Technology

Technology really has me frustrated right now. Although we've come along way in technology, what good is it when it doesn't work?! My cell phone service is not working and apparently it hasn't all day. However it shows i have bars so i should be getting service right? Not so, as everytime i try to make a call i get a 'call failed' message. And trying to call someone else who  has this service (using my landline phone) gives me a fast busy signal.
i try to get on my provider's web site to find their phone number and my computer is super slow. All connection are good and working but i'm having trouble getting onto their pages. When logging into the site there is no indication that there is a global problem. I'm finally able to get through to the provider and after a suprisingly short wait i'm told that there apparently is a global, repeat GLOBAL problem causing the service to be down!

meanwhile i can't get ahold of my daughter who is not home from school yet and of course can't call home to tell us what's going on because she has the same service.

Ah yes technology, gotta love it - but not at the moment.

Choices

There is that word again. It comes up more and more lately. So much is happening right now with uncertainness in the work place and with relationships. On a positive spin times are right for changes in career and life purpose. The problem is in determining what of the many choices available to go for?


From the many choices of starting your own business through direct sales – Tupperware, premier jewelry, pampered chef, Original Limu, Ardyss, Miche, CAbi or through opening your own franchise – Sunstone yoga, McDonalds, etc. the list goes on and on. Uncertainness in the work place could be a blessing in disguise. Many of my co-workers have taken the plunge and are either leaving to change careers or are working their own direct sales biz to supplement future retirement or what would be even better “retire” early from the daily 9-5 and live life on their own schedule.

I’ve taken the plunge into a couple of the above just because I like their product so much. We’ll see how things go – all I know is life is short and I certainly do not want to be working the 9-5 at 65 because social security can’t help cover my retirement or my 401K has been wiped out due to yet another recession or bad money management (on the part of the Company THE MAN has chosen to manage employee 401k).

As someone once said, “All of our tomorrows are shaped by what we do today.” If you could pursue your heart’s desire what would it be and what’s stopping you? What are your obstacles? How can you overcome them? Baby steps…..

And with that I’m off to buy another Miche (or two).

The Boys!

Well went and stood in line and got my photo and autographed copy of the Deen boy's new cookbook. They are too cute for their own good and i cannot believe how close i was to them. And their manners and whole demeanor are unbelievable. Their mama has raised them right and do her proud! If i had been the swoonin' type i definitely would have. Unfortunately the only camera i had to take a photo was with my camera so it's a little blurry... bonbones de primera!

Good food and friends

Had lunch with a good friend today. It had been awhile since we'd gotten together and it was great to catch up on each other's lives and hash around ideas. Macaroni Grill was the restaurant of choice and the atmosphere and pasta got our creative juices going and we discussed entrepreneurial options. She wants to do kitty things and i'd love to do quilty crafty things - from kitty mugs, embroidered t-shirts, kitty mats and quillows. Next step i think is to get our web sites going and inventory to sell. Stay tuned....
On another note, my son went out to buy a laptop, finding nothing in his price range for the functions he wanted, he decided to buy rock band instead - i am now learning to jam out - a little We Got the Beat anybody?

The Deens are Coming to Town!

I am so excited!! The Deen brothers will be in town on Sept. 16 for a book signing of their cookbook entitled - what else: The Deen Bros. Cookbook. The book features not only recipes but tidbits and stories of their travels through the southern states from Florida all the way to Colorado and on up to Washington!
From Coconut Fried Shrimp, Chocolate Chip Cake, Ratatouille Supreme with Pepper Jack, Lemony Honey Almond Teacakes and Texas Margaritas - it all sounds yummy and i can't wait to try my hand at them.
This will be a treasured addition to my cookbook collection and who knows maybe Mama Deen will drop by for surprise visit? I've got my copy, now just waiting for the date - Check out the great photo on the cover.

Brief Wonderous Life of Oscar Wao

I was finally able to make it through this book. It took me a couple of times to get into it as some of the language was a turnoff. The second time i started reading it I almost put it down again because it seemed to jump around alot, but i stuck with it and it was a very good story. The book takes you through the adolescent period mostly of Oscar's life, a little bit of his sister's side and alot of his mom's side to show how Oscar's life came to be and end the way it did. Oscar's mom is also from the Dominican Republic and the story very much features their culture and beliefs especially in the scenes that take place on the island. A strong testimony to how the children can end up paying in one way or another for the sins (or in some cases bad luck) of their fathers (or mothers, grandparents, etc.).

for love of....

It seems like a woman's quest to do something fulfilling with her life has been going on forever....whether one is a homemaker or working full-time for many of us we still are not satisfied even though what we may already be doing is an important thing (i.e. raising a family, taking care of the home, contributions at work, etc.). For some of us there is something lacking and sometimes it can take us years to discover it. Or if we know what it is to be able to use it in a way that we can make a living out of it so that we can do what we love all the time and not just in our spare moments.
The movie Julie & Julia is a perfect example of two women who discovered their passions - cooking and then writing for Julia. Writing and then cooking for Julie. I have not read the book but the movie is so heartwarming and humorous depicting a time in their lives when both were searching to leave their mark on the world in some way - even if only in their surrounding world, but something that they felt good about. I completely could identify with Julie - I wonder if she is an Aries? Her comments (and those of her friends and family) regarding unfinished projects sounded so familiar....
And Julia's love of food - a woman after my own heart, no wonder Julie was inspired by her! Julia definitely had one of the best husbands around. The movie definitely has me wanting to cook again and i'll definitely be trying my hand at her Beef Bourgingnon