Happy New Year 2007

Happy New Year Everyone!

I wish you a year of Wonderful Health & LOTS of Happiness & LOVE!

Well, the Bears didn't win their last game but I'm thrilled Brett could go out in a great way, just like "For Love of the Game"....love that movie!

I must be getting old! Chicago's celebration for the New Year is just pathetic...for many years now. NY puts us to shame! It was so great when I was a kid! I'm not thrilled with rock bands for the general celebration. Who wants to see that? The young kids maybe & I know I'm young but give me sentimental New Years celebrations...rock can be later afterwards. I'll be 80 yrs old & they will have rock bands on? Who are they marketing for? I don't to listen to that. Maybe they think everyone else older is in bed already but that is just not true & quite frankly if they are this is why! So have some great entertainment & then 20 minutes after you can have rock! HA! And Collective Soul isn't even doing that great of a job anyways! Get Tony Bennett on! And they have older announcers than me with the rock band...that doesn't even look right! Have some multi-cultural celebrations on stage or something! 

Well, need to get some sleep. Big Party tomorrow...tell you about it later!
Stay safe...Don't Drive if your nose still tickles & you don't have any more bubbles! :-)

It's A Wonderful Life Pt. 2

Hi Everyone!

I thought I would update my posting on seeing "It's A Wonderful Life" on the big screen & meeting Karolyn Grimes "Zuzu" from the movie while I wait 20 more minutes to call Dr. Z. & see if I can get in to have him look at my foot.

The picture above is her now! Wow! She is 66 yrs old! I wish I could look like that then! Now to refresh your memory, ZuZu is the little girl Jimmy Stewart is holding below. In the movie it is "Zuzu's petals" from her rose she won which he places in his pocket. Zuzu is the one who says at the end of the movie "Everytime a Bell Rings an Angel Gets His Wings" :-) I got this picture as my autograph! :-)

I had the time of my life! Well, at first I thought I might not! I got there at 4:10 & the 6:30 show was sold out! I was so lucky, I didn't even get to feel any disappointment because they right away told me they added a 8:30 show! I bought my ticket right away! I then went shopping a bit & came back at their suggested time of 7:50 to get in line. I got to meet Karolyn, get my autograph & I also go the ornament below, which was the first on my tree (I'll post on that later!) and the cookbook below. Well, the cookbook had TONS of pictures & stories of behind the scenes & personal stories so I just had to have that! :-) I took a picture with Karolyn. She was so sweet! After a bit the manager came & told us that we would not be seated until about 9:10! YIPES! Well, apparently Karolyn was taking 20 min before each show to talk with us & tell us info which was sooooo valuable. Everyone seemed to be ok with that when they heard the reason.

We got in the theater, I got a great seat! I was going to order some food but I had eaten dinner at Max & Erma's so I wasn't really hungry. Got the popcorn...ICK! Never order theirs again. The people next to me did too & didn't eat it. I should have asked for a refund but...then later when I wanted something the kitchen was closed? Huh? Well, it was much later than usual so...

Ok, so I took notes...well I'm a prof what do you want! Ha! Plus I know after grading my life away my brain is mush so here you go...

Karolyn was 6 yrs old when she did the movie. She started acting when she was 4 yrs old & had done 4 movies before It's A Wonderful Life. There is a museum for the movie in Penn and she is on the board. She was born in IN & her mom died when she was 14 yrs old of Alzheimers. Then the next year her father died in a car accident. The state awarded her to an aunt & uncle in Iowa where she lived & she really did not do acting after this. Her mom was the one who got her into acting really so her mom didn't have to go to work.

She told us that the movie was Jim Henson's favorite & so yes the characters of Bert & Ernie on Sesame Street do come from the movie! I always that it was quite coincidental!

