Is "Dining Around" like "Sleeping Around"?

I suppose with "sleeping around" if you said you could get a three course meal for $30 bucks...ah...never mind...(HI mom).

Right, so it's one of two of my most favoritest times of the year in Seattle. It's DINE AROUND Seattle. It used to be 25 for $25, but times have changed apparently. Anyhow, 25 of the best restaurants in Seattle offer up for the month of March (and then again in November) a 3 course meal for $30! In some of these places, you can't even sneeze for 30ducks. I have made my list this year and cannot WAIT to talk some poor (well hopefully not too poor) unsuspecting friend to join me. I might have to rent a friend for this. (And just like that we're back to prostitution)

Drum roll please....

This year's List....

Andaluca
I've walked by Andaluca and have been fortunate enough to experience the most blessed smells wafting from their doors.

Barking Frog
Not only is this restaurant almost in my back yard, and not only have I tried to get the company Christmas party there every year, but the chef is H.O.T. I mean look at him. Yum. Oh and he's a really celebrated chef - he'd have to be to be at the Barking Frog.

Brasa
I especially like trying restaurants that aren't your standard. By standard I mean Italian, Steak, Thai, Mexican, etc. You know the stuff 90% of restaurants are made of. Brasa is a Spanish inspired restaurant. There's a Brazilian restaurant locally I want to try too, but they aren't on this list.

Perhaps next year Chez Jenn's will be on this list.

I've tried several of the restaurants on this list in past years - not necessarily for the 25 for $25 events even. The honorable mentions are: Dahlia Lounge, Etta's, Lola (OMG fantastic breakfast here), Serafina (went there with XXXCrush last time I say him - but OMG the best Bolognese), and Yarrow Bay Grill (not my favorite place, but decent none the less. My first official company dinner - even before I worked here - was at the Yarrow Bay Grill - ah memories).

Right, now I'm hungry!

In other fabulous news tomorrow night...Oh.My.God. .... SuperDiamond! with Dudley Manlove opening. I can't get enough....(that's a song reference in case you didn't catch that). I've been waiting well over a year to see SuperDiamond. I got to witness the lead singer take the stage for a quicky (song that is) with the DMQ boys some time ago and was wow'd by his voice...and okay so he was a little cute....okay, sheesh a LOT cute. Anyhow, they are performing at the famous Showbox Theater tomorrow. Yes, you're right, they are a Neil Diamond tribute band...and I CAN'T WAIT! I am also mildly excited about Dudley opening for them I mean really, two great tastes that tastes great together.

Update: You can listen to their music too....

ahem

So off with you now. Have a good weekend and sneak back here Sunday for some SuperDiamond photos - and maybe videos.

Summer heat, boy and girl meet...

And this from my BigBro. I know it's wrong to laugh at this, but I just couldn't help myself. Hilarious! Thanks Bro!

I Know Him By Heart

She sat at her spacious desk - restless, sad and lonely. She'd put in such an effort to make her office feel as much like a happy, satisfied life as she could. Yet that was the last thing she felt at the moment.

Outside the sun didn't shine. It sat stubbornly behind the layer of grey that was the typical blanket for spring in the Northwest. She could barely wait for the first glimpses that spring was here. The first little buds trying desperately to fight their way to the roof of turf that kept them warm through the winter. The birds finding their way back to a home they left long ago, singing a song of joy to be back. And the frogs would croak out their midnight serenade. The frogs. When she heard the frogs she would know it was spring. And spring meant her life would be different. It had to be. It would be.

Still, she settled her restless heart as best she could. She wasn't sure yet why she felt the longing for someone tonight. She could normally get through her days with a nice little mask of indifference. If only they knew. If only they knew that ... maybe the do she thought. She's not that great of an actress - that's why she chose another profession. A profession she loved. A profession she threw herself into. She spent hours studying, training, being the best that she could be at her career. She knew, she was sure, that having a career would surely fill the void in her heart.

And yet she sat here staring out at the lake. The cool water rippled as the breeze flew past it, caressing the tops of the water. Teasing it, tempting it to move. She loved this lake. So peaceful. It should make her feel peaceful. It was, after all, why she'd come to visit so many years ago. She was drawn to the lake. Something made her want to be here, if only for a summer. 22 years later she was still here.

Wishfully she started humming a song. It was her song. The song she carried in her heart always. Where had she first heard it? It had been so many years and it had become her own personal reminder of what is to come. Someday.

