Wow! What was with Paula last night? Was she drunk again? Did anybody else notice that she couldn’t stay in her chair - that she was dancing in her chair - that her words were slurred and Simon had to keep her focused on the here and now?
Paula also had missed the second day of auditions due to a family obligation but that was a good thing. She was such a huge distraction before that it was actually more frustrating to see and watch her than to listen to some of these people who honestly think they can sing.
I would like to say too that, from what they showed, Birmingham as a whole is one of the most polite cities that Idol has visited.
Single most "wow" factor: 50 year old Big Bird
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Bugs
Eeeeewwwwwwww - our house must have ‘em - and not the creepy crawly ones – but the viral ones. Hubby has got it again. Poor guy – I had to tell him “Nothing personal but don’t come near me”.
What is it this year with all the damn bugs?!? Usually the kids and I get the “crud” once throughout the winter and it’s over. Meanwhile Mr.-I-never-get-sick-but-when-I-do-it’s-a-doozy struts around the house spouting “cleanliness is next to Godliness”. We can only figure he means we are all sinners for being sickly, going to h*ll and he’ll reap the benefits of heaven because of his good health. Either that or my housekeeping skills suck.
I’ve had the stinkin’ flu shot every year and it ain’t made a bit of difference. This year I saved the $15 and hubby gets sick! Not once – but twice now!!! How’s that for justice! I don’t think anyone could pay me enough money to get one next year either!
He does have it bad though. I feel for him and tell him so when I wipe down the house with antibacterial wipes, the whole time spouting off something along the lines of “cleanliness is….”.
What is it this year with all the damn bugs?!? Usually the kids and I get the “crud” once throughout the winter and it’s over. Meanwhile Mr.-I-never-get-sick-but-when-I-do-it’s-a-doozy struts around the house spouting “cleanliness is next to Godliness”. We can only figure he means we are all sinners for being sickly, going to h*ll and he’ll reap the benefits of heaven because of his good health. Either that or my housekeeping skills suck.
I’ve had the stinkin’ flu shot every year and it ain’t made a bit of difference. This year I saved the $15 and hubby gets sick! Not once – but twice now!!! How’s that for justice! I don’t think anyone could pay me enough money to get one next year either!
He does have it bad though. I feel for him and tell him so when I wipe down the house with antibacterial wipes, the whole time spouting off something along the lines of “cleanliness is….”.
Monday, January 29, 2007
It's beginning to Look a Lot Like....
PROM!!!
Last year around the 3rd week of Feb., DD and I started out on the adventure known as “Prom Dress Shopping”. After visiting several stores and trying on thousands (or so it seemed) dresses we found the one. This dress was DD’s favorite and indeed it was “cute”, but she needed a size bigger. Of course they didn’t have it and it was getting to the point where it was too late to order online (if you could find it). DD was horribly disappointed so we made a pack to start earlier next year.
So that’s what we did. The Prom theme this year is “Garden of Dreams” so there are several directions in which to go if she wanted. DD is very big into anime of any Japanese art, black is her favorite color (for a dress) and she wanted some kind of straps. She’s not comfortable in strapless gowns she says. Okey-dokey. So after dinner Friday night, DD and I took off to the city. We decided that we would start at the store where we bought her dress last year and move onto the mall from there. We were looking around the racks of dresses when I found this dress that, on the hanger just looked ok, but I loved the colors (black and turquoise) and the cut. I deemed it “this is the one” (tito for short). DD liked it enough to put it into the “try-on” pile. Once we gathered enough dresses to make any runway model exhausted we headed towards the fitting rooms. Grabbing the biggest room we could, we started the “ritual”, I take them off the hangers, put them over her head, she adjusts as necessary and I zip, button or smooth whatever.
The dress I picked out was the 2nd dress she tried on. She put it on, adjusted, I zipped and smoothed and we both looked up into the mirror at the same time and said “this is the one” and started laughing. We tried on all the other dresses and put them all back, they just didn’t compare. We headed off to the mall and tried on what seemed like every dress in every store. Didn’t like a one. Every time she put on a dress, we both compared it to “tito”. At the end of the night we went back to the first store and bought the dress. It was marked $50 off so that helped. I told DD there’s no sense in us shopping anymore if we keep comparing the dresses to this one and we could end up like last year and not have the one she likes best (there was only the one in her size). So now we have the dress, (one HUGE headache out of the way) and shoes. We only have to find the jewelry, hair, nails, etc…
Good thing we have 3 months to do it in!
Last year around the 3rd week of Feb., DD and I started out on the adventure known as “Prom Dress Shopping”. After visiting several stores and trying on thousands (or so it seemed) dresses we found the one. This dress was DD’s favorite and indeed it was “cute”, but she needed a size bigger. Of course they didn’t have it and it was getting to the point where it was too late to order online (if you could find it). DD was horribly disappointed so we made a pack to start earlier next year.
So that’s what we did. The Prom theme this year is “Garden of Dreams” so there are several directions in which to go if she wanted. DD is very big into anime of any Japanese art, black is her favorite color (for a dress) and she wanted some kind of straps. She’s not comfortable in strapless gowns she says. Okey-dokey. So after dinner Friday night, DD and I took off to the city. We decided that we would start at the store where we bought her dress last year and move onto the mall from there. We were looking around the racks of dresses when I found this dress that, on the hanger just looked ok, but I loved the colors (black and turquoise) and the cut. I deemed it “this is the one” (tito for short). DD liked it enough to put it into the “try-on” pile. Once we gathered enough dresses to make any runway model exhausted we headed towards the fitting rooms. Grabbing the biggest room we could, we started the “ritual”, I take them off the hangers, put them over her head, she adjusts as necessary and I zip, button or smooth whatever.
