Carl Soldano 7/17/1907 - 12/26/2008

My Dede passed away the day after Christmas.  He had been in the hospital for awhile.   He was 101.  Wow.  What a life he lived.  He loved to dance.  I remember he would go for walks after the big meal at family gatherings.  I don't know what else to say...

Easy Chicken Enchiladas

Easy Chicken Enchiladas

 

8oz Cream Cheese

1 Cup salsa

2 Cups cooked chicken

1 can pinto beans

6 flour tortillas

2 Cups shredded cheese

for garnish: tomatoes, olives, sour cream

 

Heat oven to 350.  In a small saucepan over medium heat melt cream cheese and add salsa.  Stir in chicken and beans.  Fill tortillas with mixture and place into a 9 X 13 inch baking dish.  Sprinkle with cheese.  Bake 30 minutes.

Yummy!

Rice Pudding

 

1 1/3 cups rice

8 cups milk

1 cup sugar

 

4 tbsp cornstarch

4 tbsp water to dissolve cornstarch

 

Put milk and rice in saucepan over low heat.  Once it comes to a boil, simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Mix in sugar.  Simmer while stirring the bottom of the pan for about 10 minutes being careful not to let the pudding burn.  Stir the cornstarch into the water to dissolve and gradually add it to the rice.  Stir briskly.  Simmer while stirring the bottom of the pan for 3 minutes or until the mixture thickens, then turn off the heat.   Cool the pudding and enjoy.

Christmas Pie

So my mother in law makes, er, used to make this chocolate pie that all the kids loved.  Now my sister in law, Rachel, makes it.  We have it at all Francis holiday gatherings.  We were hosting Christmas Eve with the Francis family at our house this year.  As it turns out Rachel couldn't come.  We found out last night that we wouldn't have chocolate pie unless we got the recipe and made it ourselves.  No problem.  My mother in law gave us the recipe over the phone and I wrote down every word.  So we made the pie this morning and it didn't seem to be turning out just right.  It was a bit runny and we kept thinking it would set up, but it never did.  We talked to Rachel and asked her about the recipe and she gave us different amounts of the ingredients!  When my mother in law got here she looked at the pie and went on and on about how beautiful they were.  I voiced my concerns about the consistency and she said they were fine.  Then my husband brought up the fact that Rachel gave us different amounts of flour and such and it was like a light bulb went on in her head.  She realized that some of the amounts she gave us was to double the recipe and some of the amounts were not doubled.  What a mess...

DeDe

Oral History of Carl Soldano

 

 

Background

I was born July 17, 1907 and raised in Pueblo, Colorado then came to California in 1942.

My father came to the U.S. in 1896 from the village of Lucca, Sicily.  My mother also was born in Lucca, Sicily and came to the United States in 1900. They were married in Publo, Colorado December 17, 1903.  I had seven sisters and we lived on a farm.  I completed the 8^th grade.

 

I worked on the farm and at various jobs before working at the Colorado State Hospital in 1937..  My job was driving a team of horses pulling a wagon full of laundry.  Patients loaded and unloaded the wagon. I would haul dirty clothes to the laundry in the morning and return to pick up the clean laundry in the afternoon.   Pay was $50 per month plus room and board.  In 1940 the hospital bought a 1940 Chevy panel truck which I drove.

 

Angela (Angie) Ouglin and I were married on August 26, 1926 in Walsonburg, Colorado.  We eloped.  Our son Frank was born on January 25 in Colorado in 1928.

 

Life During War

My draft classification was 3A which meant I was eligible for the draft as a member of an Occupation Army, not front line troop because of my age.  I was 35 at the time.  I wanted U.S. to defeat Germany and Japan.  I moved to California and went into defense work so I did not have to go into the Army but I could still contribute to the war effort.

 

We had come to California in 1937 for vacation and we liked it. So that is why we came to Richmond to live when there was the job opportunity. 

 

When I came to California to work at the shipyards I drove to Los Angeles with a Mexican guy in my 1942 Chevy.  I had two sisters in L.A.  My brother-in-law said to go to the San Francisco area because the pay was higher.

 

I stayed with Angie’s cousin John and Barbara Ogulin on 25^th Street and Maine Avenue in Richmond, California for six months.  When our house was completed in Richmond in February, 1943, Angie came out to California.  Our son Frank came out from Colorado when the school year ended.             

 

 

We didn’t see any difference how we were treated in our community.  Even though I am of Italian descent and we were at war with Italy, I did not experience any prejudice or mistreatment. I did not have any problems.

 

I was working at the Colorado State hospital before the war.  A recruiter from Kaiser came to Pueblo. The recruiter said that if people could weld they could get a job in the shipyards at Richmond. So I took a welding course in Pueblo and went to California after completing the course.  When I got to Richmond I found out that I could have taken the welding course at the shipyard and gotten paid 90 cents a hour to take the course. I left my wife and son and the rest of my family to take the job in Richmond.

 

Wartime social activities

We belonged to the Galileo Club in Richmond. It was a social club with dancing, meetings, dinners, bocci ball.   I drove two co-workers to work.  We went to houses of friends to play cards. 

