A weathery day and night

I'm sitting in my very comfortable recliner after a great dinner. It's so nice to relax! Rob was supposed to come over tonight, but the weather is bad. It started this morning with snow, then sleet, then snow, then lots of rain. It started snowing again around 4:00 and should continue for a while. It's already been 5 hours. It's a heavy, wet snow. It's windy and I've heard some snow thunder. Is that the word? No school tomorrow, and fortunately, it's my day off. I've seen on FB that some friends have lost electricity. I'm sorry for them (really) but hope, hope, hope it doesn't happen here (I'm pretending the lights didn't just flicker).

We had Cordelico Sirloin steak for dinner. The meat industry is fashioning new and trademarked names for old cuts of meat. Flat Iron steak is in that category. This cut was formally called 'flap meat.' Sounds pretty unappetizing. The steak was delicious with an intense meaty flavor. I pan fried it, sliced it against the grain, and drizzled it with teriyaki sauce. We had it with steamed broccoli and baked potatoes. A simple meal. I'll have some simple ice cream for dessert.

It was a short day at work because of the weather. I started at my usual time, but I worked alone for the first hour. I ended my day early, at 2:30. I stopped by Borders for a latte to go, then Office Depot for printer ink, then the grocery store. It was crowded, and the check-out line was long, but I had a lot of patience for some reason. I bought ingredients to make a pot roast in the slow cooker I got as a gift in 2009. It's still in the box. I bought ingredients to make split pea soup. I didn't need any 'whites.' I did need 2 cartons of ice cream. I told Emily as we put away the food that the ginger snap ice cream is for me only. And I mean that.

I visited my parents before work yesterday. Mom is looking much better. Her black-and-blue face is getting yellower, and the bruise is moving further down her face and into her neck. She's a sport for letting me take pictures every time I see her.

We're watching American Idol. I'm pretending the lights haven't flickered a bunch of times. I need my power!

Whee, I'm on a roll!

Another day, another post. Am I trending? I hope so. Is trending even a word?

I'm writing while cooking dinner. The kids wanted quesadillas for lunch. They're so happy when I cook for them. I was about to grill the chicken on the George Foreman grill when I remembered the grill on my deck. So much easier. We had a little of the Mrs. Prindables caramel chocolate apple for dessert. I was going to pan fry the flat iron steak for dinner when I again remembered the grill on my deck. It's been a good eating day for the kids. I didn't eat lunch. I'm working my way through my Rheb's chocolates. They expire and my plan this year is not to let any food go bad. Good excuse? The kids will get ice cream from the grocery store after dinner. I don't plan to have any.

Dinner's done. Have you ever had flat iron steak? It's so good and tender. You slice it against the grain and serve it like you would a flank steak. Here's the recipe for the teriyaki sauce I pour over the sliced meat. It doesn't take much because it's very concentrated. I only use what I need and keep the rest of the sauce in the freezer in a plastic container. It doesn't freeze, and it's great and always ready. This recipe came from Cook's Country magazine.

½ c reduced-sodium soy sauce
½ c sugar
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 T grated fresh ginger
1/8 t red pepper flakes
2 T cider vinegar
2 t cornstarch
Combine all in a small saucepan and cook till slightly thickened.

Rob left this morning to go to work. It's an hour away; 10 minutes from where he lives. He's been in training for his new job for over two weeks. Tomorrow he starts the night shift. The graveyard shift. The 10 PM to 8:30 AM Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday shift. Yeah, that's right. Tomorrow night he'll start his overnight training with the person he's replacing. Next weekend will be our last together for the foreseeable future. We'll see each other most Wednesday nights, Thursdays, and Thursday nights. It's going to take some getting used to, but this is a great job for him. He'll continue taking classes at Harford Community College. He'll have to figure out when he can sleep. I'll tell you about the job another time. When we first met he was working a second-shift job, 3 PM to 1:30 AM. He'd call me during his 8:00 break. I'd e-mail him before bed, and wake to a e-mail from him. We both love to write, and it was a great way for us to get to know each other. I wonder what our routine will be now?

I put away Christmas today. If you know me, you know that means my house has been transformed. It wasn't too hard, because I had help from Philem (my new name for my daughter and her boyfriend) with bringing the bins up from the basement, and then back down when they were filled. It was especially great having someone else put the tree back in the box. It's made up of three sections, and the middle and bottom ones are incredibly heavy. I'm so glad the holiday is put away for the year. The basement will need to be organized, but that's OK. Out of sight, out of mind. Emily asked me to leave the Christmas lights around the front door, so they'll stay for a while more.

I just had a tiny slice of the 'apple' for dessert. I'm telling you, it's over the top. Caramel and three kinds of chocolate. And can you see how thick the chocolate is? By next week I'll be eating healthy again. I hope. Or I'll be wearing stretch pants.

Thought I'd do a quick update. I started thinking about that almond apple cheesecake this morning. Then I thought if I invited some people over for a cookout I'd have a reason to make the cake. So...cheesecake is baked and chilled. So is Fumi salad. Ditto with brownies. Steak teriyaki sauce is made and ready to be heated. Flatiron steaks are marinated. Limes are cut for the Corinitas. There will be 11 of us, with the others bringing something. It's a good thing I'm close to my neighbor Kelly. I brought over a recipe for garlicky oven fries and asked her to make it!

The babies

It's been a great day off. The sun has been so bright all day long but it's been cold. Is it too much to ask for sunny and warm? I guess it is!

I accomplished my goals at home. I vacuumed the entire house, hard floors and carpet. I mopped the tile, laminate and wood floors and did all the baseboards. I cleaned my bathroom and cleaned off the counter tops. All those things were long overdue.

I got the results from my sonogram. I have a uterine fibroid and that might be causing the pain I have. The doctor wasn't in, so I'll call him tomorrow. This fibroid isn't new and gave me pain last year, then the pain went away. So, it might do that again.

I realized today's doctor appointment was near Bonnie's house so I called her up and she invited me over. I was so excited to finally see her house. I loved it. It's a great space with great art and lots of color. Thanks for having me over Bonnie!

I really liked today's doctor. After talking at length and his doing a quick abdominal feel, he told me he's pretty sure I have IBS. After seeing all the tests I had done last year, and because I don't have any symptoms that would point to cancer (he didn't say cancer but said lack of appetite, loss of weight, blood in stool, etc.) he doesn't feel I need any tests at this time. He gave me a prescription for an anti-spasm medicine and I have an appointment to see him again in a month. I'm feeling very relieved. I don't mind the pain now that I know it's not life-threatening.

I came home to my clean house and watched a little Oprah, then started on dinner. I made the Teriyaki Steak I wrote about last night using flat iron steak. It was quite delicious. I rarely eat meat, so this was a nice treat and I'll use the tiny bit leftover in my salad tomorrow. The only thing I'd do differently next time is use lower sodium soy sauce. Just so you know.

Well, I'm off to take a little walk while it's still light out. Later!