The movie was nominated for 5 Academy Awards but did not receive any. If I recall right a gentleman wrote this as a short story & put it aside for like 5 yrs. Then he pulled it out & read it to guests for a Christmas Party he had. They all loved it & encouraged him to finish it. He did & sent it out with his Christmas Cards. One recipient worked for a movie company & suggested it be a movie. Frank Capra had bought the rights & had several rewrite it for a script but didn't like the scripts so he kept some parts and wrote it himself. I believe it was a play too because I think some of the lines he kept from the play. Frank Capra used for the first time I new type of SnowFlake material. Seh made us watch for scenes with the snow to notice it running. Apparently, before they used Cornflakes painted white & it would always crunch & they had to do the audio over it. Frank Capra made the snow with the foam they use for fire extinquishers and Ivory Soap Flakes thus it would run when it got wet & melted. Down a car is the biggest area you can see it. Another spot is the River Keeper when they jump in the water...you can see onhis shoes.

Everytime the blackbird appeared it meant Potter was coming. And if you look on Potter's Desk you will see a Skull with a chain attached to it. Capra had a lot of symbolization in the movie & this was to symbolize George being chained to Potter & death if he accepted his offer.

Jimmy Stewart was in 6 Capra movies & so was Beulah Bondi (played George's Mom). They shot 35,000 feet of film but only used 11,900. Such a shame they still do not have this now. They also destroyed the props in 1950. Karolyn does have one ornament from the tree.

(Update...I had to leave & I'm now finishing this...BTW soft cast just on my foot for right now, but about 5 "If it gets worse call!" UGH! I think he is trying to tell me something again! I'll keep you posted.)

Jimmy Stewart's favorite part of the movie was when he asks God for help. Karolyn's was on the bridge when he says he wants to live again.

There were 2 mistakes. One is quite obvious, you may have noticed already. When George comes in the Savings & Loan he throws the Christmas Wreath on the desk but then they cut next to him & he has the wreath on his arm. The other was actually when Uncle Billy is drunk after the party for Harry's new wife & he goes the wrong way. This was not planned! A worker placed something on the wrong side. It was funny so they left it in & the worker got a $10 bonus. I'm guessing in that time $10 was a great bonus.

Karolyn also told us that when they are in Martini's you see quickly a woman with a flower in her hair & you hear her singing in the background. She told us this was the woman who was Snow White's voice. Her name was Adriana Caselotti (Check out her pix!) 

Zuzu was only in the movie for 6min! She has a website www.zuzu.net and you can see many pictures, order items ETC.

Karolyn was also in The Bishop's Wife playing Debbie. I love this movie also. Just watched it last week! :-) She said both Jimmy Stewart & Cary Grant were very lovely to her. In It's A Wonderful Life during the scene where George returns & is carrying all the kids down the stairs, she has her arms around his throat, basically choking him to death & they had to do it many times. She said he let her down every so gently each time. She said Jimmy was 6'4" so he towered over the kids so much but they loved him.

Ok, that is all I can read of my notes so far. If I figure out anything else I will let you know. I'll also be reading the cookbook so I'll let you know some tidbits from that as I go along! Enjoy!

This is Getting VERY OLD!

Hi Everyone!

I just wanted to let you know the reason I have not been posting is because last Friday I went to get down to sit on the floor & I think I wripped my foot muscle again...bad!  I've been just trying to survive getting through Christmas. I didn't call my doc, I mean it was Christmas Weekend & I really didn't think he'd come in for me & then if he did I'd have to get ready with a cast so...only problem is making it worse without so??? I did get to sit on Christmas Eve & Christmas & rest it more. Today I found out Dr. Z. doesn't come back until tomorrow so I rested until noon & then headed to see "The Pursuit of Happyness" which was a bit slow but still good. So that was 2 hrs of not walking. Then I went for a pedicure (& manicure) figuring if I had to go in a cast I might as well get my foot in good shape. I also thought I'd try to relax & perk up my spirits with some fun...got green glitter polish for my toes & red glitter for my fingers!   

Afterwards I walked just a tad in the mall because there wasn't much time & I couldn't walk too much. I think it was just the thought that I may not be able to for a long time after today that made me want to a bit. Bought some really THICK socks. I can't find too many. My toes will be cold & my feet are a bit anyways. Then I went to Ruby's & ordered a Pina Colada (they have the best!). I figured why not that rather than Vicodin! HA! Vicodin just knocks me out & does nothing for the pain anyways. Had my Caroline Chicken Salad...yum.

