Halloween Conundrum

It's the middle of October, in case you didn't realize.  And it is time to start thinking about the holiday that I have the biggest love-hate relationship with.. Halloween.  

Hate being scared. I am a big scardy-cat.  I am scared to watch creepy commercials in broad daylight.  I run down the street to my house from my car if it's dark outside.  I haven't been in a haunted house since 2001 and I probably only went because I thought some boy was cute.  "Hocus Pocus" and "Casper" (the Devon Sawa version, obvi) and even Desperate Housewives can be too creepy for me at times.    So all this ghosts and goblins nonsense isn't really my thing. 

Love candy.  "I'll wear anything I have to wear. I'll do anything I have to do, to get the candy from these idiots who are so foolishly just giving it away."  --taken from Jerry Seinfeld's Halloween Bit.   So obviously, I have always been a fan of the candy aspect of this holiday.  I used to truck it out from start to finish, rain or shine, with my pillow sack and my winter coat just to get to as much candy as possible.  Now, I just buy my own.

Hate picking a Halloween costume.  There is just too much pressure.  Every year I have the same debate: Do I want to dress up?  Do I want to spend money on a costume?  And every year, it gets to around this time and I decide.. alright alright, I'll do it.  Reflecting on my passed Halloween costumes, I feel that I have had some pretty creative and successful costumes.  My costume career started in 2003 with my first year of college as Heidi from Tool Time (on Home Improvement.)  I would show a picture, but there's just a lot going wrong with me at this time.  2004 seems to be a lost costume year.  I don't know what went wrong here, but there is no existing evidence of what or if I dressed up.  (Unfortunately, I didn't become a Facebook member until November 2004.

In 2005, I purchased my first costume: Strawberry Shortcake which I displayed at Eastern Illinois and a Guster concert. (Top 10 most embarrassing moments being 1 of only 4 people dressed up for this show-- with Lepper, Haley, and Bando.)

 

2006- Another purchase and some misc. accessories. A Go Go Dancer in which everyone mistook me for Barbie.

 

2007- Gangster.  Which was cool because 3 Hahn Gangsters = a mafia.

2008- Hannah Montana.  How I thought this was a good idea, I'm not sure.  But Jimmy and the Osey got the best use out of that singing microphone prop I brought with me.

2009 - Victoria Secret Angel.  My ballsiest costume yet.  I am still looking for a reason to wear my wings again.  A girl never forgets her first pair of wings.

working the camera.

2010 - Betty Draper.  Candy cigs.  Deal breaker. I don't know why Giorgio didn't want to be Don.

 

2011- My very own super hero.  Face makeup was clutch & a great pulled together homemade costume to form Super T & Super K.    

Love Kari & Brett's annual Halloween party which means I have no choice, but to come up with another costume.

Maybe I should bring back my wings?  Maybe I should let my readers decide?  What should I be for Halloween this year?   Which was your favorite costume of mine in the past?


**Disclaimer** I will be at the XX concert at the Congress before the Halloween Party..  NBD

A Bears W with a side of Mac n Cheese

Is it just me, or do you dislike Tuesdays more than Monday too?  I think Monday I go through the motions, and then Tuesday is when my weekend and festivities catch up with me to make me feel extra unmotivated and lethargic.  My Monday was pretty awake for my action packed day, but yesterday I was ready for bed by 6:45pm. 

Yesterday was athletic day at school (only second to pajama day.)  Of course, I was sporting my yoga pants and Charles Tillman jersey.  How can you not have a great day when you get to where yoga pants to work?  Well my day peaked with yoga pants.  I should have known the rest of the day wouldn't have been so smooth when my classroom was practically on fire.   (Okay, I'm being a little dramatic.)   When the custodian came into fix said furnace, he asked if watched the Bears game last night (which of course, I did.)  And followed it up with the fact that he only watched the 1st quarter because it was boring.  BORING?!?! What is boring about 5 interceptions and a Bears W?  Nothing, that's what. 

There's also nothing boring about an overload of Homemade Mac.  I say overload because there was about 3.5 lbs of Mac n Cheese brewing at the Lair Monday night.  I offered to cook Mac n Cheese as a bribe to the Southport Corridor to watch MNF with me, though we all know that they didn't need a bribe to stay at their house.  Jes was supposed to join us but her case of the Mondays kicked in after school, and she opted out of traveling north, but still was craving Mac n Cheese.  And as for me.. I'll take my mac gluten free.  This is how we came to have 3.5lbs of Macaroni and Cheese. 

