They fixed some of the doors here at work. These doors just separate some parts of the building. Since we moved in, we've been able to just pull or push the doors and they open without resistance. That is, up until two weeks ago. Now, you have to turn the handle or push the bar to open the doors. If you don't, they remain steadfastly in place. They also make a loud noise if you forget to turn the handle, or push the bar before attempting to walk through the doors. I can not tell you how many times I've forgotten to do this in the last two weeks. I mean, seriously, you leave the doors one way for six or so years then you just fix them one night when no one is around. I think "they" are messing with us.

THEM: "Hey, check this out..."
Me: walk, walk, walk, grab the door -- BA-BAM, rattle rattle! "Damn!"
THEM: snicker, snicker, muffled laughing

I do this at least twice a day. God help me. I'm a creature of habit.

Spaghetti
You will need:
One Mom
One Dad (optional for this recipe, and terribly important to the rest of our life, not to mention, always wonderful to have around)
One Child (boy or girl really doesn't matter, may use more than one if you have some extras handy)
Water
Big pot for boiling water
Ground beef
Pan for browning ground beef
Pasta spaghetti works well, but you may substitue ravioli or tortellini or even elbow macaroni
Ragu Spaghetti Sauce (may I recommend the 7-Herb tomato?)
One favorite upbeat CD or cassette. Either your favorite, or the child's favorite. We've chosen Shania Twain's "Come On Over" this evening.

Defrost ground beef if frozen. The meat breaks up into nice, tiny little pieces of cooked ground beef that way, instead of ending up as one big half-cooked meat rectangle.

As the ground beef is defrosting, fill the big pot about half to two thirds full of water, put it on the stove, turn on the burner and wait. Don't watch it! Everyone knows a watched pot doesn't boil.

Once the ground beef is defrosted, brown it in the pan for browning ground beef. If the Dad is available to do this, see if he is willing to do this. If not, the Mom should do it.

Once the ground beef is browned and drained of any excess grease, pour the Ragu into the pan with the beef. Lower the heat and cover.

This is where it gets fun. Put your favorite CD into the nearest CD player, or cassette into the nearest player and turn up the volume. Check the water once, stir the sauce once. Put a funny look on your face and slowly turn to the child. Wait until they squeal and begin dancing your socks off to whatever song is playing. For the best results, sing very loudly and laugh a lot. Halfway through the song check the water and the sauce. Go back to dancing with the child. Listen to the child laugh, follow the child's lead. Dance as suggested by the child. Repeat through as many of the fun songs on the CD or cassette as you can.

Add noodles (or pasta of your choice) to the boiling water. Stir the sauce. Dance, dance, dance. Sing, sing, sing. Don't forget to laugh. A lot. Loudly. Step aside whenever Dad comes through the living room (cause the kitchen just wasn't big enough) to check on dinner's progress.

When you are exhausted and dizzy and the noodles (pasta of your choice) are tender and the sauce is hot, collapse into giggles on the floor with the child for a minute or ten, drain the noodles (pasta of your choice) and watch Dad set the table, smiling and shaking his head at your antics the whole time.

Sit down and eat ravenously. Smile at the child with the rosy cheeks and the hair plastered to her overheated face, and enjoy the meal, even though you've forgotten the bread and butter to go with it.

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