I'm really trying hard to not let this get to me. I mean when it happened, I knew right as I was going down & couldn't stop mid motion. Once it was I just figured it is done, nothing I can do now. It wasn't like I did the wrong thing. I picked up my other foot & went that way because my knee was bothering me. I think it is that fall a few weeks ago that made it weak so it couldn't handle the flexing of the foot. I had just seen Dr. Z. the day before & he checked it out & when it seemed ok he said I was Very Lucky usually they cast for a tear of that muscle...which he said was not the muscle they repaired so...I'll have to tell him he jinxed me! Ugh! 24 hours later it goes! It is big, hard, numb & burning. Ugh! Well, hopefully they can take me tomorrow. Just not a great ending to the 2006 & certainly not a great start for 2007. Not how I was thinking the New Year would be! I thought I got away with it being not so bad this year as the previous but now it is worse this year than the previous with 2 set backs.

Well, as soon as I know something I'll let you know & then quite frankly if I'm in a cast, I'll probably be back posting a lot since I'll have to be sitting so much again! Ugh!

Wassail Recipe!

Here is a recipe from Geneva my family LOVES! Of course the amount of rum is up to you! Remember, Friends don't let Friends drive when they are Full of the Holiday Spirit!  Enjoy! I can't wait to have some...too busy right now...I'd get less done if I was nipping at this now! HA! Great for New Years too!

 

Persimmon Tree's Christmas Wassail

 

6 cups apple Cider

2 cups cranberry juice

1/4 cup sugar

1 tsp aromatic bitters

1 cup rum

3-6" sticks cinnamon

16 whole cloves

1 tsp whole allspice

3 oranges, studded with cloves

 

Combine first 4 ingredients in saucepan. Break cinnamon sticks into pieces, add the cloves & allspice & put into cheesecloth bag (or use "Good Time Mulling Spice"). Add spices & oranges to saucepan. Simmer, covered, for 10 minutes. Remove spices, stir in rum. DO NOT BOIL! Pour into warm serving bowl & garnish with the clove studded oranges. Add red food coloring if desired. Makes 9 - 8 oz servings. To Triple the recipes, use 1 1/2 times the spices.

It's A Wonderful Life Pt. 1

I'm heading to go see "It's A Wonderful Life" on the big screen at this dinner & a movie place. The woman who played ZuZu will be there! I'll tell you all about it when I get back! :-)

I'm FREE!!!!

Ya, right! HA! I know...but grades are in & I am FREE! Woo Hoo! (No comment on Easy!)

Well.....Now I just can't decide what to do first since I have SOOOOOOO much to do! HA! Just keep repeating "Hakuna Matata!" HA! What do you think..."Hakuna Matata Clubs"  Well, they have that red hat ladies one so....Somehow I'm not sure it would work! HA! They should have bumper stickers with this...so people don't road rage....hey...that was my idea...don't anyone go make a mint....I gotta contact Disney! HA! I think I'll print this pix out & tape it in my back window! HA! Maybe on my door for my students!  

Santa goes Vegas!

Got this in my email from my bro. Santa is losing money I guess & needs to supplement a bit with a vegas act. HA! It is cute!

 Hear Santa Sing!

Another Doc...UGH!

Ok, saw my Mom & sis's doc for my knee today. He listened & x-rayed & says...

 

"Ah ha...how did that lateral release work out on your left knee long time ago? Any problems since then?"

UGH!!!!

 

This is where they just, if I remember right, cut the ligament on the outside of the knee so the knee cap goes more in line with the hips. Maybe that is why I am having SI & hip problems??? You just can't win! I remember my old PT guy once telling me a guy had back trouble for 10 yrs...they fixed his knee & no back trouble. I wish they were all more wholistic!

 

Well, he says what I am describing is to the tee of needing that but he says we will try PT first, then shot, then last surgery. Ugh!

 

He agreed probably vicious cycle with my foot. Said those boots are horrible on the back & then my other leg took over so it got more load & wear & tear. He seemed pretty nice.

 

He said it could be masking something else...showed me a bit of loss of space on the one side my knee hurts & it is popping & said there is a thick line beginning which might indicate meniscus (SP) problem but no where near my mom's knees. Good, considering I'm a lot younger! Now this is my "good knee" ugh! I guess it just switched! My other one really has been pretty good since my surgery in college.

