Seat Of My Pants

Interview w/Cassie

2009-02-20T11:09:00.004-06:00

Well, I took the challenge from my daughter, Cass, and I let her interview me. Here are the questions she came up with.

1. How did Dan & I meet and what's our engagement story.

Dan & I met at Oak Hills Bible Institute in Bemidji, MN. We were both seeing other people but those relationships didn't work out. I only went 1 year he was there for 2. We were "friends" and started writing each other to commiserate about lost love. I went to OHBI to visit him and other friends in Jan. 1978. Our first date was to church and then Perkins afterwards. He told me that he was ready for a serious relationship and wanted it to be with me. I said "OK". Then we went snowshoeing. We had 2 more "dates" and at the Ground Round in Brooklyn Center, MN he said "Heck, I love you and want to marry you!" I said "me too!". We were married on October 28, 1978. That's right, 3 whole dates before we were engaged :)

2. If you could plan your wedding again, what would you do differently?

We'd have a destination wedding to someplace warm, maybe a cruise in the Caribbean or the beaches of Mexico. Just close friends and immediate family.

3. What is your favorite quality in someone else? a couple of them: Loyalty and Sense of Humor

4. If you were to start your own business, what would it be and how would you do it?

I'd do 1 of 2 things: go into a home decorating business, consulting and actually designing and doing the hands on labor. ie. painting, sewing wall coverings etc. or open a small cafe/bistro. I'd serve coffees, breakfasts & lunches. Anything that Guy Friete would love. Who cares about the calories. Of course, I'd make lots of money and have no worries :)

5. My favorite book and why?

Golly, I've read so many books over the years but lately it's been anything by Roxanne Henke. She is a regional writer and writes about stuff I can identify with. I like her outlook on life and her realism. On another level I like suspense novels for a little spice.

Now, if this little interview was half ways interesting 1. Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me."2. I will respond by emailing you five questions. (I get to pick the questions).3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview others in the same post.5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.

PURGING, THE GOOD KIND :)

2009-02-10T08:52:00.004-06:00

I guess I'm not a "real" blogger like others who are consistent. For some reason I love to read other blogs but never seem to come up with something "important" to share with you all. Except now!!!

Today is going to be the day that I "purge" my master bedroom closet!!! I can't wait. I have a very large closet, maybe 8' x 12' and I have too much stuff in it, disorganized stuff. It also has not been painted since 2 paint colors ago. The vision of an organized, efficiently lit closet is so......exciting. There really should be before and after pics posted but.... I don't have a camera, only the one on my phone and it wouldn't do it justice. Dan says he will help me when he comes home. That would be fun to finally have another project to work on together. It helps us bond and not be couch potatoes.

What this all represents is probably getting some control in my life. Lately looking for a new full time job has been disappointing. I've not been unintentionally unemployed for this long before. Trying to be an eternal optimist in these times takes a bit of energy! Facing the realities of stuff isn't always fun but you know what??? God has been teaching me and assuring me that "this is HIS doing". He is in control!!!

Purging is good for the soul and for the household. I'll let you know how it goes. Looking forward to the endorphins to be released and put to good use.

Mavis's Famous Meatloaf

2008-11-04T11:52:00.005-06:00

Tasty Tuesday came and went last week. oops! Check out Lindsay's other tasty tuesday recipes. This week i was thinking of comfort food and food for cold weather. burrrr...... It's coming for those of us up north :) This recipe is one that i learned in Jr. High when my mom went back to work and i had to make suppers. She, of course, doesn't seem to remember this the same way but .... i know it's a winner. I bake it for church dinners too. I do take liberties and add more or less of the amounts to specific tastes. Enjoy.

mavis's famous meatloaf

1 1/2 lbs. ground beef
1 egg
1 envelope lipton onion soup mix
3/4 c - 1 c oatmeal (quick or regular)
1/2 c - 3/4 c milk (don't make it soupy)
1/2 c ketchup

mix together with your hands (fun, fun). Put in loaf pan or double recipe and put in 9 x 13 pan. bake 350-375 for 1 hour or until no longer pink. Last 10 minutes top w/ favorite BBQ sauce or catsup. Serve w/mashed or baked potatoes and cheesy corn (corn w/velveeta melted in).