 

Outside of work I listened to the radio and read the paper.  I followed sports.  I went to Nichol Park in Richmond to watch local baseball and softball games.  I listen to boxing on the radio.  My son and I went to see the Oakland Oaks. I enjoyed dancing and went to the dances around town.

 

Angie, my wife, wrote to her brother, three brothers-in- laws, one nephrew-in-law and our son at the end of the war.  My wife’s brother was in the Army and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. 

 

Health

We were one of the first members of the Kaiser Permanente Health Plan.  We did not have insurance before working at the shipyards.   Kaiser had an emergency clinic at the shipyard.  I had a hip ailment when I left Colorado and I went to the Richmond Kaiser for treatment.  I am still a member of Kaiser.

 

Worthwhile experiences because of the war

 I joined the State Guard.  We went on bivouac overnights to Tilden Park in Berkeley.  We slept on cots.  I was an air raid warden.  I went to the meetings. I had a uniform and wore a badge.  We had drills and marching.

 

Wartime shortages and rationing of food and gas.

I had a “B” Gas Rationing Stamp because I drove two other defense workers to work.  A “B” Gas Rationing Stamp allowed you to buy more gasoline. An “A” ration stamp allowed the purchase of four gallons of gas a week.  We had blackout drills.  We stayed home after dark.

 

We were not deprived of anything. I grew carrots, beets, tomatoes, onions, beans, lettuce and in our victory garden.  I also planted fig trees and grapes.  Corn and melons would not grow in Richmond because it was too cold in the summer.  The ground was hard in the summer.

 

Sugar was rationed. My nephew Anthony Kapana was a merchant marine.  He would sail and when he came to Richmond he would bring us sugar.

 

Wartime work

We lived at 1711 Dunn Avenue in Richmond.  I worked in Kaiser Shipyard No. 2.

 

The Kaiser Recruiter that came to Colorado talked about welder jobs in the Richmond shipyards.

When I first started working at the Shipyard I hired in at 90 cents an hour. I told them I completed welding training course in Colorado.   After I took and passed the welding test in Richmond I immediately got a raised to $1.25 an hour and became a certified welder.    

 

My job title was Welder.  I stamped my welds with my initials CFS.

 

Mostly I was the guy who would go along and tack (spot weld plates together).  Sometimes I was the guy who would perform the production welding (fully welding the plates together).

 

 I liked the pay and enjoyed welding.  I didn’t like the smoke from the welding. I didn’t like the asbestos insulation in the engine room. It was dusty.

 

We had to wear full leathers, shirt, pants and gloves to protect our bodies from welding burns.

 

 We worked eight hour days six days a week on day shift. We got 15 minute breaks in the morning and afternoon. We got an hour for lunch.  What I would do is eat and sometimes take a nap.  There were crap games and card games which were against the rules.  Someone would act as a look out to warn the players if the boss was coming. Sometimes guys would lose their whole paycheck at lunch playing games.  That was a bad thing.

 

I had work friends but did not socialize with them outside of work. I mostly socialized with neighbors.  I did not maintain these friendships after I stopped working in the shipyards.

 

Wartime work memorable experience

I remember welding in double bottoms. There were manholes for access.  We had to weld laying down.  We wore leathers and had to crawl.  There were exhaust fans to clear the air.  A crew of guys would lay out the plate that was to be welded.  Then a welder would come along behind them and tack weld the plates together.  Another welder would follow behind and fully weld the plates together.  

 

I met a lot of guys.  One guy was a real jokester.  He wanted to meet as many people as possible. He would go around introducing himself to people.   He would start yawning to see how many other guys started yawning and then he would start laughing.  He thought it was funny. 

 

Some guys were goosey which means that they were jumpy or startled easily.  If the other guys would find out you were goosey they would come along behind you and grab your butt and watch you jump. Then the whole group of guys would laugh.

 

Unions

We had a union. I was a member.  Union membership wasn’t required.

 

I am strongly in favor of unions.  Latter when I worked for Ford Assembly Plant, I became a Committeeman for the U.A.W. (United Auto Workers).

 

POSTWAR EXPERIENCES

 

I felt good that the war was over.  As the war was coming to an end, I could see that my job was coming to an end and I had to find another job.  I thought about going out to Standard Oil Refinery in Richmond but I was tired of being a welder.  I got a job as a switchman working for Southern Pacific Railroad in Richmond.  I didn’t know shit from Shinola about it.  I didn’t like it so after a couple of months I decided I didn’t want to do that.  I thought about going back to Colorado.  After that I talked to a neighbor that went to the same barber that I went to.  The neighbor told me that if I needed a job to let him know because he could get me a job at the Ford Assembly Plant in Richmond.  I applied but was turned down.  So I told the neighbor and we went down to Ford together and saw the neighbor’s supervisor.  I was hired by the neighbor’s supervisor I went to work at the Ford Assembly Plant in Richmond in 1946. I moved to San Jose in 1955 when Ford moved the Assembly Plant to Milpitas.  I retired from Ford in 1972.

 

How the war changed life

  I moved to California for work.  If it had not been for the war, I would have stayed in Colorado.

Carl Soldano

Denver

It's snowing in Denver right now.  I wish I were there to experience it first hand.  I really wish we could go visit during this holiday season.  Unfortunately we don't have the thousands of dollars it would take to go visit.  We don't believe in spending money we don't have so credit cards are out of the question.  So we're stuck here in California with no snow...

