What I Buy Wednesday

When you are reading this, I'll be wearing these on a Segway tour.

I bought these tennis shoes especially for my trip. They are super lightweight and can even scrunch up for packing. They are so comfortable, but riding the Segway will put them to the test. Standing for two hours is tough! I'll let you know how they worked out.

And this hat.

I needed a sun hat. The ones I use for the pool are getting pretty ratty.

And it folds up so nicely! How cool is that?

There you have it---I didn't buy much this week.

Tuesday Thoughts About...

...beds.

Here's ours---for the last 23 years. It's a queen.

Our first bed was a double that we had for our first 25 years. When we moved in to this house, we were getting new furniture and made the switch to the queen--more because our bedroom is so big, a double would have seemed really little in the room.

Well, I was reading another blog that I follow. The blog is written by a young-ish mother---married just 11 years. She was going on about loving her "king" bed that they got after their first year of marriage. She said that she and her husband like space when they sleep. No judgement here.

I get it. When we travel, we either get a king bed or two doubles. It's kind of nice. We're good with our queen bed at home. Even though the extra space would be grand, I have no intention of switching out what we have for several reasons:

1. We like being able to cuddle.
2. Butch lets me put my cold feet on him.
3. I can more easily monitor Butch's sleep apnea and nudge him when he quits breathing (he thinks it's my imagination---it's not).
4. I would HATE having to make a king bed. My short arms don't reach far enough!

We'll stick with what we have and enjoy extra space when we travel---sort of like a vacation within a vacation! If either one of us gets sick, we have several other beds to choose from. Sounds like a plan.

What about you? What are your thoughts on the subject of beds?

Speaking of beds. While you are reading this, I'll be on my sister's cruise where I will be sharing a tiny cabin with the twins--Janice and Jennifer. I'm pretty sure my bed space is going to be pretty limited!

Monday Mystery

It's a mystery to me as to how an air fryer works. What, is it like a fan pushing around hot air that actually can cook something? All I know is that we've liked everything I've ever made in it---all two things!!

When we first got it, I made French fries. They were really good. That was last year! So, I noticed it in the pantry last week which reminded me that I had it and needed to use it. I found a new recipe on Plain Chicken another blog I follow. It was so good, that I've decided to share it for all of you that might have an "underused" air fryer.

Chicken Parmesan
4 chicken cutlets
1/3 cup flour
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1/3 cup Italian breadcrumbs
1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/3 cup parmesan cheese
1/2 cup spaghetti sauce
1 1/2 cup mozzarella

I divided all of the ingredients in half and used 2 large frozen chicken tenderloins---so I only had to cook once. Salt and pepper chicken, dip in flour, then egg and then the breadcrumbs/parmesan mixture.

Place in air fryer. Spray top with cooking spray (I used the olive oil type). Cook at 350 for 6 minutes. Spread with a little spaghetti sauce and top with cheese (I bought slices and used a half slice for each). Cook at 400 for 4 minutes. Repeat with remaining cutlets.

So what do you think? How the heck does air fry something? It's a mystery to me.

And We're Off!

Me---on my sisters cruise. There will be lots of laughter and a few tears. We'll be toasting our brother who passed away one year ago this Sunday. We will have a ball---for sure! But, since I'll be off the grid for the next week, I'll have to report on the trip later. In the mean time, I have pre-planned a few posts to tide you over.

Butch is off to Peru with his brother.

Walter and Butch. They are very excited. Other than fishing trips and car races (Daytona, Brickyard, Indy 500) this is the first major trip they've taken without Chris and I. I want them to do this every year. That way, Butch can go to many places that I have no interest in. Butch has a hat similar to Walter's, but he had already packed it and didn't feel like humoring me!!

 I just had to take a picture of the money.

Foreign currency is so pretty and colorful. Makes me think that if our US dollars were like this, I might be more reluctant to spend it. Nah, probably not!

Until next week....

Friday Funnies

This and That Thursday

First off, let me start by thanking those of you who left comments on yesterday's post. I left the part out of the story where I did, indeed, contact HP. I sort of blamed them for my stupidity!!! And then, when my computer guy came yesterday, he cleaned my computer and found nothing at all. So, luckily nothing was infiltrated. We had him do Butch's too while we were at it. He actually had several bits of malware that were cleared up. We have now installed a protector that does exactly what Susanne suggested---it let's you know if you are going to a "bad" website. In fact, there's a little green check mark if the website is okay and red if it's not. It works in the background and lets you know if anything comes up and then fixes it!! It's called BitDefender Shield. I'm feeling a lot more relaxed now. Oh, and that $99 service call? Well let's just say---it wasn't JUST that! He was here for two hours!

