He is pretty spectacular. My friends nicknamed him Mr. Wonderful when we met and it's really true. I kissed a few toads before I met him! Since I spend all my MS money on groceries and household supplies, plus do the bulk of the cooking and cleaning, I save him a lot of money and time and I know he appreciates it, he tells me all the time. When I came along he had been divorced for a year and had custody of his four young kids (5, 7, 9, and 11) and he was doing it all, cleaning, cooking, etc. He was a small business owner so was able to have flexible hours and his Mom watched the kids here and there as needed. We raised those kids together and they are grown-up now. We just had his youngest daughter and her boyfriend over last night for dinner and drinks, it was fun.

I already got the car and have had it a few months. I knew what I wanted from doing a shop a few years back and then getting it for a rental car when I visited relatives in Texas for two weeks last winter. I got a Hyundai Sonata Limited with leather seats, backup camera, etc. It's awesome. It was a 2013 that had been on lease (I didn't want a brand-new car) with 21,000 miles on it and was only $14,000 (still frugal--even if it wasn't my money I didn't want to get extravagant with his). The lady who had it kept is so clean and well-maintained. It drives great, has comfortable seats, and I have been enjoying the Sirius radio free 3-month trial. I'll probably keep it for 10 years or more, that's what I do, and because I try not to drive too far on my routes (staying within a 30 mile range when possible), I probably will have very low mileage. Again.

I think I want to go buy that chili pot. You got me in the mood for chili even though it's the middle of the summer. I am doing some chili in a crock pot right now that I started this morning, LOL.

Don't forget your BBB 10% off coupons. I bought my Shark there a couple of months ago and saved $60. I rented a Sonata once and really liked it. It felt so roomy. Nice, nice car.

I watched the parade this morning and came home when it started to get hot. I'm relaxing by the pool and waiting for the food to be ready.

I wish we had parades. I also am envious of the pool thing. Again.

I got a "20% off your total purchase" coupon and a couple of "$5 off $15" coupons. Did you know that they never expire? I have a big stack of the 10% off coupons as well, I might just take those and leave them in the cart area of the store for other shoppers to use since I probably won't go back to BB&B for a year or so. I am thinking about a Shark Steam Cleaner, I heard those are pretty nice. I still love my Rainbow for vacuuming but I hate mopping.

Pool, hot dogs and can see the fireworks from my upstairs window....they always have fire works from our Town Center, too many people, too many crying kids, home sweet home!!!!

I'm going shopping now since I can't go swimming, have a great day!!!

You guys have more exciting lives than I do...lol.

I think my new favorite phrase now is falafel waffle. I love the way it sounds. I googled it and it's basically a falafel but made on a waffle maker. I've seen crab cakes done this way also.

I have off this week from work so that means my mocha lattes will be made with a shot of Godiva and a shot of Kahlua! I went back to school recently so this week will be spent doing homework and housework.

Sounds like it's a good day to be Jay C. Irene has the right idea. If I had a pool and booze I'd never leave home. Enjoy your week off kimmiemae!

I am slowly packing for London!
I love chili but use the crock pot to make it.
I have a spectacular chicken chili recipe if anybody wants it. My brothers and I ate a whole pot of it in one meal this weekend.

From now on I'm having mocha lattes at kimmiemae's house

My time at the pool has been called off. The clouds are looking too threatening. The only thing worse than not going is getting all settled in only to have the heavens open up. Dinner is pork steaks so the fire doesn't need to be started for a couple more hours. Perhaps I should add some Kahlua to my afternoon cappuccino.

@bgriffin wrote:

I am slowly packing for London!
I love chili but use the crock pot to make it.
I have a spectacular chicken chili recipe if anybody wants it. My brothers and I ate a whole pot of it in one meal this weekend.

Post it on the recipe site (if you can find it).

If I can find the recipe of the recipe thread?

I went to post a chicken recipe that I came across the other day and the thread was too old and it closed.

I need to go to the store for more espresso due to the number of people from this forum coming over for drinks!

If I only had a pool.....

.....then you would need even more espresso.

And wine, let's not forget about the wine

When I sold my house, and moved down, this Townhouse fit the bill as they had a pool and hot tub and took care of it, but don't worry, I pay the price in Homeowners fees. So hot up here in the Subs (100 climbing to 110 by Friday), everyone has a pool and with our water problem of past, Condo's became very popular.

I want it! I don't eat much meat but I do make chili with chicken (slightly better for you than beef.) I made some awhile back that was pretty good but I really need more recipes. Start a new recipe thread before y'all have had too much wine.

@bgriffin wrote:

I am slowly packing for London!
I love chili but use the crock pot to make it.
I have a spectacular chicken chili recipe if anybody wants it. My brothers and I ate a whole pot of it in one meal this weekend.

Griff post it here or start a new recipe thread. I want it. I made mine today with both chicken and beef. It was good.

This is the cookware set I bought.

[www.bedbathandbeyond.com]

3 Cloves Minced Garlic
2 Stalks Celery
1 Bell Pepper Diced
1 Medium Onion
1/4 tsp Salt
1 lb Ground Chicken
2 T Chili Powder
1 tsp Ground Cumin
2 14.5oz cans Diced Tomatoes
1 15.5oz can Kidney Beans
1 15oz can Pinto Beans

Heat a small amount of oil in a large saucepan over med high heat. Add garlic, celery, bell pepper, onion, and salt. Stir occasionally until tender (about 8 mins). Add chicken and cook until just starting to brown. Add chili powder and cumin and cook until browned. Add tomatoes and beans and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer covered, stirring occasionally, until flavors are blended and chili begins to thicken, about 1 hour.

It's super easy to make and tastes yummy!

They don't grind chicken in stores around here... I suppose I could chop it finely?

I would switch to turkey. Surprised you can't get ground chicken though. Kroger here carries it but never has more than 4-5 packages out and hard to find it.

Yeah turkey will work. We don't have Kroger in my area

Ground turkey is usually a good substitute, assuming you can find it. Otherwise, do you have a good food processor? Another option, if you have a good mixer you should be able to get a grinder attachment. To me it would be worth the investment if the local butcher can't or won't do custom orders.

Yes, I have two food processors. But, ground turkey is readily available. Im also sure if I took a package of skinless boneless chicken breasts the butcher would grind it for me.

I personally think turkey has more flavor...I also think diced chicken would be good.

Well, this morning I am having an EGD-upper gi scope, to figure out why I can't swallow. It's been a year of this problem and getting worse. I lost 40 pounds over that time. Been going to specialists and having tests, it got to be too much so I just stopped making these appointments and I need to get back on it. But I am going today...this appointment I've had to wait about six months to get with the Dr I wanted to do it. ugh...

Esophogeal stenosis? I'm so sorry, I hope they figure out why.