I Know Him By Heart... (If you're brave enough)

There's a secret path I follow
To a place no one can find
Where I meet my perfect someone
I've kept hidden in my mind
Where my heart makes my decisions
'Till my dream becomes a vision
And the love I feel
Makes him real someday

'Cause I know he's out there somewhere
Just beyond my reach
Though I've never really touched him
Or ever heard him speak
Though we've never been together
We've never been apart
No we've never met
Haven't found him yet
But I know him by heart

Am I living in an illusion?
Wanting something I can't see
If I compromise, I'd be living lies
Pretending love's not meant to be
'Cause I know my heart's worth saving
And I know that he'll be waiting
So I'll hold on and I'll stay strong 'till then

'Cause I know he's out there somewhere
Just beyond my reach
Though I've never really touched him
Or ever heard him speak
Though we've never been together
We've never been apart

No we've never met
Haven't found him yet
But I know him by heart
No we've never met
Haven't found him yet
But I know him by heart

We'll get some overhead lifters and four barrel quads oh yeah

Saturday. Glorious day. Waking early, Jenn stretches and thinks about what lies ahead of her. A day of peace. Nothing overly demanding. Nothing overly difficult to do today. She rolls to her side and realizes the cat has stretched the length of himself out on her comforter, again. He'd found the new house to his liking and made it his domain, as would have been expected. Some day she's going to have to find a way to keep him off the bed, she thought. Yah right. Scratching behind his ears she hops out of bed.

Downstairs she smiles as she witnesses the sun just peaking over the rooftops. The sun. What a welcome site in February in the Northwest. She wondered if it would be cold today or if they'd get a peak of what Spring promised. She hoped for the latter.

Pulling her coffee maker out from under the cabinet, she smiled, secretly admitting she really liked the fact that she had a new counter to pull her coffee maker from. She glanced around the spacious kitchen and felt at home. Finally. A home. Not hers, she mused, but she could make it her's none the less, and she would. She has.

Coffee brewing, she opened the back door to test just how "springy" it was going to be. Shivering, "Not yet," she thought. Still a little brisk outside. Sliding the door shut she sighed, and wondered what the day had in store for her. She turned as the coffee maker beeped, announcing that her elixir of life was ready. She knew that she probably drank too much coffee for her own good, but she'd make that change another day. Maybe she'd give it up for Lent. She laughed at the thought. "Yah right and maybe I'd give up breathing," she said outloud to no one.

With her elixir of life in her hand, she settled on the couch to watch the morning news. Marveling, as she watched, at how the silliest story makes the news these days. She guessed it was better than all the bad that's out there.

It was time. Time for her favorite activity of the weekend. She glanced to the countertop where her brandy snifter of recipes sat. Some probably thought she was a bit crazy to put all her recipes on little strips of paper in a snifter to pick from weekly. She really didn't care. She knew she loved cooking, and loved trying all these new recipes. Some were good enough to repeat. Others were suitable for the shredder. She'd keep the bad ones for at least a year though as she'd put them in her annual cookbook. Just because she didn't like them, didn't mean one of her family members or friends wouldn't.

She probably could cut back on some of the more "fattening" recipes in her arsenal. But she'd think about that next week. Looking at her calendar she knew she needed three new recipes. Dipping in, she chose. Opening it and reading it, she tossed it back thinking it was way too much for just one person. She continued this exercise until she found three that might due for a single girl.

A single girl, how she despised those words. Someday, she hoped, maybe if she was really good, or if she gave up coffee, she'd find her Principe Azul - which was Spanish for Prince Charming. Shaking her head she laughed at the thought. No, she figured her life was for just her to enjoy. Unlikely she'd find someone to put up with her and her ways.

Sifting through her recipe file she finds the three new recipes. Suddenly she remembers the family will be over Sunday for dinner. She'll need one more recipe. What sounded good? What has she already made that was, perhaps, a bit healthier? She knew just the recipe. She'd made it in January and loved it instantly. She added that recipe to her pile.

She went about the rest of her morning. Doing laundry. Trying to change her sheets, and finding that the cat had taken up home on her bed, still. She knew she probably shouldn't give in to him so often, but he was so cute. He gave her hours of amusement. Sometimes just looking at his facial expressions made her laugh. She needed help. She was thinking about how to change her plans for the day because the cat was asleep on her bed.

Glancing at the clock she realized she had to get moving. She was volunteering for a 3Day Getting Started meeting again today. She smiled at her reflection and was proud of herself for giving back. She wasn't going to walk in the 3Day this year. It had been an experience to end all experiences. Changed her forever. She still carried the thrill of the event with her even today. Instead of walking, she decided to support it by volunteering. And she loved going to these meetings and listening to the stories. She knew she'd cry again today. She always cried at these things. The bloody video they showed. Guaranteed to make her cry. Today! Today she giggled she would not cry. Much.

She backed the car out. Still thrilled by the idea of having a Mustang. It was a beautiful day after all. Rolling her windows down, she glided along. She loved the wind blowing through her hair. Someday she'd own a convertible. A Mustang one to be sure. What other type was there?

