"Spicy scents" written by Janelle on estrip.org

06/27/09 09:36 - 67ºF - ID#49096

Spicy scents

Two nights ago I ground up some cardamom in the coffee grinder. The scent lingered for a good two days in the kitchen, living room, and entry way making these areas of the house smell sweet and spicy and delicious.

This morning I experimented with trying to get a more concentrated or longer lasting scent.

I tried making a potpourri satchet. Failure.

Tried to use it like incense. Failure.

Then the internet told me to simmer the spices in some water. So right now I'm in heaven with the spicy cardamom, coriander, cloves smell.

If you want to replicate it....

A handful of cardamom seeds and a handful of coriander seeds lightly toasted in a skillet.
Grind in a coffee grinder. Add 10-12 cloves.

Put entire mixture with 1-2 cups of water on the stove. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer.

And if you like the cardamom taste, try grinding some in with your coffee beans. I cardamom pod should be enough for 1 cup of coffee beans.

Permalink: Spicy_scents.html
Words: 170
Location: Buffalo , NY

06/22/09 11:09 - 71ºF - ID#49034

The DIY project

Two years ago, when we moved into the house, I had a lot of time on my hands to fix up the house.

Paint was peeling and chipping from the bathroom door so I decided it needed some work.

I didn't want to just scrape and paint because it would look all uneven. And I didn't want to pay $50 to take it to somewhere and dip it to strip the paint.

So I stripped the door myself. Until I gave up when I realized there were six layers of paint underneath the glossy white and special tools were needed to strip the paint from the crevices.

So I hung the door up half stripped and uneven. It sat for a year.

I primed it when husband suggested I finish what I start. It sat for another year.

And today I finally finished.

Two years later... And more than $50 later... And several hours of my time later.... I painted it glossy white over an uneven surface.

I sure came out ahead, didn't I?

Permalink: The_DIY_project.html
Words: 172
Location: Buffalo , NY

06/09/09 10:02 - 66ºF - ID#48876

Running from State Farm as fast as I can

You know those stories about people who run from their small town, USA, because they can't spend the rest of their life working in the "fill-in-the-blank" factory?

I couldn't run from my town fast enough to avoid the State Farm conveyor belt. I thought that there had to be more to life than being a cog in the machinery of State Farm.

Turns out I was right.

I am reminded of it every time I come home. And I'm so grateful that I did more with my life than sign up for a lifetime career with State Farm.

Permalink: Running_from_State_Farm_as_fast_as_I_can.html
Words: 98
Location: Buffalo , NY

06/05/09 11:00 - 64ºF - ID#48840

Vacation Frenzy

I am trying to leave for vacation at 2:30pm.

I had a small list of must do items from yesterday.

After several phone calls and e-mails today, that list has grown exponentially longer.

I am angry.

Permalink: Vacation_Frenzy.html
Words: 36
Location: Buffalo , NY

06/01/09 10:11 - 65ºF - ID#48819

Observations from Running

I have never felt compelled to yell things at people running by me, so I don't understand the compulsion for people to yell things at me when I'm running. Are their comments for my benefit or for theirs? Are they hoping I'll stop and engage them in conversation? Or that their "witty" comment will be the "zing" that I need to keep going?

As a dog owner, those leashes that extend really far seem appealing to me, but as a runner, they're a gigantic trip hazard and I hate them and the little ankle biting dogs at the end of them.

Running down Norwood and Lincoln Parkway and Chapin Parkway in the dark on a cool and balmy evening was peaceful and soothing.

Gulping down a cold Goya Mango drink was heavenly after the run. But I probably just drank the same amount of calories I burned off.

Permalink: Observations_from_Running.html
Words: 148
Location: Buffalo , NY

05/28/09 08:25 - 65ºF - ID#48778

Plants for free

I have two hot red pepper plants (hot portugal pepper) and one Sweet Hungarian plant, which grow really well in pots.

I have a zucchini plant and a cucumber plant that might be dead. I'm not sure. But I'll double check if you're interested!

Let me know if you're interested in any of those plants. They're sitting on my front porch so all you would have to do is run up and grab the plant and go. You wouldn't even have to stop in and say hello.

Permalink: Plants_for_free.html
Words: 87
Location: Buffalo , NY

05/25/09 10:00 - 57ºF - ID#48744

My Husband. The Bad Ass Priest.

I'm pretty sure he's packing a piece under that coat.

