GAME CHANGER: I don't get a celiac newsletter alerting me of what foods are now available in GF form. I mentioned to Mini's friends the day I met them at the beach that I can't eat many of the meals that I make, because cream of chicken soup is not GF.
The host mom, whose daughter has celiac: ARE YOU SURE? I THINK GF IS AVAILABLE.
Insert image of me running to Google as soon as I returned from the beach.
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Then last week, (drum roll) I made GF Cheesy Chicken, the world's easiest and tastiest meal. I made one piece of chicken for me, and the rest I prepared with gobs of gluten, because the 'real' cream of chicken soup is cheaper and I wasn't confident that the GF one would taste decent. The GF can of soup poured into the casserole dish - it didn't have that typical condensed soup consistency, but my dinner tasted normal.
We ate it as leftovers last night, and I looked down in alarm after I took one bite. As in, WAIT, AM I EATING GLUTEN? Then I remembered, ALL GOOD.
MATHCMAKER, MATCHMAKER, MAKE ME A MATCH: 'Gem', our niece, Marie's daughter but I don't hold that against her, is Lad's age. She has a great sense of humor and is full of personality. She's my kids' favorite of Marie's offspring. Is it a coincidence that Gem is MY goddaughter? I think not.
We have a few nephews (brothers) on Coach's side who are single. They are 1 and 2 years older than Gem. They live in KC while Gem lives in Milwaukee. I would like to set Gem up with one of the nephews. Either could potentially work, but I sort of think John, the one that's a year older than Gem, would be a good match.
I was bummed when we attended the ND game Labor Day weekend, when we delivered ice to our friends' tailgate, that John was in town for the game but Gem was not. Dang. Timing, right?
I've shared with both Gem and John that I'd like to introduce them. They both said OK, but I'm not sure how to proceed. Has anyone had experience in introducing two young adults who live in two different cities? I've considered sending a group text to the two of them with some get-to-know-you questions, so they can text one another their responses. Minus me.
When I shared my matchmaker plan with Mini, she looked like she might vomit, claiming what I was suggesting was incestuous. Um, NO. Different sides of the family. No blood relation. Duh. She agrees that they'd probably hit it off, but she thinks it would take a lot of explaining for her to possibly one day tell her friends, I'M GOING TO MY COUSINS' WEDDING.
Have you successfully matched a couple?
MYSTERY DATE: Speaking of Mini, she recently was involved in a date draft, which she quantifies as the most fun thing she's ever been involved in.
Really? I beg her pardon. I wasn't there and we weren't on a covert mission buying things on sale at the mall, so I'm doubting it could've been the MOST fun, but OK sure. Whatev.
Mini's dorm is having a dance and her group of friends gathered in a conference room. Then each girl left one at a time while the rest of them voted on what guy they would choose as her date with one of those computer survey tallies. The girls will learn who their date is right before the dance.
Tank will be home for October break that week and there was talk about him attending the dance with the girl who was at our house for Easter. Sadly, he didn't express a great deal of interest, so he was not chosen as this girl's mystery date.
SHEARED: Curly got sheared, I mean got her hair cut Sunday morning. It's an annual occasion. The woman, a curly girl specialist, offered to braid it for her since Curly was on her way to a basketball game. I didn't know her
Curly's friend, the one whose mom passed away in January, can braid hair and I told Curly that maybe she can braid it on occasion. Note - Curly did not ask me to try to learn, and that is probably for the best.
Fun fact, please stop me if I've shared this here before: Curly is approached by black girls at her school about once a week, said girls will ask her 'SO WHAT ARE YOU?'
Curly: UM, HUMAN.
Girl: NO, I MEAN WHAT RACE ARE YOU?
Curly: OH, I'M WHITE.
Girl: ARE YOU SURE YOU'RE NOT MIXED RACE?
Curly: NOPE, I'M NOT.
(this happens a lot, but once . . . ) Girl: I THINK YOUR PARENTS ARE LYING TO YOU.
Curly is able to laugh about the whole thing, but the girl's hair is INCREDIBLY curly.
My house is SO very organized. Thank you, book club for forcing me to whip this place into shape. It feels wonderful to walk into rooms that are clear of clutter. We were in town this weekend, after being away two weekends in a row, and it was lovely. Now, if we can just keep it this way. Please share your matchmaking skills or fails with me. Any suggestions for how to keep an organized house in order?