The dress I picked out was the 2nd dress she tried on. She put it on, adjusted, I zipped and smoothed and we both looked up into the mirror at the same time and said “this is the one” and started laughing. We tried on all the other dresses and put them all back, they just didn’t compare. We headed off to the mall and tried on what seemed like every dress in every store. Didn’t like a one. Every time she put on a dress, we both compared it to “tito”. At the end of the night we went back to the first store and bought the dress. It was marked $50 off so that helped. I told DD there’s no sense in us shopping anymore if we keep comparing the dresses to this one and we could end up like last year and not have the one she likes best (there was only the one in her size). So now we have the dress, (one HUGE headache out of the way) and shoes. We only have to find the jewelry, hair, nails, etc…
Good thing we have 3 months to do it in!
Friday, January 26, 2007
Reality....Check
Ok – we caved. The whole fam-damily did. We are reality show junkies.
We are hooked on Idol, Runway Model and Top Chef (go figure).
DD and I enjoy watching the young models go from “everyday plain” to down-right glamorous. Our only complaint is that they don’t give make-up tips! Honestly, some of these girls wouldn’t get a second glance on the street but add some sultry eye shadow and wow! They really pop! The locations they get to see are absolutely gorgeous and it’s really made us realize that it’s not all that it’s cracked up to be. Did anyone else see the photo shoot that had to be done with tarantula’s climbing on their necks? No flippin’ way would/could I do something like that. I couldn’t even watch the shoot. DD had to tell me when it was over!
Now Top Chef is liked by all of us. I think YS thinks he’s going to be the next Chef Boy R Dee (I hope not – I hate that stuff!). The season finale is next week and it’s down to two chef’s. I don’t particularly care for either one – personality-wise. Marcel is the better chef I believe but he’s soooo dis-likeable it’s hard to root for him. Ilan isn’t any better really. I think he presents his food in a more attractive manner than Marcel but I don’t think he’s the risk-taker that Marcel is. He likes to make “safe” dishes. We’ll find out next week who the winner is.
Now Idol…..what do you say? We all love being the arm-chair judge and we’re getting pretty good at picking out the good ones. Although to be fair- this year hasn’t been too tough since they’ve seemed to focus on the really, really bad ones. And yes, I agree – this year they’ve really gotten mean. I’m all for the “you gotta be tough in this business” and “you have to be able to take criticism” but some of the things that were said had nothing to do with the persons ability to sing/not sing, but were personal attacks against their physical appearance. Yes, Hollywood is a superficial town of anorexic beauties and beauty sells but the things that were said were “over the top” and uncalled for. Shame of the judges and shame on the producers for airing it. And speaking of producers….why the h*ll did they have to show the man from Memphis who – while singing – pulled a garment from his pants zipper? This is during prime time; supposedly a “family” show and I have to explain that to YS?
All in all though, we enjoy the reality shows and as long as we watch them together and talk about them, they can be learning tools as well as entertainment and inspirational stories.
We are hooked on Idol, Runway Model and Top Chef (go figure).
DD and I enjoy watching the young models go from “everyday plain” to down-right glamorous. Our only complaint is that they don’t give make-up tips! Honestly, some of these girls wouldn’t get a second glance on the street but add some sultry eye shadow and wow! They really pop! The locations they get to see are absolutely gorgeous and it’s really made us realize that it’s not all that it’s cracked up to be. Did anyone else see the photo shoot that had to be done with tarantula’s climbing on their necks? No flippin’ way would/could I do something like that. I couldn’t even watch the shoot. DD had to tell me when it was over!
Now Top Chef is liked by all of us. I think YS thinks he’s going to be the next Chef Boy R Dee (I hope not – I hate that stuff!). The season finale is next week and it’s down to two chef’s. I don’t particularly care for either one – personality-wise. Marcel is the better chef I believe but he’s soooo dis-likeable it’s hard to root for him. Ilan isn’t any better really. I think he presents his food in a more attractive manner than Marcel but I don’t think he’s the risk-taker that Marcel is. He likes to make “safe” dishes. We’ll find out next week who the winner is.
Now Idol…..what do you say? We all love being the arm-chair judge and we’re getting pretty good at picking out the good ones. Although to be fair- this year hasn’t been too tough since they’ve seemed to focus on the really, really bad ones. And yes, I agree – this year they’ve really gotten mean. I’m all for the “you gotta be tough in this business” and “you have to be able to take criticism” but some of the things that were said had nothing to do with the persons ability to sing/not sing, but were personal attacks against their physical appearance. Yes, Hollywood is a superficial town of anorexic beauties and beauty sells but the things that were said were “over the top” and uncalled for. Shame of the judges and shame on the producers for airing it. And speaking of producers….why the h*ll did they have to show the man from Memphis who – while singing – pulled a garment from his pants zipper? This is during prime time; supposedly a “family” show and I have to explain that to YS?
All in all though, we enjoy the reality shows and as long as we watch them together and talk about them, they can be learning tools as well as entertainment and inspirational stories.
Wednesday, January 24, 2007
Chef YS
One of my favorite channels on cable is the Food Network. I really enjoy watching all the different dishes made by all the various chefs. As a little kid I remember watching “The Galloping Gourmet” while dissecting a Ding-Dong. The trick would be to have enough of the center left so that you have something to eat when he sat down to his newly made creation. How many people do you know that can take 30 minutes to eat a Ding-Dong? Quite the feat, I’m here to tell ya.
Anyway, one of my favorite personalities on TFN is Paula Deen. Her southern charm along with her wonderful recipes makes her fun to watch. YS has also become a huge fan. He watches her with me everyday. Last Friday night I let him stay up late and watch “Paula’s Party” with me. It’s a little different format than he’s used to with her but he liked it. She was making snacks, deep-fried ravioli, gator tails and macaroni and cheese. He just knew the cheese was gonna melt everywhere and was humbly surprised when it didn’t.
During the commercial we were talking about the show and the people and he questioned why she never put kids on the show. She had adults on the show but not any kids and she knows how to teach kids how to cook since she taught her sons (they have their own cooking shows and are part owners in the restaurant). I told YS I didn’t know the answers and his immediate response was “Let’s e-mail her!” so we did. We’re now waiting on a response – if we get one. We did get the automated one letting us know that our e-mail had been received so we’ll wait a little while.