 

Said it seems the whole bursur is inflamed down my leg even, so Motrin & PT for now when my PT guy gets back from his Mecca trip. 1 mo of PT & then if I have progress ok, if not then next step. I know losing weight will help so that is of course on my list as well. Hard to do when you are in pain though...just not fair! It isn't really hurting like it was before thanksgiving those 2 days when I couldn't straighten it. He pushed on the side & down the leg & that was pretty bad so must take that extra push. Now I'll have to heat it & tylenol...you always end up hurting more when you get out. "Does this hurt?" "Well, it didn't until you did that!" Ha! Or put your leg this way for the x-ray. If I could I wouldn't be here! HA!

Now this is on top of my labs results the other day. My sugar is back in normal range (ok, high normal but heck it is normal!) but my iron store is horrible. Hemoglobin in normal but my store was like 9 & it should be 46 so I have to take 2 iron pills a day. My cholesterol was the worst it has ever been in my life. 232! The highest I had in the past was like 203 & when I was on Atkins it was like 170s. LDL was great but my HDL went up from 110 to 170 since June! Dang, what am I eating different? I really think it is the lack of exercise due to my foot but we'll be working on that let me tell you. She says 6 mo & she'll consider putting me on meds & I don't want that so...I am making a conscious control decision...I don't care about family & friends who start to say I'm selfish...yep, I won't mention names & I hope it was just out of being upset if not they have a problem but I am going to be taking care of myself! It is high time after doing for others for so long. I don't get that...if they had to do these things they would not think they were being selfish and just caring about themselves. If I don't care of myself how can I be there when they need me so....Maybe they are just not on the same point on this path that I am & they will realize later.

 

Well back to grading. Can't wait until 12:01pm Fri! HA!

Petition: Longer Warrantees!

Ok, my aunt sent me this cute thing below & I think it is cute...ya right as I start to realize my model is starting to begin to take on these attributes! Just 10 min ago asking the pharmacist what was up with the Arthritis Tylenol etc. It only has 150 mg more of Tylenol...nothing special. Taking 600mg of Motrin already when I need it with Extra Strength Tylenol.

I would normally have just a couple of times a winter some arthritic pain. I think I've had like 8 so far & this is just in the last few weeks because we have been unseasonably warm this year. Ugh! I may have to move out to AZ with my folks! I love the seasons & how the holidays are here but....not sure if moving there will make it worse, that I won't be able to handle the cold at all then or if I wait too long here if it will not make a difference if I do move later? I guess I should start by talking to the doc to see if there is anything else I can take. I know exercise is a big thing so right after grades are in Friday it is going to be a big goal to get into place before school starts up again in Jan. Even though those who think I'm being selfish lately, because I can't do things with them or for them as much as I have in the past (great thanks huh), I'm just going to have to concentrate on me a bit more. The only way to do more for them is to take care of me right. Ugh...man I'll never get a buyer now! HA! ;-) 

 

            IF MY BODY WERE A CAR

If my body were a car, this is the time I would be thinking about  trading it in for a newer model. I've got bumps and dents and scratches in my finish and my paint job is getting a little dull, but that's not the  worst of it.

My headlights are out of focus and it's especially hard to see things up close.

My traction is not as graceful as it once was. I slip and slide and skid and bump into things even in the best of weather.

My whitewalls are stained with varicose veins.

It takes me hours to reach my maximum speed.

My fuel rate burns inefficiently.

But here's the worst of it --

 
Almost every time I sneeze,   cough or sputter.....either my radiator leaks or my exhaust backfires!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Really, I swear I'm still alive!

I know, I know but I'm really busy with work! I'm currently getting ready my last final exam & my cousin sent me this & it just made me laugh & I thought it was a quick one I could share with you.

What gets longer when pulled. Fits between your tits. Inserts neatly in a hole & works best when jerked?

You all have dirty minds don't you! On Santa's Naughty list like me huh! HA!

It is a Seatbelt...ha!

I know I will never look at doing that behavior the same again! HA! Leave it to the guys to think of a sweet innocent behavior like that! Thank God for Guys! HA!    

