The house is so silent that my ears are ringing.....

[inlink]ajay,186[/inlink] Just a little reminder that Masiello ran uncontested in the last election. That's a sad state of affairs- but this time around looks like we may have a few decent candidates to choose from.

My son wrote a letter to George W. for his homework tonight- It goes like this:

Hi Mr President,

I'm writing to tell you that I want the war to end.
I'd like to have healthcare for everyone.
Please bring the troops back from Iraq and use the money to pay for healthcare for everyone.

Thank you for reading my letter carefully,

Yours truly,
My son

If only it were that easy!
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Our new kitten is feeling quite at home. In fact, I think she really thinks I'm her mom. I woke up in the middle of the night last night to nurse the baby and I realized that Daisy is nursing on the blankets around me. No wonder she's always purring and curled up to me. She also thinks my husband is her dad- this morning, while she was checking out the water droplets running down the shower door, he opened it and tossed her in. Just like a dad.[bgcolor]#ffb8fb[/bgcolor]

I never thought that I would spend so much time with river otters....but here I am spending many days running from window to window for hours at a time to play with the cute little buggers- harry and hermione. Who needs to go to the gym when your running with your 4 boys so much. I hope the county budget gets "fixed" - I sure will miss the animals and the books. I guess we'll just have to sit inside and watch TV all day with blinds closed......hmmmmm :(

p.s. finally got my web services to work on sprint, so i could change my userpic.
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I was checking my email yesterday and I got this really bazaar email from the BECPL (Buffalo and Erie County Public Libraries). Looks like I was being notified that all of the libraries in Buffalo were closing???!!! :(

Is this for real???? My children are going to be very disappointed (and myself too). This is a very cherished destination- especially the Crane Library right in our neighborhood. We walk and ride our bikes there all the time- practically every week.

I'm going to write a letter to the "powers that be" tonight- here's a copy of the email that I was sent:

1. AFTER JANUARY 1, 2005: YOUR LIBRARY WILL CLOSE!

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1. AFTER JANUARY 1, 2005: YOUR LIBRARY WILL CLOSE!
Are you aware that all 52 libraries across Erie County will close their
doors after January 1st under Erie County's proposed 2005 operating
budget? This budget cuts support to the Buffalo and Erie County Public
Library by more than $19 million -- an 80% reduction in the System's
operating funds.
Please communicate your need for library service to your County
Legislator, State Senator and State Assemblyperson. For public official
contact information and a sample letter, visit
.
Keep checking the Library's website, www.buffalolib.org, for updates and
information on future advocacy efforts. Your support is greatly
appreciated!
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Matthew wanted my chicken soup recipe- and since it is the season for colds and coughs, I thought that everyone could benefit from my grandmother's best medecine: chicken soup. Here it is...

Chicken Soup

1 soup chicken
water
salt (about 1 tsp for every 3 cups)
4 - 5 large carrots
4 - 5 large ribs of celery or 1 celeriac root
1 large onion
lemon for garnish
serve with rice, noodles or potatoes (I usually serve with rice)

In a large stockpot, cover soup chicken with about 1" water and salt. Boil until tender. If you use a frozen chicken it should take about 1-1/2 hours. Make sure to remove giblet bag when it starts to thaw.
Remove chicken. Strain fat until clear. Add carrots, celery and onion to broth. Cook until tender about 5 - 8 minutes. Pull chicken off the bones and chop into bite-size pieces. Add to broth.

Serve with rice and a nice chunk of lemon. My husband always adds romano cheese to his.(I usually don't)

Save leftovers in freezer- you'll be glad to have some on those cold winter days.
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