She turned the music up and started on her way. She'd be going back to her old neighborhood today. The first neighborhood she lived in when her parents moved her to Washington in 1986. It had been a sad, sad day when they left California. She could feel the heartache as if it just happened. Somehow she'd survived, just like her mom had said. And now, some 22 years later she was sure to smile if the song Careless Whispers came on the radio. While it made her cry like a newly widowed woman in 1986, now it just made her smile. Strange turn of events she thought.

She finished up the 3Day meeting and hopped back into her Stang. There was just enough daylight left for a quick trip by the old house. Up the hill, rounding the corner, it wasn't like it was. Where once stood brilliant Douglas Firs now stands townhouses, and condos that were more expensive than their large house they lived in in the eighties. Not deterred, she climbed the long hill, as if she was just on her way home from high school. At the top, she turned to the right. There it was, the house. Not quite as she remembered it. She remembered it being larger, much larger. Had time changed her that much. It's yellow now, with white trim. The unholy ground cover was still there. God she had hated that ground cover. It was only pretty in the spring when the pretty yellow flowers bloomed. She sighed a heavy sigh and turned to leave. She thought about the memories that house held. Not all good, but most were. She couldn't complain. Her childhood wasn't perfect, but it was a good childhood. Mostly.

She curled up on the couch with yet another book. She'd finished another last night. That was 4 this month already. She was on some kind of role. Now addicted to a new writer, she admitted to herself that she just might have a small amount of OCD. Once she hooked on to something, she rarely let it go until she was ready or bored. Flipping on the TV to see if just in case something was on she couldn't live without. Flip. Flip. Flip. She maneuvered through the channels. So many channels. So little to see. Then she stopped. Grinned a wide toothy grin, Grease was on TV. What a naughty movie it was. It was perfectly innocent when she saw it for the first time in the 70's - she thought it was the 70's. Then as a college student she'd watched it again and was shocked and a little embarrassed when she had realized what some of the comments phrased. Her favorite song Grease Lightening was one. That John Travolta...he could sure dance and sing...couldn't act back then, but he did Grease Lightening better than any of them. She laughed because the TV station was skipping past the not so family orientated lyrics of Grease Lightening. She had to admit, her love for hot rods might have started with Grease Lightening. And what the heck was up with the seran wrap in that scene.

She settled in to finish the movie and start a new book. It was 9PM and the cat would be hungry. Again, the cat. She surely needed a life. She'd think about that next week.

I am a rock, I am an island...

This song has been stuck in the noggin all day. I had to do a debrief about a project that unceremoniously got cancelled, and my resource call this project a "Bring me a rock" project (meaning the customer kept asking us to bring them a rock, but never saying what size or what color...you just keep bringing rocks based on their feedback, but you never really get the right rock). Once he said "bring me a rock" - it was stuck. On the plus side, PMDude thought of the same song..though it's unlikely it was stuck in his head. He has 5 kids...no way there's any more room for useless songs.

In other news, I've been publishing a lot to my other blog. I'm trying to be much better about publishing all the recipes I've tried and trying to say something about them besides, "OMG sooo good." or "Grody". Anyhow, check them out. The one I made tonight, not so good. But last nights...delicious! I think I'm going to actually try this one with chicken too. I'm betting that will be just as good.

Tomorrow night - - in case you want a preview -- Parmesan Crusted Chicken Breasts with Pesto Sauce and BIG mushroom - veggie saute. That Rachael Ray - I tell ya - she needs to learn how to cut down on the War&Peace titles. At any rate, no big occasion tomorrow - just Friday.

This weekend will be chalked full of stuff. Saturday, after sleeping in and kicking the cat, I'll be volunteering for another 3Day Getting Started meeting. I'm going to try my best to not cry. I know, who am I kidding? Then Sunday, BigBro and Seattle Sis are coming over with the Brasch's for dinner at Chez Jenn's. I have no idea what I'll make yet. Thankfully, they are all family (or like family) and so no need to try something impressive. Food, for our family, is good. That's how I keep my girlish figure.

And without making you wait any longer, here's Chez Jenn's. Staring the Big Black Beast of Burden.

Happy Birthday Jenn…26 never looked so good on a 40 year old.

Today is my birthday between my dad and I. He adopted me 26 years ago (I think – I can never remember if it was ’81 or ’82). Anyhow, every year we celebrate on the 17th of February, one more year of Father/Daughter-ness. He’s so lucky. He really got quite the deal, if I do say so myself. This year I received two dozen beautiful roses in celebration. Surprised when Her Royal Geekness appeared in my doorway with a box that said “1-800-Flowers” on it. Priceless was the look on her face trying to figure out why I’d be getting flowers. Filled her in on the whole deal, opened the box, found the card that read, “Happy Birthday Pup, love Dad.” I think in celebration I should get today off too. All those in favor?

