Alexa

For Christmas, I received and "Alexa" as a present from Alex.  He said he really wanted one so he got it for me.  I have to admit, at first I was very skeptical.  I wasn't sure I wanted something (someone) else in the house.  And, do we need another gadget?

Strangely, we use Alexa quite a bit.  Weather forecasts, a speaker for music, news updates, jokes, games, etc.  I think we really enjoy playing games with Alexa.  My in-laws had fun playing jeopardy. Bella said the questions were too hard for her.  Category games has been a family favorite, too.

The one thing we have noticed is that sometimes Alexa doesn't hear what we are saying.  There are times when she doesn't hear us correctly and says something that is not related to our question or answer.  So, yea, I think we got the deaf Alexa.

It can be amusing when Alexa doesn't hear you.  She changes your answer in a game and it's the correct answer.  Of course, it's frustrating when she changes it to the wrong answer.  It's even worse when she changes the category and you had a good answer!

I moved Alexa to the center of the kitchen (she was at the far end of the kitchen, by the wall) and I think it's helped "a little" with her hearing problem.  If it gets too bad, I might have to see if I can purchase Alexa a hearing aid off Amazon.

It Wasn't Me

I just thought I would let you know that our dear friend, "It Wasn't Me," has visited our house once again.  I'm not sure if all of this happened in one visit, or was strung out during several visits.  I'm beginning to think that maybe "It Wasn't Me" lives in our house?   I can't say I like his (her?) visits, but, I can say that I do find them quite entertaining.

Several bathroom problems were brought to my attention.  I had a small meeting with my children to discuss the problems and to try and put a stop to them.  No one fessed up.  I got upset and said, "Most break ins (into houses) result in something getting stolen.  We have "someone" (It Wasn't Me) breaking into our house and he makes messes!"

My kids found it funny.  For some reason, I did not.

RT pointed out to Bella, a candy wrapper stuffed in the couch cushion.  Bella got all defensive and said, (drum roll, please) ........"It Wasn't Me!"  This has happened a million times  before, with the same results.  As she started to place blame

Nick - No, he doesn't eat candy

Alex - No, he hangs out in the basement and if he does eat candy, they are somewhere in the black hole his room.

By the way, RT scratched the surface with that one wrapper.  I moved the cushion and found a dozen more candy wrappers.  It seems that "It Wasn't Me" has quite the sweet tooth.

Dear It Wasn't Me,
Thank you for visiting our home.
We try to keep our house neat and clean.  We ask that you please clean up after yourself.  That includes your bathroom mishaps.
You are welcome any time, as long as you clean up after yourself.
Thanks!

P.S.  You might want to take care of those pearly whites by watching your sugar in take and brushing your teeth more often.

Vegan Diaries - Vegan Meatballs

OK, so they are vegan.  They are meatless.  Maybe the title should be Vegan Meatless Balls?  Or Meatless Vegan Meatballs?

Well, while you mull those titles over, I'll just post the recipe.  These came out quite tasty.  I think next time I'll ad a little more garlic and seasoning.  Oh, they got a thumbs up from the carnivores in the house.

Meatless Vegan Meatballs

Ingredients:

1/2 cup minced onion
3 cloves minced garlic
1 flax egg*
1 cup chickpeas (rinsed and drained)
1/4 cup vegan Parmesan cheese **
2 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 cup bread crumbs***
2 Tbsp marinara or tomato sauce

directions:
Oven to 375F.

Prepare Flax egg.

In small pan, saute onion and garlic in a little olive oil.  Set aside.

Place chick peas in food processor and pulse to break down.  Then add sauteed onion and garlic and rest of ingredients.  You want it to be moldable.

Taste and adjust seasonings accordingly.

Start molding into 1" balls.

Put layer of olive oil in pan and saute  meatballs until brown on outside.  Make sure brown on all sides.

Place "meatballs" in layer on cookie sheet and place in oven for 15 minutes (or longer for a crispier texture).

