And if YOU are reading this, you can be thankful today, too. It was a toss up between the following for a writing topic today: hot flashes, mom, fire safety, and blogs. Blogs won. So, count 'yer blessings.
Sidenote: I am not doing that whole Thirty Days of Being Thankful thing because I believe we should be thankful all days of the year (I can hear a collective Awww!). Just like we should recognize and be thankful to Hispanics all year not just during National Hispanic Month.
I am a pretty serious reader. Now, unlike several of my sisters, my good friend S., and some other people I know I don't read 1000 books a week. I have a short attention span, so I prefer to read short things like the newspaper (in short article chunks), signs, papers that come home from school needing my attention and the like. But, I do love my actual books. It just takes me a good while to get through them. I have read some great ones lately, but that will have to be another post.
My love of reading has brought me gradually to blogs. After a rocky start, I have grown to love them and may be addicted to them. When blogging first started (yes, I am THAT old, people) I thought, wow what a shameless way for the me-generation to flaunt themselves and I was basically not interested. Then, my great friend over at http://cyberbones.blogspot.com/ painstakingly introduced me to her blog.
Now, I will digress for a minute here to tell you two things that have to do with Cyberbones. 1. This great friend has four kids, so she has introduced me to many, many things I did not know the first thing about. To name a few: allrecipes.com, sibling rivalry, post-partum depression, the joys of all kinds of coffee, gnocchi, etc. So, I will take this time to tell you - Cyberbones, I love you. 2. My mother was a faithful reader of my blog (and mama if you still read my blog from your heaven - I love, love, love you for that) and one day I was telling mama about something on Cyberbones' blog that was amazing (take your pick - can't remember specifically what) and mama said - I know I read it. I was like, huh? Mom in her amazing over 80 years had figured out (I didn't even know this - dangit) how to look up what other people are reading. Is that amazing??? Mama - I love you.
So..............fast forward a few years and I realized that blogging is a whole different breed. After becoming pretty avid about reading Cyberbones' blog, I eventually had to START my own blog. As you know, I wanted to be several things in life. Here's the short list: famous writer, decorated cop promoted to head detective (in a big city, not shot in the line of duty), restaurant reviewer, lawyer. So, to have people actually read what I am writing (and not because they have to - like I email them a "high priority" email, or tape a note to their chest) and comment on it???? That's like heaven. I am now pretty addicted to my blog and write everyday in it. Not a lot gets "published," but I have found I like it.
AND I love reading other people's blogs which at first I thought was.............NUTS. I am a little crazy about it. When I have time (not feeding six people, doing their laundry, cleaning up after them, otherwise tending to them, or working on that high stack of prints over there) I have been known to sit and read blogs for hours. So, (and I know that was a LONG WINDED introduction) today is a shout out to JUST A FEW noteworthy blogs and why I like them.
Cyberbones - this woman is who I would like to be when I grow up. She is a fabulous cook and baker, she has four kids who are well-rounded, she is world traveled, she reads like a 1000 books a week, and she blogs (almost daily) from Malawi, Africa. I learn things I didn't know from reading her blog and I have the extra bonus of her being my friend, so it feels like she's in my kitchen drinking coffee and I am getting the daily scoop.
http://pettijohns.blogspot.com/- this gal is just a great writer. She has a positive outlook on life, kids, and marriage and an old scrooge like me needs a dose of that every once in a while. Plus, she's dang funny and I can always use a laugh.
http://devonpondjumps.blogspot.com/- this lady is also a fabulous writer. And she's a young 'un. Boo! If I had just an ounce of her writing ability at my age I would hope I'd be famous. I am sure she will be famous soon and I can say I read her blog when............
The Daily Dish by Andrew Sullivan - okay he IS famous, but I do read a few famous blogs (famous in that they write for newspapers and such). I want to be Andrew Sullivan. Okay, so he's a gay man, but you know what I mean. He blogs, what like 32 POSTS A DAY??? I like to read his blog because it's kind of like reading NPR (which I am also addicted to - thank you, S.).
