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Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Diary of a hunkered down hausfrau

A chronicle of two housebound days courtesy of Sandy
Monday

SEPTA wasn't running and the office was closed. Excuse the mess of the nest I made. Monday's office setup and coworkers:


Small pleasures: a leisurely eaten bagel out of your own toaster on a rainy Monday.


Laundry, laundry, and more laundry.

My third, fourth, fifth and SIXTH calls to Comcast within two days over billing issues. As the winds howled, I chipped away at their criminal resolve and they are crediting our account the $178 they owe us which was a mere $60 on Sunday before I did more math. Math is hard, you guys. You thieving bastards will never get the best of me! COMCAST DO YOU HEAR ME?!?! Sworn enemies for life.

My dogs won't go outside alone. The wind is scary and lifts their little ears up.


DVR and TV catch up:
-The Good Wife: Lamont Bishop, you showed vulnerability. I liked it.
-Jersey Shore (two episodes): Roger, don't do me and JWoww like that.
-Up All Night: Will Arnett singing along to The Cranberries was perfect.
-CSI: Thank you Ted Danson and Elisabeth Shue for making this show good again.

At various points during the day, we have arguments over Gold Rush, Up All Night, Star Wars (one of those assy Clone ones that I have no time for), incessant weather coverage, and how the other person should not watch it. Par for the course for those of us lucky enough to have power and cable through the storm. And we are lucky. One by one our friends and family update their statuses on facebook to include being powerless, seeing transformers blowing on the street, blue sparks coming from their own electric, trees coming down on or around their homes. Arguing over the TV is a luxury many don't have at this time.

Less than 24 hours after they were purchased, the cookies bought at Sam's on Sunday are gone. This is bad on many levels. We blame Sandy and wind fear.

Gus slept like a fat little sausage most of the night. Geege was like MOM when will this be over this wind is scary!


I got an email from Amazon saying that due to Sandy, delivery of my rainboots was surely going to be delayed. Poor timing on the rain boots.

Photo from Amazon.com
I fall asleep thinking dear large trees around the house, please hold your ground. And that I never want to hear hunker down again. Ever.

Tuesday

Commence unhunkering.

Our Sandy damage consists of some downed tree branches and broken yard items. I am so grateful to be so lucky. My thoughts are with those that were not. We check in on our family and tell those without power that they are welcome at our house. Mother nature is a scary bitch.

We're are so saddened by the devastation at the Jersey Shore and are thinking of anyone with a home or business down there. If you grew up in the Philadelphia area, chances are high that you spent part of every summer down the shore. It is part of your personal history, and to see it knocked down is traumatic. This is the Deauville Inn where we had our wedding, one of our favorite shore spots. I love that the photo (that I lifted from their FB page) had the caption "will be ready for next summer though." Coming out strong, it makes my eyes well up. Damage to the Deauville from Sandy - on the left.  According to the owner Lynda the deck, awning framework, docks and patios need some work. On the right is a photo of my Dad and I walking in on my wedding day on one of the docks. You can see the deck, other dock and awning as they normally are. We'll see you next summer Deauville. My heart is heavy for the people of NJ and NY and those right in my backyard with no power, down trees, destroyed homes. Again...feeling lucky.


Coffee with Ron Swanson and The Breakfast Club.


Washing the couches. Washable couches are an utter dream. Here are the boys enjoying clean couches and the elaborate sheet and blanket system we employ to keep them off of the actual couch cushions when we can.


Tuesday's office. Less dog hair and more structure.



My sister and brother-in-law and their kids stopped in to get some hot food and heat since they were without power. Jax was kind enough to visit my dining room office. The dogs were not pleased with the new location.


The boys napped the day away.


Then these happened - pumpkin gingersnap parfaits. 


Essie Demure Vixen nails


Watching the past two episodes of Nashville. Rayna James, you should be with Deacon. If not...Deacon, call me.

My electric-less brother arrived to eat, shower and spend the night.

And on HER day off, Debbie put together a facebook page for her jewelry called Debbie Rae Designs. Please click on that name, visit her page and like it, and check out her stuff. As the owner of many Debbie Rae pieces, I highly recommend them.

This concludes two housebound days. Mesmerizing, wasn't it?

Today? Civic engagement - yours truly has jury duty.

Happy Halloween! And happy birthday to my uncle Perry and my good friend Jimmy G.

TTFN.










Linking up to Rolled Up Pretty for Whatever Whenever Wednesday.








Monday, October 29, 2012

the pre-Halloween weekend that was

Pumpkin chocolate chip bread baked while wearing polka dot pajama pants and a Dirty Dancing tee. 
Come to mama.


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Spinach dip for Saturday


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Extra crispy Ellio's pizza and a gasping snorting fit of laughter while watching Parks & Rec.
"Jerry, did you eat farts for lunch?"
Proving once again that farts are always funny. 
And so is Parks & Rec.

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I'd omit the italian seasoning next time. Make sure you salt the ground turkey.
It came out of the oven watery, so drain it and you'll be good to go.
Hearty and healthy. 


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Sunday soup made on Saturday: veggie beef barley.
Just like Mom Mom used to make. 


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I had to use tomato paste, and had a bunch left over.
I froze it in tablespoon size portions using the ever handy ice cube tray.


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Happily cleaning up from a productive Friday night in the kitchen at 11:30 p.m. 
Times have changed.

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Cutest boys ever.
Friday night issues: I picked a huge fat tick off of Geege, 
and Gus had a toenail issue so he was up all night. 
Which meant I was up all night.
\MFD had to take him to the vet on Saturday, and he was weird the rest of the weekend. My poor boy.


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Saturday morning's coffee was so so necessary.
If you're in Philly, head to Mugshots for yours!


