Am…musings

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 …

Today marks the one year anniversary of this blog. Unfortunately, the momentous occasion has stirred up a bit of writer’s block. Normally, when the block hits (as it has on several occasions over the year), I just refrain from blogging until inspiration strikes. Today, I feel the need to say a little something nevertheless.

I can mark the day with two new additions (albeit temporary) to Kit Drive … momma birdie’s babies have hatched. At this point, they are pretty small, a little shriveled and spend lots of time hiding under mom so pics aren’t very realistic … not to mention that she’s still letting me get super close to take a peek at the “kids” and I don’t want the camera to freak her out.

While the birds may not necessarily be worthy of the anniversary post, this certainly is …. the guy and I also met for the first time four months ago today. Given that this blog has witnessed several not-so-good dating stories in the past 365 days (here, here and here are a few examples), it seems fitting to mention how wonderful it is to be dating such an amazing man. Here’s a wish that I’ll be able to write great things about us 365 days from now.

All in all, it’s been a good year, and despite falling off the blogging wagon a few times, I have definitely enjoyed it much more than I ever expected at this endeavor’s launch.

I never watch TV. Really … never. While some people automatically turn the TV on when they’re home, my house is filled with music, normally from my iPod. I do enjoy the Food Network and HGTV, and watch one or two shows on the networks, but typically spend so much time online that I rarely, if ever, turn the TV on. Plus, I’m not good at using the TV for background noise … I have to stop and watch and that just seems too unproductive to me.

For years I’ve been saying that I need to cancel my satellite package and stop wasting $50 per month. Instead, I did nothing. A few months ago, my satellite bill went up to $65 and I vowed to take action. Instead, I did nothing. Tonight, for no real reason I can pinpoint, I decided to pull the plug.

Of course, my first stop was the satellite company’s Web site (why call when you take care of it online?). It wouldn’t let me cancel, but I did notice they had a local stations option. I called and found out I could go with that package alone, which would allow me to watch breaking news and the few network programs I like. I could also cancel service to my second TV in the basement, which I really, really never watch. I can also keep my DVR … truth be told, the convenience of that was the real reason I couldn’t bring myself to pull the plug earlier.

So instead of $65 a month, I’ll be paying $15 ($10 for the local stations and $5 for the DVR). Seems much better to me. Anyone else have a better recommendation?

I still have the Far Side my friend Keith edited for me of the space shuttle launching with a speech bubble stating, “Wait! I have to go to the bathroom!” The altered caption: “Why Amber could never be an astronaut.” Yes, I have a thimble of a bladder. But twice lately, in a roundabout way, it’s meant I get a good breakfast.

In May, I was headed to a wedding in Louisville. Thanks to the bladder, I’d only made it about a ½ hour out of town and had to go. I also hadn’t had breakfast and figured if I had to get out of the car anyway, I might as well skip places with drive-throughs and went to Bread Co. (or Panera for those of you outside of the Lou.) The same thing happened this morning after a grocery stop on my way to work. Both times I had the Power Sandwich, which is quite tasty.

It’s egg, lean ham and cheddar on whole wheat. At 390 calories, it’s no lightweight, but it does pack lots of protein. It’s also a better choice than their other breakfast sandwiches with fatty meats on Ciabatta and the very evil, previously mentioned Cinnamon Crunch bagel.

Two posts in one night … and I haven’t posted in a while. Normally, I’d parcel my posts out, but I couldn’t resist an opportunity to poke fun at myself …

My roommates since college may remind me otherwise, but I’d swear I haven’t left an un-rinsed cereal bowl in the sink for more than a day since then. For those of you obsessively neat folks in the crowd …when you do that, the milk (even skim) congeals until it resembles yogurt. Sometimes it smells. Thankfully, this time it did not.

Working until 9:30 p.m. Monday, 11:00 p.m. Tuesday and a 7:15 a.m. call-time for an all-day, fairly intense client meeting today meant my dishes sat. Actually, because I live alone I don’t mind to let them sit and they sometimes do, but I am a pretty religious rinser. Not so much this week. Eewww …

In an effort to stick with the healthy eating plan, I searched for healthy appetizers in preparation for the big game. I landed here and decided on spinach squares (there are lots of other yummy looking recipes on the site).

They weren’t too difficult to prepare, but when I took them out of the oven they looked a little like Astroturf … at least I was in theme. Honestly, I thought they were pretty tasty. Maybe just make them for yourself or for folks that you know are spinach fans (only two other people at my – albeit small – party partook).

Spinach Squares
1 egg
1/2 cup egg substitute
3/4 cup low-fat milk
1 ½ cup unbleached or all-purpose flour (whole wheat can be substituted for half of the flour)
1 ½ tsp. salt
1 ½ tsp. baking powder
3 Tbsp. butter or canola margarine, melted
½ cup fat-free or light sour cream
3 10-ounce boxes frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained (gently squeeze with hands)
8 ounce reduced-fat Monterey Jack cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (I think shredded would work. I actually found reduced-fat cheddar/Monterey Jack crumbles)

Preheat oven to 325°F. Coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
Beat egg, egg substitute, milk, flour, salt, baking powder, melted butter, and sour cream in mixing bowl on medium-low speed until smooth batter has formed.
Stir in cheese cubes and spinach.
Pour into prepared pan, spread evenly with spatula, and bake about 35 to 40 minutes.
Test center to make sure it’s set/firm enough for the squares to hold their shape.
Let sit about 10 minutes before cutting into squares.
Keep refrigerated. Eat hot or cold.

