I stayed home with Grace today (she's fighting a nasty cold), so Peter got to ride the bus home. After watching the Cat in the Hat (while I was trying to have a conference call....) and playing on his Nintendo, he decided to walk down to his friend Skylar's house.
On the way there, he told me he wanted to cook dinner tonight, so I said I'd pick him up around 5 or 5:30 and we'd go to the store to get stuff, as our cupboards are bare.
Of course, Grace fell asleep right at 5 pm, and by the time Peter came home on his own, she was snoozing hard. I didn't want to wake her, so I told Peter we couldn't go to the store, but could just order pizza. He insisted he would cook! Looking through the freezer, we found some chicken breasts from Costco that could be easily thawed, so he set about making a sauce while I thawed the chicken and did some other prep work.
We wound up having Peter's Zesty Lemon Chicken (my name, not his), turnip greens and turnips, and yellow squash. He wasn't entirely happy with the way the chicken turned out, but I think that was mainly because the sauce he made was more like a marinade than a cooking sauce.
So here, without further ado, is Peter's Zesty Lemon Chicken Marinade (subtle editing and guesstimate measurements provided by Mom -- if it's bad, blame me, if it's good, praise Peter)
1 cup seasoned rice vinegar (Peter uses Nankano Original and Pesto, 1/2 and 1/2)
1 cup lemon juice
1 cup olive oil
2-3 Tbs honey (or to taste)
Garlic powder to taste
Combine all ingredients, stir. If honey is not dissolving, heat mixture briefly in the microwave. Marinade chicken in sauce for several hours, or overnight.
Bake, broil or grill chicken.
Enjoy!
Monday, May 22, 2006
Saturday, May 20, 2006
And Number Three!!!
Peter's Pee Wee baseball team is on a real winning streak. They came away with another hard fought, tight game today, this time against the Pirates. Once again, it came down to the final inning. The Orioles went up by three runs in the top of the sixth, but the Pirates closed to within one before gettin their final out.
There were spectacular plays made all around, including a terrific throw from right-center to second to tag out a runner (tagging out runners is nearly unheard of in this league, and throwing from ANYWHERE to second is fraught with danger!) There was terrific base-running, and everyone hit the ball well.
Go O's!!
There were spectacular plays made all around, including a terrific throw from right-center to second to tag out a runner (tagging out runners is nearly unheard of in this league, and throwing from ANYWHERE to second is fraught with danger!) There was terrific base-running, and everyone hit the ball well.
Go O's!!
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
O's Get Number 2
The Orioles are on a hot winning streak. They pulled off their second win all season (and second in a row) defeating the Cardinals with hot bats and solid defense.
It was a nailbiting finish for the Birds. They were down by one, 12-11 in the top of the 6th. The team was getting some great hits, and scored two runs, but then the Cardinals pitcher made an unbelievable unassisted triple play. The O's third base coach was so stunned, that he nearly conceded the game! Instead, though, we took the field again, and were able to hold the Cardinals scoreless. Final score, Orioles 13, Cardinals 12
Once again, Peter played well. He got a double in the first inning, and was able to score. He grounded out in the third, but drove in a run on that play. Then in the fifth he got a single, and was able to score again. He played great defense, too, spending time at pitcher, shortstop and third. For the second game in a row, he had the final, game-winning out!
GO ORIOLES!
It was a nailbiting finish for the Birds. They were down by one, 12-11 in the top of the 6th. The team was getting some great hits, and scored two runs, but then the Cardinals pitcher made an unbelievable unassisted triple play. The O's third base coach was so stunned, that he nearly conceded the game! Instead, though, we took the field again, and were able to hold the Cardinals scoreless. Final score, Orioles 13, Cardinals 12
Once again, Peter played well. He got a double in the first inning, and was able to score. He grounded out in the third, but drove in a run on that play. Then in the fifth he got a single, and was able to score again. He played great defense, too, spending time at pitcher, shortstop and third. For the second game in a row, he had the final, game-winning out!
GO ORIOLES!
Sunday, May 14, 2006
Scenes from Mother's Day, 2006
- The menu for the mother's day bruch:
Caboose Orange Special (orange juice and Diet Coke)
Grapefruit pancakes
Strawberries
Coffee - Grace is a great cutter. The only trick is getting the knife away from her afterwards
- Grace is a great egg cracker. The only trick is getting her to crack them in the bowl, not on the floor.
