book to read

If I Am Missing or Dead A Sister's Story of Love, Murder and Liberation by Janine Latus is a great book. Makes me very happy for a wonderful husband.

Excerpt from the book cover:

In April 2002, Janine Latus's youngest sister, Amy, wrote a note and taped it to the inside of her desk drawer. "Today Ron Ball and I are romantically involved," it read, "but I fear I have placed myself at risk in a variety of ways. Based on his criminal past, writing this out just seems like the smart thing to do. If I am missing or dead this obviously has not protected me..."

That same spring Janine Latus was struggling to leave her marriage -- a marriage to a handsome and successful man. A marriage others emulated. A marriage in which she felt she could do nothing right and everything wrong. A marriage in which she felt afraid, controlled, inadequate, and trapped.

Ten weeks later, Janine Latus had left her marriage. She was on a business trip to the East Coast, savoring her freedom, attending a work conference, when she received a call from her sister Jane asking if she'd heard from Amy. Immediately, Janine's blood ran cold. Amy was missing.

I was gonna do some work but then I got high

They're doing some remodeling here in our office. Pretty much right next to my desk/cubicle. We've had days of super loud noises (hammering, sawing, drilling, etc), days of painting, days of horrible smells, and days of quiet. Lately we've had mostly quiet, because stuff they've been doing is like moving a door around or fixing the edging.

However, today remodel guy comes in and sands the walls (loud noise), then proceeds to texturize the wall with spray can stuff (HORRIBLE smell).

My nose starts to burn, I get a headache, my stomach feels sick and I am lightheaded. Door opens down the hall, and barely makes some air come to me. There's many more having problems with the smell as well. I escaped down the hall to a coworker's office to do some work, but the smell still lightly permeated the whole building.

The unfortunate thing is that no one has cared to ask us (sitting right next to the construction) how we're handling the sounds, smells, etc. Give me a mask, or another place to work, or some aspirin, or have the work done when I'm not right next to it... So, since no one's asked, I will go share :)

The whole smelly experience made me think of the song Because I Got High, by Afroman. Not sure he has a positive message overall, but I do like the song.

Baked beans

I'm not a big fan of baked beans really. Most of my experience with baked beans has come from opening the can and eating them at picnics or while camping. Or sometimes in between two mayo slathered slices of bread. My dad started it, and actually it's good every so often. Interestingly enough, after dad died, a couple brought over homemade baked beans. The baked beans were, I think, the best food we received from people. I wished my dad were there to taste them - I know he'd like them.

So, we said thanks to the people who brought them, and got the recipe.

Easy Baked Beans

Saute:
1 medium onion, diced
1 green pepper, diced
3-4 slices corned beef, bologna, bacon or equivalent in veggie food, torn into small pieces (optional)

Add to:
2 lg cans Bush's Vegetarian Baked Beans
1 regular size can Heinz Baked Beans
1/4 c not packed, but rounded top, brown sugar
1/2 c ketchup
2 tsp prepared mustard

Bake at 350F, uncovered, for about 2 hours.

I've made it without the Heinz beans, mainly because I've not found them at the store. Maybe they don't make them anymore? Who knows. I've also not added meat/veggie meat. Doesn't seem to affect the taste though.

I SO want to play this game

link to another one, because I can't get it to post for play

Smell-y

Two of the worst smells first thing in the morning –
deviled eggs
pinto beans cooking