Thank You

I want to say thank you to everyone for the birthday wishes.

And thank you to those who spent the night before my birthday with me having a wonderful dinner! There was lots of laugh, some even not at my expense! And Jodi's cake was delicious!

Turning 40 wasn't quite as bad as I expected.

I had a wonderful time with Dad here. He is back home now. Mally misses him so much!

Beer Batter Onion Rings

My great-aunt Rene has a recipe for Beer Battered Onion Rings. Dad and I decided to try it yesterday.

We made the batter and let it set overnight. Today, we fried up the onion rings and they were delicious! I couldn't keep up with making the rings as fast as we were eating them in the beginning!

But - I do need to make a point for those of you who share recipes. If you change something in the recipe, update the recipe!!!!

The recipe says let the batter sit for at least 3 hours. Dad pointed out that Rene once said it's best to let it sit overnight.

My mother use to do that! I would make something and it wouldn't be quite right and I would ask her. She would then tell me that she changed something. Oh, yeah, thanks for telling me! I'm using her recipe, written in her handwriting, but it's not right....geez woman!

So, if you change something, let the people know!

Anyways, the onion rings were incredible!

Mally is one happy dog!

Dad arrived today and Mally is so happy to see him!

I, too, am happy Dad is visiting. I earned Daughter of the Day for picking out a good place to eat on the way home from the airport, so I'm happy with that!

Despite what some people think, I can actually cook, so tomorrow, hopefully, I will earn Daughter of the Day again when I make chili.

Unfortunately, the time will go by quickly, Dad is only here for a long weekend. But, we will make the most of it. He is already asleep on the couch.

Good night all!

Shoes Glorious Shoes!

As I said in an earlier post, my friend Jodi ordered a pair of shoes for me for Christmas. They arrived today! I'm so excited. I am known for my shoe collection.
I love them!
As you can see, I had to try them on immediately! They have some damn high heels! And a high platform! I love it!

I originally saw these shoes online about a year ago, in silver. I wanted a pair for Angie's wedding. Could not find them anywhere in the Atlanta area. Now, I own them in black, which will go with so many more outfits.

Can't wait to wear them!

Thank you Jodi!

And by the way Alex - if something should happen to me, you will inherit my shoe collection.

Anti-Valentine

Those of you that know me well, you know that I hate Valentine's day.

Yes, it is because I am single. Ironically, the years that I have been in a relationship, Valentine's day was worse than being single.

I am a hopeless romantic at heart. Over the years, I have come to call February 14th "Evil Day".

As Evil Day approaches, I do a few things to prepare myself. This coming week, I will be watching horror flicks. The Shining and the Exorcists are good stand by's.

On Evil Day itself, I will wear all black. My best friend back home, Angie, wears all black also. She hates the day as much as I do, and we show solidarity by wearing all black.

The other thing I do, and have done for the last 7 or 8 years, is create a "mixed tape" for myself. Angie receives a copy of it each year also. It is called "Anti-Valentines CD".

Side note - last years CD did not go out until this year. Since we were planning Angie's wedding, it didn't seem appropriate to send her a copy.

Some of the songs are cheeky fun songs that just 'dis' on love in general. Some songs are about true broken hearts.

This year, Angie's daughter - my "love child" Alex, also received a copy, of both last year's and this year's CD. Alex is now 16, and Angie and I both feel she is ready to learn about love and it's ups and more importantly, it's downs. The child has been through a few, and maybe these CD's will help in the future.

Tonight, Angie and Alex received their copies. Through Facebook, I got a smiley face, so I assume she liked it!

So - if you hate Valentine's day like me - pull out your black clothing and put together your own mixed CD of anti-valentine's day songs!

Retired Racers....

I have seen this picture on Facebook a few times and just felt the need to share. I think it is way too cute.

Yes, this is the life of a retired racing greyhound.

There is an ad tonight during the Superbowl for Skechers that features Greyhounds. There is a bit of controversy surrounding the ad. At this point, I won't go into my position on Greyhound Racing, but it's awesome to see greyhounds featured in an ad that will be seen by so many people!

Just like the greyhound above, I have a feeling that my Mally will sleep through the whole thing.

THUNDERSNOW

I live in Georgia now, but I grew up in Nebraska. I didn't mind the snow and cold, but I hated shoveling. When I lived there - I still lived with my parents, and Dad wouldn't buy a snow blower!

The one weather phenomena I loved was Thundersnow. When it was a thunder storm and snowing at the same time. Yesterday, when I was talking to my dad back home, he said the weatherman was predicting thundersnow for this weekend. I am so jealous!

I don't know if it is still in the forecast, but the midwest is due to get hit with a nasty snow storm. I hope everyone is ok during the storm - but if anyone gets thundersnow - think of me! I love thundersnow!

I am WOMAN!

Here me ROAR!

As many of you know, I am fiercely independent. I have lived on my own for many years. Which, means I have learned to do simple home repairs.

Today, I fixed my toilet. The chain for the flapper broke. Yes that is a very simple repair, in most cases. Well, the toilets in this house have a plastic "chain". Not so simple. And it broke off at the flapper.

So, I had to replace the flapper. I purchased one with a real chain, not that dang plastic strip. And smooth as silk, replaced the flapper, reattached the chain, adjusted it and it works!

I just had to brag a bit about myself!