The three day weekend went way too fast IMHO. I blinked and it was over.

Yesterday, Blueberry, Chicken Lady and I piled into the Blueberry Mobile and headed to IKEA. You kinda need a whole day for IKEA if you know what I mean. Us and every single screaming child on the planet were at IKEA. We ate Swedish meatballs, rambled through the store, bought a few things we couldn’t possibly live without, and came home. All in all, a nice day. Aside from the screaming kids.

Speaking of screaming kids, Dudley on Saturday night was quite awesome. Now, you know I’ve had my reservations about them since they’ve changed their lead singer. The last show had me thinking that this new guy was better, and definitely sealed the band. Saturday night’s performance confirmed for me what I had feared all along…I have a new crush on the new lead singer. He seems rather gooberish at times, but fun and damn can he sing. The band was tight. Performing love songs for the first set – just about put me to sleep – included in the set list was The Love Boat Theme, Can’t Take My Eyes off of you and Al Green’s Let’s Stay Together. All good songs – though some would argue that. But the second set…that’s when they came alive. They pulled out some of my all time favorite Dudley songs: Sweet Caroline (with the audience participation this song is quite frankly awesome. Those who have never seen Dudley before, I’m sure where wow’d at the crowd participation), Dancing Queen, and Venus. The Dudley virgins we had with us, I think, had a good time. They didn’t run from the room screaming, so that’s a plus. The third set was going to be all 80’s music, but we all were tired and ready to go home.

Other things I did this weekend, that you really know you want to know…I finally took pictures of the Jendo. Now I only need to find the adapter do-hicky thing to get them off the camera. So stay tuned for those this week. You know you want to. I also posted the three recipes I tried last week to the “other” blog. Check them out.

So while the weekend went by way too fast, I did have a good one. And the bonus is this is now a 4 day work week. WooHoo!

Without love, what are we worth? Eighty-nine cents! Eighty-nine cents worth of chemicals walking around lonely.

Well, if it isn't the day to hate of all days. Thankfully, it snuck up on me and I didn't even realize it was here until yesterday when I saw the pretty red heart shaped boxes of chocolate. I did manage to get a card off to the ParentalUnits earlier this week, can't for them.

Yesterday as I said I viewed the red heart shaped boxes in a store. When Blueberry was a kid, our Grandfather would get her a small little box of chocolates. He did it for all the girl grandchildren that I know of. Not sure about the boys...probably got them a fish filleting knife. Anyhow, when Gpa passed away, Blueberry and I had a conversation about how sad it would now be. We'd miss all the little Gpa things that, while we joked about them constantly, we'd miss them. They included Gpa's LOVE of ordering from Finger Hut. He' always order things and get free items. I had a number of really cheap necklaces, bracelets etc. He even got my niece a doll one time...it was a black doll, but a doll none the less.

Anyhow, I decided to pick up the heart shaped candy box at Rite Aid many years ago and continued the tradition for Blueberry. The other item on my list to get was Lime Away. See, there's hard water at the new place...so I figured Lime Away will help some what.

I took my cardboard heart filled with candy and my Lime Away to the counter. The cashier behind the counter looked as if she would have rather have been somewhere else. I plunked down my purchases. The cashier looked at the candy, looked at the Lime Away and said, "Well, that's one way to take care of him."

I didn't get it at first, but then realized she saw me buying poison and candy. I laughed all the way to the car.

Set a Course for Adventure, your mind on a new romance...

What?

Doesn't the Love Boat Theme ever get stuck in your head?

Well, it's stuck in mind for the simple following equation. Valentine's Day is tomorrow. When I think about VD Day, I think about Dudley. When I think about Dudley and VD Day, I think the Love Boat Theme - because that's one of the first shows and one of the first songs I remember from the boys. See? Simple explanation. PMDude is sitting over in his chair shaking his head at the shock of how my brain works. It seems to make perfect sense to me.

Of course going to YouTube to find the Love Boat Theme, got us checking out all the other intros from shows in that era like, CHiPs, Magnum PI, Fantasy Island, The A-Team...ahhh good times.

Friday. Ahhh...can you feel it? A three day weekend ahead. Yes, we get Monday off to celebrate our President's (Lincoln and Washington specifically - I think). I'll be heading off to IKEA with Blueberry and ChickenLady on the day off...oh fun! I can't wait! I love me some IKEA.

