What I want...

As the New Year approaches here's what I want... .

1. Safety and health for my friends and family. Specifically, my mom, who is having major surgery on January 21st. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

2. More money and job security. I can't help it... I am always nervous about money and this crappy economy isn't helping at all.

3. Speaking of job security... I've been contemplating a move. I've been thinking of Culinary School... I can get a full degree for under $10,000 (I think). The only problems... how do we live on one salary with daycare and a mortgage? And the expected salary start base is only $23,000. Who can live on that with kids? What to do? I love to cook, I love to cook for people. Hmmm.... any thoughts?

4. Speaking of money... I've been thinking about more kids. I don't think it's possible without more money. Plain and simple. And besides... Weston's perfect. Do we need more?

And What do I want right now?
Right now I want Greek Spaghetti! A friend brought in homemade Baklava this morning. It was delicious (though I'm on sugar overload right now.) But it reminded me of Yanni's (local Greek/Italian restaurant) which reminded me of how every time I'm there I love the food, but what I really want is Anousha's mom's Greek Spaghetti. Trust me, I sound completely insane, but you do not understand the deliciousness that is Greek Spaghetti. This is so fabulous that Jessica Eyskens (one-time Study group member and former Drake Roommate, the former being why we haven't spoken in years) requested this as a graduation gift from Anousha when we went to her party in 1997. She wouldn't let anyone touch it. Not one bite, not even for Ms. Boyd if I remember correctly, and every girl tried to suck up to Ms. Boyd - but that's another story for another time. Greek Spaghetti is a blend of salted spaghetti noodles covered with browned butter (hard to achieve, but I have succeeded thanks to Mary Ann Tahmasebi), and then covered sufficiently with a Greek cheese that has more letters that I know and starts with an "M". I can never remember the name. I bought my last round of cheese for $11 in a convenience store in Greek Town in Chicago last March, about 2 stores left of the Parthenon Restaurant where the Jeff-Goldblum-look-alike owner kept making me slightly dizzy while Shannon, Anousha and I grazed on all things deliciously Greek for 3 hours. One of my favorite days. Hmmmm.... Greek food, the Nerd-Factor and the possibility of Greek Spaghetti all in one day. Aaahhhh!!! (angels singing, I swear. At least in my head.) I made 3 dinners of the wondrous Greek Spaghetti, I even shared with people not in my family. And now, I haven't had any in months. And it's all i want to eat.
So... what I want for the New Year is a name... a name of the Greek cheese I used or a fabulous substitute. Anyone who knows... Anousha, Erika, anyone... I will reward you with anything... Baked goods, cake... if you are closer, I will cook a meal. Just help me find this cheese! Please!

Be safe, be happy, have a happy new year!

Sports and Exercise: Damon Style

So... my Aunt Linda and Uncle Dave, who obviously love us very very much, gave Scott and I a Nintendo Wii for Christmas! I was honestly so shocked that all of the blood rushed to my head and I had a headache from the moment I opened it around 2pm until well after midnight, even with the obvious drugs in my system. A Wii is not something you ask for. I never ask for pricey items. It took over 5 years of asking for my combined family to get me a Kitchenaid stand mixer (which I do not use enough.) I got an iPod Nano from my parents this year only because I mentioned how I was going to pool the birthday money and buy one myself and they were planning on buying Nathan one for Christmas, so they asked if I wanted one. Ummm... hell yes. You pick the color, I just want the iPod. (I received the Royal Purple... very purple, kind of fun.)

Anyway back to the Wii... My Aunt and Uncle thought that with the addition of Weston, we wouldn't (and aren't) going out much anymore. So they thought the Wii could be our new prepaid form of entertainment. And boy was she right! My whole family (ok, not mom, but she and Weston cheered us on from the sidelines) got in on the game! Here's a sample of the fun we had:

My Dad rocked the bowling! He had great form, just look at him. Fabulous. I won the first round and then Dad took the second. Then again, I never got off the chair for the 2nd round since I was playing as my Mom. :)

Aunt Linda was great too. Her and Uncle David and Shannon got so into it, that they had Weston laughing (and snorting!!!) out loud when the shouted and jumped up and down over triumphs or whined in defeat. It was high-larious.

Compared to the rest of the family, Scott, Shannon, and I were pros, having played once before. But we had a great time. And this is honestly how we spent the night of my birthday. Jammies, cake and Wii games. It was awesome. We had Rastrelli's for dinner (I should have had the Seafood Ravioli Alfredo instead of the generic Fried Chicken, but oh well.) And then we came home to games. The only thing that could have been better was for Nathan to be with us, but he was sick with the flu, that he had spread around the house Christmas Day. I was sick by Sunday and Aunt Linda had it by Monday. Thanks, Nathan!

