I've been coveting an iPad for the last 2 years. So lightweight, so versatile, I want. But I've been good and have been holding off.
Keeping those desires at bay, while thoughts of scoring an iPad run through my head. Like an addict, wanting a fix, knowing they shouldn't, yet the desire is still there.
But now the thoughts of want, want, want, have become a crescendo, threatening to drown out all logic and reason.
I need an iPad. Or rather, I need a laptop. But which one? iPad vs Laptop?
I have a great laptop that works. But...
So it needs to be replaced. But do I get an iPad or a laptop? And do I go with a MacBook Air or an ultrabook?
I've spent the last 3 months trying to decide, reading everything and anything on exactly how much I can get done or not get done with an iPad.
What I need:
But I'm cheap. I want an iPad since it can do all those things. Although, uploading photos is tricky and I would need several writing apps, so it's not an end all. And for $829, I can almost get a MacBook Air or an ultrabook.
With a MBA or ultrabook I could also do my court reporting. And that is the question. Since I'm still in school, do I hold off completely until I finish and then get a MBA or ultrabook?
Or do I get the iPad that will serve me now and cost a little less?
Or do spend a little more to get the MBA or ultrabook, but I can use it for more things?
I can't decide: everyday I change my mind; one day I'm getting the iPad, the next day a MBA, the next an ultrabook. Aaargh...
What do you think?
Last month I posted Paula Deen's Crockpost Creamy Macaroni and Cheese recipe (read the post). While it was incredibly tasty, it was also had a lot of fat and was 193 calories per serving. This modified version using Greek yogurt and whole wheat macaroni is healthier and only 163 calories per serving.
Cook the 2 cups of elbow macaroni. Drain and set aside.
I used Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese, grating my cheese right before I added it to the saucepan.
Crockpot Creamy Macaroni and Cheese Recipe Healthier Version:
Directions:
1. Boil the two cups of elbow macaroni in a 2 quart saucepan until tender, about 7-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
2. Shred 2 1/2 cups of sharp Cheddar Cheese. In a medium saucepan, mix butter and cheese. Stir until the cheese melts.
3. In a slow cooker, combine the yogurt, soup, salt, milk, mustard and pepper. Add butter/cheese mixture and stir well.
4. Add drained macaroni and stir again. Set the slow cooker on low setting and cook for 2 1/2 hours.
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Nutrition Facts
User Entered Recipe
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| 12 Servings |
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Amount Per Serving
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| Calories | 163.1 | |
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| Total Fat | 12.4 g | |
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| Saturated Fat | 7.8 g | |
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| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.4 g | |
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| Monounsaturated Fat | 3.2 g | |
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| Cholesterol | 36.5 mg | |
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| Sodium | 384.5 mg | |
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| Potassium | 56.0 mg | |
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| Total Carbohydrate | 4.5 g | |
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| Dietary Fiber | 0.2 g | |
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| Sugars | 1.7 g | |
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| Protein | 8.7 g | |
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| Vitamin A | 7.7 % |
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| Vitamin B-12 | 5.1 % |
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| Vitamin B-6 | 1.4 % |
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| Vitamin C | 0.1 % |
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| Vitamin D | 3.5 % |
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| Vitamin E | 0.8 % |
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| Calcium | 22.1 % |
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| Copper | 1.0 % |
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| Folate | 2.3 % |
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| Iron | 1.9 % |
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| Magnesium | 2.8 % |
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| Manganese | 3.6 % |
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| Niacin | 0.8 % |
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| Pantothenic Acid | 2.1 % |
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| Phosphorus | 15.1 % |
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| Riboflavin | 8.0 % |
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| Selenium | 7.9 % |
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| Thiamin | 2.2 % |
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| Zinc | 5.3 % |
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*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. |
It was a great night for a drive and since we had received a coupon for a free medium Cherry Limeade in the mail we stopped by Sonic in Vista last night.
When we placed our order for 2 medium Cherry Limeades, our server asked if we had a coupon. I confirmed that we had 1 coupon and I would be paying for the second limeade.
