kitchen-aid, smitchen-aid

I don't really have a reason for this blog except that I'm bored, tired, and Rob is watching sports. Pretty much, cue for me to indulge myself in the lovely world of the internet and at this point, having searched many random things (and facebook has long lost it's wonder), I begin to ponder writing something to entertain me. So here goes, my utter frustration with my food processor...
Rob had to go to a baseball game tonight with a friend (well, didn't have to, but baseball + rob + friend = had to in his head), so we were on a schedule for dinner. This is normally fine, as I rarely cook or if I do, it is simply as a stress reliever, or I'm tired of eating soup. Well, today was one of those days.
I had found a lovely recipe for falafel's (Rob's favorite) online, and although they are usually fried to cook that is too much of a mess, and I really have lost my stomach for deep fried things (except of course the good old McDonald's, which is almost so rubber and fake that it all goes well in the intestines). So, with these factors in mind, I decided I should just bake them. I mean, basically all we achieve by frying is a crunchy outside and a heated through inside (because, nothing is really raw in the ingredients). Well, this could easily be accomplished by simply baking them, and then if that wasn't sufficient for the crunchiness, I figured we could just quick broil them towards the end.
Turns out this is how it went, and in the end, the product was pure delight. However, on the way to the end, we had a slight issue with the Kitchen-Aid (NOT and AID but rather a HUGE HINDERANCE in the kitchen) food processor. Basically, they have made the "safety" gizmo on this thing so freakin' sensitive that it literally will not work...we pour in all ingredients, plug in, lock in the base, the handle, the blade, and every other freakin' thing that has to be perfectly "locked," "balanced," and "perfect" to achieve the lovely hum of the motor. Well, we all know I have NO luck with perfection, not even an ounce, and thus, no chance in hell of getting this thing to hum while it purees my amazing little chickpea concoction.
I try five times, locking and unlocking, wiggling and jiggling. Nothin'. Silence. Plug into a different plug, because that would be likely to happen to me (ya know, the plug just happens to not work at that moment and I don't realize). Plug into three different plugs consecutively and still pure silence. I push that little "pulse" button with some form of uncontrolled hatred and anticipation repeatedly. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. nothinnothnothinnotnotnononononono....that's how it sounds as i poke and poke faster and faster hoping to get a result. Still, a BIG FAT NOTHING. That stupid shiny little black beast is just staring at me on the counter, laughing in my face because I didn't wiegh out the freakin' number of chickpeas on each side of every blade. I know it, I can feel it.
Rob steps in, he's always much more patient, but very rarely more successful. At this point, he dumps out the entire mixture into a bowl and begins to try again. I get a phone call (necessary distraction at this point) and have to go away for a minute. Come back to find Rob having even lost his patience and has now gotten the other incapable tool in the kitchen - the manual chopper. What a joke and a headache that tool. Bam, bam, bam, bam, bam, bam...that's how it sounds on the counter as the blades slam down and you punch that top piece harder with every hit. Although, I will say it is a great stress reliever, and at some point you actually may achieve chopping perhaps one onion.
Next two minutes, Rob is over it, I hear the bamming stop, and I rise from the couch to take over. Rob is now back to trying to fix the food processor. I hear plug, jiggle, click, nothing, unplug, plug, click, lift blade, twist blade, click, lock, click, nothing, lift blade, lock, unlock, twist, lock, click, nothing....you get the idea. NOTHING, still. AHHHHHHHHH, I sometimes do not handle things well, and especially when they interfere with my dinner reaching my mouth in the next five minutes. Ya know, you just don't come between me and my food.
I have now given up on the chopper, as I will probably break it soon with my frustration being pushed onto that little handle. I turn to the old trusty "chop suey" knife and begin chopping faster and faster. Until, still, it looks like chickpea salad with a few mushed spots. That just ain't working. Rob, although I had tuned it out, is still plugging, clicking, locking, lifting and NOTHING....well, now I'm completely over it and in my last hoorah I dump everything into the processor and turn it on. Nothing....Oh man, It's over, I shake the living shit out of it, cursing the whole time, and well looky there, the piece o' crap decides to work. HA. what a joke, but oh man, what a celebration. Food is happening, and it might even be good, and it may not even take five more hours.

