Seriously, we have a VERY PRETTY new library. I desperately want to like it but everytime I go in, there is another problem and it makes it hard for me to appreciate it. My orignal complaint, before it even opened, was the book drop being a pain. It is automated and you have to put things on the belt one at a time and if anyone on the other side (inside if you are out and outside if you are in) is using that belt, your belt stops for up to several seconds. I thought make this was a small kink in the system but it appears to be a perpetual problem, although I'm the only one that seems to have a real problem with it (possibly that is my type A++ personality that can't stand to wait for anything but whatever). Other people notice it but I'm the only that it makes want to scream and throw my stuff at the damn slot before stomping off in a huff. When I'm outside, I just put all my stuff on the belt at once and forget about it. Inside, I let the kids load the belt and they operate at about the speed of the belt so it is all ok.
My next problem is the parking issue. Parking as been a joke since they started construction on the new building. The parking lot is too small, the drive is too narrow and no one can seem to figure out that the parking lot is one way in a counter clockwise pattern. To compound that problem, now you have to park in this awful lot and walk all the way around where the old building used to be. When it is 70 and sunny or I'm by myself, it wouldn't be the end of the world. When I'm dragging 2 kids along and it is 13 degrees or raining, it is a huge PITA. Add to the fact that the corridor between the new building and place the old building was is the worlds fastest wind tunnel, I almost don't like going to the library anymore because it so difficult. I've been parking across the street in the scrapbook store lot because it is a little closer, but then I have to cross the street with 2 kids so it is far from an ideal option.
My dad has decided to go to the other library because he objects to the idea of self checkout. I'm seriously considering following in his footsteps because I object to the reality of the self check out. Typically, I don't mind it. At most places, I actually prefer it. Not so at the library. The scanners don't work half the time and even when the do, a lot of the books aren't tagged to be read by it. Why do we need those pad scanner things anyway? Why can't we have the mounted barcode scanners like they used to use at the old building? We can figure them out at grocery store, what makes them think that library patrons can't figure them out. No, they give us these janky pads and books that aren't tagged so not only do you have to wait in line to USE the self check out, then you have to wait in line AGAIN to see a librarian to check out half o your books. I fully understand the people that refuse to use the self check out and I think I'm going to become one of them. Unfortunately, they have like 1 person working the counter at any given time trying to check out all the people that won't use the self check and helping all the people brave (or dumb) enough to try.
My final complaint deals with the automatic check in again. When things are put in the drop box, they are automatically checked in. When things are checked in and you have it on hold, a notice is automatically generated telling you your item is in. It matters not that your item is actually sitting in a hold bin somewhere waiting to be tagged with your name and card number (another thing I don't like. Put my name on, don't make me rifle through everyone's stuff looking for mine because I can't remember the last four digits of my card unless I'm sitting at the computer and then I don't really remember it, I just know the keystroke sequence). They've gone from a 7 day hold to a 3 day hold (yet another complaint of mine, although I understand that it is because the hold room is tiny, yet another problem, you build a whoel new building and you can't make a hold room big enough to hold all the holds, and they can't keep everyone's junk for a week at a time) and when you book scans in, it starts your hold time. Nevermind the fact that it could be 2 days before your hold actually makes it to the shelf. So I get my email, I deal with the bad parking to go get it, only to find out it is no where to be found and I have make another trip a day or so later and deal with the hassle of getting there all over again. I'm going to start being a PITA. When I get my email, I'm going to call and have someone confirm that my holds are on the shelf before I go in.