E-mail is such a versatile thing, isn’t it? And yet, it just helps feed the “immediate gratification need” that some folks seem to have these days (and yes, I’m like that too sometimes, as hard as it is to believe sometimes). In any case, YS feels very grown up now that he’s ventured into the techno-version of communication and I’m left to think that we’ve come a long way since the Galloping Gourmet in more ways than one!
Anyway, one of my favorite personalities on TFN is Paula Deen. Her southern charm along with her wonderful recipes makes her fun to watch. YS has also become a huge fan. He watches her with me everyday. Last Friday night I let him stay up late and watch “Paula’s Party” with me. It’s a little different format than he’s used to with her but he liked it. She was making snacks, deep-fried ravioli, gator tails and macaroni and cheese. He just knew the cheese was gonna melt everywhere and was humbly surprised when it didn’t.
During the commercial we were talking about the show and the people and he questioned why she never put kids on the show. She had adults on the show but not any kids and she knows how to teach kids how to cook since she taught her sons (they have their own cooking shows and are part owners in the restaurant). I told YS I didn’t know the answers and his immediate response was “Let’s e-mail her!” so we did. We’re now waiting on a response – if we get one. We did get the automated one letting us know that our e-mail had been received so we’ll wait a little while.
E-mail is such a versatile thing, isn’t it? And yet, it just helps feed the “immediate gratification need” that some folks seem to have these days (and yes, I’m like that too sometimes, as hard as it is to believe sometimes). In any case, YS feels very grown up now that he’s ventured into the techno-version of communication and I’m left to think that we’ve come a long way since the Galloping Gourmet in more ways than one!
A-A-A Update
According to a couple of news websites, the All-American-*sshole company has fired the customer service representative that sent the disgusting e-mail reply (the least they could do imho). They have also had to shut down their web-site for a short time. Awww shucks....
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
MEME
ok - I know it's not tomorrow yet but it drives me nuts to have people waiting on me. So here ya go:
1. I received a “Best Gyrating Waitress” plaque from my two favorite customers (Tanner and Scott) when I worked at Baby Does Restaurant and Bar. (It’s been a few years (and a few pounds) ago). Still got it (the plaque that is)
2. When I was a Junior in high school, I flunked child development (it was 4th hour – right after lunch and I needed a nap so I could party all night…I had my priorities in order back then - can ya tell?!?). I’m now a proud mother of 5
3. I wanted to marry Captain Kirk and still like him to this day.
4. I actually counted the number of licks to the center of tootsie pop. I can’t remember how many it took though – I’ve slept since then.
5. The only real car wreck I’ve had was when I was 16 – in my dad’s car – I hit a cop. It was a bad day for sure.
Now since everybody I know ( and those I just read) has already been tagged then I'm tagging people who I know read my blog and they can email their meme's
Gloria, Connie, Kim, Tammy and Jill
1. I received a “Best Gyrating Waitress” plaque from my two favorite customers (Tanner and Scott) when I worked at Baby Does Restaurant and Bar. (It’s been a few years (and a few pounds) ago). Still got it (the plaque that is)
2. When I was a Junior in high school, I flunked child development (it was 4th hour – right after lunch and I needed a nap so I could party all night…I had my priorities in order back then - can ya tell?!?). I’m now a proud mother of 5
3. I wanted to marry Captain Kirk and still like him to this day.
4. I actually counted the number of licks to the center of tootsie pop. I can’t remember how many it took though – I’ve slept since then.
5. The only real car wreck I’ve had was when I was 16 – in my dad’s car – I hit a cop. It was a bad day for sure.
Now since everybody I know ( and those I just read) has already been tagged then I'm tagging people who I know read my blog and they can email their meme's
Gloria, Connie, Kim, Tammy and Jill
Tagged
I've been tagged - and being that the sun isn't even up yet and I've only had one cup of coffeee....this blog will continue tomorrow!
Five meme's coming up!
Five meme's coming up!
Sunday, January 21, 2007
All American *ssholes
The following information came to me via e-mail. I checked it out on snopes.com to be sure. The information on top is for those of you who are as disgusted with this company as I am - and want to let them know (as I did).
WEBSITE INFO:Registrant:Faisal KhetaniPO Box 270693Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53227 United States
Registered through: Teknon DomainsDomain
Name: DISCOUNT-MATS. COM
Created on: 23-Mar-05Expires on: 23-Mar-08Last Updated on: 03-Mar-06
Administrative Contact:Khetani, Faisal sportsfitness@ gmail.com3259 S.106th Street West Allis, Wisconsin 53227 United States(414) 543-9634
Technical Contact:Khetani, Faisal sportsfitness@ gmail.com3259 S.106th Street West Allis, Wisconsin 53227 United States(414) 543-9634
this is a wisconson based company
"Below is an email exchange between a friend of mine's husband and acompany that sells different types of mats. He is stationed in Iraqand was inquiring as to whether or not the company ships overseas. Hewanted to get the troops better gear to sleep on. This is thecompanies response. I am floored. I am floored as a military wife andas an American. Please repost this so that this company will hear usloud and clear that we do not stand for this. Whatever your view ison this war - these troops are just following orders. Most arepassionate about what they are doing. You can disagree with the warwithout disrespecting our troops."
From: contact@discount- mats.com [mailto:contact@discount- mats.com]
Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 9:44 PM
Subject: Re: Feedback: from discount-mats. com
SGT Hess,We do not ship to APO addresses, and even if we did, we would NEVERship to Iraq. If you were sensible, you and your troops would pullout of Iraq.
Bargain SuppliersDiscount-Mats. com
On Tue Jan 16 3:25 ,
contact@discount- mats.com
sent:To Whom it may concern:
Do you ship to APO addresses? I'm in the 1st Cavalry Divisionstationed in Iraq and we are trying to order some mats but we arelooking for who ships to APO first.
