The What's For Dinner Thread - Feb '09(recipe index in OP)

[bigmerle1966]

Good grief. What is WITH these northeast states and the taxes? How is a car normally taxed, anyways? Is that tax on top of sales tax for a car? I have no idea but I think I'm going to need to buy a car this summer.

I think it depends on the state. Here in MD we pay sales tax when we buy the car and only then. If you sell it to someone else they pay taxes on the amount they pay you for it.

And just to really confuse you, we have to have emmisions testing and renew our tags every other year.

 

[Where'sPiglet?]

Bethany- I have no idea what you should do. I think that I would renew adn then not pay the last month I was there. I'm not sure but I would probably try that. Buddy would not. We would still be arguing how to handle it April 30..... I can see I'm no help. I just don;t see any good options for you but someone else her may be able to find an answer.

I had considered this, but then if I was responsible for the lease up through April 2010, wouldn't they send collections out after me and/or do eviction proceedings? Both of which would be huge scars on credit reports?

I think up and moving at the end of the school year is not an option worth considering. I know you've been frustrated with the admin but it doesn't seem fair to kids.

Would your landlord allow you to sign a 6 month lease? Or 3 month lease?

I'd start looking now for possible short term lease options. I'm not sure what is available in your area, but in my area there are TONS of hotels that do weekly rates for those in transition. You'd likely have to put your stuff in storage but it'd give you a place to live until you move. Do you have any friends you could rent space from? It's for such a short amt of time, it might be worth pursuing.

Does your DH already have another position wherever you are moving? Or are you going to secure one first and he find one there? You could always see about a 6 month lease with the intention that he stay behind a month or two and you go ahead and get settled.

No, I won't leave mid-year. Four people at my school left mid-year during the 2008 calendar year, but I'm not going to. I don't want to burn bridges or have that on records. Makes like more difficult later, you know? Not to mention the kids.

Unless the landlord makes an exception and does a 2 month extension or 3 month lease, the only lease options are 1 year and 2 years.

There are some cheap hotels in the Bronx but I will be staying far far away from those. There's an Extended Stay America about an hour outside of the city that wants $119/night. I don't see this as an option.

Most of my friends are in small apartments, including my in-laws. I don't know anybody in NYC with extra space. My friend did say if I can't find anything, we could stay in her attic. That is really a last resort because attics are very hot and it will be June.

The most likely short term option is to find an apartment to sublet. I found a website that had several available to begin this month, so I'm thinking there will be some for May/June. The prices were reasonable too; I searched for up to $1500 and a bunch came up. Compare this to a different short term lease place I saw online where the cheapest apartment was a studio for $2400/month.

He is working from home right now, so he is very flexible regarding location so I'm looking first. Something should come up within the next month or two. Even if we have to stay in NYC another year, I don't want to stay in this apartment. If I find another NYC apartment in June, then the lease next year should end June 30 or July 31, thus avoiding this problem next year.

Okay, I need to head out to work. Have a great day everybody!

 

[FormrCastMbr]

Good Morning!

I have not read back...I will try to catch up later. You guys have been chatty and that's only on this page alone!

I spoke to Charles yesterday and he thanks everyone for their good thoughts and prayers. He is being so strong through this - I am not sure I would be able to hold it together like him. He is still in intense pain and is trying not to take the full dose of pain meds because they affect the liver. Still cannot eat too much so he is losing alot of weight and starting treatments next week...they just put a tube in to administer the chemo this week. They did tell his daughter, she is 8 or 9 (I have 12 neices and nephews and cannot keep track of ages - she is a third grader), and seems to be handling it OK. She looks forward to making Daddy his special food which includes juicing. He is one special guy...he is not bitter, asking why, blaming anyone...he is just dealing with what he was dealt. THANK YOU ALL AGAIN!!!

**********
Tonight I will make Andrew his birthday dinner 5 days early. No one else can make this since I really do not use a recipe. Dinner will be, yup, you guessed it, Sausage, Shells and Peas and a salad and italian bread.

I will also make the brownies for him to take tomorrow...thanks for the tips!

Have a great day all!

 

[TigerKat]

I spoke to Charles yesterday and he thanks everyone for their good thoughts and prayers.

**********
Tonight I will make Andrew his birthday dinner 5 days early. No one else can make this since I really do not use a recipe. Dinner will be, yup, you guessed it, Sausage, Shells and Peas and a salad and italian bread.

