How a jinxed woman caps off the week...

...she gets side-swiped while parked in the state attorney's office parking lot. The swiper failed to leave a name or ins info. Isn't that special? Especially since the culprit is more than likely an employee of said office and leaving the scene of an accident with property damage is still a crime in Florida. Nice.

Meanwhile, its nice to know I have some effect on the crime in Dade County. I'm minding my own business today walking out of court, when someone in the audience says, "Hi, Look, I want to show you..." and hands me a Florida driver's license. I look at the name, that seems familiar, check to make sure its not a neighbor, and ask why he's handing it to me. He says, "You don't remember?" A short time later, when the judge was taking a break, I was behind him exiting. I asked why he was showing me the license. He says that I told him in 2000 that if he ever appeared in court again without a driver's license I'd throw him in jail.

Turns out he was a defendant from my doper days, that I put on a substantial assistence contract years ago. If I recall, he was pulled over with a couple kilos and also was cited for driving while license suspended (dwls). I probably gave him my standard lecture about how if he does anything, anything at all, to get rearrested while he's cooperating, (i.e. trying to set up deals so we can arrest other dopers), even if it's just a traffic crime like dwls, I'll throw him in jail for 15 years.

So, I'm sure he freaked when he saw me again in court today, even though I was just there by coincidence. What's funny is that his license was issued just yesterday. Guess after my speech, he was afraid to come to court again with no license. No idea why he was there again, and frankly, I don't want to know. But I'm pleased that I'm doing my small part to fight crime in Miami....we're all a bit safer knowing that all the traffickers are careful to make sure they have a valid florida driver's license when they're busy moving their product. HeHe.

I'm Jinxed

I think I should just resign myself and admit that August is a jinxed month for us. Long-time readers of this blog will remember last august, when I had to buy a new central air conditioning unit for the house, as my old one stopped working. I think around the same time, my computer stopped working, and I had to buy my current desktop. Lastly, one or two of my direct tv boxes needed replacing.

Well, I think its started again. Hopefully, this year's jinx won't be as major or expensive as the a/c. I finally got my new modem and desktop working again. And, after about 4 hours last night got my laptop and the wireless router working. I'm still not quite sure how that happened, but I had success!! But then.....you guessed it. My HD directv stopped working. After about 40 minutes on the phone with their tech support, I learned that they require a service call to fix it...and they're going to charge me for it. The Bastards. Everytime I turn around, they're adding some stupid fee or charge for their service.

I was so beaten down last night between the TV and the computers, that I just couldn't make a decision. Told them I'll call back if I want a service tech to come out...for 80.00 bucks...or for about 94.00 plus 5.99 per month if I want a warranty and free service calls. This "warranty" a new gimmick. Perhaps I'll check around and see what switching to cable would cost. Probably a hell of a lot more. I suspect its all a racket and the stick it to you whether you're coming or going. Oh well.

The only bright spot in this whole mess is that my other 3 TVs are still working. So yes, Dot, you won't miss any of your shows if you come this weekend.

I Need to Vent!

OH. MY.GOD.

My computer and internet connection are driving me INSANE!!!!!!!!!! The problems have been plagueing me all week. My ethernet connection is apparently kaput on my computer. So a while back, I connected to the internet and modem using the USB connection. Well, guess what happened sunday? The USB connection port on my modem went kaput. After QUITE a bit of arguing with ATT, they finally consented to sending me a new modem and assured me that it would have a USB connection. So, I wait about 2 days, and guess what arrives? Yep, a new modem with NO USB connection. Only ethernet. Turns out, they don't make the modems with both connections any more. USB is passe.

After much consulting with their "tech support" again, I finally go out and purchase some nifty gizmo that converts a ethernet connection to a USB connection. It works, but only on and off. ATT keeps throwing me into some stupid site that insists I enter my info and password. I call them, and continually get disconnected.

I.WANT.TO.SCREAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, my only other option....yep, I'm fully entering the 21st century. Not only have I recently joined the Land of Blog, but I am now going wireless, baby! I also picked up a relatively cheap laptop. I'd been meaning to do that for a while, as my dad needs alot of help with his stuff. I can take the laptop to his house of office.

I'm off to pick up the laptop tonight, and attempt to set it all up on a wireless network. The lap top, my desk top, and perhaps even my old desktop that I gave to T. Say a prayer that it works out.