These are just a FEW SAMPLINGS of what I am reading nowadays. There are a few that request to remain private and that's cool. Know you're on my list and that I love your blogs, too. There are a few that suffer (as mine does a good part of the year) from regular updates. But, know that I am always waiting to read a good update. When a person that I don't know comments on my blog I go and check out theirs. So, B. if you read this - thanks again! Hope we can share reading!
So, that's my post. Thanks for blogging! If you have great blogs - send 'em my way. I am always up for another good read.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Time Warner, I think I love you.
So, weeks and weeks will go by and frankly I have nothing worthy of the written page. THEN scarcely minutes will go by and I feel like I might be able to write a novel (I'm not saying it would make any sense or that anyone would read it, but I could write it. I like to think - at these times - "Write it and they will come." ;o). So, now is one of the "I have so many things to write and not enough time" times.
If you read my blog you know that I am a SUCKER for GREAT customer service. I fill out all those cards that say, "Tell us about your service today..." I have been known to call a supervisor or two. AND I MIGHT have a big mouth. I can toot some horn (and when I said that out loud to my soon-to-be-nine-year-old yesterday he said, "Does that mean do an air biscuit, mom?").
So, it's been a while since my whole AT&T personal scandal and I've had a lot of other things to think about. I won't say I've forgotten them (because after you've gone through something like that with someone - how can they ever be far away in spirit?), but I am not constantly thinking about them. So, WHO calls yesterday??? TIME WARNER - that's who!
Hold the phone. It's who??? It's "Kip from Time Warner." (Yes, I did refrain from asking him about his name.)
Kip - Could I speak to a Mr. E.D.?
Me - Ah, he's not home right now.
Kip - Well, is this The Woman Who Makes Decisions About Your Home Cable and Internet Service? A Ms. M.D.?
Me - Um. Yeah. I think so.
Kip - Well, good afternoon, M.D. How are you today?
Me - Fine?
Kip - Listen, Ms. M.D. I am sorry to bother you this afternoon, and if this is not a good time please let me know so that we can set up another appointment to talk when you are more available.
Me - silent.
Kip - Is this a good time for you, Ms. M.D.?
Me - (silently thinking) Kip, I think I love you. First you are calling me Ms. and I think you might be 18? Second you are asking me if this is a good time for me? What planet are you from, Kip? Are there only work from home mothers of four that live on that planet because you have the inside scoop.
Me - Yes, Kip. I think this is a good time for me. (Baby screaming and possibly playing with knives in the background.)
Kip - Okay. Well, you just let me know if I need to call you back another time. And, before I forget let me give you my cell number in case that happens. Now, you won't need to go through customer service because we want your business and we know how time consuming that can be. (Kip proceeds to give me his cell number while I clear the counter looking for a pen and something to write on that is not the now cleaned off counter because let me tell you he HAS MY ATTENTION). Now, Ms. M.D. I see from my records that you experienced a problem with your current server a while back and you wanted to connect to Time Warner, and then for some reason you cancelled your initialization. So, what I would like to talk to you about today is how we can make Time Warner the company for you................................
And what ensued was Kip trying to make me a deal so sweet I couldn't refuse.
Hello. WHO TRAINED KIP??? Because AT&T and all other companies TAKE NOTE. He had an answer for every question I asked him. He was informed, but not pushy. He respected my time and plugged his ears while baby screamed through the phone. He laughed politely when I said, "No baby you cannot go outside without mama." He gave me a call back number so that I wouldn't have to spend five hours going through customer service. He knew his stuff and knew what I was currently paying AT&T (Wait, is this Facebook?). AND, (yes, people, he could teach the customer service class) he listened to me.
Kip, someone needs to promote you. And fast. YOU could put AT&T OUT OF BUSINESS. You could shut them down - and probably single-handedly. If Reggie switched sides and joined you, there's no tellin' what you guys might do. Today I am going to find your supervisor and tell him about you.
Time Warner - I am not sure I am ready to switch yet, but I think I love you.
