volunteer this

It's been volunteering central in these parts. Today I actually finished my 'pledge' of volunteering at Open Door Cafe (#78) four times...and I must have 'earned my stripes' because I actually got to serve food! wow!! ;) Actually, so much calmer back there...and you get a chance to actually stop and smile and say hello to people as opposed to running around with your head cut off making sure everyone gets something to drink in a non-orderly fashion. And today was extra crazy. People really want their damn milk. Ok, so then this weekend I had my first "Cup Duty" as a Eucharistic Minister!!! Oh man I was CRAZY nervous. Well, actually at first I wasn't. I had all this time knowing that the day was coming because I got my schedule like three weeks ago, and I was 'chosen' as a E.M. about two months ago. So I was plenty prepared for the event. Only maybe five minutes before the Agnus Dei, my stomach went all flippyflop! I just seriously thought I was going to either drop the cup (as it was all kindsa condensating), or say "Body of Christ" instead of "Blood"???? Haha! Too funny! But then I got up there and it was just amazing. It's always really nice to be able to do something very 'community-centric' I guess. Or at least that's what I'm learning. Lately the volunteering has been less about the 'feel good' quality and more connecting to the community...if that makes sense? Anyway, now this Wednesday, I'm giving blood again to take care of the summer 'once a season' donation. Yahoo! In any case, I gotta think about anything I have going on in the burbs to make the trip 'worth while'. Ok I'm seriously not trying to put everything in quotes, but it's totally working out that way. I'm Air Quotes Queen I'm sorry!!!!

Other updates:
#45 - I made two recipes last week. 1. My sister's FAMOUS eggplant dish...its temporary moniker is "Naked Eggplant a la Z" because it doesn't contain meat or noodles, so carb free and very healthy. Um except for the part where the eggplant slices are fried and it contains an entire package of shredded cheese??? oh well. It's the best Italian dish I have ever consumed though. Even better than any restaurant! I'm serious! 2. was a Rachael Ray recipe: Honey Lime Glazed Salmon with Warm Black Bean and Corn Salad. Pretty good although I'm sort of getting tired of Rachael Ray recipes. I gotta dress then up a little more. Anyway, that took care of #46 as well.

#50 - I don't think I ever came up with an atypical produce item this month! Well I choose sugar snap peas. Next week (or maybe later this week), I'll come up with some kind of Asian dish. Perhaps Mandsi's famous Kung Pao chicken recipe!

#51 - The Miller Lite is getting old. Poor Miller Lite. He was always my favorite go-to cheap and light beer. Now I just cannot wait for August to end so I can have a Jack and Coke or glass of wine. And it's only the 13th :( Oh well. At least I'm drinking a LOT less. It's crazy to think about the days where I would go to my annual gyno appointment and have to remember how many drinks I consumed every week...and I'd "round down" to five or something when it was obviously more like ten?? And even that isn't a lot...well not compared to SOME people around here. Anyway, this past week I bought a six pack and drank four of them. I have one left...maybe for tonight. The other one I used forrrrrrrr........

#75 - Beer Bread! I made some beer bread and DELICIOUS garlic dip for work on Friday. No real reason although it was a silent thank you to everyone for keeping the fridge semi clean the past couple weeks.

#54 - I got my hair cut last week as well. Not my ultimate fave cut off all time, but it's 'growing' ??? on me. I just can't get it to flip right with my hairdryer. Annoying.

#87 - I haven't really mentioned the 'new band a month' thing lately. Well I'm sort of taking a liberty with that task because I can't buy music right now. I'm seriously trying to stick to my New Sparkly Budget. So I basically find a band or artist I like and then listen to the clips on itunes or myspace. I know...sorta cheating, but I'm making mental notes so when I DO spend some money, I will check into them a little further. Artist for last month was Mika and this month is Junior Boys. Both featured on the best reality television series to hit the tube: So You Think You Can Dance. And speaking of, THAT is what I shall do in burbs on Wednesday! Go to my parents to watch the second to last episode of the season. Boooooooo :'{

Ok! Well before I bore you to death any more than I already have, I will leave you with this:



you can never have enough Hugh Laurie in your life, I'm tellin' ya. AND I think he'd be proud that, after mentioning it, I totally toned down the quoting. Whew!