We (knock on wood), haven’t had any issues with trees, but my in-laws did. They had a really big, old cork tree that became infested with something and they had to have it taken down. As I remember, it wasn’t cheap, even back then.
I’m glad I don’t live in the south and have to worry about termites!
I don’t have any big plans for today, I think. I think today will be spent just putzing around the house; maybe a dump run.
Forgot to mention the scallops I made last night. They were a huge hit. Here’s the recipe.
Pan seared scallops with white wine reduction
Ingredients:
6 slices bacon, cut into 3/4-inch pieces
1 pound large sea scallops, sliced in half crosswise to form 2 rounds
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons minced shallots
1 cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
I ended up using a little more bacon, a little more shallots and a little more bacon because I had more than a pound of scallops. I also used a bit more wine.
Anyway, saute’ the bacon and remove to a papert owel lined plate. Drain most of the fat from the pan but leave a skim of it on the bottom. Turn the heat to medium, put the scallops in the pan, salt and pepper them and cook about a minute and a half to two minutes per side until golden brown (be sure not to overcook them, or they’ll be tough and rubbery).
Remove the scallops and put them in a serving dish.
Take the shallots and saute’ them until transluscent. Pour in the wine and stir up all the good brown bits from pan with a wooden spoon. Cook three minutes or so until reduced to half and add two tablespoons of unsalted butter. Stir until melted, pour over the bacon and scallops and serve.
I’d never made this dish before but it was a huge hit. I’ll be making it again.
Sounds scrumptious! What were your side dishes?
We started the evening off with crab and cheese stuffed mushrooms. We also grilled a marinated tri-tip roast. I had cheese stuffed tortellini with alfredo sauce and a salad made with spinach, bell peppers, provolone and feta cheeses, craisins, honeyed almond slices, and dressed with a very light honey dijon type of dressing.
It sounds a little strange, but that’s what hubby wanted. Surprisinlgy, it did seem to go together. I would have been happy with just the salad and scallops, but since we had people over, we had to have a little more food on the table.
Once we move, I’m kinda looking forward to renting again. No more worrying about whether or not the fence will collapse in the next breeze, no more looking up at the roof and knowing that when the rain gutters get clogged up with the little sandy granules that used to be on the shingles, it’s a Bad Sign of Impending Roof Problems. Both are about to be the bank’s problems.
Meanwhile, Invisible Tenant is finally gone. The locks are changed and the house seems more peaceful already. Certainly smells better.
I’s tahred! I managed to get down most of the limb hung up in the tree. There’s still a piece of it that would not budge and I am not stoopid enough to stand on the tiptop of a ladder with a chainsaw to try to cut it. Anywho, I did get the rest of it and the limb on the ground all cut up. It took three trips to get it all to the inert landfill but there it is. Tree guy should be here in about an hour to have a look see and give me an estimate.
Yeah, I know how to live it up on a day off! 
Hal my folks had a tree of doom that looked somewhat like yours. The sibs and I pitched in the dough to get it taken down as it was waaaaaaaaaaaaaay to close to their house to be good, as in, if it had ever fallen, there would be no way it wouldn’t hit the house. This was back when dad was still with us. He had Alzheimer’s. One bro bitched about havin’ to chip in. I told him it’d be fine if he didn’t but when the tree did fall on their house and they needed somewhere to stay, they could stay with him. All of a sudden, he didn’t mind comin’ of the money so much. Strange, ain’t it?
Yay for invisible tenant bein’ gone gotti!
I say if we ever decide to start a Mumper commune we elect Taterschief cook.
Aw **Swampy, **I’m blushing here.:o. I do alright, I’m just one of those folks who can just kind of throw stuff together for the most part. The scallop recipe, however, I did look up. I hadn’t really ever prepared scallops before, but knew I wanted something relatively simple and knew they shouldn’t be overcooked.
I need to get motivated, but hell, I’m on vacation! I worked my ass off trying to get things tidied for yesterday’s guests. I do need to get a move on, though. I’d feel guilty if I sat here too much longer.
And **LiLi **and **Muppet **should be voted in as head bakers.
MMMMMMMMMMMM… baked head. 
Tree guy was just here. I am somewhat relieved. $400.00 to take down both trees. I think I got a deal cause I turned my neighbor who’s gettin’ some pine trees taken down on to him and he got the job. Mind y’all, I still hate turnin’ loose of the cash but it’s waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay less than I was imaginin’. He’s gonna call back in a little while. He may be able to do it as soon as tomorrow. Him I don’t mind bein’ around da cave while I’m not here cause he’s good at what he does and he’s trustworthy. He’s also a long haired hippie freak like rigs tile guy.
That is certainly better than 1200 smackaroos, Swampy! Still, I can understand not wanting to part with the cash.
Still being lazy…I’m such a sloth today.
Home, and pissed off at SIL. Again. It’s Monday. He’s supposed to take the trash on Monday. He didn’t. And he’s not here. I’m pissed because he sits on his ass in front of the computer every possible minute of every day. Except to come upstairs to eat, or to pull clothes from the washer to the dryer.