Serve with your favorite pasta sauce.


*flax egg - mix 1 TBSP ground flax seed and 3 TBSP water in a small dish and let sit for about 10 minutes.

**For Vegan Parmesan cheese, I used nutritional yeast.

***I use ground up oats for my bread crumbs.

Enjoy!

It's January in a toy store.  My hours have been cut.  And, when I do work, well, it's REAL slow.  I mean, not many people are buying toys in January.  I am trying to find a way to write blog posts while at work.  You know, get paid to write about my scary life.  I've picked up a few extra shifts this month.  I just have to remember to bring my list of topics with me so I can write while I'm at work.

Today, I've read two books so far.  Of course, they are kids books.  They were entertaining and took about 30 minutes of my time (thanks to a customer).

If you have any suggestions on topics, let me know.  I have lots of time at work to come up with a post or three.

Time Out

We have had a lot of excitement  headaches  nightmares  stuff going on the last couple of weeks.

A couple of weeks ago (the week before Christmas), RT went in to the dentist for a couple of fillings. His appointment was the first thing in the morning, and then he went to work.  I, of course, went to work (busiest shopping time for a toy store).  That evening, RT was feeling a little dizzy.  We thought, well, we aren't sure what we thought.  Still feeling the affects from his dental visit?  To make a long story longer  short, RT ended up going to the hospital and was out of commission for a few days.  He's better now (thank God!).

Then, we had Christmas, which I wasn't totally prepared for because of work and RT's hospital visit.

Then, along came New Years, and RT, Bella and Alex got sick (headache, cough, fever, etc.).  I was the tending physician (and still am).   Bella just got over it right before school started back up again.

During all of this crazy time illness, everyone (that was sick) has been EXTREMELY crabby.  I mean, I understand what it's like being sick, feeling awful and not being able to do much.  It can make you quite crabby.  Unfortunately, much of this crabbiness has been directed towards the attending nurse (me).

I am looking forward to some healthier times in our house and some happier people to live with .

The Loaner

That's Loaner.  Not loner.

So, While I was visiting the car dealer last week (I feel like I go there at least once a month) and, in between the exciting golf tournament that I was watching on TV, I somehow wrote a blog post (Year in Review - 2017).  The dealer would not let me leave with my car, so they gave me a loaner.

This loaner produced some excitement in our house.  First of all, it's a new car.  New = not ours and well, it's newer than any of our cars.  Of course, Alex felt he was able to drive it whenever he wanted/needed....work, fun, etc.

On New Years Eve, Alex was going out with friends.  I told him to take RT's car because the loaner needed gas.  With frigid temperatures here, it's not a great time to have to put gas in one's car.  I told him to text me and let me know that he's OK.  A lot of weirdos are out on New Year's Eve and he was going to two different friend's houses.

So....first text.

Alex:  I'm safe.  The car needs gas.

Guess which car he took?

I told him not to fill it.  Maybe $10-$15 worth of gas.  (We have to return with the same amount of gas that it had when it was given to us).

I received several texts all stating that he was safe.

At 2am, I look outside and in the garage and I don't see the loaner.  Alex was still awake.  He said the loaner ran out of gas by the church and he (along with the help of his friends) had to push the car (in freezing temperatures) two blocks.  The car was parked in front of a friends house (he did notify the village so we don't get a ticket).  One kid's mom came and drove everyone home.

So, New Years Day, we had to get the car and put gas in it.  I use the term "we" loosely because I was the one to drive it to the gas station and fill it up.  I thought Alex was going to follow me.  You know. In case the car dies and I don't make it to the gas station.  But, alas, no.  He went to hang out with friends.

Happy New Year!

Do you make a list of goals for the New Year?

Do you choose a word for the year?

Do you create a new fitness plan?

Do you reorganize and buy a bunch of containers?

I'm just making a meal of Hopping John for dinner (it's supposed to bring good luck in the New Year) and I plan on sitting back and enjoying the fun of 2018!