One More Post For The Evening!

I found this personality test that was quite on the mark. You can access it at:

www.blogthings.com/whatsyourpersonalitytypequiz/ As for me:

The Giver

You strive to maintain harmony in relationships, and usually succeed. Articulate and enthusiastic, you are good at making personal connections. Sometimes you idealize relationships too much--and end up being let down. You find the most energy and comfort in social situations. . .where you shine.

In love, you are very protective and supporting. However, you do need to "feel special" -- and it's quite easy for you to get jealous.

At work, you are a natual leader. You can help people discover their greatest potential. You would make a good writer, human resources director or psychologist.

How you see yourself: trusting, idealistic, and expressive.

When other people don't get you, they see you as: bossy, inappropriate, and loud.

WOW--I think this pretty well sums me up!!! I have been called bossy & loud too many times. Now I know that is just people who "don't get me"!

Have fun & visit this!

Birthdays & Baking!

Today is my dad's 75th birthday--isn't he a cutie? My parents are in good health & I'm so thankful for that--Dad even still plays tennis weekly with a group of retirees. And, he's into anything he can get into in the community--he is a trustee for the local education foundation, serves on the Sr. Citizen Advisory Board, is the head of the Historical Society, is active in the Chamber, and a group of alumni called the "Nifty 50's" (all graduates of the 50's from the high school here), and leads singing at his church (which he has done for 50 years!!!).


I'm so proud of my mom & dad, and would tell you more about my Mom, but this is Dad's day, and dads are overlooked too often! I'm lucky to live within 2 miles of them--they have been able to enjoy watching their grandchildren (4), and now their great grandson grow up. So Happy Birthday to Dad!!! We actually celebrated his birthday (along with 2 other family members who'll I introduce on their birthdays!) last Saturday night. But, I wanted to mention him!!

This is what I did yesterday & today!! I goofed on the cake tho--in my mind, I am acclimated to think of this year as 08--that's the year according to the educational calendar. So, when I post or code for school, it's 08, and since this was for the SCHOOL football team---well, you can see where this is going. Haven't heard from the reception people today--I'm sure I won't hear the end of it Monday---lots of joking!!

The pies were for a coworker who was having her Thanksgiving Dinner this evening. The meringue is homemade chocolate--it would have really looked pretty if I had cut a slice out & taken the picture. She would have probably overlooked it, but, just for a picture??? How tacky of me!!!

Other than those items, I just hung out at home--did laundry, put things away (my house was beginning to look like one of those derelict pack rats lived here!!). And I don't have to deliver, shop or anything tomorrow! So after church, it's hello house clothes!! I can't remember the last time I had two days in a row that I didn't have to make deliveries or shop in bulk!! It's such a treat. And it won't last long. Next weekend I have several events to cook for, so I'm going to indulge tomorrow!!!

Went to "Affair of the Heart" in the local metropolis Friday. This is the first fall/winter show in this area--we usually only have the July show. I have to say, it was NOT the quality of the July show--I left quite disappointed. I did find a couple of things to purchase--things I'll add to Christmas decor, but usually I'm talking myself out of purchases all over the building. Not the case this time. Hope this isn't a sign of things to come from them!!!

I hope to do some "wreath making" tomorrow. I have all the supplies & have had for the past 2 years!! So, tomorrow is the day!!! Don't make any bets yet tho, I have been known to go back on my word in this area!!!

Have a great evening!!! Gobble Gobble.

Awwww Ducks!!!

Ok friends--I need some tips!!! I have been asked to make a ducky cake for a baby shower; that I can do. HOWEVER, they want the cake made from cupcakes! I have seen these but have not done one myself.

Anyone have any tips for this??? I'm going to try it,but if any of you have experience with cupcake cakes, please PLEASE let me know!!!!

Thanks sooooo much!!!

Return of the Dwarfs

Ok, not to make more of this than should be, BUT, this is a much MUCH better picture taken of the Seven Dwarfs on Halloween. This was taken by the local newspaper, and yep, you guessed it--we'll be renowned in our town!!! Ah poetry!!

I'm the one in the green, and sitting beside me is the office NUT, Stacie. We have such fun.

I guess that's one of the things I am thankful for this Thanksgiving--having seven gals and two men working together who like each other, and get along! There have been a couple in and out that have really tried my nerves, but this time, this crew is a-ok! And, get this, four of us graduated from the school we work for!!! Matter of fact, my boss, the superintendent, was my driver's ed teacher in school!!! Talk about not getting far from home---but this is the way I want it. I love this town, the people, the school, the eccentrics, the oddities, all that goes with this town. I couldn't think of a place I'd rather be; in fact, if I were to move away, I think I would want to take the town with me!!!!

Well, I'm pooped from cooking the Thanksgiving dinner for church tonight---50 lbs of turkey breast, 2 1/2 gallons of gravy, 5 pumpkin pies made in large sheet pans (yes, I make my own crust!!!). Had about 150 there. So, you can understand why I have to close for now.

Later!

Poor Boomer!!!

This is Boomer--you have seen him here before; he's one of my furry children. This picture was taken before Boomer became OCD!!! He is now on anti-anxiety medicine!!

Now, Boomer hasn't always had emotional problems. He began his life with a family of 3 children & two big dogs; they were sent to Japan by the Marines, so Boomer went to live with my daughter & son-in-law. This was all in North Carolina.

When son-in-law was sent to Iraq for the second tour, daughter moved home with us. He traveled from NC to Tulsa via airplane. And he became my cat (child). That was 2 years ago, and he has been just perfect.