Your brother sounds like an amazing man, continued prayers for him, you and your entire family.

I hope A enjoys his birthday dinner, give him a hug for me.

Dinner tonight will be leftovers or anything else the guys can scrounge up, I'm going out to our monthly lunch with my employee - seafood, YUM!

 

[FormrCastMbr]

Your brother sounds like an amazing man, continued prayer for him, you and your entire family.

I hope A enjoys his birthday dinner, give him a hug for me.

Dinner tonight will be leftovers or anything else the guys can scrounge up, I'm going out to our monthly lunch with my employee - seafood, YUM!

Thank you! I will definitely give A a big hug from Aunt Kat! Have a great lunch!

 

[Nancyg56]

Lauren- What a strong man your brother is! I cannot even imagine the strength it must ttake to stay focused on teh positive and to provide an anchor for his family to hang on to when he is in such pain. Continued prayers and well wishes for him and for your family.

Please wish Andrew an early Happy Birthday, enjoy your special meal with your big boy today!

Bethany- I know that just breaking a lease is a bad option, it is why Buddy would tell me "No". I think that Aimee has a good idea, maybe there are motels in your area that will give you a longterm rate.

DInner was good last night. Roasted chicken and mashed potatoes, gravy, Rice-a-Roni becasue I ran out of potatoes. Carrots adn brocolli along with a green salad.

TOnight will be something with ground turkey.

 

[Rogue26]

Morning everyone, it's supposed to warm up here today! I'm really hoping the sheet of ice on our road melts today.

Lauren- I have lots to do the next couple of days, not as much as you though, so I just wanted to wish you the best of luck. Congratulations to your whole family.

Bethany- I'm not familiar with NY transportation at all, but the town I grew up in had a train station and lots of people commuted. Could you maybe find a place out of the city and take the train in? I'm sure it would stink for a while, but 2 months isn't awful.

Laura- Actually, my husband has a better car than us. Mine was $70, his was $460. We finally had enough of paying to get his truck fixed every other week so we bought a new one. He needs something big to fit his work gear in.

Merle- we do the every other year emissions too, and the sales tax. The excise tax is every year, just for fun. I guess if that's the worst thing I have to complain about I'm pretty darn lucky.

Nancy- I like to put a couple of drops of almond extract in my oats. Sometimes dried cranberries and walnuts. And no minute oats here, nice and slow over low heat. If I don't have oatmeal, I'll have my granola. Of course, I really don't have much to do in the winter, so I have the time for it. Cabin fever is really starting to set in, I can't wait until June and work starts.

Tonight's a busy night, we are having leftover chicken pot pie.

 

[Nancyg56]

Robin- I also use cooked oats, I won't eat the instant anymore. I sometimes add a banana or peaches. I have been avoiding dried fruits since I started WW because I begrudge the points but I add cranberries or raisins to Buddy's all of the time. I do use some pumpkin and pumpkin or apple pie spice which is also very good.

I decvided on dinner. Turkey meatballs and gravy over some kind of pasta, a green veggie and a salad. I'll fix barley or bulgar for Marisa and me.

 

[liamsaunt]

Lauren, I'll be keeping your brother in my thoughts. It sounds like he is being strong.

Good grief. What is WITH these northeast states and the taxes? How is a car normally taxed, anyways? Is that tax on top of sales tax for a car? I have no idea but I think I'm going to need to buy a car this summer.

Oh yes, the excise is on top of the sales tax, which is 5%. The excise is levied annually by the town you live in. I have an excise gripe also. So, last September we got a new car. We recently got the bill for this year's excise tax--and they also billed is for last September-December. But, we had already paid the full 12 months excise on the other car--which was the same make and model, just different year. So, we called the town and they offered us a refund on the old car's excise tax for September-December, but we had to give them the license plate number for the old car. Which, of course, we don't have or remember because the old plate got turned in with the old car.

Here are some photos from recent dinners. These are mini meatball subs, and mini chicken parmesean subs:

And here is last night's baked brie and carmelized apple salad:

i am not sure WFD yet. John has a client dinner, so I am on my own.

 

[shovan]

Morning Y'all,

It's a pretty morning in NOLA.

Scotlass, I hope your boy improves. We have been having similar problems with my niece. Who knew constipation could cause so many issues, she has urinary trouble caused from it.