SGT Hess
WEBSITE INFO:Registrant:Faisal KhetaniPO Box 270693Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53227 United States
Registered through: Teknon DomainsDomain
Name: DISCOUNT-MATS. COM
Created on: 23-Mar-05Expires on: 23-Mar-08Last Updated on: 03-Mar-06
Administrative Contact:Khetani, Faisal sportsfitness@ gmail.com3259 S.106th Street West Allis, Wisconsin 53227 United States(414) 543-9634
Technical Contact:Khetani, Faisal sportsfitness@ gmail.com3259 S.106th Street West Allis, Wisconsin 53227 United States(414) 543-9634
this is a wisconson based company
"Below is an email exchange between a friend of mine's husband and acompany that sells different types of mats. He is stationed in Iraqand was inquiring as to whether or not the company ships overseas. Hewanted to get the troops better gear to sleep on. This is thecompanies response. I am floored. I am floored as a military wife andas an American. Please repost this so that this company will hear usloud and clear that we do not stand for this. Whatever your view ison this war - these troops are just following orders. Most arepassionate about what they are doing. You can disagree with the warwithout disrespecting our troops."
From: contact@discount- mats.com [mailto:contact@discount- mats.com]
Sent: Tuesday, January 16, 2007 9:44 PM
Subject: Re: Feedback: from discount-mats. com
SGT Hess,We do not ship to APO addresses, and even if we did, we would NEVERship to Iraq. If you were sensible, you and your troops would pullout of Iraq.
Bargain SuppliersDiscount-Mats. com
On Tue Jan 16 3:25 ,
contact@discount- mats.com
sent:To Whom it may concern:
Do you ship to APO addresses? I'm in the 1st Cavalry Divisionstationed in Iraq and we are trying to order some mats but we arelooking for who ships to APO first.
SGT Hess
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Storm Claims 46 +1
An “unprecedented” winter storm past through our area this past week. That’s what the NWS has claimed it to be. Hundreds of thousands of people have lost power from the Midwest to the northeast. As of Tuesday morning, 46 people have lost their lives due to the storm.
Well, +1.
See, it’s not just cold. It’s damn cold. To cold for the kids to go to school cold, and my dogs (aptly referred to as “pup-sicles”) are waiting until the very last minute before heading outside – not that I blame them.
Inside, the children and I are wearing sweats with a jacket, heavy socks with slippers and watch tv with a blanket. Why? Because my husband likes it cold. We’ve had to reach a pre-marital compromise on the heating situation in our house. I kid you not.
For example, before we were married, I had to call him and let him know I was on my way (he lived an hour away from me) so that he could turn up the heat – or I wouldn’t come to his house. All the guys referred to his house as “the lodge” where they all gathered to hunt, fish or whatever. There are stories of having waken in the morning only to see their breathe it was so cold in the house! My hubby takes these stories all in stride. He likes it cold.
However, for the past 18 months we had a bird (caught the word “had” did ya!?!). Birds like it warm. Now to be fair, I haven’t had real good luck with animals of the aviary persuasion, but Taffy has been a trooper and had been my diehard (get it?!?!? Sorry – I’m in mourning) guinea pig while I learned the ways of the bird. Anyway, Taffy had been doing fine – and I’d been keeping a close eye on him for a week now looking for any sign of illness. He’d been great. Singing up a storm. I looked for signs of stress that never produced. He was fine. Hubby went to uncover his cage this morning and found him.
Now I know I’m not a vet and we’re not gonna have an autopsy done on a parakeet but we all kind of figure it’s hubby’s fault – course now he says that if it was to cold we should have turned up the heat. YS took it better than we thought, DD stated referring to hubby as the “BM” of the house (bird-murderer she claims) and I’m just thinking I’ll stick to dogs…and fish….oh! and the turtles are still alive too!
Well, +1.
See, it’s not just cold. It’s damn cold. To cold for the kids to go to school cold, and my dogs (aptly referred to as “pup-sicles”) are waiting until the very last minute before heading outside – not that I blame them.
Inside, the children and I are wearing sweats with a jacket, heavy socks with slippers and watch tv with a blanket. Why? Because my husband likes it cold. We’ve had to reach a pre-marital compromise on the heating situation in our house. I kid you not.
For example, before we were married, I had to call him and let him know I was on my way (he lived an hour away from me) so that he could turn up the heat – or I wouldn’t come to his house. All the guys referred to his house as “the lodge” where they all gathered to hunt, fish or whatever. There are stories of having waken in the morning only to see their breathe it was so cold in the house! My hubby takes these stories all in stride. He likes it cold.
However, for the past 18 months we had a bird (caught the word “had” did ya!?!). Birds like it warm. Now to be fair, I haven’t had real good luck with animals of the aviary persuasion, but Taffy has been a trooper and had been my diehard (get it?!?!? Sorry – I’m in mourning) guinea pig while I learned the ways of the bird. Anyway, Taffy had been doing fine – and I’d been keeping a close eye on him for a week now looking for any sign of illness. He’d been great. Singing up a storm. I looked for signs of stress that never produced. He was fine. Hubby went to uncover his cage this morning and found him.
Now I know I’m not a vet and we’re not gonna have an autopsy done on a parakeet but we all kind of figure it’s hubby’s fault – course now he says that if it was to cold we should have turned up the heat. YS took it better than we thought, DD stated referring to hubby as the “BM” of the house (bird-murderer she claims) and I’m just thinking I’ll stick to dogs…and fish….oh! and the turtles are still alive too!
Monday, January 15, 2007
Good to be King
I know the suspense is killing most of you. So, what did you pick? Yahtzee or Monopoly?
Well, the winner is……
Neither!
It turned out to be a fun filled weekend of (drum roll inserted here) Crazy Eights! Oh yes it’s been fun. I thought I was gonna be the card-carrying champion but YS pulled it off at the end. He did his best impression of “Happy Feet” for all of us which made it worth while really. So until the next snowed-in day - YS retains bragging rights. Ah yes...it's good to be king.