a little humor in our "dance" toward the presidency

2008-10-29T16:14:00.000-05:00

This last week of campaigning & voting stuff gets pretty long and not all that fun. I thought i'd throw a couple of fun items your way, something to cheer us up before the BIG day. Hopefully no matter how you vote you'll find these to be a chuckle or two. ENJOY and Remember to Vote, Nov. 4 :) After you've checked out the picture go to http://www.palinaspresident.com/ and move the mouse over the picture and click. There are little surprises all over. This is courtesy of stephen's blog.

tasty tuesday creeps up on me :)

2008-10-21T12:00:00.000-05:00

Here is another episode of me trying to be a cook. Check out Lindsay's blog for more menu ideas
SPAGHETTI PIE

1 LB SPAGHETTI, OR ADD AS MUCH AS YOUR FAMILY LIKES TO EAT, COOK AS DIRECTED,drain

ADD: 1/4 C BUTTER, MELTED

1 EGG, BEATEN

1/2 C GRATED PARMESAN

PRESS INTO PIE PAN, 8" OR 9" to form crust

ADD: 1 CUP COTTAGE CHEESE, SPREAD ON NOODLES

TOP WITH: 1 JAR SPAGHETTI SAUCE

1 LB HAMBURGER, BROWNED & DRAINED

BAKE 350 DEGREES FOR 25-30 MIN.

TOP W/ 1 cup MOZZARELLA CHEESE FOR THE LAST 5 MIN., UNTIL MELTED

SERVES 4-6

I'VE ALSO DONE THIS IN A 9 X 13 AND INCREASED THE "CRUST" QUANTITIES.

TASTY TUESDAY

2008-10-14T15:40:00.000-05:00

This is a family favorite or then again, maybe it's just mine :)

Sue's Quick & Easy Chop Suey

1- lb. ground beef

1/2 c. chopped onion, optional

brown beef w/onion in large fry pan. drain grease

add:

1 can chicken noodle soup

1 can cr of chicken soup

1 can water

Bring to a boil.

add: 1 - 1 1/2 cans minute rice

add soy sauce to taste.

cover and cook for approx. 10 min.

add approx. 1/2 c chinese chow mein noodles

1 can green beans

cover and cook 5 min.

Should be thick enough to serve as "hot dish". I add more chowmein noodles to serve and soy sauce. ummm. Serves approx. 4-5

Random Things

2008-10-13T12:14:00.001-05:00

Hmmm. I've been tagged by cassie . It's been a few years since tag has been part of my life but this one I think I can handle.

7 Random or Weird facts about myself

1. i love sitting on my butt.

2. i make by bed every morning

3. i find it almost impossible to leave the house w/out makeup on. i know, i'm vain.

4. fruits and vegetables are not my favorite things to eat. i can't understand why it's so difficult to lose weight???

5.i am a homebody. i find it difficult to be away from home longer than 1 week. sometimes less than that.

6. i would love to make a living in interior decorating or design. not possible in our small town.

7. i enjoy driving in my car.

now who will i tag? i don't know alot of bloggers yet. Cassie tagged the ones i know.

TASTY TUESDAY RECIPE SHARING

2008-10-07T10:59:00.000-05:00

Ok, i've never been known as this great cook but Lindsay's blog has me interested. i do have a recipe that is a winner w/everyone who tries it: forgive my sometimes inexact measurements (i'm not a measurer :)

Chickey Stacky Uppy

1-Lg Can Cream of Chicken Soup
1-Lg Can Cream of Mushroom Soup
1/2 envelope lipton onion soup
1 small can mushroom pieces
1-10 3/4 oz. chicken broth
4-5 chicken breasts, cooked and cubed (i boil these and cube after)
Mix all of the above and heat through. can be done in crock pot, approx. 4 hours on low.
Add 8 oz. sour cream before serving.

