My Favorite Drink

Did I mention that I live in Florida? Is it odd that I like to drink hot chocolate at least three times a day. Sometimes I heat water for hot chocolate then have to change a diaper, discipline a kid, throw the clothes into the washer, fold the clothes in the dryer, change another diaper, nurse the baby, start dinner and then my hot water for hot chocolate is cold. So I start again. Then I make dinner, chat with Mom while we're making dinner, change ANOTHER diaper, take the kids outside so they will leave Mom alone while she's finishing dinner, set the table, nurse the baby, change yet another diaper, nurse the baby, call everyone to dinner and then my hot water is cold again. It's interesting the way that works.

I like hot chocolate so much I buy THE BIG ONE.

*Dear Dr. Pepper, I still like you the best, but you have much more sugar than Hot Chocolate and you are much more expensive than Hot Chocolate. Don't worry, I still have a special place on my taste buds for you. Love me*

Joanna Shrugged?

A couple of months ago Granny put out a challenge to read Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged. I seriously considered accepting the challenge because Granny has been around the block a few times and when she says "jump", I think the rest of us young 'uns should say "how high?" However I kept thinking about how I didn't even have time to read recipes, let alone books. I mean, I'm on chapter 5 or something like that in Pride and Prejudice. It's pathetic. I'm just too busy.

Anyway, I've been reading some of Michelle Malkin on a daily basis and they keep talking about "Going Galt". As I'm reading I keep wondering "Who is John Galt?" Turns out John Galt is from Atlas Shrugged. I have finally decided that I must read this book. The more of our money Obama spends the more I'm convinced we're headed down the slippery slope of Socialism and I think it's fascinating that Atlas Shrugged was written over 5 decades ago, before Obama was even born.

I checked Amazon and their copies of Atlas Shrugged are between $15 and $25. I thought I'd check out the library. You know what's funny? EVERY SINGLE COPY of Atlas Shrugged that the Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative has is either checked out or on hold. I am now more convinced than ever that people are worried. People are downright freaked out. It's just hard to believe the main-stream media when they say that 60% of the country has a high approval rating of the Obama administration.

Okay, I will now try to get off of my soap-box. I promise to try to keep politics off of this blog as I know that's not really what it's for. I just had to mention that though.

On to more light-hearted matters: look what I got in the mail on Monday. I'm sorry I haven't posted or at least called you before to let you know. But look, they are in regular use. In the crib, for soothing, next to the diaper changing station, and even in the van. They are just beautiful! I always enjoy having a blanket and burp cloths from you because they are so pretty and they remind me of what a fabulous friend you are! Thank you Johanna and Lyn for the blanket and burp cloths.

Oh and one more thing. I tried the cookies. I was disappointed. Maybe it's because I put caramel chips and chocolate chips in them. They totally fell apart. And then I over baked the others so they are crunchy. They were incredibly easy to whip up though.

Anna is starting to sleep through the night. I put her down for the night at 8:40 last night and she woke up once at 3:23am, then didn't wake again until 7:30. I lay in my bed this morning wondering if she was dead. Isn't that awful. I think a lot about your friend; Anna is amost two months old. I snuck in her room full of trepidation. She was just laying there, wide awake staring at the wall. I snuggled her up good and prayed over her while I nursed her. Why am I so afraid to give her back to Jesus?

Last Wednesday (not yesterday) we went to see the manatees. It was pretty cool.

Random Thoughts

I won another contest this last week! This one was a bracelet giveaway by Brenda for the Fitness Friday Time Capsule post! This handmade beaded bracelet is really lovely and I've already worn it several times since I got it in the mail last Saturday. Posting about it today, I've learned something: it is very hard to photograph your own wrist and not have the picture be blurry. I took thirteen photos trying to get a perfect one, then gave up and used the first one I took after all!

In other news, Andrew now scoots and spins on his back! I think he can only do it when he is under his play gym and can hold onto a handing toy, but now that he has had a taste of moving around it won't be long before he realizes he can roll and scoot on his own!

Speaking of Andrew, I have started to let him cry it out more at night. Last night, he woke up to eat at 4:00 AM, and after I fed him, he was having none of this whole "going-back-to-bed" thing. He has also been fighting me on his morning nap and at bedtime. He went from a baby who went down for 2-3 naps and bedtime with relatively no problems, to this super fussy baby after these ear infections. He is no longer having ear pain, and I am sick of constantly getting a crying baby who should be sleeping and rocking and rocking and rocking, so at 4:30 this morning, with the crying keeping us from sleep, I asked Jerry, "Should I let him work it out?" When his response was, "You're going to have to eventually." I knew it was the time. ::sigh:: I know it won't take long because he was putting himself to sleep before all the illness, and I know that he has to learn to sooth himself, but this is hard on a mama's heart!

Finally, I had written that I was wanting to add more coconut to my diet. I have been doing that mostly with coconut oil so far and have really seen my appetite regulate with this and my poor, abused metabolism start to come to life. I decided it was time to add a new thing, so I made Coconut Corn Soup for lunch yesterday! It was so yummy! I was talking with my mom before I made it and described it to her. She thought it sounded yummy, and I knew I would have enough, so I invited her to come have lunch with us. So imagine my horror as I served up my soup and my husband reveals through a look of horror on his face with his first bite that he doesn't like coconut!! What? Who knew? We have been married for 11 years and I had no idea he didn't like coconut. Unfortunately for him, he was at a table with my mom and kids in addition to me, and Aaron was balking at the soup too, so he had to eat it! I felt bad for him because it was obvious that he really didn't like it. However, now I have a dilemma - I am wanting to add more coconut, and my husband doesn't like coconut. This could be problematic! Anyway, try the soup - it's really great!

