New Address

We have officially moved and I'm beyond exhausted. The Captain is with our 'movers' enjoying some sun and brews. I couldn't lock myself in, take a shower and pour a glass of wine quick enough. I kept thinking how thankful and blessed we were for all the items that were causing me to gripe.

I really like our new place. I like the simplicity of it. The compactness. The all wood and tile floors. It's like a condo house on a zero-sized lot with not what we refer to as a backyard but a garden.  I'll post pics in the next month.

Cheers!

The E-Man

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This is quite possibly one of my favorite pictures of our nephew. He, along with his older sister spent a week with us in July, no, I actually think it was June, can you believe it's almost September? We had a blast with them here and spent one day at the zoo where he found this egg in the petting zoo section.

Baby Ethan ready to hatch!

You can't be sad when you see his sweet smile. When he doesn't want to do something, he responds with "But I don't know how!" and then shrugs his shoulders and smiles at you. When he grows up he wants to be an elephant trainer. When I was younger I want to be a ballerina. I believe that was mainly due to the fact that all my gal pals were taking ballet and I wasn't. I then wanted to be the first woman Supreme Court Justice, I don't remember when I realized that had been accomplished the year I was born. Now when asked I respond with "Aren't I already grown up enough?"

Cheers!

All Eyes on You

Hopefully everyone has seen Minority Report. If you haven't-go rent it this weekend. It's a good film about what could be, about big brother, about what our world is coming to. Mind reading and prediction. Before Tommy went completely psycho. Earlier this week we watched Mission Impossible, another good movie before he started jumping on couches. It's dated in 1996 technology I realize but anyhoo......

Yesterday the Captain brought up this light-hearted topic as influenced by an article he read about the creation of the most secure city in the world. Baffling. If you don't care to read it, iris scanners are in the process of being implemented in Leon, Mexico in partnership with Global Rainmakers, Inc. (GRI). Criminals with have their irises scanned, regular citizens (which amount to over a million) will have the option. These scanners will be implemented at every possible location: banks, ATMs, train and bus stops, restaurants, etc. where participants will have the option of using their unique eyes like bank cards. Police will be able to monitor criminals and security at traffic stops, airports, etc. The optimists predict that there will be iris scanners throughout the world within 10 years and it will become the primary transaction. Think about scanning your eyes when you want to start your car - how easy is it going to be to lend your truck to your friend when you are moving. Scanning your eyes to open your house and turn off the alarm.

I don't like the idea of Big Brother. 1984 scared me. A Brave New World, while one of my favorite books makes me cringe at the thought of the control of human creation and emotions. However, I am a realist. I use a debit card (don't we all think it's better than cash?) which means anyone can look at my history and find out where I buy my gas, prefer to eat, or find the best deals on groceries. I don't twitter but I'm addicted to facespace. Just this morning a new check-in feature was added to my 'friends' can better keep track of me. As if the majority of them really care. And of course I blog. I cringe at the thought of my personal liberties being taken away, slowly chipped away very quickly and without much objection minus some venting to the Captain or my close friends over drinks.

I'm very interested to see how this plays out. How everything is handled and implemented. If the costs far out weigh the benefits. If citizens truly realize what is happening or if everyone will be lining up to get scanned and put in the system. It's a scary thought.

Cheers!

Creativity

Apparently Julie and Julia inspired all sorts of creativity for 365 days!

Check out this blog: New Dress A Day! She buys thrifty dress finds that are past their hay-day and transforms them for $1 to something more modern for her own wardrobe.  Her creativity and dedication is amazing, and her dresses turn out rather impressively!

Anyone doing anything of this sort? I don't think I could do something every day for a year except facespace and gossip pages. It's pitiful.

Cheers!

Where the Heart is

In the 4 years, 7 months, and 2 days that the Captain and I have been married we have lived in 7 homes (actually changed our address with the PO, not counting the hotels stayed in for weeks trying to find the next abode), in 5 states, on 2 land masses, in 3 time zones. How aboot them apples?

Callie's been with us since the beginning.

We then lived in a place with a million dollar view that will be incomparable to anything we have had or will have since.

The next lanai was enjoyed during many dinner parties with our friends, by myself with a glass of wine and a book, and by many geckos which could always be found. We handled many neighborly complaints for excessive noise and escaped to the beach every possible evening to watch the sunset which was a mere 1 minute walk (even with 'traffic') across the street.

We then moved back across the ocean to a house owned by the owner of the company we worked for. It was on the National Registry of Historic places and creepy as creepy. We quickly moved...again...

....To a massive 4/3 with 2 living and dinning rooms. Considering the only furniture we brought from Hawaii was TVs and a wine rack, we filled that place up quickly. Cough.

The bestest neighbors were next, including Herbie the Love Pug who quickly became Callie's best friend despite their drastic opposites. I miss them terribly.

Christmas 2009 found us in a home where our Angel was no longer scrunched among the branches and our 9 ft Christmas tree was displayed in it's full glory for the first time.





