Alyssa’s Blog…a modern day diary of the random thoughts of Alyssa Amsbaugh

My tummy is so full of carbs tonight.  I’m not advocating this as surely it isn’t the best move in the world, and not something I really do anymore, but it just felt good goin’ down!  LOL

In the stupor that follows a heavy meal like the one I just had, I have no choice but to relax in my nice, cool, comfy bedroom and watch “Hot Fuzz.”  This is a British cop comedy that pleasantly surprised me went I originally saw it in the theater months ago.  Somehow I was afraid that it was going to be like Monty Python or Black Adder.  (idk, I just don’t see the “ha ha” factor to them.  But I did always enjoy “The Young Ones.”  Go figure!)  We enjoyed “Hot Fuzz” so much that we immediately gave it the Amsbaugh equivalent of two thumbs up…we said we have GOT to get it when it comes out on DVD.  Well, that moment has arrived.

But before I move on to tonight’s enterainment, I just want to share that this topic of British comedy reminds me of our old neighbors, Paul and Cindy Holt.  Years ago, they lived across from us when we had our very first apartment, which was in Mansfield.  We clicked, became very good friends, and hung out all the time.  We often rented movies and watched them together.  Invariably, if the movie was something that Cindy and J.R. liked (like Monty Python), it was something that put me and Paul to sleep, and vice versa.  omg, it was so funny!  Proof to me that opposites really do attract!  We had a lot of fun with the Cindy and Paul and I happily got a lot of experience babysitting their kids…Gary, Deanne, Kenny, and Paul.  I think I’ll look up their e-mail address this week and try to catch up with them!

In the meantime, on with the show!!!

I got three unsolicited compliments on my shorter hair today and am now thinking of keeping it short for awhile!  LOL

What’s next?  Hair color???

That’s what I’d call it, but I think they’re called super cell mega storms or something like that.  omg, it was awful.  The night sky was lit up with lightning, as if by fireworks.  And the thunder was booming, shaking the windows.

Have I mentioned how I hate thunder and lightning?  Makes me cringe.  Last night’s storm was particularly violent.  Must be the heat, and a low pressure front abutting a high pressure front or something like that.  In layman’s terms, the equivalent of an earthquake in the sky.

idk about that, but it’s certainly something I haven’t made or eaten in forever…until today.  FRENCH TOAST!  Yep, yummy French toast, fried in a coating of eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, and milk, served with sliced, fresh bananas and a drizzle of maple syrup.

Thanks go out to Deb for bringing back real maple syrup from Vermont!  ;>

I think my hairdresser does!  LOL  Got my hair cut this morning and it seemed like more hair ended up on the floor than usual afterwards.  I even commented on it and she agreed.

That’s fine with me…a pixie cut looks very cute on me when my hair is wet.  And God knows my hair grows like weeds so by the end of next week it will probably be back to normal.  I’ve never gone all the way short, though, because I think my cheeks are far too fat, especially when I smile, and I smile a lot.  I really don’t want to highlight them.  And short hair would be difficult to maintain since it only really looks good when it’s at the proper length.  I’d have to get a trim every week!

Had to laugh, though, because a certain someone I know was concerned about HER recent haircut…AND TO ME IT DIDN’T LOOK ANY DIFFERENT!  (Payback’s a biatch, ain’t it?  LOL)  Not sure if that is the case with me or not.  But my curling iron can’t grasp enough hair to really curl, so I think this is legit.

Am going out now to get some hair gel so maybe I can keep that “wet” look…

Yeah, I had hoped that J.R. and I would get a ton of work done around the house today, but he went to work instead.

Anyway, still ambitious, I set out to do things that I can do alone.  Like mow the front and back yards.  I think I came THIS close to heat stroke today after just doing the front and puttering around a little with some plants and weeds.  I stopped because I didn’t feel well and that’s very unlike me.  The sun apparently sapped all of my energy.  Came inside to see a bright red face and neck, and that was enough to confirm that I had spent enough time outside for one day.  God, I was spent.  Had a cool drink and retreated to the bedroom for some merciful AC and a cold drink.