Ok, well after Noon Friday I am done so then I promise I will be back. Then it will just be clean & get ready for the holidays & I'll want to relax in the evening by playing on here! Have a great week! Wish me luck...and no STRESS! UGH! Got any good jokes email them to me...I'll need them next week!

No Flies On Me....Well..

I just emailed Dr. Dyer what happened in class today. We have been having unseasonably warm weather. Today in class as something was flying near me I put out my hand in the direction & commented to my students, look there are still insects flying around & the fly landed on my hand. They all were agast on how that happened. Then it would not leave my hand. I was waving it, then waving it upside down...wouldn't budge...just cleaned its wings etc. I laughed & said, sure Dr. Dyer's daughter & he have butterflies landing on them & I get flies! HA! Though I guess we should not value butterflies necessarily better than flies! I then said, "Are you the fly on my wall wanting to listen in?" "What family member are you?" HA! We had a great time. One of my students suggested it was pooping on me though! HA! I said sure out of the whole term the one thing you will all remember is this fly. You'll all be saying on campus that I attracts flies! HA! Maybe I still have some work to do but I'm getting further along on the path of wellness! :-)  Did you see Dr. Dyer's new show on PBS? He talks about the butterfly on the cover of his new book Intention...story of one that would not leave his hand for hours.

 

I'm Alive!

Yes I am alive! HA! I know I just realized I haven't posted anything in like 3 weeks. John had an entry on excuses a while back...that "I've been busy" one gets overused but that is really my only reason. I have been reading your postings though. I do have a great deal to tell you about. I'll just have to try to post slowly.

I'm trying to relax & enjoy my last day off before my 3 week crunch time at school! Lots to grade but I need to just take this long weekend for myself & re-energize for the next 3 weeks.

I spent Thanksgiving in Chicago! Went to the parade for the first time. The weather was beautiful so I thought why not check that off my list of things to do in my life. Ok, well not a major accomplishment but just an interesting thing to do. I'd really love to go to the NY Macy's one sometime! Ya, that "Miracle on 34th Street" thing. I know I'm a pathetic romantic or just getting old fashion in my ways! HA! Well, I grew up watching all those movies. It was sooo much fun watching the reaction of the children. That is really what it is about. I walked around at the Festival they have on Daley Plaza & found a few items, checked out Fields (oops...I mean Macy's) windows & Carsons! Macy's had Marry Poppins...cute...Carsons was pathetic! I loved going with my grandparents or folks when I was a kid. Back then they were incredible. I still remember the Cinderella one. And they use to have these little boxed ones in the middle of the sidewalk with scenes I think too? Anyone remember those? I have lots of pix. I'll try to get them up in the next couple of days.

Friday I went up to the north suburbs to a parade with my cousin & her little daughter then my older of my two brothers treated me to the Martina McBride Christmas Special....AWESOME!!! I have a few pix from that as well...as best as I could get them. I wasn't a big fan of hers before going but man to hear her sing "Holy Night" accapella was very convincing!

Yesterday I cleaned up the rest of my deck, putting my garden things in the garage finally & put up some new colored icicle lights & then some twinkling ones on the rail. Picked my Santa Cat Flag for this year. It looks pretty good! I love turning the lights off, opening the drapes & just looking at them. I also cleaned up my car a bit...need to still vacuum & bring a few things in but the lower back was not doing too well by the end of the day...oh ya & I fell! Ugh! In the middle of my living room! I know I need bubble wrap for carpeting! HA! I "think" I leaned too much to my left side coming in with some of my pots & all I know is my bad foot twisted & down I went on my legs & hands. Yep, dirt everywhere...what is new! Well, everyone always says when I make a mess I do an excellent job of it. (That is probably in other areas of my life too! HA!) You know high achievers! HA! My foot was twisted under me but I didn't sit on it at least. I think I scared myself more than anything like "OMG I fell...I'm on the floor"  before I could realize it. Being my bad foot this was a huge concern to me. I didn't want another setback...but I tried to calm down & said "It isn't excruciating pain!" So turned & sat on my butt, slowly moved the foot around with my hand...not bad. Got up on good foot & softly walked on other not knowing & it wasn't bad..just kinda strained a bit feeling. It didn't appear to swell or hurt the rest of the evening so maybe Dr. Z. won't kill me. Apparently, it isn't as strong as it should be though and my PT guy is leaving for a Mecca trip for a month...ugh!