Okay, on to more pleasant topics. I'm getting ready to leave on Saturday for my sister's cruise. There are 7 of us. 4 have never been on a cruise. We have all of our excursions booked. We cruise out of Fort Lauderdale. I've been on many cruises, but all of these stops are new to me--Key West, Grand Turk, Amber Cay and one other place. We're on a brand new ship that just started in December on Holland American. We all got the drink package, so we're set!! We're really looking forward it.

While I'm off with my sisters, Butch will be in Peru with his brother. We plan to have these trips every year. I just told him that he can't go to places that I want to go!

Here are a few other things

 Mindy, Stephanie and Morgan finally got to do goat yoga. Steph and Morgan did not post any photos. Mindy said it was fun, but not really much of a workout.

 I've made a couple additions to the senior picture wall. Only one left to go.

 Our little Elizabeth is not so little any more, but it will be about 4 years until she's on the wall.

 I've finished the engine of my Easter train. There are three cars. I'm giving myself a month for each one. That way I will have them finished before the workshop I'm doing in May.

I tried a new recipe that was soooo easy and really good. I loved it.

Sausage and Cabbage Casserole
Polish sausage
6 red potatoes
head of cabbage

I just cut up everything (washed the potatoes and cut them up as if I was going to cook them for mashed potatoes---skins on). I tossed it all with onion salt, pepper, seasoned salt and Paula Dean's house seasoning. You can really use just about anything. Put in a casserole dish, cover with foil and bake at 425 for 40 minutes.

Butch thought it was just so so. He said that he prefers polish sausage and sauerkraut, because after all, that's cabbage! I like that too, but this was just different and really good. I really like simple.

We're going to be trying Martha Stewart's home food delivery when we get home from our trips. I'll have to let you know about that.

That about brings you up-to-date with me. What's going on in your world?

What I Buy Wednesday

...well, I think I've done it this time! This post was going to be a little bit braggy. But then it went horribly wrong!!!

I'll start at the beginning with the bragging.

You might remember the problems I had getting rid of a couple of printers. If not, you can check it out here.

It wasn't long before those two old printers were finally gone that I started to have problems with my current printer. If I tried to print something in color, it would come out all wrong. Even something printed in black would come out pink---unless I specifically selected to print in black. I changed the cartridges, but that didn't help. I limped along with it for a couple months.

Then, I got a rewards notice from Office Depot for $21.22 that was going to expire the end of February. I decided to put that towards a new printer. I got an HP that was normally $59.99 on sale for $39.99. By the time I applied the $21.22, the cost (with tax) was $22.67--free shipping. Twenty bucks for a printer is pretty darn good, I'd say. In fact, it seems crazy to me that the ink cartridges cost more than the darn printer!

When I bragged to Butch, he wasn't too impressed, telling me that he still had the old 12" printer in the garage. I reminded him that the ink cartridges for that thing were crazy expensive and dried out if they weren't used regularly.

Anyhoooo, the same day the printer arrived, I got another rewards coupon from Office Depot for $11.34. Whatttt??? That brought the cost of the printer down to $9.33! Nuts, right?

Now I'm feeling all smug about my purchase---looking forward to being able to print pictures again.

I'll stop here to say that I have installed at least a dozen printers over the years---helping my friends and family too. I unpack the printer. I start reading the easy install booklet. For the final installation, I have to visit the HP website. No problem, I figured that was to download the drivers.

Once I get to the website, I click on "install a printer."  A chat box pops up. I"m like (to Butch), "are you kidding me? I have to go through a chat to install the printer?" I started the process. Not too far in, Ann Wilson---the chat girl, said she need me to give her access to my computer. That didn't seem right to me. I pride myself in not getting "duped." Rather than give her permission, I called the number on the top of the website to make sure it was legit. A woman answered and said, "yes, it was legit." I give access. Ann Wilson takes over my computer.

Now this is where it all goes wrong. All of a sudden, "Ann" tells me I cannot install the printer until some corrupt files are removed that are interfering with the download process. I say, "okay." Next she comes back with, "well, I can do that for you for $99.99. WTF??? NO! I am not doing that for a ten buck printer. I tell her so. She asks why not, I tell her I'm not paying that. She says "hold on while I check with my supervisor." She comes back with, "my supervisor says I can do it for $49.99." Now my suspicions are really heightened. I simply disconnect.

