Is It Monday Again?

I could have used a glass  bottle glass of wine yesterday, I think…

Michael’s car is crashed. It’s in the body shop as we speak – so far we are aware that the hood looks like the nose of a bull dog, and are assuming that there is something wrong with the cooling system – considering the awful syrupy sweet smell and constant overheating. This, my friends, is not so good. I had to run the little one to school yesterday so that he could attempt to help his poor Crunchy limp to the shop. School is close to where Michael works, which incidentally is about an hour in the opposite direction of where I work. So, I was late. Fortunately, I have understanding bosses.

The fun part in all of this was finding out the hard way that our car insurance coverage wasn’t quite what we thought it was. No towing, and no rental car… what?! The policy I had with my previous company covered all of that – and before we switched, I told the new agent that I wanted identical coverage and if he could offer me a better price, then and ONLY then would I switch. Apparently to the new agent that meant he could shave off things like towing and rental coverage…  It kind of makes me want to call the company and give them a piece of my mind however, now I just feel like a dopey consumer. MY BAD for not reading the policy very thoroughly, MY BAD for trusting someone who could understand the insurance jargon so that I didn’t have to. All I can say is that this will be an expensive lesson, but one that I won’t make in the future.

Michael says we can still call the company and explain our position – not as enraged, victimized customers, but as rational customers who thought they had one product, but were really assigned to another. He would like to see them add these features to our existing plan without an additional cost – I don’t hold much hope of that happening. If it doesn’t, he is prepared to tromp back to our previous agent with heart-shaped chocolates and a bouquet of flowers, and ask them to take us back. I suspect that they will – I just hope that they can offer us the amazing coverage at the amazing price we used to pay. We shall see.

On happy notes! Tomorrow Phoebs and I head out for the last day of the faire. Just her and me – I’m excited. It will be a really fun mommy-daughter day of playing, and shopping, and show seeing. (Oh, and funnel cake eating! – there WILL be funnel cake, make no mistake.) I’m considering taking my camera… we shall see. (I consider it every time and end up leaving it in the trunk of my car)

Here’s to looking forward to a great weekend and a better week next week. Thanks for coming out  today – and hopefully I’ll have some fun pics to share from the faire in the next scrap-book!

The Kitchen Sink

So it comes to pass that Michael and I may be selling our house and renting for a short while. This is all in preparation for us to move across the country since, as Michael gently pointed out, the house is the biggest road block to that move. I admit, I have been trying to hold it tight to me for sentimental reasons and well, because it’s OURS.

I am torn. I think I love the house more for the idea of the house, than for the house itself. It’s layout is bad and wastes space, and energy – but, but… it’s big! I find myself caring less and less about the big though… I mean, who ever said bigger is better? <insert shifty eyes here> I do like having places to put everything, that aspect is kind of nice – though, I find it encourages us to ‘collect’. I am looking forward to a fresh start and really, planning to take … well, not so much. (I hope). I say that, and then I think… but oh, what if I ever need <insert some ‘thing’ I haven’t even seen in over a year>. Yes, I will most certainly need Michael’s good judgment to sort through what we will take and what we will give to local shelters/charities.

On a positive note, one thing I’m looking forward to is the possibility of a more updated kitchen… perhaps one with a garbage disposal! Honestly, as long as the oven is up to date, and perhaps a dishwasher for easy clean up (nice but not necessary)… I’ll be happy.

The truly most motivating reason behind the move (for me) is to be close to my best friend. I tease about the excitment of being able to zombie-walk to her house in the mornings for coffee, and to be able to steal her boyfriend’s mage hat… but these are only the silly reasons I want to be close. To be able to see and talk to her as opposed to the limitations of typing messages will be SO good. I mean, what better way to blow off some steam when we’re angry or frustrated then to be able to just go out with your best friend. Or, hey, what if you just want some company to head to the local Wal Mart… or to share that OSM recipe – or, just drop by for a hug? And who can pass up a good ‘girls night IN’ with a good bottle of wine and some fun movies? (Sorry, boys not welcome!) Sometimes it’s hard to convey how much we really care through the typed word. Teres has supported and encouraged me so much over the past few years through so many situations, words alone can not express the gratitude and love I have for her. So thanks, lady – I heart you and can’t wait to be out there!

Oh! How can I forget?! Today, instead of a word, I bring you a recipe…

My Favorite Bread Recipe Ever:

Ingredients

• 2 cups warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 2/3 cup white sugar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 6 cups bread flour

Directions

1. In a large bowl, dissolve the sugar in warm water, and then stir in yeast. Allow to proof until yeast resembles a creamy foam.
2. Mix salt and oil into the yeast. Mix in flour one cup at a time. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Place in a well oiled bowl, and turn dough to coat. Cover with a damp cloth. Allow to rise until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
3. Punch dough down. Knead for a few minutes, and divide in half. Shape into loaves, and place into two well oiled 9×5 inch loaf pans. Allow to rise for 30 minutes, or until dough has risen 1 inch above pans.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes.

 

As always, thanks for stopping by for coffee… enjoy the bread – and the hugs.