Voice Change, New Supers, Desk Mat,

Very odd, on Monday afternoon, at the bowling alley, Matt started losing his voice, then it came back again but very deep. At one point he said something to me when I wasn’t looking in his direction, and I had no idea who was talking to me. Monday evening it was better, Tuesday morning entirely cleared up. No idea what caused it, he didn’t have any signs of a cold or anything. Matt quipped at one point that maybe he had grown up at last!!!  Actually it wasn’t a bad sound at all.

We finally have a new superintendent in our building. I do hope he and his wife stay with us for a while and are good at their jobs. I feel so sorry for the assistant who has been lumbered with the whole job for a lot of the past year. Our last super was only here for a few months – we liked him/them but have heard a couple of complaints. I understand they don’t get paid enough by the realtor who runs our building. I don’t know, but a free apartment is worth quite a bit of money these days. Over $800 a month anyway, apart from anything else they may be paid. The hours are very long though and being an old building there is always a lot to do with problems all over the place. Bluebird apartments was built in 1974 (marked on the sidewalk) the year before we came to Canada. Hey I have just realised, my anniversary of emigration is coming up at the end of the month. 37 years. Should celebrate. Matt came out a month before me, so his anniversary has passed.

Having got our flu shots done, we decided to stop in a Wal-Mart’s for some underwear for the old man. He forgot when we were in NC and of course paid more for it here. We then went into Staples and much to my surprise they had computer chair mats ranging from $24 up. I bought what I wanted for about $40 and am now sitting on it quite comfortably. The previous one had lasted 10 or 11 years so didn’t owe me anything. The only thing is, I looked on the internet before and found mats costing $120 or so, no idea what I was looking at and knew I couldn’t/wouldn’t have paid that kind of money before. Not mine, but gives you an idea what I’m talking about. On the way home we called at our pharmacy and also at the grocery store where I bought a pumpkin and plan to make some soup in the very near future. I haven’t made any in years so I’m really looking forward to it. Have to get my stock pots out to cope with such a large pumpkin.

This is an odd little recipe, it purports to take 25 minutes to prepare so would be a good quick meal. I don’t know about the diet coke though, strange ingredient. It is certainly simple enough.

Salsa Chicken

By CindiJ When I was doing Weight Watchers and the boys were home, I got really tired of fixing 3 sets of meals each night. When I came upon this recipe - ... Ingredients:Servings: 4

• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 (16 ounce) jar salsa (your choice of heat)
• 1 (12 ounce) can Diet Coke (DO NOT SUBSTITUTE ON THIS ITEM)
• 1 lime, juice of, fresh squeezed

Directions:

1. In 12 inch skillet, cook chicken over medium high heat in UNSEASONED pan (do NOT spray with PAM or add any oil or butter).
   
2. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper to taste.
   
3. Chicken will stick a bit to skillet when turning but that is ok.
   
4. Cook till just brown- you want a bit of color.
   
5. Add the entire jar of Salsa and the can of Diet Coke.
   
6. Reduce heat to medium low- and simmer for approximately 15-20 minutes, covered.
   
7. Remove lid, turn chicken and continue to simmer until sauce has thickened to desired consistency.
   
8. When ready to serve, squeeze juice from 1 fresh lime over the chicken.
   
9. I serve this over yellow rice (I just add turmeric to my rice when cooking- adds nice bright yellow color!).
   
10. Do not use regular Coke as this will turn out too sweet.
    
11. I promise--you cannot taste the Diet Coke.

Have a great day