All of this automation is supposed to make less work for the library staff and makes things easier for patrons. What has actually happened it has probably doubled the work for the staff because they are running all over looking for stuff that isn't where it is supposed to be and fixing the self check outs all the time. And it has made the library completely user UNfriendly and down right unpleasant for the people forced to deal with it. I completely freaked today while trying to use the self check out. I slammed the CD on the pad, snarled at the computer and yelled at my mother (who was with me) that I "would most certainly not calm down. This was the biggest piece of crap that I had ever been forced to endure and I was freaking done" Then she suggested that maybe I should go to the other library for awhile and responded loudly, right in front of the children's librians desk that "I fully intend to use Urbana exclusively because Champaign was like a supermodel, pretty but completely freaking useless besides that"
I just want this stuff fixed. I LOVE the library. After all, where else can I get my minions? I love all the stuff it has to offer, I really like the new building and it has so much potential, and the children's department is super. I HATE that I'm having such issues with a place that should be so much better than this. However, I do think that for the time being I will be using Urbana. I'll have to be strong and refuse the coffee (Lizzie calls them "the coffee library" and "the regular library", I haven't mentioned they will both be coffee libraries eventually) and I'll have to get over my objection to paying for parking but that is a minor annoyance compared to all the issues I have with Champaign right now. Maybe, in a couple of months they will have some of the kinks worked out and I can go back to enjoying the library again. :(
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
Best Lasagna?
Pioneer woman's lasagna
I made this today. It is ok, but I would hardly classify it as the best lasagna ever (I'm quite fond of the 9 layer lazagna at the Macaroni Grill). You use sausage, hamburger, dried basil, sliced mozzerella, Kraft Parmesian cheese, etc. Basically, I picked it because of the availablity of the items. There was no fresh grated buffalo cheese or sunlight grown organic basil or anything else "wierd" I made it. It wasn't hard, but it was time consuming. You have to brown the beef and the sausage and then mix it with tomatoes and spices and then let simmer for 45 minutes. Then you mix all the inside stuff and layer it all together. I specifically bought the no boil noodles, which I'm quite happy with. Then you bake it for 30 minutes until everything is all bubbly and golden. I took it out just in time to go get C from school so I didn't get to try it while it was hot. Might make a difference, might not.
A couple of things I will change for the future. I will use MORE MORE MORE cheese. I've already called my mom and asked her to pick up some more cheese on her way home from work because one pound is NO WHERE NEAR ENOUGH. I'm having her bring another half pound and next time I might kick it up to 2. There is no such thing as too much cheese so I figure I can't go wrong with that. Also, I think it has too much of something else. Either basil or parsley, I'm not sure which. I'm going to experiment with different amounts going foward. Finally, it tastes slightly sweet. Probably from the tomatoes. I think I will add a little extra salt to counter act the sweetness or I'll not buy the no salt added tomato paste.
I made this today. It is ok, but I would hardly classify it as the best lasagna ever (I'm quite fond of the 9 layer lazagna at the Macaroni Grill). You use sausage, hamburger, dried basil, sliced mozzerella, Kraft Parmesian cheese, etc. Basically, I picked it because of the availablity of the items. There was no fresh grated buffalo cheese or sunlight grown organic basil or anything else "wierd" I made it. It wasn't hard, but it was time consuming. You have to brown the beef and the sausage and then mix it with tomatoes and spices and then let simmer for 45 minutes. Then you mix all the inside stuff and layer it all together. I specifically bought the no boil noodles, which I'm quite happy with. Then you bake it for 30 minutes until everything is all bubbly and golden. I took it out just in time to go get C from school so I didn't get to try it while it was hot. Might make a difference, might not.
A couple of things I will change for the future. I will use MORE MORE MORE cheese. I've already called my mom and asked her to pick up some more cheese on her way home from work because one pound is NO WHERE NEAR ENOUGH. I'm having her bring another half pound and next time I might kick it up to 2. There is no such thing as too much cheese so I figure I can't go wrong with that. Also, I think it has too much of something else. Either basil or parsley, I'm not sure which. I'm going to experiment with different amounts going foward. Finally, it tastes slightly sweet. Probably from the tomatoes. I think I will add a little extra salt to counter act the sweetness or I'll not buy the no salt added tomato paste.
