Putting Out Fires

Wednesday, March 28, 2007

In My Kitchen

I ran home today (as fast as a girl with a sprained ankle can go) and made some treats at the request of the boys at the station for tonight. And for today's cooking adventure I read up on how different flours can make or break a cookie. I think there's a 'that's the way the cookie crumbles' joke to be had here. So today's recipe is:

Annette Funicello's Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients:

* 2 c Unsifted flour (I used Bread flour, that's the trick!)
* 1 c Sugar
* 1/2 ts Baking soda
* 1/4 ts Salt
* 1/2 c Corn oil margarine, softened (1 stick)
* 1/2 c Skippy creamy or super chunk peanut butter
* 2 Eggs
* 1 tb Water
* 1 ts Vanilla (I added a little more)
* 6 oz Semisweet chocolate chips, optional (1 cup)

Instructions:
In small bowl stir together flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. In large bowl with mixer at low speed beat together margarine, peanut butter, eggs, water, and vanilla just until blended. Add flour mixture, beat until blended. Increase speed to medium; beat 2 minutes. Optional: stir chocolate pieces into batter. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls 3 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Flatten slightly with floured bottom of glass. Bake in 375 F oven 10 to 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on wire rack. Store in tightly covered container. Makes about 2-3 dozen.

Monday, March 26, 2007

Clutzoid

When I was a Junior in high school I went with a group of kids to a place called Jump. Whoever's idea it was to create a place that's basically a bunch of large trampolines pushed together so kids could jump from one to the other was in idiot. Needless to say, they've been shut down for many years now due to all the injuries incurred there. So anyway, I was jumping and I think I tried to stop myself mid jump. Next thing I know I hear and feel a huge pop in my ankle, and it immediately swells up to the size of a grapefruit. Diagnosis: ligaments torn from the bone taking a chip of the bone with them.

Since then, I've re-injured that ankle twice. Once was during a big finish off a stage after Karaoke in Mexico during college. Spring break of course. That was a fun one. I was stuck in a foreign country with an f'ed up ankle depending on strong boys to carry me to and from the hotel pool, and between bars. But hey, wasn't so bad, considering I drank for free pretty much the whole rest of the week.

The last time I did it I was dancing around the living room with Ryan. Not doing anything crazy. Just jumping around.

So yesterday I did it again. I think it might be time to consider that surgery after all... I've had two separate opinions and they want to reattach the ligament and shave bone off my heel. Dis.gust.ing.

Anyway, today I'm planted on the couch. I hate calling in sick to work. I swear even if its legit, I feel so guilty about it.

The good thing about all of this is that my husband (who is in the running for Husband of the Year) is taking such good care of me. He had to go to work, but before he left he wrapped the ankle up in ice and wrote me the following list,

"Amanda's To Do List"
-R.I.C.E. (reset, ice, compression, elevate)
- ABC's (with your toe)
-Xbox
-Go through pics from yesterday
-Send away for print of 4-peaks picture
-Research for CA trip
-Miss Ryan

I am one lucky girl. So the plan today is to rest and try not to go stir-crazy. And as one of my assignments was to go through my pictures from the air show yesterday, I bring you the following:

Golden Knights Army Parachute Team

F22. Awesome

From top: A10 Warthog, P51 Mustang, F15
(and if I got those wrong, I'll be really embarrassed)

Boys and beer, my 2 favorite things

I went with Ryan and his firefighter friend. We had a blast! We also saw some very interesting fashion choices out there at Luke Air Force base. I'll leave you with a woman and her pirate hat (?) for sun protection and a man wearing ballerina shoes.

Good thing I sprained my ankle on the way OUT of the air show.

Saturday, March 24, 2007

How messed up is it....

....that someone freaking stole our trash bin from our curb today!

Another hospital post. Broken record much?

Here I am, in the hospital. On an afternoon when I thought we'd have a nice lunch and a chat, my mom's body had other ideas. So now I'm hanging out in the dark room in case she needs something. I try not to get scared about it because I figure if my mom can joke around even when she's feeling pretty miserable, then I can suck it up too.