Even daughter is getting pissed at him. It’s like her last boyfriend all over again. And for this next semester of classes, he’s taking them ALL ON LINE!! Yeah, that’ll end well.
Is it unkind to wish he’d be abducted by aliens and taken to a far corner of the universe??
**FCD **started his new job today. No idea when he’ll get home, so I don’t know what to do about supper. I’m sure I’ll figure something out. I was going to mow this afternoon, but there are a gazillion branches down in the yard, including some rather large ones. I just didn’t feel like dealing with it. So I won’t. Nyah.
I got a nice thank-you note from my sister-in-law - apparently my nephew had a really good time here, and the highlight of his visit was going to Hooters. Yep, he’s a teenage boy, all right…
So, is it Firday yet??
I forgot to say earlier… appropriate/inappropriate appendages crossed for Mr. Rebo.
MOOOOOOM abducted by aliens, accidentally run over by the mower, accidentally fallin’ overboard while out sailin’, they’re all good.
Yeah, good price there. We were quoted something like $350 to remove a healthy, yet etremely annoying tree and grind the stump below ground level. And that was with the “good neighbor” discount - their office is about 200 yards away from our house.
What makes the tree annoying is that it’s alleged to be a non-fruiting ornamental plum. Non-edible, perhaps, but every summer, there’s a crapload of non-fruit all over the lawn that attracts squirrels and every mouse and rat in the ZIP code, and purple gook gets tracked all over the place by the dog when she runs out after the critters eating the non-fruit.
I checked a local message board and got 3 tree companies in this county that got good recommendations. I’ll call each about getting an estimate. I’d love to hear $400… I just want the tree dropped and the trunk cut into firewood-length rings. We can rent a splitter and finish it up.
We shall see.
**FCD **likes his new job so far - he’s already on his first project, and he’s got 3 or 4 lined up. Yay for having something to do!! A little later, we’ve got to load a bunch of his books and stuff into his car. He’s got a corner office - woo woo!
Supper was yum - tuna steak, rice-a-roni, Amish 'maters, and broccoli. Cheesecake later. Yup, yum!
I know I’ve ranted about this before, but here I go again.
My mom went back to work today after having her knee replaced. Unfortunately while she was off she developed another problem with her other foot. Her achilles tendon is calcifying. She is in constant pain. Moreso standing or walking and her job is as a cashier standing all day. She’s on some serious drugs which made a little bit of difference while being off work. The pain doctor and several others have told her that if she’s going to work and stand all day that she can never expect to be pain free. But she can’t afford not to work and probably can’t even afford to retire yet. After about 3 hours of standing today she was in constant stabbing, tear-inducing pain. She will most likely call off tomorrow and see if her leave can be extended until she’s fitted for the new orthotic that might help her. You know what else would help her? BEING FUCKING ABLE TO SIT DOWN AND WORK. Not only that, but she’s only allowed to use a cane to walk with when she’s off the clock.
These people disgust me. We attempted to get them to accomodate her previously with little success. And any lawyer wants a large retainer (thousands of $$) to take the case to fight the company for her rights. It seems we are faced with very few choices at this point. :mad::mad:
Sorry if I’ve been somewhat unclear. I can’t think straight when I’m this angry.
Pie, WTF??!! Isn’t there a state agency you can turn to because these people are clearly in violation of workplace accomdation rules. What the hell happens if your mom falls on their property, while on the clock, because they won’t let her use her cane or walker?!
Arrgh, I’m pissed just reading about it. I’m so sorry she has to deal with that. Best thoughts to her and you.
**Pie **- have you seen this? There are some numbers you can call about halfway down. Doesn’t look like you need a lawyer - you might be able to get help directly from EEOC. Good luck!!
Cheesecake has been ingested. I’m going to load the dishwasher and assume the knit position. Daughter called - she loves the park where the training is being held. So that’s good.
Time to load the dishwasher, then assume the knit position.
MWAH!!
Thanks, FCM, we tried the EEOC to no avail. The company says that she must be able to perform her job according to their job description and if she can’t then there aren’t any other jobs available within the company for her. And according to the job description, a cashier position is a standing job. Chairs, stools, and canes are not allowed because they might cause somebody to trip and bring a lawsuit upon the company.:rolleyes:
We’re going to call Legal Aid this week to see if we can maybe get a low cost lawyer to take the case.
I’m going to throw up before this day is over. My dad just left the house and after he did my mother let me in on a little secret. He’s been having chest pains lately. He’s already had two heart attacks. Apparently he went and had an EKG today and it turned out alright and next week he’s having a stress test. And I’m not supposed to know about any of it. I’m not sure what smiley is appropriate at this point.:rolleyes::mad::(:dubious::smack::eek:
Tell PieMom I empathize. Although for me, it just affects my extra curricular activities (ie chorus)
Sounds like your local branch of the Americans with Disabilities Act enforcement division may be of help as well.