Smokey Green

I'm calling it a mid-life crisis. I really don't know what else to attribute it to. Boredom maybe? No, that really can't be it. Curiosity? Perhaps. But really I'm just trying to sqeeze a few things in that I'd better do now before I'm way too old. So. . .even though I really don't have time in my life for such things, on a whim the other day I wanted to try the "smokey eye shadow" look. It looks so cute on young, hip, beautiful women. So, I thought, I'm not getting any younger. If I want to see what it looks like I'd better do it now. So I found a bunch of You Tube tutorials and followed along. It was quite a bit more make-up than I'm used to and I was really tempted to take it all off before I went to the school to pick up Lauren and I was totally self-conscious of it the whole time, but I ended up wearing it the whole day and it was FUN. For a day. Really, in the pictures (which I totally retouched to hide the wrinkles and stuff because THEY DO NOT look good with the young, hip, beautiful style I was going for and I'm super bummed that in real life I had to wear the makeup WITH the wrinkles) you can't tell how thick it is, but there is eyeliner on top and bottom and even inside the lashes and I am wearing black eye shadow with the greens and you can't tell that either. But anyway, it was fun. I think everyone should try it for a day.
Also, I think I had just colored my hair, either that day or the day before, so it's really bright. Yup, I'm looking colorful!

Update on Brussels Sprouts

I've confirmed it for you all. No need to try it yourself. They're really yucky!
I went with the marinated brussels sprouts because it specifically called for frozen sprouts which is what I had. It called for tarragon vinegar. I couldn't find it at the grocery store I went to, but I did have some basil vinegar on hand. I figured that small substitute probably wouldn't make that much of a difference. But maybe, because what I got turned out to be quite awful. But I'm thinking the basil/tarragon differential couldn't have changed the outcome all that much. I don't think there is a seasoning out there that could cover up that nasty taste. Let me try to describe the taste. Imagine the taste of the broccoli stalk mixed with the core of a cabbage with just a hint of ear wax. Then top it off with saurkraut (that might have been just my recipe with the vinegar) all tucked into a tiny head of cabbage; lots and lots of little, tiny bitter leaves-delicate and disgusting.
Truly, these are not meant for human consumption. I did manage to gag down two of them, but I felt like I was on Fear Factor and my kids were cheering me on. They might have been better blended with a few mealworms or grasshoppers. Do not do it.
Next up will be eggplant. Any recipe suggestions? It can't be worse than brussels sprouts.

Brussels Sprouts

Have you ever really tried them? Well, I haven't. I've actually never even had the opportunity that I can remember. They have such a bad rap that I have always assumed I didn't like them. But that is all about to change. I will soon know for myself whether I like them or not. I picked them up at the store (a frozen bag) a few weeks ago and have been looking for the best recipe to try them out. I'm vascillating between the Saucy Brussels Sprouts and the Marinated Brussels Sprouts Appetizers. If it turns out to be good I'll post the recipe. If it doesn't, I won't bother.

I take my chances

I just got off the phone with Richard and one of my favorite songs was on--Mary Chapin Carpenter (love her) I Take My Chances and it struck me that I've kinda lived my life this way. And furthermore, I still enjoy this approach to life. I know there is sense to playing everything safe, but for some reason there wasn't enough sense in it to make me listen. True, I've paid the price, but I've also lived the life and plan to continue to do so. Just a couple of my thoughts today as I contemplate the big move ahead.


I took a walk in the rain one day on the wrong side of the tracks
I stood on the rails till I saw that train
Just to see how my heart would react
Now some people say that you shouldn't tempt fate
And for them I would not disagree
But I never learned nothing from playing it safe
I say fate should not tempt me

I take my chances, I don't mind working without a net
I take my chances, I take my chances every chance I get

I sat alone in the dark one night, tuning in by remote
I found a preacher who spoke of the light but there was brimstone in his throat
He'd show me the way according to him in return for my personal check
I flipped my channel back to CNN and I lit another cigarette

I take my chances, forgiveness doesn't come with a debt
I take my chances, I take my chances every chance I get

I've crossed lines of words and wire and both have cut me deep
I've been frozen out and I've been on fire and the tears are mine to weep
Now I can cry until I laugh and laugh until I cry
So cut the deck right in half, I'll play from either side

I take my chances, I pay my dollar and I place my bet
I take my chances, I take my chances every chance I get
I take my chances, I don't cling to remorse or regret
I take my chances, I take my chances every chance I get
I take my chances

I take my chances

I've Been Tagged (my first)

FIVE THINGS...

I WAS DOING FIVE YEARS AGO

Adjusting to life in a new town
Adjusting to life in a new job
Adjusting to life in a new marriage
Missing all my friends and family
Realizing I was pregnant again
(I call that year HELL YEAR, by the way)

ON MY LIST TODAY

Laundry (almost check)
Put up Halloween decorations (check)
Make banana bread (check)
Call credit card company to dispute a fee
Exercise

YOU'LL NEVER WEAR AGAIN

Uncomfortable shoes (I don't care how cute they are)
A wedding dress!
Long hair (I think I'm just too old now)
My pearl earrings (one got lost in Utah. I am in so much trouble)
A waitress uniform (been a while for that one--thank goodness)

BAD HABITS

Procrastinating
Leaving my clothes on my bed at the end of the day
Never sending cards (thank you, birthday, etc.)
Chewing gum (I guess it's bad, but I'll never quit)
Eating to avoid work

SONGS I KNOW THE LYRICS TO

*Disclaimer: I am a music junkie. There's no way I can single out just 5 songs that I know the lyrics to, so I have to be more general. (**This was Brooke's disclaimer, but I gotta go with it too. I'll try to think of some of my firsts.)

Almost every Beach Boys song
Don't Fall in Love with a Dreamer/Gambler--Kenny Rogers This was the first album I ever bought with my own money.
Coat of Many Colors and all the other songs on that Dolly Parton album
Carpenters
Tons of Bette Midler
Really, way too many to list. If you ever listen to the radio with me you will know that I can while away many hours just singing old songs.



AND FINALLY, "Tag! You're it!..."

Joni, Christina, Erin H.