Lauren, Your brother sounds like a very strong man. My prayers are with him & I were discussing all the tips I got from everyone & he thanks all of you. In particular he said he is very impressed with the Liam Sisters & their expertise at such a young age!

The pot pie was soo good! Not the prettiest thing but really yummy! We were discussing all the tips I received from you all & my DH thanks everyone of you! He said he was especially impressed with Laura & Becky's expertise & cooking knowlegde at such a young age!!!

I worked hard on that potpie, I couldn't find frozen pearl onions, so I had to peel fresh ones. I also used fresh carrots, leeks, potatoes, celery & red bell pepper. I precooked everything on the stovetop following Laura's suggestions. This took a while but worked great for getting all the veggies cooked just right! They were all perfect nothing too mushy or too hard. My crust didn't come out too pretty, I think maybe I should have listened to Becky on that (doing it separately). My photo program is locking up. I'll have to close this & try again. I'll be back.

 

[liamandcaili]

Bethany -- Is your apartment managed by a big rental company or is it privately owned? If it is managed by a big rental company, they won't even notice that you haven't signed a lease if you keep sending in your rent check. If it is privately owned, speak to the owner and see if you can just be month-to-month and say you will give at least a month's notice before moving. (You could also take this approach with a management company...but if they are not returning your phonecalls, don't bother.) It is easier for either the company or the owner to have you there than to find someone new, especially in April, which is not usually a big move-in month. I also don't think either the management company or the owner would try to evict you. It is costly; it requires a lot of time, and if you've been paying your rent, it is going to be tough for them to get a ruling against you. Housing court heavily favors tenants over landlords. Do not let them pressure you into signing a new lease.

Lauren -- Your brother sounds like an amazing person.

Sorry...I'm getting mad just thinking about dealing with stubborn landlords so now I've forgotten everything else I wanted to say.

We're having sesame chicken wings, fried rice and baby bok choy for dinner tonight.

 

[shovan]

Becky, Those subs look so good! And the brie and salad, yes I almost did lick the screen!

Bethany, I wish I had some answers for you! If it were me, breaking the lease would be the very last option.

I can't get my photo program to work! I'm sorry, I'll have to get the "man" to check it out.


Personal stuff: We finally have a home care aide coming out to talk with us tonight. DH said she sounded good on the phone, so we'll see.

News on DD was not good. Her Dr's visit did not go well. The nucleoplasty is not covered at all by her insurance! It would be less invasive & easier recovery, but she would need this other painful test to know if she was even a candidate. She also hadn't told me, but she has been having arm pain the last 2 weeks! So now she will need an MRI of her neck too! I think she is really upset & trying not to let me know. AND She also just informed me that she might be getting laid off! She's known a while & hasn't said anything to us, so we wouldn't worry.

 

[Glynis]

Well, we woke up to snow this morning. So much for spring! Oh well. I guess I'll just have to deal with it.

Dinner last night was really yummy. We had parmesan chicken fingers, baby carrots and salad. I also made a parmesan garlic dipping sauce for the chicken. I was surprised that all my kids liked it. They liked it so much they were dipping their carrots in it as well. Alan used it as a salad dressing. Guess it's a keeper.

Dinner tonight will be hamburger noodle casserole. I have book group tonight and need something easy and quick so I can get the kids fed before I have to leave.

Lauren - Your brother sounds amazing! What a great attitude to have about a horrible situation. His daughter sounds like she's handling it ok so far. I'm sure it will get tough, but this attitude will help a lot later. Tell A happy birthday from me, as well. I bet he's excited about his new baby brother. I know that Jacob was thrilled to be sharing his "birthday month" with Timothy.

Bethany - I have no advice for you, just lots of pixie dust that you can find a solution that works for you and your credit report! Good luck with the job search! Did I mention that Utah is always looking for good teachers????

I need to run to Costco in a little while, but I'm going to wait until afternoon. Timothy is asleep right now, and I hate to wake him up! So, until then I'll be doing laundry and dishes. The 2 never ending chores!

 

[Glynis]

Becky, Those subs look so good! And the brie and salad, yes I almost did lick the screen!

Bethany, I wish I had some answers for you! If it were me, breaking the lease would be the very last option.

I can't get my photo program to work! I'm sorry, I'll have to get the "man" to check it out.