Best new game? Definitely Tiger Woods '09. I do not play golf, and am pretty lame at mini-golf (though I do try), but this was actually fun. And the commentators are hilarious. I wish I could purposely brain one with the golf ball sometimes. Best Commentator Quote, "This is ridiculous. If Tiger doesn't improve, I may as well just leave."

-Enough said.

Coming up...

An Ode to Christmas. Presents, games, Wii Contests and food. Plus a thank you to friends for their wonderful Christmas gifts to Weston. Who took Christmas like a champ.

Here is a preview:

The Power of Homer's Deli

So... while in Clinton for the Christmas holiday, I was supposed to meet 2 of my favorite people for an early lunch on the 24th, Beth (Gansen) Knight and Sue Buelow (soon-to-be-White.) Beth, her husband Alex, and their daughter Bella became trapped in an Ice Storm in Cedar Rapids. (No one can leave CR once they arrive. It's ridiculous.) So, Weston and I met Sue and her fiance Bryan for lunch at Homer's Deli. I love Homer's. I try to eat there every time I go home. Best deli sandwiches anywhere.

Ok... back to point - everyone who knows me or my family well, knows that we can generally "read" people, especially my dad and I. We know when someone is worth knowing or not in about 5-10 minutes. It's just a feeling. I met Bryan White, Sue's fiance around 1220pm on Wednesday the 24th. First impression... I had the urge to hug him. No kidding. Which according to my internal diagnostic basically means that he is a wonderful person for my friend.

And when they visited the family later (yes, I bribed them with fudge for the road) my family really seemed to like Bryan too. So... Thumbs up, Bryan. You are in with the Iowa friends. Now... just make sure to take very good care of our Sue... there are too many people who will not be happy with you if she is unhappy. See you guys in July!!! (Yes, I stole this pic from A Gal Named Sue.)

Another Homer's weirdness... I remember eating there all the time when i was younger or visting during college. I never run into anyone unless they work there... until this week. We saw a lot of people... Andy Grotelueschen and Joe Rogis to name 2... a few more. It was weird and interesting all at the same time. Homer's Deli... Clinton gathering place. I guess that's better than the Lion's Tap (which was actually closed on Christmas Eve!)

My family

I generally live every day on a hour-to-hour or day-to-day basis right now. I am just too tired to do otherwise. But then there are some occasions when fate takes my hand and forces me to stop and appreciate the moment. I've had a few of these lately.

Yesterday, Weston ate rice cereal for the first time. Three times! He sat in a high chair last night and literally ate from a spoon, honestly getting 92% of the cereal into his tummy. He's getting so big! Sometimes he looks like my little baby and I remember how tiny he started out and soft and surreal he used to feel, and there are times he gives me this looks that says, "Mom... I know what you're up to and it is not going to work."

My favorite moments lately... lazy Saturday or Sunday mornings when we bring Weston into our bed and he just laughs at us while standing on us or laying between us letting us make funny faces at him... Saturday night church services when he "sings" during the songs and keeps going after the song is over... early mornings when I go in to get Weston up and he grabs my hand and licks it, then sucks on it... when I move him to the changing table first thing in the morning and he finally figures out that he is awake and gives me the biggest smile ever... when I sing to him (which I do a lot and we all how horrible my voice is) and he just laughs at me, but seems to like it... when my husband loves me enough to get up with Weston and let me sleep.

We got our Christmas pictures in yesterday... a sampling scattered throughout for your enjoyment. Have a wonderful day and enjoy the moments.

Hum a little, Mr. Bones

So... my illustrious and somewhat evasive "Little Sister" Erika (little sister of my best friend who may as well be my sister too) clued me in to the fact that she is blogging. Hum a little, Mr. Bones (aka handkerchiefsandwich at tumbler) is an interesting name... and honestly, it's funny. It's like reading TMZ, but actually understanding what's being said 94% of the time. And there is some insightful commentary on world events as well. Definitely check her out. If no other reason, than to waste time at work. :) Check it out in the sidebar.



I told you she was beautiful didn't I? I stole this off her Facebook page, so it's her fault if she hates the picture.
But honestly, it eerie how much she looks like Kim Kardashian. Done up right, they could be sisters.

Shout Out!

So I recently heard that my friend Anousha has my blog bookmarked on her computer. And that occasionally her sister Erika gets to enjoy reading it with her. So... this is a huge

SHOUT OUT

to Anousha and Erika saying hi!!! I wish you would give me a call once in a while or return a text message so that I know that you are alive and well in the sunny happiness of California. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of my lost ones that probably miss the snow.

Anousha with the Bee Gees on Hollywood Blvd when I visited in June 2006.

I don't have any Erika pictures on this computer, but she's gorgeous. She looks like Kim Kardashian, trust me. But you'll just have to settle for a picture of her adorable puppy!

And last, but certainly not least... a SHOUT OUT to my original "girls"
Sue, Anousha, and Beth
even though thousands of miles separate us, I'm grateful for all of you every day.