It's official

here is the story of the proposal (so romantic):
In Rob's defense, he wanted me to let you know that I knew the day my ring was done (as I had it made custom - 'cuz I'm like that and want it the way I want it), and so I told him I wanted it some time that day, and it had to cost $20 or less. (I know, demanding and unromantic, but like I said, I know what I want, and in truth, it was perfect and I loved it!!)....So, I was home showering and my biggest fear in life is someone coming in my house when I'm showering, me not hearing them, and them killing me. Needless to say, I'm paranoid when showering and no one is home, and also, I know, I'm wierd....Well, I'm showering, I hear someone come in and I quickly assume my plan of what I will do. Turn off the fan and the water (stealth, I know) and stand still listening (you know, the kind when you try to listen so hard that your heartbeat is interfering with what you normally would be hearing). I yell out, "smash?" (That's my roommate and she is usually at school during this time, but ya never know). I proceed to stealthily (not moving the rungs on the shower curtain, because that could tip off the intruder to my whereabouts) get out of the shower and put on my towel (large, fully covered beach towel that my mom stole from the 4 seasons hotel for me - long story, but another thing about me being particular). I come around the corner and there is Rob with my ring around the straw of a 32oz. Crest Diet Coke (Crest is the gas station that has the best drive-thru and diet coke in all of the nation, clearly my fav) along with a tiny lit candle (he later confesses it was in his room and didn't know where it was from, and I tell him I know it was from when Randy proposed to Laura and those were the candles we floated in the vases - very original) and a flower. He gets down on one knee and proposes, of course I say yes! There it is.

I stole it from Mary

Stole this idea from a friend of mine who is currently (do to unemployment) as "bored" as I am (as she calls it, but I prefer to think of it as highly entertained and highly entertaining others). You know, all those "others" who read my blog, I think there may be five of you. whoot.whoot.

44 things about me:

1. Do you like blue cheese? ummm, yes. rarely, depending on the chunkiness of the blue cheesiness (not much sense, but sounded better that way in my head). But, if the chunkiness is of a moderate to low level (i.e. more like ranch), then I have been known to indulge when eating chicken wings (and lord knows I used to be able to down quite a few).

2. Have you ever been drunk? no comment.

3.Do you own a gun? of course. didn't you know that Orem, UT is a pretty riotous neighborhood.

4. What flavor of Kool Aid was your favorite? Cherry. Used to eat the mix with the "fun-dip" stick after the "fun-dip" ran out.

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? eh, ya know, I haven't had one in far too long.

6. What do you think of hot dogs? I think that the 98% fat free "franks" (all beef, of course 'cuz lord knows what is in them if they don't say that, and really even if they do) are quite delectable with the proper amount of grilling and ketchup and ruffles potato chips. Wow, flashback.

7. Favorite Christmas movie? Elf for a long time, still have to watch it every season, but really The Holiday has taken over just because I love the accent of the little girl that says, "you look like my bawbie (picture english accent when kid saying barbie).

8. What do you prefer to drink in the morning? "Zen" Tazo green tea (a delectable mix of green tea, lemongrass and spearmint). Could a girl ask for more excitement in one small cup?

9. Can you do push ups? If I set my mind to it, but as far as exercise goes I am far too willing to admit defeat (in fact, usually admit it prior to even leaving the couch). In truth, yes, minimal amounts.

10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? silver ring.

11. Favorite hobby? doing this sort of stupid useless and AWESOME thing.

12. Do you have A.D.D.? mhmmmmmm.

13. What's your favorite shoe? oh man, tooooo many. Lately, these white asics. Although, just ordered a new pair of converse XX HI that are going to be pretty rockin'. So thinkin' they will take over the fav spot.

14. Middle name? Grace.

15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? I should go to bed. Why is there a spanish commercial for milk on during my will and grace on the american lifetime channel, and whether or not my room is perma-stench or if one of the dogs has bad gas.

16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? diet coke, green tea, water.

17. Current worry? getting up in the morning.

18. Current hate right now? "hate" is a strong word, didn't your parent's teach you anything...I suppose physiology class but more of a "strong dislike."

20. How did you bring in the New Year? Jackson Hole with the fam. All laying on the pull out couch that was Rob's bed in front of the TV.

21. Where would you like to go? I love to wander. If I could wander all over the world unharmed and with no need for any monetary influence in any part of it, it would be luxurious I tell you.

22. Name three people who should complete this? whoever would love to as much as I did. You know, others volunteering themselves for a bit of tortuous entertainment...I know you're out there, fess up.

23. Do you own slippers? HECK YES. and LOVE THEM. (allow me to not wear socks that get any sort of hair on them, while still having soles to allow me to shuffle to class or run errands in them on lazy days without causing a problem, and keep my toes toasty in my freezing house because I refuse to pay the heat bill).

24. What color shirt are you wearing right now? Mint. It's a hoodie, of course.

25. Do you like sleeping on Satin sheets? ummm, Van Wilder anyone? Certainly not aiming to have that sort of disaster in my life...Flannel, all-year-round.

26. Can you whistle? Simply Awesome at it.

27. Favorite color? Slate blue (but depends on what referring to usually).

28. Would you be a pirate? Heck yes. Patch and a parrot and a hook...dream come true.

29. What songs do you sing in the shower? I'm usually in too big of a hurry and trying to be quiet because someone coming in while I'm showering and killing me because I could not hear them come in is my BIGGEST fear.

30. Favorite girls names? Miller (Do NOT steal it or I will have to hurt you, although most hate it, so I'm assuming you won't).

