Veterans Day

I remember one summer when my parents took my sister and I on a tour of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania on our way to the beach. I was absolutely mesmerized. I couldn't fathom how frightening it would be to engage in head-on combat, knowing odds are pretty good you might die. Of course, I've always been interested in history, but I couldn't believe so many men had died there-right in the field where I stood. I still would love to visit other Civil War battlefields, mostly because I am a huge dork.

As the saying goes "one death is a tragedy, one thousand deaths is a statistic," it's hard to grasp the real cost of our freedom in America. I rarely consider what a huge sacrifice veterans have made, whether or not they were injured or killed in a war. So, it's fitting to have a day to commemorate just that.

Though, I must say, it'd be much nicer to do this from the comfort of my home and not at work!

I guess I will be wearing a pants suit to court Friday.

I was nearly done with my 5 mile run this morning. Six houses away from my own where I could finally stop and stretch when BAM, I was on the ground. Ankle twisted. Knee and hip throbbing. Shorts torn at the hip (fabulous!). And of course, a gentleman was getting into his car for work and witnessed the entire thing.

Usually, I trip because I am clumsy. This morning, though, I tripped because of a huge pot hole. They cover my street. And the man who witnessed my fall said he has tripped over the exact same pot hole several times.

I realize the city of Cincinnati has some budgetary problems. But, fixing streets inundated with pot holes should be a priority. It's dangerous. I'm willing to bet the flat tire I had earlier this year is a result of the condition of my street.

You better believe I'm sending a letter. It's already drafted. :) (I did not take pictures of my hip bruise/cut as it would be highly inappropriate for the public. But, I assure you, it is worse than my knee.

At least the Steelers won last night.

Easy Peasy

This has just been "one of those weeks" where I find it hard to muster up the energy to cook dinner for myself. I bought all the ingredients to make this italian sausage soup I have made previously, but when I got home last night after 3 very long work days, the thought of chopping onions, garlic, carrots, celery, etc. was not too appetizing (no pun intended).

I will blame it on Daylight Savings Time because now when I leave work it's nearly dark, and completely dark by the time I pull in my driveway. Heck, I'm ready for bed!

Anyway, instead of picking up a frozen pizza or fast food, I decided to make something quicker than soup with the ingredients I had...and it was DELICIOUS. I must also add that I find something very de-stressing about cooking after work. So here's what I made, and I'm guessing you already have the ingredients on hand!

Easy Pasta Supper

2 Cups dried rotini (this is about half a regular box of pasta)
1 can cannelini beans (I always keep these on hand, delicious in soups, italian dishes and great for making hummus too!)-drained and rinsed
1 can diced italian style tomatoes
Some sweet italian sausage (I used 2 sweet italian turkey sausages from jennie-o I had leftover, just removed the casing)
1 tablespoon or so dried basil (if you have fresh, I'd use about 1/4 Cup)
Parmesan cheese

In medium pot, boil water and cook pasta according to directions on box. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan over medium high heat, brown sausage, breaking into crumbles. Once browned, add in beans, basil and tomatoes, and heat over medium low heat until heated through. Drain pasta and add pasta in with sauce. Toss to coat. Serve with Parmesan cheese.

YUM.

Signs I am rapidly aging.

1. I am working on an appendix for a brief I need to file. I have to alphabetize the list of cases I used in the brief. Throughout the afternoon I've been repeating "a, b, c, d, e, f, g..." in a sing-song voice. Because sometimes I can't remember whether g comes before or after h.

2. I am 99% sure I spotted a gray hair today. I yanked it out and attempted to investigate it, but simultaneously I triggered the hand dryer and it blew away. I am crossing my fingers it was a fluke.

Yikes.

Happy Halloween!

I am looking forward to passing out candy and having a relaxing weekend with nothing really planned. Those are the best, right? I'm going to try really hard not to eat half of the candy that I pass out. I remember being a kid and trying to sneak candy out of the Halloween stash my parents would get for the trick-or-treaters...I always got caught!

My favorite Halloween costume growing up had to be the year I went as this space woman. I had this fantastic silver suit with a sparkly sequined belt and headband, plus glittery face powder. It was fabulous.

My least favorite Halloween costume had to be the year my mom dressed my sister and I as mimes when we were in kindergarten. I wanted to be a princess. My mom was quite the feminist...a princess costume would've gone against all that! :) My mom was in charge of the theater department where she taught school, and she just thought mimes were so cute and original. At our school Halloween Party, we had to tell everyone what our costumes were and I lied and said I was a princess. Ummmmmmmm... a princess with white face paint and black teardrops on her face. I still can't live that one down with my family.

What were your favorite/least favorite costumes growing up? Katy, I hope you share the story about the year you were a cave woman...just saying. ;)

Early bird gets the worm.

I heard Christmas music on the radio this morning. 93.3 FM. A little early, I'd say.

But, yes, I listened to it the entire drive to work.

Just like tv.

My favorite commercial as of late is the one with the terrier-looking dog who searches and searches for a place to safely keep his bone, finally getting insurance to keep it safe. I love that commercial.

My dog has always been quite the hoarder of bones. She will roam around the house with the bone in her mouth searching for that perfect spot to hide it. While she's searching, she usually whines a little, like she's all perplexed and concerned. The bone usually ends up some fantastic place-like in a basket of clean laundry, or wedged in the couch cushions.

Well, last night Fi was chewing for hours on this one bone. She carried it (unbeknownst to me) on our walk and finally up to bed. I wouldn't let her have it in the bed, so there it remained on the floor.

About 1 a.m., she grew restless in bed jumped down, and I heard her whining. I turned on the light and saw her searching for a place to hide that bone! Just like the commercial! Fi was dreaming of her bone being lost- he he. I opened my door and went back to bed. I have no idea where she hid it, but I'm sure I'll find it somewhere when I least expect it.

Funny stuff. :)