This week has not been great. To be honest, I don't write specifics of my mom's condition here because she's a very private person and I think she might be embarassed. And since I walked in the hospital room the other day and my blog was up on her computer screen... But the truth of the matter is that things have been rough for her this week. She's got this horrid infection, and now pnemonia, and today she had an allergic reaction to something.

I just feel like this is all so unfair. I'm not a religious person, but I've always believed in Karma (not the dog, although I belive in her too). I believe that the universe has a way of balancing itself out. Don't you feel that way too? Like if you're having a really bad day, almost always there's a day later in the week that's so full of good you feel like the universe is paying you back for the bad one.

But I don't believe that anymore. My mother is the last person in the world who needed her Karma adjusted in this way.

But I'm not angry about it. I mean really, who should I be angry at? This is life, right? And we're dealing the best we can.

I always get into these posts and don't know how to end it. It helps to write about this stuff, but I want to end it on a high note, or at least talking about something different. But I just can't bring myself to stop thinking about how our lives have changed in the last 5 months. I'm just so thankful that I have a tough mom who through all of this worries about us more than she should. And I still feel blessed that I've had so much time with her. I've been thinking a lot about the fact that if it weren't for this disease I never would have heard the stories of her in her 20s, her first years of marriage, her first job in Phoenix, or growing up with her family. I really am blessed.

Well what do you know, I found a way to turn it around by the end of the post...

But I want to leave you with something to discuss. Say your 5th wedding anniversary is coming up in April. You havn't thought of a gift yet, but you know your hubby already has something to give to you. This husband has been a saint and a rock in the last year and you want to do something special. Any ideas what you'd give him?

Another hospital post. Broken record much?

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Hospitals suck

Having a bit of a hard time today. Some days its harder than others. I'm just so worried about my mom and I hate that she's stuck in that hospital. Again. I brought her dinner tonight from one of our favorite sandwich places. The food Nazis at the hospital keep close track of everything she eats so she will put on weight, but the food they give her is horrid. We all know that hospital food is not known for being that swell, but add to that the fact that my mom is so restricted in what she's allowed to eat.... Yeah, its a bad situation. So after I got off work I ran home, ran the dogs, ran to Michael's (for hospital room Easter decorations), ran to the deli, ran to the hospital, and finally came to rest in my mom's room.

But 'rest' isn't something that hospitals are good at letting people get. Of all the things that frustrate me about the care my mother is getting, this is the thing that infuriates me most. I mean really, doesn't it make sense that people who are ill need their rest as much as possible? She is always telling us about the constant interruptions, but tonight I really witnessed it. After waiting around for about 36 hours for an MRI, they finally took her right before dinner. Then one of her specialists came in right as her dinner arrived (attached to her daughter). Then she's about 10 minutes into the meal finally and 'transport' barges in to get her for an x-ray she had no idea she was getting. Then the nutrition people come in to take stock of what she'd eaten (even though she hadn't had a chance to even eat yet!). THEN, a nurse came in to give her a shot (which she had to lay back for). Then the nurse had to hook up an IV. And on and on....

Tell me, if you were stuck in a hospital without knowing whether you were going to be there for one day more or 6 weeks more, and you're not feeling well, and people are poking you constantly, and don't let you sleep at night, and barge in every 5 minutes 24 hours a day... I honestly have no idea how my mom has kept it together this long. And if I had been the one in that hospital bed, it would have been a full break-down just based on the hour I witnessed.

But my mom straightened her scarf, looked at me and through her frustration she said, "You know what they say: 'If you can't get out of it, get into it!'", and then she went back to joking with the nurse.

Sunday, March 18, 2007

102 degrees is for sissy boys (or, I wrote my 'title' before I wrote my post)

Being a firefighter's wife can go one of two ways: 1. Divorce or 2. Fierce desire to make the most of every minute together. Ryan and I sit firmly in that second camp. The divorce rate for firefighters is over 50%. Can you believe that? I guess I can see how that would happen, but Ryan and I go the other direction entirely. We make the most of the time we have together. No doubt.