I began the New Year with one less animal … waking to an empty fishbowl where Jackson, the pretty blue betta fish, should have been merrily swimming.

Because you’re smart, you’ve probably deduced from the title the foster kitty, Miss Tiger Lily, was the culprit. Jackson’s person (yeah, that’s me) also must take a fair amount of the blame for her stupidity and underestimation of said kitty. I’d even been warned by my neighbor, who cared for Tiger Lily while I was on vacation, that she’d been trying to get the fish.

He was on a high-ish shelf in the bathroom so she wasn’t having much luck (I’d read betta’s like warmer temps and figured that was the warmest room in the house). However, his bowl was funky when I returned so I moved him to the kitchen for cleaning. While the fresh water reached room temperature, I set him far back on the counter, thinking he’d be out of sight. Most pathetic of all … I had lamely placed an envelope over the bowl opening. Seriously? What the heck did I think that was going to do?!

Honestly, I’ve never seen her jump on the counter (must be a new trick learned while I was out of town). She’s also the clumsiest kitty ever and I figured I’d hear her knocking over glasses and other items I’d hastily left on the counter in prep for New Year’s Eve at the neighbors.

Is a dead fish worthy of eulogy? Maybe not, but Jackson was kind of cool (for a fish that is) and very pretty. Also, there’s the guilt and my need to come clean about playing a part in his death . RIP Jackson.

At 10:15 a.m. this morning I opened the front door (the storm door isn’t a great barrier for the cold, but it lets light in, which I find worth the splurge on my heating bill). I had just rolled out of bed because I didn’t get to sleep until 2 a.m. I was still in my PJs, my hair was a bird’s nest of tangled curls. Behind me, the dining room table was strewn with a few half-empty glasses of wine and beer bottles … evidence of last night’s Christmas Cocktails party.

There was a car sort of in the middle of the street so I stood in the doorway a little longer than necessary. And here comes a woman. She was handing out Christmas cards … for the local Baptist Church.

It made me giggle. They probably don’t want me (or I figured I made her day … if she saves someone like me, her Saturday morning would be worth it).

By the way, despite the glasses and bottles, the party wasn’t too crazy (a lot of fun with some of the wonderful people in my life, but not too crazy). Although, I just had to post this picture of a drinking game that included … my mom!

I did a crazy thing today and it was a repeat performance. When I decided to blog about it, it struck me … I blogged about the first go-round, and the context of that post has me feeling silly for deciding to do this thing again.

Enough with the beating around the bush … I got my nose pierced (or I guess re-pierced). A few months ago I blamed the first piercing on a semi-midlife crisis. Hmmm. Now I feel the need to justify the recent decision.

As I said in the earlier post, I’ve always thought it was beautiful (again, I think because of my second grade friend Chowdry Pinnameneni’s mom). I removed the first ring about six months after I got it mostly to please a few conservative people in my life who didn’t really approve. Yet even when I took it out, I always thought I might do it again. I even saved my little silver stud (thankfully so, because it saved me $25 today … body piercings are not cheap!). A few changes in my life have left me worrying a little less about those conservative folks and I said bring on the big needle (all joking aside … if you have a problem with needles, this probably is not the procedure for you).

I just wish I hadn’t been so negative about it in my earlier post. I don’t feel midlife-crisis-y now, but looking back at today’s decision, I may have subconsciously been concerned. Because I need lots of information to make decisions, I did a survey of a few folks – ok a few guys (I know a couple – my dad included – who find it gross and wondered if more men felt that way) – and I did ask two of them if I was getting too old to pull it off. Not that I imagine either of them would have told me the truth even if they thought I was!

I live in St. Louis County about a stone’s throw from the city line and 10 miles from the heart of downtown. I’m continually surprised by all the wildlife around here. It’s mostly of the small variety … tons o’ bunnies, oodles of squirrels, the occasional possum and raccoon, and scary bats (I just keep reminding myself they eat my arch enemy … mosquitoes).

Today, I had an up close and personal encounter. Chewy was freaking out so I stuck my head out the back door. About 6 feet away, engaging me in a crazy staring contest with its glowing yellow eyes was an enormous hawk, perched just above my gutter. I had seen it before, but usually mid-flight and fairly far away.

I was so stunned and awed I said very much way out loud, “holy f*cking sh%t.” I tend to have a bit of a potty mouth so it wasn’t entirely out of character, but I try to be careful so as not to shock the elderly neighbors. I had to break away from the staring contest to verify that luckily, no one was around. Even with my movement (and foul mouth), it didn’t seem at all phased by how close I was. But about the time I thought, I should go get my camera, it gently and gracefully flew away.

About 10 minutes later it was back, balancing on the electric wire behind the house.

I got that shot as I was going out to collect Chewy, who was frantically barking and circling below it. Chewy weighs about 15 pounds … a little too big for hawk cuisine, but he’s annoying when he barks incessantly and I’m guessing those crazy claws or beak could wreak a little havoc.

Even knowing that … it was incredibly awesome and impressive, and I’m looking forward to its return.