Category: Personal

I posted part of this a few years ago at The Ooze, but I was thinking about the strangeness of it all the other day. At one point Hot Topic carried a t-shirt that said “What am I, fly paper for FREAKS?” Honestly there have been points in my life when I have totally felt like that. I seem to be the one random person people approach to say odd things. Granted the occurrences have dropped drastically since I had a kid (in fact they only happen now when Emma’s not with me). I do feel weird about it. I’m an introvert and so am uneasy about random encounters. But I feel like I should be friendly and strike up a conversation, but often its just too weird and creepy to go there. Perhaps I’m missing opportunities to connect with people. What do you think?

For example –

I was standing in a check-out line at Walmart and this very elderly man comes up to me and says “you look like the person to ask”. I told him I didn’t work there, but then he just looked at me and asked “so are computers from God or from Satan?” a bit confused by that point I replied “from God.” He then gave me a hard stare and said “how could something so evil come from God? you just think about that.” then he walked away.

Then once, I was sitting in my car waiting for the light to turn and I hear a car horn beep. I look to the car next to me and there’s this guy rolling down his window motioning for me to roll down mine. I do so expecting to be asked directions or something. But he looks at me and asks “so are you one of those pretty girls who like to blow people off” I reply “I don’t think so” and he says “I hope you have friends and don’t push people away.” Then he drove off.

I was working at an Antique shop in Wheaton and I noticed a man staring through the window for a long time. He looked like he was from the PADS shelter down the street. I ignored him and kept working (most likely dusting or polishing silver, that’s all I ever seemed to do there). Next thing I knew, he was in the store standing right by me. I asked him if he needed any help and he asked me if I would marry him. I held up my hand with my ring on it and said I was already married. He then walked out of the store.

Along those same lines, I was at the grocery store recently (without Emma) and an older very disheveled man walked up to me and said “you must not be married.” I wondered what in my cart could possibly give that impression and asked him why. He said it was because I wasn’t wearing a wedding ring on my left hand. For all of you who have met me in person – I don’t have a left hand. I was a bit taken aback by him saying that. So I just held up my right hand with my wedding ring on it. He look at it, looked at me, and said “I was in ‘Nam” and walked away.

Anyway, is it just me, or do other people have complete strangers come up and ask them really weird stuff? How do you react/interact?

Hi readers

A few people were asking – I am slowly healing from my side injury (internal bruise). I can move again and am not popping pain killers all the time. It will apparently be a long process, but I can see that normalcy is beginning to return.

I’m going crazy at the moment trying to pull together all the final details for the Emerging Women Midwest Gathering this weekend. I’m really looking forward to it, but there is so much to do. So I doubt there will be much in the way of blog posts here until after the retreat.

I do have to say that I’m loving that we are experiencing a bit of a Spring teaser this week here in Chicagoland. I can go outside and be warm – not just not cold, but warm. It’s great.

So I’m a bit in la-la land at the moment. Lots of pain and lots of drugs for that pain. Friday night I was reading to Emma on the couch, somehow she managed to flop/jump onto my left side. It took my breath away and I was sore after that. Well the pain got worse. Intense pain in my side and back – I couldn’t move well or do much besides lay on the couch. By Sunday I was dizzy and nauseous as well, so my doctor told me to go to the ER. So we braved the snow and I got to spend the afternoon at the hospital getting tests run, getting a CAT Scan, and getting dosed with morphine. Apparently to find out that I have some sort of internal trauma (duh). As far as they could tell (the metal rod in my back obscured the CAT scan a bit), there is no internal bleeding. So at this point it’s a waiting game. I’ll either start feeling better soon or will develop serious symptoms. Fun times. So I’m back on the couch full of painkillers. Never really thought having a toddler would be like a contact sport, but crazy things do happen. Just thought I’d take the opportunity to complain to the world.

Time for a silly and random brag.

So this past summer I started entering recipe contests mostly as a way to make myself come up with new and creative meals. It’s kinda silly but fun at the same time. There are all sorts of contest – themed ones, brand named ones, and the biggies (Southern Living, Pillsbury, National Chicken, and Build a Burger). I enter, if I win- great; if not, I have a new recipe.

Well I finally won one. I am an Honor Roll winner (3rd place) in the February Better Homes and Gardens Tacos with a Twist contest. Not only is my name in the newest issue, they sent me a framed certificate, printed copies of my recipe that fit in the BHG cookbook, and (best of all) a check. The certificate is a tad over the top, but it was all fun anyway. The funniest part is that when I made this recipe Mike told me that it was one I really didn’t need to make again. Hmm… So if you really care – here is my 3rd place winning recipe for –

Grilled Tuscan Chicken Tacos

2 large skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
2 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp lemon-pepper seasoning
1 8-oz. pkg. sliced fresh button mushrooms
1 14 -oz. can artichoke hearts, drained and quartered
2 Tbsp snipped dried tomatoes
1 tsp. dried Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
1/4 cup dry white wine
3-4 Tbsp bottled Caesar salad dressing
8 8-inch flour tortillas
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Brush chicken with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Sprinkle with lemon-pepper seasoning. For a charcoal grill, place chicken on the rack on an uncovered grill directly over medium heat. Grill for 10-12 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink, turning once halfway through grilling. (For a gas grill, preheat grill to medium; adjust for direct cooking. Place chicken on grill rack directly over heat. Cover and grill as above.) Cut chicken into thin strips; cover to keep warm.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet cook mushrooms, artichoke hearts, tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper in the remaining 1 tablespoon oil over medium heat about 5 minutes or until mushrooms are tender, stirring occasionally. Carefully add wine. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 5-8 minutes or until most of the liquid has evaporated.

To serve, spread salad dressing over one-half of each flour tortilla. Top with chicken strips and mushroom mixture. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Fold unfilled half over filling. Makes 4 servings.

Enjoy!