February 2005 Archives

On either Thursday or Friday I received my second goodie box from my secret pal. She's a real gem! She's been so thoughtful and kind. This time she sent me a variety of tea, a cleverly crocheted teacup and saucer, and some colorful thread. Chocolate mousse and chocolate snacks arrived just in time for my PMS! I think she might be psychic!

She recently teased me with the news of a most wonderful surprise she found for me. She promised me to send it as soon as it arrives, as she knows I don't handle suspense very well. I'm so intrigued about what she found for me...My brain wants to ponder this but the headache is putting a damper on any acts of imagination.

I think I'll go curl up with some of that tea she sent me and sample the mint that she says is really good.

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In my almost year of marrying couples, twice we've been told by citizens living in Seattle that we should eat at a local authentic Mexican restaurant in our hometown of Centralia. For someone to name a restaurant in Centralia worth eating at who lives is from Seattle is a big deal because the restaurant choices here are fast food with a few local establishments that are at best ordinary.

So today I decided it was time to find out why we have been recommended La Tarasca twice by Seattleites. Pooky and I walked to the restaurant because the day was gorgeous and we could use the exercise for our winter bodies.

Some background about the restaurant. It used to be the old Dairy Queen. I have no idea how long the Ayala family has owned/operated their restaurant, but I think it is at least a decade.

I've never had "authentic" Mexican food. I've tried to make my own molé sauce, but realize that it is something one has to be born into and taught by their grandmother. I am willing to be adopted into a Mexican family so I can learn the secrets of molé sauce.

Anyhow, the restaurant is tiny and the hostess knew immediately we had never eaten there before. We explained we were locals recommended by people from Seattle. She was pleased we had finally come to eat. She was extremely personal and friendly with us. She explained that their food isn't like Tex-Mex, but real Mexican food all cooked by her mother from scratch. She told us what the house specialities were.

I went with the enchaladas and Pooky tried the carnitas. I had no idea what to expect, so was a bit surprised that I had two large pieces of chicken on my plate with 4 stuffed corn tortillas filled with a bean and potato mixture, topped with lettuce, tomato, and onion.

Food is an adventure for me, and I like trying new things. This was extremely new and adventurous. Upon my first bite I was hooked. It just kept getting better. So much flavor, tastes, textures! I don't think I stopped to breathe until I was three-quarters through my mound of food. Pooky let me try some of his pork—again, fork tender and delicious!

Upon receiving our check, our hostess wanted our review and we both swooned. We said we wanted to come back and try their molé, so she said she'd let me sample their sauce right then and there! Oh my God! It is to die for! It is an absolute requirement we return and stuff ourselves with molé! Hopefully next time we'll save some room for some flan. I may even try one of their Mexican beverages.

For weeks (seven of them actually) I prepared myself to have surgery on the 23rd, which was yesterday. I've been asking myself and to the greater Cosmos why my surgery date was cancelled—was there a hidden "God moves in mysterious ways" kind of purpose to my surgery being delayed? Stuff like that feels unknowable to me—so I just amuse myself with self-imagined reasons why my ileostomy surgery didn't happen.

I poured a lot of my energy into being prepared. I feel like a balloon with the air let out. Can I fill myself back up once a new surgery date is scheduled? So much went into filling it up the first time...I think having another "Kiss My Ass Good-Bye" Party would be awkward. We did the send-off of my rectum and anus; we went around the table and "let go" of things. It was all very grand and fun and I felt loved and accepted and truly blessed to have such support.

My mind swirls with ideas of rescheduling. The good thing is, I was worried about Module 5 becuase it is required to attend and to miss it would have been EVIL. So I will be attending it without worry of surgical recovery. Once Module 5 is over, there is only Module 6 and Module 7 and Mini-Module 4. Where do I fit in the surgery now? Maybe April? But that terrifies me because I have a wedding scheduled that month and I'm sure more to follow as April is the kick off of the marriage season. But according to my calendar, having it done right after Module 5 will give me the greatest time off between Modules for recovery. This is all dependent upon the substitute surgeon being someone I feel comfortable with performing the surgery, too.

So much swirling around in the Essence! I wonder if the Powers That Be get scheduling headaches. Do they find it amusing to through monkey wrenches in the plans of us mere mortals? Only They know the reasons for what they do. We just scratch our heads and ponder. I'm reminded of a saying from one of the Murphy's Law books: "What the Gods get away with, the cows don't." I have no idea what that means, but it feels like it fits.