Though Tony makes a mean mac, I opted for a variation of Giada's Recipe.  Her recipe is actually a copy from Harry's Bar in Venice (which I've been too! I'm so cool, I know!)  So as Giada was teaching me through this video; I was teaching Jes.  (If you know anything about Jes, you know that the extend of her cooking is grilled cheese.  And don't get me wrong, I would prefer her grilled cheese to mine any day.  But I wouldn't dare let her make me peas.) 

I also made some improvements to Giada's recipe.  I used these large spiral noodles called trata something or tortella or something like that. (No! Not tortellini.)  They were huge and awesome and probably more tasty than yucky egg noodles even though I didn't taste them.  I got them from Jewel, but had never heard/ seen them before.  For my GF recipe.. I used Brown Rice Penne from Trader Joe's.  Since I drink Lactose Free Milk, and its pretty thick, I substituted it for whole milk.  And since I was cooking for boys, I added about 1.75lbs of pasta & some extra Parmesan cheese and an extra 1/2 pint of heavy cream.  And don't forget the bacon. 

Boys <3 bacon.="bacon." boys="boys" cheese.="cheese." cheese="cheese" mac="mac" n="n" nbsp="nbsp" oys="oys" p="p" therefore="therefore" with="with">
Top that bad boy with extra cheese and breadcrumbs to make it crunchy on top.  And here's what you get...

Gluten Free Macaroni & Cheese
 

Regular Mac n Cheese

Plus some happy eaters. 

Macaroni and Cheese

Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis

 

Ingredients

• Butter, for greasing dish
• 12 ounces wide egg noodles
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 2 1/2 cups whole milk
• 2 teaspoons all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more for pasta water
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 cups (packed) grated Fontina
• 3/4 cup (packed) finely grated Parmesan
• 3/4 cup (packed) grated mozzarella
• 4 ounces cooked ham, diced, optional
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves

Directions

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

Butter a 13 by 9-inch glass baking dish and set aside. Cook the noodles in a large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite, stirring frequently, about 5 minutes. Drain well, but do not rinse.
Whisk the cream, milk, flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and pepper in large bowl to blend. Stir in 1 cup Fontina, 1/2 cup Parmesan, 1/2 cup mozzarella, ham, if using, and parsley. Add the noodles and toss to coat. Transfer the noodle mixture to the prepared baking dish. Toss the remaining 1 cup Fontina, 1/4 cup Parmesan, and 1/4 cup mozzarella in a small bowl to blend. Sprinkle the cheese mixture over the noodle mixture. Bake until the sauce bubbles and the cheese melts and begins to brown on top, about 20 minutes. Let stand for 10 minutes before serving.

Laters.

All good things must come to an end.  That good thing being my crip pass that I may or may not have been abusing for the past 2 months.  I say 2 because I legitimately needed it the first month.  Though that crip parking pass cost me a grand total of $330 after fines for not understanding where I can and cannot park, I still thoroughly enjoyed our time together. It is going to be weird adjusting to the common folk city life who pay for parking and have to obey time limits.  I will probably less encouraged to drive places because I can't just leave my car all over the GD city.  Back to the slums of the CTA.  Bummer. 

The worst part of parting ways is that I actually managed to re injure my knee last week. Do you think they will give me an extension for some minor swelling? It went down like this.  I have been running a couple days a week (about 2 miles or so.)  Well on Friday, I was feeling good to be back in my running club with Leanne that I tried to push it an extra quarter mile.  That caused me to trip over my own feet and almost face plant across the sidewalk.  Instead, my bad knee took the brunt of the fall, and my hands and shoulder took the rest.  I don't think I am cut out and coordinated for this running business.  At least not anymore.  When did I get so old?   (Can I blame being a klutz on being old?  I am pretty sure I have been running into walls since I was 2.) 


So since I'm saying goodbye to people, places, spaces, and material objects these days, I'd also like to take an opportunity to happily say goodbye to:

Baseball.  This is the longest season ever and like.. who cares.  I enjoy playing and attending games, but watching it on  TV is so slow.  (Not quite as slow as golf. I don't have a clue when golf season starts or ends.)

