Friday, October 31, 2008

I'M Back

Ok, enough is enough .

Let's get this election over and done with so I can get on with my life. It's starting to feel like the OJ trial only longer

. I have heard McCain and Palin's stump speeches so many times, I think I could stand in for either of them in a pinch.

And what's up with Joe the plumber,??? McCain's hero, who is not licensed, has a lien on his house and and out of state driver's license...HELLO. he only makes 40 grand a year so all this talk about his Taxes are BS.. And how amusing is it that he didn't even show up for the rally he was scheduled to attend on his candidate's behalf. Quite an endorsement John.

I guess his new agent had something to do with that, and maybe that is why he is so concerned now that he is a rock star and maybe climbing into a new tax bracket. Let's hope he gets high enough that he can enjoy the breaks tha the wealthy receive.

And the tax issue...what does it matter anymore now that ALL OF US got hosed by the banking industry and Wall Street . Taxes are going up regardless of who takes office.

My fear is that after Tuesday, I won't have any thing to watch on TV.

My name is Leslie and I approve this message

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Jim and I had dinner Tuesday night with 2 old friends from High school. Irene, who was my best friend and his Girl friend, and BJ , who was also one of our pals. She and Jim were voted MOST FUN LOVING.

They made a special trip to see Jim because we missed our 45th re union when he was in the hospital. Irene also was here to visit her sister who lives nearby in Millsboro.

Irene is currently living in California with her husband. They have moved many times with his Company, from Manhattan, to Boston to Denver and now south of LA.
BJ lives in Harford County with her husband. Everyone has children and Grand children, including me:-)
We had a great time reminiscing and laughing about old times, and sharing our stories of a 45 year gap.. the good, the bad and the ugly.
It provoked a lot of old feelings and memories of the past, all the double dates we went on, days we hooked school together, making out at the drive in, our trips tp OC. I even took the Trailways Bus to College Park on Friday after work, to spend the weekend with Irene and Jim at UofM. Then we drifted apart and into our own worlds. I did see Jim occasionally after I was married, but he also disappeared and turned up at our 30th reunion.
I hope they stay in touch with us now that we have connected again.

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Atlanta Trip

I am really getting excited to see the baby He is so cute and cuddly. And that Gabe, such a Daddy.( Can you imagine Pop Pop being that involved? ) It made him seem more real when I saw the moving pictures. He is adorable even if he does have a weird name :-).


If it weren't for David Sedaris appearing on Sunday, I would have changed my reservations, but I didn't want to leave Jim stranded with 2 tickets and no one that we know who has ever heard of him.


So I still plan on arriving on Tuesday and staying with the new parents. Debbie said to let her know when I can stay with her but she is having other company from the 14th to the 17th so those days are out. She also called to see if I wanted to take a cooking class with Ingrid Hoffman from the Food Network on the 9th , her treat, but I thought it was too soon to rush off so I declined and opted for another massage instead later in the visit. Such a Sacrifice :-)


Also my favorite Chef and Heartthrob, Tom Collichio from Top Chef is holding a class,( which sold out in 30 minutes,) but unfortunately it is the day after I leave. He is opening a new restaurant called Craft in the Mansion on Peachtree.http://www.craftrestaurant.com/ Deb assurred me that she would go to the book signing and get me a copy of his new cookbook.

I also promised to teach her how to make Sour Beef while I'm there. That should be fun .We are such kitchen mavens. We should reprise the old English Cooking Show, Two Fat Ladies. One of us needs to buy a motorcycle with a side car.

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Baby

Welcome Baby Gustav into this world and our lives.
I can't wait to meet you in person.
You sure were in a hurry to get here. I hope you won't be disappointed.
I know you will have much love around you.
Mema

Monday, September 22, 2008

Three stories

1
OK,
2 girlfriends from my past, both married, Catholic schooled ,retired and living in Fla. One sends me an offensive E mail quoting something out of Revelations about evil and how that personifies Barach Obama. I mailed it back and asked her not to send any more political material.
Later on I received a very funny U-TUBE showing McCain changing his mind on issues, and looking very old and non presidential. I sent it to my other friend who replied Thank God, I thought I was all alone on this!! Apparently she was in a group of eight women who all thought that Palin was a wonderful choice. She was appalled. Ironically I thought she might be opposed to the Dems because of the abortion issue etc. I also sent it to the other friend, somewhat out of retaliation who promptly replied that I should honor my own request , which I did. Now I haven't heard from her at all. Does McCain believe that women will vote for someone because she has the same plumbing? She is undoing all the progress that we have made based on our merits. Apparently in Florida this tact works.

2 This past weekend was Sunfest in OC so Jim and I drove down to 28th st and rode the boardwalk train to the inlet. There were thousands of people there, live bands, lots of crafts and food vendors. We had a traditional oyster fritter sandwich, some fried clams and a roast beef sandwich. We walked around a bit but it was so crowded that you could barely move inside the tents so we rode back up the planks to the car. It was a beautiful day and fun to people watch. I felt a bit naked with so few piercings and no tattoos but I managed. Plus, it always cheers me up to see so many fat people. As my Friend Rocky would say, A humpback doesn't smile until he sees another humpback :-)

3 Jim's cousins, John and Paul Shepherd drove down for the day and went to lunch with us on Monday. Paul lives in Ellicott City, retired from AT&T and now has a home business. His wife, Michelle teaches art. John just retired from Mercer where he was a biology professor. He and his wife Becky live in Argentina although she is working in Colorado this summer as a park ranger. We had a great Mexican lunch and lively discussion. I always enjoy seeing them even though it is usually a funeral that brings everyone together. John is especially interesting because of his life style, very laid back. He sympathized when I told him about Prego in Hotlanta with cankles. He agreed that it was hot In Macon. I think they wanted to see Jim after they heard about his illness.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Whoops!!!

To anyone who tried to make the pasta salad I apologize. In an attempt to list the ingredients, the major one was accidentally omitted, which is a cucumber.

Iknow that many cooks leave something out of a recipe on purpose, but I didn't do that. Please try it again.





CORK SCREW SALAD

1 Medium cucumber, chopped (do not peel)

1 1/2 Cups vinegar

2 Teasp. prepared mustard

1 Teasp. dried parsley or 1 Tbsp. fresh

1 medium onion, chopped

1 Cup sugar, or more to taste

1 Teasp. pepper

1 Teasp. salt


Blend these together in a blender until liquified.

Cook 1 #spiral pasta in salt water until al dente. Rinse well and drain.

Pour liquid mixture over and mix well .

Add 1/4 cup oil and refrigerate overnight



Meanwhile, I voted today in a primary election for Governor. The polling place was DEAD! The ladies who were working said they expect a big crowd in November. I surely hope so.


I had my first Grandmother moment the other day when I ordered some baby clothes on line. It was just an impulse but it was also a revelation.....OMG this is really happening!!!


BTW anyone who wishes to sponsor Jim's Daughter, Joell , in her 60 mile hike for Breast Cancer can do so by contributing via this link