It's been a quiet weekend overall in more ways than one. I've lost my voice completely now and my loving family is having a ball with it. I've been reduced to "discplining by cue cards" in which YS says he can't read (what are my tax dollars being used for in this school system?) and DD says that there is some grammer rule that you can only use so many exclamation points-per-sentence. Say what?!?! Did she miss the words "you're grounded"?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No respect. I feel like a Rodney Dangerfield side-kick - and I truly disliked that man. Of course, DD's response to that was "who's that"?
Now I have no voice and I'm old
Well, the winner is……
Neither!
It turned out to be a fun filled weekend of (drum roll inserted here) Crazy Eights! Oh yes it’s been fun. I thought I was gonna be the card-carrying champion but YS pulled it off at the end. He did his best impression of “Happy Feet” for all of us which made it worth while really. So until the next snowed-in day - YS retains bragging rights. Ah yes...it's good to be king.
It's been a quiet weekend overall in more ways than one. I've lost my voice completely now and my loving family is having a ball with it. I've been reduced to "discplining by cue cards" in which YS says he can't read (what are my tax dollars being used for in this school system?) and DD says that there is some grammer rule that you can only use so many exclamation points-per-sentence. Say what?!?! Did she miss the words "you're grounded"?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No respect. I feel like a Rodney Dangerfield side-kick - and I truly disliked that man. Of course, DD's response to that was "who's that"?
Now I have no voice and I'm old
Friday, January 12, 2007
Tournament Time
Another winter storm is on it's way! Looks like a 3-day weekend closed up in the house due to weather so the big decision is.......monopoly or Yahtzee?!? I'm leaning towards Yahtzee personally but YS has decided in the past. He's done with Monopoly JR and regular monopoly loses his attention after a while (understandbly so, it's a mood thing), but you never know what he's gonna pick. Remeber the game Connect 4? Yeah. It's great. It really is. Good problem solving skills game. For a few games - not a tournament. So Mom now gets to pick the choices
and from those YS gets to pick the winner.
and from those YS gets to pick the winner.
Thursday, January 11, 2007
I’m back! Not 100% but working on it!
After spending a week within the confines of the “House of Illness”, I decided maybe someone with a degree on the wall could help my kids out better than me. I’m feeling a little better – better than they are, so while I’m healing – they’re not, hence the visit to someone in the medical world.
Now this isn’t just any visit. We are on a quest. Our objective is to find a new family doctor.
For the past year our previous doctor’s office has been doing some “questionable” and very fancy accounting. It has been more exhausting to keep all of the billing straight than any illness I ever had. Ok fine. That’s not true. The allergies totally sucked. But….it’s all straightened out now and that makes it perfect timing to find a new office that knows billing procedures.
So, I take the kids to the other office here in town. We arrived 15 minutes early, walked up to the desk and gave our names. The receptionist handed me a HUGE amount of paperwork to complete (very politely as well as apologetically). Knowing this was coming; I took the paperwork to start in on it. When I turned around, DD was talking to a classmate of hers (their CNA-in-training). I called DD over to me and asked her if she was comfortable with her classmate in that position. She said she wasn’t sure. I said that if it wasn’t that’s ok – we’ll do this visit and find someone else – that I for one will not using this office.
Don’t get me wrong here. This is a nice girl. Not perfect but not horrible. But because she’s friends with DD, I’ve heard every drama that has passed through this child’s’ life, and there has been a lot of it. It there wasn’t something happening – she made it happen. I've heard the gossip she’s spewed amongst her friends – about her friends. She’s young, that’s what some teenagers do I guess. All fine and dandy but not what I want out of someone whom I going to entrust my medical information too. So I’m headed elsewhere.
I digress.
Miss CNA calls us back to the main hall and proceeds to take YS's vitals. DD’s jaw drops to the floor when she finds out the Miss CNA will now know her weight. Yep, I knew it was coming, but it was buck up time at the point. After YS came DD’s turn. She went through all the vitals like a trooper (giggle) and then Miss CNA asks what we came to see the doctor for. Now, we’re in the main hall, where Lord and all can hear and I’m thinking “I just signed sh*t loads of papers about our privacy and you want me to tell you and all these people in the hall here what’s wrong with my children’s health?” Me don’t thinks so. I asked if we could go to our room to discuss it. Not that what was wrong with the kids was something to keep on the hush but come on here! She showed us to the room and left.
Now try and picture this: I’m coughing so hard and so much that I made promises to whoever I could name at the time that I would do the Kegal exercises faithfully if I could just get home without peeing myself and please, please, please don’t let me fart sitting on this metal chair! So we’ve got that going, plus DD is sneezing (and some kind of moaning in pain at the same time, it was just creepy) and YS is sniffling/sucking up snot like there’s no tomorrow when the NP chooses that moment to walk into the room. I’m thinking we’re making a great first impression here with all these bodily noises when YS – in a manner only he could do – looks at the NP and says “We’re thinking of starting a band – like our sound?” You gotta love this kid!
Anywho, I thought the NP was ok – enough to give her a second visit if the other issue hadn’t surfaced. But then at the end of the visit, the NP was explaining all the options which will come with the tests results when in pops Miss CNA. She just stood along the wall. She wasn’t in there to do anything other than to listen. I literally bit my tongue - I’ll pay for that for the next few days. One of the disadvantages of living in a small town I suppose.
So we’ll continue our quest for the new family doctor – in another town.
After spending a week within the confines of the “House of Illness”, I decided maybe someone with a degree on the wall could help my kids out better than me. I’m feeling a little better – better than they are, so while I’m healing – they’re not, hence the visit to someone in the medical world.
Now this isn’t just any visit. We are on a quest. Our objective is to find a new family doctor.
For the past year our previous doctor’s office has been doing some “questionable” and very fancy accounting. It has been more exhausting to keep all of the billing straight than any illness I ever had. Ok fine. That’s not true. The allergies totally sucked. But….it’s all straightened out now and that makes it perfect timing to find a new office that knows billing procedures.
