Truth???

With all of the president bashing going on, especially in the circles that I run with (ahem academia - thank you for producing amazingly liberal people), I am glad Pres. Bush is telling the truth - or at least part of the truth. Shawn and I talk all the time about how the Pres. is slandered because of what is going on in the economy. The truth is, is that there are MANY more people in the decision making chair than simply the president (and I am not talking about just Bush, but him and ALL the others before him).

Speaking just on gas alone - there have been proposals time and time again about building more refineries in America. But, like Bush said, the proposals have been shot down. WHY???? I don't want to get into the in's and out's of this, but I find it pretty ridiculous that people ARE STILL pointing fingers at the Pres. for what is going on now. Hello people, rising gas prices have been predicted for YEARS and YEARS now. Just because it's happening NOW doesn't mean it's a direct result of Bush. What about all of the past presidents? What did they do to help divert this?

Read the article posted on CNN's website. Click here!

I especially like the part where the Democrats report that Bush is out of touch. Uh yeah, let's just SHIFT THE BLAME AGAIN WITHOUT REALLY FOCUSING ON GETTING SOMETHING DONE! That's what is really going to make a difference in this country, shifting blame without taking action. Last time I wanted to get something done, I sat on my couch and simply complained about it until it got done. Now I have a clean kitchen, a completely remodeled house, a perfectly manicured yard and each room of the house is spotless. You know how I did it? I passed blame and did nothing. If only the world worked like that.

***She steps down from her soapbox. Discuss!

Approved!!!

I got word yesterday that I was approved to teach online classes next semester at San Jose State University. If all goes well with enrollment, I will be paid to teach from my house. PRAISE GOD!!!!! I am now the second person in the department to teach online (well, for part-timers anyway). Apparently this is a coveted position - and yeah, God totally had His hand in this. God never ceases to amaze me. :)

So, we picked up the car today

I don't know why I am putting this out in blog world - but hey, at least it's an outlet right? I feel REALLY guilty for buying a new (used) car when we have one that is working perfectly. Seriously, I need counseling! I was excited at the prospect of getting a more comfortable car for my back - but since we have one that works perfectly, it's grating on me.

Granted, Shawn and I have been looking to a more comfortable car for about 6 or 8 months - - - - - - still, it doesn't matter. I feel guilty because we didn't need it. Plus, it's more expensive in gas - hello Mr. Premium, nice to meet you. And, about 1/3 worse gas mileage. Hello Mr. More Money in gas, nice to meet you too.

I feel greedy. I don't like buying new cars, especially when I have a working one (even though it's on its last leg). I think my years of going over seas to do missions is finally catching up with me. Our house is too big, and now we have too many cars. So many people in the world have so little - and we already have too much - and now we have even more. I don't like it.

Seriously, I need counseling!

We took the plunge....

Shawn and I just bought a new vehicle. It was too good a deal to pass up. We bought this little number today........

It was $60k when it was purchased back in 2001. The owner has taken impecible care of the vehicle throughout its life. Oh yeah - and we paid NO WHERE NEAR $60k for it. In fact, I talked them down to about $10k. That's right folks - a $60k car for $10k. It has really cool rims, power EVERYTHING, seat memory, individual air conditioners for each person in the car, it's a V8 and is an all around beautiful car. We are going to be keeping this one around for quite a number of years. If you know Shawn and I at all, you know that we drive cars until they don't go anymore. And, when they don't go anymore, my amazing husband fixes them until there is no more he can do. I am so excited. The lady who was selling it drove it pretty gingerly, and has ALL service records since the cars birth. Here is a pic of it. Once we pick it up this week, I will take more pictures and post them. Until then, this will have to suffice.

It is almost the color in the picture, but a bit darker. It's a colbalt blue with beautiful (and amazingly maintained) gray leather interior with wood trim on the inside. I really really really hope this car is going to be better on my back than my Saturn that I have been driving for 10 years.

Brithday this year.....

I am thinking about planning a B-day party again this year. I'm not sure what I should do though. Of course, having people over to the house is one option. But, every time I do that, I go WAAAAAYYYYYYYY overboard and end up serving a TON of food. But, this year maybe I should just have family over for a BBQ. Make really good kabobs served with saffron rice and a balsamic reduction sauce to spoon over the rice and kabobs. Plus, I have always wanted to BBQ rock fruit and make this really good sauce that you serve over vanilla ice cream (which I have yet to make but have the recipe for and am SO excited to try). Here's the question - what do I do for my B-day this year? Simply invited everyone up for the day and have a BBQ? Go to a restaurant? Or go do something low key like a picnic somewhere and do a BBQ in a park or near the American River? I am perplexed. I hesitate to do a BBQ since we always BBQ, and everyone does BBQ's for b-day's during the summer - so, essentially, I'm stuck. Any ideas? Do I follow suit and do a BBQ - or do I do something different? Ohhhhhh - maybe I have a cheese tasting party and the do a simple BBQ later. Hmmmmmm, that's a good idea. That seems like a good idea for people who LOVE cheese, which the husband and I do - so do my husband's brother and sister-in-law. So, I know the 4 of us would have fun. UUUUGHHHHHHHHHHHH - what do I do? Help!!!!!

The verdict....

The slow cooker pork roast was good. Would I make it again - yup. Especially since it's great for left overs. My husband is going to make it into pulled pork sandwiches. I did find that the meat was a bit dry and could have used a shorter cooking time if possible. Probably 3-4 hours on high or 6 hours on low. We tested the meat temp after only a couple of hours and it had reached appropriate temp. Then we left it in the slow cooker for another 3 hours on low to see if it would get more tender. It pulled apart immediately. I do think though that it could use lesser cooking time. So, there you have it - it's good. Mmmmmmm

Pork Roast

I will be trying this new slow cooker recipe. Although I love cooking, there are always those times in life when long cooking sessions are simply not enjoyable, or cannot be done due to time constraints. I am trying to compile a list of recipes that take little to no prep time, but may have a longer cooking time - like slow cooker recipes. I have made pot roast in my slow cooker, and love the way it comes out. Tonight I am going to try the following recipe. I will be serving it with some simple veggies and red potatoes.

Tangy Slow Cooker Pork Roast

• 1 large onion, sliced
• 2 1/2 pounds boneless pork loin roast
• 1 cup hot water
• 1/4 cup white sugar
• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon ketchup
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 dash hot pepper sauce, or to taste

1. Arrange onion slices evenly over the bottom of the slow cooker, and then place the roast on top of the onion. In a bowl, mix together water, sugar, vinegar, soy sauce, ketchup, black pepper, salt, garlic powder, and hot sauce; pour over roast.
2. Cover, and cook on Low for 6 to 8 hours, or on High for 3 to 4 hours.

From what the reviews said on Allrecipes, which is where I found this one - DOUBLE the liquids if possible to make sure to cover the roast. They also said, if you do double the recipe, don't double the sugar. Apparently it turns out quite sweet if you do. In addition to that, I will probably use broth instead of water to add a bit more flavor and fresh garlic instead of garlic power - heck, maybe a bit of both and probably some extra onions because cooked onions are the best. I will let you know how it turns out tonight or tomorrow.

The New Hair Cut

I got my hair cut this morning. Nothing that I haven't had before, but I kinda like it. What do you think?

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And than about 5 minutes later the bangs were gone and my hair now looks like this. LMAO