Permalink: My_Husband_The_Bad_Ass_Priest_.html
Words: 12
Location: Buffalo , NY

05/24/09 04:20 - 73ºF - ID#48740

On track

for a 9:30 minute/mile 5K. I think.

Today I had a very satisfying work out.

400 meters run 6 times at a faster pace than my 5k pace.

200 meters of walking in between the 400 meters.

One mile of slow and easy jogging to cool down the muscles.

I felt discouraged after my last 5k, because I didn't quite hit the time I wanted, but felt better when the results from the race indicated that I ran a 9:45 mile pace.

I want to slash 15 seconds off to be at a 9:30 mile pace at Jog for the Jake in June in order to run about a 28:30 5K.

I plan on doing speed workouts once a week until the race. And when I'm home in Illinois I'm hoping to take advantage of hills in my dad's neighborhood to do some speed work on hills.

All on the path to a 27 minute 5K by the fall for the Linda Yalem Safety Run.

Permalink: On_track.html
Words: 156
Location: Buffalo , NY

05/21/09 12:53 - 76ºF - ID#48712

Credit Card Legislation

I've been waiting for a post from Vincent or Joshua or Jim on the credit card legislation, but I guess I'll go first.

A news article in the Buffalo News touched on the ups and downs of the legislation.

Bankers, apparently, are stating that they may be "forced" to initiate or raise annual user fees; take away bonuses; or otherwise develop practices that would be "damaging" to those individuals who use credit cards responsibly.

Well, bankers, I don't need your credit card. So if you plan on charging me an annual user fee or taking away my cash-back bonus, go right ahead. I have no "right" to a credit card with no annual user fee and a cash-back bonus. But I certainly have the freedom to cancel the card and rely solely on my debit card; cash; and checks (or in other words, I will return to a "pay as I go" system).

There is obviously a connection between the credit card industry and the healthcare industry given that a portion of people in significant credit card debt are paying healthcare related bills. I can imagine a scenario where the unintended consequence of a decrease in available credit is to put further and immediate pressure on our current health care system and our future approach to health care in our country.

joshua writes at 03:29:24 05/22/09 - Comment #48590: Yeah, what I've described actually has happened to a few people I know, but what alarmed me most was an NPR story on the subject last week or the week before. They had call-ins, and we're talking about people with FICO scores above 700, who have had their limits reduced, changing their debt ratios, thus trashing their credit rating and making them ineligible to refi, for example. One lady that called said she had a score of around 800 - I have to admit, it got me scared. Those accounting tricks are playing with people's lives... I can't handle that and it's wrong. But as you've alluded to, it's far more complicated than pinning it down on one transgression.

It is just one of several problems I have with the CC industry. Their marketing practices and interest rate gaming have been downright evil.

We have the same FU strategy! Truth be told, I don't use credit and I like it. I feel better about paying for everything up front; I know I'm living within my means and that my lifestyle isn't some ludicrous fraud.

I wish I carried very little in student loans. :(

janelle writes at 12:52:16 05/22/09 - Comment #48589: Your example of CCs hurting credit scores is interesting. I see your point that CC are hurting people's credit scores, but the way the scores are measured already may reflect negatively on financially responsible people's credit scores.

We have a so-so credit rating because we pay cash for cars; carry very little in student loans; and have had few credit cards on which we have never carried a balance. So we haven't "proven" that we can pay off debt. A person with more debt but pays it off will have a higher score than Drew and I who have made choices to avoid having debt.

janelle writes at 12:41:35 05/22/09 - Comment #48588: (e:Joshuaa) You're right about being victims in the since that Credit Card companies are hurting responsible people's credict scores.

I should have said that we don't have to continue to be victims of the credit card system. We can leave that system and we have other alternatives. So why just complain about being victimized? I am prepared to pay off my credit cards and cancel them if the credit card companies attempt to play games with me.