If you read my blog you know that I am a SUCKER for GREAT customer service. I fill out all those cards that say, "Tell us about your service today..." I have been known to call a supervisor or two. AND I MIGHT have a big mouth. I can toot some horn (and when I said that out loud to my soon-to-be-nine-year-old yesterday he said, "Does that mean do an air biscuit, mom?").
So, it's been a while since my whole AT&T personal scandal and I've had a lot of other things to think about. I won't say I've forgotten them (because after you've gone through something like that with someone - how can they ever be far away in spirit?), but I am not constantly thinking about them. So, WHO calls yesterday??? TIME WARNER - that's who!
Hold the phone. It's who??? It's "Kip from Time Warner." (Yes, I did refrain from asking him about his name.)
Kip - Could I speak to a Mr. E.D.?
Me - Ah, he's not home right now.
Kip - Well, is this The Woman Who Makes Decisions About Your Home Cable and Internet Service? A Ms. M.D.?
Me - Um. Yeah. I think so.
Kip - Well, good afternoon, M.D. How are you today?
Me - Fine?
Kip - Listen, Ms. M.D. I am sorry to bother you this afternoon, and if this is not a good time please let me know so that we can set up another appointment to talk when you are more available.
Me - silent.
Kip - Is this a good time for you, Ms. M.D.?
Me - (silently thinking) Kip, I think I love you. First you are calling me Ms. and I think you might be 18? Second you are asking me if this is a good time for me? What planet are you from, Kip? Are there only work from home mothers of four that live on that planet because you have the inside scoop.
Me - Yes, Kip. I think this is a good time for me. (Baby screaming and possibly playing with knives in the background.)
Kip - Okay. Well, you just let me know if I need to call you back another time. And, before I forget let me give you my cell number in case that happens. Now, you won't need to go through customer service because we want your business and we know how time consuming that can be. (Kip proceeds to give me his cell number while I clear the counter looking for a pen and something to write on that is not the now cleaned off counter because let me tell you he HAS MY ATTENTION). Now, Ms. M.D. I see from my records that you experienced a problem with your current server a while back and you wanted to connect to Time Warner, and then for some reason you cancelled your initialization. So, what I would like to talk to you about today is how we can make Time Warner the company for you................................
And what ensued was Kip trying to make me a deal so sweet I couldn't refuse.
Hello. WHO TRAINED KIP??? Because AT&T and all other companies TAKE NOTE. He had an answer for every question I asked him. He was informed, but not pushy. He respected my time and plugged his ears while baby screamed through the phone. He laughed politely when I said, "No baby you cannot go outside without mama." He gave me a call back number so that I wouldn't have to spend five hours going through customer service. He knew his stuff and knew what I was currently paying AT&T (Wait, is this Facebook?). AND, (yes, people, he could teach the customer service class) he listened to me.
Kip, someone needs to promote you. And fast. YOU could put AT&T OUT OF BUSINESS. You could shut them down - and probably single-handedly. If Reggie switched sides and joined you, there's no tellin' what you guys might do. Today I am going to find your supervisor and tell him about you.
Time Warner - I am not sure I am ready to switch yet, but I think I love you.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Thanksgiving menu updates - one week one day
and counting.
Add to the menu:
http://onecharmingparty.com/2010/11/02/the-kids-table-paper-bag-turkey/
Thank you, M.G. for sharing this culinary delight.
AND
several dozen home made tamales made by one M.C. Thank you, M.C. Not only do you keep my house clean like only you can, you are about to assist in keeping my family fed.
Add to the menu:
http://onecharmingparty.com/2010/11/02/the-kids-table-paper-bag-turkey/
Thank you, M.G. for sharing this culinary delight.
AND
several dozen home made tamales made by one M.C. Thank you, M.C. Not only do you keep my house clean like only you can, you are about to assist in keeping my family fed.
Reinstated after a brief loss of status
Well, I am back. Facebook has reinstated my account. Not really. They never really got around to reinstating me. I am just "back."
