April 2, 2013

Blog One

This blog is titled  Dump Simmer and Serve, but, it isn't about cooking. It's about anything and everything, including the occasional recipe or cooking story.  Mostly, though, it's about life, and other stuff.  It's not that my life is incredible or all that interesting.  I just enjoy the process to writing and occasionally working out some feelings through my writing. 

My approach to life has always been a little like my approach to cooking.  Dump, Simmer and Serve,  The simpler the better. The more complicated you make your life the more likely it is that something will 'bugger' it up.  (Side note: I love British and Aussie swear words and slang.)

I never was much for measuring things out and patiently waiting for things to come together before finishing with a flourish.  Heck, I pace in front of the microwave waiting for a cup of coffee to reheat.  When a recipe calls for sifting, whisking, or stirring for extended periods of time I opt out and try it my way hoping it will all turn out okay.  I suppose that's why I have the same toast whenever we have a dinner party: "Here's hoping is doesn't suck."  It usually gets a laugh or two, and a few odd looks from those who don't quite get my humor. 

In my life, I more often than not will jump right into a project before making sure I have everything I need, including proper training, to finish a job.  Assessing the situation ahead of time just isn't my forte', as they say.  

That being said, I am fully aware that I've been very lucky in my life so far.  Most of the time things work out just fine for me.  Sometimes they don't, but, since I'm still here, failing at those things clearly wasn't the end of the world.

And so, here I go again.  For the record - This isn't my first blog. I've have a couple before this one.  I started my first one on Yahoo 360 several years ago.  Yahoo 360 went the way of the dinosaur so I switched over to Multiply, which has now followed Yahoo 360 into oblivion.   Through those two blogs I met several e-friends who have offered support, laughter, and camaraderie through some difficult times.  Even though I have only met a few of them face to face I do count them all as friends.   In large part, it was because I jumped in and didn't think too much about it that I wasn't afraid to open up and really be me.  And that made it possible for me to eventually find the love of my life, Norm.  

So, about me, I am an overweight, over 50 woman who loves to write, talks baby talk to her dog, and laughs everyday with her boyfriend about the silliest things.  

I have things I want to learn and do, but, I refuse make a bucket list - too much pressure,  I can be lazy, and a world class procrastinator.  I am also the worst kind of perfectionist - there are two kinds if you didn't know.  There's the good kind.  The person who keeps trying til they get it just right and then there's me.  The person who is so afraid of doing it wrong she doesn't even try.  I fight this personal battle often and sometimes I actually make some progress.  

I have a SERIOUS phobia of bees and wasps and because most therapies involve actually physically confronting the thing you are afraid of I haven't been able to make myself go for help.  Come Spring and Summer everyone is outside enjoying the sunshine and warm weather.  I want to be outside too, but, at the same time I am freaking out at the prospect of just taking the dog for a walk.  

I love people with good humor and I really dislike negative snarky people.  I try to avoid using the word HATE.  It is an ugly and powerful word and if I use it you can be sure that I am not using it lightly. 

That's about it for now.  "Here's hoping it doesn't suck."

Be well.