Where's my chocolate?!?!?!

Back in August, I ordered some Cadbury chocolate bars in the Christmas packaging for the holidays. About a week ago, I received an email from the internet store that it was being shipped from fedex. Finally, yesterday was the due date. I got home earlier than usual to make sure that I could sneak it into the house and into a good hiding spot from my chocoholic husband.

4pm comes and goes, 5pm comes and goes, John comes home, and at a little after 6pm, the fedex truck pulls up. Perfect! John is on the computer and watching footie, he'll never hear me sneak out to get the package. Well, the fedex guy is in the back of the truck pushing all the packages around. Here's the part that got me all wound up..

The fedex guy looks right at me, says not a word, gets in his van and pulls away!!! NO PACKAGE!!!

WHERE'S MY CHOCOLATE!!!!!!

finally

After all of the trips to the hardware stores, it was Pep Boys that came to the rescue. The tub had a huge leak in it, and while I thought it would be an easy fix, it wasn't. When John attempted to take the faucet out of the tub for the cold water, something broke off. I don't know what broke, but he had to go and buy a new one. Now, it would have been an easy fix, if the nut holding the mechanism to the pipes was on super tight. Even my husband with abnormally strong arms couldn't get it off. Finally, he went to Pep Boys and got some sort of wrench that you use to get nuts off of cars and such.
*can you tell, I really don't know anything about tools and stuff??*
So, after 2 days and 16 trips to various stores, the tap is working and not leaking! :D

I took John out for a nice meal and some drinks for giving up his weekend to the tap. Fish and Chips with some Boddingtons to wash it down. I had a burger, that was really good but forgot to take my leftovers home with me. I always do that. grrrrr.

HOW long does it take to change a faucet?

Well, so far it takes 2 days, and 13 trips to different hardware stores. Long story, but we still don't have a cold water tap on the tub! The builder of this house is a wanker!

Its HOW BIG????

Its a 19 pound turkey. What the bloody hell are we going to do with a 19 pound turkey! My mom picked up the free turkey that I earned at Giant for us, and decided to pay an extra 5 dollars to get a 19 pound butterball turkey. Nice enough, but where was her head??? There's only going to be 5 people here! You could feed a small village with that size Turkey!
I will post pictures of this bad boy later. Its sitting in her freezer right now.

Marmite... love it or hate it.

Before I go off on my Marmite tangent... I'd like to wish my good friend Audrey a very happy birthday tomorrow! Your card is in the mail, but won't make it in time.. I'm sorry 'bout that! Anyway, hope you are relaxing and gidget is staying nice and warm in your belly! :D

Okay.. now, onto the subject at hand.. Marmite. Now, I HATE marmite. Its like 13 day old motor oil, or (as a good friend of mine says) Petromalt. It does smell horrible, just like petromalt. ;)
John loves the stuff. Not a thin coating on his toast, but big thick globs of it. I always like it when he tries to get people to try it. Some are brave and try it, but many run from it after taking one whif of it. I wish I had my camera for the marmite faces.

My cat Winston, loves the stuff. Yes, the cat. He stares John down to get a taste of it on toast with butter. Yep, he eats it with the toast and all. Here is the proof - minus the toast. I couldn't waste good bread for this photo session..

winston and his Marmite.. notice he doesn't run


My finger with the marmite...


Winston tasting..


Winston digging in!


He was looking for more afterwards. I, had to go wash my hands after his treat. Usually, John gets me with a big marmite kiss about 10 minutes after he eats it. He cracks up because I always fall for it. Makes me so mad, and if I don't brush my teeth for a long time, followed by listerine, I'm tasting it for the rest of the day.

What's for dinner ? I wish it were Pancho's

Not much to post today, but I have decided that I really don't like chicken anymore unless its buffalo style. No, I'm not pregnant. Just decided that that's all that I want - chicken wise. I had chicken last night, today for lunch and tonight for dinner. Will probably have it for lunch tomorrow too. ick.
Okay, ya know what I could really go for?? REAL good Mexican food. The kind of food you'd get from Pancho's Mexican Buffet!