After being disabled from my Facebook account early yesterday morning, I spent some part of the day trying to recover lost information that could only be accessed via Facebook. Thank you friends for helping me out on that (you know who you are). Another example of how Facebook sucks your time. JUST KIDDING. I LOVE YOU, FACEBOOK. PLEASE DON'T DISABLE ME AGAIN. Not to mention the time I spent yesterday being pissy wondering how I had violated their Rules and Regulations. Thank you, friends again for your loving collective senses of humor. That was enough to keep me smiling through much of the day.
This morning I got an email from Facebook saying that they had denied my request for appeal. "Attemps to impersonate others" are serious violations and my request is "DENIED." Say what? Say who??? So, I promptly emailed them and told them that not only was I not knowingly in violation of any of their Rules and Regulations, I had misunderstood the appeal process and was now ready to email my PHOTO ID (Social Security number, bank accounts, and blood of my firstborn if necessary) could they give me another opportunity??? PLEASE??? Facebook promptly emailed back and told me that no account for this email had been disabled.
SAY WHAT? SAY WHO??? WHO IS RUNNING THIS CIRCUS???
I'm back in??? Yes. I am back "in." Well, hallelujah. Facebook looks just the same as it did 24 hours ago. Hmm. So, I am left to wonder today...........hacked? A misinterpreted attempt at an impersonation of another Monica DeLaCruz? A Facebook scam to get my photo ID? Don't know. Just know that I am back. With a vengeance. ;o) And I AM sharing this!
After being disabled from my Facebook account early yesterday morning, I spent some part of the day trying to recover lost information that could only be accessed via Facebook. Thank you friends for helping me out on that (you know who you are). Another example of how Facebook sucks your time. JUST KIDDING. I LOVE YOU, FACEBOOK. PLEASE DON'T DISABLE ME AGAIN. Not to mention the time I spent yesterday being pissy wondering how I had violated their Rules and Regulations. Thank you, friends again for your loving collective senses of humor. That was enough to keep me smiling through much of the day.
This morning I got an email from Facebook saying that they had denied my request for appeal. "Attemps to impersonate others" are serious violations and my request is "DENIED." Say what? Say who??? So, I promptly emailed them and told them that not only was I not knowingly in violation of any of their Rules and Regulations, I had misunderstood the appeal process and was now ready to email my PHOTO ID (Social Security number, bank accounts, and blood of my firstborn if necessary) could they give me another opportunity??? PLEASE??? Facebook promptly emailed back and told me that no account for this email had been disabled.
SAY WHAT? SAY WHO??? WHO IS RUNNING THIS CIRCUS???
I'm back in??? Yes. I am back "in." Well, hallelujah. Facebook looks just the same as it did 24 hours ago. Hmm. So, I am left to wonder today...........hacked? A misinterpreted attempt at an impersonation of another Monica DeLaCruz? A Facebook scam to get my photo ID? Don't know. Just know that I am back. With a vengeance. ;o) And I AM sharing this!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
SAY WHAT??? Facebook WHO???
So, I have barely had a whole cup of joe this morning and I stumble onto the computer after getting the kiddos on to the bus and I login into Facebook. I do this to see what my friends and family are up to this Tuesday morning and to also report to them what I am up to. And, lo and behold, I get an ominous message saying my ACCOUNT HAS BEEN DISABLED and to "click here" to find out more information. Say what? Okay, so I "click here," and find that I have violated the terms of my agreement with Facebook. Say who? Did I say I hadn't yet had a full cup of COFFEE??? "Click here" they tell me if you want to read through our 1000 pages of what you agreed to when you signed up for Facebook to waste hours and hours of your life (but, fill it with oh so much joy, too).
Hmm. So, after skimming through pages and pages of what I have agreed to.......................I am completely baffled. I have somehow in my innocuous posts violated the terms of this "agreement?" Apparently so. AND, depending on the severity of my violation - I may NEVER be able to access a Facebook account again. Leading to a life of social shunning and stunting, not to mention complete abandonment by my kids.
BUT, have no fear. I have filed a request for review (which may take "time" to do and will be processed in order of receipt - Thank you, Facebook - THAT'S reassuring). I would "share" this, but sorry "friends" I can't.