In other fun news, Saturday is the Dudley Valentine's day show. Should be fun this year. It's not at the Triple Door like it has been in the past. Instead it's at a small, little, hole in the wall tavern that fits WAY too many people in between it's old, crumbling walls. I'm just sayin' I am near an exit - or try to be - when I see them at the Sunset. If there were any bar in Seattle that I could imagine going up in flames in less than 30 seconds, this would be the bar. But that's not stopping me from going. Wild bulls couldn't stop me from going. Only Pablo the pool boy waiting in my ... um oh Hi Mom. Never mind.

As I was saying, nothing could stop me from going. I'm having a few friends over (UK friends yet to be named, Blueberry, HikerGirl and RunningMan). PhotoGirl and the Yank will be meeting us there. Good times.

And now, for something I've been tagged with in FaceBook by a few folks.

39 odd things...

39 ODD Things about you! It used to be 44, but the list I received only had 39 questions - so I'm changing it to 39. If you opened this, FILL IT OUT! Learn 39 things about your friends, and let them learn 39 things about you! Tag the person that sent it plus others.

1. Do you like blue cheese? In a creamy dressing yes. All by itself…jut a little.

2. Have you ever been drunk? I lost count how many times. Hello WSU grad!

3. Do you own a gun? Nope – Unless a twirling rifle counts.

4. What flavor of Kool Aid was your favorite? I’d go for the red one…it leaves a nice red tongue and mustache

5. What do you think of hot dogs? After a 15 mile walk, or well, after any walk…or at the baseball/football/sporting event…definitely.

6. Favorite Christmas movie? I’m a sucker for Rudolf.

7. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? Um, Hi, have you learned nothing from my blog…Venti Vanilla American with Xtr Room (cream and sugar added for taste!)

8. Can you do push ups? Why would I? Does pushing yourself up once you’ve sat on the ground count? Then Yes.

9. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? It used to be these gold earrings Dad bought me in Saudi. But I lost them…so now it’s the ring I bought myself for my 30th birthday

10. Favorite hobby? Moving, scrapbooking, cooking, photography.

11. Do you have A.D.D.? A.D.D. Attention Defi…! Hey, look a butterfly!

12. What's your favorite shoe? If I didn’t have to wear any shoe, I wouldn’t. But I do like my pink croc flip flops.

13. Middle name? Joy – cuz I’m such a Joy to be around

14. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? I’m tired and wished I could have stayed in bed 2 more minutes. I don’t want to get on the status call in 10 minutes. Why can’t the Pointy Haired Boss be absent today.

15. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? See #8, Ice Tea, Water

16. Current worry? What to make for dinner tomorrow night before the Dudley Show.

17. Current hate right now? The fact I’m at work

18. How did you bring in the New Year? How did I bring in the new year? I think I had a party at my place! Yah that was it. And I may have drank some. Maybe.

19. Where would you like to go? Italy! All expenses paid.

20. Name three people who will complete this? Mom, maybe Vicky, maybe Her Royal Geekness

21. Do you own slippers? I do, but they’re still packed and I never wear them. See #13 for what I wear

22. What color shirt are you wearing right now? Black with white – the colors of Nuns

23. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? Ugh Groddy!

24. Can you whistle? Does wheezing count? Then yes. Otherwise no.

25. Favorite color? Currently, Rusty Orange is the new Pink28. Would you be a pirate? Argh you kidding? Get it? Argh = Are…okay…more coffee

26. What songs do you sing in the shower? It’s probably quicker to list what song I don’t sing. But I’ll play along. Its usually whatever song was stuck in my freakin noggin from the day/night before. For example, today was Seasons of Love from Rent.

27. Favorite girl's Name? Lily.

28. Favorite boy's name? Jack

29. What's in your pocket right now? I don’t have a pocket right now – so nothing.

30. Last thing that made you laugh? Dilbert!

31. Best bed sheets as a child? Oh good lord, I don’t remember any of my bed sheets as a child!

32. Worst injury you've ever had as a child? An enormous cat scratch that left a huge scare on my left arm, and caused me to miss going to a movie the day the damn neighbor cat scratched me.

33. Who is your loudest friend? Um…me! Wow…I don’t think I have any loud friends…Mrs. Stalemate…maybe…

34. How many dogs do you have? Well if you count the cute beagle puppy I tried to steal yesterday, none. But I want one, or two, or three…

35. Does someone have a crush on you? That would mean I’d have to know single men…which I apparently don’t…

36. What is your favorite book? Don Quixote (Man of La Mancha).

37. What is your favorite candy? Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.

38. Favorite Sports Team? Oh boy…I’ll say the Seahawks…

39. What song do you want played at your funeral? Any 80’s song that is happy and hoppin so people can dance.


Phew. That tired me out.

I am Princess. Hear me Roar!