Domestic and stuff
To address a comment to a previous post: Yes, but when I make the cookies at home, I can control what goes in them. Whole wheat flour? Organic butter? Sure, if I wanted to (I don't so don't worry LOL)
Here is the recipe for the cookies I make most often
3/4 cup of butter softened (I used margarine)
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 eggs (I used egg replacer)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/4 cups of flour
2 cups rolled oats
1 1/2 - 2 cups of cranberries (I really don't measure, I just throw them in until it looks like there are lots in each cookie) You can also use any dried fruit that you like. Archer Farms (Target) has a berry mixture that is cherries, cranberries and blueberries and that was really good. We've also done cherry oatmeal cookies, which I thought was too sweet. If I did those again, I would probably reduce the amount of sugar used.
1. In a large bowl beat butter on high speed 30 sec.
Add brown sugar, granulated sugar, baking soda, and
cinnamon. Beat until combined, scraping bowl
occasionally. Beat in as much of the flour as you can.
Stir in any remaining flour. Stir in the rolled oats.
Stir in one cup ( I used about 1 1/4 cups)
cranberries.
2. Roll into balls and place on ungreased cookie
sheets. Bake in preheated 375 oven for 8-12 minutes or
until edges are golden. Cool on cookie sheet for 1
minute then transfer to wire rack. Enjoy!
I'm currently hunting for unsweetened dried cranberries that aren't too expensive. I found a place online that sells cases of them for $75, which is way too much to spend for berries. I also found a recipe to dry my own (in my almost never used food dehydrator) but they are out of season right now so I will have to wait until fall to try that. They apparently keep for years in the freezer so if it works, I'm going to be making pounds and pounds of dried cranberries.
I've been cooking crazy the last couple of days. Yesterday, I made chili for the first time and it was tasty! Evan and I had it left over for lunch today. Then today, I made lasagna (which comes out of the oven in like 2 minutes) and homemade mac and cheese (with the mac leftover from last nights chili mac). Real italians will have a cow when I post the recipe but it was stuff that is easy to keep on hand and let's face it, not everyone can be Mario Batali!
I'm thinking about making biscuits and gravy sometime over the weekend. I don't know when because I don't know how so I need my mom to help me. I thought about tomorrow morning before Evan goes to work but that means yet another trip to the grocery store today to get stuff and I'm just not feeling that. I also want to make ham and beans. I haven't had it homemade since my dad left the guard (he hates it so my mom would make it for the rest of us on his guard weekends, probably when I was in junior high). There was a place in town (it is Chief's now but it used to be Tommy something or other) that used to have all you could eat ham and beans on like Tuesdays and my mom and I used to go there for lunch sometimes, but that has been at least 5 years, probably longer.
I'm not sure what is prompting this surge in cooking. Probably that it is cold and I'm tired of tacos and french toast and the other stuff that I make inside. I'm ready for spring when I can cook on the grill all the time.
Here is the recipe for the cookies I make most often
3/4 cup of butter softened (I used margarine)
1 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 eggs (I used egg replacer)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/4 cups of flour
2 cups rolled oats
1 1/2 - 2 cups of cranberries (I really don't measure, I just throw them in until it looks like there are lots in each cookie) You can also use any dried fruit that you like. Archer Farms (Target) has a berry mixture that is cherries, cranberries and blueberries and that was really good. We've also done cherry oatmeal cookies, which I thought was too sweet. If I did those again, I would probably reduce the amount of sugar used.
1. In a large bowl beat butter on high speed 30 sec.
Add brown sugar, granulated sugar, baking soda, and
cinnamon. Beat until combined, scraping bowl
occasionally. Beat in as much of the flour as you can.
Stir in any remaining flour. Stir in the rolled oats.
Stir in one cup ( I used about 1 1/4 cups)
cranberries.
2. Roll into balls and place on ungreased cookie
sheets. Bake in preheated 375 oven for 8-12 minutes or
until edges are golden. Cool on cookie sheet for 1
minute then transfer to wire rack. Enjoy!
I'm currently hunting for unsweetened dried cranberries that aren't too expensive. I found a place online that sells cases of them for $75, which is way too much to spend for berries. I also found a recipe to dry my own (in my almost never used food dehydrator) but they are out of season right now so I will have to wait until fall to try that. They apparently keep for years in the freezer so if it works, I'm going to be making pounds and pounds of dried cranberries.
