Yesterday was my birthday, YAY ME!

I have to say, I had a pretty great birthday.

I usually dread birthdays at least a little bit - especially as I get older - not so much because of the number. I think you are as old as you act, so I'm about 6 today, just like I was yesterday. But birthdays just aren't the EVENT that they were when you were a kid.

But anyway, being a little glum in the morning, I decided to enjoy the day, no matter what. I got some really good stuff from Grandma and Ma - including an actual deputy badge. Watch out, villians, Deputy Marie is on the beat. So then I went and watched them put up a building at Jeff's house - literally a crew of 3 men built a 2 car carport in about 30 minutes. Take that Rachael Ray!

Then I went to the library - one of my favorite places and spent the afternoon in the pool. By this point, my mom had suggested that after dinner (where I had fried catfish) we go to wal-mart. I was ok with this - not elated, but it was something to do. I thought I might buy a raft.

So I was only able to eat half my catfish, so I had to stop by the house before going to Wal-mart so as to avoid stinkin' up the car. Apparently this played right in to mom and Jeff's plan. Jeff had at some point approached mom saying he was going to get a cake and ice cream and to bring me by his house after dinner. I was completely completely surprise and it literally brought tears to my eyes. Brooke wrote me a really sweet card and put a dollar inside. I can't remember the last time I got an actual bill in a card :)

Anyway - I hear 27 is the best year ever....

Love you all and thanks for a great birthday!

Dear God, please make me a bird...

You Would Be a Pet Bird

You're intelligent and witty, yet surprisingly low maintenance. You charm people easily, and they usually love you a lot more than you love them. You resent anyone who tries to own or control you. You refuse to be fenced in. Why you would make a great pet: You're very smart and entertaining Why you would make a bad pet: You're not interested in being anyone's pet! What you would love about being a bird: Flying, obviously What you would hate about being a bird: Being caged

What Kind of Pet Would You Be?

So I know 'Cute' isn't the right word...

You shouldn't use the word 'cute' when describing 4-wheeling pictures or fun, but how cute am I in this picture? Now - the Jeep crawling the rock, that is majestic or domineering or awesome or fabulous. Or any other masculine descriptive you can think of. Jeff climbed the rock then took the picture - Carlie in the back is Leon's daughter. Very cute picture I think.

Today's jerk.

Not everyday has a jerk. But today does.

This morning at about 8:45, the power went out. At this point I decided to give it a little (say 2, 3 minutes) time to come back and get dressed. Immediately after I finish dressing, I hear this knocking at the door. So, I answer it. It's a camper. Who is also a jerk. Here is what transpired:

Setting: Back door, 8:55 am
Players:
Old Jerk
Cassie, an irritated girl

Cassie: Good morning!
Old Jerk: You know the power's out.
Cassie: Yup, it looks like no one in the park has power. I would guess most of the city is out.
Old Jerk: Well, what does the electric company say?
Cassie: Uh...well, I haven't called them yet.
Old Jerk: Well, you might want to do that.
Cassie: Yeah... I will, it just went out.
Old Jerk: Like 10 minutes ago.
Cassie: Ok, well, I'll call them.
Old Jerk: You do that. (Starts walking away.) And do we get a refund for the time we don't have power?
Cassie: (Incredulously) For the past 10 minutes?
Old Jerk: Well, who knows how long it will be out?
Cassie: You're right, I will call the electric company, but no refunds, I'm sure. Thanks.
Old Jerk walks away. Cassie mumbles obscenities and gesticulates wildly from the safety of the office.

The End

A call to the Electric company informed me that the power would be out for 2 hours. Here's what I deduced: The man paid $44 for about 42 hours of parking. The tent rate (which receives no power) would have been $36. The difference is presumably the cost of our utilities - $8. His site has Water, Electric, Sewer and Cable. So that is $2 per utility for 42 hours, or $.05 per hour. So the power was out for about 1.5 hour - I do owe him a refund or $.08. I figure if he comes up for a refund, I will explain this to him and offer to round up to $.10 for his inconvenience. Jerk.

What a lousy way to start a weekend.