The Captain and I submitted our application today for what will hopefully be our residence for the next year. The story that surrounds the foreclosure of our rental property, which required us to move, is for another day.

Cheers!

Patience

My anthurium bloomed!

2 years later, with patience, love, water, and plenty of sun, it's now gorgeous.

This antuerium was one of the few things we purchased right before we left Hawaii to bring back. Of course we brought the cats, hundreds of sea shells, took thousands of pictures of our time there, chocolate, mac nuts, coffee and a few other items, but this I picked up at the airport touristy stand as a root start barely over an inch.


While living in the 'Couve, our downstairs toilet room had a west facing window, getting the most sunlight which is where my plant lived during our stay there. It thrived. Unfortunately, Paige found her way in there one day (those who have visited our homes know I'm meticulous on keeping doors shut to prevent cats from venturing to where I don't want them) and enjoyed herself an afternoon delight. The leaves were eaten to the stems and the dirt strewn about the floor. It looked pitiful.

It was a strong soul and survived. Spitting in Paige's face. And now has bloomed. I'm happy.

Cheers!

Chocolate Goodness

Because it's Friday.

Because I had a trying day yesterday.

Because the Captain and I still looking for our next place of residence and the month is quickly ending.

I'm sharing a chocolate cookie recipe I made earlier this week. Actually I think it was last week. It came from a Hannah Swenson Mystery book that I've become quite a fan of. They are lighthearted, easy reads that come with recipes which I usually try, and if good, add to my recipe box. This one obviously made the cut.

Cocoa Crisps

3 sticks of butter (melted)
2 cups cocoa powder, unsweetened
2 cups brown sugar
3 large eggs
4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla
3 cups of flour

Mix the melted butter and cocoa together. Add the brown sugar and then let it cool a bit. Mix in the eggs, salt, soda, and vanilla. Add flour and mix.

Let it chill in the refridgerator for at least 2 hours. I let mine chill 2 days....things just got busy.

Preheat oven to 350. Roll the dough into walnut size balls and roll in a bowl in which you have placed 1/2 cup of white sugar. Then place on a greased cookie sheet and flatten slightly with spoon, splatula, or your hand.

Bake for 10 minutes. Let cool on the sheet for 2 and then move to rack or waxed paper for further cooling. We've enjoyed these with ice cream, milk and by themselves. They are made with the unsweetened cocoa and can be biter or tart but are truly delicious.

Enjoy and have a delightful weekend!

Cheers!

This Housewife needs a break

So I'm not entirely a housewife. I have a job working from home and I bring in a paycheck. My Mother does however still consider me one. I have an office that occupies the 'bonus room' over the garage of our current home, of which, when I opened the door earlier this morning to 'head to work,' I was greeted with the pungent smell of cat. Ugh. Last night Paige was shut upstairs after an evening of house searching on the computer and assurance before bed that both cats were accounted for and downstairs. When I awoke around 1 AM, Duke was extremely vocal and while in the kitchen for some water I heard her meowing. She's hidden in closets for hours before but I guess this time was different. Totally different. I handled the poop very well, it's not runny after all, but the urine all over my new computer bag was beyond acceptable. Carpet cleaner, vinegar, and baking soda was found in the pantry. Scrubbing occurred. Fans were focused on the wet carpet. I was again reminded how much I prefer dogs to cats.

Yesterday, the Captain and I had lunch at Firehouse Subs, and it was delicious. Unfortunately I saw this:

Oh dear reader, it's a sign. 

*hint*The Captain and I were married there. After we got engaged there. After The Family K had vacationed there*hint*

I could really use some beach, somewhere.  I'd settle for a poolside escape with a bottomless beverage. How did June always keep the perfect smile, though her toes must have hurt in heels all day. 

Laundry and ironing is caught up. Animals are happy. The Captain is at work with a lunch I made with love this morning. House is swept. Beds made. Dishes done. Trash by the curb. Meat thawing for dinner. Deep breath. Life is good. 

Cheers!

Happy Hearts

This is Owen. He is the latest addition to the four-legged creatures of the Krause House Memphis. This delightful red-eared slider joined our family from Grand Lake when he was the size of a quarter. He now keeps me company in my office with his active personality and desire to bask under the heat lamp during the afternoons.

This is Daisy, the miniture goat, and Sassy, the donkey. They reside at the Senior Krause House and are delightfully opposite creatures. Daisy thinks she is a dog and follows you around talking at your feet. If you are sitting on the bench in the barn, she will jump up and sit next to you. If you ride the Ranger, she wants to sit in seat next to you.She a little over 2 feet tall, maybe, but she won't grow any bigger and loves to be petted or scratched behind her ears. She is adorable.

Daisy is anti-social, though she is becoming more friendly. She prefers to talk and run with the dogs next door up and down the fence row. It's quite unique. Sassy is working on accepting others and when you can get close enough to her, she realizes maybe you aren't that bad and wait, those ear scratches are oh so nice.

Lastly, an Oklahoma sunset.


It makes my heart happy.







Cheers!