1.30.2007
A whole semester closer....
Thanks to a fantastic observation by a fellow MALS classmate last night, I am happy to report I am in my 8th class. Which means, I only have ONE MORE CLASS to take before I start work on my final project. You know what this means? Michelle is taking the summer off. I will take my last course in the fall of 2007, and I will write my final project in the spring of 2008. That means graduation in May 2008, as scheduled - with a free summer vacation thrown in there! WOO HOO!
1.29.2007
Veggie Sushi, oh yeah!
Last night, Mike and I had Meredith and Stefan over for dinner. Well, we invited them over to share dinner with us - not have THEM for dinner. ANYWAY, Mike had the fantastic idea to make sushi (I suggested sloppy joe's). Since two of the folks at the dinner are vegetarian (Meredith and myself), Stefan is vegan, and Mike as the lone meat eater, we figured veggie sushi would be the way to go.
After scanning various recipes on line, we decided on the following veggies: red bell pepper, mushrooms (portabella), cucumber, zucchini, scallions, and avocado. For the non-vegans, we got some cream cheese and some wasabi mayo. And of course, we had to get the nori (seaweed to wrap the sushi). Mike already had a sushi rolling mat on hand, so we were set to go.
After a glass of plum wine and snacking on some edamame, we decided to try our hand at making rolls. Mike went first - and he did a great job. Meredith went next, passing her "Asian test" with flying colors. I went third and feel as if I cheated a bit since I insisted using cream cheese (helps everything stick together!). Stefan was the last to give it a shot, and after a few random mumblings, his rolls came out to look lovely. A few folks made additional rolls throughout the night, and we really stuffed ourselves. On top of the lovely salad that Stefan and Meredith prepared for us, we had a ton of food.
And I have decided that I doubt I will ever go out for sushi again if it sounds good. Much easier to just make at home - especially if it's veggie. you can prepare all sorts of random veggie varieties rather than paying $5-8 for a standard veggie roll at a restaurant.
I recommend everyone give this a try - it's not as hard as it seems!!!!
After scanning various recipes on line, we decided on the following veggies: red bell pepper, mushrooms (portabella), cucumber, zucchini, scallions, and avocado. For the non-vegans, we got some cream cheese and some wasabi mayo. And of course, we had to get the nori (seaweed to wrap the sushi). Mike already had a sushi rolling mat on hand, so we were set to go.
After a glass of plum wine and snacking on some edamame, we decided to try our hand at making rolls. Mike went first - and he did a great job. Meredith went next, passing her "Asian test" with flying colors. I went third and feel as if I cheated a bit since I insisted using cream cheese (helps everything stick together!). Stefan was the last to give it a shot, and after a few random mumblings, his rolls came out to look lovely. A few folks made additional rolls throughout the night, and we really stuffed ourselves. On top of the lovely salad that Stefan and Meredith prepared for us, we had a ton of food.
And I have decided that I doubt I will ever go out for sushi again if it sounds good. Much easier to just make at home - especially if it's veggie. you can prepare all sorts of random veggie varieties rather than paying $5-8 for a standard veggie roll at a restaurant.
I recommend everyone give this a try - it's not as hard as it seems!!!!
1.26.2007
Just a bit of stress.....
Yeah, so I think I have been stressed a bit the past week. Due to hormonal issues (welcome, monthly visitor - sorry if TMI); the upcoming stress of moving; some stupid financial issues; some hangover effects from reading what the ex wrote about me; and a sick kitty (Buddy ended up with a bladder infection this past weekend and is slowly recovering), I think I have been operating on shaky ground. I have cried a bit more than I would like to own up to, and I am assuming this phase will quickly be out the window soon. Maybe it's just the winter blahs. In fact, I am pretty darn sure it is.
Last night, I spent a great evening out with Lauren, Cookie, Jeff, Jeremy and Mike - all at different times and in different combos - at Satisfaction's in Durham. What started as "Thursday beers" turned into watching the Duke game. We had a great time, and it was so wonderful to spend good times with friends.
Tonight, Mike and I are having "Chinese food and comedy night" at Lauren's with she and Jeremy. Considering we get to go over in sweatpants and t-shirts, eat and laugh, that sounds like quite the relaxing evening. Saturday, I believe Mike and I are going to go over and do some preliminary cleaning at the new house. Depending on how much work we do, there is a party that evening for a friend's birthday.
Sunday, Mike and I are scheduled to have dinner with Meredith and Stefan - Mike and I get to try our skills at cooking a vegan meal! And no, dear, we have to make more than a bowl of air with a side of air dressing.
