Friday, September 22, 2017

Heads Up: Fly on the Wall

Welcome to a monthly Fly on the Wall group post. Today 7 bloggers are inviting you to catch a glimpse of what you’d see if you were a fly on the wall in our homes. Come on in and buzz around my house. At the end of my post you’ll find links to this month’s other participants’ posts.

Fly on the Wall, a multi-blogger writing challenge | www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics


PurDude and some friends went to Vegas for 4 days last month to celebrate the 21st birthday of one of the boys. They flew in from different places (PurDude was still working in Cleveland) and stayed in a cool big Airbnb house with a pool. When he got back I asked him to call, I wanted to hear all about his trip.

Me: Did you have a great time?
PurDude: Yes, so much to see and do, didn't get everywhere we wanted to but we did as much as we could.
Me: Did you sleep in at the house?
PurDude: Yes, we slept in and spent a lot of the day at the pool then went out at night.
Me: So . . . did you gamble?
PurDude: Yes, some.
Me: Just some.
PurDude: Yes.
Me: Did you do a lot of drinking?
PurDude: Yes, some.
Me: Are you lying?
PurDude: Yes, some.



Fly on the Wall, a multi-blogger writing challenge | www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics


Apparently it's well known that I'm a genius.

I made these Angry Owl snacks for Halloween a few years ago, but thought they'd be fun for back to school too. 


Angry Owl snacks | Recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com | #recipe #snack


So I tweeted them. And look who answered.

Pretzel Crisps tweet about my Angry Owls snacks | www.BakingInATornado.com | #twitter


So it's a snack genius. And the title came from a pretzel company. I'll take it!


Fly on the Wall, a multi-blogger writing challenge | www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics

PurDude moved out of his frat and into a house with a few friends. He called me one day to say that he'd gotten an email from the leasing company and it turns out he has until the end of the day to get renter's insurance or the leasing company will put him on their plan and bill him monthly. I called our homeowner's insurance company to see if what they would charge is any better than what the leasing company would charge.

Of course I got an automated call answering system. The worst one I'd ever had so far.

Automated System: What are you looking for? Say "auto, homeowners . . ."
Me: Renter's insurance.
Automated System: You said "condo". Is that correct?
Me: No, renter's insurance.
Automated SystemYou said "condo". Is that correct?
Me: Operator.
Automated System: What are you looking for? Say "auto, homeowners . . ."
Me: Renter's insurance.
Service: You said "condo". Is that correct?
Me: Fine.
Service: Do you currently have a policy with us?
Me: Yes.
Service: Please state the phone number associated with your policy.
Me: {{stated my phone number}}
Automated System: We do not have a record of that number. Please state the last 4 digits of your social security number.
Me: Gave Husband's last 4 digits, which I actually gave in the wrong order.
Automated System: OK, if you are an agent, press 1. If you are a customer, press 2.
Me: {{presses 2}}.
Automated System: For agents . . .
Me: Dude, I'm too old for this shit.
Automated System: For agents . . .
Me: {{disconnect}}.


Fly on the Wall, a multi-blogger writing challenge | www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics

While he was away, PurDude and I were talking on the phone about a few situations he was going to have to deal with once back at school. I hate trying to have serious conversations in bits and pieces through phone calls and texts. 

I sat down one day and decided to tell him how I felt about him, his coming senior year, and our relationship in an email. It was a page and a half long, honest and heartfelt. I actually had to text him to tell him to look for my email or he'd find it in a year.

He never did answer me so who knows if he ever got it? I hoped so.

About a week later he called and we talked. He didn't mention the email. Just before we hung up:

Me: Did you find the email I sent you?
PurDude: Yes.

Well OK then, so much for pouring my heart out.


Fly on the Wall, a multi-blogger writing challenge | www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics


I was in the kitchen trying out a new quick bread recipe idea when College Boy walks in the house.

College Boy: What are you making?
Me: It's a new recipe idea.
College Boy: What is it?
Me: Apricot Almond Quick Bread.
College Boy: I don't like apricots.
Me: I know.
College Boy: I don't like almonds either.
Me: I know, I wasn't expecting you.
College Boy: You should always expect me.
Me: Duly noted.


