Understand?

Peppers are easy to freeze, just cut, de-seed(if you can't handle the heat), devein and freeze. We love jalapenos for toppings and to cook into our chili and taco meat.

This particular day, while I'm slicing and de-seeding, Henry walks into the kitchen to watch me:

Henry: Mom, are you cutting jalapenos?

Mom: Yes, I am.

Henry: Are we having them for dinner?

Mom: No, I'm preparing them to freeze for future use.

Henry: Oh, make sure you wear gloves while cutting those jalapenos. (starts to walk out of room, turns and looks at mom) Kapeesh?

Mom thinking: Did he just say Kapeesh? He got that from eitherGreat-Aunt Barbara or Grandma.

Layaway?

Last week Suze Orman commented on not buying what you CAN'T afford....if you can't pay cash don't buy it...and so on. Very smart, very sensible, whether you are in bad economic times or not. She also reflected on "the good old days" when credit cards didn't exist, so consumers bought only what they had the cash to buy. She also mentioned layaway. Do you all remember layaway? I do and I used it. When did it stop?

Which came first, retailers stopped offering layaway or I stopped using layaway? I had to think about why I stopped using it. My guess is kids. Taking advantage of shopping while the kids were with Wade or friends. Just buying it in the moment to keep gifts a surprise. Or because going to a store once a week to put a payment on the merchandise just didn't work. Who knows!

A few days after Suze talked about layaway, I see a commercial for Kmart, they are offering layaway for holiday gifts! Actually they never stopped, like Wal-mart and many others, but now they are advertising the offer. Such smart marketing especially for the times. Down side...you need a Kmart near you. We don't have one within flying distance of Forest Grove!

FYI, Walmart stopped offering layaway in 2006. That is just a fact, not a dig!

A few other online layaway sites:

laymeaway.com
elayaway.com

Sprite is 11 today!

I can't believe my baby is 11 years old today! Seems like yesterday we were calling family and friends to tell them Chandler was born 8 days early and on our 3rd anniversary.

Chandler, life can and will bring you magnificent treasurers. I always thought you were shy, but I've learned you are more of a thinker, an observer. Considering the who, what, where, and how of your surroundings. Your adjustment to our new life in Oregon is amazing. Keep smiling, you have your father's eyes, they smile when you smile.

PS thank you for understanding about Mom and Dad picking the restaurant for dinner out.

We can't wait to have dinner with you and Henry. Your party on Saturday will be awesome!