We have a standing rule in our office. If you are stepping away from your computer (i.e. leaving the office) you need to lock your computer for security reasons. On the one hand it’s a fairly lame rule because we’re such a small office that is some random stranger came in and started tapping away on one of our computers we’d ask, “Hey! Random Stranger Guy – whatcha doin?” Still, the rule remains. And if you should be unfortunate enough to leave and not lock your computer, there’s approval for anyone to send an email from said person’s computer to the entire office with things like, “Hey everyone. I’ll buy beers on Friday.” Or “Hey everyone! I’ll be bringing in donuts (buying lunch, etc) for everyone on Friday.” It’s a fun little reminder of our rule.

Now, some of us have only once been caught with our proverbial pants down and have had an email sent out. Some of us learn.

Some of us don’t.

As is the case of poor Skippy. Remember him? I’ve not had a lot to say of late about him cuz, well he’s mellowed some and I frankly got bored of his antics. Still, he’s been caught I don’t know how many times with his computer left open. Heather is usually the first in line to send an email. She took this rule to heart and I swear she sits and waits, patiently, like a hawk watching it’s helpless prey.

So, Skippy left for lunch and unfortunately for him left his computer open.
Heather hops on over and sends this email to our entire office:

Subject line: I love being a princess

Body:
I want everyone to know that I am a princess and I love pink!


Then she promptly hops back to her computer and responds with:
Acceptance is the first stage. From Jenn, Rose, and I, welcome to the club!

But Heather took this one step further…she changed his desktop picture. Which of course I couldn’t leave alone and took a photo of and sent a message indicating we were getting his crown engraved…or something like that.
 
I’m not sure he’s too happy right now. Everyone in the office has now seen the desktop and has made some smart ass comment…now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go polish a crown.

So I’ll be waiting for the real thing…

Yes boys and girls, Nickelback is stuck in the noggin today. (I also find it amusing that all the guitar players in this video all stand the same - it's like they're clones) Which is okay by me, except I really only have one verse stuck in my head.

It’s been a couple of days since I last wrote, but I assure you nothing exciting has gone on in my little world to require immediate blogging. So let's review just how much hasn't gone on.

Last week seemed to go by so fast, and yet felt like an ubber long week. By Friday I was exhausted. Went home and BBQ’d up some hamburgers with a salad and had myself a fine evening in. I did a bit more organizing/unpacking of the place but really didn’t do more than move stuff from one counter top to another. And I started a !#$%^& book that I couldn't put down all weekend.

Saturday was a peaceful day. I got up, showered, made coffee, took a 2 hour nap, got up, fussed with the hair, got dressed, went to the annual Ground Hog’s Day party, and was in bed by 10pm. Such a life I tell ya. Oh and I think I kicked the cat...I didn't feed him though because Sunday AM he "reminded" me that I had neglected to feed his royal highness.

In case you care, Pookie spent the day perched on the hope chest watching kitty TV all weekend. He appreciates that I arranged the furniture just so he could have some place to sit and watch the world go by. Spoiled!

Sunday was much more productive. I got up early and actually made significant progress on the scrapbook room. I am having a hard time fitting all my crap into this room for some reason. I can’t quite figure out why either. It’ll all fit eventually. It’s a great room for scrapping. Nice big windows that overlook the pond out back…very bright and cheery. Now if I could ever get the inspiration again.

Blueberry and I went to get pedicures. The balls of my feet – both feed now – are still numb. They’ve been numb since the three day bruising of them. I suppose I should do the right thing and go see a doctor – especially since mom and BigBro will both yell at me for not going already. Sheesh!

I need to go out and find myself a formal cocktail dress. I’ll be volunteering for a local Susan G. Komen Gala (Grace Notes Gala) and apparently its black tie. THANK GOD my parents raised me to know how to act in such an environment. I won’t have to be concerned with knowing which dinner fork to use, or how to greet highly influential people. I’m secretly hoping one of our local baseball heroes will be there. He’s been to several in the past, and I’d be just lame enough to ask for a photo with him. Blueberry asked me to get his autograph and I said I’d NEVER be so forward to ask for an autograph at this event – but I’d totally be forward enough to ask for a photo. Besides, I could simply explain that all my avid fans would need to see the fabulous new dress I had to buy for this event. I’m also secretly cursing the fact that I just got rid of some of the bride’s maids dresses I had – one of them would have been perfect for this event. Ugh.

So until next time, Cause, Nobody wants to be the last one there…Cause everyone wants to feel like someone cares…someone to love with my life in their hands, there’s gotta be somebody for me out there…

Thai Barbecued Chicken Recipe

Some of you may know that I have a recipe blog. I attempt to put my newly tried recipes out there and rate them. Even the one's I'm not a fan of and won't ever make again, I put out there. It's rare that I come across a recipe so delicious that I feel obligated to share it with you - my true readers. I posted three new recipes today that I've tried this week.