The Unknown Princess

One of my oldest friends works in a bookstore, Books & Books, which is right around the corner in Coral Gables. While at the party last week, she mentioned how on Saturdays, they have story time and crafts for an hour for the kids. I promised T and I would go. So, right on schedule, we were off to the bookstore on saturday. The children's section is to die for. There were about 8 - 10 kids there in total, and the woman read about 3 or 4 books, with mice as the theme. They then proceeded to make mice puppets after the story reading.

T could not have cared less about the story time. Instead, she wandered around looking at all the stuff there. However, once the crafts were broken out, she planted herself right in the middle of everything, and proceeded to have lots of fun.

For the rest of the day, she's been playing around with the puppet. She even puts it on her head. Its the funniest thing. Remember the Gong Show from circa 1977-79 and the unknown comic, who was always my favorite? T runs around the house with the bag on her head and looks like a really odd "unknown princess" who looks suspiciously like a mouse.

We ended the day watering the plants in the front yard. With all the rain we've had, they really didn't need it, but T likes to do it so much, I use it as a bargaining chip to get her to cooperate or do something. Bribery is a wonderful thing!

08-08-08 Let the Games Begin!

Needless to say, we're very excited to watch the Olympics this year, which are being played in Beijing. Everytime T hears China mentioned on Tv, she starts screaming, Mama, look, my china, my china!

We'll be popping up some corn, breaking out the sodas, and having an small opening games party tonight...just us.

Let the Games Begin!


UPDATE: T, who never goes to sleep before 9:30, and would stay up til 11:00 or so if i let her (which sometimes i do) went into her room on her own last night and fell asleep from like 8:00 p.m. til 10:00 or so. She missed the wonderful opening ceremony, but did get to see some of the "parade" of nations entering the stadium.

I must admit, when we were in Beijing, and I saw the "bird's nest" under construction, I was thinking how ugly it was and how it totally did not fit in the city. Especially since my best view of
it was from one of the ancient attractions. Well, after seeing it in all its glory last night, I can't belive how wrong I was and how beautiful that place is. Live and learn.

Stir Crazy

Since we've been stuck inside for the past 48 hours, we've gotten a little stir crazy. So, guess where we took off to?

Yep, dinner and the bookstore. Nothing like a quick trip to the mall, to get the ants out of our pants.



Meanwhile, I can't tell you how excited I am. Guess who's moving into the neighborhood? I just got the email...

Miami Campaign for Change Office Opening
1830 NW 7th Street Suite 202
Miami, FL
Wednesday, August 6th 5:00 p.m.

Wooo Hooo, this is literally right up the street from me. I'll be stopping by to see if I can ge my "Si, se puede" yard sign anytime soon.

Typhoid Taylor and Tape Measures

Well, a by-product of the fun weekend is that T has been sick. On sunday, she had a definite case of the sniffles, that just kept getting worse and worse. Like turning on a faucet and the water runs harder and harder. In this case, green, slimy "water", if you get my drift. So, we're been home for the past 2 days.

We went off to the doctor on Monday, to ensure that T does not have an ear infection. So far, so good. Just had a slight fever. She's been sleeping quite a bit and I've been doing some work on the computer.

When she's awake, she entertains herself with her new "measure". A tape measure my dad gave her when we were at my parents house this weekend. She loves the thing. Its her new favorite toy. She insists on bringing it everywhere.

Lastly, the only other news from the weekend is that I finally painted my toes again. 3 months of naked toes was killing me. So, even though my foot swelled up like a balloon, at least it looked good! My nails, of course, are another story. After 20 years of going every other week for a manicure, its kind of nice not having to do that. Of course, my nails are like nubs, but I'm dealing with it.

I feel certain that tomorrow, I'll be sending T back to school. We'll see. Needless to say, swim class is cancelled until further notice, at least until Typhoid Taylor makes a full recovery.

More Party Gossip

CONTINUED FROM BELOW....

Here you can see the bride in the hot pink and black shirt. Unfortunately, Mr. Dimler is blocked in this shot. You can only see a bit of his blue shirt. Hopefully, I can get a better picture of them from others who were there and were taking pictures. Party started at about 5:30 p.m. , and we didn't get home until around midnight. Now that's the mark of a good party! Unfortunately, I had to change in to sneakers 1/2 way through, what with all the standing around and talking, and my foot has swelled up to the point where I lost my ankle again. Oh well, I guess that's the price you pay for having fun!