So, I take the kids to the other office here in town. We arrived 15 minutes early, walked up to the desk and gave our names. The receptionist handed me a HUGE amount of paperwork to complete (very politely as well as apologetically). Knowing this was coming; I took the paperwork to start in on it. When I turned around, DD was talking to a classmate of hers (their CNA-in-training). I called DD over to me and asked her if she was comfortable with her classmate in that position. She said she wasn’t sure. I said that if it wasn’t that’s ok – we’ll do this visit and find someone else – that I for one will not using this office.
Don’t get me wrong here. This is a nice girl. Not perfect but not horrible. But because she’s friends with DD, I’ve heard every drama that has passed through this child’s’ life, and there has been a lot of it. It there wasn’t something happening – she made it happen. I've heard the gossip she’s spewed amongst her friends – about her friends. She’s young, that’s what some teenagers do I guess. All fine and dandy but not what I want out of someone whom I going to entrust my medical information too. So I’m headed elsewhere.
I digress.
Miss CNA calls us back to the main hall and proceeds to take YS's vitals. DD’s jaw drops to the floor when she finds out the Miss CNA will now know her weight. Yep, I knew it was coming, but it was buck up time at the point. After YS came DD’s turn. She went through all the vitals like a trooper (giggle) and then Miss CNA asks what we came to see the doctor for. Now, we’re in the main hall, where Lord and all can hear and I’m thinking “I just signed sh*t loads of papers about our privacy and you want me to tell you and all these people in the hall here what’s wrong with my children’s health?” Me don’t thinks so. I asked if we could go to our room to discuss it. Not that what was wrong with the kids was something to keep on the hush but come on here! She showed us to the room and left.
Now try and picture this: I’m coughing so hard and so much that I made promises to whoever I could name at the time that I would do the Kegal exercises faithfully if I could just get home without peeing myself and please, please, please don’t let me fart sitting on this metal chair! So we’ve got that going, plus DD is sneezing (and some kind of moaning in pain at the same time, it was just creepy) and YS is sniffling/sucking up snot like there’s no tomorrow when the NP chooses that moment to walk into the room. I’m thinking we’re making a great first impression here with all these bodily noises when YS – in a manner only he could do – looks at the NP and says “We’re thinking of starting a band – like our sound?” You gotta love this kid!
Anywho, I thought the NP was ok – enough to give her a second visit if the other issue hadn’t surfaced. But then at the end of the visit, the NP was explaining all the options which will come with the tests results when in pops Miss CNA. She just stood along the wall. She wasn’t in there to do anything other than to listen. I literally bit my tongue - I’ll pay for that for the next few days. One of the disadvantages of living in a small town I suppose.
So we’ll continue our quest for the new family doctor – in another town.
Monday, January 8, 2007
Whoops! We've Got it Again!
It's 11 PM and I'm up writing this blog because - although exhausted - I can't sleep unless I'm sitting up. YS has the flu and now I have the flu. It's baaaaaack!
YS had seen the Dr twice over the holiday break was on a 12-day antibiotic and Sunday he starts running a fever. Mine is only low-grade and came today - lucky me. The worst is the sore ribs from coughing so hard. I regret every cigarette I ever smoked on days like this!
Anyway - this is it - no blog till I feel better.
YS had seen the Dr twice over the holiday break was on a 12-day antibiotic and Sunday he starts running a fever. Mine is only low-grade and came today - lucky me. The worst is the sore ribs from coughing so hard. I regret every cigarette I ever smoked on days like this!
Anyway - this is it - no blog till I feel better.
Sunday, January 7, 2007
Could've, Should've...Didn't
(Heavy sigh…) Well, the Chiefs are done for the season; they lost to the Colts Saturday. It was difficult to watch. In fact it was one of the most painful games I have ever watched. Not because we lost, heck all teams lose some more than others, but it was hard to watch because we could have won it. Truth be told, we should have won it.
Our defense was awesome. Ty Law was outstanding as a thorn in Payton’s side. It was exhilarating to watch Manning’s jaw drop after each interception; on the flip side it was just as disconcerting to watch Ty stand up from the bench seat with the look of frustration after the offense couldn’t capitalize on the 1st, 2nd or 3rd interception.
But a defense alone can’t win a game. There has to be balance. The offense never developed a rhythm. It’s been said here in KC, that QB Trent Green, RB Larry Johnson and coach Herm all had off days. Well, yes they did. They weren’t alone however. The entire offense lost this game – not just a few people. Trent’s timing was off; our blockers on the line didn’t block, our receivers (when the rare pass play was called) didn’t catch and Larry, well I don’t believe he showed up mentally or physically (I’m not an LJ fan – can ya tell?!). But it was like that on ever play, not just a few. Every play had a total breakdown.
The entire offense was nothing more than a comedy of errors really, but what could’ve been done? When someone has a bad day – and everyone has that occasionally, the rest of the team steps up to the plate. They rally around and pick up the slack. When it’s your entire line though, what do you do? Just what Chief fans did. They sat back, watched in horror, complained mightily the rest of the weekend and turned their attention to the Super Bowl and next year. Because we’ll be back.
For now though, it’s over.
Our defense was awesome. Ty Law was outstanding as a thorn in Payton’s side. It was exhilarating to watch Manning’s jaw drop after each interception; on the flip side it was just as disconcerting to watch Ty stand up from the bench seat with the look of frustration after the offense couldn’t capitalize on the 1st, 2nd or 3rd interception.
But a defense alone can’t win a game. There has to be balance. The offense never developed a rhythm. It’s been said here in KC, that QB Trent Green, RB Larry Johnson and coach Herm all had off days. Well, yes they did. They weren’t alone however. The entire offense lost this game – not just a few people. Trent’s timing was off; our blockers on the line didn’t block, our receivers (when the rare pass play was called) didn’t catch and Larry, well I don’t believe he showed up mentally or physically (I’m not an LJ fan – can ya tell?!). But it was like that on ever play, not just a few. Every play had a total breakdown.