Coconut Corn Soup

• 1 can whole coconut milk (not lite)
• 4 cups chicken stock (I used homemade - yum!)
• 28 oz. fire-roasted chopped tomatoes
• kernels from 4 ears of corn (I used 2 c. frozen)
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme (I used marjoram because I was out of thyme!)
• sea salt and ground pepper to taste (I used about a teaspoon of salt and no pepper)
• I added about 1 c. shredded chicken leftover from making the chicken stock

Place all ingredients in a large pot over medium heat, bring to a simmer, and cook for 10 minutes.

I Though Del's Was Hilarious

1. Delmar needs to be voted out of office ASAP. (This is a democracy? Oh, well I don't want to vote in a new husband, I like mine perfectly fine, thankyouverymuch)

2. Delmar needs a new Police Chief. (You said it, get those kids in line)

3. Delmar needs to part their ways with this man. (There's more than one of Del?)

4. Delmar needs to stay, DELMAR! (Yes he does, you tell 'im)

5. Delmar needs to construct a public well that is to be 210’ deep and 12 inches in diameter. (Does it have to be a public well because I would not want strangers coming to get water from my back yard)

6. Delmar needs a home. (Ahhh, he has a home right here)

7. Delmar needs a good old fashioned steak place. (I like Longhorn myself, it's a bit pricey though)

8. Delmar needs a home. (I already told you, he has a home right here, dadburnit)

9. Delmar needs to be closed 9 months to rebuild the bridge. (How are you going to do that? Is it the Bridge to Nowhere?)

10. Delmar needs more art work. (Good, hand over the cash and I will head to the store to pick some up)

Mine Isn't as Funny

Maybe I did something wrong.

1. Uriah Heep, "My Joanna Needs Tuning" lyrics (I do? I don't know how to sing that's for sure)

2. These "My Joanna Needs Tuning" lyrics are performed by Uriah Heep. (Neat, good for them)

3. "My Joanna Needs Tuning" lyrics, by Uriah Heep (Okay, Okay, sheesh...lessons are expensive though)

4. Copying Danielle and Neal, it's pretty fun to type "Joanna needs" into google and see what comes up. (So I'm told)

5. "My Joanna Needs Tuning" lyrics, by Uriah Heep (FOR THE LOVE OF PETE, I KNOW ALREADY)

6. Uriah Heep - My Joanna Needs Tuning (Who is this Uriah Heep anyway and why does he think I need tuning?)

7. My Joanna needs tuning: Which apparently is a Uriah Heep Song. (I know that already, haven't you heard)

8. Lyrics for "My Joanna Needs Tuning" by Uriah Heep (I did read David Copperfield you know, I know who Uriah Heep is)

9. Uriah Heep - My Joanna Needs Tuning (This is boring)

10. Uriah Heep - "My Joanna Needs Tuning" lyrics (Did you know that "the Joanna" and "the old Joanna" are nicknames given to the piano?)

I had to go to page three to find anything besides the blasted Uriah Heep song. This is what I found.

11. Joanna needs a green and white striped polo shirt. (Hey, I'd go for that as long as you're paying)

12. Joanna needs to go to see her loan manager at her bank. (You don't need to see me; this isn't the Joanna you're looking for (kudos to the reader who identifies that (mis)quote))

I had to go to page four to get anything else beside the blasted Uriah Heep. Thanks Johanna, I now have a complex about my tuning.

There is a meme going through Facebook right now that I had a lot of fun with. Since one of my closest friends is holding out on doing Facebook (though I believe resistance is futile...), I am posting mine here too!

Here’s how it works: Google “[your first name] needs” (don't forget to include the quotes) and share the first 10 results. That's it: it is that simple. But be honest!

1. Johanna needs to know the disease may last from 9 months to 24 months. (Wow - I'm in shock. I had no idea it was that serious.)

2. Johanna needs to talk with Larry and let Chris know what is needed. (I've got Larry on the other line right now!)

3. Johanna needs not justify her reasons for asking questions. (That's right, people! So back off, already!)

4. Johanna needs structure. (Seriously.)

5. Johanna needs to offer a variety of goods in her business so that she can meet customer demand and thus maintain her profits. (If only my business had customer demand...)

6. Johanna needs to finish her paper. (Oh, my! Who re-enrolled me in school behind my back??)

7. Johanna needs networking and referral sharing. (Hmmm...wonder what for?)

8. Johanna needs your phone number! (Since I like talking on the phone so much...)

9. Johanna needs to come before the Commission for purchases over $1000. (I mean, if you're going to let me spend over $1000, I'll come before whomever I need to!)

10. Johanna needs new editors. (Especially since my current editors are on strike!)

I had a lot of fun doing that! Since I don't have a common name (at least not for English-speaking people), I wasn't sure how much would come up. I would be curious to see what would come up for Joanna, too!

Lest We Not Stay Informed

I don't have cable television. Therefore I don't watch TV at all. I watch movies and that's it. No news though so to stay informed I check on Granny, Terry and Michelle Malkin every day...or at least nearly every day. Granny has three very important posts up today, but this one takes the cake. Please read it. As an aside, the brief quoted was filed 20 years ago.