Today is cleaning up & decorating day inside. I think I may also go get a small turkey & let the holiday aroma in my place. I ate downtown so I didn't get all that this year. Then I'll have turkey to have during the week. Maybe it will be on sale now too...HA!

Well, I'll try to be better at posting & get some pix up soon. Gotta get started with my day.

Almost...

Its almost here!  

What are you going to be & do for tomorrow?

I'm heading to my folks to pass out candy for them. I don't get any trick or treaters by me & I only have 1 class tomorrow so I can head there early. Not sure if I'm going to dress up yet.

Have to go get a pumpkin today!

Too much to do today! UGH!

My New Toy & Random Neuron Firing!

Ugh...3 hours of sleep last night! Had to get up early for our all day In-Service meetings...ICK! I'm still not good in the mornings! Getting better until that cold hit me a few weeks ago & screwed up my hours again. Falling Back soon will definitely help me! ;-) I did finally order my upgrade! :-) I am goingto try the MDA. It should arrive Fri morning. I'm so excited! I was going to get Verizon's Q & they had an educational discount on it & services but then the internet package was so much cheaper with T-Mobile since I was just upgrading. We'll see...I have 14 days so...

You know it really bugs me that people make assumptions. Why don't they go to the source & ask & find out. People just think they know someone or what they do & they really do not investigate. They just listen to gossip. I mean it is so logical...obviously there is gossip or assumptions about yourself that is not true so why wouldn't you assume gossip or assumptions about another may not be true. We look at a person & just download the whole list of characteristics. It just amazes me how much people really do this! I don't know if I just never saw it before or as much or if it is getting worse. Maybe I never payed attention to it before.

Ok, ok, I'm not saying I never do it myself! I can think of a certain gentleman in college that I thought was a complete jerk (probably some stronger word used then!) because he was to me the first time I met him...but so I was young & stupid then! HA! Well, later he was nicer & I did say maybe he isn't so bad but he never did anything more about it so...Anyways it has been irritating me more lately that people do not take the time to find out & they miss out on so much in life. The tendency to just see the negative in people rather than the strengths. And you know there is something even more...when people see another not doing well why do we just say they are a jerk & not be empathic & say I wonder what is bothering them or why they are like this, either at the moment or overall? Maybe their home life is "unacceptable" (remember Breakfast Club?).

Can you see why I'm in psych now! HA! Yep, I was like this when I was a kid! Must have drove my parents crazy...not Why is the sky blue? but why do parents call their kids names? Probably why I always sat at the adult table at family parties rather than the kiddie table! HA!

You will have to excuse my jumping to topics as my lack of sleep has my brain firing strange. I was watching "Little Giants" with Rick Moranis just a bit ago. Did I tell  you I got to talk to him last spring? Yep! He called me when I requested to use his Agoraphobic Cowboy song for my class & a conference. We had a lovely 30 min conversation. Great guy. Then later we discussed ideas for a video! :-) Well, I'm watching Little Giants & I know it is a bit dated but you know he is just adorable! Yes, I like the goofiness that guys can have. When they can make me laugh so much I'm in tears they got me! ;-)

Man this brain is really going...I have to go to bed! Can't keep my eyes open! More tomorrow!

Definitely a "Trick or Treat!" HA!

Yep, my bathroom fire alarm battery is going for about oh 2 weeks now! Ha! I have the battery just have to get it in. Anyone want to do it for me? See, it times like this I could use a nice brawny guy around! HA! Perferable in short cut offs & no shirt! ;-) Man....I'm in a interesting mood! HA!

Ok, someone emailed me Dolly Parton's "PMS Blues" song today & I thought it was hilarious! HA! No, I don't think he sent it for a reason but....ha! Now, somehow I'm thinking that most guys would take the "Trick" of PMS Blues from Dolly for the later "Treat"! HA! No, I didn't insert the picture so you can enlarge it...I didn't want you guys drooling all over your computers! HA! I can just hear them say "I'll go Trick or Treating with her!" HA! Yes, ladies if you email me I'll send it to you large so you can use it as a dart board! Ha! Just kidding! I know it is probably "such a curse" for Dolly to look like that! HA! Well, enjoy the song!

