Just when I thought sunny skies were
back, we had another rainy day. The backyard didn’t flood, thank goodness. It
was more of a drizzle all day.
However, the kids and I went to
Kroger and of course as we were loading the groceries in the car, then
unloading them at home, there were downpours.
We were standing in line at Kroger
and Alesia saw an ad in a magazine I was thumbing through. “That’s True Blood,
about vampires,” she said in an accusatory voice.
“I take it, you’re talking about a
TV show?” I said casually.
“Yes, it’s a TV SHOW,” she said in
an aggrieved voice.
“Well, OK, but we don’t watch TV,
remember?” I said evenly.
Alesia instantly hissed at me, “I know
we don’t watch TV! You don’t have to say it so loud!”
“Well, I don’t care who hears me.”
There was a momentary silence. Then
Alesia said in a voice of great annoyance, “When I have children I am going to
let them watch TV!”
“Great. My grandchildren will be
morons,” I said.
“I have lots of friends who watch TV
and they aren’t morons!” she said. I knew that would be her response.
“That still doesn’t make me want to
run home and turn on the TV,” I replied. I honestly don’t know how single
working moms do it. When I come home, between making dinner, dealing with
homework, sports practices, housework, Coco, the gardens, etc. there is no time
to watch TV. I have to work hard to get everyone settled down by 8 to watch a
movie for an hour. I prefer not to expose my kids to a lot of commericals, too. Movies work best - they learn from them, and I control what we watch.
When I do have a spare bit of time and feel like vegetating, I like HGTV or Food
channel. Mother watches Fox and CNN, and is far better informed about what’s
going on in the world.
We had an interesting afternoon.
Mother and I took Michael to his
friend Colton’s house. Colton has a Wii, a fact that is forever getting thrown
in my face. He’s a sweet little boy and I like his aunt [who is his guardian]
so I try to ignore the technology whining. I have assured Michael we will never own a Wii.
Mother and I drove up to my new
office, where I start work tomorrow. We drove around a bit to see what was up
there – not a lot, it's pretty rural – and ate lunch at a barbeque place that was really good. I
cannot for the life of me recall the name of the place, but they were selling
cute tee shirts that said “You can smell our butts a mile away!” I wanted to
get one for Michael but I feared he would try and wear it to school.
Alesia chose to stay home and cook
all afternoon. I had bought some eggplant a week or so ago and it needed to be
cooked, only I chickened out. I like eggplant. Last time I cooked it, though,
my lips swelled up and my whole face swelled and I thought I was going to have
to call 911. That was before Alesia came home. Mother and I decided later there was
probably some stupid pesticide on the outside and when I peeled it I
accidentally got some on my hands and face. So this time, I just couldn’t bring
myself to peel and cook the eggplant.
Alesia made a great casserole, with
the eggplant, onions, lots of Portobello mushrooms, tomatoes, and cheese. She
found the recipe, bought the ingredients, and made it with no help. I was very
proud of her. It was a delicious one dish dinner.
She also made a yellow cake. I
helped her make a real cream cheese icing after she decided the bought icing
was nasty. It did smell weird. All those chemicals. I am glad we made real
icing. One day we will make a real pound cake, not from a box.
I had a great conversation tonight
with my friend Joanne. We have been friends since babyhood. She was visiting
her mother in Augusta, and her mother is a dear friend of my mother. So Mother
called to wish Anna happy birthday, and Joanne and I got in a visit. She lives
in Ohio and has two girls, almost the same age as my kids.
I told Michael they might get down
to visit around Thanksgiving, and her younger girl is his age. He asked if she
was pretty. “Yes, she is, she looks just like her mama,” I replied. “However,
she is taller than me, kiddo. Sorry. Her daddy is 6’7, so it was inevitable.”
Michael is about 5’1. He has big hands and feet, though, so I am sure he has
some more growing to do.
“Remember, son, it’s not the size of
the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog!” That’s my
personal credo.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
Cream Cheese Frosting
2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
In a medium bowl, cream together the cream cheese and butter until creamy. Mix in the vanilla, then gradually stir in the confectioners' sugar. Store in the refrigerator after use.
I added in some fresh lime juice and that kicked up the flavor.