You know you've watched too much Diego when...

any mention of the economic bailout package as a measure to "rescue" the economy brings this to mind:

Recent reading

See that box over there? ----->
The one that says, "Recently Read"? I'm a bit trigger-happy with the Share button on Google Reader, and the many articles, blog posts, and lolcats that I mark show up over there. Here are a few highlights from this evening's reading, just for some bonus fun:

The Sarah Palin pity party (Salon), which my bff shared first with me, raises the question: Do you feel sorry for Sarah Palin's obvious ineptitude? And yes, I'm poised with the mute button, and I've snarked about her a bit on Twitter during this "debate."

Ig Nobels honor weird science: Coca-Cola as contraceptive (CNN) discusses the sperm-killing powers of my favorite carbonated beverage.

FDA Considers Banning OTC Cough Medicines For All Children Under 6 (Consumerist) and FDA Urged to Recall Cold Medicines for Youngsters (AP)

Great resource for southern gardeners

Walter Reeves offers a great e-mail newsletter called "The Georgia Gardener" that may interest those of you living in and near Georgia. Walter answers questions sent in by readers, offers gardening guidance, and discusses unusual plants. He also has a radio show on WSB on Saturday mornings, if you're in the Atlanta area. One of my favorite features of the newsletter is the reader q&a, where readers send in photos for Walter to identify a plant, fungus, or insect. The newsletter is always informative and is very accessible. I know some things about gardening, but I have huge holes in my knowledge, and I never feel like an idiot reading this newsletter. Check out the archive of past newsletters, and if you think you might find it useful, subscribe to get "The Georgia Gardener" every two weeks.

On being late

Arriving late has been a significant problem for me since childhood. My mom tends to be late to events and appointments, and even though I recognize how incredibly annoying it can be to other people, I am still late frequently. My kids are late to preschool many mornings as well, and I hate that I'm doing that to them. I'm late, or barely on time, to staff meetings at work, doctor's appointments, classes I teach, and church. It's a serious problem, and a big part of my issue is time management. I never allow myself enough time to get ready, because I'm not realistic about how much time I will need, and I don't factor in the distractions and detours that I should expect with two kids "helping" me.

Good Housekeeping has a great article that talks about the factors behind lateness, and reading it has helped me to determine the reasons behind my perpetual tardiness. I think that, for me, the reasons depend on the situation. Sometimes I am late because of anxiousness, demands on my time, reluctance to quit one activity before it's finished and move to another. And in other situations, it's about power. Honestly, that's not a very nice thing to recognize about myself, but I know that I do it. And I shouldn't show such disrespect for others and their time, but I do, and I need to stop it.

If you think you might have a problem with lateness, GH also has a quiz you can take. And if you have suggestions on ways I can get myself on a schedule that shows I value others' time and have myself sufficiently organized, please - let me know. One of the first things I should do is start wearing a watch again (preferably one that has a nickel-free band so I won't break out from wearing it).

Budget Hero: Game from American Public Media

Busy in the kitchen!

I've been on a bread machine kick since the weekend. I make bread, and Hubs and the kids show up promptly to slice, butter, and devour it. A third loaf is in the machine now, to bake overnight so we can enjoy it for breakfast. I've made a loaf of whole wheat, a loaf of half white/half wheat, and this latest is a cinnamon raisin breakfast bread. I've made it before and can't wait to enjoy it in the morning.

Between tasks around the house and work duties, I haven't had time to share any recipes lately, so I thought I would take a minute, now that the house is quiet save the sounds of the bread machine and dryer, to share a few tasty ideas. These are taken from a cookbook that my church published in 1999, with all of the recipes contributed by church members. Many of the dishes in this book have made appearances at church potlucks, so I can attest to their deliciousness. Here are a couple of tasty appetizers:

Cheddar Cheese Olive Balls

2 cups grated cheddar cheese
6 Tablespoons butter or margarine
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon paprika
48 olives, drained and dried on paper towels

Knead all ingredients except olives together until consistency of pie dough. Take off about a teaspoon to form a ball. Make a thumb print in the ball and insert an olive. Cover olive with dough and place on cookie sheet in freezer until firm. Repeat with additional olives and dough. Either remove from freezer and cook, or place in plastic bags until ready to cook. Take out of freezer. Place on cookie sheet and bake at 400 degrees for 10 to 13 minutes.

Sausage Pinwheels

1 stick margarine
8 ounce package of cream cheese
2 cups Bisquick
1 lb sausage

Cut margarine and cream cheese into Bisquick. Mix together to form dough. Roll dough into rectangular shape. Crumble sausage to cover rectangle. Roll up lengthwise into long roll. Chill overnight wrapped in waxed paper in tin foil. Slice and bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes. Makes approximately 20, depending upon thickness of slice.

Conversation, overheard

Hubs: Why did you do that, Big Girl?
Big Girl pauses, then says: Yes?
Hubs: Yes isn't an answer to Why. I asked you why.
Big Girl: No?