I went there a couple of times in Texas with my cousin and his wife. The best part is where you "raise" the mini Mexican flag to let the server know that you want something. mmmmm... enchiladas, taco's, burritos, sopapillas (is that how you spell them?) and so much more. I'm very happy that they re-opened near my cousins. It was a sad day when they closed that, and Lucky Buddah all in the same year!

worse than a bunch of girls (football players)

I'm watching the Arsenal v. Sunderland footie match right now (Arsenal 2- Sun'land 0 ). I'm starting to enjoy watching football, and apparently back in 1997 I chose West Ham to support.. I dunno. I liked the name, I guess.If I were to pick now (I'm not allowed to go back on my choice from 1997), I would pick Everton, as John supports Liverpool and I think it would make a good household rivalry. ANYWAY, why is it that all of these players take a little tumble and get all dramatic, rolling about on the ground. Reyes tripped just a bit, and sheesh.. the way he was on the ground, was just pathetic. All this for 2 extra minutes of injury time. Where's my OSCAR award for these guys???


As a *newbie* football viewer, it does seem as if its mostly the foreign players that act this way. Yeah, I know England is a foreign country, but not in this house! Bunch of ednas!(old women)

I was attacked!

Just like Nancy Kerrigan, I was minding my own business walking around the bed (was making it) when my knee was viciously hit! I now have a huge bruise on it. Check it out.


What did this to you, you ask? Well, it was my grandmother's chest that I keep at the foot of the bed. I swear to you, that it just jumped out at me and attacked. Yeah, it looks nice and innocent, but we all know better than that..

Its too early for this!!!!

Christmas music on the radio already???? Okay, I LOVE Christmas, and can't wait to start decorating, and everything else but this is a bit much. Now, did I turn it right off??? NOPE. Kept on listening to, and I still have on by the way. While I'm typing this, and listening to Pachelbel Canon turned into a Christmas song that you can't really understand the what the kids are singing (you can understand what my chorus sings), I keep thinking "this is rediculous"! I'm still trying to get myself mentally prepared for Thanksgiving, not the Christmas rush, and keeping Simon away from the tree!



Now, I feel that I must light my Christmas Eve and Sugared Plums candles (they were safely hidden away for awhile, now they can come out again). Grrrrrr... Its just too early for continuous music on Sunny 104.5! But they do me hooked. They need to play "Blue Christmas" by Elvis for me to turn it off.

Oh, got my free turkey from the new Giant supermarket already. Just thought I'd add that in.

grrrrr

After grocery shopping, I stopped at the dunkin donuts for a vanilla spice coffee (my new favorite). While I was in line, there was a high school kid just being a total jack ass to the Indian man who was working there. I was so pissed off, that most of what he said to the nice man was being drowned out by the steam whistle going off in my head. It had something to do with the kid trying to confuse him while picking out his dozen donuts. He was just so rude. It ended with "Go back to freakin India where you belong".
Now, I know from my friends at the DD near my work, that many of the immigrants who work there have major degrees in India. My work DD guy was an Engineer in India. He came to America on a visa (not sure of what the visa is) that you have to have the money to purchase a business, and all of the visa expenses. He did that, worked in Dunkin Donuts for almost 8 years until his family all had their greencard. He found a job in his field, and sold the business to another family who was going to go the same route. I know that this is what my DD friend this morning is doing.
You know, there are people who would die to come into this country LEGALLY. This is a melting pot, and thats what I love about this country. It pisses me off to no end to see people who don't see how great it is here, and feel that anyone new to this country should just "go back to freaking where ever". This boy today looked as if he wanted for nothing, and had the attitude that he was entitled to everything.

I know that if and when I have a child, they will respect people of all nationalities, and to know that those who are here on greencards worked hard to get here, and suffered the pain of USCIS to get here.

Okay.. back to my coffee.

Chestertown Maryland

While John was stuck working parents weekend (which I feel bad for, as it was such a gorgeous day), I went to Chestertown Maryland with my friend Helen. Helen is lucky enough to own a lovely little home, that I believe is historic. Unfortunately, I left my camera at work and couldn't take pictures, so I had to take some off of the net.
Chestertown is about an hour and a half from my home, and is on the water.

It really reminds me of a English village, or a Norman Rockwell type town. You know, the kind of town that they might film the remake of "Its a Wonderful Life" (if they were to remake it).

This weekend was "down rigging weekend" (which apparently is a big deal twith boats) but since I don't know anything about that, it didn't matter to me. The Sultana is docked two blocks from Helen's house. I've not seen it yet, but I'm sure I will when I go back around Christmas time (which I will totally have my camera then).

I did find my new favorite gift store, called Twigs and Teacups. Not only does it have great things like some English treats (McVitties weren't too costly), lovely pottery and all sorts, they have their resident cat called Hobbes.