Wedding season.  2 more to go.  I know this is still middle of the road for some people, but this years season, come November 26th, is OVA.  Unfortunately or fortunately, there will probably be twice as many next year and the following.  (I guess I'm at that age, yikes!)

Sun dresses.  Bust out your fall boots!  There's no better season for fashion than the
fall.  I love changing the clothes in my closet between the seasons.  It feels like you have a whole new wardrobe. 

September.  Still remains the worst month to ever exist.  I despise you.  I'm still waiting for something happy to happen in September. 

RIP

Friday Favorites: Vegas Baby

In honor of my trip to Vegas I just booked, I thought I'd bring back Friday Favorites VEGAS style. This November, #theHahns will be taking over Vegas on account that my dad and Donna are finally getting married (after 12 years).    If you have not been to Vegas, you should probably squeeze your trip in sometime between now and Thanksgiving because after November 26th, Vegas will be burned to the ground. 

Any way, on to some picture favorites from Vegas (definitely a happy place-- even when you go swimming with your purse). What happens in Vegas.. umm sometimes stays in Vegas and sometimes ends up on Facebook. 


Taryn and I visit Vegas for the 1st time & decide we can only visit biannually. We spotted Hef and the Girls Next Door. Little did we know we'd co host Extra! with Holly in an few years time. 

 

 

American Airlines tried to steal Vegas from us or slow us down.  It worked for 24 hours.  Stuck at LAX airport, ugh.

 

 

After knowing Beth for a few months, and "convincing" her to come to Vegas, we celebrate her arrival by throwing her in the pool with her clothes on.

Who does this? Cirque du Soleil on the lawn of the Bellagio & walking the strip in our bikinis.  #Vegasbaby

Taryn and I tied the knot in Vegas. May 2009.
 

"Taryn, get out here.  I'm in the limo with the dance floor. Free ride!!"

Two bodies.  The end of a Vegas trip.

 See you in November.

My Happy Place

Today is the day I turn September around.  I am washing away my negative thoughts and feelings today.  No complaining. And no talking about tiresome situations. 

So here's to a new day: September 20th.  (Yes, I just raised my passion fruit iced tea into the air as a moment of embrace for this new day.  And yes, Starbucks is the answer if you'd like to start your day off right.) 

The best way to be positive and happy is to think positive and happy thoughts.  On my drive to work, I thought of a handful of things that I would consider my happy place.  And here I am to share them with you to help brighten my day (and maybe even yours.)

In no particular order---

• Flowers.  Which I happen to have a beautiful vase filled with beautiful flowers sitting on my dresser right now.  I should probably be spending more time in my room admiring them. I think I've said this a million times, but flowers just brighten your day no matter who they are from or what the reason.  They make you feel loved. 

My "just because" flowers from G <3 td="td">

• Winning.  I love winning random prizes or contests or raffles.  Most people would say I'm pretty lucky (#LuckoftheBlonde), but I think I just try to see the best in things.  Winning even something small & silly can really make my day.  I really like winning parking ticket refutes, but I have not accomplished that in awhile (tear).  Occasionally, I win something awesome like a $50 gift card to Binnys.  Thanks XRT!! 

• My six babies.  How can you just not smile at those precious gems?

• Finding a song that fits your exact mood at that exact time.  It's like therapy on the radio.  Song of choice for today: "Love, Love, Love" by Of Monsters and Men.

• Speaking of therapy, a sweaty run with my favorite running buddies or with an awesome playlist.  Sometimes I enjoy venting and talking through any frustrations while running, and sometimes its just better to pump it out to some energetic tunes.  Either way, running is definitely a happy place/ stress reliever.  Unfortunately, I am only still slowly working back into running, so I'm working on some alternatives to help me sweat it out. 

• When things work out with little to no effort.  Such as an impromptu girls night dinner where the people invited are actually randomly free on a Tuesday!! (Thinking of Roots: wine & sweet potato tater tots! Yum!)  Or getting a text for free sporting events or concerts and actually being able to go.  Even something as simple as walking out your door and getting a cab instantaneously or catching the El without running is a day brightener. 

Sox Game for Wilson's Birthday-- thanks for organizing Cassie!!

• Finding something you thought was lost.  Has anyone seen my silver watch?  That would make me happy right about now =)

• Seeing old friends.  Not bumping into high school acquaintances and have to have awkward small talk with, but hanging out with your friends that you, for some reason or another, don't get to see as often as you'd like.  It just gives you a sense of "home" and "normalcy" feeling.  Makes you feel grounded and remember where you came from. 