Twilight

"About three things I was absolutely positive.

First, Edward was a vampire.

Second, there was a part of him - and I didn't know how dominant that part might be - that thirsted for my blood.

And third, I was unconditionally and irrevocably in love with him."

So some of the girls, sorry Young Women,  at youth were talking about this book, like really, really talking about it.  And they are making it into a movie (in theaters today) so I decided to get it.  I ordered it from Amazon on Monday.  It came on Wednesday afternoon (I know, super fast).  I started reading the 495 page book immediately.  Currently I am on page 390!  I am going to see the movie on Sunday with my friend Nikki, her daughter and my daughter (It's PG 13).   I have no doubt that I will be done with the book by then.  As a matter of fact, there's no work or school tomorrow so I probably won't go to sleep until I'm finished!!!

Is it working?

So I started taking Alli a while ago in an effort to stop gaining weight from my medication.  I am happy to report that it seems to be working.  I only weight my self about every 10 days or so, but I seem to have stopped gaining weight and have even lost a couple of pounds!  I don't always remember to take the Alli so I think this is pretty good progress.  I actually forgot to take some with me to the retreat, but I didn't gain any weight over the weekend!  If you've ever been to Silver Spur you know that is an accomplishment.  I'm not sure what else to say here...

Out of the box

This weekend was couples retreat up at Silve Spur.  What a great time!  4 couples from our church went up.  Here is a group picture of 3 of the couples.  Adam and I didn't really like the speaker so we ditched 2 of the sessions to have time to our selves.  we went in to town on Saturday night and ate dinner out.  Not that the food at Silver Spur is bad, they were just serving really rare prime rib and i'm not a prime rib person to begin with let a lone a rare prime rib kind of person.  So we went out.  It was really nice.  We also went for a hike on Sunday morning.  We found the famous waterfall and had a really good time.  I aslo got to ride the giant swing!  What a blast!  I'll post a picture of that, too.  Overall it was a really great weekend.  I can't wait until next year!

I'm Tired

All the time.  I'm always tired.  I sleep enough.  I go to bed between 8 and 9.  I get up between 7 and 8.  And I'm tired.  From the moment I get up until I go to bed.  I'm tired.  This has been going on for a couple of weeks now.  I don't know what to do.  I'm in a funk.  And I'm tired...

Pumpkin Patch Pictures

Here he is

So the glasses came in really soon.  Here's Matthew with them on.  How handsome...

Dear DirecTV,

To Whom It May Concern:

 

My account number with your company is 13506414.  We canceled our account with your company on October 28, 2008.  I spoke to Esther who informed me that we had a 2 year agreement with your company.  We never agreed to any term commitment.  We’ve been loyal customers for over 5 years.  She said that because we moved last April and received free installation, we then had agreed to a 2 year commitment.  The first time that we heard or received anything about a 2 year agreement was the day that we canceled with your company. 

 

If it was an oversight on your part, then we should not be held responsible for an early cancellation fee.  Esther said we would be billed 350.00 dollars for this cancellation.  After speaking to Esther as she hung up on me, I realize that we are at an impasse.  I will not be paying this bill because I do not owe this money.  Please cancel the cancellation fee. You are responsible for this.  If this fee shows up on my account and you still require me to pay it, I will have no other choice then to take this to small claims court to resolve it.  This will not be the first time that I’ve had to go to small claims court.  I have yet to lose a case.  It will cost you more money to go to court and lose the case then it would be to just cancel the fee. 

 

If you look back at my account, you will see that the mistake here is DirecTV’s.  I’m not responsible for this fee and it would be unethical of you to bill me this fee.  Please do the right thing and cancel the fee.

 

Thank you,

 

Yep, Glassesd

So Matthew needs glasses.  We went down to the Wal Mart vision center yesterday to pick some out.  He really wanted the SpongeBob one's, but we went with the flexible ones.  I think he looks really cute!  Right now he only needs them to see the board at school and when watching TV.  He doesn't need them to read which is good because he LOVES to read and I wouldn't want him to be hindered.  Anyway, that's my story...

DirecTV Sucks!

More to come...

NEW E-MAIL

I have a new e-mail address.  I'm not going to put it here for all to see, but if you know me and did not already get an e-mail from me, e-mail me at my comcast address and I will send you my new att.net address.

Pumpkin Fest

Well tonight my church had a pumpkin festival.  It was a great time.  All the stress over the last few weeks to make this thing happen is finally over.  It was really hard for me to do all of the prep for this event.  I don't do well having to do things with other people.  Oh and tonight I had to get on stage and call out raffle ticket numbers.  How horrible!  I hated it.   Ok it wasn't that bad.  Anyway I am so tired right now.  I didn't even have my camera to take pictures.  Luckily Scott was there with his camera to take pictures and I can't wait to see them.   Well, I'm out of words because I'm exhausted...

Glasses

So my baby might need glasses.   The school did a vision screening and sent home a letter saying I should have his vision checked.  He has an appointment on Monday afternoon.  At first he wasn't too thrilled about the idea, but we went to wal mart today and just for fun we paid a visit to the vision department.  He tried on a few and I think he's warming up to the idea. 