This was one of his weekends off, and it was full to the brim. On Friday Ryan went to the store while I was at work and planned a fancy dinner. We had grilled veggies, and tuna steaks grilled on a cedar plank. Look at the deliciousness:

On Saturday we started the day off with a dog walk, then off to our tax lady's place (I love Uncle Sam!), then to our favorite bagel place, then we sadly went our own ways for a while. I was off to the hospital (my mom is not doing as well as we would like), then I was off to a dreaded bridal shower. Seriously? Why do we have those? I'd much rather just send an extra gift to the bride and call it good. The shower games and the watching the gift opening... I'd rather poke myself in the eye with a hot piece of iron.

I digress. Let's not forget that it was one of my most favorite holidays this weekend: St. Patty's day! I can totally get behind a holiday that'll require me to wear clothes that bring out the green in my eyes and also require me to drink copious amounts of beer! Oh.... beeeeeer.... mmmmm We went out w/ some new friends. Not only did we stay up past our normal weekend 10pm (yeah, I know, we're lame, don't make a big deal out of it), we got home at 1am! WEEEEEE!

And today? We accomplished two things: 1. New flip-flops. 2. I have an ass that is not made for any jeans ever conceived. But my husband? Shoved me into Nordstroms anyway and forced me into $200 jeans anyway. Seriously, I would never consider spending that much on a single piece of clothing, but he was determined.

Ok, so tell me.... Is it just me or are jeans made too small in the thighs and too big in the waist? I feel like my thighs are in a vice and the jeans pouch out in the back so when I sit my crack is showing. Is this just me?

I'll leave you today with Karma looking fierce, and a picture of the orange blossoms that are currently ruining my allergetic life... -A-

Dang, this post totally didn't go the way of the title or the intro paragraph. So... Ok, yeah, its freaking hot here but we make the most of it. Oh, and Ryan has the weekend off so we're filling every minute. And you really don't need the details. So there!

And also? Our weekend involves drinking. So apologies for the bad grammer and bad singing.

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Why yes I can tell you where the hospital cafeteria is

Well, my poor mom is back in the dreaded hospital again. She's picked up another infection (staph this time), which isn't unusual for someone who's been through what she has, but its still just so depressing. I know I've talked a lot here about how positive she's been through this whole thing, and honestly I don't know how she does it, but there's a point where it really gets to be too much. I think just knowing that she had time at home in her own bed snuggling her puppy between chemo treatments made it easier. Unscheduled hospital stays? Not helping the cause.

So today I went to the hospital for what I figure is about my 35th-40th time in the last 4 months. Can you believe that? If I never see the inside of another hospital... But see? I'm complaining about VISITING a hospital. Nothing compares to being a prisoner in one. Internet: send good vibes to my mom over the blogosphere...

In other news: as africankelli points out today in her post, Spring has hit Phoenix. Oh wait, did I say Spring? That's right, Spring hit Phoenix about about 9am last Friday morning and had passed by at about 9:15. It is over 90 degrees here today, and half of us are loving it as much as the flowers around here, and the other half of us are hiding in the airconditioning already. I'm the latter, but I really do try to be the former. And while africankelli is all cheery and sunny (like the weather) about our change in season, its a little hard to be happy about the impending allergy attacks. Anyone else feel a little tickle in the back of their throat at the first sign of blooming plants?

However, one thing makes the heat, the allergies, the heat and the dry all worth it: NO MORE SLOW-DRIVING SNOW BIRDS!

