Did you know?

Robin used to eat hibiscuses (the spelling is correct - I did my homework) as a kid? Whenever we walk by one, I ask her, "Hungry?"

I took this picture at her mom's house - psycho serial voice to victim, "Prriiittttyyyy".

BTW, for fun, I like to go up to people I don't know well and gently touch their forearm as I stare at it and cock my head and say, "Priiiitttttyyyyy".

Good times.

Things really do happen in three's...

Today I learned:

1) Young Alex (18 years old) has joined an intense boot camp type training. She couldn't feel her legs this morning and she also fell off the toilet.

2) Robin's not so young mother, Iris, has joined a Jazzercise class at the local Jewsish Community Center. She said she moved circles around those Jewish geriatrics.

3) "Somebody" has secretly decided to go on a diet. Don't worry, Mary's twin, your secret is safe with me. ;)

PS: Do you how hard it was capturing this picture at exactly 1:23?

Q. What is the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day?

A. Many people confuse Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Memorial Day is a day for remembering and honoring military personnel who died in the service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle. While those who died are also remembered on Veterans Day, Veterans Day is the day set aside to thank and honor ALL those who served honorably in the military - in wartime or peacetime. In fact, Veterans Day is largely intended to thank LIVING veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served - not only those who died - have sacrificed and done their duty. A complete history of Veterans Day, and why it is observed on November 11, can be found on the Veterans Day History Web page.

BAKED SPAGHETTI CARBONERA

I made this yesterday and it's my new favorite meal...It's a Weight Watchers recipe that I altered. Instead of using an 8 oz box of whole wheat spaghetti, I used the whole box, which is something like 13.5 oz. I then followed the recipe, timings everything by 1.5. Except for the turkey bacon. The original recipe called for 4 slices, 1.5 would be 6 slices, butIusedthewholepackage. (What? It's turkey bacon.)

Oh, and I used a 13 x 9 casserole dish.

Oh yeah, and I added about a half a cup (or so) of reduced fat Parmesan cheese. (Have you met me? My name is Kim. I don't make anything that doesn't involve extra cheese. Or hot sauce).

Oh yeah, I added a dash (or so) of hot sauce.


Here's the original --

Ingredients:

8 oz uncooked whole-wheat spaghetti (do it my way)
4 slice(s) uncooked turkey bacon, diced (do it my way)
2 medium leek(s), chopped (white parts only) (x 1.5)
3 medium garlic clove(s), minced (x 1.5)
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp table salt
1/4 tsp black pepper, freshly chopped
1 1/4 cup(s) fat-free skim milk (x 1.5)
1 cup(s) fat-free egg substitute (x 1.5)
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 cup(s) grated Parmesan cheese (I mixed mine in with eggs & milk)


Instructions:

Preheat oven to 375ºF.


Cook spaghetti according to package directions (without added oil); drain and transfer to a 9-inch, deep-dish pie plate. (or 13 x 9 dish)


Meanwhile, cook bacon in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Add leeks and garlic; cook 2 minutes. Stir in oregano, salt and pepper; cook 1 minute. Spoon bacon mixture evenly over spaghetti in pie plate.


In a medium bowl, whisk together milk, egg substitute, garlic powder and onion powder; pour over spaghetti mixture and sprinkle with cheese.


Place pie plate on a baking sheet and bake until filling is set and top is golden brown, about 25 to 30 minutes. Cool slightly before slicing into 6 pieces. Yields 1 piece per serving. (mine made 8, which, I know, shoulda made 9 - who's counting?)

Today...I am a Hero

I woke up at around 3:00 this morning to an odd noise. At first, it seemed like it was the neighbor's sprinkler system. Or something. It was a short cracking noise that quickly disappeared. It then reappeared and disappeared, then more and more frequently. Then it got louder and didn't disappear. I sat up, fully awake, and saw A FLAME shooting from the extension cord that held the TV and my make up mirror. I screamed, "FIIIIRRRRRE!" and Robin woke up. I always always always go to bed with a huge glass of diet soda and I doused the flame with the ginger ale. It came back and by this time I'd filled the glass with water. Doused it again and the flame went away, but the crackling didn't. Not sure what to do, we kept saying to each other, "What do we do?" It's like we were standing around waiting for an explosion. Finally, I got a towel for Robin and she unplugged the cord. Never really having been involved in a situation like this, we weren't positive that she wouldn't be shocked - or worse.

OK. Maybe she's the hero. We've already discussed it. But I heard it first.

We have a bunch of animals and have to keep 2 kitties in the bedroom full time. They are happy kitties. No need to call PITA. Maxx, who Bodi wants to eat, spends a good deal of time in there, too. We are pretty sure that one of them had an accident on the extension cord that triggered the whole thing.

I am so thankful to God today. Other than sleeping, I am never in the bedroom. Not only were we home, but we were in that room and the noise woke me up. Being a pretty sound sleeper, that in itself is a miracle.

In all seriousness, it was kinda scarey. And it's extremely scarey to think what could have happened had we not been home, in that room, awake. I don't care about my stuff, just the animals.

Think I'll make some homemade dog treats today. And maybe a lil sumpin sumpin for the kitties, too.

Highlight of the Day!

In the middle of an exciting day of moving (don't be jealous), Robin was called to court for an emergency hearing. Kyle and I went along for the ride (and a break). We waited in the car and as I was texting a friend, I looked up to see this. That's downtown Miami for you.

Wonder what today will bring?!

Oh, and in case you're wondering? I didn't let this beautiful artistic photography go to waste. I made it my friend Alex' ringtone.