Monday, June 30, 2008





Monday Morning....8:25 AM.....I am on hold with the Unemployment office, have been for approx. 45 minutes. By the time I get through to them I will be old enough to collect social security. OK, on to other stuff. Gregs dad is home, happily snoring away, the sprinklers are click, click clicking out water. Made an omlette first day he was home, 3 cheeses : asagio, cheddar and swiss with red peppers and last night I made Mexican. Refried beans made from scratch in the crock pot:

Cook a Boston Butt Pork Roast in the crock pot overnight with salt, pepper and sliced onions, cook on low add no water.
Remove meat for later use and reserve all fat
Add 1-1lb package dried rinsed pinto beans to the crockpot fat
add enough water to cover beans plus 3 inches
ADD:
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
3 crushed garlic cloves
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 cup diced onions

Cook for 2 hrs on HIGH
Add 1 cup more of water and switch to low overnight or for 7 hours
Mash beans with potato masher
Add Hot Sauce to taste (I like Yucatan Sunshine)
let beans remain uncovered on low, stirring occasionally until desired consistency is reached.
Turn crock pot off
Let cool slightly
Stir in 12 ounces sour cream, chopped cilantro if desired
Keep some out and freeze the rest for later.
Approx cost---reclaimed pork fat, 99 cents for pinto beans, $1.29 for sour cream. Makes a TON. Enjoy! ~~ Retro
PS...lovely vintage tea cups listed today in my Etsy store--check them out


Thursday, June 26, 2008

quiet night

Too tired tonight to do much of anything, just trying to relax.......

Thursday, June 19, 2008

Greg ate A LOT today and did physical therapy 2 x.....was not able to stand as much but he was worn out. He loves his food though so I am making a meatloaf to send back to him with his dad comes home for 4 days at the end of the month... I Make AWESOME meat loaf :) Yea!! Gregs dad home for a few days!!!!

Fabulous Meat loaf!

Meatloaf
2 lbs ground chuck
1 package mild pork sausage
one box stove top stuffing for pork
3 eggs
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp Cavenders Greek seasoning or 1 chicken bullion cube crumbled

Meatloaf Glaze
1 bottle 16 oz Ketchup
4 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons vinegar



Mix the above meatloaf ingredients,
form into 3 loaves, put on flat baking sheet, cook for 45 min on 350F.
at 45 min, pour on glaze and cook 15 more minutes.
Eat and enjoy, freeze one or two loaves for later :)

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Gregs dad called and said he stood up for 15 minutes today!!! Yea!!!!! Go Greg!
Greg had a tough few days, is worn out and muscles tight. We ARE having a sale to benefit his dad staying with him up in New York (We live in TN)...see my Etsy shop announcement! If you want to donate an item, just convo me!
Happy trails!
Retro
Good Etsy Info to know and remember! Thanks Loosewirestudio !!!!!!!!!!!
http://etsywiki.com/ Accumulated wisdom from seasoned sellers.
http://etsytreasurydemo.blogspot.com/ Treasury tutorial.
http://www.etsy.com/treasury_west.php Test Treasury.
http://www.etsy.com/poster_sketch.php Prepare a treasury.
http://www.etsy.com/tag_fractal.php Tag Fractal Etsy Search. Cool!
http://team.etsy.com/downloads.html The old Resources page, which has the postcards.
http://fix.etsy.com/ Where to go if Etsy is down.

http://www.majaba.org/heartomatic.php See hearts and views in one place. By Juln.etsy.com.
http://bestysearch.com/ Lots of other ways to search Etsy.

https://www.paypal.com/us/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_ship-now Secret Paypal shipping link.
http://etsy.ppcalc.com/ Fees calculators.
http://checkout.google.com/ Alternate payment option.
http://www.propay.com/?refid=ETSYOLCM Propay discount link. Alternate payment and means to take credit cards at fairs.

http://www.usps.com/tools/calculatepostage
http://www.geocities.com/vlhester/index.html TheBeadingTree's international rate chart.
http://www.shelfmasters.com/InternationalRateChart.aspx International Postage rate chart. (Has not been updated.)

http://www.thumbalizr.com/ Cross platform means to screen shots.
http://tinyurl.com/ Make long links short.
http://tools.oratory.com/altcodes.html How to make those little characters.
http://www.onlineconversion.com/ Conversions.
http://picnik.com/ Pic site.
http://webresizer.com/
http://www.primopdf.com/ Convert any document to a PDF!
http://chris-parry.blogspot.com/search/label/Pricing
http://etsyforeveryone.typepad.com/my_weblog/graphics/index.html How to make your own banner. And lots more!

http://www.weloveetsy.com/shops We love etsy shops directory.
mini blogs:
http://etsymini.blogspot.com/
http://etsyminisupplies.blogspot.com/

Gift Certificate knowledge:
http://www.consumersunion.org/pub/core_financial_services/003889.html Consumer's Union
http://www.rimmkaufman.com/content/brannlawgiftcertchart.pdf PDF document chart
http://www.naag.org/ag/full_ag_table.php You can also check out your attorney general's website

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Greg, the ongoing story...

To those that don't know, my step son, Greg was hit by a car on April 14, 2008...this is my Etsy post from that horrible night:

[Photo] RetroCycle says: Go hug your kids...no matter how busy you are, or how bad they have been, or the tantrums they have thrown today, let them know you love them, no matter what, good or bad, that they have a source of unconditional love to see them through.....
My step son was hit by a car today, he was 20 yrs old, a Junior in college, a great guy for 20, telling us his big plans for spring break when he turned 21...with faults and problems like all of us...big dreams too, the kind of dreams you can only dream when you are 20.
He will not survive the accident...if he does, his brain has been "damaged" beyond repair.
How I wish I could bitch at him for messing up the bathroom, or eating everything in the fridge, or just talking the stupid smack 20 yr old talk. How I wish I could see the smile on his dads face when he calls his dad...so, go hug your kids...

That night there were 20 pages of Etsy Prayers in the forums


It is Now June 14th, 2008. The kid who they said was dead, or brain damaged stood up for 2 minutes today :). He is eating like a horse and watching the Sopranos. His Dad has been with him since the accident.
It is still a SLOW battle back....