Hobbes is a ginger Maine Coone Cat. He wanders around the store like he owns it! I saw him yesterday but he had no time for me. :) typical cat! They didn't have a huge Christmas selection out yet (good... my explanation later), so I just bought some chocolate digestives.

Can you tell that I really like this little town? They also have a few antique stores,a theater, and nice restaurants and coffee places. Its also the home of Washington College. Helen's daughter went there, and had a wonderful experience there (not to mention a great education). It reminds me a bit of a Swarthmore or Bryn Mawr college. A beautiful campus, but its filled with history, as George Washington founded it.

It was a great day, although I wish the weather was more "fall like". It was just a bit too warm for November 5.

Thanksgiving. I need to start thinking now!

While reading Audrey's blog about getting her turkey, I thought "oh Sh*t!" I haven't even thought of what we're going to eat for the main meal! Now, we're having it here, and John will do the majority of the cooking. Neither of us like turkey, but my parents are "traditionalists" when it comes to Thanksgiving.
I guess John would have to order a turkey from the farmers market, if we were to get turkey. John feels that the meat at Booths Corner is far superior to any grocery store meat.
I'm not a fan of Thanksgiving dinner, but I love leftovers after a hectic day of shopping on black Friday. This year, I plan on being out at the mall at 6am, and no later than 6:30 (which I get mad at myself for being late). It will be extra special to wake up and go with John this year (thats [i]if [/i]he is up). He did say that he would go with me, but then again, he's off from work that day. I wouldn't blame him at all if he slept in.
I also have plans to go into Philadelphia with my sister that day. We'll go later to avoid the early birds. I have an appointment to get a brazilian bikini wax. Yes, while talking to my girlfriends, I got talked into it. I know that John will enjoy it. Okay, yeah, I know, TMI... but I think my experience will help others.. either to get one, or not. I read about it in cosmo awhile ago, and if its in cosmo, it must be good.
Okay.. enough rambling for now. I'll have more later, I'm sure.

Thoughts of November

Last night was Halloween, which I have to admit that I did not participate in at all. I usually sit outside with my nice neighbors and hand out candy with them. For some reason, it just didn't ring true that night. What I did was make some beef stew and beer bread. Being the culinary genius that I am, I used the McCormack "beef stew in a bag" stuff. Of course, I open the wrong side of the two sided packet (one side has the bag, the other has the seasoning), and I get beef seasoning all over my Old Navy "Spooky" shirt. Never mind. I'm cooked it up with a big orange spot on my shirt. I will say that its the easiest beef stew I've ever made. Oh, who's kidding who, its the first beef stew that I've ever made. It really was very good, and even John gave it the "not bad" rating. Translation... to us normal, non-chef folk, it was really yummy!


We're now in November, time to start thinking of the holidays. Today is going to be warm (10 degrees above normal), which I really don't like. I prefer the cold, crisp days that goes along with the falling leaves and all of the mums. I got my mums too early, and the flowers died,, and I'm just waiting for the new blooms to come out. For some reason, I always feel a bit calmer in November and December. I think just the festive time, the cooler weather and general good will has a good effect on me. However, I can't remember what I was like last year, while going through the immigration process. Oh, thats right, I was waiting for a case number for Charlton. Yeah, that was a little stressful. But that came on the 10th of Novemeber (thank you little immigration diary).
Today I will take down my Halloween garden flag and put my November "Apples and Spice" flag out. It has a cat sitting behind a bunch of apples. My old cat was named Spice, so I had to get it (actually Spice is still with my dad. He asked if he could keep her when I moved out).
I usually start looking into pie recipies this time of year. I did find a recipe for pumpkin cheese cake, but I'm not too sure.I don't have a spring form pan. Marlene makes a great cheesecake, so maybe she can give me some hints. I usually make a pumpkin pie, but I don't like it. blech. I will make an some sort of apple pie and I've ordered a coconut custard (totally for me) from the High School marching band. Although, the new Giant supermarket is opening up and I have a coupon for a free sarah lee apple pie. I don't know.. If I make the cheesecake, then I might go for the fake pie.
I have a personal day today, to get a few things done, but I am hoping to just relax a bit today.

I'm very sad....

Just found out that Derek Acorah is not going to be on the new season of Most Haunted. Having fun watching the live show, but didn't get the chance to sit and stare at the webcams this weekend like I wanted to. I guess I'll have to wait for a new live special. :( I wish they'd just have different places webcammed for each location they go to.

