eJulia

While house-sitting for a friend a few years ago, their cat brought a snake in through the "doggie door". I am deathly afraid of snakes, and here I am confronted by my mortal enemy IN THE HOUSE! Don't ask me why, but I dashed in to the kitchen and found the largest container I could in a hurry - a large tupperware bowl. I quickly shooed the cat away (who was happily batting the snake towards potential cover) and plopped the container upside down over the offending reptile. Quickly topped with several large books (to prevent snake escape), I then had some time to catch my breathe and let my heart rate return to somewhat normal rates. I'm not sure why I came up with this plan, but I knew that freezing a snake would render it harmless. Using the longest tongs I could find (the grilling ones) I some how managed to summon the courage to grab that damned snake with tongs and get it into a ziplock bag. (Although I remember the terrifying moments racing with the snake to get the bag closed before it could sliver up and out the bag! Next stop: The household freezer. The problem: I forgot to leave a note for my friends! The result: After returning home from a long day's drive back from vacation, SURPRISE! She never lets me forget it.

Congrats to all who worked very hard this week to quit a very nasty addiction. Best wishes on your continued success! Oh yeah, the food was great, too! Keep up the great work!

Susan: May I offer a bit of unsolicited advice? The patch is like pain meds - by the time you think you need it, its a bit too late. As most physicians will tell you, if you're prescribed pain meds for an acute situation (broken bones, surgery recuperation) you should take the pain meds on the prescribed schedule to keep pain at bay. I think the patch is the same way. By the time you are really jonesing for a cig and don't think you can manage, slapping on the patch will not help you much. In contrast to that is the gum. That is an instant nicotine route of administration - nearly instant relief from the physical cravings. If your choice is the patch, I say give yourself every advantage and slap that puppy on now and every day for a while! Just my $0.02. Good Luck! Julia (celebrated seven years smoke free on 1/1/06)

Probably take them home! YUM!

My family made this recipe for every Christmas, only "dumbed" down by just adding crumbed and browned Jimmy Dean sausage and plenty of grated cheese. It remains a favorite part of holidays, especially when you want something to make ahead and just throw in the oven. Serve with some fruit, drinks of your choosing (think mimosas or bloody Marys)! Very easy and tasty.

Has anyone ever dropped a full pot of deep frying oil (thankfully cooled) on their kitchen floor? YUCK! I don't know if there is an easier way to clean it up, but I used an entire roll of paper towels to try to mop it up, then used about every cleaning product in the house to attempt to clean up the residue. It wasn't safe to walk on with socks for several routine cleanings later! Come to think of it, it wasn't safe to walk on at any quick speed either!

A funny story.. My mom finally confessed to me on a recent Mother's Day that she always hated one of my childhood habits. I always made breakfast in bed for her on "her" day.... She hated it because I'd serve her my creation, then join my dad and brother at the family table to feed the rest of us. She could hear us laughing and talking and felt positively lonely! She never said anything about it because she knew I tried so hard (the meals got increasingly complicated as I grew older) and I was always so proud of my efforts. (Awwwwww) That Mothers Day, I gave her a very expensive gift certificate FOR TWO to take my Dad to the Sunday Brunch at the Ritz Carlton in Laguna Nigel, California. It included a Saturday night stay. It's really a beautiful place. I love the fact she but up with this ritual just for me!

This one just cracked me up!!!!

All I had to do was read that several of you had made mac and cheese, and I'm dying! I'm too lazy to go shopping, but after raiding ths fridge and pantry, get this: Baked mini ziti with a cheese sauce made with cheese odds and ends: provolone, Kasseri, Mozz, some white cheese unlabled, but might be a white chedd, and of course parm reg. I even have some whole cream left over from quiches over the weekend - wouldn't want it to be too low fat! I'll try to take pics - whaddya know gourmet mac and cheese!

But absolutely wonderful (sniff)! Thanks for your contribution!

Another wierdness in Oklahoma is that you have to go to a liquor store to get hard stuff or any beer over 3.2%. Also, not only could they not sell food, but no mixers either! That instantly meant to stops for a mixed drink. Most liquor stores had a pop machine just outside the door, but that was only good if rum and coke was on the menu. One favorite store in Tulsa got creative. You went into the liquor store, bought your poison of choice, walked out the door, went one door down and entered a convenience store where of course you could buy food and mixers. The funny thing is that the stores were connected by a door for staff, so usually the same person who rang up your liquor purchase also checked you out in the convenience store!

RE Turner: You are just too funny! Keep it coming!

I don't think I've posted this yet... I had (note : HAD) an electric knife. I stupidly grabbed the blades (sharp side towards the palm) before pressing the "eject" button. You can guess the rest. I pushed the "on" button instead of the "eject". Result: A trip to the ER for stitches. I am so stupid, but it will never happen again (the knife is now in the hands of a "friend") Good Riddance!