You people!

You will NEVER get pictures. Keep begging - it will get you nowhere.

I know I haven't blogged in quite a few days, but there's not much to say. I did Yoga on Wed. and Today. That is actually really nice. I hate it when I first wake up (the class is at 8!!), but then at the end of it, I feel really good. If ever someone was like "Pick - go pro in belly dancing or yoga!" I would pick yoga.

I bowled really good - at least at first - on Wednesday. A 166, 142 and I can't remember the last score (hmmm). I hope it was really low, though, because my average again this week was 120 and I don't know how I'm going to do it next week if my average is like 130. So let's all cross our fingers that I bombed the last game!

Today a pipe broke! And I fixed it - at least temporarily. I will get Jeff to help me with a permanent fix this weekend, but I was pretty proud that I temporarily fixed it. The camper that broke the pipe was a little insulting, in a sort of backwards way. As I'm sweating and working on this pipe he said "Well, I'm really impressed. These schools today have really dumbed it down and most people just don't have any common sense." I chortled a little and said "well, they don't teach plumbing in the average public school - everything to do with this, I learned from my mom." Like I said, slightly complimentary, but apparently before he broke the pipe, he thought I was an idiot with no common sense. Half of that is true. I won't say which half.

Love!

Belly Dancing Barbie

So this was interesting. I guess I should preface this by explaining some difficulties I've had meeting people. I tried to join the Tennis league, but that was too casual and in fact - I was the only one who showed up. I did join a bowling league - and have met a couple of people, but nothing serious, as far as new friends or anything. SO, talking to Jeff this week - I was feeling a little lonely. And he had a valid point. Aside from bowling and hanging out with him or Rod, really all I do is walk. And I like walking, but I gotta try to meet some people!

So I saw an ad in the newspaper a couple of weeks ago about 'The Dance Goddess' school of dance opening here in town. Belly dancing. I was like oh, what the hell - I'll call and see what it's about. So I called this weekend and signed up for a group class for tonight. But I was the only one there. The good news: I am a phenomenal belly dancer. Well, I don't really believe this, but the lady teacher is very nice and flattering. She did ask me to dance in 'DanceFest' and I told her I doubt it. She also asked (I am giggling as I write this for the unbelievability factor) if I was interested in going pro. I should've told her that I thought that that would interfere with my eating contest training. I told her I don't ever picture me struggling with that decision. She's very new-age, which is difficult to get used to, but a nice lady. She's going to choreograph me something cool to go with my Leo personality and my Goddess inside. I'm not kidding. Cassie, the klutziest person anyone of you knows. She did point out a costume - a gold coin bra when she was talking about me performing at DanceFest. That was laughable enough as it is! Do you think she has any idea how drunk I would have to be to wear a gold bra in public and be thinking to myself, "shimmy shake, hip thrust"? She had me wear the bra as a belt so I could hear when I was shimmying correctly. Other words of wisdom from her - I will teach you to be a fabulous dancer, but you have to promise not to work in a strip club. Again a witty comeback comes to me know: "Don't worry, I'm not working my way through Medical school." In actuality I just said I don't think that's anything we have to worry about. Anyway - I'm pretty proud I went and I'll probably go back next week, but don't expect to EVER see photos or videos of me in costume on here. Or anywhere. If pictures like that got out, I could never run for Miss New Jersey.

Today someone at the courthouse accidentally pushed the tornado siren button. And we are having stormy weather. I didn't hear it. This fact does not make me feel good about my ability to get to safety in case of an emergency.

So many toilets, so little time.

I want to be very, very happy when I am done using the restroom.

This story made me laugh.

Toilets Galore!

Cassie is a competitor:

Pictures as promised.

My initial look at the competition:


Notice the pirate!!


It's hard to eat, smile and look pretty. I find a way.