Good luck to Derek. I'll miss you and your possessions on Friday evenings.

I'm such a saddo.

OH, I keep singing that song in my head....

WHATS THAT SOUND!!!!!

Something in my house is beeping! It sounds a bit like when you dial the phone, but I have both phones in my sight, and its not that. Its not the smoke detectors either! ARRGGHH! Its going to drive me up a wall!!!!

Most Haunted- Happy Halloween (a day early)

Just want to let you all know that "Most Haunted Live" is on all weekend! Now, I'm a huge fan of the show, but the live version is actually funny with all the people texting and emailing in. I won't say that they're a sad bunch, because I've been watching the webcams religiously and hoping to see something. As I haven't seen anything paranormal, I laugh at the people writing into the show saying that things were happening in their homes as soon as they logged on. Bollocks. Here's the link for all of you to watch the live webcams. Its on starting at 4pm (9pm in the UK). http://travel.discovery.com/fansites/mosthaunted/mosthaunted.html?source=mosthauntedlive

Anyhow, John and I always watch the show, and hope that Derek Acorah gets possessed. Its the best part of it.


Thats Derek. I always try to do his Liverpool accent. The only work I can say is "maredaer" (murder). John and I crack up at my poor attempts at an English accent. My other favorite is Stuart. Just something about him. Actually, I like all the guys on the show. Richard, Stuart and Carl are cool. They always put themselve in vigils in dark places.





Yvette just screams too much. As the host of the show, she should be braver. I would LOVE to be a special guest on that show. I'd be latched on to one of my 3 guys (shown above) and be totally in Scooby Doo mode (not velma, though. I'd be Daphne, totally)

I do believe in paranormal happenings, as I feel that my grandmom's house was haunted by my great grandfather and grandmother. The reason, you ask?? Well, When my grandmom died, we moved into her house as it was a big 4 bedroom home, and we were in a tiny cape cod house. A brief history, my grandfather had a massive stroke in the house (when the phone rang in the middle of the night, and nobody was on it. I believe that it was a call from others to bring him home) which led to his death. My great-grandfather died in the small bedroom. Well, the decor in the home was horrendous. My bedroom had mustard yellow(the brown kind) shag carpeting with brown specks. I had said to my dad, I can't wait to rip up the rug so I can have a new color scheme to the room. I was in college at the time, and was only a sophomore - so I was going to be home at least for two more years... My dad answered with "you WILL NOT take up any carpeting or change ANYTHING in that room". I was crushed. MUSTARD YELLOW SHAG CARPETING WITH BROWN SPECS! How could a young undergrad live with that??? Well, when my dad went to work, my mom and I went over there at around 7pm. We ripped up ALL of the mustard yellow shag carpeting with brown specs that was in all of the bedrooms. By 11pm, we were just finishing and I called out "ha! its MY house now. Its MY room!" and as I said that, all of the lights went out. We stumbled outside with all of the carpet reminents, thinking it was just a blackout. We looked around, and the lights in the neighborhood were on. We got a bit spooked, and went home. Told my dad what happened that morning and we all went back (he wasn't happy about the removal of the mustard yellow shag carpeting with brown specs) and the lights were on. We called an electrician, who said that absolutely nothing was wrong with the electric. Spooky, eh?
My cats would NEVER go into the room that my great grandfather died in. They'd stop and look in the room, but wouldn't go in. We'd hear all sorts of noises there too. Noises that shouldn't have been there. I wonder if the people who bought the house (we sold it, and went back to the cape cod, that didn't sell - it was during the "buyers market" time in the early 1990's) experienced anything odd???

Well, I'm not giving out candy tomorrow. Bah humbug. I'll be watching Most Haunted Live. The conclusion is on.

Date night and breaking the seal.....

Had a lovely day yesterday. I managed to sleep in until after 10, which is unusual for me. I did get up to make us a cup of tea, but it wasn't that great. I have to admit, that the English can make a great cup of tea. I've been told in the past that I make the worst cuppa in the world! Well, to my defense, when I was told that it was when I was in England. How was I supposed to know that you "shake the milk" when you first use it???? Putting cream in tea is just gross... Anyway, John made me another cup when I got back up again, and it was very tasty!