Also, I am very much and absolutely truly in love with a wonderful man who loves me just the same. The winter blahs will probably be taking a hike rather quickly....
Last night, I spent a great evening out with Lauren, Cookie, Jeff, Jeremy and Mike - all at different times and in different combos - at Satisfaction's in Durham. What started as "Thursday beers" turned into watching the Duke game. We had a great time, and it was so wonderful to spend good times with friends.
Tonight, Mike and I are having "Chinese food and comedy night" at Lauren's with she and Jeremy. Considering we get to go over in sweatpants and t-shirts, eat and laugh, that sounds like quite the relaxing evening. Saturday, I believe Mike and I are going to go over and do some preliminary cleaning at the new house. Depending on how much work we do, there is a party that evening for a friend's birthday.
Sunday, Mike and I are scheduled to have dinner with Meredith and Stefan - Mike and I get to try our skills at cooking a vegan meal! And no, dear, we have to make more than a bowl of air with a side of air dressing.
Also, I am very much and absolutely truly in love with a wonderful man who loves me just the same. The winter blahs will probably be taking a hike rather quickly....
1.23.2007
Yep. It's awesome.
Our new place in Valley Run!
The awesome back patio and yard
Michelle's office (downstairs)
Living room with wood burning stove
Kitchen
Stairs
Master bedroom
Guest bedroom with built in bookshelves
Mike's office (upstairs)
The happy couple!I'll let you know more as it happens. This weekend, I think we will do a thorough cleaning of the place and start moving a few things in. Will make for a long day, but well worth it. My guess is the BIG move will be within the first couple weeks of February! Stay tuned.........
1.18.2007
UPDATE
Well, we got snow. Which is exciting in some sense, but a bummer in others. Because of school closings and some road issues, we had to put off signing the lease until Saturday. bummer.
1.17.2007
Wanna help me pack????
I have GREAT news! Mike and I are officially signing a lease on Thursday morning for our new place! It is a wonderful home in a small subdivision called Valley Run, not far from where Mike lives now (and hence not too far from where I live now). It is a 3 bedroom (although one of the bedrooms will be my office), 2 bath house that is energy friendly. The whole home has brick floors, the water heater is solar powered, and there are low energy appliances throughout. Besides having a beautiful view of a plethora of pine trees in the front and back yards, a great outdoor space for entertaining, and lovely sun filled rooms, we will be helping to save the planet a little bit too..... Mike gets his own office downstairs; the kitchen is nice and spacious; we have a dining area and a living area; we have a nice large driveway; and we are super close to all the conveniences we are used to!
Photos coming tomorrow!!!!!!
Photos coming tomorrow!!!!!!
1.11.2007
Mr. Noodle - a Tribute
College. I was broke. A lot. To prove my abject poverty (okay, so it wasn’t THAT bad) I did not purchase condiments at the grocery store. I would just take handfuls of ketchup packets, mayo packets and salt and pepper pouches from fast food restaurants and store them in a drawer of the kitchen in my little one bedroom apartment. Shallow pockets meant creativity in the acquisition of yummy foods.
But there was always one food that was there for me. It was quick. It was easy. It was tasty. And most importantly, it cost about 19 cents per serving. Those tasty tasty bricks of Top Ramen. I loved ‘em. I rarely got tired of eating them. I even perfected the way to prepare them in the tastiest way possible.
Michelle’s Ramen Regiment
1) Fill a small sauce pan about half full with water
2) Turn the burner onto “high” (hey, this is supposed to be a quick meal)
3) Dump the seasoning packet into the water and stir with a fork.
Michelle’s Tip: You boil the water with the seasoning in it, allowing the flavors to permeate and evenly disperse through the liquid.
4) Drop the noodle block into the water shortly after it begins to boil
5) Slowly break the noodles apart from each other with a fork as they soften
6) Once the noodles look done, grab a colander (yes, you just eyeball the “done-ness” – I can’t teach this step. It comes with practice)
7) (This is where I normally receive many objections to my method) I don’t like the tons of salt in the noodle broth, so I drain off the liquid and eat the noodles only – all soaking rich with the flavor of that little metal pouch’s contents.
It’s a ritual I have performed hundreds, maybe even thousands, of times in my life. And oddly enough, I have never taken the time to really think about ramen and where it came from. There is, or I should say “was”, a Mr. Ramen. Well, that wasn’t really his name. His name was Momofuku Ando, a Japanese man who invented the noodle treat back in the late 1950s, and he passed away this week at the age of 96. He wanted to develop a quick, healthy meal for those in the working middle class. Top Ramen was the result of his work.
