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I ♥ Technology

Recently our cable company went bezerk and doubled our internet connection speed and changed our package so that we now get all of the premium channels for the same price as everything we got before. I've been enjoying the switch. It's doubly nice because not only do we get all of those premium whatsits, but we also get on demand. Tons of movies, and the ability to stop, play, rewind, start, etc. anytime you like. Most of it is free too. Kick butt. I'm impressed. Now if we can just get that teleport thing taken care of … flying is such a pain in the butt.

Netflix is also awesome too. It's still way cheaper and nicer and faster than Blockbuster and I really like being able to rent these discs that I'm not interested in buying. I intend to rent Freaks and Geeks and possibly 24 and Stargate SG-1. Joe Schmo the first is also under consideration. Continue reading “I ♥ Technology”

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Summer Summer Summer

Where the heck did half of July go?? Will someone tell me, please? Summer is going by altogether too fast just like it always does. And of course, there's still so much I want to do. I've only made it to the pool two or three times (thank you very much, rain) and there have been far too few trips to the farmer's market.

I got Martha Stewart Kids' Magazine (a magazine I love because it's less pretentious and more fun than its adult counterpart, not because I have kids or am thinking about having kids) the other day and they had all of these v. cool blender drinks in there. I have try them before summer is gone! They look sooo yummy. Of course, they also have a big section on sand-castle building which makes me want to run to the nearest beach. I love all the seasons, but I think, at heart, I'm truly a summer girl.

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For Keeps

I had Netflix send me For Keeps, a movie Lorelai had mentioned. I rented it for a few reasons … mostly, it's an 80s movie (featuring Molly Ringwald no less) that I'd never seen. Anyhow, I really enjoyed it. Molly Ringwald and her boyfriend get pregnant in high school and they decide to keep their baby … and so ensues the trials and tribulations of being 17 and married and having a kid! I also find it interesting that the guy's dad is played by the same guy who plays Otto on Malcolm in the middle (sans German accent). I also thought that it was interesting that the kids in it are from Kenosha (I think that's about 2 hours from here) and they're trying to go to school in Madison (though the campus they showed looked nothing like the one downtown). Incidentally, do you have any idea how many movies are set in Wisconsin?? I'd never noticed before I lived here, but there's tons … usually poking fun at WI, but whatever. Anyhow, overall, it was a very enjoyable little movie and I would definitely recommend it … especially to anyone who likes the Pretty in Pink, Breakfast Club type movies.

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Conversations over TV

A while back, Matt and I were watching TV (possibly Joe Schmo) and we saw a commercial for Dr. Scholl's Freeze Away Wart Remover … the conversation that followed went something like this:
Matt: Hmm.. .that's interesting.
Jess: Yea. What do you think they use? Liquid nitrogen?
Matt: I doubt it. Wouldn't last long enough … but you know what I am thinking?
Jess: We could have some kind of fun with that.
Matt: Exactly. But what would we freeze?

Yea, idle minds can be a dangerous thing. And to answer your question, we have not purchased this product nor have we thought of any sort of mad scientist thing to do.

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Art Fair!

We spent most of Saturday wandering around the capital building at Madison's Art Fair on the Square. It was a successful outing and Matt and I even made a few purchases … the print you see to the left, another one from that artist and some photographs from this artist who makes cool animal figurines and photographs them.

There was a hugely impressive showing at the fair and tons of stuff we would have bought if money had been no object. Keith Grace makes gorgeous mixed media collage/paintings that I just loved. Andy Van Schyndle (no website, sorry!) made the coolest paintings that (to me, anyhow) made a painting of the movie Big Fish. Sort of dark, with trees, whimsical, so gorgeous. Ahh … but if I had the $$. Larry Stephenson does amazing paintings of toys and comics and they're way more amazing in person than on his site. I also loved Robin Renee Hix's work. She takes black and white photographs and transforms them into brilliantly colored oil paintings. They feature lively tropical locations and put you in the mind of boat drinks and sun tan lotion. Ahhhh… More pictures in the normal spot.

