Verizon Goes on the Trash Heap Today

I've had it with our Verizon telephone service. I have never had so much trouble with a simple land line. You would think that Verizon service here in Northern Virginia, where there is a new and very large corporate building in Ashburn, we would at least get good service. We have had our phone line in service at our new house for about two months and it has been nothing but annoying and disappointing. There is a constant buzz on the line. We never had that sort of trouble when we lived in Indiana. It seems like they are just hap-hazard with installations, maintenance and repairs around here. I just don't get it. This will be about the fourth or fifth time Verizon has had to come out here to try to get things right.

Guests for Thanksgiving

I am so excited because I found out yesterday that my daughter's friend from Indiana and her mother are coming to our new home for Thanksgiving. It will be like having a little bit of Fort Wayne with us; we miss it so much. I spent the day yesterday watching Food Network's Thanksgiving shows. In particular, I have copied recipes from Paula Deen's show and from Rachel Ray's show. Now I need to start getting my groceries together and finalizing my menu. I have something to looke forward to now!

The Chinese Are Trying to Kill Us; Boycott!

Okay, I've just about had it with the products from China that are toxic. I truly believe they are trying to kill us one toy at a time. Yesterday, I read in the newspaper about the Aqua Dots toys that are poison. My youngest daughter just got some for her birthday and was so excited because she was going to ask for more of the toy for Christmas. Last night I had to throw all of the stuff away. We have also had to deal with the Mattel toys that were said to have lead paint. Let's see, we had the Barbie, the Polly Pocket and lots of Hot Wheels cars. My kids are getting very discouraged and disheartened about the goodness of the world and the people we all rely on. While I entitled this post the Chinese are trying to kill us, a lot of the blame lies with the companies such as Mattel who make their products as cheaply as possible so they can make a higher profit. Shame on them for not checking on the production of their toys and testing and requiring that certain standards be met. I have had it with these companies. I am mad now, and you all know what happens when a housewife gets mad! I told my kids last night that that was the last straw. I will be carefully reading labels on all the items they want and if some toy or gadget is made in China, forget it. I am purging my house of all things Chinese. I have lost any trust I had in the toy manufacturers. I challenge all of you who will be buying toys or gadgets this year for Christmas or other gift giving to read the label and if it says "made in China" throw it back on the shelf. The big companies won't do much to make changes on their own, but if we consumers quit buying things from China, they might get the message. We want our kids to be playing with things that aren't going to kill them. Please join me in my boycott of all things made in China!

Out of Stock

This is one thing I do that just drives me crazy; I see something I want or need to purchase and either can't make up my mind or for some reason am so indecisive that I wait too long and the item is gone. I did just that over the last few weeks. I have been shopping online in my own "personal mall" with My Power Mall to get some furniture that I needed for my new house. I ordered a bunch of kitchen things (dining chairs, table, barstools, etc.) at Target.com. I also found a bed at KMart.com that was in the Martha Stewart line of furniture. It had several 5-star reviews, so I thought it would be a good bed to buy for our guest room. I hemmed and hawed for awhile, and as usual didn't order it when I should have. My husband asked me about the bed today, probably because he has been making flight arrangements for his mother to come here for Christmas. I went to KMart.com this morning to order the bed and guess what? The bed is no longer available. Man am I stupid! Why didn't I just order it a couple of weeks ago? Now I don't have a be for my mother-in-law to sleep on. I am so annoying! Throw that one the trash heap, why don't ya!

Slow Week So Far

I can't believe I don't have anything to throw on the trash heap yet this week. The only thing that comes close is the price of gasoline. I need to fill up my tank today and I dread doing it because it is nearly empty and I drive a Suburban. Yuck! What I wouldn't give to be able to afford to go buy an more gasoline friendly car! I just don't have the money though. Maybe my Google AdSense will go crazy this week and explode with lots of clicks and I will miraculously have money for a car. I can dream, can't I?

Target.com and My Power Mall

I just finished putting together the last chair from my target.com order yesterday. I have to say I am very pleased with all of my purchases. This was sort of an experiment, because I am usually skeptical of at-home business "opportunities, and on-line shopping, but I bit the bullet and tried both in one fell-swoop. I signed up for my own mall through www.mypowermall.com/Biz/Home/64797, and then I did some shopping. I love Target stores, but there isn't one very close to me, so Target.com in my "mall" was a fantastic alternative. I ordered 7 dining chairs, 2 barstools and one table for my kitchen. I received all pieces in less than one week, and everything is solid, looks great and the best of all, all of that stuff only cost me $560.00--including shipping! I also got a commission on what I sold to myself through my mall. I think I will try it again. I need some bedroom furniture before our company comes for the holidays.

Orange Soup

There isn't really anything that belongs in the trash heap in this post, but I thought I would add it anyway. I started the tradition of making my mother-in-laws recipe of "Orange Soup" every year on Halloween. The soup is very popular with my husband and girls and we certainly enjoy it at least every couple of months; not just on Halloween. It is a great alternative for chili since I am the only one who likes chili in my family. So, with that being said, here is the recipe for Italian Chicken Soup, more commonly known in my family as "Orange Soup"

1 chicken, cut up (or just use canned white meat if you are pressed for time)
3 lg. sliced carrots--more if you like
3 ribs sliced celery
2 onions, chopped
1 small can tomato paste (I sometimes use sauce--just depends on what is in my pantry)
5 qt. water
Salt and pepper to taste
Small pasta

Place chicken and water in pot over medium heat. Skim the top occasionally. Turn heat down and simmer for 1 hour. Remove fat from top. Add carrots, onions and tomato paste. Simmer 1 1/2 hours. Turn off heat. Remove chicken, shred the meat and return to the pot. Bring to a boil and add 1 cup of soup pasta. When tender, serve. Salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top for a little added flavor.

**If using canned chicken, I use packaged chicken broth for my base. This recipe is also delicious using stew beef with beef broth for the base. I also like to serve some sort of crusty bread or soft breadsticks with it.

Enjoy!