Feeling Better

So after visiting the doctor I was very disappointed.  I found out that I am going to gain weight on this medication no matter what.  And my doctor didn't seem to be too concerned about it.  I asked about medications and he told me that I could take Alli, but it's not covered and he's not sure how much it would help.  Just writing this and remembering his lack of concern is making me sad all over again.   Anyway, I also e-mailed my shrink and asked her about it.  She said that with my history of meds not working well and negative side effects we should stick with this one since it seems to be working and the weight gain is not that significant.   They both seemed to have a let's wait and see attitude.  I personally would rather not wait and see the weight increase.  

So I decided to go ahead with the Alli.  Now I will wait and see what happens.  If I am still gaining weight then I'm going to...  well we'll cross that bridge when we come to it... if we come to it...

Home made bread

Ahhh, I wish you could smell the aroma in my house right now.  I love my bread machine...

Going to the Doctor

So I have decided to see the doctor to talk about my weight loss adventure.  I have an appointment today at 9:45.  I'm hoping he can help with the gaining of weight from my medication.  I have gained weight the past few weeks even though I have been eating good and exercising.  I really hope there is a solution...

Went back to the gym

I went back to the gym at my husbands insistence today.   I'm glad I did because I feel great and I'm not sure if I'll get a chance to go again before Tuesday.  I think I'm doing pretty good.  We went to T.G.I. Friday's for dinner for Jason's birthday and I was good there too.  I ordered off the "right portion, right price" section of the menu.  It was just the right amount of food as to not stuff myself.  When everyone wanted to order dessert I ordered off the kids menu! 

Spin Class

So I went to they gym for the third time this week.  I decided to take on a spin class.  Wow!  What a workout!  It was great.  I thought I was going to die.  My knees hurt, my legs hurt, my butt hurt!  And in other news my husband told me my waistline is shrinking.   Cool!

I went to the gym

So I haven't been to the gym in a while and I went tonight.  I feel great.  I forgot how great I feel after a workout.  I plan to get back in the game so to speak. I really want to be healthy and I am growing depressed watching my waist line increase.  Clothes that used to look cut on my are now a little too tight.  One of my new medications makes it hard for me to lose weight and even easier for me to gain weight.   I don't want to just use that for an excuse and give up.  I'm planning on posting my progress so stay tuned, anything can happen.

Anyway, this is a picture my dad took west of Boulder, CO.  Every year they go up to see the fall colors.  I didn't have a picture depicting weight loss or going to the gym and I didn't have a blog to talk about the picture, but I wanted to post it because it is so pretty. 

Migraine's Suck

That's all.  They suck!

My T.P.S. report won't balance...

Did I mention that I got a job.  I mean another job.  Yes 'tis the life of a beeper.  Can't stay in one place too long.  Anyway, now I am subbing for the Fairfield Suisun Unified School District.  I am working as a front office clerical substitute.  So far I have worked 4 assignments.  This latest one working for a week at the District Office.  

One of my assignments this week involves a spreadsheet that is supposed to balance with a budget sheet.  Long story short... it doesn't balance.  On top of everything else my boss is a little crazy.  Not the kind of fun crazy that I am.  I'm talking a real nut job.  It sucks!  I don't even want to go back tomorrow, but the assignment is for one more day and I have to stick it out.  I'm just frustrated because half the time I just sit there and stare at the stupid paper or computer and the other half I'm trying to figure out what my crazy boss wants me to do.

Dress Code Violation

So I was subbing at a local high school this past Friday.  At one point they had a girl come into the office because her teacher sent her.  She claimed to have no idea why. When the secretary looked at her shirt it had a picture of some pop star who had her belly showing.   They made her come and wear a loaner shirt.  When the other secretary saw her shorts she declared them "too short" even though she had leggings on under them.   I agree that they were too short, but here's my beef.

The rule is that they shorts must come down to the bottom of your finger tips when your hands are at your side.  Since it was a friday and there was a game that night all the cheerleaders and football players had their uniforms on.  The cheerleaders uniforms were in obvious violation of the dress code!  I was dumbfounded.  They made one girl change her clothes even though she had no skin exposed yet there were cheerleaders prancing all over campus with their booties practically hanging out.   Talk about a double standard! 

My silly dog

So I put a bowl of water down for my dogs and there was a price tag on the bottom of the bowl.  My dog, Grover, decided to "get" the price tag.  He tried to dig in the water and then just stuck his face in the bowl trying to bite it.  Silly dog.  I'm trying to post a video we'll see how it goes. 

My favorite things... TV

So I've decided to make a list of some of my favorite things.  First of all a few TV shows.  Psych.  Monk.  House.  Boston Legal. CSI.  Hereos.  Law and Order.  Law and Order:SVU. Eureka.  How I Met Your Mother.  NCIS.  My Name Is Earl.  The Office.  Wow, that's a lot of TV...

New York PIzza Kitchen

www.nypkfairfield.com

This place is great.  Great pizza.  Great service.  Great deals.  We order pizza quite often and we have found a diamond in the rough.  We get an extra large pepperoni for about 20 bucks and it's more than enough to feed the 5 of us.  Sometimes we get the spaghetti which comes with the best salad in the world!  If you are looking for a great deal then show up on Monday or Tuesday and they have all you can eat pizza slices, salad and soda for $9.99 a person.  They also have other great deals you can check out at the web site.  Yummy!