Then, this August, he began pulling his hair out--stomach, back legs, front legs, tail. We gave him a few weeks, then took him to his Dr. Boomer received a cortisone shot in case it was allergies. He checked out perfectly elsewhere. The shot worked for a few days, then the pulling began again!

So, after consulting with Boomer's Dr., he was put on the medicine this Tuesday. He absolutely HATES the pills--it's quite a sight to behold-me giving them to him. And I'm afraid he will start to hate me!!! But Dr. believes after a week or so we will see a difference. And also, that after hair grows back, we can take Boomer off meds.

Now, I have had cats all my life (many years, trust me!), my dad & aunt passed this gene to me! And in all my cats & years, I have never had this happen.

So--friends--if any of you have had this happen, please relate your stories to me. I'd like to know that "this too shall pass".

I love, adore, Boomer & I want him BETTER!!!!

Thanks for listening!

Daniel Boone & Fall Folliage

On Saturday, my sis, daughter, niece & Hank, went shopping ALL DAY LONG!
Hank has taken a liking to wearing hats, and we found this raccoon hat--he just would not take it off---guess what Ya Ya did????? He now has it!!!

Then we found a darling black felt cowboy hat, which he loved, (my pics didn't turn out--will have to wait on how cute he was in that!!), and guess what Ya Ya did?????

Hank has two hats!!!

Now, as I have mentioned, we get really, REALLY silly when the four of us gals are together. Well, the three of us--daughter is so very composed & reserved that we tend to embarrass her!!! But it doesn't stop us--we took to trying on hats too.

This is my darling niece, Kelsi, who is in her second year of college, and she found a hat that is so NOT HER!!! She was upset cause she was on her way to work, and didn't have all her make up on, but I think she looks cute!!! Told her this would be a great hat to wear to one of her sorority functions!!!

When we returned home from shopping, we had 30 minutes to make it to Mom's for November birthday dinner. Had a great meal of chicken enchiladas, chocolate meringue pie, salad, green beans, corn, chips & salsa. Yes, I made the pie & enchiladas---got up early on Sat to get them finished before shopping. Needless to say, I was pooped when we arrived home last night. But, I'd rather go to bed worn completely out from spending time with family than be rested and lonesome!!!

These are some pics I took around the neighborhood today. Aren't the colors pretty? If I had taken the pics last Friday, as planned, you could have seen the flame red maples that took my breath, but the wind blew through yesterday and the flame red leaves are all way to the north!!! Maybe they are in Kansas by now!!!

Fall is one of my favorite seasons--and I love winter. The colors this time of year are so rich and warm.

I'm still a bit pooped friends, so I'm signing off to watch Desparate Housewives!! Later!!!

How I Began Catering--or, Am I Crazy!!!???~~~

I have had two people ask me how I got into catering, and so, to save from a LONG email back, I'm going to share it in a post.

I have always, always cooked. I am an oldest child of working parents, and from age 13 on one of my responsibilities was having dinner on the table, or at least begun, when Mom & Dad got home from work. The other was ironing---I am sensational at ironing, but I don't think I want to do that for a second career!!!!

So, my school was the school of "Trial & Error". After I got married, until I went back to work full-time, I would host holiday parties for friends---and I prepared all the food. Sometimes we would have up to 60 people in our house--I cooked for days to feed and entertain these people.

I was also a Blue Bird (Camp Fire) leader, and cooking was one of our strong points!!

Through the years, I would be asked to furnish dinners for people at church (funerals, etc.), for pagent events in town, and for various other things.

After I went back to work full-time I thought my dream job of cooking was over. Not so much! After 10 years at my "day" job, the Wednesday evening hostess for the church retired. I was approached about taking this position, and after talking with my boss, (who knew this was an unfulfilled passion), it was agreed that I could take off on Wednesdays to pursue this. For the past 7 years, I have cooked dinner for 100-150 people each Wednesday, September though May. I plan the menus, do the shopping, and cook the meal. I do have two ladies come in late afternoon and help set up and serve.

Ok, so now I'm working at the school and at the church. One other girl in my office was cooking the school athletic banquets, and people began to approach her about cooking at other events. We attend church together, and she wanted a partner, so viola!!, she & I are catering on week-ends and evenings. After 5 years of working together, she decided this wasn't her cup of tea; plus, her children are nearly out of school (last daughter is a Sr), and her husband travels with work (of course, she wanted to go!!!), and she brought up the thought of getting out. I offered to buy her out, we agreed on a price, and Nov of 2006, I became the sole proprietor of the catering business!!!

Through the years some of my jobs, besides weddings and anniversaries, have been lunches for the Chamber of Commerce monthly (have done this for 4 years), occasional lunches & special events for the Better Business Bureau, receptions for the local banks & city offices, receptions for the Fire Fighters (major city involved), church dinners for other churches, and the Chamber banquet. The most I have prepared for to date is 350.

So, here's where I have ended up!!! Sometimes it's very stressful---such as when the Education Foundation has a Tuesday luncheon, Wednesday church dinner, Chamber luncheon and a reception all in one week!!! Tends to make me busy and cranky!!! The furthest I have traveled for catering has been 1 1/2 hours away--did a dinner wedding reception for 200 PLUS the cake & groom's cake. You guessed it---I have also taken all the Wilton cake courses, and have sold cakes for 5 years!!!!!

Even with all the stress and hurried frenzy, I do love this job---and someday I hope to be doing that ONLY!!! Just a few more things to pay off.

So, that's my story. Maybe not too exciting, but long!!!

Have a good evening!