Monday, March 12, 2007

Why yes I wear a sports bra and slippers to all my meetings

Hey all! Guess what? I'm at home two and a half hours after I got off work, and I'm in a meeting! Because of one of my foreign customers, we had to have a super late telecon to fit their schedule. Its actually 8am their time tomorrow. So here I sit in my work-out clothes (that's next on the agenda) listening in on an incredibly dull discussion about software anomolies. Joy! But who else can brag that they blog during meetings? :-)

I think I wrote last week that I was joining the photography club at my work. I tell you, these people are amazing! There are all different skill levels, different tastes, different formats being used, etc. I'm just so excited! I was thrilled by their feedback on a few of my pictures and the nervous butterflies I had quickly disappeared when I met the rest of the group. They were all so gracious and they have great ideas for future projects and trips. One gentleman in particular had a picture that he took a few weeks ago in Yosemite that looks like it came straight out of an Ansel Adams exibit. It was AMAZING. And, he turned me on to this awesome print company. They are very reasonably priced, do great work, have free shipping, and have a huge range of products. White House Custom Colour. If you're looking for a good printer, they seem to be a good choice.

Dang, for real, I can barely understand these guys. They're Asian and speak English well, but they talk so fast and with the technical jargon I can't keep up. Guess it doesn't help that I'm writing to you kind folks. But sitting in a meeting with a puppy sitting next to me for a head scratch? That's pretty darn cool.

Other cool stuff to share: Ryan and I had two double dates this weekend. On Friday I was the only non-firefighter of the four (which leads to me contemplating my beer a lot). Then last night we went out with another firefighter and his wife. We've run into this couple at parties and things. When I was on my run last week with the puppies the woman happened to drive past me and we chatted. I bugged Ryan to call them to see if they wanted to go out, but they called us first! They are so flipping fun. He's one of Ryan's coworkers, and one of the few we can hang out with without talking about firefighter the entire night. So fun! AND they have a movie theater in their house. I need one! How cool is that?

Besides our dates, we also did yard work, washed dogs, washed cars, went to the Scottsdale Art Fest (prime people watching!), went and looked at historic homes in Phx, and went to a party for some of my old high school friends. I was the walking dead today at work.

OK, I suppose I should go back to listening to this stuff that's droning on in my ear. I'll leave you with my most recent self-portrait attempt. Anyone want to give me tips on focusing for a self-portrait?

Wednesday, March 07, 2007

See ya Red!

Today was a sad day in atpanda's house.

Ryan has only had one car of his own his entire driving life. His parents generously gave him a Mustang for his high school graduation, and he's had it since. Ten years he's had that car! That car has been to Flagstaff and back countless times for school, to gigs when Ryan was still playing (*sniff*), it came as a 'his' into our marriage, its lived at two houses after we married, its been made fun of by firefighters who overcompensate (did I say that?? I kid!) with their big trucks, and now it has moved on to a new home.

I've got some sentimental attachment to this car. (OK, who are we kidding, I get irrationally emotionally attached to 'things' all the time) But this car.... The first time I saw Ryan he was stepping out of this car. We lived in the same apartment complex in college, and the day I moved in two blonde boys pulled up in this sleek Mustang, fresh from the gym (the boys, not the Mustang), and when they stepped out I knew my time in that apartment was going to be fun. From then on, whenever I saw that car in the parking lot I knew Ryan was home. I left notes on that windshield. Once, one of my girlfriends threw a half-eaten sub at the Mustang because she felt Ryan had done me wrong (20-somethings angst. we're over it). And once, I left him a single sunflower on the windshield to find when he got out of class.

And now she's gone. Sold to the first guy who laid eyes on her.

I know we made the right choice. Ryan has a new vehicle that he adores (seriously, I'm so jealous!), and the money sure is great, but still...

Here's wishing her a good new life. (and don't think we're not using this as a reason to drink tonight! Cause we are! "Here's to the Mustang!")

Tuesday, March 06, 2007

Mika Mug Shots

Tonight I've got a big night planned. I've had my flash for a week now and other then random picture taking of dogs around the house I haven't done anything serious with it yet. So I've got an assignment planned for myself and I hope to share something tomorrow.

