Hang on to your hat, it's some kind of windy up here...

I can't believe how windy it was today. I could barely stay on the road and that was without any distractions. Anyway, the wind has ushered in some kind of cold, too. Cold is one thing, but to be darn windy. Now, that is just unbearable.

All in all, today was not a bad day. I didn't scream at any munchkins and our dinner time was fairly calm. Now that is what I call a good day. I even managed to squeeze in a 30 min run on the treadmill.

It's not too great of a TV night, however, but there is always tomorrow. I did watch a few minutes of American Idol and, to my husband's shagrin, I really like that show. I guess I like listening to the judges' comments more than anything. And this year they don't seem as harsh as they have been in the past years.

In other news, I have started a book called "The Omnivore's Dilemma." It is by Michael Pollan and I really like it. I can actually stay awake for more than two pages. It is about corn and how corn is in everything, including us. We are, essentially, corn people. I am blown away from the explanation of crop subsidies to how most of what we eat is made with some sort of corn product. It actually cost more to plant and harvest corn than they sell it for. And unlike the conventional economics in business, farmers will over produce even when the prices are very low. (It is totally opposite of the supply and demand model that most businesses go by). Which makes the prices go down even more, which, in turn, causes them to grow more. But, what is truly amazing is the government will still pay them what the corn "should" fetch. Confused? Yes, me too. I am probably not doing the book justice with my explanation.

Speaking of corn, (well, not actually), I saw about 50 wild turkeys this afternoon chowing down on some good ole American cow poo. I pass a dairy farm everyday when I go into town. Wow, what a sight. We have seen these turkeys before and everytime I say, "Man, I wish I had my camera!" So, next time I hope to get a picture. It is really something to see. But, I bet the wild turkeys were indirectly eating corn since that is what the cattle is fed nowadays instead of what the were created/evolved* to eat.



*being inclusive--pick whichever word applies to you :)

When life gives you lemons.....

Make lemon cake!

I had a hankering for this cake yesterday. It is an Ina Garten recipe and can be made with oranges instead of lemons if you prefer. I think the buttermilk makes it so good. And the grated lemon rind. And the sugar and butter and...you get the idea.

And I am really interested to see how the Florida primary turns out. This election year is turning out to be a nail-biter. Not that I need a reason to bite my nails. I'm afraid I already have that nervous habit. I must stop in the next few weeks so my hands look good for my trip. Yeah, whatever.

Well, nothing new to post. But I am counting to the big day when this girl turns 40!

Daughters

Today, did not start out to be a good day. Kendall would not get ready or get up or eat or whatever I asked of her. I finally got angry with her. But, I received an email this morning from a dear friend in Iowa. Her father passed away yesterday from kidney cancer. It had only been diagnosed in November. Now, no matter how my day is today, I need to remember that I haven't lost someone that is dear to me. So, that is my prayer: to keep things in perspective TODAY, and to be a good mother to my beautiful daughter because she will be a mother someday.

I have a feeling that Shelly's dad was a great father because in her I see a great friend, wife and mother.

Just call me stupid...

Woohoo! I ran on the treadmill tonight. And, duh, until Friday, I have always controlled the speed and incline manually. I did not know how to use the "Certified Trainer Programs". Yep, that's right. First of all, in the 5 years that I have owned this treadmill, it never occurred to me to do anything else but the manual controls. But, on Friday, my husband suggested I use the certified blah blah program. And, so today I did. I am on my way to being in shape for that bikini in Rio. Oh, don't worry, I won't be mistaken for a Brazilian. I am still very pale, have a pixie haircut, and the body of someone that doesn't exercise regularly. But, I hope I don't repulse anyone when I am out there on the beach. I just want to lose about 5 pounds or at least have my clothes fit me a little better. And what better impetus, than a trip to the beach?

If I don't play on the computer, I am going to be sad

This was one of our evenings this week. Thank Goodness, these times don't last long.