Personal stuff: We finally have a home care aide coming out to talk with us tonight. DH said she sounded good on the phone, so we'll see.

News on DD was not good. Her Dr's visit did not go well. The nucleoplasty is not covered at all by her insurance! It would be less invasive & easier recovery, but she would need this other painful test to know if she was even a candidate. She also hadn't told me, but she has been having arm pain the last 2 weeks! So now she will need an MRI of her neck too! I think she is really upset & trying not to let me know. AND She also just informed me that she might be getting laid off! She's known a while & hasn't said anything to us, so we wouldn't worry.

Oh Sheryl!

I'm so sorry that the news is not good. I'll keep your daughter in my prayers. It's bad enough that she has to deal with all the health issues, but to worry about her job on top of that is too much! Please come here to vent when you need to. She needs to see you strong for her, so let us be your support!

 

[liamsaunt]

Glynis, could you share the dipping sauce? Anything with parmesean and garlic has to be good.

 

[shovan]

Oh Sheryl!

I'm so sorry that the news is not good. I'll keep your daughter in my prayers. It's bad enough that she has to deal with all the health issues, but to worry about her job on top of that is too much! Please come here to vent when you need to. She needs to see you strong for her, so let us be your support!

You are so right about that! I could tell that I was having to much of a "reaction" to health issues for her. If I she realizes I'm upset, she just won't tell me, which means her handling it all on her own. Something I really don't want her to do. Thanks friend! I hope Timothy & the housework co-operate today!

 

[Rogue26]

Glnyis- You can't say parmesan, garlic, and dipping sauce in the same sentence without more info. It sounds like a great salad dressing, and since salad is the only veggie my husband will eat, I'd like to expand my salad dressing recipes. Right now it's just balsamic vinegrette and we just added roasted shallot vinegrette.

Ahh, dishes and laundry- and it's just 3 of us in our house. We basically only drink water, is it so hard to use the same glass more than once?

 

[MA pigletfan]

Hey everyone..i have been quite the lurker lately...I just had to share that last night i actually made a Zattaran's meal! I had to think of all the wonderful NOLA ladies on this thread. We had the Jamabalaya..i made it with pork and shrimp..it was quite tasty! I had a nice side salad with our AEROGROW lettuce ( its so cool to pick your own lettuce inside your house ...cranberries, gorganzola, walnuts and a balsamic vinegrette i made.
WFD: SUSHI night! Finally..i have been craving it for a while now

 

[Nancyg56]

Personal stuff: We finally have a home care aide coming out to talk with us tonight. DH said she sounded good on the phone, so we'll see.

News on DD was not good. Her Dr's visit did not go well. The nucleoplasty is not covered at all by her insurance! It would be less invasive & easier recovery, but she would need this other painful test to know if she was even a candidate. She also hadn't told me, but she has been having arm pain the last 2 weeks! So now she will need an MRI of her neck too! I think she is really upset & trying not to let me know. AND She also just informed me that she might be getting laid off! She's known a while & hasn't said anything to us, so we wouldn't worry.

First, I hope that the aide works out so that you and Bob have one less thing to think about.

I feel so badly for your DD So many things on her plate. As others have said, come here anytime to talk, if you are not dealing with this all alone you can be a shoulder for Angelina. Please call if you need me, I wish I was closer

I need to run to Costco in a little while, but I'm going to wait until afternoon. Timothy is asleep right now, and I hate to wake him up! So, until then I'll be doing laundry and dishes. The 2 never ending chores!

I am in the middle of those two chores as we speak.

Glynis, could you share the dipping sauce? Anything with parmesean and garlic has to be good.

You beat me to it

Your dinner looks so good! I love meatball subs and I really love brie. Two in teh same frame was almost too much for me

Hey everyone..i have been quite the lurker lately...I just had to share that last night i actually made a Zattaran's meal!

How are you doing, Gina? I've missed you. Any new wedding plans you can share?

 

[scotlass]

Sheryl - Im sorry the news was not good for DD.The work stuff can wait just focus on her health.Sending love fae ower the water !!

It always takes me by surprise when youse guy talk about things not covered by insurance.The UKs national health service has lots of problems but Im so glad we have it.

Lauren - Sending love to you and your brother too...keep strong.

The boy is much better today,he had a good sleep last night and that helped.



So....how did AI go last night ?

Any insider knowledge I can use !!