The entire offense was nothing more than a comedy of errors really, but what could’ve been done? When someone has a bad day – and everyone has that occasionally, the rest of the team steps up to the plate. They rally around and pick up the slack. When it’s your entire line though, what do you do? Just what Chief fans did. They sat back, watched in horror, complained mightily the rest of the weekend and turned their attention to the Super Bowl and next year. Because we’ll be back.
For now though, it’s over.
Saturday, January 6, 2007
Round 1
Today at 3:30 (central time) the Kansas City Chiefs take the field against the Indianapolis Colts! They've beaten us twice before in the playoffs (the dodo-heads), so......bring it on!
I got the buffalo wings marinating, meatballs ready to go, all the dips made (except one I have to re-make since hubby did a major "quality-control" taste test last night), all chips and paper products ready to go and beer properly iced downed.
Go KC!!!!!!!!!!!
I got the buffalo wings marinating, meatballs ready to go, all the dips made (except one I have to re-make since hubby did a major "quality-control" taste test last night), all chips and paper products ready to go and beer properly iced downed.
Go KC!!!!!!!!!!!
Friday, January 5, 2007
Sew What
I visited a fabric store the other day with a friend of mine. As a beginner sewer, I enjoy looking at the different patterns, fabrics, and notions available. I can sew a straight line and can, for the most part, read a pattern. I’m not going to ever be a great seamstress but if I can make the things I want to be able to or mend what’s needed, then I’ll be happy. I’ve been at it a year now (OS bought me a machine last year for Christmas!) and so far, so good. My most recent accomplishment has been the curtains in my new office. They’re perfect and there’s no way I could’ve bought them for the price I paid to make them. That’s my “hampering” point. By the time you pay for the fabric, pattern, elastic, buttons or whatever needed, it just doesn’t pay to sew your own clothes anymore. It’s quickly becoming a lost art, of sorts. I’ve seen clothing with stitching that truly is beautiful. I know they have machines now that you simply download (from the internet) the pattern into your machine and it embroiders for you, but years ago (and not that many years really), they didn’t have those machines and the women did it manually. That truly is an art form.
I understand that wally-world is going to quit selling bolt fabric (only the prepackaged fabric will be sold). Some stores have already stopped and the one in my area will end when they remodel this summer. That will leave only 2 fabric stores left – and those are in the city. Wally-world is the cheapest (outside ordering bulk online) way for me to obtain the fabric needed, so discontinuing the sale of fabric will hurt; not to mention that when I get a wild hair and want to “whip” up a pair of pj’s for YS, it just wouldn’t pay for me to go all the way into the city for the material.
I sew “cooling ties” for an organization called “The Hugs Project”. These cooling ties are sent overseas to our soldiers to help keep them cool during those incredibly hot summers. The need for them is incredible. One order alone last year was for 10,000 ties and needed within weeks. There are about 2200 members now and everyone pitched in to complete it. I buy fabric on the average of once a month (unless there’s a great sale) so I’m going to have to rethink and re-plan my shopping sprees to the city to include the fabric stores!
I understand that wally-world is going to quit selling bolt fabric (only the prepackaged fabric will be sold). Some stores have already stopped and the one in my area will end when they remodel this summer. That will leave only 2 fabric stores left – and those are in the city. Wally-world is the cheapest (outside ordering bulk online) way for me to obtain the fabric needed, so discontinuing the sale of fabric will hurt; not to mention that when I get a wild hair and want to “whip” up a pair of pj’s for YS, it just wouldn’t pay for me to go all the way into the city for the material.
I sew “cooling ties” for an organization called “The Hugs Project”. These cooling ties are sent overseas to our soldiers to help keep them cool during those incredibly hot summers. The need for them is incredible. One order alone last year was for 10,000 ties and needed within weeks. There are about 2200 members now and everyone pitched in to complete it. I buy fabric on the average of once a month (unless there’s a great sale) so I’m going to have to rethink and re-plan my shopping sprees to the city to include the fabric stores!
Thursday, January 4, 2007
The Big Switcheroo
Now that Christmas is over is time for the big shuffle. Shuffle what you ask? Well, TV’s of course! FDIL bought OS a big screen plasma TV and OS bought me a 13-inch TV (with DVD) to replace one that finally bit the dust.
Well, YS is now going to get OS’s “old” 27 inch (replacing the 13-inch that the poor boy had to play his x-box on…boohoo) so he’s pumped up, and with the big shuffle, DD is getting a different TV (the color went out on hers – oh no!). Hubby moved all the TV’s into place last night and YS is hooking all the media (x-box, ps, surround sound, etc) to the said TV’s today if he remembers or isn’t too tired (he works nights this week – yuck).
I was not allowed to move the TV’s. Not because they’re heavy or awkward or any sensible reason that like. No, I’m not allowed to move anything furniture-like. I have a habit of getting things stuck, even myself. So, I’ve been “banned” from moving things (oh darn!).
I like change, I can’t help it, I just do. I rearrange the furniture in my house every 6 months or so. More than once I got a couch stuck in a door way, and once I got myself stuck in the attic and had to have DD call OS to come and get me out (that one was a little hard to explain – it didn’t help that OS was laughing so hard he couldn’t hear me). Hubby doesn’t care for change so my little habit drives him nuts. He never knows what room is going to be what when he gets home from work (only the kitchen is safe), but, he’s resigned himself to this little fact and is learning to live with it – under one condition…I’m not allowed to move anything without help – and I can’t use DD or YS. Someone who has the ability to say “it won’t fit through that doorway” and mean it. Not move heavy furniture? Only supervise? I can live with that!
Well, YS is now going to get OS’s “old” 27 inch (replacing the 13-inch that the poor boy had to play his x-box on…boohoo) so he’s pumped up, and with the big shuffle, DD is getting a different TV (the color went out on hers – oh no!). Hubby moved all the TV’s into place last night and YS is hooking all the media (x-box, ps, surround sound, etc) to the said TV’s today if he remembers or isn’t too tired (he works nights this week – yuck).