You're right that their response is scandalous. My FU response to them is to cease using their services.

joshua writes at 12:11:22 05/22/09 - Comment #48586: (e:janelle) - responsible credit card holders ARE becoming victims of the system, just as I've described with my example with the CC companies adjusting good CC holders' limits in wanton fashion, and the resulting dosediving of their credit score. It's been happening to good people for several months now - it is NOT just bad credit people having their limits being reduced. Beyond that, I would definitely consider the CC companies' reaction to the legislation as a form of consumer punishment - higher fees, less availability, etc. merely because the government is forcing them to act ethically. As far as I'm concerned, their reaction is a scandal.

metalpeter writes at 06:27:53 05/21/09 - Comment #48571: I can tell you about how credit cards are rip offs I have delt with them in the past. One day late and a huge fee. Here is another one Discover Card let me go over my limit by hundreds of dollars then they put what ever there percentage is on top of that, then every month you are charged that lets say $30 over the limit fee you are that much more over the limit. There was a time when I had the due date for a bill be on a Sunday or A saturday. Well guess what they are closed on that day so if it gets there Friday you are fine but saturday, sunday or monday (no mail on sunday) bang big late fee. The problem is that yes they gave out credit cards to freshmen who live at school or who comute. Yes there are a lot of people who get the credit card and only used it when they had to. But a lot of people didn't get that if you paid late once or twice in a row your Giant 0% that is all over everything in giant letters jumps to some much higher number and what that number means sometimes it was as high as 26%. Yes if you where smart you could play the credit card companies but I don't know to many Ok I know two people who did my Aunt and Uncle. They would get a credit card that gave you perks. They knew how much money they had in cash (like in a bank) and they would spend what they could on the credit card. They would then pay off the entire bill. They would then get the credit for what ever it was maybe sky miles I can't remember. When you pay off your entire bill then there is no interest. Interest doesn't start untill you have an outstanding balance. Or what about you fill out a form for a card for a free cool gift. You think you won't use it but you do, or after you fill it out you find out there is a yearlly fee, see that cool gift or team towel wasn't really free and you notice it is mostly hot girls at those stands. Well maybe this new law will make it better.

janelle writes at 02:11:03 05/21/09 - Comment #48561: I dislike the use of the phrase, "consumers are being punished" which a lot of people are using. It makes responsible card holders seem like victims of the credit card system. But responsible card holders, more than anyone, probably are the most likely to be able to walk away from the credit card system for an alternative system.

Overall, I'm really happy with the legislation too. I HATE seeing credit card companies on the campuses of universities.

I vacillate on the regulations related to individuals between the ages of 18-21. The legislation furthers a tendency in our society to further shelter young adults in that age bracket, when they may not want it and when it may not be desireable to do so. The adolescent years are beginning to stretch into the late teens early twenties so that you're not considered a young adult until 21 or after. I think we can protect consumers as a whole without targeting this age bracket.

joshua writes at 01:59:45 05/21/09 - Comment #48559: :) I'll summarize my thoughts -

It's a good law and I'm happy that credit card companies are finally being taken to task... they have been predators for a LONG time, particularly on college students. I really do hate the credit card industry.

But of course, just like with the repealing of breaks to the oil industry, credit card companies will answer by punishing us, the consumers, with higher out of pocket expenses. Not only that, but even people with sparkling credit will be targets for these people. They have no scruples whatsoever - in fact, they've already targeted credit cardholders in good standing by reducing credit limits with barely a comment, thus increasing their ratio and lowering credit scores. All that and you literally did nothing for the "pleasure!" Why did the credit cards do this? Because credit limits are often treated on balance sheets like any other asset or liability, and thus by doing so they have been able to make their balance sheets look healthier. Imagine if you were just about to apply for a home loan when your credit card company did that very thing. Their accounting magic renders your years of dutiful, responsible credit usage irrelevant. How is this legal in our country?

So yeah, credit will be harder to get and it will be more expensive to use, although it remains to be seen how far it will go. I can't believe that the banks will be willing to play chicken with the consumer for too long - after all, the credit card companies have a hell of a lot more to lose.

Personally, I think the idea of punishing consumers because the law isn't in your favor anymore is insanity - people like us are getting fed up with these idiots and consumers are already self-limiting credit usage anyway. Who loves bankers these days?

Permalink: Credit_Card_Legislation.html
Words: 221
Location: Buffalo , NY

05/15/09 07:59 - 62ºF - ID#48676

I hit the thrift store jackpot

Four fabulous looking tops (which made me do a happy dance in the dressing room) and one pair of pants. $21.00 That's a darn good night of thrift shopping.

I'm wearing one of the tops now. And it looks really good on me. Too bad Drew isn't here to admire me, but I still look good regardless of his presence or not.

Drew might be away, but I'm feeling cute, sociable and thirsty for a beer. I might wander down to The Place for a drink ... let me know if you would like to join me.