Something About Nothing..........# 9

[Coach81]

One thing we are looking forward to for our upcoming USF trip is that everthing is at a much easier pace compared to WDW... with our FOTL passes, life is GOOD!

 

[minniejack]

Hey all ... BIG HUGS to you Marci ... S
DD finally found her prom dress !! ONLY 325 bucks later UGH

DD bought her prom dress back in August during cross country season _(loved her---store was getting out of the prom dress business--$400 dress for $200--we got a homecoming and a prom dress both for what we would have paid for one)....Unfortunately, tennis is not cross country...now she has to diet and work out like a fiend... We finally got it zipped last week. Woosh!!!

 

[tink20]

DD finally found her prom dress !! ONLY 325 bucks later UGH

Us too, girls are so darn expensive.

Thanks for all the ideas, I am looking forward to the slower pace at Universal. DD is the one who likes to stay up late, I guess she could hang out by the pool.

 

[keishashadow]

We got 6 inches of snow here yesterday.

don't even think of sending it out east mr. track meet today, pulling out my winter gear to survive sitting in 30-something degree weather for 3 hours.

coastermom - congrats although re prom - ha! not too sure re girls being cheaper than boys. Off top of my head i paid over $600 last year ($200 for tux/shoe rental, $75 for flowers, $150 couple's portion of shared limo, prom tix $100, breakfast for 2, kennywood tix & expenses the next day) Dutch is not done in these parts. I have all the pictures of need of him in a tux, hope he's going to skip it entirely this year.''

KF my kiddo applied & was accepted @ drexel, but going to pass - don't think he's street-smart enough to cut it there. Older son coached a few college football games in the university park area and said it was advised that it was too dicey for team to venturing out of hotel at night. Even in our little burg, there's areas we don't drive through but they're not next to colleges.

mac - that was a most excellent list

 

[ky07]

Good morning homies and hope all is well with everyone
As for me not so good cause for one dental problems stopped us from going to Universal this year and if that wasn't enough our dental insurance decides that I owe almost $400.00 more when I had the dentist office to figure out what the total was for all the work to be done and paid for it and now they are sending bills saying I owe more

 

[minniejack]

coastermom - congrats although re prom - ha! not too sure re girls being cheaper than boys. Off top of my head i paid over $600 last year ($200 for tux/shoe rental, $75 for flowers, $150 couple's portion of shared limo, prom tix $100, breakfast for 2, kennywood tix & expenses the next day) Dutch is not done in these parts. I have all the pictures of need of him in a tux, hope he's going to skip it entirely this year.''


mac - that was a most excellent list

In your dreams...

 

[Mad Hattered]

Trust me, Keisha....I'm not wishing this crap on anyone. I know we haven't had nearly as much snow as Bonny, Mac or you but we've had the 6th snowiest season in St Louis since they started keeping records. It's annoying at this point. They're calling for another chance tomorrow night.....just 2 days away from the STL Cardinals home opener. Mac knows just how serious we take the Cardinals here.

Congrats to coastermom for hitting the big 1,000!!

Oh.....and congrats to my Kentucky Wildcats for making it to the Final Four!!! WOOHOO!!!!

I ordered some new hot sauces for my collection the other day and just broke open a bottle of salsa yesterday. OMG! It totally warmed me up on a cold winter day but probably wasn't the best thing for my heart. I already thought I was going to die while watching the KY/NC game, but this stuff REALLY added to the situation.

is all I have to say about the Ghost Pepper!! But it seriously tasted really good.....just mind-blowingly hot.

 

[Mad Hattered]

Keisha....what is this Monster Walk-Thru that you mentioned on the Jimmy Neutron thread? Is this something special during HHN?

Edited to add: Note to self.....don't read you post count with the laptop upside down. It makes you think you only have 696

 

[minniejack]

Oh.....and congrats to my Kentucky Wildcats for making it to the Final Four!!! WOOHOO!!!!

I ordered some new hot sauces for my collection the other day and just broke open a bottle of salsa yesterday. OMG! It totally warmed me up on a cold winter day but probably wasn't the best thing for my heart. I already thought I was going to die while watching the KY/NC game, but this stuff REALLY added to the situation.

is all I have to say about the Ghost Pepper!! But it seriously tasted really good.....just mind-blowingly hot.

Way to go Wild Cats!! We found a really good salsa/hot spicy shop of all places in Amish country in Ohio the other day. Dandelion salsa, raspberry salsa and Wasabi peanuts that were yummy--I saw on the can they came from Williamsburg so I already told DS when he goes there in June to pick me up a few cans. One week gone and out of four jars of salsa only one left!! Oink. Oink.

