Cindy!

Our current fav is Jeff Dunham. Steve! and I went to see him at the improv here near Chi-town last Friday (we'd bought the tickets MONTHS and MONTHS ago!!!). He is a ventriloquist who has won award after award, been on Comedy Central, Leno, Letterman, and various others, and has one dvd out titled: Jeff Dunham, Arguing with Myself.....it's a SCREAM!!!!! His new dvd comes out soon....something in the title about insanity or some such idea as that. He's AWESOME!!!! Also love the Blue Collar Comedy Tour and a few others... How bout YOU????

I have a 16 year old, 15 year old, 13 year old, and 12 year old. My 15 year old has been fervently searching for a job...but noone hires 15 year olds anymore (where ARE those good old days when I was 14 and working in Spencer Gifts?????). So today, since I didn't have to work at my part time job until 6pm (which I got so that I won't have to pay full price at my favorite clothing store....LOVE that 40 - 50% off on sale prices!!!!!!!) I took my 15 year old, Kat to apply for a job at a healthy fast food restaurant. They'd told her that they couldn't hire her cuz of child labor laws.....well......hmmmm......I've been in the teaching professiong for over a decade and never once heard of the law this manager quoted. So I took her down there, she filled out the app. and after Mom being a bit pushy (but as politely as possible....don't EVEN get me started on these yankees and their manners!!!!!), tomorrow I take Kat back to tie down this job. Honestly, I dunno what this dude is thinking.....Kat will be one of the best hiring decisions he has ever made. She works wayyy hard, is really good with people (even yankees), and is smart as hell. (not that I'm biased or anything) As for my 16 year old....well.....she's 16....whatcanisay?????

Krys....I agree, if you change to anything, make it a bigger, more colorful butterfly (cuz we gals seem to grow and get more colorful as we get older) It's pretty obvious why I picked my avatar. The day Steve! and I met face-to-face in a Philadelphia airport in the first week of March in 2001 was the day we BOTH realized we were/are home when we were/are together. (Until then, we thought we were just friends....friends that flirt a bit....but ONLY friends.) After five years of living together and three years of marriage...it just gets sweeter, more exciting, and more joyful every day. So, mystevey is my avatar....with me behind him, holding him (and on that occasion NOT making faces)

Here are a few quick ideas.... A Pirate's Life for Me (or some kind of permutation of this idea) Scavengers R Us Hide-n-Seek Treasures Hidden Treasures Treasure Chest, Inc. (you could have a Jessica Rabbit type Pirate girl logo) Treasure Caches

Lookin for these gals.....it's only Cindy that I don't know a last name....it began with D and sounded kinda greek, when I knew her she had long brown hair and was a cutie. Joanne and Karen....that's their married names (last I knew) Joanne used to be Joanne Tucker, Karen used to be Karen Snyder. Also wanna know about other 17th corps gals and ex 17th gals....... anyone???? anyone????

Oak is right...once the signatures are there and it's processed through the local county marriage whateverthehelltheycallit it is a legal marriage. A couple of my friends at work are ordained....I told them about Raf doing my ceremony....they were sad to have missed it....I told em that if they bring the booze, they could say any damned vows over Steve and I that they wanna!!! (even though I barely drink anymore) On the other hand Oak....I am now qualified to do pre-marital counseling (well....almost) should you and I hook up for an online counseling/marriage package?????

My kids and Steve!'s sister go alla time and they really enjoy themselves!

Psalmy, If you'd like to watch a chef on tv who doesn't use recipes, Chef at Home is a GREAT show!!!!! It's on the Discovery channel: http://home.discovery.com/fansites/chefath...chefathome.html Excellent show and he NEVER uses a recipe!!!

Matini and Rossi Asti (Spumonti) Champagne is good....Steve! and I get it at Costco. On some Sunday mornings we have Mimosa's (champagne and orange juice) .... WONDERFUL And with Strawberries....YUMMMMMM!!!! Only about $8 at Costco.

Italian Martini's and Lemon Drop Cocktails are FANTASTIC!!!!

Here is an EXCELLENT lamb recipe....my family and all of our friends we've cooked this for have LOVED it!!!! It's from the Barefoot Contessa (she's the best!) the barefoot contessa's grilled leg of lamb 2 pounds (2 pints) plain yogurt (regular or low-fat) 1/2 cup good olive oil, plus more for brushing grill 1 lemon, zested 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (3 lemons) 3/4 cup fresh whole rosemary leaves (2 large bunches) 2 teaspoons kosher salt 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 (5-pound) butterflied leg of lamb (9 pounds bone-in) Combine the yogurt, olive oil, lemon zest and juice, rosemary, salt, and pepper in a large non-reactive bowl. Add the lamb, making sure it is covered with marinade. Marinate in the refrigerator, covered, overnight or for up to 3 days. Bring the lamb to room temperature. Prepare a charcoal grill with hot coals. Scrape the marinade off the lamb, wipe the meat with paper towels, and season it generously with salt and pepper. Brush the grill with oil to keep the lamb from sticking, and grill on both sides until the internal temperature is 120 to 125 degrees for rare. This will take 40 minutes to 1 hour, depending on how hot the grill is. Remove the lamb to a cutting board, cover with aluminum foil, and allow to rest for 20 minutes. Then slice and serve. Yield: 8 to 12 servings Prep Time: 15 minutes Inactive Prep Time: 12 hours Cook Time: 1 hour Difficulty: Easy

Cowgirl, I've found A LOT of really good indian recipes at this site (curry, too!): http://www.cuisinecuisine.com/IndianRecipeBox.htm Cindy!