You Are What You Eat

Have you seen this show?  It takes ordinary people and shows them all at once what they have eaten in the past week.  It is usually pretty gross.  Then they help them to make better food choices and follow up with them to see how much more healthy they are after the show.  It comes on about 4 times a day on BBCA.   Channel 264 on DirecTv.

BINGO

I spent my holiday sleeping in until 8am (woo whoo) and then going to El Sobrante to the Boys and Girls club to play a marathon of bingo.  My grandmother has been volunteering her Mondays to the boys club for as long as I can remember.  Since I turned 18 (we won't mention how many years ago) I've been there to visit and play a few times.  It's always fun and sometimes I've even won!  

Yesterday I didn't win.  Well, I didn't win any money.  What I did win was a full 8 hours of nobody asking me if this is ok or is that ok or can i do this or can i do that or can i have this or can i have that mommy mommy mommy mommy mommy mommy mommy mommy...

What I had was people coming up to me saying "Oh, you're Shirley's granddaughter! How nice to meet you."   They also asked me if I wanted anything!  They brought my BBQ ribs to me at my table.  It was nice and refreshing to be taken care of instead of taking care of everyone else.

Rice and Meat and Gravy

When I was growing up there were a few things my mom made that would make me stuff myself silly.  Now understand that when I was younger I didn't eat much.  My mom was a great cook, I just didn't like food.  Spaghetti was one thing I loved and another was Rice and Meat and Gravy.  Sometimes my mom would make mashed potatoes instead of rice.  OOOhhhh yummy.  That's what I made for dinner tonight.  For my favorite meal I don't make it that often.  Not because of it's difficulty, but because it's not the family favorite.   Tonight it was a hit.  Even after taco night last night.

Here's the instructions:

You get some beef.  stew meat, fajita meat, whatever.  You slice it up into bite size pieces.  Throw it into the crock pot with 2 packages of brown gravy mix and about 3 cups of water.   Let that cook for about 6 hours on low until the meat is so tender it's falling apart.  Then just mash up some potatoes or cook up some rice, thicken the gravy and voila, dinner. 

 

I hate my job

OK I don't hate my job, really.  I love my job, I just hate jobs in general.  I forgot how nice it is to not have to work.  Working sucks.  I love the kids and working with the kids, but it is soooooo tiring.  Last night I went to bed at 9pm after falling asleep on the couch.  Tonight I will probably do the same. This morning it was awake at 5 up at 6 and let the day begin... I worked from 7:30 to 8:30 doing crossing guard and then had to be at the district office at 9 for training.  That went until 11 which gave me just enough time to run home and eat before reporting for noon duty at 11:10.  Did that until 1:30 and then came home and fell asleep on the couch until 2:30 when I walked back up to the school to pick up the kids.   Then at 4:30 I had to go to the store and get food both for dinner tonight (thank goodness for rotisserie chicken) and also for snacks for school lunches.  Got home, cut up the chicken and had dinner and here we are at 6:30.   Wow, I'm even more tired just writing it out.  Maybe I'll just go to bed right now...

I got a job... er... another job

So just when I was thinking that the job at the halloween store was the answer to my prayers God decided to switch things up.  He gave me another job offer.  A few weeks ago I asked at my son's school if they had any open positions for either crossing guard (which I did 2 years ago) or noon duty.  They told me no.  Well, yesterday they called me and told me that both the crossing guard and noon duty positions were mine if I wanted them.  After doing a little math and figuring out that the pay would be the exact difference between our old rent and our new mortgage.  Wow!  Plus I only have to work 3 hours a day!  And it's fun!   You know that old saying God works in mysterious ways?  well...

I Got A Job!!

www.spirithalloween.com

So I have been looking for a part time job to help supplement our income since we moved in to the new house.  I have been applying all over town.  I probably submitted 10 applications or inquiries.  I didn't hear anything back.  I had noticed the old Benwood Furniture store was becoming a halloween store.  I had checked the web site multiple times to see if they were looking for workers.  The web site said that they would post openings at the end of July.  Not true.  

So I was looking for specific hours that I was available.  I only wanted to work while the kids are in school. I only wanted to work part time as to not affect my Social Security.  So I prayed about it.  I didn't pray constantly I just prayed about it and gave it to God. 

Anyway, one day I was driving home and noticed a sign outside that said "job fair".  I went in and filled out an application. The district manager was there and interviewed me on the spot.   Before I left he said "I have to check out your application, but I'm telling you either way I'm hiring you".  He told me that he'd be calling me Sunday evening, but if he didn't get around to calling me then I should call him Monday morning.  

Well he called me TODAY!  He wants me to come in tomorrow at 12:30 to work out the details of my hiring.  I am so excited.  This job is everything I prayed for!  And I found out today that I can work for up to 9 months without any income restrictions.   

Bottom line:  GOD IS GOOD!

So maybe you're thinking that a "halloween store" isn't the best place for a wholesome christian woman to be working.  Well I thought about that at first, but then I really thought about it and what better place to be to show people that "we" are normal fun loving people who just happen to love God.  I fully intend on wearing my SVC shirts during the store set up period when we can show up in jeans and t-shirts.  I just want to witness to people by being myself.  I want to shine for our Lord.  