Despite the excellent food, T ate next to nothing....that is, except the cake. Take one guess...who really liked the cake, downed a huge slice, and was on a sugar high for the rest of the night? Both T and I have been tired all day today (Sunday), and have been taking it easy. One glass of wine and a party til midnight, and I'm dead-tired the next day. Oh my god how things have changed!

What was really great was seeing all my old friends. Sally (in the middle in black) I met when I was three. L, next to Sally in the gold shirt, I met at 5. We three went to kindergarten/first grade, junior high, and highschool together. The other two girls (in the halter top and green dress) we met in junior high. We've all chosen totally different paths to follow and see each other maybe once a year if we're lucky though usually less. However, whenever you put us together, its like we saw each other yesterday. Good lord, the amount of information we know about each other is scary: who we've liked, who we've hated, who we've chased after, who we've cried over, the list just goes on. ...and yes, that is my sis Aunt Dot peeking out from behind!



I wish T could grow up in a neighborhood similar to the one I had. Unfortunately, doesn't look like that's going to happen. Times have changed and neighborhoods here aren't as stable as in times past. People come and go too often. There's really no kids that live around here. Just little old grammas and grandpas.

In my old neighborhood, there were only one or two families that ended in divorce...quite rare even for those times. Most remain married still today. From just the families that were able to make it to the party, my parents, the Southerns, and the Schouldices will all be celebrating their own golden anniversaries within the next 2 years. My parents celebrate their golden anniversary at the end of the month, on the 30th.


I had to throw this last picture in...the kids retired to the master bedroom for a short time, and had fun watching TV. When we discovered them all lined up at the foot of the bed, I had to grab my camera!

The Dimler's Golden Wedding Anniversary

Here's the Weekend News: Saturday night Dot, T, and I schlepped up to Pembroke Pines to celebrate Mr. and Mrs. Dimler's Golden Wedding Anniversary. The Dimlers lived down the street from us growing up. Their two daughter's, Judy and Sally, were our very first real friends. Judy was Dot's age and Sally was mine. They came skipping down to our house shortly after we moved in, introduced themselves, and we were fast friends ever since. Though as we got older differing tastes and interests took us all in different directions, we've never lost touch.


Here's Sally and Manny's two kids (the two eldest), the daughter of another friend, and T. They all had a ball playing all night. T was wearing her new sparkling Hello Kitty shirt in honor of Mrs. Dimler, who is one of the biggest cat lovers I know....

Continued....

Carol's Qwik Kitchen

As I browse through other people's blogs, I often come across detailed recipes, complete with pictures regarding how to cook a particular meal or dish. Usually, the recipes are quite intricate and call for lots of ingredients. Totally useless to me. Those who know me, know that I hate to cook. My favorite kitchen appliances are the microwave oven, followed closely by the toaster oven. My goal in cooking, is to dirty up the least amount of pots and pans as possible...and also to prepare it in about 10 - 15 minutes or less. So, I thought it might be fun to post some of my own recipes and otherwise share quick-fix meal ideas on the weekend. I'd also be interested in anyone else's ideas.

I'll also rate the dishes, on a scale of one to five. So, here goes.

WHOLE WHEAT RAVIOLI AND SAUCE

Difficulty: 2
Mess Factor: 4
Taste: 5

You pick up these handy packs of ravioli in publix. T wont eat the chicken due to the texture, but loves the cheese. Cut open, dump in pot, and boil for 3 minutes. The sauce is delish and you just zap in the micro for 90 seconds.

I then strain out the hot water, and dump the raviolis in the container I'll store the leftovers in, then mix the sauce into the same container. That way, the ravioli pot is much easier to clean!


I 've rated this dish with a mess factor of four. I've given it this high rating, b/c it requires 2 things to be washed, and the strainer is a pain in the neck. I have to actually wash it some before sticking it in the dishwasher, else it doesn't come out clean and has junk stuck in its holes. It also gets a high mess factor, as you have to acutally use the real stove, and risk the stupid pot boiling over and messing up the stovetop and also due to the general risk of fire, whenever the stovetop is turned on.

All in all, though, I give it high marks as a tasty, quick meal!