Upcoming article on All Women Stalk

So, I have just submitted my next article to All Women Stalk. Hoping to see it published soon. It is alternatives to chemical-based shampoo. I'm super-excited(as I should be). I will post a link as soon as it is up.

I'm also finally getting into my own place with the hubby!! We found a cute little trailer here in town that is cheap and in a great neighborhood. We'll be moving next week, so you may not see me around as often.

And if I didn't mention, I have been moved to cosmetics at work. YAY! I get to stock makeup and help people find the makeup they need. I love working in that department and am hoping to be kept there permanently.

Chicken & Pasta Green Salad.

So, as well as writing, I absolutely love to cook. I thought I'd share a recipe for an awesome chicken & pasta green salad that I make often for myself & my husband. I rarely use exact recipes, but this is a fairly measured recipe for my cooking.

2lbs boneless chicken breast
1 head Romaine lettuce
1 can medium or large black olives
2 bell peppers(I usually use green & red)
Broccoli or Alfalfa sprouts(to taste)
1 Small clove of garlic
Cheese of your choice(as much or as little as you want, I usually use pepper jack or sharp cheddar)
Olive oil
Garlic powder
Italian seasoning
Croutons(I usually use garlic butter flavor)
Salt & Pepper
Onion powder
1lb box of garden rotini
Dressing of your choice(I prefer Robusto Italian, my husband likes Balsamic Vinagrette).

Heat olive oil in large skillet(I use enough oil to coat the bottom of the skillet). Chop chicken into medium-sized pieces. Add chicken to olive oil, and season with above spices to your taste. Chop the garlic(grate, dice, whatever- just get small pieces) and add to the oil. Cook chicken until well done(it will be very tender). Drain grease and set aside. While you are cooking the chicken, get the water for the noodles on to boil(I add 1tblspn of olive oil to the water to help prevent the noodles from sticking to the pan or together). Boil according to directions on box, and once noodles are done, drain the water and stick them in the freezer to cool. Tear lettuce into pieces of whatever size you prefer(Do not cut lettuce - it will rust and get nasty). Put lettuce into a large bowl. Dice peppers and add to lettuce. Drain juice from olives- these you can add whole, dice, or cut in half, I prefer them whole. Add cheese, sprouts and croutons, mix well. Add chicken and pasta, mix well again.

This recipe works great as it's own meal or a side dish. Another recipe(though less healthy) that I love with sauteed chicken is:

2lbs boneless chicken breast
Same spices as above
1 garlic clove, diced.
1lb box of garden rotini
Olive oil
Chicken broth(one and a half small cans)
Cream of mushroom or Cream of chicken soup(one small can)
Sautee chicken in olive oil, season to taste. Boil noodles in mixture of one can chicken broth and water(enough to cover the noodles).
When chicken is thoroughly cooked, add about half the other can of chicken broth. Mix in well with the olive oil. Add cream of chicken or mushroom soup to chicken, olive oil and broth mixture. If you want a thinner pasta sauce, omit the cream of chicken/mushroom soup and use the entire second can of chicken broth. This creates an oil-based sauce(which I spice heavily). Once everything is cooked and mixed well together, combine the chicken & sauce combination with the noodles in a large bowl. Serve hot.

My hopeful career in writing.

Along with writing "The Valhalla Project", I have been planning some guest blogging with www.allwomenstalk.com. I wrote an article for them about Yule in December, and am hoping to do another article here soon about the "No-poo" experiment I'm doing with my hair. I'll also be writing a piece about this for my personal blog. I'm really excited and really hopeful that this can turn into something good. I'd love to be a writer, whether it be satirical, serious, or whatnot. Writing is an amazing way to express myself and I enjoy it. Here's to the future and my hopeful writing career!!

End Oompa Loompa Discrimination!