This is fun for the family because it can be customized to each person's taste

Each person makes their own w/ chowmein noodles, topped by scoop of white rice, add above gravy, top w/ dry roasted peanuts, chopped tomatoes, chopped green onions, chopped green peppers, jalapenos, pineapple chunks and coconut. Anything goes! This is so..... good! Seems like an unusual combo but oh, the flavors are so awesome together. Serves 6-8 people.

REFLECTIONS ON EMPTY NESTING

2008-09-26T11:24:00.000-05:00

You know you are an empty nester when:
-You look for some clean underwear and realize you haven't done laundry in 1 week
-Supper is cereal or whatever is leftover in the fridge
-the dust bunnies are very infrequent because of lack of activity in the home
-or the dust bunnies that are there can't be blamed on my daughter any more
-you can reclaim the extra bathroom in the house as yours
-your college age son visits and asks " so, is this how you spend everynight?"
-you read blogs from young moms and think "it really wasn't that long ago, was it?"

I'm sure there are many more but at the moment these are top of mind. It really is a nice place to be at but rather surreal at times. I have to remember to enjoy the journey :)

It's gone but actually just beginning

2008-09-11T21:45:00.000-05:00

You know, the day has come and gone. I can't believe you spend all that time for that 1 special day and phuff... it's gone. I guess, from experience, i do know that but it was my daughter's wedding, my one and only daughter's wedding, and it's gone. It was a wonderful day. Beautiful weather, great friends and family. The stresses of the week tend to rear their silly heads. But in the end, beauty. Wow!!!

the newlyweds are very happy. It is a joy to see them in new love. We have to be reminded of that from time to time. It brings a smile to my face. Just knowing the growth that will happen between them. The ups and the downs all equal a very complete, and satisfying love. Where would we be without all the "stuff"? Learning to work together to make a family, a God fearing, loving family. Thank you, Jesus.

Tending to the relationships. It requires perserverance. It is work but, in the end, very gratifying and special. To choose to spend the rest of your life w/someone who is willing to sacrifice for you and you for them, cool! Growth!

Almost Here!

2008-07-28T17:49:00.000-05:00

I can't believe that the countdown for the wedding is now at 12 days. Time really does fly by. The planning has been going well. I have a tendency to dwell on stuff a bit longer then I need to. Should the centerpieces be in galvanized pails or mason jars? What color roses should we have? plates 9" or 10 3/4"? I do have a life!!!

the yard is almost finished, my plants are planted and fertilized. Now we pray for good weather. At least, no rain :)

Cassie is getting her new home already to move to. She has worked so hard at turning it into a modern, cute home. Her colors are very bright and contempory/modern. It's fun to see her creative eye at work. I have to remember to let her do her thing. So easy for me to think I know what she wants.

Just a few more things to check off my list and I'm sure I'll be ready for the day. I don't know how the emotional side of it will be but it's been a process that I've usually enjoyed. :)

where do i begin?

2008-05-30T16:15:00.000-05:00

i've been encouraged to join the blogging world by some very dear friends and my daughter. i'm what you would call a blog stalker. i never thought i really had much to say and maybe don't but i'm going to try my hand at it.

today, i'd love to hear from any moms going through wedding planning for their daughters. My daughter is getting married on Aug. 9, 2008 to a wonderful man. The engagement just happened in April and they decided the wedding would be sooner than later. Fine by me. The venue will be our yard/lawn. we live on a 10 acre hobby farm and it was in much need of brush and tree clearing. so guess what i've been doing lately? that's right! wood ticks are my friend, along w/scratched up arms, bruised legs and a sore back. What do you expect from an old (50) lady?

it's all been quite bonding. My daughter's fiancee owns an excavating company w/his brother so this weekend he will be over w/heavy equipment. Can't wait! We have alot of piles of brush being burned, holes being dug to bury all the stuff that we have indiscriminately thrown away. I'll try to be more "green" in the future.

The actual wedding stuff is going ok. Trying to remember it's not my wedding and let her enjoy the process. Waiting on quotes for tents and food etc. The waiting game makes it seem somewhat surreal. I guess, not being a natural planner, i have to work a bit harder to check off the lists so we are ready in time. Until next time......