first attempt at culinary stardom was a bust

i took a cooking class last week and learned how to make cream cheese crab cakes. i was so excited i decided to make some tonight and use my co-workers tomorrow as guinne pigs.
now i would like to point out that never once during the class did the chef instruct us to use anything but lump crab. right after the class i went and looked and about 10lbs of lump crab would be $10. being the economically minded person that i am (don't laugh at that charles. i like to spend money. just not on silly things like food.), i decided to buy some imitation crab meat and use that instead. it was only $2 a pound. apparently, there was a reason she didnt say you could substitute anything other than genuine lump crab. it was awful. it wouldnt stick together and before too long i had some sort of stringing looking concoction going in the skillet that didnt even remotely resemble the beautiful crab cakes the chef prepared. i ended up trashing it without even tasting them that looked so bad. on a more positive note: i did make some herb cheese bread and it was awesome. after looking at the recipe, however, i am convinced Eli could have made this if he could reach the counter.
so when i have the funds, i will buy some actual crab and i am sure it will be wonderful. i can cook. i just need to have directions i can follow and not deviate from them.
on a side note that has nothing to do with the blurb above: how can i convince Eli not to bite me? he comes at me with mouth wide open ready to devour anything his mouth comes into contact with. when i firmly but lovingly tell him no, he grins and goes for me again. i'm thinking he is on to the fact that his dad and i melt whenever he smiles at us and therefore has free reign to call all of the shots. we are in so much trouble!
Charles is in New Orleans right now doing a mission trip for church so i am left to my own devices. Umm. by myself and payday is tomorrow. however will i pass the time? crap! i promised charles i would be good so the extent of my shopping this weekend is to buy Eli his first official pair of shoes. Yes, i know he is 13 months old now and it is totally trashy to let him go barefoot but i didnt get the memo about what is appropriate or not. its not like i let me wander about in just a diaper. its just bare feet. plus i love his smelly little baby feet. i guess its time to grow up. i'm talking about me, not him.
off to my lonely bed without hubby. i'm not sure who the dog is going to spoon with now.
see ya!