Boring post #3

Just a little reminder that I'm still around. Things are a little complicated these days and I'll explain all that soon. Just heed the advice above and everything will be fine. ;P

Hope you're having a lovely day!!!

Just popping in.

I had a weird schedule this week because several people were fired recently. I was going to search for a new job, but I think I'll just stick with Denny's for a while and perhaps do the school/work study thing I mentioned before. Less income, but more self-worth... I feel like it would be a better decision.

It's very hot here in Florida and I hear it's actually worse up north. We'll live, but the AC in teh car is acting up and drives are miserable during the day. Bah.

I have some amazing news coming to you soon. I hope you are all doing very well and aren't mad at me for not being around. Work and Diablo 3 take up all my time. :) Also, I've just been trying to relax these days and not stress out over anything. I don't really like to stress. Who does, right?

Oh, Tonks is a total lap kitty and I love it!

Happy Birthday Courtney!

Today is one of my sponsor's birthday!

Everyone hop on over to Optimistic Mommy and give Courtney some birthday love! 

How to be a pleasant guest (AKA: tips to make life easier)

I'm getting to the point at work where I am making more money on average. Twice this week I've broken $100 and that's progress because I only expect about $50 a day. Though I'm learning to bite my tongue on a more regular basis, I've notice some situations that just make my job harder. Why should you care? Because, my friends, if I despise going to a table you're going to have just as much of an unpleasant experience. Here's a list of things to keep in mind when going out to eat.

• Don't go out to eat in a bad mood.
• If you and your companion get into an argument, turn the car around or resolve it (or get over it) in the car.
• If you are paranoid enough to not trust cups, glasses, silverware, etc... cook and eat at home. Unless you're allergic to glass or sterilizing agents, please do not ask for everything to be in to-go containers. It's not environmentally friendly anyhow.
• If you're going to change everything about an entree because you don't like it, then you probably shouldn't order it. Just sayin'.
• Things are not like they were "back in the day." Just because the cooks are black does not mean they are out to get you because you're an elderly white man. And honestly, I don't want to hear horrible assumptions about any certain "kind" of people.
• It is not you server's fault you don't know how you like your eggs. If you order "sunny side up hard," do not act surprised when your food comes out staring up from your plate. Furthermore, if your server tries to explain things to you for future reference after figuring out how you really want your eggs, don't act pissed off because you're a little ignorant to  the ways of egg preparation.
• If you're bringing tons of kids with you, please don't allow them to talk down to your adult-aged server. Also, if they're messy you should tip accordingly. Even if there's a busser on duty, the server is still responsible for sweeping the floor and "de-greasing" the chairs.
• Don't engage your server is conversations revolving around politics or religion. S/he may not have the same views that you do and you'll just have a skewed vision of your service based on his or her responses.

And for clarification, here are real reasons to get upset:

• Your food came out wrong and no one offered to fix it.
• You are unable to get a deserved discount because there was no manager available.
• Something in the restaurant  made you feel unwelcome or your food looked inedible. If after mentioning the problem to a manager and you weren't offered a discount, then you may get upset matching the severity of the issue that made you approach the manager in the first place.

Happy 4th!

I make this "cake" every year. I actually assumed my dad's ex made it up as a child and figured it to be an original awesome idea, but then 3 years ago Kraft announced it in a full-page ad in several food magazines. I've made their version and I really like the cream cheese and cool whip mixed together. I don't always make it that way as I find my way easier and more laid back. The Kraft recipe is below. But first some photographs of this delicious summer treat!

Click here for the Kraft version of this cake.

Here's what we normally do: Cut up strawberries and slice pound cake. Lay the pound cake slices int eh bottom of a 9 x 13" pan and "sprinkle" cut up strawberries and blueberries on top. Make strawberry jello according to box instructions and pour over the pound cake and berries. (Pro tip: lightly smush the pound cake after adding the liquid jello so it soaks into the slices of cake.) Refrigerate. When jello has set spread cool whip on top. Then use blueberries in one corner for the stars and sliced strawberries for the stripes to create a flag. Eat it all in one sitting. :)

This time I didn't decorate it with the flag as I was impatient. Also, the boyfriend bought canned readiwhip and unfortunately it kind of melted back into cream form and so now the cake looks inedible (but is still strangely delicious).

Don't use rediwhip. Use the cream cheese and cool whip blend for maximum yumminess.

Enjoy your 4th of July!!!

Proclaiming victory!!!

Our porch is finally screened in now. While I was at work the other day Hutch completely cleaned it off including spraying the ceiling down and sweeping away dead carcasses of wasps. If you've been around for any amount of time, you may remember that I hate wasps and they tend to ruin my life. However, thanks to my fantastic property manager and terrific boyfriend, I no longer have to worry about my porch being infested. No more wasps. Halleluiah.

That's not all I have to be grateful for. I made a decent paycheck at work and made over $400 dollars this week in tips. What does that mean? Well, it means I don't have to dig into my savings account for rent, my friends. See, our car broke down about two weeks ago and Hutch is having a hard time paying his half of everything so I've had to fill in the blanks when it comes to bills. I only have the minimum necessary for a crutch in my savings account anyway, but I was somehow able to pull it off there at the end of June and now I feel much better about everything. My numbers might seem low to those of your with real careers and fat bank accounts, but we made it through even with the setbacks. I am so grateful. You don't even know.

Today my father is coming to visit and Miss Gaia and I are off to get passports. We're going on a cruise in October to spread my Omi's ashes over the ocean. Today might be a productive day after all...