But fun.

A good weekend planned over here, fiends. How about you? Today is a shopping day, followed by an evening of listening to Seamus play drums with a jazz band here in town. Tomorrow is a Cleveland jaunt, followed by smoothies and conversation with BFF Kay and Bob. And speaking of smoothies…I modified a recipe I saw on the web and came up with this little gem:

Luau Smoothie
About a cup of fresh pineapple
One banana
1/2 cup of Greek yogurt (I used the pineapple flavor from Dannon)
Spinach leaves
A couple drops of coconut extract

You can use fresh coconut, too, but I didn’t have any on hand.

Now, truth be told — I haven’t tried this, so I don’t know if you’ll need to add a bit of crushed ice or water for your desired consistency. It’s still sitting there on the counter, just like in the photo. The Thriller isn’t up yet, and I want it to be fresh.

*drumming fingers on desk*  EDIT: Best. Smoothie. Ever.

I hope you have some fun planned for this weekend. If you can share, tell! I’m off to make some unintentional noise. I’m hungry.

…when it was time for a cool change. Non sequitur: I’m noticing that since I’m cooking two meals a day (and preparing lunches), the time is going by faster in the mornings. Making breakfast especially rushes me.

But why am I cooking two meals a day and rushing around in the mornings? Here’s the tale.

A week or so ago, the Thriller had his blood pressure taken. It was, for the first time in his life, abnormally high. I don’t think he’ll mind if I tell you that he was scared, as was I. He’s only 61, and for having smoked for 40 years (quit 2 years ago) and suffered for at least that long with a back injury, he has always been in surprisingly good health.

Well, all good things must come to an end. So, knowing that this plan of action would be good for me as well, we spent last Saturday morning cleaning out the pantry and fridge of all Frankenfoods. Many canned goods, all boxed dinners, the hot dogs, white bread and balogna — all gone. We committed to each other to eat as “clean” as possible, because we owed it to our grandchildren and to ourselves.

Now here’s the thing about the Thriller.

This man has overcome some major issues in his lifetime, healthwise, what with addiction to smoking and other health matters. Once he puts his mind to a thing, there’s no stopping him. He will likely lose 20 lbs. this month with his new eating lifestyle (an unwelcome side effect from quitting smoking was a considerable weight gain), and I will maybe lose…oh…what? Four? One?

Grr.

Still, it’s not about that. It’s about taking our health back by cancelling out fake foods. We’re buying only organic produce (don’t get me started on the whole Monsanto thing), and eating red meat only once per week — and even then, we weren’t completely thrilled, so that’s not a hard-and-fast rule, either. More fish. I’m learning to like fish. I’m learning to like fish a little. It’s still slimy and nasty on a small scale, but I’m getting better at it. I’m starting with salmon and cod; we’ll see where it goes from there. Don’t rush me already.

Yeeps — speaking of rushing, I am now 15 minutes late for the shower. Hey, guess what day it is!? YAAaaaaaAAAay

I wanted to chat today, but WordPress wasn’t havin’ it. So before I go to a faculty meeting this morning, I wanted to wish you a happy Wednesday, and tell you that the 70 little mini-rockers had a good gig last night.

One down, three to go…

Concert tonight. Seventy 5th graders, a live band, rock and roll. How much more fun can there be for 10- and 11-year-olds? (And the aging rocker playing keys?) We’re laying on them a little Eye of the Tiger, Old Time Rock & Roll, Jailhouse Rock, Umbrella…it’s going to be some fun.

Tomorrow night, it’s off to visit with grandson #3, Mr. A. Saturday, time with the Js. And sometime before that, a visit to sister Mavis to see her dandy new telly! RD coming back to town, spending time with other friends…it’s shaping up to be an ozzum week. ‘Bout flippin’ time, ja? I hope Tuesday is good to you.

So let’s rock and roll.

FO

Wow, this morning I woke up with a start, looked at the clock, and freaked. IT’S 6:47!!!!!!!! I’M LATE FOR SCHOOL!!!

Oh wait. It’s Saturday. Heh. Oy, it’s been a long week…

I’ve spent a lazy part of the last 90 minutes just reading and drinking coffee. It’s time to git bizzy, but not before I share some various and sundry tasty morsels. Behold:

• I didn’t know I needed a personal brand in order to be awesome. But she really does make some sense when she says that people don’t necessarily remember what you say, but rather, they remember how you made them feel. Hmm. Food for thought. Food. Food? Be right back.
• *munch munch* What a beautiful tribute by the late Roger Ebert to his wife, Chaz.
• This shouldn’t surprise anyone.
• Ooo, these are next.

All right, time to get up and get at it. At least it’s Saturday and I’m not late for work.

I had a funny discussion with Stoney and some students this week, on several occasions, about weird, recurring dreams. Have you had the one where your teeth fall out? Or the one where you’re onstage in front of a huge audience, and you haven’t a clue what your lines are, or what the show is, or why you’re there — but you’re the star and you’re “on” and you’re completely unprepared? Yeah.

OK — for rill. Time to go. Happy weekend to ya!