Happy Birthday

Today is 8-30-09 and it’s My Birthday. Today is the start to a new year for me and I’m feeling real good. The past year has been filled it many struggles; some of them the same as many other folks and a few that are out of character. I’m very happy for the chance to get to start a new year. If there is anything I’ve learned is that a person can care for their health, which also covers mental health. One of the struggles I had/have to deal with the result is a small case of PTSD. I’m not ashamed it or embarrassed by it. It’s a very real thing and it can be solved like most things life tosses at me. I am thankful for the support of my family who are also learning the symptoms (not that mine are huge or harsh by any standards), but the knowledge of them is not only for me, but also for others who may also be dealing with them. My life has handed me many struggles and I have conquered them all, all in due time with great success. Perfection is a myth, Knowing of all things is a myth, Learning to love self is a must, Respecting self is a must, Respecting others is a must. The season is changing into fall and it also offers me anew, with changed light, fresh air, cool evening, Beautiful days and I welcome it all. I can’t put everything into words on how I’m feeling, I’m going to hold onto it for awhile. I’m enjoying it… The reason why I’m writing about all this is because I was having a hard time dealing with everything that was tossed at me. Well, I was literally pulled from my life in southwest and put on the Florida beach for a week, by my dad. It was needed and Greatly appreciated. I have come back with a new vigor and I’m going to do everything I can to keep it going.

Is it your birthday today? Happy Birthday! A new season is a great gift, enjoy all things this year and much luck in new appreciation for self and others.

For all of you who having to pay big money to have the NASA channel available for you on TV, well it’s one of the DTV channels and I can watch the views of earth from the shuttle for free. Now, that is truly an Awesome thing it behold.

Have a Great week and get away from your computers for a while and enjoy the change of seasons and fresh air.

Beach

The interesting about tans on the beach, there are no secrets... The locals and their tans range from yummy brown to a dark rich brown. The vacationers tans (if any) run from the only color there is is around the collar and arms to some color on the tops of feet and lower legs. Unless someone lives on their bike and in shorts all the time, and come to beach. Me, I happily sport a Colorado Tan, tan face, tan feet and tan arms. I'm not one of those who live in shorts all summer, skirts are cooler... My skirts end below my knees. I've never been one of those people who can wear skirts that end above my knees (gift from my loving grandma), so my tan above my knees is not in place and most likely won't be much higher then my knees. :) When I first got here, you can say the locals were giving me second looks and going about their business. One of the reasons why I take good care of my skin is because when I was a kid, growing up at 9,000 feet, your much closer to the sun and the air if thinner and the chances of burning are much higher. Well, in one summer, I fried (not burned) the my back and shoulders three (3) times. Even with sun screen on. I did such a job on them each time, it took a lot of tea bags placed on my back to pull the heat out of my skin and help it move to the tan period. Oh boy did I peel, I peeled for days. I lived in my dad's big white t-shirts for days. There may be real reasons why people wear hats and cover more of their body than another person may not be aware of. Some people live on the beach and spend hours each day out there, were some of are happy to just walk and get some sun for 45 minutes a day. I just find it interesting.

Hug your pets today...

New Happy Mac

Well, some of you may be wondering where I've been lately.  Well, two weeks ago I had 2 working computers and quickly went to none.  Well, I'm back up to one computer and its a Very Nice computer at that.  I'll be up and running sometime this week and can get back to normal.  Today, I've changed coasts and altitudes for a week.  I've gone from 7,000 feet to 20 feet above sea level.  Everyone needs a break now and again.  Will have more computer talk when I'm no so tired.

Hugs

"CFC" & Possible Future Unseen Issues

This Cash For Clunkers program has me wondering about something. And I ask these questions in hopes that the happy owners of the new wheels their driving home thought about. We as a country and most importantly, individuals, are broke or close to it. Can the happy owners who are buying these newer cars (and not writing a single check to pay for it) and are driving home with a new bill to pay each month: Can they make the payments each and every month? To some this may sound like a really stupid question, but jobs are still being lost and houses are still coming up for auction because there is No $$$$$$ to pay the bills due to lost incomes. Try, we are starting to slooowly to pull out of this poor economic period, but I have a feeling that the credit problem will increase and the repo businesses are going to be getting a lot of calls from their local banks or dealerships. In the last week, I seen about 20 newer cars running down the highway in my county alone with temp tags. I just hope this doesn't backslide on what should be helping a lot of people go back to work. Its been on my mind, thats all...

Banana Bread in a Crock-pot

Well, I tried something last night and that was to make a loaf of Banana Bread. I'm living with the most basic of cooking tools (pots, pans, etc...), so my only option was my 1.5 qt crock-pot (no loaf pan). :) And it turned out perfect and Yummy. Using the measurements from my "Back to Basic's" cookbook, here is what I used and/or had on hand.

This makes one loaf in a 1.5 qt Crock-pot

1 large banana

2 cups of pancake mix (instead of all flour mix items)

2 eggs

2 tspns Olive Oil (instead of butter)

2 tspns Soy (instead of milk)

1/3 cup sugar (you can add more if you like)

*Mix wet stuff, then added pancake mix in parts until mixed (with a fork, basic living)

*Oiled up crock-pot with more olive oil

*Turn crock-pot on to "High" and make sure oil is all over the inside, pour extra into mixture

*Pour mixture into crock-pot (on High) and once all is in the crock-pot, turn it down to "Low"

*It fills the crock-pot just over halfway

*Cover with lid and leave for about 90 minutes. (I left it in for about 1 hr & 45 mns)

*You can add raisins or nuts a little at a time and wait for them to sink, then add more.

*Cooked thru, it will have risen to just under an inch from the top of the crock-pot.

Remove while still warm and set on plate or rack to cool.

I may make another loaf with blueberries & wheat germ today. :)

Enjoy