Hmm. So, after skimming through pages and pages of what I have agreed to.......................I am completely baffled. I have somehow in my innocuous posts violated the terms of this "agreement?" Apparently so. AND, depending on the severity of my violation - I may NEVER be able to access a Facebook account again. Leading to a life of social shunning and stunting, not to mention complete abandonment by my kids.
BUT, have no fear. I have filed a request for review (which may take "time" to do and will be processed in order of receipt - Thank you, Facebook - THAT'S reassuring). I would "share" this, but sorry "friends" I can't.
Monday, November 15, 2010
November what???
Wow. Have you checked the calendar lately? Thanksgiving is fast approaching.
It is not that I am not thankful. I am. But, since I have kind of given up meat Thanksgiving is not holding any charm for me this year. Before I kind of stopped eating meat I really never liked turkey. In fact, I pretty much disliked it. I ate the obligatory piece on Thanksgiving and pretended (or not) to enjoy it. But, this year I don't even think I can manage that. So, I would love to have you all tell me what you will be having this Thanksgiving and I hope that somehow this will work out the remaining menu kinks that I am having.
Here's my menu, a few side notes, and one major discrepancy. See what you can do to help me out. ;o)
Sweet Potato Casserole
My family loves sweet potatoes, so we especially love them in any kind of a casserole. And Thanksgiving is such a great excuse to eat them. Lots of them. And I am not talking about those canned sweet potatoes (what are those anyway?). I am talking some real out-of-the-ground potatoes. Yummy!
Mashed Potatoes
Now my husband is the master of mashed potatoes. He can cook some mashed potatoes that taste just like heaven. I am sure they have about 8000 calories per serving, but we rarely have them, so WHO CARES?
Some kind of Green Vegetable
And this is for my mom. Yes, she's dead, but I know she will be looking down on us on Thanksgiving and smiling because we will have one green thing on the table.
Stuffing of some sort
Stuffing is my absolute favorite part of Thanksgiving (besides that whole being Thankful part). Serve me up a whole plate of stuffing and frankly I don't need anything else. But, my family tends to be traditional when it comes to this. I like to try different things in stuffing - oysters, seafood of any kind, spinach, nuts, fruits. My family pretty much just likes bread cut up into cubes. Yuck. So, I am still up in the air on this one. Feel free to give me some ideas.
Some sort of cranberry sauce
I also love me some cranberry sauce. But, cranberries not so much. So, this kind of requires me to get that way fake stuff that comes straight out of the can. I am hoping to alter tradition this year on this one. If you have an amazing cranberry sauce that everyone loves (and doesn't require a trip to any specialty store or take longer than an hour to make) - please share.
Some sort of healthy rolls
Yeah. I said healthy. My husband LOVES Brown and Serve. Which are what? Lots of preservatives cooked for 8 to 10 minutes, loaded with fake butter and consumed? Hmm. We may have to veer from tradition again on this one. I can NOT bake rolls and I have no desire to learn how. So, there will be no MAKING healthy rolls. There will be finding some healthy rolls and buying them.
Some sort of dessert
See I am not a huge fan of pumpkin. And "pecan", well....................let's just say - it's not chocolate. So, every Thanksgiving I try to work some chocolate in there somehow. My husband is a huge fan of pumpkin and pecan, so I am usually vetoed on this matter. This year may be the year for chocolate. If you have some awesome Thanksgiving desserts that satisfy the traditionalists and the non-traditionalists - let me know!!!
Well, that's about it so far. Anything missing? Well, yeah as a matter of fact.................THE TURKEY. Still haven't figured that one out. I don't think I can break down and buy a turkey, but I am not sure I can break down and NOT buy a turkey either. My family thinks we are having exactly what we had for Thanksgiving last year, so I am kind of out on a limb right now. I am hoping to have this all figured out by....................Thanksgiving. So again, if you have any ideas that will solve my problems - let me know. I'll check in again soon with a menu update. Or, if not you can find me at a different address after Thanksgiving. ;o)
It is not that I am not thankful. I am. But, since I have kind of given up meat Thanksgiving is not holding any charm for me this year. Before I kind of stopped eating meat I really never liked turkey. In fact, I pretty much disliked it. I ate the obligatory piece on Thanksgiving and pretended (or not) to enjoy it. But, this year I don't even think I can manage that. So, I would love to have you all tell me what you will be having this Thanksgiving and I hope that somehow this will work out the remaining menu kinks that I am having.