I've been cooking crazy the last couple of days. Yesterday, I made chili for the first time and it was tasty! Evan and I had it left over for lunch today. Then today, I made lasagna (which comes out of the oven in like 2 minutes) and homemade mac and cheese (with the mac leftover from last nights chili mac). Real italians will have a cow when I post the recipe but it was stuff that is easy to keep on hand and let's face it, not everyone can be Mario Batali!
I'm thinking about making biscuits and gravy sometime over the weekend. I don't know when because I don't know how so I need my mom to help me. I thought about tomorrow morning before Evan goes to work but that means yet another trip to the grocery store today to get stuff and I'm just not feeling that. I also want to make ham and beans. I haven't had it homemade since my dad left the guard (he hates it so my mom would make it for the rest of us on his guard weekends, probably when I was in junior high). There was a place in town (it is Chief's now but it used to be Tommy something or other) that used to have all you could eat ham and beans on like Tuesdays and my mom and I used to go there for lunch sometimes, but that has been at least 5 years, probably longer.
I'm not sure what is prompting this surge in cooking. Probably that it is cold and I'm tired of tacos and french toast and the other stuff that I make inside. I'm ready for spring when I can cook on the grill all the time.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
New theories on food
My new theory on food is that anything bad for you (cookies, cake, candy, etc) should be DIY. If you want a chocolate, chocolate chunk cookie, you need to fire up your oven. Anything that is good for you should be pre-done. You want some strawberries, open the fridge and eat one, no cleaning required. Alternately, all food should have to be worked for. While that wouldn't deter hard core eaters, I knwo I would eat a crap load less if I had to cook everything all the time. Open a bag, eat cookie? Yeah, I can manage that. Stand over the garbage can for 20 minutes shelling walnuts? Doubtful, I might eat one or two and then either find something to distract me so I wouldn't eat or move on to something easier.
I also think that healthy foods should be cheaper or at least equally priced to unhealthy alternatives. We buy poptarts, milk and cereal bars, etc because to buy a whole box of them is cheaper than a dozen eggs. We buy plain jelly because it is cheaper than the smashed fruit stuff. I could make a million examples but it seems to me that a start toward winning the war on obesity would be to make foods that are good for you easily accesable to everyone.
I also think that healthy foods should be cheaper or at least equally priced to unhealthy alternatives. We buy poptarts, milk and cereal bars, etc because to buy a whole box of them is cheaper than a dozen eggs. We buy plain jelly because it is cheaper than the smashed fruit stuff. I could make a million examples but it seems to me that a start toward winning the war on obesity would be to make foods that are good for you easily accesable to everyone.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Child of the 80s
IF YOU WEREN'T BORN BEFORE 1987 DON'T EVEN ATTEMPT THIS QUIZ
1.How old were you in 1980?
I was born in 1980
2. How old were you in 1989?
9
3. Were you a Toys R' US Kid?
We didn't have Toys R Us - we had Children's Palace and my dad worked there for awhile :)
4. Did you watch Transformers?
Sometimes
5. Did you see E.T. on the big screen?
Yes and most every other movie that came out between 83 and 89 since my parents managed a theater and we lived in the apartment upstairs
6. Did you own a Lite Bright?
Yes
7. Who is your Favorite Golden Girl?
The old one. Yes, I know they were all old, I mean the really old one, the mom.
8. When someone says " Who you gonna call? "
Ghost Busters
9.What was your favorite toy(S)?
Tonka Trucks, army men
10. Did you have a Pogo Ball?
Yes, I think it was green and black
11. Did you listen to New Kids on the Block?
Only at other people's houses because they made me. It wasn't until I was older that I listen on my own
12. What New Kid did you have a crush on?
None. By the time I "discovered" them I was sort of over boy band crushes
13. Did you play M.A.S.H?
Yep on the school bus and sometimes at sleep overs. Sunee really liked it so I had to play it anytime I went to her house.