2nd place is achieved. Notice the mess near the pirate. Some are contesting the results. I am personally not contesting the results, because I think it's important to unite in this time of terror, etc. Watermelon eating contests can bring us together as a country.

recipes

I have gotten a couple of requests for recipes -

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE ZUCCHINI BREAD
Printed from COOKS.COM

2 sm. zucchini (about 1/2 lb. total) or 2 c. grated
4 c. flour
1/2 c. cocoa
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1 1/2 c. oil
3 eggs
1 1/2 c. milk
2 tsp. vanilla
1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Butter 2 (8 x 4) loaf pans.

Grate zucchini. In a large bowl, combine flour, cocoa, sugar, baking soda and powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. In another bowl, combine zucchini except the chocolate chips. Stir into dry ingredients until just blended. Stir in chocolate chips.

Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake until a toothpick stuck in the center of the bread comes out clean, about 1 hour 15 minutes. Cool on rack 10 minutes, then remove from pans and cool completely.

I haven't tried this choco bread (I might cook it today-I'll update if I do), but sounds pretty good! :)

Fried zucchini:

I put 'french fry' size zucchini in beaten eggs, then a flour mixture of flour, pepper, cayenne, italian seasoning and fresh parmesan cheese (I don't measure this stuff, I just put enough of everything in a pie plate to taste good and coat the number of 'fries' I'm making.) Shake off the excess flour batter, then gently put it in hot oil - about 380 deg. for a couple of minutes. While they are cooking, I nuke some Prego. Then pull the 'fries' out and drain on paper towels and sprinkle with a little bit more cheese. After they cool a little I dip them in the sauce and eat 'em! :)

Cassie eatin' watermelon!

I just competed in a watermelon contest!! I think I did pretty good too - I got second. When I first walked up I was worried that it was for kids only and that I was going to have to take 'em out (which I would have because first, and foremost, I am a competitor). If one of those little bastards would've gotten in my face and made me yell boo-YAH! I would have. Luckily I got to compete against adults. When I sat down with the adults, I mentioned, nonchalantly, that I have been training for this all my life and I skipped lunch. You know, you win a competition mentally first. This did seem to throw the competition, a Harley Davidson Pirate, until he said, "Well, I'm from out east, and in Pennsylvania I entered pie eating contests all the time. 9 inch pies." I had to walk away so he wouldn't see that he had knocked me a little out of my zone. So while a friend Tracy took pictures, since both Jeff and I assumed the other had a camera, I ate like you wouldn't believe. Unless you've seen me eat, in which case, you can probably imagine. Direct quote from Jeff "You got more balls then I give you credit for." I take this as a compliment. Anyway, I took second. Harley-Davidson-Pirate-Pie-Eating extrodinaire took first. At least I lost to a champion. This must be how it feels to get second on Survivor or Temptation Island.
Pictures were taken, and as soon as I have them, so will you, but for now, another installment of Cassie's Masterpiece Paint:

I'm a dirty girl!

Or I was, when I was working. I've showered several times since then. The unfortunate thing: my face got stuck this way. We are all sad and blue.

By the was fried Zucchini strips dipped in spaghetti sauce? Yes, it's delicious, have some.

I sprunged a leak!

Today was pretty satisfying. It started out relatively bland, with an oh-so-exciting trip to Sam's Club for bathroom paper towels. Thrilling.

But when I got home, Jeff and I worked and fixed a dryer. Pretty cool - not the perfect day yet, but still. Then I heard dreaded words. "You got a lot of standing water out here." First thought: Water? Or Sewage? Luckily, water! But there was a lot of it - after a phone call to mom, I have been assigned to dig - there is a leak somewheres, just got to find it. So after a fair amount of mocking, Jeff took a picture of me working (I guess he thought we all needed proof.) then helped me. We thought we had found the leak, but couldn't figure out why it wasn't more obvious. As much water as there was, it should have been really flowing. So we thought about it and Jeff tried to turn the spigot on - that's when I told him that I had shut the water off. So of course - that's why it wasn't flowing. So Jeff knelt down and turned the water back on. The pictoral depiction below, while obviously gorgeous, is in no way accurate. I got way more water squirted on me, and Jeff is not a midget - just kneeling. Thank you. Photos of me working will be posted eventually for the non-believers, Dan Judy.



Either way, leak repaired, life back to normal here. :)