Keisha....what is this Monster Walk-Thru that you mentioned on the Jimmy Neutron thread? Is this something special during HHN?

Edited to add: Note to self.....don't read you post count with the laptop upside down. It makes you think you only have 696

your addicted!! check out Donald's count sometime--he hasn't been on much longer than either of us, but the man can sure gab...

 

[Mad Hattered]

Way to go Wild Cats!! We found a really good salsa/hot spicy shop of all places in Amish country in Ohio the other day. Dandelion salsa, raspberry salsa and Wasabi peanuts that were yummy--I saw on the can they came from Williamsburg so I already told DS when he goes there in June to pick me up a few cans. One week gone and out of four jars of salsa only one left!! Oink. Oink.



your addicted!! check out Donald's count sometime--he hasn't been on much longer than either of us, but the man can sure gab...

We have a shop that specializes in hot sauce/salsa/bbq etc. in St Charles. I've spent WAY too much money in that place.

https://www162.safesecureweb.com/figueros/hothothot/Products.htm

This is the hottest salsa I've ever eaten, and I eat ALOT of HOT. A habanero pepper has 150,000 to 350,000 scoville units.....the ghost pepper has 850,000 to 1,041,000 scoville units!

If you like Wasabi then look for Wasabi Peas in the Asian section of your grocery store. They are addictive!!

 

[Mad Hattered]

I don't know HOW much spice you like, Minnie but this is the next recipe that I'm going to try out this week. I've already purchased all the ingredients, I just have to wait til Dana doesn't have to work late.

Thai-Style Chicken and Basil

Serves 4


Since tolerance for spiciness can vary, we’ve kept our recipe relatively mild. Sweetness without sufficient heat can become cloying, so we also cut back the sugar. For a very mild version of the dish, remove the seeds and ribs from the chiles. If fresh Thai chiles are unavailable, substitute 2 serranos or 1 medium jalapeño. In Thailand, crushed red pepper and sugar are passed at the table, along with extra fish sauce and white vinegar, so the dish can be adjusted to suit individual taste. Serve with steamed rice and vegetables, if desired.


Ingredients
2 cups fresh basil leaves , tightly packed
3 medium garlic cloves , peeled
6 green or red Thai chiles , stemmed (see note)
2 tablespoons fish sauce , plus extra for serving (see note)
1 tablespoon oyster sauce 1 teaspoon white vinegar , plus extra for serving (see note)
1 tablespoon sugar , plus extra for serving (see note)
1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast , cut into 2-inch pieces
3 medium shallots , peeled and thinly sliced (about 3/4 cup)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil Red pepper flakes , for serving (see note)


Instructions
1. Process 1 cup basil leaves, garlic, and chiles in food processor until finely chopped, 6 to 10 one-second pulses, scraping down bowl with rubber spatula once during processing. Transfer 1 tablespoon basil mixture to small bowl and stir in 1 tablespoon fish sauce, oyster sauce, vinegar, and sugar; set aside. Transfer remaining basil mixture to 12-inch heavy-bottomed nonstick skillet. Do not wash food processor bowl.

2. Pulse chicken and 1 tablespoon fish sauce in food processor until meat is chopped into -approximate 1/4-inch pieces, six to eight 1-second pulses. Transfer to medium bowl and refrigerate 15 minutes.

3. Stir shallots and oil into basil mixture in skillet. Heat over medium-low heat (mixture should start to sizzle after about 11/2 minutes; if it doesn’t, adjust heat accordingly), stirring constantly, until garlic and shallots are golden brown, 5 to 8 minutes.

4. Add chicken, increase heat to medium, and cook, stirring and breaking up chicken with potato masher or rubber spatula, until only traces of pink remain, 2 to 4 minutes. Add reserved basil-fish sauce mixture and continue to cook, stirring constantly until chicken is no longer pink, about 1 minute. Stir in remaining cup basil leaves and cook, stirring constantly, until basil is wilted, 30 to 60 seconds. Serve immediately,

 

[macraven]

Serve immediately,

no. do. not. do. that.
until mac is there..........

 

[ky07]

Good morning homies

 

[keishashadow]

morning

anything with both fish & oyster sauce sells me

Keisha....what is this Monster Walk-Thru that you mentioned on the Jimmy Neutron thread? Is this something special during HHN?

that was intended as a wish list replacement, it's something they have @ USH that i thought very cool, almost skipped it on way out of park, glad we didn't! imo, it'd fit well into the physical space and would be great year-round promo of sorts for HHN & the houses.