I recently gave Deneen's blog a make-over. It just came together when I found the right picture. The Blog Template Muse paid me a visit. The banner has an adorable kitten—you must check it out!

Doesn't this chocolate chip cookie look just like every other chocolate chip cookie you've ever seen? I hope so. That was my goal. Does it taste just like every chocolate chip you've ever eaten? Hopefully!

This cookie is unique in that it wasn't made with wheat flour. It is entirely wheat-free.

Pooky has celiac disease and hasn't been a good Loving Husband in that he continued to eat wheat after being told it wasn't a good idea. With a string of digestive symptoms bothering him, he decided that going wheat-free is the best thing he can do. I feared giving up cookies, cakes, and other sweet-toothed goodies. Until I found a wonderful recipe book that has renewed my interest in wheat-free baking.

It's all about blending the right flours. In this case I used equal portions of white rice flour, tapioca flour, and corn starch. Yes, corn starch! And the recipe called for a little sweet sorghum flour. The cookie is slightly gritty from the rice and sorghum flours, but the taste is every bit as good as your standard Toll House cookie made from wheat flour.

Next is to try making wheat-free snickerdoodles.

Another reason why you should be reading Newaukum Estates Studio blog: It now has a lemon-fresh scent! New side-bar items have been added! Each time you load the page a new set of Ingredients and Disclaimers appear for your amusement and enhanced reading pleasure!

Also, The Evil Page will be a weekly feature, an entry dedicated to those things that possess The Evil Gene, thereby making them Evil. Go check out this week's Evil entry!

I'd like to take a moment and draw your attention to the new martini themed template I helped put together for Three Olives and Some Yarn. I think the Universe has been guiding me regarding Elizabeth's way cool martini olive theme. It all started with finding some charms of martini glasses at the local craft store that's going out of business. I saw them and thought: these would make great book thongs. I went home and found olive green beads and made it look like green olives with pimentos. It was fabulous!

Then while looking for a blog template I found a martini-themed one and thought, hey, this would be great for her blog! She agreed and three olives later, she's got a whole new stylish martini look going on!

I got around to making a buttong for my site today. Feel free to swipe it and add it to your very own collection of buttons.

To My Dear and Loving Husband

If ever two were on, then surely we.
If ever man were loved by wife, then thee;
If ever wife was happy in a man,
Compare with me, ye women, if you can.
I prize they love more than whole mines of gold
Or all the riches that the East doth hold.
My love is such that rivers cannot quench,
Nor ought but love from thee, give recompense.
They love is such I can no way repay,
The heavens reward thee manifold, I pray.
Then while we live, in love let's so persevere
That when we live no more, we may live ever.
~ Anne Bradstreet

Happy Anniversary!

I've started a new blog called Newaukum Estates Studio. It's meant to be an outlet for those aspects of me that may not appeal to my crocheter audience, but are creative in a more visual and written way.

At this site I plan to post poems, silliness, creative writings, and just about anything that pops into my head. It may be funny, it may be erotic, and it may just be worth subscribing to.

So take a moment and click on over.

As Mara said, "We're gonna party your ass off, Lori!" and sure enough, we all gathered at The Claim Jumper a few blocks down from the hotel on Saturday night. Those near and dear to me came to show their support and I was filled with so much Love that I came to realize by the end of the night that I had no choice but to heal well and quickly following surgery.

Love is a natural medicine and should be prescribed for healing. But we also must open our hearts to let that Love in. My heart was brimming with Love and I felt like I was glowing. A calm and peacefulness has been inside of me now for days. A giddy little smile curls up my lips. As I told Lara at the end of module, "I celebrate in the joy of my loss." We hugged and cried and there was this profound moment between us, as I feel her Love inside of my heart—she is inside of my heart and I carry her with me.

If I had more time to plan the party, I found some wonderfully proctologically related fun prizes that would have been excellent. But since I was slow to put something together, I assembled some fun giveaways with the help of Loving Husband. Everyone went home with a roll of Charmin toilet paper—my way of acknowledging that (if all had gone as scheduled) after the 23rd I'd no longer have the need for it.

The Grand Prize was a box of Charmin personal wipes as giving out a bidet was not feasible. Nettie won them by telling a funny butt related joke. Kamuela won the 2nd Grand Prize which was a Sigmund Freud Action Figure by submitting the future name of my stoma. I asked everyone to write down the name of their first love or crush or boy/girlfriend. Her name was Ian. My stoma (when I finally have it) will be named Ian-Sophia.

