Am…musings

I’ve been wanting a Bumpit ever since I saw it in InStyle magazine a few months ago. Then my friend Michelle blogged about it and I was sold. I may be stuck in the ‘90s, but my go-to updo is the “Rachel” twist … my hair’s pretty much too fine for a good ponytail unless it’s in a ball cap and a girl needs an updo option without a hat … especially for work. I typically tease and spray to get the bump, but by end of day, it usually falls. With the Bumpit … no falling.

I finally found mine at Walgreens after a few failed trips because they were sold out. Michelle’s post mentioned it didn’t work for her neighbor, who has fine hair. My hair texture is fine, but I do have lots of strands so that might help. I also teased a lot per the directions, and the nifty comb that’s included did a great job.

I bought the Bumpit on Saturday and HAD to try it out Sunday even though mowing the grass with a fancy updo may have been overkill. Today, I paired the accessory with a maxi dress. I only mention it because I think it’s a good fashion lesson. I got about 10 compliments, including a gushing one from a complete stranger on my lunch run. I wasn’t sure about the whole maxi thing so instead of investing a ton, I spent $20 at my local Kmart … for those who used to “play” Charlie’s Angels like me, it makes me laugh to know it’s a Jacqueline Smith . Without having to spend a fortune, I was able to try out a trend and get lots of kudos. And next year, when they may no longer be in style, I can move on to the next trend without guilt.

I’ve written a post about flowers before , but as I reflected on the true origins of this one, I started thinking about the person that taught me that if something sounds too good to be true … it probably is … my Rockport Elementary 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Schlueter.

There are people in life that are turning points. For me, many teachers made a difference, but Mrs. Schlueter had the most positive impact of them all. Before her, I had caring teachers and I had critical teachers, but Mrs. Schlueter combined both of those attributes. And for some reason, the tough love she delivered made me stand up and listen. Before 5th grade, I was a somewhat-above average student with potential. After her, I really began to care about my performance and began to excel in school and extracurricular activities (of course, Shar’s pushing made a huge difference too).

What does that have to do with flowers? On Tuesday I needed a pick me up and headed to Trader Joe’s, which has great prices on flowers. I’m always enamored by the mixed bouquets, but decided to go with a singular bunch of flowers I discovered in Orlando … the gladiolus.

I’d always been afraid to buy them because they are typically inexpensive (even at the grocery store) and Mrs. Schlueter taught me a lesson about things that don’t cost what they should … they may be too good to be true. Luckily, my Orlando-based friend Grace once had a bunch I inquired about and she shared that they are cheap, beautiful and long lasting. After that, I started buying them fairly regularly.

Here are the $4 Trader Joe’s gladiolus after four days ….

Gotta love ‘em … and of course, I’m always grateful to Mrs. Schlueter!

As I mentioned in my birthday post, I love to take pleasure in the little things in life. The animals I’ve had … whether it be Chewy or the fosters … absolutely bring me joy, but nothing beats Chewy plus a hose. It doesn’t take long and he’s a wet mess, but it just cracks me up watching him racing around the yard having so much fun. A video would be the best, but until I figure out the video on my camera or download the iPhone app or get a Flip (which I don’t anticipate will be all that soon) these pics capture it fairly well …

I’m not a choosy girl when it comes to restaurants. I get just as excited about dining at some of the fancy Orlando restaurants when I visit as I do about eating at Perkins and Tropi-Grill, a Latin American fast food chain. This is why I was jazzed to see an El Pollo Loco under construction near my house in St. Louis.

It’s now open, and while they don’t offer quite the same menu, I love Tropi-Grill’s chicken Tropichop bowl, and El Pollo Loco’s similar Original Pollo Bowl did not disappoint.

And it’s probably a good thing that I have to travel 1,000 miles to Orlando to get Tropi-Grill’s sinfully starchy, but incredibly tasty Yucca Fries, which el Pollo Loco doesn’t offer here in St. Louis.

Now, when I told my Orlando-based friend Keith that we were getting El Pollo Loco he said, “I bet it won’t be open for long.” I’ve been twice and it’s been busy, but just in case … if you’re in the ‘Lou, please try it out!

Did you know baby mourning dove can hatch then grow enough to be self-sufficient AND fly in a week and half? One of babes was born a day earlier than the other … it left Thursday … along with momma, leaving this poor guy by himself …

And when I came home Friday afternoon, the nest was empty.