14. Did you watch The Care Bears?
Yes and now Lizzie watches them and they are highly disappointing.
15. Did you have a Jelly bracelet?
A?? I had like 50
16. Did you have a charm necklace and/or bracelet?
Yes. I recently saw someone that was wearing one of plastic ones with the HUGE charms and I really miss mine!
17. Did you have a Glo Worm?
I did. I seem to remember that it played a song but it might be an association with some cartoon show instead.
18. Did you ever own a slap bracelet?
Yes! And I remember when they got "banned" because they had real metal inside and would cut people. Now they are lame with broken janky plastic inside and vinyl on the outside
19. The Breakfast Club or Sixteen Candles?
Breakfast Club, all the way!
20. Did you have a crazy hair style?
It wasn't as bad as some. Mostly my hair was short although I know I did some strange junk to it.
21. What was your first bike?
Probably nothing special, since I don't remember it.
22. Name one thing you still own from your childhood?
All my Care Bears (which I will say again are WAY better than the new ones), my My Little Ponies (also better than the new ones), possibly my Rainbow Bright and maybe my Strawberry Shortcakes
23. Did you have a Cabbage Patch Kid?
No a real one. They were too expensive and hard to find so I got the flea market knock off. My grandma had one and now Lizzie has it
24. Did you dress like Madonna?
No, I was too young by the time she was over.
25. Rainbow Brite or Strawberry Shortcake?
Both!!
26. Did you watch Miami Vice?
No
27. Did you own a pair of Jelly Shoes?
Oh yes! I had purple ones and a silver sparkly pair.
28. Did you own a Trapper Keeper?
Yep it had Garfield on it
29. Atari or Nintendo?
Nintendo. You can't get Super Mario or Zelda on Atarti (but you can, and I did, get them for the Wii LOL )
30. Did you play Pac-Man?
Yes
31. Which was better: Jem or Barbie and the Rockers?
Jem. Barbie is lame in any form
32. He-Man or She-Ra?
She-Ra
33. What movie scared you the most?
I wasn't allowed to watch scary movies (except Children of Corn) until I was teenager because they TERRIFIED my mom.
34. Did you try to dance like Michael Jackson?
I wasn't really a pop music fan so I never really listened to or liked MJ
35. What Is The First Thing That Comes To Mind When You Hear "Flux Compositor"?
1.21 gigawatts!!
36. What other colors did Pepsi come in?
Clear!!!
37. Roger Rabbit Or Howard The Duck?
Roger Rabbit. Howard the Duck was kind of scary and, I found out later, more mature than I should have been watching
38. Did you ever beg your parents to have your school picture taken with the 'LASER' background?
There were background choices for school pictures? We got hauled to gym, sat in front of the same background while the photographer waited for us to make the stupidest expression that we possibly could.
39. Do you know what the Ninja Rap is?
Vanilla Ice's rap from the Teenage Muntant Ninja Turtles movie. Go ninja, go ninja, go!! LOL
40. Do you know why people cringe when they hear the word BUCKNER?
No idea, someone clue me in.
41. Can you name the family members from National Lampoons Vacation movies?
Before seeing someone else's answers I couldn't, except for Clark, so I'll go with no.
42. Wally-World or Europe?
Wally World! Europe was just stupid
43. What was your favorite movie from the 80's?
Dirty Dancing, FTW.
44. Will you repost this to any of your friends that were in the 80's?
Yes!
1.How old were you in 1980?
I was born in 1980
2. How old were you in 1989?
9
3. Were you a Toys R' US Kid?
We didn't have Toys R Us - we had Children's Palace and my dad worked there for awhile :)
4. Did you watch Transformers?
Sometimes
5. Did you see E.T. on the big screen?
Yes and most every other movie that came out between 83 and 89 since my parents managed a theater and we lived in the apartment upstairs
6. Did you own a Lite Bright?
Yes
7. Who is your Favorite Golden Girl?
The old one. Yes, I know they were all old, I mean the really old one, the mom.
