January - New Year's Resolutions

Let's try the South Beach diet. I've tried everything else from Jenny Craig, Grapefruit, Weight Watchers, special cookies and appetite supresants to Nutrasystems.

Here goes...

Mom spent hours in the kitchen mastering the South Beach recipes. She has really out done herself - being so supportive in yet another of my diet attempts. The dishes are absolutely fabulous and I've lost five pounds so far. However, some resulted in comical moments in the kitchen.
The first dessert she called "custard" but it was more like a mini cheesecake without the crust. She was disappointed with it, I believed she used the words "horrible", which was great to hear since it was the only dessert I could eat on the diet. I chalked it up to "diet" food. Not so bad, no ice cream sundae! I was allowed dessert and thankful she had made it.
The second dessert she made caused a red flag to go up. This was called "lemon cheesecake" however; I could tell she wasn't quite confident in her creation. She was pacing and hovering over the stove. When I asked what was wrong, she confessed, "Well there isn't any cream cheese in this one." I was afraid to ask, but did anyway, "was there cream cheese in the first dessert?" She was defensive at this point, "well yes, that's what the recipe called for, running for the cookbook as evidence." I suggested maybe the author got the recipes backwards. I guess she panicked! She had to taste it right then and there, even though there was a "four hour cooling period recommended". She flipped one of the beautiful "cheesecakes" into a container - with a gurgle and a splat! How could something so beautiful turn so ugly so fast? There had been two golden "cheesecakes" five minutes before. Now we had a white pile of bubbly mush (caused by the splenda) - yummy.
She hasn't tried any new desserts since. I'm pacing myself on the delicious golden "cheese less cheesecake". I never did get another dessert on this diet!
Another recipe gone bad - Mom's eggplant veggie lasagna. She spent hours working on the creation, it smelled divine. The problem... it remained in the oven past it's prime. This is a common affliction many of Mom's prior dishes have fallen for. The story goes, my mom's friend, who was watching me, asked me to check if the dinner was ready, after checking in the oven I responded, "No, it's not black yet." We gave it a try, but it really had lost its sparkle, charcoaled on both the top and bottom.

I lost ten pounds but have gone off the diet mostly. I've kept some of the good habits until May, then I started to travel and all was lost. It's June now, and I'm back to my ice cream.

The Job Hunt

I was on the job hunt for the first part of 2009. It really got busy starting in March, April and May. The hours I spent sending resumes, having conversations with recruiters, filling out on-line applications and taking "personality and aptitude tests" felt endless. I was able to go on several great trips.

Clearwater, FL - relaxing in 4 star hotel while mom gambled - one of her favorite pastimes
New Orleans, LA - favorite part was driving across the Lake Ponchetrain - it was so relaxing
Anchorage, AK - the breathtaking views and wild life sightings
Pittsburgh, PA - getting to spend time with Angelo and the rest of the crew
Atlanta, GA - hanging out at KP's pool

There were many other possible destinations discussed; Tulsa, Madison, Boston, Savannah, Bilouxi, Rapid City, South Dakota.

I am so glad the hunt is over and I can settle for the rest of the year in Atlanta. I'll be able to drive home in 7 hours and flight is only an hour. It's also close to everyone else. I'm able to stay with KP until I she gets sick of me :-)

Pictures are on my facebook page

Yard Sale

Well we have vouched that this was the last sale ever. We even threw away the signs, and for my mother to throw away anything is a miracle.

The sale went well, we still had boxes and boxes of things to get rid of. It was amazing how much stuff you accumulate. We must have had over 500 books easy. Glasses and plates - I could have feed 50 people with multiple courses. The serving dishes... it was ridiculous especially since we don't entertain or cook.

Some people were invasive. They went through the things marked "not for sale" and were pushy. Others were so nice and respectful. It was a life lesson, one I don't care to repeat.

Alaska Adventure

My interview with NANA went well. I also met some incredibly nice people. I ate an elk burger - it was good.

Nature is king!!! The water and the mountains are just gorgeous. The view from mountains was breath taking.

February

We had fun celebrating her 70th birthday at the Hard Rock - although she didn't win big. She had a wonderful time playing her favorite machines and even some new ones. I relaxed by the pool and caught up on some R&R.

Another phenomenon I've noticed, she has been so focused on the cooking, I'm afraid, she has forgotten how to pull up her pants. Next time you see a teenager with baggy pants down to their knees, just think of Mom in the kitchen sporting "the look". She claims they are her favorite pair of pants and give her inspiration - not buying it. I'm glad to report she regained some of her fashion sense and is back to her jeans for public appearances.