The NY Times ran an obituary on Mr. Ando, and someone else contributed an excellent essay to him and his lovely noodles. I ask that all of you who have ever taken culinary pleasure from these little noodles to take a few minutes and read through these articles. It’s the least we can do for a man who has done so much for us, our pocketbooks and our tummies.
Obituary
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/09/business/worldbusiness/09ando.html?fta=y
Opinion Essay
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/09/opinion/09tue3.html?em&ex=1168664400&en=96b63f2de85b1b61&ei=5087%0A
But there was always one food that was there for me. It was quick. It was easy. It was tasty. And most importantly, it cost about 19 cents per serving. Those tasty tasty bricks of Top Ramen. I loved ‘em. I rarely got tired of eating them. I even perfected the way to prepare them in the tastiest way possible.
Michelle’s Ramen Regiment
1) Fill a small sauce pan about half full with water
2) Turn the burner onto “high” (hey, this is supposed to be a quick meal)
3) Dump the seasoning packet into the water and stir with a fork.
Michelle’s Tip: You boil the water with the seasoning in it, allowing the flavors to permeate and evenly disperse through the liquid.
4) Drop the noodle block into the water shortly after it begins to boil
5) Slowly break the noodles apart from each other with a fork as they soften
6) Once the noodles look done, grab a colander (yes, you just eyeball the “done-ness” – I can’t teach this step. It comes with practice)
7) (This is where I normally receive many objections to my method) I don’t like the tons of salt in the noodle broth, so I drain off the liquid and eat the noodles only – all soaking rich with the flavor of that little metal pouch’s contents.
It’s a ritual I have performed hundreds, maybe even thousands, of times in my life. And oddly enough, I have never taken the time to really think about ramen and where it came from. There is, or I should say “was”, a Mr. Ramen. Well, that wasn’t really his name. His name was Momofuku Ando, a Japanese man who invented the noodle treat back in the late 1950s, and he passed away this week at the age of 96. He wanted to develop a quick, healthy meal for those in the working middle class. Top Ramen was the result of his work.
The NY Times ran an obituary on Mr. Ando, and someone else contributed an excellent essay to him and his lovely noodles. I ask that all of you who have ever taken culinary pleasure from these little noodles to take a few minutes and read through these articles. It’s the least we can do for a man who has done so much for us, our pocketbooks and our tummies.
Obituary
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/09/business/worldbusiness/09ando.html?fta=y
Opinion Essay
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/09/opinion/09tue3.html?em&ex=1168664400&en=96b63f2de85b1b61&ei=5087%0A
1.10.2007
Big decision
Well, folks, a decision has been made. Yesterday, Mike and I found a house that was definitely the best we would get for our money. It was a new build, very cute and it would have been a great first home together. But after a few hitches and a lot of talk, we decided to shelve the idea of buying a home for now.
In only a matter of hours of looking for a rental this morning, we have found several contenders, many of which will save us money and allow us to actually upgrade our standard of living. Therefore, we will be renting someplace within the next month or two.
It was a tough decision to make, but I believe it is the right one. And afterall, I really just want to live with my sweetie!!!
Sorry, cool house -
http://www.hpw.com/SearchPages/Detail.aspx?MLS=Triangle&MlsNum=884884
In only a matter of hours of looking for a rental this morning, we have found several contenders, many of which will save us money and allow us to actually upgrade our standard of living. Therefore, we will be renting someplace within the next month or two.
It was a tough decision to make, but I believe it is the right one. And afterall, I really just want to live with my sweetie!!!
Sorry, cool house -
http://www.hpw.com/SearchPages/Detail.aspx?MLS=Triangle&MlsNum=884884
1.09.2007
The gall of some people
Today, in my internet perusing, I ran across a blog. A blog that belongs to someone I know rather well. In fact, it belongs to a person who I used to be married to. I had never seen this blog and happened on it rather randomly. I often wonder how he is doing and what he is up to, so I decided to read through it. Seems as if his life is going rather well and is in fact getting married again rather soon. I was honestly and sincerely happy for him. I was glad he found what he was looking for and someone who matched him so well. But then I read further.
I shouldn't have. It was classic "stare at the car accident as you drive by" syndrome. You can't look away. The more I read, the more references I saw to ME. "Cancer". "Leech". "The Blender" ( i don't get it either ). Don't ask me why I kept reading - I know I shouldn't have, but I did. And this was all posted on a public website. It wasn't protected. It wasn't closed off to just his family and friends. Anyone could have read it. And anyone DID.
