Thursday, May 30, 2013

Rainbow Tiered Cake Recipe

Would you like to bake something that is not only fun, but easy?  Your family and/or friends will be impressed.

Ingredients:
  • 2 boxes - Duncan Hines "Classic White Cake Mix
  • Vegetable Oil **
  • Water **
  • 3 Eggs **
  • 4 Containers - Duncan Hines White Frosting
  • Food Coloring Set
  • Rainbow Sprinkles

** Since you'll be using 2 box of cake mix, you'll need to double up on the measuring / quantity of the following ingredients (vegetable oil, water, eggs).


Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2.  Pour both cake mixes in a large bowl.  Add the vegetable oil and water -- begin mixing.  Then you'll add 6 egg whites -- mix until cake is formed and smooth.

3.  Take the cake batter and separate into 5 small mixing bowls.  You'll then add 4-6 drops of food coloring into each mixing bowl.  Stir with a mixing spoon until the color develops and looks evenly mixed.  You may add more food coloring if you wish in order to the color that you want.

4.  Once all the small mixing bowls have been mixed with the colors, you'll need to evenly butter 5 separate cake pans.  Pour the colored batter into each cake pan.

5.  Place the cake pans into the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes.  You can check if cake is done by using a toothpick - place it in the center...if it comes out clean, your cake is done.  Then you can remove the cake pans from the oven.  Flip each cake pan onto a baking rack to allow them stand and cool.

6.  When they are cool, take a sharp knife and cut off the round tops of each layer to make sure the cake layers stack on each other without tipping over.  As each needs to be flat on top and bottom in order to stack them properly.

7.  Begin by icing the bottom layer.  Stack the next layer and repeat until all are stacked.  Once all the layers are stacked, then you can frost the sides of the cake.

8.  Add the rainbow sprinkles (or whatever kind of sprinkles you'd like) while the frosting is still wet.


Hope you enjoy your tasty Rainbow Tiered Cake.


Monday, May 27, 2013

Fresh Catnip and Lemon Grass - Helps Keep Mosquitos Away

What really works to help keep mosquitos away from your home?

1) Make sure that you do not have any standing water around.

2) Change your outside light from a white bulb to yellow bulb.

3) Plant fresh catnip (according to Bob Vila) in your garden or in a planting pot.

4) Plant Lemon Grass in your garden or in a planting pot.

I went to Home Depot and bought 2 packages of Catnip and some planting pots and plant soil...reasonable price (Garden area).  Let's wait and see if it acutually works.

Fresh Basil - Helps Keeps Flies Away

Fresh Basil.

According to Bob Vila - Growing Fresh Basil in your Kitchen will help keep flies away.

I went to Wal-Mart and bought a starters kit for growing Fresh Basil (garden area)...reasonable price.  Let's wait and see if it acutually works.

I will keep you posted on the outcome.

Friday, May 24, 2013

Small Cost Savings to Your Electric Bill (but it's worth it)

Would you like to save some money on your electricty bill? Go to your hardware store (I went to Home Depot) and purchase a pack of Electric Outlet and Switch Sealers (under $3/pk).

It fits behind the outlet face plate (or light switch) to help block drafts. The sealers are made of fire-retardant plastic for durability.

It's very simple to do yourself.

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Having Problems with Acid Reflux (also known as "H Pylori Gastritis")

Have you ever a bad case of Acid Reflux...not just a one time thing....but months of problems, just about every day?

Well, I have.  I finally decided to go in to see my primary doctor and she referred me to a Gastroenterology (Stomach & Intestines) specialist.  After the first visit, I was told to take Prevacid (available over the counter), take it once at night.  Second, I was schedule for day surgery where the doctor conducts an Esophagoscopy Gastroscopy Duodenoscopy (also known as an EDG Test).  {{Try saying that three times}}

You may be wondering what is an EDG Test.  An EDG Test is an upper endoscopy.  The EDG Test allows the physician to see the esophagus, stomach, and the first part of the duodenum.

The outcome could possibly be Helicobacter Pylori Gastritis -- which is the bacteria responsible for most ulcers and many cases of stomach inflammation (chronic).  The bacteria can weaken the productive coating of the stomach, allowing digestive juices to irritate the sensitive stomach lining.

Is the a cure?  Yes, there is a cure and must be careful to check periodically with your physician.

Medication that I am currently taking is called PrevPac -- which consists of:
  • Prevacid 30 mg -- two black/pink capsules, each containing 30 mg of lansoprazole as enteric-coated granules.
  • Biaxin Filmtab 500 mg -- two yellow, oval, film-coated tablets, each containing 500 mg of clarithromycin.
  • Amoxicillin Capsules, USP -- four yellow opaque cap and body capsules, each containing amoxicillin trihydrate equivalent to 500 mg of amoxicillin.
This is taken once in the AM and once in the PM....for a period of 14-days, consecutively.