Ian is the Celtic/Scottish form of John. The name means God is Gracious; Gift of God. Sophia means wisdom.

We also played a round of "Guess That Scat". I downloaded pictures of animal scats and whoever guessed the right animal won a small prize. Gifts included Devil Duckies, Pirate Bendy, Cat-A-Pult, and Señor Misterioso.

There's nothing like the last minute to motivate you

Did you hear a big sigh of relief around 4:20 pm PST? That was me! At last this sweater is made! It is now going for a bath in the washer before presenting it to its new owner.

About 10 days ago I realized that my stitch gauge was off and I had about 60% of the sweater made. The pattern called for a size 5mm hook which I used along with the Wool-Ease Sportweight yarn. Since I am not a tight or loose crocheter, I didn't think to check my gauge because I'm always on target when I use the brand of yarn and hook the pattern calls for. I was mistaken. I had to increase my hook to a 6mm in order to get it to come out accordingly.

What is the secret to frogging almost an entire sweater and still keep your sanity? Why, I was getting paid to make this sweater. Otherwise, I probably would have tucked it away and drown myself in chocolate or caramel or donuts.

I just hope that the gal likes it. I had her pick the color of yarn, but she only saw it on her computer monitor and she reported it as being pink instead of burgundy, and I think the green looked blue to her. She assured me whatever the colors actually are, she'd like it.

Mr. Doo was helping me sew up the seams. And he was leaving his spies behind (his fur). Thus the need for the washing. He only comes to lay on my lap when I'm working on something important. He has far too much brain for a cat. His birthday is this Saturday—still have no idea what to get him other than another can of cheap tuna. I know he wants total world domination, but I just don't know how to wrap that up and put it into a shirt sized box.

We went to my mom's house to watch the Super Bowl and eat food. I got to visit with Andy, the Jason Replacement. I've decided I'll call him Mr. Snausage. He doesn't get snausages as treats as he's still a puppy.

Andy didn't spent too much time with me. He is very much attached to his new parents. He came over and licked me a few times. He is very interested in people food!

He hasn't met Mr. Doo or Mr. B yet. We all figure Mr. Doo is not going to like Andy. No need to give Andy a nervous complex the rest of his life.

As much as my mom thinks she is training Andy, the truth is, she is being trained by him. He won't eat unless my stepdad hand feeds him, and he even has to bring a glass of water to the couch so that Andy will drink from it.

If either my mom or stepdad leave the couch and Andy is left to his own devices, he immediately goes to the end tables and tries to get at their knitting. He knows he isn't supposed to do that but he does it in protest for being left behind. He lays upon my stepdad's chest and sleeps for hours.

When food was brought in Andy wanted his share, but was denied. He then started making that sad puppy whine. It was cute.

Andy is quite the character. When I brought out my camera to take some pictures of him at first he was suspicious of me, but then once he got the idea I was photographing him, he started to pose for me!

Ever since buying a set of spring form pans and can buy cream cheese in bulk at Costco, and have a family willing to eat cheesecake, I've been learning the secrets to crafting this sophisticated dessert.

I couldn't find just the right cheesecake recipe so I took from here and there and created my own recipe. It's white chocolate with a sour cream topping and the crust is shortbread. I made a triple berry sauce to drizzle over it.

My first cheesecake was a cherries jubilee cheesecake. I soaked the cherries for the topping in kirschwasser for a couple of hours, and even the cheesecake itself had a little of the kirschwasser in it. It was a tipsy cheesecake, but oh so good!

I'll have to figure out what flavor of cheesecake to try next. Pooky isn't that fond of regular chocolate. Inspiration will come on its own; it always does.

Winter Pal Surprise!

My Winter Secret Pal sent me a second package—I had gotten one from her earlier so I had no expectation of something more. My Winter pal was Becky. She did a great job of being a secret pal!

What I loved the most from the goodies she sent was the back issue of Magic Crochet. It has patterns from Yoko Suzuki! (Dance of great joy and happiness!) She also sent me some pattern books, lavender scented bath salt and candle, dragonfly stationery made in India, potholder, and a decorative gift bag. I just love stationery, so the sets will be put to use!

Spring Pal Surprise!

My Spring pal has been so kind a thoughtful! She sent me a care package for my upcoming surgery. I've never had someone be so thoughtful toward me regarding my illness! It's really touched me a great deal that someone has thought of me in this way. I've never had this before in my life and it's good medicine!

She has also sent me e-cards that make me laugh and let me know she is thinking of me. She's taken the time to find out things about me so she kinda knows who I am. I wish I kinda knew who she is, but all in good time!