Apricot Almond Quick Bread, chopped apricots, nectar, and sliced almonds featured in a fall flavored quick bread. | Recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com | #recipe #bread
Apricot Almond Quick Bread
Apricot Almond Quick Bread, chopped apricots, nectar, and sliced almonds featured in a fall flavored quick bread. | Recipe developed by www.BakingInATornado.com | #recipe #bread


I was watching a show on one of my favorite channels, ID. They mostly show true stories of murder, going through the crime, an investigation and ultimately a trial. Dateline or 20/20 type shows.

College Boy: Are you watching true murder stories again?
Me: I've always been a mystery lover, you know I like trying to figure out who did it.
College Boy: When your who-done-its turn into how-to-do-its, give me fair warning.
Me: Just because you eat all my food, get your laundry done and do nothing I ask you think I'm plotting?
College Boy: Well, you sure do watch a lot of those murder mysteries. If you're doing research I'd just like a "heads up".
Me: Will do.
College Boy walks away.
Me (whispered under my breath): Heads up. 


Fly on the Wall, a multi-blogger writing challenge | www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics

The next day was Saturday. I wanted to use the grill for dinner but I thought the propane was running low. In fact, I'd been mentioning it to Hubs for a few weeks. Hubs walked into the kitchen and I asked him about it. Again.

Me: Did you have the propane tank for the grill filled yet?
Hubs: No, not yet.
Me: But I keep asking you, this is the third weekend in a row. That's so not like you.
Hubs: I know, I forgot.
Me: Why don't you go now?
Hubs (heading down to the man-cave): Not now, the game's on.
Me: That's the same excuse you gave last weekend.
Hubs: I'll do it later.
Me: You said that last weekend too.
Hubs (halfway down the stairs): Right after the game.
Me (whispered under my breath): Heads up.


Fly on the Wall, a multi-blogger writing challenge | www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics

I still have a house phone. I have it because any time I'm in a situation where I have to give a number I give the home number, keeping almost all telemarketers from my cell.

But that phone rings non-stop with telemarketers. I get about 10 calls a day. I turned the ringer all the way down and never answer it unless caller ID shows it's someone I know or we're having work done around the house and I'm expecting a call from a tradesman.

Early one evening the home phone rings and it's an area code I don't recognize so I don't answer. The same number calls back a second and third time so I turn on the answering machine and google the area code. It's coming from the area in Ohio where PurDude is. Crap. What if something happened to him and someone is trying to contact me. 

The phone rings again and I hear PurDude's voice on the answering machine. I pick up.

Me: Are you OK?
PurDude: I'm fine.
Me: This isn't your cell, what number are you calling from? 
PurDude: There's a land line in this apartment the company rented for me.
Me: I don't answer the land line. Why didn't you call my cell like you always do?
PurDude: I was just calling to say hello to you and dad, thought I'd call the land line and talk to you both. 
Me: Well now I know your number in case I need it.
PurDude: Don't call it, I don't answer it, it's never for me.
Me: So you used a number you don't answer to call a number I don't answer?
PurDude: Pretty much.

 Fly on the Wall, a multi-blogger writing challenge | www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics

College Boy had just walked in the front door. I was sitting in the den fully concentrating on writing a blog post when I heard beeps. Still preoccupied with the post, I stood up, went to the microwave, opened it and found nothing inside.

College Boy: What are you doing?
Me: I thought I heard the microwave. 
College Boy: That was the washing machine. You know, Mom, there are homes for people who tend to get confused. 
Me: I was just preoccupied.
College Boy: But you also sometimes forget why you've walked into a room.
Me: Everyone does that now and then.
College Boy: And that time you put dinner in the oven and forgot to turn it on.
Me: Once. Jeez, that was once.
College Boy: I'm just saying that we should look into it. It's really just for your protection.
Me (whispered under my breath): Heads up.
College Boy: What?
Me: Heads up. HEADS up. HEADS FREAKING UP!


Fly on the Wall, a multi-blogger writing challenge | www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics


Yeah, plotting murder is one way to get rid of my stress, but I'm not sure I'm willing to live with the consequences. What would happen if I ended up in jail? I can't pee on a bedpan in the hospital, no way I'm going to be able to go while on display in a big cage.