Your nails look fine,also!

I say my grandma wasn't a good cook, but thats not true. She could cook a mean mac and cheese, a killer tuna casserole, a fabulous meatloaf, and a great pumpkin pie. Grandmas are a treasure. Don't waste a minute of your time with yours.

I lost my grandmother after 95 full-packed years of her life. I wonder what other food memories people have of their grandparents. I never knew my paternal grandfather; he died before I was born. Grandma was single after his passing, until the day she herself died. She was not a good cook. What I do remember was that she always ate a “balanced” meal – always a protein, a starch and a vegetable. She lived one block off of Colorado Blvd. in California (the Rose Parade route), so I spent every New Years Eve as a child at her apartment. We’d wake up early on January 1st, walk to the parade route, and “park our cabooses” on the curb to get a fee-free view of the parade. As she grew older, she became increasingly careful about money – almost to the embarrassing level. She would raid the table at a restaurant after any meal (she always brought re-cycled plastic bags) and take any re-eatable food stuff that was on the table. That included any leftovers on anyone else’s plate, packages of salt, sugar, jelly, butter – nothing was too dear for her. I loved her beyond reason. Any other family remembrances?

This thread is too funny! I wish I had a contribution.... I'm sure I do...

I agree wholeheartedly with those opposing stupid liquor laws. For crying out loud, you can drive a car, be forced to sacrifice your life in a foreign country, be "qualified" to select a leader of the free world, and have a child, but you're not to be trusted having a drink on Sunday! Even more stupid is the "law" that you can't buy a bottle of wine on election day until the polls have closed... do they really think that will keep drunks from voting? I love California for being reasonable. Being able to do all of your shopping in one trip is a joy.

Susan, I have been smoke free for six years.... DON'T stop trying! you can do it!!!

I know I’ve been a bit wordy on this subject, but I feel so intense about it. After quitting, I had a relapse. I decided it was too tough. I drove to the closest convenience store, I bought a pack of my “favorite” brand. I waited until I was home to complete the ritual. I located an ashtray, a lighter, and got out the pack. I carefully “packed” the container, opened it up, and took a cigarette out. I lighted up. First thing I noticed was how nasty it smelled. It also seemed so strange to be doing this inside my house. Sort of like sh*ting in the corner of the living room. (Sorry to be so graphic.) I tried to smoke. I lasted about half a cigarette. With the doors wide open, I put the cigarette out. I then washed my face. I changed my clothes. I still felt dirty. I ended up taking a shower. I actually kept the cigs for almost a year. Somehow having them near me, while not touching them, made me feel strong and in control. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Don’t underestimate your accomplishment – and don’t be proud of anything else. Go guys!!! You can do it!!

I don't think it's ever been well said. Thank you!!!

Any cleaning chore is a PITA. I want a maid!

Just don't stop! You are all doing great! Once you get over the cravings, you will be amazed by the freedom that you feel. You will no longer be trapped by the impossible drives that rule your life. Keep on, keeping on! You all rock!

Keep up the good work, guys! You are all awesome.... its a tough road to travel, but its worth it to be free! When I was quitting, I allowed myself ANYTHING - food, drink, sex (alone if need be!) anything but a cig. You are all incredible and brave.... don't stop!

I know how hard it is to quit. I tried three times. First I stopped on my birthday. I went 8 months. When I started again, I was in full denial – bought a single pack, told myself I would only smoke ONE a night. That lasted about three nights. The next try was with an ex-husband. We were both highly addicted smokers. We decided trying together made sense. I remember standing in a grocery store, he held up a bunch of broccoli, and asking “Is this broccoli?” I answered, “I think so”. What we really were saying is “Do you want broccoli for dinner?” and “Yes”. Can you imagine what our fellow shoppers were thinking? That time, after the marriage failed, I made no mistake about going back. I bought a full carton. The last time, I did everything wrong: I did it on a three day weekend, I told no one (no one to admit defeat to…) I made no plans (no one to support me), I sat alone in a smoking hotel room (full of smoking smell and ash trays) , I was amazed when I didn’t think about smoking for two minutes. When I returned to work the day after the weekend, I announced to my boss that I’d found the way to make a three day weekend feel like a two week vacation… quit smoking! (I meant it was the longest three days of my life!!!) I used the gum. I then became hopelessly addicted to the gum. I planned it just like I used to plan cigarettes – did I have enough, would last until tomorrow? I was now a slave to the gum. I quit smoking on Jan. 1st, 1999 (so my first anniversary would be 1/1/00). ! finally quit the gum 16 months later. One day of withdrawals, in hindsight, it was easy. I amazed that I am now six years smoke-free. If I can do it, anyone can. I was the smoker that woke up two to three times a night for a smoke, had one lit before my feet ever hit the carpet. Good luck and best wishes to all of you. It’s the best gift you can give yourselves and all around you. GO FREEDOM!!!!!!