The goodies she sent me include washcloths made of cotton, a bar soap holder with a bar of lovely scented soap, some body lotion, some lip balm, some wonderful magenta cotton thread made in Greece, and some cleansing wipes. All of it meant for my hospital stay and recovery.

I will be sure to use it just for that!

She's been a great secret pal, full of remarkable kindness and understanding. Her thoughtfulness astounds me!

It's Groundhog Day! Though Phil is wretched from an artificial burrow to give his prediction to serve for the entire nation, I tend to think he would have seen his shadow here in Washington this morning. It's bright, not too cold, and promises to be an extraordinary day. I may have to go for a walk again and take notice of all of the plant life. But without further ado, I'd like to travel back in time to May 5, 2002.

On this fateful day Pooky and I started our awesome cross-country journey. Our first stop was in the town of Punxsutawney as we made our way across Pennsylvania. I had always wanted to see Phil on Groundhog Day, but decided seeing him on a non-business day was just as good.

We arrived around lunchtime and quickly found our way to Gobbler's Knob, the official weather predicting station. Not a soul was around save this highly suspicious man on a tractor mowing the field of grass. He stared at us like we were foreigner idiots. The area where they pluck Phil out of his "home" is very tiny. I tried to imagine a mass of people huddled around this little stage and it terrified me.

I wanted to do our own groundhog re-enactment, so I brought out our trusty Sheep. I placed him upon the official stump and took his picture. He did cast a shadow that May day, and I have no idea what it meant.

After photographing Gobbler's Knob we set out to find The Real Phil. When not working, Phil and some of his companions live inside of a little display room located in the town square inside of the library. Groundhogs are shy creatures, but with some luck I was able to take a photograph of one of the groundhogs. I assume it was The Real Phil.

By the time we saturated ourselves with roadside attraction goodness, it was time to eat some food. The town isn't that big, so we zoomed up and down the streets looking for a good place to eat. Considering the town is descended upon once a year, you'd think there would be some cute, themed restaurants. We couldn't find any. We had no idea what place might have been featured in Groundhog Day the movie, so we just picked a sandwich shop and ate. The food was ok.

Then we tried to find some groundhog souvenirs. Would you believe the town was devoid of them? I guess they only stock them for February 2nd! We went into grocery stores, drug stores, even a hotel gift shop claiming to have souvenirs, and all we found were scant leftovers. Apparently no one comes to the town if it isn't Groundhog Day.

We were on a schedule so not really finding much to see in the town we continued on our way, which was into Ohio. In Ohio we actually found some roadside attraction goodness, but I think we also stumbled upon the factory where they manufacture boredom.

Thus was our meeting of The Real Phil. Not as grand as being there on his one working day, but still scrapbook and blog worthy material nonetheless!

I've spent some time today becoming informed about the proposed changes GWB has in mind for Social Security. (A really useful site I found that answers a lot of questions and disspells the propaganda put forth is The Social Security Network. It is a nonpartisan organization.) Being that I don't vote for the Elephant or the Donkey anymore, I feel that I can view things from a more objective perspective.

Are people gullible enough to believe that privatizing Social Security is not only "necessary" but a really good idea? Stop and look at who is really benefitting from doing this. Do you think it will be you? Or do you think it will be the big corporations and the people who run them?

Investing in the stock market is risky business. Why would anyone want to gamble with their retirement money? Don't people recall just a handful of years ago when the market took a dip and many people lost big time? Everyone was so shocked—but that's how the stock market works. It's professional gambling without the poker chips and cocktails.

Are you aware that to implement the proposed changes to privatize Social Security will cost around $2 trillion dollars? Who do you think pays for that?

If we go to the source, the Social Security Administration itself, it reports that it is doing just fine, that there is no crisis or bankruptcy looming just around the corner; but the Bush administration would have us believe that there is something to fear, a serious threat. When will we realize that this administration keeps using a tactic of fear and threat to manipulate the masses to push its agenda?

Did not Bush recently call a stop to paying journalists to promote his agenda, and thus inciting the proposed "Stop Government Propaganda Act"? An agenda that has to be paid to be forced upon people can only mean that there is something not right with the agenda to begin with. If ideas are truly worth anything they have merit to stand on their own; they don't need to be sold to the public. And everyone will benefit from them, not just a select few who hold a lot of money and power.

Post Script

NakedJen writes about this issue too. If you'd like to contact your local politician to tell them to not mess with Social Security, here is an online form.