Saturns are da bomb!!!! I've had mine for a while and it is now at 121,000 miles and STILL purrs like a kitten. Of course, I had it THOROUGHLY checked by a mechanic!!! I LOVE my Saturn (it's a 2002 SL1) Steve! has a 2001 taurus wagon...it still has low mileage, but it still runs well and is nice and roomy for our family.

It is with a myriad of emotions too numerous to label that we announce that our daughter, Jessica is engaged to be married! The wedding will happen in about 18 months or so. Her groom is a great kid that treats her excellently, is working towards a great career, and we love him like a son! Jess is young, but she and her fiance are going to attend pre-marital counseling that Steve! and I will pay for with an EXCELLENT counselor. Right now, Jess is volunteering at a soup kitchen, her fiance is at our house hanging out with us and playing ball with Zachary. We really enjoy his humor, caring, and his loving concern for Jess. We wish them EVERY happiness!!!!

Eagle...absolutely. ww....AWESOME!!!! Wanna go into a double practice???? ILB....thanks!!!! It's WAYYYYY great! WB!!!!....long time no hear!!!! Thanks, girl!!!! How's the job going????

TOO COOL FOR WORDS!!!! I’ve been and will be absent from Greasespot over the next few years (though I will try to appear when I can). I’ve begun the meat courses of my Masters in Community Counseling. It is a very fascinating field. I’ve not seen such an educated viewpoint on the mental health of people EVER. Certainly TWI never subscribed to it…it was always black and white, with absolutely no consideration of the shades of ambiguity. As I am navigating the mental health field, I am seeing that most stories have quite a few sides. In the case of singles seeking therapy….there are usually two sides (maybe three if family is involved in the counseling)….their side, the families’ side, and the truth. In the case of couples…there is his side, her side, and the truth (something I’ve long believed). The kicker is that in true mental health, where professionals are involved…there is no judgment and no “side taking”. That is wayyyy refreshing. Especially when considering that there are so many volatile emotions and so many biased and even narrow minded approaches. Have you ever been to a therapist that just didn’t “get you” ? Or that you KNEW you could snow???? It’s just a fascinating field. I have a mentor in this field with whom I have shared everything honestly….VERY honestly….and she has shown me a great deal about the human condition. It has allowed me to be much more non-judgmental in my approach and in my application to client problems than I have ever seen I could do before. If I, one dimensionally, judge someone….that person is not allowed to speak for themselves. It is the same with our experience in “The Way” and sometimes here on GS (though hopefully, that is not often)…opinions and/or gossip spreads….the individual is never directly addressed and therefore a conclusion is reached that is faulty in it’s very basics. I’m LOVING this masters degree program…..it is direct, honest, genuine, and stems from an educated foundation. No more guessing or emotionalism. No more gossip as a basis for truth. No more uneducated judgments. I now live in a community that empowers the individual without expense emotionally or morally to another individual. WAY TOO COOL FOR WORDS!!!! When I graduate, I will be pursuing a career in mental health. For the first two years I will be an LPC (Licensed Professional Counselor), then I do a two year internship (though it’s paid), at the end of which I become a LCPC (Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor) where I will join a private practice and continue my profession. So please forgive me if I am not on GS very much….I have a full time teaching job in a high school, a full time masters degree program, and with a husband and 4 children, I have a full time family, as well. (I could REALLY use 12 more hours in each day!!!!) Good health, peace and comfort to you! Cindy

Bowtwi..... You betcha!!!!! Steve! and I wondered how God was gonna pulll this off!! Like we ever had any doubts......duh!!!!!! Hope your holidays are WONDERFILLED!!!!! Mrs ! and gang!!!!!

I make tandoori turkey from the leftovers. It's become a tradition in our home for the last few years. Hubby and kids look forward to that almost as much as they look forward to t-day! I serve it with a homemade cucumber sauce (like you get with gyros), homemade naan (an indian bread), and this year I added saffron rice with indian spices. NO LEFTOVERS WERE LEFT!!!!!!

SNOW DAY!!!!!! My school is closed today...but my kids schools are all open! Can you say "day off to myself"??? I knew that you could. Sure is white and pretty outside!!!!!

Happy B'day Paw, many more!

wtg, strangedude!!!! much love from the !'s

Happy Birthday, Hillbilly!!!!!!! from the !'s

Unexpected sources, I'd like to introduce you to dmiller.......dmiller, may I please present unexpected sources. Unexpected sources is from no one Steve! or I know (ok, one person we know did send some of it).....dmiller is a wonderful person who always takes the time to make sure people have a positive word in their day. (there, I made introductions just as I was taught in charm school....no really, i went to charm & modeling school when I was a kid.....what...you can't tell???? well, UP YOURS!!!!! :) )

Kat is doing very well and I go back to work tomorrow! God did some amazing stuff....we received enough money to cover all of our bills and expenses AND give the kids a very nice Christmas!!! (in one day we received from unexpected sources over three thousand dollars!!!!) If you should ever need to take off for medical reasons, the Family Medical Leave Act is a wonderful law that makes it illegal for an employer to let you go and they HAVE to give you up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave. Check it our HERE!

Belle and Psalmy and Strange guy and waterbuffalo, jardinero, coolchef, sogwap, dmiller, and bowtwi.... Thank you so much for the lovely birthday wishes!!!!!! Sorry to not respond sooner, but it's been a busy week!!!! My wonderful family spoiled me shamelessly!!! Our kids cooked me one of my favorite dinners and a delish birthday cake!!! And the gifts.....so nice!!! And your wonderful birthday wishes....what an unexpected surprise!!!! Life is a beautiful thing (music swells, curtain rises, money pours in) Right now I'm hooked on Weird Al singing The Saga Continues....check it out at www.youtube.com !!!!