Saturday, July 31, 2010

My summer job(s).

I realized that I've written about all the random parts of my summer,
but have completely failed to mention what I do with the bulk of my time.
Work.
I work at OnSight Health Care.
Essentially, this business goes to nursing homes
and does on-site visits for elderly people.
It's really a great idea, taking the doctors to the people.
On occasion, I'll attend the Dr. on his visit and wheel the residents from their rooms to the doc for their check-ups.
When I'm not transporting patients, I'm in an office transporting pictures of eyeballs from a folder into an online billing program.
Pretty exciting, right?
I can't complain though, this has been a fantastic summer job.
There are multiple high schoolers/college kids working on this project,
which has allowed me to get to know people that, otherwise, I never would have gotten to know well. It's been pretty neat.
In addition to my data entry gig, I also baby-sit for a fantastic little family,
The DiSalle's.
They have 3 kids, 2 girls and 1 boy.
Ages 5, 3 and 5 months (almost.)
I have LOVED the time I've had to play with these little rascals.
Honestly, I'm sad for the end of the summer because it means saying goodbye.
But alas, time goes on and you just gotta roll with the punches.

So now you know.
This is what Miss Libby Griffioen does with most of her time.

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Delicious.

One of my favorite things about summer is the food.
Summer food is light, happy and fun.
I especially love salads with a dash of fruit on them.

Over Christmas break, I went to Max & Erma's with my friends.
I tried a fantastic Apple-Pecan Salad.
I hadn't had it since then, until my sister had the epic idea...
to make it ourselves!

How did I not think of this before?
We found a killer recipe that matches the salad to a T.
Here it goes!

Max & Erma's Apple Pecan Salad

4oz Fresh Salad Greens (we use 2oz)
1.5oz Maple Vinaigrette Dressing (recipe follows)
1/4 cup Bleu Cheese Crumbles (I use feta)
1/4 cup Craisins
1/4 cup Glazed Pecans
7 Slices Granny Smith Apple, roughly 1/4 an apple
1/2oz Balsamic Dressing
1 Grilled Chicken Breast, Optional


Maple Vinaigrette

2 Tbs Cider Vinegar
1/4 tsp Salt
1 tsp Lemon Juice
1/2 tsp Minced Garlic
2 Tbs Pure Maple Syrup
6 Tbs Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Freshly Ground Pepper, to taste

In small bowl, whisk the vinegar, salt, lemon juice and garlic until salt is dissolved. Add the maple syrup and whisk to blend thoroughly. Add the olive oil and whisk until the ingredients are emulsified. Whisk in pepper and adjust seasonings.

If you don't want to take the time to make the dressing, I also enjoy using store bought Raspberry Vinaigrette Dressing. You can also replace the apple slices with strawberry slices, although I do enjoy the tartness of those Granny Smith's. Either way, this salad is a tasty summer treat... especially those glazed pecans, yum!

Sunday, July 25, 2010

The Help.

Looking for a good book to read? I hope so, because I have yet another recommendation for you. Previously, I recommended some young adult books that were fun, easy and exciting. This book is a little different. It's about black maids in the 1960's. Soooo interesting. It gives you a completely new perspective on both the lives of the maids and their bosses. This book is still an easy read, but it makes you stop and think. I dare you to give it a chance.


Saturday, July 24, 2010

North Carolina update... finally.

A month ago I was sitting on the beach, reading books and spending time with my family. It was such a relaxing vacation. It was hot, which made sitting by the ocean enjoyable. A majority of my family was there, which was sweet cause I hang with a pretty cool crowd. AND I even got to see my friend, Connecticut, who just so happened to be in the Outer Banks at the same time as me. Pretty awesome coincidence if you ask me.
The only bad news, is that I didn't take very many pictures. Which, might I add, is not very characteristic of me. I did snap a few good ones here and there. So here are just a few for you to enjoy.
Have I mentioned yet that I absolutely adore my family? Vacation would be nothing without them.





I'm gonna insert here that I think Andy would probably be voted as the "favorite uncle". Seriously, the kids LOVE this guy. He keeps them hooked with bizarre stories and camel rides. I guess that's enough to make just about anyone love ya, huh?






Thursday, July 15, 2010

Black Panthers.

This summer has been different than others for many various reasons, but there's one in particular with which I wish to focus on tonight: I have been staying updated with the news/government rulings.
Most of the time, what I hear makes me sick and/or angry.
For example, have any of you heard about what the Black Panther case? Let me shed a little light upon the topic for those of you who are in the dark about what has been going on.

During the 2008 Presidential Election, Black Panthers stood outside with night-sticks to intimidate voters that "looked like they wouldn't vote for Obama". These 2 men, shown in the video below, were taking to court for voter intimidation. Things were going well for us (poorly for them) when all the sudden the case was DROPPED. The DOJ claimed that "he would not pursue cases in which the voter is white and the intimidater is black."
Huh...that sounds lawful, right?
It makes me wonder what would have happened if the KKK were the ones standing outside polling places. Gah, that's enough ranting from me. Here's a video of one of the men they dropped the charges against. Watch it if you don't mind being shocked.



Any thoughts about this video?
Please share.

Monday, July 5, 2010

A few thoughts on life.

It's been a relaxed sort of day,
but somehow, I still managed to get a few things done.
One nice perk of holidays is that you generally get to miss either work or school on the following Monday. And hey, I'll take what I can get.
My plan was to sleep in, but my sister Rachael had different plans.
She came over-- bright and early, of course,
and showed me how to work the magic of coupons, rebates and up-rewards at rite-aid. I don't know how she does it, but after buying numerous items, including contact solution, automatic toothbrush, remote?, some allergy meds, and much much more, we MADE money. Isn't that insane??
All the shopping and money saving got me so excited to be a stay at home mom. Rach is so great with her kids. I love her little boys to pieces. Sometimes it can be tough as the youngest. Yes, us youngests get spoiled, but we have to sit among the ranks and wait to grow up as all of our older siblings move into different stages of life. Now, don't get me wrong-- I love my life. Every moment of it is an adventure. I just can't wait to have more new and exciting experiences.
But I digress.
I was going through my day, excited about all the life I have ahead of me. Then, I went and saw Toy Story 3. Umm, I'm gonna be honest here. That movie made me cry. Haha, is there something wrong with me? Seriously, though. That whole movie felt so sentimental. All morning I had the urge to grow up and move on, and then just a few hours later, I was longing for my childhood.
Life is funny, isn't it? We always want to go back, move ahead, rewind, fast forward. It's really kind of silly. The present is so good. At least, that's what I decided on the car ride home. So, I invite you to join in with me and enjoy your current situation, whatever it may be. Find the joy in every moment. In my opinion, that's the only way to live life.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Niagara Falls & Cleveland

Just a few days before memorial day weekend, I turned to my parents and said,
"Let's go somewhere. How about Niagara Falls?"
I was expecting to be shut down, but lucky for me, they agreed.
The weather was the definition of perfection.
The lines weren't too bad.
I got to use my passport! (I didn't get a stamp though...)
And the food was fantastic.
THEN
On our way home we stopped in Cleveland to do three things:
1. See my Grandma Kriechbaum
2. Say goodbye to Mr. Sam DeBaltzo for 2 years
3. Eat at "The Melt": Recommended by Guy Fiere
It was such a fun trip. I really enjoyed getting some time just to hang out with my parents and to see a bit of this country's natural beauty.