• PAYDAY! Which happens to be today. Self explanatory. 

And with that, I hope you have a fantastically bright and shiny day. 

(In fact, I already received word from my coworker, Leanne, that I have turned her day around since she walked into my room.  She left singing something about me being Sunshine.)
 

 

Bear Down: It's football season

After all the rush rush and busy joys of summer, its so great to come to the lazy-as-you-want-it-to-be football season of fall.  One of the best parts of football fall are that you have the option to rally on a Thursday night or lounge on the couch all day Sunday because there are football games to be watched.  For me.. I only really care about watching the Bears, but I have no arguements about watching an extra game or two just for the excuse to be extra lazy.  Did I say no arguements? I could do without 12 straight hours of fantasy football talk. But other than that, no arguments. 

I am pretty attentive during the Bears game, so I don't like to be too productive, but during the other games I mostly enjoy making soups and stews with the other miscellaneous games on TV.  Finally the weather is breaking, not complaining because I love the heat, but I can respect the fall weather for a change of clothes and activities.  One activity being soup making.  The weather is perfect to leave the windows open and the stove top boiling all day.  This past Sunday I prepared my Crock Pot Chicken Divan for Monday (which was divine) and this Sunday I plan on whipping up some beef stew (hold the beef for me.)  Football viewing is a great excuse to just eat all day long and almost not feel guilty about it. 

Another tribute to this great and holy Sunday, people are able to get a little crazier Saturday night because it is quite possible that it is the only night of the week you have plans.  Gone are the bridal showers, family birthday parties and festing that most traditionally occur on Summer Sundays.  No one has to hold back on a Saturday because now their only Sunday plans are football. AND.. If you're lucky enough, your plans on Sunday will already include "the hair of the dog" at a Bears party!  Remember when we used to have those guys??  Let's do that again, okay? Thanks. 

 

#HeadsofTails ?

 

 

 

Two Cents for CPS

While I appreciate people's concern, I am not a teacher in the CPS. I do however have a few comments or reactions to the situation at hand. I am not going to pretend that I have read the proposed contracts or even follow the story that closely, but since my school district went through this process for over two years, I have some credited insight.

For starters, support your teachers. You are being fed a one-sided story. The board's side. Teachers' Unions are not airing their business, issues and disagreements with the contract. You are only seeing the positive changes presented by the CPS board who are trying to make teachers look selfish and greedy. For example, you have probably heard (without even following this story) that CPS teachers want a 30% increase in pay. You may be thinking that's ridiculous, but consider the following: When was the last time CPS teachers received a raise? How is their current salary compared to the rest of Chicago's workers? And further more, they want to extend their work time by an hour. Shouldn't that be compensated monetarily? I know it doesn't seem like a big deal to add time to a teacher's day, but your just adding time that is directed by administration in addition to the extra time that teachers already put in just to keep up with their daily work load. Also, aren't these extended school days just another example of how teachers are the new nannies and parents aren't responsible for the children anymore?

Something else to keep in mind.. it is very frustrating when negotiating teachers' contracts because the people on the board making these decisions have never been a classroom teacher. They have no idea the effects of each new stipulation they place into the contract. Police officers and fireman wouldn't want me weighing in on how their facilities are going to be run and their job expectations just because I'm a tax payer and they are in a tax-paid position. I have NO IDEA what their day is like even if I have been to a police station or fire house before.
It seems that Chicago and news broadcasters are really taking this opportunity to push Charter Schools, which by the way, "are still open today." I'm not sure what they are trying to prove, but if charter schools could strike, I'm sure they'd already be doing it. They are the perfect example of why every work field needs unions. Those without unions are clearly taken advantage of. Talk about having zero respect for teachers. While the Charter school system might be an excellent learning establishment, they take full advantage of their teachers by having them work extremely crazy hours including lunch supervision and 2 hour impromptu after school meetings.  I don't see how that's fair.
My point is this: Teachers are not selfish and greedy. We are caring individuals who put in a lot of time to give your children the best education possible.  We work hard, and sometimes we like to be recognized for our hard work.  We most certainly do not deserve to be taken advantage of, pushed around, and made out to be the villains. 

And that's all I have to say about that.