- Peter is well on his way to being a master chef! He just needs to learn to keep his ingredients closer to his bowls, and that it's OK to dip out dry ingredients rather than pouring them into a measuring spoon!
- Jeff is an incredibly good sport!
- I have the best kids in the world!
Saturday, May 13, 2006
The Orioles get a win!
Peter's baseball team, the Orioles, got their first win today!
Peter spent most of the game at pitcher. This league is still coach-pitch, but there is a position for a kid called "pitcher". Through brilliant coaching (I'm an assitant), the coaching staff decided to change the pitcher position to play on the first base side of the pitcher's mound, and pulled the shortstop in to play forward on the third base side of the pitcher's mound.
In the final inning the score was tied 4-4, and the O's, as visitors, were up first. There were two quick outs, then they rallied somewhat, and were able to score a couple of runs, going up 6-4 before getting the final out.
When the Orioles took the field for the last half inning, they got a quick out, but then allowed a couple of players to get on base, and let a run score, making it 6-5. Then they calmed down. Peter assisted on the last two outs; in both cases, the ball was grounded to him at pitcher, and he made beautiful tosses to the first baseman to finish the play.
I was on pins and needles, but he came through, and the Orioles go to 1 and 4!
Peter spent most of the game at pitcher. This league is still coach-pitch, but there is a position for a kid called "pitcher". Through brilliant coaching (I'm an assitant), the coaching staff decided to change the pitcher position to play on the first base side of the pitcher's mound, and pulled the shortstop in to play forward on the third base side of the pitcher's mound.
In the final inning the score was tied 4-4, and the O's, as visitors, were up first. There were two quick outs, then they rallied somewhat, and were able to score a couple of runs, going up 6-4 before getting the final out.
When the Orioles took the field for the last half inning, they got a quick out, but then allowed a couple of players to get on base, and let a run score, making it 6-5. Then they calmed down. Peter assisted on the last two outs; in both cases, the ball was grounded to him at pitcher, and he made beautiful tosses to the first baseman to finish the play.
I was on pins and needles, but he came through, and the Orioles go to 1 and 4!
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly
Or, the fragility of life and happiness.
My friend Todd found out yesterday that he has a brain tumor. He's not quite 38 years old, and has two kids, 12 and 9. He runs, watches what he eats, and is, apparently, in perfectly good health, except for an area of his brain that's gone haywire.
The tumor was discovered because he'd been having periods of lightheadedness. He went to his doctor, who thought it was probably just a virus affecting his inner ear causing the problems. He waited about a week, and when the problem was no better, made an appointment with an ENT. That appointment was Monday, and when the ENT didn't see anything odd, they ordered a MRI, which was done Monday afternoon. Todd was to come in on Thursday to see the results.
Yesterday morning, he got a call from the ENT asking him to come in at 11.
The tumor is smooth, which is apparently a good sign. Todd has an appointment with a neurologist next Tuesday to talk about treatment options.
Todd is my closest friend at work, and one of the best people I know. He's honest and fair, as long as you don't talk bad about his Steelers. He loves his two boys, and would do anything for them. He'd do about anything for his friends and family. He is one of the good people that bad things aren't supposed to happen to, but frequently do. He's now had the rug literally ripped out from under him, and is suddenly facing issues that he never thought he'd have to at this age. His father died of cancer, and various other relatives have had it, as well, which is a further concern.
His diagnosis has also affected those around him. Obviously, it's most affected his family, but his colleagues are affected as well. Todd is one year younger than I am; we've run together, laughed together, drank together and worked together. Our kids have gone to the same summer daycamps. This is making me face my own mortality in ways that I really am not prepared for. Have I done everything I wanted to at this age? Do my children know how much I love them, and what they mean to me? Do my family and friends? What would I do in this situation? Would I be able to be strong enough to heal, or would I lose hope?
All this, of course, is the Bad and the Ugly. Now for the Good.
In the midst of all this, I have been amazed and touched by the reactions of people who know Todd. As soon as the news went out at work, people began asking for details, expressing concern, or asking what they could do. Some of them are people who have worked with Todd for the eleven years he's been at UNC Hospitals, and some have worked with him only a few days. I have had IM messages from former colleagues, all wanting to know what they can do. People are ready to donate vacation time for his leave, and he hasn't even requested leave donations yet.