Chicken Cacciatore - just okay; may not make it again
Teriyaki Strip Steaks - ditto

and

Thai BBQ'd Chicken

It's the Thai BBQ Chicken one that has me all giddy tonight. Quite possibly one of the best recipes I've ever made - and I followed it about 99% - which if anyone knows how I cook is a shocker.

But before we get to the recipe, you need to hear my story of grocery shopping tonight. In an hour - I left work, got to the grocery store across the street from my house - bought chicken and rice - drove home - got the mail - pulled in the garbage bins - unloaded purse and groceries - read recipe - realized I forgot oranges and limes - WALKED across the street to store - bought oranges and limes - failed attempt of flirting with cute check stand guy - got home - and made my marinade. IN. AN. HOUR from leaving work.

It took me all of 7 minutes to get home...which I love. The rest was the filler stuff...ain't that GREAT! I love my new place.

Now the recipe.

THAI BBQ CHICKEN
Serves 4

2 frying chickens, cut into pieces (I used chicken breasts - boneless - cuz that's how I roll)

Marinade:
6 T Freshly squeezed lime juice
1/4 cup Freshly squeezed orange juice
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/4 cup Thai fish sauce or soy sauce (I used half fish sauce and half soy because I couldn't make up my mind)
1T Asian chili sauce (using this amount didn't make it spicy at all)
2 T finely minced ginger
6 cloves garlic finely minced (do not skimp on this...garlic is life)
1/4 cup finely minced whole green onions
1/4 cup minced fresh mint leaves (I skipped these - not a mint fan)
1/4 cup minced fresh basil leaves
1/4 cup minced cilantro

Combine the marinade ingredients. Add the chicken to the marinade. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 8 hours (I let mine sit for about an hour).

Grill your chicken.

You will want to come back for more, I promise you. Don't make this marinade any earlier than the day you plan to use it. The herbs will deteriorate. I accompanied this meal with sauteed fresh asparagus with grill seasoning (OMG so good), and Thai Kitchen Thai Yellow Curry rice. I had not had that particular rice and was pleasantly surprised at how good it was. MMM. It didn't have a strong curry flavor (mom!) but a pleasant flavor. I almost did the Lemon Grass rice...and may try that next time.

Take a risk, take a chance, make a change and breakaway.

When I was a kid, I was really good at Jacks. Remember that game? You had 6 jacks and one ball. The idea was you’d go through and pick up the jacks as the ball bounced. First you’d, drop the ball and pick up one jack. Then drop the ball and pick up another. You’d go through until you picked up each one individually. You’d continue this routine through picking up 2 at a time, then 3 at a time, etc. Picking up the six was always the hardest for me because I had small hands apparently. Occasionally I’d miscalculate the ball and I’d miss it. Which meant you’d have to start over.

Each morning I have a routine. It works for me and it fits into my schedule of getting up “just in time” and not wasting any sleep. Well, I’ve miscalculated the ball. Being in a new place, my old routine isn’t working. I find myself running, almost literally, into myself trying to get ready in the morning. I almost have to laugh at how much getting ready has been on “auto pilot”. My autopilot is sick apparently. Or broken.

Thankfully work is only minutes away now and it’s not like I have a specific time I have to be here. It’s a self imposed “required” time. I like getting in early so I can leave early.

The past two days my routine has been a scatterbrain attempt of getting out the door. Now that I have stairs to contend with I try to make sure I have everything before I go down stairs. Yesterday, I forgot my shoes. Back up stairs to get my shoes. Monday it was the purse. But Monday had its own special enjoyment. I had already backed out of the garage and the garage door was already closed when I realized it. I’m just glad I wasn’t standing in Starbucks when I realized I had forgotten my purse.

Today was trash day. I’ve never had to worry about trash day (well I have since 1991). I remembered last night because the neighbors had put their cans out. (I’ll thank them later for the visual queue). This morning I knew I needed to take the recycle down with me to put out with the trash. All the way downstairs, coat, purse, shoes. Pulled the little red can out (garbage). Pulled the big blue can out – recycle. Dammit! Back up stairs to grab the recycle. Stumbling on the cat on the way up I realized I forgot to feed the beast. Okay I didn’t so much forget as he “reminded” me verbally when I re-entered the house. Feed the cat, grab the recycle, back downstairs. Got in the car, pulled back and waited to make sure the door closes all the way. I glance up and see I had left all the lights on. Bugger! Open the garage door, back inside, back up stairs. Flip. Flip. Flip. Downstairs, in the car, shut the garage door.

I’m exhausted. I kinda feel like my routine has become this game of jacks and I’m not even getting passed picking up one at a time.

