Refrigerator

What disappointment and anguish the refrigerator that came with our house has cost us. $500 and 6 months later, we still had a broken fridge. We had two separate companies come out and look it at least 4 times. At $500, we would have half of a new fridge that was the color we wanted. But sometimes, you get into something that you don't want to stop. But, this last time it broke, just two months after the last fix, I had had enough. I drove my behind to Lowe's and picked out a new fridge. I bought the extra 5-year $100 warranty because I know how these things work. Refrigerators are the number one repaired appliance according to the salesman at Sears. Lowe's delivered for free and carted out that terrible old fridge that I never want to think about again. My advice for repairs! Don't do them. And stay away from Miles Maytag. We paid them at least $400 of that $500 and still ended up with a broken fridge. They replaced the main control panel...which apparently was the last thing we would ever need to replace. Yeah right! So, as of Monday, I turned over a new leaf. I am in love with my new fridge. I didn't like the nearly $1,200 price tag, but it works. And it has a warranty. And it matches. Thank goodness for getting rid of that horrid mess of a GE Fridge. We are onto Whirpool!

Black Friday Bonanza continued

So, after my Wal-mart adventure, I drove over to the Target Complex to a parking lot crowded with cars. It looked like the auto auction. People were parking on the grass on top of the hill. Who even knew there was a hill there?
As I walked into the store, I headed for the clothes. There were a few items that I wanted to pick up. I saw people lined up snaking through the store. I assumed it was like Wal-mart and people were waiting for electronics like video game systems, big screen TVs and Blue-ray players. Little did I know that this line was really the line to check out. I took my time browsing the aisles, only to find the items that I wanted were gone or picked over. I grabbed a few items and walked around the store to find the end of the line. It was back in the pet supplies, but snaked through every other department at least once. It lead into lingerie at least twice. There were employees directing "traffic." Thank goodness I ended up in line behind a very pleasant mother and daughter team, who were also out on their first (and last) Black Friday expedition. We had so much fun watching each others carts in line while the other went off on an adventure looking for items. The mom found me two of the items I wanted that I thought were sold out on other racks. They helped me match items together for my gift giving. It was so fun. I even found out the daughter and I are both in grad school at Temple and have classes on the same night. It was a long line, and I probably ended up spending $75 more than I did when I entered the line. That was the strategy of the marketing department, I am sure. People are on a spending high and just keep throwing items in the cart. I saw it happen over and over again! Even items that weren't on sale were flying into carts. I even bought a few regular priced items. I am hoping that the items go on sale soon and I can get a price adjustment. Well, after I finally exited Target with $175 more on my credit card (but a $10 Target gift card for spending $100) I stopped at Boscovs where I picked up three items (two of which I will probably return) and thank goodness for NO lines. That was the end of my shopping. I made it back home before 10 a.m. and my hubby was still in bed. I snuggled up on the couch with the animated movie UP and slept away most of the rest of the day. But, I think it was worth it. Next year, I am not venturing out alone. I need a partner to keep me sane in all the madness!

Black Friday Bonanza

Never have I ever woken up before daylight to fight the crowds until Black Friday. Up until Friday, that would have been me. But alas, I gave in. I don't know if it was the joy and elation of having off work for several days in the a row without having to take a vacation day, or if it was the fact that my dog was up at 4:30 a.m. with a sick belly, but something made me go. I applied no makeup and left the house in a pajama-like outfit. I headed to the East York Wal-mart. There were a few I had in mind that I wanted to buy, but nothing that I was going to camp out for. I arrived at about 5:20 a.m to a parking lot that was overflowing. I parked all the way back behind Panera in the lost cart graveyard. I was smiling. It was a nice day. That is until I walked into Wal-mart and saw that lines a plenty. I was confused. Apparently the digital camera I had in the ad was one of those items that were highly sought after. I had to get a number. After I received number 110 out of 120, I had to wait in line for the camera. That seemed silly, since I already had the number, so I did a little shopping. I didn't find much, so I went back to the line. It had gotten a lot smaller. Yet, it still took me at least 45 minutes to get through. At least I had picked up a magazine before I entered the line again. I left with a $69 camera, an $8 memory card and a new pair of slippers to sooth my aching feet.
Then I went to Target, but more on that tomorrow!

