart singing "Tonight's the Night"? That song always creeped me out. Hey, what's the deal with us talking about the Rodster so much lately? See EuroMom's post for more.

Anyhoooo, today I will attempt to make pecan pralines. I am doing this for my husband's staff at work. No pressure, just ten boxes -- that's five batches, folks. FIVE BATCHES!!!

I figured I'd get started today so if it's a flop (HolyChow promises it's easy) I'll have the weekend to figure out something else. A couple of years ago we got them all a nice bottle of wine. I loved this option because it was one stop shopping, easy gift wrapping, and well, who doesn't love wine?

Apparently, someone on my husband's staff because they gave us a bottle of wine last year and I think it was literally The Same Wine we gave them the year before. Or maybe they thought we liked that particular wine since we gave it as a gift - in which case they'd be correct.

I'll let you know how the candy making goes. Meanwhile, if any of you have any great gift ideas that require a credit card rather than a stove stop, fess up, and save me from this chore!

December 5, 2006

Digging Up Old Brain Cells

I must admit I'm breathing a sigh of relief. Over the Thanksgiving holiday I told my nephew, who is not loving algebra, to give me a call and I'd help him. I really didn't think he'd take me up on that offer. Well, he didn't really. His mom did. Now I'm on my second algebra assignment and I'm finding I remember stuff I haven't done since high school. What I've forgotten how to do I'm googling and, "Whew!", it's coming back to me. Hence the sigh of relief.

I am often surprised at how much we forget, although 'forget' isn't the right word. The knowledge is in there; we just don't use it anymore. Or the memory is in there and we just don't think about it. I wish there was a way to replay segments of our lives.

A couple of weeks ago I was talking to a friend's husband about what he did for a living. Come to find out he does the same thing I used to do, you know, before I retired (yeah right). He used a word that described the type of systems he works on. SCADA. At one point in my life, I used that word almost daily. It was like a little brain cell rejuvenation when I heard it again; kind of like this algebra is now. It was rather fun talking to him about my former job. But I'm glad it's my former job.

I *heart* algebra and CeanBounter for doing the job he does so I can do the job I do.