Universal City, California – Universal Studios Hollywood breathes life into Universal’s most notorious celluloid creatures in “Universal’s House of Horrors,” a new spine-chilling walk-thru attraction opening at “The Entertainment Capital of L.A.” opening today.
Featuring an award-winning line-up of the Studios’ 80-year horror film legacy, “Universal’s House of Horrors” reacquaints guests with such notorious creatures as Count Dracula, The Wolf Man, The Mummy, Frankenstein’s Monster, the Bride of Frankenstein, the Phantom of the Opera and “Psycho’s” Mother Bates. Guests will encounter all of these fearsome figures as they navigate the dark passages of a Gothic castle. The multi-sensory attraction will even use olfactory sensation to produce its effects: the castle has been infused with scents that capture the pungent odors of Egyptian tombs, musty antechambers and decaying life.
The “Universal’s House of Horror” adventure begins at the entrance to the castle ruins in Soundstage 13. After being shepherded along the castle’s drawbridge, guests will enter a corridor laden with dozens of recognizable authentic movie props and artifacts including such cinematic icons as the original corduroy blazer worn by Anthony Perkins in “Psycho,” the Hannibal Lector mask from “Red Dragon,” the police uniform worn by Roy Scheider in “Jaws,” the books and necklaces from “Skeleton Key,” the original Chucky doll from “Seed of Chucky” and the Billy doll from “Dead Silence.”
Original horror film posters will also adorn the area as a further introduction to over 20 infamous horror characters that now permanently reside within the “House of Horrors.”
Guests will not have long to linger over these genre treasures. Attendants quickly usher them through a dark labyrinth leading into the themed areas that include
Dracula’s Portal, Nosferatu's rat-infested Catacombs, the Burial Crypt of The Bride of Frankenstein, The Phantom of the Opera’s Lair, The Mummy’s Tomb, “Chucky’s” Good Guy Toy Factory, a “Psycho” Maze of Mirrors, The Wolf Man’s Forest and Dr. Frankenstein’s Lab.

 

[minniejack]

MH...Love, love, love Thai chicken

Your store looks like they carry the same things as the one in Amish country. We used to have a store like that around here, but the man sold more products going to craft shows and flea markets, so he closed up shop.

And Wasabi peas used to be my fave pre gluten free days. Peanuts will have to do...I've never tried to make them at home. Ever tried?

Off to make some deliveries and earn my keep around here. I think it must be the economy, even my sisters are starting to hit me up for some more makeup and they haven't bought from me for years.

 

[minniejack]

had me thinking what else wasabi is out there and I found a wasabi edamame kind that I can order from my co op... hmmmm might be worth a shot I'm stalled on the old diet and sick of any snack foods around the house--including these new chips I found called Beanitos...BBQ Really, REally good. QVC and Amazon both have.

 

[minniejack]

Okay MH you are so not good for my waist.

I kept remembering the wasabi peas and did a little researching and voila'! The company must've changed their recipe!! I literally go into every store I enter and head straight to Wasabi peas and I always pick up the packages thinking maybe...maybe...they changed their ingredients and cross your fingers...I think it worked this time! I think I found a wheat free brand that I can get from my co op without heading to Whole Foods or ordering online



thanks mh...i think

 

[keishashadow]

I was shamed into restarting my TR, post #51 forward @

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=40512352&posted=1#post40512352

 

[marciemi]

Some long ketchup here - sorry I haven't responded, we've been kind of just in shock (or more just "sticking our head in the sand and pretending nothing's happening" ) here!

I was shamed into restarting my TR, post #51 forward

I promise as well that I intend to actually finish my trip report some time - somehow it's lost the importance that it had a week ago. I only have one day left though and then a summary so I'll get to it!

coastermom - congrats although re prom - ha! not too sure re girls being cheaper than boys. Off top of my head i paid over $600 last year ($200 for tux/shoe rental, $75 for flowers, $150 couple's portion of shared limo, prom tix $100, breakfast for 2, kennywood tix & expenses the next day) Dutch is not done in these parts. I have all the pictures of need of him in a tux, hope he's going to skip it entirely this year.

Out here prom is only for juniors and "ball" is for seniors. Some advice on keeping it cheaper - DON'T have your son date someone a different class than him. Eric is a sophomore, but GF is a junior, which means that of COURSE they have to do prom this year for her. And if they're still together, then next year they'll have to do BOTH prom and ball.

On the plus side, a local tuxedo store came to the school and offered discount scratch-offs. Most kids got a small discount, but one of Eric's friends (who isn't planning on attending prom) got a free rental so he gave it to Eric! Actually no strings attached and he only paid the $7 to get the "souvenir" pocket square that he can keep and saved the other $133 the kids ahead of him in line were paying!