In the meantime, decided to get regular chores done and out of the way so maybe TOMORROW we can kick ass around here together.  Yep, I already cooked.  I fried a whole bag of flounder fillets that I had defrosted earlier (and that J.R. is just dying to eat).  It’s amazin’ what a little flour, egg, Italian bread crumbs, and olive oil can do, isn’t it?  LOL

But wait, I didn’t stop there; I ALSO made a meatloaf (which J.R. also loves).  Yep, it’s in the oven now.  My patented tried and true recipe…ground beef and pork, eggs, fresh parsley, fresh onion, salt, pepper, garlic, Italian bread crumbs, and a little soy sauce and worchestershire sauce.  Mmmm mmm good!  Basically J.R. loves my cooking, so I can give him anything with no complaints.

But wait, there’s more!  I stripped the bed and am washing sheets now.  I washed and dried towels earlier and am folding them now.  Have already organized the rest of the laundry for the wash, too.

Don’t forget about dishes!  The washer is almost full and ready to run, and I’ve stuff to do by hand as well.  Luckily God dries in this house, so that’s one chore I can cross off my list!  LOL

Hopefully tomorrow we’ll make up for what we didn’t get done today.  In the meantime, at least I feel better mentally.  Oh, don’t get me wrong.  I can kick back amazing well…my trusty couch sees to that!  But I usually feel awful when I’m not doing anything.  I guess I’m just a doer…

A friend of mine forwarded the following story to me…seems there’s a lot of “cleaning” going on in our area. Read on.

Police say trio stole woman’s jewelry in scam

August 17, 2007

Police are looking for three women who stole almost $4,000 worth of jewelry from a 77-year-old victim Wednesday.

Police think the trio that scammed the woman are transient criminals, said Bethlehem police Detective Mark DiLuzio.

The burglary happened shortly before noon at a home on Lois Lane in the city.

According to DiLuzio:

A woman knocked on the victim’s door and said she was supposed to clean a neighbor’s house, but no one was home. She asked the victim if she could come inside to write a note.

Police said the woman told the victim she had a new washing machine and wasn’t sure how to use it and asked if she could see the victim’s machine in the basement.

While in the basement, police said the woman sat on the stairs to block the victim while two other women entered the home. Police said when the victim was finally able to get back upstairs, all three women ran from the home.

The women stole $3,950 worth of jewelry from a second-floor bedroom.

Anyone with information may call police at 610-865-7187 or the crime tip line at 610-691-6660.

It all started with J.R. and I going to see the “Reno 911!: Miami” movie. I had low expectations and ended up laughing my ass off. I don’t even think we intended to see it. Were we late for some other movie and decide to wing it? Who knows?

The important thing is that now I can’t get enough of “Reno 911!” I’m completely hooked on the TV series that started it all. I can’t explain it; I think you either love it or hate it. Much like Howard Stern, who I also love. Much like Monty Python, who I can’t stand. (I just don’t “get” them. Nothing to belly laugh about in my opinion.)

Anyway, just as an FYI, I’ve now come full circle with this series as J.R. was kind enough to buy me the unrated version of the movie so I can watch a little bit of “Reno 911!” every day…even if our TiVo is out of recorded episodes. Thanks, J.R.! And somehow, because it IS, after all, “Reno 911!,” all those naked fake boobs don’t bother me one bit. LOL (That’s a miracle because you know that they do in real life.)

You probably already know that Deb got me into the world of scrapbooking and now I have all sorts of gadgets, supplies, and albums to show for my efforts. Sometimes we scrap at the consultant’s house, and sometimes we scrap at Deb’s house. It’s a great creative outlet and a lot of fun. (And it also keeps me out of trouble and off of the streets! LOL)

Well, not to be outdone, Erin has now gotten me into rubber stamping! We went to a Stampin’ Up! party at Lisa’s house and really enjoyed ourselves. While there, Erin signed up for a 2-hour workshop called “Stamp Camp” so I did, too. Basically, for $8 you get instructed on some stamping techniques and can use all the supplies you need to make four different greeting cards.