However, until then, let's talk. Let's talk about why it took me so long to get a flash, and why YOU should get an external flash for your camera. First off, apologies for the totally crappy pictures, but I grabbed these two pictures of Mika to show you what I'm talking about. Take a look. Which one looks more natural?

Ok, admittedly, really not the best pictures, but I think they do the job. Notice in the picture on the left the reflection of the flash in her eyes, the nasty shadow behind her head on the left there, how you can't make out the expression in her features really well.... That's with the flash on my camera. But look what happens when I throw the new flash on! In the picture on the right you can actually see the expression on Mika's silly face, there's no shadow behind her head, and the whole room is lit with natural-looking light.

See! I swear I can't imagine how I survived so long without that flash.

In other photography news, I've been lacking in creativity the last few months. I'd like to blame it on family stuff etc., but I know that's not it. I haven't been pushing myself at all. So... I joined the photography club at my work! My first meeting is this Thursday night and the assignment for this month is "Occupation". Since it is my first meeting, I decided to submit some pictures I had laying around of firefighters on the job. I know, I know, I need some new subjects. Anyway, here's an oldie but a goodie that I submitted. Hopefully I'll have more inspired pics for you tomorrow!

Monday, March 05, 2007

Respect the Risotto

Two summers ago while I was enjoying an all-expenses-paid trip to England for my company, I found myself homeless for a few nights. I'd been staying at a quaint little place with all my coworkers for about a month at that point, so having to check out of the room I was basically living in and and going off on my own was so sad. I showed up at the new hotel and was immediately confronted with the fact that I was to be sleeping at the end of a Harrier jet runway in a room that wasn't big enough to actually walk around the bed. I had to open the front door just to use the ironing board!

The most frightening part of the whole experience was eating alone. Before I went to England, I'd only eaten in a restaurant alone a handful of times. I remember really working to convince myself to get out on the weekends and do things alone. Get out of my comfort zone. But eating meals at The Hollies hotel with my coworkers was sort of like being with family every night. And here I was at a hotel about 4 towns away with nothing to keep me company but a book.

I remember that day so clearly. It was just gorgeous out, a rarity in England. After I'd managed to get my bag in my room, I walked across the small courtyard to the restaurant. I wasn't expecting much because for the most part hotel restaurants in the countryside where I was were basically only there so people didn't starve. But the menu! I was overwhelmed by the choices! So I ordered myself a Guinness (warm of course), and some food, then told them I'd be outside with my book and could they please bring the food out there when it was ready.

Have you ever had a meal that from the first bite you were sad because you knew eventually there'd be no more on your plate? A meal that was so delicious that you knew if you could just learn how to make it yourself at home, you'd feel like a success in the kitchen? I remember every bite of that bubbling hot mushroom risotto and since then I've been obsessed. If I see risotto on a menu, I order it. But it has never once tasted like that risotto I had while sitting in a courtyard with a good book and delicious beer.

Until now I've been too scared to even try to make it myself. I've had a box of Arborio rice (Italian) sitting in my cupboard forever, and I even drooled over The Silver Spoon cookbook (just translated from Italian!) because of all the risotto recipes. So today I sucked it up and decided to try it.

The first thing you have to know about risotto is that it takes its time. You can't hurry risotto, and it really is a lot of hard work. The second thing you need to know is that it needs to be tended constantly. You'll stir it for 25 minutes straight before it'll be just right. And your arm will feel like falling off. And third, there's no underestimating the importance of adding your broth small amounts at a time and allowing the rice to take it in before you add more. Like I said, time is apparently the key in all this.

My first risotto recipe, and resounding success: Parmesan Risotto-Stuffed Portobello.

It was so good, but I don't think I'll ever find a risotto like the one I had in a little town in England.

Sunday, March 04, 2007

Picture Sunday

about me

CLICK HERE to visit my wedding, portrait, and event business website

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Name: atpanda

Location: Mesa, Arizona, United States

I'm Amanda. I'm an engineer in an industry full of men, a professional wedding and family portrait photographer, a firefighter's wife, a traveler, and a dogMa.

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