A bit of Humor

My cousin sent these to me this morning & they are too funny!  You know as much as we my shake our heads at our teens, I think it is great too. How creative is that! I'm sure we could come up with some also. I need a laugh I know. I thought you might also so I wanted to share them with you! Enjoy! :-)

Intellectual Prose

Every year, English teachers from across the country can submit their collections of actual analogies and metaphors found in high school essays. These excerpts are published each year to the amusement of teachers across the country. Here are last year's winners.....

1. Her face was a perfect oval, like a circle that had its two sides gently compressed by a Thigh Master.

2. His thoughts tumbled in his head, making and breaking alliances like underpants in a dryer without Cling Free.

3. He spoke with the wisdom that can only come from experience, like a guy who went blind because he looked at a solar eclipse without one of those boxes with a pinhole in it and now goes around the country speaking at high schools about the dangers of looking at a solar eclipse without one of those boxes with a pinhole in it.

4. She grew on him like she was a colony of E. Coli, and he was room-temperature Canadian beef.

5. She had a deep, throaty, genuine laugh, like that sound a dog makes just before it throws up.

6. Her vocabulary was as bad as, like, whatever.

7. He was as tall as a six-foot, three-inch tree.

8. The revelation that his marriage of 30 years had disintegrated because of his wife's infidelity came as a rude shock, like a surcharge at a formerly surcharge-free ATM machine.

9. The little boat gently drifted across the pond exactly the way a bowling ball wouldn't.

10. McBride fell 12 stories, hitting the pavement like a Hefty bag filled with vegetable soup.

11. From the attic came an unearthly howl. The whole scene had an eerie, surreal quality, like when you're on vacation in another city and Jeopardy comes on at 7:00 p. m. instead of 7:30.

12. Her hair glistened in the rain like a nose hair after a sneeze.

13. The hailstones leaped from the pavement, just like maggots when you fry themin hot grease.
[Fried Maggots - who in the world fries maggots?!?]

14. Long separated by cruel fate, the star-crossed lovers raced across the grassy field toward each other like two freight trains, one having left Cleveland at 6:36 p. m. traveling at 55 mph, the other from Topeka at 4:19 p. m. at a speed of 35 mph.

15. They lived in a typical suburban neighborhood with picket fences that resembled Nancy Kerrigan's teeth.

16. John and Mary had never met. They were like two hummingbirds who had also never met.

17. He fell for her like his heart was a mob informant, and she was the East River.

18. Even in his last years, Granddad had a mind like a steel trap, only one that had been left out so long, it had rusted shut.

19. Shots rang out, as shots are wont to do.

20. The plan was simple, like my brother-in-law Phil. But unlike Phil, this plan just might work.

21. The young fighter had a hungry look, the kind you get from not eating for a while.

22. He was as lame as a duck Not the metaphorical lame duck, either, but a real duck that was actually lame, maybe from stepping on a land mine or something.

23. The ballerina rose gracefully en Pointe and extended one slender leg behind her, like a dog at a fire hydrant.

24. It was an American tradition, like fathers chasing kids around with power tools.

25. He was deeply in love. When she spoke, he thought he heard bells, as if she were a garbage truck backing up.

Some Feminine Strength! ;-)

Well, I have a lot to post. I've been working on the computer all weekend, trying to chill as my doc wanted me to. Well, sort of...I was working on stuff for my students so not quite as relaxing as it could be but at least I wasn't thinking of what I all had to do & getting behind etc. My normal voice is coming back but this cold is still lingering and I'm really tired from the whole thing.

I did go to see "The Guardian" this afternoon with Kevin Kostner. I'll post on that later. I just thought a bit of Kevin would make me feel "all better now!"

Well, Robin is not feeling too great & I left her a comment on a song that has been really making me strong lately. I've been blasting it in my SUV on the way to work for the past 2 weeks probably. It really raises your spirits & makes you strong! It is by Taylor Dayne. Do you remember her? "Tell it To My Heart", "Love Will Lead You Back" (I Love!), "Send Me A Lover" (Can't listen without Crying!)  If you go to Media on her website there is a media video you can watch to remind you of these songs!   AOL also has samples of each song here!


