Today has been almost a comedy of disasters. One thing after another has happened, to the point I have to laugh, or I will cry.
I got up and ran around this morning to get ready for work, busting out of the door at 8, trying to reach the office by 8:30, which is when I had to be there last week. I was halfway there when I thought YOU IDIOT, you don't have to be there until 9:00 this week. Jeez louise.
Then I looked down and realized the Check Engine light was on in the car. Great.
All day at work, in this very swanky office building, all us temps were sweltering in the big room where we sit, because the air conditioner was malfunctioning. The cold-natured folks were rejoicing. Those of us who are menopausal were not. Finally, after lunch, they brought in big fans, which helped a bit.
After work, I get in the car to come home and it's 93 degrees and HUGE humidity.
Plus, there is a storm brewing. And there's the Check Engine light on again. So I set course for the Chevron station where we get our cars repaired. They stay open until 7.
I am driving north on 85 and the lightning is flashing - about ten huge flashes, very scary - and suddenly all the cars slow to a crawl. Steam starts coming from my hood. Oh great.
I pray, HARD. Lord, let me make it to the Chevron before they close. Don't let the car overheat, blow up, stall out in the middle of the road, or anything else bad - just get me to the Chevron. I take a shortcut, going down back roads, praying and praying.
I finally get to the Chevron, through drenching rain. The guys give me a ride home, since we live 5 minutes away. Great relief.
I just hope it doesn't cost a fortune to fix it. The car is 11 years old but it's paid for and I can't afford a new one.
I get home, and the power has just come back on from being off for more than an hour. Thank God we have a big gas stove.
In the mail, I have a notice from the bank saying my payment was never received. I am never late on payments. It occurs to me that in teaching myself to pay bills online I have clearly screwed up somehow. Great. I check the statement and it wasn't paid. I pay it, after dinner, and a movie, and helping Mother get ready for bed, and reading to Mike.
For dinner, with Alesia's help, Mother made Smothered Chicken, one of dad's favorite meals. SO yummy. He had high cholesterol, and instead of fried chicken, Mother devised the smothered chicken recipe for him, with olive oil. It's wonderful stuff. Here's the recipe:
SMOTHERED CHICKEN [BONELESS,SKINLESS BREASTS PIECES ]
Take about 6 chicken pieces, wash under cold
water, and drain on paper towels, then generously salt and pepper, and allow to stand at least 15
minutes
- in a zip lock bag, place about a heaping cup of flour, 1 tsp salt
, 1 tbl onion powder,
and black pepper [ use white pepper if available] knead the bag
to mix ingredients
- in a frying pan,
place about 1/4 inch vegetable oil, heat until a drop of water sizzles
in the oil
- place 2 or 3 pieces of chicken in the bag, shake to coat it, then
place in the hot oil
- add all chicken, in one layer only, try not to crowd it.
- saute til golden on each side, remove to a plate
- dump most of the flour from the bag into the hot grease, stir, then
add about 2 cups water, stir and allow to come to a boil [add onion powder, seasoning salt, etc., to taste] Add at least 1 tablespoon of soy sauce.
- return chicken pieces to the pan, cover, and allow to cook slowly
at least 30 minutes or a little longer. It should be almost fork
tender. If not, cook a little longer.
You can add mushrooms when ck is returned to pan.
Best served with hot biscuits :0)
BTW, Mom did a cute blog the other day about how children are like little animals. They are, too. Just not as fuzzy. LOL
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