Monday, November 19, 2007

Happy Cows

Have you seen the commercials about the happy cows? The ones that tell you that real cheese comes from happy cows and happy cows come from California? Well, all of the cows in California are laughing at me.
You see, our family is working on switching over to Whole Foods. Now before you think that this seems very Un-Slacker-like of me, bear in mind that once I've done a bit of leg work, this should be cheaper, healthier, and Less work than what I'm doing now.
One of the things that I have been researching is Raw Certified Milk. Raw Certified Milk is the only milk in the United States, raw or pasturized, that is tested for Salmonella. Since my little brother almost died from Salmonella during the Jewel milk scare back in the 80's, testing is a good thing in my book. That, along with other things that I have read have convinced me that it would be worth it to try it.
Ha. Apparently, our great state has once again decided that We the People are incapable of making wise decisions without their intervention, and the sale of raw dairy products is illegal in Illinois. However...if you own a cow, they cannot prevent you from reaping the benefits of said cow in whatever form you like, processed or otherwise. And it just so happens that there are clubs to join, where for a minimal yearly fee you can own a "membership" in a cow, thus circumventing that particular law. While the thought of being in a "Cow Club" and having a "Cow Card" is just Oh So Far Side, I had to check it out. Basically, you join, place a weekly order, drive over an hour away to a private residence and pick up your milk. At $16 a gallon. And this isn't the certified stuff either, which means I wouldn't consider it at 1/4 that price. It comes in quart jars, which you rinse and return at the next pick up. Not that I'd really know, but this has the feel of an illegal drug purchase to me. But it's just Milk, for crying out loud!!!
Obviously, I have no intention of doing this. It would be cheaper to buy a cow and milk it myself.
Those of you in California that can purchase raw certified milk in the stores, have a glass for me and let me know if its any good. And tell those Alta Dena cows that I can hear them and it's not nice to laugh at people.

Thursday, November 15, 2007

Alter Ego

Mild mannered Stacy gets out of bed in the morning when her internal clock starts buzzing, usually around 6am. She then spends the next hour in relative peace and quiet (relative because the cats want fed, the dog wants out, the dog wants in, the cats want running water from the sink, the dog wants fed, the cats want the dog to quit pestering them...) doing normal, hum drum things like loading the dishwasher and staring at the coffee pot trying to remember why she is standing there. About an hour later, when their internal alarm clocks go off, her children will get up and the rest of the day will go roughly the same as it did yesterday. It will be a constant barrage of unanswerable questions and a steady stream of "BrushyourteethmakeyourbedturnthelightsoffwhenyouleavetheroomIloveyoutoodoyourmath
IthoughtItoldyoutobrushyourteethfinishyourlunchofsourseitsthemostbeautifulpicturethatI've
everseenputyourshoesawaygoplayoutside...." This routine is broken only by the weekly trips to the grocery store and the breath of fresh air that is Sunday.

But everyday, when the kids are occupied by some all-engrossing project, this ordinary Stay-at-Home wife and mother assumes the secret identity of Nitrocat and enters the exciting world of Letterboxing! As this Alter Persona, she plans quests for hidden treasure, solves perplexing riddles, and can do things with an Exacto knife she never dreamed were possible. She can also imagine answering the siren song of Thru Hiking, feel the rain of the Moors on her face, and push herself beyond former boundaries. She is creative and deviously clever and has friends all over the globe.

Then the phone rings and the eye doctor wants to know when she can come pick up the new prescription and is she planning on paying the balance of the bill at that time? And Poof! Just like that the costume must be hung in the closet~right next to the dry cleaning~until another time. But inside there is still a sparkle, because she knows that there is more to her than most people realize.

To be continued...

Monday, November 12, 2007

Atomic Event

The Letterboxing Wedding event hosted by Atom 118 and Coffee Beans last Saturday was a fantastic success in every way. While many of our spouses may not ever understand the compulsion to get together with a group of almost complete strangers and get ink all over ourselves, I, for one, could not have been happier. It was great to connect faces with some of the boxes we've found and postals we've received, as well as make new friends and touch base with ones we've met before.
And the stamps! When I left, I thought I had them all, but now I keep discovering ones I missed. Still, the toasters were a hoot and my favorite. I've already had to explain Mandie though~even the 5yo knows that's not a wedding dress she's wearing!
The food was delicious and abundant, as was the laughter. And unless there is one buried in the stew in the crockpot in my fridge, I didn't come home with one cootie!
One of these days, I will figure out a way to be organized at an event, actually use the camera that I bring and spend more time talking to people than stamping.
Atomic Beans, I hope your wedding is half the fun as Saturday was!

Saturday, November 3, 2007

Weekend Lament

Sing with me:
Gloom, Despair, and Agony on me.
Deep Dark Depression, Excessive Misery...
No Letterboxing fun in store today, I see.

They can make me stay home and be domestic, but they can't make me like it!