I was terribly hurt. I mean really, I know I am his ex-wife (second), and in some ways he is required by law to despise me. And I can live with that. I have already made peace with that fact. But to go write nasty quips about me on the internet for anyone to read? Luckily he did not refer to me directly by my name, but those who know him could easily figure out that he was referring to me. I also cannot believe he would post nasty things about anyone on his blog - good lord, we live in the internet world. Everyone can find everything on anyone. Surely he must have known I would see this at some point. And on top of that, some members of his family (who were never that fond of me anyway) chimed in and added their own remarks. Yeah, thanks. I even considered sending you an anonymous card when I heard your cat died. (She knows who she is.)
In all of our post separation dealings, my ex and I were civil to each other. The last time I saw him, it was civil and "nice" for what it was. I cried like a baby that evening (as well as many, many other nights in the year of our separation and even in the years before). I was sad that things didn't work with him, as I know he is a good man. He just wasn't the man for me. It was a death, a loss. I never, in a million years, would go on-line and say hateful things about him. Never. And I was shocked to see he did so about me.
It also made me sad to read that Maggie, the little baby girl that was once the apple of my eye, received little to no mention, and the mentions she did receive were about how ill trained she was. About how all she did was beg for food and act spoiled. Just mentions of her new step-siblings. I'm afraid Maggie may now be the red headed stepchild to her new family. A reminder of the ex's life that WAS.
But, I guess that is what you should expect for having ME raise her, huh? I should have fought for her and kept her when we split up. According to him, she and I are two peas from the same pod. "Selfish leeches" with no regard for others. It took everything in my being to not call or e-mail him and give him a piece of my mind when I read this stuff. I know I did things wrong in my marriage. I know I turned into someone I didn't like. And I am very sorry to have ever hurt him. He never deserved to be hurt like that, and I am sorry that he received pain from me. But I realize now that the decision made was even more needed than I already thought. I never knew him truly at all. I didn't know he had this kind of behavior in him.
And if he happens to stumble on this blog and read this post, I won't regret a word that was said here. I am sure he will see the whole post as a self-indulgent rambling trying to make myself look better than he is. Hell - maybe it is. What do you expect? ha.
I shouldn't have. It was classic "stare at the car accident as you drive by" syndrome. You can't look away. The more I read, the more references I saw to ME. "Cancer". "Leech". "The Blender" ( i don't get it either ). Don't ask me why I kept reading - I know I shouldn't have, but I did. And this was all posted on a public website. It wasn't protected. It wasn't closed off to just his family and friends. Anyone could have read it. And anyone DID.
I was terribly hurt. I mean really, I know I am his ex-wife (second), and in some ways he is required by law to despise me. And I can live with that. I have already made peace with that fact. But to go write nasty quips about me on the internet for anyone to read? Luckily he did not refer to me directly by my name, but those who know him could easily figure out that he was referring to me. I also cannot believe he would post nasty things about anyone on his blog - good lord, we live in the internet world. Everyone can find everything on anyone. Surely he must have known I would see this at some point. And on top of that, some members of his family (who were never that fond of me anyway) chimed in and added their own remarks. Yeah, thanks. I even considered sending you an anonymous card when I heard your cat died. (She knows who she is.)
In all of our post separation dealings, my ex and I were civil to each other. The last time I saw him, it was civil and "nice" for what it was. I cried like a baby that evening (as well as many, many other nights in the year of our separation and even in the years before). I was sad that things didn't work with him, as I know he is a good man. He just wasn't the man for me. It was a death, a loss. I never, in a million years, would go on-line and say hateful things about him. Never. And I was shocked to see he did so about me.
It also made me sad to read that Maggie, the little baby girl that was once the apple of my eye, received little to no mention, and the mentions she did receive were about how ill trained she was. About how all she did was beg for food and act spoiled. Just mentions of her new step-siblings. I'm afraid Maggie may now be the red headed stepchild to her new family. A reminder of the ex's life that WAS.
But, I guess that is what you should expect for having ME raise her, huh? I should have fought for her and kept her when we split up. According to him, she and I are two peas from the same pod. "Selfish leeches" with no regard for others. It took everything in my being to not call or e-mail him and give him a piece of my mind when I read this stuff. I know I did things wrong in my marriage. I know I turned into someone I didn't like. And I am very sorry to have ever hurt him. He never deserved to be hurt like that, and I am sorry that he received pain from me. But I realize now that the decision made was even more needed than I already thought. I never knew him truly at all. I didn't know he had this kind of behavior in him.
