You may all laugh, but quietly please

I have been buying chulent mix of years. And years. And spending like 3 dollars for a bag of beans. And then we had a moth incident here in my town and it seems all the kosher stores are infested. So a lot of people I know have been checking their beans on the porch. When I asked my mom what I should do (a lot of people have also just been making chulent with only barley), she quipped "Why not make your own chulent mix?" DUH! And so people, I just paid 3 dollars for 8 bags of beans which I mixed together to make my own chulent mix.
Now please hide your chuckling behind your hands.

Good Reads, Maybe?

I admit it. I am rankled by the food industry. Severely rankled. Rankled enough that I don't shop at a lot of stores, ignore most brands, and am a vegan. I honestly believe if as a planet we could better manage our resources and treat the living things around us with more kindness, we may just be able to start treating our fellow human beings with more kindness. I also know that I am one of a small minority who even care. My husband will tell you he couldn't care a fig about the life of a chicken or how Nestle handles themselves as long as there is good food on the table at the end of the day. We have had many an arguments about it.
And yet I am fascinated by the food industry. What it does, and what it doesn't do. How it chooses to regulate itself, and the sheer amount of money it has to lobby the people who are supposed to represent me. I am completely in disgusted awe of how the food industry works.
Recently I have stumbled over two separate books. Waste and Food Inc. Both were interesting reads. I will admit that Waste was very research heavy book, and sort of a slow go, but I felt after I had slogged through it that I had learned something, which made it worth the endless hours of reading. Food Inc. was a much faster read (written in essay form, it was easy to get through). Like anything, Food Inc is only as good as its sources as it has to be noted that most of the writers represent their own interests to a certain extent, but nonetheless, it was still noteworthy to read what is going on in the world of food.
So if you have some time for some non-fiction, I do recommend both books for anyone interested in learning more about the food industry. I just warn you, some of it may make you gag.

911 Dispatch

I was driving today to the local outlet mall (52 friggin dollars for two pairs of kids shoes, UGH!) when I saw an accident happen. A car hit a telephone pole, and then another car hit that one. I knew no one was getting out of their car to exchange insurance and go on their way, so I called 911. Smart move, eh? So when the 911 dispatcher picked up I started to tell them what I saw in front of me. And you know what they asked me? Where was I. And I? HAD NO FRIGGIN CLUE! I was somewhere between home and the outlet malls, but it is a route I just know because I grew up around here, and I don't need a map. I have no clue what the street I was on was called (other then it is that little country road with a red house at the end where you make a right) much less what city I was on. And the dispatcher? She said to me "Well I can't help you unless you can tell me where you are. I need to know which 911 cell tower to direct your call to." WHICH IS THE DUMBEST THING I HAVE EVER HEARD! Aren't all cellphones equipped with GPS systems so 911 can find you? What is the point if I still have to tell someone where I am?
Anyway, here is where having a tech obsessed husband comes in handy. I did have my GPS in the car. Not plugged in, but I had it. And I was able to ask my GPS where I was (which turned out to be someplace called Olde Newcomerville, don't ask). But it took me time to pull out the GPS, turn it on, and wait for the satellites to kick in. Time which I am sure would have been better used GETTING PARAMEDICS TO THE SCENE (because remember, I was in Olde Newcomerville, where it appears, the nearest paramedics were about 15 minutes away).
It turns out the people in the cars were just a little hurt, not a lot hurt, but still. I don't feel as though I should of had to tell someone where I was, I feel that they should have somehow known. Am I being silly?

No offense

But if you spent your extra hour this morning snuggled warm in your bed, snoozing away the blissful hour before first light, I may just hate you.

Enterprise

Dear Enterprise Rent A Car:

Thank you so much for teaching me that yes, my fingers can turn slightly bluish if I do not wear my gloves while trying to uninstall my children's carseats from my Camry into the rental Elantra you gave me. Double thanks goes to the helpful saleslady who told me the car did not have a LATCH system (when I could not find it) forcing me to try to install the carseats using the belting method. In the backseat. With my belly in the way. And the snow flying everywhere. And the wind. And my children consistently taking their shoes and socks off while they played in the Elantra (which you will not let them eat in, thanks for that too). Turns out the Elantra does have a LATCH system, but I found that out too late for my poor fingers.

Sincerely,

Funky

P.S. I would lend you a hanky to wipe up all that sarcasm you must be sitting in at the moment, but I am hardly feeling that generous.

Good book

Sorry I have been so shotty round here lately. Like I said, October is the month from nowhere pleasant around here. There is a bright light at the end of the tunnel, though! Halloween is Saturday, which means OCTOBER WILL BE OVER! YEEHA! I only have seven articles, and three hundred pages of clinical reports to do. Not a prob, Bob.

Anyway, I have been trying to read Mennonite in a Little Black Dress. So far, in my stolen moments, it is a hilarious book, and I am enjoying it.

I am also enjoying Chamomile Honey Vanilla Tea. Yummers.

What are y'all enjoying?

Outta the mouthes of Kindergarteners

"My cousin celebrates Christmas because he lives in Lincoln"