We went out for a meal and drinks last night. We keep trying all of the different pubs in the area. Last night was Sligo in Media. We had fish and chips, and proper beer. The fish and chips were not that great, due to using whiting (Is that the right spelling? ) instead of Cod. Anyhow, had 2 pints (in real pint glasses) of Stella, and was just a bit tipsy. Then on our way to another pub, we went into boscovs department store. Now, here's where the breaking the seal comes in. Before we left Sligo's, I ran to the loo. Boscovs is a 5 minute drive from Sligo. I had to run into the ladies, again while John was looking for a nice hoodie (which he got a GREAT deal on - Tommy hoodie w/ a furry liner - $60 off the original price ). Then not 5 minutes after I re-joined John in the hoodie section, had to go again! Since the dept. store bathroom was a little creepy, I had to hold until the next pub. Kildares was the next spot (I like this place better than Sligo). Boddingtons for John, another pint of Stella for me. I, of course, was in the ladies again. I remember texting people at the end of the third pint. I'm amazed I didn't text anyone about the fact that I broke the seal! Ya know, I could totally handle that much beer when I was about 10 years younger...
Even when I got home, I was still feeling the effects. Nothing like a date buster, than the dreaded break the seal! Still, we had such a great time, and it was so nice to be out. I think I'm instituting date night. You know what usually comes after a great date, don't you???? :D (teeheehee)

Car, Bangers and Mash

A few cool things today. I went to pick up my car from the service, and found that it only cost me $140! I was expecting closer to $200, and that was half the price of dealer. What a rip off! I also had my inspection done, and the only thing that I have to do, is have new tires on the front by January. I'm not surprised, as the car is 2 1/2 years old. I have my supplementals coming in December, so I won't have to save up now for them.

So today, I put my culinary skills to work.. yeah, right. I made homemade mashed potato, mushy peas, bangers (from the farmers market, which were pretty close to real British bangers), and a mixture of mushrooms and onions. Actually was pretty tasty. Too bad that everyone else here will have to live with reheating them.

It really pisses me off to no end that the price of imported food is so high. A tin of mushy peas is $1.99. Really... and that's one of the cheaper prices too. $6.00 for a 1/2 pound of irish bacon, $6.00 for a pound of Irish sausages. They're okay, but not that great. Nothing like the real stuff from England. It took me awhile to get used to it, but after having it so many times, I prefer it. I actually can't stand the brown and serve stuff now. I don't see why people say that UK food is horrible. I quite like it, although John feels that the Chinese food is better over there, and I will never admit that one.

been a while

Well, my life's been a bit crazy the past few weeks.. However today is car inspection/30,000 mile checkup day. Actually its tomorrow. I called around and found out that by taking the car to my mechanic, I am saving over $200 dollars! Wow, they really screw you at the dealer for all the nice things. Since I get free oil changes, life's pretty good. I just don't know how much longer I have that luxury.

Also have a pretty nasty cold. Coughing away. I used Nytol cough last night, and slept from 7 pm until 5:45 am when I woke up for work. Was groggy for most of the am, but then again, I have an awesome student teacher that is teaching everything this week.

Pets

Dear Dogs and Cats:

The dishes with the paw print are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Please note, placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Beating me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king-sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time, there is not a secret exit from the bathroom. If by some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge and try to pull the door open. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years and canine or feline attendance is not mandatory.

The proper order is kiss me, then go smell the other dog or cat's butt. I cannot stress this enough!

To pacify you, my dear pets, I have posted the following message on our front door:

Rules for Non-Pet Owners Who Visit and Like to Complain About Our Pets:

1. They live here. You don't.
2. If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. (That's why they call it "fur"niture.)
3. I like my pets a lot better than most people.
4. To you, it's an animal. To me, he/she is an adopted son/daughter who is short, hairy, walks on all fours and doesn't speak clearly.

Dogs and cats are better than kids ... They eat less, don't ask for money all the time, are easier to train, usually come when called, never drive your car, don't hangout with drug-using friends, don't smoke or drink, don't worry about having to buy the latest fashions, don't wear your clothes, and don't need a gazillion dollars for college -- and if they get pregnant, you can sell the children

my first post!

Oh bugger. I just wrote out this entire post, hit the wrong button and made everything dissapear! So, I will try to remember a bit about what I wrote. It will be in list form, since I don't feel like writing out in sentence form now.

1) why couldn't I get the username that I wanted??? Took 5 minutes to find one that nobody else had.

2) My neighbor was coughing up loads of phlem outside my front windows. All I could hear was that nasty smokers cough...

3) House prices soaring in my little development.

4) My birthday is coming up.... lets hope its a good one! :)