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Birthday List

My b'day is still about a month offf, but y'know, it's always good to get those requests in early …. especially since some of the things I want are going to take a bit-o-time …

1. for either Matt or I (or both of us, relaly, I'm not picky!!) to find a new job in Denver (that doesn't involve slinging burgers or folding shirts)
2. finding the perfect house/condo in Denver
3. a (eek!) mortgage to go with it
4. the entire process of moving to go off without a hitch (unlike last time)
5. world peace

No gift-wrap needed, really.

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Curried Shrimp and Rice

from: 115

Ingredients
1/2 tsp vegetable oil
1 pound medium shrimp, peeled & deveined
1 1/2 tsp curry powder
1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth
16 oz bag frozen broccoli, cauliflower, and carrots
3/4 cup uncooked instant rice
1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions
Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and curry powder, and stir-fry 3 minutes. Remove shrimp from skillet and set aside. Add chicken broth and veggies to skillet; bring to a boil, and cook 1 minute. Stir in rice and salt; place on top of rice mixture. Remove from heat, let stand, covered, 6 minutes until liquid is absorbed.

Nutritional Info (1 1/2 cup(
calories: 233, fat: 3.2 g, protein: 27.2 g, carbs: 23.5 g, cholesterol: 172 mg, sodium: 359 mg

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Quick Mac & Cheese

from: 113

Ingredients
8 ounces egg noodles
1 1/4 lb top round beef, cut into small chunks
1/4 cup sliced oions
1 tbsp flour
1 clove garlic, minced
8 fresh mushrooms, sliced
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup nonfat sour cream
salt and pepper (to taste)

Directions
Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the noodles and cook until tender, about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside. In a skillet over medium heat, cook the beef and onions. As the beef begins to brown, stir in the flour so that it coats the beef.

Stir in the garlic, mushrooms, chicken broth, and sour cream. Cook until the sauce is an even consistency and the mushrooms are soft. Add salt and pepper. Serve over the egg noodles.

Nutritional Info (1/4 recipe(
calories: 503 fat: 16 g protein: 43 g carbs: 48 g cholesterol: 126 mg sodium: 169 mg

from: 113

Ingredients
1 3/4 cups uncooked macaroni
1 cup shredded low fat cheddar cheese
1/4 cup nonfat plain yogurt
2 teaspooons butter
1/2 tablespoon disjon mustard
salt & pepper to taste

Directions
Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add the macaroni and cook until tender, about 8 minutes. While the pasta is cooking, mix up the yogurt and cheese together in the bowl. When the pasta is done, drain it and set it aside. Put the pot back on the stove andmelt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the mustard, salt and pepper. Add the cooked macaroni, tossing to coat. Mix in the cheese and yogurt. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the cheese is melted.

Nutritional Info (1/4 recipe(
calories: 276 fat: 8 g protein 15 g carbohydrates 36 g cholesterol 25 mg sodium 196 mg

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A Little Ladybug for the Wallet


I already really like my Dicover Card. You get pretty good cash back and you can get some pretty good rewards from them too (extra % back on certain things like gas/groceries). Plus, when I lost my wallet, they were by far the easiest to deal with. One company made me sign an affadavit and have it notorized (like I didn't have enough to do with having my wallet lost). But now, I've found another reason to love 'em. They have a zillion cool card designs (give or take a few million)!! And I found one I really like … the one you see up there. If ya know me pretty well, then ya know why I like it. I wanted to get their Golden Retriever one, but the dog didn't look a bit like May, so I decided on this one. Cool, huh?

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Ode to Ms. Kelly

Little sister is 22 years old today. I must say that I am pretty lucky that Mom and Dad were good enough to provide me with a little sister like her. She's one of my best friends and … like she's said before, we'd be friends even if we weren't sisters but being sisters does make it extra nice.

So happy happy b'day to an excellent lil sis and a great friend. You're very talented and smart and special and nice (when you're not being snarky with me ). And we don't get to see each other nearly enough. Kisses and hugs. I love you lots!