"Fancy" Meatloaf

Have something to say about online earning? Say it here.

UPDATE: You can find the recipe for the side veggies here.

I am not the best cook out there. I will never claim to be. But I have found some yummy recipes and do make some pretty good food!

While looking for a recipe for homemade cannolis (still haven't made them) I found Susan at Sticky, Gooey, Creamy, Chewy. Her food always looks so yummy!

A little while ago she made Meatloaf Cupcakes. I decided to try it. Mine is not as fancy as Susan's but it was still yummy and Caralyn was excited to eat it. (I did warn her it wouldn't taste like a cupcake!)

Anyway, I made a version of Susan's recipe (with the ingredients I had on hand) then dolloped regular mashed potatoes on top! You have to see Susan's! They're gorgeous! See them here.

(Please note the fancy dishes we use at our house!)

Online Earnings

I have heard of a few different ways to earn points, cash back, whatever, while searching and shopping online. I participate in one, Swagbucks (see button on right) and use it to get amazon.com gift cards.

There's also ones where you shop at your normal places online but through certain websites and you get cash back - real checks in the mail apparently. (I think swagbucks does this but you get points/swagbucks instead of cash).

So, I'm curious.

What programs do you use?

How do you earn while online?

What things do you earn online?

What do you use your points/cash towards?

Arachnophobia

I hate spiders. Actually, I really dislike most bugs.

Here's my most recent encounter:

Saturday night.

Husband is camping.

Girls are sleeping.

I am about to go to bed.

Then I see IT!

On the ceiling.

I stare at IT for about 5 seconds as the reality sinks in.

I feel it (the reality) weighing heavily on my chest.

I feel it deep within my bones.

I have to kill it.

It's like a somber resignation.

The job has to be done

and I have to do it.

Me.

Me alone.


I quietly take care of things.

And somberly go to bed, praying for no more spiders that night.


I REALLY. don't. like. spiders!




~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This feeling reminded me of Nephi when he goes back to Jerusalem to get the brass plates and finds Laban passed out in the street. I wonder if what I felt was just a teeny, tiny glimpse of what Nephi felt as he realized he had to kill Laban in order to get the scriptures for his family. It is better that one man die than a whole nation dwindle in unbelief. (It is better that one spider die than a mother lose a whole night's sleep!)
www.lds.org

Relationship Ends With Pasta Blunder

I was reheating spaghetti noodles for dinner tonight. Whenever I reheat noodles, I think of a relationship from the past . . .

I once dated this guy, we'll call him, John. He was nice, an RM (returned missionary), cute, and he took me out on wonderful dates.

We dated for about three months.

Then, I made John dinner.

Spaghetti with meat sauce.




John was late so we had to reheat the pasta.

He told me that when you microwave pasta you should put a little water in with it, you know, to prevent the noodles from becoming dry or sticky.

Well, I let John go first - wait, isn't it supposed to be ladies first? - and in all of our talking I forgot to add the water.

We broke up the next week. (Or was it that weekend?)

Are the two things related? Did John dislike that I ate sticky noodles? Did he think I didn't believe him or didn't listen? Either way, we just couldn't make things work after that.

In the end it doesn't matter. I now use water to reheat my pasta

AND,

am married to a wonderfully fantastic man (who is not named John!)!

Me: What should we have for lunch?

Daughter #1: Pasta!

Me: We had that last night. How about tuna?

D#1: No! That's wuuude! [rude] Not tuna! That's from our bum-bum!

Me: ? . . . Oh! No, toot. That's from our bum. Tuna is a fish that we eat.

D#1: Ooooh! I like tuna.

Ch-ch-ch-changes!

You may have noticed some changes to my blog. I am attempting to add some life to my blog. Perhaps to my life in general too!

Life has been weighing down on me lately. You know, how life is apt to do. Stressful things happen and we keep going and living life . . . Sometimes it can be a bit much, though! This weekend was full of bad news (nothing terrible) and a sad heart (just mine). I have faith that things will get better and that I'll get over feeling this way. BUT I also know it's okay to be sad sometimes.

Thanks! I feel better.

Happy New Year

Well, it's that time again. The time when we decide to better ourselves and set those goals so we can be the person we really want to be.

This year I want to exercise more. My brother-in-law is studying to be a doctor and said there's a notable difference in the health of the elderly when they have exercised consistently. So, I figure it's about time I jump on the band wagon for good health. The thing is, I don't like to exercise. I can make a million excuses for not exercising. And, I love to stay home and do things that don't require you to stand - like sewing, watching movies, making crafts . . . .

Anyway, it's time to take a stand against the laziness that lies within me and work to be a healthier me. I want to be here for my children and grandchildren!

(So, ask me if I've started, or plan to start today, or even this week, or if I even have a plan - NOPE!)

What goal's have you set this year and how do you plan to keep them?