Maybe I'm not so crazy after all.  Or maybe I'm crazier than I thought...

Ahhhh The Beach... The Ocean... The Waves...

I used to go to the beach all the time.  I lived 30 minutes away.  There were days when I would get off work and head out and let the waves wash the stress of the day away (figuratively).  I would just sit there and watch the waves go out and come back in.  It was great.  

I recently got a chance to go back to the beach.  I don't even know how long it's been since I've been to see the ocean.  It's one of those things that you take for granted living in California.  

My parents moved to Colorado a while back and although my mom has been back to visit a few times my dad has only been back once and just for a weekend.  They are both coming to visit next month and one of the things my dad wants to do while they are here is go to the ocean.  I wish I could be the one to take them, but they are leaving my house and going to Santa Cruz.  Maybe I'll just hide out in their trunk...

AVA The Adventure

I wanna have the same last dream again 
The one where I wake up, and I'm alive 
Just as the four walls close me within 
My eyes are opened up with pure sunlight 
I'm the first to know, my dearest friends 
Even if your hope has burned with time 
Anything that's dead shall be regrown 
And your vicious pain, your warning sign 
You will be fine 

Hello, here I am 
And here we go 
Life's waiting to begin 

Any type of love it will be shown 
Like every single tree reach for the sky 
If you're gonna fall, I'll let you know 
That I will pick you up like you for I 
I felt this thing, life can't replace 
Where everyone was working for this goal 
Where all the children left without a trace 
Only to come back, as pure as gold 
To recite this all 


Hello, here I am 
And here we go 
Life's waiting to begin, tonight 

Hello, here I am 
And here we go 
Life's waiting to begin, tonight 

Hello, here I am 
And here we go 
Life's waiting to begin 

I cannot live; I can't breathe unless you do this with me 
I cannot live; I can't breathe unless you do this with me 
I cannot live; I can't breathe unless you do this with me 
I cannot live; I can't breathe unless you do this with me 

Hello, here I am (You do this with me) 
And here we go 
Life's waiting to begin (You do this with me) 

Hello, here I am (You do this with me) 
And here we go 
Life's waiting to begin 
Life's waiting to begin 

Mixed Episodes, Rapid Cycling, and Irritability

Criteria for Mixed Episode as described in the DSM-IV TR:

A. The criteria are met for a Manic Episode and for a Major Depressive Episode nearly every day during at least a 1-week period.

B. The mood disturbance is sufficiently severe to cause marked impairment in occupational functioning or in usual social activities or relationships with others, or to necessitate hospitalization to prevent harm to self or others, or there are psychotic features.

C.  The symptoms are not due to the direct physiological effects of a substance or a general medical condition.

Criteria that has been met by me the past week:

Manic Episode symptoms:

a distinct period of abnormally and persistently elevated, expansive, or irritable mood

more talkative than usual 

flight of ideas, or subjective experience that thoughts are racing

distractibility

Depressive symptoms:

depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day, as indicated by either subjective report (feeling sad or empty) or observation made by others (my mother in law)

markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day

weight gain or increase in appetite nearly every day.

hypersomnia

fatigue or loss of energy

feelings of inappropriate guilt (delusional)

diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness 

Tomaillo Chicken with Black Beans

OK folks, this was a really good one.  So yummy!  I of coarse added my own spin to the recipe.  The recipe said to serve this dish by putting the bean/salsa mixture on the plate and placing the chicken on top and serving with warm tortillas.  I said No Way and made them soft taco style.   So I added some sour cream, corn and I put the cilantro right in with the beans and salsa.  This one was a hit with the whole family.  Matthew didn't eat his tortilla, but he ate all the chicken inside.  Oh, I also used regular chili powder instead of ancho chili powder.  I didn't reserve any of the salsa either and since I doubled the recipe for the family, I used 2 cans of beans yet I still only used one jar of salsa.  It turned out just right, but next time I think I"ll try making the tomatillo salsa from scratch!

Tomatillo Salsa (salsa verde)

2 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves

½ teaspoon ancho chile powder

¼ teaspoon salt

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

Whole fresh cilantro leaves

Warm corn tortillas

 

1.     Season chicken with chile powder and salt.  Heat pan over medium high heat until hot; lightly spray with vegetable oil.  Add chicken; cook 8 - 10 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink, turning once.  Remove chicken to cutting board; tent with foil and let stand 5 minutes.  Slice chicken into strips.

2.    For beans, add all but 2 tablespoons of salsa and black beans to same pan; cook about 2 minutes or until heated through.  Spoon bean mixture onto serving plates; top with sliced chicken ad reserved salsa.  Garnish with cilantro.  Serve with warm corn tortillas.

Ruff, ruff, ruff, grrruff, ruff

So I honestly liked those sandwiches so much that I made them again for dinner tonight.  Yummy!  In other news... a mystery was solved today.  My neighbor has a yappy little Jack Russell Terrier who loves to bark.  They leave him outside a lot of the time so he barks a lot of the time.  My bedroom windows are about 20 feet from the fence where this dog barks.  I was lucky enough to buy a house with new dual pane windows.  As long as the windows are closed it's not too bothersome.  However, it is summer and the nights have been nice and cool enough to sleep with the windows open.  Until 7am and the dog starts barking.  He doesn't just bark once or twice or for a minute then stop.  He barks constantly.  