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Bath & Body Works has the perfect size candles for my Buddah candle holder. 


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Changing pictures in frames to the back drop of
Gossip Girl, Hart of Dixie, The Good Wife, and college football.

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A trip to Redner's for some gallons of water, pimentos and pumpkin.
Why do people load up on perishable items before storms? I saw a man with four cartons of eggs.
I got water because one of my greatest fears is to be without water when I need a drink.
If you see me sitting in my house, there will always be a glass next to me.
Agua issues.

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Halloween prep.
I was ready for a full 45 minutes before MFD was ready.
This is nothing out of the ordinary in our house.
Thanks to my mother and father-in-law for staying over with the dogs!
We were Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky. Tasteless, I know.


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Good times at Jill & Frank's Annual Halloween Party.
I enjoyed one million swedish fish vodka drinks, there were fabulous dips to be had, I Hate Dead Rabbits was the required firepit saying, MFD wore different costumes in his unique way, and the party was a lot of fun like it is every year.
I went to bed smelling like fire pit smoke and singing Kenny's original composition in my head.

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Sunday morning I dropped MFD off at his mummer clubhouse.

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I decided to stop at Sam's since I have a business membership and few others would be there.
I did end up seeing my uncle in the parking lot, which was fun.
My small haul: healthy, healthy, healthy...and damn good.


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TV catch-up
Duck Dynasty. Roberts family, can I meet you? Pretty please?
The Big Bang Theory
The Office
Suburgatory

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Sunday dinner:
pimento cheese chicken, mashed potatoes and steamed broccoli.
If I'm making mashed potatoes on Sunday, they're loaded with butter and some sour cream.
Not the light version, in other words.
Thanks to Shelby at Big Hungry Shelby for the link to the pimento cheese baked chicken.


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Hurricane freezer prep: fill baggies with water and put them in the nooks and crannies in your freezer.
They'll freeze solid and if your power goes out, will help to keep your food cold longer.
Or they can be used in coolers. Thanks to Suzi for this tip last year around Irene time!
When the threat is over, let them thaw in the sink and reuse the bags.
MFD makes fun of me when I do this, but like everything else in life,
I like to hope for the best and prepare for the worst.


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A notification from work that we'd be closed on Monday.
Working from home it is!

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Laundry, vacuuming, fresh sheets and a pre-bed shower.
Fresh sheets are heaven, I do declare.

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Revenge.
How can a show be this good?

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the weekend that was

Dear universe: please don't let Sandy be as bad as predictions, and pretty please let all the trees around our house remain intact and standing. AMEN HOLLER. 

Love you all like Emily loves Revenge. Stay safe this week if you're in the path of Frankenstorm.









I'm linking up with Sami's Shenanigans, Five30three, and Join the Gossip for Weekend Update.

Monday, October 22, 2012

the weekend getaway that was


Diary of a mad hausfrau: MFD had a listing appointment so I was able to change the sheets, clean both baths and the kitchen, put laundry away, empty the dishwasher, sort the mail and vacuum the entire house. I love coming home from a weekend away to a clean abode. As you can see above, los perros were anxious to leave so as soon as MFD got home on Friday we were gone with the wind.

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We hit bad weather and had a bit of a harrowing drive, finally arriving at Lori & Jack's close to 11.
The dogs were ecstatic, and we were happy to have a weekend of relaxing ahead of us.

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Geege was up most of the night. He was too excited to sleep. 
We were up for good early on Saturday, which required a lot of coffee.
I didn't mind being up early since it was Lori's birthday and we had a lot to get in!
Excuse the schizophrenic photo frames in this post. 
Variety is the spice of life? Yes. That's the ticket. 




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A damp but invigorating walk in the woods. Lots of dogs scampering and fall foliage.
My boys were on the go with Max, Lori's youngest puppy.
Check out Darby, who's blind and will be 15 in December. She was out there
trucking along over the river and through the woods with the rest of the pack. Miracle dog!


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A quick jaunt into LeRaysville to The Cheese Factory.


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The LeRaysville Market. I'd never been there and was bowled over by their selection and prices.



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A stop at the Dandy is a must. I love the coffeepots. 


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Enjoying the great outdoors

Excuse my fuzzy deer
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I was showered and in my pajamas by 2 pm. It was fabulous. We feasted on a snack food spread,  watched a bunch of college football and had a blissful doze.


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Steaks on the grill, twice baked stuffed potatoes, steamed broccoli, red wine and cake from The Flying Cow Bakery. Happy birthday Lori!


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Dates from Hell on ID Channel

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I'd like to have coffee like this every day.


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Sunny Sunday woods walk


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One of Jack's big breakfasts. 
True fact: I only eat pancakes at Lori & Jack's.


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A seamless two hour and 45 minute ride home with some very tired dogs and some 
glorious fall foliage views. And of course the requisite MFD photo in Meshoppen.


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Enchiladas for dinner. Ole!
I sauteed some chicken and onions, added a bit of sour cream, enchilada sauce, 
cumin, garlic powder and some Tastefully Simple fiesta mix. 
I plopped some of that in the middle of whole wheat tortillas, grated some cheese on top, poured
enchilada sauce over them, added some more grated cheese on top, and baked at 400 for 20 minutes.


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TV: Revenge, Hart of Dixie, Vampire Diaries

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the weekend that was

What a wonderful weekend. I love going to Lori & Jack's, and it was even better this time because it was Lori's birthday and I got to spend it with her. I was so relaxed that I couldn't even bring myself to do the mountain of laundry that's currently in the basement. 

Toodleoo, tootsies. Happy Monday.



I'm linking up with Sami's ShenanigansFive30Three, and Join the Gossip for the weekend update - check them out!