Two nights ago I was rescued by pasta roni for dinner. I love pasta roni. But when I'm in training for a marathon boxed, processed foods is nearly the last thing I should be eating. But I had no energy and no idea for dinner, so it came in handy.

The next morning though I got up early so I could put the roasts into the crock pot. This time I had planned. Italian Roast via slow cooker. Served with mashed potatoes made with cream. Ah, does the cream ever add a delicious flavor that will make you never want to eat them another way. My first time trying them made that way and I sold my soul to never eat them another way. That whole meal was wonderful. Meat and potatoes.

Since the roasts made so much meat we used it again tonight. Stuffed philly cheese steaks. French bread dough stuffed with beef, peppers, onions, mushrooms and cheese. Baked till golden brown. Hmmm. Mine needed more cheese. Next time. I served it fries, waffle cut, and made a homemade fry sauce. Not too bad! I think I'll make fry sauce all the time now.

I love cooking. It's great. But every now and then I love pasta roni.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

We're friends? Acquaintances, maybe?

Within the span of 36 hours I came across two instances of whether someone was a friend or an acquaintance. Which led to me thinking...do I make long lasting friendships or just of the moment acquaintances?

If you were to take a look at my social life at this given time you'd see it consists of my family and several co-workers. Now I do consider these folks to be friends. I want to do stuff with them. When I think of an activity I want to do, an event I'd like to attend or a restaurant I'd like to eat at my first thoughts go to these people. Maybe they'd like to try it. We can try it together. Do they only come to my mind because I spend the most time with them, physically and verbally. (Is texting considered verbal?)

I could list several upon several instances of people I either went to school with or worked alongside of that I would spend plenty of time with and considered a friend that now, not being in school or working with, that I hardly, if ever, hear from again.

When I was a young child I can remember a fight that occurred between myself and my two best friends. We got over it and made up, because of pair of jelly sandals, and our good times forged ahead. My parents then got divorced and I can honestly say I never had what I would consider a best friend again. Of those two best friends, I haven't heard from one of them since elementary school. The second one I reconnected with briefly in High School and then again via facebook.

In Jr High I made several friends and can fondly remember our times using the words stoopid and phat. But when high school came they went to Bountiful High and I went to Woods Cross. We tried to stay in touch and I even sluffed my school to go to their seminary class. Brother Southwick if I recall correctly. And I was a home schooled cousin visiting for the week. But eventually we grew apart.

There is gag that my only friends are ones from work. I will admit at first I was embarrassed about it. I've thought about it quite thoroughly and intently and have yet to make my mind up. I'm not embarrassed anymore about it because some work friends are my most favorite. But I question why I couldn't keep a friendship? Do I need the closeness? Some people are friends and only chat or see each other a few times a year. Why can't I? Why didn't I maintain contact with those where it was lost? I don't remember those little, yet hugely effective, details. I guess the most important part is I remember the fun times we had.

I would never want to forgot those.
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry