cameodolli's ramblings

I had been planning on a long emotional entry detailing some seriously funny stories about my Daddy but I'm feeling rather greedy with my warm and fuzzy thoughts. He's my Daddy and I don't want to share him too much right now. But, I'm not completely cold-hearted! I'll share the very first picture of Daddy and me:

I Love You Daddy !!! I miss you and your blunt (but wise) advice but most of all I miss your voice telling me you love me too.

I've always enjoyed cooking for my friends and family but now, more than ever, I'm finding comfort in creating yummy foodstuffs. It is a firmly held belief that nothing helps grief more than good food, good company and laughter. That's why when we get news of someone passing the first thing we do is take food to the family and sit with them. It's hard to remember to take pictures of my accomplishments rather than just stuff my face and crawl back on the couch, but I am trying to pull myself (and my friends) out of this deep sadness. Until I can remember to photograph current food, I'll just have to post whatever is backlogged in my camera.

Mmm, would ya look at that? Bacon Cheeseburger in Paradise! This is my favorite way to eat ground beef. Ask me tomorrow and I'll probably tell you I prefer it some other way so pay no mind to that. Seasoned ground beef, bacon (from a local meat market, none of that pansy Oscar Mayer stuff here, no sir), cheddar cheese, green onions and just a dab of mustard makes this perfection on a bun. I season my meat (does that sound dirty or am I just a perv?) with black pepper and hickory salt. I've mentioned hickory salt before and Katie asked what it was and where to find it. Personally, I'd like to know where to find it too. Apparently every ding dang company has discontinued it and the closest thing I can find in the grocery store is some disgusting bacon flavored salt, blech! Hickory salt is so delicious I could lick it out of my palm, not that I'd do such a thing...no, no way, that would be unseemly!

Something terrible happened in my world this week. Sunday June 7, 2009 two beautiful women were murdered. I don’t know any magic healing words to say to the families struggling to cope with this enormous loss. Those children and parents and brothers, family and friends shouldn’t have to shoulder the burden of so much pain.

Chris and I were inseparable for a while; partners in crime getting into trouble for talking too much at work or laughing too loud or being sarcastic smartasses. I can think of many times that our “inappropriate” sense of humor landed us in hot water. Inside jokes, late nights spent laughing and watching stupid movies. Something happened, and I let my pride stand in the way of us staying close. There are so many things I’m sorry I never told her or explained to her. I hope she knew how much I really cared for her and how sorry I am that we drifted apart. Chris Pizza, I don’t know how to say goodbye and I don’t want to…I miss you. PS: Wherever you are now, I'm glad you have those damn ugly sunglasses you love so much...but I still hate them.

Candy was such a warm and genuine person. I know she had to get tired of hearing me complain but she never showed it. She gave me advice and made me feel comforted when the drama at work was driving me crazy. Candy’s laugh was bubbly and contagious. If I heard something funny, I had to share it with her because I knew that no matter how dumb the joke, she’d always laugh…and then call me a dork. I loved sneaking up on her late at night while she was busy working. She’d jump then laugh then scold me. It was a bit of a routine. I miss you Candy Cane. PS: I know this wasn't your favorite picture of yourself, but I took it and I love it.