Five second rule

Anyone who knows me well, knows that I hate to waste...ANYTHING. I dream about using every last ingredient in my overflowing pantry in some dish or dinner. As I use it, I get excited that it's dwindling down. I hate to throw things away. I recycle incessantly. Can, bottles, cardboard and paper. Even the food scraps go in the compost bin. I reuse EVERYTHING.
I also apply the five second rule to everything. I am clumsy. I can easily drop stuff on the floor and think it's a big waste (and a no-no) to throw it away. However, I drew the line the other day. I was packing my husband's lunch when a few potato chips fell on the floor. NO, I didn't pick them up and put them in his lunch. I know not everyone subscribes to my no-waste rule and shouldn't have to suffer. But, I did eat one. As I popped it in my mouth, I cringed. We have a big dog now (60 pounds), that sheds big black coarse hairs all over my house. And that hair really, really sticks to everything, including potato chips that have been on the floor for less than five seconds. I immediately ran to the trash can and spit out the chip, along with at least a half dozen dog hairs. YUCK! I don't vacuum daily, like I should, but I do vacuum as often as I can. Apparently, it doesn't matter. So, I guess the five second rule is null and void in my house from here on out.

Why I chose this job!

1. When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be a psychologist, because I love to listen to people talk. But when I realized I like to talk more than I like to listen, I wanted to be a teacher.

2. Did you ever pursue that career?
After a little detour with a few road blocks, I am finally a teacher.

3. If you are not in that field, what changed?
I am finally in this field after a few years of maneuvering to make it work.

4. What is your current job?
I am learning support teacher at York County School of Technology. I teach English and reading.

5. What’s the best part of what you do?
I love the structure. I know what is expected of me and I have a very set schedule with freedom in between that schedule. But I think what I love the most are the students. I really enjoy seeing them try to learn and breaking through their bad habits.

6. Do you have plans to do something else down the road?
Maybe teach a different subject or level, but I never want to leave teaching.

7. How did you get your present job? If you are a stay at home mom, how long did you need to plan that move?
my husband and I made the decision for me to quit my full time job as a food writer to start my master's and certification in Special education. In the meantime, I would substitute teach. I ended up subbing in the school's ES class run by the IU. After 5 weeks of that, I was moved to work with the school's learning support staff as a long-term sub. And, I was hired full-time after not making any major mistakes!

8. Did your parents influence your choices of jobs over the years?
Not really. My mom always encouraged me to go to college, but never pushed me in any certain direction. I am sure her creativity has been passed onto me.

9. What advice would you give your children on careers?
You don't have to make 6 figures to be happy. Find something that you love to do and a schedule you can keep. Your job has to feel rewarding and it has to be bearable more than it is unbearable.

Shopping sorrows

I had an outdoor wedding to attend this weekend. It was rainy, it was cold and most people stayed at home in their sweats to watch a movie. I realized that the cotton dress that I had planned to wear wasn't going to cut it. I decided on an impromptu shopping trip after work on Thursday. The problem was, where could I go? I wanted to get home to spend time with Nate, but still hit up the store that would have the best selection. I started at Burlington Coat Factory, where I had luck earlier this year. Nothing looked right. The Calvin Klein sweater dresses were adorable on the racks, not so much so on my curvy figure. It showed off every angle. I ended up buying a pair of cute brown short boots...1980s style. With no luck on the dress, I headed to Ross, which was my first instinct. I loaded the cart with 18 items. No lie. There were so many cute dresses there. I couldn't decide what to wear, so I ended up spending $111 and taking it all home to Nate to help me decide what to wear. I ended up with a Calvin Klein pleated dress, a long sleeved brown and purple dress that will be great for work, four pairs of tights, a brown cardigan, a purple sweater cardigan and a purple Nine West purse. All of the items are interchangeable and great additions to the wardrobe. I ended up wearing the tan Calvin Klein dress with a brown cardigan, brown tights and knee-high brown boots. I was warm and I felt dressed for the season. I got many compliments on my outfit. I actually got some inspiration at a blog I follow...wardrobe911.com. Check it out if you are in a fashion slump.

I tried Thai

Lately, Nate and I have been discussing eating at a Thai restaurant. But today was spent watching football, walking the dog and doing yard work. It was the perfect day to spend working outside and around the house. So, I decided to cook at home. Thai Chicken is what I came up with. Here is the recipe. Check it out. It's adapted from "Good Seasons Casual Entertaining," a gift from my sister a few Christmases ago.

Thai Chicken and Sesame Noodles
1 cup Asian Salad dressing, divided

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast halves cut into strips

2 tablespoons each peanut butter and honey

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper (more if you like heat)

8 ounces thin spaghetti, cooked and drained

3/4 cup each grated carrot and sliced green onions

Pour 1/3 cup of the dressing over chicken in medium bowl; toss to coat. Cover. Refrigerate 1 hour to marinate. Drain; discard dressing.

Mix remaining 2/3 cup dressing, peanut butter, honey and pepper; set aside.

Cook chicken in a large skillet on medium-high heat about 8 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. Mix chicken, spaghetti, carrots and onions in a large bowl; toss to coat. Serve immediately. Serves 4.