In addition, a very strict Acid Reflux Diet will help as well.

School Board Member NOT to Trust at Lamar CISD

Back in February 2013, Lamar CISD Board Member Dar Hakimzadeh wrote an article for the www.InstantNewsFortBend.com -- entitled "School Board Member Wants an End to 'Good Old Boy' Atmosphere".  Article Link:  http://www.instantnewsfortbend.com/2013/02/28/79274

He also informed people in various parts of the district that the first person to get rid of was me, Karen Mendoza.  Wow!!!  Shocker?  I should say not.  For the past two 2 years, numerous members on the Lamar CISD School Board made several attempts to communicate with Mr. Hakimzadeh....to discuss district matters.  He would tell us one thing....then go running back to Rodney Vannerson, the Whistle PAC, and constituents saying the exact opposite.  Basically, he is a LIAR....more like a snake.  The man cannot be trusted.  Not even with 'confidential' matters.

First of all, I do not appreciate being grouped in with this "Good Old Boy" statement....for 1) I am NOT old and 2) In case you haven't noticed, I am NOT a boy!!!

It is a known fact by many in the community that Dar Hakimzadeh did not run for Board Trustee to do good things for the children and employees of our beloved school district.  He ran because he has a "personal agenda" and that is to DESTROY the foundation of which we stand by at Lamar CISD.

This is his line:  Will you go to lunch with me?  Can I call you?

If you tell him, "No." for whatever reason....he will turn against you.

Here's the thing....In this great state of ours, public school districts must adhere to federal, state, and local mandates.  There is no if's, and's, or but's about it.

Coming to a meeting and being a BULLY and disrespectful to your fellow board members will not help mattes.  Turning around and spreading vicious LIES about your fellow board members, contributors / supporters of public education....sending out nasty emails to local businesses to sabotage a candidates efforts in raising campaign funds -- simply should NOT be tolerated by an "Elected Official".

If we tell our children NOT to BULLY other children...let's put a Stop To Bullying.....then why should we condone an Adult, an Elected Official to be a BULLY.  I say, "NO!!!"  We need to come together and let our voices and concerns be heard.

Bought by the Whistle PAC

As you recall, on the Fort Bend Herald's issue of May 9th, 2013, Kathryn Kaminski stated that she "disavowed the Whistle PAC...that the contribution of $5,000 (if not more) would not buy them (Whistle PAC) anything from her...running as an independent candidate".

Well, her transparency showed last night, Tuesday, May 21st, 2013, as her first action as Board Trustee for Di...strict 1 was nominating Dar Hakimzadeh as Board Secretary. Mr. Hakimzadeh, Board Trustee for District 5, was caught numerous times by the Richmond Police Department accompanying Rodney Vannerson with the Whistle PAC who has been charged with a mischief for removing Candidates Campaign Signs.

People in the audience were taken by surprise...and whispers started going around, "Can you say, bought by the Whistle PAC?" The motion failed as they only had 2 votes (Kaminski and Hakimzadeh). Anna Gonzales nominated Frank Torres as Board Secretary...motion passed with 5 votes in favor (Thompson, Zacharias, Gonzales, Torres, and Danziger).

Many constituents are stating that Hakimzadeh should resign due to many ethic violations (according to the Board Operating Procedures). Last year, Hakimzadeh accused Sam Hopkins and/or Michael Richard of serving on LCISD Committees before being elected to the Board (false allegations)....Hakimzadeh stated it was a "conflict". However, he fully supports Kaminski, a long time business vendor with LCISD to have a contract. What happened with "conflict"? Some people would say, he's being a hypocrite.

In addition, people are stating that Lamar CISD should "cancel / void" the After School Day Care contract that was offered to the Gingerbread House Day Care as Kaminski is the primary owner and operator... including Tiny Steps Educational Center (which is owned and operated by Kaminski's daughter Cindy Gifford).

Many people in the community see this as a MAJOR CONFLICT of a business vendor also serving as a Board Trustee.

It's not Good-bye....changing roles to be an Advocate for Public Education

Even though last night, May 21, 2013, was my last official board meeting as a LCISD Board Trustee / Vice President....I want everyone to know that your kind & encouraging words have truly touched my heart...saying "what an inspiration I have been in so many ways (as a strong woman, a mother / divorced parent, a college student, board trustee, leadership, work, and advocate for public education)".

"Thank You All!!!" And I want you to know that I will continue to be an active Advocate for Public Education, especially for Lamar CISD.

I will continue to attend the Lamar CISD Board Meetings and continue to take notes.