But beyond the support for Todd, there's also been the support for our team, and from within our team. I've seen people jump in to take on his work. I've had former bosses call to enquire not just about Todd, but about me, as well. Another friend dug up four pages of truly awful jokes (including Everything I Need to Know I Learned from the Easter Bunny) for me yesterday afternoon, when I really needed to laugh more than anything else.
People understand that as hard as this is on Todd, it is also hard on those around him.
People understand that at times like these, laughter and human contact are worth more than anything else.
People understand that we are all connected, and they are not afraid to reach out to one another.
As Bad and Ugly as this situation is, these things, at least, are Good.
My friend Todd found out yesterday that he has a brain tumor. He's not quite 38 years old, and has two kids, 12 and 9. He runs, watches what he eats, and is, apparently, in perfectly good health, except for an area of his brain that's gone haywire.
The tumor was discovered because he'd been having periods of lightheadedness. He went to his doctor, who thought it was probably just a virus affecting his inner ear causing the problems. He waited about a week, and when the problem was no better, made an appointment with an ENT. That appointment was Monday, and when the ENT didn't see anything odd, they ordered a MRI, which was done Monday afternoon. Todd was to come in on Thursday to see the results.
Yesterday morning, he got a call from the ENT asking him to come in at 11.
The tumor is smooth, which is apparently a good sign. Todd has an appointment with a neurologist next Tuesday to talk about treatment options.
Todd is my closest friend at work, and one of the best people I know. He's honest and fair, as long as you don't talk bad about his Steelers. He loves his two boys, and would do anything for them. He'd do about anything for his friends and family. He is one of the good people that bad things aren't supposed to happen to, but frequently do. He's now had the rug literally ripped out from under him, and is suddenly facing issues that he never thought he'd have to at this age. His father died of cancer, and various other relatives have had it, as well, which is a further concern.
His diagnosis has also affected those around him. Obviously, it's most affected his family, but his colleagues are affected as well. Todd is one year younger than I am; we've run together, laughed together, drank together and worked together. Our kids have gone to the same summer daycamps. This is making me face my own mortality in ways that I really am not prepared for. Have I done everything I wanted to at this age? Do my children know how much I love them, and what they mean to me? Do my family and friends? What would I do in this situation? Would I be able to be strong enough to heal, or would I lose hope?
All this, of course, is the Bad and the Ugly. Now for the Good.
In the midst of all this, I have been amazed and touched by the reactions of people who know Todd. As soon as the news went out at work, people began asking for details, expressing concern, or asking what they could do. Some of them are people who have worked with Todd for the eleven years he's been at UNC Hospitals, and some have worked with him only a few days. I have had IM messages from former colleagues, all wanting to know what they can do. People are ready to donate vacation time for his leave, and he hasn't even requested leave donations yet.
But beyond the support for Todd, there's also been the support for our team, and from within our team. I've seen people jump in to take on his work. I've had former bosses call to enquire not just about Todd, but about me, as well. Another friend dug up four pages of truly awful jokes (including Everything I Need to Know I Learned from the Easter Bunny) for me yesterday afternoon, when I really needed to laugh more than anything else.
People understand that as hard as this is on Todd, it is also hard on those around him.
People understand that at times like these, laughter and human contact are worth more than anything else.
People understand that we are all connected, and they are not afraid to reach out to one another.
As Bad and Ugly as this situation is, these things, at least, are Good.
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
The Younger Generation
I got a new cell phone yesterday. It's my first phone in two years, and the world of cell phones changes rapidly. Grace only remembers the older phone, and was quite impressed with the new one.
She went to school today and told her friends, "My Mom got a new cell phone, and it plays music, and takes pictures, and she can talk on it when she's up to thirty feet away from it if she puts an earpiece on !!"
Her friend Nina replied, "Oh, yeah. That's Bluetooth."
She went to school today and told her friends, "My Mom got a new cell phone, and it plays music, and takes pictures, and she can talk on it when she's up to thirty feet away from it if she puts an earpiece on !!"
Her friend Nina replied, "Oh, yeah. That's Bluetooth."
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