Weekend Goals

Thanksgiving was a lot of fun.  Mom really outdid herself.  There were only the five of us, but she cooked for the entire Gann Clan of yore.  Emily made really good stuffing and even better spinach balls.  I don't know what's in them other than spinach, but that's okay -- they're so good I don't want to know how to make them.

My job was the green salad, but when I went to the grocery store I went a little nuts and also got root veggies to roast.  Roasted parsnips, carrots, turnips, onion, garlic, and cauliflower = YUM YUM YUM!!!  There was also a lot of pie.  You can read about the pie fiasco as soon as Mom posts about it.

So these are my goals for the remainder of the weekend:

1.) Put lifts on bed so I can store craft supplies under it.
2.) Replace remaining knick knacks from "The Great Apartment Re-arrangement of 2011".
3.) Make meatloaf muffins for lunches/freezer.  Details and photos to follow.
4.) Make chili for lunches this week/freezer.  No details.  It's just chili.
5.) Decorate for Christmas.  I'm giving in on the "No Christmas before my birthday" rule.
6.) Write my statement of calling for the call/meeting I need to have with the District Superintendent this week.  This is really #1 on the list and the rest are all an avoidance.  Not that they don't need to be done.  I've been trying/thinking about trying to write it for a week.  UGH.  Putting something so nebulous into words is really hard.

I'll get to writing about the weekend of 11/11/11 eventually, but the shortened version is that I'm working on applying to MDiv programs through UMC seminaries.  Yay!  But like everything else I do it's last minute and I don't really know what I'm doing (hoop jumping wise).  And it involves a lot of meeting with strangers and at the end a psychological evaluation, which I probably could use since I'm extra special crazy.  All in all it will be is a good thing.

Okay -- to work!

Deep Cleaning

Today I deep cleaned 75% of my apartment -- the 75% that hadn't been cleaned in a couple of months.  Hey, if you can't see the dirt it's not dirty, right?  Having grown up on a farm I'm firmly convinced that my concept of "dirty" and "clean" are vastly different from the rest of the civilized world.  Compared to cow poop, a little dust and grit where the carpet meets the molding isn't even worth considering.  But today I got out the crevice tool and went to town.  And I mopped.  And I dusted.  And I feel good.  and more civilized.  Now if you could have Perkins bring the Bentley 'round to the portico we'll go into town for High Tea.

I also made dinner, which is going to also make a couple of lunches for the week.  I made lemon shrimp with brown rice and steamed veggies.  I struggle with enjoying shrimp.  They're like little curly, gummy, fleshy fingers.  And if they aren't shelled and deveined I can't even look at them.  Gag me.  But I persist, partially because I know they're good for you and partially because I refuse to be a picky eater.

For the rice I just cooked it per the box.  When I make brown rice I usually add some parsley or chicken bullion or something just to give it a little flavor on its own.  I've found this good, instant, salt free chicken bullion, HerbOX, so that's what I used today.

For the shrimp, I defrosted the shrimp (they defrost so quickly!) and sauteed them with garlic powder, corriander, and the juice of a lemon.  Then I thickened it with corn starch.  And added some more lemon juice.  Confession: I love lemons. 

For the steamed veggies I used my favorite new discovery, Best Choice frozen steamable veggies.  Healthy AND lazy?  Sign me up!

It was very tasty and I recommend it for your kitchen and palate.  So the next time you're looking for a quick meal pull out the shrimp!  If you can enjoy them now that I've described them as "curly, gummy, fleshy fingers"...

Cleaning Part 2

Maggie 2, Apartment 0

Finished this yesterday, but failed to take pictures until this morning.

And from the other side so you'll know I'm not hiding the clutter:

I'm going to rearrange, but I need to get rid of all the crap first.  And I own waaaay too much stuff.  Look at all that...ugh...

I did the kitchen yesterday too, but then I made a pie so...   There's some additional work that now needs to be done before pictures can be taken. 

Today's project is the bedroom.  Or I might just take a nap.  Too soon to tell.

Cleaning Part 1

Maggie 1, Apartment 0

Bathroom, check!

Proof.  I even vacuumed, organized, discarded, and prioritized the cabinet under the sink.  And for the right price, I could be hired.

Close up of my shower curtain because I knew you were curious.  It's old travel posters.  I LOVE it.  I'm going to be very sad when it dies.  I would love to find fabric like this.

My Poll

I really want to continue to do polls (look to the right of the page --->), but it's no fun if nobody participates.  Of course that means I have to know more than three people on the internet.

Quandry...

I have made another craft, but I can't show it yet...I'm going to be excited when I can though!!

Also, I'm making progress on the cleaning front.  Laundry is done.  Dishes are partially done.  Bathroom is clean.  Bedroom is organized.  I've come to the conclusion that I need to have a yard sale, or more specifically a book sale.  And if I'm being honest, taking stuff to donate frightens me a little.  Why can't it be like a baby at a fire station -- just drop it off in the darkness so nobody knows whose it was.  Or like a flaming bag of poo -- ring the doorbell and run.

Of course, there's always The Terrible 20: Sarah Palin History Lessons.  I believe that the media has enough footage of any celebrity/politician/has-been (not that Sarah is all three) to make them appear as the media wants.  I believe responsible journalism is all but dead.  So Sarah Palin said something silly, so what.  Why is that a national focal point?  *steps off soap box*  But whatever you believe, you have to admit these are hilarious.  I especially like #10, and I've sat through enough history classes to know that Sarah Palin isn't the only person out there who "thinks" these things...  No child left behind, wha?