When does the weather start to get better in your area Mac? Snow at this time of year must be usual for you i guess.

I'm very perplexed trying to figure out why the ski area that we were planning to head to this weekend (even further north of us and Mac in the upper peninsula of Michigan) is closed for the season. Guess the 18 inches of snow last week, and recent highs in the 20's and lows around zero must not be conducive to skiing? We had passes there but aren't going to pay to go somewhere else at this point.

marci ouch, that's a nightmare, hope it's over soon for you

dentist is a scary word, orthodonist is longer word therefore pricier. Four sets of bracesI thought i had it bad with three. not one for each kid (middle one loves me & grew straight teeth). #1 lied about wearing his retainer at night, teeth moved so I had to fork over more $ for a 2nd set.then he left 2nd retainer under his bed where dog found it & enjoyed it as pricey chew toy.

Thanks to everyone who offered support and/or PM's - I really appreciate it. As I said, I think we're still just in shock and trying to figure out what the heck we'll do with Eric if a job doesn't pan out here - really hate to move him during junior year (if nothing works out by fall) but we also really don't have any ties to this area and would love to move somewhere, preferably warmer, if a job opportunity played out there. Going to be rough for him in any case. Some options include having him graduate a year early and/or me staying here with him and getting an apartment if need be to let him graduate here if Royce goes somewhere else.

On the dental note, that's the huge issue here as well - loss of medical/dental insurance. Stephen was actually supposed to have his wisdom teeth out last Friday (day after the shoe dropped). Obviously cancelled that but he still has the MRI coming up for the head stuff in May which won't be cheap and I guess we just have to pray nothing is actually wrong with him at that point! On another plus side, he was accepted to the AF Academy yesterday and his brother was really pushing him to go there (with him) but he signed his declination this morning and is still really hoping all will work out medically for MIT - we go out to visit next week.

Regarding the dog eating the retainers - we've done that one a couple times and we don't even have a dog! (And never did). You'll also be glad to know that it's not a good idea to leave them in the driveway on the ground (where they evidently fell out of the car when he just stuck them in the door handle) - they're not much use when they're run over either!

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

that was intended as a wish list replacement, it's something they have @ USH that i thought very cool, almost skipped it on way out of park, glad we didn't! imo, it'd fit well into the physical space and would be great year-round promo of sorts for HHN & the houses.

Universal City, California – Universal Studios Hollywood breathes life into Universal’s most notorious celluloid creatures in “Universal’s House of Horrors,” a new spine-chilling walk-thru attraction opening at “The Entertainment Capital of L.A.” opening today.
Featuring an award-winning line-up of the Studios’ 80-year horror film legacy, “Universal’s House of Horrors” reacquaints guests with such notorious creatures as Count Dracula, The Wolf Man, The Mummy, Frankenstein’s Monster, the Bride of Frankenstein, the Phantom of the Opera and “Psycho’s” Mother Bates. Guests will encounter all of these fearsome figures as they navigate the dark passages of a Gothic castle. The multi-sensory attraction will even use olfactory sensation to produce its effects: the castle has been infused with scents that capture the pungent odors of Egyptian tombs, musty antechambers and decaying life.
The “Universal’s House of Horror” adventure begins at the entrance to the castle ruins in Soundstage 13. After being shepherded along the castle’s drawbridge, guests will enter a corridor laden with dozens of recognizable authentic movie props and artifacts including such cinematic icons as the original corduroy blazer worn by Anthony Perkins in “Psycho,” the Hannibal Lector mask from “Red Dragon,” the police uniform worn by Roy Scheider in “Jaws,” the books and necklaces from “Skeleton Key,” the original Chucky doll from “Seed of Chucky” and the Billy doll from “Dead Silence.”
Original horror film posters will also adorn the area as a further introduction to over 20 infamous horror characters that now permanently reside within the “House of Horrors.”
Guests will not have long to linger over these genre treasures. Attendants quickly usher them through a dark labyrinth leading into the themed areas that include
Dracula’s Portal, Nosferatu's rat-infested Catacombs, the Burial Crypt of The Bride of Frankenstein, The Phantom of the Opera’s Lair, The Mummy’s Tomb, “Chucky’s” Good Guy Toy Factory, a “Psycho” Maze of Mirrors, The Wolf Man’s Forest and Dr. Frankenstein’s Lab.

We can't wait to check that out when we're in "beautiful downtown Burbank" next week ... I've also booked us on one of their VIP Experiences so that a certain someone can get his picture taken on the steps of the Psycho house