Back to the mystery part.  I have been wondering how the owner can stand to listen to the barking all day long.  Tonight we were playing in the backyard with a little net and birdie thing the kids found in the garage and the birdie went over the fence.  Adam and the kids went over there to get it back.  Apparently it is just one old guy who lives there alone and can hardly hear.  So although it doesn't help my situation any at least now I know why the owner lets the dog bark all day.   

From Adam's experience talking to him tonight I'm not sure talking to him about the dog would do any good so if anyone has any suggestions feel free to leave a comment.  I have tried sleeping with ear plugs, but I don't like the feeling and I won't wear them when Adam's gone because I feel I need to hear the kids.  I have also thought of cutting a hole in the fence, reaching through and putting a muzzle on the dog every night.  I don't think that will work.  I also thought of slipping some of my meds into a treat and throwing it over the fence.  The problem there is if it hurts the dog I would feel bad.  I don't want to hurt him, I just want him to shut up.

As promised...

Turkey Panini with Onion-Cranberry Marmalade



4 slices ¾ inch thick bread

vegetable oil

4 slices Havarti cheese

4 ounces thinly sliced deli mesquite turkey (6 slices)

Onion Cranberry Marmalade (see below)

¼ small Granny Smith apple, cut into eight thin slices



1. Lightly spray one side of bread slices with oil; arrange bread, oil side down, on cutting board. Top two bread slices with half of the cheese, turkey, marmalade and apple slices. Top with remaining cheese and bread slices, oil side up.

2. Heat grill pan over medium low heat 5 minutes. Place sandwiches onto pan; top with grill press. Cook 3 – 4 minutes or until grill marks appear and cheese is melted, turning once.

Onion Cranberry Marmalade:

Pour 2 tablespoons hot water over ¼ cup sweetened dried cranberries in prep bowl; let stand 5 minutes. Meanwhile, heat 1 teaspoon vegetable oil in sauté pan over medium heat; add 1 cup thinly sliced onion. Cook and stir 5 minutes or until onion softens and begins to caramelize. Add 2 tablespoons cider vinegar; stir to loosen browned bits from bottom of pan. Add 2 tablespoons orange marmalade, cranberries and any liquid from soaking. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer 1 minute. Remove from heat; cool slightly.

Turkey Panini with Onion-Cranberry Marmalade

What can I say... yummy!  I got this recipe out of my new Pampered Chef cookbook called Cooking for Two or More.   I have decided to blog about my adventures in the kitchen.  This recipe was really easy to make and tasted delicious.   Now as my friends who know me can attest to I don't follow recipes very well.  In this case I didn't have a Panini press so I used a George Foreman Grill.  I also used fresh baked bread out of my bread machine instead of the multigrain bread it called for.  I don't like Havarti cheese either so I used Colby Jack since that's what I had.  I'll post the original recipe below for everyone.  

The recipe is to make 2 sandwiches so I made them for me and Adam and for the kids I just put cheese and turkey.  Matthew loved it.   Angela is Angela so who knows.  Me and Adam both loved it.  At first he thought the apples were weird, but then he liked it.   I really like the crunchy apple and sweet onion cranberry marmalade.  It was really easy to make, too.   The marmalade took less then 10 minutes then it's just a matter grilling the sandwiches.  

Angela Soldano 4/12/1907 - 3/16/2005

I was trying to fall asleep last night and thoughts of my Nana consumed me.  Me and Adam were discussing the possibility of getting a new toilet for our bathroom.   This may not seem like the kind of discussion that would foster warm memories of your great grandmother, but let me explain.  

My great grandparents lived in San Jose for as long as I can remember.   Since they were the oldest we would all travel to them for holidays.  I remember one holiday, I'm not sure if it was Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, whatever.  We all arrived at Nana and Dede's house and right away my Nana was telling everyone "go to the bathroom".  At first I was baffled, but then she started to explain "I just got a new toilet, go see it".  She also kept stating "I paid $100 for that toilet".  I'm not sure if she was proud of the great deal she got on the toilet or if she thought $100 was outrageous for a toilet so she wanted to be sure and get as much use out of it as possible.

My Nana was such a character.  I remember the first time she met Adam.  She took him aside and told him "if you hurt her, I will kill you".  And Adam believed her.   I would have loved to know her in her "hay day".  I can only imagine how spunky she was then considering how spunky she was at 90!

She gave a speech at my wedding.  Nobody knew she was going to say anything, but right after my dad gave his she stood up and said "wait a minute I have something to say".  "Sarah, you go home to him and don't go running away back home." Or something like that.  I remember it wouldn't have made sense to most people there, but I knew exactly what she was talking about.  She had told me before that after she married Carl Soldano she didn't want to be married to him anymore.   She went back to her parents and told them that she didn't want to be married any more.  They told her "too bad" and sent her back.  They remained married 'till death do them part.  Now my Dede sits at Creekside in San Pablo waiting for the day they will be reunited.  He turns 101 this month (17th).  Happy Birthday Carl Soldano.