31. Favorite boys names? Winton (Do NOT steal it either).

32. What's in your pocket right now? nada. got no pockets.

33. Last thing that made you laugh? haha (clearly still laughing thinking back to it)...Rob's house slippers.
34. Best bed sheets as a child? oh man, rainbow brite, no contest.

35. Worst injury you've ever had as a child? Perhaps just what I wore. Nothing physical.

36. Do you love where you live? I don't know about love, but certainly thoroughly enjoy it.

38. Who is your loudest friend? Kerri. Love it, but at times too much.

39. How many dogs do you have? Two. Five if you count the three I had previous to college and left for my parents.

40. Does someone have a crush on you? No, sad thing is, I sometimes wonder if anyone ever has. haha. That's awesome.

42. What is your favorite candy? too many. depends on the day. as of now, gummi worms.

43. Favorite Sports Team? PSU.

44. What song do you want played at your funeral? Some real depressing song mixed over a very shrill pop song. Ya know, the funeral with the funk, that's what I want.

Oh Man, I Was and Am the Coolest (Flashback Friday - Thanks Wendi)

#1) My dad was the coolest ever, as we can all clearly see from the pinstripe overalls. I mean, can you beat that? You wonder where I get some of my "redneck" qualities. And the orange carpeting,clearly in my little bag of interior design tricks, it freakin' rocks.



#2) My mom should be in a black-and-white postcard. That is vick's that she is smelling.
Evidently I not only get my ingenuity from my mom, but also my "shi* sure do stink" problem from my mom :)




#3) I have CLEARLY always had fly-aways, but man did I rock them then and pretty sure I still rock them now. Lovin' the boufont.




#4) This one is for Wendi, just wanted to show ya the mustache-attached-glasses were cool back in the '80's and still now. In fact, so cool that my entire family had to wear them. Doesn't get much cooler.





#5) Ya, that's for sure frosted hair. Looks as though my mom took my hair and dipped the ends in bleach, but really, I'm just that amazing...oh, and as for the onesie, totally bringing back the terry cloth onesies with the retro patch. So look out, 'cuz they cannot be beat.





#6) Ummmm, can we simply say holy POTBELLY? The stomach was as large then as it is now. I had my brother beat from the beginning. In fact, I had no chance to ever have a flat stomach from the beginning by the looks of it, somewhat comforting in an odd way.



#7) Well, I just don't think it gets any better. I was a freak then, and I am now. Nixon anyone?








#8) So we were farmers rockin' the straw hats. What of it? yes, that's my dad.

#9) & #10) WEll...The stomach problem started young, as seen in the previous photo. Well, these two show perhaps why it started so early. My sugar cravings? Ya, they haven't gone away at all. My complete and total adoration for the largest chocolate chip cookie possible? Yep, it's still here and kickin' to. Once again, history explains mysteries.

#11) Best part? Would still buy a beanie or jacket like that at the drop of a hat if I saw one today. Other best part? My mom made that incredible gay flag beanie (Things weren't so strange back then, rainbows really had no association or pride involved, other than pride of being the coolest beanie ever)!!

I got "Blog Tagged"

Instructions:
1. Go to your documents/pictures.
2. Go to your 6th file.
3. Go to your 6th picture.
4. Blog about it.
5. Tag 6 people to do the same.

This is a great picture of me in May, 2008...almost a year ago, when I got my lips injected with collagen. Somehow I was very early on in the process of the injections (first needle into my lip to numb the area) identified as a "bleeder and a bruiser," by the plastic surgeon. Right, somehow, I can totally see why. Looked as though I got punched in the face with a softball. Although, my lips were a bit plumper than they were before (and by that I mean, you could actually see a lip instead of just a line). This was about three days after and it actually looked more like a bruise, but the day of, right after the injections, it literally looked like I had chewed on a blue pen. Quite amusing to all. You never see celebrities like this, but perhaps they don't choose to go out in public and go about their daily life during this recovery time, acting as though nothing is wrong with their face, I however, chose this route. It was much more amusing. Sometimes, when it's something you are aware is wrong with your face, it is fun to pretend you have no idea what they are all staring at. In fact, kind of fun to stare back at them with a look like, "what? Is this not normal?" So there it is. Now here's my tagging (many of you have already done this, but now you don't have to do it again).
Tag, you're it:
wendi, laura, natalie, rochelle, liz, and mary.

life...is this really happening?

Ummm, so those of you who don't know, just wanted to put it out there. Although, pretty sure, all of those of you who read this are pretty much the coolest in my life, and therefore already know. Anyway, here goes...
- Got into Regis University School of Pharmacy (Denver, CO)
- Starts in August, and so Rob (my boyfriend, soon to be fiance) will be moving to Denver sometime around then if not a bit before
- I'll keep you posted as to wedding plans and or engagement (I know, we're kind of backwards).
That's life. Seems pretty good right now. Yee-Freakin'-Haw!!