And if he happens to stumble on this blog and read this post, I won't regret a word that was said here. I am sure he will see the whole post as a self-indulgent rambling trying to make myself look better than he is. Hell - maybe it is. What do you expect? ha.
1.08.2007
HAPPY NEW YEAR
Greetings, everyone, and so sorry I haven't posted in quite a while. But I guess we all know that the holidays can get a bit hectic. Mine were very nice though, thanks for asking! I spent a few days in Texas with my family (which was a lot of fun - spent good quality time with everyone, sae folks I haven't seen in a long time, and saw parts of Houston I had never been to - great trip), then back to NC to have my first Christmas with Mike. Shortly after that, the two of us headed down to Lake Keowee, South Carolina to spend New Year's with friends Coddy and Phoebe. That was a super relaxing trip, and it has made it near impossible to concentrate on getting back into work and school. I need to get my crap together here in the next day or so and get my head back into the game.
I am also happy to report we were able to come up with a new list of houses to check out. We go out tomorrow morning at 10am and see 8 or 9 places. I feel pretty good about some of these, so keep your fingers crossed for us!!! Here are the ones we will go see:
(Click on the links for pictures and more details)
Full Listing Details$82,500 1,438 SqFt2 beds, 1 baths
MLS # 9025782525 Chapel Hill RoadN/A SubdivisionDurham, NC 27707
Full Listing Details$90,000 1,008 SqFt2 beds, 2 baths
MLS # 902939521 Eastway AvenueEastway Avenue SubdivisionDurham, NC 27703
Full Listing Details$98,500 1,160 SqFt2 beds, 2 baths
MLS # 845769518 Eastway Ave.Eastway village SubdivisionDurham, NC 27703
Full Listing Details$113,000 1,027 SqFt2 beds, 1 baths
MLS # 8950832519 State StreetColonial Village SubdivisionDurham, NC 27704
Full Listing Details$114,000 1,493 SqFt3 beds, 1 baths
MLS # 8431822224 SUMMIT STFOREST HILLS AREA SubdivisionDurham, NC 27707
Full Listing Details$115,900 1,311 SqFt3 beds, 2 baths
MLS # 8848841403 TaylorEastway Village SubdivisionDurham, NC 27703
Full Listing Details$121,900 1,135 SqFt3 beds, 1 baths
MLS # 8783902512 STATE STCOLONIAL VILLAGE SubdivisionDurham, NC 27704
Full Listing Details$129,900 984 SqFt2 beds, 1 baths
MLS # 8763333924 Old Chapel Hill RdOLD CHAPEL HILL RD SubdivisionDurham, NC 27707
I am also happy to report we were able to come up with a new list of houses to check out. We go out tomorrow morning at 10am and see 8 or 9 places. I feel pretty good about some of these, so keep your fingers crossed for us!!! Here are the ones we will go see:
(Click on the links for pictures and more details)
Full Listing Details$82,500 1,438 SqFt2 beds, 1 baths
MLS # 9025782525 Chapel Hill RoadN/A SubdivisionDurham, NC 27707
Full Listing Details$90,000 1,008 SqFt2 beds, 2 baths
MLS # 902939521 Eastway AvenueEastway Avenue SubdivisionDurham, NC 27703
Full Listing Details$98,500 1,160 SqFt2 beds, 2 baths
MLS # 845769518 Eastway Ave.Eastway village SubdivisionDurham, NC 27703
Full Listing Details$113,000 1,027 SqFt2 beds, 1 baths
MLS # 8950832519 State StreetColonial Village SubdivisionDurham, NC 27704
Full Listing Details$114,000 1,493 SqFt3 beds, 1 baths
MLS # 8431822224 SUMMIT STFOREST HILLS AREA SubdivisionDurham, NC 27707
Full Listing Details$115,900 1,311 SqFt3 beds, 2 baths
MLS # 8848841403 TaylorEastway Village SubdivisionDurham, NC 27703
Full Listing Details$121,900 1,135 SqFt3 beds, 1 baths
MLS # 8783902512 STATE STCOLONIAL VILLAGE SubdivisionDurham, NC 27704
Full Listing Details$129,900 984 SqFt2 beds, 1 baths
MLS # 8763333924 Old Chapel Hill RdOLD CHAPEL HILL RD SubdivisionDurham, NC 27707
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