We have a serious problem on this internet of ours! Oompa Loompas are widely discriminated against in this society. As a proud and hardy Oompa Loompa, I am severely offended by the treatment I have received as of lately. I was playing Literati on Yahoo! Games, and my first opponent wanted to exchange casual photos. I told him no. I'm married, and sharing photos with strangers just leads to bad things. I also know the reactions I get from people when they find out I am of the Doopity-Doo tribe. They are shocked! And appalled! I didn't want to out myself.

Then, his next question is what I look like. And I think, "Oh, shit..." What am I supposed to do now?! A bubble of bravery swelled within my stomach, just waiting to burst forth. Or maybe it was just gas, I don't know, I'm an Oompa Loompa-Gypsy, not a doctor. I took a deep breath and typed, "Like an Oompa Loompa." All went quiet. Then, there came a request to cancel the game. I denied it because I needed my fill of Literati!! But Kevin(yes, his name was Kevin) resigned. My heart was broken.

I almost cried, and then I thought, "No! This is NOT okay!" So I am demanding that Oompa Loompas from all over the globe unite to end this discrimination! We will stand for it no longer!! Brothers and sister, whether you be of the Doopity-Doo or the Doopity-Dee tribe, we must take a stand! We must attack while they are unprepared!! We shall gnaw at their kneecaps, where they are most vulnerable! We shall strike back!

Who's with me?!

The Valhalla Project.

My husband and I have decided to write a web comic together. More so, I'm going to write it and he is going to illustrate it. It will be called "The Valhalla Project". I'm super-excited for this!! I don't want to give out any plot details right now, but it is going to be epic. I finished some major development on the main characters, and have the plot/outline done for the first chapter.

I cannot wait to see how this turns out. I haven't been this excited for something in a long time. I haven't even started writing the first chapter, and I feel attached to Karita already. It's insane. I've never written anything so seriously and felt so dedicated to it. It's definitely a project in the works, but I'm hoping I can get a good fan base going here.

I also need to write a bio for my husband and I to publish along with the comic. Keep your eyes turned this way for more updates.

Also, I'm looking into doing some more guest blogging on www.allwomenstalk.com !! Maybe I can turn all this writing into a career.

To the Jewelry girl at work...

It is none of my business. This I know. But I am concerned. I hear the way you talk about him. I see the why you shy away from him. I see the tears welling up in your eyes. I see the remnants of bruises you have tried to disguise. I see this, and I know.

The first day I spoke to you, the mechanic had forced himself upon you. And you were going to testify against him in court. You worry for your child. You worry for yourself. A small girl like you has no way to defend herself. They overpower you. You cannot trust any of these men. The mechanic. The child's dad.

I listen to you talk. I see the relief on your face when you get to let it out. To let off your steam. I see how you feel better, and maybe even a little safe. But the concern worms it's way deep inside me. You refuse to admit it outright that he hits you. But I know it is true. I can see it in your eyes.

This may be none of my business, but I took a stand and gave you my phone number. You have somewhere to go when you need it. Someone to call when you need a shoulder. I don't know you well, but you do not deserve this. And I care.

You work the Jewelry counter at work, and I wait for you to come talk to me, just so I can know if you're doing any better today. Please, do not hesitate to reach out to me. I care, very deeply about this. Even if I do not know why.

You are too beautiful, and you do not deserve these bruises, nor these internal scars.

Be safe, Jewelry girl.

Midnight Picnic.

Long night at work. So slow, and nothing to do. Thinking I'm about to fall asleep because I'm so bored. 10:27, almost time to go home. Cough, and clear throat. A wild husband appears! "Oh, really?" he says. Happiness, surprise. Mild conversation, time passes slowly. Finally, it is time to go. Put away claims, return equipment, and clock out.

Buy sandwhiches, chips, and soda. Drive home. Get out blanket and to the backyard. Smoke cigarettes. Eat sandwhiches, and talk. Fingers are freezing. It is a date. Midnight picnic in the backyard. Little garden makes it perfect. Kisses. Laughter. Share sandwhich with dog. Pack picnic. Finish eating.

Open window in bedroom. Get naked. Cuddle. Watch Freakazoid! Perfect night. Love life.