Less than a minute later, I get a phone call (I had provided my number "in case we got disconnected"). It was Ann Wilson! OMGosh y'all---it was the exact same woman I talked to---to make sure this was legit! Now I was freaked out. Everyone knows that the people doing the online chats are NOT the same ones answering the phone when you call. In fact, getting the same person on the phone twice in a row in nearly impossible.

Freaking out, I told Ann that this was a SCAM!!! I had been scammed! My heart is racing. I just gave  her access to everything on my computer. I don't know what that means. I don't have a list of passwords on my computer, but I don't know if they can get a hold of all my websites that allow me to login in automatically without putting in the passwords.

I did the only thing I could think of. I put an SOS text out to Wade, my AV and computer guy. He called me right away. I told him the entire scenario. He texted me back with a scam website that looks like HP but the logo isn't exactly the same. That was it!! I didn't even notice the logo looked different---I used the website listed in the printer material. Still, I was duped. Wade told me to just keep my computer turned off until he could get out here to check everything out for me.

I have been sick about it, but so far, nothing seems amiss. My bank or credit cards have not been hacked. I'm looking forward to Wade's visit today.

Suddenly, my ten buck printer has turned in to a $99. service call! And before you ask, yes, I'm paying for it. Sheesh, at this rate, I might not be able to live on my social security after all!

That's what I get for bragging!

Tuesday Thoughts About...

...making mistakes. That's one thing I'm really good at it. Perhaps I've even perfected the art of making mistakes---if there is such a thing!

Case in point:
For AYM (A Year of Memories) this year, we are doing a "Book of Holidays."

Instead of the normal holidays each month, I found the more obscure ones. I thought it might be fun to tell a story about peanut butter on National Peanut Butter day---or any other unusual holidays.

I decided to do my February layout last week at the scrapbook retreat at Kinderhook. I pre-planned, I had my pictures, I made my layout and did the journaling. Then, when we had our AYM meeting last week, one of the girls mentioned that February 22 was National Chili Day. I was like, "Whaaatttt?" I looked at the handout I made and realized the the 22nd was, indeed chili day. I misread it and thought it was National "Chill" Day! Are you kidding me? I'm the one who creates these things, so there's really no excuse!

Here's the layout I made and I'm sticking with it. I've just created a new National holiday!

Still, mistake or not, you'll find me "chilling" with my stitching on Friday, February 22!

Maybe my next Tuesday Thoughts should be about eye sight!

A couple things to note about this layout:
1. I created a spinner on the top right which is also the title for the page: "February 22 National Chill Day"--There are pictures with each turn of the spinner.
2. Even with Valentine's colors and ephemera, you can get by just fine even if the pictures are Christmas and Halloween! I'm always preaching that it's about the story!
3. I added piercing and stitching on the journaling tags. I originally planned to stitch the entire heart, but it was taking way too long. Still, since it's a page about stitching, I felt like I wanted stitching on it!
4. There are more photos in the envelope.

Sometimes mistakes aren't all that bad! Well, unless it's "What I Buy Wednesday." That's a story for tomorrow!

Layouts from the Weekend

I got quite a few layouts finished while on the retreat. 

I

Friday Funnies

What I Buy Wednesday

I've been joking about living on my social security check. Well, I'm not really joking. I'm trying to cover all of my own personal expenses. So I paid for my scrapbook retreat this past weekend, the gas it took me to get there and snacks for the retreat. Which lead me to this:

I decided that I was going to serve hot chocolate with Bailey's---my most recent guilty pleasure ever since Ireland last year! I bought the big humongous bottle. For comparison, the bottle on the left is a regular size. The can is just there for comparison too. That big bottle cost nearly $50!!! At least there's about half left.

One thing for sure, I'll not be using "my" money for liquor. That's not really my thing anyway!!

Tuesday Thoughts About.....

...goat yoga.

Mindy has been wanting to do goat yoga. Pretty funny for a girl who lives in the city! Like downtown city!!

My thoughts?  What the h... is that and how does it enhance the workout---er---play!!!

Monday Mystery

We are having a bit of a mouse problem lately. I need to restate that. We're having a terrible, horrible, huge mouse problem. Even if it's just one little mouse, that's a HUGE deal to me. I freak out. I become unhinged and unreasonable. I threaten Butch. I threaten to call the exterminators. I want someone to put a hundred traps under the house. I'm serious. A. Hundred.

Here's the mystery: how in the heck is this mouse avoiding the trap?

So here's how it all started. One evening, I opened the trash compactor and there was a mouse sitting there. I reacted like this: 1. I screamed really loud. 2. I slammed the compactor shut. 3. I compacted it. 4. Then I yelled at Butch---like he's the reason we have a mouse. Not fair at all, but that's how I roll. We wouldn't have this problem if there were a hundred traps under the house. I rest my case.

Now the fun begins. Butch puts peanut butter on the single trap he could find and put it under the sink. We think that's where they are getting in. I looked for droppings in the other cabinets and drawers. So far, they haven't gotten in there. I "bitched" to Butch that if they did, then HE was cleaning everything out. Because if we had a hund....you get the point.

The next day, the trap was sprung, but the mouse got away. Butch thought it was probably injured. We thought that was the end of it. That night, again, I saw a mouse in the compactor. I suggested he put the trap inside the compactor. The next morning, the peanut butter was gone, but the trap was not sprung. Somehow, that little bugger escaped. Butch put the trap back in that night. The next morning, the peanut butter wasn't touched. Butch said that instead they feasted on the brownies I had thrown away. Sheesh. This is taking way too long. I just want it/them gone!!

I talked to Butch last night and he said that once again, the mouse ate the peanut butter without setting off the trap. He's decided that there is too much "give" in the compactor. That hunt continues.

So, I met this girl at my scrapbook retreat. Let's call her Lisa (not her real name---okay, yes it's her real name but I didn't get her permission to post this---oh well). Anyway, as she was scrapbooking, she kept coming across cat food in her supplies. Yes, cat food. She decided that it had to be mice. Then, when she went in to a zippered pocket of her big scrapbook roller bag, she pulled out a zippered pocket binder type thing. It was full of cat food. Unbelievable. Those mice spent a lot of time moving cat food from the bowl, somehow get in the bag, inside a pocket and then inside of a zippered case. What??

I looked at it and could not see how it got in. There are no holes or chew marks.

 I wish I'd taken the picture before she dumped it. It was solid cat food along the spine.

Most of it has failed to the bottom of the trash.

Now I was really intrigued. I quizzed Lisa to get to the bottom of it. Her scrapbook stuff is stored in the basement. The cat food is in the basement. But here's the thing. The cat food is on the complete other side from where her scrapbook supplies are!!

It's a mystery for sure!

Takin' a Break

Hey All,
I'm off on a scrapbook retreat with my sister, Jeanne and sil, Janet. We do it every winter and fall. This year it is a reunion of sorts. We're back at Kinderhook Lodge in Barry, IL. It's been several years since we did this as the girls who organized it---quit. Another friend, Erin, who I refer to as one of the  St. Louis girls is organizing it again. We had planned to go last year, but life got in the way.

When I left Nashville at 5:45 a.m., it was 65 degrees. The further north I went, the colder it got. It was raining and for at least an hour, I had to slow down to 30 mph on the highway to be able to see---it was coming down so hard. I was all tense driving in that!

 When I finally got to St. Louis (actually Defiance, MO), it was 12:30 p.m. and snowing!!! I couldn't believe it! Luckily, I threw my coat in the car at the last minute!

We are enjoying catching up with "old" friends---and I don't mean that kind of "old"! It doesn't bother me, but would you believe that I'm (and by that I mean WE) are the oldest people here? Jeanne hit the nail on the head when we arrived. "Hey, since we're old, maybe the other girls will help us with our stuff! And they did!! Love these girls.

And the views ain't half bad!!

I hope y'all have a great weekend---I will! See ya' next week!

What I Buy Wednesdays

I bought this humongous curling/blow brush. It's supposed to be a volumizer. We'll see about that. I fall for volumizing products all the time, but they don't really work for me. Any recommendations?

Adding it to this tangled mess. Now you might be asking yourself, "how does one person need so many hair appliances?" Well, the answer is pretty simple. I don't. I have one blow dryer and assorted curling apparatuses. The reason for that is there have been times (3 to be exact), where I've forgotten my curling brush/iron at home and had to buy another. Luckily, they are cheap.  It's easy to forget it. I pack as I get ready for a trip. My curling iron is left to cool on the counter and then somehow doesn't make it in my suitcase. Now that I have extras, I should just leave one in each of my suitcases! Yeah, that's what I'm going to do!

 I put my regular size one next to the new one so you can see the size difference. And it's pink, y'all (although that is not a requirement for appliances)!

I haven't used it yet. I'm a little nervous. Because, well, if I am in danger of poking myself in the eye with it, maybe it's too much for me! Wish I'd known that ahead of time!