Here's my menu, a few side notes, and one major discrepancy. See what you can do to help me out. ;o)
Sweet Potato Casserole
My family loves sweet potatoes, so we especially love them in any kind of a casserole. And Thanksgiving is such a great excuse to eat them. Lots of them. And I am not talking about those canned sweet potatoes (what are those anyway?). I am talking some real out-of-the-ground potatoes. Yummy!
Mashed Potatoes
Now my husband is the master of mashed potatoes. He can cook some mashed potatoes that taste just like heaven. I am sure they have about 8000 calories per serving, but we rarely have them, so WHO CARES?
Some kind of Green Vegetable
And this is for my mom. Yes, she's dead, but I know she will be looking down on us on Thanksgiving and smiling because we will have one green thing on the table.
Stuffing of some sort
Stuffing is my absolute favorite part of Thanksgiving (besides that whole being Thankful part). Serve me up a whole plate of stuffing and frankly I don't need anything else. But, my family tends to be traditional when it comes to this. I like to try different things in stuffing - oysters, seafood of any kind, spinach, nuts, fruits. My family pretty much just likes bread cut up into cubes. Yuck. So, I am still up in the air on this one. Feel free to give me some ideas.
Some sort of cranberry sauce
I also love me some cranberry sauce. But, cranberries not so much. So, this kind of requires me to get that way fake stuff that comes straight out of the can. I am hoping to alter tradition this year on this one. If you have an amazing cranberry sauce that everyone loves (and doesn't require a trip to any specialty store or take longer than an hour to make) - please share.
Some sort of healthy rolls
Yeah. I said healthy. My husband LOVES Brown and Serve. Which are what? Lots of preservatives cooked for 8 to 10 minutes, loaded with fake butter and consumed? Hmm. We may have to veer from tradition again on this one. I can NOT bake rolls and I have no desire to learn how. So, there will be no MAKING healthy rolls. There will be finding some healthy rolls and buying them.
Some sort of dessert
See I am not a huge fan of pumpkin. And "pecan", well....................let's just say - it's not chocolate. So, every Thanksgiving I try to work some chocolate in there somehow. My husband is a huge fan of pumpkin and pecan, so I am usually vetoed on this matter. This year may be the year for chocolate. If you have some awesome Thanksgiving desserts that satisfy the traditionalists and the non-traditionalists - let me know!!!
Well, that's about it so far. Anything missing? Well, yeah as a matter of fact.................THE TURKEY. Still haven't figured that one out. I don't think I can break down and buy a turkey, but I am not sure I can break down and NOT buy a turkey either. My family thinks we are having exactly what we had for Thanksgiving last year, so I am kind of out on a limb right now. I am hoping to have this all figured out by....................Thanksgiving. So again, if you have any ideas that will solve my problems - let me know. I'll check in again soon with a menu update. Or, if not you can find me at a different address after Thanksgiving. ;o)
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
A quick check-in...
thankfully not to rehab although I might belong there. Rehabilitation from complete exhaustion, that is. This is a quick check in to tell you all that Halloween was FABULOUS. And I hope you all had a fab one as well. I will post pictures soon. Hehehehehehe! You know that's a lie. I will not post pictures soon or ever because it is a painful process for me. But, imagine the devil, a blue-haired gal, a witch, an insane person (that shouldn't be a stretch for most of my readers ;o), an angel, and a dad who doesn't do Halloween with a costume and you got us!
I am going to check out again for a while. Too many prints and workers will be here shortly to fill my life with happiness, chaos, and humor. So, have a great beginning of November, my friends. And I will be back later when some of the chaos has subsided. :o)))
I am going to check out again for a while. Too many prints and workers will be here shortly to fill my life with happiness, chaos, and humor. So, have a great beginning of November, my friends. And I will be back later when some of the chaos has subsided. :o)))
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