Well, there is just something about her spirit? My spirit just seems to have some kind of connection. Wynnona too. Must be the low growly devil spirit!  HA!  The song I have been playing lately is called "Stand" and I'm going to post the lyrice below for Robin & anyone else that may find it helpful! I love the whole "Naked Without You" CD! "Unstoppable" is great too. I really like"Whenever You Fall". It is quite a lovely thought about what Love is! I remember I was walking with a wonderful guy in a store one time just browsing & it was playing in the store. I was like Wow! It really made me wonder....

I just noticed she is suppose to be singing the National Anthem at the First Game of the World Series on Tues night! YES! That should be great!

Well, hope this helps Robin! The Strength is in you...just have to find it! Somedays it is hard for all of us!


(S. Saraco, H. Hey)

Stand
Stand
So I will stand with my head held high
Even though I'm up against the wind
Stand
And I know I will survive
It is my destiny
Ah ah
With my head held high
I won't fall down
With my head held high
I won't surrender
I know I'm not the only one
To ever stand alone in the dark
Not knowing how I'm going to carry on
But sure I never will surrender
I know exactly who I am
And that theres a purpose and a plan
So I will stand
With my head held high
Even though I'm up against the wind
And I know I will survive
It is my destiny
All right
With my head held high
I won't fall down
With my head held high
I won't surrender
I believe that theres a higher love
Its give me the power
To find my way through the worst times
Turn them into my finest hour
And with this strength I will move on
No matter how hard I won't fall down
So I will stand
With my head held high
Even though I'm up against the wind
Stand
And I know I will survive
It is my destiny
oh
I will stand
With my head held high
Oh oh oh oh
Stand
Even though I'm up against the wind
Stand
And I know I will survive
It is my destiny
Oh
Stand
With my head held high
Oh
Stand
In my life
With my head held high
Paid the price
Oh oh oh
In my life
Paid the price
With my head held high
Oh oh oh
In my life.I made my own choices
Paid the pricewith my share of losses
But eachtime I only get stronger
And I know I've got the power inside
I will stand with my head held high
Even though I'm up against the wind
Stand
And I know I will survive
It is my destiny
I will stand with my head held high
Even though I'm up against the wind
Stand
And I know I will survive
It is my destiny
So I will stand with my head held high
Even though I'm up against the wind
Stand
And I know I will survive
It is my destiny

Brrr....But Trying!

Well, I woke up early & so I didn't get much sleep. Ugh!  Always takes me about an hour when I get up & get meds in me to even feel like eating that is why I sometimes don't. Just finished though & thought I'd let you know I am going to try to go to work today.

I have an appointmentt up north with the doc in the afternoon and then I have to return for my evening class. I'm hoping I can handle it if I bring water or juice. My voice is still pretty low but I don't think it is laryngitis so I don't think talking will make it worse. Energy, now that is another thing. We'll see. At least my 3 hour evening class I'll just have to do an hour & then we have "Crash" showing on campus for the students so we are all going to see that so it is fresh in our minds & we can use it in class.

I headed to get some groceries last night - SOUP! UGH! I really didn't feel like it. I knew there was a reason to get married! HA! Not that I see it as a "have to thing" but hopefully someone would go eagerly because they loved me. I mean that is what it is suppose to be about right. It was a challenge pushing that cart! Then when I came home I had to get the plants off my deck since it was going to freeze. It was 35 when I woke up. 42 now. You know I think Weathermen (woman!) should get paid per how accurate they are. They drive me crazy! They have put snow on & off the forcast so much for this morning I can't keep up. I was just starting to get excited thinking it might cheer me up & now it is off again. Ugh!  Looks like it is a bit up north, maybe an hour from me though. Last couple of years we keep missing the big snows. It is almost like a hole around us. Everyone surrounding us gets it but we miss it? Strange. We'll see this winter. I check & it is 87 today in AZ where my folks have a winter place. They are leaving to go back I think the end of next week. I now know why! HA! I think I'll go too!  Well I'll let you know how it goes later tonight. Stay warm & have a great day.