You may be my lucky star, But I’m the luckiest by far

Okay, you wanna know how I got that song in my head...? Follow my poor steam driven locomotion thought.

We had a pot luck of sorts today at work. Everyone was to bring their favorite "snack" and we were going to take a break and watch Superbowl ads. In typical pot luck fashion, only a few brought stuff. So I was thinking to myself how "un" lucky pot lucks are in an office full of men.

Then I was thinking about phrases that has "lucky" in it and was going to try to make a witty joke, when out of no where Madonna fills my noggin with Lucky Star. And just by reading that title, everyone here's the opening bar don't ya....and you see Madonna dancing rolling around in her quintessential 80's look.

Side Bar: Madonna's album Lucky Star was the FIRST cassette tape I ever bought. My first CD was C+C Music Factory. You probably didn't need to know that. But what is a blog for if not for useless knowledge about me.

Right, so where was I? Oh yes, ranting about the lack of participation in pot lucks.

On the Jendo front, I unpacked the spare room scrapbook room last night. Box after box of scrapbooks I cussed and swore to not make any more. Then I'd open a box of new paper I bought for a specific SF page and get all giddy with excitement to do that page. It's a curse. I know.

I now only have boxes left where the contents of said boxes belong in the spare room closet - which is still being occupied by some items from the Jendo's owner. And I can't seem to find my computer speakers anywhere. I vividly remember putting them in a box that was a combination of last minute stuff - none of which had anything in common with the other. They'll show up someday.

I forgot to mention yesterday that it was Ground Hog's day. I don't know about in your neck of the woods, but I have no idea if the silly rodent saw his shadow here yesterday or not. It really would have depended as to when he came out of his hole (do we even have ground hogs in Washington?). I'm going to pretend he came out in the earlier morning hours when we had a cloud cover. And in my fantasy, he didn't see his shadow and Spring is just around the corner. How's that grab ya?

You put the boom boom into my heart....

Ah, what a commute! I left the Jendo at 6:25AM, hit every red light possible, stopped and got coffee, and was at my desk by 6:40AM. I'm sooo gonna love this place.

Last night as I wondered through the Jendo I couldn't help but feel like I'm being spoiled by living here and am going to be extremely depressed when/if I ever have to move out. I love, love LOVE this place. The cat, thanks for asking, is loving it as well. He's learned that if he bolts in front of me and then immediately stops on the stairs that there's a 90% chance he'll trip me.

I didn't do a darn thing yesterday. I watched the superbowl (boo for the Steelers winning). I did laundry (which included actually folding all of it and putting it away - an oddity to be sure). Went grocery shopping. And I cooked Chicken Cacciatore for dinner. That's it. That's all I did.

Now, I've been tagged about a thousand times for this 25 Random facts thing. So here it is for your reading enjoyment. If you devote some of this to memory, you may win Jenn Trivia next time.

Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you. If I tagged you, it's because I want to know more about you.

1. I own a kick ass Mustang (well “own” is all relative…the banks still “owns” it.

2. Little Mermaid is one of my all time favorite Disney movies. I can almost guarantee I can sing all the songs by heart.

3. I’m a PMP (Project Management Professional), and have been for 3 years now.

4. I played volleyball from my sophomore year in high school up until about 5 years ago.

5. I read PM books for fun.

6. I test/try/cook between 2-3 new recipes a week. Then I compile all those recipes at year end into a kickass cookbook for my friends and family.

7. I have two blogs. One for cooking, and one for fun.

8. I have a cat. His name is PookieSnackenBurger…and he is the King of the Castle.

9. My highest sneeze in a row count is 21.

10. I raised $6,700 for Breast Cancer last year and walked in support of finding a cure.

11. I get songs stuck in my head easily. I can hear someone say something, and WHAM a song stuck in my head. (See typing “WHAM” made “Jitterbug” stuck in my head)

12. I’ve just completed my 28th move.

13. I try to go through life with three words in mind: Live. Love. Laugh.

14. A part of my high school life was spent in a boarding school in Switzerland (TASIS).

15. I hate bell peppers and bees.

16. I collect odd looking flamingos.

17. Pink is my favorite color – but may soon be replaced by Rust orange.

18. I buy a Venti Vanilla Americano with Xtra Room every day on my way to work. I usually only drink 16 ounces of it and leave 4. Which begs the question why don’t I buy a grande instead?

19. I am fluent – ish in Spanish.

20 . I have 18 scrapbooks ranging from my early childhood to 2008.

21. I plan for and then shop for the week’s meals.

22. I adore my parents. And most my siblings.

23. I am really bad at math. I mean really bad.

24. I love taking pictures. I will someday do my best to not be overly critical of my photos.

25. My family doesn’t have a family tree…we have a family hedge!