I was not allowed to move the TV’s. Not because they’re heavy or awkward or any sensible reason that like. No, I’m not allowed to move anything furniture-like. I have a habit of getting things stuck, even myself. So, I’ve been “banned” from moving things (oh darn!).
I like change, I can’t help it, I just do. I rearrange the furniture in my house every 6 months or so. More than once I got a couch stuck in a door way, and once I got myself stuck in the attic and had to have DD call OS to come and get me out (that one was a little hard to explain – it didn’t help that OS was laughing so hard he couldn’t hear me). Hubby doesn’t care for change so my little habit drives him nuts. He never knows what room is going to be what when he gets home from work (only the kitchen is safe), but, he’s resigned himself to this little fact and is learning to live with it – under one condition…I’m not allowed to move anything without help – and I can’t use DD or YS. Someone who has the ability to say “it won’t fit through that doorway” and mean it. Not move heavy furniture? Only supervise? I can live with that!
Wednesday, January 3, 2007
Movie Madness
I took DD and YS to the movies yesterday to see Happy Feet. It’s a rare treat for my kids to go to an actual movie theatre with us (hubby or me) anymore since the availability and convenience of DVD’s is so alluring and frankly, there just aren’t many movies made these days that I absolutely can’t wait to see until they come out on DVD. Happy Feet was to be our holiday “treat” though, a few hours away from the hustle and bustle, so off we went.
It quickly came slamming back all the reasons why I don’t go to a theatre anymore. We arrived early enough to pay for our tickets and then waited our turn in the snack bar line. For 1 popcorn and 2 drinks cost only 34 cents less than all of our tickets to the show combined. Ridiculous that less than $1 worth of product costs that much.
The show time that we picked was an early one and the theatre wasn’t very crowded at all which made it nice. It was a kid’s movie so obviously kids were there. Kids make noise. They cry, laugh, talk, cough, fart, basically whatever they feel the need to do - when they feel the need to do it. They can’t help it and to expect total silence at this type of movie would be unrealistic.
However, when a child cries – or rather throws a screaming hissy-fit, because they can’t have anymore candy – it’s time to take that child outside the theatre until said fit is over. Telling the child (talking over the screaming) that they aren’t getting anymore and throwing the fit isn’t going to work until the parent is mad is not only rude but shows poor parenting skills. (Stepping down from my high-horse now).
The movie itself was “just ok”. I’m glad I saw it and even gladder I didn’t have to pay out the nose to see it (matinee’s rock!). This is not a DVD “gotta have”. YS really enjoyed it though and I'm left to wonder how this kid - who can’t remember 2 simple tasks in a row (clean your room and then feed the dogs) can recite the entire movie almost verbatim after only seeing it this one time.
It quickly came slamming back all the reasons why I don’t go to a theatre anymore. We arrived early enough to pay for our tickets and then waited our turn in the snack bar line. For 1 popcorn and 2 drinks cost only 34 cents less than all of our tickets to the show combined. Ridiculous that less than $1 worth of product costs that much.
The show time that we picked was an early one and the theatre wasn’t very crowded at all which made it nice. It was a kid’s movie so obviously kids were there. Kids make noise. They cry, laugh, talk, cough, fart, basically whatever they feel the need to do - when they feel the need to do it. They can’t help it and to expect total silence at this type of movie would be unrealistic.
However, when a child cries – or rather throws a screaming hissy-fit, because they can’t have anymore candy – it’s time to take that child outside the theatre until said fit is over. Telling the child (talking over the screaming) that they aren’t getting anymore and throwing the fit isn’t going to work until the parent is mad is not only rude but shows poor parenting skills. (Stepping down from my high-horse now).
The movie itself was “just ok”. I’m glad I saw it and even gladder I didn’t have to pay out the nose to see it (matinee’s rock!). This is not a DVD “gotta have”. YS really enjoyed it though and I'm left to wonder how this kid - who can’t remember 2 simple tasks in a row (clean your room and then feed the dogs) can recite the entire movie almost verbatim after only seeing it this one time.
Tuesday, January 2, 2007
We Will, We Will, ROCK YOU
Woo-Hoo! The KC Chiefs are in the playoffs! Thanks to the lousy playin’ Broncos (who couldn’t even buck a less-than-500 team (sorry San Fran)). Did ya hear that Raider fans? You rotten, cheatin’, dirty; we-give-the-league-a-bad-name kind of team? Neenerneenerneener!!!
Ok – so what if we made it in by the skin of our teeth? It doesn’t matter – the only thing that does is….WE’RE IN!
I’m normally not such a poor winner but this year the Broncos – who think they are Gawd’s gift to football – DIDN’T make it to the playoffs. Their season is over. Done. Finito. No More.
On a more serious and sad note…I am sorry to hear that the Bronco’s cornerback was shot and killed early yesterday morning in a drive-by. Whatever the reason – it was a high price to pay.
So, next Saturday afternoon I’ll be where every true-blue KC fan will be….in front of my TV. Course, if OS REALLY loved his mommie, then he’d have her (and all the guests that she invited) over to HIS house to watch it on his new big screen plasma TV. Just a thought. No pressure. Hmmm….wonder if he reads this blog daily… or if I should just send the link?
Ok – so what if we made it in by the skin of our teeth? It doesn’t matter – the only thing that does is….WE’RE IN!
I’m normally not such a poor winner but this year the Broncos – who think they are Gawd’s gift to football – DIDN’T make it to the playoffs. Their season is over. Done. Finito. No More.
On a more serious and sad note…I am sorry to hear that the Bronco’s cornerback was shot and killed early yesterday morning in a drive-by. Whatever the reason – it was a high price to pay.
So, next Saturday afternoon I’ll be where every true-blue KC fan will be….in front of my TV. Course, if OS REALLY loved his mommie, then he’d have her (and all the guests that she invited) over to HIS house to watch it on his new big screen plasma TV. Just a thought. No pressure. Hmmm….wonder if he reads this blog daily… or if I should just send the link?
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