Duffel Bags

I have happened upon a new obsession.  Duffel bags.  I have been making duffel bags the past few days.  I made this one for my nephew Jax who is turning 1.  I also made one for Adam, but he says it looks too much like a purse.  Whatever!  I have also figured out that I can make 2 bags out of 1 yard of fabric and 1 yard of lining.  If I get lucky and find some cool fabric in the dollar bin then I can put one of these together for about $4.  That's awesome.  Plus I can embroider anything I want on them.   I think I know what everyone's getting for Christmas this year...

The Changing Of Ways

Imagine if you will...

you are a baby learning to walk.  Instead of learning that you can start on either foot you are taught that you can only start on your right foot.  So you start on your right foot.  Always the right foot.  Eventually you are so used to starting on your right foot that you forget all about your left foot.  You forget that it's even there for anything other than following your right foot.  This goes on for about 30 years.  Then one day you wake up to realize that all this time you've been doing it wrong.  You aren't supposed to start with your right foot.  You are supposed to start with your left foot.  Always your left foot, never your right.   At first, you can't even imagine starting with your left foot, but then you try it.  It works!  You can start with your left foot.  Not only is it possible, but it's better!  You wonder why you are just now figuring this out.  Why didn't you think of this years ago?  So you start starting with your left foot.  It's really hard at first and every time you move you have to think about it.  It's like a mantra in your head "left foot, left foot, left foot". 

So just when you think you've got the hang of this left foot stuff you start to relax a little.  You've got it now.  The mantra has quieted.  Then one day you wake up and start on your right foot.  It's not something you do on purpose.  Maybe you don't even realize you've started on your right foot.  Until you start to trip.  And you wonder what's going on.  Why is everything so different today?  

Then you realize.  You started on your right foot.  You feel bad.  You feel stupid.  You feel ashamed.  You feel angry.  Angry at yourself for not starting on your left foot.  You know better.  You've been starting on your left foot for over a year.  What's wrong with you.

It isn't easy to change your ways.  Even when you know what is right and you know what you should do you still go back to your old ways from time to time. 

I don't really have a point... just the ramblings of a crazy person...

Falling Apart

I'm 31 years old.  I am too young to have so many health issues.  I've got a bum knee from a fall I took about 5 years ago.  It still acts up every once in a while.  I've got a sore back and arm from who knows what.  I've recently been diagnosed with bursitis.  The treatment for much of what ails me is a good old fashioned anti-inflammatory.  Which of coarse could very well kill me.  Ugh!  I've been so frustrated with this issue for so long.  I've been doing some research on Lamictal.  I took Lamictal before and as far as I can remember it worked for me.   I remember I didn't like taking it because it is shaped strangely.  That made it literally hard to swallow.    I just hope it will work for me again.  I'm not worried about the swallowing issue any more.  I've become accustomed to swallowing pills a handful at a time.   We'll just have to wait and see.

In other news... we went to see Narnia today.  It was really good.  I've been reading the book and finished it today after the movie.  I must say I was highly impressed at how close the book and movie were.  I truly enjoyed both.  

Blog much?

First of all... here is a picture of my silly dog.  You see, my small dog likes to get up on the edge of the couch and hang out.  This works for her because she is small.   Gonzo, however is not so small.  He doesn't know he's not small though so he tries to do all the things that Miss Piggy does.  What a silly guy.  Then again, what do you expect from someone names Gonzo!

So I have decided to create a blog to express myself.  I plan to write about what it's like to be me.  I wanted to name my blog something that had to do with me being crazy, but the only thing available that I could find was "deep fried cheese on a stick".  After about 100 attempts with names that were not available I took it.  I do love me a good deep fried cheese on a stick from Hot Dog On A Stick so why not. 

Anyway, tonight I e-mailed my doctor and told her that I think I should change meds again.  I'm not 100% sure this is a good idea, but I don't know what else to do.  I just don't fell like the Lithium is working for me.  I am tired of losing my hair, drinking 12 bottles of water a day (not an exaggeration) and not being able to lose weight (I'm not a fatty, but I could stand to lose about 20 pounds).

For those of you just joining us I have bipolar disorder.  I was diagnosed in 2003 (I think) and have  been riding the medication roller coaster ever since.  Don't get me wrong, the medication roller coaster is way better then the undiagnosed crazy for no apparent reason roller coaster.  It's just sometimes you really, really want to leave the theme park, but there is no exit.

In January of 2007 I decided to give Lithium another go.  I had been on it before, but stopped taking it due to side effects.  This time I realized that it had worked better than anything else so I should just suck it up and take my pills.  Since Jan. 07 I have had to increase the dosage twice and each time my thirst increased (I didn't think that was possible).  I recently went on a weekend trip and had to bring an entire case of water with me so that I didn't go into a coma!  That sucked.  I also lay awake many nights just tossing and turning and drinking more water because I feel so dehydrated. 

I also have to be careful what pain relievers I take so that my kidneys don't fail.  It's not fun, especially when you suffer from headaches and get body aches whenever you do things like spend 20 hours painting a house and then spend 2 days moving and another 2 days cleaning.

Well, I think that's enough for my first blog.