While at the consultant’s house, Erin noticed me admiring a beautiful set of garden-themed stamps that were on clearance sale…and she bought them for me for my birthday. That, and a brayer…a small hand roller used to spread ink. Super cool!

Needless to say, we had a blast and we both signed up for the Stamp Camps coming up in September and October. I think Lisa did, too. And we talked Deb into coming as well. omg, this is too exciting!

You see, whenever we go to these organized craft things, whether at a consultant’s home or out at some event, somehow we become the “happening” table. We laugh and enjoy each other’s company so much (and feed off each other’s sense of humor) that people get jealous and are like, “I’ll have what they’re having!” Hey, there’s such a thing as chemistry, even in friendships. (It’s not just for lovers anymore!) Sometimes people just click. And we definitely click. And scrap. And stamp. And God knows whatever other craft comes along! LOL

that is, until you blog about it! LOL omg, I just HAVE to share the details of my secret night out with the girls! It was a birthday treat and surprise from two of my friends, Erin and Debbie. (You might have read about this in an earlier blog, where I was mega excited about the prospect of this birthday surprise.)

Our first stop was part of Deb’s present to me…a professional pedicure! Yes, I’m not ashamed to admit that I was a pedicure virgin prior to this so I had no idea what to expect. Deb said I looked like I was terrified, but in reality I was very excited, if just a little nervous. (But then, aren’t all virgins?)

omg, it was so much fun, especially because we got to sit next to each other, all three of us in a row in these really cool chairs. Picture a combination of massage chair on top (where you’re in charge of the various kneading selections) and a bathtub on the bottom. Would love to have one of these at home! I chose hot pink polish while Deb opted for opalescent blue and Erin got lime green. (FYI, she’s calling herself Shrek now.) Of course I took pictures of our finished feet all together…very cute and pretty! It’s now my computer wallpaper.

Then we headed out for our surprise dinner. (A little birdie accidentally spilled the beans about the location while we were at the salon, but I’ll never reveal who that little birdie is!) Deb and Erin happened to choose one of my favorite restaurants…Carrabba’s! I LOVE ITALIAN FOOD. And boy, did I stuff myself. The amazing thing is that when I weighed myself the next day, I had actually LOST weight! Way to go, Carrabba’s! My compliments to the chef!

As usual, we weren’t there long when the waitress brought out some fresh, hot bread and poured olive oil over a plate of dipping spices. “Pace yourself, Alyssa,” I thought to myself. “Don’t load up on this luscious, hot bread, soaked with olive oil, with hearty spices clinging to it ever so deliciously!” (What chance did I have to resist?)

We started off with red wine-based Sangria and a trio of appetizers…fried calamari, mozzarella sticks, and bruschetta (one of my personal favorites). My meal started with a Caesar salad, after which I felt the need for spaghetti sauce and so opted for chicken parmesan with penne pasta. Deb had sausage soup and a salad with chicken. Erin had a salad, then grilled chicken served with pasta and fresh asparagus. (Next time I’m going to try what she had. She gave us a sample of that chicken and the smokey flavor was out of this world…Mmmmm!)

The finishing touch was birthday ice cream with a candle and “happy birthday” sung to me in Italian. In case you’ve never had it, Carrabba’s traditional birthday treat is vanilla ice cream drizzled with caramel sauce and sugared, carmelized pecans. omg, it was awesome. Then I HAD to have some Dessert Rosa…chunky slices of banana, strawberry, and pineapple nestled in vanilla pudding on top of white cake, all topped off with whipped cream and a strawberry dipped in dark chocolate. YUM!

These two are definitely too good to me. (If I guy had dropped that kind of money on me, he would have gotten lucky that night! LOL) We laughed so hard that I was hoarse the next day. And I’m sorry, but I CANNOT reveal the topics of our table talk. Let’s just say we had fun and leave it at that!

Thanks again, Erin and Deb, for your fabulous birthday treats!!! I felt very special and loved! You know you’re like sisters to me, right? Love ya!