Then today, the Stray Rescue foster kitty, Ollie … who I didn’t even have long enough to blog about … went to what I expect will be her forever home. I picked her up from the vet Tuesday. The adoption application came Thursday. I checked references Friday and went for the home visit today. The couple is awesome, and they have a nice home (I’m a sucker for big, white-railing front porches) about two minutes from D’s. As long as Ollie does ok with their cat Abby, we’re in business. She is a super sweetie and a cutie …

so I’ll miss her, but didn’t really have much of a chance to get attached in the few short days she was here.

I’ve heard from a source that lives near Keller Farms (my friend Sheryl) that this is the last weekend for the incredibly fresh and yummy day-old corn. I’m not able to confirm it on Keller’s Web site, but thought I’d share the information anyway because the corn is worth the trip regardless.

I think I’ll make the trip tomorrow!

Last year, my birthday post was about dreading 37 … because of what I didn’t (and still don’t) have … a husband and kids. While I’m not overjoyed about 38, I’ve grown tired of worrying about what life is supposed to be. Honestly, if I could do it over again, I’d have to think long and hard about changing much … if it meant giving up any of the amazing experiences I’ve had and wonderful people I’ve met along the way.

To replace the dread this year, two recent blog comments … one from a friend since second grade (via Facebook) and one from someone I’ve never met (who has a blog I’ve been enjoying) … inspired me to make a list of the things I’m grateful for at 38 …

1. The love and support of and for the people in my life, including my family, my friends, my neighbors and D (Both of the inspirational comments were actually about D … basically to take it one day at a time and be thankful for each one. For an over-thinker like me, it’s not always easy, but I’ve been taking it to heart since they were posted.)

2. A job that I love … possibly the first I’ve had that I don’t dread heading to every morning … and that challenges me, as well as my wonderful coworkers and colleagues.

3. My ability to take pleasure and see the wonder in the small things in life … from playing with Chewy in the hose to experiencing a good coaster to watching my food processor slice a cucumber in about a nanosecond to seeing more than 20 deer playing in a farmer’s field (D’s family’s).

4. My health … it’s nothing to take for granted as I quickly approach 40.

5. The means to live comfortably in a cute little house with a car to get me around.

When I blow the candles out today, I’ll wish for many more days of gratitude.

As I’ve mentioned before, I’m not one to stray far from a recipe often. However, sometimes, necessity is the mother of invention. A fermented jar of artichoke hearts led to a yummy concoction at a recent office happy hour at a coworker’s house.

When I popped the top of the previously opened artichoke jar, about a half-inch of fizz formed at the top. While the artichokes smelled fine, a taste test by a generous coworker confirmed they were no good. I had mixed all the other ingredients and we didn’t necessarily have a ton of snacks so the pantry hunt was on for something else to add to the dip. We settled on black olives. After a taste test, we declared it a success.

OLIVE DIP

1 cup mayonnaise*
1 cup parmesan cheese
1 can olives, drained and quartered

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Combine all ingredients.

Place in a small oven-safe casserole dish.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes.

Serve on Triscuits (I love the Olive Oil and Cracked Pepper variety)

The original dip, which was a yummy staple of holiday celebrations when I was a kid, calls for a can of artichoke hearts. I think a combo of olives and artichoke hearts would be delightful too.

*I usually substitute light mayonnaise in recipes, but because this is baked I use regular or a two-thirds combination of regular to light.

The baby birdies are doing well (after a bit of a scare Thursday evening when momma disappeared for a few hours). They’re also growing like weeds.

Here they are Friday morning …

And here they are last night (momma must have been out scrounging for food) …

I’m considering naming the babies … any ideas? (Although, at this rate they’ll be gone before I know it. I’m actually hoping they might get a little used to me being so close and talking to them that they’ll come back to visit.)

The vegetable garden’s been looking pretty good, but I didn’t feel like I could officially consider myself a gardener until there were actual veggies. After diagnosing a problem with one of my plants as over-watering … in the evenings no less, D admonished me to stop watering so darn much. (D is the boyfriend by the way … seems so impersonal to keep calling him “the guy” or “the boyfriend,” but I’ll let him keep a little privacy.)

Because I wasn’t watering there was no real reason to go out there until today when I staked the tomatoes (with stakes D made for me … by hand … with a power saw … awesome and hot!!!). I also had to re-route a few pumpkin and cucumber vines that are trying to take over the world. And here’s what I found …

Now I’m officially a vegetable gardener!