8. When someone says " Who you gonna call? "
Ghost Busters
9.What was your favorite toy(S)?
Tonka Trucks, army men
10. Did you have a Pogo Ball?
Yes, I think it was green and black
11. Did you listen to New Kids on the Block?
Only at other people's houses because they made me. It wasn't until I was older that I listen on my own
12. What New Kid did you have a crush on?
None. By the time I "discovered" them I was sort of over boy band crushes
13. Did you play M.A.S.H?
Yep on the school bus and sometimes at sleep overs. Sunee really liked it so I had to play it anytime I went to her house.
14. Did you watch The Care Bears?
Yes and now Lizzie watches them and they are highly disappointing.
15. Did you have a Jelly bracelet?
A?? I had like 50
16. Did you have a charm necklace and/or bracelet?
Yes. I recently saw someone that was wearing one of plastic ones with the HUGE charms and I really miss mine!
17. Did you have a Glo Worm?
I did. I seem to remember that it played a song but it might be an association with some cartoon show instead.
18. Did you ever own a slap bracelet?
Yes! And I remember when they got "banned" because they had real metal inside and would cut people. Now they are lame with broken janky plastic inside and vinyl on the outside
19. The Breakfast Club or Sixteen Candles?
Breakfast Club, all the way!
20. Did you have a crazy hair style?
It wasn't as bad as some. Mostly my hair was short although I know I did some strange junk to it.
21. What was your first bike?
Probably nothing special, since I don't remember it.
22. Name one thing you still own from your childhood?
All my Care Bears (which I will say again are WAY better than the new ones), my My Little Ponies (also better than the new ones), possibly my Rainbow Bright and maybe my Strawberry Shortcakes
23. Did you have a Cabbage Patch Kid?
No a real one. They were too expensive and hard to find so I got the flea market knock off. My grandma had one and now Lizzie has it
24. Did you dress like Madonna?
No, I was too young by the time she was over.
25. Rainbow Brite or Strawberry Shortcake?
Both!!
26. Did you watch Miami Vice?
No
27. Did you own a pair of Jelly Shoes?
Oh yes! I had purple ones and a silver sparkly pair.
28. Did you own a Trapper Keeper?
Yep it had Garfield on it
29. Atari or Nintendo?
Nintendo. You can't get Super Mario or Zelda on Atarti (but you can, and I did, get them for the Wii LOL )
30. Did you play Pac-Man?
Yes
31. Which was better: Jem or Barbie and the Rockers?
Jem. Barbie is lame in any form
32. He-Man or She-Ra?
She-Ra
33. What movie scared you the most?
I wasn't allowed to watch scary movies (except Children of Corn) until I was teenager because they TERRIFIED my mom.
34. Did you try to dance like Michael Jackson?
I wasn't really a pop music fan so I never really listened to or liked MJ
35. What Is The First Thing That Comes To Mind When You Hear "Flux Compositor"?
1.21 gigawatts!!
36. What other colors did Pepsi come in?
Clear!!!
37. Roger Rabbit Or Howard The Duck?
Roger Rabbit. Howard the Duck was kind of scary and, I found out later, more mature than I should have been watching
38. Did you ever beg your parents to have your school picture taken with the 'LASER' background?
There were background choices for school pictures? We got hauled to gym, sat in front of the same background while the photographer waited for us to make the stupidest expression that we possibly could.
39. Do you know what the Ninja Rap is?
Vanilla Ice's rap from the Teenage Muntant Ninja Turtles movie. Go ninja, go ninja, go!! LOL
40. Do you know why people cringe when they hear the word BUCKNER?
No idea, someone clue me in.
41. Can you name the family members from National Lampoons Vacation movies?
Before seeing someone else's answers I couldn't, except for Clark, so I'll go with no.
42. Wally-World or Europe?
Wally World! Europe was just stupid
43. What was your favorite movie from the 80's?
Dirty Dancing, FTW.
44. Will you repost this to any of your friends that were in the 80's?
Yes!
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