When our server, Briana, delivered the Limeades, she quoted a total of $2.15. I handed over my credit card since I rarely carry cash. After she ran it through the machine, she said, "Oh, wait. If I run this then it will charge you for both Limeades. So I need you to pay me cash."
What? When she rolled up on her skates and delivered the limeades she quoted me a total of $2.15. Plus she asked before she rang up the order if I had a coupon. So I wasn't clear on why an additional $2.15 would magically appear on my card and why after she ran the card, she "realized it."
When I asked her if my card was charged, Briana stated she cancelled it before it went through and reiterated that I needed to pay in cash or I would be charged for both Limeades.
When I asked why can't she just adjust the total and that it didn't make sense. She muttered something.
So, whatever, I scrounge in my purse to come up with $2.15. As I'm looking Briana tells me, "Oh, you can just give me $2." Hmm, first it's $2.15 if cash, then $4.30 if credit card, now she'll take $2?" WTF is going on?
If it were just me I would have already left but my kids were in the car and the limeades were for them so I had to stick it out. Darn kids. :)
I found $3. Briana took my 3, $1 bills can brought back my change...$0.45 and quickly rolled away.
Okay, I'm not a mathematician but I can do simple arthrimetic. $3 - $2.15 = $0.85, not $0.45.
Oh, and yeah, I didn't get a receipt either.
Kinda makes you wonder if some of the employees are skimming cash....
Apparently Nike is taking some flack for their shirt. Really?
I mean, come on, people. It's a shirt. It's supposed to be funny. But the critics claim it's sexist and demeaning to women. What?
Ok, if it included a picture of a young woman and old guy, then yeah, it would be sexist and inappropriate. But it doesn't.
It makes you wonder if those who are crying foul the loudest have a guilty conscience?
While at CVS, waiting to pick up a prescription, because I actually get out of my car and walk inside rather than be lazy and go through the drive-thru prescription drop-off, I came across Ava the talking elephant medicine dispenser.
The concept is that it's easier to get your baby/toddler to take medicine if you put it inside a dispenser that looks like an elephant, and it talks. What?
If I were the baby/toddler instead of being eager to suck down my medicine from an elephant's trunk, I think I would be a little freaked out on so many levels. One, the elephant talks. Two, call it medicine but basically you're encouraging your kid to eat boogers. You had better start thinking of your come back line and why it's ok to eat Ava the elephant's boogers and not their own.
It would be interesting to see if any of the babies/toddlers that were subjected to this torture device developed a fear of elephants.
Beekers had a friend stay for the weekend. This little rascal, Oliver, is about 4 months old and belongs to the Big One's friend.
The Big One and Little One had been begging to get another golden retriever, specifically a puppy, since they met Oliver. Babysitting, puppysitting, dogsitting, whatever you call it has cured both the Big One and Little One of puppy love. Thank God!
Unlike Beekers, Oliver has all four of his legs. He climbs on sofas, chairs, sneaks food off the table, jumps in the air to grab a toy and/or food, not to mention the early morning wakeups for potty breaks. Whereas, good ole three legged Beekers doesn't do any of that. Okay, maybe a little jumping in the air and trying to sneak food off the table.
I'm thinking of starting another business, maybe call it Puppy Love, Rent a Pup, something along those lines or even NITL (Not in this lifetime). Parents would pay to dogsit a puppy over the weekend with the caveat that the children have to take care of it. One weekend of having to puppysit would cure puppy love lust.
It would be a win-win. The puppies would get socialization and the parents a reprieve from the whines of "we want a puppy."
Hmm, maybe there should be a rent a baby program in high school...
JC Penney is offering free kids' haircuts for every child (K-6th) for the entire month of August. Save yourself time by booking an appointment at 1-855-JCP-KIDS.
BlogHer'12 has come to an end and it's time for a BlogHer'12 recap.
This is the first of twelve short posts about my BlogHer'12 experience.
Although this post isn't on the list, it counts. Check back or make it easy on yourself and subscribe via RSS feed.