I was trying to work through my options when, stopped at a red light, the answer came to me. There it was, right on the side of the road. Way less messy than murder, for a measly $68 I can just have someone come and get those stressors and cart them off.

Junk removal is in the eye of the beholder | www.BakingInATornado.com | #humor #funny #laugh


'Cause you know what they say . . . "junk is in the eye of the beholder." Or something like that.

Now click on the links below for a peek into some other homes:

Menopausal Mother 
Searching for Sanity
Spatulas on Parade 
Never Ever Give Up Hope 
Bookworm in the Kitchen 
The Blogging 911


Baking In A Tornado signature | www.BakingInATornado.com | #MyGraphics








Apricot Almond Quick Bread
                                                                       ©www.BakingInATornado.com
 
Ingredients:
1/2 cup apricot nectar
1/3 cup apricot jam
3/4 cup chopped dried apricots

2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup sliced almonds

1/2 cup oil
2 eggs
1/2 tsp almond extract

3/4 cup powdered sugar
2 TBSP apricot nectar
1/4 cup sliced almonds

Directions:
*Grease a loaf pan. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
*Whisk together 1/2 cup apricot nectar with the apricot jam. Mixed in the dried apricots. Set aside.
*Whisk together the flour, sugar, brown sugar, baking soda and salt. Mix in 1/2 cup of the sliced almonds.
*Mix the oil, eggs, almond extract and the apricot mixture into the dry ingredients, just until incorporated. Pour evenly into prepared pan.
*Bake for 55 - 58 minutes, until the center of the top springs back to the touch. Remove from oven and allow to sit for 10 minutes.
*Run a knife along the edges of the bread and remove from the pan. Cool completely.
*Mix together the powdered sugar and the remaining apricot nectar. Drizzle over the cooled bread. Sprinkle with the additional 1/4 cup sliced almonds.

22 comments:

  1. Too bad I gave up carbs, the bread looks good and the owl snacks! I LOVE owls so of course I love those.
    I hate automated systems, they NEVER understand what I want...grrr
    Lying...some?! Rich LOL

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Those automated systems are so infuriating, but some are better than others. This was by far the worst.

      Delete
  2. So-that's why I use a live insurance agent for my insurance. Hopefully you got the coverage somewhere. Meanwhile the phones no one uses was hysterical except I could do see that happening with my husband, who gives his cell number out except he only uses his cell to make outgoing calls. He never answers it. Not ever. Alana ramblinwitham.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, frustrating but I did eventually get him insurance. Phew.

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  3. Heads Up to that insurance company's automated phone service. Yikes!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Seriously! I've heard bad ones before but this one was beyond bad.

      Delete
  4. I feel your pain----I hate it when I pour my heart out in a text or email to the kids and then they don't respond. Must be a guy thing, because my boys seldom answer, but the girls usually respond right away. The only way I can get the boys to answer is if there is a veiled threat in my text, lol.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Heads up those boys are great blog fodder! I like apricots and almonds, I'd gladly take his share!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, I'd be happy to trade him for you for a few days. That's what you were saying, right?

      Delete
  6. Awh, cool tweet back from Pretzel Crisps. That snack looks adorable! My kids were owls last year for Halloween. Fun. Wow, texting really is a big thing! I like a good, long email sometimes too vs. texts.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm with you, I prefer emails, but the boys only text, they rarely even check their emails.

      Delete
  7. LOL! I forgot how funny your Fly on the Wall posts are! That apricot bread looks really yummy!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Bloody hell I liked these conversations they were bloody funny

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So glad you enjoyed them. I'm sure you were laughing with me not at me, right?

      Delete
  9. I have to agree with College Boy. No apricots and no almonds! I'm waiting on you to try to figure out these sweet potatoe dumplings! I need this recipe!

    ReplyDelete
  10. When I call a company and get automated response that doesn't get me anywhere I use the old Charlie Brown's teacher voice. Waa waa waa. They sending right to a human.

    ReplyDelete
  11. great combo Apricot and almond I have most of the stuff here already. Remember kids will do the darndest things, even when they are adults they are still our kids, right?

    ReplyDelete

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