10 Clichés That I Hate

“That being said” or “Having said that” – if you said it, why do you have to say you said it?
“Been there, done that” – Are you bragging or bored? This is so old and heard too many times.
“Yaddi yaddi yadda” – Where did this come from and what does it mean, except for a space filler?
“24/7” – isn’t everything so why do you have to say it?
“It is what it is” – I think this means “don’t complain about it.” Some people might say “This too shall pass” or “Let it be.” This is beginning to sound like a Beatles album.
“Out of the box” – It means “creatively” so let’s just be creative. I recently heard someone say “out of the square.”
“Discuss, meet or talk offline” – as opposed to online which might mean on the Internet, but this means meeting at another time and place.
“Flesh that out” – That just sounds disgusting.
“All intents and purposes” or sometimes misspoken as “all intensive purposes.” This reminds me of the first one on my list. It’s a waste of breath.
“My bad” – Just say “excuse me” or let it go.

Easy Clams Linguine

My author friend was asking for a good Italian recipe she could use in her book. I suggested Clams Linguine, a family recipe I got from my mother-in-law. The fresh parsley makes it especially delicious, but you can use the dried stuff if that's all you've got.

5 garlic cloves, minced
½ stick (4 tablespoons) of butter
Splash of white wine
3 cans of chopped clams
2-3 tablespoons of flour
2-3 tablespoons of milk
1-2 tablespoons of fresh parsley, chopped
1 box of linguine noodles

In a medium size skillet, sauté garlic in butter on medium heat. Add a splash of wine and cook a minute or two. Add clams: 1 can drained clams and 2 cans with juice. Stir to cook together for a few minutes. Turn down to low temperature. In a separate cup, mix flour and add milk to make a creamy mixture. Add to clam sauce to thicken. Stir in chopped parsley and serve over cooked linguine noodles. Enjoy!

Just Another Twilight Fan

I, too, have succumbed to the lure of the “Twilight Series” written by Stephanie Meyer. Three friends recommended the books to me saying they were really romantic fiction, not so much about vampires. I picked up Twilight while waiting for a prescription at the drug store; started reading it; and had to buy it to finish reading. At first, the scene and dialog seemed kind of juvenile, but I found peering into the life of a teenager who has moved to a small town kind of compelling. I could relate and I probably would have fallen for Edward myself. I was bitten by the first book and had to have more. The second book, New Moon, turned out to be a monotonous continuation of the story with the introduction of a pack of werewolves. Now, I’m reading Eclipse and intrigued by the story of a teenage girl in love with a vampire while friends with a werewolf. The young love relationship brings up several analogies for abstinence, but I keep wondering if she’s going to become a vampire or not?! It’s all very implausible, but a great escape. I have to find out what’s going to happen so I’ll have to read the final book called Breaking Dawn. Then I'll have to see the movies.

Prepare: Teenage Driver

My 16-year-old son just got his driver's license. He's had his learner's permit for over a year and passed driver's education at school. He never scared me when he was driving with me in the car. Basically, I think he's a good driver, but it's the other drivers that I don't trust. I've told him "just watch out for the other guy." Besides watching out for the other drivers on the road, I was concerend about the distractions inside the car. So, I found a teenage driving contract that covers other driving rules. We reviewed the contract together and he signed it. The contract covers issues like speeding, loud music, phone usage, alcohol, drugs, number of passengers, etc. You can download it for free here: www.parentingteendrivers.com.

One-quarter Inch Thinner Toilet Paper

It’s not your imagination that the toilet paper seems to be getting smaller. I recently noticed the new toilet paper roll had a lot of play on its holder. I compared it to the empty discarded roll and it is, in fact, one-quarter inch narrower. Manufacturers are smart in that they don’t raise the price, but give you less for the same price. This has been happening for years, if not decades, but this was noticeably smaller. You get fewer tissues in a box; less coffee in a bag; and now thinner toilet tissue. There were no announcements either. No “new and improved.” No “smaller and better.” No mention of it. Just wanted you to know I noticed. Can you think of any other examples?

Facebook Is A Soap Opera!

As I was signing onto my Facebook account, I wondered what drama I might find today. Some people spill their whole lives out there while others just like to let us know their eating and sleeping habits. Sometimes I feel like I’m eavesdropping on a telephone conversation or maybe they should be texting instead of putting it out on Facebook for everyone to see. Some people announce job interviews, negative opinions about people, personal surgeries, and use unnecessary cuss words that I don’t think need airing. So, I think it’s like watching a TV soap opera. By signing on, you get a glimpse of what’s going on in other people's lives, but not enough to draw conclusions and just enough to tune in the next time. Oh, there are commercials: the sidebars with sponsors, suggestions, and invitations to play Farmville.

Pennies from Heaven

Not too many people pick up pennies these days, but I still do. I remember the saying “Find a penny, pick it up, all the day have good luck,” but that was only if it was heads up. The other day, I received an email about a wealthy man who picked up pennies. He said since each one carries the phrase “In God We Trust,” it was a reminder that God is always there. I’ve heard of people who think it’s a sign from their deceased loved one reminding them that they’re around. My brother used to turn over the tails-up pennies that he found for the next person to find for good luck. On the evening that I heard these stories, I was at home turning on our PC controller (which is on the floor) and found a penny next to it--heads up. I think that was a reminder from my departed brother. If it was face down, I would have had to turn it over.